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977.601
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1192524
GENEAL.03Y COU-ECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
t^ 3 1833 01077 1985
HISTOKY
(^^^
WINONA AND OLMSTED
COTJIsrTIES^ ninn^iofa.
TOGETHER WITH
BIOGRAPHICAL MATTER, STATISTICS, ETC.
GATHERED FROM MATTER FURNISHED BY INTERVIEWS WITH OLD SETTLERS,
COUNTY, TOWNSHIP AND OTHER RECORDS, AND EXTRACTS FROM
FILES OF PAPERS, PAMPHLETS, AND SUCH OTHER
SOURCES AS HAVE BEEN
AVAILABLE.
CHICAGO:
H. H. HILL AND COMPANY, PUBLIbHERS.
1883.
PREFACE. JL192524
\^ In presenting the history of the Counties of Winona and Olm-
sted to tlie public, the editors and publishers have had in view the
preservation of certain valuable historical facts and a vast fund of
information v^hich without concentrated effort could never have
been obtained, but, with the passing away of the old pioneers,
the failure of memory, and the loss of public records and private
diaries, would soon have been lost. This locality being com-
paratively new, we flatter ourselves that, with the zeal and
industry displayed by our general and local historians, we liave
succeeded in rescuing from the fading years almost every scrap
of history worthy of preservation. Doubtless the work is, in
some respects, imperfect; we do not present it as a model liter-
ary effort, but in that which goes to make up a valuable book
of reference for the present reader and future historian, we
assure our patn^ns that neither money nor time has been spared
in the accomplishment of the work. Perhaps some errors will
be found. With treacherous memories, personal, political and
sectarian prejudices and preferences to contend against, it would
be almost a miracle if no mistakes were made. We hope that
even these defects, which may be found to exist, may be made
available in so far as they may provoke discussion and call
attention to corrections and additions necessary to perfect history.
The main part of the work has been done by Messrs. Dr. L. H.
Bunnell, Dr. J. M. Cole, Hon. O. M. Lord, Prof. C. A. Morey,
Gen. C. H. Berry, Hon. W. H. Hill, S. W. Eaton, Esq., and
Prof. Sanford Niles, and we believe that no corps of writers
could have been found who could have done the subject more
4 PREFACE.
ample justice. We are also largely indebted to maii}^ other
well informed citizens of both counties for facts and friendly
criticism. All these gentlemen have put the citizens of this
part of the state under lasting obligations for rescuing this
most valuable matter from oblivion, whither it was surely tend-
ing.
The biographical department contains the names and private
sketches of nearly every person of importance. A few persons,
whose sketches we would be pleased to have presented, for vari-
ous reasons refused or delayed furnishing us with the desired in-
formation, and in this matter only we feel that our work is
incomplete. However, in most of such cases we have obtained,
in regard to the most important persons, some items, and
have woven them into the county or township sketches, so
that, as we believe, we cannot be accused of negligence, partiality
or preiudice.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Chapter I.
Aboriginal History 17
Chapter II.
Explorations 22
Chapter III.
Among the Indians 28
Chapter IV.
Trouble with the Indians 38
Chapter V.
Personal Recollections 47
Chapter VI.
Winona City in Embryo 61
Chapter VII.
Interesting Incidents and Cus-
toms 77
Chapter VIII.
Prehistoric 89 j
Chapter IX. |
Geographical 96
Chapter X. 1
Railroads 106 !
Chapter XL
Navigation 117
Chapter XII. !
Courts and Officers of Courts. . 119 j
Chapter XIII. I
Banking in Winona County. . . 127 j
Chapter XIV. |
Early Settlers, Pioneers, etc. . . 131 ;
Chapter XV.
Treaties with the Indians 137
Chapter XVI. i
The Fur Traders 146
Chapter XVII.
Early Land Titles 157 1
Chapter XVIII. j
The Pioneers 171 ]
Chapter XIX.
First Improvements 180
Chapter XX.
Western Farm and Village As-
sociation 185
Chapter XXI.
The Association Crystallized. . 197
Chapter XXII.
Emigrants Coming 204
Chapter XXIII.
Other Settlements 215
Chapter XXIV.
First Settlements at Winona
City 224
Chapter XXV.
Incidents of the Early Times . 237
Chapter XXVI.
The Association at Rolling
Stone 247
Chapter XXVII.
Crystallization 264
Chapter XXVIII.
Respectability 277
Chapter XXIX.
Looking Around 291
Chapter XXX.
Reflections 298
Chapter XXXI.
Personal Paragraphs 307
Chapter XXXII.
Postoffices 325
Chapter XXXIII.
Incidents 335
Chapter XXXIV.
A Bloody Conflict 343
Chapter XXXV.
A Celebration 359
Chapter XXXVI.
Chatfield Settled and Winona
County Organized 366
Chapter XXXVII.
The District Schools of Winona
County 370
Chapter XXXVIII.
The State Normal School 383
Chapter XXXIX.
Birds of AVinona County 399
6
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Chapter XL.
Winona Public Schools 405
Chapter XLI.
History of Winona City 423
Chapter XLII.
Eoads 437
Chapter XLIII.
Societies 443
Chapter XLIV.
Churches 463
Chapter XLV.
Business Incorporations 487
Chapter XLVI.
Manufacturing Industries 499
Chapter XLVII.
St. Charles Township 528
Chapter XLVIII.
Rolling Stone Township 554
Chapter XLIX.
Dresbach Township 562
Chapter L.
New Hartford, Richmond, Ho-
mer and Pleasant Hill Town-
ships 572
Chapter LI.
Wiscoj^, Warren and Hillsdale
Townships 585
Chapter LII.
Norton, Mount Vernon, White-
water and Elba Townships. . 596
Chapter LIII.
Hart, Fremont ani
Townships
Chapter I.
Description 619
Chapter II.
Organization 626
Chapter III.
Indians, etc 637
Chapter IV.
The Great Rebellion 644
Chapter V.
More About the War 648
Chapter VI.
Murder of Warren Youmans
and Others 667
Chapter VII.
Education 687
Chapter VIII.
Education in Rochester 724
Chapter IX.
Geology of Olmsted County . . . 739
Chapter X.
The Cyclone 757
Chapter XI.
Cascade Township 768
Chapter XII.
Fire and Other Matters 787
Chapter XIII.
Churches 794
Chapter XIV.
Societies, etc 809
Chapter XV.
Marion, Haverhill and Rock
Dell Townships 820
Chapter XVI.
Kalmar Township 825
Chapter XVII.
New Haven Township 837
Chapter XVIII.
Oronoco Township 846
Chapter XIX.
Farmington Township 865
Chapter XX.
Viola Township 874
Chapter XXI.
Quincy, Dover, Elmira and
Eyota Townships 889
Chapter XXII.
Orion, Pleasant Grove and
Salem Townships 898
Chapter XXIII.
Pioneers of Olmsted County. . 907
Chapter XXIV.
Early Settlers 969
Chapter XXV.
Other Prominent Persons . . . .1037
INDEX.
Aboriginal 17
Adams, G. R 508
Aldermen 432
Alexander, Joseph 935
Allard, L. W 1108
Allen, F. H 1100
Allen, W. A 1111
Allis, A. D 1067
Allouez, Claude 22
Anderson, Aaron 910
Andrus, L. . 1143
Animals 63, 64, 101, 592, 875
Assessors, 254, 338, 432, 532, 558,
573, 576, 586, 589, 591, 598,
605,607, 612, 226, 769, 822,824,
830, 843, 877, 889, 891, 895, 898, 906
Atkinson, George ^90
Attorney, City 432
Ableitner, Frederick, Murder of
670, 89.1
Bachelor Dinner 1 70
Baihly, George 1006
Baker, G. W 1005
Balcombe, Dr. John L. . .234, 236, 349
Baldwin, C. W 1077
Banking Flouses 127, 426, 892
Banks, State and National. 128, 131,810
Baptisms 336
Baptist Church. 482, 541, 558, 560,
794, 801, 828, 868, 898
Bardwell, I. C 1011
Bascomb, D. J 943
Bascomb, Newell 944
Barker, J. A . . . .• 1039
Barto, C. AV 1080
Batchelor, B. S 505
Beach, H. H 1080
Bear, William 909
Bear and Beaver Hunting ... .63, 64
Beardsly, AVayne 1058
Beaver Village 602
Beecher, F. L 1118
Bell, J. M 494
Benjamin, L. O 1001
Bennett, Wm. H 524
Bierbaum, C. H 980
Bierman, Adolph 1096
Bertry, Gilbert 1070
Birds 101, 399
Births, 76, 225, 257, 539, 571, 578,
609, 613, 769, 771, 824, 826, 834,
839, 853, 886, 889, 893, 899
Bitner, R. C 1050
Black Hawk 48
Black River 56
Blair, A. B 1106
Blair, C.R 1081
Blake, James C 493
Bliss, C. H 968
Bliss, J. H 984
Bliss, Lowell 968
Bliss, T. H 968
Bloody Conflict, A 343, 346
Blunt, John E 525
Board of Trade 787
Bohemian Church 486
Bohn, Conrad 509
Bonham, Jacob 908
Bonner, D. L 1015
Borrette, Joseph 53
Bostwick, Theodore 1059
Booth, J. W 1112
Booth, W. S 1057
Botanical Features 101
Bowker, Nathaniel 1089
Bowman, Nathan 930
Bradshaw, G. D 1131
Brannan, D. K 987
Breckenridge, AV. L 934
Brick Manufacturer 756
Bridges ... .251, 336, 526, 773, 832, 844
Brockway, Alvin 947
Brockway, P. D 1079
Brodericic, Thomas 1131
Brookner, C. J 1100
Brooks, L.R 490
Brooks, Thomas 1143
Brown, Nathan 149
Brown, AVilliam 1046
Brutal Treatment 537
Bryant, James 1089
Bryan, Thomas 1132
Bub, Peter 521
Buck, G. G 983
Buck, Hon. C. F 272
Buck, Miss M. A 549
Bucklin, James 907
Bulen, B. F 1002
Bulen, Frank, Sentenced for Mur-
der 685
Bunnell, Bradlev 44
Bunnell, L.H..: 47
Bunnell, Willard B. .94, 147, 172,
175, 273. 577
Burgan, Yelverton P 911
Burk, C. E 957
Burk,F. B 957
Burns, John 273, 275, 277
Burns, Michael 1027
Burns, Timothy 503
Busian, Julius 1056
Busian, William 983
Business Incorporations, 487, 499, 566
Bush, H. F 940
Bush, J. G 1018
Bush, W. S 1068
Butler, H. C 1033
Butterfield, C. A 1065
Buttles, H. J 969
Button, Anias 913
Button, C.E 994
Byron Village 832
Callahan, Patrick, Sentenced for
Murder 669
Cameron, Peter 66
Campbell, Hiram 309
Campbell, J. W 1079
Carley, William 1012
Carpenter, V. L 1000
Carver, Jonathan 29
Cascade Township 769, 820
Case, R. A 988
Celebrations 359, 361, 624
Cemeteries 568, 573, 584, 596,
598, 600, 610, 886
Charter of Winona Citv 427
Chatfield Settled " 366
Chicago and Northwestern Rail-
road 521, 560
Childs, George F 227, 229
Chickasaw Indians 26
Chippewa Indians 28
Chittendon, W. 0 1071
Churches. .254, 426, 463, 540, 544,
554, 560, 569, 578, 580, 584,
587, 590, 595, 598, 600, 603,
605, 608, 609, 794, 799, 808,
821, 824, 827, 841, 855, 868,
870, 882, 889, 892, 896, 902
Chute's Addition 427
aty Officials, 431, 436, 775, 777, 779, 783
Claim Shanty, First 164
Claims, Location of, 166, 257, 259, 261
Claims, Lease of 167
Claim Fight 172, 311, 317
Claim Troubles . . . .191. 266, 279,
281, 289, 311, 317, 343, 536, 770
Clark, G. L 1043
Clark, George AV 535
Clark, E. A 1043
Clark, M. M 1095
Clark, S.B 935
Clason, Abram 915
Clausen, Behrend 1112
Clay, T. C 942
Clay, M. W 940
Clerks of Courts 121
Coe, J. N 970
Cohran, Edward 1027
Cole, Andrew 289
Collectors, 531, 558, 576, 586, 591,
594, 598, 605, 607, 612, 822,
824, 830, 877, 889, 895, 898, 906
Congregational Church. .469, 487, 794
Conley, Thomas 1010
Constables 254, 423, 532, 558,
573, 586, 589, 591, 594, 605, 607,
612, 769, 822, 824, 830, 843,
877, 889, 891, 895, 898, 905
Cook,D. C 1021
Cook, J. R 977
Cooms, F. A 518
Coon Creek 56
Cooper, J. H 1125
Cornwell, H. D 1109
Corn well, Thomas 1016
Cosgrove, Wm. P 527
Cotterell, R. L 1000
Courts 119, 126, 534
Cceur de Lion Commandery 455
County and District Attorneys,
122, 363, 628, 631, 634, 636, 785
Countv Commissioners. .338, 361,
363, 367, 424, 531, 626, 628,
631, 634, 636, 852
County Organization 337, 362, 626
County Officials. . . .338, 626, 628,
631, 634, 636, 784
Congress, Members of 363, 630
County Seat 369, 626
Council Acts 114
Cowdery, L. E 1078
Cowles, A. 0 995
Crabb, James 1147
Crane, C. H 974
Crane, J. E 970
Cresap, C. W 982
Crime and Casualty, 787, 872, 874,
887, 891, 893
Crippan, J. P 912
Crops, 99, 100, 262, 559, 671, 573,
576, 588, 590
Crow, N. V. A 1061
Crowell, E. S 1119
INDEX.
Crowell, L. S 950
Cowles, Z. J 1004
Cummings, F. H 956
Cummings, Samuel G 909
Cunningham, Robert 1051
Cunningham, R. F 1051
Cyclone of August 21, 1883. . .757, 835
Cyclone, Property Destroyed in
Rochester 7o8, 760, 762
Casualties in Rochester 763
Funeral Ceremonies in Roches-
ter 763
Ravages Outside Rochester . 764, 836
Relief Work 766, 837
Contribution 767, 837
Cutting, L.S 925
Dakota Village 567
Dakotah Indians 27
Dakotahs, Song of the 32
Daniels, J. V 949
Daniels, M.J 1002
Darling, Delbert 1123
Davidson, Thomas 1096
Davidson, William 351
Davis, E. S 497
Dean, Thomas 1134
Dearborn, J. B 916
Deaths, 222, 237, 243, 248, 539, 557,
568, 609, 613, 763, 769, 771, 825,
834, 839, 853, 881, 886, 894, 899, 905
Deeds, First Made and Recorded . 341
Deer, Elk and Buffalo 63
De Graff & Co 108
Denman, Jacob S 224, 226
Dentists 426
Derby, E. H 1065
Desmond, Terrence, Murder of. 678, 894
Dewey, E. H 999
Dewitz, Christian 1139
Dewitz, Ernest 1139
Dibell, A. J 1049
Dickerman, Enoch 1027
Dickerman, 0. T 1080
Dickson (Trader) 39
Dieter, William 1084
Dixon, Walter 1100
District and County Attorneys, 122,
363, 628, 631, 634, 636, 785
Doctors 426
Dodd, Isaac 931
Dodge, C. B 939
Dodge, E.B 1026
Dodge, Harrison 1006
Dodge, W. H 1098
Doherty, B. A 1097
Doig, Alex 526
Doud, Chauncey 517
Douglass, Harrison 921
Drake, Joseph 913
Dresbach Township 562, 572
Dresbach Village 565
Druids, Order of 458
Dubuque, Julien 36
Dudlev, L. A 1082
Dunn,' Edwin 1080
Durand, Charles 972
Durham, John 502
Durkee, A. W 1116
Doty, A. J 1145
Doty, E. A 1028
Douglass Station 834
Dover Center Village 891
Dover Township 890, 892
Early Land Titles 157
Early Navigators 117
Early Settlers 969
Eastwood, George ](/63
Eaton, B.W 934
Eaton, 3. W 1048
Education, Board of 407, 421
Eckles, George 984
Eckles, William 983
Elba ToAvnship 603, 606
Elba Village 605
" Elder Ely's Hat" 326
Eleazar, Damon 969
Elections. .253, 363, 424, 431, 532,
558, 573, 576, 612, 626, 628,
631,634, 636, 772, 830, 895, 906
Elections, Judges of 362, 531, 612
Ellison, J. A 989
Ely, Rev. Ed ward.. 215, 329, 335, 540
Evans' Addition 427
Evans, Royal B 335
Evergreen Lodge, A. F. and A. M. 615
Execution of Little Six and Medi-
cine Bottle 80
Explorations • . .22, 292, 297, 299, 558
Edwards, Charles, Flight of. .671, 675
Elevations 743
Elmira Township 892, 894
Evans, G.F 920
Eyota Township 894, 898
Evans, S. B 979
Eyota Village 895
Eyota Lodge, I.O.O.F 897
Farmington Township 866, 874
Farming, First Attempt 225
Farnham, Albert 1073
Farrand, J.N 1123
Fawcett, J. H 978
Fay, Larence 1008
Ferguson, C. V 1056
Ferries 567
Fillmore County 337, 369
Finn, C.C 1136
Fish 102
Fishback, T. L 1006
Fitzpatrack, James 975
Flathers, J. W 940
Floods 162, 561, 604
361, 624
10
INDEX.
Fourth of July Celebration, 359,
Folsom, R. P 1093
Fox Indians 26
Frahm, Juergen 1034
Fremont Township 608, 610
Frizzell, G. A 1039
Fruit Trees, First Planted 224
Fur Traders 146
First Battalion Infantry 659
Fire Department 786
Fires 791,887, 899
Fogartv, P. E 1055
Foote, P. H : . . 1036
Fordice, A. R 1010
Foster, Alonzo 1047
Fugle, Mathew 975
Fulkerson, J. J 1040
Fulkerson, J. W 978
Gage, A. W 513
Gage, Daniel 513
Ganey, Dan, death of 790
Gault, N. C 519
Geisinger, Samuel 1004
Genoa Village 841
Geological Features 528, 563, 739
George, Colonel James 908
George, James 911
Germania Lodge, A.O.U.W 553
Gere, George M 288
Gere, Henry C .281, 311, 313, 315, 317
Gere, Wilham B 279
Germania Band 462
German Library Association 819
Gerry, Henrv 1113
Giere, A.N 975
Giere, N. N 975
Gilbert, W.W 1105
Goddard, Abner 8 229, 233, 327
Goddard, " Aunt Catharine " . . 229,
233, 316, 335
Goddard's Hotel 230, 233
Gold Found 756, 861
Goodman, Henrv 916
Good Templars ." 460, 829, 856,
882, 897
Goode, A. J 1041
" Gophers " 206, 223
Gorton, Elisha 1069
Gorr, Peter 181
Goulet, Death of 61
Gove, R. H 1091
Guderian, Julius 1086
Gwinn, Joseph 1081
Graham, William 967
Granger, Abner 1098
Granger Movement 633, 885
Granger Societies 542, 633
Grant, A. S 1101
Grassle, Jacob 1132
Grasle, Jacob 1065
Graves, A. H 1047
Gray, A. S 945
Green Bay, Lake Pepin & Iviiini.
Railroad 113
Greenback Party 635
Greenwood, H. W 1117
Greenwood, L. A 1129
Greenwood, Stephen 1129
Gregerson, G. A 1046
Grimm, J. F 1072
Gunn, J. M 1015
Haber, George 1003
Haddock, William 197, 207
Haddock's Letter 186
Hall, J. M 1146
Hall,S.W. B 1075
Hall, T. P 1119
Halloran, Timothy 1061
Hamilton, Andrew 507
Hamilton, Charles S...277, 279,
280, 336
Hamilton, Rev. Hiram S 277,
279, 281
Hamilton's Addition 427
Hammond, N.N 935
Haney, John 1011
Hanks, Elijah 103()
Hannon, Abel 1028
Hannon, H. T 1005
Hargesheimer, Gustavus 1077
Harkins, Abram 933
Harris, Capt. Smith 118
Harris, T.S 923
Harrington, Albert 1109
Hart, J. G 1029
Hart Township 606, 608
Hatch, Major 79
Hatfield, W.H 954
Hathawav, R. D 1035
Haverhill Township 821, 823
Haj^es, William 507
Hays, George 922
Hawley, C. H 1118
Healey, George 1032
Hebbard, D. S 994
Hedge, Asa 346
Hendricks, J. B 1070
Hendricks, John 908
Hennepin, Father Louis 24, 133
Henry, J. R 1018
Herrick, S. M 916
Hewitt, F. J 1083
Hickok, Marshall 1044
Hicks, Mason 967
Hill, A. W 990
Hilliard, J. C 1009
Hillsdale Township 592, 596
Hisey, Daniel 1001
Hitman, Fred, Sentenced for Mur-
der 678
Hitt, Calvin 954
Hodges, L. B 948
INDEX.
11
Hodgins, A. F 505
Hodgman, J. H 996
Hoganson, Peter 1072
Holmes, Thomas 60
Homer Township 271, 576, 5S0
Homer Village 578
Horton, Charles 508
Hortou, H. E 1022
Horton, J. H 1125
Hotels, Inns and Taverns 287,
320, 347, 353, 426, 534, 560, 567,
579, 587, 594, 603,606,615, 769,
771, 868, 891, 895
Hubbard's Addition 427
Hubbell, Father 453, 457
Huff, G. B 1056
Huff, Henry D 266, 270, 353
Hughes, John 916
Humboldt Lodge, I.O.O.F 446
Hurd, Charles 1075
Hurlbert, W. M 527
Hodges, L. B 632
Hyatt, Amos 1003
Hymes, H. R 973
lams, John 255, 310, 558
Ice Floes 68
Ikaro, J. G 1126
Improvements 180, 225, 287
Incidents of Interest. . . .210, 239,
241, 243, 246, 333, 386, 342, 351,
537, 571, 601, 613, 651, 757,
788, 790, 845, 862
Incorporation of St. Charles City . . 554
Incorporation of Winona City. . . 431
Incorpoi-ations, Business . . . .487,
499, 566
Indian Burials 92
Indian Chieftains 138
Indian Dancing Grounds 83
Indian Graves 227, 275, 638
Indian Incidents and Customs ... 77
Indian Implements 91, 227, 564
Indian Jealousy 152
Indian Legends 85, 86
Indian Mounds 90, 564
Indian Names, their Meaning . . 18, 57
Indian Sacred Dance 81
Indian Sun Dance 81 , 83
Indian " Shanty tax " 179, 238
Indian Tribes 21
Indians, Treaties with 137
Indians, Troubles with 38
Industries, Manufacturing 499, 528
Incorporation of Rochester City . . 775
Insane Asylum 809
Implicating the Court 864
Ireland, Thomas 971
Ireland, W. W 1037
Isaacson, Christopher 937
Isaacson, T. B 938
Jacobs, Phillip 76
Jenks, S. L 1073
Jewell, Daniel 998
Johnson Destroys the Shanty .... 174
Johnston, William 966
Jones, Berry & Smith, Bankers. . . 127
Jones, J. H 478
Jones, R. A 1030
Joslyn, L. B 972
Judd, E. F 1104
Judges 120, 784
Judges of Probate 290, 338, 363
626, 628, 631, 634, 636, 785
Juleson, Ole 1032
Jury, Grand 338
Jury, Petit 338
Justices of the Peace 253, 276,
289, 302, 338, 363, 423, 432, 532,
558, 571, 573, 576, 586, 589, 591,
594, 598, 605, 607, 612, 769, 822,
824, 830, 843, 877, 889, 891, 895,
898, 906
Kaiser, Emil 520
Kalb, Henry 968
Kalmar Township 825, 837
Kane, John 1016
Keeler, S. E 1104
Kellogg, Roderick 323
Kellog, T. B 1078
Kelly, James 990
Kelly, William 990
Kendall, J. B 964
Kendall, S.B 963
Kennedy, Robert 60
Kennedy, Patrick 998
Kent, W. C 971
Kerr, A. H .1120
Kesson, C. F 926
Ketchum, E. F 1001
Ketchum, J. C 953
Keyes, C. R 1126
Keyes, D. L 1106
Keyes, John 355
Kidder, Asa 1144
Kimball, D. D 1061
King, D. L 965
King, James 505
King, William 1110
Kinney, H. M 493
Kirkham, J. H 1116
Kitzmann, Michael 1301
Knapp, A. K 1007
Knapp, Leonard 913
Knights of Honor 460, 542
Knights Templar 455
Knowlton, E. A 1077
Krause, Christoph 1056
Kurtzman, J. H 1111
La Bath 49
La Bathe, Francois 146
La Crosse, Name of 56
La Du, J. T 1091
12
ESTDEX.
La Due, Jay 1023
Laird, John C . .310, 312, 314, 316,
318, 335
Laird, W. H 502
Laird's Addition 427
Lake, G. C 1085
Lalor, J. W 498
Lamprecht, John 520
Land Titles, Early 157
Larsen, D. S 974
Larsen, Frank 1092
La Salle 24
Lasher, C. C 955
Lawyers 426, 772
Lawsuits, Civil and Criminal . . 302,
314, 342, 537, 539, 669, 672, 677,
682, 685, 772, 869, 878
Leet, A. D 1022
Legislature, Members of. .253, 363,
364, 544, 629, 631, 634, 636
Leonard, J. A 1024
Le Sueur 24
Levee 270
Library, City 819
Liquor, First Sold 246, 771, 886
Little Crow 43
Looking Around 291
Loomis, Horace 1005
Lord, Hon. 0. M. . . .207, 253, 306,
308, 559
Lord's Hearty Meal 219
Lord's Lumber Yard 215
Lovejoy, Levi 957
Lovers' Leap 81
Luark, William T 255, 310
Lull, L. W 1050
Lutheran Church . . 483, 598, 608,
808, 824, 870, 882, 889, 896
Lynx, Accident to Steamer 73
Mack, D. F 981
Mail Routes 298, 559
Manahan, Joseph 1053
Manufacturing Interests and In-
dustries. . .426, 499, 528, 561,
566, 579, 792
Marfield, O. L 519
Marion Township 820
Markham, Matthew 1021
Marquette, Father Joseph 133
Marquette, Pierre 23
Marriages, 330, 539, 571, 587, 609,
613, 821, 825, 853, 878, 891,
893, 895, 899, 905
Marshals 432
Martin, Walter 997
Masons, Free and Accepted. .449,
542, 580, 615, 812, 897, 903
Maxfield, David 1097
Mayo, W. W 1037
Mayors 46l
Mead, E. S 437
Menard, Rene 22
Merrick, M. J 1044
Methodist Episcopal Church, 475,
540, 544, 569, 591, 595, 600, 603,
610, 799, 808, 821, 827, 869,
871, 882, 892, 896
Miller, E. H 1059
Miller, George 1104
Miller, Hiram 1093
Military Record . . . .543, 600, 644,
667, 859, 885, 890, 892
Milton, R 1099
Middleton, Richard 929
Minneowah 271, 578
Minnesota City Colony, 247, 325, 560
Minnesota Hospital for Insane . . 809
Minnesota Territory Organization 134
Minnesota State Normal School . . 391
Missionaries 150, 151
Monk, Nicholas 515
Montezuma 270, 326
Moody, Robert 923
Moore, R. B 1026
Morganatic Marriages 77
Morris, W. D 1123
Morrison, D. A 1090
Morrison, John 1058
Morrison, R. H. D 507
Morrow, John 981
Morton, J. M 1072
Mosse, F. R 1119
Moulton, Abel 942
Moulton, Amos 946
Moulton, Edmund 1014
Mount Vernon Township 598. 601
Mowbray, A. G /. . . . 490
Murder of Sheriflf Lester 74
Museum of Science, etc 397
Murder of Warren Youmans 667
Murder of Frederick Ableitner. . 670
Murder of John Schroeder 676
Murder of Terrence Desmond . . . 678
Murder of John Nevins 683
Murphy, N. W 980
Murray, Patrick 1034
Mutchler, L. L 1074
Myers " Holds the Fort" 173
Myrick, Nathan 76
McCaleb, H:G 977
McCarren, Wm., Terrible Death of 872
McCarthy, Michael 953
McCoy, L. L 9-59
McCoy, Thomas 953
McDowell, S. J 925
McGinley, Barney 994
McKay, George 498
McMaster, John 992
McLeod,Hugh 1093
Names of Olmsted County Volun-
teers 659, 667
Navigation 117
INDEX.
13
Navigation Table 119
Navigators, Early 117
Nelson, Andrew 1031
Nevins, John, Murder of 683
New Arrivals 188, 190
New Hartford Township 572
New Hartford Village 573
New Haven Township 837, 846
New Haven Village 840
Newspapers, Olmsted County
Press 639,644, 856
Newspapers, Early 354, 365, 639
Newspapers, Winona County
Press 400, 405
Nicklin, John 309
Nickum, P. M 1110
Ninth Regiment Infantry 649
Noonan, William . 512
Noracong, Isaac M 208, 292, 555
Norton, James L 502
Norton, Matthew 502
Norton, Patrick 973
Norton Township 596, 598
Notaries Public 254
Oak Grove Druids 459
O'Brien, Pedagogue 45
Odd-Fellows, Order of. . .443, 542,
817, 855, 897
Olds, F. T 1003
Old To-ma-ha 145
Oleson, Olans 103o
Olmsted County, Introduction... 617
Olmsted County, Description and
Early Settlement 619, 625
Olmsted County, Organization
of 626, 632
Olmsted County Press 639, 644
Olmsted County Volunteers, Names
of 659, 667
Olmsted County Political His-
tory 626, 637
Olmsted County, Geology of 739
Olmsted, Hon. David 287
Olmsted Names, Prominent 630
0-man-haugh-tay, Release of 75
Orient Chapter, R.A.M 542, 551
Orion Township 898, 900
Oronoco Lodge, I.O.O.F 855
Oronoco Lodge, I.O.G.T 856
Oronoco Township 846, 865
Overend, David 940
Overseers of Highways, 533, 598, 612
Overseers of the Poor. . .532, 576,
586, 591, 605, 612
Ozmun, A 1032
Packard, H. C 997
Palmer, R. K 494
Parks, Amos 1137
Parochial Schools 477, 484
Parks, J. L 911
Patrons of Husbandry 885
Pearce, Abraham 1107
Pederson, Rasmus 1114
Peirson, J. S 912
Pennoyer, L. A 491
Perrot, Nicholas 23
Personal Paragraphs 307, 325
Personal Recollections 47
Pett, John 1134
Pett, Robert 1134
Phelps, Chester 955
Phelps, Clark 1086
Phelps, N. S 910
Philharmonic Society 462
Pickle, A. H 1017
Pickwick Village 579
Pike, Robert, Jr. . . .248, 255, 292, 305
Pike, Zebulon M 37
Pierson, Miss Louisa 76
Pilots 73
Pioneers.. 171, 533, 535, 601, 604,
607, 610
Pleasant Hill Township 581
Pooler, J. F 1086
Population, 170, 248, 335, 425, 554,
558, 560, 563, 603, 606, 832,
341, 844, 858, 888
Porter, Lemuel C 517
Postoffices & Postmasters 248,
325, 535, 557, 565, 567, 573, 576,
587, 589, 590, 594, 603, 605, 608,
774, 821, 835, 841, 868, 871, 880,
895, 900
Postier, Charles 1141
Postier, F. P 1140
Postier, Henry 928
Postier, William 928
Potter, John 984
Potter, Oliver 975
Potter, William 907
Prairie 98
Prairie Lodge, I.O.O.F 444
Prehistoric 89
Presby, W. W 1045
Presbyterian Church 463, 592,
609, 798, 821, 855, 896
Preston, Elias 1101
Preston, W. M 1102
Price, J. T 1028
Projects, Abandoned 290
Protestant Episcopal Church, 472,
541, 595, 797
Proudfoot, H. C 958
Public Halls 350, 365, 612
Puder, C. C 526
Political History of Olmsted
County 626, 637
Potsdam, Village of 871
Pleasant Grove Township. . 900, 904
Quincy Township 889
Railroad History, Prominent
Names 109
14
Railroads, 108, 115, 521, 528, 560,
85], 880
Railroads, First Charter 104
Rank, W. J 953
Raymond, W. L 505
Reade, Frank 1058
Rebellion, War of the . . .644, 667, 859
Recorders 431, 895
Reed, James 55, 57, 59
Reed, W. W 1091
Registers of Deeds 338, 363,
626, 628, 631, 634, 636
Religious Meetings, 233, 235, 254, 335,
540,558, 575, 771, 795, 854, 889,
899, 901, 905
Remick, I. E 1009
Reynolds, Edwin, tried for mur-
der 682
Reynolds, Tertius 1070
Rice, W. C 972
Rice. W. R 969
Richardson, H. M 1098
Richardson, Thomas 1060
Richmond Township 574
Richmond Village 575
Ridges 97
Rinderknecht, J. D 1042
Rinderknecht, James 1045
Rising Moose 42
Rising Sun Lodge, A. F. and A. M. 542
549
Rivers and Springs 97, ^20
Roads. .362, 437, 443, 570, 575, 577, 583,
599, 868, 877, 895, 899
Roberson, Cornforth 1021
Roberts, C.H 1105
Robertson, Isaac 1072
Robertson, John 919
Robertson, Robert 913
Robinson, A. D 1078
Robinson, M. A 1113
Rochester City Library 819
Rochester Citv, History of . . .626, 724.
769, 775, 777, 779, 783
Rochester, Great Cyclone 757
Rochester Lodge, A. F. and A.M. 812
Rochester Lodge, I.O.O.F 817
Rochester Township 1127
Rock Dell Township 823
Rock— St. Peter Sandstone 750
Trenton Limestone 752
Galena Limestone ...'..... 753
Rocks 102, 103, 744, 750, 752, 753
Rogers, William 505
Rolling Stone Settlement 205, 247
Rolling Stone Township 554, 562
Rolling Stone Village 560
Roman Catholic Church. .477, 542,
560, 584, 600, 605, 807, 903
Rommel, Frederic 1064
Rommell, John 1092
Roseboom, N. A 1085
Roth, E. J 1030
Royal Arcanum Society 542
Rowley, M. V 1071
Ruber, J. F 1013
Rucker, Frederick 1060
Rucker, F. J 1060
Rude Hospitality 169
Russell, C. P...." 1081
Russell, C. W 1011
Russell, James 489
Sacred Dance of Indians 81
Salem Tow^nship 904, 906
Sallev, Daniel 955
Saloons 426, 560
Sanborn, S 527
Sanborne's Addition 350, 427
Saratoga Township 611, 616
Sargeant, M. Wheeler 356
Sattre, A. S 989
Sattre, 0. S 988
Savage Hospitality 65
Sawyer, Caleb 980
Sawyer, F. P 497
Scandinavian Grove Druids .559
Schacht, Conrad 1141
Schmelzer, Henry 1140
Schmelzer, Jacob 1140
Schmid, Robert 1099
Schmidt, W. F 1145
Scholar's Names 370
School Money . .371, 627, 687, 689, 694
School Officers. .697, 699, 701, 703, 725
School, State Normal 383, 397
School Statistics. .381,687, 701, 703,
705, 707,709, 711, 715, 717, 733, 735
School Superintendents . . 374, 380,
631, 698, 718, 722
School Tax.. 372, 627, 688, 690,
692, 735
Schools, Private, District and
Public. .230, 252, 347, 370, 383,
405, 422, 538, 546, 559, 568, 573,
575, 583, 587, 591, 593, 597, 599,
603, 605, 608, 610, 615, 687, 695,
700, 702, 704, 706, 708, 710, 722,
724, 726, 728, 730, 732, 736, 738,
827, 839,857,880, 892, 895, 897, 899
Schools, Sabbath . . 468, 470, 474,
476, 482, 484, 569, 580, 588,
594, 882
Schoonmaker, James H 520
Schroeder, John, Murder of 676
Scott, W. A 523
Schroth,C. F 511
Schuster, Henry 1065
Seaman, Emil, Terrible Death of. 873
Searles, William 1138
Second Advent Church 485, 829
Second Regiment Infantry 646
Seilor, G. F 974
INDEX.
15
Settlements and Settlers . .215,
217, 219, 239,570,572,575, 591,
593, 622, 624, 769, 838, 847, 867,
876, 889, 893, 899, 905
Settler, Oldest Native 226
Settlers, Names of. .204, 211, 335,
347, 363, 564, 622, 624
Seward, W.H 1119
Shaffer, O.P 1044
Shaver, David 962
Sheeks, G. C 1017
Shellman, C. T 1059
Sheriffs.. 125, 338, 363, 626, 628,
631, 634, 636
Shooting of Dan Ganey 790
Shooting of Henry D. Huff 266
Shooting of Simonds 343
Sickness 300, 570, 638
Sims. W.H 519
Sinclair, George 937
Sioux War 648
Sixth Regiment Infantry 654
Skeletons Found 564
Smith, A. B., Disappearance of. . . 320
Smith, A. C 924
Smith, Capt. Orrin . .118, 163, 264, 270
Smith, CM 939
Smith, H.H 497
Smith, H.R 1143
Smith, L.W 1112
Snow, Dr 76
Snow, Sumner 1 104
Soble,John 1135
Social Enjoyments 333, 334
Societies 443, 463, 480, 486,542,
545, 569, 580,588, 596,615,812,
817, 855, 885, 895, 903
Society of Arts, Sciences and Let-
ters 397
Soil 99
Solum, Mathias 1107
Somerville, L. E 1041
Somerville, William 1040
Song Composed by Pike .360
Song of the Dakotah's 32
Southwick, Hiram 1142
Springer, L. H 353
St. Aloysius Young Men's Society 462
St. Charles, City of. Incorporation 554
St. Charles Township 528, 554
St. Charles Lodge I.O.O.F 552
St. Paul and Chicago Railroad 110
St. George, Michael 958
Stafford, J. W 1124
Staley, George W., Sentenced to
Death, 675, 891
Stanchfield, Henry 920
Stangeland, J. E 1047
Starmer, Robert 1055
Steamboat Arrivals, Table 118
Steamboats 73, 118, 426
Stearns, 0. P 630, 632
Stebbins, A. T 1110
Stedman, Alfred 1107
Stellwagen, John 512
Stensrnd, H. H 974
Steuben Lodge, I.O.O.F 818
Stevens, Silas 282
Stevenson, John 954
Stevenson, Thomas 921
Stevenson, R. L 921
Stevens, William H 283, 292, 335
Steward, D 549
Stewart, George 1027
Stinchfield, A. N 1113
Stocking, George 1023
Stocking, G. B ^ . . 1001
Stockton Village 594
Stores and Shops, 225, 252, 331,
350, 364, 426,535, 560, 565, 568,
573, 575, 578, 587, 594, 603, 769,
774, 824, 833, 891
Strachan, Mathew 979
Stuckman, E. H 981
Sun Dance of Indians 81, 83
Supervisors, 532, 573, 576, 588, 591,
594, 598, 605,607, 612, 628, 769,
821, 823,830, 843,858, 867, 877,
889,891,895,898, 906
Surveyor 432
Sweenev, John 1112
Sweet, Rev. William 207, 209
Swartz, W. H 1120
Tait, Joseph 924
Taylor and Company's Addition . . 427
Teachers' Institute 377, 379, 710
Teahen, Timothy 1040
Temperance Societies 461, 542,
570, 595, 903
Temple of Honor 460
Terwilliger, S. R 991
Thayer, Edgar 1114
Thompkins, D. D 1062
Thompson, I. D 1018
Thompson, J. C 1119
Thompson, S. K 330
Thorp, Robert 220
Timber 98, 744
Titus, T.H 1071
Tondro, Lyman 1099
Tottingham, C. E 919
Towey, James 1094
Town Clerks. . . 532, 573, 576, 586,
588, 591, .598, 605, 607, 609, 612,
769, 821, 823. 830, 843, 858, 867,
877, 889, 891,895, 898, 906
Township Organization. .530, 628,
769, 857, 867, 889, 892
Townships — Dresbach 562, 572
Elba 603, 606
Fremont 608, 610
Hart 606, 608
16
.592,
Townships — Continued
Hillsdale .
Homer
Mount Vernon . . 598,
New Hartford
Norton 596,
Pleasant Hill
Richmond
Rolling Stone . . . 554,
Saratoga 611,
St. Charles 528,
Warren 589,
Whitewater 601,
Wilson
Wiscoy
Towns^d, George
Trading Expedition
Trades 252,289,
Treasurers 338, 431, 591, 594,
628, 631, 634, 636, 769, 843,
Third Regiment Infantry
Terrible Cyclone, The
Townships — Cascade 769,
Marion
Haverhill 821,
RockDell
Kalmar 825,
New Haven 837,
Oronoco 846,
Farmington S66.
Viola 874,'
Quincy
Dover 890
Elmira 892
Eyota 894
Orion 898.
Pleasant Grove. .900
Salem 904,
United Brethren Church . 591, 605,
United Workmen, Order of. .459,
542,
596
576
601
572
598
581
574
562
616
554
592
603
588
585
1021
67
426
626,
,891
655
757
820
820
823
823
,837
,846
,865
,874
894
898
900
,904
906
819
Universalist Church 804
Valuations 426, 531, 858, 888
Van Campen, Charles 1103
Van Dooser, Franklin 1022
Van Gorder, Samuel D. . .440, 442, 514
Van Horn, M. C 914
Viets, Byron A 284
Viets' Tavern 287
Viestadt, Frederick 1145
Viestadt, Ludwig 1144
Viola Township 874, 888
Viola Village 886
Volney, D. N 960
Vosburg, John 910
Vroman, Chauncey 1013
Vroman, Rudolph 1013
W^abasha County 253, 338
Wabasha, Arrest of 157
Wabashaw Protection Club 176
Wagoner, J. H 974
Waldron, A. N 1095
Waldron, G. W 1136
W^aldron, Harrison 1076
Waldron, Robert 961
Walker's Barricade 184
Wah-pa-sha 29
Warehouses 350
Warren Township 589, 592
Waterman, Harrison B 302
Waterman, Richard 993
Water-Powers 740
Weagant, J. M 988
Weber, Henry 1090
Webster, W. B 946
Welch, Hon. William H 120
Wells, James 135
We-no-nah 78, 140, 638
W^estern Farm and Village Asso-
ciation, 185, 198, 200, 201, 203,
301, 334, 55
Wilkins, Darius 938
HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
CHAPTER I.
ABORIGINAL HISTORY.
A HISTORY of the first settlement of Winona county, and es-
pecially that of the city of Winona, requires that some notice be
given to the Indian tribes that have occupied the territory in which
it lies, and of that adjacent, and also that some notice be given to
the early efforts of missionaries and explorers to christianize and
render the savages obedient to the wants of commerce and of French
or English ascendancy. The fur trade was the most important ele-
ment in the early explorations and settlement of the Northwest, as
commerce generally has been in the civilization of the world.
The limited space allowed for this subject admits of but slight
mention of the authorities drawn upon, but it is imperative that
the aid afforded by the researches of the Smithsonian Institute, of
Rev. Edward Duffield Neil, and of Judge George Gale, be acknowl-
edged.
Absolutely nothing is known of the origin of the Indians ;
neither the mound-builders, nor the more modern tribes ; and the
naturalist is led to ponder over the suggestion ascribed to Yoltaire,
' ' that possibly, in America, while God was creating different spe-
cies of flies, he created various species of men,"
Be that as it may, their differentiations in languages and cus-
toms, forming different tribes from mo-re original stocks, or sources,
have been noticed by writers upon ethnology ; but aside from the
knowledge afforded by their various languages and traditions all is
doubt and mystery. Their traditions, even, are so blended with
superstitions and romances ' that the most critical judgment is re-
quired in giving credit to any portion of them ; the more especially
to times and distances that extend beyond the Indian's present
capacity to realize. The territory between the lakes and the Missis-
2
18 HISTORY OF WESrONA COUNTY.
sippi river seems to have been peculiarly fitted by its topography
and natural productions for a grand nursery of savage tribes ; and
there are evidences still remaining in the languages and traditions
of the aboriginal inhabitants of this territory, and in the remains
of ancient tumuli, stone and copper implements, to warrant this
belief It is probable, as claimed by tradition, that some tribe of
Algonquin origin was in possession of this vast territory, and were
dispossessed by confederated Sioux, whom tradition says came from
the New Mexican frontier. The Chippewa names for different local-
ities, now corrupted, but familiar to us, warrants this belief, if it
does not establish the fact. The Sauks and Min-o-min-ees, both of
Chippewa origin, say they were the original owners of the whole
territory, but they shed no light upon the origin of the mound-
builders. Those people may have been drawn to this territory from
the far south in search of copper, which to them, probably, was as
the gold of California to modern adventurers, and been expelled
again by wars, or have voluntarily abandoned their industrious
mode of life to become engrafted into the new nations that were
springing up around them. Such industrious people would natu-
rally become the prey of more warlike tribes, and the more especially
so because of their cranial development, indicating a lack of aggress-
ive character. In support of the claim to have been the oldest ot
modern tribes to occupy the territory, the Chippewa race mention
the names given by their ancestors to prominent localities. For ex-
ample, Michigan, a word of Chippewa origin, is derived from Mich-
e-gah-ge-gan, meaning the lake country, or "skye bound waters."
Wisconsin is from Gy-osh-kon-sing, the name of its principal river,
and means the place of little gulls. Chicago is from Gah-che-gah-
gong, a place of skunks. Milwaukee is from Mim-wa-ke, meaning
hazel-brush land, equivalent to good land, as upon good land only
will this shrub grow. The astringent bark was used as a medicinal
remedy, and hence the shrub was known as the good shrub by the
Indians.
Galena was known as Ush-ke-co-man-o-day, the lead town ;
Prairie-du-Chien as Ke-go-shook-ah-note, meaning where the fish rest,
as in winter they are still known to do. St. Anthony's Falls was
called Ke-che-ka-be-gong, a great waterfall ; the Mississippi as
Miche-see bee, or Miche-gah-see bee, meaning the great or endless
river, or, more literally, the river that runs everywhere ; and Lake
Superior was known as Ke-che-gun-me, or "the great deep." Only
ABORIGINAL HISTORY, 1 [)
a few Chippewa names have been given, and those simply to show
the familiarity of the Chippewas with cliaracteristics of the various
localities named by them and now so familiar to us. It may be
added that St. Paul, or its site, was known as Ish-ke-bug-ge, or new
leaf, because of the early budding out of the foliage below St. An-
thony's. It has been a custom of Indian ti'ibes, as with other primi-
tive peoples, to name persons and tribes from peculiarities, from
resemblances and from localities.
This rule has been followed in naming the separate tribes of
the great Algonquin, Iroquois and Dah-ko-tah nations, as well as of
those of the Pawnee, Shosh-o-me, Kewis, Yu-mah and Apachee or
Atha-pas-can nations. For many years the records of the early
Spanish and French explorers were hidden from the researches of
modern investigators, but those of Marco-de Nica and of Coronado,
have come out at last from their mouldy recesses, and documents
that had lain in the archives of France for long years have been
copied and published to aid the modern historian. In these records
of the early explorers, errors in writing and on maps have been
made ; but they are of considerable value to modern research, be-
cause of the light they shed upon the explorations of their authors,
and upon some Indian traditions concerning them.
The Chippewa name for Lake Winnepec is Win-ne-ba-go-shish-
ing, the meaning of which is a place of dirty water. The name
Win-ne-ba-go was interpreted to mean " ' stinking water, " and the
Indians of the tribe were called by the early French explorers the
" Stinkards," under the impression that they had come from a place
of stinking water. Lake Winnebago, in Wisconsin, was supposed
to be that locality, but it may be observed here that the water (^f
that lake is not, or was not, before the advent of the white people,
impure.
Another reason given for the name was, that they had come
from the Western sea or ocean, imagined by the first French ex-
plorers to exist in the region of the Mississippi river ; and as the
Algonquin name Winnebagoec, for salt and stinking water, was the
same, except in accent, their name was supposed by some to desig-
nate a people from the Western ocean. The traditions and legends
still existing among the Winnebagoes render it probable that they
once inhabited the territory adjacent to lake Win-ne-ba-go-shish-ing
(modernly called Winnepec), and probably long anterior to the
occupancy by the Sioux of the Mille-Lac country, as while acknowl-
20 HISTOEY OF WINONA COUNTY.
edging their relationship to the Dah-ko-tah nation, they claim a more
ancient lineage. Lieut. Pike refers to the statement of an old Chip-
])ewa that the Sioux once occupied Leach Lake; and Winnebago
shishing, or the "Dirty Water lake," is but twenty-five miles dis-
tant from Leach Lake.
The Winnebagoes call themselves Ho-chunk-o-rah, meaning
"the deep voiced people." The Dah-ko-tahs call them Ho-tau-kah,
full or large voiced people, because of their sonorous voices being
conspicuously prominent in their dance and war songs. Many
words in Winnebago and Sioux are very similar. Wah-tah is the
Sioux word for canoe; watch-er-ah, the Winnebago. Shoon-kah is
the Sioux word for dog; shoon-ker-ah, is the Winnebago name.
No-pah is nine in Sioux ; Nope is the same numeral in Winnebago.
Numerous other examples might be given of resemblances in
their respective languages, but these will suffice. The Chippewa
language is wonderfully artistic in construction and rich in sugges-
tions ; hence we find many of their words accepted by other tribes
as classic. Manito-ba, God's land, suggests the idea of a God-given
country or Indian paradise. Superior in intellectual capacity to
most other tribes, their names seem to have been accepted by others
as something better than their own. It is believed by the writer
that in this way, probably, the Chippewa name, Winnebago, was
given and accepted by, the Ho-chunck-o-rah.
The Northeastern Sioux claimed to have owned the Mille Lac
country from time immemorial. It seems quite probable that
before the "long war," and during some long era of peace, the
Winnebagoes may have inhabited the shores of Lake Winnepec,
perhaps while the Sioux were at Leech lake. The Kneesteneau,
or Chippewas, would have been their neighbors, and from them the
Winnebago may have acquired some of the tastes and habits that
have so marked his character.
As is still customary with bordering tribes, intermarriages were
no doubt of frequent occurrence, and in this way, it is conceivable,
that the Dah-ko-tah progenitors of the Winnebagoes may have
established themselves among some Chippewa tribes, and their off-
spring have been led to accept flag-mat wigwams, deer, fish and
water-fowl in lieu of skin tents and buffalo meat. The Sioux
language even differs in each band. Probably, soon after the
Spanish conquest of Mexico, many of the red rovers of the plains,
as their traditions tell, left for more northern climes. The inviting
ABORIGINAL HISTORY.
2^
prairies of Minnesota, with tlieir countless herds of buffalo and
elk, would for a time, at least, content the warlike Sioux, who, ]jr<»-
vided with some of the "big dogs" (horses) of the Spaniards,
could roam at will over these boundless, beautiful plains. It seems
also likely that reports of the more than savage cruelty of the
Spaniard had gone out, with accounts of the destructive nature of
his "deadly thunder"; and if so, a common dread would have ke])t
a superstitious people at peace.
Friendly alliances would most naturally have sprung up among
border tribes, and in but a few generations old tribes would have
been multiplied into new ones, as appears to have been done dur-
ing some long era of peace. It is true that the problem may be
as readily solved by supposing a state of civil war to have existed,
but in that case there still must have been long eras of peace, or
the race would have become extinct. Be that as it may, the forests
of Minnesota and Wisconsin limited the range of the buffalo in
these states, and in doing this determined the character of the native
inhabitants.
The Sioux soon asserted his savage sway over the whole prairie
region west of the Mississippi river, and drove into the forests of
Wisconsin his less formidable neighbors. In after years, by com-
bined attacks with firearms, he was driven back by those he had
dispossessed of their patrimony, and was content to plant himself
upon the western shore of his watery barrier ; keeping as neutral
ground, for a time, a strip of territory along the east side of the
Mississippi.
This region remained neutral but for a short time only, for w(i
find by the accounts of the earliest French explorers that the Da-
kotah and Algonquin nations were in an almost constant state of
warfare when first visited by them, and during the whole time of the
French occupation of the territory.
The water-courses afforded ready access to the greater part of
the region between the lakes and " Great river, " and the dense
forests concealed the approach of the wily foes. While the "battle-
ground " presented opportunities for a surprise, it was no less ser-
viceable for those who waited in ambush. Many a war party of both
nations have been cut off by a successful ambush, and their people
left to mourn and plot new schemes of vengeance.
Other tribes suffered by these national animosities, and aban-
doned the noted theatres of war for more peaceful localities.
Sf2 HISTOKY OF WINONA COUNTY.
Tlie Winnebagoes, according to their traditions, suifered from
the incursions of both nations ; and at the time of the first visit
of the French at Green Bay they were found there and on Fox
river, living in amity with the rice-eaters, or Min-o-min-nee, and
other tribes of Algonquin origin, though known to be closely re-
lated to the almost universal enemy, the Sioux. During the summer
months the Indians on Fox river appeared sedentary in their habits,
living in bark houses and cultivating Indian corn and other products
of Indian agriculture, or gathering the wild potatoes and wild rice
that served them for their winter stores of vegetable food. During
seasons of scarcity from frosts, or from disaster, edible nuts and
acorns were secured against times of want ; and if famine came upon
them in their extremity, they supported life by feeding upon the
inner bark of the slippery elm, linden and white pine. Those were
happy times for the peacefol tribes, and of sorrow for those in
enmity with one another.
CHAPTER II.
EXPLOEATIONS.
The Minominnees, Fottawattamies and the Foxes occupied the
water-courses tributary to Green Bay, while the Winnebagoes and
the kindred tribes of lowas, Missouris, Osages, Kansas, Quapaws,
Ottoes, Ponkas and Mandans, possessed the country south and
west, bordering upon the territory of the Sauks, the Illanois and the
Sioux. This territory seems to have been visited by the French as
early as 1634, and in 1660 Father Rene Menard went on a mission
to Lake Superior, where the furs of that region and of Green Bay
had already begun to attract adventurous Frenchmen.
Poor zealous Menard, the first missionary, never returned to
civilization ; he was lost in the wilds of a Black river forest, separated
in a swamp from his faithful follower and assistant Guerin, and all
that was ever known of his fate was inferred from the agony of his
companion and the priestly robe and prayer-book of the aged pre-
late found years afterward in a Da-ko-tah lodge.
In 1 665 Father Claude Allouez, with but six French voyageurs,
but with a large number of savages, embarked from Montreal for
ABORIGINAL HISTORY. 23
Lake Superior, where he established himself for a time at a place
called by the French La Pointe, because of its jutting out into tlie
beautiful bay of Bayfield. Here at once was erected the mission of
the Holy Spirit, and the good offices of the priest tendered to the
untutored and savage tribes of that vast wilderness. The peaceful
mission of Allouez was soon known among the warring tribes, and
Sauks and Foxes, Illani and other distant tribes, sent messengers of
peace or curiosity to the "Black Gown," and he was admitted to
their counsels. In turn, "their tales of the noble river on which
they dwelt," and which flowed to the south, "interested Allouez,
and he became desirous of exploring the territory of his proselytes."
Then, too, at the very extremity of the lake, the missionary met the
wild and impassioned Sioux, who dwelt to the west of Lake Superior,
in a land of prairie, with wild rice for food, and skins of beasts instead
of bark for roofs to their cabins, on the bank of the Great river, ot
which Allouez reported the name to be Mississippi. To Father
Allouez belongs the honor of having first given this name to the
world. In speaking of the Da-ko-tahs, he says: "These people
are, above all others, savage and warlike. * * * They speak
a language entirely unknown to us, and the savages about here do
not understand them."
In 1669 the zealous Marquette succeeded to the mission estab-
lished by Allouez, and his writings give a somewhat florid account
of Sioux character. He says: "The Nadawessi (the Chippewa
name of the Sioux), are the Iroquois of this country beyond La
Pointe, but less faithless, and never attack until attacked. Their
language is entirely different from the Huron and Algonquin ; they
have many villages, but are widely scattered ; they have very extra-
ordinary customs. * * * All the lake tribes make war upon
them, but with small success. They have false oats (wild rice), use
little canoes, and keep their word strictly.
At that time the Dah-ko-tahs used knives, spears and arrow-
heads made of stone. About that time, one band of Dah-ko-tahs
were allied to a band of Chippewas by intermarriage and commer-
cial relations, and for a time were living in friendly relations with a
band of Huron s, who had fled from the Iroquois of New York.
Hostilities breaking out between these people and the Sioux, they
joined the people of then- tribe at La Pointe.
To Nicholas Perrot is due the honor of having first established
a trading post on the Mississippi below Lake Pepin, and according
24 HISTORY OF WINOISrA COUNTY.
to Neil's History of Minnesota, Perrot inspired the enterprise of
La Salle, who sent Louis Hennepin to explore the Mississippi.
Hennepin was first to explore the river above the mouth of the Wis-
consin, the first to name and describe the falls of St. Anthony, the
first to present an engraving of the Falls of Niagara, and it may be
added, the first to translate the Winnebago name of Trempealeau
Mountain into French. The Winnebagoes call that peculiar mount-
ain Hay-me-ali-chaw, which is well rendered in French as the Soak-
ing Mountain, as it stands isolated from its fellow peaks entirely
surrounded by water.
After reaching the Illinois river. La Salle, in 1680, sent Henne-
pin on his voyage of discovery, with but two voyageur assistants.
After reaching the mouth of the Illinois river he commenced the
hazardous ascent of the "Great river," traversed before only by
Joliette and Marquette, when they descended from the Wisconsin.
Hennepin encountered war-parties of Dah-ko-tahs, and was taken
a pidsoner by them up the Mississippi to St. Paul, to St. Anthony's
Falls, and to Mille Lac. While in the land of the Sioux he met
Du Luth, who had come across from Lake Superior.
Du Luth obtained the release of Hennepin, and gave him much
information of value. Du Luth seems to have been the real dis-
coverer of Minnesota.
Owing to the war inaugurated against the English by Denon-
ville, in 1687, most of the French left the Mississippi, and concen-
trated for defense under Du Luth at Green Bay.
In 1688 Perrot returned to his trading-post below Lake Pepin,
and the year following, by proclamation, claimed the country for
France. In the year 1695 Le Seur built the second post established
in Minnesota, on an island not far from Red Wing.
During this year Le Seur took with him to Canada the first
Dah-ko-tah known to have visited that country. The Indian's name
was Tee-os-kah-tay. He unfortunately sickened and died in Mont-
real.
Le Seur hoped to open the mines known to be on the Mississippi,
and went to France for a Hcense. The license to work them was
obtained, but Le Seur was captured by the English and taken to
England, but was finally released. After overcoming great and
renewed opposition, and making one more trip to France, he, in
1700, commenced his search for copper, which was said to be
abundant on the upper Mississippi.
EXPLORATIONS. 25
Some time in August of this year he entered Fever or Galena
river, whose banks were known to the Indians to contain lead, but
Le Seur was the tirst to mention the existence of those lead mines.
After many incidents of interest, Le Seur reached the Blue Earth
river, and established himself in a fort about one mile below tlie
mineral deposits, from which the Dah-ko-tahs obtained their paint
for personal adornment. In 1701 Le Seur took to the French post,
on the Gulf of Mexico a large quantity of this mineral, and soon
tliereafter sailed for France.
At this time, according to Le Seur's journal, there were seven
villages of the Sioux on the east side of the Mississippi, and nine on
the west.
The Wah-pa-sha band was anciently known as the Ona-]^e-ton or
falling leaf band, and their village of Ke-ox-ah was upon the
prairie now occupied by the city of Winona. Keoxa is difficult of
translation, but it may be rendered as "The Homestead," because
in the springtime there was here a family reunion to honor the
dead and invoke their blessings upon the band.
The site of Winona was known to the French as La Prairie Aux-
Ailes (pronounced O'Zell) or the Wing's prairie, presumably because
of its having been occupied by members of Eed Wing's band. The
Americans called it Wah-pa-sha's prairie.
Under the impression that it drew from Canada its most enter-
prising colonists, the French government for some years discour-
aged French settlements among the Indians west of Mackanaw ; but
very soon the policy of the English in estranging the Foxes and
other tribes from the French, compelled a renewal of the licenses
that had been canceled by the French authorities.
The Foxes had made an unsuccessful attempt upon the French
fort at Detroit (known as Wah-way-oo-tay-nong, or the Wy-an-d©tte
fort), and smarting under defeat they made an alliance with their
old enemies the Dah-ko-tahs. This alliance and the enmity of the
Foxes made it unsafe for the French to visit the Mississippi by way
of Fox and Wisconsin rivers, and for some years the Sauks and
Foxes scalped the French traders, and waged war against their
Indian allies. The Foxes were finally overcome by the French in
1714, and, capitulating, they gave six hostages as security for a
peaceful treaty to be agreed upon in Montreal. Pemoussa, their
greatest warrior, and otiiers sent as hostages, died there of small-
pox. One who had recovered with the loss of an eye was sent to
26 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
Mackanaw to treat, but he escaped and again stirred up the Indians
to revolt.
The Chick-a-saws in the south and Dah-ko-tahs in the north
made the country exceedingly dangerous to the French. They now
became assured that the English were undermining their influence
with the Indians, for in a dispatch written about 1726 it is stated
that th6 English "entertain constantly the idea of becoming masters
of North America. " Licenses to traders were once more abundantly
issued, and the prohibition against the sale of liquors that had been
established by the influence of the pious missionaries was removed.
In 1718 Capt. St. Pierre was sent with a small force to reoccupy
La Pointe, now Bayfield. The Indians there and at Kee-wee-naw
had threatened war against the Foxes. During this year peace was
established at Green Bay with the Sauks and Foxes and Winne-
bagoes, who had taken part against the French. An endeavor was
now made to detach the Dah-ko-tahs from friendly alliances with the
Foxes, and to secure a treaty of peace between the Chippewas and
Dah-ko-tahs, with a promise oi renewed trade with them if they
remained at peace. To accomplish this purpose, two Frenchmen were
sent to the Dah-ko-tahs, but it would appear were not entirely suc-
cessful, and wintered among the Menominee and Winnebago Indians
on Black river. In order to obtain a strategic point it was resolved
by the French to build a fort in the Sioux country. On June 16,
1727, the expedition left Montreal, accompanied by missionaries and
traders, and on September 17 of the same year reached their desti-
nation on Lake Pepin. A stockade was soon built on the north side
near Maiden Rock that inclosed buildings for troops, missionaries
and traders. The fort was named "Beauharnois," in honor of the
governor of Canada, and the mission named " St. Michael the
Archangel. " The commander of this fort was De la Perriere Boucher,
noted for his savage brutality and bigotry. This fort was overflowed
in 1728 and its site abandoned. According to Sioux tradition, the
prairie on which Winona is now situated was also overflowed at that
time. During this year a large force of French and Indians left
Canada with the intention of destroying the Sauks and Foxes. On
August 17 they arrived at the mouth of Fox river. Before the
dawn of day an attempt was made to surprise the Sauk village, but
they escaped, leaving only four of their people to reward the French
for their midnight vigils. A few days later the French ascended the
rapid stream to a Winnebago village, but it also was deserted; still
EXPLORATIONS. 27
pursuing their searcli, on tlie twenty-fifth they came to a large Fox
village, but that too was abandoned. Orders were now given to
advance the command to the grand portage of the Wisconsin river;
but this move was as fruitless as those which had preceded it, and
the expedition returned to Green Bay without results. The Foxes
retired to Iowa, and, establishing still closer relations with the lowas
and Sioux, were allotted hunting-grounds to which have been at-
tached some of their names. The Kick-ah-poos and Masco-tens were
allies of the Foxes and their congener^^ tlie Sauks, and took part
with them against the French.
In 1736 St. Pierre was in command at Lake Pepin and regarded
the Sioux as friendly, but they still remained objects of suspicion to
the French Canadian government, as some of them* had attacked an
expedition under Yeranderie, undertaken at that early period to open
a route to the Pacific.
In 1741 the Foxes killed some Frenchmen in the territory of the
Illinois, and this so aroused the authorities in Canada that they
determined, if possible, to overthrow and completely subdue the
Foxes. The officer selected for this purpose was the Sieur Moran
or Marin, who had once been in command at Fort St. Nicholas near
Prairie du Chien. With the cunning of a savage, Marin placed his
men in canoes under cover, as if they were merchandise, and when
ordered by the Foxes opposite or near the Batte des Morts to land and
pay the usual tribute exacted from all traders passing their village,
he opened fire upon the assembled multitude and killed indiscrimi-
nately men, women and children. Marin had anticipated the Foxes'
consternation and flight, and before reaching the village had sent a
detachment of his force to cut them off. There was great slaughter
and but a remnant of the village escaped. These people were again
surprised by Marin and his forces on snowshoes in their ' winter
encampment on the Wisconsin, and were utterly destroyed.
The Dah-ko-tahs had during this period been at war with the
Chippewas, but in 1746 were induced by the French to make peace.
Many of the French voyageurs, and in some few instances French offi-
cers even, had taken wives, after the Indian method of marriage, from
among the Dah-ko-tahs and other tribes, and by this means their in-
fluence was still great among their Indian followers. Yet, English
influence had commenced its work, and soon after this period French
power seems to have begun to wane. The French, however, still
continued to make a struggle for existence, if not supremacy.
28 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
The Chippewas of Lake Superior showed a disposition to aid the
English, and committed a robbery at the Sault St. Marie ; " even the
commandant at Mackanaw was exposed to insolence." St. Pierre
was sent to the scene of disorder. His judgment and courage was
undoubted. St. Pierre seized three murderers and advised that
no French traders should come among the Chippewas. While the
Indians, secured by the boldness of St. Pierre, were on their way to
Quebec under a guard of eight French soldiers, by great cunning and
daring they managed to kill or drown their guard, and though
manacled at the time, they escaped, severing their irons with an axe.
"Thus was lost in a great measure the fruit of Sieur St. Pierre's
good management, "as wrote Galassoniere in 1749.
Affairs continued in a disturbed state, and Canada finally became
mvolved in the war with New York and the New England colonies.
In the West, affairs were for some time in doubt, but the influence
of the Sieur Marin became most poweiful, and in 1753 he was able
to restore tranquillity between the French, and Indian chiefs assem-
bled at Green Bay.
CHAPTEK III.
AMONG THE INDIANS.
As the war between the colonies became more desperate, the
French ofiicers of experience and distinction were called from the
West to aid the Eastern struggle. Legardeur de St. Pierre in 1755 fell
in the battle upon Lake Charaplain, and Marin, Langlade, and others
from the West, distinguished themselves as heroes. After the fall of
Quebec the Indians of the Northwest readily transferred their alle-
giance to the British. In 1761 the English took possession of Green
Bay, and trade was once more opened with the Indians. A French
trader named Penneshaw was sent by the English into the country
fo the Dah-ko-tahs, and in March, 1763, twelve Dahkotah warriors
arrived at Green Bay, and offered the English the friendship of their
nation. They told the English commandant that if any Indians
obstructed the passage of traders to their country, to send them a
belt of Wampum as a sign, and "they would come and cut them off,
as all Indians were their slaves or dogs." After this talk they pro-
duced a letter from Penneshaw, explaining the object of their visit.
AMONG THE INDIAN^S. 29
In June Pennealuiw himself arrived with most welcome news from
the land of the Dah-ko-tahs, bringing with him for the commander
ot the post a pipe of peace, and a request that English traders be
sent to trade with the Sioux ot the Mississippi.
A tradition still exists among the Sioux that the elder Wah-pa-
sha, or, as we might say, Wah-pa-sha the First, was one of the
twelve Da-ko-tahs who visited Green Bay. Notwithstanding the
English had conquered all the vast territory between the lakes and
the •Mississippi, and had the proffered friendship of the Sioux
to strengthen their influence with all the other Indian tribes,
the lines of trade between the territory of Louisiana and the
newly acquired territory of the English were not closely drawn, and
French influence was sufficiently potent to send most of the furs and
peltries to their post at New Orleans. The cause of Indian prefer-
ence for the French may be found in the latter's gaiety of character,
and their ability to conform to the circumstances that may surround
them. The Canadian voyageurs and woodmen displayed a fondness
for high colored sashes and moccasins that was pleasing to the bar-
baric tastes of the Indian women, and many of them, joining their
fortimes and their honors with those of the French, raised children
that were taught to reverence and obey them.
In addition to the influences extended by these ties of blood,
the kindness and devotion to their religious faith exhibited by the
Catholic missionaries won upon the imaginations of the Indians,
and many were won over to a profession of their faith. The tribes
which came under their influences looked upon the priests as verita-
ble messengers from God, and called them the "good spirits," be-
lieving that they were the mediums only of " good spirits."
All Indians are spiritists, believing implicitly that the spirits of
departed human beings take an interest in mundane affairs.
The English, in contrast with French management, had a blufl'
and arbitrary way of dealing, that, however successful it may have
been with eastern tribes, was for a time very distasteful to the Sioux.
However, the English learned something in due time by contact
with these Indians, and from French politeness ; but some years
were required before their success with the Sioux was established.
For some j^ears the trade seems to have been abandoned west of
Mackanaw, to the French. In the year 1766 Jonathan Carver, a
native of Connecticut, visited the upper Mississippi, and his reports
30 HISTORY OF WIJSrONA COUNTY.
concerning the beauty, fertility and resources of Minnesota aroused
some attention to the value of these new possessions.
Carver was a man of keen observation and discernment, and
some of his predictions regarding the "new northwest," though
scoffed at by some at that time, proved almost prophetic. Carver
died in England in 1780. After his death, a claim was set up to a
large tract of land said to have been given him by the Sioux, and
since known as the " Carver tract. "
The claim was investigated after the territory came into the pos-
session of the United States, but it was found to be untenable.
Carver found the Sioux and Chippewas at war when he arrived
among them, and was told that "war had existed among them for
forty years." Chippewa and Sioux tradition both make the time
much longer. It was supposed by the English that the policy of
the French traders fostered war between the Sioux and Chippewa
nations. Whether this be true or not, it is certain that French in-
fluence continued paramount in the country for some years, but as
the French that remained after the transfer of the country to the
English were inferior in intelligence to those in authority while
the French held possession, we are principally dependant upon
Indian and mixed blood tradition for what occurred in this vast
territory until after the revolution.
Tradition tells us that an Englishman, located near the mouth of
the Min-ne-so-ta river, was killed while smoking his pipe, by an
Indian named Ix-ka:-ta-pe. He was of the M'de-wa-kan-ton-wan
band Cf Dah-ko-tahs.
As a result of this unprovoked murder, no other trader would
visit this band, which had already been divided by dissensions, and
been driven by the Chippewas from territory formerly occupied east
of the Mississippi.
In earlier times this decision of the traders would have been
disregarded, but then it was of vital importance to their well-being
if not their existence ; for they had learned to depend upon guns
instead of bows and arrows, and therefore suffered for want of am-
munition and other supplies, and were at the mercy of their well-
armed enemies. After a grand council it was determined to give
up the murderer to English justice.
Accordingly a lai-ge party of Sioux, with their wives and the
murderer, started for Quebec. In order to avoid their enemies the
Chippewas, they took the usual canoe route by the Wisconsin and
AMONG THE INDIANS. 81
Fox rivers to Green Bay. While on this journey, the ridicule of
other tribes and their own dissensions caused a desertion of over
half of their number, and upon their arrival at Green Bay, but six,
of whom some were women, persevered in their intention to go on.
When about to start, the murderer also disappeared ingloriouslj.
The leader of the little band of six, then called Wa-pa "The Leaf,"
told his followers that he himself would go as an offering to the
British commander, and if required, would give up his lite that his
people might not be destroyed. * On arriving at Quebec, his motive
and heroism were both appreciated by the English governor, and
the chief was sent back to his prairie home, loaded with abundant
supplies of the coveted ammunition and Indian trinkets ; and as
evidence of his gratitude demanded a British flag to wave over his
territory. A gaudy uniform, which included a red cap, common
enough in early days, was also given "The Leaf," or as Grignon
calls him, the "Fallen Leaf," and as he represented the Dah-ko-tas
as a nation of seven principal bands, he was given seven medals for
the respective bands, the one for himself being hung by a tassel
cord upon his neck by the English commander at Quebec in person.
This noble band of Spartan Sioux wintered in Canada and had
small-pox, though in a mild form, and when the navigation of the
great lakes was fully opened in the spring they safely returned to
their tribe.
Before reaching their village, which had been again divided
during their absence, they dressed themselves in their finest apparel,
and marching in Indian file at the head of his devoted companions,
the chief entered his village with red cap and flag conspicuously
displayed.
The chief was hailed, after Indian custom as Wah-pa-ha-sha, or
' ' Ked Cap, " which, by abbreviation soon became Wa-pa-sha.
Wapasha's successful return and denunciation of the cowardly
desertion by his comrades, created another division, which was
made permanent by his leaving ' ' Red Wing's " band and removing
to the present site of Minnesota City, known to the Wah-pa-sha
band as 0-ton-we, "the village," probably because of its having
been a very ancient dwelling and burial place of Indians.
There, at Gilmore and Burn's valleys, they had their cornfields
and summer residences. The band also had a village near Trempea-
leau mountain and at Root river. At times, when not occupied
with field work, they assembled upon the site of Winona (known as
32 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
Keoxa) and La Crosse, held their sun and other religious dances,
])layed their games of "La Crosse," or wept over the remains of
their dead. Nostrils and sight both reminded them of this sacred
duty, as the dead of their band were placed upon scaffolds, and left to
fester and bleach in the open air until whitened by time. The bones
and burial garments were buried in some secluded spot, or placed
under stones in some ancient ossuary. This custom was soon
abandoned, and in later years their dead were at once buried.
Wa-pa-sha was very proud of his success with the English, and
during one of his visits to Mackanaw, stipulated that when visiting
English forts, the British commanders should salute him and his
staff with solid shot, aimed a little high.
For much of the foregoing tradition, and very much more of
like character, the writer is indebted to Thomas Le Blanc, born in
1824, son of Louis Provosal, or Louis Provencalle, an old French
trader, whose post was at or near the site of Pennesha's, on the
Minnesota river, at Traverse des Sioux, and where, for a time, in
ancient days, some of Wa-pa-sha's people were encamped. Thomas
was related to Wah-pa-sha, to the Grignons and to Faribault, and
was well versed in Lidian and French traditions. He spoke French,
English and Dah-ko-tah about equally well, and during the four
months employed by the writer he was found singularly intelligent
and truthful.
The first Wah-pah-sha was grandfather to the one removed from
his Winona village by treaty in 1851-3. His memory is still held
in great reverence by his descendants and the whole Sioux nation.
His deeds of prowess and of benevolence are still preserved in tra-
ditions and songs that are sung by medicine-men or priests to the
young of the tribe ; and even the Winnebago members of the
Wah-pa-sha family have learned to sing them.
As a specimen of these rude verses, compelled into rhyme, the
following song is given :
SONG OF THE DAH-KO-TAHS.
Wah-pa-sha ! Wah-pa-sha ! good and great brave,
You rode into battle, made enemies slaves ;
Your war-chief was strong in spirit and frame.
And many the scalps he hung on his chain.
Your " Red Cap " was known in the East and the West ;
You honored the English, and hoped to be blessed ;
You clothed your red children in scarlet and blue ;
You ever were kind, devoted and true.
AMONG THE INDIANS. 85
The skiii« of your Te-pee were brought from the plains ;
Your moccasins dressed with Chippewa brains,"-
Your war-whoop saluted b_v British real shot,t
(jave peacefullest token they harmed you not.
Then rest thee, brave chieftain, our night has come on,
The light has departed from all thou hadst won ; A A r\r^i-'
Thy people lie scattered on hillside and plain ; -*--l-vJ//^0/«w'^
Thy corn-fields, thy prairie, we cannot regain.
Notwithstanding the esteem in which his memory is now held,
during his lifetime Wah-pa-sha became the subject of dissensions in
his tribe, and leaving the cares of chieftainship principally to his
son, he roamed at will with a small band of -devoted followers of
his own tribe, and a few Win-ne-bagoes, one of whom had married
his sister Winona, and whose daughter Winona, called the sister
of the last Wah-pa-sha (though but a cousin), played so important
a part in the removal of the Winnebagoes in 1848. Old Wah-pa-
sha finally died at a favorite winter encampment on Root river, and
was taken to Prairie du Chien for burial. When news reached the
Mississippi, in 1780, that Col. George E. Clark, of Yirginia, was
in possession of Illinois, and was likely to take possession of Prairie
du Chien, a lieutenant of militia, twenty Canadians and thirty-six
Fox and Dah-ko-tah Indians were sent with nine bark canoes to
secure the furs collected at that post. Wah-pa-sha was in command
of the Indians.
The canoes were filled with the best furs, and sent by Capt.
Langlade, who had charge of them, out of danger from capture, and
a few days afterward the Americans arrived with the intention of
attacking the post. During this year, also, a squaw discovered a
lead mine near the present site of Dnbuque. During 1783-4 the
Northwestei'n Company was organized, but some of the members
becoming dissatisfied, an opposition company was formed by Alex-
ander McKenzie and othei's. After a sharp rivalry for some time
the two companies were consolidated.
In 1798 there was a reorganization of the company, new part-
ners admitted, and the shares increased. The new management
was thoroughly systematized, and their operations made very profit-
able.
*The brains of animals are used in dressing deer skins.
t A stipulation at Mackinaw, required a salute to Wah-pa-sha of solid shot
when he visited that fort.
36 'HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
In about the year 1785 Julien Dubuque, who had settled at
"La Prairie du Chien," and had heard of the discovery by a Fox
equaw of a lead vein on the west side of the Mississippi, obtained
permission at a council to work those mines, and he established him-
self upon the site of the city that bears his name.
Dubuque was the confrere of De Marin, Pro vosal, Poquette and
others who have prominently figured in the fur trade of that period.
The principal traders, however, were Dickson, Frazer, Renville and
Grignon. James Porlier, an educated French Canadian, was acting
as clerk for Grignon, on the St. Croix, at this time, together with
the pompous and eccentric Judge Ueaume, afterward so noted at
Green Bay.
Porlier, while with Dickson at Sauk Rapids, gave Pike useful
information during his visit to the upper Mississippi in 1805, and
afterward, moving to Green Bay, acted as chief-justice of Brown
county for sixteen years. The treaty of 1T83 failed to restore good
feeling between England and the United States, as the British posts
were not at once surrendered, and this fact served to keep the
Indians hostile.
The English pretended not to have authority to give up posts on
Indian territory. This excuse was set up in the interest of the En-
glish fur traders, but it was finally agreed by the treaty effected by
Mr. Jay that Great Britain should withdraw her troops by June 1,
1796, from all posts within the boundaries assigned by the treaty,
and that Bi-itish settlers and traders might remain for one year with
all their former privileges, without becoming citizens of the United
States. The Northwest Company seized upon this opportunity to
establish posts all over Minnesota. They paid no duties, raised the
British flag in many instances over their posts, and gave chiefs
medals with English ensignia upon them. By these means they
impressed the savages with the idea that their power still remained
supreme, and this impression was a fruitful source of annoyance,
and even danger, to Americans, for years afterward. In May,
1800, the Northwestern territory was divided.
In December, 1803, the province of Louisiana was officially
delivered by the French to the United' States government, and in
March, 1804, Capt. Stoddard, U.S.A., as agent of the French govern-
ment, received from the Spanish authorities in St. Louis actual
possession of this important territory, transferring it very soon there-
after to the United States.
AMONG THE INDIANS. 37
It was now deemed expedient that tliis valuable territory, so
recently purchased, should be fully explored, and the Indians be
made to acknowledge the full sovereignty of the Federal govern-
ment. Upper Louisiana, including a large part of Minnesota, was
organized immediately after the transfer, and on January 11, 1805,
Michigan territory was also organized. Gen. Wilkinson, placed in
command at St. Louis, finding that the laws of his government were
still unrecognized by the English traders in the new territory, in
1805 sent Lieut. Zebulon M. Pike to expel the traders and bring
some of the ])rominent Indian chiefs to St. Louis. Pike was cour-
teously received and hospitably entertained by the wily Scotch and
English traders of that period, but they secretly resolved to dis-
regard and circumvent the policy of the United States government
in its proposed management of the Indians.
Pike visited the different tribes along the Mississippi as far up
as Sandy and Leech lakes, and made a treaty with the Dah-ko-tahs
for sites for forts at the mouth of the St. Croix and Minnesota
rivers.
Wintering in the country of the Chippewas, he was enabled to
induce them and the Sioux to smoke the pipe of peace, and in the
early springtime started with representatives of both nations for
St. Louis to conclude articles of friendship and commerce intended
for the benefit of these hostile races.
Upon the "Aile Rouge," or ''Red Wing," hearing of a secret
attempt to shoot Lieut. Pike by a young Sioux, he spoke with
vehemence against the character of some encamped at the month of
the Minnesota river, and offered to bring the would-be assassin to
Pike for punishment. Pike found at the Red Wing village an old
chief known as Roman TSTose, and who had been the second chief of his
tribe, desirous of giving himself up for some instrumentality in the
death of a trader. The Indian name of the chief was not given,
but it was said he had been deposed in consequence of the murder
of the trader. Pike thought it impolitic to tell the penitent chief
that the matter was beyond his jurisdiction.
On his way down the river Pike speaks of Winona prairie by
its French name of "Aile" or "Wing" prairie, and of Wah-pa-
shas encampment below La Crosse, probably at mouth of Root
river. He also gives Wah-pa-sha his -French name of La Feuille,
"The Leaf." La Crosse he calls De Cross, but when speaking of
the game played at Prairie du Chien by Sioux, Fox and Winnebago
88 HISTORY OF WINON^A COUNTY.
contestants, lie calls that "a great game of tlie cross/' showing
clearly that he did not know the French origin of the name. While
at Prairie du Chien, Wah-pa-sha sent for Lieut. Pike, ' ' and had a
long and interesting conversation with him, in which he spoke ot
the general jealousy of his nation toward their chiefs," and wished
the "Nez Corbeau," as the French called the "Roman Nose,"
reinstated in his rank as "the man of most sense in his nation."
This conversation shows another noble trait in the character of Wah-
pa-sha.
Before leaving Prairie du Chien for St. Louis, Pike established
regulations for the government of the Indian trade, but his disap-
pearance from "La Prairie" was the signal for Cameron, Rolette,
Dickson and their subordinates to disregard them. Cameron and
Dickson were both bold Scotch traders, who seem to have disre-
garded all regulations and laws, except those of hospitality and
humanity. Cameron died in 1811, and was buried on the Minnesota
river. Dickson lived to ^ke an active part in the war of 1812, and
have few but his ill deeds spoken of in history.
CHAPTER lY .
TROUBLES WITH THE INDIANS.
In 1807 it was becoming evident that the various Indian tribes in
the Northwest were forming a hostile league against the United
States government. In 1809, a Nicholas Jarrot made affidavit
that English traders were supplying [ndians for hostile purposes.
Indian runners and envoys from the "Prophet" were visiting the
Chippewas, while Dickson, who jvas the principal trader in Minne-
sota, held the Indians along the waters of the Mississippi subject to
his will.
Gov. Edwards, of Illinois, reported to the secretarj^ of war that
"The opinion of Dickson, the celebrated British trader, is that, in
the event of a war with (ireat Britain, all the Indians will be
opposed to us, and he hopes to engage them in hostility by making
peace between the Sioux and Chippeways, and in having them declare
war against us. ■" A principal cause of the great influence of Dick,
son was his alliance by marriage with the noted Dah-ko-tah chief
"Red Thunder," whose sister he had taken as his wife.
TROUBLES WITH THE INDIANS. ' 89
In May, 1812, two Indian couriers were arrested in Cliicago,
supposed to have letters for Dickson. The Indians liad anticipated
arrest, or else, for greater security, had buried their letters until
they should resume their journey, and nothing being found upon
their persons they were released. A Mr. Frazer was present when
the letters were finally delivered to Dickson, who was then at ' ' the
Portage " in Wisconsin, and said the letters conveyed the intelli-
gence that the British flag would soon be flying upon the fort at
Mackanaw.
During this period, Cadotte, Deace and others were collecting
the Chippewas of northeastern Minnesota on Lake Superior, and at
Green Bay. Black Hawk was given command of the Indian forces to
be assembled. Dickson gave him a certificate of authority, a medal
and a British flag. Before it was known that war had been declared,
the American commandant at Mackanaw was surprised by the land-
ing of British troops and traders, and a demand for the surrender
of the garrison.
With the British army came well known traders, prepared with
goods to trade under the Britisli flag.
An American, taken prisoner at the time, wrote to the Secretary
of War : "The persons who commanded the Indians are Robert
Dickson, Indian trader ; John Askin, Jr., Indian agent, and his
son," both of whom were painted and dressed in savage costume.
Neill says : "The next year (1813) Dickson, Renville, and other fur
traders, are present with the Kaposia, Wah-pa-sha, and other bands
of Dah-ko-tahs, at the siege of Fort Meigs. "
While Renville was seated, one afternoon, witli Wah-pa-sha and
the then chief of the Kaposia band, a deputation came to invite
them to meet the other allied Indians, with which the chief complied.
"Frazer, an old trader in Minnesota, told Renville that the Indians
were about to eat an American.'.' * * * "The bravest man of
each tribe was urged to step forward and partake." * * * A
Winnebago was urging a noted Sioux hunter to partake of the horrid
feast, when his uncle told him to leave, and addressed the assembled
warriors as follows : "My friends, we came here not to eat Ameri-
cans, but to wage war against them; that will suffice for us."
Trah-pa-sha said: "We thought that you, who live near to white
men, were wiser and more refined than we are who live at a distance,
but it must indeed be otherwise, if you do such deeds." Col.
Dickson sent for the Winnebago who had arranged the intended
40 HISTORY OF WnSrONA COUNTY.
feast and demanded his reason for doing so disgusting a deed. His
answer sheds no light upon his motive.
The fall of Mackanaw alarmed the people of the Mississippi
valley, and they called loudly for the defense of Prairie-du-Chien.
In May, 1814, Gov. Clark left St. Louis for this purpose, and
taking possession of the old Mackinaw House, found a number of
trunks full of papers belonging to Dickson, one of wbich contained
this interesting extract : " Arrived from below, a few Winnebagoes
with scalps. Gave them tobacco, six pounds of powder and six
pounds of ball."
A foi-t was built by the Americans, and named ' ' Shelby. " The
Mackanaw traders, hearing of this, organized a force under McKay,
an old trader, and started in canoes to dispossess the Americans.
The British force was guided by Joseph Rolette, Sr., and, land-
ing some distance up the Wisconsin river, marched to the village
and demanded its surrender.
The fort was unfinished and scarcely defensible, but its com-
mander, Lieut. Perkins, replied that he would defend it to the last.
On July 17 the gunboat, under command of Capt. Yeiser, was
attacked by the British and Indians. The boat moved to a com-
manding position above, but was soon dislodged by the enemy, who
crossed to the island, where they availed themselves of the shelter of
trees.
The boat was then run a few miles below, but was unable to do
much execution. For three days Lieut. Perkins made a brave
resistance, but was finally compelled to capitulate, reserving the pri-
vate property of his command.
After placing his prisoners on parole, the British victor escorted
them to one of the gunboats, upon which they had but about a
month before come up, and, crestfallen at their discomfiture, they
were sent back down the river, pledged not to bear arms until
exchanged.
Some bloodthirsty savages followed them in canoes, but made
no victims.
Lieut. Campbell came up from St. Louis about this time with a
small force to strengthen the garrison, and, landing at Rock Island,
held a conference with Black Hawk at his village near by. Directly
after leaving, news came to Black Hawk of the defeat at Prairie-du-
Chien. His braves at once started in pursuit of Campbell's com-
mand, A severe encounter was incurred, the lieutenant was
TROUBLES WITH THE INDIANS. 41
wounded and some of his men killed. During the Uglit a boat was
captured, and the force was compelled to retreat back to St, Louis,
After the capture of Fort Shelly, it was named by the British
Fort McKay.
In August, 1814, Maj. Zachary Taylor was sent up with a force
in gunboats to punish the Indians who had attacked Lieut. Campbell,
but to his astonishment found the British and Indians in possession
of Rock Island.
Fire was opened upon Taylor from a battery, and the first ball
fired passed through a gunboat commanded by Capt. Hempstead.
Taylor's boats were all disabled and he was compelled to retreat
down the river a short distance for repairs. In that engagement
one was killed and eleven wounded. With the Americans who
came down to St. Louis after the surrender of Prairie-du-Chien was
a "one-eyed Sioux," who had aided in the defense of Capt. Yeiser's
gunboat.
During the autumn of 1814, in company with another Sioux of
the Kaposia band, he ascended the Missouri to a convenient point
above, and, crossing the country, enlisted a number of his people
in favor of the Americans,
After these professions of friendship, most likely from Sioux
nearest St. Louis, he went down to Prairie-du-Chien, Dickson,
upon his arrival, asked his business, and snatched from him a bundle,
expecting to find letters.
The Indian told Dickson that he was from St. Louis, and would
give no further information,
Dickson confined the Sioux in Fort McKay, and threatened him
with death if he did not give information against the Americans,
The "one-eyed Sioux" was proof against all threats, and he was
finally released.
The stubborn savage soon left for a winter sojourn among the
river bands, and returning in the spring of 1815 he soon heard the
news of peace having been restored.
As the British evacuated the fort they set it on fire, with the
American flag flying as it had been run up, seeing which, the " one-
eyed Sioux " rushed into the burning fort and saved the flag. A
medal and a commission were given him by Gov. Clark, which he
treasured and exhibited upon frequent occasions, while rehearsing
his many exploits.
These interesting facts taken from Neill's valuable history, relate
42 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
to Ta-ha-mie, the "Kising Moose," mentioned by Lieut. Pike in his
journal.
He was well known to the writer as the " one-eyed " medicine
chief, or priest, of the Wah-pa-sha band of Sioux, though he seemed
equally at home with other bands and with the Winnebagoes, all of
whom reverenced him for his bravery and intelligence. His fre-
quent boast of having been the only American Sioux during the war
of 1812, made him quite famous among the American settlers of
Winona county, while the pretentious cock of his stove-pipe hat and
the swing of his mysterious medicine-bag and tomahawk-pipe gave
him character among his Sioux and Winnebago patrons. His serv-
ices were in frequent demand; and even now, in 1882, he is spoken
of by the older Indians as a great hunter, a great warrior, and a
good priest. His more modern name of Tah-my-hay, "the Pike,"
cori'upted into Tom-my-haw by the American settlers, was probably
taken by himself as the adopted brother of Lieut. Pike, after an
Lidian custom. His Winnebago name of ISTa-zee-kah, an interpreta-
tion of his Sioux name, shows clearly that he was known as "The
Pike." In regard to the "Tomahawk," that so mystified Dr. Foster,
whose interesting and elaborate article is quoted from by Neill, it
appears probable, allowing something to imagination, that the father
of Lieut. Pike had a tomahawk, the head and handle of which formeda
pipe, and that Lieut. Pike had taken it with him on his mission to the
Sioux and Chippewas as a calumet or pipe of peace. That, meeting
with and forming a close tie of friendship with Ta-ha-mie, the " Rising
Moose," he gave him a memento of his everlasting friendship, in
peace or war, by presenting the "pipe tomahawk," in such common
use along the Canadian border in early days. The writer's memory
was in fault as to the certainty of its being Tah-my-hay who, of all
the Sioux, was so expert in the use of the tomahawk, but R. F. Nor-
ton, a merchant of Homer, Minnesota, comes to his aid by relating
the following incident :
During the early days, said Norton, my brother, the doctor,
and myself, were listening to an old dragoon settler's account of
his skill and prowess with the sabre. Flourishing a stick, he told
how easy it was to defend himself against the assault of lance or
bayonet. Tora-my-haw happened to be present, and understanding
more than the valorous cavalryman supposed, or, as proved agree-
able, asked the white warrior to strike him with his stick. This
the dragoon declined to do, but, being urged, he made a demon-
TROUBLES WITH THE INDIANS. 43
stration as if intending to strike, when, with a movement of
Tom-my-haw's tomahawk, the stick was caught, and wliirled to a
safe distance. Norton described the tomah.awk as a combined
liatchet and pipe.
In his youth, Tom-my-hay was a noted liunter, and after the
disruption of the Me-day-wa-kant-wan band, joined Red Wing's
subdivision, and afterward that of Wah-pa-sha. He told the writer
that during one of his hunts, while following the game into a dense
Tamarach thicket, a sharp, dry twig entered one eye and destroyed
its sight. The vanity of Tah-my-hay was something remarkable,
but his devotion to the Americans was vouched for by his tribe.
After the war had closed. Little Crow and Wah-pa-sha, by
request of the British command, made a long journey, in canoes, to
Drummond's Island, in Lake Huron.
After lauding their valor, and thanking them in the name of his
king, the officer laid some few presents before them as a reward
for their meritorious services. The paltry presents so aroused the
indignation of Wah-pa-sha, that he addressed the English officer, as
appears in Neill's History of Minnesota, as follows :
"My Father, what is this I see before me? A few knives and
blankets ! Is this all you promised at the beginning of the war?
Where are those promises you made at Michilimackinac, and sent
to our villages on the Mississippi? You told us you would never
let fall the hatchet until the Americans were driven beyond the
mountains ; that our British father would never make peace with-
out consulting his red children. Has that come to pass ? We never
knew of this peace. We are told it was made by our Great Father
beyond the water, without the knowledge of his war-chiefs; that
it is your duty to obey his orders. What is this to us ? Will these
paltry presents pay for the men we have lost, both in the battle and
in the war? Will they soothe the feelings of our friends? Will
they make good your promises to us ? "
"For myself, I am an old man. I have lived long, and always
found means of subsistence, and I can do so still ! "
Little Crow, with vehemence, said : "After we have fought for
you, endured many hardships, lost some of our people, and awak-
ened the vengeance of our powerful neighbors, you make a peace
for yourselves, and leave us to obtain such terms as we can. You
no longer need our services, and offer these goods as a compen-
sation for having deserted us. But no ! We will not take them ;
44 HISTORY OF WLNOIV^A COUNTY.
we hold tliem and yourselves in equal contempt." So saying,. he
spurned the presents with his foot, and walked away.
The treaty that soon followed at Portage-des-Sioux, won over to
the United States the fealty of the Dah-ko-tahs, of Minnesota, and
the disgust expressed by "Little Crow" and Wah-pa sha on their
return to their people, for a time, at least, rendered any further
serious difficulty with them improbable.
A period has now been reached in the early exploration and
occupation of the territory of the Dah-ko-tahs, when the traditions
relating to that era have been merged in the experiences of the
writer, [t is not merely the vanity of self-assertion that induces
him to give his own personal experiences in early pioneer life, but,
to connect the past, with the present mode of life in Minnesota, he
thinks, may give a clearer impression of the character of the early
pioneers than has generally hitherto obtained.
The writer's father. Dr. Bradly Bunnell, was born in New
London, Conneticut, in about 1781, and his mother, Charlotte
Houghton, was born in Windsor, Vermont, in about 1786. Soon
after their marriage they came to Albany, New York, where the
eldest sister of the writer was born, and where also was born her
husband, Stephen Van Kensselaer. From Albany his parents
moved to Homer, New York, where the eldest son, Willard
Bradly Bunnell, was born in 1814. Ten years later, 1824, ' the
writer was born in Rochester, New Yprk.
While living in that beautiful city, his father conceived the idea
of visiting the Territory of Michigan, and in 1828 went to Detroit.
The writer is made sure of the time, by the date of a diploma of
his father's membership in the Detroit Medical Society, signed by
Stephen C. Henr3% president, and R. S. Rice, secretary, and other
papers in his possession.
In the autumn of 1831, Bradley Bunnell started for D^roit,
with the intention of establishing himself in the practice of his
profession, but, delayed by the inclemency of the season, and lack
of secure " transportation, was induced to open an office in Buffalo.
His practice grew into importance, and during the season of
cholera, 1832, the calls for his services to relieve the distressed and
dying were almost constant.
The writer had an attack of Asiatic cholera, and passed into what
was supposed by consulting physicians to be a collapsed stage of the
disease, but the heroic treatment decided upon caused a rally of
TROUBLES WITH THE INDIANS. 45
the vital forces, and the grim enemy was routed. Although but
eight years old at the time of the Black Hawk war, that event, and
incidents connected with it, he distinctly remembers. The passage
through Buffalo of United States troops on their way to the scene
of conflict made a vivid impression that years have failed to eradi-
cate. In 1833 it was thought advisable by the writer's father to
move up to Detroit, but meeting with what he thought a better
opportunity to establish himself, after a short delaj^ at Detroit, con-
tinued on up to Saginaw. There he purchased forty acres of land,
that now forms part of that flourishing city. He also bought forty
acres that forms the site of Carrolton. Soon dissatisfied with his
purchase, and the felicity afforded by howling wolves and croaking
bullfrogs in their gambols and songs of love, he left in the sweet
spring-time for metropolitan life in the French village of Detroit.
His family, on the score of economy, and most likely for want of
ready funds, were left in Saginaw to care for the household goods
and garden, and the children to cultivate their unfolding intellects at
a country school. The writer was called "Pet" by his mother, and
was allowed to run at large with Chippevs^a children (whose tongue
was soon acquired), visit their camps, sugar-groves, hunt, fish, swim,
skate and fight, to his unbounded satisfaction. His pride was to
excel his dusky competitors in all things, and this was soon accom-
})lished, to the admiration of an old Chippewa warrior instructor by
his killing two immense bald eagles at the age of eleven. Tlie
writer was not then aware of the importance Indians attach to the
killing of an eagle.
His mother soon became satisfied that her "Pet" was learning
more of the camp than the school, more of the hi-yali, of Indian
music, than of that taught by his sisters. After a few wi'itten notes
received from his teacher (confidential), and a vain attempt to take
all of "his hide off," after the most approved methods of that
'"'•good old time'''^{'{). It was thought best, upon one of his father's
periodical visits, to place the writer in a Detroit "classical school."
At about the age of twelve the misguided boy was placed in the
Latin school of Mr. O'Brien, of Detroit, who has for many years
taught the young ideas "to shoot," fitting many young men with
preparatory instruction for useful lives. Mr. O'Brien had been
educated for the Catholic priesthood, but discovering some peculi-
arity in his character (it was thought to be his temper) unsuited to
so sacred an office, he opened his Latin school in Detroit.
46 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
There can be no doubt of the masterly ability of O'Brien as a
teacher ; but his method was the old one he learned in his bible, to
"spare not the rod ! " So, after a very short term at that scliool,
receiving in the meantime a few eoctra lessons in the manly art ot
self-dej-ense, the writer one day with a ty-yah ! left the school and
liis books never to return.
A new method was then tried with the young savage, and his
experiences at the "Bacon Select or High School," of Detroit, are
cherished in grateful memory. The writer made rapid ^^rogress
toward the goal of his ambition, a liberal education, but the "wild-
cat mania" had seized upon his father, and as a consequence of
losses, sickness and deaths in his family, the boy aspirant had to be
made self-supporting.
He was placed in the drug store of Benjamin T. Le Britton,
opposite Ben Woodworth's hotel, where he boarded for a time upon
his arrival in Detroit, and with that kind and upright gentleman,
and his successor in business, he remained until the tires that raged ^•
in the wooden buildings of that period had destroyed them.
Before the destruction of the American or "Wale's Hotel by fire
the writer was boarded at that house by his employer, and
while there remembers that Henry E. Schoolci-aft boarded there also
for some considerable time, engaged, probably, upon his Indian
works. A Chippewa maiden in attendance upon his invalid wife
(w^ho was of mixed blood), though shy, seemed pleased when spoken
to in Chippewa, which, boy like, the wi'iter would do.
For a time, at intervals, though young for the work, he was sent
by his employer to take orders and make collections in Ohio, Ken-
tucky and Virginia.
It was now thought advisable to engage the writer in the study
of medicine. This was distasteful to him, but finally, with his ex-
perience as a druggist to build on, in 1840 he went into his father's
office in Detroit, and in winter, for want of other resources, attended
private clinics and demonstrations.
The reading and confinement involved was too great a change
from his former and accustomed habits, but nevertheless, in order
not to disappoint the fond expectations of his parents, he worked
against his inclinations. He had continued his studies, more or less
regularly, when a most welcome lettei- from his brother, Willard B.
Bunnell, decided him, in the spring of 1842, to go to Bay-du-Noquet,
where Willard was engaged in the fur trade.
CHAPTER Y.
PERSONA]. EPX'OLLECTIONS.
A POINT has now been reached in this paper where it will be more
convenient to use the pronoun of the first person singular, and
accordingly I will say that my recollections of the passage of Gen.
Scott and his troops up the lakes, in 1832 ; mj intimacy with Indians,
annually renewed by their visits to Detroit and Maiden, Canada, to
receive payments ; my acquaintance with all the old-time French fur
traders and their offspring, at Detroit, and of the traditions told me
by the Snelling boys of their father and their grandfather, Col.
Snelling, all conspired to imbue me with a romantic idea of ''^ going
out West " into the Indian territory that has never yet been realized.
At my father's table I had heard Col. Boyer, the Indian agent at
Green Baj^, speak in glowing terms of that beautiful sheet of water
and its rock-bound islands and harbors ; and I had also heard the
Williams, of Pontiac and Saginaw, as well as my mother's cousin.
Dr. Houghton, speak in my presence of Indian traditions relating
to silver and copper mines upon Lake Superior. I asked myself
then, with boyish fancies, why I could not find one. My dream of
the conquest of fortime was at first rather rudely dispelled upon my
arrival at my brother's house, but upon mature reflection I decided
not to return to Detroit.
I found my brother in very poor health and about to move to
the upper Mississippi. The climate of this lovely region, even at
that early day, was extolled by the fur traders for its salubrity, and
for persons suflering from any form of lung disease it was thought
to be almost a specific. Exposures and excesses frequently incident
to frontier life had left their marks upon Willard, and I at once
decided to aid in his removal to a dryer atmosphere.
Will bought of the Chippewas and fitted out two of their
largest bark canoes, and after selling to Mr. Lacy, of Green Bay,
all of his stock of furs, and loading his sloop, "The Rodolph,"
with choice maple sugar, he closed out the remnant of his winter
stock of goods to the Indians encamped on the shores of Green Bay,
taking in payment their choicest furs and peltries.
48 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
Upon his arrival at the city ot Green Ba}^ all of the purchases
made from the Indians were disposed of at enormous profits, includ-
ing one of the bark canoes, capable of carrying about four thousand
pounds. The other canoe Will loaded with the lighter fabrics of his
trade, and, after a few days' delay in procuring a suitable pilot, or
guide, started up through the rapids of Fox river.
My brother was accompanied by his wife, nee Matilda Des-
noyer, who was of the old French stock of Desnoyers, myself, a
voyager, and an old Menominee Indian pilot, who spoke Chippewa
well, and said h'e belonged to the band of Osh-kosh. The Indian
went with us only to the head of the rapids, or foot of Lake Winne-
bago, as agreed upon, but gave us so clear a description of the
route to be followed to Fort Winnebago, that we reached that
ancient portage without assistance or difficulty.
At the Buttes du Mort (the mounds of the dead), we found a
most intelligent mixed-blood trader, named Grignon, a descendant
of the celebrated French officer Langlade, who ofl:ered us generous
hospitality and inducements to remain with him. I think that the
maiden name of my brother's wife, Desnoyer, influenced the old
trader upon its incidentally becoming known to him, for he spoke
in the highest terms of the Desnoyer family as personal friends of
his in troubled times. Grignon told us that "the mounds of the
dead " had no relation to the battle with the Fox Indians, fought on
the opposite side of the stream, but were ancient tumuli, of which
none but the most vague traditions existed.
After a day's rest, we pushed on up through the intricate wind-
ings of Fox river.
We were not very heavily loaded, our cargo consisting for the
most part of calicoes, red, green and blue cloths, blankets, cutlery,
beads, and other baubles, so that upon the whole our trip was a
very pleasant one. Some of the Winnebagoes encountered on the
way were at first inclined to be somewhat surly, and demurred to
the prices fixed upon the goods, and no doubt our firm and non-
chalant demeanor was all that prevented an attack from one encamp-
ment, where it was intimated a tribute would be acceptable. This
intimation angered my brother, and in a choice vocabulary of hJcmk
Chippewa, which their association with the Menominees of Green
Bay enabled them to understand. Will poured into their unwilling
ears sounds that utterly silenced them. The Ho-chunk-o-raws, or
"Sweet Singers," as some translate their name, changed their
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS. 49
tune and brought out their remaining furs, and would have loaded
our frail bark at our own prices, to the top of the gunnels.
Willard expected to sell the furs collected on this journey at
Fort Winnebago, but failed to do so, as the enterprising trader and
commercial traveler of the St. Louis, or Choteau Company, had
already made his annual rounds, and had started for Prairie Du
Chien. However, by some unexpected delay, we met La 'bath
after we had started from the Portage, and were assured of a sale
at "La Prairie,'"
At the Portage, our canoe and its bulky cargo were transported
by wagon to the Wisconsin, down which, after having been
"pocketed" a few times in misleading channels, we journeyed tri-
umphantly.
At Prairie Du Chien, we met Charles Le Grave, a merchant,
whose family I had known in Detroit, and also the trader La 'bath,
both of whom were willing to purchase our furs, but at reduced
rates.
We did not quite realize expectations in the final sale of our
Indian commodities, for the season had too far advanced for the
profitable sale of furs. Consulting with Le Grave, after a long
conversation with La 'bath regarding the upper Mississippi, we took
their advice and decided to go to the "Soaking Mountain," known
now as Trempealeau.
We were told that in the near future the site of the village
would be the emporium of trade, and we were assured of a hearty
welcome from a hospitable Kentucky pioneer named Reed. By the
treaty of JSTovember 1, 1837, the Sioux and the Winnebagoes mixed
bloods ceded to the United States all their territory on the east side
of the Mississippi, and it was supposed by the old traders that town
sites would become of great value. Francis La'bath, though a half-
breed Sioux, had the energy, if not the business capacity, of a
railroad magnate, and as a trader and collector of furs for the
American Fur Company, he had become familiar with the Indian
territory of the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers.
In addition to his trips of purchase for the fur company he had
personal interests to supervise, for he had established small posts
and wood-yards at several points for trade on the Mississippi between
Prairie du Chien and Lake Pepin. La'bath's first post was at the
head of the "Battle Slough," where Black Hawk was defeated, and
it was generally managed by La'bath in person. He had another
50 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
small post on the east side of the river, about three miles below
La Crosse, that commanded the trade of Root river and vicinity and
was an important winter post. Root river was known to the Winne-
bagoes as Cah-he-o-mon-ah, or Crow river, and not the Cah-he-rah,
or Menominee river, as stated by some writers. The Sioux also
called Root river Cah-hay Wat-pah, because of the nesting of crows
in the large trees of its bottom lands. In the winter of 1838-9
James Doiiville and Antoine Reed (Canadians) established them-
selves at Trempealeau in the interest of La^bath, but more to hold
the town site than for the purposes of trading with the Indians. A
wood-yard was established on the head of the island opposite Ti*em-
pealeau, and some land cultivated by Douville, but nothing of con-
sequence done to induce a settlement at Trempealeau. La'bath was
a cousin of the last chief Wah-pa-sha, and as a half-breed was allowed
to establish himself where white men were prohibited from settling.
In accordance with La'bath's privileges he was interested in the
haH-breed tract at what is now Wabasha, and had petty posts estab-
lished at every point where trade might be secured. At or near
what is now Minnesota City, on the Rolling Stone, Labeth placed
his nephew, Joseph Bonette, to trade with the Wah-pa-sha band,
and abandoning his lower ])osts, established one a few miles below the
mouth of White-water, at a point known as the Bald Bluff. This post
was known to the Winnebagoes as Nees-skas-hay-kay-roh, or White-
water Bluff, while his Rolling Stone post was called Nees-skas-hone-
none-nig-ger-ah, or Little White-water. The Sioux name for White-
water is Minne-ska, and for Rolling Stone E-om-bo-dot-tah. Wat-pah,
a river or creek^ is sometimes added, though not often, as the creek,
like many words in Indian, is to be understood. It should be
understood that most of the petty posts established on Indian terri-
tory were temporary huts of logs for winter quarters, occupied and
again abandoned when no longer serviceable to an ever-changing
trade.
A short time previous to the breaking out of the Black Hawk
war, a war-party of Sauks attacked an encampment of Dah-ko-tahs
on Money creek. The young daughter of the Sioux war-chief
Wah-kon-de-o-tah was captured and was being hurried from the
camp, when her cries were heard by her father. With a spirit
worthy of his name he rushed through the rear guard of the foe, and
with his own war-club alone brained three of those who had opposed
the rescue of his child. At the sound of his war-whoop his braves
PERSONAL KECOLLECTIONS. 53
instantly came to liis support, and few of the Sauks were left to tell
of their defeat. This attack, though so bravely repulsed, alarmed
the Wah-pa-sha band, and after the fight they made their principal
encampment in Wisconsin, near the Trempealeau mountain, until
after the treaty of 1837. Their spring gatherings and dances were
still held, however, at Keoxa. This statement was recently given
me by a half-blood Sioux and Winnebago relative of Wah-pa-sha,
who was in the fight of over fifty years ago on Money creek.
This statement is confirmed by the Grignons, who inform me
that their uncle La Bath vacated many petty posts when threatened,
and reoccupied them again when the supposed danger was past.
The post at the Rolling Stone was finally abandoned in about
1840. Joseph Borrette, who was then in charge of La Bath's trading
post, built a small cabin near the site of the Green Bay elevator, at
East Moor, which served as a winter post until about 1843, when it
too was abandoned. During the winter of 1842-3 I attended a pay-
ment held in the oak grove below where the elevator now stands,
and which, I think, proved to be the last one made individually to
the Wa-pa-sha band. Mr. Dousman and others from Prairie du
Chien were present to look after their interests, but with all their
sagacity and experience there were transient traders enough with
"spirit water" to gobble up a liberal share of the five-franc pieces
then paid the Indians, to the no small disgust of the agent. All
after-payments were either paid in goods, or if in coin, the payment
was paid in bulk at Fort Snelling. La Bath'^ relationship to Wah-
pa-sha gave him great personal influence, and by his advice James
Reed was selected and appointed as their farmer and storekeeper.
Soon after Reed's appointment he employed Alexander Chienvere,
a son-in-law, to break fifteen acres of land at the Gilmore valley for
the band, and Charles H. Perkins, who married Miss Farn am. Reed's
stepdaughter, was soon after employed to break ten acres more for
Wah-pa-sha on the east side of Burns' creek, on what is now Miss
Maggie Burns' farm. When that work was done the chief declared
himself well satisfied, and sent the workmen back to Reed.
La Bath himself was employed by the fur company for a number
of years, but his nephew, Joseph Borrette, kept up the trade of his
uncle, with varying success, until about 1844, when all of the petty
posts were abandoned. Those old cabins served as stopping-places
in winter for the old mail-carriers, Lewis Stram, Baptist and Alex.
Chienvere, and others, and the one on the Prairie island above
54 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
Winona was occupied by old Goulali, a French Canadian, wlio had
been for some years in the service of La Bath, but, growing too old
for journeyings in the wilderness, was placed in charge of a wood-
yard established by La Bath on the island above the Wah-ma-dee
bluffs, now Fountain City. But to return. We renewed our sup-
plies of provisions and left ' ' La Prairie " buoyant with hope, a south
wind wafting our harh up the Me-ze-see-bee, or great river, of the
Chippewas. We arrived at La Crosse in the delightful month of
June, 1842, and were received by the trading firm of Myrick & Mil-
ler in a very courteous manner. They then occupied a mere shanty
or small log cabin, but were at work upon the foundation of what
afterward grew to a house of fair dimensions, though the archi-
tecture was somewhat of the composite order. To their original
structure they afterward added a hewn block-house, Indian room,
and frame addition, and this building, a warehouse, stable, and
other outbuildings belonging to the firm, formed the nuclei of La
Crosse. There has been some discussion between Mr. Nathan
Myrick, ol the old firm of Myrick & Miller, relating to the first
settlement of La Crosse ; and while I concede the possibility of a
house having been erected on the prairie before that of Mr. Myrick's
was built, I do not believe it, as no evidence of the fact was seen, or
the event talked of, by any of the old traders. On the contrary,
Reed, who as a soldier had camped on the prairie some years before
1842, spoke of Myrick & Miller as the pioneer settlers of La Crosse.
Even though a small cabin had been built before Myrick's arrival,
running fires or government steamboats, the crews of which had to
provide wood while on their voyages, would have removed every
vestige of the fact of the building's previous existence ; and besides
this, until the ratification of the treaty of November, 1837, the
Winnebago Indians would allow no permanent settlement upon their
domain east of the Mississippi without a special arrangement with
them.
Upon landing at La Crosse, Miller was especially hospitable, and
offered to wager us ' ' the skoots " that we would not find another
such a chance for settlement as La Crosse afforded, and nrged us to
remain and help build up a city. We were not then very favorably
impressed with the advantages claimed for La Crosse, but thanked
Miller for his courtesy and interest in our behalf. Finding us firm
in our purpose of visiting the " Rattlesnake hills," as he and Dous-
man called the Trempealeau bluffs, he volunteered to aid us in
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS. 55
locating a claim, and to break up sufficient ground for a potato-patch
should we return after seeing how immense the rattlesnakes were up
at "Jim Eeed'stown."
Miller was a man of most generous impulses and strong attach-
ment, but crosses rendered him as stubborn as resistance itself,
and this quality subsequently marred his happiness.
After renewed assurances of good fellowship between Willard
and Miller, mellowed, no doubt, by a few private interviews, we
continued on up the broad river, resting in the shade of the forest-
<;lad bluffs, while our light canoe ploughed its course at their base,
or stopping at other times where a gushing crystal fountain invited
us to blend its limpid waters with our midday lunch.
The Eagle's Nest (the remains of which may still be seen), now
known as the ' ' Queen Bluff, " because of its surpassing beauty and
perpendicular height, had living occupants, as we were informed,
that had held possession for many years before. Subsequently
they were dispossessed by Reed and some of his Dah-ko-tah friends
to celebrate a war-dance. At Catlin's Rocks, now Richmond, we
found the red paint discernible that marked Catlin's name; and had
it been used to paint one of his savage chiefs, it would have ren-
dered the canvas more imperishable than the rocks that still bear
his name.
The wind rising up for a vesper breeze, we put on all sail, and
in a short half-hour's run landed at Trempealeau.
James Reed, his son-in-law, James Dauville, Joseph Borrette,
and others of the family, came down to the river bank to greet us,
and after explaining our purpose in coming, and presenting a letter
from Le Grave, Reed invited us to liis house, and soon had his
whole household interested in our welfare. "We were invited to
supper, and the manner in which it was done precluded a declina-
tion of the hospitality. We retired early, but not until a sheltered
place for a winter home had been suggested for us by Reed.
Reed was at our camp early next morning, and leading the way
to a most refreshing spring in a little valley above the present site
of the village, Willard selected it for a temporary residence, until,
as he said, he should be able to learn something of the country. We
asked Reed in reference to danger from rattlesnakes, and were
told that, to annoy him, or retaliate for disparaging remarks he had
made about a miserably poor dog having been used in naming the
"Dog Prairie " (Prairie du Chien), Dousman had retorted by calling
56 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
his Trempeleau village site "The Rattle-Snake Hill&"; and the
worst part of it is, said Eeed, "he directs all his letters bj steam-
boat in that way, and nervous people will scarcely land." It was
evident to both Willard and myself that Doiisman's name was not
entirely a fiction, and we adroitly returned to the subject. Reed
finally confessed that though he had been there but two years,
having established himself in 1840, he had seen quite a number of
rattlesnakes; but his hogs, he said, were fast exterminating them,
and he hoped they would soon disappear, for, said he, ' ' old hunter
as I am, / step high in going through the ferns and grasses of the
yinffsy The Winnebago name of the locality, Wa-kon-ne-shau-
ah-ga, means the place of rattlesnakes on the river. We were told
by Reed that it was the westernmost peak of the range that was
called by Hennepin La Montaigne, qui Trompe-a L'eau, and that
the name was a translation (probably understood by signs) of the
Winnebago name of Hay-nee-ah-chaw, which signified about the
same thing, that is, that the mountain was "getting pretty wet."
The Sioux called the mountain Pah-ha-dah, "The Moved Moun-
tain." La Crosse was so named by the French, because during
peaceful eras the most athletic of the Indian tribes in the surround-
ing country assembled to play Indian shinny-ball, called Wah-hin-
hin-ah, staking horses, blankets, wampum, and sometimes even
their squaw slaves, on the issues of their national game. The
lower end of the prairie, near Michel's brewery, was the place of
assembly; but the game of ball was so common among all Indians,
that the name of their game was never given to a locality. At one
time, along the foot of the bluffs, back of the sandy portion of the
prairie, within the memory even of white settlers, that locality was
famous for strawberries, and for this reason the Sioux called La
Crosse Wah-zoos-te-cah, meaning the place of strawberries, when La
Crosse was designated, but the Winnebagoes, more given to naming
localities from peculiarities in the geological formation of their
country, called the La Crosse valley to its junction with the Missis-
sippi, E-nook-wah-zee-rah, because of the fancied resemblance of two
prominent mound-shaped peaks north of La Crosse to a woman's
breasts.
Coon creek was called Wah-keh-ne-shan-i-gah, and the mounds
situated on Coon prairie were said to have been remarkable for the
number of stone and copper implements found in and about them.
Black river was appropriately called Minnesap-pah, by the Dah-ko-
PERSONAL KECOLLECTIONS. 57
tabs, and ISTe-sheb-er-ah by the Winnebagoes, both names signity-
ing black-water. The Trempealeau river was called Ne-chaun-ne-
ehan-i-gah by the Winnebagoes, and Wat-a-Pah-dah, both meaning
the overflowing river, Tiie Chippewa was called by the Winne-
bagoes Day-got-chee, ne-shan-i-ga, meaning the river of the gartered
tribe, as they called the Chippewas, and the Sioux called it Ha-
ba-tone Wat-pah, meaning the river of the dwellers at the falls (as
the Chippewas were known to the Sioux), as it was one of the prin-
cipal routes of travel to the Chippewa country. Beef slough and
Beef river were both called by the Sioux Tah-ton-kah-wat-pah, and
by the Winnebagoes Te-chay-ne-shan-i-gah, because of the locality
being the last resort of the buffalo east of the Mississippi, though
some were seen on Trempealeau prairie at a very late date. The
Winnebagoes called the site of Winona, De-cone-uck, and the whole
prairie Ose-cah-he-aitch-chaw, meaning the prairie village, or its
equivalent. The Dah-ko-tahs called it Ke-ox-ah, translated to mean
the homestead. The French called it La Prairie Aux-Ailes (pro-
nounced O'Zell), or Prairie of Wing's, — for what reason I have been
'unable to learn, but as the Wah-pa-sha village was colonized from
the Red Wing band, it would appear as if the Indians of the village
of Ke-ox-ah might have been known to the early French traders as
one of the Eed Wing villages.
Ke-ox-ah seems to have a specific meaning, like Tee-pe-o-tah, or
0-ton-we, both of which mean a village or collection of tents, but
Reed thought "The Homestead" as good an interpretation as could
be given the word. Reed was not a very good linguist, and said
that he had been frequently misled like Gov. Doty, who, while
mapping Fox river, supposed Ne-nah, or water, to be the Indian
name of the river, and at once put it down on his map as Ne-nah, or
Fox river, and for a number of years it so appeared on the official
maps of the state, James Reed informed us that he had been in the
United States army under Col. Zachary Taylor at Prairie du Chien,
and that during trips to the pineries of the Chippewa, under com-
mand of Lieut. Jefferson Davis and others, the beauty of the site of
Trempealeau, and the scenery of the river above and below^ had so
impressed him that he had resolved to settle there when his term of
service should have expired. His purpose was delayed for various
causes, as he came to Prairie du Chien when quite young, but
finally, after many years, Reed had established himself and was in
comfortable circumstances. At the time of our arrival Reed had a
58 HISTOEY OF WmONA COUNTY.
large drove of cattle and young horses, wliicli the Indians never
stole, but would ride occasionally, to his great annoyance, as they
galled the backs of his horses and thus exposed their brutality. The
houses erected by Gavin, the Swiss missionary, and his associates,
Louis Stram and others, in 1837-8, upon the land now owned by the
Trowbridge brothers, east of tlie Lake of the Mountain, were used
by the Winnebagoes and their Sioux relations to catch the horses,
as in fly-time the horses would go into the dark log cabins to escape
these pests. During the summer of our arrival Keed burnt up the
cabins to abate the nuisance, saying that they would never be of
further use for missionary purposes. By the treaty of 1837 the
Sioux, and the Winnebagoes allied to them, had agreed to remove
west of the Mississippi. This agreement was not fulfilled until
1840, the year of Eeed's settlement at "Monte-ville," as he used to
call his location at times, and this fact will account for the persistent
efforts of the Swiss to establish their mission. The Sioux Lidians,
according to Eeed, were very willing to have Monsieur Gavin,
Lewis Stram, and others on the east side of the Mississippi, culti-
vate corn and vegetables to give them (all for the love of God), but
they preferred their dog-feasts, sun and scalp dances, to the pious
teachings of the missionaries, and after one or two years of hopeless
work the missionaries left their Trempealeau mission and farm work
in disgust.
Like most Kentuckians, Eeed was very fond of horses, and had
improved his stock by the importation of a young thoroughbred
stallion. The brute was a very intelligent animal, and refused to be
ridden by any of Eeed's family of boys, who were then quite young.
Eeed bantered me to ride the horse, saying, "If you will subdue
him you can use him as your own."
Eeed himself was a good horseman, but thought himself rather
old to ride the colt. I accepted the old Kentuckian's kindly offer,
and so won upon him by subduing his stallion that a horse was^
always at my service. The stallion, a beautiful iron-gray, after a
term of service, was sold to an officer at Fort Snelling.
James Eeed was a remarkable man in many respects, and one of
the best types of a pioneer hunter and trapper I ever knew. His
first wife was a Pottawatomie woman, by whom he had five children,
four of whom are still living ; his son John, also a great hunter, died
from a gunshot wound accidentally inflicted by his own hand while
hunting deer. Eeed's second wife was the widow of the trader
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS. 59
Farnam, a partner ot Col. Davenport, who was murdered at Rock
Island a number of years since. Reed's stepdaughter, Miss Mary
Ann Farnam, married Mr. Charles li. Perkins, and is still living
near Trempealeau. Reed's last wife was the estimable widow Grig-
non, mother of Antoine and Paul Grignon, of Trempealeau. Mrs.
Grignon was the sister of Francis La Bath, the noted fur-trader, and
a cousin to the younger chief Wah-pa-sha. She was first married to
a French Canadian named Borrette, to whom was born Joseph Bor-
rette, who so many years managed La Bath's post at the Rolling
Stone.
To Mrs. Grignon-Reed and her intelligent family I am much
indebted for interesting facts connected with the pioneer settlement
of Trempealeau and Winona counties. Mrs. Reed's death was an
irreparable loss to her family, and a subject of regret to all who knew
her. For several years in succession Reed used the land cultivated
by Louis Stram, the first Indian farmer, who had tried to act in
concert with his countrymen the Swiss missionaries; and while
thanking his stars for finding land already for his use. Reed said
that the austere and industrious character of the missionaries ren-
dered them unpopular with "Wah-pa-sha and his band.
According to La 'bath, both Stram and the government black-
smith at the present site of Homer were somewhat afraid of the
Sioux Indians. Francis du Chouquette, the blacksmith, removed
his forge to the island opposite Homer, known as The Blacksmith's
Island, and after a raid by a war-party upon the Wah-pa-sha village
he left his forge and anvil upon the island and fled fo Prairie du
Chien. My brother Willard found the anvil, and it was in use for
some years in Homer. Upon the site of Du Chouqaette's shop in
Homer I occasionally find fragments of iron and cinder, and the
spring, walled up by him, was intact only a few years since.
The next attempt to proselyte the Sioux and establish in their
village at Winona was made by the Rev. J. D. Stevens, who, ac-
cording to my information, had an appointment of some kind as
farmer and chaplain. His efforts were no more successful than had
been his Swiss predecessors Louis Stram and Mr. Gavin. Reed used
to regard the discomfiture of Protestant missionaries with resigna-
tion^ and say that if the Sioux would not receive the Roman
Catholics, with the influence of the French mixed bloods to aid
them, it was simply out of the question for Protestants to succeed.
According to Reed and La 'bath, Stevens got lost in an attempt
60 HISTORY OF WmONA COUNTY.
to reach the camp of Wah-pa-sha, but was found and kiijdly treated
by one of the band, and after an interview with the chief, in which
he was told that no white man would be allowed to settle on their
territory, Stevens crossed over to the Wisconsin shore opposite
Winona and made a temporary shelter for himself and assistants,
and then left for provisions and to confer with the authorities. He
finally abandoned his attempt to make unwilling christians of
heathen savages. La 'bath could probably have changed the order-
ing of affairs in Wah-pa-sha's counsels, but it was not his interest to
do so, and besides, he believed that but one revealed religion existed
upon earth, the Catholic, which he professed. The half-breeds were
all Catholics; and although they exerted a most potent influence
against any Protestant interference with the Sioux, they never inter-
fered with the medicine-men, but joined, like Frontenac, in their
scalp-dances and ceremonies. Hence their great influence with
them.
In 1841 another attempt to settle upon the site of Winona was
made by Thomas Holmes and Robert Kennedy and their families,
but they were not allowed to establish themselves on the prairie.
After several offers made to Wah-pa-sha, and his refusal to allow
the establishment of those men among his people, they opened a
trading-post at the Wah-ma-dee, or Eagle Bluifs. This point of trade
was for some years known as Holmes' Landing, but is now called
Fountain City, from the numerous fountain-like springs that supply
its inhabitants. Soon after we arrived at Reed's village of ' ' Monte-
ville," we made the acquaintance of Holmes and Kennedy and their
families, and a man in their employ named Smothers. Tom Holmes,
the moving spirit of the trio, was the most persistent of pioneers,
and had aided in the early settlement of Rockford, and other towns
in Illinois, and after leaving the "Landing," commenced the settle-
ment of Shockpay on the Minnesota river.
Holmes' first wife was the sister of Kennedy, who was from
Baltimore, and both were accustomed to good living and knew how
to prepare it, as they had kept a hotel in Maryland. My brother
and myself took dinner at their house while aiding Captain Eaton
(of the firm of Carson & Eaton) to di'ive cattle up the Chippewa.
Eaton and a man named Darby had had their horses stolen from
them by the Winnebagoes near La Crosse, and were left on foot to
drive a large drove of cattle. Near the head of what is now called
the Mississippi slough six shots were fired at us by a small party of
WINONA CITY IN EMBRYO. 61
Sioux from Red Wing's band, one of which broke a leg of an ox,
and the others cut twigs of trees over our heads. Wliile this in-
teresting target practice was going on I ambushed the Sioux rifle-
men, and but for Captain Eaton and my brotlier would have killed
two of the war party ^ as I had them at my mercy. While relating
our experience to Holmes, I observed a peculiar smile and glance of
intelligence from his wife, and upon inquiry found that in our
ignorance of Dah-ko-tah, Captain Eaton had oiFered a deadly insult
to the Indians while trying to ask our way. However, the Red
Wing band subsequently paid for the ox disabled by the Sioux, as
I was informed, a year or two afterward.
CHAPTER YI.
WINONA CITY IN EMBRYO.
After considerable exploration of the country, charmed with the
scenery and pleased with the soil and water, we decided to build a
house in the little valley pointed out to us by Reed, and where we
had before built a small cabin. When our determination was made
known, Reed, his son-in-law Dauville, and a hired man and team,
came at once to aid us, and we soon had raised up a comfortable log
house. A year or two after Reed's appointment as farmer and sub-
agent of the Wah-pah-sha band, I returned the favor in part by aid-
ing Reed to construct the body of the first house ever built in Winona.
The men who aided me in "-cari-ying up the corners" were Joseph
Borrette, Reed's wife's son, a nephew of La Bath, James Dauville,
Reed's son-in-law, and a Canadian named Goulet, alternately em-
ployed by Reed as cattle-grazer, woodchopper and storekeeper.
Goulet had been previously employed by La Bath at Minnesota
City, knew Wah-pa-sha and his band thoroughly, and was quite a
favorite with them. While in Reed's service at Prairie island, he
was found by some of the Sioux in. a state of intoxication, badly
burnt from having fallen in the fire, and died soon after from the
effects of his debauch. After the loss of his office by the prospective
removal of the Sioux, Reed took down the building and floated the
sawed lumber, the valuable portion of it, to Trempealeau, where it
was used as an addition to his residence. When he settled upon his
62 inSTOEY OF WINONA COUNTY.
farm at Little Tamarach, he sold his residence and lots in the village-
to Mr. Ben Healj, and some clear joists and other lumber that had
been used in Keed's Winona building now constitute a part of the
large wooden store building of Mr. Fred Kribs, the principal hard-
ware merchant of Trempealeau. During a recent visit Mr. Kribs
and Antoine Grignon pointed out to me some of the identical joists
used in 1844 by us in the construction of Reed's storehouse for gov-
ernment supplies, and which was also used as a residence for him-
self and men while performing their duties. The body of the house
was built of white-ash logs, cut by John La Point and Goulet,
Reed's men, and floated from the islands above the present city, and
it occupied a spot near the store of S. C. White. It has been sup-
posed by some that the Rev. J. D. Stevens built a temporary abode
upon the site of Winona, but there were no inducements offered
him to do so, and after his decided repulse by the Wah-pa-sha band,
it would have been foolhardy for him to have attempted it. Reed,
the Grignons, and the Indians all agree in this, that no missionaries
were acceptable to Wah-pa-sha, and when he made his final treaty,
he insisted as a condition of the treaty that money alone should be
paid him, and that he should be allowed to manage his own affairs
without interference of any kind with his band. Some ash logs left
by Reed were used in erecting a cabin which was pulled down by
Capt. Johnson, and they were finally cut up for firewood.
My brother Willard was much pleased with the game the country
afforded, and made frequent excursions with Reed for brook-trout
and deer. Reed was a great hunter, but had been too long among
Indians to needlessly offend them by slaughtering their game, but
as he had a large family he needed large supplies of meat, and it
was no unusual occurrence for him and my brother to return from a
fire-hunt with three or four red deer in their canoes, or from a fislr
ing excursion with a gross or more of brook-trout. A favorite resort
for trout was the spring brook or creek upon which the Pick-Wick
mills are situated, and which Willard named Trout creek. The east
branch of the creek, where he caught six dozen in about two hours'
fishing, he called "Little Trout."
As for deer, there was never a scarcity, for the whole range of
bluffs on the Minnesota side, or right bank of the Mississippi, was a
favorite resort for them. Here were acorns in plenty, and after they
had eaten what satisfied them, the deer went out upon some prom-
ontory of bluff to watch their enemies, or descended to some breezy
WINONA CITY IN EMBRYO. 03'
sandbar to escape the stings of the deer-fly. At nightfall the mer-
ciless attacks of gnats and mosquitos drove the deer into the waters
of creeks and rivers, and as the bewildering firelight of the hunter
noiselessly approached them in the light canoe, the deer fell a victim
to his curiosity. The flashing eyes of the deer reflected back the
torchlight, and told with unerring certainty where to direct the mur-
derous shot. Outside of the timber, on the borders of the prairies
but a short distance from Winona, elk were abundant, and a little
farther west bufialo were still to be found quite numerous. We were
told by Reed that only a few years previous to our arrival buftalO'
were seen on Trempealeau prairie and on the big prairie slough at
the mouth of the Chippewa river known as Buffalo Slough prairie.
Upon one of my numerous excursions to St. ■ Paul and Fort
Snelling I remember seeing Gen. Sibley return from a successful
bufialo hunt, and he told me that in times past they had been seen
from the knobs almost in sight of his establishment. The General
was noted as an expert hunter and scientific rifle-shot, but upon the
expedition referred to his delight in the chase was cut short by a
sprained ankle received by the fall of his horse.
On the bufialo slough or channel of the Chippewa, around jutting
points, deep trails were visible, where buffalo had repeatedly passed
to water, and these were in common use by elk and deer at the date
of our arrival in the country.
Willard's use of the Chippewa tongue for a time prejudiced his
interests as a trader, and he did not embark in the business among
the Sioux for some time after his arrival here. In the autumn of
1842 he and a Menominee Indian of great repute went up the Trem-
pealeau river to hunt and trap, and in order to escape observation,
and perhaps for convenience, he duplicated his Indian comrade's cos-
tume throughout. At that time there was some danger from raiding
parties of Chippewas, and Will said that if any should be encoun-
tered, his knowledge of their language and his costume, unlike
that of the Sioux, would be his safeguard.
Will made a very successful hunt, and as furs were quite high
in those days, the skins brought in sold for a considerable sum of
money. In an oak grove above the site of Dodge my brother killed
three bears in one day. His dog, a very noted one, obtained from
Capt. Martin Scott, brought the bears to a stand, and he killed them
in quick succession. At Elk creek, named during his hunt, he killed
a couple of elk, and the Indian killed some also, but how many I
'64 HISTOKY OF WINONA COUNTY.
have forgotten. The Menominee had, during the fall before, caught
over fifty beavers, but while upon the hunt with Willard he had
almost totally failed to trap that cunning animal. Finding himself
outwitted by the beaver, and surpassed in skill as a hunter, the
Indian became mood}^, and began a fast to propitiate the evil influ-
ences that he believed were assailing him. "Will tried to reassure
him, but to no purpose ; so, after repeated successes on Will's part,
and failures of the Menominee to catch the coveted beaver, they dried
their meat, and taking the skins of the elk killed, they stretched
them over a willow boat-frame, and thus equipped, their hunting
canoes on each side of their skin boat, they descended the Trem-
pealeau just as the ice was about to close the Mississippi. Will
returned alone to that once noted resort of beaver, mink and otter,
and as the warm spring branches were seldom closed by ice, he was
^ble to catch those valuable furred animals in winter. The beaver
skins were at that time worth about $4 per pound. Game was
quite abundant in those early days, for there were no vandal hunters
to wantonly destroy it, or if they did the Indians were very likely
to destroy them. Wild fowl and pigeons nested in the country and
raised their broods undisturbed. As for myself, I was no hunter in
its proper sense, and having repeatedly missed deer at short range,
and standing broadside to me, I determined to learn the only art
that would command the respect of the pioneer settlers, or instill a
wholesome dread of my marksmanship among the warlike Sioux.
My failure to kill deer was more a habit of preoccupation than a
want of ability to shoot, for with my rifle, a target gun, I could pick
off the heads of grouse or pigeons, and at a mark I had repeatedly
excelled Willard and Reed, who were noted among the Indians even
as the best hunters on the Mississippi, excepting, perhaps, Joe Rock,
of Wah-pa-sha, and Philo Stone, of the Chippewa river. The grand
climax, to my chagrin, was reached when Reed accused me of
^'buck fever." I repelled the accusation with scorn, and aiming at
the eye ol the next deer I shot at, it fell in its tracks, and for ever
after I was able to kill elk, bear and deer, Math about equal facility.
In September, 1843, in company with Tom Holmes, Wm.
Smothers and my brother, I went up the Trempealeau river for the
purpose of hunting elk, but our purpose was frustrated by almost
incessant rain while we were on the hunt. A few deer were killed
by my brother, who knew the ground hunted over, but I killed
nothing but a few pinnated grouse, and a goose which I brought
WINONA CITY IN EMBRYO. b.V
down with my rifle as it was flying over our camp. Neither Holmes
Eor Smothers killed anything, but they caught a few beavers and
muskrats, the skins of which were not prime. While at the mouth
of Elk creek we saw an aerolite pass over our camp, which must
have been of unusual size, judging from the attending phenomena.
We were afterward informed that several had been seen within the
memory of some old Indians, to their great bewilderment.
During the winter of 1842-3 we made some improvements, vis-
ited La Crosse, Holmes' Landing, Black River Falls, and made a
few trading expeditions to winter encampments of the Sioux and
Winnebagoes. Our commerce was carried on principally by the
sign-language, sticks often representing numerals above the capacity
of the fingers and memory of the Indians to carry. Although the
Sioux still called my brother Ha-ha-tone, the Chippewa, he was rap-
idly gaining their esteem, and his success as a hunter commanded
their admiration. As a consequence he was in demand as a trader.
I made several trips with him that were very successful, and one
with Nathan Myrick that was memorable. Upon one occasion,
while Nathan Myrick and myself were attempting to reach Decorah's
camp upon the "Broken Gun Slough," a branch of Black river,
during an exceedingly cold night in winter, Myrick drove his horse
into an air-hole that had been filled by drifted snow, and but for the
well-known war-whoop of Decorah, who I had informed of the event
upon running to his camp, the horse would have disappeared under
the ice, for Myrick was nearly benumbed with the cold when I re-
turned to him with the aid the war-whoop had instantly called to our
assistance. A few minutes sufficed for the Winnebagoes to get the
horse out of the Mississippi, but being unable to rise to his feet, the
horse was dragged to the shore, blanketed and rubbed until warmth
was restored, when he was taken to Decorah's camp and a fire built
for his comfort by order of the chief. It is due to savage hospitality
that the event be recorded.
The Indians of those early times wove not always as humane
and considerate as Decorah. Many times I have been fired at
while passing them in a canoe, simply to gratify their innate dislike
of white men. Sometimes my canoe would be hit, but as a rule they
would direct their shots so as to skim the water at my side or just
abead of me. To vary their diversion, if they caught me pre-
occupied, they would steal upon me and discharge their rifles so
near as to give the impression that it was not really all fun that was
<66 HISTOEY OF WINONA COUNTY.
intended. Reed assured me that I was daily gaining in favor among
tlie Sioux, and that if I would join in one of their sun-dances and
go through the ordeal I might become a chief He further informed
me that I was called Wah-sheets-sha, meaning the Frenchman, a dis-
tinguishing mark of their favor, that most likely had saved my scalp
from adornment with vermilion and ribbons. Partly to reciprocate
their interest in me, and to confirm them in the good opinion Reed
had facetiously said they were forming of me, against the advice of
the old traders, I pitched two Winnebagoes out of the house when
the next proof of their friendship was offered me, and giving the
oldest son of Decorah (then head chief by inheritance) a deserved
thrashing for a wanton display of his affection, I was not again
troubled by any of their ordeals.
Previous to that time Willard and myself had been frequently
annoyed, and sometimes angered, by the insults offered us, although
aware that our nerve was simply being tested; but we had decided
to put an end to all future attempts at Indian levity; and when soon
after five rifles of a hunting party were leveled at me when I was
unarmed, I told the Indians, who complemented me for not flinch-
ing, that it was well for them I had no rifle to aim at them !
Willard and myself were both able, in due time, to make the
Indians respect us, but many white people had their traps stolen
and their blankets appropriated by the young warriors anxious to
■win a reputation for bravery.
Early in the spring of 1843 Peter Cameron, a transient trader
and fur buyer, came to La Crosse with a kind of keelboat loaded
with goods, and after taking possession of an unoccupied cabin, and
securing the services of Asa White to manage his affairs in La Crosse,
concluded to make a trading voyage up the Mississippi in advance
of any steamboat.
Cameron made me a proposition to go with him, allowing me
pay for my services, and the privilege of taking, as a venture in
trade, certain goods I wished to dispose of, and of a kind he had
not in his cargo.
I had almost an intuitive perception of the draft of water, and had
picked up considerable of the Sioux tongue. My prospective useful-
ness induced Cameron to make me a good offer, and I accepted it.
Cameron was a sharp, keen trader, and one of the best judges of
furs that ever came up the river.
The boat selected for the voyage up the Mississippi was built for
WIlSrONA CITY IN EMBRYO. 67
a supply boat on Black river. It was about forty feet long, seven or
eight feet wide, and eighteen inches deep, too low for safety, in
Lake Pepin, but the trader was anxious and adventurous, and Dous-
man, Brisbois, Kice and Sibley had, by astute management, got
possession of the trade, not only at Fort Atkinson, but of the entire
upper Mississippi. Hence, if any furs were to be purchased by out-
side traders, they were required to be sharp and adventurous. It
was rumored that the Ewing company of Fort Wayne, Indiana, were
first crippled and then floored by Rice, who succeeded Dousman in
the management of the Choteau company below, while Gen. Sibley
had control of the trade at the mouth of the Minnesota river.
The great St. Louis company were also filling up the spaces be-
tween their largest stations with smaller traders in their interest.
Therefore transient traders had to watch their opportunities, and
pounce down upon the tidbits as occasion afforded.
Cameron and myself decided that if we could get safely through
Lake Pepin in advance of the steamboat Otter, which it was under-
stood would go through the lake as soon as the ice was out, we
would be reasonably sure of making handsome profits on our ven-
tures.
My packages were light, but Cameron piled in barrel after barrel
of whisky, pork, flour and heavy articles that greatly endangered
our safety.
We started as soon as loaded, taking as pilot an old French
voyageur named Le Vecq, and a half-breed that had been employed
by James Reed at times, and who was a most excellent hand
when on duty. We rigged a large square-sail, and had a long
line to run out ahead in swift water, but were so favored by the
southerly spring winds that we ran up to the foot of the lake with-
out having had to dip an oar. At the widow Hudson's (now Reed's
Landing) we had a good trade, and by my advice Cameron was
induced to sell a few barrels of pork and flour to lighten our boat
through the lake. As the nights had been clear we determined to
make an attempt to go through the lake by moonlight if the wind
should go down with the sun. Tlie night came on with weird still-
ness and gloom, but later on toward midnight the moon came
through the clouds and all was changed to brightness.
Le Point had been given permission by Cameron to go down to
Rock's, or Campbell's, a short distance below where we were to
await his coming. Cameron's orders were imperative to be back
68 IIISTOEY OF WINONA COUNTY.
when the wind fell. The wind lulled to a calm, but Le Point did
not come; so after many lenedictions had been left at the camp we
started through the lake. The upper air had given token by scud-
ding clouds of fleecy vapor that the calmness of the lower stratum
might be broken at any time, but my moral courage was not great
enough for mq to tell my fears. Cameron was very deaf, and un-
conscious of danger that did not appeal to him through his sight;
and as for Le Yecq, he seemed to have no judgment, and I had lost
all faith in him long before we had reached the lake. We coasted
along near the north shore until nearing ISTorth Pepin we were
forced out from the jutting point by ice lodged upon the coast. Here
for some time we halted, uncertain what to do, but discovering a
narrow opening in the floe, that seemed to extend up to open water,
we ventured in, rowing most lustily. We had got almost through
the icy strait when I heard a roar as if Dante's inferno had been in-
vaded and the troubled spirits let loose. The noise came gradually
nearer, and I was then able to comprehend its cause. It was the
ice piling higher and still higher upon the distant point above us^
and as the wind had veered around to the westward a few points,
the ice was being driven down upon us with great rapidity.
Time is required to tell the story, but not much was needed for
the crisis to reach us. I was steering the boat, while Cameron and
Le Yecq were rowing. Cameron at first did not heed my warning to
prepare for danger, and showed more courage than discretion ; but
when he saw that we had, as if by magic, become blockaded in front,
and that no time was allowed us for retreat, he wrung his hands and
cried out, as if in agony of grief, "My God, Bunnell ! what shall
we do ?" I answered : " Face the danger like men ; our goods, not
ourselves, are threatened ; we can run ashore on the ice."
The ice was thick enough to have borne up a horse.
Our worthy bishop (Le Vecq) seemingly was not of my opinion,
for dropping upon his knees, he poured forth such a torrent of
invective, or invocation, it was uncertain which, as would have
moved anything less cold than ice. The ice, however, came crowd-
ing on, and I instantly formed a plan to save the boat. All appeals
to the devout Frenchman were useless, so I motioned Cameron to my
aid, and we drew the boat to the edge of the ice on the north side
of the narrowing channel, where we awaited its close. My plan was
to tilt up the shore side of the boat as the ice approached to crush
it, and thus make use of the overlapping ice to carry us up the
WINONA CITY IN EMBRYO. 71
inclined plane of ice that the pressure in tilting the boat would
form,
I unstepped the mast and placed it in readiness for use as a lever.
I placed one oar beside our pilot voyageur, for use when his prayer
should end, but all to no purpose — he could not be aroused. I called
upon him in most vigorous terms, but in vain. Cameron again
oiFered his services, but I wished him to bale his valuables, and he
had scant time to do it ere the floe I knew would be down upon us;
besides he was too deaf to hear in the noise, and as the sky was be-
coming rapidly overcast, sight could not be entirely depended upon.
Exasperated beyond further endurance, I jerked our paralyzed guide
from his prayerful stupor out upon the ice, and having made him
comprehend my intention, he took the oar, the boat was tilted up at
the right moment, and all was saved.
We were swept toward the shore with great steadiness and
power, but as the ice was smooth, without injury of any kind.
Le Yecq was sent to sleep on the land, where we had transferred our
lighter goods, but Cameron and myself returned to the boat and
slept soundly until daylight, when a storm of wind and rain came to
break up the ice, and we were able before nightfall to cross to Bully
"Wells' (now Frontenac) in safety. It was April, and the wind that
had subsided with the ftiU of rain sprang up again. The lake above
was all open, but we were held wind-bound to enjoy the pioneer sto-
ries of Mr. Wells, who had established himself with a native woman
some years before. Cameron chafed at Wells' recitals, and as night
fell upon us, insisted that the wind had died out and that we could
go on. Wells told him that if we attempted it we would probably
swamp or water-log on Point-no-Point, as we could scarcely clear
that iron-bound shore with the wind beating on it as it did at the
time. I was able to hold Cameron in check until about two in the
morning, when, exasperated by his seeming forgetfulness of the danger
we had so narrowly escaped, I told him that if we beached or water-
logged, his, not mine, would be the loss, and we started out into the
lake to clear the point.
We got well out into the lake and had made a good ofiing, before
we caught the swell, when it was soon made manifest to me that a
sail should be set to give us headway, or we would swamp before
reaching the point. I proposed the sail, but Le Yecq said to
Cameron, "Suppose you hist ze sail, you go to ze dev." Just then
a, white cap broke over the bow gunnel of the boat, and, taking a
5
T2 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
wooden bucket in hand, Cameron gave it to the Canadian, telling
him to bail, and without reservation gave me charge of the boat. I
called him to the tiller while I bent on the sail, and in a few minutes
we were skimming the water like a gull. Dropping a lee-board I
had taken the precaution to rig, we crawled off Point-no-point, and
rounding into the cove above, landed as daylight appeared. This
second display of incapacity in Le Vecq ended his career as principal
voyageur, and I was installed as captain and supercargo.
We run on up to Ked "Wing after breaking our fast, and had
already disposed of a large quantity of our heavy goods, relieving
our boat the better to encounter the more rapid current, when look-
ing down the river we saw the Otter steaming to the landing. Le
Point was on board, so we at once pulled out for the St. Croix. We
made a rapid run to Still-Water and Taylor's Falls, and after selling
out everything at high prices, Cameron commenced buying furs for
cash, having ample supplies of coin for that purpose. Taking our
way back leisurely, sometimes floating with the current, at others
pulling enough for steerage way, we were able to see and stop at
every trading post and Indian encampment on our way down to La
Crosse. At Wah-pa-sha's Village, then situated on the high ground
back of the river front, west of Main street, we stayed over night.
Wah-pa-sha's sister, We-no-nah, (really a cousin) gave us a tent in
which to quarter for the night, saying that it was better than our cloth
tent, as there was a cold rain falling at the time. In recognition of
the woman's hospitality and forethought, I gave her upon leaving in
the morning, a six quart pan of flour from our scanty stores, as we
had no goods of any kind left. Cameron's subsequent career in La
Crosse was unfortunate.
Soon after my return to La Crosse I made a trip to St. Louis,
and having an Indian's memory of localities, I was able to flx the
course of the Mississippi as far as Galena in my mind. There were
but two steamboat pilots in those days for the entire river above
Prairie Du Chien, and the services of those were always retained by
the American or Chouteau Company, or by the supply steamers of
the United States contractors for the Indian and military depart-
ments.
Louis Morrow, one of the pilots, was in the full vigor of mature
manhood, and a more noble specimen it would be difficult to find ;
but the other pilot, Lewis De'-Marah, was getting old, and his sight
was failing him so fast, that, as he himself said, he would soon have to
WIN^ONA CITY IN EMBRYO. 73
leave the river to younger eyes. Finding me interested in the course
of the channel, De Marah would point it out to me v^^hen traveling
with him, and in a short time after our first acquaintance he offered
to teach and retain me with him on the river. I declined the offer,
but my taste and passion for beautiful scenery led me to study the
river while traveling upon it. At that time there were but few boats
running above Prairie Du Chien regularly, and those of the smallest
kind, such as the Rock River and the Otter. The Harrises of
Galena were so successful with the latter boat, that they soon brought
out the Liglit Foot, the Time and Tide, the Senator, the War Eagle
and others in quick succession. The demand for those steamers
created a demand for pilots, and Sam Harlow, Pleasent Cormack,
•Rufus Williams and George Nichols came to the front and proved
themselves as capable men as ever turned a wheel. Of the lower
river pilots I remember Hugh White of St. Louis as one of the best,
and his services were always in demand , by the Falcon Cecilia,
General Brooke and other boats of the lower trade. Although I was
never a member of any legislature, I was as welcome to a free ride
on any of the boats named, as a modern "dead head" on any of the
subsidized railroads. As there was seldom but one pilot on a boat
above Prairie Du Chien who knew the river well, my services were
thought to be an equivalent for all the favors shown me, and I could
go to St. Louis or St. Paul at will. Upon one occasion I saved De
Marah from a blunder at night, similar to the one which happened
him while on the Lynx in 1844. That new and beautiful steamer
was run out in 1844 on the shore below the Keye's residence by De
Marah. The night was inky black, and as the fast-running steam-
boat steered a little hard, the watchman was called to aid De Marah
at the wheel. The Lynx was on her down trip from Mendota and
St. Paul, and was running at a fair rate of speed. As they reached
the shore at Keye's point, a thunderstorm burst upon them ; and as
the lightning flashed, the open sky of Pleasant Yalley revealed the
overflowing water at the lower end of the prairie, and it was mis-
taken for the Mississippi.
The annual fires had at that time kept down all arbol growths
except at the water's edge, and the sandy ridge of prairie between
the river and the open water beyond had been overlooked during the
momentary flash of lightning. The shadows of the Min-ne-o-way
bluffs joined with the dense foliage of the islands and shut out the
view to the east. The Lynx was run out several rods upon the
74 HISTORY OF WIISroN"A COUNTY.
overflowed land before "fetching up," and when she halted, no
means at the disposal of Captain Hooper could get her back into the
channel. The most of the men were discliarged and with a few pas-
sengers left in a yawl for Praii-ie Du Chien.
A few days after, while at work upon ways to slide the boat into
river, the Gen. Brooke came steaming up the channel, and was hailed
for assistance. After landing and viewing the situation, Capt.
Throcmorton decided to go on to Fort Snelling and discharge his
cargo, lest some accident might forfeit his insurance, but gave Capt.
Hooper assurances of aid on his return. Capt. Throcmorton's great
experience suggested work to be done during his absence, and on
his return he was enabled to at once pull the disabled boat into the
river and take her in tow. The Lynx was docked and lengthened,
but she never recovered her speed, and was soon disposed of by her
builders. The brick and mortar thrown overboard on the prairie in
taking out her boilers lias been taken by some for the remains of an
old building. A short time since, while strolling on the river bank
near the locality of the disaster, I picked from the sandy shore an
iron pulley- wheel that probably was dropped overboard by some one
on the Lynx, as the deeply rust-eaten wheel indicated that it had
been many years in the sand. It may be seen in the museum of the
Winona Normal school.
On May 21, 1844, a few weeks before the misfortune happened to
the Lynx, Eobt. D. Lester, sheriff of Crawford county, Wisconsin,
was murdered by a Sioux of Little Crow's band, named 0-man-
haugh-tay. A fruitless search had been made for the body, which
was known to be in the river, but as the boat from the Lynx was
descending, on its way to Prairie du Chien, the occupants of the boat
found the swollen body in a pile of driftwood, and towed it to
La Crosse, where it was buried. Mr. Lester's successor in office,
Mr. Lockhart, subsequently had it removed and buried at Prairie du
Chien. The murder occurred within the limits of Winona county,
opposite the ' ' Queen Bluff, " and not ' ' six miles below Reed's Land-
ing," nor "twenty miles from La Crosse," as the historian of La
Crosse county has stated.
Mr. Lester was returning from an official visit to the Chippewa
mills, and stopped at Trempealeau on his way down in a canoe. His
old friend Re§d offered liim hospitality, which he declined, but
accepted a lunch to eat on his way. Lester stopped at a spring rivu-
let just above the Queen bluff, and while eating his lunch, which
WLNONA CITY IN EMBRYO. 75
was scanty enough, O-man-haugli-ta}', on liis way up from La Crosse
in a canoe, landed and demanded a part of it. Lester declined a
division of his scanty fare, and soon after started on his journey to
Prairie du Chien. He had proceeded but a few rods, his back turned
to the Indian, when the report of 0-man-haugh-tay''s rifle, and the
body of the sheriff seen falling out of his canoe informed La Bath,
who just then came in sight, that a murder had been committed.
0-man-haugh-tay jumped into his canoe and fled from La Bath's ap-
proach, but not before he was recognized by La Bath, who knew the
Indian as a vicious member of Little Crow's band.
La Bath informed the authorities that though he did not see the
Indian until after the shot was flred, there could be no doubt but that
0-man-haugh-tay had committed the murder. After considerable
delay and the use of an escort of troops to capture hostages, the
murderer was delivered up and taken to Prairie du Chien. He was
kept there in prison for some time, and then, for reasons best
known to the authorities of that period, he was taken across the river
in the night to a landing above McGregor, and was turned loose, as
stated by himself to his listening auditors.
James Reed happened to be at Keoxa (Winona) when 0-man-
haugh-^tay arrived. Wah-pa-sha and his band received the Indian
with consideration, and while a repast was being prepared for him.
Reed listened to the recital of the murderer, who, among his Indian
friends, made no concealments of his motives or of the murder.
0-man-haugh-tay's conclusion was that the white men of the prairie
were good to him, but that they were afraid of him. During his
recital, after the Sioux custom, a pipe of friendship was passed
around the circle of the tent, and noticing that Reed declined the
proffered pipe, 0-man-haugh-tay ofl^ered it to Reed in person. The
audacity of the Sioux fired the old hunter, and although Reed was
the only white man present, he struck the pipe to the ground and
told the Indian that there was one white man who was not afraid of
a dog. That epithet applied to a Sioux was the greatest insult that
could be offered, but it was not resented, and 0-man-haugh-tay soon
took his departure from the village.
Reed was a man of stei'ling integrity of character, hospitable, and
devoted to his friends, and had the murderer of Lester but have
made a movement of resentment, his life would probably have paid
the forfeit. Reed was a bearer of dispatches in the Black Hawk
war, and had good opportunities for observation. He took dis-
76 HISTOEY OF WESrON^A COim^TY.
patches from Prairie du Chien to the commander of the American
forces when no other messenger could be induced to incur the risk,
and just after the slaughter at Battle-slough, found a young squaw
whose father and mother had been killed. Reed took her with him
on his return to Fort Crawford, from whence she was finally sent to
her tribe in Iowa. James Reed had a personal acquaintance with
all the historical personages of his time, and it is a subject of regret
that his family and friends have not recorded more of his experi-
ences in pioneer life. Charles Reed, of "Reed's Landing," should
note down his recollections of early times, for the pioneers of Wa-
pa-sha county have had interesting experiences.
From Reed I learned of the existence in Beef-slough of a large
quantity of square timber and shingle logs that had been gotten out
under direction of Jefferson Davis and other army officers for use in
building Fort Crawford. This" timber was said to have been run
into the slough under the impression that it was the main channel of
the Chippewa river, and as there was no outlet at that time, a large
raft of flood-wood and trees obstructing the channel, the lumber was
abandoned, and new material prepared and run down the proper
channel of the Chippewa. Reed's statement was confirmed to me
by one made by James T. Ruth, who had also been a soldier at
Fort Crawford. In company with James McCain, a Pennsylvanian,
we broke the drifts and opened the channel of the slough, and were
well rewarded for our labor.
During the spring and summer of 1843 Philip Jacobs and
Dr. Snow put up a trading-house in La Crosse, and the Doctor
gave some attention to the practice of medicine. During the month
of ISTovember of that year he attended my brother's wife at the
birth of her son Porter, who was the first white child born in Trem-
pealeau county. My brother's daughter, Frances Matilda Bunnell,
now Mrs. Frank Hampson, of River Falls, Wisconsin, who was
born at Homer, Minnesota, on February 22, 1850, was the first
white child born within tlie limits of Winona county. There were
eight children in Willard Bunnell's family, five of whom are still
living.
In 1843 Nathan Myrick was married and brought his wife to
La Crosse. Accompanying Mrs. Myrick, as companion and friend,
was Miss Louisa Pierson, of Burlington, Yermont. Like most Ver-
mont girls, Miss Pierson was rosy and bright, and as fearless as
were "The Green Mountain Boys." If a horse had balked in the
INTERESTING INCIDENTS AND CUSTOMS. 77
sand of the prairie, her hand woukl soothe the stubborn brute into
forgett'uhiess, and he woukl then do his duty. No saddle or bridle
was needed to ride her favorite chestnut, and at her call, even the
pacing Indian ponies belonging to the iirm would amble to her feet.
Such a woman among frontiersmen would command admiration,
and for a time, at least, her conquests were numerous and her
influence beneficial, but soon it became but too evident, that her,
preference had been given to Myrick's partner, H. J. B. Miller, and
her whilom admirers turned their inconstant devotion to the native
daughters of the realm.
Among the traders of that early period there were some who
took squaws for wives, either permanent or after the morganatic
fashions of the highly civilized courts of Europe. The usual method
of obtaining a help-meet from among the Indians was to pay court
to the parents of the maiden desired, and after incidentally inform-
ing them of the esteem in which their offspring was held, obtain
some approximate idea of her value.
It was also thought advisable to make a present to the medicine-
man, with an intimation that if the spirits were friendly to your
suit a larger gift might be expected. Two traders of my acquaint-
ance, Asa White and Tom Holmes, formally espoused native
queens, and remained faithfully with them and their children
through all changes of fortune and civilization that drove them
farther and still farther to the frontier. Others, not so true to the
parental instinct, because in higher life^ left their squaw wives, but
their children remain in the tribe, cared for and reared by their
mothers, vigorous emblems of the love once borne for their fathers.
CHAPTEE VII.
INTERESTING INCIDENTS AND CUSTOMS.
In company with my old-time friend Maj. E. A. C. Hatch, who
has quite recently gone to a higher plane of existence, I once
attended a virgins' feast at Ke-ox-ah (Winona), presided over by
Wah-pa-sha. The whole band was assembled, and after elaborate
preparation and sanctification of the ground, by invocations and in-
cense, and sacrificial offerings had been placed for the vestal at the
78 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
foot of the altar-pole, Mock-ah-pe-ali-ket-ali-pah, the chief speaker,
came forward, and in a sonorous address lauded the virtues of
chastity and warned "the denouncers "_ against the sin of bearing
false witness. He also told the young braves that if they knew of
the lapse from virtue of any virgin applicant for vestal honors,
it was their duty, having in keeping the honor of their tribe, to
denounce her. These young men were selected as the flower of
Indian chivalry, and in addition to their duties as "■denouncers,"
if occasion required, they guarded the sacred precincts of the assem-
bly from defilement. In this respect Indians surpass white people,
as seldom, if ever, has any police regulations to be enforced.
At the conclusion of the chief speaker's address, Wah-kon-de-o-
tah, the great war-chief of the band, addressed his warriors lq a
quiet and affectionate manner, and told his braves to maintain the
truth as sacred, and not offend the spirits of their ancestors. Wah-
pa-sha then called for the virgins and matrons to come forth, after
the manner still in vogue in Mexico, and for some time there was
the silence of expectation. Again the call was made for any virgin
to come foi-ward and receive her reward. Two maidens came partly
forward, but, upon reaching the line of denunciation, faltered and
turned back from modesty or fear, when, at this crisis, We-no-nah,
the wife of the speaker, and eldest sister (or cousin) of Wah-pa-sha,
motioned to her youngest daughter, Witch-e-ain, a maiden of per-
haps fifteen summers, and then in confident tones challenged the
assembled throng to say aught, if they could, against the purity of
her maiden child.
'No answer was given to this challenge, and, after repeated calls
by the crier of the assembly, Witch-e-ain came modestly forward
and was crowned goddess of the feast that immediately followed.
Her head was encircled with braids of rich garniture and scented
grass, and presents of colored cloths, calicoes, yarns, beads and
ribbons were lavished upon her as the tribe's representative of
purity. Her fame went out among the traders, and soon after that
vestal feast she became the wife of a distinguished trader. Like a
caged bird, she soon pined for her prairie home, and died of con-
sumption ere the leaves of spring bloomed *to welcome her coming.
Her mother, We-no-nah, is still living,* and visits me occasion-
* Since writing the above We-no-nah has gone to her spirit-home. She died
about November 1, 1882, and was buried near Trempealeau. It was she who
gave the notice to my brother's wife, Matilda Bunnell, that so excited the war-
spirit of the home-guard of Winona county.
INTERESTING INCIDENTS AND CUSTOMS. 79
ally, always referring to the good old times of tTie past, when she
was young and Wah-pa-sha in power. Her age is not known with
certainty, but it is probably ajt this time, 1882, not less than ninety
years. Cho-ne-mon-e-kah, Green-Walk, a half-blood Winnebago
brother of the girl, is still living, and the most expert hunter of his
band.
Wah-pa-sha intimated, upon one occasion, his approval of any
choice I might make of a wife from among his people; and finally,
an unusual thing for an Indian maiden to do, Witch-e-ain herself
told me of her dislike of the engagement made for her with the
trader, and asked me to take her as a free-will offering, saying that
as she was the niece of Wah-pa-sha she would be allowed to choose
between the trader and myself. I was compelled, kindly, to decline
her offer, but assured her of my high esteem and faith in the person
chosen for her by her mother. Not Rachael herself, in her highest
tragedy, could have thrown from her sparkling orbs such burn-
ing glances of hate as were shot forth upon me by Witch-e-ain at
my refusal of her love. Such withering but silent contempt can
only be expressed by a woman scorned.
Years have passed, and trader and girl are both in the spirit-
world, or I would not speak of the incident; but in this article I
wish to show that, however different in customs, the Indians still
have universal feelings of nature, that make them akin.
At another feast Tom Holmes was so enchanted that he decided
at once to make the damsel his wife. His offers were accepted,
and, so far as I was able to trace his career, she appeared to have
made him a good wife.
Upon another occasion Major Hatch and myself visited Wah-pa-
sha's village in Indian disguise, and if our presence was recognized
it was not noticed.
Major Hatch was a man of the finest perceptions and most prac-
tical judgment. To a stranger he was polite, though taciturn, but
to his friends he was open^ and generous to a fault. The major's
descriptive power was quite remarkable. As early as 1859 he gave
me a description of the Yellowstone country, that I urged him to
have published, as well as some of his experiences among the Wah-
pa-sha, Sioux and Blackfeet Indians, with whom he had been inti-
mately associated, as trader and agent, for a number of years.
The major was not indifferent to his literary attainments, for he was
a close student, but his reply was to the effect that no description
80 HISTORY OF WmONA COUNTY.
could do the Yellowstone valley justice, and that any- one who
•deviated from Cooper's or Ned Forrest's model of the American
savage would be laughed to scorn in the great republic of letters.
In speaking of the true interpretation of the word Minnesota, the
major said, "in that word you have a fair example of the extravagant
taste for romance of Americans. The word is compounded from
Min-ne, water, and Sota, smoke, and means literally smoky or
clouded water, because of the clouded or smoky appearance the
water of the river assumes in its course to the Mississippi." "Sky-
tinted water," said the major, " is entirely fanciful, as any one may
■see by looking at the river at Mendotah."
Major Hatch served the Federal government long and well. He
■was postmaster at La Crosse in 1S46 ; aided in the removal of the
AVinnebagoes in 1848 ; was appointed agent of the Blackfeet Indians
in 1855, and served in that extremely dangerous position in the
Yellowstone and Big Horn country for two years. At that time
none but those well versed in Indian character, could by any
possibility preserve their scalps among those war-like people'. Major
Hatch became almost an idol among them, and performed his duties
to the entire satisfaction of the government.
On his return to St. Paul he was appointed,, in 1860, deputy col-
lector for that port, and in 1863, after again aiding in the removal
of the "Winnebagoes to the Missouri, he was commissioned major by
the war department, and was authorized to raise an independent
battalion to serve upon the Indian and British frontier. I was
offered a commission by the major in his battalion. While in com-
mand of his battalion, he devised a scheme in which Little Six and
Medicine Bottle were finally brought to the gallows. Thomas Le
Blanc and an associate in daring crossed the British frontier, and
while those Sioux murderers were boasting of their crimes, they were
captured and brought into Minnesota, bound on a dog train, and
turned over to justice and to death.
Major Hatch died in St. Paul of cholera morbus, September 14,
last, aged fifty-seven years, loved and honored by his wife and six
children, and esteemed by all who had the privilege of his acquaint-
ance. As for myself, I regret his departure as a long-tried friend.
I was one year his senior in age and strength of body, but not of
mind, and in our youth had the good fortune twice to save him
from assault where his life was endangered, — once by a vicious son
of Decorah, and at another time by a no less vicious white man,
INTERESTING LNCIDENTS AND CUSTOMS. 81
who had assaulted him unawares, and who afterward committed a
murder. Those eaily experiences were remembered as a tie between
us, that time nor distance could wholly sever, and now that he has
left us, I wish to record my esteem and friendship for one of tlie
noblest Romans of them all.
. There are but few of the earliest pioneers left ; James Reed died
June 2, 1873, aged about seventy-five.
It would be useless to attempt the destruction of a popular idol,
for there is too little of romance in this matter-of-fact age, but it is
well to state here that the Indians laugh when the legend of the
"Lover's Leap" is repeated to them.
A very casual survey of the ground at the foot of "The Leap"
will show what a prodigious jumper the girl must have been, to have
jumped into the lake, as many believe she did. If the legend had
any foundation at all, it was most probably based upon the rebellion of
some strong-minded We-no-nah (meaning the first-born girl) to a sale
of her precious self to a gray-bearded French trader, as James Reed
supposed, from a tradition said to exist concerning such an event.
As there was an old trading-post, fort and mission established in 1727
on the north shore near the Lovers' Leap, it is more probable that some
trader of that post made the purchase, than any at the foot of the
lake, as Reed supposed from the Indian account of the afiair.
It may be that the girl threatened to jump from the clifi", so near •
to the old post, but if she did, like Reed, I will venture the predic-
tion that she was cuffed into submission to the will of her dear mother.
I have known of but few instances of rebellion of daughters to
the wills of their parents, when sold into matrimony ; hence submis-
sion may be said to be almost universal. Extremes will sometimes
meet, and here we see the untutored savage, and the belles of Sara-
toga and of Paris join hands in sympathy.
The American Indians have distinctive customs and traits of
character, but none perhaps more peculiar than belong to other bar-
barous peoples. The language of the Algonquin race may be regarded
as the most manly in expression and in poetic beauty, but the char-
acter of the Dah-ko-tahs should be deemed the type of all that is
possible in human endurance, craft and ferocity. Their sun-dance,
or We-wan-yag-wa-ci-pi can only be endured by men of the most
determined will, and that, too, sustained by the fanaticism of a
heathen devotion. Their sacred dance, Wah-kon-wa-ci-pi, like the
Winnebagoes' medicine dance, Mah-cah-wash-she-rah, is as close and
82 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
exclusive a commimion of men of high degree, as one given bj
Knights Templars. None but the invited and initiated are ever
allowed to be present during some of the ceremonies, but after the
ground has been prepared and the dance has been inaugurated by
its leader, the less favored barbarians are allowed to witness the
splendor of the dresses worn on the occasion, and hear some of the
laudations of valor, and the monotonous Hy-yi-yah that forms the
burden of their songs.
Tlie poetic element is not absolutely wanting in an Indian, but it
requires a good degree of imagination in a white man to comprehend
their efforts in song, and considerable ingenuity to connect their
disjointed rhythms 'into rhyme.
For some days ])revious to any sacred dance the chief medicine-
men, or jjriests, and their neophites fast, or eat sparingly. If a dog
is to be eaten at the conclusion of their fast, or if a beaver has been
secured for the feast that will follow, they are both lauded for their
respective qualities ; the dog for his faithfulness, and the beaver for
his wisdom. The dog is well fed and told not to be offended because
of the intention of sending him to the spirit-world, as there he will
find all that a good dog can desire, and that his bones shall be pre-
served in the medicine lodges of the band.
The bones of dogs, beaver, bear and eagles are often taken to the
high priests for their blessings ; and they are then preserved in bags
or pouches and held sacred as charms against evil. These medicine-
bags are a badge of membership in the sacred order, and are sacredly
preserved from generation to generation.
Upon one occasion I witnessed what might be termed the ago-
7iized regret of a medicine-chief at the loss of one. While intoxi-
cated his canoe and its cargo of household goods had escaped him,
and was picked up by a wood-chopper named Johnson, who robbed
the canoe of its contents and then set it adrift. I recovered for the
learned priest all but his sacred pouch, which had been cast into the
fire as a thing of no value whatever, containing, as Johnson said,
nothing but a bear's claw, an eagle's beak, a filthy rag, and some
bones that he sup])osed to have belonged to a human hand. The
medicine-man was a half Sioux and half Winnebago, named Ke-ra-
choose-sep-kah, to whom Black Hawk surrendered after his defeat at
Bad-axe, and who, in company with Nee-no-hump-e-cah, delivered
him to the military authorities at Prairie du Chien. Big-nose, as the
Indian was more generally known, after vainly searching for the
INTERESTING INCIDENTS AND CUSTOMS. 83
medicine-bag, offered me, if I would find it, all I had recovered for
him, which, including coin, was of at least the value of three
hundred dollars. I never told the chief that the bag was burned
up, and advised the thief, after compelling restitution of all except
the bag, to leave the country, which the rascal did at once. The son
of the great chief Big-nose stayed at my house two nights recently,
and referring to the loss of his father's medicine-bag, he regretted
it, he said, because it contained powerfully-charmed relics of both
tribes, besides a piece of cloth given him by Black Hawk as a
memento of his friendship for having saved him from butchery. I
thought it best to tell him the bag was burned, and he seemed
relieved when told the truth, as now he knew that the bag had not
fallen into the hands of an enemy to work his destruction, thus show-
ing that he had faith in "his own medicine."
The only way in which a white man can fully understand an In-
dian and secure his full confidence is to join the tribe and be initiated
into their medicine-lodges, like Frank H. Gushing, commissioned by
the Smithsonian Institution to investigate the history of the Pueblo
Indians as it may be traced in their present life and customs. Few
men would be found fitted for such an office, and if a similar attempt
were to be made among the Sioux, it would probably involve the
taking part in a sun-dance, an ordeal that a white man, however
brave, would not have fortitude enough to go through. A sun-dance is
sometimes given by an individual who has made a vow to the sun,
and in such cases, after having gone through the tortures of the
ordeal, he gives away all his property and commences life anew.
As a general rule the dance is given as a test of courage and faith
in the religious belief of the Dah-ko-tah, that the sun is the all-
powerful deity of the universe, who controls their destiny and
deserves their worship.
The high ground near the present residence of Mayor Lamberton
was the dancing-ground of the Wah-pa-sha band, and, strange as it
may appear, the scaffoldings for the dead were in the immediate
vicinity. The dance or altar pole was erected on a level place, and
various devices and totems were then cut upon it and figured in yellow
ochre and vermilion. Conspicuous among the hieroglyphs was a
central circle, with rays to> represent the sun, and above all were
flags and gay streaming ribbons. The ground was sanctified, after
the usual Indian method, by incense, down, and evergreens of cedar
or juniper, though the white cedar was preferred, and distance marks
84 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
•set up to indicate wliicli portion of the ground was to be regarded as
sacred.
Sometimes young dogs were slaughtered and left at the base of
the pole, with head a little raised and their legs stretched out as if to
climb up. The blood of those innocent victims was sanctified by
the great high priest of the band, and, soaking into the sacred
earth, it was supposed to be a sweet savor in the nostrils of the
spirits whom it was believed were present at the dance. To show
the high estimation in which Christianity is held by the Indians, I
will state that I was patronizingly told by one of them that the pup-
pies were placed on the altar to call good spirits to the dance, ' 'just
like Jesus."
The final ceremonies, from all I could learn, were regarded as
too sacred for the un anointed to witness, but I gleaned, from con-
versations at various times, that for the most part they consist of
cabalistic utterances in dead or extinct languages, or perhaps that of
some living but foreign tribes held to be more potent than their
own. As morning approaches the camp is aroused, and the whole
village moves en masse to the altar-pole. Here quick preparation is
made to greet the rising sun with the dance of his votaries and the
shouts of his I'ed children. Incisions are quickly made in the skin
in various parts of the body of those who are to be tested, and
thongs of rawhide are passed through and tied securely to the pole,
from which the victim is expected to tear loose during the dance.
As the sun appears a universal shout is given as an all-hail, and
the dance begins. Drums are beaten by relays of vigorous drum-
mers, while each dancer pipes a shrill whistle held in his mouth
while dancing. At intervals chosen bands of singers shout their
approval of the tortures endured, while the dancer is stimulated to
frenzy by his family and friends to tear loose from his fastenings and
join in the honored circle of the dance. After many plunges the
brave neophyte breaks loose and dances until exhausted, when he is
taken to the tepee of his family and cared for as a hero.
Should one of the ]30or martyrs to his faith fail to free himself,
his friends reproach him, or throw themselves upon him, until their
added weight tears loose the thongs, when, without a murmur of
pain, he will join in the dance, and, without sustenance of any kind,
continue to dance until exhausted. Should it happen that the terrors
of the ordeal should overcome the courage and endurance of any
who have aspired to the roll of honor, he is at once cast out from
mTERESTING INCIDENTS AND CUSTOMS. 85
among the braves and told to fish or work, but never to bear arms.
One Sioux of the Wah-pa-sha band was degraded to the rank of a
woman, and made to wear the apparel of a fenuile. lie left for a
time and joined a western band, but his reputation for cowardice fol-
lowed him, and he was driven back by the contempt of the squaws,
with whom he was again made to associate. He finally settled down
to his fate, and learned some of the industries of Sioux womanhood.
The festival of the sun is held in midsummer, and lasts several days.
During its continuance the whole band join in merriment and games,
and the orators and medicine-men receive large donations as a
reward for their most important services. The young graduates of
the dance have medicine-bags presented them, made up, for th«
most part, of old relics of battles fought by their sires, together with
anything most horribly disgusting that may appeal to the credulity
of ignorance. With these sacks the medicine-men pretend to work
spells that will cause the death of an enemy or chase sickness from
their friends.
The sun-dance is one of the many evidences of the Dah-ko-tahs'
southwestern origin, as the same torture is submitted to by the
Indians of New Mexico, who are also sun-worshipers. The Winne-
bagoes are also sun-worshipers, and usually bury their dead at sun-
rise, with head to the west. As far as I know, no northern or
eastern tribe submits to the torturing pain of a sun-dance, except in
a few instances, when it was imposed upon the credulity of one
tribe by fanatical emissaries of the Sioux.
The Dah-ko-tahs have many legends, and may be regarded as
greatly given to romance. They believe themselves to be the very
salt of earth, and that Minnesota was the center of creation. How
else can it be, say they, when the water runs ofi" from our land, are
we not above all others ? This idea gave thern self-importance and
arrogance in their dealings with other nations. The Sioux, though
generous and hospitable, are yet quarrelsome, and the establishment
of the Wah-pa-sha band was the result of a long continued traditional
quarrel, first of the Isanti, and then of the Wah-pe-ton, or New Leaf '
bands of Sioux. According to this tradition, given me by Le Blanc,
the chiefs of the Isanti, or knife band, quarreled about the jurisdic-
tion of the chert, or knifestone quarries in the Mille Lac country,
and to avoid bloodshed, the ancestors of Wah-pa-sha established
themselves upon the Me-day-wah-kon, or Good Spirit lake. Thera
they remained for a number of genei'ations, until by magic the-
S6 HISTOEY OF WmONA COUNTY.
spirits of malignant chiefs entered into the medicine lodges of the
tribe, and again the band was torn asunder ; the peaceful portion
emigrating from their pine forests and rice swamps to a country of
earlier and different foliage, and the band then took the name of
Wah-pe-tou, or the new leaf band. It is somewhat remarkable that
the Chippewas call the country and river immediately below the falls
of St. Anthony, including the site of St. Paul, Ish-ke-bug-ge-see-bee, or
the New Leaf river, because in the early spring-time the leaves shoot
out earlier than above the falls. The Sioux tradition goes on to relate
that there they established themselves in comfort, some going up the
Minnesota, where buffaloes were plenty, others, as their numbers
increased at the Wah-coo-tay village, spread themselves along down
to the Cannon river and to Eem-ne-cha, or the Eed Wing village,
where for many, many years they fattened on the game and wild rice
of the region about them.
Again they tell that in this paradise of hunters dissensions once
more arose among them, and, disregarding the warnings of previous
counsels to avoid strife, the great Eed Wing and the noble Wah-pa-
sha became involved in that quarrel. The friends and adherents of
both were equally strenuous in the support of their respective chiefs,
and after a prolonged council of the entire band, ending in an out-
burst of angry passion, the respective partisans seized their war-clubs
and quivers and were about to fight, but before the war-whoop was
given for battle Wah-pa-sha commanded silence by a wave of his
red cap, and telling the assembled multitude to cease their strife,
threw his totem or badge of authority, the red cap, into air. A whirl-
wind took it up and it instantly disappeared. At the same moment
a convulsion of the earth was felt, darkness fell upon them, and in
the morning, when all was. once again serene, they found that a por-
tion of the bluff containing the bones of their dead, had disappeared.
A party of their principal braves were dispatched in search of the lost
mountain, and as they descended in canoes they recognized what is
now known as the " Sugar Loaf," as the red cap of their chief, trans-
formed into stone.
The distant peak of Trempealeau mountain was soon discovered
to be a part of their lost inheritance, and hastening on, the moving
or moved mountain, or Pah-ha-dah, as it is called in the Dah-ko-tah
tongue, was overtaken just as it made a vain effort to plunge into
the lake of Me-day Pah-ha-dah. The other peaks of the Eed Wing
range had already caught upon the sandy point of the prairie, and
PREHISTORIC. 89
therefore, claiming their truant possessions, they made those peaks
the dividing line between themselves and the Winnebagoes.
It only remains for me to say, in proof of the entire authenticity
of this tradition, that until defaced by the growing wants of a city,
the bluff resembled in shape a voyageur cap oi ancient date, and the
red appearance of the face of the clif iustified its Sioux name of
Wah-pa-ha-sha, or the cap of Wah-pa-sha.
CHAPTEE VIII.
PREHISTORIC.
Going back beyond tradition, we find in our midst evidences of
a numerous people having once occupied the adjacent territory.
Judge George Gale, the founder of the university at Galesville,
Wisconsin, in his very valuable work, " Upper Mississippi, " says,
"To us of the New World there is a 'Greece' that literally
' slumbers in the tomb.' A nation or people whicii for centuries
occupied a territory nearly as large as all Europe, and had a popula-
tion which probably numbered its millions, have left the graves of
their fathers and the temples of their gods so unceremoniously that
their very name has disappeared with them, and we only know of
their existence by their decayed walls and tumuli, and by their
bones, exhibiting the human form, although in a far-gone state of
decay. "
Judge Gale's book shows great research and critical acumen, and
the calamity which befell the plates in the great Chicago fire should
be repaired by a new imprint of the volume. My space will only
admit of a reference to the work, but I cannot forego the justice to
say that, so far as I know. Judge Gale was first to notice in print
the mounds and other earthworks in Trempealeau county, Wiscon-
sin, and at La Crescent in Minnesota.
Few persons have any adequate conception of the vast area cov-
ered by earthworks in the United States, or of the immense labor
expended in their construction. A mound in Montgomery county,
Ohio, according to Gale, contains 311,353 cubic feet of earth. One
in Virginia is seventy feet high and 1,000 feet in circumference, and
6
90 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
the great Cahokia mound of Illinois is ninety feet high and over
2,000 feet in circumference, containing over 20,000,000 cubic feet,
and one in the State of Mississippi covers an area of six acres.
In these mounds there are sometimes found pearls, sharks' teeth
and marine shells, obsidian or volcanic glass, native copper and native
silver, sometimes united unalloyed, as found only in Eussia and on
Lake Superior, where innumerable stone implements are still to be
found that have evidently been used in extracting those metals.
Lead has also occasionally been found, but not so frequently as
copper. Stone implements are found in mounds and upon the sur-
face, especially after plowing, wherever these ancient works appear.
The implements are generally manufactured from syenite or some
hard trap rock, and consist of stone pipes, hammers, axes, scrapers
or fleshers, pestles, spinners or twisters, still used by Mexican In-
dians. Obsidian, chert and copper, spear and arrow heads are quite
common. About the mounds of the lower Mississippi old pottery is
quite common, but among those of the upper Mississippi it is only
occasionally found. The mound-builders must have possessed some
mathematical knowledge, as some of their earthworks show a good
degree of geometrical skill, as well as military ideas of defense
against assaults of enemies.
Ten miles below La Crosse, on Coon prairie, there is a line of
earthworks and mounds of considerable size and interest, and on the
Clark farm, on the La Crosse river, the works all seem to be of a
defensible character. At Onalaska they are also quite numerous,
and about one mile above McGilvray's ferry on Black river there is
an old earth fort and mounds that still remain quite conspicuous.
At Galesville and vicinity are quite a number of mounds, includ-
ing some built in the shape of man, and many, according to Gale, in
the shape of animals. The most conspicuous, because most accessi-
ble, are the mounds in and near the village of Trempealeau. One,
west of Mr. Boer's residence, commands a fine view from its eleva-
tion above the surrounding surface. In the neighborhood of the
Baptist church there are also several of an interesting character.
Near Pine Creek station there are some very fine ones. At La
Crescent and on Pine Creek, Minnesota, there are a number of
mounds of small size ; and coming up to Winona, on the south
shore, at intervals thej^ appear at Dresbach, Dah-co-tah, Richmond,
La Moille, Cedar Creek, Homer, Pleasant and Burns valleys. Upon
the farm of Miss Maggie Burns there are several mounds that still
PREIIISTOEIC.
91
remain undisturl:)ed, but along the public road several very sym-
metrical mounds have been leveled in construction and repairs of
the thoroughfare.
Upon the table of West Burns valley the liheibeau boys plowed
up some of the most elegantly-shaped stone implements ever dis-
covered in any country. To my chagrin, after a vain attempt to
purchase them, I was told that a gentleman from Milwaukee had
induced Mrs. Rheibeau to part with them, and thus were lost to the
museums of Winona a few celts not surpassed by any in the large
collection at the Centennial Exposition.
My niece, Mrs. Louise Page, found a number of arrow and spear
heads and a few fragments of pottery in Homer, and near the Keys
92 HISTORY OF WESrONA COUNTY.
mansion she picked from the river bank a large stone hammer,
which is now in the museum of the Winona normal school. The
hammer was imbedded about two feet in the soil, and was most
likely buried, like the silver ornaments found near it, in the grave
of some dead warrior. The Catholic emblems in silver were those
in common use among the Catholic Indians and half-breeds of Can-
ada within my recollection, and most probably belonged to some
Canadian voyageur, or perhaps was buried, after the Indian custom,
with the body of some Indian (or squaw) convert to the Catholic
faith. The high point at Kej^s' was a favorite burying-ground, be-
cause of its extreme height above the river during an ovei-flow of
the lower land of the prairie. The sites selected for their burying-
grounds indicated to the old traders the Indian's anticipations of a
possible overflow of the prairie.
Upon the farm of Myles Koach, in the town of Homer, a num-
ber of stone arrow and spear heads have been found by the sons of
Mr. Roach, and one of copper was found which was purchased by
R. F. Norton, now of the village of Homer. There have also been
found along the river front in Winona copper implements, one of
which, found by Geo. Cole, is in the possession of his father. Dr.
James M. Cole, of Winona.
Most of the implements found on the surface have, no doubt,
been lost while in use, but those found in mounds and in ossuaries
have been placed there with the remains of the dead. The ossuaries
of Barn Bluff and of Minnesota City were, no doubt, places of
interment of the bones of the dead, which had been divested of
their flesh by exposure upon scaffolds or trees.
In the early days of my first acquaintance with the Dah-ko-tahs,
no other mode of burial would satisfy their ideas of a proper sepul-
ture, but after a time the example set by the white people of burying
their dead had its influence, and in modern times, except among the
wildest bands, the Sioux began to bury their dead soon after their
demise. The body of Chandee, son of Wah-kon-de-o-tah, the war-
chief of Wah-pa-sha, was buried upon my brother's property at
Homer by special request of his relatives. His sister, Shook-ton-ka,
the champion girl racer of the band, and some children of Wah-pa-
sha, were buried near the site of the Huff house. After the treaty
was decided upon by the band, many bones of the dead were removed
and buried in secret places at night, lest they should be disturbed by
white settlers, whom the Indians knew would eventually occupy the
PREHISTORIC. 93
country. Some of the ancient mounds have been used by modern
tribes as receptacles for their dead, but in such cases the fact is
readily discernible, as no regard has been paid by the modern In-
dians to the strata of earth, clay and sand, or gravel, of which the
burial or sacrificial mounds have been composed. It is believed by
some that the circle of sculls found in an ancient ossuary at Minne-
sota City were the crania of victims to some religious sacrifice around
the altar-pole, or else of captives slaughtered and left, as puppies
are left in modern times, with heads to the pole, which might account
for the position the sculls were found in. At Bluft' Siding, opposite
Winona, along the wagon-road to Galesville, a number of mounds
may be seen, occupying an admirable position for defense.
The limits of my paper have been reached, and I must hasten to
a close ; but I crave my readers' interest in behalf of mj brother
Willard, in connection with his settlement in Winona county. As
for myself, it will suflice for me to say that, dissatisfied with what
appeared to me as time thrown away upon the frontier, I returned
to Detroit and recommenced , the study of medicine in the oflice
of Dr. Scoville, an eminently successful physician and surgeon.
Upon the appointment of Adrian R. Terry, uncle of Gen. Terry, to
the surgeoncy of the 1st Mich. reg. during the Mexican war, I was
given the hospital stewardship of that regiment, and served to the
close of that war. While quartered in Cordova, Mexico, I was
placed in full charge of the post hospital during the illness of Drs.
Terry and Lembke, and returned to Detroit, Michigan, at the close
of the war in medical charge of one detachment. Having acquired
a taste for a free life when the gold discovery in California hecmne a
fact^ I went overland through Mexico to Mariposa, where, com-
pelled at first to fight Indians in self-defense, I finally became a
member of the Mariposa battalion. While on duty in that organi-
zation I became one of the discoverers of the now famous Yosemite
valley, the name of which was given by myself, as will appear in
my book, "Discovery of the Yosemite," published byF. H. Revell,
of Chicago.
During the war of the rebellion I served in the ranks as a pri-
vate, and through successive promotions (having had conferred upon
me a degree) reached the rank of major by a commission as surgeon
of the 36th reg. Wis. Inf. Assigned to detached duty on March 27,
1865, with the Ist Minn., I served in that regiment as its sole medical
ofiicjer until its return to Washington at the close of the war.
94 IITSTORY OF WINONA COITJSTTY.
I will close this paper with an extract from a series of articles
furnished the "La Ci'osse Chronicle," that I hope may be deemed a
fitting close to my subject.
In 1848 and later, my brother Willard was employed in moving
the Indians. Some of them, the Winnebagoes especially, were very
much dissatisfied, and declared they would not leave for the home
selected for them on the Minnesota river. Will's influence was great
among them at that time, and he succeeded in collecting about three
hundred of them. Having arranged with Miller for the use of the ware-
house of his old firm, he quartered them in it. They seemed contented
enough until a short time before the steamer came to carry them up
the river, when they set up a most unearthly yell, broke through
their guard, seized their ponies from an adjacent corral and disap-
peared. Other means were then resorted to, and they were removed
in smaller squads or details ; but they would return again and again
to their native haunts as if drawn back by some occult force. Will's
discernment would penetrate all disguises of paint, red, green or
blue blankets, until at last they yielded to his persisted efforts and
remained upon the new reservation.
My brother has assured me that many of the Indians receipted
for by the officers at Fort Snelling he had removed over and over
again. With Indian cunning they would assume a new name with
each new disguise, and the officers were unable to discover or
remedy it.
With the Indians went Asa White and Tom Holmes, both of
whom had squaws for wives. Miller & Myrick had already dis-
solved partnership before the Indians were removed, and were vir-
tually out of the Indian trade, but their influence was still more or
less potent in Indian affairs, and they were advised with as to their
management. My brother's persevering energy in removing the
Winnebagoes was awarded by a permit to trade with the Wabasha
band, and he settled upon their reservation.
This gave him great advantages, and obtaining the consent of
Wah-pa-sha, rewarding him liberally. Will planted old Mr. Burns
and his remaining family upon what has since been known as the
Burns' farm, providing each member old enough with a claim.
Will was unable to choose as well for himself as he had for the
Burns family, for being under the impression that the site of Winona
was subject to overflow, he located at Homer, which he named after
liis birthplace, the village of Homer, ISTew York state. Here he
PREIIISTOKIC. 95
built the first house in 1849, and in 1850-5J made a large addition
to the building and moved into it. Peter Burns and himself becamu
interested in a scheme to control the trade of the interior, by secur-
ing the nearest "high- water landing" below Winona, and for that
purpose, in conjunction with Borup, an old trader and a brother of
Senator Alex. Ramsey, of St. Paul, they laid out the village of
Minne-o-way, building a large hotel and storehouses to accommo-
date the very large business destined to reward their enterprise. By
some oversight they had neglected to comply with some provision
of the law, and a keen-sighted man by the name of Dougherty, dis-
covering their neglect, pounced down upon their claim, and in a suit
that followed secured land, hotel and storehouses as his homestead.
Burns was lucky enough, before the final decision wa^ rendered, to
sell his interests for $4,000.
As to the site of Winona, known to the Dah-co-tahs as Keoxa, it
was firmly believed by the old traders and lumbermen to be subject
to overflow in the highest water. From the deck of a steamer pass-
ing at the highest stage, the space left dry really appeared very small.
In very high water all of the low land of the prairie was submerged
and a volume sufficient to run a steamboat ran down south of the
city, before the railroad embankment was raised. The Indians
laughed at the supposed folly of the white men in building on the
"island," and it was an anticipated joke that Will would sometime
be seen, pikepole in hand, i-escuing the floating property of this
embryo city and hauling it out upon his higher landing.
Poor Will ! He had been out so long upon the frontier that he
failed to realize what money and enterprise would do to improve and
protect a city so advantageously situated as Winona. He and his
brave wife are both gone now from the scenes of their early hopes
and perils. He left in August, 1861, and she in 1868, leaving a
family of two sons and four daughters.
CHAPTER IX.
GEOGRAPHICAL.
The geographical position of Winona county is between parallels
43 and 45 north latitude, 44 passing through the center of the county,
and between meridians 91 and 92 west, a small portion of the county
lying west of 92. It is organized from townships Nos. 105, 106, 107
north, of ranges No. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 west, and contains twenty
organized townships, fifteen of which are full townships, containing
thirty-six sections. One is organized from half a township, and one
is formed of townships Nos. 107 and 108, of range No. 8. Four are
irregular in form on the northern boundary, and are fractional. The
county is located in the southeastern part of the State of Minnesota,
and is bounded on the north by Wabasha county and partly by the
Mississippi river, and on the east by the Mississippi, which flows
here in a southeasterly direction, and on the south by Houston and
Fillmore counties, and on the west by Olmsted and Wabasha coun-
ties. In shape, nearly a right-angled triangle, longest on the south-
ern boundary, being about forty miles or six and a half townships
in length, and twenty-four miles or four townships in width from
north to south. It is regular in form on the southern and western
boundaries, the Mississippi river forming nearly the hypothenuse ol
the triangle from northwest to southeast.
The surface, within the distance of about twelve miles from the
Mississippi river, is bluffy or broken, the river being about five
hundred feet below the general surface. Houston county is a trifle
higher in altitude ; with that exception this county is the highest on
this side, and contiguous to the river from its source to its mouth.
Bold perpendicular ledges of rock form the sides of the bluff in
many places along the river, and a considerable portion of the south
part of the county contiguous to the Root rif er is of the same char-
acter. Four townships of the northwest part of the county along
the Whitewater are also rough and rocky. The remainder of the
surface is undulating prairie, irregular in extent, comprising not far
from six townships, and located in the central and western parts of
the count V.
GEOGRAPHICAL. 97
When tlie altitude is reached there is great uniformity in the
appearance of the surface, and any other highhand may be visited
without materially ascending or descending, the high lands being all
connected by a series of ridges which form the divides between the
streams which flow into the Mississippi and those which flow into
the Root river on the south and the Whitewater on the north.
There are no swamp lands in the county, and not a regular
quarter-section that would be benefited for agriculture by artificial
drainage. There are a few acres in patches along the Mississippi and
along the margins of some of the smaller streams of marsh or bog
lands, liable to overflow, but producing excellent grass. The waters
of the county all find their way to the Mississippi ; those in the north
part of the county furnish the south branches of the Whitewater.
On the north and east each township contributes a stream to the Mis-
sissippi. The largest and most important of these is the Rolling-
stone, which drains nearly one hundred square miles of surface, and
afiords water-power for six large flouring mills. There are also
several unoccupied powers on the different branches of the stream.
Each township of the southern tier also furnishes a stream to
Root river. All these streams are formed by springs, and are
nearly uniform throughout the year as to supply of water, and,
having considerable fall, afford water-power which in the future
may be developed.
The surplus water of the county finds its way to these streams
through the ravines and small valleys reaching out tow^ard the
prairie in all directions.
Utica, or town 106, range 9, occupies the summit, being drained
on the northeast into Rollingstone, on the northwest into White-
water, and on the south into Rush creek ; and this township is also
nearly the center of the prairie surface.
The longest, largest, main ridge of the county begins in the
southeastern part, on the divide between the waters which flow in-
to the Mississippi and those which flow into Root river, and extends
in a northwesterly direction through the townships of Dresback,
New Hartford, Pleasant Hill, Wilson and Warren into Utica.
From this main ridge branches innumerable extend in every direc-
tian. The most important ones are Homer ridge between Cedar
and Pleasant Yalley creeks, and Minneiska ridge between White-
water and Rollingstone, both ridges leading to the Mississippi
yS HISTORY OF WINONA COIJNTY.
In the south part of St. Charles in Saratoga, and the northwest
part of Fremont, are to be found some broken ridges or hills, none
of them rising above the general surface of the county. The valleys
surrounding these hills are not so deep as the valleys along the
streams in other parts of the county, and in some places they gradu-
ally rise and extend into broad upland prairies.
In this part of the county, or among these hills, there are several
fine groves of timber. Cheatem's grove in the southwest part of
ITtica, Blair's grove in the northeast part of Saratoga, and Harvey's
grove on the line between Saratoga and St. Charles, are the most
notable. They contain a fine thrifty growth of oak, poplar and
butternut, with a dense growth of underbrush in some places.
At the heads of all the streams, or along their margins, timber of
various kinds is found. As we approach the top of the bluffs it
consists mostly of white and red oak, with patches of white birch.
In the valleys are found burr oak, hard maple, white ash, rock and
red elm, basswood, hackberry, black walnut, butternut and poplar.
The bluff lands, which include the parts of the county lying along the
Mississippi, the Whitewater and the branches of Root river, and
tlie ridges connecting them, are generally well timbered, especially
on their sides facing |;he north, the fires of early spring burning
the south sides before the snow has left the north sides, or before
they become sufliciently dry to burn. Where the fire is kept out
timber rapidly springs up.
As the line of the county extends to the middle of the channel
of the- Mississippi, and the channel sometimes passes next to the
Wisconsin side, there is in the townships of Rollingstone and
Winona a large amount of bottom-lands covered with timber. Oak,
ash, elm, birch, cottonwood, willow and maple are most abundant.
In the two townships last mentioned, there is lying between the
bluffs and the river a sand or gravel prairie six or seven miles in
length and about three-quarters of a mile in width, which is a few
feet above high water, and of nearly uniform level surface. Con-
tiguous to this prairie, and next to the bluffs, is a series of terrace
or table lands, which are timbered with the three kinds of oak
before mentioned. The same character of table-lands also occur at
the mouths of all the streams that flow into the Mississippi.
As we leave the timber and ridges approaching the prairie
throughout the whole county, there is more or less grub or brush
land, which is usually a small growth of oak, red and white. There
GEOGRAPHICAL. 99
are also patches of brush land consisting of hazelnut, wild [)luiu
and crab-apple.
The bluff and ridge lands throughout the county, especially the
part that is timbered, consist of a clay loam varying from one foot to
twenty feet in depth. As the Mississippi and the larger streams
are approached, the sides of the bluifs are in manj places quite
precipitous, the rocks .cropping out to the surface. As the bluflfs are
descended, the soil changes in composition bj an admixture of sand
and lime from the decomposed rocks.
Lands lying close by the river at the mouth of the valleys have
little or no clay at the surface, but the soil is underlaid by a stratum
of clay or loess almost impervious to water before reaching the
gravel or sand i-ock of the bed of the river.
As we ascend the streams that flow into the Mississippi, if the
valleys are broad the soil is a stiff*, tenacious clay of bluish cast, but
darkens in color on exposure to the air.
This clay is evidently local drift, as it is stratified and does not
contain any boulders, drift ^coal, nor other matter indicating true
northern drift. Where the valleys have retained the wash of the
bluff's, and the water-courses have not interfered, the clay is covered
and mixed with vegetable mould, sand and lime, in some places
several feet deep.
The soil of the upland prairie is a deep dark loam, and is under-
layed by stiff" clay or by rock. This soil does not materially change
in color nor in texture by cropping. Among the broken ridges or
hills of the south-central and west parts of the county the rocks come
very near to the surface of the upland, and the lower ground, though
gradually rising into upland prairie, is in places quite sandy. There
is upon the surface of this sandy land an accumulation of decomposed
vegetable matter very dark in color, indicating the presence of lime
in its composition.
The soil of the brush or grub lands is similar in appearance to
that of the timber lands, but contains a much greater amount of
crude vegetable matter.
Spring wheat has been considered as the staple crop, but oats,
corn, barley and potatoes in the order named are largely grown.
The timbered or ridge lands have produced good crops of winter
as well as spring wheat for twenty-five years, and winter wheat
was also grown in the valleys near the Mississippi for several years
very successfully. It has not, however, succeeded on the prairie.
100 HISTORY OF WINONA COinSTTY.
Though this county does not claim to be the banner county of
the state in wheat-raising, it is entitled to its full share of the credit
for the popularity to which Minnesota wheat has attained for quality
and amount to the acre under cultivation. It is said to be a fact
that any soil which will produce good crops of wheat will also grow
good crops of any of the cereals adapted to the climate. Whatever
failures may have occurred in the production of the common cereals
in this county, in no case can the failure be attributed wholly to the
character of the soil. For the production of these grains the average
yield compares favorably with any portion of the state. One instance
of the marvelous productiveness of the soil may be given. Upon
the iirst farm opened in the Eollingstone valley there was sown, in
the first week in October, 1852, some winter wheat. It was har-
vested the first week in July of the next year, threshed upon the
ground with a flail and cleaned with a sheet in the wind, and yielded
thirty-seven bushels to the acre. The same ground produced nine
successive crops of wheat, and the ninth was the best that had been
raised. This ground has now been under cultivation for thirty years
without any particular rotation of crops and without artificial
manure, and is apparently as productive as ever for any crop except
wheat, yielding large crops annually of corn, oats, barley or grass.
The average yield of wheat has, however, materially decreased in
this, as well as in other counties of the state for a few years past-
It is believed to be owing entirely to climatic reasons, as there has
been no diminution in the yield of other grains. The grass product
ranks next to oats in acreage, being somewhat more than corn, and
within the last few years stock of all kinds is receiving much atten-
tion, and so far no ■ general diseases have appeared among swine,
cattle and horses.
Of other productions than those already named there is found in
our market rye, buckwheat, beans, flax-seed, timothy and clover
seed, grapes, tobacco, onions and honey.
In the vicinity of the blufts contiguous to the Mississippi, and
along the margins of the smaller streams, crab-apples, wild
plums and grapes are abundant.
In the timbered belt, about the groves, and in sheltered locations,
several varieties of the cultivated apples are grown. As reported
by the assessors, there are at present growing in the county about
51,000 apple-trees.
GEOGRAPHICAL. 101
Of the smaller fruits, grapes, strawberries, raspberries, currants,
etc., are grown in all parts of the county, and yield abundantly.
In character and variety of wild plants and flowers, this county
does not differ materially from others similarly situated. The up-
land prairie produces grass mainly. There is, however, during the
summer, a great profusion of wild flowers. Upon the warm hill-
sides, or on sandy land, in early spring, sometimes before the snow
has disappeared, the well-known anemone is the most conspicuous ;
during May and June, blue or violet and scarlet are the predomi-
nating colors ; in July and August, white and yellow adorn the
roadsides and uncultivated places. In the fall the moist grounds
are literally covered with purple and white.
In the whole timbered belt and along the margins of the streams
the ground is loaded with a dense growth of rank vegetation.
Wild deer had been kept out by the Indians, but for a few years
after the first settlements were made they gradually increased in
numbers ; a few are yet seen every winter.
The black bear, being somewhat migratory, has been occasion-
ally seen. Both timber and prairie wolves were at first quite
common ; the prairie-wolf is still annoying the flocks, but the
timber-wolf is rarely seen. Foxes, red and gray, stay about the
rocky ravines and bluft's. Beaver were quite plenty in many of
the streams. Several otters have been caught, also mink, weasel,
and large numbers of musk-rats.
The badger, raccoon, woodchuck and polecat are common.
The large gray wood-squirrel and the prairie gray squirrel, the
red squirrel, the chipmuck (the black squirrel has visited us, but is
not at home), and both varieties of gopher are numerous.
Of the rabbit the gray is most common.
Of the migratory feathered species that remain here a short time
in the spring, but do not nest, the wild goose, the brant, and several
varieties of ducks, are the most plenty. These confine themselves
mostly to the immediate vicinity of the Mississippi river. The
curlew is occasionally seen, also the pelican. Of those that remain
during the summer and nest here, the wild pigeon and blackbird
are most numerous. The bittern, the sand-hill crane and bald-
eagle are common. The mallard and wood-duck frequent the small
streams and nest here, but not abundantly.
All the migratory birds common to this latitude are to be seen
here.
102 HISTORY OF WINONA COIHSTTY.
Of those that remain all winter the prairie-hen is most general ;
the partridge, the quail, the bluejay, and several varieties of owls,
are usually about the sheltered places in the timber.
Speckled trout were in all the small streams of this county and
very plenty. There are a few left in nearly all of them. The state
fish commissioners have placed young ones in sonie of the streams.
The water coming from springs and being rapid is nicely adapted to
their habits, and some efforts have been made to propagate them.
There are several fine springs well adapted to fish culture. The
main difficulty seems to have been to guard against sudden overflow,
as the streams are liable to rise very high and quickly. Fish com-
mon to the Mississippi river run up several of the streams in the
spring and return to the river again. The Mississippi furnishes a
large quantity of fish yearly, the greater portion being taken with
the seine. The varieties generally caught are buffalo, catfish, pick-
erel, bass and wall-eyed pike. There are also sturgeon, sunfish,
perch, suckers, and several other kinds.
The geological formation of the county is quite uniform in char-
acter. The appearance of the rocks at the surface, in St. Charles,
Saratoga, and part of Fremont and Utica, is somewhat different from
those lying along the Mississippi, the Whitewater, and the streams
that flow into Root river. Here, also, the valleys are much broader,
and the loam, or top-soil, thicker and more evenly spread. The
highest lands are tillable and usually turfed all over.
The lowest visible rock along the Mississippi, and probably
underlying the whole county, is the St. Croix sandstone. This
sandstone varies somewhat in appearance and texture. In the south-
east part of the county the quarries show a fine building-stone of
superior quality for working, of a grayish color, that hardens* on
exposure to the air. In some places the rocks are of a reddish cast,
probably owing to the presence of iron. Some of the layers are
quite soft and are readily excavated. In the south part, Utica, St.
Charles, part of Fremont and of Saratoga, the sand-rock cropping
out of the hills or low bluffs is nearly white in color, loose in texture
and disintegrates rapidly, forining a beautiful white sand. Over-
lying the sandstone is the lower magnesian formation, which also
probably underlies most of the county. It is a hard, flinty, whitish
or light gray rock, composed of lime and sand, with streaks of calcite
along the larger streams. The upper portion only is visible, the lower
part being covered with wash from the bluffs. This rock is not
GEOGRAPIIK^AL. lOJj
available for use, b^ing very hard and of irregular fracture, not
easily quarried or worked. In some places along tlie Mississippi
there is seen, overlying the lower magnesian, a sandstone loose in
texture, crumbling rapidly and largely forming the soil of the sides
of the bluifs. It is probably not more than lifteen or twenty feet in
thickness. Corresponding with this sandstone, there extends through
a part of the towns of Wilson, Hart, and part of Norton, a sandstone
of similar texture, but deeper colored, more firm, and in some cases
regularly and beautifullj'- corrugated. Overlying this sand-
stone is magnesian limestone, its layers generally regular, but vary-
ing in thickness. This is the generally-used building stone of the
county. This stone does not change on exposure, and large quanti-
ties are used by the railroads and shipped to Wisconsin. There are
some small specimens of fossil remains to be seen in this limestone.
In the vicinity of St. Charles the limestone is largely composed of
fossil remains, trilobites and cretaceous shells of several varieties.
There are no evidences of northern drift in this county. Probably
owing to its altitude no boulders are to be found. The clay gener-
ally exists in pockets, and is stratified. There are some small
deposits of loess usually in the valleys, and mound-like in appearance.
Where wells have been sunk in different parts of the county, upon
the higher lands, the rocks are found to be of nearly uniform char-
acter, and water is not usually found till the sandstone is reached.
The well of Mr. Clawson, in Saratoga, presents an unusual phe-
nomena. At the depth of seventy-five feet the drill opened into a
crevice or a cave, and the air rushed out with great violence. At the
distance of four feet more the rock was again struck, and water
obtained at the depth of one hundred and forty feet from the sur-
face. The current of air in the well changes with the wind, the
downward current in winter freezing the water in the pipe to the
depth of the crevice, seventy or more feet, and again rushing out, so
as to thaw all the ice about the well.
In numerous places along the Mississippi, especially upon the
gravelly headlands, are yet evidences of the mound-builders.
Where the mounds have been examined little has been discovered
beyond stone implements, arrow-heads, and in some places skeletons,
which are no doubt intrusive burials. Large quantities of clam shells
and bones of various animals are also found, mixed with pieces of
charcoal and with ashes. In one case a charred package of white
birch bark was found of nearly a cubic foot in size, and scattered
about the mounds is usually found much fragmentary rude pottery.
CHAPTER X.
RAILEOADS.
Before the ratification of the treaty by whicli tlie Sioux surren-
dered their lands for settlement, a party of three, headed by Robert
Pike, was dispatched from Minnesota City to ascertain whether a
practicable route for a railroad to Traverse des Sioux, on the Minne-
sota river, existed. Early in July, 1852, Mr. Pike made a favorable
report, and urged the adoption of some plan for building the I'oad,
but he was then accounted an enthusiast, and his scheme dismissed
as visionary and impracticable. Early in 1854, however, the project
was revived, and, after several ineffectual attempts at organization,
a charter was obtained from the legislature March 4, 1854, by
Orrin Smith, Henry D. Huff, Abram M. Eridley, Lorenzo D. Smith,
John L. Balcombe, Alexander Ramsey, W. A. Gorman, Henry H.
Sibley, J. Travis Rosser, Andrew G. Chatfield, Henry McKenty, O. M.
Lord, Samuel Humbertson, Martin McLeod, Benjamin Thompson,
William H. Newton, James Hanna, G. Addison Brown and Robert
Helm, under the name and style of the Transit Railroad Company,
authorizing them to construct a railroad from Winona westward to
the Minnesota river. In March, 1855, an amended charter was
obtained fi*om the legislature, and the incorporators met at St. Paul
on the 25th of January, 1 856, accepted the cliarter, and gave official
notice thereof to the secretary of the territory. On the 12th of
May the sum of $240,000 had been subscribed to the capital stock
of the company, the subscribers being the following named per-
sons: L. D. Smith, H. T>. Huff, Wm. Ashley Jones, Charles H.
Berry, M. Wheeler Sargent, H. H. Johnson, E. H. Johnson, H. J.
Hilbert, E. S. Smith, David Olmsted, M. K. Drew, A. P. Foster,
Wm. H. Stevens, John Evans, Chas. Hamilton, O. S. Holbr(3ok,
Orrin Smith, John C. Laird, Wm. H. Laird, M. J. Laird, J. H.
Jacoby, Royal B. Evans and L. H. Springer. All these, with the
exception of Orrin Smith and L. H. Springer, were residents of
Winona. The first officers of the company were H. H. Johnson,
president ; Wm. Ashley Jones, vice-president ; H. J. Hilbert, sec-
retary and engineer ; H. D. Huff, treasurer.
RAILROADS. 107
The organization of the company was only the prelude to a ])ro-
longed and bitter contest with parties interested in other localities,
and more particularly with the owners and promoters of the town-
site of La Crescent. After various vicissitudes, among them the
defeat in 1854 of H. D. Huff for the legislature by Clark W.
Thompson on this issue, the conflict finally resulted in a victory for
Winona and the Transit railroad. On the 3d of March, 1857,
Congress passed an act by which the munificent gift of 1,200,000
. acres of public lands was conferred upon the state for the benefit
of the Transit road. An extra session of the legislature was
at once called to consider this and other grants of lands, and
on the 22d day of May, 1857, an omnibus bill was passed con-
firming the grants, and amending the charter of the Transit road
so as to authorize it to construct and operate a railroad from Winona
via St. Peter to the Big Sioux river. In February, 1858, what is
known as the five-million loan amendment to the constitution was
adopted by the first state legislature, and was ratified by a vote of
the people April 15, 1858. By the terms of this amendment state
bonds were to be issued and delivered to the various railroad com-
panies at the rate of $100,000 for every ten miles graded and
bridged ready for the iron, the state taking a first mortgage upon the
road-bed so graded, together with the lands and franchises of the
company, as security for the loan. The Transit company at once
filed their acceptance of the terms of the amendment, and proceeded
to let the contract for the grading and construction of seventy -five
miles of the line as surveyed west of Winona. In the letting of this
first contract, as well as in the location of the line out of Winona,
there was a most determined effort on the part of a few men to divert
the road from Winona, and so build it as to eventually make La
Crescent the eastern terminus. Selah Chamberlain, of Ohio, after-
ward the builder of several roads in the state, and the largest holder
of the state bonds issued under the five-million loan amendment,
was a bidder for the contract. It was understood that if he secured
it work would be begun at or near Lewiston, and that the matter of
the eastern terminus would remain unsettled, with a strong proba-
bility that the road would be diverted down the ridge back of
Winona to La Crescent. De Graff & Co., also bidders for the con-
tract, were favored by most of the directors, who were desirous of
beginning the work of construction at Winona, and thus at the
outset fixing the terminus and settling that question forever. This
7
108 lilSTOEY OF WINONA COUNTY.
company was composed of Col. Andrew DeGraff, B. F. Barnard,
Hernando Fuller and William DeGraff, Col. DeGraff being the
head and sole manager of the concern. The contest waxed hot,
but on the 8th day of June, 1858, the board of directors, after
protracted discussion, awarded the contract to DeGraff & Co.
Previous to this time there had been much strife between the
various town proprietors as to whether the road should leave the
city by way of lower town and the Sugar Loaf valley, or from
upper town via the Eollingstone valley. The history of this feature
of the matter more properly belongs to that of the city of Winona,
and will not be further discussed here. The upper town interest
won the victory, and on the 9th day of June, 1858, ground was
broken at or near the present machine-shops, the event being duly
celebrated by the delighted people.
DeGraff & Company were strictly loyal to Winona, although
tempting offers were made them to carry out the plans of the La
Crescent men, and the work of grading the road went rapidly for-
ward during the following summer and winter, until fifty miles of
grading and bridging had been completed, inspected and accepted
by the state authorities, and $500,000 of state bonds delivered to
the company. Then came the financial crisis of 1858-9. These bonds
were denounced as illegal and fraudulent. They became almost
valueless in the market, and all work came to a standstill. DeGraff
& Company were unable to pay their men for work and supplies,
and much hardship resulted. Upon default in the terms of the
mortgage given by the Transit company to secure the loan made by
the state, a foreclosure was had, and on June 23, 1860, the road
franchises, and other grants, including lands, were sold to the state
for the nominal sum of one thousand dollars. March 8, 1861, the
the legislature granted and transferred all claim upon the property
to Orville Clark, Abraham Wing, John W. Kirk, Robert Higham,
W. H. Smith, Nelson P. Stewart and B. W. Perkins, and consti-
tuted them a corporation under the name of the Winona, St. Peter
& Missouri River Railroad Company, upon condition that the
road be fully equipped and trains running to Rochester and Owa-
tonna at certain fixed times. No attempt having been made to
comply with these conditions, the legislature, on March 10, 1862,
made a similar grant to William Lamb, S. S. L'Homedieu, John
W. Eark, Herman Gebhart and H. C. Stimson, under the name and
style of the Winona & Saint Peter Railroad Comj^any, free and
RAILROADS. 109
clear of all claims and liens upon the property, and upon much more
lenient conditions. Work was at once resumed by the new owners,
and on December 9, 1862, a passenger train was run by Col. De-
GraflP from Winona to Stockton and back, the day being marked by
another enthusiastic celebration. December 10, 1862, the first car-
load of wheat was shipped to Winona by L. Kaymond and pur-
chased by Asa Forsyth. From this time the work of construction
proceeded rapidly. In 1864 the trains reached Rochester, a distance
of fifty miles from Winona. In 1865 the road was completed sixty-
six miles to Kasson ; in 1866, ninety miles to Owatonna ; in 1868,
one hundred and six miles to Waseca ; in 1870, one hundred and
thirty-nine miles to Mankato and St. Peter; in 1871, one hundred
and sixty-five miles to New Ulm ; in 1872 two hundred and eighty-
four miles of track were completed west of Winona, and the grading
extended three hundred and thirty-one miles to Lake Kampeska in
Dakota Territory. In 1879 another line, diverging from the old
track at Tracy, in Lyon county, was begun and pushed with such
energy that in two years trains were running to Old Fort Pierre, on
the Missouri river, connecting with daily stages for the Black Hills.
The entire property, save the land grant, had, however, in Novem-
ber, 1867, passed into the hands of the Chicago & Northwestern
Railroad Company and become a part of that great system, although
still retaining its name and corporate existence. The lands thus
separated from the general ownership of the company and its
franchises became the property of A. H. Barney and a company
of New York capitalists, and are still so owned, excepting those
since sold to settlers. A branch from Eyota to Chatfield was
opened for business December 8, 1878 ; from Eyota to Plain-
view October 22, 1878 ; from Rochester to Zumbrota November 2,
1878 ; from Sleepy Eye to Redwood Falls August 4, 1878 ; from
Huron to Ordway November 20, 1881 ; from Watertown to Clark
Centre June 18, 1882 ; from Yolga to Castlewood September 29,
1882; from Clark Centre to Redfield October 22, 1882; from
Ordway to Columbia October 22, 1882, making a grand total of 863
miles of this road now directly tributary to Winona.
The following named men, prominent in the railroad history of
the West, have been connected with the Winona & St. Peter
company : S. S. Merrell, now general manager of the Chicago,
Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, was general manager of the Winona
and St. Peter railroad from February to May, 1865. # Dwight W.
110 HISTORY OF WESrONA COUNTY.
Keyes, now assistant general freight agent of the Chicago, Milwau-
kee & St. Paul railroad, came with Mr. Merrell to the Winona &
St. Peter company as auditor, and was left in charge of the road
in May, 1865. John Newell, now general manager of the Lake
Shore & Michigan Southern railroad,, was at that time superin-
tendent and chief engineer. H. C. Atkins, now assistant general
superintendent of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, was
superintendent of the Winona & St. Peter railroad during the years
1866 and 1867, being succeeded by J. H. Stewart, now superin-
tendent of the Marietta & Cincinnati railroad. Gen. J. W Sprague,
late general superintendent of the western division of the Northern
Pacific railroad, at the same time becoming general manager of the
Winona & St. Peter railroad. April 20, 1874, J. H. Stewart' was
succeeded by Sherburn Sanborn as superintendent, a position which
he still occupies.
The magnificent iron bridge across the Mississippi river used by
this road was built during the winter of 1871-2. The draw-span of
this bridge is said to be one of the longest in the world (363 feet).
It takes the place of a combination wood and iron draw-span built
in the winter of 1870-1, which fell on the 27tli day of May, 1871,
and was entirely removed. This bridge forms a connection with the
La Crosse, Trempealeau & Prescott railroad, of which mention will
be made hereafter. The bridge was constructed for the company
by the American Bridge Company, of Chicago ; the piling was done
by Frank A. Johnston, and the stonework by Jones & Butler, of
Winona. The shops of this company are located at the west end
of the city, are large and fully equipped for the business of keep-
ing the road-bed and rolling stock of the road in the best condition .
They have been fully described among the institutions of the city of
Winona.
/St. Paul C& Chicago Railway. — The corporate name of this com-
pany in the original charter, dated May 22, 1857, was the Minnesota
& Pacific Kailroad Company. By an act of the legislature approved
March 2, 1867, the directors were authorized to change the name of
the company or that of any of the branches of the road provided for
in their charter. Accordingly, on the 19th day of March the board of
directors gave the name of ' ' The St. Paul & Chicago Kailway " to
that part of their line to extend from St. Paul to Winona and thence
to the Iowa line. Work was begun upon this line at or near St. Paul
in 1865, but Clothing was done in Winona county until 1870, when
RAILROADS. Ill
the road was built from Minnesota City to Weaver and put in opera-
tion by the Northwestern Raih'oad Company. In 1871 the road-
bed was completed between St. Peter Junction and St. Paul, and in
December of that year was sold to the Chicago, Milwaukee & St.
Paul Railroad Company, who immediately took possession, and
began operating the road in connection with their line from Chicago
and Milwaukee to La Crosse, making connection over the La Crosse,
Trempealeau & Prescott road and the bridge at Winona when com-
pleted. In 1872, however, the road was extended from St. Peter
Junction to La Crescent, on the west side of the Mississippi river,
and thereafter all freight trains used this route, being ferried across
the Mississippi to La Crosse. Passenger trains, however, continued
to run over the Winona bridge and the La Crosse, Trempealeau &
Prescott road until 1875, when the magnificent iron bridge between
La Crescent and North La Crosse was completed and brought into
use for all traffic over the Milwaukee & St. Paul line. As a bonus
for the construction of this line the city of Winona, on the 21st day
of April, 1870, voted and thereafter issued $100,000 of its bonds, to
be delivered upon the fulfillment of certain conditions by the com-
pany. The bonds having been prematurely delivered to the con-
struction company, suit was brought by the city, in which, after
protracted litigation, it was finally determined that the prescribed
conditions had not been fulfilled, and that the city have damages
equal to the amount of the bonds, with interest, which sum has
been paid,
•The La Orosse^ Trempealeau and Prescott Railroad. — After the
passage of the bill by congress, March 3, 1857, providing for cer-
tain land grants to aid in the construction of railroads in Min-
nesota, and among them the Transit railroad, with its eastern
terminus at Winona, the next important project was to connect
Winona and the Transit railroad with the railroads in Wisconsin
and Illinois, and through them with the railroad system of the
United States. It was also proposed by means of this connection
to cut off La Crosse, Winona's most formidable rival, from the
benefits of northern and western connections, as it was thought
that but one road would ever cross the Mississippi river in this
section of country. It was therefore resolved to keep the matter
of this "cut off," or eastern connection, in the hands of Winona
men. In the winter of 1858-9, in the midst of the pinching
hard times brought on by the financial crisis of thaf time, Capt.
112 HISTORY OF WESrONA COUNTY.
Sam Whiting, Thomas Simpson and M. K. Drew started out
one severely cold day to look out a practicable route for a
railroad east from Winona to a point of intersection with the pro-
posed line of the Milwaukee & La Crosse railroad. They cut
their way from Altoona, now Bluff Siding, through the swamps, and
camped the first night in the heavy timber. The next morning,
after eating frozen bread and meat for breakfast, they proceeded
with their work, and in about half-an-hour came out upon a prairie
covered with fenced fields and farm-houses. They had spent a night
in the snow, which Capt. Whiting " said was equal to any of his
arctic experiences, within half a mile of a substantial and comforta-
ble farm-house. The people of Winona had been so occupied with
their own great prospects and those of the country west of them, that
they had no knowledge of this well-settled country just east of them.
The following spring Z. H. Lake and Thomas Simpson were again
sent over the proposed route, and instructed to go to La Crosse to see
if that city would not unite with Winona in building this connection,
the extreme hard times having somewhat modified the ambitions and
claims of Winona. A preliminary survey of the route was made by
these gentlemen, which coincides almost exactly with the line as
afterward built. They met with a very cool reception at La Crosse,
being informed that that city would ha,ve nothing to do with the
project, and that they would prevent if possible the granting of a
charter by the Wisconsin legislature. Subsequent investigation, how-
ever, developed the fact that several years before a charter had been
granted by the legislature of Wisconsin to some parties to build a
* railroad from a point at or near La Crosse to Point Douglass,
opposite Hastings, to be called the La Crosse, Trempealeau, Lake
Pepin & Prescott railroad, and that this old charter had been
kept alive. Possession of it was obtained, the company reorganized,
and Timothy Kirk, Thomas E. Bennett, M. K. Drew, William
Mitchell, Thomas Wilson, Thomas Simpson, A. W. Webster, and
five men from Trempealeau,- were elected directors. Thomas Simp-
son was elected president ; A. W. Webster, vice-president ; J. H.
Newland, secretary, and Thomas E. Bennett, treasurer. The com-
pany began at once to locate the line, obtained right of way, etc.,
in order to secure vested rights before the Wisconsin legislature
could convene and repeal the charter. But no money was to be
had. N. F. Hilbert was employed as chief engineer, to be paid
whenever the company became able to pay. Others were employed
RAILROADS. 1 1 1^
upon similar terms. To board the force, a subscription in provi-
sions and supplies was taken up among the citizens of Winona.
Upon this subscription being read at a large meeting of all interested,
the following items appeared together: "P. W. Gaines & Co., ^
bbl. whisky. Robert Clapperton, 1 loaf bread."
Wm. Lamb, who had been appointed superintendent of con-
struction, rose and interrupted the reading with the remark that
there was altogether too much bread for that quantity of whisky.
The company succeeded in holding their charter, and work was
kept up until an agreement was made with parties interested in
the Chicago & Northwestern company to complete it and make
it a part of that great system, which was done in 1870. The road
is still owned and operated by that company, but under the original
charter and organization.
Green Bay^ Lake Pepin (& Minnesota Railroad. — In February
1873, a proposition was made by the officers of the above-named
road to extend its line from Merrillan, Wisconsin, to Winona, pro-
vided the city would grant them a bonus of $100,000. As the
line would form a valuable connection with the lake system of
navigation, and also furnish the city directly with many of the
products of the Wisconsin forests, a very decided disposition to
accept this proposition was manifested by the citizens of Winona.
A series of public gatherings terminated in a large meeting of
citizens, at which it was determined by a general expression to
accept the proposition, President Ketchum, of the railroad com-
pany, being present at the meeting. A committee of eight lead-
ing citizens was selected and instructed to proceed to St. Paul
and procure from the legislature then in session authority for
the city to take the necessary steps in granting the required aid.
This committee accordingly went to St. Paul and had the proper
bill introduced for the purpose, but only one day remaining of the
session it failed to pass from lack of time. The committee returned,
and the company, learning of the failure to secure legislation, modi-
fied their proposition and suggested that the citizens should secure
them the sum named by subscription or otherwise. Another meet-
ing of citizens was held,, and a committee appointed to wait upon
and confer with the city council upon the matter in hand. As the
result of such conference the city council, on March 14, 1873, adopted
the following resolutions :
'•'■Be it resolved, by the city council of the city of Winona, that
114 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
fifty thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be practicable,
shall be raised for the purpose of securing the terminus of the Green
Bay & Lake Pepin railroad at the city of Winona, under and
pursuant to the recommendation of the committee appointed by the
city council to confer upon said matter, on March 12, 1873.
"•And it is further resolved^ that the city of Winona hereby
pledges its faith to repay to each and every person, his heirs or
assigns, all sums of money which said person or persons shall ad-
vance for that purpose, with interest on the sums so advanced not
to exceed the rate of ten per cent per annum ; provided always^
that the obligation so made and taken shall in no event bind the
city to such repayment unless the proper legal authority for such
repayment be obtained.
'■'Resolved, That the recorder be authorized and is hereby required
to have prepared, and to issue and deliver under his hand as recorder
and the seal of said city, to each person advancing money for the
above purpose, a certificate for all sums so advanced by each person
respectively, bearing interest as aforesaid.
'■'■ Resolved, That as soon as practicable proper legislation author-
izing and legalizing the present action of the city council, so far as
such legislation may be necessary, or any other needed legislation,
shall be obtained."
Upon the basis of this action on the part of the~^ city council a
canvassing committee was set at work, and the sum of $35,000
subscribed by the citizens for the purpose set forth above. The
railroad company, upon being notified of the result, finally accepted
the situation, and proceeded during the summer and fall of 1873 to
build the road as proposed. An act of the legislature authorizing
the city to make good its agreement with the subscribers, but un-
wisely providing for making up the amount to $50,000 for the
company, was approved February 5, 1874, the act providing, how-
ever, that the question should be submitted to the people at a general
or special election upon five days' notice by publication. A special
election was accordingly called for and held on February 23, 1874,
which resulted in a defeat of the proposed bonds, largely on account
of the provision for making up the sum to be paid the company to
$50,000, the vote standing 275 for to 785 against it. The citizens
were justified in this vote for the reason that it was sought to make
the city liable for $15,000 more than the amount of the subscrip-
tion, a provision in the bill insisted on by the representatives of the
KAILKOADS. 115
company, but for which the subscribers, ahnost without exception,
were in no way chargeable. Chagrined and disappointed at this
result, and there being grave doubt of their legal liability, the
subscribers refused to pay their subscriptions ; but suits were insti-
tuted by the company in the United States circuit court against
them, and a test case being carried to a final decision it was held
that the subscribers were liable, and the several amounts were
accordingly paid over, each subscriber receiving, according to the
original agreement, stock of the company to the amount of his
subscription, which stock was not and rifever has become of any
considerable value.
There still being a widespread feeling that the subscribers to the
bonus had suffered an injustice, another act of the legislature was
obtained March 6, 1876, providing for a special election in April of
that year to determine whether the city would indemnify the sub-
scribers by an issue of its bonds in the amount of the subscriptions
actually paid, the city to take the stock originally issued to the sub-
scribers. Accordingly an election was called and held on April 3,
but although every moral, if not legal, obligation rested upon the
city to indemnify its public-spirited citizens for the money paid by
them to secure a railroad connection of conceded value to the town,
tiie proposition again failed to carry, the vote being 737 for to 1004
against the bonds, and here the matter rests. The road has since
practically passed into the hands of John I. Blair, of New Jersey,
and its name has been changed to the Green Bay, Winona & St. Paul
Railroad Company.
Wmona and Southvjestern Railroad. — :In February, 1856, the
legislature of the territory incorporated the Winona & La Crosse
Railroad Company, with authority to build and operate a railroad
from Winona to a point opposite La Crosse, Wisconsin. February
9, 1872, the state legislature passed an act reviving this old charter
and amending it so as to incorporate the Winona & Southwestern
Railroad Company, composed of the following named persons, viz :
William Windom, Thomas Simpson, Wm. H. Yale, J. C. Easton,
John Robson, William Mitchell, H. W. Lamberton, M. G. Norton,
E. S. Youmans, R. D. Cone, Thomas Wilson, M. K. Drew, E. D.
Williams, Geo. P. Wilson, Thomas Abbott and Ignatius O'Ferral,
and authorizing the building, equipment and operation of a railroad
from Winona to the Iowa line east of range 14 and west of the
fifth principal meridian, and also granting the right to extend the
116 HISTORY OF WrNONA COUNTY.
line, by the most feasible route, from Winona to St. Paul and
Minneapolis, the road to be completed and equipped within four
years from the date of the act.
At a meeting of the incorporators held at Winona April 16,
1872, William Mitchell was elected president; E, D. Williams, vice-
president ; Thomas Simpson, secretary, and M. G. Norton, treasurer.
William Mitchell, John Kobson and H. W. Lamberton were made an
executive committee, and E. S. Youmans, Ignatius O'Ferral and
M. G. Norton were appointed commissioners to receive subscriptions
to the stock of the company, to collect five per centum thereon
for the expenses of a survey and for the purchase of necessary maps,
profiles, etc., for the use of the company. Stock to the amount of
$67,500 was subscribed. At the same session of the legislature
an act was passed authorizing the city of Winona and the towns and
villages on the proposed line of the road to vote a five per cent tax
in aid of the road. Under this authority the city of Winona, on
April 9, 1872, at a special election voted bonds to aid in the con-
struction of the road to the amount of $150,000. Several of the
towns in Winona and Fillmore counties, and the village of Chat-
field, voted liberal bonuses to the road. Two or more surveys were
made under the direction of N. F. Hilbert, one by way of Saratoga
and Fremont, the other by way of the Money Creek valley. For a
time there was every prospect that the road would be built. It
would have furnished an invaluable outlet for the lumber and other
products of the Winona manufactories, and would have been a
potent element in the growth of the city. The severe financial
crisis of 1873, however, and the subsequent hard times, brought
delays and embarrassments which prevented tlie building of the
road, and it still remains one of the "glorious possibilities." In
1875 it was voted by the company to accept the proposition of certain
Iowa parties to build a narrow-gauge road from Hesper, Iowa, to
Houston, Minnesota, provided the company would build a similar
road from Winona to Houston. Money was raised and a prelimi-
nary survey made, but nothing further came of the project. The
charter was extended by the legislature of 1873, and by reason of
the surveys and other work done thereunder is considered to be
still alive. Both the line to the southwest and the one from Winona
to St. Paul are still feasible, and would be valuable to the builders
as well as to Winona and the territory through which they would
CHAPTEK XI.
NAVIGATION.
The " Father of Waters " forms the eastern boundary of Winona
count}^ and with its various channels and sloughs constitutes the
only navigable water in the county. Probably the first white man
who traversed the forty-five miles of its length in which we are now
interested was Father Hennepin, who in the month of April, 1680,
explored the Mississippi from the mouth of the Illinois to the falls
of St. Anthony. In the month of May, 1689, Nicholas Perrot,
accompanied by Le Sueur, Father Marest and others, sailed up the
Mississippi from the mouth of Wisconsin river to the mouth of the
St. Croix, and formally took possession of the country in the name
of the king of France. In September of the year 1700 Le Sueur
passed upward with a party of Frenchmen to explore and work
some reported mines near the mouth of the Chippewa river. In the
year 1766 that enterprising Connecticut Yankee, Jonathan Carver,
traveled extensively in the Northwest, .and on October 29 of that
year passed by the future county of Winona, noting in his journal
some shrewd observations upon the numerous mounds which he
saw along the shores and bluffs. In September, 1805, Lieut. Zebu-
Ion Pike visited this region by order of President Jefferson, to expel
British traders, who were found violating the laws, and to form alli-
ances with the Indians. In the summer of 1819 a party of officers
and soldiers, with their wives and children, passed by our county
in keelboats on their way to establish a post at the mouth of the
Minnesota river, by order of John C. Calhoun, then secretary of
war. The next year Gov. Cass of Michigan headed an exploring
expedition by way of the lakes, and, descending the Mississippi in
canoes, spent the afternoon of August 4 at Wapashaw village, the
site of the present city of Winona.
Previous to the year 1823 it had been supposed that the rapids
at Rock Island were an insurmountable barrier to the navigation of
the upper Mississippi ; but on the second day of May of that year
the Virginia, a steamer one hundred and eighteen feet in length,
left her moorings at St. Louis, destined for Fort Snelling. Success-
fully passing the rapids, this pioneer craft made her way slowly up
118 HISTORY OF WmONA COUNTY.
the Mississippi, producing the greatest terror and consternation
among the Indians, who supposed that it was some enormous water-
spirit, coughing, puffing out hot breath and splashing the water in
all directions. This pioneer steamer passed Wabasha prairie toward
the last of the month and reached Fort Snelling in safety. From
this time occasional trips were made as the necessity of the govern-
ment and trading-posts required. Among the great number of steam-
ers which have passed and repassed the county in years gone by, all
old settlers will remember the. Minnesota Belle, Gray Eagle, War
Eagle, Northern Belle, Nominee, Ben Corson, The Adelia, Frank
Steele, Keokuk, Jeanette, Tishimingo, Annie Johnson, Addie John-
son, Phil. Sheridan, and many others.
Of the captains of all these and other unnamed steamers Capt.
Smith Harris and Capt. Orrin Smith are most frequently mentioned.
The latter was one of the earliest proprietors and admirers of the
town site of Winona, and the former, being interested in Kasota, and
other towns on the Minnesota river, was never tired of pointing out
the disadvantages of Wabasha prairie. It is said that during the
high water in 1852, in order to demonstrate the truth of his state-
ment that Smith's town was on a mere sand-bar in the Mississippi,
he ran his boat straight by Minneowah up into Lake Winona, and
out across near the Den man farm into Crooked Slough and the river
again. Captains Hatcher and Bryant, long in the service, afterward
made their homes in Winona. Before the day of railroads great
importance attached to the coming and going of these river steamers,
which formed the only connection with the outside world. The
familiar whistle of a steamboat would frequently cause a stampede
even from the church service or prayer meeting, particularly if it
was the first boat of the season.
The following table shows the arrivals of the first boat for a
period of years commencing with 1856:
1856. Alhambra, April 8. 1870. Keokuk, April 5.
1857. Hamburg, April 2. 1871. Addie Johnston, March 18.
1858. Brazil, March 23. 1872. Belle of La Crosse, April 9.
1859. Grey Eagle, March 18. 1873. Union, April 3.
1860. Chippewa, March 13. 1874. Northwestern, April 6.
1861. Northern Light, March 26. 1875. Lake Superior, April 12.
1862. Keokuk, April 2. 1876. Dubuque, April 10.
1863. Keokuk, March 20. 1877. Red Wing, April 11.
1864. Union, March 16. 1878. Penguin, March 12.
1865. Lansing, March 30. 1879. Maggie Reaney, April 4.
1866. Addie Johnston, April 13. 1880. Belle of Bellvue, March 22.
1867. aty of St. Paul, April 13. 1881. Josie, April 24.
1868. Diamond Jo, March 21. 1882. Robert Harris, March 1.
1869. Buckeye, April 6.
COURTS AND OFFICERS OF THE COURTS.
119
The following table shows the dates of the closing of navigation
for a series of years:
1856 November 27
1857 November 19
1858 December 2
1859 December 3
1860 November 24
1861 November 27
1862 December 1
1863 November 27
1864 December 4
1865 December 5
1866 December 9
1867 December 5
1868/ December 8
1869 December 18
1870 December 15
1871 November 22
1872 November 22
1873 November29
1874 November 30
1875 November20
1876 December 1
1877 December 8
1878 December 13
1879 December 12
1880 November20
1881 January 2, 1882
1882 December 6
CHAPTEE XII.
COURTS AND OFFICERS OF THE COURTS.
The territorial courts of record were organized under the act of
congress passed March 3, 1849, called the "Organic act," supple-
mented by acts passed from time to time by the territorial legis-
lature. By the organic act three judges were provided for, which
were appointed by the president, "by and with the advice and con-
sent of tlie senate." One was styled "chief-justice," the other two
"associate-justices." These together constituted the supreme court,
one term of which was required to be held annually at the seat of
government of the territory. It was also provided that the terri-
tory should "be divided into three judicial districts," in each of
which a district court was required to be held by one of the justices
of the supreme court, at such times and places as the territorial
legislature might prescribe, and that "the said judges shall, after
their appointment, respectively, reside in the districts which shall
be assigned them." Each district court, or the judge thereof, was
by such act empowered to appoint its own clerk, which clerk was
to hold his office at the pleasure of the court. The supreme court
and district courts were invested with chancery as well as common
law jurisdiction. The extent of this jurisdiction of these courts was
substantially the same as like courts under the present constitution
of the state ; that of the several district courts was general. By
120 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
act of the territorial legislature the territory now included within the
limits of Winona county was made a part of the first judicial dis-
trict, and so remained until the adoption of the constitution. Pre-
vious to February 23, 1854, what is now Winona county was a part of
the county of Fillmore. On the day last above named Winona
county was formed and organized for judicial and other purposes.
Up to this time the writer is not aware that any term of the district
court was held in Fillmore county, though all other county business
affecting this section, such as filing plats of town sites, recording
deeds and the levy of taxes, was done at the county seat of Fillmore
county, then located at Chatfield.
At the date of our county organization Hon. Wm. H. Welch
was chief-justice of the territory, to whom was assigned the first
judicial district. He was therefore the first judge of the district
court in and for this county. He resided at Red Wing, in the
county of Goodhue. He continued to fill that office until January
1, 18.58, when the territorial judicial officers were superseded by
judges elected under the state constitution adopted at the fall elec-
tion in 1857. Much of the good order of our judicial affairs in ter-
ritorial times, and the ease and regularity with which our state courts
were organized and went into effect, were due to this judge. While
he was not a man of great learning or superior ability, as the world
recognizes learning and ability, yet he had the rare quality in a
judge of commanding universal confidence, a feeling among all that
the judicial authority was reposed in proper hands. Judge Welch
died at his home in Red Wing.
At the fall election in 1857 Hon. Thomas Wilson was chosen as
judge of the third judicial district of the state, comprising the coun-
ties of Houston, Fillmore, Olmsted, Wabasha and Winona. With
the beginning of the year 1858, pursuant to a provision of the state
constitution, but before the formal admission of the state by congress
Judge Wilson entered upon his duties as judge, and continued to
hold until 1864, when, having been appointed to the supreme
court, he resigned the office of district judge, and Hon. Lloyd
Barber, of Olmsted county, was appointed to fill the vacancy so
made. He was elected at the fall election in 1864, for the full term
of seven years, and held the office until succeeded by Hon. C. N.
Waterman, January 4, 1872. Judge Waterman held the office
until his death, which occurred February 18, 1873, and was suc-
ceeded by Hon. John Van Dyke, who was appointed for the
COURTS AND OFFICERS OF TJIE COURTS. 121
remainder of the year 1873. At the fall election ol that year Hon.
Wm. Mitchell was elected for the full term of seven years,
from the beginning of 1874. He discharged the duties during this
term, and in 1880 was re-elected for another term, to commence with
the ensuing year. At the session of the legislature of 1881 the
number of judges composing the supreme court was increased to
five. This made it necessary that two judges should be appointed
to the supreme court until after the next ensuing general election.
Judge Mitchell was selected as one of the new judges, and Hon. C.
M. Start, then attorn e3^-general of the state, but. residing in the
third judicial district, at Rochester, Olmsted county, was ap-
pointed district judge, to succeed Judge Mitchell. At the general
election in November, 1881, Judge Start was elected for a full term,
commencing with the year 1882. At this writing, January 1, 1883,
Judge Start is in the discharge of his official duties.
Of the seven judges who have presided in our district courts,
three, Judge Welch, Judge Waterman and Judge Van Dyke, are
dead. All the others are still living within the district, and
engaged in the duties of their profession.
Clerks. — As before stated, during our territorial existence clerks
of district courts held by appointment of the judge and during his
pleasure. The first clerk of the district court in and for Winona
county was Martin Wheeler Sargeant. He was appointed by Judge
Welch in 1854, and held until superseded by the appointment of
John Keyes, on or about July 14, 1856. The record of Mr. Keyes'
appointment cannot be found, but his first official act as clerk
bears date on that day. Mr, Keyes continued to hold the office
until after the admission of the statein to the Union under the state
organization, his last official act as clerk bearing date May 25,
1858. Under the constitution the office of clerk was made elective,
and at the general election in October, 1857, Henry C. Lester was
elected clerk, and entered on the discharge of his duties on the re-
tirement of Mr. Keyes. He held the office until April 27, 1861.
He resigned to enter the volunteer service of the United States in
the war of the rebellion. He was succeeded by E. A. Gerdtzen,
who was appointed in place of Col. Lester until the next general
election, at which he was elected, and by subsequent elections held
without interruption for nearly seventeen years. In November,
1877, John M. Sheardown was elected, has been re-elected, and still
holds the office.
122 HISTORY OF WmONA COUNTY.
Of the five persons who have held the office, two, Mr. Sargeant
and Mr. Keyes, are deceased; Col. Lester has removed from the
state, while Messrs. Gerdtzen and Sheardown still reside at the city
of Winona.
District and County Attorneys. — Under the territorial organiza-
tion, the United States attorney, as he was called, usually attended
at the sessions of the district courts, and performed most of the
duties now devolving upon county attorneys. An officer called a
district attorney was also provided for by territorial statute, and was
elected in each of the organized counties. In the act organizing
the county of Winona, approved February 23, 1854, such officer
was to be elected at an election to be held in April of that year.
The election was duly held, and C. F. Buck, Esq., then residing at
Minneowa, was elected. We may say in passing tliat the village
of Minneowa was a rival of Winona for metropolitan honors, and
stood on the Mississippi river, about one mile above the present
village of Homer. The curious in such matters may still find some
traces of it on the river bank, and especially in the office of the
register of deeds, where the plat was recorded. Its proprietors
were Isaac Van Etten, William L. Ames, brother of Oakes Ames,
of credit 7nohilier and Union Pacific railroad fame. Governor
Willis A. Gorman, and S. E. Babcock, all of St. Paul. The
fact is noteworthy as showing the confidence of shrewd and far-
seeing men in the then future existence of the city of southern
Minnesota at or near this point. Their selection was probably made
more from an examination of the territorial map than of the respect-
ive sites of Minneowa and Winona. If not, time has demonstrated
that, however close they shot to the mark in this their judgment
was slightly at fault. But to return to the district attorney. Mr.
Buck held the office until the beginning of 1856. Edwin M. Bierce
had been elected in the fall of 1855, and held the office during the
years 1856 and 1857. By the constitution adopted in that year
it was provided that "each judicial district might elect one prose-
cuting attorney for the district." Under this provision Sam Cole,
Esq., was elected " prosecuting attorney" for the third judicial dis-
trict, comprising the counties of Houston, Fillmore, Olmsted, Wa-
basha and Winona. Although this office was wholly unknown to
territorial laws, continued in force by the constitution, and no state
legislation had been had to supply the deficiency, still Mr. Cole, as
COURTS AND OFFICERS OF TJtE COURTS. 125
an officer of the courts, qualified with the judges at the beginning of
the year 1858. As no legislation was ever had upon the subject of
the duties of this office, we shall probably continue in ignorance as
to what they were. Practically Mr. Cole did about what the United
States attorney had done in territorial times, and which comprised
about all that was required under the statutes of the district attorney.
The effect of it was in a large degree to supersede the last-named
officer, and for two years no district attorney was elected in Winona
county. In this county at least the constitution opei'ated as an
extinguishment of the office.
By act of February 6, 1860, the office of county attorney as now
existing was created. Under this act the board of supervisors of
Winona county, on the 1.5th day of March, 1860, appointed one
A. S. Seaton county attorney, who held the office until the 1st
of January, 1861.
At the general election in 1860 Hon. William H. Yale was
elected, and held the office one term of two" years. On the 1st of
January, 1863, he was succeeded by Hon. William Mitchell, who was
county attorney during the years 1863 and 1864. Mr. Yale, in the
fall of 1864, was re-elected, and held during the years 1865 and
1866. He was succeeded at the beginning of 1867 by Hon. George
P. Wilson who, by re-election was continued in office until the
beginning of 1871, when he was succeeded by Norman Buck. Mr.
Buck held during the years 1873 and 1874, and was succeeded by
A. H. Snow, Esq., who by re-election held from the beginning of
1875 to the 1st of January, 1879. Mr. A. N. Bentley then suc-
ceeded for one term, followed by Mr. M. B. Webber, one term,
closing with 1882. At the fall election in 1882 Mr. Patrick Fitz- '
patrick was elected, and now holds the office. Of the twelve persons
who have held these offices, only one (Mr. Cole) is known to have
died. Both A. S. Seaton and E. M. Bierce left this county about
1860, since which little or nothing seems to be known of either.
Mr. Buck is now associate justice of the territory of Idaho. Hon.
George P. Wilson is following his profession at Fargo, Dakota
Territory. All others still reside in the city of Winona.
Sheriffs. — The first sheriff of the county was John lames. He
was elected on the first Tuesday in April, 1854. He was succeeded
by Charles Eaton, who was elected in the fall of 1855, and held the
office for two years. At the election in 1857 Mr. F. E. Whiton was
elected, and held during the years 1858 and 1859. At the fall elec-
126 HISTORY OF WESrONA COIESTTY.
tion in 1859 Messrs. L. E. King and E. D. Williams were opposing
candidates for this office. The canvass was close and spirited, and
the register of deeds, whose duty it was " to canvass the votes," was
unable to determine which had been the successful candidate. The
greatest number of votes cast at the election for one office was 2,023.
As allowed by the register, the whole number of votes cast for both
candidates for sheriff was 1,970. In reaching this result votes were
rejected as irregular, and the conclusion was arrived at that each
candidate had received 985, making it "a tie." It thus became
necessary to decide "by lot" which of the candidates was elected.
Various stories were told as to how this "casting of lots" was per-
formed— one to the effect that a game of ' ' euchre " was played
between two persons, each representing one of the opposing candi-
dates. The writer cannot affirm that such was the fact, though the
circumstantiality of the account, other things considered, gives it
some weight. But, however the lot was cast, Mr. King was declared
elected, and to him was awarded the certificate. The case was then
taken by appeal to the district court. Judge Wilson presiding. After
a long and patient hearing the decision of the canvassing officer was
affirmed, and Mr. King was declared sheriff. By re-election from
term to term he held the office without interruption for eight years.
J. F. Martin was his successor, beginning with the year 1868. Mr.
Martin was twice re-elected and held for six years, and was succeeded
at the close of 18Y3 by Wm. H. Dill. Mr. Dill was re-elected three
times in succession, and held the office in all eight years, ending
with the year 1881. Mr. E. V. Bogart succeeded and is now (1883)
in office. Ex-Sheriffs lames, Whiton and King are deceased.
Probate Courts. — By the act of congress organizing the terri-
tory probate courts were established. A special election, to be held
in April, 1854, was authorized for the election of county officers by
act organizing the county of Winona. A judge of probate was
one of the officers to be elected. Andrew Cole was elected. He
held the office until January 1, 1855, when he was succeeded by
Alfred P. Foster. Mr. Foster filled the office until October 1 0, 1856,
when it was made vacant by the removal of Judge Foster from the
territory, and on that date Sam Cole was appointed to fill the vacancy.
E. H. Murray sjQCceeded by election, and held during the years 1857
and 1858, followed by Warren Powers, who was elected in the fall
of 1858. By re-election Judge Powers held until his death, which
occurred in June, 1865. He was succeeded by Mr. Norman Buck,
BANKING IN WINONA COUNTY. 127
who was appointed to fill the vacancy in July of that year. In the
fall of 1865 Judge Buck was elected. He held the office until the
fall of 1867, when he resigned, and was succeeded for the remainder
of the year by appointment of C. JST. Waketield. At the general
election in the fall of 1868 Jacob Story was elected to the office.
Judge Story has been re-elected at the expiration of each succeeding
term, and is still the incumbent of the office. Aside from Mr. E. A.
Gerdtzen's tenure of the office of clerk of the district court, which
was about seventeen years, Judge Story has enjoyed a longer official
term than any other officer of Winona county.
CHAPTEK XIII.
BANKING IN WINONA COUNTY.
As is generally the case in new towns, several branches of
business are conducted by the same person or firm. It was so in
Winona in the banking business. The United States land office
for the Winona land district, having been opened in Winona in
December, 1854, land agents, money loaners and speculators in real
estate soon followed.
The first office of this kind was opened in June in 1855, by Will-
iam Ashley Jones, Charles H. Berry and E. S. Smith, under the
firm name of Jones, Berry & Smith. They were succeeded by
Berry & Waterman, who added to their law business that of receiving
deposits and selling exchange -on different points. This was done
more as a convenience to others than of profit to themselves. This
was continued until others engaged in more exclusive banking-
business.
Early in 1856 Timothy Kirk and his brother had a banking office
on the corner of Eront and Main streets.
John Mobley opened a banking and exchange office near the
corner of Second and Main streets in 1856, and did considerable
business for some two years, and retired in 1858.
J. T. Smith had an exchange and loan office, in 1856 or 1857, on
Center street, between First and Second streets. He was here about
three years.
128 HISTORY OF WINOiSTA COUNTY.
Voigbt & Bergenthal had a banking and loan oflSce, in 1856
and 185T, on Front street, near wliere Krumdich's elevator now
stands.
BeivveWs Bank. — In the fall of 1855 Thomas E. Bennett opened
a bank and loan office, and succeeded to the business of Yoight &
Bergenthal, in a building on the levee. In the winter following
Taylor, Richards & Burden purchased Bennett's business, and in
May, 1857, the firm was changed to Taylor, Bennett & Co., and in
1858 it was again changed to Burden, Bennett & Co., and in 1859
was dissolved and the business was continued in the name of
Thomas E. Bennett until 1861.
Bank of Southern Minnesota. — The Bank of Southern Minne-
sota was organized in 1861. Lemuel C. Porter, Thos. E. Bennett,
Wm. Garlock and others were stockholders and directors. L. C.
Porter was made president and Thomas E. Bennett cashier. This
bank was merged in the First ]^ational bank in August, 1864.
The Bank of Winona. — This bank was located on Center street,
in the building now occupied by the Winona Deposit Bank, Bank
of Winona commenced business in May, 1863, Samuel McCord
and H. N. Peabody being the principal partners, and the manager
was I. Yoswinkle Dorselin. Subsequently the business was done
under the name of McCord & Dorselin. In December, 1868,
Dorselin, appearing to be the owner of the concern, closed
business and went into bankruptcy. On the final winding up of
business, in August, 1860, it paid its creditors about twenty-five
cents on a dollar.
The United National Bank. — The United National Bank was
organized 'in 1865, with Thomas Wilson, Otto Troost, Charles Ben-
son, A. W. Webster and Thomas E. Bennett as stockholders and
directors, with a capital of $50,000. A. W. Webster was president
and Thomas E. Bennett cashier.
This bank was located on Second street, in the building since
used by the Savings Bank, and in January, 1871, was sold out by its
stockholders to the First National Bank of Wmona.
The Winona Deposit Bank was organized and commenced busi-
ness in 1868. H. W. Lamberton was president and I. J. Cummings
cashier. It was a private bank, and changed to a national organiza-
tion under the name of Winona Deposit National Bank, in which
name the business was conducted two or three years, when they dis-
continued the national organization and returned to the original
BANKING IN WINONA COUNTY. 129
name of Winona Deposit Bank. Its present officers are H. W.
Lamberton, president, and W. C. Brown, casliier.
Winona County Bank. — Zaphna H. Lake and A. W. Webster
organized the Winona County Bank in 1859, and they filed their
organization papers and deposited Minnesota railroad bonds with
the state auditor to secure the payment of their circulating notes
under the then existing laws of the state. This was- the first and
only bank having circulation in Winona. The}' did a straightfor-
ward, legitimate banking business for several years, and went out
of business in 1865. Mr. Webster took part in the organization of
the United National Bank, and Mr, Lake engaged in other business
in Winona. Their banking office was near the corner of Second
and Main streets.
The Bank of St. Charles, at St. Charles, Winona county, was
organized as a private bank in the spring of 1869, with a capital of
$30,000. The stockholders were E. S. Youmans, of Winona ; S. T.
Hyde, J. S. Wheeler, J. W. Brockett, of St. Charles, and H. E.
Heath, of New York city. The stockholders were directors. E. S.
Youmans was president and J. S. Wheeler was cashier.
J. C. Woodard, in June, 1877, succeeded to the Bank of St.
Charles, and the business is now conducted in the name of J. C.
Woodard, banker.
The First National Bank of Winona (successor to the Bank of
Southern Minnesota) was organized August 20, 1864, with a capital
of $50,000. The original stockholders were Thomas E. Bennett,
Gabriel Horton, Lemuel C. Porter, George W. Neff", William Gar-
lock, William Wedel, each of whom was elected a director. In
October, 1864, at a meeting of the directors the following officers
were elected, viz : L. C. Porter, president ; William Garlock, vice-
president ; Thomas E. Bennett, cashier. L. C. Porter has been
elected president at each annual meeting of the directors since the
organization of the bank to this time, a period of eighteen years.
The following persons have been elected cashiers at different times
since 1866 : I. J. Cummings, G. A. Burbank, Herman E. Curtis,
C. H. Porter and E. D. Hurlbert, who is now filling that position,
William Garlock resigned the office of vice-president in 1868. C. H.
Porter was elected vice-president in 1881, and is at this time filling
that office.
Second National Bamk. — The Second National Bank of Winona
was organized April 29, 1871, with a capital of $100,000. The
130 HISTORY OF WINONA COUKTY.
incorporators were Thomas Simpson, John H. Prentiss, Joseph A.
Prentiss, Henry Stevens, Mark Willson, Gustavus A. Biirbank and
W. H. Kichardson. Each of the above stockholders was elected
a director, and the bank engaged in active business in August, 1871,
with the following officers : Thomas Simpson, president ; G. A,
Burbank, cashier. Mr. Burbank resigned in October, 1871, and
Mark Willson was elected assistant cashier, and in February, 1872,
E. H. Bailey became cashier.
In January, 1873, Joseph A. Prentiss was chosen cashier and
Mark Willson vice-president. In January, 1875, Mr. Willson
resigned and Lester K. Brooks became vice-president, and in
1876 was made cashier. In 1878 Thomas Simpson resigned his
position as president, which he had filled from the first organization
of the bank, and was succeeded by Joseph A. Prentiss. In 1880
William H. Garlock was chosen cashier and L. R. Brooks vice-
president, who, with J. A. Prentiss, president, are the present
officers.
The Merchants National Bank of Winona was organized May 18,
1875, with a capital stock of $100,000, and at 'the first meeting of
the stockholders the following persons were elected directors:
Mark Willson, G. W. Bennett, N. F. Hilbert, H. D. Perkins, C. H.
Berry, Conrad Bohn and C. C. Beck. Mark Willson, president ;
N. F. Hilbert, cashier ; H. D. Perkins, vice-president.
The bank opened for business in July 1875. On April 9, 1879,
IST. F. Hilbert resigned his position as cashier, and was succeeded
by J. M. Bell. July 1, 1879, it was voted to change the organiza-
tion from a national to a state bank under the laws of Minnesota,
and to transfer its entire business to the new organization.
The Merchants Bank of Winona succeeded to the Merchants
National Bank, and was organized in August, 1879, with the follow-
ing directors : Charles H. Berry, H. D. Perkins, J. M. Bell, Mark
Willson, C. C. Beck, L. J. Allred and C. Heintz, and who proceeded
to the election of officers, as follows : Mark Willson, president ; J. M.
Bell, cashier ; H. D. Perkins, vice-president.
In December, 1879, J. M. Bell tendered his resignation as cashier,
which was accepted, and Geo. F. Crise was elected in his place. The
officers of the bank at this time are Mark Willson, president;
Chas. H. Berry, vice-president, and Geo. F. Crise, cashier.
The Winona Savings Bank was organized July 1, 1874, and
lasted five years. The depositors were notified to withdraw their
EARLY SETTLEMENT, PIOlSnEERS, ETC. l31
deposits July 1, 1879, and were paid in full, principal and interest.
The trustees were William Mitchell, W. H. Laird, H. E. Curtis,
F. A. Kising, Thomas Wilson, E. S. Youraans and C. J. Camp.
The officers were Wm. Mitchell, president ; W. H. Laird, vice-presi-
dent; F. A. Eising, treasurer.
The bank was located on Second street, in the old United National
Bank building.
The foregoing is believed to be a correct history of banks and
of the banking business in Winona county since its early settlement.
It is possible that other parties and facts have been overlooked, but
the writer has endeavored to include everything pertaining to the
subject.
From the time the first deposits were received and the first drafts
on eastern banks were drawn by Beny & Waterman, in 1855, the
banking business has grown with the increased mercantile and
manufacturing business of Winona in proportion until this time.
We have now in this city, in successful operation, four banks, two
of which are working under the national banking laws, one under
state organization, and one a private bank.
The whole amount of capital invested at this time in the bank-
ing business in Winona county aggregates $250,000, not including
surplus and undivided profits.
The amount of deposits in the banks in Winona is about
$900,000, and bills discounted are about the same amount. The
rates of interest charged by the banks are from seven to ten per
cent per annum.
CHAPTEK XIV.
GENERAL HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY— ITS EARLY SETTLE-
MENT, PIONEERS, ETC.
The local history of this county, as an organization, hardly ex-
tends beyond the personal recollections of the present generation.
Many of its earliest settlers are yet residents of this locality. Less
than a third of a century ago the country lying west of the Missis-
sippi in the State of Minnesota was the almost exclusive domain of
bands of savages — the possessions of the aborigines, occupied by the
132 HISTOEY OF WmONA COUNTY.
same race and by the same nation of people wlio held it when the
western continent was first discovered.
Its early settlement by the pioneer successors of this savage race
was begun somewhat after the same general plan, although on a very
much smaller scale, of that adopted by the Europeans in their first
occupancy of North America. They made claims and held them by
their rights of discovery. This part of the country was first discov-
ered and held in possession by the French.
To maintain a proper connection with the past, a brief synopsis
of historical events relative to this section of country, prior to the
time this county was created, has been compiled as an introductory
chapter to this record of events and incidents of more modern times.
After the discovery of the western continent, the maritime
nations of Europe sent out expeditions to make explorations. The
parts of the continent first visited in these voyages were taken
possession of in the name of the government represented. When
these explorations were extended inland the localities were claimed
by the same powers. It was in this manner that the whole Missis-
sippi valley became at one time a part of the foreign possessions of
France, acquired by their rights of discovery and held by their power
as a nation.
In 1534 Jacques Cartier, a French navigator, discovered the Gulf
of St. Lawrence and sailed up the St. Lawrence river, supposing
from its size and depth that he had found the western passage to the
Indian ocean, for which he was seeking. He claimed the newly
discovered counti'y in the name of the sovereign of France. As an
emblem of his first discovery, and as a symbol of possession, he
erected a large wooden cross on a conspicuous elevation of land.
This was the first claim mark of France in this part of North
America.
The French afterward extended their explorations west*to the
great lakes, assuming possession in their progress. It was not until
1654 that they reached tlie region of Lake Superior, The real
explorers of this part of the country were the fur traders. They
advanced with their traffic as far west as Green Bay in 1659.
In these expeditions, from the time the cross was erected by
Cartier, these adventurous explorers were usually accompanied by
zealous representatives of different orders in the Koman Catholic
church, apparently to maintain religious advantages coequal with
the civil and military authority claimed over the extended possessions.
EARLY SETTLEMENT, PIONEERS, ETC. 183
Father Jose})li Marquette accompanied Louis Jolliet with five
French or Canadian voyageurs up the Fox river from (.ireen Bay.
Crossing the portage t(j the Wisconsin river they descended it to its
mouth and discovered the Mississippi river on June IT, 1673.
To Father Marquett has been given the honor of having been
the first to discover the upper Mississippi. The river had, however,
been visited by Europeans prior to this date. In 1541 the lower
Mississippi was crossed by Hernando de Soto, a Spanish adventurer,
in his exploration of that part of the country.
In 1679 Father Louis Hennepin accompanied Robert La Salle on
his expedition along the shores of Lake Michigan to Illinois, where
he spent the winter. In the following spring, 1680, he was intrusted
by La Salle to make explorations. With two French voyageurs he
went down the Illinois river to its mouth, and then ascended the
Mississippi. On his voyage up this river he was made prisoner by
a war party of Dakota Indians and taken into the Mille Lac region,
on the headwaters of the Mississippi. He was here found by Du-
Luth, who was exploring the country of the Dakotas by way of Lake
Superior. Father Hennepin visited the Falls of St. Anthony, to
which he gave its present name. He was the first to explore the
Mississippi above the mouth of the Wisconsin, and the first white
man that ever visited the vicinity of this county.
In 1682 La Salle descended the Illinois. to its junction with the
Mississippi, down which he continued until he entered the Gulf of
Mexico. He took possession of the country through which he
passed in the name of France, and gave it the name of Louisiana.
In the spring of 1683 Capt. Nicholas Perrot, a Canadian, with
twenty men, established a fort or trading-post in what is now the
State of Minnesota, below and near the mouth of Lake Pepin.
This was the first location occupied by a white man on the west
side of the Mississippi. It was soon abandoned by Perrot to carry
on his traffic elsewhere. In 1688 he returned with forty men, and
again took possession of his trading-post below Lake Pepin.
In 1689 Capt. Nicholas Perrot, in the name of the king of
France, by formal proclamation took possession of all of the country
on the headwaters of the Mississippi. Not long afterward the
whole country from the Alleghanies to the Pacific ocean was claimed
by the French and called the territory of Louisiana.
This territory remained in possession of France until 1760, when
the country west of the Mississippi was ceded to Spain, and in 1763
134 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
all of the country east of the Mississippi claimed by the French was
formally ceded to Great Britain.
In 1800 the country west of the Mississippi known as Louisiana
was retroceded to France, and in 1803 the United States acquired
possession of it by purchase from the French government.
By act of congress in 1804: Louisiana was divided ; the southern
part was called the territory of Orleans, the northern portion the
district of Louisiana.
In 1812 Orleans was admitted into the Union under the title of
State of Louisiana, and the district of Louisiana given the name of
Territory of Missouri.
In 1821 the Territory of Missouri was divided ; from the southern
portion the Territory of Arkansas was formed, and the State of Mis-
souri created and admitted.
The country north of the State of Missouri was left without ter-
ritorial organization. In 1834 it was placed under the jurisdiction
of the Territory of Michigan, and in 1837 under the judicial authority
of the Territory of Wisconsin.
In 1838 the Territory of Iowa was created. It embraced all of
the country north of the State of Missouri between the Mississippi
and Missouri rivers to the northern line.
The State of Iowa was constituted from the southern part of this
territory and admitted in 1846. The northern portion was left with-
out territorial organization until by act of congress, March 3, 1849,
the Territory of Minnesota was created.
The largest portion of this territory, that lying west of the Mis-
sissippi, was the northeastern part of the "Louisiana Purchase."
The portion lying on the east side of the river was a part of the
territory of Wisconsin not included in the boundaries of the State of
Wisconsin when admitted in 1848.
The territory of Minnesota, when organized, was without divi-
sions, except two or three counties on the east side of the Mississippi,
which had been created while they were a part of the Territory of
Wisconsin.
By proclamation Governor Ramsey divided the territory into
three judicial districts. The country west of the Mississippi and
south of the Minnesota formed the third judicial district, to which
Judge Cooper was assigned. The first court was held at Mendota
in August, 1849.
Governor Ramsey, by proclamation, made the first apportion-
EARLY SETTLEMENT, PIOKEERS, ETC. 135
ment of council districts. The settlements on the west bank of the
Mississippi, south of the Crow village to the Iowa line, were included
with a part of St. Croix county on the east side of the river and con-
stituted the first council district. The settlements on the west side
of the river were of half-breed Sioux.
The first territorial legislature held its session in St. Paul, the
capital of the territory. It began on September 3 and adjourned on
November 1, 1849. The mem^bers from the first council district
were : James S. Norris, in the council ; Joseph W. Furber and
James Wells, in the house. David Olmsted, of Long Prairie, was
president of the council ; Joseph W. Furber, of Cottage Grove,
speaker of the house.
James Wells was the first representative to the territorial legis-
lature from the country along the west side of the Mississippi. He
was an Indian trader living on the shores of Lake Pepin, twelve
miles below Eed Wing. Among his friends and associates he was
generally known as "Bully Wells." He was elected by the half-
breeds and a few traders and government employes at the election
held on August 1. The total votes polled were thirty-three. At this
election Hon. H. H. Sibley was elected delegate to congress without
opposition.
The first territorial legislature, at its session in ] 849 (October 27),
created several counties, two of which, Dakota and Wabasha on the
west side of the Mississippi, included all of the territory south of the
Minnesota river — Wabasha in the eastern part and Dakota lying
west along the Minnesota.
In 1863 (March 5) the county of Wabasha was divided by act of
the territorial legislature and a part of the southern portion desig-
nated as Fillmore county. In 1854 (February 23) Fillmore county
was divided, and from the portion along the river the counties of
Houston and Winona were created — Houston next to the Iowa line
and Winona between Houston and Wabasha counties. The bound-
aries given Winona county in the act by which it was created have
since been' maintained Unchanged. These outlines of history gene-
alogize this county from the days of the advent of the first white man
to the present time, a period of little n^ore than two hundred years.
In this abstract of jurisdiction an omission has been made — the
proprietary of this part of the country before it was so formally
taken possession of by Captain Perrot. At the time France assumed
control it was held by tribes of savage Indians. Of them, prior to
136 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
that period, but little is known with any degree of certainty. Hav-
ing no written records their earliest traditions have long been for-
gotten, their more modern history only known by its connections
with that of their successors, the white race.
Traditions, with mounds and relics antedating traditionary lore,
afford speculative study for the antiquary, and present corroborative
evidence to the historian that in the unknown periods of the past
this section of countr}- was inhabited, and that its population was
probably of the Indian race. Their first occupancy is veiled in dark
obscurity. Their rights of possession have, however, been continu-
ously acknowledged and recognized from the time jurisdiction was
claimed for France in 1689 until the ti-eaty by which their lands west
of the Mississippi, in what is now the State of Minnesota, were pur-
chased and ceded to the United States, when their title was formally
transferred to their successors.
The Dakota nation, which held this country, was probably one
of the largest warlike nations of the aborigines of North America.
When first visited by Europeans their territory extended from
Lake Superior to the Eocky Mountains. This Indian nation was
composed of numerous general divisions and subdivisions or bands,
having a language common to all (only varied by dialects), with man-
ners, customs, etc. , differing but little in different localities. Although
united as a confederac}' for common defense or warlike purposes,
each division held a separate interest iu the localities they occupied.
The eastern division of the Dakota nation was the Mdaywakan-
tonwan, or Spirit Lake villagers. It was this division that made
prisoner of Father Hennepin in 1680. At that time they were in
possession of the country on the east side of the Mississippi to Lake
Superior. The country south of the lake was held by the Ojibways,
who were the first to hold communication with the traders. They
were. the first supplied with fire-arms, which gave them such an ad-
vantage over the more warlike Sioux that they drove them back and
took possession of their homes in the Mille Lac region. The Sioux
were forced to the southward and westward, but successfully main-
tained their lands on the west side of the Mississippi, and a strip
along the east side, from about a hundred and fifty miles above the
Falls of St. Anthony to about one hundred and fifty miles below.
There were seven bands in this division. The villages of three
of them were on the Mississippi, below the falls ; the others were on
the lower part of the Minnesota river.
CHAPTER XV.
TREATIES WITH THE INDIANS.
By treaty in 1805, tlirougli Lieut. Pike, the first representative
of our government that visited this part of the "Louisiana pur-
diase," this division of Sioux made the first sale of any of their
lands. For the establishment of military posts the -United States
purchased from them a section of country nine miles square, on each
side of the Mississippi, which included the Falls of St. Anthony and
the present site of Fort Snelling. A section of country nine miles
square, at the mouth of the St. Croix, was also secured for the same
purpose. It was not until sevei*al years after that this purchase was
utilized by government. The corner-stone of Fort Snelling was laid
on the 10th of September, 1820, but it was not occupied by soldiers
until the following year. The site was first taken possession of by
Col. Leavenworth with a company of soldiers in 1819.
The transportation of troops, supplies, material, etc., for the
fort was principally by keelboats, which at that time, and for some
time afterward, were used in the navigation of the Upper Missis-
sippi. The trip from St. Louis to this point was a long and tedious
one. The first steamboat that ever came up the Mississippi to Fort
Snelling at the mouth of the Minnesota river was a stern- wheel boat
called the Virginia, in 1823.
By treaty in 1830 government secured from this part of the
Sioux nation the section of country known as the " Half-breed Tract, "
for the benefit or exclusive use of their descendants of mixed blood.
This tract of land was on the west side of the Mississippi and Lake
Pepin, fifteen miles wide, and extending down the river, from
Barn Bluff, near Red Wing, thirty-two miles, to a point opposite
Beef river, below the present village of Wabasha.
In 1837 a deputation of chiefs of this division of Dakotas was
induced to visit Washington, where they made a treaty by which
they "ceded to the United States all their lands east of the Missis-
sippi river, and all of their islands in said river." This treaty was
ratified by the senate on the 17th of July, 1838, when the Sioux re-
moved all of their bands to the west side of the Mississippi.
138 inSTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
Until 1851 the Mdaywakantonwan Sioux were the only division
of the Dakota nation with whom the United States had made formal
treaty stipulations for the sale of any part of their lands. They
were the only branch oi' ^e whole Sioux confederacy who received
annuities from the government. Under the treaty of 1837 they re-
ceived annually, for twenty years from the date of the treaty, $10,000
in money, $10,000 in goods, $5,500 in provisions, and $8,250 "in
the purchase of medicines, agricultural implements and stock and
for the support of a physician, farmers and blacksmiths, and for
other beneficial objects." In the first article of this treaty it was
provided that a portion of the interest on the whole sum invested —
$5,000 annually — was "to be applied in such manner as the presi-
dent may direct." This occasioned some trouble, as it was proposed
to expend this sum for the purposes of education, schools, etc. , which
the Indians strongly opposed. This fund was not used, but allowed
to accumulate until the treaty of 1851 before settlement was effected
and the amount paid over to them.
At that time these seven bands comprised a population of about
2,200 in number. The nominal head chief of the division was Wa-
basha, who was also chief of a band. His village was at Wabasha
Prairie, and had a population of about 300. The Red Wing band —
chief, Wakoota — numbered about 300; the Kaposia band — chief.
Little Crow — had about 400; the Black Dog band — chief, Gray Iron —
had 250 ; Cloud Man's band, at Lake Calhoun, 250 ; Good Road's
band, about 300 ; Six's band — chief, Shakopee — about 450. The last
four bands named were on lower part of the Minnesota river.
By treaties made in 1851 the Sioux sold their lands in what is
now the State of Minnesota. The Sisseton and Wahpaton divisions
in the west, called the "upper bands," signed the treaty at Traverse
des Sioux, July 23, 1851, and the "lower bands," the Wahpakoota
and Mdaywakantonwan divisions, signed the treaty at Mendota,
August 5, 1851.
These treaties were amended by the senate at Washington the fol-
lowing year. The amendment was ratified by the "lower bands"
at St. Paul, September 4, 1852. The treaties as amended were
formally ratified by the president's proclamation, dated February
24, 1853.
By this sale the Dakotas relinquished possession of their' lands
in this vicinity — their title to it, held from time unknown, was
, extinguished for ever. Prior to this, occupancy of these lands by
TREATIES WITH THE ESTDIANS. 139
the whites was considered trespass, except by special permit or
license from government.
After the treaty in 1851, and before its ratification, settlements
were made or commenced by the whites, without action on the part
of the government, and without much show of opposition from the
Sioux. It was during this period that the first bona-fide settlements
were made within the boundaries of what is now known as Winona
county. Previous to this, however, Indian traders and government
employes had located temporarily at difierent places along the
Mississippi, some of whom remained and afterward became citizens
of the county.
The Mississippi river is the eastern boundary of this county,
and from time immemorial has been what may be called the grand
highway between the north and the south, and, through its tribu-
taries, the means of communication between the east and the west.
Over its waters the savages paddled their canoes, and the Canadian
voyageurs propelled their batteaux. It was the course over which
the early traders carried on their traffic. Their goods, brought
from the east by way of the great lakes, and down the Wisconsin
river, were transported up the Mississippi to their trading stations
in the north. .The furs for which they were exchanged were returned
over the same route. With the increase of this commercial business
Prairie du Chien became the emporium of the fur-traders, and held
its importance for nearly a century.
During this period French names were given by the traders and
voyageurs to persons, places and things which were in common
use, the names designative of localities which served as land-
marks in their adventurous expeditions being the most important.
There are not more than one or two localities in this county that
can now be identified by the names thus given, and in no instance
has the name been preserved.
The most familiar, if not the only locality, is that of the prairie
on which the city of Winona is now situated. This was designated
as the "•Prairie aux Aile," the literal translation of which is the
"Wing Prairie." Its signification is unknown except as a matter
of opinion.
This prairie and vicinity was the home of one of the most influ-
ential of the Dakota chiefs. It was the grand gathering-place of
his once numerous warriors. The Dakota name of this chief was
Wa-pa-ha-sa. It was hereditary. Besides being chief of his own
140 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
band, he was the head chief of the bands along the Mississippi.
These official positions were also hereditary. The early voyagenrs
gave him the name of Wa-pa-sa. The more modern traders and
river men called him Wa-ba-shaw, and gave the same name to the
prairie on which his village was located. It was known as Waba-
shaw prairie until the name was superseded by Winona, its present
one. Winona ( Wee-no-nah) is a Dakota name, signifying a daughter,
the first-born child. It is a name usually given to the first-born
child, if a daughter, and never conferred upon a locality by the Sioux.
The name was selected by the early settlers on Wabasha prairie as
the name of the post-office established there, and was afterward
adopted by the town proprietors for the village. When the county
was created the same name was conferred upon it.
The following story in Neil's History of Minnesota gives another
name to Wabasha prairie. The story is apparently founded on the
Dakota legend of Maiden's rock, on the eastern shore of Lake Pepin.
This is the only instance known where the name of "Keoxa" has
ever been given to Wabasha's village on this prairie. It is indeed
a query whether it is a Dakota name.
"In the davs of the great chief Wapashaw there lived at the vil-
lage of Keoxa, which stood at the site of the town which now bears
her name, a maiden with a loving soul. She was the first-born"
daughter, and, as is always the case in a Dahkotah family, she bore
the name of Weenonah. A young hunter of the same band was
never happier than when he played the flute in her hearing. Having
thus signified his aifection, it was with the whole heart reciprocated.
The youth begged from his friends all that he could, and went to
her parents, as is the custom, to purchase her for his wife, but his
proposals were rejected.
"A warrior who had often been on the war-path, whose head-
dress plainly told the number of scalps he had wrenched from
Ojibway heads, had also been to the parents, and they thought that
she would be more honored as an hi mate of his teepee.
"Weenonah, however, could not forget her first love, and though
he had been forced away, his absence strengthened her affections.
Neither the attentions of the warrior, nor the threats of parents, nor
the persuasions of friends could make her consent to marry simply
for position.
' ' One day the band came to Lake Pepin to fish or hunt. The
dark green foliage, the velvet sward, the beautiful' expanse of
f ^^-v /
^^7<y7'<^'t>t-^
TREATIES WITH THE INDIANS. 143
water, the shady nooks, made it a ])lace to utter the breathings of
love. The warrior songlit her once more and begged lier to accede
to her parents' wish and become his wile, but she refused witli
decision.
"■While the party was feasting Weenonah clambered to the lofty
bluff, and then told to those who were below how crushed she had
been by the absence of the 3^oung hunter and the cruelty of her
friends. Then chaunting a wild death-song, before the fleetest runner
could reach the height she dashed herself down, and that form of
beaut}^ was in a moment a mass of broken limbs and bruised flesh.
"The Dahkotah as he passes the rock feels that the spot is
Wawkawn."
The name of Wabasha rightfully belonged to this locality. Its
alienation was not from premeditated design. Before Wabasha
prairie was settled, or even a white settler had located in what is
now Winona county, the settlement on the "half-breed tract" was
called Wabasha. The first postoflice along the river was established
there and given the name of Wabasha postoflice, although it was for
a while at Keed's Landing. It having been thus appropriated, but
little effort was ever made to reclaim it. But few of the settlers
cared about preserving or adopting it in a second-hand condition.
When keelboats and steamboats took the place of the canoes and
batteaux in the navigation of the river, the names conferred on
localities by the Dakotas and French were quite generally dropped,
and less expressive ones usually substituted. Where Dakota or
French names have been retained in this state, they have in very
many instances been so modified by "Yankee improvements" that
it is difficult to trace their derivation.
In this county no distinctive name of locality or landmark given
by the French has been retained. Neither is there a single
instance where the name given by the Dakotas to mountain or
stream, hill, valley or prairie, has been preserved and is now in use
by the whites. Nothing designated by the Sioux, the immediate
predecessors of the present generation, is now known by its Dakota
name.
It is not so much a matter of surprise that Indian names have
not been retained, or that they are now unknown to the present
inhabitants of the county, if the abruptness of the change of occu-
pants is taken into consideration. When the Sioux relinquished
possession of their lands here they at once lefb this vicinity. The
14-i HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
white settlers found the country without' a population. The two
races were strangers— unknown to each otlier; no association or
intercourse ever existed between them.
There are two or three instances where the English interpretation
has been substituted for the original Dakota. White Water is the
name of a river which runs through the northern part of the county.
It is the translation ot the Dakota " Minne-ska, " signifying "W^liite
Water. " The village at the mouth of that stream in Wabasha county
is called Minneiska. The name of Rolling Stone is another instance.
This is an interpretation of the name given by the Dakotas to the
Eolling Stone Creek, "Eyan-omen-man-met-pah," the literal trans-
lation of which is "the stream where the stone rolls.-' Its true
signification is not known. It was called by the French traders of
more modern times "Roche que le Boule." These names were
obtained from O. M. Loi-d, who acquired them from Gen. Sibley.
Wabasha and the most of his people left their homes on the
Mississippi in 1852. Nothing marks the localities in this county as
evidence of where, for so many generations, their race once lived.
Even the old and deeply worn trails, over which they filed away
toward the setting sun, are now, like the wakes of their canoes,
obliterated and unknown. Some "old settlers" may perhaps from
memory be able to point out the general course of these trails, over
which they explored the country in their "claim hunting" excur-
sions, and on which they were accustomed to traverse the country
until the plow and fences of improvements debarred further use of
them.
The Sioux were, by tlie conditions of the treaty, transferred to a
reservation on the head-waters of the Minnesota river. Here they
were taught and encouraged to adopt a new system of life. and be-
• come an agricultural people. It was supposed that some progress
was made toward civilization, but, as in many similar philanthropic
efforts, the ultimate results proved a failure. The Sioux massacre
of 1862 originated with the bands of Wabasha's division, which had
given the most encouraging prospects of their becoming "good
Indians. " The first outrages were perpetrated by some of Shakapee's
band. A war party was at once organized with the bands of Gray
Iron. Little Crow and detachments from other divisions. The band
of W^abasha and the Red Wing baud were compelled to participate
in the proceedings, and the whole Dakota nation was soon involved
in the affair.
TREATIES WITH THE INDIANS. 145
This chapter would perhaps be considered incomplete without
mention of one of the chiefs of Wabasha's band who was more gen-
erally known to the early settlers of Winona county than any other
of the Indians who originally claimed this part of the country. The
most of the " old settlers " probably remember " Old To-ma-ha," the
old one-eyed Sioux, who kept up his rounds of visitations to the
settlements until about the time of his death, which occurred in 1860
at about one hundred years of age. When on his customary visits
among the whites he was usually accompanied by a party of his own
descendants and family relatives — from ten to twenty in number. His
figure was erect and movements active, notwithstanding his advanced
age. His dress on these occasions was a much worn military coat and
pantaloons of blue cloth trimmed with red, and an old stove-pipe hat
with the same color displayed. He always carried with him a large
package of papers inclosed in a leather or skin pocket-book, and also
a large silver medal, which he wore suspended from his neck in a
conspicuous place on his breast. His large red pipe-stone hatchet
pipe, with a long handle, was generally in his hands. It was his
usual custom to attract attention by his presence and then allow the
curious to examine his pipe and medal, when, if there appeared to be
a prospect of getting money for the exhibition, he would produce his
pocket-book and allow an examination of its contents, for which
privilege he expected, and usually received, at least a dime, and
perhaps from the more liberal a quarter of a dollar. This Indian
was a historical character. His pocket-book contained his commis-
sion as a chief of the Sioux nation, given him by Governor Clark, of
Missouri territory, in 1814, who at the same time presented him
with a captain's uniform and a medal for meritorious services ren-
dered the government as a scout and messenger. His papers con-
tained testimonials and recommendations from prominent govern-
ment officials and other persons. Mention is made of him in the
reports of officials who had jurisdiction in the northwest territories,
one by Lieut. Pike, who was sent by the government of the
United States in 1805 to explore the northern part of the "Louis-
iana purchase," then recently acquired, and to make treaties with
the Dakotas. In 1812, when the Sioux joined the English in the
war with the United States, Tomaha went to St. Louis and gave his
services to light against the British forces. He had the confidence
of the military officers, and in all of the frontier difficulties on the
upper Mississippi, where fighting was done, he was employed as
146 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
scout and messenger. When his services were no longer required
by government he returned to his Dakota home.
When the Sioux left this vicinity and vs^ent to their reservation
on the Minnesota river, Tomaha remained to die in the locality
where he was born and where he spent his youth. He sometimes
visited his friends on the reservation, but never made it his home.
CHAPTEE XYI.
THE FUR TRADERS.
The first white men to establish themselves among these Indians
were the fur traders and voyageurs — the early pioneers of com-
merce. Of the hardy adventurers who in generations past engaged
in commercial pursuits in this vicinity nothing is now known.
The earliest of these traffickers, who had a fixed place of busi-
ness in this county, of which there is even a traditional record, was
Francois La Bathe. His business location was in the northern pai-t
of the county, on the Mississippi. The date of his establishment
of a trading station in this vicinity is not now definitely known. He
had trading posts in other localities along the river at the same time —
one at Bad Axe, below La Crosse. His more permanent stations
were usually under the charge of partners and assistants or clerks.
Mr. O. M. Lord informed the writer that Hon. N. W. Kittson, of
St. Paul, was in the employ of La Bathe & Co. for a year or two,
in 1840, or about that time, and had charge of a trading station
above the Rolling Stone. The location of the station was described
by Mr. Kittson as being above Minnesota City, at the foot of the
bluff", where the slough leaves the mainland (Haddock's slough).
The land in this vicinity is now owned by D. L. Burley, who has
occupied it about thirty years. Mr. Burley says he has never seen
any indications that would lead him to think the locality had ever
been occupied for any purjiose prior to his taking possession of it.
Others say La Bathe's trading post was above that place. Near
where the river leaves the mainland, about four miles below the
mouth of the White Water, there is a bluff and a location that re-
semble the description given to Mr. Lord. At that place the early
THE Fini TRADERS. 147
settlers of 1852 found the ruins of a large cabin. The writer saw
it frequently in 1854. There was a huge stone hreplace and chim-
ney then standing entire, in a tolerable state of preservation, but
the logs were a mass of ruins, and bushes were growing up among
the logs where the house once stood.
It is said that La Bathe spent the most of his life with the Da-
kotah Indians ; that though of French descent he was in some way
related to them either by birth or marriage, or perhaps both. His
influence with the Indians was an advantage to him in his commer-
cial transactions. He was intimately connected in business affairs
with prominent traders. His history is unknown in this vicinity.
La Bathe went with the Sioux to their reservation on the head-waters
of tlie Minnesota river, where he was killed by the savages with
wliom he had spent his life. He was among the first victims at the
outbreak of the Sioux massacre in 1862.
Although there were quite a number of traders who lived on the
Wisconsin side of the river, at La Crosse and at what is now Trem-
pealeau and Fountain City, who traded with the Sioux on the west
side of the river, there are but two or three others of this class to
mention who were established in business and had a residence in
Winona county. First among these were Willard B. Bunnell and
Nathan Brown, both of whom came into the Territory of Minnesota
after it was organized.
"Bill" Bunnell had been for five or six years prior to his coming
here living on the east side of the Mississippi, at La Crosse and at
what is now Trempealeau village, but the most of the time in what
was called the Trempealeau country, hunting, trapping and trading
with the Indians. His Indian trade was principally with the Win-
nebagoes who were living in that vicinity and in the Black River
country. He had, before coming to the Mississippi river, been a
trader in the vicinity of Green Bay, with the Menomines and Chip-
pewas. From his fluency in speaking the language of the Chippe-
was the Sioux for some time after his arrival in this vicinity were
jealous and suspicious of him as a friend of their hereditary enemies.
He was unable to secure their confidence until he had learned their
language and proved himself to be a "professional" hunter and
their friend. He joined them in their hunting excursions, and for
the time adopted their style of "undress," — a breech-clout, buckskin
leggings and moccasins. In this rig, with his rifle or fowling-piece
and blanket, he spent weeks with them on Root river and its tribu-
148 HISTORY OF WENONA COIHSTTY.
taries. He was the first white resident of this locality to explore
the country back of the bluffs.
Willard Bradly Bunnell located as a licensed trader with the
Sioux of Wabasha's band, August 20, 1849. His honise was on the
bank of the river, in what is now the village of Homer. It was
built of hewed logs, and had a shingled roof — the first shingled
roof ever put on any structure in this part of Minnesota. This was
the first permanent improvement made in the settlement of the
county. To this place Bunnell brought his family. It was the
home of an estimable wife and their three children. It was here
that the first white child was born. Frances Matilda Bunnell was
bom February 20, 1850. She was the first white native resident of
this part of the territory.
Mrs. Bunnell was the first white woman that came into this part
of the Territory of Minnesota to live — the 'first to make her home
within the boundaries of Winona county. She was a model repre-
sentative of a frontier woman. Although remarkably domestic in
her habits, and observant of matters connected with her household
duties, which make home desirable, she was able to paddle her own
canoe, and was a sure shot with either the rifle or fowling-piece.
While in general appearance and manners ladylike and modestly
feminine, she had remarkable courage and self-possession, and was
decisive to act in cases of emergency, when danger threatened her-
self or family — qualifications that were respected by her dusky
neighbors, the friends of the trader. Possessing good mental abili-
ties, her experience in frontier life and intuitive knowledge of
Indian character gave her an influence over the wild customers who
visited their trading-post, that was as much a matter of surprise to
herself as to others. The Indians respected and feared her although
only a "woman."
Mrs. Bunnell was of French descent. Besides speaking French,
she was able to converse fluently with the Chippewas, Winnebagoes
and Sioux, and had some knowledge of other dialects. She was
brought up in the Catholic faith, but in the latter part of her life
she professed the Protestant religion, and became a member of the
Methodist church. Mrs. Bunnell died in April, 1867, at about the
age of forty-five. Some of her children are yet residents of this state.
The house, a story and a-half building, built by "Will" Bun-
nell in 1849, is still standing in the upper part of the village of
Homer, at what was once called Bunnell's Landing. The building
THE FUR TRADERS. 149
and grounds are now the property of Dr. L. H. Bunnell, a younger
brother of the trader. The house has been moved a little back
from where it was originally built, and, to keep pace with the times,
this relic of the first settlers' early home has been somewhat modern-
ized by a covering of clapboards and painted. It is still a com-
fortable dwelling, and is occupied by Dr. Bunnell as his residence
and permanent home.
Willard B. Bunnell took an active interest in the early settle-
ment of this county, and was connected with many of the incidents
of pioneer life which will be noticed in the progress of events. He
died in August, 1861, at about the age of forty-seven. His death
was caused by consumption.
Nathan Brown came into the territory as a trader September 39,
1849. His location was on the river below Bunnell's, in what is
now the southern part of the county. Mr. Brown was then a young
man without a family. His cabin in which he made his home was
a one-story log building, 12x16. His storehouse, 12x16, was a
story and a-lialf, of hewed logs. These buildings were covered with
shingled roofs and substantially made.
Although Mr. Brown was a trader with the Indians, he did not
hold his position through a license from government. He made a
sort, of miniature treaty with Wabasha and his braves, and pur-
chased from them the privilege of occupying as much of the locality
as he chose to carry on his business. For this permit he paid them
"$50 — making payment in flour and pork from his store. Mr. Brown
states that "during the early days of his residence there, while
engaged in trade with the Winnebagoes and Sioux, he never locked
his cabin door, not even when absent from home, and never lost
anything by theft, through either Indians or white people."
Mr. Brown and Mr. Bunnell, as the last of the Indian ti-aders,
appear to constitute a connecting link between the past and present
condition of this part of the country. Both settled here while the
land was held by the Sioux. Both were residents of Winona county
after its organization.
Following in the order of pioneer life, the missionaries have been
among the first to venture into countries inhabited by the savages,
and the first to attempt to improve their condition. Their zealous
efforts entitle them to be called the pioneers of civilization. Fore-
most among these have been the missionaries connected with the
Catholic church.
150 HISTORY OF WnsrONA COUNTY.
In the earliest explorations of this part of the country, the
traders were accompanied by the priests. The early French traders
and voyageurs were of that religious belief, and their descendants,
for all of them intermarried with the Indians, were taught the same
faith. These missionaries were the first to visit the Dakotas — the
first to visit the west side of the Mississippi river.
