History of Rice County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota and outline history of the state of Minnesota, Part 101

Author: Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893. 1n; Bryant, Charles S., 1808-1885. cn
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Minneapolis : Minnesota Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 626

USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota and outline history of the state of Minnesota > Part 101

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On sections twenty-six and thirty-four is located what is known as the "Big Woods," although they are now small and insignificant in comparison with what they were in former years. Throughout the town, where there is no natural timber, the far- mers have cultivated domestic groves, which are a great help in beautifying the township. One in particular is worth mentioning, on the farm of Samuel F. Johnson, in section thirteen. The. grove consists of maple and cottonwood, covering ten or twelve acres, set in symetrical rows about twelve feet apart, and visitors pronounce it one of the finest in the State. There are many fine farms, well watered, well cultivated, and supplied with excellent buildings, and it can unhesitatingly be said that this is the finest township in Rice coun- ty.

There are only two streams of any note passing over the surface of this sub-divesion, the Cannon River, passing through the city of Northfield, and Prairie Creek. The latter rises in Cannon City, enters Northfield at the extreme southwestern point, and flows through the southern tier of towns until it reaches the northeastern part of sec- tion thirty-four, where it is joined by another small stream and makes a northward turn, keep- ing this direction with a little inclination to the west until it reaches section one, when it leaves Northfield and enters Goodhue county. In sec- twelve Prairie Creek is joined by Spring Creek, which rises in section thirty-six and flows north-

565

NORTHFIELD TOWNSHIP.

ward through the eastern tier of sections until it joins the more powerful stream.

A sketch of Northfield published in 1868, when the territory was a part of the town that now comprises the corporate limits of the town of Northfield, says:

"NORTHFIELD, the northeastern town of the county, contains one congressional township and eight sections of land. Of its area eighty acres belong to the government, two hundred and eighty acres to the railroad, and one hundred and sixty to the University. This town presents great inducements for the investment of capital in farm- ing, its surface is beautifully diversified with prairies, groves, and running streams. The "Big Woods " skirts the town on the west, and furnishes an inexhaustible supply of timber. Its popula- tion is principally of American origin, and its for- eign born citizens mostly Germans and Nor- wegians. The station of the Milwaukee & St. Paul railway is in the town of the same name, sit- uated in the northwestern part of the township."

Since the above was written the city of North- field has been set off and organized as a separate government, leaving the area of the township as stated elsewhere in this article. The same report states that the population of both in 1860, was 880, and in 1865, 1,502. In 1870, the population of both town and city was 2,381.

The government and unsold land mentioned in the above report is now occupied by actual set- tlers. The statement as to the nationality of the inhabitants will apply to the present time.

In 1870, the values in Northfield, city and township, as given to the census takers were as follows: Real property, $984,180; personal, $340,325; total, $1,324,505. The total assessed valuation for the same year, real and personal, was $716,890. In 1882, the County Commissioners in equalizing the taxes of the county made the fol- lowing report of the assessed valuation in North- field: Personal property, town and city, $527,- 473; real property, $979,459; total assessed value, $1,506,932. Showing an increase since 1872, of $790,042. Of the figures given for 1882, the total assessed valuation in the city was $1,050,265, of which $445,841 represented the personal, and and $604,416 the real property. The total as- sessed valuation in the township, exclusive of the city, for 1882, was $446,667, of which $71,632 was personal and $375,035 real property.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

This subdivision of Rice county commeneed its era of pioneering in 1854, about the same time as did almost all of the prairie towns, this kind of land being more inviting to the incomers and more easily subdued and made ready for agriculture, The first to come into the township and actually settle and take a farm was Mr. D. Kirkendahl, or, as it is sometimes spelled, "Kuykendahl", who was a native of Germany but recently from Pennysl- vania. He took a farm just where part of the city now is, and commenced western life in a tent where the college buildings now are, and where, in a few weeks, he put up a log cabin. His sell- ing out to Mr. North and leaving is noted in the history of the city.

