History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 27

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


USA > Minnesota > Goodhue County > History of Goodhue County, Minnesota > Part 27


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).


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Zumbrota Lodge, No. 72, I. O. O. F., was organized September 13, 1879, with the following charter members : B. F. Chamberlain, T. N. Lee, G. B. Anderson, C. E. Johnson, D. B. Scofield. I. W. Blake, W. E. Powers, D. F. Mason, F. W. Fulkerson, G. B. Wright and E. T. Lothrop. The present officers are: N. G., James Hoff- man; vice grand, Theo. Ilartwell : secretary, James Annis; treas- urer, William Croxford : supporters, E. J. Thomas, G. Freeman and John Langsdorf; warden, Robert Priebe; inside guard, John Houek, Sr.


Zumbrota Lodge, No. 178, Knights of Pythias, was organized July 1, 1905. The first officers were: C. C., M. H. Powers; V. C., F. C. Marvin ; P., G. C. Hoff; M. of W., HI. B. Washburn; K. of R. S., J. R. Johnson; M. of F., H. E. Weiss; M. of E., C. A. Hlas- kins; M. of A .. Max Braum ; I. G., William R. Polson; O. G., J. T. Hovland. The present officers : C. C., J. T. Fuller ; V. C., B. A. Kolby ; P., William Reimer ; M. of W., Annen Olson ; K. of R. S., A. B. Farwell; M. of F., II. E. Weiss; M. of E., H. B. Washburn ; M. of A., G. O. Fortney ; 1. G., M. H. Powers.


Zumbrota Rebekah Lodge, No. 125, received its charter April . 2, 1902, the members at that time being as follows : D. B. Scofield, G. F. Freeman, C. O. Bonham, HI. K. Kuelmer, J. L. Annis. N. Boy- sen, A. E. Collinge, Ed. Cain, E. F. Davis, James Hoffman, H. J. Klein, J. Il. Langsdorf, E. M. Matchan, J. H. Houck, Sr., E. L. Peck, R. F. Priebe, F. N. Stary, E. M. B. Seofield, I. B. Freeman, N. B. Bonham, J. Kuehner. E. Annis, C. Boysen, M. Collinge, R. Casey, L. Johnson, A. Hoffman, B. Lovejoy, A. Langsdorf, B. Monson, J. Matchan, L. B. Honck, Mary Nickerson, Graee Poole, J. Peck, A. S. Priebe, C. W. Rogers, G. Stary and L. Weaver. The present officers are : District deputy. A. E. Collinge ; N. G., Mrs. C. Rogers; V. G., Julia Korstad; secretary, Mrs. A. Hoffman ; treasurer, Mrs. A. E. Collinge ; chaplain, Mrs. John Honek ; inside


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guard, James Hoffman; financial secretary, Mrs. W. Johnson; warden, Mrs. R. Priebe ; supporters to N. G. and V. G., A. E. Col- linge and E. J. Thomas.


Zumbrota Lodge, No. 645, Modern Brotherhood of America, received its charter February 30, 1900, with the following mem- bers: Herman W. Kuehner, John A. Secor, Henry J. Klein, H. F. Runnels, Addie M. Hoffman, James M. Hoffman, John C. Mil- ler, Perry H. Rowley, Josephine Kuehner, Robert Priebe, Clifton O. Bonham, F. Marion Watts, Aug. C. Biersdorf, Edward W. Matchan, Charles W. Rabel, Robert E. Matthews, Lafayette H. . Watts, Athelia I. Watts, Alfred E. Collinge, Nina A. Runnels, Christ Peterson, Ole A. Ness, John H. Houck, Jr., Nellie S. Watts, William Croxford, Elmer S. Peck, Fred J. Weckerling, Lewis C. Shedd, Lyman D. Ward, John E. Crewe, Alice L. Casey, Joseph J. Hanson, Nels T. Nesseth. President, F. M. Watts; vice presi- dent, Louis Honek; secretary, Frank Fulkerson; treasurer, A. E. Collinge; Chaplain, Robert Matthews; escort, F. Weckerling; outside sentry, Ang. Biersdorf; inside sentry, Robert Priebe.


