History of Dakota County and the City of Hastings, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 85

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 85

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Henry L. Moses was born in Maine, July 23d, 1834. When seventeen years of age, he came westward to Hennepin county, and for ten years lived near the city of Minneapolis. He then came to Dakota county, and about eleven years ago, purchased and located on his finely improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres, in Vermil- lion township. Mr. Moses is a man of much en- terprise, and was one of the first to introduce steam threshing machines in the county. Each winter he is largely engaged in lumbering on the head waters of the Chippewa river. Last season he cut and sold 10,000,000 feet of logs. Married in 1864 to Miss Martha Balch, who has borne him two children: Helen and Eva.

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VERMILLION-BIOGRAPHICAL.

Charles E. Oman was born in Sweden in 1842. He learned the tailors' trade in his native country and followed it eleven years. In 1868, came to this continent, and to Red Wing, Goodhue county, where for one year he engaged in farm- ing. Going to Hastings in 1869, he remained four years in the employ of a merchant. He now lives in Vermillion, having a farm of 160 acres. Married, in 1863, to Miss Mary Swanson, a na- tive of Sweden. Matilda L. and Alfred E. are their children. Andrew Oman, his father, was born in Sweden in 1813. He married Miss Anna Israel, who was born in Sweden in 1815. His death occurred in 1847.

Henry Pfeiffer was born in Germany in 1853. He was reared as a farmer, and when eighteen years old came to America. Made his home in St. Paul two years, Winona one year, and has been a resident of Vermillion six years. Pre- vious to his locating here, he followed agricul- tural pursuits, and since has been in the liquor trade, having a saloon near the depot. Married to Miss Hattie Kassela in 1878. Two children have been born to them: Peter and John.

Jacob Randler was born in Ohio in 1857. Came to Scott county, Minnesota, with his par- ents when four years of age, and at the age of fourteen removed to New Trier, and for two years was a farmer in that locality. Returning to Scott county, he learned the blacksmiths' trade, and worked at it there nearly three years. Coming to Vermillion in 1876, he started his trade, and after a few months in St. Paul re- turned and opened a shop. He now runs two fires, and is doing a good business. Miss Mary Smiths became his wife in 1878. They have two children, one son and one daughter, John and Antoney.

Alexander Records, deceased, was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, August 14th, 1805. He remained in his native country until about twenty-two years of age, then moved to Crawford county, Pennsylvania, and built a saw- mill, following the vocations of farming and mill- ing until 1838. He married Miss Sarah A. Adams in 1830. They moved to Bartholomew county, Indiana, making there their home until 1863. Coming thence to Vermillion, they located on a farm, on which Mrs. Records still resides. Her late husband died May 3d, 1877. Ben jamin M

John C., Nancy A., Josiah, Mary I., James, Sarah, Alexander, Albert and Ella are the living children.

Thomas J. Redican was born in Massachusetts, in 1846. Moved with his parents to New York city in 1850, thence to Illinois in 1854, and the next year to Hastings. He, with his parents, settled on the "Barker" place of one hundred and sixty acres in Vermillion. Enlisted in 1865, in First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, served one year, and was honorably discharged at Nashville. Mr. Redican has been town clerk six years, and is at present town treasurer. Married in 1870, to Catherine McNamara, who has borne him one son and one daughter: Mary W. and John W.

William Ryan is a native of Tipperary county, Ireland, born in 1841. When about fourteen years old he came to America and settled in Mas- sachusetts, remaining two years, then in 1858, came to Minnesota. About one year after, how- ever, he crossed the continent to California, then went to Oregon. Two years later he re-traced his steps to this state, and has since lived in Da- kota county. During the spring of 1867, he moved to his present farm in Vermillion. His wife was Miss Maria Loboy, Married at Minne- apolis in 1867. They have an interesting family of seven children: Michael J. A., William, Mary J., James J., Morris, Thomas and Lawrence.

