USA > Minnesota > Hennepin County > Minneapolis > History of Hennepin county and the city of Minneapolis, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota > Part 44
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C. E. Prince, born at Windsor, Berkshire coun- ty, Mass., in 1856, and resided there until 1862, when he moved to South Adams, and remained until 1874, then moved to Green Lake county. Wisconsin. In 1875 came to Excelsior. Minne- sota, where he has since lived. Ilas been in the employ of L. F. Sampson and C. May, as book- keeper, and is now engaged with A. Thompson.
L. F. Sampson was born in Franklin county, Maine, 1843, and lived there until he came to Saint Anthony in 1853. where he resided until 1864. lIe then settled in Excelsior. In 1876 es- tablished himself in mercantile business. Ap-
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HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.
pointed Postmaster in 1878, which office he now holds. He enlisted in company D. First Minne- sota Infantry. May, 1861. Was wounded at the battle of Antietam. and honorably discharged at Uplin. Chester county. Pennsylvania, in the hos- pital in 1863. Enlisted again in Battery HI, First Minnesota Heavy Artillery. as First Sergeant. in 1865, and served until close of the war. Mar- ried July. 1865. to Eliza Spaulding. Have six children.
Harvey E. Scott, born in Orleans county. Ver- mont. 1824. Came to Minnesota in 1565. En- listed in company E. First Minnesota Infantry. and served under General Mcclellan for three years. Honorably discharged at Washington, D. C .. in 1864. Wounded and taken prisoner at Savage's Station. Spent 23 days at " Libby prison." Exchanged at City Point and transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps. Came to Excel- sior, and located where he now lives. Married in 1869, to Mary E. Murray. They have three children.
Silas A. Seamans, born in Providence county. R. 1., in 1823. Moved and lived in Windham county, Conn. When eighteen years old. returned to Rhode Island, and came to excelsior in 1851. When he first came here. there were but two houses in the town. He took a claim, and has been engaged in farming until the last few years. which have been spent at his trade as painter. lle enlisted in company B. Ninth Minnesota Volunteers, and served among the Indians. lle has married twice, the second time to Elizabeth Cote of Excelsior.
Rev. C. B. Sheldon, born in Williamstown. Berkshire county, Mass., in 1821. Graduated at William's College in 1817. then entered the Wes- fern Reserve Theological Institute, where he re- mained three years. First pastoral charge was at Republic. Seneca county, Ohio. Remained there until 1855. when he started for River Falls, Wis .. with his own private conveyance, traveling a dis- tance of over one thousand miles to Prescott, Wis .. where he learned another minister had been ap- pointed for River Falls, and that the conference had recommended him to Excelsior. Minn. He at once started for that place, and reached it No- vember 16, 1855, where he found six houses, and a church membership of thirty-seven. Preached his first sermon in the sitting room of the hotel.
After that held meetings in Pease's Hall for three years. Married in 1847. to Mary K. Pren- tice. of South Canaan. Conn. They have eight children living.
William Simpson, born in New Brunswick. in 1837, where he remained until 1865, when he set- tled at Excelsior, opened the Excelsior House, which he conducted for two years ; then took the White House, which he has enlarged to accom- modate about ninety guests. Married. in 1869, to a daughter of Pardon Sherman, of Indiana.
G. A. Slater, born in Champaign county. 1lin- ois. in 1513. Came to Minnesota in 1865. Set- tled in Carver county. lived there until he moved to Excelsior, where he has since resided. In Iss0, opened the Slater House, which he has enlarged to accommodate fifty guests. Married. in 1567. to Miss R. C. Thompson. They have three children.
Z. D. Spaulding. born at Pomfort, Vermont. in 1821. Moved to Sullivan county. New Hamp- shire : lived there twenty-two years, and moved to Burrellville, R. 1 .. where he learned the machinists' trade. C'ame to Minnesota in 1851. Settled near Excelsior. experiencing many hard- ships, having to grind corn in a coffee mitl. Married his third wife, Nancy J., daughter of Amasa and Ana Seamans, in 1875. Mr. Spauld- ing remembers the Indian raid of 1862, very distinctly. At that time many of his neighbors removed to Minneapolis.
P. 11. Turner, born in Kennebec county, Maine. in 1835. Came to Minnesota in 1856, and settled in St. Anthony, where he conducted the harness business. Also opened a shop in Minneapolis, managing both at the same time. He then spent four years in Anoka county, farming. In 1876, located in Excelsior, and opened the only harness shop in town. Married. in 1576, to Benlah Phil- brook. Have two children.
