USA > Minnesota > Dakota County > History of Dakota County and the City of Hastings, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota > Part 75
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then removed to Eureka, the farm now being owned by J. McQuillan. The same time H. Pot- ter arrived, locating and improving a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in the north-east quarter of section 32. After living on this place some time, he removed to Hastings, subsequently to Vermillion, where he now resides.
In 1857, J. T. Converse erected a dwelling and for a few years cultivated the north-west one hundred and sixty acres of section 32, then dis- posed of the place and moved away. A settler named McDonald, pre-empted and improved one hundred and sixty acres of land in the east half of the same section. The next year B. McDer- mott settled on the south-east quarter of section 33. H. Proctor who had previously bought an eighty-acre tract in that section, soon after Mc- Dermott's arrival sold it to him. P. Conway set- tled on one hundred and sixty acres, taking an eighty in each of sections 21 and 22. By this time all the arable land in the township had been secured. The remainder in the north-western corner of the township, being worthless save for grazing and the timber.
ORGANIZATION.
At a meeting of the county commissioners held at Hastings, April 6th, 1858, Union township was created as follows:
All of township 115, range 21, west of the fifth principal meridian, also all that portion of town- ship 27, range 24, west of the fourth principal meridian, within the county.
At a subsequent meeting of the board, held April 26th, the boundaries of Union were changed and the town of Lebanon created out of the east three-fourths of township 115 north, of range 20, west of the fifth principal meridian.
On the 11th day of May. 1858, the citizens met pursuant to notice, at the house of W. L. Hardick, situated on the southwest quarter of section 28, for the purpose of perfecting the organization of the township. H. J. Verrill was chosen temporary chairman, and H. Potter, moderator of the meet- ing, with F. C. Carpenter, clerk. They then proceeded to elect officers for the ensuing year with the following results: B. Verrill, chairman; B. M. James and C. R. Clough, supervisors; F. C. Clark, clerk; C. S. Verrill, treasurer; H. J. Verrill, assessor; W. Hardick and A. J. Elliott,
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constables; H. Potter and J. W. Reed, justices. The following is a list of the officers up to 1881:
1859. B. Verrill, J. Farquhar, J. T. Converse, supervisors; F. C. Carpenter, clerk; G. Wilson, treasurer; J. W. Reed, assessor: T. Nason, con- stable: H. Potter, D. Haines, justices.
1860. B. M. James, J. Farquhar, T. Steven- son, supervisors; James Thompson, clerk; G. L. Wilson, treasurer; J. T. Converse, assessor; J. W. Morse, A. A. Harker, constables; J. W. Reed, H. Potter, justices.
1861. D. Haines, J. Farquhar, A. R. Lester, supervisors; James Thompson, clerk; G. L. Wil- son, treasurer; J. W. Reed, assessor; William Pool, constable; J. W. Reed, justice.
1862. F. C. Carpenter, J. Farquhar, J. T. Con- verse, supervisors; J. Elliott, clerk; A. B. Ives, treasurer; J. Gilman, assessor; A. A. Harker, P. Finerty, constables; H. Potter, A. R. Lester, jus- tices.
1863. F. C. Carpenter, J. Converse, J. Farqu- har, supervisors; John Gilman, clerk; C. S. Ver- rill, treasurer; J. Gilman, assessor; D. E. Haines, A. A. Harker, constables; H. Potter, A. R. Les- ter, justices.
1864. F. C. Carpenter, J. Farquhar, A. B. Ives, supervisors ; J. Gilman, clerk; E. W. Felton, treasurer; H. J. Verrill, assessor; J. Potter, P. Finerty, constables; H. Potter, J. Thompson, jus- tices.
1865. F. C. Carpenter, L. Nason, William Pool, supervisors; J. Thompson, clerk; S. De- laney, treasurer; A. B. Ives, assessor; J. Potter, P. Finerty, constables; H. Potter, J. Thompson, justices.
1866. F. C. Carpenter, William Pool, L. Nason, supervisors; M. H. Sullivan, clerk: E. W. Fel- ton, treasurer; A. B. Ives, assessor; R. Farquhar, J. W. Morse, constables; P. T. Shave, William Pool, justices.
