USA > Minnesota > Hennepin County > Minneapolis > History of Hennepin county and the city of Minneapolis, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota > Part 56
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W .. E. Evans was born in Chittenden county. Vermont, December 28th. 1824. He remained there. working as mill-wright, until he came to Minnesota : was one of the first settlers of Maple Grove, and built the first house on this road. a log cabin, now used as a granary. Before his block house was finished. he covered it with blankets to protect his family. In 1847 he was married to Miss Lucia C. Austin. of Vermont : she died in 1880, Mr. Evans has held various town offices since he came here.
Leonard L. Hawkins (deceased) was a native of New Hampshire. In 1829 he married Olivia P. Wright. at Keene, New Hampshire. He lived in Vermont until he came to Minneapolis in 1856. For two years he had charge of the tollgate near the I'niversity. Mr. Hawkins died in 1863, and Mrs. 11. resides in Minneapolis with her daughter, Mrs. G. W. Chowen.
S. S. Hawkins was born September 12th, 1512. at East Highgate. Vermont, and lived there twenty two years. He went to Minneapolis in 1566. remained there until 1859. then located in Maple Grove. He was married August 29th, 1661. to Mary Woodworth. He is traveling for O. S. Rixford, of East Highgate. Vermont : has ben in the business for twelve years, traveling winters, and spending summers at home. They have four children living.
Minerva Hoff was born in Ohio. April 17th1. 1524. and lived with her parents until twenty-two years of age. She was married. in Ohio. to Lut- ther E. Hoff, October 19th. 1850. They came to Maple Grove. June 2d. 1855, being among the first settlers of the town. They have five chil- dren living. Mr. Luther E. Hoff, her husband, died October 10th, 1861.
Sarah Kiefer, a native of New York, was born April 30th, 1831. She lived there for ten years, and then moved, with her parents, to Milwaukee. Wisconsin. She married. April 10th, 1849 ; came to Minnesota and settled in Maple Grove. in 1864. and has since made this place her home. Mr. Kiefer was born in Germany, September 5th. 1820, and died AApril 5th, 1874. Mrs. K. has nine children living. She now owns one hundred and sixty acres of land.
Michael Knopf was born near Buffalo, New York, in 1835. Lived there ten years, then moved to Cook county, Ilinois: remained there until twenty-five years of age. He was eduea- ted at the North-west College of the Evangelical Association at Napierville. In 1860 he came to Rice county, Minnesota. and engaged in farming. Hle enlisted July 24th, 1864. in Company E, Sixth Minnesota Infantry, and served until he was honorably discharged in 1865. at Fort Snelling. He was pastor of the Evangelical Church at Wa- seca for three years, at Frontenac three years. one year near Henderson. and is now pastor of the Evangelical Church in Maple Grove. Mar- ried in 1861, to Miss S. F. Fritch.
George A. Laflin, a native of Chittenden con- ty, Vermont. was born February 19th, 1837: he lived there nineteen years, and came to Maple Grove, Minnesota, in 1856. On June 10th. 1867. he was married to Miss Annie L. Eddy, of Maple Grove. In October. 1872, she died. and he mar- ried for his second wife, Elizabeth N. Kerr, Jan- mary 7th, 1874. Mr. Laffin's first wife bore him three children, and he has two by his second wife.
(2. 1. Laffin was born in Milton. Vermont, August 20th, 1550. He came with his parents to Minnesota in 1856, and lived in the town of Day - ton until 1876. He was married December 7th. 1576, to Miss Nellie Knibbe, who was born in Holland December Isth, 1858, and came to Amer- iva in 1873. They have two children.
David Marchand. a native of Canada, was
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MAPLE GROVE-BIOGRAPHICAL.
born October 14th, 1834. Ile lived there fifteen years, then removed to Massachusetts, and stayed until 1851, when he came to Minnesota, and set- tled in Maple Grove ; worked at carpentering till 1870, and has since that time followed farm- ing. In 1863 he joined General Sibley's expedi- tion as a scont, was drafted while on his way from Fort Snelling to Ft. Ridgely and was ordered to return to St. Paul. He paid three hundred dol- lars for a substitute. He was detailed for duty at Fort Wadsworth, transferred to Fort Abercrombie. and again transferred to Fort Wadsworth : he left there in November 1864, and returned to Maple Grove. Ile married Laura Gasner, Sep- tember 20th, 1858. They have six children living.
