USA > Minnesota > Dakota County > History of Dakota County and the City of Hastings, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota > Part 65
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E. A. Rice, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Washington county. Vermont, March 8th, 1836. He remained on his father's farm until April 17th, 1860, when he came to Hastings, and in the fall purchased a share in a threshing ma- chine and operated it for ten consecutive seasons. For about two years he was in the well-digging business. In 1863 he purchased a farm in Em- pire, which he worked for a time. In 1872 he improved his present farm, erecting the buildings and fences. Married February 18th, 1873, Louisa Milliken, who has borne him two children; Al- bert L. and Sarah L.
Nathan Seeley, was born in Schoharie county, New York, April 15th, 1820. Was raised as a farmer, residing on his father's farm until April 5th, 1868, when he came to Empire and pur- chased his present place of one hundred and sixty acres, and has since been engaged in raising Cots- wold sheep, and farming and dairying. Married October 26th, 1846, Nancy C. Slack. They have one son and three daughters: Belle, Hattie, Howard N. and Katie.
Thomas Ward was born September, 1818, in Ire- land. He was engaged herding until 1849, when he came to America and located in Massachusetts, where he was engaged in farming. In April, 1855, arrived in St. Paul on the famous War Eagle, and went to work for Dr. Borup and other parties. In 1858, came to Eagan township and purchased forty acres of land on which he lived until he bought his present farm of one hundred acres in Empire township. Married in April, 1857, Kate Devitt, a native of Ireland, by whom he has had two sons, Andrew and Jobn.
Albert Whittier, farmer and stock raiser, was born April 17th, 1828, in Grafton county, New Hampshire. Worked on a farm and learned the tanner's trade. March 23d, 1852, went to Ohio and worked on railroads for a time. May 29th, 1866, came to St. Anthony, where he worked as
contractor and builder until November 17th, 1860. He then came to this townshipand rented a farm for one year, then purchased a portion of his pres- ent property. Married June 24th, 1851, Lucy A. Wellington. They have four children: Addie B., Helen A., Frank A., and Lucy E.
EUREKA.
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CHAPTER LI.
DESCRIPTION -- EARLY SETTLEMENT --- FIRST BREAKING --- ORGANIZATION -- SCHOOLS --- CHURCHES-CEMETERIES-POST-OFFICE-BI- OGRAPHICAL.
This is one of the western tier of towns in Dakota county, and is known as township 113 north, of range 20 west of the fifth principal meridian, and like nearly all the other towns in the county, received its designation in April, 1858.
SURFACE AND PRODUCTS.
The surface of Eureka is divided into level and rolling prairie, hilly, scrub oak and more heavily timbered land. The north, east, central and central western portions of the town, with the exception of a body of timber in the north- west corner, consist of open prairie. The cen- tral, southern and south-western portions consist of hilly, timbered and scrub oak land. The soil in the prairie districts is a sandy loam, having a clay sub-soil. In the timbered portions the soil inclines more to clay and gravel, with a clay sub- soil underlaid with a formation of smooth gravel and boulders.
But one stream of water worthy of notice flows within the town. The Vermillion river debouches from Bear lake, in section 18, at the extreme western boundary of the township, and flows in a general course east by north; crossing the line between Eureka and Lakeville, in sec- tion 1, near the village of Farmington. The
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HISTORY OF DAKOTA COUNTY.
course of the stream is rapid, and its clear cold waters are invaluable to the stock farmer.
Chub lake, the principal body of water in Eu- reka, lies in the midst of the timber. in the south- central part of the town. It is one and a half miles long by five hundred yards wide at its broadest part. It is a shallow lake, with a mud bottom, and contains no fish of value. It is bounded by sectious 21, 22, 27, 28, 33 and 34.
Bear lake touches the western borders of the town, in sections 7 and 18, but its waters lie almost wholly in Scott county. Vermillion lake is a small body of water lying at the foot of Bear lake, in section 18.
