History of Wabasha County : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc. : gathered from matter furnished by interviews with old settlers, county, township, and other records, and extracts from files of papers, pamphlets, and such other sources, Part 106

Author: H.H. Hill and Company. 4n
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill & Co.
Number of Pages: 1176

USA > Minnesota > Wabasha County > History of Wabasha County : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc. : gathered from matter furnished by interviews with old settlers, county, township, and other records, and extracts from files of papers, pamphlets, and such other sources > Part 106

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).

Plainview Lodge, No. 16, I.O.O.F., was organized December 29, 1866. The charter members, David Van Wert, Wm. L. Cleave- land, W. W. Case, and Ferdinand Trace, and the first officers were : W. A. Allen, N.G .; John Simpson, V.G .; D. Van Wert, secretary; S. N. Wright, treasurer; W. L. Cleaveland, constable ; W. W. Case, warden; E. B. Eddy, R.S.N.G .; W. H. Stone, L.S.N.G .; F. Trace, I.G .; J. Huntoon, O.G .; John Valentine, R.S.V.G .; A. Pomeroy, L.S.V.G .; T. A. Thompson, R.S.S .; J. J. Butts, L.S.S. The Past Grands at present members, and in good standing, are : John Simpson, W. L. Cleaveland, Wm. Donaldson, T. A. Thomp- son, Jas. D. Knights, J. J. Butts, N. S. Tefft, J. P. Waste, D. R. Sweezey, Geo. C. French, G. C. Richmond, F. H. Roberts, D. Z. Taylor, D. C. Clark, S. O. Seymour, Jacob Haessig, John McArthur, A. Y. Felton, John Springer, Ed. A. Paradis, Win. F. Robinson. The present officers are: R. R. Damoude, N.G .; D. R. French, V.G .; G. C. French, secretary; J. Haessig, treasurer; Ed. A. Par- adis, constable; D. C. Clark, warder; F. H. Roberts, R.S.N.G .; S. O. Seymour, L.S.N.G .; D. Z. Taylor, R.S.V.G .; J. H. Robinson, L.S.V.G .; A. E. Thom, I.G .; S. H. Gaylord, O.G .; James McGee, R.S.S .; C. W. Donaldson, L.S.S. Meetings are held every Satur- day evening, in the hall over F. J. Cornwell's store.

Illustrious Lodge, No. 63, was chartered October 23, 1867. the following being charter members : F. A. Wells, H. A. Wells, James Lynch, Augustus Smith, S. N. Wright, E. C. Gearey, I. B. Pope, D. McCarty, A. Clawson, C. G. Dawley and F. Trace. The first officers were : F. A. Wells, W.M. ; H. A. Wells, S.W. ; James

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY.

Lynch, J.W .; Augustus Smith, Treas .; E. S. Case, Sec. ; E. C. Gearey, S.D. ; I. B. Pope, J.D. ; Jas. McHench, S.S. ; C. O. Lan- don, J.S. ; D. Van Wert, Tyler. The Masters since organization have been : F. A. Wells, E. C. Geary, D. D. Brown, E. S. Case, Augustus Smith, Jas. McHench, H. A. Wells, H. R. Gearey and J. F. Pope. The present officers are : J. F. Pope, W.M. ; G. R. Hall, S.W. ; Wm. S. Baxter, J.W .; C. O. Landon, Treas. ; L. D. Colby, Sec .; H. D. Wedge, S.D .; Fred. Wahler, J.D .; F. F. Fed- der, S.S .; Geo. C. Landon, J.S .; E. B. DePny, Tyler. The present membership is seventy-six, and nights of meeting first and third Fridays of each month, in the hall over F. J. Cornwell's store.