From the days of the Rev. Louis Hennepin to more modern
times they held a strong influence over the traders and vm^ageurs,
and their descendants, and perhaps, to a limited extent, succeeded
in influencing the savage natives by their teachings.
The first Catholic missionaries of more modern times, of whom
there is even traditionary knowledge in tliis section of country, were
at the half-breed village where now stands the city of Wabasha,
•There the first church in southern Minnesota was built in 1845.
With the exception of the very Rev. A. Ravoux, the names of these
missionaries are unknown.
The first attempt to establish a Protestant missionary station in
this vicinity, of whicli there is any record, was in 1836. Rev.
Daniel Gavan, a Frenchman, sent out as a missionary by the Evan-
gelical Society of Lausanne, Switzerland, established a mission for
the benefit of the Sioux of Wabasha's band. At that time the
Sioux held possession of the east side of the river. Mr. Gavan
located on the Wisconsin side, and built his cabin near Trempealeau
mountain. He remained here until the fall of 1838, when he
visited the missions on the Minnesota river, at Lac qui Parle, for
the purpose of learning the Sioux language from the missionaries,
who were then translating the Scriptures into that tongue.
While thus engaged he became acquainted with and afterward
married Miss Lucy C. Stevens, who had been a teacher in a mis-
sion school at Lake Harriet, near Fort Snelling. Miss Stevens
was a niece of Rev. J. D. Stevens, a missionary. Mr. Gavan,
after his marriage, removed to Red Wing, where he remained
until 1845.
In 1838 the Rev. Jedediah D. Stevens came into this vicinity in
the double capacity of missionary or teacher, and "Indian Farmer."
Mr. Stevens was one of the earliest Protestant missionaries to visit
the Dakotas on this side of the river. In the spring of 1835 he
with his family came to Ft. Snelling, and shortly afterward removed
from there to Lake Harriet, as missionary to "-Cloud Man's" band
of Sioux, where he remained until the fall of 1838, when he was
THE FUR TRADERS. 151
appointed ''Indian Farmer " to the Sioux of Wabasha's band, at
Wabasha ])rairie. Maj.-Talliaferro, the Indian agent for the Sioux,
aided some of the early missionaries by such ap])ointments, with
the design to benefit the savages bj thus providing them with
means of civilization.
Late in the fall of 1838 Mr. Stevens moved his family to his
appointed field of labor, but was not favorably received by the
Indians. He, however, located himself on the Wisconsin side of the
river on the island, about opposite where Laird, Norton & Go's
saw-mills now stand, where he built a comfortable log cabin for his
family, and a stable for the team of horses he brought with him.
He there passed the winter with his wife and children and a young
girl, an assistant and companion of Mrs. Stevens. Mr. G. W.
Clark says the ruins of this cabin were to be seen when he came
here in 1851. Expecting to get his winter supply of provisions from
down the river before the close of navigation, he brought only a
small supply with him, and was seriously disappointed to learn that
no supplies could be procured from that source. He was compelled
to go to Prairie Du Chine for the provisions he had ordered. This
trip, over one hundred miles distant, he made with his team on the
ice, leaving his family alone. It was during this winter that Mr.
Gavin, who had been living near Trempaeleau, was visiting the
missions on the Minnesota river.
Neither Mr. Stevens nor his family were in any way molested
or disturbed by the Sioux daring the winter, but he failed to secure
the confidence or friendship of Wabasha or his people, although he
was able to converse with them in their own tongue. They were
dissatisfied with his appointment as "Indian Farmer," and from
the time of his arrival had refused to recognize him as a govern-
ment agent, or in his capacity as a teacher. In the spring, when he
began to make preparations to build on the prairie, their dissatis-
faction began to assume a threatening form of opposition. His
perseverance excited their hostilities to the extent that he was
ordered to keep on the east side of the river, where he was then
living, and not attem])t to locate on their lands. Deeming it unsafe
to remain with his family, against the opposition exhibited, Mr.
Stevens resigned his position and left the locality. He went down
the river and found more civilized society.
The young girl (now Mrs. Griggs) who lived with Mrs. Stevens
on the island during that winter, resides near Minneapolis.
152 HISTORY OF WLNONA COUNTY.
This appointment of Mr. Stevens to the position of Indian
farmer at Wabasha Prairie was the first special appointment ma^e
for the Sioux in this locality. It was made in accordance with the
terms of the treaty in 1837, by which they sold their lands on the
east side of the Mississippi, with all of their island in the river.
This treaty was not ratified by government until the following year,
1838, only a short time before Mr. Stevens was assigned to the
locality.
Although the Sioux continued to occupy the islands and lands
on the east side of the river in common with others, during their
stay in this vicinity, they never assumed jurisdiction over them.
The Sioux were jealous of the rapid advances of the white people,
and firmly opposed any measures which gave them privileges on
their lands. The trader was to them a necessity. The Catholic
missionaries had for generations been mysteriously associated with
the presence of the trader and tolerated. But the missionary Indian
farmer they were not prepared to receive — they were indifferent as
to what Mr. Stevens knew about farming or schools. It was sup-
posed by some that the Indians were influenced in this matter by
the traders and half-breeds, with a design to drive Mr. Stevens off
and make a vacancy in the jjosition. This may have been the case ;
but it was evident that Wabasha did not favor measures that
tended to civilization. Afterward, when the treaty was made for
the sale of their lands, in 1851, he opposed the sale until the
treaty was ready for signature, and then acquiesced only because he
feared the treaty would be made without his touch of the pen. He
was opposed to the terms of the treaty, and in a speech in opposi-
tion to it, he said to the commissioners in council : "You have
requested us to sign this ])aper, and you have told these people
standing around that it is for their benefit ; but I am of a different
opinion. In the treaty I have heard -read you have mentioned
farmers and schools, physicians, traders and half-breeds. To all
these I am opposed. You see these chiefs sitting around. They
and others who are dead went to Washington and made a treaty
(in 1837), in which the same things were said ; but we have not
been benefited by them, and I want them struck out of this one.
We want nothing but cash turned over to us for our lands."
At about the time that Mr. Stevens was appointed Indian farmer,
a government blacksmith was also assigned to this band. His
name, the place where located, or the length of time he was here,
THE FITR TRADERS. 153
is somewhat uncertain. It is said by some that he was located near
La Bathe's trading station. Of this nothing reliable is learned.
About the same time a blacksmith was assigned to the half-breeds.
Oliver Cratt, from Fort Snelling, was appointed to that position,
and he located himself at the half-breed settlement, now Wabasha.
Whether he also supplied Wabasha's band is not known.
Dr. Bunnell, of this county, says that he learned from some
old Indians, Sioux and Winnebagoes, and from descendants of halt-
breed natives of this vicinity, that the first blacksmith appointed to
Wabasha's band was a half-breed Sioux. That he located himself
on the very site where W. B. Bunnell afterward settled, and which
is now the property of Dr. Bunnell. He says that in cultivating,
his garden, in that locality, he has found cinders and scraps of iron
that would confirm the statement. The tradition of the Indians
is that the half-breed blacksmith did not stay but a short time on the
west side of the river. To avoid threatened danger to himself he
moved his blacksmith-shop onto an island opposite Homer. In this
way he held for awhile his position of an employe under govern-
ment.
The doctor also states that after W. B. Bunnell was located at
his trading station, he found on the island an old anvil and evidence
that a blacksmith had occupied the locality. The island was given
the name of "Blacksmith Island" by the trader, and it is yet
known by that name.
The Sioux of the "lower bands" along the river were all opposed
to the payment of teachers or for the establishment of schools, etc.,
from their annuities. No schools were ever established with Wa-
basha's band. It was not until several years after the treaty of 1837
that the consent of any of this division was obtained. Little Crow,
of the K^aposia band, was the first to ask for a school, in 1846. The
mission schools were previous to this, and until after the treaty of
1851, supported at the expense of missionary societies.
In 1842 James Reed was appointed Indian farmer to Waba-
sha's band, and held this position under government for three years
afterward. He built a log storehouse on Wabasha prairie, which
he used as his headquarters when engaged in his official duties.
This building stood about where S. C. White's store now stands, on
the corner of Second and Center streets, in the city of Winona.
The lands cultivated by the Sioux, under the management and
instruction of Mr. Reed, were in the nioutli of what is now called
154 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
Gilraore vallej, the bottom lands in front of the residence of C. C.
Beck, Prior to this the same locality had been used by generations
of Sioux squaws for cultivation after their primitive manner. This
was the favorite planting-grounds of Wabasha's village, although
other localities were also used for purposes of cultivation. The
mouth of Burns valle}- was another favorite locality and the special
home of the chief Wabasha and his family relatives. The main
village of this band was on the slough at the upper end of the prairie,
near where the railroad machine-shops are now located.
James Eeed was a native of Kentuck3^ When a young man he
enlisted as a soldier and was stationed at Fort Crawford, Prairie du
Chine. After his discharge he adopted the life of a hunter and
trapper, and spent the greater part of his life among the Indians
along the upper Mississippi. As was common among men of his
class, he took a wife or two among the people with whom he was
living. His last wife, to whom he was married in 1840, or about
that time, in Prairie du Chine, was a half-breed Sioux, a cousin of
the chief Wabasha, and said to be a sister of Francois la Bathe, the
trader of whom mention has been made.
The section ot country fixed upon by James Reed as his favorite
locality was the Trempealeau country, where he was successful in'
raising stock on the free ranges of government lands. He made it
his home at what is now the village of Trempealeau. It was here
he was living when he was appointed Indian farmer for the
benefit of the Sioux on Wabasha prairie. He did not change his
residence while holding this official position.
Mr. Reed lived in the Trempealeau country until his death,
which occurred but a few years ago at what is called the "Little
Tamerack," in the Trempealeau valley.
How much the Indians were benefited by the instructions of an
inexperienced agriculturist it is now difficult to determine. The
first settlers on Wabasha prairie found some parts of broken plows
among the ruins of the old storehouse used by Mr. Reed. An old
breaking plow was found and taken possession of by some of the
settlers at Minnesota city. This was claimed and carried away by
some of the squaws in 1852.
It is questionable whether the people of this band were benefited
by agents of government or missionaries while they remained in
this section of country. There is no evidence to show a single
THE FUR TRADERS. 155
instance where a missionary was ever permitted by Wabasha to
locate witliin what are now the boundaries of this county.
The Catholic missionaries were the religious instructors of the
half-breeds. To what extent they had influence with this band is
now unknown. From several graves disclosed by the caving of the
bank of the river, in the lower part of the city of Winona, a number
of large silver crosses and other Catholic emblems were taken by
some boys fishing in the vicinity. One of these crosses was pur-
chased by W. H. St. John, a jeweler in Winona, who exhibits it in
his store as a relic of the past. The graves were evidently those of
females.
In the summer of 1848, the Winnebago Indians were removed
from the reservation in the northeastern part of Iowa, which they
had occupied for a limited time, to a reservation established for
them by government on Long Prairie, on the east side of the Mis-
sissippi, about forty miles back from the river, and about one hun-
dred and forty miles above St. Paul.
They were opposed to the arrangements, and objected to their
removal to the locality selected for their future home. Military aid
was required to induce them to move. After considei-able delay a
part of them were persuaded to start up the Mississippi in their
canoes, under charge of PL M. Kice, accompanied by a company
of volunteers from Crawford county. Wis., in boats. The other
portion was induced to start by land, with their ponies, under the
care of Indian agent Fletcher, with a company of dragoons from
Fort Atkinson, and a train of baggage wagons. By agreement these
two parties were to meet at Wabasha Prairie.
The party by water reached the prairie and landed near where
Mrs. Keyes now lives, where they camped. The land party came
into this part of the country by following up what is now called
Money Creek valley, and arrived at the prairie by following the
Indian trail on the divide between the Burns and Gilmore valleys.
This trail led down a steep ravine back of where George W. Clark now
Jives. It was here necessary to let the baggage wagons down with
ropes attached to the trees on the east side of the ravine. This trail
over the ridge was afterward known to the early settlers as the
"Government Trail."
When the Winnebagos reached Wabasha Prairie they revolted,
and decidedly refused to go farther. With the exception of one
small band, who remained on the bank of the river, they all went
156 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
round the lake to the mouth of Burns valley, where they camped
with Wabasha's band, which had collected there, and with whom they
were on friendly terms.
Finding it necessary to have more aid, reinforcements were sent
for. While the government officials were waiting for help from
Fort Snelling, the Winnebagos negotiated with Wabasha for the pur-
chase of the prairie, and expressed a determination to remain here.
Wabasha and his braves joined in with them — took an active inter-
est in their proceedings, and encouraged them in their revolt
against the authority of Indian agent J. E. Fletcher and his
assistants.
A steamboat brought down from the fort a company ol soldiers
and two pieces of artillery, which were landed at the camp on the
lower part of the prairie.
A council with the Indians was agreed upon, the day appointed,
and the place selected. The location was above the camp and back
from the river. To guard against a surprise the officers in charge
made their strongest preparation for defense, in case an attack
should be made. The teamsters and every available man of the
party was armed and detailed for active duty. On the day fixed all
of the warriors of the combined tribes of Winnebagos and Sioux,
many of them mounted on their ponies, marched around the head
of the lake from Burns valley and moved down the prairie. When
about half a mile from the council grounds, where the Indian agent
awaited them surrounded by his forces, a detachment rode forward
as if to reconnoiter. The whole body of Indians then moved down
as if at a charge, and began the wildest display of their capacity to
represent demons, on foot and on horseback. Their manceuvers
might indicate a peaceful display or represent a threatened assault.
It was supposed at the time that an attack was designed by the
wild devils.
One of the land escort, McKinney, pointed out the locations and
described the incidents to the writer, and said that he certainly
expected to lose his scalp that day. As he watched their wild evo-
lutions, circling on every side, charging with fierce yells and firing
of guns, his scalp seemed to fairly start from his head. His fear
of attack was, however, second to his astonishment and admiration
of the extraordinary and unexpected display.
The council was held without any attending difficulty, but the
agents failed to secure the consent of the Indians to move on up the
EAKLY LAND TITLES. 157
river. After a delay here of about a month the Winnebagoes con-
sented to go to Long Prairie. Many of them, however, went back
to Iowa, or crossed the river to their old homes in Wisconsin.
Wabasha was arrested and taken up to FortSnelling for the part
he had taken in the affair. The sale of Wabasha Prairie to the
Winnebagds was never consumnated, or agreed to by the Sioux.
The negotiations for it were simply "talks" to delay any move-
ments. The Wiimebagos were then desirous of going to the Mis-
souri river country, instead of up the Mississippi.
CHAPTEK XYII.
EAELY LAND TITLES.
Following the trader, the missionary and the government em-
ploye, the town-site hunters, the pioneer land speculators, crowded
the advance of civilization. In this county the town-site speculators
were in the van of settlers seeking permanent homes. In the selec-
tion of town sites the traders had some advantage in securing the
first choice of locations ; but their selections did not always prove
to be the most successful speculations. The professional town-site
operators were generally more than their equals in management
after selections were made and the tide of immigration began its
movement.
It may perhaps be truly said that the first town-site claimants —
the first to secure locations for town sites in what is now Winona
county — were the traders W. B. Bunnell and Nathan Brown. Bun-
nell's selection for his trading station was made more directly with.
a view of convenience for the special business in which he was en-
gaged, but with the design of making it his future home. The
Territory of Minnesota had just been organized, and he was aware
that the time was not far distant when the Sioux would be compelled
to move back and give way to the advance of the white race and
civilization.
His selection was made in anticipation that when this part of the
country should become settled it would be an important business
point, Bunnell was familiar with the back country and with the
158 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
river, and took possession of bis chosen locality with the impression
and an honest belief that he was securing the best steamboat landing
and town site on the west side of the river, between Lake Pepin
and the Iowa line, and there waited the progress of events.
Nathan Brown's trading-post was a town site. B. W. Brisbois,
a trader residing at Prairie du Chine, and F. S. Richards, a trader
at the foot of Lake Pepin, made choice of this locality with the same
ideas of the future development of the country that had influenced
Bunnell. They selected Mr. Brown as a proper person, one in
whom they had conlidence and considered trusty, to join with them
in this speculation, and hold the location by establishing a trading
station. The location was not the choice of Mr. Brown. At the
time this proposition was made to him he was at St. x\jithony, where
he had about decided to locate himself. He consented to become a
partner, but not with the design of making it his future home. By
agreement they were to take his share off from his hands whenever
he should choose to leave, and to pay him for holding the situation.
This they failed to do when required, and JSTatlmn Bi*own became a
permanent resident of that locality. Brisbois and Richards furnished
Brown with goods for the Indian trade, and he here carried on quite
a flourishing business, principally with the Winnebagoes, who lived
across the river in the Trempealeau country. His trade with the
Sioux was more limited. He also engaged in furnishing wood for
steamboats, employing choppers during the winter for that purpose,
paying them principally from his store.
Another town site was selected by Chute and Ewing about three
fourths of a mile bfelow Brown's, in which Capt. D. S. Harris had
an interest for awhile. This was also a trading station. A Canadian
Frenchman held the locality for about a year, when he left, and
Jerry Tibbits took his place. Mr. Tibbits is still a resident of that
vicinity, living in the town of New Hartford. This town site was,
after two or three years, attached to the one held by Mr. Brown and
its name of Catlin dropped.
This trading station Nathan Brown held for the company from
1849 to 1855, when it was duly entered at the L^'nited States land
office as a town site under the name of Dacota.
As a speculation it did not prove to be a successful undertaking
or a profitable investment for its jjroprietors. A few settlers made
it their home for awhile, but were compelled to leave and earn a
living elsewhere. Mr. Brown says he could not afford to support
EARLY LAND TITLES. 161
the settlers who located there, and bought out all who had an interest
in the town and converted the tillable land into a farm.
It failed as a steamboat landing, but the railroad station, Dacota,
on the river road, marks the location of the ancient town site and
trading station of Brisbois, Richards and Brown, Indian traders and
town-lot speculators.
Nathan Brown 'yet lives on the same claim, and near the site of
the cabins he built there in 1849. He has a large farm in that
vicinity, and is now the oldest resident in the county or in southern
Minnesota, having occupied the same locality about thirty-four
years.
Mr. Brown and Mr. Bunnell came here about the same time. In
conversation relative to early days Mr. Brown said : ' ' The first
time I ever saw Bunnell was in the spring of 1849. I was going
down the river, footing it on the ice, on my way from St. Anthony
to Prairie du Chine. Finding the traveling unsafe, I left the river
at Holmes', now Fountain Gty, and took the trail along the bluffs.
I got wet crossing the Trempealeau river, and as it was then, dark I
camped. In the morning, after going a short distance, I came to a
cabin which I found occupied by Bunnell's family. He had been
living there during the winter."
Aside from the trading stations already mentioned, there were
no other settlements made or commenced in this vicinity until after
the treaty with the Sioux in 1851, when the first settlement was
made on Wabasha prairie.
This prairie had but little to recommend it to the attention of
either the town-site hunter or settlers seeking choice locations for
farms and homes in the new coi^ntry which the Sioux were soon to
relinquish to the whites. It was a sandy plain, apparently level as
viewed from the river, and scantily covered with a stunted growth
of wild grass. A few trees and bushes fringed the immediate bank
of the river, while but a single tree stood on any other part of the
prairie on which the city of Winona now stands. A striking con-
trast with its present appearance — covered as it now is with such
vast numbers of lofty and beautiful shade-trees, giving it a resem-
blance to a forest, with varied thickets of undergrowth through
which broad avenues and partial clearings had been made. The
one lone tree was in the lower part of the city. It stood in the
valley, between Third and Fourth streets, in front of where the
Washington school building now stands.
10
162 HISTORY OF WESrONA COUNTY.
In the time of high water, when the Mississippi seemed to dis-
regard boundaries, this prairie was but an island, apparently so low
and level that it was but little above the water which lapped onto its
banks. A rushing torrent then flowed through the slough above,
where now the embankments of the railroads form a dam. In the
rear a broad current of water, three fourths of a mile wide, separated
it from the mainland,
Bunnell, the trader, living three or four miles below, had learned
througli the traditions of the Indians from the Sioux, with whom he
was intimate and had familiar acquaintance, that the whole of
Wabasha prairie had been entirely submerged during some of the
most extreme floods of the river.
No story was more current during the earlier days of the settle-
ment of this locality, or told with more apparent candor and truth-
hdness, than that about the general overflow of high-water on this
prairie. From the traditionary evidence first cited, it soon reached
the stage where positive proof could be readily made. Many of
the old experienced river men claimed, and positively asserted, that
they had passed over the highest part of the prairie on rafts and
with boats. Not to be behind in experience, steamboat men stated
that they, too, had found there sufficient depth of water for any boat.
The story that steamboats had passed over may possibly have
started from the fact that during the high water of 1849 a small
steamboat did get aground on the lower part of the prairie. The
pilot of the Lynx mistook the channel one dark, stormy night, and
ran his craft out on the low land, just below where the house of Mrs.
Keyes now stands. To return the boat to the river it was necessary
to take everything out of her, even her boilers and the brickwork
of the arches in which they were set.
It was said that during the high water of 1852 it was not uncom-
mon to hear the raftsmen hail the residents of the prairie with,
"You'd better get out o' there or you'l get drowned out. I've seen
that prairie all under water." A raftsman was considered a green
one if in his experience he had never seen Wabasha prairie covered
with water.
Strangers — passengers on the steamboats — were commonly enter-
tained as they approached the prairie with the stereotyped remark,
"It looks like a nice place to build a town, but it overflows," The
persistent repetition of such remarks was as annoying to the settlers
as it was irritating to the proprietors of the embryo city plotted there.
EARLY LAND TITLES. 163
The proprietor of a rival town site was holding forth on this
subject to a crowd of passengers, as the steamboat approached the
prairie from below, saying, "It is true it does look like a nice place
to build a town, but, gentlemen, I have passed ovei- the highest
land on Wabasha prairie in a boat." He was here interrupted by
a passenger, a resident of the prairie, the dignified and gentlemanly
appearing Rev. H. S. Hamilton, who removed his hat as he stepped
forward and gravely said : ' ' Excuse me, sir, but can it be possible
that your name is Noah ? There is no record that any one has
passed over that prairie since the days of that ancient navigator of
the deep." The town-site blower was forced to retreat from the
laughter of the amused crowd of passengers.
To Capt. Or in Smith belongs the credit of selecting Wabasha
prairie as a location for a town site. He was the founder of the city
of Winona. At that time he was a citizen of Galena, Illinois, and
the captain of the steamboat Nominee, running between Galena
and St. Paul. He had seen western towns spring up like magic,
enriching the lucky proprietors. Land speculations and town-site
operations were the most common topics of conversation among his
passengers. From a desire to engage in some profitable speculation,
should opportunity oli'er, he watched for a chance to secure a town
site on the river. His observations convinced him that eventually,
when the Indian title should become extinct on the west side of the
river in the Territory of Minnesota, an important point must spring-
up, and he early comprehended that Wabasha prairie possessed the
most favorable and decided advantages for the rapid growth of a
large commercial town when the country should become settled.
The treaty with the Sioux in 1851 presented an opportunity
which Capt. Smith at once took advantage of, although the treaty
had not been ratified and the Indians were still occupying the
country. He was familiar with the river, and was aware that there
were but two locations suitable for steamboat landings on Wabasha
prairie. One, the present levee — the other about a mile below.
Capt. Smith was aware, from his own personal knowledge (he had
navigated the upper Mississippi many years), that Wabasha prairie
was not subject to an entire overflow, neither had it been submerged
within the traditional recollections of the "oldest inhabitants"
among the whites ; yet he was to a certain extent influenced by the
Indian traditions, by Bunnell's opinion and by the opinions of some
of the old river men of his acquaintance in his first choice of location.
164 HISTORY OF WESrONA COTITSTTY.
He selected the lower landing for his town site because the banks
were higher, the shore bolder, with a good depth of water at all
seasons of navigation. He was also aware that the upper landing
was subject to overflow, although available and satisfactory at other
times. He therefore decided to secure and control both landings.
In accordance with this plan he made his arrangements to take
possession, and selected as his agent in this transaction Erwin H.
Johnson, the carpenter on his steamboat, the old Nominee. He
made a written agreement with Johnson to hold the two claims he
had selected, for which Johnson was to have an undivided half of
both claims. Capt. Smith also agreed to pay Johnson twenty-
five dollars per month and furnish all necessarj^ subsistence. John-
son was to engage in banking steamboat wood, which Captain
Smith proposed to have cut on the islands opposite during the
winter.
Capt. Smith landed Erwin H. Johnson from the Nominee at
the lower landing on Wabasha prairie at about ten o'clock at night,
on the 15th of October, 1851. He also left with him two men, em-
ployed as wood-choppers. One of these men was Caleb Nash. The
name of the other is unknown ; he left on the return of the Nomi-
nee down the river.
Johnson was furnished by Capt. Smith with a small quantity of
lumber for a shanty, a yoke of oxen and abundant supplies of pro-
visions and blankets. These, with Johnson's tool-chest, a few neces-
sary tools, a bucket or two, an iron pot, a bake-kettle, an iron spider
and a few dishes, comprised the entire outfit.
They camped for that night on the beach where they landed,
and slept under a few boards which they laid against the bank above.
The next day they built a small cabin on the same locality where
they had passed the night. This structure was about 10x12, with
a shed roof sloping toward the bank. The back end of this cabin
was the bank against which it was built. A fireplace was formed in
one corner, a hole above in the lower part of the roof afforded exit
for tlie smoke. The material used for this fireplace was the brick
thrown from the Lynx when aground about half a mile below in
1849.
This shanty, as it was called, was the first "claim shanty" put
up on Wabasha prairie. It stood on the beach, below the high bank
of the river, nearly in front of where the planing-mill of the Winona
Lumber Company now stands. Johnson built a stable for the oxen
EARLY LAND TITLES. 165
on the bank ten or fifteen rods back fi'oni the river. This was made
of poles and covered witli coarse grass from the bottoms. In the
absence of any other means of conveyance a crotch of a tree was
used as a sled to transport such things as the oxen were required to
haul. Johnson afterward built a rough sled for his use in banking
wood on the i^and during the winter.
Not long after Johnson's arrival on Wabasha prairie another town-
site speculator made his appearance in this locality. On the 12th of
November, 1851, Silas Stevens, a lumber dealer in La Crosse, landed
from the Excelsior at the upper landing, about where the L. C.
Porter flouring-mill now stands. With him came Geo. W. Clark,
a young man in his employ, and Edwin Hamilton, a y<:)ung man
from Ohio, looking for a chance to speculate in claims, who had
been induced to come up from La Crosse, where he had been 8to]>-
ping for a short time.
Mr. Stevens brought with him lumber for a shanty, a cooking
stove, and a liberal supply of provisions, blankets, etc. It was about
eleven o'clock at night when this party left the steamer Excelsior.
Mr. Stevens was aware that Capt. Smith had made a claim here
and placed a man on it to hold possession, and the party at once
made search for his cabin. The night was intensely dark, and they
were compelled to hunt for some time before they found Johnson.
His locality was unknown to either of them. Mr. Stevens had a few
days before been up the river as far as Bunnell's landing, and from
the bluff above had seen some men and a yoke of oxen on the lower
end of the prairie, but no cabin was in sight.
Fortunately, by following down the bank of the river, they dis-
covered the shanty and were furnished by Johnson with the best
accommodation the cabin afforded, — a bed of hay on the floor
where all slept together, covered with blankets. Johnson had not
then completed his shanty. He afterward improved the interior by
putting up a shelf or two to hold his supplies and dishes, and two
double berths, one over the other in one corner. These were made
of poles, his supply of lumber was insufficient. For comfort these
berths were filled with dry prairie-grass, covered with blankets.
This party took breakfast with Johnson before beginning the
business of the day. Up to this time the question of boundaries to
their claims had not been considered either by Capt. Smith or John-
son. Capt. Smith had simply proposed to claim the two landings,
with at least 160 acres of prairie in each claim, and as much more as
166 HISTORY OF- WINONA COUNTY.
they could control. It now became necessary to have their bounda-
ries more accurately defined.
Mr. Stevens had come up for the express purpose of securing one
of the landings, not being aware that Capt. Smith proposed to hold
them both through Johnson, who he supposed was only an employe,
without an individual interest in, the matter. Mr. Stevens expected
to take possvcssion of and hold the upper landing through an employe
of his own, Mr. Clark, who had come for that purpose. He was
somewhat surprised to find that Johnson had already laid claim to
it, with the approval of Capt. Smith, but no improvements had been
made. Not being of an aggressive nature, Mr. Stevens hesitated to
take advantage of this and take possession without Johnson's con-
sent, which he could not obtain.
After a general consultation, in which the whole party partici-
pated, it was finally agreed that the land along the river should be
divided into "claims" of half a mile square, and that Johnson
should have the first choice of two of the claims, one for Capt.
Smith and the other for himself.
Accordingly, on the morning of November 13, 1851, the
first claim-stakes were driven on Wabasha prairie, and the first
defined claims made within what are now the boundaries of Winona
county. The stake agreed upon as the starting-point was driven on
the bank of the river below the present residence of Mrs. Keyes.
From this stake a half-mile was measured off with a tape-line up the
river, where another stake was driven. This half-mile was chosen
by Johnson for Capt. Smith and was called "Claim No. 1." The
next half-mile measured off up the river bank was called "Claim
No. 2." This was at once chosen and claimed by both Stevens and
Nash.
Mr. Stevens expected that claim No. 2 would be awarded to
him. He had been influenced by the recommendations and per-
suasions of Capt. Smith to come up and select a claim to hold
possession, and he now supposed that after Smi& and Johnson he
was entitled to the next choice ; but he was again disappointed, and
again gave way to Johnson's decision in the matter. Nash, sup-
ported by and under the instructions of Johnson, claimed it by
seniority as a settler. He had been a resident on the prairie about
three weeks, and claimed the land by his rights of first discovery.
The next half-mile, claim No. 3, was assigned to Mr. Stevens.
It could hardly be called his choice. Claim No. 4 was awarded to
KARhY LAND TITLES. 167
Jolmson as per agreement. The next half-mile, claim No. 5, was
selected by Edwin Hamilton, who claimed precedent. He had seen
the prairie some weeks before from the deck of a steamboat while
on a trip up the river with Mr. Stevens. No farther measurements
were made at this time, but the next half-mile was duly awarded to
George W. Clark, the junior settler and the last of the party. No
one disputed his rights to claim No. 6.
These claims, made as described, were afterward designated by
the numbers then given and by the names of the persons to whom
they were awarded by this party until after the government survey
of the public lands in this part of the territory. The township lines
were surveyed in 1853, but the subdivisions were not completed
until 1855. '
The following copy of a lease is presented as documentary evi-
dence to show that these claims were generally known by the num-
bers given, and also as a relic of early days in this locality.
" Wabasiiaw, July 8th, 1852.
" Whereas I have this day moved into the shanty on Claim No. o, called
Hamilton's claim, on Wabashaw prairie, Minnesota territory ; therefore I here-
by ao:ree with John L. Balcombe, Edwin Hanulton and Mark Howard, the
owners of said claim, that in consideration of the use of said shanty, I will, to
the utmost of my ability, prevent all other persons from occupying or injuring
said claim, and that I will vacate said shanty and surrender the possession
thereof, together with the whole claim, to said owners whenever requested to
do so by them or either of them. 0. S. Holbrook.
" Witness: Walter Brown,
" George G. Barber."
The original paper, of which this is a copy, is in the hands of
Mrs. Calista Balcombe, the widow of Dr. John L. Balcombe, now
living in the city of Winona. The shanty spoken of stood about
where the present residence of Hon. H. W. Lamberton now stands,
on the corner of Fourth and Huff streets. This shanty was never
destroyed ; the body of it is still preserved. When the Hamilton
claim became the property of Henry D, Huff, the shanty was moved
from its original site and attached to the cottage in which Mr. Huft
lived for several years, and which is now the residence of Mr. Lafay-
ette Stout, No. 52 West Fourth street.
On the same day that these claims were measured off and located,
Mr. Stevens, with the assistance of Clark and Hamilton, built a
shanty on claim No. .3. This shanty stood a little east of Market
street, between First and Second streets. To move his lumber and
168 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
supplies to the place selected the services of Johnson's ox-team and
crotch-sled were obtained.
Mr. Stevens went back to La Crosse the same evening on a boat
which chanced to come down. Mr. Clark remained to hold posses-
sion of the claim for him. Clark was to receive eighteen dollars per
month and all necessary supplies furnished. He was to occupy
his time in cutting steamboat-wood on the island convenient for
banking. Hamilton remained and lived with Clark in the Stevens
shanty. He al-so chopped tor Mr. Stevens. Xo one ever accused
Mr. Stevens of having made a big speculation on steamboat-wood
cut on government land that winter.
The last boat down in 1851 was the Nominee. About November
21 Capt. Smith passed Wabasha prairie without landing.
Mr. G. W. Clark says that on December 4 he with Johnson went
down the river in a canoe to La Crosse. The weather was pleasant
but cool. This was their first trip from home. After having accom-
plished the objects of their visit, they started back on the fifth and
arrived at Wabasha prairie on the sixth. The river closed a day or
two after.
While on this trip to La Crosse Johnson hired two men, Allen
Gilmore and George Wallace, to co'me to Wabasha prairie with him
and work for Capt. Smith cutting wood. To accommodate these
men Johnson secured another canoe, in which he took one of the
men while Clark with the other managed their own, the one in which
they went down. The weather had become very cold, with the
wind strong from the west. Soon after they started it increased to
a fierce gale. The spray from the waves as they struck against the
bows oi the canoes soon covered everything about them with ice and
chilled them through. Being unable to manage their canoes against
such a strong head-wind they landed, and towed tliem along the
shore until they arrived at Nathan Brown's trading-station, which
they reached about dark, almost frozen. Mr. Brown was absent,
but finding the door of his cabin unfastened the party took possession
and soon started a hot fire in the stove with the abundance of dry
wood provided. Finding a plentiful supply of provisions they made
themselves comfortable for the night, and the next day safely
reached the prairie. This was December 6, the date of the arrival
of Allen Gilmore and George Wallace at what is now the city of
Winona.
Brown's was then the only stopping-place below Bunnell's, and
EARLY LAND TITLES. 169
it was often made a haven of rest to the weary traveler. Mr. Brown
usually lived alone and he enjoyed these forced visits to his cabin,
more for the company they aiForded than for the profit of it. He
seldom made any charge for his accommodations.
Bunnell's was a favorite stopping-place. It was the only place
on the west side of the river where travelers could be comfortably
accommodated with sheets on their beds and clean table-cloths.. It
was the only place on the west side of this river in the part of the
territory where a white woman lived. Mrs. Bunnell was a good
cook, and her guests usually appreciated her efforts to make them
comfortable.
In connection with his business as a trader, Bunnell employed quite
a number of men, cutting steamboat-wood and in cutting oak-timber
for rafting. The following were living on the west side of the river
during the winter of 1851-2, or afterward made it their residence :
Harry Herrick, Leonard Johnson, Hirk Carroll, Henry J. Harring-
ton and a man by the name of Myers, who came after January 1,
1852. They boarded at Bunnell's.
Two young men, Jabez McDermott and Josiah Keene, were
in his employ until after the holidays, and "kept bach" in a small
cabin on the banks of the river a little below Bunnell's.
Peter Gorr, with his wife and three children, and Augustus
Pentler and his wife, lived together in a cabin on an island opposite
Bunnell's landing. Gorr and Pentler worked for Bunnell until in
February.
Soon after the river was frozen over, or as soon as it was safe to
travel on the ice, Israel M. Noracong and William G. McSpadden
came up from La Crosse. They brought with them two yoke of
oxen and a large sleigh-load of lumber and supplies, which they
took up Wabasha prairie to the mouth of the Kollingstone valley.
They put up a shanty a little north from where Elsworth's flouring
mill now stands, in Minnesota city. These men were engaged
during the winter in cutting black-walnut logs. Black-walnut
timber then grew plentifully along that stream.
About the same time John Farrell came up from La Crosse,
bringing with him ox-teams and supplies and quite a number of men.
He established a logging camp on the Wisconsin side of the river.
His cabin and stables were at the foot of the bluff, about where the
wagon-road across the bottoms strikes the mainland. He had
selected his location and cut a quantity of hay early in the fall.
170 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY. '
Some of the most valuable oak timber on the islands opposite
the city of Winona was cut down during that winter by Farrell's
gang of choppers. Many of the logs were never removed from
the places where they were cut.
To aid in floating the heavy oak logs when they were rafted in
the spring, almost an equal quantity of the finest ash-timber was also
slaughtered and taken away.
The total number of white inhabitants living within the bound-
aries of what is now Winona county at the close of the year 1849
was six — W. B. Bunnell, wife and three children, at Bunnell's
landing, and Nathan Brown.
The total white population at the end of 1850 was seven. This
increase of one over the preceding year was from natural cause — ^by
the addition of another child to Bunnell's family. During the
winter of 1850-1 Bunnell and Brown had a few transient wood-
choppers in their employ, who lived on the islands.
The total white population December 31, 1851, was twenty-one,
all of whom, if the family of Bunnell is excepted, were engaged in
the same occupation, cutting timber on public lands. It was then
a common practice for people who chose to do so to appropriate the
timber on lands belonging to the United States for individual use
and for purposes of speculation. Such operations were not con-
sidered dishonorable. The choicest pine, oak, black-walnut, ash
and maple timber was cut on public lands, rafted down the Missis-
sippi and sold by men respected for their business enterprise and
honorable dealings with their fellow-men as individuals. It will be
safe to say that fifty per cent of the timber on the islands in the
Mississippi was cut for steamboat wood and other purposes while
the title to lands was in the United States.
Among the enjoyments of holidays observed by the bachelor
settlers on Wabasha prairie was the Christmas dinner given by Clark
and Hamilton December 25, 1851. Hamilton was chief cook, and
made an extra efibrt for special dishes on this occasion.
Mr. Clark says that in addition to the best of their common fare,
good wheat-bread, hot corn-bread, ham, good butter, syrup and
strong coffee, Hamilton got up a most delicious squiri-el pot-pie, and
for dessert a splendid pheasant-pie. Neither vegetables nor fruit
were on this bill of fare. They had already learned to dispense
with such delicacies.
To this feast Johnson, Nash, Gilmore and Wallace were invited.
THE PIONEERS. 171
All without a single apology promptly responded to the alarm for
help from the Stevens shanty.
This was the first special assemblage of the settlers on Wabasha
prairie for social enjoyment. No rivalries or claim jealousies existed
among them at that time. With this little party on the outskirts of
civilization genuine friendship in the rough was the prevailing feel-
ing exhibited, uninterrupted by the hilarities which accompanied.
As " a closing ceremony at this first reunion of the settlers on the
prairie, Hamilton gave as the parting toast, ' ' May the six bachelors
here assembled be long remembered by each other." This was
responded to by a shake all around as they separated.
The success of the Christmas dinner-party induced Johnson to
return the "compliments of the season," and extend a general in-
vitation to all to assemble around his hoai'd on New Year's day.
This was marked as another of the really enjoyable days of that
winter to the lonely bachelors of the prairie. The crowning dish
on this occasion, the one most vivid in the recollection of Mr. Clark,
was an unlimited supply of wild honey, which Johnson had secured
from a bee-tree on the island.
CHAPTEK XVITI.
THE PIONEERS.
Quite a number of persons came up from La Crosse on the ice
about the first of January, 1852, to see the country and select claims
on Wabasha prairie. As everybody stopped at Bunnell's, he, too,
became infected with the prevailing epidemic of claim-making from his
guests. Although he had no confidence in the success of Capt. Smith's
undertaking to build up a commercial port on "that sand-bar in the
Mississipj)i," Bunnell had the shrewdness to surmise that there
might be a chance for speculation in the attempt, provided he could
sell out before it should be again flooded with water. He at once
concluded to take a chance in the venture, and decided that he, too,
would have a claim on Wabasha prairie.
At that time Capt. Smith's claim on the lower landing, claim
No. 1, was considered the most valuable and the most desirable as a
.172 HISTORY OF WESrONA COUNTY.
town site. No. 4 was estimated as the next in value. Nos. 2, 3, 5
and 6 were valued in the order named. ^
Having determined on making a claim Bunnell went up to the
prairie and looked the ground over. He found that the most de-
sirable locations had already been taken. Notwithstanding this he
fixed upon one of the unoccupied claims, and selected claim No. 4
for his purpose. This claim he considered really the most valuable.
To get possession Bunnell stated to Johnson that he had been
looking for a claim, and had found one that suited him just above
the Stevens claim that was not occupied, and he intended to take
possession of it. Johnson replied by telling him that he could not
have it ; that he had already made a claim there and should hold
it. Bunnell inquired how many claims he expected to hold ; that
he was already holding two at the lower end of the prairie. This
Johnson denied, and explained to him that the one he was living
on was Capt. Smith's and that the other belonged to Nash.
Bunnell then tried to convince Johnson that it would be to tlie
advantage of all who had claims there to give him an interest on the
prairie, for the Sioux were then talking of driving the whites away
until the treaty was ratified ; that with his influence over them he
would be able to prevent trouble. Johnson replied that he would
not give up that claim to any man, that he was not afraid of trouble
with the Indians, that he should hold both claims as long as he
staid there. Finding that Johnson could not be influenced by argu-
ment, he left with the threat that he would have it, even if he had
to help the Indians drive them all off" from the prairie.
Not long afterward Bunnell drove up to the prairie again and
brought with him on his train two fine-looking young Sioux braves
in their holiday attire. He saw Johnson and told him the Sioux
were getting to be more dissatisfied with the settlers for coming on
their lands without their permission ; that there would soon be a
disturbance unless something was done to keep them quiet ; that he
should not try to control them unless he could have that claim ; if
the settlers got into trouble they would have to go to some one else
for help.
Although no serious difficult}- was anticipated, the alarm was
given as soon as Bunnell came on the prairie with the Sioux and the
"boys" who were on the island chopping came hoTtie in a hurry.
After explaining matters to the others, Bunnell told Johnson he had
come up on purpose to have a talk with him about that claim, and
THE PIONEERS. 173
asked him what he was going to do about it. "Nothing," was John-
son's reply, and remarked that he did not believe such good-natured
looking fellows as Bunnell had on his sleigh would do any harm if
they were well treated.
Bunnell had taken a dram or two and was excitable. He lost
his temper, talked loud and made a great many violent gestures.
The Sioux sat quietly in their places on the train and indulged
themselves with their pipes and some of Bunnell's tobacco. They
were impassive and apparently indifferent spectators of the pro-
ceedings.
Johnson, believing that this was a ruse of Bunnell's to try and
frighten them, told him that he "did not scare easy and could not
be bluffed with a little noise." Bunnell was annoyed that his dra-
matic display was a failure, and as he got on his sleigh answered :
" You will have to take care of yourself if the Indians get after you;
I shall not interfere again." Johnson laughed and gave some
derisive reply, telling him "not to bother himself about the affairs
of others until he was asked."
The next trip Bunnell made to Wabasha prairie he brought with
him two men, Harrington and Myers, and built a small log shanty
or pen on Johnson's claim at the upper landing. The logs used in
the construction of this claim shanty were once a part of Indian
farmer Reed's old store cabin, the ruins of which furnished material
sufficient for the body of the crib. It was covered with broad strips
of elm bark brought from the Indian tepees in the mouth of Burns'
valley.
In this little pen, not more than six feet square and not high
enough for a man to stand up in, Bunnell left Myei'S to hold the
fort and guard the claim, which he had now taken possession of in
a formal manner. Bunnell furnished Myers with supplies and
brought up some lumber and put up the framework of a board
shanty, but did not complete it for want of material to cover it.
Myers remained in quiet possession of the claim for about a week,
when, considering everything safe, as he had not been disturbed or
observed any hostile movements, the settlers on the prairie being
absent on the island, he ventured down to Bunnell's for a little
recreation and relief from his lonely and uncomfortable confine-
ment.
Although no demonstrations had been niade, Johnson had
watched these proceedings and closely observed all of the movements
174 HISTORY OF WENONA COUNTY.
of Mjers. It was a gratification to see the man with his gun leave
the prairie. He at once took advantage of the absence of the occu-
pant of the cabin and demolished the improvements. He leveled
the structure with the ground, and then deliberately cut the old logs
and the lumber into firewood.
Bunnell was enraged when he found that Johnson had destroyed
his shanty, and threatened to whip him the next time he saw him.
Myers did not return to Wabasha prairie. He was dismissed by
Bunnell for neglect of duty and left the country.
Bunnell sent messages to Johnson warning him to leave the
prairie, or the next time he came up he would whip him like a dog.
Johnson sent back answers that he was prepared to defend himself
and his claims ; that if Bunnell came on the prairie again it would
be at his peril.
Neither of these men were cowards, and serious trouble was
anticipated. They were small men — hardly of medium size, John-
son a little larger and heavier of the two and of coarser make-up.
Bunnell was firmer built and active in his movements, a dangerous
antagonist lor a much larger man in any kind of a fight.
Satisfied that "talk" wo^ld not win the claim and irritated by
Johnson's successful opposition, Bunnell, in company with Harring-
ton, drove up to the prairie one evening for the purpose of assault-
ing Johnson if a favorable opportunity offered. Both had stimulated
to a fighting degree and were primed for the purpose.
Going first to the Stevens shanty, Bunnell there found Clark
and Nash, who had called on a social visit. He inquired for
Hamilton and learned that he was at Johnson's. Gilmore and
Wallace were on the other side of the river at Farrell's. After a
short visit they left without betraying the object of their evening
visit on so dark a night.
They went directly down to Johnson's shanty. Bunnell knocked
at the door. On being told to ' ' come in " he entered, saying, as he
rushed toward Johnson, who with Hamilton was sitting by the fire,
"Get out of this if you want to live." Johnson sprang for his
revolver, which was in his berth, but the attack was too sudden ; he
had no opportunity to use it before he was knocked down and dis-
armed.
Hamilton bolted from the shanty at the first clash of the combat
and ran for help. He arrived almost breathless at the other shanty,
a mile away, and gave the alarm by excitedly exclaiming, ' ' Bun-
THE PIONEERS. 175
nell is killing Johnson ; come down quick as you can." Clark and
Nash at once started back with Hamilton on a run for the scene of
conflict. When about half way they were met by Johnson, who,
although apparently injured, returned with them. They found that
the shanty had been demolished, but the assailants had disap-
peared.
Johnson was taken up to Clark's shant}', where he was provided
for and carefully attended. He was found to have been badly
bruised about the head, chest and arms. His face and hands were
badly swollen and covered with blood, but no bones were broken.
It afterward proved that no serious injuries had been received.
Johnson had been terribly beaten by Bunnell and was compelled to
lay up for repairs.
When the battle-ground was visited in the morning the full
extent of damages to the "pioneer claim shanty" was revealed.
The first evidence of actual settlement on Wabasha prairie had been
destroyed. The pile of brick and stone which formed the fireplace,
with some broken dishes, marked the locality where the little cabin
once stood. It had been turned over and with its contents thrown
on the ice of the river.
Johnson's supplies and other traps were secured and carried up
on the bank, where they were sheltered with the lumber from the
shanty. The stable and cattle had not been disturbed. Johnson
and Nash lived with Clark until their shant}^ was reconstructed.
Johnson's revolver and double-barreled gun were carried off by
Bunnell as trophies of his victory.
Soon after this affray, Peter Gorr and Augustus Pentler came
over from the island to visit the settlers on the prairie. Mr. Gorr
had his rifle with him, which he was induced to leave with Johnson
after hearing the incidents of his quarrel. Johnson then sent word
to Bunnell that he would shoot him on sight if he ever made his
appearance on the prairie again.
Bunnell had no design to interfere with the occupancy of the
claim at the lower landing. His attack on Johnson and destruction
of the shanty was for retaliation and to intimidate him. He became
satisfied that he would not be able to hold the claim at the upper
landing without some serious fighting, and, having no desire to kill
Johnson or be killed himself in the attempt, he decided to abandon
his claim speculation on Wabasha prairie and turn his attention to
what he thought was something better nearer home. The scheme
176 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
of building up a town along the bluffs above the present village of
Homer was started about this time, in which Bunnell was for awhile
interested. Bunnell returned to Johnson the revolver and gun he
had taken from him, peace was negotiated, and the "little differ-
ence " that had existed between the parties "dropped" without
further action. Bunnell, however, became more emphatic in main-
taining and more free in expressing his opinions of ' ' that sand bar up
there," and more zealously advocated his theory that the "main
land " was the only place for a permanent settlement.
This was the first attempt at " claim jumping" ever made in the
settlement of this county. It was afterward a common occurrence.
M. Wheeler Sargeant, an early settler, once gave a very appro-
priate definition of a claim in an address before the Winona Lyceum
in 1858. He said: "A claim is a fighting interest in land, osten-
sibly based upon priority of possession and sustained by force."
Many of the old settlers will readily recognize the pertinency of this
description. The law of might, as well as the law of right, was often
the means by which possession of claims were retained.
Soon after this first claim quarrel, a claim association or club was
was formed for the mutual protection of settlers in holding possession
of their claims. The first meeting was called to meet at Bunnell's
about March 1. The prime movers in the matter were some resi-
dents of La Crosse who had recently selected claims on the west side
of the Mississippi. They came up prepared to complete the busi-
ness and the organization was created at this meeting. It was called
the Wabashaw Protection Club. The important matters of consti-
tution and by-laws were duly discussed and gravely adopted, and
officers elected with customary formality. The settlers from Wa-
basha prairie attended the meeting, but were in the minority and
failed to secure any of the offices. The officials were residents of
La Crosse. Mr. George W. Clark was a member of the club and
was present at that meeting. He says from the best of his recol-
lection the president was George G. Barber, the secretary, William
B. Gere.
The Wabasha Protection Club was the first regular organization
of any kind among the settlers ever formed in the county.
It was not entirely a fable coined by Bunnell when he repre-
sented to Johnson that the Sioux were dissatisfied with the manner
in which the settlers were taking possession of tlieir lands before the
treaty was ratified. Wliether Bunnell was aware of the fact or not
ABRAM HARKINS,
THE PIONEERS. l79
is not now positively known ; but it is very probable that he knew
the Indians designed to demand a bonus from the settlers for the
privilege of remaining undisturbed. It was supposed that the treaty
would be ratified during that winter, but it was not fully confirmed
by government until the next year.
During the winter some officious personages had given the
Indians begging letters addressed to the settlers recommending that
contributions be given to the Sioux of Wabasha's band to keep them
quiet and peaceable until the ratification of the treaty. That the
Indians were needy, and to prevent dissatisfaction the settlers were
advised to contribute to their wants, and suggested that a barrel of
flour, or its equivalent in money, be given for every cabin built on
their lands.
Some of Wabasha's band came over from the other side of the
river where they were camped and presented tlieir written docu-
ment. To avoid any difficulties or annoyance from them, Johnson
agreed to give them the flour, but told them they must wait until
the Nominee came up in the spring. To this tliey consented and
went off apparently satisfied with the arrangement. Johnson sup-
posed this was one of Bunnell's tricks to alarm them and that was
the finale of it ; but in the spring the Indians returned and demanded
the flour. This "shanty tax" assessed by the Sioux was paid by
a few of the earliest settlers.
The Sioux and Winnebago Indians visited the settlers on Wa-
basha prairie frequently during the winter and were at all times
friendly. There was not a single instance where it was known that
they disturbed a settler or his property, not even in the absence of
the ovmer.
Johnson rebuilt the shanty on Capt. Smith's claim, but put it on
the bank a little way back from the river and a few rods below
where it first stood. This was an improvement on the first struc-
ture. It was about 8 X 12. .The fireplace so much valued by
Johnson in his first cabin was omitted in its reconstruction. John-
son induced Augustus Pentler with his wife to occupy this shanty.
He boarded with them and made it his home until he built a shanty
on his claim at the upper landing. Mr. Pentler lived in this place
three or four months and then made a claim on the river below
Bunnell's along the blufls, where he lived for several years. He is
now living in the western part of the state.
Mrs. Pentler was the first white woman among the early settlers
11
180 HISTORY OF WmONA COimTY.
to make Wabasha prairie her place of residence — the first white
woman that settled in what is now the city of Winona.
About March 1, Silas Stevens and his son, William H. Stevens,
came up from La Crosse on the ice. They brought with them a
pair of horses, wagon and sleigh. This was the first span of horses
brought into the county by a settler. There had been no demand
or use for horse-teams. In banking wood and hauling logs ox-teams
were the most useful and economical. Bunnell kept a saddle-horse,
which in winter he drove harnessed to a kind of sleigh called a
train, a kind of conveyance peculiarly adapted to travel over un-
broken trails drifted with snow.
On the arrival of Silas Stevens Mr. Clark delivered up to him
his claim and gave possession of the shanty and other property en-
tmsted to his care. About this time, or not long afterward, Mr.
^ash put up a small log cabin on claim ISTo. 2. Clark and Gilmore
occupied this with Nash as their headquarters until they built shan-
ties on their own claims. Tliis shanty stood about two blocks back
from the river on what is now High Forest street. It was about
10 X 12, built of small logs and covered with bark. The bark for
the roof and the lumber used in its construction was taken from the
old Indian huts or tepees, which were standing on the prairie about
a mile above the upper landing.
CHAPTEK XIX.
FIRST IMPROVEMENTS.
DuEiNG the latter part of the winter and early in the spring of
1852 quite a number of claims were selected, and on some improve-
ments commenced. These "betterments" were simply a few logs
thrown together, forrning a sort of pen and designed to represent
the nucleus of a future residence. When the Indians assessed the
settlers they did not consider these improvements sufficient to justify
the levying of a tax, notwithstanding the importance attached to
them as evidence that the land was claimed and settled upon.
The claim made by George W. dark in the fall previous was
staked off and possession indicated by a few logs. The half mile west
FIRST IMPROVEMENTS. 181
of it was taken by Jabez McDermott and the next by Josiah Keen.
These two young men had been living at Bunnell's Landing, but
about the time they made their claims they went up to the Eolling
Stone, where they engaged in getting out black walnut logs witli
Noracong and McS])adden.
Clark also selected a location across the slough, which he held in
the name of his brother, Scott Clark, then living in New York.
Tills claim is now the farm on which George W. Clark resides.
Allen Gilmore made his claim next west of the one selected for
Scott Clark. He built a log cabin in the grove west from where the
Clark school-house now stands. It was from Allen Gilmore, and
because of his living nearest, that Gilmore valley was given its pres-
ent name. Mr. Gilmore occupied this locality until his death, which
occurred March 29, 1854. It was purchased from the administrator
of the estate, Dr. John L. Balcombe, by Orin Clark, a brother of
G. W. Clark, who came into the county that spring. Mr. Clark
occupied it for many years. He now lives in the city of Winona,
but still retains possession of the grove. The other portion of the
claim is owned and occupied by Mr. Celestial Peterman.
George Wallace made choice of a location back of the lake,
where John Zenk now lives. It also included what is now Wood-
lawn cemetery.
Peter Gorr made a claim on the river just above Bunnell's. He
here built a small log cabin, which he occupied with his wife and
three children.
In narrating some incidents of early days, Mr. Gorr says that
during the winter of 1850-51 Augustus Pentler worked for Bunnell
by the month chopping on the islands. In the spring he returned
to Illinois, where his wife was then living. During the summer
Pentler and Gorr caftie uf) the river together and stopped off at La
Crosse, where they remained for a few days, but not finding employ-
ment, they crossed the Mississippi and came up the river on foot
over the trail along the bluffs. At Brown's they stopped to rest and
get something to eat. Mr. Brown furnished them a luncheon, but,
learning that they were going up to Bunnell's for work, he declined
to receive pay for the refreshments provided.
In speaking of Mr. Brown he very emphatically remarked : ''I
have known Nathan Brown a great many years. He was the
whitest white mam. among all the old settlers in this county. He
always had the courage to do right and never wronged any man
182 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
willfully that I ever beard. He feared no man, but be treated
everybodj with decency and gentlemanly. Tbat was tbe reason
wby be was respected by everybody. Even tbe ' cussed ' Indians
respected bim arid bad confidence in bis integrit3\ Strangers as
well as acquaintances were always welcome to bis' bospitalities. No
one ever left Brown's suffering from bunger if be made bis wants
known."
Gorr and Pentler worked by tbe montb for Bunnell during tbat
season. In tbe fall tbey built a comfortable log cabin on tbe island
opposite Bunnell's and brougbt tbeir families from Elinois, witb tbe
design of settling on tbe Sioux lands in tlie spring. Tbey moved
across tbe river about tbe last of February, 1852, and made tbeir
first settlement in tbis county.
About tbe time of tbe quarrel between Bunnell and Jobnson,
some difficulties occurred from business transactions between Bun-
nell and Gorr. Tbese cboppers took sides witb Jobnson against
tbeir employer. Jobnson went down witb bis oxen and sled and
moved tbem off from tbe island and drew tbe logs for tbe sbanty.
Mr. Gorr selected tbis location as a temporary stopping-place
for bis family to live until be found a more suitable place for a per-
manent bome. Bunnell objected to bis occupying it. Anticipating
trouble about tbe matter, Jobnson and tbe settlers on Wabasba
prairie went down and belped put up tbe cabin. Bunnell met tbem
and strongly protested against tbeir building a sbanty on bis claim.
Gorr started toward bim in a tbreatening manner and told bim to
"dry up and go bome." Bunnell, being alone, considered discre-
tion tbe better part of valor, and did not interfere witb tbe bouse-
raising.
Wben W. B. Bunnell and Timotby Burns, lieutenant-governor
of tbe State of Wisconsin, witb otbers, originated tbe scbeme of
making tbat locality a town site, tbey found Gorr an encumbrance.
Lieut. -Gov. Burns offered bim twenty-five dollars for bis cabin, witb
a promise of furtber payment in lots wben tbe town site was sur-
.veyed, provided be would abandon tbe locality. Tbis offer Mr.
Gorr accepted, and on June 6 made a claim in wbat is now Pleasant
valley, about a mile above where Laird's fiouring-mill stands. He
built a log bouse on it and moved bis family there on June 9.
Tbe valley was for several years known as Gorr valley— until it
was given its present name. Mr. Gorr was tbe first to settle in this
valley, and among tbe first in this county to make farming a busi-
FIEST IMPROVEMENTS. 188
ness occupation. He settled here with the design of making it liis
permanent home, and occupied this farm about ten years, when lie
sold out and invested in other farming lands. Mr. Gorr is yet a
resident of the county and is now living on the bank of the Missis-
sippi, above the village of Homer. The locality was once the town
site of Minneowah. His house is within ten yards of the site where
he built the log cabin which he sold to Lieut. -Gov. Burns in tlie
spring of 1852.
Henry J. Harrington made a claim in the mouth of Pleasant
valley, of what is now known as "Hamilton's Farm." During tlie
season of navigation Mr. Harrington was employed as mate on one
of the steamboats running on the upper Mississippi. Early in tlie
spring of 1852 he brought his family to Bunnell's, where they
boarded until he had a shanty built on his claim. His first cabin
was a low one-story structure, made of small logs or poles, roofed
with bark from the Indian tepees in that vicinity. This shanty
stood in a grove on the table east of the -present farm buildings and
on the opposite side of the stream. Here Mrs. Harrington, with a
family by the name of Chamberlain, lived until Mr. Harrington
built a more permanent house on the west side of the stream.
This second building was a very comfortable story and a half
hewed log house, about 16x20, with a cellar under it, walled with
stone. This building formed a part of the old farm buildings on
"the farm." Mr. Harrington made some improvements. He had
about ten acres of breaking fenced in with a rail fence, which he
planted to corn. He also cultivated a garden and set out some fruit-
trees. It was his design to open up a stock farm here, but he did
not live to carry out his plans. He died in 1853. His funeral was
on Sunday, June 12.
Mrs. Harrington leased the house and cultivation to PatrickNevil,
who came into the county that fall. She stored her household goods
in a part of the house and went down the river among her friends to
spend the winter, leaving the care of her j)roperty to her agent,
George M. Gere, Esq. Early in the spring Mr. Gere sold the
claim to M. K. Drew for $100, giving a quit claim deed subject to
the lease of Mr. Kevil. Some incidents relative to this claim will
illustrate the uncertainty of real estate transactions while the title to
the land was in the United States.
Mr. Nevil lived on the Harrington place through the winter, and
in the spring made a garden and planted the enclosed field with
184 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
corn. During this time he made a claim in the valley opposite to
Gorr's, where he had some breaking done and built a shanty. This
is now the farm of his son, John Nevil. Having an opportunity to
dispose of his crop to a cash customer, he sold his lease to John C.
Walker, a recent arrival with a family, and moved on his own claim.
In this transaction Mr. Nevil gave Walker a quit claim deed and
possession of the house. Walker then assumed to be the proprietor
and real owner of the claim, and successfully resisted all attempts
of Mr. Drew to acquire possession, even after the lease had expired
or was declared void. He barricaded the house and with his family
closely guarded the premises. Under no pretext was anyone per-
mitted to pass the boundaries of the fence which inclosed the
improvements.
Mr. Gere, justice of the peace and agent of Mrs. Harrington,
with the constable, Harvey S. Terry, attempted to obtain entrance
to the house by demanding the household goods of Mrs. Harring-
ton stored in the dwelling. They were met at the "bars," by the
whole Walker family. Mr. Walker, with his gun in his hands and
revolver in his belt, Mrs. Walker, armed with a huge carving knife,
the children carrying an ax, a scythe and a pitchfork. The officers
of the law hesitated "to storm the castle against such an armed force,"
and called a parley for negotiations. Mr. Walker did not object to
deliver up the goods, but would not admit them into the enclosure.
He stood guard while Mrs. Walker and the children brought the
furniture from the house and delivered it outside the fence. Walker
refused to relinquish the claim to Mr. Gere, but sent word to Mr.
Drew that he did not desire to be mean about the transaction, and
would pay him $400 for the claim, the amount he had paid to Mrs.
Harrington, provided they would give a quit claim and leave him
in peaceable possession of the property. Finding the speculation an
unprofitable one, and glad to get his money back, Mr. Drew accepted
the proposition and the claim became the "Walker Farm." Mr.
Walker occupied this locality about ten or twelve years, when he
sold out and went south.
Hirk Carroll made a claim in the timber below Harrington's,
which he sold to Silas Stevens. He also made other selections along
the river at various places, but did not locate on any until he made
a claim on the head waters of Pine creek, in what is now the south-
ern part of this county, where he made a permanent settlement and
home for his family.
WESTERN FARM AND VILLAGE ASSOCIATION. 185
The sale made by Hirk Carroll to Silas Stevens was the first
''real estate" transaction, the first sale of a claim ever made in the
early settlement of this county. Mr. Stevens had such confidence
in the development of the country and future growth of a com-
mercial town on Wabasha prairie that he gave Carroll $50 if he
would relinquish the claim and let him have possession of it. It
was held by Mr. Stevens lor a year or two afterward in the name of
his son, Wm. H. Stevens. It was the design of Mr. Stevens to
make this locality a site for a steam saw-mill, expecting to use the
slough for the purpose of storing logs brought down the river.
Mr. Stevens gave his claim on Wabasha prairie into the hands
of his son, Wm. H. Stevens, to hold possession, and returned to
La Crosse, where he continued to carry on his lumber business.
CHAPTER XX.
WESTERN FARM AND VILLAGE ASSOCIATION.
On February 26, 1852, William Haddock and Arthur Mur-
phy arrived in this part of the Territory of Minnesota. They
were agents of an organization called the Western Farm and Village
Association, explorers and prospectors for a town site and farming
lands.- With packs on their backs, each carrying a buffalo-skin and
some camp supplies, they came up the river on skates from La
Crosse.
In a letter or report to the Association, published in the ofiicial
organ of that body, " The Farm and Tillage Advocate," Mr. Had-
dock says: "After leaving La Crosse we pursued our journey
slowly up the river on the ice, hugging as closely as possible the
Minnesota side of the river, for the purpose of making observations.
After traveling until about noon we stopped for dinner at a young
trader's, who happened to have a smoking dinner just ready for con-
sumption.
" Having no time to lose, we resumed our tramp. Without per-
ceiving any cabin or other dwelling, we proceded on our journey
until the shades of evening began to gather round. Having
brought up at the lower extremity of a sandy island, we doffed our
186 HISTORY OF WLNONA COIINTY.
buffalo-skins, selected a spot for a camp, collected wood, lit up a
fire, spread out our skins, and entered upon the fall enjoyment of
the dubious pleasures of 'camping out.' - To camp out, however, is
not a. very agreeable thing to a person not accustomed to it, especi-
ally in a cold February night.
" A few miles of travel in the morning, after camping, brought
us to a new town site, just developed, called Waubashaw, situated
on a small prairie running out from the foot of a range of bluffs
toward the river.
" According to the opinion of many persons at La Crosse, this
place is destined to be the largest town below Lake Pepin. Although
there are only four or five shanties on the prairie at the present time,
yet the whole site is taken up, and already have the claimants begun
to fight about their ' claims. ' Waubashaw will yet furnish some
rich examples of discord, and is destined, I fear, to become a prey
to speculation, whatever may be its natural advantages. In our
opinion it has not much to boast of except a good landing. The
land is poor and generally low, and a portion of it subject to over-
flow.
"A few miles above Waubashaw we came to a quiet little open-
ing in the almost endless range of bluffs, and hove to on our skates
for the purpose of making observations. On reaching the shore we
passed over an open, but rather a low and marshy prairie, for about
half a mile, when we came to a most beautiful opening of compara-
tively high table-land, covered witli oak.
"The extent of this opening is fully large enough for our entire
village plat, exclusive of the low land on the river, which can ulti-
timately be' filled up and divided, as business plats among all our
members, proving a source of great gain as business increases and
the town becomes settled. There is considerable variety of surface
in the town plat which settlement will remedy, but take it as a
whole, I do not know that I have seen anything to surpass it. In-
deed, I may say that it is beautiful, and throws Waubashaw and
Prairie La Crosse entirely in the shade."
Haddock and Murphy, on their way from La Crosse, passed
Wabasha Prairie and skated up Straight Slough, supposing it to be
a main channel of the river. On their way up the slough their at-
tention was attracted to the general appearance of the mouth of the
Rolling Stone Yalley. On examination of this locality these town-
site hunters found, to their disappointment, that their ideal village
WESTERN FARM AND VILLAGE ASSOCIATION. 187
sight, so opportunely discovered, was occupied. Civilization had
already sprouted on this part of the late "Sioux Purchase."
Israel M. Noracong claimed one hundred and sixty acres in the
mouth of the Rolling Stone Valley, where he had built his shanty,
his claim covering the present village of Minnesota City. They put
up with Noracong and explained to him the object of their visit, the
designs and advantages of the association represented by them, and
the benefit the organization would be in the settlement of the part
of the territory in which it was located. Mr. Noracong at once be-
came interested in their plan of colonization.
Finding that he was willing to compromise matters with them,
they made arrangements by which he was induced to relinquish all
ol his claim, except about fifteen acres of land where his cabin stood,
which included a mill-site on the stream. This mill-site is the local-
ity where the flouring mill of A. E. Elsworth now stands.
After satisfactory arrangements had been made with Noracong,
and before any explorations of the surrounding country had been at-
tempted. Haddock and Murphy, in the name of the association,
made claim to all the lands in the valley of the Rolling Stone, and
to all the country lying adjacent. This was the largest claim ever
made in the county under any pretense whatever.
They at once commenced to lay out a village plat in accordance
with a general plan, previously adopted by the association, wliich
they had brought with them. This was the first town site
surveyed and platted in southern Minnesota.
A rough plat of the locality was made, with which Mr. Murphy
returned to New York city to report their discoveries. Mr. Had-
dock remained to hold the claim and continue his survey of village
lots. The survey was commenced with a pocket compass; the
measurements were made with a tape line belonging to Mr. Nora-
cong.
This locality was the scene of many important events in the early
settlement of this county, some of which will be noted in other
chapters.
In the spring of 1852 the ice went out and the Mississippi was
open in this vicinity on March 15. The first steamboat from below
was the Nominee, which arrived at Wabasha prairie on April 1.
This boat only went up as far as Lake Pepin on account of the ice.
On its second trip it passed through the lake April 16, and was the
first steamboat to arrive at St. Paul.
188 HISTORY OF WINOISTA COUNTY.
Capt. Smith brought up on the Nominee quite a number of pas-
sengers, who landed on Wabasha prairie, and also some lumber and
supplies for the settlers. As soon as the material arrived, Johnson
built a shanty on No. 4, his claim at the upper landing. This build-
ing was on what is now Center street, between Second and Front
streets. It was 12 X 16, with a shed roof of boards, the eaves of
wliich were about five feet from the ground. This was for awhile
the hotel, the general stopping-place for all who got off at what was
then known as Johnson's Landing. Every claim shanty was, how-
ever, the stranger's home, if application was made for shelter and
food.
Jabez McDermott built a log shanty on his claim, a little south-
east from where the shops of the Winona & St. Peter railroad now
stand. The roof was a covering of bark. All of the material for
this shanty was taken from the Indian tepees which stood near by.
This locality was the site of Wabasha's village — the village of the
band of Sioux of which he was the chief, and their general gather-
ing-place. There were seven or eight of their cabins standing when
McDermott made a claim of their village.
These Indian tepees were constructed with a framework of posts
and poles fastened together by withes and covered with broad strips
of elm bark. The' roof was peaked, the bark covering supported by
a framework of poles. For the sides the strips of bark were of suit-
able length to reach from the ground to the eaves. They were
oblong in shape, about 15 X 20 feet, the sides about four or five feet
high. The bark covering was fastened b}^ poles outside secured by
withes. No nails or pins were used in their construction. Inside
they were provided with benches, or berths, from two to three feet
wide and about two feet from the ground, extending around three
sides of the hut. These seats, or sleeping-places, were composed of
poles and bark. Some sawed lumber was also used about these
tepees. The lumber, boards and planks, found there by the early
settlers was probably taken from the river, brought down by fioods
from wrecks of rafts.
There were two or three of these tepees in the mouth of Gilmore
valley near the Indian cultivation. One much larger than the others
was about 20 X 30. There were also two or three in the mouth of
Burns valley. They were all of the same style of architecture and
similarly constructed.
These cabins were but summer residences for the Sioux and were
WESTERN FARM AND VILLAGE ASSOCIATION. 189
but temporarily occupied in cold weather, when they usually fixed
their hunting camps, of skin or cloth tents, in the timber on the
river bottoms. The Indians sometimes halted in their migration and
stopped in them for two or three days at a time after the first settlers
came here in 1851, but they abandoned them entirely in the spring
of 1852. These tepees were torn down in the forepart of this season.
While the Sioux remained in this vicinity they sometimes visited
the settlements, and were at all times friendly without being familiar
or troublesome.
Soon alter tlie opening of navigation another town site was dis-
covered on the Mississippi below the mouth of the White Water.
Two or three brothei-s by the name of Hall selected this location.
It was known as Hall's Landing. No special effort was made to
develop its advantages until the following year, when the town ot
Mi. Yernon was laid out, about two miles below the mouth of the
White Water.
During 1851 and 1852 there was quite a rush of immigration to
the country on the upper Mississippi. Among the localities in the
western part of the State of Wisconsin which attracted considerable
attention from this moving population was La Crosse. After the treaty
with the Sioux in 1851 many of these immigrants made La Crosse a
temporary halting place until opportunity was given to make
selections of locations on the west side of the river. A very large
majority of the first settlers in southern Minnesota were of this class.
With the exception of the colony that settled at Minnesota City,
Winona county was first settled almost entirely by these temporary
residents of La Crosse. During the winter some of these citizens of
Wisconsin came up the river on the ice and selected locations on
Wabasha prairie and in its vicinity. In the spring they, with others,
visited this part of the territory to see the country, and made claims
in a more formal manner.
These claims were usually marked by writing the name of the
Glaiin-maher on the stakes which defined the location selected, or, if
in the timber, the trees were blazed and the name of the claimant
conspicuously displayed. As the season advanced it became neces-
sary to represent some improvements. A few logs laid up, as if a
future cabin was contemplated, a few furrows with a plow, or a little
corn or vegetables planted, gave evidence that the claim was occu-
pied. These claims were usually acknowledged by the settlers and
190 HISTORY OF WmONA COimTY.
mutual protection given, although the laws governing claims vi^ere
not full}" complied with.
Among those who came up during the winter and selected loca-
tions, and who afterward became residents of Wabasha prairie, was
"William B. Gere, commonly called "Beecher Gere." He made a
claim south of and joining both of the claims of Johnson and
Stevens. Although a settler could not hold, legally, but 160 acres,
this claim was laid on a sliding scale, and for a while Beecher Gere's
claim covered twice that amount of land.
Enos P. Williams, then in the employ of Silas Stevens at La
Crosse, selected the location adjoining Gere's on the east. This is
now known as Hubbard's addition.
Elijah Silsbee selected the one next west of that claimed by Gere,
and a man by the name of Hobbs took that next to Silsbee's on the
west.
Frank Curtiss discovered that there was room for another claim
between that selected for Scott Clark and the claims of McDermott
and Keene, and located himself there.
Walter Brown selected a location in what is now Gilmore valley,
in the mouth of the ravine about where the brickyard of Mr. Ber-
sange is now located.
George G. Barber made choice of one adjoining Brown's in the
valley above.
Rev. George Chester, a Methodist minister — the first that settled
in La Crosse — made a claim in Gilmore valley where the county farm
is now located. The first sermon ever delivered to the early settlers
of Winona county was preached by Mr. Chester on Wabasha prairie
while on this visit to Minnesota. Mr. Chester never made any
improvements on his claim, neither was he ever a resident of the
count3^
A colored nian, a barber in La Crosse, by the name of Williams,
made the first claim across the slough on the upper prairie. It is
now the residence of George I. Parsons. The claim shanty was
near the railroad.
Some of the early visitors from La Crosse who came up with Mr.
Chester, Mr. Barber and others, returned without selecting locations,
although they afterward became residents of Wabasha ]3rairie. Dr.
John L. Balcombe, John C. Laird and Abner S. Goddard were
among Ihis number. Mention will be made of them at a later date.
Henr}^ C. Gere came up from La Crosse early in the spring, and
WESTERN FAK3I AND VILLAGE ASSOCIATION. 191
landed at what was then known as Johnson's landing, with his
family, household goods, and lumber for a shanty. During the
winter previous he visited the prairie and professed to have selected
a claim, but rehised to point it out, — none of the settlers were aware
of his choice of location.
It afterward appeared that about the time of the "difference"
between Bunnell and Johnson, a friendship, or rather an acquaint-
ance was formed between Gere and Bunnell, and a plan laid to jump
the Stevens claim. As Mr. Stevens was a non-resident, Gere was to
locate himself on the claim with his family, and Bunnell was to aid
him to keep possession of it. It was represented by Bunnell that
he had selected this claim for H. C. Gere, and had made some
designative marks on the back side of it, next to the claim selected
by Wm. B. Gere. Until spring no boundaries were marked on any
of the claims, except the claim-stakes driven along the bank of the
river by Stevens and Johnson in the fall of 1851. After the frost
left the ground in the spring these claims were marked by corner
stakes in the rear.
Gere also pretended that he was a partner witli Stevens in the
lumber business at La Crosse when the claim was made, — that it was
a joint speculation which Mr. Stevens ignored.
A day or two before Gere left La Crosse with his family, Silas
•Stevens learned that he professed to have an interest in claim No.
3 on Wabasha prairie, and that he was going there to live. Being
well acquainted with Gere, and fearing trouble from him, Mr. Stevens
came up to the prairie and there awaited his arrival.
With well-assumed confidence that he had an undisputed right
to the Stevens claim, Gere secured the services of Johnson with his
oxen and sled, loaded with lumber, ajnd started with a friend or two
to take possession of it. As he approached the west boundary of
the claim with his load of lumber, he was met by Silas Stevens, Wm.
H. Stevens, George W. Clark and Allen Gilmore. With the excep-
tion of Silas Stevens this party was armed, although no revolvers
were in sight. Each carried a strong cudgel, except Wm. H. Stevens,
who handled a gun and assumed the position of leader. He ordered
Gere to halt and not attempt to cross the claim line with his lumber.
This claim boundary was a line due south from the claim stake,
which stood on the bank of the river about midway between what is
now Walnut and Market streets. Meeting so firm an obstruction,
Gere and his party with the load of lumber moved back on the
192 HISTORY OF WDfONA COUNTY.
prairie along the designated line, escorted by the Stevens party,
until the south boundary of the claim was passed. The escort then
stood guard while Gere put up a shanty on the claim of his nephew,
Wm. B. Gere.
The shanty built by H. C. Gere stood on the east side of Franklin
street, between Wabasha and Sanborn streets, on the lot where
Thomas Burk now lives. It was 12x12 when first built, and cov-
ered with a board roof, but was afterward enlarged to 12x18, and
covered with a shingled roof, sloping the length of the shanty. Mr.
Gere lived there until the spring of 1854, when he moved onto a
claim in the mouth of West Burns valley. The writer occupied
this shanty as his residence and business ofiice in July and August,
1854.
This was but the beginning of Gere's efforts to get possession of
the Stevens claim. Other incidents relative to this claim will be
given.
Among the earliest arrivals this spring were John Evans and S.
K. Thompson. Mr. Thompson* did not at once make a claim, but
lived on Wabasha prairie, a passive looker-on for some time before
he took an active part as a bona-fide settler.
Mr. Evans was an old pioneer, familiar with pioneer life and the
settlement of a claim country. He at once commenced prospecting,
and soon discovered that Clark was holding two claims. Consider-
ing this to be a favorable opportunity to secure a good location near
the landing, he selected the one Mr. Clark had made and was hold-
ing in the name of his brother, and announced his purpose to make
that his claim. Clark earnestly protested against this, but Evans
asserted that he had a right to it, that Scott Clark had never been
in the territory, and George W. Clark was then holding a claim, on
the prairie. Evans, with the help of Thompson, had already com-
menced cutting logs for a cabin, but seeing that Clark was extremely
anxious to retain the claim across the slough, offered to let him take
his choice of the two he was holding. Finding that Evans was
determined in the matter, Clark very reluctantly decided to relin-
quish the first claim he had made, claim No. 6, provided Evans
would abandon the other.
John Evans then took possession of the claim relinquished by
Clark and commenced making improvements. This was afterward
known as the ' ' Evans Claim. " Chute's and Foster's additions were
parts of that claim. It was on what is now known as Foster's
WESTERN FARM AND VILLAGE ASSOCIATION. 193
addition that Mr. Evans placed his buildings. It was here that he
lived while a resident of the county, and where he died. While
living here Mr. Evans opened up a farm and inclosed the whole claim
with a rail fence. He at one time had a field under cultivation which
comprised about half of his claim, on which he raised several crops of
wheat, corn, etc. He then disposed of a part of it (Chute's addition),
and divided a portion into suburban lots, retaining what is now
Foster's addition as his homestead.
Mr. Evans did not bring his family here until late in the summer
of 1852. — not until he had built a house for them to move into. His
house was covered with the first shingled roof ever put on any build-
ing on Wabasha prairie ; the first shingled roof in the city of
Winona.
The family of Mr. Evans, when he located here in 1852, consisted
of a wife, two daughters and a son. One of the daughters married
O. S. Holbrook ; the other became the wife of Erwin H. Johnson.
Another daughter, the wife of James Williams, came here about
two years after. James Williams is yet a resident of the county.
Mr. Evans and all of his family mentioned above are now dead,
except his son, Koyal B. Evans, who is a resident of the county,
living in the town of Wilson.
When George W. Clark relinquished his claim. No. 6, to John
Evans, he took possession of the land across the slough in his own
name. When his brother came on he aided him in securing another
location. Mr. Clark never speculated in city lots or suburban prop-
erty. His choice of claims was undoubtedly the decisive point in
his life as to his future business occupations and home.
Mr Clark left the State of New York in 1851. with the design to
secure to himself a farm somewhere in the western country. He first
went to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, where he had relatives; but learn-
ing there of the rush to the upper Mississippi country, he with others
started on foot across the state to La Crosse. He there sought
employment and secured a situation in the lumber yard of Silas
Stevens, where he proposed to remain until he should learn of a
satisfactory location for a permanent settlement. Influenced by a
higher rate of interest than he had been familiar with in the east, he
placed what funds he had with him in the hands of his employer.
Familiar acquaintance increased a mutual confidence of the two in
each other, and when Mr. Stevens decided to make a speculative
investment on Wabasha prairie, in the Territory of Minnesota, he
194 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
selected Mr. Clark as liis agent. His arrival here on ]S"oYember 12,
1851, has ah*eady been narrated.
The force of circumstances compelled Mr. Clark to make selection
of the farm for which he had left his father's house and come west.
Having decided to locate on his claim across the slough, he gave
his whole time and attention to its improvement and increasing his
possessions by securing adjoining property by way of speculation.
The first rails used by Mr. Clark in his farming operations were
the relics of a fence built by the Sioux to keep their ponies from
ranging over their cultivation in the mouth of the valley above. This
Indian fence extended from the bluffs to the lake or slough on the
bottom, about on the west boundary of his claim, and nearly on the
west line of his farm.
These were some of the circumstances of his first settlement
here, which, with his determined purpose to locate on a farm, made
George W. Clark, the pioneer farmer, the first practical farmer to
settle on a claim held exclusively for farming purposes. He began
his first improvements on this claim in March, 1852, using the hoi-ses
of Mr. Stevens for his first team-work, to haul the logs together
which he had cut for the purpose of building a claim shanty, before
it was jumped by John Evans. Mr. Clark's original claim shanty
was located about where his hay-shed now stands, in the meadow
near where the lane leading to his present residence leaves the Gil-
more valley road.
Mr. Clark has lived on the farm he now occupies about thirty-
one years. The little log shanty and straw-covered sheds have been
superseded by a large farmhouse and a commodious barn and sheds.
He has been a prosperous farmer. Although others engaged in
farming operations early in the season of 1852 and made as much
improvement on their claims as Mr. Clark, he was the first to settle
on any land now held as a farm in this countv.
CHAPTER XXL
THE ASSOCIATION CRYSTALLIZ1']D.
The association by which Minnesota City was first settled origi-
nated jn the city of New York in the summer of 1851. This organi-
zation was never generally understood by the western public, nor its
special objects clearly comprehended by the early settlers in this
part of the territory. It is, indeed, more than probable that some
of its members had but indifferent ideas of its operations and special
design when practically demonstrated. The people generally consid-
ered the association to be a body of fanatical communists — a social-
istic organization with such visionary and impracticable theories ot
colonization that failure was but an inherent destiny. These mis-
taken ideas and false impressions prejudiced other settlers against
them from the first. The apparently clannish exclusiveness and
mysterious manner of the colonists confirmed these vague opinions
and excited a jealous rivalry with settlements in other localities. A
mutual antagonism resulted, which time alone dissipated, but not
until long after the association had ceased to exist as an organization.
This association was composed of persons of different nationali-
ties, different religious and political opinions, and of different busi-
ness occupation, united for a special object. It was an emigration
society, designed to aid its members in leaving the city and forming
a colony on government lands in the west. The organization was
but a temporary one, and never designed for any other purpose.
That the plan of colonization was practicable under favorable
circumstances, in the hands of practicable men and under the man-
agement of practicable leaders, there is but little doubt. That it
was, to a great extent, a failure, that the results were not fully in
accordance with that anticipated from its programme of operations,
was, evidently attributable to the incapacity and inexperience of the
leaders rather than to radical detects in the plan. Justice to these
pioneer settlers of the county exacts a brief sketch of the organiza-
tion by which the colony was located.
William Haddock, one of the discoverers of the town site at the
mouth of the Eolling Stone valley, was the founder and president of
12
198 HISTORY OF WmONA COUNTY.
the association. In July, 1851, Mr. Haddock, then a journeyman
printer living in New York city, conceived the idea, and in a public
lecture at a meeting of mechanics called by him for the purpose, pre-
sented the outlines of a plan whereby the mechanics of the city
would be able to secui-e "homes in the west," to leave the city and
locate on government lands, to go in a body and form a colony.
His audience manifested considerable interest in the subject of
his lecture, and appointed a committee to take the matter into con-
sideration and draw up a code of laws for an organization on the plan
proposed. The committee made a report the following week, and a
form of organization was effected, with William Haddock as presi-
dent and Thomas K. Allen secretary. It was not, however, until
about the middle of September that the association was considered
fairly organized, although weekly meetings were held for the pur-
pose of perfecting the laws and in many ways modifying the original
plan proposed by Mr. Haddock.
That the plan adopted may be impartially presented, the follow-
ing extracts have been copied from the " Constitution and By-Laws
of the Western Farm and Yillage Association. "
PREAMBLE.
Whereas, We whose names are hereunto subscribed are desirous of locat-
ing ourselves advantageously on government lands in some of our western
states or territories, and,
Whereas, We wish at the same time to avail ourselves of all the advan-
tages of civilization which can be immediately secured only by emigrating in
large companies and settling in close proximity, we do hereby adopt, for the
more effectual attainment of our object, the following constitution and by-laws,
to which each one of us subscribes and pledges himself to conform :
CONSTITDTION.
Article I. Section 1. This association shall be styled " The Western Farm
and Village Association, No. 1, of the City of New York."
(Sec. 2 enumerates the officers.)
Article II. Object and plan of action.
Sec. 1. The object of this association shall be the organization and settle-
ment of one or more townships and villages on the public lands, in some of the
western states or territories of the United States, with the view of obtaining, if
possible, a free grant of the same from congress.
Sec. 2. The number of members which this association may embrace shall
not exceed five hundred, and shall consist of a proportional number from each
of the principal departments of industry.
Sec. 3. The condition upon which congress shall be solicited to make a free
grant of land to members of this association shall be actual settlement and im-
THE ASSOCIATION CRYSTALLIZED. 199
provement; and no member shall be allowed t<> subscribe for more than Klfl
acres and a village plat of four acres.
Sec. 4. As soon as the funds of this association shall permit, an experienced
and reliable member shall be commissioned to look for a site or sites for a
township and village, who shall, while thus employed, act under the instruc-
tions of this association, and make such reports to the same from time to time
as he may deem necessary, or may be required of him.
Sec. 5. When the member thus commissioned shall have performed the
labor assigned him a competent committee shall be elected to re-examine such
localities as may have been reported by him, or such other places as may be
authorized by the association ; which committee shall give a full and true ac-
count of each locality to this body.
Sec. 6. The sight of the township and village shall be determined by a vote
of this association before any choice of land shall have been made by any of
its members ; such determination to be based upon the committee of examina-
tion, or upon such other facts, circumstances or information as may be deemed
important.
Sec. 7. When the site of the township shall have been chosen by the asso-
ciation, the different kinds of land outside the village plat, such as timber,
prairie and suburban land, shall be so \Ad oS as to render all the landed
advantages growing out of this association as equally available as possible.
Maps shall be drawn representing the village, suburban, farming and wood
plats, accompanied by a brief description of each and every lot. When
this shall have been done and approved by the association, the order of choos-
ing among the members shall be settled by numbers, after which each shall
make his selection of lots according to the number of his choice.
Sec. 8. The village site shall be so surveyed as to allow each member of
this association, after deducting liberally for streets and parks, to have a village
plat of about four acres.
Sec. 9. The time of emigration for this association shall not extend beyond
the 15th of April, 1852.
Article III. (Defines the duties of officers).
Article IV. Membership.
Sec. 1. The qualifications for membership in this association shall be good
moral character, industrious habits, and a willingness to conform to the consti-
tution and by-laws.
Sec. 2. Applications for admission into this association may be made
through any member of the same, at any regular meeting ; whereupon the
application shall be immediately laid before the board of directors ; if, upon
investigation, he or she shall be found acceptable by a majority of the board,
they shall report accordingly at the next meeting, when, if the candidate re-
ceive a majority of votes of the members present, he or she shall be entitled
to a certificate of membership on payment of the initiation fee.
Sec. 3. Every person on being elected a member of this association, shall
pay an initiation fee of one dollar. (This was afterward raised to five
dollars).
Sec. 4. No member of this association shall be allowed to subscribe for, or
hold more than 160 acres of land and a village plat of four acres.
200 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
Sec. 5. Any member of this association may be suspended or expelled for
misconduct or neglect of official duties ; but no member shall be expelled
without a fair trial by a committee of five members.
Sec. 6. Should any member desire to withdraw from this association, he or
she may transfer his or her interest to any person not already a member, sub-
ject to the approval of the association ; the said person shall pay a transfer
fee of fifty cents, which shall be an acknowledgment of his or her member-
ship. But in the event of this association obtaining a free grant of the land,
this section shall be rendered null and void.
Sec. 7. In the event of the death of a member of this association, all moneys
paid by the deceased into the society shall, at the option of the association,
be promptly restored to his or her legal representatives.
Sec. 8. Persons residing at a distance may, on being elected members of
this association, remit their initiation fee and weekly dues to the financial
secretary, in sums of one dollar for every eight weeks.
Article V. On the election of officers.
Sec. 1. All officei-s shall be elected by ballot, and shall serve until the ob-
jects of this association shall be attained, unless disqualified by misconduct or
incapacity.
Article VI. Dues.
Sec. 1. The weekly dues of all members of this association shall be twelve
and a half cents, commencing the first day of August, 1851.
Sec. 2. No dues or initiation fees shall be refunded to members of this
association in consequence of their withdrawal from the same.
Sec 3. If any member of this association shall neglect the payment of his
or her dues for a longer time than four weeks, he or she shall be subject to a
fine of twelve and a half cents for each succeeding week while in arrears.
Article VII. (Relates to drawing money on deposit).
Article VIII. On disbursement of moneys.
Sec 1. All moneys jiaid into this association shall be devoted to the pay-
ment of such expenses as are necessary to the attainment of its object, and to
no other purpose, and no moneys shall be paid out without a vote of the
association.
Sec 2. When this association shall dissolve, by its own mutual consent, the
books of all officers shall be balanced, and if any funds remain on hand after
settlement of all liabilities of the association, they shall be equally divided
among the members that then exist.
Article IX. (Enjoins harmony among the members).
Article X. (Relates to altering or amending constitution).
BY-LAWS.
Article I. (Time and place of meeting).
Article II. (Quorum for transaction of business).
Article III. (Fines of officers for non-attendance).
Article IV. (How discussions shall be conducted).
Article V. Rule of Order. — As this association is organized for a specific
object, its rule of action shall be distinct, and no question shall be in order or
THE ASSOCIATION CRYSTALLIZED. 201
entertained, that does not apph' clearly to the object specified in the constitu-
tion, and the means of carrying such object into effect ; neither shall anything
of a sectarian or political character be introduced into the discussions of tliis
association.
The officers were : President, William Haddock ; vice-president,
Wm. Skinner ; recording secretary, Thomas K. Allen ; financial
secretary, Charles E. Wheeler ; corresponding secretary, E. B.
Thomas; treasurer, .John Brooks.
The board of directors were Augustus A. Gilbert, J. T. (^akl-
well, James Wright, James Potter, E. B. Tanner, Chai'les Bannan,
John Hughes and D. Kobertson.
As soon as the organizati(^n was effected the scheme was favor-
ably advertised in the editorial columns of the N"ew York "Tribune"
and other papers. A few numbers of an official paper, called the
"Western Farm and Village Advocate," was issued by the associ-
ation, under the editorial management of Mr. Haddock. The asso-
ciation increased in numbers, but very many of the later members
were from outside the city, in New York and other states.
About the first of November Eansom Smith was commissioned
to select a suitable location for the colony. After exploring some
parts of the States of Wisconsin and Iowa along the Mississippi
without accomplishing his object, he resigned his position about the
first of January, 1852. When Mr. Smith was appointed exploring
agent, he was specifically instructed as to the kind of location that
he was expected to make choice of. The city members of the associ-
ation apparently desired him to make discovery of another garden
of Eden, with all modern commercial advantages attached. Mr.
Smith failed to discover any locality that very much resembled the
one pictured in the written instructions furnished for his guidance.
The local members who controlled the organization were nearly all
mechanics, the most of them inexperienced in matters outside of
their business occupations. >
The leaders of the organization were aware that, to insure suc-
cess and move on the opening of navigation in the spring, prompt
action would be necessary in the selection of a location for the colony.
Accordingly^ a locating committee was appointed, consisting of Mr.
Haddock of New York, Arthur Murphy of Hempstead, L. I., and
A. E. Bovay, a resident of Wisconsin.
The discoveries and selection of Boiling Stone as a location
for the colony have been related. This selection was made with-
202 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
out proper investigation of its fitness for the purpose designed.
Their examination was but superficial, and their decision prematurely
made. They assumed that the village site was on the Mississippi,
but it proved to be six miles from a navigable channel. This selec-
tion was a serious mistake. It was not a proper location for the
proposed colony. This very serious mistake was, unfortunately, the
cause of its failure. It is true Rolling Stone was first settled by the
members of the association, but the organization collapsed before
its specific object was accomplished.
When the association was first organized it was supposed possible
to secure from congress a free grant of public lands for the members
to settle upon, but in case this failed the lands were to be purchased
from the governm^t by the members of the association, and each
pay for the land he occupied.
Petitions numerously signed by members of the association and
others were sent to congress, asking this appropriation foi- the benefit
of the members of the colony. These petitions were presented by
Hon. H. H. Sibley, the delegate from the territorj^ of Minnesota.
No action was taken, except that the petitions were received and dis-
posed of by being referred to the house committee on public lands.
On the return, of Mr. Murphy to New York city from Rolling
Stone, the report of the locating committee was duly made to the
association. It was received and approved without delay, such was
the confidence of the members in the judgment of the committee.
Rolling Stone was then formally selected as the location for the pro-
posed colony.
A more elaborate plat of the village site was drawn from that
furnished by the committee and lithographed for the members. It
was numbered preparatory for the drawing, which took place March
31, 1852.
The following circular was then issued, and sent to each of the
members of the organization:
Western Farm and Village Association Office, \
New York, April 3, 1852. >
Dear Sir, — The association at length have the pleasure of informing you
of their location. Mr. Arthur Murphy, one of our locating committee, has just
returned to this city, having in conjunction with our president selected a spot
which has been unanimously adopted as our homes. It is situated in the Ter-
ritory of Minnesota, on the Mississippi river, about forty miles above Root
river, and six miles above a place called Wabesha prairie, on a stream of water
known as Rolling Stone creek ; for a full description of which, with the report
THE ASSOCIATION CRYSTALLIZED. .203
t>f the committee, the c()rres])ondin,u- senvtary refers you t(» the t'ortlieoming
Advocate. In the meantime, he has Iwen instructed to send you the followinji-
circular, embodying so much of the re])ort of its last meeting as is herein con-
tained.
After the adoption of the report of Mr. Murphy, the association, on motion,
went into the <'hoosing of lots; all members whose dues were not paid up
to the first of January being declared by vote ineligible to participate. A com-
mittee, consisting of Messrs. Cauldwell, Potter and Bannan,were appointed to
choose for ccjuntry members. The names of all those eligible were then
placed in one hat, and numbers to the corresponding amount of members in
another. Messrs. Thorp and Stradling presided over the names, and Messrs.
Gilbert and Fitzgibbons superintended the numbers. A number was then
taken from a hat, and a name from the other, and the number so drawn was
the choice of the member whose name was drawn with it. The entire list of
drawing so made is herein contained, with a maj) showing the position of the
lot up to 132. The reason of there being none higher ^thau this is that the
committee, deeming that sutiicient, surveyed no more ; and members who have
drawn a choice over that number will be allowed to choose on the ground,
from lots to be surveyed, or from lands forfeited by the non-settlement of mem-
bers in July, in the order they run above the lots numbered. Mr. Haddock,
who is now on the ground, has been telegraphed to survey 100 more ; and per-
sons joining now will choose in the order as admitted members.
In addition to the above, the corresponding secretary has to state that the
pioneer squad will start from here on Wednesday, the 7th, and passing over the
Erie Railroad, will probably arrive at Chicago on or about the 14th ; thence by
rail and team to Galena, and boat up the river. This will also be the route of
the main body, and all members who live near the city, or who can make New
York in their route, will meet liere on April 14, to start on the loth, so as to
arrive at Galena by May 1.
Should the lakes not be open on April l-i the association will not start on
that day, but wait until they are.
Those of our members who may not arrive at Galena by May 1, can learn
full particulars of us by inquiring of Col. James Robinson there.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant.
For E. B. Thomas, Cor. Sec'y,
102 Nassau street.
Accompanying this circular was a plat of the village site and a
list of the names of 174 members, with the order of their choice
and the number of the lot chosen by or for 132 of them.
CHAPTEK XXII.
E]MIGRANTS COMING.
It was designed that settlement on the lands selected for the
colony should be made simultaneously by the members of the asso-
ciation, or as near so as practicable, to prevent intrusion from per-
sons not belonging to the organization. As soon as the locality was
formally decided upon a volunteer party already organized started
west for the Eolling Stone, to hold possession of the "claim " made
by Haddock and Murphy, until the arrival of the main body of the
association. This advance guard, to which the name of "pioneer
squad " had been given, was a party of eleven men who left New
York city on April 7. On their way they were joined by three
others, making the total number of this guard fourteen. All of
these were young unmarried men except one. Mr. B. Mauby, of
New York, was accompanied by his wife and seven children.
The pioneer squad of the "Western Farm and Village Associa-
tion came up the Mississippi from Galena on the steamboat Caleb
Cope, and landed at Johnson's Landing on Wabasha prairie on
April 14, 1852. The Caleb Cope was under the command of Capt.
Harris, who had chartered her to run as an opposition boat against
the Nominee, in place of the West Newton, which was not then
ready for the early spring business. The fare, on this trip, was but
fifty cents each, for passengers from Galena to Wabaslia prairie.
Freight was in about the same proportion of discount from regular
rates.
This party of immigrants were warmly welcomed at the landing
by Mr. Haddock, who had been anxiously expecting them, and had
come from Eolling Stone on purpose to meet and guide them to
" the promised land."
The following names of this party were furnished by a member
of the squad who yet lives in Eolling Stone, at Minnesota City. The
names of some of his old comrades have faded from his memory.
He is the only one of the " old guard " that is now a resident of
Winona county. His name heads this list of names : Hezekiah
Jones, Wm. Stevens, J. W. Viney, David Eobertson, D. HoUyer,
EMIGRANTS COMIN(4.
205
E. H. Boothe, S. R. Scliroeder, John Hiiglies, Tahnadue,
Kandall, and D. Mauby and family.
They had witli them quite a large amount of supplies and camp
■fixtures, including a large tent, household furniture, a cook-stove,
tools, etc., and also brought with them two yoke of oxen and a
wagon. The cattle, wagon and household furniture were the prop-
erty of Mr. Mauby. The oxen and wagon were purchased for him
in Illinois, by Mr. H. Jones, who came west in the fall before, and
joincMl thi'i party at Cherry Valley, then the terminus of the rail-
StENE NEAR THE FiRST SETTLEMENT OK ROLLING StONE.*
]-oad. The team and wagon were used in transporting their
"baggage from Cherry Valley to Galena, where their supplies were
purchased.
This party landed at about the loot ot Main street ; their freight
was piled on a mound on the bank of the river and covered with
the tent. It was there left in charge of one of their number, whose
name is now forgotten, but who was designated as the "cigar-
maker." Leaving Mr. Mauby and his family here the others has-
tened on to their destination.
The above cut is from a sketcli taken and kindly furnislied by Antstin W.
Lord.
206 HISTORY OF WrXOISTA COUNTY.
Mr. Maub}' engaged Johiison"'s shantj, at the upper lauding, as
a home for his family, until he could build a cabin for them at the
Rolling Stone. He remained with them until they were settled in
their temporary abode.
No provision had been made for the subsistence of the cattle. No
supplies had been brought along for them, as it was supposed that
hay could be readily procured, but none was to be had. There
was an unusual rise of water in the river for the time of year, and
a strong current was running through the slough, making it difficult
for strangei's to ford to the upper prairie, and no wagon trail had
yet been opened along the bluffs. It was decided to leave the
wagon with the freight, but to take the cattle along, as they might
have use for them. The oxen were taken up to the Rolling Stone,
where they were turned loose to procure a living for themselves,
from the old grass on the bottoms, and such browse as they were
able to get from the brush along the stream.
Temporary supplies were packed up by the party. They were
ferried over the slough by the Indians in canoes. With Mr. Had-
dock as guide, they followed the trail along the bluffs to Noracong's
shanty, where Mr. Haddock was living. Noi'acong and his party
were then away rafting the black walnut logs they had cut during
the winter.
Noracong's little shanty, about 8 X 12, stood about where the rail-
road crossing now is — north from Elsworth's flouring-mill. It was
tlie headquarters of the pioneer squad. Finding their accommoda-
tions insufficient, some of the party constructed a kind of hut, to which
the name of ' ' Gopher house " was given. One of these ' ' gophers "
was built on the table, about fifty rods above where Troosts'
flouring. mill lately stood. Another one was on the table, about
forty rods west from where the school building now stands. These
huts were of logs, placed in the form of a house roof, and covered
with' dry grass fi-om the bottoms, over which was a layer of earth
covered with strips of turf arranged to shed the rain. The earth
inside of the hut was excavated to the depth of a foot or more to in-
crease the area inclosed. These huts were filled with dry grass and
used as sleeping quarters.
This advance guard had volunteered to come on for the express
purpose of keeping off trespassers. Although designated the
pioneer squad, no other duties were assigned to them or expected
from them. They spent their time in explorations of the immediate
EMIGRANTS COMING. 207
vicinity of their camp, and in huntint^ and fishing, furnishing plenti-
ful supplies of ducks and trout. They all lived in common, each
contributing from his own stores for general use. A cook was ap-
pointed to take charge of this department, who called for assistants
when aid was required. Mr. Jones and one or two others assisted
Mr. Haddock in his survey of the village plat, to which he was
giving his whole attention.
In this survey, the base of operations was a straight line along
the edge of the table on which Troosts' flouring-mill recently stood.
It was thei-e the iirst street was laid off, extending from the lower
end of the table to the bluff at the upper end. The village lots and
streets were laid off parallel with and at right angles to this street
as a base line.
Mr. Haddock attempted to make the survey with his pocket
compass, to which he aftixed some sights of his own invention or
construction, but was compelled to abandon this uncertain process,
and rely on his guide poles and measurements. A long rope and
poles superseded the tape-line and pocket compass. About two
hundred acres were thus surveyed before Mr. Haddock procured a
surveyor's compass and chain, with which the survey of village lots
and farms were completed.
Mr. Mauby built a log shanty for his family. This stood near
Mdiere the railroad station at Minnesota City now stands. It was
about 12x16 feet in dimensions. The shed roof was covered with
strips of elm bark, fastened to poles. This cabin was built on the
village lot drawn by Mr. Mauby at the meeting of the association
in New York city, March 31.
On May 1, 1852, O. M. Lord, Eev. William Sweet and Jonathan
Williams landed on Wabasha prairie from the Dr. Franklin, They
were left by the boat at the lower landing, at about ten o'clock in
the evening. Applying for lodgings at Pentlers, they found the
little cabin already full, densely crowded to overflowing. On look-
ing about to discover what other chances were possible for sleeping
quarters, they saw what in the darkness they supposed to be a hay-
stack, apparently not far back on the prairie. As nothing more
favorable presented itself, they started out from the landing with the
expectation that they would be able to make a comfortable bed from
the hay at the stack. Afler traveling a short distance they suddenly
became aware that what they had imagined to be a stack was but
the form of the bluffs — the outlines of which could be seen in the
208 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
distance — they were m front of the " Sugar Loaf," the top of which,
a mile and a halt away, could be dimly seen above the horizon.
Disappointed in their pursuit of lodgings in that direction, they re-
turned to the river and passed the night on the sand, sleeping
soundly wrapped in their blankets.
A.t daylight they prefaced their explorations of the country by
taking observations of their surroundings. Except the broad river,
then a raging flood overflowing the loMdands, and the general pictu-
resque views extending in every direction from the landing, there was
nothing in Capt. Smith's town site to excite their admiration or
arouse any practical interest. The barren, sandy prairie, recently
burned over, was almost entirely destitute of any appearance of
vegetable life, except that the few trees and bushes along the river
bank were just beginning to exhibit a faint appearance of green.
Wabasha prairie was of no apparent value to these practical men,
prospecting for good farming land.
Without longer delay than to indulge a good apjjetite for break-
fast, they stai'ted for the Rolling Stone, their po^t of destination.
Following the trail along up the river to the upper landing, they
took a straight course over the prairie toward the mouth of the Gil-
more valley. They were compelled to ford the slough, which was
then flooded from the high water in the river. The crossing place,
on the trail which they struck, was about a quarter of a mile above
where the bridge, on the Gilmore Valley road, now stands. To
keep their clothing dry they stripped, and carried it over on their
shoulders, with their packs. Following the trail along the bluffs
they readily reached Noracong's shanty, and found themselves on
the grounds claimed by the Western Farm and Village Association,
and were hospitably received by Mr. Haddock and such of the
pioneer guard as were not absent on foraging expeditions to the
trout streams in the valleys.
Mr. Sweet was the only one of his party who was a member of
the association. Mr. Williams, altliough not a member, was a
proxy representative, prospecting for his son-in-law, H. H. Hull,
who belonged to the organization, ^r. Lord was not then in any
way connected with the association. He was favorabl}^ impressed
with its plan of colonization, but was desirous of exploring the sur-
roundings of the locality before deciding to make it his home. He
was, however, afterward prominently identifled with the affairs of
the colony.
EMIGKAXTS C0.MIN(4. 209
r
Although tlie ahnaiiae phiinly showed tluit the day of their
arrival at Rolling Stone was Sunday, the Rev. William Sweet and
Deacon Jonathan Williams accompanied the more liberal-minded O.
M. Lord on a Sabbath day's journey into the wilderness back of the
bluffs, to view the land. Proceeding up the valley of the Rolling
Stone, they followed the trail leading out through what is now
known as Straight Valley, onto the dividing ridge between the Roll-
ing Stone and Whitewater. Following up this divide they came
upon a beautiful prairie, on the edge of which they camped for the
night. The next day they explored this locality, and each made
choice of a claim. They gave it the name of Rolling Stone prairie,
by which it was for a while designated. After selecting their claims
they returned to the headquarters of the embryo colony, N'ora-
cong's shanty, and made report of their discoveries.
This pai-ty of three was the first of any of the settlers to visit
the country back of the bluifs of the Mississippi. The claim made
by Mr. Sweet was the farm occupied by him for many years^ after-
ward. The name of Rolling Stone prairie was, because of his resi-
dence here, changed and given the name of Sweet's prairie. Mr.
Sweet is now living near Minnesota City. The claim made by Mr.
Williams, adjoining that of Mr. Sweet, was for H. H. Hull, who
was then living at Scales Mound, near Galena. Mr. Hull came on
with his wife later in the season, and occupied the claim shanty of
Mr. Sweet through the winter. In the spring he sold the claim
made for hhn by Mr. Williams, and located himself a few miles
farther south, in what is now the town of Utica. He Lived there a
few years, when he sold out and went back to Illinois.
After making this claim Mr. Sweet went back to his home and
brought on a part of his family. About the middle of June, he
with the aid of the settlers at Rolling Stone built a small log-house,
and made some improvements on his claim. In the fall he returned
home, leaving his son, a boy about twelve years, to remain and live
with Mr. Hull, who, with his wife, was to occupy Mr. Sweet's shanty
during the winter. It was made the duty of this boy to drive the
cattle down into the Whitewater Valley to water. The boy was
treated with a great deal of severity. During one of the coldest
days of that winter, the boy without sufficient protection was sent to
drive the cattle down into the valley — but he never returned. Mr.
Hull f(nind him a few rods from the house frozen to death. The
body was put into a sink-hole, and not buried until the next spring.
210 HISTORY OF WLNONA COUNTY.
The claim made by Mr. Lord on Sweet's prairie was never im-
proved by liim ; some other settler had the benefit of his choice.
On the second of May a large detachment of the main body of
colonists, about fifty in number, men, women and children, bound
for the Rolling Stone, came up the river on the Excelsior from
St. Louis. This party did not land at Wabasha prairie. Supposing
it to be practicable for steamboats to go through Straight slough, if
the ofiicers of the boats were inclined to make the attempt, and on
account of the extreme high water which made it difficult to get to
the mainland from Wabasha prairie. Mi-. Haddock had advised
this party to make it a condition of their passage that they should
be landed at Rolling Stone. Captain Ward, of the Excelsior,
promised to land them anywhere they wished, provided it could be
done with safety to the boat.
On arriving at Wabasha prairie, the pilot refused to attempt the
passage through Straight slough, deciding that it was not a navi-
gable channel. The party continued on, expecting to find a land-
ing-place somewhere above. At Holmes' landing (now Fountain
City), the boat stopped to replenish its supply of wood. They here
found Thomas K. Allen, the secretary of the association, who, with
Augustus A. Gilbert, one of the directors, had landed from the
Dr. Franklin during the previous night. Mr. Gilbert had taken a
canoe and crossed over to the Minnesota side of the river, leaving
Mr. Allen in charge of their baggage. A cow and a breaking plow
was a part of their freight.
Learning that there was no prospect of landing from the steam-
boat near their destination, they bargained with the master and
owner of the wood-boat to transfer them to the other side of the
river. The German agreed to undertake the trip for fifteen dollars,
although he was unacquainted with the river in that vicinity, pro-
vided they would help him get his boat back to his woodyard again.
Taking Mr. Allen and his freight on board with the loaded
wood craft in tow, the steamboat proceeded on up the river, unloading
while on the way. The colonists with their freight and live stock
were transferred to the empty scow, which was cast off when about
a mile below the mouth of the White Water and near the Minne-
sota shore. From there they drifted down to Rolling Stone. It
was late in the afternoon when they left the Excelsior. By carefully
hugging the shore they fortunately succeeded in safely landing,
about fifty rods above where Troosts' flouring-mill recently stood.
EMIGRANTS COMING. 2 1 1
It was long after dark before the weary immigrants gathered around
the camp-fire of the pioneer squad, which had been a beacon to
guide them as they poled the sluggish craft across the overflowed
bottoms from Haddock slough, down which they had drifted
until nearly opposite their landing-place.
Noracong's little shanty was literally packed full of children,
with a woman or two to care for them. The "gophers" were
crowded to their fullest capacity. The colonists not provided with
shelter bivouaced around the camp-fires. The night was a cool
but pleasant one. None seemed to suffer from the exposure they
were subject to on the first night of their arrival in their new home.
Among the party landed from the wood-boat were S. E. Cot-
ton, wife and child ; H. W. Driver and wife, Lawrence Dilworth,
wife and four children ; James Wilson and wife; James Hatton,
wife and four children ; Mrs. Charles Bannon ; Dr. George F,
Childs, wife and niece ; David Densmore, John Shaw, M. Fitzgib-
bons, D. Jackson, William Harris, Horace Eanney, William Sperry,
A. A. Gilbert, Thomas K. Allen and others — some families whose
names are now forgotten.
It was under such circumstances and condition of aflairs that
this colony was settled, and some of the members of the association
initiated into the mysteries of pioneer life.- Many were greatly
disappointed ; the realities presented to view served to somewhat
cloud the illusive fancies pictured in their imaginations, of com-
fortable homes in the west. Some were discouraged and home-
sick. Others, strongly dissatisfied with the location, decided to
abandon the colony and return down the river. Some of the more
courageous announced that, they had come to stay, and notwith-
standing the prospective hardships to be endured, they cheerfully
set about making their arrangements accordingly.
At daylight the next morning the freight was unloaded from
the wood-boat, and a party of nine, principall}^ members of the
pioneer squad, among whom were H. Jones and William Stevens,
assisted the proprietor to land it on the Wisconsin side of the river.
On their return the same day they brought with them a small flat-
boat, which was at first hired and afterward purchased by tlie asso-
ciation. This craft was called the Macedonian. It was a
roughly-constructed affair of sufficient capacity to carry about three
cords of wood, and proved really serviceable to the settlers.
The following morning some of the pioneer squad started with
212 illSTOKY OF WIXOJS'A CUUJS'TY.
the JViacedo.iian for Wubasha prairie to bring up tlieir freight and
baggage left on their arrival in charge of the "cigar-maker." Dr.
(Jhilds, William Sperrj, and two other disaiFected ones, who had
decided to abandon the colony, embraced the opportunity and en-
gaged passage with their families and all of their possessions and
moved down to Jolmson's lauding. The flatboat was landed on Keen's
claim, a little north from where the fair grounds were once located.
From there the party walked to Johnson's and waited for a steam
boat to take them back down the river. Dr. Childs remained in
charge of the goods until they were hauled down by Johnson's
ox-team, which, with Mauby's wagon, moved the freight of the
pioneer squad up to the landing-place of the Macedonian. The
Hatboat returned with the goods of the pioneer party and also car
ried up the family of Mr. Mauby, who had been living in Johnson's
shauty at the upper landing.
The Macedonian was used as a freight boat during the time of
the high water and was most of the time under the control of Cap-
tain Jackson. On this first trip it* was under the management of
Mr. Jones. In speaking of the matter Mr. Jones said: "The
wind was blowing quite strong from the east that day and we were
heavy loaded both ways. The trip down was a hard one. Think-
ing to make the return trip easier, I tore off two or three strong
poles from the Indian tepees, which we passed on our way up from
Jolmson's, and rigged a sail by hoisting a portion of the canvas of
our tent. We went up at a good rate of speed, but kept in shoal
water to please some wlio were afraid to venture out." This flat-
boat was usually propelled by oars and poles or was dragged over
the flooded bottoms on the upper prairie by means of long ropes,
the men who performed this service sometimes wading in the shal-
low water.
The large tent, which had been brought along by the advance
party and used to shelter their goods at Johnson's landing, was put
up at Kolling Stone as soon as it arrived at that place. Its location
was about twenty rods east of where Stewart's hotel now stands. It
afforded some accommodations for the houseless settlers, until they
could build more comfortable places for themselves. With theii*
cooking-stoves arranged under the trees, where they cooked and
took their meals, the tent afforded shelter and sleeping quarters for
several families, besides protection for some of their most valuable
goods. They were abundantly supplied with provisions. Unaccus-
THOMAS Stevenson.
OTHER SETTLEMENTS. 215
toraed to pioneer life they hardly knew what to do or where to
begin to make homes for themselves on the village lots apportioned
to each member before he left New York. They were mechanics
of different trades, and were willing to use any means in their
knowledge to make their families comfortable, but they could not
build houses without lumber, and none was to be obtained at any
price. But few of the men were handy with the axe or understood
how to build a log house.
Seeing the urgent necessity and imperative demand made for
lumber, O. M. Lord, accompanied by Mr. Densmore, went up the
Chippewa river and brought down a small raft of lumber, which he
landed safely about where the wood-boat with its passengers reached
the shore.
Mr, Lord here opened the first lumber yai^d ever in operation in
•this county. He leadily retailed his lumber in small lots and soon
exhausted his stock without supplying the demand. He was then
engaged by the members of the association to go up to the mills on
the Chippewa and purchase a large bill of lumber which they
ordered. He was to attend to the sawing, rafting and delivery of
the same. This raft was brought down from the Chippewa, attached
to a large raft destined for some point on the Mississippi below,
and cast off at the head of the slough. He made a successful trip
and landed his raft at ' ' Lord's Lumber Yard. "
CHAPTEK XXni.
OTHER SETTLEMENTS.
Late in the evening of May 4, 1852, a party of immigrants,
destined for the colony at Kolling Stone, landed from the Nominee
at Johnson's landing. With this party were Rev, E. Ely, E. B.
Drew, C. R. Coryell, W. H. Coryell, Jacob S. Denman, E. B.
Thomas, Robert Pike, Jr. , Ira Wilcox, Isaac A. Wheeler, H. Clary,
D. Jackson, William Christie, and others whose names are now for-
gotten.
Rev. Edward Ely came up from La Crosse as a passenger on
this boat. He did not belong to the association, neither was he
13
216 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
ever a member of that organization. It was, however, through its
influence that he was induced to come to Minnesota.
Mr. Elv was at that time a Baptist preacher— a shepherd without
a flock, a pastor awaiting a providential call to a ministerial charge.
While in St. Louis with his familj^, in transitu from the State of Ohio
to whenever the Lord in his wisdom might send him, he was
accosted bj Horace Kanney, an acquaintance of his boyhood, who
was a member of the Western Farm and Village Association, and one
of the party then embarking on the Excelsior for the colony at Roll-
ing Stone in the Territory of Minnesota.
In a few words Mr. Ranney explained the object of the associa-
tion, and readily induced Mr. Ely to put his family and effects, which
were then on the levee, -on board the steamboat and accompany
them to the promised land. This party was the one that landed
from the wood-boat on May 2, as already related. He accompanied
them as far as La Crosse, where he stopped off' with his wife and
two children to afford them comfortable quarters while he. visited
the colony and acquired some knowledge of the country into which
he had almost involuntarily drifted without any special information
relative to its demands or resources.
Leaving his family with some kind Baptist friends, he came up
on the Nominee to Wabasha prairie, intending to join Mr. Ranney
and his friends at Rolling Stone. The disaffection exhibited by
some of the members who landed with him, and the action of Dr.
Child, influenced him to abandon his design to locate himself in the
colony and perhaps decided his future course in life. He settled at
Johnson's landing on Wabasha prairie and became a permanent
resident of the county and of the city of Winona, where he yet
lives.
The estimable qualities of his excellent wife endeared her to the
early pioneers. Words will hardly express the high esteem enter-
tained by the citizens of Winona for Mrs. Ely. Her remarkable
talent as a portrait painter, duly appreciated by her many friends,
has been for many years utilized as a source of income.
E. B. Drew and the Coryell brothers, C. R. and W. H. Coryell,
were ,relatives — cousins. They were also partners in their business
transactions. These hardy young men were practical farmers and
had previously had some familiarity with pioneer life. They brought
with them three yoke of oxen and a cow. A large breaking plow
and an assortment of farming tools formed a part of their outfit and
OTHER SETTLEMENTS. 217
freight. The big covered wagon with which thej came tlirough
from Chicago to Galena, where they took the boat, was one that had
been constructed for them tlie year before for a proposed trip across
the country to Oregon. Tlie wagon-box was made water-tiglit, that
it might be serviceable as a float in fording streams. Tliis was
liberally stored with supplies.
J. S. Denman was accompanied by his mother, wife and four
children, and brought with him a team of four horses and a large
covered wagon, which he used in transporting his family from
Brooklin, Michigan, to Galena. He also had a breaking plow, farm-
ing tools and abundant provisions.
E. B. Thomas was from the city of New York. From the first
organization of the association he had been an active official member,
the corresponding secretary and a financial agent.
Eobert Pike, Jr., and Elder Wilcox were on a prospecting trip,
having left their families in Illinois. As soon as it was light, they,
with others, went directly to the colony.
Mr. Pike had been engaged for several years in teaching and
lecturing on a system of nmemonics, which he had cultivated and on
which subject he had published a book of about one hundred and
fifty pages. He joined the association in the fall previous, while
living in the State of New York, and came to Illinois, where he had
been lecturing on his favorite topic and teaching a school during the
winter. After he came here he became prominently identified in
the matters of the colony and in county aflairs, and held official
positions.
Isaac A. Wheeler, with his son John and H. Clary, came on
w^th Mr. Drew's party. They each brought with them a yoke of
oxen. These men remained at Rolling Stone until fall, when they
left and went down the river to Indiana.
The reports brought down by Dr. Childs were somewhat dis-
couraging to these members of the association. Mr. Denman
and Mr. Thomas forded the back slough on horseback and went up
to Rolling Stone. Having been previously ])rejudiced, they very
promptly expressed their dissatisfaction of the selection made for
the village site and at once abandoned all ideas of settling in that
locality. Without delay they returned to the landing.
Greatly surprised at this abrupt and decisive action on the part
of these members, Mr. Haddock accompanied them down. He did
not like to lose the aid and influence of his ardent co-woi'ker in the
218 HISTOEY OF WINONA COUNTY.
organization and management of the association without some effort
to reclaim him, but he failed by any arguments presented to induce
him to reconsider his decision.
Learning that Mr. Thomas designed to withdraw from them
entirely, Mr. Haddock made a formal demand for the funds in his
hands. Mr. Thomas had in his possession a small amount of
money, initiation fees and weekly dues, but he declined to surren-
der it until his accounts were properly audited and accepted. He
was then denounced as a defaulter to destroy his influence with
other members. This financial matter was subsequently settled at
the first meeting of the association in Rolling Stone.
Mr. Drew and the Coryells were not satisfied with the reports
made by Denman and Thomas, nor influenced by the opinions of
Dr. Childs and his friends, who were then stopping in Johnson's
shanty. They "proposed to go up there and look around for them-
selves." In the afternoon Mr. Drew and C. R. Coryell accom-
panied Mr. Haddock on his return.
At the crossing place on the back slough an old canoe was kept
for the accommodation of the settlers. It would carry two persons
comfortably but was unsafe with more. Mr. Coryell took the pad-
dle to set Mr. Haddock across, intending to return for his partner.
To save time Mr. Drew stripped and, throwing his clothing into the
canoe, followed them over. The water was about four and a half
■ feet deep on the trail, but deeper above and below. The current
was strong, and a person was liable to drift into deep water.
By permission, the following entries have been copied from the
diary and memoranda of E. B. Drew :
"Landed on Wabasha prairie, Minnesota Territory, Tuesday
night after 11 o'clock. May 4, 1852.
"Wednesday, May 5 : Went up to Rolling Stone this afternoon
and visited the new settlement. Some are homesick and talk of
leaving. Found O. M. Lord, from Michigan, there. He was help-
ing to cover Mauby's shanty with a roof of elm-bark. He has
been back twenty-five or thirty miles and reports a good country
and rich soil, and says he shall settle in this part of the country.
We have no women or children to get homesick, and we shall stop
here too. Took the flatboat down to the lower prairie. Mr. Lord
came down to our camp and staid all night with us.
"Thursday, May 6: Left Wabasha prairie. It is a barren,
san&y, desolate-looking place, recently burnt over. Would not
OTHER SETTLEMENTS. 219
give ten cents an acre for the whole of it. Forded the slough with
our teams and cow ; crossed without accident, although the water
was deep with a strong current. Had to raise the wagon-box on
the bolsters to keep the water out, All our traps are now at
Kolling Stone."
Mr. Clary crossed the slough with his oxen at the same time
and went up with Mr. Drew. Mr. Wheeler remained on the prairie
for a day or two before he joined them at the colony.
When Mr. Lord was consulted relative to these incidents he
assumed a reflective attitude for a moment and then with an almost
audible smile, replied : "That is correct. Wheeler did not come up
with Drew. I have reason to remember it. I went down to the
prairie the next day and stopped at his camp, not far from where
the road now crosses to the upper prairie. After the usual saluta-
tions, Wheeler remarked : ' I suppose you are hungry about this
time of day.' I was hungry as a wolf, and I told him I would
take a bite if it was handy. We were not very regular in our
meals at that time, and I saw the coffee-pot and a few brands smok-
ing where they had had a fire. He then took out two or three
handfuls of hard biscuit, which he laid on the box where he had
been sitting, and said to his son, ' Bring on that meat. ' Just then
he discovered that his cattle were straying off and stalled after them.
"The boy brought the meat in a frying-pan and put it on the box.
I took hold and made out quite a hearty meal before Wheeler got
back. When he returned he glanced at the empty frying-pan and
called out to his son, ' Ho, Donald ! didn't I tell you to cook
some of that ham for supper?' 'Yaas,' replied the youngster, in
a surly tone ; ' I got a right smart chance on it, but that chap
gobbled it all.' Wheeler saw the state of affairs almost as soon as
I did, and said, 'Wal, wal, cut some more, can't you? there's
plenty of it.' I was somewhat surprised and not a little chagrined
to discover that I had eaten up the supper of two hearty and hungry
persons, which they had just prepared for themselves. I supposed
that they had just completed their meal as I came into their camp."
E. B. Drew's loaded wagon was the first to ford the slough and
the first along the bluffs. No wagon trail had ever been opened.
O. M. Lord was the pilot and guide on the trail. In crossing the
slough Mr. Drew gave his special attention to the care of his cow.
In his anxiety for her safety he was forgetful of self and got a
" duck " or two. His clothing was in the wagon and did not sufier
from his mishaps.
220 HISTOEY OF WINONA COUNTY.
This loaded wagon was the first to make its entrance into the
colony of the Western Farm and Village Association. They crossed
the creek near Noracong's shanty, Mr. IS'oracong himself selecting
the fording place and directing their movements. This covered
wagon was used by Drew and the Coryells as their headquarters —
their home for some time after their arrival.
The cow was an important item of their possessions. Bread
and milk, mush and milk, and milk as a beverage, were staple luxu-
ries. Fresh butter of home production was sometimes indulged in.
Their cooking was done by their camp-fires. Bread was baked in a
tin oven before the fire. Sometimes they used an iron bake-kettle,
which they covered with hot ashes and coals. For boiling, a kettle
was usually suspended over the fire from a pole supported on
crotches. Mr. Drew says a heavy tin bucket made the best camp-
kettle. It would heat quickly and economized time in cooking.
These, with the frying-pan and coffee-pot, were the most important
cooking utensils of their camp outfit. Their supplies furnislied
them a variety in the way of diet. Fresh brook -trout were plentiful
and common in their camp.
About daylight on the morning of Sunday, May 9, 1852, another
large party, on their way to Rolling Stone^ was landed on Wabasha
prairie from the Dr. Franklin. Among these passengers were
Kobert Thorp and son, Robert Taylor, wife and three children, D.
McRose, wife and three children, John Burns, wife a- id three
children, James Gardner, wife and daughter, a young woman, and
quite a number of others.
On account of the flood and insufficient means for transportation
they were detained at Johnson's landing several days. They built
a shelter on the bank of the river by piling up their boxes, forming
a small inclosure which they covered vrith boards found near by.
One of the party, Robert Thorp, furnished the following inci-
dent. He is yet a resident of the county, a hale and hearty old
farmer, living in the town of Rolling Stone. He has preserved his
certificate of membership and a copy of it has been procured to show
the form of this relic of the association :
No. 37. This is to certify that Robert Thorp has paid his initiation fee and
has been elected a member of the Western Farm and Village Association No. 1
of the city of New York. William Haddock, President.
Charles E. Wheeler, Financial Secretary.
October 15, 1851.
OTHER SETTLPLMENTS. 221
These certiiieates are embellished with emblems of industry and
civilization. But two of them have been preserved. The other is
held by James Wright, of Minnesota City, to whom it was given.
It is No. 15, and dated August 15, 1851.
Wljen the association was first organized its members were
mechanics of different occupations living in the city. Mr. Thorp
was a blacksmith, and had worked at his trade in New York for
about twenty years. He was born in England.
He left New York on April 15, 1852, with the members of the
association who started at that date, taking with him his eldest son,
John. The remainder of his family, consisting of his wife and three
boys, Thomas, Robert and William, remained in the city about a
month before they joined him in Minnesota. All except the last are
yet living.
Mr. Thoi-p brought with him his blacksmith tools and all things
necessary to start a shop in the new colony, and also some house-
hold goods. On account of delay in the transfer of his heavy freight
at Dunkirk he was left behind his party. On reaching Chicago he
shipped his own goods and the goods and baggage of William
Christie, D. Jackson and others down the canal and Illinois river to
St. Louis, taking passage over the same route.
At St. Louis Mr. Thorp bought his supplies in connection with
Taylor, Burns, McRose and Gardiner, members of the association,
wlio were there on their way to the colony. They took passage to
Galena, where they were transferred to the Dr. Franklin.
To his great surprise and sorrow Mr. Thorp learned that William
Christie, who left him at Chicago and whose baggage was with his
ovm freight, had died but a few hours before and was then lying in
Johnson's shanty. Mr. Christie had arrived a few days previous on
the Nominee and had been up to Rolling Stone. On Saturday he
cam-e down expecting to meet Mr. Thorp at the landing. On his
way he forded the back slough, and without changing his wet cloth-
ing lay down to rest, complaining of not feeling well. He was
taken with what was supposed to be cholera, and died before
morning.
Mr. Christie was a Scotchman — a large, strong and healthy
young man when he landed here. He was highly respected by his
acquaintances for his good qualities. He joined the association in
New York cit}^, where he was working at his trade as a machinist.
For economy he, with others, walked from Cherry Valley to Galena
222 • HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
and came up the liver as deck passengers. While at Rolling Stone
he had been almost without shelter ; the demand was much greater
than the accommodation. Provisions of every kind were abundant
and none suffered from want of sufficient food. The colonists were
liberal in relieving each other when aid was required.
William Christie was buried on the Evans claim. His coffin
was made by E. H. Johnson from the common unseasoned pine
boards lying on the bank of the river. A short funeral service was
held in the open air in front of the shanty by the Rev. Edward Ely.
Mr. Thorp, with other members of the association, accompanied by
the settlers and strangers on the prairie, followed the dead body to
tlie grave and aided in depositing it in its last resting-place.
The occurrence was one long to be remembered. William
Christie was comparatively a stranger. He had died suddenly, far
away from the land of his birth and from his personal friends and
relatives. His death was the first on Wabasha prairie, the first
among the members of the association and the first among the
settlers in the county. His funeral was the first, but before the
summer was passed funerals were frequent both on Wabasha prairie
and in the settlement at Rolling Stone. A young man by the name
of Morgan, a stranger, died after a short sickness not long after
Christie's death.
A fatal sickness attacked the families camped on the bank of the
river. Robert Taylor lost two of his children here. He removed
his sick wife to La Crosse, where she soon after died. Mr. McRose
lost two children ; one of them died on the flatboat while on the way
to Rolling Stone.
Mr. Thorp stopped at Johnson's landing for a few days until he
could get transportation for his freight and supplies. He then went
to Rolling Stone to prepare for the arrival of his family. For tem-
porary accommodation, which could be the most readily provided,
he built a "gopher" on the lot drawn by him before he left New
York. This location was in the field a little above where the barn
of rfames Kennedy now stands. This hut was an improvement on
the ordinary structures of the kind. It was about 12x12. The
basement, or part below the surface, was lined with a framework of
logs. It was here that the family of Mr. Thorp began housekeeping
in Minnesota.
In the morning of May 12th another large party of immigrants for
the colony landed from the Caleb Cope at Johnson's landing.
OTHER SETTLEMENTS. • 223
Owing to unfavorable reports in circulation down the river relative
to the condition of affairs, some left their families at Galena and
came up to explore the country. Among these were James Wright,
John Nicklin, David Duryee, James Brooks and many others.
Some who landed with their families were compelled to put up
temporary shelters on the bank of the river to protect themselves
from the drizzling rain while waiting for transportation.
Although the day proved to be stormy, a large number of the
men went directly to Rolling Stone. As there was insufficient shelter, a
company of nine built a "gopher" for their immediate use. This
was constructed by digging a hold about 8x12 and about eighteen
inches deep, over which a cover was made. The body of this struc-
ture was of small basswood logs, about eight feet long and about
eight or ten inches in diameter. These logs were split and placed
on end close together along the sides and one end of the hole in the
ground, with the tops resting on a ridge-pole supported on posts
with a crotch at the top. This framework was covered with coarse,
dry grass and a layer of earth, over which was laid a covering of
sod. The turf, by careful arrangement, made a roof that readily
shed the rain of ordinary showers.
In this "gopher hole," on a floor of dry grass, the nine men of
this company slept the first night of their arrival, and occupied it as
their lodging-place for a week or two afterward. This "gopher"
was built on the land now owned by James Wright, and where he
now lives in Minnesota city. It was afterward used as a stopping-
place for the family of Mr. Wright. The most of this party of
explorers decided to continue in the colony. Some sent for their
families, others went down the river to escort them up. Mr. Wright
and Mr. Nicklin were among the latter.
Mr. Charles Bannon came up the river on the Caleb Cope. He
was one of the directors of the association and one of its earliest
members. He, with his wife, started from New York with the party
that landed from the wood-boat at Rolling Stone. While on the
way up the river he left the boat at Davenport and, in company with
M. A. Allen, stopped to buy cattle. Mr. Bannon purchased three
yoke of oxen and Mr. Allen two yoke, which they drove through
the country to Dubuque, where they took passage with their stock.
These oxen were designed for use as breaking-teams and for general
farm work.
CHAPTER XXIY.
FIRST SETTLEMENTS AT WINONA CITY.
To catch the drift from the colony above, Johnson offered the
choice of an acre of his claim on Wabasha prairie to each of the
disaffected ones who would stop there, build a house, and make it
their residence for one year. At that time the claim had not been
surveyed or divided into lots and streets. This offer was accepted
by several and a number of locations selected.
Rev. E. Ely made choice of an acre south of Johnson's shanty,
about where the Ely block now stands, on the corner of Center
and Second streets. Jacob S. Denman selected an acre adjoining
that of Mr. Ely's on the east ; Dr. Childs an acre on tlie south of
Mr. Ely's ; E. B. Thomas on the south of Mr. Denman's and east
from that of Dr. Childs' ; John Evans selected an acre west of John-
son's shanty ; John Burns, a member of the association and one of
the party who camped on the bank of the river from the Dr. Frank-
lin on the 9th of May, accepted the offer of an acre from Ed. Ham-
ilton on his claim on the same conditions as the others. The acre
chosen by him was in what is now the front yard of the residence of
Hon. H. W. Lamberton, on the corner of Huff and Harriett streets.
Mr. Burns planted a small garden and set out a few small apple-
trees, which he had brought up the river. Some of these trees
afterward grew to be of considerable size. These were the first
fruit-trees, or trees of any kind, planted on Wabasha prairie by the
early settlers. Tliese fruit-trees were planted in a trench near
together, as in a nursery. When Mr. Huff took possession of the
Hamilton claim he built a fence around the few trees that had
escaped the ravages of the cattle, and after two or three years trans-
planted them in his garden.
W. H. Stevens gave the use of his shanty on the Stevens
claim to Mr. Denman until he could procure lumber and build a
residence for his family. Mr. Denman found occupation for his
team and plow by breaking the land selected for himself and others.
They all made small gardens by way of occupancy and improve-
ments. Mr. Denman enclosed his acre and that selected by Mr.
FIRST SETTLEiMENTS AT WINONA CITY. 225
Thomas with a temporary fence and planted the field with corn.
This was his first attempt at farming in Minnesota. It was not a
profitable enterprise. The fence that enclosed this corn-field was
the first fence built on the prairie by the settlers. It was put up by
George W. Clark and his brother Wayne Clark. Mr. Denmanpaid
them for it by breaking four acres of land on Clark''s claim across
the slough.
Neither Mr. Thomas, Dr. Childs or Mr. Burns ever made any
other improvements on the lots selected. They abandoned them
and made locations elsewhere. Mr. Thomas and Mr. Burns held
claims in the colony, but left the territory in the fall. Dr. Childs
remained on the prairie for several years after.
Mr. Denman built a house on his acre of prairie as soon as he
could procure lumber. Mr. Ely built one in the fall. During the
summer his family lived in Johnson's shanty after they came up
from La Crosse, where they staid for a short time. He paid John-
son four dollars per month rent for the use of the "Hotel."
The house built by Mr. Denman stood on Lafayette street, be-
tween Second and Third streets. This was the first house built by
the settlers on Wabasha prairie, not expressly designed as a "'claim
shanty." It was a balloon frame building of considerable preten-
sions for that date of improvements, about 16x32, one story high,
the sides boarded "up and down" with rough boards and the
cracks battened. The roof was of boards, and because of its pecu-
liar construction the building was given the name of " car-house,"
from its fancied resemblance to a railroad car. The doors and win-
dows were fiirnished with frames and casings — the first improve-
ments of the kind. The floor was of dressed lumber, a luxury
heretofore unknown. This building was divided into rooms by
board partitions, and parts of it ceiled with dressed lumber.
Mr. Denman occupied this house as his residence until fall,
when he moved on his claim. About the first of July he opened a
store in the front room of this building. He brought up from
Galena a small stock of goods suitable for the market, and here
started the fii'st store on Wabasha prairie for the sale of goods to
the settlers. Jacob S. Denman was the first merchant to establish
himself in business in what is now the city of Winona.
It was in the " car house" that the first white child was born
within the limits of this city. While living here the family of Mrs.
Denman was increased by the addition of a daughter on the 18th of
226 HISTORY OF WINONA COTmTY.
July, 1852. Mrs. Goddard, after consultation with Mrs. Ely, gave
to this first native settler the name of "Prairie Louise Denman,"
the name by which she was afterward known. She has been dead
many years. The oldest native settler, born in the city of Winona,
who is now living, is Mason Ely, the second son of Rev. Edward
Ely, born in 1853.
The primary object of all of the early settlers was to secure land
for farming purposes on which to locate a future home. About the
first thing done was to "make a claim." Mr. Denman began
prospecting as soon as he landed, and on the 9th of May discovered
and formally made a claim on the upper prairie. He and his
mother there held 320 acres. The high water flooded the bottom
lands, and their claims covered all of the land not overflowed, lying
east from the Rolling Stone creek, to about where the highway now
crosses the railroads, and extended south far enough to include the
table next to the bluffs. It was on this table that he blazed the
trees and inscribed his name as proprietor of the claim. It was
on this table that he built a very comfortable log house, made other
improvements, and moved his family there in September. The
land selected by Mr. Denman had been previously claimed by Had-
dock and Murphy for the Western Farm and Tillage Association.
Mr. Denman was duly notified that he was trespassing on grounds
claimed for the colony, but he persisted in holding it and making
improvements, without regard to the protestations of the members
of the association.
This was the first collision of a settler with that oi'ganization.
The first person to encroach on the territory claimed was an ex-
member. To get Denman ofiP, the colonists tried "moral, legal and
physical suasion, but he tenaciously adhered." He lived in this log
cabin under the bluffs for about three years, until he built a more
modern house and large barns near the center of his farm. This
claim, or, more properly, the claims of Denman and his mother, are
now known as the Denman farm. It is at present owned and occu-
pied by Mr. George Fifield.
Mr. Denman sacrificed this large farm, which he had secured by
honest industry and years of hard labor, in his mistaken zealous
efforts to aid the " Grange movement" for cheaper freights, cheaper
supplies and cheaper agricultural implements. He removed to
Texas, but his good luck at farming failed him there. It is said that
Mr. Denman is now a poor man, and in his old age again a pioneer,
FIRST SETTLEMENTS AT WINONA CITY. 227
looking for "a home in the west" in one of the territories. None
of his family are now living in this county.
Dr. George F. Childs, with his wife and niece, lived for a short
time in Johnson's shanty. While there his niece was taken with the
measles and died after a few days' sickness. The remains were
taken to La Crosse for burial.
About the middle ot May Dr. Childs bought the east half of the
claim made by Jabez McDermott. He paid McDermott eighty dol-
lars for a quit-claim deed and possession of the eighty acres. This
was the lirst claim sale on Wabasha prairie. Whether this deed was
ever made a matter of record is now very uncertain, as at that time
there was no county organization in Wabasha county, of which
Winona county was a part. AH matters of record were filed in
Washington county, with which Wabasha was connected for all
judicial purposes. Possession of land was then more important than
title-deeds. The land still belonged to government and no surveys
had been made.
The machine-shops and surrounding buildings of the Chicago &
Northwestern Railroad Company, the Winona wagon-works and
the Winona plow-works are on what was once the McDermott claim.
This locality was a favorite camping-place of Wabasha's band.
When Dr. Childs took possession there were about half-a-dozen of
their large bark cabins, or tepees, yet standing, but in a somewhat
dilapidated condition, the settlers having taken material from them
for use in other localities. In the vicinity of the machine-shops was
an old Indian burying-place. The graves were scattered over that
locality ; very many were exposed and destroyed in the excavations
made. Relics of the past — stone hatchets, flint arrowheads and
pipes of red pipestone — were found. Sometimes fragments of bones
or a tolerably well preserved skeleton would be unearthed and used
to help form a railroad embankment in some other locality.
Indian graves have been found in several places on Wabasha
prairie and in the mouths of the valleys. Quite a number were
exposed by the caving of the ri,ver bank on the lower part of the
prairie. Two modern Indian graves were on Johnson's claim when
the whites first took possession of the prairie. They were left undis-
turbed for several years. The covering of sticks which were placed
over them by the natives marked their location until the ground was
plowed by Johnson in the spring of 1855. These graves were on
lot 2, block 17. When it was improved and buildings were erected,
228 HISTORY OF WmONA COUIfTY.
the bones buried there were thrown out in excavating a cellar and
taken possession of by Dr. Franklin Staples. These bones were the
remains of jouug persons and were very much decayed. It has
been stated that some of Wabasha's children were buried in these
graves, but there is no evidence confirming this statement. Wa-
basha's special home was in the mouth 'of Burns valley.
The Indian village located on the McDermott claim, a part of
which was purchased by Dr. Childs, was said to be the grand
gathering-place of the Mdaywakantonwan division of Sioux. It
was in this vicinity that Wabasha's bands met for their amusements,
sports and games, as well as more serious and important aifairs.
From this village the Indian trails diverged as from a common cen-
ter, some leading to the valleys, others up and do^vn the bank of
the river. The wild grass, common on every other part of the
prairie, had almost entirely disappeared around this village or sum-
mer resort, and had been replaced by a fine turf of blue-grass found
in no other place except along the bank of the river on the lower
part of the prairie, where Mrs. Keyes now lives.
Mr. George W. Clark says ' ' That on McDermott's claim there
was a large flat stone, the center of a large circle of smooth, level
ground, with well defined boundaries, plainly to be seen in 1851.
This stone was taken away by some of the early settlers. "
Dr. Childs lived during the summer of 1852 in the little cabin
with a bark roof which McDermott occupied as his claim shanty.
He built a comfortable cottage near by it, in which he lived for sev-
eral years. The logs and poles of the Sioux tepees were used in the
construction of sheds and as posts for his fences. The bark covering
of the huts was carefully gathered and used as firewood for his kit-
chen stove.
It was the custom of Dr. Childs to date all of his correspondence
and business papers from his residence on this claim, to which he
gave the name of " Ozelle cottage." This name was derived from
the one given by the old French voyageurs to Wabasha prairie.
Ozelle was but the French pronunciation of Aix Aile anglicized by
Dr. Childs in writing.
When Dr. Childs left New York he supposed that he would find
the Indians occupying this part of the territory, and brought along
an assortment of goods for the purpose of bartering with them, but
found that the Sioux had forsaken their homes hi this localitv. He
FIRST SETTLEMENTS AT WINONA CTTY. 229
after a time traded his Indian goods with the Winnebagoes for
dressed deerskins and got rid of his goods without loss.
Dr. Childs was a botanic physician, but never practiced his pro-
fession in this vicinity, or only to a very limited extent. He engaged
in mercantile business for a year or two after he sold his land. He
moved to Minneiska, Wabasha county, where he lived for awhile.
Dr. G. F. Childs is now a resident of the State of Maryland, where
he has charge of a benevolent institution, a home for aged people.
Among the passengers who landed at Johnson's landing from
the steamer Caleb Cope on May 12, 1852, were Abner S. Goddard,
wife and three children, from I^a Crosse. They arrived at about
four o'clock on a dark and rainy morning, and went directly from
the landing to the shanty on the Stevens claim, in accordance with
a previous arrangement made with Silas Stevens. On reaching the
shanty they were surprised to find the table, benches and other fur-
niture of the cabin, which they supposed to be occupied, irregularly
piled outside. When the inmates were aroused they discovered
that the furniture had been removed to aftord sleeping quarters for
the occupants. William H. Stevens and a young man living with
him held one corner, while the family of Mr. Denman, seven in
number, were in possession of the remainder of the little 10xi2
shanty, not occupied by the cook-stove. To accommodate the new-
comers, the future occupants of the cabin, Mr. Denman provided for
his family by making a shelter for them with the lumber he had laid
up loosely to dry for use in the house he was then building. While
living in this manner the loose boards were blown from over their
heads during a severe thunderstorm one night when they were
all in bed. They were compelled to seek shelter in Johnson's
shanty, but again occupied their lumber piles in the morning and
continued to do so until their house was finished.
During the previous winter Mr. Goddard had been living in La
Crosse. He there taught the village school — the first school ever
taught in La Crosse, the first school ever taught on the Mississippi
river between Prairie du Chien and St. Paul, if the Indian mission
schools at Red Wing and Kaposia are excepted. His schoolroom
was in the court-house, which was built during the fall and fore part
of the same winter. To add to their income and to accommodate
some personal friends, Mrs. Goddard opened a boarding-house.
' ' Aunt Catharine's " table was then, as it is now, always full, with-
out soliciting patronage. Silas Stevens became a boarder and made
230 HISTOEY OF WINONA COUNTY.
it his home with them while in La Crosse. After the attempt of Mr.
Gere to jump the Stevens claim Mr. Stevens offered to furnish Mr.
Goddard a shanty of sufficient capacity to keep a boarding-house on
Wabasha prairie if he would go up and live on his claim, and also
. promised him an acre of the claim on which to build a house if he
would continue to reside there. Others, then living in La Crosse,
who had made claims, urged him to accept Mr. Stevens' proposition.
As Mr. Goddard had been up to the prairie with a party of claim-
hunters early in the spring, and had been solicited by the settlers
in that locality to come up, he was the more readily induced to
change his residence.
Immigrants were landed from every boat, and the little shanty
was crowded with hungry guests as soon as their arrival was known.
Meals were provided for all that came, but they were required to
look out for their own lodging-places. The beds of their guests were
sometimes the soft sands of the prairie, the bed clothing their ordi-
nary wearing apparel with the addition of a blanket.
Three or four days after the arrival of Mr. Goddard, another
shanty was put up by Mr. Stevens to meet the increasing business
and the demand for better accommodations. This shanty was a one-
story building about 16x32. To increase its capacity an awning of
canvas was stretched from one side, which served as a shelter for
the cooking department. The two rooms were subdivided by can-
vas partitions. It was customary, however, for guests who lodged
there to blow out the candle and go to bed in the dark. This was a
rule of the house.
This shanty stood about where the "Davenport house" now
stands, not far from the corner of Third and Kansas streets. The
original shanty on the Stevens claim was torn down, and the
material used in the construction of this second one.
" Goddard 's " was the favorite stopping-place — the most popu-
lar and commodious " hotel" on Wabasha prairie. This shanty was
the "home" of many of the early settlers of this county who came
that season. It was here they gathered for social enjoyment, to get
the latest news, to discuss the matters of claims and current
events. It was the place of gathering for all public meetings, and
the headquarters of the Wabasha Protection Club, of which Mr.
Goddard was elected secretary. A select school was opened here
by Miss Angelia Gere, a young daughter of H. C. Gere. This
was the first school attempted on the prairie. It was kept in opera-
FIRST SETTLEMENTS AT WUSTONA CITY. 283
tion but a short time. Here the first stated religious meetings were
held, with regular preaching on the Sabbath day. This history
would be incomplete without some special notice of Mr. Goddard
and his familj^, so intimately were the early settlers connected with
this "settlers' home."
The summer of 1852 was known in the west as the sickly season.
The extreme high water of the early spring was followed by another
extreme of low water, with remarkably dry and hot weather. This
occasioned a general epidemic of severe forms of malarial diseases,
which were unusually fatal. These diseases prevailed extensively
along the river. Wabasha prairie and the colony at Minnesota
City were seriously affected by it. The settlement of this county
was retarded through the loss of many of the settlers by death, and
the removal of very many others to escape the threatened dangers
of sickness in a locality where there was so limited accommoda-
tions, even for the healthy.
The settlers considered themselves fortunate, indeed, if in their
attack of sickness they could get in at Goddard's. The accommo-
dation was prized, for there they felt sure of kind attention and
watchful nursing. There were no regular medical practitioners in
the county who followed their profession — none nearer than La
Crosse, and domestic management was an important consideration
with the sufferers.
The following extract from a letter to "Aunt Catharine " (Mrs.
Goddard), written a score of years afterward, will illustrate some-
what the general sentiments of the early settlers in connection with
the occurrences of that year: "I cannot forget the many deeds of
kindness and motherly care my brothers and myself received at your
hands when your house was a hospital and you the ministering
angel. With nine sick persons, including your husband ; with but
two rooms in which to lodge and make comfortable your sick house-
hold, how admirably and patiently all was managed."
In the latter part of this season Mr. Goddard and his two young-
est children were prostrated with the prevailing diseases and died.
Mr. Goddard's death occurred September 11. The loss of a citizen
of such promising usefulness in the new settlement was a calamity
seriously felt. He was a man of the strictest integrity and of cor-
rect moral principles.
In his native state, Pennsylvania, Mr, Goddard was honored
with the ofiice of justice of the peace, and held that position for
234 HISTOKY OF WINONA COUNTY.
many years. He there acquired the title of " Squire Goddard," by
which name he was generally known. He was appointed post-
master, and received his commission during his last sickness, but
never qualified or attempted to serve in that capacity. \
Mrs. Goddard, now known as Mrs. Catharine Smith, is yet a
resident of Wabasha prairie. She is the oldest female resident of
the city of Winona. Indirectly through her some of the best
citizens of Winona became residents of this county. She is a sister
of the Lairds'. Although the mother of many children, she has
but one living, a son, Orrin F. Smith.
Aunt Catharine is a woman whose social nature, kind heart and
real worth have secured to her hosts of sincere friends. Her Easter
parties, birthday gatherings and social reunions of old settlers are
annual enjoyments to herself as well as to her numerous relatives
and friends. Mrs. Goddard was connected with many incidents of
pioneer life which might be mentioned, some of which will be
noticed.
Prominent among the settlers who located on Wabasha prairie
this season was Dr. John L. Balcombe. About April 1 he came up
the river on the Nominee and stopped at La Crosse. Being a gen-
tleman of much more than usual general intelligence, with fine
social qualifications, and also an invalid, he readily formed acquaint-
ances and found friends among the best citizens of that place. Wa-
basha prairie was then attracting considerable attention from the
residents of La Crosse, and not long after his arrival he was induced
to join a party who proposed to explore the late Sioux purchase for
farming lands. Their prospecting excursions only extended to the
valleys along the river, where some claims were selected. It being
too early in the season to attempt any very extended trip without a
more suitable outfit than could be procured, they returned to La
Crosse.
In the forepart of May Dr. Balcombe again visited Wabasha
prairie. He brought with him a horse, or pony, and camp supplies.
He here secured the services of Ed. Hamilton, whose robust'Strength
and experience as a cook made him a valuable acquisition in the
exploring excursion he proposed to make. After transporting their
outfit across the slough they started for the back country, Hamilton
leading the way on the trail with a heavy pack of supplies, the
doctor following on horseback with the balance of their outfit, which
included a sack of corn and a bundle of hay.
FIRST SETTLEMENTS AT WINONA CITY. 285
Following the trail to Minnesota City they went up the south
valley and out on Sweet's prairie on a trail marked by tlie settlers of
the colony. They spent three or four days in exploring the country
along the branches of the White Water and Root river as far as the
western part of this county. In the vicinity of what is now the town
of Saratoga they saw a large herd of elk, the last that have been seen
in this vicinity.
They returned through the Rolling Stone and arrived at John-
son's landing on the evening of May 12, and went directly to the
shanty of Mr. Goddard, where the doctor was provided for as a
guest with such accommodations as the place afforded, although Mrs.
Goddard had hardly taken possession of the premises. The next
day he returned to La Crosse.
About the last of May another exploring party was organized in
La Crosse by Dr. Balcombe, Rev. J. C. Sherwin, Rev. William H.
Card, and other prominent citizens. Provided vsdtli horses and
necessary supplies for camping out, they took passage to Wabaslia
prairie. The services of Ed. Hamilton were again secured. As the
grass had by this time become sufficient for the support of their
horses, the trip was only limited by their inclinations or the extent
of their camp supplies.
This party went out through Gilmore valley. Keeping on the
divide between the Root river and the White Water and Zombro
rivers, they explored the country as far west as the head-waters of
the Cedar river. On their return they camped on the head- waters
of the White Water, spending the Sabbath in the vicinity of the
present village of St. Charles. Religious exercises were observed
and Elder Sherwin delivered a sermon to his companions. This
was the first religious meeting held in the country back from the
river.
While on this excursion Dr. Balcombe made discovery of many
choice locations. His habits of close observation, with a retentive
memory, gave him a decided advantage over other explorers, which
were afterward of pecuniary value. He could long afterward point
out the choicest locations to the early settlers seeking farming lands.
While on this trip he first discovered and located the present site of
High Forest. It was not until a year or two afterward that he found
sale for his rights of discovery.
This exploring excursion satisfied Dr. Balcombe that the resources
of this part of the Sioux purchase, when developed, would amply
236 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY. -
support a large commercial town on the river and that the outlet
must be in this vicinity. He decided to locate on Wabasha prairie,
and accepted Johnson's offer of an acre of ground on the same terms
offered others. The acre selected was west of and adjoining that
chosen by John Evans, He built a shanty on Main street, between
Front and Second streets, near the alley. It was 12 X 16, one story,
of little better style than common claim shanties. It had a gable
roof instead of the ordinary shed roof This was at first of boards,
but was afterward covered with shingles.
Dr. Balcombe also bought an undivided one-third of the Hamil-
ton claim, No. 5. Mark Howard, a gentleman residing in Hartford,
Conn., purchased another third, Edwin Hamilton retaining one-
third. Walter Brown, of La Ci-osse, was appointed agent for Mr.
Howard. This property is now known as Huff's addition to the
original town plot of Winona. The claim was valued at $200. The
shares were $66.66 each. Mr. Hamilton then supposed he had
made a good sale.
About June 1, Dr. Balcombe brought his wife from Illinois,
where she was on a visit with her son. Stopping at La Crosse for
awhile, she came to Wabasha prairie on June 13. They boarded at
Goddard's until they commenced housekeeping in their own shanty
in July. About July 1 he built a shanty on the Hamilton claim,
which he leased to O. S. Holbrook, of which mention was made in
earlier pages.
Early in July Dr. Balcombe went down the river and brought up
some household furniture and supplies. He also brought back with
him a span of horses and a colt, double and single harnesses, a
lumber ^agon and a buggy. This was the first buggy ever brought
into the county and the only one for nearly a year afterward.
After spending the summer and fall in Minnesota, Dr. Balcombe
sold his interest in the Hamilton claim, with his horses and wagons,
to Edwin Hamilton for $661, and with his wife went down the river
on the last boat in the fall. He spent the winter with his only
child, a son, St. A. D. Balcombe, then a druggist doing business
in Elgin, Illinois. He returned the following spring. Further
attention will be given him in the occurrences of that year.
CHAPTER XXV.
INCIDENTS OF THE EARLY TIMES.
Among the settlers who came into this county in the spring of
1852 were Wayne Clark and Scott Clark, brothers of George W.
Clark. Wayne arrived about the first of May, Scott a little later
in the season. Scott Clark was an invalid, and came on from the
State of New York with the hope that the climate of Minnesota
would prove beneficial to his health. He made a claim in the
mouth of Gilmore valley. It included the Indian cultivation and
extended onto the table where the residence of C. C. Beck now
stands. His claim shanty, a small log house, stood on the same
plateau but near the point next to the creek. He held this claim
until his death, which occurred in June, 1854. He was buried on
the grounds of what is now Woodlawn cemetery. His grave was
the first in that locality. He was, however, buried there several
years before the spot was selected as a public cemetery.
Wayne Clark did not come to Minnesota for the express purpose
of making it a home as an actual settler. His principal object was
speculation. He brought with him quite a number of land war-
rants, which he expected he would be able to use in securing lands
on the "Sioux purchase" in the territory, but the lands had not
been surveyed and he found that land warrants were not available
property here. To preserve them, he carefully laid them away in
his trunk, in which he also secreted other valuables. He brought
with him from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, the trunk and "good
clothes " of his brother, left there the year before, when George
abandoned all superfluities of that kind.
These trunks were stored in Nash's shanty on claim No. 2,
which they then occupied as their headquartei's. Nash and Gil-
more were away, rafting logs for Farrell that had been cut on the
islands opposite during the winter. Although living in this shanty
on the prairie, they were engaged in making improvements on the
claim of George Clark across the slough, putting in a crop of
potatoes, corn, making garden and building a cabin.
One day, while engaged in putting the cabin in a habitable
288 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
condition, they were alarmed by a messenger, William H. Stevens,
crossing over in haste to inform them that the Sioux threatened to
burn the shanty on the Nash claim, and that they had better come
over and take care of their traps or their property would be burned
Tip in it.
Startled by this report, they hastened to secure their valuables
from threatened destruction. On arriving at the landing they
found all of the settlers gathered at Goddard's shanty, with about
half a dozen Indians as the center of attraction. They here learned
that the cause of the alarm was from the neglect ot Nash to pay
the Indian tax which had been levied on the shanty by the Sioux,
or to provide for its payment as he had promised the Indians. On
this visit the Indians collected a barrel of flour from Gere, and
another from Dr. Childs. There were but six inhabited claim shan-
ties on Wabasha prairie at this time. All had paid their tax except
Nash. Wabasha's "infernal" revenue collectors were somewhat
irritated at not being able to secure the delinquent tax on the shanty
of claim No. 2. The leader and spokesman of the party expressed
his dissatisfaction forcibly and emphatic in the Dakota language.
The settlers standing around readily comprehended what he meant,
although they could not understand but a single word of all that he
said. By signs used in his demonstrations he intimated that they
had promised to give them the flour when the Nominee came up in
the spring, but had failed to do as agreed. Gesticulating with his
hands, he pointed down the river, then moving them slowly up until
he pointed up stream. This he performed several times, each time
repeating, distinctly, "Nominee," pointing toward the shanty, shak-
ing his flst and giving strong expressions of dissatisfaction. The
interpretation as understood was that the Nominee had been up and
down a number of times and Nash had not furnished the flour.
Apparently becoming terribly excited in his manner, the Indian
rushed to the cook-stove of Mrs. Goddard, which stood at the side
of the building, and drawing out a blazing fire-brand, started to-
ward the delinquent shanty as if he was going to set it on fire. This
the settlers comprehended as only a threat that they would burn it
if the flour or its equivalent was not forthcoming. He was easily
pacified and induced to drop the incendiary torch when assured he
should have the flour. Johnson furnished it from his own supplies
and settled the matter at once.
This, was the only ' ' Indian scare " ever attempted by the Sioux
INCIDENTS OF THE EARLY TIMES. 239
with the early settlers in this county. The alarm was soon over
and an amicable shake all around indicated a satisfactory adjust-
ment of difficulties and a truce to all hostile demonstrations.
In transporting the flour collected by the Indians, the barrels
were opened with their hatchets and the flour transferred to sacks.
The barrels were then destroyed.
The only claim shanties on Wabasha prairie for which this .tax
was paid to the Sioux were on claims Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4, and on the
claim of Dr. Cliilds and for Henry C. Gere's shanty. John Burns
paid them for his privileges in the mouth of Burns valley. Four
barrels of flour settled all Indian claims on the colony at Minnesota
City. These were all that paid the Indian tax that season. Finding
the settlers were becoming too numerous to be easily alarmed, the
Indians abandoned their compulsory plan of begging and let them
remain undisturbed.
Notwithstanding the amicable adjustment with the Sioux in
relation to the shanty they were occupying on the prairie, the Clarks
removed their deposits and transferred all of their effects across the
slough, where they were under their personal care. They commenced
housekeeping in their own shanty, George W., Wayne and Scott
Clark living together.
Wayne Clark spent that season in Minnesota, exploring the
country looking for chances to speculate, but went down the river
on the last boat in the fall without making a claim or investing his
surplus funds in a country where securities (claims) were such un-
certain property.
With the crowd of passengers brought up the river by the Nomi-
nee on the 19th of May, who landed on Wabasha prairie, were quite
a number of immigrants for the colony. For convenience in dis-
charging freight and live stock, Captain Smith landed them at the
lower landing, his favorite claim and special preference for a town
site.
Among the members of the association who stopped here were
Hiram Campbell, wife and three children, Mrs. Thorp (wife of
Robert Thorp) and three sons, H. B. Waterman, wife and son,
Asa Waterman, Rufus Waterman, Andrew Petee, D. Q. Burley,
H. Shipley and son, Mr. Hunt and others.
This party had quite a large herd of cattle — oxen, cows and
young stock. The greater part of them belonged to Hiram Campbell.
Mr. Waterman had two yoke of oxen and two cows, and Mr. Hunt
240 HISTORY OF WnfONA COUNTY.
two yoke of oxen. As soon as the cattle were landed they scattered
over the prairie in spite of the efforts of their owners to restrain
them. The new-comers were not then aware that they were on an
island, from which their cattle would not attempt to escape even if
allowed to range over it. It was not until late in the day that all of
the frisky herd were collected at the lower end of the prairie. The
tents were pitched and the party remained at the landing until the
next morning, when the wagons were loaded, the cattle collected,
and all moved up to the upper end of the prairie, where they again
camped near the landing-place of the Macedonian.
The following morning the cattle were again collected and after
much trouble driven across the back slough at the crossing on the
trail below where they camped. Mr. Campbell divested himself of all
clothing and followed them over alone to aid his young stock if occa-
sion required. The wagons, with the men, women and children, were
transferred across the slough to the upper prairie by the Macedonian,
landing about where the present road is laid. Several trips were
made to carry them all over. From here they made their way along
down the slough and then moved on up to the table-land along the
bluffs above the mouth of Gilmore valley, where they camped for
the night. The next day. May 23, they made their entry into the
settlement and mingled with the crowds there collected. Some of
this party are yet residents of that vicinity.
On account of the difficulties in getting to Rolling Stone from
Wabasha prairie, and because of the strong feeling of jealousy and
rivalry that began to be exhibited between the two localities, Mr.
Haddock urgently requested the members of the association, by
messages and letters sent to those on their way up, not to land on
Wabasha prairie. If the boats could not be induced to land them at
Rolling Stone by going up Straight Slough, they were advised to
continue on up the river and land on the Minnesota side below the
mouth of the White Water. From there he supposed it would be
practicable to reach the colony by land, or .they could be brought
dovra by water on the Macedonian.
But one small party attempted to reach the colony over this
route. They came up the river on the Dr. Franklin. At Johnson's
landing, where the boat stopped, they were advised by O. M. Lord,
who chanced to see them, that they had better land there with the
other passengers, and assured them that it would be more difficult
to get to Rolling Stone from above than from the prairie.
ESrCLDENTS OF THE EARTY TIMES. 241
Mr. Wright, who had previously visited the colony, and w^ho now
assumed the leadership, had such unlimited confidence in the judg-
ment and advice of Mr. Haddock in the matter, that he decided to
follow the instructions of the president of the association. They
continued on and landed on the morning of May 23 about three
miles below the mouth of the White Water and about a mile below
Hall's landing, afterward known as Mt. Yernon.
The members of this party were James Wright, wife and six
children, John Nicklin, wife and two children, and S. M. Burns,
wife and three children.
Mr. Wriglit was one of the directors of the association and one
of its earliest members. He had been a resident of the city of New
York, where he followed the occupation of a wood-turner. Mr.
Nicklin was from the same place, wliere he was a lithographer. Mr.
Burns was from eastern Pennsylvania, where he had been a hotel-
keeper, or keeper of a restaurant. It was said that Mr. Burns
brought more money with him than any other member of the
colony.
With their freight they had a large supply of provisions and
quite an amount of household goods. Mr. Burns brought with him
a very fine pair of horses, a wagon and a general assortment of
farming tools. The experiences of this party during their stay here
are given as related by Mr. Wright to illustrate some of the inci-
dents of pioneer life in the early settlement of this county.
When the horses of Mr. Burns were landed from the steamboat,
they were not securely fastened by the deck-hands who had them in
charge. Their halters were loosely tied to the brush that grew along
the bank, and by their restlessness they soon released themselves.
Attracted by the fresh grass, they quietly enjoyed their liberty by
grazing in the vicinity. Thinking it safe, Mr. Burns indulged them
while he was putting his wagon together, which had been taken
apart for convenience in transportation.
After completing his task Mr. Burns attempted to secure his
team, but the horses playfully eluded his grasp of their halters and
kept just beyond his reach. Startled by some sudden movement,
they sprang off as if for a race, but again halted to feed until he came
near, when they again left him. At length, turning up a valley,
they disappeared. He would occasionally get a glimpse of them on
the sides of the ravine and then lost sight of them entirely. He fol-
lowed their trail to the ridge on the top of the bluffs, where he lost
242 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
all trace and returned to the river at evening, tired and hungry,
without his horses.
During the day, Mr. Wright and Mr. Nicklin arranged their
goods in the form of a hollow square, and with poles and blankets
formed a temporary covering over it. This provided a common
shelter for the whole party. A cook-stove was adjusted for business
near by, and as they had a variety of provisions and good cooks,
their camp was comfortably established and well provided for, ex-
cept protection from heavy rains. Plenty of dry grass and an
abundance of blankets and quilts furnished them beds of which they
had but little reason to complain. They had the material for tents
in their boxes, but they did not consider it worth while to unpack
them for the short time they proposed to stay there.
The following morning Mr. Burns resumed his search for the
truant animals. As the fiatboat was expected from Rolling Stone,
Mr. Wright and Mr. Nicklin remained in camp. When at Wabasha
prairie they had sent word to Mr. Haddock, notifying him of -their
arrival and asking to have the boat sent up for them.
In the afternoon Mr. Robertson and IVIr. Woodcock came up
from the colony with the report that an attempt had been made to
bring up the Macedonian, but it was found to be almost impossible to
manage it and the effort had been abandoned ; that Capt. Jackson
proposed to take them down in his small boat and would come up
in the morning to begin the undertaking. They also reported that
there was no roadway along the bluffs that was passable for wagons,
although there was a well-worn Indian trail.
Mr. Burns returned without his horses. He was unable to trace
them, and for awhile was himself lost and gave up his search. He
was tired out and discouraged with his fruitless efforts to find his
stray property. He had paid a high price for his horses in Chicago,
and, being fearful that he would lose them without a chance for
their recovery, he offered a reward of fifty dollars for them delivered
in camp or at Minnesota City.
Stimulated by this liberal offer Robertson and Woodcock volun-
teered to hunt for the estrays. After a late but hearty dinner they took
the trail at about four o'clock in the afternoon and found them before
dark in the head of the north Rolling Stone valley and rode them to
Minnesota City the same evening. The horses were returned to
Mr. Bums uninjured by their frolic. He promptly paid over the
reward.
INCIDENTS OF THE EARLY TIMES. 243
Captain Jackson made the attempt to transfer this party with his
small boat, and commenced with the family and freight of Mr. Nick-
lin. To accomplish this required several trips. He was successful
except with the last, which was a valuable load in bulky boxes. The
boat was capsized and the cargo a total loss — "no insurance." Some
relics of the contents of the boxes were found the following winter in
the brush on an island, but nothing of value recovered. This acci-
dent suspended that line of transportation.
Robertson and Woodcock, with an eye to speculation, offered to
deliver the goods of Mr. Wright and Mr. Burns at Rolling Stone for
fifteen dollars. A bargain was at once closed with them and they
proceeded to construct a i-aft from some dead oak-trees standing on
the bank of the river. After the logs were secured together and
loaded with a barrel" of poi'k, a barrel of beef, a barrel of vinegar and
a cask of hams, but little of the raft was above water. Lashing the
freight to the logs they added a cook-stove, shoved off into the cur-
rent and safely landed it at "Lord's lumber yard" without accident
and without delay.
After the raft had left the shore. Burns decided that he would
not move down to the settlement. He had made an arrangement
with the Halls for an interest in their town site and concluded to
remain on the river. He immediately commenced to build himself
a log house, and moved his family and goods up to the landing.
On Saturday Mr. Hunt and Mr. Shipley came up along the bluffs
with two yoke of oxen and a wagon for the purpose of moving them
down. This was the first wagon that ever passed between the two
places. They met with no serious obstruction for the passage of an
empty wagon, although the way was rough and uneven.
When they left Rolling Stone Mr. Shipley was apparently in his
usual health. He had that morning parted with his son, a young
man about sixteen years old, and sent him down to Galena to bring
up his family, which he had left there two weeks before. While on
his way up along the bluffs he began to complain of not feeling well,
and soon became too sick to even follow on the trail. Mr. Hunt made
him as comfortable as he could on a bed of grass in the wagon, and
brought him through to Wright's camp. Here everything was done
for his relief that they were able to do, but without avail. He died
a few hours after his arrival, at about twelve o'clock at night. His
disease was supposed to be cholera.
The remains of Mr. Shipley were buried the next day at about
244 HISTORY OF WmONA COUNTY.
12 o'clock, Sunday, May 30, 1852. The grave was on the bank of
the river, near where he died. His coffin was a few pieces of slabs
taken from the drift-wood of the river and arranged around the body,
while lying in the grave. After the grave was filled, a piece of a slab
was placed at the head and his name, "H, Shipley," marked on it.
The last resting-place of this early pioneer is now unknown. The
personal effects of Mr. Shipley were taken in charge by Mr. Wright
and sent to his wife. Tlie oxen and wagon belonged to Mr. Hunt.
Mr. Shipley had no interest in them.
Mr. Wright now became anxious to leave that localit}', and as
soon as the rude burial was completed he loaded the wagon with
some of his household goods and decided to attempt to go through
by land, but the attempt proved a failure at the start. The wagon
was upset within a few rods of where it was loaded, the boxes were
smashed and their contents scattered as they tumbled and rolled
promiscuously down the bank, almost into the river. A large look-
ing-glass rolled on the edges of its frame for several rods and lodged
in an upright position against a tree, without injury. The same
mirror is yet in use by Mrs. Wright in Minnesota City.
At about the time the loaded wagon upset a steamboat appeared
in sight, coming down. Mr. Wright abandoned his damaged prop-
erty and devoted all his energies to attract the attention of the pilot.
He hoisted signals of distress and hailed the boat most vociferously,
and was actively seconded in his efforts by his family, one using a
tin horn and another beating an accompaniment on a tin pan.
Alarmed by these proceedings, the captain of the boat cautiously
ran over toward the Minnesota shore, expecting to learn that the
Sioux had risen against the settlers. He was, however, soon re-
lieved of any anxietj» on that score, and discovered as he drew near
that they were some of the passengers he had landed there on his
way up — that their noisy demonstrations were made because they
were anxious to leave that locality and go down to Johnson's landing.
He good-naturedly consented to take them on board. As the boat
swung round to the shore the captain hailed Wright and inquired,
"Where's your freight ? " Pointing to the wreck of the wagon-load,
Wright replied, "There is some of it, as soon as we can get it
together." Observing the condition of affairs, the captain called to
the men forward as the gang-plank was launched out, " Get ashore
there, some of you, and bring them duds aboard in bulk."
To Mrs. Wright's extreme surprise, and before she could rally
INCIDENTS OF THE EARLY TIMES. 245
from lier helpless astonishment, her clean household stuff, bedding
and clothing ot every description, was carried off in the arms of
the dirty roustabouts, and before she could offer even a feeble
remonstrance they were piled promiscuously on the greasy, dirty deck.
All of Mr. Wright's goods were taken aboard except four barrels
of flour which he had brought up for the association, designed to be
used in payment of the Indian tax on the shanties in the colony.
The flour was taken down by Mr. Hunt in his wagon, the first
freight carried through by a wagon over that trail.
When Mr. Wright reached Johnson's landing he there found
Willie Shipley, waiting for the down boat. He informed the
astonished boy that his father, from whom he had parted "not two
days before, looking healthy and strong, was dead and in his lonely
grave on the bank of the river. Mr. Wright gave him the property
found with his father — his watch, a pocket-book with papers and
a small amount of money — to be carried to his mother.
His family were not left without means of support. Mr. Shipley
had left a considerable sum of money on deposit in Galena, under
the control of his wife. The family returned to their former home.
Tteir experience in the west was a sorrowful one.
At Johnson's landing Mr. Wright, with his family, was ])er-
mitted by Mr. Denman to pass the night in the unfinished house
he was then building. They reached Minnesota City the next day,
June 1, and went directly to the "gopher" Mr. Wright had helped
to build nearly three weeks before. It was near here that his pro-
visions and cook-stove had been stored when landed from the raft.
This gopher-house was their first home in the colony. Mr. Wright
has retained possession of and lived continuously with his family on
the same land and in the same locality ever since that period, about
thirty-one years. They occupied the "gopher" and a tent until he
could procure lumber and build a more comfortable place to move
into. Soon after their arrival the whole family were prostrated with
sickness in some form. Two of the children died with measles, then
prevailing.
Like most of the members of the association from New York
city, Mr. Wright's previous experience had but poorly fitted him to
meet the demands of pioneer life. Many things were learned from
practical experience. Incidents that may now be pleasantly related,
and are amusing to listen to, which occurred in their acquisition of
a western education, were once really serious matters with them.
246 HISTORY OF WINOIS^A COUNTY.
The provisions brought down on the raft were jointly owned by
Mr. Wright and Mr. Burns. The morning after his arrival Mr.
Wright went out to inspect the condition of his supplies, and discov-
ered that his cask of hams had been broken open and the contents
carried off. The fact becoming known, the indignant colonists pro-
ceeded to investigate the affair. A careful examination of the matter
was commenced, but the mystery of the transaction was soon
revealed without a shadow of suspicion resting on any member of
the association. The cattle of the settlers had been corraled in the
bend of the stream near by to prevent their wandering off to parts
unknown or trespassing in the settlement. In their eagerness to get
salt, the cask had been broken open and the hams eaten by the
ravenous bovine monsters. All of the cattle in the settlement were
under suspicion as being implicated in the transaction, but the herd
of Hiram Campbell were charged with being the principal and lead-
ing offenders. The fragments of partly eaten hams were found
scattered over the ground in the vicinity of the empty cask.
To prevent any further loss to Mr. Burns, it was proposed by
Mr. Wright that an equitable division of the pork and beef be made.
In the absence of Mr. Burns, friends of both parties were selected to
make the division. The meat in each barrel was taken out and
accurately weighed. One half of each was then put into one of the
barrels for Mr. Burns and the other half into the other barrel and
turned over to Mr. Wright as his individual property. This was
apparently a just dissolution of partnership, but Mr. Wright soon
discovered that the mixing of the two kinds of meat did not improve
the quality. It was soon understood that Mr. Wright and Mr.
Burns had a surplus of meat, and some less fastidious persons pur-
chased it at less than cost.
Although transportation had proved to be barely possible from
Hall's landing to Rolling Stone without considerable expense in open-
ing a wagon trail, there was to Mr. Burns more than a glimmer of a
prospective landing-place for the colony, and he located himself
where he could have the benefit of the river trade in the business in
which he proposed to engage. Having money to invest, he built a
large hotel. His bar was the main source of profit. He paid no
license, for the law prohibited the sale of intoxicating drinks. His
hotel became a favorite resort for the rivermen and traveling public,
and was not entirely shunned b}^ the settlers. The Indians resorted
to Bums' for trade. During the years of 1852-3-4 there was
THE ASSOCIATION AT ROLLING STONE. 247
more liquor sold by Mr. Burns than in all other parts of southern
Minnesota. He brought on quite a stock of general merchandise
and opened a store. A postoffice was established and S. M. Burns
was postmaster. He furnished employment for a large number of
men cutting steamboat wood on government lands, on which large
profits were made.
After a heavy expense trying to build up a business point at this
place, Mr. Burns was forced to abandon the attempt, and the village
of Mt. Yernon ceased to exist. The scheme to make it the land-
ing-place for the colony did not prove practicable, although a wagon
road was opened between the two places.
The town of Mt. Vernon, in the northwest part of Winona
county, took its name from the village of that name at what was
once known as Hall's landing, on tlie Mississippi. Not a trace of
any of the improvements made by Mr. Burns are now to be seen.
The village site is almost unknown.
CHAPTER XXVI.
THE ASSOCIATION AT ROLLING STONE.
The Western Farm and Village Association, as organized in the
city of New York in 1851, was transferred to Rolling Stone in 1852
under the same officers and with the same laws governing its mem-
bers. The mode of doing business adopted and practiced in the east
was continued in the west.
The first regular meeting of the association held in the colony at
Rolling Stone was on May 6. The officers present were Wm.
Haddock, president ; Thos. K. Allen, recording secretary ; and a
majority of the board of directors, Augustus A. Gilbert, James
Wright, Charles Bannon, John Hughs and D. Robertson.
At this meeting fifty-two responded to their names when the roll
of members was called. Some of these were young unmarried men,
but a majority of the members present were men with families.
At a general meeting of the colonists on Sunday, May 9, the
name of Minnesota City was given to the village of the colony. The
name was unanimously adopted by a viva-^oce vote. Prior to this
248 HISTORT OF WINONA COUNTY.
the locality was only known as Eolling Stone, and afterward it was
the most familiar name to the early settlers.
At this same meeting, May 9, a Congregational minister from
La Crosse, by the name of Reynolds, preached the first sermon ever
delivered in Minnesota City. Elder Reynolds was a missionary sent
out by the Home Mission Board of the denomination to which he
belonged.
Business meetings of the association were called to consider mat-
ters relating to the common interests. At one of these meetings, about
the first, Robert Pike, Jr., was elected surveyor for the colony, to
establish the lines of claims designated as farms, which were to be
assigned to the choice of the members of the association according
to numbers drawn for that purpose. E. B. Drew and C. R. Coryell
were Pike's assistants in these surveys, which were made under the
general supervision of the president, Mr. Haddock.
At a meeting held on May 19 the question of making application
for the establishment of a postofiSce was considered and a choice for
postmaster made by ballot. Robert Pike, Jr., received a majority
of votes. A petition in proper form was drawn up and signed,
soliciting the establishment of a postofiice at Minnesota City and
recommending Robert Pike, Jr., as a proper appointment for post-
master. This petition was forwarded to the Postofiice department at
"Washington. In due time Mr. Pike received his commission and
the office was established, but with the proviso and on condition that
the mails should be transported to and from the nearest postoffice
on the river free of charge to the Postoffice department. The near-
est postoffice was then at La Crosse. The mail was dependent
on chance opportunities or private enterprise. Even such postal
facilities were considered of advantage to the settlement.
The family of Mr. Pike, consisting of his wife and two children
and two of his sisters (afterward Mrs. H. Jones and Mrs. D. Ken-
nedy), came on about the last of June. While on their passage up
the river the postoffice keys were handed to Mrs. Pike at La Crosse
by Brooks and Hancock, two members of the association there on a
visit, to be delivered to her husband on her arrival at Minnesota
City. This was the first knowledge Mrs. Pike had of the matter.
On May 20 a census of the colony was taken, when it was ascer-'
tained that there were ninety male members of the association on
the grounds and about 400 women and children.
The first death in the colony was on May 25, that of David
THE ASSOCIATION AT ROLLING STONE. 251
Densmore, a man about sixty jears of age. He was from the State
of Maine. He had no family with him. Mr. Densmore was buried
in tlie grounds selected for a cemetery, a little above the forks of the
Rolling Stone creek, near Minnesota City.
The first bridge built in the county was across the Eolling Stone,
near where James Wright now lives in Minnesota City. Long logs,
used as stringers, were laid over the stream from one bank to the
other. Across these stringers logs were laid instead of plank. The
colonists all united in this public improvement.
The next morning after this bridge was completed the settlers
found that their engineering was not practicable in this structure.
The long stringers of green timber, without central support, had
.given way and broken down from weight of the green logs by which
they were covered. The middle of the bridge was resting in the
center of the stream, the logs retained in their position across the
stringers. Although not available as a wagon bridge, it was used
during the season as a crossing-place by persons on foot.
The first bridge that was of any practicable use was one built by
tlie colonists across the Rolling Stone just below the forks of tliat
stream, above Minnesota City. The location is now covered by the
mill-pond. This was called the "herd bridge" by the settlers.
The cattle belonging in the colony were placed under the charge of
a herdsman, who had the general management of them during the
grazing season. Robert Pike, Jr., was the first appointed and acted
in that capacity for that season. A fence was built running from
the bluff on the south side to the stream, and the cattle were allowed
to range above it in the south valley. The "herd bridge" was
designed and built, under the direction of Mr. Pike, to serve as a
crossing-place for the stock under his charge. It was, however, used
as a wagon bridge for two or three years after a road was opened up
through the south valley.
During that season the wagon trail leading to Wabasha prairie
was on the south side of the stream, next to the bluffs, and the only
practical fording-place of the stream was where Elsworth's mill now
stands. Late in the fall, or early in winter, the settlers opened a
road along down the table, on the north side of the stream, about
where it now is, and built a bridge near the angle where the creek
leaves the bluff and flows north, about a mile below the present vil-
lage of Minnesota City. This was the first public bridge in common
use in the county. It was maintained for three or four years until
15
/
252 JIISTOKY OF WIN^OJS^A COUNTy.
the present road between Minnesota and Winona was opened and
another bridge was built about iiftj rods below, in the same locality
where the present bridge stands.
The first store for the sale of merchandise to the settlers in the
colony was opened about June 1 of this season by a Mr. Robertson.
He closed out his establishment and left the colony early in the fall.
The first school opened in the county was a select school, started
in Minnesota City in the early part of this season. The first district
school in the count}" was established here later in the season. The
district was organized under the general law of the territory and
comprised the whole colony. Miss Houk was the teacher. Schools
have been uniformly maintained in that locality from that time to
the present.
The first blacksmith-shop started in this county by the early
settlers was in the colony at Minnesota City. James and John
Prosser, father and son, opened a shop and commenced business
early in the season. Josiah Keene also started a shop. The Prossers
left the colony in the fall. O. M. Lord bought their shop, tools and
stock, and also that of Keene, and carried on the business for a year
or two afterward. This was the only blacksmith-shop in the county
until the spring of 1854, when a shop was opened at Winona, pre-
vious to which the settlers on Wabasha prairie were dependent on
Minnesota City, or they were compelled to go to La Crosse for their
blacksmith work. Sometimes jobs of blacksmithing were ordered
by the boats from Galena.
The first horseshoeing done in the county was by O. M. Lord.
In the fall of 1852 he shod a pair of horses for Hon. Wm. H. Stevens,
of the city of Winona. The shoes were brought up from La Crosse.
In the spring of 1853 be shod fourteen horses for Wm. Ashley
Jones, a government surveyor.
From 1849 to 1853 the county of Winona was a part of Wabasha
county. By act of the First Territorial Legislature, October 27,
1849, " all that portion of said territory lying east of a line running
due south from a point on the Mississippi river known as Medicine
Bottles Village, at Pine Bend, to the Iowa line, was erected into a
county to be known by the jjame of Wabashaw."
The extent of territory included in the boundaries of Wabasha
county by that act was what is now a part of the county of Dakota
and the present counties of Goodhue, Wabasha, Olmsted, Dodge,
Slower, Fillmore, Houston and Winona.
THE ASSOCIATION AT ROLLING STONE. 253
Wabasha county was Urst created for the special purj)<)se of
affording certain political privileges to the settlers within its bound-
aries, nearly all of whom were half-breed Sioux, living on the "Half-
breed Tract," who were recognized as bona fide citizens. The other
parts of the county were then in possession of the Sioux.
It was made part of a council district, but was declared to be a
representative district, entitled to elect one representative to the
territorial legislature.
The first representative from Wabasha county was James Wells.
He was also a member of the second and fourth territorial legisla-
tures in 1851 and in 1853. In the third legislature, the session of
1852, Wabasha county was represented by Fordyce S. Richards,
another trader, living at Reed's landing.
The fourth territorial legislature in 1853 (March 4) divided Wa-
basha county and created Fillmore county from the southern por-
tion along the Mississippi, which included the present county of
Winona. The same council and representative districts were, how-
ever, continued until 1855, when a new apportionment was made by
the legislature.
At the election held in the fall of 1858, Hon. O. M. Lord, of
Minnesota City, was elected, from Fillmore, representative of this
district to the fifth territorial legislature, which held its session in
1854. At this session Winona county was created, February 23,
1854.
When Wabasha county was created in 1849 it was "declared
to be organized only for the appointment of justices of the peace,
constables and such other judicial and ministerial officers as might
be specially provided for." It was attached to Washington county
for judicial purposes and was entitled to any number of justices not
exceeding six, and to the same number of constables, who were to
receive their appointment from the governor and to hold their office
for two years, unless sooner removed.
The first justice of the peace appointed by Gov. Ramsey in
accordance with this act creating Wabasha county, was Thomas K.
Allen, the recording secretary of the association at Minnesota City.
Mr. Allen was compelled to go to the capital of the territory — to St.
Paul, in order to qualify — to take the oath of office required. There
was no one nearer who was empowered to administer it te him.
At a general meeting of the members of the association living in
the colony at Minnesota City, held July 1^2, 1852, an election pre-
254 HISTORY OF WESrONA COUNTY.
cinct wa% organized and the following officers elected by ballot :
Thomas K. Allen, justice of the peace ; Josiah Keen, constable ;
James Wright, assessor ; and Augustus A. Gilbert, notary public.
These proceedings were without proper authority, and only de-
signed to represent an expression of the wishes of the people in the
colony. The governor was duly notified of this action of the settlers
and the appointment of the officers selected formally recommended
and solicited.
Gov. Ramsey confirmed the election by making the appointment
accordingly. Mr. Allen took the oath of office on July 28, 1852.
By vote of the association, O. M. Lord, John lams and Hiram
Campbell were elected road commissioners for the colony or
precinct.
The first sermon delivered to the settlers in Rolling Stone was
by the Rev. Mr. Reynolds, a missionary of the Congregational
church. He kept up regular appointments and preached during the
summer at Minnesota City and at Wabasha prairie. His audiences
were representatives of all denominations, Presbyterians, Baptists,
Methodists, etc. A general Sabbath-school was started in the early
part of this season. The members of the association held to the
religious faith or belief they had professed before joining the colony.
If there was any change it was exhibited in a general feeling of
toleration. The Protestants and Catholics shared with each other
in their comforts and privations, and in their joys and sorrows, with-
out question of religious opinions. All grades of liberalism, spirit-
ualism and other ' ' isms " had advocates.
The first church organized in this county was by the Baptist
members of the association. This was the first Protestant church
organization in southern Minnesota. The appropriate ceremonies
were held on July 11, 1852. The pastor of this church was the Rev.
T. R. Cressey, a missionary appointed by the American Baptist
Home Missionary Society at a salary of $600 per annum. He made
Minnesota City his headquarters, but preached in other localities.
After remaining in this vicinity for two or three months, Mr.
Cressey had a call to locate himself in charge of the Baptist church
in St. Paul. As the failing condition of the colony in the latter part
of the season offered less inducements to remain, he left this county
and located himself in the capital of the territory.
Another Baptist preacher. Rev. Henderson Cressey, a brother of
T. R. Cressey, preached to the settlers at Minnesota City and on
THE ASSOCIATION AT ROLLmO STOI^E. 255
Wabasha prairie for about two years afterward, but did not reside
in this vicinity. He held a claim for awhile on the upper prairie.
There was such a general immigration of preachers among the
early settlers that about every settlement was represented by one or
more of some denomination. It is now difficult to ascertain the
names of many of those who for a time held claims in this county.
The most of them apparently preferred the blouse of the settler to
the garb of their profession.
The Rev. William Sweet occasionally preached, but made no
regular appointments. The Rev. Mr. Henderson, a member of the
association, living at Minnesota City, was, or had been, a Methodist
paeacher. It was said that he gave the settlers a most enthusiastic,
patriotic sermon on Sunday, July 4, 1852. From many peculiarities
of belief or opinions expressed in public, his influence among the
Methodists, of which denomination there was quite a number, was
not sufficient to induce them to acknowledge him as a leader or
combine in a church organization. Mr. Henderson, with others
holding different "'isms," made an unsuccessful effort to create a
society called "The Universal Church."
It is difficult to ascertain the exact date of the arrival of very
many of the early settlers who, as members of the association,
located in this county. The greatest number and largest bodies of
them arrived in May, but they continued to come during June and
until about the middle of July, after which but few if any of the
immigrants in this part of the territory were members of that organ-
ization.
Among those who located in the colony in Rolling Stone whose
arrival has not been specially mentioned were the following. The
most of these came in May. The list might be largely extended by
adding the names of those who remained so short a time that with
propriety they should be classed as a part of the transient population
of the colon}'. Prominent among the more permanent settlers were
Wm. T. Luark, John lams, S. D. Putnam, S. A. Houk, O. H.
Houk, George Foster, Egbert Chapman, Harvey Stradling, P. D.
Follett, Samuel Hancock, John Cook and V. G. Wedon. The last
is but the nom de plume of Robert Pike, Jr.
The time set by the association for drawing numbers for the
choice of farming lands was May 15. The drawing took place at
that date, although the survey was not completed ; neither was there
a full representation of members present. The selections of claims
256 HISTORY OF WLNONA COUNTY.
were afterward made as fast as the reports of the surveyor were
received, which were almost daily. All of the available farming
land in each of the valleys of the Rolling Stone were surveyed and
assigned to the colonists. Some made choice of lands and made
claims which they retained and still occupy as farms, but the most
of the selections made hj the numbers drawn were abandoned. The
selections first made were not in all cases satisfactory, and ex-
changes were effected without disturbing the harmony of the
settlement.
By special action of the association before they left New York,
exemptions were given certain members who were unable to move
in the spring, by which their rights and privileges were protected by
proxy. These exemptions were, however, but temporary arrange-
ments. The limit of this extension of time was fixed to expire on
July 15, at which date a general meeting of the association was to be
held for the purpose of determining which village lots and farming
lands had been forfeited.
The following extract from the diary of Mr. E. B. Drew notes
this general gathering : "Thursday, July 15, 1852. The Western
Farm and Village Association all met at Mr. Lord's new house to
ti'ansact important business pertaining to individual interests in city
lots and farms. Some interesting times. The population is now
over three hundred." "July 16. To-day O. M. Lord arrived with
his family, bringing with him a horse-team and a cow."
Mr. Lord's new house, mentioned by Mr. Drew, was located on
the same table, but about a hundred rods above where O. M. Lord
now lives in Minnesota City. The "interesting times" was the
scramble for forfeited village lots and farms. The horse-team
brought by Mr. Lord was the first span of horses brought into the
colony.
The village lots of the colony, which embraced over 1,000 acres,
covered the land from below the farm now owned by Robert Duncan
to the bluffs near the farm of D. Q. Burley and up the valley above tlie
fork of the stream, including the Waterman farm. The bottom
lands and a part of tlie Denman farm were plotted as suburban lots.
The most of the improvements on village lots were from where
James Kennedy now lives to about half a mile above where Troost's
mill stood. It was here that a large number of the settlers who
wintered in the colony made their homes. Although all had claims,
but few occupied them until the following spring.
THE ASSOCIATION AT KOF.LIXd STONE. 257
Some members of the association made claims outside the juris-
diction assumed for the colony. In June Mr. D. Holljer made a
claim in what is now the town of Utica, which he abandoned in the
fall when he left the territory. Dr. J. W. Bentlej^ took possession
and moved on it in the spring following. It was afterward known
as " Bentle^^'s. " Dr. Bentley was not a member of the association,
although he came to Minnesota City in the fall of 1852 and lived
there during the winter with H. B. Waterman, a relative. While
living at Minnesota City Mrs. Bentley increased the population of
'the colony by the addition of a daughter to her family. This was
the first white child born in Rolling Stone. The first male child
born in Minnesota City was the eldest son of Mrs. H. B. Waterman,
January 5, 185i. This child was the first born in the colony whose
parents were members of the association. George B. Waterman
died in 1881.
S. E. Cotton made a claim near Hollyer's, a little east from
wliere the Utica railroad station now stands. He had ten acres of
breaking done on it by Charles Bannon. Mr. Burley was in the
employ of Mr. Bannon and drove the team for this job. This was
the first breaking done back of the bluffs — the first breaking done
within the boundaries of the county back from the Mississippi,
except in the valley of the Rolling Stone.
Robert Taylor made a claim of what is now the village of Stock-
ton, on the east side of the valley. D. Q. Burley made a claim
adjoining Robert Taylor's on the west. Mr. Taylor abandoned his
location the following year, when Mr. Burley absorbed it by moving
his claim to the center of the valley. Mr. Burley traded this claim
for a house and lot in Minnesota City to S. A. Houk, who in 1854
sold it to J. B. Stockton, the original pro])rietor of the village of
Stockton. Mr. Burley then made a claim of the farm on which he
now lives. His family did not come here until the spring of 1854.
Above Stockton, on the south fork of the Rolling Stone, Mr.
Hunt made a claim. He was a proxy or substitute in the employ of
a wealthy member living in New York city, who furnished him with
two yoke of oxen and all necessary supplies. Mr. Hunt did some
breaking and put up about fifty tons of hay. This hay was cut with
scythes by Mr. Burley and Mr. Thorp, who helped put it in the
stacks. They camped on what is now the L. D. Smith farm while
at this job, but made their homes in Minnesota City.
Mr. Hunt went back to New York in the fall and left the cattle
258 HISTORY OF WLNONA COUNTY.
and claim in charge of Mr. Burley. A few days after he left the
fifty tons of hay were burned by a fire which swept through the
valley. Mr. Barley wintered the stock in Minnesota City. The
following spring the oxen were taken up the river by a Mr. Bertram
to another association colony in the vicinity of Lake Minnetonka.
The claim made by Mr. Hunt was abandoned.
Egbert Chapman made a claim on Sweet's prairie and built a
cabin, in which he lived with his family through the winter. He is
yet a resident of the county, living in Minnesota City, ffis son,
Edgar Chapman, is now living in Dakota Territor3^
Harvey Stradling also selected a location on Sweet's prairie near
Chapman's. He was then a young man. In June, 1853, he mar-
ried Anna Chapman, a daughter of Egbert Chapman. The Rev.
William Sweet officiated at this marriage ceremony. This was the
first wedding among the colonists.
Mr. Stradling afterward located in the valley above Minnesota
City. He died there many years ago. His widow (now Mrs. John
Nicklin)is living in Dakota Territory.
In July, 1852, John Cook made a claim in the White Water
valley about a mile above White Water Falls. He built a comfort-
able log house and lived here during the winter and for several
years after. His brother, David Cook, also made a claim in this
vicinity, which he occupied the following year.
S. D. Putnam selected his claim about a mile below Stockton
and built a comfortable log house the following spring near where
he now resides. This was on the farm owned and occupied by J. J.
Mattison for about twenty years. Mr. Putnam occupied the log
house about four years. It was a favorite stopping-place for excur-
sionists, travelers, explorers and claim-hunters, and had the reputa-
tion of being the best "hotel" in the county. Mr. Putnam is a
prosperous farmer, and quietly enjoys his comfortable home.
O. H. Houk made a claim next below Putnam's, which he held
for a year or two. He built a log house on it. The location was
long known as the Evans place.
Charles Bannon cliose a location about a mile below Putnam's,
and is yet living on the claim selected by him as a member of the
association in 1852. He did not occupy or make any improvements
on it until the following spring. During this time he looked with
longing eyes on another claim in the valley about a mile below.
The claim which disturbed his contentment had been chosen by a
THE ASSOCIATION AT ROLLING STONE. 259
member of the association foi' Miss Amidon on a number drawn bj
or for her. She was not a resident in the coh)ny, and no improve-
ments had been made to indicate tluit it was occupied.
Mr. Bannon, supposing that the claim had been abandoned,
went on to it and took possession by cutting house-logs enough to
build a comfortable log house, winch he drew together preparatory
to calling his friends to his house-raising.
A night or two before the contemplated "raising" was to have
taken place, the friends of Miss Amidon, or Miss Amidon's claim,
got together and cut each of the house-logs in two, and notified Mr.
Bannon not to jump the claim of an unprotected female.
This was the lirst clash among "the faithful members," and to
prevent a serious collision, which apparently threatened, the friends
of the parties induced Mr. Bannon to abandon the idea of making a
change of location and settle on his own claim. All parties united
and moved the crippled house-logs up to his original choice of loca-
tion by number, and there constructed an octagon log house for him
as a compromise of the difficulty.
Having no desire to encourage contention, Mr. Bannon acquiesced
in the movement, although satisfied in his own mind that he had a
just right to the claim and could have held it without wi-onging any
person. Suffice it to say of this matter that Miss Amidon never
made her appearance in the valley. The disputed claim was after-
ward disposed of by the friend or agent of that lady to Henry W.
Driver. Mr. Driver pre-empted it as a homestead, and after living
on it for five or six years sold his farm and moved to "Winona, where
he resided for a year or two and then went south.
Mr. Bannon moved on his claim in the spring of 1853, and has
occupied it as a farm for over thirty years. He has been a success-
ful farmer. His comfortable buildings, fine stock and well cultivated
fields represent that as a member of the Western Farm and Village
Association he found that "home in the west" for which he aban-
doned his business as a carman in New York city and helped to
form a colony in the Territory of Minnesota.
Lawrence Dilworth made choice of his claim in accordance with
his number drawn as a member of the association, and selected the
one next below and adjoining that of Mr. Bannon's. He moved on
his claim in the spring of 1853, and has lived there from that time to
the present. His good buildings and the well-tilled fields of his fine
farm indicate the prosperous farmer and demonstrate that he too
260 HISTORY OF WmONA COUNTY.
secured the farm for which he came to Rolling Stone. Mr. Dilworth
and family were of the party that landed at the colony from the
wood-boat on the evening of May 2. They are Catholics. Religious
faith was not a test of friendship in the Rolling Stone colony. The
high respect entertained by the early settlers for Mr. and Mrs. Dil-
worth has never been dimmed by the years that have passed since
their pioneer days as colonists. The writer hopes for pardon if tres-
passing on their private affairs, but a remarkable peculiarity in
manner of doing business is worthy of mention as an uncommon
incident in pioneer life. It is said by one familiar with his affairs
that Mr. Dilworth has not during the past thirty years allowed an
account to be opened against him. He has paid cash down for
whatever he has bought or gone without articles required.
On a farm about a mile below Mr.. Dilworth there is now living
another member of the association, who, like his neighbors above,
remained in the colony, and has secured the home in his old age for
which he left New England and came west more than thirty years
ago. This farm is now owned and occupied by S. E. Cotton.
When the members of the association made choice of farms by their
numbers, this locality was chosen by John lams, and purchased
from him by E. B. Drew, This was the first claim sale in the
colony. Mr. Drew as assistant surveyor had taken a liking to the
place, and when he learned that it had been selected by Mr. lams
he offered him $10 for his number, or right to it. The offer was
accepted and the claim given up to Mr. Drew, who held it and
entered it at the United States land office when the land was sur-
veyed. It was held by Mr. Drew until 1857, when he sold it to
Mr. Cotton.
When Mr. Cotton first landed at Rolling Stone he built a log
house on his village lot previously selected, and made it his home.
After the collapse of the association he retained his location, and
when the land was surveyed by government he made a claim of
eighty acres and pre-empted the village lots as a homestead. He
sold it in 1857 and moved to his present home. His claim in Min-
nesota City is now the farm of James Kennedy.
Between the "Drew claim" (where Mr. Cotton now lives) and
Minnesota City a claim was made by Hezakiah Jones, who occupied
the locality for several years, and then sold the homestead he there
pre-empted. Mr. Jones is yet a resident of Minnesota City. He is
the oldest settler in that part of the county north of the city of
THE ASSOCIATION AT ROLLTNCi STONE. 261
Winona. He came here on April 14, 1852, as one of the ''pioneer
squad " (the only one now living), and was one of the first members
of the association to locate in Rolling Stone. Mr. Jones has not
been as fortunate as some who came later in the season.
North from the "Drew claim" and west from the present village
of Minnesota City were the claims of T. K. Allen and A. A. Gilbert.
These claims were parts of the grounds of the original village site.
Thej held claims in the valley above, but when the survey of ]:)ublic
lands was made they located themselves here, and each pre-empted
a quarter-section of the land surveyed for the village of the colony.
Neither of these men are now residents of the county. Both were
successful in acquiring the homes in the west for which they helped
to organize the association in New York city in 1851. The first
grist mill in the county was started by Allen and Gilbert, one of
Burr's horse-power mills, in 1853.
Mr. Allen was the recording secretary from the first meeting of
the association in New York city, until its last meeting in Minne-
sota city. He is now a clergyman of the Episcopal church, living
in Alexandria, Douglass county, Minnesota.
Mr. Gilbert lived for several years in the city of Winona. His
present residence is unknown.
The farm now owned and occupied by Mr. E. B. Drew was held
by Mr. Drew as a claim, but it was the choice of W. H. Coryell on
his number drawn as a member of the association. It was on this
claim that E. B. Drew, C. R. Coryell and W. H. Coryell made their
camp when they first came to Rolling Stone. This was their home-
stead, where they lived and made their first beginning in farming
operations in the Territory of Minnesota. By mutual agreement
they worked together and held property in common.
When these men first came here it was not their design to settle
in the valley. From the description given by Mr. Lord of the
country lying west they expected to locate themselves on prairie
farms back from the Mississippi. They selected this location to keep
up their connection with the association and as their headquarters
until they found claims that were more satisfactory.
They explored the country west and made selections of locations
in what is now known as the town of Saratoga, in the western part
of the county, in the vicinity of what has since been called the Blair
settlement. With their teams and big wagon they spent about a
week in prospecting and marking their claims with the customary
262 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
marks and a small pile of logs for each location, but never made
any further improvements, their interests in the valley engaging
their attention until their prairie claims were taken by otlxers.
Mr. Drew broke about twenty-five acres, on the farm where he
now lives, in the spring of 1852, and planted some corn and culti-
vated a garden. In the fall he sowed a small patch of wheat by
way of experiment. The following year, 1853, he harvested the
first crop of wheat ever raised by the settlers in southern Minnesota.
From one sack of seed wheat, about two bushels, sown on about
two acres of breaking; he secured seventy bushels of superior winter
wheat, which he threshed and cleaned by hand-labor.
The following extract is copied ffom "The Democrat," published
at St. Paul, August 3, 1853 :
O. M. Lord, Esq., of Filmore county, a delegate to the late democrat con-
vention, has deposited in this office a sample of winter wheat of the red chaff
bearded variety, raised on the farm of Messrs. Drew and Coryell, in the Rolling
Stone valley, which we regard as the finest specimen of this grain that we have
ever seen. Messrs. D. & C. have harvested several acres of this wheat, and
good judges estimate that it will yield at the rate of forty bushels to the acre.
This is the first winter wheat ever sown in that vicinity, but Mr. Lord
informs us that a large quantity will be put in the ground this fall. There is
little doubt that wheat is to become one of the great staple productions of
Minnesota, and that flour of the best quality will soon form the most important
item in the lists of our exports. Up with your mills, gentlemen.
In 1853 Mr. Drew increased his cultivation by another field of
breaking, and raised a large crop of corn. In the fall he sowed
about eight acres of winter wheat. In the spring of 1853 he sowed
a sack of spring wheat, and harvested about fifty bushels. About
thirty bushels of this he sold to Sanborn & Drew, in the spring of
1854. This was the first load of wheat ever sold in the city of
Winona, or in southern Minnesota.
In the season of 1854 Mr. Drew harvested, from the eight acres
sowed to winter wheat the fall before, about two hundred and fifty
bushels. Sortie of this he sold to the settlers for seed, reserving
enough for his own seed, and about eighty bushels which was ground
into flour. The first wheat raised in southern Minnesota that was
made into flour was a part of this crop.
During the winter W. R. Stewart and Albion Drew took two
loads of this wheat, of forty bushels each, to a mill in La Crosse
valley, about sixty miles distant, where they waited until their grist
was ground, when they returned home with their flour. They were
TilE ASSOCIATION AT ROLLING STONE. 2*) 8
about a week making the trip, the teams going on the ice to La
Crosse and thence up the La Crosse valley. The loads were much
lighter on their return, for one fourth of the wheat was taken as toll.
The wheat was of No. 1 grade and the flour proved to be of supe-
rior quality, fully equal to the best now made by improved mills
and more modern processes.
Mr. Drew increased the size of his farm, extended his breaking
and cultivation, and increased his acreage of wheat, but at the same
time growing large crops of other kinds of farm produce ■mthout
making a specialty of any particular branch of his business. He
has given his attention to the cultivation of fruit, and engaged con-
siderably in stock raising, horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. Although
he has extensive ranges of fine pasturage on his large farm, he
abandoned sheep farming, on account of the extreme care necessary
to protect his flocks from the wolves that infested the vicinity.
Mr. Drew has been a prosperous farmer. He has given his per-
sonal attention to all of his farming operations and has made it a
practical business occupation. He has held official positions in the
town of Eolling Stone, in which he resides ; has served as county
commissioner, and was a member of the state legislature in 1875,
and also in 1876.
C. E.. Coryell remained with Mr. Drew for about a year and
then went back east to live. W. H. Coryell staid with him about
two years, when he married and settled on a claim on the upper part
of Wabasha prairie, where W. L. Burr now resides. After a resi-
dence here of about a year he left the territory.
Robert Thorp is living on the farm chosen for him on his num-
ber drawn. It adjoins that of Mr. Drew. Mr. Thorp's family lived
in Minnesota City about two years before they moved to their pres-
ent location. To hold the claim, and prevent others from jumping
it while Mr. Thorp was absent working at his trade as a blacksmith,
he built a small shanty, which Mrs. Thorp sometimes occupied
temporarily.
Mr. Thorp is now occupying his comfortable stone cottage and
broad acres of cultivated fields, for which he abandoned his black-
smith shop in New York city. He has held the office of treasurer
of the town of Rolling Stone, in which he lives, for the past fifteen
years.
-Although Mr. Thorp brought to the colony a large supply of
material, stock and tools, he never opened a shop in Minnesota
264 HISTORY OF WmONA COUNTY.
City. He left bis family there in a comfortable hewed log house
about 14X16, and went down to Galena, where he worked a part of
the years 1852 and 1853. When he moved on his farm he built a
small shop in which he sometimes does blacksmithing for himself or
to accommodate a neighbor.
CHAPTER XXVII.
CRYSTALLIZATION.
From personal observations made during the extreme high water
in the spring of 1852, and from the course of everts and progress
of affairs generally at Wabasha prairie, Captain ' Smith decided or
consented to locate his contemplated town site on claim JSTo. 4, at the
upper landing, instead of on claim No. 1, as he had at first intended.
Circumstances apparently compelled him to change his original
plans. He did not, however, at once abandon his first impressions,
that claim JN^o. 1 was the most valuable on the prairie.
From letters now in the hands of the writer, correspondence
between old settlers, who were then holding claims on the prairie,
it is evident that for awhile Captain Smith was suspicious of his
agent and partner in this speculation, and feared that he might
attempt to appropriate the upper landing as an individual posses-
sion. With the rush of immigration into the territory, Johnson's
ideas were considerably inflated, and he apparently assumed the
entire control of affairs at Johnson's landing, but no evidence of
treachery was ever developed.
About the first of June Captain Smith brought up a surveyor
from Iowa, whose services he secured to lay out a town at the upper
landing. To John Ball, United States deputy surveyor, he in-
trusted the business of laying off and plotting claim No. 4 into lots,
streets, etc. The original survey of the town plat of what is now
Winona was accordingly made by John Ball for the proprietors,
Smith and Johnson.
No government survey of lands had been made on the west side
of the river by which to locate the plat of the new town. Mr. Ball
took its bearings from a point establislied by government surveyors
CRYSTALLIZATION. 265
on the opposite side of the river. Its location was described by
him as follows: "From the northwest corner of Block 9, the
meander post in Wisconsin on the Mississippi river, between Sees.
1 and 6, T. 18 K, R. 10 and 11 W., 4th M., bears 35° east, 39 chains
distant. ''
After due consideration of the matter it was decided to lay off
the streets parallel with and at right angles to the river, which at
this place runs a little south from an east coarse (21° south of east).
It therefore became necessary that the boundaries should be estab-
lished satisfactorily with the holders of the adjoining claims. Each
of the claims along the river were half a mile square. The division
lines between them were a direct north and south course.
The corner stake between 'No. 4, the Johnson claim, and No. 3,
the Stevens claim, stood on the bank of the river, about midway
between Walnut and Market streets. The corner stake between
No. 4 and No. 5, the Hamilton claim, stood on the bank of the
river about midway between Winona and Huff streets.
Several days were spent in general measurements and negotia-
tions before the boundaries of the plat were established, extending on
the river from the corner stake-of the Stevens claim to the center
of Washington street, and running back to the center of Wabasha
street. The proprietors of the claims on the river wei-e to retain
their rights to their claims as originally made without regard to the
survey and plat made by Mr. Ball.
The boundary line on Wabasha street was established by special
agreement with the holders of the claims on the south. An agree-
ment, made a matter of record, is as follows :
This article of agreement, made this fifteenth day of June, a.d. Eigliteen
hundred and fifty-two, Between Wm. B. Gere and Erwin Johnson, both of
the County of Wabashaw and Territory of Minnesota, Witnesseth : That the
said (parties) do hereby agree and bind ourselves to abide by the following
specified stipulations in regard to boundary or division line between their
respective claims on the Prairie of Wabashaw. The street designated on the
Town Plot as Broadway shall be the division line between said claims as far as
said Gere's extends, and furthermore the lots in the next Block or Blocks
south of and bordering on Broadway shall be equally divided between said
Gere and Johnson, and after said Gere has the same measurement of land
south of said division Block as said Johnson has north of said division Block,
the remaining strip of land bordering on the lake shall be equally divided
between the said parties.
In witness whereof we have herewith set our hands and seals.
In presence of \ Wm. B. Gere. [seal]
John Ball. J E. Johnson. [seal]
266 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
The boundaries between the claims on the river and those in
the rear were irregular and "a great deal mixed." To illustrate
their relation ^ each other : The original claims on the river began
at a certain stake or starting point on the bank of the river, thence
running south half a mile to a corner stake ; thence west half a mile
to a corner stake; thence north to the bank of the river to a corner
stake ; thence east along the bank of the .river to the place of
beginning.
As the line of the river bank is about 21° south of east, it is
readily seen that the west line was much the longest, and that the
boundaries described included more that 160 acres of land. The
claim adjoining on the west, if defined in the same manner, will not
extend as far south on its east line as the western boundary of the
first described.
The irregularity of these boundaries on the south produced
corresponding irregularities in the claims in the rear, which were
sources of claim difiiculties and contentions. In a matter arising
from this peculiarity of claim boundaries Henry D. Huft' narrowly
escaped the loss of his life in the spring of 1854.
Mr. Huff was then the proprietor of claim No. 5, the Hamil-
ton claim. The land in the rear of the east eighty acres was held
by George H. Sanborn. The land south of the west eighty was
occupied by Elijah Silsbee. With the consent of Mr. Sanborn, but
in opposition to Mr. Silsbee's claim rights, Mr. HufiT attempted to
change the original line of his claim on the south, and make it
parallel with the river, or with the line of the streets. To accomplish
this, he proposed to mark his boundary by a furrow extending from
the southwest corner of the Johnson claim, No. 4, . to the southwest
corner of his own claim, No. 5. He sent his team with a plow to
mark the line, and take possession by breaking and cultivation.
Mr. Silsbee had previously marked his boundaries by a single
furrow with a plow. When the team of Mr. Huff approached this
furrow, Silsbee stopped them, and, threatening the driver with his
gun, drove him off. He then stood guard to prevent any further
attempts to trespass on his rights. The tract of land in dispute was
but three or four acres. It was not so much the amount or value
involved as it was what he supposed to be disregard of the rights of
others that aroused the angry passions of Silsbee. It was not alone
the protection of property, but an impulsive resistance of what he
considered arbitrary oppression.
CRYSTALLIZATION. 269
Learning the state of aifairs from the teamster, Mr. Huff went
back on the prairie toward where Silsbee had stationed himself. As
he approached the furrow which marked the original claim line
Silsbee ordered liim to halt, and bringing his gun to his shoulder
called to him not to cross the furrow, that he would shoot him if
he attempted.
Fearless, and paying no attention to the order to halt, Mr. Huff
continued to advance, and crossed the furrow. Approaching in a
confident manner he said, " You do not intend to shoot me, do
you?" Silsbee replied, "I do," and taking deliberate aim fired
upon him.
The gun was a double-barrel fowling-piece, owned by M.
Wheeler Sargeant, which Silsbee had borrowed. Both barrels were
heavily loaded witli fine shot and small gravel stones. The con-
tents of one barrel were lodged in Mr. Huff's left side and arm.
Fortunately, he had a large pocket-book filled with closely-folded
papers in the breast-pocket of his inner coat, and rboth coats but-
toned close. Nearly the whole charge lodged in the pocket-book.
A part of the missiles were burrowed in the muscles of his chest and
left arm.
Mr. Huff was knocked down and disabled by the . shock and
injuries received. He was taken home, and was under the care of
a surgeon for several weeks. No serious results followed the in-
juries. He readily recovered.
Silsbee was immediately arrested, and after an examination
before a justice of the peace he was bound over for trial at the
next term of the United States court, and released on bail. On
account of some informality no court was held that year. The fol-
lowing year tlie case was continued over on account of serious sick-
ness of Silsbee. In the meantime Mr. Huff purchased the Silsbee
claim, and the matter was permitted to pass without legal action in
court.
With the proceeds of the sale of his claim Mr. Silsbee, with
Charles S. Hamilton as partner, opened a store on the corner of
Center and Front streets, where a warehouse now stands, and for
awhile he was considered to be a respectable citizen, but for many
years previous to his death, which occurj-ed about ten or twelve
years ago, he was an outcast in community.
It is said by an old settler that wlien the town plot was first
made by John Ball the present levee was laid off into blocks, num-
16
270 HISTOEY OF WrNONA COUNTY.
bered from 1 to 6, and divided into lots, but that the plan was
changed by the special directions of Capt. Smith and a public levee
substituted. The high water of that season overflowed the bank as
far as the south side of Front street, making the water-lots of less
immediate value in the estimation of the proprietors. The landing
was one of the important items of the claim with Capt. Smith, and
he was desirous of making it available to its greatest extent.
It is to Capt. Smith that the city of Winona is indebted for the
commodious levee it now holds. It was the pride of its citizens
before it was deformed and crippled by railroad tracks ^nd other
modern improvements, and suffered to wear and waste away from
neglect of attention by those whose duty it is to protect and care
for it.
Blocks 1 and 6 on the river were reserved from the public levee
and divided into lots as plotted. It is said that this was done by
Mr. Huff before the plot was recorded. Block 1 contained but
three lots belonging to Smith and Johnson ; the other two, lots 1 and
2, belonged to the Stevens claim.
When the town site of Smith and Johnson was surveyed and
plotted by John Ball, United States deputy surveyor, it was given
the name of Montezuma, by E. H. Johnson. He was afterward
extremely tenacious of the name, and strongl}^ opposed the sub-
stitution of Winona. No record was made of the plot until the
following year. Wabasha county had no county records. In
1853, when Fillmore county (which also included this county) was
created and regularly organized, the plot was recorded.
Henry D. Huff bought an interest in this town site in 1853, and
also had claim No. 5 surveyed and plotted as a part of the town.
In a newspaper article, published several years ago, Mr. Huff said
relative to this matter, "The town proper had been surveyed,
plotted and named Montezuma by Smith and Johnson. With the
consent of Capt. Srnith I erased the name of Montezuma and
inserted the name of Winona on the plot, and paid Mr. StoU, of
Minneowah, for recording the same as Winona. I found out after-
ward that the name Montezuma was retained on the record, and
asked Mr. Stoll why he put in the name of Montezuma when it did
not appear on the plot. He said Johnson wanted it Montezuma,
so he recorded it Montezuma, adding a note that the proprietors
had changed it to Winona."
During the early part of this season another town site was
CRYSTALLIZATION. 271
located in tliis county. Tlie location selected was along the river
just above what is now tlie village of Homer — the claim purchased
of Peter Gorr by Timothy Burns. This town site did not include"
BunnelPs landing, but extended from BunnelPs claim up the river
along the bluffs. It was .on the "main land," two or three miles
below "that bar in the river," Wabasha prairie.
A stock company was organized. There were eight shares
valued at $200 each. The stockholders and proprietors were
Timothy Burns, lieutenant-governor of Wisconsin, residing at
La Crosse, Willard B. Bunnell, of Bunnell's landing, Isaac Van
Etten, Charles W. Borup, Charles H. Oakes, Alexander Wilkin,
Justus C. Ramsey and William L. Ames, of St. Paul.
This company was a strong and influential one, and with the
exception of Bunnell they were all men of considerable capital.
With them their investments here w§re wholly matter of specula-
tion. It was supposed to be a "good thing," and strong efforts
were made by them to build up a town that would successfully
compete with Capt. Smith's claims for the business of the interior
when the back country should become settled.
Soon after Smith and Johnson had their town site plotted the
speculation began to be developed, and in July this rival town was
surveyed and plotted by Isaac Thompson for the proprietors, and
the name of Minneowah given to it. This name is of the Dakota
language. It was selected by the proprietors of the new town, and
not given to the locality by the Sioux. It is not now known
whether the Indians had a name designative of this place or not.
None was ever known by any of the settlers. The literal transla-
tion of the name Minneowah is "Falling Water."
In a description of the Falls of St. Anthony by the Rev. John A.
Merrick, an Episcopal clergyman at St. Paul, published about the
Ist of January, 1852, he says, "By the Dahcota or Sioux Indians
they are called 'Minne-ha-hah,' or ' Minne-ra-ra, ' (Laughing Water,)
and also 'Minne-owah' (Falling Water) — general expressions
applied to all waterfalls."
The historical address of M. Wheeler Sargeant, from which
extracts have been made, says, "The tovm contained 318 lots;
consequently at that early day looked quite imposing on paper — still
more so on the spot; for at least one half of it was 400 feet above
the river and oi nearly perpendicular access; * * * and for the
272 HISTORY OF WLNONA COUNTY.
next year it was by far the most pretentious place below St. Paul.
* * * Except the unimportant items of locality, buildings and
inhabitants, it had all the characteristics of a great city.''''
The plot was put into market at St. Paul and lots were bought
and sold, without knowledge of their locality — whether on the table
along the river or on the bluff above. Not much was done there by
way of improvements until the following year.
In the spring of 1853 a large hotel was built by the proprietors —
much the largest and best building on the west side of the river
below St. Paul. For awhile Minneowah was truly a rival town, and
strongly contested with Montezuma for public attention. Its advan-
tages of location "on the main land," over that "sand-bar," liable
to overflow any year, were loudly proclaimed, and its prospects were
for awhile apparently promising.
The hotel was opened, an^ steamboats landed passengers who
were prospecting for locations. Stores were built and goods brought
on, — dwellings commenced, but dividends for the sale of lots were
unknown ; the expense column was much the heaviest. The origi-
nal stockholders divided up their shares and generously allowed
others to hold stock in Minneowah.
Among 'the new proprietors who became residents were Myron
Toms, who, while living in St. Paul, purchased a half-share. H. B.
Stoll purchased a halt-share from Mr. Van Etten. James F. Toms,
Charles G. Waite and others became proprietors. Peter Burns held
an interest as successor of his brother Timothy Burns, whose death
occurred about this time. He was the only shareholder who claimed
to have made anything from the transaction. He says that when
the prospects of success were the most flattering he sold his interest
to the other proprietors for $4,000, and went back to La Crosse.
An addition to Minneowah was surveyed and plotted for Bun-
nell, Stoll and John Laviue. This addition was principally suburban
lots of from five to ten acres each for residence property. It was
located above the original town, extending along the bluffs to the
mouth of Pleasant valley. Mr. Lavine occupied this land and held
it as a claim.
Among the early residents of Minneowah was the Hon. C. F.
Buck, of the town of Winona, then a young lawyer just starting in
business. Mr. Buck came here about the first of September, 1853,
and remained until 1855, when he moved to Winona. Charles M.
Lovel, of Fillmore county, was for awhile a merchant here and
CRYSTALLIZATION. 273
carried on considerable of a trade. There were many others who
were temporary residents of that locality. A man by the name of
Dougherty remained there for several years.
The town plot of Minneowah was never recorded. It was placed
on file in the office of the register of deeds of Fillmore county, while
Mr. Stoll was register and had his office at Minneowah. In 1855
Myron Toms, holding power of attorney from the proprietors, with-
drew the plot from the tiles for the purpose of entering the land as
a claim. The town site of Minneowah was then unknown on any
record. It was said that this was done to oust some of the propri-
etors and holders of lots, but the location was jumped by some of
the citizens residing there who filed their claims in the United States
land office as actual settlers on the land. The matter was contested,
but the resident settlers held their claims as homesteads.
Mr. Dougherty drew the hotel and a store with his share
of the spoils. The stockholders and owners of lots lost all right
and title to the locality. The commercial town ' ' on the main land "
vanished. Minneowah is now known only by tradition to the
residents of the county.
Willard B. Bunnell, one of the original stockholders of Minneo-
wah, the resident proprietor, was, in the beginning, the most zealous
and active of the company in his efforts to build up this town, and
gave most of his time and attention to the scheme, but later he
learned he was but a tool in the hands of his more experienced and
wealthy associates. The professional town-site speculators were
''too much" for the little Indian trader. He became a silent part>
ner in the concern for awhile, and then relinquished his share to the
others.
No one intimately acquainted with Will Bunnell had reason to
doubt the sincerity of his belief that Wabasha prairie had been
entirely flooded, and was liable to be again submerged in extreme
high water. This idea he imbibed from his belief at that time^n
many of the traditions and some of the superstitions of the Indians,
although he was a man of intelligence and of some acquirements.
Notwithstanding his active, restless temperament and impulsive
manners, he was popular with his acquaintances. He was a genial,
social companion, and a gentleman when frontier sociability was
not carried to excess.
About the first of June, 1852, John Burns brought his family into
the territory of Minnesota and settled in this county. He located
274 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
himself in the mouth of the valley to which his name was afterward
given, and which is now known as "Burns Valley. " His family
then consisted of his wife, three daughters — Mary, ' ' Maggie, "
Elicia — and his son William. Elicia died not long after she came
here.
Mr. Burns had, prior to this, been a resident of the State of
Wisconsin, living near Mineral Point, where he had been engaged
in farming and stock-raising. On his arrival here, he landed at
Bunnell's landing, with all of his liousehold goods, farming imple-
ments, and a large herd of cattle, horses, hogs, fowls, etc., to
transport all of which Mr. Burns used to say he had to charter the
Nominee for the trip. He moved direct from the landing to his
claim, where, instead of the ordinary claim shanty, the family found
a home ready to receive them. They never had any experience of
slianty life in Minnesota.
The claim on which Mr. Burns settled was selected for him by
his son, Timothy Burns, lieutenant-governor of Wisconsin. The
claim was chosen early in the fall of 1851, soon after the treaty with
the Sioux for the sale of their lands, on the west side of the Missis-
sippi. During the winter, about the first of February, Mr. Burns
came up the river on the ice, with the mail carrier, to see tlie loca-
tion in the Indian country, which he had been notified had been
selected for him as a stock farm and family homestead .
After stopping a few days at La Crosse to visit his sons, Timothy
and Peter Burns, he came up to look at the claim and found it to be
a choice satisfactory to himself. He decided to secure it and bring
his family on in the spring. Making his headquarters at Bunnell's,
he took possession of the claim and proceeded to get out timber
with which to build a frame house on it in the spring.
About the first of April he returned home, going down the river
on the Nominee, then on her first trip. He left his claim in the
care of his sons in La Crosse. The special charge of the claim was
'under the watchful eye of W. B. Bunnell, whose sister was the wife
of Peter Burns. It was through the aid of Bunnell that the claim
was first selected and held.
Early in the spring Timothy Burns had a house built on this
claim for his father. It was at that time the best building in southern
Minnesota. It was a commodious but rather old-fashioned farm-
house. The frame was of oak timber with posts and braces, covered
with a shingled roof, the sides clapboard ed and painted. It was
CRYSTALLIZATION. 275
into this house, just completed, that Mr. Burns moved liis family
about the first of June. Its pleasant location among the large old
oaks on the bank of the stream gave it a cozy and homelike
appearance.
This house was occupied by Mr. Burns and his family for several
years, until it took fire from some defect in the chimney and burned
to the ground with the moat of its contents. He then built another
house on the site of the first, which it somewhat resembles in gen-
eral external appearance, although its internal arrangements are of
more modern style. This building is yet standing, and is used as
the farm residence of the occupant of the land.
Mr. Burns opened up a farm on his claim, but gave his attention
principally to stock-raising and the dairy. The early settlers were
for many years greatly dependent on Mr. Burns for good., fresh
butter, eggs and chickens, while Mr. Burns furnished tliein fresh beef
from his herd. The claim and vicinity furnished an extensive range
for his cattle, and aflforded unlimited meadows of grass-land for
their winter's supply of hay. His surplus of the farm always found
ready sale on Wabasha prairie or with the immigrants that came
into the county to settle.
When Mr. Burns first took possession of his claim he obtained
permission of the Sioux to occupy the land, cut the timber and build
a house on it. For this permit he gave the Indians two barrels of
flour and a barrel of pork. This he paid under the impression and
with the belief that he was purchasing their rights to the land. He
always after maintained that he bought his claim from their chief
Wabasha, and that no one had a better right to it than himself.
At the time he took possession there were two or three large
Indian tepees standing in the vicinity of where his house was built.
They were about 15X20, of the same style and structure as those
found on Wabasha prairie and in the mouth of Gilmore valley.
This locality was the special home of Wabasha and his family rela-
tives when living in this vicinity. It was sometimes called Wabasha's
garden by the olcl settlers.
Quite a number of Indian graves were on these grounds. Nearly
in front of the farmhouse there were two or three graves of more
modern burial lying side by side. These were said to be the last
resting-place of some of Wabasha's relatives. The Sioux made
a special request of Mr. Burns and his family that these graves
should not be disturbed. This Mr. Burns promised, and the little
276 JIISTOKY OF WINONA COFNTY.
mounds, covered with billets of wood, were never molested, although
they were in his garden and not far from his house. For many
years they remained as they were left by the Indians, until the
wood by which they were covered had rotted away entirely. A light
frame or fence of poles put there by Mr. Burns always covered the
locality during his lifetime.
For several years after Mr. Burns located here the Sioux who visited
this part of the territory were accustomed to make it their camping-
grounds. Although they were unwelcome visitors, and their arrival
always dreaded by the female portion of the family, Mr. Burns was
never annoyed by their presence, — they were never troublesome.
To allay any demonstrations of timidity on the part of Mrs. Burns
or her daughters, he would chidingly remark, "Sure ye have no
cause for fear, — didn't I buy the land from old Wabasha himself —
and pay him his own price for it too — a barrel of pork and two
barrels of flour ? They will not harm ye — don't be bothering about
the Indians, now."
Mr. Burns never lost anything by the Indians. His property
was never disturbed, and in but one particular were they ever
familiar or assumed possession of anything without permission.
During the first season Mr. Burns had a field of corn and pumpkins
on new breaking. The corn was a poor crop, but the pumpkins
were plentiful. Thinking to make some contributions to them, Mrs.
Burns gave the squaws permission to take all the pumpkins they
desired. The squaws helped themselves liberally. Every season
afterward the squaws made an annual visit and swarmed into Mr.
Burns' cornfields. They carried off "Mrs. Burns' pumpkins," but
left the corn for the blackbirds to forage on.
Mr. Burns was appointed a justice of the peace, by Gov. Ram-
sey, not long after he came here. He was the second justice of the
peace appointed in Wabasha county; the first was T. K. Allen,
of Minnesota City. He held the position until his successor was
elected in the fall of 1853.
"The rich Irish brogue" plainly revealed the Milesian origin of
Mr. Burns. His quaint expressions are pleasantly remembered by
his friends and acquaintances. As a justice of the peace his court
was a session of comic drollery that was heartily enjoyed by the set-
tlers. His rulings and decisions were given from an intuitive and
impulsive feeling of right and justice, rather than from his compre-
hension of the law governing the cases. His honesty of purpose
RESPECTABILITY. 277
was never questioned ; as a citizen he had the respect of the early-
settlers.
Mr. Burns, his wife, and their daughter Elieia, died on their
farm in the mouth of Burns valley, — on the claim where thej
settled in 1852. Mrs. Burns died in September, 1860, Mr. Burns
in March, 1870. The homestead is yet in possession of one of the
family. It is owned by Miss Maggie Burns, one of their daughters.
Mary, the other daughter, is now known as Mrs. E. S. Smith, of
the city of Winona. An interesting family of sons and daughters,
young ladies and gentlemen, now call her "mother." "Bill"
Burns has gone west.
CHAPTER XXYIII.
RESPECTABILITY.
Among the settlers on Wabasha prairie during the early part of
the summer of 1852 were the Rev. Hiram S. Hamilton and his son
Charles S. Hamilton, who arrived about the first of June. After
exploring the prairie in search of claims, without settling on any,
they made choice of one across tlie slough at the foot of the Sugar-
Loaf Bluff, where they built a small clairn shanty and commenced
pioneer life. Finding the location a lonesome and unpleasant one,
they moved their shanty and housekeeping material over on the
prairie, and put it up on the bank of the river — on a mound at
about what is now the foot of Main street.
After living on the levee for a short time, they moved into the
shanty on claim No. 2 — the claim held by Caleb IS'ash. While
living there, H. S. Hamilton acquired possession of the claim, and
soon after built a house on the bank of the river, a little way
above where the saw-mill of the Winona Lumber Company now
stands. He here located himself with his familj^, consisting of his
wife and two sons, Charles S. and Eugene, and made it his home
for about ten years, when he sold his property on Wabasha prairie
to Henry D. Huff and moved on a farm in the southeast part of
Wisconsin, where he died a few years ago.
Rev. Hiram S. Hamilton, or, as he was most commonly called,
"Elder Hamilton," was a prominent and well-known citizen of this
278 HISTORY OF WESrONA COUNTY.
county in the pioneer days of its settlement. Through his influence
very many of the early settlers came into the territory, and a large
number of his relations and personal friends, as well as strangers,
were induced to settle in this county, many of them on Wabasha
prairie, now the city of Winona.
Mr. Hamilton was a gentleman of liberal education, of fine
personal appearance, pjeasing and entertaining in his manners, but
of quiet, unobtrusive habits. He was a Congregational minister,
and had preached for many years before he came here. On account
of poor health he resigned his position as pastor of a church in
Dubuque and came to Minnesota, expecting to be benefited by the
change of climate and locality. At Dubuque he was popular with
his congregation and held in high esteem as a citizen. During his
residence in Minnesota he was popular as a preacher and respected
by the early settlers, among whom he had many warm friends who
knew him personally, many who now hold pleasant recollection and
retain that respect to his memory.
From the time he first landed on Wabasha prairie until after
the society of the Congregational church was organized, of which he
was the pastor, he preached quite regularly to attentive congrega-
tions of mixed religious ideas and beliefs. His well written and
impressively delivered sermons were interesting and instructive, and
were always listened to with respectful attention. Their influence
helped to maintain a moral restraint over the community of
unorganized citizens, of a locality in which uncertain public opinion
was the controlling law. His services were gratuitously disposed,
but were none the less valued or beneficial in the settlement.
Although Elder Hamilton lawfully came in possession of and
lawfully held claim No. 2, the circumstances and manner by which
the claim was secured caused a feeling of opposition from interested
individuals, which, for a time, threatened to lessen his influence as
a teacher or adviser, but public opinion indorsed his action jn the
matter. His popularity as a preacher was maintained, and his
reputation as a citizen was unimpaired by the transaction.
The charges against him by his opponents were, that he had
taken possession of and held the claim regardless of the rights of
others ; that in his proceedings in the matter he had laid aside his
"Sunday clothes" and descended to the level of other settlers, and
"jumped the claim."
Claim jumping was not considered as a criminal offense in public
RESPECTABILITY. 379
opinion if sustained -by the laws governing claims. The wrong, if
any was committed, was generally forgiven and forgotten by the
public if the attempt was successful, and particularly if the claim
proved to be valuable. Some incidents relative to the change of
proprietors of claim No. 2 will be given to show the circumstances
under which it was jumped.
Charles S. Hamilton was about seventeen or eighteen years of
age when he came here with his father. He was a reckless, dashing
and rather fast young man, inclined to be inconsiderate and forward
in his manners. He was brought here to withdraw him from the
evil influences of "young America" in Dubuque. Although
"gassy" and volatile, Charlie was not considered a vicious boy, and
for awhile he was a general favorite with the settlers, — his restless
freedom was more amusing than offensive. Many things were over-
looked because he was Elder Hamilton's son. Without occupation
he amused himself in hunting and fishing and in explorations of the
country. He studied the mystery of claims among the groups of
settlers who gathered to discuss this general topic of conversation.
Learning the history, condition and approximate value at which
every claim was held, he became interested in the idea of forming a
stock company and laying out another town site on the N^ash claim.
Nash had made his claim under the instructions of Johnson, and
held it under his directions and patronage, hardly conscious that it
was his own by right. Knowing this condition of the claim,
Charlie proposed his plan to Johnson and W. B. Gere, who favored
the scheme. Johnson readily induced Nash to enter into an arrange-
ment with them and become one of the company.
The plan proposed was, that Nash should transfer his claim to
the new company for a specified consideration, when it was to be
surveyed and plotted for the company, composed of E. H. Johnson,
W. B. Gere, Caleb Nash and Charles S. Hamilton. To secure
equal rights and privileges to the proprietors, the services of a lawyer
in La Crosse were secured, to draw up all necessary papers, by
making him also one of the stockholders.
As a preliminary movement, a quit-claim deed was drawn up,
transferring all of the right and interest of Nash in the claim to
Johnson and Co. This deed was given to Charlie Hamilton, to pro-
cure the signature of Nash. Except a nominal consideration, the
payment of the full amount agreed upon was postponed until the
company was organized.
280 HISTORY OF WESrONA COUNTY.
To get the signature of Nasli to this quit-claim deed Charlie went
to " Goddard's," where JSTash was then stopping, laid up on ac-
count of sickness. On learning the object of his visit Mrs, Goddard
advised JSTash against signing any papers until he received the
money down for his claim. Her advice was unheeded. Charlie
Hamilton's representations that "it was all right" — "only to
show that he meant business, so that they could organize the com-
pan}^ " — induced ISTash to sign his name.
In narrating this occurrence "Aunt Catharine" said, "I sup-
pose the boys thought I did not know anything about business, but
poor Nash was sorry enough afterwai-d that he did not listen to me,
when I told him he was giving his claim away."
The deed was given into the hands of the "attorney of the com-
pany," at La Crosse, for safe keeping. To secure the claim and pre-
vent Nash or anyone else from attempting to get possession, it was
proposed to allow Elder Hamilton to occupy the claim, and utilize
him as a tool in the affair.
H. t5. Hamilton and Charlie were then living in their shanty on
the public levee. By "request of the company," he was induced to
move into and occupy the Nash shanty until the necessary papers
were made out and the company were ready for business. He ac-
cordingly took possession, sent for his family and made it his home.
He thus became an actual settler on the claim, and its sole possessor
in full conformity with the laws governing claims.
The "joint stock company" lost all right, title and interest in
the claim they had induced Nash to transfer to them. Neither the
company nor individuals of the company were ever able to dispossess
Mr, Hamilton, or obtain remuneration for the losses resulting from
this failure of their scheme, although several suits at law were
brought to recover damages. Some effort was made to arouse sym-
pathy for Nash, whose claim, it was reported, had been jumped by
Elder Hamilton, but without avail. The settlers generally under-
stood the matter and took sides with the elder.
H. S. Hamilton afterward obtained a quit-claim deed direct
from Caleb Nash, giving him a reasonable compensation for it,
although he had previously relinquished his rights to it to Johnson
and Co, It is said of Nash, by those who knew him, that he was an
industrious and well-disposed young man, of very moderate acquire-
ments. He had unlimited confidence in Johnson, who really held
the claim through him and actually controlled it. Caleb Nash left
EESPECTABILITY^ 281
Wabasha prairie and went down the river in the sjiring of 1853.
It is not known that he ever returned to the territory.
Rev. H. S. Hamilton held quiet possession of claim No. 2, now
known as " Hamilton's addition," until about the time of the public
land sale, when he became involved in another "difference" rela-
tive to it, which eventually resulted in bringing about a division of
the Congregational church, by the withdrawal of a part of its mem-
bers and an organization of another society, the Presbyterian
church.
, When Henry C. Gere brought his family to Wabasha prairie lie
attempted to take possession of the Stevens chiim, but was prevented
by the decisive opposition of Mr. Stevens and his friends. Profess-
ing to have a just right to the claim, he was not satisfied to let the
matter rest. Not daring to attempt a forcible entry on the land, and
as there was no legal authority to appeal to, Mr. Gere made applica-
tion to the Wabasha Protection Club for aid to secure possession.
A majority of the members of the claim club were non-residents,
living in La Crosse. The constitution and by-laws of the club, to
which every member was required to affix his signature, provided
that all questions of difference relative to claims should be examined
by a committee of three appointed by the club for that purpose,
who were required to make a report of their action to that body for
its final decision. Each party was entitled to counsel and allowed
to present witnesses.
Mr. Gere's appeal was duly referred to a special committee for
investigation. After numerous adjourned meetings, at which the
parties appeared with their attorneys and witnesses, without arriving
at a decision, it was agreed to submit the matter to arbitrators.
The referees were Jacob S. Denman, of Wabasha prairie, and F. M.
Rublee, of La Crosse. <
Attorneys and witnesses came up from La Crosse two or three
times to attend this arbitration court before an agreement could
be effected. The case was finally settled by the parties consenting
to divide the claim between them, — Silas Stevens to retain the west
eiglity acres, and the east eighty was to be given up to Henry C.
Gere.
It was said that the sympatliies of the members of the club and
of the referees were on the side of Gere. Mr. Gere was a large,
fine-looking man of social habits and pleasing manners, a smooth
talker that could represent his own side of the question. He was a
282 HISTORY OF WEN-ONA COUNTY.
poor man and had a large family dependent on his individual efiorts
for their support.
Mr. Stevens was supposed to have considerable capital which he
was using in speculations. He was not a popular man with settlers
in a new country. He was a rigid church member, a strict and
zealous temperance man, and in politics an abolitionist from the old
whig party. He was a man firm in his own opinions and in his own
ideas of right, and was self-reliant in all of his business affairs.
He discouraged familiarit}^ and but few comprehended him as a man.
Silas Stevens was a native of the State of New Yoi'k, born in
1799 ; in 1829 removed to Pennsylvania ; in 1840 moved to Illinois,
driving through with his own teams ; in 1841 settled on a farm in Lake
county, Illinois. In the spring of 1851, leaving the management
of his farm to his son Wm. H. Stevens, then a young man living
with his mother and sister on the homestead, he visited the upper
Mississippi for the purpose of making investments. He stopped at
La Crosse, where he opened a lumber yard and speculated in real
estate, claims, etc. — moderately and carefully, never indulging in
wild schemes.
It was through Mr. Stevens that Gere came to La Crosse, where
he placed him with his family on a claim to hold until a sale could
be effected. Mr. Stevens furnished the supplies, and, with the men
employed in his lumber yard, boarded with the family. He also
employed Gere in his lumber yard as salesman, where Gere's pre-
tentious style led many to suppose that he was' the responsible head
in the business.
In Illinois both Stevens and Gere were zealous members of the
same church. In La Crosse Mr. Gere found different society. The
free and easy sociability and western style of speculation to which
he was introduced, suited his active temperament and visionary style
of business.
Early in the winter Gere attempted to secure the claim he was
holding for Mr. Stevens, but was prevented by Mr. Stevens entering
it at the land office before Gere could file his pre-emption papers.
From this transaction Mr. Stevens lost confidence in Gere, and all
friendship ceased. He dissolved all association, for Gere liad
represented that they were partners in their business transactions.
Mr. George W. Clark, who was in Mr. Stevens' employ at that
time, says he never heard of a partnership between the two men.
Gere took charge of business when Mr. Stevens was temporarily
RESPECTABILITY. 283
absent. Mr. Stevens once bought a rait of lumber on which he was
given thirty days' time. Being asked for an indorser, he, for form's
sake, asked Gere to sign the note with him. The security was
satisfactory and the note was paid by Mr. Stevens when due.
Mr. Stevens retained the half of the claim which he had made
in good faith for himself, in the fall previous. The other half as
justly belonged to him. He submitted to this division as a final
settlement of all difficulties with Gere. The west eighty of the
original Stevens claim is now known as Stevens' addition.
Leaving his affairs in Minnesota in the hands of his son, W. H.
Stevens, Silas Stevens continued his speculations elsewhere for a
year or two longer, when he made arrangements to locate perma-
nently in Winona, but never accomplished this design. While on
his way here from Galena with horses, traveling by land, he was
taken with cholera and died after a few hours' sickness. His death
occurred at Fayette, La Fayette county, Wisconsin, on July 20, 1854.
His wife and daughter had already moved to Winona, where
thej^ made it their home while living. His daughter was the wife of
H. C. Bolcom, a well known citizen, who came here in 1854.
Wm. H. Stevens is the oldest settler now living on Wabasha
prairie, the oldest inhabitant of the city of Winona. Norman B.
Stevens, an older brother, came here in 1856, and is now living iA
the city of Winona.
After the death of Silas Stevens the Stevens claim passed into
the possession of W. H. Stevens. He sold an undivided interest in
it to Wm. Ashley Jones and E. S. Smith. It was surveyed into lots
and streets on the same scale as the original town site of Smith and
Johnson, and designated as Stevens' addition.
Wm. H. Stevens has been interested in many of the enterprises
by which the city of Winona has been developed. He has held
several official positions. In the fall of 1853 he was elected justice
of the peace. He has served as deputy sheriff. In later years he
was a member of the board of education. In 1872 and in 1873 he
was a member of the state legislature as senator from the eighth
district in Winona county.
Mrs. Stevens, the wife of Wm. H. Stevens, was an early settler
in this county. She came here in 1852 and lived in tlie colony at
Kolling Stone with her relatives. She is a sister of Mrs. S. D.
Putman and of S. A. and O. H. Houk, who were members of the
association. In the fall and winter of that year Mrs. Stevens (then
284 HISTORY OF WIISrONA COUNTY.
Miss ' ' Hettj " Houk) taught the first district school at Minnesota city
that was ever held in southern Minnesota; she also taught the first
district school ever opened in the city of Winona, in the fall of 1854:.
About July 1, 1852, Byron A. Yiets came up from La Crosse
with a small drove of cattle, principally cows and young stock. He
landed them on "Wabasha prairie, where he was successful in
disposing of his entire herd to the settlers on the prairie and at
Rolling Stone.
In a trade with Johnson he purchased two or three lots in the
town plot. This was the first sale of lots alter the claim was
surveyed and plotted ; the first sale of real estate in the new town
or village of Montezuma, now city of Winona.
One of these lots, purchased by Mr. Viets, was lot 2, block 10,
on Front street ; another was lot 4, block 14. The quit-claim deeds
by which the title to these lots was transferred from Smith and
Johnson to Byron A. Yiets, were placed on record in the office of
the register of deeds of Washington county at Stillwater, the county
seat.
Mr. Yiets also bought a claim of eighty acres lying between the
claim held by Wm. B. Gere and the one held by Elijah Silsbee. It
was early discovered that the Beecher-Gere claim was an expansive
one, covering more territory than allowed by law, and S. K.
Thompson gave notice that he had selected a claim in that locality,
but he failed to protect it by improvements.
It was in nominal possession of several different persons who
jumped it one from another, while each failed to occupy it. Early
in the summer Isaac W, Simonds came up from La Crosse and took
possession of it. It was said that he was in the employ of Peter
Burns. To show that it was a claim held by a bona fide settler, he
planted a few potatoes and cultivated a small patch of ground.
This garden spot was in the vicinity of where the State Normal
School now stands.
It was generally understood among the settlers that this was
Thompson's claim, although he had not occupied it, — he was living
with John Evans at the time. In the absence of Simonds at La
Crosse, where he made his home, Thompson took possession by
building the customary log pen, and with the aid of John Evans
held it for a short time. To settle this claim dispute, it was agreed
that Thompson and Simonds should hold the land jointly or divide
it between them.
^^^;#Y
JACOB BONHAM.
RESPECTABILITY. 1^87
Without the knowledge of Thompson, Mr. Simonds traded off the
claim to Mr. Yiets, and gave him possession. Thompson lost his
interest without realizing anything from the sale. Mr. Viets built
a shanty on it, and on the 20th of July brought his family from La
Crosse, and became an actual resident on the prairie.
Having some surplus funds, Mr. Yiets at once made arrange-
ments to improve his town lots. He decided to build a house for
the accommodation of the traveling public on lot 2, block 10, front-
ing on the levee. He brought up material and carpenters from La
Crosse, and put up a building about 24 X 28, a story and a half
high — a low porch extended across the front. It was afterward, in
1853, improved by the addition of a long one-story attachment in
the rear for dining-room, kitchen, etc. This was at first known as
"Yiets Tavern," then as the "Yiets House," but was better
known to the early settlers as the ' ' Winona Hotel, " and later as the
old " Winona House."
This house was built in August. The roof was the second on
the prairie covered with shingles. The first was on the house of
John Evans, on the Evans claim, the third was on the shanty built
by Dr. Balcombe, and the fourth on the house built by Elder Ely,
on the corner of Center and Second streets. In October the rooms
in the lower part of the house were plastered. The first plastered
rooms on the prairie were in the house of Elder Ely. Mr. Yiets
occupied this tavern for about two months, when he leased it to
David Olmsted for a private residence, and moved his family down,
to La Crosse to spend the winter.
Late in this season Hon. David Olmsted, accompanied by a
brother, arrived at Winona from Fort Atkinson, Iowa. They came
through the country on the same trail Mr. Olmsted had traveled
before when he accompanied the Winnebagoes on their removal from
Iowa to Long Prairie, Minnesota. The trail was up through Money
Creek valley, and along the divide between the Burns and Gil more
valley, on the old government trail leading down the ravine back
of George W. Clark's residence. They traveled on foot from Fort
Atkinson to Wabasha prairie, packing their camp supplies on a pony
which they brought along.
Mr. Olmsted then proposed to locate himself on Wabasha prairie
and make it his home. He leased the Yiets House for a residence,
and had some furniture sent on and stored there, but his wife re-
mained east on a visit, and did not return until the following spring.
17
288 HISTOEY OF WINONA COIHSTTY.
In the meantime Mr. Olmsted changed his plans and located in St.
Paul. This part of the territory was always a favorite locality with
Mr. Olmsted. He came to Winona in 1855, and made it his home
while he remained in Minnesota. On occount of poor health he
removed to Yermont, where he died of consumption in 1861. The
memory of David Olmsted deserves more than this brief notice of
one of the early settlers of this county, and if space permits farther
reference will be made of his residence in this locality.
In 1852, when David Olmsted leased the house of Mr. Yiets, he
placed it and the furniture stored there in the care of Edwin Hamil-
ton, who lived alone in it during the winter.
About the last of January, 1853, Mr. Yiets learned that a stranger
was occupying his claim on Wabasha prairie that he bought of
Simonds. He came up with his wife to look after it. On arriving
here, he found that a man by the name of Benjamin had jumped his
claim, and was then in possession of it, professing to hold it as an
abandoned claim.
Mr. Yiets, accompanied by Wm. B. Gere, went immediately to his
shanty with their revolvers in then- hands and requested the claim
jumper to vacate the locality as soon as possible. Not being able to
resist so urgent a request presented for his consideration, he hur-
riedly left the claim and went back to La Crosse, where he had been
living. It was said this man was in the employ of a Mi*. Healy,
for whom he had jumped the claim.
In the spring Mr. Yiets sold out all of his interest on Wabasha
prairie and moved back to La Crosse, where he settled in La Crosse
county.
About the first of July, 1852, George M. Gere came up from La
Crosse and settled on Wabasha prairie. He brought with him his
wife and a very large family of children. He also brought up, with
his household furniture, tools and material for a boot and shoe shop.
He was the father of Wm. B. Gere, and brother of H. C. Gere.
For temporary accommodation they went to the shanty of H. C.
Gere, where the two families lived together for a month or two. It
was said that there were eighteen regular occupants of that little
shanty, 12X16. The summer was dry and warm, and they found
plenty of room outside without inconvenience.
In September, when Mr. Denman closed out his mercantile
business and moved out on his claim, Mr. Gere leased his house on
La Fayette street and occupied it with his family during the winter.
RESPECTABILITY. 289
He was a boot and shoe maker bj trade, and occupied the front
room of his residence as a shop. He here started tlie first shop in
the county for the manufacture and repairs of boots and slioes of the
settlers.
The following spring he built a shanty on his son's claim. It
stood on the south side of Wabasha street, back of where the high
school building now stands. It was 16x32, one story with a shin-
gled roof. He occupied this locality until he left Winona.
ISTot long after Mr. Gere came into the territory he was appointed
a justice of the peace for the county of Wabasha, by Gov. Eamsey.
After Fillmore county was created he was continued in the same
official position. He was also elected justice of the peace at the first
election, in the fall of 1853. •
His shoe shop was his office and where he held his court. When
he moved from the house belonging to Mr. Denman he built a small
shop on the alley near the west side of La Fayette street, between
Front and Second streets. His shop was a favorite lounging place
for the settlers to while away an idle hour. His house was often
used on Sundays for preaching and other religious exercises.
Mr. Gere was a large, dignified appearing man, about fifty years
of age. His intimate friends speak of him with respect, as being
an intelligent, consistent and exemplary christian gentleman;
usually cheerful ; a good-humored, companionable man, who enjoyed
a harmless joke and innocent sport, — one who did not consider it a
sin to smile when pleased.
Soon after Winona county was created Mr. Gere moved to Chat-
field, then the county seat of Fillmore county. He left Winona
about the fii'st of July, 1854.
During the spring and summer of 1852 Andrew Cole, a lawyer,
living in La Crosse, made frequent visits to Wabasha prairie.
These visits were to acquire a knowledge of the country, to form
the acquaintance of the settlers, speculate in claims, and also to
attend to pi-ofessional business.
Although there were no courts of justice, nor even a county or^
ganization, there was business for the lawyers in contesting the
claim difficulties, which became frequent as soon as the settlers
began to wrangle for what they considered to be the best claims or
choicest locations. These claim disputes were sometimes brought
before the claim clubs for settlement. It was important to have
counsel who had some knowledge of claim laws. When justices
290 HISTORY OF WESrONA COUJS^TY.
were appointed these claim disputes were for awhile tried before
them, until it was discovered that, as matters relating to title in real
estate, they were not under the jurisdiction of that court.
In the fall Mr, Cole brought his wife up from La Crosse and be-
came a resident of Minnesota. He was the first lawyer to settle on
Wabasha prairie — the first to settle in southern Minnesota for the
practice of his profession. Being the only lawyer on the west side
of the river, it was said that for the accommodation of his clients, he
sometimes acted as counsel on both sides in the same suit, and at
the same time acting as confidential adviser to the claim committee,
or of the court, if matters of law were not clear to the inexperienced
justices.
The house he occupied was one built by E. H, Johnson, which
stood on lot 4, block 10, fronting on the levee. It was a small
one-story building about 16 X 24, with a lean-to on the back part of
the east side about 10 X 12. This was the third house with plastered
rooms. The roof was shingled. There were seven buildings with
shingled roofs at the close of this year,
Mr, Cole had his oflice in his residence. He occupied this place
lor three or four years, when he built a house on the corner of Fifth
and Harriet streets, opposite the First Ward Park, where he lived
during the remaining time of his residence in Winona. In about
1858 he went east and located himself in Poughkeepsie, Kew York,
where he yet resides.
When Fillmore county was created Mr. Cole was appointed
judge of probate by Gov, Ramsey. He was the first official in that
position in this part of the territory along the Mississippi,
During the first three or four months after the settlement at
Minnesota City was commenced, commendable zeal was exhibited by
the members of the association at their meetings in providing for
the general interest and future development of the colony. Matters
of town organization, providing for public improvements — public
buildings, roads, bridges, etc., — were earnestly discussed and under-
taken with a spirit oT enterprise that was worthy of success.
They were ambitious and desirous of having a newspaper pub-
lished in the colony. A subscription was circulated, and quite a
sum promised as a bonus and for its support, provided a paper was
started and a printing-office established at Minnesota City, Mr,
Haddock was a practical printer, and from the encouragement offered
decided to make the attempt and bring on material for starting a
LOOKING AROUJSTD. 291
small weekly newspaper, to be called the "Minnesota City Standard."
While east alter his family, then living in the city of New York, he
procured a press and material for a printing: office, which he brought
along as far as Dubuque, where he was compelled to leave it in store
for want of funds to pay freight. He never brought his press up the
river.
They decided to build a town hall : the lumber and material was
purchased and brought on the grounds, but owing to sickness and
its attendant misfortunes the project was abandoned and the mate-
rial used for other purposes. The public spirit of fehe settlers of this
colony would have made the association a success if the location
had been a proper one.
CHAPTER XXIX.
LOOKING AROUND.
Eaely in the season prominent individuals from St. Paul visited
the colony and made considerable effort to induce the members of
the association to abandon Rolling Stone and locate themselves on
the Minnesota river above St. Paul. It was said that Gov. Ramsey
himself visited the colony for that purpose. Mr. Haddock was
opposed to any movement of this kind, and his influence was such
that no propositions for a change of locality were for a moment
entertained.
Mr. Haddock and the members of the association were under the
impression that Minnesota City was on a navigable portion of the
Mississippi, although the officers of the steamboats refused to go up
through Straight slough and establish a landing place for the colony.
They early took into consideration the advantages that would arise
from making Minnesota City the terminus of a wagon-road into "
the interior, between the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers.
A committee was appointed to explore the interior of the territory
and "find the most feasible route for a wagon-road from Minnesota
City to the Great Bend of the St. Peters river at the mouth of the
Blue Earth," with instructions to note the quality of the land, water
and timber observed on the route over which they might pass. The
committee were each allowed a dollar a day to defray their expenses
while on the survey.
292 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
The committee consisted of Robert Pike, jr., Isaac M. Noracong
and William Stevens. They left the colony on the 26th of June
and reached Traverse des Sioux on the 3d of July, where Mr. Pike
was compelled to lay up from disability to travel. Mr. Noracong
and Mr. Stevens completed the survey to the mouth of the Blue
Earth river. Mr. Noracong stopped for a few days at Mankato to
consult with the proprietors of the new town then but just starting
at that place, and returned by another route across the country,
accompanied by D. A. Robertson, one of the proprietors of Mankato.
Mr. Pike and Mf. Stevens took passage on the Black Hawk down
the Minnesota river to St. Paul, and from there to Wabasha prairie,
and thence by land to Minnesota City.
Mr. Pike drew up a report of the expedition, which was ind^orsed
by Mr. Stevens, and presented it to the association as the report of
the committee. It was formally accepted. Neither this report made
by Mr. Pike nor a copy of it can now be found. It is said to have
been a fair description of the country over which they passed, and
recommended the route by way of Faribault to Traverse des Sioux
as practicable for either a wagon-road or for a railroad at . a com-
paratively moderate expense.
On his return, Mr, Noracong presented his report recommending
a more southern route to Mankato. He found that the report made
by Mr. Pike had been adopted, the matter disposed of and the
committee discharged. The report of Mr. Noracong was listened to,
but no action was taken by the association.
The report, in the handwriting of Mr. IS^oracong, has been
preserved by the Hon. O. M. Lord. The following was copied
from it :
Started June 26, 1852, and went to Mr. Sweet's claim on Rolling Stone
prairie, a distance of about twelve miles ; course south of west.
June 27, 7 a.m. From Sweet's took a south course one and a-half miles, and
then a west course across a fine prairie to a grove of burr-oak timber, where we
found a fine spring of water discharging itself in a sink ; this place was claimed
by Mr. Hollyer. From thence took a west course and at noon came to a spring
brook, and thence, after going a short distance came to a branch of the White
Water running to the north. Continued traveling over burr-oak openings until
3 P.M., when we came to the head branch of the White Water, a fine brook
sixteen feet in width and an average depth of two inches, rock bottom, good
cool water to drink ; saw some trout. Went on three miles and crossed a
tributary of the same. Here is a prairie eight miles wide east and west, and
extending north and south as far as the eye can see. This prairie is in the
valley of the White Water ; the rise of land on either side is about thirty feet.
LOOKING AROUND. 293
"We rose on the upland and continued west on burr-oak openings. The upland
here is not as good as that back of the valley we crossed, being more gravelly.
Traveled on through openings sometimes thickly set with hazel and tall grass.
At sundown came to a small ravine, where we found good running water,
bearing to the northeast, and well timbered with maple, ironwood, basswood»
white and burr oak, and some willows.
Monday 28, 6:15 a.m. Started, and at 7:20 a.m., after about three miles' travel,
came to a small stream of pure water running to the north through a splendid
burr-oak opening, good timber and land of good soil. To the view north, this
brook seems to run through a splendid prairie valley of great extent. We here
Baw a wolf catching mice or frogs. At 8:10 a.m. the openings run as far north
as the eye can see. At 8:40 a.m. we came on an elevated prairie of first-rate
quality; cannot see the extent to the southeast; six miles to the south there is
timber ; north the openings continue about ten miles. Soon after, we came to an
elevated prairie where we could see a large valley to the south of us. This
valley lies east and west. We continued west along the high lands of this
valley, supposing it to be the head source of Eoot river; traveling bad ; the
face of the country being much broken and thickly set with oak underbrush
and hazel. The most of the ravines we crossed were dry, and we became very
thirsty for water ; after some trouble we found a spring. There are several
high mounds or bluffs standing in the midst of the valleys that we crossed,
surrounded by good grass lands ; they make a very imposing appearance and
look beautiful in the distance. We have crossed some red-top meadow lands
that would cut from three to four tons of hay to the acre. At 4 p.m. came to a
stream of water bearing northward, which I called at the first glance the
Wassioshie ; overhead, where I am writing, is floodwood and grass in a tree
eighteen feet above the water in the river. The bed of this stream is about
sixty feet wide, and an average depth of water of about five inches. The
majority of the company being in favor of following the stream down (not
being satisfied that it is the Wassioshie), we went down on the east side some
three or four miles, forded the river and pitched our tent, while Stevens and
Pike went north to an elevated blufi" to reconnoiter ; from their observations
they were willing to proceed west and leave the river.^
Tuesday, June 29. A very foggy morning. Through the heavy mist we
could hear the distant roar of a cataract, to the northward. We went over the
bluffs to the northwest, through the dew and hazel-brush, until we mounted an
elevated place where we could see some distance. On the south there was a
heavy and extensive grove of timber ; also on the west — the greatest quantity
we have yet seen. We here saw two deer feeding at a distance. From this
point we diverged from our course to the north and east, in search of the cata-
ract. We descended about two miles to the river, and found a heavy tributary
coming in from the west, and at the immediate junction was the fall of water
we had heard. The water here falls about eight or ten feet in thirty or forty.
Here is quite a curiosity. The water at its highest pitch rises some sixteen feet
above where it now is. Altogether, the scenery is romantic.
This stream proved to be the Wassioshie river. In these waters I saw the
largest brook -trout that I have ever seen in the Western waters, and also some
fine black bass. The bluffs are about two-thirds as high as they are in the
rear of Wabasha prairie. We here saw the tepees of the redmen for the first
294 HISTORY OF WINONA COUISTTY.
time, but they were of ancient date. Returned to where we left our baggage,
two miles to the southwest ; then took a west course, and traveled, over some
rolling prairie and broken woodland, about six miles, when we came to a tribu-
tary of the north branch of the Wassioshie running north. This is also a fine
stream of water — sufficient to do a large business. Forded the stream and
pitched tent. We left this place on our regular west course ; traveling bad, the
lands being thickly set with different kinds of brush and tall grass found on
prairies. Came into what we called second-growth timber, very thickly set with
underbrush of the yellow oak, hazel, plum, crab-apple, whitethorn, blackberry,
briers, etc. Not being of a disposition to bolt the course, we penetrated into
them, and continued on for some time; but, finding such bad traveling, we
made a halt and mounted a tree to reconnoiter. Nothing was to be seen south
and west but the same that we had been in for two or three hours. On the
north of the west branch of the Wassioshie saw a large prairie about two miles
distant. We struck north for the prairie. In this valley is a fine steam of
water sixty feet wide, with four to six inches depth. Camped for the night.
Saw some large suckers and black bass.
Wednesday, .Tune 30. Took our course northwest to a high mound and re-
connoitered. Found that the stream we camped on came from the west of
north, and that the south side was thickly set with second-growth timber.
Having found, by experience the day before, that we had better keep clear of
I that kind of traveling, we continued on the north side. After following up this
branch about ten miles we struck north about a mile and came on an elevated
prairie, that we could not reach its eastern extent with the naked eye, and ap-
peared to extend some distance north. On the west we could not see its limits ;
it was dotted with groves of burr-oak and poplar. Starting west, we encoun-
tered some large tracts of hazel-brush, but continued to travel on until
sundown. We here found ourselves on a dividing ridge without water or
wood, and could not pitch our tent. In the west we could see timber in the
distance, about eight miles off; in the south the timber opened so that we
could see through, and discovered that there was a large prairie in that direc-
tion. We continued west through grass on the prairie often as higli as the
brim of my hat, and scarce any less than to my hips. The rain was falling and
wind blowing strong from the northeast. Traveling on, by wind and compass,
we came to a swamp, where we found some good swamp water. Taking a bucket-
ful with us, we reached the timber, and penetrated an awful thicket, to get out
of the wind. When we had pitched our tent and made a fire the watch said
11 o'clock, in a rainy night. We then had our suppers to cook, for we had eaten
nothing from the time we took our breakfast except dry bread and raw pork.
Thursday, Jiily 1. We made a start west. The water here evidently runs
to the west and north. We found bad traveling through hazel-brush, swamps
and wet meadows, with very high grass of bluejoint.
At 11 o'clock A.M. we came to a small stream of water running to the north
and west, that proved to be a branch of the Cannon river. Continuing west
through thickets thickly set with underbrush, consisting of prickly ash, black-
berry-briers, greenbriers, grapevines and nettles, we struck a small stream of
water, the bottoms of which were covered with heavy timber. Following this
down, we came to a large stream, which proved to be the eastern branch of the
Cannon river. On the west side was a large prairie. A majority of the company
LOOKING AROUND. 295
being in favor of following down this stream, we at once forded it, and after going
about two miles struck an Indian trail, which we traveled on down to the
valleys, where we found a Frenchman who could talk good English. From him
we learned that we were forty miles from Traverse des Sioux, and from thence
eighteen miles to the Blue Earth. We then set out on the Indian trail for
Traverse des Sioux, the trail leading through a fine valley of bottom prairie, in
which flows the north branch of the Cannon river. On the north of this
branch the whole country is heavy timbered to its source ; the east side of the
south branch is also heavy timbered with elm, maple, black-walnut, butternut,
ash, etc. Between these forks are extensive rolling prairies, frequently dotted
with burr-oak groves.
Traveling until nearly sunset, we pitched our tent on the bank of a beautiful
lake. There are three beautiful small lakes on this branch, with pretty
generally bold gravelly shores and clear water. There were numerous dead
fish lying on the beach, — suckers, mullet, bass, pant and pickerel. On the north
of the lakes is heavy timber ; some on the south.
Friday July 2. Took an early start expecting to get through today. We
traveled over a very broken country ; not so bad, however, as to be unfit for
cultivation. The country over which we passed in the forenoon is better
adapted for stock, there being extensive meadow lands on the shores of the
lakes.
After dinner we came to the head of the lakes, where we were some
troubled in finding the right trail; the trail diverging ofi" in diflFerent direc-
tions and very dim at this place. Soon after we succeeded in getting on the
right trail we found ourselves in a diflerent country altogether ; it was up
hill and down, through a swamp, over a knoll, through the brush, into a swamp,
and so on until 3 p.m., when we came to a lake on our left, or south side ;
following along this lake; winding our way through a swamp connected with
it, then through an island of timber and another swamp, and so on until we
camped for the night, on the bank of the lake, in an Indian tepee. The water
of the lake was so full of particles of something, that we were obliged to strain
it for drinking or cooking purposes.
The lake was on the south and a large watery marsh on the north, the
outlet of which we forded a short distance from our camp. All the dry land,
from the place where we struck the lake, is heavy timbered and of good soil.
I think three-fourths of the face of the country here is taken up with lakes and
swamps.
On the north side of this lake there were several swamps connecting with
it, and there was a plain visible embankment of stone and earth thrown across
them ; the stone were granite boulders or hard head, of which there were an
abundance of this section of country. These embankments could not be easily
mistaken, for some parts of them were four or five feet high, where the rocks
could be seen on both sides ; they answered for a road to cross on. At one
place, where it appeared the outlet of the lake was, there were two streams of
water flowing out of the lake into the marsh ; here the boulders could be seen
peering above the water in a direct line, from one point of high land to another,
on the opposite side.
These .stone have evidently been placed there by artificial means — of this
there is no doubt, but by whom is not known and probably never will be.
296 HISTOEY OF WINONA COUNTY.
This lake is very likely the head fountain of the Vermilion river, that empties
into the Mississippi, some distance 'above the Cannon. On the shores of this
lake there were dead fish of different kinds, showing that these waters were
stocked with fish.
Saturday, July 3. Traveled over islands of timber, and through brush and
morasses — the timber was of good quality — saw several small lakes and some
sugar-houses. It was a rainy morning, and although it continued raining we
kept on traveling, and came out of the timber into brush from two to eight feet
high, overhanging the trail ; the only way to follow a trail in such a case is to
go where the feet go the easiest. We crossed several morasses and at last
reached a bank, and down a hill we soon came out into the valley of the Min-
nesota, opposite Traverse des Sioux. We followed the trail down a short
distance and then struck for the buildings on the other side of the river. We
soon found ourselves in a morass, or quagmire, which had the appearance
as if there was sulphur or salt water in it ; did not admire the place and did
not taste of the water. This continued from the bank nearly to the river.
At the river an Indian boy came to us with a canoe, but no paddles ; we
managed to cross safely by using small round sticks for paddles. We proceeded
direct to the house of the Rev. Mr. Huggins, at the Mission, and took dinner
at a house for the first time in seven days. Mr. Huggins and lady appeared
to be very accommodating and refined people ; they were good and kind to us,
and will be remembered by me in time to come. This place has been long
settled by civilized people. ,
Our provisions having run out, we here got a new supply. Stevens and
myself started for the Blue Earth (Mr. Pike having a boil on his ankle, which
aflPected the nerve to the knee and upward). We fell in with two young men
that were going to where a Mr. Babcock was building a saw-mill, and reached
the place about sundown. It was on the east side of the Minnesota, five miles
above Traverse des Sioux. We were kindly received and put up for the night
with them. Here fell in with a company of men that came the overland route
fi-om Jackson, Iowa, with two wagons and sixteen yoke of cattle, some cows,
one horse, breaking plows, etc. They were twenty-one days coming through.
Sunday, July 4. We shouldered our packs and wended our way for the
Blue Earth. The trail led through a fine prairie descending toward the river ;
the high lands to the east are heavy timbered. We diverged from the trail to
get a drink, and in the bed of the stream we found stone coal. A specimen I
brought home and tested by the fire, and found that it burned well.
Arrived at the town of Mankato about noon. Finding that the boys of this
place were dressing a large turtle, we held on and took dinner with them.
After dinner, started for the Blue Earth, a distance of two miles above the
town, and soon reached the long looked-for locality. Traveled up some dis-
tance and then returned to the junction and down the Minnesota to Mankato,
where we put up for the night. Having accomplished our purpose, we resolved"
to make a canoe on the following day, and return home by descending the
Minnesota and Mississippi rivers.
Monday, July 5. Slept late ; soon after getting up, news came that a
steamboat was within hearing ; soon after, the Black Hawk made her appear-
ance. We at once resolved to return on the steamer. The Mankato company
came on this boat. Learning where I was from and the business I was on,
LOOKESTG AROUND. ' 297
they wished me to stop a few days with them. 1 accordingly did so. Stevens
left with the boat for home.
Mankato is i^leasantly situated on the east side of the Minnesota,
directly on the great bend of the river and two miles below the confluence of
the Blue Earth, on an elevated rise of ground, sufliciently above high-water
mark, but not so much so as to make it inconvenient of access at any place for
some distance up and down the river. It is located on a prairie of good quality
of soil, well watered and plenty of timber. It has been regularly laid out by a
competent surveyor. This place, from the observations I could make, must
eventually be the great western terminus of a railroad from Minnesota city on
the Mississippi to the waters of the Minnesota river. Having traveled through
the country on two different routes, mostly, I find no obstacles in the way of
any kind of a road from the former to the latter place. My impression is, that
Mankato is decidedly the place for the termination of roads of any kind.
The face of the country farther north is so thickly set with lakes and swamps
and marshes, that it will cost a vast amount of money to erect bridges and
build roads. The route for a road from Mankato to the southeast waters of the
Cannon river is mostlj^ on a dividing ridge and principally on prairie of good
soil, well adapted for farming purposes and the raising of stock.
From Mankato to the La Seur river, which empties into the Blue Earth about
two miles from its junction with Minnesota, is about six miles. The land
is good for a road and is well timbered. After crossing the La Seur there is
timber for about three-fourths of a mile, then it is prairie and opening to the
southeast waters of the Cannon, where there is a prairie extending east out of
reach of the naked eye. I. M. Noracong.
The country over which we have traveled in the direction of Minnesota
City is well adapted for roads, and I have no doubt, from what I have seen,
that a good wagon-road may be made at a small expense from Mankato to
Minnesota City. I also believe that the Mankato company would unite with
the Minnesota City company in making the roads, and make, as their proposi-
tion, the western fifty miles. D. A. Robertson.
Mr, Robertson was one of the "Mankato Company" — one
of the original town proprietors and first settlers in Mankato. It
was through his influence that Mr. Noracong remained at that
place to discuss the feasibility of opening a road. Mr. Robertson
accompanied Mr. Noracong on his return across the country, and
appended the above proposition to the report of Mr. Noracong to
the association.
This committee was sent out by the association to explore the
country and ascertain the feasibility of opening a wagon-road from
Minnesota City to the great bend of the Minnesota river, and not
for the purpose of making a preliminary survey for a proposed rail-
road route to St. Peters, as has been sometimes represented in
newspaper articles. The real object was to establish a highway into
the back country from the colony ; to secure the advantages of a
298 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
main traveled route, when the country should be settled, and to
make the terminus of the road at Minnesota City. The recom-
mendation of the route for the purposes of a railroad was but an
incidental part of the report.
The fii'st mail route ever established across the country in the
southern part of the territory was between Minnesota City and
Traverse des Sioux, over nearly the same route traveled by this com-
mittee. The contractor was O. M. Lord, of Minnesota City.
CHAPTER XXX.
REFLECTIONS.
There is no doubt but what Haddock and Murphy were consci-
entious in their acts when they located the colony at Rolling Stone.
They reported to the association that their village site was on the
Mississippi, and it was believed that such was the case. Mr. Had-
dock was the leading spirit of the organization, and apparently
controlled it by a sort of mesmeric influence. For the fii'st three
months the colonists had almost unbounded confidence in their
leader. He made a mistake when he assumed it to be a fact that
Straight slough was a navigable channel ; and, firm in his belief, he
impressed the same idea on the settlers, and it was a year or two
before they were fully convinced to the contrary.
Mr. Haddock assumed that the reason why Minnesota City was
not made a landing-place for the steamboats was because the man-
agement of the boats was in the hands of men interested in rival
town sites. This was believed by the settlers, because repeated ap-
plications had been made to have the boats land passengers at the
colony during the high water, but without success ; none would
make the attempt.
When the flood in the river had subsided and the water was con-
fined to its ordinary channels, and about the time that the report of
the committee which had been sent to explore the back country was
received, it was considered important that a landing should be estab-
lished on Straight slough. The matter was freely discussed in the
meetings of the association, and referred to a committee for investi-
gation.
EEFLECTIONS. 299
This committee, with other members equally interested in estab-
lishing the fact that navigation was practicable, made, as they sup-
posed, a thorough survey of Straight slough, from its head, above
Minnesota City, to its mouth, a short distance above Johnson's
landing. A chart was drawn showing soundings, etc. The com-
mittee reported that there were no serious obstacles in the way, and
that the sk^ugh was navigable for the largest boats running on the
upper Mississippi.
At the time of this survey the slough next to the bluff, which
empties into Straight slough nearly opposite Minnesota City, was
given the name of Haddock slough, the name by which it is now
known. Mr. Haddock had selected the shore next to the bluffs,
above where Mr. Burley now lives, as a proper landing-place for
immediate purposes. A landing-place on the slough below was
selected for future improvement.
The committee were instructed to present the matter before the
proprietors of the steamboat lines at Galena, by whom it was re-
ferred to Capt. Smith. Notwithstanding their chart demonstrated
the feasibility of a free passage through Straight slough, Capt.
Smith considered the route impracticable ; and, as it was charged
against him that his opposition to it was because of his holding an
interest on Wabasha prairie, he consented to allow his own boat,
the Nominee, to make a trial trip under the pilotage of the com-
mittee.
The success of the committee thus far was duly reported to the
to the Association. So confident were the colonists of the arrival
of the steamboat that many of them went down to the landing at
Wabasha prairie to meet the boat, while the whole settlement pre-
pared to give it a joyful welcome. For this trip the Nominee was
given in charge of the first clerk, with instructions to go through
the slough, if possible, without delay. The boat, with Mr. Brook
as captain, arrived at Johnson's about noon on Sunday. As the
trip was a holiday excursion the settlers on the prairie were invited
to make a social visit to the colony.
The Nominee started up Straight slough under the guidance of
the committee. After ascending for a mile or so the boat struck a bar
and came to a sudden stop. By some oversight this obstruction had
not been noted on the chart. After repeated attempts to pass this
barrier without success, the officers of the boat decided that Straight
slough was not navigable by the Nominee at that stage of water.
300 HISTORY OF WESrOISrA COUNTY.
This failure was a great disappointment to the settlers, both at
Minnesota City and at Wabasha prairie. The boat swung around
and steamed back to Wabasha prairie, and, after discharging the
excursionists, started up the river under the guidance of her own
pilot.
The failure of the Nominee to go through Straight slough was
a serious blow to the colony. The ideal maritime port of Mr. Had-
dock was unfortunately at least six miles from any practicable
steamboat landing. Still the colonists were not wholly disheart-
ened. Many of them believed that the slough might be made
practicably navigable by opening a passage over the bar, the only
obstruction that was supposed to exist.- During the following winter
the colonists built a large log building on the bank of the slough
opposite Minnesota City, which they designed for a warehouse
and landing-place. A road was surveyed across the bottom, but
never improved. No passengers or freight were ever landed there.
No attempt was ever made to improve the navigation of Straight
slough.
The extreme high water was followed by an extreme low stage
of water in the river. The summer of 1852 was hot and dry, and the
miasma eliminated from the sloughs and large marshes in the im-
mediate vicinity of Minnesota City rendered that locality particu-
larly unhealthy. Serious bilious diseases afflicted the settlers in
the colony. They were mostly from the Eastern States, unacclima-
ted, unprotected by suitable dwellings, and a large majority of them
incompetent and unsuited for pioneer life. A few deaths occurred
early in the season, and exaggerated accounts of the sickness and
mortality at Minnesota City were put in circulation and prevented
many from locating there. The most common disease was inter-
mittent and remittent fevers.
There were no regular medical practitioners belonging to the
association or living on the west side of the river ; domestic treat-
ment and patent medicines were generally depended on. Quinine
was quite extensively relied upon in these malarious diseases. One
of the colonists was attacked with intermittent fever, for which a
neighbor recommended quinine. He sent for a pound or two of
quinine by a friend who had business at St. Paul. From insuffi-
cient funds only four ounces were procured. When the bill of $20
was presented the exorbitant charges of the St. Paul druggist was
strongly condemned. The neighbor who had prescribed the articlis
REFLECTIONS. 301
was called in to dose out the medicine, and he explained that it was
a dram or two he had recommended him to send for instead of a
pound or two. "The Squire" said, in relating the incident, "I
knew nothing about the stuff — any way , it was no serious mistake,
because it was needed in the settlement, and the neighbors took it
off my hands without any pecuniary loss."
It was said that not a settler in the colony escaped an attack of
fever and ague. Robert Pike, Jr., in a letter published in 1854,
says, "Although most were prostrated by sickness, only fourteen
deaths occurred {in 1852) and a majority of these were young
children. The wonder is that the mortality was not greater."
Among the deaths which occurred was that of Mrs. Haddock,
the wife of the president of the association. Mr. Haddock went
down to New York city and brought her here to make her a home
in the colony he had labored so hard to build up. She arrived on
the »13th of July and died on the 24th of August.
After the death of his wife Mr. Haddock became disheartened
and completely discouraged. Many of the settlers were compelled
to leave because they could find nothing to do by which to earn a
living. The most of them were mechanics from the city of New
York, and they went down the river to find employment. Although
the association maintained its organization, it was no longer attract-
ive to Mr. Haddock. It had apparently accomplished all that could
be expected from it. With a large party of his friends Mr. Haddock,
lefl the colony on the lltli of September and went down the river.
He stopped for awhile at Dubuque, and moved from there to Ana-
mosa, Jones county, Iowa, where he engaged in publishing a news-
paper, using the press and material designed for a printing-office in
Minnesota City.
Although the organization was kept up in the colony during the
next year, but comparatively few members of the association re-
mained to become citizens of this county.
Quite a number of the members of the association lived on their
village lots in Minnesota City until after the survey of public lands
in this part of the territory. Several of them then made claims of
the locality they were occupying according to the divisions made by
the government surveyors, without regard to the previous divisions
made by Mr. Haddock.
The town site of the Western Farm and Village Association was
never made a matter of record. The whole village plot was ab-
302 HISTORY OF WmONA COUNTY.
sorbed by claims which were pre-empted as homesteads by their
resident claimants. The plot of the original village of Minnesota
City was thus wiped out — swept entirely away. The name has
been preserved for the locality, and a more diminutive and modern
village has grown up under it, on what was originally the claim of
Israel M. Noracong.
The original village plot was pre-empted by T. K. Allen, A. A.
Gilbert, H. B. Waterman, Eobert Pike, Jr., James Wright, O. M.
Lord, Hiram Campbell, S. E. Cotton and D. Q. Burley, all mem-
bers of the association. Each of them had held claims in other
localities, which were abandoned to enable them to share in the
spoils of the dead metropolis of the colony.
H. B. Waterman and family have continuously occupied the
same locality he settled upon in 1852, when he first came into
the colony. When Mr. Waterman came to Minnesota City he built
a very comfortable house, a part of it of logs and a part of frame
and boards. This he inhabited for several years. After the gov-
ernment survey was made he selected this locality as a homestead,
and claimed a quarter-section of land in the vicinity, which he pre-
empted after the land-office was opened at Winona.
With the exception of a large and comfortable dwelling-house
and a good barn, which stand in a beautiful grove on a sightly eleva-
tion, with a small field of cultivation, but little improvement was
made on this claim until within a few years past. The table on
which it lies was covered with groves of oak. As this timber is
cut away and the clearing enlarged a fine farm is becoming
developed.
Mr. Waterman was a lawyer by profession when he joined the
colony, but he never practiced his profession in Minnesota. He
had but little taste for agricultural pursuits, and but little inclination
to make it an occupation. He made the farm his home without
making the cultivation of the soil his business.
In November, 1852, Mr, Waterman was appointed by Gov.
Ramsey one of the justices of the peace for Wabasha county. He
was subsequently elected to the same office, and held the official
position of justice of the peace over twenty years for Winona county,
in the town of Rolling Stone, where he resided. He was also elected
judge of probate at the election in the fall of 1853.
The first case on his docket in 1852 was Jacob S. Denman m.
individual members of the association. This was a matter wliich
REFLECTIONS. 305
grew out of the claim difficulty already mentioned. These mem-
bers of the association went on to Denman's claim, destroyed his
fences and burned his rails, with the intent to drive him off the
claim. Denman refused to leave, and sued them for" damages to
his property. The matter had been commenced before Squire
Allen, but when Squire Waterman received his commission the case
was discontinued and again brought on before the new justice of the
peace, where it was settled by the members of the association paying
the costs of prosecution and the damages assessed.
Robert Pike, Jr., made a claim among the village lots of the
colony on the same table on which the school-building now stands.
He here used his pre-emption right and made a farm of part of the
original village. A part of this claim is still in possession of Mrs.
Pike, his widow.
Mr. Pike came to Rolling Stone early in May, 1852, and at once
became prominently active in the enterprises of the association to
develop the resources of the country and build up the colony. His
eccentric genius and zealous efforts made him popular in the settle-
ment. Soon after his arrival he was appointed surveyor for the
colony, explored a road to the Minnesota river. He was chosen as
a proper person to be appointed postmaster. He was elected jus-
tice of the peace, served as county commissioner and as county
surveyor. During his whole life he was active in all of his public
duties.
Robert Pike, Jr., died about the middle of April, 1874. At the
time of his death he was interested in an effort to start a colony in
the vicinity of Lake Kampeska, Dakota Territory. His widow is
yet a resident of Minnesota City. One of the two children who
came here with her in 1852 died many years ago. The other is the
wife of Frank D. Stewart, living in the town of Rolling Stone.
Mr. Pike was in many respects a very remarkable man. Natu-
rally ingenious, he made mechanical improvements a study. On
most of the questions of the day, religious and political, he es-
poused the radical side. Among his many friends, his special peculi-
arities were overshadowed by the open-handed generosity of the
man toward his fellow-man.
As a specimen of his eccentricity, his business card has been
copied from the ' ' Winona Republican, " as regularly advertised in
1856, as follows :
18
306 HISTORY OF WmONA COUNTr.
" Robert Pike, who writes this ditty,
Lives at Minnesota City ;
Is Postmaster, Magistrate,
Buys and sells Eeal Estate,
Conveyancer and County Surveyor,
(The City's small and needs no Mayor).
Sectarian rules he dares resist,
And thinks Christ was a Socialist.
Loving mankind and needing dimes.
He waits to serve them at all times."
When disaffected members of the association decided to aban-
don the colony, O. M. Lord purchased tlieir interest in such of the
village lots as were in the vicinity of where he resided ; and after
the government survey, when the village plot was comparatively
abandoned, he made a claim of the quarter-section on which he was
living and pre-empted it. The village lots surveyed by Mr. Had-
dock for the association, that were included in this claim, are a part
of the homestead on which the Hon. O. M. Lord now resides.
The first claim selected by Mr. Lord was before he joined the
association, while on the first exploration made into the country
back from the Mississippi. This he abandoned for another about
three miles above Minnesota City, in what is now known as Deer-
ing's Yalley, where he then proposed to establish a stock-farm. On
account of its isolated situation he did not move his family there,
but located them in the settlement or village. Like many others, he
also made other selections of good claims which were marked with
his name.
From the time Mr. Lord came here in the spring of 1852 to the
present time he has been prominently before the public, in very
many instances intimately connected with events that make up the
history of Winona county. Owing to his habitual modest reserve,
no record of these instances has ever been compiled for reference.
It is indeed questionable whether a connected biographical sketch of
this pioneer settler has ever been given to the public. Advantage
of a long-time acquaintance and personal friendship has been the
source of the following memoranda of events in history with which
he has been connected.
CHAPTEE XXXI.
PERSONAL PARAGRAPHS.
Hon. O. M. Lord was a native of the State of New York ; born
in Wyoming county in 1826. In 1837 he moved with his father's
family to Michigan. He attended school winters until he was about
sixteen, after which he attended a select school for about three
months. His education has since that been acquired by private
study in active life. His younger days were spent on a farm and in
sometimes assisting his father in his blacksmith shop.
Mr. Lord was married in 1848, and settled on a farm. He was
elected town clerk, and was ex-officio school inspector for two years.
In the spring of 1852 he sold his farm in Lapeer county, Michigan,
and came to Minnesota, where he arrived May 2. He brought on
his family, a wife and two children, on July 16. He brought with
him all of his household goods, a span of horses and farming tools,
intending to make farming his exclusive business. His horses were
the first brought into the colony.
Instead of settling on a claim, as he had at first designed, Mr.
Lord located himself in the village of the colony at Minnesota City.
He bought several village lots and built a house. Having acquired
some knowledge of blacksmithing when young, he bought the tools
of a blacksmith and carried on the business for a year or two, his
shop being the only blacksmith shop in the county during that time.
In 1852 he shod the first span of horses ever brought into this
county by a settler, and the first horses ever shod here. The shoes
were brought from La Crosse. They belonged to Hon. William H.
Stevens. In the spring of 1853 he shod fourteen horses for Wm.
Ashley Jones, government surveyor.
July 2, 1853, Mr. Lord was appointed coroner for Fillmore
county. This appointment, unsolicited, was conferred by Gov.
Gorman, who had recently assumed his official position.
At the election held in the fall of 1853 Mr. Lord was elected as
representative to the territorial legislature from this district. The
session was held from January 4 to March 4, 1854.
Among the acts of which he secured the passage were the original
308 HISTOKY OF WU^ONA COUNTY.
charter for the Transit railroad, the division of Fillmore county
and creating of Winona county, and the establishment of the county
seat at what is now the city of Winona. The present boundaries of
Winona county were defined by Mr. Lord, and submitted to Mr.
Huff and other citizens of the village of Winona for their approval.
He also secured the passage of a memorial for a post-route from
Minnesota City to Traverse des Sioux.
In 1854 Mr. Lord built the first saw-mill in the county at Minne-
sota city. In 1855 he was awarded a contract for carrying the mail
from Minnesota city to Traverse des Sioux, and carried the mails for
about two years — a part of the time semimonthly. This was the
first post-route across the country.
In 1857 or 1858 Mr. Lord was appointed by Gov. Medavy com-
missioner for selecting land for the Transit Railroad Company. He
was also appointed by Gov. Medavy, October 12, 1857, as a notary
public. These appointments were unsolicited by Mr. Lord. In 1859
he was a candidate for the legislature, but was defeated by Judge
Orlando Stevens.
When questioned as to his war record, he replied, "I fought,
bled and died for my country by able-bodied substitute during the
war — price $600."
Mr. Lord moved back to Michigan, and lived near Kalamazoo
from 1861 to 1864, when he returned to Minnesota, and again took
up his residence at Minnesota City. He was a candidate for the
legislature in 1871, and was defeated by seven votes by H. A.
Covey. In 1873 he was elected to the legislature, and served at the
next session.
On September 28, 1875, Mr. Lord was appointed county superin-
tendent of schools, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation
of Rev. David Burt, who had been appointed state superintendent
of public instruction. He has been elected continuously to the
position of county superintendent of schools since that time, and is
yet serving the people in that capacity. He was president of the
last annual meeting of county superintendents, held at St. Paul
about January 1, 1883.
Mr. Lord has always taken an active interest in popular educa-
tion, and in addition to his other official positions has been almost
continuously one of the school committee in Minnesota City since
the first school was started there in 1852. He is at present director
of the district. He has been a member of the town board of the
PERSONAL PARAGRAPHS. 309
town of Rollinti: Stone tor the past twelve years, and is now chair-
man of board of supervisors. Mr. Lord was made a Mason in 1862.
He never united with any other organization. If circumstances per-
mitted, he would take more pride and pleasure in stock-raising and
cultivation of small fruiltthan in any other pursuit.
Hiram Campbell settled'on his village lot and built a house, which
he occupied with his family for several years. With this as his
place of residence, he made a claim and pre-empted a homestead
which included a portion of the village lots of the colony. This
claim is now known as the "Campbell Farm." It joins the farms of
O. M. Lord and James Kennedy. The present farm house is of brick.
Hiram Campbell has been dead many years. His widow, with
his family, owned and occupied the farm until about two years ago,
when she sold out and moved west. Wiith other branches of
farming Mr. and Mrs. Campbell took a great deal of interest in the
cultivation of fruit, particularly of different varieties of apples,
which they were very successful in growing.
When David Densmore and John Shaw came to Rolling Stone
they brought ,with them a large supply of apple-seeds which they
procured from the State of Maine. These seeds were planted on
their village lots. The lot of Mr. Densmore was on the land now
owned by O. C. Tucker. The lot of Mr. Shaw was on the Campbell
farm. Both Mr. Densmore and Mr. Shaw died early in the summer
of 1852, and their lots passed into other hands. Mr. Densmore left
his nursery for the general benefit of the colonists.
Mr. Campbell assumed charge of the lot of Mr. Shaw and started
a nurser}^ of fruit-trees from the seed sown on it. From this little
nursery, started by Mr. Campbell on his own claim, sprang some of
the finest varieties of apples that have ever been known in Min-
nesota.
John Nicklin, with his family, settled on his lot selected by
number in New York. His location was on the table above where
Troust's mill recently stood. He built a log house, lived here two
or three years and made a claim of forty acres among the village
lots. He also had a farm claim in the valley about two miles above
the village. To hold them both he pre-empted the farm claim,
and his son pre-empted a part of the village property. He lived on
his farm for a number of years, when he sold out and moved back to
New York, where he died a few years ago. None of his family are
now living in this county. A son resides in Dakota Territory.
310 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
George Foster pre-empted a forty of village lots ; sold out and
moved to Winona. He left there and moved south. None of his
family are now living in this county.
Other members of the association besides Mr. Denman and
W. H. Coryell made claims below Minii^sota City, l^early the
whole upper prairie was at one time claimed by the colonists,
although unimproved.
P. D. Follett made a claim adjoining the farm now occupied by
Mr. Charles Yila. He built a log house and occupied it for two or
three j^ears, when he sold out and left the county.
William T. Luark made a claim along the bluffs below Mr.
Denman's, where Mr. Colman now lives. He improved this by
building a log-house and making some cultivation, and held it for
several years. He moved to Winona, where he opened the first
wagon-shop started in the county. The first wagon was made by
Mr. Luark in the spring of 1855. About ten years ago he moved to
Milwaukee, where he died after a residence there of a year or two.
John lams also made a claim along the bluffs, the next below
that made by Mr. Luark. He built a log-house and occupied this
locality two or three years, and then moved to Winona, and after a
few years' residence there left the county and went into the western
part of the state to reside. Mr. lams was the first sheriff appointed
or elected to serve in that office in this part of the territory. He
was the first sheriff in Fillmore county in 1853.
