USA > Minnesota > Hennepin County > Minneapolis > History of Hennepin county and the city of Minneapolis, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota > Part 45
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
Richard Ball was born in England. August 29, 1819. He lived with his father, who was a mem- ber of Parliament. 12 years. At the age of nine- teen he went to New Zealand, spent five years there merchandizing. Returned to England and went to Australia, spent ten years there. doing a very successful mercantile business. Returned to England and established a large mercantile and farming business until 1876, when he emi- grated to America, and settled on the farm where three of his sons now live. lo the spring of 1880 he bought the Delano Flouring and Saw mill, which he is now improving to make it the best mill in Wright county. He now lives at Delano village. Was married in England to Miss Eliza- beth Masters. They have eight children.
Frank Carman was born in Ohio, and came to Minnesota with his parents in 1823. He enlisted in Company D. Sixth Minnesota Infantry in 1862. and served until mustered out at Fort Snelling in 1865. He was married to Miss Adelia Moore of Hennepin county, March 22, 1868, and the year following, located at the pleasent home in Mound city where he has since resided. They have four children ; Herbert, James, Mabel and Della. Mr. Carman is engaged in running a steam freight boat, between Mound City and Wayzata on Lake Minnetonka.
Allen W. Clark was born in Cataraugus county, New York, March 22, 1830. His father died July 4, 1852, leaving Allen to care for the family. which he did faithfully. He was engaged in blacksmithing until 1866, when he came to Minne- trista, where he has since divided his time in farming and blacksmithing. In 1870, his shop
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was destroyed by fire. and in 1877 his house was burned ; after each disaster he rebuilt. He was married November 2. 1854. to Miss Abigal R. Merriman of N Y. They have two children.
Ashbel Ingerson was born in Jefferson county. New York. September 19. 1827. At the age of eighteen he went to Georgia and remained three years teaching school. Ile spent four years as civil engineer in New York state. and came west in 1855. Remained in Indiana one year, and then came to Steele county, Minnesota. In 1858 was elected county surveyor. In 1862 he enlisted in the Fifth Minnesota, and served ten months, participating in several battles : he was then transfered to the signal service and dis- charged in 1865. Ile was clerk in the United States Treasury department for two years, and in 1867 settled in Hennepin county. He was engaged four seasons on government surveys in northern Minnesota. He represented his district in the house in 1875, and has taken an active part in public affairs. In 1880 he removed to his present home. "Aralia." on the west bank of Minnetonka. lle married Sarah A. Chase in 1857. and they have had six children.
Aaron Merriman [deceased] was born in Una- dilla, Otsego county. New York. July 12th. 1801. When twelve years of age he moved with the fam- ily to Alleghany county, New York. Married, March Sth, 1821, to Miss Charlotte Taylor. They have seven children living. He spent most of his time in milling and farming. up to 1866. when he came to Minnetrista. Mr. Merriman died. Sop- tember 15th. 1875.
Warren Merriman was born in AReghany coun- ty, New York. February 16th. 1823. He lived with his parents until eighteen years of age, when for one year he worked on the Erie canal. then worked at the carpenter and joiner trade for about twenty-two years. In 1862 he settled in Minnetrista. May 28th, 1661, enlisted in Co. I. Sixth Minn. Int. Served one year and was mus- tered out at Montgomery. Alabama. Married Miss Rhoda Clark. December 31st. 1861. Had four children. The living ones are Anor A. and Joseph .1.
Eugene Merriman was born in Alleghany county. New York, March 17th. 1850. He worked on the farm with his father, till 1866, when with his parents he came to Minnetrista, and settled.
