History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 20

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 20

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

G. W. Stevens, David Whaley, Warren Clough, Nathan Whaley, O. R. Bint, G. H. Claflin, B. W. Disney, William H. Claflin, W. D. Little, Peter Theisen, Henry Norton, T. B. Warring, E. V. Beals, A. H. Sugg and John Carr. The petition was granted and the election ordered held February 8, 1898. At the election the proposition was carried by a vote of 49 to 11, and the following officers chosen: President, S. D. Welch; trustees, J. L. Strickland, T. B. Warring and L. A. Doty ; recorder, T. R. Watson; treasurer, E. B. Doty; justices, George W. Stevens and Pratt Drinkwalter; constables, John T. Ritter and Clarence Kirk- ham. The first council meeting was held February 28, 1898. At an election held November 26, 1898, there were 41 votes cast for separation and 2 against. The presidents of the village have been as follows: 1898 and 1899, S. D. Welch; 1900 and 1901, Pratt Drinkwalter; 1902, L. E. Scruby; 1903 and 1904, A. Roberson; 1905 and 1906, Pratt Drinkwalter; 1907, L. A. Doty; 1908, Pratt Drinkwalter; 1909, J. C. Brinkman; 1910 and 1911, Thomas Baker; 1912, R. Warren; 1913, 1914, 1915 and 1916, H. R. Gray ; 1917, J. J. Frieheit; 1918, Nelson Watts; 1919, John A. Klindworth. The recorders have been : 1898 and 1899, T. R. Watson; 1900, 1901, 1902, 1903 and 1904, B. W. Disney; 1905 and 1906, C. G. Burcher; 1907, 1908 and 1909, L. W. Disney; 1910, F. J. Sugg; 1911, L. W. Disney ; 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918 and 1919, B. R. Theisen.

The village improvements consist of a park, a village hall, a waterworks system and a sewer system.

The stone "watch house" was erected in 1898. The waterworks system was installed in 1907 and the village hall erected the same year. The following year the hose cart and hose were purchased. The waterworks system consists of the pumping station at the village hall, a well nearby, a tank on the hill, and a system of mains and hydrants. The sewer system was put in in 1914. In 1915 the "watch house" was abandoned, and cages installed in the village hall. The triangular park south of the bridge was laid out in 1899 and trees planted. A street light system of individual oil lamps was installed in 1899 and abandoned in 1907.

When the Farmers Elevator was established in 1900, the village appropri- ated $30 to help pay a solicitor for selling stock for the purpose. In 1904 a franchise was granted the Zumbro Falls Farmers Telephone Company.

The first postmaster was probably Uriah S. Whaley, who kept the office at his cabin north of the river. He was followed by E. A. Harridan, who kept it at his store south of the river. Next came John Strickland, whose successor was J. B. Glover. Under Cleveland's second administration, Mr. Strickland again served. He was followed by William J. Disney, who in turn was suc- ceeded by A. H. Sugg, who is still in office.

The Zumbro Falls Enterprise was established October 3, 1908, by Hugh R. Smith, and by him sold to the present editor, Fred J. Barton, March 1, 1919.

Hyde Park Lodge, No. 46, I. O. O. F .- This lodge was moved to Zumbro Falls, and was here continued for many years. The lodge surrendered its char- ter in 1914. The last officers were: Noble Grand, A. Roberson; vice-grand, J. Morrisey ; recording secretary, L. E. Scruby ; treasurer, A. H. Sugg. This lodge absorbed Mazeppa Lodge, No. 72, I. O. O. F.

The children in this vicinity first attended school in a schoolhouse north of the present village, built in 1859. Later a schoolhouse was erected in the village, not far from the present site. It was destroyed by the cyclone in 1883 and replaced with another. The present brick structure was erected in 1913.

The Zumbro Falls State Bank was organized June 6, 1907, and opened for business August 5, 1907. The original stockholders were: William J. Disney, B. W. Disney, E. C. Disney, L. W. Disney, Henry R. Gray, Richard Greer, F. B. Roberson, Maze F. Thierstein, Emil A. Gray, H. A. Frieheit and William Saul, of Zumbro Falls, and W. D. Marvin and L. L. Cornwell of Pine Island. The first directors were: William J. Disney, W. D. Marvin, L. L. Cornwell, Henry R. Gray and William Saul. The first officers were: President, L. L. Cornwell;

