USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. I > Part 71
USA > Minnesota > Steele County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. I > Part 71
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district ; William Gamble, first district; Fred Ahrens, second district : James F. Brady, third district ; Robert Crickmore, fourth district.
1895-Auditor, A. G. Leick; treasurer, I. Anderson; sheriff, J. Z. Barncard ; register of deeds, George D. Holden ; judge of probate, M. B. Chadwick; attorney, E. W. Richter; surveyor. A. M. Mitchell; coroner, J. H. Adair; clerk of court, G. W. Peachey ; superintendent of schools, C. L. Whitman; county com- missioners, F. C. Brown (chairman), second district; O. D. Selleck, fourth district; H. Schmidt, fifth district ; J. T. Brady, third district ; William Gamble, first district.
1897-Auditor, L. B. Warren ; treasurer, I. Anderson ; register of deeds, G. D. Holden ; sheriff, J. Z. Barncard ; county attorney, E. W. Richter; judge of probate, W. A. Eggleston ; surveyor, A. M. Mitchell ; coroner, J. H. Adair, clerk of court, George W. Peachey ; superintendent of schools, F. C. Carlton ; county com- missioners, William Gamble, first district : F. C. Brown, second district ; J. S. Brady, third district; O. D. Selleck, fourth dis- trict : William Kelly, fifth district.
1899-Auditor, L. B. Warren; treasurer, Nels T. Nelson ; register of deeds. Peter Prahm ; sheriff, J. Z. Barncard ; attorney. H. E. Leach; judge of probate, W. A. Eggleston ; surveyor, H. S. Dartt ; coroner, J. H. Adair ; clerk of court, G. W. Peachey ; superintendent of schools, W. V. Kasper ; county commissioners, first district, William Gamble ; second district, William Grunkle : third district, J. F. Brady ; fourth district, F. G. Schuman ; fifth district, William Kelley.
1901-Auditor, James W. Andrews; treasurer, Nels T. Nel- son ; register of deeds, Peter Prahm: sheriff, Charles Misgen; attorney, Harlan E. Leach ; judge of probate, W. A. Eggleston ; surveyor, H. S. Dartt ; coroner, J. H. Adair ; clerk of court, G. W. Peachey ; court commissioner, B. F. Hood; superintendent of schools, W. V. Kasper; county commissioners, first district, C. H. Wilker : second district, William Grunkle; third district. N. O. Partridge: fourth district, F. G. Schuman : fifth district, John Smith.
1903-Auditor, J. W. Andrews; treasurer. N. T. Nelson ; reg- ister of deeds, Peter Prahm; sheriff. Charles Misgen ; attorney. S. T. Littleton ; judge of probate, W. A. Eggleston : surveyor, F. C. Brown ; coroner, J. II. Adair ; clerk of court. P. G. Swanson ; superintendent of schools. Arthur E. Kenyon; county commis- sioners, first district. C. H. Wilker : second district. M. H. Cog- gins ; third district N. O. Partridge : fourth district, F. G. Schu- man ; Fifth district, John Smith.
1905-Auditor, William J. Toher; treasurer, John Watowa ; register of deeds, J. W. Rowland ; sheriff. F. C. Chambers ; attor-
HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES 673
ney, S. T. Littleton ; judge of probate, Eugene Rice ; surveyor, F. C. Brown ; coroner, J. H. Adair ; superintendent of schools, C. L. Davis ; county commissioners, first district, O. A. Anderson ; second district, William Ferrington ; third district, L. D. Carlton ; fourth district, F. G. Schuman ; fifth district, F. J. Kasper.
1907-Auditor, A. J. Bosshard; treasurer, John Watowa; register of deeds, J. W. Rowland; sheriff, William Leehy ; attor- ney, S. T. Littleton ; judge of probate, Eugene Rice; coroner, J. H. Adair; clerk of court, S. C. Goff, Jr .; superintendent of schools, C. L. Davis; county commissioners, first district, O. A. Anderson ; second district, William Ferrington; third district, L. D. Carlton ; fourth district, F. G. Schuman ; fifth district, F. J. Kasper.