John C. Laird came to Wabasha prairie about the last of August,
1852, to attend upon Abner S, Goddard during his last sickness.
After the death of Mr. Goddard, which occurred on the 11th of Sep-
tember, he decided to remain and make it his future home.
Mr. Laird was a citizen of La Crosse at the time he came up to
help his sister in the care of her sick husband. It was on her ac-
count that he changed his place of residence and came to Minnesota,
where he has ever since resided. He was deputy register of deeds
for La Crosse county. The register elected was a resident of a dis-
tant part of the county, and, not wishing to change his location, Mr.
Laird was deputized to act for him and receive the emoluments of
the position.
In the winter and spring previous Mr. Laird had visited Waba-
sha prairie, but never selected any special location as a claim. After
he had decided to settle here he explored the country until in Octo-
ber, when, observing that the east "eighty" of the original Stevens
PERSONAL PARAGRAPHS. 311
claim was unoccupied, and without improvements of any kind, he
was induced to take possession of it as an abandoned claim. Mr.
Laird quietly procured the necessary material, and before the settlers
were aware of his intention, they were surprised to see a snug and
comfortable-looking shanty on "that lower eighty of Stevens's."
This shanty stood about where Laird Norton & Go's stables now
stand,. — on the west side of Chestnut street, between Second and
Third streets.
As soon as the circumstance became known, H. C. Gere made
application to the members of the claim club for aid to remove the
trespasser on the land relinquished to him by Silas Stevens. Some
of the members of the club came together and called on Mr. Laird
to learn why he had built the shanty and to ascertain if he really
intended to jump Gere's claim.
Mr. Laird informed them that he had taken possession of "that
eighty " because there was no one occupying it — nothing to indicate
that any one had possession of it, and informed them that his
shanty was the only improvement on the claim. This self-consti-
tuted claim committee decided to let Mr. Gere take care of his own
affairs if he had got into trouble from his own mismanagement.
He was then holding other claims.
Mr. Laird completed his shanty on Saturday evening, and, sup-
posing that he had possession safe enough, stayed contentedly at
Mrs. Goddard's, because it was Sunday and a day of rest generally
observed by the settlers. It chanced to be the day on which Elder
Hamilton had made an appointment to preach at Mrs. Goddard's
shanty, and there the settlers assembled to listen to one of his best
sermons.
Taking a great interest in the subject of the discourse, Mr.
Laird for the time forgot about his recently acquired earthly posses-
sion, and gave his undivided attention to the sermon of the elder.
After the service was over and the audience began to disperse, he
cast his eyes toward his new shanty, not fifty rods away, and dis-
covered Henry 0. Gere on its roof. Accompanied by Wm. H.
Stevens, and followed more deliberately by Elder Hamilton and his
whole congregation, he rushed toward his unprotected claim im-
provement and found that Gere had jumped the shanty, if not the
claim.
faking advantage of the security from observation afforded
while the attention of the settlers were engaged by Elder Hamilton,
312 HISTORY OF WLNONA COUNTY.
Mr. Gere had taken a load of his household goods to the shanty
and taken possession of it.
On reaching the locality Mr. Laird found the shanty occupied ;
a table with a few dishes and a chair or two were on one side of the
room, and on the other a cook-stove, on which was a tea-kettle, a
pot of potatoes, and a frying-pan with a slice of ham ready for cook-
ing. Mrs. Gere was comfortably seated in a rocking-chair in front
of the stove, waiting to touch a match to the kindling-wood as soon
as the stove-pipe was put in place, and Mr. Gere was on the roof
cutting a hole for it to pass through.
Mr. Laird called to Gere to come down, but he refused, reply-
ing, "You are too late, for I now hold possession." Laird and
Stevens then tore off the boards from the roof, and notwithstanding
Gere's resistance, caught him by the legs and dragged him to the
ground. They then proceeded to carry the stove and other furni-
ture outside, except the rocking-chair, which Mrs. Gere occupied,
and very composedly maintained possession of the roofless shanty.
Elder Hamilton sedately seated himself on one of the chairs
ejected from the cabin and calmly watched the proceedings. Occa-
sionally a quiet smile would illumine his dignified expression as he
observed the demonstrative movements of the noisy and excited
settlers, who but a very few minutes before had been model repre-
sentatives of a moral, intellectual and order-loving community.
Feelings of partisanship were exhibited by loud expressions of opin-
ion in emphatic language rather than by active participation. Men
and women espoused the cause of one side or the other. Some
threats were passed, but no serious collisions occurred.
Mrs. Goddard took a firm and determined stand in support of the
rights of her brother to the claim. While Laird and Stevens were
tearing or knocking the boards from the roof on which Gere stood,
she observed a second load of Gere's furniture approacliing from the
east ; they had gone down the prairie and come up along the river.
Rushing toward the team and brandishing a cudgel, which she
caught up on the first alarm, Mrs. Goddard ordered the driver to
stop, and, taking the horses by the bridles, led them back across the
line of the claim and told the driver to leave as soon as possible.
Without a show of resistance the teamster drove off. The team
belonged to John Evans. In speaking of the occurrence afterward,
Frank Curtiss, the driver, said it was not the first time he had been
PERSONAL PARAGRAPHS. 313
captured by a woman, and he did not propose to get into a quarrel
witli Mrs. Goddard. •
It was charged that Elder Hamilton had a foreknowledge of
Gere's design, and had selected one of his most interesting and
lengthy sermons to give him ample opportunity to accomplish his
purpose unmolested. "Aunt Catharine" says "that was not so.
Elder Hamilton and John C. were always warm friends, but Elder
Ely knew all about it, for he kept going out every few minutes as if
to see if a steamboat was coming. I know Elder Hamilton was on
John's side that day, because he beckoned to me, and when I went
over to where he was sitting on one of the chairs he said, 'The
-boys had better tear the shanty down now they are at it.' I told the
boys and they tore the whole thing down without disturbing Mrs.
Gere, and left her sitting in her rocking-chair on the bare prairie. "
As soon as the shanty was demolished the excitement subsided
and all started for their homes, leaving Laird and Gere to watch
each other and hold the claim, Mrs. Gere went to her own shanty
and sent her husband his supper, while Mrs. Goddard bountifully
furnished rations for JohnC., who stood guard over his promiscuous
pile of lumber.
The night was a cold, disagreeable one ; a chilly west wind swept
over the bleak prairie and compelled the lonely, unsocial watchmen
to keep in motion to preserve proper circulation. Although each
had a blanket in which they wrapped themselves, Mr. Laird formed
a windbreak of boards. Mr. Gere solicited the loan of a few
boards for a like protection, but Laird objected to his lumber being
used for such purposes.
Finding it impossible to get any rest while so uncomfortable,
G-ere called to Laird about midnight and said — "I have a proposition
to make to you which I think will be of advantage to both of us. I
have no more confidence in your honesty than I have in men gen-
erally, but I believe you will keep your word when you make a
promise. Now, suppose we agree to let this claim matter remain
just where it is, without either of us doing anything until to-
morrow ; we can then go home and get some sleep. " Mr. Laird
was amused at the proposition, but did not object to it. The two
men solemnly pledged themselves to leave the claim undisturbed
until the next morning, and bidding each other ^" good night " in
more social tones than they had previously observed, they left
the locality.
314 HISTORY OF WESrONA COTXNTY.
Both parties made their appearance at sunrise, and hostilities
were resumed. Mr. Laird rebuilt his shanty, but moved to another
location nearer the river and a little below, on what is now block 5
in Laird's addition. Gere tried for two or three months- to obtain
possession, but without effect, the cold weather interfering with any
active measures. On the night of January 24, 1853, while Mr.
Laird was temporarily absent from the prairie, his shanty was torn
down and the lumber destroyed — chopped in pieces. Mr. Laird
built another cabin on the same ground. It is said that this destruc-
tion of the claim-shanty was effected by a young man employed by
Gere for that purpose, who received a" hundred pounds of flour for
his services;
Satisfied that it would not be possible for him to get possession
and hold it against the opposition he had to contend with, Mr. Gere
appealed to Justice Burns for aid to remove the trespasser, feeling
confident that a select jury would award him his rights.
There were at this time two justices in this vicinity, George M.
Gere, on Wabasha prairie, and John Burns, at the mouth of Burns
valley. Jabez McDermott, of Wabasha prairie, was constable. In
Febniary, H. C. Gere sued John C. Laird before John Burns, Esq.,
for trespass, etc. , to get possession of the claim. The trial by jury
came oft" in March. This was the first jury trial ever held in this
part of the territory — the first jury ever called in what is now
Winona county. The court was held in the upper part of the
" Viets House" (the old Winona House), which was then unfin-
ished. Squire Burns having adjourned the court fi*om his office at
his house to this place to accommodate all parties interested. The
trial was considered an important event by the settlers.
Mr. Gere engaged the professional services of Mr. FKnt, a law-
yer living in La Crosse, and of Andrew Cole, of Wabasha prairie.
Mr. Cole was then the only practicing attorney living on the west
side of the river. Mr. Laird had for counsel and management of
his defense, a lawyer from La Crosse by the name of French. The
jury impaneled to try the case was George W. Clark, Scott Clark,
O. S. Holbrook, William Hewitt, W. H. Coryell and Hiram
Campbell.
This being the first important case brought before Squire Burns,
his inexperience in his official position made it necessary for him to
seek advice as to his own duties. He selected as his confidential
adviser the ' ' home attorney. " He was personally acquainted with
PERSONAL PA.RA(mAPHS. 315
Mr. Cole, and had great contidence in his opinions of law. This
peculiarity in the case excited some comment from outsiders, — Mr.
Cole being attorney for the plaintiff, but no charges were ever made
that any improper oi- unjust proceedings were entertained by the
court. Notwithstanding the very marked eccentricities exhibited by
the squire, his court and official position was duly respected. His
comical expressions and blundering style of doing business afforded
considerable amusement during the trial, and were subjects for many
a hearty laugh for a long time afterward.
About two days were spent in the examinations of witnesses and
speech-making by the attorneys before the case was submitted to the
jury. After due deliberation it was ascertained that there was no
probability of the jury agreeing, and they were discharged. The
court adjourned until the next Monday, March 14, at which tiijae
another jury was impaneled and the trial of the case again re-
peated.
In the first trial the jury stood five for the defendant and one
for the plaintiff. The one who stood out against his fellow jurors
was Hiram Campbell. The jury on the second trial was John
lams, S. A. Houck, H. B. Waterman, Wm. L. Luark, S. D. Putnam,
and Elijah Silsbee, all residents of Minnesota City except the last.
After about the same amount of time consumed as with the first
trial the case was given to the jury, and at about 11 o'clock at
night, March 16, the jury decided unanimously in favor of the
plaintiff, Henry C. Gere.
The next morning Mr. Laird and Wm. H. Stevens started for
La Crosse, and took the lawyers home. The condition of the ice
in the river would not permit of delay — even then traveling on
the river was unsafe. The ice in the river appeared as if it might
break up in a few days. It did leave the river in front of the prairie
on the 20th of March.
Mr. Laird left the claim in charge of Mrs. Goddard to hold until
his return, not supposing that any movement would be made be-
fore that time. Mrs. Goddard, with a young lady. Miss Salina
Kellogg, of La Crosse, who was up on a visit, accordingly took pos-
session of the shanty, with a firm determination to hold the fort.
The suit had been decided in Gere's favor, and he became anx-
ious to get the claim into his possession before Mr. Laird should
have an opportunity to appeal to a higher court, as he had given
notice that he should do on his return. Under the management of
m^
316 HISTORY OF WmONA COUNTY.
Mr. Cole, his attorney, judgment was entered up against Mr. Laird
on the justice's docket, and an attachment issued to take possession
of his property for the payment of the costs in the suit. A writ of
restitution was also issued, under which it was supposed possession
would be acquired and the claim held.
The constable, McDermott, was friendly and in full sympathy
with Mr. Laird, and was also a boarder with Mrs. Goddard. Before
the papers were placed in his hands, he notified Mrs. Goddard of the
proceedings, and arranged with her a plan of defense. He aided
them to procure material and barricade the building, so as to resist
an assault|if Gere and his friends attempted to take forcible posses-
sion of the shanty. It was supposed that they were provided with
firearms. Being forewarned, they had the courage to believe that
they would be able to resist the officer of the law, with his consent,-
and hold Gere and his friends at bay until the return of Mr. Laird
from La Crosse.
Learning from McDermott that the yoke of oxen would be
attached when they came across the river from their work, Mrs.
Goddard sent for the cattle and had them brought over and chained
to a post by the side of the shanty, while the constable had business
elsewhere.
When the writ was placed in McDermott's hands he went down
to the claim. As he advanced, Mrs. Goddard warned him that if
anyone attempted to come near the shanty it would be at their own
peril. The constable withdrew to a safe distance and apparently
waited for a more favorable opportunity to perform his official duties.
Neither Mr. Gere or any of his friends ventured within short range
of the cabin where Mrs. Goddard and Miss Kellogg stood guard,
and, to the surprise of the settlers, successfully resisted the execution
of the iaw and boldly defied any one who should dare molest
them.
These two women held the claim and retained possession of the
oxen until Mr. Laird returned from La Crosse with the money to
defray the expenses of the suit, which had been the principal object
of his trip. He at once paid the cost and appealed the case to the
Uuited States district court. The writ of restitution was never
enforced.
Of the proceedings in the district court, nothing official can be
learned. It is said that, from some cause, judgment in the justice's
court was suspended and the case dismissed. Mr. Laird was never
PERSONAL PARAGKAPHS. 317
afterward disturbed in his possession of the claim. It is now known
as Laird's Addition,
Although Mr. Gere never made any actual attempts to obtain
possession of the claim, he several times threatened suits tor its
recovery. Mr. Laird soon found that a little money would stop all
proceedings — less than the fee of a lawyer to defend the case. Gere
consulted about every lawyer that located here for the next two or
three years. He was among the first clients of Hon. Judge Wilson,
when he came here in 1855. Mr. Wilson, then a young lawyer,
became interested in the story of Gere, and, considering it an im-
portant case, at once commenced suit against Mr. Laird. He was
greatly surprised a day or two after to learn from his client that, on
account of a satisfactory arrangement with Mr. Laird, he wished to
stop all proceedings against him. The lawyers never shared in
these periodical settlements. When Gere again ran short of funds,
he again called on his attorney to bring suit against Laird, but Mr.
Wilson indignantly refused to have anything further to do with the
case.
Mr. Laird became a permanent settler on Wabasha prairie,
where he was prominently identified with public and private enter-
prises which tended to the development of the resources of the
county. Although for many years Mr. Laird gave his attention to
the cultivation of a large farm in the eastern part of Olmsted
county, and lived there with his family a portion of each year, he
has maintained an interest in Winona county and occupied his resi-
dence in the city of Winona.
John C. Laird now lives on the same claim he "jumped" from
Henry C. Gere, on Wabasha prairie, in the fall of 1852. His pres-
ent residence is within two blocks of where *his claim-shanties stood
while contesting possession with Mr. Gere. . This is the only instance
where any one of the original claimholders of land on Wabasha
prairie, now the city of Winona, is living on the claim he held in
1852, and with one exception Mr. Laird is the only one in the city
living on land which they held prior to the sale of public lands in
1855. A part of the original claim of Captain Smith, claim JSTo. 1,
was pre-empted by John Keyes. His widow and family are yet resi-
dents of that locality.
In the spring of 1853 Mr, Laird built quite a stylish and com-
fortable one-story house, with two wings, on his claim, and made it
his headquarters. He brought up a breaking-team of three yoke
318 HISTORY OF WmOT^A COUN^TY.
of large oxen and two large breaking-plows. His reason for having
two plows to one team was, that he found it economical to send his
plows to Galena by steamboat for repairs — to keep his team at work
an extra plow was necessary. This team he kept busy breaking for
the settlers by the acre during the season, under the management of
A. B. Smith."
Mr. Laird started the first livery stable in the county of Winona.
The heavy horses and wagons he furnished for hire in 1853 would
hardly represent the business if compared with the dashing turn-
outs now furnished from the ' ' liveries " in the city of Winona.
Although not strictly the first man to deal in lumber, Mr. Laird
was the first to commence the business and estabish a lumber-yard
for the retail of lumber as a regular business occupation. He com-
menced the lumber business a little above where the sawmill of
Laird, Norton & Co. now stands. His little retail yard was the
nucleus from which the vast lumber establishments and immense
business of Laird, Norton & Co. has been developed. John C.
Laird was once a member of this firm, but withdrew from it many
years ago. It was through him and his influence that many of our
*best citizens came into this county.
In the summer of 1852 Enos P. Williams, who made the claim
next east of that held by Beecher Gere, traded it to B. B. Healy for
three or ifour village lots in La Crosse. Mr. Williams had made no
improvement except a pretense of a garden. He was then living
in La Crosse, where he remained for three or four years, after which
he came up the river and settled in this county, in what is now the
town of Utica, where he yet resides.
Mr. Healy built quite a comfortable house on the Williams claim
and placed a man on it to hold possession. The claimkeeper neg-
lected his charge and it was jumped by Rufus Emerson, who was
employed by Andrew Cole. Mr. Healy contested the matter, and
after a suit or two at law recovered possession of the claim and then
disposed of it to Rev. H. S. Hamilton, who bought it for some of
his relatives, John I. and Harvey Hubbard. It was then called the
John I. Hubbard claim', and is now known as Hubbard's Addition to
the plat of Winona.
But few claims were made in the southern part of what is now
Winona county during the season of 1852. Two or three were
selected on Pine creek, one or two along the river and in the valleys.
Hamilton McCollum settled on the river in the lower part of the
PERSONAL PARAGRAPHS. 319
county. His house was for a year or two a favorite stopping-
place for travelers by land on the trail between Winona and La-
Crosse.
James Campbell, a Scotchman, settled in Cedar creek valley three
or four miles from its mouth. William and Robert Campbell came
not long after. Mr. Campbell now holds a large amount of land
in that vicinity, where he yet resides.
Leonard Johnson lived with W. B. Bunnell for a year or two,
and then with Frank Wilson started a wood-yard at Johnson's Point,
below the present village of Homer. Mr. Johnson is yet a resident
of the county, living in the town of Pleasant Hill, on a farm selected
by him in an early day.
Harry Herrick, for many years a man of all work for Bimnell,
made a claim in Burns valley, about two miles above its mouth,
where the road crosses the stream. He built a small log cabin,
which is yet standing and is a part of the old building on the upper
side of the road, east of the bridge.
Mr. Herrick held this claim for a year or two, when he sold it
and went back to live with Bunnell, where he died two or three
years after. The claim was purchased by Rev. Edward Ely, and
was long known as the "Ely claim." It is now a part of the farm
of Mr. Henry Bitner.
William Hewett came into the county in the latter part of this
season and made a claim in Burns valley, next above Herrick. He
built a frame house near the big spring next to the road- and settled
there with his family. This house was burned down several years
after. A log house now occupies the same site, Mr. Hewett
occupied the locality for two or three years and then sold out and
left this part of the country.
Joseph S. Wilson selected his claim in Burns valley, next
above Hewett's, where Charles Miller now has a stock-farm. He
built his claim shanty about where the present farm buildings stand,
near the spring. His first shant}^ was only designed to show that
the claim was ' ' occupied by a settler. " He left his claim in the
care of Roderick Kellogg until the next spring, when he returned
with his family, built a comfortable house and opened up a farm,
which he cultivated for three or four years. He then sold his farm
and moved into Winona, where he carried on the business of harness-
making until about 1880, when he went west and located in the
territory of Dakota. Mr. Wilson was a well-known citizen of the
320 HISTORY OF WESTONA COUIS^TY.
county. Tlie town of Wilson was given its name from him, he
being one of its oldest settlers and the best known in that locality.
The same season that Mr. Wilson brought his family to live in
Burns valley, a German by the name of Schabe, or Schape,made
a claim above Wilson's. He built a log house near the spring by the
side of the road and lived there until his death, ten or, twelve years
ago. This house was the last one in that direction until the spring
of 1854.
The log house built by Mr. Schape-was standing until within the
past year. On Christmas da}^, 1882, the writer passed the locality
and found the present owner of the property tearing down the old
house. The timber of which it was composed was apparently sound;
the oak logs were hard and dry ; the oak shingles, or more properly
shakes, were sound on the under side, but much worn on the outer
side.
A. man by the name of Blodgett made a claim in West Burns
valley, where P. B. Palmer now lives. He brought with him a
small herd of cows and lived on this claim during the summer.
While here he lost two children from sickness. He sold out his
stock and abandoned the claim in the fall and went back down the
river.
In the fall of this year A. B. Smith came to Wabasha prairie, and
for awhile had the west half of the McDermott claim — the eighty
next west of the claim owned by Dr. Childs. It was said that he
vras holding this for Mr. Healey, by whom he was employed. It
was difficult to tell who was the real owner of the claim ; it was
jumped several times by different individuals. It was sold by Mc-
Dermott to David Olmsted. Mr. Smith did not reside on any
claim, although he held several. Prior to his coming here he had
been engaged in lumbering business, cutting and rafting, and as a
pilot in running lumber down the Ohio and on the Mississippi
rivers. He spent the winter as a regular boarder with Mrs. God-
dard, and married the widow the following season.
A. B. Smith was well known to all of the early settlers as a hotel
keeper, — as the landlord of the old "Minnesota House," built by
him in 1853, on the comer of Center and Second streets, where S.
C. White's store now stands. He was also the proprietor of the
' ' Wabasha Prairie House, " which stood on the corner of Front and
Franklin streets, built by him in the summer of 1855. While living
here he suddenly left home in the night, without the family or any
^0^^^
te\
IZ
WILLIAM BROWN
PERSONAL PARAGRAPHS. 323
one connected witli the house being^aware of his intentions to do
80. Nothing of a certainty was ever learned relative to any circum-
stances connected with his mysterious disappearance. It was known
that at about that time he was accustomed to carry a considerable
sum of money about his person. He sometimes indulged freely in
intoxicating drinks. It was generally supposed that he had been
foully dealt with — probably nmrdered for his money and his body
thrown into the river. Suspicion rested on some with whom he
familiarly associated at about that time, but no evidence was ever
secured that appeai*ed to justify making any arrests. There was
no proof of his death.
During the latter part of this season Koderick Kellogg came
up from La Crosse to do some mason-work for the settlers on
Wabasha prairie. He was a competent mechanic in his line of busi-
ness, and a man of more than usual abilities and general informa-
tion, but his intemperate habits had isolated him from his family.
He was readily induced to come here and work at his trade, although
there was but little to do, because, as he expressed himself, he
"would by so doing, get away from the temptation of the hell-holes
where intoxicating drinks could at all times be procured." Mr.
Kellogg was, for a year or so, benefited by the change, but when
the hell-holes opened in Winona he found them, although they
were small ones.
The first regular mason-work done in this county was by Kod-
erick Kellogg. His first job of work was on Wabasha prairie,
where he plastered two rooms for Kev. Edward Ely, on the corner
of Center and Second streets. This was the first plastered house in
the county. His next job of plastering was the lower rooms in the
" Viets House," afterward known as the Winona House — it stood
on Front street, on the levee. The first brick chimney built in the
county was by Mr. Kellogg, in the Yiets House. His third job of
plastering and chimney-building was in a small one-story house of
two rooms built by Johnson for Andrew Cole, on lot 4, block 10.
Johnson's original claim shanty, on claim No. 4, was torn down
and used in the construction of this building. These three build-
ings were the only houses in the county with plastered rooms until
the season of 1853.
Nearly all of the mason-work... required by the settlers of this
vicinity was done by Mr. Kellogg. He worked at his trade here
for three or four years, and then went back to La Crosse. He
19
824 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
owned the lot on the corner of Franklin and Second streets, where
Kohweder's meat-market now stands. In the spring of 1853 he
built a small one-storj house on the corner, about 12x20, plastered
inside and outside. This he occupied as his residence — his family-
living in La Crosse. He also built the house which stands on the
same lot next to the alley. It was at one time used as a hotel.
Roderick Kellogg was an industrious man, seldom idle if there
was anything to do, except when intoxicated ; then he was inclined
to be quarrelsome. He was a handy man of all work, and when not
engaged at his trade he was always ready to undertake any small
jobs for the settlers, such as rough carpenter work, gardening, etc.
Mr. Kellogg always found a sympathizing friend in Rev. Mr.
Ely, who had, from his first acquaintance with him, taken an inter-
est in trying to bring about a reform in his life, but without success:
the series of efforts were balanced by a like series of failures.
After Mr. Ely engaged in mercantile business, in 1854, he sometimes
found Mr. Kellogg's services about the store a convenience, and at
times employed him. On one occasion Kellogg made his appear-
ance when partially intoxicated. He was told that his services were
not needed while in that condition. He attempted by argument to
show that he was not drunk — that he knew what he was about,
although he had taken a drink. His remarks became insulting, and
Mr. Ely told him to leave the store — to go away and not come back
again, for he would have nothing more to do with him.
Kellogg went outside and became noisy and abusive — attracting
the attention of the idlers about (of whom the writer was one).
Becoming excited in his harangue, he fairly jumped up und down,
until suddenly he stopped, as if strongly impressed with a new idea
of retaliation for the fancied wrong done him, and exclaimed, "D —
you, Elder Ely ! I'll get even with you yet — I'll go and jump your
claim for this." He at once turned and marched off down the street
as if his determination was a fixed one. He did not attempt to carry
out his threat, for when sober he respected the elder. The idea was
a popular one, that the greatest wrong that could be inflicted on a
settler was to jump his claim.
During the latter part of the season John and Rufus Emerson,
brothers, came into this county and settled on Wabasha prairie.
John Emerson had a wife and two or three children. After looking
about for awhile he selected a location south of the Evans claim,
toward the upper end of the lake. He built a shanty on it and made
POSTOFFICES. 325
it his home, with his lamily, for about two years, when he sold it to
Edwin Foster. Taylor's Addition is a part of the Emerson claim.
Mr. Emerson moved to the western part of the county, where he
located himself on a farm.
Kufus Emerson was a single man. Without permanently locating
himself, he speculated in claims by taking possession of some un-
occupied land (jumping claims) and selling out his interest to other
settlers. He was identified with several difficulties where claim-
jumping was charged, either for his own individual benefit or as an
employe of others. He pre-empted a claim on the bottom-land
west of Gilmore's. Rufus Emerson built a house on the Stevens
claim in the spring of 1854. This house is yet standing. It is on
Second Street, between Market and Franklin streets, on lot 2, block
143. This building was constructed from lumber found floating
down the river and picked up at different times. Emerson sold it
before it was completed. It was afterward clapboarded and finished
by W. H. Stevens, into whose hands it fell.
CHAPTER XXXII.
POSTOFFICES.
During the season of 1852 there were two postoffices created in
this county by the postoffice department, although there was but
one in regular operation until about the beginning of the following
year. The first was at Minnesota City, with Robert Pike; Jr., as
postmaster. The other at Wabasha prairie, with George G. Barber
as postmaster.
The office at Minnesota City was established with the proviso
that the mails should be transported, free of charge to the depart
ment, to and from the nearest postoffice on the Mississippi. The
mails were made up and received in regular form at this office,
but no regular carrier employed. The special mail-bag provided,
was usually carried by some of the colonists who chanced to go to
La Crosse, the nearest postoffice on the river, or it was taken to
Wabasha prairie and sent down by the boats. On certain days,
about every week, the mail-bag was brought up from La Crosse by
326 HISTOEY OF WESrOiS^A COUNTY.
the boats and left at Wabasha prairie, where some one from the
colony awaited its arrival. Prior to this all mail matter belonging
to the members of the association was usually carried and looked
after by the settlers of the colony.
It was usual for tlie postmaster at La Crosse to deliver to some
well known settler all of the mail matter of the settlement to which
he belonged. Where parties were well known, their letters were
sometimes sent to them by the clerks of the boats, to be left at their
nearest landing-place. In this way Nathan Brown received letters
at his landing. Bunnell took charge of all mail matter for Bunnell's
landing, and in the early part of the season all letters for settlers
on Wabasha prairie were left in the care of Johnson.
During the summer and early part of the winter the Rev. Ed-
ward Ely made frequent visits between Wabasha prairie and La
Crosse. A portion of the time his family was living at the latter
place. When he brought his family to Johnson's landing, he for
awhile occupied Johnson's claim shanty on claim N^o. 4. His fre-
quent trips between the two places were made the means by which
the settlers on Wabasha prairie received and sent away their letters.
Mr. Ely always made it a duty to bring up all mail matter be-
longing to this locality, and was accustomed to carry it about with
him until distributed to the settlers, who usually flocked around him
as soon as his arrival was known. This was readily ascertained,
for it was the usual custom for everybody to visit the landing on the
arrival of a steamboat from below. All letters sent by the boats
were then left in his care for delivery. It was from this matter of
accommodation, and from his custom of carrying all letters about his
person, the traditional story originated, that ' ' in the early days of
the settlement of this county the postoffice was in Elder Ely's hat."
The second postoffice in the county was on Wabasha prairie. It
was called Montezuma ; the postmaster was George G. Barber.
The first movement toward making application for this office
originated with the Wabasha Protection Club. Mention has already
been made that a majority of the members of this organization
were residents of La Crosse, who held claims on this side of the
river, many of them never residents of the territory. The laws of
the club allowed its members to hold claims for six months without
making a residence on them, and with but nominal improvements.
The members were pledged to aid each other in retaining possession
during that time. This law conflicted with the Uiuted States and
POSTOFFICES.
327
Territorial claim laws, and led to frequent differences among the
early settlers.
At one of the meetings of the club the necessity of a postoffice
was discussed and action taken in favor of making application to
the postoffice department. A hlank petition was signed, but the
drawing up of the necessary papers and forwarding the same was
referred to Andrew Cole, a lawyer in La Crosse and a member of
the club. It was then supposed, and generally understood, that the
secretary, iVbner S. Goddard, would be recommended in the petition
for postmaster, and that the name of the postoffice would be
Wabasha prairie.
When the papers were drawn up, the attorney, with the approval
of some of the members of the club, inserted Montezuma as the
name of the postoffice, and recommended George G. Barber as post-
master. Mr. Barber was a resident of La Crosse. He had made a
claim in Gilmore valley early in the spring, but never improved it.
The hlank petition filled out at La Crosse was forwarded to the
postoffice department and the appointment duly made. Mr. Barber
received his commission about the middle of June, gave the
required bonds and took the oath of office. He came up to make
his arrangements for supplying the settlers of Wabasha prairie with
their mail and offered the position of deputy-postmaster to Mr.
Goddard, who indignantly refused to accept the position. Mr.
Barber returned to La Crosse without being able to secure a deputy.
The settlers on Wabasha prairie declined the honor, — the only
instance in the history of this county where official position has been
generally declined.
No improvements were made in postal facilities; "the elder"
continued to carry the "mail in his hat." About the 20th of July
Byron Yiets moved up from La Crosse and accepted the position of
deputy-postmaster from Mr. Barber,
Mr. Yiets did not open the office regularly. The mails were
made up and distributed as before, at La Crosse. The only additional
advantage afforded was that the mail was carried by the boats in a
canvas bag without a lock. ^^ request of Mr. Yiets, the elder
distributed the contents of the bag left in his charge as he had
previously done. *
The settlers were dissatisfied with the appointment of a non-
resident as postmaster, who lived thirty miles away. The name of
Montezuma was equally objectionable, although Johnson had
328 HISTOEY OF WINONA COUNTY.
adopted it as the name of the town-site, then just plotted by John
Ball on Wabasha prairie.
A public meeting was called to consider the matter and the
question freely discussed. All united in a petition to the postoffice
department ior the appointment of Abner S. Goddard as postmaster
in place of George G. Barber, a resident of another state. JSTearly
all petitioned to have the name of the office changed from Monte-
zuma to Winona. In discussing this change several names were
proposed, Winona, Wabasha, Wabasha City, Prairie and Ozelle.
The name of Winona was adopted by a majority of one when the
vote was taken.
It is now uncertain who first suggested the name of Winona.
It has been said that it was proposed by Captain Smith. Some are
equally positive that it was suggested by Dr. Balcombe. Others
say it was Dr. Childs. Dr. Childs was noted for his peculiarity of
giving names to localities, and to all animals in his possession.
Gilmore valley was called by him "Winona valley,'' about the time
the name of Winona was selected as the name of the postoffice.
Letters in the hands of Mrs. Calista Balcombe, the widow
of Dr. John L. Balcombe, show that Dr. Balcombe, Mr. How-
ard and Ed. Hamilton, then the proprietors of No. 5, the Ham-
ilton claim urged upon Captain Smith the propriety of calling
the new town plot Wabasha. This Captain Smith consented to
do, provided he could induce Alexis Bailey to have the name
of the postoffice at Wabasha changed, but Bailey would not con-
sent. They then proposed to call it Wabasha City, and adopted
the name themselves for use in their correspondence. Dr. Bal-
combe was always anxious to have a Dakota name given to the
town. Neither Captain Smith nor the proprietors of claim No. 5
were present when the name of Winona was adopted. The post-
office department promptly changed the name of the postoffice to
Winona and appointed Mr. Goddard postmaster. When his com-
mission arrived he was lying on his bed of sickness, from which
be never recovered. He died before he was able to qualify for the
position. The postoffice was without a legal postmaster. The
boats, however, carried the mails between La Crosse and the prairie,
where they were taken care of by the volunteer postmaster. Elder
Ely obtained possession of the keys and acted in that capacity with-
out taking the oath of office required from those who handle the
United States mail. No mails were made up or officially received
POSTOFFICES. 829
at this office. This duty was performed at La Crosse. The elder
was simply acting in the same capacity of messenger that he liad
been previously doing, except instead of carrying the letters "in
his hat " he was accommodated with a mail bag. The faithfulness
shown by Mr. Ely in his attention to this self-imposed duty was
satisfactory to the settlers. Among the traditional anecdotes of the
early days is one showing the zeal of the elder in the performance
of his duties. He received the mail bag trom the boat and also de-
livered it with the letters to be posted at La Crosse. It was his
custom to preach here on Sundays when not engaged at La Crosse,
where he had regular appointments, alternating with Elder Hamil-
ton — one preaching on one Sunday and the other on the next.
While holding forth eloquently to an attentive congregation in his
own shanty, on one of his days to speak to the people, the settlers
were suddenly and unexpectedly startled by the whistle of a steam-
boat approaching the landing. The elder brought his sermon to a
close very abruptly, with the remark, "There's a boat from be-
low," and hastened to the levee to receive the expected mail. The
elder denies having any recollection of this occurrence. Those who
are familiar with his eccentricities believe it. George W. Clark says
it is true, for he was one of his audience — that the elder stopped short
in one of the best sermons he ever heard him attempt to deliver,
and left his astonished congregation to ponder on the finale of the
discourse if completed, or to follow him to the levee and see if there
was any one on the boat that they knew, and inquire for long ex-
pected letters when the elder had secured the United States mail bag.
To remedy all difficulties arising from the irregularities of mail
facilities, a meeting of the settlers was called to take the matter
under consideration and recommend a candidate to fill the vacancy
of postmaster. The* Rev. Edward Ely was selected for the position
by an unanimous vote, and a petition, signed by all on the prairie,
forwarded to the department in Washington.
At this meeting an effort was made to again change the name of
the postoffice — to call it Wabasha City — but the matter was settled
by a vote, and one majority for Winona. The elder says that his
vote retained the name of Winona.
Elder Ely duly received his commission and became the lawful
postmaster at Winona, on Wabasha prairie, where he had had the
distribution of letters that came by mail about nine months
unofficially. The first regula;r mail made up by him after receiving
330 HISTOEY OF WESrONA COUNTY.
his appointment was on the 8th day of January, 1853. The office
was in his residence on the corner of Center and Second streets,
where now the "Ely block" stands. Mr. Ely held this position
until early in the spring of 1855, when he was superseded by J. W.
Downer, and the postoffice removed to the "'Downer building,"
which stood about midway between Market and Walnut streets, on
the north side of Front street.
This change was a political movement. When the United States
land-office was established at Winona and the little settlement at
Johnson's landing began to assume some importance it was
considered advisable that the postmaster should be one in sympathy
with the party in power. The administration was democratic, and
as the elder was of different political faith the services of the
pioneer postmaster were no longer required.
The hrst marriage on Wabasha prairie, now the city of Winona,
and the first marriage within the present boundaries of this county,
was that of S. K. Thompson and Mrs. Sutherland, on the 9th of
November, 1852. The marriage ceremony was performed by the
Rev. Edward Ely at his own house, where the parties were stopping
temporarily while waiting for a down boat to take them to LaCrosse.
S. K. Thompson was among the first arrivals here in the spring.
Without locating himself on a claim he had remained on Wabasha
prairie during the season and made his home with John Evans. He
was about forty-five years old, a man of good general intelligence
and of dignified personal appearance. Mrs. Sutherland was a
widow about forty years of age. She came here with her brother,
O. S. Holbrook, and kept house for him until her marriage, after
which Thompson and Holbrbok lived together for awhile on
Holbrook's claim, which he had discovered lying south of and
adjoining the McDermott claim, until Thompson made a claim back
of the lake and moved on it.
The claim, back of the lake, made by George Wallace early in
the spring of 1852, had laid during this seasonwith but little, if any-
thing, to show that it was claimed. Its exposed situation was a
temptation for some one without a claim to watch. The Rev. Mr.
Ely had not, as yet, taken a claim. On the 2d of December, 1852,
he, with his axe on his shoulder, crossed the lake on the ice and
jumped Wallace's claim. He took possession by chopping down
some trees and blazing others, on which he conspicuously displayed
his name.
POSTOFFICES. 331
Mr. Wallace was a nephew of Thompson's wife, the late Widow
Sutherland. Considering the Wallace claim to be a family posses-
sion which should be guarded, Thompson jumped it from Mr. Ely on
January 15, 1853, while the elder was at La Crosse holding a series
of revival meetings for which he had been employed. The elder
was too much engaged in his professional labors to devote his time
and attention to the protection of his rights, and Thompson estab-
lished himself on the claim by building a cabin on it, which he occu-
pied with his wife. Mr. Thompson afterward bought the claim of
George Wallace and built a comfortable frame house, a story and a
half building, in which he lived for ten or twelvg years, or while he
remained in this part of the country. The house is yet standing, and
forms part of the present farmhouse of Mr. John Zenk.
S. K. Thompson was a gentlemanly appearing man in dress and
manners, and always seemed to have control of funds to engage in
business. He held official positions, — was county commissioner,
and for several years was justice of the peace. In his younger days
he had been a merchant in Ohio. For about ten years before set-
tling in this county he had been engaged in speculative investments
along the upper Mississippi. He was for awhile in business as a
merchant at Winona.
It has been already related that when Elijah Silsbee sold his
claim in 1854, he, with Charles S. Hamilton, started a store on the
corner of Front and Center streets. About January 1, 1855, they
dissolved partnership, Mr. Silsbee retaining the stock of goods.
Soon after this S. K. Thompson bought the goods and carried on
the business for about one year. In the fall of 1855 he purchased
quite a large stock of general merchandise, groceries, etc. During
the winter he sold out to Burr Deuel and Luke Blair. The incidents
of this sale are noted to show something of the manner of doing
business at that date. When Mr. Thompson sold out to Deuel &
Blair he gave possession at once, and was to receive the first pay-
ment as soon as the inventory was taken, and the balance in notes of
the firm. The inventory was taken by Thompson and Holbrook.
Before the inventory was completed enough was realized from sales
to make the first payment. The notes, for the balance at six and
twelve months were paid before due, the firm buying their own
paper through an agent, A. P. Foster, at a liberal discount of 3 per
cent per month. A portion of the Silsbee stock had been damaged
by the sinking of the barge in which it was brought up the river in
332 HISTORY OF WESrOlSrA COUISTTY.
1854. To get rid of. all of the unsalable goods, auction sales were
held, at which "Uncle Luke'' was himself the auctioneer and a pop-
ular salesman. It was a current report that D. & B. made aboijt
$3,000 clear in this transaction before the opening of navigation in
the spring, when they renewed their stock.
Two or three years before Mr. Thompson left this part of the
country the community was somewhat startled to learn that he had
two wives, a married daughter and a very affectionate adopted
daughter living with him in his /house across the lake back of Wino-
na. Some inquisitive ones, whose sensibilities were shocked by the
revelations, attempted to have the affair investigated by the grand
jury, to whom complaint was made, biit the harmony of the happy
family prevented a full expose of the scandal. After remaining here
about a year the wife with the married daughter moved to Nebraska.
Thompson followed in a year or two after with wife No. 2 and the
adopted daughter. It is rumored that Thompson and wife No. 2
died from the effects of poison in Nebraska.
The stores started by Mr. Robertson at Minnesota City, and
Mr. Den man at Wabasha prairie, were closed out early in the fall.
To procure their supplies for the winter, the settlers sent orders to
Galena by the boats; some combined and bought their groceries
and provisions at wholesale prices through Mr. Den man as agent.
Mr. Johnson went down to Galena and purchased goods for the
settlers on the prairie. These supplies were brought up by the
Nominee on her last trip and left at La Crosse on November 15.
Captain Smith was afraid to venture farther up the river against the
ice that had begun to form in the river. A severe snowstorm
occurred on November 11, followed by intense cold, the thermome-
ter indicating several degrees below zero.
Mr. Burley says that he went down to La Crosse with Mr. Den-
man, and was there when the Nominee turned back down the river.
They came up with Johnson the next day on foot, on the west side
of the river; the snow was about six inches deep. They stayed all
night at Brown's. The news that their supplies were stopped at
La Crosse was not very cheering to the settlers, for the most of
them had but a limited amount on hand, and the prospect was that
they would be unable to procure more until the ice formed sufficient
to enable them to travel on the river. The weather moderated, the
snow melted away and the river cleared of ice. It was then expected
POSTOFFICES. 833
that the steamboats would again come up and bring their freiglit, but
no boats ventured on another trip.
On December 9 a party of five men from the Rolling Stone,
with 'half-a-dozen from Wabasha prairie, went down to La Crosse
for the supplies left by the Nominee, expecting to bring them up on
one of the Black River boats. Among this party were D. Q. Burley,
S. E. Cotton, Wm. T. Luark, J. S. Denman and Charles Bannan, of
Minnesota City; from the prairie were E. H. Johnson, A. B. Smith,
John C. Laird, George W. Clark, Wm. H. Stevens and Peter Gorr.
The weather became intensely cold and ice formed in the river, mak-
ing the trip a laborious one. They reached Brown's the first day
from La Crosse, and stopped all night. The following day they
landed their freight on the lower end of the prairie late in the even-
ing. The boat was at once unloaded and started back to La Crosse
under the pilotage of A. B. Smith and an assistant. Elder Ely also
took passage down. They landed at Brown's and stayed until day-
light, when they safely readied La Crosse without accident, although
the channel was filled with floating ice.
The settlers who remained in the colony and made their homes
in Minnesota City during the winter of 1852-3 had comfortable
cabins, in which they passed the winter. Some of these cabins were
of logs, others were of boards. No cases of suffering from
insufficient food or clothing were known in the settlement. Their
principal employment was providing firewood for present use and
laying in a supply for the ensuing year.
After the sloughs were frozen over they engaged in chopping on
the islands, cutting and banking steamboat-wood, getting out logs,
timber, posts and rails for use in claim improvements. Their social
enjoyments were quiet visits exchanged with each other and
occasional meetings of the association.
Among the incidents of the winter was the loss of the horses of
S. M. Burns. On Christmas day he with his wife left their home
on the bank of the river at what was afterward called Mt. Yernon,
for the purpose of visiting the settlement at Minnesota City. He
started down on the ice with his horses and sleigh. While on Had-
dock slough his horses broke through the ice and were drowned.
Burns and his wife narrowly escaped the same fate. This team
was the one Burns brought with him when he came to Minnesota.
There was but one other team of horses in the north part of the
county, that belonging to O. M. Lord, of Minnesota City.
334 HISTORY OF WIlSrOJN'A COU]?fTY.
Mr. Burns and his wife spent the day with their friends in the
colony. In the evening Mr. Lord took them up to their home with
his horses and sleigh, over the trail along the blufts. He came near
losing his own team while on this neighborly trip. In crossing the
run in the mouth of Deering's valley he missed the trail and drove
below, where the banks were higher and drifted with snow. The
horses attempted to jump across, but fell head first into the little
stream and were unable to rise. The long sleigh-tongue, which
projected two or three feet in front of the horses, was driven into
the bank and held them fast. Their bodies formed a dam and the
water was soon pouring over their backs, Mr. Lord never traveled
without his ax ; he was a natural pioneer and prompt to act in cases
of emergency. Although it was dark he comprehended the
difficulty, and with two or three blows with his ax severed the sleigh-
tongue in the rear of the horses and set them at liberty, but not
until they were nearly drowned. The tongue was soon repaired
with cord brought along in the sleigh, and Mr. Lord made the trip
without other accident. His team occupied Burns' stable until the
next morning.
The following is a list of members of the Farm and Tillage
Association who settled in the colony at Kolling Stone in 1852 with
their families, and who in 1883 are yet residents of that locality:
O. M. Lord and wife, James Wright and wife, Egbert Chapman and
wife, Mrs. H. B. Waterman, Mrs. Pike (widow of Robert Pike,
Jr.,) and her daughter Emma, now Mrs. Frank D. Stewart, Robert
Thorp and " wife, E. B. Drew, S. E. Cotton and wife, Lawrence
Dilworth and wife, Charles Bannon, S. D. Putnam and wife,
William Sweet, D. Q. Barley and H. Jones. H. B. Waterman
resides in the State of New York. Rufus Waterman is living in.
the city of Winona.
The settlers on Wabasha prairie, like others along the river, in
the winter of 1852-3 engaged in cutting steamboat-wood, logs,
timber, etc., on the island opposite. Among their social enjoy-
ments was a general gathering and Christmas dinner held at the
Yiets House, then occupied by Edwin Hamilton. At the Christmas
gathering held on the prairie twelve months before, Ed. Hamilton
was the chief cook and general manager of the bachelor dinner.
At this second affair he was general manager, but Mrs. Goddard
had charge of the cooking department, although it is stated that Ed.
Hamilton provided a roast coon of his own preparation for the table.
INCIDENTS. 835
This dinner was got up by a general contribution of material from
those interested. Each family provided a part ; even the iui-niture
and dishes were furnished for the occasion. It is said by one who
enjoyed it that the dinner was a good one. About half of the
settlers on the prairie attended this gathering. Charles Bannon
and S. E. Cotton with their wives were present from Eolling Stone.
The following is a list of the settlers living on Wabasha prairie
at that date : Rev. H. S. Hamilton, wife and two sons, Charles S.
and Eugene ; Rev. Edward Ely, wife and two children, "Charlie"
and "Nellie"; Dr. George F. Childs andjwife; Mrs. Goddard and
son Charles ; George M. Gere, wife and a large family ; Wm. B.
Gere, Edwin Gere, Mary Gere, Henry C. Gere, wife and a large
family ; Angelia Gere, Helen Gere, John Evans and wife, Abigal
Evans, Royal B. Evans, John Emerson, wife and children ; S. K.
Thompson and wife, E. H. Johnson, Ed. Hamilton, George W.
Clark, Scott Clark, John C. Laird, Wm. H. Stevens, O. S. Holbrook,
Frank Curtiss, Rufus Emerson, A. B. Smith, Allen Gilmore, Caleb
Nash, Jabez McDermott, Roberts and Elijah Silsbee.
Of the settlers living on Wabasha prairie at the close of the year
1852 the following are yet living in the county of Winona in 1883 :
Mrs. Goddard, now known as Mrs. Catharine Smith, Elder Ely and
wife, Wm. H. Stevens, John C. Laird, Royal B. Evans and George
W. Clark.
Without the aid of an official census, it was estimated by M.
Wheeler Sargent "that the population within the present boundaries
of Winona county on the 1st day of January, 1853, was about 350,
of whom a majority were or had been members of the Western
Farm and Yillage Association."
CHAPTER XXXIH.
INCIDENTS.
Among the incidents of this winter at Winona, noted by Dr.
Childs in his diary, was the following — " Sunday, January 30, 1853:
Attended meeting ; Elder Hamilton preached. At night had the
privilege of leading a prayer meeting at the house of Mr. Evans —
the first prayer meeting ever held on the prairie ; Elder Ely
present."
336 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
The building of the first bridge across the Gilmore valley creek,
the first bridge in this part of the county, is thus noted by Dr.
Childs — "Monday, January 31, 1853: V^ry mild, snow fast dis-
appearing. Engaged building a bridge on the Winona creek, aided
by George and Scott Clark, Koyal Evans, Edwin Hamilton and
Allen Gilmore. Of all the men who voted at the meeting in favor
of the work, pledging their assistance, from the village and lower
end of the prairie, but one was present."
The following is also copied from the diary of Dr. Childs —
" Sunday, February 27, 1853 : Thawing, with rain ; Allen Gil-
more immersed." At a prayer meeting held at Mr. Evans' on Sun-
day, February 20, "Allen Gilmore expressed a wish to be im-
mersed, which was decided to take place next Sabbath. " This was
the first instance of the observance of this religious ordinance in
what is now the city of Winona. It is said that Rev. E. Ely offi-
ciated at this baptism.
An incident which occurred about the first of March of this year
(1853) will illustrate the reckless impulsiveness of Charles S. Ham-
ilton, of whom mention has been made. During the winter a party
of Winnebago Indians were camped over on the Trempealeau
bottoms, and for the purpose of selling venison and furs and skins
they frequently visited the settlement on the prairie. Aside from
being inveterate beggars, they were in no way troublesome. At the
time spoken of, two of these Indians, who had been up to the vil-
lage, stopped at H. S. Hamilton's while on their way back to their
camp. They asked permission to sharpen their knives on the
grindstone which stood outside. This was readily allowed by
Charlie, who, with his young brother Eugene, were the only ones at
home. The Indians quietly used the grindstone and started across
the river on the ice. When they were at full long range distance
of his rifle from the house, Charlie, standing in the doorway, de-
liberately took aim and fired at them. One fell senseless. Fearing
another shot, his comrade seized and dragged him beyond the range,
of the gun. The wounded Indian, after lying a short time on the ice,
got up and, with the help of the other, went on over to the Trempea-
leau.
The Winnebagoes complained to Bunnell of the unjustifiable
assault. Bunnell called at Elder Hamilton's to learn the cause of
the shooting, but Charley had no excuse for the cowardly act except
that he only shot at them to scare them, supposing they were
INCIDENTS. 337
beyond the range of his rifle. The ball struck the Indian on the
head and glanced off, inflicting a scalp-wound. The force was
suflficient to knock him down and render him senseless without
producing serious injuries. Bunnell warned Charley to be on his
guard and take care of himself, for the Indian might attempt to
retaliate if he had an opportunity. Charlie was afraid of the
Winnebagoes after this occurrence, but no hostilities were ever
threatened that was known.
During the winter the matter of a county organization was a
general topic of discussion among the settlers along the river. The
counties of Dakota and Wabashaw had remained unorganized, as
they were created in 1849. The territorial legislature, during its
session of 1853, divided them and made provision for several counties
from these divisions. While tliis matter was under consideration
the question of the establishment of the county seats of the new
counties became an important ftiatter ; almost every settlement pre-
sented claims for the location of the county offices. Every settle-
ment along the river in this part of Wabashaw county had lobby
representatives in St. Paul for the purpose of securing the location
of the county seat of this division. Minnesota City, Winona, Min-
neowah and Brownsville were rivals for the honor. By a general
act the legislature conferred the authority on the county commis-
sioners to locate the county seats.
When Wabashaw county was divided and Fillmore county was
created from the southern portion, March 5, 1853, its boundaries
were described as "Beginning at the southwest corner of Wabashaw
county, thence southeast to the Iowa state line, thence east on said
Iowa state line to the Mississippi river, thence up the middle of said
river to the mouth of the Minneska or White river, thence up said
river on the south line of Wabashaw county to the place of begin-
ning." The western boundary of Fillmore county was then supposed
to include the present city of Rochester, in Olmsted county, and the
present village of Chatfield in Fillmore county. Its northern and
western boundaries were not clearly defined.
The act by which Fillmore county was created declared it to be
an organized county, "invested with all and singular the rights and
privileges and immunities to which all organized counties are in this
territory entitled to by law," and that it was the duty of the gover-
nor "at so soon a time as possible to appoint all county officers,
justices of the peace and constables, §is said county may be entitled
338 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
to by law, who shall hold their offices until their successors shall be
elected and qualilied at the next general election."
Wabashaw county, before it was divided, had no county seat.
The act creating Fillmore county provided as follows : "It shall be
the duty of the first board of county commissioners which shall be
hereafter elected in any county laid off in pursuance of this act, as
soon after said board shall have been elected and qualified as
provided by law, as the said board or a majority of them shall
determine, to locate the county seat of the county, and the location
so made as aforesaid shall be the county seat of the county, to all
intents and purposes, until otherwise provided bylaw."
Under this act the governor appointed the following officers :
Register of deeds, H. B. Stoll, of Minneowah ; treasurer, Erwin H.
Johnson, of Winona ; judge of probate, Andrew Cole ; sherifi', John
lams. (The justices of the peace previously appointed for Wabashaw
county were continued, viz, T. K.' Allen, John Burns, Geo M.
Gere and H. B. Waterman. The county commissioners appointed
were Henry C. Gere, of Winona, Myron Toms, of Minneowah, and
William T. Luark, of Minnesota City.
The first meeting of the board of county commissioners was held
at the " Winona House " on May 28. H. C. Gere was chairman
and H. B. Stoll as register of deeds was clerk. The business trans-
acted was the appointment of three assessors, — S. A. Houck, J. C.
Laird and Jeremiah Tibbets. The approval of the bond of sheriff
John lams, with O. M. Lord and E. B. Drew as sureties.
The following names were ordered to be entered as a grand jury
list for the June circuit court : H. B. Stoll, James F. Toms, Myron
Toms, N^athan Brown, Willard B. Bunnell, H. Carroll, Henry C.
Gere, George M. Gere, Wm. T. Luark, George H. Sanborn, Har-
vey Hubbard, Isaac Hamilton, O. S. Holbrook, Wm. B. Gere, S.
A. Houk, S. A. Putnam, H. B. Waterman, E. B. Drew, O. M.
Lord, T. K. Allen, Egbert Chapman, A. A. Gilbert, Eobert Taylor
and A. P. Hall.
The petit jurors for the same court were Edwin B. Gere, John
Evans, Erastus H. Murray, Edwin Hamilton, William H. Stevens,
John C. Laird, Alex. Smith, John Emerson, Erwin Johnson, John
Burns, Frank Curtiss, George W. Clark, Scott Clark, Allen Gilmore,
H. B. Thompson, Isaac W. Simonds, Jerry Tibbets, Asa Pierce.
Fortune, S. J. Burnet, H. J. Harrington, William E. Hewitt,
Henry Herrick, Warren Eowell, James Kinkade, Fletcher,
INCIDENTS. 841
Squire Day, A. T. Pentler, James Campbell, Thompson,
Webster, Peter Gorr, O, H. Houk, J. S. Denman, Charles Barman,
S. E. Cotton, H. Stradlin^, Wm. H. Corjell, H. Hull, J. W. Bently,
D. Q. Burly, J. Nicklin, J. Wright, P. D. Follett, E. Thorp, Louis
Krutzly, Henry W. Driver, C. R. Coryell and Alex. McClintock.
The second meeting of the board of county commissioners was
held at the house of John Burns, in the mouth of Burns valley.
Mr. Toms, Mr. Luark, and the clerk, Stoll, were present, but there
is no record of any business except to approve the bonds of the
assessors, Mr. Toms acting as chairman.
The next meeting was July 4, at Minneowah, at which no one
was ])resent except Mr. Toms and the clerk. "The chairman ad-
journed to meet at Winona July 5."
The next meeting was held pursuant to adjournment, and the
following entry afterward made on the record by Mr. Stoll, who was
not present. It was evidently designed as a squib at Wabasha
prairie : " Winona, July 5, 1853 — H. C. Gere and Wm. T. Luark,
commissioners, met pursuant to adjournment at the Winona hotel.
Myron Toms, one of the absent commissioners, not being able to
reach Winona on account of the high state of water and the then
impassable gulf, the former commissioners adjourned to meet at the
Winona Hotel July 9, 1853. Approved the bond of E. H. Johnson,
coun^ treasurer of Fillmore county. H. B. Stoll, clerk."
The office of H. B. Stoll, the register of deeds, was in the vil-
lage of Minneowah. The hrst deed recorded was one from Isaac
Yan Etten to H. B. Stoll, dated January 4, 1853, and filed in the
office May 11,^1853. This conveyed one half of Yan Etten's inter-
est in Minneowah. The consideration was $300.
The first deed made in this county that was placed on record
was a quit-claim from William B. Gere of part of his claim on
Wabasha prairie to A. M. Fridley, of St. Paul. It is dated No-
vember 1, 1852, but not filed for record until the 29th of June, 1853.
The consideration was $150. The acknowledgment was before
George M. Gere, justice of the peace, November 4, 1852.
The part of William B. Gere's claim transferred by this deed
was eighty acres, on which the shanty of Henry C. Gere stood.
The incidents of this transaction were given to the writer by Mr.
Fridley many years ago. During the latter part of the season of
1852 Mr. Fridley made the acquaintance of Henry C. Gere, while
on a steamboat between La Crosse and Wabasha prairie. Gere
20
342 HISTOEY OF WIIN^ONA COUNTY.
then proposed to sell him a claim of eighty acres he held on War
basha prairie. Mr. Fridley purchased the eighty acres where H.
C. Gere was then living for $150, receiving a quit-claim from
William B. Gere. He also gave H. C. Gere $50 to hold the claim
for him until the following spring. Gere continued to occupy the
shanty until the spring of 1854, drawing upon Mr. Fridley during
that time, in consideration of his services as claimkeeper, until the
sum total paid H. C. Gere by A. M. Fridley for that eighty was
$1,200. The claim was then placed in possession of L. D. Smith,
who came here from St. Paul with his family in the spring of 1854.
It is now known as Plummer's Addition to the plat of Winona.
During the season of 1852, and until the following year, the
claim of Captain Smith at the lower end of the prairie — claim
No. 1, — held by Smith and Johnson, had remained undisturbed,
no attempt having been made to molest it. Johnson removed the
shanty, using the lumber for other purposes at the upper landing.
Early in the spring, in April, 1853, the unoccupied claim was
jumped by Isaac W. Simonds. As soon as this was known to E.
H. Johnson, he, by direction of Captain Smith, commenced suit
against Simonds in justice's court, before Squire Gere, to oust him
from the possession he had assumed. The defense was under the
management of a lawyer by the name of Stevens, from La Crosse.
It was then learned that Simonds had taken possession of the claim
for a stock company, composed of William B. Gere, Charles S.
Hamilton, Isaac W. Simonds and Stevens, the attorney in the
claim suit. The suit was adjourned from time to time, from in
April to about the first of June, without coming to trial. In the
meantime the company had a town surveyed and platted cover-
ing 141 acres of the claim. It was given the name of Wabasha
City. The claim shanty stood a little in front of where the residence
of Mrs. Keyes now stands. This was occupied by Simonds and
Charlie Hamilton.'
CHAPTER XXXIY.
A BLOODY CONFLICT.
During the winter and spring Johnson had made his head-
quarters at the house he had built on Front street for the use of
Andrew Cole, which he afterward sold to him. He, however, made
his home with John Evans, whose daughter, Abigal M. Evans, he
married later in the season. He usually spent his evenings at
Evans' when on the prairie. Johnson became impatient at the
delay in the trial of his suit against Simonds, and while at supper
one evening he remarked that he would have to go down to the
lower claim and "clean them out" himself if he ever expected to
get possession. He soon after started for the village. This
indicated another claim-fight. Johnson "cleaned them out" that
night. The particulars of this fight were related to the writer by
Royal B. Evans, a son of John Evans, who took part in the affray.
Mr. Evans says : "It was about the middle of May or a little after
that Johnson shot Simonds. I came home rather late that day and
found that the rest of the family had been to supper ; they were
talking about Johnson, who had just gone down to the village.
Father said Johnson would get into trouble if he attempted to drive
Simonds and Charlie Hamilton off from the lower claim without he
had some help. My sister wanted I should find him and tell him
that father wished to see him.
"After supper I went down to the landing ;' a steamboat had just
come up and almost everybody living on the prairie was on the
levee. Simonds and Charlie Hamilton were conspicuous, but
Johnson was not there. John McDermott told me he saw him
going back on the prairie just after the boat landed. It was then
dark. I expected I should find him at the lower claim, and went
down there in search of him. As I approached the Simonds shanty
Johnson hailed me and ordered me to halt. I answered him and he
told me to come in. Johnson said he expected to have a fight and
was ready for them. He had a Colt's rifle and an old 'pepper
box ' pistol. I had brought nothing with me, not even a club. He
said that when he saw Simonds and Hamilton up at the village he
344 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
went and got his gun and pistol and started. We sat down in front
of the shanty and examined them ; they had not been used in a long
time. The rifle was out of repair and would not work. Finding it
was of no use, he took the barrel off and stood it beside the door,
saying, ' That will do to use as a club. '
"About ten o'clock we heard some one coming down the prairie,
and knew that it was Simonds by his loud voice. Johnson hailed
them to stop, and threatened them if they advanced. He then
snapped two caps on the pistol without a discharge. They came on
to where we were standing, near the shanty, when Simonds pitched
at Johnson and they two had a regular fist-fight, which lasted some
time. Charlie and I looked on without doing anything. We were
about the same age and size. Simonds was much the larger and
stronger man, and was too much for Johnson. They clinched, and
Johnson, finding that Simonds had the advantage, drew his pistol
and shot him. The ball passed through the muscles of the forearm
and broke the bone above the elbow. They continued clinched for
awhile after, when Simonds called for Hamilton to take him off",
Hamilton caught Johnson by the throat and tried to choke him. I
then attacked Charlie with my fists and knocked him down."
"It was a still, clear, starlight night, and the noise made while
the fight was going on was heard at Hamilton's house, where some
one halloed in return. Simonds called to them to bring his shot-
gun. Elder Hamilton and Jake McDermott came up just after
Charlie and I had had our set-to ; Johnson kept back out of sight.
Simonds complained of being faint, and asked the elder to take him
over to his house. I had not received any very hard blows, but
Johnson, as well as the other two, had been severely pounded.
"Elder Hamilton took hold of Simonds and supported his
wounded arm, while I took hold of him on the other side to help take
him to Hamilton's house. Just as we. started, Charlie Hamilton
attacked me from behind with a club — one of the oak stakes used in
surveying the plot. He hit me once before I turned, and then struck
me once or twice across the face, cutting me severely before
McDermott separated us. McDermott then helped the elder take
Simonds home. Not hearing anything of Johnson I went over to
Hamilton's to see what was going on there. A steamboat chanced
to be coming down and the elder signaled them with his lantern to
stop at his landing, intending to send Simonds to La Crosse. A
doctor on board examined and dressed the wounded arm, and word
A BLOODY CONFLICT. 345
was sent by the boat to La Crosse to have a surgeon come up from
there. The elder washed the blood off from mj head and face and
bandaged up my wounds. The scalp-cut on the back of my head
was the worst, but my face was badly cut and bruised. I then went
back down the prairie in search of Johnson. While I was up at
Hamilton's he had torn the shanty down, and thrown it and every-
thing belonging to it into the river. We then went up home ;
Johnson was living with us. The next morning we were both
arrested by McDermott, the constable. After we had had our
breakfast he took us down to Squire Gere's office, where we were
detained some time, when the justice decided that the examination
could not go on without the testimony of Simonds, and adjourned
the court to H. S. Hamilton's house. Johnson refused to walk down
there. Squire Gere then sent the constable to find a conveyance.
We walked down toward the river, when the justice called to us not
to go away, but stay around where we could be found when
McDermott came back. Johnson made no reply — I told him I was
not going very far away. Johnson went over to Andrew Cole'8
house to change his clothes. Mr. Cole was then absent. I went
home, had my wounds dressed and went to bed, where I slept until
the next morning. I then came down to the justice's office and was
discharged from custody."
Considerable exci'tement was aroused over the matter by the new
town site company, and when Johnson failed to make his appear-
ance Sheriff' lams was sent to find him and bring him before the
court. The sheriff got trace of him at Minnesota City, and overtook
him at Hall's landing, below the mouth of the White Water, where
he was waiting for a steamboat to come along. Johnson left the
river and went up the bluff with the sheriff' after him. Johnson
could outrun and outclimb the sheriff, and when beyond reach he
stopped and told lams if he came any farther he would send some
loose rocks down on him. The sheriff' went back to the trail and
watched for Johnson to again make 'his appearance. He was com-
pelled to return without his prisoner. Johnson succeeded in
reaching the river without being observed. The steamboats at that
time would land anywhere ff hailed by a passenger. Johnson went
to St. Paul, where he secured counsel and returned to have the case
disposed of and settled in some manner. He delivered himself up,
and no one appearing against him he was discharged from custody.
Simonds had been detained on the prairie to await the examination,
346 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
but went to La Crosse two or three days before Johnson's return,
which was on June 3.
As soon as Captain Smith learned of the shooting of Simonds by
Johnson he sent his son S. J. Smith here to take charge of matters.
By the advice of John Evans it was deemed necessary to put up a
shanty on the lower claim to hold possession. Mr. Smith secured
the services of Mr. Evans and his son Koyal, and took a load of
lumber down to build a cabin. He was met there by Mr. Stevens
from La Crosse, one of the proprietors of the new town, who warned
him not to attempt to occupy it, for they should defend their rights
to the claim. Mr. Smith decided not to have any more fighting, but
trust to the law for redress. He ordered the lumber taken back to
the upper landing, notwithstanding the protests of Mr. Evans, who
asserted that he could stand as much shooting as they could. Mr.
Smith then remained quiet at the hotel where he was stopping.
As soon as Stevens returned to La Crosse he sent Asa Hedge up,
who built a shanty and took possession of the claim. The next
day after he was discharged from custody Johnson went down and
put up a shanty about where the one stood which Augustus Pentler
once occupied. This was held by John Evans and Johnson. No
collisions occurred between the occupants of the two shanties.
About a week afterward Captain Smith brought up from Galena
a house ready made for claim No. 1. It was put up a few rods
above where the house of Mrs. Keyes now stands. The same day
Mr. Hedge went to La Crosse and his shanty was torn down. It
was done by the consent of Mr. Hedge, who sold the possession
of the claim to Captain Smitli for one or two lots on Front street,
fronting on the levee.
Mr. Hedge at once built a small house on lot 1, block 11 —
brought his family from La Crosse and made it his home for many
years. He here opened \i restaurant and saloon — the first saloon or
place where intoxicating drinks were sold in the city of Winona.
His liquors were bought up by the citizens and destroyed. The
ladies were the movers in this transaction. He afterward opened
his saloon with a new stock, when they were again destroyed or
seized by the sherifi*. He afterward put up a better building and
opened a grocery store, where he carried on quite a trade for two
or three years. Frank D. Sloan was his clerk and salesman in the
grocery business.
As an illustration of valuation of real estate and manner of
A BLOODY CONFLICT. 347
doing business, the following incident is noted relative to this prop-
erty. In about 1856 or 1857 Mr. Hedge found it necessary to secure
a loan to carry on his business. Gable & Werst, money loaners and
dealers in real estate, advanced him $5,000 and took a mortgage on
the lot and store to secure the payment of his notes drawing two
per cent per month. As a matter of course Mr. Hedge failed in
business and the property was sold under the mortgage. How
much Gable and Werst posted to profit and loss in this transaction
is unknown. They held the property for many years.
Among the eai^y arrivals this season were Ithael Hamilton, the
father, and Enoch C. Hamilton, the brother, of H. S. Hamilton, and
Erastus H. Murray, a brother-in-law. Harvey Hubbard and John I,
Hubbard were also relatives of the Hamiltons.
Enoch C. Hamilton made a claim where the city hospital is now
located. His claim shanty stood twenty or thirty rods south of the
building now used as a hospital. While living here the house was
struck by lightning, during a severe thunderstorm on Sunday, June
19, 1853, and his wife instantly killed.
Mrs. Hamilton opened a select school, which she had been teach-
ing for a week or two previous to her death. This may with a great
deal of propriety be called the first school on the prairie. Tlte
school opened in Mrs. Goddard's shanty, in 1852, by Miss Gere, then
a girl of fourteen or fifteen, was hardly entitled to mention as an
institution for instruction. Mrs. Hamilton was an experienced
school-teacher. She left three children, Alvin, Alice and Julia.
Previous to her marriage Miss Alice Hamilton was for many years
a well known teacher in the public schools of the city of Winona.
Mr, Hamilton married again and pre-empted his claim as a home-
stead. It is now known as E. 0. Hamilton's addition. Mr. Ham-
ilton, with his second family, is now living at Minnesota City.
Ithael Hamilton and his son Otis Hamilton made claims on the
lower end of the prairie. They have been dead many years.
Harvey and John I. Hubbard built two large dwelling-houses
on what is now block 5, Hamilton's addition, which they occupied
for several years. None of their families are now residents of this
county.
Erastus H. Murray bought the Yiets House, and improved it by
putting on additions in the rear, finishing off the second story, and
building a good frame barn on the rear of the lot. He made it a
comfortable hotel, although limited in capacity, to accommodate the
348 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
traveling public. He gave it the name of ' ' Winona House, " and
kept it until early in the spring of 1854, when he sold it to Charles
Eaton, who came here at that time. The following June Mr. Eaton
■ sold out his interest in the Winona House to S. H. Lombard, a
recent arrival, and moved upon his claim, where George I. Parsons
now lives. He is now a citizen of St. Paul. S. H. Lombard kept
the Winona House a year or two, when he leased or sold it. The
building was burned in the big fire of 1862. Mr. Lombard is yet a
resident of Winona.
Mr. Murray built a dwelling on Fourth street, which is yet stand-
ing and is part of the New England House. In 1854 he built a
dwelling on lot 4, block 14, and also a building for a boot and shoe
shop on lot 5 of the same block, on the corner of Second and Lafay-
ette streets, where "Mues' Block" now stands. He carried on
business here for two or three years with his brother, W. H. Mur-
ray. His shoe-shop was afterward used for the postoffice. None
of Mr. Murray's family are now residents of this part of the state.
Warren Kowell became a resident of this county in April, 1853.
He landed on Wabasha prairie and staid there with his family for
about a month. During that time he occupied a part of the shanty
built by Mr. Stevens the year before for Mr. Goddard. Late in the
fall Mrs. Goddard had built a house on the southeast corner of
Franklin and Front streets, where she lived during the winter.
Finding no better accommodations, Mr. Powell fixed up a part
of the Stevens shanty as a place for his family to stay in for a few
weeks, until he could select a location suitable for a farm. The
other end of the shanty (a long building) was used as a barn, or
place for the storage of hay and corn. This building was afterward
burned by a prairie fire.
Mr. Powell selected a claim next above Gorr's, in what is now
Pleasant Yalley, built a lag house, and moved there about the first
of June. Some of the settlers from the prairie went out and helped
raise his cabin. The claim he made in the spring of 1853 he still
occupies ; it is the farm where he now resides, and has been his
home about thirty years. The claim shanty — the log cabin of early
days — has been superseded by more modern buildings. Large
barns and outbuildings have taken the place of the pole sheds
covered with wild grass.
Mr. Powell was among the earlier settlers in this county to
locate on farming lands as a home. By attentively minding his
A BLOODY CONFLICT. 349
own business he has made farming a profitable business in the valley
where he lives.
In May, 1853, Dr. John L. Balcombe returned to Wabasha
prairie from Illinois, where he had spent the winter. When he left,
in the fall previous, he sold out his interest here, including his
houses, to Edwin Hamilton, retaining his shanty on the acre given
him by Johnson. During the ■ winter Ed. Hamilton had used his
dwelling as a stable. When the doctor resumed possession he
found it more economical and agreeable to move the cabin to a new
locality rather than attempt to remove the refuse and renovate the
building as it stood. He occupied this temporarily.
JS[ot liking his location on the acre he had first selected, he aban-
doned it, and purchased lot 3 in block 9 of Smith and Johnson, for
which he paid twenty dollars. The deed, a quit-claim, was made
September 29, 1853, and filed for record January 25, 1854. He
had had possession of tlie lot for two or three months previous, and
built a house on it. This building fronted toward the river, and
was designed for a store. It was about 20x40, two stories high.
The front of the lower story was finished with large windows and
folding doors. On the east side of the building a lean-to was
attached, about 12x24. Before it was completed Dr. Balcombe
sold this structure to Horace Ranney, but did not deliver possession
of it until the spring of 1854. It was afterward known as the
"Ranney Building," and was used for quite a variety of purposes
— as a private dwelling, for offices, as a hotel, and lastly as a tene-
ment house for several families.- It was burned in the fire of 1862.
Early in the summer of 1853 (July 11) Dr. Balcombe bought
an undivided half of twenty acres of the Beecher Gere claim, east of
the eighty sold to A. M. Fridley, and of twenty acres west of the
Fridley claim. The other half of these two lots was purchased by
Sanborn and Colburn. He also made a claim on the upper prairie,
where Charles Eiley now lives. This he afterward improved, and
built the farmhouse now standing, which he occupied at the time
of his death, September 24, 1856. Although poor health prevented
Dr. Balcombe from being prominent, he took an active interest in
the development of this part of the territory and in the political
questions of his day. M. Wheeler Sargent says, in his historical
address, "Dr. John L. Balcombe was a man of the most extended
information of any among the early settlers, * * * one of the
jirKt and hest of our early citizens."
350 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
George H, Sanborn came into the county early in the spring of
1853 and settled on Wabasha prairie. Soon after Wm. H. Colborn
came on and joined him here. About the middle of June these two
young men opened the first store in the county, with a general
assortment of goods. For temporary occupancy, the "car-house"
of Denman was moved to lot 5, block 10, and covered with a
shingled roof. They here commenced business as Sanborn & Col-
born. During the summer they built a store on the corner of the
same lot, about 20 X 40, two stories high, and continued in business
until the spring of 1854, when Mr. Colborn withdrew and a new
firm was formed, consisting of G. H. Sanborn and M. K. Drew. E.
L. King became a partner the same spring. They carried on the
business during that season and then sold their stock of goods to
Dr. Childs, who continued business for a short time in the same
location. In 1855 Sanborn & King started in the forwarding and
commission and wholesale and retail grocery business at the foot
of Johnson street.
Mr. Sanborn in 1856 built a very large three-story building on
the nver, at the foot of Washington street, which was known as
Sanborn's warehouse. The third story of this building was used as
a hall for public meetings. It was fitted up with a stage and scenery
by the Philharmonic Society soon after it was first organized, and
used by them until they moved to their present location. The
building was torn down many years ago by the railroad company,
into whose possession the property passed.
Soon after he came here in 1853 Mr. Sanborn purchased the
Yiets claim and subsequently had it surveyed and plotted. It is
now known as Sanborn's addition. He built his first residence on
this claim in 1855, a small story-and-a-half house, on the corner of
Lafayette and Wabasha streets. It is yet standing, and forms a
part of tlie present residence of J. L. Brink. Mr. Sanborn was
engaged in business for several years in Winona. About 1859 he
closed up his affairs here and went east to live. He is now in
Northern Dakota, where it is reported that he has made some
fortunate speculations as a pioneer in that locality.
As an incident of early days, an adventure of Mr. Sanborn's,
brought to the mind of the writer, is thought worthy of notice. Mr.
Sanborn was the owner of a pair of fine driving-horses. One of
these was a valuable horse, which he used as a saddle-horse.
Although broken to harness, he had nothing that he considered
A BLOODY CONFLICT. 351
suitable to drive hiin in during the winter. Having business in St.
Paul, he adopted the idea of taking his horse with him and bringing
back a stylish cutter. There was not sufficient snow to drive up,
and he proposed to ride his horse to St. Paul.
On the first of January, 1855, he started on his trip, taking
along a new single-harness, with blankets and a buffalo-skin, on
which he proposed to ride, instead of a saddle, expecting to reach
Wabasha that day. He went up Straight slough on the ice. When
he reached Haddock slough, about where S. M. Bui-ns lost his
horses two years before, his horse broke through the ice, which was
thin at that place, and took Mr. Sanborn into the water with him.
With some difficulty he crawled out on the ice, which was brittle
and gave way to his weight. He was within about twenty reds of
the shore, for which he was headed when the accident occurred.
The day was intensely cold, with a piercing wind, and a cold
bath was far from agreeable with the thermometer showing zero.
His horse remained afloat and broke the ice in his efforts to climb
out after his master. Mr. Sanborn hastened to the shore and
procured some logs of wood and rocks, with which he broke the ice
and opened a channel to where the water was less than two feet
deep. The intelligent animal followed him closely, but was unable
to climb out on the ice. He was chilled through by the length of
time he had been in the water. Mr. Sanborn was completely
exhausted from the fatigue and cold, he having slipped in several
times while breaking the ice.
Feeling benumbed and unable to do more for his horse, he
started off for help. When he reached Mr, Burley's, nearly a mile
below, he was almost unconscious. His clothing was frozen stiff
and solid, and he was compelled to crawl on his hands and knees to
reach the house. He was taken care of, and men went up to help
the horse, if he was not beyond help. They found him dead. Mr.
Sanborn had loosened the harness and blankets while the horse was
in the deep water, and they had floated away under the ice.
Mr. Sanborn recovered from his exposure with some frost-bites,
but without any serious illness following. He returned to Winona
as soon as he was able to be moved, which was in a day or two
after, and sent to St. Paul for his cutter, which was brought down
by the mail-carrier. His second-best horse was promoted and
became the pet.
William Davidson came into this county April 6, 1853. Ai"ter
352 HISTORY OF WIIS'OJS'A COIHSTTY.
some time spent in prospecting and explorations in the western part
of the county, he selected a claim at the head of a small branch of
the White Water, in what is now the town of St. Charles, on
Sec. 10, T. 106, R. 10. He returned to Clayton county, Iowa,
where his family were then living, and made his arrangement to
transport them with his household goods, farming implements and
live stock, up through the country to the location he had selected in
Minnesota as his future home.
Mr. Davidson started with four yoke of oxen and three wagons^;
these, with his cows and young stock, and a saddle-pony used to
collect the cattle, made up quite an immigrant train. They came
into this county on the "old government trail," — the trail over
which the Winnebagoes were taken when removed from Iowa to
Long Prairie in 1848, up through Money Creek valley and out on
the ridge near the head of Burns valley. They then went west,
keeping on the high land to avoid the ravines leading into the
Rolling Stone, to Bentleys, now Utica, and reached their destination
about the &st of June. They were eleven days making this trip of
about 125 miles.
Mr. Davidson was the first settler to come into the county by
the "overland route." He- immediately set his breaking team to
work and put in a field of seed-corn and planted a garden. He
built a commodious log house, making a trip to Winona in the latter,
part of June for lumber to complete it. Until their log house was
ready for occupancy they lived in camp with but temporary shelter.
He raised a good crop of corn and vegetables the first season,
sufficient for his own use. The cornmeal used in his family was
ground by hand in a large coffee-mill.
Mr. Davidson here opened up a large farm, and in early days
was prominently active in public affairs relative to the development
of the county. He was county commissioner and held other official
positions. He is now a resident of the city of St. Charles.
L. H. Springer and Benjamin Langworthy landed on Wabasha
prairie on May 31, 1853. They brought with them their families
and four yoke of oxen, three horses, eight cows and other animals,
and also two wagons. Mr. Laird gave them the use of his shanty
for temporary occupancy until they found satisfactory locations.
They made claims on the White Water, and moved there with their
families about the middle of June.
L. H. Springer settled at what is now the village of St. Charles.
A BLOODY CONFLICT. 853
He built a large, substantial log house and comfortable stables, and
opened up a farm in this locality. This log house was used as a
hotel for two or three years. " Springer's " was a favorite stopping
place for all who had business in that vicinit3\ These were the only
settlers in the west part of the county in 1853.
In the fall of 1854 L. H. Springer, George H. Sanborn and
M. Wheeler Sargent, laid out the land claimed by Springer as a
town site, and gave it the name of St. Charles. It was advertised as
being " on the N.E. J of Sec. 19, T. 106, R 10, twenty -live miles west
from Winona on the south fork of theMeniska or White Water river,
in the midst of as good farming lands as can be found anywhere."
Mr, Springer was prominently active in all measures to promote the
general good. He, with William Davidson, was the first to open a
wagon trail from St. Charles to Winona. Mr. Springer lived at St.
Charles for several years and then removed to Olmsted county,
where he yet resides.
Alexander McClintock came into the county this season and
settled on a claim in the south Eolling Stone valley, above Putnams.
He built a log house, and pre-empted this as a homestead after, and
lived here with his family for several years, until his death. None
of his family are now residents of the county.
Henry D. Huff landed on Wabasha prairie Sunday, June 26,
1863. He stopped at the Winona House, then kept by E. H. Mur-
ray. It was supposed at the time that he came to assume charge of
Capt. Smith's interest in the town, which his son, S. J. Smith, was
then here f looking after. He purchased an undivided interest in
the original town plot of Smith and Johnson, and later in the season
also purchased the claim of Ed. Hamilton — claim No. 5. Hamilton
had previously sold undivided interests to others; Mark Howard
held a third ; David Olmsted and Orlando Stevens held an interest.
Through an arrangement with Hamilton and the others the whole
claim was transferred to Mr. Huff, who at once had it surveyed and
plotted, and recorded with the plot of Smith and Johnson's claim as
the "original plot" of the city of Winona.
Mr. Huff built the cottage now occupied by Lafayett Stout, near
the corner of Fourth and Huff streets, and brought his family here.
He lived in this cottage for several years, when he built the house
on the same corner now owned and occupied by Hon. H. W. Lam-
berton, in which he resided until he left Minnesota. From the first of
his coming here he was prominently active in all public enterprises.
354 HISTORY OF wiJsroisrA coihstty.
Mr. Huff had been in mercantile business in Kenosha, and a
dealer in real estate, before coming here. He had prior to that
passed some years of pioneer life in Wisconsin and Illinois, and was
familiar with early settlements in towns and country. His expe-
rience, with his natural sagacity and enterprise and his indomitable
will power, made him a leader in all public matters or affairs in
which others were associated with him. His interests were inti-
mately connected with the development and prosperity of the county
and cit}' of Winona. There was no one among the pioneer settlers
who accomplished so much by his individual efforts to build up the
city of Winona as Henry D. Huff'. To him more than to any other
person this city is justly indebted for its early prospeiity and many
of its present advantages. It was by him that the name of Winona
was substituted for that of Montezuma, [t was through his efforts
that Fillmore county was divided and Winona county created with
the county seat at the village of Winona.
Mr. Huff' started the second newspaper in Winona — the first was
the "Winona Argus," edited by Wm. Ashley Jones. The first
issue was September 20, 1854. In April, 1855, Mr. Huff issued the
first number of the "Winona Express," edited by W. Creek, In
November, 1855, Mr. Huff sold the establishment to W. G-. Dye &
Co., who started the "Winona Republican." Soon after D. Sinclair
became connected with it, and the paper has since been continuously
issued under that name by D. Sinclair & Co. with the addition of a
daily paper.
Huff's Hotel was built by Mr. Huff in 1855. In 185T he built a
large flouring-mill near Youmans Bros. & Hodgins' sawmill. It
was built at a cost of about $25,000, and was burned a few years
after. He was one of the stockholders in the original Transit
Railroad Company.
Mr. Huff" sold out the most of his property here about ten years
ago and went to Chicago.
The time set by Judge A. G. Chatfield for holding the first
session of a district court in what was then Fillmore county was at
Wabasha prairie, on Monday, June 27, 1853, but the judge failed ifco
reach Winona on that day. On Tuesday, June 28, he arrived with
quite a large party of ladies and gentlemen from St. Paul, among
whom were two attorneys, L. A. Babcock and H. L. Moss. He
opened court in the Winona House. Wm. B. Gere was appointed
clerk of the court. The petit jury was dismissed. The grand jury
A BLOODY CONFLICT. 355
was organized and held a sitting on that day. On Wednesday, June
29. the grand jury made a presentment in the case of Erwin H.
Johnson, for the shooting of Isaac W. Simonds, and indicted S. M.
Burns, of Mt. Yernon (Hall's landing), for selling liquor to the
Indians. They were dismissed at noon on that day and the court
adjourned. This was the first district court held in southern Min-
nesota. In the afternoon Judge Chattield, with the party from St.
Paul, visited Minnesota City and the valley of the Rolling Stone.
John lams was the sheriff in attendance on the court. It is said
that the sheriff brought his dinner with him from home each day.
On the first day, as he approached the crowd assembled around the
Winona House, he was greeted by W. T. Luark, who, with a laugh
of ridicule, cried out, "Here comes the great high sheriff of Fillmore
county with his dinner pail on his arm !" At noon the same crowd
saw the sheriff and Mr. Luark sitting on the bank of the river eating
their dinner from the dinner-bucket of the sheriff, and washing it
down with river water.
Grove W. Willis came to Wabasha prairie about the first of July
of this year. Before coming here he had been promised the posi-
tion of clerk of the court by Judge Chatfield, but on account of his
failure to arrive in time to attend to the duties of the office, the
Judge was compelled to appoint Wm. B. Gere to the place. When
Judge Chatfield was notified that Mr. Willis was at Winona await-
ing his order, he revoked the appointment of Gere and gave the
position to Mr. Willis, who was appointed clerk of the district court
about the 7tli of July.
Mr. Willis brought his family here and rented the building on
Front street built by Dr. Balcombe (the Ranney building), where he
lived during the winter. He used the lean-to of the building as his
office. The same room was also used as a schoolroom for a select
School kept by his daughter, now Mrs. Gillett, living in the village
of Chatfield. This school is really entitled to be called the first
fully established school taught in Winona. It was kept three or
four months with about twenty-five pupils.
Mr. Willis lived at Winona during the winter and moved to Chat-
field in the spring of 1854. About ten or twelve years ago he re-
turned to Winona, and has since made it his home.
John Keyes came to Winona on September 12, 1853. He landed
with his wife and two children at Hamilton's, on the lower end of the
prairie. He bought an undivided one-eighth of H. S. Hamilton's
356 HISTOEY OF WINONA COUNTY.
claim, and lived in a part of his house during the winter and follow-
ing summer. While living here he procured timber and lumber to
build a house on the upper part of the claim next below where the
Hubbards built their houses. The following season he became dis-
satisfied with his investment with Mr. Hamilton, and having an
opportunity purchased the interest of Captain Smith in claim No.
1, the lower claim. The claim had been divided between Smith and
Johnson, Johnson taking the west part, leaving the eastern portion
for Captain Smith.
Mr. Keyes at once put up a shanty and took possession. He
moved his family there about September 1, 1854, and the same fall
built the house in which he lived nearly a score of years before he
built the brick house (to which the old one is attached) where his
family now resides. John Keyes died in November, 1877. Mr.
Keyes was a lawyer by profession, and held his office in his house
when he commenced business here. In the fall of 1855 he was
appointed clerk in the United States land office by L. D. Smith, the
receiver, and continued in that position until the spring of 1857, after
the land office was removed to Faribault. He then resumed the
practice of law. His office was in a small building on the levee
near the Winona House, owned and occupied by John A. Mathews
as a real estate and loan office. In 1862 this office was burned. He
was afterward one of the firm of Sargent, Franklin & Keyes, and
at the time of his death one of the law firm of Keyes & Snow.
From an early day Mr. Keyes took a great interest in the public
schools of the city of Winona. He was a director and clerk of the
board from the time the first district school was opened until long
after the present system was established. The city of Winona is
more indebted to John Keyes for its present system of graded
schools than to any other one person among the pioneer settlers or
citizens of more modern days.
M. Wheeler Sargent came to Winona in this year. His arrival,
given in his address, from which quotations have been made, is
mentioned as follows: "I first saw this county August 1, 1853,
carrying a chain northward between towns 105 of ranges 8 and 9.
The first house I saw was that of Wm. Davidson, August 11.
Town 105 of ranges 7, 8, 9 and 10 had no occupants. Town 106,
of the same ranges^ had no inhabitants except L. H. Springer, Wra.
Davidson and families, in 106. range 10, and Hull and Bently in
range 9.
Hon. Mils White.
A CELEBRATION. 359
"Town 107, range 9, had Wm. Sweet and family — 107, range
10, none — 108, range 10, had John and David Cook. The other
settlers of our county were on the Mississippi, or in the immediate
valleys of some of its tributaries.
"On the 19th of September of that year the speaker first saw
this prairie, coming in from the Gilmore valley. Fancy he made
something of a spread that night, for, with a half-dozen others, he
slept at full length on the ground, between his present office and the
Mississippi, with his hat for a nightcap and boots for a pillow. His
toilet he prefers giving in an autobiography when called for ; it is
not particularly allied to the history of this county."
When Mr. Sargent came into this county he was in the employ
of Wm. Ashley Jones, who was engaged in surveying the public
lands in this part of the territory. On reaching Wabasha prairie
he decided to locate there and establish himself in the practice of
his profession as a lawyer. He was appointed district attorney
before the county of Fillmore was divided, and after Winona county
was created he was elected register of deeds and appointed clerk of
the district court. He was the first mayor of the city of Winona ;
he was also a member of the legislature from this county. When
he first came here he began the practice of law by himself ; in 1855
he was of the law firm of Sargent, Wilson & Windom, and at the
time of his death, which occurred in 1866, he was one of the firm of
Sargent, Franklin & Keyes.
More extended notices of these two prominent pioneer settlers
(John Keyes and M. Wheeler Sargent) would be made if it were
not that their biographical sketches will be given under another
division of this history.
CHAPTEK XXXV.
A CELEBRATION.
The fourth of July, 1853, was celebrated with a great deal of
patriotic enthusiasm at Minnesota City. The settlers of Kolling
Stone invited the citizens of Wabasha prairie to join them in the
customary honors and hospitalities of "independence day." The
invitation was accepted, and many from the prairie were in attend-
21
360 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
ance. The occasion was said to have been one of unusual interest
and gratification to the settlers assembled.
The celebration was held in "the public square," under the
oaks. The introductory was the following song, written by Kobert
Pike, Jr., the poet of the colony. It was sung to the tune of
^'Baker's Farewell":
'' We've left the homes our childhood loved,
The friends we never can forget;
The friends that long, long years have proved,
The friends who still in dreams are met.
We've come to make us other homes.
On Minnesota's garden lands,
Where ev'ry gen'rous heart that comes
Is met by loving hearts and hands.
What though the red-man roams the woods.
And wild and rude the landscape seems ;
Is it not fairer than it stood,
As seen in fancy's brightest dreams ?
What though our domes are all unreared,
And labor in our pathway lies ;
Labor is pleasant, when 'tis cheered
By helping hands and loving eyes.
No greener valleys meet the sight.
No purer fountains, gushing free.
No birds of song, or flowers more bright.
Bringing perfume and melody.
Hurra! then, for our chosen home,
While bound by friendship's silken bond ;
Our feet no more shall seek to roam.
Our hearts shall never more despond."
The orator of the day was Egbert Chapman, who, it is said, gave
an admirable and exceedingly appropriate address. He was fol-
lowed by Robert Pike, Jr., who became really eloquent in his
remarks, which were listened to with pleased expressions by the
assemblage.
An elegant repast was furnished by the ladies, to which all were
invited. The concourse then adjourned from "the park" to the
tables prepared under the shade of the walnuts, where ample justice
was awarded the good things provided. After all were satisfied,
volunteer toasts were drank from glasses filled with pure cold water
plentifully furnished.
A CELEBRATION^. 361
Toasts were given by Robert Pike, Jr., Edwin Hamilton, W. H.
Colburn, R. Taylor, O. M. Lord, T. K. Allen, S. J. Smith, and
others. Some of them are given to show the character of the enter-
tainment.
The first was by Robert Pike, Jr.: "The ladies. May they
ever be pure, as our own bright fountains ; beautiful, as our wild
flowers ; as even of temper as our own delightful climate ( except
the thunderstorms), and as fruitful as the soil to which they have
been transplanted."
The second was by Edwin Hamilton : " Superior cookery. The
art that makes us happy, and that none better understand than the
ladies of Minnesota City."
The third was by "W. H. Colburn : "The motto of our glorious
country, ' Union is Strength.' Minnesota City and Winona, — may
they be ever thus united is the earnest wish of Winona to-day."
The sixth was by Robert Pike, Jr.: "Winona and Minnesota
City. May all the rivalry which exists between them be the rivalry
of good neighborhood, and the desire to excel in offices of kindness
and humanity."
The eighth was by T. K. Allen : ' ' Peace, prosperity and
equality. May it long be enjoyed in Minnesota. "
The twelfth was by E. Chapman : " The glorious 4th of July.
May the remembrance of the day ever be in the hearts of the
people. "
The thirteenth was by O. M. Lord : " Winona. Like her
namesake, wild and beautiful, may she prosper till the height of
her aspiration is amply rewarded,"
The eighteenth was by S. J. Smith: "Here is to Minnesota
City from her eldest daughter, Winona. Although the Dark Water
city, yet her waters are clear and sparkling ; and to its men, who
being Rolling Stone men, yet gather commercial moss ; and to its
ladies, who are blooming."
Another by O. M. Lord : ' ' The Mississippi river, the highway
of the nation. As long as the water flows in its channel may her
valleys annually resound with the sound of cannon proclaiming the
independence of the American people."
The day's enjoyment closed with another song written by Robert
Pike, Jr. This was the first time the " Glorious Fourth " was ever
celebrated in southern Minnesota.
July 9 the board of county commissioners of Fillmore county
362 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
met at the Winona hotel, and divided the county into precincts and
appointed judges of election.
The part of the county north of a line west from a point five
miles below the town plat of Mt. Vernon on the Mississippi river
to the west line of the county was called Mt. Vernon precinct.
James Kirkman and Louis Krutzly, living at the mouth of the
White Water, and A. P. Hall, of Mt. Vernon, were appointed
judges of election. This precinct had twelve legal voters.
The Minnesota City precinct was the next south of the Mt. Ver-
non precinct. The judges of election were H. B. Waterman, O. H.
Hauk and E. B. Drew. This had the largest number of voters of
any precinct.
The Winona precinct included Wabasha prairie only. The
judges of election were Harvey Hubbard, O. S. Holbrook and
George F. Childs.
The Minneowah precinct extended south to a line due west from
a point on the Mississippi opposite the mouth of Black river to the
west line of the county. The line between this and the Minnesota
City precinct was not defined. The judges of election were W. B.
Bunnell, of Bunnell's landing, James F. Toms, of Minneowah, and
William Hewitt, of Burns valley. This had sixteen voters.
The Root River precinct was between the south line of the Min-
neowah precinct and a line west from the mouth of Root river to
the west line of the county. The judges of election were G. W.
Gilfillan, Joseph Brown and John L. Looney. It had ten legal voters.
The Brownsville precinct was all of the county lying between
the Root River precinct at the Iowa state line. The judges of elec-
tion were Charles Brown, Samuel McPhail and M. C. Young.
At this meeting of the board of commissioners a school district
was established at Minnesota City, but no specific boundaries given.
It was presumed to include the whole precinct.
A petition for a public road from Winona to Minnesota City was
received and the following examiners appointed — Harvey Hubbard
and E. B. Drew. These road examiners were to meet on Tuesday,
July 19, at Minnesota City. C. R. Coryell, of Rolling Stone, was
appointed county surveyor.
The next meeting of the board was at the Winona House, on July
22, 1853. At this meeting Gere and Luark were present. In the
absence of Mr. Stall, the commissioners appointed Sylvester J.
Smith clerk of the board pro tem.
A CELEBRATION. 363
"The examiners of the road between Minnesota City and
Winona reported that they had located the road. The report was
received, examined and fully accepted, and an order issued to the
county surveyor to locate and survey the same."
This was the first public road officially located in the county.
The above copy of the record is the only documentary evidence of
the fact. All books and papers relative to the proceedings of this
board of county commissioners were taken to Chatfield, the first
county seat of Fillmore county. Mr. E. B. Drew, one of the exam-
iners, says the road was surveyed and located about where the
present road from Minnesota City to Winona is now laid. It was
resurveyed after Winona county was created.
* The first general election held in the county was on the second
Tuesday, the 11th of October, 1853. At this general election Hon.
H. M. Rice was elected delegate to congress 'from the Territory of
Minnesota. Hon. O. M. Lord was elected a representative to the
territorial legislature from this representative district. In Jan-
uary, 1854, when Mr. Lord attended the fifth legislature to which
he was elected, he walked from Minnesota City to St. Paul for that
pui-pose.
At this election the following officers were elected in Fillmore
county: county attorney, Andrew Cole; judge of probate, H. B.
Waterman ; register of deeds, William B. Gere ; sherifi, John lams;
county commissioners, John C. Laird, Robert Pike, Jr., and W. B.
Bunnell.
The justices of the peace elected were — for Wabasha prairie,
George M. Gere and Wm. H. Stevens (Mr. Stevens had previously
served as justice of the peace. He was appointed in July, 1853,
by Governor Gorman) ; for Minnesota City, H. B. Waterman and
Robert Pike, Jr. ; for Mt. Yernon, S. M. Burns ; for Minneowah,
Mynon Lewis.
Among the settlers who came into the county later in this season
were Mathew Ewing, Dr. Allen, E. S. Smith, A. C. Smith, James
McClellan, Luke Blair, G. W. Wiltse, Lysander Kately, James
Worrall, George Gay and T. B. Twiford.
Mathew Ewing settled on H. S. Hamilton's claim, where he built
a comfortable frame house and opened a store with a fair assortment
of goods. He sold goods during the winter and in the spring closed
out his stock and gave up the business. He then located himself in
the village and purchased two lots on the corner of Third and John-
364 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
son streets, and also a lot on the corner of Johnson and Front streets,
where he built the building now standing on it. After two or
three years here he sold out and left the county.
James McClellan brought a stock of goods with him and opened
a store in the front part of the main portion of the residence of Rev.
E. Ely, which was built this year. Mr. McClellan remained here
until early in the spring, when he moved his family and goods to
Chatfield.
Dr. Allen (his initials are unknown to the writer) came here and
located himself as a practicing physician. He was the first to settle
in the county to make that profession his special business. He
remained here until the spring of 1854, when he moved to Chatfield.
E. S. Smith bought an interest in the Stevens claim, and foi* a
year or two lived in Winona, dealing in real estate, etc. He
married Miss Mary ^urns, and settled in Burns valley, where he
built the Glen Flouring Mill. He remained there several years and
then sold out and moved to Winona, where his family yet resides.
Mr. Smith went to Washington Territory, where he was for awhile
connected with the western portion of the North Pacific railroad.
Although he occasionally visits his home in Minnesota, he is yet
engaged in business in Washington Territory, which requires his
personal attention there much of his time.
Andrew C. Smith settled in Winona. In 1855 he started the
first drug store ever opened in the county. After several years'
residence here he moved to Stockton. He was a member of the
State legislature from this county in 1869. He is now a resident of
Rochester, Olmsted county.
L. D. Smith visited Wabasha prairie during the fall and winter
of 1853, but did not bring his family here to live until the spring of
1854. He purchased the " Fridley claim" and built a house on it,
where he lived several years. This house is yet standing near the
corner of Franklin and Wabasha streets. He then moved to his
farm in the south Rolling Stone valley about half a mile above the
village of Stockton, where he lived at the time of his death.
He was appointed receiver in the United States land office in 1854,
and was one of the most active in securing the land grant for the
benefit of the railroads in this state. Further mention will be made
of him in other divisions of this history.
Wm. Ashley Jones was a deputy United States surveyor.
During the summer of 1853 he was engaged in the survey of
A CELEBRATION. 365
public lands in southern Minnesota. In the fall of this year he
visited Wabasha prairie, and in the spring following moved his
family there and made Winona his home for about ten years, when
he moved to Dubuque. He is now a resident of Dakota.
Mr. Jones held an undivided interest in the Smith and Johnson
town plot, and also an interest in the Stevens claim (Stevens' addi-
tion). He opened up a large farm in the town of St. Charles. It is
now known as the ' ' Lamberton Farm. " Besides dealing in real
estate, Mr. Jones found time and means to start the first newspaper
published in the county, "The Winona Argus."
Luke Blair came to Wabasha prairie in the fall of this year. He
bought two lots on the corner of Center and Second streets, where
the ' ' Simpson Block " now stands. He brought with him a small
drove of cattle, which he wintered in stables built on the back part
of these lots. He made a claim in what is now the town of
Saratoga, but did not occupy it until the following season. Early in
the spring of 1854 he built a store on lot 4, block 16, and brought
on a stock of general merchandise.
During the summer he moved his family out on his claim. In
the fall he sold the two lots with his store building to W. G. Dye,
who sold them to V. Simpson, the present owner, and sold his stock
of goods to James H. Jacoby, who continued the business in the
same locality under the name of Day & Co. The upper part of
Blair's building was used as a public hall. Meetings were held here
until it was used as a printing-office by Wm. Ashley Jones. This
was where the "Winona Argus" was started, with Samuel Melvin
as associate editor and foreman in the oflice. W. G. Dye set the first
type for this paper.
Mr. Blair settled on his claim, which has been his permanent
home. The vicinity was long known as the Blair settlement. Mr.
Wiltse and Mr. Kately made claims in that part of the county, and
wintered there in 1853-4.
George Gay made a claim in Burns valley, on what was after-
ward known as the Salisbury Place. He remained here a year or two
and moved to Wabasha county. James Worrall settled in Winona,
and about two years after went to Wabasha county.
CHAPTER XXXYI.
CHATFIELD SETTLED AND WINONA COUNTY ORGANIZED.
In the fall of this jear, 1853, T. B. Twiford came into this county
from Lansing, Iowa. In his prospecting excursions and explorations
he discovered the present site of Chatfield, in the northern part of
Fillmore county, and conceived the project of making it a town site.
At Winona he formed the acquaintance of Grove W. Willis, and a
scheme was concocted to .form a stock company and make Twiford's
newly-discoTered town site the county seat of Fillmore county.
The plan proposed was to divide the stock into twelve shares.
The shareholders were T. B. Twiford, G. W. Willis, H. C. Gere,
Myron Toms, William B. Gere, Harvey Hubbard, John I. Hub-
bard, Eobert Pike, Jr., James McClellan and W. B. Bunnell. It was
designed that each of the members of the board of county commis-
sioners should be presented with a share in the new town site — the
proposed county seat, but Mr. Luark of the appointed board was
absent from the territory, and John C. Laird, of the newly-elected
board was too strongly interested in Winona to be utilized. Neither
of these men were shareholders in the project.
Twiford and Willis put up a log shanty on the proposed town
site, to which they gave the name of Chatfield, and placed a man by
the name of Case in the shanty temporarily, to hold the locality for
the company. It was generally known that the members of the old
board of county commissioners, Gere and Toms, whose term of office
expired on January 1, 1854, were in favor of locating the county
seat in the locality selected by Mr. Twiford, but it was considered
extremely doubtful if they had any authorit}^ to act in the matter.
The law provided that it should be the duty of the first board of
county commissioners elected to locate the county seat. The first
board had been appointed by the governor as provided by the act
creating Fillmore county.
In furtherance of the plan of Twiford and Willis the appointed
board assumed the authority to locate the county seat, although it
was generall}^ conceded by everybody that this power belonged to
the first elected board.
CIIAtFIELD SETTLED. 367
The following entry was made on the record of the proceedings
of the countj commissioners by the clerk :
Pursuant to agreement, the commissioners of Fillmore county, Minnesota
Territory, on December 19, a.d. 1853, at the residence of Mr. Case, in Root River
precinct, in the town of Chatfield — present Henry C. Gere and Myron Toms.
The object of said meeting was to locate the county seat of said Fillmore
county, pursuant to the statute in such case made and provided. It was then
and there resolved that the county seat should be located at Chatfield, in the
center of section 6, town 104 north, of range 11 west. Then the commissioners
adjourned, to meet at the residence of W. B. Bunnell, in Minneowah, on Tues-
day, December 27, a.d. 1853. G. W. Willis,
Clerk County Commissioners, pro tem.
The commissioners Gere and Toms met at Bunnell's on the
2Tth of December, 1853, and appointed C. F. Buck clerk of the
board. They here audited the accounts of county officers presented,
and issued county orders to the ainount of $411.47. This was the
last meeting of this board of commissioners.
At the time, the county seat of Fillmore county was located at
what is now Chatfield. The nearest settler was at Springer's, now
St. Charles. There was not even a claim shanty within ten miles
of the log pen designated as "the residence of Mr. C^se." It was
then considered uncertain whether the county seat was located
within the western boundary of Fillmore county.
It was estimated that on January 1, 1854, there were about 800
inhabitants within the present boundaries of Winona county. This
is thought to be a liberal estimate and probably a large excess over
actual numbers.
The board of county commissioners of Fillmore county elected
October 11, 1853, met at the house of Kobert Pike, Jr., in Minne-
sota City January 2, 1854. Robert Pike, Jr., John C. Laird and
W. B. Bunnell were present. The register of deeds, W. B. Gere,
clerk of the board, was also present. The board was organized
by electing W. B. Bunnell chairman. This session of the board
continued two days. It is evident from the records that consider-
able business was done.
The following extract was copied from the record : "The board
then proceeded to ballot for the location of the county seat, which
resulted in one vote for Winona, one vote for Chatfield and one vote
for Minnesota City. As the board could not agree upon the loca-
tion, they decided that the locating should be postponed until a
future meeting."
368 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
Aside from the stock company, the shareholders, there was not
a settler in the county that favored the location of the county seat at
Chatiield. Meetings were held at Minnesota City, Winona and
Minneowah condemning the action of the appointed board, but each
locality instructed its representative commissioner to locate the
county seat at his own home or place, and under no circumstances
to give it to a rival town.
Mr. Sinclair says in his historical sketch in 1876: "At these
meetings the commissioner from Minnesota City, Mr. Pike, was
instructed by his constituents to vote for the location of the county
seat at that place, and in no event at Winona; but if it became
necessary for him to exercise discretionary power in making a second
choice, to vote in favor of Chatfield. The reason is obvious : the
location at Chatfield, upon the division of the county, would give
Minnesota City another chance, whereas locating the county seat
at Winona would forever debar Minnesota City from securing the
coveted prize. The same reasoning led Bunnell, from his stand-
point, to operate in like manner in favor of that other rival of
Winona, the much-vaunted Minneowah."
While each of the rival localities was clamorous for the county
seat, without a prospect of either securing it, there were conserva-
tive men in each locality who favored a division of the county rather
than have the county seat located at Chatfield, as indications showed
it would be. This was most strongly advocated at Winona. H.
D. Huff assumed the leadership of this scheme for the purpose of
securing the county seat at his town. It was found that Mr. Lord,
the representative in the territorial legislature from this district,
although a resident of Minnesota City, was in favor of a division of
Fillmore county, and promised his aid. He gave Mr. Hufi what he
considered the proper boundaries for a new county — the same that
are now the boundaries of Winona county.
Every means available was brought to bear to induce commis-
sioners Bunnell and Pike to cast their vote for Winona. Friendship
and diplomacy failed to win the desired vote. There was no
compromise with Bunnell. It was said that a bribe of a block of land
was offered to Robert Pike, Jr., from two prominent citizens of
Winona, in consideration of his vote, which he indignantly refused
to accept.
On January 7 the board met at the office of John C. Laird and
accomplished considerable business, but failed to settle the county-
CIIATFIELD SETTLED. 369
seat question. Tlie following extract from ]?ecord shows the financial
condition of the county: "There being no receipts, the liabilities
of the county at this date, by reference to the bills on file, is
$536.86."
M. Wheeler Sargent says in his address: "L. H. Springer
and myself met H. D. Huff at his residence, where we agreed upon
the outlines of a new county, to be called Winona, with exactly its
present boundaries. Huff, having the most time and money, agreed
to engineer it through the legislature. Upon this mission, armed
with a petition having as many names as we thought the population
would justify, and the other documents adapted to various sup-
posable emergencies, he started for St. Paul.
On January 30, 1854, the board of county commissioners,
pursuant to adjournment, met at the house of Robert Pike, Jr., in
Minnesota City, at which meeting Robert Pike, Jr., John C. Laird
and W. B. Bunnell, the chairman, were present. The register of
deeds, W. B. Gere, was clerk of the board. At this meeting
vacancies were filled by the following appointments : M. Wlieeler
Sargent, district attorney, and C. F. Buck, judge of probate. The
clerk was ordered to notify them of their appointments. Robert
Pike, Jr., had been appointed county surveyor at a previous
meeting.
The all-absorbing topic of conversation, the vexed question of
location of the county seat, was settled at this meeting. The
following copy of the record of their proceedings shows their action
in the matter : "In pursuance of and in accordance with the
eighteenth section of the eleventh chapter of the session laws of
Minnesota Territory, passed by the legislative assembly at the session
commencing January 5, a.d. 1853, the county commissioners
proceeded to locate the county seat of Fillmore county. It was
decided by the board of commissioners that the county seat of said
Fillmore county should be at Chatfield, in said county, on section 6,
township 104 north, of range 11 west."
It "^as charged by some of the disappointed Winonians that
John C. Laird sold out his constituents for a share in Chatfield. G.
W. Willis, now living in the city of Winona, says this was not so ;
that Mr. Laird never held a share in the Chatfield Land Company.
Although Mr. Twiford was the originator, Mr. Willis was the
leader and manager, of the scheme to locate the county seat at
Chatfield. He says: "Bunnell and Pike located the county seat
370 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTr.
— a majority of the bo^'d could do it. I never knew that Laird
voted for it, and doubt that he did so, for he always opposed us.
None of the commissioners were bribed to vote for it, although
everything else was done to influence them. Bunnell and Pike
would have voted for Tophet rather than have given it to Winona."
Mr. G. W. Willis went to St. Paul to procure a charter for the
Chatfield Land Company, and to defeat the proposed division of the
county. He was successful in securing the charter for the company
from the legislature, then in session, but his influence there was in-
suflSicient to prevent the passage of the act creating Winona county.
The biW for the division of Fillmore county and forming of the
present county of Winona was introduced and supported by Hon.
O. M. Lord, in the house. He was strongly backed by H. D. Huff"
as a lobby member and general manager. Winona county was
created by act of the territorial legislature February 23, 1854.
CHAPTEK XXXYH.
THE DISTRICT SCHOOLS OF WINONA COUNTY.
Winona county was formed by the territorial legislature of
1854, from a part of Fillmore county, which had previously com-
prised the southeastern portion of the state. The first permanent
settlements were made along the Mississippi river in the spring of
1852. There was no school taught in what is now Winona county
during that summer. A subscription school was opened for a term of
three months in the autumn by Miss AnnOrton, with an attendance
of about twenty pupils, at Minnesota City. July 9, 1853, a school
district was formed by the county commissioners at Minnesota City,
and organized under the territorial law, and Miss Hester A. Houck
was emploj^ed to teach. The term began October 31 and continued
thirteen weeks. The names and ages of the children that attended
this term of school are given from the rate bill, by which the wages
of the teacher were collected. The sum agreed upon was $48.
There were twenty-seven pupils, eighteen of whom are u.ow living
(1883). The list is as follows : Mathew Foster,* age 11 years ;
* Dead.
THE DISTRICT SCHOOLS. 37 1
George Foster*, 6 ; Milo Campbell, 7 ; Thomas Thorpe, 8 ; Robert
Thorpe, 6 ; John Thorpe, 13 ; William Thorpe,* 3 ; Mary E.
Cotton, 5 ; Randolph Wright,* 12 ; Dan'l W. Wright, 9 ; John II.
Wright ; Edith Pike,* 11 ; Emma Pike, 8 ; Charlotte Denman,* 9 ;
Mary E. Denman, 5 ; James L. Denman, 7 ; Robert S. Denman,*
3 ; Chas. Kellogg, 15 ; Rollin Hotchkiss, 13 ; Robert Hotchkiss,
13 ; Lycnrgus Luark, 11 ; Achilles Luark,* 5 ; Elbridge G. Lord,*
4 ; David Imes, 13 ; Samuel Imes, 7 ; Herman Hopson, 6 ; Ger-
lana McClintock, 12. This school district was designated as
No. 1. May 1, 1854, a petition was presented and district No. 2
was formed, comprising the town of Winona, and on June 5
following No. 3 was formed, comprising the north part of township
105 and the whole of 106, range 10. At a meeting of the county
commissioners held July 3, 1854, the whole amount of tax autho-
rized to be raised for school purposes for the current year was
$152.05. In October district No. 4 was formed at Dakota precinct.
Schools were opened in Nos. 2, 3 and 4 before the districts were
formally organized, and the wages of the teachers were paid by rate
bill or by subscription. No. 1 was for this year the only one that
reported a three months' term to the state department. At the
January meeting of the county commissioners, 1855, the boundaries
of No. 1 were designated. Yoting precincts had at first been estab-
lished by the governor, and were afterward so established by the
county commissioners, and the first school districts embraced the
election precincts which were not clearly defined. At this meeting
No. 2 was divided. July 3 the amount of school-tax voted was
$632.34. At one of the meetings in this year a district was organ-
ized at Springers', or St. Charles, and one in Lanes' Valley, New
Hartford township, one at Geo. Wiltzies' in Saratoga, and one in
Whitewater at John Cook's. The school districts of the county now
numbered eight. At the January meeting of 1856 they were in-
creased to fifteen ; at the April meeting to twenty-three ; at the
July meeting to thirty-five.
At the January meeting of 1856 the first record was made of the
distribution of the school money. The amount collected was
$1,336.47, which was apportioned among thirteen districts.
At the meetings of 1857 the number of districts increased to
forty-eight. January 9, 1858, the county treasurer reported as
*Dead.
372 HISTORY OF WD^ONA COTmTY.
apportioned among thirty-five districts $3,533.50. The largest sum
to one district was $662, the smallest was $22.
The apparently unequal distribution of this fund gave rise to
much dissatisfaction. The distribution was based upon the number
of residents of each district between the ages of five and twenty-
one. In many cases district boundaries were not definitely recorded,
and it was claimed that the residents were more than once reported.
It was also claimed that some districts, instead of revising the lists
from year to year, simply added new names each year to the reported
list, and consequently drew more money than they were legally
entitled to. At the last meeting of the school board for the year
1858 the districts numbered sixty-two, an increase of fourteen for
the year.
The amount of money apportioned among forty-seven districts
for the year 1859 was $662. There were some complaints in regard
to this distribution, as the organized districts numbered sixtj^-five,
and while one district drew $90. 75 another only received $3. 85 ; but
as the county business was now transacted by the chairman of the
township supervisors, and each town in the county was represented,
there was no cause of complaint, except as to unfair reports of resi-
dents of districts.
The first record of the number of persons upon which the
apportionment was based was made at the January meeting of this
year (1859), the number recorded being 2,392. This was the num-
ber reported by the forty-seven districts, upon which the apportion-
ment was made, although there were eighteen more organized at
the time. During the year ten more were added to that number,
making in all seventy-five, showing a remarkable growth for the
two years.
The school tax, as reported by the finance committee of the
county board for the year 1859, was $5,346.37.
In 1860 the legislature changed the law in regard to county
boards, and the commissioner system was again adopted, and the
county treasurer, in his report to the board, February 1, 1860,
reported as school money on hand $2,967.72, and in March follow-
ing an apportionment of $4,480.96 was made among the districts,
which reported 2,724 persons of schoolable age.
March 7, 1861, the school law was materially changed by the
legislature in regard to forming school districts, etc. There was a
revision of the whole code, which was framed from that of the
THE DISTRICT SCHOOLS. 373
State of Michigan. In unorganized townships the county commis-
sioners were authorized to form districts, but where townships were
organized the supervisors had authority to cliange boundaries, to
form new districts, to levy taxes, to appoint a town superintendent
and to direct the collection of taxes through the town treasurers.
The legislature having neglected to provide for blank books,
reports, records, etc., there was no uniformity of reports or records.
In some towns the teachers were licensed and the school business
transacted without regard to any particular form or system, and if
any records were made they have not been preserved.
Although the law required that existing boundaries of districts
should remain if practicable, the loose records and changes, and
want of system, involved the district boundaries in great confusion.
Township lines interfered with district authority, and under this law
districts were divided and new ones created without regard to desig-
nation by numbers as recorded in the county auditor's office.
Owing to this condition of things it was found difficult to properly
and legally levy school district taxes and to collect delinquencies.
The delinquent taxes were reported by the town treasurer to the
county auditor to collect with the county taxes, which placed a part
of the fund in the hands of the county treasurer.
When districts were witliout funds to pay their teachers, orders
were issued upon the district treasury, whether the particular district
was entitled to any money from the county treasury or not. If the
county treasurer had no fund collected for that district the orders
were usually sold to outside parties at a discount. The collection of
these orders gave teachers a good deal of trouble. It was said that
the county treasurer always stood behind outside parties in buying
them at a discount, and that the district accounts were- not properly
adjusted. This system was not satisfactory to the people. Some of
the local boards would not levy a sufficient tax to maintain good
schools, and, owing to delinquencies, funds could not at all times be
made available.
There are very few names on record of town superintendents.
Among them are found Charles Heublin, A. T. Castle, William
Murr.ay and Milton Buswell.
From the years 1861 to 1866 there was no material change in the
school work. The attention of the people was directed almost
wholly to the war, and little or no attention was in some places paid
to school matters. January 4, 1866, the county board appointed to
374 . HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
the county superintendencj Albert Thomas, salary fixed at $1,200
per year. Mr. Thomas had taught the village school at Stockton for'
several terms. He was the principal of the first high school in Win-
ona City, and was known as a teacher of marked ability. A previous
business engagement prevented him from accepting the appoint-
ment. May 22, 1866, the county was divided into five commis-
sioner districts, and a school examiner appointed for each district,
in lieu of township supervision. Geo. P. Wilson was appointed
for No. 1, Y. J. Walker No. 2, M. K. Lair No. 3, Thomas P. Dixon
No. 4, and Henry Gage No. 5. Under the operation of this plan
the experience was found to be dearly bought. Certificates of quali-
fication to teach were obtained by asking for them. ' ' There was
no definite standard of examination and no uniformity among
examiners. They were not required to visit the schools, or to exert
any official influence for their welfare, and they felt no responsibility
for the work of the persons licensed." There being no unity nor
system, no reliable statistics could be gathered from the districts and
no groundwork laid for improvement. The county board now con-
sisted of J. J. Randall (chairman), P. P. Hubbell, Collins Rice, H.
C. Jones and S. W. Gleason. After much discussion, and owing
mainly to the influence of Mr. Randall, it was resolved to change
the plan of school work, and at a meeting of the board, Septem-
ber 7, 1867, a resolution was adopted to organize the school work
of the county under a provision of the school law of 1864, pro-
viding for a county superin tendency, in lieu of the general law as
specifled in section 28 of the same act. In this resolution was also
embodied the appointment of Luther A. West as school superin-
tendent, to hold his office until January, 1868, at an annual salary
of $1,000. January 1, 1868, Mr. West was reappointed to serve
until January, 1869. Mr. West entered upon the duties of his
office in 1867. He was a good scholar, a teacher of large experience,
and was well qualifled to perform the duties of the office. A great
deal of the work required was of the missionary order, as the teach-
ers and the people did not clearly understand the duties of the
superintendent. Mr. West met with considerable opposition at first.
Some persons supposed that the whole school authority was
transferred from the district officers to the superintendent. Some
were opposed on account of the large salary, and some regarded the
office as entirely useless. Mr. West made his first special effort in
the direction of improving the scholarship and methods of the
THE DISTRICT SCHOOLS. 377
teachers, in which he was very successful, and as the people became
acquainted with his plan of work his efforts were appreciated and
cordially seconded.
The first teachers' institute held in Winona county was organized
by Mr, West, assisted by Prof. Wm. F. Phelps and his corps of
instructors of the normal school. It was held at St. Charles, in
October, 1867, with twenty-three teachers in attendance, and was
considered very profitable to those in attendance.
From the annual report for the year 1868 it is shown that ten
good, attractive and convenient schoolhouses have been built this
year, at a cost of $11,000 ; also a building at St. Charles for the
graded school, at a cost of ,$15,000. During this jear Mr. West
made a strong efiort to secure greater regularity of attendance on
the part of the pupils, and to awaken a deeper interest in the
schools on the part of parents. That he succeeded in doing a good
work in this direction will be seen from the statistical reports to the
state superintendent. The average daily attendance for the year
1867, winter and summer terms being 2,699, increased in 1868 to
4,393, though the enrollment of pupils in the last year, according
to school population, had decreased from 52 per cent in 1867 to 48
per cent in 1868. Excellent schoolhouses were built at Pickwick,
Saratoga and Witoka. A teachers' association was formed and
meetings were held at four difierent places in the county. These
meetings produced good results. The people became interested and
took part in the discussions, and extended to teachers in attendance
the hospitalities of their homes.
In October a state teachers' institute was held at St. Charles,
with seventy-five in attendance. The exercises were conducted by
an able corps of instructors, and diffused among the teachers a great
deal of enthusiasm.
October 26, 1869, a county teachers' institute was held at the
normal school in Winona, in charge of Prof. Wm. F. Phelps. The
attendance numbered 118. The lessons were presented by the
teachers of the normal school and of the public schools of Winona.
Gymnastic exercises were introduced by Prof. McGibney. Prof.
Carson gave instruction in penmanship. On Tuesday evening Dr.
Guthrie, of St. Charles, gave a lectm'e on geology. Prof. Hood, of
the city schools, participated in the discussions. On Thursday even-
ing the Hon. Mark H. Dunnell, state superintendent of public
instruction, addressed a large audience upon "Education." The
22
378 HISTOEY OF WINONA COUNTY.
success of this institute was due mainly to the ability, activity and
earnest supervision of Prof. Phelps,
In the report of Mr. West for the year ending September 30,
1869, he regrets that he is not able to make the financial part
accurate, owing to the errors of district clerks. He reports having
granted certificates to eighty-four teachers — twenty-three to males
and sixty-one to females; fourteen of first grade, forty-five of second,
and twenty-five of third, and in a comparison of the year's work
with that of 1867 shows that great progress has been made, not
only in the character of the certificates, but in the increased interest
in school matters by the parents, as shown by the increase of
teachers' wages, and in the discipline, order and conduct of the
schools. This improvement he attributes to the institute work and
to the influence o,f professional training of some of the teachers in
the normal school. There were eleven new schoolhouses built, at
an aggregate cost of $9,227.
At the legislative session of 1869 the law was changed as to the
term of county superintendents, and the county board appointed Mr.
West again to serve until April, 1870. At the meeting of the county
hoard in March the Rev. David Purt was appointed, and entered
npon the duties of his office April 5, 1870. Mr. Purt had taught in
the common schools of Massachusetts for ten years, when he entered
upon an academic course to prepare for college. He graduated at
Oberlin, Ohio, in 1848, and then spent three years in the theological
seminary at Andover, Massachusetts. He removed to Winona in
1858, and took an active part in all educational work ; he acted as
member of the school board of Winona city, and served as superin-
tendent of its public schools. In 1866 he assumed the duties of
general superintendent of the colored schools of Tennessee, where
he served for two years. Impaired health compelled him to return
to Winona.
His appointment to the county superintendency was considered,
and afterward proved to be, a fortunate and wise measure for the
public schools. In addition to his great natural ability, he was for-
tified in the work by a usefal and varied experience and untiring
energy and faithfulness. He continued to hold the office until ap-
pointed by Gov. Davis to the state superintendency in 1875.
Mr. Purt's first public examination for teachers was held at
Stockton, April 22, 1870, and before the close of the month others
were held at Winona, Fremont, Elba and Witoka. For this year
THE DISTRICT SCHOOLS. 379
there were issued 114 certificates ; ninety-three schools were visited
and lectures given on "Our Common Schools" at Utica, White-
water, Elba, New Hartford, Saratoga, Hillsdale, Lewiston, Stock-
ton, Pickwick, Minnesota City and- Dresback ; also in districts Nos. 9
and 74.
From his report to the state department of November 1, 1870,
there were ninety-nine organized districts and eight unorganized.
The schoolable population was 5,463 ; number enrolled, 4,059.
A teachers' institute in charge of Mr. Burt was held at St.
Charles, October 3, 4, 5 and 6, 1871. The enrollment of actual
teachers was sixty-five, and the institute was conducted on the
plan of class recitations, and was pronounced by all in attendance a
decided success. The instructors are named as L. T. Weld, J.
E. Kichards, E. Holbrook, Miss C. Harding, Miss F. Barber, C.
Pickert, G. Olds, Miss E. Fisher, Geo. Wilson, Miss A. Bingham,
Miss N.' Taft and C. Boyd. There were three evening lectures : on
Tuesday evening, on Keading, by Mr. Burt ; on Wednesday, Mo-
tions of the Earth, by Mr. Richards ; and on Thursday evening,
Our Common Schools, by Hon. Wm. H. Yale.
At the fall examinations of 1874 sixty-one teachers were licensed.
The schools, except ten, were visited during the winter following.
In the spring of 1875 Mr. Burt, having accepted an appointment as
state superintendent, was requested by the county commissioners to
grant certificates to a sufticient number of teachers to enable the dis-
tricts to go on with their schools for the summer terms, or until his
successor could be appointed. The school law at this time required
a county superintendent to hold a state certifi(.;ate. Special exami-
ners were appointed and held a meeting in Winona, at which
there were only two or three candidates. The successful one was
Mr. John M, Cool, of St. Charles, who was then appointed county
superintendent by the board. Mr. Cool had received a common
school education in Tomkins county, New York, where he had also
taught two terms of school. He came to Minnesota in 1857, and
taught in St. Charles seven terms of school. He was recognized as
a very capable and efficient teacher. Mr. Cool issued two certifi-
cates of second grade, four of third and rejected two applicants.
He visited a few schools in the beginning of summer, and was
taken sick, from which he was unable to do any more school-
work. ^ At his death the vacancy was filled, at a special meeting of
the county commissioners on the 28th of September, 1875, by the
380 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
appointment of O. M. Lord, who entered immediately upon the
duties of the office.
Owing to the resignation of Mr. Burt and to the sickness of Mr.
Cool, the summer schools received very little supervision.
The county superintendents' report to the state department was
required to be made October 10, the school year closing September
30. The new incumbent found in the office teachers' term reports
for the winter term, but some teachers did not report the summer
terms, and several district clerks failed to make financial reports.
There was only ten days of time in which to report to the state
department, and no personal knowledge could be obtained of the
condition of the schools in that limited time ; the consequence was,
that the county superintendent's report for the year 1875 was very
imperfect, but, from observations subsequently made, there was
probably no material growth or change in the condition or character
of the schools from that reported for the year 1874.
The superintendent held five examinations in the fall, and spent
the winter in visiting the schools and in becoming acquainted with
the teachers and school officers. Examinations were also held in
the spring and the schools visited during the summer. In this year,
1876, under the state supervision of Mr. Burt, a very important
change was made in county school work by issuing a more simple
form of blanks to school officers and to teachers, and by furnishing
a better form of clerks' and treasurers' books, and of school registers.
A change was also made in the law in regard to reporting persons
entitled to appointment of the state school fund. Only those
reported by the teachers as enrolled in the public schools, of school-
able* age, were now entitled to the school fund, instead of the
resident population of the same ages. Through these changes and
by this system the school statistics may be considered as entirely
reliable.
For the purpose of showing the extent of the growth of the
schools of Winona, the following statistical tables, taken from the
reports of the county superintendents of schools to the state depart-
ment for the years 1867 and 1882 respectively, are given.
It may be mentioned here that the table of 1867, which was
prepared by the then superintendent, Mr. Luther A. West, pre-
viously mentioned, is an especially valuable one, as it is the first on
record of the schoolwork of the county combined as a whole.
Attention is called to a comparison of the following items of both
THE DISTRICT SCHOOLS. 381
tables, whereby some idea can be formed regarding the growth of the
schools of the county for a period of fifteen years.
SCHOOL STATISTICS OF WINONA FOR THE YEAR 1867.
Number of school districts 99 ; frame schoolhouses 71, brick 1,
log 14 — 86; value of all schoolhouses and sites $92,194; whole
number of scholars, male 3,248, female 3,259 ; whole number of
scholars in winter schools, male 1,475, female 1,218 ; average daily
attendance in winter scoools 1,721 ; length of winter schools in
months 216 ; number of teachers in winter schools, male 42, female
41 ; average wages per month of each teacher in winter schools,
male $29.24, female $19.24; whole number of pupils in summer
schools, male 789, female 720 ; average daily attendance in summer
978 ; length of summer schools in months 229 ; number of teachers
in summer schools, male 5, female 80 ; average wages per month of
teachers in summer schools, male $18.66, female $16.92 ; whole
number of different schools for the year 168 ; whole number of
different persons in school for the year, male 1,833, female 1,661 ;
per cent of aggregate attendance to the whole number of pupils in
the county . 53 ; whole amount of wages paid teachers for the year
$11,608 ; for building, parchasing, hiring, repairing or furnishing
schoolhouses and purchasing lots $6,500.12 ; amount paid as teach-
ers' wages $17,185.53 ; amount paid for other school purposes
$1,551.79; cash on hand in district treasuries $718.45 ; number of
new schoolhouses built during past year 11, value of same $62,800 ;
amount received from state school fund $92,194; amount received
by taxes voted by districts $30,550.84; percent of school money
raised by tax on taxable property in county .0101.
1882.
Number of school districts, common school 111, special 2 — 113 ;
number of frame schoolhouses 91, brick 7, log 7, stone ^ — 107;
value of schoolhouses and sites $58,210, of school libraries $59, of
school apparatus $695 ; whole number of schools enrolled, summer
4,089, winter 5,351 ; average daily attendance in winter 3,677 ;
average length of school in months 61 ; number of teachers in
winter schools, male 47, female 107; average monthly wages of
teachers for the year, male $35if, female $28 If; average daily
attendance in summer 3,082 ; number of teachers in summer
school, male 18, female 114 ; paid for teachers' wages and board
382 HISTORY OF WBSrONA COmiTTY.
$21,465.09 ; paid for building, purchasing, hiring, repairing or
furnishing schoolhouses, purchasing lots, etc., $10,545.53 ; cash on
hand at end of the year $18,021.59 ; number of new schoolhouses
built, frame 2, value of same $1,100 ; received from school fund,
liquor licenses, fines and estrays $8,068.55, from one-miU tax
collected $6,978.98, from special taxes collected $21,937.03, from
bonds sold $850, from all other sources $914.56.
From the report of the county superintendent for 1867 it appears
that there were sixty-three certificates granted, eleven of them to
males and fifty-two to females. Of these certificates, three were of
the first grade, fifteen of the second and forty-five of the thfrd.
The superintendent complains of the parsimony of boards in
hiring teachers, and in supplying the schoolhouses with comfortable
seats, desks and other fixtures. The average wages for the year
was $19 per month.
From the report of Mr. Lord, the present superintendent, for
1882 we learn that one hundred and forty-two certificates were
granted in the previous school year ; of these, thirty-four were
received by males and one hundred and eight by females.
The class of certificates issued werb three only of the first grade,
while there were ninety-four of the second and forty-five of the third
grades. This, together with the fact that thirty-four applicants were
rejected, goes to show that the standard of teachers' examinations
in Winona under Mr. Lord is a high one.
From the year 1880 until the present (1883) there have been no
marked changes in the condition and character of the schools, ex-
cept such slight ones as might be expected in the natural growth of"«
educational work. "With the yearly development of the country, its
increase in wealth and material prosperity, the expenditures for
school purposes have been more liberal, tending to better school-
houses and fixtures, and to the employment of a higher grade of
teachers. At the close of this year, thirty years will have passed
since the organization of the first school district in this county. As
the present superintendent of schools for this county was one of the
trustees of that first organized district, and for the past eight years
has been engaged in active schoolwork, it affords us pleasure to
give the following brief recapitulation, furnished by him, of some
of the important matters connected with the schools of then and now:
"Thirty years ago our only schoolhouse was a small, roughly-
covered log cabin, furnished with one small window and a door
SKETCH OF THE STATE NORMAL SCilOOL. 383
creaking upon wooden hinges and fastened with a wooden latch.
This rude structure was, after a short time, superseded by a small
but snug frame building, which, soon proving too small for the
accommodation of the rapidly growing district, was enlarged by
putting an addition to it. This enlarged frame schoolhouse in turn
gave place to a substantial brick one, which Mr. Burt has described
as having been built at Minnesota City. The teacher of that fimt
school received $48 for three months' work. The trustee made the
rate-bill and collected the wages, and the text-books used by the
scholars had been formerly used by fathers and mothers in neai:ly
every state between the Atlantic seaboard and Minnesota.
'-''N'ow there are in Winona county (outside of Winona and St.
Charles City) one hundred and eight schoolhouses, valued at over
$50,000, while the teachers' wages for a single year aggregate
$214,650. Besides this increase in the county schools, the school
buildings and educational expenses of one independent district in
the county aggregates a much larger amount than that above noted.
Then (thirty years ago) there were about twenty children in that
one school district of the county. JSfow, including those in attend-
ance at the normal and parochial schools, they number nearly
7,000."
CHAPTER XXXVni.
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE STATE NORMAL SCHOOL OF
MINNESOTA, AT WINONA.
Near the close of the session of the first legislature of the state,
August 2, 1858, an act was passed providing for the establishment
of three state normal schools. This legislation was suggested by
Dr. John D. Ford, of Winona, and secured by his untiring eftbrts
through the legislature delegation from Winona county. Lieut.
Gov. Wm. Holcombe, of Stillwater, gave the measure his earnest and
cordial support, and became the first president of the state normal
board of instruction. This board, consisting of Lieut. -Gov. Hol-
combe, Dr. A. E. Ames, Dr. E. Bray, of Carver, and Dr. J. D.
Ford, of Winona, held their first meeting at the Capitol at St.
Paul, August 16, 1859. After receiving and considering an appli-
cation from the city of Winona, accompanied by a subscription of
384 HISTOEY OF WmONA COUNTY.
$7,000 — $2,000 in excess of the amount ^ required by the act —
the following resolution was offered by Dr. Ford, and passed unani-
mously :
Resolved, That the first state normal school be located at Winona, provided
the subscription from Winona of $7,000 be satisfactorily secured to the uses of
said school, as directed by the board of directors.
And thus was located at "Winona the first state normal school of
Minnesota, and at that time the only state normal school west of the
Mississippi.
The following named citizens of Winona were appointed as the
first prudential committee : Sylvester J. Smith, Dr. J. D. Ford,
Kev. D. Burt and Wm. S. Drew.
The second meeting of the board was held at Winona, November
9, 1859, at which meeting block 17, Sanborn's addition, was, after
considerable deliberation, selected as a suitable site for the proposed
school, the board wisely preferring a central location, in order that
a model department might be maintained in connection with the
normal school. On the evening of November 9, Lieut. -Gov. Hol-
combe, president of the board, delivered in the Baptist church an
address on the subject of ' ' Education with reference to the establish-
ment of the first normal school of Minnesota. " This address, which
appears in full in the printed report of the board for 1859, was one of
great merit. It is said to have made a deep impression upon the young
community, and doubtless did much to elevate, if not to create, that
sentiment of earnest support of educational interests which has
marked the history of this city. In the closing paragraph of this
admirable address the governor said : "I have in my hand a paper
which contains the origin, the source and the earnest of the first
normal school of Minnesota. It had its origin here in this city,
and the names written on that paper are as pictures of gold, and
should be handed down to future generations as evidence of their
wisdom and benevolence. This paper subscribes about $7,000 to
the establishment of the normal school here, the most of which,
over $5,000, has been secured promptly to the state for that object.
The duty I have discharged is everywaj an agreeable one ; no cir-
cumstances could have occurred with respect to the interests of the
state to afford me liigher gratification than to meet you here on such
an occasion as this. The city of Winona has distinguished herself
in taking the lead in establishing for the benefit of the rising gene-
ration of this state [an institution] for all who shall yet call the state
SKETCH OF TIEE STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. 385
their home, I think the normal schools should precede the common
schools of the country, for then we should have trained teachers to
conduct them. When tliis school shall be in operation it may be
regarded as an auspicious era, whence to date in future the origin
of many blessings, and the commencement of a perpetual course of
improvement and prosperity to the people at large."
In the first annual report of the normal board to the governor,
Dr. J. D. Ford set forth in a clear and forcible manner the claims of
the normal school to generous support, and its vital relation to the
common schools of the state. In additi(m to other recommenda-
tions to the legislature, he urged in behalf of the normal board that
"a competent superintendent of public instruction be appointed,"
that "a general supervision of the subjects of schools, school teach-
ing and school lands is absolutely necessary," and that "the school
lands should be put into a condition to realize the largest possible
annual fund for the support of schools." To the credit of this
normal board, and its able secretary Dr. Ford, it may be said that
the first state tax for school purposes was authorized and levied upon
their urgent recommendation.
An appropriation of $5,000 having been secured, it was decided
to open the school on tlie first Monday in September, 1860. Prof.
John Ogden, A.M., of Columbus, Ohio, was elected principal for
one year at a salary of $1,400, and William Stearns, a graduate of
Harvard University, was chosen tutor.
The school was opened for the admission of pupils on the first
Monday of September. A teachers' institute, the first ever held in
this state, was convened at the commencement of the term. Teachers
from various parts of the state were present, and a number of distin-
guished gentlemen, including Rev. E. D. Neill, chancellor of the
universit}^, ex-ofiicio superintendent of public instruction, Ex-Lieut.
Governor Holcombe, J. W. Taylor, Esq., Rev. Mr. Strong, and
many others. On the evening of the first day Prof. Ogden gave his
inaugural address. On the next evening superintendent Neill deliv-
ered an eloquent address on " Education," the closing paragraph of
which we cannot forbear to quote : "Twelve years ago the Winne-
bago nation, by a treaty stipulation, abandoned their old homes in
Iowa and commenced their long weary march to their new home
near Sauk Rapids, in the northern part of this state. In the charm-
ing month of June, by mutual agreement, parties by land and water
to the number of 2,000 arrived on this prairie. As they viewed the
386 HISTORY OF WLNONA COUNTY.
vast amphitheatre of lofty blufts, the narrow lake on one side, the
great river in front, they felt that it was the spot above all others for
an Indian's lodge, and purchasing the privilege of Wabasha, the
chief of the Dakota band that then lived here, they drew themselves
up in battle array, and signified to the United States troops that
they would die before they would leave.
Twelve years hence, if the citizens who have taken the place of
the rude aborigines will be large-hearted and foster the normal
school, the public schools and the churches of Christ, Winona will
be lovelier than the ' ' Sweet Auburn " of the poet ; and educated
men and cultivated women, as they gaze on your public edifices and
other evidences of refinement, will be attracted, and feel that here
is the spot for a home, and, like the Indians in 1848, they will
desire to tarry until they die."
The donation to the board of the use of the city building (now
the Winona Library building) was another evidence of the friendli-
ness of the citizens to this struggling institution. The use of this
building was continued for eight years without charge to the state.
The $7,000 subscribed by the citizens of Winona was not used
for running expenses, but was reserved for the construction of the
permanent building in 1867-8, at which time the subscription with
its appreciated values amounted to $10,000.
The first year was one of great promise throughout. Com-
mencement exercises were held at the Baptist church on the last
week in June, 1861, continuing the entire week. Mr. Allen, of
Wisconsin, a distinguished educator, Mr. Hickock, ex-superinten-
dent of schools in Pennsylvania, Hon. Ignatius Donnelly, and Gen,
C. C. Andrews made addresses. A part of the literary exercises
consisted of a colloquy between Miss Charlotte Denman, Miss
Thome and others, in which was set forth, in an amusing and
graphic manner, the current opinions concerning the establishment
of normal schools, an exercise which will never be forgotten by
those who were present.
At the session of the legislature in 1861 a special act was passed
creating the first board of education of Winona. This board was to
consist of one school director elected from each of the three wards,
the principal and such members of the normal school — at Winona
as shall be residents of said city and qualified. The word "board"
was left out of the law between the words "school" and "at,"
which made a very unwieldy board, or an intangible body.
SKETCH OF TJIE STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. 387
The idea was to copy somewhat after the Oswego plan of uniting
the jurisdiction of the normal and public schools of Winona, using
the public schools as graded and model schools. At the municipal
election held in April, 1861, Messrs. Thomas Simpson, Richard
Jackson and John Keyes were elected members of the board of
education, from the hrst, second and third wards respectively ; and
these, with Prof. Ogden as principal of State Normal School, consti-
tuted the first board of education. Mr. Simpson was elected
president, Mr. Keyes, recorder and John Ogden first superintendent
of schools in city of Winona.
In the following year this law was repealed and the joint juris-
diction ceased.
The normal school opened in the fall of 1861, with an increase
of students. Prof. J. G.McMynn had been engaged as assistant
teacher. He remained, however, but a short time, resigning early
in October, to take a position as major in a Wisconsin regiment. It
may be noted that many of the students of the normal, during Prof.
Ogden's principalship, entered the volunteer army in defense of the
Union.
Prof. Ogden resigned the principalship of the school December
14, 1861, at the close of the first term of that year.
The following extract from his letter of resignation clearly reflects
the spirit of those stirring times :
Winona, Minnesota, December 14, 1861.
To the Prudential Committee of the State Normal School.
Gentlemen, — I hereby tender you my resignation of the principalship of
the institution intrusted to my care, thanking you most sincerely for the
generous support and counsel you have given me.
In taking this step, it is proper that you and the public should understand
the reason that impels me to it.
1. My distracted and dishonored country calls louder for my poor service
just now than the school does. I have, ever since our national flag was
dishonored, cherished the desire and indulged in the determination that —
whenever I could do so without violation of a sense of duty — I would lay aside
the habiliments of the schoolroom and assume those of the camp, and now I
am resolved to heed that call and rush to the breach, and with my life, if
necessary, stay, if possible, the impious hands that are now clutching at the
very existence of our free institutions. What are our schools worth 1 What
is our country worth without these? Our sons and our daughters must be
slaves. Our beloved land must be a hissing and a byword among the nations
of the earth. Shall this fair and goodly land, this glorious Northwest become a
stench in the nostrils of the Almighty, who made it so fair and so free ? No,
388 HISTOEY OF WINONA COUNTY.
not while there is one living soul to thrust a sword at treason. I confess my
blood boils when I think of the deep disgrace of our country.
My brethren and fellow-teachers are in the field. Some of them — the
bravest and the best — have already fallen. Their blood will do more to
cleanse this nation than their teaching would. So will mine. I feel ashamed
to tarry longer. You may not urge me to stay.
With these feelings, I am with very great respect,
Your most obedient servant, John Ogden.
Prof. Y. J. Walker, principal of the Winona high school, was
placed in charge of the school temporarily, during the second term,
which closed March 2, 1862, and remained suspended until Novem-
ber 1, 1864. The reasons for this suspension of over two years may
be inferred from Prof. Ogden's letter of resignation, and may be
stated as follows : (1) The interest in the great struggle then
pending for national life overshadowed and overwhelmed everything
else, and, as a natural corollary of this, (2) competent teachers
could not be found to take charge of the school. Such men were
generally in the war. (3) The means for the support of the school
was inadequate. The state had made no appropriations beyond the
first $5,000. The state was too busy in the war to care for its
educational interests.
During the session of the legislature in the spring of 1864; at
the earnest solicitation of the citizens of Winona, led by Dr. J, D.
Ford, an act was passed renewing the appropriations to the school and
re-establishing it on a permanent basis. This act provided that the
sum of $3,000 be appropriated for the current year, $4,000 for the
following year, and $5,000 annually thereafter. At the annual
meeting of the normal board in the following May Prof. John G.
McMynnwas elected principal. No movement was, however, made
to reopen the school until the next meeting in the following Septem-
ber, when the resignation of Prof. McMynn was accepted, and
Prof W. F. Phelps, former principal of the State Normal School of
New Jersey was unanimously elected. The principal-elect, being
present, accepted the position in person and immediately entered
upon the duties of his office. Professor Phelps' rare ability as an
organizer and disciplinarian was at once apparent in the prompt and
efficient measures taken to re-establish the school on a permanent
basis. To the wisdom of these measures and the executive ability
of their author is largely due the high standing which the normal
SKETCH OF THE STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. 389
school at Winona has subsequently attained, and still holds, among
the educational institutions of this country.
The location of the site on block 17, Sanborn's addition, was not
favored by the citizens generally. At the meeting of the board
held in June, 1866, the following communication was received :
To the State Normal School Board:
The city council of the city of Winona makes the following proposition to
your honorable board: That if the board will erect the normal school build-
ing upon the present site, viz : block 4, Sanborn's addition, the city will pur-
chase and donate to the state the east half of block 3, Sanborn's addition, and
vacate and donate to the state that part of Johnson street lying between blocks
3 and 4; or, in case it can be procured, the city will purchase and donate to the
state the whole of said block. This provided that the board will convey to
the city block 17 in Sanborn's addition. R. D. Cone, Mayor.
This proposition was promptly accepted by the board. Subse-
quently the city bought the whole of block 3, Sanborn's addition,
and gave it outright to the state, waiving the condition stated in the
communication of the mayor.
During the session of the legislature of 1866 the first appropria-
tion of $10,000 for the building was obtained mainly through the
efforts of Hon. E. S. Youmans, then a member of the house, and
Hon. Thos. Simpson in the state senate.
This appropriation was designed to secure plans and to supple-
ment the contributions of the citizens and city of Winona, and was
entirely used in constructing a foundation, — an important measure
which committed the state fully to the erection of a building at
Winona.
The plans for the building were drawn by the architect, G. P.
Randall, Esq., of Chicago, and were adopted by the board at its
meeting in June, 1866.
On the 19th of October, 1866, the corner-stone was laid with
interesting ceremonies by Gov. Marshall, in the presence of a large
and deeply interested assembly, citizens of Winona and surrounding
country. Hon. Thos. Wilson, chief-justice of the supreme court of
the state, delivered the address on this memorable occasion.
The foundation was erected under the direction of the credential
committee, consisting of Dr. Ford, Hon. E. S. Youmans and W. S.
Drew, Esq. Mr. Drew was appointed superintendent of the work,
and gave it his personal and efficient supervision throughout the
session of 1867, until the basement walls were completed and made
ready for the superstructure.
390 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
In the spring of 1867 an appropriation by the legislature of
$50,000 for building purposes was secured, largely through the influ-
ence of Hon. Wm. H. Yale, then in the state senate. Only one half
of this amount was appropriated for the first year. The citizens of
Winona cashed the orders of the board for the other half, making
the entire sum available for immediate use.
The contract for the erection of the superstructure was made
with C. Bohn, Esq. , of Winona, who had already demonstrated his
qualifications as a builder in the construction of the high-school
building of the city. In 1869 the sum of $34,000 additional was
appropriated ^Ho complete the 'building^'''' and in 1870 nearly $9,000
more was generously granted by the legislature to liquidate the
halance due the contractor.
The building was occupied by the school September 1, 1869, and
completed in the following December.
The following description of the building is taken from the
report of the normal board for 1859 :
The general form of the building is in the form of a cross. The
main edifice is 63 X 78 feet ; the wings are each 50 X 75 feet. The
basement story is 10 feet high ; the first story is 13 feet ; the second,
16 feet ; the third, 19 feet, and the fourth story of the west wing is
28 feet to the crown of the ceiling at the base of the skylights. The
southeast corner of the west wing terminates in a ventilating shaft
8x8 feet and 105 feet high ; and the northwest corner of the east
wing terminates in the main tower, 15x15 feet at base and 130 feet
high. The building is of red bricks, with facings and trimmings of
a drab-colored calciferous limestone. Its beauty is due not to super-
fluous ornamentation, but to the harmony of its proportions and its
massiveness. Through the basement there is a corridor 10 feet wide
running through the center from end to end. The first story has a
main corridor 10x166 feet, running entirely through the building.
This is intersected by cross-corridors extending from the front to
the rear entrances. On the north side of the main corridor there
are four large schoolrooms for the use of the model classes. On
the right of the entrance of the main tower there is a reception-
room 20 X 25 feet. On the opposite or south side of the main cor-
ridor the rooms above described are duplicated. Opposite the
reception-room is a gentlemen's cloakroom. In the main building,
in the second story, is the normal school "assembly-room"; its
dimensions are 63 X 78 feet. In the east wing, beginning with the
392' HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
main tower, we find the principal's office, the library and two large
recitation-rooms. In the west wing are two large recitation-rooms,
one in each corner, and two large wardrobe-rooms for ladies, each
12x35 feet, communicating with corridor and assemblj-room. In
the third story of main building we have "!N^ormal Hall," capable of
seating 800 to 1,000 persons. In the west wing, and connecting
with corridor and Normal Hall, are four recitation-rooms. The east
wing is occupied by a suite of rooms connected by open arches,
designed to be used for a museum. In fourth story of the west
wing there are two rooms, 32 X 35 feet each, separated by a corridor,
and with ceiling extending to the crown of the roof, 23 feet in
height. These rooms are lighted by skylights, and are intended for
a gallery of art. The steps at each of the five entrances of the
building are of massive, solid masonry, and are of easy ascent.
The corridors at each extremity are entered by spacious vestibules.
The stairs leading to the several stories are easy of ascent, the risers
being seven inches each, and the treads, which are very wide, being
made of solid two-inch oak plank, finished in oil. The heating and
ventilation of the building are upon the plan known as the Ruttan
system. There are seven furnaces properly located in the basement.
Underneath the furnaces the cold air from without is introduced
through ducts having an area of section equal to from eight to ten
square feet each.
Space cannot be given to a further description of this beautiful
structure, which is acknowledged to be, even at the date of this
writing, in 1883, the most perfect building of the kind in the
Northwest. The plans of this building were subsequently adopted,
with little change, for the State Normal Schools at BuflFalo, New
York, and at Carbondale, Illinois.
It should be stated that the admirable adaptation of this building
to the existing and prospective wants of the school, and its nearly
faultless construction, are largely due to the experienced judgment,
wise forethought and energetic management of the principal. Prof.
Wm. F. Phelps, who was permitted to enjoy the fruits of his zealous
labors, and to carry forward in this building his plans for the
organization of a normal school of national reputation, until he
voluntarily resigned this position in 1876.
The following is a summary of the contributions made by the
citizens of Winona to the school and building :
SKETCH OF THE STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. 395
Original subscription of $7,000 to secure site, with appreciation in values $10,000
Subscription for purchase of block 4, Sanborn's addition 5,000
Donation by city of block 3, Sanborn's addition 6,000
The vacation of street and alleys 2,500
Cash in bonds of city 15,000
Use of city building for eight years, and furnishing expenses 4,500
Total contribution 43,000
In addition to the above the citizens of Winona have paid into
tlie treasury of the school for the tuition of pupils in the model
department the average sum of $1,500 annually for twenty years,
amounting to about $3,000. The present valuation of the site of
the building is $25,000.
The state appropriations for building purposes at various times
amount to the gross sum of $115,837.
In accordance with a plan proposed by Principal Phelps, the
legislature, in 18T1, passed an act establishing in Winona the State
Soldiers' Orphans' Home, and providing for the education of the
children in the normal school. This plan proved to be a wise and
economical one for the state, and of the greatest value to the
children. Nearly one hundred of the soldiers' orphans received
training for several years in the model and normal departments. A
number completed the entire course, and are now filling important
positions in the schools of the state. The growth of the school in
numbers, in reputation, and in all the characteristics of an excellent
training school for teachers, continued without marked interruption
until the legislature in 1876, partly by design and partly by neglect,
failed to make the usual annual appropriation for the support of the
three normal schools of the state.
The normal board was called in ^xtra session. During that
meeting several propositions to close the schools at once were voted
down by a bare majority. The opposition to these propositions was
led by Hon. Thos. Simpson, the resident director at Winona.
Finally the board took action, which was intended merely to
give the normal schools a chance for continuance if they could find
any means of existing without involving the board or incurring a
debt. It was really a life and death struggle with the normal
schools of our state. Had they been closed then, they would have
remained closed, perhaps for ever.
The action of the board availed little ; it said, " Live if you can,
but don't involve us." Liberal-hearted citizens of this city offered
23 t
396 « HISTORY OF WLNONA COUNTY.
to advance money to carry on the school at Winona, but this could
not be accepted under the action of the board. Gen. Sibley, the
president of the board, and Prof. Wm. F. Phelps, the principal at
Winona, resigned.
The resident director determined that the school should not go
down. He made a temporary reduction of the teaching force, some
abatements of salaries, and some extra charges for tuition. He
appealed to the soldiers' orphans' board, who generously responded
by paying tuition for the pupils under their care. By these means,
supplemented by a cash contribution from his own pocket, the school
was kept in vigorous operation until the following year, when the
appropriation was not only restored, but was made permanent. The
action at Winona had much to do with inspiring a like spirit and
determination on the part of the local management of the schools
at Mankato and St. Cloud.
Prof. Charles A. Morey, a member of the faculty and a former
graduate of the school, was elected principal.
The following year saw the school restored to its former condition
of efficiency. In 1878 Principal Morey inaugurated an important
change in the organization of the school by extending the element-
ary course, and establishing an advanced four years' course of study
designed to prepare teachers for the principalship of high and graded
schools.
In May, 1879, Principal Morey resigned his position to enter
upon the practice of law. On the 27th of June Prof. Irwin Shep-
ard, superintendent of the city schools of Winona, was elected prin-
cipal ; since which time the growth of the school in numbers, in
efficiency, and in the confidence of the citizens of the state, has, we
believe, continued without interruption.
The following shows the increase of attendance during the past
four years: 1878-1879, 302; 1879-1880, 342; 1880-1881, 388;
1881-1882, 439; 1882-1883, 485.
Hon. Thos. Simpson, the present resident director, has been a
member of the state normal board continuously since 1868, and has
served as president of the state board and resident director at Win-
ona during most of that time.
The first state teachers' institute, in 1859, the first state conven-
tion of county superintendents, in 1866, and the first institute of
normal instructors, in 1872, were aU held at the Winona normal
school.
SKETCH OF THE STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. 397
The first class which finished the course of this school numbered
sixteen members and were graduated June 28, 1866. Since that
date to June 1, 1883, twenty-five classes numbering 480 members
have graduated, while nearly 3,000 other students have received
instruction for one or more terms. These students, as well as the
graduates, have fulfilled their pledges to the state with singular
fidelity and success. Many of the graduates have been called to
important and lucrative positions in other states from California to
Maine. Several have received appointments to leading positions in
the normal schools of the Argentine Republic, S. A., at salaries
ranging from $1,200 to $2,500.
Prominent among the causes which have contributed to place
the State ITormal School at Winona in the foremost rank of similar
institutions in America should be mentioned the liberal enterprise
and singular devotion to its interests on the part of the citizens of
Winona, as shown by their munificent donations of lands and
money, by their loyal and unwavering championship in the trying
times of legislative inaction and indifference ; by their establishment
of an extensive museum and gallery of art for the free use of the
students ; by their continued patronage and support of the model
school, and by their just and generous pride in the past history, the
present prosperity and the future promise of this educational
institution of the state.
THE SOCIETY OF AKTS, SCIENCES AND LETTERS.
On May 24, 1871, a preliminary meeting was held in Kormal
Hall for the purpose of organizing a society for the promotion of a
knowledge of art, science and literature.
At an adjourned meeting held June 12, articles of association
were adopted. The corporate members were Wm. F. Phelps, Thos.
Simpson, Abner Lewis, Mary Y. Lee, C. C. Curtiss, O. B. Gould,
Sarah L. Wheeler and C. H. Berry. The plans of the society
provided for "the fitting of rooms in the First State Normal
building for a museum of natural history and physical science, and
for a department of drawing and the arts of design ; the collection,
classification and arrangement of specimens in natural history and
archaeology, and of models in physics and the fine arts ; the collec-
tion of facts and objects pertaining to local or general history ; the
establishment and support, on the grounds of the normal school, of
a botanical garden ; the arrangement and ornamentation of the
398 HISTORY OF WLNONA COUNTY.
grounds ; the gathering of a library of standard works in all depart-
ments of science, literature and art ; the collection and preservation
of all collections, and, by lectures and other appropriate means, the
elevation of the public taste."
Previous to the organization of this society, citizens of Winona
had placed in the normal school building, for the use of the students,
private collections of minerals and other specimens. Principal
Phelps had contributed a valuable collection, and the Hon. Thos.
Simpson had donated his entire cabinet of mineral specimens, which
he had been gathering for many years in Iowa, Wisconsin and
Minnesota. The proprietorship of these collections was vested in
the new society. The collections were increased from time to time
by additional contributions.
In 1876 the citizens of Winona, at the advice and solicitation of
Professor Wm. F. Phelps, contributed about $3,500 for the purchase
of the Woodman collection of corals, shells, minerals and fossils.
This valuable collection, and those previously belonging to the
society, were arranged in suitable cases in the geological hall of the
normal building in 1878, under the superintendence of Principal
Chas. A. Morey. The following contract was subsequently made
with the state normal board :
1. The society agrees that its collections, apparatus, pictures, etc., shall
remain in the rooms now occupied by them so long as the building shall be
used for the purpose of a state normal school.
2. That said collections, etc., shall be forever free to the use of the normal
school in said building, its teachers and pupils, and that said collections shall
not be removed, either in whole or in part, for any purpose whatever.
3. That, to prevent interference with the operations of the school, the times
of opening said rooms to the public shall be as the principal and resident
director of the school shall from time to time direct, and not otherwise.
4. That the society shall bear all expense of classifying, arranging and
BIRDS OF WINONA COUNTY. 399
putting in position all specimens and objects, and of preserving the order and
condition of the same : Provided, That the state normal board agrees : 1. T(j
furnish to the society, rent free, the room now occupied by its collections ; to
heat, light and keep the same in repair as long as the building shall be used
for the purposes of a normal school. 2. To give to the society the use of such
cases, platforms and fixtures as are already placed in said rooms, and to build
others as the acquisitions of the society may demand. 3. To furnish janitor's
services for said rooms, as their use may demand.
This museum lias become one of the most extensive and com-
plete in the west. Three large rooms, connected by arches, are
lined with cases which are filled with specimens of minerals, fossils,
birds and animals. A large case in the center of the room contains
the skeleton of a mastodon. Two spacious rooms in the fourth
story of the building are devoted to the exhibition of art subjects.
A curator devotes a large portion of his time to the care of the
museum and to the collection, classification and arrangement of
specimens in all departments of natural history.
CHAPTER XXXIY.
BIRDS OF WINONA COUNTY.
The following are the birds known to exist in this county : duck
hawk, pigeon hawk (common), sparrow hawk, sharp-shinned hawk.
Cooper's hawk, marsh hawk, harrier or mouse hawk, red-tailed
hawk (common), red-shouldered hawk (scarce), broad-winged hawk,
bald eagle, great-horned owl, long-eared owl, screech owl, barred
owl (summer), short-eared owl, snowy owl, saw-whet owl, hawk
owl, day owl, black-billed cuckoo, yellow-billed cuckoo, hairy wood-
pecker, downy woodpecker, black-backed three-toed woodpecker,
yellow-bellied woodpecker, ileated woodpecker, log cock, red-
headed woodpecker, pigeon woodpecker, ruby-throated humming-
bird, chimney swallow, night hawk, bull-bat, whippoorwill, belted
kingfisher, kingbird, wood-pewee, olive-sided flj^catcher, pewee,
Phebe-bird, wood thrush, robin, brown thresher, catbird, red-
breasted bluebird, titmouse, chickadee, white-bellied nut-hatch,
American creeper, long-billed marsh wren, short-billed marsh wren,
house wren, skylark, shorelark, black and white creeper, Maryland
yellow-throat, black-poll warbler, scarlet tanager, barn swallow,
blue-backed swallow, eave swallow, bank swallow, purpl^ martin.
400 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
wax-wing, Bohemian chatterer, cedar-bird, cherry-bird, great north-
ern shrike, red-eyed vireo, purple-finch, red-poll linnet, snow bunt-
ing, snowbird, swamp sparrow, song sparrow, tree sparrow, field
sparrow, chipping sparrow, fox sparrow (frequent), rose-breasted
grossbeak, ring-rail (occasional), bobolink, ricebird, cowbird, red-
winged blackbird, yellow-headed bird, meadow lark, orchard oriole
(not common), Baltimore oriole (common), crow blackbird, crow
(on the increase), bluejay, wild pigeon (never abundant), common
dove, pinnated grouse (scarce), ruffed grouse, quail (nearly exter-
minated), woodcock, Wilson snipe, jack snipe, bittern, stakedriver,
least bittern (on river bottoms), marsh hen, Virginia rail, coot (in
marshes). Besides these, there are met occasionally the sandpiper,
the great blue heron, the green heron, the wild goose and brant,
the blue-winged teal, the hooded merganser, the widgeon, the pin-
tail, the mallard, the butterball duck, the wood duck, and other
ducks. The wood duck breeds here.
THE WINONA COUNTY PRESS.
The pioneers of Winona evinced a thorough appreciation of the
power of the press as an important element in promoting the welfare
of the young city, and in the development of the promising terri-
tory of Minnesota. The first newspaper established was the "Winona
Argus," September 7, 1854. It was published by Wm. Ashley
Jones & Co., weekly, democratic in politics. Wm. Ashley Jones,
Captain Sam Whiting, M. Wheeler Sargent and Kobert T. Hunter
were among the contributors. Samuel Melvin, at the present time
a mercbant in Winona, was foreman in the Argus ofiice. He pur-
chased an interest in the paper in January, 1855, and continued about
a year and a half, when he sold back to Wm. Ashley Jones, and the
paper continued about a year and a half longer, during which Mr.
Cozzens was for a time editor. After vicissitudes incident to a
western town twenty years ago, it was compelled to suspend its pub-
lication in the month of September, 1857, not however, until it had
accomplished a good work for southern Minnesota.
The "Winona Weekly Express" was the next venture in jour-
nalism. It was established about August 1, 1855, Wilson C. Huff,
son of H. D. Huff, being the editor. The Express continued until
after the election in November, when the office and material were
purchased by a company formed to establish "The Winona Kepub-
lican."
THE WINONA COUNTY PRESS. 401
In the fall of 1855, some earnest republicans formed a joint-
stock company, pm-chased the material of the "Winona Express,"
and on the 21st of November, 1855, issued the first number of the
' ' Winona Weekly Republican. " The names of these stockholders
were Charles Eaton, E. L. King, C. F. Buck, A. P. Foster, H. C.
Jones, A. C. Jones, E. H. Murray, J. B. Stockton, J. S. Denman,
H. T. Wickersham, Rufus Crosby, O. S. Holbrook, St. A. D. Bal-
combe, John L. Balcombe, Matthew Ewing, W. G. Dye, J. H.
Jacoby, L. H. Springer. The newspaper was a seven-column
sheet and conducted with ability. The editor was Captain Sam
Whiting. The business manager was Walter G. Dye, who continiied
to occupy that position, with slight intervals, for about twenty-five
years. Messrs. Foster and Dye purchased the stock of the other
shareholders and became sole proprietors. On the 19th of June,
1856, D. Sinclair purchased the interest of A. P. Foster in the estab-
lishment, and it thus became the sole property of Messrs. Sinclair
& Dye. In the fall of 1856 Mr. Dye disposed of his interest in the
concern to Messrs. Balcombe, Murray, Buck and King, who in a
short time sold out to W. C. Dodge. The latter continued his con-
nection with the paper only a few months, retiring on the 3rd of
February, 1857, and being succeeded by Mr. Dye, who repurchased
one halt of the establishment. At this time the firm name was
changed to D. Sinclair & Co., and has so remained ever since.
On the 2d of April, 1861, Sheldon C. Carey purchased one half
interest in "The Republican" from Mr. Dye, who retired. Mr. Carey
continued a member of the firm until his death on the night of De-
cember 28 of the same year he entered it, when he was drowned in
the Mississippi river, Wisconsin, while out with a small party on a
sleighing excursion. His death caused the most poignant grief in
the community.
On the first of July, 1865, Mr. Dye resumed connection with "The
Republican " as joint partner with Mr. Sinclair, and November 25,
1866, Mr. John Dobbs, an experienced practical bookbinder, became
one of the firm, purchasing one third interest in " The Republican"
establishment. In 1859 the proprietors of " The Republican " de-
termined to try the experiment of a daily paper in Winona, and on
the 19th of November issued the first number of the "Daily Re-
view," a three-column paper somewhat larger than a sheet of fools-
cap. The publication of this little paper demonstrated the readiness
of the people of Winona to support — not a first-class journal, but
402 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
one of respectable size, considering the times. Accordingly the
"Daily Review" was stopped, andj on the 19th of December, 1859,
the " Winona Daily Republican " was started on its career. It was a
five-column sheet, but was enlarged to a six-column sheet on the 8th
of April, 1861, and on the 1st of July, 1865, it was enlarged to a
seven-column sheet, its present form. The " Weekly Republican"
has the honor of being the oldest republican newspaper in the state.
In 1867 the "well arranged three-story brick "Republican"
building with basement was built. It was occupied in February,
1868. On the first oi January, 1881, Mr. Dye retired, selling his
interest to Mr. Sinclair. Mr. P. G. Hubbell, who had been con-
nected with the office since 1864, was appointed business manager,
and so continued until the first of January, 1883, when Mr. W. E.
Smith bought a third interest in the establishment, and Mr. Hub-
bell assumed the duties of managing editor of ' ' The Republican. "
Through a long established career ' ' The Republican, " under the
superior editorial management of Mr. Sinclair, has wielded a potent
influence on the aifairs of the county and state, while for the city of
its choice it has ever been the zealous advocate and faithful friend.
It is entitled to great credit as one of the important agencies in the
development of Winona.
Returning to the history of other newspapers in the early years
of the county, "The Times" was started by a man who came
from Fountain City, Wisconsin. The proprietor purchased the ma-
terial of the " Argus," but continued only a few months.
"The Democrat" was started on September 9, 1858, by C. W.
Cottom, who came here from Rochester. He published an eight-
column paper. In the course of a year or two he sold out to the
Democrat Printing Company.
On the 11th of December, 1860, the "Tri-Weekly Democrat"
was started by the Democrat Printing Company, with J. L. Thomp-
son, printer ; C. W. Cottom, editor ; Wm. T. Hubbell, city editor.
This was a five-column sheet. In the following summer the paper
was closed out and was succeeded by "The State."
"The Winona Daily State" was established by Massey &
Wheeler, July 11, 1861. It was a six-column paper. The daily
was a morning paper, but it existed only a few weeks. Mr. Wheeler
retired and Mr. Massey continued the publication of the "Weekly
State," which was first issued July 17, 1861. After an existence of
a year or two the ' ' State " suspended.
THE WINONA COUNTY PRP^SS. 403
"The Winona Weekly Democrat'' was established by A. G.
Reed September 17, 1864, It was a seven-column paper and lived
some two or three years.
The "Democratic Press," which was issued by Messrs. Mes-
ervey & Pomeroy, was another, venture, which appeared in the fall
of 1865, but continued only about six months.
"The Winona Daily Democrat" was established January 8,
1868, by Green & Gile. It was a four-page, seven-column journal.
It was afterward owned by Green & Dresbach, and then by the
Democrat Printing Company. It suspended after a few months.
On the 7th of May, 1869, "The Winona Herald," a demo-
cratic weekly newspaper, was established by Mr. W. J, Whipple.
It is still in existence under the proprietorship of Mr. Whipple,
though leased to Mr. T. A. Dailey in the summer of 1882.
On February 13, 1869, an amateur paper entitled "The North
Star" was started by some young men, with Geo. T. Griffith, editor ;
Wm. F. Worthington, publisher ; H. G. Smith, treasurer ; John N.
Nind, subscription agent. The little journal subsequently passed
into the hands of Fred. W. Flint and John N. Nind, by whom it
was published for several months.
In 1872 another amateur paper, "The Novelty Press," was
started at Homer by R. F. Norton. It was afterward removed to
Winona and conducted by Eber Norton. In 1879, November 28, it
was bought by Geo. B. Dresbach and the name changed to "The
Democrat." In January, 1880, it was sold to Hiler, Busdicker
and Dresbach, and was purchased in January, 1882, by Fred. W.
Flint.
On the 9th of October, 1873, E. Gerstenhauer established a
German weekly called "The Winona Adler," which still con-
tinues under the same proprietor.
On the 4th of July, 1873, the " St. Charles Times " was estab-
lished by H. W. Hill. It was democratic in politics and continued
until January 1, 1883, when it suspended.
On May 24, 1875, "The Sunday Morning Dispatch" was
issued by D. B. Sherwood. Only one number appeared, the pro-
prietor returning to Michigan.
On the 24th of April, 1876, "The Monday Morning Bulletin"
was started by John Seigler. It continued for a few months and
was removed to Wabasha, Minnesota.
In 1877, August 11, "The Saturday Evening Postman " appeared
404
HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
under the editorship and management of W. A. Chapman. It ex-
isted for only a short time.
On January 3, 1877, the ^'St. Charles Union" was established
by Joseph S. Whiton. It is independent republican in politics,
and a paper of general circulation in the western part of the county.
January 21, 1881, a German weekly newspaper, "The West-
Kcher Herald," was started by Leicht & Schmid. The firm changed
to Leicht & Hunger July 1, 1881, and again to Joseph Leicht Jan-
uary 1, 1883, who is the present proprietor.
WINONA PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 405
During 1881 the ''Utica Transcript," a short-lived paper, was
started at Utica by O. S. Keed.
On the 2d of July, 1881, "The Winona Daily Tribune" was
established by F. W. Flint as an evening independent republican
paper. About the first oi July, 1882, it was sold to Morrissey &
Bunn and changed to a democratic paper in politics, still retaining
the name of "The Tribune." In January following the paper was
sold to a stock company and changed to a morning paper. It con-
tinued until April, 1882, when it suspended.
The year 1883, therefore, finds the following newspapers in
existence in this county: "The Winona Republican," daily and
weekl}^, republican in politics, established in 1855; "The Winona
Herald," weekly, democratic, established in 1869; "The Winona
Adler," German weekly, democratic, established in 1873; "The
St. Charles Union." weekly, independent republican, established in
1877; "The Westlicher Herald," German, weekly, democratic,
established in 1881.
CHAPTER XL.
WINONA PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
As introductory to the history of the public schools of the city of
Winona, as they have existed since the organization of the "board
of education of the city of Winona," April 19, 1861, some mention
is necessary to be made of the early educational work of the territory
now included within the city limits. The first attempt at school
teaching that was ever made in this region was in the summer of
1852, by Miss Angelia Gere, a young girl of fourteen or fifteen
years of age, who collected a few small children in the shanty of
Mrs. Goddard (known through all this region for the past twenty-
five years as Aunt Catharine Smith). As nearly as the memory of
old residents can fix such matters, this school was only continued
for a few weeks, the instruction was of the most primitive kind, and
the number of little ones eight or ten. The following summer, 1853,
Mrs. E. B. Hamilton opened a school in her own little house at the
lower end of the prairie. This school had been in session about two
or three weeks when it was abruptly closed by the death of the
teacher, who was killed by a stroke of lightning, June 19.
406 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
In the fall of 1853 a private school was opened by Miss "Willis,
long since married and settled in Chatfiekl, and this was the first
school, that really deserved the name, opened on the prairie. Miss
Willis was followed in 1854 by Miss Hettie Houck, now Mrs. W. H.
Stevens, of this city, who taught a subscription school in a building
belonging to Aunt Catharine Smith, on the corner of Front and
Franklin streets. The number of pupils in this school was about
twenty-five ; the teacher was engaged at a regular salary ; no tuition
fee was demanded ; the funds were provided by voluntary subscrip-
tion, and the school is really entitled to the name of the first public
school of Winona.
During the winter of 1854-5 a school was opened by Mr. Henry
Bolcom, in a small building on Second street, afterward known
as Wagner's saloon. This school was supported largely in the same
manner as that of Miss Houck's, the school-tax for the district
never having been collected. The pupils in attendance during the
winter term numbered about thirty.
In the summer of 1855 Miss Almeida Trutchell, subsequently
Mrs. David Smith, taught school in the embryo city. The following
winter, 1855-6, Geo. C. Buckman, now of Waseca, Minnesota,
wielded the birch. Mr. H. C. Bolcom, who had been attending
term at Oberlin College, Ohio, having returned to Winona, was
employed as teacher during the winter of 1856-7, and his work in
that line closed with the closing of the spring term. The original
school district No. 2 had been divided in the spring of 1854, prior
to which time there was but one school district on the prairie. No.
14, the new district, comprised that part of the town plat west of
Lafayette street ; but for particulars concerning these matters, see
history of Winona county schools. In the fall of 1857 a union, by
mutual agreement of the two districts, was effected, and the trustees
of the separate districts became informally the board of the quasi
united one. These trustees were for No. 2, Col. H. C. Johnson,
Andrew Smith and H. C. Bolcom ; tor No. 14, Dr. J. D. Ford,
Dr. A. S. Ferris and John lams. Rev. Geo. C. Tanner was
employed as principal for the union or grammar school, as it was
called ; commenced his work November 17, 1857, and before the
close of the winter four schools were in operation. The teachers of
these schools were : Eev. Tanner, his wife. Miss Wealthy Tucker,
who taught the primary, in what is now ward 1 of the city, and John
Sherman, who taught in the lower part of the city. Of the early
WINONA PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 407
Winona schools, from 1856 to 1860, at which time his services were
transferred to the normal schools, Dr. Ford was the mainstay, and
pages might be written concerning the straits into which the
hoard were often driven to maintain the schools. As an instance,
we may note the concert held in the L. D. Smith building, with Dr.
Ford and his daughter and W. S. Drew as principal fuglemen. The
proceeds were applied to the purchase of a terrestrial globe, the
first article of school apparatus purchased for the Winona public
schools. This globe, which should have been preserved as a relic,
was burned in the fire of July 5, 1862. Rev. Tanner was succeeded
in the fall of 1858 by Mrs. A. W. Thomas, who was his assistant
during the latter part of his schoolwork here.
There was a constant increase in the work of the schools from
this time forward. In the fall of 1859 Mr. Y. J. Walker was
employed as principal, and his work continued long after the city
schools were established upon a solid foundation. In this work his
wife, a most excellent teacher, was associated with him, and their
influence in the young life of the city and its schools cannot be told
in words. For the eighteen months elapsing from the time of Mr.
Walker's assuming charge of the schools until they were turned over
to the city board of education at its organization, no record survives.
The final report of the districts to that board are lost, and all we
know is by the memories reviving twenty-four years of eventful
history, in which so much relating to those early times has passed
into forgetfulness that it is impossible to reproduce it even approxi-
mately. We only know that the schools had no permanent abiding-
places, that accommodations were difficult to be found and good
quarters impossible to be received, money scarce and times hard, jet
out of all the schools emerged tried as by fire, to approve the wisdom
of their early management.
BOARD OF EDUCATION.
By special act of Minnesota state legislature, approved March 7,
1861, under the title "An act for the establishment and better
regulation of the common schools of the city of Winona," all the
school districts and parts of school districts within the corporate
limits of the city of Winona were consolidated to form one district,
the regulation and management of which was committed to a " board
of education," for the creation and government of which the special
act above cited made provision. By the terms of this act it was
408 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
ordered that at the time of lioldiug the regular charter election in
the city, one school director in each ward should be elected,' who, in
order to qualify, should take a prescribed oath of office, and that
the directors thus chosen, together with the principal of the State
Normal School at "Winona, should form the city board of education.
It was plainly the intention of the act, as indicated by its wording,
to make all resident members of the normal school board ex officio
members of the city board of education, but this intention was
defeated by the omission of a material word in the engrossing of the
act. Thus the school board of the city at its organization was con-
stituted with but four members, one each from the three wards of the
city, and the principal of the State Normal School at Winona. The
special provisions of this act of March 7, 1861, it is not necessary
to make further allusion to, as it was superseded by the act of
legislature approved March 8, 1862, which latter act it was declared
should be construed as of a public nature and subversive of the act
of the previous year. By the terms of the new act the election
of two school directors from each ward was provided for, the terms
of office of such directors fixed at two years, and the directors thus
chosen to constitute the ''city board of education," thus effectually
severing all connection with the normal school authorities in the
management of the public schools of the city. By the act of March,
1862, provision was also made for the election of a superintendent
for the city schools ; members of the board of education were
debarred from receiving compensation for their services as such ;
annual reports were required to be made to the county auditor and
to the state superintendent of schools, and the board of education
was invested with such powers as were deemed necessary to their
existence, government and effective work as a corporate body
entrusted with the onerous duty of providing the best possible
educational facilities for the children and youth of a growing city.
To preserve the homogeneousness of the educational work throughout
the state, the board of education was made amenable (as far as
practically applicable) to the general school law of the state, and to
the rules established by the state superintendent of public instruc-
tion. There was one provision of this act destined in the course of
events to become a fruitful source of contention between the common
council of the city and the city board of education, and for this
reason, if no other, it must be specially noted. This was the clause
by which the city council was empowered to pass upon the annual
WESrONA PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 409
estimates for school expenses presented b}^ the board of education,
and to accept or reject the same in whole or in part as tliej deemed
best. The city treasurer was made the custodian of all school
funds paid in under the tax levies ordered by the council or other-
wise derived, and required under penalty to keep the same separate
and distinct from all other funds in his hands. The act also pro-
vided for equitable payment of all judgment liens against the board
without issuing execution against the school property of the city.
At the time the act of the legislature creating the "board of
education of the city of Winona" became operative, March 7, 1861,
the city was divided into three wards, and at the charter election in
April of that year the several wards elected members of the board
of education as follows : First ward, Thomas Simpson ; second
ward, Richard Jackson ; third ward, John Keyes ; and these gentle-
men, with Prof. John Ogden, principal of the State Normal School at
Winona, were the original board of education for the city of
Winona. The "board" met April 13, 1861, for organization and
elected Thomas Simpson president and John Keyes clerk ; Prof.
John Ogden was made superintendent of city schools, and the
"board of education of the city of Winona" became a fixed insti-
tution.
Concerning these gentlemen, who twenty-two years ago com-
posed the first board of education of this city, it may not be amiss
to state that Prof. Ogden left the city in December, 1861, and is now
in charge of a private normal school at Fayette, Ohio. Thomas
Simpson is still a resident of the city, in active professional life,
and president of the State Normal School board. Richard Jackson
was several years in business in this city and died here early in 1875.
John Keyes, justly entitled to the honor so generally accorded him
as "father of the Winona public schools," died on the old Keyes
homestead in the eastern part of the city, December 2, 1876, at
which time he had been a resident of Winona a little over twenty-
three years. The informal union of the two school districts within
the city limits, and their harmonious working for nearly four years
prior to their legal consolidation, were very largely owing to the
disinterestedness, good judgment and abiding interest in educa-
tional matters displayed by Mr. Keyes. His work by no means
ended with the formation of the school board. As clerk of that
board during the first seven years of its existence, during which
time the high school building was erected, he became so much an
410 HISTORY OF WINON"A COUNTY.
integral part of the public school administration of the city during
that early formative period, that his influence in the educational
life of the city can scarcely be overrated. Appropriate resolu-
tions bearing testimony to his valuable services as an oflicer and
member of the city school board were spread upon the records of
that . body, and the memory of his labors will long survive his
generation.
The great fire of July 5, 1862 (to which reference is so
frequently made in this work) destroyed the records of the board of
education, including the records of the schools which had preceded
the organization of the board. It is therefore impossible to give any
authentic statement concerning the condition of the schools at the
time they passed under the control of the board of education. A
general statement made by Mr. Keyes, as secretary of the board,
shortly after the Are, appears among the records. From this we
learn that April 13, 1861, the board of education, on assuming
charge of public school matters in Winona, found themselves in
possession, by transfer from the old school districts numbers two
and fourteen, of some old school furniture, one terrestrial globe,
one set of outline maps, some rented rooms in various parts of the
city, some indebtedness, no school buildings or sites in fee, or
money. The sum of $285 was subsequently paid to settle the
accounts of one of the old districts, and it is only a reasonable
probability, from information obtained, that the board expended
about $500 in settling the affairs of the old districts. The public
schools as then existing, April 13, 1861, were one grammar school,
or high school, as it was called, of which Y. J. Walker was principal,
and five primary schools scattered through the various wards of the
city, occupying such buildings as could be the most cheaply rented
for that purpose. The systematic grading of the schools was
immediately undertaken by the board and the entire schoolwork of
the city reorganized. The schools as thus established were one
high school, 07ie grammar school, three secondary and four primary
schools. The estimate made for the ensuing three months' expenses,
at the expiration of which the school year as equally established
would close, was $1,000. This estimate was approved by the
council and the schools opened as organized under the new arrange-
ment. A report of the schoolwork for the fractional year ending
August 31, 1861, gives the following figures : Number of children
of school age in the district, 772 ; number of children enrolled in
wr!sro]S"A public schools. 413
the schools, 382 ; average attendance, 252. The total ex])enditures
for the three school months were $932.68, itemized as follows :
Teachers' salaries $703, repairs and furniture $151.64, rents $73.04,
fuel $5.
The estimated expenses of the schools from September, 1861, to
close of the spring term of 1862 were $2,175, which added to the
amount previously levied, $1,000, gives a total of $3,157, to carry
on the nine schools of the city from April, 1861, to the close of the
school year, August 31, 1862. The work of grading the schools
undertaken and partially accomplished the previous year was now
completed. The number of schools remained as previously estab-
lished and the several rooms occupied by them prior to the fire of
July 5, 1862, were: primary — (1) Kenosha Ale House; (2) Hancock's
building, upstairs ; (3) Hubbard's Hall, second story ; (4) Mrs. J.
S. Hamilton's building, in the third ward. Secondary — (1) South
room Hancock's building ; (2) Cooper's, then Hancock building ;
(3) Hubbard's Hall, first floor. Grammar school was held on the
first floor of the Hancock building, north room until April, wjien it
was removed to the brick schoolroom on Front street.
The high school was first in the Hancock building, then in the
"brick schoolroom," and from thence removed to the city building
when the grammar school took possession of the brick room on
Front street. The rentals for the year were $293, exclusive of
the Hancock building, the use of which had been generously do-
nated to the school board by the proprietors.
The election for members of the school board in 1862 was
under the act of legislature, approved March 8 of that year, re-
quiring the return of two members from each ward. The members
of the board as thus constituted were : first ward — Thomas Simp-
son ; W. S. Drew, who did not qualify, and the board filled the
vacancy by electing E. Worthington ; second ward — T. B. Welch,
E. D. Cone ; third ward — F. Kroeger, John Keyes.
On the third Monday in April, as required by law, the board
met and organized, with Thomas Simpson president and John Keyes
clerk. The Rev. David Burt was elected superintendent of schools
for the city, his compensation for services fixed at $100 per annum,
and a like amount voted the clerk as salary. The estimated ex-
penses for carrying on the schools for the year beginning Sep-
tember 1, 1862, are not given in full, but the tax levy submitted to
the council for approval was for $2,945. The whole amount ex-
24
414 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
pended certainij doubled that sum. The public moneys of 1858 for
districts numbers two and fourteen aggregated $1,130, and at this
time, 1862, there was not only a marked increase in the number of
school age within the district, but also in the ratio of appropriation
to each individual. The wages paid teachers by the board at this
time were as follows : principal of high school, per month, $55 ;
teacher of grammar school, per month, $35 ; secondary school,
per month, $22. 50 ; primary school, per month, $20.
The necessity of establishing the schools in permanent quarters
had long been apparent to the friends of education in the city, and
the question of building schoolhouses as the state of the treasury
would permit from time to time was freely agitated. At some
meeting of the board prior to July 5, 1862, a resolution to build a
schoolhouse in ward No. 3 was adopted. Lots 5 and 6 in block
15, Hamilton's addition to the city of Winona, were purchased and
the contract let for building a ward schoolhouse, at a cost, including
lots, of $1,760. As we do not intend to follow the history of the
several schools through their temporary quarters to their final es-
tablishment in their present permanent homes, we state here that
this first purchase of two lots in block 15 was subsequently followed
by the purchase of the entire block, and upon it in 1876 the present
Washington school building was erected, as will be more particu-
larly noted hereafter. It was at this juncture, close of spring term
of 1862, that the fire, before mentioned, swept away the brick
schoolroom on Front street, and destroyed (among scores of others)
the office of secretary John Keyes, obliterating every vestige of
record concerning the schoolwork of the city, from the opening of
Miss Angelia Gere's nursery school in 1852 to the latest minute of
the board of education made in June, 1862. * * *
The first meeting after the fire was held June 9, 1862, in the
office of the secretary, and vigorous effi^rts made to provide accom-
modations for the schools to be opened the ensuing term. These
efforts were eminently successful, and the work of the schools was
systematically resumed at the opening of the school year. The
school report for the year then ended, August 31, 1862, showed no
change in the census returns of children of school age within the
district from those presented for the previous year, but the enroll-
ment had increased from 382 in 1861 to 419 in 1862. A reduction
had in the meantime been made in the number of schools sus-
tained by the board, one of the secondary grade having been discon-
WINONA PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 415
tinued. In October of this year the clerk of the board, as required
by law, took the census of children of school age, upon which cen-
sus returns the division of public moneys to the schools throughout
the state was based, and reported an increase of 188 over the census
of 1861-2, No special change is to be noted in the school work for
the year ending August 31, 1863. The number of schools remained
unchanged, and the old officers of the board were continued at the
head of aft'airs, as was also the superintendent. Though no special
changes occurred in the schoolwork the board itself was making
progress. The school building in ward three was completed as per
contract some time in December, 1862, and on January 1, 1863, this,
the first school building erected for school purposes by the school
authorities of Winona, was dedicated to the uses for which it was
constructed. Thomas Simpson, as president of the board of educa-
tion, presided at the opening exercises, and delivered an appropriate
address, the manuscript of which lies before us as we write. Action
was taken this year in the matter of purchasing school sites in wards
numbers two and three; the salaries of clerk and superintendent were
raised to $150 each per annum;- the clerk was instructed to advertise
for contracts for a school building in the first ward ; the Steam's
schoolhouse, in the second ward, was purchased at a cost of $415,
exclusive of ground rent, which was fixed at $10 per annum ; lots
1 and 2 in block 119, original plat of Winona, were purchased,
and contract closed with Mr. Conrad Bohn to erect a school build-
ing upon them at a cost, including fencing, of $2,200. This contract
was entered into August 22, 1863, and with this action of the board
closed the transactions of that school year. The building on block
15, Hamilton's addition (as also the one now under contract by Mr.
Bohn), was a two-story frame, arranged for the accommodation of
two schools, one on each floor. The building in the first ward, when
completed, was occupied for school purposes by the board, and so
continued until the erection of the Madison school building in
1875 ; since then the old house known as the Jefferson school
building has been provisionally turned over to the city council
for the use of the fire department.
The census returns for the new school year 1863-4 showed a
material increase in the number of children in the city, 1,221 being
the number reported by the clerk. The increased number of children
demanded increased accommodations, and the school of secondary
grade, discontinued in 1862-3, was reopened, making the whole
416 HISTORY OF WINONA COinSTTY.
number ot schools under the care of the board ten. January 15, 1864,
Mr. Burt resigned his office as superintendent of Winona public
schools, and Dr. F. H. Staples, a practicing physician of the city, was
elected to fill the vacancy. Dr. Staples discharged the duties of
superintendent until September 4, 1865, when he resigned, and was
succeeded by Prof. Y. J. Walker, who taught the Union Grammar
School of the city from the fall of 1859 until the organization of
the city school board, when he was elected principal of the high
school, April, 1861. Mr. Walker continued to perform his double
duties as high school principal and superintendent of city schools
until the close of the school year in 1869, at which time he closed a
very successful term of ten years as principal of public schools in
Winona.
By the charter election of 1864 a change was made in the mem-
bership of the board of education, and upon the organization of the
board L. B. Tefft was elected president; secretary Keyes still in office.
The estimates for the year opening September 1, 1864, were for one
high school, one grammar school, four secondary schools, six pri-
mary schools, all of which were opened with the exception of one
secondary, the total number being eleven schools. To provide for
maintaining these during a school year of ten months the estimated
tax required was $12,000, $5,000 of that amount to apply to a fund
for the erection of a suitable central school building, which the
necessities of the schools demanded and the wisdom of the board was
forecasting. The salaries of teachers at this time had somewhat
appreciated. Wages were per month, high school, $65 ; grammar
school, $35 ; secondaries, $25 ; primaries, $22.
The officers of the board were not changed in the spring of 1865,
and the school registers bore the names of 806 pupils, the actual
enrollment for that year. The estimated expenses for the year
opening September 1, 1865, were $16,500. The actual tax levy was
$9,632.78, with an item of $5,000 for central school fund. At the
close of school year, August 31, 1865, the city owned three wooden
buildings, the total valuation of which, including furniture, was
$5,000, the buildings accommodating five of the eleven schools main-
tained by the board.
The school year 1865-66 was an eventful one. The board had
previously selected block 37 of the original town plot, as the site of
the proposed central building, and acquired title to several of the lots
thereon. The work of receiving possession of the entire block was
WINONA PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 417
pushed vigorously, and on May 15, J 866, title was perfected and the
block secured. Bids for the erection of a suitable central school
building had been advertised for in the meantime, and contracts
awarded to Conrad Bohn, of this city, three days prior to perfecting
title. The contract price of structure was $36,700, the whole
costing with furances and furniture about $52,000. Ground was
immediately broken, walls erected and roof put on that season, and
the building was completed and accepted by the board September 7,
1867, named by them the High School, and the afternoon of Sep-
tember 13th set apart for its formal dedication, which was accord-
ingly done, Hon. Mark Dunnell, of this state, delivering the dedica-
tory address. This building is decidedly an ornament to the city, a
monument to the public spirit of the citizens, and a credit to the
board of education under whose administration it was erected. The
block on which it stands is in the very heart of the best residence
portion of the city. The building faces north, the main entrance
being on Broadway, with side entrances on Walnut and Market
streets. It is a substantial, ornate structure, built of brick and stone,
rising three full stories above the basement, in which are the fur-
naces and fuel rooms. The extreme length from east to west is 96
feet ; from north to south, 82 feet ; height of main walls, 32 feet ; of
gables, 48 feet ; of main ventilating shaft, 72 feet ; of minor venti-
lating turrets, 66 feet; with a tower rising 94 feet from the water-table
to the finial.
The basement is nine feet between floors, the first and second
stories each thirteen feet and the third story, in which is the assembly
room, fifteen feet. A hall eight feet wide running the extreme
length of the building, with double doors at each end, affords ample
means for entrance and exit. The staircases are four and one-half
feet each, and the rooms are fully provided with cloak closets.
There are four recitation rooms, each 28 X 34 feet on the main floor,
and also on the second. The north half of the third story is the
high school room proper, the space on the south side being
divided into recitation rooms for high school classes. The building
is occupied by the following schools : one high school with three reci-
tation rooms, two grammar schools, three secondary schools lettered
A, B, C, four primary schools.
The city superintendent's office is in the tower on the main floor,
a comfortable room 12x12, supplied with a small reference library
and connected with the city telephone exchange.
418 HISTORY OF WmONA COUNTY.
The school census, taken in the tall of 1866, showed 1,952 children
of school age within the city, an increase of 741 in three years.
The census of 1867 showed a further increase 229, making a total of
2,181 for the latter year.
Henry Stevens became president of the board at the annual
meeting in April, 1866, secretary Keyes still retaining office. At
this meeting the salary of clerk was raised to $250 per annum, as
was also that of the superintendent.
No change was made in the officers of the board at their annual
meeting in 1867. When the schools opened in September of that
year the salary of high school principal was fixed at $1,300, and the
wages of female teachers $10 per month.
At the annual spring election in 1868, secretary Keyes was not
returned and the board organized with H. D. Huff, president, and
John Ball, secretary. The following year, 1869, Mr. Ball gave
place to J. M. Sheardown, who held the office of clerk to the
" board " until his resignation in December, 1871. At the annual
meeting in this year, 1869, the salaries of clerk and superintendent
were raised to $300 each per annum. At the close of this school
year a new departure was taken and the office of superintendent of
schools separated from the principalship of the high school. This
position was offered to Prof. Varney, at a salary of $1,500 per
annum, but he declined the offer, and the office was not filled until
October 4, 1869, when the officers of the school board were
authorized to employ Prof. W. P. Hood, which was done as ordered.
The new superintendent entered immediately upon his work and
continued in office until the close of the spring term in 1871.
At the annual meeting in 1870 Gen. C. H. Berry, at present
the senior member of the Winona county bar, was elected president
of the city school board, and held that position by successive re-
elections until he retired from the board in 1878. During these
years the beautiful ward schoolhouses in the east and west ends of
the city were constructed at an aggregate cost of $60,000, and the
educational work oi the city advanced at every point.
June 20, 1871, Prof. F. M. Dodge was elected city superintend-
ent of schools, and his salary fixed at $1,500 per annum. December
15, 1871, Mr. M. Maverick was elected to the clerkship ot the board
of education, made vacant by the resignation of J. M. Sheardown,
and held that office until the election of Dr. J. M. Cole, at the
annual meeting in 1875. December 18, 1871, the board adopted
WINONA PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 419
resolutions recommending the erection of a good three-story brick
building in the first ward, and memorializing the city council to
procure such legislation as would authorize the issue of $15,000 of
school bonds.
The report of the clerk, made October 1, 1872, showed an
increase in the number of schools, census enumeration, enrollment
in schools, expenditures, etc. , the figures being as follows : One
high school, four grammar schools, seven secondary schools, nine
primary ; 2,127 children of school age, an actual enrollment of
1,414 on the school registers. The total receipts from all sources
were shown by the financial statement in August to aggregate
$25,336.68. The schools were maintained during a school year of
ten months, and 22 teachers employed ; average wages of teachers,
gentlemen, $100 per month ; ladies, $55 per month.
The reports made in 1874 show receipts for the year ending
August 31, $42,987; disbursements, $28,987; children of school
age in the city, 3,098 ; children enrolled in the schools, 1,339.
The annual election in 1875 placed Dr. Cole, as before said, at
the clerk's desk, a position held by him for six years, during which
he rendered valuable aid do the educational work of the city.
During this school year the Madison school building was completed
at a cost of about $32,000, and in the annual report of the clerk,
made August, 1876, the following exhibit appears :
Houses owned by the board, four (two brick and two frame);
values of school sites, $25,000 ; values of buildings, $106,060 ; value
of buildings erected during the year, $31,306 ; seating capacity of
buildings, 1,478; receipts for the year, $60,891.28 ; disbursements
for the year, $44,926.40; teachers' wages, $15,420; average wages,
gentlemen, $120 per month ; average wages, ladies, $50 per month.
The Washington school building a facsimile of the Madison
building, was accepted at the hands of the contractor November 17,
1876, and the schools in the eastern part of the city transferred to
their new quarters January 1, 1877. The purchase of block 15,
Hamilton's addition, upon which the Washington building was
erected, lias already been noted. This block on which the Madison
school building stands is the one adjoining that on which the old
Jefferson schoolhouse was built in 1863. This new block, No. 118,
was purchased by the board December 21, 1869, as the site of the
prospective school building for the first ward. A description of the
Madison building will answer for both, as one is almost the perfect
420 HISTORY OF WESrONA COinSTTY.
facsimile of the other. The building is a tine three-story brick,
stone basement and trimmings, with mansard roof. The extreme
length from east to west is 80 feet ; from north to south, 77 feet.
The main walls rise 30 teet above the water-table, and the gables
45 feet. The tower is 80 feet high, and height of the several stories
as follows : Basement, containing furnaces, fuel and storage room,
8-| feet to joists overhead ; first and second stories, each 13 feet ;
third story, 12 feet. Each floor is divided into four recitation rooms,
each 25 X 30 feet, provided with cloakrooms, all the modern appli-
ances for comfort and convenience, and each room seated to accom-
modate from 40 to 56 pupils, according to grade. The several floors
have each a main hall running the extreme length of the building
from east to west, with a cross hall. The main halls are 8 feet wide,
and the cross halls 6 feet 8 inches in the clear. The building fronts
north on "Wabasha street, upon which is the main entrance, with
side entrances on Dakota and Olmsted streets. Free exit is
afforded from the halls on the main floor, in three directions, by
spacious doors and stairways, and there are two staircases, each four
feet in the clear, leading from the upper stories. The Madison
school building is provided with four \Mood-furnaces, and the Wash-
ington school with Ave. These buildings, with their twelve school-
rooms each, and the high-school building with its nine school (and
three recitation) rooms, make comfortable provision for thirty-three
schools, thirty-two of them now running and, under the able man-
agement of superintendent McNaughton, doing efficient work.
These three school buildings, each occupying a full block in well-
chosen locations, with their ample walks, growing shade-trees, taste-
ful architectural appearance, and thoroughly furnished rooms, are
a just occasion of city pride, the value of sites, buildings and
improvements falling little short of $175,000.
Early in 1877 the board of education recorded its emphatic dis-
approval of the attempt made in the state legislature to create a
"state text-book committee," and dispatched one of their members,
Dr. J. B. McGaughey, to St. Paul to express to the legislature the
sentiments of the Winona board of education. The obnoxious
measure became a law, but Winona schools were exempted from its
provisions. The annual meeting in 1877 made no changes in the
officers of the board. The reports of the clerk not only showed
encouraging progress in school matters, but also a growing liberality
on the part of the board in fixing teachers' wages, which were estab-
WINONA PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 421
lished as follows : Principal of high school per month, $130 ;
assistant, $60 ; grammar school teachers, $60 ; secondary school
teachers, $55 ; primary school teachers, $50. The enrollment for
the year was 1,820, and the average attendance 1,260. The total
receipts of the board for the year were $60,243.69, and the year
closed with $15,968 in the treasury.
In the spring of 1878 Dr. J. B. McGaughey became president of
the board ; Prof. Dodge was followed by Prof. Irwin Shepard as
city superintendent of schools ; the financial exhibit showed receipts
in excess of $60,000, expenditures a little over $45,000. There was
a hitch in the city council over the authorization of the tax levy
required by law, and clerk Cole reported his ability to carry the
schools through the school year with the aid of a temporary loan,
which was accordingly done, no school tax being levied for that year.
In 1879 Dr. T. A. Pierce was elected president of the board, Prof.
Shepard was followed by Prof. W. F. Phelps as city superintendent
of schools, and the enrollment for the year showed a decrease of
about 150 over the enrollment of 1877. This fact was due to the
opening of several parochial schools in the city.
Matters were in statu quo during 1880, but in 1881 Dr. Cole
retired from the clerkship of the board, after six years' consecutive
service, and was followed by W. J. Whipple, who held that office
two years. Dr. Pierce continued at the head of the board, and in
the fall Prof. J. W. McNaughton, the present superintendent of
schools, assumed educational control.
The annual meeting in 1882 was principally noted for the pro-
tracted contest for president, in which an* adjournment was had to
the following evening, after 130 ballots were cast. At the adjourned
meeting Dr. J. B. McGaughey was elected president of the board
upon the 187th ballot.
The election held the evening of April 20, 1883, continued Dr.
McGaughey in the chair, and elected Arthur Beyerstedt clerk of the
board.
A summary of the schools as now existing and controlled by city
superintendent McNaughton is in brief as follows :
High School Building. — One high school, of which Thomas
L. Heaton, graduate of Michigan State University, class of 1880, is
principal. His assistants are Mr. J. J. Helmer, Misses J. Mitchell
and Frances Elmer. One grammar school ; three secondary schools,
A, B, C ; four primary schools. Total schools in high school build-
422
HISTORY OF WLNONA COUNTY.
ing, 9 : total enrollment, 564 ; number of regular teachers, 12. The
curriculum of the high school is appended :
i
5
a
H
1
2
3
1
2
3
H
Required for all
Courses.
Required for all
Courses.
ill
coo
ill
Ml
Third Study for
Business Course.
D
4 mo.
3 mo.
3 mo.
Algebra Com.
Geometry
Geometry
English Composition
Zoolog>-
Botany
Latin
Latin
Latin
German
German
German
Com. Arithmetic
Essentials of Eng.Gram.
Civil Government
C
4 mo.
3 mo.
3 mo.
Geometry
Physical (Geography
Physical Geography
Physiology
Physics
Physics
Cffisar
Cissar
CtEsar
Lessing
Lessing
Lessing
Bookkeeping
Industrial Drawing
B
1
3
1
2
3
4 mo.
3 mo.
3 mo.
Chemistry
Chemistry
General History
General History
Geology
Virgil
Virgil
Virgil
Schiller
Schiller
Schiller
A
4 mo.
3 mo.
3 mo.
Rhetoric
English Literature
English Literature
Geology
Mental Science
Political Economy
Cicero
Cicero
Cicero
Goethe
Gcethe
Goethe
Madison School. — One grammar department, in charge of Miss
Mary Youmans ; three secondary schools ; eight primary schools.
Total enrollment, 623 ; total schools, 12.
Washington School. — One grammar department, under care of
Alvin Bralej ; three secondary schools ; seven primary schools.
Total schools, 11 ; total enrollment, 636.
The entire educational force of the city comprises, for its public
schools, 1 superintendent, 35 regular and 2 special teachers, the
schools under their charge having a total enrollment of 1,823
scholars. This enrollment is about the same as that of 1877, to
which is to be added the 700 pupils enrolled in the parochial schools.
There has, however, been a most gratifying improvement in the
average daily attendance, ^he reports showing an increase of 300 in
the average attendance of to-day over that of 1877, under the same
nominal enrollment. There is no longer a school census taken, and
the number of children between the ages ot 5 and 21 in the city
cannot be given. The estimate is made of about 4,000 ; but if the
proportion of enrollment to total number of school age was main-
tained now as in years past, the number would be considerably in
excess of 5,000.
The work of the parochial school appears in connection with the
history of the various parishes by which they are maintained.
CHAPTER XLI.
HISTORY OF WINONA CITY.
When the county of Fillmore was created out of Wabasha county
by special act of territorial legislature, approved March 5, 1853, the
new county thus created was organized for judicial purposes and
divided into electoral precincts. One of these precincts was called
the Winona precinct, and included within its limits the territory
embraced in the level bottom lands on the west side of the Missis-
sippi river in latitude 44 degrees north, longitude 14 degrees and 30
minutes west from Washington, and known as Wabasha prairie.
The life of Winona precinct as thus constituted was of short dura-
tion. By special act of territorial legislature, approved February
23, 1854, Fillmore county was in turn divided and the present
county of Winona formed, its boundaries fixed as now existing, and
Winona designated as the county seat. Under the provisions ot
this act, a special election was held April 4, 1854, within the several
precincts as then designated by the county commissioners of Fill-
more county, for the purpose of choosing county and precinct officers.
These commissioners were Henry C. Gere, Myron Toms and Wm.
T. Luark. The precinct officers to be elected were, two justices ol
the peace, two constables and one road supervisor. Under the
Fillmore county administration the precinct officers were appointed
by the governor of the territory, and for Winona precinct were,
John Burns and John M. Gere, justices of the peace ; Frank W.
Curtis, constable ; and Geo. W. Clark, road supervisor. These
officers held their seats until the regular territorial election, on the
second Tuesday in October, when Geo. W. Gere and Wm. H.
Stevens were elected justices of the peace and F. W. Curtis, con-
stable. The terms of office for which these gentlemen were elected
expired by operation of the special act of February 23, 1854, order-
ing a special election to be held April 4 ensuing. The judges of
election were appointed by the Fillmore county commissioners, the
election held as ordered, and Winona precinct, besides casting her
vote for the regular count}^ officers, elected for herself as justices of
the peace Wm. H. Stevens and Geo. H. Sanborn, and for Constable,
42-4 HISTORY OF WESTON A COUNTY.
Frank W. Curtis. No official record of this election is on file in the
office in this county, as the returns were made to Fillmore county.
The Winona county commissioners, elected .Ipril 4, 1854, met at
Winona, the seat of government for the new county, April 28, of
that same year, and the following day, April 29, 1854, redistricted
the county. By this partition Winona county was divided into six
electoral precincts ; one of these was named Winona and described
as township No. 107 north, range 7, west of the fifth principal
meridian. As will be noted by the description, the precinct of
Winona, as then formed, was identical in its boundaries with the
present township of Winona, including the corporate limits of the
city of Winona. The official term for which these offices were filled
in April expired when the regular election for the territory was held
the ensuing October. The official returns of this election — the very
existence of which seemed unknown until they were unearthed for us
by ex-county auditor Basford from among the musty archives of the
county records — give the following as the result : justices of the
peace, S. K. Thompson, A. C. Jones ; constables, F. W. Curtis,
A. C. Smith ; road supervisor, Enoch Hamilton. It does not
appear from any records in the office of register of deeds, or from
any acknowledgment upon any instrument extant, or from the
memory of any one familiar with those times, that A. C. Jones ever
qualified as justice of the peace or exercised the functions of that
office. There is abundance of parole evidence to show that G. H.
Sanborn continued to exercise the authority of justice for months
after the October election, and in connection with S. K. Thompson
"preserved the peace" in Winona precinct.
The election of 1855 returned Henry Day and John Keyes,
justices ; Harvey S. Terry and W. H. Peck, constables ; and Wm.
Doolittle, road supervisor.
The officers elected in 1856 were : justices of the peace, G. R.
Tucker, I. B. Andrews ; constables, Harvey S. Terry, C. C. Bart-
lett ; road supervisor, Asa Hedge. This was the last precinct
election in which the residents vdthin the city limits took part. The
term of office for which the above election was held expired with
the charter election held Monday, April 6, 1857.
From the formation of Fillmore county, March 5, 1853, until
the charter election for the newly incorporated city was held, four
years and one month later, the settlers on Wabasha prairie were
subject only to such general laws and regulations as had been enacted
WINONA CITY. 425
bj territorial authority for the government of such communities as
were uninvested with corporate rights and privik^ges. This day had
passed by for Winona and she was now to enter upon the larger and
more responsible work of creating a city government, and adminis-
tering its affairs, answerable only to herself within the limits of her
corporate franchises. Before entering upon this phase of the history
of Winona, it is necessary that some idea should be given of the
growth in population and the material progress made by the little
community from the date of its planting to the eve of its incorpo-
ration, and for this purpose a brief reference to these matters will be
all that is necessary.
The population of Winona county at the date of its organization
is generally placed a little below 800 — a slow growth, and one not
destined to be much accelerated during the year and a half that fol-
lowed. The attractions of southern Minnesota, to which Winona
has ever been the chief gateway, seemed generally disregarded, and
the rush of settlement was farther north along the Minnesota river ;
the St. Paul press growing so eloquent in its descriptions of the
beauty and fertility of that valley as to attract the attention of pro-
spective settlers to that region. The protracted occupation of this
section of Minnesota by the Indians, their final removal not having
been effected until the autumn of 1853, had much to do in prevent-
ing the early settlement of southeastern Minnesota. But when the
vast territory lying west of Winona was opened to settlement in the
summer of 1855, and the government land office established here in
November of that year, the change from the dull inactivity of the
previous year was almost marvelous. The influx of population, the
rapid increase in the number of business houses of all kinds, the
activity manifest in every department of trade, the impetus given to
all speculative movements, the number of buildings in course of
erection, all testified to the fact that a new day and a better one had
dawned upon the prospective metropolis of southern Minnesota. The
condition of affairs at the close of the year 1856 may be summed up
as follows : The population had increased from about 800 in Decem-
ber, 1855, to 3,000 in December, 1856. There had been erected
during the year 290 buildings of all kinds, among them three good
churches, a large four-story warehouse, a commodious hotel (the
Huff House, now standing), a steam flouring-mill with five run of
stones, a large three-story banking building, besides scores of others
of less note, yet decidedly creditable to the young city. An idea of
426 HISTOEY OF WrNONA COUNTY.
the value of real property may be had from these specimen quota-
tions of sales of real estate, taken from the columns of the "Winona
Republican " of that date : " A lot on Second street, between Center
and Lafayette, 40X100 feet, $1,600 cash; two corner lots on Walnut
street, $1,800 ; a lot, 80 X 140 feet, corner of Second and Center
streets, $6,000." The manufacturing establishments were two steam
saw-mills, one steam planing-mill, one steam flouring-mill, one cabinet
manufactory with steam power. The river was open to navigation
from April 8 to November 17, and during that time there were 1,300
arrivals and departures of boats. A tri-weekly line of steamers was
maintained for greater part of the season between Winona and Du-
buque, and the forwarding and commission business for that season
aggregated $182,731.96. There were fourteen attorney s-at-law and
nine physicians waging war against crime and death, and about 150
business houses, stores, shops, etc., distributed as follows: Dry goods,
14 ; groceries and provisions, 16 ; clothing, 7 ; hardware and tin, 6 ;
drugs, 5 ; boots and shoes, 4 ; furniture, 4 ; books, 2 ; hat and fur
store, 2 ; wholesale liquors, 2 ; hotels and taverns, 13 ; eating-houses
and saloons, 10 ; lumber yards, 5 ; blacksmith shops, 3 ; warehouses,
4 ; brickyards, 2 ; livery stables, 2 ; sign painters, 3 ; watchmakers,
3 ; butchers, 2 ; wagon and carriage shop, 2 ; fanning-mill maker, 1 ;
gunsmith shop, 2 ; bakeries, 2 ; dentists, 3 ; gaugenean artist, 1 ;
banking-offices, 6 ; real estate and insurance, 10 ; printing-offices, 2 ;
harness shop, 2 ; barber shop, 3. To these may be added five
churches and two schools, and you have a fair summary of Winona
business at the close of the year 1856. The original plat of Winona,
surveyed June 19, 1852, by John Ball, for Erwin H. Johnson and
Orrin Smith, was so set apart and recorded under the revised terri-
torial statutes of 1851, in accordance with the town site act passed
by congress May 23, 1844. This original plat was bounded on the
north by the Mississippi river, on the east by Market street, on the
south by Wabasha street, and on the west by Washington street. It
comprised a square, each side of which was six full blocks. This
plat was enlarged from time to time by " additions," until at the
close of 1856 the platted area on Wabasha prairie covered a tract of
ground fully two miles in extent from east to west and nearly half
that distance from north to south. The principal of these additions
was never recorded as such, and is generally known as Huff's survey
of the city of Winona. This survey and dedication was made in
1854, and extended from the original town plat on the east to Chute's
WrNONA CITY. 427
addition on the west, a total length of seven blocks and a fraction,
and covering an area considerably larger than the original plat itself.
This addition does not now appear on the maps as such, and for years
has been included and its blocks numbered as a part of the original
town plat. The more important of the subsequent additions were
Laird's addition and subdivision, immediately east of the original
plat. These covered an area of about 80 acres in extent, fronting
north on the river and extending some half-dozen blocks to the
south. Hamilton's addition, lying east of Laird's, was the largest of
any of the plats, original or additional. It comprised an area of 160
acres, extending westward beyond the macadamized road leading to
Sugar-loaf Bluff, and running backward eight or ten blocks from the
river. Within its limits are some of the most populous sections of
the city. These, with Taylor & Go's addition, and Sanborn's and
Hubbard's, all on the south, and Chute's addition on the west, were
platted and dedicated before the close of the year 1856. Beyond
the limits of these additions but little building has been done, save
in the Polish quarter just east of Hamilton's addition, and in the
vicinity of the wagon-works just west of Chute's addition. The
latter of these settlements, in what is known as Evans' addition, is
rapidly building up, and will some day be a populous portion of the
city, lying, as it does, in the immediate vicinity of the manufactur-
ing establishments recently located in west Winona.
That the county seat of Winona county was destined at no
distant day to become a city of no mean proportions was very early
accepted as a fact by her citizens, and preparations for investing her
with corporate rights and privileges were not long delayed. As
early as November 11, 1856, the "Winona Kepublican," in a brief
editorial, called attention to the matter of securing a city charter,
and suggested the necessity of taking definite action, alleging that
the movement would be heartily supported by all the members of
the territorial legislature from the southern Minnesota districts. A
meeting of the citizens was accordingly called for Saturday evening,
January 3, 1857. The response to the call was quite general. The
meeting was held in Central Hall, and organized with Edward Ely,
better known as Elder Ely, in the chair. W. C. Dodge was elected
secretary, the business of the hour stated, the measure of incorpora-
tion approved, and after considerable discussion as to corporate
boundaries, etc., a committee was appointed to draft a charter, and
report the same at an adjourned meeting to be held on the following
428 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
Saturday evening. The members of that committee, three only of
whom are now residents of Winona, were : G. W. Curtis, W.
Newman, C. H. Berry, William Windom, M. Wheeler Sargent,
John Keyes and Edward Ely. On Saturday evening, the 10th inst.,
the citizens met, pursuant to adjournment of previous week, to hear
the report of their committee. Hon. C. H. Berry, on behalf of the
committee, presented the report, which at their instance he had
drafted, together with an abstract of charter. The only question
upon which differences of opinion arose was as to the proper limits
for the proposed incorporation. Some were in favor of quite
extended corporation boundaries, others advocated a comparativelj
limited boundary. The report favored extending the boundaries of
the city to include the causeways over the slough at the east and
west ends of town, the following reasons being adduced : That, as
the maintenance of good approaches to the city more nearly con-
cerned the citizens of the corporation than those outside its limits,
the control and repair of the roads over the sloughs, by which access
to town was only possible, should be under the care of the city ;
that the vote of the county outside the city limits being in excess of
that polled within the city, it would not be wise to allow the county
vote, which might or might not approve the expenditures for main-
taining these causeways in good repair, to control a matter so
essential to the interests of the city ; that as the city would certainly
reap the most benefit, it was only just that she should incur the
responsibility of the increased outlay ; that it was a question whether
the county had any right to appropriate moneys for a work so nearly
sectional in its character ; and that in any event the more liberal
policy would be for the city to assume the burden, leaving the
county authorities fi'ee to assist in bearing it if at any time they saw
fit. It was also represented that by extending the corporate limits
a larger proportion of property-holders whose lands would be
increased in value by their nearness to a large city would be taxed
to defray the city expenses. The reasons of which the above is a
brief summary were approved, the report adopted, the abstract of
charter commended and returned to the committee with instructions
to complete the draft and submit it as a completed charter for the
adoption of the citizens at a meeting to be held the following Saturday
evening, January 17, 1857. This was accordingly done, and the
accepted charter was forwarded to St. Paul, where it came before the
- '5'f^i ^A^'S-' ^/<>7f'""^~^
L.w. Wright.
WINONA CITY. 431
territorial legislature, passed, and tlie act formally incorporating the
city of Winona was approved March 6 of that same year 1857, and
became law immediately after its adoption.
ACT OF INCORPORATION.
By the provisions of this act the extreme southeastern limit of
the city was established just where the western boundary of Winona
township touches the south shore of the Misissippi river. From
this point the boundary line of the corporation was run due west
four miles, thence north two miles, thence east to the middle of the
Mississippi river, thence in a southeasterly direction down the
middle of the stream to a point due north of the place of beginning.
The ground thus inclosed within the corporate limits of the city
formed an irregular four-sided figure ; its south boundary a right line
four miles long, its west boundary a right line two miles long, its
north boundary a right line running east about one and a-half miles
to the shore of the river, from which point it followed the irregular
shore line southeasterly to the west line of Winona township. The
city was divided into three wards. The first ward embracing all
that portion of the city lyiug west of Washington street. The
second ward extending eastward from Washington to Lafayette
streets, and the third ward including all between Lafayette street and
the city limits on the east. The wards thus established were each to
constitute an electoral precinct, the judges of election for which (at
the ensuing charter election) were to be appointed by the county
commissioners, as was the case in all precinct elections. The charter
election was ordered to be held on the first Monday in April, polls
to open at twelve o'clock and close at four o'clock, and the officers
to be chosen were, one mayor, one recorder, one justice of the peace,
one marshal, one assessor, one attorney, one surveyor and two
aldermen for each ward. The mayor, aldermen and recorder to
form the city council.
Tuesday, April 7, 1857, the first charter election for the city of
Winona was held, when the following vote was cast.
OFFICE. CANDIDATE. VOTES POLLED.
Mayor R. D. Cone 291
M. Wheeler Sargent 405
Recorder E. A. Gerdtzen 331
James White 323
Treasurer J. V. Smith 401
H. B. Upman 291
25
432 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
OFFICE. CANDIDATES. VOTES POLLED.
Marshal E. A. Batchelder .' 293
G. W. Horton 213
N. Hudson 106
P. B. Palmer 142
Attorney H. W. Lamberton 439
D. S. Norton 246
Surveyor L. Pettibone 274
H. B. Cozzens 417
Justice Thomas Simpson . : 414
H. Day 276
Assessor First Ward, 0. M. Lord ' 97
" " C. H. Blanchard 41
Second Ward, A. P. Foster 107
" " V. Simpson 94
Third Ward, I. Hubbard 109
" " P. P. Hubbell 291
Aldermen First Ward, W. H. Dill 94
" " I. B. Andrus 81
" " I. D.Ford, M.D 58
" " P. V. Bell 43
Second Ward, Tim Kerk 124
" " G.W.Payne 113
" " Sam Cole 88
" " Geo. H. Sanborn 80
Third Ward, J. Bolcom 217
" " Jacob Mowery 205
" " E. H. Murray 127
" " G. Lautenslager 127
From these returns it appears that the maximum vote cast was
for marshal, for which office 754 votes were polled ; the vote for
recorder being the minimum, 654. The average vote was about 685
to 690. The third ward vote was equal to the votes of the first and
second ward in the ballot for aldermen, and led those wards in the
vote for assessor, 400 votes being cast in the third ward for that
office and only 339 in both the others. The usual proportion of
population to voters would have given Winona at this time a census
of 3,770 souls, so that the esthnate of 3,000 population for the city
was probably not much out of the way.
The city limits were not long unchanged. The following year,
1858, the act of incorporation was so amended as to change the city
boundaries on the south and east. By this change, and an imma-
terial one made nine years later, the southern boundary was fixed
to conform in some degree to the south shore of lake Winona, and
some quarter-sections were taken oif the western end of the corpo-
ration as originally bounded. By these acts about one and one-half
square miles were taken from the area of the city as established by
act of March, 1857. By act of February 10, 1870, a further curtail-
ment of a quarter of a section was made, at which time the tract in
WINONA CITY. 433
the extreme west end of the city, known as the fair-ground, was set
outside the city limits, and these are the only changes made in the
boundaries of the city since its incorporation. The ward changes
have not been numerous. February 15, 1865, the boundary line
between the second and third wards was removed two streets east of
that upon which it was originally established and Market street
made the division line. When the whole act of incorporation was
amended, March 1, 1867, the boundary between the first and second
wards was moved one street east and Johnson street became the
separating line. February 28, 1876, a radical change was made.
The city was divided into four wards, and their boundaries respect-
ively were, for the first ward, that portion of the city lying west-
ward between the center of Washington street and the city limits ;
second ward, that portion lying between Washington street on the
west and Walnut street on the east ; third ward, that portion extend-
ing from Walnut street on the west to Vine street on the east, and
the fourth ward, that portion lying within the city limits eastward
from the center of Yine street. These changes were all made by
special act of Minnesota legislature and are the only ones made in
the several ward boundaries to date.
Several changes, some of them quite important, have been made
from time to time in the list of city officers, both as regards the
nature of the office and the status of the officer. Under the original
act of incorporation the elective officers of the city were : one
mayor, one recorder, one treasurer, one marshal, one attorney, one
surveyor, one justice of the peace, one assessor and six aldermen.
Some misapprehension concerning the election of assessors must
have occurred at the first charter election, as three assessors were
returned, one for each ward, a thing not contemplated by the act.
The term of office for aldermen and justice was fixed at two years,
all other official terms one year. By the act of March 8, 1862, the
number of justices was increased to two, and the recorder, though
still an elective officer, was denied any vote or voice in the proceed-
ings of the council, his duties being to keep a report of the council
proceedings, to make an annual estimate in August of the current
expenses for the year and of the revenue necessary to be raised
therefor. A radical change in the list of elective officers was made
by the act of March, 1865, which defined said officers to be a mayor,
two aldermen from each ward, two justices of the peace and city
treasurer. The offices to be filled by appointment of the council
434 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
were : recorder, marshal, assessor, attorney and surveyor, and the
first regular meeting after the charter election was designated as the
time and place of appointment. All terms of office, except those
of aldermen, which remained unchanged, were fixed at one year, the
rule to apply to offices filled either by election or appointment. By
act of 1867 the original act was so amended as to virtually consti-
tute a new one. By the later act the officers to be chosen by the
people were : mayor, two aldermen for each ward, two justices of
the peace, a treasurer and an assessor. The terms of office were as
before established by act of March, 1865, with the exception of jus-
tices of the peace, whose term was fixed at two years. The officers
to be appointed by the council were : recorder, marshal, surveyor,
attorney and street commissioner. All persons otherwise qualified
to vote for county and state officers were made eligible to vote at
any city election in the election district, of which at time of voting
they had been for ten days resident, and were also qualified
thereby to hold any city office to which they might be elected. All
officers, elected and appointed, were required to take an oath of office,
and bonds were to be given by the marshal and treasurer. The
city justices were given exclusive jurisdiction over all cases and
complaints arising under the ordinances, police regulations, laws and
by-laws of the city ; the powers of the council were fully set forth
in extenso^ and they were duly empowered to act in all matters per-
taining to the peace, cleanliness and safety of the city, as also to
the security and public conduct of the citizens. This "act," ''vir-
tually the one under which the city authorities now act," was declared
to be of a public character and not contravened by any general law
of the state confficting vdth its provisions, unless so expressly stated
WINONA. CITY. 435
in the enactment of such general law. By act of February, 1870,
council was restrained from incurring an indebtedness in excess of
$10,000 for any specific purpose without first submitting the same
to the voters of the city and receiving the sanction of two-thirds of
the votes cast, for and against the measure. By special act of April,
1876, aldermen were prohibited from receiving any compensation for
their services, either directly or indirectly. A new departure in
making up the official list of the city was taken in 1877, by
authority of an act passed that spring. Under this amendment the
officers to be elected were : a mayor, treasurer, recorder, assessor,
attorney, marshal, street commissioner, surveyor, physician, two
aldermen for each ward and two justices of the peace ; the council,
as heretofore, having authority to appoint such additional oflacers as
in their judgment the interests of the city required. The term of
all officers elected by the people was fixed at two years, and of those
appointed by the council one year. The experiment did not prove
satisfactory, and in 1879 this act was repealed by an amendment,
making the officers chosen by the people to consist of mayor, treas-
urer, assessor, whose terms of office were for one year ; and two
aldermen for each ward, and two justices, whose terms, as before,
remained fixed at two years. By this amendment city justices were
clothed with all the rights pertaining to justices elected under the
general laws of the state, as well as the exclusive jurisdiction before
given them, over all actions and complaints arising under the laws,
ordinances, by-laws and police regulations of the city.
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CHAPTER XLII.
ROADS.
One of the most vital needs of the young city — a need felt for
some time prior to her incorporation as well as for years afterwai'd —
was that of better roads leading into tlie surrounding country, from
which her local trade was to come. This want of good highways — a
want in some degree common to all new settlements — was doubly felt
in the case of Winona, owing to her peculiar topographical position.
The long narrow stretch of low bottom land forming Wabasha prairie,
and upon the lower end of which the city is built, is inclosed in a
regular pocket by the Mississippi river bluffs, which back of the city
are nearly two miles from the river bank. These bluffs, rising from
300 to 500 feet in height, gradually encroach upon the bottom lands
above and below the city until they abut directly upon the river, thus
forming the termini of Wabasha prairie. This entire tract of bot-
tom land was at no distant day covered by the waters of the river,
great portions of it at the present being subject to overflow during
times of exceptionally high water. The whole river face of the
prairie is seamed and indented by little creeks and bays wherever the
low lands lie, and in these localities the sandy soil of the higher levels
is displaced by a marshy, boggy soil which affords very insecure foot'
ing for man or beast. The springs which ooze out of the ground at
the foot of the limestone bluffs in the rear of the city, together with
those forming up the valleys, which are the natural outlets through
the bluffs to the high table lands above and running down them to
the river, are collected in a natural reservoir just within the city limits
on the south. This reservoir or basin, usually called Winona lake,
is a shallow sheet of water nearly 500 rods in length and about eighty
rods wide, with extensive tracts of low marshy land at either ex-
tremity, particularly at the outlet on the east, where the marsh is
fully a mile in width. At all times of high water these marshy lands
have been subject to overflow, and at even the lowest stage of the
river the approach to the city from the east and southeast was through
a slough only rendered at all passable by the dense growth of bottom
grass, which served as a mat to prevent teams fi'om being hopelessly
438
HISTOKY OF WINOJSTA COUNTY.
mired. The approach from the southwest was much more favorable,
but by no means such as heavily loaded teams would care to attempt.
The road to the west and north along the tongue of higher land lead-
ing to Minnesota City was the only desirable road leading out of town,
and in fact the only one possible during seasons of moderately high
water. But even this road was frequently impassable, as was the case
in 1852, and on occasions since that date, when Winona was actually
an island, cut off from all communication by land with the surrounding
country and approachable only by boat in any direction. This Minne-
sota City road, or the road to the Rolling Stone settlement, as it was
KOADS. 439
then called, was the first highway for which any survey was made in
this whole region of country ; and with this crude survey, made without
special regard to anything save a practical wagon road to the Roll-
ing Stone plateau, and reported to the county commissioners of Fill-
more county without maps or field notes to accompany it, this crude
survey marked the beginning of all attempts to improve the high-
ways within the limits of the present Winona county. Settlement
in the county was made rapidly in the late summer and fall of 1855,
and the mouths of Burns and Gillmore valleys opened to receive the
settlers that, passing through these gateways of the Winona bluffs,
sought the level prairie lands lying back from the river. To con-
nect these valleys with the little town on the river, and open up
such roadways as would permit loaded teams to pass and repass from
the river to the farms just being opened, became every week more
and more a necessity. As early as 1855 a narrow trail, called by
courtesy a road, with bunches of prairie grass and here and there a
few poles, and in exceptionally difficult places a plank had been ex-
tended across the slough between the lower end of town and Sugar-
Loaf bluff, or Glen-Mary as it soon afterward began to be called. In
1856, the year in which Winona made such rapid strides in popula-
tion and in all material growth, a movement was made to construct a
permanent roadway across this slough. E. S. Smith, then living at the
foot of Sugar-Loaf bluff, headed a subscription for that purpose with
a pledge of $500. Others followed until the subscription amounted
to about $3,000, when the contract was awarded to Yan Gorder &
Mallory to grade the slough and put in a bridge. The contract price
was $3,500, and the stipulation was for a roadbed twenty-six feet wide
on the bottom, twenty-four feet wide on the top, the embankment to
be raised three feet above the slough level, and a bridge 150 feet
long to be built above high-water mark. The embankment reached
from the solid ground on the south side of the slough almost at the
foot of Sugar-Loaf bluff to the solid ground, which was reached a
few rods south of the present track of the Chicago, Milwaukee &
St. Paul railroad. The extreme length of this embankment was not
far from 1,500 yards, and the work was completed as per contract
very much to the gratifit:ation of those who were compelled to find
an entrance to the city in that quarter or make the entire circuit of
the lake to find a poor road at best at the western extremity of the
city. The work so satisfactorily begun by private subscription was
continually improved under the street commissioner of the city un-
440 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
til 1873, when, under instruction of the council's committee on streets
and alleys, street commissioner O'Day raised the embankment to an
average height of five feet above the level of the slough, laid up the
sides of the embankment with a good stone wall sloping one foot in-
ward for each three feet of its height, and carried the embankment
to about seven feet in height at the bridge. This work was prose-
cuted to the city limits on the south from a point a few rods south of
Mark street, a total distance of about 100 rods. Xear Mark street
it reached the grade of the macadamized road constructed by James
Burke for the city, down Fifth street and Mankato avenue toward
Sugar-Loaf bluff as far as the north margin of the slough. This
combined work afforded a good solid roadbed through the deep
sand at the east end of town, as well as over the slough to the city
limits on the south. From this point the county commissioners took
charge of the embankment and raised it from the city limits to the
foot of Sugar-Loaf bluff to correspond with the grade made by the
city. The length of the embankment thus raised by the county
authorities was nearly three-eighths of a mile, and the total cost
of the work done by them there at various times has aggregated
about $7,500.
The road as now built, though not absolutely above high-water
mark, having been completely submerged by the flood of 1880, is
nevertheless practically fit for travel at all seasons of the year, and
affords free access to the city for the residents in Pleasant valley,
Gilmore valley, upper and lower Burns valleys, and the roads to
Homer and the southeast quarter of the county in general.
In 1857 some improvement was made in the approach to town
from the west, and about $800 expended in grading and in building
a bridge 150 feet long over the slough on the Stockton road. This
work, embankment and bridge, was carried out by the high water of
1858, and in 1859 the county, acting in concert with the city, con-
tracted with S. D. Van Gorder to put in a pile bridge 200 feet long
and cast up an enbankment about 600 yards long across the slough
between town and the Stockton bluffs. The contract price for this
work was $3,500, of which sum the city paid $3,000, the funds
being raised as heretofore, by subscription. In the meantime the
city's trade with that section of the county lying over and beyond
the Stockton hills had so increased that the city deemed it advisable
to prepare the way for its coming. The proposed route was over
the Stockton bluft's, by which a saving of several miles would be
ROADS. 441
effected, as also travel through the deep sand of the Minnesota city
road, along which the trade from the west was necessitated to enter
Winona. Two contracts for grading the bluffs and making a
winding roadway perfectly practicable for loaded teams were
awarded. One to John Keator for constructing the road on the
eastern slope, the other on the west, to Van Gorder & Mallory, the
stipulated price in each case being $4,000. Gullies were to be
bridged, immense bowlders removed, the face of solid limestone
cliffs blasted away, timber cut and stumps and roots grubbed out,
the roadway carried for rods upon supporting walls of stone built up
from some favoring ledge below, or shored up from the bluff sides,
and such a grade established as would make the road practicable as
a regular thoroughfare for loaded teams in either direction. The
work was laid out by civil engineer N. J. Hilbert, and its difficulties
can only be known and its magnitude appreciated by those who have
the pleasure of a trip over it. It is a roadway fully four miles long
winding up one side of the bluff and down the other, ti-om the level
bottom lands of the Wabasha prairie to the fertile valley of the
Stockton, or conversely from the quiet Stockton vales to the bustling
activity of the commercial center of southern Minnesota. The
$8,000 for the prosecution of this work was also raised in Winona
by private personal subscription. To this amount the county has
subsequently added the sum of $10,000 in improving the road at
various times, the outlay to date being, as nearly as can be ascer-
tained, about $18,000 to $18,500. The result is a pleasant, safe and
thoroughly picturesque road, affording a really delightful drive for
any lover of nature, as during it some charming glimpses of wood
and water are obtained, valley, bluff and river scenery alternating
the view. The road over the bluffs, just east of Woodlawn cemetery
on the south side of lake Winona, was not built without the aid of
Winona citizens, who contributed about $500 to that work. The
roadways at the upper and lower ends of town, and the Stockton
bluff work, was all done as early as 1861, the funds provided by
private subscription of Winona citizens, their contributions for these
several improvements aggregating not less than $16,000. To this
should be added the expense of macadamizing the east end of Fifth
street, and commissioner O'Day's work on the Sugar-Loaf road, as
these improvements were in the interest of public highways leading
into the city. This would give a grand total of $23,000 expended
by the city in the single matter of highways leading out of the city
442 HISTORY OF WESrOlS^A COUNTY.
on the Minnesota side of the river. Creditable as this expenditure
is to the liberal public spirit of the citizens of Winona, the expendi-
tures of the corporation for a like purpose on the Wisconsin side of
the river have been considerably greater. The country lying just
across the Mississippi river in Wisconsin, and naturally tributary
to Winona, only needed some means of communication with her
markets to contribute its quota to the trade of the city rising on the
Minnesota shore. Charters to establish ferries at this point had been
granted in 1855 and in 1857, but nothing resulted from the grants in
either case and the privileges expired by limitation. With the close
of the war, and with active preparations for increased business,
interest in the ferry project revived, and in 1865, A. DeGraff,
under contract with the city of Winona — which had been authorized
b}^ legislative act to expend moneys in Wisconsin for that purpose —
agreed to build a road from the Wisconsin shore of the river,
opposite the Winona levee, across the bottom lands of Buffalo
township in Buffalo county, Wisconsin, to the higher lands near the
foot of the Wisconsin bluffs. The contract price of the work was
$5,500, but before it was completed the city had paid nearly double
that amount. This road was always subject to overflow. The
bottom lands were literally seamed with creeks and bayous, so that
the undertaking was one of no light character. For some reason
the result was not satisfactory. The high water of 1870 took out
the bridges and cut into the embankment, rendering the road unfit
for travel. In the meantime the state fair was to be held that
season at Winona, and means c^f communication across the Buffalo
bottoms became more and more urgent. S. D. Yan Gorder, who
owned and operated the Winona ferry, contracted to repair the
embankment and rebuild the bridges. The sum of $400 was raised
by subscription ; the work was done at a total cost of $775. Some
portions of the $400 subscription remained unpaid and the balance
came out of Mr. Yan Gorder's pocket, who, during the ten years
that he operated his ferry, paid out not less than $1,500 in repairing
the roads across the Wisconsin bottoms.
In the fall of 1882, the city having taken the management and
operation of the ferry into its own hands, in order to reduce expenses
of crossing, and if practicable to make the ferry rates merely nominal,
if not to abolish them entirely, concluded to make a permanent
improvement in the approach to the ferry. The contract was let to
S. D. Yan Gorder, and its stipulations called for a roadway thirty-
SOCIETIES. 448
eight feet wide at the bottom, eighteen feet wide on the top, an
average fill across the bottom to the high land of seven feet above
the slough level, the streams to be bridged as indicated in the
specifications, the embankment to be substantially riprapped on
both slopes and the top of the roadbed covered with macadam to
the depth of one foot. The contract with Van Gorder was for
$9,500, and only included earthwork and bridging. The contract
for stone and stonework was awarded to H. J. Willis for $10,252.
The road, as now constructed under these contracts, is about 4,000
feet long, there are five bridges having an aggregate length of 1,200
feet, and in these are 1,160 feet of piling. The surface of the road-
bed, as now standing, is one and a-half feet below the high water
mark of 1880. To meet this expense in the Wisconsin bottoms,
the city issued her bonds for $30,000, payable in twenty years, and
negotiated the most of them at five per cent interest per annum.
Thus it appears that the people and corporation of Winona, in
order to improve the roadways leading to the city upon both sides of
the river, have expended the sum of nearly $55,000, and of this
amount nearly one-half has been raised by private subscription.
The city's expenditures in other directions have been no less liberal,
as will appear in the history of matters more directly connected with
the proceedings of her common council.
CHAPTER XLIII. •
SOCIETIES.
ESTDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD-FELLOWS.
The Independent Order of Odd-Fellows were the first of the
secret societies to organize a lodge in this city, and so are justly
entitled to head the list of Winona's fraternal associations. Early in
the history of the city — during the winter of 1855-6 — the members
of the order who had sought a location in the then village began
looking one another up and comparing notes, when it was ascertained
that there were five members of the I.O.O.F. in the embryo city.
The- names of the five, since become historic in the annals of
the order here, were James M. Cole (a past grand), and scarlet-
444 HISTORY OF WIJSrONA COUNTY.
degree brothers Win. H. Keith, Daniel L. Miller, John Curtis and
John Owens. During the January session of the grand lodge of the
order in the State of Minnesota, in the year 1856, formal application
was made bj the above-mentioned fraters of the order for a lodge
charter, which application was favorably considered, and on May 6
following
PRAIRIE LODGE, NO. 7, I.O.O.F. OF WINONA,
was duly instituted by Grand Master L. A. Babcock. The charter
members of the new lodge were the petitioners above mentioned,
who were elected and installed into the various offices as follows :
Jas. W. Cole, noble grand ; Wm. H. Keith, vice-grand ; John
Owens, secretary ; John Curtis, treasurer ; D. L. Miller, conductor.
The place of meeting for the new lodge was in the upper story of
the Downer building, at the lower end of the levee, which had been
fitted up for lodge purposes ; and here, eight days later, May 14,
1856, the first initiations into the order occurred, the candidates
being Thomas Simpson, W. G. Dye and Henry Wickersham. The
lodge increased rapidly in numbers, and the following year, their hall
proving inadequate to their enlarging demands, they arranged to
occupy the third story of the newly-erected building on the levee,
afterward knf)wn as the Kiverside hotel, where they remained until
1859, when they leased the third story of the brick building which
Thomas Simpson had just erected on Second street, between Center
and Main streets, where Mitchell's block now stands. This location
was chosen as affording more room and privacy, and as the lodge
was then in a very flourishing condition it was fitted up most com-
fortably, the emblems and jewels of the lodge-room costing nearly
$150. Here the lodge worked and grew and prospered until the
great fire of 1862 destroyed their beautiful hall, with its regalia,
emblems, jewels, and most of its records — the latter an irreparable
loss. During this period Prairie Lodge elected five unaffiliated
members from Rochester, instructed them, entertained them, granted
them withdrawal cards, and loaned them the regalia and fixtures
necessary for the institution of a lodge of the order in Rochester,
and donated them the entire work and service above rendered.
From this it is evident Prairie Lodge, No. 7, is justly entitled to the
honors of putative fatherhood in the case of Rochester Lodge, No.
13, I.O.O.F. of Rochester, Minnesota.
April 15, 1863, Prairie Lodge, No. 7, took possession of their
new hall, which had been fitted up for them in the Wickersham
SOCIETIES. 445
building: (now Kendall's wholesale drug house), and which they
occupied for five years. April 12, 1868, they removed to Simpson's
block, corner of Second and Center streets, in the third story of
which they had fitted up a commodious lodge-room, with ample
reception and preparation rooms. Here they continued work, grow-
ing in numbers and influence, until the block was gutted by fire,
January 13, 1877. In this fire the order were a second time rendered
houseless and homeless, to which disaster was added tlie loss of all
their records, so that most pertaining to the early history of the order
has been gathered from personal recollections of members, and more
specifically from the very interesting paper on the ' ' Early history of
Odd-fellowship in Winona," prepared for and presented to the order by
W. G. Dye in 1874, and which has survived the general ruin of the
records of the fraternity. After a temporary sojourn in Mill's Hall,
during which time Simpson's block was being rebuilt, Prairie Lodge
returned to their old quarters, which had been elegantly fitted tor
their reception, on April 15, 1877, where visiting fraters Mdll find
them sumptuously lodged in an elegant hall, fully equipped for work
and hospitable entertainment.
Nearly ten years prior to this date, however, in 1868, the Ger-
man-speaking members of Prairie Lodge had so increased that it
was deemed wise to organize a second Odd-Fellows' lodge, working
in the German language, and this was effected in due form October 6,
1868, the new lodge being known as Humboldt Lodge, No. 24,
LO.O.F. of Minnesota. For work and statistics of Humboldt
Lodge, see article following. From the narrative of Past N.G.
Dye, above referred to, it seems that up to date of April 27, 1874,
257 members had been connected with Prairie Lodge, and that there
were 73 members in reorganized standing at that time. The
destruction of the records three years later, 1877, renders it impos-
sible to state the actual figures as we would were those records
extant. But availing ourselves of all possible sources of infor-
mation, we present the following statistics as substantially accurate.
Whole number of members borne on rolls of Prairie Lodge 335 ;
present number of members in Prairie Lodge 97 ; adding to this the
whole number in Humboldt Lodge 174, and deducting the number
demitted from Prairie to Humboldt, we have the total members of
the fraternity from the date of the institution of the order in 1856
to the present time 485, and adding the present number in Hum-
boldt Lodge to those already given for Prairie, No. 7, we find 205
446 HISTOKY OF WINONA COUNTY.
the actual membership of the order in this city. The election of
officers occurring semi-annually, it has not been deemed best to
cumber the account with anything beyond the official register for
the present term, which is : N.G., G. W. Greslin ; Y.G., F. B.
Newell ; Sec. , A. Beyerstedt ; Treas. , H. J. Willis ; Warden, John
Berthe; L.S.KG., W. W. Miller; RS.V.G., E. Anderson;
L.S. V.G., E. Helder ; Cond., G. A. Terrill ; LG., D. Trepus ; O.G.,
J. Duberry; E.S.S.,Wm. Berthe ; L.S.S.,Thos. Lay cock; Trustees,
W. G. Dye, D. Morrell, G. A. TerriU.
HUMBOLDT LODGE, NO. 24.
Humboldt Lodge, No. 24, 1.O.O.F. (as indicated in the previous
sketch of the history of the order in Winona county), was organ-
iijed by members of Prairie Lodge, No. 7, October 5, 1868. The
charter members, ten in number, were : H. C. Fuhrman, Wm,
Wedel, J. Harlan, B. Neuman, J. Budwig, C. Houseman, H. Ein-
feldt, J. Einfeldt, E. Peker and W. Wosohoskai. These are all
living, five of them still residents of Winona and prominent mem-
bers of Humboldt Lodge. This lodge was organized for the purpose
of working in the German language, and has had a most prosperous
existence. The total number of members borne on the rolls since
organization has been 174, and the present membership is 108.
They share with Prairie Lodge the beautiful hall in Simpson's block
and enjoy their share of the honors; D.D.G.M. H. C. Fuhrman
being general messenger of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of the
Order in the United States, the first office of the kind ever held by
any member of the fraternity in Minnesota.
H. C. Fuhrman, district deputy grand master and general mes-
senger of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of the United States, is a
native of Germany ; came from there to Wisconsin in 1850, and to
Winona in 1867 ; was engaged in business here until 1874, since
which time he has been employed in the railway postal service of
the United States. He is also a Master Mason, a member of Winona
Lodge, No. 18. Mr. Fuhrman is married, has one child attending
school in the city, and a son, A. W. Fuhrman, chief engineer of the
city fire department.
WINONA ENCAJMPMENT, NO. 10, I.O.O.F.
The two lodges of the order in this city having grown strong
and vigorous, it was determined about ten years since to institute an
encampment here. Accordingly, November 29, 1872, Alexander
SOCIETIES. 44 f>
Wilson, of St. Paul, Minnesota, grand patriarch of the state, assisted
by several G. P's from Red Wing, Minnesota, and H. P's W. G.
Dye, H. C. Fuhrman, J. M. Cole, B. Kirst, D. A. Briggs, W. Wed el
and D. A. Bannister, proceeded to institute an encampment of the
I.O.O.F., to be known as Winona Encampment, JS'o. 10, of Winona,
Minnesota, which was duly done, and the three principal officers
installed were : G. W. Dye, C.P., H. C. Fuhrman, H.P., and J. M.
Cole, S.W.
The destruction of the records leaves no accurate data for deter-
mining the number of deaths in the encampment, nor the whole
number of members admitted ; the present membership is 54. The^-
three chief chairs of the encampment have been officered as follows
since its institution.
DATE. CHIEF PATKIAKCIl. HIGH PKIEST. SENIOR WARDEN.
1873. B. P. Stoker W. Wedel D.A. Bannister.
Jan. 1874. D. A. Bannister W. G. Dye M. L. Mertes.
July 1874. M. L. Mertes B.Kirst J. D. Coe.
Jan. 1875. J. D. Coe B. Nenman C. C. Astrup.
July 1875. J. H. Hubbard H. G. C. Schmidt G. E. Haskins.
Jan. 1876. G. E. Haskins C. B. Shepard H. G. C. Schmidt.
July 1876. C. B. Shepard W. G. Dye L. Bates.
Jan. 1877. C. B. Shepard W. G. Dye L. Bates.
July 1877. L. Bates H. J. Stelter H. Pfankuch.
Jan. 1878. H. J. Stelter W. G. Dye C. B. Shepard.
July 1878. C. C. Astrup W. G. Dye W. A. Thompson.
Jan. 1879. W. A. Thompson W. G. Dye J. D. Coe.
July 1879. H. G. C. Schmidt W. G. Dye C. B. Shepard.
Jan. 1880. W. Wedel Aug. Munck H. Pfankuch.
July 1880. W. Wedc4 Aug. Munck H. Pfankuch.
1881. H. Pfankuch J. T. Gerlicher A. Beverstadt.
1882. J. Einfeldt A. Beyerstadt N. Scfileuter.
1883. A. Byerstedt N. Schleuter H. Hartmann.
The present officers are : C. P. , A. Beyerstedt ; H. P. , N.
Schleuter ; S.W., H. Hartmann ; J. W., W. Lucht ; Treas., H. Ein-
feldt ; Scribe, E. Hargesheimer ; Guide, F. Rakow ; O. S. , S. Stark ;
I.S., Aug. Schladenske; 1st W., N. Munck; 2d W., Jos. Leiclit; 3d
W., John Lohse; 4th W., Phil. Feiten.
A. F. AND A. M.
All wi'itten record of the planting of the masonic order in
Winona, and its history during the first five years of its organiza-
tion, was destroyed in the great fire of 1862, in which so much that
was pertinent to the earlier annals of this city and its institutions
was irretrievably lost. At that time, it will be remembered, the
whole people were turning their anxious faces southward and at-
tempting to forecast the future of the Republic in the issues of civil
26
450 HISTORY OF WIIS^OIN'A COUIN^TY.
war. That closed, other matters of business, reconstruction policies,
national and personal finance, engrossed the thoughts of people, and
so it transpired tliatfor various causes no attempt was made to rehabili-
tate the masonic records of the city for more than a full decade after
their destruction. In 1874, at the close of Worshipful Master I. B.
Cumming's tenth term of service as presiding officer of Winona
Lodge, No. 18, A. F. and A. M., he presented the matter in his annual
address. This was largely a resume of the work of the lodge dur-
ing the period he had been stationed in the east, to which was ap-
pended a most interesting narrative of the order here in so far as he
had been able to collect the items of its earlier history. This paper
lies now before us, and to it and verbal statements from Master Cum-
mings and others we acknowledge our indebtedness for much that is
valuaLble concerning the early days of Masonry in Winona. For
matters of later date, the records of the lodge and orders and the
courtesy of the secretaries, Bros. J. K. Ferguson and C. H. Porter,
have been freely drawn upon.
WENONA LODGE, NO. 18.
In ]S"ovember, 1855, H. D. Huff as W.M. and John lams and
G. K. Tucker as S.W. and J.W. respectively, applied for and were
granted a dispensation to open a masonic lodge in Winona. This
dispensation issued from the office of the then W.G.M. of this
jurisdiction, Moses Sherburne, and the lodge prospective was num-
bered 8, there being at that time but seven lodges of the order in
this masonic jurisdiction. It appears that this dispensation must
have expired by limitation or have been recalled, as another dispen-
sation was subsequently granted. There is no record or recollection
on the part of any of the old citizens of any masonic work under
this dispensation of Grand Master Sherburne, and according to the
general masonic belief matters remained in statu quo. The following
May, 1856, upon petition of certain Masonic brethren in this city, a
dispensation to open a masonic lodge here was granted by the then
worshipful grand master, A. T. C. Pierson. In the following Jan-
uary, 1857, the grand lodge approved the dispensation and granted
a charter, and on March 3 of that same year P. P. Hubbell (so
well known to the masonic fraternity of Minnesota as Father Hub-
bell), deputized to act for the grand master, organized Winona Lodge,
No. 18, A. F. and A. M., duly consecrated the same and installed
the following officers : W.M.,' G. R. Tucker; S.W., J. S. Camp-
SOCIETIES. 451
bell; J.W., H. D. Morse; Treas., G. W. Horton; Sec, C. E.
Yoiglit. The records of this transaction being lost, it is impossible to
say just what names appeared npon the original petition or what
officers in addition to those already named were installed ; but from
the register of members, which was not burned, being in the lodge-
room at the time, as will afterward appear, it .is certain that the roll
of charter members included, besides those already given, the names
of Bros. H. D. Huff, John lams, C. F. Buck and Geo. W. Curtis.
The original lodge-room was in Laird's building, at the lower end
of the levee, and here they remained, according to the best informa-
tion attainable, until the formal institution of the. lodge in the spring
of 1857, at about which time they removed to the L. D. Smith build-
ing on the levee, afterward known as Riverside Hotel, and occupy-
ing very nearly the present site of Krundick's elevator. It was dur-
ing their occupancy of these quarters that the disastrous fire of
1862 occurred, in which as before said, all their records and papers,
save members' register, were burned. These records and papers
were not in the lodge-room at the time the fire occurred, but in the
private office of the lodge secretary, John Keyes, whose office, with
all it contained, was swept away in common with scores of others.
The Riverside Hotel escaped destruction, and the lodge was not
called upon to bear the loss of its furniture and regalia, as well as
its records — a misfortune which the I.O.O.F. fraternity did not
escape. Early in the following year, 1863, arrangements were
made for occupying the third story of what is now known as Xo. 1,
Simpson's block, a lease executed for a term of years and posses-
sion taken June 3 of that year. These were commodious quarters
as compared with those formerly occupied, or with any others in
soutliern Minnesota at that date, and the order were not unreason-
ably elated at the comfort and convenience of their new hall. Here
the formal dedication of the lodge-room occurred June 27, 1863,
conducted in due and ancient form by W. G.M. Pierson, who delivered
a most interesting oration (public) on that occasion. Here the lodge
continued its beneficent work under enlarging opportunities for use-
fulness, and had so increased its membership that at the close of the
eighth year of its existence its grand lodge dues aggregated $110.
In ten years the craft had outgrown their accommodations in
Simpson's block and new quarters became a necessit3^ Postoffice
block, corner of Third and Center streets, then newly erected, was
considered the most likely to afford the desired room and privacy.
452 HISTORY OF WESrONA COUNTY.
Negotiations were entered into which resulted in the lease of the
third story of the block for a term of ten years. Here on June 27,
1872 (the tenth anniversary of the dedication of the lodge-room in
Simpson's block), the new lodge-room was formally set apart in due
masonic form for the work of the craft. M.W.G.M. Griswold
conducted the ceremonies, a pleasing feature of the occasion being
the grand march of the subordinate lodges and the most worshipful
grand master, escorted by a detachment of the Knights Templar.
The lease of the hall now occupied nearly a decade, expires the
ensuing June, but a new lease for ten years has just been executed
(April, 1883), and as the fraternity may now be considered as settled
until June, 1893, and particularly as they have arranged to expend
$1,000 in improving their lodge-room, a description of the finest
masonic quarters in the northwest will not be out of place in this
connection. Postoffice block is a full three-story and basement brick,
with stone foundations and trimmings, fronting on the two principal
streets of the city, with entrances on both. Tlie building is 52 X 90
feet, and the entire third story is devoted to masonic use. The lodge-
room proper is 28 X 52 feet with ceilings fifteen feet high, sloping to
fourteen feet at the lower end of the hall. Adjoining this, and
connected with it by folding doors, is the armory of the commandery,
used also as occasion requires for a banquet hall. This room is
20 X 62, elegantly furnished with cabinets for the regalia and arms of
the knights, and on the walls of which are displayed the richly
emblazoned banners of the commandery. The reception-room is
quite commodious, 20 X 24 feet, as are also the kitchen, examination,
preparation and tyler's rooms. The kitchen is well furnished with
all the necessary paraphernalia, including table furniture, for main-
taining the record of the craft for generous cheer and good fellow-
ship. These rooms are now being renovated, and walls and ceilings
finished in the latest style of decorative art. This accomplished,
and the new carpets laid and minor arrangements completed, the
masonic bodies of Winona will be as sumptuously lodged, and as
favorably circumstanced for effective work, as they could possibly
desire. To avert the calamity so sensibly felt in the destruction of
their records by fire twenty-one years ago, they have furnished their
lodge-room with a magnificent fire-proof safe, amply sufficient for
the records of blue lodge, chapter and commandery, each body
having its separate compartment.
As matter of record, we append the names of those who have
SOCIETIES. 453
successively been stationed in the east, west and south since the
organization of the lodge.
BATE. WORSHIPFUL MASTER. SENIOR WARDEN. JUNIOR WARDEN.
1857. G. R. Tucker J. S. Campbell H. D. Morse.
1858. G. R. Tucker J. S. Campbell H. D. Morse.
18,59. J. S. Campbell H. D. Morse James White.
1860. P. P. Hubbell Jas. White D. C. Patterson.
18()1. G. R. Tucker H. D. Morse Sam Fox.
1862. G. R. Tucker H. D. Morse Sam Fox.
1863. J. S. Campbell Sam Fox Maurice Nolan.
1864. G. R. Tucker Chas. Benson D. A. Coe.
1865. G. R. Tucker LB. Cummings W. G. Dye.
1866. I. B. Cummings W. G. Dye John Sherman.
1867. I. B. Cummings F. A.Searey John Ball.
1868. I. B. Cummings F. A. Searey W. S. Drew.
1869. I. B. Cummings J. C. Slater R. B. Basford.
1870. I. B. Cummings J. C. Slater R. B. Basford.
1871. I. B. Cummings J. C. Slater Columbia Drew.
1872. I. B. Cummings W. H. Stevens 0. B. Gould.
1873. I. B. Cummings 0. B. Gould N. F. Frarv
1874. I. B. Cummings O. B. Gould N. F. Frary.
1875. I. B. Cummings N. Staughton W. H. Bennett.
1876. I. B. Cummings W. H. Bennett J. C. Palmer.
1877. W. H. Bennett N. F. Frary R. M. Whitney.
1878. I. B. Cummings W. H. Bennett R. M. Whitney.
1879. I. B. Cummings W. H. Bennett Chas. H. Goodwin.
1880. W. H. Bennett Chas. H. Goodwin Thos. A. Richardson.
1881. Thos. A. Richardson. . . .Chas. H. Goodwin C. H. Lockwood.
1882. Thos. A. Richardson . . . . E. D. Hulbert W. C. Brown.
1883. E. D. Hulbert J. C. Hillmer C. C. Clement.
The other officers for the current year are : Treas., C. H. Porter ;
Sec, J. K. Ferguson; Chap., Rev.^E. J. Purdy ; S.D., Thos. Mc-
Davitt; J.D., E. G. Nerrus ; S.S., M. E. Frumer ; J.S., J. F.
Gerlichen ; Marshal, O. B. Gould ; Organist, F. A. A. Robertson ;
Tyler, L. K. Eastey. The trustees are O. B. Gould, Sam Fox, and C.
H. Berry. The lodge has had but few changes in the office of sec-
retary. John Keyes, of whose election there is no record, he
having held that office prior to 1862, closed his labors as recording
officer of the lodge in 1869. To him succeeded W. G. Dye, who
kept the records until the close of 1878. K M. Whitney was then
elected and served one year, when the present secretary, J. K. Fer-
guson, was elected and installed.
]^ is but fitting that some mention should here be made of
"Father Hubbell," who consecrated the lodge at its institution and
installed its officers, as previously mentioned. ' ' Father Hubbell " is
a mason of sixty-three years' standing. His application was made as
early as the law allows, on his twenty-first birthday, which occurred
454 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
February 1, 1820. His application came before Painted Post Lodge,
No. 203 (old number), then holding its sessions in an upper room
in the house of the applicant's father at Corning, ISTew York. Father
Hubbell was initiated in March of that same year, 1820, passed in
April and raised in May. He is doubtless the oldest Mason in the
state. Winona Lodge is just closing the twenty-seventh year of its
history. During that time four hundred and eleven members have
been borne upon its rolls ; of these thirty-three have gone out from
the earthly lodge-room to appear before the Supreme Master of the
Universe and submit the designs upon their tresselboards. The
present number of members is 158.
WINONA CHAPTER NO. 5, E.A.M.
No sooner had the members of the blue lodge become firmly
established in their then commodious quarters in Simpson's block
than they turned their attention to the formation of a chapter,
rightly concluding that in a city of Winona's growing importance
the craft should maintain labor in the higher as well as lower degrees
of the order. Accordingly, on August 11, 1863, a petition was
presented to A. E. Ames, G.H.P., of this masonic jurisdiction, ask-
ing for dispensation to open a cha])ter here, to be known as Winona
Chapter, No. 5, R.A.M. The petitioners were: Warren Powers,
H.P. ; Philo P. Hubbell, King; H. D. Morse, Scribe ; and compan-
ions James Gwynn, James B. Stockton, David Barker, Isaac Ben-
ham, A. P. Hoit and R. G. Stevens. September 18, 1863, these
companions assembled under direction of A. T. C. Pierson, acting
as proxy for the G.H.P., who opened the chapter in due form. At
the annual convocation of the grand chapter, held the following
month, a record of the proceedings in the case of the formation of
Winona Chapter was presented, the work approved and a charter
granted, bearing date October 29, 1863. No election of officers was
held until the close of the following year, the posts being filled as
indicated by the petition and the officers therein designated installed.
The annual election for chapter officers is held about the close of the
civil year, late in December, and the roster of officers ^hereto
appended is given for the year of their service, and not of their
election. As in the case of Winona Lodge, No. 18, only the three
ranking officers are given to date, but the full list for the current
year appears.
SOCIETIES. 455
YEAR. HIGH PKIEST. KING. HCKIBE.
1865. Charles Benson James M. Cole F. D. Hayden.
1866. James M. Cole G. R. Tucker Orrin AVheeler.
1867. James M. Cole Orrin Wheeler W. (i. Dye.
1868. W. G. Dye James M. Cole F. S. Buck.
1869. W. G. Dve W. K.T. Vila John Ball.
1870. Jauies M. Cole I. B. Cummings F. Staples.
1871. AV. K. F. Vila F. Staples LB. Cummings.
1872. W. K. F. Vila F. Staples J. C. Schoonmaker.
1873. W. G. Dye LB. Cummings James M. Cole.
1874. W. K. F. Vila R. B. Basford: LB. Cummings.
1875. R. B. Basford W. K. F. Vila N. B. Uflord.
1876. R. B. Basford W. K. F. Vila N. B. Ufford.
1877. N. B. Ufford W. K. F. Vila R. B. Basford.
1878. N. B. Uflord W. K. F. Vila R. B. Basford.
1879. N. B. Uliord J. L. Brink N. Staughton.
1880. N. B. Uff"ord J. L. Brink N. Staughton.
1881. I. B. Cummings J. L. Brink Charles Gilbert.
1882.. I. B. Cummings G. L. Gates N. Staughton.
The several offices of the chapter for 1883 are filled as follows :
H. P. , Geo. L. Gates ; K. , Thomas A. Kichardson ; * Scribe, J. L.
Brink; C. ofH., W. H. Bennett; K.A.G, H. C. Shepard ; P.S.,
E. D. Hulbert; Treas., C. H. Porter; Sec, J. K. Ferguson;
G.M. 3d Y., A. O. Slade ; G.M. 2d V., M. E. Trumer ; G.M. 1st V.,
V. A. Brink ; Sentinel, L. K. Eastey.
The total number of companions that have held membership in
Winona Chapter during the almost twenty years of its existence has
been 185 ; of these 1-4 have entered within the vail to return to the
earthly host no more, and there now remain 80 regularly borne u])oii
tlie record.
CffiUR DE LION COMMANDERY, NO. 3, K.T.
The formal establishment of the chapter consummated, and its
permanency assured, the organization of a commandery soon followed
as a matter of necessity — there being at this time no asylum of the
order in southern Minnesota. May 13, 1864, a petition to open and
hold a commandery in Winona was presented M.E. Sir Knight B.B.
French, at that time grand master of K. T. of U. S. The following
month the dispensation issued, and was committed to M.E. Sir
Knight A. T. C. Pierson, G.C.G. of K. T. of U. S. and E.G. of
Damascus Commandery of St. Paul, who, as deputy for the grand
master, proceeded to Winona bearing the dispensation. This dis-
* Companion Thomas Richardson's throne, as king of Winona Chapter, was
vacated by the summons of the pale horseman, February 14, ]88:i. At the
time of his death Mr. Richardson was a meiDber of the stale legislature ironi
this representative district; a bright Mason, and recognized everywhere as one
of the best workmen of the.craft for his years which only numbered 27 when
he was called to the grand convocation above.
456 HISTOKY OF WINONA COUNTY.
pensation, of date June 18, 1864, empowered Sir Knights Warren
Powers, Rob. Urquhart, G. D. Bristol, M. Wheeler Sargent, H. L.
Freeman, C. D. Sherwood, E. F. Dodge, Charles Benson and James
M. Cole to open and hold a commandery of K. T. and Council of
the Order of Knights of the Red Cross, to be designated bj the name
CcEur de Lion Commandery, of Winona, Minnesota, which was done
as commanded, with Sir Knight Warren Powers, E.C., Rob Urquhart,
G., and G. Y. Bristol, C.G. There being at this time no grand
commandery of Minnesota, the Winona Knights continued to work
under dispensation from the grand master of K. T. of U. S. until the
meeting of the grand encampment at Columbus, Ohio, September 7,
1865. The by-laws, records and work of Coeur de Lion Command-
ery were approved, after examination by the grand encampment,
and a charter issued, bearing date September 13, 1865, fully habili-
tating Coeur de Lion Commandery with authority to elect officers,
confer orders, and do all other things pertaining to the rights and
powers of a loyal commandery of K.T. On October 19, 1865, a
dispensation issued from H. L. Palmer, G.M. of K. T. of U. S.,
authorizing the organization of a grand commandery for the State of
Minnesota. This work was prosecuted by the grand master in per-
son, and on October 23, 1865, the Grand Commandery of Minnesota
was created, Coeur de Lion Commandery transferred from the juris-
diction of the grand encampment to that of the Grand Commandery
of Minnesota, and enrolled as Cceur de Lion Commandery, No. 3, of
Winona. Sir Knights Powei-s, Urquhart and Bristol held the offices
to which they had been elected at the organization of the command-
ery until the annual reports were returned to the grand master of K. T.
of U. S. , when another election was held, resulting in the choice of Sir
Knight Rob. Urquhart, E.C., J. M. Cole, G., and D. A. Coe, C.G.,
who held office until the commandery obtained its charter, when a
new election was ordered. This statement explains the apparent
paradox of two elections having been held in 1865, as appears from
the accompanying table, which shows the successive results of the
annual elections of the commandery, so far as the three highest offices
are concerned :
DATK. EMINENT COMMANDER. GENEEALISSIMO. CAPTAIN GENERAL.
1 cr- ^ Warren Powers R. Urquhart D. A. Coe.
^^''•' I R. Urquhart J. M. Cole D. A. Coe.
ISm. R. Urquhart J. M. Cole D. A. Coe.
1867. James M. Cole A. W. Webster B. H. Langley.
1 868. A. W. Webster B. H. Langley W. G. Dye.
SOCIETIES. 457
YEAR. EMINENT COMMANDER. GENERALISSIMO. CAPTAIN GENERAL.
1869. A. W. Webster B. H. Langley W. G. Dye.
1870. B. H. Langley W. G. Dye W. K. F. Vila.
1871. B. H. Langley W. G. Dye W. K. F. Vila.
1872. B. H. Langley W. G. Dye W. K. F. Vila.
1878. B. H. Langley W. K. Vila R. L. McCormick.
1874. B. H. Langley W. K. Vila R. L. McCormick.
1875. B. H. Langley W. K. Vila Isaac Slade.
1876. W. K. F. Vila Isaac Slade N. Staughton.
1877. W. K. F. Vila Isaac Slade N. Staughton.
1878. B. H. Langley Isaac Slade N. Staughton.
1879. Isaac Slade "! N. Staughton R. B. Basford.
1880. N. Staughton W. K. F. Vila Isaac Slade.
1881. Isaac Slade W. K. F. Vila A. W. Scott.
1882. A. W. Scott Isaac Slade N. Staughton.
1883. A. W. Scott Isaac Slade N. Staughton.
The other officers for the current year are I. B. Cummings,
Prelate; S. Fox, S.W.; R B. Basford, Treas.; W. H. Bennett, S.B.;
F. A. A. Kobertson, W.; A. O. Slade, 2d G.;W. K. Vila, J. W.; C.
H. Porter, Kec. ; E. F. Mues, Sw. B. ; G. L. Gates, 3d G. ; E. S.
Nevius, 1st G. ; L. K. Eastey, Sentinel,
The whole number of knights that have been enrolled in Coeur
de Lion Commandery since its organization in 1864 has been 144.
Of these, 61 still remain upon the rolls, 40 of whom are residents of
this city. Of the 83 whose names no longer appear, eight have died
as members of this commandery, leaving the courts of the earthly
temple to enter through the more glorious gates of the upper, the
sanctuary not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. The
remaining 75 have scattered far and wide ; no doubt many of them
have joined the bannered host of the grand encampment above.
There are many items of interest that might be recorded concern-
ing Coeur de Lion Commandery and the sir knights who compose it.
We mention only a few.
March 17, 1865, Sir Knight P. P. Hubbell (Father Hubbell) was
made an honorary member of the commandery, a distinction con-
ferred upon no other during the nineteen years of its existence.
With the granting of the charter the name of the commandery
was changed from the French form of the name, which it bore at its
institution, to the English form of the words, "Cceur de Lion," as it
now is. At the triennial conclave, held in Chicago in f 880, Coeur de
Lion received general commendation for its arms and banner — its
beautifully-emblazoned standard eliciting universal praise as one of
the most beautiful ensigns in that immense host. This commandery
has furnished three grand commanders for the state : Sir Knights
458 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
James M. Cole, B. F. Langlej and R. L. McCormick, who are ex-
officio members of the grand encampment. Of these James M. Cole
was grand master of the grand commander y in 1868-9, and G. War-
der of the grand encampment in from 1868 to 1871. B. F. Langley
was eminent commander of C(Bur de Lion Commander}^ for seven
terms, grand commander of the state in 1874-5 and grand senior
warden of the grand encampment from 1874 to 1877. R. L.
McCormick was grand conductor on the state commanderj in 1881.
Father Hubbell was appointed to the grand prelacy of the Grand
Commanderj of Minnesota in 1874, the office being vacated bj the
death of Y.P. Sir Knight A. E. Ames, and has held the office by
successive election ever since — the action of the commandery being
so unanimous in every instance as to approve the judgment of many
that he will liold the office he so honors until called up higher by
the Supreme Commander of the Universe. I. B. Cummings, the
present prelate of Coeur de Lion, has held that office for thirteen
consecutive terms, and magnihes it.
The Druids are divided into three separate organizations, namely :
Winona Grove (German), Scandinavian Lund and Oak Grove (Eng-
lish). We will first take up the Winona Grove, ISTo. 6. This branch
was organized in September, 1871, the charter being granted the
same year. The officers were : Christian Heintz, president ; Con-
rad Sherer, vice-president ; Henry Stelter, secretary ; Fred. Martin,
treasurer. There were at first but twelve members. The object
of the society, like other organizations of its kind, is benevolent.
There are three degrees. Members having acquired all the degrees
are called Druids, and when unable to work receive from the society
$5 -per week. The second degree is given after the member has
been in the association six months ; these members receive $3 when
unable to work. The first degree is received upon initiation. Such
members, during sickness, receive but $2 per week. On the death
of a member the widow receives from the entire association through-
out the state a sum of money varying as to the entire membership
at the time. An assessment is made of $1 upon every member in
the state ; this is given to the widow ; but if the sum exceeds $2,-
000, the excess over this falls to the widows' fund in the treasury.
The society receives into its ranks only men of respectability and
temperance. The members are liable at any time to be suspended
SOCIETIES. 459
or expelled for misconduct. The Winona Grov^e have in their
ti'easury at present $750 in cash, besides property of various kinds
valued at $1,420. The officers are : Claus Nottelmann, president ;
Henry Kluver, vice-president; Hugo Enderlein, secretarv ; B. Howe,
assistant secretary ; Fred. Meyer, treasurer.
Scandinavian Grove, Wo. 12, vv^as organized May 23. 1876 ;
the charter was granted at the same date. The lirst officers were :
N.A., O. M. Olsen ; V.A., A. G. Steelhammer ; secretary, L.
Olsen; treasurer, Christ Ohristofferson ; I.G., O. Hanson; con-
ductor, L. O. Engelstad ; O.G., M. C. Wahler ; K. H.B.N. A., John
Ereckner; L.H.B.KA., M. P. Foss ; K.H.B.Y.A., O. Thompson;
L.H.B.Y.A., L C. Olson. At first there were but eighteen charter
members ; the number has now increased to thirty-four. The names
of the present officers are : D.D., L. Olson ; N.A., H. U, Nelson ;
Y.A., Otto Outzeer ; secretary, Edward Anderson; conductor, H.
L. Berg; O.G., G. P. Gillsbery ; E. H.B.N. A., Issak Nilse ; L.H.
B.N. A., H. P. Hanson ; I.G., B. Broderson ; R.H.B.Y.A., A. C.
Larson : L.H.B.Y.A., G. Christeanser.
Oak Grove was organized and had the charter granted August
10, 1877, with a membership of forty-four. The officers were : N,
A., E. B. Basford ; Y.A., G. K. Adams ; secretary, H. W. Posz ;
treasurer, H. E. Wedel. At present there are iifty-three members.
The officers are: N.A., G. K. Adams; Y.A., J. Seicht ; secre-
tary, H. W. Posz ; treasurer, W. C. Pletke.
A.O.U.W.
. Winona Lodge, Wo. W, was organized August 3, 1877, with thirteen
charter members, and in the less than six years of its existence has
grown to a flourishing beneficiarj^ with 110 members and half a score
of petitions for membership to be acted upon. Among the objects
proposed to be accomplished b}' this organization, one of the leading
features is the payment of $2,000 at the death of a member to his
family. This is effected through the grand lodge organization of
the state. The financial standing of the lodge is most excellent,
and under the management of its efficient officers is rapidly increas-
ing in influence and members. The present board of officers is as
follows : P.M.W., J. J. Hoftman ; M.W., W. C. Pierce ; F., P. W.
Leach ; O., George Paris ; recorder, W. O. Kennedy ; rec, J. M.
Sheardown ; fin., J. C. Parchyues ; guide, Wm. Ehler ; LW.
Wm. Ehmke ; O.W., Wm. Petersen. The annual dues as estab-
460 HISTOKY OF WESrONA COTHSTTY.
lislied by the lodge are $4, payable in quarterly installments. The
cost of carrying $2,000 beneficiary being about $18 to $20 per
annum.
KNIGHTS OF HONOR
were organized on May 30, 1877. The charter was granted the same
date. At first there were but seventeen charter members. The offi-
cers were : A. H. Snow, dictator ; W. H. Stevens, past dictator ; N.
Buck, vice-dictator ; C. B. Maxwell, assistant dictator ; S. Fleish-
man, financial reporter ; IST. Bufford, treasurer ; L. D, Frost,
guardian ; W. R. Williams, chaplain ; G. H. Ellsburry, reporter ;
J. F. Martin, sentinel. At present there are forty-two members,
and the order is in a flourishing condition. The ofiicers are : J. B.
McGaughey, past dictator ; S. Fleishman, dictator ; Thomas Hill,
vice dictator ; W. C. Richardson, assistant dictator ; J. Gertter,
treasurer ; Jacob Smith, guardian ; W. C. Brown, financial reporter ;
L. D. Frost, reporter ; H. Fraelich, guardian ; Wm. Werner,
sentinel ; A. Walsworth, chaplain.
TEMPLE OF HONOR
was organized and chartered June 11, 1875, with a membership of
nineteen. The charter members were: L, O. Stevens, W.C.T. ;
J. L. Furgurson, W.Y.T.; C. A. Bierce, W.R.; R. M. Martin,
W.A.R.; F. S. Quinsey, W.F.R.; John Bally, A.F.R.; R. M. Mc-
Question, W.C. ; H. H. Wassen, W.H. ; J. Manning, W.D. ; Wm.
H. St. John, W.S. ; Louis Larson, W.G. ; W. W. Wood, D.G. W.C.T.
The present officers are : A. Thomas, W.C.T. ; vacant, W. Y.T. ; L. O.
Stevens, W.R.; B. Haverson, W.F.R.; Mr. Martin, W.H.; Mr.
Niles, W.D.H.; Mr. Blood, W.G. ; N"ed Gallion, W. S. ; C. Johns-
ton, P. W.C.T.; L. O. Stevens, W.C; G. A. Terril, D.G. W.C.T.
The number of members at present is thirty.
GOOD TEISIPLARS.
This society was organized and the charter granted November 15,
1882. The number of members in the beginning was thirty-nine ;
at present the number has increased to fifty. Although in existence
but a short space of time the society is in a prosperous condition,
the officers are: L. R. Stevens, W.C.T.; A. Thomas, P. W.C.T.;
Mrs. E. Halbert, W.V.T.; Rev. F. W. Flint, W.Chap.; L. D.
Schoonmaker, W.Sec. ; Miss Lizzie Gage, W.A.Sec. ; Fred. Wait,
W.F.Sec; C. A. Bierce, W.T.; G. E. Tount, W.M.; Miss Ella
SOCIETIES. 461
Tount, W.D.M.; Miss Libbie Mayburj, W.T.G.; E. P. Wait, W.
Sent.; C. G. Maybury, L.D.; Miss Wait, K.H.S.; Miss Sanford,
L.H.S.; C. A. Bierce, E. P. Wait, A. W. Gage, trustees.
WOMANS' TEMPEKANCE UNION.
This society was organized in 1875. The officers were: Mrs.
Hollowell, president ; Mrs. Bierce, secretary ; Mrs. M. K. Drew,
treasurer. The organization at first numbered but twelve members ;
at present the membership has increased to sixty. Tlie officers at
present are : Mrs. J. Swart, president ; Mrs. Thompson, vice-presi-
dent ; Mrs. M. K. Drew, secretary ; Mrs. Cosgrove, treasurer.
The society is said to be in a prosperous condition.
THE WmONA EQUITABLE AID UNION,
This society was organized and charter granted June 22, 1880,
with a membership of thirty-one. The following were the first
officers elected : Prof. W. F. Phelps, president ; W. W. Slocumb,
vice-president ; D. E. Yance, chancellor ; John J. Myres, advocate ;
C. G. Maybury, treasurer; J. N. Maybury, secretary.
The officers are elected semi-annually. There has been in this
society some withdrawals and suspensions, but it is at writing in a
prosperous condition. There is a membership at present of 43.
The officers for 1882 are: Thomas H. Shaw, president; John C.
Brown, vice-president ; C. G. Maybury, treasurer ; L. A. West,
secretary.
The operations of this union are, by virtue of a charter granted
in conformity to the laws and regulations of the founders of the
order, called the Supreme Equitable Aid Union. This was incor-
porated March 22, 1879, in compliance with a statute of the Com-
monwealth of Pennsylvania, under date of April 29, 1874. The
incorporators were D. A. Dewey, R, N, Seaver, W. B. Howard,
H. S. Ayer and W. H. Muzzy, all citizens of Columbus, Pennsyl-
vania.
Objects of the order : 1, To unite fraternally all white persons,
socially and physically acceptable, between sixteen and sixty-five
years of age. 2. To give equal benefits to both sexes, striving to
improve the social and moral bearing of each, 3. To give woman
all the rights that social equality can bestow, and to grant her all
the benefits secured to man by secret organizations, 4. To give all
moral and material aid in its power to members of the order by
462 HISTORY OF WESrONA COUISTTY.
assistino- each other in business, in obtaining employment and in
sickness. 5. To establish a benefit fund, from which a sum not to
exceed $3,000 shall be paid at the death of a member to whom the
member shall designate, or to his heirs. 6, To see that in sickness
fraternal care is at all times given, and to advance the social friend-
ship of the member in every manner possible. Besides the prin-
cipal union, over 400 subordinate orders are in existence, with an
entire membership of 15,000. In the last three and a half years
105 deaths have occurred, and $196,331.45 has been paid out in
insurance.
GERMAN PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY
was incorporated April 11, 1866, with a membership of fifteen.
The first ofhcers were : G. Lautenoshlaeger, president ; F. Kroeger,
vice-president ; N. F. Hibbert, secretary ; R. Radke, treasurer ; C.
F. Schroth, Wm. Wedel, E. A. Gerdtzen, trustees. The charter
members were as follows : G. Lautenoshlaeger, A. Putsoh, R.
Radke, M. Rose, C. F. Schroth, E. A. Gerdtzen, F. Kroeger, W. F.
Hibbert, AVm. Wedel, W. R. Schmidt, Jacob Scherffins, G. Erd-
mann, Peter Scherffins, F. Steinhagen, F. C. Kopp. At the present
writing there are in all 115 members. The officers are : Eugene
Gerstenhauer, president ; David Fakler, vice-president ; Jacob Girt-
ler, secretary ; F. Moebus, financial secretary ; C. W. Anding, treas-
urer ; G. Anger, E. W. Rebstork, J. Scherffins, trustees ; Arthur
Beyersteds, steward.
GERMANIA BAND.
The Germania band was organized in 1857 by Herman
Rohweder. The members were as follows : H. Rohweder, leader ;
Charles Ebert, Wm. Stark, Philip Simmer, Gottleib Bughorlz,
C. Hill, G. S. Story, Henry Leor, Geo. Hazen, Wm. Ross. In
1879 the organization was enlarged ; it now consists of a brass-band
and an orchestra of stringed instruments. The members at present
are Herman Rohweder, Henry Bentz, Jr., Henry Bentz, Sr., Fritz
Bentz, Conrad Wolpers, Frank Yotruba, Christ Clausen, Henry
Clausen, August G. Miller, W. F. Becker, Wm. Becker. Fritz
Ulrich, Julius Miller.
ST. ALOYSIUS YOUNG MEn's SOCIETY.
The charter was granted and the society organized in April, 1875.
The organizers were IST. Schneider, M. Smith, G. Schork and
J. Smith. There were nineteen members at first. The names of
CHURCHES. 463
the officers are as follows : H. Schroeder, president ; N. Schneider,
vice-president ; J. Armand, secretary ; J. Schumacher, assistant
secretary ; B. A. Gernes, treasurer.
The society has two objects. The first is benevolence. Members
physically unable to work receive from the society |3 per week until
recovery. This is secured by an assessment on each member of
twenty-five cents per month. The second object of the society is
mutual benefit and pleasure. The officers at present are : J. Hoffarth,
president ; J. Smith, vice-president ; J. Semmer, secretary ; F.
Winkels, assistant secretary ; A. Wirth, treasurer. The number
of members at present is thirty-five.
CHAPTER XLIY.
CHURCHES.
Preshjterian Church. — The First Presbyterian Society of
Winona was organized July 15, 1856. and its articles of asso-
ciation will be found recorded on page 198, book F, office of
register of deeds. The original board of trustees were Henry
Day. D. C. Patterson, M.D., J. T. Smith, Daniel Wells and Samuel
Moss. Of these, Mr. Day removed to Elkhart, Indiana, in 1861,
and died there some years later ; Mr. Wells removed to La Crosse
in 1859 ; Dr. Patterson has been a resident of Washington, D.C.,
for many years, and J. T. Smith has long since removed to Port
Byron. New York, his present residence. Mr. Samuel Moss died in
Winona, September 5, 1865. The church organization was effected
about six weeks after the formation of the society, August 31, 1856,
and numbered fifteen members. Rev. Daniel Ames was at that
time supplying the pulpit of the recently formed society, and he
was assisted in the church organization by Rev. Jacob E. Conrad,
of Rochester, Minnesota. Of the original (fifteen) members who
constituted the church at the time of its organization there is not
one now residing in this city. The officers elected at the organiza-
tion of the church were : Henry Day, Samuel Moss and John Mor-
rison, elders ; Henry Day', deacon. The only surviving member of
the original board of officers is Mr. John Morrison, now residing in
464 HISTORY OF WTNONA COUTfTY.
St. Charles, in this county. This church was organized under the
auspices of the New School branch of the Presbyterian church, and
was upon its organization attached to the Blue Earth presbytery.
The first pastor of the church was Rev. Daniel Ames, whose pas-
torate extended from July, 1856, to April, 1858. The first com-
munion of the church was celebrated September 6, 1856. The first
baptism was that of Samuel Dean Moss, son of Samuel and Augusta
B. Moss, September 6, 1856. The oldest resident members of the
church are Mrs. Calista Balcombe, Mr, Dingman Spelman and Mrs.
Amelia Spelman, admitted by letter January 18, 1857. The Rev.
Daniel Ames having resigned the pulpit of the society in April, 1858,
the church was without a regular minister until December of that
year, when Rev. D. C. Lyon was called to the pastorate, accepted,
entered upon his duties, and maintained his connection with the
church until June, 1867, when he resigned to accept the post of
synodical missionary. This position he still fills with great accepta-
bility to the church throughout the entire state, by whom he is sin-
cerely beloved and revered. His residence since his removal from
Winona has been at St. Paul. Important changes transpired in
the condition and relations of the church during Rev. Lyon's admin-
istration, who was familiarly known as "Father Lyon," — a sobri-
quet well deserved, as he was literally as well as officially ' ' father
of the church." Soon after his acceptance of the pastorate the church
severed its connection with the New School branch of Presbyterianism,
and transferring its allegiance to the Old School branch united with the
presbytery of Winnebago, Wisconsin. The first place of worship of
the little church was a small rude frame building erected in 1856, on
Fourth street, between the old Congregational church and the resi-
dence of the late Wm. Richardson. This building was materially
altered, enlarged and improved soon after Father Lyons assumed
charge of the church, and in that condition was occupied by the
society until the completion of their present church edifice on the
corner of Main and Fifth streets, fronting the park. The new
church was taken possession of in the fall of 1866, at which time
the old building was sold to the Unitarian society, by whom it was
sold to V. Simson, Esq., and by him converted into dwellings. The
new building was erected mainly through the efforts of Father
Lyon. The building committee were Messrs. A. F. Hodgins, Wm.
Richardson and Hon. Wm. Mitchell. The church edifice, which at
the date of its erection was the finest house for religious worship
r<^!4^^ >^ -Wi^eV*
'"^^ . ^iVJ . ^A a-^ ^ A .
CHURCHES. 467
in the city, is of brick, fronting forty feet on Main streeet ; lias
a total depth of sixty-two feet, and the audience-room proper a
seating capacity of 300. To this structure, costing with grounds
about $14,000, has since been added a brick lecture-room facing
twenty-six and one-half feet on Fifth street, with a total depth of
fifty-two feet, and having additional accommodations for 150 persons.
The lecture-room is connected with the main auditorium by folding
doors, and as occasion demands the whole can be utilized at once,
afibrding accommodation for 450 people.
The pulpit remained vacant after the resignation of Father Lyon,
in the summer of 1867, until July 30, 1868, when a call was ex-
tended to the Rev. Joseph M. McNulty, who filled the pulpit
until his resignation in March, 1871. The church was without a
regular pastor until November of that year, when Rev. Rockwood
McQuestin (now of Minneapolis) accepted a call as pastor and
maintained his connection with the church until September, 1877,
when he accepted a call to the Presbyterian church of Waterloo,
Iowa, and severed his connection with the society here. The same
fall Rev.W. D. Thomas was called to the church and continued as
its pastor until December 15, 1880, when he resigned to accept a call
extended him by the Presbyterian church of La Crosse, Wisconsin.
During Rev. Thomas' administration the -lecture-room and infant
class-rooms for Sunday-school work were added at a cost of $8,000,
and a fine organ placed in the auditorium at an additional expense of
$2,400. The church was again without a pastor after the departure
of Rev. Thomas until December 1, 1881, when Rev. F. W. Flint,
the present incumbent, having accepted the call extended him,
entered upon his duties.
The financial condition of the society is good. The maxim of
the church management has always been " pay as you go," and with
the exception of a small balance still due on the organ the society
is without debt.
The present session of the church is composed as follows :
Rev. F. W. Flint (ex-ofiicio moderator) ; P. P. Hubbell, F. F. St.
John, J. W. Thomas, W. R.Williams and C. O. Goss. The present
board of trustees is as follows : A. F. Hodgins, Wm. Mitchell,
J. W. Thomas, W. R. Williams, A. M. Dixon. Of these, W. R.
Williams is treasurer and C. O. Goss, clerk. The number of mem-
bers now upon the church rolls is 166, and the total revenue of the
church for 1882, including benevolent contributions and Sunday-
27
468 HISTORY OF WIJSrOT^A COinSTTY.
school ofFei'ings. was $3,486.47. There have been 103 baptisms
since the organization of the church.
Presbyterian Sunday School. — The Sunday school, as first sus-
tained by the church was a union school, and so continued until
1866, when the formal organization of a Sunday school under the
immediate direction of the church was perfected. The school had
at that time about sixty or seventy scholars, but so imperfect are the
records that no specific data can be given. In October of that
year, 1866, F. F. St. John assumed charge of the school, and was its
superintendent until 1882, when C. O. Goss was elected to that
position. This school now numbers about 175, including teachers,
and is officered as follows : O. C. Goss, superintendent ; W. H. St.
John, secretary ; H. Thompson, treasurer ; Thomas A. Richardson,
librarian; F. F. St. John, assistant librarian. Rev. F. W. Flint,
present pastor of the church, is a native of the State of New York.
He pursued his classical studies at Union College, Schenectady, in
his native state, graduating from that institution in the class of
1856. Entering Auburn Theological Seminary, he completed his
course of study there, graduating in 1859, and entered upon the
work of the ministry immediately afterward. His first pastorate
was in Silver Creek, New York. He first came to Minnesota about
ten years since, and wa^ in St. Paul prior to coming to this city.
Rev. Flint is married, has two children attending school in Winona
and one son in Princeton College, New Jersey.
German Presbyterian Church. — On February 10, 1864, accord-
ing to the desire of the presbytery at St. Charles, Rev. D. C. Lyon
and Jacob Kolb were appointed to organize the congregation at
Winona.
For a year previous to this time, however, meetings under Mr.
J. Kolb, who came as a missionary from Iowa, were held in a hall
in Winona. Mr. Kolb's duty and desire was to collect and form a
congregation, which he succeeded in doing, with the aid of Rev.
D. C. Lyon, in 1864.
Jacob Kolb, the first minister, remained with the congregation
from 1863 until 1869. A church was erected at the corner of
Fifth and Franklin streets in 1864. The building was a frame
structure forty feet long and twenty-eight feet wide. It cost $1,800.
Among the prominent members, some of which are residents in
Winona to-day, may be mentioned J. Straub, Jacob Kissling,
H. Wychgram, Fredrick Moebus, Julius Geise, C. Rohwerder,
CHURCHES. 469
J. Wettenberg, Edward Pelzer, Michael Kissinger, Conrad Bohu,
George Bohn, Christina Bohn, Anna Pelzer and Margaret Wych-
grara. From 1869 until 1870 the church was without a pastor. In
1870 Augustus Busch took up the work and continued it until 1872.
From 1872 until 1875 Earnest Schuette had charge of the congre-
gation. The church was once more without a minister for a period
of one year. In 1876 J. Leierer came and remained until 1879. In
1879 Augustus Busch, the present pastor, was called the second
time. The congregation at the present writing numbers seventy-five
persons. The interior of the church was improved in 1881, at a
cost of $250. Tliere is a Sabbath school connected with the church,
witli an average attendance of sixty-five pupils. Rev. Augustus
Busch, the pastor, is the superintendent. He is assisted by ten
teachers.
It might be of interest to mention, in connection with this, that
this church and another small one situated at Frank Hill, ten miles
southeast of Winona, are the only German Presbyterian associations
in the state.
The First Congregatiojial church of Winona was organized
December 10, 1854. It was the first church formed in Winona,
and, so far as is known, in southern Minnesota. It was the Third
Congregational church in the state prior to its formation, and as
early as the summer of 1852, when there were not more than twenty
children on the prairie, a union Sabbath school was held in the
house of Mrs. A. B. Smith. This school was more fully organized
in 1853, with Beecher Gore for superintendent. Congregationalists,
Baptists and Methodists supported it. Its sessions were held in a
little schoolhouse situated on the south side of Second street, between
Walnut and Lafayette streets. Here the Congregational church was
organized with eighteen members. Rev. II. S. Hamilton, who was
in Winona for his health, and who was engaged in secular business,
was influential in organizing the church, and both before and after
its formation preached as occasion required. The population of
Winona at this time was small ; its religious life was feeble. The.
church migrated from house to house, moving from the schoolhouse
to a building on the levee, thence to Davidson's Hall, nearly
opposite, thence to Hubbard's Hall on Second street, afterward to a
room in what was called the bank building, at the corner of Lafayette
and Front streets. Its first house of worship was erected in 1856
on the southeast coiner of Second and Franklin streets.
470 HISTORY OF WmONA COUNTY.
The first minister of the church was Rev, H. S. Hamilton, who
preached at intervals until 1858. The second minister was Rev. T. T.
"Waterman, who supplied the church from August, 1856, to October,
1857. The third minister was Rev. David Burt, who commenced
his labors May 1, 1858, and continued until August 23, 1866. Rev.
J. F. Dudley succeeded him at once, and remained with the church
until May 1, 1869. The church was without a regular minister until
December 8, 1870, when Rev. H M. Tenney was installed as its
pastor. He resigned May 8, 1875. After an intermission of a year
and a half, during which the church was supplied by various
ministers. Rev. John H. Morley began his ministry, November 15,
1876, and was installed as pastor March 1, 1877. Of its ministers
the first three are dead, and the church remembers gratefully the
labors and the sacrifices of these ministers who served them during
their weakness. Special mention should be made of the work of
Rev. David Burt, under whose ministry the church was unified and
took a commanding position in the community.
There have been connected with the church since its formation-
about six hundred members ; of these over two hundred and sixty
were admitted upon confession of faith. The present membership
is two hundred and sixty-seven. The church is supported by weekly
ofierings, secured by pledges made at the beginning of the year.
Pews are free, but, for the sake of the home feeling, are assigned to
those who desire them, that each family may have a home in the
Lord's house. The benevolent contributions are also made in
weekly offerings secured by a pledge.
The Sabbath school has always been large and flourishing. A
large number of children not connected with the families of the
church have uniformly been identified with the school. It com-
monly has a library of about seven hundred volumes. It makes a
weekly offering for its own expenses or for benevolent work. The
superintendents of the school have been Messrs. H. C. Bolcom, J. C.
Laird, W, H. Laird, Wm. Taylor, Wm. Bone, Franklin Staples,
M.D., James G. ISTind and Irwin Shepard, the latter of whom still
continues in office.
