History of Dakota County and the City of Hastings, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 82

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 82

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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and returned to his former home in Wash- ington county. Those that came in later, previous to 1856, were George Daniels, J. C. and J. H. Couper, A. J. Kibbe, Alexander and James McCulloch, E. B. and Ebenezer Slocum, C. B. Bullock, James Law, a Mr. Woodworth and his sons Hamilton and Nelson, C. T. Collins, John Hoople and his son David, G. C. and Mark Cham- berlain, Deacon Roland Weeks, Walter Hunter, and Frederick Kleeberger. Mr. Daniels located in the south-west quarter of section 2, where he still lives. The Coupers selected the east half of section 14. J. H. lived on his claim a number of years, then sold out and moved to Faribault county, settling about three miles from Blue Earth City. J. C. remained on his until 1866, with the exception of three years, during which he served in the army, when he sold out and bought a farm in Rice county. He is now man- ager in the Granville Mills in Goodhue county. Mr. Kibbe located in the north-west quarter of section 14, where he has since lived, having added to his farm largely by purchase. Alexander Mc- Culloch made his claim in the north-east quarter of section 13, where he still lives, having a fine farm and nice home. James McCulloch made his claim partly in the south-east quarter of sec- tion 18 and partly in Goodhue county. He lived in the town a few years, when he moved to Iowa, where he died in 1879. Mr. Collins came and built the hotel in Lewiston, as elsewhere stated, which he operated a few years, then sold out. He died in Northfield during the summer of 1880. E. B. Slocum located in section 3, where he still lives, having a fine farm, having added to the original claim by purchase. Elijah Slocum also located in section 3, where he lived several years, then moved to the south side of the Cannon river, and eventually to Northfield where he now lives, following the trade of shoe- making. Mr. Bullock located in section 24, where he lived a number of years, when he moved to Northfield, where he now resides. Mr. Law is a native of Scotland; he first set- tled in Canada, where he remained a year then moved to Minnesota and settled in this town. He made two pre-emptions, the north-east quarter and the south-east quarter of section 27. He now owns the second one, viz: the south-east quarter. He went to Northfield in 1873, where he now

lives. Mr. Woodworth made his claim in the south-east quarter of section 23, which he stayed on sufficient to prove up, when he returned to Ohio, where he died. His son Hamilton, made a claim in Rice county, but made his home in Lewistown, which he continued to do for a num- ber of years, when he moved to Otter Tail county. Nelson Woodworth made his claim in the west central part of section 15, which he lived on a number of years. Being on a prominent road he opened an entertainment house, which he kept until about the year 1866. He also lives in Otter Tail county. Another entertainment house was kept by a Mr. Sherwood on the south side of section 1, which he continued as travel demanded, a num- ber of years after Mr. Woodworth closed. Mr. Hoople made his claim partly in sections 12 and 13, where he lived until he died, about ten years later. His son, David, made a claim in the south-east quarter of section 12, where he lived a few years, then sold and moved to the south- western part of the town, and eventually, to Wa- seca county, where he now lives. G. C. Cham- berlain made his claim partly in the two towns, Sciota and Waterford, but built a cabin in Sciota. He subsequently built across the line in Water- ford, where he now lives. Mark Chamberlain located in the north-west quarter of section 10, where he lived a number of years. He served in the army and also represented his section in the state legislature and is now living in Iowa. Dea- con Weeks made his claim then returned to Wis- consin for his family, and came back in the spring of 1856. He lived on his claim several years when he sold and moved into Waterford, where he now lives. Mr. Hunter made his claim in the south-west quarter of section 22, which he lived on long enough to prove up, then located in sec- tion 14. After many changes and vicissitudes in life, he died in St. Paul in the spring of 1878. Mr. Kleeberger came in with his family that year and made a claim. His son, Hiram F., is now living on a farm in section 24.