AAugustin Thompson was born in Somerset county, Maine, in 1847. and came to Minnesota in 1563. Located in Minneapolis, mn 1874 hc engaged in the drug and fancy goods business. which in 1879 be removed to Excelsior, and has since condueted a general merchandise business. Married, January 15th. 1871. 10 Miss E. Nettie Parker, of Minneapolis. She was the fifth white child born in Hennepin county.
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MINNETRISTA-SETTLEMENT.
MINNETRISTA.
CHAPTER XLI.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION-FIRST SETTLEMENT. EARLY SETTLERS-ORGANIZATION-SCHOOLS -CHURCHES -- POST OFFICES -- STORES-BIO- GRAPHICAL.
Minnetrista is located in the extreme south- western corner of Hennepin county. It is bound- ed on the north by Independence, west and south by Carver county, east by Excelsior and Medina. The surface is gently undulating, with an occa- sional abruption, which tends to enhance its gen- eral appearance and take from it all evidence of monotony. Originally, it was covered with a heavy growth of hard and soft maple, white and red oak, basswood and elm. But these somewhat formidable barriers have yielded to the advancing stroke of settlement and civilization. and at the present time. but a small portion of the original timber remains, the settlers having cleared it for farming purposes. The town is dotted here and there, with lakes. the largest one being Whale Tail Lake, so called on account of its shape. No fish, like the one that gave Jonah his pre-his- toric notoriety. swim its pure waters : but the modern sizes are found in abundance, which grow, perhaps, with reference to the size of the modern frying pan. Ox Yoke lake, which derived its name from being in the form of an ox yoke ; Long Lake. so named because of its length, which is more than one mile: Dutch lake, So named in an early day on account of there being a settlement of Germans on its borders. Ilere they settled, bringing with them the manners and customs of the Father-land, only to be crystal- lized into the American manners and customs. Langdon Lake, in honor of R. V. Langdon, the first clerk of this town ; Woodward lake. in honor of D. Woodward who located on its banks. Sanders Lake, named for N. Il. Sanders,
who settled on fand lying between Halsted's Bay and the lake bearing his name. Ile was one of the pioneer settlers of the south-east- ern part of the town, which is almost entire- ly covered by Lake Minnetonka and small bays, prominent among which are "Halsted's" bay, in honor of Frank W. Halsted, an old settler, and "Cook's" bay, named in honor of M. S. Cook who is one of the pioneers.
FIRST SETTLEMENT.
The different parts of the town of Minnetrista, seem to have been settled, at or near the same time. In the south- western part two brothers, Joseph and John Merz, made a claim of 320 acres, on section thirty-two, some time during the fall of 1853, but did not locate here until the spring of 1854. During the same year a claim of 141 acres was made by John Carman (then living in Excelsior) for M. S. Cook. This claim was made on section thirteen, on what is now known as Cook's Bay. In the spring of 1854, N. HI. Sanders and J. F. Buck. arrived and made claims in this part of the township. They at once erected a log-house on Sander's claim, in which they lived the first summer. In the fall of this year M. S. Cook arrived and built a house on his claim. The first settlement made in the north-western part of the town, was hy Samuel L. Merriman, who made a claim of 120 acres on section six in the spring of 1857.
EARLY SETTLERS,
Among the very earliest settlers on Upper Lake Minnetonka was Frank William Halsted, who, in the summer of 1855 built his first home, " Rough and Ready " cabin, on the west shore of that beautiful bay, designated on the map of Lake Minnetonka in honor of him, as " Ilalsted's Bay." The clearing, about an acre, and the cellar of that cabin, yet mark the spot ; around, the grand old woods yet remain, as when he for many years
17
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HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.
