USA > Minnesota > Hennepin County > Minneapolis > History of Hennepin county and the city of Minneapolis, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota > Part 52
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by birth. and settled here in 1851. He was a man of some notoriety among the Indians in those early days, wielding a magical kind of influence over them, which at times was so potent that he could chastise them with his fist or club or any other article which came first to hand, as occasion required, and they would quietly submit 10 it, and continue to trade with him. They look- ed upon him through the dim light of their un- tutored minds. as an avenging spirit. sent upon them by the "Great Spirit." henee their submis- sion.
John Veine made a claim where the village of Dayton now stands, and built a small cabin on it in 1853, which he sold to E. H. Robinson in 1854, who used it for a trading post. trading almost entirely with the Indians who were principally Chippewas.
Marcelles Boulee, Benj Leveillier, and others, settled along the river in 1853. Soon after, a few French families settled on or near the Lake named French Lake, whose names were Daniel Lavallee, Anthony Gelinas, Louis Bibeault, Moses Desjarlais, Joel Desjarlais, Fabien Desjarlais and Edward Greenwood. Other portions of the town were settled soon after, by the French.
A hotel was built at Dayton in 1854, by James laselton and George Mosier. situated on the bank of the main river. It was moved at a later period. to its present site on higher ground, and is now owned and ocenpied as a hotel by George Slater, who settled here in 1856.
Neil MeNeil was one of the early settlers, who came to Dayton and took at once, a front rank in shaping the business of the infant settlement. For three years. he had the entire control of Ly- man Dayton's business, his intelligent brain, directed by a master hand, was felt in every thing he touched. Not only was his genius felt in civil life. but he made it felt in military tacties also: showing himself not an unworthy descend-
303
DAYTON-EARLY EVENTS-CHURCHES.
ent of that race whose prowess, like Bruce's, has adorned and embellished the pages of Scottish history. When the Indian outbreak, in 1862, burst upon the frightened settlers, carrying rapine and butchery in its gory track, he left the peaceful pursuits of life, and aided by that determined look which the earnest man car- ries, raised a squad of men and hastened to join Captain Strout's command. They marched to the seat of war through Forest City to Acton, where they met the " Bloody Devils," and gave them fight. IIe there received a wound through his right arm, but with his spartan band of sixty- four, fighting for their firesides. and the little prattlers around them, thought not of the eight hundred fiends they were fighting, all the way from Acton to Hutchinson. Before reaching Hutchinson, they were reinforced, adding more strength, but no more courage; when they made a Waterloo, scattering the Indians in every di- rection. Returning from the Indian war, and with a country still imperiled, he joined Gen. Thomas' command in 1863, and remained until honorably discharged, when he returned again to Dayton and engaged in the more congenial and peaceful pursuits of life, enjoying the confidence of his fellow-citizens, filling the office of super- visor for ten years, and constable seven years. He was the first constable elected in the town.
In 1855, A. C. Kimball settled near French Lake, on the north shore, and was the first American settler back from the river. He re- lates the fact, that the Chippewa Indians passed near his home on their way to the fight near Shakopee, in May, 1858, with their old enemies the Sioux. They came down the Mississippi River and went about a mile up the Crow River, took their canoes ashore, sold two or three to the settlers, and destroyed the rest.
EARLY EVENTS.
In 1856, E. II. Robinson built a blacksmith shop for his own business, doing some enstom work for his few neighbors. The same year, he and his partner, John Baxter, built a steam saw- mill on the banks of the Mississippi River be- low the mouth of the Crow River, which was the first saw-mill built in the town.
The first religious services in town, were held at the house of J. B. Hinkley, in the summer of
1855, by the Rev. Winthrop Hayden. The next services were held at the house of J. B. Hinkley in 1855; sermon by David Brooks. .
The first white child born, was George Dayton Slater, September, 1856, who died at the age of four years.
The first death was a Mr. Twombly, who was killed by the falling limb of a tree. The second death was Job Green, an old man, who died in 1857, and was buried by the roadside, and subse- quently removed to the cemetery, in the east part of the village plat. upon its establishment in 1858.
The first marriage was that of E. Il. Robinson to Mrs. Sarah L. Gardner. June 29th, 1856.
J. B. Hinkley was the first justice of the peace. He was appointed by the territorial government. Hle was also the first representative from his dis- triet to the legislature elected in 1857, and took an active part in forming the state government.
The " Five Million Loan Bill " was voted on by the town, in the spring of 1858, and carried by a decided majority.
