USA > Minnesota > Dakota County > History of Dakota County and the City of Hastings, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota > Part 58
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The second school was organized in what is now district number 55, and was taught by Miss Ball, during the autumn of 1858. The house, in size about 16x20 feet, was the first frame school- house built with public money in the town, and was located in the north-west quarter of section 11. The district was divided a few years later, when the school-house was moved and located on the south side of the road near the centre of sec- tion 14, and became the property of district num- ber 80. It was subsequently sold to the Baptist society for a parsonage, and moved to the north- east quarter of section 16, to the farm of A. A. Day, where it is still located. An addition was built, and it was used as a parsonage for two years, and still belongs to the society. District 55 now has a frame building about 18x24 feet, which is located in the south-west quarter of sec- tion 2. District number 80 has a good frame building about 18x24 feet, containing patent seats and a capacity for seating forty-five scholars.
The first school taught in district number 54, was in the summer of 1861, by Miss Cornelia Cummings, afterwards Mrs. Samuel Slaight. The school was opened in the rear room of the
house of Leonard Aldrich in the north-west quarter of section 20. In 1866, the district erected a frame building about 18x26 feet, which has patent seats, and will accommodate comfort- ably fifty scholars. It is located on the north side of section 29.
District number 58 was the last district, but one, organized in the town. Their present house is of stone 18x24 feet, with patent seats, and a capacity for seating comfortably from thirty-five to forty scholars.
District number 99, was the last organization in the town. Their house is a small frame build- ing located at Castle Rock station. The town now has six entire and four joint districts.
CHURCHES.
The first religious services held in the town were conducted by the Rev. William Sheldon. an Adventist, at the house of Leonard Aldrich, in the spring of 1856. He continued them there, and then at various private residences, until the school-house was built in the district the follow- ing winter, when services were conducted there irregularly for a year. A church organization was then effected, and a series of nightly meetings were held for about three weeks, after which for a time services were held weekly at the school-
house and at private houses of the members. The meetings then became irregular and ceased altogether about the beginning of the rebellion.
During the winter of 1858, the Methodist de- nomination held services at the school-house in district 53, and at private houses, under the au- spices of Rev. Charles Smith; J. O. Rich and others. Services were held once in two weeks, and were continued until about the close of the war, when they were conducted at Farmington.
The Baptist denomination began holding ser- vices once in two weeks during the winter of 1858-59, under the preaching of Rev. J. F. Wil- cox, at the private houses in the community. Services were also held in the school-house in dis- trict 53, and an organization was effected at the house of Leonard Aldrich, October 20th, 1861, by Rev. J. F. Wilcox and Rev. Lyon, with about a dozen members. After this services were held principally at the school-house, until the church was built, in the summer of 1874. It is a frame building about thirty-two feet by forty-four, with
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spire, is plainly furnished and will hold comfort- ably three hundred persons. It was dedicated October 25th, 1874, and the following Sabbath a Sabbath-school was organized, with A. A. Day as superintendent. It held regular sessions for over a year, then meetings were held at irregular in- intervals, and finally ceased altogether for a sea- son, but were again renewed and are continued at the present time under the superintendency of George Woodworth.
March 6th, 1867, the Free Will Baptist denomi- nation formed a church organization with eleven members, at the school-house in district No. 54. Previous to that time meetings had been held at that school-house, and in district No. 53, for about four years. The Rev. J. D. Batson has officiated as pastor from the beginning of the organization to the present time. The membership increased to fifty-two in 1878, when the church was divided and a new organization was formed, holding ser- vices at Haven Chapel in Sciota, near the line be- tween the two towns of Sciota and Castle Rock, on the Northfield and Hastings road.
A German Evangelical church in section 2 was completed in 1866. One in section 20 was complet- ed in 1876. These are the only complete church organizations which have existed in the town, although very early in its history Rev. Rounce. a Congregationalist, preached occasionally at the house of David Harris, and during the past year the Rev. Charles Rollitt, Episcopalian, has been holding services once a month at the school-house in district No. 80.
The first Sabbath-school organized in the town was during the summer of 1858, in David Harris' granary, with Ditus Day as superintendent, and a membership of thirty. It continued only through that season.