Albert A. Opitz, a native of Ohio, was born in Toledo, August 4th, 1855. He came to Minne- apolis May 1st, 1868, and worked at the tinners trade until 1879, when he removed to Maple Grove. Hle married Mrs. Nancy Brownrigg, Feb- rnary 15th. 1880, who was born in Washington county, Ohio, in 1856. Her first husband died September 28th, 1879, and Mrs. Brownrigg married Mr. Opitz. They live on the farm purchased by Mr. Brownrigg.
Otto Ohrmmidt was born in Germany, Novem- ber 16th, 1848. He resided in his native country with his parents until he came to America. He came to this country in 1870, and after a residence of eighteen months in Wisconsin. came to Maple Grove, where he has since resided. He was mar- ried in Germany, in 1865. Has two children, a boy aged eight, and a girl four years.
William H. Pavitt came to Minnesota in the autumn of 1855. Remained about two years in Minneapolis, and then moved to Cokato. Wright county ; staid there two years; then returned to Minneapolis, and remained until 1867, when he moved to Osseo, and has since lived on his farm. section 16, town of Maple Grove. Ile married Mary L. Hoff. in November, 1873. She is a na- tive of Hennepin county.
Catharine Peters was born in Ireland, in 1832. She lived with her parents ten years ; then went to England, and lived there three years; then emigrated to America. Came to Minnesota in 1855, and settled in Maple Grove. Married, April 4th, 1855, to John Peters, who died October 30th. 1866. She has two children living. James was born January 27th, 1856, and Edward, March 4th,
1858. The family is living upon the " Peters Es- tate," of 160 acres, on section 31. Both sons are able and active young men, conducting the farm with ability.
Sherman Phelps, born in Smithville. New York, August 11th. 1820. He lived there twenty-three years : then moved to Cook county, Illinois, and remained until 1865, when he came to Minnesota. and located in Maple Grove, where he has since resided. Married Anna E. Limberger, May ISth. 1848, who died February 14th. 1869. Mr. Phelps has seven children living.
A. Robert was born in Belgium, May 12th, 1813. For forty-three years he lived in his native land. then came to Minnesota, and settled in Corcoran. He removed to Maple Grove, and has since resided here. In 1863. he enlisted in Hatchies Battalion Minn. Cavalry, and was discharged in May, 1866. Mr. Robert has never married.
Ilenry Robert, a native of Belgium, was born May I5th, 1819. When thirty-four years of age. he came to America. and located at Lake Superior ; then removed to Minnesota in 1856: lived at Greenwood five years, and in Corcoran two years : then came to Maple Grove. Ile removed to Corcoran again, but returned to Maple Grove. and has since resided here. He married Miss Matilda Twombley. October 3d. 1859. They have four children living.
William Trott was born in England, in 1828. Ile came to America in 1846, and worked on a farm in Orleans county. New York. a few years : then went to Indiana. as foreman on a railroad. Poor health compelled him to resign. He came to Minnesota, in 1853, and bought a claim in Eden Prairie ; sold it for $500 : then explored different parts of the then territory, making several claims and selling them. In 1854. he came to Maple Grove : bought a claim. built a shanty, which he covered with bark, and lived in it the first winter. July. 1866. he married Lilly Sutherland, of Canada.
Josiah Weaver. born in Miramichi, New Bruns- wick. November 26th, 1815. Went with his pa- rents to Frederickton, lived there nine years and came to Minnesota in 1856, with his father. his mother having died when he was eighteen months old. Since coming to this state he has lived with Mrs. Hoff. He enlisted January, 1865. in com- pany B. Second Minnesota Infantry Volunteers ;
HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.
served until July 10. 1865. when he was dis- charged.
J. M. Williamson. a native of Washington. Ohio, was born February 24th. 1857. He came to Minnesota in 1865. and settled in Maple Grove. September 4th. 1880, he married Miss Sophia Zeorb. Ilis father enlisted October 23d, 1861, in Company B. Seventy-fifth Ohio Infantry. hut was discharged for physical disability, and was not able do a day's work after he came ont of the army. Mr. Williamson, Sr., died in 1850.
L. B. Wilmot was born in LaPorte. Indiana. Angust ISth, 1839. and lived there fifteen years; then went to Minneapolis, and from there to the
Black Hills, where he remained two years. Mar- ried Miss R. Foster. August 12th, 1875, and now lives in Maple Grove. They have one child. George.
E. P. Woodworth. born in Ashtabula county. Ohio, July 13th. 1844. Lived there seventeen years. and in Pennsylvania three years. lle en- listed in the naval service. August 13th. 1864; served ten months, and was discharged. He was married July 24th, 1866, 10 Selina C. Clarke. of Pennsylvania, and came to Maple Grove where he has since lived. They have three children living.
PLYMOUTH.
