History of Goodhue county, including a sketch of the territory and state of Minnesota, Part 44

Author: Wood, Alley & Co.. pbl
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Red Wing, Minn., Wood, Alley, & Co.
Number of Pages: 710


USA > Minnesota > Goodhue County > History of Goodhue county, including a sketch of the territory and state of Minnesota > Part 44


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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STANTON.


This township is located in the extreme northwestern portion of the county. It is bounded on the north by Cannon River; on the east by Cannon Falls township ; south by Warsaw ; and west by Sciota, in Dakota county. In the early days the territory was called Prairie Creek, sub- sequently organized into the township of Lillian. It is not a full-sized government township, being only four section deep from north to south, and the usual six sections the other way. The Cannon River affords a magnificent water power, presenting a succession of falls, or more properly rapids, not excelled by any similar stream in the Northwest.


Prairie Creek flows through the centre of the township, and on the east the Little Cannon, and there are besides numerous springs and smaller streams.


The first settlement was made in 1855, by a party of emigrants from Dodge county, Wisconsin, consisting of Wm. Stanton, sen., John Stan- ton, Norman Daniels, Robert Deakin, Wm. Stanton, jr .. Samuel Daniels, George Gould and others. These men with their families located claims near the southwest corner of the township, and the settlement was called Stanton in honor of the oldest settler, Mr. Wm. Stanton, senior. This section of country is a beautiful valley, surrounded by high lands, rendering the place picturesque in the extreme, full of native beauty and marvelous scenic loveliness.


These pioneer settlers were largely from Vermont, and they brought 28


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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.


with them those habits of industry and frugality characteristic of that people.


In the fall of 1855, Mr. George Gould was married to a daughter of Samuel Daniels, being the first marriage celebrated in the township. In 1856, their first child was born, being the first child born in the town- ship. In the fall of the same year Peter Fagan, and Hugh Woden, with his father and two sisters, came to the settlement and made claims. Of the latter family, all have since died.


Late in the fall of 1854, John and George Seasons, with their families, settled on the Little Cannon. Alonzo and Jonathan Dipple and William Thomas came about the same time. The wife of George Seasons died the following winter, the first death that took place in the township.


At the house of William Stanton, the first religious service was held, Rev. J. W. Hancock officiating. William Cleveland taught the first school at the little village of Stanton.


In 1862 Robert Deakin was elected clerk of the court, re-elected in 1866 ; was elected probate judge in 1864, re-elected in 1866 and in 1868.


Subsequently the township was re-christened and now bears the title of Stanton. The appellation may be more appropriate in honor of the early settlers of that name, but " Lillian " is the more fluent and poeti- cal term.


CHURCHES.


In the summer of 1874, the Methodists erected a very cosy and pretty church building on section 32. It is 28x44 feet and cost $2,000. Ser- vices are held quite regularly by Rev. Ezra Tucker.


OXFORD METHODIST CHURCH.


This church building stands on section 36. It was completed in June, 1873 ; size, 26x40 feet. The first sermon was preached in the new struc- ture, Oct. 1873, by the Rev. Ezra Tucker, he supplying both churches. The township is liberally supplied with churches and schools, and well tilled farms and elegant farm houses greet the eye all over the township.


OXFORD FLOURING MILL.


This valuable enterprise is located on section 25, Little Cannon River. It was erected by the Archibalds & Wilcox in 1867, and put in operation in the fall of the same year. It is 30x70 feet and contains four run of stone. Its capacity is 70,000 bushels per annum.


In May, 1878, Mr. Wilcox began the erection of a four story stone


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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.


mill 44x56. Much of the machinery from the old mill was substituted for the new enterprise. It was completed and put in operation in the fall of 1878, and is one among the very excellent mills of the county.


CANNON FALLS TOWNSHIP


Derived its name from the Big Cannon River. The first settler was Edway Stoughton. Charles Parks soon followed, settling in the village of Cannon Falls, July, 1854. The first birth was Ellen Hartry, born Oct., 1855. The first death was David McKune, August, 1855. Robert Foth- erby and Miss Sarah Strange, were the first couple married who were residents of the township. Charles Parks officiating.


CANNON FALLS VILLAGE.