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vice-president, Henry R. Gray; cashier, B. W. Disney. Mr. Cornwell was suc- ceeded as president, January 14, 1912, by William Saul, and on January 13, 1920, by C. W. Radabough. Fred C. Heise succeeded Mr. Gray as vice-president. Mr. Disney has had charge of the bank as cashier since the beginning. The present directors are: Fred C. Heise, F. B. Roberson, J. E. John Steere, J. J. Springer, William J. Disney, C. W. Radabough, William Saul and C. J. Meyers. For a time Mr. Disney operated the bank alone. H. H. Billings became the assistant cashier January 14, 1913. May Drinkwalter became assistant book- keeper in August, 1913, and was made assistant cashier January 13, 1914. Edna L. Schultz became bookkeeper November 1, 1918. G. N. Reppe, who is still serving, became assistant cashier January 1, 1919. The bank opened in temporary quarters, the present building being completed the same year. It is admirably equipped for its purpose in every way, and is the financial and busi- ness headquarters of the village. The original capital stock of $10,000 was on March 27, 1919, increased to $20,000. December 31, 1910, the loans and dis- counts were $106,555.91, the deposits $134,709.24. December 31, 1915, the loans and discounts were $180,923.59, and the deposits $176,717.02. December 31, 1919, the capital was $20,000; the surplus, $5,000; the undivided profits, $1,781.94; the loans and discounts, $270,986.60; the deposits, $339,649.37.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Zumbro Falls was organized in 1875 through the efforts of the Shores and Suggs of Glasgow Township, the Spren- gers of La Crosse and the Rietmanns of Hay Creek, Goodhue County. These families settled here and organized a Sunday school. From this effort grew the present church. H. E. Young was the first pastor assigned. The charter mem- bers of this organization were: Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Shores, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Sprenger, Mr. and Mrs. F. Sugg, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Reitmann, and the children of these families. The first services were held in a private home in 1876. An old building was purchased and remodeled into a small church build- ing, the remodeling being done principally by Mr. Sugg. The following pastors have served this church at different periods: H. E. Young, Adam Miller, L. J. Brenner, William Berg, Herman Meyer, G. E. Rabe, Frederick Hogrofe, Geo. Rheinfrank, D. Pfaff, C. H. Miller, F. E. Meierbachtol, E. P. Christ, Herman Nedtwick and A. B. Gould, the present pastor. During C. H. Miller's term of ministry the present church building was erected-a neat and tasty village church. Services were held in the German language to about 1915. Since that time the services have been held in English. The present membership of the church is 66 enrolled members, with an average attendance of about 125. Dur- ing late years especial attention has been given the Sunday school work, with the result that this congregation is looked to as a leader in this work through- out this section. This school, at the suggestion of J. J. Sprenger, instituted the Sunday school quarterly review which has become very popular and effective. The church is a live, working church with men and women in it having a real concern for its welfare and is an influential factor in the life of the community.

The Congregational Church of Zumbro Falls was organized November 15, 1890, with four members, Pratt Drinkwalter, E. J. Stegner, C. J. Street and E. Butruff. The early meetings were held in the Methodist Episcopal church. The congregation dedicated its own church December 14, 1890, and in the same year, on August 5, the Congregational society was incorporated, the first offi- cers being: G. W. Stevens, president; John Vogel, clerk, and Minnie Smith, treasurer. The pastors of the church have been the Rev. Messrs. William McArthur, J. C. Huntington, A. L. Struthers, I. C. Todd, J. E. Ingham, J. C. Huntington, W. H. Moore, Frank Ferguson, J. L. Nott, Irving B. Hollman, S. T. Beattie, C. H. Moxie, Paul Albert and John Hayes Barnett. The Rev. A. B. Gould now serves both the Congregational and Methodist churches.

GILLFORD TOWNSHIP.

Gillford Township occupies Township 110, Range 13. It is bounded on the north by Mount Pleasant, on the east by West Albany, on the south by Hyde

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

Park and on the west by Chester. The land of this township has a gentle roll. It is situated midway between the original forests and rough land, bordering on the Zumbro on the south, and the similar land along the Mississippi on the north. There is an abundance of clear-running water, which renders stock- raising a profitable undertaking.

In the early part of May, 1855, Wm. McCloud, George and Seymour Fan- ning came to this township, and after taking claims and working through the summer season, they returned to Illinois for the winter and in the following spring they returned here with their families. The same year, 1855, Jos. Fuller took a claim near Mazeppa, but being discouraged by a heavy frost in June was about to return to Illinois when his brother-in-law, Mr. Gill, dis- suaded him, and they both settled in Gillford. In the fall of 1855 Mr. Gill returned to Illinois for his family; after spending the winter there and when returning here he was taken sick and died. Mrs. Gill, however, settled in this township, and on account of her amiable character the township was named for her. Mr. McCloud was a man of very great worth to county and township. He laid out the roads in the township; he was a great patron of schools; he did his utmost to promote religious interest in the community; as regards hospital- ity he could not be surpassed. In the spring of 1856 Messrs. E. M. Hoyt, E. F. Hoyt, W. F. Green and F. Lamb came to this township and took claims in the northwestern part.

