History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 26

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1919
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1343

USA > Minnesota > Houston County > History of Houston County, Minnesota > Part 26

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).

The first blacksmith's shop in town was started by Thomas Biggs, a practical workman, who built shop on the farm of J. A. Melvin on section 32, in 1862, near Eitzen, and was carried on by him for several years. T. H. Templeton, in 1862 or 1863, built a shop on section 25, but his fire only continued to burn about a year. The next man to erect a forge was B. J. Smith, in 1867, near the upper mill, who after hammering away a while sold to Mr. Kemp. About the year 1870 Charles Vorpole started a shop at Eitzen.

The first mill in the valley was the "Upper Mill," which was built of stone in the years 1860 and 1861 by Ensign McDonald, but he sold it to McMillen & Rose before any machinery had been introduced. The new firm began to put in machinery, but sold to Sevin & Lindburg about the year 1865, who finally got it into operation. The next year Sevin sold his share to Charles Johnson, and then, Lindburg dying, his widow sold her share to McMillan & Clark, and the firm became Johnson, McMillan & Clark. During the summer of 1877 the firm razed the old mill to the ground, and enlarging the basement, placed a two-story frame building upon it, put in new and improved machinery, and in the fall of that year were again in operation.

The "Lower Mill" a stone structure, was built in 1865 by Alexander and Davis Beck and George Cooper, the latter being a practical miller.

The first store in Winnebago Township was located in the mill build- ing on section 22, and was kept by Ensign McDonald.

The next stock of merchandise to be opened up was in Semfer's build- ing at Eitzen, the proprietor being Mr. Hilbert. About 1866 C. Bunge started a store in a log house. In 1873 H. F. Bucholz opened a store near Eitzen, but he was financially submerged in 1878, after a five years' struggle. Previous to this, however, in 1866 or 1867, W. R. Balloe built a store near the upper Winnebago Mills, and rented it to Oleson & Co., who ran a grocery and dry goods store for two years, when they failed. T. B. Barber in 1874 erected a two-story building near the lower mill, on sec- tion 23, to be used for store purposes. In the spring of 1881 C. Bunge commenced the manufacture of brick, and during the season burned two kilns containing in the aggregate 150,000 brick.

The first town meeting was held May 11, 1858, at the house of E. Laflin, on section 32. Mr. Laflin took the chair, and Freeman Graves, the

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senior resident, was elected moderator, and Asa P. Beman, clerk. A motion to proceed to the election of town officers prevailed. The polls were kept open from 9:50 a. m. to 5:00 p. m., the result of the balloting being as follows: Supervisors: Joseph A. Melvin, chairman, Fred Kolhmeier, and Edward Lynch; clerk, Lovel Hougton; assessor, Lark E. Laflin; collector, Harvey E. Jones; overseer of the poor, John Tourtelotte; justices of the peace, Asa P. Beman and Herman Carston; constables, Frederick Ruhe and James H. Templeton ; overseer of roads, Freeman Graves. There must have been 28 persons present, as nearly all the candidates had 27 votes each. A motion to have the next town meeting at Lovel Houghton's was carried. Soon after this three road districts were arranged by the town officers, and the following overseers appointed: Wyman Trask, Michael Sheehan, and Freeman Graves.

Eitzen is a flourishing village on the state border. Conrad Laufer had a farm house in 1865 and occasionally kept travelers. In 1867 he opened a saloon and arranged to accommodate, in a more suitable way, his increas- ing trade. That same year Charles Hilbert, of La Crosse, put in a small stock of general merchandise, but before long he failed and his goods were sold at auction in Caledonia.

About the same time C. Bunge, Jr., procured a small stock of goods and displayed them in an old log cabin, it being the place in which the first town meeting was held. His success was such that he purchased a larger building from Laufer, moved it across the street, put in a larger stock, and continued to enjoy a large and increasing trade.

In 1871 Mr. Laufer erected a commodious hotel at a prime cost of $3,000 besides the furniture. In 1871 W. B. Johnson erected a hotel near the lower mill.

In 1868, on Aug. 28, C. Bunge, Jr., received the appointment of post- master at Eitzen. The office was first in the old log cabin, but was trans- ferred into the new store on his removal into it.

In 1858 an office was established on section 22, called Winnebago Valley. James Langmuir was appointed postmaster. The mail was due once a week. Mr. Langmuir held the office until in 1874, Edward Stevens was appointed, who kept it at his farm house for a few months. Then T. B. Barber became assistant, and the office was removed to the store at the lower Winnebago mill.

