History of Houston County, Including Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 90

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

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ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN .- This society was organized in 1871, and a church building was erected the same year on a lot procured of Mr. C. Laufer, on the northeast of the southwest of sec- tion thirty-two; it has no architectural preten- tions and cost not over $800. This society was brought into existence by Rev. Fred Zeifert, of Wabasha county, Minnesota, who remained for two years, and was followed by Rev. C. Boettcher. For several years the supply has been by Rev. Carl Gutknecht, who officiates once in two weeks. There were originally about eighteen members in- cluded in this departure, and the number is said not to have increased. There is also a cemetery connected with this church. It is understood that the first interment was that of an infant child of Wm. Overman, whose parents live near the line in Iowa.

During the winter months a school is usually held in an addition to the church. If the Luth- erans were united and consolidated, they would have a powerful church.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL .- As already stated, this denomination was early in the field, in an- other part of the town from where the present edifice is located. It seems that Mr. Cramer met a Methodist minister on a Mississippi steamer, and requested him to see Mr. Hobart, the Presid- ing Elder, and have him send a minister down to this region; and the Elder learning, in this way, that there were some Methodists near the State line south of Caledonia, sent down an appoint- ment by Bro. Ransom Scott, an exhorter who had already held a meeting there, and so on the 1st of December, 1855, Rev. Mr. Hooper arrived there

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and preached at the house of widow Coil, which was in Iowa, and was burned in 1863.

At the second appointment a class was formed, composed of the following persons: Mr. and Mrs. Peter Paige, Mr. and Mrs. J. McNelly, Mr. and Mrs. A. Gilbert, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Green, Sarah Albee, and Mr. Cramer. J. McNelly was desig- nated Leader.

These pioneer meetings were described as most remarkable, producing a profound effect upon the audiences, which was manifested in various ways.

Soon after this a sad affair occurred, the full horrors of which were not realized for months afterwards. It was on the 9th of December that Ransom Scott, the exhorter above mentioned, went to Portland Prairie to have a meeting, and, not- withstanding the snow which was on the ground, and still falling in a boisterous storm, he persisted in attempting to return, contrary to the urgent advice of his friends. He lived with Mr. Young, near North Ridge, an uncle of his about eight miles away. That he did not return for several days caused no apprehension, on account of the character of the traveling. Soon, however, the facts became known, and a careful search was in- stituted, but not a single trace discovered. The next May his remains were found scattered about in a ravine, two miles beyond his home. The wolves had devoured him, excepting a part of his feet, which, encased in his boots, the ravenous beasts could not penetrate; only a few shreds of clothing remained. His skull was some distance away. His bible, hymn book, pocket book, watch, and pocket knife were also found. Possibly he was attacked by the wolves, but the probabil- ity is that he perished in the snow, and his body being found, they proceeded to appease their ap- petites. He was a promising young man, twenty- six years of age, and was from New York State.

A union Sunday school was started, which af- terwards became the church school. This society went on with few eventualities, worthy of mention, being connected with the Caledonia circuit, and as to the various pastors, the accounts of the Cale- donia church will furnish their names and the time of their respective services.

On the 30th of January, 1876, the board of trustees, previously chosen, met at the residence of George Cass, to take into consideration the subject of building a church. The sum of $875 was reported as being pledged to the object.

George and Ellen Cass gave to the society a deed conveying a lot. A building committee was appointed, consisting of F. Healey, Henry Robinson, George Cass, and E. L. Arnold, with Mr. Cass as treasurer. The subscription after- wards got up to $1,540; Mr. J. McNelly procured a plan from St. Paul. The contract was let to Mr. Tuttle, of New Albin, and such commend- able expedition followed that the building was completed the following June. The church has a spire, and the windows have blinds. The build- ing is in every way neat and tasty, and is a credit to the little Methodist community. The society is still associated with Caledonia, and Rev. C. A. Bunce is the pastor.

BAPTIST SOCIETY .- A Baptist organization was effected in 1866, by some of the Swedes and Nor- wegians. Rev. A. Sevin was the minister, and he was at the time also a part owner of the upper mill. The society is still in existence, and the or- ganization still kept up.

ROMAN CATHOLIC .- There is no church of this kind in town, but north of the river that faith predominates, as it was settled by an Irish Catho- lic population, who attend church in Caledonia.