The first teacher in the township was Lizzie Green (Bartlett), who taught a select school in a "claim shanty," 10 by 12 feet in dimensions, in the summer of 1858, in the bounds of the district now known as No. 15. The second school was established on section 12, near the present schoolhouse No. 19, and the first teacher was Rosa Montgomery.

Until the summer of 1859 no religious services were held in the township. In that summer a Sunday school was organized at Oak Centre, and after that was in successful operation, two more were organized. As yet there was no preacher or preaching. In the spring of 1860 James Stillwell came into the township and took a claim. It was soon known that he was a Methodist exhorter, so he was waited upon and asked to preach at Oak Centre the follow- ing sabbath. He preached, and the people were so well pleased that he made several appointments, and thus the work continued throughout the summer. In the course of several months a great revival took place, which was so wide- spread that three new churches were organized, which still exist.

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, commonly called the "Lincoln Con- gregation," was founded July 15, 1881, with eight charter members, namely: Carsten Siems, John Sass, Martin Johnson, John Boesch, Dietrich Recjmann, H. Meyer, H. Dammann and Peter Zimmerman. The first board of trustees was composed of John Sass, Martin Johnson and Carsten Siems. A small frame building was erected in which services were held up to 1902, when a church edifice was put up at a cost of $5,000. The first building is now used as a church school. This property is located in Gillford Township, two miles south- east of Oak Centre. The first pastor was the Rev. Christ Murer, who served nine years. He was followed by Rev. George Terben, whose pastorate lasted eight years. Rev. Otto Sievers, who came next, served six years, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. Paul Beck, who remained pastor for eleven years. The present pastor, Rev. W. F. Rolf, was called in 1917. The congregation has at present 191 communicants, of whom 56 are voting members. The present board of trustees is composed of Fred Heise, D. Klindworth and John Bartels. The school has an enrollment of 29 and is taught by the pastor. It is held nine months in each year. The other officers of the congregation are: George La Mont, secretary, and A. J. Siewert, treasurer.

The first marriage was that of E. S. Fanning and Hannah Fanning in the spring of 1865. The first child born was Mary Fanning, a daughter of the above. The first death was that of Samuel Fanning, in the fall of 1856.

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At the time of the construction of the narrow-gauge railroad through the township a vote was taken whether the town should bond itself. It was lost by a few votes. There are six thousand two hundred and sixty-nine acres of land under cultivation. Politically the township is republican.

The first town meeting was held at the house of L. W. Manning on May 11, 1856. The result of the first election was as follows: E. M. Hoyt, L. W. Manning, David Fanning, supervisors; E. M. Rider, town clerk; James More- head, William McCloud, justices of the peace; S. Tysdel, assessor; William Green, overseer of poor. The number of votes cast was thirty-four.

Oak Centre is a hamlet in section 5. For several years a postoffice was located in the store there. The name was given by C. C. Lowe on account of the abundance of oak trees in the vicinity.

The Oak Centre Creamery Co. was organized in 1913 with the following officers: President, George La Mont; vice-president, Henry H. Blohm; secre- tary, George Beaty; treasurer, A. J. Stewert. The company has a well equipped building. In 1919 the factory turned out 165,000 pounds of butter fat, which was marketed principally in Philadelphia. Chester Winters is now president of the concern, with Fred Heitman vice-president.

Jacksonville is a hamlet near the line between sections 11 and 12.

CHESTER TOWNSHIP.

Chester Township occupies Congressional Township 110, Range 14. It is bounded on the north and west by Goodhue County, on the east by Gillford Township and on the south by Mazeppa Township. The Zumbro river crosses. its southwest and southeast quarter-sections. In the southeastern portion of the town there are several fine groves. The general configuration is quite uneven, the region being traversed by numerous valleys, but a rich prairie loam covers the whole and affords a handsome return to the tiller of the soil. A deep valley tributary to the Zumbro, with its several branches, drains the whole surface. Through this valley a bear was pursued by the early settlers, and the region became known as Bear Valley. Trout Brook flows through the south- western part.