Zumbrota Camp, No. 252, Modern Woodmen of America, was organized November 21, 1887, and the first officers were as fol- lows: Venerable counsel. J. C. English; worthy advisor, J. H. Peabody; excellent banker, HI. Koehler; clerk, E. C. Bennett; escort. W. L. Nye ; watchman, L. Halling ; sentry, Philip Yochen ; local physician, H. L. Mckinstry ; managers. J. H. Peabody, C. R. MeKinstry and W. L. Nye. The present officers are : Venerable counsel, William Croxford ; worthy advisor. Fred Weckerling; excellent banker, H. Koehler ; clerk. A. E. Collinge ; escort, J. L. Williams; watchman, Louis Opfer; sentry, Ang. Miller; local physician, Dr. G. O. Fortney : managers, Louis J. Henning. A. Amli and W. S. Collinge.


Zumbrota Council, No. 30, Modern Samaritans, received its charter May 1, 1901, and at that time the members were as fol- lows: Louis Satren, Edward S. Person, Stephen D. Sour, Will- iam G. Langworthy, B. A. Kolbe, Walter (. Rowell. Charles L. Grover. Henry W. Yochem, Louis J. Korstad, Herman Koehler, E. A. Kellett, Herman F. Kalass, Ole T. Thoreson, Frederick W. Yochem, Elmer L. Peck. R. R. Sigmond, Oscar M. Nelson, Mar- shall A. Nelson, Edward H. F. Weckerling, Hans O. Vollan, Emil V. Ramharter, Henry E. Weiss. John Stondt. Edward F. Davis, J. E. Crewe, Frank E. Marvin, Charles Berg, Igmar T. Avels- gaard, Edward S. Nelson, Henry J. Klein, Ole N. Berg. Edward C. F. Kalass, A. W. Swanson, Andrew Samuelson, Eben V. Ban- croft, George G. Marvin, Richard S. Ellstrom, Ole A. Myron, Frank E. Judd, Roy Peter Sigmond, John A. Secor. W. Scott Van de Bogart, Ernest E. Peck, George HI. Wareham and Olaf


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E. Hoff. The present officers are as follows : G. S., Louis Houck; V. G. S., William Langsdorf: scribe and financier, A. E. Mosher ; treasurer, William Croxford; high priest, G. Gunderson; chief messenger. Fred Weekerling; P. G. S., L. J. Henning.


Trondhjem Lodge, No. 51, Sons of Norway, was organized August 1. 1905, with the following members: Carl G. Ofstie, Arne H. Westby, Severin J. Floor, Iver Peterson, S. A. Lexvold, C. K. Kolstad, P. A. Merseth, Carl R. Ersland, Thorwald Lien, Peder Fredrickson, Theodore Thompson, Hofgen Klaven, G. O. Reppe. J. M. Holtan, Erick O. Swenson, Oscar Reppe, John Peter- son, Henry Martin Medchill, Iver E. Loken, T. C. Siversen, I. N. Johnson, K. E. Gryttenholm, Knut Berg. Johan A. Nerhaugen and Nels E. Koppang. The present officers are: President, A. II. Westby; vice president, Knut Berg; secretary, Nels Koppang; treasurer, Severt Lexvold; regent, P. Neeseth : marshall, H. Klaven; inside warden. Iver Johnson: chaplain, J. Nerhaugen.


Zumbrota Lodge, No. 43, Ancient Order United Workmen, was organized March 9, 1878, with the following officers : P. M. W., B. C. Grover; M. W., I. Bingham, Jr .; G. F .. A. B. Cogswell ; O., C. M. Bingham : recorder. D. B. Scofield ; financier, D. B. Sco- field ; receiver. George Person; G., A. A. Chase ; I. W., O. I. Hall ; O. W., J. J. Callahan. During the financial depression, the so- ciety almost went out of existence, but is now one of the most flourishing lodges in the village. The present officers are: M. W., Louis Houck ; G. F .. W. E. Mosher; O., Aug. Biersdorf : recorder, E. A. Carroll ; receiver, N. C. Adams; financier. Aug. Biersdorf; G., O. A. Ness : I. W .. John Houck. Sr. : O. W., Peter Henion.


