History of Fillmore County, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 82

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 82

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JACOB A. ROSE was born in Harrison county, Ohio, on the 10th of August, 1826. When eigh- teen years old he commenced learning the black- smith trade, and in 1850, enlisted in the United States Marine service, on board the "Susque- hanna." Was in Commodore Perry's expedition to Japan and China, visited the East Indies, and

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AMHERST TOWNSHIP.

in 1855, sailed for home, arriving in San Francisco in October of the same year, thence around Cape Horn, stopping at a number of places of interest in South America and West Indies, and landed in New York on the 8th of the following March. He was soon after discharged, and returned to Ohio where he was engaged in farming until coming to Minnesota in 1860. On the 4th of September, 1856, Miss Christina E. Kanoth became his wife. The union has been blessed with two girls and one boy. Mr. Rose enlisted in the Seventh Min- nesota Volunteer Infuntry on the 15th of August, 1862, was in the Indian massacre the first year, then went south and remained till the close of the war. He then returned to his home in this place and resided with his father until the death of the latter, since which time he has occupied the homestead. His father, Henry Rose, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1796, and was one of the first settlers of Harrison county, Ohio. He came to this place with his son in 1860. Mr. Rose, the subject of our sketch, met with an acci- dent abont four years ago in falling from a horse,and has since been lame. He has practiced veterinary surgery for the past twenty years. Has held a number of local offices and is now Notary Public.

KNUDT REGNOLDS was born in Wisconsin on the 3d of August, 1853, and came to Fillmore county with his parents when an infant. When he was sixteen years old he entered a drug store at Lanes- boro remaining several years, thence to Chatfield and Albert Lea in the same business. His wife was formerly Miss Jennie Nelson, of Decorah, Iowa, whom he married on the 20th of May, 1875. Her father, Nels Agrimson, was born on the 30th of July, 1812, and followed the tailor trade until coming to Wisconsin in 1852. Three years later he moved with his family to Iowa, where they lived twenty-four years, then came to this place and located on the farm Mr. Regnolds now owns. Mr. and Mrs. Regnolds came here in the spring 1880. They have one child.

THEODORE I. TOUSLEY is a native of Connecticut, born in Salisbury, Litchfield county, on the 2d of November, 1835. When an infant he moved with his parents to Ohio, where they were among the the early settlers, and where his father died in 1840. Theodore made a trip to Jefferson county in 1857, but returned to Ohio in about eight months. In 1859, he accompanied a party to Pike's Peak, and on his return engaged with a

farmer in Trempealean county, Wisconsin, and re- mained during the summer. In November, 18-, he drove a team to Holt township, where he married Miss Mary Jones. They made a visit to Ohio, and in the spring returned to this county, driving the entire distance. In 1862, Mr. Tousley enlisted in Company C, of the Seventh Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded in the battle of Tupelo. After his discharge he returned to Ohio where his wife had resided during his term of service. While in the army he purchased a farm in this township to which he removed in the spring of 1867. Mr. Tousley was the first to raise amber cane in this place. He has filled the office of Town clerk seven years, also Justice of the Peace, Assessor, and Supervisor.

JOHN PETERSON STENSHOEL is a native of Nor- way, born on the 27th of October, 1836. He came to America in 1854, with his father, Peter Olson, who took a claim in Canton township, where he remained until his death in 1874. John was em- ployed in farming at home and by neighbors until 1860, when he took land in Holt township. He married Miss Laura Larson on the 5th of Feb- ruary, 1860. They have six children. Mr. Stens- hoel was Lieutenant of a home militia company in the war of the Rebellion. Since coming to this township, in 1864, he has been a member of the board of Supervisors a number of terms, and also filled the same office while a resident of Holt.

GEORGE TURNER was born in Lower Canada on the 10th of November, 1843, and moved with his parents to Illinois when about ten years old. They soon after came to Iowa, and in 1859, to this place, and took the land where George now re- sides. The first few years they encountered the usual hardships of pioneer life. During the war Mr. Turner enlisted in the Second Minnesota Cav- alry, Company A, was in Sully's expedition against the Sioux, and tells many thrilling inci- dents concerning their depredations and cruelty. When returning to Fort Ridgely they suffered terribly from cold, remained there during the win- ter, and in the summer were stationed to guard the frontier. In February they started for Fort Snelling, but were caught in a blizzard, and many froze to death, Mr. Turner finding his way back with one other of the company, and received an honorable discharge on the 22d of April, 1865. He then returned to his farm, and has since made it his home.

