History of Houston County, Including Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 64

Author: Edward D. Neill
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 547

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Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

At a meeting in March, it was concluded to hire the academy for $150.00 per year.

The board of education, at a meeting held on the 16th of July, 1881, appointed the following teachers: Miss Fannie E. Dunbar, Primary; Miss Emma Randolph, Second intermediate; Miss L. L. Wilder, First intermediate; Miss Josephine McCan, Grammar department. The salaries were

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adjusted as follows: Grammar and First interme- diate, $40 per month; Second intermediate and Primary, $35. W. D. Belden was appointed a member of the examining board.

At the annual school meeting in September, 1881, D. L. Buell and W. E. Dunbar were elected directors for the term of three years. A meeting of the board in September appointed A. H. Belding and G. J. Lomen, members of the board of exam- iners. D. L. Buell was made President; E. P. Dorival, Treasurer, A. J. Flynn, Clerk. In Decem- ber, 1881, the salary of Miss McCan, in the Gram- mer school was increased to $45 per month. Quite a full account of the transactions of the board of education has been thus presented, for present as well as prospective information as to school affairs, in the closing quarter of the nineteenth century, that has been so productive in new methods. In addition to what has been mentioned as having been done by the board since the new departure, a different series of books have been introduced as fast as possible, new charts have been ordered, and the most improved plans adopted. And if the people continue to second the motions of the board, the schools will continue to be objects of pride to the whole community.

OTHER DISTRICTS IN THE TOWNSHIP.

SCHOOL NO. 33 is the outcome of the original dis- trict No. 6. The first school taught was in the log house of Nelson Haight, on section twenty-eight, in the fall of 1859. The teacher was Mrs. Mary Whea- ton, now Mrs. M. L. Brigham. The next school was in the house of G. N. Thompson, just west of Flynn's stone house, on section thirty-three. In the summer of 1861, the teacher was Laura V. Haight. The next school was in Thompson's stone house. The school house of this district is on sec- tion twenty-seven; was erected in 1863, and has a comfortable seating capacity of fifty. The first school within its walls was presided over by Wm. Conniff, in the winter of 1863-64. About 1877, the German Catholics had a schoolhouse in which sev- eral terms were held ..

The first school in district No. 40, was at the house of Reuben Rollins. The district was estab- lished in 1859. The second school was in the house of J. Pope. The school house was built in 1863.

DISTRICT No. 21. The house was built in 1870. In 1866, there was a school in a log house on sec- tion twenty-two, Miss Margaret Murphy was the teacher. In 1868, a school was kept by Mr.

Green, in John Burns' house, on section twenty- three. In 1869, Mr. O. Madrill taught in the house of Mr. Bugbee, on section fourteen.

SCHOOLS NO. 35 AND 36, were the outcome of school started in 1856 or '57, in a log house on section eleven, where it was kept up until the win- ter of 1873, when two houses were put up, No. 35, on section eleven, and the other, No. 36, was built soon after on section nine. Mr. L. D. Churchill was among the first teachers in the log houses.

DOSTRICT No. 38. The schoolhouse was built in 1871.

DISTRICT No. 71. This house was built about the same time.

The history of these districts is not unlike, in the principal features, that of all the others. We have at first a necessity for a school, and a firm re- solve to meet the requirements, and then the best make-shift for a place and the best teacher availa- ble, and as the ability of the people grows, school houses are provided.

CALEDONIA ACADEMY.

This was an institution which, during its ten years of active existence, performed useful and val- uable work.

The Academy building was erected in 1869, by Rev. W. R. Powell, who conducted a school for one year, but not receiving sufficient patronage to meet the expenses, he gave it up and left the place. His successor in the pastorate of the Episcopal Church, then took charge of the school for about one year, when, as it did not meet his expecta- tions, it was again abandoned. In the fall of 1871, and the winter of 1872, Mr. E. W. Trask took hold of the enterprise. In the autumn of 1872, Prof. W. D. Belden, a young gentlemen of education, energy, and enterprise, assumed the management of the institution, and proceeded to organize an academy in accordance with the requirements of the times. A regular course of study was pre- scribed for four years, or, to be more exact, there were two courses, a practical one, where the stu- dent desired to have this end his school education, and a classical one for those who expected to en- ter a collegiate course, particular reference being had to the State University, this Academy being a connecting link between the common school and the University, which at that time was unprovided for by the State. The instruction given would en- able the student to receive a first-class teacher's certificate.