Married June 21st. 1871. to Miss Lorena Cook. They have four children
Francis Mccullough was born in Crawford county. Pennsylvania. March 22d, 1843. He lived in Chautauqua county. New York, six years, and in Alleghany two years. In 1852. went to MeKean county. Pennsylvania. In December, 1861, en- listed in Co. F. Ist Pennsylvania Rifles : served until 1864. when he was appointed by General Meade, 2d Lieut. of Co. I. 190th Penn. Inft. He was taken prisoner at Weldon R. R .. August 19th, 1864. and kept in Libby Prison two months, also at Saulsbury Prison. one month: then to Danville. and back to Libby Prison again : in one month was paroled, and taken to Annapolis hospital. Maryland. Returned home on a furlough. joined his regiment again, and after Lee's surrender. was mustered out at Washington. June. 1865. In the fall. he came to St. Anthony, Minnesota. April 30th. 1868, was married to Miss Susan J. Jennings. They have six children : Mary P .. Francis E .. Frederick J., William E .. Ellanora J., Lucy A. The family moved to their present home on Jennings Bay. Lake Minnetonka. in 1868.
Eliza J. Roemer. the subject of this sketch. was born in Lincoln. Maine, March 26th. 1831, and came with her parents. W. S. and Matilda Stinson. in 1849, to St. Anthony, Minnesota. Jan- vary 27th, 1850. she married W. M. Dwinells. of Ramsey county, who was one of the first brick makers in St. Paul, where he died. June 19th. 1875. In 1876. the widow and family came to Min- netrista. She has three children living. Charles C., Clara B., and Emma J. July 9th, 1877, Mrs. Dwinells married W. H. Roemer, who was born. April 21st. 1850. in Pike county. Pennsylvania. and commenced photographing at thirteen years of age. then learned the harness trade. and fol- lowed other pursuits until 1868, when he came to Minnetrista. They have a fine home. three miles south of Maple Plain.
William T. Whitehouse was born in Brooklyn. New York. January 12th. 1852. Married in 1872. to Miss Mary Major. He did a large business in boots and shoes at Troy. till 1876. then moved to St. Paul. and engaged in the same business. In 1877. he bought the place where he now lives. 1878. moved his family to what is now called " Maple Shade." He organized the Minnetonka Navigation Company in 1850. He intends to have the largest fleet of steamers on Lake Minnetonka.
INDEPENDENCE-EARLY SETTLERS.
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INDEPENDENCE.
CHAPTER XLHI.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION -EARLY SETTLERS TOWN ORGANIZATION, ETC. - STATISTICS VILLAGES -- RAILROADS -- SCHOOLS -- CHURCHES -BIOGRAPHICAL.
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Independence is situated in the western part of the county, and derives its name from Lake In- dependence, a large lake lying partly in this town and partly in Medina. The surface is mainly rolling and timbered. A belt of nearly level land. however, extendsaround Maple Plain, and to the southwest. The town is well supplied with wild meadow land, and has many small marshes. Nearly a dozen lakes dot the surface, and two streams flow through it. Lake Independence is the largest of the lakes, and is situated a mile from the little village of Maple Plain. It is a beautiful sheet of water. about two miles in length, and one in width, with good fishing. The scenery around the lake is very charming. notice- able features of which are. Cedar Point, at the north. and Pickerel Point, at the southwest. The lake derived its name from a party of Fourth of July excursionists. Kelsey llinman. one of the party. named it Lake Independence, in honor of the national holiday, on which their excursion took place. In the northern part of the lake is a small island, which was once covered with red cedar, and has several times been inhabited for a short time. The outlet of Lake Independence is Pioneer Creek, the principal stream of the town. This stream flows in a southwesterly course across the town, into one of the small lakes, which. in this county, are frequently united in a chain by small ereeks, until, at last, their waters are dis- charged into the boundary rivers. The soil of the town is a close clay. of grayish color. The timber is hard wood. with a liberal intermixture of basswood.
EARLY SETTLERS.
