History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 19

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. cn
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Winona, Minn. : H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1222

USA > Minnesota > Wabasha County > History of Wabasha County, Minnesota > Part 19

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Three different times tests have been made of individual street lamps, but. none have yet proven satisfactory. Negotiations are now under way for the use of a private plant for public lighting.

"Schouweiler's Park," a private park beautifully located on the banks of the Zumbro, is much used as a public picnic ground. There is now in the course of development a combined school and village park which promises much for the future.

The Hammond postoffice was established about 1879 in the Wilhelm Bartz Hotel, with Mr. Bartz as postmaster. In 1880 it was moved to the Hammond store and Benjamin Young made postmaster. After Mr. Young's departure, his bondsmen, Joseph Hammons and Samuel Corp, conducted the office a few months. June 3, 1881, E. N. Corp was appointed. He kept the office in the same place, and when he moved his store, moved the office with it. He was succeeded July 20, 1907, by M. M. Anderson, who moved it to its present location in the Hammond State Bank building.

The first creamery was started in 1887 by Anton Kruger and E. N. York. After operating it four years, they rented it out for an equal length of time, and then sold it to the present Farmers' Creamery Association.

The Hammond Building Block Co. was organized July 27, 1904. The com- pany consists of Adam A. Funk, Herman Heinbockel, L. N. Ingalls and Rudolph

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

Schacht, Sr. The concern is engaged in making building and ornamental blocks, and enjoys quite a trade in this and surrounding towns.

The Hammond State Bank was incorporated June 22, 1898, the original stockholders being W. W. Churchill, Nicholas Brucher, E. N. York, Estella A. York, Sidney Corp, J. W. Arnold, M. J. Maldoon, G. W. Price, C. L. Anderson, Nicholas Schouweiler, John McLaughlan, Herman Miller, John F. Cook, Lorinda M. York, all of Hammond, Rufus R. Zander, C. A. Hoffman and M. Wanke, of Jarrett; William Koenig, of Rochester; F. J. Mclaughlin, of Donnelly; C. L. Chamberlain, of Wabasha, and Jacob H. Seim, of South Troy. The first board of directors was composed of the above mentioned stockholders with the ex- ception of John F. Cook, F. G. Colburn and Jacob H. Seim. At the first regular meeting of the board, held August 3, 1898, the officers elected were: M. J. Maldoon (president), John Mclaughlin (vice-president), W. W. Churchill, of the First National Bank of Rochester (cashier), E. N. York, Nicholas Schou- weiler, Sidney Corp, J. W. Arnold, Herman Miller, Rufus R. Zander and C. A. Hoffman. The original capital stock was $10,000, and the bank opened for business in the west half of a building erected for that purpose by Mr. Maldoon. It has enjoyed a highly prosperous career with a steadily increasing volume of business, as shown by the following figures: In 1900 its deposits were $30,253.01; loans and discounts, $32,776.63; 1905, deposits, $51,850.02; loans and discounts, $56,745.91; 1910, deposits, $103,319.92; loans and discounts, $93,423.51; 1915, deposits, $142,876.07; loans and discounts, $155,796.42; 1919 (report of December 31), capital stock, $25,000; surplus and undivided profits, $8,217.93; deposits, $250,435.03; loans and discounts, $227,922.88. The follow- ing list shows the successive changes in the official staff: Presidents-1898, M. J. Maldoon; 1901, E. N. York; 1902, Nicholas Schouweiler; 1903, Nicholas Brucher (declined to serve), M. J. Maldoon; 1904, E. N. York; 1907, M. J. Maldoon; 1909, Nicholas Schouweiler; 1913, William Koenig; 1914, Nicholas Schouweiler.

Vice-presidents-1898, John M. Loughlin; 1900, E. N. York; 1901, Nicholas Brucher, 1903, Henry Kitzman; 1905, M. J. Maldoon; 1906, Nicholas Schou- weiler; 1908, William Koenig; 1909, John Robinson; 1910, William Koenig; 1913, W. W. Crawford; 1919, William Koenig.

Cashiers-1898, W. W. Churchill; 1902, Glen W. Mosher; 1903, Nicholas Schouweiler; 1904, Bert D. Mitchell; 1909, E. N. York; 1919, W. E. York.

Assistant cashiers-March 17, 1899, H. A. Haynes; January 1, 1900, Glen W. Mosher; January 12, 1903, Bert D. Mitchell; January 12, 1904, to January 12. 1909, none; January 12, 1909, Walter E. York; January 12, 1912, Walter E. York and B. E. Fick; January 12, 1915, Walter E. York and Charles Timm; January 12, 1919, Otis Preston; September 1, 1919 (clerk), M. M. Anderson.