Incorporated March 10, 1857. The first election was held first Wed- nesday in May, 1857. The first officers elected under the charter were, Charles Parks, president ; William P.'Tanner, recorder.


Councilmen : J. E. Chapman, Thos. Baker, George Mckenzie.


Present officers : Eli Ellsworth, president; J. A. Wilson, recorder. A. M. Knox, Samuel Higham and John Danielson, councilmen.


Where a portion of the village now stands, James McGinnis pre-empted lots 1, 2, 5 and 6, sec. 18, in Nov., 1854. March, 1855, Warren Hunt took a claim, ne. qr. of sec. 18, adjoining McGinnis on the east. The same spring, Richard Freeborn, jr., pre-empted lots 3 and 4, sec. 18, west of the McGinnis claim. In May, 1855, William Colvill pre-empted lots 7, 8 and 9, sec. 18, south of the McGinnis claim. Benjamin St. Clair took lots 7, 8 and 12, sec. 7, north of the McGinnis claim, the same spring. June, 1855, William P. Schofield pre-empted lots 9, 10 and 11, sec. 7, northwest from the McGinnis claim. The same month Hugh Montgomery took the se. qr. of sec. 18, east of the McGinnis claim. June, 1855, Frank Clark entered lots 10 and 11, sec. 18, south of the Colvill claim. William B. Barton pre-empted the se. qr. of sec. 7, ne. of the McGinnis claim, fall of 1855.


The village proper was laid out August 27, 1855, by Richard and William Freeborn, on section 18, including a portion of the claims of McGinnis, Richard Freeborn and William Colvill. It was surveyed and platted by S. A. Hart, county surveyor.


October 16, 1856, the Cannon Falls city addition was platted, which included all the Hunt and Barton claims. The Cannon Falls central addition was made December 13, 1856, including a part of the Richard Freeborn claim.


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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.


Point Lookout addition was made in the fall of 1856, including a part of the Montgomery claim.


Cannon Falls Company's addition was made May 18, 1858, including a part of the William P. Schofield claim. St. Charles Terre Haute addi- tion was made soon after, including a part of the St. Clair claim.


Ellsworth and Tanner's addition followed immediately, including a part of the Frank Clark claim.


The Goodhue addition was made next, and is a part of the Schofield claim.


William Freeborn built the first dwelling house in the spring of 1855. It was a log cabin built on mill block No. 3, or on the bank of the Little Cannon near the falls. It was pulled down some ten years ago.


Richard Elton built the first store building, September, 1855, on lot 4, block 36. Eli Ellsworth kept the first store, and in this same building.


The first attorney at law was R. W. Hamilton, and the first physician, J. E. Tibbitts.


E. L. Clark taught the first school, a subscription enterprise, in a building he erected for that purpose, January 8, 1856.


SCHOOL HOUSES.


The first public school house was built on block 21, in the village proper, in 1857. It is 28x38, two stories high. An addition of the same size was built in 1875.


Present teachers : A. E. Engstrom, principal ; Miss Kate' Tanner, first intermediate ; Miss Ida L. Mallett, second intermediate ; Miss Cora Schofield, primary.


The second school building was erected in 1875, on lot 4, block 2, north side, Goodhue's addition, smaller than the first building. There was an addition built to it in 1877.


Present teachers : Miss Cleora T. Oakes, intermediate ; Miss Belle J. Allyn, primary.


MILLS.


The first mill was built by R. C. Knox & Co., in 1867, block 51, in Cannon Falls city addition. It was a frame structure, 45x50, containing four run of stone. The entire building when completed cost $14,000, with a capacity of 100,000 bushels of wheat per annum. It was carried away by a flood June, 1867. Mrs. Cornelia Grosvener rebuilt it in 1867. It is 50x60, four stories, containing eight run of stone, five for wheat


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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.


and three for middlings. The Leffel, Dayton, and Red Wing wheels are used. It is now operated by R. Gregg & Co.


LITTLE CANNON MILL.


Is a stone structure two stories above basement, 50x70, built in 1857. It was not used until 1861, when machinery for the manufacture of woolen goods was put into it, and operated as such until 1875, when it was converted into a grist mill, with four run of stone for wheat, and two for feed.


GOODHUE MILL.


