USA > Minnesota > Washington County > History of Washington County and the St. Croix Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota > Part 61
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Officers-William F. Russell, Capt. resigned February, 20, '63. Emil A. Berger, Capt. re- signed November 23, '63, after being pro. from 1st Lieutenant. John A. W. Jones, 1st Lieut. resigned May 26, '63. Mahlon Black, 1st Sergt. pro. 2nd Lieut, February 20, '63, then 1st Lieut. and Capt. the same year. Louis Fitzsimmons, 1st Lieut., no record. Samuel H. Priest, 2nd Lieut., no record.
Privates-John Beecroft, no record. Daniel B. Borden, dis. for disabl. January 12, '63. Oscar F. Cleney, no record. Alfred Dennison, dis. for disabl. December 15, '62. William Fisher, vet- eran, killed in action, '64. Charles E. Hatheway, dis. by general order, October 22, '62.
FIRST REGIMENT MOUNTED RANGERS.
organized March, 1863, and originally commanded by Col. Samuel McPhaill, stationed at frontier posts until May, '63, when ordered upon Indian expedition; engaged with Indians July 24, 26, and 28, '63. On return of expedition, stationed at frontier posts until mustered out. Mustered out by companies between October 1 and Decem- ber 30, '63.
BRACKETT'S BATTALION CAVALRY.
originally commanded by Maj. A. B. Brackett. Original 1st, 2d, and 3d companies of this cavalry organized October and November 1861. Ordered
to Benton Barracks, Mo. December, '61; assigned to a regt. called Curtis' Horse. Ordered to Fort Henry, Tennessee, February '62. Name of regt. changed to Fifth Iowa Cavalry, April, '62, as Companies G, D, and K. Was engaged in the siege of Corinth, April, '62. Ordered to Fort Heiman, Tennessee, August, '62. Veteran- ized February, '64. Ordered to Department of North-west '64. Ordered upon Indian expedition, engaged with Indians July 28, and August, '64. Mustered out by companies May and June, '66.
COMPANY C,
originally commanded by Capt. A. B .. Brackett, and mustered in for three years, December 20, '61.
Officers-Robert W. Peckliam, 1st Sergt., en. November 1, '61, pro. 2nd and 1st Lieut. died November 29, '65. Daniel Mckean, Corpl., en. November 1, '61, dis. June 21, '62, at Fort Hei- man, Ky.
Privates-Robert C. Calvin, en. November 8, '61, re-en. December 31, '63, pro. Sergt., dis. with company. Ivory P. Hatch, en. November 24, '61, ·dis. December, 19 '64. John R. Hutchinson, en. November 12, '61, re-en. December 31, '63, dis. with company. Samuel T. Maines, en. Novem- ber 4, '61, dis. for disabl. in March, '64. Charles R. Oliver, en. November 1, '61, dis. for disabl. July 1, '63. Julien Senecal, en. Novembr 24, '61, dis. for disabl. April 30, '63. William M. Wood- ruff, en. November 20, '61, re-en. December 31, '63, pro. Corpl., dis. with company. Frank J. Woodruff, en. November 20, '61, re-en. December 31, '63, pro. Corpl., dis. with company. Edward Clary, en. March 31, '61, dis. with company.
SECOND MINNESOTA CAVALRY,
originally commanded by Col. R. N. McLaren, was organized in December, '53, and January, '64. Ordered upon Indian expedition in May, '64. Was engaged with the Indians July, '64, and also in August following. Stationed at frontier posts until muster out of regiment by companies be- tween November '65 and June, '66.
COMPANY A, .
originally commanded by Capt. John R. Jones, and mustered in for three years, December 5, '63.
Recruits-John H. Akers, en. February 18, '64, dis. February 13, '65. Wm. H. Mattison, en. February 14, '64, dis. February 13, '65. Alexan-
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
der Oldham, en. February 14, '64, dis. February 13, '65.
COMPANY D.
Originally commanded by Capt. James M. Payne and mustered in for three years December 30, '63.
Privotes-John Fitzgerald, en. December 28, '63, dis. with regt.
COMPANY F.
Originally commanded by Capt. Thomas M. Smith and mustered in for three years December 31, '63.
