History of Rice County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota and outline history of the state of Minnesota, Part 98

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 98

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. 58 .- In 1868, this district seemed to be required by the growing wants of the neigh- borhood, and after a regular organization the

548

HISTORY OF RICE COUNTY.

usual loghouse was gathered together on section eight; a hypothetical bell was rung and the rising generation assembled under its roof. Miss Mag- gie Morrisey managed to manipulate them for a fortnight when Miss Katie Galey took them in hand and completed the term. In 1875, a frame building was built, and here Joseph Mathias first exclaimed, attention !

DISTRICT No. 108 .- Here is another new dis- trict, as its high number indicates, which was or- ganized by one of those special acts of the legisla- ture which took up so much time of that con- glomerate body, and a schoolhouse is going up in the village of Vessley.

DISTRICT No. 104 .- The year 1878 witnessed the formation of this district, and in the winter the house was raised on section thirty-two and completed at a cost of $800. Dan Duly was the first to teach under its roof. It takes in a part of Erin.

POST-OFFICE.

This luxury was early obtained for this settle- ment, that is, in 1857. The Postmaster was Peter O'Brien who opened the office at his store in section nineteen and held it there for two years; then Patrick Cody got the appointment, and the office went over to his house in section thirty-two where it remained up to 1876. Then Thomas Plaisance took the office to his place in section twenty-six and he continued to handle the mails until George E. Bates was commissioned in 1880. He kept it one year and then C. A. Remillard was appointed who still has the office at his store in section thirty-three.

POLITICAL.

The town was organized on the 11th of May, 1858, but the records of the first town meeting are, to use a legal term, non est inventus, but the the minutes of the next meeting, in 1859, are pre- served and the officers then elected were as fol- lows : Supervisor, Z. Y. Hatch, Chairman, Charles Orr, and Augustus Martin; Assessor, Z. Y. Hatch; Collector, Caleb Vincent; Justice of the Peace, Caleb Vincent; Town Clerk, Peter O'Brien. Titus Bunnell and Patrick Cody were among the first officers of the town.

On the 14th of March, 1882, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Super- visor, Albert Husman, Chairman, John Pauek, and Albert Smechek; Clerk, Flavien Benjamin;

Treasurer, Frank Sherek; Assessor, John Swan- awitz; Justice of the Peace, C. A. Remillard; Con- stables, Thomas Lafitts and William Cody.

RELIGIOUS.

CATHOLIC CHURCH .- The first mass in town was in Thomas Lambert's house on section twenty- three in 1855, by Father Ravoux. Mr. Lambert donated ten acres of land in section twenty-nine, and a church was built on that in 1858, which must have been the second Catholic church in the county. It was of logs, the lumber to finish it coming from St. Paul. Father Keller, from Fari- bault, was the first priest in the church, which served until 1871, when the building now stand- ing was erected. Father Leib was the priest for a number of years but Father Slevin now offici - ates.

THE BOHEMIAN CATAOLIC CHURCH .- This church- stands on section ten and was constructed in 1875, Mr. Thomas Lapic having donated fifteen acres of land and John Ziska a like amount. There is a cemetery connected with it. The first mass said here before these people was at the house of John Ziska.

MERCANTILE.

The first store in town was opened by Peter O'Brien on section nineteen in 1857, but he kept it up but a few years.

In 1874, Thomas Lambert opened a store in section thirty-two, where he kept a general stock of groceries, dry goods, boots and shoes, and liq- uors. In about twenty months he became satis- fied with his experience and closed up.

Napoleon Begin put up a building on section thirty-three, and putting in a stock of goods be- gan trade, and kept it up for about a year, when he sold to C. A. Remillard who kept on in the same store for about six months and then bought a building near. He is still behind that counter.

EARLY EVENTS.

EARLY BIRTHS .- Edward H., a son to Thomas and Rosalie Lambert, was introduced into this world on the 10th of June, 1854; he is now a married man with a residence in section twenty- nine.

Louis, a son of Louis and Angeline Morton, dates his nativity from the 11th of June, 1857.

Edward, son of Louis and Julia Plaisance, ar- rived on the 12th of June, 1857.

549

WHEATLAND TOWNSHIP.

It is said that Joseph, a son of Joseph and Julia Martin, was born in 1856, and lived to be two years old.

MARRIAGES .- Mr. Thomas Lambert and Miss Cecil Guartin were united in marriage in June, 1858, by Patrick Cody, Esq. Mr. Lambert lived here until his summons by the Angel of death on the 12th of March, 1882. His widow remains on section thirty-two.