Connected with the church and managing its secular affairs there
is an ecclesiastical society, organized in 1^857. This body is incor-
porated according to the laws of the state, and owns the church
property. The women of the church have a woman's board of
missions, devoted to foreign missions, and a ladies' benevolent
CHURCHES.
471
society whicli cares for home missions and for the poor of the
congregation. The young people have a society called the Gleaners,
which is interested in home and foreign missions. In addition,
there are the various ladies' meetings without special organization.
First Congregational Church.
The first house of worship, a frame building, was dedicated
December 21, 1856. It cost, including lots, $4,000. In the summer
of 1863 it was moved to the southeast corner of Lafayette and
Fourth streets, and was repaired. In 1868 it was enlarged by
472 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
lengthening. In 1870 a vestry was built in the rear. In 1882 it was
sold and devoted to secular uses. In 1875 a site was selected on the
corner of Broadway and Johnson street for a new church. In the
autumn of 1879 a subscription was started for building ; in the
spring of 1880 ground was broken ; August 19, the corner-stone
was laid with appropriate ceremonies. The building was completed
in 1882, and October 8 was formally dedicated to the worship of
Almighty God.
Prof. F. W. Fisk, D.D., of Chicago Theological Seminary,
preached the sermon, and the pastor offered the prayer of consecra-
tion. The church, which was fully paid for prior to the day of
dedication, cost, with the lots and furnishing, excluding organ,
$38,000. The cost of the building alone was $30,000. It is built of
a whitish limestone, trimmed with red sandstone. It has an audi-
torium seating six hundred and fifty, a chapel for the use of the
Sabbath school, holding over five hundred, and various other
conveniences. A much larger number can be accommodated, both
in the auditorium and the chapel, if occasion requires. The style
of architecture is composite. The chapel has a semi-circular room
lighted by a dome, with class-rooms surrounding, all of which can
be thrown together. For beauty and convenience, as well as
for thoroughness of work, the house is believed to be one of the
finest in the Northwest. Mr. W. H. Wilcox, of Chicago, is the
architect.
This church, in common with other Congregational churches,
lives in fellowship with the churches of its order, both accepting and
giving advice ; but it is independent of all ecclesiastical control,
acknowledging only the supreme authority of the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is democratic in government, all its affairs being controlled by the
adult membership. It believes in evangelical religion, and requires
of those seeking to enter its communion credible evidence of con-
version and Christian character. In promoting the religious life of
the community, and so building society in temperance, righteousness,
patriotism and- education ; in securing the religious nurture of the
young, both in its own families and in neglected households ; in
practical interest in missionary operations at home and abroad, this
church is doing good work.
St. PauVs Protestant Episcopal Ohurch, — This parish was
organized pursuant to the territorial laws of Minnesota, under the
direction of Eev. J. S. Van Lugen, secretary of the Protestant Epis-
CHURCHES. 47 o
copal church for Minnesota, May 13, 1856, as St. Paul's church in
the city of Winona. At this time there was not a male communi-
cant to participate in the organization, nor had any of the officers or
incorporators made a personal profession of religion. The Rev. E.
P. G-ray was the tirst missionary of the new parish and continued his
services here nearly one year, when upon the advice of the bishop.
Rev. B. Evans, living at that time upon his farm in Rolling Stone
township, officiated at morning services as his health would permit.
In February, 1862, Rev. J. H. Watei'bury was sent by Bishop Whipple
to look after the interests of the parish, at which time there were
two male and three female communicants. The following month
Mr. Waterbury assumed charge of the parish as its rector, upon
invitation of the vestry, and his salary was fixed at $600 per annum.
The society had been worshiping since its organization in the hall
of the Huff house, then in the Lamberton warehouse, and finally
in a- hall over Wheeler's store on Centre street, which latter place
was burned in the great fire of July, 1862, entailing a loss of $500
upon the parish. During that summer afternoon services were held
in the Presbyterian and Baptist churches, until at Christmas time
the society took possession of a building they had inclosed on the
corner of Fifth and Lafayette sti-eets, upon a lot donated them
by Asa Forsyth, Esq. This building was completed and consecrated
June 10 of that year (1863), the total cost of building being about
$2,500. The church continued its services here until the fall of
1870, when the building was removed to the corner of Fifth and
Broadway streets, and the lot it had occupied was sold. In the new
location the removed building was refitted for worship, and occupied
by the church until they took possession of their present beautiful and
commodious edifice, Christmas day, 1874. For this new structure
ground was broken in the summer of 1873, the corner-stone laid
September 25' of that year, and the whole completed as it now
stands, and occupied as above stated, December 25, 1874. The
extreme length of the structure is 115 feet, main 80x48 feet, chan-
cel 26x25 feet, width of nave 44 feet, seating capacity (500). The
walls are of dressed stone, the porch and tower floors are hand-
somely tiled and the inside finished in white ash and black walnut
woods. There are eighteen beautiful memorial windows, the richest
of which is that at the south end of the building, opposite the chan-
cel, commemorative of the pastorate of the Rev. T. M. Riley, rector
of the parish from July, 1869, to October, 1872. The entire cost of
474 HISTORY OF WEVONA COUNTY.
building and furnishing, including the bell and a superb organ,
costing $3,500, has been about $35,000.
The successive rectors of St. Paul's have been Rev. Theodore
Holcomb (Rev. Waterburj's successor), from April, 1 865, to April,
1869 ; Rev. T. M. Riley, from July, 1869, to October, 1872 ; Rev. R.
M. Laurie, from December, 1872, to June 30, 1877, when his resig-
nation was rendered imperative on account of failing health ; Rev.
Charles W. Ward, from December, 1877, until April, 1879, and the
present incumbent, Rev. E. J. Purdy, who became rector in June,
1879.
The original officers of the church were : Noah L. Smith, war-
den ; Thomas E. Bennett, treasurer ; R. H. Bingham, clerk. Their
nomination was made at the Easter meeting of the society in 1857,
and their appointment, which was duly made by J. W. Yan Lugen,
D.D., then secretary of the Protestant Episcopal church in Minne-
sota, bears date April 27, 1857.
The present parish officers are : W. H. Yale, senior warden ; W.
H. Hulburt, junior warden ; W. J. Whipple, clerk, and Wm. Cun-
ningham, treasurer. Messrs. W. J. Whipple, O. M. Wheeler,
Charles Horton, L. B. Frost and Wm. Cunningham compose the
vestry. The present number of communicants at St. Paul's is
175, and there are 105 families included in the parish. Since the
organization of the parish in 1856 there have been 477 baptisms and
271 confirmations.
The first record of the Sabbath school connected with the parish
bears date 1862, but there are no authentic minutes of its organiza-
tion. The number ot persons at that time connected with the Sab-
bath school was about 60, present number nearly 200. The officers
of the school are : Rev. E. J. Purdy, rector ; Wm. A. Cunningham,
superintendent ; E. S. Gregory, treasurer, and Harry Raymond,
secretary and librarian.
Rev. E. P. Purdy, rector of St. Paul's, is a native of Connecticut
and a graduate of Phillips Academy, Exeter, New Hampshire, class of
1853. Four years later, 1857, he took his degree from Trinity College,
Hartford, (Connecticut, and then entered the Theological Seminary of
New York, from which he graduated in 1860. That same year lie was
invested with deacons' orders in Trinity, New York, and two years
later was ordained priest in Louisville, Kentucky. His first parish
was Washington, Arkansas, over which he was settled in 1860, and
which he was still serving when the war broke out , was arrested
ciiuRCJiES. 475
as a military spy at Memphis on his way north, and released through
the representations of Military Bishop Pope. November 25, 1862,
Rev. Purdy was commissioned chaplain in the regular army, and
served until the close of the war. Since then he has been constantly
engaged in pastoral work. He was at New Albany and Logansport,
Indiana, prior to coming to Minnesota in 1869. He has three chil-
dren, two in school in this city and one son in college at Fairibault
in this state.
The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Winona was organized,
April 22, 1855, by Eev. David Brooks, presiding elder of Minnesota
disti-ict Wisconsin conference. Its first members were Joel Smith
and wife, William T. Luark and wife, and Mrs. Mary Stockton.
Rev. A. J. Nelson, F. A. Conwell and Esdras Smith, in the order
named, were temporary pastors (supplies) for a few months each, by
ap]3ointment of the presiding elder, from April, 1855, until August,
1856, when J. W. Stogdill was appointed, who served for two years.
The first Sunday school was organized in March, 1856, and D. M.
Evans and Thomas Simpson were appointed to superintend and
procure money for a library. This year the first church building
was erected, and dedicated November 16, 1856. It was a plain,
substantial wooden house, dimensions 44x60 feet, and located
just north of the site of the present building, corner of Lafayette and
Fifth streets. The second session of the Minnesota annual confer-
ence was held in this house in August, 1857, Bishop E. R. Ames
presiding.
The following ministers have filled the ofiice of pastor in this
church at the times and in the order named : Geo. A. Phoebus,
1858-9 ; John Quigley, 1859-60 ; Jabez Brooks, D.D., 1860-61 ;
LiasBoiles, 1861-62 ; J. S. Peregrine, 1862-64 ; Edward Eggleston,
1864-66 ; William McKinley, 1866-69 ; Chauncey Hobart, D.D.,
1869-70 ;. Earl Cranston, 1870-71 ; Cyrus Brooks, D.D., 1871-74 ;
William McKinley, 1874-77 ; Isaac Crook, D.D., 1877-80 ; William
McKinley, 1880-82.
In 1872 the present church was built and dedicated at a cost
(including ground) of about $20,000. In 1874 Olive Branch mission
was organized, and the chapel built by the Young Men's Christian
Association, purchased for its use. Rev. L. Wright- was its first
pastor, 1877-8, followed by Rev. Wm. Soule,' 1878-9, under whose
pastorate Wesley mission, in the east end of the city, was organized.
These two missions constitute one charge, now under care of Rev.
476 insTORY OF wes^ona county.
James Door, who followed Mr. Soule. A good substantial clmrcli
was built at the east end in 1881, at a cost of $4,500, and an equally
good one in 1882, at the west end, at about the same cost.
The membership of first church has been reduced by numerous
removals, and by transfers to the east and west missions. Its present
membership is 250 ; mission churches, 120 ; German Methodist
Episcopal church, 75 ; total Methodist membership, 445; First church
Sunday school, 300 ; Mission church Sunday school, 250 ; German
Methodist Episcopal church Sunday school, 150 ; total Sunday
schools, 700.
German MetJtodist Episcopal clmrch. — This congregation, or-
ganized in October, 1860, grew out of the English Methodist Episcopal
church. The chui-ch building was erected on the corner of Fifth and
Liberty streets in 1859, at a cost of $3,000. The first pastor was
John Westerfeld, who remained until 1860. After Rev. Westerfeld
came a line of twelve ministers ; they are as follows : Herman Rich-
ter, 1860-61 ; W. Traeger, 1861-62 ; Wm. Fiegenbaum, 1862-65 ;
Wm. Schreimer, 1865-66; Geo. Hoerger, 1866-67; Edward Schuette,
1867-69 ; Fredrich Kinder, 1869-70 ; August Lamprechd, 1870-
72 ; John Hansen, 1872-74 ; J. L. Schaefer, 1874-77 ; Geo.
Hoerger, 1877-80 ; Wm. Koerner, the present minister, 1880-82-83.
In 1878 the church was remodeled and improved by the addition
of a spire. There are now 75 membei'S, some of whom reside in the
country. A Sabbath school was organized with the church ; it has
150 pupils, 28 teachers and a library of 220 volumes.
Catholic ClmrcJies. — The Catholic church as an organized body
began its mission in Winona county in 1856. Previous to this
time priests had traversed with zeal the entire county ; but beyond
a few emblems of the great mysteries of the Holy Trinity, incarna-
tion and redemption found on the remains of early Catholic voy-
agers buried on the banks of the Mississippi, there are but slight
traces of their zeal. As early as April, 1841, the Rev. A. Ravoux,
now the vicar-general of the diocese of St. Paul, made the site of
Winona a resting-place on one of his journeys from St. Paul to
Prairie du Chien. In 1856 the Rev. Joseph Cretin, the first bishop
of Minnesota and Dakota, visited Winona and organized the few
Catholics into a parish, and in 1857 he appointed Rev. Thomas
Murray to visit and attend the wants of the new religious settlement.
Father Murray selected two lots in what is now the southwestern
corner of the first ward as likely to be the very center of a thriving
CJIURCHES. 477
city. He prepared to put up a frame building, suitable for church
use and future residence or school purposes. The church received
the name of "St. Thomas." Rev. A. Oster, then on mission duty
throughout Minnesota, made occasional visits to the little congre-
gation, and in 1857 succeeded in completing the church. In July,
1858, the Rev. Michael Prendergast succeeded him, and became the
first resident Catholic pastor of Winona. His first work was to
organize into an energetic band the Catholics about the country.
Through his energy a parochial school was established and placed
under the Sisters of St. Bridget. The purchase of three lots on
Centre and Wabasha streets, and the removal of the church from its
distant position to its present site on Centre and Wabasha streets
were accomplished. Father Prendergast attended all the Catho-
lics in Wabasha, Olmsted, Houston, Fillmore, Steele and Mower
counties. In August, 1862, Rev. Theodore Yenn was sent to
assist him. Father Yenn was given charge of the Germans,
Bohemians and Poles. He organized the St. Joseph parish,
built the frame church, and administered to the wants of the
remainder of the flock throughout the county by visiting them and
holding service from house to house. He remained until Decem-
ber, 1863. On the departure of Father Prendergast, early in
1864, Father Morris attended the above missions until the
appointment of Rev.Wm. Lette as pastor in April of the same year.
Father Lette had all the Catholics of the county under his chai-ge
until June, 1868. In his time, the present church buildings of St.
Charles and Hart were begun, and the foundation of St, Thomas'
church of Winona built. Rev. Alois Plut succeeded him in 1868.
During his time the church of the Immaculate Conception in Wilson,
of St. Aloysius in Elba, and the fine stone church of the Holy
Trinity in Rolling Stone were built and dedicated. Besides this, St.
Stanislaus' church of Winona was begun, portions of the St.
Thomas' church of Winona completed, St. Charles' church of St.
Charles built, and St. Joseph's church of Winona was enlarged.
A parochial school was built and maintained by him with excel-
lent success in St. Joseph's parish. In the fall of 1871 this was
placed under the Sisters of Notre Dame. During the year 1869 he
was aided by Rev. C. Koeberl and Rev. M. Sturenberg. Father
Sturenberg took charge of the Ridgway mission, where he built a
neat chapel in 1874. Rev. W. Reirdon attended the St. Charles
mission during part of the years 1870-71. In June, 1871, Father
478
HISTORY OF WINOlSrA COUNTY.
Pint received much needed relief by the coming of Eev. J. B.
Cotter, who had been assigned charge of the English-speaking
Catholics of Winona county. The latter has remained in charge
until the present day. During his administration some harassing
debts have been removed. The churches of St. Thomas, of Winona,
of St. Charles, in St. Charles, and of SS. Peter and Paul, of Hart,
have been sufficiently advanced and furnished to fit them for dedica-
tion and use. By the generosity of Peter Petei'S, of Lewiston, a
property of four acres for church and cemetery purposes was secured.
In 1876 the church of St. Rosa, of Lima, was built upon this ground.
In 1873 two lots and a two-story house were purchased by the
St. Thomas parish, which then possessed an entire half block of
Madison School.
property with ample room for the parish liouse, school-buildings
and hall, which were erected in 1877. The parochial schools of St.
Thomas were established by Rev. J. B. Cotter, in 1874, and were
immediately placed under the Sisters of Notre Dame. Each school
has had since its organizatic^n an annual roll of 200 pupils, with an
average attendance of about 130. The St. Thomas has a reputation
for its work in the cause of temperance, through its Father Mathew
T. A. and B. Society, organized January 28, 1872, and having
branches in Hart and St. Charles, it has exercised a powerful in-
fluence in the morals of the people. In 1875 the church at Hart
was enlarged and the altar replaced by one of an elegant design
and finish. A wing addition 20x30 feet was also added for the
use of the school and society. Since then an annual summer school
CHURCHES. 479
is held. Rev. J. B. Cotter assumed charge of St. Patrick's church
at Ridgway, in January, 1877. He provided it with an altar and
furniture, [n 1878 he resigned it to Rev. P. Pernin, the present
pastor. During a part of the years 1879-80 Rev. J. B. Cotter was
assisted in the charge of St. Thomas, of Winona, St. Charles, of
St, Charles, and SS. Peter and Paul, by Revs. E. Pagan and D. A.
Reilley.
St. Joseph '{German}.! and Missions attached. — After the de-
parture of Rev. A. Plut, in the spring of 1876, the parish of St.
Joseph, Winona, was assigned to Rev. R. Byzewski, who attended
it in connection with Rev. Cotter until the appointment of Rev. F.
C. Walters as pastor in May, 1876. During Rev. Walters' admin-
istration the church and parish house were renovated, and the latter
enlarged. A much needed school building was also added before
his departure in December, 1877. Rolling Stone and Wilson churches
were also erected by him. The parish was attended until February,
1878, by Revs. J. B. Cotter and P. J. Gallagher. On February 11,
1878, the present pastor. Rev. Aloysius Heller, entered into charge
of St. Joseph, in Winona, and the church of the Immaculate Con-
ception, of Wilson. His first work in the St. Joseph parish was the
removal of all debts, the purchase of the lot between the parish
house and the convent, and the raising of a fund for the building of a
new church. In the spring of 1881 the parish house and church
were each moved one lot westward, and the foundation for the new
church was erected on the site of the old, at the corner of Fifth and
Lafayette streets. The corner-stone was laid on April 30, 1882, in
the presence of innumerable people.
The church now nearly ready for service is a Gothic structure of
red brick faced with white stone, with a massive tower and beautiful
spire. Preparations are being made to put a large four-dial clock in
the tower. The proportions of the church are 114x48 feet ; nave
41 feet high and spire 172 feet high. The parish of St. Rosa of
Lima, Lewiston, has been attached as a mission to St. Joseph's
church since 1878, and in 1880 Rev. A. Heller improved the church
by finishing it with brick veneering.
St. Stanislaus^ Church. — The charge of the growing parish of
St. Stanislaus, organized in 1872, for the Catholic Poles of Winona,
by Rev. A. Pint, was given in 1873 to Rev. Joseph Juskiewicz. He
remained until 1873, built the parish residence and completed the
church. Rev. Romuald Byzewski succeeded in 1875. In the in-
480 HISTORY OF WIlsrONA COUNTY.
terval the Poles attended the churches of St. Thomas and St. Jo-
seph. Father Byzewski has purchased an additional lot, erected a
substantial two-story school building, maintained a school, enlarged
the church to double its former size and paid all debts.
Catholic Societies of St. Stanislaus' Church. — St. Stanislaus
Kostka Society was organized in 1870 with a membership of thirty.
The following officers were elected : President NicolausTriba; secre-
tary, MartinBambenek; treasurer, Tieiel Sikorski. The society was
chartered in 1874, with a membership of forty. The officers at
present are: President, Jos. Milanowski; secretary, John Anglewicz;
treasurer, Andreas Jaszdziewski. There are at present a member-
ship of 104 persons. The society pays a weekly benefit of $3 in case
of sickness, and in case of death $5 per month to the widow as long
as she remains a widow.
St. Casimir's Society, organized in 1873 with a membership of
twenty-five, and the following officers elected : President, Alexander
Prochowicz ; secretary, Theodore Wysocki ; treasurer, Andreas
Yezeswski. In 1878 the society was chartered with a membership
of thirty-seven persons. The present officers are : President, John
Bambenek ; vice-president, Wm. Bambenek ; secretary, Stanislaus
Wyganowski ; assistant-secretary, Robert Zuborowski ; treasurer,
Alexander Prochowicz. The society has a present membership of
eighty-six persons. It pays a weekly benefit of $3 in case of sickness;
if death results, the widow or heirs receives $2 per week.
Catholic Societies of St. Tfi/)mas' Church. — Father Mathew
Total Abstinence and Benevolent Society was organized January 28,
1872, by Rev. J. B. Cotter, Wm. Noonan, R. Cavenaugh, J.
McCrummish, Wm. Keyes, E. H. Condon, Jas. Flynn, John Rowe,
N. White and J. Flynn. The first officers were : President, Rev.
J. B. Cotter ; vice-president, W; Keyes ; second vice-president, J.
McCrummish ; treasurer, P. J. Kelley ; recording secretary, R.
Cavenaugh ; financial secretary, W. Woonan ; corresponding secre-
tary, J. B. Rowe ; board of managers, J. Morgan, J. Rowe, T.
Burns, J. Cronin, and E. McDonnell ; board of auditors were C.
Harrigan, E. H. Condon and M. Gallagher. The president officers
are : President, Rev. J. B. Cotter ; vice-president, Wm. Keyes ;
recording secretary, John Flavin ; financial secretary, Thomas Hunt;
corresponding secretary, J. T. Rowan ; treasurer, C. Harrigan ;
librarian, J. Rowan.
St. Thomas Benevolent Society, organized May 10, 1880. The
CHURCHES. 481
officers were : President, C. Harrigan; vice-president, John Murphy ;
secretary, James O'Brien ; treasurer, Tim Burns ; chairman and sick
committee, P. English; spiritual adviser. Rev. J. B. Cotter. But one
change has been made since then in the officers, namely, in place of
P. English is J. Rowan. This society pays a weekly benefit to its
members in sickness, and $50 to the heirs in case of death.
Catholic Knights of America, organized October 16, 1882, with
a membership of fourteen. Tlie first officers were: President, C. Harri-
gan ; vice-president, T. Slaven ; recording secretary, J. O'Brien ;
financial secretary, W. Keyes ; treasurer, P. English ; spiritual
adviser. Father Cotter. Present officers : President, C. Harrigan ;
vice-president, T. Slaven ; recording secretary, J. O'Brien ; financial
secretary, W. Keyes; treasurer, J. Keenan ; spiritual adviser, Rev.
J. B. Cotter. This association is a branch of the C. K. of A., a
mutual insurance society, which insures its members for either
$1,000 or $2;000.
German GathoUc Church.— h\ the year 1862 Father Theodor
Venn came to Winona and founded the German St. Joseph congre-
gation, which before that time had belonged to the Irish congregar
tion. He built the St. Joseph church, on the corner of Fifth and
Walnut streets. In the year 186-1 Rev. W. Lette came to Winona
and took charge of the church until 1868. In 1868 Rev. Alois
Plut came to the St. Joseph congregation. During his administra-
tion the wooden church was enlarged, the School Sisters of ISTotre
Dame introduced, and the churches of Phillipp Ridge, of Rolling
Stone, and the new St. Thomas church were built. The above-named
three pastors had charge of all Winona county and all the German,
Irish and Polish people ; but in the last years of their administration,
that is during Father Pint's term, the Polish St. Stanislaus and the
Irish St. Thomas church were built, and both got their own pastors.
St. Stanislaus secured the services of Rev. R. Byzewski — and
St. Thomas, of Rev. J. B. Cotter. In the year 1876 the Rev. F.
C. Walter came to the St, Joseph congregation and remained until
1877. During his administration a new schoolhouse was built.
On February 11 the Rev. A. Heller took possession of this congrega-
tion. His first labor was to pay off the debt of the church, which
amounted to $2,000. After having been successful in this respect a
new lot was bought from Mr. Maas, and on it were placed the priest's
house and the Sisters house. The St. Joseph congregation was in-
corporated in the year 1879. On April 8, 1881, a meeting was held
482 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
in the church, and it was resolved tliat as the old wooden building
had become too small a fine new brick church should be built. This
building is now in a state of erection. In the spring of 1881 the
moving of the old church was commenced. The priest's house was
moved to the new lot and the church to the old site of the priest's"
house, in order to make way for the new church. 0. Gr. Maybury
& Son were chosen to act as superintendent and architect. The
size of the church is 48x114 feet, with a tower 170 feet high, con-
taining the first tower clock ever placed in Winona. The building
committee were : T. B. Kouh. Joseph Schlingerman, C. M. Gerner,
John Winkels, J. Braendle, Jacob Mawry and John Ludwig. In
the summer of 1881 the contract for the foundation was given to
Kratz & Co., who finished their work in the fall of 1881. In Jan-
uary, 1882, the contract for the main building was given out. The
brickwork was given to Kratz & Co., and the carpenter-work to
Noonan & Stellwager. On April 31, Eight Rev. John Treland
came to lay the corner-stone. The ceremonies were conducted with
great solemnity, and were held in the presence of a large concourse
of people. All the Catholic societies of the city were in attendance
and paraded on the occasion. The procession was a large and im-
posing one.
The First Baptist Church of Winona was organized Sep-
tember 20, 1855, at which time the Rev. Samuel Combs commenced
his ministerial labors with that society. He continued his ministry
here until the early part of 1858, and it was during his pastorate
that the church was built, 1857. It is a frame structure, 43 X 60 feet,
standing upon the southeast corner of Center and Fourth streets,
one block from what is now the principal business corner of the
city, the lot fronting 60 feet on Fourth street, with a depth of 140
on Center street. Cost of original structure not known. In 1870 a
lecture-room was added with an entrance on Center street, and the
society has now a very comfortable house of worship, heated with
furnaces, provided with good Sabbath-school room and furnished
with an excellent pipe-organ. The seating capacity of the audito-
rium is 250, lecture-room 125. The present number of communi-
cants IS 117. The church officers are : Trustees, Messrs. Alonzo
Holland, F. A. Robertson and A. C. Dixon, the latter of whom is
church clerk. The deacons are Messrs. Curtiss Leary, W. G.
McCutchen and N. C. Gault.
The church has not been noted for lengthy pastorates, and the sue-
CHURCHES. 483
cession has been as follows : Rev. Samuel Combs, whose pastorate com-
menced in 1855, terminating in January, 1858 ; Rev. O. O. Stearns
from November, 1869, to January, 1863 ; L. B. Teft from January,
1863, to February, 1867 ; Rev. Geo. W. Stone, D.D., from August,
1867, to April, 1870 ; Rev. D. Read, D.D., from April, 1870, to Octo-
ber, 1872 ; Rev. J. F. Rowley irom April, 1874, to October, 1877 ;
Rev. Thomas G. Field from February, 1879, to December, 1881, and
Rev. E. T. Hiscox, the present pastor, who assumed charge of the
church March 1, 1882. The congregations are not large, but are
steadily growing under the ministerial conduct of Rev. Hiscox, who
is an earnest worker and as fearless a speaker within the sphere of
his own convictions as can be found in any pulpit of the city.
The Sabbath school in connection with the church was formally
organized about April 1, 1856, but the society had been maintaining
a union Sabbath school in connection with the congregational and
Methodist people since 1853. The present membership of the
school is about 150. The officers are: Superintendent, H. W.
Kingsbury ; assistant superintendent, F. A. Robinson ; secretary
and treasurer, Cyrus Crosgrove ; librarian, Mrs. A. Holland ; yearly
Sabbath school collections, $100.
E. T. Hiscox, pastor of Baptist church, Winona, is a native of
Norwich, Connecticut, a graduate of the college of the city of New
York, class of 1869, and of the theological seminary at Rochester,
New York, class of 1872. Was first settled over a paiish in Massa-
chusetts and remained there until 1876, when he removed to Iowa
city, Iowa, having accepted a call to the pulpit of the Baptist church
in that collegiate city. Commenced his labors with the Winona
Baptist church in the early summer of 1882. Mr. Hiscox is mar-
ried, has four children, two of them attending the city schools.
Si. Martin's First Evangelical Lutheran Church. — This church
was organized in the year 1856, it being the first Lutheran church in
the county. The prominent members were : John Barthels, Tobias
Leeb, Nicholis Wenk and C. Henning. L. F. E. Krause was the
first minister officiating. Mr. Krause remained with the congrega-
tion from its organization in 1856 until the year 1859, when he was
called away. From 1859 until 1861 the congregation were without
a pastor. Rev. Krause returned to the church in 1861, where he
remained until 1864. From 1864 until 1866 the church was again
deserted, excepting that occasional visits were made by other minis-
ters. Among these may be mentioned Rev. A. Brand, F. J.
484 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
Mueller and G. Wollaeger. In June, 1866, Kev. Philip Von Kohr,
the present pastor, took charge of the church.
The first church was dedicated in December, 1856. It was a
small frame structure, 18x30 feet. In 1866, when Rev. Philip Yon
Rohr made his appearance, the congregation consisted of nine mem-
bers or families. In 186T the building was enlai-ged by adding to
it twenty feet and improving the inside. In 1870 the present church,
a substantial brick structure, standing on the corner of Broadway and
Liberty streets, was erected. The building is 40 X 70 feet. It has
a spire ninety feet high, projecting ten feet from the main building.
The congregation at present numbers about 225 members. A Sabbath
school was organized in 1870, and is now in a prosperous condition.
At present it consists of about 350 pupils, with 25 teachers. They
possess a library of nearly 1,000 volumes.
German Lutheran School. — In connection with the church, a
parochial school was established in 1866. It was taught the first
four years by the present pastor. Rev. Von Rohr, the average num-
ber of attending pupils being 100. In 1880 the congregation bought
two lots on Fifth street and erected a new school building, 50 X 60
feet, with a projecting tower fifty feet high. Two classes have been
arranged, with two male teachers.
German Zion {Evangelical) Church. — Traveling ministers
were at work some time before any church organizations were
made ; among these may be mentioned Revs. A. Farnutzer, A.
Huelster, W. Stegner and C. Brill. Rev. A. Farnutzer made his
appearance in 1858 ; he held meetings at the residence of Mr.
Hesse. He remained until 1860. In 1860 A. Huelster came to
Winona and remained one year, holding service in a hall in the
town. Next came Mr. W. Stegner, from 1861 until 1862, then C.
Brill, from 1862 until 1865. Finally Rev. J. Kuder came, built
the church and organized the congregation in the year 1866. Then
followed a line of six pastors ; they are as follows : Rev. G. Kne-
bel, 1869-70 ; E. H. Bauman, 1870-71 ; H. Bunse, 1871-74 ; A.
Knebel, 187^76 ; W. Oehler, 1876-79 ; J. Mantly, 1879-82 ; J.
G. Simmons, the present pastor, 1882. The church is a frame
building standing on the corner of Fourth and Franklin streets.
The length is forty -four feet, the width twenty-six feet. It has a spire
thirty-five feet high. The building was remodeled and enlarged in
1881 at a cost of $800. The present membership is about seventy, part
of which reside in the country around Winona. A. Sabbath school
CHUECHES.
485
connected with the church has a membership of seventy-five pupils,
twelve teachers and a library of 200 volurnes. There also exists a
missionary society ; the leaders in this are Mr. F. Maas, John
Thomsen and J. G. Simmons. The average collection is $100 per
year.
The Second Advent Christian Church. — Owing to the records
of this church having been removed beyond our reach, or lost track
of entirely, it has proven a difficult task to secure complete definite
information. The following was furnished by Mrs. Elizabeth Wate,
one of the earliest members, who clung to the church through all
its vicissitudes. The congregation was organized in 1862, but some
High School.
time previous to this meetings were held in Pleasant Valley, and
also in the court-house hall and Houseman's hall in Winona. This
was before the church was built. The building is a small rough,
unpainted frame structure standing on Broadway, between Washing-
ton and Winona streets. The members of the first organization are
as follows : Warren Rowell, Samuel Bates, Ruth Rowell, Lucy Bates
and Elizabeth Wate. Rev. T. K. Allen was the first permanent
minister, the congregation having been visited by pastors from
abroad before he came. When Rev. Mr. Allen left, the congrega-
tion were taken in charge by Mrs. Mansfield, who delivered a series
of sermons. After Mrs. Mansfield came Elder Edwin T. Himes ;
his administration was cut short by his death. From 1879 until
486 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
1880 Mrs. Kowell had charge of the church. Since her departure
in 1880 until the present writing, the church has been without a
minister. The church at present is not in a flourishing condition,
and its existence is rather doubtful.
Bohemian Church. — This church was organized from the congre-
gation of the German Catholic church in 1879. The number of
members is now about eighty. The congregation have had no meetings
or pastor under their new organization as yet. A church building is
under course of erection on Broadway. St. John will be the name
given to this new church.
St. Joseph'' s Catholic Benevolent Society. — This society was
organized in February, 1866. It was not chartered until February,
1869. The first officers and organizers were : President, N. G.
Krieg ; vice-president, Joseph Helle ; secretary, Franc Tramport ;
assistant secretary, Wm. Schneider ; treasurer, G. N. Schork.
The direct object was to aid the members in sickness, and to
defray expenses of interment and assist the family in case of
death. When a member became unable to work he received from
the society $3 per week until his recovery. Since that time, however,
this has been increased to $4 per week. The membership fee has
always remained the same — 25 cents per month. If a member dies
his burial expenses are paid and the widow receives $25 in money.
The society started out with but 17 members ; it has increased since
then to 116. The present officers are : President, John Winkels ;
vice-president, Andrew Seyfried ; treasurer, F. P. Schumacher ; sec-
retary, Gottfried Strunk ; assistant secretary, Alexander Prochowitz.
The society is in a prosperous condition. During the year 1881 it
distributed among the sick the sum of $272.
German Catholic Benevolent Association of Minnesota. — In con-
nection with the St. Joseph organization there is another society, hav-
ing more of the aspect of a life insurance association. It is not confined
to one locality, but has members all over the state, and includes on
the whole twenty-five or twenty-six different branches. This society
was organized in 1878. There are in all about 1,100 members. The
society receives all persons between the ages of eighteen and forty-
five. At the death of a member the widow and orphans receive
within sixty days the sum of $1,000 from the society. The assess-
ment upon each member is from $1.10 to $1.30 at every death.
St. John's Catholic {Bohemian) Benevolent Society . — The charter
of this society was granted July 2, 1871. This organization in
BUSINESS INCORPOKATIONS. 487
Winona is simply one of a large association throughout the United
States. It comprises in all about seventy-two societies. When the
branch in Winona was incorporated it numbered about fourteen
members, but up to the present time the number has increased to
eighty-two. The first officers were : President, Frank Yotruba ;
secretary, Joseph Kasimor ; treasurer, Frank Albrecht. Its object
is to aid its members in sickness. They receive during their illness
$3 per week, and at their death the widow receives $600 from the
entire organization. At the present writing the society is in a pros-
perous condition, having over $1,000 in the treasury. The officers at
present are as follows : President, Joseph Kasimor ; vice-president,
Fj-ank Lejsek; secretary, M. Ridel ; assistant-secretary, John Cerny;
treasurer, Frank Votruba.
St. Ann's Ladies' Society. — This society was founded in July,
1868, by the Rev. Alois Plut. Its object was the decoration of the
church altar. It comprises about fifty members. The officers are :
President, Mrs. Francesca Scheer ; secretary, Mrs. Anna Hitzger ;
treasurer, Mrs. Johanna Braendle.
St. Rosa's Young Ladies' Society was founded by Rev. Alois
Plut in 1869. There are about thirty members. The officers are :
President, Miss Louise Ilengl; treasurer. Miss Lena Schmidt ; secre-
tary. Miss Margaretha Schneider.
CHAPTER XLY.
BUSINESS INCORPORATONS.
Winona Gas Light Company. — Winona had grown to a city
of over 7,000 population, and her industries and trade were assum-
ing metropolitan proportions before any attempt was made to light
her streets. This fact, seemingly incredible to the dwellers in
lower latitudes, argues nothing against the enterprise of the city, as
the moon and stars in this high latitude have a brilliancy unknown
along the lower parallels, which, together with the lengthening
twilight, materially decreases the necessity of artificial illumination.
However, in 1870 it was thought by certain citizens possessed of
cash and public spirit that the time had come for lighting the
488 HISTORY OF WESrONA COUNTY.
streets ol the growing city, and on August 1 of that year the Winona
Gas Light Company was organized with a paid up capital stock of
$60,000. Of the original incorporators, ten in number, the follow-
ing are still residents of the city : Hon. Wm. Mitchell, Hon. Thomas
Simpson, F. M. Cockrell, V. Simpson, Hon. Thomas Wilson, J. J.
Kandall, H. M. Lamberton and R. D. Cone. The shares of the
other two incorporators are now held, one each, by the First and
Second National Banks of the city. The present officers of the
company are : J. J. Randall, president ; J. H. Jones, secretary ;
J. A. Prentiss, treasurer. Under the superintendency of James
Russell, a practical gas manufacturer, who has had charge of the
works since their construction, buildings were erected, apparatus
supplied, pipes located, — and on April 9, 1871, the first gas was sent
out to consumers. The consumption of gas, which at first was 3,450
feet daily, has steadily increased until the consumption averages
nearly 30,000 feet a day, supplied to the city and private con-
sumers through a series of mains aggregating a total length of eight
miles. Gas is supplied to private consumers for $3 per thousand
feet ; to the 106 city lamps it is furnished at a cost .of $25 per
lamp per annum. Posts and lamps supplied to the city at cost.
Tlieir office is in room No. 6, Simpson's Block, where the secre-
tary is always found ready for business. The works are at the
intersection of Huff and Third streets, in block 69 ; fronting f 40
feet on Third street and 200 feet on Huff. The manufactory covers
about 2,000 square feet of ground. They have ample shed room
for the year's coal consumption, which aggregates 800 tons, and the
works give employment to a superintendent and four men. In
addition to the lamps supplied by the gas company the streets are
furnished with thirty coal-oil lamps in locations where gas-mains are
not yet laid, and maintained at an average annual cost to the city of
$11 per lamp for oil and attendance.
J. H. Jones, secretary of the gaslight company since its organi-
zation, was born in Chatauqua countj^, New York. Educated at West-
field Academy in his native county and came to Winona in 1856.
He was appointed deputy sheriff that same year and held the office
until 1860 ; was bookkeeper for J. J. Randall thirteen years ; has
represented his ward, the first, in the city council, and during 1880
was city clerk. His business life has been spent in clerical work,
and he has held a desk for the past five years in the real estate
office of V. Simpson. Mr. Jones married Nettie Warner, October
BUSINESS INCORPORATIONS. 489
22, 1861, and of their two surviving children, one is in attendance
upon the city schools. In 1861: Mr. Jones became a member ot
Winona Lodge, No. 1 8, A. F. and A- M- He is also a member of
Winona Chapter, No 5.
James Russell, superintendent of the city gasworks, is a native
of Scotland, from which country he emigrated to America in 1858.
He had a practical experience of several years as a manufacturer of
gas and in fitting up gaswork before coming to Winona in 1870 to
assume charge of the works in this city.
27ie Winona Mill Company. — This company, one of the largest
flour manufacturing concerns in the country, was incorporated as a
joint stock company September 12, 1879, with a paid up capital
stock of $80,000, which was increased three years later to $250,000.
The original incorporators were L. R. Brooks, A. tr. Mowbray,
R. T. Doud, Chauncey Doud and C. L. Bonner. The present
officers are : L. R. Brooks, president ; A. G. Mowbray, superinten-
dent ; R. T. Doud, secretary. Their property lies between Front
street and the river, with Market street on the east and Walnut on
the west ; a full block 300 feet square. The corner-stone of their
mill, said by competent milling autliority to be the largest steam
flouring-mill in the United States, was laid on September 20, 187l>,
and the building completed in May of the following year, at which
time milling operations were begun. It is a frame structure, iron
sheeted, 75 X 100 feet, rising eight stories above the basement and
amply supplied with all appliances for extinguishing fires and fire
escape. A standpipe rises within the mill to the full height of the
building, with sectional hose attached upon each floor ; there is a
fire-escape ladder in front and two knotted ropes on each floor at
opposite sides of the mill, thus affording three avenues of escape in
case fire should break out in the lower floors and communication
with the stairways be cut off. The engine-room is of brick 25x90
feet, furnished with compound Corliss engines of 750 horse power,
supplemented with Reynold's independent condenser and air-pump.
The boiler-room, also of brick, is iOX 55 feet, and there is a two-story
brick coalhouse 40x45,, the upper story of which is used for packing
flour. The mill and engine room are lit by electric light supjJied
from seventy Edison burners. The offices are commodious, well-
furnished, steam-heated, and connected with the city telephone
exchange. The mill is a full roller mill, built as such from the
foundation, furnished with 132 sets of rollers, cost $250,000 ; has a
490 HISTORY OF WES^ONA COLTNTY.
capacity of 2,000 barrels of flour a day, and is claimed to be not only
the largest steam flouring-mill in America but the first full roller
mill ever built. Their elevator, constructed in 1881-2, at a cost of
$15,000, is an iron sheeted frame structure 40x 72 feet on the ground,
rising 100 feet to the top of the cupola and has a storage capacity of
150,000 bushels. Wheat is received from their ovm elevators and
warehouses, along the line of the Winona & St. Peter railway and
its branches. Of these they have twelve, purchasing only for milling
purposes. Grain shipments eastward are the exception and not the
rule, and confined solely to such car lots as are unfit for manufac-
turing fine grade flour. Shipments of produce are made by river to
all lower Mississippi ports, as far down as New Orleans. Ship-
ments b}' rail are to the principal eastern markets of the United
States, and to the Atlantic seaports for European export, principally
to the British Islands. This immense industry, the growth of less
than three years, furnished direct employment to a force of seventy-
five workmen, and is a most valuable integer iu the sum total of
Winona's manufacturing and commercial enterprise.
L. R. Brooks, president of the milling company, is a native of
New York. He came to Minnesota twenty-six years since, and was
engaged in grain trade and banking previous to the organization of
the company over whose affairs he presides. Since 1874 he has
been a resident of this city, and for the five years prior to 1879 was
cashier of the Second National Bank of Winona. He was the first
treasurer of the board of trade and a member of its directory. He
is also a member of the firm of Brooks Brothers, who do a general
grain and lumber business, Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul and the
St. Paul & Manitoba railways. A Master Mason in good standing,
he is a member of Winona Chapter, No. 5, and Coeur de Lion
Commandery, No. 3.
A. G. Mowbray is a native of England. He came to America in
1856 ; settled first in Ohio and removed from that state to Mil-
waukee, Wisconsin, in 1861 ; was engaged in milling in that city
three years, then went to Minneapolis, remaining until 1867, when
lie bought the fiouring-mill in Stockton, this county, which he ran
until he came to this city in 1874 to engage in milling operations
with S. C. Porter. The Stockton mill was the first gradual-reduc-
tion mill (so far as known) ever operated in America, having been so
conducted since 1873. The same process was carried on in the
Porter & Mowbray mill, and on the organization of the Winona
BUSINESS INCORPORATIOIMS, 491
Milling Company in 1879 that mill was made a full roller-mill, the
burrs being dispensed with entirely. The credit of the organization
of the Winona Mill Co. properly belongs to Mr. Mowbray, who in
1879 broached the subject to some Winona capitalists, by whom, in
connection with himself, the organization was speedily consum-
mated. Mr, Mowbray was married in 1861, has three children in
the public schools of this city, one daughter at school in Evanston,
Illinois. He is a member of the Winona board of trade and a frater
of the A. F. and A. M.
The engine-room is in charge of L. A. Pennoyer, assisted by
his two sons, George and Fred, who take watch and watch about.
There are two other children, L. A., Jr., who is second miller, and
a younger child in the city schools. Mr. L. A. Pennoyer is a native
of New York, a machinist by trade, and before coming to Winona in
1874 was engaged in erecting engines for the Jackson foundry and
machine shops, Jackson, Michigan. He came to this state in their
era])loy, and visited Winona to overlook the engines of the L. C.
Porter Milling Co., erected by the Jackson firm. While here he
accepted the position of engineer with L. C. Porter Co., and was
with that firm until he came to his present responsible position upon
the erection of the Winona mill in 1879. Mr. Pennoyer is a
member of Prairie Lodge, No. 7, I.O.O.F., and also of the Koyal
Arcanum beneficiary. He has one child at school in this city.
Winotia Wagon Company. — This industry, organized in 1879,
though yet in its infancy, justly ranks among the most important
manufacturing enterprises of the city. During the three years of its
operations it has more than doubled its capital, its capacity, its force
of operatives and its manufactured product. As virtual successor to
the Rushford Wagon Company, of Rushford, Minnesota, it was
organized as a Winona county industry, October 11, 1879, with a
paid up capital stock of $45,000. The original corporators were
nearly ninety in number, and the management of the company's
affairs was entrusted to a directory of nine. The original officers
who still compose the official board (with the exception of tlie general
manager, whose office was vacated by death) are : O. B. Gould,
president ; A. J. Stevens, general manager ; John Albertson, super-
intendent; J. C. Blake, secretary and treasurer. January 22, 1881,
the capital stock was increased to $100,000, and since that time no
new shares have been issued ; all transfers of stock being to holders
as preferred purchasers. By this means the number of stockholders
492 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
has been gradually decreased, until it is now less than one-half that
of the original incorporators. In the spring of 1880 the company
sustained a severe loss in the death of their general manager, A. J.
Stevens, who died in April of that year. H. M. Kinnej, elected
his successor, still retains that office and successfully administers
the affairs of the company. The present board of directors are
O. B, Gould, I. B. Cummings, R. D. Cone, John Kendall, Thomas
Wilson, W. A. Scott, H. M. Kinney, Henry Stevens, John Albert-
son. The works of the company are located upon a tract of eleven
and one-half acres of land, just west of the city limits, at the inter-
section of the Chicago & Northwestern railway with the Chicago,
Milwaukee & St. Paul. No more perfect shipping fticilities could
be desired than are here obtained, as the works lie within the forks
formed by the lines of both railways, whose tracks traverse the
grounds in every desirable direction ; including, as well as those
already mentioned, the Winona & St. Peter and the Green Bay, Wino-
na & St. Paul railways. Here, in 1879, the company broke ground
and erected their buildings, consisting of a main manufactory, 40 X 120
feet, two stories high ; a blacksmith shop and a paint shop, each
40 X 70 feet, and a warehouse 40 X 60 feet. At this time the number
of operatives was thirty, and 983 wagons were manufactured during
the first year. In 1880-81 additions were made to the original
structure, enlarging their capacity at least fifty per cent and swell-
ing the amount of flooring-room in sheds and temporary structures to
over 30, 000 square feet. The enterprise proved a marked financial suc-
cess from the beginning, and in 1882 it was determined to erect
larger and more substantial buildings, to meet the growing demands
of trade. These new works, just completed, are : a two-story man-
ufactory, 54X182 feet ; a blacksmith shop, 67x90 feet ; an engine
and boiler house, 36 X 37, with a smokestack rising 62 feet above
the ground level. These buildings are all of brick, with good stone
foundations, rendered as nearly fireproof as solid walls, iron roofs,
and iron doors and shutters in all exposed situations can render
them. The main manufactory has a fire-wall running from founda-
tion to ridge, dividing it into two sections diminishing the danger
from fire by just one-half. The blacksmith shop has a slantnig
truss roof, and has neither part nor dividing wall to impede opera-
tions. The engine-room is supplied with a new engine of 125 horse-
power, displacing the old one of one-fifth that capacity, and furnish-
ing ample power for driving their machinery. The buildings are
BUSINESS INCORPORATIONS. 493
heated by steam, furnished with a steam elevator, and in alt respects
fully equipped for economical and efficient work. The number of
operatives has steadily increased from thirty to one hundred, and
the annual product from le^s than 1,000 to over 3,000 wagons, while
the working capacity is double that amount. Wisconsin supplies
their oak, Indiana and Michigan the ash and hickory timber. The
product of this manufactory is marketed in twenty-four states and
territories principally lying west of the ninety-second meridian.
H. M. Kinney is a native of Wisconsin, a machinist by trade,
and was nine years in the employ of Fish Bros. & Co., wagon
manufacturers, Janesville, during which time, as their agent, he.
visited all parts of the United States and formed an extensive
acquaintance with its wagon trade. April 25, 1880, he resigned his
place with that house to accept the business management of the
Winona Wagon Company. He has extended the trade of his com-
pany until it embraces twenty-four states and territories, ])rincipally
lying west of the eightieth meridian. He has a pleasant home on the
North side, Washburn street, two doors west of Winona.
James C. Blake, secretary and treasurer of the company, was
born at Winsted, Connecticut, July 12, 1849 ; was educated in the
common schools and in the Winchester Institute of his native city,
and was for seven years in the mercantile house of M. and C. J.
Camp & Co., of that place, prior to coming to Winona in 1871. In
1872 Mr. Blake formed a partnership with E. F. Curtis, under the
firm name of Curtis & Blake, wholesale and retail grocers, in which
business he continued until he sold out to Mr. Curtis in 1876.
He then became a member of the Winona Carriage Joint Stock
Company, and was actively connected with its interests until the
business was wound up in 1879, at which time he purchased the
shops of the company, now rented to Lalor, McKay & Co. Con-
cluding that Winona was a good point for a first-class wagon manu-
factory, Mr. Blake interested himself in the organization of such an
industry, and when the Winona Wagon Company was successfully
launched, the same year, he became its secretary and treasurer,
Winona Plow Company. — This young industry, which already
gives evidence of a healthy and permanent growth, was only
organized February 10, 1882, and has not yet closed its first year's
operations. The authorized capital stock of the company is
$100,000 ; paid up capital, $25,000. The original incorporators
were J. M. Bell, F. S. Bell, J. K. Palmer and D. S. Kerr. Of
494 HISTORY OF WINOISTA COUTfTT.
these, J. M. Bell is president and treasurer ; J. K. Palmer, vice-
president and superintendent, and D. S. Kerr, secretary. Messrs.
Palmer and Kerr are practical mechanics, and before coming to
Winona were engaged in manufacturing at Waukegan, Illinois. The
property of the company consists of three and a-half acres of ground
on the north side of Fifth street, adjoining the Winona Wagon
Company's lands on the east. Their shipping facilities are iirst-class,
as their property is crossed by either the main or spur tracks of
Chicago & Northwestern and the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul
railways. Their buildings are, a main shop 40x120 feet, with a
side extension 25 X 80 feet ; a warehouse and office 30 X 80 feet, ' and
a paint shop 28x40 feet. The business consists in the manufacture
of wooden and steel beam plows, both walking and sulky harrows,
cultivators of all kinds, road scrapers and garden wheelbarrows.
The business gives employment to a force of from twenty to twenty-
five hands, and the manufactured product of the first year will be
about $20,000. An engine of twenty-five horse power supplies
motor for the machinery, as also the pipes of the steam heating
apparatus.
J. M. Bell, president and principal stockholder of the Winona
Plow Company, is a native of Perry, Genesee county, New York,
where he was born September 28, 1830. His business life has been
spent in mercantile and banking operations, this being his first
venture in manufacturing enterprises. From New York Mr. Bell
removed to Iowa in 1857, locating in the central part of the state ;
was treasurer of Hamilton county four years and organized the
merchants National Bank, of Fort Dodge, Webster county, of which
he was cashier six years. After a short sojourn in Illinois, Mr. Bell
removed to Winona in 1878 ; became cashier of the Merchants
National Bank of this city and held that office until the bank became
a state institution, when he severed his connection with it, and soon
afterward embarked in his present enterprise.
R. K. Palmer is a native of Ontario, born at Brockville in
1844; came to the United States in 1848 with his parents, who
settled at Waukegan, Illinois, and still reside upon the homestead
they took up thirty-four years since. R. K. Palmer learned his
trade as a plowmaker with J. H. Ward, of Oshkosh, and was in
business in Waukegan fifteen years before his removal to Winona
in 1881. During the years 1863-64 he was in the employ of the
United States government, having charge of the military repair and
BUSINESS ESrCORPORATIOlSrs. 495
wagon shops at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in which a force of 300
hands was employed, principally contrabands. After carefully ex-
amining the ground and comparing advantages Mr. Palmer con-
cluded to remove his business from Waukegan, Illinois, to this city,
and the move was accordingly made ; a joint stock company formed,
buildings erected and operations commenced in the spring of 1882.
His oldest son "Fred," educated to business in his father's shop, is
one of the employes of the firm, closely following his father's steps.
Yienno, Mining Company ; principal office at Winona. This is
a joint stock company organized by consolidation of pre-existing
companies March 17, 1882, with an authorized capital of $15,000,-
000, of which $10,500,000 is paid up, the balance in treasury stock.
Officers of the company : C. L. Colman, La Crosse, Wisconsin,
president ; C. H. Berry, vice-president ; B. H. Langley, secretary ;
H. J. O'Neill, treasurer. Operations are conducted in the Saw-tooth
silver district of Idaho, Over 1,500 feet of tunneling has been
done, and although operations have so far been conducted without
reference to ore product, mainly for clearing tunnels and drifts, a
large quantity of ore is already out and in sight. The company
employ a force of 200 hands ; have constructed roads to the mines ;
built boarding houses for their men, and other permanent structures,
and have just completed a stamp mill costing $160,000, having a
stamp capacity of twenty-five tons daily, with power and shafting
for double that product. Their expenditures are now $20,000 per
month, and the aggregate outlay has been about a quarter of a
million dollars.
Winona Building and Loan Association. — The Winona Build-
ing and Loan Association, incorporated July 6, 1882, as a saving
and loan institution in which all depositors and borrowers are stock-
holders, and all profits apportioned to stock, gives every promise of
a most successful continuance. The authorized capital stock is
$500,000, in shares of $200 each. Within thirty days fi'om the date
of issue 1,000 shares were taken, and an additional 500 within
the next three months. The association is pre-eminently mutual,
there are no preferred stockholders, and to the small capitalist it
affords superior facilities for loaning and borrowing money on the
most advantageous terms. Its organization is too recent to deter-
mine anything definitely concerning its operations other than that
afforded by the rapid placing of its stock. The officers of the
association are : O. B. Gould, president ; J. B. McGaughey, vice-
496 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
president ; C. A. Morey, secretary ; W. C. Brown, treasurer ;
A. H. Snow, attorney.
Gate City Carriage Company. — This joint stock manufacturing
establishment was organized as such November 15, 1882, with a
paid up cash capital of $25,000, and is but the enlargement and
contiimation under more favorable financial conditions of the
business so successfully conducted by Messrs. Davis, Sawyer and
Mead, as the Gate City Carriage Works. These gentlemen are
practical mechanics, who, four years ago, almost without one dollar
of capital, commenced business as a co-operative association, in a
small wooden building on the alley in the block just north of their
present location. Commencing business November 15, 1878, just
four years prior to the organization of the stock company, in that
time they liad so increased their operations and created capital,
that they owned a ten years' unincumbered lease of a real estate of
60 X 150 feet on Fourth street just east of Center, the entire lot under
cover, and two commodious sheds for storing stock on rented
property in their vicinity. At this time they were employing a
force of nineteen men, almost exclusively in the manufacture of
fine carriages and repairs. Their reputation for first-class work
and fair dealing had created a demand for their work greater than
they could possibly supply. This was notably the case with their
"buckboard," a business wagon of their own design, especially
adapted to the wants of the western trade, the demand for which
has been such that at times during the past season they could only
supply samples where carload orders were sent in. Eapid
as had been their accumulation of capital and the increase of
business facilities, these could not keep pace with the growing
demands of trade, enlarging year by year with the rapidly increasing
population and business of the northwest. In the summer of 1882
the necessity of increased capital was very sensibly felt, and after
due deliberation they decided to organize their business into a joint
stock company, and this was formally effected as above noted on
November 15 of that year, with the following board of directors :
W. K. F. Vila, E. S.' Davis, O. B. Gould, H. H. Smith, E. S.
Mead, F. W. Robinson and F. P. Sawyer. The officers of the
company are : E. S. Davis, president ; E. S. Mead, general manager ;
F. P. Sawyer, superintendent ; H. H. Smith, secretary and treasurer.
Within one week from the date of organization the company
broke ground for their additions to the present works, by which, with
BUSINESS INCORPORATIONS. 497
the motor and machinery introduced, the number of employes will
be materially added to and the capacity of the manufactory increased
at least 33^ per cent. There is no doubt that a few years will
see this company permanently established in quarters of whicli they
will hold the title in fee simple, with buildings and machinery
adequate to supply tlie demands of a trade of which at present they
have themselves but a very meager conception,
E. S. Davis, president of the company, is a native of West-
boro, Massachusetts. He learned his trade as a carriage woodworker
in the manufactory of Coan & Ten Broeck, Chicago, and coming to
Winona in 1S68, was in the employ of the Winona Carriage Works
until associating himself in business with Messrs. Sawyer & Mead.
Mr. Davis is married, has five children, three are in school. He is
a member of Winona Lodge, JSTo. 18, A. F. and A. M.
E. S. Mead, general manager, is a native of New York city,
and came to this city with his parents in 1855 ; his father having
settled here in 1853. He learned his trade as a carriage trimmer in
the carriage shops of Grant & Lalor, of this city, and on the
establishment of the Gate City Carriage Works in 1878, became the
business head bf that co-operative industry. Married, has three
children, two of them in the schools of this city. Wife died
October 21, 1882.
F. P. Sawyer, superintendent, is a carriage blacksmith by trade,
which he learned in the shops of C. P. Kimball, of Chicago. He is a
native of Portland, Maine ; came to Winona in 1878, and had
worked for a short time in the Winona carriage works, with his old
associates there, before he entered into the little co-operative
association which has so rapidly developed into what promises to be
one of the best paying industries of the city.
H. H. Smith, secretary and treasurer, is a native of this city, born
in 1858, and lacked one term of completing his course in the high
school here when he left his classes to accept a situation in the
shoe-house of Cummings & Yila, with whom he remained eight
years, only leaving to accept his present responsible position at the
desk of the new carriage company.
Winona Machinery Company. — This industry was organized
as a joint stock company, November 16, 1882, with a paid up cash
capital of $50,000. The business will consist of general machinery
manufacture and repairs, and their piston packing and asbestos bear-
ing for journals, for which they hold patents. The manufactory is
498 HISTOEY OF WINONA COUNTY.
at present located in temporary quarters under the "Tribune" office
on Third street, where they occupy a room 21x80 feet. At this
writing, April 1, their machinery is being put in place. The officers
of the company are : President, C. O. Goss ; secretary, W. E. Smith ;
general manager and original patentee ot the piston and asbestos
bearing patents, G. W. Williams.
Winona Carriage Works. — Lalor, McKay & Co., southwest
comer of Third and Washington streets. This business was founded in
1865, by Grant & Lalor, and so continued until 1874, when the affiiirs
of the firm were wound up. Mr. Grant retired and the business
was taken up by a joint stock company, who conducted it until 1878,
when they ceased manufacturing to dispose of the stock on hand.
In the spring of 1880 Messrs. Lalor & McKay, who had been con-
nected with the manufactory almost since its establishment in 1865,
the former as partner, the latter as foreman, took a five years' lease
of the premises and have conducted the business with most gratify-
ing results until the present. The property fronts 60 feet on
Third street, 180 feet on Washington street, and has upon it a two-
story manufactory 40x180 feet. They do quite an extensive busi-
ness in the manufacture and repair of fine carriages, employing a
force of twenty workmen, including the members of the firm, who
are all skillful mechanics. Sales and repairs for 1881 aggregated
$9,321.18 ; for 1882, $15,682.89 ; sales a little over eighty-five per
cent of the sum total. The members of the firm are J. W. Lalor,
George McKay and Milton Lalor.
J. W, Lalor, the senior member of the firm, was born in Rutland
county, New York. In 1847 he went to Chicago, where he learned
his trade, carriage-maker and woodworkman, and was for many years
foreman of the extensive carriage and wagon works of Coan & Ten-
broeck, of that city, before coming to Winona in 1867, and com-
mencing business under the firm name of Grant & Lalor. Naturally
possessed of a mathematical mind and a love of mechanical instruc-
tion, Mr. Lalor has paid considerable attention to carriage archi-
tecture, both as a science and an art, and this, taken with his thirty
years' experience as a practical workman, has given him the mastery
of his craft. The eldest son, Milton Lalor, is a member of the firm.
George McKay was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1843, and
came to America with his parents when four years of age. They
settled in London, Ontario, where George was educated and served
his apprenticeship as a carriage blacksmith in the well-known manu-
MANUFACTURmO INDUSTRIES. 499
factory of Mc Bride. From London he came to Winona in 1866 ;
just after the establishment of the AVinona Carriage Works, by Grant
& Lalor, he assumed charge of their blacksmith shop, and was con-
tinued in that responsible position by the management of the joint
stock concern until their operations were discontinued ; ttien in
1880, in company with J. W. Lalor, leased the premises and con-
tinued the business as partner he had so successfully supervised as
foreman.
Business increasing beyond the capacity of the firm, with its
then capital, to profitably enlarge, a regular incorporated joint stock
company was formed on February 12, 1883, under the name of
Winona Carriage Company. The purpose of the company is to
engage solely in the manufacture of tine carriage work. The paid
up cash capital of the concern is $25,000, with the following efficient
board of ofiicers : President, J. J. Randall ; secretary, W. F. Phelps;
treasurer, C. H. Porter ; manager, George McKay ; superintendent,
J. W. Lalor. The work of the company has been put upon a new
footing since the change above noted, and operations doubled.
CHAPTER XLYL
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
The manufacturing industries of Winona, which have nearly
doubled their volume since January 1, 1879, may be said to date
from the fall of 1855, at which time Messrs. James Wyckoff and
James Hiland erected a small sawmill, not far from the present site
of the Winona Mill Company's flouring-mill. As nearly as can now
be ascertained, this first lumber-mill was started for business
December 17, 1855, and ceased operations after the season of 1860
closed. In the early part of 1856 Mr. Wyckoff sold out his interest
to Messrs. L. C, Porter and Wm. Garlock. January 1, 1857, Mr.
Hiland disposed of his interest to S. D. Yan Gorder, and the firm as
thus constituted conducted business until the opening of the 1861
sawing season, when the mill was accidentally burned. In the
meantime two new lumber-mills had been started, both in the fall of
1857, and within a very short period of each other, both now doing
29
500 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
business under substantially the same management as that of
twenty-five years ago, and both of them grow, through successive
changes in buildings and machinery, to the very front rank of
lumber manufactories in the northwest. The winter of 1880-81
saw a worthy rival of these long established lumber-mills growing
into place at the extreme eastern limits of the city, and in the spring
of 1881 this mill, that of the Winona Lumber Company, began
manufacturing.
Laied, JSTorton & Co., manufacturers and dealers in plain and
dressed lumber, lath, shingles and carpenters' material. This com-
pany, the oldest lumber firm now doing business in the city, though
not strictly speaking the pioneer sawmill men of Winona, have
been in successful operation as lumber manufacturers for over a
quarter of a century, their sawmill having been erected twenty-five
years ago last spring, while their first lumber-yard was opened
in May, 1855, two years earlier. This yard was on the present site
of the L. C. Porter milling company's mill, and was opened by
Messrs. J. C, M. J. and W. H. Laird, the latter the head of the
present firm, the others having long ceased all connection with its
operations. The firm became Laird, Norton & Co. in the fall of
185(5, by the admission of Messrs. J. L. and M. G. Norton, and the
following spring ground was broken for their sawmill upon their
present location, and building energetically pushed until it was
completed, and the saws set running in September of that year.
This lumber mill was 50 X 70 feet, furnished with one muley and one
small circular saw, and having a daily capacity of 20,000 feet of
lumber. Their original property fronted 300 feet on the river, run-
ning eastward from Kansas street. This frontage has been increased
from time to time, until they now own a frontage of 1,500 feet on
the river, running eastward from Franklin street, and extending an
average width of two blocks backward from the river. Additions were
made to this mill, and improvements introduced from time to time,
until 1 869, at which date two large double rotary saws were added, the
daily capacity being increased to 75,000 feet, with a corresponding
amount of shingles and lath. The old engines were still in use, and
in the fall of 1870 the boilers exploded, and the whole were replaced
by engines and boilers of about double the former capacity. Opera-
tions continued in the old mill, with its enlargements, until the close of
the sawing season of 1877, when the old structure, which had been
doing dutj'for twenty years, was taken down and the present mill built.
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES. 501
Tliis change did not include the boiler-house, which was left stand-
ing, but furnished with additional engines and boilers, increasing its
capacit}' to present estimate, 600 horse power. The new mill is
ironclad with iron roof. 190x60 feet, 30 feet posts, with an addi-
tion 40 X 50 feet of equal height with the main building, and a brick
boiler-house 26 X 80 feet. The capacity of the new mill, as demon-
strated bv actual work, is 234,000 feet per day, with an average
product of 175,000 feet ; the shingle-mill can turn out 150,000
daily, and averages 120,000 ; the lath-mill product about 33,000.
The mill is furnished with two gangs, one forty inches wide, the other
thirty-six inches, iron gangs of the most improved make ; two double
rotaries, steam feed, besides the saws for cutting, slitting, edging,
etc. At the time this mill was built, it was the best sawmill on the
Mississippi river ; and even now, after all the changes of the past
five years, it is much to be questioned whether, all things taken
into consideration, it has any superior. For economy of space,
smoothness of work, facility for handling logs and discharging lum-
ber, and amount of cut, it stands A 1 in all lumbering circles.
The planing-mill, built in 1868, one-half of its present si^e, to
which it was enlarged in 1882, is a two-story frame, 70x140 feet,
24 feet posts ; the manufactory for sash, door, blind, frames, mould-
ings, etc., occupying the upper story. The boiler and shavings
room is 68X28, the whole machinery driven by engines of 300
horse power. This mill is furnished with two Wood's planers and
matchers, besides double surfacers and resawing machine, and has
a capacity of 75,000 feet of dressed lumber daily. The manufac-
tured product of the upper story reaches a weekly average of 500
doors, 1,000 sash, 500 frames, besides blinds, mouldings, brackets,
etc. There are four dry kilns on the premises, Curran & Wolff's
patent, each 17x72 feet, having an aggregate capacity of 30,000
feet a day. To man these mills, and do the necessary work of the
yards, requires a force of 300 hands and 20 teams, notwithstanding
labor is largely economized by piling the bulk of the mill product
from tramways. The mills are thoroughly protected from fire, the
mains of the city water-works traversing their yards from east to
west. In addition to this, the firm have expended nearly $20,000 in
private water-works, and from these two sources they have forty
hydrants in their yards, with 1,500 feet of hose on carts ready for
use. They have also attached hose on each floor of both saw and
planing-mills. They have also a most conveniently arranged ofiice,
502 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
30X48, steam heated, with iire-proof vaults, private offices, tele-
phone attachment, and all the conveniences of a first-class office.
They boom their logs at Beef Slough, and rafts are brought down,
as required by their own boat, the Julia. The firm are members of
the Beef Slough Booming Company, the Mississippi River and the
Chippewa River Logging Companies. They also own large tracts of
private pine lands in the Chippewa valley, from which some supplies
are drawn. Tlieir lumber is marketed generally in the west and
northwestern states, the bulk of it distributed along the lines of the
Winona & St. Peter railway and its branches and tributaries. The
present members of the firm are W. H. Laird, James L. and
Matthew G. Norton.
W, H. Laird is a native of Pennsylvania, from which state he
came to Winona in 1855 to engage in the lumber trade, and has been
actively operating in that industry for over twenty-seven years. He
is president of the Winona board of trade, a member of the Congre-
gational church, married, and has a wife and three daughters — one
married and residing in the city, one at home and one attending the
state normal school in this city.
James L. Norton is also a native Pennsylvanian, and was a rail-
road contractor before coming to Winona in 1856, the same year he
became a member of the present firm. His family consists of a wife
and four children, all of whom are graduates of the Winona high
school, and two of them recent graduates of the Northwestern Uni-
versity at Evanston. The family are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church.
Matthew Norton came to this city at the same time as his brother,
entered the Laird & Norton firm at the same time, is a member of
the same church and has the same number of children, all of whom
are now attending normal school in the city. Matthew G. Norton is
a member and director of the board of trade.
John Durham, foreman of sash, door and blind factory, is a
native of Pennsylvania, a carpenter by trade, and came to this city
with the Messrs. Laird in 1855. He has been more or less in the
employ of the firm ever since their establishment in this city, and
when not so engaged has been following his original trade as car-
penter. When the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds was com-
menced in 1868, Mr. Durham was employed in that department, and
six years later, 1874, became foreman of the manufactory. Mr.
Durham is married, has one child, temporarily absent from school
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES. 508
on account of her health. He is a member of the A.L.H. bene-
ficiary and an officer of the Congregational church, having been
elected deacon in 1880.
Timothy Burns, engineer of the planing-mill, entered the employ
of the firm May 1, 1858, the day after lie arrived in Winona, and
has been in their employ ever since ; first as day laborer, then as
fireman, and for some years past as engineer. He is a native of Ire-
land, and had been in this country eleven years before coming to
Winona.
YouMANS Bros, & Hodgests, manufacturers and dealers in lum-
ber, shingles, lath, sash, doors, blinds, etc. This business was estab-
lished in 1857 by E. S. & A. B. Youmans, under the firm name of
Youmans Bros. The contract for their mill was let in April of that
year, the foundations were laid the following month and sawing
commenced the ensuing October, This mill, which stood substan-
tially upon the same site as the one they now operate, at the foot of
Grand street, was about 40x80 feet, and was furnished with one
muley saw, the capacity of the mill being about 30,000 feet of lum-
ber a week. In 1859 a small circular saw was put in, increasing the
capacity to about 15,000 a day. In 1860 a shingle-mill, with a daily
capacity of 15,000 shingles, was added, and two years later a large
rotary by which the lumber cut was increased to 30,000 a day.
This mill was operated until 1870, when it was taken down and the
present one erected. The main mill as then constructed, and now
standing, is 50x180 feet, iron roof, with an addition for shingle-mill
28x60; one engine and boiler-house 40x45 feet and an engine-
room 18 X 50 feet, the aggregate capacity of the engines being about
350-horse power. This mill is furnished with one 42-inch gang saw,
two double rotary saws, two shingle-mills and one lath-mill. The
average daily cut of the mill for the sawing season is 140,000 feet of
lumber, 90,000 shingles and 30,000 lath. The company's property,
held in fee simple, fronts 150 feet on the river and extends south
ward to Fifth street, having a width on Second street of two blocks
and a half.. Through leases from the Chicago & Northwestern
Railway Company they control a river front of 1,500 feet additional.
Their booming facilities are not surpassed by any lumber-mill on
the river. They boom a slough ten miles long, with good ingress
for logs at its upper end, the lower terminating at the mill. In 1870
their planing-mill was built, and the following year Mr. A. F. Hod-
gins became a member of the firm. The planing-mill is a two
504 HISTORY OF WINONA COUJNTY.
story frame, and, as originally built, was 60x80 feet, the upper
story used for the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds, frames,
mouldings and cai-penters' materials generally. This present season
(1882) this mill was enlarged to double its former capacity, and is
now 60x160 feet, furnished with four planers, some of Fay & Go's
patent, others of S. A. Wood & Go's design, the whole having a
capacity of 75,000 feet of dressed lumber daily. There are also on
the premises four dry kilns, Curran & Wolff's pattern, with an
aggregate capacity of 40,000 feet daily. The work of the sash, door
and blind factory is almost exclusively upon specific orders, the daily
product in such work being less and the prices higher than for the
usual stock work. Connected with the planing-mill is the brick
engine and boiler house and shavings I'oom. There is also a two-
story warehouse, 60x90 feet, for storing manufactured work, glass,
nails, building paper, etc. , and ample shed-room for dressed lumber.
The pay-rolls of the company show a force of 275 men and eighteen
teams constantly emjiloyed. The firm organized as a joint stock
company in 1876 with a paid up cash capital of $250,000, absorbing
the stock within themselves. The compan}'- are members of the Chip-
pewa River and the Mississippi River logging companies, and also
Beef Slough Boom Company. Their supply of logs is mainly from
the Chippewa river, but some strings are received from the St. Croix
valley. Lumber is marketed principally along the lines of the
Chicago & Northwestern railway in Minnesota, Dakota, Iowa and
I^ebraska. Excellent precautions have been taken against fire.
Their own private mains are laid through the yards, pressure for
which is supplied direct from their own pumps, which, in connection
with those of Laird, Norton & Co., have hitherto supplied the city
mains. Fifteen hydrants within their own yards and 600 feet of
hose on carts ready for use, give ample security against fire, from
which in the twenty-five years of their operations here they have
been absolutely free. The present stockholders of the company are
E. S. Youmans, A. B. Youmans and A. F. Hodgins.
E. S. Youmans is a native of New York, and had become some-
what familiar with sawing operations in a small way in his father's
lumber mill before coming to Winona in 1857. Mr. Youmans is
married and has two children : one daughter married and residing
in Connecticut ; one son, employed in the office of the company.
A. B. Youmans, also a native of New York, came to Winona at-
the same time as his brother, and like him has given his attention
MANUFACTURING INBUSTIIIES. ' 505
strictly to business. lie is married and lias two children : one
married, who is one of the engineers of the companj'; and one now
attending the city schools.
A. F. Hodgins was born in Tennessee. Came from Cralena, Illinois,
to Winona in 1856, as agent for Carson & Rand, lumbermen. Was
here in their interest some years, when, in company with H. Eaton,
he bought them out and continued the business through several firm
changes until 1871, when he became a member of the firm of Yoii-
mans Brother & Hodgins. He is married and has one child, a
daughter, now attending the State Normal School in this city.
James King, foreman of sash, door and blind factory and car-
penter's department, is a native of Pennsylvania. Learned his trade
as carpenter at Pittsburgh, in that state, and came to Winona in
1879. He was one year in the employ of Conrad Bohn, and then
entered the service of the firm of Youmans Bros. & Hodgins, work-
ing for them one year in the little factory attached to the sawmill,
then superintended the construction of the planing-mill and sash
factory in 1875, assuming charge of the manufacturing department
upon its completion. He is married ; has two children in school,
and is a member of the A.O.U.W. fraternity.
B. S. Batchelor, foreman of the planing-mill, is a native of
Michigan, and has followed his present business fifteen years, ten of
them in the employ of the company with whom he is now engaged.
Ml-. Batchelor has been an inhabitant of the state since 1856, and a
resident of the city since 1871. He is a married man and has two
children in the city schools.
W. L. Raymond, engineer and machinist, with Youmans Bros.
& Hodgins, is a native of New York. Came to Winona with his
parents when three years of age, and has been a permanent resident
since his ninth year, a period of eighteen years. He learned his.
trade with W. M. Hurbert, of this city, with whom he remained
nine years, six of them in charge of the shop, before coming to his
present position in 1881.
Wm. Rogers, engineer in the Youmans & Hodgins mill, has
become of age in their employ, having been on duty with them for
twenty-one years. He is a native of Cayuga, New York. Came to
Winona in 1858, and was in the old planing-mill of Porter, Garlock &
Co., before assuming charge of the engine in this lumber-mill. He
is married, owns a pleasant residence on Grand street, and has one
506 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
child now in attendance in tlie public schools. He is a member of
the A.O.U.W. fraternity, of this city.
Winona Lumber Company. — This industry, one of the most im-
portant in the city, was organized as an individual enterprise,
October 1, 1880, by Andrew Hamilton, who at that time owned a
tract of land quite in the eastern part of the city, fronting 930 feet
on the river and extending southward to Front street. Upon this
property, during the winter of 1880-1, Mr. Hamilton erected his
mill, E. White, as millwright, having supervision of its construction.
This mill is 60X196 feet, with an addition 40x50 feet, and is
provided with one 4:6-inch gang saw and two rotaries. The engine
and boiler room is 36 X 81: feet, furnished with engines of 680 horse-
power, which will be increased to 1,000 horse-power before the
sawing season of 1883 opens. The capacity of the mill, as tested
by one day's actual cut, is 221,000 feet per day ; the average daily
product 50,000 feet less than that amount. The shingle-mill has a
capacity of 160,000, with an average product of three-fourths that
amount. Lath, about 30,000 daily.
May 1, 1881, this individual enterprise of Mr. Hamilton's was
converted into a joint stock company, with a paid up capital stock
of $250,000. The officers of the company are : Andrew Hamilton,
president; W. H. Laird, vice-president; Wm. Hayes, secretary and
treasurer. Since incorporation the company have acquired additional
lands from time to time, until they now (October 1, 1882) own a
river front of about 2,500 feet, extending backward from the river a
width of from one to three blocks. In the fall of 1881 ground was
broken for a planing-mill on the southeast block of this property.
The foundations were laid in November of that year and planing
operations begun March 1, 1882. This mill is 70x116 feet, 28
•feet posts, with an engine, boiler and shavings room, of brick, 50 X
70 feet. The planing-mill is run by a Corliss engine of 150 horse-
power, and has a capacity of 60,000 feet of dressed lumber daily.
The kilns for drying lumber are 36 X 84 feet, and have a capacity of
120,000 feet. The number of hands employed in the saw and
planing mills is about 125, with an equal number at work in the
yards, the pay-rolls of the company showing a grand total of 275
men and twenty-six teams. Preparations are now making to start a
sash, door and blind factory in the upper story of the planing-mill,
and operations will commence some time next month (November,
1882). This branch of their business will give employment to an
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES. 507
additional force of from twenty to twenty-five hands. Their log sup-
plies are drawn from the Chippewa river and its tributaries. Shipping
facilities are good, the open tracks of the Chicago & Northwestern
railway traversing their yards from east to west. The great bulk of
their lumber finds its market in Minnesota, Dakota, Nebraska and
Iowa.
The pipes of the city waterworks are laid tlirough their yards,
and there are nine hydrants upon their premises. These, with the
attached hose in both mills, afford excellent protection from fires.
Andrew Hamilton, president of the Winona Lumber Company, is
a native of Armagh, Ulster county, Ireland, from which place he
came to America in 1846, and ten years later to Winona. In 1860
he formed a partnership witli Charles Horton in the lumber busi-
ness, which they conducted jointly until 1880. For the past ten
years Mr. Hamilton has been quite extensively engaged in stock
raising, and now owns a tract of 1,200 acres, just east of Sugar-loaf
Bluff, upon which he has a flock of 1,000 merino sheep, seventy-five
head of Jersey and grade cattle, from fifteen to twenty head of
horses and 100 hogs. From nothing in 1856 to so considerable a
financial and commercial standing in 1882 is its own comment upon
Andrew Hamilton's business capacity.
Wm. Hayes, secretary of the Winona Lumber Company, is a
native of Pennsylvania, and for seven years prior to coming to
Winona in 1881 was at Beef Slough, in connection with the Missis-
sippi River Logging Company.
£. White, millwright for the Winona Lumber Company, is a na-
tive of New York, learned his trade as a millwright in northern
Ohio and came to Winona in 1857. With the exception of five
years, from 1861 to 1866, when engaged as purchasing agent for the
Winona & St. Peter Railway Construction Company, Mr. White
has followed his trade. When Mr. Hamilton commenced construct-
ing his mill in 1880 Mr. White was engaged as millwright, and upon
its completion assumed charge, and the later buildings of the com-
])any have all been built under his supervision. Mr. Wliite is mar-
ried, has two children, one in attendance at the city schools. He is
a member of the A. O. U. W., of this city.
R. H. D. Morrison, engineer of the planing-mill of the Winona
Lumber Company, is as proud of his Corliss pet as a grandmother
of her first grandchild. He was born an engineer and bred a far-
mer, coming from Yermont, his native state, to Houston county,
508 HISTORY OF WLNOISTA COUNTY.
Minnesota, in 1859. From 1866 to 1876 was in the farm machinery
business, the last three years of that time dealing in portable en-
gines. From 1877 to 1879, inclusive, was engineer in the Chicago,
Milwaukee & St. Paul elevator in this city, and then took charge
of the Corliss engine in the Empire Lumber Compan^^ which he re-
tained until assuming his present place in March, 1882, when the
planing-mill was started. He is a Master Mason, member of Winona
Lodge, No. 18. Married and has two children. One in business
college, one in the normal school.
Empire Lumber Company. — This is a joint stock company, or-
ganized under the laws of Wisconsin, in 1881, and has a capital stock
of $800,000. The officers of the company are : President, D. H.
Ingraham, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin ; vice-president, D. M. Dulany,
Hannibal, Missouri ; secretary, Charles Horton, Winona, Minnesota.
The business of the company consists in manufacturing and dealing in
lumber. Their mills are at Eau Olaire, Wis., and Dubuque, la. Yards
at Winona, Minn., Dubuque, la. , and Hannibal, Mo. The Winona busi-
ness at present is confined to dealing in lumber and the manufacture of
dressed lumber, sash, doors, blinds, framxcs and carpenters' materials.
The company's premises at this place front 1,200 feet on the river
running eastward that distance from Vine street and extend from
the river to First street. Here they have erected a planing-mill 60
X80, an engine-house 24x50, a sash, door and blind manufactory 42
XlOO, and a store-room 64x150. The engine-room is supplied with
a Reynolds Corliss engine of 75-horse power, the planing-mill with
two matchers, surfacers, resawing machines, moulders, etc. , and has
a capacity of 40,000 a day. The business is mainly contract work,
but little being manufactured for the general market. The drykiln
has a capacity of 10,000 feet a day, and the product is all used in
the shop. Employes during the summer season number about 140.
Charles Horton, secretary of the company, and manager of its
interests at this point, is a native of New York ; came to Winona in
1856, and has been in lumber business here since that date, first in
connection with L. C. Porter, and afterward with Alexander Hamil-
ton, with whom he was'in partnership as a lumber dealer from 1860-
80. Mr. Ho|-ton is married and has five children, four of them in
attendance at the city schools.
G. E.. Adams, foreman of the manufacturing department of the
Empire Lumber Company, is a native of Rome, New York, and
learned his trade in the sash, door and blind factory of H. S. Crosby
MANUFACTUUESTG INDUSTRIES.
509
& Co., in that city. He came to Winona in 1866, and was for eleven
years foreman m tlie factory of Conrad Bolm before coming to his
present position with the Empire company, wliicli he did upon the
completion of their sash, door and blind factory. Mr. Adams is
married and has two children, one in the Winona high school. He
is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and connected
with the A. O. TJ. D. and A. L. H. beneficiary associations.
C0NEA.D BoHN, manufacturer of sash, doors, blinds, mouldings
and dressed lumber. This house affords another example of
Winona's growth in industrial enterprise, showing how, from small
beginnings, mammoth enterprises have been successfully built up
and a constantly increasing volume of business secured. Mr. Bohn
came to Winona in 1857, very early in the history of the now thriv-
BoHN Manuka( rrRiNG Company.
ing city, and established business as a carpenter and builder. In
1866 he started a small planing-mill on the corner of Main and
Sanborn streets ; principally for the preparation of builders' material,
and conducted operations there until 1873, when he removed to his
present location at the corner of Front and Laird streets. His
property lies principally between Front street and the river on both
sides of Laird street. It lias a frontage of 400 feet on Front street,
of 300 feet on the river. Here, in 1873-4, Mr. Bohn erected a two-
story and a-half frame manufactory 50 X 100 feet, and a brick engine
and boiler house 45 X 60 feet. These buildings were burned in 1875,
and immediately replaced by others, the new manufactory being ten
feet wider than the old one. The following year, 1876, a two-story
warehouse, 50 X 120 feet, was built. This building is used solely for
storing and glazing, and is connected with the main manufactory
510 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
by an elevated gangway. In 1880 a three-story addition, 40x80
feet, was built to the main manufactory ; and in 1882 the old engines
of seventy-five horse power were removed and engines of double
that capacity substituted. In addition to the buildings here
enumerated are the drying kilns which have a capacity of 8,000
feet of lumber a day, and sheds and temporary structures covering
an area of several thousand square feet. Some conception of the
operations of the manufactory may be gained from a statement of
the raw material daily used. From 20,000 to 25,000 feet of lumber
are daily manufactured into doors, blinds, sash, etc., besides which
they turn out from 20,000 to 30,000 feet of dressed lumber. The
regular monthly product of the manufactory is, 4,000 to 4,500 doors,
an equal number of glazed sash and from 2,000 to 3,000 pair of
blinds, and their working force 125 men, of whom from 40 to 50
are employed in the manufactory. Their principal market is in the
northwest, with a smaller demand from the southwest. The
premises are well provided with shipping facilities, as the spur
tracks of the Chicago & Northwestern railroad extend along their
entire front, and cars are loaded and unloaded from their doors.
Their office is connected with the City Telephone Exchange, heated
with steam, and furnished with all necessary appliances for the
conduct of their constantly growing business. In 1880, in connec-
tion with Gebhard Bohn and Geo. W. Bohn, his brother and son,
Mr. Conrad Bohn started a branch house in St. Paul ; a depot
of supplies for the immense building demand of that market. This
establishment gives steady employment to thirty men and nine teams.
September 15, 1882, the business was converted into a joint stock
company with a capital stock of $200,000, one half paid up. The
officers of the company are : Conrad Bohn, president ; Gebhard
Bohn, secretary ; Geo. W. Bohn, treasurer. The business of the
manufactory had assumed such proportions that in 1882 Mr. Bohn
determined to discontinue the business of contracting and building,
in which he had been engaged for twenty-five years, and with the
expiration of their present contracts his work as builder will be
closed out. During the twenty-four years he has followed contracting
and building Mr. Bohn has erected some of the notable structures
of the state, among which may be mentioned the State Normal
School, Winona, and addition to the State Insane Asylum in 18T3.
With the exception of a partnership with Wilse in 1880-1, Mr. Bohn
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES. 5 1 I
conducted business alone until the formation of the stock company
last September.
Mr. Bolm was born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, in 1836 ; came to
New York in 1851 ; was in that city five years, following his trade as
a carpenter and builder, and in 1856 came to Chicago ; from there
one year later to Winona, where he has kept pace with the growth
of her industries, himself no inconsiderable factor in the sum total of
her prosperity.
Stroth & Ahrens, planing-mill, sash, doors and blinds. This
manufacturing establishment is located on the corner of Front and
Franklin streets, on a lot 240 X 140 feet. The business was estab-
lished in 1866 as Rose & Co., but was virtually the same establish-
ment as at present, although it did not assume its present iirm title
until two years later. Their buildings are a main manufactory,
50 X 70 feet, with an addition 22 X 28 feet, the whole two stories in
height and an engine-room 22x45 feet. The engines are of 40
horse-power, and the capacity of the planing-mill from 12,000 to
15,000 feet per day. Business consists in furnishing doors, frames,
mouldings, cornice stuff and all carpenters' materials upon contract,
as well as manufacturing general stock for which their principal
market is Chicago. The manufactory employs a force of thirty-five
hands on an average, and business for 1882 was about twenty-five
per cent in advance of previous season. The members of the firm
are C. F. Schroth & Henry Ahrens.
C. F. Schroth is one of the old residents of Winona, having
taken up his residence here in 1856 ; has been engaged in business
for himself since he was about sixteen years of age ; is married, has
two children in the schools of the city.
NooNAN & Stellwagen, contractors and builders, office and
manufactory on the northeast corner of Third and Yine streets.
This business was originally established by Wm. Rohweder, in 1863,
and was conducted by him with some changes in the firm until 1877.
John Stellwagen purchased an interest in the business, the firm
becoming Rohweder & Stellwagen. The following year Rohweder
sold his interest to Wm. Noonan, who had been taking small con-
tracts here for several years, and the firm became Noonan & Stell-
wagen. Both members of the firm are excellent mechanics, and
their business has rapidly increased during the four years they have
conducted it, their contracts for the current year aggregating $100,-
000. Their manufactory for the preparation of building materials.
512 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
is located on Vine street, between Second and Third. It is a two-
story frame building, 30x50 feet, with a one-story addition, 18x50
feet, supplied with an engine of twelve-horse power, and fullj
equipped with such machinery as is required in their business.
They own a frontage of 110 feet on Third street and 150 feet on
Vine, with a comfortable office, sheds for storage, etc. Thej
employ from fifteen to thirty hands, according to season and press
of business. Among their more important constructions are the
Winona Mill Company's mill, G-erman Luther schoolhouse. Congre-
gational church interior, plow factory, and have now under contract
the German Catholic church, except the stonework, stained-glass
windows and interior furniture. Outside of the city they have taken
some good contracts, among them the Kasson school building, at
a cost of $14,000.
Wm. Noonan was born in Perth, Ontario, in 1839, learned his
trade there, removed to Winona in 1866, and has worked as journey-
man carpenter or contractor in this city ever since. Was elected a
member of the city council in 1877, and represented his ward during
two terms, retiring from office in 1881. Mr. Noonan is a member
of the Catholic church, married, has four children, all in attendance
upon the public schools of this city.
John Stellwagen is a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, born in 1846,
came to America with his parents when an infant, and in 1861
settled with them in Winona county. Learned his trade as a car-
penter in Utica township, and in 1875 came to this city. Was
foreman for Cc/nrad Bohn when that contractor was erecting the first
wing of the old Rochester Inebriate Asylum in 1876. Mr. Stell-
wagen is a member of the A. F. and A. M. and Druid fraternities,
is married, and his children, six in number, are all in attendance
upon the city schools.
A. W. Gage & Co., contractors and builders, manufacturers of
sash, doors and blinds. The senior member of this fii*m is one of
Winona's pioneer businessmen, having continuouslj conducted opera-
tions in this city since the fall of 1855, a period of twenty-six years.
After following his trade as a carpenter and builder, in this city, for
nine years, Mr. Gage built his manufactory for sash, doors, blinds
and building material, in the eastern part of the city, on lower Front
street, near the present location of the Empire Lumber Company, to
which corporation he sold his real estate in that location in the fall
of 1882, after conducting business there for eighteen years. The
MANUFACTirRING INDUSTRIES. 513
manufactory at this point was a two-stoiy frame building, 42x76
feet, and the business of tlie firm employs a force of from fifteen to
twenty-five mechanics. Some of the buildings erected by Mr. Gage
are veritable landmarks, not only in this city, but in the state. The
old Methodist Episcopal church erected by him in 1856, and still doing
duty as a place of worship for the Scandinavian Lutheran church,
was the pioneer Methodist Episcopal church of the state, and is so
noted in the records of that denomination. The old frame court-
house, which all good citizens desire to see replaced by a new one,
was built by Mr. Gage, twenty years ago, on the corner of Third
and Washington streets. Among the more modern buildings
erected by him are the present Methodist Episcopal church, the
Episcopal church and the Presbyterian church, all of them substantial,
brick and stone struct^ires ; also the Madison school, the Republican
block, Choate's, Mues', Wakefield's, and other business blocks, and
many of the finest private dwellings in the city. His building
operations outside of the city and county have been quite extensive.
Among these may be mentioned the Caledonia jail, reputed one of
the finest in the state, costing $35,000.
The members of the firm are A. W. Gage and Daniel Gage.
A. W. Gage was born in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, April 26,
1832. Received such an education as the schools of his neighborhood
afforded. Learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked during
the summer, teaching school in winter, until 1853, when he came to
Dubuque, Iowa, where he was foreman in the mill of C. H. Dickin-
son & Co. until coming to this city in the spring of 1855. Mr.
Gage has always devoted his attention to business and declined any
official connection with municipal affairs until the spring of 1881,
when he was elected alderman of the second ward, and is the pres-
ent chairman of the waterworks committee ; a most important post
in view of the erection of the new waterworks building and the
completion of the water-supply system of the city. September 6,
1856, A. W. Gage was married to Miss Christie E. Gage. Of their
three children, two only are living. Miss M. E. Gage, now teaching
in the city schools, and A. John Gage, now in attendance at the
normal school. Their eldest son, F. T. Gage, died in this city
September 21, 1881, aged twenty-four years.
Daniel Gage is a native of Pennsylvania. Learned his trade in
Binghamton, N. Y., and in 1856 came to Minnesota, settling in
Belle Plaine, Scott county, frotn which place he removed to Winona
514 HISTOEY OF WESTONA COUNTY.
in 1858. Here lie followed his trade, working in town and in the
surrounding country until 1864, when he formed a partnership with
his cousin, A. W. Gage, which has remained vmbroken during a
period of eighteen years. The first building erected by the firm
was the Presbyterian church, now standing on the corner of Fifth
and Main streets. Mr. Daniel Gage is married and has three
children in attendance upon the city schools.
Samuel D. Van Gobder, contractor, is a native of Chemung
county, New York. At ten years of age he left home to try his
luck in the world, and six years later was running a sash, door and
blind factory on his own account, at Catharine, in his native state.
He was engaged in this business and in canalboat building until he
came to Winona, in 1856. That same season, in company with Joel
Mallory, he built the first road leading into Winona, a road across
the slough from the city to Sugar Loaf Bluff, 'and also the road over
the Stockton Bluffs. In September of that year he went to Chicago,
and purchasing machinery for a sash, blind and door factory that
same fall, in company with Thomas Simpson and one Evans, com-
menced manufacturing. The following January the factory was
sold out to Hamilton & Kobinson, and Mr. Yan Gorder bought out
James Harlan's interest in the sawmill erected by that gentleman
and James Wycoff in the fall and winter of 1855. This business
was conducted until the spring of 1861, when differences of opinion
concerning the management of affairs arising, it was mutually agreed
to receive an order from the court for the sale of the property, which
was accordingly done, and the property bought in by Mr. Harlan
for Van Gorder, but before business was resumed the mill was acci-
dentally burned. He was then in the lumber trade for eighteen
months, when he sold out to Mr. Laird, and took the contract for
driving the piles for the elevator and bridges of the Winona & St.
Peter railway. In company with Joel and R. P. Mallory, he built
all the small bridges along the line of the old transit road as far as
Rochester, and graded one mile of its track. In the fall of 1863 he
took charge of the lumber, wood and tie supplies of the railroad, hold-
ing that position one year. In 1865 he put a ferry-boat upon the
river at this point, and there being no eligible landing on the oppo-
site shore, was obliged to land at the old stone house four miles up
the river. The first season eleven teams were taken across. This
ferry was sold to the city in 1880. In 1869 Mr. Van Gorder opened
a stone quarry across the river, and contracted to furnish and ferry
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES. 515
the stone for the railroad bridge over the river at this point. The
city having built a road across the Wisconsin bottoms to the bluffs
in 1867, he was interested in establishing a stage route into Wiscon-
sin, and providing for its transfer over the river. In company with
one, Jenkins, in 1879, he took a government contract of $20,000 for
river improvement. In connection with the waterworks improve-
ments of this year, he laid about 1,800 feet of water-main for the
city, and dug the well at the works, fifty-two feet diameter, depth of
stone curbing twenty-eight feet. In October, 1882, he contracted
with the city to build a road across the Wisconsin bottoms, one and
a quarter miles long, bridged and graded above high-water mark.
He was chief of city police during the years 1877-78-80-81. Is a
member of Winona Lodge, No. 18, A. F. and A. M., of Winona
Chapter, Ko. 5, R. A. M., and of Coeur de Lion Commandery, No. 3.
Mr. Yan Gorder has never married, but since his fifteenth year has
charged himself with the support of his parents and an invalid sister
now living with him.
Nicholas Monk, contractor for stone and brick work, is a native
of Germany, born in 1842. He learned his trade in Holstein, his
native place, and came to the United States in 1867, settling in
Winona the same year. The stone and brick work of the Postofiice
block, the Stevens block, the Wakefield block, the Congregational
Church, and the new waterworks building and stand-pipe, are speci-
mens of his mechanical skill. During the building season he
employs a considei'able force of men, according to the demands of
business. His waterworks contract, for building and stand-pipe
moving, is $22,000, Mr. Monk has a wife and two children living,
one of the children now in the city schools.
DouD, Son & Co., manufacturers of flour barrels, central office
and main manufactory at Winona, branch manufactories at La Crosse
Wisconsin, and Hokah, Lanesboro and Isenourse, Minnesota. The
business of this firm consists in preparing material for flour barrels
and manufacturing them, and no better sample of a growing Winona
industry could be given than the history of the operations of this
firm affords. During the twenty years of their existence here they
have grown from a small hand manufactory, employing two or three
hands, to a giant industry, working extensive machinery and em-
ploying a force of 140 operatives. Business was begun in this city
in 1862 by Chaunce_y Doud, who had previously been engaged in
similar business in New York and Illinois. The name of the firm
30
516 HISTOEY OF WINOT^A COTTNTY.
was Doud & Son, the "son" being at that time in charge of operations
in Wisconsin. Their first factory was located on Grand street, between
Second and Third, and from there was removed to Wilson street,
one block east of the original location, in 1864. Here they remained,
gradually extending operations until they were burned out, in July,
1880, when a move was made to their present location. When the
firm became Doud, Son & Co., in March, 1874, their manufactory
had grown to include two shops, each 22 X 50, in which a force of
twenty-five hands was employed, with a product of a little more than
300 barrels a day, no machinery being used. One of these shops
was destroyed by fire in 1875, and a new one immediately erected,
24x100 feet. In 1878 an addition of 40 feet was made to this
building, and machinery put in for champering, leveling, crozing
and tressing. By this means their capacity was increased to 800
barrels a day, with an actual product of about four-fifths that
amount. When these buildings were destroyed by fire, July 17,
1880, Doud, Son & Co. removed to their present location on the
north side of Mark street, just east of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St.
Paul passenger depot, where they immediately rebuilt and resumed
operations. Their property extends along Mark street a distance of
332 feet, runs to the alley iji the rear, and fronts the tracks of the
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, with which they have
ample switch connections. Upon these premises, in 1880, they
erected a two-stc-ry frame manufactory, 140x28 feet, and a store-
house, 100x26 feet. They also erected, the same year, on ground
leased from the railroad company, and along the main track of that
corporation, a one-story stockhouse, 24x100 feet. In 1881 an ad-
dition of 112 feet was made to the manufactory and of 100 feet to
the storehouse, making these buildings 252 feet and 200 feet respec-
tively. When the 1881 additions were made the firm duplicated
their machinery, and they have now in operation two complete
sets, with an aggregate capacity of 2,000 barrels daily, an actual
product of 1,500 barrels a day, and a working force of 140 hands.
The Messrs. Doud have largely manufactured their own staves
from the beginning of their business, but prior to 1876 this work
was done where their barrel manufactories were located. Since
that date their stave factories have been in the woods. These fac-
tories were located at Doudville and Rudolph, in Wood county,
Wisconsin, and gave employment to a force of eighty operatives and
nine teams prior to the disastrous fire of May 28, 1882, by which
MANUFACTURIISrG INDUSTRIES. 517
their Doudville factory and store were burned, and a loss of $40,000
sustained. The location at Doudville was then abandoned and a
new factory erected at Pittsville, in the same county. No statistics
of the "Wisconsin and other Minnesota barrel manufactories are
given, these not being legitimately connected with Winona county
industries. The product of the Winona manufactory is largely
marketed at home ; the other along the lines of the Minnesota
Southern railroad. The present members of the firm are C. Dowd,
R. T. Dowd, C. G. Doud and Geo. S. Doud.
Chauncy Doud, the senior member of the firm, was born in
Turin, Lewis county, New York, August 15, 1809; was brought up
on a farm, and followed that business from his youth until 1849,
when he ceased farming and gave his whole attention to barrel
manufacturing, a business in which he had been more or less engaged
for some years. Leaving New York in 1837, Mr. Doud removed to
St. Clair county, Michigan, farmed it five years, then located in
Oswego, Kendall county, Illinois, where he was engaged in farming
from 1842 to 1849, at which time he removed to Lockport, Will
county, in the same state, and established his barrel manufactory, an
industry he has now constantly followed for thirty-three years.
March 7, 1834, Chauncey Doud married Sarah C. Comstock, of Phila-
delphia, Jefi'erson county, New York, with whom he has now been
living almost a full half-century. They have six children : two sons,
members of the firm of Doud, Son & Co., and four daughters, tliree
of them married, and residing out of the state, and one unmarried,
residing at home.
The L. C. Porter Milling Company was organized under the
firm name of Porter & Mowbray in 1874, and so continued until
1879, when L. C.Porter bought out the interest of Mr. Mowbray and
continued the business under the name it now bears. The property
occupied by this industry extends along the riverfront eastward from
Market street 430 feet, and runs southward one block and a half.
Upon this property, in 1874, their mill was erected, a five-story
frame building, 70 X 40 feet, provided with nine run of stone and having
a capacity of 250 barrels of fiour a day. Their engine and boiler
house was a two-story brick, 36x70, built the same year. Three
years later they built their elevator, 50x70 feet and sixty feet in
height, having a capacity of 50,000 bushels. This was increased in
1882 to 90,000 bushels storage, and a handling capacity of 5,000
bushels per day. The capacity of the mill was increased from time to
518
HISTOPwY OF WmONA COUNTY.
time until in 1881 it had attained a capacity of 500 barrels a day, using
both rollers and burrs. The mill was then completely remodeled, the
number of rollers increased to twenty-two and the capacity enlarged
to 600 barrels. The reduction is done on rollers, t)ie pulverizing of
the middlings on burrs, of which there are five run. The capacity of
the engines in the mill are rated 300 horse-power, the elevator is
supplied with a separate engine of 25 horse-power. Grain is sup-
plied from their own warehouses and elevators along the line of the
Winona & St. Peter railway. Of these they have now in opera-
tion about twenty, and will double that number next season. Of the
grain thus received from points westward as far as the Dakota grain
fields, only the choicest samples are used for milling purposes, the
The L. C. Porter Milling Company
inferior grades being shipped to the eastern market. They also
handle great quantities of salt and coal through their western ware-
houses. Shipments of flour are principally to the eastern home mar-
ket and to the ports of Great Britain and Ireland. Sawdust is used
exclusively for fuel, and their mill was the first one employing steam
power exclusively in the state, such power being deemed too costly
for profitable employment. The various departments of their busi-
ness are officered as follows : O. L. Marfield, in charge of wheat
department ; W. H. Sims, head miller ; F. A. Coons, chief engineer.
The whole force of the mill is about sixty hands.
For a personal sketch of Mr. L. C. Porter, see First I^ational
Bank.
F. A. Coones, chief engineer of the Porter Milling Company, is a
native of Ontario, Canada ; learned his trade as a machinist in St.
MANUFACTURIlSrG INDUSTRIES. fyld
Louis and came to this city in 1866. Was in the shops of tlie Phcjenix
Iron Works two years, the engineer for Younians Bros. & Hodgins
one year, then in the same position for Laird, Morton & Co. eight
years, at the expiration of which time he entered the service of the
Porter Milling Company. Mr. Coones is married and has one child.
He is a member of Prairie Lodge, No. 7, 1. 0.0. P., and also a
stockholder in the Winona Building Association.
O. L. Marfield, superintendent of grain department of the Porter
Milling Company, is a native of Ohio ; was bred a miller at Chil-
licothe, in that state, and conducted milling business there on his
own account from 1860 until he came to Minnesota for his health in
August, 1881, and assumed charge of the wheat department of this
house.
W. H. Sims, head miller of the Porter Milling Company, is a
native of England ; followed the trade of miller, to which he was
bred, for twelve years in his native country before coming to Winona
in 1866. Was in charge of the mill of H. Miller, his brother-in-law,
at Minnesota City, in this county, previous to accepting the position
of head miller with the L. C. Porter Milling Company in 1879.
N. C. Gault, manufacturer of Schoonmaker's patent copper light-
ning cable. This industry is of recent establishment, the letters
patent under which the manufacture is conducted bearing date June
28, 1881. These letters patent cover both the idea and process ot
forming a hollow zinc wire, overlaid with sheet copper, and twisting
the same into a continuous flexible cable. The advantages of the
cable rod are its superior conducting properties, its unbroken contin-
uation from the point above the standard to its ground termination,
its indestructibility, and its absolute flexibility, by means of which
it is capable of the most natural adjustment to all surfaces. The
portion above the roof is strengthened by the insertion of a solid
steel rod in the center chamber of the spiral, which gives abundant
security against possible displacement. The manufacture is super-
intended by the patentee, who has assigned all his right therein to
H, D. Morse and N. C. Gault. The manufactory is a two-story
frame building on the alley between Second and Third streets, in
the rear of the ' 'Tribune" building, 20 X 70 feet. The manufactory has
a present capacity of 5,000 feet of cable per day, with the hand
machine now in use, but this capacity will be more than doubled by
the introduction of some motor the coming season. Their cable
coils are from 250 feet to 500 feet in length, of two sizes, one having
520 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
a diameter of nine-sixteenths of an inch, the other of five-eighths of
an inch. They also manufacture gold and silver plated points,
ari'ows and vanes, as well as the necessary standards. The manu-
facture is exclusively for wholesale trade, as the manufacturers are
not engaged in putting up rods. Though yet in its infancy, the
demand is rapidlj^ extending, and already some fifty firms are
handling the rod in the various northwestern states.
The proprietor, N. C. Gault, is a native of New Hampshire, born
near Concord, in that state, in 1822 ; was brought up on the home
farm, and followed farming until coming to Winona in April,
1856. He was engaged in the hardware trade here until 1863 ;
closed business, and the following year entered the United States
service with the 11th reg. Minn. Inf.; was soon after enlistment
elected quartermaster of the regiment, and served with it until
it was mustered out. Returning to Winona he was appointed
United States ganger for the first congressional district of Minnesota,
and served until 1875, during part of which time he was oil inspector
under state appointment. Since 1875 was not actively in business
until he engaged in his present industry. He is a prominent mem-
ber of the Baptist church in this city, in which he has held the office
of deacon twenty-four years.
James H. Schoonmaker, patentee and superintendent of manufac-
tory, is a native ot New York ; came to Winona in 1869, and for the
past ten years has been engaged in the manufacture of lightning
rods, principally the old star rod, Chadwick's patent, for the firm of
Morse, Miner & Co.
Lamprecht & Kaiser, manufacturers of glue, soap, tallow and
neatsfoot oil. This business was established in 1880, in its present
location, block No. 23, Bander's addition to the city of Winona.
Their buildings are respectively 30x20 feet and 36x80 feet, and
they employ an engine of fifteen-horse power in the manufactory.
Their weekly product is 1,200 pounds of soap, 2,000 pounds of
tallow, 400 pounds of glue, and one-half barrel of neatsfoot oil, to
produce which they employ four workmen.
John Lamprecht was born in Prussia in 1843, was bred a
machinist, came to America in 1867, and worked at his trade in
Chicago until he came to Winona in 1880.
Emil Kaiser was born in Baden, Germany, in 1848 ; learned the
trade of soapmaker in his native country, from which he came to
America in 1868. In 1870 he settled in Winona, and conducted
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES. 521
business at the corner of Mark and Huif streets prior to establishing
his manufactory in block 23.
Sugar Loaf Brewery, P. Bub, proprietor. This manufactorj
was established in its present location in 1862, by Jacob Weisbrod,
at which time it had a capacity of about 500 barrels a year. This
capacity was increased from time to time until 1872, when about
1,000 barrels a year were manufactured. In this year the old brew-
ery burned, and Peter Bub, who had been Mr. Weisbrod's foreman
for two years, purchased the property. This consists of a tract of
about seven acres, at the junction of the old Sugar Loaf road, with
that skirting the north shore of the lake. Here, in 1872, Mr. Bub
erected his brewery, the main structure 48 X 52 feet, three stories in
height, with a one-story addition 24x36 feet, and two icehouses,
respectively, 60x100 feet and 20x80 feet. This brewery had a
capacity of 4,000 barrels a year. In 1882 the whole was remodeled
and a new three-story stone building, 52 X 70 feet, added, increasing
the capacity of the manufactory to 20,000 barrels, with an actual
product of about one-third that amount. The brewery proper as
it now stands is a solid three-story stone structure, 52x118 feet, and
cellars of 2,000 barrels storage capacity. An additional icehouse,
24 X 36, has also been built ; he harvests his own ice crop, keeps a
force of ten hands and three teams, at least two-thirds of his product
finding a ready market at home.
Mr. Bub was born in Bavaria, in 1842, was bred to the brewer's
trade, and at twenty-five years of age came to America, direct to
Milwaukee, where he was for three years in the employ of the Best
Brewing Company before coming to "Winona in 1870. Here he
was in the employ of Jacob Weisbrod, as foreman two years, then
purchased the property.
The Pebuilding and Repaiking Shops of the Winona & St. Peter
and the Dakota division of the Chicago & Northwestern railway
at tills point take front rank among the great industries of the city.
These shops are located upon a tract of forty acres, owned and occu-
pied by the railway company, situated just within the corporate
limits of the city on the west. Upon this property have been
erected from time to time the principal machine and other shops of
the above-named railway divisions ; miles of side-track have been
laid for siding cars, repairing same on track and giving ingress and
egress to the company's own trains of coal, iron, timber and other
supplies. The minor repair shops at Waseca, Sleepy-Eye, Tracy,
522 HISTOEY OF WINONA COUNTY.
Watertown and Huron are only branches from this parent stem,
drawing their supplies from this depot, reporting all work done and
supplies furnished to these headquarters, upon whose time-rolls
they are borne and upon whose pay-rolls they are paid. The seventy-
five engineers and firemen along both divisions in like manner
report to and are connected with this center, from which emanates
the authority controlling 900 miles of track and a working force of
450 mechanics and laborers.
The buildings now standing upon this property are : Machine
shop (main building), 175 feet long, sixty-four feet wide, with walls
twenty-four feet high ; opening into this building is the shop for
boiler repairs, 66x40 feet with eighteen feet walls ; the blacksmith
shop, 80x40 feet, with twenty feet walls, in which a steam hammer
has just been placed that can strike a ten-ton blow. These buildings
are all of brick, solid stone foundations and truss roofs. The rail
mill, a frame building 80x40 feet, in which with a 40-inch steel
disk they saw cold rails and drill, punch, straighten and saw cold
iron. The power for driving the machinery in these four buildings is
supplied by an engine of eighty-horse power, stationed in an attached
engine and boiler-house, 60x40 feet. The roundhouse, also of
brick, has stalls for twenty-two engines. The water-tank has a ca-
pacity of 90,000 gallons, supplied by pumps for which the engine
furnishes motor. Water is distributed through pipes to the several
buildings with head sufficient to afford protection in case of fire, and
is also utilized for washing engines. The clerks' oflice, 24x40, is a
neat wooden building just between the main machine shop and the
main track of the road which traverses the yard from east to west.
These buildings are all on the south side of the main track, as are
also the coal and sand houses. The house for Blossburg coal, used
in blacksmith shop, is 20 X 60, eighteen feet high, with a lean-to for
charcoal ; the soft coal house is 100x46 with twenty-foot posts, and
the sandhouse 40 X 60 with eighteen-foot posts.
Upon the north side of the track are the main car shop, a two-
story frame building 150 feet long and 80 feet wide, with a brick
engine and boiler room on the northwest, 20x20, with iron roof,
furnished with engines of forty-horse power. This car shop contains
all the machinery for woodwork, the paint shop and the uphol-
sterer's room, A second car shop, 40 X 120, with a lean-to for cast-
ings for car department, 20 X 60 ; a storeroom, 60 X 40, two stories
for casting and supplies for machinery department and an oilhouse,
MANUFACTURING' mDUSTRIES. 523
16X36, complete the buildings on north side of track, and, with the
exception of the bridge shop, concludes the catalogue of the build-
ings at this point.
The office of the master mechanic is in the main machine shop,
where with his telegraph operator at his elbow he has direct commu-
nication with every station along the lines of his double division.
The number of men in the employ of the company at this point are :
Machine shop, 50 ; boiler shop, 18 ; blacksmith shop, 24 ; rail mill,
16 ; roundhouse, 40 ; tin and coppersmiths, 5 ; carpenters and
truckmen in main car shop, 25 ; laborers, 8 ; painters, 4 ; upholsterers,
1 ; car repairers on track and oilers, 15 ; engineers for stationary
engines, 2 ; coal and wood men, 10 ; storeroom keepers, 3 ; a
clerical force of 4 and 1 telegraph operator.
W. A. Scott, master mechanic, is a native of New York, and has
been in the employ of the company for twenty-four years, gradually
working his way up. In 1867 he was appointed foreman of the
machine shops of the company at Belle Plaine, Iowa, prior to which
time he had been a locomotive engineer of six years'* standing and
three years' shop experience. Was there nine years, then transferred
to Kendall, Wisconsin, from which place, after one year's service,
he was assigned to duty as foreman of the shops at Harvard, Illi-
nois ; remained there eighteen months, when he was appointed master
mechanic of these divisions and removed to Winona in 1878. Mr.
Scott was made a Master Mason in 1862, a Royal Arch Mason in
1863, and took the commandery degrees in 1864. He has held
many positions of honor in the fraternity. Was grand treasurer of
the grand chapter of Iowa in 1874 ; eminent commander of St. Ber-
nard Commandery, Belle Plaine, Iowa, from 1872-5 ; generalissimo
of Woodstock Commandery, Illinois, in 1876 ; captain-general of
Coeur de Lion Commandery in this city in 1881, and its most emi-
nent commander in 1882 ; is a member and director of the board
of trade, Winona Mill Companj^, Winona Wagon Company and the
Winona Silver Mining Company ; is married, and has one child.
G. W. Williams, general foreman of the locomotive department
of the Chicago & Northwestern railway shops at this point, was as-
signed to that position January 1, 1878, and has been in the employ
of the company the greater part of the time since 1864. Mr. Williams
is a native of New York ; served an apprenticeship of three years at
his trade as a machinist in the shops of the Delaware & Lackawkna
railroad at Scranton, Pennsylvania ; entered the service of the
524 HISTORY OF WESrONA COUNTY.
New York & Erie road at Susquehana and Port Jervis, and was in
their employ four years, when he came to Chicago and entered the
service of the Chicago & ISTorthwestern railroad in 1864. He came
from the Chicago shops to assume charge of his department here in
1878. As an inventor, Mr. Williams has achieved success. In 1882
he took out letters patent for his "Piston-packing Adjuster." This
invention consists of a volute or spiral spring so mechanically con-
nected that it will adjust the packing as it wears and balance the
piston in the cylinder. This invention has been sufficiently tested
to prove its value as a force economizer. Its introduction in the
Evartt's flouring-mill at Waseca enabled them to turn out twenty
barrels of flour additional in each day's run. August 1, 1881, Mr.
Williams took out letters patent for an invention destined in the
opinion of competent judges to supersede all other journal bear-
ings. This is the " Asbestos bearing," designed to prevent journals
from running hot, as it sustains a heat of 1,800 degrees before burn-
ing. It consists of an asbestos filling compressed into a metal cyl-
inder under a pressure of thirty tons, forming a cartridge of about
one inch diameter. These cartridges are inserted into holes drilled
in the bearing surfaces of boxes and journals and left flush, not only
giving absolute security against hot journals, but greatly reducing
the cost of lubrication, as the soapy nature of the asbestos consti-
tutes it an excellent lubricator in itself The bearing has already
been introduced into Youmans Bros. & Hodgins and Laird, Norton &
Co's sawmills in this city ; into Troost's flouring-mill at Minnesota
City, and ran 386 miles on the tender of a passenger engine over the
Chicago & Northwestern railway without one drop of lubrication,
giving no sign of overheating. It is a safety bearing, so far as dan-
ger from fire through overheated journals is concerned, and an
economizer of force and oil, reducing, as it does, the amount of fric-
tion and the need of lubrication. Mr. Williams is married and has
one child four years of age. He is a member of Winona Lodge,
No. 18, A. F. and A. M., and of Winona Chapter, No. 5, E.A.M.
Wm. H. Bennett, foreman of car works, has been in the employ
of the company for the greater part of the last twelve years, with
headquarters at Winona. He is a native of Maryland, a carpenter
by trade, and in 1869 came west to Chicago, thence the same season
to La Crosse, and finally to Winona. Has been in charge of car
department since May 1, 1879. Mr. Bennett is a member of
MAIS'UFACTFRrNa rN"DUSTRIES. 525
Winona Lodge, No. 18, A. F. and A.M., and of Winona Chapter,
No. 5, K. A. M. Married and has one child in school in this city.
John McNally, foreman of the blacksmith shop, has been in
the employ of the company since 1875, and since Angust 1, 1878,
has been foreman in these shops. He learned his trade in the shops
of the Cumberland and Pennsylvania railroad, in Maryland, and
was with that company seven years ; then from 1871 to 1875 was
at work in Pittsburgh and St. Louis.
Engineers' Department Chicago & Northwestern railway, for
all divisions west of Mississippi river in Minnesota and Dakota,
headquarters in depot building, Winona. John E. Blunt, chief
engineer. This department has charge of all maintenance of ways
and erection of buildings for the company within the territory above
specified. The principal work now in hand is the construction of
the Iroquois branch of the Dakota Central, from Iroquois to Callope,
a distance of 127 miles. The buildings erected in Winona under the
supervision of this department, not included among the shops under
the master mechanic's charge, are notably the grain elevator, built
under the management of the old transit company. Dimensions
60X450 feet, and the new depot building. This last structure, built
during the season of 1880-81, and taken possession of in the spring
of the latter year, is a two-story brick, stone foundations and base-
ment, mansard roof, composite architecture, extreme length 150
feet, width 46^ feet. The exterior presents quite an ornate appear-
ance, and the interior is conveniently arranged to meet the purposes
of its construction. In it are the general offices of this division,
ticket office, waiting-rooms, and depot hotel.
John E. Blunt, chief engineer, is a native of Tennessee. Gradu-
ated at Andover, Massachusetts, class of 1847, and from the mechan-
ical school at Newburyport, same state, in the class of 1849. Leaving
school, he attached himself to the engineering corps of B. C. Morse,
and was with him in the south until 1857, principally in Tennessee,
Georgia and Alabama, and was still in the south when the war of
1861-5 broke out. The following year, 1862, came to Chicago, and
was in the employ of the old Galena Eailroad Company (at that time
the Chicago & Galena Union) when that road was absorbed by the
Chicago & Northwestern system -in 1864. Came, with the absorp-
tion of the Galena road, into the employ of the Chicago & North-
western road, and was connected with the Galena division until he
was transferred to Winona in 1878, in charge of the Western depart-
526 HISTORY OF WnSTONA COinSTTY.
ment. Mr. Blunt is a member of the Congregational church, mar-
ried, has three children in school in this city, one daughter pursuing
her studies at Newburyport, Massachusetts, and one son, a physi-
cian, in practice at Clinton, Iowa.
C. C. Puder, assistant engineer, is a native of Portland, Maine,
and came to Winona in 1878, when Mr. Blunt assumed charge of
the department.
Bridge and Builders' department of Winona & St. Peter
division Chicago & Northwestern railway ; Alex. Doig, foreman.
This department of construction employs a force of from 120 to 220
mechanics and laborers, of whom one-fourth are residents of Winona
or tributary to its trade. The principal work of the past three years
has been in the Stockton bluffs, where a large amount of labor,
money and material has been expended. The accompanying state-
ment will aiford some idea of the work of this department within the
county limits during the period above specified. Bridge No. 28,
constructed in 1880, consists of a solid stone arch of 10 feet ; No. 29,
which was originally a wooden tressel-bridge 479 feet long, was
replaced, in 1880-81, by a riveted iron bridge 85 feet long; No. 21,
constructed in 1881 at Stockton water-tank, is a riveted iron bridge,
single span of 64 feet ; No. 26, originally a wooden tressel-bridge
720 feet long, was replaced, during 1881-82, by a two-span riveted
iron bridge with piers and abutments, each span 55 leet in length.
The tresselwork of the approaches to this bridge is being solidly
filled to make a permanent roadway ; No. 27, which was originally
a wooden tressel of 732 feet, is being replaced by two 32-foot arches,
work not yet completed ; No. 30, recently commenced, is to consist
of one 32-foot arch. The approaches to these constructions will all
be made as substantially as possible, and as rapidly as may be a
permanently solid roadbed established.
Mr. Doig, the foreman of this department, is a native of Dun-
dee, Scotland. Came to America in 1856. Learned his trade as a
housebuilder in Illinois and Minnesota, and commenced work as a
bridge builder the same year that he came to this city, 1865. Was
assistant under D. Leary, the first bridge foreman on the road, until
Mr. Leary went into the service of the Southern Minnesota road in
1876, when the assistant became foreman. Mr. Leary, so well known
to Winona county people, is at present the superintendent of bridges
and building on the Canada Pacific road, so that the Winona &
St. Peter division of the Chicago & Northwestern may be said to
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES. 527
have furnished bridge brains for two important lines of road besides
its own.
S. Sanborn, superintendent of the Winona & St. Peter division
of the Chicago & Northwestern railway, extending from Winona to
Watertown, with branch ; aggregate mileage of track 407 miles. Mr.
Sanborn commenced his railroad career in 185fi, at the very bottom
of the ladder, first as depot employe and then as brakeman on the
old Milwaukee & Mississippi railway, now the Prairie du Chien
division of the Milwaukee & St. Paul. January 17, 1863, he
entered the service of the Chicago & Northwestern road as freight
agent. In 1872 was appointed general agent for the road at Mil-
waukee, and two years later, April, 1874, was assigned to duty as
superintendent of the Winona & St. Peter division, with head-
quarters in this city. He is married and has one child, now in
attendance at the State Normal School here.
Wm. P. Cosgrove, chief train-dispatcher Winona & St. Peter
division of Chicago & Northwestern railroad, is a native of
Michigan and a telegraph operator of twenty-seven years' experience.
In 1857 he assumed charge of the first telegraph office opened for
commercial purposes in the city of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. In
1858 he took an instrument in the general office of the Chicago,
Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad at Milwaukee, and was chief train
dispatcher there for twelve or fourteen years prior to assuming
duties at their headquarters in 1874. He is married and. has three
children, one of them in attendance at the State Normal and one in
private school.
Phcenix Iroitworks, corner Third and Winona streets ; W. M.
Hurlbert, proprietor. These works were established in 1866 by
Mr. Hurlbert, who, after fifteen years' experience in the machine
shops of the Vermont Central railway, came to Winona in 1863 to
establish the machine shops of the Winona & St. Peter railways.
The Phoenix Works were started on the second block west from that
now occupied, on rented ground, and here in September, 1866, Mr.
Hurlbert erected his first manufactory, 30x90 feet. This building,
destroyed by fire in February, 1867, was replaced the same
month by one 30 X 100 feet, business suffering interraption only for
a short period. The lots upon which the manufactory stood not
being in the market, in the summer of 1857 Mr. Hurlbert purchased
one-half of the block lying between Winona and Huff, on the south
side of Third street, along which it fronts 300 feet, having a frontage
528 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
of 150 on Winona. To this property Mr, Hurlbert removed his
machine shop in 1867; built a two-storj^ wood-shop 30x60 feet and
a blacksmith shop 20 X 30 feet. The foundry, a solid stone structure,
40 X 65 feet, with iron truss roof, was erected four years later, in 1871.
A general machine business is done, both repairing and jobbing,
quite an extensive manufacturer of Minnesota seeders conducted
and employment given to a force of from twenty-five to fifty hands,
according to season. An engine of twenty-five horse-power supplies
motor for the machinery, and steam for the heating apparatus. The
works are furnished with lathes.
Mr. Hurlbert was born in "Walpole, New Hampshire ; removed
early in life to jSTorthfield, Vermont, and there learned his trade as a
machinist in the shops of the Vermont Central railway. Was in
charge of their work at that point when he accepted a situation as
master-mechanic of the Winona & St. Peter Railway Company, and
in that capacity came to Winona in 1863, established their shops
and managed them two years, when he resigned his position and
soon afterward engaged in his present industry, which he has
managed successfully for over sixteen years. In 1867 Mr. Hurlbert
patented his Minnesota seeder, which has quite an extensive sale
throughout the northwest.
CHAPTER XLVH.
ST. CHARLES TOWNSHIP.
St. Charles is situated in the valley of the Whitewater river,
in the county of Winona, on the Winona & St. Peter railroad,
twenth-eight miles west of the city of Winona.
GEOLOGICAL FEATUKES.
The city of St. Charles is located in a triangular valley, through
which, on the north side, flows the Whitewater river. This valley
has been formed by the erosion and removal of the original layers
down to solid magnesian limestonfe, and upon the bed of that layer
the city is located, while upon every side are displayed the pre-
cipitous sides of those ancient layers which have remained protected
by their cap of solid flags of Trenton limestone, and have withstood
the forces of the destroying elements.
ST. CHARLES TOWNSHIP. 529
The Trenton limestone, which is the upper layer of rock in the
bluffs around, is naturally of a blue color, but when near the surface
and affected by light and water they are usually faded.
The lower Trenton formation here has been described by Prof.
N. H. Winchell, state geologist, in the following language : " At a
quarry near St. Charles, half a mile south of the city, the lowest
portion of the Trenton appears as follows, in descending order:
No. 1, hard, crystalline, calcareous layers, ringing under the ham-
mer ; of a light drab color, without shale ; fossiliferous, fifteen feet.
No. 2, bluish-green shale, about ten feet. Total, Trenton, twenty-
five feet."
These Trenton flags, with the underlying beds of shale, are
impervious to moisture, consequently the localities which they
underlie are better watered than those of the lower layers, and the
margin of this formation is usually marked by springs of water.
Next in the descending order we arrive at the St. Peter sand-
stone, which is about 100 feet thick, and is an almost pure quartz
sand, containing but two-tenths of one per cent of foreign matter,
which is alumina with a trace of carbonate of lime, not enough of
the latter even to cement its grains. We have here an inexhaustible
quantity of white, non-fossiliferous, and almost pure quartz sand,
which is easily excavated, and is said to be fairer than the Linn sand
used by the Scotch manufacturers of flint glass, and is every way equal
to that sand for this purpose. Here it is used only for making com-
mon mortar, for which purpose it is well adapted. Says Mr. Hurl-
but, in his valuable papers on the geology of southern Minnesota,
"The thousands of escarpments of this formation which border the
plains in as many convenient places offer in return, for but little
labor, the indulgence in every fancy in subterranean architec-
ture, from the cool and spacious dairy vault and brewer's cellar
to the Mediaeval Rhenish castles supplied with sparkling fountains
at will."
Under the above we find a layer of magnesian limestone, which
is found at the surface in some localities near the Whitewater river.
This, as its name indicates, is not a pure limestone. It contains car-
bonate of lime with about one equivalent of carbonate of magnesia,
with some insoluble silicates and traces of alumina, the largest per-
cent being carbonate of lime. It was formerly believed that because
of these impurities it was not adapted to the making of lime, and
therefore people built kilns south of this city, where they obtained
580 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
the purer carbonate of lime in the Trenton beds. This was a blun-
der, for, although the magnesian limestone produces a large amount
of insoluble cemsjnt and does not slack so easily and perfectly as the
carbonate of lime, yet it is more economical, as it requires less heat
in burning. It also throws out less heat in slacking, and is therefore
called ' cool ' lime. It is slower in setting, so that from fifteen to
twenty bricks can be laid with one spreadmg of mortar, and a cor-
responding advantage is gained in plastering. This is a light col-
ored and pretty stone, and, being hard and enduring, it is well
adapted for building purposes.
A few miles north of this city is a quarry of magnesian limestone,
which is of a light cream color, and homogeneous texture, and when
first taken from the quarrj'^ is soft. It is easily cut into all desirable
forms. It takes a polish and is therefore a marble. It has an
abundance of calcareous cement, and hardens by exposure to the air.
It is adapted to ornamental work as well as heavy masonry, can be
cut into posts, sills, caps, water-tables, etc.
Clay abounds in the vicinity, which, for some years past, has
been economized for the manufacture of brick. A few miles from
the city are bogs of peat, some of which give promise of yielding a
fair burning material, yet they have not been proved by sufficient
test.
The quarries of the Trenton system abound in fossils peculiar to
that age, many of which have been gathered to enrich the museums
of institutions for educational purposes as well as of private col-
lections. There are also boulders which have been transferred here
during the past geological ages, among which are granite, agates,
silicious limestone, argentines or lamellar calcites, jaspers, etc., some
of which are susceptible to a polish and by their hardness are
adapted to useful purposes.
ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWN.
In 1851 there were no white settlers in this part of the country.
The buffalo had disappeared but the deer and the elk still pastured
the prairies and sought shelter in the wooded valleys. Abundance
of speckled trout played in the crystal waters. By an act of the
legislature of the territory of Minnesota, passed February 23, 1853,
so much territory as is embraced within the following boundaries,
to-wit : Beginning at the southwest corner of T. 105 N., E. 10 W.,
thence north twenty-four miles to the northwest corner of T.- 108 N.,
ST. CHARLES TOWNSHIP. 531
R. 10 W., thence east to the Mississippi river, thence down said
river to tlie northeast corner of Houston county, thence west to the
place of beginning, was established as the county of Winona. The
county of Winona is on the eastern and northeastern slope of the
State of Minnesota to the Mississippi river. The summit level of the
country between Winona City and Mankato is at Rice lake, in the
county of Dodge. The streams running easterly and northeasterly
from that point are rapid, affording abundance of power for hydraulic
purposes. Between these streams there are generally continuous
ridges of land which break in grand, lofty and picturesque escarp-
ments on the Mississippi shore. The height of these escarpments
are not much below the summit level at Rice lake ; the streams, in
their rapid course to the Mississippi, seem to have worn down their
channels through the solid lime-rock, and through the more friable
Silurian to their present depths ; hence on the shore of the Missis-
sippi we behold such remarkable features in the landscape. The
nearer these streams approach to the river the deeper are the gorges,
and it was after much toil and labor that the early pioneer could
ascend through these gorges to the elevated prairies above.
After the government survey St. Charles was known as T. 106
K, R. low.
On April 29, 1854, the county commissioners divided the county
of Winona into six election precincts. The precinct of Elba, in
which was St. Charles, included T. 105 K, R. 8, 9 and 10 W., now
Hart, Fremont and Saratoga; T. 106 K, R. 9 and 10 W., now
Utica and St. Charles, and T. lOT N., R. 10 W., now Elba. E.
Haws, William Davidson and L. H. Springer were appointed
judges of election. At this session the county was divided into
assessment districts. District No. one, embracing T. 108 N., R.
9 and 10 W., and T. 105, 106 and lOT K, R. 10 W. A. P. Hall
was appointed collector. On July 3, 1854, the valuation of personal
property in this district was $11,318.
As the real estate belonged to the government, the improvements
on the lands were taxed as personal property. The tax per cent, on
the valuation this year was one and thirty-five hundredths per cent.
On May 1, 1854, a resolution was passed by the county commis-
sioners constituting each election precinct a road district, and
William Davidson was appointed road supervisor of the Elba
district.
31
532 HISTORY OF WEN'ONA COUNTY.
On May 19, 1854, school district No. 3 was organized, embracing
T. 106 (St. Charles), and the north tier of sections in T. 105, K. 10 W.
In March, 1855, school district No. 5 was organized, consisting of
sections 7, 8, 17, 19, (city of St. Charles), 20, 21, 30, and all of
section 29 excepting the southeast quarter of T. 106 N., K. 10 W.
The first election in Elba precinct was held in the fall of 1854, at
the house of William Davidson. Joseph Mixter and John T. Blair
were appointed clerks of the election. Benjamin Langworthy was
elected justice of the peace. William Davidson was elected one of
the county commissioners.
The early records of Elba precinct while under the territorial
government, and belore the towns were organized geographically,
having been lost, the writer has been under the necessity of supplying
the history from the recollection of those who were the early
pioneers of the precinct ; hence it is not as complete as it might
have been if the records could have been examined.
In the fall of 1856 the second election for the Elba precinct was
held at the house of James Ball, situated on the premises now
known as the " Summit Farm," in the town of St. Charles. At this
election L. H. Springer and William Davidson were appointed judges,
and Joseph Mixter, clerk. At this election Carter Fuller was elected
constable. During this year the republican party in the territory
was organized, and pitted against the democracy. C. H. Berry,
now of Winona City, and Wm. Ashley Jones, were present at this
election to sustain the democratic nominees. W. Thorne, residing
near the southern limits of the precinct, came a distance of twelve
miles and voted the democratic ticket. L. H. Springer was elected
one of the county commissioners.
At the April session of the year 1857 the board of county com-
missioners organized geographically T. 106, N., of K. 10 W., into a
separate precinct, denominated St. Charles precinct ; and H. G. Rice,
Benjamin Raynold and Wm. P. Wood were appointed judges of
election, to be held at the schoolhouse in the village of St. Charles.
On May 11, 1858, the first township election for the organized town
of St. Charles was held for the purpose of electing town officers.
A. G. Murray was elected chairman of the board of supervisors,
and Franklin Langworthy and David Balcombe were elected super-
visors ; Harris Scoville, town clerk ; J. F. Remore, assessor ; Geo.
P. Pratt, collector ; Charles Elsbury, overseer of the poor ; Geo. P.
Pratt and Geo. Bartlett, constables ; Harris Scoville and Wm.
ST. CHARLES TOWNSHIP. 533
McKnight, justices of the peace, and Wm. Hendee, overseer of
highways. At this election L. H. Springer, Wm. Davidson and
M. Grover acted as judges ; John M. Cool, and Charles Brewer,
acted as clerks.
Minnesota #vas admitted as a state into the Union by an act of
congress passed May 11, 1858.
EAELT PIONEERS.
In the spring of the year 1853, William Davidson pre-empted on
Sec. IQ, T. 106, K, R. 10 W., upon which he built a log house
into which he moved his family. He claims to be and is considered
to be the first settler of the town of St. Charles, and entitled to be
called "The Old Settler"; though about this time Hiram Hull, one
of the famous Minnesota City Company, who emigrated from the city
of New York and laid out Minnesota City, thinking that he was
locating on the banks of the Mississippi river instead of a big slough ;
but becoming dissatisfied with that place, left and made a claim on
section 12, in the town of St. Charles, upon which he erected a small
log dwelling and made some other improvements ; but sold out in
the fall of 1853, and moved to the east. In the latter part of May,
1853, Lewis H. Springer and famil}^, from the State of Illinois, after
a short residence at Winona, moved and settled on section 19, in the
now city of St. Charles, and erected a double log house on the south
bank of the south branch of the Whitewater river, and near the
foot of what is now Whitewater street. The family consisted of
himself, his wife Adaline and his daughter Ella. With him also
came Benjamin Langworthy and Mrs. Langworthy, the father and
mother of Mrs. Springer, and Alonzo and Benjamin Langworthy, Jr.
Alonzo and Benjamin, sons of Benjamin Langworthy, made their
claims on section 18.
In the same year, and soon after Mr. Springer had settled on his
claim, Eobert Calhoun and Cai-ter Fuller made their claims on the
uplands, south of St. Charles city. James Smith, Mr. Kately and
Mr. Russell made their claims and settled in the southeasterly part
of the town, in the fall of the same year. About this time Wm.
Hause made a claim about a mile northeast of Springer's, upon
which he erected a claim shanty. He had formerly made and sold
a claim in the now town of Saratoga. No other claim was made
in the north part of the town until the year 1855, when David Evans
made a claim and erected a small log house about a mile north of
534 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
the city of St. Charles. The government surveys of the lands of
southern Minnesota were made in the fall of 1853 and the spring of
1854. A. M. Norris, of Dubuque, had the contract for the meri-
dian and township lines, and W. A. Jones had the contract for the
subdivision of the lands in this locality, assisted % A. M. Ray-
mond. Some ot the first settlers had staked out claims before the
subdivisions had been made, and consequently were disappointed in
not getting all that which they desired to locate.
In the spring of 1854 Mr. Salisbury settled on the southeast
quarter of section 19. Jolm Elsbury about the. same time settled on
the same section, and Harris Scoville on section 18. During this
year Lewis H. Springer erected a small frame store a few rods south
of his dwelling-house, and kept a small assortment of dry goods
and groceries for the accommodation of the settlers. This was the
first mercantile establishment and the first frame building in town.
Mr. Sp]'inger was appointed postmaster in the spring of 1854, and
kept the postoffice in this new building. He subsequently sold his
stock of goods to Franklin Langworthy, and Langworthy sold to
Hiram Rice. Mr. Rice soon after built a new store opposite where
now, stands the old Hall's Hotel. The old store which Springer
built is now a part of the house occupied by Morgan Thomas. At
the time Mr. Springer settled in St. Charles there was no settle-
ment west on this route, and no public-house west of Winona to
accommodate emigrants until Mr. Springer, in the spring of 1853,
opened his dwelling as a public inn ; and many of the early settlers
will remember when, after a weary journey from Winona up the
steep and rugged windings of the high bluffs that skirt the western side
of the valley of the Mississippi, and crossing the prairie where little
water was found, famished from hunger and thirst, they arrived
at Springer's tavern, where their wants could be supplied.
At the present time not a vestige of Springer's tavern, where
in former times so much comfort had been dispersed, now remains,
save the old roof of oak shakes and a few logs, on the premises of
Miss Sarah Birge, daughter of the late Col. Joseph Birge, used as
a shelter for pigs and hens.
In the year 1854 a Mr. Wheeler settled on section 19 in the town,
now city of St. Charles, adjoining the county line, upon which he
built a log house and in the following year opened the same for a
public inn. The skin of a wild cat staffed with straw and elevated
on a pole gave intimation that entertainment for man and beast
ST. CHARLES TOWNSHIP. 535
could be had. It was popularly known as the " Wild Cat Tavern."
This was the second house opened for a public inn of the town. In
the summer of 1856 James and Joshua Easton erected the first
framed public inn, being the same building now owned and occupied
by Henry Hall, situate on Winona street. Mr. Hall made his first
location on lands east and adjacent to the phitted portion of the city,
now owned by Carlos Brewer. In the month of July, 1856, a violent
tornado accompanied with rain, thunder and lightning, swept through
the village, prostrating large and firmly-rooted trees in its course,
taking off the roof of Mr. Hall's house and all the logs above the
upper joists and landing them at a distance, and took up over the
walls of the house beds, bedding, and furniture, exposing the
inmates of the dwelling to the furious blasts, frightening them out of
their senses and committing other misdemeanors against the peace
and dignity of Mr. Hail and the people of the village.
Hiram Rice succeeded L. H. Springer as postmaster ; Joseph
Mixter succeeded Mr. Rice ; CoL Joseph Birge succeeded Mr.
Mixter ; M. S. Weeks succeeded Mr. Birge ; Simeon Harding
succeeded Mr. Weeks, and John Pickert (present postmaster)
succeeded Mr. Harding.
In the year 1858, M. H. Gates and H. C. Parrott erected a store
building. After the closing of the mercantile business the building
was used as a wagon-shop by H. C. Parrott, being the first wagon-
shop established in St. Charles, and from which beginning sprang
the present large and extensive wag'on and sleigh manufacturing
establishment of H. C. Parrott & Co. The first blacksmith shop,
being a frame building near the southern confines of the original
village of St. Charles, was erected by John Elsbury, in the Burr
Oak grove, on the premises now owned by B. M. Cravath, near to
which Mr. Elsbury built his log house on the precise site where now
stands the beautiful mansion erected by S. W. Stone, and now
owned by Mr. Cravath. In the blacksmith shop was held the first
public dance in St. Charles, at which most of the settlers, young and
old, attended.
In 1860 James H. Easton established the first art gallery in St.
Charles. Washington Wendell established the first shoe shop, and
Isaac Talbot the second. Dr. Wendell, the brother of Washington
Wendell, was the first physician that settled in St. Charles.
536 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
CLAIM TROUBLES.
During the year 1854, a land-claim society was organized of
which Carter Fuller was appointed chairman and Joseph Wheeland
elected secretary. The object of the society was to guarantee to
each member the right to claim and hold possession of 320 acres of
land, so that each one in taking this amount of land, might secure
at least forty acres of timber. This liberal way of appropriating
Uncle Sam's land, without his being a party to the affair, soon led to
difficulty. Mr. Joseph Wheeland, a member and secretary of the
society, had made his claim of 320 acres, upon which he had erected
a log house and into which he had moved his family. He sub-
sequ^ntJy sold a portion of his claim, and then to make out his
complement of land floated on to an adjoining piece of timber,
claimed under the by-laws of the society by another person. Mr.
Wheeland having been protected in his original claim of 320 acres,
and being secretary of the society and therefore more sacredly bound
to carry out the provisions and by-laws of the society, and having
been the first one to violate the rules, the other members determined
that he should suffer for it. Some time during the winter of 1854-5,
and while Mr. Wheeland was at Winona on business, a party
in disguise went to his house, and taking by force his wife and three
small children in a sleigh to Carter Fuller's house where they were
left (Mr. Fuller being the father of Mrs. Wheeland), then returning
to the house and taking out everything that was valuable set the
house on fire which was soon burned to ashes. The club gang then
went out and cut down all the timber on the land, drew it away,
dividing it, as was supposed, among themselves. S. B. Dickson, a
resident of St. Charles, says that " he and Henry Woodruff were on
their way to Saratoga and had stopped at a private house, when the
gang were drawing the timber. The gang apprehending that they
were spies, ordered them to go back and threatened to shoot them if
they ever appeared in court against them." After the burning of
the house, word was immediately sent to Mr. Wheeland, who came
home immediately and getting a clue to some of the desperadoes,
returned to Winona to get out a warrant for their arrest. In the
meantime a large party of the members of the club appeared in the
road in front of Mr. Fuller's house, where Mrs. Wheeland then was,
and requested admittance into the house. Mr. Fuller apprehending
a raid and evil intent had prepared for a vigorous defense. He had
ST. CHAELES TOWNSHIP. 537
at hand one double-barreled rifle, one single-barreled rifle, one shot-
gun and a brace of six shooters, all well loaded. He refused them
admittance. He stood in his door with rifle in hand and threatened
to shoot the first man who would dare to mount the fence to come
into his enclosure. A parley ensued — there was a cessation of
hostilities. It was finally agreed that three of the party might be
admitted to explain the object of the visit. The delegation having
said that they had come with no hostile intentions, their errand was
a peaceable one, and turning to Mrs. Wheeland asked her, "what
amount of money would satisfy her for the damage done in burning
the house." Mrs. Wheeland replied, "All the law will give."
These words had a magic eftect upon the party for they soon scattered,
and when Mr. Wheeland returned, accompanied with Sheriff Eaton
with a warrant for their arrest they were non est inventus. Some of
these persons, however, were subsequently arrested and brought
before Justice Thompson, of Winona, for trial, and Messrs. Dickson
and Woodruff", whom the gang had threatened, in case they should
appear in court against them, were subpoenaed as witnesses against
them, and gave their testimony. It was said that the evidence was
conclusive, yet they got clear by some means. S. S. Beman was
counsel for the defense. Mr. Dickson states that when he was
building his shanty on his claim, he was forbidden to do so, and if
he persisted in doing so he was threatened of being shot. He built
his shanty, however, but while he was gone to Winona to enter his
land his shanty was torn down and the boards taken away and never
found. Mr. Dickson further states that at about the first of
November, 1855, he was at Winona at the time of the land sales.
There was there at that time an old gentleman who had made a claim
of a quarter section of land, situate in Saratoga town, and a bona fide
settler on the same and entitled to bid it off; another person bid
$1.25 per acre, and cried " settle." The old gentleman then raised
the bid five cents and cried " settle, " upon which one' of the club
society told him if he did not withdraw his bid, he would put him
into the river. The old gentleman refused to do so. The ruflians
seized him and were dragging him toward the river when he drew a
revolver and shot one of them, wounding him in the thigh.
Another man was wounded in the groin. In the affray the old
gentleman had his thumb shot off. He was trodden down by the
gang and severely injured in the breast. He finally succeeded in
getting up and taking refuge in the land office, where the mob tried
538 HISTORY OF WTNOISTA COUNTY.
to get hold of him, but was prevented by the officers. In about two
weeks he died, probably from the injuries received from the mob.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The first schoolhouse erected in St. Charles was a frame build-
ing, in the year 1855, on the west side of Church street. A young
lady from Chatfield by the name of Clarissa Mastick, taught the
first school. The next person who taught the school was Miss
Lucy Bolt, now Mrs. James H. Easton, of Rochester, Minnesota.
This schoolhouse was used for all public gatherings, both political
and religious. A debating club was formed that year, the meetings
being held in the schoolhouse. The old schoolhouse is now occupied
as a residence by Wm. Wheeler. A new and more convenient
schoolhouse was erected during the year 1863, on the east side of
Whitewater street, and a few rods north of Winona street, which
was destroyed by fire in 1869, it being then private property, having
been sold by the school district.
A special act of the legislature organizing the St. Charles school
district was approved February 6, 1867. At the annual school
meeting held in March, of the same year, a board of education was
elected, consisting of the following persons : John M. Cool, chair-
man ; H. C. Parrott, treasurer ; John Pickert, clerk ; J. W.
Brockett, H. H. Guthrie and S. Y. Hyde. Also at this meeting
there was appointed a committee to select a site for a graded school
building, and report at some future meeting. A special meeting was
called April 10, 1867, when it was voted to issue bonds to the
amount of $10,000, running from one to ten years, with twelve per
cent interest, payable annually for the purpose of building a school-
house. At this meeting the committee appointed to select a site
made their report. The site selected was what was denominated
"Birge's Square," between Richland and Church streets, the site of
the present school building, containing about two acres of land.
The appropriation of $10,000 not being sufficient to complete the
building, a special meeting of the school district was held at the
new schoolhouse on January 18, 1868, when the board of educa-
tion was instructed to issue and negotiate additional bonds of the
district to the amount of $3,000, payable in four years. Subse-
quently the legislature legalized the action of the board of educa-
tion. The new building was built of wood, two stories. The first
story contained four schoolrooms, and the second story contained
ST. CUIAKLES TOWNSHIP. 539
two schoolrooms and one large assembly room. The four lower
rooms were furnished, and the St. Charles graded schools commenced
on January 16, 1868, with about 150 scholars in attendance. Syl-
vester Bedal was teacher and superintendent ; Lavina Averill, Mary
Tomlinson and Julia Bertrand were assistants. In the year 1878 this
building was totally destroyed by tire. The fire caught from a tin-
ner's lurnace, who was repairing the tin gutters on the roof. The
tire occurred a few days before the annual school meeting, at
which time arrangements were made for building a new building of
brick and stone. The new building was completed in Decem-
ber, 1878. It is a tine two-story and basement structure of red
brick trimmed with cut stone and cream colored brick, and cost,
unfurnished, about $12,000. It contains eight commodious, well-
lighted and well-ventilated schoolrooms, each with ample cloak
rooms. It is in the form of a letter X, thus giving opportunity to be
lighted by windows on three sides of each schoolroom. It is
heated from furnaces located in the basement. In the High School
department a course of study is taught preparatory to admission to
the State University. At the present time there are six depart-
ments, with as many teachers. The school building and the manage-
ment of the school is a monument to the energy, intelligence and
progressive spirit of the people of St. Charles.
MARRIAGES, BIRTHS AND DEATHS.
The tirst marriage in St. Charles was that of Mr. J. S. Olds and
Miss Ellen Aldrich, of Clarksburg, Massachusetts, in the spring of
1856. They were married by Benj. Langworthy, justice of the
peace, at the house of L. H. Springer. The next marriage was that
of James II. Easton and Miss Lucy Bolt, by H. Thompson, a justice
of the peace. This was in the fall of 1856.
The tirst birth was that of Philip, son of L. H. Springer, in the
year 1854. The tirst death was that of Richard, son of John
Elsbury. His death was occasioned by eating the flowers of some
wild plant. The next death was that of Hiram Rice, merchant.
The place of burial was then on land belonging to Alonzo Lang-
worthy, on the north side of the Whitewater river, long since
vacated as a burial place.
CIVIL AND CRIMINAL SUITS.
The tirst civil suit of record under the township organization
was brought before Harris Scoville, justice of the peace, in which
540 HISTORY OF WEN-ONA COUNTY.
Pangburn and Langwortliy were plaintiffs, and M. S. Weeks,
defendant, June 11, 1858. A jury was called but failed to agree.
The parties agreed to submit the case to the justice who found no
cause of action. Judgment was rendered against plaintiffs for costs
amounting to $24. 92. Sam Cole, attorney for plaintiffs, and Moses
"W. Fay for defendants.
The first criminal suit of record was the State of Minnesota
against Alfred Hawley (now adjutant general of the state), on a
charge of an assault and battery upon the body and person of
William Coon, March 15, 1860, in which the defendant was dis-
charged.
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
The first sermon delivered in St. Charles was by E. Ely, of the
Baptist persuasion, at L. H. Springer's in the month of January,
1854. Mr. Ely now resides at Winona. He was one of the first
settlers, and is the historian of Winona city. In August, 1854, the
Rev. T. R. Cressey, of the Baptist church, preached at L. ET.
Springer's and organized a Union Sabbath school, being the first
Sabbath school established in St. Charles. From this time to 1857
Father Michael Klepper, a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church, who had settled on a farm about four miles north of St.
Charles, preached in the schoolhouse and formed the first Methodist
class in this town. During this time preachers of other denomina-
tions occasionally preached at St. Charles and vicinity. A. M.
Page, an adventist, occasionally preached. Union Sabbath schools
were usually kept up during the summer seasons.
On April 18, 1855, the Rev. David Brooks, of the Methodist
church, preached at the house of L. H. Springer, being the first
sermon o'f that order delivered in St. Charles.
In the fall of 1856, Father Klepper formed the first class of the
Methodist Episcopal church in St. Charles, composed of the follow-
ing named members: George C. Sheeks, Mrs. Sheeks, Samson
Sheeks, Lucinda Sheeks, Eliza Sheeks, Wm. Cunningham, Joseph
Drake, Mrs. Drake, Nelso'u Wilson, Mary Wilson, Michael Klepper,
Mrs. Rebecca Klepper, Martha Ann Klepper, Marietta Klepper, Wm.
Hendee, Mary Hendee, Calvin Hitt, Mrs. Hitt, N. D. Mason and
Mrs. Mason. The Minnesota conference was set off from the
Wisconsin conference in the year 1856. The first quarterly meeting
of the St. Charles circuit of the Methodist Episcopal church was held
at the schoolhouse in St. Charles, on September 19, 1857. At this
ST. CHARLES TOWNSHIP. 541
meeting the Rev. D. Cobb presided. The society has a church
building and parsonage in this city.
The Baptist church of St. Charles was organized in the year
1859 by the Rev. D. L. Babcock. A meeting was convened for
that purpose at the schoolhouse in St. Charles, on March 3, 1859,
and was called to order by appointing Rev. H. B. Slater moderator,
and J. W. Denton clerk, pro tem. The following named persons
. became identified with the organization : Simpson Smith, Elizabeth
Smith, Ebenezer Growt, Rhoda Growt, Emily Growt, Morris James,
Catharine James, "Ward Smith and Justus W. Denton. The declara-
tion of faith and church covenant, as published by the Baptist con-
vention of New Hampshire, was adopted as their rule of faith and
covenant. In 1865 a church edifice was built at a cost of about
$3,000. On February 26, 1859, according to public notice pre-
viously given, the following-named persons assembled in the school-
house in St. Charles, for the purpose of organizing a Congregational
church, viz : Hatsel Brewer, Daniel M. Evans, Palmer Carpenter,
Isaac Hanks, Alonzo Rowley, John Davidson, Robert Robertson,
Polly Brewer, Sarah Evans and Martha Carpenter. Rev. David
Burt was chosen moderator. Henry Balcombe was elected scribe.
It was then resolved that the above-named persons organize them-
selves into a church to be called the First Congregational Church
of Christ at St. Charles, by adopting the articles of faith and cove-
nant which were then and there presented. The articles of faith
and covenant having been adopted, the church was duly constituted
and organized. Hatsel Brewer and D. M. Evans were elected
deacons. Hatsel Brewer was also elected clerk. A church edifice
was constructed, being the first one built in St. Charles, which
recently was sold to the German Evangelical society, an organiza-
tion of recent date in this city. The Congregational society have
now a church edifice of more architectural beauty than the original
one. Their first church building was erected in 1859, without a
spire.
The first services of the Episcopal church were celebrated by
the Right Rev. Bishop Whipple, in the spring of 1861, and the
next in December of the same year. In the forepart of January,
1865, Rev. J. H. Waterbury commenced holding regular services
in the schoolhouse on each alternate Sabbath. At a meeting of the
friends of the Episcopal church, held January 27, 1868, for the
purpose of organizing Trinity Church, the following proceedings
542 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
were had : The Rev. John W. Shatzell, missionary in charge, took
the chair, and Robert Stewart was chosen secretary. The following
persons were elected wardens and vestrymen : Senior warden,
Robert Stewart ; junior warden, David Harris ; vestrymen, H. C.
Parrott, J. W. Brockett, Charles Wardner, Joshua Martin, George
H. Clark, Albert Stansbury, Robert H. Cutter, Albert Richardson,
Joseph Birge and S. W. Stone. The church being duly organized,
services were held every alternate Sabbath, in Templar's hall.
Subsequently a handsome church edifice was erected on St. Charles
street.
A Roman Catholic church was organized in the year 1867, by
Father Latte. In the year 1868, a stone edifice was erected, and
dedicated in the fall of 1874, by Father Cotter, of Winona. The first
services of the Roman Catholic church held in St. Charles were held
at the residence of Patrick Donohue, in the year 1861 or 1862.
Patrick Donohue, Joseph Wegeman and Father Latte were the first
ones to organize the church.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
On February 15, 1864, the Grrand Lodge of Minnesota granted a
dispensation creating Rising Sun Lodge, U. D., of A. F. and A. M.,
designating Robert Stewart, W.M. ; Benjamin Birge, S.W. ; Geo. H.
Clark, J.W. The charter members were Robert Stewart, Benj.
Birge, Geo. H. Clark, Farnum Chickering, Joseph Birge, Geo. H.
Brown, Wm. Cravey, Lauren L. Chamberlain, John Curtis and
Charles Griswold. The first communication was held February 25,
1864. The next year a charter was granted under the name of Ris-
ing Sun Lodge, No. 49. Subsequently Orient Chapter, R. A. M. ,
was organized. At present there are, in the city of St. Charles,
organizations of Odd-Fellows, Knights of Honor, Royal Arcanum,
United Workmen, and temperance lodges, and also a grange of the
Patrons of Husbandry. The masonic fraternity in 1880 built a
handsome lodge-room, with a large banquet hall connected with the
lodge-room by folding doors, a commodious reception-room and
other necessary rooms.
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
St. Charles responded nobly to the call of the country for its
quota of troops to sustain the Union in the war of the rebellion, and
the names of those boys in blue who, Cincinnatus like, left the plow
W the furrow and rallied in defense of the flag of their country, de-
ST. CHARLES TOWNSHIP.
543
serve not only honorable mention in the history of St. Charles, but
a place in the heart of every liberty-loving patriot.
The following are the names of the soldiers of the war of the
rebellion of 1861, credited to the town of St. Charles :
Barker, Henry 7th regiment.
Colder, Alex..' 7th
Coolidge, David 7th
Bothrick. Andrew 7th
Stage, Henry 7th
Otis, Stephen 7th
Stone, Hialmer H 7th
Miller, John N 7th
Parks, Wm.D 7th
Butterfield, David J... 7th
Latimer, Peter D 7th
Reed, Orrin S 7th
Smith, Albert 7th
Hewitt, Edward 7th
Hill, Chauney 1 9th
Harvey, Joseph E 9th
Craig, John L 9th
Chamberlain, Joel D . . . 9th
Carriff,Geo.B 9th
Lawton, Michael W. . . 9th
Murray, Warren 9th
Spencer, Anson 9th
Stout, Johnson A 9th
Christianson, A 9th
Hall, Geo. W 7th
Boyd, Robt. K 11th
Downing, John L 11th
Sweet, Hiram F 11th
Cook, Geo 11th
Ellis, Henry C 11th
Stewart, Charles C 1st infantry.
Boyd, Isaac D 1st
Bourdon, Peter 1st
Denton, Marion G 1st
Harvey, Geo. K 1st
Sweet, Albert 4th
Zrachte, August 4th
Ketycback, Benj 4th
Johnson, Ben, United States engineers.
Griswold, Charles, 1st heavy artillery.
Morton, Richard, substitute.
Many of the above-named persons were residents of towns ad-
joining St. Charles, but were accredited to the town of St. Charles
in consequence of bounty received from the said town, the town at
one time paying as high as $300 bounty to fill its quota of soldiers
called for by the government. Besides the above, T. D. "Weeks
and S. C. McElhaney, of St. Charles, enlisted in Col. Birge's regi-
ment of sharpshooters. This regiment was raised at Benton Bar-
Bertrand, Isaac C
. 7th regiment.
Barton. Alison
. 7tl.
Bartlett, Alfred
7th
Brewer, Charles
. 7th
Brown, Wm. G
. 9th
Boyd, Robt. H
. Hth '
Clark, Malcolm
. 7th
Carpenter, A. P
. 1st
Davidson, Thos
. 7th
Dawley R L
. 2d battery
Elsbury, Geo. H
. 7th regiment.
Fuller, Carter
. 2d battery.
Fuller, Judson W....
. 7th regiment.
Fuller, Albert N
. 7th
Growt, Orrin
. 7th
Growt, A. W
. 7th
Garver, Geo. S
. 2d battery.
Hartley, Thomas
. 7th regiment.
Huddleston, Thos....
. 1st battery.
Hawley, A. C
. 3d cavalry.
Jenkins, Geo. 0
. 9th regiment.
Lowden, S
. 2d battery.
Morton, Thos. S
. 9th
Pickle, Alonzo N. . . .
. 1st
Remore, Elijah
. 1st regiment.
Robinson, Martin . . .
. 7th
Raymond, Lyman. . .
. 9th
Richardson, Geo. . . .
. 7th
Smith, John C
. 2d
Talbert, Thos. F . . . .
. 6th
Thomas, Morgan J. .
. 7th
Wilmot, Edwin D.. .
. 7th
Wiltse, Abram
. 9th
King, James
Johnson, Joseph P. .
. 2d cavalry.
Brewer, Ira C
. 2d
Smith, Calvin
. 2d
Kimber, AVm. H. . . .
. 2d battery.
Barklay, Wm. H....
. 5th Iowa cav.
Barklav, Hugh
. 5th "
Eves, Charles E
. 7th regiment.
Woodworth,JohnR.
. 7th
'
'544 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
racks, near St. Louis, Missouri, in the fall of 1861, under the patron-
age and special favor of Gen. Fremont, who intended to make of
it a model sharpshooting regiment, and one that would represent
the whole West. With this view, recruiting officers were appointed
in nearly all the Western states, to recruit for Birge's sharpshooters.
Two companies were raised in Ohio, three in Illinois, one in Michi-
gan, and three were organized at the barracks from squads sent by
recruiting officers from Iowa, Minnesota and other Western states,
thus forming a regiment different from any other in this, that it
represented every state in the west.
In the spring of 1864 it was contemplated to raise a battalion, to
be called the First Battalion of Minnesota Volunteers ; but not
succeeding at the time in raising the requisite number, the follow-
ing-named persons from St. Charles enlisted into the 8th Iowa
Cav., to wit, S. A. Johnson, Gr. H. Johnson, C. H. Taylor, Robert
Butcher, John C. Strain, John Bourdon and David James, who
were mustered into service at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, in May, 1864.
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATTJKE.
The names of those persons who have been members of the
legislature from St. Charles are as follows : S. S. Beman, senator,
session of 1857-8 ; Manly Grover, representative, session of
1857^8 ; Ebenezer Warner, representative, session of 1861 ;
Thomas P. Dixon, of Saratoga, now a resident of St, Charles, I'epre-
sentative, session of 1864 ; Charles Griswold, representative, session
of 1865 ; H. W. Hill, representative, session of 1868 ; S, Y, Hyde,
representative, session of 1869 ; John M, Cool, representative,
session of 1870 ; John M. Cool and S. Y. Hyde, representatives,
session of 1871 ; S. S. Beman, senator, and John L. Blair, repre-
sentative, session of 1872 ; S. S. Beman, senator, session of 1873 ;
S. S, Beman, senator, session of 1874 ; H, W, Hill, senator, session
of 1875 ; H, W, Hill, senator, session of 1876 ; J. F, Remore, sena-
tor, session of 1877 ; J, F. Remore, senator, and F, C, Robinson,
representative, session of 1878 ; H. W, Hill, senator, session of
1879. The constitution of the state was amended providing for
biennial sessions of the legislature, S. S, Beman, senator, session
of 1881 ; H. W. Hill, present representative for the session of 1883.
St. Charles Methodist Church. — This church was organized in
1857, the class being formed by Rev, M. Klepper in St. Charles,
consisting of twenty-three members. The first quarterly meeting of
ST. CHARLES TOWNSHIP. 545
which there is any record was held September 19, 1867, when the
following board of trustees was elected : Joseph Drake, A. D.
Porter, G. C. Sheeks, William Hendee, N. E. Mason, Calvin Hitt
and Samuel Latta. The first Sabbath school was organized in 1858.
The date is not recorded. There were at this time forty-nine mem-
bers. In April, 1858, B. B. Crist was appointed to thi« circuit. In
1859 Rev. J. Cowden became pastor. At this time the holding of
the annual conference was changed from spring to fall. In the fall
of 1859 Rev. J. M. Gossard became pastor, with C. G. Hayes as
assistant. The estimating committee's report for 1859-60 is as
follows :
Supplies to pastor, groceries and household $160.00
Quarterly claim . . T 200.00
To Rev. Mr. Hayes 160.00
To Eev. Mr. Gossard 40.00
Total $560.00
The above is a perfect qppy of the report. The first quarterly
meeting for the years 1859-60 was held at St. Charles December 31.
There was nothing of importance occurred during the years 1860-61.
At the annual conference in the fall of 1861 the circuit was changed
from Whitewater to St. Charles, and Rev. Alfred Welch became
pastor. In the third quarterly minutes we learn that there were
seven schools, with fifty officers and teachers, and eight hundred
scholars. From 1862 to 1865 Charles Griswold was pastor. Dur-
ing the years 1863-4 lots were purchased and a parsonage built.
In 1865 H. Webb was pastor. During this year the church was
built, at a cost of $3,000, added to the cost of parsonage, $1,0Y2.67,
making a total of $4072.67. In 1866 S. K. Phelps was pastor ; in
1867, N. Tainter; 1868-9, Bartly Blain ; 1870-1-2, Henry G.
Bilber ; 1873, William M. Bowdish, who was pastor three years.
J. M. Liscomb then took the charge and retained it for three years ;
1879-80 G. W. Barnett was pastor. He was succeeded by the
present pastor. Rev. John Watson. During the present incum-
bent's charge the church has been thoroughly repaired and painted,
at an expense of $266.25. The church is free from debt, and has
an insurance of $2,500, and the parsonage $1,500, in the Continen-
tal Insurance Company.
Association of Christians Opposed to Secret Societies. — The
first anti-secret association organized iij this state was effected at the
door of the Congregational church in St. Charles about June 1, 1872,
546 HISTORY OF WI]S"ONA COUNTY.
the inside of the building not being available for a business meeting.
The organization was the result of two lectures delivered bj Kev.
Charles A. Blanehard, of Wheaton, Illinois, and it was made aux-
iliary to the national association, the objects of which, according to
its articles of constitution, are primarily to expose and oppose all the
secret associations of the age, inasmuch as they are regarded by the
members as hostile to the Christian religion and the existence of a
republican state. The new organization started with twenty-four
members, and in 1873 its name was changed to the Winona County
Christian Association, and a new constitution adopted. The origi-
nal officers of the association were : Oren Cravath, president ; E. S.
Harvey, vice-president ; P. T. Thurber, secretary and treasurer.
An anti-masonic library is owned by the association, and meetings
held to discuss the questions involved in the controversy between
this society and those who oppose their views. The library is free
to all. The present officers are : S. B. Patterson, president ; P.
Huller, vice-president ; L. S. Downing, treasurer ; W. H. Morrill,
secretary and librarian. December 12, 1878, a state association was
formed at St. Chai'les, and annual convocations are held from time
to time in the interest of its declared objects.
PUBLIC SCHOOL.
If the grade and efficiency of the public schools in any com-
munity are to be accepted as a true index of the general intelligence
of such community, and the value it places upon thorough instruction
in such branches of knowledge as may be included in a somewhat
liberal curriculum, then may St. Charles honestly congratulate
herself upon the record she has thus made. ]^or is the ambitious
little city on the western confines of the county at all unmindful of
the record she is thus making for herself through the enlightened
efforts of her educational board, fully sustained, as they are, by the
intelligent liberality of that independent school district. This
record extends over a period of about sixteen years, during which
time discouragements of no ordinary character have been met and
overcome, and out of which the public school of that city emerges
with a reputation for efficiency, thoroughness and honesty of admin-
istration that commands the hearty approbation of all qualified
judgments.
Prior to 1867 the St. Charles district was included in the general
public school system of the county, and was known as district No.
ST. CHARLES TOWNSHIP. 547
60, being so borne on the rolls of the county superintendent and
included in his regular reports to the state superintendent of
instruction. By a special act of the Minnesota legislature, passed
February 6, 1867, this district. No. 60, was created a chartered
district, as such entitled to all the special privileges accorded such
districts under the laws of the state. The district at this time
included seven and one-half sections of land. By special act of
legislature, of March 4, 1868, section 31 of St. Charles township,
Winona county, and one and one-half sections from Olmstead
county (formerly included in the independent school district of
Dover), were added to the territory included in the old district 'No.
60, making the full complement of ten sections comprised in the
chartered school district of St. Charles as thus constituted. The
boundaries of this district remain unchanged since that date. The
same year that the chartered district was created, 1867, a com-
modious school building was erected, and preparations were made
for conducting schoolwork on a scale commensurate with the needs
of the district. The new school building occupied a full block near
the center of the corporation, one block east of the main business
street of the village. It was a substantial frame structure with solid
stone foundations, containing six spacious classrooms and a general
assembly-room, and cost when complete $16,000. Here the school
grew and prospered for nearly eleven years, when it was destroyed
by fire, August 31, 1878, the loss being about one-half covered by
insurance. The school board immediately met, called for plans and
specifications for a new school building, let the contract, and in
just ninety days from breaking ground for the foundations of the
new structure the keys were turned over to the board of education,
the structure complete at a cost of $11,475. To this should be added
$1,500 for furniture and furnaces. The new structure deserves more
than a passing notice, as it is one of unique character, the plans for
which were copyrighted by Langdon, of Winona, in 1877, and
designated by him the Centennial School Building. The special
features of this plan are, economy of construction, isolation of class-
rooms, so that no noise or confusion in one disturbs the others,
three sides of each classroom fully exposed to light and air, and
a complete system of ventilation. The plan itself is quite difficult
of description, as it does not fall under any particular order of
architecture, but may be generally stated as consisting of an
irregular hexagonal center, from which extend four arms. The
32
548 HISTORY OF WINONA COITN-TY.
passage-ways, staircases, entrances to clothes-closets and classrooms
are into and from this center, four of the sides of which form the
four unlighted ends of the classrooms that open out of this central
hall. By this arrangement there will be as many sets of class-
rooms, four in each set, as there are stories to the structure. These
radiating classrooms are all set diagonally to the cardinal points of
the compass, so that the windows of each classroom give free access
to sunlight upon three sides.
The St. Charles school building is a two-story brick, solid stone
foundations and basement for furnaces. The solid walls of stone in
the basement carried to the first floor are continued in brick to the
ceilings of the second story, thus rendering the divisions complete
and greatly enhancing the safety of the structure should fire break out
in any part. A separate furnace supplies heat to each wing of the
building, and capacious ventilating flues insure a constant current of
pure air throughout the classrooms. No assembly-room is provided
for in this arrangement. The classrooms, eight in number, six only
of them occupied, are uniform in size, and fully provided with all
modern appliances for schoolwork. The staircases leading from the
second story to the main floor are amply sufiicient for all purposes.
Of these there are two, each five feet wide in the clear and arranged
at opposite sides of a broad hall. The approaches to the street from
the main hall are also fully adequate to the most rapidly necessitated
exit. Besides the eight recitation-rooms there are eight cloak-rooms,
eight teachers' closets and ample storage room for fuel below.
The presiding genius of this pattern temple of teaching is Prof.
D. Steward, who is ably seconded by an efficient corps of five
teachers, supervising oile grammar, one intermediate and three
primary departments.
The first secretary of the new school board, elected under the
charter given in 1877, was John Pickert, present postmaster of the
city.
Much of the efficiency of the school is due to the untiring efforts
of the clerk of the board, E. Hill, Esq., who has held that position
since 1873. The present board of education is as follows : E. M.
Gallup, chairman ; E. Hill, clerk ; Chas. Gerrish, treasurer ; H. C.
Parrott, Dr. W. A. Chamberlin and R. L. Dawley.
As public money is paid only on the actual enrollment, and not
upon the numbers of scholars of school age in the district, the
number of legal school age within the district is not known. The
ST. CHAELES TOWNSHIP. 549
actual enrollment for 1882 was 403. While inspecting the premises
and classrooms for the purposes of this work, we were given a
specimen of the school's proficiency in combining numbers. A class
of over twenty scholars, averaging less than eleven years of age
each, were called before the blackboard and repeatedly added
columns of figures, ranging from fifteen to twenty-one figures in a
column, aggregating from 90 to 127 as the sum total, as fast as
the numbers could possibly be written on the board by the teacher.
Again and again, with the watch in our hands, we timed the process,
in from seven to fifteen seconds. We were invited to say a word to
the class, and in response promised to put them in Winona county
history. Wishing to avoid all insidious distinctions, we make no
mention of the particular class or teacher, but thus redeem our
promise.
D. Steward, principal, is a native of Vermont and a graduate of
Dartmouth College, class of 1875. Since leaving college Mr.
Steward has been actively engaged in teaching, having adopted this
as his life-work. Mr. Steward's first engagement as principal of
St. Charles schools was for the school year 1880-1, at the expiration
of which he took a trip through the west, and returning, assumed
charge for the school year 1882-3, at an advance in salary of twenty-
five per cent over first year's contract. Mr. Steward is recognized as
a thorough-going teacher, of broad, comprehensive views, and
thoroughly honest in his educational work.
Miss M. A. Buck, daughter of Hon. C. F. Buck, of Winona,
has charge of the grammar department ; Miss L. M. Glidden is
teacher of the intermediate ; Miss Mary Clarkson, " A " primary ;
Miss Helen F. Lathrop, "B" primary; MissM. A. Gates, daughter
of M. H. Gates, herself a native of St. Charles, and with Miss Buck,
a graduate of the State Normal, is in charge of the "C" primary
room.
On February 25, 1864, Rising Sun Lodge was organized under
dispensation of the M.W. Grand Master of Free and Accepted
Masons of the State of Minnesota, and Robert Stewart, Benjamine
Birge and George H. Clark were designated as principal ofiicers,
and thus it continued to labor until October 26, 1864, when a
charter was granted by the M.W. Grand Lodge of Free and Ac-
cepted Masons of Minnesota: M.W. A. T. C. Pierson, G.M.;
R.W. L. E. Thompson, D.G.M. ; R.W. C. H. Lindsley, G.S.W. ;
R.W. W. T. Rigby, G.J.W. ; George W. Prescott, G. Sec, under
550 HISTORY OF WmONA COimTY.
the name and style of Eising Sun Lodge, No. 49, A. F. and A.
M., with Robert Stewart, W.M. ; Benjamine Birge, S.W. ; George
H. Clark, J.W. ; Nathan Novatus Pike, Treas. ; Joshua Martin,
Sec. ; Allen O. Adams, S.D. ; Charles M. Lake, J.D. ; R. B.
Bunce, Tyler. At the first annual election, held on December 22,
1864, Samuel Young Hyde was elected W.M., and by consecutive
re-election held the office four years, presiding with rare administra-
tive prudence and marked distinction.
December 17, 1869, Nelson Hardy Swift was elected W.M. At
the sixth annual election, held December 16, 1869, Samuel Y. Hyde
was again elected W.M., and at the annual election held December
15, 1870, was succeeded by Charles Griswold, who, being subse-
quently elected to the office of M.W.G.M., was succeeded by the
election of S. A. Johnson, February 16, 1871, said election being
held by virtue of a dispensation granted by M.W.G.M. C. W. Nash.
At the eighth annual election held December, 21, 1871, Samuel
Y, Hyde was again called to preside, and by successive re-election
was continued as W.M. until December 28, 1875, having served
eight of the eleven terms since the charter organization of the lodge.
December 16, 1875, Alfred P. Stearns was elected W.M., and re-
elected in the succeeding years, 1876-77. December 19, 1878,
George H. Johnson was elected W. M. , and re-elected at the annual
election held December 18, 1879. Alfred P. Stearns was elected
for a fourth term at the annual election, December 16, 1880, and
at the annual election of December 15, 1881, was succeeded by
E. Merrill Gallup, the present incumbent. From its organization
under the wise guidance and guardian care of illustrious, worthy,
administrative officers the lodge has maintained a steady, healthy
and prosperous growth, aggregating since its organization a grand
total of 194 members, of which it yet retains upon the roll fully one-
half, notwithstanding the depleting processes of death, demission, and
the many and various other causes and mutations inevitably inci-
dental to progress in all human affairs. Inharmonies have some-
times lurked in its deliberations to confront the sagacity of wisdom,
strength and beauty, and mar the loveliness and glory of friendship ;
but mainly all its activities and deliberations have been characterized
by a due admixture of prudence, patience, fortitude, and that noble
forbearance which ultimately neutralizes every defection and harmo-
nizes all infelicities. Its charities have been many and munificent ;
seldom unworthily, and generally judiciously bestowed ; so that while
ST. CIIAKLES TOWNSHIP. 551
many suffering recipients liave experienced a sweet satisfaction and
happy relief by the gracious benefactions of its liberal almonry of
the resources of many years of prosperity up to the year 1880, its
treasury was never plethoric or groaning with idle accumulations.
To relieve the distressed is deemed not only as the highest and
first duty of the masonic brotherhood, but it is hailed as a privilege
and honor by every true craftsman. It is also the sacred privilege
of every person in alfliction or in want, to apply for such needed
help or relief as may be in the power of a Mason to grant. When-
ever such application for relief in calamity, distress or aflliction has
been made to Rising Sun, No. 49, whether by individual or com-
munity, it has always observed and enforced the masonic rule of
brotherly love, relief and truth, not only in the interest of the craft,
but in the interest of sweet charity itself in manner and form, never
questioning whether its beneficiary objects be craftsman or profane.
Thus has Rising Sun lived and prospered in its charities, amass-
ing no wealth, and scarcely ever with a respectable fund in its
treasury ; yet in April of the year 1880 it conceived and developed
a scheme whereby in conjunction with Orient Chapter, No. 19,
R.A.M., a large and commodious second-story hall, 54x80 feet, was
erected and commodiously arranged into audience and banquet halls,
with rooms necessary and ample thereto, together with a fair equip-
ment of furniture and convenient fixtures at present owned and occu-
pied conjointly by both societies ; and now. Anno Lucis 5882, Rising
Sun Lodge, No. 49, is blessed with peace and harmony of more than
average unanimity, and with comparatively brightening prospects
for future growth and usefulness, with foundations deeply laid in the
solid experiences of the past ; its standing is firm, compact and im- -
pregnable, its course is onward to the motto "Excelsior." In the
present organization the officers are: E. Merrill Gallup, W.M. ;
Robert Mares, S.W. ; Clarence Y. Ferguson, J.W. ; James C. Wood-
ard, Treas.; E. Geo. Hill, Sec; Robert F. Wahler, S.D.; Malcolm
Clark, J.D. ; Allen O. Adams, Chaplain; Geo. H. Johnson, Mar-
shal; Henry N. Gage, S.S. ; Thomas Clarkson, J.S.; "William
Davidson, Tyler.
Orient Chapter, No. 19, R.A.M. — Early in the year 1870, there
being in St. Charles and vicinity several members of the masonic
order who had taken the royal-arch degree, it was thought best to
establish a chapter of the order, and accordingly on February 22 of
that year a petition for dispensation to institute a chapter of Royal
552 HISTORY OF WE^fOIS-A COUNTT.
Arch Masons in the city of St. Charles was presented to E. D. B.
Porter, at that time M.E.G.H.P. of the State of Minnesota. The
petition was signed by Robert Stewart, John Bullen, S. Y. Hyde,
Truman Morse, Charles Greswold, T. T. Stevens, Charles H. Slocum,
Robert B. Kellam, Alfred P. Stearns, Henry Talbot and Nelson H.
Swift, and named companion Robert Stewart as M.E.H.P., Samuel
T. Hyde, K. , and John Bullen, Scribe. The dispensation was duly
granted, and on March 10, 1870, the first regular convocation of the
chapter was held.
Companion Robert Stewart, who, by reason of age, zeal, ripe
experience and ability was styled the " Father of Masonry in St.
Charles," held the office of M.E.H.P. by successive re-election until
his death, which occurred July 31, 1876, being then incumbent of
the office.
At the next annual election, held December 14, 1876, companion
John Pickert was elected H.P., and by consecutive re-election has
held the office ever since, and under his efficient management and
control Orient Chapter has maintained a steady, strong and prosper-
ous growth, nearly doubling its membership during his administra-
tion of its affairs, having now, January 1, 1883, the grand comple-
ment of seventy members on its rolls. Its present officers are as
follows : John Pickert, H.P.; Thomas P. Dixon, K.; Edwin Hill,
S. ; Samuel A. Johnson, C.H. ; A. O. Adams, P.S. ; Harlow Brown,
R.A.C.; James C. Woodard, Treas.; E. George Hill, Sec; E. M.
Gallup, M. 3d vail ; J. W. Scott, M. 2d vail ; R. F. Wahler, M. 1st
vail ; Allen Gerrish, Sen.
St. diaHes Lodge, No. 6J^, I.O.O.F. — Located at St. Charles,
was instituted on the 28th day of May, 1878, under the direction
of Past Grand Master I. M. Westfall, acting as Deputy Grand Mas-
ter. The charter members were : Charles E. Kendall, John W.
Zerwas, B. Neuman, I. M. Westfall and H. E. Doty.
The following officers were installed by O. E. Lawson, acting
G.M.: Charles^ Kendall, KG.; John W. Zerwas, Y.G.; E. C.
Johnson^ Rec. Sec. ; B. Neuman, Treas. ; J. W. Burns, Conductor ;
A. W. Stebbins, R.S. to N.G.; I. M. Westfall, L.S. to KG.; Jacob
Wachter, R.S. to Y.G.; H. E. Doty, L.S. to Y.-G., and B. Neu-
man. Warden.
The lodge was represented in the Grand Lodge of Minnesota in
1878 by L M. Westfall, in 1879 by B. Neuman, in 1880 by John
W. Zerwas, in 1881 by A. W. Stebbins and in 1882 by John W.
Zerwas.
ST. CHARLES TOWNSHIP. 553
The officers for the last term of 1882 are as follows : T. D. See
field, N. G. ; George Miller, V. G. ; Henry Maire, Kec. Sec. ; John
Cook, Treas. ; E. D. Wilmot, Conductor ; C. H. Tock, Warden ;
Julius Bussuitz, Guardian ; John W. Zerwas, K.S. to theN.G. ; C. A.
Smith, L.S. to the KG.; S. A. Keep, K.S. to the Y.G.; Jacob
Wachter, L.S. to the V.G.; C. Lane, E.S.S.; C. A. Demro, L.S.S.;
A. W. Stebbins, Chaplain and Henry Maire, P.G.
The total membership at present is thirty-three. The lodge is in
a flourishing condition financially, and its supply of furniture and
lodge fixtures is equal to any of its numbers in the state.
Germania Lodge^ No. M., A. 0. TJ. W. — Was organized at St.
Charles nearly six years ago, its charter bearing date August 10,
1877. The original membership was sixteen ; about thirty members
in all have been obligated and the present membership is twenty.
The decrease is entirely owing to removals and suspensions, no
deaths of members having occurred since organization. Their meet-
ings are held in Odd-Fellows' Hall, in common with which organi-
zation they are joint owners of the hall furniture and fixtures. The
present officers of Germania are: J. T. Stewart, M.W. ; W. Has-
selgrave, F. ; I. Bresler, O.; F. Blankenburgh, Eec. ; F. H. Allen,
Fin. ; J. C. Woodard, Rec'r. ; Jeremiah Dickenson, Guide ; Ed.
Pearson, I. W. ; Louis Schnell, O. W. ^
CONCLUSION.
Up to the winter of 1863-4 there was no market in this place
for wheat or other farm products, save what was required by the
people for home consumption ; but at this time Charles Wardner
came here from Winona, built a store and grain warehouse attached,
and put in a large stock of general merchandise, and received farm
products in exchange for goods, or purchased the same for cash.
The Winona & St. Peter Railroad Company were laying the iron
track between here and Winona, and in the month of February,
1864, the road was completed to this place, and the iron horse for the
first time entered the beautiful village of St. Charles. Warehouses,
stores and other buildings sprung up as if by magic. Two lumber
yards were opened here at that time, and all kinds of business began
to prosper. Previous to this time the nearest market for the people
of this place and vicinity, and for a long stretch of country west,
was Winona, the roads being lined daily with teams, mostly ox-
teams, laden with the produce of the land, going to Winona to sell,
554 HISTORY OF WESTONA COinSTTY.
and in return purchase such commodities as were necessary for the
family and for opening up and improving the vast and fertile coun-
try tributary to Winona.
On February 28 the legislature passed an act to incorporate the
city of St. Charles. The proposition was submitted to the people at
an election held on March 1, 1870, and adopted. On March 8,
1870, an election was held for the purpose of electing city officers.
At this election S. W. Stone, now of Aurora, Dakota Territory,
was elected the first mayor of the city of St. Charles, and thence-
forth it became a full-fledged city. The present city officers are as
follows : C. W. Seefield, mayor ; H. C. Parrott, W. R. Parr, C. N.
Clark, S. C. McElhaney, aldermen ; C. Gr. Bachelder, recorder ;
J. C. Woodard, treasurer ; Joseph Bockler, assessor ; E. G. Hill
and E. M. Gallup, justices of the peace ; A, H. Adams and G. T.
Olds, constables ; Miles Growt, city marshal ; O. Potter, street
commissioner.
At this time (December, 1882) the city of St. Charles has a pop-
ulation of about 1,200. Her public schools are of the very best in
the state, being of a high standard, in which her citizens take a
lively interest, employing at all times the very best of teachers.
The terms of school aggregate nine months in each year. Six
church edifices representing as many different denominations, viz.,
Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Baptist, Methodist, German Evangeli-
cal and Congregational, are established here, in which religious
services are held in some or all every Sabbath. As a commercial
and manufacturing place it has superior advantages, being sur-
rounded with a rich agricultural district, the surplus products of
which are yearly on the increase.
CHAPTER XLYHI.
ROLLING STONE TOWNSHIP.
Rolling Stone township, as organized by the county commis-
• sioners, consists of parts of townships No. 107 and 108 north, of
range No. 8 west, of Winona county, Minnesota. The Mississippi
river flowing along the northern boundary in a southeasterly direc-
tion makes the town irregular in form. It takes its name from the
ROLLING STON^E TOWNSHIP. 555
creek which flows through it from south to north, affording complete
drainage, excepting a small brook in the northwest part, which
drains five or six sections.
The surface consists of about seven sections of bottom lands con-
tiguous to the Mississippi and subject to overflow, but producing
wild grass and timber, and about 1,500 acres of terrace or table
lands Ijing between the bluffs and the bottom lands and the remain-
der of bluff or ridge and of valley land.
The cultivated lands as reported by the assessor for this year
(1882) number 5,134 acres, leaving 14,843 uncultivated, about 10,000
acres of which are bluff or ridge lands and 4,843 are along the Mis-
sissippi bottom. The inhabitants reside in the valleys, in which
there are sixty farms, twenty of them reaching upon the bluffs where
about 1,500 acres are cultivated.
NAME, FIRST SETTLEMENT, ETC.
This township, Winona and Whitewater are the only names in
the county that relate to the Indian names. The Sioux name for the
stream was E-yan-o-min-man. Rendered into French, Roche qu de
Boule, meaning a good place to roll stone down the bluff.
[For this information the writer is indebted to the Hon. H. H.
Sibley and also to Hon. Norman W. Kittson. Mr. Kittson spent
two years near the mouth of the creek with an Indian trader by the
name of Labothe, about the year 1840.]
The Sioux treaty which extinguished the Indian title to the land
was not ratified till 1853, but in February, 1852, Mr. Israel M. Nara-
cong made a claim for the purpose of securing a water-power on the
Rolling Stone. This is now occupied by the flouring-mill of A. D.
Ellsworth. Mr, Naracong remained here till July following, when
he left for his home in Wisconsin and did not return. Mr. Naracong
made no improvements excepting to build a board shanty 8x12 feet
in size, which he occupied, in company with a man by the name of
Josiah R. Keene. They spent part of the winter and spring in cut-
ting black walnut timber, which was rafted and sold in Lacrosse.
The first permanent settlement was made in the town by a colony
which was organized in New York city in October, 1851, under the
name of the ' ' Western Farm and Village Association. " Minutes
of the organization and of the meetings were published in the New
York ' ' Tribune ; " and the association also published a small paper
devoted to its interests and called "The Western Farm and Tillage
556 HISTORY OF WINOWA COUNTY.
Advocate." A fee of $5 was all that. was required to become a
meraber, and in the spring of 1852 the association numbered nearly
400 from different places in the northern states, parties joining from
all of the ]^ew England states and from Michigan, Pennsylvania,
Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. A majority were, however, from New
York city, and of foreign birth. The objects of the association, as
expressed by their paper, recognizing the difficulties and inconven-
iences of individually settling new countries, proposed to obviate
them by organization to settle upon cheap lands, to secure cheaper
transportation and by purchasing building material and supplies in
quantities to get cheaper rates ; and, also, to have the advantages of
society, churches, schools, roads and bridges, and other things per-
taining to civilization, without waiting for the country to be settled
gradually.
It may be recorded here that, at the time of settlement, there
were false and malicious statements spread in regard to the character
of the colony. They were stigmatized as infidels, Fourierites, com-
munists, etc. There was no foundation for these statements, but
they had a tendency to bring the settlers into disrepute. The editor
of the "Tribune," Mr. Greeley, took a lively interest in the associa-
tion, but predicted a failure from what he considered a defective
plan. The association as such was a partial failure, but many of its
objects have been fully realized. The committee appointed to locate
the colony selected the Eolling Stone valley for the farm lands, and
the table lands near the mouth of the creek for the village, naming
the village Minnesota City and the township Kolling Stone. A large
majority of the association were dissatisfied with the location and
would not remain, giving as reasons that the location was not imme-
diately on the river, that the land still belonged to the Indians, and
that the general character -of the place was not suitable for settlement.
The real truth of dissatisfaction was probably owing to personal
and individual considerations. It is well known that many of the
artisans and professional men of the cities have what may be termed
a land lunacy, supposing that to become a landowner secures inde-
pendence and plenty.
This colony was composed of all manner of artisans, who were
intelligent and industrious in their line of business, and were
dependent on that for a living, and were without sufficient ready
money to live. There was not among them all half a dozen prac-
EOLLING STONE TOWNSHIP. ' 557
tical, professional farmers, nor half that number practically acquainted
with what we call western life.
It is true some things were not properly represented. The location
was said to be on the river, and that building lumber could be
bought from passing rafts at from $5 to $8 per thousand feet, and
that steamboats could land goods very near the place, which was
found to be untrue. If it had been true, these persons could not
stay here. As soon as the place was selected, in April, the associa-
tion sent a squad of men, twelve or fourteen in number, to prepare
houses for shelter for those who were to follow in May, the 15th
being the time set for the colony to be here. This pioneer squad, as
they were called, if they had been well qualified for this work, could
not have accomplished it, as they had no recognized leader and not
a dollar in money for their use. The treasurer did not arrive till
some time in May, and after paying some of the surveyors and other
incidental expenses the association was without money.
But the colony came, and about the 30th of May there were
ninety men and nearly 400 women and children on the ground with-
out any shelter, except temporary tents and such shelter as could be
made with poles and turf. The season was backward, cold, wet
and windy, and considerable sickness prevailed. There were com-
paratively very few deaths, but at the beginning of winter only
twenty families remained.
The first pubhc meeting held by the settlers here was on May 6,
1852, and fifty-two responded to their names.
Ma}^ 19 a petition was drawn and sent to the postoffice depart-
ment for the establishment of a postofiice, with the name of Robert
Pike as postmaster. Mr. Pike received his appointment and the
office was established about the middle of June.
On the 25th of May occurred the first death, Mr. David Dens-
more, a tailor by trade, from Kennebec, Maine ; he was here without
a family and about sixty years of age. There were two or three
deaths immediately after Mr. Densmore's, and some of the persons
who left the colony spread exaggerated reports of the condition
of the settlers. Gov. Ramsey and his secretary, Alex. Wilkin,
came down from St. Paul to see if they could be of any assistance.
The Governor expressed his confidence in the ability of the people
to take care of themselves and gave them cheerful words of encourage-
ment, but expressed the opinion that the colony should have located
nearer to St. Paul.
558 • HISTOEY OF WINONA COUNTY.
The last week in May a committee was appointed to explore the
country between here and the great bend of the St. Peter's river to
ascertain if there was a feasible route for a railroad. The com-
mittee consisted of Robert Pike, I. M. Naracong and William
Stephens. Two reports were made, both of them representing the
route as entirely feasible and the country as a beautiful undulating
prairie and well watered, with here and there fine groves of timber.
It is interesting to note that in these reports the beauty and desira-
bility of the present site of Rochester is well described.
On July 4 a census was taken and the population numbered 154.
July 12 an election precinct was organized and Thomas K. Allen
chosen justice of the peace, Augustus A. Gilbert, notary public ;
James Wright, assessor ; Josiah Keene, constable, and Robert Tay-
lor, collector. These oflScers were subsequently appointed by Gov.
Ramsey. July 26 Messrs. John lams, Hiram Campbell and O. M.
Lord were appointed road commissioners.
Religious meetings were held in the forenoons and afternoons of
every Sunda3\ The First Baptist society, the first religious organiza-
tion in southern Minnesota, was formed here in the summer of 1852.
In the fall of 1852 a school was taught by Miss Ann Orton. In the
spring of 1853 a school district was organized under the laws of the
territory, being the first and for some time the only organized dis-
trict in the then county of Fillmore, and summer and winter terms
of school have been continuously taught here since.
There was no election held here this fall, as a six months' resi-
dence was necessary to become voters ; but the settlers sent John
lams to St. Paul as a lobbyist while the legislature was in session
and paid his expenses. Mr. lams was from Wabash, Indiana, a car-
penter by trade, and was afterward chosen as the first sheriff of the
county. He built the first log house erected here, covering the roof
with shakes or long shingles split from the red-oak trees. Four
more log houses were built, the others being made of rough pine
boards, brought here in small rafts by Mr. Deiismore and Mr. Lord.
In these houses the settlers spent the winter very pleasantly, with
much social enjoyment.
The association had laid out a village of large dimensions, with
wide streets and avenues and large public parks on the terrace land
near the mouth of the creek, apportioning to each member four
large village lots and also a claim of 160 acres of farm land in the
valleys. So few remained that there was ample room for all, but
EOLLING STONE TOWNSHIP. 559
the claims were made before there was a government survey, and
when these hnes were made, claims often conflicted. This occa-
sioned considerable discord, until the claim laws were well under-
stood.
The summer season of 1858 was occupied in building and open-
ing farms in the valleys.
Mr. E. B. Drew had broken thirty acres of valley land in 1852,
and therefrom raised a small crop of sod corn, some potatoes and
other vegetables, and in the fall he sowed some winter wheat. This
was considered the first farm opened in 1852, though small patches
of ground were broken in numerous places during the same season.
The next season some of the settlers moved on to the valley farms,
and continue to reside there. This year a large supply of sod corn,
potatoes and a great variety of garden vegetables were raised. Wild
grass was abundant, and though a good deal of hay was burned by
prairie fires in the fall, the cattle, numbering about eiglity head,
did remarkably well. Fish were plenty and easily taken, and wild
game also ; flour was procured down the river at $4 per barrel, and
from that time to this there has been no want of the staple articles
of food, and usually a large surplus.
Before the lands were offered at public sale pre-emption claims
had been filed upon the valley farms and upon the village plat, and
these lands were entered at the land office in Goot's subdivisions.
During the season of 1854 Mr. Lord put in operation a sawmill.
Settlements were gradually extended and new farms were opened,
buildings added, etc. A wagon road was established to Winona,
and one up the South Yalley and one up the North Valley, and
bridges were built, but nothing occurred beyond the ordinary
incidents of early settlement for several years.
In 1854 congress established a mail route, No. 14015, from
Minnesota City to Traverse des Sioux, and semi-monthly service was
ordered on the route in the fall of 1855. This was the first mail
route established in the territory south of the St. Peters river. The
route was afterward extended from Mimiesota City to Winona and
terminated at St. Peters instead of Traverse des Sioux,
About the year 1860 the settlers had increased in numbers so as
to form two more school districts, one in the west part of the town
in what is now the village of Rolling Stone, and one in Middle or
560 HISTOEY OF WINOT^A COLTNTY.
McLaughlin's valley. In 1866 another district was formed in Deer-
ing's valley.
These districts have cheap frame schoolhouses. There are
at present enrolled in the Kolling Stone school forty-seven pupils, in
McLaughlin's valley thirteen, in Deering's valley fourteen and ninety-
six in the Minnesota City school. The last named has a brick
schoolhouse and two departments of school ; the house, grounds,
etc., being valued at $6,000. There are three fractional districts
united with parts fi-om the adjoining towns, but the schoolhouses
are in the other towns.
RAILROADS.
The Winona & St. Peter or Chicago & Northwestern railroad
has now been in operation about twenty years. It enters the town-
ship near the southeast corner and passes out through the valley of
the Rolling Stone, on the south side. It has at Minnesota City a
spur track to Troost's mill of about 100 rods in length, and a side
track to Ellsworth's mill and elevator, and a neat, convenient
passenger depot and freight house used in common with the
Milwaukee & St. Paul road, which passes through the town along
the Mississippi river ; the latter road has here two long side tracks
and a grain elevator.
VILLAGES.
Rolling Stone village, in the western part of the town, is at the
junction of the north and west valleys of the creek. The inhabitants
of the village and of the vicinity are Germans. It contains three
stores, two hotels, two blacksmith shops, a fine stone church and
neat parsonage, a schoolhouse and two or three saloons. The church
belongs to the Catholic denomination, and nearly all the people in
the vicinity are members. A Catholic burial-ground is also estab-
lished here.
The stream near here furnishes power for a custom-mill, which
is largely patronized by the surrounding country. Minnesota City is
situated at the mouth of the Rolling Stone valley, six miles west of
Winona, near the east line of the township. It contains a railroad
depot, two flouring-mills, two stores, two elevators, two hotels, a
blacksmith shop, a butcher shop, a brick schoolhouse, a large
brewery and a saloon. Population 200. A Baptist church is organ-
ized here and regular services have been held for several years.
The society has no building.
ROLLING STONE TOWNSHIP. 561
IMPROVEMENTS.
Troost's mill was built by Mr. Otto Troost in 1866. The mill is
60 X 80 feet in size, on the ground, and four stories high, and has a
larger capacity of manufacture than any other mill on the stream.
Tlie power is partly supplied by diverting the creek, a distance of
sixty rods, to the Mississip])i bottom, making a fall of sixteen ieet,
while the natural creek flows two miles to reach the same level. A
Corliss engine of 150-horse power is also used, the two enabling the
mill to manufacture 400 barrels of flour per day. The wheat is
taken to the mill by a spur or side-track from the Winona & St.
Peter railroad and is obtained mostly in the western part of the state.
Ellsworth's mill was built in 1867. The power is furnished by
a dam across the Rolling Stone, giving ten feet of fall. The building
is a wooden structure upon a strong stone foundation, in size 54 X 72
feet and three stories high, with elevator next to the side track and
a warehouse detached 40 X 70 feet in size. The capacity of the mill is
750 bushels of wheat or 150 barrels of flour per day. It has unusual
facilities for the manufacture of good grades of flour ; being con-
nected with an elevator any grade of wheat may be selected for mill-
ing. The estimated value is $35,000.
FLOOD.
In February, 1876, Minnesota City was visited with a disastrous
flood. The Rolling Stone drains a large extent of surface and at the
village has a narrow exit. The ground was frozen hard and a heavy
rain had filled the water-holes and covered the country with a sheet
of ice. The snow then covered this to the depth of a foot when a
warm heavy rain fell for twenty-four hours, and as the ground could
not absorb any water, it raised higher than has ever been known.
The mill-pond above the village was filled with ice four feet in thick-
ness, and when the ice broke up and began to flow, within a few min-
utes it destroyed three dwellings, a store, a butcher shop, and was
deposited in huge pieces upon the railroad bridges and track and in
different places over the flelds.
PAST AND PRESENT.
It is now thirty years since the men who plow first came to this
town. Railroads and wagon-roads have taken the places of the In-
dian trails. For the Indian the rich soil and the beauty of the
scenery had no value ; though fish were plenty, game was not so abun-
562 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTr.
dant as farther away, and he had no desire to remain ; and to-day he
looks with disdain upon the fields of grain and grass, the farm-
houses, fences and barns ; if he is hungry he covets some of the
plethoric stock for meat, and would like to possess some of the fine
horses to ride. The schools, the mills, the factories are open to him,
but he makes no sign of changing his condition ; when the plow
comes in he must go out ; he has no ambition to manufacture ; a
pipe, a canoe and bows and arrows exhaust his skill. To the set-
tlers who came here the first few days seemed like a perpetual Sun-
day, now even the darkness does not hush the hum of active life.
The cars, the mills and the steamboats during the night keep pace with
the plow and harvester and thresher in the day. Thirty years ago
our resources were limited, our numbers comparatively few ; now
we have all the advantages pertaining to communities of civilized life.
Of the persons who came here then, there are at present remaining in
the vicinity twenty-three. Some of them have grown-up families and
their grandchildren are going to school, and old and young are still
ready to cheer to the sentiment of Kobert Pike, given thirty years
ago, ' ' Hurrah, then, for our chosen home ! "
No greener valleys meet the sight,
No purer foutitains gushing free,
No birds of song, or flowers more bright,
Bringing perfume and melody.
CHAPTEK XLIX.
TOWNSHIP OF DRESBACH.
The township of Dresbach lies in the southeast corner of Winona
county. It is the smallest township in the county, containing 4,400
acres. The shape of the township is nearly a perfect right-angled
triangle, with the acute angle on the bank of the Mississippi, just
above Dakota. The township is five and one-fifth miles long from
north to south, and about three and one-fourth miles wide on the
southern boundary. It is bounded on the east by the Mississippi
river, south by Houston county, and on the west by the township ot
New Hartford. The township was formed under the organization
act of 1858, and was named Dresbach, after Geo. B. Dresbach, Sr.,
DEESBACH TOWNSHIP. 563
the founder of Dresbach village. The surface of the township is
considerably broken by the chain of bluffs extending through the
county along the Mississippi. The bluffs, from their abruptness and
loftiness, iri some parts of the township, form a very majestic
appearance, and are much admired by the. lovers of nature. The
highest bluffs are found along the Mississippi, where they rise several
hundred feet above the river. Mineral bluff (named from the min-
eral deposits found under its base) is the highest (405 feet) in the
township. This bluff is just at the upper end of the village of
Dresbach. It affords from its summit, one of the grandest views of
any bluff along the Mississippi. One can see La Crosse, Onalas,
Kansas,, Trempealeau, Galesville, and several other towns in Wis-
consin, at distances of ten to twenty miles. There are other bluffs in
tlie township, from the tops of which one never becomes tired of
looking, or ' ' grows weary and sick at heart. "
The soil of the township is good, being a black sub-clay soil,
and annually produces large crops of wheat, corn, oats, rye, barley,
potatoes, etc. It is also well adapted to grazing, to which many
farmers are beginning to turn their attention. All, or nearly all, the
township was once heavily timbered, the principal species being
white and black oak. The timber cleared from the farms has been
a source of great income to the farmer as it always brought him
ready cash in the market. In fact, many farmers have relied too
long on their timber for their incomes, until, as a result, theii- lands
have become almost treeless. The township is well supplied with
water. Living springs are found gushing from the bluffs all over
the township, some affording sufficient water the year round for
large farms. The springs are cold and clear as crystal, and free
from all unpleasant tastes. There are no large streams in the town-
ship, but in every valley and from every bluff you will find a little
rill with clear and cool water rippling its way to the Mississippi.
The population of the township is about 350, consisting of nearly
every nationality of Europe. The native born rank first in popula-
tion, and Germans in the foreign element. The township has good
public roads running and intersecting each other at various places,
thus affording the farmer an easy and accessible way to market with
his produce. Most of the produce of the township is marketed at
La Crosse, La Crescent, Dakota, Pickwick, and some at Winona. No
other township in the county has so many and accessible markets as
33
564 HISTORY OF WmOlS-A COUNTY.
Dresbach. The farmers find a regular market at Dakota the year
round for all kinds of produce.
Indian mounds and relics are found in various parts of the town-
ship. Not long since, while some men were digging in Mineral
bluff, one hundred and fifty feet above the river, a skeleton of an
unusual size was unearthed. On measuring, the giant skeleton was
found to be ten feet in length, with other parts in proper proportion.
In the skull was found a copper hatchet, and a dart or arrow-head
nine inches long. Another skeleton, nine feet long, was found in
the village of Dresbach, while some men were digging a road or
trench.
These skeletons were of an unusual size to those generally taken
from Indian mounds. Their size, form and structure would lead
those versed in paleontology to believe they belonged to a race
prior to the Indian. In many of the mounds have also been found
copper hatchets, chisels, various kinds of tomahawks, and other
weapons of war ; also these antique races seemed to have some pro-
cess of hardening copper, unknown to any modern process. Where
they came from, when they lived, and whence they have gone, is
only conjecture and speculation. That they were mighty races,
skilled in the mode of warfare, understanding the mechanical arts,
for all these we have conclusive evidence. But of their end we
know nothing. Whether they were swept from the earth by some
deadly epidemic, or annihilated themselves by intestine wars, or
died of inherent weakness, we have nothing to inform us.
The first permanent settler that came to the township of Dres-
bach was Nathan Brown, of New York, who settled in 1849 at
Dakota. There was a man by the name of John Keed here a few
years prior to Mr. Brown, but Eeed was merely a trader and never
became a permanent settler. All that now can be learned of Reed
is, that he had a trading-post on the banks of the Mississippi at (old)
Dakota. The ruins of an old chimney were seen for several years
after he left, which were supposed to be where he had his trading-
post. But Mr. Nathan Brown, now living near the village of Da-
kota, was the first to erect permanent buildings and become a regular
settler. First buildings that Mr. Brown raised were two log cab-
ins,— one for a dwelling, the other for a store. He also built a log
stable — all 12 X 16 feet. The stock in his store consisted of corn, fiour,
sugar, meat, tobacco, etc. His trade for the first few years was con-
fined to the Indians and rivermen. The log cabins built by Mr.
DRESBACH TOWNSHIP. 565
Brown have all been torn down and have entirely disappeared. He
bought most of his goods at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. The fol-
lowing prices will show the cost of different articles in the early
history of this county — tea, $1.25 per lb. ; coffee, 5 lbs. for $1 ; flour,
$6 to $8 per bbl. At one time Mr. Brown paid as high as $22.50
a barrel for pork.
The next permanent settler following Mr. Brown was a French-
man, by the name of Peleau, who was sent here by Richard Chute
& Co. in 1850. Peleau built a store and residence at (old) Dakota,
and carried on considerable trade with the natives and scattering
settlers. His buildings, as well as those first built by Mr. Brown,
have all been torn down. In fact, the buildings known as old Da-
kota have all disappeared, and not even a relic left to commemo-
rate the spot of the " Ancient City." The next settlers after Messrs.
Brown and Peleau, were a colony of French, who bought land and
settled where the village of Dresbach now stands. Of this colony
Joseph Maynard bought 120 acres of land of the government in
1852. Lambert Robillard in 1852 bought 160 acres from the gov-
ernment. Joseph and Francis Trudell (1852) had 112 acres.
Alfonso Warren (1852) bought 190 acres. He was the first to burn
lime and manufacture grindstones. The above-described lands con-
stitute the present plat of the village of Dresbach. The said lands
were bought by Geo. B. Dresbach, Sr., in May, 1857. The village
site was located and platted September, 1857.
VILLAGE OF DRESBACH.
In September and October, 1857, eleven houses were built, now
a part of the present village. The first store of the village was
built and run by Abram Warren, of Ohio, in 1857. A postoffice
was also established that year with Mr. Warren as postmaster.
Warren sold out his store to A. L. Jenks, who also succeeded him
as postmaster. In 1863 another store was started b}' William Pat-
ton, of New York, who assisted Geo. B. Dresbach in building the
present sawmill in 1862-3. The size of the building was 36 X 70 and
cost $8,400. Ed. Minor opened a general merchandise store in
1863 ; also the same year Mr. Caleb Inman started a store. Mr.
Inman is still a merchant in the village. Geo. B. Dresbach opened
a store in 1866, and Jesse P. Nevill a store in 1867, who was suc-
ceeded by Henry Becker, in 1869. Mr. Becker is still a merchant
566 HISTOEY OF WTf^ONA COUNTY.
in the village, and carries on a big trade. William Dickson started
a grocery store in 1878. He still runs his store.
MANUFACTORIES OF DEESBACH.
The present owners and operators of the steam sawmill are
Louis Blumraintritt and Henry Blochik. They are also dealers in
lumber, lath, shingles, etc.
William H. Sherwood and Gilbert Johnson, both formerly of
New York, are the owners and operators of two large brickyards.
They ship from three to four millions of brick annually. They em-
ploy from thirty to forty men.
W. B. Williams and L. C. Smith, of Red Wing, Minnesota,
started a brickyard in Dresbach in the spring of 1882. They burned
superior quality of brick, and will ship about one million of brick
this year. Will increase the capacity of the yard for next season to
three or four millions of brick.
In 1882 Geo. B. Dresbach, Jr., and John H. Moss organized the
Northwestern Brick Company, under the firm name of Moss & Dres-
bach. This company will manufacture one million of brick this
year, and increase their capacit}^ for next season.
Joseph Ginther and John Schmeltzer, blacksmiths and machinists,
have increased their line of business by building a steam-mill this
year, for the manufacture of ground feed, turning lathes, laths and
barrel hoops.
Winona County Mining and Stone Company, an incorporated
company with capital stock of $100,000, was organized in 1880,
with John Gilman, of St. Paul, president; Geo. B. Dresbach, Sr.,
vice-president, and E. S. Burns, secretary and treasurer. This com-
pany is at present operating steam machinery in quarrying rock and
mining mineral just above the village of Dresbach. J. F. Tostevin
& Sons, of St. Paul, are now operating a stone quarry with steam
machinery in the village of Dresbach. They also own and run a
stone sawmill in connection with their quarry. They saw, dress and
ship stone of sizes ready for use. Geo. B. Dresbach, Sr., and John
Gilman own a stone quarry of fifteen acres now in operation ; the
stone of the above quarries being of the celebrated Berea, Ohio,
sandstone in quality, now so extensively used throughout the United
States for building purposes and grindstones.
The above quarries and the four brickyards now in operation
make Dresbach a very lively and businesslike place.
DEESBACII TOWNSHIP. 567
It is not known by the settlers how Dakota got its name, but is
supposed to have originated among the Indians. The first houses
that were built in (old) Dakota stood just above the present village.
They were simply a few log cabins erected as a trading-post with the
Indians and early settlers. The houses have all disappeared, and
nothing remains to tell the story of the "ancient city." As this
point had a good landing and outlet to the surrounding country, the
early settlers had always labored to start a village here. The name
is somewhat clothed in mystery, but the village itself was founded
and started by Nathan Brown in 1849. In 1873 the site of the old
village was vacated and that of the present Dakota located and sur-
veyed. The location is most beautiful, being high and dry and free
from inundations of the river. The soil is sandy and seldom wet or
muddy. The first house was built in 1873. The building was
moved one mile from above the village and put up on River street,
between Rogers and Center streets, by Henry Becker, who opened
a store in the part moved, and built on an addition for a dwelling.
Mr. Becker carried on quite an extensive business for over a year,
when he sold his • building to J. W. Young and moved his stock to
Dresbach.
The first hotel was built in the village in 1876 by Ellis Brown,
deceased. After the death of her husband Mrs. Brown ran the hotel
until 1880, when William Clow rented for two years. The house is
now run by Dennis Sullivan.
In 1874 the postoffice of Dakota was established, with Nathan
Brown as postmaster, which office he still holds.
SKIFF FEKKY.
March 31, 1873, Alex. C. Donalson began to make regular daily
trips from Dresbach to Lacrosse with his skifi ferry. He ran three
seasons between the above places, averaging 200 trips a season, of
eighteen miles a trip, making 10, 800, miles for the three seasons.
In 1876 Mr. Donalson extended his trip from Dakota to La Crosse.
He has averaged his regular 200 trips of twenty miles each every
year, making 24,800 miles since 1876 and 34,800 miles since 1873.
Mr. Donalson is the best oarsman that paddles the Mississippi. He
is a large, tall, muscular man, and glides his boat over the water
with as much ease and grace as the gentle current itself
568 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
Mr. Peter Lee built and started the first blacksmith shop in
Dakota in 1874. He formerly ran a shop in La Crescent and Dres-
bach. The first and only harness shop ever ran in Dakota was
opened by Joseph Hoffman in 1874. In 1876 Mr. Leonard Helsaple
opened a wagon-repairing shop. He sold out to Mr. W. H. Yauce
in 1878, who sold his building to Dennis Sullivan, who uses it as
a sleeping-house for his boarders. In May, 1874, Charley Dalton
started a merchandise and drug store in Dakota. Nathan Brown
also owned and ran a store for some time in Dakota. In March,
1880, A, C. Brown started a general merchandise store. .The latter
is doing a flourishing business and at present he is acting postmaster.
BURIED IN DAKOTA CEMETERY.
The first persons that died at Dakota and were buried in Blufi'
Cemetery were : Mrs. Eliza A. Brown, first wife of Nathan Brown,
and infant of the same. Mrs. Brown died July' 21, 1854, child
August 16, 1854. The following are the names of some of the old
settlers in and about Dakota who are buried in the above grave-
yard : Susan, wife of Caleb Inman, died July 21, 1880, aged 70
years ; Mary, wife of G. S. Guynnup, died December 16, 1876, aged
58 ; Keynold H. Brown, died March 30, 1870, aged 72 ; Charles
Brown, died July 17, 1870, aged 79 ; Alvina, wife of B. J. Moore,
died November 4, 1875, aged 47 ; Anna J. Cleveland died July 2,
1878, aged 67; Phebe A., wife of Simon Mott, died September 27,
1861, aged 77; Sarah, wife of Leonard Helsaple, died September
16, 1880, aged 66.
SCHOOLS.
The first school of any kind was a select school taught in the
township in the winter of 1856-7. The name of the teacher cannot
now be ascertained. The school was taught where the village of
Dresbach now stands. In the winter of 1858-9 was taught another
subscription school by a teacher by the name of Charles Omsted.
The first public district school was taught in Dresbach the winter of
1859-60 by Harlow Colsten at $25 a month. The people had by
private subscription built a schoolhouse, but the winter being very
severe the house was too cold to hold school in it, so the school was
taught in a private house. There were thirty-five pupils enrolled.
School board— G. B. Dresbach and Rufus Reed. The first public
school in Dakota under district organization was taught by Miss
DRESBACH TOWNSHIP. 569
Ellen Young in 1860. The school was held in Nathan Brown's
trading shanty. There were eight scholars and the teacher. The
latter received $12 per month. The township has always been
active in her educational interests. She has gone from her trading
shanties and log cabins to large, commodious schoolhouses.
The first M. E. church of Dresbach township was organized May
25, 1856, by Rev. John Hooper, of Caledonia circuit.
The organization was effected at B. J. Moore's house, one-half
mile west of Dakota. The names of those present, and who became
members of the organization, were John Cramer and wife, James
Fletcher and wife, and B. J. Moore and wife. As a number of the
members of the above organization moved away, the meetings were
discontinued for awhile. There were no churches then in this part
of the county, so their meetings were conducted in shanties and
private houses. Soon after the above meetings were discontinued
the township became settled with a church -going people with no
public worship. A new organization was formed in April, 1861, and
called the Dakota and Dresbach class. The same organization is in
effect yet, with a class at each of the above places. The organization
has a membership of thirty-one, with B. J. Moore leader at Dres-
bach and Miss Lucinda Winters leader at Dakota. G. W. Barnette,
of LaCrescent circuit, pastor at both places. The first Sabbath school
of the township was organized by Rev. John- Hooper, in a claim
shanty, just below where Dakota now stands, with B. J. Moore
superintendent. Here the children, now grown to manhood and
womanhood, were gathered from Sabbath to Sabbath to learn those
eternal truths taught their parents. The school was conducted by
the Methodist Episcopal church, and had about twenty scholars. A
union Sabbath school was organized in Dresbach in 1860, with E.
G. Buck superintendent. The school is now under the supervision
of the Methodist Episcopal church, with Godfreid Widmoyer super-
intendent. There is an attendance of about fifty-five. In 1879 a
union Sabbath school was organized out of the old Methodist Epis-
copal Sabbath school of Dakota, by Rev. John Bally, with B. J.
Moore superintendent. The school has an attendance of forty-five,
and is in a prosperous condition.
November 18, 1881, a society under the name of the Dakota
Mite and Church Society, was organized, with D. N. Gilliland pre-
sident. Miss Lucinda Winters vice-president. Miss Mary Robillard
secretary, and Miss Anna Eliza Lee treasurer. The society was
570 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
instrumental in many ways, bearing the pecuniary burden of the
church.
The Sons of Temperance were organized in Dakota in 1878, with
Peter Lee W. P. , Alex. ISTecmiet secretary, Alfred Purdy treasurer,
and Gardner Lee sentinel. The society flourished for three years,
and accomplished a good work.
Li May and June, 1882, the village of Dakota was visited by the
most severe and alarming sickness that ever struck this healthy little
town. Charley Dalton, while on a trip west of St. Paul, caught
what was supposed to be the measles. After returning home he
came down very sick. In a few days the whole town became help- ,
lessly prostrated. Physicians were called, who pronounced it the
measles and a slight form of the scarlatina. For four weeks every
family in town was so stricken there were not enough well to wait
on the sick. The families most severely bereaved were Messrs. D.
W. Peters and James Wilkinson's. Three of Mr. Peters' little girls
— Carrie, Zolie and Hattie May, died within three weeks. Scarcely
had the people returned from the grave of the latter of these little
girls when the town was again thrown into mourning by the death
of Joey Wilkinson, a little boy about four years old; and still another
gloom by the death of a sister. The sickness spread to the surround-
ing vicinities, and was very severe in some families. The people
had just recovered from the above when the death of Miss Sadie
Sullivan, of Dakota, was announced. She had been sick some time
with consumption. She was buried in the Catholic graveyard in
Pine Creek.
Ashel Pearse was the first inhabitant to locate where the village
of Dresbach now stands. He built his first log cabin in 1853, near
the river, just where the Johnston and Sherwood's brickshed now
stands. The log cabin has been moved just below the brickyard,
and is now used as a cow-stable. While Pearse was building his
cabin he was stopped by the Wabasha Indians, who looked upon
the whites as intruders on their rights. After the Indians became
reconciled, Pearse resumed his building and finished several log
cabins.
FIKST ROAD.
The first road was built in the township by private parties, up
and down the river. In 1854 a territorial road was surveyed through
DRESBACH TOWlSrSHIP. 571
the township, up and down the river. This was changed to a state
road, soon after the admission of the state, and finally into a county-
road, under the county road statute.
ACCIDENTS.
While Josepii Maynard, one of the original members of Dres-
bach, was hauling a load of corn-fodder, his team became frightened
and ran away, upsetting the load on Mr. Maynard and breaking his
leg. He lingered for several weeks, but died from the effects of his
injuries, November 19, 1865. In April, 1878, Joseph Hoffman, a
young man, accidentally fell off a log, at Dakota, and drowned in the
Mississippi. In 1881, Jimmy McClane, while crossing the river at
Dresbach. accidentally fell from his skiff" and was drowned.
GRAIN SHIPPED FROM DAKOTA.
The following figures show the amount of grain shipjied from
here annually since the railroad was built : 20,000 bushels of wheat,
7,000 bushels of barley, 4,000 bushels of oats.
The first schoolhouse in Dresbach was burned down in 1875.
The present one was built the next year, at a cost of $500. First
cost $300.
DEPOT AGENTS.
The following persons have been depot agents at Dakota :
Harvey Gates, J. B. O'Neil ; D. C. Sheehan came in the fall of 1879,
and remained until fall of 1881, when P. J. Sheehan, the present
agent, succeeded him.
First marriage in the • village of Dresbach was J. W. Tibbets
and Catharine Isilla (Maynard) Tibbets. Marriage ceremony was
performed by Elder Card, Baptist minister of La Crosse.
The first birth in the above village was that of Willie Morrison,
son of William and Adaline Morrison.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
The judicial history of the township begins with the election of
Z. M. Caswell, first justice of the peace, in 1856. First court con-
vened in Judge Caswell's office, in October, 1857. Next justice
after Justice Caswell, and first under township organization act, was
Terrence McCauly. He held the office twelve years. James
Fletcher was also justice during part of the time McCauly held the
office. Succeeding justices McCauly and Fletcher, William Patton,
572 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
formerly of New York, was elected to the bench, who occupied the
seat six years, when he was succeeded by the election of E. S.
Burns and G. B. Dresbach, Sr., to the honorable position which they
have held for six years, and who yet occupy the tribunal bench of
the township.
CHAPTER L.
JTEW HARTFORD, RICHMOND, HOMER AND PLEASANT HILL TOWNSHIPS.
NEW HARTFORD TOWNSHIP.
The township of New Hartford was organized in 1858. Excepting
a small corner of Sec. 1, the township embraces thirty-six entire sec-
tions. Its boundaries are, on the east, Dresbach township and the
Mississippi river, on the west Pleasant Hill township, on the
south Houston county, and on the north Richmond township.
The soil on the ridge land is a reddish clay, and in the valleys a
black loam or muck. The surface is very much broken, high bluffs
or hills and deep valleys and ravines follow each other in rapid suc-
cession. The products are wheat on the ridge land and corn, bar-
ley and oats in the valleys.
Pine creek enters the township in Sec. 18, flows southeast
through New Hartford village, Sees. 19, 30, 29, and leaves the town-
ship in Sec. 32. Pine creek branch enters the township in Sec. 31,
flows east and joins the main stream in Sec. 32.
Among the old settlers may be mentioned Nathan Brown, who
came as early as 1849, and settled on what is now Sec. 1, of New
Hartford township. Nathan Brown has lived, almost without any
change whatever, in this one locality for thirty-three years.
H. W. Carroll came to the township- in 1854, and settled on Pine
creek. He now resides on N.E. J Sec. 6.
Geo. Johnson came in 1854, and settled in Rose Yalley, Sec.
27. He now resides in Lane's valley on W. ^ Sec. 25. James
Lane arrived the same year. He now lives on Sec. 35.
The year 1855 was noted for the arrival of the following : Hel-
kiah Lilly, Jerry Tibbetts, Joseph Beach, Daniel Blankley, Myron
Steadman and S. C. Dick. Helkiah Lilly entered the S.W. i of S.
W. I Sec. 34, and has kept it until the present day. Jerry Tibbetts
NEW HARTFORD TOWNSHIP. 573
settled on Sec. 4; Daniel Blankley secured the N.E. J Sec. 16;
Myron Steadman entered the S.W. J Sec. 6, while S. C. Dick
settled on S.E. J Sec. 4.
There are ten district schools in the township : District 1 on
Sec. 6, dist. 72 on Sec. 5, dist. 71 on Sec. 2, dist. 73 on Sec. 16,
dist. 74 on Sec. 19, dist. 32 on Sec. 25, dist.— on Sec. 27, dist. 86
on Sec. 12, dist. — on Sec. 1, dist. 109 on Sec. 14.
The number of school-children in the township is said to be 250,
but all are not in attendance.
The average crop for the year 1882 is as follows : Oats, per
acre, 40 bushels ; corn, per acre, 30 bushels , barley, per acre, 20
bushels ; wheat, per acre, 12 bushels.
The lirst township meeting was held April 11, 1858.
Joseph Babcock, J. B. More and Joseph Goodyear were ap-
pointed as a board of supervisors.
The successive town clerks are: Elias Brickert, 1858-9 ; J. H.
Leonard, 1859-62 ; Daniel Blankley, 1862-4 ; N. J. Wooden,
1864-5; Daniel Blankley, 1865-6; A. S. Dunning, 1866-73; L.
Gerrish, 1873-4 ; Daniel Blankley, 1874-7 ; A. T. Bateman,
1877-81 ; W. H. Bateman, 1881-2 ;' A. T. Bateman, 1882-3.
The board for 1882 : Z. W. Nutting, John Shroeder, S. C. Dick,
supervisors ; R. D. Clow, Geo. Hiler, constables ; Daniel Blankley,
R. H. Sims, justices of the peace ; O. D. Grant, assessor.
There are two cemeteries in the township, one on S.E. J of S.
E. J Sec. 12, owned by Nathen Brown ; another on Sec. 9, owned
by Geo. Hiler. There are no churches in the township, services
being held occasionally in the schoolhouses.
NEW HAKTFORD VILLAGE.
New Hartford village lies on Sec. 19 of New Hartford township.
It was laid out about 1856 by Henry Cushman, Daniel Clay and a
man by the name of Reynolds. Mr. Reynolds owned the first house
in the village. The first store was kept by Benj. Young.
No regular postoffice existed until about 1866, when a regular
office was established, and H. Lilly appointed postmaster. He kept
the office nine years. Henry Cushman built the first sawmill in
1856. Soon after, a gristmill was erected by H. Lilly and H. Cush-
man. This was about 1860. In one year H. Lilly bought out H.
Cushman and run the mill three years alone. At this time it was
purchased by Blumin Tritt, who has kept it ever since. Soon after
574 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
the village was laid out John Brodwell built a small shoeshop, but
turned it into a schoolhouse and taught it himself. A log-school
building was erected on Sec. 30 soon afterward. This was taught
by Mrs. Tom Phelps. The present school was erected in the town
about 1870. The fli-st teacher was Lidia Basworth. Dimensions of
the building 23 X 26 feet. This is used as a church. G. Lyon is the
present postmaster ; he also keeps the one store in the village.
One blacksmith shop owned by I. Beach. One shoeshop run by
G. A. Edin.
The town of New Hartford has an area of forty acres, and is
traversed by Pine creek.
EICHMOND TOWNSHIP.
Kichmond township lies in T. 106 N. and E. 5 W. Its boundaries
are, on the east and north the Mississippi river, on the south New
Hartford township, and on the west Homer township. Richmond
is but a fractional township at most, being cut by the Mississippi into
twelve complete and seven fractional sections. It was organized
May 11, 1858. The members of the first board were : Town clerk,
J. M. Dodge ; chairman of supervisors, A. M. Gross ; supervisors,
Amos Shay, M. Dunning ; assessor, J. M. Winn ; collector, A. C.
Dunning ; constables, C. C. Willy, C. R. Howe ; justices of the
peace, B. F. Davis, N. D. Gilbert. There were forty votes cast at
the first election. The following are the names of the successive
township clerks : A. 6. Gross, 1858-9 ; A. S. Dunning, 1859-62;
J. Donehower, 1862-3 ; J. H. Davenport, 1863-65 ; O. Cram,
1866-6 ; C. A. Leach, 1866-69 ; Levi Brown, 1869-71 ; George
Eagles, 1871-73 ; Edward Mott, 1873-75 ; J. P. Nevill, 1875-78 ;
C. A. Leach, 1878-81 ; J. P. Nevill, 1881-2-3. The present town-
ship board : Chairman of supervisors, Amos Shay ; supervisors,
Henry Winter, Patrick Griffin ; assessor, James Donehower ; con-
stable, A. B. Leach ; justice of the peace, J. P. Nevill.
The surface of the township, like all the country immediately
around, is very much broken ; the soil is a clay loam. The products
are wheat, corn, oats and barley. The average crop for the year
1882 was : Wheat, per acre, 15 bushels ; corn, per acre, 60 bushels ;
oats, per acre, 40 bushels. Barley is raised in very small quantities.
Riclimond township js traversed by two creeks. Little Trout run and
Richmond creek. Little Trout run rises in Sec. 32, flows northwest
and leaves the township on Sec. 18. Richmond creek rises in Sees,
RICHMOND TOWNSHIP. 575
27 and 28, flows northwest, and empties into the Mississippi river
near the village of Richmond.
M. Dunning was about the earliest settler in the township. He
came to the village of Richmond in 1852 ; Amos Shay came in
1854 ; he remained in the village a short time and then removed to
Sec. 27, where he has been engaged in farming until the present day.
M. Dunning reached the village in 1852 ; in 1855 he removed to
Sec. 28, where he may be found still. Edward Outhouse, in 1854,
settled on Sec. 19. The farm is now in the hands of his children,
he having died some time since. In 1856 Patrick Griffin settled on
Sec. 18 ; he is still in possession of his farm. The K W. ^ of Sec. 19
is owned by J. M. Gates, who took possession in IS^ovember, 1857.
There are but two schools in the township, namely, district 47
on Sec. 17 ; district 46 on Sec. 21 ; number of school-children in
the township, 24.
There never was a regular church in existence, but divine service
has been held in the schoolhouses since 1857. They had circuit
preaching by ministers of both Baptist and Methodist denomina-
tions: J. M. Winn, a Baptist minister, had his residence in the
old village of Richmond in 1857.
The first road through the township was the present river road.
The first marriage was that of Austin Dunning to Sydney Yalton.
The value of the personal property in the township, according to the
late returns, is $12,000.
A discovery of a very valuable blue sandstone was made in 1882
on Sec. 21. It is being worked by an Ohio stone company ; also a
white sandstone (resembling marble and susceptible of high polish)
and red ochre have been discovered.
RICHMOND VILLAGE
was laid out in 1855 by Fredrick Cushman, John Fortune and
Henry Cushman. The plat stood on N.E. ^ of Sec. 21, on the bank
of the Mississippi river, and had an area of twenty acres. Among
the old settlers in the village may be mentioned : M. Dunning,
Isaac Nichols, H. Carroll, Thomas Gordon, Jacob Donehower,
Andrew Mitchell and Amos Shay. John Fortune built a house in
1854, and his house was, without doubt, the first in the village.
O. B. Dodge built a store devoted to general merchandise in 1855.
He was soon followed by J. F. Martin, S. C. Dick and Jacob Done-
hower, each of whoin owned a store of the same description.
576 HISTORY OF WmONA COUNTY.
Besides these, a Mrs. Jennings owned a small millinery establish-
ment. Fredrick Cushman built the first sawmill in 1855. At the
same time a blacksmith shop was run bj Huttenhow. J. M. Winn
was the village physician. The first school-building, the present
district school, was erected in 1857. School has never been dis-
continued. ' ' East Richmond, " a rival to Richmond proper, was
laid out in 1857 by A. Davenport and a Mr. Rodgers, just south of
the first village on the same section. A few houses were built, but
it was soon after abandoned. Richmond proper at that time was
quite a town, but since then it has gradually decayed, houses have
been torn down and removed entirely, until, at present writing, what
once was a thriving little town, nothing remains but four shabby old
dwellings and a small store kept by J. P. Nevill. Lamoille, a rail-
way station on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway, is on
the Mississippi river ; it is two miles from Pickwick, a small town in
Homer township.
HOMER TOWNSHIP.
Homer township was organized May 11, 1858. It lies in T. 106
and 107 W. and R. 6 N. It is bounded on the west by Wilson and
Winona townships, on the south by Pleasant Hill township, on the
east by Richmond township, and on the north by the Mississippi
river. It comprises thirty-three complete sections and five fractional
ones. The Mississippi river strikes the township on N.W. J of Sec.
31, and flows southeast through Sees. 1, 2 and 3. The surface is
very much broken ; the soil on the ridge land is clay, while in the
valleys it is a black loam. The products are wheat, corn, oats and
barley. The average per acre for the present year (1882) is as fol-
lows : Wheat, per acre, 12 bushels ; corn, per acre, 60 bushels ;
oats, per acre, 35 bushels. Stone quarries may be found all along
the river, but they are only worked occasionally.
The number of votes cast at the first election in the township was
eighty-eight. The names of the first township officers are as fol-
lows : Charles Griswold, town clerk ; S. Britton, collector ; Samuel
Britton, overseer of the poor ; Jarard Baldwin, chairman of super-
visors ; Daniel Daugherty, G. W. Grant, supervisors ; J. C. Korton,
Ferdinand Cox, justices of the peace ; J. C. Crane, Albert Preston,
constables ; Samuel Ailing, assessor.
The first regular postoffice was kept by John Torry in 1857 ; the
first marriage in the village, and no doubt the first in the township,
HOMER TOWNSHIP. 577
was that of a servant girl of Willard Bunnell named Racliil to
Harry Herrick. This was in 1856. The population of Homer at
present is sixty-four. There is one store, owned by Robert Norton,
a blacksmith shop, run by Jacob Myres, and a doctor, J. Q. A. Vale.
Robert Norton is the postmaster.
The succeeding town clerks were : S. A. Ailing, 1860-62 ; R. F.
Norton, 1862-3; John R. King, 1863-5 ; C. Howard, 1865-7; J.
Q. A. Yale, 1867-70; S. A. Ailing, 1870-2; J. Q. A. Yale,
1872-4 ; J. Q. A. Yale, 1874-82-3. The members (^f the present
board are : W. I. Larason, chairman of supervisors ; John Hanson,
S. Gardner, supervisors ; R. F. Norton, treasurer ; F. B. Martin,
assessor ; S. F. Ailing, G. W. King, justices of the peace ; Nelson
Breed, J. M. Rutherford, constables.
The township is traversed by two creeks, Cedar creek and Big
Trout run. Cedar creek rises in the southwestern part of the town-
ship, flows northeast, and empties into the Mississippi river on Sec.
1. Big Trout run is formed by numerous springs in the southern
part of the township ; at Pickwick it broadens into a small lake, and
furnishes water-power for a large flour-mill ; from Pickwick the
stream flows northeast, and leaves the township on Sec. 13. It
fina,lly terminates in the Mississippi on Sec. 8, in Richmond town-
ship.
The first settler in Homer township, and also the first in the
county, was Willard Bunnell, who came in 1849, and settled on the
present site of the village of Homer ; he was an Indian trader.
C. F. Buck followed soon after and settled near by. This place was
then called "Bunnell's Landing." Leonard Johnson came in 1852
and started up a wood-yard on a place just below Bunnell's landing
called Johnson's point. John Lavine made his appearance at Min-
neoah, then a mushroom village just above Bunnell's landing, in
1853. In 1855 he settled on Sec. 11, in Cedar Creek valley, and
remained there ever since. Peter Gorr came to the township in
1853, and settled on Sec. 18, in Gorr's valley, now known as Pleas-
ant valley. In 1881 Peter Gorr removed to the old site of Minneoah,
on the bank of the Mississippi. R. F. Norton came to Minneoah
in 1854 ; he keeps a store at present writing in the village of Homer.
Wm. Lamson, another old settler, reached the township in 1855.
The first road in the township reached from Willard Bunnell's
place westward to the township line. It was begun in 1853 by pri-
vate enterprise and completed in 1854. The first house in the town-
578 HISTORY OF WrNONA COUNTY.
sliip was owned by Willard Bunnell and stood at Bunnell's landing.
Willard Bunnell also kept the first postoffice in his own house as
early as 1853. The first birth in the township was that of Louisa
Bunnell — born February 22, 1850. This was also the first birth in
the county.
There are but two churches in the township, the Free Baptists
in Pickwick village, built in 1881, and the ^tsTorwegian in Sec. 32,
built 1870. Divine service is held in many of the schoolhouses,
however, by circuit pastors. There are eight district schools in the
township, viz : District 14 in Sec. 30, dist. 15 in Sec. 12, dist.
12 in Sec. 33, dist. 19 in Sec. 24, dist. 13 in Sec. 18, dist. 94 in
Sec. 29, dist. 18 in Sec. 16, dist. 103 in Sec. 8.
Pickwick village, and indeed all Homer township, was very
much agitated over news received in 1862 that the Indians were
planning an attack upon the settlement. People came flocking
from all parts of the township to the stone-mill in Pickwick, intend-
ing to use it as a fort. It was a false alarm, however, caused by
untrue statements and exaggerated reports. The Indians were at
the time on the war-path at Mankato, but Pickwick had no cause for
alarm.
HOMEK VILLAGE.
Homer village was laid out in 1855, by Willard Bunnell. It lies
on Sec. 33, T. 107, E. 6. Willard Bunnell, who came in 1849, and
C. F. Buck, were the first settlers in the village.
The first house was owned by W. Bunnell. Frank Wilson built
the first store in 1855. Before the town was laid out this place was
called Bunnell's landing, and a postoffice was kept in Mr. Bunnell's
house. Another village, called Minneoah, was laid out just above
Bunnell's landing in 1852. This place was abandoned at the laying
out of Homer, but for a time there existed quite a small community.
Among the merchants in Minneoah were Thomas J. Hough, who
kept a store there in 1854. He was bought out by John Torry.
Charles and Koyal Lovell also kept a store in 1854. A hotel
existed, owned by Myron Toms. One doctor, J. C. Norton, had his
office in the village. At the laying out of Homer this village was
deserted. At the present writing nothing remains of it but two
dwelling-houses.
Among the early settlers in Homer were Woodruff Griswold
and Norton, who built a store in 1857. The same year they put up
a warehouse. Ferdinand Cox had a small store in 1857. He sold
HOMEE TOWNSHIP. 579
drugs and liquors. These stores were torn down and abandoned in
1860. In 1857 Jacob Myers built a blacksmith shop, which he has
kept up until the present day. A sawmill was erected in 1868 by
R. F. Norton, but was deserted in 1874. There was, however, a
sawmill previous to this, owned and built by Hoxie Abel in 1860.
A shoeshop was kept by a Mr. Ganes as early as 1859. A private
school was in existence in the village h'om 1858 until 1860, but the
first district school was built in 1857 on Sec. 33. The first teacher
was Charles Smith.
PICKWICK VILLAGE.
Pickwick was laid out in 1857. It stands on Sec. 13 ol Homer
township, at the head of a tiny lake formed by the expansion of
Big Trout Run. It is almost surrounded by high blufis, and is
widely known for its picturesque situation. Big Trout Run flows
northeast from the village, and its zigzag course can be traced for
miles down the valley by the willows growing on its banks. The
village was named after ''Pickwick Papers," by Charles Dickens.
Thomson Grant, who came in 1853, was the first settler in the vil-
lage. The first store was owned by Ferdinand Cox, who came in
1855.
Thomson Grant and Wilson Davis were the principal land-
owners in the village. Wilson Davis came in 1856. Thomson
Grant owned the first house. There was at that time one wagon
shop and one blacksmith shop. The blacksmith shop was owned
and built by John Cripps in 1858. The wagon shop was worked by
Joel Morrison. A sawmill and gristmill combined was erected in
1854 by Thomson Grant. The present fiourmill was commenced
in 1856 by Thomson Grant and Wilson Davis. A small building
owned by the mill company was used as a school as early as 1858.
Miss Lou Grant was the teacher. In 1861 a school was put up by
the district. Miss Sarah Shorey was the teacher for several years.
The present school, a frame building 24x44 feet, was built by the
district in 1863. Charles Sufierins kept the first postoffice in 1858.
At present writing Pickwick has two stores, a fiourmill, one black-
smith shop, a hotel and a church. The stores are owned by Charles
Sufferins and J. W. King respectively. John Cripps works the
blacksmith shop. The hotel, quite a large building, is three stories
high, and owned by George Outhouse. The mill is built of stone, is
45x60 feet, six stories high, and has a capacity of 100 bbls. of flour
34
580 HISTORY OF WnfONA COUIS"TY.
per day. It is owned by Davis & Grannis. Near the mill is a
beautiful little waterfall of twenty-eight feet.
Services have been held occasionally in the schoolhouse since it
was built, and a Sunday school has been in existence since 1863.
The present church was built through the instrumentality of Judson
B. Palmer, state missionary of the Free Baptist church. It was
erected in 1881. The dimensions are 30x50 feet, and has a spire
about fifty feet tall. The first pastor was Rev. Given, who came in
1881 and remained six months. The church was then without a
minister until Eev. L. Kerr came in 1882. The congregation now
numbers 100 members. The average attendance of the Sunday
school is thirty-five, with five teachers. They are in possession of a
small library of about fifty volumes.
Pickwick has one secret society. Masonic Lodge, No. 110. Tlie
ofiicers are: W.M., J. L. Finch; S.W., Leonard Johnson; J.W,
Calvin Berry ; S.D., E. B. Huffman ; J.D., Joseph Sinclair ; secre-
tary, J. M. Rutherford ; treasurer, John Spurbeck. The society
was organized in 1874, and has a present membership of thirty-
three.
PLEASANT HILL TOWNSHIP.
Pleasant Hill township, commonly described as No. 105 N., R.
6 W. , contains thirty-six full sections of 640 acres each. It is situated
on the ridge between the Mississippi and Root rivers. The old terri-
torial road between La Crosse, Wisconsin, and Mankato, Minnesota,
runs upon this ridge, entering the township at the southeast corner
of section 36 ; thence pursuing a winding diagonal course it leaves
the township about eighty rods south of the north line of section 7.
The northeastern part of the township is drained by Trout creek, the
northwestern part by branches of Cedar creek ; both of these streams
flow into the Mississippi river. The western part is drained by three
branches of Money creek. The principal one is called Corey Valley
creek, in honor of H. A. Corey, who settled just over the line in the
edge of Wiscoy township. The southwestern and southern portions
are drained by branches of Silver creek. The principal one of these
streams is called Loony Valley Run. These streams flow into Root
river. The eastern part is drained by the branches of Pine creek,
known as north branch and south branch. They unite about one
hundred rods east of Pleasant Hill township, at New Hartford post-
office, and flow into the Mississippi river. This township was named
PLEASANT HILL TOWNSHIP. 581
by Joseph Cooper, who came here in December, 1854, and made a
claim. Some time in the spring of 1856 Mr. Cooper made applica-
tion to the postoffice department at Washington for a postoffice, to
be called Pleasant Hill. While awaiting the return from Washing-
ton, he and others organized a school district, and when asked by
the county registrar of deeds at Winona for the name of the town-
ship, he turned to a neighbor, Mr, Reynolds, and asked what they
should call the town. Mr. Reynolds said, "Call it the same as the
postoftice." So he told the recorder it was Pleasant Hill.
The surface of the township is very uneven, the bluffs varying in
height from 200 to 300 feet. Upon the crest of nearly every bluff
can be found the well improved farms of the inhabitants, who are
happy in the possession of their homes, and surrounded by all the
comforts of industry, and the beneficence of an ever-merciful God.
But it is by the views in the valleys that the eye is held as if by
enchantment. Here upon the foot of the hills is seen the cozy
farmhouse, built near some cool spring of water, surrounded by
fruit and ornamental trees ; while in the background are waving
fields of golden grain, flanked with the deep green fields of maize,
or still deeper shades of the woody heights covered with all the
varieties of oak, elm, maple and hickory, interspersed with white
birch and poplar, and clumps of shrub oaks, plum and crab-apple,
draped with the heavily laden grape-vine, and beyond this the steep
slopes covered with hazel-brush, while at every fence corner is found
black or raspberry bushes, loaded with their ripening fruits. Turn-
ing the eye from the hillside to the dale, a more beautiful picture
meets the view. Here is seen the-babbling brook, sparkling in the
sunshine as it pursues its winding course down the valley, rippling
over its pebbly bottom at some steep descent, or tranquilly resting
in some small eddy under a clump of alders or dogwood, invit-
ing the spotted trout to a safe retreat from the pleasure-seeking
angler, who, with jointed rod and horsehair Kne, is seen tossing his
tempting bait into every available portion of the stream. While
upon one side may be seen the beautiful pasture land, extending
from the stream to midway of the hillside, covered with a smooth
sod of bluegrass mixed with red and white clovei*, with here and
there a stout old burr-oak or a magnificent elm affording ample shade
to the white fleeced ewes as they quietly ruminate, surrounded by
their sportive lambs, frisking about through sunlight and shadow,
yet ever careful to keep away from that part of the enclosure where
582 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
the great, sleepy looking cows are cropping the juicy grasses, or stand
chewing the cud in the shade of some of the little groves of alder,
willow or plum-trees. Upon the other side the eye is charmed by
the waving fields of redtop and timothy falling over the sickle of
the mowing machine, while the spring-toothed horserake gathers it
into large windrows, ready to be put into the mow for winter use.
The farmhouse and barns, orchard and woodland, golden grain and
waving maize, stream, pasture and meadow land, all unite in the
sunshine to form a picture which no brush can paint and no pen
describe. And although the township was quite properly named
Pleasant Hill, it will always exist in the mind of the writer as the
township of Pleasant Valleys.
The history of Pleasant Hill township since the first white man
settled in it is one that will undoubtedly interest the majority of its
present inhabitants, and will also be of general interest to the people
of Winona county. The first man to build a house inside of the
present limits of Pleasant Hill township, was Mr. John Hooper, who
is frequently spoken of as " High-low " Hooper, from the fact that
he could not converse in an even tone of voice, but would start a
sentence in a low, gruff tone and change to a high key and back to
a low one without apparently noticing it himself
Mr. Hooper came to Pleasant Hill township by way of the north
branch of Pine creek, in the summer of 1854, and selected a site
near a fine spring of water. Here he built a log house and erected
a blacksmith shop. He made a lot of ox-shoes during the autumn,
and in December he started down Pine Creek valley with his tools
and ropes for shoeing oxen, and wherever he met a man who wanted
his oxen shod, he would cast the oxen, put on the shoes and go on
his way rejoicing. He soon sold out his claim and followed black-
smithing in various places in Winona and Houston counties.
The first man to make a permanent home in the township was
Mr. Joseph Cooper, who came to the "ridge" at the head of the
south branch of Pine creek in December, 1854. Here he exclaimed,
" What a pleasant hill ! " and immediately made a claim of 160
acres of land, lying on the ridge and embracing the heads of South
Branch and Money Creek valleys.
He at once commenced to chop and hew logs for a house, and on
March 20, 1855, he had completed and moved into a log house
22 X 24 feet and one and one-half stories high. He was followed the
PLEASANT HILL TOWNSHIP. 583
same spring by Michael Burns, Andrew Finch, Calvin Grant, Alex-
ander Stedraan and others.
Soon the sound of the woodman's -ax was heard resounding
throughout the length of the ridge, and what once had been the
hunting grounds of the red-man now began to assume the appear-
ance of white habitation. The pioneers had nothing to fear from
wild animals, as there were none more ferocious than the timber or
large grey wolf, which never attacked any of the settlers, though it
would frequently follow them when out at night.
There was an abundance of wild game in the woods, and the
unerring aim of the chopper (who always carried his rifle with him)
often brought down a fine buck as it bounded through his small
clearing. As an instance, showing the plenitude of deer in the early
days, it is stated on authority that two young men named Armstrong
killed 360 deer in the winters of 1855-6.
ROADS.
This township was better provided for with roads than most
adjoining ones. The territorial road was "blazed," and had
been traveled a few times with wagons. The first road ever
laid out by the township was from the center of the east side of
section eight (8) due east through sections nine (9) and ten (10),
thence north about eighty (80) rods, thence east and northeast in a
winding course to the line of New Hartford township. The topog-
raphy of the country is such that it is almost impossible to build the
roads in any direct line ; but such is the energy and determination
of the people that they spare neither labor nor expense, but excavate
roads in the steep hillsides at a cost of from $500 to $800 per mile.
SCHOOLS.
The people showed an early determination to supply their chil-
dren with an opportunity to obtain an education; and as early as the
spring of 1856 an application was made to form a school district in
Pleasant Hill township, to be located near the center of the town-
ship, and a plot for the same was drawn by Mr. Joseph Cooper. The
plot included the majority of the inhabitants on the ridge at that
time. The logs for the schoolhouse were cut early in the summer
of 1856, but owing to some misunderstanding the house was not
built till the spring of 1857.
The house was built of hewn logs, covered with oak shingles.
584 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
The only pine about the building was a blackboard and teachers'
desk. To accommodate the pupils a row of holes was bored around
the inside of the room, and hardwood pins were driven into these
and oak boards laid on the pins. In this rather discouraging look-
ing room Mr. Wm. D. Murray taught the first school, and there are
many young men in the township at this time (1882) to testity to his
ability and kindness. He is invariably spoken of as " Uncle Billy,"
and no one holds any grudge against him on account of misuse or
ill-treatment, but all proclaim him as the man who was invincible in
mathematics. It is pleasing to state that the old log house has been
replaced with a very comfortable frame building, and although
"Uncle Billy " has ceased to teach, he is still living in the township,
and still interested in mathematics.
EELIGIOtJS ORGANIZAnONS.
The people who left the more prosperous parts of the east soon
felt a need of spiritual as well as physical food. In the early part
of March, 1856, several families in the northeast part of the township
gathered at the house of Alexander Stedman for divine worship.
Here Rev. Joseph F. Hamblen, a Free Will Baptist preacher,
preached to them, and, assisted by his brother, Mr. Wm. B. Ham-
blen, an eccentric, self-styled, missionary, he soon had a church
organized, and regular services were held afterward. Soon after this
a Methodist organization was formed in the northwest part of the
township, but it soon united with members in Wiscoy township, and
services were held at the joint schoolhouse, situated a few rods west
of Pleasant Hill, in the town of Wiscoy.
In 1872 the people of Catholic persuasion decided to build a
church in Pleasant Hill, and during the winter of 1872-3 a very
neat building was erected on the N.E. J of N.E. J Sec. 21. The
land was owned by Mr. Cooper, who at first gave one acre for church
site. The congregation afterward purchased one acre, and now have
a fine cemetery in the grounds adjoining the church. The church
was dedicated in the winter of 1873-1 and styled St. Patrick's church.
The first person buried in the cemetery was John McCaffrey, of
Pleasant Hill.
There are also two Protestant cemeteries in Pleasant Hill ; one
situated on the N.E. J of Sec. 11 is by far the finest one in the town.
It contains two acres, and is pleasantly situated on the southeast
slope of a beautiful hiU and contains some very fine slabs and monu-
WISCOY TOWNSHIP. 585
merits, designating the resting-places of the beloved departed. Tlie
iirst person that died in Pleasant Hill was a child of Geo. B. Nich-
olson. It died in the early part of December, 1856. Mr. Alexander
Stedman took the coffin upon his horse, and followed by a few neigh-
bors^ also on horseback, carried it via of an old Indian trail, down
the valley to Pickwick, where it was buried. It was afterward re-
moved to this cemetery.
The other cemetery is in Sec. 22, but it is not so well cared for
as the others, and is 'almost obscured by the small oak bushes which
are allowed to grow in it. The first person buried here was Mr.
Eddy, who immigrated to this country in 1855.
The first and only store ever kept in this township was in a frame
building 18x24 ft.; moved in sections from Kichmond, Minnesota,
to the northwest corner of the southwest quarter of section nine (9),
where it was filled with dry goods and groceries by Martin & Banks
in the summer of 1859, and was profitably run till the early spring
of 1864, when the store and contents were consumed by fire, since
which no attempt has been made to open another store.
. CHAPTEK LI.
WISCOT, WILSON, WARREN AND HILLSDALE TOWNSHIPS.
WISCOY TOWNSHIP.
Wiscol' township lies in T. 105, R. 7. Its boundaries are, on the
north Wilson township, on the east Pleasant Hill township, on
the south Houston county, and on the west by Hart township. It
comprises thirty-six complete sections. The surface, like that of the
neighboring country, is very much broken. Money Creek valley,
a deep valley running almost north and south, is traversed by a
stream which bears its name. There are two branches of this creek,
the east branch and west branch. The main stream enters the
township on Sec. 35. The east branch flows north through Sees.
27, 26 and 24, while the west branch traverses Sees. 28, 29, 20, 16.
This subdivides and flows north through Sees. 8, 9, 7 and 5.
The soil is productive, raising wheat, corn, oats and barley. The
average crop is said to be, wheat per acre, 15 bushels ; corn 50
58<i) HISTORY OF WIT^ONA COUNTY.
bushels; oats, 40 bushels; barlej, "small quantities." Timber is
plentiful throughout the township. There are but three district
schools in Wiscoy, namely, on Sees. 12, 16 and 27. There are in
all about 150 pupils in the township. The first school was the one
now standing on Sec. 12, built 1857. The first teacher was Eufus
Thomas. There is one cemetery in Wiscoy, standing on Sec. 16,
laid out in 1866. A Methodist Episcopal church stands on Sec. 12.
It has a very small membership, and its insignificant history is en-
veloped in comparative obscurity. Wiscoy has two flourmills, one
standing on Sec. 29, owned by Judson Wells (a frame building
erected in 1856, and having a capacity of fifty barrels per day).
Another mill owned by L. J. Clark, built 1 865, stands on Sec. 16,
and has a capacity of forty barrels per day. The first postoflice in
Wiscoy was kept by Benton Aldrich as early as 1857 on Sec. 36.
James Clark took charge of the oflfice in 1873, and has been post-
master since that time. The first settler in Wiscoy was Ira A.
Boianton, who came in 1855 and settled on Sec. 12. Ira Boianton
is now dead, but the farm is in the hands of his children and widow.
A. F. Hill arrived the same year and took up a farm on the same
section. H. A. Corey and Lemuel Abell came to Wiscoy the same
year (1855). H. A. Corey settled on Sec. 24, in Money Creek val-
ley. He is still living and in possession of his farm. Lemuel Abell
settled on N.W. J of Sec. 3. O. G. Morrison arrived in 1857 and
entered a part of Sec. 27. Both Lemuel Abell and O. G. Morrison
have kept their farms without changing hands. The township was
organized and the first meeting held May 10, 1858. Rufus Thomas
was appointed town clerk. The members of the first board were :
Lemuel Abell, Joseph Brooks, supervisors ; H. A. Corey, assessor ;
Franklin Vidits, collector ; James Greenfield, overseer of the poor ;
Calmer Harris, Edward Taylor, justices of the peace ; Esben Skin-
kle, A. B. Watsen, constables. The town clerks in order : Rufus
Thomas, 1858-9 ; S. G. Jones, 1859-60 ; C. A. Fuller, 1860-62 ;
C. A. Wheeler, 1862-65 ; M. S. Wood, 1865-67 ; C. A. Wheeler,
1867-8; D. W. Pickart, 1868-9; S. G. Jones, 1869-72; James
Clark, 1872-82-3. Present board : E. Skinkle, Charles Waldo,
B. C. Walling, supervisors ; Daniel Cook, justice of the peace ; Wm.
Morse, Albert Warner, constables ; Daniel Cook, treasurer.
WITOKA VILLAGE,
Witoka was laid out in 1855 by Geo. W. Morse, L. Thomas and
David Parker. It lies on Sec. 35 and comprises an area of fifty-
WISCOY TOWNSHIP. 587
eight acres. It was known at first by the name of Centerville, but
was afterward changed to Witoka. L. Thomas came May 16, 1855,
and built the first house in the village. He also put up a store for
the sale of general merchandise. The same year Calvin Ford came
and started a store also. A blacksmith shop was built at this time
by Wm. Jones, who was followed by Harvey Bourne. The first
postoffice was established in 1856 ; L. Thomas was the postmaster.
During the first year he carried the mail at his own expense, but
at the end of that time a mail route was established. The first
marriage was that of Becky Smith to Wm. More in 1857. In 1856
a small dwelling-house was built which was turned into a school-
house. This school was taught by Rufus Thomas. A district school
was erected in 1857 ; the first teacher was Charlotte French. There
was a doctor in the village at this time. Dr. Samuel Miller. Divine
service was held as early as 1855, in the house of L. Thomas,
presided over by Rev. Cogswill. The next year, 1856, a series of
sermons were delivered every four weeks by Elder L. Babcock, in
the same place. After this meetings were held in the schoolhouse,
by both Methodist and Baptist ministers. The first hotel in Witoka,
a large frame building, was owned by L. Thomas, and was burned
in 1877. At present there are two towns, known respectively as
West or Old Witoka and East or New Witoka. All the residence
part of the village is in West Witoka, while the business part,
stores, hotel, etc., lies in East Witoka. East Witoka lies directly
on the line between Wilson and Wiscoy townships. When the
Pleasant Valley road was laid out in 1878, all the stores, etc., left
the old town and came over to East Witoka. At present writing
there are two stores in East Witoka, kept respectively by O. Abell
and George Yougs ; two blacksmith shops, owned by Phillip
Bourne and B. Bragg ; two wagon shops, worked by B. Bragg and
Walter Crandell ; a large brick hotel two stories high, run by L.
Thomas. The dimensions of the hotel are 34 X 24 feet, with a wing
26x18. The postmaster is O. Abell. A fine graded school was
built in West Witoka in 1868. It is a frame building with a dimen-
sion of 80x30 feet. The school has two departments; the "prin-
cipal" is W. Wilbur, with Emma Stray er as "assistant." J.
Crandall is the village physician. There is one church in West
Witoka, the Congregational. The building was intended for the
use of a grangers' hall, but was sold in 1879 to the church. Rev.
Elmer was the first pastor ; he was replaced in 1880 by the present
588 lllSTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
pastor, H. A. Bushnell. A Sabbath school exists in connection
with the church, with an average attendance of sixty-five pupils.
Henry Kader is the superintendent. There is one society in Witoka,
the "Witoka Grange.'' This association was organized in 1870,
with a membership of 14A. The officers for 1882 were : G. M.
Riley, worthy master ; J. E. Balcli, secretary ; H. Neman, treasurer.
Its object is mutual protection from monopolies and exorbitant
charges for transportation.
WILSON TOWNSHIP.
"Wilson township lies in T. 106 and R. 6. It is bounded on the
north by Winona township, on the south by Wiscoy township, on
the east by Homer township and on the west by Warren township.
The surface is very much broken, and is divided by the bluffs into
two valleys running north and south. These valleys are traversed
by two creeks, West Burns Valley creek and East Burns Yalley
creek. West Burns Yalley creek rises in Sec. 15 and flows northeast
through the valley, and joins the east branch on N.E. J Sec. 8.
East Burns Yalley creek has its source in Sec. 9, flows north to Sec.
3, where the two unite and leave the township on Sec. 2. The soil
is productive and wheat, corn, oats and barley are raised. In an
early day this land was thickly covered with timber, which has now
been to a great extent cut down. The township comprises thirty-six
complete sections, and measures six miles in each direction. It
was organized May 11, 1858, with W. W. Kelly as town clerk.
The officers appointed at this first meeting were : J. S. Wilson
(chairman), D. McDougall, Myron Toms, supervisors ; M. W. Crit-
tindon, assessor ; Amos Shepherd, collector ; William Jones, over-
seer of the poor ; William Jones, Alvin Lufkins, constables ; Ren el
D. Fellows, Dexter Shepherd, justices of the peace.
At this first meeting there were seventy-seven votes cast. The
following are the town clerks in order up to the year 1882 : W. W.
Kelly, 1858-60 ; J. A. Gile, 1860-1 ; E. P. Wait, 1861-2 ; James
Lynn, 1862-3 ; Mason Leet, 1863-4 ; J. C. Brown, 1864-5 ;
James Lynn, 1865-6 ; Norris Grey, 1866-7 ; J. A. Gile, 1867-8 ;
R. D. Fellows, 1870-2 ; Joseph Bockler, 1872-3 ; R. D. Fellows,
1873-4 ; Joseph Bockler, 1874-8 ; R. D. Fellows, 1878-81 ; J.
E. Balch, 1881-2-3. The board for the year 1882 were : J.
Moran, Arnold Gernes, John Nevill, supervisors; J. C. Brown,
WARREN TOWNSHIP. 589
assessor ; Wm. A. Abell, Fred. Dobblestein, constables ; Theodore
Searle, Andrew Gerlicher, justices of tlie peace.
The average crop for the year 1882 is said to be, oats per acre,
45 bushels ; wheat per acre, 12 bushels ; corn per acre, 40 bushels ;
barley per acre, 20 bushels.
Wilson township has seven district schools ; they stand on the
following sections : 18, 13, 20, 28, 31, 32, 35. The county poor
farm is in this township ; it lies on Sec. 6 at the head of Gilmore
valley. There are four churches in Wilson township, namely, Con-
gregational, on Sec. 35 (village of Witoka) ; Evangelist (German),
on Sec. 28 ; German Catholic and Lutheran.
There are two postoffices in Wilson township, one at Witoka, O.
Abell, postmaster ; another on Sec. 29 is kept by Henry Blaiser —
this is known as Wilson postoffice. The first house in the township
was built by J. Giles in 1854 on Sec. 29. Frank Brown was the
first child born, in 1854. The postoffice now known as Wilson
postofiice was first called Wayland postoffice, and was kept by John
F. Giles. John Giles was no doubt the first man to settle in Wilson ;
he came as early as 1853 and entered a part of what is now Sec. 29.
, He was, however, dissatisfied with his claim, and removed, but re-
turned again in 1854. The year 1855 was marked by the entrance
of a large number of land-seekers. J. C. Walker, Antone Schoebe,
Joseph A. Hilbe, Joseph Heller, Wm. Bergman, Sr., Wm. Berg-
man, Jr., Louis Keller, Levi Winget, Jerry Moran, R. D. Fellows,
Michael Koenig, Henry Benig, Lauren Thomas and Henry Heublin
all were among the number.
John Nevill is said to have come in 1854, one year earlier than
the above. J. C. Walker entered a part of Sec. 1 ; his farm has
since been sold, and is known as ' ' Hamilton's farm. " Antone
Schoebe and Joseph Hilbe took up land in East Burns valley.
Joseph Heller entered land at the head of Rolling Stone valley.
Louis Keller settled on Sec. 28, where he can be found still. Henry
Benig settled on Sec. 30 and Michael Koenig on Sec. 21. The flour-
mill now owned by M. J. Laird, of Winona, was the first and only
mill in Wilson.
WARREN TOWNSHIP.
Warren township lies in T. 106 N. and R. 8 W. Its boun-
daries are as follows : On the north Hillsdale township, on the east
Wilson township, on the south Hart township, and on the west
Utica township. The surface in the north and northeastern part is
590 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
verj much broken, while the remainder forms a level prairie. The
soil is good and the products are wheat, corn, oats and barley. War-
ren is traversed by two branches of Kolling Stone creek. The east
branch rises in Sec. 26, flows north through Sees. 23, 14, 11,
10, 3 and 2, leaving the township on Sec. 3. The west branch
rises in Sees. 7 and 8, flows northeast through Sec. 5 and leaves the
township on Sec. 5. Warren is also cut by the Winona & St.
Peter railway, which enters the township on N.W. ^ of the N.E. J
Sec. 4, runs southwest through Sees. 5, 18, 17 and 8, and leaves it
on S.W. J of Sec. 18. Warren has no village settlements whatever.
There are two postofliees, each in the southern portion of the
township. Wyattville postoflice is in Sec. 33 ; it was established
about 1859, with Hiram Wyatt as postmaster. Frank Hill postoflice
was established at the same time, with A. B. Dunlap as postmaster.
About 1862 two other postofliees were in existence, one in Sec. 19
and the other in Sec. 20. The one in Sec. 19 was known as North
Warren, and kept by L. C. Ferrin ; the one in See. 20 was kept by
Hiram Paris, and was known simply as Warren postoffice. Both
of these were abandoned soon after their establishment. In 1856 a
large hotel or tavern was kept for the accommodation of travelers
by James McQuestion on Sec. 20. This hotel was burned some time
in 1865. A store devoted to general merchandise was owned and
run by Farrar & Russell in 1859 on See. 33. This has been aban-
doned long since. A flour-mill was built in 1857 ; this was at flrst
used as a sawmill, but was converted into a gristmill in 1865. This
mill stands on Sec. 4, and is owned by William Duncanson ; its
capacity is very small.
Leonard George kept a school in 1856 in a private house which
stood on Sec. 21. The next school was kept by Margaret Grey in
a little sehoolhouse built on See. 31 in 1857. Susan Buswell
taught the next in 1858 ; this was in Sec. 20.
William Duncanson caine to Warren township in the spring of
1854 from La Crosse. The flrst wagon track was made by him
through this section on June 5, 1854. He settled on what is now
theN.E.JofS.E. iSec. 20. In the fall of 1854 Theodore, sonof Wm.
Duncanson, was born ; this was undoubtedly the first birth in the
township. The flrst laid-out road was that known then as the ter-
ritorial road, running from Chatfleld through Rush Creek and Sec.
20 to Stockton.
Church service was flrst held in the various schoolhouses. At
WARREN TOWNSHIP. 591
present there are the following churches : Methodist, in Sec. 20 ;
Presbyterian, in Sec. 36 ; Brethren, in Sec. 19. To each of these
is attached a cemetery.
William Duncanson, of whom mention lias been made, was the
oldest settler in Warren. He came in June, 1854. He was fol-
lowed in the fall by Jacob Duncanson, his brother. Jacob Duncan-
son, with his family, settled on Sec. 21 ; Oliver Panger and A, J.
Ayers arrived at the same time and entered part of Sec. 19. The
following made their appearance in 1855 : Joseph Mixter, Lucius
Brainerd, Frederick Hall, Moses Stickney, Hiram Wyatt, Sylvester
Frink, E. B. Jewett, Mortimer Gage and H. P. Archer. The fol-
lowing came in 1856 : Theodore Warnkan, Arnt Warnkan, John
Demoung and Jessie Wheeler.
Warren township has six district schools.- Sec. 8, district 40 ;
Sec. 12, dist. Ill ; Sec. 19, dist. 36 ; Sec. 21, dist. 39 ; Sec. 32, dist.
6 ; Sec. 34, dist. 5.
The first meeting was held and the township organized May 11,
1858. G. W. Gleason was appointed town clerk. The board
elected : Supervisors, A. P. Hoit, L. B. Terrin, T. Thayer ; con-
stable, W. P. Thayer ; overseer of the poor, Sylvester Frink ; justice
of the peace, Jesse Wheeler ; collector, I. K. Farrar ; assessor,
Lucius Brainerd. The town clerks in succession were G. W, Gleason,
M. P. Thayer, E. B. Jewett, B. S. Gross, W. N. Buswell, E. M.
Buswell, W. N. Buswell, E. M. Buswell, W. E^. Buswell, E. B.
Jewett, M. P. Thayer, H. C. Wilbur, J. A. Ginther, H. D. Gage,
John Kenny, H. C. Wilbur (present clerk). Board elected in 1882
were as follows :• Supervisors, E. M. Buswell, Edward Markle, Wm.
Felzer ; constables, Fred. Janzow, Edward Albert ; justices of the
peace, John L. Farrar, John Miller ; asssessor, J. L. Farrar ; treas-
urer, Almon Sartwell.
A stone-quarry, on Sec. 3 of Warren township, employs from
200 to 400 men during the summer months. A variety of limestone,
very valuable for building purposes, is taken from this quarry, [t
is owned by the Chicago & Northwestern railway, and has been
worked for four years.
Brethren Church of Warren township. — This church was organ-
ized in the year 1855, with the following official members : Phillip
Earner, elder ; David Whetstone, deacon, and Christian F. Wirt,
pastor. The lay members were Stephen Thackery and wife, Solo-
mon Ramer and wife, Peter Ramer and wife, Daniel Ramer and
592 HISTORY OF WESTOlSrA couisrTY. .
wife, Andrew Reterman and wife. The membersliip at first num-
bered sixteen. It is impossible to give the complete history of this
church, as the record has not always been kept. This much, how-
ever, is known. In the first three years of its organization four
members died and several removed from the country, while a few
deserted the church and united with the Advents. The church up
to 1874 held service in the schoolhouse. In 1874 a building was
erected to be used as a church. It was a frame structure, 30x50
feet. They possessed a plot of one and a half acres for church and
cemetery. The new church cost $1,600, and stands on Sec. 19.
A Sabbath school connected with the church is in a good condition.
Presbyterian {German) Church of Warren township. — Regularly
organized in 1873. Prominent original members : John Lafky,
Peter Hertz wurm, Paul Loerch, John Lafky, Jr. The church is a
frame building, put up in 1874. It is forty feet long and twenty-four
feet wide, and stands on Sec. 36. Connected with the church is
eight acres of land and a cemetery. The ministers in order are
John L. Funk, Jacob Schaeder, John Leirer, August Bush. A neat
frame parsonage is connected with the church. Tlie membership is
said to be twenty-four.
HILLSDALE TOWNSHIP.
Hillsdale is but one-half of an entire township comprising
eighteen complete sections in all. Its boundaries are, on the north
Rolling Stone, on the east Winona, on the south Warren, and on the
west Norton. It is six miles long and three miles wide. On the
north, e'&.st and south portions the surface is broken, while to the
northwest there is a slight prairie land or "grubb land" as it is
sometimes called. It has a limestone soil composed of a rich dark
loam. One of the early pioneers, while breaking land on the
present site of Stockton, dropped potatoes along in the furrows as
he plowed and at the same time turned the sod over them. The
land was not touched again until fall, when out of the one-fourth
acre of land he dug 110 bushels of potatoes. (The richness of the
soil can be imagined.) Timber was plentiful at first, especially
along the streams. There were several kinds of oak besides hickory
and butternut. Oak is plentiful still. Among the animals were
deer, red-fox, prairie-wolf, badgers, woodchucks and beavers in the
streams. The early pioneers, shut out almost entirely from the east
except in summer, found it difficult to secure provisions. Deer and
HILLSDALE TOWNSHIP. 593
prairie-chickens were numerous, and venison was a great article of
food. Potatoes alone brought $1.40 per bushel, and other things in
proportion. Timber was plentiful, but lumber was scarce. J. H.
Swindler says he built him a house in 1855, 14x16 feet, out of
1,200 feet of lumber; the dimension pieces and framework were
taken from the neighboring woods. The earliest settlers were a few
of the members of the " Western Farm and Village Association " of
New York city. S. D. Putnam, Charles Bannan and Lawrence
Dilworth all came in 1852, and were members of the above company.
S. A. Houck, O. H. Houck and John McClintock came in 1853.
In 1855 J. J. Matteson, John Hart, C. Hertzberg, Jabez Churchill
and J. H. Swindler arrived. S. D. Putnam entered the N.E. ^ of
Sec. 27 in June, 1852. Charles Bannan entered a part of Sec. 23
and John McClintock a part of Sec. 27. Lawrence Dilworth settled
on Sec. 23, J, J. Matteson on Sec. 26 and John Hart on Sec. 23.
What is now known as district 31 on Sec. 23 is said to have
been the first school in Hillsdale. It was built early in 1857 by pri-
vate subscription, the districts not being organized at that time. The
schools at present, with their section and districts, are : District 81
on Sec. 31, dist. 97 on Sec. 30, dist. 31 on Sec. 23, dist. 110 on
Sec. 36, dist. 17 on Sec. 34. The average number of pupils in
Hillsdale for 1882 is 203.
A grist-mill was built in 1865 on Sec. 26, by Benjamin Sherry.
It was two and one-half stories high and had two run of burrs. It
stood on Rolling Stone creek. At present writing it is owned by
H. W. Jackson. The Winona & St. Peter railway runs through the
township in a northeasterly and southwesterly direction. It has a
station at Stockton.- Hillsdale is also traversed by Kolling Stone
creek, which enters the township on Sec. 34, flows north through
Sees. 27 and 26, and leaves the township on Sec. 23.
The township was organized and the first board appointed May
11, 1858 : J. B. Alexander, town clerk ; L. P. King, James Gwinn,
M. Collins, supervisors ; J. B. Morehead, assessor ; O. D. Hicks,
collector ; Henry Wiseman, overseer of the poor ; T. Q. Gage, jus-
tice of the peace ; S. T. Gwinn, J. Schmettyer, constables. Suc-
cessive town clerks : J. B. Alexander, C. E. Gage, J. B. Alexan-
der, A. S. Gregory, George*Little, John A. Moore, J. N. Byington.
Wm. H. Churchill, George S. Wiseman, J. N. Byington, H. W.-
Mowbray, B. Dripps, F. A. Thomas, James Mitchell (present town
clerk). Present board : John Monk, W. H. Jackson, H. J. Krans-
594 HISTOEY OF WINONA COUNTY.
key, supervisors ; S. T. Gwinn, John Midler, constables ; James
King, Henry Kranskey, justices ol the peace ; James King, col-
lector ; George McNutt, treasurer.
STOCKTON VILLAGE.
The village of Stockton, in Hillsdale township, was laid out in
the summer of 1856, although the land was pre-empted in 1855 ; J.
B. Stockton, Wm. Davidson and Wm, Springer were the proprietoi's.
The town was named after J. B. Stockton ; Stockton stands on the
E. -J of Sec. 34. The plat is one mile long and one-half mile wide,
and embraces an area of 320 acres. Rolling Stone creek enters the
town plat on the west and flows northeast through the village.
Stockton stands in the main Rolling Stone valley, sometimes spoken
of as the ' ' west branch. "'
In the summer of 1855 H. A. Putnam emigrated to this section
with his family, and built a frame building, 24x18 feet, which was
used both as a dwelling and as a store for general merchanclise.
This was undoubtedly the j&rst house erected. Among the early
residents may be mentioned : George Gregory and family, Rev.
Wm. Poling, John Dacon (blacksmith), Andrew Miller (carpenter),
Henry Parrot (wagonmaker), Robert Curtis (blacksmith), Henry
Wiseman and John Alexander, Wiseman and Alexander owned a
carpenter and wagon shop in 1857. The year 1858 was marked by
the grading of the "Transit railway" (now Winona & St. Peter),
which cut through the town. The population were pleased with the
new venture and were anxious for its completion, but when the
company failed and were unable to pay their bills for labor and
goods, the enterprise was looked upon with disfavor. The road was
then purchased by the Winona & St. Peter company, aisd completed
in 1861.
J. B. Stockton was the proprietor of the flrst hotel in 1856.
Wm. Dodge was the lirst postmaster in Stockton. The ofhce was
kept in 1856 just south of the town line. The present mill was built
in the shape of a sawmill in 1855, by Wm. Dodge. In 1857 it was
sold to Starbuck & Jones, who* converted it into a gristmill with
two run of burrs. In 1859 it passed into the hands of Hugh Sherry,
who sold a half interest to Dr. S. B. Sl^jeardown. It was run by the
i^above for five years, when it was purchased by Mowbray & Sons,
the present possessors. In 1879 the old burrs were abandoned and
new patent rolling and crushing machinery put in. The capacity is
HILLSDALE TOWNSHIP. 595
now 250 bbls. per day. Rolling Stone creek supplies half the power,
the remainder is secured by steam-engines. The mill is a frame
structure, three stories high, and doing a lively business. The first
school, a frame building, 20x28 feet, was built in 1857, and was
taught by Albert Thomas. The present school, a large frame build-
ing, was built in 1875. It has a dimension of 28x50 feet. There
are two departments, a primary and intermediate department. Two
teachers and an average attendance of 100 pupils. This school is
doing some good work.
Present merchants are as follows : Thomas & Swindler, general
merchandise, also drugstore ; Sheardown & Sheardown, general
merchandise and drugs ; James Mitchell, hardware and boots and
shoes ; Simon Ramm, general merchandise. Two physicians,
namely. Dr. S. B. Sheardown, Sr. ; Dr. T. B. Sheardown, Jr. Two
blacksmith shops kept by Christopher Lowerish and Geo. McNutt.
Stockton has two churches, the Episcopal and Methodist. The
services of the Episcopal church were held at first in the schoolhouse
at Stockton. The first minister was Rev. Benj. Evans. The con-
gregation was regularly organized in 1859, and a church building
was erected the same year. This structure is of frame, 32 X 42 feet,
with a spire forty-five feet high. Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Bond, Wm.
H. Bayard and family, J. A. Moore and family and John Monk and
family were the prominent original members. For several years the
church has been without a regular minister. Rev. Joseph Hilmer,
of Winona, has charge of the congregation at present.
Methodist church meetings were held in Stockton's Hotel as
early as 1856, Rev. A. J. Kelson presiding, These were continued
until 1857, at the building of the schoolhouse, when it was used.
Rev. Wm. Poling was appointed minister by the conference in
1857. A fi-ame church was built in 1872 ; dimensions, 40x32 feet;
tower or belfry, fifteen feet (above roof). Rev. Wm. H. Soule was
the first minister appointed for the new church. Present member-
ship, forty-four.
A Sabbath school was organized in 1856 by Mrs. H. A. Putnam,
in her own house. The present school has a membership of fifty,
with five teachers. Rev. W. A. Miles is the minister for 1883.
Temperance Society. — Refuge Division of the Sons of Temper-
ance, No. 71.
This society was chartered in 1876, with twenty-five charter
members. For quite a while this was a fiourishing society and 'lid
35
596 HISTOEY OF WINONA coihstty.
much good for the communitj, but at present it has fallen into
decay. The officers are : W. H. Thomas, W.P.; Mrs. Mary Blair,
K.S.'; Leila McKutt, F.S.; Frank Mitchell, I.S.; Alex. Torrence,
O.S. ;<»r. E. Blair, Treas. ; Greo. Eissinger, Chap. Charter mem-
bers at present, forty.
Lyceium. — A literary and debating society, organized for mutual
benefit. Officers : S. B. Sheardown, president ; W, H. Thomas,
secretary ; K. H. Allen, treasurer.
Stockton cemetery, having an area of two acres, was laid out in
1860, at the north end of the town plat. The main streets are four
rods wide, excepting Broadway, which is six rods wide. The alleys
are sixteen feet. The population is said to be 383.
CHAPTER LTI.
NORTON, MOUNl' VERNON, WHITEWATER AND ELBA TOWNSHIPS.
NORTON TOWNSHIP.
This townsliip when organized. May 11, 1858, was given the
name of Sumner. It was afterward changed to Jefferson and
finally to Norton, its present name. The town line passing through
its center locates it in T. 107, while the range places it in 9 west.
It is bounded on the north by Mt. Yernon, on the east by Rolling
Stone and Hillsdale, on the south by Utica and on the west by Elba.
The surface in the central and southern parts is what is known as
rolling, open land, and contains some of the best land in the county.
While in the eastern portion the land is very much broken.
Rolling Stone valley, traversed by a branch of Rolling Stone
creek, is in this locality. This valley is said to be from 400 to 500
feet deep. The scenery is wild and romantic. The wagon road
winds around, in and out along the edges of frightful precipices and
under immense overhanging rocks hundreds of feet overhead. A
great attraction in this valley or ravine is a large cave which reaches
over a quarter of a mile underground, and is filled with stalactites
and curious stones. Elm, ash, basswood, oak, hickory, and some
maple, are found along this valley. On the high land water is very
S3J.V2e. The water is hauled from the valleys and put in large
NORTON TOWNSHIP. 597
cisterns, or in some cases wells are drilled 500 feet deep through the
rock, and the water drawn up with a windmill. When the early
pioneers made their appearance in 1855 wolves were numerous, and
black bears were seen occasionally. Deer have been known to
come up and eat along with the cattle, and one old settler had a
large flock of quail that he fed regularly near his cabin.
Out of a large number of pioneers that made their homes in this
locality there are scarcely a half-dozen remaining. A large number
have died, and a large number have sold their farms and emigrated
to Dakota. Wm. Sweet entered what is now the S.E. ^ Sec. 32, in
the early part of May, 1852. It will be of interest to note that this
was the first claim made back of the bluffs from the Mississippi
river in Winona county. John Van Hook is the next man supposed
to have made his appearance. In 1854 he pre-empted what is now
S.E. i Sec. 30. Alios Sch wager, Adam Hick, John Monk, Wm.
Ruprecht, Pardon Spooner, J. R. Warner and Michael Moore, all
came the next year (1855). Alios Sch wager settled in Rolling
Stone valley on what is now Sec. 15. Adam Hick took up N.W. ^
Sec. 28 ; John Monk the S.E. J Sec. 36 ; Michael Moore the S.E. J
Sec. 22 ; J. R. Warner the S. W. ^ Sec. 33 ; Pardon Spooner the
S.W. I Sec. 32, while Wm. Ruprecht settled on Sec. 25. Peter
Epelding came in 1855, and settled on Sec. 24 ; J. P. and H. N.
Hilbert came in 1855, and settled on Sec. 12. Each of the above
were prominent among the early pioneers.
A postoffice was kept as early as 1864 by Fredrich Gensmer.
Ely Turner succeeded him in 1866. The postoffice was abandoned
some time in 1868. Since then Norton has been without a post-
ofiice. Wm. Ruprecht built a sawmill in 1860, on Sec. 25, on
Rolling Stone creek. The water-power at that point was found to
be excellent, so in 1875 it was turned into a gristmill with two run
of burrs. This was a frame building, 34x20 feet, and two stories
high. In 1882 the mill was enlarged and new patent rolling and
crushing machinery was added. The mill has a custom business
principally. Norton has no village organization, no physician, no
lawyer, and above all no saloon.
There are five district schools, namely, District 28 in Sec. 28,
dist. 127 in Sec. 27, dist. 26 in Sec. 13, dist. 101 in Sec. 17,
dist. 100 in Sec. 8. Besides these there is one German Catholic
school on Sec. 31. This school was organized by private enterprise.
There are three churches in the township. German Lutheran on Sec.
598 HISTORY OF WIlSrONA COUNTY.
2Y, Brethren church on Sec. 8, and the German Methodist Episcopal
on Sec. 5 (now abandoned). The German Lutheran church is a
white frame building with a neat exterior appearance. It stands on
Sec. 27, and was built in 1878. It is 28x40 feet, and has a spire 60
feet in height. They have a school building 18x24 feet, and a
parsonage, besides two acres of land. School has been kept since
1878, — a German district school in summer and an English school in
winter. Congregation of the church numbers about fifteen families.
They have circuit preaching at present. Rev. Otto Koch, of Lewis-
ton, is the present minister.
There are two cemeteries in Norton, one attached to the Lutheran
and another to the Brethren church. At present the population are
mostly Prussian Germans. Some of these have been known to
come in with nothing but a few head of cattle, and by hard work
and perseverance have secured themselves large and valuable farms.
Three hundred votes were cast at the last election in the township.
MOUNT VERNON TOWNSHIP.
T. 108, R. 9, was settled about the same time as the adjoining
towns, more particularly Minneiska, in Wabasha county, which
bounds it on the west. Some of the earliest settlers were White-
man, Deacon Smith, Brizius and Patrick Murray, in Trout valley,
Williams and Smith on tlie ridge, who were quickly followed by
others, and all the available land was soon taken up. Not a section
of the township but what is more or less productive and under cul-
tivation. The Trout valley intersects it, running almost north and
south, while the eastern and western portions are considerably
broken by valleys, containing considerable timber, while on the
ridges is to be found good prairie land.
ORGANIZATION.
The first town meeting was held at the house of S. N. Burns,
May 11, 1858, and the following officers were elected : G. A. White-
man, Patrick Murray, H. C. Jones, supervisors ; G. A. Whiteman,
chairman of supervisors ; Charles Smith, town clerk ; Samuel Bul-
lard, assessor ; Lyman Lovel, collector ; M. Malmson, overseer of
poor ; John Montgomery, justice.
The following is the list of gentlemen who have filled the posi-
tions of chairman of supervisors and town clerk up to 1883 :
MOUNT VERNON TOWNSHIP. 599
YEAR. CII. OF SUPERVISORS. TOWN CLERK.
1858 G. A. Whiteman Charles Smith.
1859 H. C. Jones Charles Smith.
1860 G. Billiard Charles Smith.
1861 H. C. Jones Charles Smith.
1862 P. Murray Charles Smith.
1863 P. Murray Charles Smith.
1864 8.U. Bullard ... .Charles Smith.
1865 Joseph Taylor Charles Smith.
1866 S. M. Bullard Charles Smith.
1867 S. M. Bullard Charles Smith.
1868 C. H. Molecha Charles Smith.
1869 S. Speakman J. H. Williams.
1870 A. Steavor J. H. Williams.
1871 A. Steavor N. W. Osborn.
1872 S. Bullard N. W. Osborn.
1873 S. Bullard N. F. Richards.
1874 John Valentine J. H. Williams.
1875 John Valentine J. H. Williams.
1876 Peter Speltz J. H. Williams.
1877 Peter Speltz J. H. Williams.
1878 S. Bullard J. H. Williams.
1879 S. Bullard N. Schell, Jr.
1880 S. Bullard N. Schell, Jr.
1881 J. H. Williams N. Schell, Jr.
1882 • J. H. Williams N. Schell, Jr.
Good roads are constructed on the ridges and in the valleys, and
considerable money has been expended on the improvement. The
first road laid out by the township was ordered July 5, 1858, four
rods wide, commencing at Sec. 17 and running two miles through
the Trout vallev.
There are four school districts with four good substantial school-
houses; the first one built was at Oak Ridge. Previous to the
erection of any schoolhouse, ©r opening of any public school, the
wife of Deacon Smith, in Trout valley, was persuaded by a few of
her neighbors to teach their children, which she willingly did, teach-
ing gratuitously the few she could gather in the then almost unbroken
wilderness. A few years have since rolled by, and now as good
schools and as efficient teachers minister to the wants of the young as
are to be found in the country.
600 HISTORY OF WESrONA COUNTY.
CHURCHES.
The township contains two churches, both German, — Catholic
and Methodist. The Methodist was the first one erected, a plain
frame building, at Oak Kidge. Religious services are co-equal with
the advent of the settlers, services being held by pastors from
adjoining towns in private houses. The Methodists have a large
and thriving congregation. On December 5, 1875, a meeting of
Catholics was held at the house of John Speltz, for the purpose of
organizing a congregation and the erection of a church, which
resulted in the building of a handsome brick edifice at Oak Ridge,
at a cost of $3,000, with a seating capacity of 400. The corner-stone
was laid in May, 1876, and finished and consecrated in August of
the same year. The parish is in charge of Father Lawrence. The
erection and successful completion of the church is due, in a great
measure, to the efforts of Peter and John Speltz, Casper Kriede-
macher, A. Stever, M. Hitinger, Jacob Frisch, N. Reis, M,
Sibenaler, N. Walch, N. Gidenger, P. Stever, IS". Muller and others.
CEMETERIES.
There are three burying-places in the township, two public and
one Catholic. The first public one was ordered laid out May 27,
1873, near John Smith's, on the ridge. The Roman Catholics have
theirs in connection with their church ; the first interment in which
was October 16, 1876, the wife of Peter Speltz. The other public
cemetery is near the Methodist church at Oak Ridge.
WAB RECORD.
The township then containing very few men that could be spared
and but sparsely settled and with but recent C(5mers, did all that was
possible under the circumstances in defense of the country's flag.
The town offered a bounty of $125 on February 12, 1864, to
volunteers, and increased it at a special meeting called for that
purpose August 20, 1864, to $250, and again at another meeting
held January 23, 1865, agreed to pay $137 additional to volunteers
in service credited to the town previous to February 1, 1864, and
also to men drafted and credited to the town under last call, $300,
and to those who might hereafter be drafted, $300.
CASUALTIES.
The township has been remarkably free from crime or casualties
of any description. No murder or robbery sullies its record. Law-
WHITEWATER TOWNSHIP. 601
suits and their accompanying bitterness are almost unknown, and
justices and lawyers do not thrive off the residents of Mt. Yernon.
The majority of the settlers are steady, frugal Luxemburgers,
who are not prone to lawlessness of any description. The first
accident that occurred was the drowning of a young man, Mr.
Dunston, a connection of J. H. Williams, who fell from a barge
into the river. A man who was employed by John Smith (Christo-
pher Schilsen) was kicked by a horse while hauling a thrashing
machine up the ridge, and only survived a few days. In the spring
of 1873 the community suffered a severe loss in the death of Patrick
Murray, one of the pioneers, and very oldest settlers, who, while
ploughing, was kicked by a fractious horse so severely that death
very soon ensued. No other accident worthy of note has occurred.
WHITP]WATER TOWNSHIP.
The surface is generally very much broken. On the western
part, however, nearly the entire length of the township skirts on
Greenwood prairie, in Wabasha county. The township lies in T.
108 K and E. 10 W. It is bounded on the north and west by
Wabasha county, on the east by Mt. Yernon township, and on the
south by Elba township. Whitewater lies in the extreme north-
western corner of Winona county. There are two principal valleys
— Whitewater valley and Beaver creek valley. Whitewater valley
is six miles long, and runs directly north and south through the
township. It is traversed by Whitewater river, which enters the
township on Sec. 35 and leaves it on Sec. 1. This river attains an
average width of forty feet and a depth of three feet. Beaver val-
ley runs almost east and west ; it is four miles long and traversed by
Beaver creek. This creek rises in Sec. 19, flows east, and empties
into Whitewater river at the village of Beaver on Sec. 15. Timber
is abundant along the valleys, and trout plentiful in the streams.
There have been two village settlements in the township, viz :
Whitewater Falls, now gone to decay, and Beaver. The early his-
tory of these is in general the early history of the township.
EARLY PIONEERS.
The following came in 1854 : Stephen Covey, John Cook, F. C.
Putnam, Wm. J. Dooley, Wm. Woods and Albert Scrivens.
Stephen Covey took up a claim on Sec. 15, John Cook on Sec. 34,
F. C. Putnam S.W. i Sec. 23, Wm. J. Dooley on Sec. 15, William
602 HISTORY OF WINOIfA COTHSTTY.
Woods on IST.E. i Sec. 27, and Albert Scrivens on Sec. 15. The
year 1855 was marked by the arrival of the following : A. J. Mc-
Kay, J. M. Minnegar, Albert Hopson, Pliney Putnam, Lyman
Young, S. A. Houck, Oliver Porter, Nathan Fisher, J. W. Hayes,
Wm. Vilander, Louis Skidmore, Leonard Eobinson, C. W. Buswell
and Nathan Warner. A, J. McRay took up his residence on the
site of Beaver ; J. M. Minnegar settled on what is now N.W. J
Sec. 23 and N.E. J Sec. 22, Albert Hopson on Sec. 22, Pliney Put-
nam on Sees. 10 and 11, Lyman Young on S.E. I Sec. 2, S. A.
Houck on W. ^ Sec. 2, Oliver Porter on S.W. i Sec. 1, Nathan
Fisher on N.E. i Sec. 29, J. W. Hayes on N.E. J Sec. 15, Wm.
Yilander on Sec. 15, which, by the way, he purchased from J. W.
Hayes for the small sum of $2.50, Louis Skidmore on N.W. J Sec.
35, Leonard Robinson on Sec. 27, C. W. Buswell on Sec. 34, and
Nathan Warner on the same section.
BEAVEE VILLAGE.
Beaver village is situated on Sec. 15, at the junction of Beaver
creek with Whitewater river. Beavers were numerous in these
streams at an early day. A large dam was built by these animals in
the creek near the village ; from this came the names Beaver creek
and Beaver village. The village was laid out in 1856, and covers
an area of forty acres. The first house in this locality, and, indeed,
the first in Whitewater township, was put up by Stephen Covey in
1854 ; the first store was built in 1856 by Wm. Dooley ; it was a
log structure, 14x20 feet, and devoted to general merchandise.
Among the early residents were John Knowles, H. B. Knowles,
Dr. Sheldon Brooks and J. W. Hayes.
The first blacksmith shop was built by Carl Pope in 1856 ; first
death was that of Stephen Covey, who died in 1857, and was buried
on his farm, S.E. J Sec. 15 ; first birth was that of Cora Knowles,
bom February 16, 1856 ; first marriage was that of Laura Covey to
John Cheney in 1856. A private school was kept in the house of
Carl Pope in 1857 ; it was taught by Sarali Pope, and had an attend-
ance of perhaps twenty-five pupils. A sawmill was built on Beaver
creek, on Sec. 16, in 1856, by Carleton and Gardner Malindy ; it
was a very crude aflPair at first : a hollow log was pressed into service
and used as a flume ; in 1857 it was converted into a gristmill with
one run of burrs ; F. E. Becker is the present owner. The mill has
been much improved ; it is now two stories in height, is 40x100
ELBA TOWNSHIP. 603
feet in dimensions, has two run of burrs, patent rolling machinery
and a capacity of fifty barrels per day ; the water-power is excellent
at this point. An hotel was built in Beaver in 1865 by David Jecobis ;
it was a structure half frame and half log. Beaver contains a popu-
lation of 125 persons. Two stores, kept by G, G. Knowles and
Samuel Detamore respectively ; two blacksmith shops, owned by R.
Young and S. Card ; one wagon shop run by Peter Neiheisel, and a
feedmill owned by Adam Winters. This mill grinds corn, oats,
etc., into feed for stock. In the fall it is converted into a sorghum-
mill ; great quantities of amber cane are consumed and converted
into sorghum molasses. Sherman Card keeps the one hotel in
Beaver ; it does a small business, as travel has fallen off almost
entirely. One school in Beaver, district 45, has an attendance of
forty pupils.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This was built in 1868 through the exertions of Elder Clipper ;
the church is frame, 40 X 60 feet, with a spire 60 feet tall ; the con-
gregation was organized in 1858 ; they at that time held their meet-
ings in the schoolhouse ; the prominent members were Pliney Put-
nam, Elder P. Richardson and George Stoning ; the first minister
was Elder "Wm. Sweet, now residing in Norton township ; Rev. J.
Tisdale is the pastor at present writing ; they have a Sabbath
school with twenty-five pupils and three teachers, and a small library
of forty volumes.
WHITEWATER FALLS
Is situated on Whitewater river, on Sees. 26 and 27. It is so
called from rapids in the river at this point ; it was laid out in 1856,
but gradually fell into decay ; it has a population now of perhaps
thirty people. There are six district schools in Whitewater town-
ship and two postoffices — one at Beaver, with Samuel Detamore as
postmaster, and another at Whitewater Falls, with A. C. Randall as
postmaster.
EJ.BA TOWNSHIP.
Elba is situated in T. 107 N., R. 10 W. Its boundaries are, on
the north Whitewater township, on the east Norton, on the south
St. Charles, and on the west Olmsted county. The surface is very
much broken, and is covered by three deep valleys, which in turn
are traversed by three prominent streams. There are three branches
of the Whitewater river, the north branch, the east branch and the
604 HISTORY OF WDSrONA COUNTY.
middle branch. These unite at the village of Elba, on See. 10, and
form one principal stream, which flows north and leaves the town-
ship on Sec. 2. Whitewater river is formed bj numerous springs
arising from the blufis, and furnishes excellent water-power for a
number of mills along its course. The streams abound in speckled
trout, and the country is much visited all through the summer
months bj Ashing parties in quest of sport. The bluffs along the
valley are from 350 to 400 feet in height, and form some of the
most beautiful scenes in that section of the country.