A special town meeting, April 24th, 1866, was necessary to elect town officers, in place of those who had failed to qualify, with the following re- sult: P. Finerty, M. Farrell, supervisors; J. Casey, J. Scott, constables; J. Thompson, J. Ryan, jus- tices.
1867. J. B. Gilman, M. Farrell, Jr., P. Finer- ty, supervisors; M. H. Sullivan, clerk; E. W. Fel- ton, treasurer; A. B. Ives, assessor; Henry Green,
C. W. Stoddard, constables; E. Dunn, J. Scott, justices.
1868. J. B. Gilman, S. Parisee, M. Farrell, Jr., supervisors; M. H. Sullivan, clerk; E. W. Felton, treasurer; A. B. Ives, assessor; J. Scott, C. W. Stoddard, constables; J. W. McQuillan, E. Dunn, justices.
1869. E. W. Felton, M. Farrell, J. Thompson, supervisors; M. H. Sullivan, clerk; S. Delaney, treasurer; D. Farrell, assessor; C. W. Stoddard, J. Scott, constables; M. H. Sullivan, M. Farrell, justices.
1870. E. W. Felton, M. Farrell, S. Finerty, supervisors; M. H. Sullivan, clerk; S. Delaney, treasurer; M. Farrell, assessor; J. Hull, J. B. Gilman, constables; M. H. Sullivan, M. Farrell, justices.
1871. J. B. Gilman, E. Hogan, E. W. Felton, supervisors; E. Lambert, clerk; S. Delaney, treasurer; G. L. Wilson, assessor; J. B. Gilman, constable; M. H. Sullivan, M. Farrell, justices.
1872. J. Scott, L. Nason, A. B. Ives, super- visors; M. H. Sullivan, clerk; J. B. Gilman, trea- surer; T. Hogan, assessor; J. Hull, E. Lambert, constables; M. H. Sullivan and M. Farrell, jus- tices.
1873. J. Butler, M. Farrell, J. Kennedy, su- pervisors; M. H. Sullivan, clerk; J. B. Gilman, treasurer; M. Farrell, assessor; P. Ryan, con- stable; M. H. Sullivan, J. Thompson, justices.
1874. J. Butler, J. Kennedy, M. Farrell, su- pervisors; M. H. Sullivan, clerk; T. Hogan, treasurer; M. Farrell, assessor; J. Scott, con- stable; M. H. Sullivan and J. Thompson, jus- tices.
1875. J. L. Butler, J. Kennedy, M. Farrell, supervisors; M. H. Sullivan, clerk; J. B. Gilman. treasurer; M. Farrell, assessor; F. Sing, C. M. Perkins, constables; M. H. Sullivan and J. Thompson, justices.
1876. J. B. Gilman, M. Farrell, J. Kelly, su- pervisors; M. H. Sullivan, clerk; J. B. Gilman, treasurer; J. Kennedy, assessor; M. Farrell, J. Thompson, constables; M. Farrell, J. Thompson, justices.
1877. H. Connoley, J. Scott, J. B. Gilman, supervisors; M. II. Sullivan, clerk; J. B. Gilman, treasurer; M. Farrell, C. Perkins, constables; M. H. Sullivan, M. Farrell, justices.
1878. H. Connoley, J. B. Gilman, J. Kelly,
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supervisors; M. Farrell, clerk; J. B. Sullivan, treasurer; J. Kennedy, assessor; H. Connoley, constable; M. Farrell, J. B. Gilman, justices.
1879. H. Connoley, J. B. Gilman, J. Kelly, supervisors; M. Farrell, clerk; J. Kelly, trea- surer; J. Kennedy, assesor; Wm. Scott, P. Ryan, constables; J. B. Gilman, justice.
1880. H. Connoley, J. B. Gilman, J. Kelly, supervisors; M. Farrell, clerk; J. Kelly, trea- surer; J. Hemed, assessor; P. Ryan, constable; M. Farrell, J. B. Gilman, justices.
1881. H. Connoley, M. Milvey, J. B. Gilman, supervisors; M. Farrell, clerk; J. Kelly, treasurer; T. Hogan, assessor; H. Connoley, P. Dieson, constables; M. Farrell, J. B. Gilman, justices.