Privates-Antoine Brunell, en. December 16, '63, dis. with Co. Thomas Connolly, en. Decem- ber 15, '63, dis. with Co. John McDonald, en, November 14, '63, dis. for disab. December 26, '64.
COMPANY K.
Originally commanded by Capt. Henry S. Howe, and mustered in for three years service, January 4, '64.
Officers-James H. Russell, Sergt. en. December 14, '63, died January 24, '65. Clark T. Green, Corp. en. December 16, '63, dis. for disab. October 13, '64.
Privates-Jonas Albert, en. December 15, '63, dis with Co. Alex Brunell, en. December 26, '63, . dis. for disab. June 16, '65. Elias C. Benham, en. December 30, '63, dis. with Co. James C. Clark, en. December 10, '63, dis. with Co. George I. Davis, en. December 29, '63, dis. with Co. Jona- than Huntley, en. Dec. 30, '63, dis. with Co. Ed- ward Hayford, en. December 14, '63, dis. with Co. Henry Hickman, en. December 15, '63, dis. with Co. James T. McLeod, en. December 26. '63, dis. with Co. Edward Rives, en. December 30, '63, dis. per order May 24, '65. John Swen- son, en. December 31, '63, dis. with Co. James H. Stone, en. October 27, '63, dis. with Co. Swen Swenson, en. November 28, '63, dis. with Co. Joseph S. Willis, en. Nov. 3, '63, dis. with Co.
COMPANY M.
Originally commanded by Capt. John C. Han- ley, and mustered in for three years, January 5, '64.
Officers-Ira Hakes, Sergt., en. December 7, '63, dis. with Co.
Privates-Estaslı Belcore, en. December 24,
'63, dis. with Co. Emmet M. Hone, en. Decem- ber 28, '63, dis. with Co.
Recruits-John H. Hone, en. February 13, '65, dis. with Co.
INDEPENDENT BATTALION, CAVALRY,
originally commanded by Major, E. A. C. Hatch, was organized July 20, '63. Ordered to Pembina, D. T., in October, '63, thence to Fort Abercrom- bie in May, '64. Stationed at the latter place till mustered out by by companies in April, May and June, '66.
COMPANY A,
originally commanded by Capt. A. T. Chamblin, and mustered in for three years, July 25, '63.
Privates-Henry T. Davis, en. July 2, '63, dis. with company. Hugo Tacke, en. July 11, '63, dis. per order, March 29, '66. Christian Wanner, en. June 28, '63, dis. with company.
Recruits-Marcel Gagnon, en. July 22, '53; pro. corpl .; dis. with company. Henry Walton, en. August 5, '63, destd. September 27, '63. Luke Burns, en. August 5, '63, dis. with company. Samuel Leyde, en. September 16, '63; pro. corpl. and sergt., dis. with company. Emanuel Van Kuster, en. August 1, '63; pro. corpl. and sergt., dis. with company.
COMPANY C,
originally commanded by Capt. Abel Grovenor, and mustered in for three years, September 11, '63.
Private-Wm. A. J. Brake, en. September 3, '63, dis. with company.
COMPANY D,
originally commanded by Capt. Hugh S. Donald- son, and mustered in for three years, November 19, '63.
Private-John Henry, en. September 12, '63, dis. with company.
COMPANY F,
originally commanded by Capt. Edward Oakford, and mustered in for three years, September 1, '64.
Privates-John Connolly, en. July 22, '64, dis. with company. John Smith, en. August 17, '64, dis. with company.
Recruits-Alexander H. Cook, en. February 13, '65, dis. February 12, '66. Rudolph Cook, en. February 13, '65, dis. February 12, '66. Gorham F. Davis, en. February 13, '65, dis. February 12,
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TOWN OF DENMARK.
'66. Michael Donahue, en. February 14, '65, dis. February 13, '66. Henry Gallinger, en. February 13, '65, dis. February 12, '66. Fred W. Getchell, en. February 13, '65, dis. February 12, '66. James E. Leonard, en. February 13, '65, dis. February 12, '66.
