History of Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, Part 48

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 48

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Charles Perry was born in Switzerland, March 20, 1816. When five years old he came to Amer-

ica with his parents, they locating in Red River country, near Hudson's Bay. His father lived there five years, dealing chiefly in stock. During the high waters of 1826, much of his stock was drowned. He then moved to Minnesota, locating near Fort Snelling, and for twenty years tilled a small farm, the principal products being potatoes and corn, which he disposed of to the traders. In 1846 Charles located on a farm near the "Cave" by St. Paul, remaining three years ; then removed to what is now White Bear township, and made a claim of one hundred and sixty acres. This he sold soon after and lived at Lake Como until, in 1850, he purchased a farm at Lake Johannah, and has since resided there. He was the first and only settler for two years in the western portion of the town, and in 1850 raised three acres of potatoes, it being the first crop raised in the town- ship. Married at St. Paul, July 29, 1849, Miss Orelia Mursett, who was born in 1827. Thirteen children have been born to them, all living : Mary A., Damis, Gilbert C., Nellie M., Elizabeth O., Abraham E., George M., Anthony, Agnes, Frank L., Joseph, William, and Peter A. Mr. Perry was a member of the first town board, in 1858.

Thomas Ryan was born in Ireland, in 1825. There he grew to manhood, and received a good 'education. Came to America in 1850, landing at Boston. He worked on the New York and Erie railroad one year, and in 1852 went to Bradford county, Pennsylvania, and was employed in a stone quarry a short time, then on the Illinois Central railroad. During the winter of 1853-'54, worked on the railroad at Cairo, Illinois. During the spring came to St. Paul, and in 1855 moved to his present farm in Mounds View township. Since the organization of the town, except four years, he has acted as town clerk. Married in Ireland, April 8, 1850, to Ellen Ryan. Fourteen children have been born to them, six of whom are living: Thomas, Jr., Johanna, Patrick, James, Malachi and Ellen.

Socrates A. Thompson, son of David Thompson , one of the first settlers of Portage county, Ohio, was born at Ravenna, of that county. His brother, Col. William T., was the first white child born in the county, and is now editor of the Savannah, Georgia, News. Socrates lived in his native place until coming to Minnesota, in the spring of 1849. He opened the first meat market

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in St. Paul, also built the first slaughter house. In March, 1850, he, in company with a half-breed Indian, spent a night on the borders of Lake Pleasant, and at that time gave it its name, on account of its beautiful surroundings. He then made a claim of one hundred and sixty acres, which he now occupies. Returning to St. Paul the following year, he opened the Mississippi House, which he kept about one year, then re- turned to Ohio for a visit. In 1853, began in the grocery trade, at Belvidere, Illinois, continuing two years, then removed to Oxford, for two years. Receiving an injury, he suffered an attack of lock-jaw from the effects. Returned to his farm in Mounds View, and in August, 1862, enlisted in Company K, Eighth Minnesota Volunteer In- fantry, under Col. Thomas. Until the fall of 1864, they were on duty on the frontier, and were then sent south; was discharged in August, 1865, at Fort Snelling. Mr. Thompson has always been identified with the political interests of the town, having been instrumental in bringing the schools and roads to their present state. Was married at Belvidere, November 29, 1854, to An- geline Fish, of Erie county, New York. Twelve children have been born to them, ten of whom are living: Anson A., Clarence A., Socrates A., Jr., William HI., Harriet F., Eleanor M., David A., Flora J., Charles N. and Harrison E.

Sylvester C. Whitcher was born at Covington, Genesee county, New York, December 4th, 1821. IIe resided at his native place until nineteen years of age, then married Miss IIelen M. Olds, who was born at Lockport, Niagara county, New York, April 22, 1823. At that time they re- moved to Huron county, Ohio, and engaged in the hotel and livery business. In 1846 went to Clyde, Ohio, and opened the first railroad hotel of the place on the Toledo and Cleveland road, now called the Michigan Central and Lake Shore. Subsequently he located at Adrian, Michigan, and for two years was in the grocery business. "After passing some time at Monroe he returned to Ohio on account of ill health and began travel- ing through Ohio, Illinois and Indiana, in the cigar and tobacco trade. In 1850 he first visited Minuesota and purchased about one thousand acres of land ten miles from Taylor's Falls, which he still owns, having two hundred and fifty acres under cultivation. In '56 removed his family

here and the next year purchased the livery sta- ble of Willoughby and Powers, and in 1863 built a stable on Jackson street; afterward moved it to Seventh near Jackson, which he, with his son Edward, owned till the spring of 1880, Mr. Whit- cher having engaged in the business forty years. He then moved to his farm on section 18, in - Mounds View township, consisting of four hun- dred acres. They engage in stock raising, mak- ing a specialty of Jerseys, short horns, and grade sheep. Charles and Edward T. are the chil- dren, both born in Ohio.