The Poplar Grove Union Sabbath school was organized during the summer of 1862 at the school-house in district No. 53. There were about forty-five pupils in attendance and William Fow- ler was superintendent. The first two years the school was conducted only during the summer, afterwards through the entire year. Its member- ship increased and it became a prosperous school, continuing to meet at the school-house until the autumn of 1874, when the Baptist church was dedicated and the sessions were transferred to that place.
The summer of 1866, a Sabbath school was or- ganized at the school-house in district No. 54, as a Union school. During the first few years the school was conducted only through the summer, but has since been held throughout the year. The average attendance is about sixty, the super- intendent is J. D. Batson. Other superintend- ents have been: Charles Livingston, B. R. Fel- lows, and Ditus Day. The other wing of the Free Will Baptists hold their school in connec- tion with the Methodists in Haven Chapel.
CEMETERY.
At the annual town meeting held April 7th, 1863, a committee was appointed to select a site for a public cemetery. A special meeting was held June 9th following, to act upon their report. The committee reported having selected six acres in the north-east corner of south-east quarter of section twenty-one, which could be purchased for five dollars per acre. The report of the com- mittee was accepted, measures were taken to secure the ground, and a committee was ap- pointed to prepare it for the purpose intended. A surveyor was employed, and the ground was laid out and fenced. A vault was constructed in 1872, at an expense of two hundred and fifty dollars. Upwards of a hundred interments have been made. Previous to the establishment of the cemetery, the dead were buried in different parts of the town, on the farms of relatives of the deceased. A number of these bodies have been removed and placed in the public cemetery.
PRAIRIE FLOWER GRANGE.
This was organized about 1874 as Prairie Flower Grange No. 120. It continued in opera- tion several years, with a membership of about fifty.
POST OFFICES.
Vermillion post-office was established early in 1856, and Leonard Aldrich was appointed post- master. He kept the office at his house on the north-west quarter of section twenty, for nearly two years, when R. J. Chewning was appointed and the office was moved to his place July 15th, 1858, and the name was changed to Castle Rock. In the following October, Ditus Day took charge of the office and held it until his resignation in 1866, when William Norris was appointed. He kept the office in his house on south-west quar-
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ter of section eighteen, about a year, then re- signed, and Hugh Sullivan, on the next farm south, received the appointment. He kept the office until 1868, when it was moved to Castle Rock station, and Stillman Meeker appointed. The succeeding postmasters have been Royal Plummer, Matthew Meeker and H. J. Curtis, the present incumbent.
EAST CASTLE ROCK POST-OFFICE.
The name of this office was originally South Hampton, and was established about 1858, with Uriah Sherd as postmaster. He retained the office about seven years, at his house in the north-west quarter of section thirty, then Jesse Rice was appointed, and the office moved to his place in Castle Rock, in the south-west quar- ter of section thirty-six, with the name changed to East Castle Rock. He was succeed- ed by Leonard Johnson, and the office was lo- cated at his house in the south-west quarter of section thirty-six. He held the office until 1873, when T. C. Child, the present incumbent, was appointed and the office removed to his place in the south-east corner of section thirty-five.
RAILROAD AND ELEVATOR.
The Iowa and Minnesota division of the Chi- cago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railway extends across the township, running through all of the western tier of sections.
Castle Rock elevator was built in 1866, at a cost of about $12,000 by W. F. Davidson, of St. Paul. In the fall of 1877, it was sold to Pratt and Robinson, of Faribault, and in August, 1879, be- came the property of Matthew Meeker.
CASTLE ROCK STATION.
In 1867, a station was established here, and the elevator built the year previous was used as a de- pot. Stillman Meeker was the first agent. Last year a fine building was erected for the purpose. The first store in town was built by Royal Plum- mer in 1868, and about a year later another was erected by Matthew Meeker. At the present time one general store, kept by W. J. Wheeler, fur- nishes the necessary supplies. In addition, there is one shoe shop by Hugh Sullivan, and one blacksmith shop, owned by James Badger. The first private house at the station was built by Stillman Meeker, which number is now increased
to seven. The amount of grain handled in the elevator amounts to about 100,000 bushels an- nually. Steam was introduced about 1878.