On section 12 of this town is a rare natural cave of large dimensions. It was discovered by Tyler Whipple, in the summer of 1856. Numerous apart- ments exist, and several have been entered and examined. The exterior entrance is found on the side of a small mound, and the explorer is obliged to descend a narrow passage to gain admission. The passages leading to some of the apartments are so low that one must lie on the face and creep to reach them. The labor is, however, well repaid by a sight of the beautiful stalactites which depend from the roof. . One of these rooms is in the form of an inverted jug, the entrance being made through the mouth. In another place is found a well of limpid water; in another a deep pit has been found, whose depth is shown to be very great by the time occupied by a pebble in reaching the bottom.

On section 8, many years since, a solid piece of wood was found at a depth of sixty-four feet, in a well dug on the farm of Philip Arendt.

During the winter of 1854-55 a party of St. Paul gentlemen who were out on a trapping, hunting and fishing expedition, encamped on Trout Brook in the southwestern part of the town. Among the number was James M. Kimble, who was so pleased with the stream, filled with fine trout, that he determined to settle there. On returning to St. Paul he secured tools and supplies and set out with only one companion to establish a claim. There were hundreds of men at Red Wing waiting for the snow to settle, but Mr. Kimble and his companion pushed on. They lived two weeks in a cloth tent on the banks of the creek, while getting out material and building a cabin. Thus a claim was established in February, on the northwest quarter of section 30, and here Mr. Kimble brought his family in April following. The next settler was probably G. Maxwell, Mazeppa, followed by Peter Bouillard, an Alsatian Frenchman, who still lives

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on his original claim, on section 28. He came in May, and during the same month came Joseph Caswell and four sons-Joseph, Jesse, Cyrus and Hiram; Edward Hunt, William Washey, William Davis, and two sons-Robert and James ; Daniel Slaymaker and two sons-Reuben and Henry; Greenberry Trip- lett. This year also saw the arrival of Francis Jerry, W. W. Day, G. W. Judd, Wells B. Smith and Thomas Cliff.

Isadore, son of Francis and Elizabeth Jerry, was probably the first white child born in Chester, his birth dating May 13, 1857. In June, 1857, a daugh- ter was born to Nelson B. and Margery Smith, and christened Lottie Ann. She became the wife of John McCabe, and resides in the town. On July 14, 1856, Cyrus L. Caswell and Margaret Jenkins, of this town, were united in marriage at Mazeppa. This is the earliest marriage of Chester's citizens. In the fall of the same year two persons, Edward Hunt and Sarah Washley, agreed to live together as man and wife, and had a contract drawn up to that effect. I. T. Nicholls, of Mazeppa, executed and witnessed this document. The month of May, 1857, also dates the first death in the town. At this time a ten-year-old daughter of William Davis, named Agnes, passed away.

During the winter of 1856-57, Sidney Cross taught a rate school in Cas- well's house. During the following winter timbers were got out, and in the spring of 1858 Bear Valley log schoolhouse was erected.

In 1873 Evander and M. Skillman, brothers, built a gristmill on the west side of section 19 on Trout Brook. A gristmill was built on the Zumbro in the extreme southeast corner of the town by Benjamin Clark in 1866, and did a good business till it was destroyed by fire in the spring of 1882.

No stores were maintained within the limits of the town until 1877. Dur- ing this year Anthony Caspar built a large store on the north line of the town, at Belle Chester. In the spring of 1883 John P. Wagner and John M. Weimar built a fine store on the northeast corner of section 5, opposite Caspar's, and put in a large general stock. This building and its contents were totally con- sumed by fire on the morning of November 22, the same year, causing a loss of seven thousand dollars.

The Bear Valley postoffice was established in 1856, with Joseph Caswell as postmaster, and was supplied by the Wabasha and Faribault stage line for some time. Mail is now received twice a week by the Lake City and Mazeppa stage route. Early postmasters were: Silas Cross, James M. McMillan, C. M. Bontelle, E. H. Smith, William Morris and Charles E. Buckminster.

The town was politically organized May 11, 1858. The meeting was held at the house of Joseph Caswell, Jr., and the following officers were chosen for the ensuing year: Chairman, F. M. Skillman; associate supervisors, R. H. Davis and Jesse M. Caswell; clerk, John A. Slaymaker; he soon resigned and S. J. Buckminster was appointed November 11; assessor and collector, John Rawalt; overseer of the poor, Wells Smith; constables, R. H. Davis and E. W. Hunt; justices, Alfred Ambler and J. A. Skillman. N. B. Smith was appointed collector November 16. The town was originally called Bear Valley and changed to Chester.

