History of Dakota County and the City of Hastings, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 67

Author: J. Fletcher Williams
Publication date: 1881
Publisher:
Number of Pages:

USA > Minnesota > Dakota County > History of Dakota County and the City of Hastings, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota > Part 67

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John Clague made his claim in the south- east quarter of section 11, where he still lives, having added largely to his original farm by pur- chase. Mr. Hodgson made his claim in the south-west quarter of section 11, where he lived until he died in 1874. His wife is still living there, although the family have scattered some- what; three of his sons have been admitted to the bar, and are practicing law. Mr. Kegg is still living on his original claim in the north- west quarter of section 11. Mr. Gill made his claim partly in the south-west quarter of section 3 and the north-west quarter of section 10, where he still lives, with forty acres added to his farm by purchase. Mr. William Clague made his claim in the north-east quarter of section 10. He left in the spring of 1855 and never returned. His claim was jumped during the season by George Van Slyke, who sold it to his brother, J. E. Van Slyke. He lived on it several years, then sold it, having in the meantime married the widow of James Clague, and now lives in sec- tion 14. Mr. Moore made his claim partly in sections 2 and 3 where he has since lived and reared a large family of sons and daughters.

In early winter of '54 and '55, came R. F. Ran- dolph and Michael Kinnery. They located their claims in the south-eastern part of the town, left for a time and settled later. Mr. Randolph died a few years later. Mr. Kinnery is still residing in the town.

Among the earlier ones of 1855, we find James Clague. Joseph Scofield and Absalom Schull. David Muckey, S. C. Howell, Alexander Pryor, H. E. C. Barrett, Hans Ommundson and a Mr. Thompson. The only ones remaining at this time being Mr. Muckey and Mr. Ommundson. Mr. Clague died in 1861. Mr. Scofield entered the army and died shortly after the expiration of his term of service, in Washington county. Mr. Schull moved away the present spring. Mr. Howell was one of the first justices in the town. He was a prominent man in the affairs of the town. He died in 1873. . The other justice at

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this time was Mr. Barrett. He sold out after a term of years and went to Faribault, where he died. Mr. Pryor had a family of eleven children. Three of his sons served in the army. He lived in the town until about the time of the outbreak of the war, when he moved into Eureka, where he died in 1880. He was a good citizen and his death was regretted by all who knew him.

The first birth that occurred in the town was that of W. P. Clague. He was the son of James and Sophia Clague, and was born April 26th, 1856. He died June 19th, 1867, and was buried in the cemetery on the farm of John Clague. Quite a number of births occurred this year. Catherine, the daughter of Michael and Margaret Hendricks was born early in August. Mary, the daughter of William and Margaret Rowan, was born August 30th, and Mary, the daughter of Luke and Bridget Rowan, was born in October of that year.

The first death was that of a child, Willie Kegg, the son of William and Ann Kegg. He was buried on the farm.

The first marriage of parties living in the town was that of Billious Pond and Miss E. J. Sy- monds. They were married April 3d, 1856. Miss Symonds was the step-daughter of Wm. Kegg. During the rebellion, Mr. Pond entered the army, and during his term of service his wife died in December, 1863. Three children were the result of this marriage, two girls and one boy. The girls are both married and living in Granite Falls.

ORGANIZATION.

The first meeting for the political organization of the town was held May 11th, 1858. at the school- house in district No. 38, now 75. S. C. Howell was chosen chairman. Balloting for officers of the meeting then took place. S. E. Finney was chosen moderator, and H. E. C. Barrett clerk. The meeting then proceeded to business. The town was divided into four road districts. The overseers for the different districts were: R. F. Randolph, No. 1; G. H. Van Slyke, No. 2; James De Puy, No. 3, and W. J. Whittaker, No. 4.