Wells are in use generally through the town, and excellent drinking water is obtained at a depth of from ten to one hundred feet.
The prevailing product of Eureka is wheat, which comes to maturity finely in these lands. The quality is first-class, and the yield large for Minnesota. Corn is also grown quite extensively, as well as oats, barley and potatoes. The farm- ers are also well supplied with live stock, es- pecially horses and cattle. The butter product is quite large, while sheep are kept but little. The lowlands of the town produce prairie hay of the best quality.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
As most people remember, who were in Minne- sota early in the "fifties." there was great hope of St. Peter, at that time, as the coming city of the new territory. The old "Dodd Road" was an outgrowth of this expectation. On the second day of May, 1853, three brothers, Cyrus M., Dwight L. and Ansel R. Kingsley began work on this noted highway. By the latter part of June, operations had progressed so far as that portion of the road afterward embraced within the limits of Eureka township.
When at a point on the Vermillion river, now embraced in section 7, Captain Dodd, struck with the beauty of the spot, had C. M. Kingsley con- struct a claim shanty there, and stake out a claim of one hundred and sixty acres. The captain's intention was to have this land pass into the hands of a friend, in St. Paul. The im- provement made was simply a log pen, without a roof. Captain Dodd soon forgot his claim, how- ever, and it passed into other hands than those for whom it was intended.
But the Kingsley brothers, more deeply im- pressed with the character of the lands lying on the Vermillion, resolved to return and settle here at a future day. During the winter of 1853-4, Cyrus Kingsley met an old friend, Benjamin Caskey, at St. Paul. Mr. Caskey was ready to appropriate a good location, and under Mr. Kings- ley's advice, he set out, in May, 1854, on a pros- pecting tour along the line of the Dodd road. The result was, that he settled on the claim staked out the previous year by Captain Dodd.
On the fifteenth of July following, Cyrus M. Kingsley settled on the north-east quarter of sec- tion 17, now a part of the farm of Charles Jones. His brother. Dwight L. Kingsley, settled on the south-east quarter of section 6, now owned by J. H. Mallery and Q. Kingsley.
July 18th, Peter Sampson, and his son Magnus, Ole Torrisen, and Ole H. Oleson, all Norwegians. arrived at Chub Lake, from Wisconsin. Mr. Sampson took a claim where he still lives, in sec- tions 22 and 27. Messrs. Torrison and Oleson located in section 21.
During the autumn of 1854, Sylvester Bell came at the instance of C. M. Kingsley, and made a claimin the north-west quarter of section 5. In December, A. R. Kingsley arrived and settled on property now owned by G. B. Mal- lery, in section 6.
During the winter of 1854-5, James Caskey settled in the north-east quarter of section 7.
During the year following, 1855, quite a goodly number of settlers arrived. and took claims in various parts of the township. The advance guard of the noted Indiana colony arrived this year, and the earlier settlers had an opportunity for selling their first made claims, and for mak- ing new ones. This was done in several instances. C. M. Kingsley sold his claim, and re-located in the north-east quarter of section 8, where he now lives. A. R. Kingsley sold his claim to G. B. Mallery and made another in the north- west quarter of section 8, which he still holds. Sylvester Bell sold his claim rights to Frederick Wright, and finally laid claim to the south-east quarter of section 8, which he continues to own.
The first comers of the "Hoosier" settlement ar- rived at section 9, on the Vermillion river, May 25th, 1855. They had left Miami county, Indi- ana, on the 1st day of April, to find homes in
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EUREKA-EARLY EVENTS.
Minnesota. Four of the party settled in Lake- ville, but Wm. Coburn, Isaac Van Doren, Isaac N. Van Doren, Clymer Shadinger, Adna Shad- inger, Abram C. Van Doren, A. C. Speck and David J. Lumsden settled in Eureka. These people were nearly all related by blood or mar- riage. They lived in their emigrant wagons un- til they had broken considerable land, but after the month of June, began to build houses.