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WILLIAM H. TRAVIS is a native of New York, born in Dutchess county on the 11th of August, 1842. When eleven years old he became em- ployed in the print works of Garner & Co., re- maining there until seventeen years of age. In 1861, he came to this township with his parents, who settled on section thirty-one. William re- sided with them until his marriage, when he lo- cated on a farm of his own in section thirty-six, Preston township, but now resides on the old homestead in Amherst. The maiden name of his wife was Rachel Finney. She is a native of Penn- sylvania, and was married to Mr. Travis on the 3d of December, 1866.

JACOB VOUGHT, the oldest settler in this place, is a native of Westchester county, New York, where he was born on the 21st of January, 1810. When he was an infant his parents moved to Or- ange county, where his father died in 1819, and his mother in 1822. Jacob was united in mar- riage with Miss Margaret Andrews on the 22d of January, 1833. They came to Janesville, Wiscon- sin, in 1847, and in April, 1853, started for Fill- more county, and located a farm near Lenora, but only remained a short time, and then selected their present claim in this township. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Vought are, James, who lives in Jackson county; Andrew, who served four years in an Illinois regiment, and while in the army con- tracted a rheumatic affection from which he has never recovered, and is a great sufferer; he mar- ried Fannie Prescott, and lives in section twenty in this township; John enlisted in a Wisconsin regiment, and died on the 6th of December, 1869, .

from the effects of exposure while in the army; Henry, born in Rock county, Wisconsin, enlisted when fifteen years old in the Seventh Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, was with Sherman's army four months; he is now farming in Dakota; Nich- olas resides at home with his parents; Isabel mar- ried John Sever, and lives in Watonwan county; Emily was married to J. G. Finney, who died in January, 1877, and she has since resided with her parents; Ella is the wife of Frank Newell, living near Lanesboro; Mary married William Emmons of this place, and Julia is now Mrs. J. Turner.

JOHN WARD is a native of Ireland, born in Car- low county. He emigrated to America with his parents, and for two years resided in New Jersey, then came to Green county, Wisconsin, from which place, in the winter of 1856, John walked to this town. He took a claim in section twenty-nine, and commenced improvement imme- diately. He has since added to it, and now owns the largest farm and is the most extensive stock raiser in this section. On the 24th of October, 1861, he enlisted in the First Minnesota Light Ar- tillery, serving three years, and participating in twenty-two engagements. In the battle of Shiloh he received a wound in the head, was supposed to be dead, and left by his comrades, but soon recov- ered, and was with Sherman at the siege of Vicks- burg. After his discharge he returned to his farm in this place. In 1867, he was joined in matri- mony with Mrs. Hannah Ward, his brother's widow. The union has been blessed with four children.

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CARROLTON TOWNSHIP.

CARROLTON.

CHAPTERR LIX.

DESCRIPTIVE -- EARLY SETTLEMENT - POLITICAL -- EDUCATIONAL-RELIGIOUS-LANESBORO VILLAGE MANUFACTURING -- SOCIETIES- - CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC. - CLEAR GRIT-ISINOURS-BIOGRAPHICAL.

This town has the thirty-six sections of a gov- ernment township, with the addition of sections six and seven of that on the east, and one-half each of sections thirty-three, thirty-four, and thirty five on the north. It is the northeast of the four central towns of the county, and has Pilot Mound on the north, Holt on the east, Preston on the south, and Fountain on the west. The south branch of the Root River enters the town in sec- tion thirty-two, and follows its winding way to leave the town from section thirteen at Lanesboro.

There are few, if any, rougher towns in the county than this. The hills are high and the bluffs ab- rupt, and of course this gives valleys of correspond- ing depths, and in some places they are pinched up to form mere ravines or gorges, and in others spread out and make room for fine farms. The The soil is varied from a light sandy clay to a dark rich loam. The south side of the bluffs are nearly barren, while the north side is generally covered with timber.

When first settled there was very little clear land; timber and hazel brush predominated, and now there is said to be quite as much timber as ever, while the hazel brush has been replaced by the cereal grains.

The Sonthern Minnesota Railroad follows up the river very faithfully until in section twenty-one, near Clear Grit, it suddenly abandons its old con- sort, having obtained a mercenary divorce, and climbs the hill above Isinours in quest of other affiliations.