Plainview Chapter, No. 36, was organized October 18, 1882, with the following charter members: H. C. Woodruff, Augustus Smith. C. E. Daniels, F. A. Wells, Jas. W. McCarty, D. McCarty, Ezra Fellar, T. L. Meachum, Robt. Wahler, and the following as first officers : H. C. Woodruff, M.E.H.P .; Aug. Smith, E.K .; C. E. Daniels, E.S .; Milton Smith, Treas .; E. C. Gearey, Sec .; H. D. Wedge, C.H .; D. McCarty, R.A.C .; F. A. Wells, P.S .; E. R. Corn- well, M. of 1st Veil ; Jas. McCarty, M. of 2d Veil; F. L. Meachum, M. of 3d Veil ; Robt. Vickery, Sentinel. The following have been elected to fill the office of high priest : H. C. Woodruff and F. A. Wells. The present officers are : F. A. Wells, H.P .; D. McCarty, K .; H. R. Gearey, S .; Milton Smith, Treas .; S. A. Foster, Sec .; G. R. Hali, C.H .; E. R. Cornwell, R.A.C .; A. J. Carroll, -; John Bryant, M. of 1st Veil ; G. W. Harrington, M. of 2d Veil ; F. L. Meachnm, M. of 3d Veil; D. D. Harrington, Sentinel. Nights of meeting are second and fourth Fridays in each month.

CHAPTER XCVIII.

WATOPA TOWNSHIP.

OWING to the roughness of its contour, this section was not as early settled as the rest of the county. In fact, some portions of this township have not been cleared of their native growth of shrubs and opened to cultivation until within the past ten years. Indian Creek valley extends across the town from east to west, the stream entering on section 31 and leaving on 24. North of this is Snake creek, whose head is near the west side of the town, flowing about dne east, and joining the Zumbro on section 12. The Whitewater river crosses the southeastern portion, and thus the town is composed of alternate ridges and valleys. The ridge between the Whitewater and Indian creek is quite broad, and is known as "Hoosier Ridge." Those on either side of Snake creek are narrow, and have no distinctive appel- lation. Nearly all the people are Irish, these people wholly occu- pying Snake Creek valley, and the ridges on either side and at its head. They are industrious, and have cleared and made fertile what seemed unpromising to the prospector. In the southwestern portion are several German families, who are making "the wilderness to blossom as the rose." Among the earliest residents were Frank and John Gage, who settled in the Whitewater valley in 1855. During the same year Nels Westling and Andrew Johnson, Swedes, located in the valley of Indian creek. In the following year came Olaf Paulson, James and Daniel Gow, John Feddelson, and George and William Christie. Daniel Gow, a bachelor, still lives on his claim, alone, in a hole in the ground, covered with loose boards. Perhaps it is not proper to say he lives alone, as his chickens inhabit the den with him. Of those above mentioned, besides Gow, Westling, Johnson and John Gage still reside here. In 1857 John Hickey and John Keating settled on Snake creek. In 1858 Dr. L. D. Holmes settled on Indian creek, and J. B. Haines became his neiglibor next year. These were eastern people, and a spirit of enterprise and advancement came with them. In 1859 a log school- house was put up through the efforts of those last above named, and

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY.

a school taught by Mrs. William Welds. The husband of the latter was a preacher of the Baptist denomination, and he held religions services in J. B. Haines' house as early as May or June, 1860. In December of this year Rev. D. B. Gleason, a Methodist, preached at the same place, and about this time Mr. Haines attempted to organize a Sunday school, but found so little cooperation that he was compelled to give it up. Rev. Harvey Webb succeeded Mr. Gleason as pastor of the Read's Landing circuit in 1861, and held services here. This was about the last attempt at preaching in the town. An effort was made, not long ago, to organize a sabbath school in the same locality, but was abandoned. In this connection it may be noted that neither church edifice nor saloon have ever been opened in the town. Were the question of licensing a saloon submitted to a vote of the people, it would no doubt receive a large majority.

The earliest effort to educate the youth of the town was inaugu- rated in the fall of 1858. A log tenement-house on the farm of John Gage had been vacated, and Mrs. Timothy Yonng proposed to open school in it. She proceeded to scrub out the house, in prepara- tion for this use of it, and fell dead while thns engaged. This was undoubtedly the first death to occur in the town, and was caused by heart-disease. The school was, however, conducted, Josiah Porter being the teacher.