Wilmington post office was established at an early date, probably about 1855. Alex Batchellor was appointed postmaster and David Salis- bury, deputy. The office was at a farm house in section 30. In about a year Mr. Salisbury moved away and was succeeded by Mr. Sherman as deputy, who attended to the business under Mr. Batchellor until J. G. Cook was regularly appointed, when the office was moved to his residence on section 25, Wilmington Township, and during this time the name was changed from Portland Prairie to Wilmington. In 1863 R. E. Shumway received an appointment as postmaster, and the office went to his resi- dence on section 36. There he remained four years, then went to section 25, and in 1868 to section 30 in the township of Winnebago.

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YUCATAN TOWNSHIP

The township bearing this name is one of the western towns of the county of Houston, the second from the northeastern corner. It is bounded on the north by Money Creek and Houston, on the east by Hous- ton and Sheldon, on the south by Black Hammer, and on the west by Fill- more County.

The South Fork of Root River winds through the township toward the northeast. 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 irregular outline that carries the northeast corner of the township two and one half miles further south than the corresponding corner on the west. The township is diversified with the usual hill and dale, the topography and character of the soil being not unlike that of the contiguous townships. 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 43 square miles, the surplus over a government township coming from a town on the north.

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 Ham- mer. It is difficult to fix the exact date, but it was probably in 1852. With the assistance of several Winnebago Indians, he erected a rude log dwell- ing. He also went down to Decorah and helped build the first mill put up there. In the fall of 1854 he sold out his place and took up his abode in another cabin of peculiar construction, it being all roof, and made by splitting basswood logs and piling them in an inverted V shape, with the flat side up, then covering the interstices with another layer in the reverse position, and finally covering the whole with hay. At one end he erected a stone chimney. This cabin was situated in the woods near the South Fork, in close proximity to the present Howe mill in section 23.

In the spring of 1856, when the town site fever was epidemic through- out this region, Mr. Stevens put up another log house on the open land north of his other location, and platted a town of forty acres, north of the road in the southeast of the southeast quarter of section 14, and gave it the name of Yucatan. His reason for selecting this name is not known, but it is possible that it was suggested to him by his own name, and a mental comparison between himself and John L. Stephens, the American traveler and author, then not long deceased, who had traveled and made extensive explorations in Yucatan, Central America, and made the world familiar with its ruined cities of mysterious origin, half buried in the depths of tropical forests. However, this may be, the result of his enter- prise 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 commenced.

In September, 1855, Mr. Stevens transferred his right, title and interest here to Peter Larr and Hiram Howe, and removed to Worth County, Iowa, where he lived some years, and then went to Puget Sound, Washington Territory.

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In the summer of 1855, E. McIntire, from Dedham, Mass., who had been a railroad contractor, came here and took a claim on section 33. He was an enterprising man, and secured the establishment of a post office which was called Dedham. He was the first representative from this dis- trict in the state legislature, and his son, S. B. McIntire, was the first cadet to West Point, appointed from this congressional district. Mr. Mc- Intire afterwards took up his residence in Houston. In company with a Mr. Cooper he built a mill and had it running in 1856. It had one run of stones and a long bolt, turned out eight bushels an hour, and was driven by a reaction wheel. Soon after a run of stones for feed was put in. In 1859 an addition was made to the mill, in which a still was placed to make whiskey from the corn obtained as toll in the grist-mill; the still had a capacity of 100 gallons a day. In 1861 Mr. McIntire sold out to L. Lynch, Mr. Cooper having previously disposed of his interest.

John Adams was a very early settler, while Enoch Gould was the first man in the north part of the town, in the Root River Valley. Mr. Gould was a native of New Hampshire, and came to Yucatan from Fox Lake, Wis., in 1855. His family joined him a year or two later. He took 400 acres of land in sections 33 and 34. He secured a post office on section 33, called Hamilton, which afterwards gave the name to the town that was finally re-named Money Creek.

In the spring of 1856, Dr. T. A. Pope, of Chautaqua County, New York, who had lived a short time on Pope's Prairie, south of Caledonia, made a claim in section 13. In the same year he procured the establishment of a post office, which at first was called Utica, the name being later changed to Yucatan. Dr. Pope was the first postmaster. He also prac- ticed medicine and opened a farm, and was the first town clerk, in which office he served for several years. In 1860 or 1861 he removed to Sheldon and taught school for about two years, then returned to his place in Yucatan. Soon after that he sold his farm and removed to Houston, where for a number of years he practiced his profession, finally going to Iowa.