The town was first settled in 1854-5, by Job Moffat, Irvin Shrewsbury, John R. MeGary, E. Hoisington, John M. Williams, J. B. Perkins, E. Brandon. William Fogleman and others. The death of Mr. Lewis was the first in the present limits of the town. The first white child born in the town was Lizzie, daughter of Daniel and Margaret Styner. She is now Mrs. E. B. Dodd. and resides in Minneapolis. The first marriage was that of Kelsey Ilinman and Miss Lydia Ann Moffat, in the spring of 1856. The mother of the bride, Mrs. Job Moffat. was the first white woman in the town. The family removed. several years since. Mrs. Win. Fogleman is the oklest settler of those now remaining. Her family came origi- nally from North Carolina. but had lived twenty years in Indiana before coming to Minnesota.
They reached the present site of Wayzata, May 12th, 1855, cutting their own road a portion of the way from Minneapolis. They made a claim on Long Lake, but soon left it for their present location, near Maple Plain. Among the old settlers of Independence was William Cox, who made and improved a claim. now owned by Joshua Styner, on section 22. Ile came here from Indiana, in 1856. and had never seen a rail- road until the present line was built through his farm; although over sixty years old. About two years after the road was built he moved to Iowa, and died soon after. One mile west of Maple Plain. and lying partly on the original claim of Mr. Cox, is Armstrong, a flag station, now little used, and having no agent.
In 1857, John and Needham Perkins, laid out a village plat on the south bank of Lake Indepen- dence. a part of which is now in Medina. They each built a frame dwelling-house. These were the first frame buildings in this region, and are still standing. Needham Perkins also built a saw-mill, and opened a small store, both of which
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HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.
were abandoned after about two years. A school- house was also ereeted in the present limits of Medina.
Aside from the inconveniences incident to west- ern emigration, the early settlers of Indepen- dence suffered from two causes not usual-in- dians and grasshoppers. These two pests caused inconvenience and the latter especially-hard- ship. Hordes of Sioux. not at this time posi- tively hostile. hovered around the settlements, rendering themselves obnoxious as beggars and pilferers. In the winter of 1856-7. about 300 of them were encamped on Pioneer Lake. and the following winter about double the number wintered on the same camping ground. Shako- pee. a sub-chief. was their leader, who fell at the battle of Wood Lake, near the Yellowstone. in an engagement with General Sibley's expedition. in 1862. Their circle hunts swept the game in the near vicinity out of the reach of the settlers. and deprived them of even a fair share. During the first winter of their unwelcome visit. they killed 209 deer, in the near vicinity of their camp.
The grasshopper scourge was. however. the greatest hardship. Late in July, 1556. invading swarms came from the northwest, and began overspreading the country. In the fall. vast swarms invaded this town. and remained until the following June. No green leaf or herb escaped the voracious inserts, either in the fall or spring. and starvation seemed imminent. For- tunately, relief came to the afflicted settlers from a novel source. There arose a demand for an un- usual article. the ginseng root. with which the woods abonded. Agents were stationed at various points, to purchase it for shipment to China. The settlers seem to have been provided for by a dis- pensation almost as miraculous as the feeding of the children of Israel with manna. They collect- ed large amounts of the root, and by money re- prived from its sale, tided over the hardship.
TOWY ORGANIZATION, ETC.
