History of Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, Part 44

Author: Warner, George E; Foote, Charles M., joint author; Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893. Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota. 1n; Williams, J. Fletcher (John Fletcher), 1834-1895. Outlines of the history of Minnesota
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Minneapolis, North Star Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 684

USA > Minnesota > Ramsey County > St Paul > History of Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota > Part 44

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Thomas Crosby, a native of England, was born March 16, 1827. His early life was passed in his native land, as a general stock dealer. Came to America in 1852, and after a brief visit at De- troit, Michigan, came to St. Paul. Here he was in the wholesale meat business three years, then removed to his present location in Reserve. July 20th, 1858, he married Miss Emma L. Illing- worth, a native of England who came to Ameri- ca with her parents in 1852. Their children are, Richard M., Thomas G., William W., Benjamin J. and John H.

William Davern was born June 24, 1831, aud is a native of Ireland. His advantages for an education were good, having attended the na- tional school; his brothers, Austin and Michael received a collegiate education. In 1848 lie came to America and after a stay of brief duration in New York, Massachusetts, and Illinois, he ar- rived at St. Paul during May of 1849. He en- 17

gaged in lumbering at St. Anthony during the summer, the winter was passed at St. Paul; fin- ally the next spring he made a claim of 160 acres in Reserve, on what was at that time the military reservation. In 1873 he purchased from Frank- lin Steele what is known as "Pike Island." Mr. Davern was a member of the legislature in 1857- 58, and during those sessions was instrumental in giving the town the name of Reserve; also in lo- cating Fort street. He was first chairman of the board of supervisors; first director of school dis- trict number eight, and is still a director. In 1856 married Ann Morony, a native of Ireland, who died in 1858, leaving one child; it died in 1859. Catherine Ryan, a native of Canada, became his wife in 1861. They have eight sons and two daughters.

Mathew Dische was born February 20th, 1831, in Prussia. Came to America in 1849, and en- listed in the Light Battalion, serving ten years; was with General Joliston during the hostilities with Utah; was honorably discharged at Camp Floyd in 1859. He then enlisted in the United States Marine corps in July, 1860, and made a cruise to the West Indies and Mexico; was in Charleston Harbor when Fort Sumpter was first fired upon. He also participated in the first bat- tle of Bull Run. Was honorably discharged in May, 1862, and ie-enlisted the same year in the Second District of Columbia Volunteers, and was mustered out at Richmond, in July, 1866, as quarter-master; re-enlisted the following fall in the Seventh United States Infantry, and served until 1880, the last seven years as quartermaster- sergeant. He was lionorably discharged on ac- count of physical disability caused by long ser- vice. March 30th, 1878, he married Margaret Kramer in Montana. One daughter, born in April, 1881, brightens their home.

Frank Jansen was born in Prussia, January 23d, 1839. Came to America in the spring of 1852, and for six years lived in Chicago, thence to St. Paul. During the spring of 1858 worked at chair making at Minnetonka city but returned to St. Paul that fall ; for nine months he worked for twelve dollars per month, then started in bus- iness with a capital of sixty-six dollars, and his partner with one hundred and twenty dollars. Three years later he bought his partner's interest for $1500, then with his brother as partner started

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the first steam chair factory in the state. Retired from that business in 1870 and opened a grocery store in which he continued six years. This bus- iness was not to him a success financially. He again began work for forty dollars per month, and one year later removed to his present loca- tion in Reserve. Married in June, 1864, to Cath- erine Mathias, a native of Bavaria, born in 1843. Charlotte M., Frank H., Katie, Carl R., Gertrude and Margaret are their children, all of whom were born in St. Paul.

Peter Karst, a native of Prussia, was born June 29th, 1820. Came to America June 29th, 1852, proceeding the same year to St. Paul. His wife is also a native of Prussia, born July 15th, 1815. There are three children living ; Catha- rine, born in Prussia, July 20th 1848, and is now a sister in St. Joseph Academy, St. Cloud. Mary, born in St. Paul in 1857, is now the Sister Elixir in St. Joseph Academy, St. Cloud. Conrad is still living at St. Paul.

Adam Krass was born in Germany in 1815. Was reared as a farmer in his native land and for 16 years served in the German army. Came to America and to St. Paul in 1855, and four years after moved to his present location. He was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Dietz in 1840. Her death occurred in 1877.

Carl Peters, one of the prosperous farmers of Ramsey county, was born in Germany, June 5th, 1825. He received a practical education and learned the miller's trade. In 1853 came to America and the next year located at St. Paul. He made a claim about nine miles south of that city in Dakota county, but returned to St. Paul in 1856, making it his home four years. He set- tled on his present place in Reserve in 1860. Miss Doratha Rechlin became his wife June 3rd, 1853. Nine children have been born to them : Augusta, Louis, Theresa, Sophia, Emma, Henry, Amelia, Albert and Annie.

