USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota and outline history of the state of Minnesota > Part 96
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Section eleven also received a settler this year, and commenced a settlement in the northern part of the town. John Gleason, of the "Land of the Shamrock," drifted into this town one July morn- ing, and anchored himself on section eleven, where he still remains fast. About the same time James McCabe, a native of Massachusetts, moved in and made Gleason company by selecting a farm in section twelve. He erected a log shanty and com- menced farming. In 1865, he opened a general merchandise store, which he still continues on his farm. Joseph Dilly was also a settler of this year.
Mr. Belling Benton, a native of England, made
his appearance in 1856, and planted his stakes on a beautiful piece of ground in section thirty-six, bordering on the shores of Union Lake. The se- lection proved satisfactory, as he still remains there.
After this the influx became so rapid and in- cessant that it would be impossible to chronicle the arrivals in their sequence, but we give the prominent ones who took farms and are yet culti- vating them. Many came who have since pulled up stakes and removed further west or returned to their former homes in the East.
James Kiley; a native of Ireland, arrived in 1857, and secured a farm in section ten where he - still remains, satisfied. The following year, 1858, another quarter of the same section was secured by Mr. Maher, also of Celtic origin.
E. C. Knowles drifted into the northwest quar- ter of section twenty-nine, in 1860, where he is still anchored. He came to Minnesota in 1855. John Cole, was another early settler in Minnesota, having come to the State in 1856. He arrived in Webster in 1865, and taking a farm in section twenty-eight still stands guard over it. Corne- lius Denman came to Rice county from Ohio in 1855, and set tled in Morristown. In 1867, he pur- chased a farm in section thirty-four, Webster, where he still remains.
Ola Elstad, of Norway, settled in section one in 1862, and in 1866, Edward Elstad, of the same nationality kept him company by purchasing a farm adjoining him in the same section, where they both still remain. In 1874, Nels Hoagen- son joined the little settlement of Norwegians, and took a place in section two. J. O. Larson, G. Christopherson, M. Christianson and others came in at various times and swelled the settlement of this nationality.
Thomas Gleason, a native of the Emerald Isle, came in 1864 and purchased a large farm in sec- tions twelve and thirteen, where he still lives. Joseph Gear, another Irishman, took a farm off of an early settler's hands, in 1868, in section twelve.
Robert Campbell, of the old country, came to America in 1862, and in 1866 arrived in Webster, purchasing the farm where he now lives in section eighteen. In 1867, Henry Graves came and pur- chased 120 acres in section twenty-one, where he now lives. The same year J. G. Walden, of Maine, made his appearance and purchased the farm he now occupies in section twenty-eight. Thomas
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Lynch, came in 1863 and bought a farm in sec- tion thirty-two. He was a native of Ireland and still occupies the place he originally settled on.
Thus it will be seen the settlement of the town- ship pushed onward, each succeeding year wit- nessing still further additions and developments. Farms were opened in all parts of the town, and the early comers began to reap the just reward of their industry. Step by step the change had been wrought, until a new era had almost imper- ceptibly dawned upon the scene. Larger build- ings were erected, schools and churches estab- lished, and a general air of enterprise was mani- fest where so recently all was wild and uninhab- ited. From the crude efforts of earlier years the present tillers of the soil fast adapted wiser and more systematic modes of farming, the beneficent results of which are already so plainly apparent.
EARLY EVENTS OF INTEREST.
TOWN NAME .- Webster township was originally named by the government surveyors, "Minne- mada," and for a short time this was the name of the locality rather than the township. It was afterwards voted by the citizens that the towu be named "Carrolltown," but the County Commis- sioners bestowed upon it the name of "Webster" and it has ever since recognized this as its appel- lation, being in honor of Mr. Ferris Webster, an early settler in the town.
EARLY BIRTHS .- The first birth of a white child in the township was John McGuire, whose natal date is on the 18th of March, 1857.
A daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Camp was brought into existence in January, 1858.
There was a minor arrival in the shape of a nine-pound child at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Salmon Webster in May, 1858.
December, 1858, witnessed the birth of Thomas, a son of Martin Taylor and wife.
EARLY MARRIAGES .- The first marriage of Webster parties occurred in June, 1856, and joined as man and wife Mr. Salmon Webster and Miss Fannie Humphrey. Mr. Webster moved out of the township in 1866, and now lives in Lyon county.
Another marriage occurred in August, 1858, the high contracting parties being Ephraim Dilly and Miss Alice St. John.
