USA > Minnesota > Washington County > History of Washington County and the St. Croix Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota > Part 43
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John Durning was born in Donegal, Ireland, May 1st, 1811. In 1840 he immigrated to the United States, and for two years lived in Phila- delphia, then removed to Galena, Illinois, where remained until 1851, employed in carpenter work. In 1851, he came to St. Croix county, and com- menced work on the construction of Bowron's mill. In a short time he acquired by entry and purchase a large tract of land, and now owns an even section on which his residence is situated. He was married in Galena, Illinois, in 1845. His wife died of cholera in 1850. In 1851 he married Miss Ann Donnelly, of Galena. James, Joseph, Charles and Henry are their children.
Thomas Haggarty, a native of Houlton, Aroos- took county, Maine, was born in 1845. In 1868 he went to Cambria county, Pennsylvania, and resided four years; then came to Stillwater, Min- nesota, in 1872, and for the next two years was
248
HISTORY OF SAINT CROIX COUNTY.
interested in lumbering on the St. Croix river. In 1877 he began mercantile business in St. Joseph, and has a fine residence adjoining his store.
William C. Hanson was born in St. Stephens, New Brunswick, May 22d, 1841, and while yet a child came, with his parents, to Lincoln city, Maine. When sixteen years of age he went to Hamden, New York, and commenced learning the carpenters' trade. In August, 1861, he en- listed in Company F, Twelfth Maine Volunteer Infantry, and served until in August, 1864. After a visit to his home he again enlisted and served to the close of the war. After working at his trade in Maine until 1872, went to Nebraska and resided there two years. In 1874 he came to Stillwater, Minnesota, and in 1876, to St. Joseph, where he has built a shop, and manufactures sash, doors, blinds and all kinds of building ma- terials.
Oluf M. Juell was born in Norway, November 3d, 1844. Having learned the machinists' trade in his native country, he immigrated to America in 1864. For about seven years he engaged in farming in Burnett county, Wisconsin; then, in 1871, went to Stillwater and worked on a farm. In 1877 he came to St. Joseph, and has since conducted a blacksmith shop. Married Miss Hannah Christopherson, of Gransburg, July 31st, 1870. They have had seven children, three of whom are living.
Daniel Lewis was born near Swansea, Wales, August 25th, 1821. In 1850 he came to America, and located at Green Bay, Wisconsin. After lumbering four years, he came to St. Croix county, and during that year bought and located two hundred and ninety acres of land. For six years he was employed in lumbering on the St. Croix. Since 1860 he has given his attention to farming. He is also senior member of the firm of Lewis and Beers; married in 1860 Miss Catherine Welch, of St. Joseph. They have six children, Hannah, Margaret, Evan, David, May and Elizabeth.
Alexander McMillan was born in Canada West, where he lived until eighteen years old, then came to Michigan, and for two years was engaged in lumbering. He passed some time at La Crosse, and came to Stillwater in 1867. For seven years was lumbering on the St. Croix river, most of the time for Thomas Dunn. In 1874, went to Fra-
zier's river, British Columbia, and worked four months for Wm. Moody. He then returned. to Stillwater and was in the lumber business until 1880, when he established his business in St. Joseph township, St. Croix county, Wisconsin, opposite Stillwater.
Griffith Roberts, a native of Wales, was born in 1825. Came to the United States in 1849, and proceeded directly to Manistee, Michigan. In 1851, came to the St. Croix Valley, and located a claim, the site of his present farm. Until 1856, he engaged in logging on the head waters of the St. Croix, then began to make permanent im- provements on his farm. As there was no market for wheat, the product of two years remained stored in his granary. In 1851, Joseph Bowron began building his mill, which was a noted place in early days. Mr. Roberts now owns two hun- dred acres of land on section 10, near Burkhardt station on the North Wisconsin railway. He has held the offices of town supervisor, treasurer, school offices, etc. In May, 1862, he was married to Elizabeth Heath, of St. Joseph. They have two children, Ann and Emma. Two boys and three girls died young.
Nicholas Schenk, head-miller at the Willow River Falls mills, was born in Prussia, in 1853. In 1872, he left his native country, and after landing in New York, came to Chicago, where he remained four months, then engaged in a mill in Walworth county, Wisconsin. After a stay of nearly three years, he went to Kingston, Min- nesota, thence to Long Lake, still engaged in milling, then to the Willow River mills for one and one-half years. Then one year in Minne- apolis, after which he retured to the employ of Mr. Burkhardt as head-miller.
