USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota and outline history of the state of Minnesota > Part 75
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"But oil'd by thee, The wheels o' life go down the scrieven Wi' rattlin' glee."
In June, 1856, I came to the State (then Terri- tory ), riding in a stage from Hastings. As the prairies spread out before us in their living green, dotted with the wild rose and other flowers, was it any wonder that the heart of the traveler from the barren hills of the East or the wilds of Canada, should leap for joy within him, and that he should
feel that this is indeed a goodly land ? And as we came over the hill east of the village, and the noble forest with that then magnificent grove of elms near the mill broke upon our view as the stage drove into the embryo city of Northfield, need you be surprised that I ordered my trunk taken off, and felt at last I had reached my jour- ney's end, and in old settler's parlance "stuck my stake." At that time the line of woods came down upon a line with the railroad track. The school section was furnishing wood and logs for the gen- eral public. The latter (the logs I mean) were sawed up at the old mill, standing where now stands the west side grist-mill. The lumber so furnished was building up the town, and so fur- nished a salve to the consciences of those receiving its benefits. The skeleton balloon frames were being erected with great rapidity. The frames of the Jenkins and Cannon River Houses were up, and Mr. North's, the most complete in the village, was a board house, battened and lined with cot- ton cloth, in which he and his family had spent the winter, standing about where Mr. Gress' shoe store stands, and is now the building occupied by Mr. Bivins opposite the Lyceum. The grist mill was just enclosed, and under its shadow John Way and I threw out black bass with a spear a fast as we could handle them. The old bridge was a rnde affair of bents and stringers, swept away two or three times and replaced. There was a tradi- tion that floodwood was found on the line of this Division street, landed here by some great flood. Nothing so great has occurred in our day, al- though we have had some pretty ones. The grist mill furnished shelter for our first Fourth of July dinner. Many of you remember the basswood- plank, one-story building, 20x30 feet, set on blocks, in which was the beginning of the mercan- tile interests of Northfield, now grown to such magnificent proportions. Perhaps yon would not recognize it now in the two-story building owned by the corporation of Carleton College, and known by the significant name of " Pancake Hall," taken from the busy mart of commerce where it served an honorable purpose, and exalted to the higher duty of shelter and for the gastronomic uses of those seeking knowledge under difficulties.
The first stock in trade amounted to the modest sum of $500. A pale-faced youth, who had seen too much in-door work for health, was its happy proprietor, and on the counter, as he made his bed
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on a piece of cotton cloth, the favoring breezes blew over him between the shrunken planks at the sides and the loose boards of the floor, and brought health and vigor again.
You remember the remarkable summer of '56, and for that matter every season is remarkable. The frequent and terrible thunder showers; how it seemed every night almost as though all nature was about to collapse. How the lightning played and the thunder roared and crackled, and the morning would open clear and beautiful and na- ture with her face washed would smile again.
At times during the night herds of cattle with no fear of the " cattle law" before them, would come down hungry for salt, and as the brine dripped through the opening floor froma pork or fish barrel, the frail building would surge back and forth from their endeavors to reach it, till it seemed to its owner a question whether the cattle or the gentle breezes of the thunder showers would succeed first in toppling over his castle. Occasionally a venturesome calf would succeed in crawling under, and then there was no more sleep from the rattling and the banging of the floor boards till that calf was dislodged. Warned by these experiences, the new building has been sunk to the solid rock. A hen hatched her brood under one corner of the building, and asserting her right, female-like, to roost or ruin, would ascend the stairs in the quiet shades of evening, and at peep of dawn the owuer was awakened by peep of chick, and the whole brood would come clamoring down the stairs and demand an exit. Animal life was active in getting a living. Even a little mouse, attracted, perhaps, by the goodly size of the young mau's shoe, as affording sufficient stor- age for a winter's supply of food for the family, persisted several nights in succession in attempts to fill it with nuts.