Measures were taken for the future transaction of town business, such as levying taxes, estab- lishment of lawful fences, restraining stock, etc. Fifty-one votes were cast, and the following of- ficers were elected for the ensuing year:

Board-E. B. Carter, chairman; W. J. Whit- taker and A. B. Hale, supervisors; H. Marsh, clerk; R. F. Randolph, collector; S. E. Finney, assessor; H. E. C. Barrett and S. C. Howell, jus- tices; Michael Kinnery, overseer of the poor; Robert Moore and R. F. Randolph, constables.

Following are the members of the board and town clerks, since the organization, the first name in all cases being the chairman: 1859-S. C. Howell, J. B. De Puy, Alexander Pryor, su- pervisors; D. E. Ripley, clerk. 1860-J. P. Campbell, Joseph Winters, Zachariah Bogue, su- pervisors; D. E. Ripley, clerk. 1861-E. B. Car- ter, Robert Moore, J. B. De Puy, supervisors; Oscar Tourson, clerk. 1862-John D. Batson, Henry Marsh, Jacob Simon, supervisors; H. E. C. Barrett, clerk. 1868-S. W. Cushman, Jesse Hosford, J. S. Rounce, Jr., supervisors; D. E. Ripley, clerk. 1864-Oscar Tourson, Absalom Schull, John Scollard, supervisors; Franklin Church, clerk. 1865-W. R. Henderson, Absa- lom Schull, John Scollard, supervisors; Franklin Church, clerk. 1866-E. B. Carter, Henry Marsh, C.H. Holt, supervisors; D. E. Ripley, clerk. 1867- Henry Marsh, John Scollard, Joseph Winter, supervisors; D. E. Ripley, clerk. 1858-Henry Marsh, Joseph Winter, Robert Moore, supervi- sors; Franklin Church, clerk. 1869-J. B. Simon, L. Fink, Richard McAndrew, su- pervisors; Franklin Church, clerk. 1870- J. L. Fink, Richard McAndrew, Robert Moore, supervisors; Franklin Church, clerk. 1871-D. E. Ripley, John Hendricks, Thomas Gill, super- visors; Franklin Church, clerk. 1872-J. L. Fink, John Hendricks, Zachariah Bogue, super- visors : Franklin Church, clerk. 1873-Robert Moore. Francis Howard. John Hendricks, super- visors; Franklin Church, clerk. 1874-Francis Howard, Robert Moore, John Hendricks, super- visors; Franklin Church, clerk. 1875-Francis Howard, Andrew Fink, Joseph Winter, super- visors; Franklin Church, clerk. 1876-Francis Howard, Richard McAndrew, William Lace, su- pervisors; William Rowan, clerk. 1877-J. B. Simon. Thomas Fox, Robert Moore, supervisors; Franklin Church, clerk. 1878-Francis Howard, Thomas Fox, Thomas Gill, supervisors; Frank- lin Church, clerk. 1879-J. B. Simon, Thomas Gill, Thomas Fox, supervisors; Franklin Church clerk. 1880-J. B. Simon, Thomas Gill, G. A.

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Manhart, supervisors; Franklin Church, clerk. 1881-Francis Howard, John Lace, Thomas Walsh, supervisors; G. H. Manhart, clerk; Charles Blesener, assessor; Martin Fox, treasurer; Frank- lin Church and Richard McAndrew, Justices; Patrick Hendricks and Michael Gavin, consta- bles. Mr. Howard failed to qualify as chairman, and Van R. Gifford was appointed in his place, March 19th, 1881.

Franklin Church has been a justice almost continuously since 1864, having been out but two years in that time. He was also town clerk four- teen years.

SCHOOLS.

The first school in the town was held in what is now district number 74, and taught by Charles King, in the house of J. E. Van Slyke, in the fall of 1856. There was about a dozen scholars. During that fall and the winter following, a log school-house was built in the south-west corner of section 2. It was about 15x22 feet, contained slab seats, and could seat comfortably about thirty scholars, although the first school taught in it, contained thirty-eight. This house was used until September, 1867, when it was burned. The next spring the present frame building was erected at a cost of $700. It is 24x32 feet, con- tains patent seats, and has a capacity for com- fortably seating about fifty scholars. The dis- trict, at present, contains about forty-five.

