History of Dakota County and the City of Hastings, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 68

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 68

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Van. R. Gifford was born in Putnam county, New York, in 1837. Here he passed his youth- ful days, and in 1862, came to Dakota county. Enlisted in Company K, Eighth Minnesota Regi- ment, and served until the close of the war, being mustered out July 18, 1865, then returned to Dakota county. He was elected constable for one year, in 1880, and now bolds the office of chairman of board of supervisors. Married in 1861, to Miss Mary A. Bennett. Frank B. is the only child.

Patrick Gilligan, was born in 1832, in Ireland. At the age of fourteen he came to America, and after tarrying a short time in New York city, removed to Massachusetts, and worked in the cotton mills, also in Rhode Island and Connecti- cut, then came to Ohio. Here for three years he was employed in the gas works. In 1858 he came to Minnesota, settling in Northfield, Rice county, and in 1865 came to Green Vale, purchasing the farm on which he now lives. During the civil war he served one year, enlisting in 1864. His wife was MissAnn Kennedy, a native of Ireland, mar- ried in 1852. Kate A., Owen A., Julia A., Louis, John, Mary J., James, T. Francis, Joseph O., Mark and Theresa M. are their children.

John E. Hendricks was born in Canada, in 1845, and came with his parents to the United States in 1852, locating in St. Paul. After a residence of two years at this city, he removed to Lakeville for one year, and in 1855, came to Green Vale and settled on section 8. Here his father resided until his death. In 1863, he pur- chased the place on which he now lives. Was

one of the town supervisors for a number of years, constable for two years, and is treasurer of school district number 75.

Michael Hendricks, deceased, a native of Ire- land, was born in 1815. Coming to Canada in 1842, he came ten years later to the United States and lived in St. Paul, Minnesota, two years, thence to Lakeville one year, and in 1855, located at Green Vale. He pre-empted the farm on which his widow now lives. Mr. Hendricks was twice married, the second time to Margaret Rowan in 1848. He departed this life in 1873. The children living are: Mary, Bridget, Kate, Peter, Mike, Dominick, Maggie, James, Francis, and William.

Patrick Hendricks was born in Canada, in 1844, and came to Minnesota at the age of eight vears. He settled in St. Paul, and two years later went to Lakeville, thence, in 1855, to Green Vale. In 1861, he enlisted and served in Com- pany I, Fifth Minnesota, until receiving his dis- charge, in 1865. Returning to his home, he has since lived on the farm, engaged in the quiet pursuit of agriculture. Married in 1866 to Miss Kate Cosgrove. Mike, Thomas, Patrick, Francis. James. Maria and Alice are their children.

Thomas Hodgson, a native of England, born in 1800. Here his life was passed until 1844, then he came to America, and settled in Illinois. Making this state his home until 1855, came to Green Vale and pre-empted a farm, on which he lived until his death, which occurred in 1874. His widow, who was Miss Charlotte Curren, born in England in 1813; he married in 1840; still re- sides on the farm. Their children are: Edward, an attorney in St. Paul; Thomas, Kate, William, an attorney at Hastings; James, an attorney at Benson, Susie, now the wife of Charles Fing, of Herman, Minnesota, and Joseph.

Joseph P. Holt was born at Willington, Con- necticut, in July, 1807. Lived at his native place until coming to Green Vale in 1858, where he has since lived. Married at Willington, Connecticut, in 1838, Miss Julia Cushman. They have had five children, two of whom died in infancy. The living are: Charles H., Jennie M., wife of Samuel A. Taft, and Georgia, wife of Edward E. Needham, of Farmington.

Charles H. Holt, son of Joseph and Julia Holt, was born in April, 1839, at Stafford, Connecticut.

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Came to Green Vale in 1858, with his parents, and settled on the farm where he still resides. Enlisting in 1862, in Company A, Seventh Min- nesota, he served until the close of the war, then returned to his farm. He has been clerk of school district No. 76 twelve years, also one of the town supervisors. Married at Northfield, Minnesota, in 1868, to Miss Maretta Alexander. Lydia M. and Susie are their children.

