USA > Minnesota > Hennepin County > Minneapolis > History of Hennepin county and the city of Minneapolis, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota > Part 40
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The I'nited Presbyterian Church was organized in 1858, by Rev. Alex. Mellatton. a missionary. who remained about two years. Several changes occurred during the next few years. Rev. A. B. Coleman was stationed here in 1868. He was the
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EEDEN PRAIRIE-MILL, STORES. ETC.
lirst stated pastor and remained until 1871, when he was succeeded by Rev. J. L. Whitley, who remained three years. Rev. James Rogers was stationed here in 1874 and remained until 1878, when he was succeeded by Rev. S. T. Herron, the present pastor. The elders of the church are Samuel Anderson. James Clark and James Gam- ble. The church edifice is a comfortable frame building 28x40 feet, located in the northwest part of section 26. It was built in part. in 1869, and finished in 1879. The society numbers fifty-three and Sunday School sixty-five. The average at- tendance at the Sunday School is forty.
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Episcopal, St. John's Church. The first organ- ization of this society was in 1864. It was. how- over. re-organized in 1873. in consequence of the failure to record the list organization. The church is a very neat wooden structure, 22x34 feet. It was originally built in Chanhassen. Carver county. about the year 1860, and in 1868, was moved lo its present location on section 27. The first pastor was Rev. John Fitch. The pres- ent pastor, Rev. William Powell, has officiated since 1873. The officers of the society are Will- iam J. Jarrett, senior warden, and George V. llawkins, junior warden. The present member- ship is about twenty, and a Sunday School is maintained.
MILL.
A grist-mill, on section 26. on Mill Creek. is the only establishment of the kind in the town. It was built by Dr. Nathan Stanton in 1861. and be- gan to run in 1862. Isaac Crow bought the mill the next year, and operated it until his death. which occurred in 1872. James Till bought it of the heirs, and sold it in 1878 lo its present owner, J. Balme. It has two runs of stone. and has used water power wholly until within three years. Low water has since compelled the par- tial use of steam.
STORES, HOTELS, ETC.
The first store in town was built by Howe & Dunn, at the proposed village of Ilennepin. in 1854. In the same year a building was erected near the mill. for the double purpose of store and hotel, by Mr. Dudley. The property soon passed into the hands of A. I. Apgar. He kept open the hotel but closed the store, and it continned this until destroyed by fire in 1867. A small
store was also opened in the fall of 1880 at the station. by Jacob Rankins. A postoffice was es- tablished in 1854, with J. Staring as first post- master. Mr. Staring held the office fourteen years. His son, M. S. Staring. carried the mail to and from Bloomington. This was six mites distant, and the nearest point on the old stage line. He made weekly trips for eighteen months, and received for his services for the entire time, twelve dollars. This office is kept at present by 11. Goodrich, who also has a store, established nine years ago.
RAILROADS.
The Minneapolis & St. Louis railroad enters the town on the north. near the northwest corner of section 3. and passes out at the southwest. through section 30. The depot is situated near the middle of the town, on section 17. A second postoffice is located near the depot. called Wash- burn. The track of this road was laid and the station built in November, 1871. The first agent was R. O. Reed, who continued until June 16th. 1872, when the present agent took the position. Another railroad, the Hastings & Dakota Cut Off. passes through the northwestern part of the town. built in 1880.
STATISTICS.