Built in 1870, and is 45x60, three stories high, a frame structure. It has eight run of stone, five for wheat and three for middlings. They use the middlings purifier. The mill was built by Gardner and More, and operated by them until September 1, 1878, when it was sold to Stephen Gardner, of Hastings. They use the Eclipse water wheels, five in number. Capacity of mill, 250 barrels per day.


BANKS.


BANK OF CANNON FALLS.


Established March 6, 1878 ; B. C. Howe, president ; J. C. Norton, vice president ; G. W. Howe, cashier.


FIRST NATIONAL BANK.


Established June 10, 1878. Authorized capital, $200,000. Paid up capital, $50,000. Stephen Gardner, of Hastings, president; W. P. Tan- ner, vice president ; L. S. Follett, Hastings, cashier, and L. W. Follett, assistant cashier and manager.


Directors : Stephen Gardner, W. P. Tanner, Eli Ellsworth, Charles A. Moore, John Danielson, Jonathan Miller and S: Higham.


CHURCHES.


THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF CANNON FALLS


Was organized July 31, 1856, at the school house. Rev. R. Hall, of the American Missionary society, preached on that occasion, assisted by a resident pastor, J. R. Barnes.


First members : J. R. Barnes, Caroline M. Barnes, Julia Barnes, Jos.


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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.


Peckham, Mary H. Peckham, Charles W. Gellett, Jane R. Gellett, Sher- man Hale, Jonathan L. Clifford, Mrs. J. L. Clifford, Sidney Munson, Mrs. H. G. Munson, Joseph E. Chapman, Hannah A. Chapman, Levi Hill- man, Mary Hillman, and Mrs. Paxton.


Deacons : J. L. Clifford and Sherman Hale; Luther Scofield, treas., and H. Peckham, clerk.


At a meeting held in January, 1857, S. Munson was chosen treasurer in place of Luther Scofield, resigned. At a meeting held for that pur- pose January 31, 1857, Sherman Hale, J. E. Chapman and Eli Ellsworth were elected trustees. April, 1862, Rev. John N. Williams was called as a regular pastor, but resigned in 1864, and Rev. J. R. Barnes acted as pastor. March 28, 1866, re-organized under the State law, and enti- tled the First Congregational Church of Cannon Falls. The trustees were S. L. Chapman, W. H. Schofield and Sherman Hale. Under the administration of these trustees the present church edifice was erected and completed in 1868. Its size is 35x48 and cost $3,000. It was dedi- cated by Rev. E. S. Williams, of Northfield, January, 2, 1868. Septem- ber 23, 1867, Rev. E. W. Merrill was called, and chosen February 23, 1870. September 3, 1874, Rev. C. A. Ruddock was the acting pastor, which position he held until September 3, 1877. B. Fay Mills was pas- tor for a short time. No pastor in charge now.


Present membership, eighty-five. Average attendance at Sabbath School, seventy, with W. H. Scofield as superintendent.


EPISCOPAL CHURCH.


PARISH OF THE CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER.


This church was the outgrowth of the labor of Rev. Timothy Wilcox- son, who walked all the way from Hastings, Minn., a distance of nineteen miles, preaching a sermon in a small frame house of William P. Tanner, Nov. 3, 1857. At that time there were only four communicants, as fol- lows : Mrs. William P. Tanner, Mrs. A. E. West, Miss H. A. Love and Mrs. J. D. Wheat. Rev. Wilcoxson continued holding monthly services until September, 1865, when the Rev. S. S. Burlson, of Northfield, took charge until June 24, 1866. February 20, 1866, a meeting was held at the school house, when it was arranged to build a stone church. The building committee were elected as follows : J. E. Chapman, Eli Ells- worth, J. D. Wheat, J. D. Jennings and W. P. Tanner. This committee solicited subscriptions, and bought lots 3, 4 and 5, block 34, in Cannon Falls. The building was begun in February 28, 1866. The parish was


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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.


duly organized according to law, April 16, 1866, with J. E. Chaplain and J. D. Wheat, wardens.


Eli Ellsworth, W. P. Tanner, James H. Abbott, and A. J. Phelps, were elected vestrymen.