The first post office was established in 1855, and J. Baxter appointed post master. He was succeeded by Mr. Hinkley, in 1856, who made R. R. Hurlbut deputy for two years. Iurl- but was then appointed post master, and remained in office several years.
The first school was taught in the summer of 1857, by Miss Cynthia Slater, on the west side of Crow River. The water, washing the bridge away. the scholars could not eross. and she moved to Mr. Hinkley's, and later, to Mr. Baxter's house. where the term was finished.
CHURCHES.
The French Catholic Church was organized in 1857, and a church built the same year, on the farm of Paul Godine, section 5. Father Jennis officiated at the organization. In 1862, Father Nicholas supplied the church for a time. In 1865, the society commenced the erection of a larger church, in the village of Dayton, and com- pleted it in 1866. It is 50x75 feet. The society con- tains one hundred and twenty families. Father Morrell has officiated since 1866, and closed his labors in the fall of 1880. The society has a cemetery of about two acres, located on the north- west corner of section 8.
304
HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.
TOWN ORGANIZATION.
Dayton and Champlin. were formerly organized as a voting precinct, and called Marshall. It was divided in )85s, and the name of Dayton adopted. in honor of Mr. Lyman Dayton. The meeting for the organization of the town. was held at Champlin, May 11th. 1858. Elected for Super- visors. A. C. Kimball. chairman, W. 11. Ed- wards. J. D. 11. Hervey: Town Clerk. John Bax- ter: Assessor. J. M. Thompson; Collector, W. P. Ives: Overseer of Poor, Daniel Fife: Justices of the Peace. D. L. Herrick and Alvah Hills: Con- stables. J. Downs and A. M. Kimball. After the election of officers and other business inci- dent to the new organization, and the change of the name of the town. the amicable settlement of the question at one time appeared very for- midable, adjourned to exchange mutual congrat- ulations over the successful issue.
VILLAGES.
There were three town sites selected. but not laid out. but claimed. and held with the inten- tion of making plats. Waterville. held by Charles Aydt. was located mostly on the west side, and included the site where the present saw mill is located. Portland was claimed by Robin- son and Baxter. and included the site on which the present village is Jocated. Lyman Dayton had eighty aeres south of the present village, and had it platted and surveyed. but afterwards vacated. The present village was first platted in 1855, and again in 1856. reducing lots from one-quarter 10 one-eighth of an aere in a lot. owing to the advance in the price of land. The platting was done by Lyman Dayton who had bought of Rob- inson and Baxter an undivided half of the town site. This settled the location of the village, but the more dithenlt question was yet to come. that of naming it. Mr. Dayton and his friends desired to call it Dayton, while that part of the settlers who came from Maine, were as anxious to call it Portland. Both parties felt their abil- ity and strength to call it by their chosen name, whilst each doubted the others strength, and a meeting was called to settle the vexed question by vote. On the day appointed. the "hosts" were marshalled, but justice always recedes before advancing force, and the " Dayton " party proved too strong for the " Mainites," and named it Day -
ton. in INGS. This is the only village in the town. and ineludes a small plat of ground on the opposite bank of Crow river. in Wright county, and is situated at the junction of the Mississip- pi and Crow rivers. It is a flourishing village, containing three stores, carrying a general stock of goods. E. O. Perkins's being the largest ; three blacksmith shops, one furniture and carriage shop. one millinery establishment, where the latest fashions are tastefully displayed, two boot and shoe establishments, two carpenters, who " know how to make a house," two meat mar- kets. one lumber mill. one tannery. a brick- yard and a post-office. with W. D. Brimmer for postmaster.
The second post-office was established in the South-west part of the town about 1866. and called - Maple Grove." a Mr. Permit being ap- pointed post-master.
SCHOOLS.
The first male teacher was Thomas MeLeod, who taught after the organization of the town, in the winter of 1859-60. The first school was langht in a vacant store-room built by E. B. Ames. of Minneapolis, who failed in trade, and the room was used till isos, when the present village school building was erected, in the village of Day- ton. Besides this, there are four school build- ings. all in good condition, located as follows: School No. 37, on section 14: No. 41, on section 29: No. 10, on sertion 7 : and No. 36, on section 28. Two joint districts are included in the above.
MILLS.
The Dayton flour-mill was first built by Frank Weitzel in 1860, for a three run custom mill. In 1871 he built a new merchant mill with five runs. 35x65 feet, three-stories and basement. He sold a half interest to W. F. Hurlbut. and in 1878 sold his remaining interest to R. R. Hurlbut. In 1879 the firm of Hurlbut and son built an addi- tion 20350 feet, with two runs of stone for a cus- tom mill. They have added all the late im- provements, making it a first-class Merchant and Custom mill, with a reputation second to none. The mill gives employment to twenty-six men.