Mrs. Elizabeth Smith was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, February 2d, 1830. Came to America with her parents in 1840, landing at Quebec. Her father, Michael Ryan, moved thence to Bucking- ham, where he resided until his death in 1860. June 27th, 1850, she and John Smith were united in marriage and came immediately to St. Paul, where for several years, he engaged in lumbering. In 1861, he enlisted in Brackett's Battalion and

served until honorably discharged in 1866. He was born in New Brunswick, in 1829. Their children living are, John W., IIenry, James, Pat- rick, Mary E., Emma, Thomas and Elizabeth. Their first born, John, died when thirteen months old and Thomas died at the age of eight years.

William Welch was born in Cork, Ireland, De cember 26th, 1819. His early life was spent on the farm and at school. May 13th, 1847, they came to this continent, landing in New York. HIe passed three years in various parts of New England, and came to St. Paul in 1850. He is now clerk of alms house and hospital board; has been assessor since 1864, and town clerk seven years. In 1855, married Mary J. Burk, a native of Ireland. Mary E., Robert N., Sarah M., John P. and Elizabeth A. are their living chil- dren. Three died in infancy.

ROSE.

CHAPTER XXXVH.

BOUNDARIES-SETTLEMENT-SCHOOLS- TOWN ORGANIZATION-ROADS - MINNESOTA STATE REFORM SCHOOL-HAMLINE UNIVERSITY- STOCK YARDS --- UNION PARK-BIOGRAPHICAL.

At the date of its organization, the boundary of Rose town was described as follows: Com- mencing at the north-east corner of section 25, township 29, range 23; thence north to the north- east corner of township 29, range 23; west on said township line to the north-west corner of section 5; thence south to the south-west corner of sec- tion 32, township 29, range 23; thence east to the south-east corner of section 35, then north on east line of section 35 to the north-east corner of the same section, then east to the place of begin- ning. Since that time sections 35, 36 and part of sections 23, 22 and 27 have been set off to St. Paul, in 1872. The boundaries of the town are as follows: On the north by Mounds View; on

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the east by New Canada and city of St. Paul ; south by St. Paul and Reserve ; west by town of St. Anthony, Hennepin county. The surface of the town is somewhat rolling, especially in the north and east, portions of which are quite rough and unimproved, while the central and southern portion is quite level, with many fine farms under the best of cultivation. The soil varies somewhat. The north and east has a loam with a clay subsoil ; south and west the soil is of a sandy loam. The town has a fair amount of drainage. On the north we find Owasso lake, formerly known as Big Bass lake, in sections one and two, with a large portion extending north into section thirty-six, Mounds View town. In a beautiful grove on the north shore of this lake, A. K. Barnum has his summer residence. A little to the south-west of this lake, in section eleven, is Bennett's lake, named after E. Bennett, one of the early settlers. To the north-west we find Lake Josephine, located partly in section three of Rose town, and section thirty-four of Mounds View town. On the south-west shore of this beautiful lake are found the fine summer cottages of D. W. Ingersoll, J. G. Riheldaffer, and C. H. Bigelow. In sections four and five there are several small lakes, the principal of which are Wilson's and Poplar. In the south- eastern portion of the town, in section 13, is located McCarron lake, occupying about 140 acres. To the south-west is Lake Como, which is located in sections 22, 23 and 26, and included within the city limits. It is a beautiful lake, and quite popular as a summer resort ; which, with several small lakes, and the Mississippi river on the south-west, furnish a fine drainage for the town.

The first settlement made in the town of Rose was by Stephen Denoyer, in the spring of 1843, on the bank of the river, in section 32. The year following he located on the site where his old Half-Way house now stands. In the fall of 1843 Isaac Rose located on the same section, a little west of Mr. Denoyer's place, where he remained until 1846, when he removed to and located on what is now the corner of St. Anthony and Snell- ing avenues. In 1850 le removed to a claim made in section 8, Reserve town. In 1843 L. S. Fur- nell located on a small lake a little south of Lake Como, where he remained until 1845, when he

