History of Dakota County and the City of Hastings, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 87

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 87

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Irvin G. Hodgson was born in Rock Grove, Stephenson county, Illinois, April 11th, 1852. When Irvin was three years old, his father died, leaving his mother with two little boys, he being the oldest. Subsequently his mother married E. Anthony, and remained at Rock Grove until 1876. They then removed to Waterford where Irvin engaged in a cooper shop, and has since continued in that employment. He is a member of the Social Lodge, number 48, A. F. and A. M., of Northfield; member of Northfield Lodge, number 50, I. O. O. F .; also a charter member of Orient Encampment, number 50; is town clerk of Waterford, and clerk of school district, num- ber 72.

Alonzo Howland was born October 4th, 1824, at Brandon, Vermont. His native place was the home of his youth and manhood until 1870. He then came to Waterford and bought his farm, and has since been a tiller of the soil. Married in Vermont, in 1852, Miss Mandana Shippy. They have three children living: Rollin, who mar- ried Miss Mary Partch, in Waterford; Annie and Nick.

James W. Howland was born in Pittsford, Vermont, in April, 1856. He came to Green Vale, Dakota county, Minnesota, in 1869, and removed to Waterford in 1880. He has since en- gaged in agricultural pursuits on the farm which he purchased at that time. His wife was Miss Rosetta Spaulding, of Pittsford. Vermont; mar- ried in November, 1854. Nine children have been born to them. The living are: Angie M., Flora P., wife. of L. E. Page of Northfield; Frank B., Fred, Arthur P., A. F., Hattie E. and Jennie.

Angie M. Howland, a native of Vermont, was born in November, 1856, and is a daughter of James W. Howland. She came to Minnesota,

with her parents, in 1869, and has been teacher in the schools of Dakota county for five years, and makes her home with her parents in Water- ford.

Parley Hughes, a farmer in Waterford town- ship, was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, in 1816. When fourteen years old he went to Canada, thence, in 1869, to Hudson, Wiscon- sin, and in 1874, came to Rice county, Minnesota. Two years later he purchased a farm in Water- ford township, having since been a farmer in that locality. Miss Susan Rambaugh became his wife in 1841. Manson, James, William, Miles, Agnes, Jane and Anna are their children living.

J. L. Johnson was born in Wisconsin in 1850. His mother died when he was one year old, when he when went to Illinois, to make his home with an uncle. At the age of fifteen, he entered the army in Company I, Seventh Minnesota Regi- ment, and was mustered out after nine months service. His home was in Waseca county. Min- nesota, for two years, thence to Pierce county, Wisconsin, where he found his father after a sep- aration of seventeen years. In 1875, came to Waterford, and the same year was married to Miss E. L. Cowell. Purchased in 1880, his farm, on which he now lives. J. L. and M. J. are their children.

Theodore Kalkas, a native of Prussia, was born in 1831. Came to America in 1870, and set- tled in Cincinnati, Ohio, making his home there one year. After a residence of one year at Spring Lake, Minnesota,he removed to Waterford and rented the farm he now cultivates, of Mr. Kranz. Married Miss Christine Merriman in 1855. Louisa, Lena, Gustavus and John, are their chil- dren.

John Lanphear, born in Washington county, New York, in June, 1829. On attaining ma- jority, removed to Rock county, Wisconsin, re- siding there one year. Accompanied by a party of others, he started west with an ox-team, ar- riving at Prairie du Chien in one week; taking boat for Minnesota, they arrived at Red Rock after a journey of eighteen days. He started out to find a new home, and on reaching what is now Waterford, made a claim on sections 20 and 29, and in 1852, built a log shanty. This place has since been his home, he being one of the first

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settlers of the township. Miss A. Alexander be- came his wife at Northfield in June, 1854. The next year their first child was born, and was the third child in the township. They have three children, all living.

A. P. Martin was born in Orange county, Ver- mont, March 18th, 1818. He went to Illinois in 1844, and there lived until 1855, coming thence to Minnesota, for his health. The salubrious cli- mate of the "North Star" state, restored his health, however, and he now owns a farm in Hampton, also property in Waterford. Married in Illinois in 1857, Miss Mary E. Martin. Ida May, now wife of M. A. Folsom, of Minneapo- lis; Nathaniel, Lora and Albert are their chil- dren. Mr. Martin has been tendered the differ- ent offices of the town, but has not accepted.

