USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota and outline history of the state of Minnesota > Part 91
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108
TOWN GOVERNMENT.
Pursuant to a notice issued by the Register of Deeds of Rice county, a town meeting was held at the Turner House in the village of Warsaw, on the 11th of May, 1858, for the purpose of organizing the township and electing officers to guard public matters. There were in all eighty-two votes cast and the following were the officers elected: Super- visors, Miles Hollister, Chairman; Augustus John- son and D. W. Woodworth; Clerk, John McDonald; Assessor, John Goldthwait; Collector, George W. Frink; Overseer of the Poor, Philander Griffith; Justices of the Peace, J. F. Weatherhead and
509
WARSAW TOWNSHIP.
Charles Jewett, Jr .; Constables, James O. Lamb and J. H. Maine. The temporary officers of this preliminary meeting were: J. F. Weatherhead, Chairman; D. W. Woodworth, Moderator; and Miles Hollister, Clerk.
The board at their first meeting, voted the sum of seventy-five dollars to defray town expenses during the ensuing year.
Town matters in Warsaw have run along smoothly, the business of the public being in capa- ble hands. At the last town meeting held at the Lake House in section three, on the 14th of March, 1882, the following officers were elected: Super- visors, J. H. Austin, Chairman; G. W. Barton, and G. W. Aargetsinger; Clerk, Frank Evans; Treasurer, C. H. Nichols; Assessor, W. H. Cheney; Justices of the Peace, Geo. W. Durham and P. Griffith; Constables, W. P. Griffith and Bernard Durham, Sr.
WARSAW DURING THE WAR .- It is a matter of pride to the inhabitants of Warsaw, and justly, that during the war of the rebellion their quota was always filled without the necessity of force; true, one draft was made out, but the volunteers were furnished before it was enforced, and the town in one instance raised $300 to pay Charles Hagstrom to voluntarily enlist. There were, in all, forty-one volunteers, of whom four never re- turned, but found graves in confederate soil, as follows: S. G. Randall, Edward Rible, Clark Turner, and Charles P. Hagstrom. Five of the volunteers are drawing pensions.
AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR 1881.
Acres.
Bushels.
Wheat
3,800
57,513
Oats.
803
31,180
Corn
699
26,785
Barley .
62
1,790
Buckwheat.
6
110
Potatoes.
47
4,941
Beans
2
32
Sugar cane (gallons )
9
1,332
Cultivated hay (tons)
778
1,128
Wild hay
60
Clover seed
299
Apples
66
255
Sheep, 910; wool, lbs.
5,632
Milch cows, 304; butter, lbs
24,950
Cheese, lbs.
5,600
Honey, "
881
MANUFACTURING.
THE OLD ORIGINAL SAW MILL .- This was the first saw-mill, or in fact any kind of a mill, that was ever erected in the town. It was started in 1855, by Chris Hershey in section eighteen, on Cannon River, near where the village of Warsaw now is. It was a good and substantial mill, its size being about 30x40 feet, and the machinery cost about $3,000. It was equipped with an up- right saw, and the power was derived from the Cannon River through the medium of a flutter water wheel, having a capacity of about 3,000 feet per day. In 1857, stones and flour making machinery were added, and it was remodeled and a grist mill was run in connection with it until 1862, when the dam was carried away by a flood and the saw-mill portion was never rebuilt, the timbers being used for various purposes.
In 1862, a grist-mill was put up on the old site, by Hollister, Frink & Co., the size of which was 40x60 feet. This was continued by a number of firms until 1872, when it was destroyed by fire. Mr. Thompson next owned the site, and he, in 1872, rebuilt the mill, putting in two run of stones, and erecting a building about 30x40 feet; he ran it for a time and turned it over to S. M. West, who in turn sold it to the Polar Star Mill Company, which firm operated it until it was burned in 1880, and as yet it has not been re- built.
In 1869, an incorporated company was formed by Messrs. Edward and Miles Hollister, and D. C. and Orin Coates, as the Warsaw Steam Mill Com- pany, which erected a saw-mill on section seven, and put in a 56-inch circular saw; it was run by steam with a thirty-horse-power engine, and a capacity of about 7,000 feet per day. In 1876, the management changed to Coates & Snyder, under whose supervision the mill is still in opera- tion. The saw has worn down four inches, being now a fifty-two inch saw.
CHEESE FACTORY .- In 1874, William Winter put up a two story 20x24 foot building for a cheese factory on section twenty-four, and operated it until 1880, but as it did dot prove a success, it has been discontinued.