Good farms are found in the valleys, and excellent "wlfeat
tables" on the high land.
Floods, caused by heavy rains in summer, are frequent on the
Whitewater and its branches," causing much annoyance by the wash-
ing away of dams and the injury of mills.
The timber found in the township is principally oak and elm,
which is plentiful in the valleys.
Immigration into the township began as early as 1854. Kobert
Crooks was probably the first among the early pioneers. He came
to that locality in the spring of 1854, and took up a claim on what
is now part of Sec. 28. He was followed the same year by F.
McCarty and a man named Southwick. F. McCarty settled on
what is now Sec. 22, while Southwick made a claim on Sec. 3. The
following came in 1855 : A. E. Todd, D. J. Todd, D. R. Holbrook,
L. U. Todd, W. Telugan, Peter Kiefer, Andrew Burger, Wm. Hem-
melberg, A. D. Nichols, Alva Philbrick, H. D. Bailey and Jerry
Philbrick. A. E. Todd took up land on Sees. 6 and 7, D. J. Todd
on Sees. 8 and 9, D. R, Holbrook on Sec. 9, L. U. Todd on Sec. 8,
W. Telugan on Sec. 11, Peter Kiefer on JST.W. J Sec. 12, Andrew
Burger on Sees. 11 and 12, Wm. Himmelberg on Sec. 11, A. D.
Mchols on Sec. 10, Alva fPhilbrick, H. D. Bailey and Jerry Phil-
brick, all on Sec. 10.
First death in the township was that of Mrs. Casper Kreider-
macher, who died of cholera in 1856, and was buried on Sec. 3.
The first school was held in a little log schoolhouse, built in
1855 by Alva Philbrick, on what is now Sec. 10. The first saw-
mill was built on the north branch of the Whitewater, on Sec. 8, by
A. E. Todd, in the summer of 1856. It was washed out by a flood
some time after, and was rebuilt on Sec. 7. The mill is now stand-
ing and does principally a custom business for the farmers in the
neighborhood.
ELBA TOWNSHIP. 605
"Fairwater Flouring Mill" was built on Sec. 7, on the north
branch of the Whitewater, some time in 1866, by W. Parr and W. '
R. Ellis. It was two stories in height and had a dimension of 35 X
40 feet. E. C. Ellis is the present owner. The mill has two run of
burrs and a capacity of thirty barrels per day. The first laid out
road in the township was the road running from Winona west to
the county line. This road ran directly through the center of Elba
township, and was laid out in 1857.
The postoffice in the village was the first and only one in the
township. It was established in 1857, with H. D. Bailey as post-
master.
There are two churches, the German Catholic at Elba village,
and the United Brethren on Sec. 21. The latter was built in 1876.
It is 30 X 40 feet, with a spire forty feet tall. They have a congrega-
tion of perhaps seventy-five members, composed mostly of Germans.
The first minister was Rev. Reiswick, the present one is Rev. J.
Gutensohn. Attached to the church is a cemetery and two acres of
land.
There are five district schools in Elba in Sees. 33, 27, 10, 3 and 8.
The first meeting took place May 11, 1858, for the general organ-
ization. J. H. Dearborn was elected town clerk ; J. W. Ireland,
J. Philbrick, N. V. Crow, supervisors ; John Bole, assessor ; E. B.
Barnes, collector ; Thomas Barnes, G. E. Fisher, justices of the peace ;
David Duryee, overseer of poor ; Hugh Barclay, Aaron Baker, con-
stables. The following are the town clerks in succession : J. H.
Dearborn, David Cook, A. D. Nichols, M. R. Lair, A. D. Nichols,
R. Bullen, H. F. Denio, John Bullen, John Udell, Gregory Ritt,
H. F. Denio, the clerk for 1882-3.
ELBA VILLAGE.
Elba village is situated on Sees. 9 and 10, at the junction of the
three branches of the Whitewater. Although it has never been
recorded as a village plat, there has been a settlement there since
1856. The first house was put up by C. South wick. Among the
early residents were D. R. Holbrook, Israel Messenger, Manoa
Turner, D. J. W. Ireland, David Duryee, John Penson and A. D.
Nichols. The first postoffice was established in 1857, with H. D.
Bailey as postmaster. D. S. Loy kept the first store in 1862 ; John
Bollen soon started another store. The first blacksmith shop was
kept by Mr. Medcalf. The first school was a log house, built 1858.
606 HISTORY OF WESroiS^A COUNTY.
Dr. J. W. Ireland practiced in the village and the surrounding
country from 1860 to 1864:. The flouring-mill in Elba was built in
1860, by John Rodgers. The water-power is furnished by the north
and middle branches of Whitewater. The mill is 25 X 30 feet. In
the first place they had two run of burrs and a much larger capacity
than now. It passed through a number of hands and underwent
considerable improvement. Another run of burrs have been added,
besides a turban water-wheel, a stone wall and a new flume. The
present owners are J. Hoffman and T. C. Udell. The capacity is
seventy-five barrels per day. Elba contains, at present writing, two
stores, two hotels, a blacksmith shop and a carpenter shop. The
present school was built in 1866. It is a district school with an average
attendance of fifty pupils. The German Catholic church was built
in 1877, through the instrumentality of Ferdinand Kramer, Peter
Geren and Nicholas Marnoch. It is a frame building, 40 X 60 feet,
with a belfry fifteen feet high. The first minister was Father Plut,
of Winona, who visited the congregation through a period of two or
three years. The congregation consists of 200 members. Attached
to the church is a cemetery and thirty-five acres of land.
The population of the village is now 100. It has a very healthy
climate, and it is a noticeable fact that for thirty years it has never
had a case of scarlet-fever or diphtheria.
CHAPTER LHI.
HAKT, FREMONT AND SARATOGA TOWNSHIPS.
HART TOWNSHIP.
This township lies in T. 105 N., of R. 8 West. It comprises
thirty-six complete sections. Its boundaries are, on the north War-
ren township, on the east Wiscoy, on the south Fillmore county,
and on the west Fremont township. The surface is rough and
broken — what is known as "grub land." The soil, nevertheless, is
very productive. The high bluffs divide the country into four val-
leys. Rush Creek, Dry, Pine Creek and Knapp valleys. All except-
ing Pine Creek valley run north and south ; the latter runs east and
west. Dry valley is so called from a small stream which disappears
HART TOWNSHIP. • 607
in a subterranean channel only to reappear again in unexpected
places. Rush Creek valley is the largest of the four, and is named
after Rush creek ; Knapp's valley, so called from J. R. Knapp, an
old resident in that vicinity ; Pine Creek valley named after Pine
creek. This stream in an early day was heavily timbered with
black walnut, maple, oak, basswood and scattering pine. The pine
has now disappeared. Rush creek enters the township on S.W. J
Sec. 6, flows southeast through Sees. 7, 13, 19, 29 and 33, leaving
the township on Sec. 33 ; Pine creek enters township on S.W. J
Sec. 30, flows southeast through Sees. 31 and 32, and joins Rush
creek on Sec. 33. Hart was organized May 11, 1858, under the
name of Benton township ; a year after it was given its present
name. The first town clerk was John Pierce, appointed at the first
meeting in 1858. The first board were : J. W. Young, John Knapp,
justices of the peace ; Liborius Kauphusman, Patrick Orourke,
constables ; George Bisset, assessor ; Jesse Conner, collector ; M.
T. Doherty, Thomas Baily, F. M. Andrews, supervisors. The town
clerks in succession : John Pierce, M. T. Doherty, J. M, Hitchcock,
John King, Berend Bollmann, John King, Berend Bollmann (clerk
for 1882-3). Board for 1882-3: Daniel McKay, M. Degnan,
George Schaupp, supervisors ; B. Bollmann, D. H. Otis, justices of
the peace ; John Millman, assessor ; Herman Trester, constable.
OLD SETTLERS.
Oliver Parmelee came to this section in 1854 and took up part
of Sec. 2. Laborius Kauphusman came in 1865, surveyed land, and
made a claim on S.E. J Sec. 16. He then left, and returned soon
afterward with his family ; he is now dead, but the farm is in the
hands of his children. Thomas Heberer and M. T. Doherty came
the same year (1855) ; Thomas Heberer settled on Sec. 2, while M.
T. Doherty entered the N.E. I Sec. 12. The following made their
appearance in 1856 : Henry Ronnenberg, Rev. A. Brand, John C.
Brand, John Parmelee, Smith Thorington, Job Thorington and
John Brammer. Henry Ronnenberg settled on Sec. 12 ; Rev. A.
Brand came with a large herd of cattle and took up land on Sec. 24 ;
John C. Brand entered part of Sec. 23 ; John Parmelee, Smith
Thorington and Job Thorington settled on Sec. 10, while John
Brammer made a claim of N.E. J Sec. 1. A large hotel (or tavern
as it was called), named the "Benton House," was kept by O. E.
Eockens in 1857 on Sec. 2. At this time there was an immense
608 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
amount of travel througli this section of the country, and the hotel
did a thriving business. This soon fell off, however, at the entrance
of railways, and the place was deserted in 1865. There is but
one mill in Hart ; it is a flouring-mill built on Rush creek in
1860 (Sec. 29) by G. M. Hitchcock. It is a frame structure of me-
dium size, and has a "custom business" only. There is but one
postoffice in the township, namely. Hart postoffice. It was estab-
lished in 1872, with John Kiekbusch as postmaster. The present
postmaster is Charles Wolfram, who also keeps a small country
store. (This is on Sec. 26.)
There are five schools in Hart : District 11 in Sec. 8, dist. 37 in
Sec. 12, dist. 50 in Sec. 10, dist. 48 in See. 25, dist. 49 in Sec. 20.
The population, which is mostly composed of emigrants from
lower Germany, has decreased since 1870. This is said to be caused
by emigration west, and the buying up of land by a few individuals.
One farm, owned by the heirs of Laborius Kauphusman, on Sec. 16,
comprises an area of 1,000 acres. Since the failure of wheat of late,
the population have turned their attention to stock raising. The
average crop for 1882 is said to be, wheat, 12 bushels per acre ;
corn, 35 bushels per acre ; barley, 25 bushels per acre ; oats, 40
bushels per acre.
There are two churches in Hart, Lutheran on Sec. 23, and
Roman Catholic on Sec. 9.
Lutheran. — The present church building was erected in 1861,
although meetings were held long before. It is a frame building,
48X30 feet, with a spire fifty feet high. There is a comfortable
parish house connected, and also a parochial school. E. M. Buer-
ger, one of the founders of the Missouri Synod at St. Louis, was
pastor of this church from 1868 to 1880. The first minister was
John Reiz ; the present one, Frances Johl. The congregation, which
is quite large, is composed of Germans. The school has an average
attendance of fifty pupils. They teach both German and English.
A cemetery of one acre is connected with the church.
FREMONT TOWNSHIP.
Fremont township lies in T. 105 N., R. 9 W. Its boundaries
are, on the north Utica, on the east Hart, on the west Saratoga,
and on the south Fillmore county. The surface of Fremont town-
ship is diversified. In the eastern and southern portions the land
^EEMON^T TOWNS! rrp. 609
is much broken, while in the central and western parts it is almost
level. Rush creek flows through the northeastern corner, cutting
Sees. 1, 2 and 12, while Pine creek flows through the southeastern
portion, cutting Sees. 25 and 35.
The town was organized May 11, 1858, and E. B. Wells ap-
pointed town clerk. The first house built in Fremont township was
erected by Isaac Arnold, in the fall of 1854, on what is now Sec. 2.
It was a small log-house, perhaps 14x16 feet in dimensions. In
1856 L. C. Rice built a small store on what is now Sec. 2. This
was the first store known to have been kept in Fremont. In the
same year (1856) "Captain" Hinkley started a blacksmith shop on
Sec. 22. The first postoflice was established in 1857, on Sec. 2, at a
village known as Neoca (long since abandoned), with L. C. Rice as
postmaster.
In 1856 a sawmill was built by John Henry and John Du Bois,
on Sec. 26, on Pine creek. Although a very crude affair, it was
capable of sawing 1,000 feet of lumber per day. The water-power
was not very good at this point. In 1870 this was converted into a
gristmill. Since then it has been very much improved. It is now
36x20 feet, is two stories in height, has two run of burrs, and a
capacity of grinding fifteen bushels of wheat per hour.
Edward Porter was the first person that died in the township.
He died in the winter of 1856, and was buried on what is now Sec.
5. The first birth was that of Charles Gates, born some time in
1856, on Sec. 14. The first marriage was that of Ann R. Arnold to
John Du Bois, in the year 1856.
In 1857 the first schoolhouse was l)uilt. It stood on Sec. 8, and
was 24x16 feet. Malinda Joy was the first teacher. There were
on an ave)"age forty pupils in attendance. Fremont has been hon-
ored by the presence of one doctor. Dr. W. S. Morrison came in
1867, and has been practicing in the vicinity ever since. The first
hotel was kept by Isaac Arnold on Sec. 2 as early as 1855. The
first road was built under the supervision of Phineas Gates in 1856.
It was known as the Gates road, and led from the Du Bois mill on
Sec. 26 to the territorial road in the center of the township. There
are two churches in Fremont, — Scotch Presbyterian on Sec. 20 and
the Methodist Episcopal church on Sec. 10. The Presbyterian
church was built in 1865. It is 38 X 26 feet, with a spire seventy-one
feet from the ground. The first minister was Rev. Craven, from
St. Charles. The congregation, which is composed entirely of
610 HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
Scotch, number about fifty members. A cemetery, the only one in
the township, is connected with the church. Rev. S. D. Westfall,
the present minister, came in 1870. The Methodist Episcopal
church stands on Sec. 10, and was built in 1874. It is 26x40 feet,
with a belfry fifteen feet. The congregation is very small at present,
although it was once quite a flourishing body. The first meetings
were held in the schoolhouse as early as 1857. The first minister
was Rev. Wm. Poling. There are two stores in Fremont, one on
Sec. 10, kept by Kelley & Bro., at a place known as the " Corners,"
or Fremont postofiice, and another on Sec. 29, kept by H. Sennis.
The three postoffices are: "Fremont," on Sec. 10, J. A. Kelley,
postmaster, established in 1876 ; Argo postofiice, on Sec. 16, with
John Henry as postmaster, established in 1866, and Clyde postofiice
on Sec. 19, with Martin Schultz as postmaster, and established in
1873. There are six district schools, namely. District 104 on Sec.
29, dist. 67 on Sec. 26, dist. 68 on Sec. 20," dist. 66 on Sec. 14,
dist. 96 on Sec. 10, dist. 64 on Sec. 3. The poll list at the
election of 1882 numbered 210.
OLD SETTLERS.
The following came in 1854 : Isaac Arnold, Phineas Gates and
Phineas Gates, Jr. Isaac Arnold made a claim on what is now
Sec. 2, while Phineas Gates, Sr., and Phineas Gates, Jr., settled
on what is now Sec. 14. In 1855 the following named came : Noah
Gates, Edward Porter, Samuel Arnold, E. Kelley, Mathew Ferguson,
John Ferguson, John Jarman, Orsmus Joy, Lemuel Bartholomew,
Porter Richards, John Henry, Duncan Ferguson, Donald Ferguson,
John DuBois, Thomas Robertson, Reason Evaretts, John Dobbs
and Geo. Johnson. Noah Gates settled on Sec. 2, Edward Porter
on Sees. 6 and 7, Samuel Arnold on Sec. 9, E. Kelley on Sec. 9,
Mathew Ferguson on Sec. 15, John Ferguson on the same section.
John Jarman on Sec. 17, Orsmus Joy on Sec. 4, Lemuel Bartholo-
mew on Sec. 9, Porter Richards on Sec. 4, John Henry on Sec. 21,
Duncan and Donald Ferguson on Sec. 17, John Du Bois on Sec. 26,
Thomas Robertson on Sec. 20, Reason Evaretts on Sec. 28, John
Dobbs on Sec. 5 and Geo. Johnson on Sec. 8.
A party of young men came to this locality in the spring of 1855
and camped on what is now Sec. 4. Among these were "Jack"
Earle, W. H. Joy and John Draper. The population is composed
mostly of Scotch at present, while most of the early pioneers have
disappeared.
SARATOGA TOWNSHIP. , 611
SARATOGA TOWNSHIP.
This township lies in the extreme southwestern corner of Wino-
na county, having Olrastead county on the west and Fillmore
county on the south. Though the face of the countrj' is somewhat
broken along its western front, it contains some of as fine farming
land as is to be found in any state of the Union. Settlements were
made almost simultaneously in the western portion of the township
and along the northern ridge, adjoining the township of St. Charles.
These settlements date back a period of nearly thirty years, and
some of the claims then taken are still being farmed by the original
pre-emptors. The soil upon the prairie is a deep vegetable loam,
with a clay subsoil ; but in the oak openings it is of a lighter char-
acter, a sandy loam intermixed with gravel. This latter is a quicker,
warmer soil, and sj^ecially adapted to the growth of corn, as this
cereal ripens quicker on the gravelly soil, a very material considera-
tion in this latitude. All the valuable farming lands of the township
may be included under one or the other of these classes of soil. The
western portion of the township is well watered and quite a valuable
water privilege exists at Troy. The volume of water, though not
large, having its sources in unfailing springs, affords with its head
of twenty feet sufficient power to maintain a very considerable mill-
ing industry. The staple of the farms in past years has been wheat,
to which within tlie past decade the growth of barley has been
added in quantities sufficient to dispute the palm. These grains,
with clover and timothy seed (which are grown in large quantities),
oats and corn, have been and still are the main dependence of the
farmer throughout this whole region, little if any stock more than
sufficient for farm purposes being raised. But as the wheat yield
has decreased from time to time, more and more attention has been
paid to the breeding of horses, cattle and swine for market, and now
there are some valuable herds of these animals on well conducted
stock farms within the area of the township. Dairying has also
begun to challenge the attention of the farmers of this and adjoining
townships, and some farms keep quite a number of milch cows, the
number and quality of them increasing from year to year. Cream-
eries are being established to manufacture the cream product of these
dairy herds, and the industry promises soon to assume an important
rank among the farm products of the western portions of the county.
Considerable settlements had been made in Saratoga town'^hip
36
612 HISTOKT OF WINONA COUNTY.
as early as the spring of 1855, a few pre-emptions and actual occu-
pancy of the land dating as far back as the fall of 1853. The settle-
ments during 1855 were numerous, and the following season, 1856,
it was quite difficult if not impossible to find any valuable lands
unclaimed. The formal organization of the township was effected
under the new state government, May 11, 1858, at Troy, a small
village and postoffice in the southwestern part of the township, at
which time the usual officers were elected. Luke Blair and Thomas
P. Dixon were appointed judges of election, and J. P. Moulton and
E. W. Day, clerks. The whole number of ballots cast was 146.
Luke Blair, James Walker and Robert JSTesbit were elected super-
visors ; J. C. Dixon, town clerk ; E. S. Harvey, assessor ; D. Dur-
ham, collector of taxes ; Thos. P. Dixon and Oscar Kately, justices
-of the peace ; L. M. Phelps and Alvin Durham, constables ; Geo.
W. Grain, overseer of the poor, and L. B. Smith, overseer of roads.
The township was named Saratoga, on account of the beautiful
natural springs in its western section, the vote standing eighty-six in
favor of Saratoga and sixty in favor of Afton. The office of town
clerk has been successively filled as follows: A. D. Trowbridge,
elected as the successor of J. C. Dixon, in 1859, held the office three
years ; E. W. Day, elected in 1862, served one year ; P. F. Thurbur,
one year ; Wm. H. Fry, one year. In 1865 E. W. Day was again
elected and served until 1878, a period of thirteen years, when the
present incumbent, E. B. Grery, was elected, and has held the office
continuously until date, March 1, 1883. The town officers elected
or holding over for 1882, are : J. D. Ball (chairman), Alexander
Campbell and O. B. Sutherland, supervisors ; N. M. Cross, treasurer;
"W. B. Hesselgrave, assessor; E. B. Gery, town clerk; G. French
and Samuel Cary, justices of the peace; Ira Canfield and James
"Wise, constables. A comfortable and commodious town hall was
erected in 187Y. It is situated in the center of the township and
cost S800.
The military record of the township was never kept. The names
recorded of the few men enlisted toward the close of the war, when
the prospects of a draft were imminent, aftbrd no proper data from
which to calculate the number of men who volunteered from this
township during 1861-65 inclusive. All that can be gathered on
this point will be presented in the military records of the county as
a whole. No township register of births, deaths, marriages was
kept, by which to determine positively the actual date of the earlier
SARATOGA TOWNSHIP. 613
of such events, yet the following statement concerning early town-
ship matters may be taken as substantially correct. The first claim
to United States lands under the pre-emption act made in this
township was by one Hawes, some time in the season of 1853, but
the date of his claim cannot be accurately given. The second, third
and fourth claims were made by Luke Blair, on September 12, 1853,
principally in Sec. 2, and were for himself and his two sons,
Chas. L. and John L. Isaac Arnold and FuUerton also made
claims that same fall, but date of claims is not ascertained.
The first white child born in the township was George IST. Blair,
son of Geo. W. and M. S. Blair (nee Deuell), born July 20, 1855.
Following him was a son of Gilman French, born in the year 1855,
then Geo. D. French, son of John S. and Kate French, born Feb-
ruary 6, 1856 ; John M. Blair, son of John T. Blair, born in 1856 ;
Otto Phelps, born some time in the fall of 1856.
The first death and burial in the township was that of a non-resi-
dent. Rev. Angel Wright, who, following some horse thieves into
this section from Iowa, was taken sick and died in Saratoga village,
some time in the summer of 1855. The first death of an actual resi-
dent was that of Justen Braddock, early in August, 1 856, and imme-
diately following was that of Mrs. Dr. Gates, wife of G. L. Gates,
M.D., now of Winona city, who died August 25, 1856. Harriet
Warren died April 29, 185T; an infant son of George Blair's, July
1, that season; a child of Henry Olney's about the same time, and.
Kate Flannigan in the following September. These last four were
buried in what is known as Worth cemetery, the others in Saratoga
cemetery, but all within the bounds of the township.
On the night before Christmas, 1856, a brother of Mrs. William
Reeves, traveling from High Forest, Olmstead county, passed
through Saratoga village, warmed himself at the hotel of Moulton &
Dixon, and notwithstanding the warning of Mi-. Dixon, concluded to
try and reach his sister's house, five miles distant, despite the severe
storm and cold. This man was found frozen to death on Sec. 9,
by Mr. Charles Gerrish, on Christmas morning, eight o'clock, one-
half a mile from his house, one and one-fourth miles from Mr.
Reeves'. Mr. Gerrish took charge of the body without waiting for a
coroner, and finding from the deceased .papers that he had come
from Chatfield, took him to Saratoga for identification. And this
act of Mr. Gerrish's in taking charge of the bod_y without waiting
for coroner, was made the occasion of an electioneering argument
614 HISTOEY OF WINONA COUNTY.
against his election to the territorial convention of 1857, called to
frame a state constitution.
The iirst marriage actually celebrated within the township was
that of Lester Becker and Shuah Littlefield, December 25, 1855; but
the marriage of William Smith and Jane Fullerton, residents of the
township, was performed at Chatiield at least ten months earlier,
about the middle of February, 1855. Following these was the mar-
riage of Allen Whipple and Lois Harding, November 8, 1856, and
that of Samuel Burns and Jane Flemming, at probably an earlier
date than the fall of 1856, but nothing positive can be ascertained in
relation thereto.
The first frame farm buildings in Saratoga township were erected
on the claim of Luke Blair, N.W. ^ of Sec. 2. These were a frame
barn, 16x24 feet, with 14 feet posts, and a frame dwelling (now
standing as the kitchen part of the farm-house), 16x24, with 8 feet
posts. These buildings were erected in the spring of 1855. The
frame dwelling of H. G. Cox, still standing in excellent repair, built
of oak plank, was erected in 1857. The first sawmill was built in
the winter of 1856-57 (by H. G. Cox and Vincent Hix) for George
Hayes and Lewis Smith. It was situated about one and one-half
miles southeast from the village of Troy, on Trout run. The first
gristmill was built in 1857, by Joseph and Samuel Musser, who
brought their millwrights with them from Pennsylvania. This mill
is still standing at Troy, on the water privilege there, a most excel-
lent one with about twenty feet head. The first crop of grain grown
in the township, as nearly as now known, was on the Wheeler boy's
claim, the N. W. ^ of Sec. 5, now owned by Lyman Cox.
As early as 1854-5, Harvey & Broughton, and the following year
Broughton & Andrews, kept small stocks of goods, groceries and sup-
plies principally along the ridge on the north line of the township.
In the fall of 1856, H. M. Clark, now of Chatfield, Olmstead county,
brought in a small stock of groceries and crockery ware, and started
business in Saratoga village. This stock was sold the following
spring to Dixon & Moulton and merged into the general store estab-
lished by them in the spring of 1857.
Kev. Gardner K. Clark was the first minister to settle in the town-
ship. He came in the faW of 1866 (with his son H. M.) and the first
church service (Congregational) was held in Gate's log-house, still
standing, a jaionument of early pioneer times. The following sea-
son, 1857, the church was built and in the fall of that year was occu-
SARATOGA TOWNSHIP. 615
pied. This church, the only one ever built in the township, is still
standing and doing duty as a place of religious worship.
The iirst hotel in the township was built and kept by Thomas P.
Dixon, still a resident of the city, and J. P. Moulton, who at a later
date represented Olmsted county in the state legislature, and for
six years was receiver of the land office at Wellington, Minnesota.
The first postoffice was established at Saratoga in the fall of 1856.
Thomas P. Dixon was commissioned postmaster, and, with the ex-
ception of two years during the latter part of Buchanan's adminis-
tration, held the office until he resigned in April, 1882, the date of
his removal from Saratoga to St. Charles. His removal from the
office in 1858 and the appointment of John O'Leary as his successor,
the latter a man who could neither read nor write, was effected on
political grounds and mainly through the influence of the Chatfield
land office.
The first physician who located in the township was John C.
Dixon, who taught school in the little settlement of Saratoga village
during the winter of 1856-7, commencing practice as a physician in
the spring of the latter year. Dr. Dixon is not now a resident of
the county, having removed some years since to Candor, Tioga
county, New York.
The first schoolhouse in the township was built by voluntary
subscription in the summer of 1856, on the town plat of Saratoga,
near the church, and was first occupied that fall, when Dr. Dixon
was employed as teacher. The first school taught in the township
was opened in Charles Gerrish's house,, on Sec. 9. This was a
double log-house, and in one of these rooms, the south one, the
school was opened in the summer of 1856 for a term of three months.
The teacher's name was Helen Hewitt, and there were twenty-seven
pupils on her school register.
Evergreen Lodge^ No. J^6., A. F. and A. M. — Located at Troy, a
small post village in the southeast corner of Saratoga township, was
chartered December 23, 1864, upon petition of S. Y. Hyde, A. N.
Rice, S. S. Armstrong, Vincent Hicks, J. C. Hopkins, E. J.
Thompson, C. M. Lovell and D. S. Hacket. Mr. S. Y. Hyde, now
of La Crosse, was the first worshipful master, and his successors
have been Freeman Morse, P. B. Ivellum, S. L. Draper, M. H.
Fuller and H. H. Straw. The first secretary was A. N. Price, suc-
ceeded by Neil Currie, E. B. Gerry, W. W. Heyden, L. A. Gates,
H. H. Heyden, W. E. Walker and W. B. Hesselgrave. The
37
616 HISTORY OF WmONA COUNTY.
present officers of the lodge are: S. L. Draper, W.M. ; M. H,
Fuller, S.W.; R. McCready, J.W.; E. B. Gerry, Treas.; W. B.
Hesselgrave, Sec; H. H. Straw, S.D.; R. Sutherland, J.D.; M.
Campbell, Chap.; W. E. Walker, Tiler.
The total number of members connected with the lodge since
organization has been ninety. Of this number six have died,
thirty-four appear on the list of present members, and the rest have
demitted. Last year the lodge completed a new hall at a cost of
$1,200, and are now in comfortable quarters.
HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
INTRODUCTION.
But little more than a quarter of a century has passed since the
earliest and most remote facts and incidents recorded in the follow-
ing pages transpired. Many now living among us were active
participants in those incidents and experiences, while many of those
who were active in making the earlier history of Olmsted county,
have removed to other lands to make for themselves new homes,
and yet others have been called hence to the great unknown.
However comparatively brief the time, and however limited the
field embraced in this work, a little calm and intelligent reflection
will bring to mind something of the importance, the excellence and
the grandeur of the results and achievements obtained. A mere
garden-spot in area, as compared with the vast Northwest, not a
generation past the undisputed home of the Indian and the scarcely
less savage wild animal, has, through industry, toil, privation and
perseverance, stimulated by a love of home and laudable accumula-
tion, and guided by intelligence and reason, been reclaimed from
the severe and rugged features of nature and made to "bud and blos-
som as the rose." Broad prairies and charming woodlands, at the
magic touch of the husbandman's labor and skill, have been converted
into fertile and fruitful fields, yielding their abundance for man and
beast. Thousands of comfortable and pleasant homes, many of
them deeply attractive for their beauty and splendor, have been
built — dear homes, around which the fondest and most holy associa-
tions love to linger, and in which are nurtured the- highest and best
impulses of human life and action. In this county, too, the cause
of education has received early, continuous and generous attention,
as the neat, comfortable and, in many instances, elegant and capacious
schoolhouses within her boundaries clearly demonstrate. Nor has
the cause of Christianity been forgotten or ignored. At the very
618 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
earliest settlement of the county, the hardy and energetic pioneers,
on each returning Sabbath, felt it a duty as well as a precious priv-
ilege, to assemble in the humble cabin or primitive schoolhouse for
religious worship. From these days of ' ' small things" have sprung
the large and influential religious organizations to be found in so
many localities in the county, and who to-day congregate to worship
in fine and capacious church edifices.
To build some humble monument in memory of the dawn of
civilization in Olmsted county ; to mark upon the tablet of a loving
and an enduring memory the names of some of the brave and noble
pioneers who have wrought out so great and magnificent results, is
the grateful and pleasing task of him who sketches the subsequent
In preparing the history of Olmsted county proper, the writer
has been assisted materially by having access to ' ' Mitchell's His-
tory of Olmsted County. 1866." We are also under lasting obliga-
tions to Messrs. James Bucklin, W. D. Hurlbut, M. J. Daniels,
Judge O. P. Stearns, A. Harkins, Thomas Hunter, William Brown,
William Williams, James Button, Hon. C. M. Start, George Healy,
and several others of our fellow-citizens, for valuable information
connected with our task. That our work is perfect, we do not claim,
but that it is as full and reliable as the time allotted and facilities
available for its preparation would permit, will, we believe, be con-
ceded by all those tolerably conversant with all the facts and circum-
stances connected with the undertaking. S. W. E.
CHAPTER I.
DESCRIPTION AND EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The county of Olmsted, in the State of Minnesota, is situated
approximately between 43° 49' and 44° 33' of north latitude, and
between 92° 10' and 92° 40' west longitude. It is bounded on the
north by Goodhue and Wabasha counties, on the east by Wabasha
and Winona counties, on the south by Fillmore and Mower counties
and west by Dodge county. Tlie extreme length of the county is
thirty miles east and west ; the greatest width from north to south is
twenty-five miles. The boundary line of the county on the north
and the south are somewhat irregular. T. 108, E. 11 and 12, have
been attached to Wabasha county, and the direct line between
Olmsted and Mower is broken by attaching a strip of land one mile
wide by twelve miles in length to the towns of High Forest and
Rock Dell, in Olmsted county. The county embraces about 650
square miles. The general surfece is gently undulating, or rolling
and swelling, like the huge billows ot old ocean, and before the
transforming hand of industry and civilization had changed the
aspect and conditions, the broad, rich prairies, the pleasant valleys
and romantic hills were covered with rich herbage and with the
various hued flowers that are scattered in such rich profusion over
the western wilds, intermingled with blossoming and fruit-bearing
shrubs. It is doubtful if the eye of man ever rested on a spot of
earth, which for fertility of soil, beauty of landscape and healthful-
ness of climate, excels the domain of which we write.
The larger portion of the county is prairie. The soil is a dark
loam, from one and one-half feet to two and one-half feet in depth, and
adapted to the production of all kinds of grain and vegetables
commonly raised in this climate. Bordering the streams there are
long stretches of natural meadow land, affording large quantities of
hay of an excellent quality. The soil in the valleys partakes more
of the sandy composition, but in seasons of sufficient rain, it is
exceedingly productive, — crops growing more rapidly and maturing
from one to two weeks earlier than on the higher prairie land. In
the northwest corner of the county there is, or rather was, a belt of
620 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
lieavy timber, composed of oak, bass, hickory and some sugar-maple.
In various other portions of the county, noticeably that bordering
on Root river, in the southern part, there are considerable bodies of
timber, of similar kinds to those above mentioned. Much of this
timber has been used for fuel, fencing and building, and considerable
tracts of what was once heavily timbered land have been "cleared
off" and converted into productive grain fields, pasture and meadow.
But of everything in the line of nature's methods and arrange-
ments in the configuration of Olmsted county, for sublimity,
picturesqueness and grandeur, the grand and towering old ' ' bluffs "
stand pre-eminent. Beautiful and romantic, with their rounded and
symmetrical caps, they add unspeakable charm and attractiveness to
the landscape, relieving it of that unpleasant sameness and monoto-
ny incident to an unbroken level expanse. These bluffs or hills
are, for the most part, situated along the borders of water-courses
and comprise but a very small portion of the surface of the county.
In most instances the side of the bluff opposite the valley or stream
recedes gently back into a stretch of beautiful level prairie, wood-
land or grove. The bluffs, besides the charm and variety which
they afford, are the depositories of inexhaustible quantities of lime-
stone of excellent quality and vastly valuable for walls and building
purposes.
A word of explanation here is deemed appropriate. When, in
the succeeding pages, the name of a town, as Cascade, Elmira,
etc., is mentioned in connection with the early settlement of the
county, or other events transpiring before the organization of the
county into townships, or to its physical construction, for conven-
ience and to avoid circumlocution, the name of the town will be
used the same as though it had already been organized.
PRINCIPAL STREAMS.
The principal streams running through Olmsted county are two
brandies of the Zumbro river, the Root and Whitewater rivers,
Bear, Silver and Cascade creeks. One branch of the Zumbro rises
in Dodge county, and running through the towns of Kalmar, New
Haven and Oronoco, into Wabasha county, thence through that
county, emptying into the Mississippi river about five miles below
the city of Wabasha. The other branch of the Zumbro also rises in
i)odge county, running thence into Olmsted county, and through the
towns of Salem, Rochester township and city, Haverhill, Cascade
DESCRIPTION AND EARLY SETTLEMENT. f)21
and Oronoco, uniting in the town of Oronoco with the middle
branch. These two streams afford considerable water-power, the
east branch being improved to a considerable extent at the city of
Rochester. The other branch, which runs through the western
towns, has afforded the motive power to three sawmills in the town
of New Haven, and a flouring-mill and other machinery at the
village of Oronoco. The Zumbro river is said to have received its
name from the Jesuit priests who visited Minnesota at an early
period as missionaries among the Indians. It was named by tliem
in French, Les Amhras^ signifying the embari-ass, or river of
obstructions, which name it was called by the Indians, and by the
white men who first settled here the name was anglicized to Zumbro.
Root river rises in Dodge county and runs in an easterly direction
through the southern tier of towns, Rock Dell, High Forest, Pleasant
Grove, Orion and Elmira, through the counties of Fillmore and
Houston, and empties into the Mississippi river below La Crescent.
This river sup)plies the power for driving a flouring-mill at the
village of High Forest, another at Stewartville, also a flouring-mill
in the town of Pleasant Grove and a sawmill in the town of Elmira,
near the village of Chatfield.
The principal branch of the Whitewater river rises in the town
of Eyota, and runs through the towns of Dover and Quiney, then
enters Wabasha county and running eastward empties into the
Mississippi near Minneiska. Another branch of this stream rises in
the town of Dover, and running thence through the town of Quiney,
where it serves to drive the machinery of a large fiouring-mill ;
thence it runs into Winona county and unites with the main branch.
Still another branch of this river rises in the town of Viola, and
running through the towns of Elgin and Plainview, in Wabasha
county, enters Olmsted county again in the town of Quiney, affording
fine waterpower at three different points in the town.
Cascade creek rises in the town of Cascade, and runs through^
the town in a northeasterly direction, meandering through valleys
and meadow-lands, empties into the Zumbro near the northern limit
of the city of Rochester. A flouring-mill is situated on this creek
near its mouth, in the city of Rochester.
Bear creek is formed by springs among the highlands of the
town of Eyota, which form the water-ledge or dividing ridge that
separates the waters of the Whitewater and Root rivers, and is said
to be the highest, land in Olmsted county. The creek flows through
622 HISTOKY OF OLMSTED COmiTY.
the towns of Eyota, Marion and Rochester, affording an excellent
waterpower after it reaches within the city limits. The stream
empties into the Zumbro river near the center of the city of
Rochester.
Silver creek rises in the town of Haverhill, and winding its way
in a westerly direction, loses itself in the Zumbro river, within the
northern part of the city of Rochester.
EAJKLY SETTLEMENTS.
Without doubt at some period or periods within the past century
or two, the territory now comprising the county of Olmsted may have
been visited by white men in the character of Jesuit priests in the inter-
ests of religion, or by adventurers and explorers in the pursuit of
conquest or political schemes, but of this we have no certain know-
ledge. If these supposed representatives of semi-civilization and
enlightenment ever trod the soil of what is now Olmsted county,
there are, so far as we know, no signs or records of any such event
beyond the dim and vague conjectures which have come down to us
through the speculative and uncertain annals of the past one or two
hundred years. It is, however, reasonable to suppose that this por-
tion of Minnesota may have been visited by home-seekers, land-
lookers or other explorers with a view to location within the past
fifty years, and several years before any attempt was made to form
settlements within the limits of what is now Olmsted county. The
county is strictly inland, no navigable rivers running through it or
bordering it on either side — conditions which will account for the
more early settlements in Minnesota on the Mississippi river and its
tributaries, the St. Croix and Minnesota.
The first* attempt at the settlement of Olmsted county was made
in the spring of 1853, by Hon. Hiram Thompson, subsequently
judge of probate, now deceased. At the time mentioned, Mr. Thomp-
son came into the town of Dover, and made his claim by erecting
a small shanty as near as he could calculate on the township line of
the government survey, though it proved to be a little west. After
making his claim and completing the necessary arrangements to
hold it. Judge Thompson returned to his former home, whence he
came with his family to his new home in Olmsted county early in
* Since the account of the early settlements was prepared for the com-
positor, the writer has been informed that a Mr. Goss settled in the township
of Pleasant Grove, and commenced improving his farm in the spring of 1852.
DESCRIPTION AND EARLY SETTLEMENT. 623
the spring of 1S54. The same spring, Simon Harding, Mr. Knap,
Mr. Waller, G. C. Sheeks and others came in, settling near Judge
Thompson's,
In December, 1853, a party of some dozen men came into
Elmira township on an exploring expedition and stayed through the
winter. The names of some of these gentlemen were T. B. Twi-
ford, G. Willis, William B. Gere, J. J. Hubbard, James McClellan,
James Munday, Henry Gere and Franklin Blodget. These were
followed in the summer of 1854 by Messrs. F. A. Coffin, Thomas
Holmes, Joseph Tatro, Charles Redfield and others. James
McClellan built the first frame house in Olmsted county. The
house, now twenty-eight years old, stands in that portion of the vil-
lage of Chatfield situated in Olmsted county, and is to-day a com-
fortable and well-preserved structure. Mr. McClellan died in 1855.
If the records are not at fault, the first real settlement — house-
keeping, and the "women-folks" at home — was made in the vil-
lage of Pleasant Grove, by Philo S. Curtis and family, in October,
1853. Mr. Curtis opened the first hotel in town. He was ap-
pointed postmaster when the oftice was first established, and was
the first sherifl:' elected in the county.
It was in the spring and summer of 1854, when the rapid, flow-
ing tide of immigration to Olmsted county really set in. It was then
that active, earnest o])erations commenced in the way of locating
and improving farms, building homes and schoolhouses, construct-
ing mills and bridges, laying out and improving highways, locating
and building city and villages, together with all the varied indus-
tries and enterprises which have so rapidly and wonderfully de-
veloped our natural resources, and placed Olmsted county in ijoint
of wealth, population, improvement, enterprise, intelligence and
desirableness of habitation in the front rank of counties, not only
in the state, but in the northwest.
In the year of which we speak, and for several succeeding years,
settlements S])read all over the county, every locality receiving its
quota of newcomers.
In the fall of 1854, Benjamin Bear made a claim near the center
of the town of Eyota, and in the May following he moved his
family thither. The same season, H. G. Freeman, William Potter,
Charles Keyes, Clark Brown and several others came on and settled
in the vicinity of Mr. Bear's home.
High Forest township was visited by a small exploring ]iarty
624 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
from La Crosse, Wisconsin, in the spring of 1854. The party con-
sisted of Rev. J. C. Sherwin, John Robinson and Dr. Balcome.
These were soon after followed by Owen Shephard, John Wight
and others, when a permanent settlement was began.
The first settlement made in Marion township was in April, 1854.
Among the first settlers there were Alfred Kinney, Levi Phelps,
Nathan Phelps, Eleazer Phelps and George Mills.
In the Slimmer of 1854, Samuel Brink, S. P. Amsden, William
Kilroy, J. N. Palmer, C. Colegrove and a few others, settled in
New Haven township.
In March, 1854, Leonard B. Hodges, J.' B. Clark and Ebenezer
Collins made the first settlement in the town of Orono20.
In the summer of the same year Mr. Schermerhorn, Joel Ballard,
David Hazelton and a few others settled in Orion township. In the
fall, these were followed by Stephen Case, C. L. Case and a number
of others.
The first settlement in Salem was made in June, 1854, by J. B.
Dearborn, J. W. Hurd and Albert B. Hurd. Carl Beirbaum and
Mr. Whitman located in Viola the same summer.
The first settlement within the present limits of the city of
Rochester was made by Thomas C. Cummings and Robert McReady
in the spring of 1854. They made their claims and built their
shanties on the west side of Cascade creek, near the spot where now
stands the residence of the late M. W. Leland. In the month of
July following, George and Jonathan Head with their father made
claims where the business part of the city is now situated.
An incident which occurred in the early days of Rochester, and
which shows that the spirit of patriotism stirs the heart and mind of
the American citizen even on the most remote frontier, and while
isolated from the more busy scenes and centers of a dense popula-
tion and civilized life, is woi'tli recording. The first celebration of
the fourth of July in Rochester, and so far as we know, in Olmsted
county, was held in 1854. The occasion was one of primitive sim-
plicity, being entirely free from the excessive tumult and wearisome
conventionalities which generally characterize Independence celebra-
tions in older and more populous communities. Mr. McReady, his
wife and two little ones, with Mr. Cummings, constituted the entire
concourse on the occasion of which we speak. Although removed
from the busy haunts where "■ men most do congregate," our hardy
pioneers were desirous not onl}^ of having a holiday but of com-
DESCRIPTION AND EARLY SETTLEMENT. ()25
memorating the anniversary of the nation's birth. As fleet horses
and fine carriages were out of the question, the celebrators had
recourse to an improvised and primitive mode of convej^ance.
Attaching a pole or '' ox-tongue " to the hind axletree of a lumber-
wagon and placing thereon some boards, a vehicle was soon con-
structed. It was proposed to spend the day in hunting and fishing,
viewing the landscape, and like rural amusements. Mrs. McReady
and the two children being safelj' seated upon the western "sulky,"
and the two men being armed with their fowling-])ieces and a fish-
spear hastily constructed for the occasion, fell into line and the " pro-
cession " set out on their Fourth of July excursion. Coming to the
river our fishermen plied their spear and were successful in soon
capturing a fine string of excellent fish. The little party then left
the river and repaired to a beautiful bluff just north of the city, and
from which a magnificent view of the valley and surrounding bluffs
for miles around was obtained. Here the patriotic band fired sev-
eral guns in honor of the day, and here, amid the grand and
enchanting beauty of nature's skillful handiwork, were concluded
the exercises of the day, and the small band of patriots repaired to
their humble homes.
In accordance with the general plan of this volume, we have
here given but brief accounts of the early settlements in some of the
townships. More extended and detailed accounts of the first settle-
ment and subsequent history of each township will be given in the
course of this work.
For several years succeeding the earlier settlements, the tide of
immigration continued to pour in, and the county was rapidly occu-
pied and improved by an industrious and. enterprising people.
Almost every quarter-section in the county susceptible of cultiva-
tion— and there are very few which are not — has been improved ;
city and villages, noted for their thrift and enterprise as well as for
the morality, intelligence and refinement of their inhabitants, have
been built ; the broad prairies have been transformed into convenient
and productive farms ; cosy and comfortable, and in many instances,
elegant and capacious farpihouses are seen on every hand ; fine and
substantial schoolhouses, in convenient and appropriate localities,
attest the intelligence and culture of the citizens — all demon-
strating the excellence and the superior qualities of the natural
resources of the county, and the wonderfully enterprising and
progressive spirit of the Great Northwest.
CHAPTEE II.
ORGANIZATION.
The county was established under the territorial government in
1855, but was not organized into towns till the spring of 1858.
Previous to this it was merely divided into election precincts. It
now includes eighteen townships, each six miles square. T. 108,
in R. 11 and 12, are attached to Wabasha county, thus prevent-
ing the symmetrical proportions which Olmsted county was entitled
to. We have already spoken of the twelve sections, detached from
Mower county, and attached to the townships of High Forest and
Rock Dell.
The city of Rochester is the county seat, and is situated near the
center of the county. It is fifty miles west of Winona and seventy-
five miles southeast of St. Paul. The fixing of the county seat, as
in many other instances of a similar character, involved a struggle.
The pretty and flourishing village of Oronoco, in the northwestern
part of the county, had s]3rung into active, bustling life, while
Marion, another neat and handsome village, beautifully located
some seven or eight miles south of the city, had grown up. The
city of Rochester, and the villages of Oronoco and Marion became
competitors for the county seat. At an election held in the various
precincts in the spring of 1857, the question was to be decided.
Oronoco, being situated near the boundarj^ line of the county, con-
cluded that its chances for the honors and profits of a county seat
were in nowise flattering, and hence united its strength with
Marion as against Rochester. The results of the canvass showed
that, although the Marion party had beaten the Rochester party in
counting, the latter had scored a real victory in voting. The officers
chosen at the first establishment of the county, in 1855, were : com-
missioners, James George, G. P. Barrows and James Rutan ;
register of deeds, J. IST. McLane ; assessor, Michael Peai-ce ; sheriff,
Philo S. Curtis; treasurer, Alfred Kinney; judge of probate, R.
Ottman. The board of commissioners held their first meeting at
Oronoco, August 27, 1855. So far as the record shows, little busi-
ness was transacted, and the board adjourned to meet at Rochester
ORGANIZATION. 627
September 13, following. The principal business done at this
session, was to consider some petitions for the organization
of school districts and election precincts. The meeting was ad-
journed to October 1. At the October meeting very little business
was done, and the board adjourned to November 12. This session
closed the business of 1855.
The board of commissioners, in 1S56, consisted of E. B, Barrows,
John Lowery and James Rutan. The first meeting of the board
that year was on January 7. Sessions of the board were held from
time to time throughout the year, and several more election pre-
cincts were established, and judges of election appointed. The first
bills presented the board for allowance were presented at the July
session of 1856. The bills were principally for services for viewing,
surveying and lajdng out highways. The whole amount of taxable
property for the year, $807,588.
Countv tax, 71 mills f!(),606.91
Schooi tax, 2J mills 2,168 . 97
Territorial tax, 1 mill 867.48
Total tax $9,643 .46
The board in 1857 consisted of John Lowerj^, Hiram Thompson
and D. B. Coe. At the annual session of the board in January,
James A. Bucklin filed his bond of county treasurer with James
Bucklin, Henry Woodard, B. S. Coe and Asa Lesuer as sureties.
The amount of School fund for this year which was collected by
tax was ". $631 . 63
Collected from tines 46 . 00
Total school fund $677 . 63
We append the above figures to show from what small begin-
nings the county has grown within the lapse of twenty-six years.
As yet the county was without a county building. The courts were
held at Morton's hall, in the two-story frame building which yet
stands at the corner of Main and Third streets. The board of
county commissioners met in Dr. McLane's office, a small wooden
building occupying a portion of the site where now stands the Cook
House block. At the session of the board, July 12, 1856, John
Lowery, E. A. McMahon and J. N. McLane were appointed a com-
mittee to make arrangements for erecting a suitable building for the
use of the county. At the August session the committee made
their report, which was accepted and placed on file. In the month
628 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
of September following, the commissioners held another session,
when thej passed a resolution instructing the committee on county
buildings to prepare and submit to the board, a specific contract,
embodying the terms of a proposition made by C. H. Lindsley to
supply the county with convenient offices and court-room. These
arrangements resulted in the erection of the building on Broadway
known as the '"old court-house," and now owned and occupied by
Mr. IST. Peters as a hotel and boarding-house. In the fall of 1858,
as near as we can ascertain, the county, through its officers, took
formal possession of the building. In 1857 Emery Mapes was
elected register of deeds ; sheriff, G. W. Baker ; county attorney.
Stiles P. Jones ; county treasurer, W. P. Brooks ; judge of probate,
Hiram Thompson. These officers elect, qualified the first week in
January, 1858. The board of commissioners for this year consisted
of John Lowery, L. B. Bliss and B. D. Coe. In the fall of 1858, D.
M. Evans was elected clerk of the county board of supervisors, this
body taking the place of the county board of commissioners, and
consisting of the following named gentlemen : J. W. Everstine, S.
Pdsker, C. II. Lindsley, C. H. Short, Ethan Kimball, L. B. Bliss,
T. S. Cornish, M. Pearce, Abram Harkins, John Kilroy, Elhanan
Day, D. L. King, James Bucklin, G. C. Sheiks, T. T. Olds, J. A.
Coffin, Cyrus Cornell, William Kussell, David Whitney, A. J. Doty,
0. A. Hadley, Chester Kose, J. W. Everest. In 1859 L. B. Bliss
was elected register of deeds ; G. W. Baker was re-elected sheriff;
C. C. Jones was elected clerk of the district court and J. A. Leonard
county attorney. In April, 1858, the county was organized into
towns, under the new state government, as follows : Cascade, T.
107, K. 14; Dover, T. 106, K. 11; Eyota, T. 106, !i. 12; Elmira,
T. 105, K. 11 ; Farmington, T. 108, K. 13 ; Haverhill, T. 107, E.
13; High Forest, T. 105, R. 14, also including Sees. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
and 6 of T. 104 in said range ; Kalmar, T. 107, R. 15, except Sees.
1, 2 and 3 in said town and range ; Marion, T. 106, R. 13 ; New
Haven, T. 108, R. 15, and also Se^cs. 1, 2 and 3 in T. 107, R. 15 ;
Orion, T. 105, R. 12 ; Oronoco, T. 108, R. 14 ; Pleasant Grove, T.
105, R. 13 ; Quincy, T. 107, R. 11 ; Rochester, T. 106, R. 14 ; Rock
Dell, T. 105, R. 13, also Sees. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of T. 104 in said
range ; Salem, T. 106, R. 15 ; Yiola, T. 107, R. 12. At the time of
organization the town of Dover was called Whitewater, the towli of
Eyota was called Springfield, and the town of Haverhill was called
ORGANIZATION. 629
Zumbro ; afterward it was called Sherman, subsequently it was
given its present name.
At the annual town meetings, in March, 1860, the manner of
conducting the county affairs was again changed. The county was
divided into five commissioner districts, and one commissioner was
elected from each district. The first board of commissioners was
composed as follows : Thomas Brooks, Abram Ilarkins, Zebina
Handerson, Richaixl Hull and William M. Pierce. D. M. Evans
retired from the office of county auditor, and O. A. Hadley was
appointed to fill the ofiice. In the fall of 1860 Mr. Hadley was
elected to the office of county auditor.
At the election in the fall of 1855 W. D. Lowery, of Rochester,
was elected to the upper house, or senate, of the territorial council,
and J. H. Hartenbower was elected to the lower house, or house ot
representatives. Mr. Lowery held the ofiice for two years. E. B.
Barrows was elected to the house in 1857.
The convention of delegates having completed the state constitu-
tion, it was submitted to the people for ratification at the general
election in the fall of 1857. The constitution providing for two
senators and four representatives from each senatorial district, the
people of the county proceeded in their election upon the supposi-
tion that the constitution would be adopted, and accordingly elected
the full representation thus provided for. Charles H. Lindsley, of
this city, and Emerson Hodges, of Eyota, were elected senators,
and Sylvanus Burgess, E. A. Power, Samuel Lord and W. K.
Tattersall were elected to the house of representatives.
In the fall of 1858 P. F. Lawshe, J. S. Sawyer, D. L. King and
G. I. Covil were elected to the house, and Dr. H. Galloway and
Emerson Hodges were chosen senators. From some cause, how-
ever, there was no session of the legislature that year and the
members were not called into service, though the senators held their
office for two years, and came up to their work in the winter of
1860, with G. W. Green, A. J. Olds, Abraham Ozmun and J. S.
Sawyer as their colleagues in the lower house.
In the fall of that year Stiles P. Jones, of Rochester, was elected
to the senate and Abram Harkins and W. K. Tattersall to the house
of representatives. Mr. Jones died just before election in the fall of
1861, and J. V. Daniels, of Rochester, was elected to fill the vacancy;
F. Johnson and Thomas Harris were elected to the house. At the
same election O. P. Whitcomb was elected county treasurer ; O. P.
630 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Stearns, county attorney ; Reuben Reynolds, clerk of the district
court, and Hiram Thompson, judge of probate. The same year the
board of county compiissioners consisted of Thomas Brooks, Amos
Parks, Samuel H. Nichols, J. M. Greenman and Thomas Harris.
O. P. Stearns having resigned the office of county attorney to enter
the. army, L. Barber was elected in the fall of 1863 to till the vacancy.
At the same election O. P. Whitcomb was elected county treasurer;
L. B. Bliss, register of deeds ; Horace Loomis, sheriif ; M. W.
Fay, judge of probate ; court commissioner, M. W. Fay. This
year the board of county commissioners consisted of W. D. Hurl-
but, Amos Parks, S. H. Nichols, George Stocking and J. P.
Moulton.
In the fall ot 1864 J. Y. Daniels was elected state senator, and
Thomas H. Armstrong and J. P. Moulton were elected representa-
tives. Abram Harkins was elected count}^ auditor. This year L.
Barber was elected judge of the third judicial district.
Four citizens of Olrnsted county have held state office, as follows:
David Blakely, of Rochester, secretary of state from 1863 to 1866.
In the fall of 1875 Samuel H. Nichols, of Salem, was elected
clerk of the supreme court, and is the present incumbent, having
been elected last fall for the third term of three years each.
In 1867 Thomas H. Armstong, of High Forest, was elected
lieutenant-governor and was re-elected to the same office in the fall
of 1869.
O. P. Whitcomb, of Rochester, was elected auditor of state in
the fall of 1872. He was re-elected in 1875 and 1878, holding the
office for three terms of three years each.
In the fall of 1879 C. M. Start, of Rochester, was elected
attorney-general. After serving in that capacity a little over one
year, Mr. Start was appointed judge of the third judicial district,
to fill the vacancy in that office created by the appointment of Will-
iam Mitchell, the then incumbent, as one of the justices of the
supreme court. In the fall of 1881 Mr. Start was elected judge of
the third judicial district, a position which he now occupies.
At the session of the legislature in 1864 O. P. Stearns, of Ro-
chester, was chosen United States senator, to till c»ut the unexpired
term of Daniel S. Norton, deceased.
In the fall of 1865 L. B. Bliss was elected register of deeds ;
O. P. Whitcomb, county treasurer ; Reuben Reynolds, judge of
probate ; Horace Loomis, sherifi ; O. P. Stearns, county attorney ;
OKGANIZATION. 631
Alfred Blanchard, clerk of tlie district court. B. F. Perrj, of
Kalmar, and R. D. Hathaway, of Pleasant Grove, were elected
representatives.
The board of county commissioners this year consisted of W. D.
Hurlbut, Amos Parks, William Carson and R. S. Russell. This
year the board of commissioners passed a resolution adopting the
county superintendent system, provided for by a then recent act of
the legislature, and at a session of the board held in September of
the same year, Sanfovd Niles was appointed county superintendent
of schools. He continued to hold the office by appointment for
nearly twelve years.
In 1864 measures were taken by tl:lb board of commissioners
looking to the erection of a more commodious and convenient county
building. A tract of land, consisting of about three acres, and
situated between Zumbro street on the south and Fourth street on
the north, and between Hunter street on the east and Clark street
on the west, in the city of Rochester, was purchased as the site for
a new court-house. The same year plans and specifications for the
new building were submitted and the contract for its erection was let
to J. H. Grindall, of St. Paul. In the fall of 1866 the new court-
house was ready for occupancy, arid the county records and offices
were i-emoved therein. The total cost of the new court-house was
$32,000, for the payment of which no direct tax was levied. The
hinds in . the county treasury, arising from the collection of delin-
quent taxes, together with interest on county funds, practically de-
frayed the entire expense. In this connection, it might be proper
to state, that Olmsted was the first county in the state which became
solvent after the general financial pressure of the few years imme-
diately preceding the year last named.
Officers were elected in the fall of 1867, as follows : L. B. Bliss,
register of deeds ; county treasurer, O. P. Whitcomb ; sheriff, Will-
iam Brown ; judge of probate, Reuben Reynolds ; county attorney,
C. M. Start ; representatives, Charles Stewart, S. W. Eaton and
Caleb Sawyer,
The board of commissioners for 1866 and 1867 consisted of
W. D. Hurlbut, William Carson, Amos Parks, R. S. Russell and
J. K. Randall.
In 1868 J. A. Leonard was elected state senator; representatives,
R. D. Hathaway, B. S. Larsen and John Lathrop ; board of county
38 "
632 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
commissioners, W. D. Hurlbut, William Carson, R. S. Russell,
Edwin A. Doty and Henrj J. Grant.
The following were elected county officers in 1869 : register of
deeds, Thomas Brooks ; treasurer, A. Gooding ; judge of probate,
S. W. Eaton ; sherift", William Brown ; county attorney, Charles
M. Start ; clerk of district court, C. T. Benedict. That year the
board of county commissioners consisted of W. D. Hurlbut, William
Carson, R. S. Russell, E. A. Doty and G. W. Wirt. Representatives
chosen that year, Charles Stewart, S. W. Graham and B. S. Larsen.
In 1870 a good deal of unfriendly feeling was developed through-
out the state toward the railroads. The companies were charged
with unjust discriminations and witli exorbitant and oppressive
tarifis in the transportation of freights, especially of wheat and other
farm produce to the eastern markets. Olmsted county, of course,
was struck with the general feeling of dissatisfaction, and conse-
quently was loud in her complaints. By many it was thought that
these evils might and should be reached and remedied through the
legislature. So strong was this feeling that the matter formed a
prominent issue in the canvass for members of the legislature that
year. L. B. Hodges, of Oronoco, an outspoken and uncompromis-
ing democrat, was nominated for state senator, in the interests of the
farmers against the railroads. O. P. Stearns, of the city of Roches-
ter, an attorney, was the republican candidate for senator. Both
candidates canvassed the county pretty thoroughly, Mr. Hodges
taking extra pains to ingratiate himself into the confidence and
favorable consideration of the farming po]:)ulation, while his oppo-
nent, Mr. Stearns, confined himself mostly to the discussion of the
usual part}^ issues. The result was that Mr. Hodges was elected by
a majority of between 200 and 300 votes, notwithstanding the
count3^ on square partisan issues, was at the time good for from 800
to 1000 republican majority. R. A. Jones, Thomas W. Phelps and
William Somerville were elected representatives the same fall. D.
S. Hebbard was elected county auditor. The board of county com-
missioners that year was composed of R. S. Russell, G. W. Wirt,
C. H. Chadbourn and Eugene S. Wooldridge.
At the session of the legislature in 1871, Olmsted county was
divided into two senatorial districts, numbered respectively ninth
and tenth. The ninth district was comprised of the towns of
Quincy, Yiola, Dover, Eyota, Marion, Elmira, Orion, Pleasant
Grove, High Forest and Rock Dell, and the villages of Eyota
ORGANIZATION. 633
and High P^'orest. The tenth district was comprised of the
towns of Salem, Kalmar, New Haven, Cascade, Oronoco, Haver-
hill, Rochester and Farmington, and the first, second and third
wards of the cit}^ of Rochester. To each district were assigned one
senator and two representatives. In the fall of the same year, Mile
White was elected senator in the ninth district, and Arthur Gaskill
and Peter Fenton representatives. In the tenth district, O. S. For- '
ter was elected senator, and R. A. Jones and T. B. Lindsay repre-
sentatives. The county officers chosen that year were as follows :
County treasurer, A. Gooding ; register of deeds, Thomas Brooks ;
sheriff, James A. Ellison ; county attorney, C. M. Start ; judge of
probate, S. W. Eaton ; court commissioner, O. O. Baldwin. The
board of county commissioners for 1871 consisted of G. W. Wirt,
E. S. Wooldridge, F. T. Olds, E. H. Dewey and A. Burnap.
In the Grant and Greeley presidential campaign of 1872 there
were quite a number of republicans in the county who left the party
and cast their political fortunes with the Greeley movement. They
were styled "Liberal Republicans.'' But the county went repub-
lican that fall as usual. D. S. Hebbard was re-elected county audi-
tor; Milo White was returned to the state senate from the ninth
district. M. L. Tibbetts and Marcus Wing were elected representa-
tives in the ninth district, and Tliomas B. Lindsay and M. C. Fuller
re]3resentatives in the tenth.
The republicans gained the ascendency in the county in 1857,
and held it until 1873. The average majority was fully 800, and a
republican nomination was ordinarily equivalent to an election, but
in the last year named the politics of the county underwent quite a
revolution. A succession of partial failures of the wheat crop, com-
bined with a real or supposed system of oppressive taxation, and
perhaps, more than all, with a general uneasiness and desire for a
change, had sown the seeds for a political revolt. The farmers were
among the first to feel the effects of "hard times," and laboring un-
der the conviction that somehow the government, both state and
national, and both republican, was responsible for the financial diffi-
culties, many of them sought for relief at the ballot-box. Granges,
or lodges of "Patrons of Industry," were instituted all over the county,
the declared object of which was the protection of the agriculturists
against the monied and trading classes. The disaffected ones also
became inveterate and persistent anti-monopolists and so-called
reformers, and what was specially noticeable, and not a little sur-
634 HISTOKY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
prising, these elements of dissatisfaction and desire for a change
were largely confined to the republican party. At the fall election
in 1S73 these disintegrating forces made themselves felt at the polls.
Whether through design or from accident, the patrons, anti-
monopolists and reforiliers readily coalesced with the democrats,
and at the election last named, the following-named persons were
elected : Kegister of deeds, L. E. Cowdery, democrat ; treasurer,
J. L. Wright, disaffected republican ; clerk of district court, H. T.
Hannon, disaffected republican ; judge ol probate, J. W. Fulkerson,
democrat ; county attorney, C. M. Start ; sheriff, James A. Ellison ;
court commissioner, O. O. Baldwin ; count}^ surveyor, Thomas Hun-
ter ; coroner H. Galloway, democrat, Messrs. Ellison, Start, Hunter
and Baldwin being the only republicans elected to the several
county offices. I. M. Westfall, disaffected republican, was elected
state senator for the tenth district, and F. T. Olds and M. Dosdall,
both democrats, were chosen representatives. In the niiith district,
C. T, Shellman and John Hyslop, both disaffected republicans, were
elected representatives.
Whether the political change was productive of the beneficial
results desired or anticipated, is a question not easily solved. One
thing, however, is certain, the count}^ secured a corps of first-class
officers.
The board of commissioners for 1873 were F. T. Olds, A.
Burnap, G. W. Wirt, P. Hoganson and E. H. Dewey.
In the fall of 1874, county and district officers were elected as
follows : County auditor, A. Biermann ; court commissioner, O. O.
Baldwin; coroner, G. W. Kichols, state senator, ninth district,
Milo White; representatives, L. M., Gaskill, Burr Deuel. Tenth
district, representatives, J. Y. Daniels, William Brown.
This year the board of commissioners consisted of Thomas
Brooks, Joseph Tait, P. Hoganson, George W. Wirt and M. Kepner.
At the election in the fall of 1875 the following-named persons
were elected : Register of deeds, L. E. Cowdeiy ; treasurer, J. L.
Wright ; sheriff", J. A. Ellison ; county attornej^, Charles M. Start ;
judge of probate, J. W. Fulkerson ; coroner, G. W. Nichols ; county
surveyor, Thomas Hunter. A. Burnap and H. M. Stanchfield were
elected representatives from the ninth district. In the tenth district
J. y. Daniels was chosen state senator and E. P. Whiting and W.
H. White representatives.
Thomas Brooks, O. Cravath, Peter Hoganson, W. H. White and
ORGANIZATION. 635
M. Kepner comprised the board of county commissioners for this
year.
At the session of the legislature for 1876 an act was passed
authorizing certain counties in the state to elect county superin-
tendent, Olmsted county being included in the list.
In the fall of 1876 the following-named ])ersons were elected :
County auditor, A. Biermann ; county superintendent, M. G. Spring ;
state senator in the ninth district, B. Deuel; representatives, Thomas
W. Phelps and Marcus Wing. In the tenth district, E. P. Whiting
and George W. Pugh were chosen representatives.
The board of county commissioners for 1876 consisted of Thomas
Brooks, O. Cravath, M. Kepner, Henry Postier and John Corn well.
As early as 1874 or 1875 the politics of. the county began to be
agitated by what is known as greenbackism or fiatism. The advo-
cates of this theory maintained that the financial system of the
country was radically wrong. They claimed that the public debt
should be paid in greenbacks ; besides, they argued in favor of
other measures of reform or change in the conduct of the national
finances. This new theory found favor with many of the voters in
the county, and here, as well as elsewhere, it became a political
issue of considerable force and magnitude. As fate or luck would
have it, the greenback policy found its warmest welcome and most
persistent advocates among the disaffected republicans, but, for
political purposes, they sometimes fused with the democrats.
At the election in the fail of 1877 A. F. Keyes, greenbacker,
was elected county treasurer ; register of deeds, L. E. Cowdery;
sheriff, W. H. White ; clerk of district court, H. T. Hannon ;' county
attorney, H. A. Eckholdt ; judge of probate, H. II. Richardson ;
county commissioner, W. S. Booth ; county surveyor, Thomas
Hunter. On December 22, of the same year, Mr. Richardson died,
and D. S. Hebbard was appointed judge of probate by the governor.
The same year D. A. Morrison was elected state senator. A.
Burnap and John Hyslop were chosen representatives from the
ninth district ; James Button and Charles E. Stacy were elected rep-
resentatives in the tenth district.
The board of commissioners that year consisted of James N.
Coe, John Cornwell, H. Postier, W. J. Rank and O. Cravath.
In 1878 A. Biermann was re-elected county auditor ; Henry C.
Butler, judge of probate ; M. G. Spring, county superintendent ;
O. O. Baldwin, court commissioner. O. II. Page was elected state
636 HISTORY OF. OLMSTED COUNTY.
senator in the ninth district, and Peter Fenton and Charles P. Rus-
sell representatives. In the tenth district D. A. Morrison was re-
elected state senator ; Charles E. Stacy and R. A. Jones representa-
tives. The board of county commissioners for that year consisted
of J. N. Coe, John Cornwell, H. Postier, W. J. Rank and Joseph
Tait.
By the year 1879 the republicans had again acquired the ascend-
ency in the county, electing their entire ticket in the fall of that
year, excepting sheriff. The ticket v^^as as follows : County treasurer,
G. A. Frizzell ; register of deeds, M. R. Wood ; sheriff, W. H.
White ; county attorney, H. "A. Eckholdt ; coroner, G. W. Nichols ;
surveyor, Thomas Hunter. The state constitution having been
amended, providing for biennial sessions of the legislature, there
was no legislative ticket elected that year. The board of commis-
sioners for that year consisted of J. IST. Coe, John Cornwell, H.
Postier, W, J. Rank and William Freeman.
In 1880 the following-named officers were elected : County
auditor, C. A. Whited; judge of probate, H. C, Butler; county
superintendent of schools, M. G. Spring; coroner, F. R. Mosse.
In the ninth district, Milo White was elected state senator, and Ole
Juleson and C. A. Butterfield representatives. In the tenth district,
J. Y. Daniels and O. S. Porter were chosen representatives. This
year the board of commissioners consisted of J. N. Coe, John
Cornwell, William Freeman, B. F. Bulen and F. L. Tesca.
At a special session of the legislature held in the fall ot 1881,
another legislative apportionment was made. Under the new
apportionment Olmsted county constitutes one senatorial district,
numbered 14, and three representative districts, allowing the county
one state senator and three representatives. The western district
is comprised of the towns of Cascade, Kalmar, Rock Dell, New
Haven, Oronoco, Farmington, Haverhill, and the village of Byron.
Eastern district: Yiola, Quinc}'^, Eyota, Dover, Elmira, Orion,
Pleasant Grove, High Forest and Salem townships, and the villages
of Eyota and High Forest. The central district is comprised of the
towns of Rochester and Marion, and the first, second and third
wards of the city of Rochester.
At the election in the fall of 1881 the following-named persons
were elected : County treasurer, G. A. Frizzell ; register of deeds,
M. R. Wood ; clerk of court, C. H. Heffron ; county attorney,
F. B. Kellogg; sheriff, Henry M. Richardson; county surveyor,
TJIE INDIANS THE PRESS. (').") 7
Tlionias Hunter. The board of commissioners this year was com-
prised of J. N. Coe, F. L. Tesca, B. F. Bulen, L. B.' Josselyn and
William Freeman.
The election in the fall of 1882 resulted as follows: County
auditor, C. A. Wliited ; judge of probate, H. (\ Butler ; super-
intendent of schools, F. L. Cook ; state senator, D. A. Morrison ;
representative in eastern district, E. D. Dyar; western district,
J. Frahm ; central district, M. J. Daniels. Milo White, of Elmira,
was elected representative in congress for the first congressional
district. The board of commissioners for this year consisted of
J. N. Coe, L. B. Josselyn, O. Seeverts, J. ^Y. Flathers and James
T. Price. The population of the county is now about 25.000.
CHAPTER HI.
THE INDIANS — THE PRESS.
FoK one or two years after the iirst settlement of the county there
were small bands of Sioux Indians roving about, hunting in the
woods and fishing in the streams. Mitchell, in his history of the town
of Salem, says : "During the wij^ter of 1854-5 the Indians, m pass-
ing through the town, on their way from one belt of timber to
another, made Mr. Hurd's house a regular stopping-place. From
twent} to twenty-five would sometimes come into his small house at
a time and ask, and even demand, whatever they wanted, and Mr.
Hurd, with a frank generosity, never let them go away empty-
handed, but satisfied all their wants. They never molested anyone,
but, being himgry, they demanded the means to satisfy the cravings
of their appetites.''
The presence of Indians frequently startled the women and
children, but in the year 185() most of the red men stole away and
very few of them were ever afterward seen in the county. For the
following piece of Indian narrative we are indebted to James Buck-
lin, Esq., of the cit)- of Rochester: In the fall of 185'I about two
liundred Indians camped on the river bottom, east of the site of
Jolm M. Cole's old flouring-mill. They remained there about six
weeks, and during the time four of their number, three males and
638 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
one female, died from sickness. From the pustules which came out
on the diseased ones, together with other symptoms, it was thought
that they had the small-pox; but as the disease did not spread, it
was concluded that the malady was not small-pox. The Indian
doctor, whose name was Muzomoney, said the woman who died had
eaten some honey and swallowed a bee, which stung her in the
throat or stomach and killed her. Through fear or superstition, or
from some other impulse, the Indians engaged the whites to bury
their dead. The bodies were buried on a bluff nearly west of the
site where the Cascade mill now stands. There were, in all, eight
bodies of deceased Indians buried there, and the spot has ever since
been known as the "Indian burying-ground."
On account of the sickness referred to, the chief ordered a
removal to another camping-ground. This time they moved to a
point about one mile south of the city of Rochestei', near the present
residence of Mr. John Bamber. Two more male Indians died
during the winter ; one of the same disease as the first named ; the
other, the chief Coskass, died from injuries received from being
kicked by a pony. The chief was a smart young fellow, not more
than twenty years of age. The Indians hired James A. Bucklin and
Lewis Bucklin to bury the body of the dead chief These men con-
structed a cofiin out of puncheons. Placing the remains on a sled,
drawn by oxen, they set out for the burying-ground, nearly or quite
two miles distant. Several of the Indians followed the remains
about two-thirds of the way, when all but one of the number
stopped and turned back to the camp. This one, seemingly more
courageous or more deferential than his companions, followed on,
though at considerable distance in the rear of the funeral procession.
Soon after the death of chief Coskass, an Indian maiden, named
Winona, was taken sick with the same disease which afflicted the
band when encamped near Cole's mill, and chief Haboo ordered
another removal. This time they removed to the head of a ravine
on the north side of the bluff, north of the present residence of Dr.
Eaton. This was in midwinter, yet the Indians left the poor sick
girl in the sick tepee, without wood, food or water. After remain-
ing there a couple of days and nights, she recovered sufficiently to
get up, and by great, effort succeeded in walking to the house of Mr.
James Bucklin, a distance of about one-half mile from the camp.
Mr. Bucklin's people took the poor suffering maiden in and kindly
ministered to her wants and necessities. The next day Mr. Bucklin
THE LNDIANS THE PRESS. 639
sent a messenger to the new Indian camp, to inform the unfeeling
savages of the whereabouts and condition of the sick maiden
Winona. Whereupon her father, Dr. Muzomoney and chief Haboo
came over to Mr. BuckHn's, with a pony liitched to a rude pung, and
took Winona over to the camp. Before leaving, the sick girl made
Mrs. Bucklin a present of an excellent case-knife, and when Wayne
Bueklin, then a young man, went over to the camp a few days after
ward, Winona, who was now rapidly recovering from her sickness,
persuaded him to accept from lier a fine pair of buckskin moccasins
In the spring the Indians all left, and this was the last which was
seen of the Sioux in the county.
For some five or six years afterward, small parties of Winne-
bagoes, who had a reservation on the Lesuer river, were occasionally
seen sti-olling back and forth through the county on their way to and
from their former home in Wisconsin. The Winnebagoes were very
fond of gambling, and for stakes would put up their buffalo robes or
other articles which they might have about them. It is said that a
small party of these Indians camped a short time on or near Zumbro
street, a few rods west of the court-house, in the year 18fi2.
THE PRESS.
The newspaper has, in these modern times, become an indis-
pensable element in true progress and genuine civilization. In the
agricultural, commercial, educational and religious world, the news-
paper is becoming to wield a mighty force. It is at once the
medium of thought, the exponent of principles, an agency which,
in large measure, gives tone and character to society and garners up
for present use and future reference and reflection, faithful accounts
of the world's activities. The American people are, emphatically, a
reading people. No village, town or city, in these days of progress
and enterprise, expects to grow and prosper without the newspaper.
The printing-office fills a niche and supplies a want which will not
admit of a substitute. The earlier settlers of Olmsted county
showed a lively appreciation of the value of the newspaper. The
first newspaper published in this county was started in the fall of
18.56, only two years after the first occupancy of the county by white
men. At the time of which we speak, "The Oronoco Courier," a
seven-column newspaper, was established at the thriving and
pleasant village of Oronoco, by a joint stock company, consisting of
Leonard B. Hodges, John B. Clark, E. S. Collins, Keuben Ottman
640 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
and E. Allen Power. Tlie outfit for the office was purchased at
Dubuque, Iowa, and John B. Flynn, of that place, was employed
as foreman of the office. The services of Dr. H. Galloway, after-
ward of Kochester but now residing at Fargo, Dakota, were secured
by the company as editor-in-chief, and E. A. Power was employed
as local editor. The ' ' Courier '' was conducted with much vigor
and ability, and ranked among the first-class newspapers in the
territory. When the financial crisis of 1857 came on, the
"- Courier's " existence ceased. That was the first and last effort to
publish a newspaper at Oronoco, if we may except a small adver-
tising sheet gotten up by Mr. M. W. Clay some two or three years
ago, but now discontinued.
Messrs. Evans and Robbins came to Rochester from the east in the
winter of 1857 and established a small weekly newspaper entitled
"The Olmsted County Journal." The paper was conducted upon
the independent plan until the following fall, when John H. Hyatt
and Martin L. Stewart purchased the office and commenced the
publication of the " Rochester Free Press," in the winter of 1858.
These gentlemen continued the publication of the paper until the
June following, when they in turn sold out to Fred A. Soule, who
continued its publication, with himself as editor and J. R. Drew as
publisher, for about one year, when it was discontinued.
In September, 1857, Charles Cottam commenced the publication
of "The Rochester Democrat." The "Democrat" was an eight-
column paper, printed on bourgeois type, finely executed. In
politics it was intensely democratic, as its name indicated. It was
the first and only democratic pa])er ever published in the county
until the fall of 1865. Mr. Cottam continued the publication of
hispaper until November, 1859, when it was discontinued.
The " Rochester City News " made its first appearance about the
last of October, 1859, under the management of C. W. Blaisdell,
who was also proprietor. The "News" was a neutral paper,
having no fixed principles about anything, but striving to accommo
date itself to all, and, as a consequence, meeting with very poor
success. It went to the shades at the end of about one year.
Messrs. David and Cyrenus Blakely commenced tlie publication
of the "Rochester City Post" about November 1, 1859. The
material was brought from Austin, Minnesota, and the "Post"
started under auspicious and promising circumstances. The pro-
prietors were practical printers and excellent business men. The
THE INDIANS THE PKESS. 641
"Post" was republican in politics, and as that party were largely in
the ascendency in the county, it could hardly fail of success. The
office was well equipped for newspaper as well as job work, and the
proprietors soon were favored with a large amount of state, county
and private patronage.
During the year 1863-J— 5, Mr. David Blakely being absent at St.
Paul, as secretary of state, W. S. Booth, George Bisbee and S. W.
Eaton, all took turns in the editorial management of the "Post."
After conducting the paper for six years Messrs. Blakely sold their
entire interest to Messrs. J. A. Leonard and W. S. Booth, who
materially enlarged the paper and changed it from folio to quarto
form, and dropping the word "City" from the title of the paper.
Within a year, however, it was changed back to folio. In June,
1867, Messrs. Leonard and Booth purchased the subscription list
and good will of the "Rochester Republican," of which paper we
shall soon speak, at the same time engaging the services of S. W.
Eaton as associate editor. The "Post" was conducted by Messrs.
Leonard and Booth until the fall of 1875, when Mr. Leonard became
the sole owner of the establishment. The partnership was dissolved
and Mr. Booth gave up his entire interest in the business. In July,
1881, Mr. Leonard having received the appointment of United
States consul at Leith, Scotland, he leased the office to Messrs. L. H.
and P. S. Kelly, who are the present managers and publishers,
under the firm name of Kelly Brothers, with S. W. Eaton as editor.
The ' ' Post " was issued daily through the six state fairs which have
been held at Rochester. Messrs. Kelly Brothers, the present
publishers of the ' ' Post, " got out the first and only ' ' City Directory "
of Rochester in 1873. They published five hundred copies of this
work.
In the fall of 1860, W. H. Mitchell and Dr. L. H. Kelly pur-
chased the material of the "Rochester News," and with it com-
menced the publication of the "Rochester Republican," a radical
republican sheet, as the name indicated. The next year R. H.
Hoag, putting in a press and some other material which he brought
from Northfield, Minnesota, acquired an interest in the "Republi-
can," Dr. Kelly retiring from the concern. In the summer of 1862
Mr. Hoag enlisted in the army, and Mr. Mitchell was left sole
owner and manager of the "Republican" until November of the
same year, when S. W. Eaton, then recently from Green Lake
county, Wisconsin, purchased an undivided half interest in the
642 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
paper, and became a partner of Mr. Mitchell in its publication.
In the spring of 1864 Mr. Eaton re-sold his interest in the establish-
ment to Mr. Mitchell, who continued as editor and proprietor of the
paper until the fall of 1865, when he sold it to Messrs. U. B. Shaver
and S. W. Eaton. These gentlemen conducted the paper under the
firm name of Shaver & Eaton until the spring of 1867, when it was
disposed of to Leonard & Booth, as before stated. In the arrange-
ment Mr. Shaver held the material of the oftice, which he removed
to Kasson and commenced the publication of the "Dodge County
Kepublican." In the spring of 1863 Dr. Kelly, having purchased
of Mr. Hoag the material which the latter had put into the office of
the "Rochester Republican," he removed the same to Owatonna,
and started the "Plaindealer," the first newspaper published in that
city.
In October, 1865, the "Federal Union," a democratic paper, was
started by the "Federal Union" Printing Association, Mr. H. S.
Ejiapp, then recently from Ohio, editor and manager. The
"Union" was a large eight-column sheet, and very nicely printed
on type newly purchased in Chicago. Mr. Knapj) was a rapid and
pleasing writer ; socially he was every inch a gentleman, and ])olit-
ically, a democrat of the old school. Somewliat advanced in yeai-s,
Mr. Knapp's sojourn of a half-dozen years in Minnesota failed to
inspire him with that energy, ])ush and enterprise characteristic of
the great Northwest, and which are so essential to newspaper suc-
cess, especial!}' in small towns and cities. While politically he
made the paper intensely democratic in tone and purpose, in the
local news department it was not so much a success. In 1869 Mr.
Knapp transferred his share of the stock in the paper to his son,
Trevitt, and retired from the business. The same year one Nelson
D. Porter, also from Ohio, got possession of Mr. Knapp's interest
and assumed the management of the paper. Mr. Porter continued
to conduct the paper until June, 1870, when his sliare of the stock
was sold on a judgment previously obtained against him in the dis-
trict court by II. S. Knapp. This stock was bid in by Col. George
Healy, who soon after purchased the balance of the stock. About
this time Mr. Healy contracted one-half interest to H. H. Young,
the latter to conduct the business and edit the paper." Mr. Young
failed to make the payments stipulated, and the transaction was not
vastly profitable to Col. Healy. The establishment was next leased
by Mr. Healy to Mr. Young and James Button for one year. At
THE INDIANS THE PRESS. 043
the expiration of the year Coh Healj took possession of the office,
and subsequently sokl it to Mr. Young. In the several mutations
which the "Federal Union" experienced about these years, M. A.
Burbank acquired some interest in the establishment, just what, or
how much, or for what length of time, our records do not state. Mi-.
Young continued the publication of the paper until March, 1864, when
it was consolidated with the " Minnesota Record," then owned and
conducted by A. W. Blakely, and of which paper we shall make men-
tion in due time. The title of the newly-consolidated paper was the
"Record and Union,"' Messrs. Young and Blakely editors and pro-
prietors.
In the fall of 1874 Mr. Young sold out to S. D. Hill man, and
the publishing firm was changed to Blakely & Hillman. In De-
cember, 1879, Mr. Hillman transferred his interest to C. T. Coerr,
and in the following February Mr. Blakely bought Mr. Coerr's inter-
est and has since been and still is sole owner and publisher. The
office is well stocked with material, both for newspaper and job
work, the paper is printed on a steam-power press, and in politics it
is "independent democratic."
In March, 1868, Messrs. Leonard & Booth, proprietors of the
"Rochester Post," started a Scandinavian paper, the "Nordisk
Folkeblacl," under the editorial management of Mr. S. Christensen,
formerly of La Crosse, Wisconsin. This was the first Scandinavian
paper ever established west of the Mississippi river. The "Folke-
blad " was a large eight-column paper, neatly worked, and judging
from the commendations of Scandinavian readers and the general
favor with which it met, the paper was ably edited. Its publication
was continued in Rochester about nine months, when the paper and
material were purchased by Mr. Christensen, who removed it to
Minneapolis, and where he continued the publication of the paper
for several years.
The "Central Record," a small paper, republican in politics, was
started in December, 1870, by the "Record Printing Company,"
C. R. Conway, editor and publisher. "The Record" was con-
ducted with variable success until January, 1873, when A. W.
Blakely purchased it. He continued its publication up to March,
1874, when it was consolidated with the "Federal Union," as before
stated.
In June, 1881, the "Rochester Herald," a German paper, was
established by Krueger Brothers, who brought the material from
644 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Wykoff, Fillmore county. In April, 1882, George Kuessner pur-
chased the one-half interest in the establishment, and the paper is
now being conducted bj Messrs, Krueger & Kuessner.
O. F. Reed started the "Olmsted County Democrat " here in the
fall of 1881. The paper was published, in a small way, as a demo-
cratic organ for three or four months, when its politics were slightly
modified and the title changed to "National Tribune." In Feb-
ruary, 1882, the paper was discontinued and the material shipped
away.
In April, 1881, C. S. Powers commenced the publication of the
"Rochester National," a greenback paper. The material was
brought from Fountain, Fillmore county. The "National" was a
large eight-column paper, finely executed and edited with much
spirit and fair ability. Mr. Powers paid but little attention to either
local or general news, but devoted most of his energies and news-
paper space to the discussion of his peculiar political theories. At
the end of about six months the paper was discontinued and the
material conveyed back to Fountain, Mr. Powers claiming that he did
not receive the patronage and financial support which had been
promised him.
In the year 1871, T. G. Bolton commenced the publication of
the "Eyota Advertiser." In the fall of 18Y3 Mr. Bolton sold the
"Advertiser" to Messrs. Dyar & Ingham, who continued its publi-
cation until the summer of 1878, when it was discontinued.
E. A. Rising started the "Eyota Eagle" in the spring of 1878.
Mr. Rising run his paper a few months, when it was discontinued
and the material removed to Sleepy Eye, at which place Mr. Rising
commenced the publication of the "Sleepy Eye Wideawake."
CHAPTER lY.
THE GREAT REBELLION.
In 1860 came the great presidential contest, the most important,
in some respects, since the formation of the government. The vote
of the county was substantially divided between Mr. Lincoln and
Mr. DcTuglas, the former having a majority. Scarcely had the re-
joicings of the triumphant party over Mr. Lincoln's election ceased
THE GREAT REBELLION. 645
ere there came from the south nmrmurs of discontent and anger.
How they enlarged and increased through all that fateful winter,
how state after state fell away from its allegiance, how the whole
south resounded with the dreadful preparations for war, need not
be recited here. All this is a ])art of the nation's history. In Olm-
sted county, as elsewhere throughout the north, men looked on in
amazement, hoping, even to the last, for peace, deeming it impossible
that the lunacy of secession could ever ripen into the open madness
of rebellion. Few made any preparation for the event, yet nearly
all were in that angry and excited condition which needs but a word
to develop into the most determined action.
On the 15th of April, 1861, the daily papers contained the news
of the bombardment and fall of Fort Sumter. The deadly strife
had begun. " Grim-visaged war" had cast its gloomy and porten-
tous shadow over the land. The nation was shocked and stunned
as if visited by some great convulsion in nature. The Union was
in fearful peril and the government threatened with annihilation.
To save the Union and protect the government was the leading and
all-absorbing thought and sentiment. All peaceful means to quiet
the discontent and angry elements which had so long tlireatened the
dissolution of the Union and the overthrow of the government had
become exhausted, and the question of the life or death of the nation
must be settled by the stern arbitrament of bloody war.
Perhaps no county in the east or west responded more promptly
to the call of the president for help to crush the rebellion than did
Olmsted county. With a population in 1861 of only about 12,000, she
sent into the field 1,250 men, comprised mostly of the youthful and
most vigorous and enterprising of the population. Those who sur-
vived the death-dealing casualties of war, returned with honor to
their homes, with names written among the heroes of their country.
Their comrades who fell on the field of battle, or succumbed to the
ravages of disease, laid down their lives for their country, and their
heroic devotion and self-sacrifice will be long and tenderly cherished
in the hearts of their grateful countrymen.
However much we desire to give an entire history of the services
of each Olmsled county hero, we find the accomplishment of the
work next to impossible, as none of the records to which we have
been able to obtain access aftbrd the needed information. We shall
endeavor to give the dates of the mustering into service of the com-
panies, in wliole or in part, recruited from Olmsted county men,
646 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
together with the number of the regiments to wliicli thej were
assigned ; the subsequent movements and services of the regiments ;
also brief accounts of the more memorable and striking events of the
war in which our Olmsted county "boys" participated.
Co. B, 2d reg. Minn. Vol. Inf., was mostly raised in Olmsted
county, and was mustered into the service of the United States at
Fort Snelling June 22, 1861, to serve for three years, or during the
war, under the command of the following-named officers : captain,
William Markham; first lieutenant, Daniel Heany; second lieutenant,
Abram Harkins. On February 15, 1862, Capt. Markham resigned.
He was recommissioned and again resigned, July 19, 1862. Lieut.
Heany was promoted to captain, December 4, 1861, and assigned
to Co. C, 2d Minn., January 18, 1862. Second lieutenant Harkins
was promoted to first lieutenant, December 1, 1861, and to captain
July 19, 1862.
The regiment was originally under the command of Col. H. P.
Van Cleve, with James George, late of Rochester, now deceased, as
lieutenant-colonel. In March, 1862, Col. Van Cleve was promoted
to brigadier-general, and Lieut. -Col. George was promoted to
colonel of the regiment. Col. George continued in command of the
regiment until June 28, 1864, when he resigned and returned to his
farm at Oronoco, where he resided five years, moving to the city of
Rochester in 1870, and where he continued to reside till his death,
March 7, 1882.
During the months of July, August and Sejjtember the regiment
was kept on garrison duty in the several forts in the State of Minne-
sota. October 14, 1861, it was ordered to Washington. Arriving
at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, it was ordered to Louisville, Kentucky,
where it arrived October 22, and proceeded, the same day, to
Lebanon Junction, Kentucky.
After several other marches the regiment arrived at Mill Spring,
Kentucky, and took an honorable part in the battle fought there
January 19, 1862, losing twelve men, killed, and thirty-three
wounded. Among the killed of Olmsted county men were Hyr-
canus C. Reynolds and John B. Cooper ; wounded, Milo Crumb,
Andrew Driezke, Justus B. Chambers and John Eztell, and
Capt. William Markham, the first two mortally. Of this engage-
ment a participant in the fight says : "At the battle of Mill Spring
the 2d regiment gai)ied the reputation of being one of the best fight-
ing in the army. Gen. Thomas was concentrating his army to
THE GREAT REBELLION. 647
attack tlie rebel general Crittenden, wlio was encamped on the north
side of the Cumberland. The advance of the Union army encamped
about nine miles from Crittenden's camp, when he determined to
attack Gen. Thomas before his main army arrived. Crittenden suc-
ceeded in driving the front of Thomas' army about one mile, when
Col. Kobert McCook, with the 9th Ohio and 2d Minn., met the
enemy. Both regiments advanced through a thick grove to a rail
fence. The rebels lay behintl the fence and were not discovered by
the Union forces until the contending forces were so near that guns
were pulled from each others' hands. The battle was warm for a
few minutes, when the rebels retreated and did not stop until they
reached their camp."
At the battle of Mill Spring our brave "boys" had their first
"baptism of fire," a significant prelude to still other scenes of deadly
strife and heroic achievements which have won for them a record
truly honorable and imperishable. On October 6, 1862, the regi-
ment participated in a fight with the enemy at Springfield, Ken-
tucky, and two days later they had another engagement at Perrys-
ville, Kentucky. After various marches and countermarches the
regiment went into camp at Triune, Tennessee, March 6, 1863.
Here the regiment remained until the 23d day of June, when it
started for Hoover's Gap, a strong rebel hold, and joined Gen.
Thomas' corps in driving the rebels back to Tullahoma, which place
was captured by the Union forces July 1. Moving thence, August
30, the army crossed the Tennessee river on rafts, for the purj^ose of
flanking Chattanooga and compelling the rebels to evacuate that
place. Within less than two months from that time the 2d Minn, was
destined to take an active part in the memorable and bloody battle
at Chickamauga, Tennessee, September 19 and 20, 1863. The regi-
ment, now under the command of Col. George, fought bravely,
while it lost heavily. Of the Olmsted county troops, Curtis L. Cut-
ting, Samuel D. Calvert, Ambrose H. Palmer, Samuel Taylor and
Flavius J. Crabb were killed. Wounded : John L. Kinney, A. Y.
Doty, Greenville Farrier and Capt. Harkins, the first three mortally.
Capt. Harkins had his left arm shattered by a minie-ball striking
the arm near the shoulder and penetrating downward, as the cap-
tain was in a stooping posture when struck. He was captured
directly after being wounded, and on the third day afterward the
crushed arm was amputated and the wound dressed. Capt. Harkins
resigned June 20, 1864. George A. Baker was taken prisoner at
648 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Chickamauga and sent to Andersonville prison. He was discharged
in 1864. In November, 1863, the regiment was in another engage-
ment at Mission Kidge, in which Benjamin F. Talbot was killed.
Ashley W. Wood was captured at Chickamauga and died while a
prisoner. The regiment, during the summer of 1864, was engaged
in several battles and skirmishes at Resaca, Jonesboro, Atlanta and
Kenesaw Mountain. It afterward went with Gen. Sherman in his
grand march to the sea ; thence through the Carolinas and Virginia
to Washington, arriving there in the spring of 1865. The regiment
was discharged at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, in the July following.
The 2d Minn, was the pride of its brave and noble commander,
Col. George. Years after the close of the war, the colonel, being at
a reunion of the soldiers, was called on to speak of that regiment.
He said: "The 2d had never misunderstood an order, had never
charged the rebels without driving tliem, was never charged by the
rebels but the rebels were repulsed, had never retreated under the
fire of the enemy."
CHAPTER V.
MOKE ABOUT THE WAR.
In August, 1862, O. P. Stearns and M. J, Daniels opened a
recruiting office in the city of Rochester, and in a few days they suc-
ceeded in enlisting 101 men, all of Olmsted county. Of these was
formed Co. F, which was assigned to the 9th reg. Inf Minn. Yols.
The company was mustered into the service of the United States at
Fort Snelling, September 24, 1862, with the following officers : cap-
tain, A. M. Enoch ; first lieutenant, O. P. Stearns ; second lieutenant,
Milton J. Daniels. The regiment was under the command of Col,
A. Wilkins.
The Sioux war, an event ever memorable in the annals of Minne-
sota, broke out in August of this year. From 1,200 to 1,500 white
people were killed, many of them in the most cruel and bloodthirsty
manner known to even savage brutality, and a large amount of prop-
erty, consisting of dwellings, grain, hay, farming utensils, etc.,
destroyed. Lieut. Daniels was assigned by Gen. Pope to the com-
mand of a force of mounted infantry, made up from the 3d reg.
MORE ABOUT THE WAR. 649
Minn. Vols., to assist in the pursuit and capture of the murderous
Sioux, the expedition being under the command of Gen. Sibley.
When near Camp Release, the force under Gen. Sibley succeeded
in capturing five hundred of the savage warriors and conveying them
prisoners to Mankato. In Decenjber following, thirty-eight of the
most guilty ones were hung ; the balance were released and taken
to a reservation beyond the limits of the state.
Late in the fall the regiment went into winter quarters at Fort
Ridgely and were employed in building fortifications on the frontier.
The same winter Capt. Enoch was accidentally shot through the
breast with a pistol and resigned his command May 20, 1864. In
April, 1864, Lieut. Stearns was promoted to colonel of a colored
regiment, and Lieut. Daniels was promoted to captain of Co. F, A.
M. Hall 1st lieut. and A. J. McMillen 2d lieut.
In October 1863, the regiment was ordered to report at St. Louis.
In February it was sent on an expedition to Kansas City in pursuit
of Quantrel's gang of murderers and outlaws, and in May following
it had orders to report at Memphis, Tennessee. About the first of
June, 1864, the regiment, now forming a part of A. J. Smith's corps,
was sent from Memphis after the rebel Forest, with instructions to
push on till he was found and beaten. The entire force consisted of
nine thousand infantry and artillery with three thousand cavalry, the
latter led by Gen. Grierson, all under the command of Gen. Sturgis.
The Union army met but little opposition till near Guntown, on the
Mobile railroad, where Grierson's troopers met Forest's cavalry and
pushed it back vigorously on his infantry, which was strongly posted
on a hill at the foot of which was a creek which could with difficulty
be forded by infantry. Word was sent back to the infantry, now
some five or six miles behind, and in an intensely hot day they
were pushed forward at double quick to the scene of action. A
letter written to the "■ Rochester Post" by Capt. Daniels, a few days
after the disastrous affair, graphically says : " When we went into
the fight, it was by regiments, as they arrived on the ground ; so
they whipped us by regiments or in detail. We were obliged to
' go in ' on the double quick, and, as the day was very hot, many of
our men fell in the road, sunsti'uck. The 9th entered the fight in
good shape and drove the enemy in fine style, but we were soon
called off to support a battery company. Co. F did bravely, and
every man of them deserves great credit."
As if to add to the inexcusably bad management of the affair,
650 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
the train of more than two hundred wagons came rushing up with
the infantry, filling the road and impeding the movement of the
troops, who were now being parked within sight and range of the
enemy's lines. The result was, the Union army was speedil}- and
thoroughly routed, their train utterly lost and no supplies, no place
of refuge, no reinforcements nearer than Memphis, fully one
hundred miles distant. All order or organization was abandoned
and the situation was: "Every man take care of himself the best
he could." Large tracts of forests and groves, lonely and cheerless
as they would have been under other circumstances, afforded shelter
and hiding-places from the enemy and facilitated, in a good degree,
the escape of manj^ of the routed troops.
Twenty-three Olmsted county men were captured on the day of
the battle or picked up afterward by the rebel forces, of which the
woods seemed to be full.
The names of the captured ones, together with events in their
prison experience, is here given, Francis J. Heller, of Rochester,
captured at Guntown and taken to the rebel prison at Florence.
While in prison he stepped one side to hang out his blanket and was
shot dead. Henrj^ Niles, of Salem, captured and taken to that
slaughter-pen and consummation of southern barbarity and fiendish-
ness, Andersonville prison. He was transferred from there to
Millen, Georgia, from whence he escaped. He was again captured
and sent with Heller to Florence. He was afterward released from
prison and rejoined his regiment.
Edwin H. Adams, of Salem, taken to Andersonville ; transferred
to Florence, where he died in February, 1865.
John Burns, of Rochester, taken to Cahawba, Alabama, prison.
Afterward released and discharged with his regiment.
Syvert EUefson, Rock Dell, captured and sent to Cahawba, where
he died of wounds received in the battle at Guntown.
Elisha and Orlando Geer, Pleasant Grove, both captured and
sent to Andersonville. Elisha was transferred to Florence, where
he died in December, 1864. Orlando died at Andersonville, July
12, 1864.
Henry H. Howard, Elmira, captured and taken to Cahawba.
Released and discharged with the regiment.
Andrew C. McCoy, Salem, captured and sent to Andersonville.
Afterward discharged with the regiment.
Alpheus Merritt, Kalmar, captured and taken to Andersonville.
MORE ABOUT THE WAR. 651
Transferred to Florence. He escaped by climbing over the stockade,
but was recaptured and sent to the rebel prison at Salisbury, North
Carolina, where he died January 17, 1865.
Daniel McArthur, Farraington, captured and taken to Anderson-
ville ; afterward transferred to Charleston, South Carolina. He
escaped by jumping from the cars while on the route, and was
finally discharged with the regiment.
Eli Ruch, Stewartville, captured and sent to Andersonville.
Subsequently transferred to Millen. No further record of him.
Richard R. Radcliff, Stewartville, captured and sent to Ander-
sonville. Transferred thence to Charleston, thence to Florence,
where he died, December, 1861.
George Saville, Farmington, captured and sent to Andersonville,
thence to Florence. An event occurred in Saville's prison experience
which may be here narrated, as illustrative of the cruelties and in-
dignities endured by Union soldiers at the hands of rebels and
traitors. Mr. Saville borrowed an ax of a negro to cut some wood
outside the stockade. When he came inside he brought the ax, but
it was not immediately restored to its proper ])lace. The negro,
having to account for the ax, told the authorities that he had loaned
it to a Yankee. A rebel ofKcer took the negro and went into the
prison to find the man who had borrowed the ax. Saville was
pointed out, when he and the negro were led out and Saville was
sentenced to receive thirty lashes on the bare back, to be laid on by
the "nigger." The negro performed the cruel task, when he, in re-
turn, was to be whipped the same number of blows by Saville. To
this poor Saville demurred stoutly, and instinctively shrank from the
execution of so infamous and barbarous an act. He was told, how-
ever, that if he refused to obey, the negro would oe compelled to
whip him the same number of lashes as before, when Saville, fearing
for his life, inflicted on the poor negro the punishment ordered.
Saville lived to get out of pi-ison and was discharged with his regi-
ment.
William Williams, Rochester township, captured and sent to
Andersonville. From there he was sent to Florence ; ordered to
be transferred to Salisbury, and when about twenty-five miles from
Florence, Williams jumped the train. This was February 16, 1865,
and making his way cautiously through the enemy's country, he
succeeded iii reaching Fort Johnson, within the Union lines, about
a week afterward. He was discliarged with his regiment.
652 HISTOEV OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Oliver C. Whipple, Haverhill, captured and sent to Anderson-
ville, where he died September 16, 1864.
Albert Holt, Salem, taken to Andersonville, where he soon died.
Jacob Dieter, Farmington, captured and sent to Andersonville.
As near as we can learn, Dieter, with other prisoners, was subse-
quently transferred to Charleston, and on the route he jumped the
train and escaped. But it is supposed that he was recaptured and
taken to Salisbury, where he died in November, 1864.
John Cassidy, Marion, taken to Andersonville, where he died
October 12, 1864.
Lieut. A. M. Hall, Farmington, captured and sent to Anderson-
ville. Subsequently transferred thence to Macon, Georgia, thence
to Columbia, South Carolina. He managed to escape, but was
recaptured and taken back to prison. Lieut. Hall was finally dis-
charged with his regiment.
George H. Knapp, Stewartville, captured and taken to Ander-
sonville. He soon died in prison.
William F. Lyon, Stewartville, captured and sent to Anderson-
ville. Finally discharged with his regiment.
John L. Craig, Stewartville, captured and sent tg Cahawba prison.
Finally discharged with the regiment.
George Atkinson, Oronoco, captured and taken to Andersonville
and died there.
We find the name of Samuel Chilsen, High Forest, among the
captured at Guntown, but there is no further record of him excepting
that he was finally discharged with his regiment. These men all
belonged to Co. F, 9th reg., excepting George H. Knapp and
William F. Lyon, who were members of Co. C, same regiment.
The following brief account of the experience of three of the
Olmsted county men is worthy a place in this connection. By
traveling in small parties or singly, the fleeing soldiers stood a less
chance of being captured than in massed companies. Acting upon
this fact, George C. Sherman, James Reynolds and F. Wilber War-
ner associated together and in company resolved to make their
escape. With rations, consisting of five hard tack only, the boys
threw away their guns and set out for Memphis. They traveled
mostly nights, hiding in the forests and groves in the daytime. For
food they supplemented their hard tack with the inside bark of beech
and birch trees and a hatful of green apples. Losing or throwing
away their shoes, they cut off the legs of their pants and the sleeves
MORE ABOUT THE WAR. It 58
of their blouses to make covering for their feet. At tlie end of six
days, with blistered feet, limbs sgj-atched and torn, worn and ex-
hausted with traveling and well-nigh faraislied for want of food, tlie
three brave men reached Memphis and the Union lines.
The regiment finally reached Mem])his and was soon reorganized
and assigned to the cor[)S under Gen. A. J. Smith. Another
expedition against Forest was undertaken. The two armies met at
Tupelo, Mississippi, where an engagement ensued, in which Forest'
was defeated with great loss. Here Col. Wilkin was killed. In
the ensuing fall the regiment was in a fight at Oxford, Mississippi.
The rebels were under the command of Chambers, since member of
congress. The Union army was victorious. The regiment was in
the battles at Nashville, Tennessee, December 15 and 16, 1864 ; also
at the taking of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, April, 1865. Dis-
charged at Fort Snelling, August 24, 1865.
In March, 1865, Capt. Daniels was commissioned captain and
C. S. by President Lincoln, and assigned to duty on Gen. Canby's
staff at New Orleans ; afterward commissioned by President
Johnson brevet-major.
In the spring of 1863 Lieut. Stearns was detailed for duty on Col.
Miller's staff at St. Paul. The next fjxll he went with the regiment
to Jefferson City, Missouri, where he remained until the spring of
1864, most of the time acting as judge-advocate of a military com-
mission. In April he received his commission as colonel of the 39th
regiment. United States colored infantry, which had been raised in
Baltimore, Maryland. The colonel soon after joined his regiment
on the old battle-field of Bull Run. The regiment was in the battle
of the Wilderness, on which occasion Col. Stearns says, ""I really
smelt my first powder." The next heavy fighting done by the
regiment was at the siege of Petersburg, in the summer of 1864.
Of an engagement at that place. Col. Stearns says: " We suffered
terribly. Some of the colored regiments were nearly' annihilated.
More than one-half of my officers were wounded, and I lost 185 men,
killed, wounded and missing." The regiment subsequently partici-
pated in several minor engagements between Fort Fisliej- and
Wilmington. The regiment ]-emained in North Carolina doing post
duty till December 13, 1865, when it was mustered out and Col.
Stearns returned to his home at Rochester. Just before he left the
regiment his men presented him with a magnificent sword, sash and
belt, which he says ''I shall hand down as a priceless heirloom."
654 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Lieut. William Brown has kindly furnished the following account
of Co. H, 6th reg., Inf. Minn. Yols. The companj was principally
recruited in Olmsted county, by C. H. Lindsley, William K.
Tattersall and Samuel Geisinger for the 6th regiment, in the sum-
mer of 1862 . August 15 the company rendezvoused at Fort Snelling,
where it was enrolled and organized, with William K. Tattersall,
captain ; Samuel Geisinger, first lieutenant, and William Brown,
• second lieutenant. The Sioux Indian war broke out about this time,
and all the troops arriving at Fort Snelling were immediately ordered
to the frontier to protect the settlers. Co. H was at once put under
marching orders for Fort. Kipley to look after the Chippewas. The
company remained there until November, when it was ordered to
report at Fort Snelling, and on the 20th of that month, 1862, it was
regularly mustered into the service of the United States. The
company remained at Fort Snelling until the middle of February,
1863, from whence it was ordered to Kingston, Meeker county,
Minnesota, remaining until the first of May. It was then ordered
to report at Camp Pope, preparatory to the setting out of the expe-
dition, under Gen. Sibley, against the Sioux. In August, the com-
pany returned from that march and again went into quarters at Fort
Snelling. In the latter part of November Co. H was sent on
detached service with two other companies to Fort Thompson, on
the Missouri river, to guard supply trains sent by government to the
Chippewa Indians who had been removed from their reservation in
Blue Earth county. This was a hard and perilous march, particu-
larly at that season of the year, the route being over a wild and
unsettled country a distance of several hundred miles. It was
impossible for the Indian agent to hire citizens to go as teamsters,
and he gladly paid the soldiers for doing the double duty of driving
team and guarding his train. The company sat out on their
return march in the latter part of December, going by way of
Sioux City, Iowa, it being deemed too hazardous to undertake
again to cross the then unbroken wilderness of Dakota.
The command reached the boundarj^ of Minnesota at Fairmont
on the first day of January, 1864, a day exceptionally memo-
rable on account of the intensely cold weather then prevailing.
The soldiers were quartered in tents while the mercury in the
thermometer sank to 40° below zero. Arriving at Fort Snelling
early in January, the company went into winter quarters, remaining
until the next spring, when it was with the regiment ordered to
MORE ABOUT THE WAR. G55
Helena, Arkansas. While at Helena the company lost severely by
sickness. In the following winter the regiment was sent to St.
Louis and performed provost duty. February, 1865, the regiment
was sent to New Orleans, where it remained on provost duty until
the next April, when it was ordered to Fort Blakely, near Mobile,
where it participated in reducing Fort Blakely and Spanish Fort.
In August, 1865, the regiment was mustered out of service at Fort
Snelliug. It should be added here that Lieut. Geisinger resigned in
the summer of 1864, and William Brown was promoted to first
lieutenant and William M. Evans was promoted from first sergeant
to second lieutenant.
Among the members of Co. H, who died from sickness, were the
following : Samuel T. Gibson, at Fort Snelling, December 30, 1862 ;
Morgan L. Bulen died at St. Louis, November 20, 1864 ; Americus
Boright, at ETelena, Arkansas, July 27, 1864 ; Daniel H. Crego, at
Helena, August 12, 1864 ; John Chappens died at Memphis, Sep-
tember 13, 1864 ; Daniel McArthur died at Helena, August 23,
1864 ; David L. Humes died at Helena, August 13, 1864 ; George
H. Woodbury died at Helena, July 27, 1864 ; Eliphalet Speed died
at St. Louis, December 2, 1864.
Co. K, of the 3d reg. Inf. Minn. Vol., was composed principally
of Olmsted county men, and was mustered into the service of the
United States November 14, 1861, with M. W. Clay, captain; James
L. Hodges, first lieutenant, and Cyrenus H. Blakely, second lieu-
tenant. Capt. Clay left the service December 1, 1862, and Lieut.
Hodges was promoted to the captaincy. Lieut. Blakely was pro-
moted to adjutant January 9, 1862, and afterward to captain of sub-
sistence. Eben North was promoted to second lieutenant October
2, 1864, and to first lieutenant of Co. G April 10, 1865.
On the 1st of November, 1861, the regiment left Fort Snell-
ing for Louisville, Kentucky, where the men were em]jl<)yed in
guarding the Louisville and Nashville railroad. While the regiment
was at that post the measles broke out in the camp and became epi-
demic. The disease proved fatal to a number of the men, mostly
from exposure and relapse after they were supposed to be out of
danger. George W. Russell, James L. Bundy and Samuel
Northrop died with the disease in March, 1862. The same month
the regiment was ordered to Nashville, Tennessee, where they did
provost duty until the May following, when they were sent to Mur-
freesboro, Tennessee, and were associated with the 9th Mich. Inf.,
656 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
a Kentucky battery and a small cavalry force, to do duty as scouts
and advance pickets, all under the command of Gen. Crittenden.
On the morning oi July 13, 1862, Gen. Forest surprised the 9th
Mich, and the cavalry company in their beds and made them pris-
oners. On the first alarm the long roll of the 3d was beaten, and
the regiment, speedily forming into line of battle, set out to march
to the relief of the town. But they had barely reached the Nash-
ville pike leading into Murfreesboro when the}' were met by a por-
tion of Forest's forces, who occupied the strip of woods lying between
the river and the town. Here a skirmishing began and was kept up
until about three o'clock in the afternoon. The enemy made one
determined charge on the regiment, but they were repulsed with
considerable loss. In the meantime a portion of Forest's men, with
Forest at their head, had, after two or three unsuccessful attacks,
succeeded in captming the Union camp, in the rear and left, under
the charge of forty men. About three o'clock in the afternoon an
officer approached the line of the 3d regiment under a flag of truce,
and demanding a surrender, induced Col. Lester, in command of the
regiment, and his adjutant, to accompany the flag into Murfreesboro.
After some consultation with Gen. Crittenden and Col. Mayfield,
who were already prisoners of war, and who advised Col. Lester to
surrender, the latter returned to his regiment and called a council of
the commanders of companies. After submitting the facts he had
learned and the advice given him by Crittenden and Mayfield, Col.
Lester called for a vote on the proposition to surrender or not. Two
ballots were taken, and on the second ballot all voted to surrender,
excepting three captains, and the regiment was thus surrendered as
prisoners of war, July 13, 1862. While giving an account of this
unpleasant affair, it is but simple justice to our Olmsted county
troops to state that the 3d regiment had a force of only 700 effective
men and one battery, while Forest's force amounted to about 2,800
men, all cavalry. Co. K had one man wounded in the arm, Charles
Turnley, but none killed. The officers were all taken south, while
the privates were conveyed to McMinnville, in eastern Tennessee,
and paroled according to the terms of the surrender, and an officer
sent back with them as far as Murfreesboro. Capt. Mills and Lieut.
Hodges escaped on the route and both got back safely within the
Union lines, but they had several narrow escapes from the inhabit-
ants. The men, minus their officers, returned to Nashville, from
whence they were sent to Benton barracks, Missouri, to await
MORE ABOUT THE WAK. C)f)7
excliaiige. While at that place the Sioux outbreak in this state
occurred and the regiment was oi^ered to Fort Snelling August 25,
1862. The regiment arrived there about September 1, when a
detachment of 250 men were sent the next day to the relief of Forest
City, Meeker county, supposed to be besieged, if not already wiped
out, by the Indians. On their route to Forest City the detachment
found the country generally deserted, the inhabitants being gathered
inside of stockades for protection against the Indians. They arrived
at Forest City the third day and found the people gathered in a
stockade, but there were no Indians to be seen, and none had been
seen for some time. The next day the detachment returned to
Cedar Mills, where they received a message from the governor to
report immediately to Gen. Sibley at Fort Ridgely. On the route
from Cedar Mills to Forest City the detachment found and buried
the dead bodies of five white men, all scalped and mutilated and in
a state of partial decomposition. They belonged to a small detach-
ment sent out from St. Paul and Minneapolis, and were here attacked
by a party of Sioux in ambush. Between Cedar Mills and Fort
Ridgely they found and buried the dead body of a boy who had
evidently been recently murdered by the Indians. Arrived at Fort
Ridgely, the detachment, still under the command of Maj. Welch,
was organized with the 6th and Tth Minn. regs. and a company of
scouts, composed of half-breeds, the "Renville Rangers," and about
the middle of September, 1862, the expedition started up the valley
of the Minnesota river in pursuit of Little Crow, the Sioux chief ; the
detachment of the 3d, being the only troops that had seen service,
led the advance the entire route. On September 22 the expedition
arrived at Wood Lake, about two miles from the Yellow Medicine
river, and the next day had an engagement with the Indians, led by
Little Crow. Eighteen Indians were killed and several wounded.
Five of our men were killed and a number wounded. None of Co.
K were killed or wounded seriously. The cap-box, worn in front,
probably saved the life of Thomas Hunter, first sergeant of the com-
pany, as a bullet struck this cap-box with sufficient force to flatten
every cap in it. Glancing from the cap-box the bullet struck his
left hand, making a slight wound. After the defeat of Little Crow
at Wood Lake, he, with some of his followers, fled to Dakota, and
Gen. Sibley began negotiations, with the hostile Indians who
remained, for the release of a large number of women and children
658 JIISTOKY OF OLMSTED COUNT i^
who were prisoners in their hands, at their camp on the Minnesota
river at the mouth ot the Chippewa.
The detachment remained on duty in putting down the Indian
outbreak until about November 1, when they arrived at Fort Snell-
ing. In January, 1863, the 3d regiment was exchanged, after which
they were again ordered south. The regiment was in active service
principally at points in Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi, and
while lying at Pine Bluff in the summer of 186dt, Co. K lost ten
men from sickness. In Octobei- the regiment was ordered to Duvall
Bluff, where it remained during the winter of 1864-5, principally
occupied in building forts, under the supervision of Thomas Hunter,
now first lieutenant of Co. F. On April 1, 1861, a detachment of the
3d, under Gen. C. C. Andrews, had a fight with a superior force of
rebels at Fitzbugh's Woods, Arkansas. The fight lasted several
hours, the rebels finally withdrawing. Several of the Union troops
were killed and wounded, but none belonging to Co. K. Early in
the war the 3d Minn, passed under a cloud, but the subsequent heroic
achievements of these men acquired in many brave and daring strug-
gles with savage foes and rebel white men, very effectually lifted the
cloud and the 3d made a record honorable and meritorious among
the noble defenders of our common country. The regiment was
mustered out of service September, 1865.
Among the Olmsted county troops belonging to the 3d regiment
who died in the service were the following : Grover B. Lansing died
at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, October 6, 1864 ; Amos Lesher, at Nash-
ville, Tennessee, April 24, 1862 ; John Bump, Murfreesboro, Ten-
nessee, July 10, 1862 ; Alpheus W. Bulen, Pine Bluft', Arkansas,
October 16, 1864 ; William J. Corpe, Louisville, Kentucky, March
25, 1862 ; Joshua C. Hartshorn died at St. Louis, October 10, 1862 ;
Samuel Northrop died at Louisville, Kentucky, March, 1862 ;
George M. Russell died at Shepherdville, Kentucky, March, 1862 ;
Martin Webster died at Pine Bkiff, Arkansas, September 27, 1864;
Ira Andrus, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, July 19, 1864; John J. Camp-
bell died at the same place, October 2, 1864; Samuel Crumb, at same
place, August 11, 1864; Robert Fulton, same place, October 19,
1864 ; Frederick Gilbert died at Duvall's Bluff, Arkansas, July 18,
1865 ; Christian Mark died at Little Rock, Arkansas, May 18, 1864 ;
Benjamin K. Moren died at Duvall's Bluft', Arkansas, May 19,
1865 ; Charles W. Moon died at Pine Bluff", Arkansas, August 9,
1864; William F. Scott at Pine Bluff*, Arkansas, August 5, 1864;
MORE ABOUT THE WAR.
659
Roswell Stanton died at Memphis, December 26, 1864 ; Jolm Snyder
died at same place January 12, 1865 ; Henry "Ward died at same
place January 8, 1865; Charles H. Weston, drowned in the Mis-
sissippi river, August 22, 1865 ; Edward K. Williams died on hos-
pital steamboat October 17, 1864.
Com])anies F, G, H and I, 1st batt. Minn. Vol. Inf., were re-
cruited at Rochester and comprised a goodly number of Olmsted
county men. The companies were mustered into service in the
spring of 1865 for three years or during the war. The officers of
Co. F were — Lafayette Hadley, captain; Thomas H. Kelly, first
lieutenant; Clark Andi-ews, second lieutenant; Co. G — James N.
Dodge, captain ; Orlando J. Gardner, first lieutenant ; Joseph Hal-
leck, second lieutenant ; Co. I — John N. Wallingford, captain ;
Jacob Z. Barncard, first lieutenant ; William B. Cornman, second
lieutenant.
The battalion left Fort Snelling about April 1, 1865, and in due
time arrived at Washington. From Washington the battalion was
sent to Burksville, Virginia, whence it soon returned to Washington
and went into camp some six or seven miles from the capital. In
June it was ordered to Louisville, Kentucky. Mustered out at Jef-
fersonville, Indiana, July 14, 1865 ; discharged at Fort Snelling,
Minnesota, July 25, 1865.
The war was practically ended before the battalion left Fort
Snelling, hence it had no actual ^service. O. F. Chambers, of Roch-
ester, and Simon Hadley, Farmington, the first of Co. H, the latter
of Co. F, died at Louisville in June.
The following are the names of the Olmsted county heroes, as
given in the adjutant-general's report at St.- Paul :
Baxter, Francis W.
Bixler,.Geo. P.
Boardman, Geo. A.
Bradley, David W.
Burge, Maiu'il
Burch, Win. H.
Cadwell, Alexis
( 'hafer, Almiron
Chambers, Justice B.
Conklin, Sylvester
Crabb, Flavins J.
Crabb, Burroughs
Cutting, Curtis L.
Diddle, Marion L.
Elders, Rienzi L.
Flnigge, Edward
CASCADE.
French, David G.
Freeman, Sam'I D.
Hanson, Joseph
Hyler, Geo. W.
Hunter, Chas. D.
Hurd, Chas. R.
Jilsen, David
Kennedy, Cyrus
Knudson. Olich
Lang, Creo. E.
Tvange, Frederick W
l^ensen, Fred. W.
Maher, Michael
McCarty. Warren
McNeil, PhiletusW.
Palmer, Ambros
Parrish, J. D.
Pitcher, Asahel
Price, James K.
Penfield, Vernon
Russell, Greenville
Sawtell,Jas. R.
Sherman, Stephen
Todd, Haville
Tyler, Dennis H.
\'roman, Barney D.
Waterman, Geo. B.
Westover, Job
Wilse, Stephen !■].
Wrought, Sylvester
Zirn, Louis
660
HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Allen, Josephns
Baney, Jas.
Berry, Joseph
Bird, Chas.
Bright, Ameiieus
Burgess, Osmond
Burgess, Sam'l W.
Chriestie, Wm. G.
Christie, Thos. D.
Christie, Thos. G.
Chnrich, John
Clark, Josephus
Cline, Cullen E.
Doekin, Nels.
Doheney, Walter
Eagan, Jas. J.
Evans, John J.
Evans, Wm. 11.
DOVER.
Fan-ell, Sam'l N.
Felt, Marcus B.
Frakes, Nathan
Gillaspie, Jas. M.
Harding, Harry A.
Higley, Francis
Higlev, J. M.
Howe, B. B.
Huter, Fidell
Johnson, Josejjh
Ketchum, Cornelius B.
Kimber, Anson V.
Kinber, Wm. H.
Lincoln, Chas. E.
Miller, Christopher
Morgan, Joseph R.
Morton, Henry
Newell, Amos
Pruiz, Frank
Richards, Russell
Shepard, Amos
Sheeks, Franklin
Small, Henry L.
Smith, Jas. L.
Smith, John W.
Smith, Jas. S.
Smith, Wm. O.
Sink, Wm.
Spillittstaser, August
Tollman, David
Thompson, Wm. R.
Vonamburg, Abram
Ward, Norman
Weaver, Philip
Weaver, John
Williamson, Luther G.
ELMIEA.
Atkinson, Wm. R.
Blackman, Zeno
Blodget, Wm.
Bolen, Alexis H.
Bolen, Albert
Case, Zehiel L.
Chamberlain, Moses
Dunham, Abel
Dunham, Abner
Elphee, Caleb
Elphee, Caleb, Jr.
Embry, Newton
Erickson, Peter
Farrington, Benj.
Foster, Sam'l
Fross, Albert L.
Gundlock, .John
Hayden, Horatio M.
Hemirs, Peter
Hopkins, J. I.
Huntley, J. D.
Ide, Francis B.
Jennings, Alfred
Jennings, Arthur
Kellen, Louis
Kime, Benj. F.
^lann, Adam
McEldarg, .Jonathan
McEldarg, Jonathan
McEldarg, Daniel S.
Morrison, John
Olehouse, Nicholas B.
Potter, Ray S.
Roberts, Wm.
Rogue, Nathan L.
Scott, Newton
Smith, C'lark W.
Stewart, Lucian
Strange, Fred. J.
Strachan, Joseph
Wards, Chandler
EYOTA.
Atherton, Austin M.
Bartow, Geo. O.
Batzla, Christopher
Bland, Robert
Brown, Wm. H.
Buch, Albert C.
Buck, Chas. A. .
Buck, Geo. S.
Burt, John F.
Burt, Wm. H.
Bosse, Frederick
Corrison, Jas.
Chapman, Orange H.
Clemens, Jabez B.
Cline, Jacob
Crofoot, Warren
Ditter, CoUander
Emery, Jas.
( reorge, F.
Gilbert, Francis D.
Graham, Williams
Greenslee, John
Greenslee, Wm.
Hance, Daniel P.
Hathaway, M.
Herst, John K.
Hodges, Jas. I^.
Hodges, Jas. L.
House, John
House, Geo. M.
Ingalls, Edgar J.
Jones, Wilson
I^ansing, G.
Langworthy, Henry M.
I^ee, Palmer
Matusrek, Andrew
Mitchell, Jos. R.
Olden, Edwin
Olsen, Ever
Osborn, Byron
Plank, Josephus
Proriser, Jas.
Resouette, Louis
Rollins, Jas.
Sanborn, Elias
Scott, Edward
Sheehan, Richard
Smalley, Henry
Smith, Edgar
Stevens, Philander
Targerson, Targer
Truman, H. O.
Tuttle, Geo.
Walters, J. F.
Wattles, Jesse
Wheeler, Mark D.
MORE ABOUT THE WAR.
661
Alker, Sam'l T.
Bash, John B.
Bulen, Alpheus \V,
Burton, Thos. I..
Casey, Edward
Cooriey, Martin
Cramer, Douglas
Cumniings, < Jeo.
Davis, Uiiani H.
Dodge, Jas. N.
Dodge, Henry W.
Ely, Phiraui
Fisher, Albert
Gibson, Geo.
Hadley, Simon
Hadley, Varnum
Haines, David
Hall, Eoles
FARMINGTON.
Harvey, Alphonso
Hall, Alfred M.
Hotz, Henry
Howe, .John D.
•Johnson, A. T.
Johnson, Andrew
Kelley, Barnard
Lamberton, John
Lane, Irvin M.
J^ane, li^ugene
J^avey, Richard
Mantel, Valentine
]Marsh, Eli
M(;Arthur, Daniel
Miller, .Jas. B.
Miller, Abraham
3b.(u;ly, Robert
xMoore, Manly O.
Oliu, Jas.
Penhaliow, Parks
Prior, Benj. L.
Pugh, Ezra L.
Richmond, A. J.
Robinson, Edward
Scott, Francis M.
Sherman, Cassius M.
Sidmore, Thos. J.
Smith, John J.
Striker, ( Jeo. W.
Talbot, Benj.
Walker, Peter M.
AVarner, F. W.
Warner, Harvey G.
AVebster, Daniel
White, Wm. H.
Barker, Morris C.
Brown, B. F. H.
Bulen, Frank
Bulen, Morgan L.
Clow, Malcomb
Conklin, Eleazer
Coon, Henry
Crockett, Geo. F.
Deiter, Jacob
Delaney, Wm.
Dewitt, Geo.
Fertile, Wm. A.
Fitch, John N.
Fofarre, Jvouis
Harrington, Inman
HAVERHILL.
Hayes, Daniel
Horton, Thos. E. B.
Hneston, John ,
Hymes, Jacob IJ.
Ingalls, Herbertson
Johnson, Richard M.
i..amj)crt, ' reo.
Lefevre, AVm.
Madison, Jas.
Marlett, Ira A.
Marlett, Jas. H.
Morrow, Andi-ew J.
Mclnvel, Bennett
Peck, Henry
Peckham, M. L.
Saville, Geo.
Simonds, .John P.
Smith, Martin
Smith, John Van
Smith, Flezekiah
Spaulsburg, Jonas
Spencer, I)aniel
Starmer, liobert
Stone, Nathan
Strong, C'has.
Vanl(^rn, Lawrence
Weitz, Ferdinand
AVhipple, Oliver
Wood, Ashley W.
Woodrutr, Geo. E.
Abbott, J. D.
Blunt, ,Jas.
Bradley, Jas.
Brayn, CUias.
Bren, John
Brown, John
Borden, Jas. C.
Brooks, Edwin
Chafey, AVm.
Comstock, Ellis B.
Craig, Christopher
Crowell, Alfred
Crumb, Sam'l
Crumb, Milo
Cunningham, Jeff
Cutting, Chester L.
Davis, Sam'l
Degraff, Oscar
Douglass, Henry L.
HIGH FORREST.
Douglass, Andrew P.
Fah, AVm.
Farrell, Garrett
Gardner, Stephen
Gaskell, John W.
Gordy, Minor W.
Llaath, Chas. E.
Hartshorn, Caleb
Hartshorn, Jesse
Hartshoi-u, Joshua
Harvey, Lewis E.
Hoag, Reuben
Honeywell, Perry
Horton, Lucius
Hemmingway, J. C.
Hutchins, I>avid
Humason, J^. A.
Johnson, John
Johnson, Chas.
Kratzer, AValter L.
Lake, Gideon C.
Lowell, John
Mang©, August
Mattocks, Geo. AV.
McBath, Robert
McICenney, Syly S.
Miller, I^orenzo J.
Miller, Jas. O.
Moses, I^ewis
Nixon, Thomas
Powers, Israel P.
Prescott, Amasa A.
Rich, Eli
Robinson, John
Rolfe, Henry E.
Ruch, Henry
Ruch, Michael
Ruck, Edward D.
662
HISTOEY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Hue. Henrv N.
Kue; AVm. H.
Kumwater, Ira H.
Kussell, Geo. W.
Shafer, Oliver P.
Smith, Thos.
Stewart, Hiram A.
Stickels, Joseph
Tattersall, Wm. K.
Toogood, Dwi^ht
Wade, Robert B.
Walker, John W.
Western, Stephen 0.
Winters, Peter
Wood. Menzo
Woodruff, Geo. E.
Wooldridge, John B.
Young, Henry
Andrews, Norman B.
Battles, Jas. L.
Bently, David C.
Besondy, Chas.
Bitner, Robert C.
Blair, Jas. A.
Bretsford, Isaac W.
Bursaw, Wm.
Caprez, John
Chenney. Nathan C
Chilson, Daniel
Chilson, Geo.
Chilson, Sam'l
Chilson, Snrvetus
Christtnan, Adam L.
Cummings, John
Ellison, John B.
Gilbert, Samuel
Gerdman, Stephen O.
Gordon, Jonathan
Gove, Horace H.
Green, Martin
KALMAR.
Grover, Isaac W.
Grover, Alvin W.
Grover, Isaac
Grover, Alvin W.
Grover, Abraham
Hadley, Amos
Hair, Jas. N.
Hansen, Erick
Harrington, Jerome
Hart, Nelson
Hopper. Jas.
Johnson, Isaac
Kent, Abraham
King, John H.
Kutzier, Wm. K.
Lowry, Geo. W.
McAliiste'r, Archibald
McDowell. Benj.
Merritt, Alpheus ■
Middleton. Jos. A.
Minden, John
Nickson, Chas. H.
Nve, Reuben
Page, J. S.
Pavne, Chas. W.
Pett, Robert
Perry, Robert J.
Randar, Jacrib
Remick, Franklin
Rice, Benj.
Rice, Wm.
Ruch, Wm.
Russell, Thfimas
Simonton, Robert
Small, John F.
Staats. INIichael H.
Telford. Robert
Thompson, Stephen R.
Tracy. Amos S.
Van Rensalaer, H. W.
Ward, Marquis
Whipple. Ira
AVhitcomb, Ira S.
AVhitcomb, Francis
Baker, Lewis
Barrows, Augustus
Belervine, John
Bonkan, Amos C.
Bradt, Peter A.
Brown, John J.
Brown, M. R.
Bucher. Gillet
Cassidy, John
Chase, Wm. H.
Chase. Geo.
Chase, W. H. H.
Colton, David H.
Colton. David H.
Corpe, Edwin J.
Crane, Wells
Curtis, Oliver
Deeter, Martin V.
Dickson, Dallas
Dureya, Garret
Fenlin, Lewis C.
Fitch, Peter
Fox, John
MARION.
Graling, John N.
Hagers, Robert
Hill, Aaron
Howard, Henry H.
Howard, John A.
Howard, Silas
Ingalls, Bela H.
Kester, Joseph
Kinney, Jas.
Lee, Peter
Lee, Pahner
Light, Oliver P.
Maynard, Johnson
McAllister, Arthur
McClaive, John F.
McGill, John L.
Mensink. Garret
Myres, Wm.
Nanerth. John
Newell, Sidney
O'Rourke, Henry
Parker, John H.
Perry, Jas.
I'erry, Chas.
Phelps, Sylvester N.
Porter, Jas.
Porter, Jas. R.
Porter, Chas. E.
Richardson, Copeland
Rosia. L. G.
Ruxford, Vihcent
Shelton, Leonard
ScriptTire, Lawrence
Skeels, John E.
Skeels, Warren
Smith, Geo. C.
Smith, Wm.
Speels, John E.
Stevenson, Chas.
Thomas, Geo. W.
True, Lewis F.
Truman, Clinton
Tubbe. Frank
West, Levi C.
MORE ABOUT THE WAR.
663
NEW HAVEN.
Amos, Emannel
Katenian, Fr.
Batenian, Ira
Bancom, Orrin
Bassett, Cassiiis M.
Brooks, Israel
Classon, Isaac W.
Cowdin, Emery G.
Eastman, Sewill
Emerick, Rossweil L.
Emeriek, Wm.
Evans, Robt. R.
Farnham, A.
Farnham, Jas. E.
Garland, Wm. H.
Gould, Chas.
Gould, Carlos
Hamlin, P.
Hamlin, Jacob L.
Hewitt, Albert K.
Hitchcock, Marshall
Hunter, Geo. W.
Kelloo:, Geo.
Kirkpatrick, Chancey R.
Kirr, John
Knapp, .lesse.
Knapp, Hiram A.
Lane, Chas.
Lan^worthy, Benj.
Lesher, Amos
Lesher, Garret A.
Lourev, Melvin
McDil'l, John H.
McManus, Lafayette
Miller, Salem
Miller, Theodore
Mills, Seth
Oleson, Gens.
Page, Geo. W.
Palmer, John N.
Patten, Jas. C.
Pacard, Henry (;.
Patten, Ozn. T.
Peck, Jasen
Phillips, Ralph
Pool, John 8.
Prodger, Fred'k
Prosser, Alonzo D.
Pithey, Wm.
Salley, Danville
Salley, Joel
Shay, Frank
Smith, Jas. C.
Smith, Wm. G.
Speed, Wm. J.
Speed, Eliphalet B.
Upton, Chas.
White, Cornelius
White, Libius
White, John
White, John L.
Barnes, Sam'l P.
Barnes, Sam'l P.
Brown, Henry C.
Case, Herman G.
Case, Norman E.
Denny, Baruch
Ecker, Christopher
Edwards, Geo. W.
Edwards, C'has. W.
English, Joseph
Erslev, Cvrus
Farrington, Benj.
Farrington, John W.
Farrell, Geo. G.
Farnham, Henry
Frazier, Nelson C.
Harris, Thos.
Hazleton, Aden K.
Hill, Lafayette
Lovelace, Wm. Delay
McAllister, Arthur
Niles, Horace S.
North, Eben
Rinderwicht, Henry
Rucker, Thadeus
Russell, Fred'k
Russell, Stephen
Savage, David
Schermerhorn, Putnam
Simmons, Andrew
Sinclair, Amasa
Swain, Jas. R.
UpdegrafT, John
ORONOCO.
Allen, D. W.
Atkinson, Geo.
Buley, Manning
Campbell, Geo.
Carly, Wm.
Chase, Andrew J. M.
Clark, John B.
Clark, Alfred
Clay, Mark W.
Craig, Alexander
Cregg, A.
Cutshall, Jacob E.
Dean, Warren H.
Durand, Wm.
Ellet, Perry
Ellithorp, A.
Emery, C. C.
Everso'n, Sam. S.
Ferguson, Anson A.
Fetterman, Daniel
40
Frank, John A.
Furman, Jediah
Furman, Sam.
Hanson, Leander J.
Harmen, Leander G.
Herrick, Lewis L.
Hewitt, Ira B.
Hubbs, Clarkes L.
Johnson Alex. M.
Keelar, Geo. S.
Keelar, Ozias D.
Kellogg, Augustus
Kirkham, J. Philo
Kirkham, James P.
Kirkham, Joshua M.
Lawjter, Alfred G.
Moulton, H.
Oakins, John
Owens, Hiram C.
Pierce, Wm. ]M.
Prettyman, Geo. W.
Robson, Francis
Robinson, Wm. S.
Rutlidge, Aaron
Sheldon, Fletcher A.
Stebbins, Wm. A.
Stebbins, W. A.
Stevens, W. A.
Stocking, B. F.
Stoddard, E. Q.
Stoddard, J. 0.
Terry, Geo.
Thompson, Peter M.
Turnley, Chas. H.
Waldron, Francis M.
Waldron, Francis W.
Webster, Henry W.
Webster, Henry
Wilcox, Hiram B.
Zirn, Louis
G64
HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Adamson, Wesley
Andrus, Freman
Andrus, Isaac
Avery, Silas
Bagrley, Harvey
Bagley, Henry
Bagley, Murray
Baloomb, J. O.
Barnard, David
Barrows, Eli B.
Bingham, John G.
Black, Alex.
Bolewine, Henry
Britendoll, Taylor
Burgai], Wm. P.
Burlingame, Louis J.
Burlingame, John L.
Clark, Lemuel O.
Clark, Ziba B.
Clark, Sam. M.
Cole, Silas
Collins, Wm. H.
Crego, D. H.
Crink, John
Dieter, Martin
Duncan, Mathew
Duncan, r?am.
Eaton, J. S.
Evans, John D.
Allen, David
Ames, Dolphus
Austin, Geo.
Bauman, John B.
Barnes, Jonathan
Bartren, Jas.
Bell, Hiram
Bennett, J. G.
Blodget, Milo
Black, Reuben
Bone, Gilbert H.
Burgess, G. W.
Bnrtress, G. N.
Calkin, John T.
Churchill, Eber
Clark, Wm. S.
Clark, P. F.
Cooper, Jas.
Cooper, John B.
Crittenden, Newell
Curtis, Benj. F.
Daniels, Arthur K.
Dietrich, Chas.
Dietrich, Paul
Evans, J. H.
Faltes, Chas.
Flavel, Jabez W.
Foster, Chas. J.
Frich, Abram
Grav, Geo.
PLEASAJST GKOVE.
Everst, H. N.
Everts, Edward
Gaspei', Jacob C.
Gasper, Jacob
Gasper, Reuben
Gear, Elisha F.
Gleason, Geo. W.
Griffin, Michael
Hartne.y, Simon
Higby,TheronS.
Hueston, Wm.
Humes, Jas. J.
Humes, Wm. B.
Hutting, John
Jackson, Jas.
Kennedy, A.
Kennedy, Augustine
Lombard, Newton
Maddox, Richard
Mathews, Chas. INI.
McNelly, Patrick
Mill, Wm. H.
Mills, Chas. P.
Newton, M. J.
North, Eben
Nutting, John W.
Page. Harmon A.
Parker. H. E.
Parks, Moses P.
QUINCY.
Grinsted, Joseph H.
Gurkee, Edwin
Hamilton, Geo. H.
Hehsel, Peter H.
Hemmelberg, W.
Holland, Alonzo
Hordd, Arnold
Irvan, John J.
Jay, E. A.
Kason, Wm. E.
Keen, Geo. H.
Kennedy, Thos. E.
Kenzkeimer, Chas.
Kerper, Nicholas
Ketchum, Arthur J.
King, Jas. M.
Kirgan, Robin L.
Kisley, Geo.
Kitchell, P. Albert
Kixter, H. K.
Lambert, Henry
Larch, Martin
Lavan, Geo. W.
Laws, Sam.
Lerey, Wood
Libby, Wm. Z.
Lincoln, C. E.
Lincoln, Joseph
Mills, Thos. '
North, M. A.
Parks, John W.
Pixlev, Ariel
Pixlev, Geo. W.
Ratcliff, Richard R.
Reeves, John V.
Reeves, J. P.
Reeves, John D.
Riicker, Albert H.
Russell, Chas. W.
Sandborn, G. F.
Sheldon, Hudson B.
Smith, Daniel
Steel, Wm.
Stowell, Sylvester E.
Tait, Joseph
Tait, Andrew
Tait, Joseph
Thomas, W. G. W.
Thomas, John
Todd, Edward
Towle, John M.
Wagner, Wm.
Wagner, Chas. C.
Wagoner, Chas. F.
Webster, Martin
Webster, Martin
West, Franklin A.
West, Frank A.
Wood, Hiram M.
Raftardy, John
Rolf, Chas. H.
Ross, John N.
Schaflfer, Jacob
Sigdon, Jas. T.
Siuioncon, Seaver
Small, John
Smith, Wm.
Smith, Levi
Stallcop, Levi
Stallcop, Levi
Stansbury, Chas. H.
Stevenson, John
Stevenson, John B.
Stevens, Geo. W.
Tenny, Geo. W.
Tenny, Sam. S.
Thomas, Lewis
Thompson, Benj.
Truesdall, A. J. '
Truesdell, Chas. B.
Utter, Chas. S.
Weagant, Wm. H.
Whitney, C. H.
AVilson, Wm.
Williams, Julius E.
Wood, Jas. M.
Woodruff, Francis M.
Wright, John C.
MORE ABOUT THE WAR.
665
Adams, Wm. L.
Arine, Henry
Austin, Wm. H.
Ayers, Chas. G.
Bailey, Robt. E.
Baker, Geo. A.
Bambcr, Archie
Barncard, Jacob
Barncard, Geo. H.
Barthell, D.
Bash, David
Baxter, Wm. S.
Beatty, Daniel
Bennett, Chas. A.
Betts, Peter B.
Black, W.
Blakely, Cyrene H.
Bliss, Timothy H.
Boyd, John F.
Boyd, Wm. O.
Branwan, John
Brittain, Thos.
Brooks, Orrin B.
Brooks, Wm.
Brooks, Ariel H.
Brown, W.
Brown, Geo.
Brown, Thos. R.
Bullard, Sam'l
Buskins, Jas. H.
Carter, Amos C.
Carey, Michael
Card, Levi A.
Chase, Albert S.
Chase, Kesley A.
Chambers, Hamlin
Chambers, 0. F.
Chrisman, Lawrence
Clark, Henry
Clemons, Henry M.
Clow, John E.
Collins, Wm. E.
Cook, Fayette
Cooley, Henry D.
Cooper, E. D.
Coppinger, Thos.
Cowles, Galmon Z.
Cowles, Torris Z.
Cross, E. W.
Cronkhite, Edgar
Cromdall, Marion
Cummings, Geo. W.
Daniels, Milton J.
Daniels, Don A.
Dee, Wm.
Devery, Stephen
Doramus, John
Douglas, Alden G.
Duncan, John
ROCHESTER.
Duncason, Leander J.
Diiiand, ( "has.
Durland, John
Drury, < )ssian S.
Eaton, .foscph S.
Eaton, Horace G.
Edwards, Huntington
Elliot, Jas.
Elliot, Archibald
Enoch, Absalom M.
Fabrick, Lewis N.
Falls, Jas.
Faley, Michael
Finch, David G.
Finch, Solomon B.
Fisher, Geo. C.
F(jgarty, Patrick
Fountain, Fred.
Foss, Anton
Frost, John
Gafier, Wm.
Gates, Thomas
Geissinger, S.
Gibson, Sam'l T.
Giflord, Andrew J.
Godewoth, Otto
Grant, Santa
Guttormson, Gull
Hadley, Lafayette
Haines, Hiram
Hall, N. B.
Hall, Leslie
Hall, Addison
Halmson, Ole
Hamilton, Bernard
Hart, Albert
Harvey, A. H.
Hawkins, J. F. M.
Hawkins, Geo. W.
Hewitt, Clias.
Heller, Francis J.
Hightchen, Isaac C.
Hinnman, Justice R.
Hoag, Richard A.
Horton, Sam'l
Hotchkiss, Fred. N.
H(jvey, Alonzo
Howe, Wm. L.
Howland, A. J.
Hoyt, Albert
Hubbard, Isaac
Huggins, John P.
Hunter, Thos.
Hutchins, Geo.
Hutchins, Marion
Hyatt, Amos
Ireland, Chas. F.
Ireland, Mortimer H.
Irish, Galusha
Ives, Stei)hen
Iveerson, L.
Jacobs, Henry
Jefferson, Thos.
Jenkins, Chas. E.
Johnson, Jas. A.
.lohnson, Franklin
Johnsing, Filing
Jones, Orrion W.
Jones, Henry R.
Jones, Owin W.
Jones, Wm. M.
Kelly, Lewis H.
Kern, John
Kidd, Lawrence
Kingston, Wm. D.
Latlesh, Henry
Lange, Chas. J.
Loder, John W.
Lovejoy, Geo. W.
Loy, .lohn
Loy, Owen
Luce, Wm.
Luce, David
Ludwig, D. T.
Lyons, Edw'd M.
Maginnis, C. Ambrose
Malmson, Mathew
Markham, Wm.
Markham, Daniel
McCumber, R. B.
McGrey, Alex.
McGowan, Wm.
McGollg, Geo.
McKay, Hugh
McMillan, Alex.
McMillen, A. J.
McMinds, Wm. W.
Metcalf, Sam'l S.
Meyette, Joseph C.
Meyers, Chas.
Miller, Lewis H.
Miller, Sam'l A.
Minson, Nelson D.
Morey, Chauncey
Mosher, Walker
Mott, Sam'l
Nicholas, Horace E.
Olds, Thos. B.
Oleson, Frank
Olson, Martin
Orcutt, Eilw'd H.
Orcutt, Chas. L.
Parmerlee, W. H.
Patterson, John
Peck, Henry
Peckham, Martin L.
Pennell, Henry
Perry, Geo.
666
HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Phipps, Francis E.
Pike, Delos
Pollock, Robert
Rearden, Timothy W.
Reuhardts.Wm.K.
Reynolds, Jas. G.
Reynolds, Jas.
Reynolds, H. C.
Rymal, John J.
Rheigleg, Geo. W. L.
Richardson, John
Rice, Albert M.
Sage, H. S.
Sayer, Horace B.
iSayer, Henry
Scharf, John
Schwab, Cyrus
Seamans, L. A.
Seamans, Randolph
Shaw, Alex.
Shay, Martin
Sherman, G. W.
Sherman, Albert C.
Sherman, Geo. C.
Shepley, Richard
Sloan, Elijah
Smith, Geo. W.
Smith, Gilbert
Smith, Robert J.
Smith, Adam
Smith, Martin L.
Spring, Thomas
Steel, Mathew
Stearns, Ozro P.
Stevens, Wm. A.
Stevenson, John
Stevens, August
* Stocking, Frank
Story, Zachus
Swartz, Wm.
Sylvester, Bedal
Taylor, Sam'l
Terrill, I. M.
Terrel, Jack
Thayer, Solon C.
Thoreson, Jas.
Thurber, Chas. E.
Turgeson, Andrew
Van Dooser, J. F.
Vaught, Henry H.
Wagoner, Joseph H.
AVagoner, Edward
Walter, John
Walch, John
Walden, Ira G.
Wallingford, John N.
Wentworth, Geo.
Westman, John
Whitcomb, Valentine O.
Whips, Jas.
AVilliams, John
Williams, Wm.
Williams, Joseph H.
Williams, Talesian
Williamson, Robt.
Willet, C. Preston
Wilson, Daniel M.
Wolfe, Geo.
Wolfe, Adam
Worden, Henry D.
AVright, Thos. C
Wrangham, Wm. B.
Wynkoop, Wm.
KOCK DELL.
Barnes, Joel S.
Christie, Alex.
Christopherson, Kittle
Cole, Geo.
Conat, Thos. H.
Curtis, Sam.
Elleson, Syvert
Hall, Wm. M.
Humason, Chas. J.
Madden, John F.
McCue, Wm. H.
Pixley, Melville G.
Roske, Wm.
Russell, Jas. H.
Steyba, John A.
Watson, Wm. H.
SALEM.
Adams, Edwin H.
Anderson, Anderson
Anduton, Wm. W.
Ankers, Wm. H.
Annis, Geo.
Barney, Theodore
Barnhart, Benj.
Bascom, Orwin M.
Bisky, Martin
Brooks, Geo. T.
Brooks, H. W.
Buschtt, Henreich
Cornell, Henry D.
Cronin, John
Cromwell, Byron
Delancy, Albert
Dodge, John H.
Dooley, M. H.
Drake, Geo.
Drake, Geo.
Dresbach, A. L.
Ellison, Joseph
Emmerson, John
Fogarty, Wm.
Garman, David C.
Gould, Elmer F.
Green. Sayles R.
Green, Clark L.
Gunderson, Peter
Holt, Albert
Hurd, Herbert G.
Hurd, Albert B.
Hurd, Chas. E.
Jago, Patrick
Johnson, Christian
Kinney, Jas. H.
Knapp, Harrison
Langley, D. A.
March, Joseph
March, Joseph W.
Marquette, Geo.
McCoy, Luther
McCoy, Andrew C.
McMaster, David
McDonald, A.
Mulligan, Jas.
Niles, Henry
Northrup, Sam.
Northrup, Walter D.
Olden, Esmond
Pehle. Anton
Perry, Dudley
Peterson, Andrew
Price, Rufus H.
Reiter, Adolph
Ricker, Chas. S.
Smith, Henry
Smith, Henry R.
Solem, H. O.'
Spaulding, Aug. W.
Spooner, John W.
Steel, Jas.
Stoddard, Edwin D.
Stoleson, Barnt.
Tomlinson, Sam.
Trumble, Israel
Wakefield, H. B.
Wait, Alfred
MURDER OF WARREN YOUMANS AND OTHERS.
667
Allen, Jas. P.
Battles, John
Bear, M. K.
Bidwall, V. A.
Booth, John
Brannan, Jas.
Bryan, Thos.
Bunch. Quinton
Calvert, R. A.
Calvert, S. D.
Campbell, "Wesley
Cunningham, Jeff.
Cutter, Marshall
Dotv, A. V.
Farrier, Granville
GoldiuK, Wm. E.
Hark ins, Abram
Henry, Edgar
Ketohum, G. W.
Kitchell, Prince A
Kitchel, E. M.
Leeson, Robt.
Mack, Geo.
Morse, W. F.
Oaks, Elihu J.
Palmer, Geo.
Pendigrass, J. W.
Potter, Theo. E.
Powers, Jas.
Ray, Francis
Rutledge, John
Shaul, Lemuel
Shenton, H. W.
Stanard, Hiram R.
Stulenberger, Elias
Stulenberger, David
Swan, Wm.
Wagon, Jacob
Watson, Chas.
Webster, Alden
Williams, David
CHAPTER YI.
MURDER OF WARREN YOUMANS AND 0THER8.
On October 10, 1865, a cruel and atrocious murder was com-
mitted in the town of Quincy, about eighteen miles northeast of the
city of Rochester, Patrick Callahan being the murderer and Warren
Youmans the victim.
The two men were neighbors, and, as was understood at the time,
the crime grew out of some difficulty between them in reference to
annoyance from cattle. On the day in question Callahan was mow-
ing in a ravine not far away, when Youmans, who had been driving
Callahan's cattle out of his field, came to him and commenced com-
plaining about being annoyed by Callahan's cattle. The two men
were now alone, but it is supposed that high words ensued, when
Callahan started toward his antagonist with the uplifted scythe.
Seeing his danger, Youmans attempted to escape by flight; but Cal-
lahan was too quick for him, and hooking the scythe around You-
mans' legs, between the knees and hips, cut both legs to the bone,
inflicting horrible gashes from ten to twelve inches in length. The
poor man fell to the ground on the spot, and from all appearance
died almost instantly.
Mr. Youmans not coming home at the time expected, search was
made for him, and his dead body was found in a few hours in the
ravine where he had met his cruel death.
An inquest was held by S. B. Clark, of Rochester, as coroner,
668 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
upon tlie dead body oi Youmans, and the verdict of the jury was
substantially in accordance with the facts as above narrated.
In the meantime Callahan had fled the country, and soon after-
ward the governor offered a reward of $500 for his apprehension
and deliver}^ to the sheriff of Olmsted county. Nothing, however,
was heard of Callahan by the Olmsted county authorities until May,
1872, nearly seven years after the murder was committed. Calla-
han was described in the governor's offer of a reward as a "laborer,
thirty-five years old, five feet four or five inches high; eyes light
blue or gray ; sandy beard and complexion ; brown hair, slightly
mixed with gray ; weight one hundred and twenty-five to one hun-
dred and thirty pounds ; slightly pock marked ; naturally round
featured, but cheeks a little sunken ; speaks quick, with Irish
brogue."
It seems that Callahan made his way to Chicago, and there,
under an assumed name, hired out as a laborer. Forming an ac-
quaintance with a fellow-laborer, the two became on quite intimate
terms. In the course of their friendly intimacy, Callahan confided
the story of his great crime to his new-found friend, and confessing
himself a refugee from justice. Subsequently, however, it trans-
pired that the two men fell out and became enemies, whereupon
Callahan's confidant gave him away, by informing a Chicago detec-
tive by the name of Simonds, of his (Callahan's) criminality.
Simonds, not aware that a reward had been offered for Callahan's
arrest, came to Winona to see a brother of the murdered man,
thinking that the brother would be sufficiently interested in tlie mat-
ter to pay a reasonable consideration for the capture and punishment
of the alleged murderer. Mr. Youmans, brother of the murdered
man, declining to come to the detective's terms, he applied to the
sheriff of Winona county. From the sheriff" Simonds learned that
the murder was committed in Olmsted county instead of Winona.
The sheriff' and Simonds then concluded to confer with the sheriff
of Olmsted county by telegraph, and the following dispatches passed
between them :
Sheriff, Rochester: Winona, May 18, 1872.
Do you want Callahan, the murderer of Warren Youmans some time ago?
Reply at once. See county attorney. J. F. Martin, Sheriff.
J. F. Martin, Winona : Rochester, May 18, 1872.
You will keep the said Callahan, murderer of Youmans, and I will be after
him Monday, the 20th. J. A. Ellison, Sheriff.
MURDER OF WARREN YOUMANS AND OTHERS. (>()<)
No reply to this being received, sheriff Ellison sends another
dispatch, as follows :
J, F. Martin, Sheriff, Winona: Ro(.:HEsrEK, May 20, 1872.
Have you got the man ? If so, can you bring him ? Answer.
J. A. Ellison.
J. A. Ellison, Sheriff, Rochester : Winona, May 20, 1872.
He is in Chicago. I will bring him by your paying expenses, or you may
send for him. Answer.
It appears that this last dispatch was signed, "T. F. Simonds,
detective.-'
The next dispatch was as follows :
J. F. Martin, Sheriff, Winona : Rochester, May 20, 1872.
What wall be the expense to bring the man here? Answer.
J. A. Ellison, Sheriff.
Sheriff Martin replied as follows, under the same date :
Will deliver him to you at Rochester for $125, if no requisition be required ;
or you may send for him yourself to Chicago. Answer at once.
J. F. Martin, Sheriff.
The same day sheriff Ellison answered as follows :
Sheriff Martin, Winona :
If you will bring the said Callahan forthwith your money is ready.
J. A. Ellison, Sheriff.
In due time Patrick Callahan was brought to Rochester and
delivered into the custody of sheriff Ellison. On the 25th of
April, 1866, the grand jury of Olmsted county had indicted Calla-
han for murder in the first degree, and May 28, 1872, Judge Water-
man issued a bench warrant for his arrest. The prisoner was
arraigned in the district court at a special term June 26, 1872.
County attorney Start conducted the prosecution, and John Van
Arman, Esq., of Chicago, and Hon. Thomas Wilson, of Winona,
appeared for the defendant. On being required to plead, defendant
plead not guilty to the indictment, but plead guilty to murder in the
second degree. In view of the fact that one of the most important
witnesses on the part of the state had died and another had left the
country, the county attorney advised to accept the plea, and the court
convicted the defendant accordingly and sentenced him to the state
prison for four years.
670 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
THE MUKDER OF FREDERICK ABLEITNER.
Among all civilized peoples the willful, malicious, wi'ongfiil
taking of human life is regarded as the highest crime known to the
law. The act never fails to excite the horror and execration of the
community in which it is committed, and invokes the just and speedj
trial, condemnation and punishment of the murderer. But in mur-
der, as well as in other ofienses against society and the law, there are
degrees of guilt and criminality. In some cases there are extenu-
ating circumstances, as great provocation, sudden impulse of anger,
or other conditions which tend to modify, to a greater or lesser ex-
tent, the real guilt ot the criminal, and are — and justly, too — plead
and allowed in mitigation of punishment. The case, however, which
we are about to relate may well be classed among the most brutal,
cold-blooded and fiendish in the annals of crime. Three strong,
healthy and vigorous young men get together and coolly, deliberately,
and with a sang-froid strikingly shocking, plan, plot and proceed
to murder a harmless and unsuspecting old man in his humble
prairie home. The old man had never done his murderers any
wrong ; they had no motive to call him from his bed in the darkness
of the night to assault and murder him, save that of robbing him
of property justly and solely his own. ,
At the time our narrative commences, there were residing at or
about the little city of St. Charles, in Winona county, three men,
named John Whitman, Charles Edwards and George W. Staley.
Whitman was a married man, about thirty-five years of age, and
with his famil}'^, resided at St. Charles. Edwards and Staley were
young men and unmarried. They were transient characters and
had come into that neighborhood some time in the latter part of the
summer of 1867, and engaged to work as harvest hands.
About two miles west of St. Charles, in the town of Dover, Olmsted
county, was the farm residence of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Ableitner,
an old German couple. The country was then new and the old couple's
home, though comfortable, was humble and unpretending, but, unfor-
tunately for them, it was thought that they had a considerable sum of
money in the house, recently sent to them from their native country.
John Whitman, it seems, had been at Mr. Ableitner's house, and while
there he claims to have seen the old gentleman exliibit quite a sum
of money as he was paying ofi^ some harvest hands. He informed
Edwards that the old man had $2,000 in gold put away in a chest.
The two men were not very long in making up their minds to rob
MURDER OF WARREN YOinVIANS AND OTHERS. 67 1
the old German, and, taking Staley into the conspiracy, the three
agreed upon the night of October 29, 1867, to put their wicked plan
into execution. On the night of the murder the three men drank
heavily at a saloon in St. Charles, and then, with brain crazed with
whisky, and with robbery and murder in their hearts, they started
for the scene of their horrible crime. It would appear that they had
not fully determined upon killing their unsuspecting victim when
they left St. Charles, but in talking the matter over, Edwards sug-
gested that "'dead men tell no tales," an adage which was readily
agreed to by the other two men. Accordingly on the way they cut
each man a club, Staley having with him also a loaded revolver. It
was agreed that Edwards should call the old man to the door and
knock him down, while Staley should watch him and Whitman
assist Edwards in robbing the house. Arriving at the house Ed-
wards knocked at the door, and Ableitner inquired : "• Who was
there and what was wanted." Edwards replied that a couple of
men had lost their way and wanted to inquire the road to Chatfield.
Upon this the old man came to the door, when Edwards knocked
him down with his club. The victim got on to his hands and knees
trying to rise, when Staley shot liim with his pistol. Two or three
more shots were fired at the old man. Edwards afterward lighted a
paper, by which they looked in and saw the wounded man walking
about the house, holding his hand to his side and groaning
piteously. The above is, in substance, the narration of the circum-
stances connected with the cold-blooded and brutal transaction as
minutely detailed by Staley in his confession, and is probably true
in the main.
Mr. Ableitner survived his teri-ible injuries a few hours, but
before he died he stated that there was only about fifteen dollars in
money in the house at the time he was attacked.
Of course the entire community was deeply stirred over the
brutal deed, and measures were speedily taken to ferret out the
guilty ones and bring them to justice. Edwards, soon after the
murder, disappeared and was never seen afterward by any one
having knowledge of the murder. Whitman and Staley, however,
remained in the neighborhood, and suspicion resting upon Staley
as having been concerned in the murder, he was arrested upon a
warrant issued by Justice Stevenson, of Dover. In the meantime
Whitman pretended to be very active and oflicious in searching out
the murderers, aird it is a singular fact that while Staley was in
672 JIISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
custody during his examination, lie was placed in charge of Whit-
man, the people little thinking that the latter was one of the
murderous confederates. Justice Stevenson, deeming the evidence
insufficient to warrant him in holding Stale j for trial, discharged
him.
Whitman and Staley remained in and about St. Charles for a
number of days, when the citi/.ens held an indignation meeting and
resolved to put the case into the hands of Chicago detectives. Soon
after this. Whitman, with his famil}^, and also Staley, left the country.
Mr. D. J. Page, a Chicago detective, appeared at St. Charles about
this time and set himself to work to hunt up and arrest the mur-
derers of Ableitner. Gathering what information he could. Page
started east, as he believed, on the trail of the guilty and absconding
Whitman. He traced the fugitive through Wisconsin, Michigan,
Ohio and Pennsylvania to Kunnelsville, New York, where he found
Whitman's family, but no Whitman. He had been there but his
then whereabouts was not known. Page was at a loss to know just
which way to take, but finally concluded to start in a westerly
direction. Upon arriving at Rochester, New York, he was fortunate
enough to find a clue that finally led to the capture of his man. He
there learned that Whitman was somewhere in the Michigan pineries,
working as a teamster. With this slight clue, the wil}^ and persistent
Page pushed on to Michigan, and at a little town called Cedar
Springs, in the pine forests of that state, he found and arrested
Wliitman, December 18, 1867. The detective brought his prisoner
to Rochester and lodged him in jail. We will here finish our narra-
tive concerning John Whitman and then take up again the case of
Staley. •
At the June term of the district court, 1868, Charles Edwards,
John Whitman and George W. Staley were indicted by the grand
jury for the willful murder of Frederick Ableitner. On October 6,
following, the court being then in session, John Whitman plead
guilty of manslaughter in the third degree, and on the 16th he
was sentenced by Judge Barber to confinement in the state prison
for the term of eight years. In the meantime Whitman had
manifested a good degree of remorse and penitence over his awful
crime. He had confessed soon after his arrest that he was one of
the men who was present at the murder, but charged the killing
upon Edwards and Staley. Prison life, with a guilty conscience,
however, did not seem to agree with him. His health began utterly
MURDER OF WARREN YOUMANS AND OTHERS. (')73
to fail him, and on March 24, 1871, Gov. Anstin granted him a full
pardon.
About two weeks after landing Whitman at Rocliester, detective
Page, with another Chicago detective, named James Webb, started
to look up Staley. Mr. Page had obtained a slight clue to Staley's
whereabouts by a letter which he saw at St. Charles, written by a
Mr. Poole, of Portage City, Wisconsin. With what information
they could gather, meager though it was, tlie officers pursued their
way to Sparta, Wisconsin, from whence they proceeded to Black
Kiver Falls, thirty or forty miles further on. From that place the
officers, with two or three othei* men in company, proceeded to
Neilsville, some twenty to thirty-five miles distant, from whence
they went to a lumbering camp, called "Allen's Camp," an obscure
place in the Wisconsin pineries, in the northeast corner of Clark
county. The party arranged to arrive at the camp in the night, as
the}' thought that the arrest of Staley could be effected more easily
and safely when all the lumbermen would be in bed. Accordingly,
they reached the camp at two or tliree o'clock on the morning of
December 26. The sleeping bunks or berths in the camp were
arranged similiar to those on a steamboat, and Page, with Staley's
picture about him, passed through between the berths, and told the
men to look up and show their faces. Most of them uncovered
their heads and the question was asked, "What is wanted?" One
man, however, held the blankets down over his head, but the officer
pulled the covering off and immediately recognized Staley. Mr,
Page said to him : ' ' George, get up, I want you. " Tlie guilty
murderer and trembling fugitive immediately got up, dressed himself,
and under the escort of the officers arrived at Rochester about
December 30, when he joined his fellow murderer. Whitman, in the
common jail of Olmsted county.
June 15, 1868, Staley was arraigned in the district court — Hon.
L. Barber presiding — on a charge of murder in the first degree.
County-attorney Start and F. R. E. Corneli, attorney-general, con-
ducted the prosecution. Hon. R. A. Jones, of Rochester, and Hon,
Benjamin Franklin, of Winona, appeared for the defense. Two full
daj^s were spent in getting a jury to try the case. Over one hundred
men had been summoned before the requisite number (twelve) were
selected. The jurors' names were as follows : W. P. Clough, John
Morrison, A. D. Robinson, Aaron Richardson, R. R. Hotchkiss, J,
Briggs, Barney Hacket, A. T, Hyde, D. A. Sullivan, James Ireland,
674 JILSTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Robert McCloskj and James Moodj. Aaron Richardson was chosen
foreman.
About a dozen witnesses were sworn on the part of the state, and
about half that number for the defense. The trial, which lasted
nine days, was very interesting arid impressive, and the proceedings
were witnessed with deep and unabated interest by a large number
of spectators each day. The state, as well as the defendant, was
represented by skilled, able and energetic attorneys; the struggle of
legal acumen and adroitness in the examination of witnesses was
frequent, sharp and incisive, while the arguments before the jury
were marked for their ability, candor and soundness.
The case was given to the jury on the 26th, between five and six
o'clock in the evening. The jury retired to their room to consult
together touching their verdict, and after being out about six hours
they returned to the courtroom, and, through their foreman, an-
nounced to tlie court that they had agreed upon a verdict, which was,
"Guilty, as charged in the indictment."
With all the circumstances and associations the scene was deeply
sad and impressive, and was graphically described in the "Rochester
Post,." in its account of the trial, as follows :
"Dui'ing the trial the appearance of Staley underwent no great
change. He is twenty-two years old, of medium height, well built,
and in expression candid, sincere, and rather prepossessing. From
long confinement in the cell his hands and face have faded to a
delicate white. His dress is scrupulously neat, his hair neatly
combed, and hangs in graceful curls, giving him more the appearance
of a drygoods clerk than of a prisoner on trial for his life. As the
dread ordeal drew to a close, as the terrible recollection of that
dreadful night of last October was renewed, as the fearful and
ominous words, at the lumber camp, at the dead hour of
night, "Get up, George, I want you," were reiterated, and as
the web of condemning evidence continued to be woven around
him, his earnestness of expression indicated a deepening interest in
the results of the proceedings. But at no time did his self-control
or steadiness of nerve forsake him. Confronted, face to face, at the
lonely hour of midnight, with the twelve men, who, mider God,
held his fate in their hands ; all nature hushed in repose, and the
pale lamp casting a weird and ghostly glare over all objects in the
now almost deserted courtroom, young Staley listened to the awful
word ' ' guilty " coolly, composedly, and without any apparent excite-
MUKDER OF WAKKEN YOUMANS AND OTHERS. <*)75
ment or emotion. All present, including the court, attorneys and
officers, were deeply moved with the sadly interesting and solemn
scenes of that midnight hour."
The condemned man was remanded to the jail, and the next day
his counsel moved the court for a new trial and suspension of sen-
tence. The motion was heard by the court on the first Monday of
September, 1868, and denied. County-attorney Start then moved
for judgment of sentence. The prisoner arose to his feet, and the
court asked him if he had anything to say why the sentence of the
law should not be pronounced against him. Staley replied that he
had "nothing to say." The court then passed sentence as follows :
"It is adjudged by the court, now here, that you, George W. Staley,
as a punishment for the offense of which you have been convicted,
be conveyed hence to the common jail, in the county of Olmsted and
State of Minnesota; that you be kept in said jail in solitary confine-
ment until the fifth day of March, 1869, and that on said fifth day
of March you be hung by the neck until you are dead."
On the 12th day of September an appeal was taken to the
supreme court. The appeal was argued before that court at its
session in January following. The judgment of the court below was
affirmed. A few days before the time fixed for Staley's execution, a
petition to Gov. Marshal, asking for a commutation of the prisoner's
sentence to confinement in the state prison for life, was drawn up
and circulated for signatures by E.. A. Jones, Esq. The petition
was very generally signed by the jurors and leading citizens of
Rochester and other near localities, and four days before the fatal
"fifth day of March " the petition was presented to the governor by
Mr. Jones. The governor granted the prayer of the petitioners,
and Staley, instead of going to the gallows, was conveyed to the
state prison.
Staley's uniform good behavior and cheerful compliance with
prison rules and regulations, together with his ^^outhfulness and agree-
able manners, won for him sympathy, kindly feeling and respect,
and after serving a prison life of six and one-half years, he was
granted a full pardon by Gov. Davis, and has since, it is believed,
led an innocent and honorable life.
In January, 1868, the legislature passed a bill appropriating
$500 to be expended in the capture of Edwards. Detective Page
stated that he had heard from Edwards ; that he was in Texas, and
he believed he could find him. Tlie money, or a portion of it, was
676 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
given to Page and he made the trip to Texas in pursuit of the
fugitive, but without avail. Edwards was said to have been a Texas
ranger; that he- fought in the rebel army during the rebellion, and
that the old German, Ableitner, was not the first man which he had
murdered. That he was, and still is, if not dead or reformed, a
desperate character, a full-fledged villain and cut-throat, there seems
to have been abundant evidence.
THE MURDER OF .JOHN S(;HR0EDER.
In the summer of 1878 a couple of Germans, named Fred Hitman
and John Schroeder, came into Olmsted county, from Davenport,
Iowa, and hired out to work in harvest on Greenwood prairie, in the
town of Farmington. They were strong, robust men, and at the
time of their coming to Minnesota they could have had no thought
of the tragic and terrible ending of their summer trip to the broad
and golden wheatfields on Greenwood prairie. What that end
was we will now proceed briefly to narrate.
On the 4:th of September, 1878, Mr. Amos Parks, an old resi-
dent of the town of Farmington, came to Rochester and notified
coroner Mosse that the dead body of a man had been found, and was
then lying in a grove about fifty rods north of Mr. Parks' residence.
Accordingly, coroner Mosse, together with county-attorney Eckholdt,
sheriff White and constable Sherman went out to Farmington, a
distance of about fourteen miles, the same evening, when the coro-
ner proceeded to hold an inquest over the dead body in the place
where it was found.
The facts brought out at the inquest, and which were substantially
corroborated at the subsequent examination of the alleged nmrderer,
were mainly as follows :
The body was fully identified as that of John Schroeder, who
had recently come into the town of Farmington, and whose home
was supposed to be at Davenport, Iowa. He had accumulated
twenty-one dollars in money, which, a few days previous, he had
handed to a Mr. Schultz for safe keeping, and at the same time
hired out to Schultz to work in threshing. On the last Saturday
previous to the inquest it was shown that Schultz paid Schroeder
seven dollars which he had earned in threshing, and at the same
time handed to Schroeder the twenty-one dollars deposited with him.
The same morning Fred Hitman went to the residence of Mr.
Schultz, from whence Hitman and "Schroeder went together to Pots-
3IURDEK OF WARREN YOUMANS AND OTHERS. (')77
dam, a small village near by, and where they remained over Sun-
day. The two men were seen in company by several of the neigh-
bors that day, and the deceased told one of the witnesses that he
and Hitman were going to sleep out in the brush that night. The
same evening deceased went to the residence of Mr. Parks and
asked for work. Mr. Parks told him that he did not wish to hire any
help. Schroeder called for something to eat, offering to pay for it.
He said he had a partner up the road. Mr. Parks looked up the road
and saw a man standing there in the road. Mr. Parks told Schroe-
der that he could have some supper, and asked him if his partner did
not want something to eat. Schroeder said he thought he did, but
he did not believe he would come to the house to get it. Schroeder
then left, but did not corae back for his supper. Several persons
passing that way in the evening noticed the camp-fire in the grove.
Men's voices were heard in the brush about the fire, and one man,
Mr. Schultz, recognized the voices as those of Hitman and Schroeder.
The dead body was first discovered by a young man named Herbert
Barnhart, while hunting rabbits in the grove. The skull of the
dead man, on the right side, was fractured, and the verdict of the
jury was to the effect that deceased came to his death by a blow
upon the head "from a blunt instrument in the hands of a person
whose name is, to the jurors, unknown."
Hitman was seen in Rochester a day or two after the nmrder,
and then disappeared. By this time suspicion began to be gener-
ally fixed on Hitman as the murderer of Schroeder, and sheriff White
and his deputies immediately took active measures for his capture,
for which purpose the telegraphic wires were industriously employed.
In the course of four or five days sheriff White received a telegram
from the chief of police at Davenport, Iowa, stating that Hitman had
been arrested at that place and asking if he should hold him. Upon
receiving this information the sheriff immediately left for Davenport.
Arriving at Davenport, sheriff White obtained an interview with the
chief of police, and the two officers went together to the jail, where
Hitman was confined. The prisoner being brought out, the sheriff
asked him a few questions about Schroeder and other matters con-
nected with the prisoner's movements about Potsdam and Farming-
ton. From Hitman's replies, and also from a well-executed photo-
graph of him which sherift* White had with him, he was sure that he
had found the man which he was in pursuit of, and brought him to
Rochester and locked him up in jail.
678 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
On Monday, the 23d, Hitman had an examination before Justice
L. L. Eaton, of Kochester. County-attornej Eckholdt, assisted by
C. M, Start, Esq., conducted the prosecution; Messrs. Jones and
Gove appearing for the defense. The examination resulted in the
accused being held to await the action of the grand jury at the next
general term of the district court, commencing on the first Monday
of December following.
The court convened pursuant to statute, Hon. William Mitchell
presiding. The grand jury found an indictment against Fred Hit-
man for murder in the first degree. Upon being arraigned the
accused plead guilty. He then arose to his feet and the judge asked
him if he had anything to say why the sentence of the court should
not be passed upon him. Hitman replied that he had not. Judge
Mitchell then said he had "no disposition to intensity the effect of
the sentence which he was about to pass upon him. You have plead
guilty of the commission of the highest crime known to the law and
against society, by taking the life of a fellow-being. The safety of
society, as well as persons and property, depends upon the sacred-
ness of human life. The sentence of the court is that you be taken
to the state prison at Stillwater and there confined at hard labor for
the remainder of your natural life, and that on the first day of each
month you be kept in solitary confinement."
It might be well to state here that capital punishment was practi-
cally abolished in Minnesota by an act of the legislature in the
winter of 1869.
At the time of the murder Hitman was about thirty years of age.
He is of medium height, of well-rounded, compact form ; weight
about 175 pounds. His facial conformation would not denote either
a fool or a villain, and yet he has a wicked-looking eye in his head.
At the time of his arrest, and during his confinement, he maintained
a wonderful firmness and self-control, and even in the last fearful
ordeal in the courtroom his self-possession did not entirely forsake
him. While receiving the dreadful sentence which assigned him to
a prisoner's cell until released by death, the blood rushed to his face
and the nervous throbbings evinced a considerable degree of mental
pain and disturbance.
THE MURDER OF TERRANCB DESMOND.
On the 24:th of June, 1880, coroner Nichols received a telegram
from A. A. Cady, sent from Chatfield, stating that the dead body
of Terrance Desmond, a farmer and former resident of the town of
^Bt^ri^^si .yy
MURDEE OF WAIIREN YOUMANS AND OTIIEKS. <)Sl
Elmira, had been found in a grove on his farm, in a condition show-
ing tliat the man had been murdered. Deputy-coroner Benjamin
left immediately for the place designated, and took prompt measures
toward holding an inquest over the remains of the deceased. A
coroner's jury was duly summoned and several witnesses were ex-
amined, when the following-named facts were elicited : Mr.
Desmond was seen alive lor the last time on the afternoon of
Wednesday, June 23, about four o'clock. There were various con-
jectures respecting his sudden and mysterious disappearance, and a
search for him was instituted. His scythe, which he had been using
to cut weeds, was found hanging in a tree. Search was made in the
immediate vicinity, but not hnding the missing man, some of the
party went to a field of sugar-cane where the deceased had also been
at work on the afternoon of liis disa])pearance. The body was found
about twenty rods west of the canefield, and close by the remains
there was a spot in the grass and weeds where it was evident that
some person had been recently sitting down. Deceased was lying
.on the face, with his right hand under him and his hat directly in
front of him at a spot just where be had evidently come out of the
thick brush into the path. The blood from his wounds had run
down the hill and his clothing was saturated with blood from head
to feet. His throat had been cut from ear to ear. Tlie gash was
fully seven inches in length and severed the jugular vein and the
windpipe. There was another cut just below the one first mentioned,
and there wei-e also two stabs over the left ear and one behind the
ear. . The skull was mashed in directly above the ear. About two rods
from the body a heavy seasoned oak club, some five or six feet in
length, upon which were bloody spots and hair, was found.
Mrs. Ellen Desmond, wife of the murdered man, testified that
her late husband was last seen at four o'clock Wednesday afternoon,
when he came down to the house from the field to look after some
colts. She stated that her husband was in a hurry, saying that he
must return to the field at once to finish some work before it was
time to attend to the chores. Mrs. Desmond also said that there
had been hard feelings between her hust)and and Edwin Reynolds,
a brother-in-law and neighbor of the deceased, but she did not think
the enmity so great as to provoke murder.
The jury returned a verdict that Mr. Desmond came to his death
by a blow from a club upon the head and by his throat being cut
by some person to them unknown.
41
()82 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Charles Van Allen, a bo}^ eighteen years of age, and who was at
work for Mr. Desmond at the time of the murder, was arrested on
suspicion of having committed the bk)ody deed, brought to Roches-
tei- by sherifi White and lodged in jail.
On the 27th of July Van Allen had an examination, conducted
by county-attorney Eckholdt, before Justice Laird, at Chatfield, on
the charge of murder. The hearing commenced at one o'clock in
the afternoon and lasted until three o'clock the following morning.
Over- thirty witnesses were examined, but the evidence not being
deemed sufficient to warrant the court in holding the accused, he
was discharged. Edwin Reynolds, before spoken of, and who was
present at the examinaticm of Van Allen, was immediately arrested
bv sheriff White on a warrant issued by Justice Laird and made
returnable before Justice S. W. Eaton at Rochester. Reynolds was
brought before Justice Eaton on Thursday, the 28th, when an ad-
journment was had till nine o'clock the next morning. C. Kings-
ley, Esq., of Chatfield, and R. A. Jones, Esq., of Rochester, appeared
for the defense ; the state was represented by county-attorney
Eckholdt. The examination lasted two days, twenty-five witnesses
having been examined. The testimony in the case on the part of
the state was, that Reynolds and deceased had for some time past
been at great enmity with one another ; that a few weeks previously
the two had had a fight ; that Reynolds had bitten Desmond's face
pretty badly in the fight, though the former got soundly whipped
at last ; that Reynolds subsequently prosecuted deceased for an
assault, lost his case and had to pay the costs of suit, amounting to
about $20. Several of the witnesses testified that Reynolds was of
an ugly, quarrelsome nature, and that he had frequently been heard
to say that he would "make away with Desmond before long."
The examination resulted in the accused being held to await the
action of the grand jury at the following December term of the
district court.
The court convened on December 6, Hon. AVilliam Mitchell
presiding. The grand jury found an indictment against Reynolds
for the willful murder of Terrance Desmond. On being arraigned
and required to plead to the indictment, Reynolds plead not guilty.
On Wednesday, the second week of the session, the case of the
State V. Reynolds was called, county-attorney Eckholdt being as-
sisted by attorney-general Start, on the part of the state.
After some delay a jury was impaneled and the trial proceeded.
MURDER OF WARREN YOUMANS AND OTHERS. 083
The (tase was given to the juiy Thursday afternoon, and at'tei- being
out about twenty hours, they returned into court and informed the
judge that they were unable to agi-ee upon a verdict. It was under-
stood that the final vote stood eleven for acquittal and one for
conviction.
Judge Mitchell required Reynolds to give bail in the sum of
$2,000 for his appearance at the next term of court, but in default
of bail he was kept in jail until March 18, 1881, when he was re-
leased on his own recognizance, and on August 6 following, Judge
Start, successor of Judge Mitchell on the bench, ordered the action
dismissed.
Ml RDER OF JOHN KEVINS.
On September 18, 1880, John Nevins, aged about lilty years,
and a well-to-do farmer, residing in the town of Viola, was fatally
shot with a pistol in the hands of Frank Bulen, a young man, step-
son of Mr. Robert Moody, of Haverhill. The circumstances of the
shooting, together with the rinal disposal of Bulen, were substantially
as follows :
About six o'ch)ck in the afternoon of the day in question, Mr.
John English, who resides in the town of Haverhill, came to
Rochester and informed marshall Kalb and sheriff White that John
Nevins had been murdered by a man in his (Nevins') employ,
named Frank Bulen. Coroner Sedgwick, county-attorney Eckholdt,
sheriff White and constable Cole immediately left for the scene of
the murder, about ten miles northeast from the city of Rochester.
As soon as the officers arrived a coroner's jury, consisting of Messrs.
H, K. Blethen, Z. Ricker, Roger Mulvahill, Martin Brennan,
Thomas Scanlan and John J. Lawlor were sworn and the examina-
tion commenced, conducted by county-attorney Eckholdt.
John Burk, the only eye-witness present at the shooting, was
the first witness examined. From his statements, under oath, it
appears that Mr. Nevins returned from Rochester at about three
o'clock in the afternoon of the day of the murder. After putting
his horses in the stable, Nevins commenced cursing his wife, who
was near the stable, threatening to kick her. Mr. Burk, thinking
Nevins was about to violently assault his wife, stepped between
them and told Nevins to stop. Nevins then struck Burk in the face.
The two men soon caught each other by the throat, and, after strug-
gling some time, Burk called to Bulen, who was in the yard near the
house, to come over and help him. Bulen started for the spot where
684 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
the two men were fighting, and when he had got within about one
and one-half rods of them he pulled out a revolver and told Kevins
he would shoot if he didn't stop. Bulen repeated the warning two
or tliree times, but Nevins paid no heed to it, and Bulen discharged
his revolver. Nevins cried out, "I am shot!" and spat out a
mouthful of blood. Nevins still kept hold of his antagonist until
Frank fired the second shot, when Kevins let go his hold of Burk's
throat, staggered back a few steps and fell to the ground, and in ten
minutes he was dead. The witness stated, however, that the first
shot must have been the fatal one, as the second shot did not hit
Nevins at all.
As soon as the murdered man began to stagger Bulen started off
on a run, and was soon out of sight. Several other witnesses were
examined, and their testimony elicited some additional minor facts,
entirely consistent with and corroborative of Burk's statements, and
the verdict of the jury was in accordance with the facts as sworn to
by the witnesses.
The guilty and terrified Frank ran about a mile, and hid himself
in a straw-stack. Sheriff White made a vigilant search for him the
same night, but failed to find him. The next morning, about six
o'clock, Mr. John English, on whose farm the straw-stack was, saw
Frank crawling out of the straw-pile. As he came up Mr. English
said, "Is that you, Frank ? "
"Yes, it is me," said Bulen, "and I have done a bad deed."
"Indeed you have, and you are my prisoner, Frank," said Mr.
English.
Frank quietly surrendered himself, gave up his revolver, and
went into Mr. English's house. The same morning Mr. English
brought Bulen to Rochester, and turned him over to deputy-sheriff
Bamber at the county jail.
From a lengthy and detailed account of the homicide, given by
the "Rochester Post," of September 24, 1880, we extract the fol-
lowing :
"Bulen is a boy in stature, of what might be termed a stiibbj'
build. He is chunky in his make-up, about twenty-two ^^ears old,
dark complexion, smooth face and short hair. He appears like a
good-natured young man, and one whom no one would expect to
find behind the bars of prison-doors, charged with the terrible crime
of killing his fellow man.
"In answer to a question as to whether he wished to make a state-
MURDER OF WARREN YOUMANS AND OTIIERS. 685
ment he replied in the affirmative: Bulen states that he has been work
for Kevins for over tv^o years. Nevins, he says; has been drunk fre-
quently, and has abused him and the family very often. Mrs.
Nevins' children, by a former husband, were also the objects of his
abuse. It was only a little over a week ago that Nevins drove his
stepson, Jerry Creed, away from home by his persecution.
"On Saturday afternoon Bulen came in from the Held and went
to the house to change his wet clothes for some dry ones. While he
was there one of the Creed girls came to the house and told him
that Nevins was trying to kill Burk. He ran down until within
about thirty feet of them, saw that Burk's face was all bloody, and
told Nevins twice to let go or he would shoot. He did not let up,
but continued to strike Burk, and I fired to scare him, not intending
to hit him. As the first shot did not scare him off, I shot again to
scarce; then I saw him stagger. I turned and went away. I walked
around until dark, when I went to Mr. English's stable, and went to
sleep, and was arrested as described before. Bulen said he had
threatened to shoot Nevins for his abuse and vile epithets, but he
only intended to shoot to scare him."
On Monday morning, after the murder, Frank was brought be-
fore Justice S. W. Eaton for examination on the charge of murder,
county-attorney Eckholdt appearing for the state. The accused had
no attorney, and, waiving examination, he was committed to jail to
await the action of the grand jury at the December term of court.
At the session of the court named the grand jury returned an
indictment against Frank Bulen, for the murder of John Nevins.
On being arraigned the accused took the statutory time to plead,
C. C. Willson, Esq., appearing as his counsel. Bulen finally plead
guilty to murder in the second degree, and Judge Mitchell sentenced
him to* state's prison for four years. The circumstances attending,
or rather provoking and inciting, the murder, considered in connec-
tion with the youthfulness of the prisoner, and his evident lack of a
proper conception of the nature and magnitude of his crime, were all
taken into account by the court in fixing the penalty.
CHAPTER VII.
EDUCATION.
THE FINANCIAL BASIS OF OUK PUBLIC SCHOOLS SCHOOL LANDS.
The "Organic Act of the Territory of Minnesota," approved
March 3, 1849, and also the act authorizing a state government,
approved February 27, 1857, set apart sections numbered 16 and 36
in every township of public lands for the use of schools. Sections
one and two of article eight of the state constitution read as follows :
Sec 1. The stability of a republican form of government depend-
ing mainly upon the intelligence of the people, it shall be the duty
of the legislature to establish a general and uniform system of public
schools.
Sec. 2. The proceeds of such lands as are, or hereafter may be,
granted by the United States for the use of schools within each
township in this state shall remain a perpetual school fund to the
state, and not more than one-third of said lands may be sold in two
years, one-third in five years, and one-third in ten years ; but the
lands of the greatest valuation shall be sold first : provided^ that no
portion of said lands shall be sold otherwise than at public sale.
The principal of all funds arising from sales or other disposition of
lands or other property granted to this state in each township for
educational purposes shall forever be preserved inviolate and undi-
minished ; and the income arising from the lease or sale of said
school lands shall be distributed to the different townships through-
out the state, in ])roportion to the number of scholars in each town-
ship between the ages of five and twenty-one years, and shall be
faithfully applied to the specific objects of the original grants or
appropriations.
The legislature of 1861 fixed the minimum ])rice of school lands
at five dollars per acre ; provided for their appraisal by a board to
be appointed in each county and enacted that all lands should be
sold in the counties where situated.
The terms of payment are, "for pine lands the whole amount ;
for other timber lands, which are chiefly valuable for the timber
thereon, seventy-five per cent to be paid at the time of sale, and all
EDUCATION.
()87
other lands iifteen per cent to be paid at the time of sale, and the
balance of the purchase money at any time thereafter, witliin twenty
years, at the option of the purchaser, with intei-est annually in
advance, at the rate of seven per cent per annum on the unpaid
balance."
Under the munilicent grant referred to above, Olmsted county
received thirty-six sections, or 23,U40 acres of school lands, nearly
all of wliich were valuable for agricultural purposes or for their
timber. At the May session of the board of county commissioners,
in 1862, W. D. Hurlbut, George Baker and Zebina Handerson were
appointed a board of appraisers. Most of the lands were valued
at their minimum price as iixed by law, but some tracts of timber
were placed at higher figures, and the school section near the city of
Kochester was subdivided into small tracts, and prices were put at
$12 to $75 dollai's per acre, according to location. A new board of
appraisers was appointed a few years later, but, as most of the lands
had been sold, its duties were comparatively light. This board
consisted of J. V. Daniels, George Cook and B, F. Perry.
The first sale of school lands, situated in this county, took place
at the old court-house, now known as the "Broadway House," in
the autumn of 1862, The bidding was spirited, as nearly ten
thousand dollars of purchase money was paid to the state auditor at
the time. At this writing, February, 1883, but thirty-five and one-
half acres remain unsold.
The total sales amount to $1.50,869.57, which gives an average
of $6.55 per acre.
TABLE showing the wnoitnt recelced from the sales of school lo/idfi,
Jcnoicn as the '•'■permanent school fund,'''' each, year, from the begin-
ning in 1863 to 1883.
Year. 1 Amount per
pupil.
Whole amount
received.
Year.
Amount per
pupil.
Whole amount
received.
1863....
18(54....
18(55....
18(56....
18(57....
18(58....
1869....
1870....
1871....
1872....
? 23
1 08
74
90
90
1 01
1 15
1 23
1 05
96
$ 800 40
4,542 48
3,381 80
5,019 30
5,412 (iO
(5,438 75
7,834 95
8,811 72
7,500 15
(5,959 52
1873
1874
1875
$ 96
98
91
98
1 31
1 35
1 43
1 50
1 50
1 50
$(5,934 08
7,249 08
6,890 .52
7,733 18
8,576 19
9,009 90
9,440 86
9,3(53 00
8,949 00
8,615 98
il876
11877
11878
11879
1880
1881
1882
Total receipts for twenty years, $139,463.46; averatie receipts for the same
time. $6,973.17.
688
HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
GENEKAL TAX.
The fii'st school law, whicli was passed in 1851, provided for the
"laying of an annual tax of one-fourth of one per cent of the ad
valorem amount of the assessment rolls " for the support of common
schools.
This general tax has been levied every year down to the present
time, but the rate named was reduced to two mills in 1862, and
further reduced to one mill in 1875, where it now remains. The
proceeds of this tax were formerly divided equally, according to the
school population of the county, but the legislation of 1874 changed
this rule, and the exact sum raised in any district is now returned
to it.
TABLE showing the amount of ttoo-mill tax collected each year from
186Jf to 187 Jf, inclusive, and the amount of one-mill tax collected
from 1875 to 1882, inclusive.
Year.
Am't collected.
Year.
Am't collected.
Year.
Am't collected.
1864
$2,021 29
1871
1, 9.215 89
1878
$ 9,429 96
1865
i,737 31
1872
8,730 18
1879
10,375 78
1866
4,358 70
1873
8,9(58 51
18S(»
10,299 06
1867
4,899 04
1874
10,171 02
1881
8,075 81
1868
6,918 74
1875
16,438 09
1882
8,931 96
1869
8,772 33
1876
9,425 53
1870
8,879 79
1877
9,42«) 17
Total amount of jieneral tax, $160,075.16.
FINES, LICENSES.
The school-hiw named above also i)rovided ''for the better sup-
port of common schools and the general diifusion of education "
by requiring the county treasurer of each county to set apart twenty-
five per cent of funds arising from licenses for the sale of liquors,
and the proceeds of all fines for the breach of any penal law of the
territory. This provision, with some modifications, has been con-
tinued to the present time. The money arising from fines, licenses
and estrays is now apportioned to the several districts of the county ;
special districts, where other disposition is made of these funds,
forming the sole exceptions to this rule.
EDUCATION.
689
TABLm &hoioin(i the receipts from fine.-<, licences and estniijs fn>m 1868,
loheii first reported by the state superintendent, to 1882, inclusive.
Year.
Amount.
Year.
.4inount.
Year.
Amount.
1808
18()!)
»; 2m 77
1.173 32
1,074 34
207 03
472 28
1873
1874
1875
1870.......
1877
^1,124 33
757 23
847 95
483 31
520 05
J878
1879
1880
1881
1882
$ 898 77
1 ''79 83
1870
1871
1872
795 00
373 7(i
1,0()0 30
Total receipts for fifteen years, $11,424.33 ; average for saiui' time, $761.02.
The several districts are autliorized bj law to vote sjjecial taxes for
school purposes. The old comity fund from general school-tax was re-
stricted to the payment of teachers, and the districts were obliged to
build schoolhouses and meet current expenses. The school code of
1851 provided that whenever the current fund was insufficient for the
necessary expenses incurred in the maintenance of a school, the dis-
trict might vote the sum required to meet the deficiency. In 1864
a maximum limit to special taxation was fixed at eight mills on the
dollar, with a proviso that this rate might be increased in districts
where the proceeds of such a levy would not reach $600, the abso-
lute limit. The law of 1877 provided that the tax for the erection
of a schoolhouse should not exceed ten mills on the dollar, and that
nine mills in addition to the one mill tax should be the limit of spe-
cial taxation for school purposes. At the present time any common-
school district may vote a tax not exceeding eight mills on the
dollar for building a house and purchasing a site ; but any district
in which the above rate will not produce the sum of $600, in one
year, may raise that sum if the rate does not exceed twenty-five
mills, and it may also vote such additional amounts for other school
purposes as may be deemed necessary.
TABLE shovi/ig the amount of special school taxes collected, each year.,
from October, 186Jf, to' 1882, inclusive.
Year.
Tax collected.
Year.
Tax collected.
Year.
Tax collected.
$ 2,551 81
1871
$47,03(i- 22
1878
$55,195 85
1805
11,398 37
1872
48,894 10 •
1879
41,018 55
1866
14,802 52
1873
:!9,523 31
1880
40,322 41
1867
39,867 11
1874
47,534 00
1881
30,557 10
1868
42,119 35
1875
48.894 34 i
1882
30,390 3S
1869
43,870 79
1876
49,754 46
1870
54,179 41
1877
52.325 98
690 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
RECAPITULATION'.
Total receipts from peraiancnt school fund $ i;!!),46o 46
" " " one and two mill tax 1(50,075 16
'• tines etc. from 1868 11,424 33
" special school tax 740,236 06
(irand total receipts from all sources I?l,041,199 01
It is proper to state that the amount of sjiecial and general tax
collected in 1864, as given in the above tables, was not the total for
that year, as the auditors' books begin with the October settlement.
It will be seen that the average annual expenditure was $54,799.90.
Of this amount, the sum of $38,954.79 was raised by voluntary
taxation ; $8,450.08 by taxes imposed by the state; $7,298.05 came
from interest on the permanent school fund, and $761.62 from fines,
licenses and sale of estrays.
Of the grand total as given above, not less than $196,695 was
expended for building schoolhouses, leaving a balance of $844, 504. 01,
or $44,447.37 per annum for the ordinary expenses of the schools.
As the average annual enrollment was 5,544, it follows that the cost
per pupil was $8.19 per annum.
The economist will be interested in the following statement
showing the actual cost of our public schools for the last decade.
Total receipts from all sources for last ten years $628,960. ()5
Average receipts for each year 62,896 . 06
Average number of pupils enrolled 6,585
Cost per school year for each pupil $9 .55
Average length of school year in months 6.68
Cost per month for each pupil $1 .41
Cost per day for each pupil 0 . 07
RATK i»F SPECIAL TAXATION.
The valuable tables which follow were carefull}' prepared by O.
O. Whited, a prominent teacher of the county, now connected with
the auditor's office. They show the rate of special taxation in every
district in the county for the past ten years in mills and tenths of a
mill, and the average rate for the whole period in mills and hun-
dredths. The reader will see what the schools are costing aside
from state aid, and how his district compares with others. Close
inspection .will show that some districts have levied less than one-
half mill per annum, while others run as high as eleven, twelve, or
even thirteen, mills. The average rate for the county is four and
forty-eight hundredths mills for the whole term. Find the number
of your district on the left and see whether it goes above or falls
below these figures.
EDUCATION.
('.91
1873.
1874.
1875.
1876.
1877.
1878.
1879.
188(1.
1881.
1882.
4.0
2.5
2.6
2.5
4.0
1.4
0
2.7
3.3
4.9
12.6
4.4
10.6
13.5
9.1
20.8
19.0
19.0
12.5
13.3
17 6
14.2
6.8
4.5
7.0
3.0
2.7
3.0
2.5
4.4
10.0
3.9
2.9
4.0
6.0
5.0
6.0
6.5
1.4
2.0
10.0
4.0
3.6
3.6
3.5
3.1
2.8
4.0
2.2
6.6
11.4
3.3
2.5
2.5
4 0
3.1
3.0
3.5
3.2
3.9
23.1
11.4
11.8
5.0
5 5
8.6
3.2
4.0
3.8
3.4
12.0
10.0
9.0
9.0
10.0
5.3
6.6
6.1
4.1
5.0
14.0
5.0
10.5
6.4
4.5
4.0
4.3
3.0
2.0
4.3
12.3
5.8
5.2
6.0
6.5
4.7
4.8
4.5
3 7
4.0
9.4
9.5
2.8
5.5
5.5
5.8
4.0
11.0
7.7
8.4
6.7
4.4
4.5
3.3
4.0
2.8
2.8
3.4
3.1
4.2
6.8
5.0
5.1
3.5
4.5
3.1
3.7
11
1.7
4.5
12.1
1 5
.0
1.5
2.0
1.4
6.0
0.7
4 4
.8
5.5
3.8
.8
1.2
3.0
2.5
1.4
1.6
1.3
1.2
3.4
2.4
2.9
20
9.0
3.5
5.0
2.5
2.4
3.6
3.2
1 8
2.2
2.0
2.0
1.5
1.0
1.5
1 .7
2.0
.0
6.9
1.5
3.5
7.0
2.8
1.0
2 0
1.7
1.7
12.5
8.4
6.1
5.2
4.0
3.0
4.7
3.3
5.0
4.2
11.4
5.7
4.5
4.0
4.0
3.7
1.6
.0
1.7
2.4
4.7
.0
1.5
3.5
3.5
9.1
3.5
5.0
4.6
4.4
11.6
6.0
2.8
1 4
3.0
4.0
3.6
3.5
3.4
3.6
2.7
3.0
1.7
2.5
7.0
5.8
3.5
3.0
2 0
3.1
2.3
1.3
19.5
12.1
2.0
2.3
2.2
2.5
1.8
2.2
5.5
3.2
1.5
2.0
3.0
2.1
4.4
5.0
3.8
2.0
8.6
4.6
3.9
4.3
4.5
2.3
2.7
2.5
2 5
2.0
6.6
3.2
.0
.0
.0
.0
.0
.0
.0
7.8
2.8
11.8
8.3
4.5
8.0
1.4
0.4
3.4
4.9
4.2
6.4
3.5
1.4
9.0
12.2
2.4
0.6
3.0
4.1
3.6
3.3
2.1
1.3
.0
0.7
1.3
0.8
1.0
1.0
0.5
5.0
3.4
.0
.0
3.0
.0
.0
.0
.0
5.0
6.0
3.9
4.3
6.0
4.5
4.0
3.3
5.0
4.8
4.1
.0
4.2
.0
4.5
4.0
1.8
1.7
3.0
3.2
2.0
6.2
2.2
.0
2.8
5.5
2.0
2.5
0
2.7
5.0
10.0
4.6
.0
5.5
4.5
4.4
2.7
2.5
3.2
4.9
6.0
3.4
3.5
4.0
7.0
2.6
3.0
5.0
3.2
3.0
8.4
3.3
3.6
10.5
10.0
7.3
7.6
6.5
.0
1.0
5.0
3.0
2.4
3.6
4.0
2.4
>1.8
1.0
1.4
0.9
6.0
10.1
3.3
4.5
4.0
3.6
3.3
5.0
o.o
2.9
8.7
2.5
7.8
n.o
2.5
3.3
.0
.0
1.8
0.9
5.6
5.7
5.4
3 5
4.5
5.6
4.7
4.0
3.7
4.1
10.2
5.4
.0
7.0
7.0
4.5
3.1
2.5
2.1
0.4
2.0
7.0
13.5
4.0
10.0
5.2
4.5
3.6
2.9
2.5
7.0
3.2
.0
4.3
1.0
0.6
3.8
1.6
2 2
3.4
.0
.0
.0
1.0
0 . 5
3.6
.0
.0
.0
.0
17.3
S 2
1.4
3.2
2.0
1.6
3.8
1.7
4.3
1.9
13.8
7.5
6.3
6.0
10
3.3
1.5
2.0
3 5
4.0
17.7
6.3
4.5
8.0
8.5
4 1
3.3
4.0
2.4
2.8
17.0
18.3
9.5
6.2
2.5
2.2
1.8
3.5
2.5
3.6
13.3
5.1
8 3
8.5
5.0
.0
2.0
0.6
2.6
4.3
6.0
3.4
2.8
3.3
3.4
2.5
2.3
1.5
1.1
1.6
.0
1.0
3.5
2.5
3.5
.0
2.3
1.0
1.7
2.5
5.3
15.6
13.9
5.4
4.2
3.2
4.2
2.7
2.0
1.1
5.1
3.7
3.1
.0
5.0
6.8
2.3
1.2
5.5
4.2
.0
2.8
1.4
1.8
9 9
0.6
0.8
0.7
0.7
1.0
19.6
10.6
9.4
6 0
2.8
2.4
1.2
1.3
1.2
1.1
3.8
1.2
1.9
2.3
2.0
1.5
09
0 7
1.4
1.4
Aver'ge
for ten
years.
2.79
13.48
6.67
4 77
4.34
4.04
7.93
7.71
5.80
5.75
6.96
3.92
3.90
3.04
2.23
3.67
1.89
2.81
5.64
3.90
3.98
4.29
3.53
4 82
3.25
3.79
1.76
4.97
4.62
1.20
1.64
4.59
2.44
2.89
4.23
4.07
5 82
2.55
4 82
3.85
4.68
3.52
4.52
2.71
.51
5.54
4.79
6.16
5.21
4.97'
2.79
1.70
5.73
3.69
1.20
5.56
1.71
692
HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY,
54.
55.
50.
57.
"57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
*62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
*69.
70.
*71.
73.
74.
75.
*75 .
76.
77.
78.
79.
80.
81.
82.
83.
84.
85.
86.
87.
88.
89.
90.
91.
92.
93.
94.
95.
96.
97.
98.
99.
100
101.
103.
105.
106.
107.
108.
109.
110.
5.3
13.8
12.6
10.0
2.0
12
9.3
10.9
24.8
6.7
4.3
9.5
21.1
16.2
.0
3.6
.0
24.9
5.7
11.3
8.3
.0
Ij")
6.0
5.1
2.8
14.4
.0
6.4
17.9
3.3
9.2
4.4
13.8
3.0
7.8
8.4
1.0
14.1
3.3
11.5
13.7
6.0
.0
10.1
15 5
11.5
13.4
8 0
9.1
13.7
10 8
12.0
11. 0
4.1
8.1
6.6
6.4
1875. : 1876.
1.6
3.5
1.5
2.0
8
5.7
4.6
1.9
0.5
15.6
2.6
7.9
11.4
3.4
1.4
7
2.4
2.0
2 0
4.4
9.0
3.5
2 0
1.4
5.0
3.3
4.3
2.4
5.7
5.6
.5
7.5
2.5
6.8
6.0
5.3
7.0
7.0
.3.9
4.3
5.3
10.5
23.5
8.0
4.8
3.6
1.5
2.0
6.5i
.0
.0
.0
2.4,
3.6
5.1
.0
3.2
.0,
1.8,
3.5'
12. 5j
15;
1.91
7.5
2.3
3.3
2.1
3.9
2.9
2.5
1.0
'^A
3.2
5.0
2.5
10.3
7.3
3.1
3.6
3 7
2.3
4.0
.5
8.4
7.5
5.8
1.4
2.3
.0
2.5
15.1
7.0
4.0
3.9
3.3
10.2
8.7
5.1
4.6
5.0
6.0
.0
5
2.0
3.6
3.0
4.2
17.0
3.0
4.0
3.4
4.0
6.3
.(
1.0
4.0
3.3
5.0
.0
2.2
4.0
1.0
3.0
1.5
10.0
5.0
8.4
2 8
2.0
1.6
5.5
8.5
4.0
2.0
2.0
2.5
0.5
6.0
3.6
4.5
3.5
3.0
.0
3.6
15.0
7.3
25.0
2.5
3.5
2.5
8.0
4.0
11.4
4.0
4.0
3.5
15.0
3.0
.0
2.0
5
4.0
5.0
4.0
11.5
2.5
3.0
2.5
4.0
5.0
1.5
.0
5.0
2.5
3.5
.0
3.0
3.0
.0
2.5
6.0
2.5
5.0
10.0
2.0
2.5
1.5
2.5
5.0
3.0
0
5.0
5.5
.5
.0
2.5
1.5
7.5
2.0
.0
5.0
7.0
6 5
2.5
2.0
.0
2.0
8.0
8.0
7.0
4.0
3.1
2.7
12.1
2.6
.0
12.5
4.2
1.8
4.0
3.6
4.1
2.3
1.1
2.1
3.0
1
.0
0.5
3.7
1.7
3.6
2.8
3.4
.0
.5
.5
5.3
2.8
3.6
3.5
.7
1.2
1.2
1.7
7.6
2.6
2.5
4.3
3.3
1.2
2.9
3.5
1.4
3.7
.5
.0
5.0
3.9
5.3
6.0
2.1
1.9
8.5
5.4
10.7
1.4
2.8
3.0
2.
12.3
1.7
5.4
.0
1.0
1.7
2.0
5.5
4.0
2.8
0.0
1.0
2.6
1.2
2.5
.0
3.5
1.
2.0
2.0
4.8
2.5
0.3
2.0
5.0
2.4
3.5
3.6
2.5
1.3
0.8
4.2
14.0
3.8
1.4
3.4
6.0
0 3
1.3
2.7
3.0
0.9
3.0
3.5
3.3
2.0
2.0
2.5
6.5
6.7
7.7
4.1
3.6
4
3.0
15 0
.0
.0
1.2
2
2
2.5
5.8
5.0
.0
9.0
1.0
1
2.0
.0
.0
5.5
2.0
2.0
1
3.5
0
2.3
1.0
3.2
3.3
4.0
3.0
3.0
1.5
.01
2.2
12.2
3.3
4.0
3.0
6.0
5.0
1.0
2.7
4.0
3.0
5.0
1.0
7.0
4
2.0
2.5
14.0
1.8
5.7
6.3
6.6
5.1
4.0
3.2
2.9
14.2
4.8
5.2
1.5
.0
2.9
.0
3.8
4.9
.0
3.1
1.8
.8
2.7
.0
.0
4.2
2.0
1.5
2.1
3.3
1.7
.0
.7
.8
3.2
3.8
2.8
3.0
1.6
0.5
2.2
11.9
3.3
5.2
2.9
1.3
0.5
2.0
0.2
2.1
3 0
4.4
1.1
1.4
5.5
2.5
2.1
5.7
2.0
1.7
6.0
5.5
8.0
4.4
Aver'ge
for ten
years.
3.7
3 4
17.6
2.9
7.
1.9
2.2
6.0
3.4
2.
4.
.0
2.1
1.^
3.1
3.3
.0
.0
3.
2.4
1.7
2.6
3.
.0
.4
1.7
1.2
3.7
3 4
3.
4.2
1.4
2^4
8.2
3.
4.0
3.0
3.0
.3
2.4
1.4
5.2
4.0
3.7
3.4
1.3
4.0
3.3
.0
3.2
3.
2.5
6.2
3.8
6.0
EDUCATION.
698
111..
112..
113..
114..
115..
116..
117..
118..
119..
120..
n20..
121 . . .
122..
123..
124..,
125..
126..
127..
128...
129..
130..
131..
132..
133..
134..,
135..,
Pleasant Grove,
Ind
St. Charles, Ind.
10 0
3.7
5 0
4.0
13.3
6.0
47-5
5
7.6
7.2
32.0
9.5
7.7
8.6
11.2
21.0
4.6
8.7
13.0
(i
2.6
13.7
1.4
5.2
6.0
12.1
2.4
8.2
4.0
]2.'7
3.3
5.1
0.8
3.0
25.5
2.8
3.1
5.1
25.2
10.3
8.4
8.0
31.5
6.1
9.6
7.8
2.8
4.3
10
2.9
3.0
11.0
2.3
3.7
11.6
4.9
5.8
3.6
7.5
11.2
3.5
2.0
5.3
21.3
10.1
.0
18.3
3.8
.0
4.5
2.5
1.2
5.0
13.5
3.0
4.5
3.0
.0
4.5
6.0
3.5
4.5
9.0
8.0
2.7
1.8
4.0
6.0
26.0
3.5
19.0
4.3 6.0
16.0 13.2
5.5
2.0
4.5
2.5
3.0
50
6 5
3.5
3.5
3.5
.0
3.0
7.0
3.5
4.0
13.0
6.0
.15
3.5
6 0
8.5
7.5
9.0
3.0
19.0
40.0
7.0
4.0
2.3
.0
1.8
2.2
5.0
6.0
1.9
2.2
• 7
.0
1.7
5.0
4.0
4 3
11.3
4.5
1.6
1.6
5.6
4.0
10.7
4.1
2.7
14.1
26.5
3.6
2.0
3.3
1.8
3.0
5.0
3.3
1.6
.0
2.4
.0
2.7
4.0
2.3
3.5
8.8
4.0
2.1
0.8
2.9
4.0
9.0
3.0
2.8
11.0
17.0
2.5
1.8
3.0
2.0
2.2
3.0
5.0
13
3.0
4.0
.0
3.4
4.5
3.4
3.4
13.1
5.0
1 3
1.0
2.3
4.0
10.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
16.0
5 0 03.0 3.0 3.5
5.6 07.9 11.7 10.7
3.4
0.9
3.8
4.7
2 4
10.8
4.9
2.0
4.3
.0
4.5
2.9
6.6
3.2
5.4
12.3
3.3
1.9
0.9
2.3
3.9
1.0
3.0
3.7
8.2
8 1
Averse
for 1. 11
year.-^.
3.1
2.7
3.7
7.2
2.2
5.7
4.2
2.1
3.0
.0
4.8
2 9
7.5
4.0
4.4
16.4
3.4
1.8
1.0
2.6
5.5
8.1
3.2
3.5
7.6
9.0
4.98
8.3 12.27
5.04
2. OS
4.58
2.89
3.76
5.45
11.40
2.59
4.00
2.75
'7.'74
5.83
4.15
4.24
10.56
9.19
2.58
2.44
4.91
9.15
10.30
4.13
7.12
EAJILY TAXES AND APPORTIONMENTS.
On August 11, 1856, the board of county Commissioners levied
the lirst school tax. The total valuation of real and personal pro-
perty, and the general school tax for the first five years, were as
follows :
Year.
Value of property.
Rate.
Total tax.
1856.
$ 867,588 00
2,004,979 00
1,388,192 00
1,127,522 00
1,507,731 00
2^, mills
12,168 98
5,012 45
3,470 48
2,818 80
3,769 32
1857
1858
1859
I860 . .
There is no means of determining the special tax levy for that
early period, as such taxes were collected by district clerks, and no
records have been preserved. We know that schoolhouses were
built and schools maintained, and there can be no doubt that the
694
HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
pioneers often made great sacrifices in order that their children
might not grow up in ignorance. The general tax, if collected, must
have gone far toward paying the wages of teachers, who could be
hired for one, or, at most, two dollars per week, and ' ' board witli
the pupils."
The first apportionment was made bj the commissioners on
January 9, 1857. The following is copied from the early records :
School money received from tines $ 46 00
School monev received from taxes 639 63
Total 685 63
This sum was distributed among the several districts, according
to the number of persons between four and twenty-one. Each pupil
received ninety cents, subject to the condition named below.
Tabular statement of the first apportionment, copied from the
original, in which is shown the number ot the district, the number
of persons enumerated, the time school was taught, and the sum
apportioned to each district, is herewith given :
No. of
district.
No. of
scholars.
Time
school has
been taught
Remarks.
Amount of
money to
district.
1
o
62
36
53
134
28
151
33
33
16
26
37
21
46
19
19
18
"m
12
13
To be drawn upon proof of school hav-
ing been taught according to law.
|; 58 72
33 72
o
Same
49 64
4
Same
195 51
5
Subject to order of trustees to pay
teacher
26 22
8
141 43
1"
Same
30 90
13
19
To be drawn upon proof of school hav-
ing been taught according to law .
Same .... ... . ....
30 90
14 98
23
Same
24 35
24
34 66
31
19 67
32
43 09
34
Same
17 80
35
Same
17 80
36
Same
16 86
,
732
685 63
In February following the same districts received $729 51,
ing a total for the year of $1,415 14.
mak-
SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
The school code of the Territory of Minnesota, passed at the
second session of the legislative assembly, commencing January 1,
EDUCATION. ()95
1851, made it the duty of the board of county commissioners for each
county to divide sucli portion of their county as was inliabited into
school districts.
At the second session of the board, which was held at Rochester,
Se})tember 13, 1855, petitions having been received requesting action
under the above law, two districts were set off.
ISTo. 1, now generally known as the Coffin district, was formed of
territory in the southwestern part of Elmn-a and the southeastern
portion of Orion. It must have contained a goodly number of fami-
lies, as there were sixty -two persons between four and twenty-one
years of age who drew public money in Januar}^ 1857.
District No. 2 was made to include twent^^-four sections, a small
empire, having the thriving village of Oronoco for a metropolis.
Thirty-six pupils were enumerated by the district clerk in December,
1856.'
District No. 3 was foi-med on the first of October following. It
included nearly nine sections in the southwestern part of the town-
ship of Pleasant Grove, and John Collins' claim seems to have been
near the center of population. The district was altered in July,
1856, and that portion of the territorj^ in which the village is now situ-
ated retained the original number. When the independent district
was organized, a few years later, ''No. 3" lost its identity.
No. 4 came next in order at the same session. The village of
Marion was, and now is, near the geographical center of the district.
It then ranked next to Rochester in the number of persons entitled
to public money.
The year 1855 closed with only four districts formed in the county,
and it is quite probable that some of this small number were not yet
fully organized. Early in January, 1856, six more were added to
the list. No. 5, now known as the Center Grove district. No. 6,
known as Stone's Corners, or the Clason district, and No. 7, including
territory in Dover and Quincy, in the Stevenson neighborhood,
were formed on the 9th.
No. 8, including the village of Rochester, and the Hull district.
No. 9, were formed on the 10th. At the close of the year the num-
ber of districts had reached thirty-five. The work of formation con-
tinued in this way until 1860. when it was taken fi-oni the commis-
sioners and given to the town superintendent (jf schools. His
authority was very brief, for the legislature of 1861 made every
township in the state a school district, and required the town board
696 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
of supervisors to form sub-districts. This law was repealed the fol-
lowing winter, and districts have since been formed and altered by
the county board.
The present school law provides tor three classes of districts, as
follows :
First, — Common school districts, including all districts not em-
braced in either of the two following classes.
Second, — Independent school districts, including districts organ-
ized under section 94 of the school code.
Third, — Special school districts, including all districts organized
wlu'lly or in part under any special law of the state.
The report of Supt. Spring for the year ending August 31, 1882,
shows that the county has one hundred and thirty districts of the
first class, one of the second and three of the third. The specip,l
districts are Rochester, Oronoco and Chatlield, joint. There are also
seven joint common school districts, not included in the above.
The independent district of Pleasant Grove was organized June
5, 1865. It originally included the whole township. The people of
the northern portion did not feel satisfied, and the legislature of
1867 enacted a law setting aside the action by wliich the district was
established, and giving the people south of the river the privilege of
voting on the question of reorganization. A majority favoring the
measure, the district, which now includes about two-thirds of the
territory of the township, was divided int(j six sub-districts, with a
director in each who looks after local affairs. The board of directors
has the entire control of the schools. It may also inspect the teach-
ers employed or delegate that power to the country superintendent,
and may appoint a district superintendent to visit the schools, repoi't
to the state superintendent, and perform such other duties as may be
required by the board. Mrs. Lizzie Logan, who taught for many
years, served in that capacity for some time. Hon. R. D. Hathaway
and Richard Russell were among those who did most to organize the
schools under this law. They hoped to establish a graded system
with an excellent high school, where all the advanced pupils of the
district could receive a good education. Their expectations have not
been fully realized. There are six schoolhouses in the district, five
of which are brick and one stone. The total value of these is put at
$4,000. The house at the Grove has two rooms, and the higher
department of the school is now taught by W. R. Bennett ; the lower,
by Mary Holmes.
EDUCATION. (it) 7
The town of Dover organized under the independent school hiw
in the spring of 1866. There was so rnucli friction in tlie working
of the plan that the people besought the legislature to resolve the
district into its "original elements.'' This was done in the winter of
1868. and the county commissioners subdivided the town, foi- the
second time, in the spring of that year.
SCHOOL OP^FICKRS.
Under the law ot 1851 the officers of each school district were
three trustees and a clerk. They had the entire management of the
school, and were required to inspect teachers whom they employed,
as to "their moral character and ability to teach." The district
clerk reported the number of persons between four and twenty-one,
and the. number of months school had been taught by a qualified
instructor, to the board of county commissioners. This report was
a very simple affair ; the two items given above covering the whole
ground. He was also required to collect all taxes assessed by the
trustees, and pay over the same, less five per cent commission.
This law continued in force until 1860. The voters in each
township were then required to elect a town superintendent of
schools. It was made the duty of this officer to form districts, to
examine teachers, to visit the schools twice each term, to enroll all
persons of school age, and report the same, with other items, to the
county auditor. The reports for that year are verj^ unsatisfactory,
and the law seems to have been almost a dead letter. The district
officers were not set aside at this time ; they were shorn of some of
their authority, and were expected to co-operate with the superinten-
dent.
As stated elsewhere, the legislature of 1861 made a radical
change in the school law. What is known as the "township
system" was adopted. Each town was made a district and the
board of supervisors became its officers. They were required to
divide their district into convenient sub-districts, to appoint a super-
intendent, and the general management of the schools was placed
in their hands. Each sub-district chose its own officers, who were
to superintend the erection of school buildings, have charge of
furniture, apparatus and other local matters, subordinate to the town
board. The superintendent #as " to visit every school one day each
term, to examine its condition and management." If found
necessary, he was to direct the school exercises ; he was also to
42
6\)S HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
examine teachers and make such reports as were required by the
state superintendent. The town clerk was to take an enumeration
ot all persons between live and twenty-one, and report the number
to the auditor, t<^)gether with such other school statistics as the law
speciiicd.
NAMES OF TOWN SUPKRINTENDENTS FOR I860* AND 1861.
Cascade,— Jesse Fairchild, P. N. Cobb, E. F. Steele.
Dover, — Alanson Richards, Simeon Harding.
Elmira, — R. G. Ketcham.
Eyota, — James L. Hodges, Emerson Hodges.
Farmington, — Edward Evans.
Haverhill,— Edward Palmer, Pv. H. Talbot, M. A. Burkank.
High Forest, — Thos. Armstrong.
Kalmar, — Benj. McDowell.
Marion, — Thomas W. Phelps.
New Haven, — John Kilroy, Russell Williams, H. Douglas.
Orion, — Richard S. Russell, J. T. Hancock.
Oronoco, — Hector Galloway, Wm. M. Pearce.
Pleasant Grove, — D. W. Prentice.
Quincy, — Jotham Holland, John C. Laird.
Rochester, — L. O. Benjamin.
Rock Dell— W. A. Barnes, J. P. Mead.
Salem, — Sanford ISTiles.
Yiola, — R. F. Cunningham.
The above list is not fully satisfactory. Some towns made no
report, others have preserved no records, and the memory of the
oldest inhabitant is sometimes sadly at fault.
This system of school management lasted but a single year.
The law was repealed in the winter of 1862, but the superintendents
were continued in office until September. The new law authorized
the appointment of an examiner for each of the comniissioner
districts, who was to hold public examinations at stated periods,
license teachers, visit schools, revoke certificates for cause, etc.
On the 2d of September, 1862, the county commissioners
appointed the following persons :
District No. 1, O. O. Baldwin ; No. . 2, Sanford Niles ; No. 3,
Thos. W. Phelps ; No. 4, R. F. Ounningham ; No. 5, Russell
Williams, These gentlemen entered upon their duties at (mce, and
served tor three years, when their term of office expired. O. E.
EDUCATION. 699
Wheeler then took the place of Mr. Cunningham, and Cyrus Curtis
that of Mr. Phelps, the examiners for the other district being re-
appointed.
In the winter of 1864 the commissioners of the several counties
of the state were authorized to appoint a count}^ superintendent of
schools in lieu of district examiners. Several counties made that
choice and came under the superintendency system during the year.
Olmsted delayed until October 16, 1865, when Sanford Niles, of
Salem, was appointed on trial. He held his position until January,
1877, being unanimously reappointed at the close of each term until
January, 1876, when a majority of the commissioners chose M. G.
Spring. The legislature of that year made the office elective in
Olmsted and several other counties, and continued the old superin-
tendents until after the November election. Mr. Spring received
2,294 votes, and Mr. Niles, 2,133. In the fall before Mr. Spring's
first term closed he received a nomination from both parties and
was re-.elected without op])Osition. He ran on the democrat ticket
in 1880, and was elected over Rev. G. L. M. Gjertson, republican,
by a majority ol 752. There were three candidates before the peo-
ple in November, 1882. The vote stood as follows : Fayette L.
Cook, republican, 1,743; Horace Witherstine, democrat, 903; M. G.
Spring, independent, 667. Mr. Cook, having been elected, entered
on the duties of his office early in December.
Since the township system was abolished each common-school
district elects three trustees to manage its afiairs. In 1876 a law
was passed allowing women to vote for school officers, and they are
now eligible to any office pertaining solely to schools. Several
ladies have been elected each year, and twelve are now serving on
school boards.
Our history may be divided into four periods. The first extended
from 1855 to 1860, during which time there was no general super-
vision ; the second covered the two years of supervision by town
superintendents; the third continued from 1862 to October, 1865,
when the work of supervision was performed by district examiners;
the fourth, extending from 1865 to date, is the period of general
supervision by a county superintendent.
EARLY TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS.
The early settlers of the county did not neglect the education of
their children. So soon as their families were sheltered, and a few
700 HISTOEY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
of the common necessaries of life were provided, they set about the
work of establishing schools. As no districts were organized before
the autumn of 1855, there could have been no public schools until
that date. It is said that Alexander Duncan taught a private school
in his own house, near J. L. Parks', northeast of Pleasant Grove,
during the winter of 1854-5 ; and it is quite probable that others
taught in the large settlements of the county the same winter.
1856. The exact number of schools for 1856 cannot be deter-
mined from official records. The law of that period required each
district to have a three-months school in order to draw public money.
The writer has inspected the sixteen reports of clerks for that year
and finds but two allusions to schools. O. H. Page, of district No.
3, Pleasant Grove, says that one began on or about December 15,
to continue three months ; and J. S. Higbee, of district iSTo. 12, in
the southwestern part of the same town, certifies that "thirteen
weeks of school were taught by a qualified teacher. " The commis-
sioners were, in some , manner, satisfied that the Center Grove dis-
trict had had sixteen weeks, although the clerk, whose business it was
to report the fact, makes no mention of it. The village of Rochester
received credit for twelve weeks. All other districts were to re-
ceive the apportionment "upon proof of school having been taught
according to law." Wliether such evidence was forthcoming the
writer is unable to say.
We have private testimony to show that Susan Pucker taught
in a small log schoolhouse near John Collins' during the winter of
1855-6 ; that H. E. Loomis taught in the Coffin district near Chat-
field, and Andrew Beardsley in the Case district, Orion. Here our
record ends for the winter. During the following summer Mary
E. Walker taught in Rocliester ; Sarah Pearce in the village of Oro-
noco; Jennie Dumars, now the wife of C. C. Jones, of Minneapolis,
in a small hut near Blair's Mill, Kalmar ; Sarah J. Phelps, who
taught for many years thereafter in the village of Marion ; Ann
Losinger, now the wife of Roswell Emeric, taught in a log shanty
on Sec. 12, Kalmar, and in the chamber of John Lowry's house.
This gives us eight schools for that year, besides the one of which
Mr. Page speaks.
1857. There were thirty-one reports for this year. They now
speak of events a quarter of a century past. From them the follow-
ing record is made :
EDUCATION.
701
Township.
Elmira ,
Pleasant Grove .
Marion
New Haven
Oronoco
City
Pleasant Grove.
Orion
Dover
Marion
High Foi-est
Cascade
Orion
Kalmar ....
Name of clerk.
A. H. Stearns ....
J. G. Higbee
Gustavus Wilcox.
Nathan Bowman .
Anson K. Stone . .
A. Smith
George Everts ...
Richard Eddy . . .
B.W.Humes ....
F. L. Stevens ....
S.A.Cole
J. W. Denton ....
Jas. R. Case
N. S. H.nvland . . .
A. Lesuer
L. B. Bliss
H. C. Sheldon . . .
Length of
school.
3 months,
4
8
6
3
6
3
5
3
3
4
2 weeks .
3 months
Name of teacher.
Phebe Hoag, Miss Stednmn.
Miss V. L. Deming.
Eliza Sheeks.
Andrew Beardslev.
It appears that there were but seventeen scliools taught during
the year. Several of the above districts included territory in two
townships, and either might have been named in such cases, instead
of the one given. The names of the early teachers were not a
matter of record, and they were seldom preserved. George Everts,
of Pleasant Grove, volunteers some valuable information. He states
that the ''cost of schoolhouse, including stove and pipe and five
per cent for clerk's fees, is $557." "The amount of tax raised in
the district is $527." The "expense of teacher, $54." "No. of
scholars attending school, 25." Up to this date no other clerk has
given the value of a schoolhouse or the amount of special taxes.
It is an honorable record for that day, and he had a right to feel
proud , of it. Mr. L. B. Bliss states that Mr. Beardsley began his
school in December, 1856 ; this will add another to the list for that
year. Miss Eliza Sheeks is the daughter of Geo. C. Sheeks, of
Dover. This was the first school in that town, and was kept in a
room of Simeon Harding's log house, in which many of our old
settlers have spent a night while on their way to Winona. But
sixty-three and one-half months of school were taught that year.
1858. There were forty -nine schools, and the average length of
the school year was a little over four months. Salem Corners, the
village of Marion, the city of Rochester, and the Stone district in
Oronoco and Cascade, each reported nine months. High Forest
had seven, Pleasant Grove eight, Stewartville six and one-half, and
702 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
the Sally district, New Haven, six months. The aggregate length
of the schools for the year was 204 months. The names of a few
teachers have been handed down to us. Margaret Waldron, now
wife of ISTathan Phelps, taught in the Sinclair district, Kalmar, and
Mr. J. C. Howard in the village of High Forest, in a house owned
by Charles Stewart. Chas. C. Cornell kept the first public school in
Salem in the winter of 1857-8, in a log house built by citizens near
the residence of Z. Handerson. Ann Wilkins had a private school
a year earlier, in a new fi-ame house which stood north of the
"Corners," on land owned by Darius Wilkins. Henrietta Carl,
now wife of Wm. Bear, Eyota, kept the first school in Viola, in a
pre-emption shanty near John Morrow's, and Mrs. E, A. Doty, of
the same town, taught in her own house the latter part of the year.
Angeline M. Stocking, wife of M. H. Ireland, was employed to
teach in the Joseph Bear district, Eyota, and first schools were also
in session in the Benj. Bear, Buck and Eckles neighborhoods.
Quincy had two schools ; one was kept by Elizabeth Kepner,
daughter of M. Kepner, in her father's shanty. She began on the
7th of July and continued three months with ten pupils enrolled.
The other was in the Kingsley district and continued four months,
but the name of the teacher was not reported. T. W. McClosky
taught the first school in the St. George district, Marion. Mrs. Helen
Cornwell, wife of John Cornwell, taught in the village of Durango,
in a small house put up by Wm. Brink. She received $1. 25 per week,
and old settlers speak highly of her work.
1859. Seventy districts reported for that year, and fifty-seven
schools were taught, with an aggregate length of 234 months. Rock
Dell had her first school. It was kept by Rebecca Mead in the
house of Mr. J. S. Humason. Every township in the county save
Farmington, now had from one to six schools in operation. This
township did not report a school until 1860, though some of her early
settlers may have sent their children to the Fitch neighborhood,
Haverhill, where one was opened as early as 1858 ; in fact that
district included territory belonging to both townships. The first
school in a district wholly within the borders of Farmington was
taught during the summer of 1860, in a small log house near Farm
Hill, by Kate Cowles, now wife of Hon. J. A. Leonard.
1860. The reports for 1860 cover only two-thirds of the year,
from December 31 to August 31, and no report was made by the
superintendent of Rochester, Oronoco, New Haven or Pleasant
EDUCATION.
■03
Grove. If these documents were prepared tlie_y are not now on tile
in the auditor's office, and tlie thread of our history is partl_y broken.
Blanks were furnished by the state for the first time, and a flood pf
light would have been thrown on many ])oints of interest by careful
answers to all the questions propounded in them. We are more
fortunate when we reach the statistics for 1861, which were collected
and reported by the several town clerks. We here catch a glimj)se
oi the educational work in each township in that comparatively early
period. The information given below cannot be gathered from any
of the records of preceding years. Up to this date we are left in the
dark as to the attendance at school, teachers' wages, value ot school-
houses, their number, and the actual outlay for school ])urj)oses.
ABISTR ACT of reports of town clerks for tlie yt<(r 1861, showitu/
school population, enrollment, average attendance, member of scJiools,
numher of teachers, wages of teachers, numher of schoolhouses and
their value.
Cascade ....
Dover
Elmira
Eyota
Farniinfrton
Haverhill . .
Hi^h Forest
Kalmar ....
Marion
New Haven
Orion
Oronoco I 184|
Pleasant Grove . .: o2()!
Qninry I 207|
Rock Dell I 1241
Koi'hester \ I33j
Salem I 20oi
Viola i 89i
Citv i 302!
s
K^
S
^-d
P
Sfe
a
m"'
%
o
tin
H
120
75
135
101
210
125
207
150
80
40
161
92
265
100
202
104
212
130
181
103
9i»
50
$14 80
12 00
18 00
50 00
$ 8 33
14 84
9 60
8 00
15 33
12 00
7 00
8 30
12 40
10 40
7 33
6 66
9 00
8 00
11 50
10 00
10 00
10 00
30 00
> 75 00
166 00
360 00
184 00
270 00
78 00
186 00
1
1
168 00
1
74 00
3
3
102 00
69 00
i
60 00
1
4
30 00
560 00
$ 200 00
829 00
350 00
950 00
165 00
850 00
150 00
1300 00
500 00
()43 00
300 00
600 00
755 00
725 00
150 00
100 00
250 00
300 00
$9117 00
It will be seen that there were 3,411 persons enumerated, 2,145
of whom were en)-olled as pupils; that the average attendance was
704 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
1,302, and the whole number of schools taught was seventy-two.
Eight male and seventj-two female teachers were employed at wages
which would seem low in 1883. There were twenty-three log and
thirty-eight frame houses, valued at $9,117.
• This was a war year, and the number of male teachers was
remarkably few; they were no doubt marching "on to Richmond."
SCHOOLHOUSES.
Many of the early schoolhouses were erected by voluntary con-
tributions of labor and material. Men and boys turned out to draw
logs from the woods and lumber from the mill or the more distant
river. Shingles were sometimes split from a thrifty oak, and floor-
ing hewed from the basswood. The raising was often an important
event and long remembered by the young. When the walls were
up the roof went on, the rough doors and curious windows found
their places, the writing-board girdled the walls, the long, rough
benches were arranged in rows, and the master's desk, so "fear-
fully and wonderfully made," was put in the most commanding
position. In the construction of such houses, an axe, a saw and a
hammer are the chief tools required, and any large boy or head of
a pioneer family can use them.
Though the schoolhouses erected during the first decade of our
history were often rude in their external appearance, though the
furniture was home-made,- though few blackboards hung on their
walls, and apparatus was almost unknown, we have no word of
criticism for their builders and owners. Far greater sacrifices wei-e
required than are now necessary to erect and furnish the more
costly structures of these days.
But the schoolhouses of that period were not all of the style
alluded to above. The citizens of Oronoco, Marion and Pleasant
Grove erected neat and comfortable frames as early as the summer
of 1856. In the summer of 1857, Center Grove and the Bagley
district. Pleasant Grove township, built what were then considered
first-class country schoolhouses.
The following extracts from the county superintendent's diary
will serve to show the general character of the schoolhouses in 1866
and in 1876. They are arranged in opposite columns and relate to
the same districts.
EDUCATION.
705
FI!()M 1)I.\1!V OF 18()<).
Very poor frame house, with siding
partly off and no hitch to the door,
the seats are nnconifortable and the
stove door is out .
A very small frame hut for a school-
house, and but one little blackboard.
Poor frame house, with the door off
its hinges and no blackboards.
Fair frame house, with comfortable
seats and two good blackboards.
Log house, poorly chinked, poor
seats, and without blackboards.
FROM niAKV OK 1876.
The district has erected a good stone
schoolhouse. It is well seated and
furnished with blackboards; value of
house $1,200.
Brick house, with patent desks and
good blackboards; value $1,000.
Frame house ; value $500.
tJood frame house, well finished an<l
well seated ; cost |1,400.
Frame house, with patent desks
and ample blackboards; value $l,00(i.
These extracts might be made to cover several pages. The
improvement here noted was not in any sense exceptional, the
whole comity shared in it, and districts vied with each other in the
good work.
TABLE shovmiy the number and value of srhoolhoifses at different
dates.
1801
1862
186:5
1864
186.3
1866
1867
1868
1860
1870
1871
1872
1873
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
1870
1880
1881
1882
Frame. Log.
38
39
43
47
49
60
75
82
00
95
96
9(5
95
100
105
105
108
108
108
108
106
105
stone. Brick.
1 I
i
9
3
4
0
8
1
9
10
3
10
4
10
7
10
0
10
12
10
12
10
17
10
. 19
10
20
10
20
11
21
12
22
No.
built.
Total.
61
68
74
70
77
90
103
111
12
121
12
125
13
127
7
128
7
128
8
132
135
137
141
141
141
141
4
141
7
140
19,
8,
lo;
12
14
73,
94
119
130,
139,
150
154,
156,
1 75,
186,
196,
195,
195,
196,
197.
198.
,117 00
463 00
,293 00
,720 00
,630 00
,245 00
.931 00
,910 00
805 00
732 00
739 00
;;oi 00
036 0(1
,620 00
625 00
350 00
225 00
510 00
160 00
500 00
650 00
825 00
The above estimates do not include the value of schoolhouse
sites. It will be seen that the number of log schoolhouses dimin-
ished from thirty in 1863 to one in 18S2. This house is in district
No. 70, in the western part of Salem. The first stone schoolhouse
706 HISTOKY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
was erected in 1862, in the town of Eock Dell, in a Norwegian
neighborhood ; Carl Sjverson was then district clerk. The first
brick house was built in 1867, in the city of Eochester.
Average value of schoolhouses in 1861 was $149 ; in 1871,
$1,100; in 1882, $1,420 ; country schoolhouses 1882, $789.
In 1865 there was no public schoolroom in the county seated with
patent desks ; ten years later there were eighty-one. At the present
time a large proportion of the houses are well planned, and they
are fairly provided with blackboards. Some are furnished with wall
maps, globes, and other apparatus necessary to the best success of a
school.
The village of Eyota has a. fine brick building, erected in 1876 at
a cost of $9,000. It is 68X36 feet cm the ground, and two stories
high above the basement. There are two schoolrooms on each floor,
which are well seated and furnished with apparatus suited to the
grade of pupils. The basement has furnaces of the most approved
manufacture. The entire edifice is finished in good style, and it is
an ornament to the place.
Dover Center has an excellent brick house erected the same year
as the above, at a cost of about $5,000. It is 56x36 feet on the
ground, and two stories high. There are four schoolrooms, each
30x23 feet, 12 feet in the clear. Three of the rooms are well
seated, and supplied with a small amount of apparatus, valued at
$50. The basement is calculated for furnaces, but they are not yet
in position. The building is a credit to the village. It stands on a
gentle eminence and commands a fine view of the country around.
L. A. Dudle\', principal of the Oronoco school, has kindly
furnished the following :
"The Oronoco school-building is, including the basement, a three-
story brick, picturesquely located on Moss Cliff, by the Zumbro. It
was built in 1875, under plans drawn by L. Andrus, architect, at an
expense of about $5,000, including grounds and fixtures. The
basement is used for wood, 'the first floor for schoolrooms, and the
rooms above for halls, one of which is occupied by the Good
Templars, the other by the Odd Fellows. '"
Byi'on has a two-story building with two rooms, well seated, and
furnished with apparatus valued at $50. It is a wooden structure
and the entire cost was $2,400.
• Besides these, there are thirty-four schoolhouses in the rural
districts, ranging in value from $1,000 to $1,500 each.
EDUCATION. 707
The following was written bv the superintendent of schools at
tlie termination of his first tour of visitation, early in the spring of
1865: "Of the seventy-seven sehoolhouses in the county, fifty-six
were found without privies and eleven without blackboards." In
1875, fifty-two houses were reported as having two privies, forty-four
as having one, eighteen as having none, and eleven district clerks
made no allusion to the matter.
SCII<X)L-GR<)rNDS.
The total value of school-grounds is placed at $12,500. The
sites are, in most cases, well chosen, but very little has been
done to improve them. Where trees have been planted they have
usually been neglected, and have maintained a sickly existence in spite
of growing weeds and browsing cattle. The trees, in beautiful natural
groves, survive but a few years after the erection of a schoolhouse
in their midst. They make convenient hitching-posts and are soon
girdled. Few attempts have been made to plant evergreens or
shrubbery, and no one seems to think that school-grounds may be
made attractive at all seasons.
In passing through many neighborhoods, one sees evidences of
taste around almost every dwelling, but when he reaches the school-
house he is often reminded of Whittier's description of " The Old
Burying-ground. "
" Unshaded smites the summer sun,
Unchecked the winter blast."
SCHOOL-APPARATUS.
Previous to the summer of 1866 there was very little school-
apparatus in the county. In making eighty visits during the win-
ter before, the superintendent saw but one set of wall-maps.
At a teachers' institute held in Morton Hall, in April of that
year, the importance of supplying the schools with apparatus was
duly considered, and a committee was appointed to make a report
thereon for publication. Many districts purchased at that time, but
teachers were not always competent to use what was furnished, and
they sometimes allowed ])upils to make footballs of globes, and
marbles of dissected numeral-frames. People soon began to see
that their money was poorly invested, and few purchases were
made for several years. In the autumn of 1875 the clerks reported
something over two thousand dollars invested Jn apparatus. The
708 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
recent report of superintendent Spring shows that 116 districts out
of 134 are supplied with apparatus amounting in the aggregate to
$4,825. The writer has learned since the above was written that
considerable of this amount is invested in costly charts of verj
little practical value to the districts.
TEXTBOOKS.
In the early schools pupils used such books as the parents
brought from the older states. The town superintendents in their
official reports for 1880, indicate that the following were in use :
Bullion's (Iraiiimar, Thompson's Arithmetic, Town's Readers.
Butler's " Adam's " McGuffey's "
Pinneo's " Greenleaf's " Sanders'
Wells' '' Ray's " Webster's Speller,
Covell's " Da vies' " Sanders'
Smith's " Smith's " Town's "
Clark's " Morse's (leography,
(xieen's " Mitchell's "
Brown's '• Monteith's '•
Kirkham's '• Fitch's ''
Weld's " Colton's "
The statutes of 1858 made it the duty of the superintendent of
public instruction " to introduce and recommend such textbooks as
he shall deem best adapted to the wants of the common schools."
Hon. E. D. Keill selected a list and published it in 1860, but the
legislature of 1861 enacted as follows : "The State Normal Board
is hereby directed to select and prepare a list of books to be used
in the common schools of the state for five years."
Under this law, Robinson's arithmetics, Parker and Watson's
readers, Monteith's and McNally's geographies and Goodrich's his-
to^ came into general use in the county. In 1868 a commission
recommended the ]Srational readers, Robinson's arithmetics, Green's
New Introduction to Grammar, KerFs grammar, CornelFs geo-
graphies and Seavey's history. The necessary changes were then
made, and general uniformity was secured for several years. After
the war, schoolbooks were very high, and they were finally held at such
exorbitant rates that some measure seemed necessary to relieve the
people from what had become a burdensome tax. Hoping to break the
"publishers' ring," as it was called, the legislature of 1872 passed a,n
act which continued the books in use, under the law of 1868, on
condition that the publishers would reduce their prices thirty per cent.
EDUCATION.
"09
This law brought no relief, and the county superintendent con-
cluded to recommend "shorter courses" published by the saim-
houses. The series consisted of Robinson's Shorter Course in
Arithmetic, Monteith's Shorter Course in Geography, the Educa- "
tional Readers, Harvey's Grammar, Swinton's Speller and Barnes'
History. The list was quite generally approved by teachers and
the people, and continued in use until the State Textbook law
of 1877 was passed.' This "shorter course" saved hundreds of
dollars to the people of the county, and greatly lessened the numbe]-
of classes in each school. The State Series is now in use in all the
country schools, and the annual expenditure for schoolbooks is but
little over one-half what it was before the Merrill law, as it is
termed, went into operation.
SCHOOL POPULATION AND ATTENDANCE.
From the organization of the first districts in 1855 to 1861 the
school population included all persons between four and twenty -one.
From that date to 1876 the apportionment was based on the number
between five and twenty-one. In 1875 the law was again changed,
and the state school fund was distributed according to the number
of pupils enrolled in school. The early apportionments were made
by the county commissioners, and the school fund then consisted of
money raised by a general tax of two and one-half mills on the dol-
lar. As the first sale of school lands did not take place until the
fall of 1862, no money was received from this source until 1863.
TABLE shoviing the number of 2^&'>'Sons betwee)i. the ages of four and
twenty-one, for the years named.
Year.
Persons 4 to 21.
Year.
Persons 5 to 21.
185fi
732
],468
2,469
1859..
I860..
0779
1857
2,950
1858
There is no record of enrollment covering this early period of
our history. It was probably much less than the school population
would indicate, as most of the districts were very large, and the
places where the schools were kept too far awaj for the younger
children.
710
HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
TABLE showing the number of perso7is between the ages of five and
txoenty-one ; the total enrollment ; the average daily attendance^ and
the per cent of average attendance to the enrollment.
Year.
Persons
5 to 21.
Persons
enrolled.
Average
attendance.
Per cent, of
attendance
to enroll-
ment.
Different
schools.
Number of
months'
school.
1861
1862
1863
1864
I860
1866
3,411
3,480
4,206
4,570
5,577
6,014
2,145
2,528
2.832
3,212
3,407
3,412
1,302
1,594
1,753
2,047
1,889
1,533
60.7
63.0
61.9
63.7
55.4
44.0
72
76
84
89
95
100
268
344
448
507
496
437
The average attendance for the last two years of this period is
quite low, and no cause can be given for it, unless there was some
change in the blanks furnished district clerks, which caused them to
make incorrect estimates. It requires considerable skill to obtain a
correct average for a school year covering two or more terms of
diiferent length.
TABLE showing the xoJiole number of persons between the ages of five
and twenty-one y the enrolhnent in summer and winter y the average
attendance, and the per cent of average attendance to enrollment.
Year.
?3
S
Enrolled in
summer
schools.
II
<
i!
<u bog C
1
il
H
II
<
m
1867
1868.....
1869
1870.'....
1871
1872
1873
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
1881
1882
6,375
6,813
7,164
7,148
7,237
7,223
7,396
7,572
This item
was not
called for
in blanks
prepared
by the
State Su-
perintend-
ent.
3,271
3,374
4,104
4,506
4,512
4,434
4,462
4,313
4,532
4,660
4.792
4,513
4,218
4,292
4,168
3,814
2,022
2,088
2,783
2,934
2,993
2,871
3,215
3,004
3,204
2,819
3,018
3,291
3,176
3,124
2,957
2,707
61.8
61.8
67.8
65.1
66.3
64.7
72.2
79.6
70.6
60.4
62.9
72.9
75.2
72.8
70.9
70.9
2,564
3,040
4,548
4,580
5,046
5,066
4,771
4,935
4,909
5,380
5,568
5,730
5,480
0,176
4,915
4,866
1,948
2,012
3,181
3,440
3,500
3,809
3,442
3,663
3,810
4,519
4,732
3,979
3,719
3,615
3,419
3,313
75.9
66.2
79.9
75.1
69.3
75.1
72.1
74.2
77.0
84.0
85.0
69.4
67.8
69.8
69.7
68 9
EDUCATION.
711
It will be noticed that the average attendance for the summer
schools reached its highest point in 1880 ; for the winter, in 1877.
The average depends on matters which are external to the schools ;
when the wild strawberry crop is abundant, when potato-bugs are
plentiful, when large fields of corn are planted, or the school term
extends past the time for liaying, pupils will be kept out to pick
berries, 'to gather bugs, to plant and weed corn, to assist in haying,
and the summer schools will be thinned. The blizzards of the pres-
ent winter are sure to bring a low average, and the fine talk of the
superintendent cannot change these figures.
TABLE shoxcing the m(frnber of different persons enrolled in school each
year, and the average length of the school year in days.
Different per-
Length of
Different per-
Length of
Year.
sons enroUed in
school year in
Year.
sons enrolled in
school year in
Scliool.
Days.
school.
days.
1867
3,793
136
1875 ...
5,935
139
1868
5,160
137
1876....
6,549
134
1869
5,996
135
1877....
6,674
135
1870
6,078
136
1878....
6,602
133
1871
5,709
135
1879....
6,242
133
1872
6,014
136
1880....
5,966
132
1873
5,993
134
1881
5,744
133
1874
6,078
135
1882....
5,569
130
A number of tables have been formed under the general heading
"School Population and Attendance," for the reason that no one
item of information can be continuously traced.
The school population has not been enumerated since 1875.
The average attendance from 1860 to 1867 is given for the year ;
from that date on it is given for the summer term and winter term.
The highest enrollment was reached in 1877 ; it then began to
decline, until it now stands below that of 1869. .The length of tlie
school year is less by nine days than in 1875, and seven days less
than in 1868. The decrease in enrollment, 1105 in five years, is to
be attributed to "western fever," and to the establishment of
private schools. There can be no doubt of the decrease of popu-
lation in Olmsted county during the last half decade.
TEACHERS.
Teaching in the country schools is not yet regarded as a pro-
fession. No one now in the ranks expects to make it a life-work.
712
HISTOKY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
An examination ot the records sliows that five to six terms is the
average experience of those who are employed in the schools of the
county. What is true at this time has been true for many years,
and will, no doubt, continue to be so. Six generations of teachers
have come and gone during the last seventeen years. Thirty-nine
hundred certificates have been issued to nearly, or quite, 2,000
different persons, and yet an autumn d<^es not pass without a
scarcity of teachers for the winter schools. Of those who attended
the first institute in the fall of 1865, or the examinations following,
Sarah J. Southwick, Marion L. Sloan, Bridget M. Kinney and
Jane Stewart are the only persons who have taught within the past
year. Of the large number licensed during 1876, less than a score
are employed in the schoolroom the present winter. The average
age of those who have attended institutes, for many years, is from
nineteen to twenty ; and the responsibility of teaching and govern-
ing the young rests upon those who are but little older. The
following are among the reasons for this state of things:
1. Teaching in the district schools gives employment only one
half of the time, and that is uncertain ; as a consequence, no one
can settle down to the business and depend on it for permanent
support.
2. Our public lands, the thousand enterprises promising wealth,
the learned professions, even the ordinary trades, offer better in-
ducements to young people who look ahead and are ambitious.
3. So long as most of the work of teaching is performed by
ladies of marriageable age, it is not proper to expect permanency.
It is right that "change should be the order of nature," and the
historian must state facts rather than suggest remedies.
TABLE shoviing the number and sex of teachers employed each year;
their average monthly compensation, and the total amount paid
as teachers'' wages.
Year.
Male
teachers.
Female
teachers.
Wages, male.
Wages, female.
Total amount
paid
teachers.
1861
1862....
1863....
1864....
1865....
8
26
32
40
32
JO
80
100
107
111
$16 75
17 84
18 53
22 17
26 84
$12 00
8 40
10 22
12 05
14 68
$2,382
3,931
4,485
6,519
7,845
E, A, KNDWLTDN,
EDUCATION.
715
TABLE showing the number of teachers in summer and winter schools;
their mo)tthly wages, and the amount paid teachers during each gear.
Summer.
Winter.
Year
Wages, male.
Wases,
Whole amount
Male
Female
Male
Female
teachers.
teachers.
teachers.
teachers.
186G .
1
100
45
50
$30 30
117 77
110,734 .50
1807 .
?,
106
46
51
33 94
19 30
13,700 97
1868 .
7
110
50
47
34 93
21 39
17,110 23
1869.
i 18
111
55
65
33 18
20 81
23,435 39
1870.
1 26
112
62
69
30 95
22 53
28,502 74
1871 .
30
100
71
64
30 92
22 82
32,264 20
1872 .
24
114
79
65
31 93
23 49
33,220 4(j
1873 .
18
120
68
77
33 15
24 33
33,723 47
1874 .
90
117
67
74
42 82
32 90
35,812 12
1875 .
25
121
(i5
83
38 36
29 12
42,125 00
1876.
20
126
70
83
41 32
30 61
39.493 00
1877 .
25
132
71
83
40 00
30 00
38,864 40
1878.
22
131
71
89
39 00
29 00
45,096 25
1879.
2"^
130
69
92
37 00
27 00
40,77<) 00
1880 .
23
136
64
96
35 00
26 00
39,903 51
1881 .
20
133
57
104
35 00
2(i 00
37,578 16
1882 .
25
131
55
107
38 00
2S 00
38,586 65
Total amount paid teachers, $550,917.05.
The monthly salaries in the table first given do not include
board, as the teachers in those days were required to ''board
around." The advantages of permanent homes for the instructors
of their children were not fully realized by parents until some years
later, sa^^ about 1870.
TABLE shoioing tfie whole number of applications for licenses; the
number rejected and the mtmber ami grade of certificates issued from
November, 1865, to November, 1882.
1
1
be
i
1
1
11
Ci
.2.
(a
3
5i
1865..
3
34
11
3
51
1875
3
79
126
59
267
1866. .
101
51
25
184
1876
12
153
137
79
381
1867..
22
92
66
13
193
1877
11
145
71
99
326
1868..
15
■60
68
12
155
1878
•T
120
115
77
316
1869. .
18
96
38
22
174
1879
•T
119
161
101
38()
1870..
6
114
66
55
241
1880
4
97
156
119
376
1871..
8
128
101
47
284
1881
3
85
166
94
348
1872. .
10
108
139
31
288
1882
0
90
157
97
344
1873..
12
1.52
101
21
286
1874..
143
103
46
299
150
1,916
1,833
1,000
4,899
48
716 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
In the above table the examinations of Supt. Mies extend from
the beginning to 18T7 ; those of Supt. Spring from the latter date to
the close.
The reader will observe that the number of applications for
certificates, from year to year, is greatly in excess of the number of
teachers required. The column of totals on the right does not,
however, represent the number of different persons applying, as
some of those holding third-grade certificates are examined in the
spring and also in the fall, their licenses lasting but six months.
Since the establishment of graded and other schools, where the
young can have good opportunities for acquiring a fair education,
and since "hired men" and "hired girls" were drawn from the
families of foreigners, teaching has become about the only
"genteel work" left for thrifty young people who would make an
honest penny before settling down in the world. So it comes that
the institutes and public examinations are thronged by those ' ' downy.
of lip and chin," who are seeking certificates and places in the
common schools. Every i-eturning spring sees lady teachers, like
beautiful butterflies, swarming around the learned school directors,
and each recurring autumn, when the frosts begin to nip, finds these
same directors searching the country over for the certificated young
man, or for the last " Rose ^ of summer to teach the district school,
— all the while wondering what has become of the " gay sisterhood "
of teachers that sought him in house and field only six short months
before.
teachers' ixstitutes. .
No history of education, for Olmsted county, can be complete
without a chapter devoted to Teachers' Institutes. These are, in
fact, temporary normal schools brought to our own doors. In them
hundreds of teachers have met some of the finest instructors in the
state, witnessed their methods of teaching, and caught inspiration
from their words. Here plans for work have been outlined and the
broad field of school economy ranged over. It is in these that the
county superintendent has kindly, and yet forcibly, pointed out the
defects in teaching and management as he has observed them during
periods of school visitation. It is probable that no other agency
has contributed more to the advancement of our teachers, inasmuch
as it has brought much needed information, renewed their zeal from
year to year, and kept alive a spirit of progress, so essential to the
best success.
EDUCATION.
717
Olmsted county stands above all others in the state in the
number of her institutes and in the aggregate attendance of her
teachers. Twenty-five were held during the administration of Mr.
Niles, and eight during Mr. Spring's. The first county institute was
organized at the old Baptist church, in Rochester, November 13,
1865 ; the second at Morton Hall, in April,
TABLE showing the date of each institute; the place where it was
held; its length in weeks, and the total enrollment.
Year.
1865.
1866.
1866.
1867.
1867.
1868.
1868.
1869.
1869.
1869.
1869.
1870.
1870.
1870.
1871.
1871.
1871.
1872.
1872.
1873.
1873.
1874.
1875.
1875.
1876.
1877.
1877.
1877.
1878.
1879.
1880.
1881.
1882.
November 13
April 16
November 12
April 22 ... .
October 25 . .
April 27 ....
November 9.
March 30 . . .
April 6
April 12 ...
November 1 .
March 15 ...
March 22 . . .
October 31 . .
March 20 . . .
March 22 . . .
October 9 . . .
March 5 ....
October 28 . .
March 31 . . .
October 6 . . .
March 21 . . .
April 5
October 18 . .
October 16 . .
March 12 . . .
March 19 . . .
March 26 . . .
March IS ...
March 24 . . .
March 15 ...
March 21 . . .
March 20 . . .
Place held.
Roche.ster
Rochester
Rochester
Rochester
Rochester
Rochester (State)
Rochester
Chatfield
High Forest
Eyota
Rochester
Oronoco
Marion
Rochester
Center Grove. . . .
Chatfield
Eyota
Rochester
Rochester
Rochester
Chatfield
Rochester
Eyota
Rochester
Rochester
Byron
High Forest
Dover Centre. . . .
Rochester
Rochester
Rochester
Rochester
Rochester
No.
Length.
]
1
.>
2
3
4
0
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
2
30
2
31
2
32
1
33
1
Enroll-
ment.
45
112
89
95
71
139
80
44
38
61
118
30
57
115
40
45
105
145
60
191
115
122
147
50
50
75
190
287
250
254
239
The above table shows over forty weeks of institute work during
the administrations of Supts. Niles and Spring, and that the aggre-
gate enrollment was 3,667.
The plan of holding local institutes was first tried in 1869, for
the purpose of reaching the general public. Many citizens attended
and the results were highly satisfactory.
718 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Protracted institutes, or training schools, as they have been
called, were organized by Supt. Niles, and proved very successful,
the attendance being large and regular. The earlier institutes and
two of the training schools were held indef)endent of state aid, the
superintendent assuming the responsibility of employing superior
instructors and the teachers paying an assessment to cover all
expenses.
COUNTY SUPERVISION.
The appointment of a county superintendent was one ol the
most important events in our educational history. Previous to
October 16, 1865, there was no recognized leader in the school-work
of the county. The standard of qualifications for teaching was low,
and there was no general uniformity in the examinations. No one
had the authority to call the teachers of the county together for a
friendly interchange of ideas, or for the discussion of important
questions. Each teacher had his own way and followed it, learning
little by experience and nothing from those who were engaged in
the same work. Isolation was the rule. The schools were not
regularly visited even by district examiners, who were obliged to
follow some other vocation for a living, and could give little time to
supervision. There was no one who made it his business "to
introduce to the notice of teachers and the people the best modes of
instruction, the most approved plans of building and ventilating
schoolhouses " ; who " stimulated school officers to the discharge of
their duties " ; who, in short, created and kept alive a healthy public
sentiment on educational questions.
The administration of Supt. Sanford Mies continued somewhat
more than eleven years. During this period he traveled over the
entire county twenty-two times, and made some 2,600 official visits
to the schools. Twenty-five institutes were held, and 2,703 applica-
tions for certificates were considered. Besides this and much other
routine work, as it may be called, a large number of articles were
written for the county papers, in which almost every school question
was discussed. During each winter, lectures were delivered in
schoolhouses, halls and churches. Union schools, made up of
teachers and classes from several districts, were held in many
localities, for the purpose of giving teachers and parents an oppor-
tunity to witness the different modes of teaching and the progress
which was being made. A librarj^ of professional works was
purchased by subscription of teach'ers, in 1870, and many became
EDUCATION. 719
regular readers. (Some of these books are now in the office of Supt.
Cook, where they may be consulted at any time.)
For several years, from fifty to one hundred subscribers were
procured for the Minnesota ''Teacher," then published by W. W.
Paye, at St. Paul. In addition to these, most of the district clerks
received a copy under a provision of law. In 1871 the advantages
of "A Teachers' G-uide and Course of Study for District Schools"
were thoroughly discussed in conventions of district clerks, in
teachers' institutes and in the county papers. Sixty districts adopted
the proposed plan at their annual meeting in 1872, and several more
not long after. Though it proved imperfect in some of its details,
it was helpful to teachefs, especially in the primary grades, and a
similar scheme is being carried out with great success in sevei'ul
counties of the state. Through all these years of hard labor the
superintendent was ably assisted by his wife, Priscilla M. Niles,
whose extended experience as a teacher made her a helpful adviser,
whose readiness with a pen enabled her to carry on the official
correspondence and other office work in his absence.
All the results of these several methods of work, briefly alluded
to above, cannot be made apparent in statistical tables. The reader
may still ask, ' ' Was there any real improvement in the schools of
the county i " To answer this question, and to record historical
facts, the following quotations are made from Supt. Niles' annual
report for the year 1875.
"I now pass from the statistical portion of this review to
matters which cannot be expressed by figures, and will first speak of
the general intelligence of teachers.
" Even a cursory com]iarison of the papers made out by teachers
attending the public examinations at the present time with those of
1865-6, which are still preserved, will satisfy anyone that a change
for the better has taken place. The average grade of scholarship
has been raised at least fifty per cent. Intelligent visitors, who
have been in the habit of dropping into the institutes from year to
year, have remarked that even the countenances of teachers show a
higher degree of culture than formerly. Very few of these early
pedagogues were readers of educational journals or other publica-
tions relating to the theory and practice of teaching. Now, hundreds
of copies of valuable books designed for the study and the classroom
are found in the hands of our teachers. The institute, the graded
schools of the county, the state normal school, the colleges and
720 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
university, have afforded opportunities for culture. All of these
agencies operating among us have done much toward raising the
average standard of intelligence and rounding out the common
school teacher in those noble qualities which go to make up true
manhood.
" Much progress has been made in modes ot teaching the different
branches. Recalling the methods pursued in those early daj-s, we
find that few used the blackboard in teaching primary reading, that
none adopted the 'word,' 'phonetic' and 'sentence' methods, now
so successfully carried out by a large number of our instructors.
Few, indeed, in those early times, had learned that it is possible to
teach children to read in an easy, natural manner. Those mo-
notonous and disagreeable tones heard by the school visitor in ' ye
olden time ' have long since died upon the ear. We now have
scores of instructors who succeed in teaching young children to read
with the naturalness of conversation. In advanced classes good
reading no longer consists in the parrotlike pronunciation of words,
but in the expression of every thought and emotion of the author.
Pupils are now taught to observe that ' golden rule ' for correct
reading, ' Understand and feel what you read.'
' ' Ten years ago there were very few classes in English grammar,
and those were, usually, so poorly taught that pupils took no interest
in the subject, and, in many cases, had little idea that it bore any
relation to accurate speaking and writing. They were crammed
with the definitions and rules of the textbooks without explanation
or application, and when a boy had learned about the ' relation '
which words hold to each other he scarcely knew whether it was one
of blood, or marriage, or something else. Nearly every school in
the county now has a large class in technical grammar, and hundreds
of children are receiving oral instruction and daily drills in the use
of language. We now begin at the root of the matter by basing our
instruction on the principle that early and long-continued practice
in speaking and writing are the chief means by which skill is
attained. The generation of children now being educated in the
public schools of the county will speak with an accuracy and write
with a facility unknown to their parents, because of the earl}^ and
continuous training which they are receiving under the direction of
teachers who are keenl}^ alive to the importance of this work, and
who are becoming more familiar with the modes of instruction
employed by the best teachers of our country .
EDUCATION. 721
" In descriptive g:eograpliy new and better methods prevail. In
conducting a recitation in this branch, the teaclier once sat with Ids
finger pointed at the question or answer found in the book, and not
one item was omitted. Now the topical method is adopted ; useless
details are left out ; the pupil is required to master his subject, and
when the hour for recitation arrives he stands before his teacher
and recites in his own language. Under the old pumping process
the teacher labored hard at the handle, as we have done when the
pump was out of order, and with most unsatisfactory results.
Hundreds of unimi)ortant names were once committed to memory
only to be forgotten. The great facts of physical geography wliich
relate to climate, soil and productions ; to agriculture, commerce,
and to civilization itself, were almost entirely omitted ; wliile it may
well be doubted whether there were a dozen teachers in the entire
county who could give an intelligent explanation of the change of
seasons or of other phenomena connected with mathematical geo-
graphy, with which so many of our teachers are now familiar.
"The increased facilities for instruction in arithmetic have almost
revolutionized the method of teaching this branch. The entire class
is now called to the board, and the work of ever\^ pupil is brought
under the eye of the instructor, while his ability to solve the more
difficult problems and to explain the different operations is fully
tested. As a result of this mode of teaching we have self-reliant
pupils and a much more general understanding of this branch of
study. Young pupils were formerly sent to school without slates.
These are now regarded as indispensable, and exercises in adding,
subtracting, multiplying and dividing are given to the pupil in pro-
gressive tables. This work is continued through that period of
school-life between five and ten years, or until the child is familiar
with all the fundamental opei-ations. These little ones who once had
nothing to do, and whose hands were always in mischief, are now
profitably employed, and years of precious time have already
been saved.
" Writing received too little attention ten years ago. Scarcely a
teacher of that period could sustain an examination in penmanship,
and few pupils below the fourth reader were taught to write. Today
there are hundreds of boys and girls in the first, second and third
readers who can write a readable hand, and many of them can com-
pose and pen a letter which would not disgrace people of a larger
growth.
722 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTS".
"The superintendent does not claim this wonderM progress as
the result of his own humble efforts ; he would share the honor with
hundreds of teachers who have rallied around him during these
eventful years ; with every parent, rich or poor, who has contributed
of his time or means to carry forward the glorious work. "
The words quoted above show the progress which was made dur-
ing the first ten years of the superintendency. Seven years of labor
have already been added to these, and the reports which have been
published from time to time show that the schools of the county
are still in a prosperous condition.
M. G. Spring held the office of county superintendent of schools
for nearly six years, during which period he called eight teachers'
institutes, five of which were the largest known in the history of the
state ; visited nearly every school twelve times ; examined over two
thousand applicants for certificates, and made the customary reports.
Aside from these and other ordinary duties, lie endeavored to
improve the literary qualifications of teachers by means of rigid
examinations. He encouraged school officers to employ the same
instructors for several successive terms, and succeeded so far in this
most excellent undertaking that no less than fifty-five districts con-
tinued their teachers through the past school yQar. Weak districts
were also encouraged to unite, and clerks were aided in making
accurate financial reports. During the past summer a "Course of
Study " was recommended, and circulars were issued for the purpose
of bringing the matter before the public.
Supt. F. L. Cook, who entered on his duties in December last,
has already published several valuable articles in the papers of the
county, and is taking steps to bring the district schools under a
thorough and practical course of study which he has prepared after
consultation with the most ex]3erienced educators in the state. Sev-
eral written examinations have been held by teachers, under his
directions, which have been followed by oral examinations con-
ducted by the superintendent in person. Where pupils have reached
the required standard of scholarship, diplomas or certificates ot
graduation have been issued. Mr. Cook's work is now fairly begun
and promises abundant success.
VILLAGE SCHOOLS.
Eyota has a school of three departments. Mr. A. C. Justice, a
teacher of extended experience, has charge of the higher ; P. J. Mc-
EDUCATION. 723
Donald, of the iiitennediute, and Alice James, of the prhnary.
Maria Congdon, now Mrs. Frank, taught the first school in the
village in a small frame house just north of the railroad. The writer
remembers several teachers who came later ; among these were S.
W. Graham, Kate Elliott, E. D. Djar, B. H. Whitney, Edgar
Plolmes and Forest Henry. One, of whom the writer has heard
words of praise, F. J. Hayden, died at his work, beloved and
respected by all who knew him.
Besides the common English branches, the course of study as
adopted by the school board includes higher arithmetic, algebra,
geometry, physiology, civil government, physical geography and
natural philosophy. The total number of different pupils enrolled
the past year was 112 ; the average wages of male teacher was $50 ;
of females, $35. The average rate of taxation for the past ten' years
was 12.07 mills. Under the present management the school is said
to be in a prosperous condition. The people of the village of Eyota
have always taken a deep interest in the education of their children,
and have spared no pains to secure good school buildings and excel-
lent teachers.
Dover Center has a school of two dej^artments in charge of
Horace Witherstine, who is one of the oldest and most successful
teachers in the county. He is assisted by Hattie Speise. Fifteen
pupils are in attendance from the surrounding country. The number
of scholars entitled to apportionment during the year last past was 97 ;
the average attendance was seventy-five in the winter and sixty in
the summer ; the average wages of the male teacher was $60 ; of the
female, $28. The course of study includes the common and higher
English branches. Average rate of special school tax was 10.50
mills. The school ranks among the best in the count3^
Oronoco reports two departments in charge of Lucius A. Dudley
and Mrs. Elizabeth Dudley. Mr. Dudley has given much time to
professional training, and the school is pursuing a thorough and
practical course of instruction. ]S' umber of pupils entitled to
apportionment last year, 103 ; average attendance, winter, 67 ; sum-
mer, 70 ; teachers' wages, male, $50 ; female, $30 ; rate of special
school tax for ten years averaged 13.48 mills. This school was, for
several years, under the successful management of O. O. Whited
and Mrs. Clara Whited.
Byron. — In 1882 the village of Byron enrolled ninety-nine resi-
dent and seventeen nonresident pupils in her school of two depart-
724 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
ments, which was in charge of George Martin, assisted by Jennie
Works. The average attendance was fifty-four in the winter and
thirty-six in the summer. Her average rate of taxation was 4. 52
mills, and she paid her male instructor $35 in winter and $42
in summer. Her female teacher received $30.
CHAPTEK VIII.
IN THE CITY OF R0( JHESTKR,
The territory of district No. 8, on which the city of Rochester
now stands, was set oft* by the board of county commissioners,
of which the late Col. Jas. George was chairman and Dr. J. N. Mc-
Lane, clerk, on January 10, 1856. A meeting of the citizens was
held not long afterward, and the organization of the district was
eft'ected by the election of three trustees and a clerk, in conformity
with the law ol that day. No records of this board have been pre-
served, and the writer has not been able to learn the names of all its
members. Samuel G. Whiting, J. P. Gurr, now of Claremont, and
Robert Welch, who passed over the silent river a few years since,
completes the list so far as remembered by the oldest inhabitants.
Mr. Gurr thinks the first school meeting was held in the log school-
house, to be spoken of hereafter.
The first school report on file in the auditor's oftice reads as
follows :
I hereby certify that the number of jiersons over the age of four and under
the age of twenty-one years, in school-district No. 8, is 15 1.
Rochester, January 8, 1857. S. G. Whiting.
On the 4th of January, 1858, A. Smith, clerk, certifies that
"six months school have been taught according to law, and there
were 274 persons between four and twenty-one years residing in the
district on the 31st of December, 1857."
Section 11 of the old city charter placed the schools under the
control of the common council. The first meeting of this body was
held on the 20th of August, 1858. Up to this date Rochester was
nothing more than an ordinary district. The city fathers were not
long in finding out the fact that school taxes were delinquent and the
EST THE CITY OF ROCHESTER.
725
district badly in debt. A committee which was appointed to confer
with the old school-board reported that it would be necessary to levy
a tax of a thousand dollars in addition to all possible collections of
taxes then due, in order to liquidate the indebtedness of the district,
then but three years old. The schools continued in charge of the
council until the spring of 1864. An act to organize a board of
education was approved March 4th of that year. It placed the
educational affairs of the city in keeping of a board, to consist of one
member from each ward and two from the city at large. The
following list comprises the names of all persons elected from the
date above.
SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS.
1864 D. N. Mason.
1864 Chas. Woodward.
1864 0.0. Baldwin.
1864 H. L. R. .Tones.
1864 O. A. Hadley.
1865 J. B. Clark."
1865 David Lesiier.
1865 Hector Gallowav.
1866 0. P. Whitcomb.
1866 Horace Cook.
1867 C. H. Chadbourn.
1867 W. W. Mavo.
1868 O. P. Whitcomb.
1868 J. B. Clark.
1869 Samuel J. Barlow.
1869 Horace Cook.
1870 E. W. Cross.
1870 John Edgar.
1871 C. S. Younglove.
1871 J. P. Moulton.
1872 E.W.Cross.
1872 John M.Cole.
1873 C. S. Yoiinglove.
1873 Wm. C. Rice.
1874 E. W. Cross.
1874 S. B. Clark.
1875 W. A. Allen.
1875 Frank H. Allen.
1876 Wm. C. Rice.
1876 Abram Harkins.
1877 W. A.Allen.
1877 S. B. Clark.
1878 P. L. Dansingburg.
]S78 Horace Cook.
1879 C. M. Start.
1879 G. L. M. Gjertson.
1880 P. L. Dansingburg.
1880 M.J. Daniels.
1881 T. L. Fishback.
1881 Frank H. Allen.
1882 W. H. Dodtre.
1882 S. B. Howe.
1883 M.J. Daniels.
1883 T. L. Fishback.
EARLY SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS.
1866. To Samuel G. Whiting, a well known citizen of the
county, who has always taken a deep interest in popular education,
and to J. P. Gurr, an early merchant of Rochester, belong the
honor of employing the first teacher, Mary E. Walker, whom they
brought from Fillmore county as they were returning from Dubuque
with a load of merchandise in the spring of 1856. Miss Walker
taught twelve weeks in a log schoolhouse which stood just north of
Line street, between Washington and Eagle, near the present
residence of Mr. J. Bonham, in East Eoch ester, and hers was the
only school for that year. She gave excellent satisfaction, and her
726 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
name is often mentioned in the recital of our early school history by
old settlers.
1857. Miss Walker was employed for three months during the
winter of 1856-7. This second school was kept in the same place as
the first. It may be proper to state, right here, that Miss Walker
became the wife of L. B. Joslyn, of Cascade, and died some
years since.
Miss Phebe Hoag and Miss Stedman taught the district schools
during the following summer. Mrs. Melissa Brown opened the first
private school in her own house on Prospect street, north of Fifth,
in the winter named above. It was patronized by some of the lead-
ing citizens. Miss Evelyn Ireland, now Mrs. Crosby, instructed a
few pupils at her residence during the summer of 1857, and Mr. J.
Burnham had a select school in the log schoolhouse in the autumn.
1858. Reuben Reynolds, the first male teacher in the public
school, assisted bv Martha P. Cowles, taught in what is now known
as the old court-house, in the winter of 1 857-8, and Jennie Dumars
and Theresa Kimball, during the summer thereafter. In the
autumn Mr. C. F. Anderson opened the "Rochester Literary and
Classical School " in his own building, which is still standing near
the Bradley House, on the corner of Eagle and College streets.
1859. In the winter of 1858-59 Mr. Dobbin taught in the
"Rochester Democrat" building, and Edwin Ford, assisted by
Martha Cowles, in the old court-house. The gentlemen received
$40 per month, and the lady $25. In the summer a Miss Learned
kept one branch of the public school in Judge Olds' barn ; the other
was kept by Mary M. Olds, now the wife of Wm. Goldsworthy, in
a building on Broadway, which was surrounded by water during a
freshet, and the term closed at the end of two months.
1860. C. F. Anderson was hired to teach the winter school in
his own building. He received $40 per month for his services and
$10 per month for his room. It was in connection with this school
that the first litei-ary society of Rochester was organized. Its name
"Alpha-Beta"" is highly suggestive of scholarship. Its first public
meeting was held at Morton Hall, February 15. The following is
copied from the original programme, kindly furnished by Mr. An-
derson, who is now an attorney at Watertown, Dakota.
"Salutatory, T. Cowles; Declamation, Charles Bliss; Essay,
Bridget M. Kinney ; Declamation, Frank Woodard ; Essay, Lizzie
Sloan ; Declamation, Sterling Cross ; Discussion, A. Bamber, J.
IN THE CITY OF ROCHESTER. 727
Whitney ; Declamation, Fayette L. Cook ; Essay, Anna Whiting ;
Oration, E, Denton ; Pantomime, T. & C. Bliss ; Declamation, W.
W. Ireland ; Readin^^, The Rochester City Gem, Kittie Everest ;
Declamation, J. Middleton ; Essay, Nellie Hoyt."
E. W. Wescott taught on College street the same winter, and
weekly spelling-schools for old and young were all the rage, Miss
Mary Chase may also be mentioned in this connection.
The summer school in the first ward was taught by Abbie M.
Gilford, at $23 pei- month ; in the second ward, by Miss Walker, at
the same wages.
Select schools were opened by Mrs. C. C. Cornell, Mrs. E. L.
Merriam and Miss Gilford.
1861. The public school teachers for this year were Mr. A. M.
Stedman, Mrs. C. O. Forrest, Jennie Dumars, Abbie Gifford, Mary
J. Coe and Nellie Hoyt.
1862. O. O. Baldwine, Mrs. O. O. Baldwin, Miss Coe, Miss
Ozraun and Miss Fling were employed.
But this record must close. More space cannot be allowed for
the names of the many public school teachers of later days, nor for
those connected with private schools. Things went on in about the
same manner until the completion of the central school building in
1868. Up to that date the schools were practically ungraded. It
could not well be otherwise. The accommodations were very
limited ; teachers were usually employed by the term ; there was no
well defined course of study ; there was no superintendent to lay out
the work and see that it was performed. It is true that there was
talk of thorough grading as early as 1861 ; but what teacher can ac-
complish such a work when there are from seventy to one hundred
and thirty pupils to each room, and he clothed with a ' ' little brief
authority ?" There can be no doubt of the skill and executive
ability of many of those early instructors, but something more was
needed to make good schools, and it was this which Rochester lacked
for too many years.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
Nearl}^ forty private schools have been started in the city ; there
are some thirty-five on the list before us, and several have already
been mentioned, which are not included. A large portion of these
closed quietly after a term of three months ; others, promising great
things, expired in their own " dying light " at the end of a year. All,
in some degree, helped on the educational work of the city and
728 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
country, and a few offered advantages which were sorely needed,
and were highly appreciated. Some of the more prominent of
these schools will now be noticed.
Rochester Academy. — P. C. Compton fitted up what is now
known as the Porter House, and opened a school of higher grade
November 25, 1861. Teachers were engaged to instruct in '' paint-
ing, music, drawing, and other branches usually taught in first-class
high scliools,'' Lectures were given from time to time by D. N.
Mason, R. Reynolds, O. P. Stearns, and others. Teachers' meet-
ings were also held for discussing important questions.
O. S. Porter purchased this institution in August, 1863, and con-
tinued the school one year. His course of study included the
"common branches, sciences, classics and liberal arts; a specialty
was made of "higher mathematics.""
Rochester Seminary for Young Ladles. — Mrs. H. C. Green,
principal ; Mrs. S. L. Baker, vice-principal. Opened September 7,
1863, in building known as the Bell property, near the jail.
"Higher English, French, German, music, drawing, needlework,
waxwork," etc., were taught.
Rochester Seminary. — Rev. J. L. Farber, principal. First
academic term opened at Smith's Hall, April 5, 1864. All pupils
were put upon a "systematic and thorough course of culture."
Advertised by the Rev. W. A. Chambers, M. E. Church ; B. B.
Herbert, assisted by Laura West, took charge of the school in the
fall of 1865, when it was removed to the basement of the Methodist
Church, then just completed.
Steps were taken to incorporate the institution and place it on a
firm financial basis, but the school was soon discontinued for the
want of the support which its friends hoped to secure.
Rochester Female Institute. — Mrs. M. R. Andrews and Mrs. M.
M. Rice, principals. Opened in Allen's block in September, 1864,
but was soon removed to rooms specially fitted up for its use in the
basement of the Presbyterian church. Incorporated in 1866, Rev.
Sheldon Jackson, president ; Jacob Yoorhees, secretary. The
course of study included the solid and ornamental branches, and the
school was well patronized for several years.
Pikers Normal School. — First opened as a select school for
advanced pupils in Morton Hall, May 7, 1866. Removed to
Hickox's block September 5th, following. F. A. Pike, principal,
assisted by Mrs. Clara A. Pike, Mr. M. G. Spring and Miss Anna
IN THE CITY OF ROCHESTER. 729
Whiting. The school was well sustained for several terms. It was
in connection with this institution that Mr. Spring performed his
first educational work in the state.
M. G. Spring opened a select school in the autumn of 1874,
which was continued with good success until he was elected county
superintendent in the fall of 1876.
Rochester Training School. — Mr. Sanford Niles, Mrs. Priscilla
M. Niles and Mr. Horace Witherstine opened this school in Heaney's
block, January 2, 1877. Mr. Witherstine sold his interest to Mr.
and Mrs. Niles the following spring, and the school was continued
under their management. In the fall of 1878 the name was changed
to Rochester English and Classical School. The course of study in-
cluded the common and higher English branches and languages. A
teachers' class was a special feature. From three to five instructors
were employed. The enrollment for the first term was 113 ; the
average enrollment per term for six years was 105, and the
highest, 152.
In August, 1882, Mr. E. W. Young purchased the furniture of
the school and established the
Rochester Seminary and Normal School. — This institution has
three courses of study, — academic, college preparatory and business
course, music and art department. Faculty: E. W. Young, A.B. ;
Marie Antoinette Roberts ; O. O. Whited ; Mrs. Clara S. Wliited ;
Mrs. Mary H. Coon. The fall term opened September 13. 1882.
Incorporated. Rev. R. J. Stafford, president ; E. W. Young,
secretary.
Darling's Bashiess College and Phonographic Institute., estab-
lished in 1879. — Two departments, preparatory and commercial.
D. Darling and William Brainard, principals. Enrollment for the
current year, 125.
Academy of Oar Lady of Lourdes. — A fine brick edifice 58X86
feet, three stories high, not including basement. It is finished
in good style, and cost $24,000 ; furniture, $8,000 ; erected in 1877.
The parochial school building is a wooden structure, two stories
high, 80X32 feet on the ground. The cost, including furniture, was
$9,000. Eight teachers are employed, and the attendance of pupils
in the academy is about 20 ; in the day school, 150.
SCHOOLHOUSES.
Preparations for building the first schoolhouse were made in the
autumn of 1855, some time before the territory included in the
780 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
district was set off b}' the commissioners. Logs were cut, and
drawn to some point west of tlie river wliere, Mr. S. G. Whiting
informs the writer, the body of the structure was partly i"olled up.
But the settlers concluded that a locality in what is now known as
East Rochester would be more convenient, and removed the logs to
a pl9.ce indicated on a preceding page, and erected the building,
which was completed in the spring of 1856. Though constructed
bj^ private enterjDrise, the house, in some manner, became the
property of the district, and was finally sold to Z. Cowles, on the
authorit}^ of the city council, late in 1858. It was used for schools,
religious meetings and political gatherings. An editorial in the
"Rochester Post," 1876, attributes these words to an old settler
who was looking at a picture of the schoolhouse, drawn by Mrs. C.
F. Anderson for the Centennial Ex])osition.
"This rustic building, little thought of in those days, was the
birthplace of our city schools ; of the Methodist and Congregational
churches of Rochester. Within these humble walls were laid the
foundation of all our Sabbath schools. Here was planned and
carried out our first Sabbath school and Fourth of July celebration.
Here was organized the first lodge of Good Templars, and from its
door moved the first funeral procession.
In the autumn of 1858 this log house had ceased to be used for
school purposes, and from that time on to the summer of 1868 the
city depended wholly upon rented rooms. During this period, with
a school population ranging from 350 to 1,132, poorly ventilated,
badly seated and overcrowded schoolrooms were the rule, to which
there were comparatively few exceptions. Many editorials and
articles from correspondents were published from time to time, in
which attention was called to the matter and immediate action
urged. As early as 1860 Mayor Hurlbut recommended the erec-
tion of a stone or brick building to meet the pressing needs of the
schools. The war broke out the year following, and all other
questions were overshadowed by the one great issue before the
country. On the organization of the board of education in 1861: the
question again became prominent. In 1866 the board recommended
the erection of two primary schoolhouses of brick or stone, one in
East Rochester, and one north of the railroad, each to accommodate
one hundred pupils ; the purchase of suitable grounds for a central
building, and the erection thereon of a capacious edifice, to be
completed as soon as practicable. At a special election held in
IN THE CITY OF EOCHESTER. 731
Smith & Dames' office, Friday, May 26, 1865, $3,000 was voted to
purcliase sites and erect schoolhouses. In August following, the
board postponed building on account of insufficient funds. The
legislature of 1866 authorized the city to vote a tax of $25,000 for
building purposes. At the annual election in April of the same
year, but nine votes were cast against this levy.
The site upon which the Central school-building stands was
purchased by O. P. Whitcomb, acting under authority of the board,
in April, 1866. It includes an entire block, containing two and
one-half acres, bounded north by Fourth street, east by Franklin,
south by Zumbro and west by Prospect. The grounds are nicely
graded, and surrounded by double rows of thrifty maples. Im-
mediately across Zumbro street stand the Congregational and Pres-
byterian churches ; to the west is the Episcopal church ; to the
north, the Baptist ; to the east, the Universalist.
CENTRAL BUILDING.*
The ground-plans of the Central or High School building were
drawn by Horace Cook, of this city, who had sole supervision of
the work. The plans of the elevation were prepared by A. M.
Kadcliff, architect, St. Paul. The extreme size of the building is,
including projections, 91x87 feet, and the extreme height from
water-table to apex of the highest tower, 127 feet. Including the
basement the edifice is five stories high. The basement walls are
of stone and the other stories of brick ; the height of basement
is 10 feet ; the first two stories above, 13 feet ; the next, 11 feet ;
tlie fifth, 16 feet. On the south front is a tower 21 feet square at
the base and 127 high ; on the north is a tower 16 feet square and
100 feet high ; on the east and west sides are two turrets, each
having a base of 5 feet 8 inches, and extending upward 94 feet.
The structure is covered by a mansard roof and tlie domes with tin.
There are 112 windows in the main building and 24 in the towers.
Over. 300 cords of stone were used in the building, including base-
ment walls, window caps and sills, water-tables and steps. Most of
the stone came from quarries near the city, the balance from Man-
torville. Some 700,000 brick and nearly 300,000 feet of lumber
were used. The brick were manufactured in yards in or near the
city.
*See " Rochester Post," May 22, 1869, to which the writer is indebted for many facts, and
some of the language here used.
44
782 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
T]\e approach to the entrance on eacli of the tour sides of the
building is by cut-stone steps ; the descent to the basement is also of
like material and construction. The north door and the south open
into a hall ten feet wide and running the whole length of the build-
ing. At either end of this hall, in the towers, are the stairs, six feet
passage, with platform landings and continuous rail. All the rooms
on each floor above are readied bj these stairs.
There are fourteen schoolrooms, each 32X24: feet, and adjoining
each room is a wardrobe extending its whole length and furnished
with hooks and shelves. The rooms are furnished with improved
seats and desks, and with ample blackboards. In the north and
south projections, opposite the stairs, are rooms twelve feet square,
one of which is used as the superintendent's office, the others for
recitations. In the northwest and northeast corners of the basement
are two rooms used mainly by pupils remaining at the noon recess.
The building is heated by furnaces, and the foul air is carried off
by flues in the turrets. In the southern tower, at an elevation of one
hundred feet, is an observatory, commanding a fine view of city and
country. The bell hangs in the north tower. ' It was cast at
Mencely Bell Foundry, Troy, New York, and has upon it, in raised
letters, the "Public School of the City of Rochester, a.d. 1868."
The weight of the bell is 1,551 pounds.
The fifth story is finished in one room 75X55 feet and 16 feet
high. It is well seated, and is designed for public examinations and
lectures.
Excavation for the basement commenced on the 28th of March,
1867, but a suspension followed and work was not resumed until the
5th of July. The laying of brick began on the 22d of August, and
a small portion of this work was not completed until the following
spring. Inside work went on during most of the winter of 1867-8.
On May 25, 1868, eight rooms were occupied, and on November 4,
six more were ready for schools. The hall was not finished until a
later period.
At an election held in June, 1875, 127 votes were cast for, and
14: against, building schoolhouses in the first and third wards. The
job was let to H. E. Horton, July 6, and he finished both buildings,
and they were accepted by the board December 15, following.
They are wooden structures, two stories high, and each has two well-
furnished schoolrooms.
IN THE CITY OF ROCHESTER.
733
The plan for the building in southwest Rochester was drawn by
H. E. Horton. The contract was awarded to L. Andrus, March 5,
1877. The structure is of wood and contains four rooms, two upon
each floor.
All of these houses are now in good condition, and no other city
in the state has better school accommodations ; no other, of the same
population, has so large a sum "at interest" in school-buildings. It
is an investment which pays, and our central building may stand to
honor its projectors when every child now within its walls has ceased
to walk the earth.
COST OF SCHOOLHOUSES AND SITES.
Central building, furnaces, desks, settees included 175,000
Southwest building, furniture included 5,500
East side " " " 3,800
Third ward " " " 3,800
Site of central building 6,000
west " 1,300
" east " 1,500
" north " 700
Total cost of houses, sices, etc $97,600
SCHOOL POPULATION.
TABLE showing the school population from 1856 to 1867 inclusive.
Year.
Persons be-
tween 4 and
21 years.
Year.
Persons 5 to 21
years.
151
274
345
396
405
1861
302
1856 . . ...
1862
396
1857
1863
465
1858
1864
517
1859
1865
1866
754
I860
922
1867
1,036
In 1861-2 there were several causes which lessened, or seem to
have lessened, the number of persons ot school age. One of these
was the change in the minimum age from four to Ave; the other
was the opening of the war, which called many youthful volunteers
away to the battlefields.
734
HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
POPULATION AND SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.
TABLE showing the number of persons between the ages of five and
twenty-one; the number of different persons enrolled; the enrollment
in winter and summer; the average daily attendance in each, etc.
Year.
Is
OS
%l
Enrolled in win-
ter schools.
Average attend-
ance, winter.
III
i!
ill
1868
1869
1870
1871
1872
1873
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
1881
1882
1,138
1,220
1,217
1,181
1,202
1,360
1,281
1,381
550
922
905
1,015
1,020
945
1,100
1,174
1,132
1,150
1,148
996
1.007
1 ,020
1,012
569
764
830
900
800
850
900
948
919
840
835
801
1,022
798
538
545
650
850
750
760
850
761
795
736
659
665
■ 656
611
699
807
936
930
870
850
991
1,012
1,046
1,073
923
938
881
998
666
690
691
884
740
760
950
750
830
727
695
680
674
684
94.5
71.3
78.3
94.4
93.7
89.4
94.4
80 2
96.5
87.6
78.9
83.0
64.1
76 5
95.2
85.5
73.8
95.0
85.0
89.4 ^
95.8
74.1
88.9
67.7
75.2
72.4
75.3
68.5
The number of persons between five and twentj-one years has
not been taken since 1875, and there is no means of determining
whether the school population has increased or diminished. The
number of different persons enrolled in school has fallen off about
fourteen per cent ; but it must be remembered that private schools
are now drawing many pupils who would be numbered under the
old law and credited to the city. On the contrary, the state high
school, now in operation, helps to make up this loss by enrolling
pupils from abroad.
TEACHERS AND THEIR ' WAGES.
The average number of pupils enrolled for the five years from
1872 to 1878, as shown by the table which follows, was 1,100 ; the
average number of teachers was 16|, and the total amount paid
as wages was $43,567.80.
The average number of pupils enrolled for the five years just
past, was 1,036 ; the average number of teachers, 19|, and the total-
amount paid as wages was $45,660.75. The average monthly com-
pensation of female teachers has been somewhat reduced as the
number has increased.
m THE CITY OF ROCHESTER.
735
TABLE shotoing the length of school year; nmnher and sex of teachers;
average monthly compe7isation; whole an^unt paid teachers during
the year.
1868.
1869.
1870.
1871.
1872
1873.
1874.
1875.
1876.
1877.
1878.
1879.
1880.
1881.
1882.
Length of
Male
school.
teachers.
'9
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
2
10
2
Monthly
wages.
$150 00
150 00
160 00
160 00
160 00
160 00
160 00
160 00
160 00
160 00
120 00
120 00
f 60 00 \
1 140 00 /
/ 60 00 \
"I 160 00 i
Female
teachers.
Average
monthly
salary.
139 00
31 25
32 00
32 00
36 14
42 00
50 00
38 79
50 55
48 00
48 00
42 00
40 00
37 00
35 00
Total am't
paid
teachers.
$1,085 00
5,587 25
7,708 75
9,000 00
9,900 00
8,766 30
8,910 00
7,418 50
9,328 00
9,145 00
12,000 00
8,579 50
8,352 50
8,173 75
8,555 00
Total amount paid teachers $122,509 55
TAXATION.
TABLE showing the rate of taxation for school purposes; the total
levy for each year; the receipts from the permanent school fund,
and the aggregate collections from 1863 to 1882 inclusive.
Year.
Rate of
gener'l tax.
Mills.
General tax.
Total levy.
Rate of
special tax.
Mills.
Special tax.
Total levy.
Receipts from
school fund.
1863
^
$453 06
723 43
$ 106 95
1864
•7
4.3
$ 1,555 37
558 36
1865
9
1,131 10
9.5
5,372 72
557 96
1866
•>
1,404 25
5.0
3,510 63
829 80
1867
2
1,687 80
15.5
16,878 08
932 40
1868
'>
1,994 85
20.0
19,948 50
1,149 38
1869
2
2,283 18
20.0
22,831 80
1,403 00
1870
9
2,037 94
15.0
15,284 55
1,496 91
1871
9
2,078 73
20.0
20,787 36
1,240 05
1872
2
2,006 18
13.0
13,040 17
1,153 92
1873
2
2,085 98
12.0
12,515 90
1,305 60
1874
2
3,273 79
10.0
16,3()S 99
1,255 38
1875
1,663 42
9.0
14,970 83
1,256 71
1876
2,135 17
9.0
19,216 57
1,109 36
1877
2,020 86
10.0
20.208 60
1,506 50
1878
2,073 37
5.3
10,988 87
1,549 80
1879
2,106 84
6.6
13,905 14
1,424 28
1880
1,897 67
3.1
5,882 79
1,510 50
1881
1,869 51
4.8
8,973 65
1,530 00
1882
1,764 67
5.0
8,823 35
$251,063 87
1,518 00
$36,691 80
$23,394 86
736 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
EECAPITULATION.
