History of Fillmore County, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 70

Author: Edward D. Neill
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages:

USA > Minnesota > Fillmore County > History of Fillmore County, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota > Part 70

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HISTORY OF FILLMORE COUNTY.

PRESTON.

CHAPTER LIV.

DESCRIPTIVE - EARLY SETTLEMENT - SCHOOLS- CHURCHES-PRESTON VILLAGE-MILLS-GRADED SCHOOL- RELIGIOUS-SOCIETIES-CEMETERIES- BIOGRAPHICAL.

The shire town of the county is the southeast of the four central towns, and has for immediate neighbors, Carrolton on the north, Amherst on the east, Harmony on the south, and Carimona on the west. In form and size it corresponds with a town of government survey. The south branch of Root River impinges upon the northwest corner of the town, and Camp Creek, arising in Harmony, runs north from section thirty-three to section five, where it joins the main stream.

It is a good farming town with considerable rolling prairie; Union prairie involving the north- eastern part, and Highland prairie the southeast. ern. The soil varies from a rich black loam in the valleys, to light clay of a sandy character on the hills. .

In addition to the streams mentioned the town is well watered with springs which bubble up at the surface, yielding sparkling water in abund- ance.

There is a large supply of limestone, which is easily obtainable for lime or for building purposes, and there is a schoolhouse and quite a number of residences of this material.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The earliest settlers known to have surrounded claims here were Andrew Tollefson and Torger Peterson, who, coming from their native Norway, arrived in August, 1853, and took up their local habitations in sections twenty-two and twenty- three. Mr. Tollefson built his house on section twenty-two, but afterwards moved it on to section twenty-three, where additions were made, and he still lives there.

In 1854, L. M. Little, a native of Ohio, came here and pre-empted land in section three. A. J. Tillotson, of Ohio, also came with him, but Mr. Little went back and did not return until 1856. These three men are still residents of the town.

Robert Krees settled in section twenty-two.

Robert Henderson came from Canada in 1854, and adopted some land in section twenty-six, where he now lives.

Ole Munson was on section fifteen.

Andreas Tollefson was on section fourteen.

E. O. Wilson, a Norwegian who had stopped awhile in Illinois, took up his abode about the same time, and there were quite a number of others.

In 1855, William Gender settled on section five, and Chris. Hahn settled on section four; these men were Germans, and they still occupy their original farms. This year also brought several others.

During the year 1856, Henry Milne located in section twenty-six, and Robert McCallum secured a claim in section twenty-two. These men were from Scotland. William Boice, of Dutchess county, New York, settled in section thirty-two, where his widow still lives. John Mills, an En- glishman, transferred himself to section twenty- two. John Long, of Maryland, placed himself in section eight, but he has since been transplanted to "that home whence no traveler returns."

This year and the next was the flood tide of im- migration, and since that time the incoming of set- tlers cannot be said to have been epidemic, but rather sporadic in its character. The town is now well settled with a thriving population.

The history of the town and city of Preston is necessarily blended together in a great measure, and in the sketches of the two they mutually over- lap each other.

EARLY BIRTHS .- John Henderson, son of Robert

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and Janet Henderson, was born on the 5th of July, 1854. Mary Bendriokson, on the 20th of . April, 1856.

MARRIAGES .- Purdy Hart and Phebe J. Boice were married in the spring of 1857. Rufus D. Weymouth and Mary S. Painter were married in August, 1857.

EARLY DEATH .- On the 8th of July, 1854, Ben- drick Bendrickson, a son of Knudt and Robina Bendrickson, died at the age of five years, and was buried on his father's farm in section twenty- four. Purdy Bain died on the 21st of November, 1856.

POLITICAL.

The primary election and town meeting to set the local machinery in motion after the institu- tion of the State government, was on the 11th of May, 1858.

The town officers elected at that time were: Su- pervisors, S. B. Murrell, Chairman; John Duxbury, and Thomas S. Vickerman; Town Clerk, B. S. Loomis; Collector, D. R. Smith; Assessor, Oliver Williams; Justices of the Peace, S. B. Murrell and Duncan Murray; Constables, William D. Lipe and William Hutton; Overseer of the Poor, E. O. Wilson; Overseers of the Highways, J. K. Brad- bury and Berge Oleson. At this election 133 votes were polled.

The political machinery in town, so far as the discharge of official duties are concerned, has gone on smoothly whichever party has been in power.