SCHOOLS.
School was first taught in what is now district number 28, in a small log house on the south- west quarter of section 28. During this term, which lasted three months, the number attend- ing frequently reached as high as thirty-five scholars. In 1857 lumber was procured from Hastings for the purpose of building a house. At that time the district was known as number 2, but by the board of county commissioners was changed to number seventeen. One-half an acre of ground was purchased in the north-east quar- ter of section 32. Money was procured and a frame structure 20x28 feet was erected, and did duty until 1865, when it was destroyed by fire. The present board of trustees are: J. Lester, di- rector; J. Scott, clerk; P. L. Shave, treasurer.
School was first taught in district number 8 in the log house of Henry J. Verrill, on the south- east quarter of section 26. Miss Converse was the first teacher, her school lasting three months. In 1859 one-half an acre of land was donated by Charles Verrill, lumber was brought by the citi- zens from Nininger, money and work donated by the citizens and a house 16x24 feet was erected. The officers of the district are: D. Sullivan, di- rector; J. B. Gilman, clerk; S. Delaney, treasurer.
CHURCHES.
The first services held in the town were con- ducted in 1857 at the house of H. Potter in the north-east quarter of section 32, by Lorenzo Brown. The next year Revs. Elliott and Wil- liams, Free-will Baptists, held services at the res- idence of B. R. James. Previous, and as early
as 1855, services had been held at the house of Dr. Knight in Rosemount. In 1859, the school- house of district number eighteen was used by all classes. A church was built in Rosemount by the two towns of Rosemount and Lebanon. This is now used principally by the Methodists.
CEMETERY.
December 5th, 1863, a meeting of the citizens was held to organize a cemetery association. The following were the officers elected: J. Farquhar, chairman; J. Thompson, secretary; H. J. Verrill, J. Gilman, H. Potter, J. Thompson, E. Knight, trustees; J. Gilman, treasurer. The corporate name of Lebanon Cemetery Association was adopted. Two acres in the north-west quarter of section 36. were purchased of J. T. Converse, and surveyed and platted by D. F. Akin in 1863. There are now about fifty graves in the enclos- ure. The officers are the same as elected at the organization. Of late years no meetings have been held.
The growth of Lebanon has been gradual and permanent. The township has been remarkably free from the spasmodic and unnatural semblance of prosperity, which marks the career of many of our western townships. No would-be founder of a great metropolis has left his finger marks in the record of abandoned plats of villages within its boundaries. The population of the township is two hundred and fifty-two. In 1860, the total valuation of property was $24,012; in 1870, $70,- 475; and in 1880, $116,810. The first child born was that of Mr. Chillicotte, in 1856. The first marriage, G. Elliott to Dora Morse, occurred in 1857.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Michael Farrell, a native of Ireland, was born in Queens county in 1842. When seven years of age he came with his father's family to America, landing in New York. Proceeding thence to New Jersey they remained until June, 1861. He then came to Dakota county, Minnesota, and pur- chased eighty acres of land in Lebanon. He has since added to his original estate by purchase, until he now has a landed estate of seven hun- dred acres. Is now town clerk and justice of the peace. Married July 31st, 1871, to Miss Mary Devitt, who has borne him eight children.
Rachel Good was born in Virginia in 1835.
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HISTORY OF DAKOTA COUNTY.
When a small child she accompanied her parents to Ohio and lived with them until nineteen years of age. She was then married to Thomas Camp- bell, and about two years later removed to St. Louis, Missouri, thence to St. Paul, Minnesota. While here her husband received a severe cut from an ax, which caused his death by excessive bleeding. In 1861, Mrs. Campbell married to Mr. George Good. They then moved to his place in Lebanon, Dakota county, where the family still live. Mr. Good departed this life Septem- ber 17th, 1877.
John Lester was born in Massachusetts in 1843. Came west with his parents to Illinois, when about ten years of age, and remained one year. Locating next in Wisconsin, he remained until coming to Minnesota, and settled in Lebanon township, Dakota county, in 1860. He has a farm of eighty acres of land. Enlisted in 1865, in Hatch's Battallion, and was discharged the fol- lowing year at Fort Snelling. Married in 1865 to Victorine A. Potter, who is a native of Jackson county, Iowa. They have one child.