William F. How, a native of Nova Scotia, was born in August, 1822. Here he passed his youth and made his home until coming, in 1864, to Green Vale. ' He at once purchased his present desirable farm, where he still lives. His wife was Miss Ellen Totten, a native of Nova Scotia, born in 1832, whom he married in 1858. Their children are: Jane, James W., Thomas P., Eben, William W., Charles L., Kate L., Nellie M. and Arthur L.

Francis Howard was born in Orange county, Vermont, in 1827. At the age of ten years he went to Franklin county, New York. During childhood his educational advantages were some- what limited, and on attaining his majority he decided to strive earnestly for more knowledge. He accordingly began attendance at the high school at Malone, Franklin county, and graduated at the age of twenty-five, having fitted himself for the ministry. He was pastor of a Baptist church in St. Lawrence county five years, then went to Brandon, Vermont, as teacher in the graded school, occupying that position five years. In 1866 he came to Minnesota and invested in the farm on which he now lives. Has taught school a number of terms at Green Vale and in that vicinity. For nine years he has been town su- pervisor, and assessor two years. Married, in 1855, Miss Elizabeth Carr, who died in 1876, her remains being interred at Northfield.

S. C. Howell was born January 2d, 1813, in Ohio. Here he lived until 1855; then came to Waterford and pre-empted a farm. His mar- riage with Mrs. Radcliff, nee Philbrick, took place in 1849. He departed this life January 26th, 1873. Jennie, the eldest daughter, is now the wife of Ellis B. Gibson, living in Grant county, Dakota territory. Mrs. P. Howell was born in Ohio in 1820. Her maiden name was Parmelie Philbrick, and in 1835 she was united in marriage with Stephen Radcliff who died in 1847. They

were the parents of three children, all of whom have been claimed by death. Mrs. Howell re- lates many incidents regarding pioneer life in Minnesota, and the hardships she endured through her journey, being obliged to travel five hundred miles by ox team.

William F. Ingham, was born at Groton, Con- necticut, December 29th, 1830. When seven years old he removed to Ohio with his parents and there lived until 1854, then came to Cottage Grove, Washington county, Minnesota. After a residence there of six years, he removed to Wis- consin where he lived until 1862. Enlisted in Company B, Third Wisconsin Regiment, serving until the close of the war. Married in 1870,in Green Vale, to Mrs. Alma Mattocks. E. A., Edwin, Justice and U. Francis are their living children.

Patrick Jeffers was born in Ireland, April 16th, 1842. Coming to America in 1854, he remained one year in Albany, New York, thence to North- field, Minnesota, where he lived twelve years. After a residence of eleven years at Alexandria, Minnesota, he located on a farm at Green Vale, where he still resides. Miss Sarah Ross became his wife at Northfield, in 1862. Seven children have been born to them; the living are, Mar- tha J., Thomas, George, Mary, Sherman and Franklin.

William Kegg was was born on the Isle of Man in 1811. Coming to America in 1841, he settled in Illinois, where his home was until 1855. He then came to Green Vale and opened a farm, which has since been his dwelling place. Mar- ried in Illinois to Mrs. Ann Simmonds, a native of England. Her children by her first husband are Julia A., Elizabeth J., Susan, Laura, Mary and Joseph. Her children by her present hus- band are John, Margaret and William S. Mar- garet, the first daughter, Willie and Edith died early in life.

Patrick Kennedy, a native of Ireland, was born March 17th, 1846. While yet a child, he came to America with his parents. In 1858 they came to Minnesota and settled on the farm, on which he still lives. His wife was Bridget Bresslau, also a native of Ireland, and came to America in 1874. They were married in 1878. One child, Mary Ann, was born to them in August, 1880.

