USA > Minnesota > Stearns County > History of Stearns County, Minnesota, Volume I > Part 83
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92
630
HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY
A., G, 4; Thomas, James D., I, 7; Thomas, Charles H., I, 3; Unger, Christian, G, 4; Vasser, Andrew, G, 9; Woodcock, Fenn B., G, 3; Weiser, Ferdinand, G, 4; Waldorf, Matthias, G, 4; Wilkins, Christopher, I, 7; West, J. E., I, 7; Weaver, George D., A, 8; Ressell, Benjamin, I, 2 (re-enlisted) ; Buchanan, James, 3; Berry, Charles M. (recruit), 8; Crummett, John C., I, 3 (re-enlisted) ; Collins, Henry E., I, 3 (re-enlisted) ; Foster, Moses (recruit), 2; Hower, Leoi (recruit), 7; Hanson, George, G, 4 (re-enlisted) ; Keniston, Henry A. (re- cruit), 6; Morse, George, Hatch's Battalion; Markling, Frank F., 3 (re-en- listed) ; Moore, Solon, -, 3( re-enlisted) ; Rambean, Ralph, G, 4 (re-enlisted) ; Woodcock, Fenn B., D, 4 (re-enlisted) ; Albert, Joseph, G, 4 (re-enlisted) ; Thomas, Charles H., I, 3 (re-enlisted) ; Schnnot, Heinrich, D, 5 (re-enlisted) ; Ayre, Lyman W., Second Battery. The following were all one year men serv- ing in Company D, Minnesota Mounted Rangers: Briggs, Adoniram; Bar- ton, A. G .; Brent, George E .; Brown, B. S .; Blair, Bartley; Behres, Peter; Clark, John R .; Carlisle, James. August, 1864: Caorringan, William; Cook, Henry ; Coates, John; Cossert, John ; Darling, F. C .; Dahl, Ole; Darton, George W .; Davenport, Paul D .; Dicken, James F .; Eich, John; Ewing, Adam; Free- man, Ambrose; Fuller, John; Fritz, Andrew; Glazier, H. L .; Garrison, Oscar E .; Getchell, Nathaniel; Grandelmayer, John; Garlington, Jesse M .; Gerhard Liser; Holes, Samuel; Heyman, George J .; Hamilton, James; Huhn, Rudolph; Jolinson, Ackley C. January, 1865: Johnson, Mathias. February, 1865: Knowlton, William; Kerstein, Anthony; Lyon, William H .; Laureman, Michael; Lavaque, H. G .; Lavaque, G. W .; Lawson, Peter; Matoon, Gilbert S .; Mickley, Matthias; Morgan, Samuel; Morgan, J. H .; McAlpin, J. M .; Marte, Frederick ; Meagher, Michael; Potter, Richard; Parks, Isaac; Peterson, Nels; Raymond, John R .; Thompson, Sylvester; Tracy, J. R .; Wilson, James C .; Willis, Joseph A. March, 1865: Moore, J. W .; Smith, Charles F .; Scherfen- berg, W. C .; Sircely, Jacob; Simonton, John; Stannart, Allan A .; Schafer, John; Taylor, Oscar; Thompson, John L .; Weaver, Henry. The following were one-year men, serving in Hatch's Battalion, Company B: Carigh, Hugh ; Fedderna, William H .; Gregory, George D .; Company D: Mulligan, James. Company E: Turner, Seth W. (two years) ; Company G: Bebensee, Chris- tian; Baker, Charles H .; Brown, Benjamin D .; Eik, John; Fadden, Aaron; Fishbach, Jolın; Ferk, Max; Green, Henirich; Gardener, Jason W .; Johnson, Charles H .; Kimball, Joseph ; King, Amasa D .; La Vaque, John H .; McAlpine, John M .; McLoughlin, George W .; Mund, John ; Miller, John; Perdel, Joseph; Parents, Louis; Read, Joseph H .; Shephard, George; Willie, Charles; Yonker, John; and Mund, William, served in G, 11. Brigham, James E .; Gazett, Jacob; Heintz, Peter; and Scherer, John D., served in the Second Cavalry. Delaney, Daniel, was a recruit in the Second Infantry. Hoffman, Bonifacius; Jones, John; Peffen, Adam; and Leisen, John, were substitutes. The record of Smith, David, does not appear. Carlington, James N., and Shields, Dennis, served in the Independent Battalion. Atherton, Minor, served in the Han. Corps. Burdick, Job. N .; Green, Joseph M .; and Place, James H., served in D, 1. The following all served in the First Artillery. Company C: Duton, George W .; Gillett, Jerome; Lonennom, Michael; Mickley, Mathias; Riley, John. Company E: Mitchell, James S .; Stenberg, William. Company F:
631
HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY
Biggerstaff, James; Dorr, John J .; Leech, Jolın ; Zimmer, John. Company G : Adams, John ; Dequish, William J .; Mann, James T .; Lepel, Christian ; Pouler- son, Henrie; Peters, Leonard; Steck, Martin; Yager, Charles. Company H: Williams, Peter. Company M : Mealcher, John; Niemburg,
Sauk Centre. Adley, Moses W., Second Battery; Adley, Warren, D, 4; Arnold, John N., Second Battery; Bruce, S. M., I, 3; Bennett, Warren H., G, 9; Beckley, Fred J., G, 9; Davis, George E., Second Battery; Derocher, John, G, 9; Ellison, John W., G, 9; Ferguson, James, Second Battery; Hubbard, A. J., G, 9; Hoffman, John, I, 7; James, Orlando W., I, 3; Jewell, Ira, G, 9; Jung- bInt, William, H, 8; Jones, Prentis M., B, 8; Kinkead, Alexor, Second Bat- tery; Lamb, Charles, I, 3; Lamb, William A., H, 5; Lamb, Winfield S., K, 5; Masterson, James E., I, 3; Milne, John O., I, 1; McKusuck, G. N., -, 8; Mc- Dole, William, G, 9; McDonald, James N., G, 9; Niehof, Joseph, G, 9; Pomeroy, Joshua B., K, 2; Russell, George H., Second Battery; Slattery, Albert J., H, 5; Vail, William, D, 4; Whitford, Alexor, Second Battery; Bruce, Samuel M., (recruit), 3 (re-enlisted) ; Jones, Prentis M., -, 8; Adley, Moses W. (April 3, 1864), Second Battery (re-enlisted) ; Paget, Henry (recruit), 8; Brower, Richard, D, Mounted Rangers (one year man) ; Brower, Jacob, D, Mounted Rangers (one year man) ; Caswell, John A., G, Mounted Rangers (one year man) ; Stebbins, Joshua, D, Mounted Rangers (one year man) ; Whitefield, Wilford I., D, Mounted Rangers (one year man). August 24, 1864, Haly, Winslaw; and Tuttle, H., enlisted as two-year men in Company E, Hatch's Battalion, while Tuttle, Charles J., enlisted in G, 11. October 4, 1864, Smith, Royal, enlisted in Company A, First Heavy Artillery, as one year man. On the same day, Stebbins, Joshua ; and Stannard, Alvah A., enlisted in Company B, of the same artillery, for the same length of time. In February, 1865, the following gentlemen enlisted in Company H, of the same artillery, for the same length of time: Fcilden, Henry; Gilbert, Charles H .; Hoffman, John D .; Moore, Lindley; Martin, Benjamin. Scheibel, Joseph; and Teeter, Elias; en- listed the same day. In August, 1864, Schenck, Adolphus, was enrolled as a substitute in the Fifth Regiment.
Munson. Benning, Bernard, G, 9; Bashler, John, G, 9; Eich, Henry, G, 4; Klausier, John, H, 1; Kneisor, L., G, 4; Klosterman, Charles, G, 4; Kloster- man, Francis, G, 4; Miller, Frederick, G, 9; Niehaas, John B., G, 9; Slager- man, John, G, 9; Walger, Herman, G, 9; Westman, Henry, G, 9; Westman, Bernard, G, 4; Closterman, Charles H., G, 4 (re-enlisted) ; Gates, Andrew J., D, Mounted Rangers (one year man) ; Schultz, Angust, D, Mounted Rangers (one year man) ; Schroder, William, D, Mounted Rangers (one year man) ; Watenburg, Anton, D, Mounted Rangers (one year man). Of the following all except the last three were substitutes, and all re-enlisted: October, 1864, Breasse, William, substituted for Henry Broker. November, 1864, Pond, Marion, substituted for William Schroder; Anderson, Peter, substituted for P. Ludvick. December, 1864, Rhicart, Philip, substituted for L. Kalb; St. German, Napoleon, substituted for V. Englehart; Dixon, William, substituted for H. Schafer; Smith, Alexander, substituted for N. Reider. January, 1865, Calloan, Patrick; King, Christopher. February, 1865, Bonduront, Cyrus S .; Thompson, William F. May, 1864, Henrick, Joseph, 2. June, 1864, Gwinn,
632
HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY
Charles, 3. May, 1864, Knebel, Herman, 4. November, 1864, Wolf, John, 4. September, 1864, Reaseman, John, 4. November, 1864, Anderson, Peter, 5.