EARLY DEATHS .- In the summer of 1858, Web- ster first felt the effects of the ravages of death. The wife of Samuel Dilly was the first victim, and
passed to her eternal home. Her little daughter died soon afterward and was the second death.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.
In common with all the sub-divisions of Rice county the organization of this township took place soon after the Territory was admitted to the sisterhood of States, in 1858, and the first meet- ing was held on the 11th of May of that year. This meeting was held at the residence of Ephraim Dilly, and came to order by appointing Michael O'Mara, chairman, and S. S. Humphrey, clerk.
The meeting then proceeded to ballot for officers to take charge of town matters, which resulted as follows: Supervisors, Geo. Carpenter, Chairman, R. H. Dilly, and James Kiley; Town Clerk, J. J. McCabe; Collector, Timothy Gleason; Justices of the Peace, Ephraim Dilly, Sen., and F. Webster; Constables, William Dilly and Elisha Fitch; Over- seer of Roads, William Dilly, Sen. Next the meeting took up the matter of town expenses and voted the sum of $100 for that purpose.
The affairs of public interest have been at- tended to since this inaugural meeting with com- mendable zeal and fidelity, there having been ex- hibited due economy in regard to finance and pub- lic expenditures.
At the twenty-fourth annual meeting of the town, in March, 1882, a full corps of township officials were elected as follows: Supervisors, John Gleason, Jr., Chairman, Hans Hamann, and John King; Clerk, Thomas Skeffington; Treas- urer, Hogen Oleson; Justices of the Peace, John Hennesy and Henry Meinke; Constable, Henry Weise; Assessor, Thomas Skeffington.
BUSINESS INTERESTS.
In this township, there being no villages, the matters under this head are somewhat scattered. The Post-offices, blacksmith shops, and stores are of great convenience to the farmers of the sur- rounding country, relieving them of the necessity of going out of their township for supplies or common requirements of life. It can be said that Webster is well represented so far as manufactur- ing and mercantile affairs are concerned, consid- ering the distance from railroad connection and its accompanying advantages.
In 1856, Mr. Ferris Webster hauled goods from Hastings by team and opened a small store in section thirty-five, with a limited stock of grocer- ies and provisions. It was operated for a short
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HISTORY OF RICE COUNTY.
time and then discontinued, as the country was too sparsely settled as yet to support the enter- prise.
In the fall of 1865, however, another effort was made with better success. Mr. James McCabe hauled a stock of goods from St. Paul and opened a store in a small shanty in the northern part of section twelve. It proved a success and is now occupying a commodious and substantial building, 18x55, on the old site, keeping -a large and well assorted stock of goods and is a great conven- ience to the farmers. Until 1872 a stock of wines, liquors, etc., were kept, but since that time they have been dispensed with.
A saloon was started in the winter of 1857, in the western part of section thirty-six, by a Mr. Hoffnekle, but was only run for about three months. It seems the proprietor got a lot of In- dians in the saloon and proceeded to get them drunk; he succeeded but the citizens near by came down on him and he left.
SAW MILL .-- An excellent steam saw mill was erected in 1873 by Mr. William Albers, in the eastern part of section thirty-five, on the bank of Union Lake. The propelling motor of the mill is a thirty horse-power steam engine, that drives the two circular saws with which the mill is equipped, with sufficient force to cut 10,000 feet of lumber per day, although the average is only 5,000. This mill is a great benefit to the surrounding country, and takes a prominent place among the manufac- turing interests of Rice county.
BLACKSMITH SHOPS .- After the settlement of the township commenced it was not long until a brawny armed son of Vulcan moved his forge and anvil into Webster and commenced to make the steel ring. This was in 1856, and a Mr. Palmer also opened his shop, and kept banging away un- til 1858 when he pulled up stakes and removed to Rochester where he now lives. His shop was lo- cated on the eastern part of section thirty-five.
The next shop was opened in 1868, by Gilbert Christopherson, who erected and commenced oper- ating a shop in the northeastern part of section one, where it is still in full blast.
Nels Oleson, in 1874, put up a shop in the south- western part of section twenty-nine, putting in a complete set of tools, and here he may yet be found, still blowing the bellows.
UNION LAKE POST-OFFICE .- This was the first office established in the town of Webster, having
commenced its existence through a petition to Congress in the winter of 1856. Henry Hum- phrey was the first Postmaster, with the office at his house in section thirty-five. This gentleman was the incumbent until 1873, when George Prunk was appointed to handle the mail, which arrives on Thursday of each week by way of Millersburg.
HAZELWOOD POST-OFFICE .- This office was es- tablished in 1857, one year later than the above, with J. W. Doyle, Postmaster. Mail was then re- ceived once each week; now it arrives on Tuesday and Saturday of each week from Northfield. James McCabe is the present Postmaster, and E. W. Parker, mail carrier, the office being kept at Mr. McCabe's store, in the eastern part of section twelve.
WEBSTER POST-OFFICE .- This is the youngest office in the township, having been established in 1879, with F. Butzke, Postmaster, and the office at his house in section eight. He is still Postmaster. Mail arrives twice each week from Northfield by way of Hazelwood.
RELIGIOUS.
The first religious services held in this township were in the summer of 1856, by Elder R. C. Cres- sey, a missionary of the Congregationalist faith, in the house of Mr. F. Webster in section twenty- six. After this, services were held in John Camp- bell's house once in two weeks. This was contin- ned until Mr. Campbell moved out of the town- ship in 1866, and since that time there has been no regular services, as the Congregationalists have never had an organization.
BAPTIST SOCIETY .- This denomination com- menced holding services at the log schoolhouse of district thirty-three in 1870, with the Rev. Mr. Gale, as officiating minister. The society was duly organized in the fall of the same year with twenty-eight members. In the year 1873, Mr. Humphrey donated the church a site for a build- ing, and they at once commenced the erection of their present church edifice, completing it a num- ber of years afterward at a cost of about $1,200, it being a very neat and commodious structure. Among the pastors who have presided here are Elder James F. Walker, Rev. Frank Howard, Rev. Mr. Prunk, and Rev. J. F. Wilcox, the latter gen- tleman being the present pastor. The church is located on the southern line of section twenty-five.
NORWEGIAN LUTHERAN CHURCH,-First held
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WEBSTER TOWNSHIP.
services in 1876, at the schoolhouse of district No. 67, and continued holding irregular services here and at various places until 1878, when the society was organized, and the following trustees chosen: Ole Reige, Peter Oleson, Ole Anderson, and Christopher Seiga, with twenty members en- rolled and Rev. Nels Veker the first minister. In 1878, the erection of a neat frame church was commenced in the southwest corner of section thirty-one, which, although not completed as yet, has cost $600. The society now has thirty mem- bers but no regular pastor. A cemetery is con- nected with the church organization, being lo- cated in the town of Wheatland.
CATHOLIC SOCIETY .- Meetings of this society were first held in Timothy Gleason's house in 1857, the first mass being said at the residence of James McCabe in 1858, by Father Oster, who was the first priest. In 1861, they decided to build a church, as meetings were being held at varions places, and a building committee was appointed. James McCabe donated the society ten acres in section twelve and they purchased an additional ten acres adjoining it. Their building was finally finished as it now stands, with vestry, addition, and steeple, in 1881, having cost $3,100. The present officers are: Secretary, James McCabe; Treasurer, James Kiley. The priest is Father Reorlin. The church building of this denomina- tion is a fine and commodious one; a credit to the township, and the society deserve commendation for their enterprise and zeal. Its location is in the southern part of section twelve.
The Catholic cemetery, not far from the church, was laid out in the summer of 1863, containing one acre. The first burial here took place in the same year, and placed the remains of Mrs. Fox in their last earthly abode.
SOLORS CONGREGATION OF THE NORWEGIAN LUTHERAN SYNOD .- The first services held in the township by this denomination, was at the resi- dence of Mr. M. Oleson, in section four, in 1876. In 1878, an organization was effected and the erection of a church commenced, in section nine, which, although it is not yet completed, has cost $700. The first pastor was Rev. O. A. Berah, who still officiates.
In 1881, a cemetery ground was laid out by this church on E. Auderson's farm in the north- ern part of section nine, near the church, contain- ing sixty-six lots.
GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH .- Rev. Julius Wolf, in 1871, held services with this denomina- tion at the residence of Henry Kinker, and the following year an organization was effected and a frame church edifice erected in the northwestern part of section five, at a cost of $400, the members doing almost all of the labor. The present pastor is Rev. Christian Alphers, with a membership of about twenty, and a flourishing Sunday school in connection with the church.
When the society was first contemplated, in 1871, a cemetery was platted and laid out in sec- tion five, near the church site, and the burial of a child of Mr. and Mrs. Hans Hamann, inaugurated the sad and touching scenes that have since fol- lowed.
EDUCATIONAL.
Historically speaking, there is not much to the educational department of Webster township- not that it is inefficient or incapable, for such is not the case, as it would favorably compare with any of which we might speak-but there is an un- avoidable sameness between them; in fact, the history of one district is, with the exception of minor points, almost a synonym of all others. However, to gratify that pardonable local pride and curiosity in regard to "our district," we attach hereto a short sketch of the organization and growth of the various districts severally.
DISTRICT No. 33 .- This district effected an or- ganization in the summer of 1857, and school was held at the residence of Mr. Salmon Webster, with three scholars in attendance, and Mrs. Frances Webster, teacher. In the fall, of 1861, a log school- house was rolled together in section thenty-six, where Miss Rosy Bidwell first called school to order. This primitive structure served its pur- pose until 1873, when the present neat and com- modious schoolhouse was erected on the same site at a cost of about $625. R. J. Matson first taught in the new house.
DISTRICT No. 42 .- This educational subdivision was set off and organized under this number on the 5th of June, 1858, with Messrs. Samuel Dilly, R. H. Dilly, and John Gleason as school officers. A school building was put together, of logs, on section twelve soon afterward, which was kept in use until 1872. In the latter year their present building was constructed in the southern part of section eleven, at a cost of $400. Mr. James Ken- ney first called school together in this house.
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HISTORY OF RICE COUNTY.
DISTRICT No. 52 .- This was legally organ- ized in 1865, and a log house built in the southern part of section eight. The first school was taught the following spring in this building by Miss Mary Ann Shippy-although this statement is contradicted-and the building was used continu- ously until 1880, when it was dispensed with, and the present house erected in the southern part of section eight at a cost of $615.
DISTRICT No. 67 .- Effected an organization in 1861, and a school meeting was held on the 27th of March, at the house of E. C. Knowles, at which school officers were elected as follows: Treasurer, E. C. Knowles; Director, Elisha Fitch; and Clerk, H. D. Williams. At a special school meeting held on the 9th of July, 1864, a tax of $200 was voted for the purpose of erecting a schoolhouse, and the following year the walls of a log house, 18x20 feet, were put up by contribu- tion, that was completed in the fall of 1865 and ready for use. In the summer of 1866, school was held in it by Miss Angerora Shippy, and it was in use from this on for school purposes until 1880, when.the present house was erected in the central part of section twenty-nine, at a cost of $700. William H. Wetherston first called school to order in this edifice. At present the school en- rolls about sixty-five pupils.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
S. B. BARLOW, one of the early settlers in Weh- ster township, was born in Connecticut on the 31st of July, 1834. When he was but three years old his parents moved to Franklin county, New York, where he received his schooling. At the age of fifteen years he was employed in the pineries; in 1853, moved to Michigan, where he was in the lumber business one year, thence to Wisconsin engaged in digging wells and cisterns until 1857. He then came to Rice county and took a claim in section thirty-two in this place, which has since been his home. He erected a house immediately after his arrival, but the following year built a more sub- stantial one, which was destroyed by fire in 1866, when he put up his present dwelling. In 1862, he enlisted in the Second Minnesota Cavalry and served one year. After his discharge he returned to his farm and has since devoted his time to its cultivation, with the exception of the year 1872, which he spent traveling through Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. He was joined in mat- rimony on the 16th of Marclı, 1861, to Miss Louisa
S. Walden. They have had seven children; Ad- die, Melvin, Mabel, Sarah, Edna, and Cora. One died in infancy.
BELLAMY BENTON, one of the old settlers of Rice county, was born in England in 1809. He was brought up on a farm, attended school and learned the baker trade. At the age of twenty he enlisted in the army and served two and a half years when his parents bought his discharge. He then returned home and was engaged on the po- lice force in the city of Wisbeach four years. In 1846, he married Miss Mary Salmons and they were blessed with five children, all of whom are now dead, also his first wife. For twenty-four years he was engaged in' a grain warehouse and afterward was appointed Warden of the jail in Wisbeach remaining three years. He married his second wife, Miss Maryan Mitchal, and soon after emigrated to America, landing in New York. He moved from there to Cleveland, Ohio, and the same year (1856) came to this township, built a log cabin in which they lived until 1871, and then erected their present fine frame structure.
F. BUTZKE, one of the early settlers of this township, is a native of Germany, born on the 22d of October, 1819. He attended school and when quite young learned the blacksmith trade of his father. In 1840, he enlisted in the Prussian army and served three years. In 1845, Miss Hen- riette Wasse became his wife. They emigrated to America in 1857, landed in Baltimore and came directly to Minnesota, stopping in Hastings one month and then to this place. He staked out a claim in section eight, built a log house in which he lived about fourteen years, then erected his present frame dwelling, and now owns three hun- dred and twenty acres of land. He has a family of seven children; Bertha, Herman, Ulrike, Ferdi- nand, Matilda, William, and John.
ABEL CARPENTER was born in Vermont on the 13th of June, 1813. At the age of three years he moved with his parents to Fredonia, New York, where they remained five years, thence to Fairview, Pennsylvania, and three years later to Ashtabula county, Ohio, where Abel grew to manhood. He was married on the 28th of March, 1843, to Miss Mary Britt. Two years later they moved to Lee county, Iowa, where they resided on a farm until 1871, and on the 20th of May they came to this township and purchased a farm in section thirty- five, which has since been their home. Mr. and
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Mrs. Carpenter have a family of seven children; Henriette, James, William, George, Samuel, Abel, and Emma. Abel was born on the 3d of March, 1859, in Lee county, Iowa, and has always made his home with his parents.
JACOB CAMP is a native of Pennsylvania, born on the 11th of August, 1829, and when an infant removed with his parents to Holmes county, Ohio. In the spring of 1855, he started with an oil-cloth covered wagon and one horse for the West. On reaching Dubuque, Iowa, he took a steamer for Hastings, from whence he went to Washington county and spent the winter. The following spring he came to this township and was among the first settlers, locating in section twenty-four and twenty-seven. He was married in August, 1856, to Miss Mary Egan and the union has been blessed with three children.
JOHN COLE, a native of Yorkshire, England, was born on the 23d of April, 1829. He spent his youth on a farm and in school and in 1852, emigrated to America, landed in Quebec and came directly to Detroit, Michigan, where he engaged in farming and gardening. In 1856, he came to Minnesota to seek a home, settled on Vermillion river in Dakota county and remained until the spring of 1865, when he enlisted in the First Min- nesota Heavy Artillery, Company I, was sent south to Chattanooga and stationed with the regi- ment on Cameron Hill, remaining till the close of the war. After receiving his discharge he re- turned to Minnesota and located in Webster in section twenty-eight, which has since been his home, building his present house in 1870. Mr. Cole was united in matrimony on the 28th of Feb- ruary, 1860, to Miss Lenora Blew, a native of New Jersey. Theissue of the union is one son, William.
PAUL DANNIELSON is a native of Norway, born on the 5th of December, 1850. In June, 1869, he sailed for America, came directly to Minnesota and resided in Dakota county on a farm four years, then kept a boarding house in Minneapolis two years, and in 1875, came to this township and pur- chased his present farm. He was married on the 3d of March, 1874, to Miss Mary Severson, who has borne him three children; Daniel, Peter, and Tilla.
JOHN EYLWARD was born in Ireland on the 20th of June, 1822. His father died when he was twelve years old, after which he went to live with
an uncle and attended school. He came to Amer- ica in 1847, landed in Savannah, Georgia, and thence to New Jersey where he was engaged in the print works. He was joined in wedlock with Bridget Martin in July, 1852. In July, 1858, they came to this township and are numbered among the pioneers, building their present frame house in 1870. They have had six children; Sa- rah, John, Mary, James, Martin, and Daniel. Sa- rah died at the age of eleven years and James at five.
OLE L. ELSTAD was born in Norway on the 19th of February, 1822. He attended school in his native place and in 1840, purchased a farm. He was married on the 24th of June, of the latter year, and remained in that country until 1869, when they emigrated to America. They came to Min- nesota and settled first in Dakota county and two years later moved to this township, buying a good farm in section one, which is still their home. They have a family of eight children; Edward, Augusta, Anna, Matilda, Maggie, Maria, Emeline, and Alice.
HUGH GEOGHAGAN, one of the prominent men of this county and one of the first to locate a farm in this township, was born in Ireland on the 15th of August, 1830. His youth was spent at school and in farming pursuits, coming to Amer- ica in 1852. He landed in New Orleans from whence he came to Chicago and was in the employ of the government as engineer for two years, and afterward engaged as fireman and engineer in dif- ferent parts of Illinois. In 1856, he made a trip to Minnesota and secured land in this township but did not settle here until 1865. He was mar- ried on the 3d of April, 1860, to Miss Mary Hurly, who has borne him ten children; Lawrence, James, Hugh, Henry, Mathew, Mary, Thomas, Anna, Catherine, and John Henry, the fourth born was killed by a pile of lumber falling on him.
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