Total number of acres in the township. 19,783. Assessed valuation of land in 1869. 887,373; in 1875, 8174,766: in 1880. 8266.303. Personal prop- erty in 1869, $26,737: in 1875. $30,116: in 1880, $38,293. Total taxes in 1869, $2.314: in 1875, $2,486; in 1880, $2,412. Horses over two years old in 1869, 156; in 1875. 230; in 1880.284. Cattle over two years old in 1869. 448: in 1875, 564; in 1880, 498. Sheep in 1869. 500: in 1875, 112; in ISSO, 391. 1Ings in 1869, 125; in 1875, 112; in 1880, 313. Wheat in 1869. 22,593 bushels: in 1875, 28,107 bushels; in 1880, acreage, 3,509. The population by the eensus of 1880 is 749.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Prominent among the early settlers here are the Andersons. three generations of whom are now living in the town, and number upwards of one hundred. Robert Anderson was born in Knocknabossett. county Cavan, Ireland, in 1824. Remained with his father until the age of twenty-six, being employed in milling and
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HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.
farming. In Isso came to America. arriving at Galena, Illinois. November 5th. where he spent four years farming. Cameto Minnesota. April. 1854. first stopping in Bloomington. then to Eden Prairie where he has since resided. February. 1850. married Miss Mary J. Hill. daughter of John and Elizabeth Hill. of Ireland. From this union nine children were born : Those now liv- ing: John 11 .. Samuel G .. Robert J .. Mary J .. Anna E .. Joseph M .. Margaret E. and Agnes E. When he came to this region there was but one store in Minneapolis on the west side, and no settler between Fort Snelling and Bloomington except Rev. Gideon HI. Pond and one French family. Into this wilderness he brought his family by way of the Minnesota River on the rickety little steamer lola. This little craft he- came partially disabled on the way up. obliging the passengers to carry wood and water to keep her in motion. This pastime was indulged in several times during the journey from St. Paul, to the general annoyance of the passengers. Mr. Anderson has been prominent in matters of ed- neation. temperance and christianity: now hasa son in the P'niversity fitting for the ministry.
William Anderson was born Jannary Ist. 1837. in North Ireland. When sixteen years old. his father. a prosperous cottager and mill owner. died. and in 1854 William came with the family to America. settling in JJo Davies county, Illinois. where he attended school one year. then went to Galena to work in a store. where he remained until the fall of 1855. when he came to Minnesota crossing the Mississippi at Fort Shelling. and went to Eden Prairie. His mother made a home- stead claim of the farm he now occupies, on se(- tion 13 and 14. where she lived to see the third generation of her family : 103 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. She died in March. 1878. William Anderson married Miss Rachel Mitchell. April 28th, 1858. They have eleven children : Harvey. Martha A .. Lizzie R .. Ida E .. Fammie, Loretta H .. . Jennie 1 .. Julia M .. Alfred W. Ar- thur 11. 1 .. and Alice P. He has been active in educational and religious matters and largely in- terested in the erection of the three churches in the township. Was one of a few who hewed and hauled the logs for the first school-house in his district, in 1856. Two of his children are now attending the High School in Minneapolis.
James Anderson was born in the same town in Ireland, as his brothers Robert and William. His early life, like that of his brothers, was de- voted to milling and farming. In 1852 he came to America. Lived one year in Hanover. Illinois. In 1853 came to Minnesota and located where he has since lived. on section 14. In common with other pioneer settlers, he staked out his "claim." which he subsequently secured by pre-emption and entry. In the spring of 1854 brought his family from Illinois, coming from St. Paul on the steamer lola. Was married February 26th. 1852. to Miss Sarah Hicks, of Cavan county, Ireland. Have had nine children, Robert H., Eliza J .. John W., Thomas, Matilda, James. David Il .. Robert. and a son who died in infancy.
John H. Anderson was born at Camp Creek, near Galena. Ilinois. November 7th, 1850. When four years of age he came with his parents to Eden Prairie and remained with his father until the age of twenty-three. receiving a common school education. with one ferm at the graded school in Excelsior. Married January 20. 1871. to Miss Ida E .. danghter of Aaron and Matilda Gond. Has two children. Edward W .. and Jen- nie G. Owns a good farm one mile east of Eden Prairie station.