Town of St. Joseph. Adelmann, Frank, G, 4; Bachs, Michael, G, 9; Black- burn, David, I, 3; Capler, Anton, G, 4; Dressler, John, I, 7; Enderlie, Rudolph, I, 4; Engles, Peter, G, 9; Eich, John, G, 4; Fleish, John A., G, 9; Jacobs, Lewis, G, 9; Kohlzer, Adam, G, 9; Langer, Martin, G, 9; Merkling, Frank Joseph, I, 3; Muhlbauer, Joseph, G, 4; Obert, Miles C., Second Battery ; Plat- ter, John, G, 4; Schelpling, Frederick, I, 3; Schnidler, Matthew, G, 4; Weber, Frank, G, 9; Eich, John, G, 4 (re-enlisted) ; Milbower, Joseph, G, 4 (re-en- listed) ; Reeder, Joseph, -, 4 (re-enlisted) ; Adelman, Joseph, G, 4 (re-en- listed). February, 1864, Schelpling, Frederick, I, 3 (re-enlisted). August, 1864, Weis, Barney (recruit), 4, one year man; Ransh, Mathes (recruit), 4, one year man; Ransom, Martin (recruit), 4, one year man; Teats, John F. (recruit), 4, one year man. September, 1864, Staples, Jacob (recruit), 4, one year man; Staples, Charles A. (recruit), Second Battery. January, 1865, Noel, B. F., I, 4, one year man. September, 1864, Brinkman, George H., -, 3; Kersch, Nicholas, A, First Artillery C, one year man. October, 1864, Culp, David M., A, First Heavy Artillery, one year man; Boseman, Ferdinand, C, First Heavy Artillery, one year man. September, 1864, Trash, Daniel, C, First Heavy Artillery, one year man; Wathins, James, C, First Heavy Artillery, one year man. Jannary, 1864, Isman, John B., C, First Heavy Artillery, one year man. March, 1864, Smith, John Y., E, Light Artillery, one year man; Platz, Eckkard (substitute), one year man; Talke, August (substitute), one year man; Woll, Albert (substitute), one year man. April, 1864, Mutchler, August (substitute), one year man. March, 1864, Dohman, Nic (drafted), two year man; Just, Nicholas (drafted), two year man; Laurman, Nic (drafted), two year man. June, 1864, Eich, Peter (drafted), three year man.
Maine Prairie. Bentley, Isaac N., D, 4; Brown, Solomon F., D, 4; Cad- well, Thomas I, D, 4; Clark, Chester S., D, 4; Farwell, Quartus B., D, 4; French, Edward J., D, 4; Fisk, Daniel B., I, 7; Greely, Horace S., D, 4; Gup- till, John P., D, 4; Guptill, Albert, D, 4; Greely, John, 1, 7; Hanscom, David, D, 4; Kidder, Edwin N., D, 4; Milligan, William N., D, 4; Scovill, Milo A., D, 4; Scribner, Aaron, D, 4; Stewart, William A., D, 4; Straw, William, G, 4; Spaulding, Daniel, D, 9; Winslow, Jeremiah C., D, 4; Wade, Abana, D, 4; Welch, Henry P., G, 1; Weydert, John, D, 4; Cadwell, Thomas I., D, 4 (re-enlisted) ; Spaulding, Thomas, D, Mounted Rangers (one year man) ; Spaulding, George, D, Monuted Rangers (one year man) ; Welch, Martin, E, Mounted Rangers (one year man). February, 1863, Falone, Thomas, E, First Artillery ; Goodner, David, E, First Artillery; Whitney, Alverton (re- cruit), First Artillery ; Guptill, Albert (recruit), Second Cavalry; Brown, James W. (recruit), Second Cavalry; Clark, Justus W. (substitute) Second Cavalry. November, 1864, Klempen, John (substitute), 5.