Mr. Kirkenhabl had been here just twelve days when Mr. Alexander Stewart made his appearance. He was a native of New York, having stopped for a time in Wisconsin, which latter place he left on the 16th of May, and arrived in Northfield on the 16th of June, 1854, and found Kirkendahl safely, but temporarily, housed in his tent. Mr. Stewart brought his family, and all he had in the world which consisted of three pair of oxen, four cows, and some loose cattle, besides the usual household articles and "nick-nacks." A tent was pitched on his present place in which he lived four weeks while he did some breaking and preparing land, and then he erected a log shanty 14x18 feet, and, as he says, "one story low." This he covered with a half roof of shakes, the remaining half being open for two months, no floor was put in and in this shape the family moved into their new home and remained there until after the fall work was finished. Then Mr. Stewart went to St. Paul and procured some lumber with which he made some badly needed repairs. Shakes of black oak were brought into use to make a good roof, which was covered with sod, and this sheltered the inmates for nearly two years when, on the occasion upon which Elder T. R. Cressey, the pioneer Baptist minister, was a guest of Mr. Stewart's, a heavy rain storm came up and speedily made mush of the sod which had become rotten, and soon trans- formed the little cabin into a mud pile. This made it painfully apparent that there was still room for improvement, which was speedily furn- ished and afterwards a pleasant and neat dwelling was erected to take the place of the cabin, which still stands. Mr. Stewart still resides on his farm

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HISTORY OF RICE COUNTY.

and is undoubtedly the oldest settler in the town- ship or city. This little commencement was the basis upou which grew the entire northern settle- ment of the city and township. Two weeks after Mr. Stewart's arrival, Jonathan Alexander and family made their appearance and selected the farm upon which they now live, near the last named pioneer's place. He brought considerable stock, about ten cows and ten head of loose cattle, one horse, and was pretty well fixed with world's goods. A tent was pitched which served as shel- ter while a good shanty was erected; this was run as a hotel and tavern, or an old fashioned inn, from the time of its erection for a number of years, and many a weary traveler has here found shel- ter. Mr. Alexander has one son who took a farm as early, if not before he did, and both still oc- cupy them.

J. D. Hoskins and Henry Tralle were about the next to arrive. Hoskins was a native of the state of Maine and secured the place now occupied by Captain Ames. Tralle was a native of Germany and took a farm which he sold in 1855 to C. N. Stewart. This was about the extent to which the northern part of the town was settled this year, and carried it up to the winter of 1845-55, which was a very mild one and the settlers experienced no trouble in getting through in safety. In the meantime, and before cold weather had actually set in, another native of the old "fader-land" had arrived and settled south of this little neighbor- hood, in the person of Frank Frahnkoop, who still lives in the town.

In 1855, the immigration actually set in and as many of the arrivals as can be remembered will be given here.

John S. Way, whose nativity dates in Caledo- nia county, Vermont, came through this township from St. Paul where he had arrived in May, and reached Northfield in June, 1855. He put up some hay and in September secured the claim he now occupies in section seven, and put up a log house which is still standing and in use for an ice house. Mr. Way is now a member of the board of County Commissioners.

Next among the arrivals in the spring of 1855, we notice the names of C. F. Whittier, who now lives in Northfield, John Bingham, the White brothers, H. H. Merrie, T. H. Olin, who still lives on the second place he secured, and who is men- tioned elsewhere; Sylvanus Bunday, who took

land in section eleven; Ransom and George Smith, brothers just from Ohio; J. W. North, and W. W. and James Willis, also from Ohio. After this the settlement was carried on so rapidly that it is impossible to trace it in sequence. The city of Northfield was commenced,and although slowly at first, gained steadily until we find it what it is to-day. The settlement of the township thicken- ed, new modes of cultivation and agriculture have been adopted, and now we find one of the richest and most fertile farming localities in the State, with the farmers all in most prosperous and com- fortable circumstances. Since the time mention- ed, and on various dates, the following are a few of those who have arrived and now help fill the northern part of the town: Daniel Goodhue, P. Tosney, S. V. Ward, Thos. Lawler, James Lynn, the Bundays, Duncan Ferguson, Thomas De Lancey, Colville Carlaw, Wells Blackman, John Miller, B. F. Woodman, Thomas Wilson, Charles S. Martin. J. C. Couper, W. R. Green, C. W. Ly- man, E. Spear, Culver Hibbard, John Riddell, John Law, A. T. Barrows, S. M. Persons, Benja- min Ogden, Nels Woodworth, G. Bacon, W. N. Woodsworth, Franklin Kelly, etc., etc.

In the meantime a settlement had been started and was growing rapidly in the southern and central part of the township, and we must call the reader back to the date of its beginning. About the first to come and select a claim was J. D. Jones, a Scotchman, who had stopped for about ten years in Wisconsin, and who arrived in the township in the spring of 1855. He made his way to East Prairie and took a farm in section thirty-five on Prairie Creek, and found that he had arrived just about the same time as a party of Norwegians who will be mentioned hereafter. He erected a small shanty and returned to Mil- waukee, where he remained for a time but subse- quently came back to his claim.