Samuel W. Mattison was born in Hamburg, Erie county, New York, July 1st, 1823. When two years old his father died, and in 1843, he re- moved to Dover, Illinois, remaining until 1853, then came to Dakota county, Minnesota, being one of the earliest settlers. On his arrival at Hastings, there was but one house and the old log hotel. His first work was blacksmithing, making the iron work for the grist and saw-mills at Northfield. He remained in Waterford but a short time, then went to Eureka township and pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres, and purchased forty more. Returning to Waterford in 1872, he has since made this place his home. Enlisted in 1862,in Company F, Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry,serving until receiving his dis- charge in 1865. Mr. Mattison has been twice married, his present wife was Abbie Marple, sister of his first wife, married in 1857. He has four children by this wife; Willard S., Julia A., Emily J. and Henry B. Mrs. Mattison received the ap- pointment of postmistress of Waterford, in Octo- ber, 1880.

I. J. Mattocks, was born in Erie, Crawford county, Pennsylvania, in 1811. IIis father died in the war of 1812, after which he went to make his home with his grandfather. When fourteen years old he learned the tanner's trade, continu- ing in it until he attained his majority. He then went to New Orleans, remaining but a short time; on returning to Pennsylvania, married in October, 1840, Miss M. C. Bernhardt, and five years later started for the west. Locating in |

Wisconsin, there was their home until 1856, com- ing at that time to Dodge county, Minnesota. They have been residents of Waterford township nine years, having located on their present farm in 1872. They are the parents of nine children; the living are, Anna C., Carrie E., E. H., J. B. and Mary S.

A. M. Nichols was born in 1809, in Orange county, Vermont. When nineteen years old, he removed to Hudson county, Ohio, living there and in Portage county, same state, until May, 1854, coming thence to Waterford, Minnesota. He and Warren Atkinson named the town Waterford in consequence of being obliged to ford the Cannon river to reach the place they wished to pre empt as claims. His original prop- erty was on the hill where Josiah Okins now re- sides, and where he lived until his removal in 1877, to Northfield. He was postmaster in Waterford from 1862 until 1877; was treasurer of the town and one of the supervisors for many years. During the summer of 1855, through the efforts of Mr. Nichols and others, a Sunday- school was formed, he being superintendent until his removal to Northfield, his nephew, C. P. Nichols, being his successor. He was also instru- mental in organizing the Waterford Union church, of which he was deacon until 1877. Married in Portage county, Ohio, in 1837, to Lucy Curtis, of that place, who died July 11th, 1877. His present wife was Mrs. P. H. Childs, married in 1879. James S. and J. M. are their adopted children.

C. P. Nichols was born at Dover, Illinois, in 1846. Here he lived until eight years old, then moved with his parents to Pierce county, Wis- consin. In October, 1864, he enlisted in the Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry, and remained in the army, doing good service until the fall of 1866. The following fall he moved to Waterford and has since made this his home. He has a fine farm of nearly two hundred and forty acres, and also has a nursery to which he gives much atten- tion. In 1867, he and Miss M. F. Dixson, daughter of A. L. Dixson, were united in marriage. Three children have been born to them, Bennie H., Cora M. and Josie S.

Josiah W. Okins, a native of England, was born in January, 1836. Came across the waters in 1854, and remained a short time in New York,

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thence in 1855, to Illinois, making that state his home one year. He then came to Waterford and settled a short distance from his present residence. In 1879, he purchased the place on which he now lives. Has some very fine Nor- man colts, and is a stock raiser to considerable extent. Married in 1858, Miss Catherine Dean, of Illinois. Their children living are: Willis B., Nellie M., Fred J., Clarence R., Julia B., J. Ed- die and Katie.

Thomas H. Olin was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, in 1811. He remained in his native state until twenty-three years of age, then went to Ohio for one year, thence to Milwaukee, it being at that time a little hamlet without one frame house in completion. Going to Waukesha, Wisconsin, he made that place his home until coming to Minnesota in 1855. He, with his family, came the entire distance from Waukesha to Northfield, by ox team, bringing their stock with them, cows, pigs, and chickens. They were about four weeks on the road, and during the time did not enter a house, but camped in a tent prepared for the purpose. Arriving at North- field, he settled on and pre-empted the farm which has since been his dwelling place. Although often asked to accept different offices in this state he has not done so, but was a member of the Wisconsin legislature two terms. Mar- ried in 1837, Miss Sarah Church, of Milwau- kee. They have five children: Rollin C., living in Detroit, Michigan; he was in the army, and was assistant adjutant to General Sibley; M. T., who was in the army three years, and a sergeant in First Wisconsin Cavalry; Clara E, adopted, wife of H. Scriver, of Northfield; A. M. and S. M.