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The school went on with considerable success until 1875, when the building was thoroughly re- paired and improved, at an expense of about $1,- 000. The school was supplied with Camp's out- line maps, Cutter's physiological charts, a tele- scope of sufficient power to show the rings of Sat- urn, the moons of Jupiter, and the mountains on the moon, with a planetarium, a twelve inch globe, and other valuable implements. Many of the graduates of the Academy taught school in the county and elsewhere, while several went to the State University.

The attendance was quite large, the number in 1878 being fifty-five. Of course the number com- pleting the full four years course would be small. The first commencement was held in 1877, when the following class graduated with honor.

H. F. Arnold, Wilmington; Eva S. Belden, Cal- edonia; Hellen B. Coe, Caledonia; H. P. Shum- way, Wilmington; M. J. Taylor, Mayville.

The class of 1878 was: Frances V. Burns, Cale- donia; Evangeline P. Burns, Caledonia; Hattie H. Dunbar, Caledonia; Fannie P. Lapham, Win- nebago; M. T. McGinnis, Wilmington; Samantha L. Wright, Wilmington.

In the class of 1879, were Charles E. Heath, Fred. A. Wright, Fred. R. Williams.

In the class of 1880, were Miss Jennie Gibbs, and Gilbert Drowley.

At this time, there being public schools inter- mediate between the district and the University, the school was discontinued, and the building is now used for a public school.

During the time the Academy was under the charge of Prof. Belden, the following named assist- ant teachers were employed for longer or shorter periods: Miss . Larkie Lapham, Mrs. White, Miss, Kate Rudolph, and Miss Eva S. Belden. The members of the learned professions in town, and the leading citizens, were interested in its success. Dr. Castle, W. H. Harries, Esq., P. J. Smalley and others, delivered addresses in connection with the commencement exercises on the various occasions. This collegiate institute, while it remained in active operation, was an honor to its founders and to its principal, a matter of pride to the citizens, and an Alma Mater not to be ashamed of by its alumni. The building was not without architectural · pretensions, being of a modern style. It is in a good location, in the rear of the Episcopal Church, and is well adapted to school purposes.

POST-OFFICE.

The Post-office in Caledonia was first established in 1854. Before that time the settlers had to send to Brownsville for their mail, and any one going over was expected to bring what mail matter hap- pened to be there.

The arrival of the first mail bag was siezed upon by the restive citizens as a suitable occasion for a jollification, and an improvised programme was carried out, with volunteer pieces thrown in, to fill the measure of the impromptu hilarity.

It was established as a money order office on the 9th of September, 1867. Wells E. Dunbar was Postmaster. The first money order issued was to John O'Connor, on the 9th of November, 1867, for the sum of $10, payable to D. C. Cameron, of La Crescent. The second was issued to Albert H. Belding, for the sum of $10.71, payable to Root & Cady, Chicago. During that month eight orders were issued. In October, twenty-nine were sold, and in October, 1868, the number was fifty.

On the 16th of May, 1872, the key to open the new locks, just introduced, was received and re- ceipted for to the department by John Dorsch. The number of the key, which is still in"use in the office, is 58,338.

The business of the money order department kept on increasing until the establishment of the Bank of Caledonia, when it began to fall off, although a large business is still done in this branch of the office. The sales of stamps, stamped envelopes, and postal cards amount to from $400 to $460 per month.

In the absence of the early records, and frora early recollection, the list of those who have been Postmasters in the Caledonia office is here given, as nearly as can be ascertained: Samuel McPhai, William McKee, Peter H. Thomas, A. S. Lindsey, R. S. Williams, C. G. Ward, J. G. Prentiss, H. E .. Belding, John Dorsch, Wells E. Dunbar, O. C. Wall, John Dorsch, again, and O. E. Comstock.

The above list must be approximately correo , although it is possible that James Wertz an i John B. Neff should be added to the list. Amon ( the quite large number of old settlers who were consulted as to the postmasters, no two agree . This is mentioned to show the difficulty of pre - curing accurate information in the absence ([ record evidence.

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CHURCHES.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- As early as 1854, the Rev. Mr. Wing, an exploring missionary, visited this lecality and held a meeting in the log cabin of Mr. James Belden, & half-mile southwest of the town. After the second meeting in the same place, a class was organized embracing the following members: Lewis Herring, John Pad- dock and wife, Nelson Haight and wife, H. M. Phelps and wife, Daniel Cook and wife, Samuel Armstrong and wife, and Lucy Stewart. Mr. Phelps was appointed leader. Soon after this, Rev. Benj. Crist was appointed to Brownsville, and he preached several times here, finding little encour- agement. . His meetings were held in a log house used as & tavern by James Hiner. It was after- wards used as a blacksmith shop.