SORGHUM MILL .- A mill of this description was erected in 1870, by Henry Bickel ou section four, and was run by horse-power, having a capacity of 100 gallons per day. In 1878, the mill was re- modeled and a sixteen-horse-power steam engine
1,382
Timothy seed (bush.)
510
HISTORY OF RICE COUNTY.
placed in the establishment, and increasing the capacity to 400 gallons per day. This was moved to Morristown in 1881.
RICE COUNTY POOR FARM.
This institution is located in section two, War- saw, and embraces the southwest quarter, contain- ing one hundred and sixty acres. This farm was pre-empted in 1855 by Mr. A. Bebee, a native of the "Sucker State," who opened it as a farm and put up a slab house. Here he remained until 1856, when he sold to Henry Grifford and re- moved to the township of Wells, where he still lives. In 1860, the farm again changed hands and became the property of Sumner Sheffield, who in 1865, sold it to Rice county for $4,000. The farm, under the government of the county, was first under the management of Charles S. Gidding, and iu 1866, a substantial house was erected, the size of which was 30x40, two stories high, with a wing 18x24 on the west; the north wing is made up of the original house, the size of which is 18x36, where the superintendent now lives. The appropriations for buildings and im- provements on this farm are found in the article on their proceedings in another chapter.
CEMETERY ASSOCIATION.
The Warsaw Cemetery Association was organ- ized in 1862,the first officers being Philander Grif- fith, Secretary and Treasurer; and Miles Hollister, President. The site was selected on J. F. Weath- erhead's place, and laid into lots. The first burial was the wife of the president of the associa- tion, Miles Hollister, and now about 150 gleam- ing tombstones mark the last resting places of departed friends. The present officers of the asso- ciation are, President, J. W. Outhouse; Treasurer, Philauder Griffith; and Secretary, A. Evans.
HERSHEY BURIAL GROUND.
This graveyard is located in the northeastern quarter of section seven. The first burial here was Mary, daughter of Christian and Jane Hershey, who died on the 30th of August, 1856, in her sixth year. One grave in the yard has two bodies, those of the wife and child of E. B. Peterson. The ground has the remains of ten departed ones, and, sad as it may seem, the ground is all a thicket of hazel and blackberry bushes, which grow thicker each year as the mortal remains under- neath sleep on in quietude, undisturbed and un- molested.
EDUCATIONAL.
In Warsaw we find more school districts than in any township in Rice county, and as many, un- doubtedly, as any township in the State, the aver- age being from five to eight, while this has eleven districts. This speaks well for the intelligence and enterprise of its citizens, and their spirit is commendable. The districts in Warsaw, if the town were divided equally, would each have an area of three and one-third sections, besides the territory embraced in other towns and counties- The districts are all in good financial standing, and have neat and commodious school build- ings.
DISTRICT No. 4. - The first instruction given in this district was in the year 1857, and the organi- zation was effected in March of that year in the residence of John Acti. The first teacher was Miss Pierce, and the school consisted of twelve pupils. The board at this time was composed of George D. Potter, Director; Williard Hughson, Clerk; and P. Griffith, Treasurer. In 1857, a log house was rolled together by subscription, the size of which was 14x18 feet. This district was discontinued in 1868, and the territory merged into other dis- tricts.
DISTRICT No. 14 .- This is the educational sub- division embracing the village of Warsaw and sur- rounding territory. The district was organized in 1856, when a log schoolhouse was rolled together in Lamb's addition to Warsaw, by subscription, and the first school was held in this building the same summer by Edwin Darling, it is claimed with sixty scholars in attendance. This house lasted until it was burned, in 1863, the supposition at the time being that it was set on fire by infidels who objected to its use for church purposes. The district then purchased the store building of J. C. Turner, and this was converted into a schoolhouse which lasted them until 1873, when the present neat building was put up. The house is a sub- stantial brick, two stories, and cost about $2,000, Hollister Bros. being the contractors. This is the best schoolhouse in the township, aud the school is iu a most flourishing condition.
DISTRICT No. 23 .- A meeting was held in Sep- tember, 1866, in Nicholas Nusbaum's house, that effectually organized the district, and elected the school officers as follows: Director, T. P. Town9; Clerk, William H. Cheney; Treasurer, Richard Cooley. The first teacher was Miss Martha Wood,
511
WARSAW TOWNSHIP.
with twelve scholars in attendance. A neat brick schoolhouse was erected in 1867, in the southern part of section twenty, at a cost of about $500. The present board is: Director, S. A. Wales; Clerk. H. A. Ackerman; Treasurer, N. Nusbanm. The school now has thirty pupils in average atten- dance.