After these settlers, there came in June, 1855, Peter Thompson, G. B. Mallery, Ole and Stephen Torrison, Jule Knudson, John Lue, Christian An- derson, Elend Leverson and Ole P. Ruh. The seven last mentioned arrived on the thirteenth of the month.
L. J. Johnson settled in Eureka the following July, and with him his sons, Halvor L., Lewis W., Ole L., John L. and Rolf L. Johnson.
Thomas Murray came in August, and Samuel Bean about the same time. Caleb Harrison and Daniel Collett arrived October 8th, and S. C. Schofield not far from the same date.
Other settlers of 1855, were Jacob Van Doren, Thomas M. Smith, Frederick Wright, Oscar Van Doren, Joseph Warhurst, Marshall Barnum, and a Mr. Isgrigg.
The year following, 1856, William Pool ar- rived May 27th, Robert Pool, June 19th, William Perry, in October, and John Pool, and Charles Smith at dates unknown.
In April of 1857, Siegur Larson and Howard Shadinger, settled in the town, while Samuel and John M. Livingston arrived on the 30th day of May. Rev. F. A. Pratt, also took up a residence in the town, early in this year, and April 17th, 1858, marks the arrival of Phineas Morton.
It was one of the early settlers of Eureka, who in the Indiana legislature opposed the buying of a thermometer, saying: "Mr. Speaker, I am opposed to buying a thermomicon, for I don't be- lieve there's a man in the house that knows how to wind the machine up."
FIRST IMPROVEMENTS.
The first house or cabin constructed in Eureka, was built by C. M. Kingsley, Dwight L. Kings- ley, and Benjamin Caskey, on the latter's claim. This was in July, 1854. The cabin was built of logs, fourteen feet by eighteen feet in dimensions, and covered with boards. For beds, wooden pins
were driven into the logs horizontally, and slabs were then laid upon these pins. The situation of the cabin was near that of the log pen, built the year before. by Captain Dodd. and near the present location of the house of John Jelly. The Kingsley brothers and Caskey all lived here together. After a time, D. L. Kingsley brought his wife from St. Paul, and she kept house for the men and repaired their wardrobes. The imme- diate neighbors of this family were a camp of fifteen lodges of Sioux. The general propensi- ties of such neighbors are two well known to re- quire description. Alexander Faribault and other early and distinguished characters slept in this old log house and enjoyed the open-handed hos- pitality of its generous occupants.
During this same summer, 1854, a cabin was built on the land of D. L. Kingsley. In the fall of that year, Peter Sampson and Ole Torrison constructed cabins on their claims. These were all the dwellings built in Eureka in 1854.
The oldest structure, still in existence in the town, was built in 1855. It stands in section 5, on the premises of Mrs. S. E. Morton.
THE FIRST BREAKING.
The first breaking was done by Sylvester Bell, in the summer of 1854, on his claim in section 5. He broke about five acres.
.C. M. Kingsley broke about fifteen acres, on his claim, the same season, and Peter Sampson about two acres. The plows were drawn by oxen, and corn, and a little wheat were the crops produced.'
FIRST BIRTHS.
The year 1855, marks the era of first births in Eureka. The first birth, the date of which is known, was that of Annie Kelly, daughter of William and Bridget Kelly. She was born in section 6, August 20th, 1855. A child was also born to Mr. and Mrs. James Caskey, and one to Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Wright, during the same summer. Since these latter families removed from the town long ago, little is known of their family record. December 1st, 1855, Thedeman J., son of J. and Juga Knudson, was born in section 29. This completes the list of births in Eureka, for 1855.
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HISTORY OF DAKOTA COUNTY.
FIRST MARRIAGE, AND DEATH.
The first' marriage in the town, was that of Ansel R. Kingsley and Maria J. Lumsden, who were joined in wedlock, the evening of December 2d, 1856. Mrs. Kingsley is now deceased.
