USA > Minnesota > Hennepin County > Minneapolis > History of Hennepin county and the city of Minneapolis, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota > Part 61
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ORGANIZATION.
The township of Saint Anthony was organized May 11th, 1858, and at the meeting held for that purpose. David Heaton was chosen chairman, D. A. Secomhe moderator, and Thomas T. Newell clerk. The election for town officers was held the same day. and after the polls were closed, Mr. Secombe resigned as moderator, and D. S. B. Johnston was chosen in his place. The votes were then canvassed. with the following result : Supervisors. J. B. Gilbert, chairman. J. C. Tufts. and Richard Fewer: Clerk. D. M. Demmon ; As- sessor. J. A. Lennon : Collector. J. W. Ellis : Overseer of Poor, James Holmes ; Justices of the Peace, Solon Armstrong and Anthony Grethen ; Constables, L. C. Johnson and Albert Gowen : Overseer of Roads. Moses Whittier. The first meeting held separate from the city of St. Anthony was on April 3d, 1860, at the Mississippi House, north of the city on the river road. The officers elected were : Supervisors. L. C. Timpson. chairman. Edward Patch, and G. W. Buck- more: Clerk, and Superintendent of Schools. G. F. Cross ; Treasurer, D. D. Moore : Assessor, E. W. Grindall ; Justices. Stephen Cobb and Jo- seph llawes, dr .; Constables. I. E. Philbrook and John Rank. Following is a list of chairmen of the Town Board. and the years for which they were elected : In 1861 2. G. F. Cross: 1863. Ste- phen Cobb : 1861 to 1872, inclusive, W. H. Cole : 1873. Joseph Ingerhautt ; 1871. A. 11. Werks ; 1875 to 1879, inclusive, Edwin Cooley ; 1880, JJ. B.
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SAINT ANTHONY-BIOGRAPHICAL.
Eustis. The present officers are : Supervisors, J. B. Eustis, eliairman, J. G. Swahn, and M. F. Kletzin ; Clerk. N. O. Phillips; Treasurer, L. Kampff ; Assessor, C. Lennehan ; Justices, Ed- win Cooley and S. M. Moore : Constable, Cornel- ius Lennehan.
STATISTICAL.
The township has an area of 5,497 acres, the assessed valuation of which, was in 1869, 53,- 885; in 1875, $219,335; in ISS0, $400,449. There are also town lots, not included in the city limits, valued at $89,690. The valuation of personal property, was in 1869, $12,240; in 1875, $18,942; in 1880, $33,786. Number of horses over two years old, in 1869. 82; in 1875, 98; in 1880. 132. Number of cattle over two years old, in 1869, 211; in 1875, 227; in 1880, 239. Number of sheep in 1869, 36; in 1875; 38: in 1880, 28. Number of hogs in 1869, 34; in 1875, 146; in 1880, 405. Total amount of taxes for 1869, $1,699; for 1875, $2,- 291; for 1880, 85,962. In 1869, the production of wheat amounted to 6,553 bushels; in 1875, to 3,638 bushels; in 1880, 610 acres were sown to that cereal. The population of the township is 485, according to the last eensus.
CEMETERIES.
Maple Hill Cemetery is located in the south- west corner of section 6, one mile north of the eity limits, and has been in use since 1852, in which year it was established by R. W. Cum- mings.
The Catholie Cemetery was established about 1857. It contains sixteen acres, and is located on the north-east quarter of section 11, one mile north of the city limits.
MANUFACTURES.
In August 1857, Louis Kampff located on sec- tion 10, on the river road. and at once began the manufacture of pottery. His first building. was a log shanty about 16x20 feet. In 1860, he erected a new building, of stone, 20x30 feet, two- stories high. Additions have been made from time to time, as increasing business demanded, and he now has a large establishment with an annual business of from four to five thousand dollars.
The Minnesota Rendering and Fertilizing Com- pany, began business in the spring of 1877, under the firm name of F. M. Upham and Com-
pany. Jannary 1880, William Wyman became a partner, and the present name was adopted. Their rendering works were first located on Bridal Veil creek, a few rods above the falls. but in ISSO, new buildings were erected in the south-east part of the township, near Meeker's Island, and the machinery moved there. The main building is 50x100 feet, three stories high, with an engine room on the east. 28x40, and an addition on the west, 25x30; also a black- smith shop, 25x30, and a barn 60x80. This company have an abattoir located on the flats near Saint Paul, with a capacity for killing two hundred cattle and five hundred hogs per day. At the rendering establishment twenty-one persons are employed. The business offices are at number 11, First street north, Minneapolis, and 64, East Seventh street, Saint Paul.