VILLAGE HISTORY.


The village of Zumbrota was platted on the northwest and southwest quarters of section 31. in September, 1856, on land that had previously been entered by Aaron Doty. Doty was a bachelor, and in the employ of C. W. Smith, who was the prac- tical owner. but who could not pre-empt land because he was a land speculator. The owners of the townsite were the members of the Strafford Emigration Company. Bailey and Thompson made an addition which is called North Zumbrota, in 1857. The west addition was made by Josiah Thompson. on section 36. Minneola township. The first house was built by C. W. Smith. It was a log structure, 14x18, and was erected on the south bank of the Zumbrota river. In 1857, Smith moved away. and was last heard of in Bay City. Michigan. The first store building was erected in October, 1856, by Thomas P. Kellett. in which he kept the first store. Lizzie Shedd taught the first school in the fall of 1857. A public school building, erected in 1866. 30x42. was


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burned in 1870. A two-story frame structure, partitioned into four rooms, was erected the same year.


The act incorporating the village of Zumbrota passed the state legislature February 15, 1877, the petitioners being J. A. Thacher, T. P. Kellett and George Person. The first meeting of the voters in the village was held February 27, 1877, in Parker's hall. The judges of election were I. C. Stearns and E. T. Halbert. The clerk was S. G. Cady. The returns were sworn to before D. B. Scofield as justice of the peace. The first meeting of the village council was held in April, 1877. J. A. Thacher was the first presi- dent of the village; John Anderson, George Person and T. P. Kellett were the first trustees; A. C. Rostad was recorder, Will- iam Dorman was treasurer, D. B. Seofield was justice and L. Summers was constable. In 1886 the village was separated from


the township. The presidents of the council since 1877 have been : 1877-78, J. A. Thacher: 1879, II. Blanchard; 1880-81-82-83, HI. HI. Palmer ; 1884, E. V. Canfield ; 1885-86-87-88, S. B. Bartean, Sr .; 1889, William F. Bevers ; 1890-91, John Anderson ; 1892-93-94, S. B. Barteau, Jr. ; 1895, William F. Bevers; 1896-97, Louis Starz; 1898-99. A. W. Eddy; 1900, A. J. Rockne; 1901, F. M. March ; 1902-03, E. Woodbury ; 1904, Paul C. Kalass; 1905-06-07. James HI. Farwell: 1908-09. M. H. Baskerfield. The clerks have been : 1877-78. A. C. Rostad ; 1879-80-81, S. G. Cady ; 1882-83-84-85-86-87, C. E. Johnson : 1888-89. T. N. Lee ; 1890-91-92-93-94-95-96-97-98-99, W. W. Kinne: 1900-01-02. H. T. Banks; 1903-04, H. E. Weiss; 1905-06-07. E. F. Davis; 1908-09, M. H. Powers (removed from village). The present officers of the village are : President, M. H. Baskerfield; trustees, Leo Schafer, Theodore Stecher and Charles Olson; recorder. Albert Severson; treasurer, A. E. Mosher; as- sessor, R. J. Staiger ; marshall, James L. Annis; justices, P. W. Mook and A. H. Kellett.


A speech delivered many years ago by T. P. Kellett contains much of interest to the seeker after facts regarding the early days of Zumbrota. After speaking of his arrival in 1856, Mr. Kellett said: On the first Sabbath day three of us, enough to "claim the blessing," held a meeting in a small log house or shanty, eight by ten, standing not far from where Mr. Skillman's house was later erected, and judging the feelings of others by my own, I must say that our worship was not in vain. And from that time to this, with but few if any exceptions, some sort of religious meeting has been held every Sabbath. (It might here be noted that the first public religious observance in the town was the prayer made by Albert Barrett at the funeral of John Cameron, who was buried not far from where the residence of D. W. MeIntire was later ereeted.)