Special school-tax levy for twenty years $251,063 87
General " " " , * " 36,691 80
Total 287,755 67
Deduct difference between levy and net collections 16,806 65
Net collections for twenty years 270,949 02
Receipts from permanent school fund 23,394 86
Total receipts from all sources 294,343 88
Averapje annual receipts 14,717 19
Average rate of special taxation, mills 9 85
It will be remembered that $96,600 of the total receipts was
expended for schoolhouses, sites, furniture, etc. The balance of
$197,743.88 was expended for ordinar}^ school purposes. The
table also shows that a little over ninety-two per cent of the funds
for the support of schools comes through taxation.
LATEK SCHOOLS.
The first term of school in the Central building commenced May
25, 1 868. Miss M. C. Bateman, of Lansing, Michigan, was chosen
principal. The school was divided into departments, as follows:
five primary, two intermediate and one grammar. The average
attendance was about 460.
Prof. W. P. Hood, of Ked Wing, was elected superintendent
August 17, 1868, at a salary of $1,500, and Miss Isabelle Cutler, of
Lexington, Massachusetts, teacher of the high school, at $700. The
length of the school-year was fixed at forty weeks. A course of
study was prepared by Prof. Hood, and adopted by the board of edu-
cation March 8, 1869. It included the common and higher English
branches, French, German, Latin and Greek. During the fall term
of 1868 there was one class in algebra, one in geometry, one in
physiology, one in general history, one in botany, one in French and
one in Latin. Rules and regulations were adopted by the board
and the school was brought under rigid discipline. Thirteen
teachers were employed in the departments below the high school.
Prof. Hood resigned his position September 18, 1869. On the
18th of November following, the board gave Miss Cutler formal
assurance of its confidence in her and increased her salary to one
thousand dollars. She had entire charge of the school for some
time.
Prof. C. C. Curtiss, now of the Minneapolis Business College,
m THE CITY or ROCHESTER. 787
was elected to tlie position of superintendent December 7, 1869,
and tendered his resignation June 17, 1870.
Prof. C. H. Eoberts, of Geneva, Ohio, was chosen supei'in-
tendent June 26, 1870, and took charge of the schools September
5. He received a salary of $1,500 for the first year, which was
increased to $1,600 at the end of the year, and it was held at this
rate until the close of iiis term of service in 1878. Miss Cutler was
continued as teacher of the high school at the salary named above.
Prof. Roberts prepai-ed a course of study covering twelve years.
The schools were organized in three general departments, each hav-
ing four grades : primary grades D, C, B, A ; granimar grades D,
C, B, A ; high school grades D, C, B, A. The work in the lower
departments was carefully outlined for all the teachers and much
oral instruction was required. The following will give an idea of
the scope of the woi-k for one year in the D primary and D grammar
grades: Conversations, reading, spelling, writing, numbers, language,
moral instruction, physical exercises and singing, drawing, music.
Grammar school, D grade, oiie year : Reading, spelling, writ-
ing, drawing, objects, music, language, arithmetic, geography.
D class, high school, one year : Latin, algebra. United States
constitution, English literature, physiology, botany,
C class, one year : Latin and rhetoric, geometry, natural philo-
sophy, English literature, bookkeeping.
B class, one year : Latin, Greek, German, French, history, trigo-
nometry, chemistry, Englisli literature, science of government.
A class, one year : Latin, Greek, German, French, history,
mental philosophy, geology, English literature, science.
The number of pupiis who graduated each year during the super-
intendency of Prof Roberts was as follows: Class of '71, six; of '72,
two ; of '73, nine ; of '74, four ; of '75, nine ; of '76, seven ; of
'77, ten ; of '78, eleven.
Miss Edith Arnold was elected teacher of the high school, Au-
gust 11, 1871, at a salary of $800 ; Miss M. Louise Benny, August
13, 1873, at a salary of $600 ; Mrs. Marie Antoinette Roberts, June
12, 1874. She was continued in this position until the close of the
school year in 1879, with a salary of $750 a year for the last three
years.
Prof. J. K. Davis, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, was elected super-
intendent May 6, 1878, and continued in service two j^ears, at a
salary of $1,200. Miss Emma Gilbert was elected teacher of the
738 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
high school May 19, 1879, and served one year, at a salary of $60
per month.
Prof. Davis shortened the course of study in the grammar de-
partment to three years, and the entire course to eleven years.
In September, 1879, the school board opened an ungraded de-
partment, which is still continued in the central building.
The State high school system was adopted the same year. In
consideration of $400, to be paid each year by the state, the city
school board agreed to support a department whose course of study
lands the student in the freshman class of the state university. This
department is free to all pupils from city or country who comply
with the conditions prescribed by the State high school board.
Prof. Davis graduated two classes of seven pupils each.
Prof. H. O. Durkee, now superintendent, was elected July 19,
1880, at a salary of $1,400, but is receiving $1,600 for the present
school year. Miss Ella Baker, of Iowa, served as teacher of the
high school for the year commencing in September, 1880- Prof. F.
L. Cook was also employed.
The present assistants in the high school and eighth grade are
Miss Florence C. Nichols, John D. Pope, Miss Adelle McKinley
and Miss Hattie Nichols. Twenty teachers, besides the superin-
dent, are employed in the central and ward buildings. Of this
number, two are in the third ward, two in the first, east of the river,
and three in the south, west division, where a grammar school was
opened in ISSO. '' In the summer of 1880 one year was added to
the time devoted to the work in the high school. Pupils complet-
ing the course are now prepared to enter the freshman class of any
college or university. * * * No pupil receives credit for any
subject unless he stands eighty per cent or higher, in a thorough
examination on the entire subject ; and no one graduates on time
spent in the school, but only on completing every subject in the
course taken, or the full equivalent of every subject * * * Al-
though the examinations for promotion have been more thorough
and comprehensive, the number in the eighth grade and high school
has increased, each year, for the last three, as indicated, 105, 119,
126." One pupil graduated in June, 1881 ; three pupils in June,
1882 ; and the present graduating class contains four members.
As early as March 16, 1868, when the central building was nearly
ready for occupancy, the following resolution was unanimously
adopted by the school board :
GEOLOGY OF OLMSTED COUNTY. 739
"Resolved, that we employ none in tlie public schools of this city expect
normal school graduates, or those havin<>; had long experience as teachers
in graded schools."
Though the school authorities have not always adhered to
this rule, the city has had her full share of able teachers from our
own normal schools, and from other institutions of learning near and
far. The writer regrets that the limits of this paper will not allow
him to name many instructors in city and country who are well
worthy of such recognition. Once or twice he has taken his pen
for this purpose; but where shall the record begin ^ — where shall it
close? To criticise is not the province of the author of these pages.
Whatever people may say of the extravagance of the board in erect-
ing an elegant and substantial central building, — whatever the short-
comings of the graded system, — Rochester should remember that
her school buildings and public schools are her chief glory today ;
through these she is best known throughout the state and the
northwest. conclusion.
In preparing the foregoing pages the writer has endeavored to
give facts rather than fancies. He might have penned a brief
outline of our school history, interlarding it with laughable anec-
dotes rather than statistical tables, and saved himself many days of
hard labor in examining hundreds of early school reports, in search-
ing musty records, in consulting auditors' books, in reading the
proceedings of school boards, in seeking information from old
settlers and every othe^ available source.
He is deeply conscious of the many imperfections of this work,
but he has the satisfaction of feeling that he has done his best with
the material at hand, and hopes he has presented the facts he has
gathered in an acceptable manner.
CHAPTER IX.
(lEOLOGY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.*
Drainage. — Streams are plentiful and their fall moderate. The
water reaches the Mississippi by three paths. The central, northern
and western parts of the county are drained by the Zumbro river.
* This article is from N. H. Winchell's '' Geological Survey " in 1876, and is
changed as little as possible to adapt it to the present date.
740 HISTORT OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
This stream runs north into Wabasha count}^, when it turns east
and makes its wa.y to the Mississippi. It comes into Rochester from
the southwest, and within the city limits Bear creek, from the
southeast, Silver creek, from the east, and Cascade creek, from the
west, empty into it. Near the north line of the county it receives
quite a stream resulting from the union of the middle and north
forks of the Zumbro. The townships of the southern tier are drained
by Root river, which, very sinuous, takes a generall}^ east course
for the Mississippi. It has in the county no affluents of any size,
except at Chatfield, where a stream of small size comes in from
the north. On the eastern border of the county some branches of
the small Whitewater river reach this county.
There are no lakes in the county. There are a few small ponds
which m no sense deserve the name of lakes. Streams which sink
into the ground and disappear are said to be not rare. The United
States surveyor's plat of Farmington township la^'s down one such
stream. Another is laid down on other maps in Elmu'a township,
and another in Haverhill and Viola townships. From reports in
various parts of the county, it seems they prevail where either the
Lower or Upper (Galena) Magnesian limestone occurs — a state of
things to be expected, as will be noted when these formations are
discussed.
Living springs of cool, pure water of the best quality are not
rare. They are by far most common on the south or west sides of
bluffs where the green clay of the lower jjart of the Trenton Lime-
stone comes to the surface. This clay is impervious to water. The
formations dip slightly toward the southwest. The layer of clay
forms a nearly level floor of which the southern and western sides
are lower than the others. The water will consequently come out
on these sides. The springs are frequently of large size. The
phenomenon of a row of springs some distance up the sides of a
bluff, while the base of the bluff furnishes no springs, is by no
means a rare one. Spongy earth is apt to collect about the mouth
of the spring. When filled with water, it is soft and very miry. In
former times, when the road crossed such spots, bad mudholes were
found. The}' have now been generally tapped and drained, though
they are still occasionally met on the less-traveled roads.
Water-powers. Olmsted county is more than usually favored
with good water-powers. This results from th« large number of
streams, the swiftness of their currents and tlie favorable nature of
the banks and bottom.
GEOLOGY OF OLMSTED COUNTY. 741
The Surface is much diversified and the natural scenery very
pleasing to the eye. The surface is generally rolling. Along the
streams bluffs are found sometimes nearly two hundred feet high.
These bluifs are usually steep, level-topped, and characteristic of the
geological foi-mation which makes them. They are most common
in the central and eastern parts of the county. Rochester lies in a
valley, with bluffs all around it. It climbs the bluff toward the
west. Dover Center, Marion and Chatfield lie in similar valleys.
Curious isolated mounds are common, especially along the east side
of the Zumbro in the southwest corner of Farmington and the
adjacent corners of neighboring townships. They are also common
in Elmira. Toward the west the surface is much more level. Much
of Eock Dell township is like the prairies just south and west of it.
The name of the township is derived from two or three rocky dells
in its northern part.
The followiyg notes were taken from the plats of the government
survey of the county. These plats were not dated, but according
to the State Auditor's records the county was surveyed in 1854 and
1855. They were found in the office of the county register, where
access was given to them with the utmost courtesy :
Farmington. (T. 108 N., 13 W.) This was a prairie township.
From an isolated bluff* in Sec. 19 extended a stream which sank in
about the middle of Sec. 28. The magnetic variation varied from
8° 24' to 9° 51'. Several marshes of some size were recorded.
OronoGO. (T. 108 N., 14 W.) Jio marshes worth noting are
shown on this plat. Wood accompanies the streams, varying from
one to three miles in extent. The Zumbro on this and other early
maps is called the Embarrass R. The bluffs along the river are
sometimes marked 100 feet. The magnetic variation varied from
8° 24' to 9° 55'.
Wew Haven. (T. 108 N., 15 W.) This township is represented
as quite uneven, and bluffs occur along the streams. Woods follow
the streams, and two or three aspen thickets are marked. The
magnetic variation was 8° 55' to 9° 54'.
Quincy. (T. 107 N., 11 W.) This was mostly prairie when
survej^ed. There was some wood along streams, and a few scatter-
ing thickets. A single small marsh was marked. Bluffs accompany
the streams. Magnetic variation, 8° 27' to 9° 51'.
Viola. (T. 107 N., 12 W.) Several small marshes were marked.
A range of prairie extended east and west through the middle.
742 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Prairie also occupied the northeast corner. Bhifts accompany the
streams here also. Magnetic variation, 8° 26' to 9° 34'.
Ilaverhill. (T. 107 N., 13 W.) About half the town is prairie.
Woods extend, as usual, along the streams, which are accompanied
hj bluifs. Several marshes, none of great size, are platted. Mag-
netic variation, 8° to 9° 41'.
Cascade. (T. 107 N., 14 W.) There are no marshes laid down
in this township. It is nearly all prairie land, brush accompanying
the streams generally, and a tew scattering thickets being marked.
The bluffs along the river are sometimes quite elevated for the
county. Magnetic variation, 81° 3' to 9° 33'.
Kalmar. (T. 107 N., 15 W.) Kather heavy timber occupies
the northwestern part. An isolated grove is marked in Sees. 13
and 14. A single marsh is laid down in Sees. 11 and 12. The
banks of the fork of the Zumbro are bluffy. Magnetic variation,
8° 36' to 9° 35'.
Dover. (T. 106 N., 11 W.) The township is. an essentially
prairie one, though many isolated thickets are marked, and there is
some wood along a branch of the Whitewater river. -The marshes
are few and insignificant. The magnetic variation is from 8° 40' to
9° 50'.
Eyota. (T. 106 N., 12 W.) A broad belt of timber, about
three miles wide, crosses the township diagonally from the north-
west corner. The magnetic variation, 9° to 10° 40'.
Marion. • (T. 106 N., 13 W.) Several marshes are given. The
land is wooded along the streams, leaving about one-third of the
township in prairie. Magnetic variation, 8° 40' to 10°.
Rochester. (T. 106 N., 14 W.) The township is mostly brushy,
with scattering timber. Bluffs accompany the streams. Several
marshes are laid down. Magnetic variation, 8° 15' to 9° 50'.
Salem. (T. 106 N., 15 W.) Two marshes of about 120 acres
each, and one of about 160 acres, are given. About two-thirds are
marked as wooded, but the prairie portion comes at the north, where
the streams are most abundant. The streams are not marked as
bluff;y. Magnetic variation, 8° 47' to 9° 38'.
Mmira. (T. 105 N., 11 W.) This township was about half
wooded. An independent drainage is marked in Sees. 8, 9, 16,
17. Bluffy mounds not on streams are marked. Magnetic varia-
tion, 8° 45' to 10° 55'.
Orion. (T. 105 N., 12 W.) is somewhat wooded along streams.
In Sees. 10 and 15 a stream is represented as sinking. The banks
GEOLOGY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
743
of Koot river are bliifiy. A small lake is given in Sees. 35 and 36.
Magnetic variation, 9° 20' to 12° 12'.
Pleasant Grove. (T. 105 N., 13 W.) A large marsh of about
120 acres is laid down in the southern part of the township. A band
of woods about three miles wide accompanies the river, the banks
of which are bluffy. Magnetic variation, 8° 25' to 10° 57'.
High Forest. (T. 105 N., 14 W., with a range of sections in T,
104 ]Sr., 14 W.) A large marsh — about 320 acres — is laid down in
Sees. 30 and 31. The township is wooded along the streams, but is
about half prairie. Magnetic variation, 6° 45' to 9° 55'.
Rock Dell. ■ (T. 105 N., 15 W., with a range of sections in T.
104 N., 15 W.) A large marsh — 320 acres — in the northwestern
part. The land along the streams is little wooded. The banks of
the streams in the northern part are bluify ; in the southern, not.
Magnetic variation, 7° 40' to 9° 18'.
There seems to be no easily recognizable order in the magnetic
variation for different parts of the county. The extremes were
6° 45' and 12° 12', in High Forest and Orion respectively. Both
these towns are on the south side and not far apart.
ELEVATIONS.
Above the
Mississippi
river at low
water at
Wabasha.
1 Head of East Indian creek, 5 miles N.E. of Plain-
view (Wabasha county)
2 Street of Plain view (Wabasha county)
3 Elgin (Wabasha county)
4 Near center of Sec. 14, Haverhill
5 S.W. corner Sec. 24, Haverhill (rock seen some feet
above) j
6 Base of Sugar-Loaf, Sec. 31 and 32, Haverhill
7 College street bridge, Rochester I
8 Surface of water beneath I
9 Summit of Lone Mound, Sec. 11, Farmington, with-
in 10 feet of Plainview level, viz
10 S.E. corner Sec. 10, High Forest
11 Low water at High Forest village
12 Sec. 29, T. 104 N., 15 W., Mower county half mile south
John Rowley's house
13 Dr. Thornhill's" farm, 4 miles east Brownsdale, in
Mower county
14 S. Minn. R. R. at Brownsdale (Mower county)
15 St. Paul and Milwaukee R. R. track at Austin (Mower
county ) '
16 Chatfield, about
17 Pleasant Grove, about
18 Creek near the schoolhouse in Sec. 15, Cascade,
about
19 N.W. corner Sec. 10, Cascade
20 Quarter stake, Sees. 33 and 34, Oronoco
21 Center stake, Sec. 21, Oronoco
22 Surface of river at Oronoco
534
518
390
634
570
390
340
325
518
667
570
757
730
632
267
667
365
500
490
465
315
Above
the
ocean.
1,154
1,138
1,010
1,254
1,190
1,010
960
945
1,138
1,287
1,190
1,377
1,350
1,252
1,180
887
1,287
985
1,120
1,110
1,085
935
744 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNT F.
Lone Mound (elevation 9) is about 150 feet above the surround-
ing country.
Elevation 10 gives the summit of the watershed between the
Zumbro and Root rivers. From Sec. 5, Orion to Sec. 21,
Rock Dell, the elevation of this watershed does not vary ten feet
from the figures given. By comparing the figures in the table it will
be seen that this watershed includes the highest land in the county
of which we have any record of observations. A general elevation
toward the south and southwest is visible. This elevation reaches
its maximum in the counties south, which include in their borders
the most elevated land in the state. On comparing the geological
map of the county and the table of elevations, a striking relation
between the altitude and geological formation is rendered manifest.
This will be more particularly referred to under the heads of the
individual formations.
Timher. Heavy timber is found along the large streams, though
it is pretty well cut out now. Aspen and brush thickets are com-
mon everywhere. The following trees, shrubs and twining plants
were observed while driving through the county.
The trees found in this county are : basswood, sugar maple, red
maple, soft maple, box elder, white ash, slippery elm, corky elm, white
elm, black walnut, butternut, hickory, burr-oak, white-oak, jack-oak,
yellow-oak, etc., paper-birch, American aspen, coarsely toothed aspen,
Cottonwood, balm ot Gilead, silver poplar. Lombardy poplar, willows,
white pine, locust.
The shrubs are : Prickly ash, smooth sumac, poison ivy, false
indigo, lead plant, wild plum, wild red cherry, chokecherry, wild
black cherry, nine bark, common meadow-sweet, wild rose, wild red
raspberry, wild black raspberry, common blackberry, black torn,
blackthorn, chokeberry, American mountain ash, European moun-
tain ash, red-osier dogwood, panicled dogwood, wolf berry, sheep-
berry, cranberry tree, hazel, low birch, speckled alder, juniper.
The vines are : Yirgin's bower, frost grape, Virginia creeper,
shrubby bitter-sweet, hop.
THE GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE.
The outcrops of rock are numerous throughout the county. It
lies just at the edge of the system of deeply eroded valleys, extend-
ing westward from the Mississippi. To the east of it are the deep
ravines which cut through the high bluffs at the base of which the
GEOLOGY OF OLMSTED COUNTY. 745
great river lies. The beds of these ravines gradually rise in reced-
ing from the Mississippi, and it is in Olmsted county that they rise
to near the surface of the surrounding country. To the west and
southwest of the county lies the great accumulation of drift, which
grows deeper and deeper as one passes westward. This material
thins out over Olmsted. In the southwest corner it is thick enough
to conceal entirely the rock features below. Eastward it appears
only in thin outliers, marking the ragged edge of depotism, or in
patches and masses which are remnants left by subsequent erosion.
In order to see to the best advantage the changes in the drift,
features of erosion, and stratification, one must cross the county
obliquely. There is the least drift, generally speaking, in the north-
east corner, and the most in the southwest corner. On the other
hand, the southeast and northwest corners are much alike in the very
feature in which the other two corners differ. In a rough way the
lines of change cross the county diagonally in a southeasterly and
northwesterly direction. This is due to two facts which may have
some relation with each other. In the first place, the Great River
in the vicinity of the county runs in a generally southeast direction.
Tlie erosion-valleys extending from it would tend to take a direction
perpendicular to it, and the lines of equal depth of erosion would
tend to be parallel to it. Again, the dip of the rocks in this county
is slightly southwest. The edges of the strata as presented on the
surface would tend to be in lines perpendicular to this direction.
There are no signs of noteworthy upheaval, depression or other
changes in the relations of the strata to each other in this county, as
in the whole of this part of the state the strata are conformable.
The peculiar structure of the blufi's enables one to trace some of
the strata at a distance. As far as the eye can follow them their
planes occupy the same position with reference to the horizon. The
-only exception to this is the Cretaceous. Its rather doubtful patches
in the county lie in nearly a horizontal plane, and across the edges
of the strata below.
The strata of the rocks other than Cretaceous do not lie in a
horizontal plane. The dip is very slight, and in this county is
toward the southwest. Toward the northwest corner the line of dip
alters a little, and is more southerly. Comparison of altitudes and
strata over a larger portion of the state has convinced Mr. W. D.
Hurlbut that the dip here is ten feet to the mile southwest.
The stratigraphy of this fine county is easy to read in most cases.
746 HISTOEY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
The form of the bluffs, the line of springs making a definite part of
the Trenton, the differing solubility of the rock and the consequent
occurrence of sinkholes, caves, etc, in one formation and not in
another, the lithological cliaracter of the rocks, notably distinct in
some of the formations, and the gradual and regular dip of the
strata, which, when taken with the erosion, enables one to predict
with much certainty the rock over which he is standing, even when
it is hidden from view — all these enable one to read the strati-
graphical enigma of the county with little trouble.
The formations found in the county are not numerous. The
Potsdam sandstone is said to be found in the beds of the Zumbro
and Whitewater rivers, about where they leave the county. It has
not been seen by me, however, and the sandstone is probably only
one of the lower sandstone layers of the Lower Magnesian. The
latter formation, the St. Peter sandstone, the Trenton limestone and
the galena, are found here, the first and last probably only repre-
sented by a part of their entire thickness. A little Cretaceous was
found.
The area of the formation of the Lower Magnesian limestone in
the county is as follows : It follows the larger streams, beginning on
them when well in the county, and broadening out until it leaves
the count}^ with them. It appears in the beds of the branches of
the Zumbro well up in Rochester, Marion, Haverhill and Cascade
townships. Rochester lies on a floor formed by the upper surface
of this', formation. The valley of Rochester city is entirely shut in
by bluffs, except where the Zumbro passes out to the north and along
a geological valley, now dry, to the northwest. Tlie lower magne-
sian valle}^ of Rochester city is somewhat crab-shaped, and is formed
by the meeting of the various streams which make up this branch of
the Zumbro. Cascade township is about half Lower Magnesian,
the remaining surface being occupied by spurs and islands of the
formations above, one of these islands being quite large. Oronoco
township is almost exclusively Lower Magnesian. Farmington is
of the Lower Magnesian floor, except the southern edge and some
outliers of Trenton and St, Peter. In New Haven the middle fork
of the Zumbro soon rises to the Trenton, while the north fork lies
on the Magnesian, until it passes into the next county west. A
large portion of Quincy is Lower Magnesian, as is a little of the
northeast of Yiola. An arm of this formation appears at the surface
in the bed of the river, passing nearly through Dover from east to
JOHN R.COOK
GEOLOGY OF OLMSTED COUNTY. 749
west. Elmira is also floored with Lower Magnesian for the most
part, as is a small portion of Orion. The village of Dover lies in a
Lower Magnesian valley, something like that of Rochester city.
The same is true of Chatfield. Something more than twenty per
cent of the county has a floor of Lower Magnesian.
The lithological characters of the formation here partake of its
general characters in Minnesota as described by the director of the
survey in his first annual report (for 1872, pp. 81-83). It varies
from a compact, fine magnesian limestone to a pure, friable, saccha-
rine white sandstone. It is frequently in irregular layers, which
are not continuous for any distance. Sometimes these layers are
thin and continuous ; sometimes they are thick and cleave naturally
into massive blocks. The rock is often brecciated, occasionally
massive. Broken cherty layers, irregular silicious pockets, mottled
sandstone, oolitic limestone, vesicular limestone, sparry cavities of
considerable size, are all found in this variable yet usually easily
recognized rock.
This rock holds its form well, and thus produces characteristic
surface features. When worn deeply into by erosion it presents
bold cliffs and craggy, rounded hills. When not covered thickly by
drift, it makes a poor surface for agriculture, as may be seen in some
parts of Gronoco. It is nearly barren, and is covered with scant
grass, with hazel and scrub-oak (in this case dwarf Quercus macro-
carpa) or with small paper birch, and other wood-growth not large
enough to be of importance economically. When this floor is cov-
ered by drift, as in the beautiful prairie township of Farmington, the
soil may be unsurpassed. The most of this township is devoted to
wheat, anfl at the proper season it seems to be one continuous wheat-
field. A section of this formation is seen at Quincy Mills.
DESCENDING SECTION AT QUINOY, OLMSTED COUNTY. pget.
No. 1. Dolomitic limestone ; quite arenaceous, falling out in huge masses
which are rough, distorted in their crude bedding, and unmanageable
as a quarry stone, showing much calc-spar. Limestone and sand-
stone are mingled with occasional strips of light-green shale. In
general the face presents the appearance of an alternation of horizon-
tal layers of thin and more shaly beds, with heavy, coarse and rough
limestone beds. Some green shale layers alternate with dark, umber-
colored (ochreous) shale, neither being more than two inches thick.
They are tortuous and not continuous. This phase appears like the
tops of the bluffs at AVinona, but is probably at a considerably higher
horizon ' 30
No. 2. Persistent, white sandstone, or granular quartzite, seen 10
Total exposure 40
45
750 HISTOEY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
The following section was taken at the limekiln of James Bar-
nett, on Sec. 8, Oronoco, just northeast of the village :
Feet. Inches.
Cakiferous sandstone, much broken, in thin layers, buff 14
Compact little broken calciferous sandstone, light buff 2
Sandstone (mostly saccharine) in layers 4 3
Aluminous limestone, in thin layers, light buff' 1 7
Dark sandstone with numerous blue spots 1 8
Arenaceous vesicular dolomite 3 6
Like second above 4
Like second above, but more irregularly bedded 1
Vesicular, s])arry, irregularly bedded dolomite 4
Total as far as seen 37 8
The above section begins at the top. No fossils could be found.
The lowest layer (last described) is employed for making lime. The
lime is light buff, slow, and contains considerable cement.
This lime is of considerable economical value. The lime is good
notwithstanding its slowness, and the cement in it only increases its
value for many purposes.
This rock does not furnish much good building material in this
county. It is not of even bedding and homogeneous texture gen-
erally. Pieces have been employed at Rochester for window-caps
and water-tables. These pieces are found only in the uppermost
layers. T*^o general use is made of them.
THE ST. PETER SANDSTONE.
The area of this rock is difficult to represent on a map. It is so
friable that it will not endure erosion when left to itself It is only
when it is capped by the lower layers of the Trenton that it success-
fully resists the attacks of water. By itself, uncovered by other
formations, it occupies but little space. It juts out beneath the cap
of limestone only a few feet or rods. From a projecting spur of
limestone it may extend farther, as is illustrated in the city of Roch-
ester. A spur of Trenton comes in from the west and ends near
the city limits. The sandstone, however, can be struck in sinking
wells almost anywhere in the western portion of the city. Occa-
sionally where erosion was incomplete an outlier of crumbling sand-
stone can be seen, not capped by limestone. Such an outlier may
be found in or near southwest Farmington. This must happen but
rarely, and the outliers can attain but small size. Streams of con-
siderable size usually leap from the Trenton to the Lower Magnesian,
the intervening St. Peter sandstone having been washed completely
away at an early period. Sometimes, however, streams of small
GEOLOGY OF 0LMSTP:D COUNTY. 751
size remain in a bed of St. Peter sandstone, in which case the valley
is sandy, covered with small oaks, and worth little for agriculture.
This is seen in the valleys of Bear creek and its branches.
The surface features caused by the presence of this sandstone are
interesting, and have already been referred to. As the incoherency
of this formation deprives it of the power of resisting erosive forces,
it is usually carried away cleanly wherever exposed. The conse-
quence is a precipitous descent from the Trenton to the Lower Mag-
nesian. This appears in lines of remarkable, level bluffs. The
height of these bluffs is usually the thickness of the formation, with
fifteen or more feet of limestone on the top. These bluffs are
especially noticeable around Rochester. To the east, their top is
reached by a rugged ascent ; to the west, by gradual dip of the strata.
The erosive forces have left many small and isolated bluffs, which
can be properly described under this head, though the lower layers
of Trenton limestone assist in their formation. They appear as
rugged mounds rising from the Magnesian floor, and form a striking
feature in the aspect of the neighborhood. They are most abund-
ant in southwest Farmington and in Elmira. A few are seen along
the railroad, just east of Rochester. Perhaps the most remarkable
is " Sugar-Loaf Mound," about two miles east of the city and close
to the railroad. Its shape and relative proportions are those of a
sugar-loaf. Another remarkable one is "Lone Mound," of Sec. 11,
Farmington. It is about three miles from the line of bluffs south.
Two or three miles northwest are two similar mounds, called "Twin
Mounds." They are in Wabasha county.
The thickness of the St. Peter was ascertained with an aneroid
barometer, near Rochester. The upper layers of the Lower Mag-
nesian were found on Bear creek, near the woolen mills. The
upper surface of the St. Peter was ascertained as carefully as might
be near Whitcomb's quarry, and near Jenkins' quarry. Three
comparisons were macle. The proper allowance having been made
for dip and atmospheric change, the value of 111 feet was obtained
for the thickness of this formation.
The llthological character of the St. Peter is uniform and simple.
It is a rather coarse, white, friable sandstone, pure white, except
where contaminated by foreign substances or percolations from the
formation above. It contains no fossils, so far as can be seen in this
county.
This formation is useful in several ways. When with a tight
752 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUiNTY.
Magnesian floor, it holds water, and furnishes a good supply to
wells. It is sometimes excavated where it comes out on the face of
a bluff. Excellent cellars, dry and of uniform temperature, are thus
formed which are used especially for the preservation of vegetables.
It supplies an inexhaustible amount of pure white sand, round-angu-
lar, and excellent for mortar or glassmaking,
THE TREXTON LEVIE STONE.
As this formation lies next above the St. Peter, and as the dip is
southwest, we should expect to find it just behind the sandstone.
Such is the case, but being a coherent limestone it occupies much
more area than the St. Peter. It covers fully one-half of the county,
stretching in a broad, interrupted band from southeast to northwest.
Its outer edge is the labyrinthine, interrupted line of level, peculiar
bluffs which reach in their serpentine course every township in the
county, except only Rock Dell and High Forest. The southwestern
or upper edge of its outcrop cannot be traced so minutely, as this
formation passes insensibly into the galena which overlies it. The
formation covers the most of Kalmar, Haverhill, Viola and Eyota
townships. It caps also with a few feet of limestone the most of the
outliers of St. Peter already mentioned.
The Uthological characters are described in the first annual
report (already referred to), and need not be repeated.
In general, as seen in this county, we have below, a shaly lime-
stone, often presenting beds of blue limestone, useful for building.
This is more or less interrupted by shale and averages fifteen feet
thick. Above this is a bed of green sliale more or less interrupted
with limestone, and about fifteen feet thick also. Above this we
have, one hundred and twentj^-five feet of yellow, or gray, harsh,
Magnesian limestone, in regular beds of varying tliickness. In deep
quarrying, this rock also is blue.
Many sections of this rock can be seen. It is the rock most gen-
erally quarried. Several sections for Olmsted county are given on
pp. 97-99 of the first annual report, of the survey (for 1872). The
characters of others examined by me were uniform with those there
described.
Many fossils are found in these beds. Chaetetes ly coper don is
plentiful in the green shale. Leptaena^ Orthis^ StropJwmena^ Mur-
chisonia^ Pleurotomaria^ Orthoceras are common. The orthocera-
tites are unusually large.
GEOLOGY OF OLMSTED COUNTY. 758
This stone is the one most used in this county for -bnihling- pur-
The stone for the buildings about Rochester were for the
most part taken from the Trenton quarries near bj. A quarry just
within the city limits furnishes a large proportion of this stone.
It has been suggested that the clay of the green shale would
make good brick or pottery. The grain is very fine, but the pres-
ence of small, calcareous fossils injures it for these purposes. A
pottery factory, in which this clay was employed, started some years
ago, had to be abandoned on this account.
THE GALENA LIMESTONE,
The area of this formation in the county is much less than that
of the Trenton. It is found only in the southwestern part ot tlie
county, and covers rather less than twenty per cent of the whole
area. Byron, in Kalmar. is located on this rock. It underlies
nearly all of Salem and High Forest and considerable parts of
Rock Dell, Rochester and Pleasant Grove. It extends into Marion
and Orion, and Mr. Hurlbut saj^s that a small scalp of it may yet
be found in the western part of Eyota. township. The lower and
upper edges of its outcrop cannot be accurately traced. In the case
of the lower edge it is for the reason already mentioned, namely,
the Trenton and galena blend gradually. The upper edge cannot
be traced because it is completely concealed by drift.
In lithological character^ as seen here, this rock is a heavily
bedded, buff dolomite, fine grained, or coarse and porous. It con-
tains often small pieces of iron pyrites, which, by weathering, give
it ferruginous stains. Lead has not been found in place in the rock,
but farmers sometimes find it isolated on the surface, evidently left
behind when the rest of the rock material was weathered away. It
often contains crystals of spar ; sometimes irregular cavities are
found. Under the influence of the weather, the rock is seen to vary
in solubility. The result is frequently sinkholes of varying dimen-
sions. Such holes, a few feet deep, are common on the bluffs of
this formation, and Mr. Hurlbut speaks of an extensive one on the
bluff near (Ta)-rick''8 quarry, the bottom of which has never been
reached. Another result of this unequal weathering is the craggy
appearance of the bluffs formed by the galena.
This limestone is well displayed in this county at a quarry. Sec.
17, Rochester township. The floor of this quarry is about thirty
754 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
feet above the Trenton. To the top of the quarry is about thirty-
five feet. The rock is a sparry, magnesian and more or less aren-
aceous limestone. It is in beds one to three feet thick, separated
by very thin layers of light blue shale. The beds are massive and
yellowish, somewliat stained with iron, arising from the decay of
iron pyrites. The upper portions are most arenaceous and fossilif-
erous. In the crevices is found abundance of satin-spar, and in the
largest ones stalactites may be found.
A quarry on the north bank of Root river. Sec. 31, High Forest
township, is in this fra-mation. This rock is exposed for twenty-five
feet, and is dolomitic, more or less concretionary, with small, spar-
lined cavities. It is sparingly fossiliferous. The upper six feet are
much broken up. The remainder is compact and unevenly bedded.
The concretionary structure is not visible on fresh surfaces. It is
brought out "by weathering, and especially by burning, and then
appears in the form of fine rusty lines.
On the left bank of the same stream, about one mile west of the
above quarry, is an exposure of yellow thin-bedded, broken, uneven,
dolomitic limestone, of which only eight or ten feet are visible.
The same rock is well exposed in the ravines of Salem and Rock
Dell, where it is quarried to some extent for building.
As to economical value, this formation produces the best build-
ing stone found in the state. It has been much used in Rochester,
but has been mostly derived from Mantorville, in Dodge county.
At a quarry near High Forest, it has been burned for lime.
THE CRETACEOUS.
A careful search along Root river and elsewhere in the southwest
corner of the county failed to afibrd me the slightest trace of the
Maquoketa shales, which would be naturally expected overlying the
galena. An outcrop was found a few rods west of P. Brewer's resi-
dence, in the southwest quarter of Sec. 35, of Rock Dell township,
on the north bank of Root river, the character of which is doubtful.
The formations in the adjoining counties, and the lithological char-
acter, indicate the probability of its being Cretaceous, and it is thus
marked on the accompanying map. The exposure is along a road-
track going down to a ford of the stream, and was partially covered
with soil and overgrown by bushes. The following is tlie section
from below upward :
GEOLOGY OF OLMSTED COUNTY. 755
Feet.
Compact, bluish limestone 2
Indurated, arenaceous, yellowish shale 1
Yellow sandstone, in broken layers 1
Light blue clay ^
Reddish, broken sandstone 1|
Light blue clay ^
Sandstone 1
Sandy, bluish clay i
Total seen distinctly 7|
The same arrangement of alternating sandstone and clay could
be traced indistinctly four or five feet farther up.
Three rods farther down the river is a compact limestone, sili-
cious, not dolomitic, non-fossiliferous, much broken by frost. The
line of meeting of this with the preceding was concealed by soil and
overgrowing plants.
The first described is in all probability Cretaceous ; the second
cannot be referred to any formation with certainty. Perhaps it is
Cretaceous, perhaps Niagara,
A scalp of Cretaceous, containing fossils in abundance, is said to
have been found in the western part of Eyota township. It was of
very limited extent.
THE DRIFT.
This covers much of the county. It thins out toward the north-
east. It is of considerable thickness in the southwest. Its edge is
ragged and shows extensions, which, however, are not in conforma-
tion with the present drainage system. It consists of blue clay,
washed or yellow clay, stratified gravel and sand, and bowlders.
The blue clay is by no means continuous. It is found in limited
areas, and bands in various parts of the county. Sometimes it forms
distinct ridges, as in western Rochester city and in the valley directly
east of Rochester. In such cases it usually abuts on a bluff.
The washed clay, as its name indicates, has been worked over by
water since its deposition in the drift. It occupies low pondlike
spots, or abuts on the bluffs. It is usually of a uniform reddish-
yellow color and quite arenaceous. Sometimes it is in colored layers
of red, yellow and green. In this case its derivation is probably
from the green shale of the Trenton as well as from the drift. The
washed clay is used for bricks.
The exposures of sand and gravel are not extensive in the parts
of the county examined by me. Wliere seen they exhibit the usual
characters. The bowlders are entirely absent in most parts of the
756 HISTOKY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
county. In many scattered localities, again, they are abundant ; and
in the southwest corner of the county they are often found of great
size.
It is a striking fact, often mentioned, that water is often found
on the bluffs at a much less depth than at their base. The geo-
logical formation satisfactorily accounts tor this.
Brick are made at many places in the county. Oronoco, Eyota,
Pleasant Gro-ve, Byron and Eochester furnish brick. Although
the material is sandy, more sand is usually put in in making the
brick, which are consequently tender and of poor quality. The
brick vitrify but little when burned.
No peat has been observed in the county. In some lowlands
the turf is thick and comparatively free from inorganic matter.
This will burn and produce some heat, but it is much inferior to
proper peat.
Gold has been found in the drift along the Zumbro from Roch-
ester and Oronoco down to the Wabasha border and beyond. It is
found only on the Lower Magnesian. Murchison calls attention to
this fact as generally true. It is found in the drift about the stream,
but mostly in the bed of the stream or in material worked over by
it at a comparatively recent date. In the same alluvial material is
found a small amount of black sand, of a specific gravity approach-
ing that of gold. When the gold is obtained by washing, after all
the other materials are washed away this heavy black sand remains,
and the minute fragments of gold are picked out from it. It is
therefore here called the "mother of gold," and the two are thought
to be always together, a conclusion which need not necessarily
follow.
The gold is in minute, angular fragments. The quantity is so
small that it does not pay to work it by the ordinary method of
hand-washing. Washing on a more extensive scale might be made
to pay. It has been tried two or three times, but never under
favorable circumstances, or for periods of any length.
CHAPTEE X.
THE CYCLONE.
On the afternoon of August 21, 1883, the citizens of Rochester
and vicinity observed a peculiar condition of the atmosphere. The
air was murky and oppressive. The heavens were overcast by
clouds of a dull leaden hue, and apjjarently there were three strata,
all moving in different directions. About three or four o'clock the
clouds began to concentrate immediately west of the city, a slight
shower of I'ain passed over, and, for a few moments succeeding, the air
was as still as a tomb. Soon light, fleecy clouds were seen scudding
athwart the sky at lightning speed, the great dark mass in the west
assumed a greenish cast, the heavens blazed with pale yellow light-
ning, and soon a roar was heard that caused stern faces to blanch
and brave hearts to throb with terror. In a moment the storm was
upon us. With a roar like ten thousand demons, it swept down
upon the beautiful city. Like a great coiling serpent, darting oat
a thousand tongues of lightning, with a hiss like the seething, roar-,
ing Niagara, it wrapped the city in its hideous coils. The crashing
of buildings and the despairing shrieks of men, women and children
were drowned in its terrible roar. An hour later, the pale moon-
beams fell upon two hundred ruined homes, two score of dead,
ghastly faces, and the stillness of night was broken by the moans of
the wounded and dying. What tongue or pen can half describe this
terrible scene of desolation and death ?
The ''Rochester Post," of August 24, contained the following
account of this terrible disaster :
About seven o'clock it began to rain, and the wind came at first
in fitful gusts, gradually, becoming more steady until at last it be-
came a gale. Suddenly the wind changed slightly to the west and
in an instant its terrific power had done its destructive work. Trees
bent down as wax candles in a furnace; chimneys, roofs, spires,
cupolas, fences, barns and houses sunk before its awful force as men
sink down in battle. The presence of the storm was mysteriously
oppressive. An indefinable feeling of dread seemed to hover in the
air and to impress both men and beasts with a sense of impending
758 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
danger. Language cannot describe the scene that met the gaze of
the people as they emerged from their dwellings. The streets were
literally blocked with debris ol every kind of trees, house roofs,
lumber, great rolls of tin from the roofs of blocks. The public build-
ings, minus domes, spires, cupolas, and roofs, barns and houses in
the streets, were utterly destroyed. But worse than all the rest was
the news that flew from lip to lip that in North Eochester many
lives were lost and many were wounded, while hundreds were with-
out shelter.
Following is a list of the damaged property, beginning at T. P.
Hall & Go's building on College street : The southeast corner of
the roof of that structure was blown off. George Head's residence
on College Hill was unroofed. C. C. Wilson's barns were blown
down and scattered in every direction. Mr. Coon's residence was
also unroofed and his barns torn down. Musson's barn was over-
turned. John R. Cook's barn was unrooted.
On Third street : The south gable of the Merchants' Hotel stable
was blown in. The west side of Holz's saloon was demolished and
the inner walls badly damaged. The roof of Mr. A. Gooding's
house was damaged, and J. A. Cole's stone mill unroofed.
On Zumbro sti-eet : The roof and cornice of the Cook House sus-
tained considerable damage. The roof and front cupola of the
central school building were lifted off and the building otherwise
damaged. 'The spire of the Congregational church was lifted from
its resting-place and deposited on the ground near the rear of the
building. The dome and a part of the roof of the court-house were
blown off. Walter S. Booth's residence was unroofed. James
Bucklin's house is a wreck.
On Fourth street : Porter's barn and the residence of Mr. Schwab
are the only buildings on this street sustaining serious damage. W.
Beai-dsley's house was injured slightly, the kitclien being partially
torn down. His barn was also somewhat wrenched. The chimney
of the Baptist church was blown through the roof and the north side
of the tower injured. The east wall of F. D. Livermore's foun-
dry office was blown out, and the roof driven through the boiler shop.
On Fifth street : The reporter found the residence of Mr. Emer-
ick somewhat damaged, Mr. Cammack's barn unroofed and the
upper story of the Catholic parsonage demolished. The cupola of the
convent was slightly damaged, and a part of the roof torn off. The
spire of the Methodist Episcopal church was down, the roof partially
THE CYCLOKE. 759
crushed in, and the east wall was badly damaged. The roof of the
parsonage was also considerably damaged. The upper part of the
west side of the Winona House leaned over upon the roof, and the
roof of the barn was partially torn oif.
On Sixth street: Irving Fox's gun-shop was badly racked, and
the roof of Rowley's blacksmith shop partially gone. The center
and roof of the building on the northwest corner of Sixth and Broad-
way wer^ crushed in. The roof, cornice and skylight on Crowell's
picture gallery were damaged. Mr. Gaskill's.barn was in ruins, and
the roof of Dr. AYilliams' residence slightly injured. The roof of
the creamer}' was torn off and the upper part of the north end
crushed in. The cooper shop and sheds in connection with the
creamery were demolished. The residence occupied by J. L. Howie
was badly damaged.
On Seventh street : The spire of the German Lutheran church
was prostrated, and Moses Kurd's barn leveled to the earth.
On Eighth street: West wing of Dewitt Smith's residence torn
off. Rev. Roth's barn blown down. Mr. Brace's house blown
down. Roof of Mrs. Haney's house blown off. The roof of Mr.
Murphy's house damaged. Two barns belonging to Messrs. Kelly
and Heffron respectively, were wrecked. The roof of Mr. Tolbert's
barn torn off. The roof of the Broadway House was torn oft, and
the building otherwise damaged.
On Division street : Roof of Whiting's elevator damaged. Gil-
man's factory demolished. The Rochester Harvester Works and
office entirely ruined. Whitten's warehouse destroyed.
On Franklin street, north of railroad : Whitten's dwelling, occu-
pied by Mr. Man ley, entirely ruined. The residence of Mr. Burse
was demolished and two houses belonging to Mrs. Smith were
unroofed. S. Vroraan's dwelling was leveled. The third ward
sch(^olhouse was completely wrecked and Mr. Rhoder's house en-
tirely ruined. The Broadway bridge is a thing of the past. The
dwellings of Charles Carter, Dan Raugh, Dr. Chapman and G. W.
Pugh were in ruins. The residence of Robert Smi.h was destroyed.
H. R. Flagg's dwelling was ruined. Tlie houses of Messrs. Wooley,
Luther, Ryan and Clough were entirely desti'oyed. Mr. McCutchin's
house was partially ruined ; also the dwelling of Mr. Pederson. The
residence of Frank H. Allen is destroyed. Mrs. Proctor's house
was moved from the foundation and badly racked. Mrs. Armstrong's
house was considerably damaged. The dwellings of Tal Williams,
760 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Lewis Price, William Fugh, Paul Jorden, Mrs. Howe and Peter
Larson were entirely ruined. A house owned by Asliel Lurth and
occupied by Mrs. Humphries was destroyed ; also the house of S.
H. Sargeant. At Cole's mill we found eight cars overturned and
two carloads of flour in the race. The west end of Cole's mill was
blown in ; the machinery on the attic floor was all out of place, the
roof blown off*, and part of the southwest corner torn out. The
smoke-stack of the engine-house was prostrated and the building
otherwise damaged. The cooper-shop at Cole's mill was destroyed,
also an unoccupied house near the reservoir. East and south the
dwellings of James Gardner and W. A. Wylie were in ruins. The
roof of Judge Eaton's house was blown off". The dwelling of Mrs.
Shannahan was also unroofed. The houses of William Parker and
Mr. McCutchin were wrecked. John Proud's house and barn were
demolished, also the dwellings of Geo. Hanson and L. J. Slade.
Mr. McCormick's house was damaged. L. H. Hummason's house
was ruined, and an unoccupied house of Horace Cook's nearly so. A
house owned by Mr. Granger and occupied by Herman Blank was
wrecked. Mrs. Warfield's house was unroofed. The houses of Mr.
Gasky and Mr. Hagan were destroyed. A house owned by Louie
Miller was wrecked. Houses owned by Messrs. Brown, Tondro,
Kahily, Yauglm, Manley, Roeder, Martin and Conklin were utterly
annihilated. The Leland farm residence was destroyed. Lehman's
house occupied by Mr. Fromis was laid in ruins. The residence of
August Zirrath was destroyed. Mr. Frank Reed's house was in ruins;
also Mr. Turk's dwelling. The house and barn of John Tedder
were flat. The dwellings of Messrs. Hagadon and J. B. Wagoner
were destroyed. Mr. Winraber's house was ruined, also those of Mr.
Gordy and Mr. Swa' kie. H. A. Brown's house occupied by Thomas
Clark was ruined. Two dwellings opposite owned by Messrs. Osborn
and Witskie were also ruined. William Brown's house was wrecked.
The dwellings of Messrs. Bolin, Morse. Richardson and Burch were
also ruined ; also a vacant house next to Mr. Osborn's. The top
story of Horace Cook's home was blown off. Mrs. Smith's house
was blown from the foundation and badly racked. The dwellings
of Messrs. Peterson and Briggs were ruined. The wing and roof of
John Hanson's dwelling were demolished. The main part of James
Elliott's house was laid in ruins. ~ Charles Ballard's house was de-
stroyed. William Hines' house was badly damaged and his barn
blown down. Mr. Cole's house was slightly damaged. A house
THE CYCLONE. 761
owned by Mr. Hull and occupied by C. T. Seaver was badly wrecked.
Two sides of the roof of T. A. Whiting's dwelling were torn off and
the interior badly damaged. The west wing of Mr. Buttles' house
was torn off and his barn blown down. Mr. Eadabaugh's barn was
blown down and house unroofed. The wing was torn from E. F.
Whiting's dwelling. Two houses belonging to Mr. Herrick were
damaged. Mr. Mapes' house was damaged. The south end and
roof of B. H. Ellison's house were torn oft'. Frank Lovell's shop
was torn to pieces. B. E,. Birch's house was moved from the foun-
dation. The roof of John Miller's house was torn off and his barn
destroyed. John Oleson's house was blown from the foundation
and roof torn off". H. Manley's house was ruined. A house be-
longing to Mrs. Smith was ruined, and another belonging to the
same lady unroofed. Mr. M. Y. Burroughs had two houses and a
barn ruined. A house owned by Mrs. Graeff' (occupant unknown)
badly damaged. Mrs. Gardner's house was destroyed. Charles
Hagedod's house was blown from the foundation and kitchen off.
The kitchen of Mr. Dagner's house was blown off. The residence
of Mr. Bedie was blown from the foundation and the roof blown off.
Mi'S. Chute's house was destroyed. The Scandinavian hotel was
considerably damaged The side and roof of Mr. A. Zerath's house
were damaged. Peter Gaffhey's house was destroyed. The roof of
Mr. Lind's house was torn oft'. The roof of Chancey Yroman's
house was damaged and his warehouse torn down. A house owned
by Mrs. Cutler and occupied by Mrs. Dore was damaged. Mr.
Doll's house was slightly damaged. C. W. Baldwin's barn was
blown down. The roof of the C. & jS". W. railroad depot was torn
off and the west end damaged. Several box cars were damaged.
The long warehouse opposite the depot was unroofed. Van Dusen
& Co's elevator was unroofed and otherwise damaged. H. T. Hor-
ton's elevator was entirely demolished, also his warehouse was
partially destroyed. The horse-power room of T. A. Whiting's
elevator was torn down. W bitten and Judd's coalhouse was de-
stroyed. The C. & N. W. roundhouse was demolished. The roof
of H. T. Horton's house was damaged and the upper part of his
barn torn oft'. O. F. Whitcomb's barn was destroyed and the
kitchen part of his house blown off. James Kelley's barn was blown
down. Mathias Williams' saloon on Main street is considerably
damaged. A part of the front of Perry's livery stable was torn off.
The railroad bridge was blown into the river. On Fifth street east
762 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
of the river, Asahel Smith's barn was unroofed. David Lesuer's
house was unroofed and a part of the west wing torn down. The
roof of Rev. Kerr's dwelling was slightly damaged. A brick dwell-
ing near the asylum and owned by Mrs. Gilbert Smith, and occupied
by Wm. West, was unroofed.
On Broadway : On the whole, the damage to property on upper
Broadway is comparatively slight. A. D. Yedder's loss will greatly
exceed that of any other merchant. About seventy-five feet of the
west end of his machine store is a chaotic mass of ruins. He and
his wife were in the cellar and were only saved from a horrible death
by some heavy timbers which lodged above them and held a great
mass ot masonry which had fallen in immediately over their heads.
A frame building opposite Mr. Vedder's is badly racked. George
Stocking's new building was entirely demolished ; also a frame
building belonging to Mr. Beardsley. Rommell's hall is unroofed.
The business houses which sustained no damage but broken fronts
are as follows : Bonliam & Roth, Leet & Knowlton, ITebbard &
Gerry, J. W, Everstine, Seikert & Adler, C. Neusuess, G. Harges-
heimer. The tin roof was torn off Heaney's block and the cornice
slightly injured. The work of the storm-fiend is complete. He
gave no quarter to man, woman nor dimpled child. No home nor
family escaped his wrath. The death-angel was enthroned above
his dusky form, and together, with a wild, hideous roar, they swept
down upon our beautiful city like a devouring demon. An hour
later the pale moonbeams fell upon a hundred ruined homes, nearly
a score of dead, upturned faces, and the night air was filled with the
shrieks and groans of the wounded and dying.
In North Rochester the scene is one of utter desolation and
ruin. Groups are standing here and there gazing with sad, tearful
faces upon their ruined homes. Buildings were absolutely swept
out of existence. Trees were torn out and stripped of their leaves,
timbers driven into the ground as though fired from a cannon. The
earth is strewn with horses, Cattle and debris. It is a scene inde-
scribable, and one which will leave an indelible impression upon the
minds of those who look upon it.
The following is a list of the dead and wounded, as far as it is
possible to give it at present. There are peculiar difficulties in the
way of getting accurate information concerning the wounded outside
of the hospital, as they are scattered over the town and have not all
been reported to us.
THE CYCLONE. 763
The killed are : J. M. Cole, Mrs. McQuillian, Mrs. Steele, Mrs.
Maria Zieratli, Mr. August Zierath, Mr. Osborne and infant daugh-
ter, Mrs. Fred Clough, Mrs. D. Wetherby, Jacob Hetzel, William
Higgins, Mrs. Quick and child. Miss Mahahi McCormack,' Mrs.
Parker, Mrs. Schultz, Mrs. Charles Kothke.
In the country, John Canty, Andrew Johnson, Mr. Berg, Mr.
Wells and Job Thorington are dead.
The wounded are as follows, as far as we can learn : Mrs. Os-
borne, chest, left eye, legs and arm ; Mrs. O. H. Rudh, cut arm
and face ; Anna Zierath, cut head, badly bruised body ; Mira
Hanson, cut head and face, hip bruised ; D. D. Wrought, bruised
head badly ; Nels, Hanson, cut head and right leg ; Mrs. W. K.
Wrought, back, shoulder and inwardly hurt ; Mrs. C. Manley, arm,
side, shoulder and head bruised ; Mrs. Hanson, cut head, shoulder,
back and spine ; Lillie Osborne, head, back and spine hurt ; M.
Sweeny, legs and head cut ; Dan O'Bryan, right arm broken, cut
head and left shoulder ; George Hanson, spine, head and breast
hurt ; William Leach, head, legs and arm hurt ; D. Wetherby, cut
in left side, head, left arm, small of back hurt ; O. H. Hawkins,
head and shoulder hurt ; Charles Quick, cut in right leg ; Gertie
Quick, cut head and left side ; Benart Quick, cut face and feet ;
Herman Quick, cut arm, legs and face ; Armenia Quick, left side ;
Antheon Quick, hips bruised badly ; Frank Quick, head cut ; Willie
Hanson, broken arm, cut eye and head ; John Hong, cut left
shoulder and head ; John Shamrock, right shoulder hurt ; Willie
Reek, broken arm and leg, head cut ; O. H. Rudh, head cut, small
of back hurt ; Otto Rudh, head and arm badly hurt ; Frank Shultz,
broken finger, head cut ; Mr. Coon's leg broken ; Frank Clements,
arm broken ; Charles Hegerdon, cut in head ; Fred Clough and
child ; Miss Sarah Johnston, domestic at Lealand's ; Charles Jack-
son ; Mrs. Young, hurt internally ; Dr. Eaton, hurt in back ;
Charles Marvin, wrist sprained ; Lewie Posz, leg broken ; Ed.
Chapman, wife and mother.
FUNERAL CE;REM0NIES.
Thursday morning dawned bright and beautiful. At an early
hour strangers began to pour in from all directions. By poon the
streets were crowded with a surging mass of humanity. The ex-
pression of sadness on every face told more plainly than buttering
crape or tolling bells the tale of mourning, desolation and death.
764 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Ten bodies were interred in Oakwood cemetery in the afternoon.
At 4:30 a procession formed in front of the Cook House and started
for the cemetery. Fifth street from Broadway to the cemetery gates
was literally jammed with teams. Following is a list of the victims
interred : Mrs. Wetherby, Nellie Irwin, Mahala McCormick, Mr.
Hetzel, Mrs. McQuillan, Mrs. Quick, Mrs. Clough, Mrs. Zierath,
August Zierath, Mr. Osborne and child. The names of the minis-
ters officiating are as follows : Rev. C. A. Hampton, Rev. J. "W.
Bradshaw, Rev. J. Stafford, Prof. E. W. Young, Rev. E. R. Lathrop,
of Austin, and Rev. Stuelfenagel, of Pottsdam. The ceremonies
performed over the graves were very simple. No dirge was sung.
No sound was heard but humble prayers and smothered moans of
unutterable anguish. The only tributes left upon the close-clinging
clay were silent, scalding tears. It was by far the saddest funeral
the city has ever seen.
OUTSIDE OF THE CITY.
The storm began its ravages in Dodge county at a point five
miles southwest of Dodge Center. From that place it proceeded
in a due eastern course across the country, leaving destruction in its
path, which was fully one mile wide. Mayor Whitten's farm south
of Dodge Center was desolated. His loss was fully |5,000. Five
persons were killed in that county. The cyclone struck Olmsted
county in the town of Salem, a little north of the center on the west
side. We have not been able as yet to learn any particulars of the
storm west of Salem Corners. Near the Corners the barn of Cyrus
Holt was blown down and his house badly racked. Luther McCoy
also suffered in a similar way. The buildings of J. B. Little, L.
Donovan, T. McGovern and W. P. Brooks were swept away. All
these were in the town of Salem. House of Nels Jacobson, occu-
pied by Peter Matson, all destroyed ; Ole Johnson had all his build-
ings destroyed ; a house belonging to a widow woman was unroofed
and the building moved. Amil Johnson, everything, buildings,
machinery, all gone. Chris Johnson Lillo, buildings all gone, a
complete destruction. His father living with him was killed ; Ole
Christ, every building is blown away. In the town of Ka ImarJohn
McGovern's two large barns were demolished.
In Rochester township : Mr. Higby lost everything. The build-
ings on Mrs. Faitoute's place are utterly gone. The granary of
George Baihly's farm is destroyed. Mr. Hurd's and Mr. Clement's
THE CYCLONE. 765
buildings are badly injured ; and Frank Clements had his arm broken.
Mr. Horton's large barn 3-iXlOO feet with 130 tons of hay inside,
was utterly demolished. Mr. Coon, Mr. Horton's son-in-law, had
his leg broken. Four horses and four cows were killed in their
barn. Mr. Engle's house and barn, both new fine structures, were
blown down. In the track of the storm everything was destroyed.
Crops in the shock, in sheds, in barns are gone. Large numbers of
cattle, horses, hogs and sheep were killed, but we cannot at present
give the numbers with accuracy.
In Haverhill : German farmer, every building annihilated.
German farmer, all outbuildings gone. Flyng's schoolhouse gone.
Lawlor farm, buildings all gone. Lovejoy farm, buildings all gone,
stock killed. Mr. Allen, every building but house gone. Blethens,
all but house utterly gone. Town hall off foundation. P. J. Lum-
land, every building gone and the cemetery near by had every grave-
stone thrown down. J. Adler, all barns gone. L. L. Allen, every-
thing gone. A. K. Williams, everything ruined. John Canty,
buildings all gone and Mr. Canty killed. C. C. Willson's farm was
devastated, as was the farm of S. Geisinger. The houses of Mr.
Jenkins and Mrs. Welch were destroyed.
In Quincy : Mrs. S. Evans lost barn and machine sheds and con-
tents. John Wiggim's house was moved from the foundation and
the L torn off and his granary was turned upside down. Samual
Tenney lost house, barn, every building. Five horses and a cow
were killed in his barn. Sandy Fenier lost every building.
Our Yiola correspondent sends us the following : The cyclone
here Tuesday evening completely demolished Mr. P. F. Wells'
dwelling-house, hurting Mr. and Mrs. Wells seriously. Hon. Henry
Stanchfi eld's buildings are all blown to atoms ; loss at least $7,000.
None of the family hurt. The house known as the H. H. Eichard-
son place was blown from the foundation and carried ten or fifteen
rods. M. L. Sawyer's barn is blown down. E. F. Johnson's out-
buildings and also J. E. Williams' outbuildings are gone. Thos.
Eichardson's outbuildings are also down and his house lost the roof
and one end, and Henry C. Eichardson is seriously hurt. People
saved their lives only by getting down cellar. The storm traveled
across this township about one mile north of the center and wrecked
nearly every building in its course.
In Yiola and Quincy townships : Property of J. G. Buckley, A.
Helms, G. Heinshort, G. H. Mueller, Charles Callaghan, H. H.
46
766 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COTJNTT.
Yine, Philo F. Wells, M. L. Sawyer, Henry Stanclifield, Rodney
Eichardson, H. C. Richardson, Mrs. Ellen M. Evans, J. Weagant,
Samuel Tenney, J. Brown, A. Farrier, and others, was destroyed.
RELIEF WORK.
As soon as the storm passed over the city the citizens who were
not injured went to work with a will to relieve the wounded and to
care for the dead. The hotels in the vicinity of the railroad were
used as hospitals, and into these the wounded were carried. The
offices of the physicians were also thrown open and the wounded
conveyed thither. All night long the work went on. In the morn-
ing the families who could do so furnished food to the homeless,
and the bakeries were drawn upon to supply their meals. At half-
past eight a committee of the citizens was appointed by the mayor,
and a call was issued for a meetmg at Rommel's hall. This place
had been chosen as a hospital, and the work of putting up cots and
removing the wounded thither was begun. Dr. Berkman was
appointed hospital steward and given control of all supplies and
nurses.
The committee appointed by the mayor, consisting of the follow-
ing names, met at ten o'clock : S. Whitten, C. M. Start, H. C. But-
ler, Rev. J. W. Bradshaw, M. G. Spring, O. W. Durkee, Rev. D.
Reed, T. H. Bliss, Rev. Riordan, A. T. Stebbins, Fayette Cook, A.
Harrington, S. B. Clark, G. Hargesheimer, M. R. Wood, D. A.
Morrison, C. H. HefFron and W. C. Rice. Mayor Whitten pre-
sided. The following officers and committees were duly appointed :
C. M. Start, chairman ; W. C. Rice, secretary and treasurer.
Committee on Solicitation : T. H. Bliss, C. H. Heffi-on, G. Har-
gesheimer, D. A. Morrison, M. R. Wood.
Committee on Hospital : H. C. Butler, J. W. Bradshaw, Rev.
D. Reed, Rev. J. Stafford.
Committee on Commissary Supplies : S. Whitton, M. G. Spring,
S. B. Clark, H. Schester, A. Harrington, O. W. Durkee.
Committee on Canvassing to ascertain needy cases: Fayette
Cook, Rev. Riordan, A. T. Stebbins.
These committees organized and proceeded to work at once in
their respective departments. By eleven o'clock the wounded, to
the number of thirty-four, who could not be cared for by friends,
were all in the hospital, and, under the care and skill of physicians
and lady nurses, were made as comfortable as possible. Supplies of
THE CYCLOlSrE. 767
clothing, bedding, wine, food, etc., were brought in, stoves set up,
cooks employed, and before noon, under Dr. Berkman's efficient
management and the willing hands who aided him, everything was
working with system and harmony.
The chairman and secretary arranged with the undertakers to
assist in burying the dead. During the morning telegrams were
sent to Gov. Hubbard, to mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul. At
noon mayor Ludwig, of Winona, accompanied by other prominent
citizens, came up and looked over the ruins and returned to take
action for relief In the evening a telegram was received from St.
Paul authorizing the reliet committee to draw upon that city for
$5,000.
The Committee on Commissary Stores set tables in Olds & Fish-
back's store on Broadway and arranged to feed those who were des-
titute. They also provided beds and cots in other places for the
houseless.
The telegraph line was broken down in the track of the storm,
but during the night an instrument was attached to the wire east of
the bridge and one wire got to working east. Over this wire, by the
kindness of Supt. Sanborn, the following message was sent to Gov,
Hubbard and to Mayor Ludwig, of Winona, with the request that
they repeat to other cities :
Rochester is in ruins. Twenty-four people are killed. Over forty are seri-
ously injured. One-third of the city laid waste. We need immediate help.
S. Whitten, Mayor.
It happened that in St. Paul a meeting of the leading business
men was in session upon other business when Gov. Hubbard
received the telegram. Expressions of regret were profound. Mr.
Ferdinand Willius moved that a demand note for $5,000 be drawn
up and signed by those present and placed in Gov. Hubbard's
hands, to be used at his discretion, and that he telegraph at once the
action to the mayor of Rochester.
The following is the note :
St. Paul, August 22, 1883. — For value received we promise to pay to the order
of Ferdinand Willius, trustee, five thousand dollars, with interest at eight
per cent per annum until paid, payable on demand at the National German-
American bank of St. Paul. Edmund Rice, Allen, Moon & Co., Strong, Hackett
& Co., Maxfield & Seabury, Henry A. Castle, C. B. Thurston, Holl & Pear, P. R.
L. Hardenburgh & Co., A. G. Foster, Thos. Cochran, Jr., Gordon & Ferguson,
Wm. Lindeke, H. S. Fairchild, Bacon & Stone, P. H. Kelly, Gustav Willius, E.
S. Norten, S. S. Glidden, Berkey, Talmage & Co., George Benz, Dyer & Howard,
768 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
W. P. Murray, J. W. Bishop, S. S. Eaton, Albert Sheffer, J. P. Gribben, Wm. A.
Van Slyke, D. A. Robertson, D. D. Merrill, Mannheimer Bros., E. E. Hughson,
John Somers, Frank Breuer, John B. Sanborn, Herman Greve, F. Willius, J.
D. Ludden, H. R. Bigelow, W. L. Lamprey, Pollock, Donaldson & Ogden, Pren-
dergast Bros., Pioneer Press Co., M. E. Thompson, C. D. Gilfillan, B. Presley &
Co., B. Beaupre, Edw. H. Biggs, John S. Prince, Jas. McKey & Co., L. E. Reed.
Gov. Hubbard, as usual, acted promptly in this matter. Be-
sides going before the St. Paul business men, as above narrated,
and stimulating them to such action that within forty minutes from
the receipt of the first news of the disaster he had telegraphed the
mayor of Rochester, placing $5,000 at his disposal, the governor
at once addressed the following telegram to the mayors of Minneap-
olis, Stillwater, Duluth, Brainerd, Hastings, Red Wing, Lake City,
Wabasha, Winona, Mankato, Fergus Falls, St. Cloud, Owatonna
and Austin :
St. Paul, August 22.^1 have just received the following telegram from the
mayor of Rochester, Minn. Please j^resent this appeal for aid before the
people of your city. L. F. Hubbard, Governor.
In response to the message. Mayor Ludwig and several leading
citizens came up and looked up the damage. They returned and
called a meeting of the board of trade Wednesday evening. The
following message was sent after the meeting :
To Mayor Whitten: Subscribed tonight $2,500 and will forward tomorrow,
with much more to follow. John Ludwig.
Other telegrams as follows have been received :
St. Paul. — Citizens of Stillwater give $1,000 to aid your sufferers, for which
you may draw on me. L. F. Hubbard.
Lake City. — Draw on us, the city of Lake City, for $250 for benefit of suffer-
ers. Have sent out committees. 0. F. Rogers.
PIastings.— Draw on me for $100. J. B. Lambert, Mayor.
Red Wing. — You have the sympathy of our entire city. Draw at once for
$500. F. B. Howe.
La Crosse. — La Crosse sends her sympathy and desires to show it practi-
cally. How can we best aid you ? D. Law, Mayor.
C. Hirschimer, Pres't Board Trade.
The following private contributions have been received : W. D.
Washburn, Minneapolis, $1,000. G. W. Stenke, St. Peter, $300.
CHAPTER XI.
CASCADE TOWNSHIP.
The lirst settlement in tliis township was made in the fall of
1854. James Bneklin, Mr. Proudioot and others made claims and
built houses during that year.
The latter gentleman opened a store in the following winter west
of Cascade creek, and kept it in operation until the summer of 1855,
when he removed his goods to Rochester.
In the spring of 1855 E. D. Cobb, Noble Cobb, George W. Huj-
ler, L. L. Eaton, Charles Horton, Joseph Mathews, and many others,
made claims and established residences.
The town was organized with its present boundaries in 1859, and
the following named ofhcers elected : Supervisors, James Bucklin,
chairman, Alvah Southworth, and Philo Boardman ; clerk, George
Carpenter ; treasurer, Sylvester Conklin ; assessor, Hibbard Smith ;
constables, Joseph Chambers and Lewis Rice.
The present officers of the township are as follows : Supervisor,
L. B. Joslyn ; chairmen, Charles Crane and L. Roth ; clerk, J. M.
Morton ; treasurer, George Ellsworth ; justice, L. Andrus ; assessor,
J. L. Wright.
In the fall of 1855 L. L. Eaton opened his house, four miles west
of Rochester, as a tavern for the accommodation of travelers, and
kept it for some years, when he removed to Rochester. The first
birth in the town was in the family of Joseph Horton, in the spring
of 1855. The first death was in the same spring, being the daugh-
ter of James Bucklin.
CITY OF ROCHESTER.
In the files of the "Rochester Post" we find the following from
the pen of Elder Ely, of Winona, concerning the location of the site
of Rochester: The town site mania commenced with the land
company that laid out the town of Chatfield. Parties from Winona
were out prospecting for town sites. Dr. Balcombe, early in 1854,
led a party west. He missed the place where Rochester now stands,
and made a claim in the timber at High Forest. About the middle'
of March the same year, E. S. Smith, Charles Eaton and Wheeler
770 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Sargeant went out from Winona in search of a town site. Smith
had just come from Minneapolis, where I may say, bj the way, he
had just completed the first sawmill built on the west side of the
Mississippi in Minnesota, if we except the old government mill at
that place. They started next from St. Charles and came to the
Zumbro river, about three miles west of where Rochester now
stands. They first made a claim where they struck the river, and
intended to lay out a town, but Smith, in traveling down the river,
heard the roar of the falls, and continued his journey until he came
in sight of the present site of the stone mill. They abandoned the
place they had fixed upon up the river and made a claim, fixing a
site for a log shanty at the head of Main street. They immediately
returned to Winona and hired George Wiltsee to go out and build
the shanty. In a few days a small log building was completed and
the claim was staked.
This was early in the spring, before the government survey was
completed. The township lines had been run but the subdivisions
had not been made.
Smith & Co. held the claim without anybody to disturb them,
until about the 12th of July following, when George and Jonathan
Head and their father came from Wisconsin and made their claim.
They disregarded the claim and improvements of Smith & Co., in-
deed they begun to tear down the log shanty built by the first
claimants. Smith, however, was on hand before the destruction
was completed, and with a revolver in hand drove away the intrud-
ers. Subsequently the matter was settled by the payment of money.
Smith and Eaton each received $1,800, but Springer and Sargeant
got nothing. Smith and Eaton showed fight.
T. C. Cummings and Eobert McReady made claims and built
their claims near Cascade creek, in the spring of 1854. On the 25th
ot July, that year, the town was staked out. It had already become
a stopping-place for stages, as on the 15tli of July M. O. Walker,
the pioneer stage proprietor of the west, had established a line of
stages from Dubuque to St. Paul, over the wilderness prairies and
through the prospective town of Rochester, Winona and Elliota,
which were at that time the nearest post-towns. During the first
winter the neighbors were few, the families of F. Prodger, McReady
and George Woolford being the only ones within seven miles of the
new city. In the following spring there was quite an extensive
emigration and business prospects became apparent. Mr. J. D. Jen-
CASCADE TOWNSHIP. 771
kins built a store of logs and sold it to Hugh Mair, who soon filled
it with goods for the accommodation of the rapidly increasing popula-
tion. Wet and dry groceries seemed to be the most important
articles in stock. A cask of gin, ot this stock, was the first intoxi-
cating liquor brought to this town.
George Head erected a log house in the summer of 1854. We
are unable to ascertain whether or not the builder designed the
same tor a hotel, but it was used as such, the tide of emigration
being so great that it was generally filled to overflowing with travel-
ers. Provisions at that time were imported from Iowa, and conse-
quently commanded a high price. Head continued business in the
log cabin until the spring of 1856, when he disposed of the house
and its equipments, Asa Lasuer being the purchaser. It was after-
ward torn down and the ' ' York State House " erected a little farther
up Broadway.
The first birth in Rochester was in the family of James Smith,
in 1855. " A Mr. Brown was looking for a claim on the north
side of the Zumbro on the school section in the fall of 1854, and
soon thereafter was taken sick and died. This was the first death
of a white person in Olmsted county. Yery soon after his death
his widow took another man, but was not married to him, as there
was no one in the vicinity to perform the ceremony ; yet they did
the best they could, and procured witnesses to their agreement to
get married as soon as there was an opportunity. This was the first
matrimonial speculation publicly entered into in the vicinity."
In 1856 a log schoolhouse was erected east of the Zumbro,
being the first one in the city. It was used as a church and town
hall also. Miss Mary Walker taught school in the building the fol-
lowing summer. The first religious service held within the limits
of Rochester was presided over by a minister from St. Paul, in
December, 1854, at the residence of Mr. McReady. On the follow-
ing evening services were held by the same minister at George
Head's.
The dwellings erected in those days were very simple in archi-
tecture. We will describe one as pictured to us by one of its occu-
pants. " We soon set about building our first residence, the
material being at hand, which consisted of poles and bleached prairie
grass. We remained in this rude home for a short time, but felt
very highly favored when we were permitted to take up our abode
in a new log house. It was 12x24 in size, the window-sashes
772
HISTOEY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
were whittled out with a penknife, oiled paper served in the place of
window-glass, and a blanket hung over an opening in the side of the
house served as a door."
Indians were quite numerous, but peaceable. They would fre-
quently visit the dwellings of the whites for the purpose of barter.
Wolves abounded, and their weird howls were nightly heard. Being
communistic in their propensities, they often appropriated the prop-
erty of the settlers to their own use. In one instance thej^ entered
the dwelling of George Head and carried off a sheep that had been
killed to furnish breakfast for a company of travelers.
The first lawyer made his appearance in the summer of 1855,
Jay Parker by name, who remained but a short time. By this time
immigration was increasing to such an extent as to render the out-
look for the prospective city very flattering. W. D. Lowry bought
the claim of George Woolford, about half a mile south of the city
plat, now within the city limits. In the fall of this year Mr. Lowry
was elected to a seat in the territorial council, which position he
occupied until the admission of Minnesota as a state in 1858. This
election excited great interest, not only because it was the first in
this election district, but because issues of great importance to
Rochester and her neighboring towns were to come before that
body, and to be by them decided. Oronoco and Chatfield were
both anxious to have the county lines so located as to place each of
those villages in the geographical center of a county, which arrange-
ment would be equivalent to making each a county seat. To these
measures and the results that would attend them the people of
Rochester were decidedly opposed. Mr. Lowry was the candidate of
the people of Rochester, and Reuben Ottoman, of Oronoco, the
opposing candidate. A full vote of the county was called out and.
Lowry was elected, two to one.
The first lawsuit in the city was tried before James Bucklin,
Esq., in the summer of 1855. The season being very busy, the
justice was hoeing corn when the hour arrived for the suit to begin.
The parties assembled in the cornfield and the suit was called. The
parties were T. C. Cummings, plaintiff, and Alfred Moler, defend-
ant ; James A. Bucklin, attorney for plaintifi", and G. W. Chilson
for defendant. The case was decided in favor of plaintiff.
The first sawmill in the town was of somewhat curious construc-
tion, and consisted of a scaffolding, six or eight feet in height, a
"whip saw" with a strong handle at each end was used. The frame-
CASCADE TOWNSHIP. 773
work of the scaffolding was so arranged that the log could be gauged
to produce lumber of any desired thickness. The motive power was
a man at each end of the saw, one of whom always stood beneath,
or, as it was called, ' ' in the pit " ; hence it derived its name as the
pit saw. These mills are quite common in old countries, and in
this instance was of great benefit in a new country. Mr. Alexander,
the proprietor, assured us that two men would frequently manufac-
ture five hundred feet of lumber in a day. Messrs. Alexander and
Golds worthy built the first frame shop in the spring of 1856, on
Zumbro street, where it did duty as a shop until 1861, when it was
removed to Broadway and fitted up for a store. In the year follow-
ing these gentlemen built a fine steam mill and sash factory on the
Zumbro in east Rochester, to which they soon added machinery for
planing and general cabinetmaking. This. mill was continued in
successful operation till the summer of 1863, when it was burned to
the ground.
In the fall of 1855 Messrs. L. W. Bucklin and James Lovington
built the fii'st bridge across the Zumbro at a point opposite where
Cook's livery stable now stands. It was built of logs and remained
in use until 1857.
In 1856 F. A. Olds purchased of Messrs. Moe and Cross the
property on the corner of Broadway and College streets, known as
the mill reservation, and commenced the erection of a stone flouring-
mill, which he completed the following year at a cost of $40,000.
This was the first substantial public improvement that was under-
taken. Judge Olds built several blocks of buildings and was very
active in all public enterprises.
In the summer of 1854 Fred Prodger and Henry Woodard made
claim to the northern part of the city, and pre-empted the same in
1855. In the same year they sold it to C. H. Lindsley, who sold a
three-fourths interest to Messrs. G. S. Harris, W. W. Cowles, Dan-
iel Williams and Richard B. Smith, of Boston. They assumed the
name of the "Boston Company" and commenced building upon and
improving their property. Mr. Lindsley, resident proprietor, was
chosen manager. This year they commenced the erection of the
Zumbro falls mills, a large hotel, a courthouse, and several other
buildings, making preparations for extensive improvements the
ensuing year, but the financial revolution of 1857 included in the
list of its victims the original Boston Company, and after spending
about $53,000 they were obliged to suspend operations, and the
774 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
property was transferred to the hands of their creditors, Messrs.
Alvin Smith, J. H. Ward, David Loring and John M, Cole, all of
Boston. In the final division of the property among the proprietors,
the courthouse came into the hands of Mr. Lindsley, and the
flouring-mills fell to John M, Cole, who in 1860 removed to Roch-
ester and put the mills in the best of order, making them valuable
to himself and the city.
The first brick business house in Rochester was erected by Dr.
•L. H. Kelly, formerly of Painesville, O. He built a brick store
22 X 70 feet on the corner of Broadway and College streets.
» *
THE POSTOFFICE.
In a little log cabin situated on the west side of Cascade creek,
near the residence formerly owned by M. W. Leland, the first post-
oflice was established in 1855. Robert McReady, the proprietor of
the unpretentious dwelling, was the first postmaster. The mail was
then carried by stage from Dubuque to St. Paul. During the first
year the weekly receipts of letters did not exceed a dozen in num-
ber, and it is said that the postmaster used the upper story of his
hat as a depository for mail-matter. Lock-boxes were not then in
vogue.
In the fall of 1856 Mr. P. H. Durfee, then occupying a log store
built by Mr. Proudfoot on the present site of Union block, was
appointed ]^ostmaster, and the office was removed to his store. A
few months later the office was removed to John R. Cook's block,
on the corner of Main and Third streets.
In the spring of 1858 Mrs. Nancy Baker was appointed post-
mistress, after which the office was removed to H. C. Green's store".
Mr. J. V. Daniels was afterward appointed, and the office was
removed to his office. In 1860 John W. Everstine succeeded him.
The next change was in 1861, when M. J. A. Leonard was appointed.
On completion of Blakely's block, in the winter of 1863-4, the
office was again removed to Broadway, being located in the rear end
of F. W. Anderson's store. In the summer of 1864 Mr. C. C. Jones
succeeded Mr. Leonard, and soon after removed the office to" Peters'
block, near the stone mill. This gentleman held the office one year,
when Mr. Samuel Geisinger was appointed. A few months after
his appointment this gentleman "removed the office to Head's new
building on Third street, west of Broadway.
In October, 1866, Mr. M. W. Fay was made postmaster, and
CASCADE TOWNSHIP. 775
removed the office to Heany's block. In April, 1867, Judge Fay
died, and W. W. Ireland, who had been for some time a clerk in
the office, acted in the capacity of postmaster until the following
July, when Mrs. Fay, widow of the judge, was appointed to suc-
ceed her husband. At the end of one year from this time C. C.
Cole was appointed. In March, 1871, George W. Baker was
appointed, and the office was soon after removed to a building on
Third street, west of Broadway.
In August of the same year Capt. Abram Harkins was appointed,
and after the completion of the Odd-Fellows' block removed the
office to that building, where it still remains, under the captain's
supervision.
INCOKPOEATION.
The city of Rochester was incorporated and received its charter
in 1858. Following are the names of the first city officers elected
from that time to 1882 inclusive :
1858-9.
Mayor, Moses W. Fay ; city justice, S. G. Whiting ; treasurer, E. Damon ;
recorder, Thomas Brooks ; city marshal, Thomas Ireland ; official paper, " Free
First Ward: Aldermen, R. C. Gates, J. W. Everstine; justice, L. L. Eaton;
supervisor, H. C. Greene ; constable, I. M. Terrill ; assessor, J. B. Allyn ; street
commissioner, J. V. Daniels.
Second Ward: Aldermen, S. Geisinger, J. M. Williams; justice, J. P.Emer-
ick ; supervisor, C. C. Cole ; constable, H. Loomis ; assessor, E. Damon ; street
commissioner, Moses Hurd.
Third Ward: Aldermen, C. H. Lindsey, L. Wynkoop ; justice, Wm. Hun-
ter ; supervisor, H. E. Mellen ; constable, Wm. Unger ; assessor, H. Hyatt ;
street commissioner, H. E. Mellen.
1859-60.
Mayor, F. A. Olds; city justice, S. G. Whiting; treasurer, J. M. Williams;
surveyor, P. P. Condit ; recorder, F. A. Poole ; marshal, H. Loomis ; official
paper, " Free Press."
First Ward : Aldermen, George C. Gook, H. A.Brown ; justice, L. L. Eaton ;
supervisor, John W. Everstine ; constable, I. M. Terrill ; assessor, J. V. Daniels.
Second Ward : Aldermen, Moses Hurd, S. Geisinger ; justice, J. P. Emerick ;
supervisor, S. Risker ; constable, A. J. Drumheller ; assessor, Moses Hurd.
Third Ward : Aldermen, James S. Niles, Horace Cook ; justice, Wm. Hun-
ter; supervisor, C. H. Lindsey; constable, H. E. Mellen; assessor, Richard
Reader.
1860-1.
Mayor, AV. D. Hurlbut ; city justice, H. Hyatt ; treasurer, J. V. Daniels ;
surveyor, J. V. Daniels ; recorder, E. W. Crocker ; marshal, J. W. Murray ; city
attorney, S. P. Jones ; official paper, " City Post."
776 HISTORY OP OLMSTED COUNTY.
First Ward : Aldermen, J. V. Daniels, H. A. Brown ; justice, L. L. Eaton ;
street commissioner, David Chase ; constable, J. W. Murray ; assessor, J. V-
Daniels.
Second Ward : Aldermen, S. Geisinger, G. Smith ; justice, J. A. Leonard ;
street commissioner, Gilbert Smith ; constable, H. S. Sage ; assessor, M. Hurd.
Third Ward: Aldermen, B. H. Ellison, R. McBride; justice, H. Hyatt;
street commissioner, B. H. Ellison; constable, A. J. Farr; assessor, R. Reader.
1861-2.
Mayor, John Clark ; city justice, H. Hyatt ; treasurer, J. V. Daniels ; sur-
veyor, J. V. Daniels ; poundmaster, L. L. Goodwin ; recorder, E. W. Crocker;
marshal, H. Loomis ; city attorney, S. P. Jones ; official paper, " City Post."
First Ward : Aldermen, J. E. Ellis, J. S. Woodard ; justice, L. L. Eaton ;
street commissioner, Thos. Ireland ; constable, H. Clark ; assessor, J. V. Daniels.
Second AVard: Aldermen, E. Damon, E. Carpenter; justice, E. Carpenter;
constable, H. S. Sage ; assessor, S. Geisinger.
Third Ward : Aldermen, John M. Cole, H. E. Mellen ; justice, H. Hyatt ;
constable, Orrin Jones ; assessor, R. Reader.
1862-3.
Mayor, L. B. Bliss; city justice, R. Reynolds; treasurer, J. V. Daniels;
assessor, J. V. Daniels ; poundmaster, J. B. Wagoner ; city attorney, 0. P.
Stearns; recorder, N. C. Younglove ; marshal, C. Y, Ayers; official paper,
" Rochester Post."
• First Ward : Aldermen, George Head, J. S. Woodard ; justice, L. L. Eaton;
street commissioner, G. C. Cook ; constable, Matt Markham.
Second Ward : Aldermen : W. W. Gibbs, H. C. Packard ; justice, S. Gei-
singer ; street commissioner, C. C. Cole ; constable, Jacob Ault.
Third Ward : Aldermen, A. Smith, D. Kidd ; justice, R. Reynolds ; street
commissioner, Lemuel Cook ; constable. B. H. Ellison.
1863^.
Mayor, L. B. Bliss ; city justice, R. Reynolds ; treasurer, J. V. Daniels ;
assessor, J. V. Daniels ; policeman, J. D. Ault ; poundmaster, J. D. Ault ; city
attorney, L. Barber ; recorder, N. C. Younglove ; marshal, L. O. Benjamin ;
official paper, " Rochester City Post."
First Ward : Aldermen, C. H. Chadbourn, Geo. Head ; justice, L. L. Ekton ;
street commissioner, C. H. Chadbourn ; constable, L. O. Benjamin.
Second Ward : Aldermen, W. W. Gibbs, H. C.Packard ; justice, P. C. Comp-
ton ; street commissioner, Geo. Healy ; constable, N. Wilkins.
Third Ward : Aldermen, A. Smith, R. Reader ; justice, R. Reynolds ; street
commissioner, Asahel Smith ; constable, R. Hotchkiss.
1864-5.
Mayor, Abram Ozmun ; city justice, W. S. Booth ; treasurer, David Lesuer ;
assessor, C. C. Jones; surveyor, Geo. Healy; poundmaster, J. D. Ault; city
attorney, C. M. Start ; recorder, S. W. Eaton ; marshal, Jacob D. Ault ; chief of
police, J. D. Ault ; official paper, " City Post."
First Ward: Aldermen, C. H. Chadbourn, H. Ireland; justice, W. S. Booth;
street commissioner, G. C. Cook ; constable, Thomas Ireland.
CASCADE TOWNSHIP. 777
Second Ward: Aldermen, H. J. Grant, W. D. Hurlbut ; justice, J. P. Emer-
ick ; street commissioner, A. J. Lockie ; constable, L. O. Benjamin.
Third Ward : Aldermen, R. McBride, R. Reader ; justice, R. Reynolds ;
street commissioner, H. G. Damon ; constable, Wm. Knight.
Board of Education : School Commissioners-at-Large, D. N. Mason, O. O.
Baldwin ; First Ward, H. L. R. Jones ; Second Ward, Chas. Woodward ; Third
Ward, O. A. Hadley.
1865-6.
Mayor, J. V. Daniels ; city justice, W. S. Booth ; treasurer, David Lesuer ;
assessor, W. D. Hurlbut; surveyor, Geo. Healy ; city attorney, C. M. Start;
recorder, S. W. Eaton ; marshal, Jacob D. Ault ; chief of police, J. D. Ault ;
official paper, " City Post."
First Ward : Aldermen, Louis Walker, H. Ireland ; justice, W. S. Booth ;
constable, Thomas Ireland.
Second Ward : Aldermen, H. T. Horton, M. Hurd; justice, S. Geisinger;
street commissioner, Moses Hurd ; constable, L. O. Benjamin.
Third Ward : Aldermen, John M. Cole, R. McBride ; justice, R. Reynolds ;
street commissioner, Asahel Smith ; constable, Wm. Knight.
Board of Education : David Lesuer, J. B. Clark, 0. A. Hadley, H. Gallo-
way, O. O. Baldwin.
1866-7.
Mayor, O. P. Stearns ; city justice, A. Blanchard ; treasurer, David Le-
suer ; assessor, W. D. Hurlbut ; surveyor, Geo. Healy ; street commissioner
David Lesuer ; city attorney, C. M. Start ; recorder, S. W. Eaton ; marshal
I. W. Simons ; poundmaster, I. W. Simons ; official paper, " City Post."
First Ward : Aldermen, C. H. Chadbourn, L. Walker ; justice, W. S. Booth
constable, Thomas Ireland.
Second Ward : Aldermen, Jacob Rickert, H. T. Horton ; justice, A. Blan-
chard ; constable, L. O. Benjamin.
Third Ward : Aldermen, A. Smith, John M. Cole ; justice, B. H. Ellison ;
constable, A. M. Enoch.
Board of Education : 0. P. Whitcomb, D. Lesuer, J. B. Clark, Horace
Cook, H. Galloway.
1867-8.
Mayor, 0. P. Stearns ; city justice, A. Blanchard ; treasurer, T. H. Titus ;
assessor, J. E. Ells ; surveyor, Horace E. Horton ; street commissioner, David
Chase ; city attorney, C. M. Start ; recorder, J. A. Austin ; marshal, W. H.
McLard ; poundmaster, W. H. McLard ; official paper, " Rochester Post."
First Ward : Aldermen, J. B. Clark, C. H. Chadbourn ; justice, L. L. Eaton ;
constable, Thomas Ireland.
Second Ward : Aldermen : C. C. Cole, Jacob Rickert ; justice, A. Blan-
chard; constable, L. O. Benjamin.
Third Ward : Aldermen, Samuel Whitten, A. Smith ; justice, N. N. Ham-
mond ; constable, B. H. Ellison.
Board of Education : C. H. Chadbourn, W. W. Mayo, 0. P. Whitcomb,
Horace Cook, D. Lesuer.
1868-9.
Mayor, L, B. Bliss ; city justice, A. Blanchard ; treasurer, T. H, Titus ; as-
sessor, J. V. Daniels; surveyor, H. E. Horton; city attorney, C. M. Start |
778 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
recorder^ J. A. Austin; marshal, L. O. Benjamin ; street commissioner, R. B.
Graham ; official paper, " Rochester Post."
First Ward : Aldermen, John B. Clark, G. C. Cook ; justice, George Stock-
ing ; constable, Thomas Ireland.
Second Ward : Aldermen, A. Gooding, C. C. Cole ; justice, A. Blanchard ;
constable, L. 0. Benjamin.
Third Ward : Aldermen, A. Harkins, Samuel Whitten ; justice, Wm. L,
Taylor ; constable, Gordon Smith.
Board of Education: O. P. Whitcomb, John B. Clark, C. H. Chadbourn,
W. W. Mayo, Horace Cook.
1869-70.
Mayor, Daniel Heaney ; city justice, A. Blanchard ; treasurer, T. H. Titus ;
assessor, R. H. Gove ; street commissioner, R. B. Graham ; surveyor, H. E.
Horton ; city attorney, John B. Allen ; recorder, Amos Hyatt ; marshal, L. 0.
Benjamin ; assistant marshal, Geo. Tilbury ; official paper, " Rochester Post."
First Ward : Aldermen, Geo. C. Cook ; J. P. Moulton ; justice, Geo. Stock-
ing ; constable, Thomas Ireland.
Second Ward : Aldermen, C. C. Cole, A. Gooding ; justice, A. Blanchard ;
constable, L. O. Benjamin.
Third Ward : Aldermen, A. Harkins, S. W. Eaton ; justice, J. H. Wright ;
constable, W. H. McLard.
Board of Education: S.'J. Barlow, Horace Cook, 0. P. Whitcomb, W. W.
Mayo, John B. Clark.
1870-1.
Mayor, F. T. Olds ; city justice, R. H. Gove ; treasurer, T. H." Titus ; assess-
or, James N. Coe; surveyor, H. E. Horton; city attorney, 0. P. Stearns;
recorder, Amos Hyatt; marshal, A. J. Wright; street commissioner, R. B.
Graham ; official paper, " Rochester Post."
First Ward : Aldermen, C. H. Kellogg, J. P. Moulton ; justice, L. L. Eaton ;
constable, E. T>. Cooper.
Second Ward : Aldermen, G. W. Van Dusen, C. C. Cole ; justice, R. H.
Gove ; constable, A. J. Wright.
Third Ward : Aldermen, H. J. Buttles, S. W. Eaton ; justice, Wm. L. Tay-
lor ; constable, W. H. McLard.
Board of education : E. W. Cross, John Edgar, John B. Clark, S. J. Bar-
low, Horace Cook.
1871-2.
Mayor, 0. P. Whitcomb ; city justice, R. H. Gove ; treasurer, T. H. Titus;
assessor, James N. Coe ; surveyor, H. E. Horton ; street commissioner, G. W.
Pugh ; city attorney, E. W. Denton; recorder, Chas. Shandrew; marshal, A. J,
Wright; assistant marshal, L. S. Howe ; official paper, "Rochester Post."
First Ward: Aldermen, T. L. Fishback, C. H. Kellogg; justice, L.L.Eaton;
constable, E. D. Cooper.
Second Ward: Aldermen, George Baihly, G. W. Van Dusen; justice, R. H.
Gove; constable, J. H. Wagoner.
Third Ward: Aldermen, Samuel Whitten, H. J. Buttles; justice, Wm. L.
Taylor; constable, W. H. McLard.
Board of education, J. P. Moulton, C. S. Younglove, John Edgar, E. W.
Cross, Horace Cook.
CASCADE TOWNSHIP. 779
1872-3.
Mayor, George W. Van Dusen; city justice, R. H. Gove; treasurer, M. J.
Daniels ; assessor, James N. Coe ; surveyor, George Healy ; street commis-
sioner, G. W. Pugh ; city attorney, Chas. M. Start; recorder, Chas. Shandrew ;
marshal, A. J. Wright ; assistant marshal, W. H. Lesuer ; oflScial paper, "Roches-
ter Post."
First Ward : Aldermen, C. A. Emerson, T. L. Fishback ; justice, L. L. Eaton ;
constable, E. D. Cooper.
Second Ward : Aldermen, W. H. Dodge, Geo. Baihly ; justice, R. H. Gove ;
constable, M. G. Denton.
Third Ward : Aldermen, H. A. Merrill, Samuel Whitten ; justice, B. H.
Whitney ; constable, W. H. McLard.
Board of education, E. W. Cross, John M. Cole, J. P. Moulton, John Edgar,
C. S. Younglove.
1873-4.
Mayor, D. H. Williams; city justice, R. H. Gove ; treasurer, C. H. Kellogg ;
assessor, James N. Coe ; street commissioner, G. ^Y. Pugh ; surveyor, H. E.
Horton; city attorney, C. T. Benedict; recorder, A. Hyatt; marshal, A. J.
Wright; assistant marshal, R. Porter ; official paper, "Minnesota Record."
First Ward : Aldermen, F. T. Olds, C. A. Emerson ; justice, L. L. Eaton ;
constable, G. C. Sherman.
Second Ward : Aldermen, J. D. Blake, W. H. Dodge ; justice, R. H. Gove ;
constable, Thomas McCabe.
Third Ward : Aldermen, W. M. Allyn, H. A. Merrill ; justice, B. H. Whit-
ney; constable, W. H. McLard.
Board of education, C. S. Younglove, W. C. Rice, E. W. Cross, John M.
Cole, J. P. Moulton.
1874-5.
Mayor, D. H. Williams; city justice, James George; treasurer, C. H. Kel-
logg ; assessor, Geo. C. Cook ; surveyor, H. E. Horton ; street commissioner,
E. McDowell ; city attorney, C. T. Benedict ; recorder, Amos Hyatt ; marshal,
A. J. Wright ; assistant marshals, John Chute, W. H. Lesuer, John Miller ; of-
ficial paper, " Rochester Post."
First Ward : Aldermen, A. Nelson, F. T. Olds ; justice, L. L. Eaton ; con-
stable, E. D. Cooper.
Second AVard : Aldermen, O. O. Baldwin, J. D. Blake ; justice, John W.
Campbell ; constable, T. O. McCabe.
Third Ward : Aldermen, Samuel Whitten, 0. Eddy ; justice, G. W. Pugh ;
constable, W. H. McLard.
Board of education, E. W. Cross, S. B. Clark, C. S. Younglove, W. C. Rice,
John M. Cole.
1875-6.
Mayor, D. A. Morrison ; city justice, James George ; treasurer, C. H. Kel-
logg; assessor, Geo. C. Cook; surveyor, H. E. Horton; street commissioner, E.
McDowell ; city attorney, H. A. Eckholdt ; recorder, Amos Hyatt ; marshal, A.
D. Robinson ; assistant marshals, John Chute, W. H. Lesuer, John Miller ; offi-
cial paper, " Rochester Post."
First Ward : Aldermen, S. H. Daniels, A. Nelson ; justice, L. L. Eaton ; con-
stable, E. D. Cooper.
780 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Second Ward : Aldermen, R. Cornforth, O. O. Baldwin ; justice, John W.
Campbell ; constable, none qualified.
Third Ward : Aldermen, N. B. Wilkins, Samuel Whitten ; justice, G. W.
Pugh ; constable, W. H. McLard.
Board of education, W. A. Allen, F. H. Allen, S. B. Clark, E. W. Cross,
W. C. Rice.
. 1876-7.
Mayor, D. A. Morrison ; city justice, James George ; treasurer, J. Bonham ;
assessor. Geo. C. Cook ; survej^or, George Healy ; street commissioner, D. Pat-
terson ; city attorney, H. A. Eckholdt ; recorder, T. H. Bliss ; marshal, A. D.
Robinson ; assistant marshals, W. H. Lesuer, George Tilbury, John Miller ;
official paper, "Rochester Post "
First Ward: Aldermen, Amos Hyatt, S. H. Daniels; justice, L. L. Eaton;
constable, E. D. Cooper.
Second Ward: Aldermen, Wm. Wood, R. Cornforth ; justice, James George;
constable, George C. Sherman.
Third Ward: Aldermen, Samuel Whitten, N. B. Wilkins; justice, S. W.
Eaton ; constable, W. H. McLard.
Board of education, W. A. Allen, W. C. Rice, S. B. Clark, A. Harkins, F. H.
Allen.
Board of health, N. B. Wilkins, Dr. E. W. Cross, Dr. G. W. Nichols.
For license, 481 ; against, 441 ; majority for, 40.
1877-8.
Mayor, D. A. Morrison ; city justice, James George ; treasurer, J. Bonham ;
assessor, Geo. C. Cook; surveyor, Thomas Hunter; street commissioner, D.
Patterson ; city attorney, R. H. Gove ; recorder, A. B. Olds ; marshal, Henry
Kalb ; assistant marshals, W. H. Lesuer, George Tilbury, John Miller ; official
paper, " Rochester Post."
First Ward : Aldermen, Amos Hyatt, A. D. Vedder ; justice, L. L. Eaton ;
constable, George C. Sherman.
Second Ward : Aldermen, C. H. Morrill, A. M. Ellithorp ; justice, James
George ; constable, Ray Fankhauser.
Third Ward : Aldermen, Sam'l Whitten, Jerry Harrington ; justice, S. W
Eaton ; constable, W. H. McLard.
Board of education, W. A. Allen, W. C. Rice, S. B. Clark, A. Harkins, F.
H. Allen.
For license, 500 ; against, 583 ; majority against, 83.
1878-9.
Mayor, D. H. Williams ; city justice, L. L. Eaton ; treasurer, H. I. A. Hol-
men; assessor, George C. Cook; surveyor, George Healy; street commis-
sioner, A. J. Wright; city attorney, F. B. Kellogg; recorder, A. B. Olds; mar-
shal, Henry Kalb ; assistant marshals, R. J. Fitzgerald, George Tilbury, John
Miller, R. B. Clark ; official paper, " Rochester Post."
First Ward: Aldermen, A. D. Vedder, Thomas Brooks; justice, L. L. Eaton ;
constable, Geo. C. Sherman.
Second Ward: Aldermen, A. M. Ellithorp, Moses Hurd; justice, James
George ; constable, Ray Fankhauser.
^^
IV
JOHNI W. FULKERSON
CASCADE TOWNSHIP. 783
Third Ward : Aldermen, Samuel Whitten, G.W. Pugh ; 'justice, S. W. Eaton ;
Constable, W. H. McLard.
Board of education, P. L. Dansingburg, W. C. Rice, S. B. Clark, A. Harkins,
Horace Cook.
For license, 699 ; against, 464; majority for, 235.
1879-80.
Mayor, L. E. Cowdery ; city justice, L. L. Eaton ; treasurer, H. I. A. Hol-
men; assessor, Geo. C. Cook; surveyor, George Healy; street commissioner,
A. J.Wright; city attorney, F. B. Kellogg ; recorder, Thos. W. Neville ; marshal,
Henry Kalb ; assistant marshals, Christ. Olson, Geo. Tilbury, W. H. Lesuer,
John Miller ; official paper, " Rochester Post."
First Ward:. Aldermen, Thomas Brooks, A. Nelson; justice, L. L. Eaton;
constable, Geo. C. Sherman.
Second Ward : Aldermen, Moses Hurd, O. S. Porter ; justice, James George ;
constable, Ray Fankhauser.
Third Ward: Aldermen, Samuel Whitten, N. J. Shannon; justice, S. W.
Eaton; constable, W. H. McLard.
Board of education, C. M. Start, P. L. Dansingburg, G. L. M. Gjertsen, S.
B. Clark, Horace Cook.
For license, 588; against, 471 ; majority for, 117.
1880-1.
Mayor, Samuel Whitten; city justice, S. W. Eaton; treasurer, H. I. A.
Holmen ; assessor, Geo. C. Cook ; surveyor, Thomas Hunter ; street commis-
sioner, A. J. Wright ; city attorney, F. B. Kellogg ; recorder, R. J. Montague,
marshal, Henry Kalb ; assistant marshals, W. H. Lesuer, John Sullivan, H.
Loomis, George Tilbury ; official paper, " Rochester Post."
First Ward : Aldermen, F. T. Olds, A. Nelson ; justice, Robt. Maffett ;
constable, Wm. Elliott.
Second Ward : Aldermen, C. Van Campen, 0. S. Porter ; justice, L. 0.
Benjamin ; constable, J. H. Wagoner.
Third Ward : Aldermen, L. Price, N. J. Shannon ; justice, S. W. Eaton ;
constable, N. Cole.
Board of Education : P. L. Dansingburg, C. C. Willson, G. L. M. Gjertsen,
M. J. Daniels, Horace Cook.
For license, 559 ; against, 320 ; majority for, 239.
1881-2.
Mayor, Samuel Whitten ; city justice, S. W. Eaton ; treasurer, H. I. A.
Holmen ; assessor, Geo. C. Cook ; surveyor, Thomas Hunter ; street commis-
sioner, J. H. Wagoner; city attorney, W. Logan Brackenridge ; recorder, Burt
W. Eaton ; marshal, Henry Kalb ; assistant marshals, Horace Loomis, John
Posz, W. H. Lesuer, John Miller, John Sullivan, A. T. Robinson ; official jDaper,
"Rochester Post."
First Ward: Aldermen, F. T. Olds, Amos Hyatt; justice, Robt. Maffett;
constable, Geo. C. Sherman.
Second Ward : Aldermen, C. Van Campen, A. T. Stebbins ; justice, L, O.
Benjamin ; constable, none qualified.
47
784 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Third Ward : Aldermen, L. Price, N. Shannon ; justice, S. W. Eaton; con-
stable, W. H. McLard.
Board of Education : T. L. Fishback, P. L. Dansingburg, M. J. Daniels, G.
L. M. Gjertsen, F. H. Allen.
For license, 530 ; against, 284 ; majority for, 246.
1882-3.
Mayor, W. W. Mayo ; city justice, L. 0. Benjamin ; treasurer, J. Bonham ;
assessor, Geo. C. Cook ; surveyor, Thomas Hunter ; street commissioner, Chas.
Streeter; city attorney, W. Logan Brackenridge ; city recorder, Burt W.
Eaton ; marshal, Henry Kalb ; assistant marshals, W. H. Lesuer, John Posz,
John Miller, John Sullivan, A. T. Robinson; official paper, "Record and
Union."
First Ward : Aldermen, Amos Hyatt, Henry Schuster ; justice, L. L. Eaton ;
constable, Geo. C. Sherman.
Second Ward: Aldermen, A. T. Stebbins, O. Olsen; justice, L. O. Benja-
min.
Third Ward : Aldermen, John Shannon, E. Chapman ; justice, S. W. Eaton 5
constable, D. Wetherby.
Board of Education: T. L. Fishback, W. H. Dodge, M. J. Daniels, F. H.
Allen, S. B. Howe.
No vote on license.
■ . The following list of county officers was received after that por-
tion of the book for which it was designed had been printed, and it
is therefore inserted here as being the most appropriate place now
available. — Ed.
JUDGES OF* THE DISTRICT COURT.
The first term of the district court was held by Hon. William H.
Welch, then chief-justice- of the supreme court of the Territory of
Minnesota, at the American Hotel, June 23, 1856.
The first term of the district court of the third judicial district of
the State of Minnesota for Olmsted county was held by Hon.
Thomas Wilson, judge of the district court for that district, October
20, 1858. He was elected as such judge at the October election in
1857, and held the office until 1864, when he was appointed chief
justice of the supreme court of the state. In 1864 Hon. Lloyd
Barber, then of Rochester, was appointed judge of that district, and
elected to the same office at the November election in 1864. He
held the office the full term until January 1, 1872. Hon. Chauncey
N. Waterman was elected to that office in November, 1871. He
held the office from January 1, 1872, until his death, February 17,
1873. Hon. John Yan Dyke was appointed his successor, and
held the office until January 1, 1874. Hon. William Mitchell was
CASCADE TOWNSHIP. 785
elected to the office in November, 1873 ; held the office a full term,
from January 1, 1874, to January 1, 1881 ; was re-elected in No-
vember, 1880; continued in office until^his appointment as one of the
associate judges of the supreme court, March 12, 1881. Hon.
Charles M. Start, of Eochester, was appointed his successor ; was
elected in November, 1881, and still holds the office.
JUDGES OF THE PROBATE COURT.
Keuben Ottman, of Oronoco, held the office from the organiza-
tion of Olmsted county, in 1855, until January 1, 1856 ; Hiram
Thompson, from January 1, 1856, to January 1, 1858 ; Moses W.
Fay, from January 1, 1858, to January 1, 1860 ; Hiram Thompson,
from January 1, 1860, to January 1, 1864 ; Moses W. Fay, from
January 1, 1864, to January 1, 1866 ; Reuben Reynolds, from
January 1, 1866, to January 1, 1870 ; S. W. Eaton, from January
1, 1870, to January 1, 1874 ; John W. Fulkerson, from January 1,
1874, to January 1, 1878 ; Daniel S. Hibbard, from January 1,
1878, to January 1, 1879 ; Henry C. Butler, from January 1, 1879,
to the present time.
DISTRICT ATTORNEYS AND COUNTY ATTORNEYS.
Hon. Elza A. McMahon was appointed district attorney June 28,
1856, and held the office until January 1, 1858 ; Samuel Cole, of
Winona, was elected prosecuting attorney of the third judicial dis-
trict in October, 1857, and held the office fi^om May 11, 1858, until
January 1, 1860; Stiles P. Jones was appointed county attorney
January 7, 1859, and held the office until January 1, 1860 ; Hon.
Joseph A. Leonard was county attorney from January 1, 1860, to
January 1, 1862 ; Hon. Ozoro P. Stearns, from January 1, 1862, to
January 1, 1863 ; Hon. Lloyd Barber, from January 1, 1863, to
the time of his appointment as judge in 1864 ; O. O. Baldwin, from
January 1, 1865, to January 1, 1866 ; Hon. Ozoro P. Stearns, from
January 1, 1866, to January 1, 1868 ; Hon. Charles M. Start, from
January 1, 1868, to January 1, 1876 ; Henry C. Butler, from Jan-
uary 1, 1876, to January 1, 1878 ; Halfton A. Eckholdt, from
January 1, 1878, to January 1, 1882; Frank B. Kellogg, from
January 1, 1882, to the present time.
CHAPTEE XII.
FIRE AND OTHEE MATTERS.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
In July, 1570, the fire-engine known as the Little Giant was
purchased at a cost of $9,500. In October of the same year the
engine-house was completed. The building is situated on the mill-
race south of Olds & Fishback's mill ; a solid stone wall on either
side of the race gives it a solid foundation, over an exhaustless
supply of water.
The organization of the fire department was delayed by difiicul-
ties usually encountered by public enterprises until December, 1870.
The engine company, as first organized, consisted of the following
named ofiicers and members : Geo. C. Cook, foreman ; S. H.
Daniels, first assistant ; Henry Schuster, second assistant ; Oscar
Cobb, secretary, and the following members : W. G. Bartley, J. W.
Everstine, Jacob Joest, H. M. Kellog, Henry Lawshee, A. Ozmun,
Charles Whitney, C. H. Chadbourne, Oscar Cobb, George Bunce,
Mat. Markham, JSTath. Cross, Chas. Rommell, L. Harris, E. W.
Crocker, J, H. Groesbeck, George W. Yan Dusen, O. P. Stearns,
Chas. Shandrew, J. P. Moulton, Henry Kalb, Wm. Eaton, Wm.
Brown, Dan Markham, Stephen Ives, and E. D. Swartwood.
A separate company was organized to take charge of each
hose carriage. The Night Hawk Hose Company elected the
following ofiicers : C. H. Kellogg, foreman ; George E. Leonard, first
assistant ; Amos Hyat, second assistant, C. H. Bliss, secretary.
The Turner Hose Company elected G. Hargesheimer, foreman ; J.
Levy, first assistant ; J. Brendemuehl, second assistant ; John
Timm, secretary. The Independent Hose Company elected E.
D. Cooper, foreman ; G. "W. Graves, first assistant ; F. T. Olds,
second assistant ; T. L. Fishback, secretary.
The present officers are as follows : Thomas P. Hall, chief of
department ; Chas. Streeter, chief engineer ; Wilson, assistant.
Engine Co. : E. D. Swartwood, foreman ; Henry Schuster, assistant
foreman ; Chas. Crandall, secretary ; Henry Kalb, treasurer.
Hose Co. No. 1 : Amos Hyatt, foreman ; J. Egel, first assistant
FIEE AND OTHER MATTERS. 787
foreman ; K. Riebe, secretary ; William Searls, treasurer. Hose
No. 2 : Charles Steward, foreman ; J. W. Baililey, first assistant
foreman ; Charles Chadburne, second assistant ; William Smith,
secretary ; Fred Van Duesen, treasurer. Hose No. 3 : Jacob
Wagnor, foreman ; John Hoocks, first assistant foreman ; Harry
Phelps, second assistant foreman ; Fred Rommel, secretary ;
O. C. Backer, treasurer. Alert Hook and Ladder Co. : Fred
Wagner, foreman ; L. Kelly, secretary and treasurer. Tiger Hook
and Ladder Co. : Chas. Wedge, foreman ; W. S. Parker, first
assistant ; F. Reek, second assistant ; Fred Manley, secretary and
treasurer.
BOARD OF TRADE.
/ In September, 1881, a meeting of the business men of Rochester
was held at the Cook House for the purpose of organizing a body
by the above name, and the following named ofiicers elected : A.
Ozmun, president ; F. T. Olds, first vice-president ; E. Damon,
second vice-president ; John W. Booth, secretary ; A. T. Stebbins,
secretary.
The object of the organization will be understood from the fol-
lowing preamble : ' ' The business men of the city of Rochester having
a desire to promote just and equitable principles in trade, to discover
and correct abuses, to unite the community for the purpose of ad-
vancing and increasing the mercantile, manufacturing, shipping and
other interests, of the city of Rochester, to acquire, preserve and
disseminate valuable information, and to promote the interests of
our city, do hereby adopt the following constitution," etc.
After the organization of the board, the following standing com-
mittees were elected: 1. A committee of five on manufactories. 2.
A committee of three on city and county afi'airs. 3. A committee of
three on state of trade. 4. A committee of three on legislation. 5.
A committee of five on transportation and routes. 6. A committee
of four on agriculture. 7. A committee of three on educational
interests. 8. A committee of five on public buildings and parks.
9. A committee of three on finance. 10. A committee on membership.
The present ofiicers are as follows : E. Damon, president ; C. H.
Roberts, vice-president ; H. T. Hannon, secretary ; M. J. Daniels,
treasiu-er.
CRIME AND CASUALITY.
The first tragedy committed in Rochester occurred in the spring
of 1858. A man named Ashenhurst was stabbed, from the eflfects
788 HISTOEY OF OLMSTED COm^^TY.
of which he died. A saloon located near the present site of Rom-
mell's meat market was the scene of the tragedy.
In March, 1866, the First IS^ational Bank was entered by bur-
glars, during the absence of the gentleman who usually slept there,
the safe door blown off and about two thousand dollars in gold
and currency taken. The robbers were captured shortly afterward
by sheriff Loomis.
On the morning of January 26, 1867, a man named Delano
walked into a drug store and purchased some strychnine, after which
he went to his shop on Zumbro street and swallowed the poison.
He was taken to the Stephens House, where he boarded, and
Dr. Mayo summoned to attend him. By the time that gentleman
reached him, however, he was found to be beyond human aid, and
death soon overtook him.
On the night of February 12, 1867, some burglars entered the
court-house by forcing open the east door. They entered the treas-
urers' office and blew open the safe, securing about fifty dollars in
money. The drawers of the safe, containing several thousand dol-
lars' worth of valuable papers, were afterward found secreted in a
wood-pile near the building.
On Saturday night, February 27, 1869, a man lying sick with
smallpox at Denrick's Hotel escaped from liis nurse and jumped
into the Zumbro river, below Cole's mill. The body was found
some days after lodged under the ice. The name of the unfortunate
man was Hamilton. He had been in Rochester but a short time,
during which he was engaged in various pursuits.
In August, 1866, tlie Zumbro river was swollen by continuous
rains. On Sunday night, the 5th, and Monday the 6th, the stream
rose with unusual rapidity. On the 7th, from four till seven
o'clock, it rose more rapidly than was ever known. It was trans-
formed from a rippling brook to a mad rushing torrent carrying
every movable thing before it. Several families living on the
flat west of the river experienced a very narrow escape. They
were aroused at four o'clock in the morning by the seething flood
that by that time had reached a depth of over a foot in their
dwellings. Being cut off from the mainland, they climbed trees.
One little oak afforded a place of refuge for a Mr. Carrol and
family, consisting of five persons, a Mr. Sullivan, his wife and two
children, a Mr. and Mrs. Williamson and their daughter. A few
hours later, however, they were seen and rescued from their perilous
FIRE AND OTHER MATTERS. 789
position. Most of the houses in east Rochester were deserted. The
new pier for College-street bridge was struck by the wreck of another
bridge, being carried down on the bosom of the angry flood and
nearly ruined. The outside of Olds' millrace and bulkhead was
badly washed, and Cole's race also sustained considerable damage.
Elsewhere the damage and loss of property was great.
In August, 1869, the Wabasha stage left the stage-house in
Rochester en route for the former named city. A boy named
August Menot was driving, and Mr. Nathaniel Wentworth, of
Plainview, was a passenger. On reaching Silver creek they found
that stream terribly swollen from heavy rains on the previous nights.
The boy drove upon the bridge, but, on seeing the angry flood
beyond, decided not to cross. Mr. Wentworth, however, insisted
upon making the attempt, and, seizing the lines, urged the horses
into the rushing torrent. The horses immediately went beyond
their depth, and with the stage were born rapidly down stream.
The boy in the meantime clung to the seat, which had been washed
ofl", and, with the mail-bag in his hand, succeeded in reaching the
shore: Mr. Wentworth was carried down stream for some distance,
and finally sank to rise no more, fhe horses were also drowned.
On June 22, 1871, a white boy named Stephens, employed at
the Climax barber-shop, shot and killed a negro named James
Willis. On the following February Stephens was sent to the
penitentiary for a term of four years and three months.
On the night of February 28, 187T, the residence of James
Fitzpatrick was entered by burglars, and among other articles stolen
were some very valuable papers, amounting in all to several
thousand dollars.
On the night of April 24 he was aroused from his slumbers by
a loud knock at his door. On answering the summons he stood
face to face with a tall muscular man, who asked him to come out.
He refused to do so and the midnight visitor stepped in at the door
and began at once to disclose the object of his visit. He stated
that he had been employed by the parties who had entered
Fitzpatrick's house, to ascertain how much he would give for the
return of the valuable papers taken. The terms wei-e agreed upon,
and a place of meeting selected where the bargain was to be
consummated. The spot named was on the Salem road near Stenger's
centennial beer-garden, and the time, ten o'clock on the following
day. Early the following morning, Fitzpatrick went to county
790 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUIfTY.
attorney Start and sheriff Ellison, informing them of facts detailed
above, and long before the appointed hour these gentlemen, with
one or two others, was secreted near the spot where the strange
interview was to take place. Fitzpatrick started out on foot and
alone, as per agreement, and met his strange visitor, who had hidden
among the trees a hundred rods nearer town than the place agreed
upon. The missing papers were produced, and a part of the money
was in the robber's hands when sheriff Ellison came driving down
the road. At this juncture Fitzpatrick cried out ' ' Thief ! thief ! take
him ! " but in an instant the wary robber rushed through the trees
and underbrush and was soon lost from view. In spite of the
effort of his pursuers he eluded them and has never been captured.
He exhibited great cunning in changing the place of meeting, as it
completely nonplused the officers.
In the early part of June, 1879, the city of Owatonna was visited
by a gang of burglars. On Thursday night two of them stopped at
a private boarding-house in Kasson, where they were arrested ; one
of them, however, escaped. Saturday night village marshal P. J.
Schwarg, of Kasson, who had " spotted " one of the gang, followed
him to Rochester, reaching here at four o'clock Sunday morning.
Finding marshal Kalb, he informed him of his errand, and that his
man was at the Norton House. Schwarg went to the Winona House,
while Kalb immediately started for the Norton House to make the
arrest. Meeting the thief at the dining-room door, he quietly in-
formed him that he wished to see him down town on important
business. Looking up quickly the man asked, " Are you an officer? "
Being answered in the affirmative, he walked along with the marshal
chatting very pleasantly until they reached the corner of Broadway
and Fifth streets, when instead of turning toward the Winona House
he advanced a few steps down Broadway and, turning quickly, pre-
sented a cocked revolver at the marshal's face, saying, " You go ! "
The sentence was very concise, but, emphasized by a gleaming
weapon and a cool, wicked eye behind it, was full of meaning.
The marshal quickly reached for his revolver ; as he did so the
burglar fired, the ball grazing the officer's cheek. Kalb returned
the compliment, but missed his aim. The thief started to run
around the corner of Mueller's grocery and stumbled over a bench.
Kalb followed him, and the thief, still on his knees, with his back to
the officer, fired again, but, owing to his position when pulling the
trigger, the ball went wide of its mark. Almost simultaneously with
FIRE AND OTHER MATTERS. 791
this report another rang out, and a ball from Kalb's pistol penetrated
the body of the bandit, entering at the shoulder. He tried to rise,
but with blood gushing from his mouth and nostrils fell back, and
in a moment was dead. Thus ended the career of Dan Ganej, a
cutthroat and gambler.
On the body of the thief was found a pioneer revolver, 38-calibre,
a gold hunting-case watch, stolen at Owatonna, some burglars' tools
and some valuable jewelry belonging to Hon. C. K, Davis, of St.
Paul, which had been stolen from his house some weeks before. His
home was found to be in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, where a widowed
mother and other relatives reside. Shortly after the occurrence the
citizens of Rochester presented the marshal with a handsome gold
watch, as a token of their appreciation of his bravery.
On the morning of October 24,
College street, near Broadway, belonging to Mr. A. Lasuer, was
consumed by fire. Loss, five thousand dollars, with no insurance.
On Friday, February 24, 1868, a two-story frame building on
College street, belonging to Mrs. Olds, was burned. Loss, $2,000,
and no insurance.
On the night of January 17, 1870, a fire broke out in Koons-
muller's boot and shoe store, on the west side of Broadway, which
proved very disastrous, five stores being devoured by the destroying
element before it stopped in its career. The losses, as near as can
be ascertained, were as follows : Koonsmuller's boot and shoe store,
property destroyed to amount of $15,000, insurance $9,000 ; Crocker
& Younglove, grocers, stock $6,000, insurance $3,500, loss on build-
ing $500 ; Holliday, confectionery, loss $500, no insurance ; Ozmun
& Sons, hardware, stock $20,000, with $14,500 insurance, loss on
building $3,000, insurance $1,000; E. Damon & Co., jewelry, stock
$5,000, but mostly saved, loss on building $1,500.
On the night of April 3, 1870, a row of frame buildings known
as Leland's block, were destroyed by fire, which originated in Chute's
saloon. Loss on building was $3,000 to $4,000, and about the same
on goods.
On April 16, 1871, the American House took fire and was
burned to the ground. Goodell & Hammond were at that time
proprietors. The loss on building was estimated at $6,000, insur-
ance $3,600.
792 HISTOKY OF OLMSTED COUJSTTY.
April 25, 1871, the brewery belonging to Henry Scbuster, was
burned. Loss $6,000, insurance $4,200. Before the smoke had
ceased to ascend from the ruins, however, Mr. Schuster had begun
work on a new building, which he now occupies.
On Friday, June 13, 1873, a livery stable on College street,
owned by Cook Bros., together with a large amount of fixtures and
five head of horses, was burned. Their loss footed up about $5,000
and the property was not insured.
On the night of September 19, 1875, Cascade brewery, located
in the northeastern part of town, was destroyed by fire. The loss
being about $2, 500, a little over half of which was covered by in-
surance. The property was owned by Mrs. ]^euffer.
On the morning of February 27, 1876, a blacksmith-shop and a
restaurant adjoining were burned. The former was owned by
Hohler Bros., and the latter by Remondino. Entire loss, $3,500.
The Stephens House, located on Main street, was the next build-
ing destroyed by the fire-fiend. The loss was $3,000 to $4,000,
and insurance $1,500. Peirson & Slaven were proprietors.
On September 3, 1878, a fire broke out in David Lasuer's old
store building on Broadway, which destroyed that and three adjoin-
ing buildings, belonging respectively to Moses Tyler, Eommell
Bros, and Thomas Hunter.
On February 12, 1879, the livery stable belonging to Henry
Clarke, in north Rochester, was burned, together with eight valuable
horses. Loss $3,000, no insurance.
May 4, 1880, a building belonging to George Stoppel was
burned. Loss $800, no insurance.
On April 26, 1882, three frame buildings on the west side of
Broadway, near College street, owned by Horace A. Brown, and a
double wooden structure known as the Mair block, were burned.
On June 30, 1883, the Bradley House, located on the south
side of College street, east of the Zumbro, and occupied by Horace
Loomis, was consumed by fire. The building belonged to the Brad-
ley estate, and was insured for $1,500. The kitchen of this build-
ing (the blackened logs of which were still visible after the tire)
once constituted an entire hotel, having been erected for that pur-
pose by Albert Stevens in 1855.
MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.
Manufacturing is as yet in its infancy in Rochester, but with the
great lumbering district on the north, with rich farming country on
FERE AND OTHER MATTERS. 793
every hand, with good facilities for transportation and with good
water-power, we see no reason why she should not in the future take
a prominent place among the manufacturing towns of Minnesota.
Prominent among the manufactories at present existing are the
Zumbro mills; John M. Cole, proprietor. This mill was erected in
1879, being -iS X 76 in size, and 75 feet in height ; capacity, 200 bar-
rels per 24: hours. Twelve men are employed to operate it. The
institution is supplied with all the modern improvements in ma-
chinery, and the proprietor is at present putting in a Harris-Corliss
engine, which will double the power and capacity of the mill.
The large stone mill owned by Olds & Fishback was erected in
1857, being one of the first in the county. The building is 46x72
in size, and three stories high. The capacity of this mill is about
one hundred barrels per day.
The cockle mill factory promises to become a very important
acquisition to the manufacturing interests of Rochester, LaDue &
King are the proprietors.
The only planing mill in the city is owned by Buttles & Kepner,
on South Broadway.
Oleson & Larsen, proprietors of the Northwestern AVagon
Works, are doing a thriving business in their line. The works were
established in 1868. The building is 75X46 in size, three stories
high, built of stone, and cost $7,000. These gentlemen employ
twelve to fifteen men, and manufacture about one hundred lumber
wagons, and fifty spring wagons and buggies per year.
The Cascade mills owned by Lyman Tondro are located in the
northern part of the town, and are doing a prosperous business.
On Bear creek, about one mile from the center of the city are the
woolen mills owned by Joseph Alexander. They were established
in 1872. The cost of the machinery now in use was about $6,000.
The mills are operated about seven months in the year, and convert
into blankets, flannels and stockings about one hundred pounds of
wool per day.
T. P. Hall & Co. are doing a good business in wagon and
carriage making. Henry Schuster, proprietor of Rochester Brewery,
is also doing well. Besides the above-named enterprises there are
two machine shops, and a number of smaller enterprises which lack
of space forbids lis to mention.
CHAPTER XIII.
CHURCHES.
Congregational Church. — The site where Rochester now stands
was first visited bj white people, with a view to settlement, in
the spring of 1854. The first public religious service was held
in December of the same year.
About the middle of January, 1855, Rev. Robert Welch, a Free
Will Baptist minister, came to Rochester and preached most of the
time till about the middle of the June following, when Rev. Reuben
Reynolds, a Congregational minister, from Michigan, came into the
place, and the meetings were given up to him. Mr. Thomas Tait, a
licensed Congregational preacher from Scotland, and Mr. E. C.
Burnham, also a Congregational licentiate, occasionally shared the
labor of preaching with Mr. Reynolds.
The first movement toward the organization of a Congregational
church in Rochester was begun soon after the arrival of Mr.
Reynolds ; but he, having adopted principles that were not con-
sidered evangelical, and endeavoring to establish the proposed
church on what was claimed as the " Broad Basis," failed to unite
the Congregational interest in the movement.
A society was, however, formed under his lead, which was called
"The First Congregational Church and Society of Rochester."
This was in the summer of 1857. About the first of September of
that year. Rev. Elias Clark came to Rochester, under the auspices of
the American Home Missionary Society, and took charge of the
Congregational interest in the place.
Soon after Mr. Clark came it was decided to proceed with-
out regard to any previous organization, and form a church that
should be in doctrinal fellowship and sympathy with the ortho-
dox Congregational churches of the country. Accordingly, on Jan-
uary 3, 1858, a meeting was held in a log schoolhouse, which stood
some twenty rods southeast from College-street bridge, and the pres-
ent Congregational church of Rochester, consisting of twelve mem-
bers, was duly organized.
Rev. Mr. Clark continued preaching regularly to the church and
CHIIECHES. ' 795
congregation, until September, 1860, when he removed to another
field.
From that time till February 1, 1861, the church had only occa-
sional preaching. From the 1st of February Rev. H. H. Morgan
supplied the church for three months. In June of the same
year Mr. J. S. Whitman, then recently licensed to preach, was
engaged to supply the pulpit. He was ordained to the work of the
ministry September 8, 1861, and continued in charge of the church
until May, 1862, when he was called to labor elsewhere.
The church was without regular preaching from this time till the
15th of November in the same year, when Rev. William R. Stevens
commenced labor as acting pastor of the church, which place he
continued to fill till the middle of November, 1866, when his health
failed, and he was obliged to relinquish his work. From tliis
time he steadily and rapidly declined, till he entered peacetully into
his rest, January 15, 1867.
Immediately after the close of Mr. Stevens' labor — November
1866 — the church employed Rev. A. Fuller as stated supply, which
place he regularly filled till October 8, 1867, when he was installed
the first pastor of the church.
This ofiice he occupied till July 1, 1874, when he resigned
to enter the foreign missionary work.
Rev. N. C. Chapin followed. He was called August 1,
1874, and acted as pastor of the church till January 26, 1876, when
he resigned.
After Mr. Chapin's removal, the church was without a pastor,
until the coming of Rev. Geo. P. Blanch ard, in January, 1877. Mr.
Blanchard was installed pastor of the church, July 11, 1877,
and continued to discharge the duties of that ofiice until his resigna-
tion, July 1, 1879.
In October following the church extended a call to Rev J.
W. Bradshaw, who entered upon his duties December 14, 1879.
On June 29, 1880, Mr. Bradshaw was regularly installed as
pastor, which office he continues to fill.
The first religious meetings, of which mention has been made,
were held in the log dwelling-house — also used as a tavern — of Mr.
George Head. The house stood on the south side of College street,
where Broadway now is. Meetings were also held about this time,
in the house of Mr. Robert Welch, above named.
Some time in the summer of 1855 meetings began to be held in
796 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
the new log schoolliouse, which stood some twenty rods south-
east irora College-street bridge. This was the regular place of
meeting until December, 1857, when the basement of the (then)
new court-house (now the Broadway House, standing on the west
side of Broadway, near the railroad ) was so far completed as to be
occupied for that purpose. From? about that time, the church
continued to occupy the court-house for regular meetings, until
its own house of worship was so far completed as to be used for that
purpose.
The work of church building was begun in the summer of
1863.
A contribution, amounting to about $1,500, was made by the
friends of the enterprise in Rochester, and the acting pastor of the
church. Rev. W. R. Stevens, went east to solicit aid in the work,
and succeeded in obtaining about $1,700, besides a pledge of $500
from the Congregational Union, to pay last bills. This, it was be-
lieved, was sufficient to secure the completion of the house, with the
aid of a further contribution, which it was proposed to solicit in
Rochester.
Accordingly two lots were purchased, on the corner of Franklin
and Zumbro streets, the foundation of the church laid, and the walls
partially erected.
In the spring of 1864 the work was renewed, and the walls com-
pleted ; but before the building was secured by a roof, a tornado
swept over the town, and left the work in ruins.
By this calamity the society incurred a direct loss of about $1,500;
but as the price of labor and building material were more than
doubled at this time, on account of the war, the rebuilding of the
walls necessitated an increased expenditure of about $4,000. The
discouragement of the society in these circumstances cannot easily
be realized.
It was, however, at once resolved that the work must go on, and
Mr. Stevens once more went east to solicit aid, and again succeeded
in raising about $1,700. With this and the additional money raised
in the town, the building was inclosed, and was first used for reli-
gious service though in a very, unfinished state, some time in De-
cember of 1864. In the following year money was contributed and
borrowed, so that the building was nearly completed. It was not,
however, fully furnished until the fall of 1866.
The entire cost of the building, including $400 expended by the
CHURCHES. 797
ladies in upholstering and furnishing, was not far from $9,500. Of
this sum something over $3,300 had been received from abroad, and
$500 more were pledged to pay last bills ; leaving about $5,700
raised, and to be raised by the society in Rochester,
In December, 1866, the whole indebtedness of the society, includ-
ing accumulated interest, was found to be nearly $2,500, besides the
amount covered by the pledge of the Congregational Union.
It had also become necessary for the church to relinquish the aid,
which it had hitherto received from the American Home Missionary
Society, and to assume the entire support of its pastor. After a hard
struggle this was finally accomplished, and. the church building was
dedicated free from incumbrance, in January, 1867. Subsequently
it was found necessary to make some improvements, and to provide
for other liabilities of the society ; so that during the year 1868, a
mortgage of $1,200 was put up on the house, which was removed
in January, 1872, and the church is at present without incum-
brance.
The growth of the church, for the greater part of the time since
its organization, has been constant and healthful.
No very extensive revivals have been enjoyed by the church,
though there were seasons of marked interest, and a good number
of conversions during each of the years 1866, 1867, 1869, 1872 and
1873. The church, during its history, has received 326 members,
122 by profession and 204 by letter. Its present membership is
151.
The Sunday-school, early established in connection with the
church, has had an interesting history. Its growth has been en-
couraging, and it has contributed greatly to the progress of the
church. From among its members have come many of those who
have united with the church on confession of their faith.
The school at present has about 100 scholars and 16 teachers, and
is in a prosperous condition.
Protestant Episcopal Church. — The first services of the Episcopal
Church were held in Rochester, by Bishop Kemper, in the summer
of 1858. Rev. D. P. Sanford visited Rochester and held services
and administered the holy communion to five or six communicants,
in Morton Hall, January 2, 18'59. Calvary parish, the present name
of the church society, was organized under Rev. Chas. Woodward,
missionary in charge, June 7, 1860. In 1861 he secured five lots on
Zumbro street for a site, and in the fall of 1862 the corner stone of
798 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Calvary chapel was laid by him, and a brick edifice built in the
following year, which was finally completed and consecrated by
Bishop Whipple, in January, 1866. Rev. Mr. Woodward con-
tinued his faithful labors^ until the following summer, when he
resigned. He was succeeded by Rev. W. J. Johnstone, a very
popular preacher, under whom the church was enlarged, incurring a
large debt. During the enlargement of the building lie resigned,
and the heavy debt was continued for years, until finally discharged
through the indefatigable labors of the ladies' aid society of the
parish. The following succeeded Rev. Mr. Johnstone as rectors,
each serving their terms, faithfully : Rev. David P. Sanford took
charge March 13, 1869, resigned July 10, 1870; Rev. A. Spor took
charge August 15, 1870, resigned June 30, 1872 ; Rev. A. W. Sea-
brease took charge May 1, 1872, resigned March 27, 1875 ; Rev. J.
F. Walker took charge May 30, 1875, resigned September 24, 1876;
Rev. J. K. Karchor took charge September 16, 1877, resigned Sep-
tember 15, 1878; Rev. Chas. I. Goer, took charge December 1, 1878,
resigned March 1, 1882. The parish has lost many members by
removals elsewhere, but is still a live parish, having the active sup-
port of a noble band of workers in the Ladies' Parish Aid Society,
and its future assured by a faithful, zealous Sunday-school.
First Presbyterian Church.— In the fall of 1858 Rev. D. C.
Lyon settled in Winona, and during the following summer the Rev.
Sheldon Jackson moved to La Crescent, Houston county. These
two ministers, with Rev. Harvey Chapin, at Owatonna, were the
pioneers of the Old School Presbyterian church in southern Min-
nesota. It was during a missionary tour that Mr. Jackson reached
Rochester, on January 27, 1861. Finding a few who had been con-
nected with Presbyterian churches in other places he agreed to re-
main and preach for them on the following Sabbath. The services
were held in the old court-house.
On February 9 Rev. J. C. Caldwell, missionary for the synod of
St. Paul, visited the place and preached on the following sabbath.
Learning that Mr. Jackson was to return that week, he remained,
and on the arrival of Mr. Jackson, the two began canvassing, the
result of which was a call for a meeting for the purpose of organiz-
ing a church.
On Sunday, February 17, 1861, in Morton's Hall, the Pres-
byterian church of Rochester was organized with four members,
these being Mrs. John R. Cook, Mr. and Mrs. Robert McBride, and
GHURCITES, 799
Mr. John H. Hyatt. Two weeks later Mrs. Elizabeth Hyatt and Mr.
and Mrs. George Miller were added to the list. Mr. Miller was elected
the first ruling elder. Mr. Jackson preached for the new congregation
nntil the services of Rev. Robert F. Taylor. Owing to ill-health he
was compelled to relinquish his charge after six months labor, and
finally died in Ohio in 1S66.
In January, 1863, the church invited the Rev. George Anslie to
become their pastor. He entered upon his labors with enthusiasm,
begotten by his early training among the Choctaw Indians. Seeking
to reach the destitute neighborhoods in the vicinity, he found the
labors increasing to such an extent as to be beyond his power to
accomplish, and he accordingly asked that a call might be made to the
Rev. Sheldon Jackson to become co-pastor with him and take charge
of the city work of the church, in order that lie might give more of
his attention to missionary labor. Accordingly a call was made out
in March, 1864, for the services of Mr. Jackson, which was accepted.
From this time the church entered upon an enlarged sphere of
action. Immediate steps were taken toward raising funds for the
purpose of erecting a church building. Mr. Jackson went east to
solicit funds from the eastern churches, and returned with $5,000.
In the fall of 1865 the building (36x62) was completed at a cost
of $8,000, and on the first sabbath of January, 1866, was dedicated
to the worship of God.
During the fall of 1866 the manse was erected at the rear of the
church, and a fifteen-hundred-pound bell placed in the church tower.
The latter was presented by the first Presbyterian church of Pittsburg,
Pennsylvania. Rev. J. T. Kill en, formerly of Green Bay, Wis-
consin, succeeded Mr. Jackson in 1868. In 1873 Mr. H. A.
Newell succeeded him.
In 1882 Rev. Cyrus A. Hampton was employed as pastor of the
church. The present membership is about 110, and the average
attendance in Sunday-school about the same number.
Methodist Church.— The first sermon preached by a Methodist
minister in Rochester, was by the Rev. Nelson Moon, in the winter
of 1855-6. The meeting was held at the house of a Mr. Crabb,
in the southern part of what is now Rochester.
Early in the spring of 1856, a log schoolhouse was built in
East Rochester, and a Sunday-school was organized. Meetings
were he]d in the building during the summer and until July, 1858,
when the- old court-house was engaged for the purpose.
48
800 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
The Minnesota conference was organized at Red Wing in July
1856, and Rev. Joshua M. Rodgers, of Indiana conference, was sent
to ' ' Oronoco Mission " which embraced Oronoco, Pine Island,
Greenwood Prairie, Mantorville and Rochester. This was the
first church organized in Rochester. Mr, Emerick was the
first trustee and among the first stewards. The first quarterly
meeting was held February 14 and 15, 1857. Mr. Rodgers con-
tinued his labors here until the session ot conference at Winona in
July, 1857, when Rev. S. N. Forest was appointed to take charge
of Rochester circuit.
In 1858 the lots were purchased and partly given by Mr. Dorr,
a building was erected and inclosed for a chapel, but it was soon
found too small and Morton Hall was engaged. After the death of
Mr. Forest, which occurred in- the spring of 1859, Mr. Phoebus,
George Stocking and others supplied the pulpit until conference,
when Rev. Ezra Tucker was appointed to this charge. He remained
two years and was then succeeded by Rev. G. W. F. Wright. Rev.
Chambers succeeded Mr. Wright. In the fall of 1861 the founda-
tion of the present building was laid, and in 1865 the building was
erected and inclosed so that the basement was occupied as a place
of worship November 12, 1865. At the time of its construction it
was one of the largest and best Methodist church buildings in the
state. The total cost being $19,300.
At the conference of 1865, Rev. Norris Hobart was assigned to
this charge, and remained two years ; he was succeeded by Rev.
A. J. Nelson. During 1867 the audience-room was finished and
dedicated by Rev. E. R. Lathrop, and the annual conference was
held here. At the conference of 1868, held in St. Anthony, Rev.
D. Cobb was appointed to Rochester. He was succeeded by Rev.
W. C. Rice, who remained two years, and the succeeding three
years traveled this district as presiding elder. In the fall of 1872,
at the close of Mr. Rice's first term, Rev. E. R. Lathrop was
appointed pastor of the church. He remained but a short time
when conference met and he was sent as presiding elder of the St.
Cloud district, and Rev. H. P. Satchwell was sent to this charge.
In 1875 Rev. W. C. Rice was appointed pastor, and remained three
years, the full conference limit.
In 1878 the building so long used, first as a chapel in 1858, and
since then as a parsonage, was moved away and the present building
erected at a cost of $3,500.
CHURCHES. 801
In the fall ot 1878 Rev. J. Whisler was transferred from the
Ohio conference and stationed at Rochester. At the session of
conference in 1880, Rev. C. E. Cline, of Southern Illinois confer-
ence, was transferred and appointed pastor at Rochester. He was
succeeded by Rev. Stafford, who is the present pastor. Early in the
year 1856 the Sunday school was organized, with J. P. Emerick
as superintendent, and twenty scholars ; it has now an average
attendance of about two hundred pupils.
First Baptist Church. — On a beautiful day in June, 1857, some
half dozen members of Baptist churches in the east were gathered
in a log cabin in East Rochester.
Mr. J. P. Gurr was chairman and Mr. C. F. Anderson clerk of
the meeting.
From that time regular meetings were held in the old log school-
house, but the organization was not perfected until August 22.
Seventeen persons constituted the original membership, — a little
band, but the captain was the Lord of Hosts.
On the day that their organization was completed Rev. E. Wescott
was chosen as pastor, with a salary of $600, one half to be paid by
the church and the other by the A. B. H. M. Society. This society
continued its aid as was needed until the close of the year 1862 ;
although as early as 1859, and while still struggling for life, the
church began monthly collections in aid of the H. M. Society and
the state convention, and has since many times repaid the help
received. Four days after its completed organization, August 26,
the church was sitting in council with the Southern Minnesota
association, convened at Richland, of which body it is still a
member. As soon as the territorial statutes could be complied with,
the society was placed upon a legal basis.
In October following the church commenced holding service in
their new room, Morton Hall, on Main street. At the opening of
the year 1858, the membership had increased to twenty-five. At
this time a Sunday-school was organized which still exists, and in a
flourishing condition.
On the 6th of February of this year the ordinance of baptism
was administered for the first time. The church, numbering thirty-
eight, now resolved to build a house of worship. A lot on the south
side of Zumbro street, near the river, was donated by one of the
members, on condition that it be occupied as the site of a church,
and in September of that year, held their covenant meeting in the
802 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTV.
new churcli. The building was of wood, 30x40 feet, and was
erected at a cost of $1,200.
To the only remaining constituent member we are indebted for
some reminiscences not found in the written record, among which
is the following : ''To the hearts of those still living, how dear is
the memory of the plain little church on the bank of the river, with
its two unprotected doors facing the north, just inside of which stood
two iron stoves puffing and sending out their heat, which centered
in a drum just over the preacher's head, where he stood upon a
square of oilcloth, and preached such sermons as laid the founda-
tions of our churches, our Sunday schools, our missionary societies,
and our denominational schools ! " Although increased in numbers
and with but little that looks like divided counsels, there came
difficulties to be overcome and trials and disappointments to endure.
In May, 1859, at a church meeting, a proposition was made and
discussed to dispense with the services of a pastor during the ensu-
ing 3'^ear. This proposal did not meet with favor, but the pastor
accepted a salary reduced to $iOO, and in the latter part of the year
the church was obliged to borrow $400 to liquidate the debt incurred
in building the chapel. February, 1859, there is a joyous entry on
the record. A revival is in progress and ten are added to the
church, some of whom are still with us.
In July, 1860, Rev. E. Wescott closed his pastorate, leaving the
church with at least fourfold its original membership. During
this month J. Mendal was licensed to preach by the church, and
was soon transferred to a charge in Wisconsin. In March, 1868,
arrangements were made for securing a parsonage. By entertain-
ments of various kinds, the ladies have raised means for current
expenses, purchased and kept the parsonage in repair, paid for the
masons' and carpenters' work in the lecture-room, besides furnish-
ing carpeting and lamps — all amounting to several hundred dollars.
In April, 1868, Rev. D. N. Mason resigned his charge, and
again the church was without a pastor, but in November, 1868,
Rev, L. A. Abbott entered upon his labors as pastor, and, under
his ministrations, the congregations increased in size, and both
church and Sunday school acquired new activity and strength.
At a special business meeting in February, 1869, the subject of
building a new house of worship was taken into consideration, and
$8,000 having been decided upon as the base of operations, a sub-
scription paper was started and $3,500 was at once subscribed. At
CHURCHES. 803
this time it was decided to devote every alternate covenant meeting
to business purposes, and to institute an annual social and covenant
meeting, designed to gather in the whole membership, personally
or by report, and ascertain their spiritual standing.
At a business meeting, April, 1870, it was decided to make appli-
cation to the Baptist Home Mission Society for a loan of $2,000
from the church edifice fund to aid in completing the new house
of worship, for which note and mortgage should be given as
required by the by-laws of the fund.
The church was dedicated January 1, 1871. It has a beautiful and
central site, embracing two lots on the corner of Franklin and
Fourth streets. It is of brick, with stone basement, 70X40 feet, and
was built at a cost of $16,500.
In July of this year, Rev. Mr. Abbott offered his resigna-
tion, and in February, 1873, was succeeded by Rev. R. Telford.
At a special meeting, December 12, 1873, a finance committee
was appointed to conduct the financial affairs of the church.
The Woman's Foreign Mission Society was organized during the
year 1873, by Mrs. L. B. Telford. Among the early and faith-
ful workers are found the names of Mrs. T. W. Stebbins, Mrs.
Margaret Kent, Mrs. M. Collins, Mrs. Goodale, Mrs. C. F. Ander-
son and Miss H. Messenger. The society has steadily increased in
strength and interest, and has now connected with it a mission
band, presided over by Miss C. O. Severance. For five years the
Woman's Society supported a Bible reader in China under Miss
Fielde, and has since, in connection with the mission band, aided in
the support of Miss Fielde.
Rev. Mr. Telford closed his pastoral connection with the church
in February, 1874, and, in July, was succeeded by Rev. C. H. Rem-
ington, who held the office until July 1, 1877. In August, Rev. R.
W. Arnold, of Ripon, Wisconsin, was settled as pastor. The
ensuing winter a series of meetings was held, and thirty-two converts
were received into the church. In May, 1878, after morning
service, and. in response to an appeal from the pastor, the remaining
indebtedness of the church was provided for by a subscription of
$48. During the following winter thirty-three were added to the
church by baptism. From that time to the present the church has
enjoyed great prosperity. There have been other revivals in which
large accessions were made, but the inexorable tide of emigra-
tion has taken away faster than gains could be made.
804 • HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
The pastorate b}^ Rev. R. W. Arnold closed November 1, and
tlie church is now without a pastor. During the years of his min-
istry, one hundred and sixteen have been added to the church,
mostl}^ by baptism. During the entire history of the church there
have been five hundred and sixty-four connected with its member-
ship ; two hundred and sixty have been baptized ; present member-
ship, two hundred and fifteen. Of the original members, none
remain in its connection ; of its early members, but few are left.
UNIVEBSALIST SOCIETY.
In the spring of 1860 Rev. J. M. "Westfall, then of Lafayette,
Indiana, came to Rochester and preached the first Universalist ser-
mon ever clelivered in Olmsted county. An informal organization
of Universalism was effected at Rochester soon after Mr. Westfall's
removal here, the society numbering about forty members. Meet-
ings were held in Compton's Hall (now Porter House) every alternate
sabbath, the pastor preaching at Mantorville, Cascade, Spring
Valley, and other places, on the intervening sabbaths. Services
in the city were well attended, but the war coming on and a large
number of the young men of the society enlisting in the service, the
interest in the movement began to decline, and in the fall of 1863
Mr. Westfall removed from the place and meetings were entirely
suspended. In Januarj'-, 1866, another effort was made to establish
Universalism at Rochester. At the suggestion of Rev. H. Bisbee
and Rev. S. Barnes, Universalist ministers at St. Paul and St. An-
thony (now Minneapolis) respectively, a two days' meeting was
appointed to be held on the 23d and 24th days of that month. Rev.
S. Wakefield, pastor at Elkador, Iowa, with much difficulty, battling
with snow-drifts and cutting wintry winds, made his way by team
to Rochester, and he and Rev. S. W. Eaton, resident at Rochester,
were the only clergymen present at the meeting. The meetings
were held in the Congregational church, the use of which had been
kindly granted to the Universalist people for the occasion. The
congregations were not large, but an interest in the cause was
awakened which culminated in the organization of a Universalist
society early in the March following. The society organized with
about thirty members, which number was increased soon after to
over fifty. Mr. Wakefield was the unailimous choice of the society
as pastor, and he removed to Rochester the same spring and entered
upon the discharge of his pastoral duties. The society rented the
CHURCHES. 805
upper room of the old court-house building on Broadway, where
services were held every sabbath, morning and evening. A sab-
bath school was soon organized, with rising of thirty scholars. The
school was well provided with a small though well selected library,
together with a good collection of singing, service and class books,
In this connection it is proper to state that the school has been kept
up trom its organization to the present time. In point of attend-
ance, interest and efficiency, the school has been subject to the
ever-recurring changes of human affairs and experiences, but at no
time within the history of the school has it possessed the elements
of interest, efficiency and prosperity in so large measure as at the
date of this sketch. With an enrollment of considerably over one
hundred scholars, with an efficient and a devoted corps of teachers,
a library of between four and five hundred volumes, with an excel-
lent collection of music, class and service books, and having an
average attendance of from eighty to ninety scholars, the school is
flourishing and has before it a bright and promising future. Mr. C.
Van Campen is the present superintendent.
Early in the summer of 1866 the society purchased a beautiful
and an eligible site oh the northeast corner of Franklin and Zumbro
streets upon which to erect a church edifice. Sufficient funds were
secured and a neat, substantial building, 24x44 feet, with vestibule
in front, was put up and finished the same season, at a cost of about
$2,200. In December the new church was dedicated to the worship
of the one ever living and true God, Rev. D. P. Livermore, then of
Chicago, preaching the dedicatory sermon.
In the spring of 1868 Mr. Wakefield tendered his resignation as
pastor. His resignation was accepted, and he removed to Owatonna,
where he organized a society with which he remained a year or two.
Soon after Mr. Wakefield's resignation Rev. H. L. Hayward, of
Tecumseh, Michigan, came to Rochester in response to an invitation
extended to him, and took pastorial charge of the society. Mr.
Hayward remained with the society one year, failing health com-
pelling him to retire, for a time at least, frt>m the active duties of
the ministry, and to seek that retirement and rest at his Michigan
home so essential to the recovery of his impaired health and
exhausted nervous condition. During Mr. Hayward's ministerial
year much was accomplished in securing the strength, prosperity
and permanency ofTthe society. Besides the increase in numbers
and interest of the congregation, a heavy church debt, amounting to
806 . HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
$1,700, was paid off and some valuable repairs were made on the
church edifice.
Near the close of the year in question the subject of church
organization was freel)^ discussed, and after mature consideration a
church was organized, consisting of thirtj-two members. Cqzisider-
able additions were made to the number soon after. In accordance
with the provisions of the constitution of the church, communion
service is held on the second sabbaths in Januar}^ April, July and
October ; church meetings to be held on each Saturday next
preceding the sabbaths named. The church now numbers between
fifty and sixty members.
Mr. Hayward resigned his pastorate in April, 1869, and the
society was without regular preaching until June following, when
Rev. Eliza Tupper, of Neenah, Wisconsin, came to Rochester and
became pastor of the society. Miss Tupper remained with the
society until October, when she returned to ISTeenah, and was soon
thereafter united in marriage with Mr. W. A. "Wilkes, Esq., of that
place.
The same fall the society engaged the services of Rev. J. W.
Keyes, as pastor. He remained, however, only about one year,
resigning his pastoi'ate and removing from the city in September
1870.
The society was again without a pastor until December
following, when Mrs. Wilkes, accompanied by her husband,
removed to Rochester, and again became pastor of the society. In
April, 1871, Mrs. Wilkes was ordained to the work of the Christian
ministry, the ordination sermon being preached by Rev. Dr. Tuttle,
of Minneapolis. Mrs. Wilkes was very successful in her ministerial
labor while here, and considerable additions were made to the
society and church organizations.
In the spring of 1873 Mrs. Wilkes resigned her pastorate,
and the society was without stated preaching until the summer
of 1874.
Miss Florence E. KoUock, then a student at the Theological
School, Canton, New York, came to Rochester early in the summer
of 1874, and preached for the society about three months. Miss
Kollock has since graduated and is regularly engaged in the work of
the Universalist ministry. ' From the time of Miss Kollock's
leaving to January 1, 1875, there was another vacancy in reli-
gious services. The pulpit, however, was occasionally occupied by
CHURCHES. 807
different ministers from abroad, among whom were Rev. A. Yedder
and Rev. J. C. Crawford.
In the meantime negotiations between the trustees and Rev.
G. H. Deere, of Danbury, Connecticut, looking to his engagement
as pastor of tlie society, commenced. The correspondence' resulted
in the calling of Mr. Deere, who came to Rochester and commenced
his ministerial labors with the society on the first Sunday in
January, 1875. During the first year of his ministry here there
was a large accession of members and considerable wealth to
the society. Mr. Deere had been with the society about three
months when it was decided to build a new and capacious church
edifice. Accordingly, the little old church was moved to the rear of
the lot, and during the season a basement was excavated and a nice
substantial stone wall put in, preparatory to the erection of the
structure of brick, the next summer. The new church is about
40X70 feet in size, and was completed, ready for occupancy in
December, 1876. Facing the desk and choir, the floor is on an in-
clined plane. The windows are of stained glass, on each of which
there is inscribed a beautiful and appropriate motto. The church is
furnished with an elegant pipe-organ. The cost of the church
including the organ was fidly $16,000. The church was dedicated
to the worship of God in June, 1877, Rev. Dr. Ryder, then of Chi-
cago, preaching the dedicatory sermon.
About the first of October, 1880, Mr. Deere asked and was
granted a vacation. He went to Minneapolis, where he supplied for
Dr. Tuttle, six months, the latter being absent on a trip to Cali-
fornia. In the spring of 1881 Mr. Deere formally tendered his
resignation as pastor, which was accepted, and in June following he
with Mrs. Deere left for southern California.
The church was closed, excepting for sessions of the Sunday and
occasional preaching, until the latter part of the following No-
vember, when Rev. J. M. Payson, of Sherman, JSTew York, in
response to a call from the trustees, came hither and took pastoral
charge of the society. He is the present pastor. Under Mr.
Fayson's ministerial labors a renewed interest and zeal have been
manifest, some new members have been added to the church
and society, while the attendance at sabbath-school has nearly
doubled, and a new impulse given to its devotion and thoroughness
in study and efficiency in work.
Roman Catholic Church. — In 1 863 Rev. James Morris had
808 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUJSTTY.
charge of the district. He resided at Kochester and held services at
Peter's Hall. He saw that Rochester was the market town of the
county and lie resolved to make it a central point for the Catholics
of the surrounding country.
In 1864 he bought three lots from McCollough opposite the
court-house grounds as a site for a church. In 1865 ill health com-
pelled him to remove to another state.
In 1866 Rev. Thos. O'Gorman was appointed to the charge of this
district and Peter's Hall still remained the place of worship.
In 1867, as Peter's Hall was found too small, they congregated
at Heany's Hall.
In April, 1868, the old court-house hall was engaged for a place
of worship. The church was completed, in 1872, at a cost of
$40,000. The edifice is 110x42 in size and is built of limestone.
The Rev. Wm. Riordon took charge of the district July, 1881.
The membership is now about six hundred, and the organization is
almost free from debt.
The Catholic school is known as the Academy of Lourdes. The
building is 58x86 in size, is three stories high and cost (grounds in-
cluded) $24,000. The parochial school building is two stories high
and 80x36 on the ground. The attendance in both schools aggre-
gates about 170 pupils.
The German Methodist Church. — This church was organized in
1856 by Rev. F. Groechtenmeir ; Rev. Thalenhorst and Rev. F.
Hermsmeir preached alternately for a few years. In 1862 the latter-
named gentleman moved to Rochester and erected a parsonage.
Rev. H. Boetcher was the next pastor, then came Rev. A. Lam-
precht, during whose pastorate a church building was erected in 1867.
The first members were father and mother Young, Lathwesen,
Marquardts, Bennecke and Sailers. After the church had been
erected Rev. A. Roth was chosen pastor, next came Rev. A. Muel-
ler, who was followed by Rev. W. Buckholtz.
Rev. Hoerger and Rev. H. Schmitger have also acted as pastors.
In the fall of 1882 Rev. H. Roth was again chosen pastor. There
are now about 100 members in the circuit. Tlie church building
cost $2,000.
Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church. — This church was
organized June 14, 1869, Rev. N. E. Jensen being the first pastor.
In the beginning 57 members were enrolled, which number has been
increased to 150.
SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS. 809
The present trustees are O. Oleson, Chris Hansen, J. W. Emmer-
son, M. Jerde, P. F. Johnson and C. Oleson ; secretary, J. W. Emmer-
son ; treasurer, O. Oleson.
The congregation purchased the old Baptist church which has
recently been litted up and presents a very neat appearance.
CHAPTER XIV.
SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS.
THE SECOND MINNESOTA HOSPITAL FOE INSANE AT ROCHESTEK.
The history of this institution dates back to the year 1872, when
the legislature, influenced by the temperance element in the state,
who claimed that an asylum for inebriates was urgently needed, and
under the plausible plea that the liquor sellers who made the drunk-
ard should be taxed for his support and cure, enacted a law to collect
from every liquor dealer an annual tax of $10 and thereby raise a
fund with which to build an asylum, and the same revenue was
afterwards to be applied to its support from year to year. In spite
of much opposition and litigation of test cases through the courts to
sustain the constitutionality of the law, whicli was claimed to be
unjust and discriminating, about $35,000 was collected. A board
of directors was appointed, and in 1876 they purchased one hundred
and sixty acres for $9,000, what is now the hospital farm. They
adopted plans and selected the site, and in 1877 they built (C. Bohn
being the contractor) and partly completed what now forms the
centre building and the first section of the male wing of the hospital.
There was so much opposition to this whole scheme of the inebriate
asylum, and such ui-gent need for hospital accommodation for the
insane, that the legislature of 1878 transferred the whole property,
the farm and the unfinished buildings, which were only inclosed,
to the control of the Insane Hospital Board, making at the same time
an appropriation of $15,000 to complete its internal arrangements
and prepare it for the accommodation of patients. But as it was
necessary to build a laundry and engine house and to put in steam
heating apparatus, nearly twice that sura was found necessary.
Many changes were needed to adapt the buildings to their new uses,
810 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
in which they were but indifferently successful. The board of
trustees appointed as superintendent, Dr. J. E. Bowers, and on Jan-
uary 1, 1879, the institution was organized as ^ Hospital for Insane,
eight patients having on the previous day been transferred from
Saint Peter, and others rapidly followed and new cases were ad-
mitted directly from the counties, so that in a few months the limit
of the capacity was reached, and December 1, 1879, there were
ninety-four. In 1879 a commodious barn was built at an expense
of $2,500. At the same time an appropriation of $20,000 was made
to put up the first section of the west wing for women, but this was
not available till 1880, and the contract was let to C. Bohn, who
had just completed this building, when on ISTovember 18, 1880, the
disastrous fire occurred at St. Peter. But as there were no funds
for heating and famishing the same it was March 15, 1881, before
it was ready to receive the first patients from St. Peter. With this
addition the capacity of the hospital was about one hundred and
seventy-five, but it has been compelled to accommodate two hun-
dred and thirty. In 1881, a new engine house and chimney were
added, and a system of water works for domestic use and fire pro-
tection. During the summer of 1882 a new laundry was built, and
the new east extension was put up at a cost of $60,000. This is now
nearly complete and will accommodate one hundred and seventy-
five men, making the east wing complete with room for two hundred
and fifty men. The plan contemplates a similar wing on the west
side for women. It is hoped that this addition may be made in
1884, and will give the hospital an entire frontage of six hundred
and sixty feet, and will furnish accommodation for five hundred
patients and the necessary force of employes.
The First Nat'wyial Bank of Rochester was organized December
1, 1864, with the following board of directors : John P. Cook,
president ; O. P. Whitcomb, E. S. Olin, S. Geisinger, T. H. Titus,
cashier.
In July, 1865, Walter Hurlbut was made assistant cashier.
John R. Cook was president until the time of his death, Septem-
ber 10, 1880. He was succeeded by his wife. His son, J. P. Cook,
being made vice-president. Walter Hurlbut succeeded Mr. Titus as
cashier May 1, 1874.
The present board of directors are as follows : Francis S. Cook,
SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIOlSrS. 811
president ; John R. Cook, vice-president ; George Healj, E,. Corn-
forth, Walter Hurlbnt, cashier.
The capital stock was increased November 10, 1S70, to |100,000.
The institution has paid half yearly dividends without interrup-
tion, since its organization and has accumuhited a surplus of
$32,000.
Union MUional Bank. — -In 1856, J. Y. Daniels & Co., opened
a brokers and real estate office in a frame building on the east side
of Broadway, between Third and CoJlege streets. In. 1867, Mr.
Daniels, in company with F. T. Olds, A. Smith and John B. Clark,
opened the "Union Savings Bank," Mr. Daniels being made presi-
dent, and his son, M. J. Daniels, being secretary and treasurer. In
March, 1873, this institution was merged in the Union National
Bank, with the following named officers: J. V. Daniels, president ;
F. T. Olds, vice-president ; M. J. Daniels, cashier, and J. W.
Booth, assistant cashier.
The directors were, J. Y. Daniels, D. S. Hebbard, A. M.
Ozmun, F. T. Olds, Huber Bastian, John M. Cole, J. D. Blake,
Thos. Brooks and T. S. Slingland. On September 24, 1881, J. Y.
Daniels died, and was succeeded by his son in January, 1882. Mr.
T. H. Titus being made cashier.
The present directors are, M. J. Daniels, F. T. Olds, J. D.
Blake, John M. Cole, T. L. Fishback, Thomas Brooks and W. L.
Brackenridge. The institution was organized with a cash capital of
$50,000, which sum has been increased to nearly $100,000. It has
also accumulated a surplus of $35,000.
Rochester National Bank. — Charles H. Chadbourn emigrated to
Minnesota in the fall of 1860, establishing a private bank in
December of that year, under the name of the "• Rochester Bank."
In November, 1862, he formed a co-partnership with Rodney Whit-
ney, of Geneseo, New York, under the firm name of Chadbourn &
Whitney, continuing until the death of Mr. Whitney in 1868. In
the year 1863 they built what is known as "Bank Block" on
the east side of Broadway, and moved their office from Third street
to the corner room, now occupied by the Rochester National Bank.
Upon the death of Mr. Whitney Mr. Chadbourn formed a co-
partnership with R. W. Chadbourn, a large capitalist of Columbus,
Wisconsin, under the firm name of Chadbourn Bros., with a
cash capital of $100,000. The firm of Chadbourn Bros, continued
until the organization of the Rochester National Bank in January,
812 HISTOEY OF OLMSTED COimTY.
1876. During which time James A. Austin was their efficient
cashier. Upon the removal of Mr. Austin to Chattanooga, Tennes-
see, in 1875, Mr. C. H. Bliss who had for several years served as
teller and bookkeeper was elected cashier, and upon the organization
of the national bank accepted the same position in the new institu-
tion merging the former business of Chadbourn Bros, in the Roches-
ter I^ational Bank with a cash capital and surplus of $75, 000. Mr.
Chadbourn accepted the presidency of the institution, and since that
time has devoted his energies to building up one of the strong-
est banks in southern Minnesota.
At the celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the estab-
lishment of Rochester Lodge, No. ^1, the rooms were crowded
by masons and their wives, and a fine lunch was served. Secretary
Hannon read the following history of the lodge :
Worshipful Master : Your committee appointed to prepare
a historical sketch of this lodge, submit the following :
Twenty-five years ago this morning the first record of this lodge
was made and still stands on our book in these words :
Lesuer Hall, Rochester, Minn., August 24, 1857.
Assembled at 9 o'clock a.m. this day at Lesuer's Hall, for the purpose of
organizing a lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. Volne)' W. Bailej^ E. A.
McMahon, J. N. McLane, P. Roberts, C. D. Houghton, Peter Cassidy, Wm. D.
Lowery, Thomas Harrington, Stephen Bredin, J. M. Williams and Stiles P.
Jones. Bro. Bailey presented a dispensation from the G. M. of the G. L.
of Minnesota, appointing Volney W. Bailey, W. M. ; Charles C. Jones, S. W. ;
and Cornelius S. Younglove, J. W., of Rochester lodge.
A lodge of Master Masons was then opened in due and ancient form.
There were present Bros. A. S. Ferris, as W. M. ; Volney W. Bailey, as S. W. ;
Stephen Bredin, as J. W. ; E. A. McMahon, as T. ; Stiles P. Jones, as S. ; J. N.
McLane, as S. D. ; C. D. Houghton, as J. D. ; P. Roberts, as Tyler.
At this communication L. S. Howe, Charles Willis, Charles H.
.Morton, D. Heaney, C. H. Lindsly and C. C. Cole were proposed,
and elected to receive the degrees, and Messrs. Howe, Morton, and
Heaney were initiated as entered apprentices. The fees and dues
were also established as follows : E. A. degree, $10 ; F. C. degree,
$5 ; M. M. degree, $10. Dues ten cents per week.
The lodge met at the same hour (nine o'clock a.m.), on August
25 and 26, 1857, and from the records, it appears the communica-
SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS. 813
tions must have continued all day and well into the night on each
occasion.
The iirst visit to the lodge b j the M. W. G. M. , was on Septem-
ber 30, 1857, at which time Grand Master Pierson was present and
presided as W. M.
The first election of officers of the lodge was held December 30,
1857, at which time the following were elected: Bro. L. H. Kellej,
W. M. ; C. C. Jones, S. W. ; J. M. Williams, J. W. ; D. Lesuer,
S. ; A. Ozmun, T. ; E. C. Dorr, S. D. ; C. D. Houghton, J. D. ;
Peter Cassidy, Tyler.
At the ensuing session of the grand lodge a charter was granted
dated January 8, a.d. 1858, a.l. 5858. It is still in our possession,
and bears the signatures of A. T. C. Pierson, G.M. ; Wm. H.
Mower, D.G.M.; E. A. Hodson, G.S.W.; Wm. Lee, G.J.W.; and
Geo. W. Prescott, G.S. ; in and by which the lodge is named
Rochester Lodge, iSTo. 21. The lodge was duly consecrated by that
name and the officers installed February 27, 1858, by Y. W. Bailey,
D.G.M.
The first by-laws of the lodge wei'e adopted March 1, 1858, and
consisted only of three sections. Sec. 1 fixed a fee of $1 to be paid
by a master mason on joining this lodge.
Sec. 2 provided for applications for the degrees.
Sec. 3 provided for fees for the degrees, in the amounts as herein-
before stated.
This was the origin of our lodge. As a matter of course any
detailed history of the communications of this lodge for the last
twenty-five years would be too voluminous to be embodied in tliis
report, and would be beyond the duty enjoined upon us. We there-
fore place on this record only a few prominent facts.
Lesuer Hall, where the lodge first met, was the second story of
a wooden store building, belonging to our worthy brother David
Lesuer, standing on the west side of Broadway, near the center of
block 10.
The communications of the lodge were subsequently held in the
second story of the wooden building now standing on block 23, and
formerly used by Mr. Beardsley as a harness shop.
In the winter of 1864-5 the hall where we are now assembled
was so far completed as to be used for the communications of the
lodge. A large indebtedness having been incurred in erection of the
hall, it remained in a very meager state as to furniture, and entirely
814 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
without carpets until the year 1866, when the seats and carpets in
use until today were procured, and have been in constant use ever
since. A striking evidence of the devotion of the members of this
lodge to tlie order is recorded in the minutes of December 24, 1866,
at which communication the brethren paid into the treasury the sum
of $2,519.25, to liquidate the debt growing out of the erection of this
hall.
The beautiful temple in which we are met, now refurnished
throughout, is owned by the lodge free of debt, and of itself evi-
dences the financial prosperity of our order in this city.
Your committee have found it impossible to state with exactness
the actual sum of money expended in the erection and furnishing of
these rooms. We have now occupied them for masonic purposes
over seventeen years and during that time large sums and small sums
have been expended in repairs and furniture. The original bills and
reports of committees from whicli the information could be alone
derived have been in some instances lost or mislaid, and the records
do not disclose (in many instances) the facts from which an accurate
statement can be compiled. From the best information obtainable,
your committee believe that the cost of the building, furniture, fix-
tures and repairs dui-ing the time stated, has exceeded the sum of
$15,000.
The repairs and furnishing now just made as*you behold them,
have been completed at an expense of over $1,200.
The lodge adopted articles of incorporation on June 21, 1875, and
became a corporate body under the laws of the state on that day.
The real work of the order, however, may be found in the records
of the lodge. During the twenty-five years past we have made two
hundred and twenty-one Masons in this lodge, and three hundred
and thirty-two have been members of it ; and we still have upon our
rolls one hundred and forty-eight members in good standing.
Of our members twenty-four have died, namely, Kev. S.JST. For-
est, N. B. Robbins, Jr., R. H. Supinger, Stiles P. Jones, Geo. W.
Patterson, L. H. Kelly, T. E. D. Horton, J. M. Clayson, John E.
Cook, Moses W. Fay, John Westerman, M. W. Leland, J. K. Ran-
dall, Manly 0. Fuller, Geo. Tillbury, E. A. McMahon, S. B. Bliss,
J. S. Allen, Volney W. Baily, W. D. Woodward, D. 0. Rowell, L.
W. Killbourn, A. Y. Daniels, John H. Whitney. Many others have
moved to other places, and have dimitted, and one has been expelled,
and forty-one have been suspended or striken from the roll.
J. T. PRICE
/ 02% f'^'
SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS. 817
Since Brother L. H. Kelly (now deceased), first presided over
this lodge as W.M. in 1858, the gavel has been in the hands of his
successors as follows : 0. C, Jones, C. H. Lindsley, E. C. Cross, O.
A. Hadley, R. A. Jones, R. H. Gove, Wm. Brown, W. G. Bartley,
Benjamin Ayshford and R. L. Van Dusen.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD-FELLOWS.
Roohester Lodge^ No. i.5.— The Odd-Fellows residing in the city
of Rochester in 1861 held a meeting in Lesuer's Hall in July of
that year and decided to organize a lodge of that order in Roches-
ter. An application for a charter was made to the M.W.Gr.M.,
which was granted, and the lodge duly organized July 31, 1861,
under the name of Rochester Lodge, No. 13. The charter mem-
bers were J. D. Ameigli, C. H. Blakely, D. Bell, J. W. Everstine
and D. Lesuer. At this meeting John Clark, M. Markham and
A. Hartsell were admitted as members and assisted in the organiza-
tion of the lodge. The following is a list of the first officers elected :
C. H. Blakely, N.G.; D. Bell, Y.G.; J. D. Ameigh, Sec; D.
Lesuer, Treas.
All of the above-named members are still living except J. D.
Ameigh, and four of them, J. W. Everstine, D. Lesuer, M. Mark-
ham and John Clark are still active members of this lodge.
The lodge held its meetings for some time after its organization
in what was then known as Lesuer's Hall, near head of Broadway,
then in the old " Free Press" office, near corner of Broadway and
Fourth streets, and after the completion of the present Masonic hall
its meetings were held there for a number of years, when the lodge
removed to Heaney's block. In 1875 this lodge commenced the
erection of a two-story brick building on the corner of Zumbro and
Main streets, which was completed in 1876, the lodge holding its
first meeting in their new hall in July of that year. The total cost
of the building, together with the hall and postoffice fixtures, was
upward of $19,000. The postoffice is located in this building.
The new Odd-Fellows' hall is also occupied by the Knights of
Honor, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and Steuben Lodge,
LO.O.F. (German).
Rochester lodge now has a membership of one hundred and
twenty-five, and the number is rapidly increasing. Thousands of
dollars have been paid out by the lodge since its organization for the
benefit of sick and destitute members. The angel of death has
818 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
seldom visited this lodge, and not often have they been called upon
to drop the evergreen into the grave of a departed brother.
The present officers of the lodge are as follows : W. S. Parker,
KG.; H. M. Kichardson, Y.G.; G. P. Jones, Sec; H. McLeod,
Permanent Sec. ; N. B. Wilkins, Treas.
Steuhen Lodge, No. ^7.— On July 13, 1870, the following
charter members, all of which being granted cards from their mother
lodge, Rochester, Ko. 13, duly organized Steuben Lodge, No. 27,
working under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota,
and in the German language, to wit : Bros. J. G. Zimmerman, J.
Koonsmiller, Fred Pamperin, B. Schwartz, Julius Moll, Henry
Weber, Henry Schuster, L. Harris, Geo. Baihly, and J. F. Ruber,
Officers were elected and installed by Bro. H. C. Fuhrman, deputy
grand master of Humboldt Lodge, No. 24, of Winona, assisted by
other members of the latter lodge. During the first term of six
months twenty-one more members were admitted by card and initia-
tion. Since the organization the lodge has gradually grown in
membership. .It has in all received a membership of one hundred
and two, of which four have died, twenty-five were suspended from
membership for various causes, eighteen have withdrawn, three
were expelled and two were reinstated, leaving, on July 1, last, a
membership, in good standing, of fifty-two.
The total receipts from all sources were $5,966.24.
The expenditures were, for relief of brothers, $904 ; burying the
dead, $135 ; lodge expenses, $2,474.48 ; other expenses, including
charity, $984.64. At the end of the last term the total balance in
the treasury of the lodge amounted to $1,454.68.
Besides this there is a widows and orphans' fund of $696.98;
the annual dues charged by this lodge are $6 ; initiation fee, $10 to
$15; degree fee, $5; weekly benefits granted, $2 and $4; funeral
benefits, $15 and $30.
The following are the past grands of the lodge : G. Harges
heimer, F. Pamperin, B. Schwartz, H. Kalb, R. Schmidt, H.
Schister, C. Neusuess, J. Posz, C. Palm, Ph. Yoltz, J. Miller, Geo.
Haber, J. G. Zimmerman, H. Ungemach.
Officers for the present term are : C. Palm, N. G. ; C. Hagedorn,
V.G.; F. Pamperin, R. and P. S.; C. Schwab, Treas.
The lodge meets^weekly on Friday evenings at Odd-Fellows'
hall.
SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS. 819
ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORKMEN.
This society was organized August 25, 1877, with forty cliarter
members, and the following named officers elected : G. W. Nichols,
M.W.; Wm. Elliott, P.M.W.; S. A. Hickcox, G.F.; L. W. New-
berry, O. ; J. Elfrod, G. ; G. P. Johnston, Kecorder ; W. J. Tolan,
Financier ; R. Dyson, Receiver ; R. L. Emerick, I.W.; O. S. Thomp-
son, O.W.
The present officers are as follows: Isaac Robertson, M.W. ;
C. A. Merrill, RM.W.; J. H. Wright, G.F.; R. Dyson, O.; S. A.
Hickcox, G. ; W. W, Reed, Recorder; W. W. Reed, Financier; C.
H. Roberts, R.; H. C. Bongers, I.W.; O. Baker, O.W.
The lodge is now in a prosperous condition and numbers about
one hundred members.
THE CITY LIBRARY.
In 1866 a movement was inaugurated by the citizens of Roches-
ter for the purpose of establishing a library and reading room. On
the evening of January 8 of that year a meeting was held and the
following-named officers elected : J. D. Blake, Prest. ; W. R.
Stephens, Yice-Prest. ; O, P. Whitcomb, Treas. ; L. Walker, Secre-.
tary and Librarian ; W. W. Mayo, Rodney Whitney and W. D.
Hurlbut, Executive Committee. Among the liberal contributors to
this commendable institution we find the names of J. D. Blake, W,
D. Hurlbut, W. W. Mayo, O. P. Whitcomb, Chadbourne & Whit-
ney, Leonard & Booth, J. B. Clark, John R. Cook, H. T. Horton,
O. P. Stearns, Benj. B. Herbert and Rev. Anslie. With the funds
contributed by these and other gentlemen one thousand volumes
were purchased, which number has since been increased to two
thousand three hundred and sixteen. For six years the library has
been in charge of the W.C.T.U. of the city, and Mrs. Stansbury is
the present librarian. This society was organized in 1875, and num-
bered at that time one hundred members. The present officers are
as follows : Mrs. Garret, Prest. ; Mrs. O. O. Baldwin, Yice-Prest. ;
Mrs. Moe, Corresponding Secretary ; Mrs. Durkee, Recording Sec-
retary; Mrs. Sanford Niles, Treasurer, The society have added
books to the library to the amount of two hundred and fifty dollars.
GERMAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
The Gernan Library Association was organized by a consolida-
tion of members of the Rochester Union and Rochester Social Turn-
vereiiis on the 29th of December, 1872. The society then occupied
820 HISTORY OF OLMSTED OOtHSTTY.
two small rooms over Vedder's agricultural warehouse on Broadway
and Fifth streets. The following were the officers elected at this
meeting : William Oker, Prest. ; B. Schwartz, Yice-Prest. ; L. Harris,
Treas. ; H. Kalb, Librarian ; J. Gr. Karlen, Sec. ; H. Schuster, Ed.
Neumann, Trustees. In JSTovember, 1878, the society removed to
the more capacious building of Mr. H. Schuster until November 16,
1879, when it went into the fine building now occupied by them
known as Library Hall. The library consists of over one thousand
volumes, all bound, and the society has a cash capital of nearly $200,
besides furniture estimated at $1,500.
CHAPTER XY.
MARION, HAVERHILL AND ROCK DELL TOWNSHIPS.
MARION.
This township is bounded on the west by Rochester, by Pleasant
Grove on the south, on the east by Eyota, and on the north by Hav-
hill. The township was first settled in 1854. The Kinney,
Phelps and Mills families were the first to locate within its bounda-
ries. Messrs. Lull, McCaleb, Fulkerson, were also among the early
settlers. The first religious service was held in 1851. The little as-
sembly was addressed by Rev. Predmore, who then resided in Iowa.
The first merchant to embark in business in the village of Ma-
rion was Mr. A. C. Rodgers, agent for a Mr. Clark, of Prairie
du Chien, Wisconsin. Shortly after James Degrafi* brought a stock
of goods from Freeport, Illinois. Messrs. Curtis & Dudley also
brought in a stock from Wisconsin. Leonard Chase was the first
blacksmith, John Strangeway the first wagon-maker, and Dr. J. C.
Cole the first druggist and physician.
In 1856 this village was a formidable rival of Rochester, and
was a contestant for the county seat. After that important honor
was conferred upon the latter, however, Marion's prosperity began
to wane, and now she is a mere shadow of her former self. Her
citizens, no doubt, often repeat the verse,
" Of all sad words of tongue or pen,
"* The saddest are these, It might have been."
MARION, HAVERHILL AND ROCK DELL TOWNSHIPS. 821
The Methodist Episcopal church at Marion was organized in 1855
by Rev. Benjamin Criss, who at that time had charge of a circuit
extending from Brownsville to the northern part of Olmsted county.
He traveled over his circuit on foot, crossing fields and forests and
wading streams. Tlie names of the members at the time of or-
ganization are as follows : IST. S. Phelps, L. M. Phelps, Phoebe
Phelps, E. C. Phelps, Electa Phelps, Charles Strother, Alfred Kin-
ney and wife, R. S. Phelps and wife, Jaures Putan and wife, and
Margaret Phelps. They erected a church building in 1859, which
was afterward burned. It was rebuilt the same summer, how-
ever, at a cost of thirty-five hundred dollars. The present pastor
is Pev. Josef Hall. The membership at present is about sixty.
The Church of Christ was organized at the schoolhouse at Ma-
rion in 1866 by Rev. Levan, wlio acted as jiastor for a number of
years. The present pastor is the Rev. A. W. Deane, of Pleasant
Grove. The present officers are as follows : Elders, H. McCaleb
and Reuben Jones ; deacons, Benjamin Emmerson and George
Campbell. The present membership is about seventy ; the average
attendance at Sunday school is about fifty. The Presbyterian church
at Chester was organized in 1869 by Rev. George Anslie, who has
acted as pastor since that time. They have never erected a place of
worship, but use their schoolhouse. The membership is forty-six.
The township was organized in 1858, John Case being the first
chairman of supervisors, and E. F. Fry the first town clerk. The
first postoffice was established in 1856, L. G. Dudley officiating as
postmaster.
The first wedding in the township occurred in 1856, the con-
tracting parties being Jacob Bonham, now a prominent merchant at
Rochester, and Miss Letitia Phelps. In the winter of 1856-7 a
young girl was frozen to death a short distance from Marion. Her
body was not found for many days after. In 1857 a stranger was
accidentally shot, and his funeral was the first to occur in the township.
The soil of Marion is mostly sandy loam, and is very rich and
productive. A strip of sandy soil extends across the township
nearly a mile in width. The timber supply is mostly in Pleasant
Grove township. Root river affording an abundance.
HAVP]RHILL.
There has been considerable difficulty experienced in selec:ting a
name for this town. It was first named Zumbro, after the river of
that name, but as the adjoining county of Wabasha had a tovm of
822 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COimTY.
that name, Zumbro was changed for a short time to Grant, and in
April, 1865, to Sherman, and in April, 1867, to its present name of
Haverhill.
It is situated in the center tier of townships, its west line forming
the east boundary of the city of I^ochester. On account of the
proximity of this city (Rochester) Haverhill has neither church, store
or postoffice. It had for a few years a postoffice, Robert Latte being the
first postmaster, holding that position about one year, 1857 and
part of 1858, when G. Van Horton was appointed. He kept the office
till 1860 ; Charley Parker was then appointed, but in one year he
turned it over to S. B. Willard, who in one year left it for H. K.
Bletham to keep. Mr. Bletham turned it over to the Rochester post-
ofiice about 1864 or 1865, since which time there has been no post-
office in the town, all mail being received at Rochester, where also
all farm and household supplies are purchased and all farm products
sold.
The first settlers in Haverhill came in 1855. Gr. YanHautan, from
Indiana, in the spring of 1855 settled on section 15. Edward Cox
took a claim in section 10 the same year; he came from Wisconsin.
Zedekiah Tumbleson, from Indiana, settled on section 1. Cyrus
Night settled on section 5. C. B. Dodge settled on section 17. J.
W. Livingston settled on section 35. Grideon Fitch settled on section
4. James G. Whipple settled on section 17. All the above-named
settlers came in the year 1855, and many of them made theirhomes
in their wagon or on the ground in tents made of horse-blankets, old
quilts and, where they had them, wagon-covers. Gideon Fitch
built the first log house of burr-oak in 1855 ; the first birth, death
and marriage occurred in this (Fitch) family. The first school
teacher was Mrs. Jane Andrews, from Rhode Island, who taught
school in her own house in section 8 in the year 1857.
Haverhill was organized as a town in 1859, under the name of
Zumbro, as before stated. The following ofiicers were then elected
at a general town election : O. A. Hadley, chairman of the board
of supervisors ; C. H. Crane and Samuel R. Woodbury, associate
supervisors ; Charles Parker, town clerk ; R. H. Talbot, assessor ;
Baldwin Martin, collector ; Francis Dresser and R. W. Palmer,
justices of the peace ; Baldwin Martin and John P. Simmon ds, con-
stables ; Gideon Fitch, overseer of the poor, and Garrett Yan Hauton,
poundmaster. The present (1883) incumbents are : B. F. Bulin,
chairman of board of supervisors ; J. J. Lawder and S. S. Faner,
MARION, HAVERHILL AIS^D ROCK DELL TOWNSHIPS. 823
associate supervisors ; John Barrett, clerk. During the rebellion
of 1861-5 the following men were accredited to Haverhill as soldiers
to fill her quota : A. I. Mason, W. Wood, died in prison ; O.
Whipple died in prison ; E. Dodge, George Sawelle, John Fitch,
G. Dewitt, J. Dexter, Y. Mante, J. P. Simmonds, Ira Marlett,
James Marlett, Sam Horton, P. Irish, P. Van Hally, died in hos-
pital ; O. Bulen, B. F. Bulen, Morgan Bulen, M. Peckham, George
Woodruff, Thomas Horton, died in hospital ; Herbert Ingals, W.
Delaney, G. F. Brockett, Patrick Murphy, Pat lago and Steve John-
son. About one half of this town is praii'ie, but along the streams
it is very bluffy and heavily timbered; there are several small marshes.
The present inhabitants are principally Irish, with a few Americans
and Germans. Much of the land is owned by non-residents, who
rent it to tenants. C. Wilson has large farms in sections 21, 20, 29
and 32. In 1877 he had 800 acres in wheat, which gave him a net
profit of $8,000. The eastern branches of the Zumbro drain almost
every section in the town.
ROCK DELL.
This town is situated in the southwest corner of Olmsted county,
having Dodge county on the west, Salem on the north. High Forrest
on the east, and what is known as the Panhandle on the south. This
Panhandle consists of twelve extra sections belonging to High For-
rest, they form a line along the south of both High Forrest and Rock
Dell, and on the plat of High Forrest look somewhat like a handle
to a square pan, hence the name of Panhandle. Rock Dell takes its
name from the beautiful dells in section 9 and 16. These dells sur-
round beautiful little valleys, through which meanders Rock Dell
creek. To one side of one of these valleys is a beautiful, clear, live
spring of water, which gushes from the rock with considerable force
and forms the headwaters of Rock Dell creek. This place is a great
resort during the summer months for picnic parties from High For-
rest and Rochester.
At an election held at the house of Mr. Russell, May 11, 1858,
pursuant to notice, John S. Pierson was elected moderator and
James S. Cornish, clerk. The electors organized the town of Rock
Dell by electing the following officers : J. P. Powers, chairman of
the board of supervisors ; H. A. Fox and N. Nelson, associate
supervisors ; J. S. Cornish, town clerk ; R. S. Larson, assessor ;
Hill Gillett, overseer of the poor ; John L. Pierson and J. W. Ad-
/
824 HISTOEY OF OLMSTED COmTTT.
kinson, justices of the peace ; W. Croghan and Z. Sliiper, constables ;
W. Crogau, collector.
The year 1854 was that in which the first settlements were made.
Nels Nelson, Tollef Oleson, Ole Oleson, Ole Amanson, Guta Mol-
son, I. Golberg, Ole Tollef son and Ole Christ, all settled here this year.
They came mostly from the Norwegian settlements in Dane county,
Wisconsin. Kock Dell is almost wholly settled by Scandinavians.
There are in the southwest corner of the town a few Irish and in the
center two American families. The first birth in this town was that
of Ole T. Oleson, son of T. Oleson, born on the 9th of September,
1854. The first death was Guta Molson. There was but little
timber here when the first settlements were made, but now every
farmer has an acre or more of timber, oak, poplar or cottonwood,
which he has cultivated for his own use. In the northwest corner of
the town there is a marsh of fully 300 acres, and in the southern part
there are a few small ones.
There is one store of general merchandise in the town, owned
by Nels Magneson, who is also postmaster for the Rock Dell post-
oflice. This store was first opened by Antonie Johnson in 1876, it
stands on section 8.
The Lutheran church is a well built, handsome stone structure sev-
enty-six feet long and forty-four feet wide, exclusive of the steeple,
which is 16 X 16 feet, and the vestry at the back, which is 16 X 18 feet.
There is room to seat one thousand persons. The Lutheran congre-
gation was first organized by C. L. Clausen in 1855, and L. Steen
took chai'ge in 1861, and in 1867 commenced building the church,
which was not finished till 1875. On the 13th of November of
that year the Rev. B. J. Muws, assisted by several other prominent
Lutheran ministers, consecrated the church. The present minister,
the Rev. J. A. Thorsen, has occupied the pulpit since 1869. This
church is situated on section 4, close to the south line of the town of
Salem, which makes it very convenient for the members living in that
town, and there are quite a number of them.
CHAPTEK XVI.
KALMAR TOWNSHIP.
This is one of the best and earliest settled towns in Olmsted
county. The south fork of the middle Zumbro river winds across
in many a graceful curve, entering about the middle of the western
side and leaving as it passes into IS"ew Haven, at the village of
Genoa, across the center of the northern boundary. Its banks are
handsomely wooded, the northern one being often very abrupt and
the southern skirted by beautiful vistas now made fruitful by the
hand of the husbandman.
About one-third of the area is thus occupied by excellent timber,
and the remainder is gently rolling prairie. The village of Byron,
near the southwest corner of the township, occupies a high and
handsome site, being 260 feet above the level of Rochester. Early
residents relate that its site was bare of bush or shrub in 1855, but
now its fair face is almost hidden by groves that have been planted;
and but for its church spires and elevator, which loom above the
trees, the traveler would never suspect its existence when a mile
away.
The Zumbro river furnished power for several sawmills which
dotted its banks in the early years, and they found ample employ-
ment in furnishing materials for the cabins of early settlers. But*
the railroad has brought lumber from the pine forests of northern
Wisconsin, and the mission of the local sawmills has ended. Dur-
ing the summer of 1855 I. S. Whitcomb, James A. Blair and
Michael H. Staats built a sawmill on section 8, and two years later
converted it into a gristmill ; this was swept away by the spring
freshet of 1866, and never rebuilt. The first death in this vicinity
was that of a young man named Lockwood, who took cold while
digging for the foundations of the mill, and died in August at the
house of a friend named Richardson, across the line in Dodge
county. The only manufacture now carried on in the township is
that of flour, at what is known as Middleton's mill, on section 17.
The first marriage and death within the limits of Kalmar occurred
in the family of James Canfield. On August 4, 1855, his infant
826 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
son, James G., died ; and the mother, Margaret, expired on the
7th. On the following Christmas, Mr. Canfield was married to
Mariva Bonner. James Bucklen, Esq., of Rochester, had been en-
gaged to perform the ceremony, and got lost in crossing the prairie,
which was not then, as now, dotted with groves, etc., to serve as
landmarks. Becoming impatient at the delay caused by his non-
appearance, the groom sent for Rev. D. L. King, who lived within
two or three miles ; but before Mr. King could get ready and reach
the scene of action, Mr. Bucklen had found his way and tied the
knot. The former, however, came in for a share of the wedding-
supper. Canfield was shot while in the United States service during
the war of the rebellion, and none of his family are left in the town,
his widow having removed to Dakota.
The tirst birth of a Caucasian child occurred July 24, 1855, being
a daughter of D. L. King, who was christened Ruth Ellen. She mar-
ried A. C. Waldron, and now resides at Spencer, Iowa. Charles
D., eldest son of F. C. Whitcomb, was born on December 11 of
this year.
This town is described in the United States survey as T. 107,
R 15. It is bounded on the north by Kew Haven, a heavily
wooded township elsewhere described in this work ; Cascade, a
prairie region, lies east of it ; on the south is Salem, a wealthy
farming region ; and west is Mantorville, in Dodge county. The
soil of Kalmar is a rich prairie loam, underlaid by a clay subsoil,
and is as near everlasting as an}- soil ever made. It shares some-
what in the general failure of wheat which has characterized south-
ern Minnesota during the last four seasons. The shortage has not
been as great hei-e as in some other townships, however. A good
deal of attention has been given to stock-raising and dairying of
late, and most farmers are independent of grain-raising. A cheese
factory at Byron, and another at Olmsted on the line between Kal
mar and Cascade, are doing a flourishing business, and furnish an
excellent market for the milk of farmers. Some attention is being
given to the improvement in breeds of horses and all sorts of stock,
and many are almost exclusively engaged in raising the various
kinds of domestic animals.
This township was settled largely by New York and New Eng
land people, and contains at this time probably a greater proportion
of the pioneer residents than any other town in the county. Many
of the early settlers had previously dwelt in Illinois and Wisconsin.
KALMAR TOWNSHIP. 827
In October, 1854, D. L. King, F. C. Whitcomb, and Marinus King
visited this town and took up claims, the former on section 17,
and the others on section 29. Messrs. King and Whitcomb
still reside on their original claims. They returned in 1854 to their
Illinois homes, and came here with their families in the spring of
1855. During the same year claims were taken by Almeron Ran-
dall, Israel Devine, John Colwell, Alpheus Merritt, George W. and
Ensign Chillson, Obediah Gilbert, Norman Haight, Judge Olds,
Gaylord Hurlbut, Benjamin McDowell, and others. In 1855 came
Ira S. Whitcomb, Samuel McDowell, Nathan Bowman, Isaac Dodd,
James, John and Darius Ellison, Richard Middleton, Jerome Har-
rington, Joseph Edmunson, George and Dudley Sinclair.
During the summer of 1855 a school was maintained in a claim
shanty on section 12 : Miss Ann Losinger was the teacher. This
building was shortly moved to section 36, New Haven, and
school was kept in it there. Thus arises the claim that Miss Los-
inger taught the tirst school in both townships.
Methodist church. — Rev. D. L. King, the pioneer of the town-
ship, was a Methodist deacon ordained in Illinois, and he early set
about the organization of a class here. This was effected in the fall
of 1855, at the house of Judge Olds. Mr. King was made class-
leader. The other members were his wife, Lorenzo Gilbert and wife,
Obediah Gilbert and his daughter, Alvira. During this year Mr.
King preached at Mantorville, Rochester, and at various houses in
this town. In 1858 a class was organized at a meeting held in En-
sign Chillson's barn, and this was the nucleus of a society which now
holds meetings and Sabbath school in the town hall.
The first sermon at Kalmar, as the location of the sawmill on
section 8 was called, was delivered by Rev. Nelson Moon, of Oro-
noce, on the occasion of the funeral of Mrs. F. C. Whitcomb.
In the fall of 1867 a class was organized at Byron by Rev.
Chambers, and a strong society has been ever since maintained there.
In 1873 a handsome frame church was built, at a cost of $3,000.
The structure is fifty feet long by thirty-two in width, surmounted
by a proportionate spire. Its audience-room is eighteen feet high
and will comfortably accommodate 250 persons. The society also
possesses a pleasant parsonage, built at a cost of $1,000. The last
of its debt, $300, was cleared ofi" in the summer of 1883. The society
828 HISTOKY OF OLMSTED COUNT T.
now includes a membership of sixty persons. Many losses in num-
bers have occurred through the restless inclination of people to emi-
grate toward the setting sun. Its Sunday school numbers nearly
seventy-five pupils, and is prosperous. This charge also includes
Douglass station, and embraces 100 members. The people are large-
hearted, and do their share in caring for the poor and unfortunate,
and in contributing to home and foreign missions. The following
are the names of the pastors who have officiated here, with the years
of their service : B. Y. Coffin, 2 . li. Forbes, 3 ; J. N. Liscomb, 3 ;
A. C. Keynolds, 2 \ Milton Akers, 3 ; B. F. Capehart, 1 ; G. W.
Barnett, appointed last conference.
BAPTIST CHUKOH.
The religious tendencies of Kalmar people were early cultivated,
and are in a thrifty condition now. As early as June, 1857, Richard
Middleton organized a Sunday school, which he conducted for two
successive summers, in the loft above his store on section 1?. On
his removal to Kochester, two years later, he resigned his superin-
tendency, but the school was maintained. It was non-sectarian, al-
though Mr. Middleton was an earnest adherent of the Baptist church.
During the second summer the school was held in his house.
The first meeting for the organization of the Baptist society was
held August 21, 1857, in a grove near Mr. Middleton's house, and
eight persons were associated together as the Big Grove Baptist
church. Their names were recorded as follows : Richard Middleton,
Lucinda C. Middleton, Darius Ellison, Rachael Fisher, John Elli-
son, Prudence Hamilton, W. R. Woodward and wife. At a meet-
ing on the 7th of November following, W. R. Woodward was elected
clerk of the society, and it was decided to invite Elder Shepard of
Wasioji, to preach to them, January 9 following. Woodward was
also made deacon. In August, 1858, Rev. Erastus Westcott began
to preach to this congregation. During the year following he de-
livered a sermon once in two weeks, and received for his services
less than fifty dollars. This was the period of depression following
the financial crash of 1857. One member oi the flock lost over
$1,500 in mercantile operations at this time. Mr. Westcott had a
farm near Rochester which aftbrded him sustenance, and he ministered
to the spiritual wants of his flock without hope of earthly reward.
The first formal organization occurred May 12, 1860, at which
time Richard Middleton and W. R. Woodward were made deacons,
KALMAR TOWNSHIP. 829
and the latter continued as clerk. During the existence of the
society there have been about 225 baptisms, and 250 persons have
been received as members. It now includes over 100 persons, and
is in a prosperous condition, never having received a cent of aid from
outside its own constituency.
The name was changed to Byron church after the organization of
the village of that name. It had been previously called Kalmar
church for some years. In 1871 the present handsome church edi-
fice was built. It stands near the railroad track on the south side.
It was built of the best quality of lumber, purchased expressly for
that purpose in Minneapolis by Mr. Middleton, president of the
building committee. William Waite, Joseph Dearborn, Hiram Fair-
banks and Thomas Kesson were also members of the building com-
mittee. The structure is 55 X 33 feet in area, framed, and its audi-
torium is 18 feet in height. 275 persons can be comfortably seated
in it. The Sunday school connected with this society is large and
prosperous.
At the annual meeting, November 16, 1882, the following officers
were elected : deacons, R. Middleton, L. W. Allard ; clerk, W. H.
Middleton ; treasurer, H. G. Hurd ; organist, Mrs. S. A. Middle-
ton ; Sunday school superintendent, Silas A. Middleton ; assistant
superintendent, H. Sparow ; secretary, Francis Sinclair ; librarian,
Alma Roof.
SECOND ADVENT CHUKCH.
This society was organized May 3, 1882, with nine members.
Jacob Jacobson was local elder and H. P. Anderson clerk and treas-
urer. Besides the wives of these gentlemen, the society included
George Peterson and wife, Henry Friis and his daughter Christina,
and R. P. Barmstrup. Rev. Louis Johnson, of Sleepy Eye, officia-
ted at the organization. Most of the preaching is done by the local
elder. During the summer of 1882 the society fitted up a building
— which had formerly been used as a dwelling, — donated for this
purpose by a member, and has since held its meetings there. The
membership now numbers twenty-two, and there is a sabbath school
of thirty-five pupils, superintended by George Peterson.
From the time of the advent of the railroad at Byron till the
spring of 1872, liquor was freely dispensed there. During the year
ending May 1, 1877, a saloon was maintained. In order to combat
830 HISTOEY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
this evil a lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars was
instituted in 1868, under the name of Byron Lodge. At one time
the society included over seventy-five members. In 1870 it was dis-
continued, and again organized in 1875, continuing to 1878. None
of its records can now be found. As liquor and drunkenness are
now unknown here, its mission appears to have been filled.
POLITICAL.
The organization of this town was efi*ected at the same time as
that of all others in this vicinity, May 11, 1858. It took place at
Kalmar, most of the citizens of the town being present. D. L. King
was made chairman of the meeting, and James Ford moderator.
John C. Simonton was chosen clerk, and Hiram Fairbanks as his
assistant. The location of the next annual meeting was fixed by vote
at the village of Middleton, and $100 was voted for contingent ex-
penses of the current year. At this meeting, the following ofliicers
were elected : Supervisors, D. L. King, chairman, H. C. Sheldon,
Moses Herrick ; clerk, Samuel McDowell ; assessor, Benjamin Mc-
Dowell ; collector, James Ellison ; overseer of poor, E,. Middleton ;
overseer of roads, John Kinsey ; justices of the peace, J. H. Hard-
ing and Norman Haight ; constables, James Ellison and Eobert
Canfield.
At the second election, the fund for contingent expenses was
increased to $105, and $50 was voted for planks to be used in mak-
ing roads.
Following is the list of supervisors and town clerks since elected :
1859— D. L. King, I. S. Whitcomb, James Phelan, S. J. McDowell.
1860 — H. C. Sheldon, I. S. Whitcomb, Jonathan Gordon, William
W. Doty. 1861 — Nelson Payne, J. Gordon, S. G. Cummings, S.
J. McDowell. 1862— Dudley Sinclair, M. H. Staats, H. C. Shel-
don, S. J. McDowell. 1863— D. L. King, W. R Woodard, D. D.
Gove, S. J. McDowell. 1861— D. L. King, H. C. Sheldon, Thomas
Kesson, S. J. McDowell. 1865— B. F. Perry, J. C. Simonton,
Gaylord Hurlbut, K. J. Perry. 1866 — B. F. Perry, George
Sinclair, Isaac Dodd, R. J. Perry. 1867— G. Sinclair, I. Dodd,
Daniel D. Tompkins, R. J. Perry. 1868—1. Dodd, G. Holmes,
D. D. Tompkins, R. J. Perry. 1869— David Maxfield, I. Dodd,
L S. Whitcomb, R. J. Perry. 1870— D. Maxfield, I. Dodd, D. D.
Gove, J. B. Kendall. 1871— S. G. Cummings, A. B. Reed, Joseph
Bird, J. B. Kendall. 1872— S. G. Cummings, George M. Hendon,
KALMAR TOWlSrSHIP. 831
A. B. Reed, W. H. Hampson. 1873 — S. G. Cummings, Josejdi
Bird, John F. Grimm, Henry Postier. 1874 — S. G. Cummings, J.
Bird, J. F. Grimm, H. Postier. 1875— Harrison Waldron, M. M.
Foster, Natlian Bowan, William Graham. 1876 — N. Bowman, A.
B. Reed, H. M. Frith, H. Postier. 1877— M. M. Foster, J. F.
Grimm, H. Postier. 1878— N. Bowman, G. D. Bradshaw, J. P.
Hogan, J. Rickert. 1879 — M. Heflfron, Isaac Johnston, Daniel
Chrisman, A. G. Gilbert. 1880— D. Chrisman, J. Johnston, George
W. Waldron, A. G. Gilbert. 1881— George Sinclair, G. W. Wal-
dron, Samuel Allen, A. G. Gilbert. 1882— G. Sinclair, S. Allen,
William R. Hunn, A. G. Gilbert. 1883— G. W. Waldron, D.
Chrisman, R. B. Moore, Wm. Graham.
In 1864 supervisor Sheldon moved away, and B. F. Perry was
appointed in his stead. In October of this year S. J. McDowell,
who had been clerk since the organization of the town, with the
exception of one year, died, and his place was filled by Robert J.
Perry, who was appointed in November.
At the annual meeting in 1877 but two supervisors were elected,
there being a tie between George Welker and L. W. Allard in the
vote for a third member ot the board. Each received eighty-five
votes, and the former was appointed by the board at its first meet-
ing to fill the vacancy.
A great revolution in the sentiment of voters regarding the sale
of liquors is made apparent in the records, two years sufficing for
the metamorphosis. At the annual election March 14, 1871, the
proposition to license the sale of liquors received seventy-five votes,
while fifty-five were recorded in opposition. March 11, 1873, there
were ninety-one votes cast in opposition to liquor license and none
for it.
At the fall election in 1858 there were sixty votes cast, of which
thirty-one were for a democratic candidate and the balance for the
republican. At this time the principal strife was on representatives
in the state legislature. At the election in 1880 the Garfield electors
were supported by 115 voters, and the Hancock men by eighty-nine,
showing a republican majority of twenty-six.
During the war party feeling ran high, and there were only two
democrats in town who were bold enough to come forward and vote
in opposition to the administration. One of these was a native of
Germany and the other of England. Large sums of money were
raised to pay bounties to soldiers and support their families.
832 HISTORT OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
A meeting of the town supervisors was held December 12, 1863,
at which it was decided to levy a tax of one per cent on all taxable
property in the town, to be applied in paying bounties to volunteers
and in aid for soldiers' families. On the lltli of February, 1864, an
appropriation of $1,100 was made, $100 to be paid every volunteer
enlisted to the credit of Kalmar before the first of May following. A
special town meeting was held August 26 of this year, and $3,200
was voted for the same purpose.
A war meeting was held on the 26th ol January, 1865, at which
were present the town board and thirty other citizens. It was unani-
mously voted that every citizen liable to draft furnish fifty dollars
on the 4th of February, and take a bounty order drawing ten per
cent interest. It was decided to pay a bounty of $300 to each vol-
unteer. ,
On the 16th of February, 1865, at a meeting of the board, it was
decided not to issue interest-bearing bonds, and a tax of $5,000 was
levied for bounty purposes. On the 28th of March this was increased
$500 by ofiicial action. On the 27th of March, 1866, a tax of $500
was levied by the board to cover deficiencies in the bounty fund, and
thus ended the expenditures for this purpose.
Considerable strife was occasioned by various propositions for
building bridges. At a special election November 11, 1874, a tax
of $1,000 was voted to be applied in building a bridge over the
Zumbro. For some reason this failed to be carried out. Another
special meeting was held July 27, 1875. The supervisors were au-
thorized to build two bridges. This was done. In 1882 an iron
bridge was built at an expense of $1,500, one-third of which was paid
by the county.
In 1874 a town hall veneered with brick was built at a cost of
$1,400. It stands on the northeast corner of section 22.
The population now numbers 192 persons more than in 1860, at
which time it was 691. Ten years later it had increased nearly 300,
reaching 972. In 1875 it had decreased to 897, and in 1880 to 883.
Of this number 222 are included in the village of Byron — the same
both in 1875 and 1880.
BYEON VILLAGE.
As indicated by census statistics given above, this hamlet con-
tains only a few mhabitants, but it is peopled with an enterprising
class of citizens, and has some advantages. Its site is a happily-
chosen one on account of sanitary principles, and also for its pleads-
KALMAR TOWNSHIP. 833
ant surroundings and fine views. The railroad level here is 260 teet
above that of Rochester, which makes it over 600 feet' above the
Mississippi at Wabasha, or 1220 feet above the sea level. Standing
on the platform of the railroad depot, one may gaze on miles of roll-
ing prairie in every direction, which, with its acres of golden grain,
or its green pastures covered with lowing kine, makes a scene to de-
light the eye of the artist, or the practical observer of nature's luxury.
Here and there are handsome groves of willow, maple or elm that
mark the location of farmers' homes, and hundreds of these happy
homes, where abound the evidences of intelligence and culture, are
to be found in the near vicinity.
The birth of this village dates at the location of a railroad station
here in the fall of 1864. Cars were running in the spring of 1865.
The first building put up on its site was a farm house erected by
Moses Herrick in 1856. It is still standing and constitutes the up-
right part of Charles F. Kesson's residence on Dibell street. An-
other was built in the eastern part of the village during the same
season by Samuel Mott. This was burned about twenty-six years
after.
When the railroad arrived the northwest quarter of section
thirty-three, on which stand the buildings constituting the village
proper, was owned by Addison J, Dibell, who donated the depot
site to the railway company. He shortly sold the south half of his
land to John C. Simonton and G. W. YanDusen, who platted the
village. Mr. Dibell then made an addition to the plat, on which
most of the residences now stand. Simonton built and operated the
first store, now owned and occupied by K. E. Mo. There are two
other stores here now, the largest being that of J. B. Kendall, post-
master. This occupies two rooms, each forty feet long, the main
one being twenty-two wide and the other sixteen. An annual busi-
ness of $20,000 per year is transacted over his counters. In 1869 a
wheat elevator and warehouse was built by G. W. YanDusen and
Thomas J. Templar. It has a capacity of 20,000 bushels. Large
amounts of wheat and other grains have been marketed here in
years gone by. In 1872 a cheese factory was built on the north side
of the village at a cost of $2,000, furnished by sixteen individuals.
It was operated by this association at a steady loss until 1882, since
which time it has been leased by Marvin & Cum mack, of Rochester.
This firm, which operates several factories in the county, paid one
cent per pound for milk during the season of 1883, and gave excel
50
834 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
lent satisfaction to the farmers, A wagon-shop, harness and two
blacksmith shops, with a shoeshop and sewing-machine dealer, rep-
resent the remaining industries ot this village, except that of its
farmer residents.
The charter incorporating the village of Byron bears date of Feb-
ruary 20, 1873. This was procured mainly to enable the citizens to
suppress the sale of liquor within its limits. The latter were there-
fore made to cover a large area. It includes all of section 32, the
west half of section 33, south half of section 29 and southwest quarter
of section 28. Dudley Sinclair, Francis C. Whitcomb and Thomas S.
Kesson were named in the charter as judges of the first election. This
was held in Gove & Simonton's hall March 11, 1873, and the judges
were elected councilmen for one year. Knud E. Mo was made re-
corder, Perry Kewell, treasurer ; George H. Stephens, justice ; W.
L. Standish, constable, and George W. Gove, assessor. On the 18th
of March the board held a meeting and passed an ordinance pro-
hibiting gambling or the sale or giving away of intoxicating liquors
within the village limits. At the annual election in 1873, the fol-
lowing officers were chosen, forty-six votes being cast : Councillors,
E. M. Gilbert, J. K. Webb and D. McLane ; recorder, C. E. Gillett ;
treasurer, K. E. Mo ; assessor, A. G. Hurd ; justice, Joseph B. Ken-
dall ; constable, I. E. Remick.
There is a strong religious sentiment, fostered by two churches.
An excellent school is maintained in a large and convenient building
provided for that purpose by the enlightened citizens, who appre-
ciate the necessity and value of good schools.
DOUGLASS STATION.
This was founded and platted by Harrison Douglass, a pioneer
settler of this town, in 1878. During this year a branch of the Win-
ona & St. Peter railroad was built from Rochester to Zumbrota.
This crosses section 1, on which a depot is located. Mr. Douglas
has built here an elevator, with capacity of 18,000 bushels. During
the same season Hiram Miller put up a store near the elevator,
which he afterward sold. Mr. Miller subsequently built another
structure, in which he keeps the postolfice and some light articles of
merchandise ; also occupies as a residence. A schoolhouse and half
dozen dwellings complete this village.
The number of births recorded in Kalmar township by the town
clerk, from 1871 to 1882, inclusive, are severally in the same order
KALMAR TOWNSHIP. 835
as follows : 21, 6, 8, 22, 16, 22, 36, 29, 17, 26, 21, 10. The deaths
recorded at corresponding periods were: 5, 4, 5, 14, 10, 6, 12, 10,
8, 10, 10, 7.
There are now two postoffices within the township, one at Doug-
lass and the other at Byron. Two offices were established in 1856.
The first was at Bear Grove, one mile west of Byron's site, and
Andrew J. Pritchard was made postmaster. He was shortly suc-
ceeded by Dudley Sinclair, and the office was moved a half mile
east to Sinclair's residence. It remained here till its removal to
Byron in 1865. The second postoffice was at Kalmar, and was sup-
plied from Rochester once a week. John Kinsey carried the mail
and James A. Blair was postmaster. This arrangement lasted but
a few years.
TORNADO.
Saturday, July 21, 1883, was a day that will be remembered long
and painfully by many residents in Olmsted county. It was a day
that opened on many happy homes and closed on desolated hearth-
stones. The dreadful hurricane whose visitation had been feared^
came at last, leaving destruction and ruin in its path.
About eleven o'clock in the forenoon it made its appearance in this
county, in the township of Kalmar, taking an eastern course through
the towns of Kalmar, Cascade, Haverhill, Farmington and Yiola, in
this county, and Elgin in Wabasha county. It is an impossibility to
convey any idea of its terrible force ; its results must be seen to form
an adequate conception of it. Its course was very narrow, not being
over 200 rods in width, but instead of keeping a straight line its way
was tortuous. The first intimation given of its approach was in a
roaring noise, as though a dozen heavy freight trains were coming.
During its progress it was so dark one could hardly see, and people
had fairly to scream to be heard by others.
Everything indicates that this was a whirlwind, for, while its
course was east, at some places it seemed to blow north, at others
south, again east, and then west, as the side of the whirlwind seemed
to strike its object. Then it seemed to strike the earth at times, and
then rise, as there are places of half a mile in length where there is
no indication of even a light wind.
To give some idea of the force of the wind, one incident is recited.
At Patrick Olvaney's a two-horse cultivator was in the field. This
the wind started, carrying it through a field of barley, up a hill ten
rods, and down the other side about the same distance. In its
836 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
progress it threw the dirt on either side at least 100 feet, leaving as
nice a furrow as though it had been done with a man and team.
Mr. John Reed, whose residence was leveled, said he first heard
a roaring noise coming from the east, and a cloud passed before his
house going about 100 rods until it was met by another, when both
returned and his house was instantly laid flat.
Its greatest fury was between Mr. E. A. Clason's, in Cascade, and
John Klee's. Mr. Gates, his next neighbor east, lost several build-
ings, and between this and Mr. Klee's the whirlwind followed the
road, and there was not a house left standing in its track. Through
this valley the wind storm was not over 200 rods in width.
In the woods where it crossed the Zumbro the whirlwind cut a
swath of 200 feet wide, and here its force could be best seen and ap-
preciated. It looked as though a huge mowing machine had been
drawn over them, cutting oft' the tops of trees and peeling oft" the
bark below. The trees were twisted, not broken square off.
The house of Mr. R. Middleton, north of Byron, was blown to
pieces, and Mrs. Middleton was instantly killed. She went into the
cellar, and the cellar wall fell on her, crushing her to death. Mr.
Middleton and a hired man, by the name of Munger, were seriously
injured.
George Arnold's house blew to pieces. His daughter's arm was
broken and a son had his leg broken. Mr. Arnold had $100 of
school orders in his clock, which was blown away, and he found only
$40 of it.
John Reed's house was blown down, and Mrs. Reed had her arm
and knee badly hurt. Mr. Reed was knocked down and held under
a rafter, until he was released. There were three children who es-
caped injury. Their clothing and furniture was blown away and
destroyed. One side of the house with a window in it was blown
200 feet and not a glass was broken.
The roof of Fred Postier's granary and seventy tons of hay were
blown away. There were over 1,000 bushels of barley in the gran-
ary which the rain that succeeded saturated and nearly ruined.
On the farm of Jacob Grassle a new barn 195x60 feet was swept
away, with all his farming utensils.
The brick schoolhouse at Stone's corners was flattened, and part
of the roof carried 200 feet and lodged against a windbreak. There
were- two glass lamps in the schoolhouse that were as carefully set
on some boards as though placed there by some person.
WEW HAVEN- TOWNSHIP. 837
Crossing the river, the first place is Mr. Joseljm's. Here an
idea of the terrible fury of the wind may be formed. His residence
is in a grove of large oak-trees that completely surround the house,
some of which are twenty inches in diameter. Many of them are
twisted short off, about four feet from the ground, and on all sides
of the house, yet, strange to say, the only injury the house sus-
tained was the blowing down of the chimney and the breaking of a
few panes of glass by a limb. Mr. Joselyn's mother had her face
quite badly cut by the flying glass.
In all, thirty houses and twenty large barns in this county were
entirely swept away, besides immense damage in the aggregate
to other buildings. Twenty-three persons were injured and one
instantly killed. Twenty families were left destitute.
Prompt steps were taken for affording relief to sufferers. A
meeting of prominent citizens was held in Haney's Hall in Koches-
ter, on Monday morning following the storm, and committees were
appointed to solicit and distribute funds, clothing, etc. There was
an old relief fund on hand of $108.70. The citizens at once con-
tributed $1,321.65, and the county commissioners appropriated $470.
This, with clothing contributed to the value of $500, made $2,400-
.35, which was at once distributed among the needy. This county
also gave large suras for the benefit of sufferers outside its limits,
the town of Yiola alone sending $500 to Elgin.
CHAPTEE XVII.
NEW HAVEN TOWNSHIP.
This is one of the most heavily wooded tracts in southern Minne-
sota. Two principal forks of the middle branch of the Zumbro river
flow through the town, and tlie surface is much broken by the bluffs
which always line the streams of this state. The timber, consisting
of oak, maple, black-walnut, elm, linn, poplar, etc., whicli clothe
the whole surface, was in great demand for building purposes on the
first advent of the white settlers — railroads being then unknown and
undreamed of here ; and the numerous powers afforded by the South
Middle Zumbro were speedily employed in turning sawmills, one of
838 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
which is still standing and does occasional service. The North Mid-
dle takes a turn for a mile or two through the adjoining town of
Pine Island, Goodhue county, where it turns saw and grist mills at
the village of Pine Island, which forms the business center for a
large portion of the residents of New Haven. This town is de-
scribed as T. 108, K. 15 W., 6th P. M. It lies in the northwest cor-
ner of Olmsted county, and is bounded by Pine Island on the north,
Oronoco on the east, Kalmar on the south, and on the west by Mil-
ton, Dodge county.
A considerable portion of the territory embraced in the township
is owned by residents of the prairie regions surrounding, and yet it
is quite thickly populated by a hardy, intelligent people. While
many sought the open prairies for farms, others thought they could
not live away from timber, and struck into the heavy woods ; so that
many fine farms are now seen where was once the virgin forest.
The settlement of this town dates from a very early period in the
history of the county. In the spring of 1854 M. C. Yan Horn came
lip from Iowa, and visiting the site of Oronoco village, tlien just
started by Hodges, Clark & Collins, struck out thence along the
north bank of the river into this tovmship and soon found his pres-
ent location, on section 11, which he at once pre-empted. He built
a cabin during the summer and brought his family the following fall,
and has ever since been a resident.
Soon after Yan Horn's arrival. Park Amsden settled on section
35. On August 7, 1854, Samuel Brink removed from the Little
Cedar river, in Iowa, to this town, bringing with him eight teams
and eighteen men, of whom only one, J. N. Palmer, now remains.
All took claims to timber land, and sold out to Brink. All hands
at once set to work to get out material for building a sawmill. A
stock of merchandise was part of the outfit and was placed in a log
building as soon as it could be erected, and the new town of " Du-
rango " was soon established. This was at what is now called New
Haven, where the Rochester & Northern Minnesota railroad crosses
the river. A dam was placed across the stream and a sawmill
erected, which was set in motion in the fall of 1855. During the
last-named season settlers had come in very fast, and the demand
for lumber was active. The first boards turned out were used
in the houses of Daniel Sally and Abram Clason. The former
arrived and settled on section 36 on June 14 ; the latter arrived on
June 8 and settled on the same section ; both still occupy their
NEW HAVEN TOWNSHIP. 839
original locations. Previous to this time the Kilroys, John and
William, and Philo Phelps had settled a little farther west.
The locality last above referred to was called Center Grove, which
name still clings to it, notwithstanding it is the site of Douglas Sta-
tion. Here occurred the lirst wedding in the town, that of John
Holmes and Diana Phelps, which took place at the residence of the
bride's father, Philo Phelps, on March 23, 1855 ; the ceremony was
performed by P. H. Bucklin, Esq. , of Rochester.
During the summer of 1855 the citizens of the locality desired t(^
have a school, and so clubbed together and put up a small log struc-
ture to be used for school purposes on section 36. Ann Losinger, a
miss of fourteen, was employed to train the young ideas. This was
probably the first school in the county. On the organization of
school districts subsequently, the Center Grove schoolhouse was
located on the opposite side of the^ road, in the town of Kalmar,
where it still remains. Miss Losinger married R. L. Emerick and
lives at Minneapolis.
The first white child born in the town was Bertha E. , daughter
of William Kilroy. This birth took place Malrch 17, 1855. Miss
Kilroy grew up and married John A. Senn, and now resides at
Sauk Papids.
In xA.ugust, 1856, Mrs. Helen Madison, wife of Henry Madison,
died of fever, in the northern part of the town. This was probably
the first death that occurred within the limits of New Haven. Mrs.
Madison was less than twenty-one years old at the time of her
decease. She was attended by her only female neighbor, Mrs.
Samuel Campbell.
The settlement of the town during the year 1855 was very rapid,
and it would be impossible to name all the arrivals. Many of the
original settlers have moved farther west. John B. Bassett filed a
claim on a quarter of section 3-1 in October, 1851 ; and his son,
Joshua B,, took a quarter of the same section in May, 1855. This
was the first land in the town on which a patent was issued by the
government. The instrument bears date of December 1, 1856.
Owing to an error in the survey, the lands in New Haven could not
be patented until a long time after their settlement. Mr. Bassett
happened to be the first to patent his claim after it came in market.
Joseph and John Cornwell, brothers, entered claims in May, 1855.
In September of the same year Cornelius White, claimed the quarter
of section 31 on which he still continues to reside. James Button,
840 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COITNTY.
now a leading citizen of Rochester, located on section 14 in 1855, and
continued to reside thereon for many years, taking an active part in
the development of the town. In 1858 he bought the sawmill on
section 27, built two years previously by Baker & Madison, which
he still owns, with four hundred acres of land in the vicinity.
NEW HAVEN.
At one time the village of Durango promised to make a large
commercial center, as so many new towns often promise, only to
prove like the fruit of Sodom and Gomorrah. After Brink's saw-
mill was set in motion, numerous people were employed by him in
its operation. In partnership with John Holmes he opened an ex-
tensive store and supplied a large tract of county with necessaries. It
is said that the first nails driven in Rochester were purchased here,
and that many came from what is now the commercial center of the
county to purchase drygoods, etc., in the winter of 1855-6. Early
in 1855 a man named Birch opened a " dry and wet" grocery, and
some wild carousals were held here, after some shooting had been
indulged in, in which the proprietor seemed to be the chief target,
the place was closed and its keeper disappeared. Brink & Holmes
sold out to Charles Nye in 1856, and Brink decamped the following
spring, leaving Holmes in the lurch. All of the latter's real estate was
absorbed in paying the debts of the firm, and he had to start anew.
His defaulting partner subsequently died in an almshouse. Nye
died in 1857 and the property fell into the hands of Daniel Heany.
In the spring of 1858 Heany opened a large store and continued
also to operate the sawmill till 1864. At this time the development
of rival towns, where better powers were afforded by the Zumbro,
had deprived New Haven ( this was the name taken in 1858, when
the state and township were organized) of its prestige, and the vil-
lage rapidly fell into decay. The sawmill was operated in a small
way by one Ambler for four years longer, at the end of which time
it fell down and the dam has since disappeared through neglect.
Three residences now constitute the hamlet. The building at first
occupied as a store is doing service as a stable. A postoffice was es-
tablished here about 1861 or 1862, with John H. Hill as postmaster,
but was discontinued some years since. Considerable sport was
made with Mr. Hill by his democratic friends over his degradation
in being compelled to accept an appointment from a republican
president ! The honors of emoluments of the office were never such
NEW HAVEN TOWNSHIP. 841
as to be sought after, but the office was accepted by its incumbent as
a neighborhood accommodation.
GENOA.
In the summer of 1857 Barker & Frycke built a dam across the
south middle Zumbro on the extreme south edge of the town, and
erected a sawmill, which was driven by the power thus secured.
This dam was washed away the following spring, and another dam
was put in lower down the stream at Genoa, and the present village
began to spring up. It is located on the S. ^ of S.W. ^
Sec. 34, land taken from the government by John B. Bassett,
and the present village was platted by him in 1865. In 1858
the first school was opened here, Mr. Bassett donating the use
of a building for that purpose. He also erected several buildings
for the accommodation of families called here by the growth of busi-
ness. In 1860 John Kilroy and Leonard Kilbourn built a steam
sawmill on the left bank of the river opposite Genoa. This was
burned and rebuilt in 1864, but has now disappeared. In 1870 the
mill built by Baker & Frycke, at that time owned by Charles Hurd,
was washed away with the dam, and that was the last use of water-
power at this point. In 1869 Joshua Bassett built a steam sawmill
on section 33, half a mile west of Genoa, and operated it till 1879.
The building is still standing.
A postoffice was established here in 1872, with Hiram Miller as
keeper. The office still supplies mail to a large number of people,
■ many of them farmers of the vicinity. The village numbers about
150 souls. There is a general store which does a thriving trade.
A postoffice was established in the winter of 1862-3, on section
31, and christened Othello. This was supplied from Mantorville, on
condition that the patrons of the office carry the mail without ex-
pense to the government. David Rowley was employed under this
arrangement to go after the mail once a week. A. O. Cowles was
postmaster for ten years. He was succeeded by Cornelius White;
and the office was shortly discontinued. On the establishment of a
post-route between Rochester and Faribault in 1879, the office was
reopened, and is supplied with daily mail.
CHURCHES.
The town of New Haven contains no church edifice, but religious
services are held in several of its schoolhouses, and many of its peo-
ple are members of societies in neighboring towns. A large share
842 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
of the people in the western part of town are communicants in the
Eoman Catholic church at Pine Island ; and a society of Second Ad-
ventists, with headquarters at the same point, is known as the IS'ew
Haven church, as it had its origin in this town, where its meetings
were formerly held, and many of its adherents reside here.
The first religious organization in town was a class of Episcopal
Methodists, formed in the fall of 1855 by Rev. S. A. Wing — then a
resident of Oronoco — in a log schoolhouse on section 36, where
Daniel Sally's garden is now located. This society numbered seven
members, with John Lowiy as class-leader, and N. Bowman, stew-
ard. A Sunday school was organized the following spring, and S.
A. Wing acted as superintendent, chorister and secretary. This
society was called the Center Grove society, and existed until quite
recently. Services are still held at irregular intervals in the Douglas
schoolhouse.
A Baptist society was organized at Genoa in the spring of 1868
by Revs. Howard Hamlin and Hiram Miller, and the latter was
installed as pastor. George Welker was chosen as deacon, and G. IST.
Henton as clerk. Services were held in the schoolhouse for about
three years, and the class, being weakened by deaths and removals,
went out of existence.
Early in 1871 a class of Wesleyans was formed at Genoa by
Rev. Henry H. Walker, who ministered as pastor. George Welker
was the first class-leader, and Sidney Ottman, steward. Services
are still held in the schoolhouse by this sect.
Mr. Walker also organized a class at Othello in the spring of
1872, of which Charles S. Frost was class-leader, and James Olin,
steward. This organization has lapsed, but services are still held
occasionally at the schoolhouse.
The organization of a Baptist church at Othello dates June 9, 1872.
Russell Bentley and A. O. Cowles were the deacons, and Allen
Reed, clerk. Rev. Horton, of Mantorville, organized the class and
was its firfet pastor. Services were held in the schoolhouse alter-
nately with the Wesleyans. Both the last-named societies were
organized after a series of joint revival meetings, and both have
been broken up by mutual disagreements and lack of interest.
ORGANIZATION.
The town of New Haven was organized, in common with others
in this section of the state, on its admission in 1858. This was the
only town in the county to vote against the loan of $5,000,000 state
]S"EW HAVEN TOWNSHIP. 843
bonds to aid in railroad construction, at the election on the question
held April 15 of that year.
The first regular town meetiiig was held in Daniel Heany's store,
at New Haven, on May 11, 1858. At this election eighty-one votes
were cast, of which Daniel Sally cast the first.
The following oflicers were elected : Supervisors, John Lowry,
chairman, Daniel Sally, Thomas McManus ; clerk, John Cornwell
(this oflice has been filled by the same incumbent ever since, having
been re-elected from year to year); assessor, J. H. Plodgman ; over-
seer of poor, Arnold Hunter ; collector and treasurer, A. N^. Bow-
man ; justices, A. B. Chapin, L. S. Howe ; constables, Charles Os-
born and A. N. Bowman.
The following are the supervisors who have served since the first
election, in every case the chairman being named first :
1859— John Kilroy, Dan'l Salley, Saml Campbell. 1860— J. M.
Cornwell, D. Salley,' J. H. Hodgraan. 1861— D. Salley, E. B.
Speed, Aaron Hamlin. 1862 — D. Salley, Russell Williams, Kewell
Bascomb. 1863 — Russell Williams, O. S. Yreeland, Harrison
Douglass. 1864— D. Salley, M. C. Marvin, O. S. Yreeland. 1865
—J. M. Cornwell, H. Douglass, John H. Hill. 1866— E. D. Wil-
cox, Russell Williams, Jerome McManus. 1867 — E. D. Wilcox, H.
Douglass, L. L. Mutchler. 1868— E. D. Wilcox, L. L. Mutchler,
Nathaniel Bowker. 1869— Same. 1870— L. L. Mutchler, H.
Douglas, T. V. Phelps. 1871— E. D. Wilcox, H. C. Packard, A.
Hunter. 1872— E. D. Wilcox, H. C. Packard, H. D. Cornwell.
1873— Thomas Cornwell, H. C. Packard, A. O. Cowles. 1874—
Thomas Cornwell, H. C. Packard, J. C. Smith. 1875— Thomas
Cornwell, L. L. Mutchler, George Fryer. 1876— J. M. Cornwell,
T. C. Farrell, H. G. Wetherbee. 1877— J. M. Cornwell, W. Jill-
son, L. L. Mutchler. 1878— J. M. Cornwell. H. C. Packard, Mar-
tin Flick. 1879— J. M. Cornwell, L. L. Mutchler, Patrick Kennedy.
1880— H. C. Packard, P. Kennedy, William W. Button. 1881—
J. N. Cornwell, P. Kennedy, W. W. Button. 1882— Thomas Corn-
well, Patrick Kennedy, H. C. Packard.
The following are the town officers elected in the spring of 1883 :
Supervisors, Thomas Cornwell, chairman, Thomas T. Van Dolah,
Patrick Kennedy ; clerk, John Cornwell ; treasurer, Abram Clason jv^
assessor, Frank Conrad ; justice of the peace, Henry Hamlin ; con-
stables, Marshall Hickok, Hugh Hammel. Abram Clason has been
town treasurer for the last ten years.
844 , HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
The leading political parties have usually been very evenly
divided in the choice of New Haven voters. In the presiden-
tial election of 1880 the republican electors received 103 votes,
and the democratic 89, a total of 192 ballots. In 1881, at the
gubernatorial election, three tickets were in the field, democratic,
republican, and prohibition. The former received seventy-seven
votes, the latter three, and the other seventy-one. The vote of 1880
is the closest index to party divisions.
The population of the townsliip.has shown very little increase in
the last five years. In 1860, at the first United States census, it
was 423 ; in 1870 the number had increased to 860 ; five years later
had grown to 1001, and at the last census the roll showed 1011, a
gain often since 1875.
New Haven has the honor of erecting the first iron bridge in the
county. This was erected at New Haven village by H. E. Horton,
contractor, in 1875. There are how three iron bridges and one
wooden one erected at a total cost of $4,500.
The proposition to vote a bonus of $5,000 to the Kochester and
Northern Minnesota railroad, on condition of establishing a station
in the town, was rejected by the voters, an act of which many
citizens feel proud.
The war record of the township is also something of which her
people may be proud. On the 20th of August, 1864, at a special
town meeting, a tax of $5,000 was voted, fifty-seven to fifteen, to
pay bounties at the rate of $300 per man for volunteers in the
country's service. On the 17th of January following, by vote of
nineteen to seven, the sum per volunteer was increased to $500. On
the 11th of March, 1865, a further tax of $2,000 was voted, twenty-
six to twelve, to be used for bounties, but the immediate close of
the war rendered the use of this sum unnecessary.
Many hardships were endured by the pioneer settlers of this, as
of all new regions, and their present sturdy independence is the re-
sult of their experiences. Yery few of their descendants, who will
people the country under its improved condition, will be able to
fully realize the extent of their fortitude and perseverance. A few
of the incidents related of early times in the history of the town may
not be out of place here.
A. O. Cowles took a claim in his own right, in addition to a
purchased claim, and was obliged to live upon the former a part of
the time in order to hold it. On one occasion, in the summer of
IO;W HAVEN TOWNSHIP. 845
1856, himself and wife went to the little cabin late at night and pro-
ceeded to retire. On rolling back the clothing from the bed, a huge
rattlesnake was disclosed comfortably coiled up beneath the cover.
His snakeship glided out between the logs of the wall, which was
unchinked, and left Mr. Cowles and wife to enjoy their rest undis-
turbed. On another occasion, in the same cabin, Mr. Cowles held
an umbrella over his wife all night while a furious storm raged, as
the " shake" roof afforded very little protection.
During the winter of 1854, John A. Bassett found himself one
Sunday morning without provisions or money, and set out, with gun
in hand as usual, from his lonely cabin for New Haven, in hopes to
make some arrangement whereby he could secure something to eat.
As he was passing near the river, a deer struggled up the opposite
bank and was shot Ijy the lucky hunter. Dressing the animal, he
took the hams to New Haven and exchanged them for groceries ;
and with these and the remainder of the deer's carcass, he found him-
self again supplied for some time to come with eatables. Shortly after-
ward he discovered a "bee-tree" containing 150 pounds of honey,
and with his store trade thus secured fancied himself extremely rich,
and rich he was, for he had a quarter-section of good land, and pro-
vision to last him till he could hope to produce something from the
ground.
There were no bridges in the early days, and the treacherous Zum-
bro was often crossed with difficulty. In April, 1856, Joseph Foster
attempted to cross the stream near where Othello postofiice is now
located, with an ox team and wagon, his object being to take his
sister, Mrs. A. O. Cowles, across with her baggage. When in mid-
stream the box floated off and the oxen returned to the bank whence
they had started. By* using his seat for a paddle, Mr. Foster suc-
ceeded in rowing his impromptu boat ashore, and found himself on
the same side with his team. By attracting the attention of friends
on the opposite side, he got a line thrown across and attached it to
the oxen so they could be led across ; then tying the wagon box
down, he again launched from shore and succeeded in making the
passage safely.
During the snow blockades of the winters of 1855-6 and 1856-7,
the stores were often out of provisions, and people able to purchase
the same were almost in a starving condition because they qould not
be procured. During the latter winter Thomas C. Nye's family
was three weeks without flour. At last a supply arrived at Brink's
846 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
store, only a mile away, but this had been wet and would hardly be
given to swine now. It was, however, relished very highly by
many people who had been some time without. It was during the
same winter that John Kane's family ate hoe cake without salt for
several weeks, as the supply of that simple but essential condiment
had been exhausted at the stores. There were no roads in those
days, and a snow blockade was much worse than now. Those peo-
ple who thought themselves extremely unfortunate in being deprived
of mails for a week at a time during the winter of 1882-3 have but
a faint idea of the trials of those living here in 1856-7. During this
winter John Corn well entertained some friends who were out of pro-
vision with bread made from buckwheat flour, beans, honej^ and tea,
and was voted a prince of entertainers.
In the summer of 1855 Joseph M. Cornwell slept with his family
under a tree on his claim while his cabin was being erected. One _
cool night an infant son, Frank, rolled from beneath the cover, and
when discovered by his mother was nearly chilled through.
CHAPTER XVIII.
ORONOCO TOWNSHIP.
The history of this township derives especial importance in rela-
tion to that of the whole county from the early date of its settlement,
the intelligence and high, moral character of its pioneers and present
inhabitants, its very superior natural advantages, and the romantic
beauty of its scenery. As the village of Oronoco was never incor-
porated, its history will not be separated from that of the whole
township ; in fact, they are so closely interwoven as to be insepara-
ble. The township of Oronoco lies on the extreme northern side of
Olmsted county, being separated only by the township of New
Haven from the western line. It is bounded on the north by
Mazeppa township, Wabasha county, with whose history that ot
many Oronoco citizens is very closely connected ; on the east by
Farmington, and south by Cascade, and is described as T. 108
N., R. 14 W., of the 5th P. M. The village is very near the
western border of the town, and is the principal business point in
ORONOCa TOWNSHIP. 847
the northwestern part of the county. Two principal branches oi" the
Zumbro river unite in the eastern portion of the town, the south
branch entering in the middle of section 36, and flowing northward,
is joined by the middle or main branch, on section 14, and continu-
ing northward, leaves the town on the northeast quarter of section
3. The main branch has two forks, each of which turns numerous
mill-wheels at Mantorville, Pine Island, etc., that unite at the vil-
lage ot Oronoco, on the west side of section 17. Here is a water-
power capable of grinding two hundred barrels of flour per day the
year around. The same stream furnishes three other valuable
water-powers within the township, all of them unimproved at pres-
ent. The origin of the present name of the river is attributed to the
attempts of modern settlers to pronounce the name given it by the
early French explorers, who experienced a great deal of trouble in
navigating its rapids and shoals, and christened it Les Amhras^
which signifies, "the embarass ''; this was rendered by the Indians
and subsequent white residents as "Zumbro."
Although the contour of the land surface is a great deal broken
in the neighborhood of the river, there is no " waste " land in this
township, for the soil is everywhere rich, as well on top of the bluffs
as in the ravines, or "runs," and the highest points are usually cov-
ered with timber, an essential element in the economy of a prairie
region. About three-fourths of the surface of the town consists of
prairie, and has a rich soil which has nearly all been broken up and
subdued. The town, therefore, compares very favorably with others
of the county in agricultural value and prosperity.
Oronoco took a very prominent position in the early history ot
the county. At the time of its settlement, on March 13, 1854, the
nearest human habitation was twenty-five miles away, on the north
branch of Root river, in the southern part of the county. At that
time there was a settlement at Cannon Falls, thirty-five miles north-
west ; at Red "Wing, forty miles north, and Faribault at the same
distance west. The site of the present village of Oronoco was pre-
empted by Leonard B. Hodges, John B. Clark and Ebenezer S. Col-
lins, partners in the venture of starting a town in the then wilder-
ness, who came hither from Allemakee county, Iowa, then but a
new region in the annals of civilization. Messrs. Hodges, Clark and
Collins were all bachelors, and proceeded to build a log hut for their
common use and protection. This was placed on the left bank of
the river, but a few feet above its surface, about on the spot now
848 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
occupied b}^ the abutment supporting the north end of the bridge.
During the season of 1854 thej broke and cropped forty acres, and
raised good crops of corn, potatoes and garden stuff on the sod.
They also staked out roads to Red Wing, St. Paul, Wabasha and
other points.
They spent much time and money in staking out and opening up
a stage route from Dubuque, Iowa, to St. Paul, bridging streams,
cutting down river banks for fording places, and making it possible
for a four-horse coach to rattle through the then howling wilderness
on good time ; so that in the summer of 1854 M. O. Walker's stage
line was in full blast, making daily trips from Dubuque to St. Paul
through the winter of ISo^r-S, with far more regularity than is
now done by railroads.
Robert K. Whitely, of St. Louis, Missouri, and John A. Moore, of
New York, were the next permanent settlers. November 4, 1854,
Capt. James A. George, of Ohio, afterward Colonel of the 2d Minne-
sota reg., settled in Oronoco, and was accompanied by his brother-
in-law, Michael Pearce. They returned to Ohio for the winter, and
in the following spring returned with their families.
E. C. Stevens moved to Oronoco from Red Wing in the summer
of 1854 ; this was the first family that settled in Oronoco, the pre-
ceding settlers being all single men at that time.
In 1854 Hodges, Clark & Collins donated ten acres, including
the mill-site and water-power, to Ezra Odell and James Holliston,
who built the first mill — a sawmill — during the following winter.
The first store was built and opened by John A. Moore. The first
hotel was erected by S. P. Hicks in the fall of 1854, it was built of
logs, 18 X 24, with a lean-to 12 X 24 in rear ; and in this rude hos-
telry from sixty to one hundred men were sheltered and fed daily.
During the winter of 1854-5, Reuben Ottman, a lawyer who
made numerous pecuniary investments in the town, and J. D. Terry,
a farmer, arrived ; and during the following season the arrivals were
very brisk, both of farmers and business men. During the latter
part of this season and the winter following, D. J. Bascomb, T. A.
Olmsted and H. D. Evans built a gristmill, and in 1856 Messrs.
Allott and Wilcox built a sash, door and planing-mill ; so that by
the summer of 1856 the village of Oronoco presented a lively appear-
ance. With the manufactures carried on and the trade in supplies
for the settlers pouring in to all parts of this region, business was
very brisk, and more money changed hands at Oronoco in one week
/ .
L. B. JOSSELYN,
ORONOCO TOWNSHIP. 851
at that time than in a month now. During tlie summer of 1859 the
manufacture of chairs was added to that of sash and doors, but the
"great freshet" in June of that year swept away the whole machi-
nery, and it was never replaced. There are still used in the town
chairs made in this mill, and perhaps all along the lower Zumbro,
as they were scattered by the waters all the way to the Mississippi.
The flouring-mill changed hands several times, and was several
times remodeled and added to ; in 1873, the property having fallen
into the hands of A. D. Allis, who sold a part-interest to A. Good-
ing and D. S. Hebbard, of Rochester, a large merchant mill was
erected, in which were placed eight runs of stone, and shortly after
three sets of rolls. Three years later high water carried away the
flume, and with it the millstones, one set being recovered two miles
down stream, and one was never found. These damages were re-
paired, and the mill continued to turn out its 200 barrels of flour
per day till November 25, 1879, when it was entirely consumed by
fire, with a storehouse containing 30,000 bushels of wheat, and in-
flicting a loss of $90,000. This was a sad blow to Oronoco, as the
operation of the mill gave employment to a large number of coopers,
millers and other laborers, and furnished a first-class home market
for the grain of the farmers. A small grist-mill with three sets of
stones is now operated on the power by A. D. Allis, who hopes to
be able soon to enlarge its capacity and engage again in merchant
milling. Could capital be induced to improve the power now daily
wasted in this town by the erection of cotton, paper or other mills,
this town would soon become a center to surpass any other in the
county or immediate vicinity. Its water-powers far exceed those of
Rochester in value, and with their improvement railroad advantages
could be readily secured.
RAILROAD.
During the season of 1878 the Rochester and Northern Minne-
sota Railway was built from Rochester to Zumbrota. It enters this
township on the southwest quarter of section 36, and running in a
general northwesterly direction leaves on section 5. One station is
located on section 14, called Oronoco Switch. A depot and small
grain warehouse constitute the buildings at this station. Douglass
Station, in the town of Kalmar, is but a few rods from the town line,
and Pine Island, a lively rural village, at which is a station, adjoins
the township on the north. Two mixed trains pass each way daily
over this line, and the people of the town are thus accommodated
51
852 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
with quick and easy communication with the county's business cen-
ter, and the world generally.
It was generally believed at first that Oronoco was destined to
be the leading town in this portion of the state, and capital and
farmers began to concentrate in the neighborhood. The first meet-
ing of the county commissioners was held here August 27, 1855, and
it was confidently believed that the county seat was to be perma-
nently located here. The boundaries of the county had not then
been mapped out, but at the next meeting of the territorial legisla-
ture the present boundaries were established and Rochester became
the natural center of the county. The commissioners were Col.
James George, Brigham Barrows and James Rutan, and held their
second meeting in September following the first at Rochester. Up
to 1858 there was no organization of townships, the citizens voting
by precincts. The whole vote of this precinct in 1857 was 154, of
which the republican candidates received 92 and the democratic 62.
The precinct embraced, besides this town, Farmington, Cascade and
New Haven. At present the town of Oronoco casts a very small
republican majority on a party vote, but during most of the time in
its history there has been a democratic majority of ten to fifteen. A
very large proportion of the original settlers have died or moved
away, and the few remaining ones treasure the memory of early days
and relate many incidents and hardships attendant on their settle-
ment here.
After the first settlers had staked out their claims, on section 17,
and erected a log hut thereon, Messrs. Hodges and Clark returned
to Iowa after supplies and left Collins to hold the claim, surrounded
by Winnebago and Sioux Indians, who were very friendly at that
time. In the latter part of April the absentees returned and brought
provisions, farming implements, a small blacksmithing outfit and five
yoke of oxen. Clark was fond of female society, and soon began to
pine for the sight of calico ; he remarked to a prospector who visited
the trio that he would make a present of a town lot to the first white
woman who visited them. About this time a family named Sackett
had settled at Pine Island, and a daughter of the family hearing of
this offer came down one Sunday, accompanied by her brother, and
was duly awarded a deed of a lot.
The first family to settle here was that of E. C. Stevens, who
made the second claim in town about the first of August, 1854; and
shortly after S. P. Hicks arrived with his family, and built the hotel
ORONOCO TOWNSHIP. 853
as above noted. ' The following year he built the wing of the present
hotel, to which was shortly added the main portion. This property
has changed hands many times, and is now owned by H. Brockett,
of Rochester, and occupied by James Hellenbolt.
The birth of the first white child in Oronoco occurred in January,
1855, and was that of a Swede child, whose paternity is unknown ;
its mother was employed as a servant in the hotel.
In September, 1855, occurred the first wedding in town, at the
residence of John B. Clark, who had in the meantime returned to
" the settlements," secured a bride, and set up housekeeping. The
principals in this wedding were James Holliston and Mary Stephen-
son, and the ceremony was performed by Frank Kimmerly, Esq.,
the first judicial officer of the place.
The first birth in town of which any record is made was that of
Ida, daughter of J. B. Clark, who is now married and residing in
Kansas.
It was often said in the early days of Oronoco that the place was
so healthy as to make it necessary to kill a man in order to start a
cemetery. This grew out of the accidental death of a young man
named Stukeley, who was buried here in the fall of 1855. This
youth, in company with a friend, was riding with L. B. Hodges and
Captain Letts, from Eed Wing to Oronoco. Young Stukeley and
companion rode on a trunk, while Hodges and Letts sat in the seat
of the wagon. The young men had a shotgun which they frequently
used in firing at prairie-chickens, those birds being very numerous
at the time. Each time after firing, the gun was placed .across the
seat between its occupants with the muzzle pointing back. Despite
the caution of Mr. Hodges, Stukeley persisted in drawing the gun
toward himself by the muzzle, and when about half-way through the
trip he thus caused the discharge of the weapon by catching the
hammer on the seat, and received the charge, without any scatter-
ing, in his head, entering at the chin and making no larger wound
than a bullet would have made. He sank without a quiver. His
body was brought by his companions to this place and interred next
day. One corpse had been previously buried here, that of William
McVeigh, a millwright, who died of fever at the hotel in May, 1855.
The nearest physician at that time was at Mantorville, seventeen
miles distant, and he could not be summoned in time to be of any
benefit to poor McVeigh. The first physician in town, and proba-
bly in the county, was Dr. H. Galloway, who settled here in 1856.
854 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
CHURCHES.
Eeligious services were early held here, although the first was
some three months subsequent to the first in the county. In September,
1855, E.ev. Norris Hobart, presiding elder of the Winona district
of the Methodist Episcopal church, held a quarterly meeting in the
store building of Evans & Withrow, which is still standing on the east
side of Center street, on the south side of the river. At this service
there were twenty-five or thirty persons present, all males, and when
the preacher requested that a collection be taken up, one of "the
boys ■" passed a hat, securing nearly $100. On counting the money,
the elder was very much astonished, and casting his eyes first on the
cash and then around over the little group, he remarked that it was
the largest he ever saw taken up in a crowd of such size. In 1857
a society of Episcopal Methodists was organized here, in what was
then known as the Pine Island Circuit, over which Rev. J. M.
Rogers presided as pastor. This society did not exist very long.
The Protestant Methodists soon after began to hold services here;
but we can learn of no permanent organization under its jurisdiction.
The next society organized was that known as the ' ' Disciples "
or "Believers.'" In 1863 Noah Wirt, a miller, who also preached
the doctrines of this sect, settled here ; several families of similar
faith settled here about the same time, services were soon held
according to its teachings. The first preaching was in November of
that year, at the schoolhouse, by Rev. Charles Rowe, of Iowa, and,
in December following, a society was organized, with Noah Wirt
and Levi P. Hill as elders. George W. Wirt, E. C. Stevens and
Charles Whitney were the trustees, the latter being also clerk of the
society; the deacons were Solomon Wise and Gr. W. Wirt. Services
were continued in the schoolhouse until 1865, when a building was
bought and fitted up as a church. A Sunday school was organized
at this • time, with Thomas Lindsay as superintendent. Regular
church services were held for some time after this, but on account
of the death or removal of many members, they soon ceased,
although irregular services occurred for some years. The church
building still stands at the corner of Minnesota and Walnut streets,
but in a neglected and dilapidated- condition.
In the summer of 1861 a series of tent meetings were held at
Oronoco, under the auspices of the Advent church authorities, at
Battle Creek, Michigan. A sc»ciety of this faith was organized, and
continued eight or ten years. Rev. John W. Bostick was the first
ORONOCO TOWNSHIP. 855
pastor, and Thomas Harlow, elder. The people composing this
church were largely residents of New Haven, and the society being
weakened by removals, they joined the church at Pine Island, which
is now the center in this region.
The only society at present in existence here is the Presbyterian.
This was organized in October, 1870, by Rev. Thomas Burnett, who
continued as its pastor for ten years, and through whose untiring
efforts a neat church and parsonage were built at a total cost of over
$4,000, of which $3,500 is invested in the church building ; this is
a very neat structure, with handsome steeple, classroom, and com-
fortable seating capacity for 130 persons. The society has never
been very strong, and its services are largely supported by non-com-
municants. This speaks highly for the character of Oronoco people,
•who are willing to support the gospel, even though it be not inter-
preted according to their individual beliefs. At the organization of
the Presbyterian society it numbered but four members, three being
ladies. The trustees of its property were S. R. Terwilliger, L. B,
Hodges and Leonard Jenne, who had contributed liberally toward
securing it. The church edifice was begun in May, 1871, and com-
pleted in March of the following year. The society now numbers
fifteen communicants, of whom but two are males. The Sunday
school in connection includes sixty members, with L. A. Dudley as
superintendent, L. Huntsinger, secretary and treasurer, and Yolney
Reifsneider, librarian. Mr. Burnett, the first pastor, was succeeded
by Rev. W. C. Beebe, and the latter by Rev. E. B. Linn. Services
are now conducted by Rev. E. C. Haines, a Congregationalist, in
the absence of a settled pastor.
SOCIETIES.
Oronoco Lodge, No. 52, I.O.O.F., was organized February
28, 1876, with the following ofiicers : T. F. Clark, KG.; S. R.
Terwilliger, Y.G.; P. W. Ware, R.S.; M. W. Clay, P.S.; G. W.
Wirt, Treas. The lodge has prospered, and now has a mem-
bership of thirty, with over $300 in its treasury. The meetings are
held every Saturday evening at its hall in the second story of the
schoolhouse, and are a means of profit and interest to its members.
The present officers are: Joseph McLane, N.G. ; L. A. Dudley,
Y.G.; M. W. Clay, R.S.; S. R. Terwilliger, P.S.; Moses Richard-
son, Treas. I
The good people of Oronoco have always been active in temper-
856 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
ance work, and organized a lodge of the Independent Order of Good
Templars June 30, 1875, which is known as Oronoco Lodge, No.
110, with the following list of charter members : Misses Maggie
Hill, Nellie Clay, Sarah Hill, T. C. Campbell, May Wirt, Ida A.
Clay, Messrs. M. W. Clay, M. A. Beebe, L. G. Hannon, H. G.
McMaster, Eugene Hubert, George Brooks, Augustus Clay, J. W.
Hill, B. F. Hill, and John Isabell. Like all similar organizations,
this lodge has seen periods of great prosperity and of depression.
It now numbers twenty-five active members, and is a means of much
good in the community. The first ofiicers were as follows : M. W.
Clay, W.C.T.; Maggie Hill, W.Y.T.; J. W. Hill, W.RS.; L.
G. Hannon, W.F.S.; May Wirt, Treas. ; Eugene Hubert, W.M.;
Sarah J. Hill, LG.; M. A. Beebe, O.G.; L. G. Hannon, W.C;
The meetings of this lodge are held every Friday evening in its
hall in the second story of the schoolhouse. It is officered at present
as follows : M. W. Clay, L.D.; Isaac Eeifsneider,P.W.C.T.; B. F.
Hill, W.C.T.; Mrs. L. A. Dudley, W.Y.T.; Volney Eeifsneider,
W.K.S.; Miss Nellie Clay, W.T.; Miss Millie Bascomb, W.F.S.;
H. H. McCray, W.M.
NEWSPAPERS.
To Oronoco belongs the honor of publishing the first newspaper
in the county. It was originated by the town proprietors with whom
were associated Reuben Ottman and E. Allen Power. This com-
pany was organized in the fall of 1856, and the first issue of the
"Oronoco Courier" appeared in December of that year. Dr. Hec-
tor Galloway was employed as editorial writer and the bulk of edito-
rial labor devolved on "Ned" Power. John R Flynn superintended
the mechanical department. The paper, of which several copies are
still preserved, presented a very neat typographical appearance and
was ably conducted, comparing with the modern journal of much
older and more pretentious communities to the disadvantage of the
latter. Its inception and continuance in a settlement but three years
old is a fitting testimonial to the enterprise and public spirit of its
originators. After just one year of profitless publication its contin-
uance was abandoned, the last number exhibiting the same vim and
editorial spirit which characterized its whole existence.
During the winter of 1879-80 M. W. Clay, an enterprising and
public-spirited citizen, constructed a printing press of his own inven-
tion, never having examined aqy press, using one of the patent rolls
of the lately destroyed flourmill for a cylinder. Having completed
OEONOCO TOWNSHIP. 857
this press he purchased an outfit of type and engaging a compositor
began the publication of the " Oronoco Journal" May 21, 1880,
which he continued until June 10, 1881. The second impression of
this press is still preserved in his files, the first having been retained
by the compositor, and would put a Bullock perfecting press to the
blush for neatness and clearness of impression. Tlie roller, or cylin-
der, was made to travel over the forms, which remained stationary,
and it was found an easy matter for two persons to print 500 impres-
sions per hour. The ' ' Journar' was not issued as a financial venture,
but its character was quite superior to the demands of the commu-
nity and it paid its way. The whole outfit was sold on the discontin-
uance of the paper and is now doing service in the West.
SCHOOLS.
In 1856 the Oronoco Literary Association erected a building on
the site of the present schoolhouse, and donated its use to the pub-
lic for school aiid religious purposes. During this year school was
maintained in this building, taught by Miss Sarah Pearce, who sub-
sequently married Capt. William Dennison and now survives him,
dwelling at Acton, Dakota. The district was organized at the first
meeting of the county commissioners and was the second in the
county. In 1857 the building was purchased from the literary
society and was used for school and religious meetings until the
erection of the present building in 1875. Under the act of March
1, 1866, the district was reorganized as an independent one. After
several ineffectual efforts a vote of sufiicient tax for the erection of a
suitable building was secured and the present edifice was erected. It
is of brick, two stories high, and contains four large schoolrooms,
with halls, etc. Its cost with furniture was $4,000, and it is proba-
bly the best building for its cost in the state, and is a credit to the
town and county. D. J. Bascombe was the contractor ; the school
board consisting of Messrs. S. K. Terwilliger, William Phelps, T.
B. Lindsay, W. C. Buttles and James Barnett, the latter being clerk.
The school now consists of two departments, taught by L. A. Dud-
ley and wife, and is attended by many outside the district, on ac-
count of its superior standing.
ORGANIZATION.
The political town of Oronoco was organized in 1858, with L. B.
Hodges as chaii-man of town board and John McMaster town
clerk. The first census of which any record can be found was taken
858 msTOEY OF olmsted county.
in 1870, when the population was found to number 753 souls. In
1875 the number was 881, and the last census in 1880 shows a total
population of 914.
The valuation of taxable property in 1863 — the first year of which
the count}' auditor's office contains a record — was as follows: Real
estate, 20,702 acfes, $71,312, an average of $3.M5 per acre; per-
sonal property, $13,602; total, $84,914. The last valuation, nine-
teen years later, shows a large increase with a slight addition to the
number of acres assessed, as below: Real estate, 22,618 acres,
$241,922.12, an average of $10.01 per acre, town lots being valued
at $15,425; personal property, $48,610; total, $290,532.12.
The number of voters enrolled according to law in 1882 was 221,
although but 143 votes were cast at the fall election. The vote of
1881 for governor is the best index attainable to the present political
status of the voting population. The result showed as follows: Re-
publican 82, democratic 65, greenback 6.
The destruction of the town records by fire in 1864, along with
the residence of the clerk, Charles Whitney, renders any knowledge
of public officers and acts previous to that time somewhat uncertain.
It is however certain that the town did its full share in sustaining the
expenses of the late war and in carrying forward all necessary
public works. In 1857 a wooden bridge was placed across the Zum-
bro at the village of Oronoco, which fell through the undermining
caused by heavy rains in 1866. The present handsome iron struc-
ture was then erected and bids fair to do service a great many years.
In 1874 a wooden bridge was built over the main river near the
northeast corner of section 11, and still does service. To Mitchell's
history of Olmsted county, issued in 1866, we are indebted for a
record of the principal town officers previous to 1865, as well as for
numerous other valuable hints in the prosecution of this work. From
the organization of the town in 1858 to 1864 inclusive the following
gentlemen served as chairman of the town board of supervisors and
town clerk respectively: 1858 — L. B. Hodges, John McMaster; 1859
—William M. Pearce, A. G. Lawyer; 1860— J. A. Frank, A. G.
Lawyer; 1861— William M. Pearce, E. Odell; 1862-3— E. C. Stevens,
Eli D. Hewitt; 1861^- John McMaster, Charles H. Whitney.
From and including the year 1865, the following served as town
officers, the first being chairman of the town board, the next two his
associate supervisors, and the fourth town clerk : 1865 — William M.
Pearce, J. F. Ruber, J. G. Burch, G. S. Barnes ; 1866— William
ORONOCO TOWNSHIP. 859
Lindsay, Elvin Clason, J. C. Fifield, Charles H. Whitney ; 1867—
G. W. Wirt, D. J. Bascomb, J. C. Fifield, C. H. Whitney ; 1868—
John McMaster, E. J. Kice, E. Hubbard, Russell Williams ; 1869—
D. J. Bascomb, W. B. Webster, H. I. Wood, C. H. Whitney ; 1870
—A. D. AUis, Abel Hannon, W. B. Webster, M. W. Clay; 1871—
M. M. Clark, J. F. Ruber, L. G. Hannon, M. W. Clay ; 1872—
S. R. Terwilliger, L. G. Hannon, W. B. Webster, M. W. Clay ;
1873- S. R. Terwilliger, J. F. Ruber, W. C. Buttles, P. W. Ware ;
1874— S. R. Terwilliger, Henry Moulton, A. Huntsinger, P. W.
Ware ; 1875 — S. R. Terwilliger, A. Huntsinger, L. G. Hannon, P.
W. Ware ; 1876— G. W. Wirt, A. Huntsinger, Amos Moulton, P.
W. Ware, the latter having been elected at every eleection held
since ; 1877— S. R. Terwilliger, Amos Moulton, Arthur Huntsinger ;
1878— M. W. Clay, Daniel Webster, Amos Moulton ; 1879— G. W.
Wirt, Fred. Rucker, Jr., L. G. Hannon: 1880— the same; 1881—
S. R. Terwilliger, balance the same ; 1882 — S. R. Terwilliger, Levi
L. Herrick, Avery Brockway.
During the war of the rebellion Oronoco furnished its full quota
of men for the United States service without resort to a draft. A
number of her sons fell at the front and in hospitals where they had
been placed by the hardsliips endured in defending their country.
Some died at home from disease contracted in the south. Many
still survive, but few have escaped the inevitable injury to constitu-
tion which army life entails. Some are receiving pensions which
were earned, while many deserving ones continue the weary journey
of life unrewarded, and sometimes unappreciated. The following is
a complete list, as near as can be learned, of those who enlisted from
this town to put down the rebellion : George Atkinson, D. W. Allen,
Manning Buley, Orlan Bascomb, Mark W. Clay, Jacob E. Cutshall,
John B. Clark, William Carley, George Campbell, Alexander Cregg,
Andrew J. M. Chase, John Campbell, Alfred Clark, William Durand,
Samuel S. Everson, A. Ellithorpe, Caleb C. Emery, Perry Ellet,
Samuel Furman, Jediah Furman, Daniel Fetterman, Anson A. Fer-
guson, John A. Frank, Levi L. Herrick, L. J. Hanson, Leander G.
Hannon, Clarke L. Hubbs, Ira B. Hewitt, Lewis L. Herrick, Alex-
ander M. Johnson, Augustus Kellogg, George S. Keelar, Ozias D.
Keelar, H. J. Kirkham, James P. Kirkham, Joshua M. Kirkham,
Alfred G. Lawyer, H. Moulton, John Oakins, Hiram C. Owen,
George W. Prettyman, Francis Robson, William S. Robinson,
Aaron Rutledge, William A. Stebbins, Roswell Stanton, E. Q. Stod-
860 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COimTT.
dard, J. O. Stoddard, B. R Stocking, W. A. Stevens, Fletcher A.
Sheldon, Charles H. Turnley, Peter M. Thompson, George Terry,
Henry W. Webster, Francis W. Waldron, Hiram B. Wilcox, Louis
Zim.
Of those above named, Amos Keelar died fi-om the effects of a
gunshot wound received at the battle of Fredericksburgh ; Lieut. Alex.
Cregg died in hospital at Gallatin, Tennessee ; Daniel Fetterman
died in hospital at Louisville, Kentucky ; George Atkinson died in
Andersonville prison ; H. J. Kirkham died in Libby prison ;
Roswell Stanton died of disease ; Orlan Bascomb, in hospital at
Gallatin ; John Campbell in Arkansas ; Ebenezer S. Collins, one of
the tovm founders, enlisted in St. Louis, and was mortally wounded
while serving on board the gunboat Essex, at the capture of Fort
Donelson.
Immediately following the Indian outbreak in the fall of 1862,
steps were taken for the organization of a state militia for the defense
of the frontier and the reduction of the murdering redskins.
Oronoco raised a company of sixty-five men, of which M. W. Clay
was made captain ; S. K. Terwilliger, first lieutenant ; David
Hannon, second lieutenant. This company was mustered in the
state service September 5, 1863, at which time Capt. Clay was made
colonel of the regiment, and Lieut. Terwilliger adjutant. This
regiment, the 13th, was composed of the following companies :
Salem, 82 men, Capt. Sanford Niles ; High Forest, 37, Capt. T. H.
Armstrong ; Rock Dell, 68, Capt. S. H. Humason ; Kalraar, 90,
Capt. George Sinclair; High Forest independent Co., 55, Capt.
Edward Buck ; Oronoco, 65. The regiment mustered for drill at
Rochester on Saturday, September 28, 1864, and this was the end
of its service. The following is the list of those enlisted from
Oronoco, — the first being lieutenant, the following four sergeants,
and next six corporals : E. Cregg, L. D. Hannon, Anson Wilson,
Joseph D. Wiles, Caleb C. Emery, Joslin G. Burtch, Henry
Moulton, Warren H. Stone, George Barnes, Charles B. Carley,
Edward S. Stodart, D. J. Bascomb, John Atkinson, W. C. Buttles,
Avery Brockway, W. S. Bush, Alfred Clark, Erastus Crowfoot,
George Clark, Jr., Nelson Gary, John Clark, W. H. Dean, Lewis
Eaton, Elnathan J. Gates, Elisha A. Hoyt, Wallace Harlow, S. F.
Helle, James Newton, Amos Moulton, Almond Moulton, S. Mosher,
Michael Pearce, Frederick Ruber, A. K. Stone, William Stebbins,
O. Stodart, E. Stodart, M. C. Yan Horn, Rudolph Yroman, Chauncy
ORO]^rOCO TOWNSHIP. 861
Vroman, Setli Wilson, Lyman Wilson, George W, Wirt, Alvin
Wirt, James White.
The above list includes nearly every able-bodied man in the town
who was not already serving in the United States army. A great
many horses were also taken from this section for service against
the Indians. It was no uncommon thing for a farmer to be
stopped on the road by Uncle Sam's officers and deprived of his
team, being given a receipt for the same, which enabled him to col-
lect its value from the proper authorities. Sometimes during the
war horses were so scarce that cows were used in plowing, and
thousands of acres of grain were cut with a cradle, for want of teams
to draw reaping machines, women and children taking an active
part in the harvest.
One of the most interesting episodes in the history of Oronoco
was the excitement incident to the discovery and search for gold in
the vicinity in 1858-9. During the former year it was discovered
that the soil along the banks of the Zumbro rivers was rich in mi-
nute particles of the precious metal, and that even in the village a care-
ful washing would turn out " shot gold." The richest deposits were
found below here in the edge of Wabasha county, four or five miles
away. Oronoco, was, however, the base of operations, and large
numbers of people flocked hither in the hope of attaining sudden
wealth. A company called the " Oronoco Mining Co." was formed,
and in the fall of 1858 sluices for washing gold were erected. The
approach of winter "prevented their operation, and the high water of
the following spring carried them away. After some delay, more
capital joined the enterprise, and more extensive preparations than
those of the previous season were made for wringing from the
auriferous earth its treasures. The works were finally completed on
a certain Friday evening in June. It was generally agreed to re-
turn to Oronoco for a rest, and a vigorous mining campaign was
planned to begin on the following Monday. A few of the more per-
severing ones set to work on Saturday, and on cleaning up at night
took out a lump of gold which they subsequently sold for twenty
dollars. On Monday morning, the memorable freshet of '59 was
found to have swept away all traces of the mining materials, and
with them the capital and courage of the company. Such veteran
miners as D. J. Bascomb, and others, having steadily refused to in-
vest in the scheme, confidence in it began to wane, and nothing of
any account has ever been done in that line since. There are nu-
862 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
merous citizens still resident here who have frequently taken as high
as twenty " colors " from a single panful of dirt ; and many assert
that a small investment of capital in sluices, etc., would enable men
to at least make good wages in washing gold. During the ' ' boom "
of '58-9, real estate took on very high values in this village and all
along down the river in the vicinity of the " diggings."
The township of Oronoco was so named by Mr. Hodges, on
account of his fancy for the name, with one letter diiferent, as ap-
plied to one of the leading rivers of South America. Many incidents
in the experience of its early settlers, both pathetic and amusing,
might be related, and a few are here given.
The winters of 1855-6 and '56-7 were exceedingly severe, and
the latter was also characterized by deep snows, with alternate crusts.
At this time deer were very plenty here, and, being unable to run
on account of breaking through the crusts, were often slain with
axes, clubs, or otlier convenient weapons. The same teams that went
to Galena after millstones this winter took loads of venison thus
slaughtered.
W. B. Webster, the first settler on Greenwood Prairie, east of the
river, brought in a large stock of cattle in the summer of 1855, and
had much difficulty in finding grain for them during the following
winter. He relates that on one occasion he set out for the village to
buy corn, crossing the stream at what is still known as Webster's
Ford, with two yoke of oxen. There being no roads, he was obliged
to dig his way through the snow as best he could, consuming three
days in making the round trip ; and he succeeded in procuring only
six bushels of ears of corn !
At this time nearly all supplies were brought by team from Iowa.
There were a number of families dwelling on the southern border of
this town, and at one time there was not flour enough among them
to make them a meal apiece. A half-dozen heads of families came
over to Oronoco, where a load of flour was expected to arrive from
the Mississippi, and although a large load came in, so great was the
demand that the parties above alluded to secured but fifty pounds
in all.
The Indians were very numerous in this locality during the early
days, and often encamped in large numbers on the banks of the
river a mile below the village. In the summer of 1854 a Sioux
Ibrave applied one evening to .Messrs. Hodges, Clark and Collins for
lodging in their hut, expressing by signs that he had been driven out
ORONOCO TOWNSHIP. 863
of the camp of his companions. He was made comfortable on the
floor and all retired to rest. In the morning Mr. Indian was miss-
ing and a little reconnoissance showed that their best horse, a hand-
some brown mare, had also disappeared. A short circuit made by
the party discovered the trail of the mare — ridden of course by the
culprit — leading in the direction of Faribault. Pursuit was imme-
diately made on the remaining horses and the missing animal was
found in the afternoon, near Faribault, the chase having been so hot
that the thief was obliged to abandon his booty and take to the cover
of the timber. The pioneers were surrounded by Indians a good
deal of the time, but never suffered any serious annoyance from
them.
On one occasion while A. S. Gary was busy at work on his farm
he was approached by a boy who assured him that a grove near by
was full of Indians; although he could not see them he could plainly
hear their conversation. To appease the boy Mr. Gary repaired to
the grove, where he found two German women picking berries.
In the summer of 1855 Newell Bascomb came here on a pro-
specting tour, and being pleased with the outlook he decided to stay.
His family was still in Ohio, and he wrote to his wife to sell their
house and lot, if possible, and jean him. A purchaser was found
for the property, but much time was consumed in sending on the
deed for Mr. Bascomb's signature and in returning it. About De-
cember 1, Mrs. B. started with her four children and succeeded in
catching the last boat up the Mississippi at Galena. This was frozen
in at La Crosse, and she was obliged to stay there two weeks before
she could cross the river. Her husband being notified of her inten-
tion to start, had given her up for lost — as many people perished on
the prairies that winter — when she arrived at Oronoco the last of
December. The youngest two children had their feet frozen, and
but for the large amount of bed-clothing in their baggage, which was
used for wrappings, all would have perished.
During the summer of 1855 there were several severe storms,
and the squatters who dwelt in wagons suffered much inconvenience.
On two different occasions A. S. Gary's family was completely
drenched during thunderstorms, the first time by the demolition of
his wagon-cover, and the second time by the roof of his cabin being
blown away. An infant child thus baptized still lives at home to
relate the experience. E. K. Dyer, a neighbor, who had been a
sailor, said he was lost on the prairie. On the water he could tack
864 HISTOEY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
his ship and dod^e the severity of a storm, but here there was no
remedy. These remarks were caused by the blowing away of his
house-roof.
In the spring of 1856, while Avery Brockway was absent
securing his claim, a bear that was pursued by E. K. Dyer's dog
jumped through the window of his cabin. Mrs. Brockway, who was
alone, made all haste up the ladder into the garret and pulled the
ladder up. Dyer procured a gun and shot the animal through the
window, and Mrs. B. was released from her imj^risonment. Mrs.
Seth Wilson had a similar fright while her husband was pre-empting
land at Winona. Their cabin had not been chinked, and a bear
annoyed her all one night by walking around the house and frequently
thrusting his nose in between the logs. With the advent of day he
departed, but she was not partial to staying alone for some time
after.
During the early days of the village, anyone who would settle
and help on business was welcome, "and no questions asked."
Among the early settlers was Frank Kimmerly, a native of Canada.
He was shortly elected justice of the peace, and, although he was
not naturalized as a citizen, continued to fill that office for several
years. A laughable incident in his official career is thus related : In
common with others, he spent much time in playing cards at a saloon
then existing here. One day a general drunken row took place, and
to sustain the dignity of the law, he caused the arrest of some of the
participants. The justice having sobered off next morning, opened
his court and proceeded to take evidence. The first witness called
was directed to tell what he knew of the affair, and began in this
way : " Yer honor and another drunken Irishman — " " Order !"
called the court, "the witness must not implicate me. Now go
on." "Well, yer honor, yerself and another drunken spalpeen — "
"Silence !" yelled the court, and finding it impossible to prove any-
thing without compromising "his honor," the case was dismissed.
E. Allen Power, or "Ned" as he was called, was another un-
naturalized Canadian who took a prominent part in public affairs,
being elected to the lower house of the legislature at the same time
that his senior newspaper colleague was chosen as a senator. But
then "Ned" was such a jolly good fellow, nobody thought to inquire
whether he was a citizen.
The saloon business has never prospered much in Oronoco, to the
credit of her citizens be it said. In early times, when the inhabitants
ORONOCO TOWlSrSHIP. 865
were largely transient, this business flourished. In the license
year of 1871-2 a saloon was kept here, but never since, although
liquor was sometimes sold in defiance of law by druggists. Public
sentiment is very pronounced in opposition to liquor drinking at this
time, and at the last vote on the license question, but Uvo votes
were cast in its favor ! This surely supports the assertion in the
opening of this chapter that Oronoco is peopled by a high class,
morally and intelligently.
The Zumbro river, which contributes so much to the beauty and
prosperity of this region, is a somewhat treacherous stream, making
unexpected rises and containing many deep basins. The lives of
many persons have been sacrificed to satisfy its greed tor human
life, no less than eight having been drowned in its waters within
a radius of one mile from the mill, most of them at the dam,
and some have had miraculous escapes. The first person drowned
was Eddie, a young son of Alfred G. Lawyer, an early resident.
A four-year-old son of John Irish was the next. Soon after, two
young men, John and Alden Hill, were drowned by venturing on
weak ice over the pond. A son and daughter of Arthur Nichols and
a young man named Rose, the latter in May, 1880, fed the insatiate
waters. In June, 1880, Dr. Farrand, a valuable citizen, lost his
life, as elsewhere related. At Webster's Ford, four miles down the
river, two persons have been swept away by high water. In 1876,
Miss Myra Wood attempted suicide by plunging into the mill-flume,
and was rescued by an apparent miracle. On October 3, 1881, while
fishing below the dam, James Barnett and a companion were drawn
under the fall and barely escaped death.
On the organization of the state in 1858 there was very little
taxable property in the town, and much distress prevailed on account
of the forcible collection of taxes. W. C. Buttles was the first town
treasurer, and was required to make collections according to the law
at that time. When he found that in some cases he was compelled
to levy on the only cow of a family, or otherwise cause great hard-
ship, he refused to do anything of the kind and proceeded to
Eochester and resigned his ofiice.
CHAPTEK XIX.
FARMINGTON TOWNSHIP.
Faemengton is the northeast corner town in Olmsted county, and
is bounded on the north by Guilford, Wabasha county, east by Elgin
in the same county, south by Haverhill, and west by Oronoco. The
town is situated on Greenwood prairie, conceded to be one of the
most beautiful and fertile prairie districts in the northwest. The
surface is mostly gently undulating, though in a few instances the
bluffs or hills, with nearly or quite perpendicular sides, rise to a
height of one hundred feet or more, giving to the landscape an
exceedingly grand and romantic appearance. The soil is a rich
black loam, producing, in abundance, grass, grain and vegetables.
It is also well adapted to the growth of trees and the various kinds
of shrubbery. For long distances the highways on either side are
flanked with rows of willow, maple, lombardy poplar or cottonwood
trees ; while on nearly or quite every farm the buildings nestle in
charming groves of these trees, supplemented with evergreens, fruit-
trees and shrubbery, affording, not only grateful shade in summer,
but protection in winter, besides giving to the view evidences of
good taste, culture and refinement, at once cosy, homelike and beau-
tiful.
There are in the town a large number of never-failing springs,
affording abundance of pure, cold water for man and beast, but
there are no considerable streams of water. A branch of the
Zumbro river runs through the town of Oronoco on the west side of
Farmington, and on the north side the river runs in Wabasha
county, near to the line, but in no place touching Farmington town-
ship. A fine body of timber skirts the town, on the west and north,
affording a good supply of timber for fuel, fencing, etc. The day is
not far distant when the inhabitants of the town will be able to
procure snfficient fuel from the groves of cottonwood, willow, poplar
and maple of their own planting. The name, Farmington, is sig-
nificant and appropriate, as no township in the state is better
adapted to farming purposes than it, and husbandry is the principal
occupation of the inhabitants.
PARMTN-GTON TOWNSHIP. 867
The first settlement made within the township of Farmington
was in the spring or early summer of" 1855. In this year Z.
Tumbleson, Junia Lathrop, Mr. Ball and Mr. Parsons came in and
settled in the southeastern part of the town. Mr. Parsons died the
next winter, which was accounted as the first death occurring in the
township. The next year, as near as can be ascertained, Henry
Dresser, Thomas Brooks, Orrin Oaks, John Walker, Chris. Nemier,
and a few others, came in and took claims near the south line
of the town. In the same year Archibald Baker, S. H. Baker,
A. M. Baker, Adelbert Baker, Phillip Hope and Christopher
Hope took claims in the northwest part of the town, which
neighborhood was subsequently, and now is, called Farm Hill. In
the year 1857 Farm Hill received quite an addition to its population
in the persons of Asa Kidder, J. F. Hodges, Ethan Kimball, Robert
and John Y. Little, A. M. Hall, P. Paissell, Osborn Earl, J. R.
Hagerty, Dan. McArthur and others. From this time on for several
years the town was rapidly settled, and its broad acres of virgin
soil were broken up, and responded most generously to the touch of
a well directed, patient and intelligent industry.
Among those who settled in the northeast part of the town in
1856 there were Conrad and Harm Schacht, Fred Kehn, Martin
Guhrt and Peter Yonk. These were all Germans, and they were
soon followed by quite a number of families from the fatherland.
There are now a goodly number of German residents in the town,
among whom are some of the most wealthy, enterprising and thrifty
citizens.
Amos Parks, Asa Hart^ Ste})hen Greenwood, W. H. McLavel
and O. Cooley had settled in the town previously to 1860, and in
the spring of that year E. P., A. IST. and Ethan A. Whiting came
in. These were followed the next spring by Simeon Lindesley,
H. G. Eaton, and others.
The town was organized in 1858, at a town meeting held at tlie
residence of Hans Schucardt, situated near the geographical center
of the township. The organization was effected by the election of
the following-named officers : Supervisors, Ethan Kimball, chair-
man, E. Evans, P. Russell ; town clerk, T. H. Rose.
The following-named gentlemen have held the ofiice of chair-
man and supervisor since that time : Ethan Kimball, John Little,
Amos Parks, Thomas Brooks, Ethan Kimball, John Little, Thomas
Brooks, M. C. Fuller, William Searles, A. IST. Whiting, John Little.
52
868 .HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
E. P. Whiting, D. McArtliur, John Little, C. E. Stacy, William
Searles, John Ingleby.
The town meetings were continued to be held at the residence ot
Mr. Schucardt imtil the year 1864. After this they were held at the
residence of A. 'N. Whiting, for three or four years. The place ot
meeting was again changed, going to the residence of M. Kutzhes.
From this the place was changed to the village of Potsdam, some
ten years since, where it still remains.
In 1858 a state road was laid out between Rochester and Lake
City, which soon became and now is one of the most thoroughly
traveled highways in the country. This road passes through the
western part of Farmington, and the traveling being brisk and the
country rapidly settling, the little modest and beautifully located
village of Farm Hill sprang into existence. The village is situ-
ated on the Rochester and Lake City road, about thirteen miles north
of the former named city.
About the year 1860 a postoffice was established at Farm Hill,
and Ethan Kimball was appointed postmaster. Thomas Frost,
James Arnold, J. H. Williams and Asa Kidder have since held the
office of postmaster, the latter gentleman named being the present
incumbent. A daily stage was at this time being run between
Rochester and Lake City. Mr. Kimball, about this time, brought
on a good stock of general merchandise, and P. Russell opened a
hotel. A. M. Hall and Mr. Kimball were afterward engaged in
the hotel business.
In point ot fertility and beauty of location. Farm Hill was the
center ot a modern Eden ; the citizens were moral, intelligent and
enterprising, and the farming community thrifty and prosperous,
and in the summer of 1868 two small but neat and convenient
church edifices were built, the one under the auspices of the Baptist
denomination, the other under the Methodist Episcopal church.
The Baptist church is of wood, 30x40 feet in size, neatly finished,
and having a seating capacity of about one hundred and twenty-five
persons. The cost of the church was about $2,200. At that time,
and for several years afterward, the Baptist had a flourishing society
there, but from deaths, removals, and other unfavorable circum-
stances, the society has become considerably reduced in numbers,
zeal and efficiency. The following named ministers have been pas-
tors of the church : Revs. Bennett, Cummings, Horton, Ross and
Swartz.
FARMrN'GTON TOWNSHIP. 869
As the Methodist Episcopal church edifice has a history some-
what interesting, and essentially different from churches in general,
it is proper to recite briefly some of the facts and incidents con-
nected with the construction and ownership of the church in ques-
tion.
At a quarterly conference held by the Methodist Episcopal
church at Forest Mound schoolhouse, in Wabasha county, October
20, 1866, a board of trustees was elected to hold church property
for Elgin circuit. The certificate of their election or appointment
was, however, deemed defective, as it was not properly acknowl-
edged.
In May, 1868, Robert Little, of Farm Hill, by deed of warranty
conveyed a piece of land situated in that locality to the trustees
named, and to their successors in office, in trust for the benefit of the
Methodist Episcopal Church of the United States of America. There
was at this time at Farm Hill a strong and vigorous Methodist Epis-
copal society, and in the year last named, a pretty and convenient little
church was erected upon the site in question. The edifice was 24 X 40
feet in size, surmounted with a handsome spire, the whole finished
and furnished in pleasing and convenient style. For several years
the society was regularly supplied with ministers appointed by the
Methodist Episcopal Conference of the State of Minnesota, and the
society continued to flourish under the labors of the ministry. The
following named clergymen have been assigned to the Farm Hill
charge : Revs. Teter. Barkalean, Follinsbe, Stuntz, Brown, Matson
and Wilford. Regular services were held in the church until the
year 1880, when the society, having become weakened from deaths,
removals and other depressing circumstances, the work was practi-
cally abandoned and religious services no longer supported. At the
annual conference of the Methodist Episcoj^al church for the State of
Minnesota, held October, 1880, an order was made authorizing the
sale or removal of the pretty little church. Accordingly, in January,
1882, the board of trustees appointed and authorized Revs. S. G. Gale
and A. Wilford as agents for the trustees, to cause the removal of the
church to South Troy, a point about four miles north of Farm Hill.
In the following April a strong force of men was set at work tearing
down the structure, and removing the material to the new site. The
work went on until nearly all of the building, excepting the frame and
siding, had been demolished and carted away, when Robert Little
commenced a suit in the district court to restrain defendants from
870 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
the further removal of the church and to recover damages for the
destruction and removal of the propert}'. C. C. Willson, Esq., of
Rochester, was retained as counsel for plaintiff; Messrs. Jones &
Gove, also of Rochester, attorneys of record for defendants, and
L. Barber, Esq., of Winona, of counsel for the same. These pro-
ceedings, of course, put a stop to any further efforts in demolishing
and removing the building.
The trial of the case came on at the June term of court, Hon.
C. M. Start presiding. After a full hearing of the matter, the court
decided, substantially, as follows : That plaintiff was the owner of
the land in question, the title not having passed from him on account
of the trust clause in the deed, but denied plaintiff any right to
damages, he being out of possession of the property. Further, that
defendant be enjoined and restrained from doing any damage or
committing any waste on tlie lands described in the deed. Upon
this judgment both parties took an appeal to the supreme court.
The case has been argued before that court, but as yet no decision
has been rendered.
Besides the two church edifices heretofore named, there are three
others, all erected under the supervision of the German population
of the town.
The Evangelical Lutheran church, at the village of Potsdam, was
built in the summer of 1872, and dedicated the same year. The
building is of wood, 30 X 50 feet in size, with posts twenty-two feet
in height. It has an arched ceiling and will seat about two hundred
and fifty persons. A fine parsonage was also built the same year.
There are about four hundred members connected with the church
organization, representing seventy-five families. A large and flour-
ishing sabbath-school is kept up ; besides, the society has a week-
day school under its care and supervision. The value of the church
property, including church edifice, parsonage and schoolhouse, is
estimated at $3,000.
The following named ministers have served as pastors of the
church in the order in which their names here occur : Revs.
Simeon Deuber, August Sippel and Martin Stuelpnagle, the latter
being the present pastor.
At a point two miles south and one-half mile west of Potsdam,
and on the Elgin and Plainview road, stands the Evangelical Asso-
ciation church, built in the summer of 1876, at a cost of about $3,000.
It is a wooden structure, 36x48 feet in size, neatly finished, and
FARMmGTON TOWNSHIP. 871
has a seating capacity for about three hundred persons. On account
of some adverse circumstances, the membership of the church is
rather small at present, numbering only about forty persons. Still,
religious services are held regularly, and the band of Christian
worshipers, though small in numbers, is zealous and devoted.
Rev. W. C Sydow, was the first pastor of the church. He
remained two years and was followed by Rev. C. Oertle. The latter
served as pastor three years and was succeeded by Rev. M. Knopf.
Mr. Knopf's term of pastorate terminated in May last and he was
followed by Rev. J. L. Stegner, the present incumbent. Connected
with this church there is a sabbath-school, numbering about fifty
members.
During the prevalence of a severe thunderstorm in the summer
of 1875 the building was struck by lightning and badly damaged.
There was some insurance on the property, and the building was
soon put in a condition for occupancy.
In the year 1870 or thereabouts, a German Methodist Episcopal
Society was organized in the northwestern part of the town, religious
services being held in private residences in the neighborhood. Rev.
George Hoerger was the first regularly appointed pastor of the
society, he having commenced his labors there in October, 1875, and
remained two years. During the first year of Mr. Hoerger's pastor-
ate, the society, with commendable zeal and enterprise, erected a fine
little church edifice. The building is located about two miles west
of the village of Potsdam, and about one mile southeast of Farm
Hill. The structure is of wood, 26x40 feet in size. It is surmounted
with a neat and pretty spire, and will seat, comfortably, 150 persons ;
cost $1,500. The society now numbers about forty members. There
is in connection with the society a flourishing and devoted sabbath
school, consisting of about fifty members.
Rev. H. Schnitker followed Mr. Hoerger in the fall of 1877, as
pastor, and remained with the society two years. He was succeeded
by Rev. Fred. Hogrefe, who remained three years. He was followed
by Rev. Henry Roth, the present minister in charge.
On a beautiful elevation near the northeast corner of the town
stands the pretty little village of Potsdam. The village contains
about twenty buildings, and in its inception, growth and inhabitants
it is essentially German. The Potsdam postoffice was established
ill the year 1872, with Louis Quinten as postmaster. John Ingleby
was appointed postmaster in 1877, and is the present incumbent.
872 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
In 1874 John Ingleby opened a store of general merchandise,
and three years afterward another store was opened by William
Gearsen. About this time C. Seirn bniltand opened a small hotel.
A saloon (connected with the hotel), a blacksmith's shop, millinery
store, harness-shop, two shoe-shops, a meat-market, one store,
general merchandise and a paint-shop comprise the principal *busi-
ness establishments of the place.
In 1873 and 1874 the United States Wind and Engine Pump Com-
pany at Batavia, Illinois, put up a wind flouring-mill at Potsdam.
The means for the construction of the mill were procured from the
contributions of the farmers residing in the vicinity and amounted
to $6, 000. The mill has two run of stone, one for flour, the other for
feed, and does custom work only.
Two shocking and fatal accidents have occurred in the mill, the
main particulars of which are narrated as follows : During the
prevalence of a heavy wind on the 9th day of April, 1875, the large
wheel became unmanageable, when four men went up into the tower
to turn the machinery, if possible, so as to throw the fan to the wind.
The party was headed by William McCarren, a very resolute and
athletic young man, about twenty years of age, and who worked in a
blacksmith-shop in the village. The others who went up with him
were John Haft, August Tradup, and Henry Peters. On getting
to the top of the tower the men were crowded into a very small space,
on a platform about three feet wide. McCarren, standing on a timber
and in a cramped position, thrust a crowbar into the machinery,
which was running at a fearful rate, to stop it, but the motion of the
machinery threw him off his balance, and his foot slipped under a
large revolving cog-wheel. As he felt himself drawn into the
machinery he cried out, "Boys, save me, I'm caught!" and a
couple of the men standing, horror stricken, caught him by the legs
and body and tried to draw him out. They held on to him until he
was drawn in nearly up to his shoulders, when, finding they could
not help him, but were in great danger of being themselves drawn
in, they let go, and one of the men, Henry Peters, frightened and
appalled at the'sickening sight, jumped a distance of twenty feet to
a landing below in the tower. He was bruised but not seriously
hurt.
Poor MdCarren's last words were those given above ; he was
thought to have died at once after uttering them. His body was
rapidly drawn in and passed through a space of less than two inches
FARMINGTON TOWNSHIP. 873
in width between tlie wheel and a timber, crushing it into a pulp of
quivering, bleeding flesh, held together by the torn clothing, and
hanging from the timbers in a horrid, shapeless mass. The arms and
part of one of the legs were not so thoroughly crushed, but were badly
torn and mangled by the cogs. The whole body passed through in
this way clear to the head, which was stopped by a crowbar in the
hands of one of the men. The head was afterward severed from
the body with a knife in order to extricate it. All this took place
within a space ot two or three minutes. The tower was dripping
with blood from the crushed body. The horritied men attempted to
stop the mill by crowding grain into the stones, but had to abandon
the eifort, and after a few hours the mill in some way stopped itself.
The crowd of men who had gathered from the vicinity were
panic-stricken by the shocking character of the accident. Some of
them thought the remains must not be removed until after the coro-
ner had been notilied, Not knowing exactly what course to take,
E, P. Whiting, Esq., living two miles south of the scene of the acci-
dent, was sent for. By his advice the mutilated remains of the un-
fortunate man were soon gathered up and removed. Messrs. Henry
Coranske, John Haft, Henry Weinsley and Fred Swabe ascended
the tower and brought down the remains, depositing the greater por-
tion of them in a grain sack. The facts were so plain, 'and the sad
occurrence so clearly accidental, that no inquest was considered
necessary. It is a singular fact that McCarren's watch was found in
his vest pocket and was running regularly after the accident. On
the day but one following, Mr. L. N. Berg, of Kochester, went out
to Potsdam and prepared the remains for interment. They were
deposited in a casket and taken to St. Paul, where his family lived,
for burial.
Friday, December 9, 1876, was a fearfully cold and windy day.
On that day Mr. Emil Seeman, the miller, with oilcan in hand,
ascended to the top of the tower to oil the machinery, preparatory
to grinding, the mill then standing still. While Mr. Seeman was
on the platform the check-rod, which holds the mill from running,
suddenly broke. Under the force of the high wind, the great wings
began immediately to revolve with terrible rapidity. In an instant
of time Ijbe big cast-iron wheel, weighing about a ton and a half,
bursted, and one of the large pieces was hurled cm to the platform
on which Mr. Seeman was standing. The platform gave way under
the weight and force of the portion of the broken wheel, precipi-
874 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUISTTY.
tating the unfortunate man toward the earth, a distance of over
thirty feet, where he lodged, back downward, on some timbers, a
portion of the framework of the mill. The poor man was crushed
and mangled in the most horrible manner. Some sharp fragment
of iron had penetrated the left thigh, and being wrenched sideways,
tore through the flesh and muscles, inflicting a ghastly wound. The
right leg was broken in two places, besides various other portions of
the body were terribly bruised and lacerated.
Mr. Seeman, apparently dead, was removed to a house and a
messenger dispatched to Dr. Waist, of Plainview. After an exam-
ination of the man's injuries, the doctor expressed his conviction
that the case was a hopeless one. The patient retained his con-
ciousness remarkably clear, and related minutely the circumstances
of the terrible accident. He, however, continued to sink, and in
about thirty hours after the catastrophe death came to his relief.
Mr. Seeman was an upright, industrious man and highly respected
in the community. He was twenty-eight years of age, a German by
birth, and had been in this country for several years.
CHAPTER XX.
VIOLA TOWNSHIP.
Viola — namesake of Duke Orsino's ladylove !
To learn who )iave thee so sweet a name,
We have searched the records all in vain ;
By (some fond lover 'twas doubtless done
That the warlike title Washington
Might not banish acknowledged grace
And deter those who sought thy fair face.
If a slight deficit in the west tier of sections and a small excess
in the north tier be excepted, this township is six miles square,
and it contains 22,977.90 acres. Its location is as follows, T. 107
N., of R 12 W., of the 5th P.M. It is bounded by the follow-
ing townships : north, Elgin ; east, Quincy ; south, Eyota ; west,
Haverhill. •
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
In the southern part of the town is a watershed — the source of
three streams that flow toward as many points of the compass. This
VIOLA TOWNSHIP. 875
elevation is about 600 ieet above the Mississippi river at low water
at Wabasha, Minnesota, and nearly 1,200 feet above the ocean.
