History of Fillmore County, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 83

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 83

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

It was in July, 1868, that the company com- menced the erection of the stone hotel, making the excavation for a foundation in the middle of a field of wheat, and paid $50 damage to Mr. Jobn-

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son, who owned the crop. While the hotel was in process of erection, the company completed a newspaper and company office, and a barn near the river. While the office was being built, an enterprising editor, J. Lute Christie, published his paper under the trees. The first building he moved his office into, which was also occupied by the company's agent as an office, still stands a few rods west of the stone hotel, and is now occupied as a residence by Mr. E. Simth.

The first lumber ever brought into Lanesboro was drawn by an ox team from Rushford, early in the spring of 1868. Tom Densmore brought the first load and continued hauling until he had brought in enough to build the company's board- ing shanty, which was the second building on the ground, and the first frame structure. This shanty was built by the townsite company for a place of shelter for the men at work on other buildings, and was run as a hotel or boarding ranche, by an aged darkey. From this fact it soon received, and was always known as "Nigger Shanty." It stood midway between the two "White" mills, near the railroad.

In the meantime business houses and dwellings had commenced springing up, and the town, in the fall of 1868, could be considered fairly started. The first business house in town was built by W. H. Roberts in the fall of 1868, upon the corner of what is now known as block seventeen. He

moved in a $25,000 stock of goods the same fall, when, it may be said, there was hardly on ox path leading to the place. In commencing the founda- tion of his building, Mr. Roberts cut down the trees and grubs, just making room for his store, with a path leading to it. This store was known for years as the New York store, and Mr. Roberts' family lived in the upper story of the building.

Immediately following Greer & Greer put up a store building on the same block west of Rob- erts' building. This was occupied by them with a stock of general merchandise.

Dan. O'Brien built a store adjoining Robert's New York Store, and moved the first stock of hard- ware in town into it. He now occupies the same building, and still carries a stock of hardware.

Scanlan & Abbott soon followed suit, and had a large stock of hardware on the shelves, almost as soon as O'Brien. This they ran for a number of years, but it afterward passed into the hands of

Johnson & Christopherson, now being the finest hardware store in town, and one of the best in the couuty.

The first hotel in town, not considering "Nigger Shanty" worthy of that important caption, was the Grant Hotel, which was opened in the fall of 1868. It was situated on Second street, opposite where the Winona Hotel now is, having been built, and was run, by a man named Grant. The hotel was discontinued some years ago. Shortly after, the Cottage House, American Hotel, and others were built. The large stone hotel was completed and opened in July, 1870. On the opening day of this hotel, a free public dinner was given by the Lanesboro Company, which is said to have cost $2,000. Messrs. Chase & White were the first landlords. The cost of the building and furni- ture was about $42,000.

Mr. O. Iverson was one of the earliest settlers in the vicinity of Lanesboro, and is among the old settlers of the county. He was born in Norway, and in 1853, came to Chicago, where he remained about two years, coming next to Decorah, and from thence to Fillmore county, arriving in 1856, and settling in Carrolton township. He is now pro- prietor of the Winona Hotel in Lanesboro, and is an active member of the Old Settlers Association.

Mr. C. Johnson was an early settler, and at one time owned the town site. He is mentioned more fully elsewhere.

M. Scanlan was another of the first settlers, and he is noticed more fully among the biographies.

The first car load of wheat shipped from Lanes- boro, was shipped by O. G. Nash, to Chicago. The railroad company exhibited unparalleled gen- erosity by shipping the load free of charge; this, however, may be accounted for by the fact that the road was then operated by the Southern Min- nesota Railroad Company.

The first agent of the Lanesboro Company was Georga Ellis. In 1872, B. A. Man, succeeded him, and held the position for about six years. J. C. Easton was agent for a short time, and now R. R. Greer attends to the business of the Company.

The Post-office was established in December, 1868, with C. C. Abbott as Postmaster. On the 1st of July, 1876, Luke L. Miller was commis- sioned as Postmaster. On the 21st of July, 1879, O. G. Wall was installed in the office, which he still retains.

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HISTORY OF FILLMORE COUNTY.

LANESBORO GRADED SCHOOL.

This was organized as an independent graded school and the school building erected at a cost of about $1,200. The school employs three teachers and the principal, and there are now about 180 scholars in attendance. Prof. Wright is principal of the school. The following are the present officers: Director», S. Gilbert, Chairman; D. W. Hall, H. A. Cook, James Thompson, O. G. Wall, and O. Langlie; Treasurer, H. A. Cook; Clerk, O. Langlie.