Uriah Manhart was born in Canada in 1830. His childhood was passed in his native coun-

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try, and in 1865, he came to Rice county. Min- nesota, where he resided one and one-half years. In 1867 he came to Green Vale and pur- chased his fine farm, where he now lives. His commodious dwelling was erected in 1878, at a cost of one thousand dollars. His marriage with Miss Mary A. Heberly took place in Canada in 1851. George, who is at present town clerk, Wil- liam M., Simon L. and Sarah are their children.

Richard P. McAndrews was born in 1845, in Ireland. In 1847, he went to England and to America, accompanied by his parents in 1856. Coming direct to Green Vale, they located on their present farm. He was one of the town su- pervisors three years, justice of the peace three years, and in the fall of 1880, elected to repre- sent his district in the legislature. He was mar- ried during the winter of 1869, to Miss Hannah Major. John, Partrick Henry, Thomas, George F. and Richard are their children.

Robert Moore was born on the Isle of Man, in 1827. There he lived until 1849, then came to America and settled in Illinois, where he worked in the mines six years. In 1855, he came to Min- nesota and pre-empted a farm in Green Vale, which has since been his home. He was accom- panied by four others, J. Clague, W. Kegg, T. Gill and T. Hodgson, who were the first to settle here, all of whom are living on the claims made at that time, except T. Hodgson who is deceased. Mr. Moore enlisted in 1862, in Company F. Eighth Minnesota, serving until the close of the war, then returned to his farm. Married in 1853, to Julia A. Simmonds, who has borne him eight children. The living are William H., Thomas E., the first white child born in this town. Emma J., Robert N. and an infant.

David Muckey is a native of New York state, born December 28th, 1824. When a child, be went to Cortland county, and there lived until 1855, then came to Green Vale and pre-empted a farm which he still owns. His house, which was one of the finest in the town at that time, was a small frame structure, and is now used as a store room. In 1878, his present dwelling was erected at a cost of $1,500. IIe was drafted in 1862, but in consequence of declining health, furnished a substitute, paying $500. Miss Eliza- beth Scofield became his wife in 1851. Three

children have been born to them: Euretta D., Charles A. and Clara E.

Michael O'Donnell was born in 1821, in Ireland. Coming to America in 1853, he remained in New York two years, thence to Cottage Grove, Wash- ington county, Minnesota, for one and one-half years. He then came to Green Vale, and settled on his farm, where he still lives. At Hastings in 1860, he married Miss Lavina Boyle. They have four children living: John, William H., George and Frank. Eugene and May died.

Andro Pederson, born in Sweden, April 25th, 1825. His youth was passed in his native coun- try, and, in 1851, he came to America, settling in Illinois, where he resided four years. Returned to Sweden for four years, then crossed the At- lantic once more, locating at Green Vale. In 1877, he purchased his present estate. His mar- riage with Miss Anna Johnson occurred in 1853. She died nine years later, leaving two daughters, Eliza and Ida. Married for second wife, Mary Anderson, who died in 1874, leaving four chil- dren. His present wife was Miss I. Halmser. Ole, Ulus and Elula are their children.

Thomas Phare was born in England in 1825, and while yet a babe came to Nova Scotia with his parents. There he remained until 1851, then came to the states; passing about three years in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Ohio, he settled in Wisconsin. In 1856, came to Green Vale, and after making a claim, returned to his former home, remaining until 1858, then returned to his farm in Green Vale, where he has since lived. He was married at River Falls, Wisconsin, in 1856, to Miss Ellen R. Hoar, a native of Nova Scotia. Wilbert D. and Lila H. are their chil- dren. Mr. Phare enlisted in Company C, Second Minnesota regiment, and was mustered out July 18th, 1865.