Closely following this school was the one con- ducted in what is now district number 75. During the winter and spring of 1857, the people erected a log building on the east side of the road in the south-west quarter of section 24. It was 15x20 feet, contained slab seats, and everything in the most primitive style. The following summer, Miss Mary E. Wheeler, of Sci- ota, taught a three months term, with about a dozen scholars. The log house was used until the present building was erected in the south- east corner of section 23. It is frame about 20x30 feet, and has patent seats.

Between this date and 1860, three more schools were opened in the town. One in district num- ber 73, one in 76, and one in 77. The first school in 73, was taught by Miss Mary Bottomly; she had about ten scholars. A log building was used until 1867, when the present frame struc-

ture was built and located in the south-west corner of section 1.

The first school in number 76, was taught by Miss Mary Nelis in the house of Antony Cos- grove; an interval of two years elapsed before there was another school. A log building was then erected, and schools have been taught in the district continuously since. This log build- ing was used a few years when a frame was built a little further south, and in 1880, this was moved about a half mile further west, and located near the center of section 8. This district probably contains the greatest number of scholars of any in the town. There having been fifty enrolled the past winter.

The first school in number 77, was taught by William Cleveland. There was about twenty scholars. The building was a log structure about 16x20 feet. A frame building was erected a few years later and used until 1880, when the present building was erected in the south-east quarter of section 20. It is a frame structure 24x36 feet, has patent seats and cost $700. It has a capacity for seating comfortably about fifty scholars, and is the best school-house in the town, having all the conveniences adapted to a country school.

The last district to organize and build a house in the town was joint district number 86. Their building is frame and contains plain seats. It is located in the south-east quarter of section 29. The town now contains four entire and three joint districts, number 86, being joint with Rice county.

CHURCHES.

The first religious services in the town were held at the house of S. C. Howell, by Rev. Wm. Mckinley, Methodists, during the spring of 1856. Services were conducted at Mr. Howell's house once in two weeks for about two years. They were then transferred to the school-house belong- ing to what is now district No. 74, where they held until 1868, when the present church was built on the east side of the St. Paul road, in the north-east quarter of section one. It is a frame building, twenty-eight by fifty feet, with eighteen foot posts, and cost about $2,700. It has a ca- pacity for comfortably seating about two hundred and fifty persons. It stands upon a slight emi- nence and commands an extensive view in all di- rections. It was dedicated as Mckinley Chapel, in

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honor of the Rev. Wm. Mckinley. The dedication sermon. was preached by the Rev. D. C. Cobb, in the fall of 1868.

The first local preacher was the Rev. Thomas Day, with his residence at Northfield. His ap- pointments were there and at the school-house in Green Vale, with services alternating between the two places. He came in 1857 and remained two years. The local pastors in the order of their terms of service have been: Thomas Day, J. W. Stogdill, G. W. Richardson, Rev. Bennett, J. M. Rogers (two terms), S. T. Sterrett, I. H. Richard- son, John Lamberson, C. J. Hayes, R. Wash- burn, Levi Gleason, W. W. Rork, and A. B. Bishop, the present pastor. The parsonage con- nected with the church is located at Castle Rock station.

Previous to the building of the church, a Sab- bath school had been conducted at the Union school house in Eureka, which was transferred to the church when completed. The superintendent that season was T. C. Hodgson. The present super- intendent is Stillman Meeker. The membership is about fifty.

A Sabbath school was established in 1857, at the school-house in district No. 74. The mem- bership was about fifty. Jacob Shellenberger was superintendent and William Kegg, assistant superintendent. The school has been conducted during the summer season, down to the present time, and now numbers about twenty-five schol- ars. The superintendent for 1880 was T. II. Gra- ham, and the assistant superintendent, William Kegg.