Oak. Fenaby, Samuel, G, 9; Peterson, Victor F., H, 3; Prentis, Samuel, G, 9; Setton, Almon, G, 9; Araham, Patrick, D, Mounted Rangers (one year man). September 1864, Anderson, Malcolm, A, First Heavy Artillery ; Kersh, Henry, A, First Heavy Artillery ; Macatel, Theodore, A, First Heavy Artillery ; Pierson, Abner, A, First Heavy Artillery ; Pierson, Samuel, A, First Heavy Ar-
633
HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY
tillery ; Taylor, Albert, A, First Heavy Artillery. October, 1864, Tarch, Ferdi- mand, A, First Heavy Artillery. September, 1864, Ogoum, R. H., C, First Heavy Artillery. March, 1864, Tuehner, Casper, First Battery; Schindel- decker, Henry, First Battery; Wolse, John, First Battery. May, 1864, Maly, Joseph (drafted) ; Stone, Sylvester (drafted). June, 1864, Schaffers, Henry (drafted).
Marion and St. Martin. Buchanan, James, I, 3; Geipman, William H, I, 3; Geipman, Hiram J., I, 3; Higley, Martin, G, 9; Kaltzer, Adam, D, Mounted Rangers (one year man). December, 1864, Luckett, Charles (substitute), Mounted Rangers (one year man) ; Warren, Franklin (substitute), Mounted Rangers (one year man). March, 1865, Smith, Charles B. (substitute), Mounted Rangers (one year man). May, 1864, Emmerson, Raymond (drafted), 2. September, 1864, Kline, John (drafted), 2. May, 1864, Ulnger, John F. (drafted), 2; Punches, N. Z. (drafted), 3; Daniels, J. B. (drafted), 4. Novem- ber, 1864, Slattery, Philip (drafted), 4.
Rockville. Decker, William, G, 9; Fox, John, I, 1; Green, Henry, G, 9; Hanson, Mathias, G, 4; Hanson, Nickolas, G, 9; Mug, Peter, G, 4; Taylor, Wil- liam O., E, 1. August, 1864, Eis, Mathias (recruit), 4; Kremer, John (recruit), 4. September, 1864, Boas, Michael (substitute). December, 1864, Short, Orson J. (substitute) ; Fox, John (substitute) ; Leonard, Philip (substitute). May, 1864, Ohles, John (drafted), 2; Grins, John (substitute) ; Molitor, Michael (drafted), 2; Cerrie, Joseph (substitute), 2. March, 1864, Gidiman, Joseph (drafted), 2. September, 1864, Bevs, Michael (drafted), 4. March, 1865, Mol- loter, Peter (drafted), 4; Post, Nicholas (drafted), 4. November, 1864, Hoff- man, Joseph (substitute), 5; Ruff, Edward (substitute), 5.
Town of Tecumseh (Le Sauk). Crow, George, I, 7; Fadden, Joseph E., I, 7; Fadden, Charles H., I, 7; Grant Nathanl, I, 7; Gear, Levi, I, 7; Gregory, Clifton, I, 7; Johnson, Samuel C., I, 7; Kelsey, George B., E, 1; Konts, Jacob W., D, 1; Leat, Byron, I, 7; Putnam, Simon, I, 4; Putnam, Julius F., I, 7; Saw- yer, Henry, I, Mounted Rangers (one year man) ; Fadden, Aaron, D, Mounted Rangers (one year man) ; Konig, Celestine, D, Mounted Rangers (one year man). August, 1864, Ferchweiler, John, G, 11; Sart, John, G, 11. September, 1864, McMahon, Henry (surgeon), 4; St. Loake, Joseph (recruit), 7; McLeod, W. W. (recruit), 7; Wern, Adolph, First Battery. March, 1865, Stout, Robert B. (recruit), Second Cavalry.