Daniel Sullivan was born in Ireland in 1820. Here he grew to manhood and came to America about 1854. After living in Massachusetts seven years he removed to Washington county, Minne- sota, and purchased a farm of forty acres. This he tilled thirteen years, then sold and came to Lebanon. He with his family now liveon a well cultivated farm of one hundred and sixty acres. Married in 1858 to Bridget Feely. Annie, Den- nis, and Mary are their living children. Mr. Sullivan is school director of district No. 18.
MARSHAN.
CHAPTER LVII.
DESCRIPTION -- SETTLERS -- ORGANIZATION- VILLAGES-CEMETERY -- CHURCHES-SCHOOLS -INCIDENTS-BIOGRAPHICAL.
Marshan is bounded on the north by Nininger, Hastings and Ravenna, on the east by Ravenna, on the south by Douglass, and on the west by
Vermillion. The soil of the township, excepting a portion of sections 28 and 29, is of a sandy nature, with a sandy sub-soil. On the two sec- tions mentioned the soil is heavier and the sub-soil of clay. About six or seven sections are entirely unimproved, the soil being too light for cultiva- tion. These are covered with scrub timber and brush.
Vermillion river enters the township by the north-west quarter of section 7 and leaves by the north-east quarter of section 6. Smith's lake, a pure. clear pond, fed by springs, is situated on land owned by Mrs. B. Gergen, on section 27. Its area covers but four or five acres of land. This pond and the river are the only two bodies of living water in the township. Formerly two small ponds nearly similar in appearance and size were situated on section 22. They were sep- arated by a narrow neck of land but four rods wide. The ponds, bearing the name of Twin lakes, were remarkable for their beauty and clear- ness, and seemed to be provided with an inex- haustible supply of water. A few years since they simultaneously disappeared without any per- ceptible cause.
SETTLERS.
In 1853, Edmond Doyle, of Point Douglas in Washington county, staked the west half of the east half of section 28, township 114, range 17. The next year he built a log cabin and broke some of the land for cultivation. Soon after his re- moval to the farm, he dug a twelve-foot well, which has supplied a permanent and ample sup- ply of water. Thinking he could as readily pro- cure water nearer the house, began excavating, after digging twenty feet, he came to a stratum of solid rock through which he blasted twenty feet, then drilling forty feet more before reaching wa- ter. This soon failed, and he sank the well thirty feet deeper, making it one hundred and ten feet deep. He has thus secured a per- manent supply of good cool water. Doyle's first crop of wheat raised on this place was threshed with an old cylinder thresher without a separator, compelling them to fan the grain by a mill, as fast as threshed.
August 12th, 1853, Christopher Cheney arrived at Point Douglas, but after a brief stay there, proceeded to Marshan and made his claim on the
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west half of the west half of section 27. While looking for land on the first visit to his future home, he found lying in the bushes, about a mile and a half from his claim a full skeleton of a man, whether white or Indian, he was unable to determine. During the spring following, he built the second cabin erected in the township. Here his daughter Sarah Etta was born, the first in the township. After living on this place about three years, Mr. Cheney sold out and re- moved to High Island, in this state.
In the spring of 1854, Joseph Bell, brother of John M. and Stephen D. Bell, early settlers of Hampton, came to this township, and took 160 acres on the north-west quarter of section 31. After securing this piece of land, he returned to his home in Branch county, Michigan, and brought his family out here to live. He then proceeded to erect his house, which was not com- pleted until the following January, the family meanwhile living in a tent, suffering considerably from a severe attack of fever and ague. Mr. Bell remained on this farm about twenty years, then removed to McLeod county, where he died.
In April, 1854, Chauncey Johnson, came to this county and staked out a claim within the boundaries of Vermillion township. While ab- sent for his family, which he had left in Illinois, some one "jumped" the tract, made improve- ments, and before Johnson's return, had made a record of his claim, thus compelling Johnson to seek a new place. In August of the same year, Johnson filed his declaratory statement, entering the west half of the east half of section 6; a part of this he still owns.