1909-Auditor, A. J. Bosshard ; treasurer, John Watowa ; reg- ister of deeds, J. W. Rowland; sheriff, William Leehy ; attorney, F. A. Alexander ; judge of probate, W. E. Kenyon; surveyor, F. C. Brown; coroner, G. G. Morehouse; clerk of court, S. C. Goff, Jr .; superintendent of schools, Grace A. Randall; county commissioners, first district, Martin Spurr ; second district, Will- iam Ferrington; third district, L. D. Carlton; fourth district, F. G. Schuman ; fifth district, F. J. Kasper.
CHAPTER V.
LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION.
Council Districts-Territorial Legislatures-Steele County in the Seventh, Sixth and Tenth Council Districts Successively- Constitutional Convention-Steele County Becomes a Part of the Fifteenth Legislative District of the New State- Steele County Becomes Part of Sixteenth District-Steele County Constituted the Twelfth District-Assumes Its Pres- ent Designation of Eighth District in 1897-Representatives in Congress.
On July 7, 1849, Governor Alexander Ramsey, by proclama- tion, fixed the council districts of the territory, which at that time had not been divided into counties. Steele county. though then unsettled, was within the general boundaries described for 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. II. Randall and Alexander Faribault.
The territory having been divided into counties, it was appor- tioned by the second territorial legislature into council districts. Steele county, still unsettled, was included in the sixth district.
The third territorial legislature convened January 7, and ad- journed March 6, 1852. The sixth district was represented by Martin McLeod in the council and by James McC. Boal and Ben- jamin H. Randall in the house.
The fourth territorial legislature assembled January 5, and adjourned March 5, 1853. The sixth district was represented in the council by Martin McLeod, and in the house by A. E. Ames and B. H. Randall.
The fifth territorial legislature assembled January 4, and adjourned March 4, 1854. The sixth district was represented in the council by Joseph R. Brown and in the house by Hezekiah Fletcher and William H. Nobles.
The sixth territorial legislature met January 3 and adjourned
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March 3, 1855. The sixth district was represented in the council by Joseph R. Brown, and in the house by H. H. Sibley and D. M. Hanson.
Steele county was created on February 20, 1855, by the sixth territorial legislature. At the same session the "apportionment of 1855" was made, and according to this the territorial council was composed of fifteen and the house of thirty-eight members. Steele county became at once a part of the tenth council dis- trict, which was composed of the counties of Steele, Le Sueur, Faribault, Blue Earthı, Brown, Nicollett, Sibley, Pierce and Ren- ville. This district was entitled to elect one councilor and three representatives.
The seventh territorial legislature convened January 2, and adjourned March 1, 1856. The tenth district was represented in the council by Charles E. Flandran, and in the house by George A. McLeod, Parsons K. Johnson and Aurelius F. de La Vergue. None of these parties was a resident of Steele county.
The eighth territorial legislature convened January 7, and adjourned March 7, 1857, and an extra session was held during the summer. P. P. Humphrey represented the tenth district in the council, and O. A. Thomas, Joseph R. Brown and Francis Baasen in the house. This was the last session of the territorial legis- lature as the territory became a state by the adoption of a con- stitution and election of state officers on October 13, 1857. Mr. Brown, above mentioned, lived in the Minnesota valley and had been Indian agent for a number of years. Mr. Baasen belonged in New Ulm. Mr. Thomas was a resident of Steele county.
Under the enabling act of congress, approved March 3, 1857, a constitutional convention of 108 members (each council district to elect two for each councilman and representative 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 members organized one body and the Democratic members 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 committees of con- ference the same constitution was framed and adopted by both bodies. On being submitted to the people, October 13, it was ratified. The tenth district, which included Steele county, was represented in the Republican wing by Amos Coggswell, Lewis McCune and Edwin Page Davis. The district was represented in
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the Democratic wing by Joseph R. Brown, C. E. Flandrau, Francis Baasen, William B. McMahon and J. H. Swan.