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In the spring of 1857 the first bridge was built over the north branch of the Zumbro river and covered with sided poplar poles, and these poles did service as a covering or, more properly, a flooring for three years and then the bridge was floored with plank. In the year 1862. I believe. a new bridge was built with an additional bent in the middle. In the following winter that middle bent was knocked out by the ice and sent down the river. The bent was replaced only to be knocked out again by the next winter's breakup. In the year 1869 a more substantial structure was erected. (Note : This bridge still remains and is preeminently the Zumbrota landmark.) In the spring of 1857 a Congrega- tional society was organized and all professing Christians of all denominations, with all others favorable to religions services, united cordially in support of such services on the Sabbath. In the summer of 1857 the public hall was built and furnished, a place for meetings and schools for a number of years. In the fall of 1857 came the great financial crisis, which made the great financiers of the country tremble in their boots. We people of Zumbrota. however, did not feel its effect until the spring of 1858, and those of us who were here during that year have doubtless a very vivid recollection of those hard times. If we could blot that year from our past record, the record would be more pleasing retrospeet than it is. Doubtless there are men among us now in good circumstances and position, who can look back to that year of rutabagas and corn cake, and feel thankful that their lines have since fallen in more pleasant places. The erisis just referred to was the means of retarding the settlement of Zumbrota for many years. Men who had planned to move out here with their families were unable to do so because they were unable to sell their property in the East. Hence our growth was very slow for some years after the first settlement. Then came the war of the rebellion, which seemed to upset all previons calculations. All we could expert to do during those dark days was to maintain a mere existence. At the call for volunteers some of our very worthy young men enlisted and went into active service in defense of the goverment. Amos Scofield. George Scofield. John Morrell. William Peck. Edward Davis, and others. are all sleeping in southern graves today, but the mere mention of their names touches a tender spot in many of our hearts.


In the years of 1862-63 was built our first church, and in 1866 was built our first school building. Soon after the building of the Congregational church just referred to, our Baptist friends, who for some time had been worshiping as a separate organization. built them a nice little church, and later the Methodist Episcopal society built themselves a comfortable place of worship."


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MILITARY COMPANY.


Company D, Zumbrota (By E. F. Davis)-In the early spring of 1885 a handful of young men met in the old Parker hall to take the preliminary steps for forming a state militia company in Zumbrota. The company was first known as the "Zumbrota Guards, reserve militia," and was mustered into service March 6, 1885, by Capt. A. P. Pierce of Red Wing. John Stenersen was the first captain and the charter members were as follows: J. H. Stenersen, P. F. Ryder, Dan Dyerson, F. G. Mitchell, Charles E. Kolbe, Bert Pease, William Rogers, Herman Shirley, Tim Ma- honey, Willis George, S. B. Scott, Fred Stecher, Amos Scofield, HI. B. Carpenter, C. E. Johnson, Carl L. Strom, M. L. Webb, A. W. Thomas, J. C. Powers, Leroy Carley, Fred Caffee, C. H. Stearns,. Leo Schafer, Albert Woodbury. William Clemens and Frank Halbert. Willis George and JJ. C. Powers were elected first and second lieutenants, respectively, with C. H. Stearns first sergeant and C. E. Johnson second sergeant. M. L. Webb was first cor- poral and R. R. Sigmond second corporal. During the first few years of the existence of the company the members were com- pelled to furnish their own uniforms, the only thing the state supplied being the old 50-caliber rifles, belts and bayonets. At the end of the first year J. Il. Stenersen resigned to accept a place on Gov. L. F. Hubbard's staff and C. E. Johnson was elected to fill his place. In October, 1885, Willis George re- signed and C. H. Stearns was elected first lieutenant.


The Third Regiment was organized in 1887, at which time the Zumbrota Guards became Company D of that organization, and have held their title ever since, being now the oldest company in the state of Minnesota and having the distinction of furnishing more field and staff officers than any other company in their regiment. At the first encampment in 1888 there were only eighteen men, who served without pay. This little group showed such enthusiasm that there was a much larger number thereafter, although it took a great deal of hard work on the part of Capt. Johnson, as the members received absolutely no aid from the state. In March, 1887, Lient. Powers resigned and was succeeded by Sergt. William Clemens. The latter resigned in August, 1887, and was succeeded by Private Thomas Brusegaard. In March, 1888, Lient. Stearns resigned and Sergt. Leo Schafer was elected in his place. Capt. Johnson resigned in 1891 to take the position of major and C. H. Stearns became the third captain of the company. Under his eommand the members went to Chicago to take part in the dedication of the World's Fair buildings. Shortly after this Capt. Stearns and Lient. Schafer resigned and First Sergt. E. S. Person was elected eaptain and Sergt. W. W.