In the same spring, 1855, a party of Germans made their way into the township and became domiciled. Gottlieb Pray, or as it is sometimes spelled, "Prehn," F. Sommers, Mr. Crintz, and Gottlieb Lackel, were members of the party. Gottlieb Pray (or Prehn) took a farm in section twenty-two, where he dug a hole in the side of a hill and commenced pioneer life. Soon afterward a log house was erected, and he lived on his place about fourteen years when he went to Illi- nois where he died; his son still occupies the old homestead, in comfortable circumstances.

567

NORTHFIELD TOWNSHIP.

F. Sommers secured a home in section ten, and put up a little shanty covered with dirt, and be- gan " stayin " there. He still occupies his place in a well fixed home.

Mr. Crintz took the farm now occupied by Mr. H. Harris in section sixteen, where he erected a house and lived until the time of his death, which occurred in 1875. His first team consisted of a couple of milch cows.

Gottlieb Lackel made a pre-emption in section seventeen, and after living there a few years went . to Cannon City,and from there to Faribault where he now lives. All of these parties had their fam- ilies with them and had but very little of the world's goods. There are now, however, those who remain, among the "solid men" of this part of the county. There is some dispute as to the date of their coming, by outside parties who claim they did not come until 1856, but we give it as re- ported to us by one of the members of the party, and we believe this to be correct.

T. H. Olin also arrived this year, being a na- tive of New York. He made a claim near Mr. J. D. Jones' place, and, as he was afraid some one might jump it, he placed a man named Sanford upon it to comply with the statutes, so it would be safe. Sanford proved to be a treacherous fellow, and after he had been on the place a short time began to consider it his, and when Mr. Olin re- turned from an eastward trip to claim the land he had selected, Sanford pretended not to recognize him, and although he had been paid for attending it he refused to give it up, and as Mr. Olin was a lover of peace, rather than make trouble he went several miles north and purchased a claim where he now lives. Olin had put up, at a cost of $100, one of the first houses in the township on this land, hauling the lumber from Hastings, and to be cheated out of the whole thing was a severe blow financially. Sanford, after six or seven months, decided that this was an unhealthy locality for him and he finally sold his claim to Mr. Thorpe for $600, and went to Hastings where all of his money was stolen from him and he and his fam- ily commenced working their way eastward. He, during his stay, had made considerable money by locating parties on land, for which he charged ex- orbitantly; but, after E. L. Fuller arrived, a town plat was secured and this work was done free of charge.

On the 24th of May, 1856, E. L. Fuller, a na-

tive of the Empire State, made his appearance with his family, some stock, and household goods, and took the claim he now ocenpies on sections twenty-two and twenty-seven. The first thing he did was to pitch a tent, in which he lived until his log house was erected. Charles Ferrall, a native of New York, and a man from Wisconsin, Rich- mond Clinton, came at the same time; the former took land in section twenty-seven, where he re- mained four years, and after spending a short time in Northfield finally found his way back to his native State. Richmond Clinton secured a home adjoining section twenty-two and remained there until his death, which occurred in April, 1864.

In June, 1856, J. D. Jones, who is mentioned above, returned to the township, having spent some time in Milwaukee, and commenced board- ing with Mr. Fuller's family, as he was a single man, while he did his breaking. Mr. Jones still lives on his farm which is one of the finest in the county, surrounded by all the luxuries and com- forts of an eastern home, and is one of Rice county's prominent men.

George and William Thorpe, of Vermont, ar- rived on the 4th of July, 1856, and celebrated the day by taking farms north of Mr. Jones. One of them purchased Olin's farm of Sanford. Wil- liam died some years ago, but the property is yet in the family. John Dixon, late from Michigan, drifted in about the same time and pre-empted the northwest quarter of section twenty-eight, where F. Koester now lives, and lived on it for six years. He erected a log house, and his wife taught school, but he finally returned to Michi- gan from whence he came. Some old settlers think Mr. Dixon did not come until one year later than '56, while others claim this date is correct.

About the next to come in and take a home was Lambert Watts and family, from Vermont, who made their way with a team of horses and settled on the northeast quarter of twenty-seven. They still live in the township. Mr. William Ross and family, from Pennsylvania, showed up about this time, the whole party being on foot. They set- tled on a farm in section twenty-one, and the fam- ily held the claim while the father and son went out to work until they had earned enough to buy a team. They remained on the place for fifteen or sixteen years, until they became in comfortable circumstances, and then removed westward; one son is now in Bridgewater township.