The next year, 1855, the first conference of the Methodist church was held, and the towns of Cale- donia, Brownsville, and Hokalı, were designated as the Caledonia circuit.

Subsequently it was enlarged by the addition of Hacket's Ridge, Pope's Prairie, Winnebago Val- ley, and Portland Prairie, which points became appointments in the same charge.

The first regular assignment to the charge was Rev. John Hooper, who was allowed by the con- ference the sum of $50, as from the reports of the itinerants who had visited the places, the mission would prove far from self supporting, and the ex- periment confirmed the unpromising character of the field in a pecuniary view. Mr. Hooper was a painstaking and industrious minister.

The first quarterly meeting held in Caledonia was in the house of Mr. Phelps, in October, 1855. Rev. Norris Hobart was the presiding elder. Rev. Mr. Hooper was present, and Ransom Scott, an enthusiastic exhorter, was also in attendance. H. M. Phelps was class leader. The minister reported that he had received in contributions the sum of fifty cents, and his traveling expenses had amounted to $17, which had been taken from the $50 allowed him as a missionary.

At this meeting a board of stewards was elected as follows: Lewis Herring, Nelson Haight, and Oreb Parker, with H. M. Phelps as recording steward, which place he held several years.

Hokah was an important part of the conference at that time, and at the second quarterly meeting, which was held there, that society had paid $20 or the support of preaching.

The third quarterly meeting was held at Port- land Prairie, and in 1856, Mr. Hooper was returned with an allowance of $100 for the coming year. Mr. Hooper was reported as being a successful preacher, although not particularly so in Cale- donia. At the quarterly meeting in April, 1857, Mr. N. Haight and Robert Lewis were appointed a committee to obtain subscriptions toward a fund to build a parsonage. Samuel McPhail donated two lots for a church and parsonage, and in the fall of 1859, the house was so far finished as to be occupied.

Rev. J. L. Dyer succeeded Mr. Hooper in 1857. He was an elderly man, with a rough exterior and much earnestness as a preacher. He had been a lead miner at Galena, Illinois, and engaged ex- tensively in revival work; his habit being to visit every family in the place, and by personal effort endeavor to awaken a religious interest. At the end of a year he wended his way west, with the hope of discovering pastures new, where a more abundant harvest would be the reward of his la- bors.

Rev. E. Haight was here a year, in 1858 and '59. He was also an elderly men, and lived a short distance from Caledonia with Mr. Swartout. Rev. J. Cowden followed in the spring of '59, and he resided in Money Creek. Of course all these min- isters were on the circuit, which embraced several appointments. In 1860, there was a short confer- ence year, caused by a change in the date of the conference from the spring to the fall, and for this brief term Rev. Mr. Ellingwood was the pastor. In the fall, Rev. Mr. Wendell came and remained one year. In 1861, Rev. Nahum Taintor, a mid- dle aged gentleman, came, and was here until the fall of 1863, and then came Rev. Mr. White, who stayed three years, the full period allowed by the denomination. Succeeding him, in the fall of 1866, was the Rev. John W. Klepper, who infused new life into Methodism here. He was a worker and speaker, and his being here marked an epoch in the history of the church in Caledonia, by the building of the edifice and solidifying the congre- gation. Brownsville, Hackets Ridge, and Winne- bago Valley, were dropped one after another. Portland Prairie, being the only other appoint- ment, services were held every Sunday in each place. At the end of two years, in the fall of 1868, Rev. James Door, a native of New York, succeeded him and remained one year, when Rev. A. M. Ste-

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vens, a Virginian, was assigned to the charge, but before the year was through, his voice failed, and the pulpit was transiently filled until fall, when Rev. Linderman Wright, of Ohio, came, remaining one year. In the fall of 1871, there came a young man just from a Theological school, Rev. Henry C. Jennings, who became popular, and did con- siderable revival work. He remained two years. The next minister was Rev. Aaron Matson, of Ohio, an elderly gentleman who was here two years. 'The parsonage was built during his term.

The years 1875 and '76 were without a pastoral appointment here.

About this time the people of Portland Prairie succeeded in building a church.

Rev. W. M. Bowdish was stationed in Caledo- nia in the fall of 1876, and remained two years. In 1878, Rev. W. A. Miles succeeded him, remain- ing one year. Rev. A. P. Bunce was located here in 1878, and still remains. The church is on the corner of Grant and Kingston streets.

The Sunday school was at first a union school, the various denominations joining in its exercises, and assisting in carrying it on, but after a time it became distinctively a Methodist school, and so continued up to the spring of 1863, when it again became a union school. After the church was built it resumed its place as an auxillary to the church, and has kept on to the present time with varying interest in its operations.