The corner stone of the church was laid June 28, 1866, by Bishop H. B. Whipple ; Rev. S. S. Burlson assisting. The stone was laid on the northeast corner, containing a copper box, in which was deposited a New Testament, prayer-book, and the usual newspapers and specimens of coin. The edifice was completed March, 1867. First services were held on the last Sunday in March, 1867, Rev. S. S. Burlson, officiating. The communicants at this time numbered fifteen. In February, 1867, a call was extended to Rev. S. S. Burlson to become the rector, but he declined. Rev. G. W. Dunbar, of New Berlin, N. Y., was called, and took charge as rector on Easter day, 1867. Wednesday, May 1, 1867, the church was consecrated by Bishop H. B. Whipple. The cost of the church as reported, including lots and furniture, was $3,577.86, of which $930.70 was raised outside the parish.


Dec. 11, 1870, Rev. G. W. Dunbar, resigned, and Mr. J. D. Wheat (now deceased,) a parishioner, conducted the services until June, 1872, when the Rev. William John Carley was called, but he resigned in 1875. Again Mr. Wheat conducted the services, until July, 1877, when the Rev. F. J. Tassell was called, and is the present pastor. The church member- ship is seventy-five ; average attendance at Sabbath School, thirty, with the pastor as superintendent. In 1877 they built a rectory, at a cost of $1,300.


Present officers : Eli Ellsworth and F. D. Barlow, wardens; Charles Moore, Alonzo Dibble, J. E. Chapman, James H. Abbott and W. P. Tan- ner, vestrymen ; W. P. Tanner, treasurer and secretary.


BIOGRAPHICAL .- Rev. F. J. Tassell was born in the county of Kent, England, Jan. 12, 1841. Received his primary education in his native country. Emigrated to Hawley, Clay county, Minnesota, Sept. 1872. Studied for the ministry at Seabury Divinity School (Bishop Whipple's, ) at Faribault, Minn. Was ordained deacon June 17, 1877, and priest May 29, 1878, by the bishop.


METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.


This church was organized in 1856. The society is building a neat little church this year. Owing to the absence of the pastor and no records being kept, it is impossible to give such a sketch of this church as it deserves. The present pastor is Ezra Tucker.


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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.


CATHOLIC CHURCH.


Father McMahon preached the first sermon about 1856. The church was organized in June, 1864, with five members. The corner stone of the church was laid that year, but it was not completed until June, 1866. It is a stone structure of about 25x40. Father Carey, pastor. We are indebted to Mrs. Anna Hartery for this sketch, as no one else could be found to give any information.


SWEDISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, OF CANNON FALLS,


Was established May 11, 1857, by Rev. E. Norelius. First membership : Andrew Swanson, Nels Hawkinson, Gustof Anderson, A. P. Johnson, Andrew Lindstrom, C. F. Johnson, Magnus Nelson, John Peterson, Jacob Anderson, Magnus Lundell, August Peterson, Swan Nelson, Gustof Johnson, Olof Ostberg, Jon Johnson and Jonas Engberg, jr.


This meeting was held in a frame house of Andrew Swanson, where R. Gregg & Co.'s mill now stands.


The trustees elected at this meeting were: Andrew Swanson, Nels Hawkinson and Jonas Engberg.


Engberg was also treasurer. A resolution to build a church was car. ried, and subscriptions to the amount of $465 was raised. At a meeting held June 8, 1857, they arranged plans to build a frame church, 30x40, eighteen feet high, with tower. Andrew Lindstrom laid the foundation in June, 1857, but the church was never completed. This congregation, in 1862, built a church in the township on section 3, 20x26, which was used until the summer of 1878, when they built a frame church on sec- tion 1, 36x60, with tower, at an estimated cost of $4,000. A. Wahlin is the pastor.


A story is related by Mr. G. Westman that during the year 1858 they were to have the Lord's supper administered, and a collection was taken up and a bottle of wine procured. On the morning of that eventful Sabbath the wine was to be brought from the south side of the Little Cannon to the north side. The river being high, the seven members residing on the south side were to be taken over in a skiff, as well as the wine. When they reached the middle of the stream the boat was upset. With the assistance of the people on either shore they were all saved, except old Mrs. Angberg, who was found several months after eight or nine miles down the stream. It is needless to say the wine was lost.


ST. ANSGAR'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.


This church was organized August 15, 1869, at the school house, by


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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.