There were shipped eastward from this station for the year ending June 30th, 1880: Wheat, 5,837 bushels; miscellaneous freight, thirteen tons. Westward, wheat, 2,758 bushels; other grain, 3,177 bushels; miscellaneous freight, 191 tons.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Temple C. Childs was born April 23d, 1828, at Malone, Franklin county, New York. He was raised on a farm, and learned the trade of a mill- wright. In 1845, he went to Lake county, Illi- nois, and engaged in farming and school teach- ing, and two years later removed to Lake Su- perior and gave his attention to lumbering until 1850. Six years later, in July, he came to Hast- ings and purchased a house and lot, but during the next year moved to his present farm in Castle Rock. Mr. Childs is a prominent farmer, was instrumental in the organization of the town and for fifteen years was town treasurer. Married in 1852, Miss Cornelia M. Hastings. Helen M., Ida M., De Forest and Edith H. are their children.
H. J. Curtiss was born at Waterloo, Jefferson county, Wisconsin, in 1849. At the age of eigh- teen learned telegraphy, and has since followed this business. In 1861 he came to Minnesota and located at Castle Rock in 1877. He is now station agent and telegraph operator; also dealer in agricultural implements. In 1881, he was ap- pointed postmaster. Married Miss Phoebe Gillett in June, 1872. They have two children, Ella M. and Myrtie D.
Ditus Day was born October 10th, 1817, a: Wilbraham, Hampton county, Massachusetts. While yet a babe his parents moved to Ohio, where he was reared and educated, and when quite young began the vocation of teacher, in which he continued fourteen winters in suc- cession. During the fall of 1855 he came to Dakota county, locating at Castle Rock, and there made a claim of one hundred and sixty acres. He returned to Ohio for his family, and has since made his home on the farm. Mr. Day has held the office of justice of the peace since first coming to the state, and has been elected town clerk twenty times; was also postmaster nine years and county commissioner three years. Mar-
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ried in 1849 to Miss Clarissa Harris, who has borne him six children: Raymond H., Dennis D., Ida E., Allen J., Alice M. and Louis E. Mr. Day, since 1858, has manufactured amber cane syrup each year, and has an increasing trade, having manufactured last year four thousand gallons.
Henry Ehlers, a native of Germany, was born November 29th, 1848. When fifteen years old he acquired a knowledge of tailoring and worked at it five years. In 1868 he came to America, land- ing at the port of New York, and proceeded directly to Davenport, Iowa, working in a lumber yard until the fall of 1868, coming thence to St. Paul. Soon after he came to Castle Rock, and here purchased a farm on which he located during the fall of 1875, where he still remains. He was married in 1871, and is the parent of four children: Sophia, Ida, Aaron and Herman.
Joseph Towler was born April 26th, 1833, in England. When a lad of eleven years he worked in a foundry, learning the trade of moulding, in three branches. In consequence of declining health he came to America in 1853, and located in Ohio, where he engaged in farming. Com- ing to Washington county, Minnesota, he gave his attention to farming and lumbering, and in 1858, moved to Castle Rock and purchased his present property in 1860. Miss Senescall, a native of England, became his wife in 1857. One son and one daughter have been born to them, S. T. and Mary L.
E. Grove, a native of New York, was born February 15th, 1837. The same year his parents moved to Michigan, where he was reared to man- hood, receiving in the meantime a practical edu- cation. Coming to Castle Rock in 1867, he pur- chased land in company with his brother, re- maining in partnership until the death of the latter, which occurred in May, 1874. Mr. Grove has a fine residence which cost $2,000, and a farm of two hundred and forty acres; also gives his attention to stock raising. Married, January 1st, 1860, Miss Martha Niveson, who has borne him one son and three daughters.
W. A. Ham was born March 16th, 1833, in Dover, New Hampshire. His trade is that of brick-laying and mason, which he commenced learning at the age of sixteen. Coming to Min- nesota in 1855, he made a claim in Lakeville
township, Dakota county, and after breaking about fifteen acres, went to Minneapolis, passing the summer in that city in the pursuit of his trade. During the fall, he returned to his farm, and in 1862, enlisted as corporal in the Eight Minnesota under Col. Thomas; was mustered out of service three years after, while in North Caro- lina. In 1872, he sold the homestead and has since resided on his present farm, which he pur- chased on the disposal of his former one. Has also worked at his trade in different places. Miss Minnie Wellman became his wife August 31th, 1862: Edward L., Jennie M., George W. and Bertram W., are their children.