The officers chosen January 13, 1920, were: Nicholas Schouweiler (presi- dent), William Koenig (vice-president), W. E. York (cashier), M. M. Anderson (assistant cashier), John Robinson, E. N. York, W. M. Crawford, Thomas W. Cooke, Nicholas Schouweiler, William Koenig, L. A. Welke, John E. Webster and O. H. Olson.

The Farmers' State Bank of Hammond was organized September 1, 1915, through the efforts of A. J. Hodge, of the Mazeppa Peoples State Bank, a former resident of this vicinity, and opened its doors for business September 10, 1915. Its officers were: John F. Cooke (president), A. J. Hodge (vice-president), F. A. Hodge (cashier), A. F. Polson, Nick Ilgen, Edw. Reinke, A. W. Haggerty, W. P. Pencille, Lynn R. Anderson, and A. D. Anderson. The bank started business with a capital of $10,000 and a surplus of $2,000. Its first quarters were in the Elgin Hardware Store, but the erection of a new building was at once begun, and was subsequently completed, being occupied January 1, 1916. The deposits December 3, 1915, were $27,786.38; loans and discounts, $26,882.00. On December 31, 1916, the deposits were $86,153.43; loans and discounts, $83,278.32. On December 31, 1917, the deposits were $149,640.59; loans and

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discounts, $135,646.14. On December 31, 1918, the deposits were $169,074.89; loans and discounts, $158,859.98. The deposits December 31, 1919, were $275,509.15; loans and discounts, $286,383.26. In September, 1919, the capital was increased to $15,000, and the surplus to $3,000. F. A. Hodge was sole cashier up to June, 1919, when Arthur Funk was hired as helper, and the latter became assistant cashier January 1, 1920. John F. Cooke still remains presi- dent. Mr. Hyde was succeeded as vice-president in 1917 by W. D. Pencille, and as director by J. M. Meyer. In 1920 F. A. Hodge succeeded A. F. Polson as director.

St. Clement Church, Hammond, Minn .- The first Catholic settlers in the village of Hammond and vicinity, coming from centers of Christian influence, were not unmindful of the necessary spiritual things in their new homes. In the early days of the settlement the first few Catholic families were favored with occasional visits by the old and venerable pioneer priest, Father Tissot, of Wabasha, and his noble successor, Father James Trobec, who held religious services in the humble log cabins of the faithful. In the fall of 1879, Father Jacobs took charge of this station, having been appointed the first resident pastor at West Albany. In the spring of 1881 the first church was erected- a frame structure 26 by 36 feet, with a sanctuary 12 by 16 feet. The work on the building was done by John Wagner and Nicholas Nei. Father Boland suc- ceeded Father Jacobs in 1883, and was followed by Fathers Ryan, Fox, Stolz, Shels and Schwartz. Under the pastoral administration of Rev. Fr. Shels, an addition 16 by 26 feet to the main body of the church was built, with a tower 72 feet in height, and a gallery in the interior of the church. Rev. Fr. Schwartz aided in the improvements of the church by frescoing the interior, excavating the basement, and purchasing two fine harmonious ringing bells. In November, 1900, Fr. Mueller took charge of the mission, and during his incumbency, which is still in force, various improvements inside and outside of the church have been made. The first settlers of this mission are: Math. Funk, Ed. Riley, W. Sauls, Pat Murray, Edward Kinney and M. McCarthy. What the first pioneers of this mission have done without thought of recompense will be a lasting memory forever. The cold hand of death cannot blot out the record of work they have accomplished as a strong impression upon the minds of the future generations.

REV. FRANCIS X. MUELLER.

HYDE PARK TOWNSHIP.

Hyde Park Township occupies that part of Congressional Township 109, Range 13, lying north of the Zumbro River. It is bounded on the north by. Gillford, on the east by Oakwood, and on the south and west by Zumbro Town- ship. The land is varied. Along the banks of the Zumbro and extending some two miles north the land is rough and hilly, and was originally covered with a heavy growth of oak timber.

In the early part of May, 1855, Paris Devitt and Samuel Parker settled in this district of country now known as Hyde Park. The next day after their arrival came John Ritter, Charles Holzman, William McCloud; and it was but a very short time until George and Seymore Fanning and the Baker families ar- rived and took up homesteads. It was the rolling farm-land, dotted with poplar groves, which attracted these men, some of whom came from northern Pennsyl- vania, while others from Maryland. The close of the summer of 1855 found almost every quarter-section "claimed," and a log cabin erected to shield the pioneer from Minnesota's wintry blasts. The winter of 1855-56 is a notable one in the history of the country as the "cold winter," and the early settlers suffered greatly since they were so far from mill and market, besides their means were very scanty. Many tales of hardship are related of that "cold winter." When the snow became so deep and the weather so cold that it was impossible to get the grain to mill, the old coffee mill was used, and the words .