Towns of Luxemburg and St. Augusta. Gasser, Nicholas, G, 9; Lahr, Nich- olas, G, 9; Lehm, Jacob, G, 9; Monthy, John, G, 9; Meyers, Andrew B., G, 4; Munde, John, G, 4; Pinckney, John E., I, 7; Ruff, Friedolin, E, 5; Schaefer, Henry, G, 9; Tramp, Anton, G, 9; Wilson, Gowan W., I, 7; Weiland, Dominic, G, 4; Leich, Anton, D, 4. August, 1864, Bube, Frederick, Second Battery ; Hanson, William H., Second Battery; Kelly, John, Second Battery; Berger, Henry, D, Mounted Rangers (one year man) ; Foster, Newton, D, Mounted Rangers (one year man) ; Heaitz, Peter, D, Mounted Rangers (one year man) ; Leymour, John H., D, Mounted Rangers (one year man) ; Wilson, Joseph L., D, Mounted Rangers (one year man) ; Wilson, James M., D, Mounted Rangers (one year man) ; Woll, Jonathan, D, Mounted Rangers (one year man). Au- gust, 1864, Leish, Antoine, F, Hatch's Battalion; Bauer, Christian, E, 11;
634
HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY
Sousseley, Carl, E, 11; Beumer, Frederick, F, 11; Norton, Harvey L, F, 11; Richards, Amasa K., F, 11; Harris, Daniel, Colonel Volunteers; Klanmer, August (recruit), 5; Ernstetter, Sebastian (recruit), 3. January, 1865, Ryan Martin, G, First Artillery ; Sexton, John, G, First Artillery. February, 1865, Henricson, Swan, I, First Artillery; Burke, Michael (recruit), 9; Spauber, Theador, B, 9. May, 1864, Cohl, Joseph, I, First Artillery. June, 1864, John- son, Henry B. (substitute), 2. May, 1864, Kirke, Stephen (drafted) 3.
Town of Wakefield. Brown, Miles A., G, 9; Hascol, Anton, G, 9; Kost, John, G, 9; Mullinback, John, G, 9; Remley, Frank X., G, 9; Reeder, Henry, G, 9; Schiefest, Nicholas, G, 9; Thrin, Stephen, First Battery; Levech, John, D, Mounted Rangers (one year man) ; Smith, Nicholas, substitute for Math Fien. September, 1864, Hanson, Nicholas (substitute). January, 1865, Mann, Joseph (substitute) ; Mirron, Joseph (substitute) ; King, John (substitute). February, 1864, Drunt, Killion (substitute). May, 1864, Adams, George M. (drafted) ; Friedman, Nicholas (drafted), 2. June, 1864, Schmit, Nicholas (drafted), 3. September, 1864, Barmberg, Theodore (drafted), 4; Iomgler, Jacob (drafted), 5.
Town of Verndale (Paynesville). Beckley, M. P., I, 7; Darnell, William N., I, 7. October, 1862, Eckmeyer, Andrew, G, 4; Harris, Alfred, G, 9. October, 1862, Helmer, William, G, 4; Lnce, Harrison P., I, 7; Reed, George W., G, 9; Blakely, Robert, A, Mounted Rangers (one year man) ; Jones, Hugh, A, Mounted Rangers (one year man) ; Knable Gustavus, A, Mounted Rangers (one year man) ; Brown, Stephen F., A, Mounted Rangers (one year man). August, 1864, Knable, Gustavus, D, Second Cavalry. February, 1865, Blakely, John (recruit), 4. June, 1864, Roach, Samuel P., M (drafted), First Artillery.
Fair Haven. Abell, Newton A., D, 4; Abell, John, C, 1; Bassler, Benjamin F., D, 4; Bodlear, Henry C., D, 4; Clark, George, Jr., D, 4; Eastman, Rufus M., C, 2; Neal, Charles, D, 4; Perkins, Daniel A. (recruit), 1; Perkins, Daniel A., D, 4; Perkins, Andrew F. (recruit), 1; Peasley, Fred M., 1, 2; Tufs, Willard C., D, 4; Townsend, Perry C., C, 1; Townsend, George W., C, 1; Tucker, A. W., B, 3; Whitney, Adoniram J., D, 4; Wheeler, Reuben, Arthur, D, 4; West, Caleb, I, 7; Robinson, Charles A., I, 2 (re-enlisted) ; Tufts, Willard C., D, 4 (re-en- listed) ; Whitney, Adoniram J., D, 4 (re-enlisted). January, 1864, Townsend, Perry C., C, 1 (re-enlisted) ; Kemp, Albert, B, Hatch's Battalion ; Pratt, Jerome.