STATE AND. COUNTY OFFICERS.

The town of Winnebago has furnished the fol- lowing officers for the positions named:

C. A. Coe was a member of the constitutional convention in 1858, which prepared the constitution that was subsequently adopted by a vote of the State. Mr. Coe was elected County Treasurer in 1863, and served six years, or three terms. He was a member of the legislature in 1859 and 1860.

D. P. Temple, a native of Connecticut, was the first County Superintendent of schools, and served several terms. He was also County Com- missioner from 1861 to 1867, which includes the period of the war of the rebellion. He was elected State Senator in 1867.

E. P. Dorival was chosen County Auditor in 1862, serving one term of two years.

N. E. Dorival was chosen County Auditor in 1864 and served three terms, or six years.

E. W. Trask was a member of the legislature one term, and served as County Anditor six years.

H. F. Kohlmeier was elected to the State Legis- lature in 1881 ..

The present officers of the town are: Super- visors, F. Pottratz, Chairman; H. Bunge, and S.

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Fuos; Clerk, E. Stevens; Treasurer, C. Bunge, Jr .; Assessor, E. Stevens; Justice of the Peace, T. B. Barber; Constable, A. Wiegrefe.

BRICK MAKING.

A new industry was started in the spring of 1881, M. C. Bunge commenced the manufacture of brick, and during the season burned two kilns containing in the aggregate 150,000 brick.

RECAPITULATION.

There are in the township of Winnebago, two flouring mills, one of them with three run of buhr stones and the other with two run; one hotel, four churches, five schoolhouses, two of stone and three frame structures, with several joint districts where there are houses just outside the town line. And as to postal facilities, there are three Post- offices, which, in addition to accommodating its people, also accommodates the residents of the towns east and west, as well as south, in Iowa.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

T. B. BARBER is a native of Clarion county, Pennsylvania, of Scotch-Irish parentage, born on 21st of February, 1835, about three miles east of the present county seat which was, in 1839, locat- ed in a wilderness. His parents moved to the lat- ter place in 1841. He attended private and pub- . lic schools until the age of twelve years, when he entered the "Clarion Democrat" printing office. After serving an apprenticeship of eighteen months, and having learned all that the limited office was capable of teaching, he was given a sit- uation in his father's drug and general store, re- maining until 1851. In the latter year he was sent to the Saltsburg Academy, where he took a strictly mathematical course, to fit him for civil engineering, the vocation he had chosen, and re- mained until 1853. At that time he was given a position in an engineer corps on the New Portage railroad, where he had charge of the construction of a road over the Alleghany mountains in Penn- sylvania. In 1856, the road being nearly com- pleted, he tendered his resignation with the inten- tion of pursuing civil engineering and surveying in the West, having letters of introduction to the Governor and other officials of the then territory of Minnesota. While on a visit home, before starting west, he was offered the situation of clerk in the Commissioner's office, and also a special clerkship in the Register and Recorder's office,

which he accepted. He was married on the 5th of November, 1857, to Miss Jennie C. Alexander, of Clarion. Beside the first mentioned clerkship, he was in the Prothonotary, Treasurer, and Sheriff's office until 1863, when he was elected Register and Recorder and Clerk of the Orphan's Court, but still retained his clerkship in the Commissioner's office. At the expiration of his two terms of office (in 1869) he resumed his former clerkships and held the same until 1871. In the latter year a Discount and Deposit Bank was organized in Clarion, in which Mr. Barber was offered and ac- cepted the position of cashier. In 1874, he re- signed his position to take charge of his property in Houston county, having previously purchased (in 1869) a flouring mill and farm. He arrived at his place in Winnebago on the 2d of October, 1874, and proceeded to enlarge and improve his mill and farm, building a store-house, dwelling, barn, etc., his property now comprising nearly six hundred acres. He has filled the office of Justice of the Peace two terms and has held some of the minor town offices. Mr and Mrs Barber have been bless- ed with two children, one of whom is living, Wil- liam R, now a resident of Fairfield, Iowa.

JOHN BURMESTER is a native of Hanover where his birth occurred the 5th of September, 1827. He has been a resident of Winnebago since 1862, first working a farm on shares, but in 1867, pur- chased the farm on which he now lives. He en- tered the army on the 3d of November, 1864, and served in Company K, of the Fifth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, until the close of the war.

