USA > Minnesota > Dakota County > History of Dakota County and the City of Hastings, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota > Part 73
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Red Wing to Shakopee. There was a law known as the mail contractors' law, giving to mail contrac- tors the right to claim 640 acres of land every twenty miles on the route. Under this law, Mr. Brackett claimed five sections in different parts of the state. Six months before his contract ex- pired, he was offered $36,000 for his claims, but he refused. He had previously pre-empted 520 acres in parts of sections 19.20, 29 and 30, and an entire section in Steele county. Gov. Hendricks, who was general land commissioner at Washing- ton, decided that the contractors' pre-emption law was for long routes only, and as Mr. Brack- ett's route was a short one, he had no right to any of the land. Mr. Brackett immediately set out for Washington, and through the instru- mentality of H. M. Rice, who was then delegate, a special law was passed making Mr. Brackett's claim good on land already pre-empted, and for all other contractors who had pre-empted land.
THE FIRST HOTEL.
In 1854, George Fagan built a log house for the accommodation of the traveling public. It was of unhewn logs, sixteen feet square, with a loft, and was situated near the lake on land owned by Richard McClintock. It was well patronized, and it was no uncommon occurrence for twenty persons to put up there for the night. Indeed, on one occasion, thirty-four guests were accommo- dated under the friendly and elastic roof at one time, General Shields and Hon. Levi Nutting be- ing among the number. The following summer, an addition fourteen feet square was made to the building.
OLD VILLAGE OF LAKEVILLE.
In 1855, Mr. Brackett began to lay the founda- tions of a town by causing two hundred and fifty acres of land in sections 29 and 30, to be surveyed and platted by Mr. Turpin. He called the place Lakeville on account of its proximity to a pretty little sheet of water. Soon after, be sold a half interest to Charles F. Crehon. When the town was laid out, it embraced within its limits, Mr. Brackett's house. This, then, became the first house in the village of Lakeville. The news soon spread, and men with an eye to business be- gan to be attracted to the new town. Mr. Con- nelly first appeared on the scene, and opened a general store with a full line of goods, such as
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were needed by the inhabitants in those days. His place of business was in G. F. Ackley's old log cabin where he remained for a time, and was then succeeded by Jabez Smith. He also soon after sold out to a young man named Perry, who in turn, sold out to Torrey and Bradbury. We know not the reason why each merchant made his stay in the new village so short, whether, be- cause the business did not prove so successful as he expected, or because the spirit of adventure and gain lured him to fresh fields of endeavor.
In July, 1856, D. C. Johnson and Marshall Sherman opened a store at the same time, keep- ing a hotel, which was the first one in the village. Joseph Weischelbaum, better known as Joe Wax, and his brother John, now appeared on the scene of action, the former opening a blacksmith's shop, and the latter a carpenter shop. David France also started a blacksmith's shop, and J. France a gun-smith's shop.
In 1857, Martin Dalton opened a saloon, and J. J. Hartig started a shoemaker's shop. In the same year several settlers built houses, and the town in 1858, was in a flourishing condition. At this time there arose a difficulty in obtaining good titles to the lots on account of the decision of Commissioner Hendricks in regard to the claims of the mail contractors. Although, as previously stated, this was finally decided in Mr. Brackett's favor, and the titles were all made good, yet by this time, the business current had changed its direction, and was setting strongly in favor of Farmington, and it was too late for the village of Lakeville to recover its lost strength.
In 1856, M. Lander had erected a boarding- house, and in 1858, the village boasted two ho- tels, one built by G. F. Ackley during this year. It stood at the junction of two cross roads, and was afterwards burned.
The village held its own pretty bravely until 1869, when the Hastings and Dakota railroad was completed to Lakeville, and the railroad company began to found a village. Purchasing twenty acres of land with twenty acres given to the company by interested persons, a village was formed in the south-west quarter of section 29, and named Fairfield, which was afterwards changed by act of legislature to Lakeville. People following the march of improvement, began to flock in. The first man to take advantage of the new sit-
uation, was B. Ackerman, who erected a frame building 22x30 feet, on block 9, and started a gen- eral store and hotel. The next building was erected by Henry Le Duc, nearly opposite Ack- erman as a general store, while the upper part was used as a dwelling-house. He also erected the first wheat elevator in this part of the county. The village now began to flourish,and most of the business men of the old village seeing in what direction the tide was setting, began to move with it. This with the other causes mentioned occasioned the decay of the old village. At the present time nothing remains to indicate the former presence of any business settlement in the vicinity of Brackett's farm. G. F. Ackley moved next year to the new village and erected a frame building, which he used as a general store. The same year David France moved his blacksmith's shop thither, and was followed by Mr. Weischel- baum, who opened a saloon, and the old village became truly a "deserted village."