James Fabey, who had resided for some time at Freeport, Illinois, came here in the spring of 1854, and secured the north-west quarter of sec- tion 21, and the following fall moved his family on it, making it his residence for about ten years. This was afterwards used as the county poor farm.
The same year, Charles Durnin, also came to Marshan, and took a claim on the east half of the west half of section 27. After holding it for two years, the place was jumped by a German.
ORGANIZATION.
At a session of the board of county commis- sioners, held April 6th, 1858, the town of Mar-
shan was created, as follows: All of township 114, range 17, and sections 19, 20, 21, 28, 29, 30, 81, 32 and 33, in township 114, range 16. At a meeting of the board of commissioners, held June 5th, 1860, sections 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15, were separated from Marshan and at- tached to Hastings.
This left the township in the shape of an "L." The town remained in this shape until 1876, when the legislature passed an act separating nine sec- tions, formerly attached to Ravenna by the county board, which were again attached to Marshan, and sections 19, 20, 21, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 83 of township 114, range 16, were separated from Marshan and attached to Ravenna. This left the township its present shape, containing all of township 114, range 17. Before the town was or- ganized, it was known as Bellwood, given to it by Curtiss and Company. The present name was given in honor of Michael Marsh, an early settler, owner of the town site of Marshan city.
A meeting to complete the organization of the township was held at the house of Michael Marsh, May 11th, 1858. At this meeting forty-two votes were cast, and the following officers elected: L. L. Ferry, John Collins, Nicholas McGree, super- visors; William H. Cox, clerk; Matthew Nowlan, assessor; W. H. Cox, collector; John Burke, over- seer of poor; Richard Cox, George Egbert, jus- tices of the peace; Joseph Harlen, M. Orman, constables; Edward Doyle, John Grady, over- seers of roads. At this meeting the township was divided into two road districts.
The following is a list of the chairmen of the board of supervisors and clerks: Chairmen, '59, George Egbert; '60, Richard Cox; '61-2, N. McGree; '68, G. North; '64, John L. Redding; '65, F. K. Gibbon; '66, N. McGree; '67-8, Wil- liam Kingston; '69-'70, L. C. Simmons; '71-2, C. B. Mc Vay; '73, William O'Connell; '76-7, W. F. Martin; '78, W. R. Todd; '79-'80, W. F. Martin; '81, John McNamara. Clerks, '59, Alonzo Mather; '60, William Cox; '61, J. J. McVay; '62, George Egbert; '63, Adrian Egbert; '64 to '73 inclusive, M. D. Phelan; '74 to '81 inclusive, William R. Martin.
The smallest vote cast in the town was at a town meeting held April 7th, 1863, at which there were but nineteen votes cast. The largest was March 12th, 1878; one hundred were cast.
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HISTORY OF DAKOTA COUNTY.
At a special town meeting held February 24th, 1864, it was decided to issue bonds by which to raise money to pay bounty to all who should en- list and were accepted to fill the quota of the town. Pursuant to this action of the citizens, bonds to the amount of $3,125, to become due in one year and bearing interest at the rate of ten per cent. were issued March 11th, and $750 in June following. These were sold at par. Dur- ing the month of August following, other bonds for the same purpose were issued, to the amount of $8,944, to bear interest at the rate of twelve per cent. per annum, and due one year after date. On this series the town was enabled to raise $6,500. Three thousand and eight hundred dol- lars were issued in January, 1865, realizing but $2,500. They were to become due April 1st, 1867. The last issue, February 16th, 1865, due April 1st, 1867, was $1,200 but realized $900.
Although the town only realized $13,466 for these bonds, yet to redeem them with the accu- mulated interest, $29,156 were paid in the follow- ing installments: 1864, $4,060; '65, $8,650; '66, $8,000; '67, $1,000; '69, $2,500; '71, $1,000; '72, $1,000; '73, $2,000; '74, $1,000.
A special meeting was held in the spring of 1865, to investigate the condition of the accounts of John L. Redding, chairman of the town board in 1864, in his management of the war bonds. Many of the citizens believing that there was still some money due the township. A committee was appointed to investigate the condition of affairs, and made their report at a subsequent meeting held October 16th, following. This com- mittee reported that Mr. Redding would settle with the township, paying $500 for a full release from all claims which existed against him in favor of the town, and recommended that the offer be accepted, which was done and Mr. Red- ding gave his check for that amount.