FIRST BATTERY, LIGHT ARTILERY,
originally commanded by Capt. Emil Munch, was organized in October, '61; ordered to St. Louis December 1, '61, thence to Pittsburg Landing in February, '62. Engaged in the following marches, battles, sieges and skirmishes: Shiloh, April 5 and 6, '62; siege of Corinth, April, '62; Corinth, October 3 and 4, '62; marched from Cor- inth to Oxford, Miss., thence to Memphis, Tenn. Assigned to 17th army corps November, '62. Veteranized in January, '64; ordered to Cairo, Ill., thence to Huntsville, Ala., thence to Altoo- na, Ga., thence to Ackworth, Ga .; battle of Ken- esaw Mountain; Atlanta, July 22 and 28; Sher- man's campaign through Georgia and the Carolinas. Dis. at Fort Snelling, June 30, '65.
Officers-Louis Schiel, Corp., en. October 31, '61, dis. for disab. August 6, '62.
Privates-Harvey C. Shepard, en. October 14, '61, dis. for disab. March 23, '63. Albert Scherer, en. November 15, '61, re-en. December 1, '63, dis. with battery. Edward Walker, en. October 16, '61, dis. for disab. November 12, '63. Edward Welch, en. October 16, '61, re-en. December 1, '63, dis. with battery. Wm. P. Woodcock, en. October 16, '61, died January 25, '62, at St. Louis, Mo.
SECOND BATTERY LIGHT ARTILERY,
organized December '61, and commanded by Capt. William Hotchkiss, reported at St. Louis, Mo., Apr., '62, for equipment. Battery veteranized March, '64, and discharged September, '65, at Fort Snelling.
THIRD BATTERY LIGHT ARTILERY,
originally commanded by Capt. John Jones, was organized in February, '63. Ordered upon Indian expedition of '63; participated in engage- ments with the Indians, July 24, 26, and 28, '63; stationed at frontier posts until May, '64, when they were again ordered upon an Indian expedi- tion and took part in an engagement July 28, '64, and also in August. Upon return of expedition
was stationed at frontier posts until muster out of battery, February 27, '66.
Privates-Erasmus Easton, en. April 20, '63, pro. Sergt .; dis. with Battery. Samuel B. Elder, en. February 15, '65, dis. per order April 28, '65. Henry E. Monroe, en. March 31. '64, pro. Corpl .; dis. with Battery.
DENMARK.
CHAPTER LIII.
DESCRIPTIVE-EARLY SETTLEMENT-ORGANI- ZATION AND LIST OF OFFICERS-POINT DOUG- LAS AND ITS BUSINESS-SCHOOLS, CHURCHES -- BIOGRAPHICAL.
The town of Denmark is located in the extreme southeastern part of the county, its eastern and southern boundaries being formed by the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers. To the north is the town of Afton, and on the west, Cottage Grove. The surface is somewhat diversified; along the rivers rolling, and in the interior more level, with fine prairies. The soil is a sandy loam, well adapted to the production of grain of all kinds. From Point Douglas extending up the river, there is a belt of timber, mainly burr oak, which maintains a width of eighty rods for three or four miles, than gradually widens to more than a mile. There are no lakes of any size in the town. The area of Denmark is over 18,000 acres, the greater part of which is utilized for farming purposes.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
Prominent among those who first settled in what is now Denmark, were Oscar Burris and Levi Hurtsill, young men of energy. They lo- cated as early as 1840, on section 9, township 26, range 20, and began making improvements. In May, 1843, David Hone, one of the thirteen men who composed the Marine Mill Company, located a claim on sections four and nine, in the southern
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