FRATERNAL ORDERS.

MASONIC .- The first communication of Lebanon Lodge, No. 102, was on the 27th of November, 1872. The officers were, B. A. Man, W. M .; George Douglass, S. W .; Frank Freemire, J. W .; M. V. Bean, T .; . E. P. Bingham, S .; A. F. Nash, S. D .; S. Marke, J. D.

The present officers are: B. A. Man, W. M .; Thomas Thorp, S. W .; E. S. Nelson, J. W .; M. V. Bean, T .; W. F. Nelson, S .; A. M. Houck, S. D .; H. J. Clauson, J. D .; N. A. Patterson, Tyler.

ODD FELLOWS LODGE .- This was instituted on the 28th of May, 1869. The first officers were, W. L. Sherman, N. G .: G. H. Hitchcock, V. G .; Jacob Weybright, R. S .; Dr. Luke Miller, Treas- urer.

The present officers are, W. W. Sackett, N. G .; Samuel Whortnaby, V. G .; H. C. Schellberg, S .; John Beck, T.

BRASS BAND .- This was organized in 1877, by Thomas Evans. The other players were, Anton Enger, A. Melgard, Mr. Benney, H. Glascoe, S. Solberg, Mr. Souther, Mr. Hesson, J. Solberg, B. Larson, and J. Larson. Its musical echoes were allowed to die away, "and no sound can awake them again."

RELIGIOUS.

LANESBORO NORWEGIAN LUTHERAN CHURCH .- The first sermon preached here to this denomina- tion was by the Rev. T. Larson, in 1869, in the basement of what is now called the Minnesota House, and there were about 100 persons in at- tendance. Services were afterwards held irregu- larly in various places; at times in the schoolhouse and Presbyterian Church, until 1874. The organ- ization was effected on the 2d of February, 1874, at the Presbyterian Church, with Rev. T. Larson as presiding officer, and E. Loveland as secretary,

having at the commencement about thirty-five

members. The first trustees were L. Nordby, P. A. Rein, Hans Jacobson, F. Grondland, Ole Trol- sen, and Christ. Olson. From the time of organ- izing until the 17th of November, 1879, Rev. E. Jaastad filled their pulpit, when their present pas- tor, Rev. Paul Gotaas, was called. There are now sixty-five actual members; services being held in the Presbyterian Church. They, with the Union Prairie Congregation, own a parsonage. Mr. E. Loveland has always been secretary, and O. Lang- lie, organist.

ROMAN CATHOLIC .- Service was held at various houses as early as 1856. In 1859, Rev. Father Pendergast, of Winona, had regular appointments here. In 1869, it was resolved to erect a place of worship, and a temporary building was put up. In 1871, the present edifice was commenced, and in 1873, it was completed. The best remembered among the priests who have officiated here are Father Cahill, Father Riordan, and Father Cor- nelius. Rev. F. Caine is the present pastor. The first service here must have been by Bishop Ire- land at the house of Michael Mulholland.

HOTELS.

LANESBORO HOTEL .- This hotel was one of the stepping stones to the prosperity of Lanesboro, and is still an important factor in its continued success as a thriving village, and so quite a full sketch of this hostlery is here presented.

It was fortunate that the founders of Lanes- boro were men of intelligence and enterprise. Men who, after viewing the natural advantages of the locality, saw how, by utilizing the water power, wealth could be accumulated, real estate be advanced, and a village spring up among the bleak cliffs and upon the rocky bottoms that skirt the shores of the favorite stream of the Indians, Root River. True, the numerous farms that lay within a radius of six or seven miles of the present village were under cultivation, but their products had to be transported to the Mississippi by the slow propulsion of horse power. . It was a grand epoch in the history of this locality when the iron horse woke the silence of the surrounding heights with the echoes of its shrill whistle. It gave the car of progress such a forward movement that cer- tain success and measurable prosperity could be predicted for the young and growing town.