NURSERY.
The Summit Nursery was established on sec- tion 12, about 1862, by Thomas Moulton, and contains nearly thirty acres. This nursery is well stocked with fruit trees and shrubbery adapted to this climate.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Adam Burg, a native of Germany, was born in 1826, at the village of Moetsch. Ile attended school until twelve years of age, and afterward worked on a farm. In 1852 he emigrated with his father to the United States. He resided in Chicago three years. In 1855 he came to Minne- sota, settled at St. Anthony, and has since been a permanent resident of Hennepin county. llis wife was Therese Kohler. Their marriage occurred in 1866. Of the nine children born to them, six are living.
Charles Estes was born in the town of Cornish, York county, Maine, April, 1835. Ile engaged in railroad business in Massachusetts for a time, and in 1853 moved with his parents to Minnesota. Ile located at Anoka, and helped build the first mill-dam at that place. IIe eventually came to St. Anthony, which is still his home. Ilis father is living with him-a vigorous old gentleman, eighty-seven years of age. Charles Estes enlisted in the Ninth Minnesota Infantry, and served three years. lle is one of the old settlers, and has a fine place. The first brick made in this county were manufactured on his farm. flis wife
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HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.
was Mrs. Julia Estes, whom he married in 1872. They have three children living.
Elijah W. Grindall (deceased i was born Septem- ber 20th. 1804. at Penobscot. Hancock county, Maine. He received his education in the public schools, and then worked at farming. In Janu- ary. 1826. he married Caroline Iliggins, who bore him nine children. Mr. Grindall came to St. An- thony in 1854. after a few months residence in Jowa. He was an energetic farmer, and served as County Commissioner several terms. Ilis death occurred in 1872. Mrs. Grindall and her youngest son, Olin, live at the farm.
Ernest Hilgedick, a native of Germany, vas born in 1523. Ile attended school until sixteen years of age, and was employed in farming from that time until 1844, when he emigrated with his parents to America. He resided in Warren county, Missouri. until 1850; then spent three years in California, where he met with considera- ble success in mining. Ile came to Minnesota, and purchased a farm in Ramsey county. Lived there until he settled in this county, in 1872. His marriage with Lisetta Dothage occurred in 1853. They have ten children. Two of the sons are proprietors of the Edgewood Dairy.
Louis Kampff was born in Hanover, North Germany, in 1828. He learned the trade of pot- ter, and came to the United States in 1854, lived three years at Galena, Illinois, then came to St. Anthony, where he has since been engaged in the manufacture of pottery, with success. Hle was married in 1857, at Galena, Ilinois, to Minnie Kochlberg. of that place- seven children were born to thiem, six of whom are living.
M. F. Kletzin was born in North Prussia, in 1830. In 1852, he came to America and lo- cated at Lockport. New York. where he was en- gaged in gardening until 1556, when he came to St. Anthony, and resided in the city till 1865. then located on the place where he now lives. He has made gardening a successful business. Married in 1861. Johanna Sandhoff, who has borne him twochildren. but one of whom is living.
John Oberlies, a native of Germany, was born in 1831. At the age of fourteen, he began an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, and in 1853, came to America. He lived in Pennsylva- nia five years, then came to this county, and has
sinee resided in the town of St. Anthony. IIe was among the first carpenters who worked in Minneapolis. His wife was Miss Katherine Kess- ler. whom he married in 1854. They have had eight children, of whom five are living.
Nathan O. Phillips, one of the oldest settlers of St. Anthony township, was born in Windham county, Vermont, in 1822. Ile attended the pub- lic schools, until the age of eighteen, and was also engaged in the occupations of farmer and carriage builder. In 1844, he went to Boston, Massachusetts, and found employment in a wholesale paper establishment. where he re- mained about six years, and in 1850, came to St. Anthony. He lived there one year then made the claim where he has since re- sided. He has been clerk of the town for the last eighteen years. Ile was married in 1849, to Mary AA. Philbrook. Four children have been born to them, two now living: Eugnia F. and Proctor II.
C. J. Swanson was born in Smoland, South Sweden. He emigrated to the United States in 1869, and settled in MeLeod county. Minnesota; one year later he came to Minneapolis. He began the manufacture of brick in 1876. The business has since been prosperous. The yards are located on the east side of the river. three miles north of the city and furnish employment to forty-five men and ten teams. He was married in 1876, to Christine Johnson, who has borne him one childl.