A few of the earlier ones of 1856, were John M. Scott, Stephen N. Casey, John Hunter and Horace Jamison. Mr. Scott was town clerk thirteen years in all, twelve years in succession. He moved to Otter Tail county about two years ago. Mr. Jamison entered the army and was killed by the Indians on the frontier. Mr. Casey,

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as before mentioned, took an active interest in the building up of the village of Lewiston. He died early in the sixties near Hastings.

The first child born in the town was a son of J. C. Couper. He was born October 6th, 1855, and died the next day. This was also the first death in the town. The second birth in the town was that of a daughter of A. J. Kibbe and wife. She was born April 2d, 1856. On account of the death of its mother shortly after, the child was sent to its grandmother near Pecatonica, Illinois, where it died in October following. Mrs. Kibbe was the first grown person that died in the town. She was buried in the cemetery on the farm, which Mr. Kibbe subsequently had set apart for that purpose.

The first marriage in the town was that of Zach. Lewis to Miss Simons. Owing to the ab- sence of interested participants in the affair, we are unable to give dates.

ORGANIZATION.

The first town meeting was held May 11th, 1858, at the Lewiston hotel. E. B. Higgins was chosen moderator and Henry Hoople clerk. After the usual.preliminaries necessary to organization, they proceeded to the election of town officers for the ensuing year. They were as follows: M. A. Chamberlain, chairman; Alex. McCulloch and C. B. Bullock, supervisors; Henry Hoople, clerk; W. C. Marshall, assessor; J. B. Hawkins, collec- tor; Joseph Sidwell and B. M. Knight, justices; J. B. Hawkins and E. B. Wilson, constables; Zach. Lewis, overseer of roads.

Following, we give the names of the members of the board and town clerks, by years, to the present time, the first name, in all cases, being the chairman of the board: 1859-J. C. Couper, Alexander McCulloch, A. J. Kibbe, supervisors; W. N. Woodworth, clerk. 1860-J. B. Hawkins, G. C. Chamberlain, J. H. Couper, supervisors; W. N. Wood, clerk. 1861-H. F. Webb, Horace Jamison, W. H. Conver, supervisors; J. C.Couper, clerk. Mr. Jamison resigned and J. R. Jones was appointed in his place, December 23d, 1861. 1862-H. F. Webb, J. B. Hawkins, John R. Jones, supervisors; J. C. Couper, clerk. Mr. Couper resigned as clerk and James Law was ap- pointed in his place, November 4th, 1862. Mr.

Hawkins also resigned his position as supervisor, and his place was filled by the appointment of R. C. Snyder. 1863-Walter Hunter, A. J. Kibbe, Samuel Bullock, supervisors; J. M. Scott, clerk. 1864-David Higgins, Alexander McCulloch, Ebenezer Slocum, supervisors; J. M. Scott, clerk. Mr. Slocum refused to qualify and Nathaniel. Terry was appointed in his place, April 30th, 1864. 1865-Nathaniel Terry, Alexander Mc- Culloch, W. N. Woodworth, supervisors, J. M. Scott, clerk. Mr. Terry resigned his position as chairman, and J. C. Couper was appointed in his place, January 6th, 1866. 1866-John R. Jones, Alexander McCulloch, John E. Wilson, super- visors; J. M. Scott, clerk. Mr. McCulloch re- signed and James Law was appointed in his stead. 1867-B. McElrath, J. E. Wilson, A. J. Palmo, supervisors; J. M. Scott, clerk. On account of the resignation of Mr. McElrath, Geo. Daniels was elected in his place at a special election, held June 8th. 1867. 1868-Geo. Wells, Geo. McNeal, Arthur Dickson, supervisors; J. M. Scott, clerk. Mr. Dickson resigned and O. J. Austin was appointed to fill the vacancy, January 2d, 1869. 1869 and 1870-George Wells, George McNeal, O. J. Austin, supervisors; J. M. Scott, clerk. 1871 and 1872-George Wells, O. J. Austin, A. J. Kibbe, supervisors; J. M. Scott, clerk. 1878-P. F. Penniman, O. J. Austin T. W. Wallace, supervisors; J. M. Scott, clerk. 1874-A. W. Riddle, T. W. Wallace, J. W. Hunter, supervisors; J. M. Scott, clerk. 1875- A. W. Riddle, J. W. Hunter, J. D. Wilson, su- pervisors; J. F. McCulloch, clerk. 1876-C. B. Bullock, James Hunter, John E. Wilson, super- visors; A. J. Kibbe, clerk. Mr. Kibbe resigned as clerk, and J. M. Scott was appointed in his place September 27th, 1876. 1877-A. J. Kibbe, William .Ramage, James Hunter, supervisors; W. T. Law, clerk. 1878-A. J. Kibbe, William Ramage, Walter Hunter, supervisors; W. T. Law, clerk. 1879-I. D. Wilson, George Grant, Walter Hunter, supervisors; W. T. Law, clerk. 1880-George Grant, O. J. Austin, William Hunter, supervisors; W. T. Law, clerk. 1881- P. F. Penniman, Walter Hunter, George Grant, supervisors; W. T. Law, clerk; James Hunter, assessor; William Ramage, treasurer; T. W. Johnson and I. D. Wilson, justices; John Hunter and Albert Bowe, constables. On account of the