CHRISTIAN BUNGE, JR., is a native of Germany, born in the province of Hanover on the 10th of April, 1846. His parents came to America when he was about eleven years of age, locating in Cook county, Illinois. They remained there sev- eral years and came to Winnebago, Christian go- ing to Chicago, where he found employment and remained until 1865, when he enlisted in the One hundred and twenty-first New York Volunteer In- fantry. He was soon, however, transferred to the Sixty-fifth New York, serving till the close of the war. He then returned to Chicago and was em- ployed as clerk in a store till 1867, when he came to this place and opened a store, in which business he is still engaged. In April, 1868, he was ap- pointed Postmaster, the office being located at his store; has also been Town Clerk, and is now Town Treasurer. Miss Dorothy Wunneke became his

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wife in the year 1871. She has borne him seven children.

WILLIAM CASS is a native of Smithfield, Rhode Island, where his birth occurred on the 2d of March, 1809. The family removed to what is now the town of Blackstone, when William was but an in- fant. At the age of twenty-one years he com- menced learning the blacksmith trade, at which he was engaged there and at Waterford for about twenty-eight years. In 1858, he came to Wilming- ton, and six months later to his present farm. Mr. Cass has filled the office of Supervisor three years.

BARNEY DETERS dates his birth the 4th of April, 1838, in Prussia, where he was reared on a farm, and remained until twenty-one years of age. He then came to America, locating in Ad- dison, Illinois, where he was employed in an oil factory. In 1862, he came to Iowa and resided with his uncle, who lives just south of the State line. Mr. Deters has been a resident of this place since 1863. Miss Margaret Rober became his wife on the 22d of November, 1866, and died in 1878, leaving seven children. His present wife was Mrs. Mary Andres, who had two of her own and five step-children. The result of this union has been two children, one of whom, a daughter Rosine, was killed by a falling shot-gun on the 9th of February, 1880. Mr. Deters has filled the office of Justice of the Peace for twelve years.

WILLIAM FREIBERG is a native of Germany, born on the 23d of February, 1849. He was reared to farming pursuits and attended school until 1865, when he came to Minnesota and en- tered the blacksmith shop of his brother at Brownsville, remaining three years. He afterward worked at his trade at Winona, Minnesota, and Trempeleau, Wisconsin, then returned to Browns- ville, for a short time. After residing in Chi- cago for some time, he again returned to Brownsville and took charge of his brother's shop. In 1874, Mr. Freiberg came to Eitzen and opened a blacksmith shop, to which he has since added a wagon manufactory. On the 24th of November, 1880, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary Bunge, who has borne him one child, Edmund H.

FREEMAN GRAVES, the first white settler of Win- · nebago, is a son of Simeon Graves, who served in the Revolutionary war, taking part in many of the principal battles. The subject of this sketch was born in Underhill, Chittenden county, Ver-

mont, on the 10th of July, 1809. When a youth of about six summers he removed to Franklin county, New York, and at the age of twenty-two to St. Lawrence county, where he was employed in various occupations. On the 6th of February, 1833, he was married to Miss Betsy Billings, of St. Lawrence county. They came to Wisconsin in 1846, remained until 1851, when Mr. Graves came to this place, and the following year brought his family here. Ten children have been born to him, only four of whom are living.

WILLIAM JONES was born in Franklin county, New York, on the 11th of March, 1817. His father died when William was about fifteen years of age, leaving him dependent upon himself for support, after which he found employment in different parts of the State. In 1844, he married Miss Clara Billings, the event dating the 10th of March. In 1854, they moved to Illinois, where Mr. Jones was engaged on the canal for about two years; then came to this place and pre-empted the land on which he now lives. He afterward lived in Lansing, Iowa, two years, engaged in supply- ing the Mississippi steamers with wood. In 1859, he returned to his farm, which he has since made his home. Of five children born to him, three are living. .

REV. JOHN JAHN, pastor of the Union Evan- gelical Church, is a native of Wurtemburg, Ger- many, where his birth occurred on the 7th of Sep- tember, 1834. He was reared on a farm, and when seven years of age went to Esslingen, and at- tended school six years, then pursued his studies at St. Chris-chona, Switzerland, four years. He afterward assisted his father on the farm for a time, then resumed his studies in Basel, Switzerland. After leaving the latter place Mr. Jahn went to Russia as a missionary, remaining four years. In 1865, he came to America, locating in Osseo, Hen- nepin county, where he was pastor of a church; then to Watertown, Carver county, one year, and in August, 1871, to Houston county, settling in Brownsville. Since 1878, he has been a resident of this place, first as pastor of the Evangelical Lu- theran Church, and in January, 1881, took his present charge. Miss Mary Van Osten Sacken became the wife of Mr. Jahn. She is a native of Russia. Of six children born to them, four are living.