There are now five districts, with the same number of school- - houses. The best and largest is that in district No. 34, the first regularly organized district. This is a neatly-painted frame building, in Snake Creek valley, on section 11. When the first building was put up there were few pupils, but the number on the school register at one time reached ninety. The first house stood partly on land now included in the right of way of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway, on the southeast quarter of section 11, Creek valley. The second was erected on the present site, and was burned in June, 1878. The first teacher employed in this district was Dora O'Neil, but when it was found that she was a Protestant the people decided that she was not capable of teaching their children. Miss Sylvia Tiffany then took the little flock in charge, and managed its instruc- tion with satisfaction to the patrons.

Cupid kept away from the locality for some time, according to the memories of early inhabitants. The first residents of the town to be united in marriage were William Ryan and Margaret Hickey. This wedding was celebrated at Wabasha, February 16, 1863.

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WATOPA TOWNSHIP.

On September 7, 1856, a son was born to John and Eleanor Gage. He was christened Burton Wallace, and died January 25, 1859. During the latter year a daughter was born to Charles Simp- son, but is now deceased. These are the earliest births of which any knowledge can be found.

The political town of Watopa was organized May 11, 1858. The earliest records of election and public acts have been destroyed, but this much has been learned in regard to that election from early set- tlers : The Indian name, Watopa, was adopted, after considerable discussion of other titles. The supervisors chosen were William Abbott, chairman, John Gage and Henry Wagner. Charles Simp- son was made town clerk, Daniel Seymour, justice of the peace, and John Crain, constable. The affidavit and bond of Justice Seymour's first case was filed July 28, 1858. Suit was brought by Philip Smith to recover possession of a horse, valued at one hundred dollars, un- lawfully held by Valentine Jacob. After due trial, the case was decided in favor of the plaintiff, and costs of eight dollars and seventy- four cents assessed against defendant. To cover this, the constable levied on three thousand brick in possession of Jacob ; but after be- ing twice advertised for sale no buyers appeared, and the brick were not utilized in satisfying just demands of the minions of the law.

A good deal of amusement was created in the spring of 1860, by a snit brought against Jolin Gage for stealing corn. Before the case came to trial, Gage was elected justice of the peace, and offered to go on with the trial. To this neither the law nor the mind of the plaintiff's attorney would assent, and the case was therefore taken to Minneiska for trial. The judgment of his fellow-citizens in electing him justice was there justified by his acquittal. At another time, Gage's enemies sought to annoy him by bringing suit against him, during high water, on Sand prairie. The defendant proceeded quietly to secure possession of all the boats in the neighborhood, and proceeded to the scene of trial. Of course the case went in his favor, by default of his opponents.

1859 the town officers elected were : supervisors, Garrett Fitz- gerald, George A. Layes and Jolin Keating ; town clerk, William Abbott ; assessor, John Hickey ; collector, George C. Curtis ; over- seer of poor, Alois Holtzer.

From 1860 to 1871, inclusive, J. B. Haines was town clerk. For those years only the supervisors are given in the following list.

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY.

Thereafter, the fourth name is that of the clerk, in every case the chairman of supervisors being given first. John B. Mullins has been treasurer for the last ten years, and assessor for many years, still holding the latter office.