At the spring election in 1882, the so-called National ticket was successful. Supervisors, J. J. Merrill, Chairman; John Anstett, and L. O. Lar- son; Clerk, F. E. Bennett; Treasurer, Elias Lint; Assessor, W. E. Mitchell; Constables, S. B. Ole- son and S. E. Ford; Justices of the Peace, W. B. Mitchell and Elias Lint.

RAILROAD BONDS .- Bonds were issued by the authority of town on the 27th of August, 1879, to the amount of $25,000, in aid of the construction of the "Caledonia, Mississippi & Western Rail- road." These bonds were fifty in number for $500 each, were to receive seven per cent. interest, and were payable on or before the expiration of twenty years. They were conditioned upon the road be- ing built into town.

PRESTON IN THE WAR OF 1861.

The action of the town in recruiting our armies in the field will not suffer in comparison with others

in the county. On two occasions the town was re- quired to raise money for additional bounty, and it was promptly done. On the 5th of August, 1864, at a meeting of the board of Supervisors, a tax was levied to pay an additional bounty of $200 to each and every man who should volunteer, and thus help fill the quota of the town. Again, in Decem- ber, 1864, in response to the President's call for 500,000 more, the Supervisors levied another tax to put the bounty up to $400, each to be paid by the town. And so the quota was filled.

SCHOOLS.

DISTRICT No. 53 .- School was kept in H. Peter- son's house in 1858, while this was a part of No. 42, William Sawyer being; the teacher. In 1861, the district was separately organized and the first school opened in the house of J. Hentz. The next year a log schoolhouse was put up on the land of O. C. Gulbrandson. In 1871, the building was moved to section twenty-eight where A. Embret- son gave the land. School was continued there till 1880, when a fourth of an acre of land was bought of J. C. Easton for $25, about eighty rods north, when a new house was built.

DISTRICT No. 48 .- On the 27th of January, 1858, a meeting was held to organize the district at the house of Mr. Livingood. A. J. Tillotson was the clerk, and the schoolhouse was built the Same year on the land of Mr. Livingood which was leased for ninety-nine years. Each family was re- quired to make a bench for the schoolhouse. Miss Emily Miller presided at the teacher's desk for the first time in the new schoolhouse. The lease of the land was afterwards lost, and Mr. Livingood took possession of the building and put a family in it.

For a year or two there was no school in the district. In 1874, a piece of land was procured of Chris. Hahn, in section four, and a new school- house went up, the first school being taught by Miss Cara Slater.

DISTRICT No. 46, organized in 1857 or '58, and the same year a schoolhouse was built, the farmers furnishing the logs and turned out to put them together. Logs were hauled to the village to have some boards sawed for the floor. The funds to buy shingles were raised by subscription. Miss Catharine Murrell taught the first school. This log structure was kept in use until 1869, when the present edifice was erected at a cost of $850.

DISTRICT No. 169 .- This was formerly a part of No. 48, but was set off and organized in 1871. A

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half acre of land was bought of Andreas Tollef- son, on section fifteen, paying $12.50 for it, and that same fall a house was built at a cost of $560. Te. B. Felt was the first teacher; John Livingood was clerk, Michael Anstett, director, and Ole Lar- son, treasurer.

DISTRICT No. 137. - This was organized in the last half of the sixties, and was taken from No. 47, from the Preston District, and a part in Carimona was added in 1878. When the district was first organized a log house was put up which lasted till 1878, when the present building was pro- vided on section eighteen, at a cost of $1,200. In the new house, Miss Hattie Sutton had the honor of calling the first school to order. In the early history of the district, Ettie Prescott was the first teacher, in E. Long's house.

DISTRICT No. 47 .- In 1857 or '58, this district was established, and the next year a log school- house was got up on section twenty-eight. In 1872, the house now standing was put up at a cost of $1,200, on the same section. Miss Jessie C. Johnson was the initial teacher in the new build- ing. The first officers of the district were: John Duxbury, Clerk; Thomas Duxbury, Director, and Oliver Williams, Treasurer.

DISTRICT No. 129 .- In 1861, this district was organized, and the same year a schoolhouse was laid up of stone, at a cost of about 8500. This is a union district, part of it being in Harmony. The house is on section thirty-one. Miss Mary Manning was the first teacher in this district.