CHAPTER LIII.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION FIRST SETTLEMENT ORGANIZATION --- VILLAGES-CHURCHES SO- CIETIES-SCHOOLS -POST-OFFICES- HOTELS ROSTER BIOGRAPHICAL.
Plymouth is situated near the center of Henne- pin county and comprises the congressional town- ship of 118 north, range 22 west. fifth princi- pal meridian. The surface is midulating. that portion of the town around the north end of Medicine Lake. being the most hilly. When first settled. the west and north-west part was covered with a heavy growth of timber, covering nearly half of the town: the remaining portion being covered by brush. with a few marshes that sup- port a growth of tamarac. The principal woods are maple, oak and elm. with a little ironwood. ash and poplar. The soil generally is a clay loam. Around Parker's Lake it is sandy, and in some places gravelly. Sandy spots occur vera- sionally in the north-east part. The town is in- terspersed with mimerons lakes. Among them is Medicine Lake, the largest. situated in the south-east part of the town. It is a beautiful
body of water, about two miles long from north- west to south-east, and nearly three-quarters of a mile wide in the widest part. The south-east shore is sandy. which with a sandy bottom makes it an excellent bathing-place, and is much resorted to for that purpose. At different places on the east and west shores, the banks are quite high and precipitons. The north and south ends are marshy. Its ontlet is Bassett's Creek, which flowsont of the south end and passes out of the town at the south-east corner and empties into the Mississippi at Minneapolis. The lake derives its name from an Indian legend, which says that an Indian in his canoe was capsized by a sudden storm, and the Indians not being able to find his body, gave it the name of Medicine Lake. Bass Lake is in section 2. and covers about one hund- red and fifty aeres, with an island of several acres in the center. Its shores are marshy, and its out- let is Bass Lake Creek, which leaves the lake from its north-east corner. flows eastwardly out of the town and empties into Shingle Creek in the south-west part of Brooklyn. It received its name from the large number of bass, they being
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PLYMOUTHI-FIRST SETTLEMENT.'
almost the only fish that swim in its waters. It was named by Antoine Le Count.
Parker's Lake situated in the southern part of section 28, and northern part of seetion 33, covering about one hundred acres, is a clear and beautiful sheet of water, with sandy shores and a hard bottom. The other lakes in the town are more or less marshy, and small.
FIRST SETTLEMENT.
Antoine Le Count was the first settler in the town. coming in October, 1853, and locating on the east shore of Medicine Lake, on section 24, where he now lives. Antoine Le Count is one of those men whose adventurous lite deserves a record that should be preserved for the benefit of the on- coming generations-a record. commencing with the primitive history of the Northwest. and ex- tending over the eventful scenes that have been en- acted during a half century. The writer of this ar- ticle feels it to be a pleasing duty to give in brief the facts in his possession connected with this ad- venturous traveler, guide, and daring explorer, only regretting that the limits allotted to this work will not allow a more detailed account of the man whose history is so closely interwoven with that of the Northwest. And, as the object most sin- cerely sought for in this work, is to give a succinet and truthful statement of all the facts with which it has to deal. the reader will not do the writer the violence to think that he is reading aught but historic truths, as he follows the history of An- toine Le Count and his father. The latter was a guide in the early days of the Territory, carrying the mail from the Red River country to points south; also carrying with him fancy trinkets and wam- pum, made by the Indians, taking them to St. Lonis, and trading or selling them for horses, or whatever his shrewd mind suggested would pay him to bring back to the Red River country. By this means he accumulated quite a fortune. Among the early French settlers, he was known by the name of Le Gros. He took Pierre Bottin- eau, when he was abont twelve years old, into his family, and trained him to be the guide that afterward made him famous. Antoine was born on the Minnesota side of the Red River, near the International boundary line. November 6th, 1822. In the summer of 1837. he came with his father to Fort Snelling, remaining until September fol-
lowing, when he returned to his home on Red River. His father, in connection with Franklin Steele, made a elaim on the east side of the Mis- sissippi River, at the falls, including Nicollet Is- land. The following June he started for his claim. from Red River, with his family. With them was a gentleman by the name of Thomas Simpson, who was in great haste to get through, and did not wish to take the time necessary to go around by Lac qui Parle, and offered Le Count a tempting price to pilot him across the country in as nearly a direct line as possible. Le Count accepted the proposition, and gave Pierre Bottineau charge of the party containing his family, Pierre Bottineau's, and others, taking besides himself and Mr. Simpson, his son An- foine, who was nearly seventeen years old, and two others, five in all, and started across. When about a day and a half on their journey, Mr. Simpson showed signs of insanity, but did not appear to be dangerous. About sundown the fourth day out, while they were preparing to go into camp, Mr. Simpson seized a double-barrelled shotgun, and, without a moments warning, shot Mr. Le Count and one of the men. The shots followed each other so rapidly that the survivors thought but one shot had been fired. Le Count did not die immediately. but, knowing his end was near at hand. called his son Antoine to him and told him he was going to die, giving him instructions how, and what direction to take. to reach the train his mother was with, and to run for his life before Mr. Simpson had time to reload. The hired man had already disappeared, and young Antoine, with trembling anxiety, watched his opportunity, and made his escape. Ile had not gone far when he heard Mr. Simpson calling: "Jim! Jim !! " (the hired man) ; he wanted him to take him back. In the meantime. Antoine had found Jim, and they proceeded together. When about a mile from their recent camp, they heard a gun and concluded the unfortunate man had killed himself. (They subsequently found that he had shot at and wounded one of the horses.) Urging their horses to their utmost speed, and following the track advised by his father, they struck the train trail of Pierre Bottineau about daylight, having come about fifty miles. In a short time they were in camp, and told their story. Pierre Bottineau took a party and went
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HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.
