History of Rice County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota and outline history of the state of Minnesota, Part 94

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 94

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).

DISTRICT No. 72 .- The greater portion of the territory now comprising this district was formerly merged into the organization of district No. 22, which was organized in 1857. It was set off in 1861, and a schoolhouse erected in 1864, at a cost of $150. The first school was held in a log house on the Rutherford farm, a short time after the dis- trict was set off, by Miss Mary Jane Butterfield, with thirteen scholars present. The prefent loca- tion of the schoolhouse is in the soutlrwestern corner of section three, and the attendance regis- ters twenty-four.

DISTRICT No 81 .- Effected an organization in 1865, and the first school was taught in a little shanty in section twenty-four by Miss Esther Durance with eleven scholars. In 1867, a school- house was erected, 20x24 feet, on the same site now" occupied by their building, the northwest corner o" section twenty-four.

VARIOUS MATTERS.

THE FIRST SAW-MILL .- In 1855, M. N. Pond commenced getting out timber on section thirty- three for a saw-mill. He threw a dam across the river, put in a flume with twenty-two feet head, and equipping the concern with a sash saw commenced making lumber at the rate of about 3,000 feet per day, in 1857. He ran the mill for six or seven years, until steam got so plenty and efficient that a common water wheel of early days was too re- mindful of a "poor-house" and he left it to rot down. The old water wheel is still in the stream, and combined with the rocky bluff, the water trickling over the stone steps in the stream, which nature formed, the unused kiln makes a most pic- turesque scene.

As early as 1854, Mr. Poud started the first lime burning in the township, starting a kiln on a log heap and burning enough lime to plaster his honse. In 1856, he erected a good kiln with a ca- pacity of about 100 barrels per week, which he ran for about fifteen years. The kiln is still there but not in use.

SCOTT'S MILL .- In 1856, the foundation of this mill was laid by Henry Andyke, who erected a saw-mill there and commenced to cut lumber at the rate of about 3,000 feet per day. It was run by several parties and firms until 1873, when it was converted into a grist-mill by Strunk & Com- pany, the owners at that time. They continued to run it until 1876, when the present owner, R. H. Scott, purchased it, and continues to operate it, with four run of stones, and the necessary machin- ery to make a first-class custom and merchant mill. It is located on the Cannon River in the southeastern part of section eight; its total cost was about $34,000.

NORWEGIAN LUTHERAN CHURCH .- This society was organized some years ago, and in 1881,erected a small church building in the northwestern part of section eight. This is about the center of the Norwegian settlement, and the society is compos- ed of about twenty families, the present pastor is Rev. Carter Hanson.

A school in the Norwegian language is also taught here for the benefit of the children of the . members.

OAK RIDGE CEMETERY .- This beautiful spot for burial purposes is located on what is known as "Oak Ridge," and contains ten acres. It was laid out and recorded in the fall of 1857, and has more

526

HISTORY OF RICE COUNTY.

graves than any burial ground in the county, be- ing connected with and under the management of gentlemen in Faribault, usually going by the name of "Faribault Cemetery." The grounds are laid out in drives and walks, and a large vault has been constructed in the eastern part. It is under the care of Mr. Levi Nutting; the present officers of the association are: President, General L. Nutting; Secretary, H. L. Jewett; Treasurer, . R. A. Mott.

Early in June, 1857, two young ladies, Mar- garat Morgan and Sallie Robinson, were drowned at Cannon City by the upsetting of a boat in which were twelve ladies and gentlemen, the oth- ers being rescued. In a book by Edward Eggle- ston, called the "Mysteries of Metropolisville," the scene of which is laid in this vicinity, the tragical part of the story embraces the drowning of two young ladies, which must have been suggested to the author by this sad and fatal accident, which cast such a gloom over all hearts at the time.

VILLAGE OF CANNON CITY.

This village, the most important in the town- ship, is located in about the center, in sections fifteen and twenty-two, of township 110, range 20. Contiguous to East Prairie, it lies in the midst of a most valuable and productive farming country;while the timber extends to the outskirts on the west. It is situated on the banks of a beautiful little sheet of water, justly called "Crystal Lake," and as a spot of beauty for a vil- lage site, the location is certainly hard to equal. The prospect at the times of starting was nnex- celled, as the hope and expectation of a railroad and the county seat spurred the proprietors and those concerned on to enterprise and energy; but, when the probability, even, of such events, began to disappear, the village, which had taken many strides in advance of the surrounding country, began also to wane and decline, inaugurating a retrogression which only ceased in its backward march when it left what we find to-day as a mem- ory of days gone by.