DISTRICT No. 136 .- Formerly a part of Nos. 48 and 169; it was set off and organized about 1863, when a small log house was procured from section eleven and moved to section twelve. Dun- can Murray was the first teacher. In 1875, a house was built at a cost of $700, and J. W. Ben- nett was the first teacher.

CHURCHES.

LUTHERAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH. - In 1855, meetings were held in Ole Wilson's house, and afterwards in other places, but after the erection of the Lutheran Church in Harmony, the people at- tended there, as they still do. No local organiza- tion was ever had.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. - The first Methodist meetings in the southwest part of the town were at the residence of Joseph Weymouth in the fall of 1855. Benjamin Crist was the preacher, but after a time the people worshipped

in Carimona. In 1878, however, they organized a church; with Mr. Dayton, of Harmony, as their class leader. Mr. Blain was the first preacher, and meetings were held in the schoolhouse in dis- trict No. 129.

GERMAN BAPTIST .- The first meeting was held at the house of John Kaercher, and soon after it was organized with about twelve members. The church is known as the Railroad church. Joseph Ogg is the Elder. Among the Deacons may be mentioned William Dreves, Jonathan Breadwater, John Sutter, John Shook, and S. M. Shuck. William Hipe was also a preacher. This sect is commonly called Dunkards.

PRESTON VILLAGE.

This village is situated on the north of the south branch of Root River, within a loop of the stream that thus furnishes the eastern, southern, and western boundary of the village. It is on the extreme northwestern corner of the town of the same name, and extends the width of four blocks north into Carrolton. As originally laid out it contained eleven blocks and a fraction. One block was reserved for a Court House square, and that left upwards of one hundred good sized lots. The direction of the streets conform to the cardinal points of the compass. As now constituted, the east and west streets, beginning at the river, are, Mill, River, Main, Fillmore, Preston, North, Spring, Brownsville, Valley, Kansas, Freeman, and Farm- er's. In the other direction, beginning on the east, there is Bluff, Center, Pleasant, St. Anthony, St. Paul, Houston, Franklin, Washington, Winona, and Gap streets. An avenue from the corner of St. Anthony and Spring streets runs northwest and is called "Chatfield."

The blocks have ten lots tor the most part, and an east and west alley. The contour of the sur- face of the land may be said to be rolling in sev- eral directions, giving a natural drainage, most valuable in a sanitary view. The buildings are substantial, many of them of brick and some of stone, and the village has a general air of thrift and prosperity. The United States census of 1880 gave Preston a population of 960. The popula- tion is now claimed to 1,009.

EARLIEST SETTLEMENT.

John Vail, from Pennsylvania, was the first man to locate a claim in the town or village of Preston, in 1853. His place was on the south side

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of the river, opposite the present village, but in the fall of 1854, he -transferred his claim to two men who really became the founders of the village.

John Kaercher was a cooper by trade, and while engaged in that occupation and earning some money at Freeport, Illinois, early in the decade of 1850, bought a farm southeast of Burr Oak, and such was the remarkable immigration and the rapid development and improvement of that im- mediate vicinity, that he soon realized $10,000 for the property., So, in the fall of 1854, he started for Minnesota, in company with Theobald Schweitzer, to repeat, if possible, the operation in some growing town. They at first struck Cari- mona, which had an embryotic village with a saw- mill which had been erected by the three Pickett brothers. It was at once decided that this was a very desirable piece of property to have, although there was not a superlative abundance of first- class lumber to keep it in operation. However, Kaercher and Schweitzer opened negotiations with a view of purchasing the property if it could be obtained at a satisfactory figure; two of the broth- ers were consulted, and they agreed that $1,400 would be a fair valuation. When, however, the third Pickett dawned upon the scene, he affected the most supreme indifference about selling, and placed his figures at $1,600, and to this unex- pected raise the young prospectors expressed their surprise.

The two young men thus seeking their fortunes were attired in overalls, and shirts made of bed ticking, which would not create the impression that they had several thousand dollars in ready cash. The conversation finally became animated and was interlarded with spicy remarks on both sides, and finally they were told, with perhaps more candor than discretion, that Carimona could get along very well without any striped Dutch- men. Of course this abruptly closed negotiations in that quarter and they proceeded down the river, resolved to secure an independent location.