DISTRICT NO. 26 .-- On the 24th of April, 1864, all the records of this district were destroyed by fire in the burning of the house of the Clerk, G. W. Glines, and the organization of the district cannot be ascertained with any degree of certainty. The date, however, was about 1860, but who the officers were is not known. The district hasa neat school- house in the northern part of section twenty-five. The present school officers are: Andrew Swanson, Director; G. R. Weatherston, Clerk; and G. T. Short, Treasurer.
DISTRICT No. 37 .- This was organized in 1864, and the following officers were elected: Director, A. Blodgett; Clerk, A. A. Sargent; and Treasurer, M. Burke. The first school was held the same year, Miss Hattie A. Wilson being the teacher, with ten scholars in attendance, The Cannon Val- ley road now runs through the old school ground, and the building has lately been moved to the shore of Cannon Lake, in section four.
DISTRICT No. 55 .- Was organized in 1856, in a house owned by Dr. Charles Jewett on section twelve. The house was shortly afterward moved to its present location in the southwestern corner of section twelve. The first school was taught by Miss Lee, and the school board at the time of ber engagement was composed of Messrs. Geo. Sco- field, Charles Lee, and N. N. Graves. The pres- ent board is: Director, A. Post; Clerk, Barnard Durham; Treasurer, N. N. Graves. The latter member of the board has held the office of school treasurer since the organization of the district.
DISTRICT No. 82 .- In the fall of 1870, a meeting was held at the house of William Allen, at which the organization of this district was effected, and the officers of the school elected as follows: Direc- tor, Robert Hedges; Clerk, M. S. Randall; Treas- urer, Captain West. Their present excellent schoolhouse was erected in 1871, at a cost of $60.), and the first school was held in this year by Miss Sarah Parker, with an attendance of eleven schol- ars. The present school officers are: Robert Hedges, Director; S. M. West, Clerk ; J. J. Miller,
Treasurer. There is now an average attendance of twenty pupils.
DISTRICT No. 83 .- Effected its organization in the spring of 1867, in the house of Henry Karow, in section five, and placed the following officers at the head: Director, Jacob Rusler: Clerk, Harvey Sanborn, Sr .; Treasurer, Henry Karow. A small house was erected the same summer at a cost of about $100, on section six, and this lasted until 1874, when the present neat and substantial build- ing was erected at a cost of about $500, size, 16x20 feet. The first teacher was Miss Jane Chapens. The present school officials are Messrs. John Hunt, John Keske, and M. Bailey, respec- tively Director, Clerk and Treasurer.
DISTRICT No. 92 .- Effected an organization in 1868, and met in the house of George Nichols to elect officers. The result was as follows: Director, J. E. Langie; Clerk, George Nichols, and Treas- urer, George W. Durham. The first school was held at the time of organization, in C. H. Nichols' house in section fourteen, with fifteen scholars in attendance. The present school board is: Direc- tor, Charles Nichols; Treasurer, George Nichols; Clerk, L. Jackson. The school house is located in the southwestern part of section fourteen.
DISTRICT No. 93 .- This educational sub-divis- ion commenced its existence in 1864, inaugurating its organization by electing George W. Glines, Clerk; George H. Davis, Director; and T. P. Towne, Treasurer. Shortly afterward they put up a temporary building at a cost of about $100. The present schoolhouse is located on the northern part of section thirty-four.
DISTRICT No. 95 .- Received its organization in 1868, the first meeting being lield in the house of Christian Low, on section twenty-seven, and the following officers elected: Director, James Mur- phy; Clerk, Thomas Clark; Treasurer, Henry Haine. The first school was called to order by Miss Katie Austin. In 1868, a neat, though small, house was erected in section twenty-seven at a cost of $200. The present school officers are: W. Caskelly, Director; J. J. Carroll, Clerk; James Murphy, Treasurer.
DISTRICT No. 103 .- This is the youngest dis- trict in the township, not having dignified itself with an organization until 1877. At this time it was set off from the adjoining districts, and the following officers were elected: Director, Francis J. Voegele; Clerk, William Berigan; Treasurer,
512
HISTORY OF RICE COUNTY.
Michael Finnegan. The first school in this dis- trict was taught by Miss Ella Brown, with twenty- two pupils on the benches. Their house was erected the same year, size 18x24 feet, at a cost of $400. The officers for 1882 are: Director, H. Daws. Jr .; Clerk, William Berigan; Treasurer, F. J. Voegele. The district embraces the territory south of Cannon Lake.
WARSAW VILLAGE.
This is the largest and most important Village in this township. It is located in the western part of the town in sections seven and eighteen, on the banks of the Cannon River, just west of the head of Cannon Lake. The river here furnishes good and sufficient water power to propel twice the manufactories the village has. It is about seven and one-half miles south of Faribault.
As to the earliest settlement of the village, not much can be said that would not apply, as to date, with the other village in this township. In 1854, J. Freeman Weatherhead, a native of New Hamp- shire, migrated to Minnesota, freezing both legs so severely that he was obliged to have them amputated, and made his way to Warsaw town- ship, securing by pre-emption the northeast quar- ter of section eighteen. In 1855, he moved his family upon the farm, and commenced improve- ments. Following him in 1855, came Christian Hershey, a native of Canada, and took the quarter section adjoining Weatherhead's on the west, in section eighteen. The same year A. Lamb, a native of Wisconsin, pre-empted a claim in the southern part of section seven. This, it will be seen, made quite a settlement in this neighbor- hood, and in 1857, they conceived the plan of lay- ing out lots and blocks for the village of Warsaw, which was accomplished in this year. C. Hershey and J. F. Weatherhead platted the main part of the village on their farms in section eighteen, and Mr. Lamb staked out Lamb's addition in the southern part of section seven. This was all re- corded as Warsaw, and started as a village.
Of the three original town proprietors, not one of them remain in the township. Mr. J. F. Weath- erhead passed on to the unknown world on the 2d of September, 1863, leaving many warm friends and a family to mourn his departure. Christian Hershey lived in the township until 1859, when he removed to Morristown. Mr. A. Lamb, who was of the Mormon faith, decided that he was not the kind of a "sheep" to submit to the restriction of
his conjugal affections to one recipient, so in 1858, he pulled up stakes and joined his amative breth- ren in Utah.
The first honse erected on the town plat was put up in 1855, by Christian Hershey, on section seven. The same building is now used as a stable by Edward Hollister. In the spring of 1857, Hollister & Frink put up the first store building, and placed a stock of goods upon the shelves worth about $2,000. Immediately following them the firm of Clement & Belote erected a substantial store building and put in a small stock of general merchandise. This firm sold out in the fall to T. P. Towne who continued the business until 1859, and then turned it over to J. C. Turner, and the building was, in 1864, sold to district No. 14, and used for a school building.
In 1858, Nye & McDonald put up a building and went into partnership in the mercantile busi- ness. They continued for about two years and dissolved, to disappear. A boot and shoe manu- facturing establishment was started in 1857, by E. B. Peterson, and during the war he resigned in fa- vor of Moses Sears, who continued it until 1872, since which time Warsaw has been without an es- tablishment of this kind.
The first blacksmith shop was opened in 1856, by Henry Platt, who is still hammering away. At more recent dates two more shops have been opened. Dan Harper came in 1872, and Mr. Dargavel in 1880.
The first and only hotel ever put up in the vil- lage was erected in 1856, by James Polar. It was run by him until 1859, when it was sold to Robert Starbacks, and after passing through a number of Lands finally, in 1882, was sold by Alfred Daws to N. Bemis, the present host.
A resume of what the village now contains would read something like this: Two general merchan- dise stores, two churches, three blacksmith shops, three wagon repair shops, one steam sawmill, and thirty-two dwellings. The village lies on both sides of the river, the southern portion being the principal part, and the river is spanned by a sub- stantial bridge.
RELIGIOUS.
The first religious services ever held in Warsaw was in 1856, by Rev. A. S. Ketchum, of the Bap- tist faith, in the old log schoolhouse to a small au- dience. The year following the Baptist denomina- tion was duly organized by the above minister in
.513
WARSAW TOWNSHIP.
his house. The society has never erected a place of worship but has held services in the schoolhouse and in private residences.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL .- This denomination was organized in 1857, in the schoolhouse in Warsaw, by the Rev. Mr. Smith, with a good attendance. A substantial brick church was put up in 1872, which they now use.
EPISCOPAL -Bishop Whipple, of Faribault, or- ganized this denomination in 1860, in the school- house, and in 1865, a neat frame church was erected, and the society is in good financial and numerical condition.
As early as 1857, Rev. Walter Morris, a Camp- bellite minister, preached in the schoolhouse to a few believers in this faith, but there has never been an organization.
MORMONISM .- In 1857, Milon Fillmore arrived in Warsaw and commenced the organization of a Mormon society. He remained for one year try- ing to work up excitement enough to organize, but it seems the excitement worked the wrong way as he was driven out of the town.
WARSAW POST-OFFICE.
This office was originally established in 1856, and J. D. Polar was first appointed to handle the mail; it was on the old Faribault and St. Peter road, the mail being carried by C. E. Hess. At first the mail carrier went on foot, but Mr. Hess soon after procured an old mule that he took turns in riding with, sometimes going on foot and sometimes on mule-back, thus accelerating his speed. At times the various inhabitants of the postal district would go to Faribault and bring the mail to the office in a grain sack. Ou one occasion Henry Platt, in company with several others, started for the mail, and upon arriving at Faribault they found there was to be a dance that night and they determined to stay and "shake the light fantastic toe" with friends in Faribault, so they got the mail sack, and when they got to the hall they "fired" it under the benches and went on with the dance. They remained until daylight and then took the mail to the anxious waiters at Warsaw.
Until 1860, the mail was weekly, and after this date, until 1868, it was made daily, and afterwards daily from east and west. The Postmasters in order have been as follows: J. D. Polar, M. Nye, J. C. Turner, W. F. Sloan, C. D. Hastings, Walter Clayson, J. B. Gowen, J. W. Outhouse, J. B.
Gowen again and Edward Hollister, the latter be- ing the present incumbent. The office is kept at his general merchandise store in the northern part of Warsaw.
LAKE CITY.
The little hamlet bearing this metropolitan name was the scene of the first settlement in the town, and played quite an important part in the early history of the county. It was the first vil- lage platted in the township. It had a beautiful location on section three, at the foot of Cannon Lake, in the northern part of the town.
In 1853, early in the spring, Peter Bush came to the shores of Cannon Lake and pre-empted 160 acres in section three. He at once put up a log habitatiou, 18x20 feet, and commenced making it his actual home. He shortly after put up a small shop, 18x20 feet, and being a practical blacksmith commenced working at his trade. These were the first buildings erected in either village or town- ship. He hammered away at the auvil, and in 1856, conceived the idea, and at once platted the village on his farm in section three, and recorded it the same year as Lake City. Selling his shop to Frederick Roth, in 1857, he went back to his birthplace in Canada. He remained away one year and then returned to his place, and again took up the hammer and blacksmith tools, contin- uing work at his trade until 1880.
George Burus arrived in 1855, and put up a hotel, with a saloon in connection, near Bush's blacksmith establishment. He managed this until 1866, when he sold to Henry D. Kopps, who, after running it for two years, sold to Patrick Cuskelly, and he in turn, in 1869, sold the establishment to the father of the present proprietor, M. F. Depati. This gentlemau erected a brick addition, the size of which was 28x33 feet, two stories, at a cost of . $2,500, and in 1880 sold it to his son, Moses F. Depati, for $3,000, who still continues the estab- lishment, with a $600 stock of goods in connec- tion.
In 1856, at the time of laying out the village, Joseph Gadory put up a two-story building for a saloon, and run it as such until 1859, when he sold the building to Peter Bush, who, with his family, occupied it as a dwelling.
In the fall of 1856, a saw-mill was put up in the "Village of the Lake" by J. Bowman, with a cir- cular saw and a power of 40 horse, making the capacity 1,500 feet per day. In 1857, the mill
33
514
HISTORY OF RICE COUNTY.
was destroyed by fire, the supposition being that it was the incendiary work of Indians; and the ground was purchased by P. Melhorn and Enoch Woodmau, who rebuilt the mill, and in connection with the saw they put in one run of stone, and commenced doing custom work for the surround- ing neighborhood. In 1859, the mill became the property of P. Schuyler and Jared Patrick, who operated it until 1862, when it was sold to D. M. Lucris, and this gentleman removed it to Cordova, and still runs it there.
The village has now become almost a thing of the past, as the opposition of larger towns, and their close proximity proved too much for the little "burg," else, from the beauty of its location, advantages of age, etc., the fond hopes of its pro- jectors might have been realized. In its palmy days it was recognized as an important point in the county, and at one time had the concomitants. that would readily distinguish it from a cross- road or a hamlet; now they have passed away and it contains only a hotel, a school house, a couple of dwellings, and the memory of days gone by.
There is still a chance, however, for this village, as the Cannon Valley railroad passes directly through the village plat within a few rods of the hotel, and undoubtedly the time our readers are perusing this the sound of the locomotive will be heard in the region of the Lake City, reminding the patriarchs of what "might have been."
BIOGRAPHICAL.
H. A. ACKERMAN was born in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, on the 22d of November, 1848. In 1864, he enlisted in the Fourth Wisconsin Cav- alry and served till the close of the war. He then returned to Wisconsin, and in 1870, came to this place and located in section twenty-nine, where he still resides. He has been clerk of his school dis- triet, and also taught in the district. On the 25th of December, 1872, he was married to Miss Louisa Suitcha, who has borne him two children.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.