About the year 1858, Rev. Joseph Rounce, a Congregational minister living in section 23, held church services at the school-house, in what is now district No. 75. He conducted services there once in two weeks for about a year. He also con- ducted services at the house of Thomas Hodgson, alternating with those at the school-house. At the end of the year, he moved to Northfield, and the services ceased.

The Methodist denomination also had services at this school-house once in two weeks, for a number of years. Of late the services are irreg- ularly held on account of the proximity of other churches.

A Sabbath school was organized during the summer of 1858, and continued with but few in-

termissions, until the present time. The first superintendent was H. E. C. Barrett, and they had a membership of about fifteen. The present superintendent is W. E. Moses, and the mem- bership about forty. The school is under the auspices of the Methodist denomination and is called the South Green Vale Sabbath school. The name of the town originated from the name given this school at its organization, and to H. E. C. Barrett belongs the honor of suggesting the name.

Episcopal church services were first conducted by the Rev. Burleson, during the summer of 1866, at the school-house in district No. 73. They were subsequently transferred to the school-house in district No. 74, where they are conducted un- der the auspices of Rev. Charles Rollit, of Min- neapolis. Formerly services were conducted once a month. For some time past they have been conducted once in two weeks.

CEMETERIES.

An acre of ground was set apart by John Clague, in the north-east quarter of section 2, in the spring of 1861. The first person buried in it was James Clague, who died February 22d, 1861.

Union cemetery is located on the north side of section 1. It contains about three acres and was surveyed in June, 1873. The first grown person buried in it was Thomas Hodgson. It now con- tains quite a number of graves, and shows that care and attention are bestowed upon it. The cemetary originated in Castle Rock Grange, then holding meetings in the Union school-house in Eureka.

SOCIETIES.

Rescue Lodge, No. 9, I. O. G. T., was organ- ized at the Union school-house, in Eureka, January 26th, 1871. Three meetings were held at that school-house, when they were changed to the school-house in district No. 73, thence to dis- trict No. 74, thence again to the Union school, and back to No. 73 again in 1880, where meet- ings are now held. From the date of organiza- tion, regular meetings have been held every Saturday evening, unless upon extraordinary oc- casions. There were thirty charter members. The following is a list of the first officers: Jas. N. Phare, P. W. C. T .; T. C. Hodgson, W. C. T .; Miss Elizabeth Clague, W. V. T .; S. C. Howell,

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secretary; Mrs. Mary Merryweather, chap .; John Costain, M .; Miss Eliza Pryor, Dep. M .; Mrs. Ellen R. Phare, R. S .: Mrs. Margaret Shepherd, L. S .; Stillman Meeker, lodge deputy.

Since the organization, there has been about two hundred members belonging to the lodge. The greatest membership, at one time, was about one hundred. The present membership is about fifty.

The present officers are: Alfred C'lague, P.W. C. T .; L. H. Dilley, W. C. T .; Miss Nellie P. Lindsay, W. V. T .; Isaac Cowles, secretary; Geo. Batson, assistant secretary; Newton Moore, financial secretary; Miss Jennie How, T .; Mrs. Ellen R. Phare, chap .; James Empy, M .; Miss Lillie Cowell, Dep. M .; Miss Irene Cowell, guard; Edward Chapman, sen .; Miss Maud Rand, R. S .; Miss Kate Clague, L. S.

A temperance society was organized at the school-house in district No. 75, but did not con- tinue long.

Union Grange was organized during the fore- part of the winter of 1872 and 1873. It was com- posed of people living in both Rice and Dakota counties, and they met at the school-house in district No. 86. They had twenty charter mem- bers, which number was increased to about thirty. The grange was in operation about three years, when it ceased to exist as a body, by a vote of the members, some of whom joined the Morning Star Grange, of Northfield, which is still in operation. The first officers of Union Grange were: C. H. Holt, M .; George Fay, O .; A. D. Holt, L .; Franklin Hall, S .; Samuel Taft. A. S .; Francis Howard, chap .; Mrs. George Fay, T .; Mrs. Samuel Taft, secretary; John Fishback, G. K .; Miss Angie Howland, Ceres; Miss Lizzie Hall, Pomona: Miss Flora Howland, Flora: Mrs. Francis Howard, L. A. S.