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resignation of Mr. Law, James Hunter was ap- pointed clerk, April 29th, 1881.

In accordance with a petition of the freeholders of the town, a special town meeting was held August 24th, 1864, for the purpose of raising money to pay bounty to volunteers and to facili- tate the filling of the quota of the town, under the last call of the president for troops. A reso- lution was presented, and carried, to raise two thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be deemed necessary to use in paying bounties to volunteers accredited to the town. The prompt- ness with which this action was taken is enough to show the patriotism of the citizens.

A post-office was early established at Lewiston and continued there several years. Mrs. Hunt was subsequently appointed deputy, and the office moved to her house in the north-west quarter of section 14. She simply finished the quarter when the office was discontinued.

SCHOOLS.

The first school in the town was taught by Mrs. Thomas Wilson, during the summer of 1857, in the village of Lewiston. It was a select school of three months duration. The term of school was begun in a carriage shop. Shortly after the school was moved into a vacant dwelling house, and there the term finished. There were about thirty scholars. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were mar- ried the February previous in New York, and came to Sciota that spring. They lived with Mrs. Wilson's brother (J. C. Couper,) that season. Mr. Wilson bought a claim partly in each of sec- tions 11 and 11, and moved upon it in the fall of 1857. He lived there several years, when he bought a farm just across the line in Rice county. five miles east of Northfield, where he still lives. No more school was taught until a year later. From that time until 1860, private houses were used for school purposes. That season a school- house was built on the site of the village. It was a frame structure about 18x30 feet. It is still doing service as a school-house. It stood upon the original site until the fall of 1879, when it was moved to its present location in the north- east corner of section 22, and belongs to district number 69. This is the only entire district in the town, the others being joint, of which, there are four. There is one other school-house in the

town. It belongs to joint district number 67. It is located in the north-west corner of section 1, and was built in 1867. It is a nice country school-house, frame, about 18x24 feet, contains patent seats, and has a capacity for comforta- bly seating about fifty scholars. The district now contains about thirty-five. Previous to building the present house, the district had a building a little further north and east, in the town of Castle Rock.

CHURCHES.

The first religious services in the town were held at the funeral of the child of J. C. Couper and wife, October 7th, 1855. They were con- ducted by the Rev. Charles Curran, then living in the town of Randolph. He also conducted the funeral services of Mrs. A. J. Kibbe in April, 1856.

The Congregational Society organized under the auspices of the Rev. J. R. Barnes, at Lewis- ton, in the spring of 1859, with about a dozen members. Previous to that time for about three years, meetings had been held without organiza- tion, once in two weeks, at the Lewiston hotel, After the organization, meetings were held in a store, until the school-house was built in 1860.