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"Flannigan's Mill" bring back to many old settlers recollections of pioneer life in the winter of 1855-56.

At the time of the government survey the tract of land now included in the townships of Zumbro and Hyde Park was called Concord. This name, however, for some reason, did not suit the people, and at a meeting held May 11, 1858, the name Troy was chosen. The legislature would not accept this, however, as another town in the state held the same name, so it was named Zumbro, after the river which divided it. The larger part of the population lived on the south side of the river, and all township elections and meetings were held on that side. This was a source of trouble to the north side people, for at the spring and fall elections the river was swollen so much with the rains that they could not cross but with a risk of their lives, so a general feeling of dissatisfaction arose, which culminated in the spring of 1862, in dividing the township by the river, the south part retaining the name Zumbro. At the first meeting held north of the river the name Hyde Park was suggested by an Englishman, so that the township is named after one of the most famous places in London.

The first settlers of this township coming from centers of christian influ- ence, were not unmindful of spiritual things in their new homes, and with the foundations of their log cabins they erected altars of prayer and praise. As early as 1856 religious services were held in the cabins of the farmers, and people old and young came to the meetings. The first preaching services in the township were held at the home of John Ritter, and the minister was the pioneer Jas. McArdell.

In 1856 Wm. Parker opened and stocked the first store in the township, which he operated until 1865. He was the first postmaster in the township. John Reller was the first blacksmith, and he opened the first shop in 1858. Francis Shaw had the first shoe-shop, which he opened in 1857. The first birth was that of Effie Woodward, born February 14, 1856. The first marriage was that of Isaac York and Mrs. Jane Shaw, June 22, 1856.

The first schoolhouse in the township was built in the summer of 1856, on the northeast corner of section 3. This schoolhouse was in the district now numbered 45. The first teacher was Mary Shaw, who received twelve dollars per month for her services. There were three families in the district: Shaws, Parkers and Yorks. The first school held in what is now known as district 46, was taught by Unus Potter in 1857 at a private house. The next year it was held in a barn owned by Mr. Peter Kelley, and the next year a log schoolhouse was built by the settlers. The first school in district 84 was taught by Lucy Roberts, probably about 1859.

At the time of the construction of the narrow-gauge railroad through the township, the question whether the township should bond itself was voted upon. At the first election the "bonding" was defeated, but after a few days the decision was reversed and the people agreed to pay $6,000, giving seven per cent payable semi-annually. This was a large amount for so small a township to pay but they have gained great benefit from the road, since now they have a good market close at home, whereas, prior to the construction of the road, the grain and marketing had to be taken by wagon twenty to twenty- five miles.

Jarretts is a hamlet on the Midland Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway. Before there was an inhabitant near the present site of the hamlet, there was a ford in the Zumbro where the old settlers in an early day crossed, and since the nearest dweller was Mr. Jarrett, the place came to be called "Jarrett's Ford," and when a postoffice was established it received the name of Jarretts. The hamlet really had its birth in 1878, when the nar- row-gauge railroad was built. A flouring-mill, run by water-power, was built in 1878 by Kimball & Kitzman. The elevator was put up as a feeder to the flouring-mill at Mazeppa. Kimball operated the mill for two years or more,

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selling to J. L. Owen. It subsequently passed into the hands of Fred G. Col- burn, who has operated it since, and in 1918 the firm became F. G. Colburn & Son. F. W. Shaw established a general store about 1878, and continued in business here many years, or until he went to Oregon in 1905. His nephew, B. C. Shaw, then conducted the business for a short time, being succeeded by M. Golden. The latter sold to the present proprietor, George New. Jarretts has about 50 inhabitants.

ZUMBRO TOWNSHIP.

Zumbro Township embraces all of Township 109, Range 13, south of the Zumbro River, and all of Township 109, Range 14, south of the Zumbro, River and east of the south branch thereof. The first settlers in this town-at that time Concord-were the Baileys, Thomas, George and Andrew, who came in the early part of 1855, and followed some time in the summer of 1856 by the Jen- kins family, father and two sons, and a Mr. Baker.