SHOPS.

It is probable that the first blacksmith shop in the town was opened by a Mr. Cabahn in the south-east quarter of section 24, near the line between the towns of Waterford and Green Vale. He opened it in the spring of 1858, and continued to operate it several years, when he built a shop in Northfield and moved there.

Another shop was opened later by Ole Nelson in section 8. He operated a shop there about a

year, then moved to the north-east quarter of section 10, where he opened a'shop which he oper- ated a few years; then moved about a half-mile further south, where he opened another which he operated a couple of years and then moved to Rice county.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

T. Aslaksen, a native of Norway, was born in 1825. His youth was passed in his native country, and in 1851 he came to America and settled in Wisconsin where he lived for five years. He then came to Green Vale, locating on his present farm. Married in 1857 to Miss Dorotha Cardals, a native of Norway. Six children have been born to them; the living are Alak, Eli, Karl, Orlak and Adolf.

Jackson Baird, born March 14th, 1834, in Ire- land. Coming to America in 1849, he made his home in Wisconsin two years; then went to Can- ada and learned the carpenter's trade, following that pursuit eight years. He removed thence to Green Bay, Wisconsin, remaining two years; then to the south in the employ of the govern- ment. In 1866 he came to Green Vale after a visit to Northfield. He located on a farm which he purchased in 1873. Married, July 3d, 1865, Miss Nellie Swerdfefegr. James, Nancy E., Mary E., John J., Franklin B., Ella F. Jacob Van A. and Freddie are their children.

J. P. Campbell was born in Washington county, New York, in 1817. Here was his home until 1830, when he went to Oneida county, and seven years later to Illinois. Going to California in 1853, he remained two years, returning thence to Minnesota and settled at Faribault where he tarried only a short time. He then came to Green Vale and pre-empted a farm on which he lived five years, then went to Eureka township, remaining until the spring of 1880. At that time he purchased his present farm in Green Vale. Has been supervisor one term and constable in Eureka two years. Married Miss Melissa Mott, in 1843. Their children are: Maria, who is the wife of R. Hickey, of Big Stone City, Dakota; Emma, wife of W. Johnson, of California; Nel- lie, Ruth. and John live at home.

Franklin Church was born in Cortland county, New York, February 28th, 1815. Here he lived until April, 1862, at which time he came to Green Vale. After renting a farm three years, he pur-

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chased his present estate. Mr. Church has taken an active part in the interests of the town, and has won the esteem of the citizens about him; has been honored by all the offices of importance; justice of the peace sixteen years, and town clerk fourteen years. Married in 1838, Miss Mary J. Scofield, who died in 1845, leaving two children, Irvin and Mills. His present wife was Mrs. Sarah Parker, who was a sister of his first wife. Elmer, Mary J. and Sarah F. are their children.

William Carroll, a native of Ireland, was born in 1829. Coming to America in 1851, he settled in Troy, New York, thence to Albany, remain- ing in that city ten years and followed his trade as engineer. In 1863, he came to Minnesota and followed his trade in Hastings three years, came to Green Vale and purchased the farm on which he now lives. He has been engineer in the ele- vator at Northfield, continuously until two years ago, since which time he has been a tiller of the soil. Miss Bridget Doogan, a native of Ireland, became his wife in 1836. John, Mary, Ellen, Pat- rick, Rosanna, William J., Bridget A. and Thomas B. are their children.