Frank Thiry, a native of France, was born February 25th, 1835. He engaged in farming till 1853 when he came to America. After a residence of two years in New York, where he learned the tinners' trade, he removed to Utica, thence to Illinois, and worked at his trade at Napierville. In 1857 he came to Saint Anthony and worked as timer for Spence and Pomeroy. In 1860 he established a hardware and tin store, and carried on the business five years, then took as partner, Charles Henry, and the firm of Frank Thiry and Company did a successful busi- ness for about ten years. Mr. Thiry was obliged to leave the city on account of ill-health, and has since lived on his farm. He still owns the business house, number 9. Main street, E. D. lle was married in 1860, to Caroline Stolzman; they have had eight children, seven of whom are living.
INTRODUCTORY.
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CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS.
CHAPTER LVI.
INTRODUCTORY-CLAIMS-FRANKLIN STEELE- BOUNDARIES -- FIRST DEED AFFIDAVIT OF SPENCE-NAVIGATION-SETTLERS AND LUM- BERMEN-STORES-MILL ERECTED-MISFOR- TUNES.
Waterfalls have always borne magic with them. It sparkles in their spray and shines in their rain- bows. Fairy stories are based on legends of mount- ain cascades, and good or bad spirits were in an- cient times supposed to hover around them to influ- ence the lives of visitors. Waverly has peopled the crags and glens of old Scotland with spirits wher- ever a well or waterfall was to be found. The poor Indian whose imagination could not extend so far, looked at the "Ka-ka-bi-ka Irara " as the abode of his Maniton. Jonathan Carver writes that, on his first visit to the falls, which happened about 1767, he was accompanied by a chief of the Winnebagoes. Ile says: "The Prince had no sooner gained the point that overlooked this wonderful cascade than he began with an andible voice to address the Great Spirit, one of whose places of residence he imagined this to be. IIe told Ilim that he had traveled a long way to pay his adorations to Him, and now would make Ilim the best offering in his power. Ile, accordingly, first threw his pipe into the stream, then the roll that contained his tobacco; after these the bracelets he wore upon his arms and wrists; next an ornament that encircled his neck and the ear- rings from his ears. In short, he presented to his God every part of his dress that was valuable. During this time he frequently smote his breast with great violence, threw his arms about, and appeared to be much afflicted. Alt this while he continued his adorations, and at length concluded them with fervent petitions that the Great Spirit would constantly afford us protection on our travels, giving us a bright sun, a blue sky and
clear untroubled waters. Nor would he leave until we had smoked together, with my pipe, in honor of the Great Spirit." The white man, who has usurped both hunting-ground and water-fall, worshiped money more than the God of Nature, and looked to the precious yellow metal to cure every disease and afford him both comfort and protection. He did not, like the Indian, fall down and worship the spirit of the falls; still, after admiring the beauty, he proceeded with lead and line to take its measurement, estimate its capacity to drive machinery, take its geographical situation with reference to commercial centres, and with mathematical estimates speculate on its future vatne. The Indian and his romantic vis- jons have passed away, and his Manitou has been forever dethroned. The falls themselves have covered their natural charms in answer to the be- hest of knowledge and progress. The new di- vinity, that has taken the abode of the Indian's Manitou, in obedience to the custom established when knowledge first crept into the Garden of Eden, is in one sense a god. The element of power, at least, remains; that element which to most men is the important attribute of Deity, to which in their view, knowledge, justice and good- ness are subordinate. This, with almost absolute sway, has determined the site of a great city, has compelled capital to come from afar to develop the resources of the great North-west, has gath- ered a population of fifty thousand people as devotees in its immediate vicinity, and more than twenty thousand more of farmers and smaller merchants to feed the central industry. No wand of fairy queen or " nod " of Indian Manitou was ever known to produce such a result. It is the purpose of this history to trace the development from the first.
In the year 1836. a territory existed in the North-west, called Wisconsin, organized that year, and including within its bounds, in addition to
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HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.
what is now Wisconsin. part of the upper peninsula of Michigan, the whole of Minnesota and lowa. and that part of Dakota lying east of the Missouri and White Earth rivers, At the intersection of the Mississippi river and the forty-fifth degree of north latitude. the waters of the mighty river poured over precipitous rocks, forming a beautiful water-fall, which had been de- seribed by many explorers as picturesque. and possibly of great value in the future. Such reports had prevailed for one hundred and fifty years, without eliciting general attention.