Town of Brockway. Abbott, Asa, E, 1; Burns, Simon, I, 7; Berry, Emer- son, I, 7; Carter, William, I, 7; Doble, Thomas, E, 1; Hart, Christ, I, 7; Libby, Asa, Jr., I, 7; Mann, Thomas, I, 7; Owens, John, I, 7; Pople, Alonza, G, 4; Vesey, John, I, 7; Wood, Charles F., I, 7; Getchell, Van R., I, 7. September, 1864, Lschaller, Julius (recruit), 5 (one year man) ; Doble, Lorenzo (recruit), 4 (one year man) ; Murray, James C., A, First Heavy Artillery (one year man). February, 1865, Crosby, Jacob E., L, First Heavy Artillery (one year man) ; Russell, William, L, First Heavy Artillery (one year man) ; Pfaff, Alex- ander, M, First Heavy Artillery (one year man) ; Bauen, Joseph (recruit), Second Volunteers (one year man).
Lyndon. Bradley, H. C., E, 8; Bronghton, Henry C., D, 1; Clifford, Car- rol H., E, 8; Campbell, George F., E, 8; Clifford, Franklin W., E, 8; Campbell, M. D., E, 8; Dallas William, E, 8; Geer, Lewis B., D, 1; Parcher, Ellet P., E,
635
HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY
8; Parcher, Frank M., E, 8; Robinson, Thaddeus I., D, 4; Vorse, Charles H., E, 8; Wilkins, Carroll, C, 4; Bunt, Adam, D, Mounted Rangers (one year man). September, 1864, Valk, Joseph H. (recruit), 4; Worley, John (recruit), 3. October, 1864, Bohler, Joseph, D, First Artillery ; Truwe, Jacob, D, First Artil- lery. March, 1865, Bunt, Adam, F, First Artillery ; Knswel, John, G, First Infantry. September, 1864, Gleason, Levi, 2.
For a complete history of Minnesota in the Civil and Indian War, 1861- 1865, the reader is referred to the History of Minnesota in the Civil and Indian Wars, compiled by the well-known Minnesota soldiers, Judge William Lochren, General J. W. Bishop, General C. C. Andrews, General John B. Sanborn, Gen- eral L. F. Hubbard, and Judge Charles E. Flandreau. This history was com- piled under authority of the State of Minnesota by virtue of an act of the legislature, approved April 16, 1889, and copies have been placed in all public libraries in Minnesota.
CHAPTER XXXV.
MINNESOTA STATE REFORMATORY.
Location Selected-First Board Appointed-Administrations of Superintend- ents Meyers, Lee, Houlton, Randall, Reed and Scott-Buildings, Grounds and Equipment-Ideals and Inspirations-Daily Life of the Inmates- System of Parole-Starting Life on a Higher Plane-By Principal Keeper F. H. Whitney.
During the early part of the year 1885 the legislature passed an act pro- viding for the establishment of this institution and appointed a committee composed of J. S. Pillsbury, of Hennepin county ; William Crooks, of Ramsey county ; Andrew McCrea, of Otter Tail county; Henry Poehler, of Sibley county, and F. W. Temple, of Fairbault county, with full power and authority to select and make a permanent location for said institution at or upon some one of the stone quarries of the state. These commissioners purchased for the location of this institution the northeast quarter and the north half of the southeast quarter of section number seven, range thirty, township thirty-five, containing two hundred and forty acres, according to the government surveys, being at East St. Cloud, in the county of Sherburne.
The location being decided upon, Governor A. R. McGill appointed the first Board of Managers in the persons of Gordon E. Cole, of Rice county, Presi- dent, term of office, six years; Robert Smith, of Ramsey county, term of office, four years; John Cooper, of Stearns county, term of office, five years; H. S. Griswold, of Fillmore county, secretary, term of office, three years; T. H. Bar- rett ,of Stevens county, term of office, two years; G. W. Holland, of Crow Wing county, term of office, one year. This honorable body in 1887 appointed the Hon. D. E. Meyers, of St. Cloud, as the first superintendent. His ad- ministration, which lasted for some seven years, was necessarily one of con-
636
HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY
struction and organization. It must be said, however, that through the op- position of some and the ignorance of others his task was rendered a very arduous one; but with the perseverance and singleness of purpose which characterized the pioneers of old he made a success of it, although he did not remain to enjoy the fruits of his well-directed efforts.