W. D. Brimmer. has a Saw-mill and Stave Factory. located on the Crow river, and is now using the steam machinery. put in by Robinson in 150; supposed to be the first in the north-west.
305
DAYTON -- BIOGRAPHICAL.
OFFICIAL ROSTER.
The present town officers are, Supervisors, A. C. Kimball, chairman, C. E. Evans, and M. F. Taylor ; Town Clerk, C. F. Dugas; Assessor. M. F. Taylor; Treasurer, Henry Duhlheimer ; Jus- tices of the Peace, C. E. Evans and Nieholas Engel : Constables, Albert Lewis and A. A. Laflin.
A Town House was built in 1873 at the cross- roads in south part of section 17, size 20x30 feet. The Cemetery is located in the south-west corner of secton 8.
The town has 14,811 acres with a land valua- ation of $170,220. Valuation of personal prop- erty, $42,096. Town lots, $7,384. Taxes for 1880, from the above vahiations. $2.585.
The population of the township, including the village is 698.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
William Dugas, one of the pioneers of Hen- nepin county, was born at Three Rivers, Canada, May 17th, 1809. Hle learned the trade of mill- wright, and at the age of twenty-two went to New York city, then started for Africa, engag- ing as ship-carpenter. At New Orleans he aban- doned the trip, as his ship did not sail. He then came up the Mississippi river to Saint Louis, thence to Chicago, and after a stay there of four years, went to Council Bluffs, Iowa, via. the Missouri river, with Bourbonais, who had charge of the Pottawattamie Indians. Then returned to Chicago, and had charge of a erew of men on the canal then being opened there. Three years later. he removed to Galena, Illinois, and then went to Prarie du Chien, Wisconsin, where he married Sophia Stromm, who died twenty-one months later, leaving one child, Charles, who is now town clerk of Dayton. In the spring of 1844 he removed to Saint Paul, where he re- mained over two years, and married, in January. 1846, Miss Susanna Raiche. The same year he made a claim at Saint Anthony, near Cheever's claim, which he afterwards sold to Franklin Steele. ITe returned to Saint Paul in May, 1849, and was elected to the Territorial Legislature the following fall. After remaining in Saint Paul two years, engaged in the hotel business, he sold out, returned to Saint Anthony, and es- tablished a ferry about half a mile above the 20
present upper bridge. Ile, and others, procured a charter for a bridge, but it was not built. In 1857 he sold the ferry and moved to Bottineau Prairie, and engaged in farming until 1866, when he removed to Dayton, where he has sinee re- sided. His second wife bore him three children, two of whom are living: John, aged twenty-three and Louis, aged twenty-one.
Nicholas Engel was born in Prussia, in 1820. Learned the trade of shoemaking. Hle was drafted into the army at twenty, and served two years. He emigrated to America in 1852, and setiled at Port Washington, Wisconsin, working at his trade. Moved to Plattsmouth, Nebraska, in 1858, and followed his trade. In 1875, went to Frankfort, Wright county, and in 1876 came to Dayton. Hlas held the office of Justice of the Peace for two years. Married, in 1863, to Cath- arine Schluentz. They have had five children, four are now living.
F. Gamache, born in Canada, in 1830. Moved to Michigan in 1850, and engaged in mining, three years. Hle located on his present farm in 1854. Married, in 1852, Margaret Gandrow, who died in 1864. He was married again, in 1867, to Julia Lambert. They have had eight children. Ile has been Town Supervisor and School Director. He is one of the pioneers of this town. His, was the first team brought to Dayton.
R. R. Hurlbut, born in Vermont, in 1830. Fol- lowed railroading when young. He was married in 1852, to Mary Stebbins, and moved to Minneso- ta in 1855. Located in Ilassan for one year; thence to Dayton, where he engaged in mercan- tile business for two years. Located where he now lives in 1870-a fine location in Wright county. opposite Dayton. Purchased, in 1878, one-half interest in the Dayton Flour Mills, which, with his farm, occupies his entire attention. Hle has two children : William F. and Rodman R.
William F. Hurlbut, son of R. R. Hurlbut, was born in Vermont, in 1853. He remained with his parents until 1870, when he entered the State University at Minneapolis, at the same time tak- ing a commercial course. Returned to Dayton in 1874 and purchased a half interest in the Day- ton Flour Mills, and also carried on a general merehandizing business in connection with his milling. In 1880 he married Jennie E. Nixon, of Pennsylvania.
306
HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.