A. G. Ruby was born at Stafford Springs, Tol- land county, Connecticut, in 1822. At twenty years of age, he went to Springfield, Massachu- setts, and engaged in the hotels two years; then was employed as baggage-master on the Spring- field and New Haven railway for five years. After a stay of one and one-half years in Cali- fornia, he returned to his former trust, remaining in that position seven years. Coming, in 1856, to Green Vale, he began agricultural pursuits, which he has since followed. His farm and

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buildings are among the finest in the township. His wife was Miss Laura Cushman, married in 1851. Their two children passed away in infancy. their only daughter, an adopted one, is Lillie B., now the wife of S. Andrews, of Lyon county, Minnesota.

Thomas Rush, a citizen of Green Vale town- ship, was born in Ireland in 1831. Came across to the new world in 1850, and after a residence of ten years in different parts of the Union, located on a farm in Green Vale township. . Here he has since resided as a tiller of the soil. Married, in 1854, to Miss Mary Rowan, who died three years later, having borne him three children. His present wife was Miss Mary Gunderson, married in 1859. Frank, George, Annie and Ellen are their children.

W. G. Sawyer was born in Ohio, in 1847. He came to Iowa when seven years of age, and there lived until 1874, then came to Minnesota and set- tled in Minneapolis, and was a dealer in agricul- tural implements for five years. In the mean- time he purchased a farm in Green Vale, which he rents. In 1880 he bought an addition near the Northfield line, on which he is erecting some fine buildings. Being engaged in the Minneapo- lis Harvester Works as traveling agent, bis wife oversees the farm during his absence. His mar- riage with Miss Celestia T. Mott took place in 1874. Walter M. and Barton W. are their chil- dren.

Thomas Scollard, is a son of the late John Scol- lard, who was born in Ireland in 1838. He came to America when a child and settled in Canada, coming to the United States in 1858. Locating first at Faribault, Minnesota, and two years later at Green Vale. A few years subsequently he re- moved to Farmington, where his death occurred in July 1874. His widow, who was Miss Cather- ine Carr, has eight children living: Eliza, Han- nah, Daniel, Mike, Thomas, Mary, Katie and Willie.

F. J. Stewart was born November 19th, 1836, at Danbury, Connecticut. He came west to Min- nesota in 1865, and for five years was a resident of Washington county, then removed to Green Vale. He has since been a tiller of the soil, and lives with his mother who is a widow.

Samuel Taft was born at Pittsford, Vermont, in 1830. Going to Brandon, Vermont, in 1850,

he remained two years, thence to Raymondville, New York, where he worked at the sash, door and blind business, and in 1857, came to Minne- apolis, Minnesota, and worked for Rogers, Stim- son and Kent one year. He then purchased a farm in Bridgewater, on which he has since lived. In 1860, he was married to Miss Jennie M. Holt, who has borne him one child, Emma J.

Harry Thomas was born in Addison county, Vermont, in 1815. This state was his home un- til 1865, when he came to Minnesota, locating at Green Vale, where he has resided since. He has been three times married. His present wife was Mrs. Lucretia Stafford. Olive S., Nathan C., A. M., Emma E., Horace H., Franklin C., Anna E., Alice A. and Minnie E. are his children by his second wife.

J. E. Van Slyke was born in Herkimer county, New York, in 1827. When eight years old he went to Oswego county with his parents, making his home there nine years, then returned to his native county. On reaching man's estate he came west to Wisconsin and engaged in agricul- ture until coming to Minnesota in 1854. The following year settled on a farm in Green Vale. Married in 1863 to Mrs. Sophia, widow of the late James Clague. She has borne him four children, three of whom are still living: Josephine, Katie and George L.

A. A. Westcott was born in 1840, in St. Law- rence county, New York. Here he passed his boyhood and received his education. He came to Minnesota in 1878 and located on the farm he now occupies in Bridgewater. In 1862 he en- listed in Company A, one hundred and sixth New York Regiment, and served until the close of hos- tilities. Has been supervisor of the town of Bridgewater for two years. Miss Jane Lawrence became his wife in 1860. Their only child is Charles, born in St. Lawrence county, New York, in 1860.