The first state legislature assembled December 2, 1857, and finally adjourned August 12, 1858, having held a special session. In the meantime the constitution had reapportioned the state, and Steele and Waseca counties (the latter had just been created) were associated together as the fifteenth senatorial district, which was entitled to one senator and four representatives. According to this apportionment the senate had thirty-seven and the house eighty members. At the first session of the state legislature the fifteenth district was represented in the senate by Lewis L. McCune, of Waseca county, and in the house by Hiram M. Sheetz, George C. Pettie and Smith Johnson. All of the repre- sentatives in the house during this session were residents ot Steele county. Mr. Sheetz was the publisher of a paper at Owatonna. He had come here at an early day and remained until the time of his death. George C. Pettie was a resident of Aurora and Smith Johnson of Medford township.
No session was held in the winter of 1858-59, mainly owing to the protracted session of 1857-58, which was believed to render unnecessary another following so soon.
The second legislature assembled December 7, 1859, and ad- journed March 12, 1860. William F. Pettit had succeeded Mr. McCune in the senate from the fifteenth and in the house were Amos Coggswell and G. W. Green from Steele county and G. T. White and J. 1. Stewart from Waseca county. Amos Coggs- well, of Steele county, was elected speaker of the house. At this session of the legislature the apportionment of 1860 was made, and the number of members was cut down to twenty-one senators and forty-two representatives. In accordance with this appor- tionment Steele, Waseca and Freeborn counties were thrown together in forming the sixteenth district, which was entitled to one senator and two representatives. William F. Pettit, the senator from Steele county, was one of the founders of the city of Owatonna. Amos Coggswell and G. W. Green in the house were both lawyers from Steele county, and were both prominent and able men. It is said that Steele county had never before sent a more able and influential delegation than it had in the second legislature.
The third legislature convened January 8, and adjourned March 8, 1861. George Watson represented the sixteenth dis- trict in the senate, and William F. Pettit, of Steele county, and James E. Child, of Waseca county, were in the house.
The fourth legislature assembled January 7. and adjourned March 7, 1862. The sixteenth district was represented at this ses- sion by A. B. Webber, of Freeborn county, in the senate, and P.
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C. Bailey and H. C. Magoon in the house. Mr. Bailey was a resi- dent of Waseca. H. C. Magoon was an early settler in Merton township, Steele county.
The fifth legislature convened on January 6, and adjourned on March 6, 1863. M. A. Dailey, of Owatonna, was the senator and Asa Walker, of Freeborn county, and Philo Woodruff, of Waseca county, were the representatives from the sixteenth dis- trict. Mr. Dailey is mentioned at length elsewhere in this volume.
The sixth legislature met on January 5, and adjourned March 4, 1864. The sixteenth district at that session was represented by F. J. Stevens, of Steele county, in the senate, and by Philo Wood- ruff, of Waseca county, and John L. Gibbs, of Freeborn county, in the house. F. J. Stevens, the senator at that time, was an early settler in Meriden township, Steele county, having come from Massachusetts. He remained here for a number of years, and then returned to his original home in the New England states. He held a number of offices at different times while here and was a prominent man in early affairs.
The seventh legislature assembled January 3, and adjourned March 3, 1865. B. A. Lowell, of Waseca county, had succeeded Mr. Stevens as senator from the sixteenth district, and in the house were J. B. Crooker, of Steele county, and John L. Gibbs.
The cighth legislature convened January 2, and adjourned March 2, 1866. The sixteenth district was served in both senate and house by the same representatives as in the seventh, except that John L. Gibbs had been succeeded in the house by Augustus Armstrong. By this legislature the reapportionment of 1866 was made, increasing the number of senators to twenty-two and the representatives to forty-seven. The sixteenth district remained the same as before, and was given three instead of two representa- tives in the house, one for each county.
The ninth legislature convened January 8, and adjourned March 8, 1867. At this session Augustus Armstrong represented the sixteenth district in the senate. The representatives werc Dr. W. H. Twiford, of Steele county, and William Brisbane and James E. Smith, of Waseca county. Augustus Armstrong, the senator during this session, was from Freeborn county, and was an able man. He afterward held the office of United States marshal for four years.
The tenth legislature assembled January 7, and adjourned March 6, 1868. Mr. Armstrong was still in the senate. In the house the sixteenth district was represented by William R. Kin- yon, of Steele county : J. E. Smith, of Freeborn, and George A. La Dow, of Waseca county.
The eleventh legislature convened January 5, and adjourned March 5, 1869. The sixteenth district was represented by J. B.