Among the material agencies which experience has found essential to the healthy prosperity of a

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town, are the schoolhouse, church, newspaper, and a first class hotel. At an early period in the his- tory of Lanesboro, all of these desirable institu- tions were permanently established. No longer ago than 1868, a traveler coming within the present incorporated limits, would have seen no signs of a village. Two residences, occupied by Denny Gal- lighen and Mr. Leahy, situated near where Mr. Nash's elevator now stands, were the only build- ings in sight. But they were soon supplanted by more imposing edifices. Under the potent di- rection of Messrs. Clark W. Thompson, F. A. Lane, A. P. Man, H. C. Kingsley, and P. M. Meyers, members of the Lanesboro Company, a number of substantial buildings were soon erected, among which was the Lanesboro Hotel, the best con- structed hotel in southern Minnesota. This build- ing, four stories high, 84x89, was erected and ele- gantly furnished with all the modern improve- ments in the summer of 1869, at a cost of $52,000. Its first occupants were Messrs. C. L. Chase and H. H. White, who satisfactorily catered to the public from 1870 to 1873. Mr. J. H. Preston was then landlord until June, 1876, when he was suc- ceeded by Mr. John Hobart, who subsequently vacated the hotel to be succeeded by its first land- lord, Mr. C. L. Chase. Mr. Chase, with that en- terprise and full understanding of what kind of a building and just what kind of hotel furnishing would be necessary in order to enable him to keep a first class hotel, immediately on taking posses- sion of the premises, inaugurated a series of im- provements, which placed the hotel in a condition superior to any like establishment in southern Minnesota. It is now very well kept by John Mullen.

WINONA HOTEL .- In 1869, the builder and pro- prietor of this hotel, Mr. O. Iverson, came from Winona and engaged in the restaurant business. He continued in this occupation until 1876, when he determined upon, and commenced the erection of the "Winona Hotel', on Second street. He moved into the building as soon as it was ready for occupancy, in the spring of 1877, and he has since been manager and proprietor of it. The cost of the building is estimated at between $6,000 and $7,000.

DEVY HOTEL .- The proprietor of this hotel, Mr. Wm. Kane, came from Ohio in 1866, and settled in Fillmore county engaging in farming. In 1870, he commenced the erection of this hotel, on East

street. It was finished and he moved into it in the spring of 1870. Mr. Kane has since had control of it, with the exception of two years, when it was run by Mr. Scanlan. The cost of the hotel was about $3,500.

AMERICAN HOUSE .- This noted tavern was built 'in 1869, by Mr. F. French, who put it up at first as a store, but as the demands of the town were for more hotel room, it was soon transformed, and thus run by Mr. French, then by Mr. Featherby, and afterwards by Mr. Babcock, and then by John Pulver, and it is now run by John Leahy, one of the oldest settlers in town.

VALLEY HOTEL .- This well kept hotel was built in 1869, by Patrick Mallany, and was among the first hotels built in town. Its size was 24x40 feet, with two stories and a basement, and it was run in this shape until 1876, when it was remodeled and rebuilt, by erecting a brick addition, which now contains twenty comfortable rooms.

THE UPPER DAM.

This dam was commenced in the summer of 1868, by the Lanesboro Company. It is situated at the dividing point between Lanesboro, and Brooklyn addition. After the company had worked upon the dam about six months, and spent $15,000, it was left incomplete for a short time and was almost entirely washed away. It was replaced at a cost of $10,000.

MANUFACTURING.

ANCHOR OAT MEAL MILL .- Was built in 1880 -- 81, by Mr. James Thompson, and is situated in section eighteen, about one half mile east of the village. The mill is a frame structure with brick veneering, size 51x66 feet, is three and a half stories high with an attic, and has an addition of 20x48 feet for a kiln house. Its capacity is about 100 barrels of oat meal per day and about 4,500 pounds per day of pearl barley. The mill is equipped with all modern improvements. The kilns are of iron and brick, and each has about one mile of steam pipe. The dam is located on block one of the village of Lanesboro, about a quarter of a mile from the mill. It is 150 feet long, six and a half high, and is made of timber cuts, filled with stone, and planked over. The end piers are of stone laid in cement, with a waste wear of 92 feet. Tapping this is a canal 18x80 feet long which gives a fall of seventeen feet at the mill. With a 100 horse-power Lafelle wheel the mill is

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run. The manufactured oat meal is shipped to Dakota, all points in Minnesota, and Western Wis- consin.

WHITE & GILBERT'S FLOURING MILL .- This was constructed in the fall of 1871, by Thompson & Williams, and was supplied with five run of stones. The location is west of the village on the railroad . track. An addition was made in 1876. It has been transformed into a roller mill, using Daw- son's patent. The machinery is driven by a Lafelle Turbine Wheel.

CARROLTON MILLS .- The construction of this es- tablishment was begun in October, 1871, by White & Beynon, and the first shipment of flour was in March, 1872. The mill was not on a large scale at first, being only a four run mill, but after- wards put up to seven run, and when the general transformation took place, five sets of corrugated and six of smooth rolls were set in place. The mills are located on the Root River in the north- ern part of Lanesboro, near the the railroad track.