Frederick Schickling was born on the Atlantic, August 11th, 1841. He came with his parents from Indiana to St. Paul in 1851, the capital of the family being $4. Removing thence to Northfield they made that place their home a short time, then lived eight years in Green Vale. Fi- nally they located where Mr. Schickling now lives. He has an improved place, and built his house in 1867; has planted about three thousand trees. He has been head sawyer in several mills and as- sessor of the township in 1868. Married in 1873, to Miss Mary Huckanpaler, who has borne him two children: Henry and Frederick J.

Mathias Siebenaler was born in Luxemburg, Germany, in December, 1838. Came to America in 1857, and located at Chicago. In 1861, came to Scott county, Minnesota, and the same year came to Vermillion. In 1865, went to Germany, and brought his father to America. Has a fine farm, and is one of the leading men of the town.

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HISTORY OF DAKOTA COUNTY.

WATERFORD.

CHAPTER LXIV.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION-SETTLEMENT -- OR- GANIZATION-OFFICIALS-RECORD OF MEET- INGS -- SCHOOLS-CHURCHES-VILLAGES- MILLS-CEMETERIES-SOCIETIES-BIOGRAPH- ICAL.

This town is situated in the south part of the county and bounded on the north by Castle Rock, on the east by Sciota, on the south by Rice county and on the west by Green Vale. It was original- ly part of Sciota, as formed by the county board April 6th, 1858, but at their meeting held April 20th following, they changed the west half of Sciota to Waterford. It is seldom that a town is seen whose landscape is more pleasing to the eye, or whose soil is better adapted to agriculture. The surface is slightly undulating in the north, increasing until quite rolling in the south, especi- ally so in the vicinity of Cannon river, which crosses the south line of the town about a half mile east of the south-west corner, flows north- easterly and crosses the east line about eighty rods south of the north-east corner of section 21. Chub creek, a small stream, flows across the town from west to east near the center, crossing the west line near the quarter post on the west side of section 7, and the east line about eighty rods south of the north-east corner of section 16. A branch called Mud creek, crosses the west line about eighty rods north of the south-west corner of section 18, flows north-easterly and empties into Chub creek near the north-east corner of the same section. When the town was first settled there was a small body of timber in the south- west corner, also upon a small island in the Can- non river. Most of this has been cut to meet the wants of settlers, and a second growth has taken its place. Aside from this, the town is prairie. The soil is principally a black loam, with suth- cient sand to quicken it, and a clay subsoil.

The principal production is wheat, although considerable corn, oats and barley is grown.

Some attention is paid to growing stock, especi- ally horses, of which some very fine ones are bred.

SETTLEMENT.

In the fall of 1852 a party of adventurers left Cottage Grove, in Washington county, in a lum- ber wagon in quest of homes. They crossed the Mississippi at St. Paul and turned their faces south. They wended their way along, examin- ing the country here and there, but found noth- ing that pleased them until they reached the valley of the Cannon river. They were so favor- ably impressed that they decided to make it their future home. This party consisted of Warren Atkinson, John Lanphear, James Benson, Frank Thompson, Simeon Odell and Ira Godfrey. The latter three made their claims in Rice county near the present site of Northfield. They staked out their claims, returned to Cottage Grove and went back in the spring of 1853. Of this party of pioneers, only one now lives in the town-Mr. Lanphear. He made his claim partly in each of sections 20 and 29, where he has since lived and raised his family, consisting of two sons and one daughter. The daughter (Georgian) is married to E. B. Armstrong and is now living in Hastings. In the fall of 1856, Abel Lanphear (father of John) moved out and built on his son's claim, who, being single at that time, lived with him. Travel was so great, subsequently, by parties looking up land that a stopping-place of some sort was a necessity, and Mr. Lanphear concluded to fill this want in the community, which he did to the general satifaction of his guests for a number of years. The greatest trouble at first was to get enongh to cook for their guests, but they overcame that in a short time, when crops began to be produced. Mrs. Lan- phear died in 1863, and was buried on the farm. Subsequently her body was moved to Rose Leaf cemetery. Mr. Lanphear died in 1870, at the age of eighty-eight, and was buried in the cemetery lot given by R. C. Masters, and subsequently moved to Rose Leaf cemetery, where himself and wife lie side by side. Jerome Benson made his claim just east of Mr. Lanphear's, in the south- east quarter of section 20 and the north-east quarter of section 29. He kept it about two years, then sold to Lewis Hill, and returned to Cottage Grove whence he came. Mr. Hill also