A platform four by sixty feet, erected by the railroad company, had served as depot until 1870, when they removed the depot from Dahlgren to Lakeville. The Northwestern Telegraph Com- pany have also an office there. The station is still known as Fairfield, although the railroad company have frequently been asked to abolish the name, as there are already two of the same name in the state. Lakeville has but one busi- ness street, extending north and south, called Main street. Entering from the south, the first building on the east side of the street is a black- smith's shop, established in 1877, by J. Ernster. A carriage and wagon manufactory established in 1875 by William Gardt adjoins this. The next building is owned and occupied by B. Ackerman as a general store and hotel. He keeps a full line of dry goods, groceries, glassware, etc. The hotel has twelve furnished rooms. George Keher established, in 1880, a full line of pictures, jew- elry, etc., in the next frame building. All kinds of boots and shoes are made by James Hartig in the adjoining frame building, where he established business in 1870. The next building is occupied by Mcclintock and Moran as a general store where they display the finest assortment in town, of dry goods, boots, shoes, groceries, hats, caps etc. The post-office is also located in this build- ing. The next building is a large frame two-
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story house, eighteen by thirty feet front, with an addition twenty-two by fifty. This is known as the North-western hotel, owned by T. O'Leary, and situated on block 13. It has easy access to the railroad, and can accommodate forty-two guests. This hotel was erected in 1871, has eleven sleep- ing-rooms on the second floor and six rooms on the first floor. In 1873, P. Hofforth established a saloon, and in 1877, James Coughlin opened the same business. Donovan and Lenihan are an enterprising firm with a good line of general merchandise. Kinnery and Niskern established in May, 1880, a general line of hardware in a frame building. B. J. Penschal keeps a meat- market. Crossing the street we find at the north end of the town, on the west side, Henry Shen, butcher, established in 1876. G. F. Ack- ley bought out D. C. Johnson in 1881, and keeps a very fine assortment of all kinds of hardware. Mr. Ackley bas long been identified with the business interests of the place, having been form- erly engaged in business in the old village of Lakeville. Perkins, Balch and Company own the next frame building, which is used by them as a wheat exchange, their elevator standing a short distance further back and close by the Lakeville flour-mill. Next stands the railroad depot, and next to this a frame building owned by G. F. Ackley, formerly occupied by him as a store for general merchandise. F. Souber opened in 1878 an establishment for making and repairing boots and shoes. The next frame building is occupied by J. W. Wheeler as a harness-shop.
MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.
Prominent among the business interests of Lakeville, stand Perkins, Balch and Company's elevator and the Lakeville flour mills. The ele- vator was built in 1871, near the railroad. before the name of the village was changed from Fair- field to Lakeville. It is a frame building 20x50 feet, with fourteen-foot posts. In 1875, an ad- dition of twenty feet was annexed, and in 1877, another of thirty feet was added to the west end. The elevator now extends east and west 20x100 feet, and north and south 20x24. The latter portion is raised two stories in order that the machinery may distribute the wheat to dif- ferent parts of the building. On the first floor are two Fairbank scales, and a storage capacity
of 27,000 bushels. In the main building, upon the second floor, are fourteen shipping bins, with a capacity of four hundred bushels each, and one large storage bin, capacity, twelve hundred bush- els. In the addition are two storage bins. with a capacity of fifteen hundred bushels each; two hopper bins of eight hundred bushels each. The grain runs from these to the separator, over which they are placed, and thence to a large bin in the basement, when it is raised by the elevator to the shipping bins, ready for shipment. This elevator extends from the bottom to the top of the building, whence the grain is distributed to the different bins by means of flues. This firm have handled in a year as many as two hundred thousand bushels of wheat, purchased from the surrounding farmers and shipped to all parts of the country. The engine which runs the eleva- tor is six horse-power. with an eight horse-power boiler of Andrew Warsop's make, and is in a small addition 12x20 feet. There is also in con- nection with the elevator a storage house of five thousand bushels capacity.