Michael J. Smith, proprietor of the Burkhardt House, was born in Buffalo, New York, March 30th, 1852. When eighteen years old he accom- panied his parents to Dubuque, Iowa, where he learned the trade of chair-maker. In 1879 came to Burkhardt and engaged in mercantile business until 1880 when he opened the hotel he now con- ducts. It is a neat house of ten rooms. October 12th, 1875, he married Celia Stolz of Dubuque, Iowa. They are the parents of two children, John and Emma.
John Tobin, deceased, was one of the pioneers of the St. Croix valley, having entered it as early
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
as 1842. He was born in Ireland in 1818. His father died and at twelve years of age an uncle brought him to this country. In 1842 he came to the St. Croix and engaged in lumbering, making his headquarters at Stillwater. In 1853 he came to Bowron's mill and two years later located on what is now section 36, St. Joseph township. At the time of his death, January 22d, 1880, he was the owner of 340 acres of land. He held all the prominent town offices and was universally re- spected. His widow, Mary Jane Tobin, was born in Madison county, Illinois, and in 1848 was mar- ried and came with her husband to this county. She is still living at the old home. They had twelve children, seven of whom are now living.
William Trieb, merchant at Burkhardt was born in Buffalo, New York, June 26th, 1847. At the age of ten, moved with his parents to Du- buge, Iowa, and there grew to manhood learning the trade of turner. In 1875 came to Hudson and spent the summer. The following year, did the same, and in 1877 opened his store at Burk- hardt, where he has since lived. He is deputy postmaster and has charge of the business of the office, which is located in his store. Married in 1877, Clara Schilling of Dubuque, Iowa. They have two children, Helen and George.
RICHMOND.
Samuel L. Beebe was born in Delaware county, New York, September 23d, 1830. There he re- ceived a fair education and learned the carpenter's trade. At the age of twenty he came to Janes- ville, Wisconsin, and two years later arrived at Hudson, May 23d, 1852. On his arrival, pro- ceeded to Boardman's mill, then in process of erection, and worked there until its completion. In 1853, he pre-empted a claim on section nine- teen, and built the first shanty put up on "Ten Mile" creek. He was then engaged in working at his trade in different localites until 1857, when he, in company with C. H. Boardman, built the -present hotel at Boardman, which they occupied three years. In 1859 they built the Union mills. His present residence was erected in 1878. Mr. Beebe has been active in opening and promoting the interests of the Willow river country, and has held several offices in the town. He was married in 1858 to Jane E. Spears, a native of Canada. They have eight children, four boys and four girls.
Samuel W. Beebe, deceased, one of the pioneer farmers of the Upper Willow river country, was born in Delaware county, New York, in 1801. Immigrated to Wisconsin in 1848, locating in Wal- worth county, where he remained until 1856, when he brought his family by team overland to St. Croix county. He pre-empted a large farm on section thirty-three, Cylon township, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1876. His wife was Cornelia Ellis, who was born in Delaware county, New York, in 1808. She died in Cylon, in 1859. They had thirteen children, ten of whom reached maturity.
Francis H. Boardman was born at Norwich, Connecticut, in 1832. He completed a course of study at the Randolph Centre Academy, and in 1855 came west, and located at Hudson. The year following he spent in the pineries, and in 1856 located at Boardman. In 1865 he began mercantile business, being the first merchant in the town, and followed the business for about thirteen years, since which time real estate has claimed his attention. The village and post-office of Boardman, was named after himself and brother. In 1870, at Hudson, he was married to Isabella Spence. They have three children liv- ing, Ernest N., Lillie M. and Francis. Mary Edith died at the age of two years.
William Johnston was born in Ontario, Can- ada, in 1831, and there grew to manhood. When twenty-four years old, he came to the United States and settled in the St. Croix Valley; has since lived in St. Croix county, where he has been engaged in agriculture principally, engag- ing also in lumbering. In 1875, he, in company with his brother James, built the Boardman mills, and has since been the active manager, his brother devoting most of his time to lumbering They have a large interest in the saw-mill at New Richmond. Mr. Johnston was married in 1873 to Miss Fannie Starkweather. They have one child, Frederick.
James Johnston, brother and partner of Wil- liam Johnston, was born in Ontario, in 1837, and has followed the fortunes of his older brother during the greater part of his business life. He is unmarried.