Henry Page was born in Vermont, December 16th, 1848. Came to Minnesota in 1873, and set- tled in Waterford and purchased his present country home. He has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. Miss Edna Waters became his wife, March 14th, 1877. She was born in Wisconsin in 1855, and came to Minnesota with her parents. Norah M. is their only child, born in 1879.

L. A. Page, born April 28th, 1846, is a native of Vermont. This was his home until 1869, then went to Iowa for three years. After a brief stay in Minneapolis, Minn., he went to River Falls, Wisconsin, and made that his home six years, 1

working at his trade, that of a carpenter. Came to Waterford in January, 1881. Married Febru- ary 19th, 1879, Miss Flora P. Howland, who has borne him one child, Emma H.

Thaddeus H. Partch was born in Vermont in August, 1831. At the age of fifteen years, he removed with his parents to Illinois, and there learned the coopers' trade, and followed it un- til coming to Minnesota in 1875. He first located on a farm in Rice county, which he still owns; soon after came to Waterford and opened a cooper shop, continuing three years, then sold it to the Cannon River Manufacturing Company. He then engaged in the grocery business two years, and has since been employed as manager of the cooper shops for the Cannon River Manu- facturing Company. Married in Illinois in Au- gust, 1852, to Miss Emily Potter. They have eight children, all living, Martin U., Caroline E., Ambrose E., Mary E., Herbert O., Emma S., Sophia and Walter M.

M. H. Patten, born in Bucksport, Maine, in 1820. When thirteen years of age he began the sailors' life, in which he continued five years. Locating in Medford, Massachusetts, he lived there two years and acquired the carpenters' trade, after which he worked on a farm one year. Subsequently, he and his brother, James R., started westward, and after a residence of a short time in Chicago, entered the employ of the St. Croix Lumber Company, in 1842. He re- mained in their employ eight years, when the . company failed, owing him $1,300, which was never received. In 1850, made a claim in Wash- ington county, and four years later went to Hast- ings, erected a house, and made that his home five years. Came to Waterford in 1866, after four years in Douglass. Married in 1850, Miss Mary E. Griswold, who died in 1858. His present wife was Miss Elizabeth Mayo, a native of Eng- land, married in 1860.

N. S. Persons was born in Addison county, Vermont, July 8th, 1843. At the age of three years he went to Springfield, Allen county, In- diana, and there made his home for eighteen years. In 1864, came to Dakota county, and set- tled in Waterford on a farm, where he now lives. He was one of the original stockholders of the Grange mill, also supervisor, and treasurer of school districts number 64 and 87. Married in

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1878, Miss Phebe A. Grill, who has borne him one son, Edward Franklin Grill.

M. K. Pike was born in East Salisbury, Massa- chusetts, September 24th, 1829. Here he lived until 1866, then came to Minneapolis, Minnesota. Previously he had been united in marriage with Miss Emma J. Barnard, who being in poor health accompanied Mr. Pike to Minnesota, hoping to be benefited. She died at Maple Grove, January 1st, 1867. In 1871 Mr. Pike came to Waterford and built a cheese factory, also purchased the farm on which he lives. Married in 1870, Mrs. Sarah Barnard, widow of E. D. Barnard, who came to his death in the war. Ella M., J. W., J. F. and Edward are her children.

Charles A. Simpson, son of John Simpson, was born September 19th, 1855, in Hadley, Cook coun- ty, Illinois. When a babe of six months came with his parents to Waterford, and remained under the parental roof until 1880. Married in No- vember, 1879, to Miss Jennie E. Moore, and lives on section 19.

William L. Stephens was born in Wyoming county, Pennsylvania, in 1837. Here he grew to manhood then removed to Rice county and bought eighty acres of land, on which he lived until 1862. Enlisted in Company A, Seventh Minnesota; was in the Indian war at the time of the taking into captivity five hundred Indians, thirty-eight of whom were executed at Mankato. In 1863, went south and participated in several conflicts and was mustered out October 31st, 1865. Returning to Rice county, Minnesota, he engaged in the meat business, thence in 1875 to Water- ford, purchasing the farm on which he now lives. In 1869, married Miss Florence R. Ingram of Faribault, Minnesota. Two children have been born to them: Minnie E. and Nellie I.

J. R. Sumner, a native of Massachusetts, born in Franklin county, September 26th, 1836. In 1856, came to Minnesota, locating in Northfield, Rice county. Here he farmed till 1873, then re- moved to Faribault and in company with his brother Jesse, embarked in the lumber, sash, door and blind business, continuing three years. Dis- posing of his interest he removed to Waterford, where he has since been clerk, treasurer and superintendent of the Cannon River Manufactur- ing Company, of which he is also a stockholder. Married at Bridgewater, Rice county, in 1860, to

Minerva Waits. William E., Bradford L., Nelia P. and Stella M. are their children.