1860. Daniel Seymour, G. A. Layes, Olaf Paulson.

1861. William Abbott, G. Fitzgerald, John Schaling.

1862. J. B. Mullins, G. Fitzgerald, John Feddelson.

1863. Charles Jencks, G. Fitzgerald, John Feddelson.

1864. J. B. Mullins, G. Fitzgerald, Charles Jencks.

1865. John Feddelson, G. Fitzgerald, Henry Wagner.

1866. J. B. Mullins, Lewis Martin, E. T. Lawrence.

1867. J. B. Mullins, John Kennedy, William Putnam.

1868. No record kept.

1869. J. R. Hamlin, John Kennedy, John Gage.

1870. J. R. Hamlin, Timothy Young, Dennis McCarthy.

1871. Same as 1870.

1872. John Kennedy, Patrick Hickey, George Ropert, J. B. Mullins.

1873. John Kennedy, P. Hickey, E. W. Hurd, J. R. Hamlin.

1874. Same as 1873.

1875. J. Kennedy, J. Gage, William Fitzgerald, J. R. Hamlin.

1876. Dennis McCarthy, James Brown, Matthias Webber, J. R. Hamlin.

1877. D. McCarthy, John Starr, M. Webber, J. B. Mullins.

1878. Patrick Drury, Peter Schilling, James Lamy, N. P. Burman.

1879. J. Kennedy, E. W. Hurd, Peter Schilling, N. P. Burman.

1880. J. Kennedy, James Lamy, William Putnam, Robert H. Wood.

1881. J. Kennedy, E. W. Hurd, P. Hickey, R. H. Wood.

1882. Peter Schilling, Peter Jacoby, Pat. Hickey, N. P. Burman.

1883. Same supervisors as 1882, R. H. Wood. On account of the death of the latter, N. P. Burman was appointed clerk in April.

1884. Patrick Shea, P. Schilling, Robert White, N. P. Burman. Assessor, J. B. Mullins ; treasurer, Thomas Wood, Jr .; justices, John Gage, N. P. Burman ; constable, James Gray.

At the presidential election in November, 1860, the republican electors received thirty-two votes, and the democratic twenty. Twelve years later, when U. S. Grant was made president of the United States, his electors received twenty-two votes in Watopa, while his opponent had forty-three. In 1880 the democratic electors had a majority of twenty out of one hundred and fourteen ballots. When a state governor was chosen, in 1883, the republican candidate received twenty-two votes, to his opponent's seventy-one. On most of the county officers the vote stood twenty-eight to sixty- five, the latter figures illustrating the political sentiment of the town.

At the town meeting, in 1861, only thirty-seven votes were cast. Next year there were twenty-nine. In 1863 but twenty-five voters

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turned out, which was probably about all then in town, but next year the number was raised to forty-one. Since then the number of voters has largely increased.

The population of the town in 1860 was three hundred and seven. Ten years later it increased to four hundred and sixty. Probably the number is little more at this time than in 1870. In the last census Watopa and Minneiska were taken together, reach- ing one thousand and twenty-three. The last-named town included three hundred and ninety-four in 1870, and has grown some since, so it is probable that Watopa about held its own.

The number of acres of farming-land assessed in Watopa in 1860, was 6,420, valued at $25,776. Personal property was assessed $755, and the total basis of taxation thus became $26,531. At the last assessment the number of acres taxed had more than trebled, reaching 21,775. Their average valuation was $5.58, making an aggregate of $121,576, nearly five times that of 1860. Personal property in 1883 was rated $19,215, and taxes were therefore assessed on $140,791 of property.

During the war of the rebellion, the number of able-bodied men in the town was very small, and one man was drafted three times. No tax for bounties was ever raised. A subscription was made for this purpose, but much of it was never paid. As other towns were offering large bounties for volunteers, many citizens of Watopa, who enlisted in the United States service, were credited to other towns.

When the question of issuing state bonds to the amount of five million dollars, to assist railroad construction, was submitted to the people in April, 1858, this town was in a precinct with part of Winona county. Only one vote favoring the proposition was cast in the precinct.

The following circumstances are related as showing the experi- ences of Minnesota pioneers : As late as 1859, flour was difficult to procure in the spring and early summer, after the long winter had exhausted the supply brought by boats in the previous fall. On one occasion Mrs. J. B. Haines and Charles Jencks set out for Minne- sota City to procure flour, and had nothing for lunch on the way save some green cucumbers. At noon they turned out the oxen to feed, and sat down by a spring to eat their lunch. On reaching their destination, they succeeded in securing fifty pounds of flour, which was to feed several families in the valley. When Mr. Haines

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY.

had raised a crop of wheat, he engaged men to thresh it. The din- ner provided for the hungry workmen was devoid of bread or pastry, because their materials could not be procured, yet seemed a feast to them. Butter and cream were plenty, and also tea and coffee. Trout, which was easily caught in Indian creek at that time, furnished the flesh, and squash the vegetable portion. For dessert, sweetened stewed pumpkin was supplied, sngar being easily obtainable. Despite the hardships then endured, people declare they were happier in the pioneer times than in these days of form and etiquette.

WEAVER VILLAGE.