William V. Bryant. for many years a resident of Eden Prairie, was born in Savo, York county. Maine, March 21st, 1821. Is a lineal descendant of Stephen Bryant, of the old Plymouth colonies. and of the same family line with William Cullen Bryant. His father. John Bryant. was a seafar- ing man. and died in 1820. At the age of thir- teen, William went to Salem and learned the sad- dlers' trade. remaining until 1836, then sought adventure upon the ocean. his first service being with Commodore M. C. Perry. of the steamer Fulton. the first steamer built by the U. S. gov- ernment. Also sailed on the ships Admiral and Henry Clay : was three years on the whaler America, in Pulaski Bay, Prussian possessions. During eighteen years of ocean life, visited many places of historie interest, sailing around the world, and encountering many thrilling adven- tures and remarkable preservations. In 1852. abandoned ocean life, and in May. was married to Miss Hannah Shepherd, of Boston. Mass. Six chil- dren have been born to them: Sarah 1 .. Blanche M., Martha A., William M .. Rose .A .. and John
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EDEN PRAIRIE-BIOGRAPHICAL.
M., only four of whom are living. Came to St. Paul in July, 1852; remained one year, then removed to St. Anthony, remaining there for eight months, then removed to his present loca- tion.
Nathaniel Brown has been a resident of Min- nesota since 1855, and of Hennepin county since 1874. Was born in Franklin county, N. Y., Nov. 9th. 1825. and in early childhood accompanied his parents to Indiana, from which place the family removed to Fulton county, Illinois, in 1840, Soon after this, his father died and he went with the family to Des Moines county, Iowa, where he remained on a farm for about nine years. March 10th. 1853, married Miss Harriet N. Van Nice. Have had eight children, seven of whom are liv- ing: Rosa Belle, Stephen E., Frank A., Clara L .. Sadie. Oscar II., and Charles L. He entered the army in 1864, enlisting in Co. A., 4th Minn. Inf. Veterans. Was with the regiment through Sher- man's march to the sea. Received his discharge at Louisville, Ky., in 1865. Returned to his family in Scott county, where he had removed from Towa in 1855, remained there until 1874. when he sold his farm and located at his present place.
James A. Brown, is a native of Cavan county. Ireland, where he was born. July 8. 1849. His father, who was a farmer, kept him at school until sixteen years of age. In the fall of 1866 the family came to America, locating near Galena. Illinois, and the following year. removed to Eden Prairie. In 1875, bought the farm he now lives on, five miles east of Shakopee. on the north bank of the Minnesota river. Married Miss Mary A. Dean, March 21. 1877; have two child- ren, Edward J. and William R. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are members of the Presbyterian church and take a lively interest in educational matters.
William O. Collins, who figures conspicuously in the early history of Eden Prairie, is a native of Canada. Was born December 6, 1812. Until eighteen years of age remained with his parents, on the farm, and when twenty years of age went to Vermont. remaining there one year, then to New York, learning the carpenter's trade, fol- lowing it for two years. Returned to Canada and married Miss Isabella Latta, December 27. 1836. Of eight children the result of this union, three are now living. Entered the British army
in 1837, during the Rebellion in Canada, and remained in her Majesty's service two years. Removed to Massachusetts in 1842, remained two years, went back to Canada where he remained until 1854. when he sought a home in the West, locating in Hennepin county in 1855. on the farm where he now lives. In 1866 his buildings. valued at $3.000. were destroyed by fire. Mr. Collins is a member of the M. E. Church and still active in all public affairs.
James Clark was born March 17, 1836, in Don- egal county. Ireland, and came with his parents to America in 1843. The journey here was one of extreme peril, and well-nigh proved fatal. The steamer they embarked on. encountered a severe storm and was beached on the Isle of Man : sailed to Liverpool. and from there to America. landing at New York. August 1843. located in Brooklyn. where. after leaving school, James was engaged in carpenter work until 1855, when the family came to Minnesota. settling in Eden Prairie. James remained in St. Paul. at his trade for about two years, after which he went to New York and in 1861 married Miss Prudence Sterritt, who bore him ten children, all living except one. Returned to Minnesota in 1862, and, leaving his family here, went South and was employed at his trade in the Quartermaster's Department of Maj. General Thomas' command. In 1864. went to Illinois in the employment of the Chicago and Alton R. R. Co. April 1865. went to St. Louis. and Sedalia, Missouri, returning to his family in October. In 1868 went to Tennessee, remained there sixteen months. After the death of his father. in 1878. he settled on the old homestead, where he has since remained.