It must not be forgotten that this was then a new country, that straggling bands of Indians still roamed about their native wilds, and that the fleet footed antelopes still held possession of the choice pastures that now, for a quarter of a century, have yielded a wealth of golden harvest to those who have followed these pioneer footsteps. This pair of adventurers moved down the river for about four miles when they came across the primitive abode

of John Vail, above mentioned. Near this cabin was a gurgling spring, with a volume of water al- most sufficient to carry a mill. A brief reconnois- ance revealed to the practical minds of John and Theobald that there were two or more valuable mill sites convenient, and a rich country all around. So Mr. Vail was sounded as to what he would take for his right, title, and interest. An equitable valuation was mutually agreed upon and the claim was transferred, and Kaercher and Schweitzer re- joiced that their room had been considered better than their company up the river.

A saw-mill was soon built, and in the spring of of 1855, a surveyor was procured and a town platted, which was none other than the present village of Preston.

At first the county seat was at Chatfield but it had been removed to Carimona, which was one of the four central towns in the county. These en- terprising men had not forgotten the appellation of "Striped Dutchmen," and having a village with one corner in the geographical center of the coun- ty, and also having erected and run a flouring mill for a year at a clear profit, as it is stated of $30,000, Mr. Kaercher was in a position, with the aid of Chatfield, whose citizens were provoked at the loss of the prestige the relinquishment of the county seat would entail, to procure this as the shire town of the county, which was done within a year from the time it was laid out.

Mr. Kaercher was a man of energy and enter- prise, with originality. In addition to the two mills, he built the Stanwix House, which was a noted hotel for more than twenty years. He also built a comfortable brick residence in the lower part of the village, now occupied by Louis Kramer. He bought a farm east of the village and erected a brick residence which would be no discredit any- where.

After a few years he sold his mill to Mr. Filbert, of Decorah, Iowa; but out of active business he was afflicted with a spirit of unrest, and, after a time, bought back his mill property, and taking into partnership Mr. V. M. Baker, they prosecuted the business for a number of years, but finally sold to the Conkey Brothers, who still own and operate the mill.

Mr. Kaercher then resolved to permanently re- tire from the milling business, but seeing a place for the expression of his energies, and remember- ing the generous profits of flour manufacture, he

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leased the Nonpareil Mill, in Chatfield, of Mr. S. T. Dickson. This was put in good repair and he made a complete success in operating it. He afterwards bought the Troy Mill, in Winona county, and at one time had four mills at different points. Soon after the war there was wild specu- lation in wheat, it went up to two dollars and seventy-five cents, and an immense quantity of wheat was purchased at these prices, to keep the mills in operation, when suddenly the "corner" collapsed and only found a resting place at seventy cents. Mr. Kaercher, it is said, lost $70,000 and had $30,000, as a debt, hanging over him. He had before had serious reverses, but this was the most serious. For several years he was out of business, except as to his farm below the village, but he fin- ally succeded in trading this farm for a little mill at Clear Grit with one run of stones. He increased the power and added five run of stones. He made the best grades of flour, and in a word, retrieved his fallen fortunes, wiping out the last dollar of his indebtedness.

Again he enlarged the mill to more than double its former capacity, but a debt was contracted, and various circumstances conspired to make an un- profitable business, and on the 23d of June, 1881, he removed to Big Stone City, Grant county, Da- kota, where his ability, energy, and experience, will be of value to the community, and it is hoped place him in a good financial condition.

The original house built by John Vail still stands near the bridge, and is now used as a stable.

To go back to the colony at Preston, which was called the Kaercher colony; there were quite a num- ber of them, Mrs. Barbara Schweitzer, the mother of Theobald, being one of the most energetic among the number, and there was Richard Jahn, who was employed in erecting the mill for Mr. Kaercher, who is now a well situated farmer, and the same may be said of Christ Jahn his brother, and Michael Anstett, who resides here yet.

James McLean, who died here several years since, was another early comer.

James Connell was also of the party, he now lives in Carrolton.

The Schweitzer family consisted of three sons and two daughters, besides the mother already men- tioned, and the father, who came at a later period. She was a sister of John Kaercher, a partner in his real estate transactions, and secured in her

own name the site of the village, including the water privilege of the Conkey mill, and also a lot of land south of the village. The town was platted and recorded in her name.

The name of Preston was given to the town and village by Mr. Kaercher in honor of his millwright, Luther Preston, and who is mentioned in another place. The first hotel in the village was the Preston Hotel, and was situated where Anthony Ibach's place is. The proprietor was Menno Ebby.