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WATERFORD-SETTLEMENT.

sold out in about a year and returned to Wash- ington county. Warren Atkinson made his claim in the south-east quarter of section 19 and the north-east quarter of section 30, adjoining John Lanphear on the west. After securing his claim, he went east and did not return until 1854, when, with his brother Charles, who came out in the spring of 1853, and R. C. Masters as surveyor, he laid out the town of Waterford, which was lo- cated just south of the site of the present village, but like many western towns it fell on the hands of its proprietors. Mr. Atkin- son sold out in a few years, and now lives in Northfield. Charles Atkinson made his claim just west of his brother Warren's in sections 19 and 30, where he lived until several years ago, when he lost his farm. He lived in the town until 1880, when he went to Wadena county, where he now lives.

Mr. Masters made his claim just west of Charles Atkinson,on which he lived until about eight years ago, when he sold, and now lives in Little Falls. He was a practical surveyor, and was about the only one to attend to that branch of work for some time. The records attest to his having done considerable of it.

From 1852 to 1855, very little progress was made in the settlement of the then frontier town. It was the home of the "red man," with now and then a "pale-face." The Indians were friendly, but a constant source of annoyance from their begging propensities. A few settlers came in 1853 and 1854, but in 1855, they came in fast, and it was not long before all the available land in the town was claimed. Those that came in 1854, aside from those already mentioned, were Deacon Ami Nichols and Dr. Z. B. Nicholas, E. F. Cow- ell, E. S. Bill, J. J. Alexander and Charles Liv- ingston. Deacon Nichols came in May of that year, and made his claim in section 20, joining Mr. Lanphear on the north, where he lived until 1878, when he sold, and now lives in Northfield. The doctor made his claim next east, where he lived a number of years, following the practice of medicine. He now lives in Faribault, and still practices in his profession.

Mr. Bell entered the army in 1862, returned at the close of the war, and bought the farm he now lives on. E. F. Cowell came in the fall of 1854, and made his claim in the south-west

quarter of section 7. He being a carpenter, was employed putting up buildings for some of his neighbors until winter, when he returned east for his family. He brought them back in the spring of 1855, and located on his claim, where he lived several years, when he sold his farm and bought another in section 16. After several re- movals, he is now on his original claim, having rented it. His son Alford lives on the farm in section 16. Charles Livingston also came that fall, and made his claim on the east side of sec- tion 21, which was jumped during his absence, and he made another claim in the north-west quar- ter of section 17, where he lived a number of years, then sold and moved to Castle Rock, where he still lives. J. J. Alexander made his claim partly in Rice county and built his house there, consequently is a resident of that county.

S. W. Mattison came in during 1853, and re- mained about a year, when he pre-empted a quar- ter section of land in Green Vale. In 1872, he returned to Waterford, and has since lived there. Of those who came in 1855, we find Dr. E. Ham- mond, Dr. Moses Porter, Robert Maloney, Stephen Budd, Mr. Coburn and Mr. Green. Michael Simmons, Isaac Manchester, Charles Osborn, Orange Mattison, James Livingston, Mr. Baker, John Bodger, John Simpson, James W. Roath and T. H. Olin. Dr. Hammond came in May, and made his claim in the north-east quarter of sec- tion 20, where he still resides. Dr. Porter made his claim in the north-east quarter of section 19.