N. MeNeil was born in Scotland, in 1830. In 1831 he emigrated with his parents to America. He moved to Boston, Massachusetts, in 1852. and worked three years in the Navy Yard. Moved to Minnesota in 1856, and lived in St. Paul one year, when he moved to Dayton and worked seven years for Lyman Dayton. In 1863, joined Gen. Thomas' command, was mustered out in 1865, and returned to Dayton and engaged in the stock business. He married. in 1857, Sarah Sweeney. They have had nine children. Mr. McNeil held the office of Supervisor ten years, and was Constable for seven years.
Charles Mayer was born in Germany. in 1818, where he taught school for twenty years. He emigrated to America in 1856. and settled in St. Bernard, Ohio, and taught school two years ; then taught eight years in Johnstown, Pennsylva- nia. four years at U'tica, and three years in Jeffer- son City, Missouri. He is the organist at the Cathi- olie church in Dayton, and also teaches music. Married the first time, in 1842, to Veronica Sei- berlich, who died in 1856. Married again to, Kate Oberle. He has six children living.
George Slater, born in England, in 1821. Em- igrated to America, and settled in Gloversville. Fulton county, New York. in 1824. Worked at glove-making for twenty years. Moved to Min- nesota, and settled in Dayton, in 1856, and com- menced the manufacture of gloves and mittens. Enlisted in Company C, Independent Battalion. under General latch. in 1864, and was ordered to the frontier. Was mustered out in 1865. Re- turned to Dayton, and opened his farm. His health failing, he purchased the hotel which he now keeps. Married, in 1815, to Catharine Kelly. They have four children now living. Mr. Slater found many relies near the junction of the Crow and Mississippi rivers, which indicated that there had been, at some time, a French or Span- ish settlement at that point.
Abraham Twombley was born in Canada, in 1808. Moved to Champlain, New York. Lived there several years. Married, at twenty-two. 10 Rosabel Rose. Ile moved to Bottineau Prairie in 1857, and lived with his wife in a tent three months. Sold his first claim on the Prairie, and bought one in the woods, where he has since lived. Mr. and Mrs. T. Celebrated their golden
wedding, November Sth, 1880. They have 108 children and grandehildren.
E. II. Robinson, a native of Gardiner, Maine, was born in 1829. He remained with his par- ents on the farm, until seventeen years of age : then learned the mason's trade. In 1849. he, with his brother, moved to Wisconsin, and worked at his trade during the summer, and in the pine- ries through the winter. In the fall of 1850, he returned to Maine, and the following year, his father and family moved to Wisconsin, loeating in Portage county. In the spring of 1853, E. 11. came to Minneapolis. and purchased twenty-five dollars' worth of goods, which he hired a French- man to take up to the mouth of Crow River. in a canoe. They reached their destination in two days, and found but one white man. John Veine. of whom he secured the use of a log cabin for his store. Ile opened a trade with the Indians. whose reservation was on the west side of Crow River. In the spring of 1854, he succeeded in purchasing Veine's claim, which included the site of the present village of Dayton. Mr. Veine left, and Mr. Robinson was for ten months alone with the Indians, at whose hands he came near losing his life, on several occasions. lle sold John Baxter one-half interest in his store, and in 1855. they sold Lyman Dayton, of St. Paul, an undivided interest in a portion of their land. in 1856, they sold Mr. Dayton an interest in the water-power and land adjoining. In the fall of 1856. they erected a steam saw-mill near the mouth of Crow River. Soon after, Mr. Robinson bought his partner's interest in the store. and in 1857, bought his interest in the mill. ile then soll to Mr. Dayton his entire interest in the water-power, and the following spring, sold his stock of goods. In the fall of 1858, he purchased another stock of goods, and in 1861, took as part- ner in the milling business, Frank Crocker. and continued thus two years, when he bought Crock- er's interest. and in 1866, sold the entire estab- lishment to a firm who failed, and the mill was taken away. In 1870. he built a new steam saw- mill near the site of the old one. In 1877, he sold the mill to 11. A. Bennett, and it was burned the following year. Mr. Robinson's wife was Mrs. Sarah Gilson of New York, whom he mar- ried in 1856. They have had three children : George 11 .. Horace R. and Frank L.
HASSAN-GENERAL DESCRIPTION.
307
HASSAN.
CHAPTER XLIX.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION -SETTLEMENT-FIRST BIRTH AND DEATH-A PAPER TOWN-EVENTS OF 1856-7-8-CHURCHES-ORGANIZATION - INDIAN SCARE-OUTLOOK-SAW-MILL -- BIO- GRAPHICAL.