The streams above mentioned are named as follows : Silver Creek,
north branch of White Water river ; middle branch of W. W. E.
Tributary to these creeks are many wadies which afford excellent
drainage for the entire township. The more nearly level portion of
this tract is a strip about a mile in width, extending quite across the
south side, thence along the western boundary to the north line ;
and the remainder is mostly undulating, but occasionally slightly
hilly.
There are no sloughs of importance nor any large tracts of forest.
The groves owned by Messrs. L. E. & W. Somerville and Mr. D.
F. Mack are the most noted because each has been the scene of
several celebrations.
The above are burr-oak copses with borders of American aspens.
Springs of water are numerous, and this useful liquid is ordinarily
obtained in abundance by digging twenty-five feet deep in the val-
leys, and upon the higher land by working through about forty feet
of dirt and into the rock from forty to sixty feet. All the water is
considerably impregnated with lime.
Viola has no mines, but her Trenton limestone quarries, the
largest of which is on the farm of Enoch Dickerman, are excellent.
The soil is a rich black loam from one to four feet deep, with a sub-
stratum of yellow clay about sixteen feet thick ; underlying this is
gravel in the valleys, and upon the upland Trenton limestone —
with the exception of a little St. Peter and Shakopee in the north-
east corner — throughout the township. Valuable fossils from this
section, some of which have been pronounced superb by geologists
of the "Hub,'' are on exhibition in the Natural History Koonis, of
Boston. Grains and grasses indigenous to this latitude grow luxuri-
antly. All the native trees are deciduous, but evergreens have been
successfully cultivated.
WILD ANIMALS.
Early settlers give accounts of deer, and occasionally an elk or
a black bear was seen ; but all large wild animals tied or fell prior
to 1860. The prairie-wolf is the most important animal, ^ferce naturce,
that remains. Striped, gray and pocket gophers, at the expense of
their lives, afford entertainment for tlie boys every summer. Hares
are plenty and have been very destructive to orchards. The only
scavenger is the black hawk, which not only devours carrion, but
876 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
worries elderly ladies and bachelors who are caring for broods of
fancy chickens. Every spring the air is vocalized by the sweet
medley of the bobolink's notes, and the whip-poor-will whiles away
the summer evenings with his plaintive melody.
ACCOUNT OF FIKST SETTLEMENT.
While making a reconnoissance of southern Minnesota in the
summer of 1853, Mr. George Whitman discovered a large spring
of remarkably pure water, the center of an exquisitely beautiful
landscape. To the north, east and south was prairie. Its ver-
dancy bespangled with lilies and wild roses, while at the west a for-
est of sturdy oaks furnished grateful umbrage to the weary traveler.
He returned to Iowa, and in the spring of 1854 formed an equal
partnership with Carl H. Bierbaum. They hired Michael Mark,
and with five yoke of oxen, one wagon, a 22-inch breaking-plow,
a few blacksmiths' tools, and provisions for several months, jour-
neyed in search of the famous spring, with altogether better success
than Ponce de Leon had in his search for the "Fountain of Youth,"
for they found it about the first of June, 1854, and immediately
built a log hut a few rods northwest of the celebrated spring that
delivers its waters within the walls of H. D. Morse's creamery on
the S.W. i Sec. 27, in Yiola.
This first building in Yiola was 12 X 14 feet, one story high,
with a half window, six panes of "eight-by-ten " glass, and ash bark
for roofing and door. A large fireplace with ' ' cat-and-clay " chim-
ney aftorded means by which this dwelling was heated and venti-
lated, and, however mucli the floor was swept, it showed dirt.
These pioneers put up a log blacksmith-shop near at hand, and
Michael Mark became the first smith in town.
Soon after their arrival they commenced turning over the virgin
sod, and in about seven weeks the grass roots of eighty acres, in a
plot nearly square on the N. -J of Sees. 34 and 35, lay withering
under the scorching rays of a midsummer sun. The ensuing win-
ter, while Mr. Whitman was in Iowa, Messrs. Bierbaum and Mark
' ' got out '" enough fencing, mostly burr-oak, to inclose the break-
ing with a six-rail worm fence with stakes and rider. In the sum-
mer of 1855 they raised thirty acres of oats and fifty acres of corn,
and each kind of said grain was sold the following winter, at their
cabin door, for seventy-five cents per bushel.
Messrs. Bierbaum and Whitman sold their improvements to one
VIOLA TOWNSHIP. 877
Harkins and Jacob Ostrander, in the tall of 1855, for $1,200, dis-
solved partnership soon after and Mr. Whitman withdrew his inter-
ests from the vicinity ; so Carl H. Bierbaum is really the first settler
who came to Yiola to stay, and A. Harkins, who settled here June
6, 1855, with his family, was the first married citizen of the town-
ship.
GENERAL HISTORY AND ITS INtllDENTS.
The early settlers used ox-teams and went fifty miles to market.
Today no man in town is more than six miles from a railroad sta-
tion, and an ox-team on the road frightens all small children. Then
wheat hauled fifty miles was sold tor forty-five cents per bushel ;
now the same quality is worth one dollar per bushel on the farm.
October 20, 1860, the land came into market, and the man who
was so fortunate as to own a horse-team was sure to have his neigh-
bors for company on his trip to the United States land office at St.
Peter, Minnesota. For their fare the passengers shod and fed the
team, and all hands camped under a large tent made by contri-
butions of pieces of cloth from several families. Their store of sup-
plies, shared in common, was prepared by the brave women who
faced the red man at home, and prayed for the safe return of their
bold and hardy husbands.
May 11, 1858, the settlers of this town, assembled at the house
of Eufus M. Cordill, elected Abram Harkins, chairman, and R. F.
Cunningham, clerk pro tern. On motion the meeting was adjourned
immediately to the residence of Jacob Ostrander, and the following
town officers were elected : Supervisors, Abram Harkins, Jacob
Ostrander, Rufus M. Cordill ; town clerk, E. F. Cunningham ;
assessor, Abner Whiton ; town collector and overseer of the poor,
Thos. S. Rutlidge ; justices of the peace, John Morrow and Francis
Whiton ; constables, John J. Lovelace and Jeremiah Sweney. It
was at that meeting that the township was organized and named
Washington. Eesolutions relating to the sufficiency of fences, and
prescribing the time that stock might run at large, were passed. The
penalty for a violation of said resolutions was a fine of from $1 to
$25. The first road is described as follows : Commencing at the
south quarter post of Sec. 34, T. 107 N., R. 12 W., extends north
to the north quarter post of section 15, thence N. 13° E., 120 rods and
20 leagues ; thence N. 7° W., 226 rods ; thence N. 14° W., 300 rods
to the north line of section 3, and to a point 34 rods E. of the north
quarter post of said section. Declared a road February 12, 1859.
878 I£ISTORY OF OLMSTED COUlS'Tr.
A report of the town meeting held April 5, 1859, shows that at
that time the township was called Viola, but when that name was given
it does not appear. By-laws were adopted prohibiting the running
at large of stock from September 1 to May 1, or nights at any sea-
son of the year ; ])enalty, $1 to $5. All persons using diligent
means to secure stock were exempt from payment of fine. The
first lawsuit was entitled Henry H. Shanton, plaintiff, vs. D. W.
"Woodward, defendant ; plaintift's attorney, M. W. Fay ; defend-
ant's attorney, Alfred Olds. The case was brought before John
Morrow, justice of the peace, in November, 1857, and adjourned
from time to time until the following May ; meantime there was a
change of venue, and the suit was ended before some justice of the
peace in Eyota township. Costs $400, matter in controversy ten
barrels of lime. The lesson was a good one, Yiolians from that
time have preferred settlement to litigation.
The winter of 1855-6 was intensely cold ; there was not much
snow, but in some instances snow remained all winter in the cham-
bers of houses that were occupied. All old settlers claim that the
depth of snow in the winter of 1856-7 has not been equaled since.
Deer were slaughtered with clubs and axes. There was a thick
crust that rendered the use of teams impracticable, and the settlers
hauled wood long distances on hand-sleds ; no road was kept open
across the town.
January 1, 1857, Jerry Sweeney led Orpha Kitchel to the hyme-
neal altar, and they were joined in the holy bonds of matrimony by
Eev. Joseph Roberts. Both parties were residents of the town,
and they have the honor of being the first couple married in the
township. The ceremony was performed at the place where the
first settlement was made. The wedding guests were R. F. Cun-
ningham, J. Williams, Litle Miller, and their families, and C. H.
Bierbaum. Mr. Williams lived within one mile, but the road was
in such condition that he was compelled to travel eight miles to
attend that wedding.
No grain was sown in the spring of 1857 until May 6, and then
farmers had to begin work in the center of their fields. In the sum-
mer of 1863 chintz-bugs were quite thick, but nothing more was
seen of them until 1878, when they damaged the wheat crop consid-
erably and were more destructive each succeeding year, until in the
summer of 1881 they allowed the husbandmen only about six bush-
els of wheat per acre, and besides they diminished the corn crop
VIOLA TOWNSHIP. 879
about one-fourth. The autumn of 1881 was very wet. It rained
continually for about six weeks. Chintz-bugs did no damage in
1882. The winter of 1882-3 will long be remembered as the time
when diphtheria prevailed as an epidemic. The only person ever
frozen to death in town was Patrick Dugan, who perished about
October 20, 1863.
The ''great New Year's storm" of 1864 was so severe that cattle
were frozen to death in stables. In 1864 or 1865 machines for sow-
ing grain were introduced. The year 1865 marks the period of
the commencement of depredations of rats. The floors of grana-
ries were close to the ground and straw stables were in general use.
In fact everything was favorable to a rapid increase of the vermin.
Houses and cellars were soon infested with the voracious rodents,
and the destruction they wrought was amazing. Precaution in the
construction of buildings and a change from extensive grain raising
to rearing stock has thwarted these pests, so they give the thrifty
farmer comparatively little trouble. The winter of 1865-6 was very
severe, and the terrible storm of February was typical of the New
Year''s storm mentioned above.
In 1866 the potato-bug (Colorado beetle) made its appearance,
and in a few years rendered the raising of that useful tuber a matter
of great cost and difficulty. Wet seasons killed the bugs and spared
the potato. Wheat was worth $2. 50 per bushel in 1867. Farmers
made extravagant purchases and paid high rates of interest, fre-
quently twenty -four per cent per annum. The first rich fruits of new
farms were devoured by interest, consequently bankruptcy ensued
or a generation of indebtedness was incurred.
There was a bountiful crop of wheat in 1868. Heavy rains dur-
ing the harvest of 1869 did much damage; the ground was so soft
that it was with much trouble that reapers were used. Farmers
deemed the soil too wet to plow; there was, perhaps, one-seventh of
the plowing done, and the ground "froze up" October 12. Poor
crop the following season. A driving rain soon after harvest in 1870
spoiled much grain in stacks and shocks. Beginning one week after
harvest in 1872 the weather was decidedly and unmistakabW plu-
vious for about five weeks; then there was a period of like duration
without any rain. That season was damaging to the reputation of
Minnesota for No. 1 wheat.
The epizootic influenza that had its origin in Canada, September
30, 1872, and spread rapidly south and west during the ensuing win-
880 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
ter, afflicted the horses of Yiola, and the young folks of that period
will doubtless relate to their grandchildren the experiences they had
attending dances and parties with ox-teams for conveyances.
The North Viola postoffice was established July 1, 1875, at the
southwest corner of the E. ^ of Sec. 4, John F. Pratt, postmaster.
At first the office was supplied with a weekly mail, but it was soon
superseded by a daily. The stage line was from Eyota to Elgin,
twelve miles, and R. N. Stoddard was the proprietor and driver; also
a penny post for persons along the route who fastened mail receptacles
on front-j^ard fences. "North Viola" was changed to " Corra " in
1880.
Several farmers raised forty bushels of wheat per acre in 1877.
In the spring of this year a few cases of smallpox created consider-
able excitement, but the vigilance of the supervisors — M. L. Saw-
yer, R. G. Eichardson and Ezra Dickerman— prevented the spread
of the disease, and only one case proved fatal.
A very promising crop of grain in the summer of 1878 was ren-
dered almost worthless by excessively hot, wet weather during July.
In the spring of 1878 the town was bonded for ten thousand dollars
in aid of the Rochester & Plainview railroad. The securing of these
bonds and the contest for the location of a depot, which subse-
quently occurred, excited jealousies among neighbors, which in some
instances caused an absolute severance of friendly intercourse. The
town has refused to pay her interest on the bonds, so it is for the
seer and not the historian to foretell what the outcome will be.
The following description is sufficiently correct to indicate the
course of said railroad across the town : Commencing, for a place
of beginning, at a point about sixty rods east of the southwest corner
of section 34 ; running thence nearly due north about 350 rods ;
thence almost straight to a point about ninety rods east of the center
of section 8 ; thence directly to a point about thirty rods west of the
northeast corner of the N.W. J of Sec. 4.
There is a grain elevator at the place of commencement, and also
one in the village of Viola ; consequently the inhabitants have easy
access to market. '
SCHOOLS.
The first district in town No. 44 was organized April 8, 1857.
The fii'st school was taught by Henrietta Carl, now wife of William
Bear, in the summer of the year 1858 in the house of Robert Cun-
ningham. Number of scholars, twenty-four.
VIOLA TOWNSHIP. 881
In 1858 the settlers of district No. 44 met and proposed that
each should haul a certain number of logs and help to build a school-
house with them ; this proposal was faithfully carried out, and a log
structure sixteen feet square was erected nearly midway on the
nortli line of section 26. Logs were riven lor seats. In this temple
of learning Linus Clark was the first to hold legal sway over the
untutored youth of the new country. The location of this school-
house is a criterion that enables the reader to arrive at tolerably
correct conclusions as to what portion of the township was at first
most densely populated. At present there are seven schoolhouses
and six school districts in the town. The schoolhouse in district
No. 44 is on the S.E. J of Sec. 26. This is commonly called "The
Morrow District."
On the N.E. J of Sec. 5 stands the most costly school edifice in
the township, and with an elegant organ within, and a three hun-
dred pound bell in its belfry, it challenges every rural district in
Olmsted county to produce an equal in convenience and beauty.
This district is known as "The Dickerman District."
The N. W. i of Sec. 27 is made attractive by the school building
in district No. 92. Tins schoolhouse is very much like the one in
Dickerman's district. District No. 93 has "The Stone Schoolhouse "
situated at the center of section 11. Its location afibrds a view of
the country for many miles in every direction. The schoolhouse in
district No. 94 is near the southeast corner of section 30, and it is the
smallest one in Viola.
Union Center district No. 115 has the largest building and the
gi'eatest number of scholars, usually forty or more during the winter
term. There is a German school in a building at the southeast
corner of section 35. There are one hundred and eighty pupils in
the town enrolled this winter. The educational interests of the
town have always been carefully fostered, and as a rule the schools
have a good reputation abroad. Spelling schools at the Viola town
hall are commonly attended by audiences of two hundred to three
hundred persons, and the champion is not likely to lose his laurels
in a like contest in any of the adjoining towns.
The saddest incident to be mentioned in connection with this
subject is the death of Eobert Bray, an estimable young teacher,
whose parents lived in Elgin township. In the winter of 1865-6
he was employed as teacher in district No. 92 of Viola, and at the
end of a week about the middle of February he attempted to go
882 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
home, but perished with cold when neai'ing the fireside that he so
eagerly sought.
The teachers of early days were compelled to teach from eight
o'clock A.M. until five o'clock p.m. each of five days in every week of
the term.
CHUKCHES.
The first Sunday school was organized in June, 1857, at the
house of Rufus M. Cordell, and the officers were : superintendent,
Rev. J. Roberts ; assistant superintendent, John Morrow, Esq. ;
secretary and librarian, R. F. Cunningham. Through the inter-
cession of one Howard, eastern parties made the school a present of
a library of about sixty volumes. Commencing in the winter of
1857, there was preaching by itinerants from various denominations
until June, 1858, when there was a regular church organization
made by the Methodist Episcopal church under the supervision of
Rev. Leard, Since then twenty-three Methodist preachers have had
Viola on their circuits, and it is the largest church society in town.
The United Brethren organized in 1859, and in 1870 they had
a large society, but now their numbers are few.
Frc'm 1865 to 1870 the Adventists had quite a number of
adherents, but the emigration of several of their leading members
rendered it impracticable for the remaining ones to maintain them-
selves as a society.
At the southeast corner of section 35 is a German Lutheran
church worth $2,000, and the society has twenty-six members.
The Methodists built a church in 1866, but it burned in February,
1870, so the Germans have the only church edifice, and the other
religious denominations hold services in the town hall and the
Dickerman schoolhouse. It is evident to ever}'^ observer that the
inhabitants of this town are more moral than religious. Sunday
schools and meetings are well attended, and there are comparatively
few actual sabbath-breakers.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
Rev. O. P. Crawford organized the first Good Templars Lodge
with twenty-four charter members in 1867. It was successfully main-
tained until superseded by union temperance meetings, followiug
which there was another lodge of I.O.G.T., that was dissolved in the
fall of 1881. December 30, 1881, the third lodge of this order was
organized with Geo. F. Howard, W.C, Walter Stanchfield, Sec, and
JOHN T. LA-DU.
VIOLA TOWNSHIP. 885
Etta Robinson, W, Y. It had twenty charter members, and now has
forty-five members, withSeth Howard, W.C, Etta Robinson, W.V.,
and Walter Stanchfield, Sec.
The Patrons of Husbandry effected an organization May 18, 1872.
There were forty-nine charter members, and t^ie first officers were as
follows : C. A. Butterfield, Master ; Z. T. Nemsham, Overseer ; Wm.
Somerville, Lecturer ; E. J. Gillet, Steward ; L. E. Somerville,
Asst. Steward ; James Keller, Chaplain ; S. D. Hillman, Sec. ;
R. G. Richardson, Treas. ; Rodney Richardson, Gate Keeper ;
Mrs. C. A. Butterfield, Ceres ; Miss J. L. Cunningham, Pemona ;
Mrs. Z. T. NeHisham, Flora ; and Mrs. James Keller, Lady Asst.
Steward.
For two or three years the grange was very popular, but grave
differences of opinion led to a decline which was as rapid as its mar-
velous growth had been, and the last meeting was held January 11,
1879. The charter has not been surrendered, and its resurrection, by
a call from Z. T. Neiwsham, Sec, and R. G. Richardson, Master,
is not impossible. Thus far there has been no organization of Free-
masons or Odd-Fellows, though there are several members of both
orders here. An anti-horse-thief society has been organized.
WAR RECORD.
At the opening of the late war Viola was in her infancy, but she
furnished thirty volunteers and more than $11,000 in money, besides
caring for the widows and orphans at home.
At a meeting held Monday evening, August 22, 1864, it was voted
to raise $5,000, to be paid Saturday evening of the same week. The
grain was all in shocks, the nearest market seventeen miles away and
only one threshing machine to be used, but despite all difficulties,
including a rain Tuesday night, the money was paid as voted.
Mr. R. A. Calvert is the only one of all those patriotic sons who
has a home here today.
But fortunately their names have been learned from the lips and
pens of their friends and neighbors, and shall be here inscribed.
Capt. A. Harkins, A. Y. Doty, David Williams, Wm. Swan,
Samuel Calvert, R. A. Calvert, Jacob Wagoner, Gehial Sams,
Albert Kitchel, James Kitchel, Willard Kitchel, Joshua Kitchel,
Edward Kitchel, Wm. E. Golding, Lemuel Shaul, Eli Stellenberger,
David Stellenberger, John Pendergrass, George Ketchum, Charles
Watsen, Jefferson Cunningham, I. N. Rutlidge, W. Shenton,
53
886 HISTOEY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Eicliard Durr, Hiram Bell, Greenvill Farrier, Mark Bear, Elihu
Oaks, H. E. Ketchum, David Ketclium, These brave young men
first endured the hardships of the frontier to secure homes and then
leaped into the very jaws of death to rescue from the enemy the giver
and protector of those homes — their country.
VILLAGE OF VIOLA.
September 30, 1878, a square plot of 40 acres of land with its
N.W. corner 183 feet E. of the N.W. corner of the KE. quarter of
Sec. 21, in Yiola Township, was regularly laid out into streets and
lots and named Viola.
Its site is upon a lovely hillside at the head of a picturesque
valley stretching away and broadening toward the north with the
limpid White Water and the C. & N.W. railroad adown the center,
while upon either side numerous flocks and herds graze upon the
rich, juicy grasses. Elegant farm residences are nestled in its heart
or stand upon its bluffy barriers as faithful guardians of natural
beauty and loveliness !
The depot, grain elevator, blacksmith-shop, and lumber-yard are
in the lower portion of the village, and the stores and dwellings crown
the upper part. Simeon Ford, Esq. , a highly respected citizen is the
leading merchant and also postmaster. He established the first
lumber-yard and opened the first store of importance in the township
at this place October T, 1878.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The present winter (1882-3) is without an equal for severity and
depth of snow for the last quarter of a century.
The first birth and first death occurred in the family of Capt. A.
Harkins. His daughter, Alice L., was born May 20, 1856 ; and he
lost a little boy August 10, 1 855.
About one-half mile north of the center of section 27 a cemetery
was platted in 1863. It is public property and lots are free, includ-
ing choice of location, to anyone who desires the same for im-
mediate burial of a friend, and they cannot be obtained upon any
other consideration.
In 1860 Ludwig Friday, on section 25, kept for sale a few gro-
ceries, some calicoes, and a fair supply of liquor. He was the first
merchant of the town, and the only saloonkeeper that has ever
been tolerated.
VIOLA TOWNSHIP. 887
A tornado crossed the farm of R. F. Cunningham, from east to
west, July 3, 1863, and its fury was such as to uproot large oak-
trees, and eighty rods of substantial board-fence was annihilated.
In August, 1881, a whirlwind moving from southwest to northeast
crossed the path of the former near Mr. Cunningham's buildings.
Its course across the town from a point a little east of the south
center-post of section 31 to a point near the east center-post of sec-
tion 12, was straight, but narrow. It destroyed Michael Madden's
barn, utterly demolished a house 14 X 18 feet, one and one-half
stories high, belonging to C. T. Shell man, untopped several grain
stacks for R. F. Cunningham, raised Z. Swan's windmill, and dam-
aged grain stacks for G. T. Thayer and Thomas Udell ; no lives
were lost. In June, 1877, the house of J. Quackenbush was turned
quarter round and the frame to a barn 30 X 100 feet, which the
workmen were just putting the plates upon, was leveled to the
ground. D. F. Mack was the owner. The above are the only hur-
ricanes that have ever visited this town, and no destructive hail-
storm has ever been known.
Only two houses have been burned. Early settlers remember
that one "gridle-greaser" was used all about the neighborhood,
and that during religious services in private residences, guileless but
ill-tutored lads crawled upon the chamber-floor and dropped beans
down upon the unprotected pates of devout worshipers. Cats were
sold and shoats peddled. During the winter of 1856-7 spelling-
schools were held from house to house, and in 1860 a debating
society was organized ; so it is fair to infer that the pioneers im-
proved every opportunity for social and intellectual improvement.
In the fall of 1874 a town hall, 30 X 45 feet, with 16-foot posts,
was erected a half a mile east of the center of the township. It
may be used for all purposes that such buildings are usually, and
the rental is so low that societies of every kind hold meetings there
in preference to building for themselves. With one exception this
is the most commodious structure of the kind in the county, in the
rural districts. The first postoffice was established, with N. I. Wet-
more postmaster, on section 15, in the autumn of 1861. The
creamery before alluded to was built in the spring of 1881, and en-
larged in 1882, so it has a capacity of 500 pounds per day, with
steam power. Its erection gave a new impetus to stock raising, and
its management has been quite satisfactory to the farmers.
The northwest and southeast corners of the town are settled with
888 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Germans — about thirty-five voters in all, and they are thrifty farm-
ers. The southwest corner is occupied by about a dozen families of
Irish, who have as desirable farms for grain raising as can be found
in Minnesota. The remainder of the population is made up mostly
of immigrants from the eastern and middle states. Population in
1880 was 920. Yaluation of property in 1859, $31,164 ; in 1860,
$47,124, and in 1882, $434,720, of which $82,350 is on personal
property, and in this she leads all her sisters in the county, and is
fourth in total valuation. Prior to the commencement of the last
decade the husbandmen were engaged almost exclusively in raising
wheat. Reapers, necessitating the employment of many men, were
in general use, and every harvest, for nearly three months, the
country was completely overrun with raftsmen, the roughest and
most vulgar class of men known to civilization. Their stories ex-
cited the curiosity and contaminated the morals of the too credulous
and unsophisticated farmer-boys, and counteracted in a measure the
good influence of both parents and teachers. But of late years the
introduction of self-binders and a change from extensive grain culti-
vation to the raising of live-stock, have eradicated this evil. Sun-
days, instead of playing cards in the haymow, young m^i are at
church, and during the winter the schoolroom is more attractive
and fascinating than the logging-camps of the pineries. Within
twelve years last past, twenty-five of the youth have become law-
yers, doctors, or school-teachers ; and in no instance has one been
debauched by city life, which is a matter of congratulation to their
parents, for "Just as the twig is bent the tree's inclined."
There are three feed-mills ; the most important being a steam-
power, with a capacity of nearly 500 bushels jDer day, owned by
Messrs. O. T. and Enoch Dickerman, and situated near the Dicker-
man schoolhouse. In state and national politics the town is repub-
Kcan by about thirty majority ; but, in town and county elections,
party lines are so far disregarded as to admit the election of the
most worthy nominees. In conclusion : There is not much clan-
nishness ; the people are moral, social, frugal, peaceable, temperate,
industrious, hospitable and progressive. Their homes are rendered
most attractive by art, music and literature. Lovable, loving and
obedient children bless the fireside, and about it all is quiet and
contentment.
CHAPTER XXI.
QUINCY, DOVER, ELMIRA AND EYOTA TOWNSHIPS.
QUINCY.
The first building erected in Quincy was in the spring of 1854.
Mason and Irving Wetmore and D. Woodard built a sawmill on the
Whitewater, which was quite a convenience to the incoming settlors.
T. T. and A. J. Olds were among the earliest settlers, establishing
their claims in 1855.
The Smith family came the same year, locating on sees. 7, 17
and 18. Samuel Evans came in 1856, locating on the N.W. ^ of
Sec. 6. Nicholas "W. Murphy came in June of the same year,
locating on the N.E. ^ of Sec. 6. Mason and Henry Hatfield came
in the fall of 1855, locating dn section 34. Harvey F. Bush came
in the winter of 1855, locating on section 32.
Michael Kepner came in 1856, locating on the N.E. J of Sec.
17. Samuel Tenny came in the same year, locating on section 5.
The Stephenson family came in 1855, locating on section 36. Jairus
Richards came in 1855, locating on section 34. Gideon Lewis
located on the N.W. I of Sec. 26 in 1856.
The township was organized May 11, 1858, at the residence of
T. T. Olds. Following are the names of the first officers elected :
T. T. Olds, J. L. Williams, H. Hatfield, supervisors ; Jotham
Holland, town clerk ; Samuel Loy, assessor ; J. S. Olds, collector ;
Robert Smith, overseer of the poor ; J. S. Olds, Harvey Wood,
constables ; G. Lewis, D. B. Alvord, justices.
The first birth in the township was in the fall of 1855, being a
son of Mr. Woodard. The first religious services were held at the
residence of Mr. Kepner.
The first church erected was the German Evangelical. The Con-
gregational church society was organized in May, 1863, by the Rev.
Beekman, of St. Charles, who acted as pastor until 1866. The
names of the pastors who followed him successively are N. H.
Peirce, J. E. Burbank, Charles Duren, D. Rindel, and R. W. Drake.
The organization was kept up and services held until 1878, when on
account of depleted membership they disbanded.
890 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
At the outbreak of the rebellion the township of Quincy did her
part toward its suppression. Sixty of her sons went out in response
to the long roll, and some of them never returned.
The broad domain of Minnesota did not furnish a more inviting
spot to the eye of the early pioneer than the territory now embraced
within the boundary lines of Dover, The township is essentially a
prairie one, though an occasional thicket is found, and there is
some timber along the south branch of the White Water, which
winds through the town from east to west. The marshes and
springs are few.
The first permanent settler in Dover was Leonard Knapp, who
came in May, 1854, locating on the S.E. ^ of Sec. 26. Judge
Thompson came later in the same year, and located on the S.E. ^
of Sec, 14. Joseph Drake also came in 1854, locating on the N.E.
J of Sec, 10, Kobert Kobertson and John Clarkson came in the fall
of the same year, locating on section 36, W. J. Rank came in
1855, locating on S.E. ^ of Sec. 21. R, L, Cotterell came in 1856,
locating on the N.E. J of Sec. 3. Elmer L. Fowler came in 1855.
Uriah Carpenter came in 1856, locating on section 13. John R.
Henry came in 1857, locating on section 28. Jerome C. Ketchum
came in the spring of 1855, locating on the N.W. f of Sec. 5.
The Stevenson family came in 1855, locating in the northeastern
part of Dover and southeastern part of Quincy. A. P. Stearns
came in 1857, locating on section 24, Francis Monty located on
section 24 in 1856, purchasing the claim formerly owned by Mr.
Waller.
Emery H. Dewey came in the spring of 1856, locating on the
S.E. J of Sec, 19, John Eraser in 1855, locating on section 23.
The Denton family came in 1857, locating on section 24. Isaac
M. Childs in 1856, locating on section 12. Chester Phelps, M.
Whitmore, John Lasher, George Kendall, G. C. Sheeks, G. T. Wil-
sey, Simpson Smith, Messrs, Niles, Bolt and Purdy, G, A, Kimber,
Hiram Cross, William Merry, George Bortol, Simeon Harding and
Elanson Richards also number among the pioneers of the township.
The first religious service held in the town was at the residence
of G. A. Kimber.
The first birth was Rodolphus, son of G. A, Kimber, which
occurred October 17, 1855.
QULNCY, DOVER, ELMIRA AND EYOTA TOWNSHIPS. 891
The first marriage occurred in 1855, the contracting parties being
Mr. Smith and Miss Waller, Judge Thompson performing the cere-
mony.
The only tragedy to darken the history of the township occurred
in 1868, about two miles west of St. Charles. On a dark night in
October, Frederic Ableitner was suddenly aroused from his slumbers
by the sound of voices and a loud rap at his cabin door. On inquir
ing who it was, he was informed that it was strangers who desired
him to come out and direct them to St. Charles. Unsuspectingly he
stepped out into the darkness, whereupon one of the ruffians struck
him over the head with a blunt instrument, a pistol shot quickly fol-
lowed, a gurgling cry was heard, and in a few moments the body of
Frederic Ableitner lay stark and cold in death. The murderers then
attempted to enter the house, but met with a stout resistance on
the part of Mrs. Ableitner, and becoming alarmed they beat a retreat.
On the following day, excitement ran high in the community.
Suspicion fastened itself upon the person of one Staley, and accord-
ingly he was arrested and brought before Justice Stevenson, who,
deeming the evidence produced insufficient, discharged him. The
citizens of St Charles and vicinity being dissatisfied with his decis-
ion, detectives were by them employed to "work up " the case. A
chain of evidence was soon woven which fixed the guilt upon Staley
and John Whitman, who were arrested in the pineries, brought to
Olmsted county, tried and sentenced to the penitentiary for life.
Owing to the destruction of records, the writer found it impossible
to ascertain the exact date of the township organization. The
names of the present town officers are as follows : Supervisors,
Julius Busian, chairman, E. H. Dewey and John Stevenson;
town clerk, M. V. Silsbee ; treasurer, M. J. Merrick ; assessor,
J. Guderian ; justices, T. Stevenson, M. V. Silsbee ; constables,
F. F. Keller, Adam Brown.
The village of Dover Center is located near the center of the
township. It was through the efforts of Mr. Fairfield Smith that a
side track and station were located here.
Dyar & Ingam are carrying on an extensive grain business, and
are proprietors of a large elevator and warehouse standing north of
the track.
There are three general merchandise stores in the village, a drug
store, one grocery, one hardware, one machine store, two hotels and
a blacksmith-shop.
892 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COTTNTY.
The large and commodious school building standing on an eleva-
tion in the southwestern part of the village is an ornament, and
speaks well for the progressive intelligence of the citizens. It was
erected in 1876.
The Methodist Episcopal church is the only religious organiza-
tion in the village. It was once a part of the St. Charles circuit,
but later was attached to the Ejota circuit remaining so until 1876-7.
The present membership numbers ninety. The first pastor stationed
■with them was Rev. M. O. McNiiF, next came L. Hall who was suc-
ceeded by Mr. Crist, Rev. O. Williams comes next on the list, he
being succeeded by Rev. G. W. Way.
There is only one monetary institution in the whole of this town-
ship, and that is the private banking house of Dyar & Ingham,
established in 1877. The average amount of deposits in this institu-
tion is $25,000.
To speak of the hardships, trials and difiiculties encountered by
the early settlers of Dover would simply be a repetition of what will
be found in preceding pages. That they toiled and suffered in com-
mon with the brave army of pioneers who have dotted the broad
bosom of Minnesota with their homes, we all know. Let us love
and honor those yet living, and strew with garlands green the graves
of those passed away.
ELMIRA.
This town was organized at a general election held at school
house No. 1, May 11, 1858. J. R. Freeman was chosen chairman
of the meeting. Milo White, Fred A. Coffin and C. H. Stearns
were elected judges of election ; H. E. Loomis, moderator for the
day ; R. Ketcham, secretary.
Milo White was elected chairman of the board of supervisors,
and received the whole number of votes cast, being 31.
E. Prindle and H. C. Potter were elected associate supervisors ;
R. G. Ketcham, clerk ; William Posten, assessor ; A. D. Putnam, col-
lector ; J. R. Freeman and R. B. Kellam, constables ; C. H. Stearns
and S. Cole, justices of the peace. The present (1883) officers of
the town are : A. Y. Jennings, chairman of the board of super-
visors ; W. Laird and D. Morairty, associate supervisors, and Mr.
Underlake, town clerk.
In April, 1863, during the rebellion, the town voted a bounty
of $50 to every volunteer who would offer his services in defense of
his country ; and at a special meeting of the town board of supervisors,
QTJINCY, DOVER, ELMIRA AKD EYOTA TOWNSHIPS. 893
in February, 1864, $2,000 was voted to be used as bounty money ;
and again on January 23, 1865, the town required eight more sol-
diers to fill up its quota, in answer to the call of President Lincoln for
300,000 more, and to obtain these men $2,500 was voted to be paid
as bounty to such as would volunteer. Thus did Elmira do her
share in the great fight for the union.
Elmira is known on the United States survey maps as T, 105 N.,
R. 11 W. It forms the southeast corner of Olmsted county, hav-
ing Fillmore county on the south and Winona county on the east ;
the towns of Dover and Orion on the north and west respec-
tively. The county is somewhat blufiy in places, and is well tim-
bered. It is drained by the north branch of the Root river.
There are no marshes of any extent in this township.
The first settlements were made in 1854. Messrs. Twiford, Wil-
lis, Blodget, Monday, CofBn, A. V. Jennings, Huntley, J. Trum-
bull, E. Prindle, Allan A. Cady, all came in 1854. There were a
few settlers on the Root river south of Elmira in 1853, and where
now stands the village of Chatfield.
Mr. McClellan built a small log house in 1853, and in 1854 a
frame one in which he opened a store, standing in section 31,
Elmira. He died in 1855. This James McClellan was the first set-
tler, the first to build a log and a frame house, the first to start a store
and the first to die in Elmira.
The first birth was that of Pembroke Tatro, son of Joseph Tatro,
born in 1855.
The first marriage was that of Chester Woodard and Miss Red-
field.
Messrs. Twiford and Willis built a sawmill in section 31, on Mill
creek, which they danimed, and used the water as a motive power
for the mill. They also, in company with Mr. Gear, started the vil-
lage of Chatfield, and built a log hotel there in 1854. A small part
of this village is in section 31 of Elmira, most of it being in Fill-
more county. It is a lively, enterprising village and bids fair in the
near future to become quite a city.
There are two churches in Elmira, the Methodist Episcopal and
the United Brethren in Christ. The former in section 31, and the
latter in section 6. M. L. Tibbits is the presiding elder. Dr. A. H.
Trow was the first minister of the gospel in this township.
On June 23, 1880, a very mysterious murder was committed
in this town ; that of Tarrence Desmond. Mr. Desmond was born
894 HISTORY OF OLMSTED CODTSTTY.
in Ireland aad settled in Elmira in 1857. On the day above men-
tioned he had gone to a spring for a drink of water, close to the field
in which he was working. On walking from the spring he was
assaulted from behind with a club, the first blow of which fractured
his skull and knocked him down. The blows were repeated until
his head was almost a jelly, then his throat was cut to complete the
business. Mr. Cady, a neighbor, found him thus on the following
day, and at once gave the alarm. There was not sufficient evidence
against anyone to commit. The murderer evidently watched for his
opportunity, as a place in the bushes close to the spring was dis-
covered where someone had been kneeling for some time. Suspi-
cion pointed strongly to his brother-in-law, who had repeatedly made
threats to take his life, also to his hired help, but they could neither
of them be proven guilty. Mr. Desmond left a wife and five small
children to mourn his loss.
This town was visited by a fearful windstorm, accompanied with
rain, on the 10th of June, 1880. Between eight and nine o'clock in the
morning a black cloud was observed rapidly approaching from the
west. It soon covered the entire heavens, and it became so dark that
candles had to be lighted in the houses. The rain came down in
torrents, and the thunder and lightning was so great as to cause the
stoutest heart to quake ; the wind caused great damage to crops and
also to buildings. Mr, Alonzo Foster had a very tine stone barn
demolished and two valuable horses killed, and many others lost
their barns, granaries, etc. The storm was not quite a mile wide
and lasted about twenty minutes. This is the only storm of any force
that has ever visited the township.
In the spring of 1853 Benjamin Bear made a claim on theJST.E. ^
of Sec. 20, being the first settler in the township. In May, 1854,
he brought his family from Iowa.
In April, 1854, William Potter took a claim on section 33, and
there located. In the same month H. G, Freeman made claim on
N.W. i of Sec. 21.
The Campion, Tottingham and other families came the same
spring and located in different parts of the township.
The first births in the township were in the families of H. G.
Freeman and William Potter, both of which occurred November 6,
1854. The first death was Hiram Smith, in the same year, who
QTJLNCY, DOV^R, ELMIRA AND EYOTA TOWNSHIPS. 895
was buried in the cemetery on section 21. Tlie contracting parties
in the first wedding in the township were Anson Boyer and Miss
Smith.
The first frame house was built by Thomas Harris. The first
road was laid out in 1856, by William Potter and P. Patridge, which
extended from Pleasant Grove north through the township.
The first postotfice was established on section 16, Mr. Whipple
being the postmaster. The first school was taught in a log house on
section 21, in the winter of 1856-7, Charles Cutler being the first
teacher to wield the hickory.
The first hotel was kept by A. Smith, on section 16. Mr. F.
Magee opened another in 1856.
The first schoolhouse was erected in 1858, on section 21.
The town was first organized under the name of Springfield, which
wias changed and Eyota substituted in 1859.
About two-thirds of the town is prairie and the balance timber.
In point of agricultural wealth it ranks with any in the county.
Stock raising is now the principal industry.
The first town meeting was held at the residence of A. Smith, in
1858, at which the following-named oflicers were elected : super-
visors, Richard Hull, Benjamin Bear, Freeman Matteson ; town
clerk, B. Cutler ; assessor, A. J. Doty ; justices, O. P. Whit-
comb, J. K. Randell ; collector, J. H. Bliss ; overseer of the poor,
Stickney Bush ; constables, Nathan M. Smith, James L. Hodges.
EYOTA VILLAGE.
The village of Eyota was surveyed and laid out in 1875, including
all of section 14, and in 1879, the south half of section 11 was added.
The first village election was held March 9, 1875, at which the
following-named officers were elected : council, George G. Barto, O.
H. Jackson, E. D. Dyer ; Milo Matteson and Charles Ellsbury having
each received 55 votes. Another election was called for March 29,
at which election Milo Matteson was chosen as the fourth member of
the council ; C. S. Andrews was elected recorder ; C. P. Russell,
treasurer ; S. E. Keeler, justice ; H. B. Herrick, constable ; Edwin
Dunn, assessor. At that time the village polled 108 votes.
The present officers of the village are as follows : council, C. S.
Andrews, W. E. Smith, C. W. Barto, P. C. Maroney ; recorder,
W. J. Christie ; treasurer, O. S. Armstrong ; assessor, C. W.
Cresap ; constable, John J. Lovelace.
896 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
The first hotel in the village was kept by G. "I; Barto, the first
store by Mile White, the first blacksmith-shop by O. H. Jackson ;
the first grain elevator was owned by the Winona & St. Peter railroad,
and was conducted by O. S. Armstrong.
CHURCHES.
The Methodist Episcopal church was built in the village of Eyota
in 1876. The regular minister at the time of the building of the
church was the Rev. J. Barnard. At that time there were about
twenty-five members. The trustees were M. Wright, E. A. Doty,
Wm. Eckles, E. D. Dyar, S. C. Andrews, H. Stanchfield and A. G.
Robinson. The present minister is the Rev. W. H. Matson ; the
present membership is thirty, and the regular attendance of scholars
at Sunday school is sixty.
The Lutheran church was organized in 1857, and held meetings
in a log schoolhouse until about 1860, when a church was built on
the northwest corner of section 34. The cost of this edifice was about
$1,000. The Rev. Mr. Mallison was the first minister that held
religious services there. The first ofiicers of the church were Geo.
Plank, John Plank, Amos Plank, Jas. Eckels and Reuben Alen.
The attendance at the Sunday school is about thirty, and the regular
attendance at the church, thirty-five. Wm. Busfan, Jos. Plank and
Amos Plank are the present ofiicers.
The Presbyterian church was erected in 1868. The building
committee were Messrs. E. Dunn, J. W. Campbell and Peter
Dempster. At the time of organization of the church society its
membership was nine. The cost of the church was $2,789.19.
The Presbyterians raised $1,000 among themselves, and the
balance was raised by voluntary subscription of the people. This
church was used by all denominations until 1873, when the United
Brethren church bought the Presbyterians' interest, and it has been
a United Brethren church ever since. The first United Brethren
minister was Rev. M. L. Tibbets ; the first officers were Joseph
Singelton, William Bear and T. Eckles. The present officers are
Wesley Randell, Joseph Singleton and Edwin Dunn. The present
pastor is Rev. M. H. Sly. There are now about sixty members of
the church, and there are ninety regular attendants at the Sunday
school connected therewith.
QUrNCY, DOVER, ELMIRA AND EYOTA TOWNSHIPS. 897
LODGES.
A masonic lodge (No. 61) was organized here on December 17,
1866. The lodge first held its meetings in the hall over Needham
& Wheeler's store. The officers at that time were L, W. Needham,
master ; B. Birge, senior warden ; C, D. Houghton, junior warden ;
J. S. Niles, senior deacon ; George Eckles, junior deacon ; J. N.
Brush, treasurer ; O. S. Armstrong, secretary. The officers at the
present time are C. S. Andrews, master ; Edwin Dunn, senior
warden ; Wm. Keynolds, junior warden ; W. J. Christie, senior
deacon ; Jake Coply, junior deacon ; J. T. Price, treasurer ; O. S.
Armstrong, secretary. The communications of the lodge are now
held in the hall over C. W. Barto's drug-store, which makes a very
fine lodge-room. The room is both appropriately and handsomely
decorated and furnished. The present rnembership numbers one
hundred. The lodge is in a flourishing condition in every respect.
Eyota Lodge, No. 47, I.O.O.F., was instituted October 22,
1874. The lodge was organized in the Masonic Hall, and the
following-named gentlemen were the first officers elected: O.
E. Lawson, N.G. ; W. P. Smith, Y.G. ; J. D. Heademan, sec-
retary; J. H. Carroll, treasurer. Charter members : O. E. Lawson,
J. D. Heademan, Orin Carrier, Ezra Graves, H. Porter. The
lodge has now a membership of fifty. The officers at the present
timo are as follows : Nels. Pearson, N.G. ; William Sherman, Y.G.;
George Nichold, secretary ; William Reynolds, treasurer. The con-
dition of the lodge is satisfactory in every respect. The meetings
are held every week in the hall over Blair Bros' store.
The Highland Lodge of Good Templars was organized Novem-
ber 25, 1882, with the following-named as officers : Walter Dixon,
W.C.T,; Ella Weston, W.V.T.'; W. H. Matson, W.Chap.; A. C.
Justice, W.Sec. ; Kate Emery, W.A.S. ;• Malcom Wright, W.
F.S.; Mrs. W. Dixon, W.Treas. ; A. B. Clark, W.M.; Mrs. Ettie
Bear, W.D.M.; Maud Clark, W.I.G.; Frank James, W.O.G.; Ina
Underwood, W.L.H.S.; Alice James, W.KH.S.; William W. Love-
lace, P. W.C.T. The number of the charter members is fifty-one,
while the present lodge membership is sixty-five. The lodge is in
a good condition, and is doing much effectual work.
There is a very fine school-building in the village of Eyota,
which was erected in 1876, at a cost of $8,500. The first teachers
in the new building were E. A. Holmes, Miss Nettie Martin, Miss
898 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
The Eyota Baptist church was organized May 4, 1861, with the
following members : Merritt House, Maria House, Robert Elliott,
Elijah S. Dugan, Calista L. Dugan, Lucy House, George M. House,
A. J. House, Merritt House, Jr. ; thirty-six different members ; lost
by death, removals, etc., nineteen ; present membership, seventeen.
CHAPTEE XXII.
ORION, PLEASANT GROVE AND SALEM TOWNSHIPS.
This is one of the southern tier of towns in Olmsted county. It
is bounded on the east by Elmira, on the north by Eyota, on the
west by Pleasant Grove, and on the south by Fillmore county.
About one-third of the town is covered with magnificent forest
trees, affording an abundance of timber for that and surrounding
towns. The rest of the town is light timber and prairie. The soil
is a dark loam with a subsoil of clay. The Root river enters the
town on section 18, running a southeasterly direction through the
town and into Fillmore county from section 36. Mill creek runs
through the eastern part of the town and empties into Root river at
Chatfield. The surface of the town is rather broken and rolling.
There are a number of smaU valleys running through the town.
Orion affords a better supply of timber than any other town in the
county. It is also well supplied with water and plenty of good
building-stone. The town was organized in 1858.
The first town meeting was held May 11, 1858, at the school-
house in Cummingsville. Thomas Harris was chosen moderator of
the meeting, and Richard S. Russell, T. Harris, B. F. Mc Yey and
L. B. Bliss, judges of election. The following gentlemen were
elected to ofiice : L. B. Bliss, chairman supervisors ; Stephen J.
Russell, supervisor ; Seth A. Cole, supervisor ; John T. Hancock,
town clerk ; Henry Goodman, collector ; F. H. Cummings, over-
seer of the poor ; Thomas Harris and F. B. Burk, justices ; Henry
Goodman and M. L. Scarbrough, constables. The present ofllcers
of the town are C. E. Burk, chairman supervisors ; L. Denny,
ORION, PLEASANT GROVE AND SALEM TOWNSHIPS. 899
supervisor ; John Campion, supervisor ; J. T. Hancock, town clerk ;
W. C, Shelton, collector ; C. E. Burk, assessor ; J. T. Hancock,
justice ; F. H. Cummings and Henry A. Robinson, constables.
The first settlement was made in the spring of 1854, by George
M. Gere, on section 25, James Edwards on section 25, John Scher-
raerhorn on section 23, C. J. Robinson on sections 34 and 35; March,
1854, Joseph Rose on section 27 ; May 6, 1854, Joel Ballard and
David Hazelton. The first house was built by James Edwards and
the second by John Schermerhorn.
The first road was laid out July 3, 1858, starting at the southeast
corner of the town and running east on the county line ; the second
road starting between sections 2 and 3, running south. In the sum-
mer of 1855 F. H. Cummings built a sawmill on section 28, on
Root River.
The same year Thomas Harris erected a steam sawmill and put
it in operation. Neither of the mills was a very profitable invest-
ment, and they were operated only a short time. The Orion
flouring-mill was built in 1866 by Christopher Ecker, who ran
it till 1874 ; he then sold to William Hueston, who ran the mill till
1879, when it burned down, but not being discouraged he rebuilt
the same year. He now has a very nice mill with three run of
stone. It is located on section 18, on Root river, and is run by
water-power. The first cemetery is on the N.W. J of Sec. 10.
The first birth among the white people of the town of Orion was
that of Edward Blodget, son of F. H. Blodget, born June, 1854.
The first death was John. Schermerhorn, who died October 18, 1855.
The first marriage that took place in Orion was that of O. H. Chap-
man and Miss Eliza Schermerhorn, November 12, 1854.
The first school was opened in 1856, and was taught by Andrew
Beardsley in a dwelling-house of Malon Clayton's, on section 10.
There were about eighteen scholars. The first schoolhouse in the
town was built in 1856, on section 28, district No. 17. The first-''
teacher in the schoolhouse was Miss Deming. The first doctor that
practiced in Orion was Dr. Twitchel, of Chatfield.
The first religious service in the town was held at the house
of Stephen Case in the fall of 1855, the sermon being delivered by
Rev. George Stevenson, of the Methodist persuasion.
A tornado swept through the town in May, 1854, but there were
but few settlers at that time. It swept the timber and everything in
its course. In 1854 a fire started near Root river, and, running over
900 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
the prairie to the White Water, burned about forty tons of hay-
belonging to William Potter, and did considerable other damage.
PLEASANT GROVE.
For fertility of soil this township ranks with any in Olmsted
county, and consequently was settled as early.
The first actual settler was Mr. Gough, who located his claim in
1853. In 185i the claim was purchased by the Patridge brothers.
y. P. Burgan came in 1854 and located on the N.W. J of Sec. 29.
Joseph L. Parks came in the same year, locating on the S.E. J of
Sec. 22. Jesse Bagley also came in 1854.
In 1855 the Tait-Flathers families came. O. H. Page also came
in that year, locating on the N.W. ^ of Sec. 28. David Overend
also came in 1855, locating on the N.E. ^ of Sec. 27.
In 1856 the Russell family settled on section 25.
M. Brittendoll, John Lambert, John and William Burch, Jacob
Prentice, J. D. Bunce, Robert Overend, W. H. Mills, E. D. Bar-
rows, Saraual Barrows and Frederic Libeck were also among the
earliest settlers of the town.
The township was organized in 1858, the first officers elected
being as follows : Supervisors, J. H. Hartenboner, chairman, E.
H. Stuckman and F. L. Stevens; town clerk, W. H. Mills; assessor,
H. G. McCaleb ; justices of the peace, Samuel Barrows and I. W.
Norton ; collector, William Kennedy ; constables, William Kennedy,
J. S. Stevens ; overseer of the poor, John Collins.
In 1854 a stage line was established by M. O. Walker from
Dubuque to St. Paul, passing through the township, and a postoffice
was established in the northern part, and the name of Pleasant
Grove conferred upon it. Philo S. Curtis was appointed post
master.
The village was platted by Philo S. Curtis, Dudley Taylor and
Samuel Barrows, William H. Mills being the surveyor. Philo S.
Curtis was succeeded in the postmastership by Samuel Barrows, who
was followed by William H. Mills. Judge R. D. Hathaway was
next appointed, and is the present incumbent. In 1855 Mr. Curtis
opened the first hotel, which, owing to the large amount of travel
over the new stage road, was well patronized.
The only mill in the township is located on Root river, and
was built by Mathew Fugle in 1871. Its capacity is twenty-five bar-
ORION, PLEASANT GROVE AND SALEM TOWNSHIPS. 901
rels of flour per day. The structure is two stories and a half high,
without including basement, 30x40 feet in size, and cost twelve
thousand dollars.
ORGANIZATION.
Among the first settlers in Pleasant Grove, Olmsted county,
Minnesota, was David Overend. He came to the county in May,
1850, from Bedford, Cuyahoga county, Ohio.
Having learned the gospel as set forth by Alexander Campbell
and Walter Scott while in Ohio, and finding no one in the new set-
tlement who believed or taught the scriptures as he had learned
them, he set about immediately to ascertain if there were any in the
county with whom he could associate in church relationship on the •
ground of the bible alone as a rule of faith and practice, untrani-
meled by any human creed. The first disciple he met was Peter
Radabaugh, and he walked sixteen miles to the vicinity of Eyota to
visit him.
Not many months elapsed before other disciples located in
the county, and soon an organization was effected. The church was
organized in June, 1856, with the following persons as charter mem-
bers : David Overend, John Collins, Peter Radabaugh, Sr., and
wife, John Radabaugh and wife, Calander Radabaugh and wife,
Andrew Lighter and wife, Jane Bonham, Mrs. Daugherty and Peter
Radabaugh, Jr. — thirteen in all. Peter Radabaugh, Sr., was
appointed elder and John Collins deacon. During this same year
Elder E. T. Grant, of Brownsville, Minnesota, was called to hold a
protracted meeting for the infant church. He lived over seventy-
five miles away, and David Overend undertookto walk that distance
to secure his services. He came in the month of September and
preached for a few weeks, which resulted in the addition of three to
the membership.
He came again the next year and held a protracted meeting,
which resulted in thirteen additions. For four or five years he con-
tinued to visit the congregation, preaching for them only a few days
or weeks at a time. A few years after the organization of the
church, upon the death of Peter Radabaugh, John Collins was con-
stituted elder of the congregation and Volney Sanborn was asso-
ciated with him in the eldership. James Pace and Noble Cile were
then appointed deacons. In the year 1861, upon the removal of
Volney Sanborn, James Pace and Noble Cile to the western part of
54
902 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COimTY.
the state, David Overend was elected elder and Joseph L. and Jon-
athan D. Parks deacons.
D. Overend has held the position of overseer from that date till
the present writing, and has also preached very acceptably for the
congregation during many of these years, nearly the whole burden
and care of the church resting upon him. Joseph L. Parks occupied
the position of deacon until the time of his death, November 19,
1882, honored and revered by all. The present deacons are J. D.
Parks and John Yates.
During the years 1862 and 1863 the church erected its present
house of worship. It is a brick structure 32 X 50 feet in dimensions,
and stands in the village of Pleasant Grove. The cost of the build-
ing at that time was over $3,000. A. P. Frost served the church as
pastor acceptably for three years.
Their present pastor is A. W. Dean, who came to Pleasant Grove
from Elyria, Ohio, and has labored for the church since January 1,
1882. The congregation has bought property in the village and
fitted it up for a parsonage. The present membership is fifty.
The first Methodist services were held in Y. P. Burgen's house in
the summer or fall of 185i ; Benjamin Crist, pastor. The work
belonged to the Wisconsin conference. Y. P. Burgen and wife were
the first members. Yery soon P. Bowers, Jacob Ginther, JS". How-
land, father and mother Kuck, Wm. Burgen and wife, Wm. Peck
and Jane his wife, Eliza Higley, Jonathan Pucker and wife, Wm.
Marr and wife, also united.
In 1856 the Minnesota conference was formed and Pleasant Grove
was united with Spring Valley circuit. Elijah Fate and C. Kellogg,
preachers.
1857 Pleasant Grove circuit was formed, and S. Spates was
appointed pastor. Mr. Spates had been Indian missionary at Sandy
Lake for nearly twenty years. The pastors have been, since 1858,
Nahum Tamter, Boyd Phelps, S. N. Phelps, J. G. Teter, J. P.
. Quigley, B. Blain, J. R. Creighton, C. F. Kingsland, H. G. Bilbie,
H. N. Munger, W. F. Stockdill, C. F. Garvin, Jos. Hanna, Jos.
Hall, and since 1882 Noah Lathrop.
The Seventh Day Adventist church was organized in 1862 by
Elder John Bostwick. H. F. Laisher was chosen elder and Thomas
McDonald deacon and clerk.
The covenant is as follows : We, the undersigned, hereby asso-
ciate ourselves together as a church, taking the name Seventh Day
OEION, PLEASANT GROVE AND SALEM TOWNSHIPS. 903
Adventist and covenanting to keep the commandments of God and
the faith of Jesus.
St. Bridget's church was organized in 1859 by Father Prender-
gast. The church building was erected in the same year. It is a
large stone structure, 44 X 80 feet in size, and is one of the finest" in
the county. It lias a seating capacity of 600. The parsonage was
erected in 1881, and although not completed has entailed a cost of
twenty-three hundred dollars.
The names of the pastors following Father Prendergast succes-
sively are as follows : Father Morris, Thomas O'Gorman, Father
Bruton and Father Stack, who now has the church in charge, and
who is the first resident priest.
The present trustees are Edward Cohran, P. H. Griffin, Edward
Mayo, James St. George and A. Campion.
The Paulist Temperance Society, in connection with the church,
is composed of fifty members, and meets eveiy month in a neat
frame building opposite the church. The building is 26 X 50 feet in
size, and cost about one thousand dollars.
Masonic Lodge, No. 22, Pleasant Grove, was organized Decem-
ber 16, 1856, by A. S. Ferris, grand master of Minnesota.
The charter was granted in 1858, and permanent officers elected
as follows: George P. Budlong, W.M. ; George W. Green, S.W. ;
Jacob Ginter, J.W. ; John Rumsey, treasurer; H. B. French, secre-
tary; J. A. Lewis, S.D.; J. H. Tedman, J.D.; C. E. Kellogg, tyler ;
H. H. Mitchell and J. H. Main, stewards.
On March 9, 1858, these officers were installed by Yolney Baily,
D.G.K, J. N. McClane, D.G.S.W., and Mr. Kelly, D.G.J.W.
The present membership of this lodge is fifty-nine.
The present officers are as follows : O. H. Page, W. M. ; L. D.
Rosier, S.W.; G. F. Allen, J.W.; C. W. Russell, treasurer; R. D.
Hathaway, secretary ; James Edmonson, S.D. ; Murray Bagley, J.D. ;
J. H. Tedman, chaplain ; Lewis Roberts, tyler ; George Logan, S. S. ;
Warren Johnson, J.S.
The building and lot owned by the lodge cost about sixteen hun-
dred dollars.
The soil in the township is excellent, producing good crops of
wheat, rye, corn, oats and barley. Root river winds through the
southern portion of the .township, and is skirted by a heavy growth
of timber. Great bluff's, green with moss of a century's growth,
tower skyward, forming a continuous wall along the banks of the
904 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
rippling stream. While all around them civilization has wrought
great changes, they retain all of their primitive grandeur, and stand
today as grim, as weird as a hundred years ago.
The road from Marion to Pleasant Grove passes over a place
called the ' ' hog back. " On reaching this point the scene is very
picturesque. On one hand is a deep ravine, while on the other is a
perpendicular wall. Looking over from the stage the silvery sheen
of the river is visible, nearly a hundred feet below, and to the west
a scene meets the eye of the beholder which is interesting and grand.
As you look down the river winding among the crags and jutting
rocks you half expect to see the canoe of the swarthy savage darting
up and down, or to see his nodding plume and painted face appear
from behind one of the sturdy pines that adorn its shores and seem
to sing a solemn dirge over the fast-fading footprints of that
departed race.
SALEM.
Salem is situated in the western tier of the towns of Olmsted
county. It is bounded on the north by Kalmar, on the east by
Kochester, on the south by Kock Dell, and on the west by Dodge
county. It is centered by the meridian town line 106 north and
range 15 west, and contains about 23,002 acres, with a population of
between eight and nine hundred. The town is well drained and wa-
tered by the Zumbro and Cascade rivers, every section being crossed
by their feeders, with the exception of 30, 35, 36 and 26. The banks
of these rivers are very low and in some places the adjoining land
is marshy. The only prairie portion is at the north, where the
streams are most abundant, the rest being rolling, and in many
places heavily timbered with oak-trees, particularly so in sections
20, 21, 29, 28, U and 35.
Cottonwood, silver and Lombardy poplar are also met with in
groves, principally as "windbreaks" around dwelling-houses.
These "windbreaks," and the rolling land add diversity to the
natural scenery, making it very pleasing to the eye. The farmers
of this town are very prosperous, and this is particularly noticeable
among the Scandinavians, who form four-fifths of the population,
the rest being Irish and a few Americans. Barley, oats and com
are the grains principally grown, with little more wheat than is
suflScient for home purposes. Cattle raising and dairy farming are
becoming more popular every year, owing to the decrease in the
ORION, PLEASANT GROVE AND SALEM TOWNSHIPS. 905
yield of grain per acre, which is here attributed to climatic changes
and not to the failing of the soil.
Joseph B. Dearborn was the first American to settle in the town
of Salem, where he pre-empted a claim of 160 acres in section 5, Sa-
lem, and 32 Kalmar, in the year 1854. Asa Hurd took a claim
adjoining, the same year (1854), and built the first log-house on the
town line road between Kalmar and Salem. Ole C. Wegger, T. B.
and Christopher Isaacson (brothers), Edward Alvord, and Aron
Anderson, all came during the summer of 1854. Julia, daughter of
Edward A. and Mary (Oleson) Holtan, has the honor of being the
first child born in this to^vn, her birth occurring the same year
(1854) that her parents settled here.
In 1855-6 settlers came in a rush, and almost all available land
was pre-empted. What is now known as the Rochester road was
made during the year 1856, and the same year an effort was made
to start a village at Salem Corners, section 15, where the same year
Cyrus Holt opened a general country store, and was in 1857 ap-
pointed postmaster. Tliis store, not meeting with much support,
was soon closed and in 1860 the postoffice was closed also, since
which time the town has been without either store or postofiice.
Squire Wilkins (the narde by which he is familiarly known) was
the first mail-carrier, having for five years carried the mail irom
Rochester to Salem Corners, and L. L. McCoy was the last. Zebina
Henderson built the first frame house in the town, at Salem Corners,
which is still standing, but unoccupied.
The first ministers of the gospel were the Rev. David L. King
and Elder Forrest, who preached in Lorenzo McCoy's shanty, near
Salem Corners, in 1856, and the first doctor was Dr. Younglove,
now (1883) of Rochester. The first death was Ella, the infant
daughter of Darius and Harriet (McKinstry) Wilkins, which oc-
curred September 20, 1857.
The first marriages were Miss Frances Hurd to Columbus Irish,
in February, and Miss Emma Hurd to Hiram Fairbanks, in October—
of 1857, the ceremony being performed by Squire Wilkins, still
living (1883) at the corners. Miss Frances and Miss Emma are
the daughters of Mr. H. G. Hurd.
Previous to 1858, during territorial times, the town of Salem
formed a part of the town of Rochester, and in January, 1857, at an
election held in the village of Rochester, Darius Wilkins was elected
justice of the peace, being the first justice elected in what is now the
906 HISTOKY OF OLMSTED COTINTY.
town of Salem. The first election was held at the schoolhouse in
Salem village in 1858, when the town was organized by the election
of the following officers : Zebina Henderson, chairman of the board
of supervisors, received 84 votes, being the whole number cast;
William Waite, Jr., and Ole S. Sattre, being associate supervisors;
Samuel H. Nichols, town clerk ; A. P. Everest, assessor ; Hubbard
G. Hurd, collector ; Lorenzo McCoy, overseer of the poor ; Hubbard
G. Hurd, constable; Darius Wilkins and Cyrus Holt, justices of
the peace; William Waite, Jr., moderator.
In 1862 the town of Salem, to avoid a draft for soldiers, gave
from $50 to $100 to such men as would volunteer their services,
and on February 8, 1864, the town voted a further appropriation of
$3,000 for the same purpose. The whole amount given by the
town for volunteer purposes during the war was $15,399. Such a
large sum of money taken from so small a town was grievously
felt by the poorer farmers, but they managed by economy to pay
off" in two years the bonds they had used to raise this amount.
This town has been remarkably fortunate, never having been
•visited by any windstorms or having a tragedy of any kind com-
mitted.
The only accident which miglit have resulted seriously was the
falling of the upper floor in the town hall. This hall was built by
contract in 1865. At the first town meeting held on this floor it
gave way, precipitating the occupants to the floor below.
This hall is used as a school, a church, for town meetings, and
as a dance hall. This hall stands in section 15, close to Salem
Corners, [which makes it central and convenient to all who live in
the town.
CHAPTEK XXIII.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
THE PIONEERS OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
[In the following chapters we have grouped together the personalsketchesof quite a num-
ber of the pioneer citizens, early settlers and other important persons whose names, though
many of them appearing in the preceding pages, deserve more prominence than such a pass-
ing notice has given them.]
William Potter was born in the State of Pennsylvania in 1827,
where he lived for the space of twenty years, following from early
youth the dual occupations of farming and lumbering. In the month
of April, 1854, he came to Minnesota and located where his present
homestead and farm is now situated, on April 29 of that year. The
farm consists of 180 acres of land, pre-empted by him on section 33,
of this town. At the time Mr. Potter located in Minnesota the
country was perfectly new, and there were only six settlers in the
whole county, the nearest postoffice being at Winona. In 1854 Mr.
Potter was married to Hannah Abrams, who then resided in Wis-
consin, but who is a native of New York State. The issue of the
marriage consists of seven children, all of whom were born in this
county. Mr. Potter has held the office of coroner. He was subse-
quently assessor of the town for three years, and one of tlie super-
visors for five years.
James, son of James and Martha Bucklen, was born in the town
of Guilford, Vermont, September 18, 1805. In 1817 the family
emigrated to Chautauqua county. New York. In 1854 our subject
emigrated to Olmsted county, Minnesota, and located on what is now'
section 34, Cascade township. He was one of the earliest settlers
in the township of Cascade. In March, 1855, he was appointed jus-
tice of the peace, in which capacity he acted six terms. Mr. Buck-
len was married in 1830 to Miss L. A. Coe, a native of Onondaga
county, New York, who died in July, 1849. He was again married
in 1854, to Mrs. Parmelia Howard. Five children are the result of
these marriages, four of whom are by the first wife, one by the
second, and whose names are as follows: James A., Lewis W.,
Adelaide (deceased), Adell and Deforest. The latter is practicing
law in Polk county.
908 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Col. James George, deceased, is remembered kindly by citizens
of Kochester and vicinity. He was born May 27, 1819, in Jeffer-
son county, New York. He came to Olmsted county in 1854, where
be pre-empted a claim of 160 acres, with the land warrant obtained
for services in the Mexican war. He practiced law until 1861. In
June of that year he volunteered, and was made captain of Co. C,
2d Minn. Yols. On July 23 he was made lieutenant-colonel. He
commanded the 2d Minn. reg. in several minor engagements and in
the battle of Chickamauga. In the latter battle he lost forty per
cent of his men. After his return he served four years as city jus-
tice of Rochester. He was candidate for congress on the Douglas
ticket in 1860, and was before the legislature in 1865 for United
States senate. He married in 1842 Miss R. S. Pierce, of Preble
county, Ohio. The colonel died March 7, 1882. A large circle of
friends mourned his departure. His life had been somewhat event-
ful, and he had so lived that departing he left behind him "foot-
prints on the sands of time. "
Jacob Bonham, grocer, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio,
in 1833. In 1854 the family came to Olmsted county, making a
claim east of Marion. In 1869 our subject came to Rochester and
clerked for a number of years. In the spring of 1882 he, in company
with his son-in-law, embarked in the grocery business, and are hav-
ing a lucrative trade. Mr. Bonham was married in 1858 to Miss
Letitia Phelps, a native of Crawford county, Pennsylvania, and is
now surrounded by an intelligent family of children. They are
members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
J. Lyman Weight, farmer, was born in Tioga county, New York,
April 25, 1829. In 1851 he came to Wisconsin, remaining until
1854, when he came to Olmsted county, locating in Kalmar town-
ship. During the winter of 1855-6 he taught school in a log school-
house standing near the present residence of Thomas Jones. In
1872 he was elected county treasurer, and re-elected at the close of
the term. Later he removed to Cascade township. He was mar-
ried in 1852, to Miss Margaret Etsler, a native of Maryland. Myrta
is the name of their only living child. Mr. Wright is a member of
the LO.O.F.
John Hendricks was born in Wayne county, Pennsylvania, in
1833. In 1854 the family came to Minnesota, locating on what is
now section 28, Cascade township. Mr. Hendricks was married in
1854, to Miss Julia A. Stut, a native of Pennsylvania. Catharine,
BIOGRAPHICAL. 909
Mary A., John W., Nathan D., William H., Ida S. and Annie are
the names of their children. The family are members of the
Methodist Episcopal church. Mr, Hendricks is a member of the
A.O.U.W.
Samuel G. Cummings, deceased, was one of the first settlers ot
Olmsted county, having made a claim in Cascade township, near the
present site of Rochester, in 1854. After retaining this four years,
he sold it and bought sixty acres on section 28, Kalmar, which is
now owned by his widow and is the home of his family. Mr. Cum-
mings was born in New Hampshire, June 10, 1835, and went
soon after with his parents to Herkimer county, New York, where
he was brought up. After securing a claim in this county, he re-
turned to Herkimer county, and was married there to Miss Lany
Hoke, who was born in Warren, that county, December 12, 1837-
She is a sister of Mrs. D. Maxfield, whose parentage is elsewhere
mentioned in this work. Mr. Cummings was a prominent citizen of
the township ; was elected a member of the board of supervisors in
1861, and chairman of that body in 1871-2-3-4. He was a repub-
lican at the time of his death, October 27, 1877, but had espoused
the cause of the democracy in his youth. He was a member of the
Patrons of Husbandry during the existence of the order here. His
estate included 127 acres on section 34 at the time of his death, which
is now operated by his son. There are four children : Naomi, born
July 29, 1857, married Richard Brooks, resides in Kalmar ; Harley,
July 4, 1858, married Nelia Little, dwells with mother ; Annette,
June 20, 1862, married Fred C. Little, Salem ; Roseltha M., April
11, 1865, at home.
William Williams, son of Thomas and Hannah Williams, was
born March 9, 1838, in South Wales. When about twelve years
of age his family came to America, locating in Oneida county. New
York ; from there they proceeded to Kane county, Illinois, remaining
about one year, thence to Lansing, Iowa, where his father died, in
1852. In the fall of 1854 our subject came to Olmsted county and
located in Rochester township. He was married in 1867, to Miss
Lucy Basset, a native of New York. Arthur, William and Edwin
are names of the children resulting from the union.
William Bear, drygoods salesman, was born in Seneca county,
Ohio, January 15, 1837. When seventeen years of age he left his
native state and came to Minnesota, locating on a farm in Eyota
township. In 1877 he came to the village and was for two years in
910 HISTOEY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
the employ of Plank Brothers, since that time he has been engaged
with Blair Brothers. He was married in 1859, to Miss Henrietta
Carl, a native of Logan county, Ohio. William H., Hiram C, John
B. and Alice M. are the names of the children resulting from the
union. The family are members of the United Brethren church.
Mr. Bear is also a member of the Temple of Honor,
Nathan S. Phelps, Pleasant Grove, was born in Steuben county,
New York, in February, 1826. Subsequently his father's family re-
moved to Crawford county, Pennsylvania, and to Olmsted county in
1854, locating on section 35, Marion township. His father, Levi M.
Phelps, died in March, 1857, and his mother, Phoeba M., died in
1875. Our subject was married in 1870, to Miss Maggie Waldron,
a native of Michigan. Myrta A. , Mary and Violet are the names of
their children. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Epis-
copal church at Marion.
John Vosbueg (farmer), son of Darick and Catharine (Tomson)
Vosburg, was born in Columbia county, New York, in 1821. John
lived with his parents, assisting his father on the farm until 1845,
when he moved to Antioch, Lake county, Illinois, where he worked as
general farm hand. In 1850 married Miss Mary Sadler, daughter of
William and Huldah (Rice) Sadler. Five years after his marriage
(1855) he emigrated to Salem, Minnesota, where he pre-empted 160
acres in section 17, which he subsequently sold and then purchased
180 acres in section 22, where he now resides. In 1864 he enlisted
in the 3d Minn. Inf , Co. K, and was engaged at the battles of Mem-
phis, Tennessee, Little Rock and Napoleon, Arkansas. After being
mustered out in 1865, he returned to his farm in Salem. In politics
he always votes as he fought, for the republican party. Is very liberal
in religious matters. Children : Alice, born December 28, 1852,
married May 14, 1879, Eugene Webster. Almira, born November
29, 1858, married December 16, 1877, Mathew Williams. Ella,
born February 12, 1862, married February 12, 1882, John Fugel.
Abon Anderson (farmer) was one of the pioneers of the town of
Salem, having come there in 1854, and in 1855 bought one-fourth of
section 21. Mr. Anderson has made a grand success in his business as
a farmer. He now owns 340 acres in sections 21, 22 and 28, also
some timber land. In 1879 he built a fine barn, 80x40 feet, and
also has two frame dwelling-houses on his farm. In religion is a
member of the Lutheran church ; in politics is a democrat. Our
subject was born in Norway, in 1825, and is the son of Andrews and
BIOGRAPHICAL. 911
Carrie Christopherson. He lived with his parents in Norway, where
in 1850 he married Anna Ola, born in Norway in 1818. In 1852 he
emigrated to Wisconsin, and in 1854 settled in Salem. He has been
blessed with three children : Albertina, born 1852; Lawrence, 185-4,
and Anna, 1863. All are married, Albertina living in Salem and
the others in Dakota.
Yelverton p. Burgan, farmer, Pleasant Grove, was born in
Lee county, Virginia, in September, 1823. Thirteen years later the
family removed to Indiana, and in 1847 to Clayton county, Iowa.
In 1854 our subject came to Minnesota, locating on the northwest
quarter of section 29, Pleasant Grove township. He was mar-
ried October 21, 1847, to Miss Elizabeth Collins, a native of Pulaski
county, Kentucky. Their children's names are as follows : John
W., Alexander W., Sarah M., (deceased), and Isaac E. They are
members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Pleasant Grove.
Joseph L. Parks, deceased, was born in Hendricks county, Indi-
ana, in 1829 ; came to Pleasant Grove township in 1854, locating on
the southeast quarter of section 22. He married, in 1851, Miss Mar-
garet Collins, who died in 1870. He was again married in 1878, to
Miss Lucinda Vaunote. His children's names are as follows : Mar-
tha A., Franklin P., Lucinda A., Eli P. and James E. Mr. Parks
died in the fall of 1872, of typhoid fever, and his demise was
mourned by a large circle of friends.
James George, deceased, was one of the pioneers of Olmsted
county, and a man who filled many public positions, both previous
to and during his residence here. He was a son of Moses and
Mary George, and was born near Pome, New York, May 27, 1819.
He was kept at a select boarding-school from his seventh to his six-
teenth years. His father died when he was but nine years old, and
on leaving school he set out for himself in the world, and traveled
through various parts of the west, visiting Milwaukee, St. Louis and
other cities. Peturning to Buffalo, he kept books for a commercial
house there ; but subsequently taught school in Canada and Ohio.
During his residence in the latter state he served four years as reg-
ister of deeds in Butler county, having been elected by the demo-
cratic party, to which he adhered through life. He also served four
years as secretary of the state board of public works. He was mar-
ried March 4, 1842, to Khoda T. Pierce, whose parents, John
and Mary (Kirby) Pierce, were of English and Irish nativity
respectively. Mary Kirby came of a long-lived race, her mother
912 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
reaching the extreme age of 102 years. On the advent of the Mexi-
can war Mr. George enlisted in the United States service and served
during the war, receiving a wound at the battle of Monterey. In
the summer of 1854 he located 160 acres on section 19 in the town-
ship of Oronoco, on the government warrant issued in payment of
his services. This he occupied four years and then removed to
Wasioja, where he raised a company of soldiers when the civil war
broke out ; this was known as Co. B of the 2d Minn. Vol. Inf.,
of which regiment he was elected lieutenant colonel in May, 1861.
After the battle of Mill Spring he was promoted to a colonelcy. At
the battle of Chickamauga he had three horses shot from under
him, and himself received a wound. At the close of the war he
returned to Oronoco, from whence he removed in 1870 to Eochester
and began the practice of law. He served as city justice with great
satisfaction. He was chairman of the first board of county commis-
sioners, which met at Oronoco in 1855. Col. George was a mem-
ber of the Masonic order, and his religious faith most nearly con-
formed to that of the Episcopal church. He was a man of very
positive character, and made both friends and enemies by his de-
cision. He took quite an active part in politics and was well known
and liked as a speaker. His death was very sudden, being caused
by rheumatism of the heart, and took place on the 7th of March,
1882. He leaves three descendants, — Helen M., who married C.
C. Emery, of this township, and now lives in Mazeppa ; Edith A. ,
married to Albert Farnham, and dwelling on the colonel's orginal
claim ; and Edward, a practicing attorney at St. Paul.
John S. Peirson, son of John and Nabby Peirson, High Forest,
was born in Canada West, in 1828. In 1835 the family emigrated
to Winnebago county, Illinois. Our subject came to La Crosse in
1852 and to Olmsted county in 1854, locating on section 1, High
Forest township. In February, 1864, he enlisted in Co. C, 9th Minn.
Inf., serving eighteen months. He was married in 1853, to Miss
Lenira E. Shoemaker, a native of Pennsylvania. Their children's
names are as follows : John D., Nabby A., Nora, Carrie J. and
Lou W. (adopted). The family belongs to the Congregational church.
John P. Crippen, farmer, Dover, was born January 22, 1833, in
Huron county, Ohio. In 1850 he came to Indiana, remaining two
years, thence to Wisconsin. In 1854 he came to Olmsted county
and in 1855 took a claim on the S.E. J of Sec. 20, Dover town-
ship. In 1859 he went to Quincy and engaged in the mercantile
BIOGRAPHICAL. 918
business. In 1866 he removed to St. Charles, after wliich he was
made deputy sheriff of Winona county, serving eight years. In
1875 he again returned to Dover township. He was married in
1869, to Miss Hannah L. Monty, a native of Clinton county. New
York. Mary L. (deceased), John P. (deceased) and Charles W.
are the names of their children. John P. was a freight conductor,
and was killed by falling between the cars at Adrian, Minnesota.
Mr. Ci-ippen is a member of the A.F. and A.M., and Orient Chapter
at St. Charles, and of the commandery at Rochester.
Robert Robertson, farmer, Dover, is one of the earliest pioneers
of Olmsted county. He was born in Perthshire, Scotland, in
1818, emigrated to America in the ship Harmonia in 1849, locating
at Watertown, Wisconsin. In the fall of 185-1 he came to Olmsted
county, locating on section 36 in Dover township. He was married in
1844, to Miss Janette Ford, also a native of Scotland. The names
of their children are as follows : Janette (deceased), Jane A., James,
Isabel, Marj^ L., Robert (deceased) and Martha. Mr, and Mrs.
Robertson are members of the United Brethren church.
Leonard Knapp, farmer, Dover, was born in Lewis county, New
York, in February, 1825. When twenty-three years of age he came
west, locating in Dodge county, Wisconsin, where he remained
until the spring of 1854, when he came to Olmsted county, locating
on section 26, Dover township. He was married in April, 1854, to
Miss Sarah Thompson, a native of New York State, and who died in
1864. Pete (deceased), Kate and Wright are the names of their
children. He was again married in 1 867, to Lucretia Harris, a native
of Ireland, who died in 1880. George L. is the name of the only
child resulting from the second union.
Joseph Drake (deceased) was born in Walworth, Wayne county,
New York, February 2, 1810. In 1837 he came west to Jackson
county, Michigan, thence to Minnesota in the spring of 1854, lo-
cating on the N.E. J of Sec. 10, Dover township. He was married
in 1844, to Miss Polly Killicutt, a native of Washington county. New
York. The names of their children are as follows : Julian F., Ida,
Daniel W., Miron J., Frank H., Albert S. and G. Mark. Mrs.
Drake died in October, 1868, and Mr. Drake in May, 1873 ; both
were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Ames ]5utton, farmer and real estate dealer, was born in Che-
nango county. New York, December 18, 1818. WTien nineteen years
of age he came west and located in McHenry county, Illinois, where
914 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
he remained until the summer of 1853, when he went to Howard
county, Iowa, remaining one year. In the summer of 1854 he came
to Olmsted county and located in N^ew Haven township. Mr. Button
has spent a large part of his life pioneering, and says he never was
happier than when living in a log-cabin. He was married in De-
cember, 1841, to Miss Rachel Robenault, who died in 1868. He
was again married in 1869, to Mrs. Samantha Eorer. William W.
and Charles R. are the names of his children.
Matthias C. Van Horn, farmer. Thomas Yau Horn, of New
York, was one of Washington's faithful followers through the revo-
lutionary struggle. Among the prisoners captured at Yorktown
at the close of that memorable contest, was a Hessian named Scho-
enhok, who also settled in Kew York on regaining his liberty. It
came about that his daughter, Catharine, married Cornelius, a son
of Thomas Yan Horn. This marriage took place when Cornelius
was eighteen years old ; at twenty-one he enlisted in the service of
the United States against the British, the war of 1812 being then in
progress. At the close of this service he settled on a farm in
Springfield, Otsego county, JSTew York, where the subject of this
sketch was born to him September 6, 1821. M. C. Yan Horn
passed his youth on a farm in New York. On reaching manhood,
he began teaching, and applied his earnings to his own education.
He graduated from the normal school at Albany April 5, 1849.
His plan of pursuing a collegiate course was frustrated by a weak-
ness of his eyes and failure of general health. He continued teach-
ing for a livelihood. March 13, 1851, he married Miss Ann M.,
daughter of John and Amy Clark, natives of Massachusetts. In
June of the same year he removed to Iowa. In the spring of 1854
he came to Oronoco and struck out thence along the north side of
the Zumbro river ; he soon settled on his present home and made a
claim to 160 acres on section 11 of this township ; during the sum-
mer he did some breaking and erected a log-cabin, and brought his
family here in the fall. This was the first claim made in New
Haven. His education and intelligence soon made Mr. Y. promi-
nent among the early settlers, and in 1855 he was elected one of
the three assessors for the county. This position he held for some
years. His political principles have always been those of the re-
publican party ; he has always been an active temperance worker
and was for many years one of the main supports in the Pine Island
lodge of 1.0. G.T. Mrs. Yan Horn united with the Methodist Epis-
BIOGRAPHICAL. 915
copal cliurcli at nineteen, and in 1858 both herself and husband
joined that body at Pine Island. Mr. Y. came here with very little
capital, and by attending to his farm steadily has made himself a
comfortable home. Seven children came to bless him, as follows :
Ida M., January 1, 1852, married June 5, 1870, to William Flick,
and died August 16, 1873, leaving on« child, Archie E., born May
13, 1871; Edgar C, January 30, 1854, married Emma Lightburn
February 11, 1882, lives at Morris, Minnesota; Frances Ella, April 28,
1856, married James Spurrier March 29, 1880, resides at Minneap-
olis; Frank A., April 6, 1858, lives at Medford, Dakota; Efhe A.,
April 24, 1860, married Hector McMaster December 21, 1882,
home in Rochester ; Emma L., February 13, 1864, and Eugene G.,
May 27, 1868, reside with parents.
AbramClasox, farmer, is a descendant of James Clason, a native
of Connecticut, who settled on the beautiful prairie bearing his
name in Dodge county, Wisconsin, in 1841 ; here his nine children
settled round him. Benjamin, his third son, and the father of the
subject of this sketch, was born in Connecticut, January 5, 1806 ;
he married Cornelia M. Acker, a native of New York; in 1821, and
was blessed with six sons and three daughters. On September
1, 1831, he united with the Presbyterian church, in which he was an
elder from that time till his death. Abram Clason was born in
Steuben county, New York, September 16, 1829. At fourteen years
of age he went with his parents to Wisconsin. Here he was married
November 24, 1850, to Ann Eliza, daughter of Daniel White, of
'New York ; four children, whose names and births are here given,
blessed this union : Frank E., November 7, 1851, still 'resides with
his father ; Stephen E., January 13, 1854, lives at Huxley,
Nebraska ; Hattie, April 16, 1856, married William Ruber on the
day she was eighteen years old, and resides at Oronoco ; Susan E.,
June 15, 1857, died at six months old. Mrs. Clason passed away
March 16, 1864, happy in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal
church, of which she was a member. In her death, society lost a
most excellent member. Mr. Clason became a citizen of New
Haven June 8, 1854, and has ever since resided here ; he bouo"ht
the claim to 160 acres of land on section 36, on which he still
resides. He subsequently sold forty acres, and has developed the
remainder into one of the finest farms in the state, and is now one
of our independent, representative men. He is a republican in
pohtics ; has served the town as treasurer ever since 1873, his service
916 HISTOEY OF OLMSTED COUNTS'.
beginning in that year. On November 17, 1864, he married Olive
D. Brigham, whose parents, James and Sarah (Horton) Brigham,
were born in Pennsylvania and New York. Mrs. Clason is a
member of the Oronoco Presbyterian church. Her children are
Estella E., born April 15, 1867 ; Celia Alberta, November 30, 1871 ;
Marcia A., January 2, 1882.
Joseph B. Deakbokn, farmer, came to the town of Salem in 1854,
and was the first man who took up a claim in the town. He made
his claim of 160 acres on section 5, town of Salem, and 32,
town of Kalmar, and also made claims for a number of others the
same year, and went to Illinois to spend the winter, returning in
1855 with his family, when he built a first-class log house in which
he resided till- 1872, when he built a commodious frame house in
which he now lives.
Samuel M. Herrick, son of Ebenezer Herrick, was born in
Saratoga county. New York, in 1828, where he lived until he was
twenty-one years of age, and worked on a farm for his father. He
then went to Ohio, where he lived until 1854, when he removed to
Elmira, Minnesota, locating on section 31, where he lived until-
1857, in which year he bought on section 24, Orion township, where
he now lives. He was married in 1853, to Lida Coflfin, of Ohio, who
died in July, 1855, and his next choice was Marian Cofiin, a sister
of his first wife. He is the father of five children.
Henry Goodmajs^, son of Richard and Dorotha Goodman, was
born in New York, in 1815, where he lived until 1836, when he
removed to Illinois, where he remained until 1848. He then went
to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and worked at wagon-making until 1851,
afterward returning to Illinois, where he lived until 1854, when he
removed to Orion, Minnesota, and located on section 21, where
he now lives. He received his education at Hanover, New York,
having worked on a farm until he was twenty-one years of age, and
learned the carpenter and wagon-making trade. He has both
farmed and worked at his trade. Mr. Goodman was elected col-
lector in 1858, which office he held for two years. He is a repub-
lican in politics. He was married in 1850, to Eliza E. Brown, of
Illinois, and has two children, Francis and Harvey A.
John Hughes, son of John and Susan Hughes, was born in
Wales, in the year 1826. In 1851 he left the land of his birth for
the "new world," and proceeded to the State of Ohio, where he
remained till the year 1854, when he pushed on to Minnesota, and
BIOGRAPHICAL. 919
located in Ej'ota township, on section 29, During the same year he
returned to Ohio, and in 1855 he journeyed back to Eyota with
a team. He crossed the Mississippi river by the ferry then running
from La Crosse, Wisconsin, and so destitute of ready money was
Mr. Hughes at the time that he had barely enough to pay the
charges of his transportation. Mr. Hughes has since bought on
section 19, where he has a farm of 515 acres, and stock-raising
as well as farming has been his occupation. He was married in
1864, to Harriet Neal, of Eyota, and now lives happily and comfort-
ably on his farm, surrounded by his children, of which there are ten.
Charles E. Totiingham is one of the settlers of the township of
Eyota, who came here at a very early age. The subject of this
sketch was the son of Elias and Mary Tottingham, and was born in
Clayton county, Iowa, in the year 1852. In the year 1854 his
father started for Minnesota, and on his arrival there located on sec-
tions 34 and 35. He built a house there and did some "breaking,"
after which he returned to Iowa for his family, and moved them by
wagon to his homestead in Eyota during the year 1855. He
departed this life in 1879. Charles still lives on the old homestead,
and is a practical farmer by occupation.
John Robertson, farmer, born in Randolph, New York, Novem-
ber 15, 1846, removed with his parents to Viola, Minnesota, in the
spring of 1855, and settled on section 33. He married Elizabeth
Rappleyea, December 25, 1865, and is the father of six children :
Charles W., Ella E., Minnie M., Frank, George H. and Emmagene.
He is living on his father's old homestead, and has four hundred
acres of as good land as can be found in Olmsted county. Some of
it has produced grain ever}^ year since 1855 inclusive, and last sea-
son yielded eighty-five bushels of oats per acre. His buildings are
worth nearly $4,000. His father, John Robertson, who died in the
fall of 1877, was born in 1815, in Glasgow, Scotland, and came
to America when he was twenty-one years old, and worked as car-
penter and joiner for many years. He brought five horses, with
usual trappings, and $1,500 in money to Viola. In the spring of
1855 he sowed two bushels of club wheat on the sod, and fifty-two
bushels, tramped out by horses and cleaned in the wind, was his
return. He paid $125 for his land and used the balance of his
money to supply his family and his neighbors with the necessaries of
life in those perilous days of pioneer life, thereby contributing
largely to their comfort and success. About thirty-nine years ago
55
920 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
he married Rebecca Watson, who is still living. The young man
whose name heads this sketch graded about one and a quarter miles
of the Plainview railroad, and was proprietor of a hotel in Eyota
nearly two years, but he has returned to his splendid farm with
a determination to spend the remainder of his days there. He
gives very interesting reminiscences of Viola's early history.
Mr. George F. Evans, farmer, was born March 9, 1834, in Lake
county, Ohio. His father, H. M. Evans, blacksmith and farmer,
was born in Vermont, February 15, 1799, and removed to New
York when quite young. He married Maria E. Brown, and then
removed to Ohio. Thence to Cleveland township, Elkhart county,
Indiana, October, 1836. He brought up a family of eight boys and
three girls. His term of life was a little less than fourscore years.
With satchel in hand Mr. G. F. Evans journeyed from Indiana to
Minnesota in the summer of 1855, and tiled a pre-emption right on
160 acres of land in Plainview township, in October of that year.
In 1856 he purchased the N.W. J of Sec. 1, in Viola. Married
Elizabeth Clapper, of Stark county, Ohio, May 18, 1856. The young
couple commenced housekeeping with a scanty stock of provisions
and twenty-five cents in money. Mr. Evans owns 380 acres of land
together with a large stock of horses, sheep, cattle and hogs, and
buildings worth about $7,000. His children's names are as follows:
Hascall A., Ella A., Eva M., Orra M., Hatty M., John M., Lillian
G. and Guy T. The four eldest daughters are school-teachers,
and justly classed with the celebrities of this profession. His
splendid residence is surrounded by lofty pines, with a background
of towering poplars and broad-leafed maples. His industry, assisted
by a taste for the grand and beautiful, has made this elegant mes-
suage a theme of favorable comment for all beholders. He is a fond
parent who has brought up a large family in the sunlight of love
without a mark of the rod of chastisement.
Hon. Henet Stanchfield, , farmer, was born in the year 1827, in
Cumberland county, Maine. He came west in 1850, and was en-
gaged in " railroading," acting as overseer of a gang of tracklayers
most of the time for five years. He had the perfect confidence ot
his employers, and has excellent written testimonials from them.
He married Mary Bryant, of Ottawa, Illinois, December, 1854, and
she lived only about two years after their marriage. In the spring
of 1855 he settled on the S.E. J of Sec. 26, in Elgi». Minnesota, the
township adjoining Viola on the north. In 1858 he married Mrs.
BIOGRAPHICAL. . 921
Lydia Ward, a niece of the Eev. Caleb Sawyer. In 1869 he sold
his property in Elgin, and removed to Streator. Illinois, at which
place he became partner in a store of general merchandise. He
bought land in Viola in 1870, and immediately commenced valua-
ble improvements, and has persevered in the prosecution of them
until he has the best appointed and most complete set of farm build-
ings in the township, and there are not many better in Olmsted
county. He has 360 acres of land and has a valuable library
and organ for the instruction and entertainment of his family. He
was elected representative to the Minnesota legislature in the fall of
1875. By his second marriage he has the following-named children:
Walter H., now attending the state normal school at Winona, Min-
nesota, Forrest S., Lucina E. and Lois H. Mrs. Stanchfield
attended Mount Csesar seminary several terms, and is a lady of fine
culture. Mr. Stanchfield's parents were New England people of
Scotch extraction. He and his wife have been members of the
Methodist Episcopal church for several years, and an acquaintance
with them of seventeen years induces us to say their lives are
worthy of imitation.
Thomas Stevenson, Sr. , was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, Feb-
ruary 8, 1808. He came to America in 1851, locating in Maryland;
thence to Olmsted county in 1855, locating on section 36 of Quincy
township. He was married in 1829, to Miss Agnes Smith, who was
also born in Scotland in 1808. Their children's names are as follows:
Thomas, Mary, Isabel, Eobert, John, Agnes, Janette, Lizzie and
George. The venerable couple are members of the United Brethren
church.
Robert L. Stevenson, farmer, of Quincy, was born in Scotland,
in 1836. He came to America with the family in 1851, and to
Olmsted county in 1855. He now resides on section 26, where he
owns a large tract of excellent land. In March, 1861, he enlisted in
Brackett's battalion, serving until June, 1866. He was married in
October, 1870, to Miss Lydia Darling, a native of Illinois. Eobert
G. is their only living child.
Harrison Douglass, farmer and grain dealer, was born in Mace-
don, Wayne county, New York, March 21, 1825. His parents,
— Samuel Douglass and Dorcas Ginado — were born in Connecticut
and died before our subject had reached the age of seven years. He
was bound out to a farmer at six years of age, and according to
indentures received twenty months' schooling before reaching his
922 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
majority. After coming of age Mr. Douglass went to Ohio and
took up blacksmithing. After working a year in Ohio he spent
seven years in Micliigan and Wisconsin, and three years in Oregon
and California at the same kind of labor. In the spring of 1855 he
came to Minnesota and located 160 acres of government land on
section 4 in the town of Kalmar ; also purchased one-fourth of sec-
tion 1 in the same town. Here he built a blacksmith-shop, and did
work in his line for the early settlers, before anything of the kind
had been done in Rochester or Oronoco, then the leading centers of
the county. In the fall of the same year he sold his land and spent
the following winter in the east. In the spring of 1 856 he went to
Walworth county, Wisconsin ; here he was married, September 20,
1858, to Miss Betsey A., daughter of Daniel and Beulah Palmer, of
New York. During the year 1856, Mr. Douglass bought 160 acres
of land on section 27, New Haven, to which he removed with his
family in the fall of 1858, since which time he has been a resident
of Olmsted county. By various purchases, he has acquired other
valuable lands in New Haven, and 240 acres on sections 1 and 2,
Kalmar, a part of which he owned and sold in 1855. In 1871 he
removed to his present residence on section 2, and in 1878 built the
large elevator at Douglass station, named in his honor, in which he
handles a large amount of grain every year. Mr. Douglass was one
of the first justices elected in New Haven ; was first school super-
intendent in that town, serving in 1860-1 ; was a member of the
town board of supervisors in 1863-65-67-70. In principle he is a
republican ; is not connected with any society. Mrs. D. is a mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. Their family includes three
children, added to it as below : Ella M., born July 6, 1860 ; Will-
iam E., April 9, 1862 ; Verna, June 13, 1865.
George Hays, son of John and Rebecca (Miller) Hays, was born
in Youngstown, Ohio, July 11, 1831. In 1836 he moved with his
parents to Jackson county, Iowa, they being among the firs.t to
settle west of the Mississippi river, where he lived till 1855, when he
again moved with his parents to Saratoga, Winona county, Minne-
sota. In 1861 our subject was among the first to rush to arms in
defense of his country, enlisting in Bird's riflemen for one year, but
immediately re-enlisted in 1862 in the 9th Minn. Inf., serving three
years. He was in the battle of Guntown, Mississippi, June, 1864 ;
White Oak Station, June, 1864 ; Blue river, October, 1864 ; at
Nashville, Tennessee, from December 1 to the 16th ; at Fish river,
BIOGRAPHICAL. 923
Alabama, March, 1865 ; Spanish Fort, Mobile, Alabama, from
March 25 till April 9, 1865, and at Fort Blakely, April 11, 1865.
At the close of the war he settled in Elmira, Olmsted county, Minne-
sota, where he had purchased a farm of 200 acres in sections 1 and
12, where he still resides. In 1856 he married Miss Janette Win-
son, daughter of Abraham and Harriet (Baxter) Winson, born in
New York, April 17, 1839, and by this marriage has five children,
born as follows: John W., January 22, 1858 ; George C, Decem-
ber, 1859 ; Ida M., December 16, 1860 ; William T., April 9, 1866 ;
Abbie G., May 18, 1868, and Marshall G., July 5, 1870. George
Hays, grandparent of our subject, fought during the revolution, and
his father, John Hays, fought during the war of 1812. In religion
is a member of the United Brethren of Christ. Always votes the
republican ticket.
RoBEKT Moody, farmer, son of Alexander and Mary (Nimmons)
Moody, was born in Antrim county, near Belfast, Ireland, Septem-
ber 17, 1837. His father died about 1865; his mother is still living
in Ireland. Kobert being the eldest of ten children (five boys and
five girls), most of the work on his father's farm fell to his share.
In 1850 our subject's uncle, Hugh Nimmons, who was then living in
Farmington, Minnesota, wrote to him advising his coming to Ameri-
ca, which he did, accompanied by his brother Alexander, his father
giving his consent and furnishing the means. His first year in
America was spent in working for his uncle in Farmington, receiving
$100 for his year's salary. The second year he worked for A. K.
Johnson and received $125. In 1855 he purchased a farm of eighty
acres in section 36, town of Farmington, which he traded for a quar-
ter-section in town of Haverhill, giving $400 to boot, and has since
bought 160 acres more, all being in sections 1, 2 and 11 of Haverhill.
Also has some timber-land in or near the town of Whitewater,
Winona county. Our subject enlisted August 10, 1862, in 10th
Minn. Yol. Inf., Co. C, under command of Col. James H. Becker.
Was employed in hunting the Indians in this state (Minnesota)
during the years 1862 and 1863 ; assisted in driving Gen. Price out
of Missouri, and was engaged before l^ashville. Mobile and Island
No. 10. In 1864, owing to an injury to his foot, was for three months
confined to the hospital and then mustered out. He has since suffered
very much from the same injury. In 1866 married Mrs. Lorinda L.
Bulin, born in Oswego county, New York, in 1832, daughter of Corne-
lius and Elizabeth (Austen) Holden, and by this marriage has been
924 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
blessed with two children. Mary, born 1867, and Laura Louisa, born
October 29, 1875. In l^ovember 1882, owing to ill health, visited
Europe, traveling through Ireland, Scotland and Germany, return-
ing home in the spring of 1883 much benefited by the trip. In
politics is a republican. Is a member of the Protestant Episcopal
church.
Joseph Tait (farmer), Pleasant Grove, was born in Northumber-
land, England, in 1836. He came to America in 1852, locating near
Woodstock, Illinois, with his father's family. They came to Minne-
sota in 1855, locating on section 25. His father, Robert Tait, died in
1862. Our subject enlisted in the fall of 1861 in Co. C, 3d Minn.
Inf., serving nearly four years in the army. He was married in
1865, to Miss Martha J. Rucker. Their cliildren''s names are Con-
stance I. (deceased), Nellie and Ernest.
Andkew C. Smith (of the firm of Smith & Denton), Rochester,
was born in Chemung county, New York, in 1832. When twenty
years of age he came west to Oswego county, Illinois, where he
remained one year, thence to St. Paul, where he, in company with
two brothers, E. S. and L. D. Smith, built the first sawmill erected
in Minneapolis. In 1854 he went to Winona and entered the office
with his brother, who had been made receiver in the land office.
Later he began merchandising. In 1858 he removed to Stockton,
where he opened a store and mill. In 1866 he was elected to a seat
in the lower house of the state legislature from Winona county. He
came to Rochester in 1868, and was elected secretary of the "Farmers
Insurance Company," which institution existed about five years,
when the company sold out to the St. Paul Fire and Marine Co.,
our subject being made general agent for southern Minnesota. In
1872 he formed a partnersliip with M. G. Denton. In 1871 he was
appointed collector of internal revenue for the first distrit, in which
capacity he discharged the duties with great credit to himself.
He now divides his time between his business in Rochester and
manufacturing interests in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He was
married in 1856, to Miss Caroline H. Doolittle, a native of Chautauqua
county. New York. Clara E., Willard D., Earl and Frank are their
children's names. The family are members of the Congregational
church.
Thomas S. Harris, Pleasant Grove township, was born in Devon-
shire, England, July 23, 1813. He was reared a farmer ; came to
America in 1851, locating in Stephenson county, Illinois, Freeport
BIOGRAPHICAL. 925
being his tradino; point. In 1855 he came to Olmsted county,
Locating on the S.W. J of Sec. 7, Pleasant Gi-ove township. He
was married in the town of Plymouth, England, in 1835, to Miss
Maria Weeks, a native of the same countj^ Their cliildren's names
are as follows : Samuel W., Sarah J. (deceased), William, Thomas
C, John E., Jesse, Rosa M., Justin M. and Elfrada G. (deceased).
The family are members of the Adventist church at Pleasant Grove.
Lucius S. Cutting, farmer, is a grandson of Jonah Cutting, a
schoolmate of Gen. Warren, upon whose death he swore to be
ave iged. He at once i-aised a company of Continentals, which he
commanded throughout the revolutionary struggle. His son Calvin
was reared on his farm in Vermont, and served the United States
through the war of 1812, and received the title of captain during liis
service in the state militia. He married Polly, daughter of Elijah
Walsworth, a revolutionary soldier, and settled on a farm in Gerry,
Chautauqua county, ISTew York, where the subject of these lines was
born, January 10, 1822. Calvin Cutting died when his son was
thirteen years old, and the latter continued to reside with his
widowed mother in Gerry. Here he built a steam sawmill in 1846
and operated it nine years. He' was married February 25, 1855,
to Laura, daughter of William and Polly (Sherman) Morton, of New
York. Mrs. Cutting was born in Chautauqua county. Immediately
after his marriage Mr. Cutting removed to the new west, settling in
Rochester, this county, where he kept a lumber-yard one year. He
took up, as a government claim, one-fourth of section 28, Cascade, on
which he now resides, having settled here in 1856, and has since
engaged exclusively in farming. He now has 360 acres here, and
half a section in Pipestone county. In 1867 he built his present
handsome residence, and the following year a large stone barn. If
one inquires for a substantial, representative farmer, Mr. Cutting's
name is the first mentioned. For three years during the war of the
rebellion, when large sums of public money were to be handled, he
was treasurer of Cascade townsliip. His political preferences are
with the republicans. Himself and wife are members of the Roch-
ester Universalist church. Four sons and one daughter have been
born to them as follows : Curtis L., enlisted in the 2d Minn. Inf.
and was killed at the battle of Chickamauga ; Chester S., married
Louisa Dingley, resides at Woodstock ; Olietta (deceased), Albert,
Francis, December 3, 1855, home with father.
Samuel J. McDowell, deceased, was one of the pioneers of Kal-
926 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COmTTY.
mar township, and its first clerk, serving in that capacity the first
six years of the town's existence. At the time of his death, October
28, 1864, he was county surveyor. He was everywhere respected
for his noble and manly qualities, and died regretted by a large
circle of neighbors and fellow citizens. Mr. McDowell took up one-
fourth of section 33, where his relict and two daughters now reside,
in 1855. He was a native of Pennsylvania, as were his parents,
Abel and Mary McDowell ; his birth took place August 27, 1832,
in Eastbrook, Lawrence county. He was reared on a farm, and his
education was finished at Wilmington Academy.
For some time he was engaged in teaching and as clerk in a
store. He was married February 24, 1857, to Margaret J. Mc-
Dowell, of Mercer county, Pennsylvania. She was not related to
her husband, although bearing the same name ; her parents, Edward
and Mary McDowell, were born in Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs.
McDowell were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The
former was a member of the republican party. Three children were
born to them as follows : Willis A., December 21, 1858, now prac-
ticing law at Blunt, Dakota; Emma Y., February 2, 1861, and
Marian A., February 16, 1863, are residing with their mother, who
married B. A. Doherty in 1868.
Charles F. Kesson, farmer, is a son of Thomas S. Kesson, a
pioneer of this township. T. S. Kesson was born in New Ipswich,
Hillsborough county, New Hampshire, whither his parents, William
and Mary Kesson, emigrated from Scotland. He married Kosannah
R. Hurd, a native of Northumberland, New Hampshire. C. F.
Kesson was born in the same place as his father February 16, 1850.
He was five years old when his father brought his family to Kalmar.
He was reared on the farm which his father still owns, on section 33,
attended the common schools, and spent four terms at Wasioja
Seminary. He was married January 8, 1874, to Sarah A. Dibell,
who was born in Merton, Waukesha county, Wisconsin, September
26, 1850. Mr. Kesson rents land and keeps cows, whose milk is
sold to the cheese factory near his residence in the village of Byron.
His residence is on the site of the first house built in Byron, and
was presented to Mrs. Kesson by her mother. During tlie winter
Mr. Kesson is employed in the elevator at Byron. He is a republi-
can and has served three years as assessor of the village. Himself
and wife are members of the Baptist church. Their two children
were born: Fred D., August 16, 1875 ; Lucy Floy, April 7, 1878.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 927
Ira S. Whitcomb, farmer, is a son of Francis Whitcomb, of New
Hampshire, and Jane Evans, of Ohio. He was born at the Salt
"Works, six miles from Danville, Illinois, October 18, 1826. His
father was a farmer, and Mr. Whitcomb has been an owner and tiller
of the soil nearly all his life since arriving at maturity. His first
farm was in Yermilion county, Illinois. He was married there
March 9, 1848, to Cynthia A. Wooden, a native of tliat state ; her
parents, Amos and Eliza Wooden, were born in New York. After
his marriage Mr. Whitcomb followed carpenter work till his removal
here. He settled in Kalmar in 1855, claiming government land where
he has ever since resided, on section 29. He has since purchased
twenty-four acres on sections 8 and 18. During the summer of 1855,
with Blair & Staats, Mr. Whitcomb built a sawmill on section 8,
which the firm operated two years, and then converted it into a grist-
mill. In 1861 Mr. Whitcomb sold out his mill interest, and in August
of that year enlisted in Co. H, 11th Minn. Vols., serving till July,
1865. This regiment was detailed on guard duty in Tennessee, and
was in no severe battles. In January following liis discharge from the
army he again bought a share in the mill. The following April the
treacherous Zumbro washed around the mill and it was abandoned,
entailing a loss on Mr. Whitcomb of over one thousand dollars.
Ever since claiming his land he had continued to till it, and now gave
it his entire attention. In partnership with his brother he is now
quite extensively engaged in the manufacture of amber cane syrup.
Mr. Whitcomb has been several years a member of the Kalmar town
board, and also served as a member of the village council of [Byron
a number of terms, his farm being within the village limits. Both
himself and wife are members of the Byron Methodist Episcopal
church. They have seven living children, having lost three. Will-
iam Fletcher was born December 25, 1848, resides still with parents ;
Moses P., August 13, 1852, resides in Oregon, having married
Martha Brown ; Elizabeth J., February 24, 1854, married Albert
Waldron, home near Hancock, this state ; Frances A., died at nine-
teen ; Ira B., June 30, 1858, Monmouth, Oregon ; Mary, April 8,
1860, dwells at Salem, Oregon, with her husband, Henry Whitman ;
John B., April 4, 1862, home here ; Efiie died three years old ;
Samuel E., September 17, 1864 ; Jeannette, died May 28, 1883, in
her seventeenth year.
Francis C. Whitcomb, farmer, brother of above, was born at
Butler's Point (now Catlin), Illinois, June 30, 1832. In company
928 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
with D. L. King and others, he visited this town in October, 1854,
and made claim to the farm which he is now tilling, the northeast
quarter of section 29. Returning to Illinois, he secured a helpmeet
in the person of Eliza, daughter of David Matthews, of Ohio ; she
was born in Zanesville, Ohio, September 27, 1836, and was married
to Mr. Whitcomb, March 16, 1855. The next month they settled in
Kalmar, but their period of wedded life, was cut short by the cruel
reaper. Mrs. Whitcomb departed this life June 2, 1856, leaving
one child, Charles D., born December 11, 1855 ; he now resides at
Le Seuer, where he is employed as a cheese and butter maker. The
first sermon at Kalmar mill was preached on the occasion of Mrs.
Whitcomb's funeral, by Rev. Delos Moon, of Oronoco. The first
year of Mr. Whitcomb's residence in Kalmar was passed at this mill,
where he was employed. He was again married October 28, 1858,
to Rebecka A. , daughter of Edward and Mary McDowell, of Penn-
sylvania ; she was born at Olarkesville, Mercer county, that state,
December 2, 1832. Almost the whole of Mr. Whitcomb's life has been
passed on a farm. For twenty years past he has been classleader
of the Methodist Episcopal church at Byron ; Mrs. Whitcomb is also
a member of the class. He is a thorough republican and temperance
man. He was one year treasurer of Byron village, and for the last four
years has been a member of the village council. He enlisted at the
same time as his brother above, in the same company and regiment.
Five children of the second marriage are now living, born as follows,
all at home : Temperance A., September 15, 1862, school and music
teacher; Eddy E., August 28, 1868 ; Howard R, March 11, 1871 ;
Orin J., March 3, 1875; William W., November 9, 1877. Two
children died in infancy.
William Postier, deceased, one of the pioneers of this township,
was born in Westphalia, Germany, January 4, 1804. He was always
a farmer. He married. Hannah Seiveke, and emigrated to the United
States in 1851, settling first in Waukesha county, Wisconsin. He
removed thence to Kalmar, in 1855. arriving on June 7. He pre-
empted eighty acres of land on section 9, and shortly bought eighty
acres on 24, where he lived till his death, which occurred in January,
1858. He left a widow and seven children, all but one of whom
still survive. Henry, the eldest son, mentioned below ; Fred re-
sides on section 16, this town ; Charles on section 24 ; Caroline died
in Salem ; George has farm on section 25 ; Julia, now Mrs. G. D.
Bradshaw, dwells on section 6 ; William with mother on section 24.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 929
Henky Postiek, farmer, son of the above, was born in West-
phalia, July 8, 1834. He received his education in the German com-
mon schools and private night schools, and is a well-read man and
good citizen. His knowledge of the English language has been
wholly acquired by private study ; but he reads and writes it with
correctness, and is a leading citizen of the township. He was elected
town clerk in 1873-4-76-7 ; assessor in 1860 ; several times justice
of the peace, but would not serve ; county commissioner in 1875,
serving three years. Mr. Postier became a resident of Kalmar April
8, 1855, pre-empting forty acres of land on section 10. This was
heavily timbered ; and he shortly purchased prairie land, and now
has 240 acres on sections 23-4, one of the handsomest farms in the
town, and supplied with excellent buildings. Mr. P. is a member
of the I.O.O.F., Rochester being the seat of his lodge. In religious
opinions his sympathies are with the Adventists. In political mat-
ters he is a democrat, one of the two who stood by the party in this
town during the war of the rebellion. He was married March 5,
1871, to Louisa Zarn, born in Mechlenburg, Prussia, February 18,
1851. , Five children have been given them, as below : Frederick,
November 22, 1872 ; Alice, May 2, 1874 ; William, April 28, 1876;
Arthur, February 27, 1878 ; Blanche, February 6, 1880.
Richard Middleton, farmer, is a son of Jehu Middleton, a min-
ister of the society of Friends, born in Virginia. His mother, Mary
Middleton, was a native of North Carolina. Joseph, the father of
Jehu Middleton, Was brought over from England with a brother and
bound out to a millwright in Chester, Pennsylvania, their father
paying £500 for their indentures. Joseph Middleton served through
the revolution in Washington's army, and taught his trade to his son
Jehu. The latter settled near Barnes ville, Belmont county, Ohio,
where the subject of this sketch was born, October 24, 1817. He
was educated at the academy established and maintained by the
Friends at Harveysburg. At thirteen years old he began to work
with his father, and became master of his trade, which he followed
till he came to Minnesota. At twenty-one he removed with his
parents to Madison county, Indiana, where his father was pastor of
a society of Friends, as he had been at Barnesville. He was mar-
ried October 31, 1839, to Lucinda B., daughter of Addison and
Mary Ellison, of Virginia ; she was born in December, 1820, in
Kanawha county, that state. Mr. Middleton took up his residence
in Kalmar on June 27, 1855. His tirst claim was on section 4, and
930 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNT F.
he still owns 100 acres of it. He shortly bought 180 acres on sec-
tions 32 and 33, which he has given to his children. His present
home is on section 17, where he is tilling 308 acres. In 1856-7-8 he
kept a store at this point, and sunk $3,400, owing to the financial crash
of 1857. In 1857 he built a sawmill on the Zumbro river here and
operated it fifteen years. In 1873 he built a grist-mill on the same
power, which contains three sets of buhrstones. This he sold in 1878,
and has since given his whole attention to farming. On July 21, 1883,
his house was entirely demolished by a hurricane, and Mrs. Mid-
dleton was killed by the falling ruins. His barn was also demol-
ished, and all his shrubbery and outbuildings were ruined. Mrs.
M. was a member of the Baptist church at Byron, as is Mr. M.
The latter is a republican, and served as justice of the peace twenty
years, retiring in the spring of 1882. There are four living children
of this family. Joseph A., the eldest child, was born January 8,
1841, died in the United States service at Louisville, Kentucky, in
February, 1862 ; William H., March, 1855, married Emily Koof,
lives on section 32; Silas A., July 13, 1858, is superintending a
farm near Byron and studying for the ministry, married Belle Fair-
banks ; Mary E., 1844, married D. C. Bentley (now deceased), dwells
at Owatonna ; Eddie W., July 13, 1862, studying medicine.
Kathan Bowman, farmer, is one of the pioneers of this town-
ship, having visited it in August, 1854. At this time he made claim
to a quarter-section of government land lying on sections 3 and 10.
The following spring he came here with his family and secured title
to his claim. He very shortly sold half of this land and traded the
balance for the eighty on section 1, where he now resides, and which
has ever since been his home. The estate now includes one hundred
acres and is one of the finest farms in this rich town. Most of his
time has been given to the tillage of his land. He is a lifelong
democrat ; has been assessor of 'Sew Haven township, in which his
land was embraced in the early years of the county, two years ;
supervisor of Kalmar, two years, one of them being chairman ; in
1883 he was elected justice of the peace. Mr. Bowman is a son
of Lorton and Nancy Bowman, natives 'of Tennessee and Kentucky;
he was born at Crab Orchard, in the latter state, December 29, 1823.
His life has always been passed on a farm. He enjoyed few educa-
tional advantages, but has given his children fair opportunities in
this line, which have been improved. Mr. Bowman has been twice
married, the first time in November, 1843, to Sarah Rathbun, who
BIOGRAPHICAL. 981
died in 1853, leaving three children. The second marriage took
place December 15, 1853, the bride being Miss Jane, daughter of
John Lowrj, one of the pioneers of this township. Mr. Bowman's
parents moved, when he was small, to Indiana, and when he was
thirteen years old, to DeWitt county, Illinois. His father died
when he was fifteen, and the care of the farm and its development
fell upon him. In 1815 he moved to Lodi, Wisconsin, where he
dwelt until his removal to this state. Mr. Bowman was a member
of the first Methodist church society, organized here in 1855, and
still retains his connection with that sect. Three children of his
second wife are living. Here is the family record : Elijah S., died
1880, leaving a widow, Helen nee Sykes ; George W., married,
resides at Sauk Center, Minnesota ; Sarah R., married Charles
Dickinson and lives in Goodhue county ; John L,, born December
13, 1854, married IN^ellie Sawj^er, home at Pine Island, this state ;
William C, November 25, 1856; Myrtie, August 16, 1869. Mr.
Bowman's dwelling was destroyed by fire in 1882, and with it all his
records.
Isaac Dodd, farmer, was born at Castle Carrick, Cumberland
county, England, March 12, 1830. His parents died when he was
a mere boy, and at nineteen he came to the United States, engaging
in farm labor, in Cortland county, New York. He was married at
Elgin, Illinois, October 22, 1852, and returned to New York and
engaged in farming. His bride, Margaret Johnston, was a native
of the same county as himself. She departed this life March 22,
1858, leaving three children. William, the eldest, was born Decem-
ber 20, 1853, graduated at Chicago Medical College and began the
practice of medicine ; married Nona Hitchcock ; died in California
while seeking restoration of health, May 20, 1883 ; John, February
21, 1855, at home; May J., December 29, 1856. Mr. Dodd
removed from New York to this township in 1855, arriving June 8.
His pre-emption embraced one-fourth of section 23, and he has since
purchased eighty acres more on the same section, and twelve acres
timber-land. He has a fine brick residence on a knoll commanding
a view of the farm, and other buildings in proportion. Mr. Dodd
was married the second time, March 29, 1862, to Ellen Ranson,
who was born near Paw-Paw, Michigan, of English parents. Mr.
Dodd has been sadly afflicted in the loss of children. Besides his
eldest son, six children of the second marriage have been laid away
in the grave ; four are still living, born as follows : Julia A. , Janu-
932 HISTOEY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
arj 26, 1869 ; Lily M., January 20, 1871 ; Carrie W., March, 1873;
Edward I., June 3, 1866. Ethel Edna died at sixteen years of age.
Mr. Dodd and wife are members of the Methodist Episcoj)al church.
He is a republican ; was justice of the peace in 1862-3 ; supervisor
in 1866-7-8-9, being chairman of the board in 1868.
Hon. Milo White, the oldest merchant in Chatiield, and the
one longest in business in Fillmore county, was born in Fletcher,
Vermont, August 17, "1830, his parents being Josiah and Polly
(Bailey) White, who were agriculturists. The subject of this notice,
after receiving a very ordinary common-school education, at the age
of fifteen became a clerk in a store in his native town ; at eighteen went
to Cambridge, LaMoille county, and after clerking there one year went
to Burlington and followed the same business four years, then in 1853
went to New York city, continuing in the same line of business. In the
spring of 1855 Mr. White came to Chatfield, and in the autumn of 1856
opened a store and still continues in trade, and is what the world
calls a successful merchant. It has been his rule to purchase every-
thing which his customers would bring to town that had a value in
the markets of the world over the cost of transporting it to those
markets, and give them a fair price, and charging only a moderate
profit on his merchandise. The result is he has a wide circle of cus-
tomers in Fillmore and Olmsted counties, his home being in the
latter while his store is in the former. Mr. White was elected
chairman of the town board of supervisors at the organization under
the state constitution in 1858, receiving every vote cast. Was presi-
dent of the village council one year. Has held the oflice of treasurer
of the school district for some fifteen years and of the village several
years. In 1871 Mr. White was elected to the state senate and
re-elected in 1872, 1874 and 1880 ; was chairman of committee on
claims, committee on normal schools and committee on finance ;
has been a great friend of the common schools, working hard for the
normal schools as a help to the common ones ; was once promi-
nently mentioned for state treasurer but made no eifort for it. Mr.
White was brought out in 1882 by his friends as a candidate for the
nomination for congress, an honor which he did not aspire to nor
seek, but consented to the use of his name and was nominated and
elected. Mr. White is a republican in politics, and has been ever
since that party was organized. Mr. White was married June 26^
1858, to Hannah A. Ellis, daughter of Putnam and Kachel (Ingra-
ham) Ellis, who was born in Fairfax, Vermont, September 11, 1836 ;
BIOGRAPHICAL. 938
has had five children, three now living ; Clifton, born in 1859, died
1860 ; Carolus, born in 1861, died 1864 ; Charles H., born in 1863;
Milo, 1868 ; J. C, 1876. Mr. White and family attend the Method-
ist Episcopal church, and while not a member is a valuable and
liberal supporter of that church, but has given liberally to the other
churches, including the Catholic. Has always worked for the inter-
ests of his town, county and state, and has lived to see a prosperous
state built up with large farms and not only comfortable but elegant
homes, where he spent nights on the prairie far from the habitation
of man, and has great confidence in the future of the state and
supremacy of republican institutions.
Abeam Harkins, postmaster, Rochester, was born near Mead-
ville, Crawford county, Pennsylvania, February 24, 1821. When
our subject was eight years of age his father died. In 1836 he bade
farewell to his boyhood home, coming west to Detroit, thence
to Rockford, Illinois, on foot. That city then consisted of three or
four log cabins. In 1812-3 he attended the seminary at Mount
Morris, Ogle county, Illinois, and subsequently spent a part of his
time teaching until 1816. In June of that year he enlisted in Co.
H, 1st 111. Inf., under Col. Hardin, which regiment was sent to par-
ticipate in the war with Mexico. The regiment marched through
Texas, crossing the Rio Grande at Presideo-del-Norte. The division
captured San Rosa, San Fernando, Monclova and Parras, thence
making a forced march to Buena Yista, where the united forces
of Gens. Taylor and Wool (consisting of five thousand men)
defeated a force of twenty-two thousand under Santa Anna. On
the 22d and 23d of February, .1817, Co. H lost seven privates and
the first lieutenant, and eleven of the compan}^ were wounded. Mr.
Harkins was married August 11, 1849, to Miss Soretta Beecher, at
Roscoe, Illinois, where they afterward buried two children, a boy
and a girl. In June, 1855, he came to Olmsted county and located
in Yiola township, Mrs. Harkins being the first female to locate in
that town. In August of that year they buried their son, who died
at that time. This was the first death in the township. His daugh-
ter, Alice L. Taylor, now residing near Waseca, was the first white
child born in the town. Mrs. Harkins died September 16, 1856.
Our subject was again married in 1859, to Mary E. Calvert, by
whom he has had seven children, six of whom are living. Mr.
Harkins was elected chairman of the supervisors in Yiola township,
serving in that capacity during the years of 1857-8-9, and in 1860
934 HISTOET OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
was made justice of the peace. He was also made county commis-
sioner, and elected to the legislature in the same year. In June,
1861, he aided in raising Co. B of the 2d Minn, reg., and was
elected second lieutenant later. He was promoted to the first lieuten-
ancy, and in July, 1862, was made captain of the company. He
was wounded in the battle of Chickamauga September 20, 1863, and
was here also taken prisoner, but was paroled on the 29th of the
same month. On June 20, 1864, he resigned. In the same year
he was elected county auditor, and also in 1866. In March, 1871,
he was appointed assistant doorkeeper in the house of representa-
tives, and in August of the same year he was appointed postmaster.
BtJET W. Eaton, attorney, was born in Chautauqua county, New
York, September 29, 1854. In the spring of 1855 his father, Lyman
L. Eaton, brought his family to Olmsted county, locating in Koch-
ester. This venerable gentleman is one of Kochester's oldest and
most respected citizens. The subject of this sketch received his
early education in the public schools of Rochester, and in 18T6 be-
gan the study of law, in the office of C. C. Wilson. On December
5, 1879, he was admitted to the bar, and in 1880 formed a partner-
ship with Frank B. Kellog. For this young law firm we predict a
prosperous future.
Among the thousands of men who, with no resources but strength
and energy, followed the "star of empire" westward and cast their
lot within the borders of the territory of Minnesota, comparatively
few have met with substantial success. Prominent among the num-
ber whose labors have been crowned with prosperity is Walter L.
Beeckenridge, of Rochester. He was born in Butler county, Penn-
sylvania, November 5, 1824, and received his education at Mead-
ville, Pennsylvania, and Kingsville, Ohio. In 1851 he began the
study of law at Meadville, and in 1853 was admitted to the bar.
He practiced in Pennsylvania until 1855, when he came west to
Minnesota, locating in Rochester, where he continued his profession,
besides entering quite extensively in the real estate business. The
first democratic convention in the county was held in his oflice in
1858. He is a lawyer of ability, and that his talents are appreci-
ated is indicated by the fact that he was for twelve years attorney
for the Winona & St. Peter railroad. Mr. Breckenridge was mar-
ried in 1855, to Miss Margaret M. Logan, a native of Crawford
county, Pennsylvania. William L., Margaret C. and Elizabeth B.
are the names of their children. William L. is also a lawyer, and
J.O^A^^^^^^
BIOGRAPHICAL. 935
is city attorney. The family are members of the Episco];)al church.
By shrewd financial management Mr. Breckenridge has amassed a
handsome fortune, and his home on Dubuque street is one of the
finest in the city.
Stewart B. Clark, implement dealer, was born in Cinciimati,
Ohio, August 24, 1834. Later his father's family moved to Chilli-
cothe, where they remained two years ; thence to Van Wert
county, Ohio. In 1853 our subject came west and located in Ross-
ville, Iowa. In the spring of 1855 he came to Olmsted county and
located in Oronoco, where he opened a blacksmith-shop. Here he
made the breaking-plow that was first used in breaking up the streets
of Rochester. In the fall of 1858 he removed to Rochester, after
which he spent eighteen years at the forge. At the end of that
time he began dealing in agricultural implements, which he still
continues. He was married November 2, 1858, to Miss Elizabeth
A. Herrick, a native of Saratoga county. New York. Mamie L. is
the name of their only daughter. She is now the wife of Frank P.
Edson, of Van Wert, Ohio. Mr. Clark is a member of the
A. F. and A. M., and also of the chapter and commandery, being
treasurer of each of the lodges.
Edward J. Whitcomb, proprietor of Rochester brickyards, was
born in Allegheny county. New York, in 1839. When sixteen
years old he came to Minnesota and located in Rochester, where he
started the first brickyard in the county. During the Sioux massa-
cre, in 1862, he spent six weeks on the frontier, aiding in the sup-
pression of the hostile natives. The brickyard is located on block
23, in Head and McMahon's addition. Mr. Whitcomb was mar-
ried in 1865, to Miss Sophia Harris, a native of Ontario county. New
York. Edward, Eugene and Walter are their children's names.
The family are members of the Baptist church. Mr. Whitcomb is
also a member of the I.O.O.F.
Joseph Alexander, proprietor of woolen mills, was born in
England, May 14, 1826. He came to America in 1844 and Olmsted
county in 1855, and began manufacturing furniture, which he con-
tinued eight years. In 1872 he engaged in manufacturing woolen
goods in company with N. G. Bartley. A description of his factory
will be found in another part of this work.
Mr. Alexander was married in 1 845, to Miss Hannah Knight, a
native of England.
N. N. Hajvtmond, grocer, was born in Otsego county, New York,
56
936 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
in September, 1832. He remained in his native state until 1855,
when he came to Rochester, being one of her pioneers. He erected
the second frame house in tlie prospective village, and the first
wagon-shop. He followed wagonmaking about eight years, and then
went into the American House in the capacity of landlord, where he
remained eight years. He afterward kept hotel in Austin and St.
Paul. In 1881 he embarked in the grocery business in Rochester.
Mr. Hammond was married in 1852, to Miss Harriet Wood-
worth, a native of I*^ew York State. Charles F. and George W. are
the names of their children. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M,
MiLO Matteson, son of Truman and Maria Matteson, was born in
Stephenson county, Illinois, in the j^ear 1837. After living with his
parents until 1855 young Matteson determined to " strike out" for
himself, and in that year he came to Eyota, where he now lives.
There were only six settlers in Eyota when Mr. Matteson arrived
there, and there were only four buildings where the present city of
Rochester is situated at that time. Mr. Matteson has ever been an
industrious and successful farmer. In 1866 he was joined in matri-
mony to Helen Smith, of New York. The union has been blessed
with six children, as follows : Charles, George, Hattie, Mark, Min-
nie and Frank. The first town meeting in Eyota was held at Mr.
Matteson's house.
William Htslop was born in Scotland in 1835, and received his
early education on his native heath. He came to America in 1855
and located in the towns of Marion and Eyota, where he now lives
and carries on the business of farming and stock raising. In 1863
he was married to Anna M. Little, of Farmington. Eight children
have been the result of this union. Mr. Hyslop is a member of
the Presbyterian church, and in politics he is an advocate and sup-
porter of the principles of the greenback party.
William H. Pearson, Pleasant Grove township, son of Richard
and Mary A. (Murch) Pearson, was born in Lewiston, Mifflin county,
Pennsylvania, March 19, 1829. His father was a hotelkeeper, and
also a civil engineer. He emigrated from Pennsylvania in 1833,
locating in Columbus, Ohio, thence to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where
he took a contract on the Wabash canal, then building. He subse-
quently removed to Mies, Michigan, thence to Chicago, and from
there to Cassville, Wisconsin. After remaining there three years he
went vrith his family to Clayton county, Iowa, where he engaged in
farming. He died in Atlantic, Iowa, in October, 1882, aged eighty-
BIOGRAPHICAL. 937
eight. Our subject came to Minnesota in 1855, first locating on sec-
tion 36, Eyota townsliip. He made the first arrest in the township,
the details of which are as follows : Henry Brown had assaulted and
severel}' injured a neighbor, and Mr. Pearson was selected to capture
him. He went to Justice Nathan Phelps, of Pleasant Grove, who
gave him authority. He was nearly a week finding his man, but
finally captured him, although he drew an ax and threatened to brain
Pearson if he came near. Our subject was married January 1, 1852,
to Miss Elizabeth Kutan, a native of Pennsylvania. Maria A.,
Olin H., Elizabeth G., William H. (deceased), Eobert L., James,
Mildred E., Margaret C. and Paul E. are their children's names.
Mrs. Pearson died in February, 1875. Our subject is a member
of the A.O.U.W. at Rochester. He came to Pleasant Grove in
October, 1872, locating on section 3.
George Sinclair, farmer, son of Adoniram and Jane D. (Young)
Sinclair, was born in Kennebec county, Maine, in 1832. He there
attended the public school and assisted his father on the farm till
1854, when he moved to Illinois, and in the fall of same year worked in
pinery in Minnesota. In 1855 he purchased 160 acres in section 32,
town of Kalmar, and sold it in 1856. In 1861 he bought 110 acres
in section 34, Kalmar, where he now resides. He was married in
1860 to Miss Rebecca Fisher, daughter of Benjamin and Rachel
Fisher, of Indiana, where Miss Rebecca was born in 1840. They
have children as here noted : Frances A., born 1862 ; Ella, 1864 ;
Effie, 1866 ; Irwin, 1867 ; Mattie, 1871 ; Lewis, 1874. Our subject
is a member of the Baptist church, and in politics is a republican.
Christopher Isaacson, farmer, came to Salem in 1854, being one
of the pioneers of the town. The following year he pre-empted 160
acres in section 7 of Salem, and has now 201 acres, part of which is
in Dodge county. In 1874 he built a fine barn, 50X30, with a stone
basement, and in 1876 one of the finest brick houses in this section of
the county. Our subject was born in Norway, in 1827, and is the son
of Isaac and Isabella Tvedt. On May 13, 1853, he married Martha
Thoneas Swanum. He has had nine children, born as follows : Isaac,
1854; Thomas, 1855; Isabella, 1857; Christopher, 1858; Euanna,
1860 ; Olaava, 1862 ; George, 1864 ; Martha, 1866 ; William, 1868,
all are still living (1883). The same year, 1853, that our subject
married, he sailed in a sailing-ship for America, and after a passage
of nine weeks and four days he was landed at Quebec, and by steam-
boat and ox-team he went to Dane county, Wisconsin, and from there
938 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COTIN^TY.
to Salem. In religion is a Lutheran, in politics a republican. Mrs.
Isaacson, wife of our subject, died in 1869.
T. B. Isaacson, brother to Christopher Isaacson, subject of pre-
ceding sketch, was born in Norway in 1837, leaving there with his
brother in 1853 for America, and came to Salem in 1854, staying
there but a short time, and then went to Iowa, where he worked for
farmers for two years, when he returned to Salem and bought eighty
acres of good land in section 19. He now has 380 acres in sections
7, 18, 19 and 20, In politics he always votes for the best man. He
has been supervisor, assessor, school trustee and treasurer. In 1858
he married Miss Nancy Christ, born in Norway in 1841. He has
seven children, all living ; Isabella, born 1859, married to Bell S.
Bale in 1881, now living in Polk county, Minnesota ; Lina, born 1860,
married in 1879 ; Thomas Christopherson, who died in February,
1881 ; Isaac, born 1862 ; Ella, 1867; Alfred, 1870 ; Edward, 1872,
and Henry in 1881. In 1876 he built a fine brick dwelling-house,
similar to the one built by his brother Christopher.
Darius Wilkins, farmer, is a descendent from the Wilkins
family who came from England many years ago and settled in
Vermont, in which state his parents, Amos and Mary (Hines) Wil-
kins were residing at the time of his birth, August 11, 1817.
Darius spent his youth as most farmers' sons did in the eastern
states, by attending the public school during the winter and assist-
''ing his parents on the farm. In 1838 he married Miss Nancy B.
Little, born in Morristown, Lamoil county, Vermont, May 16, 1816,
daughter of Asa and Kazia (Bigfoot) Little. The year after his
marriage Mr. Wilkins emigrated to Illinois, where he pre-empted
160 acres of land, which he worked for sixteen years, and then sold
out and again moved west, arriving at Salem on July 12, 1855.
This last move was made by ox-team, and his family had to endure
many privations during the trip. Our subject here pre-empted 160
acres of land, which he still owns, on section 15. He was elected
justice of the peace in 1856, which office he held for many years.
He is a democrat. In religion he is a Methodist. On January 13,
1854, his first wife died, and on June 25, of same year, he married
Miss Harriet McKinstry, daughter of Amos and Nancy (Bigfoot)
McKinstry, a relative of his first wife, and for whom he returned to
Vermont. The children now living are Charlotte D. , born Septem-
ber 8, 1842 ; Edward D., June 28, 1844, married in 1871 Eliza
Hunniwell ; Freelove Kazia, born in 1848, married in 1870 Warner
BIOGRAPHICAL. 939
Brooks, son of W. T. Brooks, of Salem ; Amos Ward, born 1850,
married Dell Gridley, daughter of George Gridley ; Eva M., born
January 28, 1860 ; Nettie F., September 28, 1861 ; Alma, June 21,
• 1866 ; Alva D., December 2, 1869 ; Hattie B., December 8, 1871,
and Victor, March 26, 1874.
Cyrus B. Dodge, farmer, was born in Pelham, Massachusetts, in
1821. He is the son of Daniel and Ester (Brown) Dodge. During
boyhood he tried in various ways to earn an honest penny, such as
braiding palm-leaf hats, setting teeth by hand in cards, for carding
wool, bottoming shoes, and wagon making, which last he made his
principal business till his migration west. In 1845 our subject mar-
ried Miss Eliza S. Crane, born August 3J, 1823, at Greensboro, Yer-
mont, daughter of John and Susan (Poland) Crane. In 1855
moved with his family to Haverhill, and pre-empted 160 acres of
land in Sec. 17, T. 107, R. 13., where he has since resided. Mr.
Dodge is one of the very few remaining old settlers of this town.
He is liberal in his religious views. Mrs. Dodge (wife of our sub-
ject) is a Spiritualist. The children are George O., born June,
1846 (died same year) ; Frances E., born July 4, 1847 ; Charlotte
A., February 10, 1850 (died same year); Cyrus, October 7, 1851;
Ida May, May 3, 1857 (died 1881); Herbert M., April 10, 1859;
Elmer E., September 29, 1861 ; Carrie S., June 24, 1865 (died 1875).
Charles M. Smith, farmer, born in Orange county, Vermont, in
1828 ; son of Jonathan and Anna (Parker) Smith.* During boy-
hood he attended the public school, and remained with his parents
till 1849, when he moved to Rock county, Wisconsin, where he
bought eighty acres of land and engaged in farming. In 1852 mar-
ried Miss Permelia Graves, daughter of Henry and Lucindia
(Orcutt) Graves. In 1865, answering the call for three hundred
thousand more, our subject enlisted in the 49th Wis. Inf., Co. D,
serving eight and one-half months, being mustered out in the fall ot
the same year. In 1868 purchased 160 acres of land in section 13,
town of Haverhill, and in 1877 built a fine dwelling in the center of
a beautiful grove of trees. Mr. Smith is a Mason, being a member
of the blue lodge, of Elgin, and the royal arch chapter, of
Rochester. Has been for two years assessor, and school-district
treasurer for nine years, also town treasurer for one year. Mr. and
Mrs. Smith are members of the Methodist church. In politics he is
a republican. When about eighteen years of age our subject had
the misfortune to lose the thumb of his left hand, caused by the
940 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COimTY.
explosion of a gun during the June training of the militia in
Yermont.
David Overend, farmer, Pleasant Grove township, was born in
Tandregee, County Armagh, Ireland, in 1826. He came to America
in 1850, stopping at Cleveland, Ohio. In May, 1855, he came to
Olmsted county, locating on the N.E. J Sec. 27, Pleasant Grove
township, where he now owns over 300 acres of excellent land. In
1857 he was united in marriage with Mary Yates, a native of Indi-
ana. Hattie E., David J., Mattie E., Frank A., Ora J. and Nellie
are the names of their children. The family are members of the
Christian church.
John W. Flathees, farmer. Pleasant Grove, was born Septem-
ber 14, 1845, in Hendricks county, Indiana. In 1855 the family
came to Olmsted county, selecting as a place of residence a part of
section 23, Pleasant Grove township. His father, Lindsey Flathers,
was born in Mattison county, Kentucky, in 1822, and was married
in 1844, to Miss Mary Pace. Our subject received his education in
the district schools, and at the graded school at Chatfield. He was
married in 1873, to Miss Olive Collins, a native of Iowa. Their
children's names are as follows : Mary E., Effie and Ivy E. Mr.
Flathers and wife are members of the Christian church. He was
elected county commissioner in the fall of 1882.
Harvey F. Bush, farmer, Quincy township, was bom January
29, 1826, in Spencer, Worcester county, Massachusetts. The family
are of Scotch origin. Mr. Bush was married in 1850, to Miss
Ellen A. Elsey, a native of Norwich, England, where she was born
June 10, 1836. Their children's names are as follows: Avery K.,
John G., Mary G. (deceased), Fred., Frank H., Abbie (deceased),
Charles H., Kosa B., ISTellie A. and DeEtte (deceased). He brought
his family to Minnesota in the winter of 1855, locating on section
32, Quincy township. The death angel has been a frequent visitor
in this family circle, plucking some of its brightest gems. The
eldest son, Avery K., was married in 1876, to Miss Etta Hatfield,
who died May 21, 1876. He was again married in -1879, to Miss
Ida C. Bibbins, of Chatfield. Fred was married in 1878, to Miss
Ida Betry.
Mark W. Clay, merchant, is one of the pioneers and a leading
citizen of Oronoco. He is a native of New Hampsliire, as were his
parents, Walter and Elizabeth Sanborn-Clay. The subject of this
sketch began existence at Hooksett, March 31, 1835. He attended
BIOGRAPHICAL. 941
scliool at Dorchester a short time ; at the age of eleven years went
from liome and worked for neighboring farmers, attending school a
part of the time winters ; at sixteen years of age, with his brother,
he engaged at factory shoemaking, and often pegged thirty pairs of
shoes without rising from the bench ; two years later he entered a
wholesale store in Boston as bookkeeper, and lost his health there.
In the spring of 1855 Mr. Clay came west in search of health, land-
ing at Winona on the 5tli of April with scarcely strength to walk five
hundred yards ; after spending the summer with friends at Roscoe
he found sufficient strength to engage in business again, and in the
fall of that year opened a boot and shoe shop at Oronoco, in partner-
ship with his brother, Thomas C. Clay. In the spring of 1856 a
general stock of merchandise was added to their boot and shoe busi-
ness. On the first day of March, 1857, M. W. Clay was united in
marriage to Joannah, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Stoddard,
then residing with her stepfather, Lewis Wilson, in this township.
He continued mercantile business until the war of the rebellion, and
served as postmaster in the beginning of 1861. Raised a company
of soldiers, subsequently placed as Co. K, 3d regt., Minn. Vol. Inf., of
which he was chosen captain, and served with his regiment in the
Army of the Tennessee. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Mur-
freesboro and confined three months at Madison, Georgia ; while
being removed thence to Richmond, Virginia, with two hundred
other officers, he was wholly without food during the whole journey,
a period of five days. Capt. Clay was exchanged, and left the army
in December, 1862, going on a farm on section 30. In March, 1870,
he bought out T. B. Lindsay's store, and has ever since engaged in
merchandising. He has been postmaster ever since May of 1870.
In March, 1871, the store and stock were destroyed by fire, but he
immediately built a store on the west side of Minnesota street, where
he continued business until 1871. He then built the store at pres-
ent occupied, a handsome brick structure, with hall overhead, at the
corner of River and Minnesota streets. Mr, Clay was a charter
member of^ronoco lodges No. 52, I.O.O.F., and 110, I.O.G.T.,
both of which owe their organization largely to his efforts. He has
always been an ardent republican, and was chairman of the town
board in 1878, clerk in 1870-1-2, and treasurer ever since 1881. He
was a member of the first state republican convention, and was can-
didate for state representative in 1877, receiving a majority of fifty-
seven votes in his own township, which had a democratic majority
942 HISTOEY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
of twelve, but was defeated abroad on account of his temperance
sentiments. Now owns 286 acres of land at Marshall and Kedwood
Falls, in this state, besides two stores and dwelling in village of Oro-
noco, and possesses what is best — the health he sought in Minnesota,
and the esteem of his fellow men. His family numbers seven chil-
dren, as follows : Ida Augusta, born December 8, 1857, married
Wm. Hoffman, June 12, 1881, and resides in this village ; Maggie
W., born March 22, 1864 ; Eddie M., March 2, 1866; Harvey I. ,
June 21, 1868 ; Wellington S., January 19, 1870 ; Zelda May, Jan-
uary 21, 1872; Charles'F., March 30, 1875.
Thomas C. Olat, deceased, was a brother of above, being one of
a family of twelve children, beginning existence June 8, 1833. En-
gaged in laborious occupations, and coming west in the spring of 1855,
spending the summer at Winona. The succeeding fall he opened a
boot and shoe shop at Oronoco in partnership with his brother, to which
a general stock of merchandise was added the following spring. On
June 24, 1857, he was united in marriage to Miss E. A., daughter
of Albert and Julia Seaman, of Freedom, Cattaraugus county, New
York. In November, 1859, he returned to New Hampshire, where
he enlisted in October, 1861, in Co. H, 8th N. H. Vol. Inf. He
received a fatal wound at the memorable battle of Port Hudson, and
died May 27, 1863. He is survived by his wife and two children,
all residing in Oronoco. The eldest of his offspring, Nellie Clay,
was born May 19, 1859, and is teaching in this county ; Augustus
Clay was born December 12, 1860, and is the stay of his widowed
mother.
Ma.j. Abel Moulton, farmer, is one of the pioneers of this
region. His father, David Moulton, was a native of New Hamp-
shire, and married Miss Sarah Wetherby, of Massachusetts, settling
in Jefferson county, New York, where the subject of this sketch
began existence November 27, 1825. At fourteen years of age he
went to learn the trade of blacksmith, which he continued to follow
a few years. When twenty j^ears old he moved to Dodge county,
Wisconsin, where be was married July 27, 1847, to EModa, daugh-
ter of Charles and Lydia Hyde, natives of Cattaraugus county. New
York. He soon made another move toward the setting sun, and
arriving in Olmsted county May 14, 1855, soon made a claim on
government land in the township of Cascade, adjoining this. This
he sold three years later and purchased land on section 33 of this
township. He continued to reside there until 1877, when he sold
BIOGRAPHICAL. 948
this property and purchased forty acres on section 17, where he now
dwells. He enlisted February 29, 1864, in Co. I, 9th Minn. Vol.
Inf., and served until August 24, 1865, participating in the battles
of Bright's Crossroads and Nashville, Tennessee, Mobile, Alabama,
and. the forty-one days' pursuit of the rebel Gen. Price and army.
On August 8, 1874, Mr. Moulton was called upon to give up his
faithful helpmeet, who now lies buried in Pleasant Prairie cemetery.
A large family survives to mourn her loss. She was the mother of
eleven children, as follows : Clarissa J., born October 31, 1855
(who was married December 5, 1875, to James Haskins, of Oronoco
village, which is still her home); Charles M., born November 13,
1852 (and who makes his home in Oronoco); George H., born Oc-
tober 5, 1854, and resides here ; Julia E., born July 12, 1856 (who
married Edwin C. Campbell, of Oronoco, where she now resides,
September 26, 1878); V. Estella, born November 5, 1858, who
keeps house for her father; Walter A., born November 10, 1860 ;
Harvey L., born May 13, 1863 ; Hattie, born December 26, 1866,
died January 21, 1867; Menzo J., born January 24, 1868; Lewis
A., born January 18, 1870 ; Frank L., born January 13, 1872. Mr.
Moulton is a member of Oronoco Lodge, No. 110, LO.G.T., and in
politics has always been a democrat.
DoEMAN J. Bascomb, merchant, is a son of Asa Bascomb, who
served the United States on Lake Champlain in the war of 1812.
His mother was Abigail Palmer, both parents being natives of Frank-
lin county, Vermont, where the subject of this sketch first saw light
September 11, 1829. He was educated in the common schools there.
At twelve years of age he went to reside at Cleveland, Ohio, with a
brother, of whom he learned the trade of carpenter and joiner. In
the spring of 1850 he set out for the west and landed in Clayton
county, Iowa, with $5 in his pocket. Here he carried on various
building operations, constructing hotels at Harding and Lansing,
and purchased a half-section of land with a portion of his earnings.
In the fall of 1852 he went to New Orleans, where he was occupied
at his trade during the winter, and proceeded thence the following
spring to California. Arriving there sick with ship-fever, he would
undoubtedly have died but for the careful nursing of a companion.
After recovering his health Mr. Bascomb continued the pursuit of
his occupation, returning to the Mississippi at the expiration of eigh-
teen months. In May, 1855, he came to Oronoco and took up gov-
ernment land on sections 15 and 22. The following year, in company
944 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
with T. A. Olmsted and H. D. Evans, Mr. Bascomb built the first
flouring-mill here, which was set in operation with two sets of stones
in February, 1857. About this time the firm also purchased the saw-
mill previously erected on the power and continued its operation.
The following fall Mr. Bascomb sold his interest in the firm, and
next season bought one-third interest in the mercantile business of
H. D. Evans, then invoiced at $10,000. In the spring of 1860 he
bought the remainder of the business, which he sold out in 1865.
The same year he opened a new store in partnership with Samuel
Withrow, whose interest he subsequently purchased. • In the spring
of 1882 he removed the stock to Clark, Dakota, where business was
opened in partnership with P. W. Ware, who now conducts it. In
1880 Mr. Bascomb built a warehouse on Minnesota street, in the
village of Oronoco, and is now engaged in buying grain. He owns
500 acres of land in the township, and is in independent circum-
stances. He is a member of Rochester lodge, A. F. and A. M.,
and of Oronoco lodge, I.O.O.F. In politics he has always been a
democrat ; was postmaster from 1858 to 1865, and has also been
treasurer of the town. He was married August 10, 1858, to Mari-
etta, daughter of L. S. Crowell, of Oronoco, and has a family of five
children, all at home. Minnie L. was born April 11, 1861 ; Millie
W., May 13, 1863 ; Bertie D., April 4, 1868 ; Teresa A., June 14,
1870 ; Jay, June 23, 1880.
Newell Bascomb, carpenter and joiner, a brother of the above,
dates his existence from October 25, 1819. He began wjrk at his
present trade when of age, going to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1844, and
pursuing his chosen occupation there and at Mount Yernon until
1855. In the fall of this year he came to Oronoco ; his family arriv-
ing in December of the same year. In the spring of 1856 he took
up government land three miles west of this village, on which he
lived from 1857 to 1865, when he removed to the village. The fol-
lowing spring he bought the homestead now occupied, comprising
thirty acres on the southern boundary of the village, being that share
of the village plat assigned to Ebenezer Collins, one of the town
founders, and the first land broken in the township. On November
12, 1843, Mr. Bascomb was united in marriage to Mary A., daughter
of G-eorge and Mary Damon-Upton, of Fairfax. Four children have
blessed this union : Orwin Newell, born October 20, 1844, died April
14, 1865, in hospital at Gallatin, Tennessee, from disease contracted
in the United States army ; Edward Gordon, born September 1,.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 945
1846, married February 13, 1878, to Carrie Wheat, of Rochester,
where he now resides, — (has one daughter) ; Sarah M., born June
23, 1849, who married Warren Wirt, of this township, December
25, 1866, and now resides at Marshall, Minnesota, — (has three
daughters, having lost two sons) ; Marshall T., born November 18,
1851, who was married in December, 1875, to Ella, daughter of
Martin Cook, of Rochester, now practicing medicine at Clark, Da-
kota, — (has one son). Mr. and Mrs. Bascomb were active mem-
bers of the Church of Disciples while it existed here. Mr. Bascomb
has always been a republican in politics, but has never sought any
office. He came here without any property, and has placed himself
beyond the reach of want by his own efforts. He received a shock
of paralysis January 11, 1875, from which he has now nearly recov-
ered, and has pursued his calling to some extent during the past
season.
Amasa S. Gary, farmer. In the early part of the present cen-
tury Amasa and Nancy G-ary, of Connecticut, were living in Middle-
field, Otsego county, New York. Here was born to them a son,
whom they christened Amasa S., on August 16, 1820. The elder
Gary was a farmer, and moved in 1836 to Dil Page county, Illinois,
where he was subsequently frozen to death while crossing a prairie.
Young Amasa assisted in the farm work and received a little train-
ing in the district schools. In April, 1845, he married Matilda,
daughter of Wilson Randall, also of New York, and settled in
Waterloo, Wisconsin, where he dwelt eight years. After spending .
two years in Illinois, he came in June, 1855, to Oronoco, which has
ever since been his home. His first claim was on section 31. Dur-
ing this summer he lived in his covered wagon, and built a log hut
after the hurry of breaking and getting a start. From thirty to forty
wagons were in sight from his location, similarly inhabited. In 1878
he sold his origjnal claim and bought 120 acres on sections 29 and
30, where he now dwells, one of the handsomest pieces of ground
to be found anywhere. Like most of the settlers here, he had little
capital on arrival, and what he has is the result of his own labors,
Mr. Gary was formerly a democrat, but is now independent. He
has served several years as school director. Mrs. G. is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal church. Their family has been several times
visited by death. Ten children have been born to them, as follows :
Wilson A., March 11, 1848, died May 9, 1873 ; Elbridge A., June
.21, 1849, died February 8, 1863; Charles M., January 12, 1851
946 HISTORY OF OLxMSTED COUNTY.
(who lives at Marshall, Minnesota, and married Susan Smith, De-
cember 18, 1872) ; Lillias M., born December 1, 1852, died Septem-
ber 10, 1853; Ida A., born April 4, 1855 ; Asher W., born July 7,
1857 ; Julius E., born April 22, 1859, died February 17, 1863 ; Ella
A., born May 14, 1861, died January 30, 1863 ; Ettie M., born June
17, 1863 ; Elmer E., born June 5, 1865.
Amos Moulton, farmer, is a brother of M. A. Moulton. He was
born in Adams, Jefferson count}^, New York, March 1, 1837.
When eight years old, his parents moved to the vicinity of Beaver
Dam, Wisconsin, as above related, where he received a common
school education. In June, 1865, he came to Oronoco, arriving on
the 8th, and took up 160 acres of government land on section 32,
where he has ever since resided. On his way here he walked
nearly all the way from Beaver Dam, — being then in his nineteenth
year, — and camped on the open prairie with two companions the
first night out from Winona. During the night they were sur-
rounded by wolves, but escaped to relate their experience. After
securing his land Mr. Moulton returned to Wisconsin and was mar-
ried there November 1, 1857, to Rodema A., daughter of James
and Almira Smith-Crofoot, natives of New York. He immediately
returned with his bride to his claim, and during the following winter
made sixty-five trips to the timber in New Haven, with oxen. Dur-
ing this winter a limb grew from the basswood ridge-log of the log
cabin inhabited by them. Mr. Moulton has always made friends by
.his genial and hospitable ways, and is a very popular citizen. In
1859-60 he served the town as constable, and as supervisor in
1866-7-8. In political parlance he is classed as an independent
republican. He is a member of Ashlar lodge, A.O.U.W., of
Rochester. He is the father of six children, as here given : Olive
E., born June 24, 1858 (who married Edwin R. Williams, son of
Russell Williams, December 12, 1878, and lives at Rudolph, D. T.);
Minnie I., born November 7, 1861, and died March 30, 1863 ; Iza
E., born August 8, 1864 (who married Henry Brockway, December
25, 1882, and resides on her father's farm) ; Lucy H. L., born Octo-
ber 23, 1867 ; Orlan M. L., born June 30, 1871, and Maud B., born
October 4, 1876.
William B. Webster, farmer. — In the early part of the present
century, when Daniel Webster, the statesman, was electrifying the
countr}'^ by his genius, a cousin of his, by the same name and of about
the same age, was pursuing his occupation of farmer and lumberman •
>, BIOGRAPHICAL. 947
at Bangor, Maine, He was a native of that state, and married Eliza-
beth Boyd, of the same nativity. Here was born the subject of this
sketch, on July 6, 1809. He attended the schools of the city, and
assisted his father in the management of the farm and in lumbering
operations. On December 14, 1836, he married Hannah Hoggs, an
orphan ; also a native of the state. In 1842 Mr. Webster removed
to Will county, Illinois, and in June, 1855, came to Oronoco, mak-
ing the first claim on what is now called Greenwood prairie, being
the southwest quarter of section 12. Here he has ever since resided,
and here Mrs. Webster passed away November 11, 1882. Six chil-
dren mourn her departure ; they are : Mary E., born in December,
1837 (who married Sidney Mosier in September, 1861, and now
lives in Sioux City, Iowa) ; Daniel, born in 1839 (who lives at
Plankington, Dakota Territory, and married Selina Deveraux in
1873) ; William Henry, born 1846 (who married Mary Ciiiver in
1870, and lives near the above-named brother); John E., bom
December 3, 1848 (who married Carrie M. Fisher November 22,
1882, and resides on section 1) ; Martha J., born in 1850 (who mar-
ried Alphonso Harvey in 1868, and lives at Edgerton, Minnesota) ;
Andrew, born August 28, 1853 (who married Clara Alderson July
24, 1880, by whom he has one child, namely, Maud M., born Octo-
ber 6, 1881, and who resides on the homestead farm). William B.
and Hannah Webster were both members of the Baptist church.
The former has always cherished the political principles of the repub-
lican party, as do his sons. Mr. Webster served as a member of the
town board for several years after its first organization and also in
the years 1869-70 and 1872. He is still enjoying excellent health,
and is known to his fellow-citizens as ' ' Father Webster. "
Alvin Brockway, farmer, was reared on a farm, at first in New
York and subsequently in Ohio. He is a native of Salisbury, Con-
necticut, where he was born February 13, 1815. He followed farm-
ing until he was twenty-eight years old, when he was obliged to
give it up on account of an injury to his knee by an ax ; he then
took up shoemaking which he followed for twenty years. In 1839
he married Elizabeth Mallory, who died January 31, 1843, without
living issue. In 1845 Mr. Brockway was married to Phcebe J.
Jump, of New York. The next year he settled in Avon, Illinois,
where he followed shoemaking. In July, 1855, he came to Oronoco,
arriving with his family on the 14th, and took up 160 acres of gov-
ernment land on section 32, which he made his home for twenty-six
948 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COIHSTTY. «
years. Here he was deprived of his helpmeet by death on August
29, 1877. Four children survive her, as follows: Albert F., born
September 14, 1848 (who married Sarah Blalock, and lives at Mar-
shalltown, Iowa) ; Augusta, born April 7, 1851 (who married Albert
Hodgson November 25, 1879, and dwells at Marshalltown) ; William
Henry, born August 14, 1853 (who was married Christmas day,
1882, to Iza E. Moulton, and lives on section 32) ; Alva, born April
9, 1861, and lives at Blanchard, Dakota.
Samuel Withrow, merchant and farmer, was born in Union-
town, Pennsylvania, October 28, 1812. His parents were John
and Isabel (Cannon) Withrow, natives of the Keystone state. The
stibject of this sketch received his education at the common schools
of his native place, and left there at the age of sixteen years to
begin his apprenticeship with a tanner and currier. This occupa-
tion he followed until failing health compelled its abandonment
at the age of twenty-live. He then went into mercantile trade,
doing business four years at Uniontown, removing thence to Farm-
ington, in the same county, where he served as postmaster and
town treasurer, and from 1848 to 1852 in Virginia. At the latter
date he settled on land near McGregor, Iowa, where he followed
farming for three years, then opened a store at Yolney, Iowa,
in partnership with H. D. Evans. In the fall of 1855 Messrs.
Evans & Withrow sold their store and removed their business to
Oronoco, where the latter has ever since resided. This was the first
complete stock of goods opened in this township. In 1858 Mr.
Withrow sold his mercantile interest to Foster Paige, and pur-
chased a share in the sash, door and planing mill then in operation
here. The great flood of 1859 swept away the mill, and Mr. With-
row then turned his attention to farming, which has engrossed most
of his time ever since. In 1865 he engaged in merchandising with
D. J. Bascomb, but sold out to the latter two years later. He now
owns six hundred acres of land in this vicinity, and is in comfort-
able circumstances, Mr. Withrow never married. In politics he
has always been a democrat. He was postmaster from 1855 to
1858, justice of the peace 1860 to 1868, and enjoys the respect and
confidence of the entire communit3^
Leonard B. Hodges, was born in West Bloomfield, Ontario
county, New York, July 15, 1823. His father was Dr. Louis L.
Hodges, one of the pioneers of western New York, and surgeon in
the United States army in the war of 1812, who was captured by
BIOGEAPHICAL. 949
the British while dressing the wounds of American soldiers on the
battletield of Lundy's Lane, but afterward escaping through the
British lines. The doctor died in West Bloorafield in September,
1834. The mother of the subject of this sketch, Susan Beaumont
Bacon, was born in Mackinaw, Michigan, in 1803, and was the
daughter of Kev. David Bacon, a missionary then stationed at that
post. She was married to Dr. Hodges in June, 1822, and died
in Asiatic Turkey in 1857. After his father's death young Hodges
remained at home attending school until 1 837, when he struck out
for himself, first going to New Haven, Connecticut, and working
over a year in a book-store, then back to western New York, where
he worked in a hardware-store till ISiO, thence he went to Corinth,
Saratoga county, New York, where he studied, and worked on
a farm summers, teaching district school winters until the spring of
1845. He then went west and settled on Rock river, near Eockford,
made a claim on governnuent land and opened a farm. In the fall
of 1846 he went to mining in the lead mines near Galena. In
the fall of 1848 he went to the Wisconsin pinery, got out a fleet of
lumber, and in the spring ran it out and down the Mississippi river.
The Asiatic cholera then prevailing, the lumber trade was so
depressed that after selling out he had just five dollars left after
paying expenses. Desirous of beginning life anew and at the
bottom round of the ladder he inclosed the five dollars to his mother
and went into some "old diggings'' for a "grub-stake," which he
soon got, and with which he purchased a very modest outfit, con-
sisting of an ax, frying-pan, coftee-pot and bake-pan, a sack of flour,
some bacon, coffee, salt, and a pair of blankets. With this he
struck out for what was then known as the "New Purchase," in
northeast Iowa, settling on Hickory creek, near the county line,
between Allemaker and Clayton counties, in the summer of 1849,
where since has grown up the village of Hardin. Here he opened a
farm, and in 1851 was married to Miss Elizabeth Collins, daughter
of Joseph and Almira Collins, of Winnebago county, Illinois.
Losing his wife by death in June, 1851, and consequently again
completely "broken up," he obtained the appointment of United
States deputy surveyor, and at once plunged into the wilderness
of northern Minnesota on a surveying contract. He followed this
occupation in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa, occasionally visiting
his farm in Iowa. In 1853 he laid out a portion of his farm in
town lots and named the new town Hardin, in memory of the
950 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
gallant Gol. Hardin, of Illinois, and after building the first brick
house in Allemaker county, Iowa, and getting the village well
started, again he went to Minnesota, as before mentioned. Mr.
Hodges lived at Oronoco sixteen years, during which time he was
chairman of the board of supervisors, a member of the county
board, and in the fall of 1870 he was elected to the state senate
of Minnesota, and with Hon. Richard A. Jones, and others, secured
the passage of the granger legislation of 1871, in which was estab-
lished the absolute sovereignty of the people over the corporations.
In 1872 Mr. Hodges removed to St. Paul, since which time he has
been engaged in developing forest culture on the western prairies.
In 1873 he was appointed superintendent of tree-planting on the
St. Paul & Pacific railroad. In 1876 he was elected secretary of
the Minnesota State Forestry Association, which position he now
holds. In February, 1882, he was appointed superintendent of
tree-planting by the board of directors of the Northern Pacific Rail-
road Company, and is charged with the planting of forest-trees along
the line of that road from the Big Woods of Minnesota to the Yellow-
stone river. In August, 1856, he married Margaret B. Rogers,
daughter of Rev. John B. and Abby Rogers, of Saratoga county,
New York, with whom he is still living. Two of their children
died in infancy at Oronoco. Their only remaining son, Marcus R.
Hodges, a young man of great promise, died in St. Paul, August 2,
1877, and their only remaining child. Miss Margaret Elizabeth
Hodges, yet resides with her j^arents. In religion Mr. Hodges
is what might be termed a practical christian, but too liberal to com-
promise himself by a membership in any of the churches. In pol-
itics absolutely independent, but with strong democratic proclivities.
Ltman S. Crowell (deceased) was a pioneer in this township.
He was a native of New York, born August 30, 1814. He followed
mercantile pursuits in his native state until 1855, when he came to
Oronoco and settled on government land on section 28. Here he
continued farming up to 1873, and then removed to the village,
where he died, October 5, 1879. In 1837 Mr. Crowell was married
to Julia Holmes, from whom he separated in 1853. During this
time four children were born to him, as follows : Lyman H., born
July 21, 1841, died April 22, 1863 ; Joseph R., born March 20,
1844, who served during rebellion in a New York regiment, being
wounded in the lungs and thigh at the battle of Lost Mountain, and
who is now in search of health in California ; Martha A. , born
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1)53
May 20, 1849, who married Courtland Hewitt December 30, 1870,
and now resides in this village ; Marrietta, born July 7, 1849, who
married D. J. Bascorab, as noted elsewhere in this volume. Mr.
Crowell was again married in July, 1865, to Prudence Odell, of Cat-
taraugus county, New York, who presented him with two cliildren,
viz : Melpia, born March, 1869 ; Yernon, born in the fall of 1870.
His widow and two last-named children now reside in Mazeppa,
Minnesota.
Michael McCarthy, farmer. High Forest, was born September
29, 1826, in County Cork, Ireland. He came to America in 1845,
locating in St. Johns, New Brunswick. Two years later he went to
Pennsylvania, and in 1855 came to Olmsted county, locating on sec-
tion 1, High Forest township, where he built a log cabin, with a
thatched roof, and "mother earth'' for a floor. He was married in
August, 1852, to Miss Mary Collins, a native of Ireland. Ellen H.,
Mary A. (deceased), Jeremiah P. , John F. , Agnes K. , Mary S. and
William C. are their children's names. The family are all members
of the Roman Catholic church.
Thomas McCoy, farmer, Marion, was born in County Armagh,
Ireland, in 1830. Came to America in 1849, locating in Sullivan
county, New York. At the end of three years he came west to Lee
county, Illinois, and to Olmsted county in 1855, locating on section
20, Marion township. He was married in 1858, to Miss Ellen Bur-
gess, a native of County Cork, Ireland. Their children's names are
as follows : Owen, Maria, William, Bernard and John. The fam-
ily are members of the Catholic church.
Jerome C. Ketchum, Dover, was born May, 1835, in Clarks-
burg, Berkshire county, Massachusetts. In the spring of .1855 he
came to Olmsted county, taking a claim on the N. W. ^ of section 5.
He now resides on section 6. He is one of Olmsted county's most
prosperous farmers, and owns nearly eight hundred acres of excel-
lent land. He was married in 1861, to Miss Mary Chesbro, who
died in 1862. He was again married in 1864, to Ellen Sanies, a na-
tive of Ohio. The names of their children are as follows : Willis J.
(deceased), Delia M., Frank E., Orville M., Merton A., Hollie E.,
and Ida B. Mr. Ketchum is a member of the A. F. and A. M. at
Eyota. His first wife was burned to death by her clothing catching
fire, and his eldest son was killed by the accidental discharge of a
gun.
William J. Rank, farmer, Dover, was born in Union county,
57
954 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Pennsylvania, August 14, 1824. In 1839 his father's family emi-
grated to Miami county, Indiana. In 1855 our subject left the
Hoosier state, driving an ox-team en route for Minnesota. He
located on the southeast quarter of section 21, in Dover township.
Mr. Rank was married in 1846, to Miss Elizabeth J. Donaldson, a
native of Decatur county, Indiana. Sarah M., Samuel A., George
D., Mary L., Thomas B., Elmer E., Cora I. (deceased), Bertha J.,
"William F. and Carrie B, (deceased) are the names of the children
born to them. Mr. Rank is a member of the Congregational
church and has been an ardent temperance worker for the past
twenty-five years.
William H. Hatfield, Dover Center, farmer, was born in
Wyoming county, New York, February 24, 1830. When eighteen
years of age he came to Clinton county, Iowa, remaining until 1855,
when he came to Olmsted county, locating on section 34, Quincy
township. He was mari-ied in September, 1855, to Miss Martha E.
Thompson, a native of Ohio. Amelia T. (wife of Prof Wither-
stine) and Maggie C. are their children's names. Mr. Hatfield
was one of Olmsted county's pioneers, and is now one of her most
respected citizens.
Calvin Hitt, Dover Center, was born in Sullivan county, New
York, March 14, 1826. When twenty years of age he enlisted in Co.
I, 7th N. Y. Inf. and was sent to California to participate in the Mexi-
can war, and was discharged in September, 1848. In 1852 he re-
turned to ISTew York, from thence in 1854 he went to Illinois, and to
Minnesota in 1855, locating on section 9 in Dover township. On
February 18, 1864, he enlisted in Co. B, 2d Minn. Inf., and was
with Sherman in his march to the sea, and Georgia campaigns. He
was discharged July 11, 1865. Mr. Hitt was married March 17,
1853, to Miss Elizabeth H. Palmer, a native of Broome county, New
York. The names of the children born to them are as follows :
Ella P. (deceased) and Hannah E. The family are members of
the Methodist Episcopal church.
John Stevenson, farmer, Dover, was born in Lanarkshire, Scot-
land, November 6, 1838. The family came to America in 1850,
locating in Maryland, thence to Minnesota in 1855, locating on sec-
tion 1, Dover township. Our subject enlisted in 1861, in a company
which was attached to the 5th Iowa Cav. , and subsequently to Brack-
ett's battalion. He served four years and seven months in the
army. He was married in 1869, and following are the names of the
BIOGRAPinCAL. 955
children resulting from the union : William J., Pearl M., Thomas
C, Grace E. and Olive M.
Chester Phelps, farmer, Dover, was born in St. Lawrence
county, New York, January, 1823. When he was fourteen years of
age his father and family emigrated to Michigan, and in 1855 our
subject came to Olmsted county, locating two miles west of the
present village of Dover Center.
Christopher C. Lasher, farmer, Dover, was born in Oneida
county, New York, in 1823. John 0. Lasher, his father, one of the
pioneer settlers of Dover township, was born in the same county in
1802. He located on southeast quarter of section 17, in same town-
ship, in 1855. Our subject resided fourteen years in New York city,
during which time he had charge of the stock at the Sixth Avenue
depot. He was married in 1845, to Miss Cordelia F. Adams, also
a native of New York. Ida F. and Hattie E. are the names of their
children. Mr. Lasher came to Olmsted county in 1869, taking charge
of the farm formerly owned by his deceased father, who died in 1865.
Daniel S alley, farmer. — In the northern limits of the agricultural
region bordering the Kennebec river in Maine was born and reared
Daniel Salley, who married Catharine Fairbrother, of the same nativ-
ity. To them was born the subject of this sketch, November 21,
1811, in the town of Madison, Somerset county. The junior Daniel
was reared on a farm in his native town, attending district school,
which was held alternately at the residences of its patrons two
months each year. On Washington's birthday, 1841, he married
Miss Climena, a daughter of Ebenezer Witham, a native of Maine.
Mrs. Salley's mother, Mary Berry, was born in New Hampshire.
In 1846 Mr. Salley removed his family to Juneau, Wisconsin, where
he resided on a farm for nine years. At the end of this time he
decided to emigrate to Minnesota, and arrived in New Haven June
14, 1855. He settled on the southwest quarter of section 36, where
he has since resided, and also pre-empted one-fourth of section 35, of
which he retains fifty acres, the balance having been sold to neighbors
as timber lots. The home farm being school-land, was bought when
it came into market at $7.50 per acre. Here Mr. and Mrs. Salley
have lived a life of peace and contentment, enduring hardships in
the common experience of early pioneers. At one time Mrs. Salley
narrowly escaped injury by a block of wood thrown by a mischievous
Sioux, who thought to frighten her. Here they reared a large fam-
ily, and now live to see most of them comfortably settled in life. On
956 HISTOEY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
the organization of the Methodist Episcopal church in the neighbor-
hood Mrs. Salley became a member and so continued as long as the
society existed. In religious belief Mr. Salley is an Annihilationist,
and is not united with any church. His house has always been a
home for ministers, and he has always contributed liberally to the
support of the gospel. In politics he is a democrat and has been
since his majority. He was one of the most active supporters of
schools, and served as director of his district for twenty years ; was
a member of the first town board, and of the same body in 1859-60-
61-2-4, being chairman the last three terms. Twelve children were
born to liim, as follows : Joel, December 11, 1841, lives in the town of
Rochester, married Alma Knapp, May 24, 1863 ; Daniel, born Au-
gust 29, 1843, married Frances Reed, March 14, 1867, and lives in
Faribault county ; Phoebe, born April 29, 1845, lived but one day ;
Hester, born April 13, 1846, married George D. Bassett, March 31,
1865, and lives near Phoebe ; Mary, born March 30, 1848, lives near
above, married Benjamin Langworthy, jS'ovember 18, 1866 ; Myron,
born January 22, 1850, died June 5, 1854 ; Abby J., born January
16, 1853, married Charles Oliphant July 27, 1873, died in Brook-
ings coimty, Dakota, January 19, 1883 ; Ella, born December 3,
1854, married Frank White, September 8, 1878, and lives near par-
ents in town of Kalmar ; Eben, born February 10, 1857, resides in
house with parents and operates father's farm, was married De-
cember 18, 1881, to Eva Lord ; Alpha, born November 25, 1858,
lives in Brookings county, Dakota, with Ezra Hall, to whom she was
wedded October 1, 1876 ; Warren, born October 7, 1860, married
Sabina McCumber on Christmas day, 1881, and resides in Brookings
county, Dakota; Emily, born July 15, 1864, dwells with parents.
F. H. CuMMiNGS, Jr., son of Francis H. and Hanna Cummings,
was born in Boston, Massachusetts, September 3, 1845, where he
lived until he was ten years of age, when they (the family, including
our subject) removed to Orion, Minnesota, where they located on
section 22. He received his education in Orion township. Farm-
ing has always been his occupation. He is a member of the Masonic
order (lodge No. 50). He is a republican in politics. He was mar-
ried January 14, 1873, to Aribell L. McElderry, of Orion, which
union has been blessed with four children, three of whom are living.
Lemuel Denny, son of Beruch and Harriet Denny, was born in
Illinois, November 30, 1843, where he lived until 1855. He then
removed with his parents to Orion, Minnesota, and located on sec-
BIOGRAPHICAL. 957
tion 31, where he now lives. He received his education here in
Orion town. By occupation he is a farmer and carpenter. He en-
listed August 26, 1864, in Co. I, 11th Minn. Inf., and was discharged
at the close of the war in 1865. He was elected supervisor of the
town in 1872, and has held the office ever since. He is a republican,
and was married in 1874, to Josie M. Dorr, of Orion. The union
has been blessed with three children : Clarence, Ira and Albert.
Levi Lovejoy, son of Joel and Polly Lovejoy, was born in Chau-
tauqua county. New York, in 1833, and lived there until 1840, when
he was brought to Pennsylvania with his parents, where he lived and
worked on the farm, and learned the carpenter's trade, until 1855,
when he removed to Orion, Minnesota, and located on section 24,
where he now lives. He received his early education in Pennsyl-
vania. He enlisted in the 2d Minn. Inf. in February, 1864, and
was discharged July, 1865. He is a member of the Methodist Epis-
copal church, and is a republican in politics. Mr. Lovejoy was mar-
ried to Mary Ann Willamson, of Fillmore, in 1857. The union has
been blessed with six children, five boys and one girl.
Franklin B. Buek, son of Jonathan and Gracia Burk, was born
in Windsor, Vermont, in 1809. He lived there until he was seven
years of age, and then went to New Hampshire and lived with his
uncle until he was twenty-one years of age, where he received his
early education. He was married in 1834, to Lucy Weld, of New
Hampshire, and was blessed with three children. In 1840 his first
wife died, and in the same year he married Prudence Wilkesons, of
Vermont. He lived in New Hampshire until 1851, when he removed
to Canada, near Lake Erie, where he lived until the fall of 1855. He
then removed to Minnesota and located on section 10, Orion town-
ship, where he now lives. Mr. BurFs second wife died in 1863.
He married a third wife in 1878, namely : Mercy Jane Green, of
Chatfield. He was appointed captain by the governor of the state in
1863, and had a company of state militia. He was elected justice
at the first town meeting in 1858. He was elected chairman of the
board of supervisors of the town in 1864, and has held various other
offices in the town. In politics he is a republican.
CuKTis E. Burk, son of Franklan B. and Lucy Burk, was bom in
Sullivan county. New Hampshire, October 10, 1835, where he lived
until he was sixteen years of age, working on farm and going to
school. He then removed to Canada with his parents in 1851, where
he lived for three years. He then came to Orion, Minnesota, and
958 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
located on section 10. He enlisted February 29, 186i, in the 2d
Minn. Inf., and was discharged at the close of the war in 1865. He
has been supervisor of the town for twelve years and assessor for
thirteen years. He is chairman of the town and assessor at the
present time. In i860 he was married to Ellen M. Case, of Orion,
who died in ]S"ovember, 1875. He was married to Mary A. Loomis,
of Elmira township, in 1877, and is the father of three children.
Henry C. Feoudfoot, farmer, is a son of Edward Proudfoot and
Rebecca Adelaide, who emigrated from England to Pennsylvania
in 1836. They were among the pioneers of Olmsted county,
having settled near Rochester in the fall of 1855. Our subject was
born at Athens, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, July 14, 1844.
His life' was passed on a farm until eighteen years of age, when he
was employed as clerk in a military store at Bowling Green, Kentucky.
At the close of the war he passed one season on his father's farm,
and then entered a store in Rochester as salesman. In 1876 he
commenced dealing in wheat and continued for two years ; he then
went to Chester and was employed in a store and elevator for several
years. From 1876 to 1879 he bought wheat at the steam-mill in
Rochester. Having engaged in an unfortunate land deal in Mower
county he became somewhat disabled financially, and removed to
New Haven in 1879 and engaged in farm operations, which have
since occupied him. July 9, 1873, Mr. Proudfoot was united in
marriage to Miss Emily, daughter of Abiron M. Howard and Amelia
M. Whitcomb, natives of Massachusetts and New York. Their
family includes three children, born as follows: Grace H., July 18,
1874; Carleton A., October 10, 1876; Ralph A., June 18, 1878.
While employed in a planing-mill at Rochester for a short time Mr.
P. lost all the fingers of his left hand save the smallest, by a saw.
In politics he is a democrat, but never engaged in public affairs.
He is not connected with any church ; Mrs. P. united with the Bap-
tist church at Rochester when fourteen years old, and is still a
member of that body.
Michael St. George, farmer, Marion, was born in County Kil-
kenny, Ireland, September, 1817. He came to America in 1837,
stopping a short time in New York, thence to Savannah, Georgia,
where he spent five successive winters, coming north in the sum-
mer. Later he went to Buffalo, New York, remaining seven years,
thence to Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and from that place to Indiana. In
May, 1856, he came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, locating on sec-
BIOGRAPHICAL. . 959
tion 29, Marion township. He was married in 1840, to Miss Julia
Kelly. Martin, James and Julia are the names of their only living
children. All are members of the Roman Catholic church.
Luther L. McCoy, farmer, son of Lorenzo and Mary (Ketchum)
McCoy, of the town of Crete, Illinois, at which place Luther was
born in the year 1845, and in 1856 moved with liis parents to
Salem, where he received a public school education. He lived
with his parents until the breaking out of the civil war in 1861,
when he at once took up arms in defense of his country by enlisting
in the 3d Minn. Inf., Co. K, for three years. In 1864 his term of
service being ended, he again enlisted in the same regiment and
company, serving till the end of the war, being mustered out at
Fort Snelling. He was engaged at the battles of Murfreesboro,
Augusta and at Wood Lake, Minnesota, fighting Indians. Our sub-
ject's health completely failed him from exposure during the war
and he has never since thoroughly recovered from its ill effects. His
brother, Andrew McCoy (present town clerk of Salem) enlisted in
1862 in the 9th Minn. Inf., Co. F; was captured by Gen. Forrest and
sent to Anderson ville prison and paroled in December, 1864, thirty
days from which time he rejoined his regiment, serving till the end
of the war. After the close of the war Luther returned to his home
in Salem and assisted his father on his farm. In 1870 he purchased
sixty-five acres in section 15, and has since bought sixty-five more in
same section, making in all one hundred and thirty acres. In 1873
he married Miss Martha L. Luce, born in Chautauqua county. New
York, in the year 1847, and has by this marriage four children,
born as follows : Amy, 1877 ; Myrtle, 1878 ; Ernest, 1880, and
Mable, 1882. In religion he is a liberal ; in politics a republican.
In the memory of the people of Olmsted county, a prominent
place is occupied by the subject of this brief sketch, Hon. John Y.
Daniels (deceased). He was born in the town of Summit, Schoharie
county, New York, September 5, 1809. His boyhood days were
spent in Tioga county. He received an academical education, and
for several years afterward taught school in that and adjoining coun-
ties. In November, 1832, was married to Miss Hester Ann Wheeler,
also a native of Schoharie county, and subsequently located in
Owego, where he embarked in the dry goods business. In 1840 he
removed to Bradford county, Pennsylvania, and there engaged in
lumbering, which he continued until 1856. In January of that year
Mrs. Daniels died and was buried at Burlington. In the fall of 1856
960 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
he came to Minnesota, locating in Rochester ; in the following spring
his son, Milton J., followed him, and in the fall of 1858 the rest of
the family, one son and daughter, joined them, and during his life
he made his home with his only daughter, Mrs. A. M. Ozmun, now
of St. Paul. In 1862 he was elected to a seat in the senate, of which
body he was a member until 1868. In 1875 he was elected to a seat
in the house of representatives, and in the following year was again
elected to the senate, serving during the sessions of 1876-7. At the
time of his death he was a member of the house of representatives,
having served alternately in the two houses for eleven sessions, an<^
assisted in every senatoi'ial election from the time he entered public
life to the time of his death. During the war he was appointed to
the important post of commissioner to take the soldiers' votes at the
presidential election of 1864, which necessitated a visit to the Min-
nesota regiments in their respective positions through the south,
which visit proved a pleasant surprise for his son, who was an officer
in the ninth regiment, and was at that time at the front. In 1880
he was a delegate to the national convention at Chicago, and at the
time of the " break up" voted for Garfield. It might be mentioned
as a coincidence that his remains were carried to their final resting-
place on the same day as those of the illustrious president. He died
September 24, 1881, of heart disease, having been in active business
life until the time of his death. Don A., Milton J., Mary, Celia,
now wife of A. M. Ozmun, of St. Paul, and E. Webb are the names
of the surviving children. Mr. Daniels was a lifelong member of
the Baptist church, having been one of the organizers of the congre-
gation at Rochester, and was one of the most liberal contributors to
the fund for erecting the present church building, and was a deacon
from the organization until the time of his death. The family
received a letter of sympathy from Gov. Pillsbury, with whom the
deceased had been on intimate terms.
VoLNEY D. MxoN, carpenter, was the first child born of Cauca-
sian parents in Boone county, Illinois. His parents, Volney D.
Nixon and Anna Yan Gorder, were born in Canandaigua, New
York, and settled on the site of Belvidere in 1838, before any survey
of that region had been made. Here the subject of this sketch was
born, on August 19, 1838, and four weeks later his father died.
His mother remained there, and subsequently married Z. C. Saw-
telle, a carpenter. Young Nixon was reared under his care, receiv-
ing a good common school education and learning the carpenter's
BIOGRAPHICAL. 961
trade. Mr. Nixon is one of the pioneers of Olmsted county, having
taken up government land in section 15, Kalraar, on which he
resided eleven years. He has seen an exciting and varied army
experience, being one of the first to enlist under Uncle Sam's banner
and one of the last to quit the service during the late civil war. His
first enlistment was in Co. H, 3d Wis. Inf., and he served in the
army of the Potomac ; was an actor in the battles of Antietam,
Smoky Hill, Fredericksburg and Winchester. At the latter point
he was made a prisoner, and after a period of imprisonment at Libby
was paroled, and discharged in March, 1863. In A])ril he joined
Sibley's expedition against the Sioux Indians, and served till fall.
He then returned to his old home in Illinois and joined the 3d 111.
Cav., proceeding at once to Louisiana. On the occasion of Forrest's
raid into Memphis, his regiment was lying there in camp without
arms or horses, and many of the men were mercilessly slaughtered.
It was Mr. Nixon's fortune to escape this fate, and the regiment
being soon after armed and mounted was sent to join Gen. Thomas'
command. While in action before Nashville, Mr. Nixon was again
made prisoner by the rebels and kept at Cahawba, Alabama, till
released by the close of hostilities. In 1866 he sold his farm and
resided two years in Rochester. Here he was married July 16, 1868,
to Miss C. H. Michael, daughter of William D. Michael, a pioneer
of Haverhill township. He immediately settled in the village of
Eyota, where his home has been ever since. Being a practical brick-
maker, he soon ascertained by experiment that brick could be made of
the soil here, and started a brickyard. After burning a few kilns, of
which some of the best buildings in town are built, he sold out and
has ever since devoted his time to his trade. Mr. Nixon claims to
vote as he fought, for republican principles. His family includes
four boys, the eldest child, a girl, having died when five years old.
His sons were born as here noted : Harry, April 23, 1873 ; Curtis,
August 9, 1875; Charles, May 23, 1878; Sterling, December 11,
1881.
Robert Waldron, farmer, is a son of John Waldi-on, son of a
revolutionary soldier. John Waldron married Amy, daughter of
Capt. John Gardner (who served the colonies through the revolu-
tionary war), and was living at Haverstraw, New York, October 9,
1806, at which time and place the subject of this sketch was born.
The Waldron family came from Holland. Robert Waldron was
taken by his parents to Onondago county when two years old, and
962 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COimTY.
was reared there on a farm. On July 16, 1831, he was married
to Nancy Holmes, born in Bangor, Maine, January 28, 1806 ; her
father, Ephraim Holmes, was also a native of Bangor. Immedi-
ately after liis marriage Mr. Waldron settled on a farm in Branch
county, Michigan, fifty-five miles from any other settlement. He
has thus been a pioneer of two states. After two years' residence in
Illinois Mr. "Waldron settled in Cascade, May 8, 1856. He visited
this country in June, 1854, but at once returned to Illinois. On
arriving here with his family he purchased four hundred acres
of land on sections 30 and 31, where his home has been to this
time. Subsequent purchases have added three hundred acres to his
domain. In 1861 he built the handsome stone house in which
he resides, at a cost of over one thousand dollars, besides his own
labor. His farm is also graced witli large barns and outbuildings,
tenant-house, etc. By pi'oper care he has raised a fine orchard
of various fruits, black walnuts, etc., and is a prosperous farmer.
The greatest bar to his present happiness is the fact that death took
away his life-partner February 13, 1876. Mrs. Waldron is survived
by four children, whose record is here given : William R., born
July 16, 1835, married Mary Graham, lives with his father ; Mar-
garet, November 13, 1837, married Nathan Phelps, with whom she
dwells in Pleasant Grove township ; George W., December 19,
1838, married Anna Bird, resides on section 35, Kalmar ; Josephine,
October 23, 1842, married John Doubleday, home in Rochester.
The eldest daughter taught the first school in Mr, W.'s present
school district in 1856, before the district was organized. The
school was held in a claim shanty. Mr. Waldron is a Freethinker.
Has always been a democrat. Was assessor of Cascade township
one year, and has been twice elected justice of the peace, but
refused to serve.
David Shaver, blacksmith, was born in Sanford, Broome county,
New York, March 24, 1829. His parents, Adam Shaver and Sarah
Anthony, were natives of New York and Pennsylvania. Until eigh-
teen years of age his life was passed on a farm, receiving the benefits
of the common school. He was then apprenticed to a blacksmith,
with whom he served eight years. At the close of his service he
operated a shop, and was regarded as a highly finished workman.
In 1854 he settled at Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he remained two
years. In 1856 he became a resident of Minnesota, and has dwelt
here since. He pre-empted forty acres of land in the town of Mil-
BIOGRAPHICAL. 963
ton, Dodge county, and shortly after purchased forty acres adjoining
it in the town of New Haven, this county. His residence iias been
in Dodge county until his removal to Byron in the fall of 1882. He
l^egan blacksmith-work here in the spring of that year, his son hav-
ing worked the farm since that time. Mr. Shaver has always worked
at his trade while here, having a shop on the farm. Himself and
wife are members of the Baptist church. In political opinions Mr.
Shaver classes himself with the republicans. His marriage took
place in Oneida county, New York, May 29, 1853, the bride being
Miss Cynthia A. Newman, who was born January 31, 1833, in Troy,
New York. Her fatlier, Samuel Newman, was born in Baltimore,
and her mother, Eliza Ferrall, in Troy. Six children have been
born to them, as follows : George, May 22, 185-4-, married Lucy Sim-
mons and resides in Iowa ; Merritt C, April 14, 1856, married
Nettie Bassett and resides at same place as above ; Romanzo, Febru-
ary 22, 1859, and is on the farm ; Charles, February 3, 1861, mar-
ried Jessie Bryant and resides at Byron ; Lillie, October 7, 1867 ;
Ernest, October 28, 1869.
Stanton B. Kj:ndall, M.D., is the pioneer physician of this
region. He was born in the town of Ira, Rutland county, Ver-
mont, March 17, 1808. His parents, Ephraim and Lucinda (Brown)
Kendall, emigrated from England to the United States, and his father
served the land of his adoption through the war of 1812. When he
was thirteen years old his parents removed to Bradford county, Penn-
sylvania, and he received his education at Wellsborough. On
arriving at maturity he engaged in carriage-making. On December
18, 1832, he was united in marriage to Miss Fanny Fellows, who
was born August 15, 1812, in Massachusetts, as were her parents,
Joseph and Lydia Fellows. He continued to follow his trade till
after he was thirty years old, when he was compelled to abandon it
on account of ill health. He then JDegan the study of medicine with
Dr. Welles, and after two years of study commenced to practice. In
1853 he located at Wyanet, Illinois, where he remained three years.
Thence he removed to Dodge county, this state, where he took up gov-
ernment land in Ashland township. This he sold in 1862 and bought
a farm in Kalmar township, where he took up his residence for three
years. In 1865 he sold his farm and settled in Byron, where he
built the hotel at present occupied by his son, and kept it eight years.
Up to this time he rode over a tract of country forty by fifty miles,
having a large and successful practice. In one year he lost only two
964 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
out of over 700 cases under his care ; of these one was diphtheria,
and the other cerebro-spinal meningitis. Though past seventy-five
years ot age, he rides long distances to attend patients, and is busy
every day. Dr. and Mrs. Kendall are membei'S of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and he is an ardent republican. Five of their
children grew to maturity, and both his sons served the country dur-
ing the war of the rebellion. Their names and births are recorded as
follows: John Y., born June 17, 1837, married Emily E. Farring-
ton and resides at Dodge Center ; Joseph B. , sketched below ; Au-
rilla, February 10, 1842, married E. H. Stevens and resides at St.
Paul; Adeline L., April 29, 1847, married Arthur Ecker, died at
Chatfield, August 5, 1881 ; Mary E., June 3, 1851, married George
Dearborn and resides at St. Paul.
Joseph B. Kendall, merchant, son of above, was born in Can-
ton, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, April 13, 1838. When 12
years of age his father located at Salona, where he attended an
academy. He was but eighteen years old when he came with his father
to this state. On May 13, 1861, he enlisted in the 5th Wis. Inf.,
and served in the army of the Potomac until the battle of Chancel-
lorsville, where he was wounded in the thigh by a gunshot and
rendered unfit for further service, a resection of five inches of the
bone being the result. He now walks without any assistance and
his case is said to be one of the most remarkable ever known. He
participated in numerous hard-fought battles, among which were
those of Yorktown, Fair Oaks, Fredericksburg, Chickahominy, An-
tietam. Second Bull Run, siege of Fort Magruder, etc. As soon as
he was recovered from his wound he was appointed a clerk in the
quartermaster-general's ofiice -at Washington, where he served four
years. For two years of this time he attended an evening commer-
cial and grammar school, thus fitting himself for a commercial
career. During Andrew Johnson's administration he was dis-
charged from the war department with many others. In September,
1868, he opened a general store at Byron and has conducted it ever
since, being singularly successful, inasmuch as he had never had
anything to do with mercantile business till he began this. After
his return here he was reinstated in the war department, but de-
clined to leave his business to accept the position. It is probably
unnecessary to say that Mr. K. is an ardent republican. He has
been justice of the peace and notary public for the past twelve years;
was elected town clerk in 1870-1 ; has been postmaster since 1877.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 965
He was married July 21, 1879, to Isabella Kelly, who was born in
Lake Tillage, New Hampshire; her father was Charles R Kelly, a
New Englander of Irish descent. They have a pair of twin daugh-
ters, born July 29, 1883.
Rev. David L. King is one of the pioneers and developers of
Kalmar, both in material and spiritual affairs. His parents, Mari-
nus and Elizabeth King, were natives of Pennsylvania, and he was
born in Mahoning, Mercer county, that state, October 31, 1816.
Mr. King was roared on a farm, attending the common school, till
seventeen years old. Since eighteen he has cared for himself ; by
teaching school he was enabled to attend Mercer academy and a term
of instruction in Allegheny College at Meadville. On March 21-,
1834, he embraced religion during a protracted meeting held by the
Methodists at Newcastle, and at once became a member of that de-
nomination. On November 12, 1839, he was licensed to exhort,
and May 7, 1845, as a preacher. He removed to Illinois in the
fall of 1840, and was ordained a deacon by Bishop Hamlin at Bloom-
ington, September 22, 1850. Up to this time he had been em-
ployed principally as a school teacher. He has never taken a cir-
cuit, but has been employed as a local preacher and in completing
unfinished work of others. He has officiated at a very large num-
ber of funerals and marriages. The first funeral sermon in the town
was preached by him. He was the Methodist who delivered a
sermon in Rochester and made the first appointment announced by
any minister in the county. This was for the last Sunday ki Octo-
ber, 1854, but an attack of cholera morbus prevented his filling the
engagement. The meeting was set at Head's hotel, and he did
preach in Crabb's house on the same claim in September, 1855.
His ordination papers were the first filed in the county. Mr. King
also made the first appointment for religious services at Mantor-
ville, Dodge county, the date being August 11, 1856. While going
for a pail of water on that morning he was bitten by a rattlesnake,
and thus prevented from fulfilling the appointment. Mr. King was
married at Butler's Point, Illinois, August 11, 1844, to Mary J.
Whitcomb, whose parentage is given with that of her brother's be-
low. Mr. King dwelt on a farm in Illinois and secured the estab-
lishment in 1847 of Padua postofiice, of which he had charge several
years. In 1854 he sold his property there and went to Jackson
county, Iowa, where he spent the following winter with his family.
In August of this year he visited Kalmar and made claim to the
966 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
land on which he still resides, on section 17. The next Maj he
brought his family here, arri^dng on the 21st. Mr. King was a
democrat until the passage of the Fugitive Slave law, which he
could not brook, and has ever since been a republican. He was a
delegate to the convention which framed our state constitution, and
elected a member of the first legislature. Previous to this time he
was appointed by the county commissioners as one of the judges ol
the first election in Kalmar precinct ; was chairman of the first board
of supervisors in 1858, and for three successive years following ; has
been town treasurer two terms, and twice chosen justice of the
peace. On March 4, 1875, he was robbed by death- of his faithful
helpmeet. She was the mother of ten children, of whom five are
now living, as follows : William Evans, born September 28, 1847,
graduated at Evanston University, now a Methodist Episcopal
preacher at Virginia City, Montana, having married Jennie Alsip ;
Annie L., July 8, 1850, married Robert C. Bitner, resides on sec-
tion 27; Airy A., October 24, 1852, lives in Clay county, Iowa,
with her husband, JRenssalaer Brown; Ruth E., July 24, 1855,
married Alfred C. Waldron, home in Spencer, Iowa; David F.,
September 22, 1859. now at school at Evanston, Illinois. The eldest
child, Elizabeth J., died in her twentieth year. Mary L. died at
seventeen, and three died in infancy.
William Johnston, farmer, was born in Moorhouse, Cumberland
county, England, August 29, 1841. When he was eight years old
his paifcnts crossed the ocean and settled in Cortland county, New
York, removing two years later to Elgin, Illinois. In 1856 his
father, John Johnston, removed with his entire family to Kalmar,
where three of his sons and his widow still reside. The subject of
this sketch has 320 acres of land on sections 22 and 23,. residing on
the latter in a fine mansion erected in 1874. Three years previous
he built one of the largest and finest barns in the town. His build-
ings stand on an eminence commanding a fine view of the country,
no mean or inconsiderable portion of which is his own domain.
Mr. Johnston was married February 24, 1869, to Mary Jackson, who
was born in 1839, in the same county as himself. He was con-
firmed in the Episcopal church, to which he still gives allegiance.
In political contests he votes the democratic ticket. He has never
sought or accepted ofiices, his only public service being as clerk
of his school district for the past five years. Four children have
been added to his family, as follows : J. Clarence, January 27, 1871 ;
BIOGRAPHICAL. 967
Cora Belle, August 30. 1872; William, October 7, 1874; Jenny
Eleanor, June 3, 1877.
Mason Hicks, farmer, was born in Ontario county. New York,
December 28, 1831. His father, Elias Hicks, was born in Massa-
chusetts, and married Eliza Wetherspoon, of Vermont. Elias
Hicks was one of the pioneer settlers of Walworth county, Wis-
consin, where he located in 1836, removing his famil)^ thither the
next year. Mason Hicks was reared on a farm in LaFayette town-
ship, receiving the benefit of the common schools. In 1856 he came
with his brother to this county, and the}" purchased a quarter-section
lying in Salem township, in partnership. Two years later he
sold out to his brother and bought one-fourth of section 33, Kalmar,
on which he now dwells. He was married June 25, 1865, to Sarah
Wiltse, who was born near London, Canada ; her parents, Jacob
and Eleanor Wiltse, were natives of Michigan. Mrs. Hicks is
a member of Byron Baptist church, and her husband is a Uni-
versalist. In politics Mr. H. has always been a democrat. The
family includes six childi*en, whose births date as below : Isola,
April 1, 1866 ; George, December 22, 1869 ; Mary, May 22, 1874 ;
Adelbert, December 2, 1877 ; Lillie, February 27, 1878 ; Edward,
March 7, 1882.
William Graham, farmer, is the eldest son of Joseph and Jane
Graham, who emigrated from Cumberland county, England, to the
United States in 1844, and settled in Truxton, Cortland county,
New York. Here was born the subject of this sketch am July
13, 1848. He came to Kalmar with his parents in 1856, and was
reared on the farm here. Most of his education was received in the
common school, being finished by a term at the select school of
Prof. Spring, in Rochester. He was town clerk in 1875, and now
fills that position, being elected in the spring of 1883. Like his
father, he is a democrat and an Episcopalian. In 1871 Mr. Graham
began work in the Star cheese factory at Olmsted station, and has
spent ten years making cheese, being three years in charge of
the factory at Byron. During the year beginning with the fall
of 1879 he bought wheat for Van Dusen & Co., at their warehouse
at Olmsted. In 1880 he settled on his father's farm, on section 25,
where he now resides. The farm embraces four hundred acres, and
is largely devoted to stock-raising. On May 13, 1873, Mr. Graham
was united in marriage to Miss Grace Morrow, who was born in
Boston, Massachusetts, May 21, 1854; her parents, William and
968 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Letitia Morrow, were natives of England. Mr, and Mrs. Graham
are the parents of four children, given to them as follows : Mnsetta,
March 4, 1874 ; Joseph, July 29, 1875 ; Mary E., October 23, 1879 ;
Albert, November 13, 1882.
Henry Kalb, city marshal, was bori] in Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Ger-
many, February 2, 1833. In 1854 he was married to Miss Frederica
Roediger. In the same year he came to America and located at Dixon,
Illinois. In the spring of 1856 he came to Olmsted county and
started a boot and shoe shop, having previously learned the busi-
ness. In 1864 he sold out, and turned his attention to farming for
two years. From 1866 until 1871 he was employed as clerk in a
boot and shoe store. In the spring of 1877 he was elected city mar-
shal, and is still acting in that capacity. He has a family of eight
children, whose names are as follows: Amelia V., Louis, Henry E.,
Amanda, Frederica, Edward, Carl and George.
Timothy H. Bliss, real-estate dealer, of the firm of Bliss ]3ro8.,
was born in Licking county, Ohio, June 2, 1843. In the fall of 1854
the family emigrated to Cedar county, Iowa, remaining about eigh-
teen months. Thence to Johnston county, Iowa, where they re-
mained until 1856, when they came to Olmsted county, locating six
miles from Chatfield, in Orion Township. The subject of this sketch
enlisted August 13, 1862, in Co. H., 6th Minn., serving about three
years in the army. During most of that time he did detached duty
at Fort Snelling. After his return he came to Rochester and worked
for some time in the register's ofi\ce. In 1877 he and his brother
formed a partnership and engaged in the real-estate, loan and in-
surance business. He was married in 1867, to Miss Alice M. Hig-
bee, a native of New York State. Alma F. and Winnefred M. are
the names of their children.
Charles H. Bliss was also born in Licking county, Ohio, in
1848, and came west with the family. In 1874 he was made cash-
ier of the Rochester National Bank, in which capacity he acted until
he and his brother embarked in business together. He was married
April 3, 1873, to Miss Frances L. Hayes, also a native of Ohio.
Francenia A. and an infant daughter are their only children.
Lowel Bliss, father of Timothy and Charles, was bora in Essex
county, Vermont, in 1814, and was one of the pioneer settlers of
Licking county, Ohio. After coming to Olmsted county he was for
five consecutive terms register of deeds, and was also mayor of Roch-
ester two terms. His wife's maiden name was Fannie B. Gunn,
BIOGKAPHICAL. 969
She was a native of Massachusetts. The old gentleman died Decem-
ber 17, 1872, of apoplexy.
William E. Eice, farmer, of Eochester, was born in Genesee
county, New York, May 14, 1809. His father, William Eice, was
born in Massac:husetts and came to New York at an early day.
When our subject was quite young the family emigrated to Indiana,
where they remained twelve years ; thence to Will county, Illinois,
where they remained until 1856, when they came to Olmsted county
and located in Cascade township. Mr. Eice farmed until 1875,
when, on account of failing strength, he removed to Eochester. He
was married in 1832, and the aged couple celebrated their golden
wedding in 1881. The names of their children are as follows :
Leonard (deceased), Jane Catharine, William C. (now a Methodist
minister), Elizabeth, Albert (deceased), Alvin Wesley, Wilbur and
Nettie W. Albert enlisted in the service of his country at the out-
break of the war, and died from diseases contracted in the army.
CHAPTEE XXIV.
BIOGRAPHICAL— Continued.
EARLY SETTLERS.
Harold J. Buttles, proprietor of planing-mills, was born in
Warren county, New York, June 14, 1830. In 1854 he went to
Alamakee county, Iowa, where he remained two years, when he
came to Olmsted county, locating at Oronoco, where he worked at
his trade (carpentering) three years, after which he embarked in the
grocery business, which he continued three years, during which time
he was postmaster. He then went to Plainview, where he resided
for some time. In 1864 he came to Eochester and started a planing-
mill. Mr. Buttles was married in 1852, to Miss Mary A. Herrick,
a native of Saratoga county. New York. The names of their chil-
dren are as follows : Emma, wife of C. S. Wedge, of Eochester,
Minnesota; Helonease, Sue and Douglas. They are members of
the Universalist church.
Eleazar Damon, jewelry merchant, was born in Hampshire
county, Massachusetts, February 3, 1830. His ancestry were Amer-
58
970 HISTOEY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
ican born, so far as can be traced. His grandfather on the mother's
side was a soldier in the war of 1812. Our subject received a com-
mon scliool and academical education, after which he turned his
attention to the jewelry business. He came to Rochester in 1856
and erected a small store out of lumber made of logs he had cut, and
opened business in a small way. The date and circumstances con-
nected with his location in Rochester entitle his name to a place
among those of her pioneer business men. Since that time his success
has been steady and permanent. Mr. Damon was married August 2,
1854, to Miss Caroline M. Warner, also a native of Massachusetts.
Emma E. (deceased) and Hattie M. are the names of their children.
Mr. Damon is a member of the Congregational church, and is
also president of the board of trade.
James N. Coe, real estate dealer, was born in the town of Nor-
way, Herkimer county, New York, April 3, 1822. In 1847 he went
to Ohio and was engaged in the mercantile business in Orange ville,
Trumbull county, until 1856, when he closed out his business and
came west on a prospecting tour. Being favorably impressed with
the great natural resources of Minnesota, he selected Rochester as a
stopping place and here engaged in the real-estate business. In 1861
he returned to Herkimer county and took charge of the financial
affairs of his deceased father, and did not return to Rochester until
1866. In 1876 he was elected chairman of the county commission-
ers, and still acts in that capacity. Mr. Coe is a man of financial
shrewdness and good executive ability, and has been very successful
in his dealings and speculations. It is also due him to say that
he is highly respected by a large circle of friends.
John E. Crane, saddler, Rochester, was the sixth child of John
and Susan B. (Poland) Crane, and was born July 25, 1821, at Greens-
boro, Vermont. He attended the Craftsburg academy and worked
upon the farm of his father until he was twenty-one years old, when
he worked for two years in the lumber business at Winchendon,
Massachusetts. In June, 1843, he opened a harness-shop at Three
Rivers, and was married November 17, 1844, to Miss Adeline V.
Walker, by whom he has had three children, one alone living at the
present writing. In 1856, in company with eight others, he came to
this city, there being but three or four houses here at that time.
Where the city now stands he hunted prairie-chickens, killing six at
one shot ; it being in November, they were bunched and fiew to-
gether. William D. Lowrie kindly offered him a lot and took him
BIOGRAPHICAL, 97l
to near where the postoffice now stands and olfered to give him a
deed if he would erect a harness-shop. Being favorably impressed
with Olmsted county he returned to Massachusetts, intending to sell
his real estate and return, but it was not until 1870 that he stepped
from the cars to take up his residence in the county. In 1860 he
was elected assessor of the town of Palmer and held that position for
three years, when he was made selectman and served a number of
years. Afterward he acted as deputy-sherilf of Hampden county.
Since coming to Minnesota he has engaged in the harness and saddle
business. He is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church,
filling the office of trustee. He is also a member of the Masonic
and Odd-fellows fraternities. When a young man he joined the first
artillery company organized in the state and was elected sergeant..
The gun was a brass piece captured from the British at the battle of
Plattsburgh, in 1812, and shot a ten-pound ball.
William: C. Kent, of Kochester. retired farmer, was born in
the town of Montrose, Scotland, in 1810. He came to America in
1827, locating in Troy, New York. At the end of one year he
returned to Scotland, remaining five years, after which he again
came to America and located in Connecticut with his father, who
died there in 1847. In 1856 he came to Minnesota and located in
Rochester township, and was the first justice elected in the precinct.
He was married in 1830 ; his first wife died in 1866, and he was
again married in 1868, to Mrs. Margaret Moffat, also a native of
Scotland. Margaret, Isabella, John, Mary A. and Willie are the
names of their living children. His son John, being in New York
State at the outbreak of the rebellion, enlisted in the IstN. Y. Cav.,
serving three years in the array.
Thomas Ireland, contractor, was born in Rensselaer county, New
York, in July, 1815. When quite young he commenced learning
bricklaying. He came to Rochester in 1856. He and his son Mor-
timer laid the first brick in the city. Our subject has had charge of
the mason-work on many of the large buildings in Rochester. Dur-
ing the summer of 1881 he worked in Minneapolis. He was mar-
ried November 14, 1837, to Miss Caroline E. Cross, a native of New
York. Mortimer H., Eveline E., Yerne S. and Charles F. are the
names of their children. Mortimer spent three years in the service
of his country. He enlisted August 17, 1862, in Co. H, 6th Minn.
Inf. Charles served four years in Co. K, 3d Minn. Inf., the date of
his enlistment being June, 1861.
972 HISTOEY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
CHA.RLES DuRAND was born in Loraine county, Ohio, in 1822.
In the spring of 1855 he emigrated with his family to Lee county,
Illinois, thence to Dane county, Wisconsin, in 1856, and in the fall
of the same year to Rochester. In 1862 he enlisted in the 1 st Minn.
Inf., and Spent fifteen months in the capacity of a musician. At
the end of that time he was made clerk of the commissary depart-
ment, where he served until the close of the war. He was married
in 1840, to Miss Julia A. Kellog, a native of New York. Marcia
(now the wife of A. D. Robinson, of Rochester), George and Florence
are the names of their children. The latter named daughter is the
wife of T. J. Dansingburg, of Clairmont. George is assistant post-
master at Rochester, having served in that capacity since 1879.
RozELL Freeman, farmer, was born in Herkimer county, New
York, in 1815. When fifteen years of age he was apprenticed to a
blacksmith at Booneville, Oneida county, where he served six years.
He then went to New Haven, Connecticut, and worked one year.
In 1855 he came west and located in Wisconsin. In 1856 he came
to Olmsted county, locating on section 16, Cascade township. The
log cabin which first sheltered his family still stands near his present
residence. He was married in 1843, to Miss Eliza Carpenter, who
died in 1845. He was again married in 1847, to Miss Lucinda Cook.
The names of his children in the order of their ages are as follows :
Samual D. (who was a member of the 6th Minn. reg. and who died
in the army) ; Sidney C. (deceased) ; Rozella (now the wife of D.
Peirce, of Spring Yalley) and Hibbard A.
Levi B. Joslyn, farmer, was born in BuiFalo, New York, April
13, 1832. His father was a grocer in that city. In 1855 the family
emigrated to Illinois. Here our subject was for one year in the
employ of the Illinois Central railroad. In 1856 he came to Olmsted
county, locating on section 1, Cascade township. He is the present
chairman of the board of supervisors of his township. He was
married in 1861, to Miss Mary Walker, who died in 1870. He was
again married in 1871, to Miss Mary Clark, a native of Pennsylva-
nia. Frank S., Charles A., Emma G., George P. and Fred are the
names of their children, the three former being by the first wife.
Mr. Joslyn is a prominent member of the I.O.O.F. at Oronoco. He
is a prosperous farmer and a model citizen.
Rev. William C. Rice, editor of Rochester "Post," was born in
the town of Frankfort, Will county, Illinois, August 3, 1840. In
1856 his father's family came to Olmsted county. Until 1860 our
BIOGRAPHICAL. 973
subject was engaged in teaching and farming alternately. In that
year he entered Hamlin University, from which institution he grad-
uated in 1864. He then joined the Minnesota Methodist Episcopal
conference and entered upon his ministerial duties. Since that time
he has been stationed at St. Charles, Plainview, Wabasha, Roches-
ter and Red Wing. He acted one term in the capacity of presiding
elder of the Rochester district. In the summer of 1881 he aban-
doned his ministerial labors on account of poor health, and in May,
1883, took charge of the editorial department of the Rochester
"Post." Being a man of tine ability and having been long identi-
fied with the state, we predict for him a brilliant success in his
editorial career. Much of his time and attention has been devoted
to agricultural interests, and he is now secretary of the Minnesota
Butter and Cheese Association. He has also been a trustee of the
Hamlin University for fifteen years. He was married in 1863, to
Miss Emma Ebberman, a native of Illinois. The names of the
children blessing the union are Helen, Edna, Flora and Albert.
Norton C. Younglove, grocer, was born in Steuben county, New
York, April 27, 1834. He received his education at Prattsburg
academy. When nineteen years of age he came west and located in
Davenport, Iowa, where he clerked two years in a drygoods store.
In 1856 he came to Rochester and was for a number of years in the
employ of John R. Cook. In 1863 he embarked in the grocery
business, in which he has since been engaged. He was married in
1859, to Miss Sarah E. Mapes, daugliter of E. Mapes, who was at
that time register of deeds. Edward A., Albert N. and Fred P. are
the names of their children. He and Mrs. Younglove are members
of the Baptist church.
Patrick Norton, hotelkeeper, was born in Dublin, Ireland, in
1835. When sixteen years of age he came to America and located in
Salem, Massachusetts, remaining six months ; thence to Madison,
Wisconsin, where he remained two years. In 1856 he came to
Rochester and was employed as clerk in the "York State House."
In 1859 he began learning the blacksmith trade, which he followed
twelve years. In 1871 he erected the hotel now known as the Nor-
ton House, which he has since conducted. He was married in 1864,
to Miss Ellen Woods, a native of Canada. John, Mary, Josie and
Frank are their children's names.
Henry R. Hymes, implement dealer, Rochester, was born in
Napierville, Du Page county, Illinois, September 27, 1848. In 1856
974 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
the family came to Minnesota, locating on a farm six miles east of
Rochester. In 1870 our subject came to Rochester and engaged in
the agricultural implement business, and being a live, energetic busi-
ness man, success has attended him. Mr. Hymes was married in
1871, to Miss Bell M. Blethen, a native of Maine. Both attend the
Congregational church.
Joseph H. Wagoner, organ and piano dealer, was born in Brad-
ford county, Pennsylvania, in 1844. . When he was twelve years of
age his father's family came to Olmsted county, pre-empting land in
what is now Haverhill township. Our subject received his educa-
tion in Rochester, and later engaged in the pump and well-drilling
business. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. I, 5th Minn. Inf., serving
nine months, when he was discharged on account of disabilities. In
1868 he commenced dealing in organ^ pianos and sewing machines.
He was married in the same year to Miss Emma G. Aldrich, a na-
tive of Wisconsin. Myra, Carrol and Roy are the names of their
children. Mr. Wagoner is a member of the I.O.O.F.
George F. Seilor, farmer, was born in Prussia, December ^,
1823. He came to America in 1847, locating first in New York,
In the spring of 1856 he came to Minnesota and located on section 9,
Cascade township. He was married in 1849, to Miss Clara Hines, a
native of Germany, who died in 1874. He is a member of the Ger-
man Methodist church at Rochester.
Charles H. Crane, farmer, Cascade, is the fifth son of John and
Susan B. Crane, and was born in Greensboro, Vermont, August 31,
1825. Subsequently his father's family removed to Lamoille county
and located on a farm ; his father also purchased a sawmill which he
conducted in connection with his farm. Our subject was reared a
farmer and follows the profession still. He was married Murch 28,
1847, to Miss Cynthia Thayer, a native of Hampden county. He
came west in 1855, Iowa being his objective point, but after travel-
ing through that state and Minnesota he decided to cast his lot in
the latter. He located on section 7, in what is now known as Haver-
hill township.
Halvor Halvorsen Stensrnd, born January 5, 1827, in Hallin-
gedal, Norway, emigrated to the United States in the summer of
1853 and settled in the State of Illinois, from whence he moved to
Rock Dell in April, 1855. When he came here there were but four-
teen settlers in the town.
David S. Larsen was one of the earliest settlers of the town,
BIOGRAPHICAL. 975
emigrating here from Wisconsin in the year 1856. He was b*M-n
August 4, 1830, in Voss, Norway, and came to the United States in
1854.
Amund Nielsen Giere was born in Marcli, 1828, on the farm
Giere, Hallingedal, Norway, and emigrated to this country in 1846,
when he settled in Dane count}'-, Wisconsin. He came to Rock Dell
in 1856 and settled on section 15, where he still resides. Mr. Giere
was one of the first settlers, but during the year a large number of
new settlers came on. He was a member of the board of supervi-
sors for two terms and is treasurer of school district No. 43, which he
has been ever since the organization of the same, with the exception
of tlie tirst two years, being mainly through his efforts that the said
district was organized.
Niels Nielsen Giere, ten years older, a brother of the above,
came to the United States in 1845 and to Rock Dell in the month of
May, 1854, being the first settler in this town. He was familiarly
known as Niels Nielsen Giere, "the blacksmith."' He was accom-
panied by Tollef Olson Guldberg, and built the first log shanty in
the town, locating on the southwestern corner of section 11. They
bought the land of tlie United States government and paid $2 an
acre for the same. Mr. Giere died in the year 1875.
James Fitzpatrick, proptietor of Pierce House, Rochester, was
born in County Tipperary, Ireland, in 1835 ; came to America in
1853, and to Winona in 1856, and in 1859 came to Olmsted county,
locating in High Forest township, where he carried on a farm until
1872, wlien he removed to Rochester. In 1879 he opened the
Peirce House, and since that time has been engaged in hotel keep-
ing. He was married in 1858, to Miss Charlotte Omelue, who died
in 1878.* He was again married in 1880, to Miss Mary A. Condron.
John, Mary, James and Frank are his children's names.
Mathew Fugle (deceased) was born in Baden, Germany, Sep-
tember 5, 1818. In 1839 he came to America, locating in New
York State, thence to Illinois in 1845. He emigrated to Minne-
sota in 1856, locating in High Forest township. In 1871 he came to
Pleasant Grove, and in that year erected the mill about a mile and
a half northwest of the village. He was married in 1842, to Miss
Cliristina Smith. Mary (deceased), Christina, Mathew (deceased),
John, Kate (deceased), Joseph, Maggie, Eustean, Frederic. Lewis
and Elizabetli are their children's names.
Oliver Potter, retired farmer, is a son of William E. Potter,
976 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
who emigrated from Connecticut to Erie county, Pennsylvania, set-
tling in the town of Springfield when that region was a wilderness
and taking an active part in the development of what is now a fruit-
ful and handsome section. He married Electa Smith, a native of
Pennsylvania, and remained on his Springfield farm till his death,
rearing several sons, who in their turn became pioneers, being
among the foremost and persevering toilers in that garden spot of
Minnesota and Olmsted county, Eyota township. Two of them are
elsewhere referred to in this work, which is embellished by a por-
trait of the elder. The subject of this sketch was born in Springfield,
April 9, 1836. His early life did not materiallj^ diifer from that of
all farmers' sons in a new, timbered region. The educational advan-
tages of that time and locality were very meager, and young Potter's
time was mostly spent in the labors of the farm ; he, however, con-
trived to secure an ordinary business education and became an active
and useful member of the community wherein his lot has been cast.
In the spring of 1855 he paid a visit to friends in Outagamie county,
Wisconsin, and pushed on thence to the wilds of Minnesota.
During the summer he took up 160 acres of land on section 32,
Eyota, on which he made some improvements, and returned to
Wisconsin, In the following fall he took up his residence on his
claim, where he resided twenty-four years, and which he still owns.
By subsequent purchase he acquired 160 acres more near the origi-
nal farm, and this he also retains ; no finer farms than these are to
be found in Minnesota. In the fall of 1879 Mr. Potter purchased
his present residence on South St. Charles street, in the city of St.
Charles, and at once removed there. He was married in March,
1858, to Sophia, daughter of Ira Glazier and Maria Lee, all bom in
Erie, Pennsylvania, Mrs. Potter on August 28, 1839. Mr. Potter
always took an active interest in the welfare of schools, and was
always a member of the school board during his residence in Eyota.
His children have had the benefit of the best schools in the com-
munity, and have improved their advantages. Their names are
Cora A. and Addie E., born June 2, 1861, and July 1, 1865, respec-
tively. Mr. Potter has had entire charge of the streets and their
improvement in St. Charles the past two years, and has made a
valuable officer, directing the work with judgment and skill. Al-
though not a member of any church, he is a supporter of religion
and a consistent observer of the golden rule. In politics he has
BIOORAPiriCAL. 977
alwaj'S been found on the side of the republican party, because he
believed it embodied true national principles.
The subject of our sketch, John R. Cook (deceased) was one of
the oldest and best known of the residents of the county. Coming
to the city of Rochester at an early day (1856), and actively enga-
ging in business that brought him into close relations with very many
of our citizens, the history of his life and character is well known
throughout the county. A man of the strictest integrity, perfectly
upright and honorable in all his business relations, he possessed the
confidence of the community, and held a large place in their esteem.
Mr. Cook was born at Clear Creek, Richland (now Ashland) county,
Ohio, May 31, 1825. When twenty-four years of age he removed
to the small town of Wolf Lake, Indiana, where he commenced
business for himself by opening a store. By rigid economy and
close attention to business he accumulated the surplus which became
the nucleus of his ample fortune. With characteristic foresight
he made some fortunate investments in farming lands at a time
when others lost faith in their value. These lands were afterward
converted into "Fort Wayne" railroad stock, which afterward
appreciated quite largely in his hands. In 1856 he removed to
Rochester and embarked in the dry goods, grocery and hardware
business, and for several years was one of the leading business men
as a merchant in southern Minnesota. In 1864, having sold out his
mercantile interest, he became the prime mover in the organization
of the First National Bank, of which he was the principal owner.
From 1864 until his death ho held the presidency of the bank,
which from its commencement has had a very prosperous and suc-
cessful business. In 1869 he erected the large hotel known as the
Cook House, which cost about eighty thousand dollars. Mr. Cook
was married in 1858, to Miss Frances 01m, a native of Onondaga
county, New York. John R., Frances May, and June are the
names of their children. September 9, 1880, after several years of
feeble health, his busy life came to a close, and a large circle of
friends was called upon to mourn the death of one whose life
had been characterized by his strict honor and integrity, and who
has left as a legacy not only a large worldly estate, but that which is
far better and more worthy of emulation, a noble example and
a spotless name,
Herbert Gr. McCaleb is one of the most prominent and popular
men of Marion township. He was born in Henry county, Indiana,
978 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
in September, 1831. When he was but one year old his father's
family removed to Putnam county, Illinois. His father was origi-
nally from Rockbridge county, Virginia, and his mother was a
native of Mason county, Kentucky. His father died in Putnam
county in 1839. In April, 1850, they removed to La Salle county.
In 1856 the subject of this sketch came to Olmsted county, locating
on section 4, Pleasant Grove. In 1861: he removed to Marion,
which has since been their home. He was married in 1856, to Miss
Margery A. Hoover. Seth E,, Ida A., Maria J., Persis L., Aurilla
I., Kate E., Lulla J. and Cora E. are the names of their children.
The family are members of the Christian church.
John W, Fulkerson, one of the most highly respected men
of his community, was born in Virginia, January 16, 1822. He
was reared a farmer, but had the advantages of a common school
education early in life and later. He went through the academy at
Pine creek. When nineteen years of age he began preaching the
gospel, for the first four years having charge of a congregation
at Franklin, Virginia. He afterward preached in difiereut parts
of Maryland and Virginia alternately about twelve years. In
1855 he came west to Muscatine, Iowa, where he stopped nine
months. In the fall of 1856 he came with his family to Olm-
sted county, locating in the village of Marion, having been sent as a
missionary by the missionary board. For ten years his labors
extended over a great part of southern Minnesota. He passed
through New Ulm a few days previous to the Indian outbreak. In
1866 he located on a farm east of the village. In 1873 he was
elected judge of probate, which position he held two terms. He
was married January 1, 1848, to Delilah S. Snooks. Emma V.,
John J., Mary E., Luther G., Lillian A., Belle G. and George
E. are the names of the children that have been born to them.
John H. Fawcett, merchant, was bprn in Henry county, Indiana,
September 6, 1840. He received his education at the New Castle
academy. He came to Minnesota in the fall of 1856, locating in
Olmsted county, where for ten years he was engaged in farming.
In 1866 he located in the village of Marion, where he has since car-
ried on merchandising, and has done a prosperous business. He/s
also postmaster, having held the office seventeen years. Was mar-
ried in 1867, to Miss Emily J. Wooldridge, a native of Clearfield
county, Pennsylvania. Charles E., Arthur and Mertie are the
names of the children born to them. The family are members of
BIOGEAPHICAL. 979
the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Fawcett is a member of the
A. F. and A. M. at Pleasant Grove, and also of the chapter and
commandery at Rochester.
Mathew Strachan was born in 1801, in Paisley, Scotland.
He married, June 19, 1837, Euphemia Smith, of same place, born
about 1808. This marriage was blessed with three children :
Janetta, born June 28, 1838, died in 1840 ; James, February 26,
1840; Robert M., October 10, 1844. In 1840 our subject emigrated
to New York, where he weaved in cotton and other mills. In 1850
he moved to Canada, and for a short time both farmed and worked
at his trade as a weaver. In 1856 he moved with his family to the
town of Elmira, Olmsted county, Minnesota, where he bought 160
acres of good farm land in sections 1, 2, 11 and 12, township 105,
range 11. In 1866 he built a large frame house in which he resided
till his demise in 1879. Mrs. Euphemia (Smith) Strachan died in
1881, leaving only James and Robert to mourn their loss. James
is living in Wilkin county, and Robert is working the homestead
farm. Robert attended the public school while in Canada and sub-
sequently in Elmira. In 1865 he enlisted in the army, serving nine
months, since which time he has resided on the homestead farm.
He is a liberal in religion, and belongs to no party in politics, vot-
ing always for the best man.
Samual B. Evans, farmer, of Quincy, was born in Willoughby,
Lake county, Ohio, in October, 1829. When he was six years of
age the family went to Elkhart, Indiana. His father, Hervey E.
Evans, was a blacksmith by trade. In 1854 our subject went to
central Michigan and from thence to Olmsted county in 1856,
locating on the northwest quarter of section 6, in Quincy township.
His brother came the following spring, locating on the southwest
quarter of the same section. He died from a disease contracted
while in the service of his country, being a member of Co. H, 2d
Minnesota regiment. Our subject was married in 1854, to Miss
Frances S. Foster, also a native of Lake county, Ohio. The names
of their children are as follows : Edgar (now near Brookings, D.
T.), Wealthie (wife of George Hallenbeck, of Quincy), Homer and
Earl. Our subject has always taken a prominent part in public
aifairs and has discharged his duties faithfully and well. He was
for eight years chairman of the board of supervisors of Quincy
township. He is one of Olmsted county's model farmers, also, as
his dwelling and surroundings indicate.
980 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Nicholas W. Murphy, farmer, of Quincy, was born in Nelson
county, Kentucky, April 9, 1818. When he was fifteen years of
age the family removed to Lincoln county, Missouri, and from thence
to Wisconsin in 1843, where our subject worked at his trade (car-
pentering) until May, 1856, when he came to Olmsted county,
locating on the northeast quarter of section 6, Quincy township.
He was married in 1845, to Miss Maria Ferrel. A large family of
children have been born to them, whose names are as follows :
Charles E., Catharine C, Frances L., Mary, Clarence C, Estella,
Minnie G., William N., Jessie, Ella, Effie and Josie. Mr. Murphy
is a member of the A. F. and A. M. at Plainview, and also of the
Methodist Episcopal church.
Me. C. H. Bierbaum was born at Wissingen, Hanover, Ger-
many, August 12, 1830. Immigrated with his parents, John Henry
and Katharina E. (Duvendack) Bierbaum, to Clayton county, Iowa,
in 1847. While a young man he worked out and saved his earnings
until he was able to form the partnership previously alluded to.
April, 1856, he filed a pre-emption right on land he now owns, on
section 35 in Yiola, and erected a good log house in which he lived
about ten years. June 12, 1857, he married Katharina M. Stickfort.
At present he has a two-story frame house 26x42 feet with kitchen
and wood-house 21 X 32 feet, one-story high, attached. He has one
substantial granary, one double corn crib of the most approved style
and a barn 40x60 feet, 16-foot posts with 8-foot basement of stone.
He has given a great deal of attention to the cultivation of hedges
and fruit trees. He owns nine forties of rich soil with a gently
undulating surface. He is the father of nine children : Maria
E., John C, Herman H., Anna K. E., Maria K., Christina E. W.,
Katharina S., Carolina L. and Emma A. Mr. Bierbaum has always
remembered the Sabbath day to keep it holy, is loved by his family,
respected by his neighbors, and withal he is a man to whom Viola
points with pride as her first settler and one of the first in Olmsted
county.
Rev. Caleb Sawyer was born in Swanzey, New Hampshire, in
October, 1806. He settled on section 8 in Yiola, in 1856. By pro-
fession he was a Baptist minister, but was not engaged much as a
preacher while in Minnesota. During the war he was looked upon
as the father of the town and was commonly called "Father Saw-
yer " or " Squire Sawyer.'' He was elected representative to the
and was the most prominent political
BIOGRAPHICAL. 981
man of the town until 1872, when poor liealth prevented further
participation in public affairs. He married Hannah Olcott, of Swan-
zey, New Hampshire, in 1829. He was a sufferer from asthma
nearly all his life, and died March 11, 1881. His devoted wife and
worthy sons, Caleb A. and M. L. Sawyer, survive him. The old
homestead remains in the family and together with large acquisitions
of land belonging to these sons and J. A. Sawyer, a nephew of
Rev. C. who was brought up by him, constitute what is known as
the Sawyer valley.
David F. Mack was born in East Haddam, Connecticut, March
23, 1827. During the early part of his life he traveled about the
United States a good deal, making one trip to California. He
settled in Viola on the southeast quarter of section 18, in 1856. His
integrity and devotion to what he believes to be right are prover-
bial. He married Libbie J.^ Coon January 6, 1861, and they have
seven children : George O., Alice J., Charles L., Eva E., Sylvia E.,
Kate P. and Nettie M.
John Morrow, Esq., son of John and Priscilla (Martin) Morrow,
was born in Serville, Perry county, Pennsylvania, September 6,
1820. While young he removed with his parents to Ohio, where he
married Sarah J. Hill, April 26, 1819. In the autumn of 1856 he
brought his family to Minnesota and ''filed" on the place he now
owns. When eighteen years of age he learned the house-carpenter's
trade and followed it until he came to Minnesota, since which time
he has been engaged in farming. His father was a weaver and
died in 1862 at the age of seventy-five years. At a territorial elec-
tion in the fall of 1857 he was elected justice of the peace and acted
as such for about thirteen years. He was assistant superintendent
of the first Sunday school organized in Viola ; has been supervisor,
and was elected assessor in 1882. He is the father of four children:
James B., Samantha H., Marcella J. and Robert J. R. James is
an industrious farmer and Marcella is the wife of P. J. McDonald,
one of Olmsted county's successful school teachers. The esteem in
which Esquire Morrow is held by his townsmen may be inferred
from their keeping him almost continually in important offices. In
politics he is not a strict party man, but votes for the most worthy
nominees regardless of party affiliations.
Erven H. Stuckman, farmer. John Stuckman, of German de-
scent, was born in Maryland and moved to Pennsylvania, where was
born to him a son, — father of this subject, — whom he christened Da-
982 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
vid. The latter, on reaching manhood, married Ann Walker, also a
native of Pennsylvania, and lived for a time at Connellsville, Fayette
county, in that state. Here Erven H. Stuokman was born February
12, 1824, When he was but six weeks old his parents removed to
Columbiana county, Ohio. This region was then covered with
heavy timber and a hard struggle on the part of David Stuckman to
subdue the wilderness began. After fourteen years of hardship and
toil he was called to his eternal rest. Upon Erven, the eldest child,
then fell a heavy responsibility in caring for his widowed mother
and her little ones. This he did not shirk, and he remained at
home till he was twenty-four years old. After spending two years
as a laborer in Indiana and Iowa he set out in July, 1853, for Cali-
fornia, where he remained nearly two years, and returned to Ohio.
He again set his face westward in the fall of 1855, and arrived in
Pleasant Grove, this county, in November. The next spring he
purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 23 in that
town, where he resided nine years. During the first winter of his
residence in Minnesota he bought land, but sold it in a short time.
After spending a year in Iowa he bought a farm in May, 1866, in
the village of Pleasant Grove, on which he lived eight years. In
1874 he bought his present home in Orion, where he has one hun-
dred and sixty acres of land on sections 4 and 5. He was married
July 4, 1860, to Sarah A. Koss. She was born in Charlotteville,
Canada, May 30, 1844 ; her father — Francis A. Koss — was born on
the Atlantic ocean, of Scotch parentage, and her mother — Susannah
Decou — was of Canadian birth. Mr. Stuckman has always been a
hard worker, and is still doing most of his farmwork alone. He
now has something to show for his industry, and is happily situated
on a fine farm property. He never took much part in public afiairs,
although he has served as town supervisor four years ; his political
allegiance has always been paid to the republican party. In reli-
gious faith he is somewhat independent, but sympathizes closely with
the Methodist Episcopal church, as does also Mrs. Stuckman. They
have five children, all living at home, born as follows : Elma S.,
September 8, 1861 ; Ira W., December 21, 1863 ; Lily M., January
25, 1865 ; Hervey E., October 18, 1868 ; Francis K, June 11, 1879.
Charles W. Cresap, implement dealer, was born in Coshocton
county, Ohio, in 1835. When quite young he learned the black-
smith trade with his father. He came to Olmsted county in 1856,
locating at Pleasant Grove, and in the spring of 1858 went to
BIOGRAPHICAL. 983
Marion, where he remained until 1866, when he came to Eyota.
In 1878 he was made enrolling clerk in the senate and served in that
capacity during the session of 1878-9. For many years he has
taken a prominent part in the political affairs of the county and
state. He was married in 1860, and again in 1870, the name of his
second wife being Miss Angelia L. Wood. Mark W. and Mabel L.
are the names of their children, aged respectively eight and ten
years.
William Eckles, of Eyota, farmer, was born in Yorkshire, Eng-
land, in 1822. He came to this country in 1850 and proceeded to
Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, where he remained until the year
1856, from whence he went direct to Eyota township and settled on
section 24 and entered a claim for 160 acres. On this claim Mr.
Eckles resides to the present day. In moving from Wisconsin to
Minnesota in 1856, the whole distance — 240 miles — was traveled
by wagon. The occupation of Mr. Eckles until the year 1850 was
shoemaking, at which time he turned his attention to farming, and
this latter occupation he has followed successfully ever since. The
first year Mr. Eckles was in this county he was compelled to go as
far as Decorah, Iowa, for provisions, that being the nearest place at
which they then could be obtained. Mr. Eckles has been one of the
town supervisors for seven years.
G. G. Buck is the son of Stickney and Maria Buck, and was born
in New Hampshire in 1841. He lived there until 1854, when he
removed to Dodge county, Wisconsin, with his parents, where he
lived until 1856, when the family, including our subject, moved to
Eyota, Minnesota. He received his early education in New Hamp-
shire. Farming has always been Mr. Buck's occupation ; in fact it
might be said that he was brought up to it from childhood's early
hour. In 1866 he was joined in matrimony to Adda Glidden, of
Eyota, and the union has been blessed with two children, namely, Win-
field and Delton. Mr. Buck holds the office of town clerk, to which
he was first elected in 1880. He was in the military service of the
United States for nine months during the late war, serving as a
musician. In 1865 Mr. Buck received his honorable discharge from
the service.
William Busian was born in Prussia in the year 1830 and came
to this country in 1852. In the year 1856 he settled in the town of
Eyota in this county and pre-empted the N.E. ^ of Sec. 28 where he
now lives and is engaged in farming. When Mr. Busian first came
984 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
to Eyota he pursued his trade of carpenter, in which he continued
until the year 1862, when he turned his attention to farming. At
the time he located in the township the nearest postoffice to his
homestead was Marion and the nearest market was Winona. In
1864 Mr. Busian was married to Emma Hurning, of High Forest.
The union has been blessed with two children, Zella and Paul. Mr.
Busian is at present treasurer of the town.
J. H. Bliss was born in Eutland county, Vermont, in the year
1824, and went west to Wisconsin in 1848, where he remained until
the year 1851, when he returned eastward to Xew York, and while
there was married to Addeline Denning, of New York. After his
marriage Mr. Bliss first settled in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin,
remaining there until the montli of March, 1856, when he removed
all his worldly effects into Minnesota by wagon with an ox team,
the distance being 240 miles. Arriving at his destination Mr. Bliss
located on the S.W. ^ of Sec. 25 of Eyota township. Mr. Bliss is
the proud father of three children, all of whom are daughters. He
has held the following political offices : assessor of the town for four
years, president of the council in the village of Eyota, and chairman
of the town in 1863. Mr. Bliss also collected the first taxes levied
in the town.
George Eckles, engineer, was born in Yorkshire, England. In
the fall of 1856 he landed in America and came west to Minnesota,
locating on section 24, Eyota township. For six years after coming
he worked on a farm at thirteen dollars per month. In 1878 he
commenced work for Van Dusen & Co. in the capacity of engineer
and grain inspector. He was married in 1862, to Miss Emma Glid-
den, a native of Steuben count}^, E'ew York. Ernest, oS'ettie and
Louis are the names of their children. Mr. Eckles was one of the
first Masons in the village, and was one of the charter members of
the Eyota lodge A.F and A.M.
John Pottek, deceased. Among those who made a beginning
in the new region known as Minnesota, but failed to enjoy the fruits
of their enterprise, was the subject of this brief and unworthy sketch.
Consumption's cruel fangs were closed upon him, and he did not
settle in our health-giving climate soon enough to escape its fatal
contact. John Potter was the son of William E. Potter, who emi-
grated from his native Connecticut to Pennsylvania, where he mar-
ried one of that state's fair daughters, — Miss Electa Smith, — and
settled in Springfield, Erie county, engaging in farming. Our sub-
BIOGRAPHICAL. 987
ject was born here August 9, 1830. He was reared on the farm,
receiving a common school training for liis intellect. On attaining
his majority, he went into the adjoining state of Ohio, where he took a
course in the art of writing under one of the Spencers, since so famous
for founding a system of penmanship. After perfecting himself in
the art, he engaged in teaching it to others. March 29, 1855,
he was married to Rumina, daughter of William and Rlioda
Ellis, who had emigrated to Pennsylvania from Franklin county,
Massachusetts. In the spring of the following year Mr. Potter came
to Eyota and pre-empted 160 acres of land on section 32, and brought
his wife here in the fall of the same year. The following winter he
conducted a series of writing schools. He very soon began to yield
to the insidious disease which was destroying his strength, and after
a confinement of over a year to the house, passed away January 14,
1859. One child, christened Gilbert Ellis, survives to inherit and
manage the homestead secured by this deceased pioneer. After her
husband's death Mrs. Potter returned with her infant boy- — who was
one year old on the day of his father's demise — to her childhood's
home, and remained there twelve years. She was again married in
May, 1877, to Frances E. Owen, of Michigan, and resides in the
village of Eyota, with both husband and son ; the former pursuing
his calling of house-builder and the latter engaged in the hardware
an(] machinery trade. To the original homestead has been added
forty acres of timber in the town of Orion, and it is now one of the
finest and best tilled farms in Eyota.
Daniel K. Brannan, farmer, is the son of Thomas and Mar-
garet Brennan, and was born in Butler county, Ohio, in the
year 1840. His father departed this life the same year. In 1847
the widowed mother moved with her young boy into the State
of Indiana, where during the year 1849 she took to herself
another husband in the person of George Plank. The family
remained in Indiana until the year 1856, when they removed to
Eyota, Minnesota ; young Daniel, then sixteen years of age, accom-
panying them, and afterward residing with them for the space of
about three years, when he contracted matrimony with Catharine
Plank, of Eyota, who passed away from this earth in 1 873. In 1874
Mr. Brannan mai'ried Martha Walters, of Eyota. He has had seven
children in all — five by the first wife and two by the second. Mr.
Brannan is a member of the Lutheran church.
59
988 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
John M. Weagant, farmer, Quincy townsliip, was born in Canada
West, February 8, 1828. In 1856 he came to Olmsted county, locating
on the southeast quarter pf section 6, Quincy township. He was mar-
ried in April, 1861, to Miss Zilpha Cook, a native of Yermont. Their
children are named as follows: Galen K., Mary A., William H., .
Arthur C, Charles C, Harry H. and Andrew J. He is a member
of the Christian church. His father, John Weagant, was also born in
Canada, January 1, 1800. His son, William H., enlisted, in 1861, in
Co. H, 2d Minn. Inf., and was killed at Chickamauga.
KoLLiN A. Case, of Chatfield, real-estate agent, was born in
Berks, Yermont, in August, 1855. The family came to Minnesota
in 1856 and located on a farm in Orion township. In 1868 he
entered the law office of J. S. Sawyer, and in 1875 succeeded his
employer in business. Mr. Case was married in 1876, to Miss Jen-
nie Whitney, a native of Olmsted county. Lilian (deceased), Eva
and William are the children resulting from the union. In the fall
of 1882 he was the republican candidate for probate judge, but was
defeated by a small majority.
Ole Seeverts Sattre, farmer, was born in Norway in 1827, and
is the son of Seever M. Sattre. In 1841: he emigrated to America
with his parents, and in the spring of 1845 went with an ox-team
from Chicago to Dane county, Wisconsin, where for four years he
assisted his father on his farm. In 1850 he worked in the pineries,
and in 1854 purchased 200 acres of land in Dane county, Wisconsin,
for $1,300, and sold it in 1856 for $2,600. Then moved to Salem
and pre-empted a claim of 160 acres in section 30, which he still
owns. In 1868 he built a handsome frame dwelling-house beauti-
fully situated in the center of a young orchard and surrounded by a
windbreak of tall poplars. He has a splendid barn with stone
basement, 102 feet long and 36 feet wide, with a small wing on the
southeast end. This barn, if we except his brother Andrew's, is
the largest and best built in this part of the country. He has also
several small, well-built houses about the farm ; also a windmill.
His present farm now consists of 480 acres in sections 19 and 30,
Salem, and section 10, Canesteo, Dodge county. In 1854 he
married Miss Ingebor T. Gjesme, born in Norway, Christmas eve,
1831, daughter of Thorbjorn O. Gjesme, and by this marriage has
had ten children. Mr. O. S. Sattre has been many times elected
justice of the peace and supervisor. He is a republican in politics and
a Lutheran in religion. His father and mother, both born in Nor-
BIOGEAPHICAL. 989
way the same year, 1805, are living about 100 rods ndrtli of our
subject's dwelling.
Andrew Seevekts Sattre, farmer, brother to O. S. Sattre, of
the preceding sketch, was born in N'orway, in 1837. Emigrated to
America with his parents in 1844, landing in New York after a pas-
sage of ten weeks and three days, and spent two weeks on the
passage from New York to Chicago. The whole family was taken
sick between Buffalo and Chicago, and his mother was so ill on arri-
val at Chicago that she had to be carried from the boat to the hotel,
where two of his sisters died. After eight months' sojourn in Chi-
cago, Andrew with his parents went to Dane county, Wisconsin, at
which time settlers were very scarce, and deer and Indians very
plentiful. In 1856 Andrew again moved west with his parents to
Salem, where he has since resided. His father (S. M. Sattre) pre-
empted 160 acres in section 29, where he now resides, and subse-
quently bought 160 acres of timber land adjoining. Our subject
lived with his parents till 1862, when he married Miss Mathea
Johnson Engen, born in Norway in 1839, daughter of Ole Johnson
Engen, and the same year bought 160 acres in Dodge county, which
he sold and purchased 160 acres in Salem, in section 18, from Judge
Waterman, of Winona, on which land the folk)wing year, 1863, he
built a handsome frame house, in which he has since resided. He
also built the largest barn in this part of the county, being 102 feet
long by 48 feet wide and 20 feet high, above a fine stone basement.
He has also good outbuildings, windmill, etc. Our subject by his
own labor and ability has accumulated property to the amount of
740 acres of as fine farming land as can be found in the world. He
has also some property in the village of Byron. In politics he is a
republican. He has been elected supervisor, and is at present (1883)
a justice of the peace and county commissioner. He is a member
of the Lutheran church. His children are Julia, born in 1863,
Sophia in 1870, and Otelie in 1879.
James A. Ellison, farmer, was born in Indiana, December 15,
1833, and is the son of Joseph and Prudence (Busby) Ellison.
His father having died during his (James') infancy, he assisted his
mother on the farm till 1855, when he moved to Minnesota, and in
1856 bought 160 acres of land in sections 2 and 3 of the town
of Salem. In 1857 he built a large frame house and in the following
year married Miss Helen A. Williams, daughter of Jeremiah and
Sally Williams. He has been blessed with four children : Clara
990 HISTOEY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
D., born in 1861 ; Bertha D., 1864; George W., 1866 ; Francis W.,
1868. Mr. Ellison, when only five years of age, was one day play-
ing with a powder-flask near the open fireplace. The flask exploded
and caused such serious injury to his hand and arm as to necessitate
its amputation just below the elbow. Our subject is a republican
and has held the town ofiices of supervisor, justice and constable,
and has been county sheriff" for six years from 1871 till 1877, during
which time he resided at Kochester.
Alonzo W. Hill, M.D., Pleasant Grove, was born near Logans-
port, Indiana, December 7, 1851. When he was five years of age
the family came to Minnesota, locating in Dodge county, and sub-
sequently to Olmsted county, where our subject received his early
education. In March, 1876, he graduated from the Ann Arbor
Medical College and began practicing in Winona county. He came
to Pleasant Grove in 1878. He was married in the same year to
Miss Mattie D. Cox. Mabel I. is the name of their only child.
James Kelly, blacksmith, Stewartville, was born in Allegheny
county, New York, in 1852. He came west with his father's family
in 1856. His father, Patrick Kelly, was one of the pioneers of the
county, and located on section 25, High Forest township. Our subject
farmed until twenty-one years of age, and then began blacksmithing
at Rochester. He afterward came to Stewartville, and in 1880
began business for himself. He was married in 1879, to Miss
Bridget Griflin.
William Kelly, farmer. High Forest, was born in Oswego, July,
1837. His father's and mother's names were Jeremiah and Bridget
respectively, and both were natives of Ireland. Our subject began
"railroading " when but twelve years of age, and was in the employ
of the Erie Railroad Company until 1856, when he and his brother
Patrick came to Minnesota, locating on section 25, High Forest
township. He was married in 1867, to Miss Margaret Lawler, a
native of Ireland. William, Bridget C, George, James F., Jere-
miah T. and Patrick J. are their children's names. The family are
members of the Roman Catholic church.
George Atkinson, deceased. The subject of this biography was
a son of John and Nancy Atkinson, and was born in Yorkshire,
England, September 22, 1822. At twenty-one years of age he
emigrated to New Brunswick, settling at St. Johns, where he was
married, September 6, 18M, to Mary, daughter of William and
Mary Smith, natives of that province, of English descent. In
BIOGRAPHICAL. 991
October, 1848, Mr. Atkinson became a resident of the United
States. He lived eight years at Lockport, Illinois, and removed
thence in April, 1856, to Oronoco, where he secured from the
government one-fourth of section 13. The adjoining eighty acres
on section 14 have since been added to the farm, so that his family
is well provided for. George Atkinson enlisted in the defense of
his adopted country, August 21, 1862, in Co. F, 9th M. Y. I. The
first serious engagement in which his regiment engaged was that of
Ountown, and although Mr. Atkinson was sick at the time, he
insisted on taking his part in the battle. The result was that he
was captured and incarcerated in Andersonville prison, where he
died from the efiects of the privations inflicted in that horrible den
August 16, 1864. Seven children were left, besides his widow, still
living, to mourn his untimely death, one son having preceded him
to the other shore. Here is the family record : William, born
November 30, 1849, died October 19, 1849; John, born August 12,
1848 (who is now living in Dunn county, Wisconsin, where he
married Belle Schofiekl, April 8, 1871); Eobert, born May 26, 1849
(who married Hannah E. Schofleld, sister of the above, November
7, 1873, and lives at Lake City); Edwin, born June 7, 1851 (who
now operates the homestead farm); Sarah J., born April 30, 1853
(who was drowned in the Zumbro river, at Webster's Ford, April 8,
1869); Mary, born March 18, 1856 (who resides with her husband,
Jasper Haines, to whom she was wedded January 12, 1880, at
Big Stone, Minnesota); Charles T., born April 10, 1858, and Albert
S., born December 14, 1860. Both the latter are at home. Mr.
Atkinson was an adherent of republican principles, as are all his
sons. Both himself and wife were members of the Methodist Epis-
copal church, and Mrs. Atkinson is now known to her neighbors
by the kindly appellation of ' ' Aunt Mary. "
Simeon R. Tebwilliger, capitalist, was born in Albany county,
New York, on the old " Yan Rensselaer Manor," on April 14,
1835. His father, Richard Terwilliger, was a descendant of the
early Dutch settlers of that region, and lived to the age of eighty-
seven years. His mother's maiden name was Hannah Wagner, of
German descent, and now living. They removed when young
Simeon was eight years old to Cayuga county, in the same state,
and he received his education in the common schools there.. In
April, 1856, having reached his majority, young Terwilliger started
out to make himself a home in Kansas. Stopping to visit with
992 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
friends a few days at Belvidere, Illinois, he there met a party just
returning from Minnesota, and heard such glowing accounts of the
territory that he resolved to journey thither, and arrived at Oronoco
in May, with about $100 in cash. Here he engaged in various
laborious occupations, working on the mill and dam then in course
of construction. In May, 1858, he engaged with T. C. Clay, as
clerk in a store, and subsequently served Evans & Co., in the same
capacity for two years. He was industrious and frugal, and loaned
his earnings at interest, so that in 1860 he began to do a general
real-estate, conveyancing and loan business, which he has ever since
followed, and is considered the wealthiest citizen in the township.
He was united in marriage October 24, 1862, to Calista A., daughter
of Kev. Silas A. and Abigail Wing, of Marion, this county, natives
of New York. They have one child, Lillian H. M., born July 27,
1863, and residing with her parents. Mr. Tel-williger is a member
of Oronoco lodge No. 52, I.O.O.F. In politics he is a republican.
He was assessor in 1861-2 and in 1867, and chairman of the town
board in 1872-3-4-5 and 1867, and in 1881-2. He now owns three
hundred acres of land in this vicinity, and is possessed of a hand-
some competency.
John McMaster, carpenter, is a native of Westmoreland county,
Pennsylvania, and dates his entrance into the world July 24, 1828.
He is a son of Wm. McMaster, a native of the same county, and
Margery Cunningham, of Fayette county, in the same state. After
reaching majority he took up his trade, and removed to Iowa in
1853, pursuing his calling at different points in that state. He
arrived in Oronoco May 28, 1856, and constructed several buildings,
owning an interest in some of them, notably a plow shop and the
building subsequently turned over to the school-district for its use.
He was married October 11, 1857, to Miss Lawrence, daughter of
Andrew and. Mary Lees-Holliston, natives of Scotland. Six children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. McMaster, as follows : Hector G., born
July 16, 1858, married December 21, 1882, to Effie, daughter of M.
C. Van Horn, and who resides in Kochester, this county ; Alethea,
born April 27, 1861 (now teaching school) ; Mary Lees, born
February 20, 1863 (also teaching) ; Margery, born May 12, 1869,
died August 27, 1872 ; Andrew H., born October 9, 1870, died
April 20, 1873 ; Eve, born April 7, 1874. Mr. McMaster is a
member of Kochester lodge A. F. and A. M. In politics he is a
straight democrat. He was elected the first clerk of the township
BIOGRAPHICAL. 993
on its organization in 1858 ; was chairman of town supervisors in
1864 and 1868, and served as justice of tlie peace in 1865. He
owns a house and ten acres of land within the village, and is
reckoned among the leading citizens,
Richard Waterman, farmer, son of Samuel and Annie (Morton)
Waterman, went from Massachusetts, their native state, to Chemung
county, New York, where the subject of this sketch was born,
August 20, 1821. When Richard was twelve years old his parents
proceeded westward, settling in Huron county, Ohio. Here he
received a common school education, assisting his father on the
farm. On August 27, 1841, Richard Waterman and Betsey M.
Ingraham were united in marriage. Mrs. Waterman's parents,
John and Susan Ingraham, were natives of Connecticut and New
York. In 1854 Mr. Waterman emigrated westward, remaining two
years in Lenawee county, Michigan, and arrived in Olmsted county
in the spring of 1856, where lie bought 80 acres of land on section
21 in this township, on which he now lives. Two years later he
removed to Roscoe, Goodhue county, and remained there eight
years, at the end of which time he returned to his present locatiop.
October 11, 1861, he enlisted in Co. D, 4th reg. M.V.I., and served
three years in the army of the Tennessee ; was at luka, Corinth,
siege and capture of Vicksburg, Mission Ridge and Altoona, besides
participating in numerous smaller engagements ; and what is
remarkable in connection with the severe service which Mr. Water-
man endured, he was never in hospital or ambulance. In politics
he was always a democrat, but never sought for or accepted ofSce,
military or civil. He came to Minnesota without capital, and has
earned an independence by his prudence and industry. He is the
father of five children, to wit : Mary A., born June 22, 1843, who
became the wife of S. W. Rice, of Roscoe, in January, 1862, and
lives at Osakis, Minnesota ; Emily, born October 18, 1851, who
now resides in this township, and is the wife of William Fulton, to
whom she was united November 17, 1871 ; Celinda, born August
12, 1853, who is the wife of Albert Williamson, and was wedded
Christmas day, 1862, and still dwells in town ; Eliza, born October,
1855, who was wedded February 17 succeeding her twenty-second
birthday, to Charles Culver, of this town, and lives in Brookings
county, Dakota Territory ; Jenavie, born February 27, 1856, who is
living at Osakis, the wife of O. H, Campbell, having married him
July 3, 1877.
994 HISTOEY OF OLMSTED COOTfTY.
Daniel S. Hebbard, grocery merchant, Rochester, was born in
Chautauqua county, New York, April 30, 1831. He received his
early education in Kingsville, Ohio, and later took a course in
Bryant, Lusk and Stratton's business college at Cleveland. He
clerked for some years, and finally embarked in business in Lock-
port, Pennsylania ; on account of ill-health, however, he soon closed
out, and came west to Rock county, Wisconsin. In 1856 he came
to Olmsted county, taking a claim in the town of Salem. He
farmed until 1866, when he was made deputy auditor, and in
January, 1868, appointed auditor, the position being made vacant
by the resignation of A. Harkins. He was subsequently elected to
the same office three successive terms. In 1878, the probate judge-
ship being made vacant by the death of Mr. Richardson, he was
appointed to that position, which he held until the term expired. In
1880 he entered the employ of D. H. Moon as bookkeeper, and in
1881 purchased his interest in the business. He was married to
Miss Aurora McManus, who was also a native of Chautauqua county,
New York. Their children's names are as follows : Margaret E.
(deceased), Nellie M., Carrie K. and Arthur H. Mr. Hibbard is a
Mason, and both himself and family are members of the Presby-
terian church.
Barney McGinley, farmer, was born in Donegal, Ireland, about
1825 ; was married there to Julia Dougherty. He emigrated to
America in 1852, and spent three years in Philadelphia. Thence
he moved westward and landed in New Haven, June 3, 1855. He
immediately went to work for Samuel Brink on the millrace at
New Haven village. Was employed as laborer and farmer until
1868, when he bought 80 acres of land on section 8, where he has
since resided, living the quiet life of an humble tiller of the soil.
Himself and family are all members of the Pine Island Roman
Catholic church, and he and his son always vote the straight demo-
cratic ticket. Three children are numbered in his family : Susan,
who married Charles Keeler and lives in Big Stone county, Minne-
sota ; Sarah, lives with parents ; John, also resides here.
Charles R. Button, farmer, is a son of one of the pioneers of
New Haven, namely, James Button, whose biography will be found
in the Rochester department of this work. Our subject was born in
the town of Nunda, McHenry county, Illinois, November 25, 1848.
When he was in his seventh year his father removed to this town-
ship and settled on the land now tilled by his son, on section 14.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 995
The elder Button acquired a large tract of land in the vicinity, with
a sawmill, and the son assisted in managing the mill and in clearing
and working the land. His education was received at the district
schools at New Haven, Genoa and Center Grove. On the day that
he was twenty-four years old he was united in marriage to Miss Ida
Ottman, whose parents, John M. and Alvira Ottman, were of New
York birth. Mr. and Mrs. Button settled on the old homestead,
the father having removed to Rochester, aud have there lived ever
since the quiet life of pioneer farmers. Their family includes four
children, who came to them as follows : Grace M., July 5, 1875 ;
Maud, December 19, 1877 ; Mina, August 16, 1879 ; William, May
13, 1882.
Almeron O. Cowles, carpenter and farmer, is descended from
English ancestors. Rev. R. J., son of John Cowles, was born at
Belchertown, Massachusetts, July 10, 1796 ; he united with the
Cumberland Presbyterians at fifteen years of age ; taught school ;
was married October 17, 1816, to Sibyl, daughter of Joseph Wright,
the founder of Wrightsville,* Pennsylvania ; he united with the
Freewill Baptist church January 19, 1841, and labored as a min-
ister for that body in New York and Pennsylvania till his death,
which occurred March 29, 1874. A. O. Cowles, son of R. J., was
born at Sugar Grove, Warren county, Pennsylvania, July 10, 1832.
He attended the district schools till fifteen years old, when he was
apprenticed to a carpenter. At seventeen he was discharged by his
employer for some slight misdemeanor, and engaged at his trade on
his own account ; has ever since been employed in building operations
till within a few years. On January 26, 1854, he wedded Miss
Thankful E. Foster, whose parents, David and Electa (Brown) Foster,
were, like herself, born at Farmington, Pennsylvania. Mr. Cowles
removed to the west in 1856, arriving in New Haven in April ; he
bought the claim to 160 acres on the south side of section 31, which
is still his home ; also pre-empted another quarter adjoining it on
the north. In the fall of 1857 he went to Mantorville and resided
there six years, returning at the end of that time to his farm.
Having more land than he could manage while giving attention to
his trade, he sold off a portion, and now has 112 acres, of which ten
acres lie in the town of Kalmar. Plum creek, one of the sources
of the Zumbro river, has its origin in a very large spring on his
farm. Mr. Cowles is a member of Mantorville lodge, No. 62,
A.O.U.W. ; has always been a republican ; served as town super-
996 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
visor in 1873, and as justice in 1881-2. He became a member of
the Baptist church at an earlj age, as did also his wife. The latter
died under an operation for ovarian tumor at Mercy Hospital,
Chicago, November 18, 1876, Besides a large circle of acquaintances,
who appreciated her noble, womanly qualities, four children are left
to mourn her loss, as follows: Julia A., born March 28, 1857,
married William Wheeler, September 17, 1878, lives at Sherman,
Dakota ; Charles J., January 1, 1862, lives near above; Gertie M.,
May 7, 1867 ; Bessie T., June 7, 1876. On February 21, 1878, Mr.
Cowles was married to Emily J. Wheeler, whose parents, William
D. and Delia (Gillen) Wheeler, were born in Boston. One child
has blessed this union : Dwight Wheeler, born March 26, 1882.
James H. Hodgman, farmer, is one of the pioneer settlers of
New Haven. He came here in the spring of 1856, and filed a claim
on one-fourth of section 29, which is now his home ; has since
bought and sold a great deal of real estate ; owned and lived on a
farm in the town of Cascade for eighteen years. His capital on
arriving here consisted of $100 ; now owns his original claim, on
which are comfortable buildings, and also a residence in Winnebago
City, and a farm near that town. Mr. Hodgman is a republican in
politics ; has never been very active in public affairs, although he has
been a school officer nearly all his life here ; served his town as
assessor in 1858, and as supervisor in 1860. Had he sought prefer-
ment, his intelligence and sound judgment would undoubtedly have
placed him in high positions, for which those qualities so well fit
him. In religion he is a liberal. The father of this subject, Ben-
jamin Hodgman, was a native of Vermont, and married one of
Maine's daughters. Miss Betsey Colby. They settled in the town of
Eaton, Sherbrook county. Province of Quebec, where James H.
was born, December 27, 1822. He assisted his father on the farm,
and attended the district schools of the region. At twenty years of
age he went to Vermont, where he followed farming. On October
15, 1853, he married Miss Diana Colby, whose parents, Rufus and
Phoebe Baldwin-Colby, were natives of Ontario. During the year
1853 he paid a visit to Illinois, and resided near Lockport for a time,
returning to Vermont. In the spring of 1855 he removed to Wis-
consin, where he engaged in farming, and the following year settled
in Minnesota, as above noted. Four children have been sent to
grace the family of Mr. Hodgman, as follows : Jennie, June 28,
BIOGRAPHICAL. 997
1854 ; William H., December 27, 1866 ; Lillie L., March 11, 1870 ;
Scott, January 1, 1876.
Henkt C. Packard, niillwriglit and farmer, is a native of Penn-
sylvania, as were his parents, John H. and Jane Carpenter-Packard ;
the latter still living at an advanced age. Henry C. Packard arrived
in America at Franklin, Bradford county, August 1, 1828. He
received a common school education, and helped his father on the
farm. At nineteen years of age he was apprenticed to a millwright,
and followed that occupation until he reached middle age. In Octo-
ber, 1856, Mr. Packard came to Olmsted county, and settled in
Rochester, where he built a house with lumber he had earned at his
trade in the town of New Haven. He was married in ISTovember,
1859, to Martha Carpenter, of Towanda, Pennsylvania, and was
blessed with three children : Hettie and Helen, twins, born Janu-
ary 25, 1862, and Mary, born February 6, 1864, all living with par-
ents at this writing. In the spring of 1864 Mr. Packard sold his
city lots and bought 130 acres of land on sections 11, 12 and 13, in
the township of New Haven, on which he has ever since made his
home. Mr. Packard is a member of Pine Island lodge, A. F. and
A. M. He is independent in politics. He served two terms as
alderman in Pochester, and has been a member of the New Haven
town board a large share of the time since his residence here, part
of the time being chairman. He had less than one hundred dollars
on his arrival in ' the county, and is now independent financiall3\
On March 25, 1865, Mr. Packard enlisted in Co. L, 1st U. S. V. Y.
Engineers, and served until the 28tli of the following September, in
erecting buildings etc. in and about Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Walter Martin, farmer, is one of the pioneer settlers of Olm-
sted county. He was born, in County Galway, Ireland, in the year
1828. In 1851 he came to America and resided in the State of New
York for live years. In the spring of 1856 he came to this county
and made claim to 160 acres of land on section 19 of this township,
which he has ever since retained. He engaged in teaming and sub-
sequently as a miller at Mantorville and Wasioja. In July, 1862,
Mr. Martin was married to Bridget Coyle, a native of County Gal-
way, Ireland, and three years later settled on his farm, where he has
ever since resided. Mr. Martin is a man of intelligence and go9d
sense, but has given his time to the care of his family and farming
operations, and has never mingled in public affairs. His political
aflaiiations are with the democratic party. The family numbers live
998 HISTOEY OF OLMSTED COLrN"Tr.
children, bom as follows : Catharine, September 29, 1863 ; Wini-
fred, February 19, 1865 ; John, June 9, 1866 ; Edward, April 26,
1868 ; Walter, March 10, 1873. The family are all communicants
of the Pine Island Roman Catholic cliurch.
Patrick Kennedy, farmer, is a leading citizen of New Haven
and a pioneer settler, having built the first house in what is called
the ' ' Irish settlement. " He has been director of his school district
for twelve years, and served the town as supervisor in the years
1879-80-81-2-3, having been elected at the last town meeting as an
independent, his friends being dissatisfied with the regular nomina-
tion made in his stead at the caucus. Mr. Kennedy was born in
Longhill parish. County Limerick, Ireland, in March, 1818. At
twenty years of age he emigrated to America. After spending five
years in New York he removed to Illinois and purchased a farm in
Whiteside county. Here he married Mary Martin, sister of Walter
Martin, elsewhere named under this township, November 23, 1849.
In the spring of 1856 Mr. Kennedy came to New Haven and filed
a claim on a quarter of section 30, and after making improvements
thereon returned to Illinois. The next fall he settled here with his
family, and has ever since been a resident. With the assistance of
three neighbors he opened a road on the county line, over which he
drove the first team, a pair of oxen. By various purchases he has
added to his domain till he now owns four hundred acres on sec-
tions 18, 19, 20 and 30; to this may be added eighty acres which he
presented to a daughter in this town, and 60 acres to a son in
Dodge county. During the early years of his residence here Mr.
Kennedy cleared one hundred acres of timber land with very little
assistance aside from his own labor. He built his present handsome
residence on section 19 in 1882. Mr. Kennedy and family belong
to the Pine Island Roman Catholic church. In politics he is an
independent democrat. Eight children have been born to him, as
follows : Patrick, August 9, 1853, married Maria Lovell January 6,
1880, lives in Milton, Dodge county ; Catharine, October 30, 1855,
married Hugh Wilson January 1, 1875, lives on section 17 ; Mary,
November 15, 1857 ; John, April 29, 1860 ; Bridget, February 5,
1862 ; Johanna, September 2, 1864; Ann, August 14, 1866 ; Mar-
garet, March 26, 1868.
Daniel Jewell, farmer. The parents of this subject, Jacob
and Charlotte Priest-Jewell, emigrated from their native New
Hampshire to Mercer, Maine, where Daniel was born to them No-
BIOGRAPHICAL. 999
vember 27, 1812. Four years later they returned to New Hani j>
shire, where their son was reared on a farm, enjoying the limited
advantages afforded by the district schools of the time and locality.
He was married March 15, 1836, to Mercy Priest, a native of New
Hampshire, as were her parents, John Priest and Sarah Quimby.
Mr. Jewell and his wife were both members of the sect known as
First Day Adventists. Mrs. Jewell died October 6, 1853, having
been the mother of three children, as follows: Marilla M., born
March 11, 1837, married Lorenzo Quimby May 15, 1854, and re-
sides in Concord, Dodge county, tliis state ; Merinda, born March
9, 1840, married Freeman Smith March 16, 1856. and lives in New
Hampshire ; and Abby, born May 10, 1849, died August 18, 1852.
Mr. Jewell engaged in farming in New Hampshire until his removal
to the west. He was married February 5, 1854, to Abby C,
daughter of Eli and Abigail Chickering-Snow, natives of "Vermont
and Massachusetts. In April, 1856, he removed with his family to
this county and settled on section 4 of this township, which has
ever since been his home. On his arrival here he engaged in break-
ing up land for himself and neighbors, and soon turned over six
hundred acres of the virgin soil. Mr. Jewell is of a quiet and
domestic disposition, and, like Old Grimes, does not make a noise
town-meeting days. Up to Buchanan's time he was a democrat,
but has ever since voted with the opposition party ; he has been
active in fostering schools, and his public offices have been in this
connection. His present life-partner cherishes the same religious
views as himself, and for a church-home they have united with the
Freewill Baptists. Four children have been given to them, as be-
low : Abby Elmo, born November 10, 1855, now living at Grand
Forks, Dakota; Arthur L., born February 18, 1861, resides with
parents ; Carrie, born May 31, 1863, died October 10, 1864 ; Hosea
C, born June 16, 1866, now employed in a drug-store at Pine
Island. •
Emery H. Dewey, farmer, Dover, was born in Sullivan, Tioga
county, Pennsylvania, April 3, 1837. In 1855 he came to Illinois
and thence to Minnesota in 1856, locating on the southeast quarter
of section 19, in Dover township. He was married in 1859, to Miss
Mary E. Sturdivant, a native of Crawford county, Pennsylvania.
The names of their children are as follows : Abbie A. , Solon H. ,
Fred S. and Frank B., the latter two being twins, Mr. Dewey has
served one term on the board of county commissioners. He is a
1000 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Dover, of the A.F.
and A.M. at Eyota, and of the chapter at St. Charles. He is one
of Olmsted county's well-to-do farmers and is highly respected by all.
E.ICHAED L. CoTTERELL, farmer, Dover, was born in Worcester-
shire, England, in January, 1815. In 1846 he came to America,
locating in Jefferson, Wisconsin, and later to Dodge ville. In June,
1856, he came to Olmsted county, locating on the northwest quarter
of section 3. Mr. Cotterell was married in 184:2, to Miss Ann
Pleaden, who died in 1851. He was again married in 1852, to Mrs.
A. B. Marks, also a native of England. Sarah, Charles, John,
Clare, Joseph jST., Fannie W., Fred, George, James (deceased), Liz-
zie and Minnie are their children's names. The family are members
of the Congregational church. Mr. Cotterell is engaged largely in
fruit raising, and has the finest apple-orchard in the county. He
also devotes much of his attention to small fruit. He has taken
premiums on fruit at every state fair held in Minnesota, and has
recently been made a member of the state horticultural association.
Uriah L. Carpenter, farmer, Dover, was born in Eastford, Con-
necticut, November 3, 1818. His father, Palmer Carpenter, was a
soldier in the war of 1812, His mother's name is Patty, and the
family on both sides is of English descent. Our subject came to
Olmsted county in 1856, locating on section 13, Dover township.
He was married in December, 1846, to Miss Emily A. Childs, who
died in 1856. He was married a second time in 1867, to MissTirza
Prentice, who died May 3, 1871. He was again married in 1872,
to Miss Sarah M. Keyes, also a native of Connecticut. His chil-
dren's names are as follows : Ellen R. , Marth A. (now the wife of
R. F. Brett, of Henry, Dakota) ; Emily (wife of H. J. Starkweather,
of Henry, Dakota) and Alfred B. Mr. Carpenter and wife are
members of the Congregational church at St. Charles. His mother
died at St. Charles in 1866, and his father in 1870 at the same
place.
German T. Wilsie, farmer, Dover, son of Peter and Phoebe
Wilsie, was born in Schoharie county, New York, June 28, 1819.
In 1821 the family removed to southern Ohio. In 1843 our subject
came west to Michigan, thence to Wisconsin in 1845. In 1856 our
subject came to Minnesota, locating on section 29, Dover township.
Mr. Wilsie was married in 1841, to Miss Hannah Hance, a native
of Wayne county, New York. Munson O., Stephen (deceased),
Rosetta (now wife of M. F. Dunham, of Mitchell, Dakota) and Al-
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1001
bert (deceased) are the names of their children. Stephen was a
member of the 8th Minn. Inf., and died in 1865 in New Berne,
North Carolina,
Edwin F. Ketchum, farmer, Dover township, was born May 3,
1825, in Berkshire county, Massachusetts. He came to Minnesota
in 1856, locating on the northeast quarter of section 1. In 1877 he
moved to Dover township, locating on section 10. He was married
in 1853, to Miss Mary Stafford, a native of Vermont, who died in
1862. He was again married in 1868, to Sarah Judd, who died in
1879. Eddie and Jay are the names of their children.
Daniel Hisey, farmer, of Orion, son of Joseph and Maria Hisey,
was born in Ohio, May 8, 1834, where he lived until he was twenty-
one years of age. He then went to Iowa in 1855, where he remained
for one year. From there he came to Minnesota in 1856 and
located on section 17, Eyota township, living there until the fall of
1864r, when he bought on section 16, Orion township, where he now
resides with his family. Mr. Hisey was married to Catharine Cline,
April 21, 1859, and has two children, Mary J. and Frank M. Hisey.
He is a member of the United Brethren church and is a democrat
in politics. He received his early education in Ohio.
George B. Stocking, glassware dealer, was born in Wesleyville,
Erie county, Pennsylvania, June 12, 1853. He came to Olmsted
county with his father in 1857, and was married in 1874. to a Miss
Lulu Lathrop. Maud L., Mark (deceased) and Mary are their chil-
dren's names. Mr. Stocking served three years at the jewelry
business under instruction, and afterward carried on business for
himself, but at the end of four jeavs he abandoned it on account of
poor health. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M., and also of
the Episcopal church. Mrs. Lulu L. Stocking died February 13,
1883. She was born at Point Commerce, Indiana, December 30,
1854. When she was two years old the family removed to Green-
wood Prairie, Olmsted county ; subsequently they removed to
Rochester, where she was united in marriage to Mr. Stocking, as
above stated.
L. O. Benjamin, present city justice, was born in Woodstock, Ver-
mont, July 3, 1830. In 1854 he came west as far as La Porte county,
Indiana. Having been reared a farmer, most of his life was spent
in that occupation. He came to Olmsted county in 1857, and located
on a farm three miles south of Rochester. In 1862 he moved to the
city, after which he acted eight years as deputy sheriff. He was
1002 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
elected city justice in the spring of 1882. Mr. Benjamin was
married in October, 1855, to Miss Helen C. Farnswortli, also a
native of Vermont. Walter F., Hattie F., and Mary A. are the
names of their children. Mr. Benjamin is a member of the
I.O.O.F.
Benjamin F. Bulen, Rochester, was born in Waukesha county,
Wisconsin, October 9, 1844. In 1857 the family emigrated to
Olmsted county. October 6, 1862, our subject enlisted in Co. G,
1st Minn. Cav., serving until April, 1863, when he was discharged
on account of disabilities. He was married November 28, 1867, to
Miss Frances Cressy, a native of Massachusetts. Don, Cora M.,
William C, Benjamin F. and Flora B. are the names of their
children. He is a member of the I.O.O.F., and also of the
A. F. and A. M.
Capt. Milton J. Dajstiels, one of Rochester's most estimable
citizens, was born April 18, 1838, in Schoharie county, New York,
His father's name was John Y. and his mother's Hester A. Daniels.
When still a child his father and family moved to Bradford county,
Pennsylvania, where his father engaged in the lumbering business.
When Minnesota was still a territory Mr. Daniels came to Olmsted
county, where he purchased a large tract of land, and in Rochester
opened a private real-estate and broker's office. In 1860 our subject
returned to Middlebury, New York, and attended school until the
outbreak of the war, when he enlisted, but was not called out of the
state. He afterward assisted in organizing Co. F of the 9th Minn,
Inf., which was mustered in August 28, 1862, and of which he was
made second lieutenant, and subsequently captain. In the spring
of 1865 he was commissioned by Abraham Lincoln, and was sent to
New Orleans on Gen. Canby's staff. He was subsequently com-
missioned by President Johnson as brevet-major. In January,
1866, he was discharged, and returned to Olmsted county, where he
entered the bank with his father and was made cashier. In 1873
the company received a charter, and was organized as a national
bank, of which the captain is now president. In the fall of 1882 he
was elected to the legislature by a handsome majority, where he will
doubtless leave a record of which he and his constituents may be
proud. Our subject was married in May, 1869, to Miss Jennie E.
Booth, of Tioga county. New York, of which county her parents
were early settlers. The names of the children resulting from this
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1008
union are as follows : Mertie B., Maud C. and Clyde L. Mr.
Daniels was born January 22, 1844.
Frederic T. Olds was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, January
25, 1836. His father was a farmer by occupation, and when our
subject was quite young he emigrated to Macoupin county, Illinois,
where he remained until 1852, when he removed to Clay county,
Iowa. In 1857 they came to Olmsted county, and entered land
near Byron. In the same year he built the mill now owned by
Olds & Fishback, which was one of the first erected in the county.
Our subject was married in 1859, to Miss Angelina Harding, also a
native of Kentucky. Frederic A., born in April, 1860, is the only
son. Mr. Olds, senior, died in 1864, from the effects of injuries
sustained in falling from a building.
George Haber, cabinetmaker, of Kochester, is a son of Fred-
eric and Mary Haber, and was born in Germany, February 26, 1837.
When seventeen years of age he came to America and spent two
years in Ohio, during which time he was engaged at his trade, which
he had learned in his native country. In the spring of 1857 he
came to Olmsted county, but soon returned to Ohio, where he
remained until 1859, when he again came west and located in
Rochester. There he was for several years engaged in the furniture
business. In 1864 he was employed by the government to go to
Bowling Green, Kentucky, where he was engaged in undertaking
until the close of the war. He was married December 31, 1858,
to Miss Mary M. Ennes, who was born in Lorain county, Ohio, in
1840. George B. and Emma J. are the names of their children.
Mrs. Haber is a member of the Presbyterian church, and he is a
member of the I.O.O.F.
Amos Hyatt, tinsmith, Rochester, was born in Celina, state of
Ohio, August 17, 1841. When he was still a child the family emi-
grated to Fort Wayne, Indiana. His father died in 1845, and in
1850 the family returned east. In 1856 our subject came west to
Janes ville, Wisconsin, and in 1857 to Olmsted county, locating in
Rochester. Here he was in the employ of John R. Cook until
August 13, 1862, when he enlisted in Co. A, 6th regt. Minn. Inf. ;
serving twenty-three months on the frontier ; after which he was
sent south with the regiment, and on August 18, 1865, was mustered
out. Mr. Hyatt was married to Miss Octavia Olds, who died April
8, 1866. He is a member of A. F. and A. M. ; also of the com-
60
1004 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
manderj and chapter at Rochester, being secretary of the latter
organization.
Gkanyille Woodworth, contractor, was born in Oneida county,
New York, in 1832. In 1855 he came west as far as Janesville,
Wisconsin, residing there two years. In 1857 he came to Rochester.
Having learned the carpenter trade in the 'east, he found a great
field for ithat line of industry in his adopted state. He built Heany's
block, the Cook House, Ozmun's block, Rommell's block. Hunter's
block, and many other smaller buildings, in Rochester and vicinity.
He now has in course of erection the east wing of the Insane Asylum,
which with many other handsome structures will stand as a silent
testimonial of his mechanical skill. Mr. Woodworth was married
in 1855, to Miss Harriet Rose, a native of New York State. Flora,
Kate and Mary are the names of the children resulting from the
union.
Saj^iuel Geisinger, farmer, was born in Canada West, April
24, 1816. When he was quite small his father's family emigrated
to Medina county, Ohio. His boyhood days were spent on the farm,
and in later years he went to Wadsworth, where he received an
academical education. When twenty -four A^ears of age he went to
Goshen, Indiana, and there opened a drygoods store, which he
conducted twelve years, after which he was elected treasurer of
Elkhart county, which position he held live years. In 1857 he
came to Rochester, bringing with him a stock of drygoods, and was
engaged in business until 1860. In July, 1862, he raised Co. H
(which was afterward a part of the 6tli Minn, regt.), and of which
company he was made first lieutenant, but resigned on account of
ill health. After returning to Rochester he was engaged in the
drug business for about twelve years, after which he retired from
mercantile life. He was married in 1816, to Miss Sarah Smith, a
native of Canada. Salina E., Alice and Cildora A., are the names
of their children. Mrs. Geisinger is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and has been for many years a member of the
choir.
Zahnon J. CowLES, patternmaker and woodworker, was born
in Litchfield county, Connecticut, in 1816. Later the family re-
moved to Geneva, New York, where our subject received his educa-
tion and learned cabinetmaking. In 1845 he went to Steuben
county, and engaged in the furniture business. In 1855 he left
New York State and came west to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where
BIOGRAPIUCAL. 1005
lie remained two years, coming to Kochester in 1857, where he
organized the first brass band that existed in that city. In 1862 he
enlisted as a musician in a regimental band. After returning to
Rochester he embarked in the furniture business again, which he
continued for some time. He is now engaged in making models
and patterns. He was married in Geneva, New York, to Miss
Sarah Huber. Martha, Helen, Kate, Augustus B., Torris, Sarah
Y. and Frank K. are the names of their children.
Harvey T. Hannon was born in Van Wert county, Ohio, April
10, 1818. The family came to Olmsted county in 1857, and located
six miles north of Rochester. Mr. Hannon received his early edu-
cation in Rochester, and in 1869 entered the university at Ann Ar-
bor, Michigan, where he attended two years. In the fall of 1873
he was elected county clerk, and at the expiration of the term was
re-elected. Since that time he has been engaged in teaching and
farming alternately. He is secretary of the Southern Minnesota
Fair Association. He was married in 1871, to Miss Martha Moulton,
a native of Dodge county, Wisconsin. Maud, aged five years, is
their only child. Mr. Hannon is now connected with the Cockle
Mill manufactory. Being a young man of strict integrity and fine
business ability, he will doubtless do much for the promotion of
that commendable enterprise.
Horace Loomis, son of Uriah and Harriet Loomis, was born in
Erie county, Pennsylvania, in 1825. When our subject was quite
young, the family emigrated to Ashtabula county, Ohio, where his
father was afterward elected sheriff, serving fifteen years. In 1857
Mr. Loomis came to Rochester and began carriagemaking, but in
the following year was appointed deputy-sheriff, in which capacity
he served four years ; at the end of this time he was elected sheriff,
serving three terms. Mr. Loomis was married in 1851, to Miss
Eliza Ticknor, a native of England. Mabel R. and Yivian O.
(deceased) are the names of his children. In 1870 he was appointed
deputy-warden of the State's Prison at Stillwater, acting two years
and a half in that capacity. In the summer of 1882 he took charge
of the Bradley House.
George W.s Bx^ker, collector of customs at Bismarck, Dakota,
was born in Chittenden county, Vermont, January 9, 1823. When
he was nine years of age, his father's family emigrated to the West-
ern Reserve in Ohio, where they remained until the spring of 1853.
In the spring of that year our subject came west to Dixon, Illinois,
1006 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
and engaged in the furniture business, which he continued until the
fall of 1855. When he came to Minnesota in 1856 he located in
Kalmar township, and in 1857 came to Rochester. In the same
year he was elected sheriff of Olmsted county, which office he held
two terms. At the expiration of the second term he turned his
attention to manufacturing. In 1881 he was appointed collector of
customs at Bismarck, Dakota. His family, however, remains in
Rochester, He was married in 1852, to Miss Sophia Dumars, a
native of Pennsylvania. Elfie E. (deceased), Ida I. (now teaching
in Diiluth), George B. (attending the Minneapolis University), Nel-
lie E. (deceased) and J. Ralph are their children's names. Mrs.
Baker is a member of the Congregational church,
George Baihlt, butcher, was born in Wiirtemberg, Germany,
January 4, 1837. He came to America in 1854, and to Olmsted
county in 1857. In 1859 he began butchering and buying stock, in
which occupation he has amassed a large competency. He was married
in 1859, to Miss Caroline C. Fudger, a native of Indiana, who died in
1868. He was again married in 1870, to Miss Elizabeth Fulkerson.
John W., Helen, Fred, Ralph, Arthur, Walter, Abram, Esther and
Moses are the names of his children. He is a member of the A. F.
and A. M. His eldest son, John W., has recently succeeded him
in business, and has bright prospects before him.
Thomas L. Fishback was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, in
1832. In 1839 the family emigrated to Macoupin county, Illinois,
In 1854 Thomas went to California, where he turned his attention to
mining. In 1857 he came to Olmsted county and entered the mill
with his father-in-law. Since that time he has been prominently
identified with the business interests of Rochester, and besides
accumulating a large estate, has done much toward developing the
city. He was married in 1856, to Miss Elizabeth J, Olds, a native
of Kentucky. Horace, Herbert O., Blanche and Elizabeth are
the names of their childi-en.
In the year 1813, Harrison Dodge, of Cascade, was born in the
town of Belchertown, Hampshire county, Massachusetts, his parents'
names being Daniel and Esther Dodge. While Harrison was a
small child the family removed to the adjoining tt)wn of Pelham,
where his time was spent until he was eighteen years old. He then
went to the town of Montague, Franklin county, where he learned
the wheelwright trade. He, also, while here, wrought at the carpenter
trade, and in a factory. On October 24, 1837, Mr. Dodge was
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1007
united in marriage with Miss Cynthia P. Nettleson, the bride's birth-
place being JSTorthiield, Massachusetts. Nine children were born to
Mr. and Mrs. Dodge, all but one of whom are now living. Mrs.
Dodge died April 18, 1874. On October 24, 1876, Mr. Dodge was
again married, the wife's name being Mrs. Nancy Stone, of Monta-
gue, Massachusetts. Mr. Dodge received only a common school
education. In religion he is liberal ; in politics, republican. His
occupation is farming. In the year 1857 he came to Minnesota,
taking a claim of a quarter-section of land in the town of Farming-
ton. After remaining there two or three years he went back to
Massachusetts, and removed his family to the new home in Minnesota.
Some seven or eight years ago he purchased a farm in the adjoining
town of Cascade, whither he removed his family, and where he
continues to reside. He still owns his farm in Farmington.
The several failures of the wheat crop recently experienced has
caused the more enterprising of the farmers of this part of Minnesota
to turn their attention to some other source from which a satisfactory
profit would be realized. Some have tried sheep-raising, some
barley, others oats, whilst rye and potatoes are generally more
grown ; but to Mr. A. K. Knapp, of this place, we must give the
credit of inaugurating a new departure and demonstrating that
well as wheat paid the farmer in times past, a general assortment
of pure bred live-stock pays better, when care is taken in selecting
the right kinds, together with proper attention as to their manage-
ment.
The natural adaptability of the country, which for water and
grass is unexcelled, a man of Mr. Knapp's practical ideas was not
long in recognizing and acting upon, under the existing circum-
stances, and now his wonder is why he did not go into the industry
sooner; although, both financially and practically, it is afar easier
matter to raise wheat than cattle, more especially such as he has
commenced upon. The first difficulty he had to meet was proper
house accommodation, next, to erect proper fences, then the breeds
best adapted to the general wants of the people, and last but not
least, the cost. To all these points he gave careful attention, and
now he has the satisfaction of having started the pioneer stock farm
of this section of the country, conducted as such.
The cattle Mr. Knapp selected are the "Holstein," because he
thinks this excellent breed will be better to mix with the ordinary
stock at present raised by farmers generally, as their beef, farming
1008 HISTOEY OF OLMSTED COUISTTY.
and milking qualities are, collectively speaking, unexcelled in any
other breed. He purchased in Elgin, Illinois, a place renowned (as
our readers know) for its pure stock, a car-load of young heifers,
calves and yearlings, and the imported Holstein bull, "Eclair,"
No. 1664, H. H. B., bred by K. Pauw, of Wermer, North Holland.
With this commencement, the result cannot but be profitable to the
owner, and a great boon to those who cannot afford to buy pure
breeds, but nevertheless, want to improve their stock. Mr. Knapp
also raises pure Berkshire hogs, a good number of which he has
always on hand. He is about commencing to raise the Norman-
Percheron and the English carriage horses. The first named is
famed as a heavy draught-horse, and the latter is noted for
grace, symmetry and kindly nature. These, also, cannot but be a
very acceptable acquisition to the general community, as the stock
in this part of the state has been fast deteriorating by too close
breeding and lack of fresh stock. Mr. Knapp came to this tovm-
ship from central Vermont in 1857, where he started farming on
a section of land. He passed through the usual vicissitudes of the
early settler, but overcame all obstacles, and now is happy in a
grown up family, peace and prosperity.
Laeence Fay, farmer, of Quincy, was born in County Galway,
Ireland, in 1827. He came to America when eighteen years of age,
stopping in Maine, and subsequently coming to New York State.
In 1857 he came to Olmsted county, locating on section 25, Quincy
township. He was married in 1851, to Miss Catharine Kennedy,
also a native of Ireland. Maggie, Mary, Thomas, Kate, Sarah
and Ella are their children's names. The family are members of
the Catholic church.
Fbancis Whiton, son of Abner and Amy (Chaffee) Whiton, was
born in Ashford, Connecticut, January 13, 1824 ; spent the days of
his boyhood on the farm with his parents ; October 4, 1848, married
Martha Lillibridge, who died May 10, 1853. There was one child,
Mary A. Whiton, by his first marriage. In 1855 Mr. Whiton re-
moved to Wisconsin, thence to his present homestead in Yiola,
Minnesota, where he located, May 10, 1857, and built a small
log house which was superseded several years ago by a neat farm
residence of unsullied whijteness, surrounded by evergreens and
bearing fruit-trees. He was a shoemaker in Connecticut, but has
been a successful farmer ever since his removal to the west. He
married Jane E. Oaks, October 4, 1858, and they have three chil-
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1009
dren : Louis F., Edwin C. and Nellie A. At the organization of
the township in which he lives, Mr. Whiton was elected justice of
the peace, has been a school officer many years, chairman of super-
visors and assessor. He is a careful reader, a keen observer, and a
man of unquestionable probity, who merits the high esteem and
profound respect with which he is regarded by all his neighbors.
John C. Hilliard, blacksmith, is a son of W. J. and Jane (Glea-
son) Hilliard, early settlers of this township. Mrs. Hilliard was
born in Massachusetts, and her husband in Newark, New Jersey.
On April 11, 1853, the Hilliards resided at Rock Stream, New
York, and at that time and place was born the subject of this sketch.
W. J. Hilliard came with his family to Kalmar in 1857. He
secured a claim near the Zumbro, northwest of where Byron now is.
This he soon sold and bought land on section 31. When the rail-
road arrived at Byron and a town was laid out, he built a black-
smith-shop in the village, and continued at his trade here till 1882,
wlien he removed west. In 1875 he built the shop now occupied
by his son, southwest of the railroad depot, which, w;ith four acres of
land, the latter bought of him in June, 1882. J. C. Hilliard was
but four years old when he became a resident of this town, and
most of his education was received at the common school in Byron.
Hilliard, senior, is a very intelligent man and possesses a large
library. The son inherits his traits and taste for culture. Although
his labor is somewhat grimy, his intellect is none the less bright
and keen. He was married June 1, 1882, to Agnes Schoonover,
who was born at Money Creek, Winona county, this state, in
August, 1863. They have one child, a boy, born June 27, 1883.
Mr. Hilliard began work at his trade with his father when twenty
years old, and is now doing a fine business. His parents were Bap-
tists and his religious sympathies go with that sect. He is a repub-
lican, and was a member of the I.O.G.T. while a lodge existed at
Byron.
Ira E. Remick, farmer, was born in Phillips, Franklin county,
Maine, April 25, 182-1:. His father, Philip Remick, was a native of
the same state, and married Abigail Wright, whose father died in
the United States service during the war of 1812. Mr. Remick was
reared on a farm in the eastern part of Maine by an uncle, his
parents having died, till sixteen years old, since which time he has
cared for himself He drove stages for many years in the Pine Tree
State. He was married in November, 1844, to Harriet F. Shepard,
1010 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUTSTTY.
who was born in Topsliam, Maine ; her parents were Josiah and
Thursa (Wright) Shepard. After his marriage Mr. Remick was
emph)yed two years in a wholesale store in Bangor. He then pur-
chased a piece of timber-land and engaged in lumbering. In 1849
he went to Boone county, Illinois, where he dwelt five years. For
eight years succeeding this he was farming in Rock county, Wiscon-
sin. During the year 1851 he visited the upper Mississippi valley
and noted its advantages. In 1857 he removed with his family to
Kalmar, where he rented land. For the past seven years he has
resided in Byron, where he has been street commissioner during
that time ; is also sexton of the cemetery, and has been constable
of the township for twenty-one years. He is a republican. Him-
self and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs.
Remick has been an invalid for many years. Fourteen children have
been born to them, of whom eleven are living, as follows : Frank,
August 16, 1844, married Harriet Post, lives in Minneapolis ; Sarah,
October 20, 1849, home in Rochester ; James, November 9, 1853,
married Emma Chase, of Minneapolis ; Emma, December 26, 1857,
here; Addie, September 17, 1859, married Fred Clough, of Eau
Claire, Wisconsin ; Ellen, February 24, 1863, here ; Clarence, May
18, 1865; Leatha, January 28, 1867; Lorenzo, February 16, 1869 ;
Bertha, October 13, 1871 ; Agnes, March 25, 1873.
Alonzo R. Foedice, son of Stanton and Sarah Fordice, was born
at Port Henry, New York, in the year 1835. In 1847 he moved
from there with his father to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, where
he received his early education. In May, 1857, young Fordice
came to Eyota, Minnesota, to start life on his own account. He
first worked for Mr. O. P. Whitcomb, as a farm hand. Soon after
he bought the farm where he now lives, on sections 26 and 27. Mr.
Fordice was married on April 10, 1864, to Sarah Corrison, of Eyota.
The issue of the marriage consists of four children, James, Minnie,
Sidney and Tactac. Mr. Fordice is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and in politics he is a prohibitionist.
Thomas Conley, Pleasant Grove, was born in the State of New
York, in 1833. He came west to Fillmore county, Minnesota, in
1857, and to Olmsted in 1873, locating on section 13, High Forest
township. He was married March 2, 1864, to Miss Diana E. Hues-
ton, a native of Canada. Kerry E., J. L. Fred, Byron and Ray-
mond are their children's names. He is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, is also a Mason, and politically is independent.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1011
Rev. John IIaney, Pleasant Grove, was born in York county,
Pennsylvania, April 10, 1808. In tracing back the tamily lineage
he finds the paternal name to be of German origin. His father and
mother were members of the German Reformed church, but after ar-
riving at years of understanding our subject abandoned the faith
and united with the United Brethren church, entering the field as a
minister in 1829. In 1830 he began circuit traveling. He went to
Yirginia in 1832, laboring in that state and Maryland until 1857,
when he was sent by the missionary board to Olmsted county, trav-
eling three years in that and Dodge, Steele and Faribault counties.
On account of failing health he abandoned his profession as a steady
occupation, and located on a farm in sections 2 and 3, Pleasant
Grove township. He was married March 6, 1856, to Miss Sarah
Ebberly, a native of Shenandoah county, Yirginia. Martha E.,
Lewis H., Mary A., John Q., Jacob H. and William O. are their
children's names.
Iea C. Babdwell, M.D., Pleasant Grove, was born in Wayne
county, New York, in February, 1812. In 1819 the family removed
to Livingston county, New York. When twenty-two years of age
our subject went to Cuba, New York, where he entered the law
office of Dr. Champlain, remaining a year and a half. After which
he went to Steuben county, thence to Willoughby, Ohio, where he
studied and attended lectures two years. He practiced at different
points in the east, and at Prophetstown, Illinois, until 1856, when
he came to Rochester, thence to Pleasant Grove, three years later.