Weaver village was laid out in 1871. William Weaver and a man by the name of Dodge were the proprietors. The town was named after the former gentleman, and stands on sections 29 and 30 of Minneiska township.

In the summer of 1851 Andrew Olson emigrated to this section with his family, took a claim and erected a honse, the first in this vicinity. Soon after two brothers, George and Christopher Abbott, and in 1857 William Weaver arrived from New York State and opened up a farm, on the north side of which a part of the town now stands. As soon as the village was laid out a postoffice was estab- lished, with W. H. Hopkins as postmaster. At present writing Weaver contains a store, hotel, butcher-shop, blacksmith-shop and two warehouses.

The store is a handsome brick block, 44×65 feet, and is owned by W. H. Hopkins, who keeps a stock of general merchandise and farm machinery. The hotel is a large brick structure, and was erected by William Weaver, at a cost of nine thousand dollars. In 1880 he sold out, and is at present engaged in farming near Cassel- ton, Dakota. Mr. James White is now keeping the hotel. The warehouses are in charge of Brooks Bros., of Minneiska, well known throughout the state as dealers in wheat and lumber. The present school was built in 1872, and answers the double purpose of school- house and church, the Methodists and Norwegian Lutherans, alter- nating in their services. The population of Weaver is now about one hundred.

MICHAEL CALLOHAN, telegraph operator, Weaver, was born at Sandy Creek, New York, in 1858. His parents, John and Mary Callohan, were natives of Ireland, and emigrated to America in 1837, settling where our subject was born. When a young man he

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tried living in several towns, among which were Rochester, in New York, and Niagara Falls, but finally concluded to visit St. Paul, which he did in 1880. Liking the west so well led him to locate in Winona for a year, and again he moved, this time to Weaver, where he now resides, being in the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, as agent and operator. Mr. Callohan is a member of the Catholic church, and also of the Winona State Military Guards. He married Eliza Hitchcock, of Weaver. They have one child, Mary Agnes.

SOCIETIES OF ZUMBRO TOWNSHIP.

Greenwood Wesleyan Methodist Church .- This was the second society organized in the township, and the second by this sect in the state. The first has already been alluded to, and the circuit was known as South Troy circuit. Greenwood church derives its name from the location of its first headquarters, on Greenwood prairie, in Farmington township, Olmsted county. The class was first formed February 7, 1869, and included the following gentlemen and their wives : A. J. Jenkins, Sidney Corp, James Henry, Thomas Bailey, Christ Hope; also Louis Warnic, Joel Pugh, George Bailey, Jane, Joseph and Mary Roberts, James Sweeney and Elisha and William Perkins. Before the end of March the following has united with this organization : James Arnold and Lyman Wilson, with their wives, and Thomas Wilson, Ezra Pugh, Charles Roberts and John Potter, Jr. Soon after its inception the society became identified with Zumbro township, and this became its home. In 1882 a church edifice was begun on section 36 (Range 14), and was com- pleted during the second winter following. No indebtedness was incurred, and the building was completed as means could be found. It is a handsome frame structure, +2×26 feet in size, surmounted by proportionate belfry, and neatly painted. Its cost as completed was one thousand dollars. The society now includes forty-six mem- bers, under the pastorate of Rev. Charles Cox. A Sunday school was organized early, by Mrs. Sidney Corp. The school now in- cludes sixty-eight pupils, with seven teachers and officers. O. H. Tucker is superintendent. The several pastors have served for the number of years set opposite their namncs below. The first was the organizer of this and the South Troy societies: H. E. Walker, 3; George Pegler, 3; H. E. Walker, 2; M. R. Baldridge, 1; Thomas Hartley, 2; C. H. Norton, 1; Charles Cox, 3.

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY.

South Troy Wesleyan Methodist Church .- As early as 1866, Almond and Mary A. Martin and William Perkins covenanted together as Wesleyan Methodists. Next year a society was formed, March 24, with ten members. There are now abont twice that num- ber. Since 1868 services have been kept np quite regularly by this society, and by the Methodist Episcopal church at the South Troy and "Red" schoolhouses. This class holds stated services in the South Troy schoolhouse at this time.