As an interesting item to those now here, as to what was said in early days of Cannon City, we annex a short sketch of the village, made in 1860, by Mr. C. Williams, and published by Holley & Brown in pamphlet form; it is as follows:

"Cannon City village was laid out in the fall of 1855, by the Messrs. G. A. and J. D. Sears, from Michigan. It is located on section fifteen, town

110 north, range 20 west, four miles northeast of Faribault, thirty-five miles from Hastings, and forty-five from St. Paul, with excellent roads to each of these places. It is eligibly situated with reference to the surrounding country, on a beau- tiful and elevated plat of ground commanding a view for miles to the east, north, and south, and contiguous to the "Big Woods." It is situated on the main thoroughfare between the southwestern and southern counties and St. Paul, Minneapolis, St. Anthony, Hastings, and Red Wing. . The village has all the requisite facilities for the accommodation of the surround- ing county, having a good flouring mill and saw-mill connected, of easy access, and driven by steam, three stores, two hotels, mechanic's shops of all kinds, blacksmith shops, a wagon shop, a furniture establishment, a fanning-mill manufac- tory. It has church organizations of the various Protestant denominations. The village is sup- porting two select schools the present winter, and they are well patronized by an intelligent, moral, industrious, and frugal population. There is no better farming country in the State than that which lies contiguous to this village. It is on the borders of what is known in this county as 'East Prairie,' a country hard to beat for farming purposes in any State."

F. W. Frink, in his sketch of Rice county, says of this village: "It has a beautiful location with reference to surrounding country. * * * It is four miles northwest from Faribault, and being of easy access to some of the best farming country in the county, is a good point for trade, and its Post-office furnishes a large extent of * country with its mails, etc.," * *

ITS EARLIER DAYS .- The locality in which Can- non City is situated first received a settler in the year 1854, when Eli Cowen and Isaac Amy arrived and secured farms there. Truman Boss had also made his appearance and secured a habitation, when, in the spring of 1855, the Sears Brothers, of Michigan, arrived and conceived the idea of start- ing a village. There were three of the brothers, Gregory A., the oldest, who brought his family with him, Douglass, and William. They suc- ceeded in platting and recording the town in 1855, naming it in honor of the Cannon River. The first house had already been erected on the town site by Eli Cowen and Isaac Amy, it being a small and rather cheap log structure, and the Sears

527

CANNON CITY TOWNSHIP.

Brothers at once opened a store, and erected a store building near this.

C. Smith House, for the firm of North & Carroll, Hastings, erected a good store and placed a heavy stock of goods upon the shelves; and, as the Post- office was soon after established, it was made a part of the store and Mr. House appointed Post- master. Mr. Talbert erected and put in motion an excellent steam power saw-mill, with a circular saw, and did a splendid business for some time, there often being, in the winter of 1856, as many as 500,000 feet of logs in the yard at once. After running it for a time Mr. Talbert sold to the firm of Starks & Sears, who added a large flouring mill to it at a cost of about $10,000.

W. L. Herriman, who had for a short time been operating a blacksmith shop on his farm a short distance from town, moved into the village and erecting a shop commenced awakening echoes in Cannon City, with the sound of the anvil. He is still in the village. William An Dyke soon joined his "fellow son of the forge," and after erecting a building he remained for some time at his trade, finally removing to Forest.

Mr. Freetine, of Jewish origin, came the spring following, 1856, and constructed a small log tav- ern about the place where the Christian Church now is, and run it for a short time, when it was discontinued and finally torn down.

The City Hotel was erected within a few months after by Mr. Cowen, being a commodius frame building; it was purchased shortly after its comple- tion by J. Giles, who after running it a few years sold to Mr. Samuel Hawkins, and it finally passed into the hands of, and was partially torn down by, W. L. Herriman. The last, but one, proprietor, Samuel Hawkins, lost his life on Easter Day, 1881, while trying to save his library from his house which was burning, being so seriously burned that he died shortly after. His widow still lives in the village.

The Sherman House was put up and opened about the same time as the above hotel, by H. Sherman.