back to the scene. When he reached it he found the unfortunate Simpson had added his own life to those of his two victims, by blowing his head entirely to pieces. The bodies of Le Count and the other man. were brought back and taken to Red River. and there buried. Mr. Simpson's body was left on the spot.
The train then moved forward on its road, and reached Fort Snelling about the middle of July 1838. Antoine and mother remained there until the following spring. when they moved to Pigs Eye, where he remained abont a year. From that time he was a rover, moving from place to place as faney or work dictated. until he settled in Plymouth, in October 1853. With Antoine Le Count came Peter Daniels, who made his claim adjoining Le Count. on the north, but did not set- tle until the year following.
Almost simultaneously with Antoine Le Count. rame Thomas Hughes and family into this wil- derness, the lurking place of Shakopee and his Sioux band. No roads were known other than the wild Indians trail. But with a fixed purpose be- fore him. this hardy and intelligent pioneer has conquered every obstacle. and now in his riper years. is enjoying all the comforts of a good home and the confidence of his fellow citizens, with his enterprising sons. James. Henry, Charles and Ed- ward around him. all possessing the indomitable will of the father. They have built for themselves nice homes and rank with Plymouth's respected citizens.
Francis Huot and G. D. Brawley came during the winter. Mr. Just making a claim on the northend of Medicine Lake, Mr. Brawley adjoining him on the west. Neither settled at that time, but made some improvements and returned to Saint Anthony. Mr. Brawley sold his claim to Mr. E. Boucher, and Mr. Huot returned with his family, November 15th. 1851. Following these two was Charles Monseau, who made a claim join- ing la Count on the south, did not move on it. but made a few improvements. At the same time with Mr. Ruot, came David Gorham. Joseph lamme. George Burbeir and Edward Burke.
Gorham settling on section 17. the first of March 15.1. and moved his family in September 15, Mr. Jamme selected the west half of section 17. as his elann. put up a shanty and moved his family in Oc- tolwer that year. Mr. Burbeir took his claim on the
north-east quarter of seetion 8. put up a shanty the following fall. and moved his family in the spring of 1855: lived on it about a year then moved back to Saint Anthony, and now lives in Anoka. Mr. Burke made his claim on section 17. built a shanty, made some improvements, but be- ing a single man, had no regular habitation. but teamed back and forth from Saint Anthony. Ile married in 1855. and moved to his place. lived there about a year. sold out and moved to Saint Anthony.
Israel Michaud made a claim about the same time: lived on it a few years ; sold, and moved to Medina. but subsequently moved back to Ply- month. where he was killed while hauling limber in the summer of 1877. In May, 1854. Jonas II. Howe came and made a claim on seetion 22. Henry L. Moses came in July following. and made his claim on the west side of section 22, living on it a few years ; he now lives in Dakota county. Early in 1854. C. W. Farrington made his claim on section 15, and moved his family on to it in March. 1855 : subsequently kept a hotel for a num- ber of years. Samuel Merchant made his claim in September. 1851. and moved his family to it, the following May. In the fore part of October. 1854. came three Parker brothers. I. S .. C. D. and Alfred. and settled around Parker's Lake. Alfred is now living in Crystal Lake. I. S. in noka county. and (. D. is still a resident of Plymouth. Henry Col- lins and Jeli Carne came a little later. James Berube made his claim in December. 1854. but did not move on to it with his family until No- vember, 1855. During the summer of 1854. came James Hughes and family. and settled where they now live. The settlement was quite rapid in 1855. Among those coming were Herman Sandhoff. Francis Day. Charles Tolman, Amos Hoyt and wife. D. C. Parker, wife and his father. the Rey. James Parker. The wife of the latter died in St. Anthony. of cholera, while en route. and was buried on the site of the present city of Min- neapolis.