Rev. P. A. Cederstam. First members : G. Westman, A. P. Johnson, John Matson, Gustof Bergman, Magnus Anderson, John Anderson, Gustof Wedestrom, John Beck, Otto Johnson, A. W. Carlson, Lewis Larson, C. Jackson, C. P. Swanson, John Moline, Gustof Thumberg and Swan Widholm.


The trustees were G. Westman, A. P. Johnson and John Matson.


At a meeting held February 17, 1872, it was resolved to build a frame church. This structure is 34x50, 18 feet posts. It was commenced in the spring of 1872, and completed the same year. Its cost with the addition built in 1874, including furniture, was $3,000.


The present trustees are : J. Danielson, A. A. Beaurlin, C. P. Swenson, August Johnson and Abraham Moline.


The deacons were: A. P. Benson, G. Westman, S. A. Renquest, C. Wold, J. Johnson, John Nelson, Swan Nelson, Peter Shallgreen and Lewis Lawson. John Donaldson, treasurer, and G. Westman, secretary. The membership is 300. Average attendance at Sabbath School fifty, with C. Wald, superintendent.


BIOGRAPHICAL .- Rev. A. Wahlin was born in Sweden, September 20, 1841; emigrated to Clayton county, Iowa, in 1868. In 1870 he moved to Douglas county, Minn., and came to Cannon Falls June 15, 1876.


SECRET SOCIETIES.


ORIENTAL LODGE NO. 31, A. F. AND A. M.


Organized June 26, 1860. Worked under dispensation until October 24, 1860, at which time received charter. Meets first and third Satur- days in each month. In 1861, they purchased two lots and a building on the north side of Little Cannon River, which was fitted up for a lodge room.


The charter members were: Joseph E. Chapman, John L. Armington, Stephen N. Casy, William H. Mosier, Samuel Finney and Ralph Tanner.


Officers : John L. Armington, W. M .; Joseph E. Chapman, S. W .; Stephen N. Carey, J. W .; William H. Mosier, Treas .; Samuel Finney, Tyler.


Present officers : Andrew Mckenzie, W. M .; Norman Daniels, S. W .; Edward Mckenzie, J. W .; F. D. Barlow, Treas .; J. A. Wilson, Secretary ; J. T. Graves, S. D. ; James Winch, Jr. D .; J. E. Chapman, Chaplain ; James G. Taylor, S. S .; Joel Jepson, Jr. S .; John D. Sewart, Tyler.


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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.


ALLEGHANY LODGE NO. 33-I. O. O. F.


Organized Jany. 3, 1872. Charter members : M. E. Henderson, J. W. Newell, George Mckenzie, J. W. Neff and E. L. Clark. Officers : M. E. Henderson, N. G. ; J. W. Newell, V. G .; E. L. Clark, secy .; G. W. Neff, treas. At the time of organization there were thirteen initiations. There are now sixty members. Meet Friday of each week.


Present officers : E. W. Newell, N. G .; Cris. Doner, V. G. ; E. L. Clark, secy. ; Edward Harnish, treas. Assets amount to the sum of $1,000.


VALLEY ENCAMPMENT NO. 11.


Organized April 3, 1873. Charter members : M. E. Henderson, Lyman K. Ayrault, Warren Gilchrist, Geo. Manning, G. W. Neff, E. L. Clark and L. White.


Officers : M. E. Henderson, C. P .; Lyman K. Ayrault, H. P .; Geo. Manning, S. W .; Orrin Gilchrist, J. W. ; E. L. Clark, Scribe ; G. W. Neff, Treas. At this meeting there were five initiations. Present member- ship, twenty-three.


Present officers : G. W. Neff, C. P .; S. L. Dorman, H. P. ; Cris. Doner, S. W. ; Mathew Laner, S. W .; E. L. Clark, Scribe and Treas.


MUTUAL LODGE NO. 40-A. O. U. W.


Organized January 30, 1878. Charter members: S. Higham, G. A. Follett, G. H. Cross, S. Hanson, William Smith, H. H. Manning, Myron D. Gibbs, O. T. Jones, W. H. Scofield, C. E. Daniels, J. L. Scofield, E. Holden and A. L. Cawley.


Officers : G. H. Cross, M. W .; Levi Manning, recorder.


CANNON FALLS LODGE NO. 253-P. OF H.


Meets on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. D. Valen- tine W. M .; Geo. H. Brooks, secretary.