made a claim of the land where the driving park was subsequently located. He transferred it to Lot Moffet, who in turn sold it to A. L. Lar- penteur, he to Mr. Davis, from whom it was pur- chased by the Driving Park Association, in 1870. In 1846 Lewis Bryson made a claim in section 33. In 1849 S. P. Folsom located on section 33. Lorenzo Hoyt located a claim on section 22, H. R. Gibbs on section 17, and W. B. Quinn on sec- tion 33, the same year. In 1850 Thomas Briggs and John Burk located on section 14. Several Frenchmen located around Lake Como at an early day. A. G. Ford settled on the south half of section 29, in 1850. He claims to be the pioneer nurseryman of the North-west, which occupation, together with the seed business, he has carried on for several years. He still carries on the nursery business on section 32, making a specialty of flowers and evergreens. Judge Baker was also an early settler in the town. W. G. Hendrickson, on section 21; Joshua Robertson, on section 22, with many others, came early to the town, and by industry and enterprise, have made the "wil- derness to blossom like the rose." Discharged soldiers from Fort Snelling made claims in differ- ent parts of the town, remaining but a short time, when they disposed of them to permanent settlers, and left for other parts.

The first birth in the town was that of Benj. R. Rose, son of Isaac and Mrs. Rose, January 17th, 1844. In 1846 Mr. Rose had another addition to his family, of a son and daughter, Andrew Jack- son and Mary Ann (twins). The first death was that of a young man (whose name is forgotten) who was engaged with others in digging a well on section 32 ; the well caving in killed the young man, and he was buried on section 33, near where Mr. Woodruff lives. Mr. S. P. Folsom's wife and child died in 1849, which were the first deaths of actual settlers. The first marriage was that of L. S. Furnell to Miss Rose, daughter of Isaac Rose, in 1843.

The attention of the board of county com- missioners at its first meeting held November 16th, 1849, was called to matters relating to the educational interests of the county. The first step was to divide the county into six school districts. The first school established in the town of Rose, was in 1851, in what was known as the Robair district. The first board of officers

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was C. D. Field, E. N. Larpenteur and Joshua Robertson, appointed by the town board. The first school-house was erected in section 33, near the St. Paul and St. Anthony crossing with the short cut railroad, same year. A. G. Ford was the first teacher. This district was known as number 1, un- til 1862, when it was changed to number 11. The house was subsequently removed to the corner of Snelling and St. Anthony avenues, same section. The building was destroyed by fire in 1868. The new house was erected on its present site in 1869, of wood 20x45 at an expense of about $800. The present officers are, D. H. IIunt, director; Albert Kirchoff, treasurer, and .E. B. Higgins, clerk.

School district number 10, formerly known as number 2, or Lake Como district, was organized about 1859. The first board of officers does not appear, as the records were destroyed. The school- house was built on north-east corner of section 23, same year, 20x40 feet, at a cost of $1,000, Miss Olds was the first teacher. The present officers are, Jacob Ellwanger, treasurer; Michael Gantzer, director; August Robertson, clerk. School dis- trict number 17, was organized in 1871. The first school was held in the house of H. R. Gibbs, taught by Miss Mary Lake. The school-house was built in 1873, 30x40 feet, at a cost of $1,000 for site and building. The present school board is, H. R. Gibbs, director; John Walsh, treasurer, and W. G. IIendrickson, clerk. The patrons of this school may well feel proud of their beauti- ful school-house with its surroundings of shade trees and substantial fences.

The first roads opened in the town were the old Military road, St. Paul and St. Anthony, the St. Anthony and Como, the St. Paul and Lake Jo- hannah, and the St. Paul and Lake Superior roads. Many changes have been made in the course of the old routes through the town since first opened.

ORGANIZATION.

The legal voters of what was known as Rose- ville precinct, met May 11th, 1858, in accordance with a previous call at the school-house in said precinct for the organization of the town, by the election of the necessary officers. W. B. Quinn was chosen as moderator, and M. L. Wilds, clerk of the meeting. These being duly sworn, voting commenced.

At its conclusion a canvass of the yotes was made, and it was found that twenty-two had been cast, and the following officers were elected; D. A. J. Baker, chairman; E. N. Larpenteur, and W. G. Hendrickson, supervisors; W. B. Aldrich, town clerk; W. B. Quinn, assessor; James J. Cicotte, collector; Abraham Bennett, overseer of the poor; Jolin R. Lake, constable; B. H. Lake, overseer of road district number 1; James J. Cicotte and W. L. Wilson, justices of the peace.

A meeting of the newly elected board was called at the house of J. J. Cicotte, and resolu- tions adopted to hold the meetings of the board at the house of the clerk, W. B. Aldrich. The next annual meeting was called at the same place, April 5th, 1859. A tax of $100 was voted for current expenses; also a tax of 30 cents on each $100 of real estate for road purposes. It was also voted to divide the town into five road districts. The old St. Anthony road to be desig- nated as district number 1; the old Military road as number 2.