He followed the practice of medicine until near his death, which occurred about four years since. Mr. Budd and Mr. Maloney both settled on sec- tion 19. Mr. Budd first started to make a claim in Rice county, but changed his mind. The fol- lowing fall, after making his claim in section 19, he returned east. When he came back in the spring, he found his claim had been jumped by Mr. Maloney, who had sold it and moved into Green Vale. After several removals, Mr. Budd settled on the place where he now lives, in the south-east quarter of section 20. Mr. Coburn made his claim in the north-east quarter of sec- tion 21, which he sold in a few years, and went further west. Mr. Green also made his claim in section 21, which he kept a few years, then sold. Mr. Simmons came in the fall and jumped the claim of Charles Livingston, in the eastern part

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of section 21. He was drowned the following spring in the Cannon river. that being the first death of a white person in the town. Mr. Man- chester located in the north-east quarter of sec- tion 29, where he lived a number of years, when he sold and bought where he now lives, in south- east quarter of section 18. Mr. Osborn located in the north-west quarter of section 28, where he lived several years, when he sold and went to the mountains in the west. Mr. Mattison made his claim in section 18, on which he lived a number of years, then sold and went further west. Mr. Livingston made his claim in the western part of section 30, which he kept about two years and then sold. He now lives in Lyon county. Mr. Baker made a claim, but soon left and never returned. Mr. Bodger came in the fall and made his claim in the north-west quarter of section 7, where he lived until 1864, when he entered the army. He died in Hastings on bis way home to be discharged. Mr. Simpson made his claim partly in Green Vale and partly in Waterford, but built on the south-west quarter of section 19, where he still lives. Mr. Roath made his claim in the south-east quarter of sec- tion 7, then returned east for his family, came back in the spring of 1856, and remained on his claim a number of years, then sold and went to Douglas county. From this time forward settle- ment was so rapid that to give individual men- tion would absorb too much space, even if it were desirable. Judging from the appearance of the country now, one would say that the farmers of this town were exceptionally supplied with this world's goods. The plentifulness of good water, the fertility of the soil, and its nearness to good markets, have combined to make it a very desirable town to locate in.

The first birth in the town was that of Jeannette C. Howell. She was the daughter of S. C. and Permelie Howell. He had made a claim in Green Vale, and while he was fitting it to receive his family, he lived in the shanty of Warren Atkinson, and there the child was born, August 3d, 1855. She grew to womanhood and married Ellis Gibson, and they live in Grant county, Da- kota territory. The second child born in the town was also born in the same shanty, and was the daughter of Isaac Manchester. She was born March 18th, 1856. She is still living with

her parents, near the Waterford Union church. The first marriage of parties connected with the town was that of John Lanphear to Miss A. Alexander, of Northfield. They were married in June, 1855. The next marriage was that of Warren Atkinson to Miss Ellen A. Nichols, both belonging in the town. They were married in June, 1855.

ORGANIZATION.

On the 11th of May, 1858, the first town meet- ing was held. As it was for the purpose of or- ganizing the town, we give the call in full as it appears on the town records. "Notice is hereby given, that on the second Tuesday, the 11th day of May, 1858, at the school-house in Waterford, in the town of Waterford, which is discribed as follows, to-wit: All in Dakota county, of the west half of township 112 north, range number 17, west of the fifth principal meridian, an election will be held for the purpose of choosing three supervisors, one of whom shall be designated as chairman, one town clerk, one assessor, one col- lector, one overseer of the poor, two constables, two justices of the peace, and as many overseers of roads as there are road districts in the town, to-wit: to overseers of roads, one for district num- ber 1, consisting of sections 19, 20, 21, 28, 29 and 30, and one for district number 2, which con- tains the rest of the town; which election will be opened by the electors of said town, choosing a moderator, between the hours of nine and ten o'clock in the forenoon, and will continue open until five o'clock in the afternoon of said day."