John Cavanaugh was born in King's county, Ireland, June, 1831. and lived with his father un- til twenty-two years of age : came to America ; spent one year on Long Island, then tried the fortunes of the sea. sailing on the " James Ad- gers " and the " Nashville," plying between South Carolina and New York. After this, spent two years at Cooperstown, and in 1857 came to St. Paul ; from there to Shakopee. where he remained eigliteen months. 1858, married Miss Ellen Mo- riarty. Twelve children have been born to them. The living are George S., Jolin R., Henry, Mary L., James O., Charles A., Eugene F., and Ellen 1. In 1858. purchased the farm where he now
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HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.
lives, which is pleasantly situated north of Lake Riley.
William F. Hulbert was born in Pittsfield. Michigan. in 1837 : removed with his parents to Ann Arbor in 1854: attended school one year, I to St. Anthony by steamer. In July his father then engaged in farming until 1861, when he came to Eden Prairie, and bought a tract of land. In the fall returned to Michigan, and in Derem- ber. 1863. married Miss Rachel Booth, of Lodi, Michigan, who has borne him two children. Has been active in educational matters. and several times a member of the town board. His pleas- ant farm residence, is about one mile from the station of Eden Prairie.
William J. Jarrett was born September 14th. 1523. in Lehigh county. Pensylvania : attended the Moravian school until fifteen years of age. In 1838. removed to Allentown, and engaged in farming until 1840 : went to Philadelphia as rur- rier. for a short time : thence to Mauch Chunk. following the same trade until the spring of 1857. when he came to St. Anthony. and engaged with his brother in the Jarrett House. for a short time ; thence to Eden Prairie. While in Pennsylvania. married Miss Susan Detwiler, of Mauch Chunk : has had six children. live of whom are living. Has been a been a member of the town board several times.
11. E. Lowell. is a native of New Hampshire. Born in Sullivan county. February 6th. 25. Re- reived an academic education. attending schoolat West Boylston, and completed his studies at Wil- braham. Mass. Was principal of the Academy at Colebrook. C't .. for two years. In 1853 came to Undson. Wis .. thence to st. Paul. where he engaged in dairy business with L. C. Collins, In the spring of 1854 he made a homestead claim in Carver roun- ty. in the town of Chanhassen, and engaged in farming and stock-raising until 1863: sold. and moved to Excelsior, spending six yearsin the em- ploy of the Northwestern Life Insurance d'o. Then went to fruit-growing. After a few years of experimental culture, enlarged his Imusiness by purchasing the farm on which he now lives, one and a half miles southwest from Eden Prairie Station. Planted ten aeres to trees, and has been very successful in developing some choice varie- ties of apples and small fruits. Married, in 1552. Miss Maria Holman, of Wilbraham, Mass. Had tive children. four now living.
Andrew W. Mitchell was born in Bally Bay. Monaghan county. Ireland. February 14th. 1831. Came with his father's family to America in 1852. arriving at New Orleans May Ist. Came from there made claims in Eden Prairie, upon which they settled in the fall. His father died January 10. 1866. The subject of this sketch was married September 10. 1857. to Miss Francis Anderson. They have five children. Elizabeth A .. Andrew W. Jr .. Martha JJ .. Fanny and Henry I. Their pleasant rural home is in the central part of the town. and north of Staring Lake.