There was but one death in Eureka prior to 1857. This was the death of Susannah, daughter of Daniel and Sarah Collett. She was a young girl, aged ten years, three months, and twenty- eight days, and died November 18th 1856.
FIRST HOTEL.
Dwight Kingsley occasionally kept travelers in 1854-5, but the first regular hotel in Eureka was kept by Captain Thomas M. Smith, in 1855. It was built with posts set in the ground, the sides boarded up, and the top covered with hay. He built a better house in the fall, however, but most of the houses, in these early days, were poorly built, and this one was no exception to the gen- eral rule. During the first winter, Mrs. Smith froze her feet while in bed. In opening new farms, there was much work to be done, and it was some time before the early settlers had all the conveniences necessary for the comfort of man and beast, particularly so in the matter of wells. Consequently, water had to be hauled long distances sometimes, and cattle driven to the lakes and rives to drink. The captain had to haul his water from the Vermillion river with an ox team. One day, while at the river for this pur- pose, the day being warm, he thought it a good opportunity to bathe, and so prepared himself, putting his clothes in the wagon. While he was enjoying a deliciously cool bath, the oxen started for home at a lively rate, and the captain had no alternative but to follow.
Captain Smith served with some distinction in the Mexican war, and commanded a company of cavalry in the Indian campaign, as well as in the war of the rebellion.
ORGANIZATION.
With the exception of some road orders by the board of town supervisors, and other minor mat- ters, all the early records of Eureka have been lost, or were never kept. However, it appears that the town was organized May 11th, 1858, and the formal meeting for the organization, and elec- tion of officers, was held at the barn of Isaac Van
Doren, in section 9. What was the number of votes cast, cannot be ascertained, nor have we a list of the various candidates for official honors, nor a full list of the successful aspirants. The first board of supervisors consisted of Garrick B. Mallery, chairman, Cornelius H. Wager and Joseph F. Bean, associates. James W. Pool was the first town clerk, and Isaac Van Doren was probably the first treasurer.
The civil history of the town contains little of interest. No bounties were issued during the late war. August 6th, 1864, a petition, signed by eleven voters, was presented to the town supervisors, asking that body to call a special meeting of the citizens to consider an issue of bonds for the purpose of raising recruits. The citizens convened, but a question was raised by G. B. Mallery, as to the legality of the call, and an adjournment was made sine die. The matter seems to have disappeared from any further pub- lic attention.
The town owns no hall for the holding of an- nual meetings. for the transaction of public busi- ness. For many years, the annual meetings were held at what was known as the "Central school- house," in district number 49. For the last few years the meetings have been held at the shoe house in Christiana, for which privilege a small annual rent is paid.
The following persons have held the positions of town clerk and chairman of the board of su- pervisors, beginning with the year following the town organization.
1859-Samuel Livingston, chairman; James W. Pool, clerk. 1860-G. B. MIallery, chairman; James W. Pool, clerk. 1861-Samuel Living- ston, chairman; James W. Pool, clerk. 1862-Pe- ter Thompson, chairman; A. L. Caskey, clerk. 1863-G. B. Mallery, chairman; James Jock wood, clerk. 1864-G. B. Mallery, chairman; Cyrus M. Kingsley, clerk. 1865 -- A. F. Bean, chairman; S. Livingston, clerk. 1866-A. F. Bean, chairman; John W. Pool, clerk. 1867-D. C. Fix, chairman; William A. Parry, clerk. 1868-D. C. Fix, chair- man; William A. Parry, clerk. 1869 -- F. C. Car- penter, chairman; I. N. VanDoren, clerk. 1870- V. G. Van Slyke, chairman; John M. Livingston, clerk. 1871-Charles Jones, chairman; J. M. Livingston, clerk. 1872-C. M. Kingsley, chair- man; J. M. Livingston, clerk. 1873-James W.
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EUREKA-SCHOOLS.