The two churches, Caledonia and Portland Prai- rie, which are under one charge, now number fifty members, thirty in Caledonia and twenty at Port- land Prairie. In 1874, there were sixty-five active members in Portland Prairie, and fifty-one in Cale- donia. The loss has been from removals more than any other cause.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .- This society was organized on the 17th of May, 1863, by Rev. James Frothingham. Rev. E. W. Rice, a missionary, was also present. The meeting was held at the court house. The following persons handed in their letters from other societies: Mr. Peter H. Thomas, Mrs. Frances Thomas, Mr. John Craig, Mrs. Elizabeth Craig, and Mr. S. Jefferson. Miss Emily Pope passed an examination. John Craig was appointed an Elder of the Presbyterian church, and was ordained on the 26th of June, 1863. At a meeting on the 27th of June, Miss Emily Pope was received into the church, with Miss Sarah Hazeltine. It seems that a church in

Hokah had disbanded, and Mrs. J. S. Prentiss and Miss Ruth Prentiss, of Spring Grove, were receiv- ed into the church here. At this meeting Elizabeth Smith was admitted by examination, and Mrs. James Frothingham by letter.

At a meeting on the 9th of January 1864, Mr. D. L. Buell and Mrs. Harriet Buell were admitted to membership.

The church was built in 1864, and is a neat structure, on South Street, near Ramsey.

Mr. Craig preached until 1866, when Rev. Wm. T. Hendren was installed as pastor, remaining until 1872. Rev. Mr. Radcliffe was here awhile, then followed Rev. Mr. James for about two years, then the Rev. Wm. G. Westervelt, who remained until October, 1880, and since that time there has been no settled minister. The Sunday-school is still kept up.

William D. Belden is Superintendent, and D. T. Buell has charge of the Bible class. Miss Fan- nie E. Dunbar is organist.

During the existence of the Society, about fifty persons were admitted as members, and according to the revised list there were twenty-three mem- bers when the last pastor severed his relations with it. The record reveals thirteen marriages sol- emnized by the several pastors. With a pastor in charge, the Society now seems to possess the ele- ments of prosperity.

ROMAN CATHOLIC.

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST .- This is the elder of the two Catholic societies in Caledonia, and there are perhaps 150 families attending upon its ministra- tions. The edifice is capacious, and occupies a whole square, with Washington Street in front, South Street in the rear, and Kingston and Deco- rah Streets on either side. The present pastor is Rev. Father Shanahan, who has a residence near the county buildings on Marshall Street.

The building now occupied by the church was erected during the earlier years of the war, the Rev. Charles Koeberl being the resident priest at the time. The earliest meetings in town must have been held in 1855, when itinerant mis- sionaries from Wisconsin, and perhaps Winona, visited the settlement, and held mass at private houses; the first of these remembered was Mi- chael Pendergast. A small place of worship was erected, which soon gave place to the present church building. Rev. Father F. Essing was the first regular priest here, and he was followed by

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Rev. Mathew Sturenberg, who was familiarly called Father Mathew; Rev. Father Muchelberger, and then Rev. Charles Koeberl. The language used in this church, aside from the Latin ritual, is the English, as most of the congregation have this as their mother tongue.

ST. PETER'S CHURCH .- This congregation and church is made up of those Catholics in Caledonia and vicinity, who use and understand the German language. A separation was made in the year 1873, when the present church was completed. The building is a very fine structure of stone, which cost $30,000, with lofty spire and a large, fine toned bell. It is located on Pine Street, near the corner of South. A pastoral residence is in process of construction on the lot north of the house of worship.

In connection with the church is a parochial school under the charge of the Sisters of Notre Dame. There are about 100 pupils.

The Rev. Charles Koeberl was in charge when the church was built.

Rev. John Zuzek has been the pastor since June, 1878, and the congregation now numbers 165 families.

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- This church was built in 1868, under the fostering care of Rev. Wm. R. Powell. It is quite a neat structure, well adapted to the wants of the society. Mr. J. South- worth had charge of the building while it was being erected. After Mr. Powell left, Rev. Mr. Lorr was the pastor for some time. He was aoci- dently killed in Brownsville. Rev. Mr. Gur is the present minister, who also has chage of two other churches.

FRATERNAL ORDERS.

MASONIC, CALEDONIA LODGE, A. F. & A. M., No. 20 .- The first meeting was held under dispensa- tion from the grand lodge of Minnesota, Friday evening, the 2d day of October, 1857. At this meeting there was present Wm. B. Bushfield, W. M .; Wm. F. Dunbar, S. W .; Robert S. Williams, J. W .; Samuel McPhail, A. D. Sprague, Wm. W. Willis, and as visiting brothers, James Hiner and Eugene Marshall of Hokalı Lodge, No. 17.