The Root River itself cuts across the northeast corner of the township. Watson Creek comes into the town from Fountain in section nineteen, and

perigrinating around pours into the south branch at Clear Grit, in section twenty-one. Trout Creek works it way from Preston through section thirty- six into the mill pond at Lanesboro. Another little stream comes from Fountain, through section seven, and quietly finds its way into the north branch of Root River. The other little rivulets in town are unimportant. There are quite a num- ber of water privileges and some of them are still unimproved. Those that have mills will be men- tioned elsewhere.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

Among the first settlers to spy out this goodly land, were K. K. Bell, T. K. Bell, R. Knudson, and R. Peterson. The two Bells are still in the town, Peterson is in Faribault, and Knudson in Arendahl. They came early in the spring of 1854, and se- cured claims in sections seven and twelve, and the presumption is that the first log house in the town was put up by them. At first they lived in a shanty made of Elm bark, put together by withs for the want of nails. These pioneers were origi- nally from Norway and had lived in Wisconsin before coming here.

Peter O'Shaughnessy, Joseph Mulvihill, and a brother of the latter, natives of the south of Ireland, came here from Illinois, and planted them- selves on section seven, in the west part of the town. It may be well to state here that there are two sections six and seven in the town, the two extra ones being, as already intimated, in the north east part.

'The story is that a man wanted the lucrative position of supervisor, and so engineered as to get these two sections set off from Holt, and some half sections from Pilot Mound, and by this flank movement secured the object of his ambition.

G. W. Eddy, of Illinois, came and settled in section twenty, in 1855.

The north and west part of the town was first

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HISTORY OF FILLMORE COUNTY.

settled by James Crowley, John Noonan, William Ryan, R. Fitzgerald, M. Mulholland. James Ober- ton, and others, who, coming from Ireland, had at first brought up in Iowa. Of these men, Mul- holl nd has gone to the returnless region. Mulvi- bill and O'Shaughnessy reside in the town of Fountain.

Charles McGuire secured a farm in section five, in 1856, O. C. Gulbrandson in section twenty- seven, L. L. Olson, also came the same year.

In 1857, J. H. Skarie located in section one, and during that year the town was quite well filled up.

EARLY BIRTAS .- Peter Regnold, son of Regnold Knudson, was born in February, 1856. Mary Crowley, a daug'iter of the pioneer by that name, was another early comer.

MARRIAGES. - Sheldon P. Eddy and Mary K. Eddy were united in the bonds of wedlock in July, 1855, at the house of G. W. Eddy, Mr. Ropes of Carimona, who ever he was, tied the nuptial knot. Ole Bendrickson to Lucretia Knudson, and Martin Bremer to Mary Ryan, should also be mentioned.

THE FIRST DEATH .- In July, 1854, Mrs. P. O'Shaughnessy was killed by the falling of a tree which was struck by lightning. They had not yet got up their cabins and were camped in a grove, the men were away at work, and on their return, after a shower, they found Mrs. O'Shaugh- nessy under the fallen trunk, dead, and Mrs. Mul- vihill prostrated by the stroke; although she was resuscitated she never fully recovered from the shock.

An early death was that of Patrick Mallany, who, in the winter of 1856, started to walk home from from Carimona to Carrolton in a snow storm, and losing his way, peris'19 1. His faithful dog went home and led his friends back to the spot where he lay in the snow stark and dead. His was the first burial in Carrolton Cemetery.

OTHER EARLY NOTES .- The first saw-mill in town was built by K. O. Orton in 1857, on the north branch of Root River, in section seven, over iu the eastern part of the town. About eight feet of fall was secured. It had a reciprocating saw, the canal that carried the water to the mill was nearly three-fourths of a mile long, but in 1858, it was destroyed by a flood. It was rebuilt, and in 1860, was again washed away and the mill demol- ished. The material was then used to build a barn in section twelve, which is still standing.

Gilbert & Foster, in 1858, built a mill to saw

lumber on section thirty-four. In the winter of 1860, it was washed away and has never been re- placed.

The first saloon in town was before the war, pre- vious to the excise tax on the exhilirating bever- age; it was opened by Tom Hasset, on section thirty-four north. The whisky was procured raw from the distillery at Troy. His place was far from being one of those "gilded palaces, with pier mirrors and marble topped counter." Indeed, his want of paraphernalia was what broke him up, for he dealt out his ninety rod material in a tin pan, and the size of the drinks were ridiculously out of proportion to the price paid, and Tom soon closed out without a prohibitory law.

POLITICAL.

The town was organized on the 11th of May, 1858. The election was at the house of Michael Mulholland in section nine. There was quite a discussion as to the name, a motion having been made to call the new town Cork. But finally, in a spasm of enthusiastic patriotism it was named in honor of the bold signer of the Declaration of Independence, RICHARD CARROL.