The first assessment of property in the town- ship was made by Joseph Harlen, and the total valuation of the same was $1,534.45; in 1860 it was $72,125; in 1870, $118,112; in 1880, $260,842. In 1880 the population of the township was 256.
VILLAGES.
Marshan City was located on the east half of the north-east quarter of section 27 and the west half of the north-west quarter of section 26, on
land owned by Michael Marsh, from whom it derived its name. He had it surveyed and platted and the plat recorded August 26th, 1856. Soon after this he erected a store, and sold a num- ber of lots to other parties. Eight of these lots are still owned by the purchasers. This plat has since been abandoned.
Bellwood, on the east half of the north-east quarter and east half of the south-east quarter of section 28, was surveyed and platted by T. Blakely, and was owned by land speculators, of whom F. B. Curtiss was agent. This company erected the first hotel built in the township, in 1857. This was burned, and rebuilt by M. Marsh, and again burned in 1874. The Bellwood Catholic church was built on land donated by the townsite company. The site, for want of en- couragement, soon was abandoned. The fol- lowing extract is taken from the Hastings Inde- pendent, dated July 25th, 1857:
"This town is beautifully located at the junc- tion of the Hastings, Cannon Falls and Faribault road with the road from Red Wing to Lakeville and the Minnesota river.
"It is laid off on the borders of a lake in a fine oak grove, and commands a fine view of Chimney rock and the undulating prairie stretch- ing away to the south. The distance between Hastings and Cannon Falls is shortened about five miles, and the town being about half way between the two places must build up a fine hotel business, and its natural attractions must lead many of our citizens to seek it as a pleasure re- sort.
"The surrounding country is a rich, fertile prairie, here and there dotted with small but lux- uriant groves. There is no portion of Minnesota where are more or better farms than in the vicin- ity of Bellwood. We predict for our young neighbor a rapid and healthy growth."
CEMETERY.
The Collins brothers donated the land occupied by the Bellwood cemetery to Bishop T. L. Grace of St. Paul, for the use of Bellwood Catholic church as a cemetery. A survey was made at the time, but the plat never recorded. A second survey was made by C. B. Lowell, in 1874, and the plat recorded in July. It contains five acres in the north-west quarter of section 22, and is
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MARSHAN-CHURCHES-SCHOOLS.
divided into thirty-five blocks. The lots are not of uniform size owing to insufficient care before the survey was made. There are now in the en- closure, four hundred and forty-five graves. The first one made was that of Stephen Collins.
CHURCHES.
The church of the Immaculate Conception was organized and the house built in 1862. The first subscription was taken January 7th, and the cor- ner stone laid April following, and a few months later was entirely completed, having confessional, tabernacle, belfry and crucifix, all painted and ready by August 10th, 1862. The cost of the edifice was five hundred dollars, and the work was projected by Edmond Doyle, Nicholas Mc- Gree and M. D. Phalen.
The first mass was offered by Father Hurth, pastor of Hastings and Bellwood, October 12th, 1862. At the time of the organization about sixty families comprised the parish. This num- ber has increased to one hundred and fifty fami- lies. In 1864, a Sunday-school having an attend- ance of ten or fifteen scholars, was organized, with M. D. Phalen, superintendent. This has been kept up for six months in the year since.
The Father Matthew Total Abstinence society of Bellwood was organized at the Catholic church October 29th, 1876, with fifteen members, and the following officers: John Molamphy, president; Dennis Ryan, vice-president; John Driscoll, sec- retary; James Molamphy, treasurer. These off- cers to hold their term of office one year, the annual election being held the last Sunday of each October. The society joined the Total Ab- stinence Union of America, June 26th, 1879, at a convention of that order held at St. Paul. In 1878, the society had a membership of thirty- four, which at present has fallen to twenty-four. The present officers are: John Molamphy, presi- dent: John Davany, vice-president; John Dris- coll, secretary; Thomas Moroney, treasurer; Den- nis Molamphy, marshal.
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