The power is supplied by the Lanesboro Com- pany through a Victor water-wheel twenty inches in diameter, transmitting ninety horse- power. It is now worked at its fullest capacity, and delivers 175 barrels a day.

COOPER SHOPS .- There are two cooper shops in Lanesboro, one for each of the flouring mills. They were both started about the time the mills began running, and are owned and operated by Doud, Son & Co., of Winona. The stock is man- ufactured and prepared in Wisconsin, and put to- gether here. The whole business is under the management of Thomas Thorpe, and together they make about 1,800 barrels per week.

BREWERY .-- This beverage institution was com- menced in 1873 by Samuel Marke, but before it was completed it was sold to Mr. E. Kimber, who finished it. The building is of stone, size 40x60 feet, two stories. It was operated until 1879, and since that time has been idle. The brewery is situated in the eastern part of Lanesboro, but within the corporate limits.

LANESBORO ELEVATOR.

This was put up by the railroad company, but in 1870, was purchased by Mr. A. G. Nash, who added many improvements and doubled the ca- pacity. It has cleaning apparatus, driven by a horse power. It has a capacity of 25,000 bushels, and its shipping facilities are said to be equal to any on the road.

CLEAR GRIT.

This is a little hamlet in section twenty-one, which is a valuable spot on account of the water power furnished by the south branch and by Wat- son's Creek. The only industry there is the flour- ing interest. The mill was constructed in 1869, by Everett Newcomb, with sixteen feet posts and 30x30 feet, and at first had two run of stones, one of them being run on feed. In 1871, Hendrick- son & Mclaughlin came in possession. In 1872, John Kaercher, of Preston, bought them out and enlarged the mill, adding five run of stones after enlarging the building. He subsequently en- larged the mill again to its present proportions, and adding seven run, made it up to, fourteen in all. In 1878, the mill was changed to a roller mill, the first in the county, as is stated, to make the alteration. In February, 1879, it was started with the new process, having twenty-one sets of rolls. In 1881, Mr. A. P. Allis came into posses- sion, and now owns the mill.

The first store was opened here in 1872, by Jobn Kaercher. It changed hands several times previous to 1875, when W. H. Roberts bought the concern. It was at first in a building on the flat, but he put a building on the hill, 30x24 feet, with a tene- ment in the second story, and added an L 20x22 feet, where it has since been kept, and a' stock of about $3,000 carried.

In 1877, Kelly & Mosher started a lumber yard, and the next year sold to Charles Grinder. He put up a building, 40x24 feet, as an office and hardware store, but never supplied the goods to fill it. In 1880, selling what he had on hand he closed the establishment.

In 1879, John Paul began a lumber yard, and he also had a departing'exposition come over him, and left.

In 1874, Mr. Switzer built a hotel and run it about one year, when he sold it to Mr. Medhurst. In 1877, it was sold to B. Laveson.

In 1881, Freeman Young built a wagon and blacksmith shop, making wagons and repairing, but the same year he was suddenly carried to Da- kota by the western fever.

ISINOURS STATION.

This is really the Preston station on the South- ern Minnesota railroad. The building was erected by the citizens of Preston, who, having been dis- appointed in securing the road at their own doors

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were obliged to go to this expense, as one of the directors remarked, "it had cost so much to get around the town that the company could not afford to build a station for them." The land was secured of George Isenhour, and a man was em- ployed to care for the station.

In a year or two the company placed an agent there, and have since managed it. Mr. Isenhour built a hotel, which he still keeps. In 1871, a Post-office was established here, with W. M. Grant as Postmaster. Very soon, however, Mr. Isenhour was appointed, and is still in the position.

This seems to be a nucleus for a village, but as yet there has not even been any speculation in corner lots, and no alarming movement for cen- tralization.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

GEORGE P. BABCOCK, a native of New York, was born in St. Lawrence county on the 9th of June, 1827. He learned the cabinet maker and the car- penter trade of his father before twenty-one years old, after which he was engaged at the latter on the Connecticut Central railroad in Massachusetts. On the 14th of August, 1851, he was united in marriage with Miss Antonette Newcomb. In the fall of 1853, they came to Fillmore county, locat- ing in Carimona township, were they were among the early settlers, and erected the first frame dwell- ling. In 1861, they moved to Winona county, and in 1869, to Lanesboro, where Mr. Babcock erected the first warehouse in the place. Mr. Babcock was Mayor of the city one year, Chairman of the board of Supervisor and City Marshal six years. He is now improving a farm in Dakota Territory. Of ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Babcock, eight are living.