viewed and enjoyed them. Likewise the beautiful water views in front of his cabin home. Capt. Halsted was born in Newark. New Jersey, in 1833, and was the youngest son of the late Chancellor. Oliver Spencer Halsted. of New Jersey. When sixteen years old. having a taste for the sea. he adopted firceley's advice. " Go west. young man," and went to that Ultima Thule. California. by way of Cape Horn. three brothers accompa- nying him. Returning in 1550, he next sought the West. overland. coming to Minnesota in 1855. Ile remained until the breaking out of the Re- bellion. in 1861, when, feeling competent to serve his country in the naval service. he obtained a commission in June or July of that year, as mas- ter's mate, and served under Flag Officers String- ham and Goldsborough, most of the time in com- mand of a vessel comprising part of that fleet. At the capture of Hatteras Inlet. Angust 28th and 29th. 1861, he with his brother, Major G. B. Halsted the latter then secretary to Flag Officer Stringham , were on board the flagship Minne- sota. (One of the pictures in the Hermitage is a very fine view of that famous ship and fight). Dissatisfied with Flag Officer Goldsborough, whose loyalty and courage they doubted, both the brothers resigned. the elder. the secretary. now the major. November 9th, 1861. joining the army November 11th. 1861. as lieutenant and aid- de-camp to " fighting Phil Kearney." was in the war to the end. being at Appomattox Court- House when Lee surrendered. Frank resigned later, at Hampton Roads, refusing to serve longer under Goldsborough, whom he told on the deck of the Minnesota. " By your vulgar and foul- monthed profanity you violate, every day, in the presence of thisship's crew, the articles of war you have read to them on Sunday." His resignation then and there, was not done with the intention of remaining inactive while war was going on against the government he loved. Soon after, he enlisted as an able seaman, in Chicago, and was sent the same day, in charge of a squad of men. to the receiving ship. of the Mississippi squadron. at Cairo. Not long after joining, he went before a board of officers, appointed for the purpose of ex- amining and selecting any then in the service who might prove competent for promotion. He was appointed acting master in the U. S. Navy. which took him in one step, from the forecastle,
past the steerage, into the ward-room, thus soon finding in this squadron, higher rank than he had held in the North Atlantic squadron. He has related an incident. occurring soon after his pro- motion, when. on being detailed to sit as member of a court martial. he found beside him at the table the officer to whom, but a short time before, he had enlisted as an able seaman, who, with a look of great surprise, inquired how he came there: to which came the prompt reply. " By the same orders which brought you here." Most of the time in the Mississippi squadron he was in command of the steamer General Pillow, sta- tioned at Mound City, surrounded by and in the care and charge of a great number of vessels. loaded with all kinds of ammunition, for the destruction of which the "Johnny Rebs" were constantly devising schemes: in which. however, owing to the care and vigilance of Capt. Halsted, they were foiled. While here. his own steamer, General Pillow, took fire, and an eye witness, on the vessel at the time. heard from officers and men warm praise of the gallantry and daring of their commander. who. taking the hose in his own hands, going be- low where the fire was located, not far from the magazine, remained until the fire was extin- quished. After the close of the war, being hon- orably discharged. he returned to his loved Min- nesota home, and. in 1866. built his larger cabin. on the main lake, well known as " The lermit- age."
Ilere he resided until the time of his sad death in 1876. Though often solicited by his admiring neighbors to accept public positions in civil life, he declined. with the exception of Justice of the Peace, and on another occasion serving as one of a commission for the improvement of navigation on Lake Minnetonka.
We think it would be found on investigation that the first marriage in the town of Minnetris- ta. was solemnized by Justice Halsted. We have heard him laugh over his experience in joining together his two German neighbors, making the two. one. Dwelling alone for many years. nay. all the time on Lake Minnetonka, except ocean- sional visits of relatives from the East, he acquired the name of "Hermit of Lake Minne- tonka" and his eabin. "The Hermitage." Yet those who knew him then. and recall him now,
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MINNETRISTA EARLY SETTLERS.
easily remember, there was not much of the accepted attributes of the okt time Hermit. in Captain Frank (as he was often called) whose companionable qualities of heart and head, were well known to all having the pleasure of his acquaintance.
ITis eabin had more charms for its owner than the city could offer, and he here passed much of his time in company, as he said, of the best of men and women, his favorite anthors; his shelves being well supplied with copies of the American and English classic authors, both in poetry and prose. Ile was an excellent sailor and kept a small sloop yacht, which was always ready for his friends, who could with safety trust them- selves to his skillful pilotage. No one on Lake Minnetonka was more popular with summer visi- tors, or more respected by inhabitants of its shores, old and young, than Frank Halsted.
In the winter of 1875-6, he built, near "The IIermitage," the beautiful steamer "Mary." called by this name in honor of the kindest of mothers, then deceased. Before she was fully completed, in June 1876, the subject of this sketch, disap- peared from his home, and after several days his body was found in the Lake, near Crane Island, under such circumstances as induced the Jury of Inquest to conclude it was a case of suicide.