The board elected at that meeting was as fol- lows: G. W. Eddy, Chairman. John Mulvihill, Lawrence Connelly; Town Clerk, M. E. Billings; Assessor, Nathan Austin; Collector, Nic. Con- nelly; Justices of the Peace, E. F. Armstrong and M. P. Enright; Overseer of the Poor, Patrick Wein.

In 1859, Mr. M. Scanlan was elected Town Clerk, and has kept the place ever since.

At a special meeting held on the 9th of Decem- ber, 1864, the sum of $4,000 was voted to secure volunteers to fill the quota of the town. On the 6th of April, 1865, the sum of $800 each was voted to those who would volunteer. The whole amount paid by the town for volunteers and to drafted men was about $8,000.

The town affairs have been economically admin- istered by the various boards that have been elected.

The officers for 1882 are: Supervisors, R. R. Greer, Chairman, Ole Gulbrandson, and Richard Wadden; Assessor, John Wadden; Treasurer, M. V. Bean; Clerk, M. Scanlan; Justice of the Peace, D. F. Case; Constable, Luke L. Miller.

EDUCATIONAL.

DISTRICT No. 49 .-- This was first organized in 1858. The first officers were: J. H. Skaric,

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clerk; K. O. Orton, director; R. Knudtson, treas- urer. A school had previously been taught in the house of K. K. Bell in 1857, by Lars Iverson in the Norwegian language. In 1858, James Ober- ton taught English in the house of K. C. Orton, and until the present schoolhouse was built, pri- vate houses were used. The schoolhouse cost about $450. Elling Gulings was the first teacher.

DISTRICT No. 50 .- The first school here was probably the one opened in the house of M. Mul- holland, Miss Ellen Mulholland being the in- structor. Afterwards a school was kept in N. Wadden's residence. In 1868, the present house was built in the southeast corner of section four, at a cost of about $300. The first to inaugurate the new schoolhouse was Miss Lizzie Whalen.

DISTRICT No. 51 .- It is claimed with great plausibility in each case that the first school was kept at three different places by as many different persons. This district was probably organized about 1858, and a schoolhouse constructed at the quarter stake between sections seven and eight, each man bringing logs; before it was finally completed, however, it was torn down and re- moved to section eight, where it was finished. In 1859, the first school was opened there with Miss Mulholland wielding the rod of authority. The school continued there until the present house was completed in 1875, in section eighteen, at a cost of $450.

DISTRICT No. 52 .- In 1860, a school was started in a house owned by Sheldon Eddy in sec- tion twenty-one; Eliza Underwood handled the ferule. About the same time the organization was effected. Schools were continued in private houses up to 1869, when a schoolhouse was put up that cost $30. In 1871, the present building was constructed at a cost of $300. Miss Sarah Wood- ward was the one to break in the new schoolhouse.

DISTRICT No. 53. - School was taught in the house of H. Peterson in 1858, while this was a part of district No. 52. Wm. Sawyer was the teacher. The district was set off in 1861, and that winter a school was opened at the residence of Jacob Heintz. In 1862, a log house was built on the land of O. C. Gulbrandson in section twenty-seven, who furnished the rough timber, and all turned out to help put it together, and when nearly ready for the roof Mr. Fiske was em- ployed to finish it for about $100. In 1871, the house was moved to section twenty-eight. In

1880, a fourth of an acre of land was bought of J. C. Easton for $25, on the same section, about 450 yards north of the former site. This build- ing, at the present writing, is still incomplete.

DISTRICT NO. 54 .- - This was formed by a subdi- vision of number fifty-three, and set up for itself in 1867. The next year a schoolhouse was built in section twenty-six. The first school started in the new house and the district, was under the su- pervision of Miss Angie MoMullen. It is rare that a town has like this its school districts con- secutively numbered.

FLOURING MILL.

Big Spring Mill was built in 1876, by Ole Dusschee. It is two and one-half stories high, with a basement, and has three run of stones, one for feed and two for flour. The mill is operated by water from Big Spring, which is 200 feet away, and a fall of twenty-eight feet is obtained. 'The cost of the whole establishment was about $10,000. It is operated as a custom mill and has devices for manufacturing the improved brands of flour.

RELIGIOUS.

LUTHERAN .- The first reported meeting of this denomination in the north part of the town was at the house of K. O. Orton, in section seven, as early as 1856. Rev. V. Koren, of Decorah, Iowa, was the preacher. No church was built, but meetings were held at various places, and when the society was organized in Lanesboro, the people went there for religious teaching and worship.

LUTHERAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH .- The adher- ents to this faith in the southern part of the town used to go up to the north side during the earliest years of the settlement, but about 1859, they be- gan to have meetings at the residences of G. Olson and T. K. Bell, and afterwards in the house of A. Embretsen, and in pleasant weather the meet- ings would be held in the grove, Rev. C. Clauson, of Spring Grove, officiating. After him came Rev. T. Larson and Rev. H. A. Preus. On the 20th of November, 1865, a meeting was held for organiza- tion at the house of A. Embretson. Tobias Larson was elected Chairman, and Ole Gulbrandson was appointed Secretary. The officers elected were: Trustees, P. Yensen, T. Petersen, Ole Gul- brandson, A. Embretson, G. Olson, and T. K. Bell. Meetings were continued in private houses, and in the schoolhouse till 1871, when a church was con- structed in section thirty-four. Rev. T. Larson

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was the first pastor; he was here over four years, and was succeeded by Rev. T. Gotaas, the present minister.

CATHOLIC CHURCH .- The first mass ever said in town was at the house of Mr. M. Mulholland in 1856, by Rev. Father Michael Kinsley. A church was commenced in the southeast corner of section seven. The farmers around found the logs and put up the building ready to receive the roof, but it was never finished. After remaining in this condition a few years it was destroyed by a prairie fire. The people now attend service in the village of Lanesboro.

LANESBORO VILLAGE.

This village is located in Carrolton, on the northeast extremity of section twenty-four and extends northward upon the southwest quarter of section thirteen, was laid out, platted and recorded in the spring of 1868, by the Lanesboro Company.

VILLAGE NAME .- There are two opinions as to the true source of the village name, and after hearing both sides one must form his own conclu- sion as to which of the two the name was derived from. Many claim the town was named after the old New England town, Lanesborough, from whence a number of the early settlers came, while others insist that the town was named in honor of F. A. Lune, one of the principal stockholders in the Lanesboro Townsite Company. We are in- clined to favor the former theory.

EARLY SETTLEMENT .- As to the early or earliest settlement of the town of Lanesboro, there is much room for speculation, and more room for doubt as to who really was the earliest settler on the wild uncultivated hills and valleys of former days, but now occupied by the thrifty little village of Lanesboro. It is certain, however, that the set- tlement and building up of the place is entirely due to the Lanesboro Company.

The township in which the village is situated had been settled for ten years prior to the com- mencement of the village, but in the vicinity the farms of settlers were "few and far between," and it was yet termed wilderness and backwoods. When the Southern Minnesota railroad began pushing its way through Fillmore county in 1868, the town was contemplated and projected, and in dealing with the history of the early settlement of the village of Lanesboro, it must be borne in mind, we take that as a basis of date, and with

that date commences the history of the chief motor of its prosperity.

LANESBORO TOWNSITE COMPANY .- In the sum- mer of 1868, a joint stock company was formed in New York, with a capital of about $62,500, the object being to build up the town of Lanesboro, and to be known under the above caption. The capital of the company was divided into twenty- five shares of $2,500 each, and the following were and are at this writing, the stockholders of the company :

C. W. Thompson 5 shares.

Eliza Thompson

Wm. Windom

H. W. Holley

C. G. Wyckoff. 1

F. A. Lane.

Thomas Bard

Townsend Bros

H. C. Kingsley

A. P. Man 4

L. Meyers

Shortly after the organization of the company, the members were assessed an additional $500 per share, making the paid up capital of the com- pany $75,000. The company at once commenced operations by sending their agent to the spot to purchase 500 acres of land. Land was purchased of M. Scanlan, Con. Scanlan, Ed. Enright, Thos. Barrett and Ed. and C. Johnson. All of the above parties were at this time living on their places, all the land being within four miles of the present village; but the land upon which the latter now stands was purchased from a man named Johnson. The land now occupied by that part of town called Brooklyn was purchased of Ed. Enright.

At this time there were only two places of resi- dence in the valley, two little hewn log huts plas- tered with mud and clay. One of these stood on the hill above where the railroad track now is, about the center of block fifteen, and belonged to and was occupied by Johnson's family. This was torn down some years ago, to make room for more appropriate edifices. The other hut belonged to Ed. Enright, and was similar in construction to the former. It stood in the center of the Brook- lyn addition. This was also torn down.

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History of Fillmore County, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 82

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

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