Peter Larr, a native of Missouri, came here from Wisconsin in the summer of 1856, and took land on sections 14 and 23. This he sold in 1866 and moved up the valley, and a few years later settled on sections 26 and 27. In 1856 Mr. Larr and H. Howe bought out Stevens, including the mill property and the town site.

On April 18, 1856, John and H. Colby, two brothers from Erie County, New York, arrived and secured a place on section 22. They remained about eight years. H. Colby was the first regular mail carrier between this place and Caledonia, making a single trip each week, at first on foot, but later bestride a mule. On the breaking out of the war he enlisted in Company H, Eighth Missouri Regiment. After the war he sold out and left the county, but later returned and settled on section 10. John Colby, after disposing of his share of the property above mentioned, moved to Oak Ridge and bought 120 acres on section 9. In 1865 Urdix Colby, his brother, joined him and opened a shoe shop near Howe's sawmill. Later. after several removals, he took a farm on section 27. 13

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In the spring of 1853 or 1854 Asa Comstock secured a claim in sec- tion 27, locating on it in the spring of 1856, when he bought other large tracts. Fifteen years later he went to Missouri.

James Kelly, one of the influential and prominent men of Yucatan, came here from Brownsville, in April, 1856, and took 280 acres on section 29. He built a house and started a farm, which he left in charge of his father, Hugh Kelly, and went to work at the carpenter's trade in Rushford. In the fall of 1859 he returned to his farm to remain. His father died in 1871, and his mother in 1874, both at an advanced age.

Robert Earl was the first to locate on Oak Ridge, about 1858. In 1865 he sold to Mr. Colby. Soon after him came William Mahaffery, from Delaware, who stopped on section 7, and remained some 15 or 20 years, finally moving to Rushford.

Lawrence Lynch arrived about 1860, when he bargained for the Ded- ham mill and distillery, which he subsequently lost in the August flood of 1866.

The first birth in Yucatan Township was that of James C. Kelly, son of James Kelly, and occurred Oct. 28, 1857.

The earliest marriage of which any record has been found, was that of William King and Martha M. Colby; in the fall of 1857, the ceremony being performed at the residence of the officiating justice, E. McIntire, Esq.

In the winter of 1862, Mary Larr, daughter of Peter Larr, being at the point of death, requested that her remains might be deposited at a particular spot designated on her father's farm, and her wish being com- plied with, that became a nucleus for a cemetery.

A new cemetery was established in 1873, on sections 27 and 28, the first interment being that of Eugene Bidwell, in September.

In the summer of 1856 Edwin Stevens built a dam across the South Fork of Root River, on section 23, where the Howe mill was subsequently located, and commenced the construction of a saw-mill. Before it was completed he sold the establishment to H. Howe, with the understanding that it should be finished according to certain specifications; but when the property was delivered it proved unsatisfactory, and the wheel was re- moved and numerous other changes made before it met the views of its new owner.

The first grist mill was that already mentioned, in section 33, on Riceford Creek, and was called the Dedham Mill. It was a frame building, 20 by 30 feet, and did a large amount of custom work. Mr. Watkins soon bought out Mr. Cooper, and Mr. Lynch bought out Mr. Mackintire in 1860. In the flood of August, 1866, it was swept away.

The Howe Mill on the South Fork in section 23 was erected by E. B. Howe, who commenced it in the fall of 1870 and completed it in the spring of 1871. The Daily Mill was put up about 1875 or 1876 by James Daily.

When the first meeting was held to organize the town, the chairman was Alonzo Adams. The first officers were: Clerk, Mr. Chapman; treasurer, Mr. Little; assessor, Hiram Howe; justice of the peace, E. McIntire; constable, Charles Smith.

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Chapter XII

BIOGRAPHY

The intimate life of the community is best told in the personal stories of its citizens. Biographical facts not only provide permanent genealogi- cal material for the families of which they treat and valuable information for the historical investigator, but also furnish inspiration for worthy emulation. In so new a county as Houston there are few men who have not started as poor boys and attained their success through their own efforts. The story of their equipment for the struggle by birth, training, environment and experience is of vital significance. So, too, is the story of the men of the younger generation, who with better preparation, and under more favorable circumstances, have taken up the work which their fathers have laid down.