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HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
Crooker, of Steele county, in the senate, and in the house by E. Easton, of Havana township, Steele county; W. Smith, of Waseca county, and Augustus Armstrong, of Freeborn county. J. B. Crooker, the senator from Steele in the eleventh legislature, figures prominently in the early history of Owatonna. He was originally from central New York, but came here from California in 1856 and located in the county scat. His brother, E. B. Crooker, came at about the same time. They had been engaged in mining in the West and had been very successful, as they were well off as to world's goods when they came. They bought an interest in what is known as the "five hundred acre" tract of land, and, after the Coburn failure in the winter of 1858-59, they en- gaged in the general merchandise business. They remained in this for a number of years, and were then for a time engaged in the lumber trade, and finally removed to Minneapolis.
The twelfth legislature convened January 4 and adjourned March 4, 1870. J. B. Crooker, of Steele county, still represented the district in the senate. In the house the district was served by H. W. Rulliffson, of Steele county ; W. C. Young, of Waseca county, and A. C. Wedge, of Freeborn county. Mr. Rulliffson was an early settler in Summit township, where he had a large farm.
The thirteenth legislature assembled January 8 and adjourned March 3, 1871. W. C. Young, of Waseca county, had succeeded J. B. Crooker as senator from the sixteenth district, and in the house were F. B. Davis, of Steele county; William Brisbane, of Waseca county, and A. C. Wedge, of Freeborn county. This legislature made a reapportionment of the legislative districts of the state, which increased the number of senators to forty-one, and the number of representatives to 106. According to this apportionment Steele county alone became entitled to one sen- ator and two representatives. The county was divided into two representative districts as follows: No. 1 embraced the town and city of Owatonna and the townships of Medford, Clinton Falls and Merton. No. 2 embraced all the balance of the county. F. B. Davis, the senator during this session, was an old settler in the northern part of the county, who afterward located in Meridian township. He left the county a number of years ago.
The fourteenth legislature assembled January 2, and ad- journed March 1, 1872. Amos Coggswell represented Steele county, or the twelfth district, in the senate. The county's representatives in the house were W. W. Wilkins and F. B. Davis. Messrs. Coggswell and Wilkins were honored residents of the county.
The fifteenth legislature convened on January 7, and ad- journed on March 7, 1873. Amos Coggswell again represented
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Steele county in the senate. W. W. Wilkins and A. Colquhoun were the representatives in the house.
The sixteenth legislature assembled January 6, and adjourned March 6, 1874. Amos Coggswell was again in the senate from Steele county. In the house were C. A. Crandall and J. M. Sloan. These gentlemen are still living in the county, except J. M. Sloan, who was an old settler in the southern part of the county, where he died several years ago.
The seventeenth legislature assembled January 5, and ad- journed March 5, 1875. Steele county was represented in the senate by Amos Coggswell and in the house by W. R. Kinyon and Hugh Murray. Mr. Kinyon was elected speaker of the house.
The eighteenthi legislature assembled January 4, and ad- journed March 3, 1876. At this session L. L. Wheelock suc- ceeded Mr. Coggswell as senator from Steele county. In the house the delegation from Steele county was the same as in the seventeenth. Mr. Kinyon was again honored by being chosen speaker of the house.
The nineteenth legislature convened January 4, and adjourned March 2, 1877. L. L. Wheelock still represented Steele county in the senate. In the house the county was represented by George W. Buffum and Walter Muir. Mr. Muir was a resident of Berlin township, where he remained until a few years ago.
The twentieth legislature assembled January 7, and adjourned March 8, 1878. At this time Steele county was represented in the senate by Dr. E. M. Morehouse, of Owatonna and in the house by G. W. Buffum and Walter Muir.
The twenty-first legislature convened January 7, and ad- journed March 7, 1879. W. W. Wilkins had succeeded Dr. Morehouse as senator from Steele county. In the house the county was represented by H. H. Rosebrock and H. M. Hastings.
The twenty-second legislature convened in regular session January 4, and adjourned March 4, 1881. An extra session was held during the same year. W. W. Wilkins was still senator from Steele county. In the house the representatives were H. H. Rosebrock and A. Colquhoun.