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Kinne first lieutenant. The company again visited the World's Fair and took part in the Minnesota Day parade, which was during the fall of 1893. Capt. Person was untiring in his efforts to bring the company up to a high standard, and during the en- campments of 1895 and 1896 his command won the gold medal for proficiency in guard duty. In 1897 Capt. Person resigned to accept a position as major of the regiment, and in January, 1898, W. W. Kinne was elected captain and H. W. Yochem first lieu- tenant. J. A. Erstad was at that time second lieutenant, having been elected some years previous.


It was just at this time that the call for volunteers for the Spanish-American war was issued and Company D was among the first to offer their services. One evening when the com- pany was lined up at the armory, Capt. Kinne asked all the members who would volunteer to step two paces to the front. Every man in the company stepped forward, but as they were some short of the 105, to fill out a full company, Col. Johnson furnished the balance of the quota from Mankato. On Thursday, April 28, 1908, the company left Zumbrota amid a scene which will be long remembered by those who witnessed it. Many eyes were dinmed with tears and hearts throbbed with emotion as the boys left home. At that time the non-commissioned officers were: Sergeants. John Houck. George W. Eastman, C. O. Bon- ham. E. F. Davis, HI. J. Teich, J. C. Miller and HI. Eastman; corporals. Sid Anderson, W. P. Armstrong. M. H. Powers, Harry G. Gudd, Ludwig Johnson. Charles C. Dickenson. Louis Lohman, and others. The company was stationed at the state fair grounds and had a total number of 115 men. Abont thirty of these had to be rejected. as an order was received for only 84 men to a company. On May & the company was mustered in and was known as Company D. 14th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. A few days later the regiment left Camp Ramsey in three sections for Chickamauga Park. Ga. All along the route citizens turned out to welcome and cheer the troops. Arriving at a small station called Lytle, the regiment marched into the park a few miles, where a camp was assigned them, in company with 60,000 other troops from all parts of the United States. This camp was known as the George H. Thomas, and the company was brigaded with the First Pennsylvania and Second Ohio Regiments, and known as the third brigade, second division, first army corps. under command of Gen. Rossar, a veteran who fought with the South during the civil war. The extreme heat and poor water began to tell on the men from the North and as a result there was a great deal of siekness, but everyone was anxious to get to the front, and patiently endured the constant drilling, and it was but a


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short time before the Third had the reputation of being the best drilled regiment in the park.


In June an order was issued to recruit the companies up to the full strength of 105 men, and Lieut. Erstad was detailed to go back home and perform that duty. Many of the men who were at first rejected were then given a chance and returned with him to join the command. After his return Lient. Erstad was promoted to first lieutenant and assigned to Company 1. First Sergt. John Houek was promoted to second lieutenant and assigned to Company F, and Lieut. Demming of Company E was assigned to Company D.


On August 28, 1908. the regiment was transferred from Camp Thomas to Camp Poland. at Knoxville. Tenn .. where they re- mained until September 21. and then started on the return trip to St. Paul, arriving there Sept. 23, and went into camp at Camp Van Duzee, between the twin cities. A furlough of thirty days was granted to all the men, who returned to their homes for a short period. At this time there was an Indian uprising in the northern part of the state and a detachment from each com- pany was sent to quell the Reds, including several of the D boys. who returned without incident.


On reassembling at St. Paul the regiment was mustered out of service November 18, 1908. Sergt. George Miles Houck was the only member of the company who did not answer to roll call on the return home. He was taken ill at Knoxville shortly before leaving and when he arrived at Chicago was too sick to continue the journey and was taken to a hospital. where he died October 1. The remains were brought to Zumbrota for burial.