Pleasant Prairie Grange, No. 56 .- This lodge of the Patrons of Husbandry was organized in 1870 at what is known as the Dale schoolhouse. The first officers of the grange were as follows : Thomas Fryer, master; James Henry, secretary ; O. H. Tucker, lecturer ; Pratt Drinkwalter, overseer; A. E. Randall and George Everett, stewards ; L. M. Howard, chaplain ; D. F. Wyatt, treasurer ; Mrs. Wyatt, pomona ; Mrs. Tueker, flora ; Mrs. Henry, ceres ; Mrs. Anderson, lady assistant steward. The membership reached about thirty, and meetings were kept up until February, 1876.

There is a German Lutheran church on section 36 (range 15), and an Allbright German church on section 28, in the village of Hammond's Ford.

MATERIALS OUT OF WHICH PIONEERS ARE MADE.

The material of which the pioneers of Wabasha county was con- structed is illustrated in the following item of fact which was related to Mr. F. Talbot by the actor, as also to other parties, thus making strong proof of the truth of the narrative.

When Mr. Alexis Bailly was about nineteen years of age, and while attending school at Montreal, Canada East, Lady Selkirk, fear- ing some conspiracy was brewing by which the life of the earl was in danger, sought in vain for some days the means of communicat- ing with her husband. A thousand miles in midwinter was a formidable journey which no one seemed willing to attempt. The gallant heart of youth, who was not without the love of adventure, and who knew from former experience the route to Detroit, Michi- gan, offered his services to the lady and gave her such assnrarce of his readiness and ability to communicate with the earl, if anybody could succeed, that she gave him carte blanche for an outfit.

Securing the services of two hardy Frenchmen, grizzly old voyageurs, and getting together a good dog team, with such provi-

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sions as were requisite for men and beasts, and not forgetting the little bags of ground parched corn, with its proper sprinkling of sugar and an ample supply of blankets for emergency, he turned his heel to the civilization of the French metropolis and took up his line of march for the wilderness and the earl, whose headquarters he reached in due time without accident or adventure worthy of note.

The earl complimented him for his bravery and hardihood in undertaking and accomplishing so perilous a journey in winter, and detaining him until thoroughly recruited, supplied his train for the return trip, and entrusted him not only with letters to Lady Selkirk, but with other important documents.

On the return trip a beclouded sun for some days brought afflic- tion and almost disaster to the party. The long detour from the right path of their journey almost exhausted their provisions, and for eight days their only subsistence was one of the little sacks of parched corn. The Frenchmen were determined to kill and eat the dogs, and it was only from the fact Mr. Bailly, youth as he was, resisted sound sleep and with pistol in hand watched not the dogs but the voyageurs. While at Fort William with Earl Selkirk he learned that an employé of the Hudson Bay Company had deserted, and there was a rumor that he was in a certain location trapping. As good fortune proved, such was the fact, and Mr. Bailly and his party made their way to his camp, where they feasted for some days on venison alone, for the hunter had no other provisions. From his camp, supplied with sufficient venison to prevent suffering, he led his train in safety back to the metropolis, to be received by Lady Selkirk not alone with verbal expressions of a grateful heart, but with a kiss of joyful approval. The trip was performed about the year 1819.

We again hear from this young man, who was to be no incon- spicuous mover in the settlement of Wabasha county.

The following is from a record of Mrs. Van Cleve : "Early in August, 1821, a young Frenchman, Alexis Bailly, afterward a member of the legislature of the territory, left the cantonment with the first drove of cattle for the Selkirk colony, and returned the fol- lowing winter."

The cantonment was the embryo of Fort Snelling. Those who now make the trip in well-warmed cars, with a dining-car attached, know little of the courage and hardihood demanded of that under-

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History of Wabasha County : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc. : gathered from matter furnished by interviews with old settlers, county, township, and other records, and extracts from files of papers, pamphlets, and such other sources, Part 106

Author: H.H. Hill and Company. 4n Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill & Co. Number of Pages: 1176

Author: H.H. Hill and Company. 4n
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill & Co.
Number of Pages: 1176