DEATHS .- Rosalie, wife of Thomas Lambert, was taken to the "Other Side" in October, 1857, and her mortal remains were placed in the Cath- olic cemetery in section nine.

Mary, daughter of Thomas and Rosalie Lam- bert died some time in 1856, and was buried in the same cemetery.

DRUNKEN FOLLY .- A Bohemian named Mat- thew Cichla came to a fearful death on the 24th of April, 1879. It seems that on Easter Sunday, Cichla got upon an extensive spree in the course of which he offered a wager that he could drink a tumbler of whisky and also eat the glass-put the entire thing out of sight and digest it. The bet was accepted and the foolish fellow proceeded to win it by drinking the whisky and then pounding up the glass which he mixed with the tallow of a candle, he swallowed the mixture of glass and grease. The potion did not take immediate ef- fect, but on the following day he was seized with horrible pains as the glass began to lacerate his bowels. He started for home but fell by the road side and laid all day unattended, suffering inde- scribable tortures. Toward night he was discov- ered and carried home by neighbors and a physi- cian secured, but as might be expected nothing could be done, and the glass continued its cruel and deadly work of grinding the poor wretch's inwards until Thursday afternoon when death in mercy carried him off. A post mortem examina- tion disclosed that his stomach and intestines had been literally ground to shreds. The deceased left a wife and family.

AN ACCIDENT .- In September, 1879, while Mr. and Mrs. Touack's little boy and girl were playing in the haystack they conceived the idea of sliding down the side, and while practicing this danger- ovs pastime the little girl missed her footing and slid down striking on her head and instantly breaking her neck, dying in a few moments.

Another accident similar to this occurred a few weeks later near the same place, in which a Bo-

hemian, whose name we are unable to ascertain, while threshing grain, fell from a strawstack and was instantaneously killed.

THE VILLAGE OF VESSLEY.

This is one of the latest candidates for recogni- tion as a growing village. It was laid out, platted, and lots put into the market in 1880, so that as yet it is but an infant, although it must be admit- ted that it is a lusty one for its age. The sight of the new town is mostly on section fifteen. It may be said to be a Bohemian enterprise, and has stores, a church, schoolhouse, and other village accessories, which, with a rich surrounding country, makes it already a promising place.

The name first given to the village, and which is still retained by the Post-office, was Wesely, but it is said that seemed to grate harshly upon the ears of the high ecclesiastical authorities, as it sounded too much like the name of a destinguish- ed dissenter, and so the W was bisected and S added, and two letters transposed, but it is pre- sumed that the bones of the illustrious Methodist will moulder in the grave just as quietly, and his influence on the present and succeeding gener- ations be just as active as though all this had never happened.

BUSINESS INTERESTS .- Thomas Lapic started a saloon in the spring of 1874, which is still in operation. Another saloon was opened in 1881.

James Toaps has a shoemaker's shop where cus- tom work and repairing are specialties.

Albert Naale has a provision store.

Charles Mosher, in 1880, put in a stock of goods, and still continues in trade.

Albert Wasejpher erected a forge in 1875, and . he still carries on the blacksmithing business.

A. Charland built a blacksmith shop in section thirty-three in 1876, and started a fire and kept it aglow for about one year when he sold to Joseph LaVoye who is still hammering away there.

In 1880, James Drozdu opened a saloon on section thirty-three which is in full blast, to use a furnace phrase.

The Post-office was established on the 1st of July, 1879, and Albert Wasejpher was commis- sioned Postmaster.

In 1882, Maertz and Semoter, erected a building 20x60 feet with tenements overhead, and put in a stock of goods in great variety. Mr. Semoter at- tends to the business, his partner living in New Prague where he is also in mercantile business.

550

HISTORY OF RICE COUNTY.

A harness shop is in course of construction.

Mathias Trinda, in Jannary, 1879, opened a saloon which is still in operation, in a building 24x56 feet with a hall in the second story.

John Tomek constructed a blacksmith shop in 1877, and the sparks are still flying about his anvil.

Voe Machacek started a blacksmith shop in 1880, but at the end of eighteen months discontin- ued the business.

Frank Sticka started the saloon business in 1877, which, after a few months was turned over to Joe Vrana, who is still behind the bar.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

THOMAS BARRETT, deceased, was born in Ireland in 1825, and in 1847, came to America, locating in Xenia, Ohio, where he was employed on the railroad a few years, then removed to Wisconsin and engaged in farming. In 1855, he came to Rice county and took a claim on section twenty- three in this township, but did not settle here. He went to Muscatine, Iowa, and thence in a year to Iowa City, where, in 1858, he married Miss Honora Lacey. They went to Memphis, Ten- nessee, where Mr. Barrett worked on the railroad while his wife kept a boarding house, and from there to Madrid, in the same State, purchased a pair of mules and worked at grading, but finally returned to Memphis. He remained in that city until it was taken by the Union army during the late war, then removed to St. Louis, Missouri, where he engaged in taking rafts of lumber from the river. In 1865, he came to his farm here and began to improve it, building a log house in which he re- sided until 1871, when he erected the present edifice in which his family still live, having since built a granary. He died on the 20th of May, 1874, and left a family of six children; William, Thomas, John, Henry, Joseph, and Edward. Edmund died at three years of age and the only daughter when seven months old.

PETER O. BERG is a native of Norway, born the 18th of September, 1842, and attended school in his native country. He was married in 1871, to Olivia Larson and the same year came to America, landed at Quebec, and came directly to Northfield, Minnesota, thence moved to Dakota county, mak- ing his home there until 1874. On removing to Wheatland, he purchased wild land in section twenty-five and immediately began to improve it and built his present house. Mr. and Mrs. Berg

have had six children, three of whom are living, Laurets, Bernt, and Ingea.

FLAVIEN BENJAMIN, Jr., was born in . Iberville county, province of Quebec, Canada, on the 11th of July, 1850. He spent his youthful days at the public schools, and in 1864 came to Minnesota with his father, who bought land on section thirty- three, Wheatland, and has since made his home with him. His mother died just previous to their removal. Our subject was married in the 20th of February, 1882, to Miss Jennie Cody, daughter of the late John Cody of St. Paul. He has been elected to many local offices of trust; is the pres- ent Town Clerk, and has been the Clerk of his school district since its organization.

THOMAS BROWN dates his birth in Ireland, on 22nd of October, 1827, and early in life engaged in agricultural pursuits. In April, 1848, he emigra- ted to America, landed in Boston, and went from there to Wabau, in the same State, where he en- gaged in farming two years and in a tannery one year. He was married in 1851, to Miss Ellen Brown, and soon removed to California, spending three years in mining, then returned to Wabau, Massachusetts, and again engaged in a tannery. In March, 1857, he came to Wheatland, located a claim in sections thirty-four and thirty-five and built a house which was subsequently destroyed by fire, after which he erected a shanty and in 1869, his present house. In 1864, he was drafted into the army but was exempted. He has a family of six children, Michael, Thomas, Johanna, Pat- rick, Catherine, and Mary.

PATRICK CODY, deceased, one of the first settlers in Wheatland, was a native of Ireland, born the 19th of January, 1808. He attended school until eighteen years old, when he came with his parents to America, and located at Port Kent, where Pat- rick learned of his brother the trade of making nails, which was, at that time, done by hand. At the expiration of three years he went to Beauharnois county, province of Quebec, Canada, where he en- gaged in farming, and remained during the re- bellion, taking part in it, for which he was arrested and barely missed being transported. He after ward returned to New York and located in Clinton county where he made his home on a farm until 1854, when he removed to St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1855, he came to Rice county, staked out a claim in this township in sections twenty-nine and thirty-two and built a claim shanty of logs, mov-

551

WHEATLAND TOWNSHIP.

ing his family here in the spring of 1856. In 1875, he built the frame house in which he resided till his death on the 19th of January, 1880. He was married on the 6th of June, 1832, to Miss Sarah Graham, a native of Cumberland county, England. Their children were; Jane, now Mrs. John Patterson, living in St. Paul; Andrew, who died in infancy; John, who died in 1863, in his twenty-fourth year; Willie, who died in infancy; Patrick, who died in 1864, in his twenty-fourth year; Ann, now Mrs. Joseph Dubois, living in St. Paul; Sarah, William, who is married and lives on the farm adjoining the homestead; and Mary, who died in 1871, in her nineteenth year. Mrs. Cody still resides on the homestead with her son, Edward, and daughter, Sarah. Mr. Cody was warm-hearted and hospitable; no weary traveler, whether rich or poor, ever passed his door and found the latch string pulled in, and the old settlers who have often times enjoyed his hos- pitality sincerely mourn his loss.

PETER FABRE, a native of France, was born the 7th of October, 1847. After receiving his educa- tion he worked in a flour-mill, and in 1867, went to Marseilles, where he was employed in the same occupation for a few months. In 1871, he en- listed in the French army, serving eight months and receiving an honorable discharge. In the latter part of 1871, he went to Lyons, engaged as miller nearly a year, afterward removed to Paris, and in 1873, emigrated to America, landing in Quebec, Canada, and from there went to Mon- treal, where he found employment at his tra le. One year later he came to Minnesota, and for three months resided in Cannon City, then weut to Dundas and engaged in Archibald's Mills six months. He came to Wheatland and conducted St. Amond's Mill fourteen months, subsequently erected a building on section thirty-two and opened a store and saloon, which he conducted until 1880. In 1876, he went to the Centennial at Philadelphia, and afterward to France. He was married in the latter year to Miss Louise Grothy, who has borne him two children; Louise and Al- bert. In 1879, Mr. Fabre built a flour-mill and in 1881, a saw-mill, and has since conducted them both.

MICHAEL FITZPATRICK, one of the pioneers of Rice county, was born in Ireland in 1817, and was brought up on a farm. In 1842, he emi- grated to America; went from New York City to

Corning where he engaged on the railroad and in one year went to Great Bend and afterward to Kentucky. After working at railroading in the latter State eleven months he returned to Corn- ing. In 1854, Miss Bridget McCall became his wife, and two years later they came to Minnesota, located a claim in Wheatland, section twenty- three, which is still their home. Their children are; Catharine, Michael, Mary, Lizzie, Susan, Bridget, Margaret, and Ellen.

PATRICK GORMAN was born in Ireland in 1831, and when eight years old his father died, and two years later Patrick came to America with his mother. They landed at Quebec and went from thence to Rouse's Point, New York, living in or near the place four years. Our subject resided in many different places in that State, including Binghamton, Great Bend, and New Milford, un- til 1855, when he removed to Scranton, Pennsyl- vania, and engaged in railroad work one year. In 1856, he came to this State, located in Eagan town, Dakota county, and for nine seasons was engaged in boating on the Mississippi and Min- nesota rivers. He served in the late war from 1864, until June, 1865, in the Tenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company K. In 1870, he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in this township, moved his family here and imme- diately began making improvements. Mr. Gor- man was married in Binghamton, New York, to Miss Mary Mehan and the issue of the union was seven children, six of whom are living; Elizabeth, · Annie, James, Margaret, Katie, and Maria. His wife died in Dakota county and is buried at Men- dota. His present wife was Miss Mary Flynn whom he married in 1871. They have had six children, four now living; Cornelius, Daniel, Honora, and Mary. Susan died in 1882, aged two years and four months, and Edward died in 1875, at the age of one year and six months.

THOMAS HORNER is a native of Ireland and dates his birth in 1830. He was raised to agri- cultural pursuits and in 1850, came to America, going from New York to New Jersey, and after working in a saw-mill five years, removed to Chi- cago, Illinois, There he was employed in a gas manufactory six months, then came to St. Paul, aud in 1857 pre-empted a quarter in section five, Wheatland, where he remained long enough to establish his claim and returned to St. Paul. In 1861, he married Miss Mary Fox of his native

552

HISTORY OF RICE COUNTY.

country, and the same year settled permanently on his farm. He has eight children ; James, Thomas, Mary Jane, Patrick, Robert, John, Ma- tilda, and Ellen.

THOMAS LAMBERT, deceased, one of the oldest settlers of Wheatland, was born in Quebec, Can- ada, on the 16th of November, 1823. He was employed on boats on the St. Lawrence River un- til 1847, when he came to the States to settle and for two seasons was engaged on a boat plying on the Mississippi River from St. Paul to St. Louis. He made a claim at Little Crow village, but soon sold and went to West St. Paul, bought a tract of land and built a house. He was married in 1850, to Miss Rosalie Osier and they had three children; Hercules, Mary, and Edward. In 1855, he re- moved to Wheatland and staked out a claim in section twenty-nine, building a log house. He assisted new-comers in selecting land and put up shanties for many of them. In 1856, he moved to Mendota and opened a stock of goods, but did not make a success of it, closed out in about six months and returned to this place, locating on his son's land in section thirty-two. He built a frame honse in which he lived a few years, afterward erected a large log house in which he kept board- ers. His wife died in 1858, and a few months later he married Cecil Guartin who survives him. Mr. Lambert enlisted in the Second Minnesota Cavalry, was transferred to the Eleventh Miune sota Volunteer Infantry, Company B, sent south, and at Gallatin, Tennessee, was taken sick and never after fully recovered his health. He died on the 12th of March, 1882. Mrs. Lambert bore her husband thirteen children, seven of whom are living; Rosalie, Amelia, Mary, Benjamin, Orelia, Sophrenia, and Zereme.

EDWARD H. LAMBERT, son of the subject of our last sketch, made his home with his parents until 1878, when he was joined in matrimony with Miss Zereme Piston and now resides on his farm in section twenty-nine.

MURDOCH MCLENNAN, deceased, one of the pioneers of this township, was born in Scotland in 1809, While young he was engaged in herd- ing sheep and afterward opened a provision store which he conducted about ten years. He was united in marriage in January, 1848, with Miss Catharine Lyon, and in 1857, they emigrated to America, coming directly to Rice county and lo- cating a claim in Wheatland in section twenty-

three. He had six children; Arabella, Ellen Murdoch, John, Janet, and Kenneth. Mr. Mc- Lennan died on the 5th of November, 1865, and his wife in March, 1862. The children now oc- cupy the homestead.

JOHN MONTOUR is & native of Canada, born the 18th of November, 1843, and was brought up on a farm. In 1857, he came to Minnesota and after one year's residence in St. Paul came to Wheatland, bought land in section nine and built a log house. He was married in 1861, to Miss Lilda Lackepell, Mrs. Montour died leaving five children; Jessie, Mary Louise, Peter, Moses, and Mamie. In 1880, he sold his former farm and purchased in section thirty-four where he still re- sides.

THEOPHILUS O'DETTE was born in Montreal, Canada, on the 13th of October, 1812. In 1831, he married Miss Elmira Montville, and in 1851, removed to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, remained five years and came to Minnesota, taking land near Mendota. He worked on Gen. Sibley's farm one year, afterward made improvements on his own, and in 1864, entered the Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company D, serving till June, 1865, and after his discharge returned to Mendota. He contracted a disease while in the army from which he has never fully recovered. In 1866, he traded his land in the latter place for a farm in this township in section twenty, where he still makes his home. Of eight children born to him five are living; Emma, Mary, Vallaire, Ed- ward, and Johanna.

PHILIP PLAISANCE, a native of Canada, was born in Litbiniere, Quebec, on the 25th of Sep- tember, 1835, and attended the public schools of his native village. He afterward clerked in a store three years and in 1855, came to Minnesota, arriving at Mendota the 19th of October; pre- empted land in this county in the township of Erin on which he lived until his claim was estab- lished, then returned to Mendota. He clerked in a store six months, after which he engaged in farming and iu 1857, purchased land in Wheat- land, to which he removed two years later. He was married on the 5th of July, 1858, to Miss Sophia Corbin, of his native country. Iu June, 1864, he enlisted in the Eleventh Minnesota Vol- unteer Infantry, Compauy B; served till May, 1865, when he was discharged and returned home. The same year he built a log house, and in 1875,

553

WHEATLAND TOWNSHIP.

his present frame house. Mr. Plaisance has filled local offices and served three terms in the Legisla- ture. Of thirteen children born to him two died in infancy, and those living are; Octavia, Philip, Joseph, Mary, Thomas, Arthur, Delia, Denis, Amanda, Emma, and Alice.

WILLIAM QUINN is a native of Ireland, born in 1837, and when seventeen years old came to America, landed in New York and went from there to Philadelphia, remaining six months. He then removed to this State, lived one year in Sauk Centre, afterward went to Lousiana, where for one winter he was engaged in building levees, and the next spring removed to Cincinnati, Ohio. In September, 1862, he enlisted in the Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company C, and after being in camp five months, joined the army of the Ten- nessee, and served till the close of the war, being taken prisoner once in East Tennessee and held five days. He was discharged in June, 1865, and in 1867, came to Wheatland, locating in section one on the land formerly owned by his brother. In 1869, he married Miss Mary J. Gordon, who died in 1870, and his present wife was Miss Mary McKeuna, who became Mrs. Quinn in 1871. The result of the later union is five children; Saralı, James, John, Thomas, and William.

C. A. REMILLARD was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, on the 25th of March, 1847, and when seventeen years old, having then received his education, he came to New York, where he en- gaged on the Erie Canal one summer and in the winter worked on a farm. In the spring he went to Vermont and after working two years in a saw- mill came to St. Paul, Minnesota, thence to North- field, engaged on a farm, and in the fall returned to St. Paul, where he clerked in a store one year, then moved to Minneapolis and subsequently to Lake Superior and worked on the railroad three months. The next winter he spent in this town- ship and the following two years worked in a saw- mill in Minneapolis in the summer and in the pineries in the winter, then returned here and en- gaged in St. Amond's saw and grist-mill. In 1874, Miss Margaret Berry became his wife. In 1875, he opened a saloon on section thirty-three, conducted it three months and moved to Erin; spent four years there, and in 1881, engaged in mercantile business in section thirty-three, which he still conducts. He is at present Justice of the Peace and also Postmaster, appointed in 1881.

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 98

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