part of the town. These three men, subse- quently founded and laid out the village of Point Douglas. The survey was made by Harvey Wil- son, of Stillwater, August 18th, 1849; an addition was made in 1857. The village is situated on the point formed by the junction of the St. Croix with the Mississippi, the principal portion of it lying along the bank of the latter stream. Wil- iiam B. Dibble, also of Marine, came in 1845, to Point Douglas, built a house and made other improvements on sections five and eight. This property is now owned and occupied by James Shearer, who came in 1849. At the time he arrived, he located a claim which he occupied until 1864, then exchanged farms with Mr. Dib- ble. Simon Shingledecker came in 1847, and still resides in the house he built soon after his arrival. Martin Leavitt landed at Point Douglas the same year, opened a boarding house, and also located a claim. The following year Ephriam H. Whitaker made a claim and entered into partnership with Leavitt. He still resides on a part of the original claim, and has a large family, reared in the home of his adoption. Caleb Truax came in 1849, and made a claim on section eight, the land now owned by John Cohoes. The same year came G. W. Campbell and lived in the house owned by Dibble, who in that year made a trip to California. On his return in 1852, Campbell built the house in which he still resides. He also made a claim, but subsequently transferred it to W. B. Dibble, and has since been engaged in lumbering. Thomas Hetherington arrived in 1849, and made a claim on section 22 where he resided until a few years since, when he went to Dakota and there died. In the fall of the same year, Thomas, son of Mark Wright, who came to this region as early as 1832, arrived and made his claim on section 20, the property now owned by John O'Brien. Mark Wright made his home on section 22, on land purchased from Caleb Truax, Jr. H. A. Carter was among those who came in 1849; after a few years he left for Cali- fornia. John Allibone came to Point Douglas in 1851, and settled on section 15. IIe died some years since ; his widow still occupies the homestead, on which is a small lake known as Allibone's lake. From 1850, settlers came in rapidly and Denmark was soon well populated.
ORGANIZATION.
The first election of officers for the town of Denmark, took place October 20th, 1858, which resulted in the election of Jas. Shearer, chairman: Thomas Wright and David Hone, supervisors; G. W. Campbell, town clerk. Officers for the in- tervening years. 1859 -- George W. Campbell, Caleb Truax, Sr. and Mark Wright, Sr., supervi- sors; Frank Keep, clerk. 1860-Caleb Truax, Sr., Thomas Hetherington and Alexander H. Cook, supervisors; John Hone, clerk. 1861-James Shearer, Mark Wright, Sr., and O. F. Davis, su- pervisors; George W. Campbell, clerk. 1862- David Downing, Charles E. Leonard and Caleb Truax, Sr., supervisors; George W. Campbell, clerk. 1863-Alexander Oldham, Mark Wright and Caleb Truax Sr., supervisors; R. R. Henry, clerk. 1864-Charles E. Leonard, Martin Leavitt and Alexander Cook, supervisors; Wm. Scofield, clerk. At a special meeting held February 11th, 1864, it was voted to pay a bounty of one hundred and fifty dollars to each soldier credited to the town of Denmark. 1866-Charles E. Leonard, Martin Leavitt and F. W. Trager, supervisors; George W. Campbell, clerk. 1866-James Shearer, Martin Leavitt, Alexander Cook, supervisors; G. W. Campbell, clerk. 1867-Charles J. Aldridge, James M. Taylor and David Downing, supervi- sors; George W. Campbell, clerk. 1868-John M. Van Derveer, William Keen and Alexander H. Cook, supervisors; John Burton, clerk. 1869 -D. B. Gallinger, Thomas Hetherington and Al- exander Cook, supervisors. 1870-Henry Gal- linger, A. II. Cook and David Hone, supervisors. 1871-D. B. Gallinger; David Downing and David Hone, supervisors. 1872-D. B. Gallinger, Wil- liam Atwater and Phillip Hummell, supervisors. 1873-D. B. Gallinger, Phillip Hummell, John H. Hone, supervisors. 1874-John H. Hone, Phillip Hummell and Peter Swanson. 1875-William Allibone, John Bahe and A. M. Shearer. 1876- Thomas P. James, Mark Wright and William IIageman. 1877-Thomas James, William Hage- man and Thomas Wright. 1878-Thomas James, William IIageman and William Keen. 1879- Same re-elected. 1880-Henry Gallinger, Wil- liam Hageman and George Vanalstine. George Burton has held the office of clerk since his election in 1868.
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DENMARK-POINT DOUGLAS.
BUSINESS OF POINT DOUGLASS.