The first religious service that I attended was in old Mr. Drake's house, two miles south, Dr. Sco- field officiating. When the schoolhouse on the east side of the village was enclosed, services were held there, and the good people came in to attend, drawn by the sure-footed slow locomotion of ox teams. The first debating club was organized and held there, and the first question on the board was "female suffrage." Thus early did this great question agitate the minds and hearts of this com- munity. It was difficult to find anybody to take the negative, for the male sex, especially, felt that
the great necessity of the hour was the immigra- tion of the fairer sex. Young men and old bache- lors, therefore, were spoiling to have women vote, and every inducement was offered to get them here. The debating society grew, and a reading- room was formed and the upper portion of Skin- ner's store occupied, but it was soon felt that a building suitable to its needs must be had, and the present Lyceum building and library was the re- sult. The long winter evenings were spent in debate, music, readings, original papers, etc. Of course we had some astonishing bursts of eloquence, for genius felt in this free air untrammeled. One, in using a Bible illustration, spoke of the "Widow Cruse's jug of oil as unfailing. In speaking of his musical acquirements he said, "I once had no ear, no voice, but look at me now." A sufficient cause of encouragement in the musical line to those who knew him. As we felt the necessity of the civilizing influence of music in our semi-savage state, a band. of young men was formed, led by John Mullin, now of Faribault, who, differing somewhat from a certain long-eared gent, had more voice than ear for music, the principles of whom were that each should be an independent singer sing in his own key, and as loud as possible. Un- der the inspiration of a large and appreciative audience, when at the word that hopeful band was let loose on the expectant ear, it was like a thous- and bulls of Bashan, or a regiment of army mules. The effect was terrific, and at the word "Halt!" they were finally stopped, and the stillness could be felt-a trifle. Such ancient lyrics as "Old Grimes," "The Battle of the Nile," etc., were ren- dered with stunning effect. Time hung heavy. Money and girls, two prime necessities of life, were scarce. Even a counterfeit bill was a prize to some, and the first financial principle I heard enunciated was, "Never refuse a counterfeit; I would rather have a counterfeit than a genuine, for it helps to make trade lively. Keep it circu- lating." A principle which, if faithfully followed, will no doubt make it lively. If a sleigh ride was gotten up a sort of lottery was resorted to, and sorry was the poor wight who was not paired off. We have a tradition that the winters were cold in those days. Certainly the climate is changed now, but no doubt we were as often puzzled as the Irishman who, looking at the thermometer, said, "I have often wondhered how a little thing loik that should make it so cault in the winther and so
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warrum in in the summer." It is, I suppose, be- yond contradiction that in the winter of '56 it did not thaw on the south side of the house for three months. It is perhaps well to refresh our mem- ories in these mild and salubrious days with recol- lections of those severe winters which gave our State such a bad reputation East, and in which it is said we were obliged to piece out our thermom- eters with broom handles in order to make a proper record. Mr. Jenkins had a boarder who froze his toes while asleep in bed with his feet near a win- dow, and there was quite a disturbance among the boarders in consequence of the smell of gargling oil used in healing the injured members.
A more turbulent, roystering, good-natured, and withal complaining, whining crew, it would be diffi- cult to get together than were those boarding at the two hotels during those winters. Scant fare and tough beef were disguised blessings to stir their sluggish blood and keep things lively. But woe to the poor traveler who happened along. What their ingenuity could not devise to annoy each other was visited upon him. While his at- tention would be attracted by some one at his side at the dinner table his pie or cake, or any little delicacy, was fast disappearing down the capacious maw of a conspirator at the other side. Overcoat pockets were visited and bottles, "contents not noted," was sure to be confiscated for the public good. At night he would wake up perhaps shiv- ering from the loss of a blanket, and the snoring occupants of the field room would be entirely ignorant, of course, of the cause of his distress until the disturbance would bring the landlord to his relief. Toll was levied on the two enterprising young merchants, and there was a constant oscil- lation from one side to the other of these idlers.
Ingenious devices wers used to distract the attention of the merchants, while a dip into the candy-box or nut barrel was made. Nails were driven into the ends of sticks by which a bunch of raisins could be quietly "hooked." You see to what straits for employment and amusement many were driven.
In the spring of '57, when the river was at the flood, a young man ventured to go over the dam. In doing so, his boat swamped and he was nearly drowned. Upon being drawn upon the bridge, his landlord walked up to the almost lifeless body, and giving it a kick said, "I'll teach you not to go and drown yourself till you have paid me your board."
In those halcyon days of steamboats, when rail- roads and railroad bonds did not trouble us, those of you who traveled, recollect how crowded they were, packed like herrings in a barrel, was a com- mon occurrence, when cabin floors, chairs, tables, and every available space and piece of furniture were put in requisition and covered by tired humanity. It was once my good fortune to obtain a room in company with a very corpulent German. Retiring first, I took the lower berth, and was soon fast asleep. I did not awaken when he entered, but soon did so from a crash and the smothering effects of the upper berth upon me while the fran- tic struggles and great weight of my German friend soon made me aware of what had happened. He soon rolled off, however, and as soon as he could get the mattress off, my ears were greeted with the exclamations and question, "Mine Cot! Mine Cot! ish you kilt ?" Soon assuring him I was safe it no doubt took a great load off his mind, as he did off my stomach.