WHITE BEAR.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

BOUNDARIES-LAKES-EARLY SETTLERS-OR- GANIZATION -- SCHIOOLS-CHURCHES -- BIO- GRAPHICAL.

The town of White Bear comprises a full con- gressional township of thirty-six sections, and takes its name from the large lake located on its eastern borders.

Its boundaries are as follows: on the north by the town of Centerville, Anoka county, and the town of Oneka, Washington county; east by the town of Grant, Washington county; south by New Canada; west by Mounds View. Its sur- face is quite rolling but not bluffy, as are many townships with large lakes within their borders. The soil is mostly of a light sandy nature, with here and there portions having a clay subsoil and loam surface, and with good cultivation the farmer is well repaid for his labor. The drain- age of this town is quite abundant, as it has the largest lake surface of any town within the coun- ty. It has has eight meandered lakes, the largest of which is White Bear. It occupies two full sections in this and about the same in Grant township, Washington county. It receives its name from the old Indian legend, in which they

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suppose it to be possessed with the spirit of a white bear, which was about to spring on to the wife of one of their young braves, but was shot by him, and its spirit had haunted the island and lake since, and had mysteriously disposed of several of their braves. The island which they named Spirit island is located near its north- western shore and has about fifty-four acres of land, covered with quite a heavy growth of timber.

Nearly one mile to the north-west of this lake is Bald Eagle lake, which occupies one and one- half sections of land in this. town and one-half section in Anoka county. A small island near the center was the home of several bald eagles at the time of the government survey, and from which arose its name. To the west of this we find Otter lake in section 3, which took its name from the otters which were formerly found on its shores. A short distance to the west of this in sections 4 and 5,lies Wilkinson's lake, which occu- pies about one-half section of land, and was named in honor of Ross Wilkinson, who first took up a claim on its shores.

A little more than one mile to the south-west of this is Pleasant lake located in sections 7 and 18, in this town with a small portion lying in the town of Mounds View, and is rightly named, from the fact of its being a very pleasant spot. Its shores are for the most part covered with timber of light growth, which, with its clear shining waters reflecting the green foliage of its surroundings presents a most pleasing scene. The land surrounding this lake is mostly owned by Hon. C. D. Gilfillan, of St. Paul, who has a fine summer residence on its western shore. To the south-east of this in section 17 is Lake Gilfillan, which occupies about one hundred acres of land, and is named in honor of C. D. Gilfillan. To the south of this is Basswood lake located in section 20, so named from the basswood timber by which it was surrounded. To the south of this is Lam- bert lake, which at the date of the government survey occupied over a section of land, but has since been drained into Vadnais lake, so much so that a large portion is now occupied as meadow lands. This lake was named in honor of Louis Lambert, who purchased a portion of the island located near its center in an early day. To the south-west of this in sections 30, 31 and 32 is located Vadnais lake, which occupies over one

section of land. This is a beautiful lake sur- rounded by gravelly and sandy shores, which are covered witlı timber. It was named for John Vadnais, who made a claim on its banks as early as 1846. Birch lake located in section 15, occupies about one hundred and sixty acres of land; is a fine lake, and takes its name from the white birch that surrounds it. There are several other small lakes located in different parts of the town, which, together with the small creeks and the St. Paul water works canal, which was extended by the company from the chain of lakes in New Canada, through Gervais creek to Vadnais lake, then to Sucker and Pleasant lakes in 1870, also to Lambert lake the same year; then from Pleasant to Deep lake in 1878, and from Deep to Wilkinson's during the present year, gives the town an abundance water, which makes it well adapted to stock growing.

Early in the history or this town, large portions of the land in the eastern and northern parts was taken up by speculators who purchased soldiers' warrants, and through agents located their lands and held them.

