USA > Minnesota > Freeborn County > History of Freeborn County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, and outline history of the state of Minnesota > Part 55
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'like one Who treads above Some banquet-hall deserted ; Whose garlands dead, Whose lights are fled, And all but me departed.'
307
OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.
The eighth annual reunion occurred on the 15th of September, 1882, in the grove north of the lake. The usual procession was formed at half past ten o'clock, made up of country delegations and city residents, with martial music, and proceeded to the pic-nic grounds. The day was most delight- ful and there was a large concourse of old and young settlers, and it should be said that they made a remarkable good appearance, comparing favorably with any like number that can any- where be found.
At the meeting Mr. Botsford presided, and the announcement was made that any persons who were here previous to the 1st of January, 1866, were entitled to membership, and quite a list was added.
Hon. A. H. Bartlett delivered the annual ad- dress, which was replete with reminiscences relat- ing to the early history of the county, and which has been largely drawn upon to make up onr portrayal of the first settlement.
The Purdie family were present, as they have been at every meeting since the organization of the society, and enlivened the occasion with their songs, which were well rendered.
Mr. Frisbie, in an extemporaneous way, gave an account of the organization of the county. Miss Maggie Purdie gave a recitation "A fiend and a man." Col. T. J. Sheehan being called upon made some comparisons between "Now, and then." And gave a list of the men from Freeborn county who defended Fort Ridgely in August, 1862.
So much of his speech as relates to the growth and prosperity of the county is reproduced here: "I will call your attention to the material increase of wealth of Freeborn county during the little over a quartee of a century that it has been or- ganized, and I think you will see that we are the most prosperous county for the number of inhab- itants in the State. In 1857, the date of the or- ganization of the county, the amount of real and personal assessments covered only a few thousand dollars; I cannot give the exact sum, but it was less than many of you are worth to-day. Year by year its resources increased, until in the year 1864, I find we had an assessed valuation all told, of $920,687. The county has gradually increased in wealth from that time, and in this year of our Lord, 1882, it reaches the magnificent sum of $5,210,311-assessor's measure, with the possibil- ities within our reach, during the next quarter of
a century, of making it $50,000,000. The increas- ing population and the consequent occupancy and improvement of new lands, the excellent railroad facilities bringing the northern, southern, east- ern, and western markets to our very doors, solici- ting your produce for other lands, and your own indomitable perseverance and hard work makes it highly profitable that millions upon millions will be added to its wealth as the succeeding years roll by. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, the Minneapolis & St. Louis, the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern, and the Albert Lea and Fort Dodge railways meet here at our county seat and make the heart of our county the third largest railroad center in the State. The popula- tion of the city of Albert Lea is about 2,500 and of the entire county over 18,000. The business of the county I believe has always been transac- ted honorably and uprightly by its officers, and its expenditures have been considerably less than those of its neighbors, as is shown year by year in the annual appropriations for the necessary ex- penses of its government. I will now allude to a less agreeable history of our county, to show you how willing our people are to pay their debts, when circumstances permit them to do so. For a few years following the war, there was a season of prosperity which stimulated our people with a laudable ambition for great accomplishments, and for a few years they rolled along upon a wave of plenty; but suddenly there swept over the land a cloud of adversity, and many felt the iron chains of debts incurred in the purchase of lands and machinery, pressing hard and close upon them with a tyrant's power, and although they strug- gled long and honorably to meet its just de- mands, the continuing hard times, short crops, low prices and accumulating interest, were an army they could not withstand, and they sank beneath its overpowering weight. Honest men they were, and true, but they could not surmount impossibilities. The ravages of the creditor com- menced, and the iron hand of the law was called upon to enforce his relentless demands. In 1876 there were 125 executions levied by the sheriff and his deputies; in 1877 there were 98, of which nearly all were paid; in 1878 there were 54; and since that time there has been a gradual decrease until the present year, during which I am sure you will all rejoice with me to learn there has been but four, and two of those have been settled.
308
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY.