In compliance with an oft expressed wish. that when he died, he wanted to be buried on the bank of the lake he loved so well, he was buried at " The Hermitage." The true cause of this much lamented and melancholy ocenrrence, must ever remain a mystery. The Captain died, and made no sign. Those who knew him best, and his highly refined and sensitive nature, and especially his repugnance to indebtedness, believe that he became despondent over an undertaking less for pecuniary gain, or the hope thereof, than for pro- viding increased facilities and boat accommoda- tions for the rapidly increasing influx of summer visitors to Lake Minnetonka. Owe no man any- thing, was his molto. He felt the truth of the text, "the debtor is slave to the ereditor." In building the " Mary " he incurred debts, which, to ordinary business men, would have been a trifle ; to him it was a load more than he could bear. IIe died lamented by all who knew him, and is yet held in most pleasing remembrance.
John Carman, one of the early settlers of this
county, was born in New Jersey, in 1801, where he remained for twelve years, when he moved to Pennsylvania, and worked on a farm until twenty years of age. lle was married to Miss Susan Cope, of Pennsylvania, and afterward moved his family to Mahoning county, Ohio, where he re- mained until 1853. when he moved to Minnesota, stopping a few months in Ramsey county; thence to Minnetonka, in September, of the same year, and pre-empted what isnow known as " Carman's Point." on Upper Lake Minnetonka, where the beautiful resort, "Spring Park," is located. IIe lived there until 1860, when he sold and moved to the place now known as " Maple Shade." In 1868 he returned to New Jersey, where he died, December 13, 1877. His family consisted of seven children : Ann, William, Carry, Benton, Mary, Frank, Emma and Lizzie. His son Frank was born in Ohio, and now lives at Mound City. Is one of the navigators of the Lake, and runs a steam freight boat from Mound City to Wayzata.
Mathias S. Cook, one of the early pioneers of the town, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, May 19th, 1830 ; lived with his parents, Job and Mary A. Cook, until twenty years of age. lle was married in 1850, to Miss Anna W., daughter of John and Susan Carman, of Ohio. In 1854, he moved to Minnesota, and settled on the claim where he now lives. Ilis first dwelling was a log cabin, 14×20, one and one-half stories high, it being the third house built on the upper lake, and was the stopping place for the weary traveller in those early days. Ilis buildings are now 56x42 feet, and three stories high. Situated on the north margin of "Cook's Bay," known through all this region as " Cook's Landing." Mr. Cook has, with many others, had his full share of the hardships known only to those who lived here in those early days : is now an honored and respect- ed eitizen of his town, and has filled many offi- ces of public trust.
Frederick A. Jennings, one of the early settlers of the town, was born in London, England, May 19th, 1807. His father, an officer in the British army, died in 1819. In 1822, the subject of this sketch, emigrated to America, and in 1828 mar- Miss Mary Moult, who died in 1830. Mr. Jen- nings embarked in commission business, dealing largely in iron. In connection with this, he op- erated the first and only rolling mill near Phila-
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HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.
delphia. He also introduced the first process of puddling iron by stone coal heat, which was a great economy in its manufacture: which busi- ness he continued up to 1842, when he moved to Centre county, Pennsylvania, establishing a large mercantile trade. conducting a furnace, and run- ning several freight boats to Philadelphia. This business he conducted for ten years, then made a visit to England. being appointed by Secretary Webster to bear messages to England : remained there one year. Returned, and lived in Pitts- burgh, engaging with Harvy Childs & Co. for sey- eral years. In the fall of 1855, his family moved to Minnesota and settled on the farm he now owns. In 1857, he joined his family in their new wild home, on what is now known as . Jennings Bay." Lake Minnetonka. one of the attractive views of this famousresort. He remained with his family until 1861. when he was appointed to a fourth class clerkship in the United States Treasury Depart- ment at Washington, where he remained until 1577. when he returned to his pleasant home in Minnetrista. to live free from the strain of com- mercial and political life. His second marriage. to Mary A. Parrish, occurred July, 1832. He has five children living : Frederick A., Elizabeth P .. Amie P., Susan J., and James G. llis son Fred, served in the First Minnesota, also in the Second, and ranked as Ist Lieutenant : was in New Mexico, on garrison duty : at the end of the rebellion mustered out at St. Louis, Missouri ; now lives in Mineapolis.
Sammel L. Merriman, one of the earliest settlers of Minetrista, was born in Alleghany county, New York. 1825. When twenty years old learned the shoemakers trade, which he followed for five years, then bought half interest in a Numbering mill and operated under the name of Mer- riman and Moorehouse for two years, when he sold his interest and moved to Cumberland connty. Hinois, and engaged in farming and other pursuits till the spring of 1s56, when he came to what is now Minnetrista and pre- empted the farm on which he now lives. Like many other pioneers of the northern wilds he suffered many hardships during the early years of his life here. May, 1851. was married to Miss Marian, daughter of Lovet IL. and Nancy Obert, of Alleghany county, New York, who died February, 1877.