Lytle, chairman; M. A. Parry, clerk. 1874-C. M. Kingsley, chairman; M. A. Parry, clerk. 1875 -C. M. Kingsley, chairman; M. A. Parry, clerk. 1876-C. M. Kingsley, chairman, J. M. Living- ston, clerk. 1877-William A. Parry, chairman; J. M. Livingston, clerk. 1878-Peter Thompson, chairman; O. G. Oleson, clerk. 1879-W. A. Parry, chairman; O. G. Olson, clerk. 1880-W. A. Parry, chairman; B. J. Skofstad, clerk.
The town officers for 1881 are: W. A. Parry, C. M. Kingsley and H. O. Torbornson, supervisors; B. J. Skofstad, clerk; Peter Thompson, treas- urer; Cyrus M. Kingsley, assessor; William Mc- Elrath, justice of the peace.
SCHOOLS.
As early as the spring of 1856, a school dis- trict was formed, comprising portions of the ter- ritory afterwards in Eureka and Lakeville town- ships. The school-house, however. which was constructed in the summer of 1856, was located in Lakeville, on the site of the present district school-house number 44, generally known as the Donaldson school-house. The first school in Eureka, as far as can be ascertained, was taught by G. B. Mallery at his house in section 6, dur- ing the winter of 1857-'58. This was a night school for the accommodation of the neighbors, and had a good attendance.
The school districts now numbered 47, 48 and 49 were all organized within a short time of each other. They were in the first place numbered 35, 36 and 42, but were subsequently changed to sub-districts 1, 2 and 3. March 16th, 1861, the board of supervisors subdivided the town into five districts-Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. These numbers continued in use until 1863, when the present system of numbering was adopted. There are now seven school-houses. in the town.
District No. 47 was organized in 1858, and known as the Eureka district No. 35, afterwards sub-district No. 3. It was a large district at the time of its organization, and contained fifty or sixty school children within its limits. A school- house was constructed on the north-east quarter of section 7, in the spring of 1859, by subscrip- tion, at a cost of $200. The first session of school held in the district was in the summer of 1859, and was taught by Miss Sarah Jenkins. The first board of trustees was composed of the
following persons: G. B. Mallery, Henry Caskey and William Crist. The original school building continued in use until 1881. At a special meet- ing held on the 15th of April a vote was taken to construct a new building and remove the loca- tion to the intersection of the public highway with the Dodd road, and about five hundred yards from the original site, on land donated for the purpose by S. C. Schofield. The new building is a fine structure, twenty-four by thirty- six feet, and cost about $850 exclusive of the patent seats with which it is furnished.
In 1859, the school district now known as No. 49, was organized as No. 42, afterwards called sub-district No. 2. The original building, known as the Central school-house, was located near the present site in the south-west corner of section 10. Miss Ellen Livingston, now wife of A. J. Bonham of Lakeville, was the first teacher. In June, 1859, a vote was taken to erect a new school building, which was accordingly done the same summer. It is a well-built frame structure, twenty by thirty feet, and cost about $700. The ground, one acre in extent, was donated by William Pool.
District No. 36, afterwards sub-district No. 4, but now designated No. 48, was organized in 1858 by Joseph F. Bean, who taught the first term dur- ing the winter of 1858 and '59, at the house of Peter Thompson. The first school-house was built in 1859, and was a log building in section 29, opposite the present rectory of the Lutheran synod church. The present building was erected in 1878 at a cost of $700. It is a fine frame build- ing, twenty by thirty feet, with bell and belfry, and is furnished with patent seats. The district is large and fifty-two scholars are enrolled upon the school register.
District No. 50 was organized as at present. October 3d, 1874, at the house of T. Mccluskey, in section 12, when a vote was taken to build a school-house on the present site in the center of section 1. On the 7th of the following November, the board met at the house of C. D. Haynes, and and let the contract to build the school-house, to John E. Kelly for $418. The structure is eighteen by twenty-eight feet. Miss Florence Seward of Lakeville was the first teacher, and about twenty scholars were present at the organization of the school. It now numbers about twenty-eight
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HISTORY OF DAKOTA COUNTY.