This is one of the extreme northern towns of Hennepin county, and embraces all of township 120 north, ranges 23 and 24 west, lying east of Crow River, covering an area of 17,184 acres. It is washed by the Crow River on the west and north, the stream making the boundary between it and Wright county. It was surveyed in 1855, the first year of its settlement. Its surface is rolling and heavily timbered, except Bigelow's Prairie, a small tract of about fifty acres. in section 16, on Crow river. Several tracts of marsh, or wild meadow, occur at intervals throughout the town, but are little used, being too soft for pasturage, and affording but an indif- ferent quality of hay. Peat bog is found in most of the marshy ground, which may yet give it value. In the uplands, the soil is a dark loam, with clay subsoil and well adapted to general agricultural purposes.
The only streams in the interior are Rush Creek. which flows through the south-east corner, and a small, unnamed rivulet which rises in section 22. flows north-west, and empties into Crow River in section 16. A stream shown upon the early maps. in the south-west part of the town, is only a ravine through which surface water finds its way to the Crow River in times of freshet.
Several small lakes dot the surface of the town, mainly in the western half, the most noticeable of which are here described. Sylvan Lake lies in section 20, and is the largest body of water in the town. It covers an area of about two hundred acres, is of more than ordinary depth, with sandy
or gravelly margin on the north, but soft along the southern half. It is well stocked with fishı, principally pickerel and bass. North-east of this is Cowley, better known as Parslow's Lake, in sections 16 and 21. It has sandy margins and hard bottom, but is quite shallow, and contains a rank growth of water plants, which, though not reaching the surface, are too near to admit of trolling for fish, with which its waters abound.
Lake Harry lies mainly in the south-east corner of section 29, but extends its waters to the three sections joining at this corner. It is of irregular shape, shallow, with low, marshy shores on the north. but hard on the south. It is destitute of fish, and is gradually drying up. In 1855, Jasper Hawkins, one of the early settlers here, found a line, large canoe floating upon the waters of this lake, which incident has occasioned no little spec- ulation regarding its early ownership. It was of pine, nearly new, and neatly hewn from a sound log or tree. and not over an inch thick except at the points. No owner ever appeared to claim this mysterious craft, and pioneer settlers disagree as to its origin ; whether it was of Indian manufac- ture, or the handiwork of white men. In any event, it must have been prepared in the forests of the upper Mississippi, brought down that stream and up the Crow river several miles, and dragged across the country for not less than one and one-half miles, before launching upon the shallow waters of this lake, which, as it afforded no fishing, leaves the subject as much in the dark as ever. The old canoe is now in a useless, half- decayed condition, and partly buried in the mud and water of a smaller lake, appropriately named Mud Lake. near the residence of Mr. Hawkins in section 21.
SETTLEMENT.
The first settler in the northern part of the town was Alexander Borthwick, who came in 1854, and made his claim on section 12. and later, another
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HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.
on seetion 1. the farm now owned by Frank Weitzel. De remained until 1867, when he re- moved to Otsego, Wright county, and has since re- sided there. He came from St. Paul to Dayton, rrossed the river there, made his claim, and boarded with Robinson and Baxter, through the winter. Harvey Hicks came about one month later than Borthwick. and bought the latter's claim on section 12. He brought the first team and wagon into this town, coming up on the west side of the river and entting his road through the timber. Dennis Ford, Alphens Maservy, and Joseph Green came the same fall. Maservy is now in Maine Prairie. Stearns county. 1855. Mortimer and Patrick Hynes, Thomas Rog- ers and William Demery. located claims in the northern part of the town. John Mitchell and Samuel Gowell settled north of the centre. John --
Keegan, who came the same year, still resides in the town. Others who came about this time were. Patrick Burke and Owen MeCabe. Among those who located in the central and southern portion of the town in 1855 were, George and Ariel Bigelow, A. Woodman and Harvey S. Norton, who came from Ohio, and settled on or near section 16, on the Crow river. Their claims embraced the small prairie tract previously re- ferred to, which gave it the name it has since borne. There were no roads leading into this wood-land region then. and they were forced to out their way as they advanced. making but slow progress, though only stopping to remove such obstructions as could neither be overcome or avoided. They remained here but a few years. then removed to other parts. Ariel Bigelow. after about six years residence here. removed to Maple Grove, thence to Minneapolis, and later. to his former place in Ohio. He subsequently re- turned to this State, and is now at Princeton. MiHe Laes county. Geo. Bigelow Jeft his claim here about the same time, but afterwards re- turned and located a little rast of the old loca- tion, from which he soon after removed to San- tiago. Sherburne county, where he was drowned several years since.
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