The Rev. Hiscock belonging to the circuit, in- cluding Lewiston, followed Mr. Curran as a Methodist, and was the first regular preacher of that denomination in Lewiston. The Methodists had services once in two weeks, alternating with the congregationalists. Both churches continued their organization at Lewiston, until about 1866, when the Congregationalists moved down to the Granville mills, in Goodhue county.

A union Sabbath-school was organized under the auspices of both these churches and main- tained as long as the church organization re- mained. J. C. Couper was the first superintend- ent, and continued to act as such until 1862. He was succeeded by E. B. Higgins. He in turn, by Mr. Huntress, who was the last one. At first, about thirty scholars attended, which num- ber increased to about fifty. The residue of the Methodist branch of the school became attached to the one at Haven chapel.

Haven Chapel. This church is located in the north-west quarter of section 1. It belongs to the Methodist denomination and was built during the summer of 1874, at a cost of about $1,500. It

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is about 24x42 feet, has twelve foot posts and a moderate steeple. It is nicely furnished and has a capacity for seating about one hundred and fifty persons.

Sometime during the summer of 1857, Rev. Hiscock began holding services at the house of Joseph Sidwell in the north-west quarter of sec- tion 1. They were conducted irregularly at his house about a year, when they were transferred to the school-house built that year, in the south- west quarter of section 36, in Castle Rock. They were held there until 1867, when they were trans- ferred to the new school-house in the north-west corner of section 1, in Sciota. There they were conducted until the church was built in 1874. The Rev. A. B. Bishop is the present pastor. Services are conducted once in two weeks.

The Free Will Baptists began holding meetings under the auspices of the Rev. J. D. Batson, al- ternately with the Methodists. at the new school- house, about 1870. A regular organization was effected in 1878. They now have a membership of nineteen, and the Rev. Batson is still their pas- tor. They now hold their meetings in Haven Chapel.

A Sabbath school has been conducted in con- nection with the Methodist church since 1859. E. B. Higgins was the superintendent and con- tinued to be until a few years since. The present superintendent is J. C. Davidson. The two sects unite and they have a prosperous, well attended school.

SOCIETIES.

Crystal Spray lodge number 67, I. O. G. T. was organized at the school-house in district number 67, January 13th, 1875, with twenty charter members, and the following officers: J. H. Childs, P. W. C. T .; Walter Roath, W. C. T .; Jennie Baird, W. V. T .; R. M. Johnson, W. C .; W. W. Childs, secretary; S. S. Radcliff, F. S .; Bell Gray, T .; E. Childs, M .; G. Huntress, I. G .; Herbert Childs, O. G.

The society increased its membership to about sixty. The present membership is about forty. They meet every Friday evening at the school- house. The present officers are: H. D. Childs, P. W. C. T .; George Hunt, W. C. T .; Nellie Crowther, W. V. T .; Jennie Dilley, W. C .; John Childs, S .; Humbolt Bliss, F. S .; Beatrice Stock- ing, T .; De Forest Child, M .; Carrie Johnson, I.

G .; Asberry Higgings, O. G .; Hattie Johnson, R. S .; Lydia Hall, L. S .; H. D. Childs, lodge deputy.

The Oriental Grange number 36, P. of H. was organized November 27th, 1869, at the school- house in district number 67, with thirty charter members, and the following officers: T. C. Childs, M .; Uriah Sherd, O .; W. F. Smith, L .; W. A. Gray, C .; Gilbert McNutt, S .; J. N. Martin, A. S .; H. D. Childs, G. K .; J. C. Davison, S .; E. B. Slocum, T .; Mrs. T. C. Childs, Ceres; Mrs. J. C. Davison, Pomona; Mrs. J. N. Martin, Flora; Mrs. C. W. Childs, L. A. S. The greatest member- ship was one hundred. The organization was kept up until 1878, when the meetings ceased.