M. V. BEAN, a native of Orleans county, Ver- mont, was born on the 28th of November, 1840. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, learning the harnessmaker's trade in the town of Glover when about twenty-one years old. He found em- ployment at the latter occupation in Canada and later in Lowell, Massachusetts. In 1864, he was employed in the Quartermaster's department in the Army of the Potomac, remaining till the close of the war. He then returned to Vermont, and the following spring came to Winona, Minnesota, where he was engaged at his trade for three years. Mr. Bean came to this town in 1869, and opened & harness shop, to which business he has since given his attention. He has filled several local offices

since his residence here. Miss Lutty Douglas be- came his wife on the 16th of October, 1871. She died on the 3d of September, 1877, leaving one child, Fred. M.

JOHN BECK is a native of Germany, born the 1st of February, 1845. When young he learned the cabinetmaker's trade, at which he was engaged in his native country until 1866. In the latter year he sailed for America, coming soon after to Rush- ford, Fillmore county, where he followed his trade three years. He afterward resided in St. Charles a few months; then came to this place and opened the first furniture store in the town, in which busi- ness he has since continued. On the 16th of April, 1871, he was married to Miss Anna Schmoker. The union has been blessed with three children.

CHARLES CONATY is a native of the county Cavan, Ireland, born the 24th of December, 1838. At the age of eleven years he came to America, and located in Coventry Falls, Vermont, where he learned the shoemaker's trade. In 1856, he came to Milwaukee, and was connected with the police force and under-Sheriff for sixteen years, leaving there in 1878. He has been a resident of Lanes- boro since the latter year, having opened his saloon soon after coming.

HENRY CHRISTOPHERSON, one of the early set- tlers and representative business men of this place, is a native of Norway, born the 26th of Novem- ber, 1844. He emigrated to America in 1863, bor- rowing money with which to come, and located in Fillmore county, where he worked for farmers un- til earning enough to repay that which he bor- rowed. He served in Company I, of the Second Minnesota Cavalry from November, 1863, till No- vember 25th, 1865. After receiving his discharge he attended the public schools at Chatfield, and later taught a common school. In 1868, he came to this town, and for several years was employed as clerk in different stores. He was united in mar- riage, on the 1st of January, 1870, with Miss Annie P. Christopherson. Mr. Christopherson, by industry and economy, was enabled to start in business for himself in 1876, being what is called a "self-made man." He has a fine hardware store, the firm name being C. Johnson & Co. He served as County Commissioner three years, and in 1878, was a member of the State Legislature chosen from this district. Mr. and Mrs. Christopherson are the parents of seven children.

JOHN DESMOND, a native of Rensselaer county,

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New York, was born on the 26th of November, 1832. His father, who was a farmer and drover, died when John was but seven years old. He was married in November 1854, to Miss Eliza Ann Hicks. In 1858, they came to Minnesota, locating in Canton, Fillmore county, where Mr. Desmond purchased a farm and resided a number of years. His wife died on the 7th of September, 1873. Mr. Desmond came to Lanesboro in 1876, and engaged in the dray business at which he has since con- tinued. The maiden name of his present wife was Lucy M. Ferry, a native of Chautauqua county, New York, whom he married the 9th of September, 1874.

HARWOOD G. DAY was born in Chittenden coun- ty, Vermont, on the 15th of July, 1844. He came to Wisconsin with his father's family when quite young where he received an academic education. He accepted employment in a responsible position in the Quartermaster's department of the Federal army during the years 1862-63, after which he commenced the study of law under the auspices of Judge James Knowlton, at Chicago, Illinois, from whence he removed to Webster City, Iowa, and in 1868, was admitted to practice in the courts. In 1869, he was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives, serving upon the judiciary and railroad committees during the important session of 1870. He was County Attorney of Emmet county in that State for ten years. He was married on the 22d of May, 1871, to Miss Mary Haviland at Blue Earth City, Minnesota. They have two chil- dren, Lyle H. and Pearl M., nine and seven years old respectively. Mr. Day removed to Lanesboro in 1878, accepting the position of attorney for the extensive banking institution of J.C. Easton, and of solicitor for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway, in which positions he is yet employed, besides attending to the general practice of his profession. Hc is a member of the Masonic order, and takes an active interest in politics, having cast his first ballot for Abraham Lincoln for President and remaining since a staunch republican. He is a member of the Republican State Central Com- mittee for 1882.

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History of Fillmore County, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 83

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

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