Thomas Olun, was born in Germany. February 10th, 1829. lived with his parents until the age of fifteen. and came to America in '45. stopped in Mil- waukee a short time ; thence to Galena. Illinois, where he remained for two years. Came to Min- nesota in 1851 : located in Carver county, after- wards removed to Eden Prairie. Was married June, 1856, to Miss Mary Basler of Illinois. They have had eleven children : six are now living: Chas. T .. Mary A., Alfred 11 .. John II .. Mary M .. and Anna L. He enlisted August. 1864. in Company F. 11th Minnesota Volunteers. wasin General Thomas' command eleven months : returned in 1565, when he sold his farm in Carver county and bought land adjoining his Eden Prairie home on section 6.
William B. Paine, was born in Somerset county, Maine. September 10th. 1514. He lived with his father. and attended school until he reached the age of twenty-one. In 1855. he came to Minne- sota, and pre-empted the farm on which his son Ezra now lives. He has owned several traets of land in Eden Prairie. In March. 1840. he was married to Miss Rosanna Kempton. of Maine : she died in 1868. They had six children. three of whom are now living.
Peter Ritchie, was born in Canada. October 19, 1828. At the age of twenty-two. went to Collin- wood and engaged in mercantile business. then removed to Pickering. and established a whole- sale cigar house. Married Miss Margaret Kidd in 1551. Have had eight children. seven of whom are living. Came to St. Paul in the fall of 1856. remained there during the winter. then settled in what is now Acton. Mecker county, which town be named. This town has since become noted as the place where the first blood was shed in the
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EDEN PRAIRIE-BIOGRAPHICAL.
Indian massacre of 1862. Went to Canada this year on account of the Indian outrages, and re- turned in 1864. Lived in Scott county six years. Rented the farm he has since bought, situated on Minnesota river, where he does quite a freighting business, using his own barge.
Matthew O. Riley was born in Ireland in 1830. Attended school until fifteen years of age. Came to America in the spring of 1845. Worked in a cotton factory in Lowett, Massachusetts: also on the Meredith Bridge public works. Then to farming in Massachusetts until 1852, when he rame to Minnesota. Went from St. Pant to Sauk Rapids on the steamer Governor Ramsey. Re- turned to St. Anthony, spending some time in the St. Charles Hotel, then running a ferry-boat at Fort Snelling. In 1853 located where he now lives. Married Miss Elizabeth Austin, July 220, 1858. lad five children, three now living: James F., Elizabeth, and Margaret. Mr. Riley is one of the oldest settlers of the county.
Jonas Staring, born in Herkimer county, New York, May 6th, 1809. His father died when he was eight years old, and the family located in Lewis county, New York, where he followed farming for ten years. Carried on a grocery for two years at Little Falls, New York. Went to boating on the Erie canal, captain of the Erin, a freight and passenger boat. Bought and run the packet boat Ann Allen, four seasons. Sold out, went to li- diana, and run a boat on the Wabash & Erie canal. Ilis health failing he returned to New York. At Utica he established a large clothing house, employing 350 persons. Came to Minne- sota in 1854, bought his present location, built a house, the first frame in the town, and soon moved his family here. Married Miss Hannah De Voe in 1833. Hlad five children, two now living: Myron S. and Mary A.
John 11. Staring was born in Martinsburgh, N. Y., August 26th. 1830. At nine years of age, removed to .Jefferson county, where he remained until twenty-one years of age. Went as sailor on the brigs . Manchester." " Northern Light " and " New York." Came to Eden Prairie in 1856, remaining there for five years, and in Min- neapolis one year. Married Miss Margaretta Brewster, April 28th, 1861, by whom he had nine children, six now living: Matilda M., Net- tie F., Cora A., Ada M., Sarah J. and John H.
Barnard C. Stewart was born in St. Louis, Mo., Aug. 8, '56. His father came to Minnesota when Barnard was one year old and bought the farm on which he now lives on section twenty-seven. Attended school until eighteen. November 12th, 1879, married Miss Addie Cooper, of Blooming- ton. They have one child, Mary .1.