The Como and St. Anthony road as number 3; St. Paul and Lake Johannah road number 4; the St. Paul and Lake Superior road number 5. The result of the election was as follows : D. A. J. Baker, chairman; E. N. Larpenteur and Joshua Robertson, supervisors; W. L. Wilson. clerk.

The next annual town meeting was called at the house of W. G. Hendrickson, April 3d, 1860. A tax of two mills was voted for current expenses. The result of the election was T. M. Newman, chairman; Francis Linz and L. M. Ford, super- visors; W. L. Wilson, clerk.

The annual town meeting was called April 2, 1861, at the school house in district number 2, known as the Como district. A tax of two mills was voted for road purposes; and the result of the election was Charles D. Field, chairman, Joshua Robertson and E. N. Larpenteur, super- visors; W. B. Aldrich, clerk.

The annual meeting for 1862 was called at the school house in district number 1, known as the Roseville district. A tax of two mills was voted for road purposes, and the result of the election was W. B. Quinn, chairman; John Bruggerman and Lorenzo Hoyt, supervisors; W. B. Aldrich, clerk.

In 1863, the annual town meeting was called at the house Lorenzo Hoyt. A tax of one mill

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. was voted for current expenses. The whole number of votes cast at this time was 37, with following results : Lorenzo Hoyt, chairman ; Stephen Denoyer and John Bowers, supervis- ors ; W. B. Aldrich clerk.

The annual town meeting for 1864 was held in the Como district school-house. It was voted to authorize the board to issue bonds of the town not to exceed the sum of one thousand dol- lars for bounties to secure volunteers to fill the quota of the town in the late war of the rebel- lion. A tax of three mills was voted to raise funds to pay said bonds. The following was the result of the election : Lorenzo Hoyt, chairman, Francis Ayd and J. J. Bruggerman, supervisors ; W. B. Aldrich, clerk. A special meeting of the town was called August 5th, 1864, to vote a tax of ten mills on the taxable property of the town for the purpose of raising funds for bounties to se- cure volunteers to fill the quota of the town under the call of the president for 500,000 men ; also voted to issue bonds of the town bearing interest at the rate of ten per cent. per annum. A special meeting of the town board was called at the clerk's office August 29th, 1864, when the following resolution was adopted : " Whereas, at a special meeting of the legal voters of the town of Rose, held August 5th, 1864, it was voted to levy a tax of ten mills on the taxable property of the town for the purpose of raising funds for the paying of bounties to volunteers to fill the quota of the town due from the last call, and that the board was authorized to issue bonds to the amount needed for said purpose, and whereas, at that time, it was the general opinion of the meeting that $3,000 would be needed to fill the quota of the town, but all things working favorably, only twelve hun- dred dollars was needed, therefore, resolved that a tax of seven mills only be levied in place of ten mills as voted at said meeting, and that the clerk be requested to notify the auditor of the same."

The annual town meeting of 1865 was called at the school-house in district number 1. A tax of three mills was voted for current expenses. Thirty votes cast, which resulted in the election of W. G. Hendrickson, chairman; E. M. Burt and Joshua Robertson, supervisors; W. R. Ald- rich, clerk. At a meeting of the board, held

April 22d, William Smith was appointed super- visor in place of E. M. Burt, who failed to qualify.

At the meeting of 1866, called at school-house in district number 10, a tax was voted of two mills for road purposes. Seventy votes were cast. Lorenzo Hoyt was elected chairman; Joshua Robertson and John Maes, supervisors. At the meeting of 1867 Joseph Hare was elected as chairman, and Lorenzo Hoyt and John Maes, supervisors. At the meeting of 1868, the officers elected were John Maes, chairman; D. H. Hunt and John Bowers, supervisors.

At the meeting of 1869, D. H. Hunt was elected chairman; H. J. Winn and Michael Gantzer, su- pervisors; Lorenzo Hoyt, clerk. At the annual meeting of 1870, a tax of one mill was voted for current expenses. Results of election were : James Haines, chairman; Nicholas Hermes and L. S. Woodruff, supervisors; L. Hoyt, clerk. At the meeting of 1871 Lyman S. Woodruff was elected chairman; N. Hermes and P. C. Sherren, supervisors; L. Hoyt, clerk.

At a special meeting held March 29th, same year, W. G. Hendrickson, was appointed super- visor in place of P. C. Sherren, who failed to qualify.

At the meeting of 1872, a tax of one mill was voted for current expenses, and three mills for roads. L. S. Woodruff was elected as chairman; John Hardy and Jacob Ellwanger, supervisors; L. Hoyt, clerk. At the meeting of 1873, a tax of two mills was voted for roads. Henry G. Blake was elected chairman; Jacob F. True and Au- gust Giesmann, supervisors.