A blacksmith shop was built by Jacob Hawk- ins in 1856, on the north-west quarter of section 2. About three years later, Henry Stone built a rival shop a few rods west of him. Shortly after Mr. Hawkins bought him out and continued the business in his own shop until about the year 1865, when he sold out and went to New York.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

O. J. Austin was born at Waltham, Vermont, November 4th, 1840. He moved to Wisconsin, thence in 1860, to Minnesota. Locating at Sci- ota, he purchased at that time his present farm. Enlisted in Company F, Eighth Minnesota Regi- ment, serving until the close of the war, being mustered out July 17th, 1865. Miss Mary E. Bullock became his wife, November 28th, 1865, and has borne him two children: Jay and Frank.

Olof Bensen, a native of Sweden, was born in 1834. On attaining majority, crossed the waters to America; after remaining a short time in Illi- nois, he came to Red Wing, Minnesota, and pre- empted a claim on which he lived one year, then visited St. Paul, Prescott, Wisconsin, Cannon Falls, and in 1858, went to Northfield. Here he worked at blacksmithing until 1872, then came to Sciota and purchased the farm on which he has since lived. In 1859, he married Miss Betsey Johnson, a native of Sweden. Six children have been born to them: Nelson B., a student at Carle- ton college; Amanda G., Anna C., Theodore J., Ellen M. and Oscar E.

E. D. Bowe was born in Ohio, in 1850. When a child of five years, he accompanied his parents to Northfield, Minnesota, where they still reside. In 1877, he came to Sciota and purchased his

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present farm, it being pre-empted by his grand- father, S. Lord, in 1856. His wife was Miss Mary Phillips, a native of N. Y. state, married in 1876. They have three children, Lucius D., Dott, and Laura.

Alfred E. Bullock was born in New York, Jan- uary 15th, 1848. When a lad of twelve years came to Minnesota with his father, Samuel Bul- lock. His father was born in New York in 1818, and there lived until 1860, then came west and bought the farm in Sciota, Dakota county, Min- nesota, now owned by Alfred. Samuel Bullock married in 1841, Miss Amanda M. Waling, who has borne him eight children. The living are: Mary E., now wife of O. J. Austin; Addie L., wife of R. W. Whitson; Alice A., wife of Charles Foster; Frank E., Clara B. and Cora E., the last two named being in attendance at Carleton college.

C. B. Bullock was born in Herkimer county, New York, in 1819. Here his childhood and youth were passed and in 1855, came to Minnesota and settled in Sciota, taking as a claim a portion of section 24, on which he lived several years, then moved to Northfield, where he now lives. He and Miss Melvira Serviss were united in mar- riage October 26th, 1842. Their living children are, M. A., now wife of Edgar Lockeby of North- field, and Ida F., who lives with her parents.

J. C. Couper was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, in 1830. On reaching the age of twenty-one years he went to Michigan for one year, thence to California for two years,and in 1855, came to Sciota and took as a claim the north-east quarter of section 14, making it his home until 1866, then sold and removed to Northfield. He was the first justice of the peace in what was then called the "precinct" which included Sciota, also served as justice in the town for several years; was second town clerk, also supervisor, and occu- pied other offices of less importance. In 1862, was elected to the legislature. Enlisted in Company F, Eighth Minnesota Regiment, of which he was orderly sergeant and was mustered out in July, 1865, returning to Sciota. During 1878, was made manager of the Granville, Goodhue county, mill, which is owned by the Cannon River Manufac- turing Company, of which he is also a member. Married in 1855, to Miss H. Johnson, who has borne him seven children. The living are: Joseph

E., a graduate of Hahnemann college of Phila- delphia, also the St. Louis Medical college, and and is practicing medicine; Charles S., now at Carleton college; F. J., Eva L., George B. and Hattie.