William Johnston, Jr., was born in Ontario, Canada, January 25th, 1856. In 1878 he came to Northfield, Minnesota, and after a brief stay
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250
HISTORY OF PIERCE COUNTY.
there and at Faribault, came to New Richmond. After one season in the pineries he located at Boardman, and began business in partnership with James Smith, which still continues.
James O. Smith, a native of Maine, was born March 16th, 1854. When a child, his parents removed to Nova Scotia. He left the provinces in 1869, and went to Boston, Massachusetts, then to Dunn county, Wisconsin, and remained there one year. Since then he has been a resident at Boardman, and is now a member of the firm of Smith and Johnston.
William J. Virgil, head-miller at the Board- man mills, is a native of England, born October
20tlı, 1844. He learned the trade of miller in England and came to the United States in 1865. Engaged at his trade in various places in Ohio and Michigan, and came to Minnesota, and started the Manannah mills in Meeker county. Thence to Minneapolis, thence to Hudson, Wisconsin, and at the opening of the Boardman mills took charge of them and has since filled the position to the entire satisfaction of his employers. He is thoroughly versed in milling, and understands the roller system of manufacturing flour. Was married in 1868, at Greenville, Michigan, to Arestia Goodsell. They have two children : Gracie and Claudie Bell.
PIERCE COUNTY.
CHAPTER XLII.
PHYSICAL FEATURES -- GEOLOGY-ORGANIZA- TION-COUNTY SEATS-COUNTY BUILDINGS -TOWNS.
This county was named in honor of President Franklin Pierce. It is situated in the western part of the state, and lies immediately south of the forty-fifth parallel of north latitude, between ninety-two and ninety-three degrees of longitude west from Greenwich, and is consequently west of the fourth principal meridian. It is triangu- lar in shape, the hypothenuse being formed by Lake Pepin, the Mississippi river and Lake St. Croix, which secure to this county one of the longest navigable water-fronts in the state. The boundaries on the north and east are St. Croix, Dunn and Pepin counties. It embraces an area of 600 square miles, or 387,000 acres, the greater part being owned by actual settlers.
This county is situated at the junction of the Mississippi river and Lake St. Croix, the lake forming its western boundary, its southern border resting on the Mississippi. Along the river it presents the usual feature of valley succeeded by
bluff, broken at frequent intervals by ravines, through which the streams from the interior seek communication with the great river. Toward the north and east the hills become less elevated and the valleys more extensive. This gives a di- versity to the scene, though less bold and grand than is found in mountainous districts, yet one strongly marked. The luxuriant sward, clothing the hill-slope to the water's edge; the steep cliff shooting up through its mural escarpments; the streams clear as crystal, now quiet, now ruffled by a temporary rapid, now forming a romantic cascade over some terrace of rocks; trees dis- posed in a manner to baffle the landscape garden- er-now crowning the height, now shading the slope; the intervening valleys giving the picture of cultivated meadows and rich pasture lands, irrigated and drained by frequent rivulet and stream, along which, and on the hillside, are seen the farm-house and village, scenes of wealth, happiness and comfort; all these and many more are features of the county. On the summit lev- els spread the wide prairies, abounding in flowers of gayest hue, the long undulations stretching away till sky and meadow mingle in the horizon.
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COUNTY ORGANIZED.
The country is sufficiently level to allow of the highest grade of cultivation, perhaps two-fifths being in an active state of agriculture. The principal part of the farming-land is in the west- ern half of the county, which.was originally oak openings and prairie; the eastern part being tim- ber land and covered by the "Big woods." This is a belt of hard wood timber that extends from the Mississippi river to Lake Superior. In the limits of Pierce county the timber is of the hard wood varieties, such as the red, white and black oaks, sugar maple and butternut, all timber of first-class grade for the manufacture of farm and other implements. There are numerous large streams distributed over the county, such as the Kinnickinnic, Rush, Trimbelle and Isabella riv- ers, with many smaller creeks which drain the region completely and empty into Lake St. Croix, the Chippewa and Mississippi rivers. The cur- rent of the streams is generally swift, and affords magnificent water-power, a resource that is used only to a small fraction of its capacity. Springs are numerous and give origin to streams in which abound the speckled trout, with bass, bullheads, pike, pickerel, carp and catfish in the rivers. The lover of wild game of the wood or prairie here may gratify his taste.