Hurtsill and Burris began business in a part- nership arrangement in 1840 ; after continuing for nine years, when the gold fever of 1849 prevailed, Mr. Burris was led to withdraw, and wend bis way to the gold regions of California. Hurtsill continued the business alone until the spring of 1856. These men conducted the largest merchan- dise business in the county of Washington for several years, for Point Douglas was at that time and for a number of years the depot where all supplies were purchased for the interior.
Faribault and other points received their sup- plies from this place ; and hence many thought the greatness and importance of the place was a positive fixture, and in a few years it would be denominated the place of the Northwest. In the summer of 1856, an incident occurred in the his- tory of Levi Hurtsill; he, in keeping with his usual custom, started east for goods. Before leav- ing home he gave his wife some money and his watch and chain, as a keep-sake. She asked him if he was not coming back. He gave an evasive answer, saying that on his last trip he was very sick at St. Louis; and then the boat might blow up, or something of the kind might happen, etc. Mr. G. W. Campbell accompanied him to Galena. It is thought Mr. Hurtsill had some twenty thous- and dollars, or perhaps three times that amount of money with him. He was in the habit of se- curing all heavy goods at Galena and shipping them without delay. Time passed and no goods came, and no letters were received from the miss- ing man, although a number had been written to him. After some time had passed the family and people became anxious about him, fearing some mishap had befallen him; and thinking an in- vestigation of the case ought to be made, com- missioned W. B. Dibble togo and seek him. Mr. Dibble had no trouble in tracking him from Gale- na to New York, where he had gotten his checks cashed.
Here Mr. Dibble learned that Hurtsill remarked at the time of getting his checks turned into money, that he was going to Boston, but no farther traces could be found of him, and Mr. Dibble was compelled to return and report in an unsatisfactory way. Many conjectures have been offered, by friends and foes, but as he was conducting a large and prosperons business at the
time, and was a successsnl business man, all re- mains in the dark. He had established a whole- sale house a few years .prior to this date, at Hud- son.
The large stock of goods was sold or rather given away. Mr. L. Lyford, of Prescott, was intrusted with the entire stock. Mr. Lyford and a Mr. Beardsley bought the major part of the stock, and in the fall opened a store in Prescott for themselves.
Charles E. Leonard and William Ames began business in the Hurtsill store-room in the spring of 1857, and continued the partnership for two years, when Ames withdrew, and Leonard con- tinued one year alone; then Lyford and Beards- ley assumed the control, and conducted the busi- ness for four years. In 1864 George Dill took possession and guided this line of trade for three years, after which the business receded into the quiet shade of rest, till in 1871 Ira Van Duzee opened a general merchandise store. But alas! misfortune came in the flames and reduced all to ashes in the summer of 1873; but Van Duzee re- built the same season, and continued the business until his death in September, 1879, when Mr. Atwater purchased the store and continued in the business until the present time. The build- is 40x20 feet, and one and one-half stories high.
There are four ware-houses in the place. The lower one was built by Levi Hurtsill in 1850. It has a capacity of 25,000 bushels. Samuel Frick assumed control of this interest, in 1857. Mr. Dill purchased the building in 1874, and has con- trolled it since that period. The upper ware- house was built by George Dill in 1868. It has a capacity of 30,000 bushels, After managing the business for three years, he sold out to Mr. Dill, who is the present proprietor.
- The middle ware-house was built by Lyford and Beardsley, in 1865. The fourth ware-house was built by A. B. More, on section 23, in 1874. Soon after he sold it to Miller and Dill, who are the present proprietors. The building has a capacity of 15,000 bushels.
In 1851, a Mr. Woodruff built a mill at Point Douglas. The people of the village gave Mr. Woodruff, as a bonus, forty-nine lots and a strip of land lying along the St. Croix river, which was deeded to him as soon as the mill was finished
356
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
and running. The mill contained a circular saw and a feed mill.
After a few months Woodruff sold the mill to parties in Prescott, who moved it away. This led to a law-suit, to determine who were the lawful owners of the lots, and land given by the people in prospect of having a mill in the place. The court gave the title to Woodruff.