568

HISTORY OF RICE COUNTY.

In the fall of 1857, Philip Miller and family, wife and two children, Germans, drove into the township behind a team composed of one ox and a cow, and an old fashioned home-made wagon with wheels without tires. They first settled in section fifteen where they remained for a number of years and then purchased the valuable farm they now occupy in section twenty-one.

The same year a man named Gregory came and settled, but has since gone. A man whose name is forgotten came early and took a place in sec- tions seventeen and eighteen and after occupying the same a short time sold, in the fall of 1857, to Joseph Cannedy who now occupies it.

Mr. David H. Orr had been in the town before this on a prospecting tour, but returned to stay in 1858.

A small colony of Norwegians had arrived in 1855, and it is claimed that some came the year previous. They all settled in the southern part of the town, mostly along Prairie Creek. As many of those whose names are remembered will be given, viz: Halver Quie, Hans Hanson, Rinde Erick, Shure and Ingebret Igebretson, Toske Bun- day, Sever Aslakson, Ole Lockrun and two broth- ers, Helger Hanson, Lars Knuteson, Nels Oleson, John Hanson, Andrew Johnson, Guttorm Sever- son, Eson Clemmerson, Sever Oleson, Ole Sever- son, and a man whose name has slipped from memory. In the summer this remarkable indi- vidual was called the "Old Saw-mill " because, as it is claimed, he and his daughter with a whip- saw cut up all the lumber used by this small army for building purposes; in the winter he spent his time cobbling and was then called the "Old Shoemaker." He has since gone west. This crowd was joined the following year by Os- mund Osmundson, Captain John Hanson, who could talk English, as could Halver Quie, and Toske Bunday, and were known as the "Interpre- ters." Many others came at various times, and probably a few of those who are mentioned as coming in 1855, did not reach their farms until the spring of the following year.

The above list embraces most of the early set- tlers, but of course it is not intended to be a com- plete roll of all the pioneers, for only a census taken at that time and carefully preserved could do that.

ITEMS OF INTEREST.

It is claimed that Elder T. R. Cressey, the pion- eer Baptist preacher, held services in the house of Alexander Stewart in September, 1854. This was among the first services in the county. The first Methodist and Congregational services were also held in the same place, the first by the Rev. Mr. Curran, and the last by Rev. Mr. Hall.

There has been three railroad lines surveyed through the township, along Prairie Creek, but all have proved failures.

EARLY BIRTHS .- About the first birth in the county, and undoubtedly the first in the township, was the arrival of James, a son of Alexander and Hannah Stewart, at their residence in section thirty-one, near the City. The boy died some years ago.

Willie Ferrall, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ferrall, was born iu the year 1857, grew to manhood, and is now a mail distributor in Minne- apolis at a salary of $1,100 per year. A number of Norwegian children were born very early.

MARRIAGES .- The first marriage of parties from this town was John, a son of Jonathan Alexander, who went east shortly after his arrival in the town and was married while there to Miss Ann Toliff, and together they returned to their new home in the West. They still live in the township. Their marriage must have occurred late in 1854.

About the first marriage within the limits of the township took place in 1855, at the residence of the bride's parents, and the high contracting par- ties were Mr. John Lamphier and Miss Athea Alexander; the ceremony being performed by the Congregational minister, Rev. Mr. Hall.

William Bierman and Miss Christine Pray (or Prehn) were joined in the holy bonds early in 1857, by Squire Frost, the happy couple going and returning from their place of union on foot. They are now well off.

In the same fall August Pray was mar- to Miss Bierman, at the "dug out" of the groom's father, by a German minister. They are still liv- ing on the place where they were made one, sur- rounded by all the comforts of life.

DEATHS .- Two children of Herman Jerkins died in the fall of 1856, and were buried on the old Kuykendahl (or Kirkendahl ) place.

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NORTHFIELD TOWNSHIP.

POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS.

The first meeting of the township was undoubt- edly held on the 11th of May, 1858, in common with the balance of Rice county's subdivisions; but the first twenty leaves have in some manner, and owing to someone's carelessness or vandalism, been torn from the clerk's book, and the original, and therefore the most interesting part of the township records must he guessed at. It is one of the duties of the township clerk to see that the town records are preserved, and to mutilate them himself or to allow any one else to mutilate or destroy any portion of them, is as open to penal- ty as to make a false entry on them. Men should be placed in office who can be depended upon, and bonds required for the faithful performance of duties, while the board should promptly investi- gate matters of this kind with an eye to ascertain- ing who the real culprit is. It is probable, how- ever, in this case, that the books have been torn while moving from one office to another.