This legislature made the apportionment of 1881. It fixed the number of senators at forty-seven and of representatives at 103. In accordance with this apportionment Steele county re- tained its old district number-twelve, but it was to be entitled to one senator and one representative. After this time sessions were held biennially instead of annually.
The twenty-third legislature assembled January 2, and ad- journed March 2, 1883. A. C. Hickman, of Owatonna, had suc-
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ceeded Mr. Wilkins as senator. In the house, Steele county was represented by H. A. Finch.
The twenty-fourth legislature convened January 6, and ad- journed March 6, 1885. A. C. Hickman, of Owatonna, again represented Steele county in the senate. James M. Burlingame was the representative of Steele county in the house.
The twenty-fifth legislature convened in January and ad- journed in March, 1887. Charles S. Crandall, the senator from Steele county, represented the twelfth district in the senate. In the house G. W. Buffum represented the county.
The twenty-sixth legislature assembled January 8, and ad- journed April 23, 1889. C. S. Crandall was returned to the senate from Steele county and James M. Diment was sent to the house. This session of the legislature reapportioned the legislative dis- tricts, but Steele county still remained the twelfth.
The twenty-seventh legislature assembled January 6, and adjourned April 20, 1891. C. S. Crandall again served in the senate and James M. Diment in the house.
The twenty-eighth legislature assembled January 3, and adjourned April 18, 1893. The Steele county senator continued to be C. S. Crandall, and Jolin Virtue was elected to the house.
The twenty-ninth legislature assembled January 8, and ad- journed April 23, 1895. W. A. Sperry succeeded C. S. Crandall in the senate and J. C. Brainard was sent to the house from this county.
The thirtieth legislature assembled January 5, and adjourned April 21, 1897. W. A. Sperry remained in the senate and George E. Sloan replaced J. C. Brainard in the house. This legislature reapportioned the state and Steele county was constituted the eighth district.
The thirty-first legislature assembled January 3, and ad- journed April 18, 1899. William Gausewitz represented Steele county in the senate and George E. Sloan was returned to the house.
The thirty-second legislature assembled January 8, and ad- journed April 12, 1901. William Gansewitz was returned to the senate and J. R. Morley was elected to the house. An extra session was called for the purpose of considering the report of the tax commission created by Chapter 13, General Laws of 1901. The extra session convened February 4, 1902, and adjourned March 11. of the same year.
The thirty-third legislature assembled January 6. 1903. George W. Beachey represented Steele county in the senate and J. R. Morley in the house.
The thirty-fourth legislature assembled January 3, 1905.
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HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
George W. Beachey again sat in the senate and J. R. Morley in the house.
The thirty-fifth legislature assembled January 8, 1907. Thomas E. Cashman represented Steele county in the senate and F. C. Cariton in the house.
The thirty-sixth legislature assembled in January, 1909. Thomas E. Cashman succeeded himself in the senate and Leonard Virtue was elected to the house.
CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATION.
The first congressional district, in which, from the time of the admission of Minnesota as a state, Steele county has been included, has been represented in congress as follows: J. A. Cavanaugh, Democrat, March 12, 1858, to March 4, 1859; Will- iam Windom, Republican, March 4, 1859, to March 4, 1869; Morton S. Wilkinson, Republican, March 4, 1869, to March 4, 1871; Mark H. Dunnell, Republican, March 4, 1871, to March 4, 1883 ; Milo White, Republican, March 4, 1883, to March 4, 1887 ; Thomas Wilson, Democrat, March 4, 1887, to March 4, 1891; Mark H. Dunnell, Republican, March 4, 1889, to March 4, 1891 ; W. H. Harries, Democrat, March 4, 1891, to March 4, 1893; James A. Tawney, Republican, March 4, 1893, 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 delegate from Minnesota was Henry H. 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. He 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 admis- sion 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 two congressmen and the matter was amicably adjusted by the with- drawal of Mr. Becker. By this election, the Messrs. Phelps and Cavanaugh became the first members of congress from the state of Minnesota.
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HISTORY OF RICE AND STEELE COUNTIES
In the winter of 1857-58 the legislature divided the state into two congressional districts, the southern part becoming the first congressional district and the northern part the second, Steele county thus becoming a part of the first congressional district.
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