A full charter was subsequently granted from the grand lodge, bearing date the 7th of January, 1858, and having the names of the officers above mentioned as charter members.

The first application for the degrees conferred in Masonry, was that of Wm. D. Gibbs. After

the usual preliminary steps he was duly elected, and on the evening of November 17th, 1858, he received

"The ancient rites and regulations. The passwords, the grips, and signals, Used among the pristine brothers, By this mystic organization, This fraternal order, Received its truthful teachings, Its principles of virtue, Its simple traditions."

The lodge seems to have had a healthy growth from the first, and is in a good condition. The lodge room is on Kingston Street, and is plainly, neatly, and appropriately furnished.

Here are the names of the past masters of the lodge; Wm. B. Burfield, R. S. Williams, W. W. Willis, Eugene Marshall, C. A. Coe, G. N. Gates, W. H. Harries, G. T .. Gates, E. W. Trask.

The officers for 1881 were: W. H. Harries, W. M .; E. W. Trask, S. W .; John Aiken, J. W .; Geo. Nye, S. D .; B. B. Webster, J. D .; D. Hainz, Treas .; P. A. Pope, Sec .; F. Krick, Ty.

Officers for 1882: E. W. Trask, W. M .; J. Aiken, S. W .; Jesse Scofield, J, W .; C. S. Trask, Sec .; D. Hainz, Treas; O. E. Comstock, S. D .; B. B. Webster, J. D .; W. H. Harries, S. S .; George Nye, J. S.

The membership of the lodge is among the leading citizens. Samuel McPhail, the original proprietor of the village plat, was an active Ma- son, and frequently in the chair during its early history.

ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORKINGMEN.

CALEDONIA LODGE, No. 61 .- A Lodge of this fraternal and beneficial order was instituted in Caledonia in 1879. The charter is dated Feb- ruary 18th, and shows the following charter mem- bers:

Dr. F. Castle, James McMahon, John F. Rus- sell, George B. Winship, Albert H. Belding, E. P. Dorival, Spafford Williams, David P. Thompson, John Abbotts, and James B. Davidson. The Lodge at first met in the Masonic Hall, on Kings- ton Street. This is a beneficial order, paying specific sums in case of disability or death.

There have been several other organizations of a like character, which have been discontinued,

MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.

Manufacturing in Caledonia is not very exten- sive. The establishments in operation are pains- taking, and turn out good articles, and as time

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goes on, these shops may be enlarged and others will arise, as there seems to be no good reason why this should not be a manufacturing point.

The first manufacturing establishment that claims our attention is that of Thomas Abbotta, who has a steam engine and other machinery for the manufacture of wagons, drays, buggies, sleighs, and other carriage work. He also manufactures cultivators and other farm machinery. Mr. Abbotts is also an extensive dealer in agricultural machin- ery and implements. His place is on Main Street, on the north side, but with an office on the oppo- site side of the street.

FLOURING MILL.

In 1855, a saw-mill was built by Armstrong and Curry,in the north western part of the township, on Beaver Creek, near the center of section five. It was a primitive affair with a single up and down frame saw. Two or three years later a grist mill was added, with a single run of stones. In 1867, Mr. John Blinn bought the grist mill, the saw mill by this time having disappeared, and the next year put in another run of stones. He thus run it until 1875, when he built a fine stone mill, 34x54 feet, three stories high, and placed four run of stones in it, three for flour and one for corn and feed, also one purifier, one separator, one smutter, one corn sheller, and other machinery. The power is obtained by two feet of head and two turbine wheels. It manufactures twenty-five barrels a day.

PRESENT BUSINESS ENTERPRISES.

BANKING .- After the Post-office became a mon- ey order office, most of the exchange was effected through money orders, excepting large transact- ions, which had to be done through La Crosse, or some other city. The only bank in town is THE BANK OF CALEDONIA,-A private institution, own- ed and managed by A.D. Sprague and J. C. Easton, which went into operation on the 1st of June, 1875. As to the amount of capital, enough is used to be profitably employed in that way, and the respon- sibility of the bank is only limited by the individ- ual and collective wealth of the owners; and to speculate in that regard would leave the question all unsettled, but as the philosophical Mercrutio remarked "it will suffice."

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History of Houston County, Including Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 64

Author: Edward D. Neill Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Number of Pages: 547

Author: Edward D. Neill
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 547