· The first meeting shown by the records was held on the 1st of April, 1862, in Lyceum Hall, in Northfield, and O. H. Rawson was appointed mod- erator, and George W. Butterfield, clerk. The moderator then declared, the polls open, the ballot box being in charge of N. G. Clary, G. Gregory, and Linus Fox. After the polls were closed it was found that there had been about ninety votes cast, and the following officers were declared elec- ted: Supervisors, John S. Way, Chairman J. A. Hunt, and George C. Thorpe; Clerk, George W. Butterfield; Treasurer, M. P. Skinner; Justices of the Peace, Charles Taylor and Linus Fox; Asses- sor, Elias Hobbs; Constables, Dwight Bushnell and John Vanater. The government of the town- ship was continued by these gentlemen, and has been kept up by their successors in an efficient manner.

At the town meeting in 1882, in the spring, the twenty-fourth annual reunion of the voters, the following officers were placed in charge of town matters: Supervisors; J. J. Alexander, Chairman, N. S. Cannedy, and A. T. Huseby; Clerk, John G. Koester; Treasurer, C. J. Orr; Assessor, Charles J. Sherpey; Justice of the Peace, J. D. Jones; Constable, J. C. Sommers. Meetings are now held in the Hall over Mr. D. H. Orr's cheese factory, in the southwestern portion of section fourteen; but the project of erecting a town hall is now being entertained by the officials.

WAR RECORD .- In February, 1864, a request was made by the free holders of the locality for a special town meeting, to issue bonds for the pur- pose of compensating volunteers who should en- list to fill the quota assigned the town. This call was signed by Charles Taylor, J. A. Hunt, Linus Fox, S. L. Bushnell, William Thorpe, H. Scriver, E. Lathrop, and E. Lockwood. Accordingly the requisite papers were issued, and on the 26th of February, 1864, the special meeting came to order in the Lyceum hall, and T. H. Olin was chosen moderator. The records then says they voted the sum of $2,000, or as much thereof, as, in the dis- cretion of the board, should be necessary to pro- cure volunteers, Bonds to be issued at 12 per cent interest. The proceedings are signed by the Supervisors, who were, John S. Way, J. A. Hunt, and G. C. Thorpe; E. Lathrop was Clerk. Then, on the 7th of the following March, the Treasurer was directed to let bonds be issued in favor of the following volunteers, at the rate of interest men- tioned above, and to the amount as set opposite their names, as follows:

Kleber Wilkinson $ 100

William A. Bowe 100

James A. Philbrick 125

Henry Pratt 100

Frank Groom. 100

William C. Haycock, 100

William A. Bickett 100

Robert S. Keane.

100

E. B. Hale 100

William H. Wood. 50

Frank Schofield 100

Andrew L. Emory

100

Total $1,175

This order was signed by the last above mention ed supervisors.

Shortly after this, in July, 1864, another re- quest was made by the following named freehol- ders, for a special meeting for the purpose of vot- ing money to volunteers: Charles Taylor, William Thorpe, J. A. Hunt, E. Lockwood, M. W. Skin- ner, Robert Silk, Urill Butler, E. Slocum, John Simmons, S. L. Bushnell, J. L. McFee, John Van- ater, and H. Jenkins, jr. The requested meeting was held in the store of H. Jenkins, jr., and Hiram Scriver was elected moderator. After the usual preliminaries it was voted that $6,000 should be issued in bonds at 12 per cent. interest, to those

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HISTORY OF RICE COUNTY.

who should volunteer to enlist to fill the town's quota. The Supervisors at that time were D. H. Orr, William Thorpe, and N. Wheaton.

Another special meeting was held on the eighth of November, 1864, at which the sum of $200 was voted for relief to the families of volunteers, and C. A. Wheaton, W. J. Sibbison, aud I. S. Field were made a committee to investigate and distrib- ute the relief.

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History of Rice County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota and outline history of the state of Minnesota, Part 101

Author: Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893. 1n; Bryant, Charles S., 1808-1885. cn Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Minneapolis : Minnesota Historical Co. Number of Pages: 626

Author: Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893. 1n; Bryant, Charles S., 1808-1885. cn
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Minneapolis : Minnesota Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 626