The town was organized in 1858, and the first town meeting held on Tuesday, May Hth. at the house of J. Wilson. The meeting was called to order by Richard Mediary. Robert P. Stinson was chosen Moderator and William C. Hazleton. Clerk. The whole number of votes cast was 18, and the following officers chosen. Supervisors:
Irvin Shrewsbury. Chairman. Daniel Styner and Ebenezer Brandon: Clerk. Norman Shook: AAssessor. William C. Hazleton: Collector. N. E. MeGary: Justices of the Peace. Robert P. Stin- son and Henry Swingler; Constables. Wesley Hall and Earl Hoisington: Overseer of High- ways. John C. Williams. The first regular meet- ing of the new Board was held May 19th, at which meeting, it wasordered that each 160 aeres of land in the town be assessed at $500. and that a tax of thirty cents per $100 be levied upon such lands for roads and highways: alsoordered. "that each and every inhabitant over the age of twenty- one and under the age of fifty years. shall per- form two days work as directed by the Over- seer of Roads and Highways." At a meeting of the Board to andit accounts, March 29th. 1859. the orders delivered and audited amounted to $96,59, which amount represented the town ex- penses for its first year. We also give a com- parison of the amount of mail matter. ten years ago and now as a significant item. Ten years ago, when George W. Smith first became post- master at Maple Plain, one pigeon-hole. 33x1 inches, furnished ample storage for all muil mat- ter. Now, two hundred weekly papers and seven dailes are received. with a proportional increase in other mail matter. The town officers at pres- ent are: Supervisors. William W. Budd, Chair- mau. John Batdorf. John R. Stinson: Clerk. R. M. Mills: Assessor and Treasurer. John 11. Me- Gary.
STATISTIC'S.
The population of Independence by the census of 1880. is 811. Number of acres, exclusive of town lots. 21.311. Assessed valuation of the same in 1869. 885.936: in 1875. $138,127 : In 1880. $228,- 671. Personal property at assessed valuation, in 1869. $16,555 ; in 1875. 821211 : in 1880, $35,999. Taxes in 1869, 52,763 : in 1875, $2.912; in ISSO. $4,022. Horses in 1869, 86 ; in 1875. 121 : in 1880. 215. Cattle over two years old, in 1869. 413 ; in 1875, 5%A : in 1880, 512. Sheep. in 1869. 324; in 1875, 230 ; in 1880, 593. Hogs. in 1869. 245: in 1875. 232: in ISSO. 195. Wheat in 1869, 7,523 bushels : in 1875. 10,836 bushels : in 1880, acreage. 1.260.
VILLAGES.
After the railroad was fairly in progress in 1sos. a small village plat was laid out during the
1
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INDEPENDENCE-SCHOOLS-CHURCHES-BIOGRAPHIICAL.
summer, by II. C. and W. Budd. and later. another adjoining the first on the west. by William 11. Marsh. This second plat is now the village of Maple Plain, and the business part of the town. It lies in section 24, while the original plat was in section 25. llere are the hotels, stores, blacksmith shops. mills, etc.
MANUFACTURING.
The town has two steam saw-mills, also a syrup manufactory, run by a stationary engine. The ca- pacity of the syrup factory is 225 gallons per day. During the season of 1880, it manufactured 3,055 gallons. Mr. E. D. Burnett owns a small steam saw-mill on Pioneer Creek, a little north of Arm- strong station. A blacksmith shop and a wagon shop complete the record of mills and shops.
There are two hotels, two stores and an eleva- tor. The elevator is owned by the Elevator Company. It is little used except as a store- house. A church, school house and Good Tem- plar's hall comprise the public buildings.
POST OFFICE.
Mr. Irvin Shrewsbury, who in 1860, repre- sented the district in the Legislature, was the first postmaster. The office was established in 1856 and located at his residence, near the cen- tre of section 26. The mail was brought weekly from Minneapolis. This was the terminus of the route until an office was established at Watertown.
RAILROAD.
In 1868 a railroad. now known as the St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railway. was built through the town, and in September the station, Maple Plain, was established.
SCHOOLS.
The first school house in Independence, was near the present site of school No. 81, and was built in the spring of 1858. A log building 14x18 feet was first built, but after a few years it was replaced by a larger building of hewn logs, which in 1878, gave place to the present structure. a neat frame building. 26x44 feet, well finished and furnished with patent desks, seats, etc., etc. The first school was taught in the winter of 1857- 8, by Norman Shook, in a dwelling left vacant by the death of William Lewis and the removal of his family. Schools are also sustained in four
other districts. No. 80 in section 2, No. 79 in section 17, No. 82 in section 30, No. 102 in section 3, a joint district. part of which isin the town of Greenwood. There are also three other joint districts, No. 61. with Medina ; No. 83, with Minnetrista and No. 112 with Greenwood.