Therefore in supplementing the general county history, the pub- lishers of this volume and their staff have gathered biographical data from some eight hundred leading families of the county. The list is comprehen- sive and thoroughly representative. The research involved in collecting the material has extended over a period of two years, and during that time the opportunity has been opened to all of those who have desired that their family history be thus recorded and preserved.

It is manifestly impossible to include every family of the past and present; such a task would be beyond human ability. The criticism that in such a work, many worthy families are omitted, while to be regretted, is hardly a just one, as the scope of the work might be trebled, yet still omit many a family whom some would like to see thus honored. And while the story of some of those here included is no more worthy of preser- vation than the story of some of those who are omitted, those here printed are thoroughly typical and represent every phase of the county's citizen- ship.

These biographical and genealogical sketches have been gathered from personal interviews, from records and from newspapers. They have all been submitted to some member of the family most concerned. While it is believed that a high degree of accuracy has been maintained, the re- sponsibility rests with the families themselves and not with the publishers. In a few cases, sketches submitted for correction have not been returned. In such instances the duplicate has been printed, containing the facts as originally gathered.

The difficulties of gathering such a vast amount of material are many. Even brothers and sisters often give widely varying accounts, not only of the facts and dates concerning their parents, but even of the rendering of their parents' names. In a few instances, where an agreement was im- possible, both versions are given.

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All personal estimates of life, character, accomplishments, worth, in- fluence and ability have been added by the board of editors, constrained by a desire throughout to avoid extravagant laudations, though in many instances such laudations would be most thoroughly deserved.

Ara David Sprague, pioneer merchant of Caledonia, was for many years one of the most influential men in the whole county, and his life and work are an inseparable part of the business, financial, agriculutral, re- ligious, educational, and social life of the community. The Sprague family in America was founded by three brothers, Ralph, Richard and William, of Scotch-Irish blood, who came to America in 1828. Descended from one of these brothers was Asa Sprague. David Sprague, the son of Asa Sprague, moved as a young man from Massachusetts to New York, and there mar- ried Anna Cunningham. Of this union was born on January 29, 1824, at Richfield, Otsego county, Ara David Sprague, the subject of this sketch. When eleven years of age, he was taken to Exter, in the same county, and there he was reared to agricultural pursuits. He passed through the dis- trict school and was given the advantage of three terms in a select school. At the age of twenty he set out from the parental home with $25 which he had earned during his boyhood, resolved to carve his fortunes. Investing his money in patent medicines, he commenced life as an itinerant vender in western New York, Pennsylvania and several states to the westward. He continued in this business three years, meeting with considerable success. In 1850, he enlarged his business, added a wholesale line of notions, and provided himself with a large wagon and four horses. However, just as his business was being put on a substantial basis, he was taken with severe attacks of inflammatory rheumatism which rendered him practically help- less for two years, during which he expended his entire savings and some $600 in addition. Facing these distressing circumstances, he went to Chi- cago as soon as he was well, and again equipped himself as an itinerant merchant. In 1854, however, he determined to secure a permanent loca- tion. Accordingly he came to Minnesota, and secured four lots and a house at Caledonia, and started trading in a log cabin. In 1857 he built a frame store, enlarged his stock, and prepared for the rapidly increasing develop- ment of the county. With the years, his business continued to grow. In 1875 he disposed of his mercantile stock to his nephews, and turned his attention to the hardware business. That same year, with J. C. Easton, of Chatfield, he opened the first bank in the county. This institution is now known as the Sprague State Bank. A thorough believer in the future of this region, he was one of the organizers and enthusiastic supporters of the old narrow gage Chicago, Milwaukee & Western Railroad Company, now the Reno-Preston branch of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul. From the very beginning, he began to acquire land in this neighborhood, and he became in time the largest real estate owner in the county, as well as the owner of considerable tracts elsewhere. In this land he took a personal interest, and it was a familiar sight to see him in the fields laboring with the farm hands. Failing health caused him to gradually relinquish the management of his affairs to his sons, Robert D. and Ellsworth A. In establishing his own fortunes, Mr. Sprague was not unmindful of the needs