ORGANIZATION.
April 10, 1858, Town 117. Range 24, was set apart by the county commissioners as "German lome." .This name was retained until the organ- ization of the town, which occurred in the spring of 1859, when the legal voters met at the house of M. S. Cook and took steps for the organiza- tion of the same. Several names were proposed and rejected. The name of Minnetrista was finally proposed and accepted. Minne (meaning waterstand trista (meaning erooked. and from the fact that the town contained so many erook- ed lakes, this name was considered as the most appropriate. and was accepted. The first election was held at this time. when the following officers were elected : Supervisors. Peter Mitchels, chair- man. M. S. Cook. Ephraim Dudley : Town clerk, R. V. Langdon.
At a special meeting held December 31, 1861, it was voted to raise fifteen dollars for each family wherein were drafted men. The following re- ceived that amount : Warren Merriman, A. Black, Cyrus Beaman. Martin Ort, John Keiser, Henry Trines. Jolm Adelberger, Joseph Ebert, A. Ebert. Joseph Ball, A. Schneider, F. Merz. John Hirsch- berger, Win. Schuler, Joseph Schmidt, James Bailey and Ephraim Dudley. The town levied a tax for the extermination of squirrels. March 14. 1876, resolved. that two cents each be paid, for rat, gopher and chipmunk tails. The town con- tains 18,576 acres. Assessed valuation of real estate in ISSO. $219,359. Personal property, $33.806. Total amount of taxes. ISSO, $2.540. with a population of 844.
CHURCHES.
The German Baptist Church. located on Section 32. was organized November 22, 1858, and the present church, a log structure, was built in 1865. at a cost of about $150. It has services every Sunday. also a Sunday School, which is well maintained.
St. Bonifacius Catholic Church, built in 1859, is a log structure, and was organized by Father Shearer, now of Hastings. In connection with the above church is a parish school, which was started, and the building erected. in Is61.
M1001.
This town was divided by the Town Supervisors in 1861, into three districts. It now has five.
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MINNETRISTA-HOTELS-STORES-BIOGRAPHICAL.
Schools had been held, however, previous to this time; one at the house of a Mr. Gribble, near where Mound City now stands, in the summer of 1860, and taught by Miss Celia Sturman. Another was held in the house of Peter Mitchels, and langht by Miss Emma Carman. School No. 85, located on section 13, was the first school house built in the town, is a log structure, and still stands. School No. 96 is located on Section 32. School No. 84, is located on Section 5. School No. 83, (joint Minnetrista and Independence ) lo- rated on Section 2, in the north part of the town.
HOTELS.
Mr. M. S. Cook has " kept hotel " ever since luis first settlement, and may be truly called the pio- neer hotel man of the Upper Lake. Is now owner of the "Lake View " house, so called from its tine view of the Upper Lake. Many of the snin- mer tourists tind their way to this beautiful retreat, beguiling the time in fishing on the lake, or hunting in the woodlands that surround "Cook's."
Chapman House was built by S. Chapman, in 1875; a structure 32 ×44 feet, three stories high. In 1876 an addition, 26 x 32 feet, three stories high, was made. and in 1878 a dining-ball, 22 x 64, with an L, 17 x 34 feet, capable of seating three hundred people, was added, making it large, airy and commodious.
STEAM MILLS.
Mr. Cook built a flour and feed mill in 1880, 14 x 20 feet, engine room 12 x 24 feet, one run of stone, which is found to be a great convenience. S. L. Merriman. also runs a small feed-mill during the winter time, for the accommodation of the neighborhood.
POST-OFFICES.
The first post-office in the town was established in 1856, and named St. Bonifacius, John Merz appointed postmaster. It was moved one mile north of the village in 1873. Minnetrista post- office was established in 1861. on section 6, and Norman Shook appointed postmaster. 1 post- office was established in 1876 at Mound City, and a Mr. Pearl appointed postmaster.
STORES.
The first store in the town was started at St. Bonifacius, by Jolm Merz and Anthony Cramer, in 1859, Mr. Merz succeeding to the entire control
one year later. At Mound City there are two stores carrying a general stock. The first was established in the fall of 1876, by Hill, Acker & Armstrong, of St. Paul, who sold to Griggs, Fos- ter & Co., who are its present proprietors. The second store was started by E. Weeks, in the fall of 1880.
SHOPS.
The first blacksmith shop was established on section 10, by A. W. Clark. in the fall of 1866. In 1868 he built where he now is, on section 9. Another blacksmith shop was started at Mound City, in 1876, which was operated for a short time.
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