CHURCHES.
Methodist. The first religious meeting was held, in 1855, by Rev. J. J. Camp, a Methodist clergyman, under whose guidance a class was formed, of which Mr. Irvin Shrewsbury was leader. This society still preserves its organiza- tion and. though not large, holds regular meet- ings in the school house of district No. 81.
Presbyterian. The only church editice in the town is the Presbyterian church, at Maple Plain This is a substantial frame building, well finished inside. It is 26x40 feet in size. built in 1872-3. The society was organized in 1871 by Rev. Charles Thayer. G. W. Smith and C. W. Inger- son were chosen elders, which oflice they still hold. The membership was twelve, at the time of organization. Mr. Thayer resigned his pastor- ate September 20, 1875. Rev. Benson followed Mr. Thayer. remaining about one year. Revs. Ilall. Iliggins, Wood and McCahan have in turn succeeded to the charge, remaining but short terms. The cimreh is without stated preaching at the writing of this sketch.
The Good Templars Lodge was organized in April. 1874. Ils present membership is about forty and steadily gaining. Meetings are held every Saturday evening.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Henry Astrope was born in Canada, in 1839. and came with his parents to Minnesota in 1855. Ile returned to Canada three years later, and re- mained one summer, then came again to Minne- sota. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company F. of the Second Regiment, and re-enlisted in 1863. serving until discharged for disability, in January, 1865. He has since drawn a pension. Ile was married in 1873, and has two children.
W. W. Budd, a native of Ohio, was born in Preble county, in 1833. In early life he removed with his parents to Indiana, and in 1855. he en- gaged in the lumber trade, which he followed for Iwo years. In 1863 he enlisted in the Ninth In- «liana Light Artillery, served two years, partiei"
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HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.
pating in ten engagements. In 1865 he came to Independence, bought and cleared the farm he now occupies. He married Emeline Cunning- ham. of Polk county, Indiana, in 1855. They have five children : Ella F .. Anna C .. Lilly MI .. William S .. and Charles J.
Samuel Briley was born in Canada. in 1835. and came to Minnesota in 1865, locating in Dodge county, where he remained until 1871. then re- moved to Minneapolis. In 1876 he removed to this town where he has since resided. He was married. in 1858. to Jane Delahunt. by whom he has had six children. all living. with the exception of one, who died in Minneapolis.
J. D. Brandon was born in JJefferson county. Indiana. August. 1851. and in 1856 came with his parents to Hennepin county, locating at Maple Plain, where he now resides, on the farm secured by his father. He is engaged in farming, and dealing in Iumber and railroad ties. He was married. May 14. 1876. to Belle C. MeDonald. Ida M. and Charlie F .. are their children. His father. Moses Brandon. died May 14th. 1880. His mother is still living, and a member of his family.
John Cleven has been a resident of Independ- ence since 1872. He wasborn in Norway in 1842. and came to America. locating in Minneapolis, in 1870. remaining there until he removed to his present home. He married Miss Inger Regene. in 1871. Clara R .. James and Emma. are the chil- dren, aged respectively. six. four, and one and a half years.
11. 6. Diekey. is a native of Nova Scotia, and came to St. Anthony, in 1565, where for ten years he worked at carriage making. In 1575 he re- moved to Maple Plain, where he continued car- riage and wagon making, and now does a thriv- ing business.