In 1872, J. H. Smiley erected a dwelling house and carpenter shop 18x30 feet, which in 1875, be converted into a feed-mill, with a carpenter shop in connection with it. In 1880, he took a partner, and the firm is now known as Smiley and Sisson. They at once commenced an addition to the old building 22x28 feet, and an engine-house 16x28 feet. The old building is one and a half stories high, with twelve-foot posts, the new building is two stories with twenty-four-foot posts. The basement of the old building is used for a store- room, with a capacity of from six to eight thou- sand bushels. The basement of the new building has one smutter with a capacity of fifteen bush- els per hour, the rest of the room being occupied by machinery and shafting. The first floor of the old building has one run of stone, twenty-inch feed; the new building bas two run of stone four feet each, and one separator with a capacity of fifteen bushels per hour. The second floor has one bolting-machine, which can bolt sixteen bushels per hour. one purifier, twenty feet long, capacity sixteen bushels per hour, and one cockle separator, which can separate twenty bushels per hour. The engine is a very fine one of fifty-two horse-power, of E. P. Allis' make, Reynolds' patent. The boiler is fifty-four
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inches in diameter, fifteen feet long, and has fifty-four flues. This firm depend mostly on farmers, and do only custom work.
INCORPORATION.
A petition was sent to the legislature for the in- corporation of the village of Lakeville. The bill was passed March 28th. 1878, and includes all of the south-east quarter of section 29. The follow- ing officers were then elected: Irenus Perkins, president; G. F. Ackley, S. M. Wright, and T. O'Leary, trustees; E. Morgan. clerk; B. Acker- man, treasurer; D. C. Johnson, justice; George Kehrer, constable. The present officers of the village are: S. M. Wright, president; William Gardt, T. O'Leary and N. Sisson, trustees; P. Day, clerk; B. Ackerman, treasurer; D. C. John- son, justice; G. Kehrer constable. The town has planted all the streets on both sides with young maples, which in a few years will reward their efforts by their shade and beauty. This enter- prise, as well as nearly every step towards the improvement and benefit of the town, was inau- gurated by Mr. Perkins.
STORM OF 1881.
On the 7th of May, 1881, about four o'clock in the afternoon, a violent storm of hail and rain, accompanied with clouds of dust, swept suddenly through the village of Lakeville. It came from the south-west and confined itself to a track of less than a quarter of a mile in width. It struck first the large two-story frame building formerly used as a general store, and known as the old hardware building. This was used used by J. C. Curry and the St. Paul Harvester works, as a storehouse for machinery and carriages, but was old and consequently became an easy prey to the fury of the storm. Sweeping on to the north the hurricane smashed in the front of the store occu- pied by G. F. Ackley, moving it a little from its foundation, then crossed the street and struck the window of the store of P. Donovan and Company, doing also other damage to roofs and outhouses. The destruction of St. Joseph's church has been previously mentioned. An eye-witness relates that it seemed the work of a moment, and before one could realize the violence of the tornado, its work of destruction was accomplished.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
G. F. Ackley was born in. Jefferson county, New York, in 1823. When thirteen years of age he learned the tailor's trade, continuing seven years after the completion of his trade. In 1850 he went to California and three years later re- turned to his native state. He opened a dry goods store, in which he continued until 1855, then sold and came west to Lakeville, Minnesota. He owned a farm of 240 acres for three years, then sold and invested in a hotel and store. For eight years he carried on these enterprises then sold and came to where Lakeville now is. Since his removal he has been in the mercantile busi- ness, is also town treasurer. Mr. Ackley has been twice married and is now a widower, having four children.
Daniel F. Akin was born in New York, in 1828. He received rare educational advantages, having completed his education by a course of two years at the academy and three years at Yale college, graduating from that institution of learning in 1851. He went to Virginia in 1853, and was there employed on the railroad about three years. Coming to St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1856, he finally located at Lakeville, which place has since been his home. In 1855 he married Miss Elizabeth Forte. Five children have been born to them, three of whom are still living.