According to this notice, on the day appointed, the legal voters of the town assembled at the school-house in Waterford, L. S. Lewis was chosen chairman. On motion, R. C. Masters was chosen moderator, and J. N. Bill, clerk. The meeting then adjourned to G. W. Forsaith's store; the following persons were elected to the differ- ent offices for the ensuing year: A. N. Nourse, chairman; James B. Green, and J. W. Roath, su- pervisors; John Simpson, assessor; E. S. Bill, col- lector; J. N. Bill, clerk; Moses Porter, overseer of the poor; G. I. Porter and Orange Mattison, justices of the peace; E. S. Bill and Charles Liv- ingston, constables; Orange Mattison was elected road overseer in district number 1, and Charles Livingston. in district number 2. With these men the town was launched upon its independent

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political career. In the matter of temperance, it is one of the banner towns of the state. It does not now, nor has it ever, allowed liquor to be sold within its borders. The majority always voting "no" whenever the question of licensing the sale of liquor within its limits comes before them. An occasional attempt to sell on the sly has been made, but it has always been a losing venture. We have a case in view now of a merchant guilty of selling liquor in violation of law. It was not long before the temperance element among the citizens turned his liquor into the street and obliged him to pay a heavy fine besides. Follow- ing we give the names of the members of the town board and town clerks since its organiza- tion. The first name in each case, being the chairman.

1859-J. N. Bill, C. S. Osborn, John Simpson, supervisors; J. W. Roath, clerk. 1860-H. W. Tew, Benjamin Crosby, Edwin Cowell, supervis- ors; Warren Atkinson, clerk. 1861-G. I. Por- ter, Urial Butler, Z. B. Nichols, supervisors; G. C. Canfield, clerk. 1862-G. I. Porter, Roland Weeks, J. W. Roath, supervisors; G. C. Canfield, clerk. On account of the resignation of Roland Weeks, to enter the army, John Simpson was ap- pointed August 29th, 1862, to fill his place the remainder of the term. The chairman, Mr. Por- ter, also resigned and H. W. Tew was appointed October 15th, 1862, to fill his place. 1863-Ezra Hammond, G. W. Forsaith, Isaac Manchester, supervisors; G. C. Canfield, clerk. May 12th, 1863, Mr. Hammond resigned on account of ill- health, and Ralph Hatten was appointed in his place June 6th, following. 1864-G. C. Can- field, John Simpson, J. P. Naglee, supervisors; J. W. Roath, clerk. Mr. Naglee failed to qualify and A. M. Nichols was appointed in his place April 22d, 1864. On account of the resignation of Mr. Canfield, A. L. Dixson was appointed chairman of the board, February 5th, 1865. Mr. Roath also resigned his position as clerk, Febru- ary 13th, 1865, and A. E. Dixson was appointed his successor the same day. 1865 and 1866-R. C. Masters, Ezra Hammond, A. L. Dixson, super- visors; A. E. Dixson, clerk, 1867-J. N. Bill. James Simpson, Ralph Hatten, supervisors; A. E. Dixson, clerk. 1868-W. H. Eckles, J. N. Bill, C. D. Scarborough, supervisors; A. E. Dixson, clerk. 1869-C. W. Mann, Orange Mattison, A.