But I must close my already too lengthy sketch. Do you realize that many of you have lived here one-fifth of the length of the life of this Nation. It seems short, but so it is. But the other day a light-haired youth was married who had not seen the light of day when you and I came here. A generation already past. It seems but the other day when the Indian trail could be tracked across the hill where now stands our Col- lege building. I believe but few shadows have fallen across our pathway during the past year. Our number undiminished as we assemble again with unbroken ranks. A mercy of which we ought to be truly thankful, while it may be con- sidered a glorious tribute to the general healthful- ness of our climate. A kind Providence has certainly smiled upon us. Changes scarcely perceptible are constantly occurring with us. A few more gray hairs may be noticed perhaps, a little more stoop to the shoulders, a slight halting in the step, warn- ing us that change is upon us, and that it cannot always he so, but for present mercies let us be glad and rejoice, that we have been euabled to meet to- gether once more under such happy auspices."
The Association met in Northfield on the 16th of February, 1882. The usual progromme was carried out, and speeches were made by G. W. Batchelder, Rev. A. Willey, Robert Watson, J. C. Cooper, Sherriff Barton, Gen. Nutting, D. H. Orr, Rev. William Reynolds, F. W. Frink, Rev. L. Gil-
.
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bert, and others. A letter was received from Mrs. E. Hobbs which was read and highly appreciated.
LYCEUM ASSOCIATION .- A prominent feature in early days was what is known under the above title, and occupied a central position, as the citi- zens were so nearly shut out of the world that they had' to depend upon their own genius for sources of amusement. This society took quite a wide range, and the best talent of the place was called into requisition. A gratifying feature was the commingling of elements which were denomi- nationally antagonistic, as all shades of belief joined hands in sustaining the society. The early records are not visible, but the tradition is that it was called into being in 1858, and under its benign pressure a building was constructed. Weekly meetings were held in the regular season the fee for membership being $2 at first, but af- terwards it was reduced one-half.
The discussions which were held we: e character- ized by ability, originality, and often blended withı eccentricity, leaving them long to be remembered. As the adherents of the various forms of religious belief began to gather, each would get up social gatherings by themselves, and the denominational entertainments took the place of this association; thus apathy necessarily resulted, and finally the meetings were discontinued. In 1878, the build- ing and the library that had been accumulated was transferred to the city.
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SOCIAL LODGE NO. 48-MASONIC .- This was in- stituted on the 6th of October, 1864, with the fol- lowing first three officers: Charles Taylor, W. M .; D. W. Whitney, S. W .; Felix Collett, J. W. The regular communications are on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.
The following brothers have been masters of the lodge: Charles Taylor, H. W. Bingham, Morgan Emery, F. A. Noble, A. A. Keller, J. W. Murphy, and O. F. Perkins, the present master. The other officers are: H. L. Crittenden, S. W .; Willis Rawson, J. W .; D. H. Lord, S. D .; S. L. Bushnell, T.
ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER-CORINTHIAN NO. 33 .- Was instituted on the 1st of March, 1877. The char- ter members were: C. N. Daniels, C. E. Rogers, L. A. Fuller, J. D. Johnson, Peter .W. Delaney, S. Raineri, H. J. Eldred, F. Collett, J. C. Haven.
The meetings are on the second and fourth Thursdays in each montlı.
The present officers arc: H. K. Kelley, H. P .;
H. L. Crutten, K .; B. F. Henry, S .; J. L. Black- man, Sec .; John Hands, T.
NORTHFIELD LODGE NO. 50 .- ODD FELLOWS .- There was a lodge instituted here before the war, but which surrendered its charter.
The present lodge was instituted on the 15th of November, 1875. The charter members were: S. S. Dickinson, William H. Bennett, T. M. Gossard, Otis S. Taylor, John Lapp, Samuel W. Matteson, C. H. Miller, Peter Filbert, Henry Ebel, and W. O. Johnson. There are now sixty members. The present officers are Galen H. Coon, N. G .; J. A. Lawrence, V. G .; James Morton, Secretary; S. Raineri, Treasurer.