Major Plympton. of the 5th United States In- fantry. successor of Major Bliss in command at Fort Snelling, and others, made a claim at St. Anthony Falls. in 1836, and built a log house. In 1837. Sergeant Carpenter. of Company A of the same regiment, stationed at the Fort. made a claim adjoining that of Major Plympton, et al., on the north. In the summer of 1838. Franklin Steele appears as an interested partner in the claim of Major Plympton. Mr. Steele first arrived at Fort Snelling in 1837. as will appear in his biography. It though it would appear that from the first he purposed to secure the claim at the falls, still he waited the proper time to arrive. and in the meantime became interested in busi- ness at the Falls of St. Croix. The circumstances attending his pre-emption are as follows:
The steamer Burlington, Captain Throckmor- ton. arrived at Fort Snelling June 13th, 1838, having on board Franklin Steele, who had been spending the winter at Washington, P. F. Baker, a trader located near Fort Spelling. Captain Ma- ryatt of the British navy, and General AAtkinson. I. S. A. The next day the whole party rode ont to tlu. Falls of St. Anthony. Five days after this, the steamboat Ariel arrived from St. Louis, and a Mr. Beebe, one of the passengers, an- youneed the rumor that the I'nited States Senate had ratified the treaty with the Indians, by virtue of which the lands between the St. Croix and the Mississippi were ceded to the I'nited States. It was not, however, till the 15th of July. that the official notice was brought by the steamer l'al- myra. The first report created much interest among the aspirants for claims in the newly acquired territory. but the confirmation led to decided action.
It is said that in June, 1838, and, if this be a
correct date. before the official notice was re- ceived, Franklin Steele and Captain L. Scott. of the Fifth U. S. Infantry, set out post haste for the Falls of St. Anthony, each anxious to secure the best claim, including the falls. Captain Scott came up on the west side of the river. but was unable to cross. while Mr. Steele, who took the east bank. in company with assistants. was able to make a shanty ready to entertain his friends from the Fort when they made the detour neces- sary to join him on the opposite bank.
In reply to the allegation of Scott that the claim had been previously occupied by him in company with others, Mr. Steele answered, that their claim was void, for two reasons; first. be- cause made before the ratification of the treaty, and. secondly, because of the incapacity of the claimants to pre-empt land while holding military offices under the government.
This claim continued to be known for some time as the claim of Major Plympton and others. An old voyageur, named La Grue. was placed in charge, occupying a log honse opposite the falls, and until 1839 took care of the elaim. Ilis stewardship ended in a tragical manner. Owing to the distance of supplies and the semi-barbarous method of subsistence. of which hunting and fishing formed an important part, La Grue was frequently absent from home on a visit to the Fort or the government farm, to secure supplies, or on some hunting or fishing excursion. On re- turning from one of these, as he approached his hut, he saw from the high ground the smoking ruins of his cabin. Hurrying to the spot, he not only found everything burned, but the charred remains of his wife were also among the debris. The fire was supposed to be accidental, but no explanation could be obtained where none lived to explain. After grieving over his loss, he set out to go around by the island to cross the river and seek shelter at the government farm by the mill on the west side, but met a party of Chip- pewas, who had come down from the north to secure a few Dakota scalps. They received him at their camp, as night was coming on, and af- forded him such comfort as they could give. La Grue after this left the country.
One Charles Landry, also a French voyageur, was next placed in charge of the claim by Mr. Steele. Ilis irregularities were more blamable
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CLAIMS AND TRANSFERS.
than those of La Grne, for. returning from a somewhat extended absence, he found his cabin oeenpied, guarded and barred against him by some intruder. An adventurer, named James Mink, knowing the irregularities of the steward, had "jumped" the claim in his absence, and as the intruder seemed prepared and disposed Lo maintain his position, Landry left him in possess- sion and reported the outrage to Mr. Steele at the Fort.
Mr. Steele recovered his claim by purchase of Mink, paying him several hundred dollars, and Joseph Reachi was put in charge. lle was a Canadian voyageur and came from the Fort bringing his wife, five sons and two daughters.
In 1838, two houses, one each side of the river, were the only dwellings in what is now Minne- apolis. These were the old government house built in 1822, and the log house of Franklin Steele.
The Plympton claim was bounded on the north by a line beginning at a large cedar tree, situated on the east bank of the river, opposite where the "coffer dam" now is, thenee at right angles to the river indefinitely. It will appear from this and following descriptions, that the boundaries of these first claims were usually undefined, except where claims adjoined, and it was long before their east- ern boundaries were fixed at all, as claims were not made except on the river. The Mississippi formed the western boundary. The southern boundary was a line beginning at a point opposite the lower end of Spirit Island, thence easterly at right angles to the river indefinitely, as stated of the northern boundary.