During the first and second years of his administration the first cell-wing of the Reformatory with four tiers of cells, one hundred and twenty-eight in number, the kitchen, offices, laundry, chapel, school rooms, hospital, super- intendent's residence, administration building and officer's dormitory, as well as two stone cutting shops, sewerage to the Mississippi river, steam heating plant, and sufficient steam power for laundry, pumping and other present needs were completed. The buildings with the exception of the superintend- ent's residence were surrounded with a stockade which enclosed about twenty- two acres of ground, including the quarries, garden, stone shops, etc.
At the time of the construction of these buildings they were considered as among the finest in the United States, on account of their being absolutely fireproof and unrivalled in their sanitary conditions. They were completed and ready for occupancy during the month of October, 1889, and on the fifteenth of the same month the first seventy-five inmates were received from the State Prison at Stillwater.
In 1891 and the early part of 1892 the two granite buildings which have since that time honsed the engine and power rooms, plumbing and tin shops, store and tailor shop, as well as officers' kitchen and dining hall were erected. In the same year a barn was constructed, with granite basement fitted out for the accommodation of stock, part of which still stands at this time. Dur- ing the last part of 1892 a greenhouse was erected and has been in continuous use until today. A blacksmith shop was also constructed during this year.
On August 31, 1894, Mr. Meyers resigned on account of ill health and was succeeded by the Hon. William E. Lee, of Long Prairie, who started the construction of the North Cell Wing, which is now described as Quarters "C." He resigned on March 31, 1896, to look after his personal affairs.
The Hon. W. H. Houlton, of Elk River, was appointed to succeed him.
Mr. Houlton completed the cell wing started by Mr. Lee. This cell wing accommodates 136 inmates. In 1899 he built the Inmates' Granite Dining Hall, the second story of which furnishes suitable accommodation for the library, drug store, hospital, operating room and school rooms. During the last year of his stay he began the construction of the administration building, which has been completed only recently. In 1898 he erected a cattle and hog barn and enlarged the horse and dairy barn. Supt. Houlton resigned on the 31st day of March, 1900, and the Hon. Frank L. Randall, of Winona, was ap- pointed to succeed him.
Shortly after the appointment of Mr. Randall, the management of the various state institutions was brought under the direction of one board, which was named the "Board of Control of State Institutions."
In 1904 the South Cell Wing was started and was completed in 1907. During this period considerable work was also done on the administration building, and continued in later years, the building being finally completed
637
HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY
in the fall of 1912. It consists of guard room, chapel, adminstrative offices, officers' dormitory and school rooms. The South Cell Wing is now described as Quarters "A" and furnishes accommodation for 136 inmates. The recon- struction of the blacksmith shop, rendered necessary by the fire of 1902, also took place during the early part of 1903. The round stone cutting shop was also rebuilt during the same year. It has a diameter of one hundred feet and furnishes accommodation for about one hundred stone eutters. It is sup- plied with an overhead, ballbearing derriek which conveniently places stones of considerable dimensions in any part of the shop. In 1904 a new dairy barn was constructed at an expense of $3,000. During 1906 the work on the stone enclosing wall was started and has been kept up ever since. At this time the wall is about half completed. This enelosure is four feet thiek at the base and two and one-half feet at the coping and twenty-two and one-half feet high. The interior of the wall is entirely constructed of ashlar or dressed stone ; it is perpendicular on the inside and when completed will enelose about fifty aeres of ground. All sentinel houses are constructed of the same material and are of very artistic design. This wall is considered one of the finest in the United States. In 1908 two large granite silos were also erected, as well as one additional frame cutting shop. In 1909 the water tower was begun and was completed during the fall of 1912. This tower is constructed of granite produced at the institution quarries. It is one hundred and twenty- eight feet high and thirty feet in diameter. During the years 1911 and 1912 a new stone blacksmith shop, fireproof and thoroughly modern in every re- speet was also constructed, as well as an iee house of granite, and a hospital and contagious ward, also of granite. In the fall of 1912 a third frame eut- ting shop was ereeted, furnishing accommodation for forty-five additional stone cutters. During this year a fourth eell wing, denominated Quarters "D," was also started. This last cell wing is expected to be completed during the next two or three years.
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.