The good behavior of our people is attested by the fact that there is not one person confined in the county jail at the present time. "Tis true at times it is filled to overflowing, but I am gratified to be able to say to you that its occupants are for the most part transient eriminals representing a dangerous elass of society, and bnt rarely one of our own citizens. Whoever they are, I say to you proudly as your Sheriff, that they are never the early settlers of Freeborn county, and at the risk of being accused of flattery I will add that it is largely due to the high order of intelligence you possessed, your virtuous teachings, and the excel- lent examples you set before the new and rising generations."
Dr. Ballard reeited a poem, which was inimita- ble in its way, and described the celebrated horse raee, npon the result of which all Bancroft and Albert Lea staked everything movable that they possessed, each with the idea that it was a sure thing: but the Baneroftites were, to use a sport- ing phrase. " beautifully seooped."
The obituaries were read by several gentlemen, and there were other reeitations and remarks. Of course there was a recess of an hour to go through the baskets that were laden with good things. This was voted ou all hands as being one of the most interesting reunions yet held, and it is likely that September will in future be the month for the old settler's reunion. The officers for 1883 are: President, 1. Botsford; Secretary, H. 1). Brown; Treasurer, Gilbert Gulbrandson, and a list of viee. Presidents.
NECROLOGY .- Here is an imperfect list of old settlers who have been transferred to "that bourne from which no traveler returns:" Elias Stanton, L. C. Carlston, William Andrews, Peter Beighley, Rev. Theop. Lowry, James A. Robson, David Southwick, Squire Dunn, Patrick Fitzsimons. Howell Davis, Gardner Cottrell, A. Armstrong, William White, Luther Parker, II. B. Riggs, Par- don Greene, Lydia Barber, John Colby, Mrs. Elizabeth Beighley, Joseph Lang, George Boulton, Harvey B. Earle, Warner Barber, Mr. Baxter, Mrs. T. J. Jordon, Mrs. William Beighley, Mrs. Jennette Smith, Mrs. W. R. Squires, David M. Farr, Emery Davis, Nathan Bullock, Mrs. J. M. Melander, Mrs. M. C. Wallace, B. J. House, Ezra Stearns, Israel N. Pace, Frederick H. White, Geo. Carpenter, Henry Sehmidt, Henry Weiser, Mary Knapp, E. S. Smith, Harold Ander-
son Jr., John S. Corning. J. S. Harris. N. H. Ellikson, Hiram E. Jones, Amanda Woodruff, Eliab Eggleston. Dr. Franklin Blackmer, J. Mar- vin, J. W. Burdick. Fred. S. Woodward, Thomas Morrison. William Hare, Mrs. William White. Rev. Walter Scott. Mrs. Elizabeth Williams, Jere- miah Ward. Erie Erieksom, Ole Oleson Fossom, Hiram J. Rice, William MeKune, Hiram Thomas, Mrs. Vanderwalker.
MEMBERS OF THE OLD SETTLERS ASSOCIATION WITH THE RECORDED DATE OF THEIR COMING.
1854 .- E. C. Staey, Mrs. E. C. Stacy.
1855 .--- John Colby, Hanibal Bickfor.I, George Gardner, Margaret Gardner, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Botsford, Charles Peterson, T. R. Morgan, Christo- pher Michelson, M.L. Frost, Oliver Andrews, Mrs. Oliver An.Irews, El. Hostetter, George S. Ruble.
1856 .- John L. Melder, Samnel Batchelder, Frank Ross, C. Narveson, J. W. Ayers, Charles C. Ayers, William Beighley, J. E. Simans, D K. Young, Mrs. Addie A. Batehelder, J. H. IJeath. William Pace, F. McCall, Mrs. F. MeCall, William Freeman, Witling Wordsworth, Mrs. Willing Wordsworth, Ole Peterson, Gilbert Gulbrandson, A. W. White, A. M. Burnham, Mrs. J. W. Melder, Mrs. Mary B. Ayers, J. F. Jones, Mrs. J. F. Jones, P. E. Pace, Jolm Murtaugh, John W. Murtough, Mrs. J. W. Murtangh, Mr. and Mrs. Simans, San- iel Preseott, M. V. Kellar, Jacob Beighley. Mrs. Jaeob Beighley, Ole C. Oleson, Hans Gulbrand- son, John G. Godley, H. Peck, R. P. Gibson, N. S. Hardy, Mrs Aug. Peterson, John Freeman, A. C. Trow, Henry Loomis. Mary Loomis, William Morin, Nancy Frost, J. Stage, Mrs. John Stage, E. D. Hopkins, S. P. Beighley, J. B. Gordon, T. J. Gordon D.G. Parker, Charles C. Ayers, E. D. Porter. S. G. Lowry, C. O. Baarness, S. N. Frisbie, Mrs. Sarah Town, Mrs. Mary Vineland, Ed. Skinner, Frank Merchant, Anna Merehant, E. Eggleson, J. M. Boulton, J. C. Frost, Philip Herman, Mary English, Charley Thompson, Hanna O'Connor.
1857 .- L. R. Luce, Richard Fitzgerald, N. C. Lowthian, Henry Thurston, C. J. Grandy, Mrs. C. J. Grandy, Herman Blackmer, Frank Barlow. A. C. Wedge, Mrs A. C. Wedge, Mrs. J. W. Heath, William H. Long, H. Eustrin. B. Schodd, James Lair, Mrs. James Lair, H. D. Brown, David Hor- ning, Mrs. D. R. Young, Mrs. N. I. Lowthian, Alfred Lowry: F. W. Purdie: H. C. Lacy, Math- ias Anderson, Timothy J. Shehan, John N. Wo]- hunter, Mrs. S. G. Lowry, A. K. Norton, Charles
309
JUDICIAL.
Norton, Mrs. Charles Norton, James Long, Mrs. James Long, Joseph France, S. B. Smith, W. J. Horning, John Wood, Daniel Dills, W. H. Long, Mrs. W. H. Long, Michael Sheehan, John A. Schoen, Mrs John A. Schoen, F. A. Black- mer, John Beighley, John Slater, N. H. Ellickson, M. O. Whitney, George Hyatt, E. M. Ellingson, Willard C. Marvin, Mrs. Willard C. Marvin, Reuben Williams, Mrs. Willard Eaton, Samuel Eaton, Henry Emmons, C. Kittleson, A. J. Anderson, Ole Narveson, N. C. Narveson, Sam- nel W. Horning, George McColley, J. Walaski, William Baker, Mrs. William Baker, H. A. House, William P. Spooner, Jacob Baker, William L. Lowry, Asaplı V. Thomas, L. J. Thomas, Lewis Marpie.
1858 .- Jason Goward, August Peterson, Ole Narveson, Rebecca A. Dills, Chester Holcomb, Mrs. Chester Holcomb, D. C. Calvin, William English, Francis Hall, Mrs. Jason Goward, B. J. House, O. F. Peck, Mrs. O. F. Peck, N. T. Sanbury, Mrs. N. T. Sanbury, Mrs. C. Boven, H. L. Webster, George B. Chamberlain, Mrs. George B. Chamberlain, Mary J. Horning, David Horning, John Johnson, William Norton, Milton Hewett, Charles Dunbar, Ole J. Jordahl, Mrs. David Col- vin, Mrs. Emma Ward.
1859 .- W. S. Hand, Mrs. W. S. Hand, Josiah Jones, Mrs. Josiah Jones, Maurice Russenger, Mrs. Eugene Walker, C. M. Hewett, Mrs. C. M. Hewett, Simeon Jones, Mrs. Simeon Jones, Mrs. Martha L. Thurston, Mrs. Sarah W. Edwards, William Fenholt, R. H. Boven, Mrs. E. Wane- maker, Asa Walker, Harriet J. Barden, Ole Narve- son, J. Dunbar, John C. Ross, H. N. Ostrander, Freeman Briggs.
1860 .- Mrs. Sarah J. Riggs, Charles G. Bick- ford, F. W. Drake, Gunwold Johnsand, Jacob Larson.
1861 .- E. F. Leonard, G. W. Bark, John Mur- phy, Mrs. Daniel W. Horning, Charles Mann, Susan Bartlett.
1862 .- S. S. Challis, Mrs. A. J. Challis.
1864 .- Ira A. Town, Edmund Town, James H. Chamberlain.
It seems unfortunate, and it is a source of an- noyance to us, that the record of those who joined in 1880 and in 1881 has not been preserved, and so our list is incomplete. In 1882, the date of the coming of a number was omitted; the names of those who joined are here given :
R. C. Spear, John Smith, G. H. Prescott, Mrs. G. H. Prescott, Mrs. James Whittemore, W. G. Barnes, all of whom came in May, 1857. Miss Grace Prescott, Miss Emma Frost, H. Loomis, Mrs. H. Loomis, Henry Blackmer, Mrs. Henry Blackmer, M. M. Luce, Mrs. M. W. O'Connor, O. C. C. Howe, Mrs. O. C. C. Howe, Fred Fink, Henry Schneider, E. Budlong, Mrs. E. Burlong, R. Tykeson, Alex. Peterson, Mrs. Alex. Peterson, Mrs. J. A. Lovely, Stephen Kel- ley, Samuel Thompson, A H. Bartlett, Mrs. A. H. Bartlett.
CHAPTER XLIX.
JUDICIAL-COUNTY GOVERNMENT-COUNTY SEAT CONTEST-EDUCATIONAL-PATRONS OF HUSBAND- RY-RAILROADS-AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.
Freeborn county was in the fifth judicial district of Minnesota under the first organization. In 1857, the Clerk of the Court having been appointed, business was commenced by him, attending to the regular routine work. The first case recorded was that of J. S. Corning against James M. Young, for the recovery of one hundred and thirty one dollars due on a note. An attachment was made, no answer filed; so judgement was entered. The date of this case was the 27th of November. Up to the time when the first circuit court was opened there were twenty-seven cases.
This court was held on the 27th of September, 1858, and at this session Alfred P. Swineford was admitted to practice at the bar. J. W. Perry was also admitted as an attorney. A committe was also appointed to examine W. D. Chilson and John W. Heath with a view to their admission as attorneys. A. B. Webber, Augustus Armstrong, and J. W. Perry were the committee, who repor- ted favorably, and the candidates were admitted.
The lawyers who appear at this early day were, A. Armstrong, D. G. Parker, A. B. Webber. J. W. Perry, and A. P. Swineford.
The grand jury was called and eighteen answer- ed to their names. Two indictments were found against William L. Gray for "unlawful traflick- ing in spirituous liquors, and for keeping a gambling house." He was brought in on a bench warrant and pleaded not guilty, and was put under bonds in the sum of one hundred dol- lars for his appearance.
310
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY.
The calendar being called, the following cases appeared ready for trial: Asa Ballard versus John T. Asher; Hagan Mathews versus Hans Johnson: Ola Gruberson versus Lars Evenson, which were duly disposed of.
The names of the judges who have set on this bench, and that of the clerks, will be found in the Centennial History by Mr. Parker, which has been brought down to 1882.
It seems that no record of the earliest marriages was preserved, until the county was organized. The first mentioned was that of Mr. Henry Snyder and Miss Mary Fiuk, on the 25th of June, 1857, by William Anderson, Justice of the Peace. The next is that of William Andrews himself to Miss Mary Leonard, by the redonbtable J. Clark, Jus- tice of the Peace. The third and last one this year was Mr. Oscar Miller and Miss Betsey M. Bullock; the magistrate was George Watson, and the witnesses were II. B. Earle and Daniel Gates. These were all those reported in 1857.
The number of cases of record up to the second term of the court was sixty-one. This term com- menced on the 25th of September, 1859.
At this session the case of Henry Kreigler, ac- cused of wilful-murder, and which is mentioned elsewhere, was brought up. J. M. Perry was ap- pointed to assist the prosecuting attorney. The case was transferred to Steele county, as it was declared impossible to secure an impartial trial here, on account of prejudice,
E. C. Stacy was admitted to practice in the courts of the State at this term. There were some cases of absorbing interest at the time, in a local way, but none of general importance.
The first deed spread on the records was that of William , Rice and wife to Uriah Grover. The second to be recorded was that of Uriah Grover and wife to Elihn C. and Anthony C. Trow, a piece of land in consideration of $100 in township 102, range 20. John S. Corning was the magis- trate. The next was William Rice and wife to Uriah Grover, September 1st, 1856. Charles T. Knapp and wife to E. C. and A. C. Trow on the 22d of October, of the same year. This year there were but three recorded, but several came in later which had been executed during the year.
The first recorded in 1857 was that of George W. Beighley and wife, to S. Batchelder and C. C. Colby.
The mortgage book commences on the 9th of
November, 1856, and the first one that appears was Welcome S. Bacon, to Elbridge G. Potter, to secure the payment of $3000, a tract of land; and this seems to have been the only one this year. The next year a mortgage was exe- cuted and recorded on the 3d of March, by L. T. Carlson to C. A. Lundrone, and was the only one recorded that year.
Since that time the deeds and mortgages have accumulated- to fill thirty-two volumns of deeds and twenty-six of mortgages. The books are 640 pages, and average a little less than one deed for a page; so it can be seen that the transfer of real property has been lively in the county since its organization.
. The Board of County Commissioners met on the 3d of March, 1857, for the purpose of organi- zation. It consisted of William Andrews, E. C. Stacy, and S. N. Frisbie. William Andrews was chosen Chairman. On motion of Mr. Frisbie, E. C. Stacy was chosen Judge of Probate.
At an adjourned meeting on the 4th, the County Officers were appointed as follows: Sheriff, George S. Ruble, of Albert Lea; Surveyor, Ed- ward P. Skinner, of Shell Rock City; Coroner, A. H. Bartlett, of Shell Rock City; District Attorney, John W. Heath, of Geneva. The county was di- vided into three assessor's districts, and the fol- lowing assessors appointed: James M. Drake, John Dunring, and Walter Scott; Justices of the Peace, Isaac P. Lynde and Joseph Watson; Con- stables, George Deerman, William A. Hoag, and Walter Stoll. At this meeting a county seal was adopted, and the time for entering upon the duties by the several officers appointed was placed on the 20th inst.
The location of the county seat came up for careful consideration. Mr. Frisbie moved that the temporary county seat be Bancroft; Mr. Stacy moved to strike out Bancroft and insert Saint Nicholas, which motion was lost. Mr. Stacy moved to strike out the word Bancroft and insert Geneva, which was not agreed to. Mr. Andrews moved to strike out the word Bancroft and insert Albert Lea, which was carried by a unanimous vote.
A resolution was adopted instructing the Con- stables, Justices, and School Trustees, to be vigi- lant in protecting the school lands from trespass.
At an adjourned meeting on the 5th, among other items of business, L. T. Carlson was ap-
311
COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
pointed Justice of the Peace, and Elias Stanton Constable. At these meetings William Morin was deputy clerk.
The next meeting of the Board was on the 6th of April, 1857, and then the interminable road business began. The first road laid out as a county road was described as follows: "Commenc- ing on the section line between thirty-two and thirty-three in town 101, range 20, running north as near said section line as the surface of the the ground will admit, through towns 101, 102, and 103, thence in a northerly direction to the town of Geneva, thence north to the county line."
Clark Andrews, of Shell Rock, and George P. Hoops were appointed viewers of the route.
The next road was in response to a petition, and commenced at St. Nicholas, crossing the Shell Rock River in section thirty and running soutlı- east to the south line of town 102, about 120 rods west of Oliver Andrew's house, then east on said town line about two miles, thence southeaster- ly to the vicinity of John T. Asher's place, thence down the west bank of Woodbury Creek to the county line. Oliver Andrews, of Shell Rock, and John T. Asher, of Burr Oaks, were viewers of this road. At this meeting the appointments of L. T. Carlson as Justice of the Peace, and Elias Stanton as Constable, was rescinded for non-compliance with the statute; and Elias Stanton was appoin- ted Justice, and Charles Giddings, Constable. Election precincts were arranged, several other roads projected, and school districts were estab- lished. About fifteen road districts were disigna- ted. These matters consumed much time but the management of the interests of the county seem to have been judicious. This session of the board continued until the 10th, and among other things done, the surveyor was authorized to pro- cure from the United States Surveyors the field notes relating to the county.
The third session of the board was on the 18th of May, 1857, and continued three days. Wel- come S. Bacon was appointed Assessor of the first precinct, vice Erastus D. Porter-not qualified. C. S. Tarbel was appointed Coroner in place ef George Watson, who declined to qualify. Lafay- ette Scott was appointed Justice and Daniel Davis, Constable. At this session the table was loaded with road petitions, which were given re- spectful consideration.
. The fourth session of the board was on the 6th
of July, and they proceeded to wrestle with the large number of yeomanry of the county of Free- born, who considered that the welfare of the country and the perpetuity of republican insti- tutions depended upon their having a road right by their doors.
The assessment rolls were brought in at this meeting, and the footings were as follows:
District No. 1 .- Real. $31,295
Personal 20,590
District No. 2 .- Real 28,065
Personal
35,840
District No. 3 .- Real. 53,553
Personal 40,665
$210,088
A tax of three mills on the dollar was assessed for road purposes, and two and one half mills for school purposes. At this meeting the county or- ders appear for the first time and they aggregated $549.19. The total county tax for all purposes footed up twenty and one half mills on a dol- lar, making the sum of $4,347.80, to which ten per cent was added, making $444.65 to be col- lected.
The fifth session of the county board was on the 9th of September of the same year. The clerk of the district court was instructed to in- form Judge Flandrean that it is not the wish of the County Commissioners that a court should be held here in October of this year. Routine busi-
ness claimed especial attention.
The sixth session was on the 5th of October. Bills by this time got up to $1,556,44, and noth- ing remarkable was done.
The election as to the location of the county seat was held on the 13th of October, 1857. The result of the balloting, as returned by the board of canvassers, William Andrews, George Watson, and William Morin, was as follows:
Votes.
Albert Lea
403
Bancroft . 199
Saint Nicholas 29
Shell Rock 10
Freeborn 1
So this question was settled with such a round majority that there has been no change since.
William Morin was the first Register of Deeds, and was also clerk of the board of County Com- missioners.
312
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY.
1858. The new board convened on the 4th of January, and consisted of S. N. Frisbie, Joseph Reikbard, and Peter Clausen. S. N. Frisbie was elected chairman. Auditing bills was the great business of the board during the first day's ses- sion. The next day, among other things, Swine- ford & Gray were made county printers. J. M. Palmer and Thomas W. Purdie were appointed road commissioners. Grand and pettit jurors were drawn. The report from the schools revealed 222 scholars in the county, in nine districts, but there must have been sixteen at least at that time, as that was the number of one of the dis- tricts. The amount of school tax was $5,322, which gave to $2.38 to each scholar. The 'Ter- ritorial tax assessed was $212.08.
At a meeting held on the 1st of February, 1858, the resolution giving the county printing to Swineford & Gray was rescinded, and it was given to David Blakely of the Bancroft Pioneer. The next day an offer was made by the deposed firm to do all the county printing for six months frec; but it was not agreed to. At the meeting in April, the board proceeded to organize the county into towns, in accordance with an act of the Leg- islature, and the following names were proposed: Asher, Oakland, Guildford, Seward, Geneva, Beards- ley, Hayward, Shell Rock, Freeman, Albert Lea, Bancroft, Porter, Hartland, Buckeye, Pickerel Lake, Nunda, Mansfield, Alden, Stanton, and Freeborn. A vote of the town on the 11th of May changed Buckeye to Liberty. Most of the towns were coupled together in pairs for township purposes.
On the 9th of June a petition to change the name of Stanton to Springfield was favorably considered, and Guildford was changed to Moscow.
The town meetings for organization and clec- tion of otlicers was held on the 11th of May, and some of the election officers presented their bills to the county, but they were promptly rejected.
In September a communication was received from the State Auditor requiring the name of the town of Liberty to be changed, as there was a township with a prior claim to this cognomen.
In accordance with the provisions of the State law, after the organization of the State, the board of County Commissioners was superseded by a board of Supervisors, and in this county the first board consisted of: Theop. Lowry, William Andrews, A. C. Wedge, D. Blakely, B. S. Board- man, Mathias Anderson, A. W. White, Patrick
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