At the meeting of 1874, a tax of one mill was voted for current expenses. Henry G. Blake was elected chairman; August Giesmann and L. S. Woodruff, supervisors; L. Hoyt, clerk,

At the meeting of 1875, it was voted to raise a tax of one mill for road purposes, and one-half mill for current expenses. Lyman S. Woodruff was elected as chairman; P. C. Sherren and Nicholas Pothen, supervisors ; Lorenzo Hoyt, clerk.

At the annual meeting of 1876, J. F. True was elected chairman; N. Pothen and Henry G. Blake, supervisors; George H. Hazzard, clerk. At the annual meeting of 1877, a tax of one mill was voted for roads, and one-half mill for current expenses. D. HI. Hunt was elected chairman;

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HISTORY OF RAMSEY COUNTY.

John Welch and J. Ellwanger, supervisors; Geo. HI. Hazzard, clerk.

At the meeting of 1878, a tax was voted of two mills for roads, and one-half mill for current ex- penses. D. H. Hunt was elected chairman; II. Mollers and John Bowers, supervisors; L. Hoyt, clerk.

At the meeting of 1879, it was voted to build a town house, at or near the center of the town. A tax of one mill was also voted for the purpose of building said house. The vote was as follows: 86 votes cast; 52 for, and 34 against. A tax of one and one-half mills was also voted for roads, and one-half mill for current expenses. H. G. Blake was elected chairman; John Dorn and H. Mollers, supervisors.

At the meeting of 1880, a tax of one mill was voted for roads and one-half mill for current ex- penses. H. G. Blake was elected chairman; John Dorn and Aug. Geismann, supervisors.

At the meeting of 1881, a tax of one-half mill was voted for current expenses, and two and one- half mills for roads ; Joshua Robertson was elect- ed chairman ; William Gould and D. H. Hunt, supervisors ; II. R. Gibbs, clerk.

An incident is related in connection with the business of the town in relation to building their new town house. A vote was taken at the annual town meeting, March 11th, 1879, to build a new town house, also a tax of one mill, to raise funds to build said house. Steps were taken by officers toward the erection of the same, site secured and the lumber drawn. All was ready for the workmen, when it was found that, by some mistake of the clerk, the proper notifica- tion of the county auditor was not made, so that the tax was not levied, as supposed. In order that the work might go on without delay, the following call was issued in great haste, signed by the officers and twelve of the legal voters of the town.

" We, the undersigned, freeholders of the town of Rose, in the county of Ramsey, state of Minnesota, do hereby declare and file our written statement with the town clerk of said town, that a special town meeting be held June 28, 1880, for the interests of said town, for the purpose of voting a tax upon the taxable property of the town, for building a town house ; also a tax for current expenses. The same meet-

ing to authorize the town board to issue bonds and negotiate the same to the amount that shall be voted for building the town house."

At the annual election of 1880, it was voted that the town hold its elections at the school-house in district No. 11, or at the town house, if com- pleted. The latter part of this vote was not re- corded, consequently the town was obliged to hold its election at the school-house, notwith- standing they had a fine town house in which to hold the election. The house is located in the north-west corner of section 22.

The total assessed value of real and personal pro- perty in the town of Rose, was in 1860, $353,608, of which sum $346,665 was for real estate. In 1875 the valuation had increased to $641,547. In 1880 the valuation was: personal property, $55,782; real estate, $751,151. Total valuation, $806,933.

The population of the township in 1860, was 499; in 1875, 710; by the tenth United States census, 1880, 877.

The speculation in town lots and out-lots was indulged in by the early settlers, who thought they saw in the future growth of the city of St. Paul a fortune in the sale of small tracts of land to those who would wish to find homes out from the bustle and confusion of city life. As early as April,1855, Henry McKenty caused to be surveyed and platted the south-west quarter of the south- east quarter of section 24, in Rose, also one-third of the north half of the south-east quarter of the same. The plat to be known as "Cottage Homes." In 1856 I. V. Brown and J. M. Hall caused to be surveyed and platted, the east half of the south- east half of section 34, to be known as Hall and Brown's addition to Hyde Park. The same year L. C. Kinney surveyed and platted the north half of the north-east quarter of section 33, except ten acres of Hopkins, to be known as "Kinney's out- lots." In 1856 "Mackubin and Iglehart's out- lots" in the south-east quarter of section 12 were laid out. Same year Messrs. Chapman and Cur- tiss laid out a portion of section 17 into out-lots.

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