HON. H. F. KOHLMEIER was born in the prov- ince of Hanover, on the 1st of March, 1842. His

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parents moved to America when he was twelve years old, arriving in Chicago on the 13th of August, 1854, and remained in the State until coming to this place in 1857. His father served in the Fifth Minnesota Infantry, and when recov- ering from sickness wandered from the hospital at Richmond and has never been found. The subject of this sketch enlisted in the Fifth Iowa Volun- teer Infantry, Company K, participating in the battles of Iuka, Champion Hill, siege of Vicks- burg, and others. He resided in Lansing, Iowa, for a time after his discharge, then returned to the old farm which has since been his home. In 1869, he married Miss Catharine Burmester, the ceremony taking place the 13th of March. This union has been blessed with seven boys. Mr. Kohlmeier has filled several local offices, and in 1880, was chosen as a member of the House of Representaves, which position he now holds.

CONRAD LAUFER is a native of Baden, Germany, born on the 26th of November, 1832. He was employed at farming, in a flour-mill, and after- ward in a hotel, coming to America in 1857. He located in Dorchester, Iowa, where he was em- ployed in a flour-mill. Miss Mary Schott became his wife, the marriage occurring at Dorchester on the 20th of August, 1861. In 1865, they came to this place and located their present farm. The house being situated on the main road was a con- venient stopping place for travelers, and finally Mr. Laufer erected a hotel which he has since con- tinued. Of eleven children born to them, six are living.

CORNELIUS METCALF, SR., is a native of Wor- cester county, Massachusetts, born on the 10th of December, 1806. His father died when Cornelius was but eighteen months old, and at the age of fourteen years he commenced life for himself, en- gaged in farming until twenty, when he learned the machinist trade in Rhode Island. In 1858, he came to Winnebago, which has since been his home.

D. G. METCALF, a son of the subject of our last sketch, is also a native of Worcester connty, born at Blackstone on the 10th of March, 1847. He has always resided with his parents, and since 1869, has had charge of the farm. He was mar- ried on the 30th of April, 1869, to Miss Florence M. Yeaton. She died on the 14th of May, 1877, leaving two children.

REV. ADOLPH NIEDERGESASS is a native of

Germany, where he attended school from the age of fourteen to twenty years. He then taught until twenty-five, when he went to Egypt as a missio- nary teacher, remaining two years and visiting the holy land and many places of interest in and near Jerusalem. Mr. Niedergesass has traveled ex- tensively through the Old World, having visited Spain, France, Italy, and other countries. He came to America in the steamer which brought Cleopatra's needle, and soon after entered the semi- nary of the Evangelical Synod of North America, located in Missouri. Since June, 1881, he has been a resident of this place, in charge of the Evangelical church.

R. E. SHUMWAY was born at Oxford, Worcester county, Massachusetts, on the 1st of June, 1833. He moved with his parents to Burrillville, Rhode Island, when ten years old; was there employed in the woolen mills and also attended school. In 1854, he entered a store as clerk; two years later came to Wilmington, and in 1868, to his present farm. Miss Hannah E. Metcalf became his wife on the 4th of March, 1860. Mr. Shumway served in Company A, of the Fifth Minnesota Infantry. Since 1863, he has been Postmaster of the Wil- mington Post-office. Five children have been born to them, three of whom are living.