The first school was taught in the late Isaac Jenkins claim shanty in the summer of 1859, by Miss Nellie Walker (some say Helen Everet, or Nannie Walker, but the majority say Nellie Walker), who received $12 for the term of three months, and boarded herself. This school, now known as district 49, was organized in 1861, and the first school after its organization was held in a shanty built expressly for that purpose by York and Jenkins, and which was used for that purpose till 1864, when the red schoolhouse was built on section 31. The first teacher in the red schoolhouse was Hattie Ruber.

In 1863, a postoffice, called South Troy, was established, but at the end of two years was discontinued. In 1866, a Mr. John Ralton brought on a stock of goods and opened a store for the accommodation of the people in that section of the country.

The records show the first town meeting to have been held May 11, 1858, when the following officers were elected-then known as Troy: George Fan- ning (chairman), George Roberts, Edward York, supervisors; John Ritter, clerk; Isaac Jenkins, assessor; Parish Dewitt, collector; Francis W. Shaw, A. J. Jen- kins, constables; George W. Fanning, Isaac Jenkins, justices.

The territory now covered by Zumbro, Mazeppa and Hyde Park is just equal to two full townships and was originally known as Mazeppa and Con- cord. Concord was the name of the election precinct, in which it was situated at the time of the government survey. Afterward, on May 11, 1858, at the first town meeting, the name of Troy was adopted by a vote of the people, by which name it was known till 1861. There being another town of the same name in the state, the legislature declined to endorse the action of the town meeting, and consequently it became necessary to call another meeting; this time to consider the propriety of dividing the town as well as adopting another name.

The river Zumbro entered the town of Troy from the northwest, in section 6, a quarter of a mile east of the town-line, and flowed in a southeasterly direc- tion till it reached a point one mile south of the center of the town, where it turned and followed a northeasterly course, and finally leaving the town about on the line of sections 13 and 24, it being the center of the north and south line. This river rendered it so inconvenient for the people to meet, and espe- cially so in the spring, that it was finally decided (the consent of the county commissioners having been obtained) at a town meeting held March 19, 1861, to divide the town, the Zumbro forming the boundary, and also to call the new town south of the river, Zumbro. Soon afterwards, all that portion of Mazeppa south of the Zumbro River and east of the south branch thereof was added to the new town of Zumbro.

The hamlets in Zumbro Township are South Trip and Bremen Corners. The village of Hammond lies partly in Zumbro and partly in Hyde Park.

CHAPTER XV.

ZUMBRO FALLS, GILLFORD AND CHESTER.

Zumbro Falls is a prosperous village on the banks of the Zumbro River and the Midland Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway. It is well located, the business section being near the river level, while the school and many of the residences are on the heights overlooking the valley. The two churches, and some of the older residences, are across the river in what was the original village. Zumbro Falls has a bank, two elevators, a newspaper, a creamery, a telephone company and a stock shipping association. There are two churches, the Methodist and the Congregational. An Advent church flourished for a while, but the church building erected in 1894 has now been converted into a residence.

The history of Zumbro Falls dates from the old ford across the Zumbro on the territorial road leading from Lake City to Rochester. Here the road south- ward wound its way from the prairie down into the valley, crossed the river a few rods from the present railroad station, continued across what is now called "Drinkwater Flat," south of the river, and then up the grade onto the level of the prairie again, and southward. To this place in 1855 came David Tibbetts, who built a substantial log house on what is now the railroad right of way, south of lot 6, block 2, south row, Whaley's Addition, and nearby estab- lished a ferry. At the same time his brother, Abner, of Lake City, secured the land south of the river, but resided on it only long enough to enable him to prove up his claim. His cabin was on the high land south of what is now the Drinkwater Flat. On the ridge north of the village, some 30 or 40 rods north- east of the present schoolhouse, James B. Glover built a cabin in 1858.

Traffic over the road and ferry increased in 1858. John Van Smith built a house on the south side of the river near the ferry, and opened a hotel, fur- nishing a convenient stopping-place for travelers. In 1859 Edwin Beeman built a shoe shop and Orrin Pencille a blacksmith shop. These two men had no families and lived at the Smith Hotel.

The flood of 1858 covered the flat and did considerable damage. The inhab- itants took refuge on higher land, Mr. Tibbetts' family being rescued through the gable end of the roof. The cabin withstood the rush of the waters, but it was flooded nearly to the upper story. As a picture of the life in those times, it is told that Mr. Tibbetts kept his old musket hung from the rafters by leather thongs just under the upper floor and the water flooded the hammers of this old weapon.