The surface of Pierce is about three hundred feet above Lake Michigan. It belongs to the lower Silurian age, the lower magnesian lime-stone being the characteristic, at points overlaid by the upper sand-stone, both of which project from the hills and mounds. There is also an occasional layer of shell sand-stone covering the higher elevations. The soil, derived from the decompostion of three formations, is always of excellent quality, rich in organic matter, as well as in salts. This gives a rapid growth to plants. and a durability that en- ables it to withstand a long succession of crops.
Pierce county was formed from St. Croix by an act of the legislature approved March 14th, 1853, and organized with full powers. By the same act, the county seat was located at the vil- lage of Prescott, with liberty to change the same to any other point at any general election. The same act called for an election of county officers in November of the same year, and made the town board of Prescott the county board of su- pervisors, which board was formed of Osborn Strahl, as chairman of the board; Silas Wright
and Sylvester Moore, supervisors. On motion, H. Teachout was appointed clerk, pro tem. The first meeting was held at the home of S. Moore, November 15th, 1853. The following persons were appointed as judges of election: J. R. Freeman and J. Hewitt, and O. T. Maxon, justice of the peace. One hundred and ten votes were cast, the majority of which elected N. S. Dunbar, sheriff; J. R. Freeman, treasurer; S. R. Gunn, clerk of the court; Henry Teachout, clerk of the board; J. Olive, coroner; P. V. Wise, district at- torney; J. E. True, surveyor. At the first meet- ing of the county board held November 16th 1853, three county superintendents of the poor were appointed; R. G. Thompson, Jonathan Bailey and J. R. Freeman. At the same meeting a tax of fifteen mills on the taxable property of the county was voted for the current expenses of the county. At the same meeting, a license was granted to Lovejoy and Tell, to run a ferry across the mouth of the St. Croix river between Pres- cott and Point Douglas, said parties required to give bonds to the county for a faithful fulfill- ing of the law in such cases required. The fol- lowing are the rates allowed to be charged as fer- riage; foot-men, five cents; man and horse, twenty- five cents; ox, cow, or mule, fifteen cents each; two horses and wagon or carriage, fifty cents; one pair of oxen and wagon, fifty cents; one horse and buggy, thirty-five cents. At a special meet- ing called at the house of O. Strahl, January 18th, 1854, J. M. Whipple was appointed to the office of register of deeds, the vote heing a tie at the regular election. It was voted to allow said Whipple the usual fee, as regulated by law, for transcribing the records of St. Croix county to the records of Pierce county. It was voted to allow P. V. Wise $40 per annum, as district at- torney. It was voted to form the following new towns. The town of Greenwood with the following boundaries: Commencing at the range line between 17 and 18, where said line crosses the township line, between townships 27 and 28, run- ning south on said line to the southi-east corner of said section, running between sections 12 and 13 of township 26, range 18; thence due east on the same line between said sections 12 and 13 in said township to the section line running north and south between sections 9 and 10 of township 26, range 19; thence due north through the centre
252
HISTORY OF PIERCE COUNTY.
of townships 26 and 27, of range 19, to the town- ship line between townships 27 and 28, of range 19, thence due east on said township line to the place of beginning; the first town meeting to be held at the house of Col. Stone, near the source of Rock Branch.
On motion, it was voted to form a new town, with the following boundaries: Commencing at a point where the range line, running between ranges 14 and 15, crosses the township line be- tween townships 27 and 28, south on said range line to the township line between townships 27 and 28; thence west on said township line to the range line between ranges 18 and 19; thence north on said range line to said line between townships 27 and 28; thence on said township line to place of beginning; said town to be known as Martell; the first election to be held at the house of Amos Bonesteel; the remaining part of Peirce county to be known as the town of Prescott.
The following is an aggregate valuation of real and personal property, as taken from the asses- sor's list of November 16th, 1853: Real estate, $24,452; personal property, $3,616; total, $28,068, as certified to by P. V. Wise, deputy clerk.
That year, at the November election, W. J. Copp was chosen circuit judge, and received in Pierce county ninety-six votes. Same fall, Mason Stone was elected county judge.
The place of holding the county court at this time was somewhat varied, using whatever hall or empty room they could secure, the jail being the only county building then erected.