G. R. Terry was born in Columbia county, New York, 1829. When a child of seven years went to Oneida county and five years later to Wayne county. In 1845, came to Green Lake, Wis- consin, remaining until coming to Hastings, Minnesota, in 1854, where he made a claim. Returning to Wisconsin, he remained until 1861, then returned and settled in Sciota. Here he made his home until 1870, then located at Waterford and purchased his present farm. En- listed in Company F, Seventh Minnesota, in 1862. Being afflicted with ill-health he participated in only a few of the conflicts in which his regiment engaged; came home on a furlough in 1864 and was mustered out the following year. Married in Winnebago City, to Miss C. T. Miller, in 1866. C. W., M. L. and John G. are their children.

M. Tramm, a native of Prussia, was born in 1832. Came to America in 1855, and the next year came to Stillwater, Washington county, Min- nesota, following in the pursuit of his trade, that of stone mason, five years. His home was after- ward five years at Prairie Creek, five years at Northfield, finally located at Waterford and purchased the farm which he still owns; also is owner of the lime-kiln. Married at Stillwater, in 1857, to Miss Minnie Damka, a native of Prussia. Seven children have been born to them. The living are: Emma M., wife of Henry Fay of Waterford; Edith L., Lena E., Lizzie A., Sadie A. and Hattie L.

William Waters was born in 1857, in Wiscon- sin, and when three years old,came with his parents to Minnesota, who purchased a farm in Eureka, Dakota county. William came to Waterford in 1874, and has since made this his home. He has three sisters and one brother: Margaret, Agnes, Edna and George; his mother also lives with him.

George O. Way was born in Sullivan, New Hampshire, in 1829. Here was his home until 1854; then he came to Minnesota, settling in Claremont, Dodge county. He pre-empted a farm and lived there eighteen years, going thence to Rice county, making Faribault his home until 1872, engaged in the nursery business. Coming to Waterford in 1877, he took charge of the cooper shops of the Cannon River Manufacturing

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Company. Married in New Hampshire, in 1851, Miss Sarah A. Mitchell. On reaching Clare- mont, Mrs. Way was the only white woman in the vicinity. Horace M., their son, was the first child born there. Their children who are living are, Horace M. and George A., now at Fort Keogh, Montana. Mr. Way represented his dis- trict in the first state legislature; was one of the commissioners of Dodge county; also town clerk of Claremont a number of years, and held other offices in the town and county.

Deacon Roland Weeks was born in Livingston county, New York, in 1827. When eighteen years of age he went to Michigan, and soon after to Green Lake county, Wisconsin, coming thence in 1855 to Dakota county, Minnesota, locating on a farm in Sciota. Returning to Wisconsin for his family, he came back in 1856 and lived in Sciota five years. He then came to Waterford and bought the farm on which he now lives. Enlisted in 1862 in Company A, Seventh Minne- sota Regiment; after serving against the Indi- ans, the regiment went south, and was mustered out in 1865. On coming to Minnesota with his family, the entire trip was made with an ox team. Miss Mary Jane Daniels, of New York, became his wife in 1847. They have three children liv- ing: Edwin R., married Jane Carlow, and lives in Lyon county, Minnesota; Ella L., wife of O. E. Persons, living in Lyon county, and Fremont E., attending Carleton college at Northfield.

WEST ST. PAUL.

CHAPTER LXV.

SITUATION-KAPOSIA-SETTLEMENT-ORGANI- ZATION-VILLAGES-SCHOOLS-CHURCHES- BIOGRAPHICAL.

The town of West St. Paul is situated in the northern part of Dakota county. It is bounded on the north by Ramsey county, on the north-

east and east by the Mississippi river, on the south by Inver Grove, and on the west by Men- dota. As originally laid out, it contained also, all of township 28 north, of range 22 west, of the fourth principal meridian, but for the sake of better police regulations the village of West St. Paul was attached to the city of St. Paul, by act of the legislature, approved March 9th, 1874. The question was submitted to a vote of the peo- ple, and having the promise of a free bridge into St. Paul was easily carried.