R. W. Woodville was born at West Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1828. His parents moved to Maine, and after a residence there of nine years, to Vermont. They finally located in Chicopee, Massachusetts, where R. W. learned the trade of joiner. Went to Springfield, in 1862, and worked for the government in the manufacture of arms. In 1863. came to Rice county, Minnesota, bought a a farm, and has since been a resident of this state.

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HAMPTON.

CHAPTER LIII.

DESCRIPTION -- SETTLERS -- ORGANIZATION -- NEW TRIER-SCHOOLS-CHURCHES-CEME- TERIES-BIOGRAPHICAL.

The surface of the township is rolling, the soil dark loam, with clay sub-soil, heavy, fertile, and produces large crops of grain. The soil of the south- ern portion being of a sandy loam, produces the larger amount of corn raised in the town. Groves dotting the surface here and there furnish suffi- cient fuel to supply the township, for many years to come. No streams cut the surface, but by dig- ging a considerable depth, frequently one hundred and twenty-five feet, excellent water is obtained. In many instances this is raised for stock by means of wind mills.

SETTLERS.

The first claim in the township was made by John M. Bell, September 2d, 1854, on sections + and 5. Here he erected what was known as the "Sod Tavern." This was built by placing crotches at the corners. On these crotches were laid timbers for plates, then split timbers were placed, one end on the ground the other on the plates, and covered with sod. The roof was composed of brush, sod and wild hay. In January, 1855. Mr. Bell procured from Hud- son, Wisconsin, sufficient lumber to lay a floor. In the spring of 1855 the sod house was replaced by a log cabin 19x25 feet. After residing on his claim twelve years, Mr. Bell removed to Hastings where he now resides.

During the winter of 1854-5, Joseph, a son of John M. Bell, began improvement on one hundred and sixty acres in section 23. He had made about one thousand, five hundred rails and hewed a lot of logs preparatory to building a log cabin. As he would not be of age until April 20th, 1855, he was unable to make any record of his claim. In March, 1855, a number of Ger- mans began settling in the neighborhood. One of them named Denn, seeing young Bell's im-

provements, concluded to benefit by them, and accordingly took the claim using the logs which Bell had cut. About the first of April, Bell dis- covered that his claim had been jumped, and pro- ceeded to investigate. Getting his father and six neighbors to accompany him, they proceeded in a body to the place. A part of the company were provided with fire arms. Upon their arri- val at their destination, they found about fifteen Germans armed with shot-guns, clubs and revol- vers, and one old woman with a scythe. Finding the Americans could not be frightened by their appearance, the garrison accommodatingly with- drew to a safe distance and allowed the attack- ing party to tear down the house and pick out the logs cut by young Bell, pile them with the rails and set fire to them. The old woman, more pugna- cious than the rest, approached several times to use her scythe upon the legs of the assailants. At one time the blade was in proximity, too close for comfort, to the legs of a person by the name of Dorson, who leveled his rifle upon her, saying: "If you don't behave yourself, I'll shoot you to the ground." Thinking he would carry his threat into execution, the woman withdrew, the "destroying angels" completed their work and retired in good order, neither party firing a shot.

In 1854, Stephen D. Bell, brother of J. M Bell, was making a tour through this region in search of a place for a home, and pleased with the ap- pearance of the land, early the following spring brought his family from Ottawa, Illinois, and taking a claim of one hundred and sixty acres, on section 8, has since resided there.

In March, 1855, three brothers, Conrad, Peter and Nicholas Doffing, John J. Fox and Joseph Stumpf, Germans, came together and made claims in the township, Nicholas Kranz coming soon after. These men, who have resided here since, acquired considerable reputation as the "champion nullifiers," of the first dog law passed by the state legislature. This law, imposing a tax of one dollar upon each dog owned in the state, met with emphatic disapproval by these pioneers, only a few of whom paid the tax. At a town meeting subsequent to the approval of the act, a resolution was passed, to the effect that all who paid the dog tax should have one dollar deducted from from their poll tax. The over- seers of the highways were instructed and made

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these allowances, thus effectually setting the, to them, obnoxious tax aside.