F. K. Balch was born in New Hampshire, in 1847. He came with his parents to St. Anthony, Minnesota, in 1855, and on reaching the age of twenty years, was given his time by his father. Three years he gave his attention to lumbering, then to agricultural pursuits; afterwards worked at railroad grading for different parties until locating at Lakeville, Dakota county, in 1875. Purchasing a one-half interest in the elevator with Mr. Perkins, he has since continued in that business. In 1880, he and Miss Etta M. Perkins were united in marriage.
John Battin was born in Ohio in 1809. When quite young, he went to Indiana with his parents. On leaving home,he was employed by the farmers until reaching the age of twenty-four years. He then went to Illinois, and four years later to In- diana; in 1853, came to Minnesota and purchased 160 acres in Scott county. In 1861, he sold his property and came to Lakeville, Dakota county, having since made this place his home. Married
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Miss Matilda Maxwell in 1830. They have five children living.
Alfred C. Bean was born in West Newton, Massachusetts, in 1836. During the time he was at his father's home, he worked two years at the machinists' trade, and in 1856, came to St. Paul. Minnesota, thence to Lakeville, Dakota county, and made a claim of 160 acres. This farm he sold in 1865, and went to Colorado. After a visit of three years' duration, he returned to Faribault, Minnesota. Here he purchased one-half interest in the Polar Star flouring mill, which was de- stroyed by fire in 1877. Subsequently, he moved on his present farm, which he had secured in 1856. Married in 1874 to Miss Ada Newton, who has borne him one child, Georgia M.
M. Berres, a native of Germany, was born in 1821. After reaching man's estate he came to America. proceeding from Quebec to Buffalo, New York, thence to Washington county, Wis- consin. Here he engaged in agricultural pursuits eleven years. Coming to Lakeville, Dakota county, Minnesota, he purchased a farm on which he lived about seven years, then bought property in the village where he now lives. His wife was Miss Elizabeth Hammes, married in 1852. They have nine children living.
Casper Berres was born in Germany, in 1844. The family came to Quebec, thence to Milwau- kee, Wisconsin. Casper lived at his parental home until after attaining majority, then came to Minnesota. In 1873, he came to Lakeville, and purchased a farm on which he still lives. His marriage with Miss Margaret Barton, took place in 1873. Mathias, Elizabeth, Jacob, Nicho- las and Josephine are their offspring.
John Berres was born in Wisconsin, in 1853. When a lad of twelve years he moved with his parents to Owatonna, Minnesota, and soon after to Lakeville. After attaining man's estate he purchased a farm from his father, and has since continued in agricultural pursuits. In 1876, he was married to Miss Mary Simons. Mary E., Catherine and Lena are their children.
Thomas Berres was born in Prussia, in 1832. Coming to this continent, he landed at Quebec, in 1847, thence to Port Washington, Wis .. and bought eighty acres of land. In 1871, he came to Min- nesota, and has since resided at Lakeville, having a farm of one hundred and ninety acres. Mar-
ried January 31, 1856, A. Bendel. Elizabeth, Jacob, Michael and Catherine are their children.
Joseph J. Brackett was born in Livingston, York county, Maine, February 8th, 1814. He was reared as a farmer, and when reaching ma- jority removed to Westbrook, Cumberland county, where he followed farming until 1847. He came to Minnesota in 1852, and remained one year at St. Paul; while there built and put in operation the first mill for shaving shingles in the state. In 1853, came to Lakeville, and took a claim of three hundred and twenty acres, for a townsite at Prairie Lake, and still owns two hundred and seventy acres of it. Married in 1840 to Miss Ann M. Fluent of Westbrook, Maine,
John Brennan, a native of Ireland, was born in 1826. When nineteen years old, he came across to Canada, thence to Lewiston, New York, where he made his home five years. He then came to Lakeville, Dakota county, and made a claim of 160 acres, where he still lives. He holds the office of town supervisor and clerk of school district No. 45. Married in 1851, to Miss Bridget Sheridan: Nine children have been born to them, seven of whom are living.
Nicholas Brost was born in Prussia, in 1822. Coming to America in 1843, he went to Milwau- kee, and soon after located in Sheboygan on a farm of 140 acres. There he lived nineteen years, then sold, and, on coming westward, invested in 200 acres of land in Lakeville, where he has since resided. Married in 1847, to Miss V. Acker- mann, who has borne him twelve children. The living are: Mary. John, Baltes, Josephine, Charles, Peter, Lena and Catherine.