The Carpenter claim, made as stated above, in 1837, was bounded on the south by the Plympton elaim, west by the river; the northern and eastern bounds were left indefinite, the whole lo contain about three hundred and twenty acres. These two claims embraced all the lands near the falls on the east side, esteemed valuable by claim- ants. November 8th, 1838. Sergeant Nathaniel Car- penter transferred to Private Thomas Brown, also of Company A, 5th United States Infantry, an un- divided half of his elaim, for twenty-five dollars, and a log house was built on the claim by the joint owners, situated near the river, at a place between what are now Third and Fourth Avenues north-east. The instrument by which this first
transfer of real estate now included in the city of Minneapolis was made, describes the lands as in the county of Crawford and Territory of Wisconsin, and is dated at Fort Snelling, lowa Territory, signed and sealed by Nathaniel Carpenter, in the presence of Geo. W. P. Leonard. Thomas Brown conveyed his interest, May 6th, 1840, to Peter Quinn, of St. Peter, Iowa Territory, by an in- strument attached to the former deed, signed by his mark and witnessed by Norman W. Kittson. Peter Quinn sold the same, May Ist, 1845, to S. J. Findley and R. P. Russell. The last two transfers were very loosely made, without seal and without naming a consideration. Moreover, Quin, who by deed had become entitled to an undirided half, after naming his interest adds in a parenthesis, " HIalf claim say north portion." Findley and Rus- sell deeded, May 9th. 1816, to Pierre Bottineau. This deed describes the property as a certain traet of United States land in the Territory of Wiscon- sin, St. Croix county, on the Mississippi river, above the Falls of St. Anthony, etc., containing one hundred and sixty acres, more or less, and names the consideration, one hundred and fifty dollars. This instrument is in the handwriting of Joseph R. Brown, and is witnessed by Mr. Brown and P. Prescott. It is signed and sealed by Find- ley and Russell. Notes of the transfers of the property and private history of the family have been preserved by J. B. Bottineau, to whom we are indebted.
It appears from notes of J. B. Bottinean that a transfer of the undivided half interest remain- ing in Sergeant Carpenter, after his deed to pri- vate Brown. was made to other parties, and be- came the property of Mr. Bottineau in 1841. In 1842 or '43, Petit John made a claim south of Mr. Steele's claim. After this date Major Plympton ceased to be known in connection with the claim originally made by him. In 1845 Bottineau pur- chased of Petit John his claim which extended from Mr. Steele's claim south indefinitely on the river, but was recognized as including the lands now known as University lands.
Joseph Rondo made a claim in 1843, north of the Carpenter claim. The other boundaries were quite indefinite. He was aggressive and trouble- some, and wanted to encroach on the Carpenter claim. especially on Boom Island.
Witnesses who established the line in 1838, were
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HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.
brought to prove the original bounds of the Car- penter claim on the north. A copy of his certifi- cate is given:
" This is to certify that I helped James Mink to run certain lines on claims belonging to Mr. Mink now said claim belonging to Mr. F. Steele) and one belonging to Mr. Quinn, lying on the east side of the Mississippi river. near the Falls of Saint Anthony. 1 do hereby certify that the northern line of the claim now belonging to S. J. Findley and R. P. Russell was run by me, in the year 1835. then belonging to Mr. P. Quinn. The said line was marked to commence on a large elm tree, near the shore. above the small island in the Mississippi river opposite said claiming. The said northern line was marked according to law. the trees all in a line. running due north- east from the river. or from above said elm tree, were blazed on four sides, as well as could be done then. This is to certify that according to the way the above said northern line of said claim was drawn, that Joseph Rondo has no claim whatever to it: that said Rondo drew his line inside of the above said line, some two or three years after, September 9th, 1815.
BABTIST SPENCE. Witness. PETER HAYDEN."
While Rondo. who lived at Saint Paul. was absent from his elaim. Mr. Bottineau with others, dragged his little claim cabin by a yoke of cattle. out a mile or more north. at such distance that they thought themselves safe from his encroach-
In the fall of 1545. Rondo, finding his claim too far north, and his shanty having been re- moved to a distance. abandoned his claim alto- gether.
Now, the whole east side belonged to two men. Franklin Steele and Pierre Bottineau.
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