He was married in 1837, to Miss Louisa Cutler, a native of Massa-
chusetts. Ella, now the wife of Adrian Peck, is the only living
child. He is a member of the Masonic order at Pleasant Grove.
Charles W. Russell, merchant, Pleasant Grove, was born in
Venango county, Pennsylvania, October 26, 1842. In 1857 the
family came to Minnesota, locating on section 25, Pleasant Grove
township. In August, 1862, our subject enlisted in Co. H, 6th
Minn. Inf, serving three years on the "tented field." As the
movements and engagements in which that regiment participated
will be found in preceding pages, it is not necessary to relate the
experience of individual members. Mr. Russell embarked in the
merchandise business at Pleasant Grove in 1871. He was married
in 1879, to Miss Mattie J. Lovelace, a native of Pennsylvania.
Harmon is the name of their only child. He is a member of the
A. F. and A. M. at Pleasant Grove.
1012 HISTOEY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
William Carley, farmer, is a native of New York, having been
born in that slate May 7, 1830. His parents, Richard and Eliza
(Hubbs) Carley, were also natives of the same state. When the
subject of this sketch was jet a small child his parents removed to
Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, where he was brought up on a farm.
In September, 1848, he was married to Emily, daughter of William
and Ellen Harmon. In May, 1857, Mr. Carley arrived with his
family at Oronoco, and took up government land on section 3,
where he resided until 1864, removing at that time to the village.
In the early days, when living in his "claim shanty," he often
entertained a dozen Sioux Indians, allowing them to sleep on the
floor. Mr. Carley enlisted October 29, 1862, in Co. I, 1st Minn.
Mounted Rangers, and served until December 1, 1863, guarding set-
tlers on the western frontier and assisting in quelling the bloodthirsty
Sioux, whose uprising in August, 1862, has left such a bloodj^ trail
on the memories of thousands of pioneers. While in this service
he witnessed the hanging of some of the same Indians that had
slept in his cabin in 1857-8. In politics Mr. C. has always been a
republican, and has served his town as constable and as a member
of the town board. His family numbers seven children, as follows:
Elizabeth, born November 8, 1857, married Charles A. Allen, Nov-
ember 1, 1879, and now resides in Pierre, Dakota ; Nettie, born
February 7, 1861, resides at luome ; May, born May 3, 1862, mar-
ried December 16, 1882, to Edgar Snyder, and lives at Pierre ;
Agnes, born March 7, 1865; Mary, July 21, 1867; Frank, Novem-
ber 23, 1869; Lucy, September 7, 1872.
Charles B. Carley, farmer, is a brother of William Carley, a
biographical sketch of whom is given above. The subject of this
sketch was born January 17, 1836. He received a common school
education in Pennsylvania, and assisted his parents on a farm there.
He was married June 10, 1851, to Agnes, daughter of Joseph and
Hannah Dodson, natives of Pennsylvania. In May, 1857, Mr.
Carley arrived in Oronoco, and made a claim to government land on
N.E. J of Sec. 1. Before the' land was purchased it was found to
be railroad land, and its occupant was compelled to pay $3 per acre
to secure a title. Half of this land was subsequently disposed of,
but Mr. Carley has always resided on the remainder, and still dwells
there, at peace with' all his fellow men. His children have num-
bered ten, of whom eight still remain, as follows ; Joseph D., born
April 15, 1852, now residing near Winona, where he married Jennie
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1013
McCool, in December, 1877; Eliza, born July 10, 1854, now living
in Big Stone county, this state, with her husband, S. W. Dale, to
whom she was united September 4, 1872; Sterling, born February 3,
1856, living in Iowa ; Frederick, born August 6, 1858, who married
Mary Hoffman, of Pine Island, in October, 1878, and now dwells in
Mazeppa ; Charles E., born September 29, 1860, who now lives at
Farm Hill, having married Augusta Klos, of Zumbro ; Ernest, born
March 12, 1862, and died October 18 succeeding; William, born
July 30, 1864; Frank, born November 3, 1866, died August 1, 1868;
James A., born June 7, 1869; and Walter C, born March 13, 1871.
Mr. and Mrs. Carley are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church. In state affairs Mr. Carley has always supported the
democratic party, but has invariably avoided any personal connec-
tion with public concerns.
Chauncey and Rudolph Ykomajst, farmers. These brothers were
born near Rome, New Fork, the former on January 11, 1827, and
the latter October 26, 1830. Their parents, Rudolph Yroman and
Hannah Mower, were descended from the early Dutch settlers, and
were born in Montgomery county. The brothers were reared on a
farm, and attended the district schools of their native town, Lee.
In the fall of 1856 the elder visited Olmsted county in search of
a location for farming, and returned home well pleased with its
promise. The following spring the brothers came to Oronoco, and
bought one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 33 (where
they still reside), and on section 28. They have prospered in busi-
ness, and have gradually added to their domain until they now
possess one thousand and eighty acres of land in the township, of
which eight hundred and eighty acres lie in one body about their
residence. They also own a cheese factory in Rochester, with five
acres of ground, dwelling, storehouse, barn, etc. During the winter
of 1877-8 Chauncey Yroman was engaged in buying grain on these
premises. On March 9, 1882, Chauncey Yroman was united in
marriage to Sina Brink, a native of Denmark. They now have an
infant child called Clara. Rudolph Yroman still remains a bache-
lor. In religious belief the brothers are Universalists. They have
taken very little interest in politics, but when voting support the
democratic party. In the earlier history of Oronoco, Chauncey Yro-
man served as a member of the town board of supervisors.
Jacob F. Ruber, farmer, is a native of Germany, having been
born in the kingdom of Wurtemberg, September 21, 1825. Like
1014 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COirNTY.
all people of his country he received a fair education in youth, then
took up the trade of shoemaker. At the age of twenty-two he
emigrated to America, and settled in New York, pursuing his
calling there. In the spring of 1854 he removed to Jackson county,
Iowa, and a year later to Lakeland, in this state. In the spring of
1857 Mr. Ruber became a resident of Oronoco, taking a quarter-
section of government land on sections 10 and 11, which he sold
in 1864. He then bought a farm of the same size on sections 4 and
5, where he still resides. On November 11, 1847, J. F. Ruber and
Miss R. D. Rucker, a native of Germany, were joined for life in
New York, and still cheer each other on life's journey, having
reared a family of six children : Emily, born March 3, 1849 (who
now resides in Mazeppa, having married Ira A. Fifield, December
29, 1867) ; Catharine, born September 21, 1850 (who is a dress-
maker, and resides most of time with the above sister) ; Harriet E.,
born January 6, 1853, and died September 10, 1856 ; William F.,
born October 14, 1854 (who lives on section 5, and married Hattie
Clason, of New Haven, April 16, 1878) ; George W., born Septem-
ber 23, 1856 (who married Ada Huntsinger, of this town, July 4,
1880, and dwells on section 5) ; and Charles C, born June 24, 1861
(now pursuing a course of business training at Rochester). Mr. and
Mrs. Ruber were brought up in the faith of the Lutheran church,
which they still cherish. Mr. Ruber is a member of Rochester
lodge, A. F. and A. M. In politics he is a democrat. He was one
of the first organizers of his school district, which he served as
clerk from 1859 to 1871. He was a member of the town board of
supervisors in 1865, 1871 and 1873, and served with great justness
and satisfaction as assessor in 1874-5-6. He enjoys the esteem of
all his fellow citizens.
Edmund Moulton, farmer, was reared on a farm in Grafton
county, New Hampshire, of which state his parents, Edmund and
Eliza (Hill) Moulton, were also natives. The-subject of this sketch
was born April 17, 1816, and is therefore sixty-seven years old.
Three years of his life, from twenty-five to twenty-eight, were spent
in a tannery. He has always preferred a life of quiet, and for ten
years after locating in Oronoco did not attend an election. He is
entirely independent of party in his political opinions and actions
and has never taken part in public affairs of town or county. His
wife, Mary E., is a native of New Hampshire, as were her parents
John Emery and Sarah nee Fifield. Mr. and Mrs. Moulton were
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1015
wedded March 19, 1850, and settled in Oronoco in September, 18r)7.
Eighty acres of land on section 30 were purchased, to which has
since been added a ten-acre tract of" timber in New Haven township.
In 1861 Mrs. Moulton united with the Adventist church which was
organized here at that time, and has ever since been a prominent
member of that body of believers. The family includes five chil-
dren, all of whom are settled within a short distance of their
parents. They are: Sarah M., born May 19, 1857 (who married
Elijah Chapman in March, 1868, and resides at Milton, Dodge
county) ; Marj^ E., born November 2, 1852 (who married Langdon
Moulton in 1874, and lives in Roscoe, Goodhue county) ; Katie R. ,
born July 25, 1855 (who dwells at Pine Island with Charles Batson,
to whom she was wedded February 2, 1878) ; Emma E., born Feb-
ruary 3, 1857, who resides with her parents; Bryant, born May 1,
1859 {-who married Ida Horton, March 14, 1881), and lives on sec-
tion 30, near his father's residence.
David L. Bonner, Stewartville, was born in Strabane, Ireland,
in October, 1812. His ancestors were of Scotch origin. In 1820
the family came to America, locating in Susquehanna county, Penn-
sylvania. Charles Bonner, the father of our subject, was a mer-
chant by occupation, and died in 1838 at Herrick, Pennsylvania.
When thirteen years of age our subject was apprenticed to a shoe-
maker in Wayne county, Pennsylvania. He worked at his trade
until 1843, when he purchased a farm and sawmill and was engaged
in lumbering and farming until 1857, when he came to Mower
county, Minnesota, locating in the town of Racine. He was married
in 1839, to Miss Margaret Phillips, who died in 1862. He was
again married in 1871, to Mrs. Julia M. Spearbeck, who also de-
parted this life in 1882. The names of Mr. Bonner's children are
as follows : Charles L. (residing in Winona) ; Thomas F. (now of
Central City, Colorado) ; Catharine E. (wife of William J. Patter-
son, of Pipestone county) ; Mary A. (wife of George D. Knox, of
Mower county); Henry P., Andrew J., Ella M., Martha G. and
John J. Mr. Bonner has been a member of the Presbyterian
church since 1841.
John M. Gunn, farmer. High Forest, was born in Ireland, in
1819. He came to America when twenty-eight years of age, locat-
ing in Lower Canada. After remaining there seven years he went
to Joliet, Illinois, and to Olmsted county, in 1857, locating on
section 11, High Forest township. He was married in 1832, to
1016, HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Miss Winnifred CafFerty, a native of Ireland. Isabella and Ann are
the names of their only children. Of these the former is residing
with her parents and the latter is in a convent at St. Paul. The
entire family are members of the Roman Catholic church.
John Kane, farmer, was born in the parish of Miarte, County
Clare, Ireland, in June, 1824. At twenty-seven years of age he
emigrated to America, and first located at Chicago, where he en-
gaged as a laborer. After spending six years thus at Chicago and
in Michigan, he came to JSTew Haven in 1857, and pre-empted 160
acres of land on section 17. This land was entirely covered with
timber, and Mr. liane immediatel}^ set about clearing it up. During
the first season nine acres were prepared for the plow, of which
three acres were sowed to wheat and the balance planted with corn,
potatoes and buckwheat. Many hardships were endured by Mr,
Kane's family during the first years of their residence here ; but he
persevered in his determination to make a home» and now possesses
nearly a section of the finest agricultural land in the township or
state. During the winter of 1857-8 they were obliged to subsist
for some time on corn-cakes without salt, as all other supplies had
been cut oflF by the blockade of travel on account of snow. Mr.
Kane and family are all members of the Pine Island Roman Catholic
church, and himself and sons are supporters of the democratic party.
Mr. Kane's marriage took place at Chicago, December 16, 1852.
Margaret Conner, a native of County Galway, Ireland, was the
bride, who is still his faithful helpmeet. His family includes four
living children, two having been taken away bj^ death; their
names and dates of birth are as follows : Dennis, November 25,
1853, married Ann Riley, November 27, 1878, and lives on his
father's farm; Bridget, February 12, 1855, married John Riley,
February 15, 1882, and lives in Bell Creek, Goodhue county ; James,
August 26, 1856, was educated at Montreal, and is now a priest at
St. Paul ; twin brother of James, died in infancy ; . Michael, May 6,
1858, resides with parents ; Joanna, November 15, 1859, died
November 30, 1876.
Thomas Coenwell, farmer, is a pioneer and leading citizen of
New Haven. His parents, John Cornwell and Alida Milliman,
were natives of New York, and settled on a farm in Tompkins county,
that state. Here was born to them a son, whose name stands at the
head of this sketch, on September 10, 1836. He assisted his father
in the tillage of his domain, and received the educational advantages
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1017
afforded by the district schools of his native town. In April, 1857,
being then in his twenty-first year, he left his native state and came
to New Haven. In the fall of the same year he returned to New
York and was inarried there on April 6, 1859, to Miss Clarissa
Spencer, a native of the same state, as were her parents, Weeden T.
and Catharine Rej-nolds Spencer, both born in Delaware county.
Immediately after marriage Mr. Cornwell came with his bride
to New Haven and settled down to farming on his original claim
on section 3, which has been his residence ever since, with the
exception of three years, from 1863 to 1866, spent in New York.
By industry and thrift he has gradually added to his domain until
he now owns -±00 acres of choice land on sections 2, 3, 10, 11 and
'16. His capital on arrival here was little more than sufficient to
purchase his claim from the government. Mr. Cornwell is a mem-
ber in good standing of the order of A. F. and A. M. In politics he
is an independent democrat, and has been placed several times by
his fellow-citizens at the head of the town afiairs, having served as
chairman of the board of supervisors in 1873-4-5 and in 1882-3.
He has been blessed with four children, all of whom reside with
him, their births dating as below: Ella K., October 3, 1860; Helen
M., July 4, 1863; Cynthia J., September 3, 1867; Leon L., Oc-
tober 12, 1872.
Alonzo H. Pickle, farmer, Dover, was born in Canada East,
July 2, 1843. In 1857 his father's family removed to Minnesota,
locating two miles west of the present village of Dover. His
father, Simon Pickle, died 1879, and his mother, Sarah, in
1881. On August 2, 1862, our subject enlisted in Co. K, 1st Minn.
Inf. While in the service of his country he participated in the
following-named engagements, First and Second Fredericksburg,
Bristow Station, Haymarket, Gettysburg, Mine Eun, Petersburgh,
Hatch Run and High Bridge. He was also present at Lee's
surrender. He was discharged June 22, 1865. He was married
in 1868, to Miss Rhoda J. Smith, a native of Burlington, Iowa.
Frank O. (deceased), Burton O., Annie, Ella and E,03^al are their
children's names. Mr. Pickle is a member of the Knights of Honor
and Royal Arcanum at St. Charles.
George C. Sheeks was born in Wayne county, Kentucky,
February 18, 1809. In 1815 his father's family emigrated to Indiana,
locating in Lawrence. In 1857 our subject came to Olmsted count}^,
being one of the pioneer settlers. He has since that time been
1018 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
prominently connected with the growth and development of the
Methodist Episcopal church, and is an ardent worker in the Master s
field. He was married in 1833, to Miss Artemecia Crawford, who
died in 1863. He was again married in 1864, to Sarah E. Taylor, a
native of Essex county, Massachusetts. Sampson (deceased),
Lucena, Elijah and Eliza (twins), Franklin, William S. (deceased).
Wells, John (deceased), Oliver P., Hugh, Sarah E. and Mary B.
(deceased) are their children's names. Franklin served three years
in the 1st Minn. Inf. during the late war, and Wells served in an
Illinois regiment. E. H. Sheeks, enlisted February 22, 1864, in
1st Minn. Art., and was mustered out July 4, 1865.
John K Henry, farmer, Dover, was born in Homer, Cortland
county. New York, in 1832. When twenty-four years of age our
subject went to Yirginia, remaining one summer. In 1856 he came
west to Dodge county, Wisconsin, remaining until 1857, when he
came to Olmsted county, locating on section 28, Dover township.
Mr. Henry was married in November, 1848, to Miss Asenath Farrel,
a native of Halifax, Vermont. The names of the children born to
the couple are as follows : Albert B., now in Coddington county,
Dakota ; Cassius M., Frank N. and Forest. Mrs. Henry was born
in 1832 ; her family are of English origin.
John G. Bush, druggist, Dover Center, was born in Worcester
county, Massachusetts, December 15, 1852. His father's family
came to Olmsted count}^ at an early day. Our subject received his
education in the neighboring district school and the Winona High
School. Subsequently he and his brother embarked in the drug
business in Dover Center, where prosperity attends them. Our
subject was married in 1877, to Miss Polly Hatfield, a native of
Olmsted county, Harry is the name of their only child. Mr. Bush
is a member of the A. F. and A. M. at St. Charles.
I. Dennison Thompson, farmer, Dover, was born in the town
of Colerain, Franklin county, Massachusetts, in 1836. When he
was eighteen years of age his father's family removed to Connecti-
cut, remaining three years. At the end of that time our subject
came to Minnesota, locating on section 30, Dover township. He
was married in December, 1862, to Miss Maggie E. Johnson, a
native of Chillicothe, Ohio. Three children have been born to
them, whose names are as follows : Ida M., Willie W. and Jennie
H. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at
; '
Joseph b. Kendall
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1 0 2 1
Dover. Mr. Thompson is a member of the A. F. and A. M. at
Dover.
David C. Cook, liveryman, of Rochester, was born in Lamoille
county, Vermont, in 1829. When twenty-two years of age he and
his brother George came west to Chillicotlie, Ohio. In 1856 he
came to Watertown, Wisconsin, remaining two years. Tn 1858 he
came to Rochester and embarked in the livery business. He was
married in 1868, to Miss Sarah Hitchcock, who died in 1871. He
was again married in 1874, to Mary Langdon. Earl is the name of
their only child.
Mathew Markham, of Rochester, brickmason and contractor,
was born in Rochester, New York, in 1826. In 1845 he went to
sea from New Bedford. In 1847 he became a soldier in the United
States navy, serving twenty-two months in the Mexican war. In
1849 he returned to the United States. On board the vessel on
which he sailed was a quantity of gold, which was the first brought
from California. He came to Milwaukee, thence to La Crosse in 1853.
Here he assisted in building the first brick business house in the
city. In 1855 he came to Le Sueur county, Minnesota, thence to
Sibley county, and to Olmsted county in 1858. He has had charge
of the construction of many of the fine business and private build-
ings in Rochester. He was married in 1852, to Miss Hannah
Donahue, a native of New York State. Jane D., William M.,
Albert E., George H., Mary A. and Flora D, are the names ot
their children. Mr. Markham is an Odd-Fellow of high standing.
George Townsend, retired farmer, was born in Lewis county.
New York, in 1810. This state was his home until 1858, when he
came to Olmsted county, remaining in Rochester one year, when he
moved seven miles northwest on a farm. He now resides in the
city. He was married in 1832, to Miss Maria Brigham, also a
native of New York State. In 1880 his wife died, leaving him
without a companion in his declining years.
RoBERSON CoRNTORTH (deccascd) was a son of William arid
Lydia Cornforth, and was born in Franklin county, Maine, July 1 ,
1824. When twenty-one years of age he went to Providence, Rhode
Island, and there engaged in business, which he continued two
years. From that city he went to Salem, Massachusetts, where he
remained until January, 1849. In that year he sailed from ]3oston
on board the ship Capitol for California, where he entered the gold
regions and was afterward engaged in farming and stock-raising
61
1022 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
with varying success. In September, 1853, he came to St. Paul,
where he remained until 1858, when he came to Rochester and en-
gaged in the lumber business. Mr. Cornforth was married in Maj,
1868, to Miss Julia Mershom, a native of New York. Charles A.
is the name of their only living child. Mr. Cornforth was called
very suddenly and unexpectedly to meet his Creator, but it is be-
lieved that he met death as he had battled with life, cheerfully and
with a manly heart. In life he was loved and respected, and in
death he is deeply mourned.
* Alfred D. Leet, drygoods merchant, was born in Chautauqua
county, New York, December 1, 1828. He was for six years en-
gaged at tailoring in Sherman. In 1S5T he came west and located
in Mantcrville, remaining one year. In 1858 he came to Rochester
and in companj^ with Jay LaDue opened a clothing store. At the
end of six years they dissolved, after which our subject became an
employe of J. D. Blake & Co., in which capacity he acted two
years, when he became a member of the firm. Mr. Leet was mar-
ried in 1854, to Miss Ellen J. Strong, also a native of New York.
They are members of the Universalist church. He is one of Roches-
ter's most successful and popular business men. His grandparents
were early settlers in Chautauqua count}', and one of his ancestors
was at one time governor of Connecticut.
Horace E. Horton, civil engineer and bridge builder, was born
in Norway, New York, December 20, 1843. In 1856 he went to
Utica and spent two years attending the high schools of that city.
In 1858 he came to Olmsted county, locating in Rochester. In
1863 he returned to New York and entered the Fairfield Seminary
in Herkimer county, where he studied civil engineering, to which he
has since devoted a part of his time and attention. After spending
three years there he returned to Rochester. He has erected large
highway bridges in several states, three of which are across the Mis-
sissippi. For three years he has had charge of work in his line for
the insane hospital board. He is a member of the Western Society
of Engineers of Chicago and the American Society of Civil Engineers
of New York. He was married December 28, 1871, to Miss Emma
Babcock, a native of Cook county, Illinois. George T., Susie P.
and Jessie M. are the names of the children born to the couple.
Frankxin Yan Dooser, hardware dealer, was born in Randolph,
New York, November 17, 1834 ; later his father's family emigrated
to Meadville, Pennsylvania, where the subject of this sketch received
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1023
his education. He came to Eochester in 1858, and opened a drug
store. He afterward entered the lumber business. In 1862 he
raised a company (Co. I, Mounted Rangers), of which he was made
first lieutenant ; serving fifteen months on the frontier, and return-
ing to Rochester in 1864, where he embarked in the hardware
business, which he still continues. He was mai-ried in 1859, to Miss
Emma F. Nelson. Emma, Charlie and Helen M. are the names of
their children. Mr. Yan Dooser and family are members of the
Episcopal church.
Jay La Due, traveling salesman, was born in the State ot
New York, April 7, 1827. His father, Joshua La Due was one
of the pioneer settlers of that county.
In 1847 the subject of this sketch commenced merchant-tailoring
in Fredonia, New York, his partner being a man named Isherwood.
The firm did business in that town five years. In 1850 Mr. La Due
went to Sherman, New York, and in company with A. D. Leet com-
menced business there. In 1853 he was appointed postmaster,
which position he held until 1857. In that year the firm came
to Mantorville, Minnesota, where they remained one year, thence
to Rochester in 1858, where they carried on business until the
winter of 1861-2, when they dissolved and closed out their stock.
Mr. La Due having suffered from ill health, then started on the
road with a wagon selling notions for R. I. Johnston & Co., which
he continued five years. He then returned to New York and
engaged with Whitfield, Powers & Co., of that city.
He was married in 1850, to Miss Janette Buell, a native of New
York State. Clarence M., Lamott, Mabel, John Jay and Albert are
the names of their children.
Geoege, son of Chester and Clarisa (Lee) Stocking, was born in
Hartford county, Connecticut, in January, 1816. "When he was an
infant the family emigrated to Ohio and located in Geauga county,
which was then almost a wilderness. In 1848 our subject joined
the Erie conference and was ordained a Methodist minister, after
which he spent eight years traveling through western Pennsylvania
and Ohio, and was afterward located. He came to Minnesota
in 1857, and in 1858 located in Eyota township, remaining six years.
He then came to Rochester and engaged in the grocery business,
and later in the glassware business. He served as justice one term
in Eyota and one in Rochester.
He was married in 1838 to Miss Jane Bos worth, a native of New
1024 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
York State. Angeline M., wife of W. H. Ireland, Francis A.
(deceased), Clark (deceased), George B. and Belle are the names of
their children.
Joseph Alexander Leonard was the youngest of five children
of Rev. William Leonard, a native of Salisbmy, Maryland, and his
wife, Harriet Laverty, of Berks county, Pennsylvania.
He was born on Christmas eve, 1830, at Cambridge, Maryland,
where his father, who was a member of the Philadelphia conference
of the. Methodist church, was then stationed. His father was after-
ward stationed at Seaford, Delaware, where he died in 1832. The
family afterward lived at West Chester and at Columbia in Pennsyl-
vania, and in 1840 removed to Philadelphia, where he attended the
public schools till about fifteen years old, when he was employed
first in a drygoods store, and afterward in a book-publishing house.
At the age of seventeen he entered the ofiice of Prof. James
McClintock, lecturer on anatom}^ and surgery in the Philadelphia
Medical College, at which institution after three years' attendance at
lectures he graduated as a doctor of medicine in the summer of 1851,
when about six months under the legal age. He practiced medicine
at Dowagiac, Michigan, until the summer of 1853, when he removed
to Whitewater, Wisconsin, where he pursued the same profession
for about a year and a half, but becoming, in the meanwhile, local
editor of the Whitewater " Gazette," he afterward became one of its
owners, in partnership with Mr. Addison Emerson and editor.
In December, 1856, they removed the "Gazette" to Waukesha,
Wisconsin, where they consolidated it with the Waukesha "Plain
Dealer," and established the Waukesha ." Republican," the first
permanent republican paper in that county. He edited the "Re-
publican " until the spring of 1858, when he went to Madison, Wis-
consin, where he was appointed clerk to a committee of the Wiscon-
sin legislature for the investigation of loans of the state school funds.
On the adjournment of the legislature he came to Rochester,
Minnesota, arriving there June 7, 1858. He entered the law ofiice
of Hon. Moses W. Fay, and after being admitted to the bar, October
20, 1858, became a partner with Mr. Fay in the firm of Fay &
Leonard. He retired from the firm and practiced alone after about
a year of partnership. In 1859 he was elected, on the republican
ticket, county attorney for Olmsted county. He was the first
county attorney of the county, that ofiice superseding, under the
state organization, the district-attorneyship which had existed under
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1025
the territorial organization. He held the office for two years. In
April, 1861, he was appointed by President Lincoln the first re})ub-
lican postmaster of Kochester. On October 30, 1861, he was
married to Miss Kate, daughter of Mr. Zalmon J. and Mrs. Sarah
Cowles, of Rochester. In May, 1864, he was appointed by Presi-
dent Lincoln as captain and commissary, and resigned the post-
mastership. He was assigned to the 1st division of the 16th Army
Corps, a command in wliicli were included four Minnesota regi-
ments, with which he was continued during his term of service,
being on the staff, first of Gen. Joseph A. Mower, and afterward of
Gen. John McArthur. At the close of the war he was stationed at
Selma, Alabama, as depot and post commissary. He returned
to Rochester in August, 1865, and was discharged from the army in
October, 1865. with the brevet rank of major. In November, 1865,
he entered into partnership with Walter S. Booth, Esq., in the firm
of Leonard & Booth, who purchased the city "Post" printing-oflice,
and became publishers of the Rochester "Post," he acting, chiefly,
as editor of that paper. In. January, 1868, he was elected president
of the Minnesota editorial association, and was re-elected in 1869,
serving two terms. He delivei'ed the annual address before the
association in 1871 and again in 1881. In 1868 he was elected
state senator for Olmsted county on the republican ticket, and held
the office one term, serving in the legislative sessions of 1869 and
1870. In May, 1874, he was appointed by President Grant as
register of the United States land office at Jackson, Minnesota, and
held the office until August, 1875. During his incumbency, in the
spring of 1875, the office was removed to Worthington, Minnesota.
In 1875, on the establishment of the Minnesota inebriate asylum at
Rochester, which has since been made the Rochester hospital for in-
sane, he was appointed by Gov. Davis as a member of the first
board of directors, and in the organization of the board he was
made treasurer. He resigned the office in 1876, when in October,
1876, the firm of Leonard & Booth was dissolved by the retirement
of Mr. Booth, leaving to Mr. Leonard the sole ownership and
management of the " Post " and the "Post" printing-office, which' he
conducted until he went abroad. In June, 1877, he was appointed
by President Hayes as one of the visitors to the United States Naval
Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, spending ten days in attendance
on the annual examinations and graduation exercises of that institu-
tion, and being selected by the board of visitors to write their
1026 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
report. On July 1, 1881, he was appointed by President Garfield
as United States consul at Leitli, Scotland, and is now with his
family, residing at Edinburgh, of which city Leith is the port.
Reuben B, Moore, farmer, was born in Rochester, New York,
September 24, 1826. Both his parents were natives of the same
state, his mother, Betsey M, Truman, being born at Painted Post.
His father was Norman C. Moore, who went to Illinois in 1833, and
settled the following year in De Kalb county, near the present site
of Sycamore. At that time his nearest white neighbor was fifteen
miles away, and Indians were everyday companions. The subject
of this sketch drove the oxen that broke the first land in that sec-
tion. In 1844 he went with his parents to Putnam county, Illinois,
and thence went with oxen to California in 1849, the trip occupying
ninety days. He had thus traveled from New York State to the
Golden State with oxen, the time occupied when moving to Illinois
being fifty-two days. After nine years of mining, during which
time he made and lost large sums, Mr. Moore returned to the Mis-
sissippi valley. In the fall of 1858 he visited this town and bought
two hundred and eighty acres of land on section 2, on which he
settled next spring, and has dwelt here ever since. He also has
forty acres on section 34, in Cascade, acquired subsequently. Mr.
Moore's farm is one of the most handsomely situated ones to be
found in the state. In the spring of 1883 he was elected a member
of the board of supervisors, although his politics, democratic, do
not jibe with the majority of the voters of the town. On March
19, 1859, Mr. Moore was united in marriage to Miss Adel Buehlen,
daughter of a pioneer, whose biography will be found under the his-
tory of Rochester city. The names and birth-dates of their four
children are here given : Frank, February 8, 1860 (employed in
the Northwest Territory, home still here) ; May Adelaide, May 16,
1861 ; James Chauncey, January 9, 1863 ; Harlan Billings, February
3, 1867. The last three are all at home with parents now.
Edward B. Dodge, of Farmington, was born in 1849, at the
town of Montague, Franklin county, Massachusetts. His parents'
names were Harrison and Cyntha P. Dodge. When Edward was
nine years old his parents removed to Minnesota, and settled on a
farm in the town of Farmington. In 1872 Mr. Dodge was united
in marriage with Miss Mary A. Clark, of Cascade, the marriage
ceremony being performed by Rev. Eliza T. Wilkes, a minister of the
Universalist denomination. Mr. Dodge has a common school edu-
BIOGKAPHICAL. 1 0 2 7
cation ; in politics lie is a republican, and a tanner by occupation.
In religious views he is a liberal. Five children have been born in
the family, only three of whom survive.
George Stewart, Pleasant Grove, was born in Perthshire,
Scotland, in 1816 ; came to America in 18-42, stopping one year in
New York city, thence went to Connecticut. Being a currier, which
trade he learned in Scotland, he worked at his trade until he came
to Minnesota in 1858. He located on section 5 in Pleasant Grove
township. In 1857 he was married to Miss Lydia M. Basset. His
brother-in-law, Robert Angus, came in 1854, locating on section 6,
Pleasant Grove township. Mr. Angus died in 1881, and was also a
native of Scotland.
Edward Cohran, farmer, Rochester township, was born in
County Kavanagh, Ireland, in 1825. He came to America in 1846,
remaining in New York State until 1853, when he came west to
Clarke county, Ohio. In 1858 he brought his family to Minnesota,
locating on section 36, Rochester township. He was married in
1850, to Miss Margaret Maney, a native of County Clare, Ireland.
Peter, deceased; Edward, deceased; Mary J., Elizabeth, John E.,
Joseph J., AdaV. and Nellie B. are their children's names. Peter,
the eldest son, enlisted in Co. I, 6th Minn. Inf., and spent thirteen
months in tlie service of his country. The family are members of
the Catholic church.
Michael Burns, farmer, of Quincy, was born in County Kil-
kenny, Ireland, in 1822. He came to America in 1849, remaining
in New York until 1854, when he came west to Kane county, Illi-
nois. From thence he came to Olmsted county in 1858, locating
on section 25, Quincy township.
Enoch Dickerman, farmer, son of Samuel and Jane (Cilley)
Dickerraan, of Topsham, Vermont, was born September 5, 1830 ;
married Betsey M. Rollins, of Orange, Vermont, February 2, 1854.
The hills of New England being too closely set to allow the cultiva-
tion of large fields, he came to the prairies of the west and gazed
upon the face of Viola in 1855; he brought his family to Minnesota
in 1857; filed pre-emption entry on a quarter-section of land in the
spring of 1858, and built a house — a part of his present residence —
on the N.W. J of the N.E. J of Sec. 4, in Viola. He has been a
member of the school board almost continuously for the last seven-
teen years ; has assessed the property of the township four times,
and taken its census once. He has over 300 acres of land, a good
1028 HISTOEY Ot OLMSTED COUNTY.
stock of cattle and horses, the best farm implements to be obtained,
and buildings that are substantial and models of convenience. His
house is a perfect home, and all its surroundings are pleasant ;
' ' the old oaken bucket " hangs in the well ; the towering hill, with its
si lagged brow of rock precluding; the morning sun's red glare; the
limpid brooklet, in which sleek-haired kine slake their thirst, glides
quietly past the door. The names of his children are as follows :
Clarence E., Ernest L., Elwin H. and Enoch O. Dickerman, of
whom the first three are living, and have apparently imbibed much
of the benevolence of their parents. Mr. Dickerman is an accom-
modating neighbor and a good citizen.
Edwik- A. Doty, farmer, was born in Monroe county. New York,
1833. In 1856 he married Mary E. Scott, daughter of Isaac Scott, a
physician and surgeon of Monroe county. They came to Viola, April,
1858, settled on the southwest quarter of section 34, and soon opened
their doors to the youthful philomaths of the new country, and be-
came teachers in their own house. They are devout persons who
embrace the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, and make their
lives to correspond with their professions. Their only children,
Millard F. and Henry A. are worthy sons. Henry is attending the
Winona State Normal School. Mr. Doty owns 245 acres of choice
farming land with a neat set of buildings, worth about $4,000,
eligibly located. His father, Calvin Doty, a successful farmer,
was born in New Jersey, in 1802, and is living within two miles of
his son. Calvin Doty married Caroline Stowe, who was born in
Massachusetts, 1807. Mr. E. A. Doty has been a republican ever
since he came to Yiola, and has always been considered fair in
politics, and not likely to change for the sake of office. He was
town treasurer several years and county commissioner one term.
He is noticeably unostentatious in manners and dress, but always
lieat in appearance and courteous in deportment.
Ja3£es T. Price, farmer, settled in Eyota township in the year
1858, where he now is the owner of a fine farm consisting of 640
acres. Mr. Price has been very successful, both as a farmer and as
a stock-raiser, the principal stock raised b}' him being sheep. For
nine years after Mr. Price settled in Eyota he was obliged to draw
his grain all the way to Winona, that being the nearest market to
his farm at that time.
Abel Hannon, farmer, was born in what is now Lawrence
county, Pennsylvania, July 31, 1811. He is a son of Thomas
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1029
Hannon, who died of fever contracted in the United States ser-
vice during the war of 1812, and Margaret Hannon nse Morrow,
both natives of Delaware. The youtliful Abel attended the
common schools of his native state and assisted his father on
the farm. When twenty-eight years old he removed to Van
Wert county, Ohio, where he was married January 19, 1832,
to Martlia, daughter of Alexander and Martha (Hannon) Copper.
Mr. Hannon removed to Minnesota in 1858, arriving in Oronoco in
June of that year. He bought a quarter-section of land on section
29, which he divided between his sons, and another quarter on sec-
tions 32-3, which he occupied until 1877. This he then sold, and
bought the farm of his son, H. T., on section 29, where he now
resides in comfortable circumstances. Despite his seventy-two
years Mr. Hannon steps about as spry as a man of thirty. In
January, 1882, occurred the golden anniversary of the wedding of
Mr. and Mrs. Hannon, at the celebration of which were present four
of their children, with ten grandchildren. Their household has
numbered live children, as named below : Lorenzo D., born August
20, 1833, married Elizabeth Need, of Indiana, April 1, 1856, sub-
sequently divorced, and married Mary Alden, of Dodge Center,
Minnesota, January 1, 1881, and now lives at Minneapolis ; Lean-
der G., born March 21, 1836, married Sarah E. Smith, of New
Haven, November 16, 1863, now resides on section 29, adjoining
his father; Margaret A., born November 12, 1839, married Avery
Broekway, April 3, 1856, and resides on section 30 of this township;
David Alexander Hannon was born November 16, 1843, and died
September 26, 1869, from disease contracted in the United States
army, having enlisted early in 1863, in Co. K, 3d reg. M.Y.I., in
which he served until disabled; H. T., born April 10, 1847, and
whose biography is given under the town of Rochester in this work.
Mr. Hannon is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In
politics he was a democrat until the war of the rebellion, but sup-
ported Lincoln and Grant for the presidency. The confidence of
his fellow-citizens was shown in 1870 by making him a member of
the board of supervisors.
John G. Hart (deceased) was born in Berkshire county, Massa-
chusetts, July 13, 1813. When about twenty-one years of age he
came west to Jefferson, Ohio, where he engaged in lumbering and
milling. During the financial panic of 1857 his property was swept
away, leaving him almost penniless. He came to Minnesota with
1030 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNT r.
his family in 1858, and with his wife's assistance succeeded in
regaining a part of his lost fortune. He was married in 184:9, to
Miss Phoeba A. March, a native of Pennsylvania. Frederick E.
(deceased), Laura H., Alfred R., James W., Milan J. and Albert H.
are their children's names. Mr. Hart died June 13, 1876. The
widow and a part of the family now reside one mile north of Dover
Center.
Edward J. Roth, Jr. , member of the firm of Bonham & Roth,
was born in St. Paul, August 28, 1857. Two years later the family
went to Red Wing. His father, Henry Roth, is a Methodist
minister, and has spent many years in the religious field. Our
subject was married in April, 1881, to Miss Flora Bonham, a
daughtBr of Jacob Bonham, Esq., and a native of Olmsted county.
Edward J., is the only child, aged seven months. Mr. Roth and
wife are members of the Methodist Ej^iscopal church,
Olajsts Oleson, wagon manufacturer, was born in Norway in
1825. He came to America in 1853, locating in Chicago ; thence he
went to Belvidere, Illinois, remaining until 1859, when he came to
Olmsted county and opened a wagon factory, which has since grown
to large proportions, under the judicious management of Oleson &
Larsen. Mr. Oleson was married in 1853. Henry is the name of
their only child.
Hon. Richard A, Jones, attorney-at-law, son of Stephen and
Isabel Jones, was born near Lafayette. Indiana, October 22, 1831.
On the paternal side the family are of Welsh origin, and German on
the maternal. In 1838 the family emigrated to Wisconsin, locating
near the present site of Evansville. His father was a Methodist
clergyman, and came west on account of poor health. He farmed
after coming to Wisconsin until ISM, when he again entered upon
his ministerial duties, preaching in Jefiferson and adjacent counties
until 1855. Our subject received his early education at Milton
Academy, after which he entered the law office of David E. Wood,
of Fond du Lac. In 1853 he went to San Jose, California, crossing
lat state until 1859, when
he returned east and located in Chattield, where he resided and
practiced until 1864, when he came to Rochester. He was married
July 8, 1855, to Miss Sarali J. McClelland, a native of Pennsylvania,
and who died May 25, 1879. McClelland K., now in Lawrence,
Kansas; Richard S., Huron, Dakota; Isabel L. and Edith H. are
the names of the children born to the couple. Mr. Jones is a Mason
BIOGRAPHICAL.
1031
of high standing, a popular citizen, and his fine legal ability is
conceded by all.
Andrew Nelson, drygoods merchant, was born in Norway, in
1837. He emigrated to America in 1854, locating in Wisconsin.
He came to Kochester in 1859. In 1860 he obtained a position in
the store of Henry M. Kellog, where he remained nntil the fall of
1862, when he commenced business for himself, in the block corner
Third and Main streets. In 1869 he moved his stock into the Union
block owned by Hon J. Y. Daniels. In September, 18T9, he again
removed into the palatial structure which had just been completed
by Olds and Fishback (according to Mr. Nelson's plans), and which
is one of the finest storerooms in southern Minnesota. Mr. Nelson
came to Rochester without capital, and by industrj- and enterprise
lias won for himself a place among the leading business men of the
1032 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
State. He was married in 1859, to Miss Dora M. Nelson, a native
of Denmark. Nora M., Albert K. and Lawrence A. are the names
of their children.
Abraham Ozmun, hardware dealer, was born in Tompkins county,
New York, August 31, 1814. In the spring of 1856 he came west
to Illinois, and in the fall of the same year came to Winona,
Minnesota. Later he came to Rochester and located on a farm one
mile west of the village. In 1859 he was elected to the legislature,
where he served one term. In 1862 he moved to the city and
embarked in the drygoods business, and later in hardware. The
frame building he occupied was burned, and the one that now ac-
commodates the immense stock was erected in 1872. The building
is 46x115, and is two stories high with basement the full size of the
building. In 1882 his son A. M. Ozmun withdrew from the firm,
and is now a partner in a wholesale firm in St. Paul. He was
succeeded by John M. Booth, and the firm is now Ozmun & Booth,
who are doing a large wholesale and retail business. The subject
of this sketch was married October 3, 1834, to Miss Electa J.
Hedden, also a native of New York. The names of their children
are as follows : Aaron (now residing in St. Paul), Mary M. (in
Colorado Springs), Montgomery (also at Colorado Springs, Colorado),
Ella E., Edward H. and Charles T. The Ozmun family are of
Welsh origin, but the ancestors came to America previous to the
revolution, the grandfather of our subject being a soldier in that
struggle. He was taken prisoner at Fort Montgomery, and died in
the notorious "sugarhouse" prison. M. A. Ozmun died at Colorado
Springs August 12, 1883, and was buried in Rochester on the 17th.
Geokge Healy (money loaner), son of Ebenezer and Amia
(White) Healy, was born in Cayuga county. New York, August 19,
1812. At an earl}' age he turned his attention to civil engineering,
which he followed many years. He was married in 1841, to Miss
Theodosia Polhemus, also a native of Cayuga county. New York.
The names of their children, all deceased, are as follows: Mary A.,
George P. and Sarah D. (adopted). Mr. Healy came to Olmsted
county, in 1859, and financial prosperity has ever attended him.
Hon. Ole Juelson, was born February 12, 1829, in Yalders,
Norway, and emigrated to the United States, 1850, and settled in
Madison, Wisconsin, and moved from there to Mower county, this
state, in 1853, where he remained six years, when he came to Rock
Dell, and settled on section 10. He now resides on section 16.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1083
Mr. Juelson was a member of the state legislature for the regular
term 1881, and the special term of 1882. He has been chairman
and member of theboard of town supervisors for several years, and
clerk of the district school-board. Was appointed postmaster at
Kock Dell on June 2, 1866, but resigned two yeai-s later.
Henry Curtiss Butler was born in Perrv, Wyoming county,
New York, January- 25, 1828. His parents were William and Han-
nah Butler. His father was born in Oneida county, New York, and
was one of the earliest settlers of Genesee county when it included
nearly all of what is now Wyoming county, and purchased and im-
proved a farm there when the entire country was a dense forest. His
grandparents emigrated from Connecticut to Clinton, Oneiija county,
when that country was a wilderness. Their ancestors were among
the early colonists of Connecticut from England. The subject of
this sketch was brought up on his father's farm in Perry, attending
the district school in his neighborhood winters, and working on the
farm summers, until he was eleven years of age, when he entered
the Perry Center Academy and continued there under the tuition of
Rev. Charles A. Huntington until he was sixteen years of age. In
September, 18J:4, he entered Hamilton College, in Clinton, New
York, and graduated in July, 1848. He studied law in the office
of Taggart & Wakeman, in Batavia, New York, from September,
1848, until May, 1850. In the spring of 1850 he went to St. Paul,
Minnesota, arriving there June 1, 1850. While in St. Paul he was
with Hon. William P. Murray, now city attorney of that cit3\ In
September, 1850, he went to Beloit, Wisconsin, and was in the
office of Keep & Todd from September, 1850, until April, 1852.
He was admitted to practice in the courts in Wisconsin at Janesville,
March 21, 1851. From 1852 to 1855 he was engaged in farming
and some business enterprises in Beloit. In 1855, having met with
financial losses, he determined to resume the practice of law, and
for that purpose located in Carimona, then the county seat of Fill-
more county, August 9, 1855, being the third lawyer in that county.
In November, 1859, he removed to Chatiield, where he reinained
until November 17, 1864, when he changed his location to Roches-
ter. In 1866 he was appointed deputy collector of internal revenue
for Olmsted county, holding that office until 1869. August 10,
1872, he was appointed register in bankruptcy for the first congres-
sional district of Minnesota, holding that office until the repeal of
the bankrupt law. November 2, 1875, he was elected county attor-
1034 HISTORiT OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
ney of Olmsted county, holding that office until January 1, 1878.
jSToveraber 5, 1878, he was elected judge of probate of Olmsted
county, and re-elected November 5, 1880. He "has continued the
practice of law without interruption ever since the summer of 1855.
November 30, 1858, he was married to Miss Martha J. Ward, of
Oshkosh, Wisconsin. They have had three children, of whom two
are still living. He has been junior warden of Calvary church six-
teen years, and is a member of all the masonic orders in Rochester.
As an attorney, the judge ranks among the first in the state. He
is an inveterate student, has a clear logical conception of law, is
strong in his convictions of right and wrong, and that his abilities
are appreciated by his fellow-citizens is evident from the numerous
positions to which they have called him. His demeanor is polished,
yet a certain degree of cordiality pervades his actions. Endowed
with numerous characteristics of worth, he possesses the well-merited
respect of a large circle of friends.
JuERGEN Fkahm, of Famiington, was born in Germany, 1853.
His parents' names are Henry and Anna C. Frahm. When Juer-
gen was two years old the family emigrated to America, settling
at Davenport, Jowa. The family remained at Davenport about a
year and a half, when they removed to Winona, Minnesota. The
subject of this notice continued to reside with his parents during his
boyhood and youthful days, in the meantime attending the Roches-
ter high school several terms. In 1865 the family removed to
Farmington, and in 1878 Juergen was united in marriage with Miss
Kate C. Raischle. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Frahm, all of whom are living. Mr. Frahm is a member of the
Evangelical Lutheran church, and in politics he is a thoroughgoing
republican. In the fall of 1871 he was elected to the Minnesota
house of representatives to fill the unexpired term of Hon. J. V.
Daniels, deceased, and the following year he was re-elected to the
same position, which he now holds. He has served his town for
several years as town clerk, and is the present incumbent of that
office.
Patrick ' Murray came from the east to Saratoga, Winona
county, Minnesota, in 1859, and in- 1861 purchased one hundred
acres of land in the adjoining township of Elmira, Olmsted county,
in section 24. In September, 1862, feeling it his duty to fight in
defense of his country, he enlisted in the 9th Minn. Inf., Co. K, and
in June, 1864, was captured by Gen. Price's command in Mississippi,
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1035
and liad to suffer all the ills attendant on a ten months' imprison-
ment in rebel prisons. He was confined at Mobile, Macon and
Andersonville ; was paroled in the spring of 1865, and was mus-
tered out in September of same year, when he at once returned to
his farm in the north. In 1868 he was united in marriage to Miss
Bell Hanna, daughter of John and Mary Hanna, of New York, in
which state Miss Bell Hanna was born in 1847. By this marriage
our subject has had three children : Freddie, born June 8, 1873 ;
Clarence, January 19, 1878, and Mary, September 4, 1881. Mr.
Murray has purchased in Elmira 840 acres of land, on which he has
some very extensive buildings. The grounds surrounding his
handsome dwelling have been laid out with much taste. Our
subject was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, in 1838, and is the
son of Patrick and Mary (Ryan) Murray. His father died when he
was only one year old, and his mother, having come to America in
1847, died the following year, leaving her son at the age of ten to
shift for himself. Mr. Murray, during boyhood, worked out on
farms, and by economy and hard work managed to save enough to
start him in farming in a small way for himself in 1859, since which
time, by his energy and business tact, he has managed to accumulate
an independence.
Judge Roderic D. Hathaway, Pleasant Grove, was born in
Seneca county, New York, August 27, 1826. His ancestry on the
paternal side were English, and settled in New Bedford, shipbuild-
ing being their avocation. Our subject was reared a farmer. He
received his early education in the district schools and finally grad-
uated from the state normal school at Alban3\ In 1850 he came
west to Wisconsin, locating in Marquette county. Subsequently he
was made county judge of Waushara county, acting in that capacity
four years. He came to Olmsted county in 1859, locating at
Pleasant Grove. In 1866 he served a term in the lower house of
the state legislature. -In 1869 he was appointed postmaster, which
position he still holds. He has held several other offices of minor
importance, and has taken an active and prominent part in public
affairs. On August 30, 1859, he was united in marriage with Miss
Lucinda I. Oakley, a native of Cayuga county, New York. The
children born to them are as follows: Haddie H., now wife of
Thomas C. Reedal of Rochester, Cora B. and Mertie I. The
judge's family are members of the Episcopal church, and he is a
member of the Masonic order at Pleasant Grove. He now devot^
1036
HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
his entire time and attention to his private alFairs. He started out
in life without means, and by successful financial management he
has acquired a large estate.
Elijah Hanks, Rochester, real-estate dealer, was born in Lake
county, Ohio, January 2, 1828. The family are of German origin.
His father being a blacksmith, our subject was taught to use the
anvil and forge at an early age. In 1857 he came to Minnesota,
locating in Dodge county. In 1859 he came to Olmsted county,
locating in Rochester, where he followed blacksmithing twelve
years. Later he entered the real-estate and loan business. He was
married September 3, 1851, to Miss Cornelia A. Martin, a native of
Ashtabula county, Ohio. Arthur is the name of their only child.
In 1862 our subject went to the frontier and aided in suppressing
the hostile Sioux, where he had his first experience in Indian fight-
ing.
P. H. FooTE, son of Simon and Emelia Foote, was born in 1859,
in Orion township, Minnesota. He lives on the old homestead on
section 28. He attended school at Cummingsville in his youthfiil
days. He then went to Rochester city to the high school for a
number of terms. He is a farmer by occupation and a republican in
politics. His father was one of the early settlers of Orion; he died
about 1878.
A. OZMUN.
CHAPTER XXV.
BIOGRAPHICAL — Continued.
OTHER PROMINENT PERSONS.
Prominent among the leading business men in Rochester, is
William W. Ireland, bookdealer. He was born in Tompkins
county, New York, in 1845. When he was eleven years of age the
family came to Rochester. Here our subject received his early
education, taking the first course in a log schoolhouse that stood
east of the river, and which now exists only in the memories of the
early residents of Rochester. In 1864 he went to Cliicago and took
a course in Bryant & Stratton's Business College. In 1865 he
returned and was for five years employed in the postofiice. In 1868
he embarked in the book and stationery business in Heaney's block,
and now carries one of the largest stocks in southern Minnesota.
Mr. Ireland began his "business career with but little capital, and by
excellent financial management has built his business up to its
present proportions without assistance. He was married in January,
1882, to Miss Annie Kelly, a native of Maine. He is a member of
the blue lodge and of the commandery, also of the Knights of
Honor.
Among the most prominent of Rochester's professional men is
William W. Mayo, who was born at Manchester, England, May
31, 1819, and emigrated to America in early life. He lived tor
some time in New York city. From thence he moved to Buffalo,
New York, and in 1816 moved to Indiana, and there completed his
medical studies. He commenced practice in La Fayette, Indiana,
and in the spring of 1854 received an ad eundem degree of medicine
from the Missouri University. In May, 1854, he moved to St. Paul,
Minnesota, and in the fall of the same year to Superior City, Wis-
consin, and took a claim upon the land opposite the Bay of St. Louis,
in Minnesota. He was appointed by Governor W. A. Gorman-
then the territorial governor — as chairman of the first board of
county commissioners of St. Louis county. The only act performed
by him while holding that ofiice was to locate the county seat of St.
Louis county upon the claim and at the cabin of George Nettleton,
62
1038 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
which location is now the citj of Duhith. The doctor was also ap-
pointed by the governor to take the census in 1855. The entire
county at that time, extending from the falls of St. Louis to Pigeon
river, one hundred and fifty miles, contained only twenty full-blooded
white men. These were all located along the line of the St. Louis
river and Lake Superior, there being no settlers back in the coun-
ty. After taking the census and having his claim successfully
jumped, the doctor engaged with the Northwestern Exploring Com-
pany to search for copper-mining claims, and to put men upon them
to hold the claims for the company. These men wei-e paid $30 per
month and their board. During one of these explorations while out
in the pine woods, the spicules from the fir-trees took fire from his
camp-tire, and in the night, the wind having changed, the fire was
brought down upon the camp, burning his provisions and camping
utensils. The result of this accident was five days in the woods
without food, and life was only preserved by killing a small spaniel
which had been his constant attendant for months. During this
life upon the lake shore he was in constant contact with Indians, and
for six months saw no other people ; having ample opportunity for
observing their mode of life, the peeuliar social relation of the sexes,
the methods of their so-called medicine-men in the treatment of the
sick, their religious ceremonies, although most of them professed
Christianity, yet retained ideas natural to this tribe. Late in the
fall of 1855 he returned to St. Paul. On his return trip he bought
a birch-bark canoe up the headwaters of the St. Croix river, and
in company with a half-breed Chippewa paddled and floated until
his destination (Stillwater) was at last reached in the dreaded dark-
ness of a midnight of storm on the third day of the trip. Thankful
to return with a scalp, which twice he had been in serious danger of
losing. In the spring of 1856 he moved up the Minnesota river
and opened a large farm in Nicollet county, and in 1858 gave up
farming and moved to Le Sueur, and again commenced the practice
of his profession, which had been abandoned for over three years.
In the year 1860 he ran a steamboat on the Minnesota river, in the
spring at high water running from St. Paul t(^Fort Ridgely. As the
water fell he ran his boat in connection with one of Commodore
Davidson's boats, at that time commanded by Captain John Ransey,
of St. Paul (lately deceased). One year closed out this steamboat-
ing, and he again returned to his profession. In 1862 he was ap-
pointed examining surgeon for Le Sueur county. At the commence-
BIOGEAPIIICAL. 1039
ment of the Indian outbreak in the same jeav he helped to raise a
body of about, thirty men in Le Sueur to go to the relief of New
Ulm. At New Ulm he was in all the fights with the Indians until
the number of the wounded became so great that it was necessary
to establish a hospital for their care. In companj^ with Dr. Mc-
Mahon, of Mankato, and Dr. Daniels, of St. Peter, hospitals were
opened and the wounded cared for in the best manner possible. In
the same year the doctor was appointed examining surgeon of the
provost-marshal's board for the first district of Minnesota, at Rochester.
In 1873 the doctor was elected president of the Minnesota State
Medical Association. In 1877 he spent the summer in Europe,
visiting the various hospitals. In April, 1882, he was elected
mayor of the city of Rochester, and in August was nominated by
the democrats of Olmsted county for state senator, but was de-
feated.
John A. Barkee, real-estate dealer, was born in Bennington
county, Yermont, in 1844. His early educational advantages were
poor, but, by experience, he acquired a knowledge of getting on in
the world. When thirteen years of age he came west to Columbia
county, Wisconsin, where he hired out as a farm-hand. He after-
ward returned east, and for a time drove a canal-horse between
Bufifalo and Troy. In 1860 he again came west, and, with a few
hundred dollars he had earned, purchased a farm in Haverhill town-
ship. He was for some time engaged in hauling wheat from
Rochester to Winona and other points on the river. He used oxen
as a motive power, and when night came he slept under his wagon.
He now owns about twelve hundred acres of land, a half of which is
in Dakota. He was married in 1861, to Miss Maria Schuyler, who
died in J 877. Four children were born to them, whose names, in
the order of their ages, are as follows : Bertha E., May, Augusta and
Jay A.
Gilbert A. Frizzell, county treasurer, was born in Canaan,
Essex county, Vermont, July 13, 1836. He received his early
education in that county, and in 1851 entered the seminary at
Tilton, New Hampshire, where he attended two years. In 1854 he
came west to Portage, Wisconsin, and taught school eighteen months
near that city, and afterward near Eau Claire until 1860, when he
came to Minnesota. He was elected treasurer of Olmsted county in
1879, and again in 1881. He is an efficient and popular ofiicer, and,
as is indicated by his re-election to the position, has the entire con-
1040 HISTOEY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
fidence of the people of the county. He was married December 14,
1859, to Miss Jane Morril, a native of Tilton, New Hampshire.
Jennie S. and Lucj^ I. are the names of their children. The family
are members of the Methodist Episcopal church ; Mr. Frizzell and
the eldest daughter are also members of the choir.
John J. Fulkerson, grocer, was born in Augusta count}-, Virginia.
When he was two years of age the family came to Olmsted county.
Our subject received his education at Marion and Rochester. In
1875 he obtained a position as clerk for D. H. Moon, in whose
employ he remained three years. In 1878 he became a partner with
N. C. Younglove, and in January, 1883, he purchased that gentle-
man's interest and is now sole proprietor. Mr. Fulkerson com-
menced without capital, and his success has been remarkable. By
energy, economy and enterprise he has accumulated a considerable
amount of wealth, has placed himself on a footing to handle a large
stock of goods, and has built up a very large trade.
Timothy Teahen, farmer, Quincy, was born in County Kerry,
Ireland, in 1847. The family came to America in 1851. The father
of our subject began railroading in New York State, gradually
working west, however, and landing in Minnesota in 1858. The
family came to Olmsted county in 1860, locating on section 23,
Quincy township, where our subject owns two hundred and
sixty acres of excellent land. He was married in 1865, to Jane Cooper,
a native of Ireland. Margaret E., Mary, Catharine and Angela are
their children's names. They belong to the Catholic church.
Hon. William Somerville was born in North Sawickly town-
ship, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, November 25, 1819. He re-
moved to Indiana in 1835, and married Rachel C. Cimningham,
daughter of Robert Cimningham, October 6, 1842. He took an
active part in the organization of the republican party ; in 1856
was put on the " stump " to meet all opposition in the fourth
congressional district of Indiana. He came to Viola in May,
1860, and took an active part in town meetings during the time
of the late war. He was a charter member of the first Good
Templars society in the town ; served as chairman of super-
visors three years, and was elected representative to the state
legislature in the fall of 1872. He is the father of six children :
Hester A., Luther E., Marilla J., Ehima D., George W. and Lucina
A. The second son is a successful lawyer in this state. Mr.
Somerville and wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1041
church for about forty _years. His father came from Irehxnd to
America in 1793, and in 1798 married Margaret Wilson, wliowas
born in Scotland in 1775. Mr. Somerville is a house-carpenter by
trade, but has been engaged in farming most of the time since his
marriage ; he owns more than 200 acres of land with a good set of
farm buildings and a fine orchard of apple-trees. He has devoted
much time to the ornamentati(m of his grounds by setting out hedges
and evergreens.
LuTHEK E. Somerville, farmer, eldest son of the above men-
tioned Wm. Somerville, was born in Ripley county, Indiana, May
3, 1817. He came to Viola with his parents in 1860, made good
use of the opportunities he had for getting an education, and when
twenty years of age entered Hamlin University as a student and
remained there two years. He completed the course of studies in
the Minneapolis Business College in 1871, and taught several terms
of school. He married Dollie A. Terry November 11, 1875. They
have two children, Ethel and Dora. Mr. Somerville has been town
clerk and. is a member of the board of supervisors. His farm con-
sists of 200 acres of choice land with suitable buildings, a good
stock of horses, cattle and hogs, and is admirably situated. He is a
republican in politics, and his industry, frugality and temperate
habits insure success in every undertaking.
Abraham John Goode, Pleasant Grove, son of John and Jane
(Brown ) Goode, was born in the town of Newburgh, Orange county,
New York, in 1827. The family are of German origin. When he
was ten years of age the family emigrated to Carbon county, Penn-
sylvania. Our subject came to Baraboo, Wisconsin, in 1849. In
1864 he went to Madison and Yazoo counties, Mississippi, remaining
but a year and a half, when he again returned to Wisconsin. In
1860 he came to Olmsted county, locating on section 36 in High
Forest township. In 1864 he enlisted in Co. C. 3d Minn. Inf ,
serving until the close of the war. His discharge dates September
2, 1865. During the war his family removed to the village of
Pleasant Grove. In 1868 he located on the S.E. J of Sec. 2,
Pleasant Grove township. He was united in marriage in Septem-
ber, 1851, to Miss Huldah J. Van Yalkenburgh, a native of Cayuga
county. New York. Their children's names, in the order of their
ages, are as follows : Wilbur B. (deceased), Lucie E., Cora E., F.
Edwin, J. Paul, Martha R., Mark S. *and Jane E. Mrs. Goode
and three of the children are members of the Disciple church at
1042 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Marion. Mr. Goode is a member of tlie I.O.O.F. at Kocliester,
having been a member of the order since twenty-one j^ears of age.
John D. Rinderknecht, farmer, ot Elmira township, is the son
of John and Rebecca Rinderknecht, and was born at Shepherdstown,
Pennsylvania, on March 27, 1848, where he lived for three years.
His parents then removed to Wisconsin, where he lived until 1860,
when they again removed to Orion, Minnesota. Here they lived
for a short time, then removing to Elmii-a township on section
19. Our subject received most of his education in Elmira. He
bought the northwest quarter of section 18, in Elmira township, in
1874, where he now lives. He was married in 1876, to Miss Alice
Potter, of Eyota. In politics he is a greenbacker.
Russell Willl^ms, teacher and farmer, is a son of Joseph and
Hannah (Russell) Williams, of Sudbury, Rutland county, Yermont,
where he began this earthly journey, December 19, 1814. Received
his education at the common schools of his native place, attending
Rutland Seminary and also a private academy at Westport, New
York, for a short time. He began teaching school at the age
of twenty years, which he continued for forty-three successive
winters, the last seventeen in Minnesota, besides giving his atten-
tion to farming in the meantime. He served his native town as
school superintendent, and also taught evening writing schools for
ten winters and singing schools twenty-five terras. He was married
November 12, 1840, to Lovina M., daughter of Benoni and Martha
(Foster) Griffin, a schoolmate and companion from early youth,
native of the same township. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are parents
of seven children, as below : Roscoe B. was born May 21, 1845, and
died January 24, 1849 ; Harlan P., born December 3, 1847, died
August 18, 1850 ; Herman Y., born January 26, 1849, died August
18, 1850; Erwin E., born January 6, 1851, who married January
6, 1872, to Alice, daughter of Almon Moulton, of Oronoco (who
died December 24, 1874, when he again married, December 6, 1878,
to Estella, daughter of Charles Phelps, of Genoa, and is now living
at Beaver Creek, Minnesota) ; Edna J., born March 22, 1852, and
now lives near Beaver Creek (having married Lorenzo Walker, of
Genoa, October 22, 1868); Edwin R., born April 29, 1854, who
now lives near Warren, Dakota Territory (and who married Olive,
daughter of Amos Moulton, December 12, 1878) ; Joseph R., born
June 3, 1856, still unmarried, who operates his father's farm and
has a share in butcher business at Rochester. In 1846 Mr. Will-
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1048
iams removed from Vermont to New York, and in 1850 to Wiscon-
sin. He came to Olmsted county in October, 1860, and purchased
a farm on section 2 of the township of Kahnar, then part of New
Haven. In the spring of 1867 he sold this and bought the farm on
section 32 of this township, where he now resides ; being one hun-
dred acres prairie and nine of timber. In religious faith Mr. Will-
iams is a Universalist and active Sunday-school worker and sup-
porter of preaching, whether of his own or some otlier faith. Mrs.
Williams is a Methodist. Mr. Williams is an active republican
in politics ; was supervisor in New Haven in 1863— i-5, and a short
time school superintendent under the town system. On the organi-
zation of the comaiissioner's district comprising that townsliip and
the adjoining ones of Oronoco, Cascade and Farmington in 1863, he
was school superintendent of the district until the inauguration
of the coimty in 1865. He was town clerk in 1868, and is justice of
the peace now, his service having begun in 1881.
George L. Clark, farmer, is a son of George L. and Elizabeth
Clark, of Weston, Oneida county. New York, where the subject of
this biography was introduced to the world February 7, 1828. He
was reared on a farm, and came with his parents to Dodge county,
Wisconsin, in 1845. On June 22, 1851, he was married to Clarissa,
daughter of Edward and Margaret (Annis) Baker. Has two sons,
Ernest A., whose biography is given below, and Devincy D., born
December 18, 1853, and who still resides with his parents and is en-
gaged in farming and threshing, having few successful rivals in the
latter occupation. Mr. Clark came to Olmsted county in 1860, and
settled on the farm where he now resides on section 33, Oronoco, in
the fall of 1882. He is of a retiring disposition, and has had
no public experiences ; nor is he connected with any societies. In
politics he is a democrat.
Ernest A. Clark, son of the above, was born in Adams county,
Wisconsin, March 4, 1852. He came to Oronoco with his parents
when eight years of age, and received his education in our common
schools. He was married February 27, 1878, to Agnes, daughter
of Henry and Jeannette Moulton, of Rochester, in this county. He
has one child, Addie May, born March 10, 1879. Mr. Clark owns
a farm of forty-seven acres on sections 32-3, where he now resides,
and which he has earned by his own labor. He gives some attention
to threshing in its season, in partnership with his brother, above
mentioned.
104i HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Oliver P. Shaffer, farmer, High Forest, was born in North-
ampton county, Pennsylvania, in 1826. His ancestry were of
French and German origin. When he was quite young the family
moved to Kent county, Maryland, and in 1853 came west to
Stephenson county, Illinois. In 1860 our subject came to Olmsted
county, locating on the southwest quarter of section 1, High Forest
township. Early in 1865 he enlisted m Co. G, 1st Minn. Inf., serv-
ing until the close of the war. He was married in 1850, to Miss
Angelina Stroud, who died in 1854. He was again married in 1856,
to Miss Sarah J. Hartsough, a native of Seneca county, New York.
Edgar, Charles, William, Angelina J., Elizabeth, Franklin, Emma
E. and John are their children's names. Mr. Shaffer and wife are
members of the Presbyterian church at Stewartville.
Mathew J. Merrick, farmer, Dover, was born in Kent county,
Delaware, February 7, 1825. When he was eight years of age, the
family came west, locating in Fayette county, Indiana. In 1856
our subject came to Winona county, locating near the city of
Winona, and in 1860 removed to Olmsted county, locating first on
section 26, and subsequently on section 21. He was married Janu-
ary 29, 1852, to Miss Mary F. Wilson, also a native of Kent county,
Delaware. Martha E., Mary F., Sarah L., Lulu A. and Minnie A.
are their children's names.
Marshall Hickok, farmer, is a son of Carter and Catharine
Hickock, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Penn-
sylvania. He was born at Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, March 21,
1840. When he was but four years old his parents settled on a
farm in Grant county, Wisconsin, where he grew to manhood,
enjoying the educational advantages of the district scliools of the
locality. He married Harriet L. Presby, September 15, 1859, and
removed the next year to New Haven, purchasing eighty acres of
land on section 8, where he still resides. Here Mrs. Hickok died,
May 5, 1874, leaving one child, Margaret, born January 14, 1868.
Mr. Hickok enlisted January 14, 1862, in Co. H, 5th Minn. Yol.
Inf., for two years, at the end of which time he re-enlisted and
served till Septeniber 29, 1865. He took part in thirty-one engage-
ments, great and small ; was in both battles at Corinth, at the
siege and battle of Vicksburg, Red River expedition, luka, Nashville,
New Orleans, Spanish Forts, and Fort Blakeley on Mobile bay, etc. ;
served under the famous A. J. Smith, whose corps was distinguished
for its gallantry and hard service endured. Mr. Hickok has also
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1045
done some civil service, having been constable of his town in
1872-3 and 1883. His ])olitica] principles are republican ; is a
member of Pine Island lodge, I.O.O.F. He was married October
15, 1874, to Delia, daughter of Edward W. and Ruby J. Maynard,
natives of New York. Four children blessed this union, as fol-
lows : Carrie, January 28, 1876; Marshall C, April 21, 1878;
Edw^n, June 28, 1880 ; Ruby J., July 25, 1882.
Wareen W. Peesby, deceased, was a native of New Hampshire,
the birthplace of his parents, Elijah Presby and Hannah Parker.
His advent on earth occurred at Lyman, March 25, 1815. His life
was that of the farmer's son everywhere. On April 18, 1837, he
was united in marriage to Margaret Parker, whose parents, Phineas
and Rebechah Streeter-Parker, were born in Lyman. In 1850 Mr.
Presby went to St. Johnsbury, Vermont, and was employed in
machine-shops for six years. In 1856 he removed to Grant county,
Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming. Four years later he came to
to New Haven, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land on sec-
tion 8, where his family resides. Mrs. Presby united with the Meth-
odist Episcopal church at fifteen years of age. After coming west
Mr. and Mrs. P. became believers in Spiritualism, in which faith
he declared renewed strength at his death, April 27, 1S74. The
deceased was a member of the I.O.O.F. during his residence in the
east, and was always a member of the republican party. Four
children were born to him, as here noted : Mary E., March 18,
1838, married Edward Bircher, in June, 1867, and now resides at
Minneapolis, a widow ; Harriet L., February 14, 1844, married
Marshall Hickok, Se])tember 15, 1859, and died May 5, 1874 ; War-
ren E., June 27, 1856, was married December 18, 1880, to Alice
Stafford, who died May 29, 1882, leaving an infant child, Alice
Pearl, now with Mrs. Presby ; Sarah Rebeckah, January 29, 1860,
married Richard Lovell, January 1, 1878, and lives at Billings,
Montana. Mr. Presby's widow received a paralytic stroke in March,
1881, from which she has never full_y recovered.
James Rinderknecht, son of John and Rebecca Rinderknecht,
was born in Green Lake county, Wisconsin, May 16, 1852. He
then came with his parents to Olmsted county, Minnesota, arriving
there during the fall of 1860. He was educated in Olmsted county.
Farming has always been his occupation. He was married January
8, 1878, to Carrie E. Potter, of Eyota. He now lives on section 13,
1046 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Orion township. In politics he is in sympathy with the greenback
party.
Claeenoe a. Whited, couDty auditor, was born in Huron
county, Ohio, December 17, 1848. He received his early education
at the high school at Fitchville. In 1861 the family emigrated to
Olmsted county, Minnesota. In 1865 our subject returned to
Oberlin, Ohio, and entered the Union Business Institute of that city,
from which institution he graduated in 1867. He then returned to
Minnesota, and was for sixteen months in the employ of Mr. C. W.
Taylor, of Spring Yalley. He afterward went to Blue Earth City,
and was for a short time in the employ of Whaleu, Case & Co., of
that place, after which he returned to his former position in Spring
Yalley, where he remained five years. After which he returned to
Olmsted county, and spent four years tilling the soil. In the fall of
1880 he was elected county auditor by a seven hundred ma^iority, on
the republican ticket, and was re-elected in 1882. Mr. Whited was
married in 1875, to Miss Maggie Carlisle, a native of Fillmore
county. Harry H., Jessie, Clarence C. and an infant daughter are
the children resulting from the union. He has performed well the
duties of the office to which he has twice been elected, and his
actions as a private citizen have ever been characterized by integrity
and a conscientious regard for right and duty.
William Brown, farmer, of Cascade township, was born in Dal-
housie, Canada, in December, 1833. When he was two years of
age the family removed to New York State, his father having died.
In 1850 they came west to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, until
1861, when our subject came to Minnesota. In the same year he
enlisted in Co. H, 6th Minn. Inf , and was made second lieutenant.
He served three years in the army. In 1867 he was elected sheriff,
and re-elected two years later. In the fall of 1874 he was elected to
the legislature, where he served one term. Mr. Brown was married
in 1868, to Miss Adelaide Compton, a native of Cleveland. Will-
iam C. is the name of their only child, who is now attending school
in Cleveland. The subject of this sketch is a member of the A. F.
and A. M., and also of the commandery at Rochester.
George A. Gregerson, harnessdealer, was born in the city of
Laurvig, Norway, in 1845. When he was nine years of age the
family emigrated to America, locating in Walworth county, Wis-
consin. His father died in Canada, having pi-eceded his family.
His mother died the same month, leaving four orphan children, of
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1047
which our subject was the youngest. In 1861 he came to Rochester
and remained two years. He then returned to Wisconsin and
learned the harness trade, after which he again came to Rochester
and commenced business. He hud but little capital, but has been
very successful, and now carries a stock worth $2,500, and employs
three to five men. Mr. Grogerson was married in 1S6S, to Miss
Anna M. Johnson, a native of Norway. Frederic O., Amelia M.,
Lulu E. (deceased). Flora A. and Lawrence E. are the names of his
children. He is past grand master of the I.O.O.F.
Albert H. Graves, liveryman, was born in Fairfield county,
Connecticut, in 1842. In 1861 he came to Rochester, and was for
two years engaged in farming and teaching, alternately. In 1864
he and his brother embarked in the livery business. He was mar-
ried in 1868, to Miss Mary B. Bliss, a native of Ohio. Fannie is
the name of their only child.
James Elias Stangeland, born October 5, 1857, at Madison,
Wisconsin, eldest son of the late Elias Stangeland, who at that time
was editor and publisher of "Den Korske-Amerikaner,''' a Norwe-
gian newspaper. Elias Stangeland emigrated to this country from
Stavanger, Norway, in 1849, and settled first in Muskegon, Wiscon-
sin, and was at one time commissioner of emigration of that state.
He removed to Rock Dell in the spring of 1861 and bought a farm
on section 8. He was inventor of the feed-steamer which was
exhibited at the world's fair in Philadelphia 1876, and for which he
received a medal and diploma. Died in Boston, Massachusetts,
September 13, 1877, on a visit to that city. James Elias is a farmer
by occupation and has held various local offices.
Alonzo Foster was born 1838 in New Ham})shire, and is the
son of Simeon and Mary (Hill) Foster. He attended public school
and assisted his father on farm in New Hampshire till 1861, when
he moved to Saratoga, Winona county, Minnesota. The war break-
ing out this year he at once enlisted in the 2d Minn. Inf., Co. A,
serving till the close in the summer of 1865, He took part in the
battles of Mill Springs, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and was with
Gen. Sherman in his grand march to the sea. In 1866 he married
Miss Sophia West, born in New York 1839, daughter of Leander
and Alta (Davis) West. They have five children. Elsie, born 1871,
died same year ; Wesley S., March 3, 1872 ; Alta May, September
16, 1874; Milton Lyman, December, 1876; Fenton J., June 24,
1878. In 1868 Mr. Foster bought three hundred and twenty acres
1048 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
of land in Sec. 11, T. 105, R. 11, Elmira township, Olmsted county,
and till 18TT lived in small farm-house, but in that year he built a
fine limestone house 19x45, two stories high, also one of the finest
barns in the county of the same material, 43x63. He has also a
stone henhouse, woodshed, etc., and windmill. He is an extensive
stock raiser. The windstorm of June, 1881, destroyed his barn and
a span of fine horses, entailing a loss of over $1,000.
Samuel William Eaton, the subject of this sketch, was born in
Concord, Erie county, New York, November 7, 1815. His parents'
names were Samuel and Nancy Eaton. Mr. Eaton was the son of a
farmer, and his bojdiood days were spent upon the farm. His edu-
cational opportunities were mainly limited to the winter and summer
district schools, which at that time, and in a new and undeveloped
country, were, in a point of efiiciency and educational facilities,
vastly inferior to the district or common schools of today. One
academic term at twenty years of age closed his school life. Leav-
ing the academy, he entered the office of the Cattaraugus "Free-
man,'.' to acquire a knowledge of the printing business. After being
in the ofiice nearly a year and a half his health began to fail and he
left the business. In October, 1837, he was united in marriage with
Miss Susan Rice, daughter of Roswell and Polly Rice, of Boston,
Erie county, New York. The next summer Mr. and Mrs. Eaton
emigrated to Berrien county,. Michigan, whence, at the end of about
two years, they removed to Rock county, Wisconsin. During their
residence of twenty-one years in Wisconsin Mr. Eaton's principal
occupation was that of a farmer. This, however, was varied some-
what for several years by his teaching several terms in district
schools. Three or four years after his removal to Wisconsin he
commenced preaching the gospel, as understood and promulgated by
the Universalist denomination, and on December 24, 1860, at Prince-
ton, Green Lake county, Wisconsin, he was formally ordained to the
work of the christian ministry. However, he has for no consider-
able time ever followed the christian ministry as a profession or as a
settled pastor. For the most part, he heeded and obeyed the scrip-
tural injunction, "Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work"
on the farm, and on the ' ' seventh day " he occasionally ministered
in the pulpit. In the fall of 1861 he, with his family, immigrated to
Olmsted county, Minnesota. During the first year the family
resided on a farm, at the end of which time they removed to Roches-
ter, their present home. Mr. Eaton, in November, 1862, bought of
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1049
W. H. Mitchell the undivided one-half interest in the Rochester
"Republican," and entered into partnership with Mr. Mitchell in
the publication of that paper. About two years afterward he resold
his interest in the business to Mr. Mitchell and took a position on
the Rochester "Post,'' as editor, the paper being then owned by
Hon. D. Blakely. At the end of the year he retired from the
"Post," when he and Mr. U. B. Shaver bought of Mr. Mitchell the
"Republican," and, forming a business copartnership, Messrs.
Shaver & Eaton published the paper about one and one-half years.
Then the patronage and good will of the "Republican " was sold by
the partners to Messrs. Leonard & Booth, owners and publishers of
the "Post,"" Mr. Eaton taking a position on the latter-named paper
as associate editor. It might be well to say, in this connection, that
he has been for most of the time associated editorially with the
" Post" from that day to the present time. In the fall of 1867 Mr.
Eaton was elected as one of the representatives in the Minnesota
legislature.. At the general election in 1869 he was elected judge
of probate and re-elected in the fall of 1871. He has, besides,
served as city recorder, alderman, city justice, and is now one of the
grand justices. As has been previously noted, Mr. Eaton's early
educational advantages were, in common with the young of that age,
extremely limited and inefficient, and whatever success he has ob-
tained in the field of literature and general information has been
acquired mainly by patient study and research during hours snatched
from physical toil or much-needed rest. Mr. and Mrs. Eaton have
been blessed with a family of five children, only two of whom are
living. Two died in infancy, the other one at the age of a little over
ten years. Politically he was, in his early manhood, a whig, cast-
ing his first vote for Gen. Harrison for president in the fall of 1836.
At the organization of the republican party in 1856 he readily and
heartily espoused the principles of that party, and through all the
vicissitudes, adversities and achievements of the party he has invari-
ably remained true and loyal to its principles.
Addison J. Dibell, deceased, was born in Denmark, Ohio,
October 29, 1818. He married Rosannah Rockwell, of Plymouth,
Ohio, March 21, 1844, and settled in Waukesha county, Wis-
consin, three years later. In 1861 he became a resident of Olmsted
county, first buying a farm in Cascade. This he soon sold, and in
1864 bought the quarter-section on which the buildings composing
Byron village now stand. A part of the village was platted by
1050 HISTORY 'of OLMSTED COUNTY.
him, and he remained one of its leading citizens till his death,
which occurred May 16, 1874. He was a member of the Baptist
chnrch, and an ardent temperance advocate. The incorporation of
the village was largel}'^ due to his efforts, as by this means saloons
could be shut out. He was several years assessor. His political
opinions were represented by the republican party. He was a
public-spirited citizen, everywhere respected, and died universally
regretted. His widow married R. Freeman, of Cascade, elsewhere
mentioned in this work. They had two children : Mrs. C. F.
Kesson, .of Byron, and Mrs. Lucy Avery, of Rochester.
Robert C. Bptner, farmer, was born near New Castle, Pennsyl-
vania, November 20, 1813. His parents, Thomas P. and Maria S.
(Simonton) Bitner, were born in the same state. Both his grand-
fathers served the colonies through the revolutionary war. The
paternal one, Jacob Bitner, emigrated to the United States from
Germany previous to that conflict. The maternal grandfather,
Robert Simonton, was of Scotch blood. Mr. Bitner became a resi-
dent of Kalmar in July, 1861. He has since resided in Nebraska,
and in other parts of this state. On August 13, 1862, he enlisted
in the United States service, and was mustered in Co. H, 6th Minn.
Inf. He was with Sibley's expedition against the Sioux Indians in
1862, and afterward did escort duty on the plains. In June, 1864,
his regiment was ordered south and placed on post duty at Helena,
Arkansas. He was discharged in May, 1865, and has been since
engaged in farming, most of the time in this township. On May
16, 1869. he was united in marriage to Miss Eipma L., daughter of
D. L. King. They have four children, born as follows : David P.,
December 18, 1871; Elva A., June 15, 1874; Charles R., May 20,
1876 ; Nellie E., January 16, 1878. Mr. Bitner is in harmony with
the Methodist Episcopal church on religious questions. Politically
he is with the republican party. During the three years of his
residence in Murray county he served as clerk of Hawley township.
Legeaot) W. Lull, farmer, was born in Otsego county. New
York, in 1832. He came to Minnesota in 1857, after which he
worked at carpentering two years. In 1859 he retui'ned east and
remained a year and a half. In 1861 he again came to Olmsted
county and began farming. He is one of Olmsted county's model
farmers, being industrious and systematic in his labors. He now
owns a fine farm of 240 acres near the village of Marion. He was
married in 1859, to Miss Amanda Brown, a native of New York,
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1051
Howard A., George L., William B. and Frank E. are the names of
their children.
Robert Cunningham was born May 4, 1797, in South Carolina ;
removed with his parents to Hamilton county, Indiana, in 1810 ;
thence to Dearborn county, of the same state, in 1813 ; married in
1817 ; purchased government land in Ripley county, Indiana, and
remained there forty years. He owned five hundred acres of land
there, but sold out and came to Viola in 1861. His wife, Rachel
(Dash), was born October 2, 1802. This couple have been members of
the MethodistEpiscopal church during their married life ; have brought
up a family of twelve children, two of whom, as ministers, have ren-
dered valuable services in the Methodist Episcopal conference. Mr.
Cunningham and wife attend church regularly, and we hope they
may be able to do so for several years. He is one of the wealthiest
farmers in Viola. They have thirty-seven grandchildren and sixty-
one great-grandchildren, most of whom live in Minnesota.
Robert F. Cunningham, a son of the preceding, was born June 16,
1828, in Ripley county, Indiana. He commenced teaching .school
when nineteen years old, and for fifteen winters he was employed in
this honorable vocation. He was the first male teacher in Viola, and
during some of the terms taught in this town, he had forty-eight pupils
and governed them without a whip, always. He was school super-
intendent of a district composed of the following towns in Olmsted
county, Minnesota: Haverhill, Viola, Quincy, Dover and Eyota.
He was Viola's first town clerk ; has been a school oflicer continu-
ously from the organization of the first district in town. He has
been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church from his boy-
hood, and has always taken an active part in church matters. His
wife is a sincere, christian woman. He married Melinda Spradling,
October 8, 1858, and they are the parents of nine children : R. L.
M., R. J., Louisa J., Rachel C, Mary E., Flora A., Charles, Emery
H. and Earnest W. Mr. Cunningham is an earnest temperance
worker ;' and, in his church and temperance work, his aim is to
convince the youth that there is true enjoyment in religion, and
that one of temperate habits has the grandest possibilities within his
reach. "Uncle Frank'' is a host at a spelling-school or lyceum,
and is always ready with an anecdote, both pleasing and instructive.
He is a man of sterling wit and good sense ; a Freemason and a
republican. His farm of 240 acres of choice land is adorned by a
set of buildings worth about $3, 000.
1052 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
John Whited was born in Newburgh, Orange county, New
York, February 19, 1S23. When seven years of age he went to
Perry, in that state. He attended school winters until the age
of fourteen. From this time till the fall of ls40 he was occupied in
driving stage. He then went to Norwalk, Ohio, and was engaged
in packing pork for a short time. He then went to Monroeville and
farmed for one year. While here he was married to Miss Clara A.
Crane, April, 1845. In November, 1850, he with three or four
companions took sail for California, in search of gold. Starting
from New York city in the Ohio mail steamer, he crossed the isth-
mus of Darien, landed at San Francisco. From thence he went to
Sacramento, commenced mining in the American river on Lacy's
bar. After a fruitless search at this place he explored other mines
in the Spanish fiat. At this place gold was more plenty, having
dug some days to the value of $12. While here some difficulty
arose between two of the miners, which resulted in the shooting of
Mr. Bedburry. Our subject assisted in the capture of the murderer
(Thompson) and the hanging him to the limb of a tree, two hours
after the murder. Some time after this he went to Bear River.
After "salting" his claim he sold it for $500 to some Chinamen.
About the last of May, 1851, he prospected around "Rough and
Ready," thence to Auburn, and soon after formed a company of
500 and flumed the American river for four miles. They had only
been able to work three days when a great flood came and washed
out the whole flume ; during this time they took $1,700 from the
mine, the last pail of dirt having $250 in it. He now engaged in
several enterprises, selling claims at auction, etc. In April, 1852,
he became tired of paying $1 per pound for all he ate, and returned
to Ohio, where he was engaged till November 12, 1861, as farmer and
veterinary surgeon, when he emigrated to Marion, Minnesota.
His time was occupied here in farming and practicing his profession
as veterinary surgeon. In 1866 he purchased his present farm
where he now resides, respected by all who know him. Loren,
Clarence A.,- Elli C, Oric O. and Hiram R. are the names of their
five children, Loren having died when quite young.
Oric O. Whited, deputy auditor, Rochester, was born in
Huron county, Ohio, January 20, 1854. He came with his father's
family to Olmsted county in 1861. He received the rudiments of
an education in his native state. At sixteen he was sent to Spring
Yalley, where he took an academical course. He subsequently
.^s^
William Potter..
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1 0 5 5
entered the state normal schoc^l at Win<Hia. After com]jletini>; a
selected course in that institution he taught until 1S73, when he
went to Milwaukee and entered R. C. Spencer's business college,
graduating in 1874. He was subsequently engaged in clerking and
teaching alternately until 1881, when he was appointed deputy
auditor. He was married in September, 1875, to Miss Clara
Stevens, of Spring Yalley. Bernard B. is the name of their only
child. In June, 1883, he accepted a position as cashier in a bank at
Fisher's Landing, Minnesota. He is an Odd-Fellow, and politically
a republican.
Joseph Majstahan, farmer, of Elmira, was born in Ireland during
the year 1828. He came to America in 1818, proceeding to' Mc-
Henry county, Illinois, where he lived for eight years, and received
his education after he had attained the age of twenty years. Farm-
ing has been his occupation through life. He removed to Minne-
sota in 1855, and located in the town of Pilot Mound, where he
lived until 1861. He then bought land in Elmira township, where
he now lives. He now has a farm of 520 acres, and holds the office
of town treasurer. He is a member of the Catholic church and in
politics is a democrat. He was married January, 1856, to Catherine
McArtey. There are ten children living.
Robert Stakmee, farmer, High Forest, was born in England in
1830. His parents came to America in 1850, locating in Wisconsin.
In 1861 our subject came to Olmsted county, locating on section 35
in High Forest township. In Februarj-, 1863, he enlisted in Co. C,
9th Minn. Inf., serving until the close of the war. He participated
in engagements at "Briars Cross Roads," Nashville, Gun Town
and Spanish Forts. He was married in 1861, to Miss Elizabeth
Smith, a native of Canada. Their children's names are Charles,
Robina (deceased,) Anna J., Mary, Ella, Minnie, Robert, Nettie
and Mabel. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church.
Patrick E. Fogarty, farmer. High Forest, was born in County
Limerick, Ireland, March 18, 1848. He came to America with his
father's family when twelve years of age, locating in Kane county,
Illinois, where they remained four years, thence to Walworth county,
Wisconsin, and to Olmsted county in 1861, locating on section 10,
High Forest township. In March, 1865, our subject enlisted in Co.
G, 1st Minn. Inf., serving until the war closed. He was married
in 1878, to Miss Mary Griffin, a native of Canada, who died in 1882.
63
1056 HISTOKY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
John, Michael and Patrick (deceased) are their children's names.
He is a member of the Koman Catholic church.
Ohristoph Keause, farmer, Dover, was born in Wolsko, Ger-
many, November 22, 1835. In 1854 the family came to America,
locating in Green Lake county, Wisconsin. In 1861 our subject
came to Olmsted county, locating on section 27, Dover township,
where by hard labor and good management he has accumulated a
large estate. He was married in 1857, to Miss Julia Busian, also a
native of Germany. The names of the children blessing the union
are as follows : Frank O., Julia A., Charlie H., Hattie M., Orlin
P. and Lydia C. The family are members of the Methodist Episco-
pal church.
Clarence V. Ferguson, station agent, Dover Center, was born
in Elmira, New York, June 29, 1854. When he was two years of
age his father's family emigrated to Livingston county, Illinois, and
in 1860 to La Crescent, Minnesota, and thence to Chatfield in the
following year. Here our subject was for two years in J. C, Easton's
bank. In 1873 he came to Dover Center, where he entered the
employ of J. F. Smith in the capacity of bookkeeper, and also acted
as clerk in the railroad office until 1878, when he was made station-
agent. He was married in 1876, to Miss Alice F. Spiese, a native
of Chatfield. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M. and chapter
at St. Charles, and the Home Commandery at Rochester.
Julius Busian, farmer, Dover, was born in Prussia, in 1834. In
1864 he came to America, locating in Marquette county, Wisconsin.
In 1860 he came to Olmsted county, locating on section 28, Dover
township. He is now a very prosperous farmer and owns 400 acres
of excellent farm land. He was married in February, 1861, to Miss
Wilhelmine Lietz, also a native of Germany. Emma, Ella, Julius,
Alma, Melvin, are the names of their children.
Gabriel B. Huff, farmer, Dover, was born in Canada West,
October 10, 1830. When nineteen years of age he went to Orleans
county, New York. In 1852 he came west to Marquette county,
Wisconsin. In 1861 he came to Olmsted county, locating on the
N. W. J of Sec. 8, Dover township. He enlisted February 29, 1864,
in Co. C, Brackett's battalion, serving until May, 1866. He was
married April 9, 1850, to Miss Sarah J. Beadal, also a native of
Canada West. William, Ida, Sarah and George are their children's
names. Mr. Huff is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church,
and also of the A. F. and A. M. at Eyota.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1057
Walter S. Booth, author and publisher, was born in Litchfield
county, Connecticut, September 28, 1827. He was the youngest
child of Daniel and Sabra (Sherman) Booth, who were descended
from ancient English families emigrating to America in 1640. He
was educated at Newtown Academy and Trinity College, Hartford.
He was married in 1848, to Miss Catherine Eliza Peter, of Kent,
Connecticut, by whom he had five children. He taught classical
schools, fitting young men for college, until 1855, when he firstcame
to Fillmore county, Minnesota territory, for his health, and engaged
in surveying and locating wild lands, and removed his family there
in the spring of 1857. He subsequently studied law and was admit-
ted to the bar at Austin in March, 1861. He i*emoved to Rochester
in October, 1862, taking charge of the Rochester "City Post, "then
owned by Hon. David Blakely, secretary of state, and continued in
charge, with the exception of one year, until the close ot the civil
war. He then formed a copartnership with Capt. J. A. Leonard,
and purchased the "City Post" of Mr. Blakely, and subsequently
the Rochester "Republican" of Shaver & Eaton, the publishers,
uniting the two republican papers under the name of the Rochester
"Post." Within a few years the firm of Leonard & Booth built up
one of the newsiest of local papers, having the largest circulation
and influence of any country newspaper in the state. During
the copartnership of eleven years, Mr. Booth wrote "The Justice's
Manual " and "The Township Manual," which have since passed to the
sixth edition and become the standard for the use of officers through-
out the state. In 1876 Mr. Booth sold his interest in the "Post"
to Mr. Leonard, to engage exclusively in the publication of manuals
and township and law blanks, in which enterprise he has made
a great success both in Minnesota and Dakota, publishing at the
date of this work several law manuals and about seven hundred dis-
tinct kinds of legal blanks.
William H. White, farmer, Rochester, was born in Bennington
county, Vermont, Julj^ 17, 1835. His grandfiither was a soldier in
the war of 1812. His ancestors were all American born, as far as can
be traced. When sixteen years of age he began carpentering, and
when twenty-two he came west to Wisconsin, locating in Green
Lake county. In 1862 he came to Olmsted county. In March,
1865, he enlisted in Co. F, 1st Minn. Inf , serving three months.
Aftey his return he located on a farm in Farmington township. In
1875 he was elected county commissioner, but resigned to accept
1058 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
a position in the legislature to which he was elected in 1876. He
was elected sheriff in ISTS and again in 1880. He is a member of
the A. F. and A. M., also of the I.O.O.F. He was married in
1859, to Miss Ellen L. Wicks, a native of Jefferson county, New
York. Arthur P., Hubert C, Carrie E., Clara E., Fannie W. and
Nellie D. are their children's names.
Frank, son of Sjbel Reade, was born in Rutland county,
Vermont, October 2, 1829 ; when twenty-four years of age came to
Dodge county, Wisconsin, where he taught three years, after which
he removed to Adams county, Wisconsin. In 1862 came to Olmsted
county and located in New Haven township. He was married
in 1852, to Miss Mehala Griffin, also a native of Vermont. In 1872
he removed to Rochester, but is still engaged in farming. He and
Mrs. Reade are members of the Universalist cliurch. He is also an
Odd-Fellow.
Wayne Beaedsly, harnessdealer, was born in Oneida county,
New York, in 1831. When twenty years of age he came west
to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. In 1862 he embarked in the harness
business, having learned the trade in the east. He now carries on
one of the finest shops in southern Minnesota. Mr. Bearsdly was
married in 1863, to Miss Eliza O. Gilbert, of Fond du Lac. Three
children were born to the couple, but death claimed them all. Mr.
Beardsly and wife are members of tlie Methodist Episcopal church.
Adoniram J. Wright, merchant, was born in the state of
Pennsylvania. When he was a child his father's family emigrated to
Whiteside county, Illinois. Our subject came to Minnesota in
the fall of 1862, engaging in the grocery business at Rochester ;
with the exception of five years, during which he acted as city mar-
shal, he has spent his entire time in the mercantile business. He
was married in January, 1858, to Miss Rosa A. Riely, a native of
Troy, New York. Eva M., Frank E., William S., Hattie F., Harry
S., Maud A. and Rosa M. are the names of the children born to
them who are now living ; George B. and Freddie are dead. He is
a member of the A. F. and A. M. and I.O.O.F.
John Morrison, farmer, was born in Ireland, in 1831. He came
to America in 1852, first locating in Connecticut, where he worked
at his trade (moulding) one year. He came west to Milwaukee in
1854. In 1862 he came to Olmsted county and started the foundry
now owned by Mr. Livermore. He was married in 1862, to Susan
St. Clair. Five children have been born to them, namely, Robert,
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1059
Susan, William, Annie and Walter. All are members of the
Catholic church. Mr. Morrison now resides on his farm in Cascade
township.
Enor H. Millek was born Ma_y 26, 1841, in Ashtabula, town of
Monroe, State of Ohio ; came to this town for the first time in 1857,
and ]:)re-empted 160 acres on section 23, but left shortly afterwai-d,
returning five years later (1S62), and has ever since been a resident
of the town of Rock Dell. Mr. Miller built the first frame house
in sight of his place, bringing the lumber for the same with ox-teanis
all the way from Winona, sixty miles east. He sold at Winona at
auction the first paper collars ever offered for sale in Minnesota,
twenty-five years ago. Deer and elk weve plenty in this vicinity at
that time.
• Theodore Bostwick, farmer. Pleasant Grove, was born in Onon-
daga county, New York, in July, 1811. He emigrated from that
state to Ohio in 1837, and subsequently to Lake county, Indiana.
He came to Minnesota in 1862, locating on section 17, Pleasant
Grove township. His first marriage was to Miss Emma Strong,
who died in 1857. He was again married in 1859, to Mrs. Martha
Snyder, a native of Essex county, Yermont. The names of the chil-
dren from the last union are as follows: Amanda E., Ella S,, Willie E.
and George. His children by first marriage are as follows : John,
Elizabeth, Edwin and Roscoe. Two of his sons enlisted at the out-
break of the rebellion, and spent a long term in their country's
service, Mrs. Bostwick has also been twice m.arried ; her first
children's names are Albert M., Elansen L., Martha J. and John
(deceased).
Thomas Wilson, farmer, of Quincy, was born in Union county,
Pennsylvania, in August. 1828. When twenty-nine years of age he
went to Knox county, Ohio, and from thence to Minnesota in 1862,
locating on section 33, where he now owns iOO acres of excellent
land. He was married in 1859, to Miss Mary E. Geddes, also a
native of Pennsylvania. Their children's names, in the order of
their ages, are as follows : James G., William F., Harry N. (de-
ceased), George M. (deceased), Paul G., Thomas S., Mary E.,
Carrie G. and Earl. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are both members of
the Methodist Episcopal church at Dover.
Hon. Charles T. Shellman settled in this town in 1862. He was
elected representative to the state legislature in 1873. His wife is a
daughter of J. M. Fish, a prominent lawyer of Gi*een Lake county,
1060 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTT.
Wisconsin, They have six children. Mr. Shellman owns 400 acres
of land, and buildings worth $2,500. He is a lover of scientific
writings, and a man of practical and philosophical views. He was
born in Otsego county, New York, 1834.
Mr. Thomas Kichabdson, born in Topsham, Yermont, in 1805;
married Orrilla Fellows in 1844; removed to Illinois in 1854, thence
to Wisconsin in 1858, and settled here in 1863. He is the father of
six children: Rodney, Dollie J., Robert G., Henry C, Willie H.
and Charles F. Dollie and Willie died in 1863. The other children
live about the old homestead, and own, in all, 740 acres of land and
four sets of farm buildings, and still enjoy the counsels of their
respected father.
Fkederick Rucker, farmer, was born in the kingdom of Wiirtem-
berg, Germany, June 21, 1814. He was married there in September,
1842, to Johanna Ruber. In 1862 Mr. Rucker emigrated with his
family to America, and came direct to Oronoco, having friends and
relatives here. The next year he bought 110 acres of land on
section 10. and has ever since resided thereon. The family of Mr.
and Mrs. Rucker includes five children, the youngest being a native
of Minnesota, born as follows : Fredericka, December 6, 1845 (she
is the wife of David Tibbetts, to whom she was united in May, 1866,
and lives at Redwood Falls); J. Fred, November 28, 1848; Catharine,
1852 (who married Ans. Adler, October, 1871, and lives on section 8);
Jacob, October 1, 1858 (who lives on section 4, and married Amelia
Bobzien, January 12, 1882, and has one daughter); Martin, January
6, 1863, and who resides with his parents. The elder Rucker had
but $200 on his arrival here, but the scarcity of men caused by the
war made it easy for himself and family to find employment, and he
prospered, soon finding himself in indej)endent circumstances. He
relates that horses were so scarce on his first arrival here that cows
were often employed in tilling the ground. Harvesting machinery
could not be employed for the same reason, and he cut a large
amount of grain for his neighbors with a grain-cradle. On becoming
a citizen he espoused the caijpe of the democratic party. Himself
and his sons are reckoned among the most exemplary citizens of the
town.
J. Fred Rucker, farmer, came with his parents, above named,
to Oronoco, on June 22, 1862. He had received a fair business
education in his native tongue, and attended the schools of this
town, thus gaining a good knowledge of the English language.
BIOGR API riCAL. 1 ( ) (i 1
This, with his natural intelligence and ability, has made him a man
of much influence in the township and county. In politics he is
independent, but takes quite a prominent part in jjublic affairs. Pie
takes a deep interest in public schools, and is always a member of
his local board. He served as member of the town board of super-
visors in 1879-SO-Sl. He was married to Fredericka, daughter of
Henry King, of this township, December 24, 1873, and is the father
of four children, born to him at dates given below : Helena, Decem-
ber 22, 1874 ; Frederick, November 11, 1876 ; Edward, May 16,
1879 ; W. George, July 8, 1881. In 1872 Mr. Rucker bought the
quarter-section of land on which he now resides, section 4, and built
his present dwelling ten years later, and is now well situated. Him-
self and wife are exemplary members of the Lutheran church.
David D. Kimball, hardware dealer, Dover Center, was born in
Griswold, Connecticut, in 1835. He came to Minnesota in 1859,
having received a good English education in his native state. He
attended the state normal school at Winona two terms, and subse-
quently taught school a number of terms in Olmsted count3^ In
the spring of 1862 he purchased a claim formerly owned by Mr.
Blanchard, on section 4 in Dover township. He was married in
1860, to Miss Marj i^oung, a native of Ireland, who died in 1874.
Lizzie M. and Jennie are the names of their children. In 1881 he
embarked in the hardware business, being successor to Evans
Brothers. He is a member of the Congregational chui-ch.
Nelson Y. A. Crow, farmer and real-estate dealer, Dover, was
born October, 1822, in Orange county, Indiana. His parents were
both natives of North Carolina. Wlien he was twelve years of age
his father's family removed to Kane count) , Illinois, thence to Linn
county, Iowa. Subsequently our subject went to Wisconsin, enter-
ing the lead mines. In 1850 he went to California, crossing the
plains by wagon, and spent two years in Nevada City mining, re-
turning to Wisconsin in 1852. In 1855 he came to Minnesota,
locating in Elba township, Winona county. In 1862 he came to
Olmsted county, locating on section 13 in Dover township. He
was married June 19, 1855, to Miss Amand Lane, a native of Penn-
sylvania. Sylvester T., George H., John W., Nelson M., Sophia
(deceased), Willis W., Garrison A. and Edward V. A. are their
children's names. Mr. Crow is a member of the A. F. and A. M.
and chapter at St. Charles.
Timothy Halloran, farmer, of Elmira, is the son of Florence and
1062 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Mary Halloran, and was born in the county of Cork, Ireland, in
1834, where he lived and worked on a farm till 1852. He then
came to America, landing at Boston October 28, 1882, where he
stayed for two years and a half. He then removed to Milwaukee
county, Wisconsin, where he remained for one year and a half. He
then left Milwaukee for Minnesota, traveling by rail to Galena and
then taking the stage to the Wisconsin river, where Boscobel is now
situated. The river he crossed in a skiff and went on foot to Prairie
du Chien, where he took the boat to Winona ; then proceeding on
foot to Chatfield. From here he went to Pleasant Yalley, Mower
county, and located a quarter-section on section 20. He then returned
to Chatfield, where he lived for five years. He was married Decem-
ber, 1858, to Catharine McGuira, of Chatfield. He bought on section
7, Elmira, in- 1862, where he now lives, owning a farm of 480 acres.
He was one of the supervisors of the town in 1878-9, and is a promi-
nent greenbacker. He is the father of four children : Florence,
Michael, "N'ora and Timothy.
Daniel D. Tompkins, farmer, is the youngest son of Nathaniel
Tompkins and Content Canifi", of New York, of Englisli descent.
He was born in Duanesburg, Schenectady county. New York, April
16, 1827, and has passed all his life in farming. He received the
advantages of a common school education, and this, united with his
natural talent, has made him a prominent and useful citizen. He
was married in 1849, to Amelia Try on, who was born in Broome,
New York, in September, 1827. She died in April, 1854, leaving
two sons, William H., who died when small, and Walter F., now
at Egan, Dakota. The latter was born September 17, 1852. He
resided in Dodge count}^, Wisconsin, several years, and visited this
section in the year 1857. He came thence to Kalmar in 1862. He
bought 160 acres of land on section 19, where he now lives, and
subsequently acquired another quarter of the same section. He
served as supervisor of the town in 1867 and 1868, and was as-
sessor three years. He is an enthusiastic republican. His reli-
gious preferences are with the Methodist Episcopal church, in which
lie was reared. He was married a second time, on the first day of
the 3'ear 1856, to Catharine M. Tryon. They have two sons and one
daughter living, as follows : Mary A., April 20, 1858 ; Sam E., May,
1859; La Fayette, June 1, 1865. All are at home with parents.
One of Mr. Tompkin's ancestors, Townsend by name, was an only
BIOaRAPllICAL. 10f)3
son, and was banislied from England by his father because lie mar-
ried a servant girl.
George Eastwood, farmer, was born near the Rhine, in France,
September 12, 1812. AVhen about thirteen years old, his parents
having died, he came with a brother to the United States, and was
adopted by Jacob Harder, of Little Falls, New l^ork, with whom
he lived six years. Upon the death of Mr. Hai'der at the end of
that time, he found employment on the canal, which he followed
several years: He was married in 1S3T, to Caroline Wohl, who
died eight years later ; she left two sons, George and Albert, who
now reside in Warren, New York. In 1847 Mr. Eastwood was a
second time married, the bride being Sophia Chrisman. In 1862
he removed to this state, and bought a farm in the eastern part of
Kalmar, where he dwelt till the death Of Mrs. Eastwood, in 1871.
He then sold the farm and lived a short time in Byron, after which
he purchased the farm of sixty-five acres on section 32, where he
lives. Notwithstanding his advanced 'age, Mr. Eastwood manages
the farm and does most of his own work. His household afl^airs
are in the hands of his two daughters, Delia and Julia, who reside
with him. He is a member of the Byron Baptist church. He was
formei'ly a republican, but is now a prohibitionist.
Among the many citizens of Olmsted county who have won well-
merited distinction, Hon. Charles M. Start, of Rochester, stands
prominent. He was born in Franklin county, Vermont, in 1839,
and received his early education in Bakersfield Academy. In the
spring of 1858 he entered the law office of William C. Wilson,
of that town, where he remained until 1862, when he enlisted in
Co. [, 10 Yt. Yol. Inf. On account of ill health, however, he was
discharged in December of the same year. In October, 1863, he
came to Rochester, Minnesota. In 1865 he was .elected city attor-
ney, in which capacity he served imtil the fall of 1869, when he was
chosen county attorney, which position he held eight years. In the
fall of 1879 he was elected attorney-general of the state, serving
until March 11, 1881, when he resigned to accept the ofiice of judge
of the third judicial district in place of Judge Mitchell, promoted to
the supreme court bench. In the fall of 1881 he was elected for a
full term of seven years The judge was married August 10, 1865,
to Miss Clara A. Wilson, daughter of Judge Wilson, his early legal
instructor, and also a native of Franklin county, Yermont. Clara
L. is the name of their only living child.. Being endowed with
1064 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
many admirable characteristics, as well as a liigli order of legal
ability, his advancement in this his adopted state has been steady
and permanent. The duties devolving upon him have ever been
ably and honestly performed, and if called to a wider field he
would doubtless leave behind him the same unblemished record.
Of his father-in-law, Judge Wilson, we find the following in the
Rochester ''Post," in connection with his obituary notice : "Will-
iam C. Wilson was born in Cambridge, Vermont, July 23, 1812.
Securing an education by his own exertions, he studied law at
St. Albans, Franklin county, Vermont, and was admitted to the bar
at the age of twenty-three, after which he removed to Bakersfield,
where he began to ])ractice, making that city his home during the
thirty-five years of his professional life. During that time he was
elected to the following positions successively : state's attorney,
county judge, legislature, state senate, and was also a member of
the constitutional convention. In 1865 he was made judge of the
supreme court of Vermont, which position he held until 1870, when
he resigned on account of failing liealth, and removed to Rochester,
where he resided until the time of his death. In early life Judge
Wilson united with the Methodist Episcopal church, in which com-
munion he remained during life, steadfast in his christian faith and
loyalty. He died on Sunday, April 16, aged sixty-nine years and
nine months.''
Louis Zimmerman, farmer, was born in Syracuse, New York, in
1841. When he was four years of age the family emigrated to*
Wisconsin, locating at Racine, where they resided sixteen years.
In 1863 they removed to Olmsted county. In the winter of that
year the subject of this sketch enlisted 'in Co. K, 3d Minn, reg.,
and was mustered out at Fort Snelling in September, 1865. He
was married February 23, 1867, to Miss Louisa Grimm, a native of
Wisconsin. Albert, Frank and Emma are the names of their chil-
dren. He was for two years a resident of Rochester, during which
time he was engaged in the dry goods and grocery business. He
now resides on sections 9 and 10 in Cascade township. He is a
member of the I.O.O.F.
Feedeeic Rommel, stockdealer, was born in Wiirtemberg, Ger-
many, in 1842 ; came to America in 1856, and located at Fox Lake,
Wisconsin. In the following spring he went to Chicago, where he
remained two years, after whicli he returned to Wisconsin, and was
in different parts of the state until 1863, when he came to Roch-
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1065
ester. In 1865 he and his brother formed a partnership in the
butchering and stock business. Some years later they built the
handsome structure known as Rommel's block, lie was married
in 1866, to Miss Mollie Frankhauser, who died in 1869. He was
again married in 1870, to Miss Sophia Jansen. Freddie and Louis
are the names of their children.
Heney Schuster, proprietor of the Rochester brewery, was born
in Prussia, November 28, 1835. When twenty years of age he came
to America, locating in Wisconsin. In 1863 he came to Rochester
and opened a blacksmith-shop. In 1865 he bought the brewery owned
by William Thresher. In the spring of 1871 the building, worth
about $8,000, was burned ; about one-fourth of the value was cov-
ered by insurance, but a new building soon arose from the ruins.
Mr, Schuster was married in 1861, to Miss Josephine Hohler.
Henry, Fred, Bertha, Charlie and Martha are the names of their
children. Mr. Schuster is a member of the A. F. and A. M.
Jacob Gkasle, stock dealer, was born in Wiirteniberg, Germany,
June 1, 1834. When fifteen years of age he came to America, and
located in Milwaukee, where he was engaged in shipping stock and
butchering. In 1863 he came to Olmsted county, and engaged in
stock-raising and shipping. He now owns a large stock-farm of
eleven hundred acres in Kalmar township, and is perhaps one of
the largest dealers in the state. Mr. Grasle was married when twenty-
two years of age, to Miss Caroline Weldt, a native of Germany.
Jacob L. is the name of their only living child. He is a prominent
member of the I.O.O.F. at Rochester.
Me. E. H. Derby, a native of ISTew York, settled in Viola, on
section 29, in the fall of 1863. He has a farm of 480 acres of choice
land, and intends to reside here the remainder of his life. As a
drover he has seen a great deal of Wisconsin and Minnesota, and
declares that Olmsted county is without an equal, within his knowl-
edge, for farming purposes. He married Jane L. Shellman, Sep-
tember 29, 1S61.
Hon. C. a. Butterfield was born in Farraington, Maine, June
12, 1827. He was a student in Farmington Academy three or four
years, and taught school three winters before arriving at the age
of twenty years, about which time he was engaged as clerk in a
wholesale and retail West Indies goods store, in Boston, Massachu-
setts, and held that situation six years, then learned the machinist's
trade. September 11, 1855, he married Sophia M. Jenkins, of
1066 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUJS'TY.
Boston, and in 1861 they removed to Sandusky, Ohio, where he
was employed at his trade imtil their removal to Yiola in 1868.
He purchased his farm in Viola in 1863. Mrs. Butterfield's parents
were born in Boston, and her father held an office of trust
there to which he was elected annually for twenty years in succes-
sion. Her maternal grandmother was an eyewitness of the battle
of Bunker Hill. Mrs. Butterfield is highly esteemed, by all her
acquaintances, for her friendliness, sociability and cheerfulness ;
and a spelling-school, festival, religious meeting or funeral at the
town hall without her for organist would be exceptional. Mr.
Butterfield was town clerk for nearly ten consecutive years, and in
the fall of 1880 he was elected representative to the Minnesota
legislature. His life has been, and doubtless will always be, one of
goodness and constant improvement. His ideas upon politics and
religion are decidedly philosophical ; and though he and liis wife
are Baptists in faith they conti-ibute generousl_y to the suj)port of
other religious denominations, and Mr. Butterfield has been super-
intendent of a union Sunda3'-school for several years last past. His
father, Henry Butterfield, was born in Farmington, Maine, Sep-
tember 11, 1799, and married Martha W. Bullen, December, 1823.
He removed to Concord, New Hampshire, in 1851 ; thence to Yiola
in 1864. His occupation has always been farming, and he is tolera-
bly active. Hon. C. A.' Butterfield is the father of two children.
Lottie M. and Howard A., both of whom are highly creditable to
their parents. He has been a Mason and member of St. Paul's
lodge, of Boston, since 1854. He is a republican in politics, a
judicious, adviser and a peacemaker.
George W. Wirt, miller, is a son of Rev. Noah Wirt, a well-
known minister of the "Church of the Disciples," in Ohio, Wis-
consin and Minnesota, whose biography is elsewhere given in this
work. The subject of this sketch began his earthly career in Lake
county, Ohio, December 22, 1828. His father owned and operated
a mill near Willoughby, Ohio, and was assisted by his son from the
time the latter was twelve j^ears old, during hours not given to
school. His education was finished at the Kirtland high school.
In 1847 Rev. Noah Wirt removed with his family to Waupun, Wis-
consin, where young George continued his calling with his father
and brother in-law, A. D. Allis. During the year 1853 he was
united in marriage to Sarah, daughter of John Wolcott, of Pleasant
Yalley, Ohio, who was a faithful wife and mother, but who died on
BIOGRAPJIICAL. 1(»G7
the first day of the year 1S83. Her remains are interred in Center
Grove cemetery, near Doughis. Mr. and Mrs. Wirt were blesstnl
with two children : John, born September 8, 1S53, and Mary, born
April 19, 1860. The latter was married December 30, 1880, to
Burns Crabb, and still resides with her parents. At eighteen years
of age Mr. Wirt was received into membership of the Disciples'
church, and has served as a deacon of that organization ever since he
was thirty years old. He is a charter member of the Oronoco lodge,
I.O.O.F. In politics he has always been a republican. He served
as county commissioner from 186S to 1874, and was chairman of
the town board in 1867 and 1876. Mr. Wirt's residence in Oronoco
dates from the spring of 1863, at which time he purchased a farm
in the township, and also a half-interest in the flouring-mill here, in
partnership with the present owner, A. D. Allis. He shortly sold
his mill interest to his partner, but managed the operation of the
mill until its destruction in 1879. In 1868 he purchased the farm
on which he resides, on section 18, and is at ptresent in independent
circumstances. In 1873 Mr. Wirt had his ankle broken by a run
away accident, and has never fully recovered from the injury. He
has rescued several persons from drowning in the course of his life,
and narrowly escaped death at fifteen years of age while saving a
man from the waters of the Chagrin river.
Abraham D. Allis, farmer and manufacturer, was born in
Burlington, Otsego county, New York, March 1, 1828. His father
was Benjamin Allis, a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother was
Susan, a daughter of Jeremiah Pratt, one of the pioneers of Otsego
county, who lived to the ripe age of ninety-eight. They removed
to Niagara county, in the same state, when Abraham was a mere
child, and he received his education in the common schools of that
locality. When he was sixteen years old they again removed to
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, where the subject of this sketch earned
eighty acres of land by chopping cordwood at 25 cents per cord.
This he subsequently sold, and in 1849 went to California, crossing
the plains with oxen. Two years' stay there enabled him to earn
$14,000. of which five-sevenths was sunk in developing invaluable
mining prospects, and he returned to Wisconsin, settling at
Waupun, and there engaged in the manufacture of wagons, car-
riages and sleighs, and built up an extensive business. On Decem-
ber 13, 1853, Mr. Allis was united in marriage to Mariah, daughter
of Rev. Noah Wirt, of Waupun. This union has been blessed with
1068 IIISTOEY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
six children, two of whom died in infancy. They were: May
Maria, born May 20, 1856, died December 18, 1861 ; Fred D., born
April 19, 1858 (who still resides with his parents) ; Maud, born
March 29, 1864, died July 9, 1865 ; Blanche G., born September
25, 1868; Koy W., born September 20, 1874; Mary S., born
August 18, 1880. In 1863 Mr. Allis went in partnership with
George W. Wirt, bought the mill property at Oronoco, and, closing
out his business at Waupun, removed here, and has since made this
his home. A farm, purchased at the same time as the mill, was soon
exchanged for Mr. Wirt's interest in the mill. In 1873, needing
more capital, Messrs. A. Gooding and D. S. Hebbard, of Rochester,
were admitted to partnership with Mr. Allis, and a large mill built
on the power with eight runs of stone, to which three sets of rolls
were soon added, and a very extensive merchant milling business
conducted. On JSTovember 25, 1879, the mill was totally destroyed
by fire, with 30,000 bushels of wheat, inflicting a loss of $90,000
and nearly crushing the firm. Mr. Allis then purchased the interest
of his partners and is gradually rebuilding, as his means will allow.
A small grist-mill now occupies the site, and additions are contem-
plated at an early day. The proprietor also owns two other powers
on the same stream in this township, including 1,200 acres of land,
and his indomitable energy and courage will soon lead to their
improvement. Mr. Allis is a member of Rochester lodge, A. F.
and A. M. ; has been an enthusiastic republican since the organiza-
tion of that party, and an ardent temperance advocate. Was chair-
man of the town board of supervisors in 1870, and stands high in
the esteem of his fellow citizens.
William S. Bush, farmer, is descended from natives of Connec-
ticut and New York, William Bush and Sarah Pearsall. The sub-
ject of this sketch was born in the town of Oxford, Chenango
county, New York, Maj 4, 1825. He was reared on a farm there,
attending the district schools and spending two years at Oxford
Academy. On reaching his majority he went to Columbus, Wiscon-
sin, where he engaged in farming. In September, 1850, he mar-
ried Miss Harriet E. Peckham, of New York parentage ; her father
being John A. Peckham and her mother Aurilla nee Snead. In
March, 1858, Mr. Bush went with a party of friends to Pike's Peak,
then the £'1 Dorado of many hopes. After spending eight months
in working a mining claim, from which every dollar wrested cost a
dollar and a quarter, he returned to his farm in Wisconsin, a poorer
BIOGRAPHICAL. 10G9
and a wiser man. In October, 1863, lie removed to this townsliip,
and bought eighty acres of land on section 30, which has ever since
been his home. He has never sought to mingle in the management
of public matters, but has always taken an interest in schools, and
has served his present school district as treasurer. lie has always
been a republican, but is not a member of any religious body. Mrs.
Bush is a member of the Advent church. Two children have been
born to this family, as follows : George C, June 29, 1853, married
Miss Rena Tennison, and resides at New Haven ; Mary J., April
4, 1864, lives with her parents.
Elisha Gorton, farmer, is a son of Elisha B. Gorton and Sarah
Trumbull Isham, who were reared and married in Connecticut, and
settled near Utica, New York. The subject of this sketch was born
in North New Berlin, Otsego county, July 1, 1826, and was edu-
cated in the city schools of Utica, where his parents lived from the
time he was one year old. Nineteen years of his life were spent
on the canal, for ten years of which time he was commander of a
packet. On December 27, 1854, he married Sarah, daughter of
John and Nancy (Myers) Walker, natives of New York. In the
fall of 1855 Mr. Gorton became a resident of Minnesota, spending
the winter in Fillmore county, then removing to Rochester. He
returned'to New York in 1857, having first pre-empted 160 acres of
government land on section 25 of this township, which is still his
home. In the fall of 1863 he again took up his home in Minnesota,
and has since resided on this farm, except five years at different
intervals spent in New York, where he had business interests. In
1861 Mrs. Gorton came to Minnesota to look after her husband's
land, he being at the time compelled by business engagements to
remain in New York ; while here Mrs. Gorton filled her leisure
time in teaching, which was her occupation before marriage.
Beside the three terms then taught in this county, she taught the
first term in their present school district, in the winter of 1876-7.
Mr. Gorton has also been active in school matters, although child-
less, and has served on the school board since its organization.
His political principles are republican. Mrs. Gorton is an active
member of the Seventh-day Advent church, in which she has been
a member for eighteen years ; she was connected with the Methodist
Episcopal church, that of her parents, for sixteen years previously.
This worthy couple is taking the place of parents to a niece of Mrs.
1070 HISTOEY OF OLMSTED COtHSTTY.
G-orton, Nellie Elizabeth Walker, born August 7, 1875, her mother
having died March 27, 1876.
John B. Hendricks, merchant, Dover Center, was born in
Franklin county, Vermont, in 1830. When twenty-one years of age
he came to Wisconsin, locating at Grand Rapids, thence to Clayton
county, Iowa, and subsequently to Pleasant Grove in 1854, where he
entered a claim on section 34. For a number of years after he was
engaged in carpentering. In 1860 he began merchandising, and
three years later removed to Chatfield, where he aided in building
the first hotel. He resided there until 1875, when he came to
Dover, where he now carries on an extensive business in drygoods
and groceries. He was married in 1858, to Miss Cecilia White, sis-
ter of Hon. Milo White, of Chatfield ; Hudson B., Cora C, Frank
L., Abbie E., May E. and Carrie B. are the names of their children.
Mr. Hendricks came to Minnesota without capital, and by his own
effort has accumulated a large estate.
Gilbert Bertry, farmer, Dover, was born in Genesee county,
New York, December 5, 1830. In the spring of 1850 he came
west to Greenlake county, Wisconsin. In 1855 he went to Califor-
nia, where he spent two years mining. He came to Olmsted county
in 1863, locating on section 8, Dover township. He was married in
November, 1857, to Miss Rebecca A. Bedal, a native of Canada.
Gilbert H., Ida (deceased), Elbridge and Charlie are their children's
names.
Rev. Tertius Reynolds (deceased). This pioneer was a son of
Jonathan and Martha Reynolds, who were born at Plymouth, Con-
necticut. Here our subject was born March 29, 1800. At fifteen
years of age he united with the Congregational church, and after
graduating at Amherst College and pursuing a subsequent theological
course at Auburn, began preaching at twenty-five. On June 1, in
his thirtieth year, he married Miss Eliza Talbott, a daughter of
George and Elizabeth (Ward) Talbott, natives of Massachusetts. He
followed his calling in various parts of New York, and was located
twenty years at Fairfax, Vermont. Being compelled to abandon
preaching on account of poor health, he came to New Haven and
purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land on sections 10 and
11, where he continued to reside till his death, which occurred June
25, 1863. Mr. Reynolds was an ardent republican, but took no
active part in political affairs. His family numbered five children,
several of whom are still living in this locality. Martha E., the
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1071
eldest, was born May 31, 1831, and now resides on section 10 ; Ed-
ward Pa3'son, was born March 19, 1833, at M(Mra, New York, and
was one of the pioneer settlers of this town, having made a claim
to one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 4, now occu]jied
by S. W. Miller, in the fall of 1855; enlisted August 9, 1862, in Co.
D, 93d 111. Vols., and died in hospital at Memphis, March 12, 1863;
Mary P., born May 1, 1835, married Solomon Jewell, January 12,
1860, and resides in Pine Island ; Sarah L., died at one year old ;
Abbey S., March 11, 1843, married Salem W. Miller, February 23,
1860, and lives on section 4, as above noted.
William O. Ckittendon, farmer, Dover, w^as born in Berkshire
county, Massachusetts, November 13, 1844. When he was twelve
years of age the family came to Fond du lac county, Wisconsin.
In April, 1861, they came to Minnesota, locating near Plainview,
thence to Olmsted county in 1863. They removed to Rochester in
1867, and to Dover township in 1S74, locating northwest of the vil-
lage of Dover Center. His brother Alfred enlisted in August, 1864,
in Co. I, 11th Minn. Inf., serving eleven months.
Thomas H. Titus, cashier of the Union National Bank, was born
in Phelps, Ontario county. New York, August 17, 1842. When he
was thirteen years of age his father's family emigrated to Illinois,
and located in Batavia. Later they removed from that city to
Lenora, Fillmore county. He was afterward employed in a bank at
Chatfield. In October, 1864, he came to Rochester and entered the
First National Bank as cashier. In 1874 he resigned on account of
ill health, and was engaged in other pursuits until 1879, when he
entered the Rochester National Bank, in which institution he acted
as cashier until January 1, 1882, when he entered the Union
National Bank in the same capacity. Both as a business man and a
citizen Mr. Titus is highly respected. He is kind and genial,
besides possessing many other attributes of real worth which will
make him popular in whatever capacity he may appear before the
public. He was married December 1, 1864, to Miss Ilattie Arm-
strong, a native of Addison county, Vermont. Mary W. and Clara
A. are the names of their children. Both Mr. and Mrs. Titus are
members of the Presbyterian church.
Maktin V. Rowley, blacksmith, was born in Steuben county.
New York, March 8, 1838. When nine years of age he went to
Knox county, Ohio, remaining one year, and from thence to Wis-
consin, 'in 1864 he came to Rochester and opened a blacksmith
64
]()72 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COtT]S"TY.
shop, having learned that trade in Xew York State. For a number
of years lie emplo^^ed five men and did a flourishing business. Mr.
Rowley was married when eighteen years of age to Miss Nancy Wil-
son, also a native of New York State. The names of their children
are as follows : Charles M. (a merchant in Yolga, Dakota), John
M. (in tlie employ of Fest & Knowlton), William H. (residing near
Kochester on a farm), Julia A., Sarah B. and Norman G. He is a
member of the A.O.U.W.
John F. Grimm, butcher and stock dealer, was born in Marion
county, Ohio, October 2, 1842. Four years later the family emi-
grated to Wisconsin, locating near Beaver Dam, where they remained
about sixteen years. In isG-i they came to Olmsted county, locat-
ing on a farm in Cascade township. In 1879 our subject came to
Rochester and opened a meat market on the corner of Broadway and
Fifth streets. He was married in 1871, to Miss Amelia Hensler.
Nellie, Emma, Edward, Stella and Burt are the names of their chil-
dren. He is a member of the I.O.O.F.
John M. Morton, farmer, was born in Chautauqua county, New
York, in 1843. In the spring of 1864 he came to Minnesota. Later
he enlisted in Co. I of the 1st Minn. Int., and served until the close
of the war, after which he took a course in the state normal school
at Winona. After completing his studies he taught several terms.
Mr. Morton was married in 1870, to Miss Matilda G. Cunningham, a
native of New York. May is the name of their only child.
Isaac Robertson, dealer in machinery and implements, was born
September 22, 1831, at Aberdeenshire, Scotland. When twenty-six
years of age he came to America and located in Ashland county,
Ohio, where he began working at his trade (carpentering), which he
learned in Scotland. He remained there seven years, at the end of
which time he came to Rochester, Minnesota, and was employed by
George W. Payne. In 1873, in company with his brother, he em-
barked in the machinery business. He was married in 1872, to Miss
Johanna Maloney. William is the name of only child living. Our
subject is a member of the A.O.U.W., and is now master work-
man of lodge No. 23.
Peter Hoganson was born September 21, 1834, in Hardanger,
Norway, and emigrated to the United States in July, 1854, when he
settled in Boone county, Illinois, and moved to Rock Dell in 1864,
having in the meantime been in California. He was member of the
town board for one term and has been assessor for fifteen years, also
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1073
member of the board of county commissioners foi- three years, from
1872 to 1875, and is at present, and has been ahnost ever since he
came to the town, treasurer of school district No. 91. Mr. Hogan-
son is treasurer of the Mutual Fire Insurance Association of Vernon,
Minnesota, which association was organized in 1876, reorganized in
1879, and comprises the towns of Vernon and Canisteo, Dodge
county, and Salem and Rock Dell, Olmsted county.
Hon. Marcus Wing was born December 7, 1841, in the town of
Webster, Washtenaw county, Michigan, and emigrated to this state
from Wisconsin (Portage city) in the year 1864, and settled on sec-
tion 17, town of Rock Dell. Mr. Wing represented the ninth district
in the house of representatives of this state in the year 1873, and also
in 1877. He is at present chairman of the board of supervisors of
his town, of which he has been a member for several years. He
served as justice of the peace about seven years, and was appointed
postmaster in Rock Dell in 1869, which office he finally resigned
nine years later. Since he came to the town Mr. Wing has been
almost continually a member of the district school board.
SA.MUAL L. Jenks, farmer, of Quincy, was born in Genesee
county, New York, in 1836. Subsequently the family moved to
Pennsylvania, remaining ten years, thence to Walworth county,
Wisconsin. Our subject came to Olmsted county in 1864, locating
on section 8. He was married in 1860, to Miss Alice A. Leach, a
native of New York. Mark E., Edith M, and Vanil are their
children's names. Mr. Jenks is a member of the Masonic lodge at
Plain view.
Albert Farnham, farmer, is one of a family of ten children, all
of whom are now living. His father, J. E. Farnham, was a native
of New York, and his mother, whose maiden name was Rachael
McDermond, was of Nova Scotia origin. Albert Farnham was
born at Charlottesville, in the township of Walsingham, Province of
Ontario, July 9, 1840. His father was a farmer, and made several
removals, living six years near Portage City, Wisconsin, where the
subject of this sketch received some practical education at a private
school. In 1857 his parents settled in Dodge county, this state,
where he assisted in opening up a farm. In November, 1862, Mr.
Farnham enlisted in the Minnesota Mounted Rangers, and served
thirteen months in quelling the Indians on the frontier. December
16, 1867, he married Edith A., daughter of Col. Jas. George, whose
biography is given elsewhere. They have four promising children.
1074 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COITISTTY.
bom as follows : George A., March 7, 1869; Clinton E., March 5,
1870; Edith, December 26, 1871; John E., September 24, 1876. Mr.
Farnham is an independent democrat "in politics. From 1856 to
1862 he made his home in Columbia county, Wisconsin. After his
service in the army, in partnership with his brother he bought eighty
acres of land on section 9, New Haven. In 1877 he moved to
Rochester, where he resided three years. Since 1880 he has lived
on his present farm, on section 19, Oronoco.
Lemuel L. Mutchlee, deceased. The subject of this sketch was
of Dutch descent ; his parents, John Mutchler and Mary Metz, were
born in New Jersey. They settled in Harmony, Warren county,
that state, where our subject was born. May 19, 1826. At nineteen
years old he engaged at wheelwright work, and acquired the trade.
He married Sarah A. Carpenter, August 29, 1846. His wife was
also of Dutch descent, her parents, Joseph Carpenter and Christiana
Sharp, being natives of New Jersey. In April, 1863, Mr. Mutchler
migrated west, and located in Dane county, Wisconsin, following
his trade and also engaging in building operations. In 1864 he
removed thence to New Haven, where he could procure land for his
growing family of boys, arriving here June 10. The following
year he purchased eighty acres of land on section 31, to which forty
acres more were added subsequently, and this domain still consti-
tutes the home of his widow and younger offsprhig. In February,
1865, Mr. Mutchler enlisted as a recruit in Co. K, 1st Minn, heavy
artillery, and served in garrison at Chattanooga till the following
October. He was a republican in political principle, and his energy
and intelligence soon came to be demanded in the management
of the town affairs. He was a member of the board of supervisors
in 1867-8-9-70^5-7-9, being chairman of that body in 1870.
He was a member of the Wesleyan Methodist church. On re-
turning from military service Mr. Mutcliler continued to ply his
trade, while the land was tilled by his sons. While at work in
Dakota, in 1881, he inflicted a cut on his hand with a hatchet, through
neglect of which he contracted a cold, i-esulting in a fever, from
which he died September 23 of that year. Out of a large family of
children but five survive him to mourn their own and the commu-
nity's loss. Their record is here given : Irving, married Elizabeth
Benton, and lives at Huron, Dakota; Arthur, married Emma Porter,
and resides on the homestead; William L., lives at Huron; Austin
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1075
and Tracy, reside witli their mother, both being under age. Arthur
Mutchler has one child, Charlie, born June 21, 1882.
Charles Hurd, contractor, was reared on a farm in the town of
Caton, Steuben county, New York, where he was born on Decem-
ber IT, 1823. His mother, Cynthia Shepard, was a native of the
same state. Stephen Hurd, his father, was born in Connecticut.
Young Hurd enjoyed the educational privileges afforded by the
Caton district schools until twenty years old, when he engaged in
lumbering. In 1847 he went to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin,
and was employed in the larabering region on the Wolf river. Five
years later he removed to La Crosse and did the Urst draying in that
3ity. He engaged in vai-ious contracts, and was employed several
winters by the American Express Company in carrying goods be-
tween La Crosse and St. Paul. On October 23, ]S54, Mr. Hurd was
united in marriage to Eliza, daughter of Jesse N. and Polly Black-
ington, natives of Massachusetts and Ohio. In 1S62 Mr. Hurd
removed to Winona and dwelt there two years. In August, 1864,
he came to New Haven and bought the sawmill at Genoa village,
built by Baker & Frycke. This mill he operated for six years, and
was compelled to abandon it by his misfortunes, the dam being
washed out five times. Over $5,000 was sunk in this property, to say
nothing of the labor of its proprietor. He secured thirty acres ot
land on section 33, which now constitutes his home, and is employed
in lumbering contracts during the winter and in railroad contracts in
the summer. Mr. Hurd is a member of Rochester lodge, A. F. and
A. M. ; was formerly an Odd-Fellow ; has always been a republican,
and served the town as constable in 1880-1. His family, which in-
cludes eight children, has been very fortunate, as no deaths and
very little sickness have ever occurred in it. The record is given
below : Adelbert, born September 14, 1854, married Minerva
Baker, November, 1881, in Bon Homme county, Dakota, where he
now dwells ; Adrian, born July 13, 1856, home at Genoa ; Harriet
Elizabeth, born May 13, 1858, married Frank Cornwell March 13,
1883, and resides on section 16 ; Lucius, born March 22, 1860, now
living at Winnipeg, Manitoba; Charles B., born August 12, 1862,
resides with parents ; Burton, born May 12, 1866 ; Earl, August 23,
1870 ; and Ross, October 23, 1874.
S. W. Brace Hall, farmer, was born in Bridgewater, Oneida
county, New York, January 9, 1S47. His father, Chester Hall, was
a native of the same state ; and his mother, Cynthia Ambler, was
1076 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
born in Connecticut. He assisted his father in farm work and at-
tended the district schooh At nineteen his life was despaired of on
account of consumption. He came to Rochester in pursuit of
health, and found it. On his arrival here he was scarcely able to
help himself, but soon began to recuperate under the stimulus of
Minnesota's invigoi-ating air. He bought a farm of 204 acres lying
on sections 27 and Si, Cascade, which he at once began to. till, and
with success. For the past seven years he has been engaged in
supplying the people of Rochester with milk, keeping over thirty
cows for that purpose. He was married January 8, 1874, to Eliza
M. Yroman, who was born in Hastings, New York, July 10, 1849 ;
her parents, John and Mary F. Yroman, were New Yorkers, of Ger-
man descent. Mr. Hall is a republican, and a member of Rochester
lodge, I.O.O.F., also of Ashlar Lodge, A.O.U.W., of Rochester.
Himself and wife are members of the Congregational church. They
have two children, born as here noted : Arthur, July 4, 1879 ;
Edith, August 31, 1881.
Harrison Waldron, deceased, was born in Onondaga county,
New York, August 18, 1815. He was a brother of Robert Waldron,
of Cascade, elsewhere mentioned in this work. His early life was
that of a New York farmer's son, and he received a good common-
school education. He had an excellent faculty for mathematics, and
was a natural speaker, often exercising these gifts in the grange and
in public meetings. Mr. Waldron became possessor of a farm in
Sennett, New York, which he tilled. He was married November
11, 1840, to Almira DeWaters, who was born in Elbridge, Onon-
daga county, December 10, 1819 ; her parents, Samuel and Olive
DeWaters, were natives of New York and Maine respectively. Mr.
Waldron sold out in New York in 1845, and became a pioneer of
Michigan, settling in Leroy, where he made a farm. From thence
he removed to Olmsted county in 1864 and bought one-fourth of
section 35, Kalmar, which he tilled up to the time of his demise,
which occurred May 27, 1875. At the annual town meeting of that
year he was elected chairman of the town board. He was an active
worker in behalf of schools and the public welfare generally, and
his decease was a loss to his town and county. He was a strong
supporter of the republican party. Himself and wife united with the
Christian denomination in Michigan, and he clung to its faith at his
death, as- does his widow now. They had three sons and a like
number of daughters, all of whom are living, as follows : Gardner,
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1077
born July 10, 1843, married Siiia Daniels, dwells at Kassoii ; Ellen,
March, 1846, Alvin Rice, Cascade ; Alfred and Albert, twins, April
14, 1852, — the former married Ella King, lives Spencer, Iowa, —
latter, Jenny Whitconib, Hancock, Dakota ; Cerell, August 10,
1853, — A. H. Maxiield,- section 34; Emma, March 20, 1857,—
Elmer Van Camp, — Marcellus, Onondaga county. New York.
GusTAVus HARaESHEiMp:R, druggist, was born in Bremen, Germany,
December 1, 1845. He emigrated to America in 1857, and located
in Chicago, where he attended school for a time, after which he
entered a drug store as clerk. In 1859 he entered the College of
Pharmacy, where he attended oiie year. In May, 1861, he enlisted
in the 24th 111. Inf., a regiment which covered itself with glory.
He was discharged August 27, 1864. In January, 1865, he came
to Rochester and clerked one .year, after which he embarked in busi-
ness for himself, and now has the largest drug trade in the city.
He was married in 1868, to Miss Louisa Weber. Six intelligent
children have been born to the couple. Mr. Ilargesheimer is secre-
tary of the German Library Association, and is a prominent member
of the I.O.O.F,, being grand marshal of the Grand Lodge of Min-
nesota.
Carlos W. Baldwin was born in Rutland county, Vermont, in
1812. Twelve years later the family emigrated to Orleans county,
New York, where they resided ten years. At the end of that time
our subject came west to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he was for
some time employed as clerk in a boot and shoe store. In 1859 he
went to Columbia, Wisconsin. He was for seven years engaged in
the grain business in Pardeeville. In 1865 he came to Olmsted
county, locating in Rochester. Mr. Baldwin was married March
2, 1842, to Miss Eliza Barden, a native of Chenango county. Alice
C, Lora O. and Corwin C. are the names of their children.
Among the successful business men of Rochester, the name of
Elliot A. Knowlton stands prominent. He was born in Windham
county. Vermont, September 10, 1844. When twelve years of age
his parents emigrated to Minnesota, and located at Noi-thheld.
After coming to Minnesota he attended Hamlin University three
years. On September 9, 1862, he enlisted in Co. A, 7th Minn.
Inf., serving on the frontier and at Fort Snelling until the close of
the war, after which he was in the em])loy of J. D. Blake & Co.
for six years, when he became a member of the firm. He was
married March 4, 1872, to Miss Ella R. Blake, also a native of
1078 HISTORi" OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Yermont. George B. and Clarence E. are the names of their
children. Thej are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Knowlton is also member of the Knights of Honor.
Theodore B. Kellog (deceased) was born in Champlain, New
York, December 12, 1837. In 1857 he came west to Wisconsin,
and spent four years and six months with a surveying party. In
December, 1861, he enlisted in 2d Minn. Sharpshooters, and while in
the service participated in nearly thirty engagements. He was dis-
charged in 1864, after which he came to Rochester. In 1867 he
became a partner in the firm of Kellog & Johnston, dealers in
general merchandise. In 1879 he sold out his interest, and in 1880
opened a boot and shoe store with a stock of groceries in connection,
on the corner of Broadway and Zumbro streets. He was married
January 2, 1873, to Miss Mary Bradley, a native of Crystal Lake,
Wisconsin. Karl, is the name of their only living child. Mr.
Kellog was a member of the A. E. and A. M. lodge No. 21, also of
Chapter No. 8 and Home Commandery No. 5.
Lyman E. Cowdery, real-estate dealer, was born in Palmyra,
New York, February 18, 1836. When he was two years of age the
family emigrated to Kirtland, Ohio, where they resided eight years.
In 1846 they came west to Wisconsin, locating in Elkhorn. His
ftither was an attorney by profession. In 1859 our subject came to
Winona, and thence to Rochester, in 1865. In the fall of 1873 he
was elected register of deeds, which position he "held three terms.
In 1879 he was elected mayor of the city. He was married in 1861,
to Miss Sallie E. Fowler, a native of Galena, Illinois. Robert L.
and Mabel L. are the names of the children resulting from the
union. The family are members of the Universalist church ; Mr.
Cowdery is also a Mason.
Alonzo D. Robinson, Rochester, was born in Bradford county,
Pennsylvania, July 4, 1835. When he was twelve years of age the
family removed to Tioga county. In 1862 oar subject enlisted in
Co. H, 137th N. Y. Yol. Inf., in which he served until the close of
the war. He participated in the battles of Antietam, Chancellors-
ville, Gettysburg, Wahatchie Yalley, Lookout Mountain, and also in
the Georgia campaign. He was mustered out in Louisville, Ken-
tucky, in June, 1865. He was married in 1862, to Miss Rodelphia
E. Swartwood, a native of New York, who died in 1880. He was
again married in 1881, to Mrs. Marcia D. Ott. The" names of his
children are Alice R., Mark A., Roy O., Grace E. and Harry Y.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1079
He is a member of Masonic order, also of the chapter and com-
mandery, and is also an Odd-Fellow. He came to Rochester in
1865, and engaged in drajdng. He runs four teams.
James D. Spaulding, grocer, was born in Trumbull county, Ohio,
in 1826. Ten years later his father's family removed to Geauga
county, where they resided twelve years. In 1855 our subject came
to Stillwater, Minnesota, where he worked at blacksmithing, which
trade he had begun when twenty-one years of age. He came to
Rochester in 1865, and begun working at his trade. In November,
1881, he bought a half-interest in the grocery business with Mr.
Mueller. He was married in 1857, to Miss Harriet A. Fling, a
native of St. Lawrence county, New York.
John W. Campbell was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania,
March 7, 1817, and was married to Martha Gillespie, February 4,
1840, and by her had one child, a son, born November 17, 1847,
who was named John Yernon Campbell. His mother died Novem-
ber 6, 1853, and on November 2, 1854, John W. Campbell was
married to Susan Walker, and by her had two children : Martha
Jane Campbell, born September 25, 1855, and Dyer Henry Camp-
bell, born November 28, 1858, and on September 4, 1865, he
started with his family for Olmsted county, Minnesota, and settled
on a farm in the town of Marion. Here he lived four years, and
then moved to the city of Rochester, and worked in the office of
the register of deeds for four years, when he was elected a justice
of the peace in the second ward of said city, and served twenty
months. In consequence of failing health he resigned and went to
Tallaliasse, Florida, where he spent six months, and returned to
Rochester, where he resides at the present time.
P. D. Brockway, farmer, came to Eyota township, Olmsted county,
in 1865, and bought two hundred and forty acres in sections 2 and 12,
where he farmed and raised fine blooded stock, short-horns principally.
In 1876 he mDved to Jasper count}', Iowa, and followed raising
blooded stock exclusively till 1881, when he bought two hundred
and fiftj'-five acres of land in sections 28 and 33, town of Haverhill,
where he now resides. Mr. Brockway is still in the blooded stock-
raising business, dealing in short-horns in cattle, Jersey Southdowns
in sheep, and Jersey Reds or Dorocks in bogs, has also some good
road horses. Our subject was born in Elmira, New York, in 1840,
and is the son ot Timothy and Deborah Wisner-Brockway. Assist-
ed his father on his farm till 1857, wlien he began working for him-
1080 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
self on a farm until he came west in 1S65. He was married in
1868, to Miss Amelia Taylor, daughter of Allen and Elvira (Johnson)
Taylor, and has had by this marriage four children: James H.,
born 1871 ; Horace G., born 1873 ; Lilian A., born 1875, and Brent
H., born 1878. In politics our subject is a republican, in religion
is liberal in his views. Mrs. Brockway is a member of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church.
Henry H. Beach, Marion, was born inKandolph county, Indiana,
April 9, 1840. In January, 1864, he enlisted in Co. 1, 130th Ind. Inf.,
in which he served until the close of the war. He was mustered out
at Louisville, Kentucky, after which he came to Minnesota, and
located on section 26, Marion township. He was married in 1861,
to Miss Margaret J. Nickum Gertrude, May, Ella, Earl, Peter,
lovra and Garfield are the names of their children. Mr. Beach has
been supervisor four terms, also township treasurer, and is now
town clerk.
Me. O. T. Dickerman, son of Elijah and Clarinda (Taplin)
Dickerman, was born April 28, 1842, in Topsham, Vermont. He
came to Viola at tlie close of the late war, and married Mary E.
Whipple, March 15, 1866. They have two children : Lottie E. and
Maud E. Mr. Dickerman was a volunteer from Vermont, and with
the army of the Potomac under General Burnside. He has been
vice-president of the State Agricultural Society for three years, and
is president of the Olmsted County Agricultural Society. He is a
close observer of men and events, and consequently well fitted for
the offices to which his fellow-citizens have called him.
C. W. Barto, druggist, was born near Kusselltown, Canada, in
1850. The family emigrated to Wisconsin in the same year, remain-
ing until 1863, thence to Winona, remaining sixteen months. At
the end of that time they came to Eyota. His father, George Barto,
built the first hotel in the village, which was then known as the
Everett House. In 1874 our subject went to Henderson, Minnesota,
and was there engaged in the drug business until June, 1876, when
he returned to Eyota, where he has since been engaged in the same
line. As a merchant and citizen he is very popular. Mr. Barto
was married October 29, 1878, to Miss Jennie L. Willis, a native of
Indiana.
Edwin Dunn, lumber dealer, was born in Wayne county, Penn-
sylvania, on July 27, 1834. When fourteen years of age he went
to New York city and was there until 1861, when he enlisted in the
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1081
25th regt. N. Y, Cav., and was mustered in as commissary. He
served two years in the array, being under Gen. Custer. After his
discharge he went to the oil regions in Pennsylvania and embarked
in the wholesale tobacco trade. In 1865 he came to Rochester, and
after remaining two years bought the lumber business of Yeouman
& Dodge, in Eyota, and has carried on the business since that time.
He was for four years sergeant-at-arms in the senate. He is a mem-
ber of the A. F. and A, M., and also a member of the United
Brethren church. He is one of the leading business men in Eyota,
and is an ardent worker in the cause of temperaijce.
Charles E. Blair, drygoods merchant, was born in Fletcher,
Vermont, on August 6, 1837. His boyhood days were spent in his
native state. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. H, 2d regt. Ver. Inf., and
was discharged in June, 1864. During this time he participated in
the battles of Bull Run, Lee's Mills, Williamsburg, Gaines' Mills,
Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, second Bull Run,
Crampton's Pass, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Bank's Ford, Franklin
Crossing, Gettysburg, Funks Town, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spott-
sylvania. Cold Harbor, Petersburg and Rappahannock Station. In
the fall of 1864 he came to Minnesota, and in February, 1865,
entered the employ of Milo White at Chattield. In May, 1865, he
came to Eyota, and in 1868 embarked in business for himself. In
186H he was made postmaster, and has been several times chairman
of the board of supervisors. He was married in 1875, to Miss Leila
C. Hill, also a native of Vermont. Harry E. and Edith M. are the
names of the children born to them.
Charles P. Russell', drygoods merchant and grain dealer, was
born in Burlington, Vermont, in 1837. In 1856 he came to Winona
and engaged in business there. In 1865 he ]>roceeded to Eyota.
In 1878 he was elected to the state legislature, where he served one
term. He was married in 1859, to Miss Helen M. Farar, a native of
Yermont. Fred H. is the name of their only child. Mr. Russell is
now carrying on an extensive drygoods business, and also deals
largely in grain. He is a member of the A. F. atul A. M.
Joseph Gwestn, farmer, came to Salem, Minnesota, in 1865, and
in 1874 purchased eighty acres of land in section 3, where he now
(1883) resides. In 1877 he married Miss Carrie Wixson, born in
Canada in 1858, daughter of J. L. and Roxie Wixson. They have
one child, Laben, born 1878. Joseph Gwinn was born in Indiana
in 1843 and is the son of Robert and Nancy (Ellison) (xwiiin, with
1082 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
whom he hved till 1861, when he enUsted in the 12th Ind. Inf., Co.
B, serving one year, but immediately re-enlisted in the 75th Ind. Inf.,
Co. J, servinjy till the end of the war. He was presented with a
commission as lieutenant in reward for his bravery and ability, and
was acting captain during the latter part of the war. He was in the
following battles : Winchester, Lockport, Maryland, Stone Kiver,
Hoover's Gap, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Rocky
Face, Altoona, Pine Knob, Atlanta, Wainsboro, Savannah and Smith-
field, which last was fought on the day on which Gen. Robert E.
Lee surrendered, ^t the close of the war our subject returned to
his father's farm in Indiana, where he remained till he emigrated
west in 1865. In politics he is a republican, in religion has very
liberal views.
Lucius A. Dudley, teacher, was born March 2, 1853, at Bel-
mont, Franklin county, New York. His father, Lorin Dudley, was
also a native of New York, and removed when Lucius was but two
years old to Waupaca county, Wisconsin. Here he enlisted at
the outbreak of the civil war, in the 21st Wisconsin regiment,
and was killed at the battle of Perry sville, Kentucky, October S,
1862. Lorin Dudley married Juliette, daughter of Ebenezer
Wheeler, a veteran of the war of 1812. After the death of her
husband she removed with her family of four little ones to Eyota,
this county. Our subject, being the eldest, and also ambitious, was
very active in assisting his mother. He worked on farms in the
summer and attended the district school in the winter. His ambition
led him to overwork himself, and at fourteen he was attacked with
illness, which confined him to the house for over a year, and his life
was despaired of. The next two years after his recovery, being too
frail to endure physical labor, he attended school, one year of the
time at Chatfield. When he was in the seventeenth year of his
age he began his first term of school, and has been engaged in the
work nearly ever since. He taught the public schools at Dover,
Marion and Pleasant Grove, this county, and three years at Grand
Meadow, Mower county. In the fall of 1881 Mr. Dudley was
engaged to take charge of the schools at Oronoco, and is now
conducting them with eminent satisfaction to pupils and parents
that has always characterized his work. As his early advantages
were limited, a considerable share of his time has been given to
attending schools and institutes. He at one time attended the
Rochester high school, and now holds a first grade state certificate.
BIOGKAPllICAL. 1 083
which he has earned by liis own industry in cultivating his talents.
April 22, 1875, Mr. Dudley was wedded to Miss Lizzie, daughter of
Jacob and Angelina Wagoner, of Rochester, and is now assisted by
her in his work. They have two children : Grace S. , born September
2, 1876, and Howard L., born May 26, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Dudley
are active workers in Oronoco lodge, No. 110, I.O.G.T., and the
former is also prominent in the Oronoco lodge, I.O.O.F., and the
latter in the Kebeccas. Mr. Dudley is superintendent of the Sunday
school, in which his wife is a teacher. Mr. Dudley votes as his
father fought.
Franklin J. Hewiit, merchant, was born at Clirard, Erie county,
Pennsylvania, June 4, 18-12; his parents, Joseph F. Hewitt and Julia
E. nee Philips, were natives of New York. In 1844 they removed
to Macomb county, Michigan, and the subject of this sketch received
his education at the graded schools in the villages of Discoe and
"Washington, that county. At sixteen years of age he began to
assist his father in his occupation as wheelwright. He has nearly
ever since followed wagon making and building. In 1864-5 he
served in the United States commissary department at Nashville.
In the spring of 1865 he came to Oronoco and engaged at his
trade, which he continued for ten years. December 19, 186S, Mr.
Hewitt was united in marriage to Jennie Kirkham, sister of J. H.
Kirkham, whose parentage is elsewhere given in this work. They
have two bright children : Maud Mabel, born July 17, 1872, and
Frank J., born October 3, 1874. During the years 1875-6-7 Mr.
Hewitt represented the Atlantic Glass Co. of Pittsburg, and spent
nearly all his time traveling, at the same time having a half-interest
in a grocery store here, which he had opened in company with
James Barnett, the latter attending to its management. He sub-
sequently traded some property for the store he now occupies on
north side of River street, where he deals in fruits and confectionery.
Mr. Hewitt engaged in collecting curiosities, and has a handsome
case of rare articles. On his arrival here he had but two dollars in
cash, and has earned a comfortable independence by his industry and
sagacity. At present he owns two stores on River street, nineteen
lots in blocks 1 and 10, and lots 1 to 6, inclusive, in block 19 of the
village of Oronoco, besides twenty-seven acres on section 8 of this
township, and a lot and business block in Minneapolis. Mr. Hewitt
is a member of Rochester lodge, No. 13, 1. 0.0. F. In politics he is
1084 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
a republican, but has always declined to accept any office from his
fellow-citizens.
TVilliajm Dieter, farmer. In the days of William Penn, the
great-grandfather of this subject emigrated from Germany and set-
tled in Pennsylvania. His grandson, William Dieter, married
Susan Boyer,' a native of the same state, and AVilliam Dieter, iirst
above named, was born to them in Luzerne county, January 26,
1827. He attended the common schools of Crawford county, where
his parents subsequently settled, and assisted his father in tilling
his farm. From the time he was eighteen until he was twenty-one
years of age he worked at blacksmithing. Not liking this avocation,
he came west on attaining his majority, and engaged in farm labor
in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin. Here he married Carrie,
daughter of John and Mary Tanner, natives of Pennsylvania, April
24, 1857. Three years later Mr. Dieter settled in this county,
at first renting land in the town of Farmington. He shortly pur-
chased the southeast quarter section of this township, which he has
occupied ever since 1865. Here he has lived a quiet life, so manag-
ing his own affairs as to be now in very comfortable circumstances.
He has paid little attention to public affairs, so far performing
the duty of a citizen, however, as to vote on all matters of import-
ance, supporting the republican party. He is not connected with
any society, but Mrs. Dieter is a member of the Presbyterian
church. Four children have been given to them, the eldest being
taken away in infancy ; they were born as follows : Franklin M.,
July 13, 1858, died on the 24th of the following April ; Alfred,
born July 7, 1859 (lives in Wabasha) ; Wilson W., born February
28, 1863 ; Bertie A., born May 24, 1872.
Henkt I. Wood, farmer, is a native of Schenectady county, New
York, where his birth occurred November 28, 1837. His father,
George T. Wood, and mother, Mary Briggs, were also natives
of the same state. In 1845 the elder Wood removed with his
family to Dodge county, Wisconsin, and his son received his educa-
tion in the district schools of that locality. Here he was married
December 2, 1864, to Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel L. and Hannah
(Banner) Davis, also natives of New York, and soon after removed
to Minnesota, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land on
section 30 of this township, where he has ever since dwelt. He has
one child, Frank D., born August 26, 1867. Mr. Wood is a member
of Ashlar Lodge, A.O.U.W., of Eochester. In politics he is a
BIOGRAPHICAL. lOSf)
republican. He came here with very little caj)ital, and his industry
and perseverance has placed him in comfortable circumstances.
Nathaniel A. Roseboom, farmer. On November 24, 1689,
Gerrit Eoseboom, merchant, was married to Maria Sanders, daugh-
ter of the mayor of Albany. His eldest son, Hendrick, was born
in 1691. Hendrick's son, Grerrit, first saw light in 1722. He begat
Gerrit, born September 21, 1762 ; and the fourth Gerrit in the line
of descent thus established was born at Albany, January 25, 1791.
The third Gerrit was commander of a regiment of colonists in the
French and Indian war ; the fourth served while yet very young in
the revolutionary struggle. The fourth of this name married Lydia
Pennington, daughter of John Pennington, who also served the
colonies during the revolutionary struggle. He settled in Somerset
county. New Jersey, where Nathaniel, his son, was born September
2, 1820. Gerrit Roseboom shortl}^ afterward removed to New York
city, where he followed his trade of shipbuilding, and where young
Nathaniel assisted him as soon as he was old enough. On attaining
his majority, Nathaniel continued this occupation until failing health
compelled him to abandon it. He afterward engaged in contracting,
and took charge of work in the building of the Monitors at the
United States navy-yards in Brooklyn. In April, 1863, Mr. Rose-
boom came to Minnesota and bought the hotel, with forty acres of
land, at South Troy, Wabasha county. He also kept the postoffice
at that point. Two years later lie sold this property and bought the
nortliwest quarter of section 1 in this township, on which he has
since resided. Not being accustomed to farming, he at first made
some expensive mistakes, but is now in comfortable circumstances.
He was married October 28, 1866, to Mrs. Mary A. Roy, a widow
residing with her daughter in this township. Mr. R. has one child
by a former marriage, Gerrit, born September 23, 1848. '('his fifth
Gerrit was married in November, 1879, to Louise Rayno, of Zumbro
township, and now lives' on a farm adjoining his father's on the
north ; he has one child, Nathaniel, named in honor of his grand-
father.
Gideon C. Lake, farmer. High Forest, was born in Albany
county. New York, in 1829. When nineteen years of age he went
to Wayne county, Pennsylvania, and was there engaged in lumber-
ing and various occupations for six years, at the end of that time he
went to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and was there until 1856. In
1857 he came to Mower county, Minnesota, locating in the town of
1086 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Racine, and to High Forest township in 1865, locating on section 3.
He enlisted in August, 1864, in Co. H, 11th Minnesota Inf., serv-
ing until the war closed. He was married October 21, 1853, to Jane
M. Hammond, a native of Tioga county, Pennsylvania. Sarah E,,
Jennie M., Rose B. and Louis L. are their children's names.
John F. Pooler, farmer, Dover, was born in Somerset county,
Maine, in 1840. From that state the family came to Eau Claire,
Wisconsin, and to St. Charles, Minnesota, in 1865. In 1866 our
subject came to Dover township, locating on section 12, Dover
township. He was married in 1862, to Miss Betsy Carter, a native
of New York State, who died in 1880. He was again married in
1881, to Miss Emma J. Wilson, a native of Winnebago county,
Illinois.
Julius Guderiajst, farmer, of Dover, was born in Prussia, March
20, 1833. He came to America in 1857, locating in Wisconsin.
During the same year he went to California, where he remained
two years, after which he returned to Wisconsin. In 1865 he came
to Olmsted county, locating on section 33, Dover township. In
1880 he was elected assessor, which position he still holds. He was
married in 1859, to Miss Matilda Quade, who was also born in Ger-
many. The names of their children are as follows : Theresa,
Fred, Lena, Henry, Charlie, Edward, George, Otto, Ella and
Lizzie. Mr. Guderian and wife are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church.
Clark Phelps, farmer, is of New England parentage ; his father,
Elijah D. Phelps, was a native of Connecticut, and his mother,
Eunice nee Amidon, of Massachusetts. Elijah Phelps settled in
Reedsborough, Vermont, where the subject of this sketch was born,
June 19, 1807. When he was seven years old his parents removed
to New York, where he was reared on a farm. On April 5, 1832,
he married Miss Laura J. Keeler ; her parents, Martin Keeler and
Nancy Northrop, were born in Connecticut. In 1851 Mr. Phelps
removed to Adams county, Wisconsin, where he followed farming.
He came to New Haven in December, 1865, and bought thirty-one
acres of land on section 33, where he has since resided ; has en-
gaged in various occupations ; carried the mail from Genoa to
Mantorville from 1872 to 1879. Is an unassuming man, but enjoys
the respect of his neighbors and the filial devotion of his six living
children, all of whom are settled near him. One child was taken
away before reaching two years of age. Here is their record of
J. C. KETCH U M.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1089
births, etc.: Jane, February 15, 1833, married Abram Bryant and
lives at Mankato ; Elvira, February 28, 1834, married Matthew
Ottman November, 1851, resides at Genoa ; Ellen, June 12, 1837,
married George Fryer September 9, 1855, lives at Genoa ; Charles
M., June 5, 1839, lives on section 34, married Polly Fennell, now
deceased ; Ralph, February 26, 1841, married Almira Baker, now
resides in the town of Kalmar ; Julina, April 21, 1844, died Febru-
ary 26, 1846; Elma J., May 24, 1849, married Dewitt G. Ottman,
November 29, 1872, resides on section 33, opposite parents.
James Bryant, farmer, was born in County Wicklow, Ireland,
April 5, 1830. His parents, James and Rachel (Jenkenson) Bry-
ant, emigrated when he was a year old to the Pi'ovince of Quebec
and settled on a farm near Stanstead. Here he was reared, received
an ordinary education at the schools of that locality, and on arriv-
ing at majority engaged in farming. He was married to Ruth
Cleveland, April 30, 1856 ; she bore him five children, as follows:
Laura A., born February 12, 1857, died July 15 following; Cony
A., born September 30, 1858, died May 31, 1860; infant unnamed,
died May 3, 1860; Clara B., born Juiy 24, 1860, married Harlan
Miller, of Douglass, February 15, 1883, and is now in Manitoba ;
Charley C, born June 15, 1S66, died August 28, 1869. In the fall
of 1865 Mr. Bryant came to Minnesota and settled in the town of
Cascade, this county, purchasing 120 acres of land, which he culti-
vated, on sections 7 and 8. Here he was deprived of his helpmeet
by death, September 2, 186^. In 1876 he sold his farm and spent
the succeeding three years in Canada. Returning to this county,
he purchased 200 acres of land on section 35 of this township, in
July, 1879, and has ever since resided thereon. On Christmas day,
1879, he married Josephine W., relict of Edmund W. Connor, and
daughter of Hiram and Cornelia (Hall) Hunt. Mr. Bryant became
a citizen of the United States as soon as the laws permitted, and
has always supported the republican party. He was reared in the
Episcopal church, of which both his parents were members. Mrs.
Bryant is a member of the Baptist church. They jhave a pleasant
home half a mile from Douglass Station, and enjoy the respect and
esteem of their little community.
Nathaniel Bowker, deceased, was born March 10, 1834, at
Georgia, Yermont, also the native town of his parents, John and
Elvira Bowker, He was reared on a farm, and received his educa-
tion, which was somewhat limited on account of deafness caused by
65
1090 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
scarlet fever at an early -age, at Georgia Academy. In 1856 he set-
tled in Illinois, and was married at Lena, in that state, March 25,
1857, to Martha E. Reynolds, whose parentage is elsewhere given
under this township. He enlisted August 9, 1862, in Co. D, 93d
111. regt., and served three years, participating in many important
engagements, among which were the battles of Champion Hills,
Jackson, and the siege of Vicksburg. His wife having removed
with her parents to this town, he joined her here at the close of
the war, and engaged in farming on sections 10 and 11, where
she still dwells, the farm having been bequeathed to her by her
father. Mr. Bcjwker joined the Baptist church at eighteen years of
age, and Mrs. Bowker united with the Congregationalists at the
same age. In politics he was a republican, and early took a promi-
nent part in managing the affairs of this town ; was clerk of his
school district in Illinois immediately on coming here ; served
the town as justice of the peace nearly all of his residence here, and
as supervisor in 1868-9. His constitution was broken by army life,
and he never enjoyed perfect health during his stay here. After a
long struggle with the pale destroj- er, he passed away on the morn-
ing of July!:, 1881. One child, Sibyl E., born November 28. 1866,
survives him, besides his widow. Their first child, Elvira S., born
at Lena, Illinois, April 6, 1862, died on the following October 2.
Henry Webee, harness dealer, Rochester, was born April 28,
1845, in Germany. He came to America in 1848 with his father'^s
family, locating in Washington county, Wisconsin, where he learned
the harness trade under his father's instruction in that state. He
came to Rochester in 1865, working as a journeyman until 1878,
when he became one of the firm now known as Beardsley & Weber.
He was mariied ^NTovember 19, 1873, to Miss Bertha Miller, a native
of Wisconsin. Otto and Cora are their children's names.
Daniel A. Morrison is a son of Ananias and Mary Gaston Mor-
rison, and was born in Franklin, Venango county, Pennsylvania,
January 8, 1842. The family are of Scotch origin on the paternal side,
and Irish on the maternal. John Gaston w^s wounded in the war of
1812, from the effects of which he finally died. In 1846 the family
emigrated to Elmira, New York, and six years later to Fond du Lac,
Wisconsin, when the son received a practical education and learned
the printer's trade in the office of the "Commonwealth." Before
reaching the age of eighteen he took charge of the "Journal" at
Markesan, with which paper he was connected during the years of
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1091
1859 and 1860. In 1862 Mr. Morrison enlisted in the 32d Wis. Inf.,
serving until the close of the war. In April, 1866, he located in
Rochester, and embarked in the mercantile business. He has been
at the head of the municipality in Rochester three terms, and is now
serving his fourth term in the state senate. He is a member of the
LO.O.F., and also of the A. F. and A. M. During the years 1877
and 1878 he acted as grand master of the Odd-Fellows of the state,
and is now serving his second term as grand representative of the
Sovereign Grand Lodge of Odd-Fellows. He was married in 1865,
to Miss Sarah M. Beeton, of Rochester, and of four children born to
them three are living. In public as well as in private life Mr. Mor-
rison has a record of which he may well be proud.
Royal H. Go\^, attorney-at-law, was born in Orange county,
Vermont, January 16, 1830. He received an academical education.
In 1851 he came to Morgan county, Illinois, and taught school two
years, after which he returned to Vermont. In 1856 he moved to
Columbia county, Wisconsin, and there began practicing law. In
1866 he came to Rochester. From 1870 till 1874 he was city justice.
In 1869 he was city assessor. Mr. Gove was married August 21,
1851, to Miss ISTancy A. Farnham, also a native of Vermont. Henry
C, Arthur L., Royal A., Herbert H., Lenora A., Nancy R., George
and Archie are the names of the children resulting from the union.
Mr. Gove is a Mason and also a member of the Presbyterian church.
William W. Reed, liveryman, was born in Orange county,
New York, January 20, 184:1. When he was eight years of age
his father's family emigrated to Cook county, Illinois. In the
spring of 1855 they came to Mower county, Minnesota. In 1866
our subject came to Rochester, and began keeping hotel in the
Stephens House. At the end of two and a half years he left the hotel
and embarked in the implement business, which he continued four
years. In 1876 he began the livery business, in which line he is
doing well. Mr. Reed was married April 5, 1864, to Miss Evelenia
Langton, a native of Michigan. Lavina E., George F., Harland
W. and Jay W. are the names of their children. He is a member
of the A.O.U.W., being secretary of the Rochester lodge.
Prominent among the manufacturers of Rochester is the name of
John T. La Du ; he was born in Onondaga county. New York, May
8, 1842. He was reared a farmer. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. H,
122d N. Y. Vol. Inf. While in the service he took part in the
battles of South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg, when he
1092 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
became unfitted for duty for elerven months, but again joined his
regiment in the spring of 1864. After which he participated in the
battles of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Spottsylvania, Bermuda, Fort
Stephens, Winchester, and also several engagements in the vicinity
of Petersburg. He was also at Appomattox and witnessed Lee's
surrender. In 1865 he took a course in a business college at Pough-
keepsie. In 1866 he came to Rochester, after which he was engaged
in various pursuits until January, 1881, when he purchased an in-
terest in the Cockle mill manufactory. He was married in 1872, to
Miss Carrie Lockwood, a native of Chittenden county, Yermont.
John T. and Edward B. are the only living children.
Anderson Whiting, grain dealer, was born in Douglass, Massa-
chusetts, April 21, 1815. When he was four years of age the family
emigrated to Erie county, New York. In the fall of 1836 they
removed to Michigan, and later to Rockford, Illinois. In the fall
of 1839 they moved to Walworth county, Wisconsin. While there
our subject was several terms township supervisor, and served two
terms in the legislature. In 1866 he came to Rochester and em-
barked in the grain business, which he still continues. He was
married in 1834, to Miss Polly Rice, a native of New York, who
died in 1879. He was again married in 1881, to Miss Sophia
Monroe, also a native of New York. He and Mrs. Whiting are
members of the Universalist society in Rochester.
John Rommell, butcher, was born in Prussia, May 29, 1837.
When eighteen years of age he came to America, after which he
went into the Lake Superior lead-mining region, where he remained
three months. After which he went to Appleton, Wisconsin, where
he remained eighteen months. Thence he proceeded to Fox Lake,
remaining two j^ears. In 1866 he came to Rochester and opened a
butcher-shop, doing a lucrative business. In 1878 he erected the
building he now occupies, which is two stories high and 80 X 22 on
the ground. In 1877 he and his brother erected what is known as
the Rommell block, which cost them ten thousand dollars. Mr.
Rommell was married in 1861, to Miss Amelia Struppert, a native
of Germany. Frederick A., George H. (deceased), Henry O., Frank
J., Ida, Alma and John are the names of the children born to the
couple.
Frank Laesen, wagon-maker, was born in Rochester, New
York, September 30, 1839. In an early day the family emigrated
to Racine, Wisconsin, where they remained three years, after which
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1093
they went to Dane county. In 1866 our subject came to Rochester.
In 1868 he became a partner with Mr. Oleson in the wagon business.
He was married in 1867, to Miss Nettie Hansen, a native of Norway.
Robert O. and Alfred are the names of their children.
Hugh McLeod, blacksmith, Rochester, was born in Canada
West in 1845. When twenty-one years of age he came to Rochester
and engaged in blacksmithing, having learned the trade in Canada.
He was married in 1865, to Miss Catherine Hooks, a native of New
York State. The Tiames of his children are Gertrude and Helen,
aged respectively seven and five. Mr. McLeod is a member of the
I.O.O.F., and is financial secretary of the Rochester lodge, and is
also a member of the Alert hook and ladder company.
RiCHAED P. FoLSOM, farmer, Pleasant Grove, was born in Frank-
lin county, Maine, in 1837. His family are of Irish and English
mixture. He received his education in the district schools of his
native county and at Bates College in Lewiston. He subsequently
turned his attention to teaching. He came to Olmsted county in
1866, locating on section 18, Pleasant Grove township. He wa^
married in July, 1863, to Miss Olive M. Staples, a native of the
same county and state. Anna J., William L. and Susan E. are the
names of their children. Mr. Folsom is a member of the Masonic
order at Pleasant Grove.
Hiram Millkr, merchant, is a native of New York, as were his
parents. His father, John Miller, was a millwright and carpenter.
He married Phoebe Tillotson, of his own county, Chenango, and
settled in Harmony. Chautauqua county ; here our subject was born
November 19, 1836. He attended the district schools till eighteen
years old. At this time he joined the Freewill Baptist church and
was licensed to preach. He now set about improving his education,
and to this end received private instruction from a Baptist minister.
In 1856 he came to Minnesota and was shortly ordained by the Bap-
tist authorities, at Lansing. After this he attended the Northwest-
ern university at Wasioji two years, continuing his labors in the
pulpit in the meantime, and continued to preach for seven years,
when he was obliged to give it up on account of tonsilitis. His
tonsils have been lanced over twenty times. In 1856 he came to the
village of Genoa, in the town of New Haven, this county, and
opened a grocery store in what is now known as the stone shop.
The next year he built and occupied a store on Exchange street, just
west of the present store in that village, where he remained in busi-
1094 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
ness till his removal to Douglass in 1878. On the arrival of the rail-
road at the latter point and date, Mr. Miller built the store and
residence adjoining at Douglass and went into business there. He
sold out two years later and built his present residence and post-
office near the railroad track. He is at present engaged in the sale
of school supplies in addition to a small mercantile business. He is
one of the most active members in Douglass lodge, Ko. 116, 1.O.G.T. ;
has always been a republican ; was appointed postmaster at Genoa
on the establishment of an office there in 1872, and held the position
till his removal to Douglass. A postoffice was established here, with
Mr. Miller as postmaster, November -1, 1878, and he has since con-
tinued to administer the office. He was justice in New Haven from
1872 to 1878. In his clerical and official capacity Mr. Miller has
united fifty-seven couples in marriage, of which number he knows of
onlj one that separated afterward. On October 12, 1858, Mr. Miller
was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary S. Yaughn. Her parents,
Benjamin Yaughn and Joanna Kimball, were born in Clinton
'county, New York. At twenty years of age she united with the
Baptist church, and was a faithful assistant in her husband's denomi-
national labors. Five children have been sent to bless them, as
follows : Harlan E., born August 19, 1859, married Clara B. Bryant
February 15, 1883, and lives at St. Paul ; Albert, born January 3,
1864, died on the 28th of March following; Hugh and Herbert,
twins, born December 31, 1866 ; Hiram, born June 15, 1876.
Malcolm Weight, wagon and carriage maker, was born in
Wyoming county. New York, in 1827. That his great-grandfather,
his grandfather and father were blacksmiths is a remarkable fact in
the family history. Our subject learned his trade with his father,
and followed it until 1862, when he raised a company of volunteers
for the war of the rebellion, of which he was made captain, and
which was designated as Co. G, and attached to the 160tli N. Y.
Yols. He served one year in the army, resigning at the end of that
time on account of disabilities. He came to AVinona in 1863, and
thence to Eyota in 1866. Mr. Wright was married in September,
1849, to Miss Lucia Maynard, a native of Attica, Wyoming county.
New York. Florence and Silas are their children's names. The
famih' are members of the Methodist Epi'scopal church. Mr.
Wright is also a member of the A. F. and A. M. and Temple of
Honor.
James Towey (deceased). Pleasant Grove, was born in county
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1095
Majo, Ireland, in 1831. In 1855 he was united in marriage with
Miss Mary Towey. Their children's names are Maria (deceased),
John, Ann, Peter, Maria, Thomas and Margaret. Mr. Towej came
to America in 1849, locating in New York State, thence to Dodge
county, Wisconsin, and to Olmsted county in 1866.
Albert N. Waldron, farmer, is one of those who cast his
fortunes in Olmsted county when there was little to lose, and now
stands among her independent and exemplary citizens. He became
a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at sixteen years of age,
and on reaching his majority joined the ranks of the republican
party. In 1878 he served the town of Oronoco as assessor. He
has always taken an active interest in the welfare of schools, and
has been an officer of his district nearly all of the time. Mr.
Waldron's maternal grandsire, Joseph Doane, was the son of a
Hollander who settled in New York State. His daughter, Rebecca,
married Joseph Waldron, whose ancestors had dwelt in New York
for several generations. The subject of this sketch was born in
Cayuga county, January 15, 1842. His parents shortly afterward
removed to Pennsylvania, and when he was eleven years old to
Green Lake county, Wisconsin. Here he was reared to manhood
on a farm, and received his schooling in the common schools. On
August 14, 1862, he enlisted in Co. C, 32d Wis. Vol. Inf., and served'
until June, 1865. when he was honorably discharged. He partici-
pated in the battle of Bentonville, North Carolina, and in numerous
minor engagements. He took part in the siege of Atlanta and in
Sherman's march to the sea. Returning from the war, he was
married on Christmas day, 1866, to Margaret Whitehead, whose
parents, William and Sarah (Watson) Whitehead, emigrated to this
.country from England. They have four children, born and christened
as follows: October 7, 1867, May; November 2, 1871, Rose; Decem-
ber 24, 1873, Cora ; December 15, 1876, Leona ; all living and an
honor to their parentage.
MoRTEsrER M. Clark, farmer, was born to Daniel and Charity
Clark, at Cleveland, Ohio, June 9, 1840. His parents had removed
there from Chautauqua county. New York, their own birthplace.
Daniel Clark died when his son was but one year old, and his widow
returned to New York, where she and the child resided with her
parents. When Mortimer was four years of age his mother again
married, and he was brought u]:> by her brothers, one in New York
and the other in Dodge county, Wisconsin. At fourteen young
1096. HISTORY OF OLMSTED COtTNTY.
Clark began life for himself, working during the summer on farms
in the last-named locality, and attending school winters. He attended
the high school at Beaver Dam one term. He was married August
19, 1862, to Frances M., daughter of Robert and Sarah McGlash an,
who bore him four children, and passed from earth April 16, 1878,
and was interred in Oronoco cemetery. The offspring above referred
to were: Eva M., born July 26, 1863, now teaching in Columbia
county, Wisconsin; Wilfred R., born May 2, 1866, now attending
school and keeping books at Beaver Dam; Jessie M., born October,
1869, now at school in Pleasant Grove, this county; Earl M., born
October 5, 1876. Mr. Clark became a resident of Olmsted county
November 12, 1866, and purchased land on section 25, in the town-
ship of New Haven, adjoining this, where he resided four yearsy
In 1870 he sold his farm property and settled in the village of
Oronoco. In January, 1880, his barn, wagons, tools, etc., were
totally destroyed by fire, and about a year later he lost his house
and contents in the same manner. Mr, Clark was again married
September 12, 1882, to Helen A., widow of Dr. John jSI. Farrand,
whose biography is given elsewhere, and is now managing and
residing upon her farm on section 17. He also owns 120 acres of
land in Dunnell county, Dakota Territory. He is a member of
Ashlar Lodge, No. 23, A.O.U. W., of Rochester, and Oronoco Lodge,
No. 110, I.O.CT. In politics Mr. Clark is a republican. He was
chairman of the town board in 1871, and is now serving as ccn-
stable, and enjoys the regard and esteem of his fellow-citizens.
AuoLPH BiERMAN, farmer, Rochester, was born in Christiana,
Norway, in 1842. He received a liberal education in his native
city. In 1862 he came to America, and in August of that year he
enlisted in Co. I, 24th Wis. Inf., serving three years in the defense
of the flag of his adopted country. He afterward returned to Nor-
way for a few months. He came to Olmsted county in 1866. In
the fall of that year he entered the emplo}' of Andrew Nelson as book-
keeper, acting in that capacity about seven years. In 1875 he was
elected county auditor, and was afterward re-elected two successive
terms. In the fall of 1882 he was nominated by the democrats of
the first congressional district for congress, but was defeated by a
small majority by Hon. Milo White, the republican candidate. He
now devotes his entire attention to farming.
Thomas Davidson, farmer, Dover, was born in Westfield, Chau-
tauqua county. New York, February 4, 1840. In 1857 his father's
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1097
family came to St. Cliarles. Our subject came to Olmsted county
in 1866. In i\.ugust, 1861, he enlisted in Co. D, 7tli Minn. Inf., and
was discharged August 16, 1865. He was married August 10, 1876,
to Miss Laura H. Hart, a native of Ohio. The couple have two
children : Frank, the eldest, and an infant, not yet named.
B. A. DoHERTY, farmer, was born in Count}^ Down, Ireland,
February 2, 1833. When quite small he came with his parents to
Canada, and in 1850 became a resident of the United States. At this
time he engaged in farm labor in Massachusetts, where he remained
several years. He subsequently returned to Stanstead county,
Province of Quebec, and bought a fann. After spending a year and
a half in the Pennsylvania oil regions, Mr. Doherty became a resi-
dent of 'Olmsted county, in 1865. He has followed farming ever
since, beginning for himself in 1869, where he now resides, on
section 33. He was married September 22, 1868, to M. J., relict of
S. J. McDowell. Mr. D. was reared a Presbyterian, and now affili-
ates with the Methodist Episcopal church at Byron, of which his
wife is a member. He is a republican in everything that the name
implies, and is a respected and useful citizen. He has always taken
an active interest in schools, and has been for some time clerk of
his school district. His three children were born as here noted :
Alice G., September 25, 1869; Nellie, September 7, 1871; Alma
J., May 19, 1874.
David Maxfield, farmer, is a son of James Maxfield, a soldier
of 1812, who was born in I^ew York. David Maxfield was born in
Warren, Herkimer county. New York, December 7, 1821. He was
reared there, receiving a limited common school education. Has
always been accustomed to farm life ; owned a farm which he tilled
in Herkimer county. He worked at home till twenty- seven years
old, and made all he has by his own industry. In this he was of
course aided by his faithful spouse, to whom he was united in July,
1816. Her name is Margaret, and she is a daughter of Nicholas
and Elizabeth Hoke, of New York ; she was born in Stark, Her-
kimer county, February 18, 1823. In 1851 Mr. Maxfield emigrated
west and bought a farm in Bremer county, Iowa, on which he dwelt
till the fall of 1866. At this time he bought one hundred and forty
acres of land on section 31, Kalmar, which has afforded him a
home ever since. He now has two hundred and ninety acres in
this township. A. portion of this is rented ; of the homestead farm
one hundred and sixty-five acres are under cultivation, fifteen acres
1098 HISTOBY OF OLMSTED OOimTY.
being occupied by a gi'ove. A handsome and convenient residence
and other necessar}^ bniklings make his farm life a pleasant one.
They are situated on an eminence and surrounded by a handsome
grove. Mr. and Mrs. M. united with a Presbyterian church in
Iowa, and still adhere to its tenets. Mr. Maxfield was chairman of
Kalmar town board in 1879-80. He was then a republican, but is
now independent. Was treasurer of the town one year, and in
1882 was elected justice of the peace, which office he now holds.
Five children have been born to him, two dying when small girls ;
the others were : Abram Howard, born August 7, 1852, married
Cerell Waldron, and is now proprietor of a lumber-yard at Huron,
Dakota; David H., May 19, 1859, married Sarah Dean, resides
with parents; Ellen C, January, 1850, married Robert J. Perry,
died at Kasson, March 5, 1876.
Abnee Granger, dairyman, was born in Otsego county, New
York, in October, 1840. He came to Olmsted county in 1867, and
located near Rochester. He is now engaged quite extensively in
dairying and finds it more profitable than farming. The firm of
Winnie & Granger keep about fifty cows, and have no trouble
of disposing of their milk in the city. These enterprising gentle-
men, as well as others in the same line, should be encouraged by the
public in everj-- possible way. Dairying is destined to be one of the
great industries of Minnesota. It will be a great auxiliary in
developing her boundless resources and increasing her wealth. Mr.
Granger was married in 1867, to Miss' Louisa Toplifi", a native of
New York. George W., Chas. T. and Kate E. are the names
of their children. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. at Rochester.
William H. Dodge, lumber dealer, was born in Saratoga county,
New York, March 24, 1821. He came to Rochester in 1867, and
became a partner with E. E. Youmans in the lumber business. In
1869 he bought out his partner's interest, and has since been con-
ducting the business alone. Mr. Dodge embraced religion at an
early age and became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
He is a man who has attended strictly to his own private affairs, and
has never sought for public or political honors, although he possesses
the respect always accorded to honest upriglit men. He was
married in 1842, to Miss Hannah M. Kilmer, also a native of
Saratoga county. She died in 1860, and he was again married in
1861, to Miss Rachel P. Rodgers, a native of Massachusetts.
Henry M. Richardson, sheriff of Olmsted county, was born in
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1099
Orange county, Vermont, Marcli 10, 1814. When eighteen years
of age he enlisted in Co. D, 1.5th Yt. Inf., serving one year. In
1867 he came to Ohnsted county, and located on a farm in Haver-
hill township. In the position of sheriff, to which he was chosen by
the people of Olmsted county in 1881, he performs the duties de-
volving upon him with ability and zeal, and is in every way faithful
to the trust and confidence bestowed upon him by the public. Mr.
Richardson was married January 11, 1870, to Miss Jennie McCrillis,
a native of Salem, Massachusetts. Harold J., William B. and
Edith M. are the names of their children. He is a member of the
I.O.O.F. of Rochester.
Milton R., son of Lester and Eliza D. Wood, was born in
Cataraugns county, New York, June 2, 1834. When nineteen years
of age he came west and located in Barry county, Michigan. Dur-
ing the two years which he resided here he taught school. In 1855
he removed to Yernon count}^, Wisconsin, where he remained six
years farming and teaching alternately. He was married July 3, 1860,
to Miss Mary L. Smith, a native of Erie county, Pennsylvania. At
the outbreak of the war Mr. Wood offered his services to his
country, but was declined on account of poor eyesight, but in 1864
he was drafted, and joined Co. A, 25th Wis., uniting with Sher-
man's army at Atlanta. During the march to the sea he was taken
ill, and unfitted for duty. He was discharged from the hospital at
David's Island, New York harbor, at the close of the war. In 1867
he came and united his fortunes with Olmsted county, locating near
Eyota. In 1879 he was elected register of deeds, and re-elected in
1881. He is father of seven children, whose names, in the order
of their ages, are as follows : Fred L., Frank O., Bert, George,
Charles, Carrie and Kate.
Lyman Tondro, proprietor of Cascade Mills, was born in Niagara
county. New York, in 1842. In 1852 his father's family came west
to Beloit, Wisconsin. In 18^ our subject went to Blackhawk
county, Iowa, where he enlisted in 1862 in Co. B, 31st la. Inf. He
spent two years in the service of his country. Mr. Tondro was
married in 1867, to Miss Mary L. Llart, a native ot New York.
Frank, Florence and Lilian are the names of their children. The
family are members of the Baptist church. The mills of which he
is proprietor are described in another part of the work.
Robert Schmid, proprietor of the Winona House, was born in
Switzerland in 1833. In 1853 he came to America, locating at
1100 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COIHSTTY.
Monroe, Wisconsin, thence to .Red Wing, Minnesota, three years
later, and from that place to Dodge county. He opened a store at
Buchanan, which he carried on three years, after which he farmed
a number of years. In 1867 he came to Rochester, and built a
brewery, which he afterward sold. He then operfed the Winona
House, where he does a lucrative business. He was married in
1855, to Miss Susan Bishop. Adolph, Oscar, Ida, Emil, Robert
Susie and Walter are the names of their children. Mr. Schmid
is a member of the German I.O.O.F.
Frank H. Allen (superintendent at Cole's Mills) was born in
Boston, Massachusetts, December, 1849. When eighteen years of
age the family came to Rochester, and entered the mill with John
M. Cole, in the capacity of superintendent. Mr. Allen was married
in 1871, to Miss Ella S. Lowry, a native of Pennsylvania. Herbert
is the name of their only child. He and Mrs. Allen are members
of the Congregational church. He is now serving his second term
on the school board.
Walter Dixon, hardware dealer, was born in Norfolk, England,
in 1837. He left England in 1849, and came to America, locatmg
in Bristol, Kendall county, Illinois, where he was engaged in the
hardware business until 1866, when he came to Minnesota, "first
locating in Winona; thence to Eyota in 1867, where he has since
been doing a prosperous business. He is one of Eyota's most re-
spected citizens. He is a member of the Baptist church, and also
of the A. F. and A. M. Mr. Dixon was married in 1861, to Miss
Luna A. McOraber, a native of Rutland county, Vermont. Charles
W. is the name of their only living child.
Charles J. Brookner, farmer, was born in Hanover, Germany,
February 28, 1833. He received an ordinary education in the
schools of his native land, and emigrated, in his twenty-first year,
to the United States. The first winter after his arrival was spent in
St. Louis, and he then went to Illinois and there attended the
English schools. In the summer of 1856 he spent three months in
Rochester, this county, during which time he pre-empted and
secured his present farm of 160 acres on section 13, Returning to
Illinois he remained there eleven years, and was married, October
27,' 1864, to Anna E., daughter of D. C. and Lydia Lee, natives of
New York. In the spring of 1867 Mr. Brookner became a perma-
nent resident of the county, spending the first year in Rochester.
The next year he took up his residence on the farm, where he has
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1101
dwelt ever since. He has taken a strong interest in the scliools of
his district, and served as an otficer for the last dozen years. J lis
political principles are those represented by the republican party.
During the existence of the Farm Hill lodge of Good Templars, Mr.
Brookner was among its most active members. His family in-
cludes two children, born as follows: George H., February 23,
1866 ; Ella, September 1, 1871. The former is now attending the
Rochester seminar}'.
Albert S. Grant, real-estate, insurance and collection agent, is
a native of Cayuga county. New York, where he first drew breath,
September 28, 1831. His parents were Benjamin and Martha
(Cutting) Grant, natives of Massachusetts and Vermont. His
mother died when he was but an. infant, and with his father he came
to Waupun, Wisconsin, at the age of sixteen. His schooling was
received in the common schools of New York and Wisconsin, with
the exception of one year in a select school at Waupun. He began
life as a salesman, when of age, and followed that occupation several
years, afterward holding the office of deputj^ sheriff of Dodge
county, Wisconsin, and being engaged in the study of law with the
late John Ware, in 1 859 and 1860. Mr. Grant was accustomed to and
expert in the use of edged tools from early youth, and for five
years succeeding 1862 he superintended a lai-ge carriage and sleigh
factory at Waupun On December 13, 1855, Mr. Grant was wedded
to Mary A., daughter of Benjamin and Susan Allis, natives of New
York, then residing in Waupun. In 1867 the subject of this sketch
became a resident of this county, arriving at Rochester August 1.
Here he engaged in a general real-estate, insurance and collection
business, and during the years 1870 and 1871, superintended a store
there. Mr. Grant came to Oronoco in March, 1873, and purchased
outlots G and F, on which he built his present residence the succeed-
ing year, and has pursued the same callings here as in Rochester.
Mr. Grant is a member of Rochester lodge. No. 13, I.O.O.F. In
politics he is an ardent republican, and has served this township
ever since 1879 as justice of the peace. In 1861 he took out letters
patent on "Grant's shifting carriage rail," from which he has real-
ized a considerable income. In 1872 he received a patent on a
' ' dress-goods holder, " for the use of salesmen in displaying goods,
which is coming into favor among merchants.
Elias Preston, carpenter, is a native of the Province of Ontario,
Canada, descended from natives of New York, William Preston
1102 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
and Barbara Potter. His grandfather, Benjamin Preston, was
a revolutionary soldier in the service of the colonies. Mrs. Elias
Preston, christened Sarah, is a daughter of Reuben Granger, who
served as lieutenant in Gen. Anthony Wayne's campaigns against
the Indians ; he married Rachel Bojce, both being natives of the
Mohawk valley. Elias Preston was born August 2, 1812, and mar-
ried March 4, 1834. He is the father of ten children, named below :
William M., whose sketch follows; Calvin S., born August 10,
1837 (who served three years in 2d Minn. Cav. during the re-
bellion, and married Sarah P. Wright, of St. Paul, May 14, 1865,
and lives in Rochester) ; Elias W., born July 3, 1839 (who served
one year in Co. F, 2d Minn. Heavy Art., and now lives at Gar-
den City, having married Mary E. Wright, a sister of his elder
brother's wife, in December, 1868) ; Sarah D., born January 20,
1842. and died just seven months later; Emma I., born July 22,
1843, married July 4, 1868, to Addison N. Eaton, of this township,
who is now deceased, and again married December 28, 1881, to C.
H. Mathers, of Rochester, and now lives in that city ; John J. A.,
born October 1, 1845, who now dwells in Minneapolis, and was
married July 1, 1875, to Addie Curry, who died April 20, 1878,
being again wedded to Jenny Maservy, of Garden City, November
29, 1880 ; Charles S. P., born July 19, 1848, who is now in Atkin-
son, ISTebraska ; Elizabeth G., born March 8, 1851, who married
E. W. Gordon, October 16, 1878, and lives at Dover, this county ;
Francis G., born May 24, 1854, who makes his home at Oronoco ;
and Barbara E. A., born May 5, 1859, and died January 1, 1863.
In the spring of 1849 Mr. Preston moved to Sheboygan county,
Wisconsin, and to Minnesota in October, 1861, settling in Freeborn
county. On October 1, 1867, he bought a farm on section 21, this
town, which he sold three years later, and bought 5, 8 and 9,
block 13, in the village of Oronoco, and live acres adjoining on sec-
tion 8, and built his present residence on lot 9. At the age of
seventy-one, after seeing twenty of his grandchildren, Mr. Preston
framed and constructed two dwellings for his sons. Mrs. Preston is
a member of the First Baptist church, of Rochester, but her husband
has never broken his connection with the church in the east. The
latter has always been a democrat, and served as town clerk and
justice of the peace during his residence in Freeborn county.
William M. Preston, farmer, named above, was born at Bow-
manville, Ontario, April 9, 1835. He assisted his father in building
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1108
operations, and so acquired the trade. In 1856 he removed to
Waupun, Wisconsin, from whence he went in company with his
father to this state. On March 12, 1862, he enlisted in the 2d Bat.
Minn. Light Art., from which he was discharged on account of poor
health, January 27, 186,3. Determined to serve in protecting the
union, he again enlisted February 4, 1865, in Co. F, 1st Minn.
Heavy Art., and served until September 27, 1865. The most im-
portant battle in which he participated was that of Corinth, during
his first term of service. Returning to Freeborn county, he was
married, March S, 1870, to Susela C. Smith, a native of Ohio, and
in May of the same year came to Oronoco, which has ever since
been his home. In the fall of 1882, he purchased twenty-one acres
of land, comprising outlots 1 to 9, inclusive, of the village of Oro-
noco, and built his present dwelling thereon. His offspring are
enumerated herewith : Elias W. A., born April 19, 1871 ; John
H., July 18, 1872, died August 9, 1878 ;" Andrew R., April 25,
1875; Sarah A., December 23, 1878 ; Arthur T., November 15,
1880 ; Harda B., August 1, 1882.
CoL. Deknis H. Williams, agricultural dealer, was born in Bel-
mont county, Ohio, in 1832. His father was a farmer by occupation.
Our subject received his education at Allegheny College, in Mead-
ville, Pennsylvania. In 1861 he enlisted in the 43^ Ohio Inf.,
acting in the capacity of first lieutenant. Near the close of the war
he was promoted to the rank of colonel of the 185th Ohio regt. At
the close of the Avar he was appointed first lieutenant in the regular
army, where he served about one year. In 1868 he came to Roches-
ter and embarked in the implement business. He was married in
1857, to Miss Dorcas A. Johnston, also a native of Ohio. Mrs.
Johnston is a member of the Presbyterian church.
Charles Yan Campen, station agent of the W. & St. P. railroad,
was born in Warren county, New Jersey, October 30, 1843. Thir-
teen years later the family emigrated to Lee county, Illinois, locating
on a farm near Malugin's Grove. In August, 1862, our subject en-
listed in Co. I, 89th 111. Vol. Inf ; after which he participated in
the battles of Shelbyville, Stone River, Liberty Gap, Chickamauga,
Mission Ridge, Knoxville, Strawberry Plains, and in all the engage-
ments of the Atlanta campaign. He was wounded at Altoona, May
27, 1864, and remained in the hospital until June 25, 1865, when
he was mustered out with his regiment, returning to Lee county.
He was married October 20, 1868, to Miss Mary L. Elkins, a native
1104 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
of Wyoming county, New York. Cora I.. Howard C, Elsie M.,
Mabel G. and Homer A. are the names of tlieir children. He and
wife are members of the Universalist church. Mr. Van Campen is
a member of the A. F. and A. M. and Home Commandery, being
eminent commandeir of the latter organization.
Edward F. Judd, grain dealer, was born in Danbury, Con-
necticut, October 31, 1841. He was reared a farmer. In the fall
of 1869 he came to Kochester and began buying grain. In 1875 he
became a partner with Samual Whitten in the same line. Mr. Judd
was married in 1862, to Miss Emma Myers, also a native of Con-
necticut. Edward S. and Cornelius M. are the names of the children.
Mr. Judd is a prominent member of the A. F. and A. M., and is
one of Rochester's most popular business men.
Sumner Snow, of Farmington, was born in Bloomiield, Essex
county, Yerniont, in the year 1840, his parents' names being Prince
and Maria Snow. Sumner received a fair common school education
and spent his boyhood days with his parents in his native town,
working on a farm. In 1868 he emigrated to Minnesota, settling in
the town of Farmington. In 1871 he was united in marriage with
Miss Elida M. Bulen. His occupation is that of a farmer. Mr.
Snow enlisted in the army in the war for the union at Essex county,
Vermont, in' May, 1861, being a member of Co. I, 3d regt. of Yt.
Yols. He was honorably discharged July, 1865, having served his
country as a soldier over four years. His regiment belonged to the
army of the Potomac, and he was in all the principal engagements
of that army, besides numerous skirmishes. In politics Mr. Snow
is a democrat ; in religious opinions he is a Universalist. Mr. and
Mrs. Snow have been blessed with the birth of one child only, and
when about five years old the little one was taken from them by
death.
Samuel E. Keeler, harness dealer, was born in Hyde Park,
Yermont, February 3, 1844. He received his education at Hyde
Park Academy. In May, 1862, he enlisted in Co. H, 9th regt. Yt.
Inf., serving until January, 1865. He was then made first lieutenant
in the 8th Yt. Art, in which capacity he acted until the close of the
war. He came to Minnesota in 1868, and opened a harness shop at
Eyota. He is now justice of the peace,, and is a member of the
A. F. and A. M.
GrEORGE Miller, farmer, is a native of Schuylkill township,
Pennsylvania, where he was born December 22, 1821. His father,
BIOGEAPIIICAL. J 105
William Miller, was a native of the same state, as was his mother,
Mary Lemon. Here yoim^ George passed his childhood, attending
the subscription schools of the time and assisting his father on the
farm until of age. On October 2i, 1847, he married Ann E.,
daughter of Adam and Eliza Siter, natives of Pennsylvania. In
August, 1868, Mr, Miller became a resident of Olmsted county, and
the next spring purchased and settled on the quarter-section of sec-
tion 12, Oronoco, which is still his home. Mrs. Miller is a mem-
ber of the Baptist church, and Mr. Miller of the great democratic
party. Their children number three, as here given : Eliza J., born
August 26, 1848 (who married Alfred Sledman, whose life-sketch is
elsewhere given) ; William S., born January 20, 1850 (who lives
near Goodwin, Dakota, and married Mary Mars, January 23, 1876);
John C, born January 21, 1852, and who lives near his brother.
William W. Gilbert, grocer, was born in Wayne county. New
York, April 12, 1832, When he was ten years of age his father's
family emigrated to Wisconsin, locating in Waukesha county. His
father was an ironworker by trade, but after coming west turned his
attention to farming. In 1853 our subject went to California, and
was there engaged in mining three years, meeting with good suc-
cess. In 1856 he came to Plainview, Minnesota, and remained one
year, after which he returned to Wisconsin, remaining here until
1869, when he came to Rochester and embarked in the grocery busi-
ness, Mr, Gilbert was married in 1864, to Miss Ann McDowel,
also a native of New York, Frank W. , Hattie G, and Nellie M. are
the names of their children.
Pkof, Charles H. Roberts was born in Huron county, Ohio,
October 24, 1842, His father was a farmer, and our subject received
his earliest education in this practical school of agriculture, Wiien
he reached a proper age he began attending college at Norwalk,
boarding at home, and making the trip on foot every day during the
five years he attended. After graduating from that institution
he entered the Northwestern Normal School at Milan, After com-
pleting a course there he was chosen superintendent of the public
schools at that place, serving three years. He was then employed
in the same capacity at Clyde, Ohio, for two years, after which his
services were sought by the people of Geneva, where he acted
as principal of the public schools and president of the normal
schools of that city. In 1869 his services were secured by the
school board of Rochester, where he acted as superintendent for
1106 IIISTOEY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
eight years, during wliicli time it is due him to say that the schools
were conducted in a very able manner. He was married at Milan,
Ohio, July 8, 1866, to Miss Maria A. North, a native of Ohio.
Maria A. and an infant are the only children born to the couple. In
1879 Mr. Roberts embarked in the furniture business in Rochester.
He was the greenback congressional nominee in the fall of 1882,
and received a large vote.
Arthur B. Blair, grain merchant, was born in Fletcher, Ver-
mont, June 1, 1848. In 1869 he came to Olmsted county, and
clerked in his brother's store until 1871, when lie became a partner.
The firm of Blair Bros, carried on business until 1882, when our
subject withdrew from the iirm and turned his attention to grain
buying. He was married in 1874, to Miss Belle M. Sheardown, a
native of Missouri. Paul B. and Ralph S. are the names of their
children. Mr. Blair has an enviable reputation among his fellow
citizens for integrity and fair dealing. He is a member of the
A. F. and A. M. , ,^U^ t^rV^-
^(t ' Rev. Noah Wirt, deceased, was borTi tteaF-^iii4a4elph4ar,- April
f o^^^Vfi"^^ \ " 25, 1798. His parents were natives of Germany. He early began
S^ l^** ' preaching the doctrine of the Disciples, which he continued till the
v^ 4 v^u,^i. time of his death, which occurred at Oronoco July 25, 1869. He
A'*' y>/> ' was married when twenty-five years old, to Fanny Mapes, a native of
(<^ ' tv'**"^ Connecticut. She preceded him to the other shore, passing away on
January 13, 1869. They had nine children, of whom six are now
living. Their names and places of residence are here given : George
W. and Maria (wife of A. D. Allis) reside at Oronoco ; Charilla, in
Missouri ; Alyin, at Wilmot, Minnesota ; Mary and Warren, at
Marshall, Minnesota. Mr. Wirt resided with his eldest living son,
George W., and his various removals are noted in the biography of
the latter.
David L. Ketes, farmer, of Dover, was born in Windham county,
Connecticut, March 31, 1838. He resided on the old homestead
farm until 1869, when he came west, locating on section 35, Dover
township, where he now has a beautiful home. He was married in
1859, to Miss Sarah A. Sherman, also a native of Windham county,
Vermont. Eugene R., Darwin W. and Anna M. are the names of
the children born to them. The family are American from as far
back as the lineage can be traced. Mr. Keyes owns a large tract of
land in Dover, and is one of the most prosperous farmers in Olmsted
county.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1107
MATraAS Solum, mercliant tailor, of Rochester, was born in Nor-
way, March 20, 1851. He learned tailoring in that country, and at
the age of seventeen came to America, locating in Winneshiek
county, Iowa, where he remained until 1870, when he went to
Winona, remaining there four years. From thence he moved to
Rochester in 1875. Here he was for a number of years in the em-
ploy of John R. Cook &Co., as cutter. In 1881 he embarked in
business for himself, and now employs from three to five men. He
was married in 1873, to Miss Laura C. Drager, also a native of Nor-
way. Clara N., Karl, Josephine and Laura are the names of their
children.
Abraham Pearce, farmer, is among the earliest settlers of this
region. Butler county, Ohio, is his birthplace, and his existence
dates from November 15, 1830. His father was John Pearce, a
native of New Jersey, who "married Mary Kirb3% of the same state.
The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and attended the
common schools of his locality. On March 11, 1855, he was mar-
ried to Susannah, daughter of Christopher and Catharine Wisong,
and the brave young couple immediately started tor Minnesota,
arriving in the state with nothing but strong hands and willing
hearts upon which to depend for an existence, having borrowed
money of friends with which to complete the journey. Immediately
on their arrival Mr. Pearce took up government land in the town-
ship of Pine Island, adjoining this on the north, Oronoco being his
postoflice. This claim was retained until 1870, when he sold it and
removed to Rochester, thus becoming a citizen of this county. In
1878 he purchased 210 acres of land, two-thirds of which is on sections
5 and 6 of this township, and has ever since resided in Oronoco.
He also owns three houses in Rochester, besides thirteen acres of
timber in Mazeppa. All this property is the accumulation of his
own industry, aided by that of his helpmeet. Mr. Pearce is a re-
publican in politics, and served several terms as justice of the peace
in Goodhue county. He is the father of eight children, as follows :
J. A., born June 8, 1857 ; Mrs. Mary A. Alderson, February 3,
1859 ; Alice L., October 16, 1860 ; J. D., August 20, 1862 ; Minnie,
July 15, 1861; Helen V., November 14, 1866; Edith L., Decem-
ber 8, 1868 ; Squire L., October 16, 1870.
Alfred Stedman, farmer, is a native of England, having been
ushered into existence in Kent county, April 11, 1845 ; his parents
were Thomas Stedman and Mary nee Barnes, now residing in
1108 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Wabasha county, on the opposite side of the road from the subject
of this biography. In 1855 Thomas Stedman emigrated with his
family to America, and settled for a short time near Syracuse, New
York, subsequently removing to the Province of Ontario, where he
remained until 1859, and then settling near Geneva, Wisconsin. It
was in the schools of Geneva that Alfred received the best part of
his education. In 1863 he came to Minnesota with his parents, and
engaged with them in farming operations in Wabasha county. In
1870 he purchased eighty acres on section 1 of Oronoco, and shortly
after married Eliza J. Miller, of this township, and commenced
housekeeping on his farm, residing there ever since. He now
possesses ninety acres in the adjoining town of Zumbro, and is in
comfortable circumstances, the outcome of his perseverance and
frugality. He is a member of the Baptist church, as is also Mrs.
Stedman. In matters of public polity Mr. Stedman adheres to
the principles of the republican party. Three children have been
given to him, as follows : Harry P., born September 14, 1872 ;
Alice A., born December 17, 1878 ; Anna M., born July 30, 1880.
Levi W. Alla.rd, farmer, was born in Conway, New Hamp-
shire, March 10, 1825. His great-grandfather (Henry), grandfather
(David) and father (David) were all born and died in the vicinitj'-
of Conway. His mother, Martha Moulton, was born and died in
the same town. Mr. AUard was reared on a farm, and engaged in
the calling of his father in Sandwich, New Hampshire. At twenty-
three years of age he went to Boston, where he was employed five
years, and returning thence engaged in farming in Sandwich, as
above noted. He was married April 4, 1850, and began house-
keeping in Charlestown, Massachusetts. His bride. Miss Lucy
Moulton, was a granddaughter of Jonathan Moulton, who died at
the age of ninety-four ; her parents were Benjamin and Nancy
Moulton, and she was born in Tamworth, New Hampshire, May 3,
1829. Mr. Allard moved west in 1865, and bought a farm in Lodi,
Wisconsin. In 1870 he became a resident of Kalmar, purchasing
160 acres of land on sections 20 and 29, his residence being on the
latter. He also has ten acres of timber-land. Mr. and Mrs. Allard
are members of the Baptist church in Byron. The former accepts
the principles of the republican party as the true system of public
polity. Four children are recorded in this family, as below: Charles,
March 24, 1853, married Margaret Cummings, and dwells with
parents; Frank, Christmas day, 1855, married Clara Sprague, has a
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1109
farm in Claremont, Dodge county; Winfield, September 10, 1858,
married Clara Bardine, resides near Woolsey, Dakota ; Nancy,
December 10, 1867.
Harney D. Cobnvvell, farmer. Mr. Corn well's parents, Chaun-
cey Cornwell and Rosella Young, were natives of Connecticut, who
removed to Wilby, Lake county, Ohio, where our subject was born,
August 12, 1837. When he was fifteen years old his parents again
moved westward, and settled on a farm at Lowell, Dodge county,
Wisconsin. Mr. Cornwell's educational privileges were furnished
by the common schools of Ohio and Wisconsin. He married a lady
of New England parentage on Christmas day, 1860 ; her name was
Louisa Jillson, and those of her parents were Warren Jillson and
Lovisa Adams, both of Vermont. Mr. Cornwell and family spent
the summer of 1862 in Plainview, Wabasha county, this state, after
which he settled in Faribault county. In 1870 he took up his resi-
dence in New Haven, purchasing eighty acres of land on section 8,
to which he soon after added forty acres by purchase. His worth and
intelligence were soon discovered by his fellow-townsmen, and he
was at once put to use as clerk of his school district, which position
he has ever since filled. In 1872 he was a member of the town
board ; also served two years as assessor in Faribault county before
coming here. His political principles are those represented by the
republican party. Mr. and Mrs. Cornwell united with the Methodist
Episcopal church at Pine Island in 1872. Their family includes five
children, the eldest now living at Minneapolis, born to them as
follows: Louis H., April 23, 1862; Frank, January 29, 1864;
Chauncey, July 2, 1866; Belle, March 8, 1868; Nettie, February 7,
i880.
Albert Harrington, grain dealer, of the firm of Van Dusen &
Co., was born in Moravia, Cayuga county, New York. When he
was four years of age the family removed to Homer, New York,
where his father opened a hardware store, having previously been
proprietor of a tannery. In 1856 they came to Winona county,
Minnesota, locating at Saratoga. In the following year they moved
to the city of Winona. Here our subject availed himself of the
superior educational advantages afforded, graduating from the high
schools in 1866. In 1867, having been appointed a cadet by Will-
iam Windom, he went to West Point, where he remained two years,
but finally left on account of sore eyes. He returned to Winona,
and obtained a situation in the general office of the Winona &
1110 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
St. Peter railroad, where he remained until 1871, in which year he
came to Rochester, and was in the employ of Yan Dusen & Co.
until 1880, when he became a member of the firm. He was mar-
ried in 1873, to Miss Laura Frick, a native of Pennsylvania. The
names of the children born to them g,re Clara, Mary and Helen.
Alonzo T. Stebbens, hardware merchant, was born in Mans-
field, Massachusetts, in 1847. Came to Minnesota in 1857 with
his father's family, who located in Winona county. In 1860 he
began a course of study in the Winona high school. In 1865 he
went to Boston, and entered Bryant & Stratton's commercial school,
where he attended five months. In 1866 he began clerking in a
hardware store in Winona, and in 1871 came to Rochester and
embarked in business for himself. He was married in 1871, to Miss
Ada L. Stebbins, a native of Windham county, Vermont. Mabel C.
and George M., aged respectively seven and nine, are the names of
their children.
Phillip M. Nickum, farmer, Marion township, was born in
Preble county, Ohio, in 1835. When he was quite young the
family removed to Randolph county, Indiana. In 1870 he went to
Missouri, and in April, 1871, came to Olmsted county, locating in
Marion township. He was married in 1854, to Miss Melissa E.
Badgely, a native of Ohio. Mary E., William H., Eldora A. and
Minnie M. are the names of their children.
William King, farmer, is a son of Henry and Fredericka King,
and was born in Stettin, Germany, on November 8, 1839. He mar-
ried Mary Steifenhaagen, on April 5, 1861, and in 1864 he emigrated
to America, and settled in Goodhue county, this state, where he
remained seven years. In 1871 he bought two hundred acres of
land on sections 13, 14 and 23 of this township, and erected his
present residence on the latter. In 1879 his barn and four horses,
several cattle, and agricultural tools, were burned by a fire set by
lightning. This was a severe blow to a man who had begun with no
capital, but his industry and j^erseverance has placed him in inde-
pendent circumstances. Mr. King has always taken an active
interest in the welfare of schools, and is giving his children an
advantage he never enjoyed, a good English education. He has
belonged to the republican party ever since he became a citizen.
Both himself and wife are members of the Lutheran church, and
are rearing in an exemplary manner their family of ofifspring,
whose names and births are recorded as follows : William, born
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1111
June 9, 1862 ; Lena, born October 14, 1S64; Fred, born October 7,
1869.
Timothy A. Whiting, grain-dealer, was born in Erie county,
New York, in February, 1827. When seventeen years of age he
went with his fathei-'s family to Walworth county, Wisconsin. In
1850 he went to California, crossing the plains by wagon, where he
spent a year in the mines. He returned east and remained until
1852, when he again went west, spending fourteen years in Califor-
nia, Oregon and Idaho, during which time he was engaged in min-
ing and stock-raising. He returned to Wisconsin, thence to Vir-
ginia, where he remained five years looking after land interests
which he had previously traded for. In 1872 he came to Eochester
and embarked in the grain business. He now owns thirteen hun-
dred and sixty acres of land in Minnesota, ten hundred of which is
under culivation. He was married in 1866, to Eliza Jamison.
Ellis, Mary, Elbert T. and Delton D. are the names of his children.
Mr. Whiting is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and
also of the I.O.O.F.
Dr. Wilson A. Allen was born March 6, 1834, in Madison
county, Indiana. In 1852 he entered Franklin College, where he
attended four years. In 1859 he began the study of medicine at
Pendleton, Indiana. In 1862, having become dissatisHed with the
old school theories, he turned his attention to homeopatliy. In
1879 he received his diploma from the Hahnemann Medical College
in Chicago. In 1865 he came to Plainview, Minnesota, and from
that place to Rochester in 1872. He was married in 1855, to Miss
Flora S. Huston, a native of Ohio. Dr. Allen stands among the
leading physicians of Rochester, and is having a large practice.
John H. Kurtzman, boot and shoe dealer, was born in Lebanon
county, Pennsylvania, in 1851. In 1866 the family came to Wis
consin, locating in Sparta, where our subject worked at his trade
(boot and shoe making), having learned it in the east. In 1872 he
came to Rochester, and opened a custom shop north of Bachly's
meat market. At the end of eleven months he sold out to Mr. Tur-
ner and went to Minneapolis, starting in business on Washington
avenue, remaining, however, but six weeks, when, on account of
ill health, he suspended business, and traveled three months in the
west. In August, 1873, he returned to Rochester, and again com
menced business, employing from three to five men. In 1876 he
opened in Clark and Whiten's block, where he is now doing a
1112 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
thriving business. He was married in 1877, to Miss Hattie Ireland.
John and Lottie are the names of their children. He and wife at-
tend the Congregational church.
Behrend Clausen, of the hardware firm of Clauson & Adler,
Kochester, was born in Germany in 1848. He cam^e to America in
1871, working on a farm at Greenwood Prairie until 1873, when he
entered the employ of Ozmun & Sons, where he remained until
March, 1883, when he formed a partnership with H. F. Adler, and
purchased the goods owned by Mr. Yan Dooser. These young men
possess good business qualifications, and we predict for them a
prosperous future. Mr. Clausen was married in 1871, to Miss
Christina Lorenzen, a native of Germany. Katie and Maggie are
their children's names.
L. N. Smith, son of IS'elson J. and Metta Smith, was born in
Holstein in the year 1842, and also received his education at that
place. In 1865 he emigrated to America, landing in the great city
of New York, where he remained for ten months, during which
time he was engaged in the butchering business. After the expira-
tion of this time he went to Juneau county, Wisconsin, where he
kept hotel and a livery stable until the year 1872, when he removed
to Eyota, Minnesota, where he engaged in the hotel, liquor and
livery business. He is now engaged in the livery and saloon busi-
ness. Mr. Smith was married to Mrs. Rosa Debielliers, of Wiscon-
sin, in 1880.
John W. Booth, hardware dealer, was born April 15, 1848, in
Tioga countj^ New York. In 1864 he entered the Oswego Academy,
where he attended four years. After coming to Rochester, in 1873,
he was made assistant cashier in the Union National Bank, in which
capacity he served until 1882, when he became a partner with A.
Ozmun in the hardware business. Mr. Booth was married in 1876,
to Miss Ella Kendall, of Winona. Two children have been given
to them, whose names are M&j W. and Robert K. respectively.
He is a member of the Universalist church, and also of the A. F.
and A. M.
John Sweeney, blacksmith, was born in Fox Lake, Wisconsin,
in 1851, where he resided until 1873, and where he learned the
blacksmith trade. In 1873 he came to Rochester, and opened a
shop, which he still runs. He was married in 1879, to Miss Margaret
C. Montague, a native of Boston. Mary and William F. are the
names of their children.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1113
Dr. Augustus W. Stinchfield was born in Franklin county,
Maine, in 1S42. He received his education at Bowdoin College,
Brunswick, Maine, which institution invested him with a medical
diploma in 1S68. In the fall of that year he came west to Missouri,
remaining in that state until 1S72, when he came to Minnesota, and
located in Rice county. In 1873 he came to Eyota, and is having
an extensive practice. He was married in 1S78, to Miss Mattie
J. Bear, a native of Olmsted county. Nellie M. and Charlie I. are
the names of their children. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. and
also of the A. F. and A. M.
Henry Gerry, Rochester, of the lirm of Hibbard & Gerry,
grocers, was born in Middlesex county, Massachusetts, August 3,
18-19. He was reared a farmer, but at the age of nineteen began
clerking at Maynard, Massachusetts. Two years later he entered a
wholesale house in Boston, where he remained until 1873, when he
came to Rochester, entering the employ of J. D. Blake & Co. In
1881 he became a partner with D. H. Moon, who was succeeded, in
August of the same year, by Mr. Hibbard. His father, Charles
Gerry, died in Sudbury, Massachusetts, having reached an advanced
age. He had living, at the time of his death, seven sons, six
daughters and thirty-four grandchildren. Our subject was married
in 1875, to Miss Sarah bear, a native of Ohio. They have two chil-
dren, Helen L. and one that is not yet named. They are members
of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Marcus A. Robinson, millwright. This subject is of Scotch de-
scent. His father, Dr. Jedediah H. Robinson, was born in Vermont,
and practiced medicine over forty years in New York. He married
Mary Northrop, , a native of Vermont also. Their son, herein
sketched, was born in Livingston count}', New York, on December
15, 1835. Dr. Robinson shortly after removed to Howard, Steuben
county. Here the youthful Marcus attended the common school till
thirteen years old, when he entered Howard Academy. At sixteen
years of age he was apprenticed to a millwright at corning. In 1854
he struck out for the growing west, and located at Huntley, McHenry
county, Illinois, where he was employed in building operations. In
1856-7 he was employed at his trade in Winona county, this state,
and returned again to Illinois. He was married April 28, 1858, to
Ellen, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Campbell, who were Penn-
sylvania people. On September 11, 1861, M. A. Robinson enlisted
in Co. I, 52d 111. Vol. Inf. At the battle of Pittsburgh Landing he
1114 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
received a wound which disabled him, and he was discharged from
the service in consequence on August 27, 1862, As soon as he was
able to travel he sought the invigorating climate of Minnesota, and
finally decided to locate at Pine Island, Goodhue county, where he
engaged at his trade as soon as his strength permitted. Here he
acquired a home and dwelt till 1873. As his family included several
boys, he naturally sought some location where they might be occu-
pied, and therefore exchanged his village propert}' for 200 acres of
land on sections 11 and 12, New Haven, where his home has since
been. The land has been tilled by his sons, while he continued to
follow his chosen occupation. Mr. Robinson, is a member of Pine
Island lodge, A. F. and A. M., and is a republican. His family
includes eight sons and one daughter.
Rasmus Pederson, boot and shoe dealer, was born near tlie city
of Svendborg, Denmark, in 1853. In 1874 he came to Rochester,
afterward going to Winona, where he remained until 1878, when
he again came to Rochester and commenced business for himself.
He has been quite successful, having recently purchased a farm near
Rochester, besides owning a neat residence in North Rochester.
He was married in 1878, to Miss Jennie Nelson, a native of Wiscon-
sin. His children's names, in the order of their ages, are as follows :
George C. D., Robert C. M. and Cora I. G. He and family are
members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.
Edgae Thayer, born at Hinsdale, Massachusetts, September 17,
1850, is a son of Gridley T. Thayer, a tanner, of thirty-five years' ex-
perience in his trade. When thirteen years old Edgar was engaged
as clerk in a store of general merchandise owned by Messrs. Mar-
shal & Carter, of Ellenburgh, New York. He was in their
employment one season, then acted as clerk in a drug store in
Chateaugay, New York, one summer and removed in the fall with
his parents to Benton, Michigan. After an experience of two years
upon a farm the family returned to Schroon Lake, New York, and
G. T. Thayer bought a tannery, in which this son became an expert
tanner at the age of nineteen years, and soon after married Elizabeth
Lake, who was born at Crown Point, New York, February 10, 1851.
When twenty years old he was given the entire charge of a large
tannery at Schroon Lake, New York, a situation commonly held
only by men with from fifteen to twenty years' experience in the
business. At the expiration of one year he removed to Pottersville,
New York, and took charge of the inside work in a tannery for a
BIOGRAPHICAL. ' 1115
jear and a half. He was seized bj a severe attack of ''western
fever," and removed to Viola, Minnesota, April 9, 1874. He fol-
lowed farming eight years, then entered the employment of the Chi-
cago & Northwestern Railroad Company, as station agent at Yiola.
Mr. Thayer's mother died July 15, 1880, and he is the eldest sur-
viving son of a family of six boys and three girls. Two of his
brothers died several vears ago. He has been D.Gr.W.C.T. of the
I.O.G.T. for three years in succession, and during his residence in
Viola has been a regular correspondent, under the 7i07n deplume of
"Eric," of the Rochester "Post." His articles in print are facetious
and give evidence ot the fairness and good humor which charac-
terize all his dealings with his fellow citizens. He is the father of
two sons, aged respectively five and two years. Young, trustworthy
and efficient in every position to which he has been called, we be-
speak for him a happy future.
Nathan N. Williamson, farmer, son of James Williamson and
Eunice nee Briggs, was born March 30, 1830, in Oneida county, New
York. He received most of his education in the primitive common
schools of that region, attending a select school a short time. At
the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to a carpenter and builder,
and pursued that calling many years after reaching majority.
When twenty years old he removed to Dodge county, Wisconsin,
where he worked at his trade, and was married June 25, 1855, to
Mary E., daughter of James F. and Louisa (Robinson) Clason. Eight
children were born to the cou]3le thus united, as named below :
Emma L., born April 18, 1856 (wlio married Henry Moulton, of
this township, December 25, 1875, and now resides here) ; Albert
•N., born September 24, 1858 (who married Celinda Waterman, of
this township, on Christmas, 1881, and lives at home); Milan Ellis,
born November 18, 1860, and who makes his home with his parents;
Edwin, born January 23, 1862 ; George, born December 20, 1865 ;
Daisy, born March 16, 1872; John E., born February 25, 1875;
Charles Winfred, born July 1, 1877. In 1855 Mr. Williamson
came to Minnesota and opened the first store kept at Preston, Fill-
more county. This he sold a year later, and removed to St. Charles,
Missouri, where he remained nine years, his eldest four children
having been'born tliere. Arriving in Olmsted county in 1874, he
purchased a farm in Cascade township, which he afterward sold, and
bought the southwest quarter of section 34, in this township. This he
sold during the same year, and in 1875 he purchased eighty acres on
1116 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
section 16, where he still resides. Since his residence here he has
erected many farm buildings, built the Presbyterian church, and
superintended the woodwork of the schoolhouse. Mr. Williamson
is a member of the Oronoco lodge. No. 110, I.O.G.T. In politics he
was formerly a democrat, but now affiliates with the greenback
party. He served as school clerk from 1867 to 1873. It may be
said to Mr. Williamson's credit that he arrived in Oronoco with but
$16 in cash, losing most of his household goods in transit from
Missouri, and has accumulated his present property by his own
industry and perseverance.
Aaron W. Dukkee, woodworker, was born in Washington
county, New York, in 1834. When eighteen years of age he came to
Waupaca, Wisconsin, and secured employment in a sawmill in the
lumbering district. After spending five years there they came to
Lake City, Minnesota, residing there fifteen years, during which
time he was engaged in carpentering. Thence he removed to
Douglas Station, where he erected the first store building in the
place. In 1875 he came to Rochester and started his planing-mill,
where he does all kinds of woodwork. He was married in 1859, to
Miss Maria Landon, a native of Connecticut. He is a member of
thel.O.O.F.
Joshua H. Kirkham, farmer, is one of his country's defenders.
Although a large family was dependent upon him (the eldest child
being only eleven years old), he enlisted in Co. H, 11th Minn. Yol.
Inf., August 15, 1864, and served until July 15, 1865. His regi-
ment, being a new one, was employed in guarding Sherman's line
of supply, during the world-famed campaign against Atlanta and to
the sea, and if Mr. Kirkham saw no active battles it was not because
he did not volunteer to do so. Joshua Kirkham is a son of Allen H.
Kirkham and Catharine J. Hicks, natives of New York. He was
born in Cattaraugus county, that state, February 13, 1832. When
he was two years old his parents moved to Macomb county, Michi-
gan, and remained there until 1858, the youthful Joshua attending
the common schools there and assisting on the farm. On January
6, 1852, he was united in marriage to Caroline A., daughter of
Abner and Abigail (Kesage) Stevens, who bore him eleven children,
as follows : Theran A., born January 6, 1853, now residing in the
town of Mazeppa, having married Alice Tupper, of that township,
September 18, 1875; Orrin E., born October 19, 1854, who resides
with his parents; Alice A., born June 29, 1856, died March 27,
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1117
1872; Harry L., born July 29, 1858, married Lucy J. Kellum, of
Lincoln, Wisconsin, February 23, 1881, and now dwells at Merrill,
same state ; Alma C, born October 4, 1860, who now dwells in
Mazeppa with her husband, James H. Smith, to whom she was
wedded October 5, 1878; Blanch E., born May 2, 1862, married to
William Baker, of Chester, this county, August 27, 1877, and who
now lives at Nordland, Dakota Territory; Dora E., born April 10,
1865, and who resides with her parents; May B., born April 4, 1867,
and who lives at home; Elton, born January 7, 1870; Clarence, born
March 8, 1872; Bertha E., born October 31, 1876. Mr. Kirkham
came to Minnesota in 1858, and bought land in the town of Pine
Island, adjoining Oronoco. In July, 1875, he bought eighty acres of
land on section 5, Oronoco, on which he has ever since resided. In
politics he has always been a democrat, and has served as school
director and road commissioner many years. The father of this
subject was also a Union soldier, having enlisted in 1861, in the 8th
reg. Minn. Yol. Inf. He died at Jackson, Mississippi, from the
effects of his service, in August, 1863. He had five sons in the Union
army, one of whom died in Libby prison.
Henet W. Greenwood, farmer, is a son of Stephen Greenwood,
an early settler of the adjoining town of Farmington, in this county,
Stephen Greenwood's parents, James and Betsey Greenwc^od, were
born in Worcester county, Massachusetts. They removed to Sus-
quehanna county, Pennsylvania, where Stephen was born and where
he married Louisa M., daughter of John B. and Susan Buck, natives
of Connecticut and Vermont. Here the subject of this sketch was
born November 1, 1849. His parents shortly after removed to Wis-
consin, and came to Farmington in 1859. In the fall of 1871 he
bought the northwest quarter of section 25 in this township, and
since his marriage, March 1, 1875, has continued to reside thereon.
Mrs. Greenwood is a native of Susquehanna county, also, her
parents, Thomas and Sarah (Papplewell) Todd, having emigrated
from England and settled there. Mr. Greenwood has taken a
prominent position among our citizens from his first settlement here.
Was a chief instrument in the organization of his school district, six
years ago, and has been one of its officers ever since. He served as
town assessor in 1881-2. His political principles are republican.
Mr. and Mrs. Greenwood were members of the Farm Hill Good
Templars' Lodge while in existence, and are members of the Oro-
noco Presbyterian church, in which the former is an elder.
1118 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Robert W. Bondt, merchant, Dover Center, was born in Lower
Canada August 24, 1856. When thirteen years of age he come west
to Kasson, Minnesota, thence to Dover township, where he attended
school a short time. He spent one year in St. Charles and after-
ward resided a year in Chatlield, during which time he was in the
employ of Milo White. Subsequently he came to Dover Center,
where he clerked until 1879, when he embarked in business for him-
self. He was married in 1878, to Miss Ida Glidden, a native of
Michigan. Jessie M. is the name of their only child.
Charles H. Hawley, postmaster, Dover, was born at Mount
Carroll, Illinois, February 25, 1840. He came to Minnesota in 1855,
locating at Chatlield, together with his father, Charles G. Hawley,
who invested largely in land in Fillmore county. In 1861 our sub-
ject went to Colorado, remaining six months. Subsequently he en-
listed in the 5th Minn. Inf., and with his company was sent to Fort
Ridgely, remaining until the Sioux outbreak, when they were sent
to the frontier. Here our subject had some lively experience in
Indian fighting. At the end of ten months he was discharged, when
he returned to Chatfield, where he remained a year, after which he
returned to Colorado, where he kept hotel at Black Hawk and Cen-
tral City alternately. In August, 1864, he raised a company of cavalry
and spent four months more fighting Indians. In the battle of Big
Sandy he was wounded in the arm by an arrow, the head of which
he still preserves. He located in Dover in 1875, and was appointed
postmaster in 1878. In 1876 he was made justice of the peace, serv-
ing five 3'ears. He was married in 1866, to Miss Marion L. Wills,
a native of Vermont. Albert G., Bessie M., Lelia R. are the names
of their children. Mr. Hawlej^ is a member of the A_. F. and A. M.
and Orient Chapter at St. Charles, and the Home Commandery at
Rochester.
Dr. Francis L. Beecher, of Rochester, dentist, was born in
Washington, Franklin county, Missouri, in 1850. He received his
education in that city, and in 1868 came to St. Paul, and was for a
time under the instruction of his brother in the dental business.
From that city he went to Philadelphia and took a course in the
Dental College, from which he graduated in 1872. In 1876 he came
to Rochester, where he has since resided, and where he is meeting
with excellent success. He has won for himself the well merited
confidence and esteem of the citizens of Rochester and vicinity.
He was married in 1876, to Miss L. A. Anderson, anativeof St. Louis.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1119
Thomas P. Hall, wagon manufacturer, was born in London,
Canada, in 1847. When twenty-one years of age he went to San
Francisco, California, where he remained three years, during which
time he worked at carriagemaking, having learned the trade in
Canada. In 1870 he came to Chicago, where he was for four years
employed as foreman in a factory in that city. In 1876 he came to
Rochester and embarked in business for himself, and is building up
a large trade. Mr. Hall was married in 1876, to Miss Libbie M.
Burr, of Batavia, Illinois. Arthur B. is the only living child.
William H. Sewakd, furniture dealer, was born in the State of
New York February 24, 1831. In 1857 he emigrated to La Porte
county, Indiana, and began farming. In 1859 he went to Oconto,
Wisconsin, and for two years taught in the public schools at that
place. In 1860 he was elected superintendent of schools in that
county, serving six years. He also held several other public offices in
that county. In 1867 he returned to La Porte and engaged in the
furniture business. In 1877 he came to Rochester and opened a large
furniture store, where he is doing a flourishing business. He was
married in 1851, to Miss Elizabeth Culver, a native of New York
State.
Dr. Fred. R. Mosse was born in Madison, Wisconsin, Novem-
ber 1, 1851. In 1869 he entered the Wisconsin University at Mad-
ison, from which institution he graduated in 1874. In the same
year he entered the Homeopathic Medical College of Chicago and
received his diploma in 1877, after which he came to Rochester
and is now having a lucrative practice. He was married in 1881, to
Miss Flora L. Hurd, a native of Canada. He is a member of the
Congregational church.
EvERARD S. Crowell, photographer, Rochester, was born in
Belgrade, Maine, October 26, 1848. He learned photography in
his native state. When twenty years of age he came west to Eau
Claire, Wisconsin, and opened a photographic gallery. In 1878 he
came to Rochester, where he is now doing a prosperous business,
which he well deserves, being one of the finest artists in the state.
Mr. Crowell was married in 1869, to Miss Lizzie Smith. Herbert
E., Mable E. and Lulu M. are their children's names. Mr. Crowell
is a member of the Free Will Baptist church.
James C. Thompson, leather dealer, was born in Chautauqua
county. New York, in 1856. His father is now a leather merchant
at Silver Creek. Our subject came to Rochester in 1878 and com-
1120 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
menced business, dealing largely in leather and hides. He carries
a stock worth eight to ten thousand dollars. He is an honest, enter-
prising business man and should have the patronage of the citizens
of Rochester as well as adjacent towns.
Rev. William H. Swaetz, Rochester, was born in Lycoming
county, Pennsylvania, April 15, 1837. He received his early edu-
cation at Clearfield Academy, after which he studied theology two
years at Bristol. He was there ordained a Baptist minister. From
1859 to 1878 he devoted his entire time and attention to his minis-
terial labors. He was married 'July 4, 1861, to Miss Mary R. Frank,
also a native of Pennsylvania. Grace (deceased), Elmer F., Wilbur,
Lizzie, Harry (deceased), Arthur, Estella, Nellie, Lincoln and
Flossie are the names of the children born to them. The family
came to Minnesota in 1878 and located at Rochester. Mr. Swartz
now has charge of a congregation at Farm Hill and Pleasant Grove.
Rev. a. H. Ejerr, of Rochester, Minnesota, was born April 1,
1819, in Washington county, Pennsylvania, He graduated from
Jefferson College in 1843, and three years later from the Western
Theological Seminary, Allegheny City, Pennsylvania. His first
charge was the Presbyterian church of South Bend, Indiana, then
of the church of La Grange, Indiana. In 1852 he took charge of
the First Presbyterian church of Dubuque, Iowa, and in 1856
removed to St. Peter, Minnesota. Here he organized a church and
remained its pastor for twenty-two years. During this time he
assisted in the organization of quite a number of churches and gave
considerable of his time to missionary work on the frontier. From
1867 to 1 872 he served as superintendent of public schools for Nic-
ollet county. During his labors at St. Peter two houses of worship
were built, the last costing some $15,000, a stone structure, is one
of the finest churches outside the large cities. In 1857 he organized
the church with twelve members and on his resignation of the pas-
torate there were one hundred and forty of a membership, the roll
from the beginning having over four hundred names. When the
hospital for insane was located at St. Peter, in 1866, Mr. Kerr was
appointed one of the trustees, and afterward was made secretary and
treasurer of the institution. He held these positions until after his
removal to Rochester, Minnesota, in 1878, and by election of the
Board was made steward of the second hospital for insane, located
at Rochester. This position he still retains. Mr. Kerr has no
church charge as the financial interests of the hospital occupy his
V^i. I J '^
WILLIAM ECKLES
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1123
time, though he often fills the pulpits in the city and vicinity. For
three years from 1862 he was chaplain of the 9th reg. Minn. Vols.;
the regiment served one year on the frontier after the 7ndian out-
break of 1862, and two years in the South. Mr. Kerr was married
to Elizabeth Craig, of Cross Creek Village, Washington county,
Pennsylvania, October 25, 1847. They have lost four children and
three are living. Tlieir eldest, Effie, now Mrs. E. R. Moore, resides
at St. Peter in the old home. Walter Craig, a graduate of Cornell
University, New York, and for ten years professor of mechanic
arts in that institution, is now in New York city, connected with
the Westinghouse Engine Company. Their youngest, Henry
Hampton, is at home.
Walter D. Morris, assistant cashier of the Union National Bank,
was born in Fredonia, Chautauqua county. New York, April 12, 1856.
He received his early education at the public schools of that town
and afterward took a course in the state normal school. His father
is one of the leading attorneys in Chautauqua county, has served one
term in the state legislature, and in 1868 was a member of the con-
stitutional convention. Our subject came to Rochester in 1879, and
in 1880 entered the Union National Bank, of which institution he
was made assistant cashier in January, 1883. He was married in
August, 1882, to Miss Mary A. Archibald, who is also a native of
Chautauqua county ; Archibald and Lorenzo are the names of their
children.
Prof. Delbert Darling, of Darling's Business College, was born
in Portage county, Wisconsin, December, 1853. In 1861 the family
moved to Mitchell county, Iowa, where his father enlisted ; he after-
ward died in the service of his country. In 1863 our subject returned
to Wisconsin where he received a high school education and subse-
quently graduated from a commercial college, since which his entire
time and attention has been devoted to teaching. In 1879 he came
to Rochester and established the business college which has since
grown to prominence among similar institutions in the state ; the
average attendance is about one hundred pupils, many of whom are
from adjoining states. He was married in 1878, to Miss Jennie
Dahl, a native of Lacrosse, Wisconsin ; Delos D. and Edgar E. are
the names of his children.
John N. Farrand, physician, deceased, was born August 2,
1843, at Fairfield, Vermont, where his parents still reside. The de-
ceased assisted his father in cultivating his farm, attending school
1124 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
and beginiiino- to teach at an early age; his earnings were applied
in improving his education. He was married to Miss Helen
A. Butler, daughter of E. S. and S. A. Butler, who now dwells,
as then, at Fairiield, Vermont. Young Farrand was at this time
preimring himself f(jr the practice of medicine, and graduated from
the medical department of Michigan University, at Ann Arbor, in
1879 ; the following year he came to Oronoco and purchased a farm
on section 17, where he resided until his untimely takmg-off. Im-
mediately on his arrival he began what proved a successful practice
of his chosen profession. He was a member of Oronoco lodge, No.
52, 1. 0.0. F. ; was an ardent rej^ublican, and took a strong interest
in public affairs, and was faithful and unselfish in all his relations,
public and private ; he was clerk of the independent school district
of Oronoco at his death. On June 23, 1880, while fishing in the
river, he was drowned by the capsizal of a boat. Four children sur-
vive him, as follows : Cory don B., born July 18, 1870 ; Thomas K.,
July 27, 1873; Helen S., October 7, 1876; Albert M., June 7,
1878.
Pkofessor Horace Withe rstixp:, Dover Center, was born in Herki-
mer county, New York, April 14, 1852. He received his early
education at that place, and graduated at Fairfield Academy in 1871.
In 1872 he came to Minnesota, and took a course in the Minne-
apolis Business College. In 1878 he was made principal of the
public schools at Elgin. At the end of three years his. services were
secured by the citizens of Dover Center, and under his management
the Dover schools have attained an excellent reputation. He was
married in the fall of 1881, to Miss Amelia Hatfield, a native of
Olmsted county. Willie H. is the name of their only child.
Eev. John W. Stafford, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal
church of Rochester, was born in Beeston, Nottinghamshire,
England, December 6, 1843. In the spring of 1857 he came to
America, and located in Greenwich, New York, where he remained
until the fall of 1861, when he came west to Minnesota. He received
his education at Hamlin University, joined the Methodist Episco-
pal conference in 1867, and for some time after entered upon his
ministerial duties. He traveled over what he terms the "pioneer
circuit" of the state. He was first stationed at Stillwater, from
whence he was removed to Anoka, thence to Minneapolis, then to
St. Paul, serving Grace and Jackson street churches with great
acceptability ; and in 1881 he was located at Rochester. He was
BIOGRAPHICAL. 1125
for three years financial agent for the Hamlin University, during
which time the college building was completed, and the school,
which had been suspended eleven years, entered upon a career ot
prosperity. The same untiring zeal that characterized his financial
efforts, pervades his actions as a minister, is visible in his able and
earnest efforts in the pulpit, and undoubtedly is the great moving
aim and motive of his life. His whole ambition seems to be the
faithful discharge of the arduous duties devolving upon him. Mr.
Stafford was manied May 9, 1865, to Miss Hattie R. Mathews, a
native of Boston, Massachusetts.
Dr. Joel H. Horton was born in Portage county, Ohio, April 29,
1830. He received his early education at Hiram Academy, and in
1852 received his diploma from the Rochester Medical College,
of Rochester, Kew York, after which he returned to his native
state, and located in Wooster. He afterward practiced in Michigan,
Iowa City, Iowa, and Hiram, Ohio. He came to Rochester in 1881,
and is building up a lucrative practice.
Jainies Heaton Cooper, the youngest son of Jesse and Selema
Cooper, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, September
2, 1829. The family moved to Ripley county, Indiana, in the
spring of 1837 and settled on a farm, where James remained until
the spring of 1847, receiving a common school education. In March,
1847, he hired as clerk in the store of D. McF. Raid, in whose em-
ploy he remained for seven years. In the spring of 1854 he went
into the mercantile business for himself, which he followed for eight
years ; was married to Anna L. Hart, June 20, 1860, near Hamilton,
Ohio, when he moved to and settled on a farm near Caledonia,
Houston county, Minnesota, in the spring of 1863, following
farming until 1871. He enlisted in Co. G, 1st Minn, reg., in
the spring of 1865, and was elected third sergeant. He joined the
regiment at Burkeville, Virginia, commanded by Lieut-Col. Downie ;
saw the remains of President Lincoln and the funeral procession
leave Washington for Springfield, and was present at the grand
review in Washington in June, 1865. He remained with the regi-
ment until its discharge at Fort Snelling in August ; was absent
four months and carried an empty musket the entire time. In the
fall of 1870 Mr. Cooper was elected county auditor, in which posi-
tion he served for two terms. In the fall of 1881 he moved to Olm-
sted county and settled on a farm in Eyota township, purchasing
from John H. Bliss, in 1874, where he now resides. Mr. Cooper
1126 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
has had five children, and has suffered the bereavement of losing four.
The remaining child is a daughter, Hattie M., aged sixteen years.
Charles R. Keyes, M.D., is a son of S. M. and Olive (Hanson)
Keyes, who now reside in the place of their birth, Chelsea, Orange
county, Vermont. Here Dr. Keyes was born April 21, 1856. His
grandparents were also natives of the same state, and his mother's
father served through the war of 1812. Dr. Keyes was reared on a
farm near the village of Chelsea, and attended its schools. His
medical education was received at the university of Vermont at
Burlington, from which he graduated in 1881. After a few months'
practice at home, he came west and settled at Byron in February,
1882. His practice is growing and successful. He is a Baptist in
religious faith, and a republican in politics.
Joseph George Ikaro, M. D., was born January 10, 1859, in
Fort Peter, Nicollet county, this state, settled in Rock Dell in the
early spring of 1882, and practices medicine. The doctor is a grad-
uate of the medical college of Keokuk, Iowa, and practiced medicine
one year in Pierce county, Wisconsin, before he came here. His
father, Capt. Asbjorn K. Skaro, was born in Hallingdal, Norway,
in 1829, and emigrated to the United States about 1845, and enlisted
in the regular army about one year later. He took part in the Mex-
ican, Indian and civil wars. During the Indian war he was
stationed at the then Fort Fairmount in Blue Earth county, this
state. Capt. Skaro was killed in the battle of Nashville, Tennessee,
while in command of Co. E, 2d Minn, regt., belonging to Gen.
Thomas's brigade.
Professor Eugene W. Young was born June 12, 1852, in Ran-
dolph, Cattaraugus county, New York. Three years Jater the family
emigrated to Madison, Wisconsin. In 1861 his father, William C,
enlisted in Co. E, 8th Wis. Inf. , occupying the rank of captain. He
spent three years and a half in the army. In 1865 the family came
to Minnesota, locating at Waseca, where our subject attended school
until twenty years of age when he entered the Northfield University,
from which institution he graduated in 1879. Shice that time his
attention has been devoted to teaching. He came to Rochester in
August, 1882, and was the prime mover in establishing the sem-
inary, which promises to develop into a prominent educational
institution. He was married in 1879, to Miss Emma L. Wilson, a
native of St. Lawrence county. New York. Herbert W. is the
name of their only child.
ADDITIONAL MATTER*
ROCHESTER TOWNSHIP.
Rochester Township is described as T. 106 N., of R. 14 W., and it
originally comprised thirty-six full sections, but upon the incorpora-
tion of the city of Rochester, the two northeast sections of this town-
ship were taken to form a part of the area of the city. Therefore
Rochester township now comprises the remaining thirty-four sections
and is bounded as follows : on the north by the city of Rochester
(two miles) and Cascade township (four miles), on the east by Marion
township, on the south by High Forest township, and on the west
by Salem township. The surface is undulating and the soil is a
clayey loam, and the land is adapted to the raising of both grass and
grain, the higher rolling land to the raising of grain, and the low
land to the raising of grass and to pasturage. The township is
traversed by the south branch of the Zumbro river, which enters the
township from the south, about one-half mile from its southwest
corner, and runs northwest througli section 31 into Salem township,
and thence back into Rochester township about midway of its length
on its west side, and it then runs in a zigzag course in a north-
easterly direction through the township and then on through the
city of Rochester. The' river is fed by smaller streams in its course.
Willow Creek enters the township from the south, about three miles
east of where the Zumbro river first enters it, and runs in a meander-
ing course in a northeasterly direction, through the township, and
empties into Bear creek on the northeast section (12) of the town-
ship. This creek is also increased by other streams in its course.
Along the Zumbro river, in this township, there is timber extending
from a quarter to half a mile in width on each side of the river, and
comprising the oak, ash, elm, maple, walnut and basswood. There
are also groves in other parts of the township comprising the oak,
poplar and cherry. This timber not only supplies its owners with
fuel, but is also a source of revenue to them, as it helps to supply
the market for wood in the city.
* This matter was handed us too late for insertion under the head designed
for it.
1128 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS, ETC.
John Bamber pre-empted the farm where he now lives, in section
10 of Rochester township, and where he arrived December 14, 1854.
His wife, Lucy Bamber, died in October, 1855, being the second
person that died in the township, the first being William H. Bamber,
his nephew, who died in August preceding Mrs, Bamber's death.
Patrick Convay pre-empted the north half of both the southeast
and the southwest quarter of section 26, in this township, and still lives
on his claim. He arrived in Ma}^, 1855. But instead of the primi-
tive log cabin for a first residence, Mr. Conway was still more primi-
tive in his first abode, as he dug a cave in the side of the hill in which
lie lived during the first year of his residence upon his present farm.
Almon Eugene Hull pre-empted the northeast quarter of section
13 in this township in the spring of 1855, and he has since resided
on his claim. Mrs. Hannah Williams settled in Rochester township
in February, 1856. William C. Kent bought a claim of one Birch,
in April, 1856, in section 26, in this township, and still owns it.
And Charles Corn forth bought a claim of one Goold, in June, 1858, in
section 9, in this township, and he has since resided on the same farm.
The occupation of the citizens of Rochester township is farming.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.
The organization of Rochester township was ' ' effected at an elec-
tion held at the court house in the township of Rochester on the
11th day of May, a.d., 1858,'' when Peter F. Lamshee was elected
chairman of the board of supervisors, and Ozera A. Hadley and
Samuel Stone supervisors, and Thomas Brooks was elected township
clerk. Since 1858 the chairman of the board of supervisors and the
township clerk have been elected as follows :
Chairman of the board of supervisors — David Whitney, 1859-
60 ; J. N. McLane, 1861 ; J. F. J. Harmon, 1862 ; John Severn,
1863; John Forbes, 1864-6; J. F. J. Harmon, 1867; Orlin
McComber, 1868-70 ; Martin Purcell, 1871 ; Patrick Gardner, 1872 ;
I. M. Westfall, 1873-4 ; S. Olin, 1876 ; John C. Enke, 1876 ; John
Bourquin, 1877; S. Olin, 1878-80 ; Charles Cornforth, 1881-3.
Township clerk— John Kent, 1859-60 ; H. L. R. Jones, 1861-3 ;
John Bamber, 1864-72 ; Fred C. Smith, 1873-5 ; O. F. Ostrander,
1876; Fred C. Smith, 1877-83.
The Southern Minnesota Fair Grounds are situated in the
southern part of Rochester township, bordering upon the city.
ADDITIONAL MATTER. 1129
These grounds coiii])ose eighty acres, and have been fitted up, for
the purpose of holding fairs and exhibitions, at a c(»st of several
thousand dollars. The buildings comprise a main exhibition build-
ing, covering about a quarter of an acre, an amphitheatre, which will
seat 2,500 people, and booths for the sale of refreshments, etc.
There are also stalls on the grounds for the shelter of about four
hundred horses and cattle, and pens for the accommodation of sheep
and swine. There is a track on the grounds for trotting and racing
a mile in circuit, and it is the best in the state. The Southern
Minnesota Fair Association hold a fair and exhibition on 'their
grounds annually. The president of the association is C. H. Cliad-
boarn, of the city of Kochester, and the secretary is C. Van Campen,
also of the city of Rochester.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Stephen Greenwood, farmer, became a citizen of Minnesota in
December, 1859, at that time puj-chasing one-half of section 31,
Farmington, which still constitutes his homestead. Here he has
fine buildings and all the conveniences that go to make a farmer s
life happy and easy. Mr. Green w<^od raises large numbers of
horses, as well as other stock. He is a native of Pennsylvania,
having been born in Susquehanna county, on the 15th of September,
1821. His parents, James Greenwood and Betsey Rice, were
natives of Worcester county, Massachusetts ; Abel Rice, his grand-
father, served the colonies as a revolutionary soldier. On the •ith of
December, 18-±4, Stephen Greenwood and Louisa M. Buck were
imited in marriage, and are still pursuing the journey of life in
happy accord. Mrs. Greenwood's parents were John B. and Susan
Chamberlain-Buck, born in Connecticut and Vermont, respectively.
Mr. Greenwood pre-empted government land in Marquette county,
Wisconsin, in 1850, and tilled it up to the time of his removal to this
county. He has always given his attention to his large private
interests, and left others to debate questions of religion and politics.
In voting, he has always been a republican, as are his sons. Tlie
latter are three in number, the eldest and youngest settled on fiirms
in this township, and the other two miles distant, in Oronoco. One
daughter was given to the family August 7, 1861, and christened
Lillian B. She married Bertrand Stacy, and dwells on section 33,
this town.
Leroy Albert Greenwood, son of the above, dwells on section
29, Farmington, of which he owns the southwest quarter ; this was
1130 HISTOEY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
purchased in 1875. He was born in Marquette countj, "Wisconsin, on
the seventy-ninth anniversary of the nation's existence — July 4, 1864.
He was but five years of age when his father brought him to Minne-
sota, and nearly all of his life has beeu spent here. His education
was mostly provided by the common school of his father's district ;
three months in the city schools of LaCrosse supplemented this. He
was married February 18, 1878, to Miss Elizabeth Healey, who was
born in LaGrange county, Indiana, October 9, 1854 ; her parents —
William and Jane Healey — were born jn England. Mr. and Mrs.
Greenwood are members of the Rochester Presbyterian church.
They have one child, Arthur Lee, born May 20, 1882. Wlien Mr.
Greenwood was in his third year, he destroyed his left eye by
thrusting one of the points of a pair of scissors in it. In 1875 he
had the ball removed and its place supplied by a glass eye. Like
his father and brothers, he is found on political issues with the
republican party.
Michael Kitzmann, farmer, resides on section 20, Farraington,
where he has two hundred and eighty acres of land ; beside this
estate he has a quarter section in Oronoco township, on which dwell
his parents — John and Caroline (Kuenke) Kitzmann, born and mar-
ried in Prussia. Mr. Kitzmann, senior, was born December 12,
1814, and married on the twenty-sixth of the same month, 1835 ; he
emigrated to America in 1854, and engaged in farming in Marquette
county, Wisconsin, where he remained till May, 1863, when he be-
came a resident of Olmsted county. The family is connected with the
Lutheran church, and includes four children, as follows : Michael ;
Frederick and John, at Grafton, Dakota ; August, with his parents.
The subject of this sketch was born in the same locality as his father,
on the first day of the 3'^ear, 1838 ; he came to Olmsted county with
his father and bought one hundred and twenty acres of land in Haver-
hill township, on which he dwelt five years; he then disposed of
this land and acquired his present homestead. He was married in
Wisconsin on January 21, 1862, to Augusta Reinke, a native of the
same place as himself, her birth dating March 11, 1841. They have
nine children, all at home, born and christened as below ; December
7, 1862, John ; October 30, 1864, Henry ; February 1, 1867, Em-
ma ; November 1, 1868, Michael ; Christmas day, 1870, George ;
June 1, 1873, Ida ; March 23, 1876, Charles ; May 23, 1880, Ber-
tha; August 4, 1883, Clara. All the members of the family were
ADDITIONAL MATTER. 1131
baptized in the Lutheran church. Mr. Kitzmann has been two
years a member of the town board of supervisors. He is a repub-
lican.
George D. Bradshaw, farmer, became a resident of Kalmarin
the spring of 1866, and is reckoned among its most intelligent and
progressive citizens. He was a member of the town board of super-
visors in 1878. In political issues he is found with the democratic
party. Although not an atheist, he is unable to affiliate with any
existing church organization. Is a member of Mantorville Lodge,
A.O.I^.W. G. D. Bradshaw was born in Morgan county, Illinois,
July 21, 1846 ; his parents, William and Sarah Bradshaw, were born
in Kentucky and Virginia, respectivel}'. He was reared on an
Illinois farm, receiving a common school education. On his arrival
in this county he engaged for ten years in farm labor. In 1876 he
purchased the farm which has since constituted his home ; it em-
braces one hundred and eight acres, and lies on section 6, the road
dividing it from Dodge county. Tiring of the inconveniences of sin-
gle life, he wooed and in 1868 wedded Miss Julia Postier, a sister
of Henry Postier, elsewhere mentioned. Six children have come,
as below, to call him father : Oscar, January 28, 1872 ; Annie, No-
vember 2, 1874; John, November 11, 1877; Elizabeth, April 3,
1879 ; Edith, October 17, 1880 ; infant daughter, yet unnamed,
October 11, 1882.
Thoivias Broderick, miller, is a native of County Cork, Ireland,
where he began his earthly pilgrimage on May 5, 1848. When but
a small infant liis parents brought him to America, settling in Can-
ada. Here he received the educational benefits conferred by the
common schools, assisting his father on the farm till fourteen years
old ; at the latter age he was apprenticed for four years to a miller,
and has followed his present occupation nearly ever since. In 1870
he came to the United States and spent two years in the employ of
the Winona and St. Peter Railway Company, with headquarters at
Winona. After spending a year each in the Red Jacket Mills in
Blue Earth county and the City Mills in Mankato, he rented Fugle's
mill in Pleasant Grove, this county ; this he operated two years and
then bought Middleton's mill on section 17, Kalmar, of which he at
once took possession, and has since operated it successfully and profit-
ably. This mill is 34x36 feet in dimensions, three stories high
above the basement, and has a capacity of forty barrels of flour per
1182 HISTOKY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
day. In 1880 Mr. Broderick was married to Miss Nora Murphy,
who was born in the city of Washington. Mr. Broderick is a demo-
crat, and the family is included in the Rochester Roman Catholic
society. A son and daughter have been added to the flock, as below :
John J., August 6, 1881 ; Mary C, September 7, 1883.
Thomas Bryan, farmer, was born in Barnston, Stanstead county,
Quebec, July 24, 1836. His parents, James Bryant and Rachel
Jenkenson, were born and married in County Wicklow, Ireland, and
emigrated to America in 1831. Thomas assisted in farm operations,
attending the district school and spending one term at an academy.
His first and present estate is located in Cascade township, where he
purchased eighty acres, in November, 1866, on section IS ; here his
residence stands. He has since acquired 160 acres more by various
purchases, and has a superb farm, his house being about in its cen-
ter. Returning soon to Canada, he was married there, March 18,
1868, to AlmaL. Cleaveland, a native of the same town as himself ;
her parents were William and Sarah (Baldwin) Cleaveland. Immedi-
■ ately after marriage they took up their residence here, where they
are now surounded by the comforts of life, provided by their own
industry. In religion they are Episcopalians, and Mr. Bryan is
counted among the Republican voters. Their children were born
as follows : Laura D., September 26, 1869; Arthur W., February
18, 1874; Nellie G., January 21, 1877; George F., September 5,
1878 ; Edward H., October 11, 1880.
Jacob Grassle, farmer and stock-dealer (see portrait). The sub-
ject of this sketch has certainly done his share in developing the re-
sources of this country, and in encouraging the stock-growers. He
has, ever since his residence here, kept a large number of animals
on his farm, and induced others to do the same. He is now tilling
1,100 acres of land, residing on the northeast quarter of section 13,
Kalmar. For many years before coming to Minnesota Mr. Grassle
was engaged in buying cattle in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin, and
driving them to the Chicago market. He has been a resident of
this state since 1864, at which time he bought forty acres of land
where he now dwells. Before the railroad was in operation here he
drove stock to La Crosse and shipped by rail thence. He now has
a stock-yard on the Zumbrota branch of the W. & St. P. railway,
where cars are loaded almost every day. In 1878 he shipped ten
car-loads of hogs ; in 1882 he shipped 370 cars. An average ot
seventy-five cars of cattle per year have been shipped, and the num-
ADDITIONAL MATTER. 1133
ber is constant]}" increasing. He also handles large numbers of
sheep and horses. In early years he went as far west as New Ulm,
and to Ean Claire, Wisconsin, to buy stock but his territory is now
limited to a district of about forty miles square. He frequently
makes shipments from Lake City, Zumbrota and Plainview. In the
spring of 1883 he opened a meat market, in partnership with John
Grimm, in Rochester, where a dozen beeves are disposed of per
week, beside other meats. In the great tornado of July 21, 1883.
Mr. Grassle suffered a loss of over $3,000. Among the buildings
destroyed on his farm was a barn 190x60 feet, with ell 100x60.
When he removed here from Illinois he brought seventy-four team
horses. Jacob Grassle was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, June 1,
1834. He emigrated to America when sixteen years old, and was
employed by a butcher in Milwaukee and subsequently in Chicago.
For two years he kept a shop of his own in the latter city. He was
married at Milwaukee in July, 1856, to Caroline Wild, a native of
the same province as himself. Four children have been given to
them, of whom only one is living, namely, Jacob, born July 22,
1863. Mr. Grassle is a Lutheran and a democrat. He joined the
I.O.O.F. in Milwaukee, and is now a member of the Rochester
lodge.
Lewis W. Wkight (see portrait), deceased, the subject of this
sketch, was a native of Connecticut and was born in 1800. His
educational advantages were limited, but he contrived to fit himself
for a useful life. When fifteen years old he was apprenticed to a
tanner, currier and shoemaker — all those callings being combined
in those days. During his apprenticeship he was permitted to
attend school a short time in the winter. Mr. Wright was twice
married, the first time in Michigan, the bride being Miss Almira
Clark, who died and left one son, who was christened Justus, and
now resides in Rochester. Returning to New York Mr. Wright
married Rachael M. Radclift, a native of that state, in 1839. This
lady now resides on the estate surrounded by her children. Mr.
Wright became a resident of this county in 1854, first locating in
Marion township, near Rochester, where he resided six years.
After a year's residence in the city, he bought a farm on section 30,
Cascade, which he continued to till up to the time of his death,
February 2, 1873. He was one of the first justices of the peace
appointed in the county, and held the oflice several years. He was
also actively connected with the management of school affairs many
1134 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
years. In political matters he affiliated with the democratic party.
He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at the time of
his death. Himself and wite joined the Presbyterian church in the
east, but united with the Methodists on coming here. He was uni-
versally kind, and was known as the poor man's friend. Seven
children survive him. Their marriages and residences are thus
recorded : Josephine, Harry Wolford, California ; Edgar N., here ;
Almira, John Davidson, Wrightown, Minnesota ; Lewis H., Jenny
Parker, Afton, Dakota ; Louisa, Charles Claflin, Rochester, this
state ; Leora, Albert Dart, on paternal estate ; Silas J. A., here.
Thomas Dean, farmer, was born in Lanark, Ontario, December
1, 1842, and received the training of a farmer's son, attending the
common schools. In 1865 he removed to Elroy, Wisconsin, where
he was employed in farm labor during the summer and in the
pineries in winter. In 1867 he came to Kalmar, and spent two
winters in the pinery after arrival here. He is now tilling rented
land. On June 9, 1881, he was married to Emily, daughter of
Martin G. Patterson. She was born in Ambrose, Wisconsin, June
16, 1857. They have one child, Mark, born March 17, 1882. Mr.
Dean is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and always
votes the republican ticket.
JoHK Pett, tarmer, was born in Walpole parish, Norfolk, Eng-
land, November 27, 1821, and remained in that country until his
thirtieth year, being employed in farm labor. He was married
November 17, 1846, to Martha Young. They had two children,
both of whom are married and residing in the State of New York.
James and Martha (Johnson) are their names. Mr. Pett emigrated
to the United States with his family in 1851, arriving at Herkimer,
New York, in November. Here Mrs. Pett died on the 26th of this
month. After working at the cooper's trade some years with his
brother in New York, our subject resided four years in Ohio, eight
years in Michigan and seven in Nebraska. He became a resident
of Kalmar in May, 1879, and has since tilled land belonging to his
brother, mentioned below. On August 8, 1883, he was married to
Johanna Peterson, a native of Denmark. Mr. Pett was at one time
a member of the Scotch Presbyterian church, and subsequently
joined the Methodist Episcopal church. He has always voted the
republican ticket since becoming a citizen of the United States.
Robert Pett, farmer, was born at the same place as his brother,
above mentioned, on July 4, 1833. When four years old, his mother
ADDITIONAL MATTER. 1135
died, and being the youngest of a large family, he had few advan-
tages, his education being entirely neglected. His natural abilities,
however, have carried him along in this world very successfully.
At sixteen he came to America and was employed as a cooper hj his
brother in New York. From thence he removed to Dodge county,
Wisconsin, in 1856, and to Kalmar in 1860. On August 13, 1862,
his name was enrolled in the service of his adopted country, and he
was assigned to Co. H, 6th reg. Minn. Vols. After one year of ser-
vice he was transferred to an artillery corps. All of his service was
rendered on the western frontier, and was well endured. The only
injury he received was a weakness of the lungs, caused by a very
severe attack of measles. His discharge dates July 24, 1865. On
returning to Kalmar he purchased the northeast quarter of section
35, where he has dwelt and followed farming ever since. His real-
estate in this township now includes 560 acres. Mr. Pett is a mem-
ber of Ashlar Lodge, A.O.U.W., at Rochester. In religious faith
himself and wife are Methodists, and republicans in politics. Eme-
line Simonton, to whom Mr. Pett was married on February 4, 1856,
is a native of Pennsylvania. They have one child, Annie E., who
was born May 11, 1866.
John Soble, shoemaker, one of the pioneers of this township,
was born in German Flats, New York, January 19, 1815. His
parents, Daniel and Catharine Soble, were born in Montgomery
county, same state. Daniel Soble was a United States soldier in the
war of 1812, and his father, who emigrated from Germany, served
the colonies through the revolution. Mr. Soble was brought up on
a farm and began work at shoemaking when eighteen years old.
He has been employed in that avocation nearly all his life since.
He was married on May 22, 1837, to Catharine Hake, who died in
1858, leaving two children. The elder, Almira, was born May 22,
1837, married David Roof and resides in Byron. Emily was born
was born June 30, 1842, married Wenn Bucklen and dwells in
Minneapolis. In the year 1853 Mr. Soble explored this region, but
finding no inhabitants, returned to JSTew York. In 1854 he came
here with his family and claimed 120 acres of land on the Zuinbro
river, in Kalmar. He soon sold his claim to this land and pre-empted
80 acres on section 27, where he lived ten years.- After a residence
of some years in Renville county, this state, he returned to Byron,
where he purchased a house and has ever since been occupied at the
shoemaker's bench. He served here one term as justice of the peace.
113(5 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
His political ideas are in unison with those of the democratic party.
In religious belief he is a Universalist. On July 9, 1875, Mr. Soble
was married to Miranda, daughter of Christ Christianson, and widow
of Peter Peterson. She has two sons, who have adopted the sur-
name of Soble : Andrew, born February 14,1863 ; and Peter, April
16, lvS66. Both reside here, the former being employed by the
Winona & St. Peter Railway Company.
Cornelius C. Finn, farmer, is a native of County Cork, Ireland,
having been born in the parish of Arfield, March 14, 1831. His
father was a farmer, and his early life was spent in the country,
most of tlie time at school. When seventeen years of age he crossed
the Atlantic, and spent some time in working on the farm of an
uncle in Oneida county, New York. At nineteen he was employed
as a foreman of construction on a railroad in ISTew York. Three
years later he took charge of a similar force on the Port Hope and
Lindsay railway in Canada, where he remained three years, and
subsequently served the same period on the Detroit and Milwaukee
railroad. He was married at Grand Haven on April 27, 1859, to
Margaret Elward, a native of Tipperary county, Ireland ; within
three weeks after his marriage Mr. Finn set out for Minnesota. He
came to Kalmar and bought eighty acres of land on section 15,
where his present residence stands. During the construction of the
Winona and St. Peter railroad Mr. Finn s])ent two years on that
work. Within half a dozen years after his arrival he purchased
eighty acres of land adjoining that already in his possession ; be-
side this he now owns 100 acres on section 11, and 80 on 25.
The homestead, and much of the other land, was covered with un-
dergrowth when he acquired it, and has been cleared and prepared
for the plow at the expense of much hard labor, most of it that of
the proprietor. Mr. Finn is a man of intelligence, and enjoys the
confidence and regard of his townsmen. He has served three years
as justice of the peace ; his political tenets are democratic. The
family were all baptized in the Roman Catholic church. There are
ten children, all save the eldest at home ; Annie married Michael
Nichols and dwells in Milton, Dodge county. Following are the
names of the others, in the order of age : Ella, John, Julia, Mary,
William, Maggie, George, Elizabeth, Cornelius, Leo.
Geokge W. Waldron, farmer, is a son of Robert Waldron, of
Cascade, elsewhere mentioned. His birth took place in the town of
Sherwood, Branch county, Michigan, December 19, 1838. He as-
ADDITIONAL MATTER. 1187
sisted his father on the farm, and attended the common schools ot
Michigan. After the removal of the family to Illinois, he attended
the academ}^ at Lee Center. Mr. Waldron was in his eighteenth
year when he became a resident of Minnesota, and has dwelt here
ever since with the exception of two years spent on the phiins with
headquarters at Denver, Colorado ; here he was engaged in mining
and in freighting between Omaha and Denver. In 1865 he returned
to Olmsted county and settled on his farm. This comprises eighty
acres on section 24, Kalmar, where his residence is located, and a
like amount on section 19, Cascade. He is at present chairman of
the board of supervisors, and was a member of the same body in
18S0 and 1881. Has been fifteen years clerk of his school district.
His political tenets are those of the democratic party. He was
reared by his mother in the Christian church, which now represents
his faith. Mrs. Waldron is an Episcopalian. This couple was
united in marriage on July 4, 1863. Mrs. Waldron's maiden name
was. Anna Bird, and she was born in Canada, January 31, 1841 ;
her parents, William and Anna Bird, were born in England. Mr.
Waldron is a member of Ashlar Lodge No. 23, A.O.U.W., at
Eochester. He has one child, Kobert George, born June 14, 1864,
now attending school at Rochester.
Amos Parks, farmer, is a descendant of a long line of New
England farmers of Scotch descent. His father, Joseph Parks, was a
native of New Hampshire, and served his country through the war
of 1812. His mother, Sallie, was a daughter of Satnuel Taylor, who
also served in the war of 1812. Sally Taylor was born in Connecticut.
Joseph Parks engaged in farming in Sheridan, Clinton county,
New York, where the subject of this sketch was born August 17,
1813. His education was furnished by the common schools of
Clinton and Chautauqua counties. He was married November 28,
1836, to Clarissa Parks, who was born in North Hero, Vermont,
March 21, 1819. Her parents' names were Elihu and Hannah, the
latter a native of Vermont, and the former of New Hampshire. Mr.
Parks was one of the pioneers of Wisconsin as well as Minnesota,
settling in Fond du Lac county, in the former state, in 1846. Here
he cleared and tilled a farm in the oak openings. He removed to
Olmsted county in 1857, and bought a farm on section 35, Farming-
ton, now dwelling thereon. He has sold a portion of the estate, and
now retains but 100 acres. He has but one child, William, who was
born October 31, 1841 ; l;e married Melinda Southwick, and now
1138 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
lives near Grafton, Dakota. Mr. Parks lias taken a prominent part
in developing the countj^ and sustaining its credit and interests. He
was at one time elected justice of the peace, and insisted on a settle-
ment of all cases brought before him, thus maintaining "the peace."
Several cases reterred to him from other justices were settled by this
means, as he would have no other way. Mr. Parks is an ardent
republican as has been ever since the organization of the party. He
has been assessor of his town and chairman of its board of super-
visors ; was county commissioner eight years. With some assistance
from one of his fellow-citizens, he secured sufficient subscriptions for
bounty to avoid a draft in the town during the late civil war. He is
a member of the Masonic order, retaining connection with the lodge
and chapter at Rochester. In regard to theology, Mr. and Mrs.
Parks are Deists.
William Seakles, farmer, was born in Barton, Cambridge,
England, May 12, 1830. When an infant he was adopted by his
grandfather, who began to teach him his trade of wagonmaker
when he was eleven years of age. He was married, October 21,
1852, and at once emigrated to America, settling lirst at Albany,
New York, where he followed his trade. He shortly removed to
Troy and worked in the cars-hops of the Troy & Boston railroad.
In 1854 he went to Illinois, and assisted in building and organizing
the Illinois Central shops at Amboy. Mr. Searles became a i-esident
of Olmsted county in 1856, taking a claim in Haverhill township,
on which he dwelt four years. He traded this claim, in 1860, for
eighty acres of land on section 25, Farmington, where he settled
down. About this time he was deprived of the use of his eyes for
five years by inflammation, which made him blind. On recovering
his eyesight Mr. Searles went ahead with his accustomed vigor, and
now owns a section of prairie land, besides forty acres of timber. In
1878 he raised over 11,000 bushels of grain, wheat comprising
8,500 bushels. His barns and tool-sheds were swept away by the
tornado of July 21, 1883, but he at once set to work to rebuild and
now has matters in good shape again. His crops were also injured
fifty per cent. During the tornado which destroyed North Roches-
ter on August 21, 1883, he was on the road near the doomed city,
and was blown some distance with his team and buggy, the latter
being ruined, with the harness, and one of the horses killed. Mr.
Searles possesses one of those happy natures that look at the bright
side of life, and he goes about his business without stopping to com-
Jacob Grassle
ADDITION^AL MATTER. 1139
plain, feeling that he is more fortunate than many citizens of the
county. He is a member of the blue lodge, A. F. and A. M., at
Elgin, and of the chapter and commandery of the same order at
Rochester; is also a member of the I.O.O.F. at the latter place ; is
an independent democrat ; has served two terms as supervisor, and
been fifteen years school clerk. Himself and wife were reared in
the Episcopal church, and still adhere to its teachings. Mrs.
Searles' maiden name was Mary A. Smith, and she was born in Mel-
bourne, Cambridge, May 5, 1826. Six children have been given
them. The eldest, William, was born in Troy, New York, Decem-
ber 15, 1853, he married Augusta Ferris, a widow, and resides at
Yerdi, Minnesota ; Mrs. Searles has one son, Lewis, aged fourteen.
The rest of the elder Searles' offsprings are at home, and were born
as follows : Duane, April 22, 1858 ; Arthur, September 17, 1860;
Annie May, July 26, 1863; Sidney, February 14, 1866; Ellen
Browning, January 26, 1870.
Chkistian Dewctz, deceased, was born near Berlin, Prussia, in
1798, and resided there fifty-one years, being engaged in farming
and dealing in cattle. He was married when twenty-one years old,
to Sophia Lange. In 1847 he emigrated to the United States and
settled in Dodge county, Wisconsin, where he followed farming
fifteen years. After spending two seasons in Winona county he
came to Farmington, in 1864, and bought one-fourth of section 24,
where the balance of his life was spent. His death took place in
January, 1880. His wife preceded him to the "better land," hav-
ing passed away June 23, 1870. The whole family was identified
with the German Evangelical church, and instrumental in building
the neat chapel which stands near the homestead. Three sons now
reside in this township, and two sons and three daughters in Wis-
consin. Shortly after coming here Mr. Dewitz sold his farm to his
son Henry and retired from active life.
Ernest Dewitz, farmer, is the youngest son of Christian Dewitz,
above mentioned. Was born at the same place as his father, April
28, 1847, and was but three months old when brought to this coun-
try. His education was received in the common schools of Wis-
consin, where he was reared on a farm. He remained with his
father till 1860, when he purchased one-fourth of section 26, Farm-
ington, on which his home has been till this time. His domain now
includes a half-section of the superb farming-land which Farmington
township affords. He was married, July 10, 1869, to Margaret
68
1140 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
Schacht, who was born in Blue Island, near Chicago, August 3,
1852. Mr. Dewitz is a thorough republican in national principle,
and a worthy member of the Evangelical church. The family in-
cludes seven promising children, added to it as follows : January
3, 1870, Annie S.; April 18, 1871, Ernest E.; February 11, 1873,
William II.; December 3, 1875, August A.; June 16, 1877, Emily
F. ; February 16, 1870, Margaret H. ; June 12, 1882, Conrad L.
Hejtry Schmelzer, farmer, is a native of Nassau, Germany,
where he first drew breath on August 15, 1802. He has always
been a farmer. Was married in 1826, to Barbara Christ, a native of
the same village as himself (Stephenshausen), born November 9,
1806. Their four children were born in the same place, and came
to America with the parents in December, 1851, the winter being
spent in Illinois. From thence they removed to Olmsted county,
arriving June 23, 1855. Mr. Schmelzer claimed the southwest
quarter of section 4, Cascade, on which he still resides with his
younger son, George. The two daughters, Mary and Julia,
dwell near Lake Benton, Minnesota. The former married John
Enke, and the latter William Ocker. The family belongs to the
Roman Catholic church.
Jacob Schmelzer, son of the above, dates existence from Feb-
ruary 15, 1827. On the arrival of the family in Cascade, he pre-
empted the southeast quarter of section 6, on which he has dwelt
and followed farming since 1861. Previous to the latter date he
assisted his father in opening up his farm. He has been four times
elected town supervisor, and is independent in politics. In 1859,
March 24, he married Magdalena Ruegg, who was born in the
village of Illnau, Zurich, Switzerland, January 2, 1828. They have
three living children, all at home. Their births date as below :
Jacob, January 6, 1861 ; Annie, July 24, 1863 ; Charles, June 8,
1867.
Frederick Philip Postier, farmer, is a son of William Postier,
elsewhere mentioned, and is a native of the same province as his
father, being ushered into the world on March 11, 1838. His edu-
cation in the German common schools was finished before the
family emigrated to the United States. His youth after arrival here
was passed in hard labor, and his knowledge of English — by no
means limited — was gathered at odd intervals. Arriving in Kalmar
with his family in 1855, he was employed as a farm laborer. In
1859 he bought forty acres of land on section 9, which he afterward
ADDITIONAL MATTER. 1141
disposed of. In 1S63 he bought his homestead, embracing the south-
east quarter of section 13. Now has 196 acres beside on sections
10 and 11. On November 12, 1860, he was united in marriage to
Margaret Ann, daughter of Peter Young, of Piermasons, Germany;
she was born in New York city, and has always been called
"Annie." Their four children were born as follows: Sophronia,
February 19, 1862; Eobert Erwin, March 3, 1864; Adeline, Feb-
ruary 21, 1869 ; May, January 31, 1882. In religious faith Mr.
Postier is a Universalist and in politics a democrat. He saw some
severe experiences in early days. He started on foot to tile on
his land at Winona with fifty cents in his pocket. For his dinner,
on the way, he cut a slice from a large pumpkin which he found in
a field. Arrived at Winona he earned money for land-office fees
by sawing wood at fifty cents a cord. Havir.g braved the hardships
of frontier life, he is now prepared to pass a peaceful old age, sur-
rounded by the comforts that his industry has accumulated.
Charles Postiee, brother of the above, was born at the same
place, January 2, 1840. He was in his twelfth year when he landed
in America and fifteen when he arrived in Kalmar. Like his
brothers, he has always been a hard worker, and has always voted
the democratic ticket. After earning something by farm labor he
bought eighty acres of prairie land in 1861. This he afterward sold.
He has owned his present farm of eighty acres on section 24 since
18T4. In September, 1880, his residence was consumed by fire and
this loss for a time somewhat embarrassed him financially ; but
with characteristic energy and persistence, he is pulling through.
Mr. Postier was reared under the teachings of the Lutheran church,
and still adheres to its faith. He was married April 17, 1869, to
Miss Priscilla, daughter of Nathan and Parmelia Hendricks, all of
Pennsylvania, and otherwhere mentioned in this work. Their off-
spring were born and christened as below: February 28, ISTl,
Charles; October 24, 1872, Frank; June 16, 1874, Albert; Novem-
ber 17, 1876, Kate; February 24, 1877, John; December 6, 1881,
Cora ; February 21, 1883, Louisa.
Conrad Schacht (deceased) was one of the pioneers of this
county and a substantial citizen and farmer. He was a native of
the village of Elfde, in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, and was born
November 24, 1813. He was always accustomed to agriculture and
remained in his native land until thirty-six years old. He was mar-
ried at thirty-one to Marie Johnson, a native of the same village.
1142 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
In 181:9 he crossed the Atlantic, and dwelt four years on a farm in
Cook county, Illinois. In 1853 he opened a hotel in Winona where
he remained a year and a half, coming to Farmington in 1855 ; he
took up a claim on section 14, where he dwelt the remainder of his
days. At one time he owned 960 acres of land and was possessed
of a section at his death, which took place December 21, 1881.
The entire family was reared in the Lutheran church, and still finds
a religious home in the church of that denomination at Potsdam,
half a mile from the homestead dwelling. Mr. Schacht was a faith-
ful supporter of the United States government as administered by
the republican party. He w^as many years town treasurer and sev-
eral terms supervisor. His youngest son has been one year town
clerk. There are four children ; their marriages and residences are
in that order below noted : Hiram, section 14 ; Margaret, H. Burns,
Oakwood, Wabasha county ; Catharine, K. H. Lamprecht, Oak-
wood ; Conrad, Jr., born November 3, 1859. After attending the
Potsdam school some years he spent several terms in the city schools
of Rochester. His home has always been on the home farm. He
was married October 28, 1879, to Marie Frahm, sister of George
Frahm, whose biography appears elsewhere in this volume. They
have one child, born July 16, 1880, and christened Albert C.
Hiram Southwick, farmei*, owns the west half of the southeast
quarter of section 35, Farmington, on whicli he has dwelt since the
fall of 1863. His birthplace is now known as the town of Colden,
Erie county, New York. On October 23, 1817, when he was ush-
ered into this world of woes, it was known as Holland, Niagara
county. His father, Jesse Southwick, was born in Bolton, Massa-
chusetts, and his mother, Sarah Sprague, was a native of Danby,
Vermont. The family is of Quaker extraction. Enoch, father of
Jesse Southwick, was a stern adherent of that sect, of whose faith
his wife, Mary, was a preacher. Hiram Southwick lived on the
farm where he was born till forty-five years old, when he sold it and
took up his present residence. He was a delegate in the convention
which organized a republican party in his native state ; was a dele-
gate in nearly every county and assembly district convention during
his residence there after such organization, and was nine successive
years assessoi- of his town. His marriage took place on January 26,
1839, the bride being Miss Nancy M., a sister of Amos Parks, else-
where mentioned, and they are still sharing each other's joys and
sorrows. Although not afliiliating Avith any church, Mr. Southwick
ADDITIONAL MATTER. 1143
is a believer in the Cliristiau religion. Three children have been
given to the famil}^, as below noted : Sarah J., June 9, 1841, now
teaching near Grafton, Dakota ; Lucy Melinda, February 1, 1844,
married William Parks, resides near Grafton; William L., August
20, 1853, home here, married Ida Jacobs.
L. Andrus, Rochester, builder and architect, was born in Jef-
ferson county, New York, in 1820. In 1864 he came to Eoches-
ter, where he has since resided. In 1840 he began carpentering,
and since that time has devoted his time and attention to tliat trade.
He has done a great deal of building in Rochester and vicinity. He
was married in 1845, to Miss Betsy Pennell, also a native of Jeffer-
son county. New York. Mary L. (deceased), Clara and William P.
are their children's names. The family are members of the Baptist
church in Rochester.
Thomas Brooks, Rochester, was born in Berwick, Pennsylvania,
May 1, 1824. When two years old, his father's family removed to
Tioga county, New York. In 1856 our subject came to Minnesota,
locating in Rochester. In 1858 he was elected town clerk of Cas-
cade, Rochester and Haverhill townships. After the city was or-
ganized he was elected city recorder. In 1860 he was elected county
commissioner, and during the term acted as chairman of that body.
In 1869 he was elected register of deeds, serving in that office four
years. During the war he was clerk in the quartermaster's depart-
ment at Bowling Green, Kentucky. He was married in 1848, to
Miss Lois B. Ovenshire, a native of Pennsylvania. He and wife are
members of the Baptist church. Mr. Brooks is a member of the
A. F. and A. M. at Rochester. In 1881 he was appointed clerk in
the treasury department at Washington, after which he removed to
that city, and now resides there.
HoLDEN R. Smith, farmer, Rochester, was born in Schuyler
county, New York. The family removed to Oneida county when
he was quite young, remaining there until he was about twenty years
of age. He received his early education in the common schools and
completed it in the academy at Munnsville. Subsequently he came
to Sauk county, Wisconsin, and, in 1861, enlisted in 1st Wis.
Cav. He spent over three years in the service of his country, par-
ticipating in some of the severest battles of the war. He was
married in 1859, to Miss Mary Smith, a native of Herkimer county,
New York, Six children have been born to them, the eldest being
thirteen years of age. He is an Odd-Fellow, and also a member of
1144 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
the G.A.R. On Sej^tember 29, 1S83, he was nomiruited for registrar
of deeds on tlie republican ticket.
George De Witt, ice-dealer, Kochester, was born in Alden, Erie
county, J^ew York, in 1839. His father's family came to Wisconsin
in 1843. Our subject came to Kochester in 1861. In 1862 he
enlisted in Co. F, 9tli Minn. Inf. After serving one year he became
seriously ill, and was sent to the hospital at Fort Snelling, and was
discharged in May, 1863, He was married in May, 1861, to Miss
McLard. He is a member of the Masonic lodge and chapter. Mrs.
De Witt is a member of the Episcopal church.
Asa Kiddek, farmer, is a grandson of Thomas Kidder, who
served in the revolutionary war. The family is originally from
Kidderminster, England. Aaron, son of Thomas Kidder, was
born in New York ; he married Sophia Barnes, a native of Ver-
mont, and lived for some years in Weathersfield, Vermont, where
was born the subject of this sketch, July 10, 1824. From six to
thirty-five years of age the latter lived in Maine, whither his parents
liad removed. His education was supplied by the common school
and Richfield Institute. He was ten years employed in lumbering,
worked some time as ship-carpenter, and run an engine two years.
He was married in 1858, to Hannah Susan Freeman, a native of
Waldoborough, Maine. He located his land on section 7, Farming-
ton, in 1857. Here he dwelt two years, and broke up fifty acres. By
splitting rails "to halves" he secured sufiicient to fence this im-
provement, and on his removal to Wisconsin all were stolen from
him. In 1859 he went to Dunn county, Wisconsin, and worked
ten years for a large lumber firm ; seven years of this time were
spent by himself and vdfe in the kitchen, cooking for lumber crews.
In the fall of 1869 they returned to the farm, and have made their
home here since. The estate now includes half a section. Mr.
Kidder is a staunch republican, and helped to organize the party in
the east. He has been postmaster at Farm Hill since March 8,
1881. The family are Universalists. There is one child, Amanda
Atlanta, born December 6, 1865. During the first winter of his
residence here, Mr. Kidder lived on corn pancakes a good deal of
the time. On one occasion, with a companion, he crossed the
Zumbro in a log canoe, barely escaping from drowning by constant
baling of the craft. On reaching Oronoco they could procure no
flour, but brought home some " shorts," on which they subsisted for
a period.
ADDITIONAL MATTER. 1145
LuDwiG ViESTADT, retired fanner, was born in Mechlenburg-
Schwerin, Germany, March 3, 1818. His wife, Sopliie, born Sa-
dorf, was born in the same locality, August 7, 1823. In 1852 he
removed to the United States, and was employed as a day-laborer
near Milwaukee for seven years. In 1859 he settled on a farm near
Lewiston, Winona county, wliere he remained till 1874, and then
removed to Viola. After farming here a short time, he sold his
land to his eldest son, and resides in a house built for him by the
latter near his own. The family are all Lutherans. The children
reside as follows : Fred, described below ; Carl, at St. Paul ; Sophie,
now Mrs. Henry Webber, in Quincy ; Amelia, Mrs. Louis Landon,
Elmira ; William, with eldest brother. The fii-st-born, John, died
here some years ago.
Fredekick Viestadt, eldest son of above, was born in the same
place, November 23, 1845. His education was furnished by two
months spent in an English school near Milwaukee, and two years
in the German schools of that city. Private study has, however,
developed his natural abilities, and he is a leading citizen of his
township. He has been elected treasurer and supervisor, and
served many years as school director. He is independent of po-
litical partisanship. In 1870 he bought one-fourth of section 25,
Yiola, where he has dwelt ever since. His domain now includes
two hundred and eighty acres, and is handsomely improved. His
wife, Catharina, born Luemann, in Hanover, Germany, February
21, 1849, was joined to him October 22, 1868. Their children
were given them on the dates following: Ludwig, September 11,
1869; Bertha, June 18, 1872; Dorothea, January 27, 1874; John,
March 10, 1876 ; Emma, June 2, 1878 ; Heinrich, September 22,
1880.
William F. Schmidt, farmer, was born near Breslau, Prussia,
March 15, 1851. When five years of age his parents emigrated to
America and settled at Hustisford, Dodge county, Wisconsin, where
most of his education was received in the English common schools.
He has always been a farmer, and owned a farm in Wisconsin
several years. His marriage occurred December 8, 1873, the bride
being Miss Theresa Ruehl, a native of the town of Hubbard, Dodge
county, born May 15, 1853. On the year following his marriage he
sold out his farm and came to Olmsted county. His first purchase
was eighty acres of land, on section 26, and this has been his home
from that time. The price paid was $1,800, of which five-sixths
1146 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
was put down in cash. The balance has been paid, buildings have
been erected at a cost of $3,000, and he has purchased eighty acres
more of land, for which he paid $2,000, and is now out of debt.
Mr. Schmidt's good fortune is the result of his own industry and
good management, seconded by his faithful spouse. Their children
were born and christened as below: March 22, 1875, Ida; September
18, 1877, Minnie; November 15, 1880, Franklin. Mr. Schmidt is a
believer after the German Evangelical faith ; in politics is a demo-
crat. He has been a school officer and town supervisor.
Andrew J. Doty, farmer, has resided on section 3, Eyota, since
March 4, 1856, at which time he made claim to 160 acres here.
He now retains one-half of the original claim, and also has a quarter-
section near Athol, Dakota. He is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and independent in politics, with democratic pref-
erences. His life in Minnesota has been a prosperous one on the
whole, and he is the picture of health and strength. His height is
5 feet 7f inches; on September 10, 1883, he weighed 221 pounds,
and lifted on the scales 1136 pounds. This was done at the fair in
Rochester, and was equaled by no one. Mr. Doty has not seen a
sick day in twenty-seven years, and easil}^ shoulders a sack contain-
ing two and one-half bushels of wheat with one hand. Mr. Doty
is a brother of H. E. Doty, whose parentage is elsewhere given. He
was boi-n in Seneca, Ontario county. New York, April 16, 1826. He
was reared on a farm near Rochester, New York, and at twenty-one
years of age set out to carve his own fortune. He spent some time
on the Erie canal improvement, and on the construction of the
Niagara railroad ; was deputy collector of Port Genesee at Rochester
two years. He was married on the iirst day of the year 1850, to
Miss Sarah Bid well. The great misfortune of his life was the
insanity of his life-partner, who has been for the last four ^-ears an
inmate of the insane hospital, at Rochester. Their daughters, Har-
riet A. and Amelia, are married, and reside at Waseca, the latter
being the wife of John Dunn. George B,, the son, resides with
his father.
James M. Hall, farmer, has been a resident of Olmsted county
since June 15, 1857. For some years he kept a store at High
Forest. In 1868 he settled on a farm in Marion, where he now
resides. His domain includes 280 acres, and is finely improved.
He has four acres of strawberries, and all kinds ot fruit in abundance.
Mr. Hall is a native of Wallingford, Gmnecticut, where his
AbDITIONAL MATTER. 1147
ancestors had dwelt for at least three generations. The family is
of English origin. Joshua Hall, father of this subject, was a son
of Giles Hall. The mother of James Hall was christened Sophia
(rates, and was a native of the same state. March 3, 1809, James
M. Hall was born, and he is still young in appearance and spirits.
Although he has passed through some severe experiences, he yet
feels himself a boy, and continues to enjoy life. His life up to
fourteen years of age was passed on the farm, and he received a fair
common school education. He then went to live in gentlemen's
families in New Haven. For a long time he was every day with
Samuel F. Morse, who afterward invented the electric telegraph.
From seventeen to twenty he was a peddler through New England.
In 1837 he emigrated to Illinois, and landed in Peoria on April 17.
He settled on a farm seventeen miles west of Peoria, where he dwelt
many years. Here died on September 10, 1847, the wife to whom
he was wedded February 13, 1831. Her maiden name was
Catharine E. Street, and she was a native of Norwalk. She left two
sons, Benjamin S. and Luther, who now reside in Kansas. In 1850
he went to Maquoketa, Iowa, where he was employed three years in
a sawmill, and lost the tirst and fourth fingers of his left hand by
accident. While here, he was married to Caroline Fessel, of Canton,
a native of Westchester, Pennsylvania. This wedding occurred on
July 8, 1851, and was quite a romantic one. In the then small mill
settlement of Canton, there were over one hundred single men and
only three or four unmarried ladies. A immber of men stood guard
with loaded guns and swore "that old widower" should not carry
oif one of their ladies. By the aid of a brother and married sister
of his intended bride Mr. Hall succeeded in getting two hours' start,
and the knot was tied at Maquoketa. Mr. Hall is a Methodist and
a republican. Four of his children are with him. Their names are
Charles, James M., Sheldon J. and Frank. The second is married,
and lives on a farm near his father.
James Ceabb, deceased, was born in Washington county, Penn-
sylvania, in 1803. His father was a farmer, and his life up to six-
teen years of age was that of farmers' sons in those days. When
sixteen he was apprenticed to a carpenter and builder, and followed
this occupation till 1843. He married Hannah Saxton, who lived
but six years after their marriage. On January 31, 1843, he was a
second time married. The bride was Miss Lucinda C. Thompson,
a native of Ethans county, Ohio, born in 1824. He then removed
1148 HISTORY OF OLMSTED COUNTY.
to Decatur, Indiana, then a new region, where he kept a store for
twelve years, being treasurer of Adams county one-half of that
time. In 1855 he again became a pioneer, settling in this county.
He pre-empted a claim on section 2, in Rochester township, on
which he dwelt a year. The log cabin which he built there is still
standing, being at the south end of Dakota street, in the city of
Rochester ; it has been covered with clapboards, and does not now
present the appearance of a pioneer cabin. In this building was
held the first religious service of the Methodist Episcopal church
in the county, Deacon D. L. King, now a resident of Kalmar,
preaching there in 1855. The congregation on this occasion con-
sisted of Mr. and Mrs. Crabb, James Bucklen and wife, and Mrs.
Barncard and child. In 1856 Mr. Crabb sold his Rochester pro-
perty, and settled on a farm on section 7, Cascade, where he died
September 2, 1864. He had a stroke of paralysis in 1859, from
which he never fully recovered. His death took place while alone
in the house, with the exception of two small children, whom he
had previously put to bed, the other members of the family being
absent at church. Mr. Crabb early became a member of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church, and was licensed to preach. He often acted .
as a local preacher. His wife became a member of the same
organization after their marriage. She and two sons now reside on
a farm on section 8, which was purchased since the death of the
husband and father. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Crabb, of whom six grew to maturity. These are their names,
births and whereabouts : Mary J. , April 7, 1 846, married David
Bradley, Rochester; James T., November 2, 1848, died Novembep
26, 1878; Burns A., June 4, 1851, married May Wirt, Mansfield,
Dakota ; Edwin P., March 27, 1856, here ; Emma A., January 21,
1858, married William C. Miller, Minneapolis ; John C, May 1,
1860, here.
1481