Patrick Casey was born in Ireland in 1821, and remained in his native place until 1849. Came to America, and passed two years in New Jersey, two years in Rhode Island, three years in Wis- consin, one year in Chicago, Illinois, then located at Lakeville, Dakota county, Minnesota. He now resides on his farm, which he took at that time as a claim. Married, in 1851, to Miss Ann Managan. They have had nine children, eight still live. Mary Ann, their oldest daughter, was the first white child born in the town.
Isaac Coburn, a native of Ireland, was born in 1830. When fifteen years of age, he embarked for America, and landed at Philadelphia. The following year, came westward to St. Paul, Min-
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nesota. He pursued agriculture in Lebanon township four years, and. in 1862, enlisted in Company F, Second Minnesota Volunteers; served two years and ten months. Returning to civil life, he bought a farm of 160 acres in Lakeville township, on which he still lives. His marriage with Miss Ann Finnegan occurred in 1868. They are the parents of one child.
Isaac C. Curry was born in Ohio in 1830. When ten years old, he removed to Indiana with his parents, and lived with them on the farm un- til 1855, then came to Minnesota, locating at Lakeville. Here he made a claim, and two years subsequently welcomed his parents to his new home. Married, January 24th, 1858, to Ann E. Sayers, who has borne him three children, two of whom are living. In 1869 they went to Missouri, and remained one year in consequence of the declining health of Mrs. Curry.
James Dawson, whose native land is Ireland, was born in 1823. His youthful days were passed in the country of his nativity. In 1851 he crossed the waters to America, and from New York went to Cincinnati, Ohio, making that city his home for one and one-half years. Coming at that time to Minnesota, he located at Lakeville on a farm. Having added to his original estate by purchase, he now has 240 acres. Joanna Mc- Mullen became his wife in 1854. They have seven children living.
Preston Day was born in Carroll county, Illi- nois, in 1854. Having nearly attained his ma- jority, he began for himself, and the first season worked his father's farm on shares. With the proceeds he acquired a knowledge of telegraphy, then removed to Independence, Wisconsin, where he was employed as telegraph operator three months. Until 1879 he engaged in the pursuit of his art in different places, and at that time located at Lakeville, having since been opera- tor at this place. His wife was Miss Amanda Morgan, whom he married March 10th, 1880. They have one child.
John Devitt, a native of Ireland was born in 1826. About the year 1852, he came to this con- tinent, and for five years worked in Littleton, Massachusetts. He then came to Minnesota and made his home in St. Paul about seven years; thence to Washington county, where he engaged in agriculture until 1877. Disposing of his estate
he came to Lakeville, and has since lived on his farm. Married Margaret Connell in 1858. She has borne him eleven children; eight are living.
Horace Donaldson is a native of this state, and of Lakeville; he was born in 1859. His childhood was passed under his parents' care, and when nineteen years of age he rented his father's farm, which he carried on successfully four seasons. His home is still on the farm, while he is now engaged in the sale of agricultural implements.
P. Donovan was born in County Cork, Ireland, March 23d, 1827. Came to America in 1853, landing at New York city. Soon after he went to Sussex county, New Jersey, remaining three years, thence in 1856 to St. Paul, which place was his home one year. Came to Lakeville at that time and followed farming until 1877, then en- gaged in the mercantile trade at Lakeville.
Thomas Dwyer, a native of Ireland, was born in 1836. His childhood days were passed in his native country and when seventeen years of age came to America. He remained three years in Maryland, four years in Virginia, one year in Kentucky, two years in Pennsylvania and four years in Tennessee, then removed to Lakeville and purchased his present farm, which comprises 160 acres. Miss Margaret Herwood became his wife in 1852. She died February 7th, 1874, leav- ing eight children: James, Mary, Bridget, Pat- rick, Michael, John, Margaret and Thomas.
John Finnegan was born in Ireland in 1815. He was reared to manhood in his native country, and about 1843 came across the waters to Ameri- ca. He made his home in Rhode Island five years, employed as a stone-mason. Subsequently he removed to Southport, Wisconsin, thence to Chicago, remaining four years. Coming farther west to the capital city of the "North Star" state, he tarried only a brief time, then made a claim in Lakeville township. This he tilled until 1874, then sold and purchased his present home. Mar- ried in 1841, to Bridget Finnegan, who has borne him twelve children, ten are now living.
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