The following are the returns of the county election held November 7th, 1854: Congressman, C. C. Washburn; state senator, Moses S. Gibson; assemblyman, Smith R. Gunn; sheriff, J. Olive; county treasurer, J. Bailey; county surveyor, O. Strahl; clerk of circuit court, John Truax; dis- trict attorney, A. C. Stowell; register of deeds, S. T. Otis; clerk board of supervisors, N. N. Pow- ell; coroner, C. B. Cox; county judge, Col. M. Stone; sealer weights and measures, Wm. Mc- Murphy.
At a meeting of the board of county supervi- sors, called March 2d, 1855, a petition was pre- sented asking for the formation of a new town, with the following boundaries: Townships 24, 25 and 26, range 15, and fractional township 24 of range 16, and townships 25 and 26 of range 16,
and fractional township 24 of range 17, and town- ships 25 and 26, range 17; said town to be known as the town of Isabella; first election to be held at the house of Abner Brown. At the same meeting a petition was presented for a new town, with the following boundaries: Township 26, range 18; to be known as the town of Trimbelle; first election to be held at the house of F. Otis.
At a meeting of the board held at Concert hall, Prescott, November 26th, 1856, a petition was presented asking for a new town with the following boundaries: All that part of Pierce county lying within the boundaries of fractional township 25, range 19, and township 25, range 18. and fractional township 24, range 18, be, and is hereby, set off from the town of Prescott, and en- titled the town of Diamond Bluff; the first elec- tion to be held in the village of Diamond Bluff; at the house of Daniel Comstock.
At a meeting of the board of Pierce county, held at the clerk's office March 3d, 1857, petitions were presented asking for the establishing of a new town, with the following boundaries: Com- mencing. at the north-east corner of section 3, town 27, range 19; thence running on the line of said township to the centre of Lake St. Croix; thence down said lake to the middle of the south- west line of the south-west quarter of section 3, township 26, range 20; thence following the line of the city of Prescott to the north-east corner of the city limits; thence north to the middle of the north line of the north-west quarter of section 2, township 26, range 20; thence following the line between townships 26 and 27 to the south-east corner of section 34, township 27, range 19; thence north to the place of beginning; the first election to be held at the house of A. P. Manning, in the village of Clifton Mills; said town to be known as Clifton.
At the same meeting a petition was granted to establish a new town with the following boun- daries: Commencing at the north-east corner sec- tion 1, township 26, range 19 ; thence west on the line between townships 26 and 27 to the middle of the north line of the north-west quarter of sec- tion 2, township 26, range 27 ; thence south to the north-east corner of the city limits ; thence south on the east line of the city of Prescott to the mid- dle of the Mississippi river; thence down said river to the line between townships 25 and 26, on
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TOWN BOUNDARIES.
said town line to the south-east corner of section 36, township 26, range 19; thence south on the line between ranges 18 and 19 to the place of be- ginning ; said town to be known as the town of of "Oak Grove"; the first election to be held at the village of Pleasant Grove.
The following resolution was passed: That the above named towns of "Clifton," "Oak Grove" and "City of Prescott," shall pay their share pro rata of the indebtedness of the present town of Prescott.
At the same meeting the board voted that township 26, range 17, Pierce county, be and is hereby set off and established as the town of "Perry," and that the first election of said town be held at the house of D. H. Filkins, in said town. At a special meeting of the board of supervisors held in the city of Prescott, March 30th, 1857, it was voted to divide the town of Isa- bella in the following manner : Beginning at the south-west corner of township 24, range 17, and running due north on the west line of township 24 and 25 across said town, that all that part of said town of Isabella situated east of said boun- dary line, be and is hereby known as "Pleasant Valley ;" the first election to be held at the house of Jeremiah Fuller. At a meeting of the county board of supervisors, called at the council hall, city of Prescott, November 14th, 1857, it was voted to form a new town from the town of Isabella, township 25, range 17, west, to be known as the town of "Hartland ;" the first election to be held at the house of Joseph Sleeper.
At the same meeting it was voted to establish a new town with the following boundaries: All that portion of Diamond Bluff in fractional town- ship 24, range 18, sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, and fractional sections 33, 34, 35 and 36, of township 25, range 18, for and the same is hereby set off into the new town of "Trenton ;" first election to be held at the store of J. Akers. At a subse- quent meeting of the board held Friday, March 26th, 1858, a petition was received from the legal voters of Greenwood township, asking to have the name of the town changed to "River Falls," which was granted. At the same meeting Jesse M. Southwick was appointed county treasurer in place of J. Ayers resigned, the former having held the position of deputy. The records reveal
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