ORIENT ENCAMPMENT No. 20 .- The charter members of this body were: J. A. Lawrence, David Sibbeson, Seymour Finkelson, O. S. Tay- lor, Jolm F. Hunter, William H. Bennett, I. B. Hodgson, Ross C. Phillips, Ira Sumner, Charles H. Miller, S. Raineri, William Ebel, and Henry Riddell. The nights of meeting are on the first and third Thursdays of each month.
The officers for the current term are: Henry Riddell, C. P .; G. H. Coon, H. P .; D. Sibbeson, S. W .; F. Henderson, J. W .; S. Finkelson, S .; S. Raineri, T.
NORTHFIELD LODGE NO. 41-ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORKINGMEN .- The original members were: George A. Henry, E. Lockwood, George E. Bates, E. H. Springer, W. J. Sibbeson, E. J. Clark, Mason Wheeler, D. J. Whitney, W. N. Olin, and S. A. Morse.
It has now a membership of twenty-two. The officers for the present term are: James Kenney, M. W., E. Lockwood, F .; C. W. Mann, O .; F. O. Rice, R .; C. A. Drew, T.
KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN RULE .- Institued on the 15th of August, 1879, with the following roll: H. S. Robinson. Joseph Cocayne, E. B. Carpen- penter.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION .- This was first organized as a Students' Christian Asso- ciation in 1874, with the following officers: Pres- ident, J. J. Dow; Vice President, E. S. Ross; Treasurer, E. W. Young; Secretary, W. K. Mul- liken.
The last meeting of this organization was on the 14th of June, 1879, when it was reorganized ander the rules of the "Young Men's Chris- tian Association." The present officers are: Pres- ident, Dr. Graves; Vice President, O. L. Robinson;
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HISTORY OF RICE COUNTY.
Treasurer, M. Wright; Secretary, Sarah D. Steg- ner. A reading room well filled with periodicals is kept open down town.
GOOD TEMPLARS .- This institution was organ- ized on the 21st of September, 1881. Its meet- ings are on Tuesday evenings.
The fraternal orders being rather popular at the present time, particularly where there is life, health, or accident insurance, there may be still others in town, as there is certainly quite an ex- tensive membership in outside companies.
OLD TOWN HALL.
This building was the first erected by the town for public purposes, on Fourth street, and was us- ually called "Lyceum Building," as it was con- structed under the auspices of the Lyceum Asso- ciation in 1858. All the residents contributed to pay the $1,000 it is said to have cost. A library was also started by subscription, and kept accu- mulating through the means of festivals and en- tertainments until there were upwards of 400 valuable volumes. The building is in a state of decay, and is occupied as a justice's office.
WATERFORD.
Early in 1855, a town was laid out north of Northfield about two miles, just over the line in Dakota county. This was before Northfield was platted, and there was great rivalry between the new places, which amounted to animosity in some instances. This feeling between new towns which were springing all around, seemed to be general; each one seemed to feel that it could only flourish at the expense of others. This town of Waterford was laid out by "Bobby Masters." He secured a Post-office and had it opened early that year, which might have been in the fall of 1854, or early the following year. One of the Atkin boys, whoever they were, was the Postmaster. The office was kept in an old trunk. Joseph Bills and Mr. Parch have been Postmasters. Mrs. Madison is the pres- ent Postmistress. The place now has about one hundred inhabitants, and of course is no longer a rival of Northfield.
This place, although in Dakota county, is men- tioned for the good it has done and the good it is still doing as a place of trade for some of Rice county people.
CHAPTER LIII.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
CAPTAIN JESSE AMES was born at Vinal Haven, Knox county, Maine, on the 4th of February, 1808. He lived on a farm until fifteen years of age, then went to sea and at the age of twenty-three was master of a merchant vessel. On the 27th of Oc- toher, 1832, Miss Martha Tolman became his wife. She is a daughter of Thomas Tolman, of Rock- land, Maine. Mrs. Ames sailed round the world twice with her husband, who, after being captain of a vessel thirty years, made his last voyage in 1861, coming from New Zealand to London, and thence home, after selling his vessel. Having a son in Minnesota, he visited the State and concluded to cast anchor here for life, and after two years spent in farming in the county, located in North- field. In October, 1864, Mr. Ames and his sons purchased the flouring mill at this place, and the "Northfield" brand of flour, made by Jesse Ames & Sons, and now by Jesse Ames' Sons, is in high repute. In 1868, Mr. Ames was in the Legisla- ture and was also a member of the Convention at Chicago, which nominated Grant the first term. He has two children; John T. and Adelbert.