Bear Valley Grange .- Patrons of Husbandry began its existence about 1870. In 1874 a hall was built by the society on the southwest quarter of sec- tion 23.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was the first religious body to have an organizaton in Chester Township. There were two local elders of the Methodist Episcopal church in the town in 1856, namely, A. E. Standish and Greenberry Triplett. Meetings were held under the leadership of these gentlemen during the year 1856 in Joseph Caswell's house. About the same time, or early in 1857, Rev. Ralph Frasier, a local elder residing in Mazeppa, preached at the same place. To Mr. Standish is given the credit of preaching the first sermon in the town. Rev. Nelson Moon, a local elder, settled in Bear Valley in 1864, and at once began preaching at Bear Valley schoolhouse. The class was formed

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August 27, 1864, composed of : Nelson, Casandra and Emma Moon, R. H. Davis, Samuel and Emeline Converse, Mrs. H. J. Crump, Huldah Cliff, Joseph and A. B. Spaulding, Susan Merrill, Hiram, Almira and Frances Stacy, Isaac Waters, David Jones, Margaret Caswell, James A. and Mrs. A. Davis, Philo Tenyke and wife. This class was assigned to Gillford circuit.

Rev. Frederick Hill, a Baptist clergyman, who settled in Zumbro-then Hyde Park-in 1856, soon after held meetings in this town and organized a class.

St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bear Valley .- The Lutherans at Bear Valley organized with 20 voting members in the year 1888, and selected the above name for the church. The pastors who have served the congregation have been: Rev. Lange, 1887 to 1900; Rev. Ottomar T. Sievers, 1900 to 1906; Rev. Paul Beck, 1906 to 1916; Rev. W. C. Limpert, 1917 to the present time. There are now 21 voting members and 123 communicants.

CHAPTER XVI.

MILLVILLE, OAKWOOD AND HIGHLAND.

Millville is a village on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, 29 miles southwest of Wabasha. It is in Section 18, Oakwood Township, and is picturesquely situated on heights overlooking the Zumbro Valley, the station itself lying in the valley. Though it is a small place, it is essentially an up-to- date community, having constructed water-works, established a commercial club, known as the Millville Improvement Club, and having a weekly news- paper-the Millville Review, a hotel, a grain elevator, the Millville State Bank, and the Millville creamery, besides several stores and other places of business. The Greenwood Prairie Telephone Company furnishes local communication with the surrounding country, and there are two churches, Evangelical and Swedish Lutheran.

Millville was started in 1870, when John Huny opened a store. The post- office was moved to the store from a nearby farm, and Mr. Huney made post- master. Peter Holtein built a blacksmith shop the same year. The coming of the railroad gave the village new life, and soon there was two stores, owned by J. B. Miller and Mullen & Leonard; next two hotels; then John Behrns ran a store for a time; then were built a wagon-shop; a small grainhouse, in which was the warehouse and telegraph office; next year the depot and addition to the grainhouse; then a fancy-store and a shoeshop. In 1880 McGuigan Bros., drygoods and groceries, and J. S. Bisby, hardware, started business, and in 1881 came the first permanent physician, Dr. Royal A. Gove. From about 1879 to 1881 Claus Behrns run the Midland brewery, but it was accidentally burned.

Millville Post Office was established in 1869, on the farm of Ole Christo- pher, with Charles Flemming as postmaster. It was moved to the village in 1870, and John Huny made postmaster.

The Millville State Bank was organized September 27, 1904, with a cash capital of $10,000, and with J. W. Nolan as president, W. H. Kiley, vice-presi- dent, and P. J. Cosgrove, cashier. The bank has proved a strong factor in the upbuilding of the community.' At the end of the year 1919 its statement showed a surplus of $8,000 and deposits of $274,000, its capital remaining at $10,000. The present officers are: J. W. Nolan, president; W. H. Kiley, vice-president; P. J. Cosgrove, cashier; W. H. Wadley, assistant cashier; Albert Olson and P. J. Polson.

OAKWOOD TOWNSHIP.

Oakwood Township embraces Township 109, Range 12. It is bounded on the north by West Albany, on the east by Highland, on the south by Elgin and a small part of Plainview and on the west by Hyde Park and Zumbro. A roll- ing prairie, bordering on Greenwood Prairie, it is cut by the rocky Zumbro valley, separating the several northwestern sections from the main part; by the Middle Creek ravine separating the several northeastern sections; and lastly, by the Long Creek ravine, which winds through the center from south to north, and opens into the Zumbro valley not far from the opening of Middle creek. Along their route smaller valleys and ravines open into these. The Zumbro valley, with its rocky cliffs varying from two hundred to three hundred and seventy feet in height, overhanging and winding its rocky and wooded sides about in a bewildering manner, affords some very picturesque and romantic scenery. While the northern part of the township is chiefly clay, the southern is more black loam and clay mixed, making a fine soil. The oak, hazel, etc.,

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 20

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