PRAIRIE FLOWER LODGE NO. 169-I. O. G. T.


Organized March 2, 1875, with fifteen charter members. M. McKay, W. C. T .; Ida Mallett, W. V. T .; Adelia Stranahan, secretary ; Miss Hattie Copeland, treasurer.


Present officers : Jacob Fraley, W. C. T .; Miss Hattie Copeland, W. V. T .; E. L. Clark, secretary, and Miss Minnie Clifford, treasurer.


Present membership, thirty-five. Meets on Monday of each week.


SCANDINAVIAN BENEVOLENT SOCIETY,


Organized August 9, 1872. The charter members numbered seventeen,


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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.


with G. Westman, president; Haagen Thompson, vice-president ; L. Engberg, secretary ; John Mattson, treasurer.


Trustees : John Danielson, C. G. Rydell, and P. Flygare. Meet first Friday of each month. Admission fee was $2, but was reduced to fifty cents, and then to twenty-five cents.


Present officers : G. Westman, president; C. P. Swanson, vice-presi- dent; P. A. Peterson, secretary ; and John Danielson, treasurer; J. Johnson, Charles Lund, and Swan Hanson, trustees.


Present number of members, forty-five.


POST OFFICE.


Established in 1855. The following persons have been postmasters : George Mckenzie, Eli Ellsworth, George L. Baker, A. J. Phelps, J. E. Chapman, F. D. Barlow, and W. H. Scofield. The last appointed March 4, 1869. The money order system was established August 8, 1871. The number of money orders issued, 7,198.


HOTELS.


FALLS HOUSE.


Charles Parks, in the fall of 1854, built a log hotel 16x24, giving it the name of the Falls House, and sold it to Andras Durand, in April, 1855, who built an addition, 16x24, April, 1855. These buildings were in front of where the hotel now stands. In the fall of 1856, a part of the present house was built, being 30x40, two stories. In the spring of 1858, it was sold to Edward J. Turner, who rented it to Benj. Van Campen, who was its proprietor for ten years. Sub- sequently it was rented to Col. Williams, Sole Slosson, John English and others. Sept. 18, 1871, D. L. Davis took charge of it, he hav- ing purchased the property as early as Sept. 19, 1866. In the fall of 1873, Mr. Davis sold it to Peter Gravlin, who kept the house until 1875, when Mr. Davis again came in possession of the house, and has since been its proprietor. He has refitted the building, and in the spring of 1872, made an addition, 14x22 feet.


EXCHANGE HOUSE.


This house was built by Peter Gravlin and Christopher Benway, in the fall of 1866. Benway sold it the following spring to Charles Brown, and the house was run by Gravlin and Brown as the " New England


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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.


House." They sold out to John Williams, in 1874, and he to Helstrum and Riddell. David Platt, in June, 1875, bought it and changed the name as above. He is the present proprietor.


NEWSPAPER PUBLICATIONS.


"CANNON FALLS BEACON."


The editors and proprietors of the "Cannon Falls Beacon " are O. T. Jones and L. C. McKenney. The enterprise was the outgrowth of the "Cannon Falls Gazette." The editor and proprietor of the "Gazette " in its day and generation, was R. M. Hamline, who started it in July, 1856. It was carried on by that gentleman for a period of about fifteen months, when it was sold to Mr. Hatch, who kept it agoing about one year, and then he disposed of the property to Hoag Bros. For luck they changed its name and styled it the " Cannon Falls Bulletin." The career of the "Bulletin " was brief but brilliant. At the end of one year it pulled up stakes and marched off to Northfield, to greener fields and pastures new, leaving Cannon Falls without a paper from that time until June, 1874, when Mr. Bromwick started the "Echo." That journal continued to echo a year and then succumbed to the force of circumstances, leaving the town again without a paper, until August 4, 1876, when John A. Leonard started the "Cannon Falls Beacon," which he continued until July 6, 1877, when he sold to O. T. Jones and C. A. Cook. April 5, 1878, Mr. Jones purchased Mr. Cook's interest. May 27, 1878, L. C. McKenney purchased a half interest with Mr. Jones, and the paper has since prospered. Under the present man- agement the "Beacon " has become a shining light to more than 600 subscribers, and the good work still goes on.




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