Charles and Peter Chenneworth erected a fine store building the same year-1856-and placed a large stock of goods upon the shelves, running it a short time and selling it to Albaugh & Brother.

J. W. Dean also made his appearance and erected a substantial building for general merchan- dise where Mr. Shank's blacksmith shop now is,

and put in a beavy stock of goods. He continued in business some ten or twelve years. His build- ing was sold and used for school purposes, and finally made into a blacksmith shop.

So the growth of the village went on-increas- ing and accumulating; but this is sufficient to show how rapidly it was developed, and exhibits the supposed "embryo city" in the height of the "boom," it being at this time equal in importance to any village in the county, not excepting even Faribault, and we hereto attach an article clipped from the Faribault Herald, of December, 1857, which will reveal Cannon City at that time, and throw some light upon a busy scene which justi- fied high expectations. The article is as follows: "We paid Cannon City a visit this week, and are happy to report positive permanent improvement. The large steam saw and flouring mill of Starks & Sears, built at a cost of nearly $14,000 (including $5,000 paid for the saw-mill), is now ready for operation. This mill is a monument of the energy and enterprise of its proprietors. They have falt- ered not in its early completion, although the crisis lowered its dark front over our country. The wheat pouring into its vaults, last Monday, is in- dicative of its popularity. Its engine is of forty horse-power, and three bolts are put up. Success to the project.

Of her schoolhouse, Cannon City may be proud. It is built and furnished with an eye to beauty and comfort. It cost $1,400, and was designed to ac- commodate sixty-four scholars. It might contain, however, in the neighborhood of one hundred. We found a school promising in numbers, just organ- ized under the superintendence of I. N. Sater,Esq., of that place.

We counted forty-nine buildings, and appar- ently none vacant.

The mercantile line is well represented. We were shown over the establishment of C. Smith House, and found as fine a variety of dry goods, groceries, shelf wares, fancy goods, etc., as we have seen in the Territory, and a larger assort- ment of crockery and glass ware than we have be- fore observed. His warehouse was literally crammed with grain, which is taken in exchange for goods. Mr. House is also Postmaster at this place.

Albangh & Brother are doing a good trade. They also exchange for produce.

J. W. Dean is also proprietor of a general va- riety establishment.

528

HISTORY OF RICE COUNTY.

We notice two hotels: The City Hotel, by J. Giles, and the Sherman House, by H. Sherman.

One cabinet shop by Neel & Bailor.

Que chair factory by Beckley & Goss.

One wagon shop by E. S. Rice.

Three blacksmith shops and one harness shop.

The professions are represented by Revs. T. R. Cressey and J. Hoover, in the clerical line; Dr. Dale in the medical; Starks & Carman in the le- gal.

The topography of Cannon City has been too frequently given to need a repetition by us, suffice it to say that as a spot of beauty it has few equals."

This prosperous state of affairs kept up for a time, but gradually the decline set in. The town proprietors, with whom a great deal of merited fault had been found, packed up their "duds," as they were called, and disappeared from view for a time, finally coming to light as the town proprie- tors of Karson City, Nevada, and since that time have been lost sight of. The mill was discontin- ued and the flouring machinery removed to Matte- son's Mill, in Faribault, while the saw portion found its way to Osakis. C. Smith House, whose name in front of his grocery store, had deceived so many travelers into believing it was a hotel in charge of "C. Smith," finally went out of business. The lawyers and doctor left in quest of pastures new, Dr. Dale removing to Faribault and grad- ually the business interests deserted the town, with - the exception of a hotel, store and Post-office. The two latter are in charge of William Kiekenoff, and Mr. Gordon is "Mine Host" at the hotel, where, in the words of Shenstone, the weary traveler

"May sigh to think he still has found The warmest welcome at an inn."

In addition to this the village has a large num- ber of residences, a good schoolhouse, three churches, and in 1880, Isaac Walden erected a building, put in machinery,and now operates a feed mill with the steamer of his threshing machine.

As an important factor of the village, both of early times and the present, we below give a short history of the growth and development of the various religious denominations.

METHODIST PROTESTANT. - This denomination organized in 1860, with about forty members. The first services were held in the summer of 1856, by Rev. J. Hoover, on the shores of Crystal Lake, where a Sunday school was also organized. After

organization, which took place in the schoolhouse, services were held at various places until about 1870, when the membership increased to seventy and a church was erected, size 36x40 feet, at a cost of $2,000, besides a great amount of the labor being accomplished by the members. In 1872, the congregation merged into the Congregational Society, the church was deeded over to new trustees, and the denomination has since been known under this head. Among the pastors who have officiated here are, Rev. J. Hoover, Rev. Mr. McChesney, Rev. Mr. Bushnell, Rev. Mr. Mitchell, and Rev. Mr. Guiton. There is no regular pastor at present.

CHRISTIAN OR CAMPBELLITE CHURCH .~ Effected an organization in 1873, in the schoolhouse, with Rev. Mr. Taylor officiating, and a small member- ship. The society increased rapidly and the fol- lowing winter the lake was brought into requisi- tion to baptize 150 members. Soon after a neat and commodious church was erected in the village which they now use; Rev. Mr. McRennels being the present minister.

EPISCOPAL SOCIETY. This was organized by Bishop H. B. Whipple, of Faribault, in 1868, with probably fifteen members. In 1874, a small, though neat, church was erected, in which they now worship, the membership not having in -. creased much. The society has no regular minis- ter, their pulpit being filled occasionally by a student, whom the Bishop sends from the college in Faribault.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL .- At an early day there was a very strong organization of this denomina- tion, but the interest waning and the organization growing weak, was finally suspended and the society declared moribund.

EAST PRAIRIEVILLE.

This little hamlet is situated in the southern part of the township of Cannon City, in section thirty-five, extending partially over the line and into Walcott township. The village started out with a very fair prospect, although it was not laid out with an eye to making a metropolis of it, but more for convenience of farmers.

The village site is well located for a pleasant *village, adjoining the rich farming land of East Prairie on the east, and the timber extends up to the boundary of the village on the west, being about two miles and a halt distant from the city limits of Faribault. To show what has been said

529

CANNON CITY TOWNSHIP.

of the village at various times, we have clipped from a sketch of the county by C. Williams, in 1860, the following in regard to East Prairieville: "It is a little village situated upon the edge of what is called East Prairie and the Straight River timber. It has perhaps the best settled prairie country east of it in the county. It contains from fifty to a hundred inhabitants, has a Post-office, a good schoolhouse, a tavern, a store, and a steam mill."

Teu years later than the above was written, in 1870, F. W. Frink, County Auditor, commented on the village as follows: "East Prairieville is a small town four miles east of Faribault, lying on the edge of the Straight River timber, on what is known as East Prairie, a name which designates a large extent of the best prairie lands in the county. The town has a neat and commodious church be- longing to the Congregational society, has a Post-office and a store, and from its situation must always be a pleasant little village and a good point for trade."

EARLY DEVELOPMENT .- In 1854, Prof. Ide, in company with others who are noted in another place, came to Cannon City township and took as a pre-emption the land in section thirty-five, where the village now stands. He held it and remained until the spring of the following year, when James Anderson, with his father, Alexander Anderson, and their families made their appearance, and the former, in May, 1855, purchased Ide's claim, John Corsett had also settled in the same section, adjoining the village, and in 1854, sold to W. N. Owens. On this pre-emption the first house erected in the village was put up, in the spring of 1854, by Corsett. In the year 1855, the village was laid out and all made ready for the events which followed. In the meantime, before the platting of the village,or about the same time, W. B. Spencer, a native of Pennsylvania, came and erecting a little board building, placed a stock of goods in it, and commenced keeping store. Alf. Barrick had ar- rived with his father and their families, and had located in another part of the town, but when he learned of East Prairieville he at once came down determined to start a shop, as he was by trade a blacksmith. As trade was at first slow in coming, he almost starved waiting for it, and had it not been for the generous spirit of Mr. W. N. Owens, who furnished his family with provisions, they would have suffered from hunger. This was soon

bridged over, however, and Mr. Barrick continued until 1864, when he sold to John Wagner and re- moved to Crow River. Wagner continued for a time and finally sold to Charley Edwards, who in turn, in 1878, sold to the present proprietor, Mr. McLean, who is now doing a good business, to the entire satisfaction of all who patronize his estab- lishment.

Geo. De Forest came to the village in the fall of 1857, and opened a cabinet and carpenter shop which he continued until the time of his death in 1878.

Logan Ross started and run a blacksmith shop for a time, but finally gave it up and is now in Montana.

Thus the growth of the village went on until 1858, when the condition of affairs here are pretty well described by the following article, taken from the Faribault Herald, which was published during the early days of the village:

East Prairieville is the name of a new towu laid out east of Straight River timber, about three miles from Faribault, by Anderson, Thompson & Spencer. It is about three months since the plat and survey was completed. It already numbers about fifteen houses-all new. A schoolhouse twenty-five feet by thiriy-two has been erected,and a school under the superintendence of Mr. R. Hoagland is in progress. We will notice that more fully some future time.

A hotel is in course of erection by Friedenburg & Ross.

We notice one blacksmith shop, employing two hands.

One carpenter shop.

A general variety store, with a good assortment, has lately been opened by W. B. Spencer, who has entered into successful competition with the mer- chants of the adjacent towns. From our own ex- perience, we must say that we have never seen goods cheaper in the west.

A steam saw and grist-mill has been built by Anderson & Thompson, at a cost of over $12,000. The grist mill is thirty by forty-three stories in height. They have put in three runs of stones and four bolts .- Each run of stones will grind twelve bushels per hour. We have tried some of the flour and found it good as any in the market. The machinery was made by Weston & Cogswell, N. Y. The extension which contains the saw-mill is thirty by sixty feet. Eight hundred feet of lum-

530

HISTORY OF RICE COUNTY.

ber is near the average cut every twelve hours. Logs are coming in briskly. The engine driving both mills is of thirty-five horse-power- from the shop of Davis & Bonsell, Salem, Ohio, and works admirably.

This place lies adjacent to a good body of tim- ber, while south and east lies some of the richest agricultural lauds in the country. The prairie is thickly settled, and by a very intelligent and en- teprising community."

STORE AND POST-OFFICE .- This was established in 1858, with W. B. Spencer as manager, in a little board building which Speucer had erected. The first mail received consisted of two letters. Among the proprietors since, have been, Daniel Russell, John Bailey, Charley L. Lowell, Isaac Hamlin, Henry Hile, Mr. Alther, and Mr. Brockman. The store and the Post-office have been discontinued. The former is soon to he restocked, however, and the latter re-established.

THAT UNFORTUNATE MILL .- This may seem an odd and rather exaggerated caption, but when the truth is known, it will be admitted as appropriate. When James Anderson first came to the East Prairie, he purchased a small portable saw-mill which he moved to the village and commenced running. After a time this was discontinued and sold. Hon. John Thompson then went into part- nership and erected a suitable building, pnt in ne- cessary machinery, and commenced operating a first rate steam saw-mill. Shortly afterward a large two-story building was erected and a splen- did flouring mill put in running order. This com- menced grinding on the second day of December, 1857, and after running just six weeks caught fire and was totally destroyed. This cast a gloom over the entire settlement, as Mr. Anderson had borrowed a good deal of money on the building, and all the farmers in the neighborhood were in one way or another financially interested in it, the mill having been the hope and pride of the entire southern portion of the township. It was intended for five run of stones and at the time of the fire had already received three run. This so crippled the firm that they were unable to re-build, and a public meeting was held for the purpose of furnishing aid, which resulted in raising the sum of $1,900 toward a new mill. This money was given to James An- derson with instructions to go to Cleveland, Ohio, and purchase the necessary machinery. When he returned be stated that he had accomplished it,

and had paid in addition to the $1,900, $400 from his own pocket. In a short time $300 worth of machinery arrived and the people got nervous but Mr. Anderson seemed to be as impatient for its ar- rival as any one. Next came the astonishing news from the firm in Cleveland that they had shipped all that Anderson had paid for,-$300 worth. An- derson was arrested, but bailed out, and he disap- peared from view. The true extent of his swind- ling was never known until after he had gone, when it was found that the lots of the village which had been purchased by the various settlers were all under heavy mortgage in the hands of Dr. Mo- Cutcheon, of Faribault. Several widows and a great many persons in moderate circumstances, turned up, who had placed their entire wordly po- sessions in the shape of ready cash, only to see it vanish with the oily-tongued scamp whom they had trusted. Another interesting point in connec- tion with this, is that during Anderson's absence in Cleveland, supposedly purchasing machinery, the citizens of this vicinity all turned out and erected a suitable building, ready to place ma- chinery in, and were going to surprise him; this building is still doing service-not for which it was built, but as the barn of Mr. Owens.

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.

History of Rice County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota and outline history of the state of Minnesota, Part 94

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