Charles Kranz, son of Nicholas Kranz, opened a blacksmith shop in 1857, and run it for about four years. About the same time John P. Trier opened, and for two years operated a shop near the Catholic church, then closed out and went to Hastings.

Jeremiah Filbrich took a claim on section 4, and in October, 1854, had five acres broken. After living on his claim for a time, Mr. Filbrich went south and died there. Phillip Bassett, from Cottage Grove, Washington county, took a claim on section 3. He now lives in California. Wil- liam Knowlton arrived from Michigan in March, 1855. Gilbert Mckay, one of the organizers of the township, visited this place in 1854, and in the spring of 1855, brought his family from Pres- cott, Wisconsin. He has ever since resided on his farm in section 4. In 1855, James Archer came from Hudson. Wisconsin, located on section 4, and in 1856, built the first hotel in the town. This was a large two-story house, at that time second to none in the county, and in the second story there was a large hall.

Stephen Hicks came to the territory in June, 1854, and first settled in Goodhue county, three- fourths of a mile from the site of Cannon Falls. There he built a house by setting up four crotches, covering them with sticks and brush, and building a stack of hay on three sides. In this structure be lived until his log hotel, 12x18 feet in size, was completed the following fall. Travel soon in- creased so much that it was necessary to en- large, and the capacity of the building was doubled. In July, 1855, he made a claim of one hundred and sixty acres in Hampton, and Melissa Simons took the north half of the north-east quarter of section 3, township 112, range 18, and eighty acres in Hampton township. On the eighty acres in township 112, Mr. Hicks erected what was known as the "Cave," a small log house covered with sod. Mr. Hicks and Miss Simons were maried in this "Cave" and lived in it until 1857, when he built a larger and better house, residing in it until 1860, then removing to Hastings where he still resides.

ORGANIZATION.

This township was created at a regular session

of the board of county commissioners beld April 6th, 1858. As originally created it contained all of township 113, range 18, and all of township 112, range 18, but at a subsequent meeting of the board, held September 18th following, township 112 was set apart, organized under the name of Richmond, and is now known as Randolph.

The name Holden was first considered, but after some discussion was rejected. After con- siderable dispute over the names Holden and Bellville, Bell being the name of the first set- tler of the township, and by some preferred, the town was styled Hampton, after a place of that name in Connecticut. This appellation was suggested by Nathaniel Martin in honor of his birthplace.

At the annual election held May 11th, 1858, the officers elected were Gilbert Mckay, chairman, John M. Bell, M. Lies, supervisors; Jonathan S. Haselton, clerk; Isaac N. Holden, A. Camfield, justices of the peace. Since then the chairmen of the board and town clerks elected have been as follows: chairmen-Porter Martin; Phineas Hayward, 1862; Martin Poor, 1863-'64; J. H. Whitford, 1865-'66: Joseph Stumpf, 1867; James Brownell, 1868; J. H. Whitford, 1869; Eugene Thein, 1870-71; William Smith, 1872-'73; Phillip Doffing, 1874; M. H. Day, 1875; J. H. Whitford, 1876; Gilbert Mckay, 1877; M. Molitor, 1878; D. W. Bartlett, 1879; John Kaufmann, 1880; Jacob Horn, 1881. Clerks: Gilbert Mckay, 1862; N. F. W. Kranz, 1863-'64-'55-66-67; Francis Gores, 1868-'69-'70-'71-'72-'73: G. H. Brooks, 1874; John Manger, 1875; J. H. Brooks, 1876-'77-'78-'79-'80; Nicholas Becker, 1881.

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History of Dakota County and the City of Hastings, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 68

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

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