The surface is generally uneven. Along the river between the bluffs and water's edge, is a rich bottom land, varying from a few rods at the north to a mile or more in width at the south. This is usually covered by timber. This bottom land furnishes excellent meadow for hay, and in occasional spots where it has been improved, rich farm land. Bordering this bottom is a high bluff, at intervals broken by deep ravines, and at the summit of the bluff extends westward from a quarter of a mile to a mile in width, a slightly undulating prairie. The soil of the prairie is of a black sandy loam, and produces large crops of grain, producing more corn than wheat. The surface of the rest of the town is very rough, and when first settled was covered with a heavy growth of timber, in which oak was the most abundant. This has mostly been cleared for farms, some fine groves being left.

When first settled, as is always the case in new western countries, the farmers began raising wheat, but the rapidity of growth and closeness of St. Paul, has of late years induced many of the farmers to enter into market gardening, the soil of the northern and eastern part of the town being peculiarly adapted to that industry.

Sunfish lake, or Lake Thereau, the only lake of importance in the town, covers about sixty acres in sections 30 and 31. The water is clear and in places quite deep. The shores and bot- tom are of sand and gravel. There are a number of other ponds in the township, but they are more or less marshy and valueless, some of them drying completely up during drouths.

The Indian village of Kaposia, of which a more complete sketch is given in Chapter XXXII, was located in section 22 of this town. The date of its origin is not known, but it is supposed to have existed many years before the advent of white

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men. Whenever the river washes away a con- siderable portion of the bank, at the site of the village, or when excavations are made, large numbers of human bones are exhumed, though it is not possible to determine to what tribe or race they belonged. There were a number of other burying grounds in this vicinity, but this one is unknown. For several generations Kapo- sia was the headquarters of the Dakota or Sioux Indians. The name was taken from a tribe of that name.

About 1836, two brothers named Kavanagh, were sent here by the Methodist society. Accom- panying them were their wives and a Mrs. Board- man, and Miss Julia Boswell, as teachers.

In this company, though independent of the mission, came Charles Cavalier, W. R. Brown, and a man named King. After a short time this mission was abandoned. About 1838, W. R. Brown married Mrs. Boardman, and moved to a claim in Washington county, near Red Rock. The ceremony was performed by one of the Kava- nagh brothers, and was probably the first in the town. Cavalier soon followed Brown to Red Rock, and for a time engaged in drug business. He is now living in British America. Miss Bos- well and the Kavanaghs returned to Kentucky, and one of the brothers afterward became a Methodist bishop in the south.

During the year 1846, the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions sent the Rev. Dr. T. S. Williamson here to establish a mission, and money was furnished to erect mission build- ings. This pioneer and his works are described elsewhere. The work on the mission building was done by Dr. Williamson, with the assistance of others. When completed it was 30x36 feet, with eighteen foot posts, and contained eleven rooms and closets. A quarter of a mile south of of this, A. Robertson, the government farmer, lived in a log house.

Associated with the doctor, as teachers were Miss Jane Williamson, his sister, Sylvester M. Cook and John Aiton. Cook came in the spring of 1848, and Aiton in 1852. When the treaty transferring the Indian lands to the government was concluded in 1852,and the Indians transferred farther west, the land heretofore occupied by the mission was thrown open for entry, and Miss Williamson endeavored to hold it under the pre

emption act. In order to become the "head of a family," she adopted two Indian boys.

A townsite company with Franklin Steele at the head had looked upon this as the place for a town, and gave Miss Williamson a note for $3,000 to abandon possession. The law required that all persons holding townsite claims should make within a given time certain improvements. The company quarreled with their surveyors who re- fused to sign the plats, and the prospective enter- prise was abandoned.

A. E. Messenger who had arrived in St. Paul in 1853, concluded to make a claim and ascertain- ing the state of affairs regarding the site, follow- ing the advice of friends pre-empted it in 1855. A spirited contest followed, but was compromised by Mr. Messenger giving to the company the southern part of the claim in the south-west quarter of section 22, now owned by T. W. Wal- lace. Mr. Messenger received his patent Febru- ary 16th, 1856. In June following, he sold an un- divided half to Sherwood Hough, of St. Paul, then deputy clerk of the territorial supreme court. A. J. Whitney, clerk of the court also became in- terested, with Judge Moses Sherburne. A town- site was laid out in August, and recorded No- vember 13th, following. A short time after he received his patent, Mr. Messenger was offered, but refused $5,000 for the land. In a short time after the town was platted, quite a number of lots were sold to parties, but owing to disagree- ment between the proprietors whenever it was necessary to exercise public spirited generosity in offering inducements to enterprisers, but two or three persons ever settled in the village. Mr. Messenger purchased the lots from time to time, and in 1878, had the plat vacated, there now re- maining no signs of the village except the house occupied by Mr. Messenger.

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History of Dakota County and the City of Hastings, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 87

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

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