Twice during their stay in the park the regiment was ordered to the front and both times they struck tents, packed up all their belongings and had destroyed the few luxuries they had accumu- lated for comfort's sake, such as straw for bedding, boxes for tables, etc., and both times were ordered to unpack and pitch tents before they had left the company street. The second time the regiment was in line and the column had started to move toward the station when the order was countermanded, which nearly resulted in a riot on the part of the men and only the per- sonal persuasion on the part of the officers prevented an open rebellion. We do not construe this as a disgraceful act on the part of the men, but it well illustrates their willingness to get to the front and do actual service.


After the muster out of the Fourteenth. Company D resumed its place in the state militia with Capt. Kinne at the head and H. W. Yochem and E. F. Davis as lieutenants. In May. 1900, Kinne resigned and H. W. Yochem was elected captain: Davis


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was advanced to first lieutenant and Sergt. C. O. Bonham to second lieutenant. In the spring of 1901 Yochem resigned by reason of removal from company station and Kinne was again placed at the head. He removed and Lient. E. F. Davis was elected captain, Bonham being advanced and Sergt. J. R. Johnson elected second lieutenant. Davis resigned in 1903 and II. W. Yochem was again placed in command. Yochem and Bonham resigned in the fall of 1905 and F. W. Wilcox was elected cap- tain : Johnson pushed up to first lieutenant and M. II. Powers was elected second lieutenant. Wilcox held office for less than a year and then quit. First Lieut. JJohnson took the company to camp that year, after which he resigned and H. T. Banks was elected captain and E. F. Davis went into the company again as first lieutenant. In the spring of 1909 Banks and Davis resigned and Second Lieut. M. H. Powers was elected captain, and Sergts. John Logan and Chris. N. Nesseth promoted to first and second lieutenants. Powers removed from company station September 1, 1909. and at the present time the command is in charge of Lient. John Logan.


At this writing there are 67 members in the company, they are well equipped and well drilled and among the number are many good rifle shots who have won medals of distinction on the state riffe range, as well as making good records on their own range. II. JJ. Teich is the first sergeant of the company, having served nearly fifteen years with the company and is the oldest first sergeant in the state.


The company has participated in every encampment held by the national guard and in 1901 was with the regiment on an 80-mile march from Milaca to Brainerd. In 1906 they marched across the country from Zumbrota to Lake City. Both of these trips proved instructive as well as enjoyable. There are many other interesting features connected with the history of Company D which cannot be enumerated here. as this article was intended to cite only the more important events which have transpired during the quarter of a century of its existence.


VILLAGE SCHOOLS.


In 1858 the first village school was formed, taught by Lizzie Shedd, daughter of Rev. Charles Shedd. pastor of the Congrega- tional Church. In the beginning and for several successive years, the sessions of the school were held in the second story room of the store. built just before by T. P. Kellett. on the corner now occupied by the Security State Bank. The building was justly considered at that and for those times as ambitions, elegant and commodious.


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HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY


Mrs. Munson came next as teacher, followed by Mrs. C. C. Webster, wife of one of the earliest settlers, and she was followed by Ella Wilder, daughter of Ezra Wilder, another pioneer. Later she married Rev. Mr. Sedgwick, then pastor of the Baptist ( hurch, who afterward became a physician. Mrs. Ellery Person, wife of Samuel Person, a brother of Messrs. Ralzy and George Person, who were among the early settlers, was the next teacher. Then in succession came Sarah Stowell, Mrs. Preston, Florence Brown, cousin to the hero of Harper's Ferry and martyr of free- dom for the slave, whose soul is still marching on. Then, still in the Kellett hall came the male teachers, Mr. Griffin and Mr. Aldrich, the latter of whom took up his residence in Zumbrota; E. W. Conat taught in the summer of 1864 at $22 per month ; J. B. Griffin in the winter of the same year at $27.50 per month ; Florence Brown, winter of '65, at $22 per month. Before this the general rate of salary for the female teachers was $5 per week. In the school year of 1862-63 and for many years there- after the board of trustees were: J. A. Thacher, director; I. C. Stearns, clerk, and H. Blanchard, treasurer.




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