In Inne. 1858, the Chippewa Indians made a raid on their deadly enemies, the Sioux. met them at Shakopee, had a fight, and were badly defeated. Upon their return. they passed through the town. doing bodily injury to no one. but stole and killed what they wanted to cat. They shot a pair of steers for I. S. Parker, and Amos Hoyt,
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PLYMOUTH-ORGANIZATION.
and emptied D. C. Parker's corn crib, wounded a cow, and stole a few more things from others. As they were on the verge of starvation, the whites concluded that it was no more than they would do themselves under like circumstances, and did not molest them. Besides. it may be that a wholesome regard for their own safety arose to the surface quietly. but not to that ex- tent which under the circumstances made it neces- sary to boast loudly of, so, Lo, and his phunder departed in peace, but not without leaving many hearts fluttering with twinges of fear and doubt for their safety. A military company of twenty was formed. with Charles Tohan for captain, who received their guns from Saint Paul, and for two weeks the women and children were collected together in one house at night, while the men stood guard outside. Hearing there was a body of Sioux massing in the north part of the town, Captain Tolman, with his men, went in search, but found no traces of them. It was sup- posed to have been a scare gotten up by one James Moody. who lived in that part of the town. and it came near costing him his life. Other parties subsequently found traces that showed the Indians had passed through, near where he had indicated he had seen them. This quieted their anger, and ended the disturbance.
The first birth in town, was a child to D. C. Parker and wife, April 25th. 1855. two days after their arrival in the town. It lived but two or three days. A boy. Frank. was born to Amos Hoyt and wife, July 25th, following, and December 25th, same year, twins were born to F. A. Clay and wife, then living on section 33.
The first death that occurred was that of a child belonging to Antoine Le Count. which was caused by overturning a kettle of hot water. in December, 1853.
The Rey. James Parker was the first justice of the peace, appointed January Ist, 1856. Ilis son, D. C. Parker, was appointed in 1857. Mr. Fran- cis Ilnot was appointed the same year, but never (malitied.
The first marriage was Jean Bourgeoise to Miss Rose Rouilliar.
The first school in the town was established in the summer of 1856, in a little shanty belonging to Oliver IImart, on section 14, in what is now District No. 51, and taught by Miss Lorinda
Shaw, who also taught the school established the following year in what is now District No. 48.
ORGANIZATION.
The first meeting for the purpose of forming a town organization, was called at the house of Francis Day, on the 11th day of May, 1858. The meeting was organized by electing G. W. Mes- senger for Moderator. and J. H. Howe, Clerk. The room being too small to accommodate them, the meeting was adjourned to the hotel kept by Mr. C. W. Farrington, on section 15. The fol- lowing officers were elected : Supervisors, Fran- cis Inot. chairman. D. C. Parker and Francis Gorham : Town Clerk, J. II. Howe; Assessor, Francis Day : Collector, Charles Tolman : Over- seer of the Poor. Eustache Boucher; Constables. Phillip Otto and Alfred Jordan ; Justices of the Peace, F. A. Clay and William Karson.
At a meeting of the county board April 10th, 1858. for the purpose of establishing the bonnda- ries of the townships in the county. the congres- sional town of 118-22 was named Plymouth, and the first meeting was called under that name, which produced a great deal of dissatisfaction on the part of some of the voters. and another meet- ing was called for June 21st, 1858, which met at the hotel kept by C. W. Farrington. After con- siderable discussion a vote was taken, which resulted in favor of Medicine Lake. for the name of the town. The next meeting was held at the school house in district No. 51. April 5th, 1859, and the call was issued under the name of Medi- cine Lake, and the business transacted under that name. The following year, April 3d, 1860, the meeting was held under the name of Plym- onth, no records showing when or how the change was effected. The county officials never recognized the name of Medicine Lake, and the name reverted back to that given it by the county board. The name was taken from a vil- lage called Plymouth, laid out on the north and west shores of Parker's Lake, in 1856.
The following is a copy of the minutes of two meetings held in the town in 1862: " Agreeable to a call of the citizens of the town, met at the house of Francis Day on Monday, the 18th day of August, 1862, to devise means to raise its quota of soldiers for the army. The meeting was organ- ized by choosing Francis Huot Chairman, and Jo
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