The first store was started in February by Theo- bald Schweitzer, who had a stock of general mer- chandise. It was closed a few years later, and his earthly career was also closed some time after- wards.

In the spring of 1856, E. J. Egbert, of Ohio, came here and opened a store; he soon afterwards died.

William Douglass started the first blacksmith shop in 1853.

C. Rappe was one of the oldest settlers, and erected a forge and kindled the second fire in a blacksmith shop. His arrival was in July, 1855, from New Orleans, where he had stopped awhile after coming from Germany.

Among the oldest settlers is J. P. Tibbetts, who came in 1855, and found almost the entire popula- tion engaged in building Mr. Kaercher's mill. He at once begau the erection of a hotel, which, when completed, he called the New England House. It was opened by D. W. Morrell and was the sec- ond in town. The same building, is now used as a dry goods store by O. H. Jacobson, and has been used as a schoolhouse, church, saloon, etc.

The first drug store was started by a man by the name of John Krees, who erected what is known as the Central House, in 1857, and openeda stock of goods. In a few years the financial pres- sure was too much for him, and Mr. Tibbetts suc- ceeded to the business which he still continues.

Mr. Thomas Hall migrated from Illinois in 1856, pre-empted a farm near Preston, and opened a store and saloon here, putting up the building known as Thomas's Hall where he may still be found.

I. P. Frazer came in 1856, from Illinois, and went into the grocery business, but he has passed away.

T. G. Eames, of Ohio, was an early settler who engaged in business here, but afterwards sold out

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and went to Texas, where he was found by the "man with the hour glass and scythe."

The first school was in the spring of 1856. It was in a little shanty in block two, that has long since disappeared.

James Billings came to Preston in 1856, and pre-empted eighty acres on the southwest quarter of section thirty-one, in Carrolton, and laid out the addition in that section. He was born in 1796.

The first death in Preston is said to have been David Quinn, at the age of eighteen months, a child of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Quinn, in the summer of 1858.

. When the land office opened for pre-emption, John Kaercher pre-empted the site of the present village of Preston. Barbara Schweitzer, his sister, and the mother of Theobald Schweitzer, pre-empt- ed the lower part of the town. When Theobald beca me of age he pre-empted three forties.

W. W. Fife secured one hundred and twenty acres south of village. Barbara was, when she first came here, the divorced wife of John Schweit- zer, and while living here they were re-united, but after a time he secured a permanent separa- tion by killing himself.

Theobald was an enterprising man in many re- spects. He, with Kaercher, built the Stanwix Ho- tel, and with his mother managed it quite a long time. Mrs. Schweitzer had lived near Freeport, Illi- nois, and the rapid rise of real estate, aided by her skill, had secured her quite a sum of money.

In April, 1856, a county election placed the county seat here. Several contests have since been held in this regard, but the citizens building the Court House, and it being in the geographical center has kept it intact.

The first United States District Court was held in the schoolhouse, now the Methodist Church. Judge Wilson presided. This was then in the Thirteenth district, but it is now the Forty-fifth.

On the establishment of the Post-office, in 1855, the first mail came by the way of Carimona. Wheeler & Nichols were the proprietors of the stage line. Before this the people had to go to Carimona to get their mail matter.

VILLAGE GOVERNMENT.

Preston was incorporated as a village by an act of the State Legislature, approved on the 4th of March, 1871.

The first meeting of the village council was on the 15th of May, 1871. The first officers were:

Mayor, Reuben Wells; Councilmen, J. O. Brien, H. R. Wells, H. A. Billings, William Carpenter; and D. C. Kerr; Recorder, J. B. Viall; Justice of the Peace, R. Wells.

At this meeting the machinery of the new gov- ernment was set in motion. The village was de- clared a single highway district, and Abram Kal- der was appointed Overseer and Marshal.

As a rule the best men in the village for their several positions have been entrusted with the management of its affairs.

The following gentlemen have been mayors of the village: Reuben Wells, J. J. Merrill, H. A. Billings, C. H. Conkey, and H. R. Wells.

The Recorders have been: J. B. Viall, D. M. Kramer, G. W. Hard, E. W. Stevens, F. M. Jewett, M. C. Ford, and P. J. Linxweiler.

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History of Fillmore County, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 70

Author: Edward D. Neill Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author: Edward D. Neill
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages: