History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 22

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago, H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1264

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medical department of the State University, and for eight years and more until his death, occupied an envious position in his chosen profession in the eity of Bismarck, capital of our sister state of North Dakota, where he died July 21, 1909, cut off be- fore reaching the prime of his manhood. for he was less than thirty-three years of age at the time of his death. He had never- theless. by persistent effort and consistent living, attained a standing in his profession and in business and social circles of his home city, not often reached by men of maturer years, and because of his manly character and genial kindly nature, his death was mourned by the entire community, men, women and children, representing all walks in life, pausing at his bier for that last look of homage to the memory of their dead friend. The wife, mother, widow, now seventy-five years of age, residing at the old, new, village. Zumbrota, sad because of the loss of her loved ones, yet contentedly happy in the refleetion of their vie- tories and in the possession of the respect, affection and love of all her living offspring, relatives and friends, which are legion. She still works while waiting, firmly secure in the knowledge, resulting from a life of practiced Christian faith and works, that the future holds for her only good. gleaning in her declining years the honey of the flower of a life well spent, basking in the sunshine of the hope of the meeting in that great beyond, where awaits for such as she, life eternal, and the "well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thon into the joy of thy lord."

The homely, trustful, energetic, faithful life work of these two old Goodhue county pioneers will shine forth in the pages of this history of the achievements of those who made Goodhue county what she is, in the galaxy of stars which make up the great state of Minnesota. as a guide for others here and to come, to whom is left the completion of a great work so inauspiciously begun.

MINNEOLA TOWNSHIP.

Minneola, originally a part of Zumbrota township, but organ- ized separately in June, 1860, comprises township 110, range 16, and is bounded on the north by Belle Creek, on the east by Zumbrota, on the south by Roscoe and on the west by Wana- mingo. It is crossed, east to west, by the north branch of the Zumbro, which is augmented along its winding eourse by springs and rivulets which supply the township with plenty of water, making the farms well adapted for agriculture and stock raising. The surface has great change's of level. The highest land is in the northwestern part of the town and the lowest is in the valley near the village of Zumbrota in the southeastern part. The changes, however, except in the immediate descents into the

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Zumbro valley, are gradual, making in general an undulating surface. The soil is rich, deep and fertile. In several portions are a few natural groves of forest trees, and shade trees surround many of the houses, adding beauty and sheltering houses and barns from storms.

The first claim in the township was made by Christian Peter- son on section 26 in May, 1855. Mr. Peterson erected a rude hut of brush. banked with sod, which did service during the summer while he was breaking the land and planting the first crop. In the fall he improved this habitation with the addition of some boards. In June of the same year John Mabee and A. C. Erstad arrived, and shared with Mr. Peterson the rigors of that first winter in what was practically an unbroken wilder- ness. Mabee located his claim on section 35, where he lived until the spring of 1856, when he returned to Norway. Erstad made his claim on section 26, and in 1856 occupied the deserted claim of Mabee, which he continued to make his home and where he later erected a beautiful residence. In 1856 there came a number of other settlers. among whom were Daniel Eames, the Swenson brothers and Julius Peck, and probably, according to an ancient authority, Andrew Christopherson as well. Mr. Peck had the distinction of having brought into the township the first pair of horses. Previous to this time oxen had been the only beasts of burden in the township, being used for plowing, for draught purposes. and even for conveying the pioneers from place to place. Daniel Eames died in 1859. his being the first death in the township. The first birth in the township was that of Eddie Crowell in 1857. Another early birth was that of a child to Albra Twombley, also in 1857. Church service was held by the Rev. Charles Shedd early in 1856, soon after his arrival. The first marriage was that of George Rees and Harriet Wightman, June. 1858. The first school was taught by Charles Locke in the home of Julius Peck. This school was supported by private subscription, there being at that time no regularly organized school district. A public school was taught by Mrs. Daniel Eames in her own house.

A tragedy of the early days occurred in July, 1862. A violent thunder storm arose, during which time a bolt of lightning fell upon the house of A. J. Grover, striking the roof and parting, a portion of the electricity passing down the roof and the other portion to the person of Mrs. Grover, who was in a chamber. killing her instantly. The other persons in the house were not so seriously injured, though severely shocked. The house was also set on fire, but prompt assistance saved it from destruction.

In 1856 a flouring mill was built by the Messrs. Nichols and Ford in the southeastern part of the town, on the Zumbro.

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Another mill was erected. probably by the Messrs. Nelson and Olson, about six miles above the first mill, located on the line between Minneola and Wanamingo.

In 1867 the Norwegian Lutherans erected the first frame church, in the southeast corner of the township, at a cost of $3.500. with a seating capacity of about 500 people. The first minister was the Rev. B. A. Muus. The same denomination later built another large church in the northern part of the town.

The Methodists organized a society in 1868. Later German Lutheran and German Methodist churches were organized. Rev. Mr. Walton preached an early sermon in the home of Daniel Eames. Mary Dickey was an early school teacher. In 1871 a schoolhouse was erected on section 23, and was first taught in by John Aldrich. A company composed of Ezra Wilder, H. H. Palmer, T. P. Kellett and others built. in the early days. a large cheese factory on section 26, within the limits of this township.

The township was first united with Zumbrota under one organization. The first supervisors were I. C. Stearns, T. D. Rowell and George Sanderson. In December, 1859, a notice was posted in several places, requesting the voters living in township 110. range 16, to meet on the fifteenth of that month at the resi- dence of Daniel Eames to take into consideration the expediency of a separate organization, choose a name for the town, and if deemed best, to elect the necessary officers for doing town busi- ness. At the meeting held in accord with the order. N. Mulliken was called to the chair and J. B. Locke chosen secretary. The names of Paris and Minneola were presented for consideration. The latter was finally agreed upon as the name for the new organization. Minneola is an Indian term, signifying “much water." There were thirty-two voters present, and it was de- vided to elect town officers. This election resulted in the follow- ing officers : Supervisors, J. B. Locke (chairman), Brant Thomp- son. J. Clark: clerk. R. Person: assessor. Henry E. Shedd; justices. A. J. Grover and N. Mulliken : constables, W. B. Williams and E. L. Kingsbury. A. J. Grover and J. B. Locke were ap- pointed a committee to present this action to the county board. They did so, but the matter was deferred by that board until both townships could act on the matter. The township of Zum- brota. at its annual meeting in the spring of 1860, approved of the separation. The organization was perfected by a meeting held at the home of J. B. Locke June 18, 1860.

The following men enlisted from Minneola during the Civil War: Charles Adams, Morgan Abel, Arthur Brown, Cyrus B. Chase, Steven G. Cady. John HI. Docker, Christ Eastman. Grinnell Fales, Ilans Halvorson. Bottel Larson, Halvor Oekelbey, Claus Oleson. William N. Peck, Elizur Peck, Peter Peterson, Morris

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Rees, Ole E. Strand, Torkel Swenson, Ole E. Strand, Lieutenant William B. Williams, David Wightman, Thomas Corcoran, Bap- tiste Cardingle, Joseph Delaney, Pierce Garvais, Baptiste Garvais, Francis A. Hamlin, Levi Label, Jr., Horace W. Moore, John Me Will- iams, William H. Nourse, Bonde Oleson, Erastus Pierce, Xavier Panl, Timothy Shearer, Charles Carter, Carl Sehlenty, William Payne, Frank Stroback. Jacob Mosbrugger, Atlas Marshall, Ed- ward Trowbridge, Walter B. Boyd, Amos Eastman, Patrick Killen, Charles S. Spendley, Alfred B. Tyler, Peter Akers, August Beckard, William Plumb, Christopher L. Johnson, Lars Johnson, Martin Johnson, Barnt Thompson, William M. Farnham, Philip Sudheimer, Charles Strong.

KENYON TOWNSHIP.

Kenyon lies in the southeast corner of Goodhue county, and comprises township 112. range 18. It is the highest township in the county, and has an undulating surface which was originally almost wholly prairie. The north branch of the Zumbro flows through the northwestern part, and along this stream there are several groves of young trees. There are occasional small sloughs, with turf-peat, in the uplands, but in the summer seasons they are dry and furnish a coarse hay. Deep, fertile soil pre- vails generally throughout the township.

As the early settlement was all in the northern and north- western part, the early history of the township and village is practically identical. In 1855 came a number of settlers, among them being L. A. Felt. Chris and Sever Halvorson, L. N. Bye, N. Hollenbeck and a man named Natice. These were soon followed by J. HI. Day, Addison and E. B. Hilton, James Browley. S. A. Baker, Stephen Bullis, O. S. Gunlins, O. E. Erickson and W. B. Burnham. Successive crops of untouched prairie grass had hard- ened the sward, and the early settlers had much difficulty in breaking the glebe. But they set to work with courage, and soon the wilderness was fruitful with the crops which the rich soil vielded.

In May. 1856, James H. Day and James M. LeDue claimed the land on which the village now stands, and subsequently two men named Howe and Hilton became part owners of the land. By these four men, the village was laid out and platted. James H. Day erected the first residence in June, 1856, and a store building was erected the same year. This was occupied by Crowley & Baker as a general store. Stephen Bullis built the first hotel in March, 1857, and during the same year a steam saw mill was constructed. Town and village are named from one of the early settlers.

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The first death occurred in the summer of 1857, Lydia Gross being unable to withstand the rigors of pioneer life. The first birth was that of George, son of W. B. Burnham, born in the spring of 1857. The first marriage was that of Freeman Colla- more and Mary Bullis, in January, 1858. The first school was taught in the winter of 1857 by W. S. Bill, who also conducted the first religious services.

According to the official lists, those who enlisted in the Civil War from Kenyon were: John Bury, David Bury, Frederick Bury, John Bury, Jr., Freeman F. Collamore, Ole Engerbretson, Austin P. Felt, Lieut. Roscoe Hilton, Clark Harding, Thomas L. Johnson. Lars Neilson, Ole Otterson. Albert Otterson, Halvo Tolfson, Alvin HI. Wiggins, Thomas Erickson, Claus Holst, Joseph Holst. Jacob Holst. C. D. Harding, Frederick Lachner, Lewis Mohler, B. E. Olin, Thomas H. Britton, Knut Otterson, Carl Han- son, T. R. Bullis, Simeon Elcock. William A. Parry, William H. Hill, Henry C. Collins, Peter Ronrk, Peter Johnson, John Lind- quist, George Bossout, Andrew Some, John Muckenham, S. HI. Bohannohn and William Stanehfield.

The township was organized May 15, 1858, and the following officers were elected : Supervisors, A. Hilton (chairman), S. Bul- lis and W. B. Burnham; town clerk, S. A. Baker; justices of the peace, J. II. Day and C. G. Averell; assessor, D. F. Harley; col- lector, L. A. Felt ; constables, D. F. Harley and W. F. Clapp; over- seer of the poor, F. Day.

Four churches supplied the religious demands of the people in the early days. In 1870, the Norwegian Lutherans erected on section 5, a stone church capable of seating 600 people. It was one of the congregations of the Rev. B. J. Muus. On section 7, another Norwegian Lutheran church, a stone building with a seating eapacity of 400 people, was erected in 1872. The first Baptist church was organized May 4, 1867, with seven members. In 1873 the Rev. Mr. Dubois of the Episcopal church held service at the village and in 1875 an organization was perfeeted, with the following officers: Wardens, Dr. A. W. Hewitt and E. R. Marshall; vestrymen, S. A. Bullis, B. D. Bullis, William Eleock and William Turner. A church capable of holding 200 people was erected in 1875 and dedicated July 25, 1876. Originally the population of the township was largely Norwegian, and that of the village American, but at the present time Americans of Nor- wegian descent or birth predominate throughout both town and village. Aside from the village of Kenyon, there are two stations in the township, both on the line of the Chicago and Great West- ern. They are Bakko and Skyberg.

Kenyon Village lies thirty-five miles southwest of Red Wing on the Zumbro river and the C. G. W. and C., M. & St. Paul rail-

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ways. It is incorporated and has a population of 1,300. It has three hotels, two banks, a creamery, a flour mill, three grain ele- vators, a canning factory, an electric light plant, water works, an opera house, a well equipped fire department, a good graded school. The churches are: The Episcopal, Baptist, Methodist, German Methodist, German Lutheran and Norwegian Lutheran. There are two weekly papers published, the Leader and the News. There are two telegraph companies, one express company, the Wells, Fargo & Co., and one telephone company.

CHAPTER XV.

TOWNSHIPS AND VILLAGES.

Pine Island Township and Village-Progressive and Prosperous -Roscoe-Stanton-Vasa -Wacoota -Wanamingo -Wana- mingo Village-Warsaw-Dennison Village-Welch.

When the first hardy pioneers penetrated the wilderness as far as the site of the present village of Pine Island in the early fifties, they found a beautiful spot called by the Indians "Wa-zu- wee-ta," which translated into English means " Island of Pines," and here, owing to its natural advantages of wood and running water, combined with deep and fertile soil. the early settlers. in search of homes, stopped and built their cabins; and the erstwhile wilderness rapidly assumed the proportions of a center of civili- zation for a large surrounding country.

The term "Wa-zu-wee-ta." or Island of Pines. referred to a strip of land on the south side of the river reaching from about where Main street now is well upon Newton's hill. which was heavily timbered with stately white pines and was completely surrounded by a heavy growth of hardwood timber. This spot was a favorite resort of the Dakotah Indians, and here, in their skin tepees. they used to pass the coldl months, sheltered from winter's storms by the surrounding hills and the heavy timber, through which roamed untold members of deer and elk.

The Indian name was so appropriate that it was retained, but "Wa-zu-wee-ta." or Island of Pines, was too large a mouthful for the taciturn pioneers and the name speedily became Pine Island. A pretty story is told of Chief Wacoota. then at the head of the Red Wing band of Dakotah Indians. that when he was asked by the United States commissioners to sign the treaty that would require his people to relinquish their homes on the Missis- sippi river, replied that he would willingly sign if he could have his future home at Pine Island.

The town is located on sections 31 and 32 of township 109, range 15, and is as above indicated. the early settlers found a country heavily wooded, for the most part with hardwood timber and watered by the middle branch of the Zumbro, which divides in what is now the eastern part of the village, the north branch

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flowing directly through the town and the south branch passing the south.

It is generally understood that H. B. Powers was the first man who came and built his cabin in this town in the year 1854. A close second was Josiah Haggard. a youth of nineteen or twenty years, who came the same spring. located a claim and built his cabin about where the residence of Dr. Charles Hill now stands. This claim was jumped by a man named Howard, and Haggard crossed the Zumbro and made his second claim of land now cov- ered by business blocks and residences. Moses Jewell and his son, Solomon, came the next fall and the former pre-empted the Haggard claim, the owner having made but a half-hearted at- tempt to fulfil the conditions of the law. Moses Jewell returned to Wisconsin for the winter, leaving here his son, Solomon, who has been a resident of the community almost continuously sinee that time and still owns a large tract of the original Moses Jewell pre-emption. Nelson Denison, another pioneer, pre-empted a claim farther east the same season and a large number of settlers arrived in that and the following seasons. Among these Giles and George Ilayward. W. S. Newton. J. A. Tarbox, Philip and Henry Tome. John Lee, John Clance. Sylvester Dickey. C. R. White and others. Moses Jewell and family occupied a log house about where White street now crosses Main street, and there the first marriage took place between his daughter. Sarah, and A. B. Cron, July 13, 1856. although another marriage was solemnized at about the same time between HI. B. Powers, the young settler, and Mary E. Miller. At about this time (autumn of 1856) the first school was organized in a log building about where the Citizens State Bank now stands, with Annette Seek as teacher. Other schools were established in the vicinity shortly afterward, among which was one taught by Thomas MeManus. The first school building was erected the following year near the Geo. Paige residence on the north side of the river. John Salmon was the first preacher and held services at the homes of the settlers. The first child born in the community was Martha Cron. now Mrs. S. P. Collins. The first death was that of Michael Horn in the winter of 1856. In 1856 Haggard & Hayward began the erection of a saw mill under the supervision of Rice Hamlin, a young Pennsylvania millwright. and the father of Charles and Henry Hamlin, who later became prominent in the affairs of the village. This mill was run in the early years by Lowry & Powers and about 200 .- 000 feet of lumber was manufactured. In 1858, the mill was sold . to A. J. Tarbox, and later passed into the possession of W. W. Cutshall, who continued to operate it until about 1902. when it was dismantled on account of the scarcity of saw timber. In

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the late sixties a steam flour mill was erected on the bank of the river below the saw mill by Tarbox & Jewell, but several years ago, after a checkered history, it was pulled down and the ma- chinery and lumber was sold. Another flour mill was built on the water power just below the confluence of the two branches of the Zumbro by a man named Jacobs and for a number of years did a flourishing business, but in 1876 it was burned and was never rebuilt. The dam was shortly afterward carried out and the land formerly covered by the waters of the mill pond have since be- come valuable for pasturage.

Pine Island Village was surveyed and platted in the winter of 1856-57, on land owned by John Clance, Moses Jewell and J. A. Tarbox. For many years the principal business part of the vil- lage was on the north side of the river and grew rapidly to a flourishing business point. The business portion of the village, however. gradually moved southward. until at the present time nearly all the business houses of the village are on the south side of the river.

The first hotel was built by E. Denison in 1857 and old settlers still remember how the ladies of the village plied their needles for days to supply the new hotel with the necessary bed and table linen. John Lee had previously built a hotel on the old St. Paul- Dubuque road near where Poplar Grove church now stands and the landlord was also postmaster of the place, but the fact of the existence of the hotel or postoffice is now scarcely remembered. The early settlers received their seanty mail from Oronoco, where a settlement had existed for a number of years, but in 1856 a postoffice was established with John Clance as postmaster. J. A. Tarbox, Jas. MeManns, S. S. Worthing, Fletcher Hagler, Chas. Parker. Henry Hamlin, Henry Tome and George II. Tome have since held this responsible position. the last named gentleman be- ing the present incumbent.

The war history of the village and the country immediately surrounding it. could it be written in full, would make interest- ing reading. It has been said, probably with more or less justice, that Pine Island has furnished more soldiers to the government in proportion to the size of the place, than any town in the coun- try. Be that as it may. it is a fact that of the Minnesota regi- ments which took part in the Civil war and the Sioux war of 1863-4, Pine Island was liberally represented in all, with the possible exception of the Ninth Infantry, while a number enlisted with Wisconsin regiments. Again in 1898 the young men of Pine Island responded to call to arms, and a few found soldiers' graves in distant lands.

In the spring of 1878 the Chieago & Northwestern Railroad

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Company built a branch line through the village, giving the peo- ple of the village and surrounding country much needed trans- portation facilities. In the early days the only means of trans- portation was by wagon over the rough country roads, and the nearest markets were Red Wing and Lake City on the river. In 1902 the Great Western Railroad Company, having purchased the Duluth, Red Wing and Southern railroad from Red Wing to Zumbrota, extended the line through this place to Rochester, con- meeting with their line at that place, so that at present the rail- road service enjoyed by the people of this vicinity is nearly all that could be desired. In the spring of 1878 the village of Pine Island was incorporated and separated from the township. The first council to serve the village was composed of the following : President, Charles Hill; trustees, Messrs. Dickey, Thompson and Lowery ; recorder, G. H. Glidden. In 1899 the people voted bonds in the sum of $6,000 and installed an excellent system of water- works. Water is obtained from a well drilled in the solid rock and located beneath the mill power house and power for pump- ing is obtained from the mill power engine. The water mains have since been extended so as to afford city water and fire pro- tection to nearly every portion of the village. An electric light plant was installed at the mill in 1899 by Loomis F. Irish and electricity is now being used in all parts of the village, both for public and private lighting. The year 1900 saw the beginning of the present excellent telephone system, when Thomas H. Bunn put in a small switchboard and built a few miles of line. The system has grown rapidly and now penetrates all parts of the village and many miles into the surrounding country in all direc- tions. Pine Island is justly proud of its schools. From the log shack of 1857 the school moved to a briek school building erected in 1864, built on the site of the present school building, but this building was outgrown and a commodious wooden building took its place, in 1883. This building served its purpose admirably for many years, but the school again outgrew its quarters and in 1904 an additional building of briek was erected at a cost of $10,500. This building furnishes quarters for . the high school and the seventh, eighth and ninth grades, library, gymnasium, labora- tories and several class rooms. Out from these schools a number of men and women have gone who have attained a high place in the work of the world. A few notable examples are a United States diplomatie representative now stationed in Spain. a representative in Congress, a professor at Harvard Uni- versity. several men in the United States civil service, and teach- ers of both sexes in large numbers .. The village boasts of over forty business places. ineluding two banks, two grain elevators,

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several general stores, a creamery and a roller mill, the latter in- stitution being built in 1895 by Bidwell & Doty, and now owned and operated by Loomis F. Irish.

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History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 22

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Chicago, H.C. Cooper Number of Pages: 1264

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago, H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1264