DAVID AMES, a brother of Capt. Jesse Ames, was born in North Haven, Knox county, Maine, on the 26th of June, 1819. He received a good education and taught school in the winter for thirteen or fourteen years. During the summer he coasted from Rockland to New York, having a vessel of his own a portion of the time. In De- cember, 1842, he married Miss Lucy Dyer, of his native place, and they have four children; Char- lotte B., Hannibal Hamlin, John B., and Arthur H. In 1847 and 1850, Mr. Ames was in the Maine Legislature. In 1867, he came to this place and soon after engaged in his brother's flour-mill. He owns a farm of four hundred and seven acres on Prairie Creek, and a residence in the city. Has been Chairman of the Board of Supervisors three years.
W. M. BERKMAN was born in Franklin county, Indiana, on the 29th of March, 1854, and the 4th of July following his parents came to Minnesota. His father enlisted in the army, leaving his family in Hastings, and in 1866, they removed to Min- neapolis and soon after to St. Paul, where the father still resides, being one of the leading vet- erinary surgeons in the State. In 1878, our sub- ject married Miss Daisy C. Williamson, the cere-
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mony taking place the 5th of September. In May, 1880, he came to Northfield, and his profession is that of a veterinary surgeon and physician. He has two children; Jessie C., and Mildred May.
JULIUS L. BLACKMAN was born in Jericho, Ver- mont, on the 20th of November, 1848. His par- ents were Wells and Fidelia M. Blackman, and his father was born in Connecticut but removed to Vermont in an early day. When Julius was four- teen years old the family moved to Northfield, Min- nesota, locating on section thirty-four, where our subject grew to manhood. He attended the com- mon schools for a time, and afterwards Carleton College. He learned the drug business with Con- ner & Miner, and in 1872, engaged in the latter business for himself, having since continued at the same. His wife was formerly Miss Clara B. McCausland. They have two children, Jessie Marion and Henry Arthur.
DANIEL BOWE, a native of Genesee county, New York, and one of Northfield's early settlers, left his native State when about thirty years of age, and went to Ohio, where for about ten years he was engaged in farming. In 1842, Miss Eveline Lord became his wife and in 1855, they came to Northfield, locating in section seven. He read law here and was admitted to the bar in 1862, and until recently has continued in practice in this place. He is at present in Dakota Territory. Of a family of four children three are living: Ar- thur E., Daniel E., who lives in Sciota, Dakota connty, and Mary, wife of E. J. Evans, of Fergus Falls.
Arthur E. was reared on a farm and when twenty years old entered the office of Gordon E. Cole, of Faribault, with whom he read law for a time, afterwards with his father in this place, and then with R. Reynolds, at Detroit, in this State; was admitted to the bar and after three years at his profession went to Minneapolis. He practiced there for a time, then returned to North- field and formed a partnership with his father un- der the firm name of Bowe & Bowe, and is still in practice. He married Miss Hellie M. Henderson on the 1st of February, 1881.
BENJAMIN R. BARKER, a native of New York, was born on the 24th of September, 1841, and re- moved with his parents to Jefferson county, Wis- consin, when eight years of age. He worked at the carpenter trade till 1866, with the exception of one year spent in the army in the First Wiscon-
sin Heavy Artillery. He came to Northfield, and one year later removed to Collins, McLeod county, where he farmed and worked at his trade four years, then went to Labettee county, Kansas, re- mained one and a half years and in 1873, returned to Northfield and has given his attention to his trade. Mr. Barker has been twice married; first to Miss Henrietta Wood, who died after a year and a half of wedded life. The maiden name of his present wife was Miss Eliza H. Curtis, Of three children born to him only one is living, Ethel P.
FELIX COLLETT, a native of lower Canada, was born near Montreal, on the 14th of August, 1815. When sixteen years old he went to upper Canada, and for three years was engaged in the lumber business, then came to Ohio, remaining twelve years as clerk for the railroad and canal com- panies, and was also in the land office. In 1849, he went to California, and after mining two years returned to Canada, where he engaged in lumber- ing and carpenter work. In 1855, he came to Minnesota, stopped in St. Anthony a few months and in December came to Northfield and first worked on the old mill, now standing on the east side of Cannon River. When it was completed he was employed in it and has remained there ever since. Mr. Collett has been married twice. His first wife was Miss Rebecca Batson and she bore him three children, only one of whom is living, Nelson T. His present wife was Miss Jane Chis- holm.
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