The first settlers in the town were French, who, wishing to settle near people of their own nationality, extended the borders of the small settlement, which was planted by Benjamin Ger- vais, in 1844, into White Bear town. John Vad- nais and David Garceau settled near the south shore of Vadnais' lake, in 1846. The following year came Louis Bibeau, Peter Tiroux, E. Mor- risettte and Michel Auger. These, with their large families, occupied lands in section 32. Sev- eral other families were added to the settlement in 1848. In 1849, Domini Demers came to Little Canada, and engaged at teaming, and rented farms, until 1861, when he settled on his present farm on section 15. The families of the first settlers soon began to spread, and from time to time purchased small tracts of land. The first real settler at White Bear lake, was V. B. Bar- num, who came to Minnesota in 1849, and located at Stillwater until 1850, when he removed to St. Paul, where he remained until 1852, when he came to the lake and made a purchase of a por- tion of section 23, and on that wild spot where now stands the Leip House, surrounded with cottages and beautiful groves, he erected his first log cabin, which he covered with elm bark, as he

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could not obtain the shingles at that time. The next year he succeeded in getting boards and shingles at St. Paul, which were cut in St. An- thony. In 1854, he opened his house as a hotel for tourists, and was often crowded by those who sought the lake to hunt and fish. In 1857, he sold the house to John Lamb, who made addi- tions and repairs, and run it for about a year, then the house was partially destroyed by fire. In 1860, the property reverted to Mr. Barnum, and he kept it until 1866, when he sold his entire interest to Mr. Leip.

In 1852, Thomas Milner, Sr., settled on the south- west quarter of section 11. The same year Hugh T. Vance, of St. Paul, purchased 220 acres of land in section 11, on the south shore of Bald Eagle lake, on which he located his family. In 1866, he sold the land to Dr. R. Post, who in turn sold to Mr. Murdock. It afterwards reverted back to Mr. Post, who in 1873, laid out and plat- ted a tract of about 154 acres for a village, which, however, was never settled upon.

James R. Clewett purchased 130 acres on sec- tion 1, in 1851, and settled on it the same year. Mr. Clewett was an old Indian trader who came to St. Paul prior to 1839, when he had made a claim.

Mr. Wolf, a butcher from St. Paul, made a claim of the north-west quarter of section 22, and the south half of south-west quarter of section 15, in 1851, which he afterwards sold to W. L. Banning. The same year Mr. Bazille settled on the south-west quarter of section 26, which he sold to C. H. and J. S. Frink, about 1857. J. F. Murray came in May, 1854, and made a purchase of over 300 acres of land on the north shore of White Bear lake located in sections 13 and 14, to- gether with Spirit island. He also took up about 200 acres in section 1, consisting of fractions lo- cated on Bald Eagle lake.

The first piece of land was taken up by Wil- liam Freeborn in 1850. The land was subse- quently divided among the three sons, J. B., J. C. and Thomas H. Murray. J. B. erected the house, a portion of which is now the Williams house, and kept hotel for a time.

The land on Spirit island was made a claim of by Jacob Folsom in 1847 or 48, who only set- tled on it during the maple sugar seasons. He sold it to Mr. Freeborn who in turn sold it to Mr.

Murray, and he to Mr. Burson, and he to Mrs. E. A. Whitney who willed it to her son who during 1881 sold it to a company of gentlemen from St. Paul and Stillwater. They propose to fit it up in fine style for summer residences. The land on which Mr. W. W. Webber is located was made a claim of by D. Webber as early as 1849. A small log house was erected on it and was sub- sequently sold to Mr. Ingersoll, of St. Paul. Mr. W. W. Webber while on a trip to St. Paul for his health, in 1852, came to the lake by invitation of Mr. Barnum. While here he took a liking to the fine location where the log house was located, and hearing that it was for sale made an offer of $1,000 for the farm which was at first refused but afterwards accepted, and Mr. Webber took up his abode in the little log house in 1855.

The first birth at White Bear Lake was Mary, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. Styles in 1852. - The first boy born was Thomas B., son of Mr. and Mrs. Murray, October 11th, 1856. The first death was a young child of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Murray, in 1856. The funeral ser- mon was preached by Rev. Mr. Riheldaffer, now superintendent of the reform school. The first marriage was Richard McLagan to Miss Mary Barnum. There were births and deaths and no doubt marriages, in the Little Canada por- tion of the town prior to the dates mentioned above, but the dates were not collected. The old settlers among the French having neglected to learn the language of this country, it is very diffi- cult to gather history or correct dates.

ORGANIZATION.

The organization of the town of White Bear was effected May 11th, 1858, at a meeting of the legal voters, located within township 30, range 22 west, called at the house of John Lamb. The following were called to preside over the meeting: R. Wilkinson, moderator; Worthington Gregory and W. McMahan, clerks; R. Wilkinson and Joseph Labore, were chosen judges of election; twenty-seven votes were cast. After the canvass was made, it was found that the following officers were elected: J. F. Murray, chairman of the board; Moses Le May and Casper Mossbrugger, supervisors; G. W. Schaber, town clerk; V. B. Barnum, assessor; Joseph Labore, collector; Lewis Bibeau, overseer of poor; J. R. Clewett and A.