John Clague is a native of the Isle of Man, born in 1808. Learning the blacksmith's trade, he worked at it some time, but at the age of twen- ty-two went to sea and for twenty years led a sailor's life. He was married on the Isle of Man, to Miss Elwor Moore, in 1839. Coming to Ameri- ca in 1854, they proceeded to Illinois, where Mrs. Clague remained while he, in company with four others came to Minnesota seeking a home, bringing with them eighty head of cattle. They stopped at Green Vale the same fall and erected a shanty, in which they all lived until the spring following. Mr. Clague made a claim, on which he still lives, and built a shanty, then returned to Illinois for his family. They have five children: Ann, Eliza- beth, Sage, Louisa and Phillip.

James Cox, a native of England, was born in 1844. There learned the milling business, serving an apprenticeship of seven years. In 1869 came to America and settled at Rockford, Illinois, where, after farming a short time he began working in the mills at that place, remaining until 1872. Coming to Minnesota at that time he was first employed in a mill at Dundas, Rice county, has also worked in the mills at Minneapolis and New London, and in 1879, came to Northfield. Here

he is still engaged in the Ames mill, but lives on his farm in Green Vale, which he purchased in 1880. He was married in England and is the father of nine children, seven of whom are still living.

Michael Cratty, a native of Ireland, was born in 1833 and came to America when eight years old, locating in Massachusetts. In 1866 he came to Green Vale and purchased the farm on which his family now resides. Remaining only a short time he at first went to Rockford, Illinois, thence to Cleveland, Ohio, for eight years, and in 1878 returned to Green Vale. Mr. Cratty is a moulder by trade and is at present engaged in that pur- suit, leaving the farm in care of his son and wife. Miss Sarah B. Needham became his wife in 1855 and has borne him four children: William A., married in 1880,to Miss Sarah Manhart, lives with his parents; Georgia A., Eddie H. and Luman A. still remaining at home.

Thomas Fox is a native of the "Emerald Isle," born 1846. His youth was passed in the land of his nativity, and in 1864 he came to America, settling on his present farm in Green Vale township. IIas been one of the supervisors of the town three years also clerk of school district No. 76 for three years past. His marriage with Miss Margaret McCabe of Ireland, took place in 1865. They have had ten children, the living are Mary L., Martin, Edmon, John, Rosa A., Maggie, Jose- phine and Charles J.

Thomas Finn was born in 1835, and is of Irish birth. At the age of twenty he immigrated to America, proceeding direct to Minnesota, and pre-empted the farm on which he now lives. He did not locate on it until 1865. His wife was Miss Catherine O'Brien, married at St. Paul in 1861. Mary, James, Elizabeth, William, Julia, Ellen, Margaret, Thomas, Catherine and Abbie, are their children.

John Fishback was born in Luxemburg, Ger- many, 1832. When twenty-two years old he came to America and settled in Wisconsin, where he lived three years. During the year 1861 he came to Minnesota, and purchased a farm in Green Vale, on which he now lives. Miss Anna Rupert became his wife in 1860, but two years later died, leaving one son, Joseph. Mr. Fishback again married in 1864, Miss Theresa Hammond. Mary M., George J., Caroline K,, Albert C., Lizzie A., Minnie B.,

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Frank L., Anna M. and Gertie S. are their child- ren.

William Fletcher was born in England, Sep- tember 11th, 1825, and came to America with his parents when six years old, and settled with them in St. Lawrence county, New York. Here he lived until 1855, then came to Bridge- water, Rice county, and pre-empted the north- east quarter of section 32, on which farm he has since lived. Erected his barn in 1875, and his house three years subsequently, both of which cost $3,000. Married in St. Lawrence county, New York, in 1850, to Miss A. Waffle. They have five children: William J., Joseph A., Al- runena M., who is a teacher at Waterford, edu- cated at Carlton college; J. Willard, and Ella M.

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History of Dakota County and the City of Hastings, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 67

Author: J. Fletcher Williams Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author: J. Fletcher Williams
Publication date: 1881
Publisher:
Number of Pages: