USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. I > Part 14
USA > Minnesota > Steele County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. I > Part 14
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1891-Auditor, I. N. Donaldson : sheriff, C. N. Stewart ; attor- ney. Thomas H. Quinn ; judge of probate, R. A. Mott; coroner, G. M. Coon ; superintendent of schools, S. B. Wilson; register of deeds, James Ilunter ; county commissioners, T. C. Adams, David Ames, A. W. Stockton, H. Il. Osterhout, F. Benjamin.
1893-Auditor, I. N. Donaldson ; treasurer, F. Laufenburger ; register, James Hunter ; sheriff, C. N. Stewart ; judge of probate, R. A. Mott ; attorney, Robert Mee ; surveyor, W. S. Gloyd; cor- oner, J. S. Seeley, M. D .; clerk of court, C. O. Kleven ; court commissioner, C. W. Pye; superintendent of schools, B. M. Reynolds; county commissioners, A. W. Stockton (chairman), C. Deike, David Ames, H. Il. Osterhout, F. Benjamin.
1895-Auditor, I. N. Donaldson ; treasurer. F. Laufenburger ; sheriff, Charles N. Stewart ; register of deeds, James Hunter : judge of probate, R. A. Mott ; surveyor, Richard Kerrick : cor- oner, J. S. Seeley, M. D .; clerk of court, C. O. Kleven : superin- tendent of schools, B. M. Reynolds; county commissioners, P. Heffernan, S. J. Leahy, F. J. Rachac, C. Deike, A. W. Stockton.
1897-Auditor, 1. N. Donaldson ; treasurer, F. Laufenburger ; register, George L. Smith; sheriff, George W. Moshier; county attorney, Anson L. Keyes; judge of probate, R. A. Mott; sur- veyor, C. A. Reed ; coroner, J. S. Seeley ; clerk of court, George D. Reed : court commissioner, C. W. Pye : superintendent of schools, B. M. Reynolds ; county commissioners, Alfred Pentz, P. Heffer- nan, HI. F. Kester, S. J. Leahy. F. J. Rachac.
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1899-Auditor, E. J. Healy ; treasurer, Fred Shandorf ; regis- ter, George L. Smith ; sheriff, George W. Moshier ; attorney, John IV. LeCrone; judge of probate, James Hunter; surveyor, C. A. Reed; coroner, J. S. Seeley; clerk of court, George D. Reed ; court commissioner, C. W. Pye ; superintendent of schools, G. R. Simpson ; county commissioners, Alfred Pentz, E. B. Law, H. F. Kester, S. J. Leahy and F. J. Rachac.
1901-Auditor, W. K. Adams; treasurer, Fred Shandorf ; reg- ister of deeds, George S. Whitney ; sheriff, George W. Moshier; attorney, William W. Pye; judge of probate, James Hunter ; surveyor, C. A. Reed ; coroner, J. S. Seeley ; clerk of court, George D. Reed ; superintendent of schools, E. L. Peterson ; county com- missioners, F. J. Orcutt, E. B. Law, H. Pierce, Jr., S. J. Leahy and W. T. Shimota.
1903-Auditor, W. K. Adams ; treasurer, S. I. Pettitt ; register of deeds, Robert R. Hutchinson; sheriff, George W. Moshier ; attorney, William W. Pye; judge of probate, James Hunter; surveyor, C. A. Reed; coroner, David W. Ray; clerk of court, George D. Reed; county commissioners, F. J. Orcutt, William Ebel, Heury Pierce, Jr., Thomas Manley and W. T. Shimota.
1905-Auditor, J. J. Rachac ; treasurer, S. I. Pettitt ; register of deeds, Robert R. Hutchinson; sheriff, William Geiger ; attor- ney, E. H. Gipson ; judges of probate, George L. Smith ; surveyor, C. A. Reed ; coroner, D. WV. Ray ; clerk of court, Charles F. Ebel ; superintendent of schools, Elmer L. Peterson; county commis- sioners, H. H. Helberg, William Ebel, P. F. Ruge, Thomas Man- ley and Henry Sprain.
1907-Auditor, J. J. Rachac; treasurer, S. I. Pettitt ; register of deeds, R. R. Hutchinson ; sheriff, William Geiger; attorney, A. B. Childress ; judge of probate, George L. Smith ; surveyor, C. A. Reed ; coroner, D. W. Ray ; clerk of court, Charles F. Ebel ; court commissioners, K. S. Chase; superintendent of schools, J. H. Lewis; county commissioners, H. H. Helberg, William Ebel, P. F. Ruge, John Finley, Jr., and Henry Sprain.
1909-Auditor, James W. Trenda; treasurer, S. I. Pettitt ; register of deeds, E. F. Kelly ; sheriff, William Geiger ; attorney, A. B. Childress ; judge of probate, James Hunter ; surveyor, C. A. Reed ; coroner, A. H. Bollenbach ; clerk of court, Charles Ebel ; superintendent of schools, J. H. Lewis; county commissioners, H. H. Helberg, William Ebel, P. F. Ruge, John Finley, Jr., and Frank J. Parkos.
RICE COUNTY POOR FARM.
The Rice County poor farm was purchased from Summer A. Sheffield, September 5, 1866, for $5,000, and is located in the
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southeast quarter of section 2 in Warsaw. The present brick building was erected in 1903 and completed July 15. Minor improvements have been made since. The farm is in a high degree of cultivation, and has always been well managed. The grounds are well tended and much credit for the efficiency and beauty of the place is due Frank Sweet, the farm being one of the finest places in Jewett valley.
CHAPTER VI.
LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION.
Council Districts-Territorial Legislatures-Rice County in the Seventh and Sixth Council Districts Successively-Consti- tutional Convention-Rice County Becomes a Part of the Fifth Legislative District of the New State-Rice County Constituted the Eighth District-Becomes the Eighteenth District - Becomes the Twentieth District - Assumes Its Present Designation of Twenty-eighth District in 1897- Representatives in Congress.
On July 7. 1849, Governor Alexander Ramsey, by procla- mation, fixed the council districts of the territory, which at that time had not been divided into counties. The settlement at the meeting of the Straight and Cannon rivers was included in the seventh district.
The first territorial legislature assembled in 1849. The sev- enth district was represented in the council by Martin McLeod. and in the house by Alexis Bailly and Gideon H. Pond. The ses- sion adjourned November 1.
The second territorial legislature assembled January 1 and adjourned March 31, 1851. The seventh district was represented in the council by Martin McLeod and in the house by B. 11. Randall and Alexander Faribault.
The territory having been divided into counties, it was appor- tioned by the second territorial legislature into council districts. Rice county, which was then included in Dakota county, was in the sixth district.
The third territorial legislature assembled January 7, and adjourned March 6, 1852. The sixth district was represented in the council by Martin McLeod and in the house by James McBoal and Benjamin Il. Randall.
The fourth territorial legislature assembled January 5, and adjourned March 5, 1853. Martin McLeod, of Lac qui Parle, who represented the sixth district in the council, was president of that body. In the house, the sixth district was represented by A. E. Ames and B. H. Randall.
The fifth territorial legislature assembled January 4 and ad- journed March 4, 1854. Joseph R. Brown represented the sixth
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district in the council and Hezekiah Fletcher and William H. Nobles in the house.
The sixth territorial legislature assembled January 3 and ad- journed March 3, 1855. Joseph R. Brown represented the sixth district in the council and H. H. Sibley and D. M. Hanson in the house.
By the apportionment of 1855, Rice, Scott and Dakota coun- ties were constituted the sixth district.
The seventh territorial legislature assembled January 2 and adjourned March 1, 1856. The sixth district was represented in the council by H. G. Bailly and Samuel Dooley, and in the house by M. T. Murphy, O. C. Gibbs, John C. Ide, J. T. Gal- braith and John M. Holland.
The eighth territorial legislature assembled January 7 and adjourned March 7, 1857. The sixth district was represented by Samuel Dooley and H. G. Bailly in the council and C. P. Adams, J. J. McVey, L. M. Brown, F. J. Witlock and Morgan L. Noble in the house. An extra session assembled April 27 and adjourned May 23. At this extra session Charles Jewett took the place of Morgan L. Noble, who resigned.
Under the enabling act of congress, approved March 3, 1857, a constitutional convention of 108 members (cach council dis- trict to elect two delegates for each councilman and representa- tive it was entitled to) was authorized to meet at the capitol on the second Monday in July. to frame a state constitution, and to submit it to the people of the territory. The election was held on the first Monday in June. July 13 the delegates met, but a disagreement arising in the organization, the Republican mem- bers organized one body and the Democrats organized separately. Each of these bodies claiming to be the legal constitutional con- vention, proceeded with the work of forming an instrument to be submitted to the people. After some days an understanding was effected between them, and by means of a committee of confer- ence the same constitution was framed and adopted by both bodies. On being submitted to the people, October 13, it was ratified. The sixth district, which included Rice county, was represented in the Republican wing by John W. North, Thomas Bolles, Oscar F. Perkins, Thomas Foster. Thomas J. Galbraith and D. D. Dickinson. The district was represented in the Demo- cratic wing by II. H. Sibley, Robert Kennedy, Daniel J. Burns, Frank Warner, William A. Davis, Joseph Burwell, Henry G. Bailly and Andrew Keegan.
1857-58-The first legislature. By the apportionment as laid down in the constitution, Rice county was constituted the fifth district. The legislature assembled December 2, 1857, and on March 25, 1858, took a recess until June 2 and adjourned August
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12. The Rice county representatives were : Michael Cook, George E. Skinner in the senate ; John L. Schofield, John H. Parker and Warren Vertress in the house.
1859-60-The second legislature assembled December 7, and adjourned March 12, 1860. Rice county representatives were : M. Cook and D. H. Frost in the senate; E. N. Leavens, Luke Hulett and Ferris Webster in the house.
1861-The third legislature. By the apportionment of 1860 Rice county was constituted the eighth district. The legislature assembled January 8, and adjourned March 8. Rice county rep- resentatives were: Michael Cook in the senate; J. D. Hoskins and Charles Wood in the house.
1862-The fourth legislature assembled January 7, and ad- journed March 7. Rice county representatives were: Michael Cook in the senate : George H. Woodruff and Caleb Clossen in the house. On account of the Indian outbreak in 1862, an extra ses- sion was called by the governor, which assembled September 9, and adjourned September 29.
1863-The fifth legislature assembled January 6, and ad- journed March 6. Rice county representatives were: John M. Berry in the senate; Charles Wood and Charles Taylor in the house.
1864-The sixth legislature assembled January 5, and ad- journed March 4. Rice county representatives were: John M. Berry in the senate ; A. N. Nourse and A. H. Bullis in the house.
1865-The seventh legislature assembled January 3, and ad- journed March 3. Rice county representatives were: Levi Nutting in the senate; A. H. Bullis and Charles Taylor in the house.
1866-The eighth legislature assembled January 2, and ad- journed March 2. Rice county representatives were: Gordon E. Cole in the senate : J. S. Archibald and Isaac Pope in the house.
1867-The ninth legislature. By the apportionment of 1866, Rice county was constituted the eighth district. The legislature assembled January 8, and adjourned March 8. Rice county repre- sentatives were: O. F. Perkins in the senate; Charles A. Wheaton and Isaac Pope in the house.
1868-The tenth legislature assembled January 7, and ad- journed March 6. Rice county representatives were: O. F. Perkins in the senate : Christian Erd and Jesse Ames in the hotise.
1869-The eleventh legislature assembled January 5, and ad- journed March 5. Rice county representatives were: George F. Batchelder in the senate; W. J. Sibbison and E. Hollister in the house.
1870-The twelfth legislature assembled January 4, and ad- journed March 4. Rice county representatives were: George F.
.
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Batchelder in the senate; Henry Drought and William Close in the house.
1871-The thirteenth legislature assembled January 8, and adjourned March 3. Rice county representatives were: John H. Case in the senate; Ara Barton and Henry Platt in the house.
1872-The fourteenth legislature. By the apportionment of 1871, Rice county was constituted the eighteenth district. The legislature assembled January 2, and adjourned March 1. Rice county representatives were: G. W. Batchelder in the senate ; O. Osmundson, Ara Barton, John Hutchinson, Henry Platt and H. M. Mattson in the house.
1873-The fifteenth legislature assembled January 7, and ad- journed March 7. Rice county representatives were: G. W. Batchelder in the senate; Osmund Osmundson, Elias Hobbs, S. C. Dunham, J. B. Hopkins and Andrew Thompson in the house.
1874-The sixteenth legislature assembled January 6, and adjourned March 6. Rice county representatives were: Thomas H. Buckham in the senate; B. M. James, H. E. Barron, J. H. Passon, H. B. Martin and L. M. Heally in the house.
1875-The seventeenth legislature assembled January 5, and adjourned March 5. Rice county representatives were: Thomas S. Buckham in the senate; T. B. Clement, J. B. Hopkins, J. S. Allen, Andrew Thompson and II. B. Martin in the house.
1876-The eighteenth legislature assembled January 4, and adjourned March 3. Rice county representatives were: J. M. Archibald in the senate ; Joseph Covert. F. A. Noble, C. H. Grant. G. W. Walrath and P. Plaisance in the house.
1877-The nineteenth legislature assembled January 2, and adjourned March 2. Rice county representatives were: J. M. Archibald in the senate; J. H. Pettys, II. Scriver, A. W. Mc- Kinstry, S. B. Coe and E. C. Knowles in the house.
1878-The twentieth legislature assembled January 8, and adjourned March 8. Rice county representatives were: T. B. Clement in the senate ; J. W. Thompson, John Thompson, Stiles M. West, L. W. Dennison and J. S. Haselton in the house.
1879-The twenty-first legislature assembled January 7, and adjourned March 7. Rice county representatives were: T. B. Clement in the senate : Seth H. Kenny, Hiram Scriver, L. W. Dennison, A. Thompson and Joseph Covert in the house.
1881-The twenty-second legislature assembled January 4. and adjourned March 4. Rice county representatives were : T. B. Clement in the senate; John Thompson, S. P. Stewart, R. A. Mott, W. R. Baldwin and Philip Plaisance in the house. An extra session was called for the purpose of considering the legislation at the regular session relating to the state railroad bonds which
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was declared unconstitutional by the supreme court. The session commenced October 11 and closed November 13.
1883-The twenty-third legislature. By the apportionment of 1881, Rice county was constituted the twentieth district. The legislature assembled January 2, and adjourned March 2. Rice county representatives were: T. B. Clement in the senate; Gor- don E. Cole, A. Mortenson, J. S. Way and M. S. Seymour in the house.
1885-The twenty-fourth legislature assembled January 6, and adjourned March 6. Rice county representatives were: T. B. Clement in the senate; W. S. Pattee, Christian Deike, Charles Sweetser and Philip Plaisance in the house.
1887-The twenty-fifth legislature assembled January 4, and adjourned March 4. The Rice county representatives were: G. W. Wood in the senate; A. D. Keyes, H. A. Swartwoudt, J. J. Alexander and I. N. Powers in the house.
1889-The twenty-sixth legislature assembled January 8, and adjourned April 23. The Rice county representatives were: G. W. Wood in the senate; J. P. Temple, Hudson Wilson, George W. Damp and B. M. Janes in the house.
1891-The Twenty-seventh legislature. By the apportion- ment of 1889, Rice county was constituted the twentieth district. The legislature assembled January 6, and adjourned April 20. Rice county representatives were: A. W. Stockton in the senate ; T. E. Bonde, Joseph Roach and R. G. Weatherston in the house.
1893-The twenty-eighth legislature assembled January 3, and adjourned April 18. Rice county representatives were: A. W. Stockton in the senate; A. B. Kelly, Judson C. Temple and Jo- seph Roach in the house.
1895-The twenty-ninth legislature assembled January 8, and adjourned April 23. Rice county representatives were: A. W. Stockton in the senate ; George W. Damp, A. B. Kelly and Simon Taylor in the house.
1897-The thirtieth legislature assembled January 5, and ad- journed April 21. Rice county representatives were: A. WV. Stockton in the senate ; D. F. Kelly, L. M. Hollister and Charles Eigenbrodt in the house.
1899-The thirty-first legislature. By the apportionment of 1897, Rice county was constituted the twenty-eighth district. The legislature assembled January 3, and adjourned April 18. Rice county representatives were: A. W. Stockton in the senate ; A. B. Kelly and P. J. Moran in the house.
1901-The thirty-second legislature assembled January 8, and adjourned April 12. Rice county representatives were: A. W. Stockton in the senate; A. B. Kelly and Fred Lemke in the house. An extra session was called for the purpose of considering the
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report of the tax commission created by Chapter 13. General Laws of A. D. 1901. The extra session convened February 4, 1902, and adjourned March 11, 1902.
1903-The thirty-third legislature assembled January 6. Rice county representatives were: C. M. Buck in the senate; Fred Lemke and D. F. Kelly in the house.
1905-The thirty-fourth legislature assembled January 3. Rice county representatives were: C. M. Buck in the senate ; George W. Thompson and A. K. Ware in the house.
1907-The thirty-fifth legislature assembled January 8. Rice county representatives were: Frank L. Glotzbach in the senate ; George W. Thompson and E. A. Orne in the house.
1909-The thirty-sixth legislature assembled in January, 1909. Rice county was represented in the senate by Frank L. Glotzbach. and in the house by A. K. Ware and J. R. Phillips.
CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATION.
The third congressional district. in which, from the time of the apportionment of 1881. Rice county has been included, has been represented in congress since that date as follows: H. B. Strait, Republican, March 4, 1881, to March 4, 1887; John L. McDonald, Democrat, March 4. 1887, to March 4, 1889; Darwin S. Hall, Republican, March 4, 1889, to March 4, 1891 ; O. M. Hall, Democrat, March 4, 1891, to March 4, 1895; Joel P. Heat- wole, Republican, March 4, 1895, to March 4, 1903; Charles R. Davis, Republican, March 4, 1903, to March 4, 1911.
Until Minnesota became a state it had only one representa- tive in congress, a territorial delegate, who was not allowed to vote. The first territorial delegare from Minnesota was Henry 11. Sibley, who was first sent ostensibly as a delegate from the territory of Wisconsin, though living on the present site of Mendota at the mouth of the Minnesota river. He sat as a ter- ritorial delegate from January 15, 1849, to December 5, 1853. Ile was succeeded by Henry M. Rice, who served until December 7. 1857. W. W. Kingsbury was elected to succeed him and served until December 6, 1858. As has been noted, the United States senate, February 23, 1857, passed an act authorizing the people of Minnesota to form a constitution preparatory to their admission to the union. In accordance with the provisions of this enabling act, a constitutional convention was held July 13. 1857, at the territorial capital. October 13, 1857, an election was held, when the constitution was adopted and a full list of state officers elected. Three congressmen were also elected at this time-George L. Becker, W. W. Phelps and J. M. Cavanaugh- but it was afterward found that Minnesota was entitled to only
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two congressmen, and the matter was amicably adjusted by the withdrawal of Mr. Becker. By this election, the Messrs. Phelps and Cavanaugh became the first members of congress from the state of Minnesota.
In the winter of 1857-58, the legislature divided the state into congressional districts, the southern part becoming the first con- gressional district and the northern part the second, Rice county thus becoming a part of the first congressional district.
By the apportionment of 1872, the state was divided into three congressional districts. The second district contained the counties of Wabasha, Goodhue, Rice, Dakota, Scott, Le Sueur, Nicollet, Brown, Sibley, Carver, McLeod, Renville, Redwood, Lyon, Swift, Chippewa and Kandijohi.
By the apportionment of 1881, the state was divided into five congressional districts. The third district contained Goodhue, Rice, Dakota, Scott, Carver, McLeod, Meeker, Kandiyohi, Ren- ville, Swift and Chippewa.
By the apportionment of 1891, the state was divided into seven congressional districts. The third district contained the counties of Carver, Dakota, Goodhue, Le Sueur, McLeod, Meeker, Renville, Rice, Scott and Sibley.
By the apportionment of 1901 the state was divided into nine congressional districts. This apportionment has continued to the present day. The third district consists of the counties of Rice, Scott, Sibley, Nicollet, McLeod, Le Sueur, Goodhue, Dakota and Carver.
CHAPTER VII.
TOWNSHIP HISTORY.
Fourteen Townships in Rice County Organized in May, 1858 -Early Settlement-Early Incidents and First Supervisors of Each Township-Wells-Bridgewater-Wheeling-Rich- land - Walcott - Forest - Warsaw - Cannon City - Erin -Morristown - Northfield - Shieldsville - Wheatland - Webster.
The fourteen townships in Rice county were organized in May, 1858, and their governmental history has been uneventful, as there have been practically no changes in boundaries or names since that date.
In this chapter the story of the early settlement, anecdotes of pioneer days and the organization and first officers of each town- ship, are told in concise form. The cities and villages receive attention elsewhere.
WELLS TOWNSHIP.
Wells township is one of the central townships of Rice county and is next to the smallest in size. It contains the full congressional township, with the exception of two and one-half sections in the southeastern part, that have been annexed to the city of Faribault. This leaves the town an area of 22,440 acres. of which a considerable portion is covered with water. It is bounded on the north by Forest; east by Cannon City township and city of Faribault; south by Warsaw; and west by Shields- ville.
It is amply supplied with water by lakes, ponds, rivers and brooks, and if any town in Rice county can be said to be noted for its beautiful lakes and streams this is the one. French lake covers more land than any other, embracing 1.064 acres in sec- tions 7, 8, 17 and 18, in the western part of the town, and ex- tending a short distance into the town of Shieldsville. Lake Che-de-weta, formerly Roberds lake, is the next in size-a beau- tiful sheet of water, and is connected to French lake by a stream called the Inlet. From the southeastern shore also flows a small stream connecting it to the Cannon river. This, it will be seen. makes the two lakes a "chain." Lake Che-de-weta, formerly
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Roberds lake, covers an area of about 700 acres, in sections 15, 16, 21 and 22, in the exact geographical center of the township. The floor of the lake is made up of a sand bed, making the limpid water pure and clear as crystal, while the shore is formed of bold promontories and rocks, broken here and there with level stretches of pebbly beach. The lake received its original name in honor of William Roberds.
The township contains several other lakes of less importance. Mazaska lake enters the town from the northwest quarter and covers about one-third of section 6. Dudley's lake is a small body of water in the northwestern part of the town, lying mostly in section S. Wells lake is formed by the Cannon river in sec- tions 33 and 34, and was named in honor of James Wells, after whom the town was also named. Peterson's lake is located in sections 30 and 31. There are a number of other small bodies of water in various parts of the town, sometimes called lakes, but more properly known as ponds. Cannon river enters Wells from the south, traversing section 33, forming Wells lake, and after passing through 34 and 35, leaves the township and enters the city of Faribault. Several small streams flow into this as it makes its way through, and help to swell the torrent. The streams at many points furnish unexcelled water power, and this is made use of to a limited extent.
Originally this township was a timber territory and covered with a heavy growth of the most sturdy varieties. Sections 35 and 36 were the only portions of it that could, strictly speaking, be called prairie land ; here and there, however, throughout the town, might be found small natural meadows and partial clear- ings covered with brush and hazel. For the greater part, the timber has now been cut down, and many fine fields and farms mark what was, but little over half a century ago, a trackless wilderness. The soil is variable, in some places a tendency to clayeyness being visible, and in others a rich dark loam. The whole is very productive.
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