About the beginning of the Civil War, Uriah S. Whaley bought out David Tibbetts, moved into his house and started operating the ferry. The village south of the river became quite a hamlet, given a considerable impetus by the surveying, grading and building of the railroad. Among the business houses on that side of the river were those of Charles Bryant, blacksmith shop; David Willard, harness shop; John Dale, wagon shop; Perry Card, hotel; Fidel Sugg, general store; James Burns, saloon and store; Mathias Bright, harness shop; Dr. Rogers, drug store; E. A. Harridan, general store. William Oliver erected a hall, a neat structure with mural paintings, and this became one of the social centers of the community. A Methodist church was also built.

In the meantime Benjamin Clark put in a dam at the rapids which gave the village its name, and erected a grist mill, which he operated for a number of years. When the railroad came through, Mr. Whaley platted a village on the

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north side of the river, and Whaley's Addition is what now constitutes the village of Zumbro Falls.

In that year, 1878, E. B. Doty erected a store on lot 10, block 1, north row, Whaley's Addition, and opened a hardware store. At the same time a dupli- cate of the Doty store was erected on lot 11, and William Churchill opened a drug store therein. Other business houses followed. After the cyclone of 1883, E. A. Harridan moved his store and postoffice from the old village to lot 8, block 1, north row, Whaley's Addition.

Business began to die away on the south side of the river, and that hamlet never recovered from the cyclone of 1883. Fidel Sugg and Dr. Rogers were the first to give up business there. The locality is now a residence section, with two churches, the village park, and a number of pleasant homes.

In the meantime Whaley's Addition has grown into the village of Zumbro Falls, taking the name of the former village south of the river. The station which is in this part of the village was not established until several years after the building of the railroad, as the township refused to vote a bonus. In a short time, however, the business of the hamlet demanded it and the station was established. When S. D. Welch engaged in business here in 1894, the village was already one of some size. The business was then nearly all on the north row of Whaley's Addition. The depot had been built, a hotel opened and an elevator established. J. M. Stegner, Son, John Strickland and E. B. Doty had general stores. U. J. Disney had a lumber yard and hardware store, the Stevens Opera House had been built, and G. W. Stevens was operating a blacksmith shop. The schoolhouse was near the location of the present school. The Advent church was also on this side of the river. John Strickland is still in business here. W. J. Disney but recently retired.

Mr. Welch bought in with J. M. Stegner and continued business with him for awhile before securing sole ownership. After continuing for some time alone, he took his son-in-law, L. E. Scruby, as a partner. The firm is now known as Scruby & Co.

The first crossing of the river here was by ford. Later the ferry was built. The first bridge was a pontoon structure of five flatboats, strung together on an iron rod fastened to a stone pier in the middle. The bridge was built by Samuel Doughty. This bridge was smashed by the ice, and replaced by a wooden bridge built by Horace E. Horton. This latter bridge was the one carried away by the cyclone. The structure built to replace it fell out of repair, and the present bridge was erected in its stead. Before the latter was built there was considerable agitation as to its location, many desiring it further down the river and nearer the present village. As finally built, how- ever, it occupied the old site, with its south end leading directly to the heart of the old village.

With the increase in population and the erection of a number of new houses in the spring of 1896, there came a concerted demand for an organized village government. As the result of the work of a number of prominent citi- zens, a meeting was held, November 3, 1897, with Samuel Welch as chairman and Dr. Thomas R. Watson as clerk. Shortly afterward a committee of four, previously suggested by L. A. Doty, consising of Samuel D. Welch, J. C. Strick- land, W. J. Disney and Dr. T. R. Watson, consulted with attorney A. J. Green of Lake City. A census taken November 8 showed a population within the proposed limits of one hundred and ninety-three. A petition was presented to the county board, November 24, 1897, signed by E. J. Stegner, Thomas R. Wat- son, L. A. Doty, E. B. Doty, Baxter Doty, J. B. Glover, B. C. Disney, J. M. Steg- ner, William Potter, C. E. Kirkham, O. S. Clark, J. T. Ritter, H. F. Anding, N. Rosenbloom, E. J. Strickland, J. L. Strickland, F. B. Anding, W. J. Grogan, S. Handshaw, L. A. Scruby, S. M. Stegner, Pratt Drinkwalter, Frank Sugg, A. C. Hermann, John Vogel, S. D. Welch, W. J. Disney, Henry Bielfeldt, Theo. Pfeif- fer, Mike Pfeiffer, T. J. Kirkman, C. F. Scholer, Uriah Whaley, O. E. Kirkman,

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 19

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. cn Publication date: 1920 Publisher: Winona, Minn. : H.C. Cooper Number of Pages: 1222

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. cn
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Winona, Minn. : H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1222