EDMUND STEVENS, one of the prominent pioneers of Houston county, is a native of England, being born in Grandborough, Bucks county, fifty miles northwest of London, on the 30th of March, 1829. When Edmund was ten years old he began work- ing on a farm, attending school during the winter months for three or four years. When seventeen years old he became employed as carpenter on railroad work, continuing that occupation for three or four years, but afterwards returned to the farm. In the spring of 1850, he was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Tompkins, who died in September of the same year. In October, 1851, Miss Eliza- beth Brinklow became his wife, and the following spring the young couple sailed for America, ar- riving in New York on the 13th of March, 1852. Two days later, they started for Buffalo, New York, where they remained about a month,arriving in Jackson, Jackson county, Michigan, on the 3d of May. There he was employed as carpenter and joiner, and remained in that State five years. On the 30th of March, 1857, he left Michigan for the West, landing in Brownsville, in the then territory of Minnesota, on the 3d of April. The next morn-

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ing Mr. Stevens set out on foot in search of an old friend, named Littleford, residing in Crooked Creek Valley. After traveling some hours, he stopped at a log cabin to make inquiries, when a tall, stout man, dressed in a suit of buckskin, ap- peared at the door and directed him to Mr. Little- ford's residence. This worthy pioneer was named Anthony Huyck, now a well-known and esteemed citizen of Houston county. Mr. Littleford then resided on a farm now owned by Anthony Noel, near Freeburg mills, and from him Mr. Stevens rented a few acres, to which place he removed his family from Michigan in June of the same year. In No- vember following, he removed to Winnebago Val- ley, settling on the farm of Wyman Trask, on sec- tion twenty-three in the present town of Winne- bago, and has been a resident of the Valley ever since.

On the 1st of December, 1876, Mrs. Stevens was removed by death, leaving six daughters and one son, the youngest a boy of nine years. Mr. Stevens was again married on the 4th of Sep- tember, 1878, the lady of his choice being Miss Josephine C. Jones, a daughter of William Jones, one of the pioneers who settled in Winnebago town- ship in 1855. Two children are the fruits of this union. The subject of our sketch has been promi- nently identified with the progressive element of the town for the last twenty-four years. He has been Town Clerk twenty-one years, Justice of the Peace eighteen years, Assessor fourteen years, and Postmaster seven years; and in addition to these already mentioned, now holds the position of Notary Public, and also carries on a general real estate and insurance business.

YUCATAN.

CHAPTER LXVII.

DESCRIPTIVE -- EARLY SETTLEMENT-MANUFACTURING POST-OFFICES-SCHOOLS -TOWN GOVERNMENT- RELIGIOUS-BIOGRAPHICAL.

The town bearing this Central American name is one of the western towns of the county of Houston, the second from the northeastern cor- ner. It is bounded on the north by Money Creek and Houston, on the east by Houston and Sheldon, on the south by Black Hammer, and on the west by Fillmore county.

The South Fork of Root River winds through the southern part of the township toward the north- east. The Root River itself is not far from the northern boundary which is so arranged as to bring the line within the valley, and it thus has an ir- regular outline that carries the northeast corner of the town two and one-half miles further south than the corresponding corner on the west. The township is diversified with the usual hill and

dale, which have a silent rivalry as to which shall predominate. As to the topography and the char- acter of the soil, it is not unlike the contiguous towns. It is well settled by an industrious and thriving population. The railroad, following the Root River valley, dips down into its territory at two points, but there is no station. It contains a little over forty-three square miles, the surplus over a government township coming from a town on the north.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The first man to set stakes in the territory of Yucatan was Edwin Stevens, who first settled in the southern part, in what is now Black Hammer. It is difficult to fix the exact date, but it was prob- ably in 1852. He extemporized a log dwelling with the assistance of several Winnebago Indians. He also went down to Decorah and helped build the first mill put up there. In the fall of 1855, he sold out his place and took up his abode in another cabin of peculiar construction, being all

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roof, made by splitting basswood logs, and placing them in an inverted V shape, with the flat side up, then covering the interstices with another layer in the reverse position, and then covering the whole with hay. With a stone chimney at the end, he had the simplest kind of elements for "love in a cottage." This was situated in the woods near the South Fork, in close proximity to the present Howe mill in section twenty-three.

In the spring of 1856, when the town site fever was epidemic throughout this region, he put up another log house on the open land north of his other location, near where Mrs. Van Sickles now lives, and platted a town of forty acres, north of the road in the southeast of the southeast quarter of section fourteen, and gave it the name of Yu- catan. Whether he had a priority of invention in the "isothermal line" business, and supposed he could iuduce immigrants to believe that the cli- mate was semi-tropical, is not known. At all events, the result of his enterprise was that during the summer the city had five log buildings erected, and reached the pinnacle of its glory. A mill-dam was completed and a saw-mill com- menced.

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History of Houston County, Including Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 90

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

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