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MR. AND MRS. ARA D. SPRAGUE

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R. D. SPRAGUE

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of the community, and the greatest good for the village and county were ever in his mind, so that now some of the county's most substantial im- provements stand as monuments to his memory. The Methodist Episcopal church of Caledonia, was one of the recipients of his bounty, and the erec- tion of the present sightly church and parsonage were made possible by his generosity. He also gave substantial aid to other churches. After a long useful life, Mr. Sprague died Jan. 11, 1909, after an illness born with unfailing courage and cheerfulness through many years. Mr. Spague was married June 7, 1857, to Ella Williams, and to this union were born four children: Anna C., wife of Chas. W. Latham; Arthur Dewitt, Ells- worth Ara and Robert David. Arthur D. lives at Devils Lake, North Da- kota, the others are in Caledonia. Mrs. Ella Williams Sprague proved the able helpmeet of her husband in all his endeavors, a loving wife and an understanding mother. She was born near Quincy, Illinois, March 26, 1838, came to Caledonia in 1855 or 1856 and continued to make her home here un- til her death, October 4, 1918. Mrs. Sprague was a modest, unassuming and Christian woman, greatly beloved by all who knew her, and her pass- ing was a distinct loss to the community.

Robert D. Sprague, cashier of the Sprague State Bank, of Caledonia, and one of that village's most energetic and useful citizens, was born in Caledonia, April 29, 1872, son of Ara David and Ella (Williams) Sprague. He passed through the graded schools of Caledonia, afterward attending the State Normal School at Winona, and finishing at Carleton College, at Northfield, Minn. With this preparation he entered his father's bank as assistant cashier. In 1899 he was elected cashier. In 1903, he and his brother, Ellsworth A. took over the bank which they continued to con- duct as a private institution until 1908, when it was incorporated as a state bank with its present name, with Ellsworth A. Sprague as president, Arthur D. Sprague as vice-president; and Robert D. Sprague as cashier. Like their father before them, the three men are extensively interested in farm lands throughout the county and elsewhere. Robert D. Sprague has served on the village council for seven years and has been its president for two years. He has been treasurer of the Caledonia Commercial Club since it was first organized. During the World Conflict he was very active in civilian war work, and has assisted materially in the various drives. He was married June 6, 1898, to Grace Farrington, daughter of Judge and Mrs. Eugene V. Farrington, of Preston, and this union has been blessed with two children: Robert E., born Sept. 7, 1904; and A. Janet G., born June 29, 1914.

Eugene V. Farrington was born on a farm in Herkimer county, New York, Dec. 1, 1836, son of Cephas and Susan (Sabin) Farrington. The family came west in 1856, located in Baraboo, Wis., and there remained two years, after which they came to Minnesota and located in Jordan township, Fillmore county, taking up a claim on section 26, on which the parents spent the remainder of their days. Eugene V., who had received a good education at the White Plains Academy, N. Y., followed the fortunes of the family in New York and Wisconsin, and upon arriving in this county, took a farm near his father's, which he broke and improved, and where he

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carried on agricultural operations for some years. At once upon his ar- rival he began to take an interest in public affairs, and at various times was elected to offices of trust and honor. In 1875 and again in 1879 he sat in the lower house of the Minnesota legislature, and in this capacity advocated a number of wise and progressive laws. In 1881 he was elected to the office of judge of probate of Fillmore county. It was in this position that he indelibly impressed his personality upon the life and history of the community. Taking office Jan. 1, 1882, he served continuously until the spring of 1907, when, having been elected for another term the previous fall, he resigned on account of failing health. In the meanwhile he had allied himself with a number of societies. Having been an orderly sergeant in Company I, Eleventh Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, he early became identified with Underwood Post, No. 122, G. A. R., and served as its com- mander for 18 years. He also belonged to Preston lodge, No. 36, A. F. & A. M., and to Preston Camp, No. 276, M. W. A. Being of sincere and deep religious convictions, he joined the Methodist Episcopal church at an early age and became a staunch supporter of that body at Preston, being super- intendent of the Sunday school for many years. In 1907 ill health caused his retirement from all active life, and the sad end came July 13 of that year. Mr. Farrington was married, Dec. 28, 1865, to Alice E. Sheldon, daughter of James and Sarah (Walradt) Sheldon. To this union were born four children: George Warren died at four years of age. Charles Herbert died at 18 months. Sabin E. lives at Louisville, Ky. Grace M. is the wife of Robert D. Sprague, cashier of the Sprague State Bank of Caledonia, Minn. Mrs. Eugene V. Farrington is now living in Preston in a beautiful home on the ridge, where she is spending her declining years, surrounded by the love and tenderness which her gracious character so amply merits.

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History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 26

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge Publication date: 1919 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1343

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1919
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1343