George Daniels, a native of Vermont, was born at Rochester in 1820. When six years old went to Cattaraugus county, New York, and lived until 1850, then came to Minnesota, went short- ly after to Ohio. Residing two years in that state, he then removed to Iowa for two years, and in 1854 pre-empted a farm in Sciota, on which he has since lived. Miss Celestia Slocum became his wife in 1842. They are the parents of five children: Jane, now wife of John E. Wilson; Charles, a graduate from Bennett Medical college of Chicago, practicing medicine at Montevideo, Minnesota; M. A., Sarah L. and Estella. Mr. Daniels served about four years in the late civil war.

Margaret Denny, a native of Ireland, was born in 1820. She crossed the waters to Canada in 1831, and nine years later married William Denny; her maiden name was Margaret Mc- Waters. In 1851, they came to the United States, settling in Wisconsin, afterwards lived in Iowa, and in 1857, came to Goodhue county. She still owns the farm on which they lived, but resides with her son Thomas in Sciota. Her husband met a sad and painful death, being killed by a runaway team. Elizabeth, now wife of Henry Baker, John, Thomas and Alex. residents of Minneapolis, and Mary, are her living children. David, born in 1843, enlisted in Company D, Eleventh Minnesota Regiment, and died while in service.

Matthew Doyle was born in Canada in 1845. Coming to the United States in 1866, he settled in Michigan, where he resided four years. Thence to Minnesota and settled in Goodhue county, and to McLeod county for five years. During the fall of 1880, located at Sciota. Mar- ried in 1870, Miss Ellen Murphy, of Goodhue county. Four children have been born to them: John, Abbie, Willie and Georgia.

James Freeland was born in Ireland in 1821. While yet a child came to Canada, living there until 1865, then came to Minnesota and settled in Sciota on the farm, where he still lives. In 1836 he married Miss Ann Errington, who has borne

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him six children: John C., living in Canada; Mary, wife of Henry McCune; Sarah, wife of Nelson Nicholas; Gordon, Albert and James W.

George Grant is a native of Scotland, born 1823. His youth was passed in his native land, and in 1854, embarked for America, arriving at New York, after a tedious voyage of thirteen weeks. Remaining in that city about fifteen months, he then came to Hastings, Dakota county, Minne- sota, thence to Nininger for eighteen months. During the fall of 1857, came to Waterford, mak- ing his home there until 1863, then came to Sciota and purchased his present farm. Married in 1854, in Scotland, Miss Ellen Howie, who was born in 1832.

Mary A. Hunt was born in New York in 1830, and was the daughter of J. Sherwood. Married A. G. Hunt in 1857; he was born in New York in 1832, and came to Minnesota in 1853. Six years later he purchased a farm in Sciota, where his widow still lives. He enlisted in Com- pany B, Third Minnesota Regiment, in 1861, in which he served until 1864, but died in the south only nine days after his discharge. Three chil- dren were born to them; the living are I. May and George B.

M. M. Huntress was born in Vermont in 1835. Came to Minnesota in 1860, and settled in Sciota. He was united in marriage, in 1858, to Miss M. E. Fredendell, who was born in New York in 1840. Their living children are: George H., Frank H., William W., Edward F., Florence V. and Nellie L.

W. B. Jack was born in Canada, September 9th, 1830. Came to the United States in 1878, and settled in Cannon Falls, to Sciota the next year, and purchased the farm on which he lives. Married in Canada, March 26th, 1863, to Miss Mary Cocker, who has borne him five children: Charles A., James M., William J., Maud E. and Mary M.

T. W. Johnson was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, in 1833. He resided in his native place until reaching majority, then went to Connecticut for one and one-half years. During the fall of 1855, came to Minnesota and settled in Morrison county. Three years later, he re- turned to his native state, but, in 1861, came again to the state of Minnesota, locating in Northfield. He followed the carpenters' trade at

that place until 1870, then invested in his present farm in Sciota. Married, in 1866, in Northfield, to Miss Mary E. Basley, who was born in Illi- nois in 1845. They have one child, Ida May, born in Northfield.

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History of Dakota County and the City of Hastings, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 82

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

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