The saw-mill at Point Douglas, was built by John Short, in the summer of 1867; and he sold it to Stephen Gardner in 1871; who sold it a very few days after, to John Dudley, of Minneapolis, who is its present proprietor. The building is 120x60 feet. It contains a twenty-seven saw gang, a double circular saw, a four-saw gang- edger, two trimmers, and a slab saw. Its capac- ity is 75,000 feet of lumber, 20,000 shingles, and 14,000 lath per day. The power is obtained by a 120 horse-power "North Star engine." There are four boilers used in generating the steam. When in full operation, it gives constant employment to fifty men, and affords the central point of much of the business of Point Douglas.
Establishing a post-office. It became evident that a post-office was a necessity for the success of the business interests of the village. The proper petition being forwarded to the depart- ment at Washington, and favorably considered, the office was established on the 18th day of July, 1840, this being the oldest post-office in the state outside of the military. domain at Fort Snelling. Levi Hurtsill was appointed first postmaster, and held the office till bis mysterious departure in 1856. He was succeeded by Robert R. Henry, who served until 1857. when James Shearer re- ceived his appointment, and served until 1860; then Charles E. Leonard served for three years, when Robert R. Henry was re-appointed, and continued in office until 1866; when Mrs. Emily Gillis, daughter of David Hone, received her ap- pointment, and held the office one year. It then passed into the hands of Charles E. Leonard, who served till 1871, when Ira Van Duzee was appointed, who served a short time, and was suc- seeded by Charles Johnson; but Mr. Van Duzee was re-appointed and served until his death in 1879. William Atwater was appointed and is still the postmaster of Point Douglas.
The first blacksmith shop was opened by W. McAboy, in 1851; he was succeeded by John
Pinney, in 1853, and he by a Mr. Hood, in 1855, and he by John White, in 1857, and he by John Thrall, in 1864. John White returned in 1866, and remained for three years, when Ferdinand Stiffin took possession of the shop and continued for five years; was followed by John Nain- stedt, who remained until 1875. From that date the village was without a blacksmith until the fall of 1879, when William Lange opened a shop at this point. He has a shop 20x16 feet, and a wagon shop 24x18 feet, and is filling an important place in the business transactions of Point Doug- las.
Robert Cook built a shop on the north-east cor- ner of section seventeen, and is meeting the de- mands of the farmers in that neighborhood.
Dr. Geo. Taylor came from Princeton, Illinois, in the spring of 1862 ; he remained but one year, then returned to his former home in Princeton.
The first frame building at Point Douglas, and one of the first in the St. Croix valley, was the Union house, built by David Hone in 1844. It is 40x20 feet, and two stories high, with a wing 20x24, and one story high. Mr. Hone sent to St. Louis for William Willim to do the plastering. This house contains an office, two parlors, a din- ing room, a kitchen and five chambers. Mr. Hone sold this house to David Barker in 1850; and Barker sold it to Twitch in 1852; and be to Henry D. White in 1855; White sold it to Robert R. Henry, who kept it as a hotel until 1866, after which it ceased to be occupied as a public house. It is now owned by David Down- ing, and is unoccupied on account of age.
The Northwestern honse. Mr. David Hone built a building 24x30 feet, and one and one-half stories high, and occupied it as store from 1852 to 1855. After some changes and the lapse of a few more years, Charles E. Leonard bought this building, built an addition 30x40, two stories high and a basement. In this structure, affording an office and bar, two parlors, a dining room, and nine chambers, Mr. Leonard entertained all the weary and hungry that chanced to enter his open door. In 1865 Leonard Aldrich purchased the house and kept it as a hotel for two years, and then sold it to Charles Hopkins, who kept it as a boarding house for three years. It has since been converted into a tenement, and is now the prop- erty of Benjamin Campbell of Galena, Illinois.
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DENMARK-SCHOOLS.
This building afforded a dancing hall, where the gay, and pleasure seekers were wont to spend the long winter evenings of many passing years.
As the business interests of the country in- creased, new additions were being added to our number, new demands were presented to meet the increasing population seeking homes and em- ployment in our township. In 1855, a charter was granted to W. B. Dibble, to run a ferry from Prescott to ITastings. Mr. Dibble managed this business for seventeen years to the satisfaction of the people, and then sold his interest to Caleb Truax, Jr., who after controlling it for one year, sold it to William Atwater, who still owns it and holds the management of the ferry.
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