David A. Harris, was born August 5th, 1821, at Springfield, Massachusetts. Moved to Ohio with his parents in 1830, and began the shoe-maker's trade, continuing five years, then engaged in farming. Locating in Castle Rock, in 1855, he pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres, a por- tion of his present farm, and has made many im- provements, having now a very desirable estate, with a commodious residence, fine orchard filled with a variety of small fruits. His marriage with Mrs. Jane Lawrence, who is his second wife, occurred June 20th, 1863.
J. E. Heichert, farmer and stock raiser, was born October 20th, 1852, a native of Minne- sota, having been born at St. Paul. His parents came to St. Paul in 1851, and to Castle Rock four years later and are early settlers. He first pre-empted a claim which he sold, and about 1862, invested in eighty acres of the present es- tate. His death occurred in 1880, and his son J. E. has since retained the farm, making many im- provements. His marriage with Miss Anna Boyd took place in 1873: Jennie, Mary and Essie M. are their children.
B. S. Hoff was born December 5th, 1831, in New Jersey, and when very young moved with his parents to New York city, was there reared to manhood and received his education. At the age of fifteen years he commenced the carpenter's trade, serving six years as an apprentice. Served two years in Plainfield, New Jersey, in learning the farming business. In 1855 he came to Wis- consin, residing in different places until coming to Castle Rock in 1860, and purchased his present farm. Mr. Hoff has worked as carpenter and builder every summer since fifteen years of age.
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In February, 1865, he enlisted in the First Minne- sota Heavy Artillery, under Col. Colville, and was mustered out in September of the same year at Nashville, Tennessee. Married in 1856, to Miss Adeline Glascow, who has borne him two chil- dren, Merritt D. and Anna M.
J. W. Hopkins was born December 24th, 1831, in Logan county, Ohio, and was reared on a farm, receiving a good education. In 1848, went to Richland county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming until coming to Castle Rock in 1856, as one of the first settlers. Located on his pres- ent farm in the fall of that year, where he has since resided. His wife was Miss Perrin, mar- ried June 7th, 1856. John G., Florence J., Wil- liam W. and Linna M. are their children.
W. H. Johnson was born in February, 1812, in New Hampshire. When about four years of age he accompanied his parents to Vermont, where he acquired an education. He made his home in Boston from 1834 until 1846, then came to what is now Washington county, Minne- sota. His wife was one of the two white women who came at that time. Locating within two miles of what is now Afton, Mr. Johnson cut timber and built a log shanty; here he remained until 1850, then located on a farm of one hundred and eighty-nine acres, where Newport now stands; but sold, and in 1857, came to Castle Rock and purchased his present property. His residence was erected the same year, known as the "white house," being the largest and only painted house in the township at that day. He has been chair- man of supervisors and assessor twice. Married to Miss Mary J. Aubin in 1843. Josephine, Nel- lie and Emma are their children.
P. J. Kamery is a native of Cattaraugus county, New York, born December 8th, 1832. He was reared as a farmer, and came to Minnesota in 1856. purchasing the same year a claim of one hundred and sixty acres, which is a portion of his present fine farm of two hundred and fifty acres. In 1879, he erected a fine house at a cost of $2,500; has also made other improvements. He is also a stock raiser, dealing quite extensively in Durham cattle, Norman horses, and Cotswold sheep. Miss Ellen Hawkins, his second wife, was united with him, in marriage, in 1867. Their liv- ing children are: Alice M. and Bertie B.
Charles Livingston, born in New York state 22
August 2d, 1833. Came to Rock county, Wis- consin, with his parents in 1846, where he at- tended school. Coming to Waterford, Dakota county, he pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres in 1854, which he disposed of a few years later and purchased his present farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres, in section 29. Married in 1855, to Miss C. A. M. Badger. Their children are Edith E., George D., Fred. N .. Sibyl E. A., Iantha C., C. A. M., Herbert E., Helen M., Laura, Ernest E. and Amos L.
J. N. Martin, born in Clark county, Illinois, December 5th, 1838. Came to Minnesota in 1860, and the next year enlisted in the Third Minne- sota, Company F; was promoted through the in- tervening offices to second lieutenant. He par- ticipated in many of the most noted engage- ments, serving through the south; also against the Indians, returning to Fort Snelling during the fall of 1862; went south again in spring of 1863, and was in the siege of Vicksburg and bat- tle of Little Rock, Arkansas. February 6th, 1864. he re-enlisted, and was with General Banks until the close of hostilities. Mustered out in Arkansas, in September. 1865. Returning home, he purchased his present farm. Married in 1867, to Miss Roseltha A. Hastings, who has borne him one son, Harlan H.