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Pepin, justices; Joseph Pepin and W. F. Park, constables. At a meeting of the board held May 29th, 1858, the town was divided into four road districts. John Vadnais was appointed overseer road district No. 1; G. Mossbrugger, over district No. 2; L. R. S. Crum, over district No. 3; T. H. Murray, over district No. 4; also voted to levy a tax of twelve cents on eaclı $100 of real estate for roads.

At the annual meeting of 1859, it was voted to raise $200 by tax for the current expenses of the year. Officers elected were: Ross s Wilkinson, chairman; G. Mossbrugger and Moses Le May, supervisors; W. Gregory, clerk.

At the meeting of 1860, a tax of thirty-five cents on each $100 of real estate was voted for roads. Officers elected were: G. Mossbrugger, chairman; Louis Bibeau and Anthony Labore, supervisors; J. J. Redmond, clerk. At the same election R. Wilkinson, was elected superintendent of schools.

At the annual meeting of 1861, a tax of thirty- five cents on each $100 of real estate was voted for roads, and the sum of $100 for current ex- penses. G. Mossbrugger, chairman; A. Labore and J. R. Clewett, supervisors; J. J. Redmond, clerk.

At the annual meeting of 1862, twenty-two votes were cast. The sum of eighty dollars was voted for current expenses and fifty cents on each $100 of real estate, for roads. The officers elected were G. Mossbrugger, chairman; A. Labore and W. W. Webber, supervisors; J. J. Redmond, clerk.

At the election of 1863, thirty-one votes were cast: G. Mossbrugger, was elected chairman; A. Labore, and V. B. Barnum, supervisors; J. J. Redmond, clerk. A tax of fifty cents on each $100 of real estate, was voted for roads, and fifty dollars for current expenses.

At the election of 1864, thirty-three votes were cast and G. Mossbrugger, was elected chairman; A. Labore and W. Freeman, supervisors; J. J. Redmond, clerk. . A tax of fifty cents on each $100 of real estate was voted for roads and the sum of sixty dollars for current expenses.

At the election of 1865, thirteen votes were cast, and Joseph Freeman was elected chairman; Fred Vayhinger and Samuel Mecier, supervisors. $100 was voted for current expenses, $60 for the

poor, and 25 cents on each $100 of real estate, for roads.

At the election of 1866, $100 was voted for current expenses, and five mills for roads. Joseph Freeman was elected chairman, Samuel Mecier and Fred. Vayhinger, supervisors; Geo. C. Star- buck, clerk.

At the election of 1867, $100 was voted for cur- rent expenses, and five mills for roads. Joseph Freeman was elected chairman; Thomas Milner, Sr., and A. Labore, supervisors; W. Freeman clerk; which office he has held since that date.

At the election of 1868, Joseph Freeman was elected chairman; Thomas Milner, Sr., and A. Labore, supervisors. A tax of two mills was voted for current expenses, and five mills for roads.

In 1869, Joseph Freeman was elected chairman; Thomas Milner, Jr., and A. Labore, supervisors. A tax of two mills for current expenses, and five mills for roads was voted.

In 1870, G. Mossbrugger was elected chairman; Edward O. Rene and Felix Labore, supervisors. A tax of two mills for current expenses, and five mills for roads, was voted.

In 1871, Thomas Milner, Sr., was voted chair- man; D. Demers and William Gall, supervisors. A tax of two mills for current expenses, and five mills for roads, was voted.

At the election of 1872, three mills was voted for town, and five for road purposes. E. O. Rene was elected chairman; D. Demers and G. Moss- brugger, supervisors.

In 1873, 83 votes were cast, and William Leip was elected chairman; Thomas Milner and E. Long, supervisors. Three mills were voted for current expenses.

In 1874, a tax of three mills was voted for town purposes. W. Leip was elected chairman; J. H. Schneider and Joseph Reif, supervisors.

In 1875, a tax of five mills for roads, and one mill for town purposes was voted. E. O. Rene was elected clairman; Joseph Reif and E. Long, supervisors.

In 1876, a tax of two mills for town, and five mills for roads, was voted. E. O. Rene was elected chairman; E. Long and Joseplı Reif, su- pervisors.

In 1877, a tax of two mills for town, and five mills for road purposes, was voted. E. O. Rene

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was elected chairman; Joseph Reif and E. Long, supervisors.

In 1878, a tax of five mills for roads, and two mills for town purposes, was voted. E. O. Rene was elected chairman; Joseph Reif and E. Long, were elected supervisors.

In 1879, E. O. Rene was elected chairman; E. Long and Joseph Reif, supervisors. A tax of two mills for town, and five for roads, was voted.