C. B. Tirrell, was born September 25th, 1836, in Androscoggin county, Maine. Ile received his education at the Lewiston Fall Academy. At the age of eighteen he came to Minnesota, and in the summer of 1855, taught one term of school in St. Anthony. After this, he came to Eden Prairie, and taught the first winter school in the town. during the winter of 1855-6. In the fall of 1855, his father came to Eden Prairie, and pre-empted the farm now owned by Chesley. In 1858. he went to Shakopee, began the study of law, and was admitted to the bar, March, 1860. He practiced with L. L. Baxter, in Chaska, and in 1861 enlisted in Company ", First Minnesota Infantry, and served until discharged for disability, in 1864.
E. A. Tuckey was born in Chenango county, N. Y .. August 17th, 1826. At twenty-one started for the North-west, visiting Detroit, Chicago, Galena and Mackinaw. Returned to New York and worked at the carpenter trade until he came West in 1855 and settled in Scott county. Re- mained there fourteen years: then went to Lake Crystal and was engaged in business about two years. In the meantime, bought his present place on section twenty-seven. Eden Prairie. Served three years in Company A. Fourth Minnesota Vol- unteer Infantry, participating in the battles of Corinth and fuka, in the siege of Vicksburg, and in Sherman's march to the sea. Returned home in the fall of 1864. Married Miss Mareina Baxter. of Steuben county, N. Y., in 1850. Ten children have been born to them, eight of whom are now living: Selah P., Zella M., Ann M .. Emma M., Abbie A .. Ida R., Edson N. and Harry I1.
Jacob Wolf was born in Prussia in 1828, and came to this country in 1847. After various bus- iness ventures in the East he visited the North- west and in 1854 came to Minnesota and located on his present farm in 1855. Has been twice married, his union with his present wife occurring in 1875. Has three children by his present wife and three by his first. Ilis residence is on sec- tion twenty-six.
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HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.
MINNETONKA.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION-FIRST SETTLERS-OR- GANIZATION -- POST OFFICES-OFFICIAL ROS- TER VILLAGES -- CHURCHES -- SOCIETIES -- SCHOOLS-HOTELS-MILLS-RAILROADS-BIO- GRAPHICAL.
Minnetonka. is located in the southern part of Hennepin county, and was covered with a heavy growth of timber in the western portion of the town, and with a light growth of underbrush in the eastern part. The surface is rolling. with occasional mounds of considerable height. The soil is principally a sandy loam, while in some portions of the eastern part, a clay loam appears. A number of Lakes are scattered over the town, the principle one being Shady Oak Lake. which is a beautiful body of water, located in the south- east part. Gray's Lake, a large body of water. is located on Section 8, in the north-western part. Glenn Lake, in the southern part on section 31. Crane Lake, in the north-eastern part on section 2 and Shell Lake on Section 14. Wayzata bay, the eastern arm of Lake Minnetonka, is in the north- western part of the town, and many fine cottages now adorn its banks.
FIRST SETTLEMENT.
The first settlers in the town were Simon Ste- vens and James Shaver, Jr., who came in the spring of 1852, Mr. Stevens locating on section 15. This was before land could be entered, obliging Mr. Shaver and Mr. Stevens to build a shanty and ocenpy it to hold possession, until such a time as they could legally enter and secure it. (1 af- count of a valuable mill site. Mr. Shaver located his claim on sections 17 and Is. on the south shore of Wayzata Bay. Mrs. James Shaver was the first white woman in the town. Later in the year. came James Mountain. Mrs. Mary Gordon and five sons. John MeGalpin, George Andrews,
and John Bourgeois. Mrs. Gordon settled on what is now the county poor farm. James Moun- tain, after remaining a short time, sold his claim and left. George Andrews sold his claim early the following spring to Mr. J. P. Miller.
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