S. Meeker was born August 9th, 1842, in Washington county, New York. He finished his education by a course at Eastman college, at Poughkeepsie, New York, from which institu- tion he graduated, and in 1862, went to New York city as a book-keeper. Enlisted in the Thirty- fourth Regiment, of New Jersey, in Sixteenth corps, and was mustered out in 1866. The same year he came to Minneapolis, Minnesota, thence the year following to Castle Rock, where he was the first station agent and run the first elevator for seven years. In 1874, went to Waterford, run a mill three years, then returned and formed the firm of Meeker Brothers, general dealers and proprietors of the elevator. Removing to Doug- las county, he run a mill until 1880, and in Au- gust of the same year returned to Castle Rock. Miss Hattie Turner became his wife in August, 1866. Sidney, Joel L. and William E. are their children.
Henry E. Otte, a native of Hanover, Germany, was born December 16th, 1836. He was raised
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on a farm and received only a limited education. Coming to America in 1857, the year following he removed to Hastings, Minnesota, locating on a farm in Hampton township, and built a log house. In 1875 he disposed of his property in Douglass and moved to his present farm in Cas- tle Rock. He has been a member of the board of supervisors, one year as chairman. Married in 1861, to Miss Caroline Bunse, a native of Ger- many. Hermon G., Louise E., Henry A., John C., William E., George B. and Ida H. are their living children.
II. Pryor was born April 4th, 1838, in New Brunswick. Here he was reared and educated. In April, 1856, he came to Green Vale township, Dakota county, where his father pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres, being one of the early settlers. Mr. I'ryor enlisted, the summer of 1862, in the Eighth Minnesota, under Colonel Thomas; was two years on the frontier, one year in the south, and was discharged from the hospital in June, 1865. The next year he purchased his present farm, and has made many improvements. Married in 1871, to Miss Lizzie King, a native of England. Their children are: Gertrude L., Fred- erick C. Henry L and William T.
Charles Rowell, born March 12th, 1842, in Washington county, New York. In 1855 he accompanied his parents to Ohio, and engaged in agricultural pursuits, also finished his educa- tion. Coming to Castle Rock in 1865 he farmed on rented land until purchasing his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, in 1868. He entered the service of his country in 1862, in Company D, One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Ohio, was corporal, and engaged in the trans- portation and exchange of prisoners; was honor- ably discharged in 1865. Married Miss Lyble in 1867. Loren B., Venetta Adella, Eulela Belle and Lester V., are their children.
H. E. Sanders, a native of Germany, was born in 1837. Came to America in 1854 and located at Greenfield, Wisconsin, where he learned the blacksmith's trade. His time was employed with farming, wood cutting and coopering, and in 1863, served nine months in the civil war. ITis first visit to Minnesota was made in 1866, and during the fall of that year purchased eighty acres, a portion of his present farm, in Castle Rock township. He moved to his farm the next
year and has since added to it, until his estate comprises two hundred and fifty acres. His wife was Miss Scheiterlein, married in 1867. Lydia, Gustave, Hermon, Katie, Lucy and Amelia are their offspring.
I. R. Sanderson. a native of Middlesex county, Massachusetts. was born March 29th, 1818. His youth was passed on a farm, butin 1849, went to California, where he engaged in mining about four years; then returned east. Four years later started for St. Anthony, Minnesota, where he was a carpenter, and in 1860, moved to Empire town- ship, purchasing and improving a farm, which he sold six years subsequently. Purchasing his present farm, he has continued to improve it un- til he has now a very desirable estate of one hund- red and sixty acres. April 14th, 1844, he married Miss Adeline Wheeler of Lincoln, Massachusetts. Mr. Sanderson has been town treasurer of Em- pire four years.
B. C. Slocum, a native of New York, was born in Erie county, August 29th, 1832. Was reared as a tiller of the soil and acquired a prac- tical education. In 1866 he came to Fayette county. Iowa, and engaged in the quiet pursuit of farming. Coming to Sciota, Dakota county, he rented land until 1880, then invested in his present farm in Castle Rock township. He and Miss Mary Hawkins were united in marriage in 1856. Their children are Julius M. and Edwin E. Ida and William. Eddie and Jessie were claimed by the dread disease, diphtheria, and died within twenty-four days of each other in 1880.
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