B. Hale, supervisors; A. E. Dixson, clerk. 1870 -J. W. Roath, A. B. Hale, E. S. Bill, super- visors; A. E. Dixson, clerk. 1871-J. W. Roath, C. P. Nichols, W. A. Gray, supervisors; A. E. Dixson, clerk. 1872-W. A. Gray, E. S. Bill, C. P. Nichols, supervisors; A. E. Dixson, clerk. 1873-W. A. Gray, A. L. Dixson, Newton Par- sons, supervisors; A. E. Dixson, clerk. 1874-M. K. Pike, C. P. Nichols, E. S. Bill, supervisors; A. E. Dixson, clerk. On account of the death of Mr. Dixson the office of town clerk became vacant and George Gray was appointed to fill the vacan- cy, September 30th, 1874. 1875-M. K. Pike, E. S. Bill, G. R. Terry, supervisors; J. S. Nichols, clerk. 1876-M. K. Pike, E. S. Bill, G. W. Leach, supervisors; J. S. Nichols, clerk. 1877-M. K. Pike, John Lanphear, G. R. Terry, supervisors; George Gray, clerk. 1878-J. N. Bill, A. L. Dix- son, Jr., P. J. Becksted, supervisors; George Gray, clerk. 1879 and 1880-M. K. Pike, A. Howland, W. L. Kinyon, supervisors; I. G. Hodg- son, clerk. 1881-James Babb, G. C. Chamber- lain, W. L. Kinyon, supervisors; I. G. Hodgson. clerk; Alonzo Howland treasurer; H. H. Barker, assessor; J. R. Sumner, justice; S. W. Mattison, constable.

We copy the following minutes from the town records entire, because we think they deserve a place in this history of the county, and that all may know what Waterford was capable of doing in a time when the general government was in need of both men and money. At a special town meeting held August 15th, 1864, for the purpose of raising money to pay volunteers to aid in suppressing the rebellion in the south, the fol- lowing minutes will explain what was done. "Meeting was called to order by the town clerk, and upon motion, R. C. Masters, H. E. C. Barrett and Warren Atkinson were appointed a committee to draft resolutions for the adoption of said meet- ing. The aforesaid committee presented a reso- lution as follows, to-wit: 'Resolved that the said town (of Waterford) issue town orders to the amount of $4,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, bearing interest at twelve per cent. per annum, payable one-third in one, one-third in two, and one-third in three years from the first day of April, 1864, with interest payable on the first day of April, 1865, and annually thereafter. Orders to be issued by the town clerk and coun-

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tersigned by the board of supervisors, in such sums as the board of supervisors, in their discre- tion may direct, for the purpose of paying boun- ties to volunteers who may enlist from or be accredited to the town of Waterford, to fill the quota of the town under the call of the president in July, A. D. 1864, for five hundred thousand volunteers, or subsequent calls.' The aforesaid resolution was unanimously adopted by acclama- tion in said meeting."

The town board met February 3d, 1865, to con- sider a petition by the people of the town, calling for a special election, to enable them to vote upon the question of taxing the town for the purpose of raising a bounty for volunteers from the town of Waterford, and also to vote a special tax to be appropriated to the payment of war bounty taxes which have or may be levied on the prop- erty of soldiers who have enlisted, or may be in the United States service. In accor- dance with this petition, a special town meet- ting was called and held February 13th, fol- lowing. Ralph Hatten was chosen moderator. Patrick Butler offered a resolution that a bounty be given to all soldiers who had enlisted from the town without a town bounty, which was ruled out, as not coming under the rules for proceedings under the call for the election. R. C. Masters of- fered the following resolution, to-wit: "Resolved, that town orders to the amount of $2,500, or so much thereof as may be necessary, bearing in- terest at the rate of twelve per cent. per annum, payable the first of April, 1866, may be issued by the town clerk, and countersigned by the chair- man of the board of supervisors, in such sums as the board, in their discretion may direct, for the purpose of paying bounties to volunteers enlist- ing, or being accredited to the town of Water- for, to fill the quota of the town under the calls for volunteers up to this date, and also to cancel the amount of taxes for bounties, assessed against the property of George Porter, Charles H. At- kinson, Edward S. Bill, and Thomas Cowell, in the service without bounties, and that the sum be issued annually as soon as taxes are payable by the clerk and chairman of the board of su- pervisors, payable out of the funds raised by this tax." The resolution was carried by a vote of twenty-eight to eight. The next day the board met and issued bonds to the amount of nearly $1,600.

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History of Dakota County and the City of Hastings, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 85

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

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