The district is a joint one between Eureka and Lakeville.
District No. 51 was organized in 1863, and is a joint district between Eureka and Castle Rock. Prior to the opening of any regular school district school, about 1862 or '63, a subscription school was taught by Miss Marian Wing, in an old log house on the premises of Phineas Roach in sec- tion 26, and directly afterward a select school was commenced at the house of C. C. Waters, section 25, by Annie Pryor. The first school-house in the district was built on the public highway, on the east line of section 26. The building is stili standing and in use at present, though it will doubtless soon be replaced by a new and better one, as it is considerably out of repair. Miss Elizabeth Wells taught the first school in the building. About twenty scholars are now en- rolled.
July 2d, 1867, at the house of J. P. Campbell, in section 36, district No. 52 was organized, being a joint district between Eureka and Green Vale. Considerable opposition was experienced before this district could be completely organized, but it was finally overcome. Directly after the organi- zation a tax of $400 was voted to build a school- house. The work was commenced at once, and by the opening of winter the building was ready for occupancy. The first term of school was tought in the winter of 1867 and '68, by Miss Elizabeth Wells of East Castle Rock. The cost of the building was about $600. It is still in use and in good repair. It is located in the south-east corner of section 35.
District number 85 was organized out of terri- tory formerly embraced in the old sub-district number 5. The organization was effected Sep- tember 28th, 1868, at the house of O. Oleson. The inhabitants of this district are all Scandina- vians, and the number of scholars about thirteen. A frame school building 16x24 feet was erected in the autumn of 1868, at a cost of $310, exclu- sive of the patent seats and apparatus with which it is furnished. The ground was donated for the purpose by Halver Oleson, and is located in the center of section 27. The first term was taught by Miss Paulina Paulson.
These comprise all the public school districts of the township. There are about three half sections of land near the north line of the town
attached to school-houses located in Lakeville, also quite a territory that has no organized dis- trict as the land belongs mostly to non-residents. There are also parochial schools connected with both of the Lutheran churches of the town.
CHURCHES.
Religious services were held in Eureka during 1856, and possibly in 1855. by different itinerant evangelists. Rev. J. A. Sterret and Rev. J. G. Riheldaffer held services in 1856, and in the win- ter of the same year, services were conducted at the house of D. J. Lumsden. Rev. D. P. Broun, a native of Sweden, held services among the Scandinavians during this year. He is said to have been a man of learning and ability, though traditions are not so well agreed as to the sin- cerity and depth of his religious convictions. When last heard from he was an officer in the volunteer service during the late civil con- flict.
The first church organization in which the in- habitants of the future town of Eureka partici- pated, was denominated the Vermillion Presby- terian church. The society was formed Decem- ber 6th, 1856, at the house of James Sayers, Lakeville, by Rev. J. A. Sterrett of Wisconsin, and Rev. J. G. Riheldaffer of St. Paul. Five members formed the nucleus of the society, viz: James Sayers, wife and two children and Jacob Van Doren. The two gentlemen members were appointed elders. Silas G. Schofield, Samuel Livingston and others joined soon after, and the church now has a membership of about twenty. Rev. F. A. Pratt was the first regular pastor. Rev. Mr. Thayer succeeded him, and Rev. Mr. Rogers is now in charge, preaching every alter- nate Sabbath. For a time services were held at the residence of James Sayers, afterwards at school-house number +4, Lakeville. The ground, comprising one acre, on the north-east quarter of section 4, to be devoted to church purposes, was donated by Jacob Van Doren, and the present church building was erected in 1866. The money for the purpose was raised by subscription, and the cost of the house, exclusive of the seats, was about $900. Ceiling, and other improvements, have since been added at a cost of about $200.
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