In 1880, a tax of two mills for town, and five mills for roads, was voted. E. O. Rene was elected chairman; E. Long and J. Reif supervis- ors.

In 1881, five mills was voted for roads, and two for town purposes, and two mills for town house. E. O. Rene elected chairman; Joseph Reif and E. Long, supervisors; W. Freeman, town clerk.

The population of the town of White Bear, in 1860, was 267; in 1875, 647; by the United States census, 1880, 1,135, which includes a population of 435 in the village of White Bear Lake.

In 1860, the real estate in the town was assessed at $60,643; personal property, $1,718; a total val- uation of $62,361. In 1880, the valuation of real estate was $241,775; personal property, $24,187; total, $265,962; an increase of over $100,000 in twenty years,

SCHOOLS.

School district number five was organized in 1859. First board of trustees elected was V. B. Barnum, Thomas Milner, Sr., and J. L. Fisk; J. C. Murray, clerk. The first school-house was of logs,20x20 feet in size, erected near the site of the present house, at an expense of about $100. First teacher was Mrs. Laura Aubrey, from Eng- land. The present school house was erected in 1868, of wood, 24x40 feet, at a cost of $1,400. The district found that house too small to ac- commodate the increasing school, and made an addition in 1878, at an expense of $1,000. Pres- ent officers are J. C. Murray, treasurer, Thomas Milner, director, and William Freeman, clerk. The average attendance is about sixty pupils.

School district number six was organized in 1853 with the following board of officers : John Vadnais, director; Joseph Labore, treasurer. No books were kept and no clerk elected. First school- house was a small log building near the crossing of the Little Canada and St. Paul roads, and the

Minneapolis and St. Louis railroad. The first teacher was Miss Eliza Lebonne. She taught in French. The present house, located in the south-east quarter of the south-east quarter section 29, was built in 1875, of wood, 20x30 feet, and cost $650. The house is too small for the num- ber of pupils in attendance, and an addition of ten feet is being built this season. The present board of officers is: Gasper Mossbrugger, treas- urer; A. Labore, director; and Joseph Reif, clerk.

School district number nineteen was organized in 1869. The following board of officers was elected : E. Rene, director; William Leitz, treas- urer; John Beals, clerk. The petition asking to be cut off from the White Bear district (which at that time included the east half of the town) asked for three sections square which took in a large portion of the territory included in the village of White Bear Lake, and took away many of those who wished to attend the White Bear school. A petition was issued from the White Bear district, asking a change which was granted, which necessitated a reorganization in 1870 of the district, when M. Schropfer was elected director; William Gall, treasurer; E. O. Rene, clerk. The school-house was built that season, and located on the north-west quarter of the south-east quar- ter of section 35. It is a frame building 20x30 feet, and cost about $300. First teacher was Miss Emma Frink. Present board are : W. Gall, director; Joseph Auger, treasurer, E. O. Rene; clerk.

School district number twenty-three was or- ganized in the spring of 1869 with the following board of officers: F. G. Kranhold, clerk ; Lean- der C. Capistrant, director ; and J. B. Jarvis, treasurer. The school-house was erected on the north-east quarter of section 9, same year, of wood, 20x30, at an expense of about $150. The first teacher was Miss Lee. Present officers are: Daniel Bibeau, director; V. Rapp, treasurer; F. . G. Kranhold, clerk.

The First Presbyterian church was organized with eight members in 1864, under the ministry of Rev. J. C. Caldwell, then connected with the Second Presbyterian church of Stillwater. Meet- ings were held in the old log school-house until 1873, when their present comfortable house of worship was erected on Second street, of wood,

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33 by 50 feet, at an expense of $2,500. The first board of trustees was J. C. Murray, E. Long and D. Getty ; Elders, D. Getty and J. F. Murray. Present board, J. C. Murray, E. Long and II. Bacon; Elders, D. Getty and Carl E. Upman. Since its organization forty-two members have been added, eight died, and twelve moved away, leaving the present membership 30. Rev. A. W. Benson, their present pastor, labors between the two churches of White Bear and Pine City, preaching alternately at each place once in two weeks.

The Episcopalian church, St. John in the Wil- derness, was organized in 1861. The church was erected the same year, on a lot situated in section 23, near the east shore of Goose lake. The church was consecrated by Rev. Dr. Patterson of St. Paul, August, 1861. It remained on that spot until the winter of 1874, when it was decided to remove it to its present location. Its distance from the village, where most of the members lived, and the bad roads during the winter months, caused the society to make the change, which was done during the winter of 1874, on the ice. Clergymen from St. Paul and other points have supplied the pulpit for the most of the time since its organization.

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