Johan Histed was born in Sweden. in 1821, and in 1861 came to America, locating at Long Lake. Hennepin county. where he remained two years. lle then removed to the town of Independence and leased a farm, which he held until 1873, when he purchased the farm on which he now lives. Ile was married, in 1811. to Anna Hemningson. of Sweden. Their children are: Hannah. aged 31: Peter, 32; Charles JJ., 30: Matilda. 21: and Josephine, 20. Charles JJ. Histed married Mary Moline in 1878. They have one child, Almer. "John Hillstrom was born in Sweden. in 1819.
and emigrated to America in 1870. After a short residence in New York and eight months in Michigan. he came to Minneapolis and worked in a lumber mill until 1876, when he removed to Maple Plain. In 1877 he bought the farm he now lives on. He married Miss Clara M. John- son. who was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1855. The children are: Jennie. aged four years, and Hannah, aged two.
Henry Jackson. is a native of England. born in Chatham. in 1821. He came to New York while young. and engaged in the manufacture of cut- lery and surgical instruments, until he reached the age of twenty-one. Ile then removed to Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, and was engaged in the boot and shoe trade until 1856, when poor health forced him to retire. He then came west and lo- cated near Lake Minnetonka. He was one of the voters to elect the first Town Board of Minne- tonka. and put on the first shingle roof in town. using shingles of his own make. In 1862, he purchased his present home in Independence. where he has since resided. In 1862. he married Mrs. Stimson. They have one child, Edwin W .. aged seventeen. Mr. Jackson enlisted in the 6th Minnesota Infantry. August, 1862; was dis- charged June. 1863. He was drafted in 1864. and served about four months.
William Manning, a native of Ireland. was born in 1826, and came to America at the age of thirteen. Ile resided in New York and Albany, engaged as laborer, until 1861. when he enlisted in the 31st Indiana Volunteers. He was wound- ed at Fort Donaldson. and discharged after an active service of two and one-half years. After his return from the army, he went to Pensylva- nia. and in 1868 came to Minneapolis, where he remained one year : then came to Independence, and cleared the farm he has since lived on. Ile married Miss Dugan, soon after leaving the army. Their children are : William. Jr .. Katy. Thom- as, and Charlotte.
Samuel Moore was born in Park county, Indi- ana. in 1832. He learned the trade of carpenter. at which he worked until 1858, with the excep- tion of two years in mercantile business. He then came to Minnesota and located in the town of Independence, where he has since been en- gaged in the pursuit of farming and carpenter work. He married. in 1855, Miss Nancy Wasson.
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of Park eounty, Indiana. They have six ehild- ren: Jerome C., Florence A., Roseoe, Sophronia, John L. and Effie V.
John II. MeGary was born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, May 2d. 1842, and went with his parents to Indiana the same year. In 1855 they came to Minnesota and located in Independ- enee. lle remained with his parents until 1864, when he enlisted in the Eleventh Regiment and served one year. He was married September 3d, 1866, to Mrs. Eliza Brandon, by whom he has three children: Ruth A .. Katy W. and Omar Ray. Mr. McGary has held the offices of Assess- or and Town Treasurer for nine years. His father, who died August 13th. 1879. was promi- nent among the early settlers of Hennepin county.
N. Moline was born in Chisago county, Min- nesota. in 1855. In 1870 he removed to Minne- apolis and remained there for six years, then eame to Independence. and with his father pur- chased a farm of 160 aeres in section thirty-six. His post-office address is Maple Plain.
R. M. Mills, is a native of Henry county. Indi- ana, where he was born in 1845. In 1854 he re- moved to Kentucky and remained three years, then returned to Indiana. In the fall of 1863 he enlisted in the Ninth Indiana Cavalry, and served until the fall of 1865. He then came to Minnesota and purchased a farm in the town of Independence. This farm, located on section twenty-two, was entered by Job Moffat, and was the first elaim taken within the present limits of the town. He married Miss Maria Batdorf in June, 1866. They have one child, William D .. born January 3d. 1868.
C. W. O'Leary, a life-long resident of Heme- pin eonnty. was born in Minneapolis in 1859. Ile attended the schools of that city, and in 1871 removed with his parents to this town. Ilis father died in 1876, and since that time he has lived with his mother at the old home on section eighteen, and carried on the farm. His post- office address is Delano. Wright county.
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