USA > Minnesota > Washington County > History of Washington County and the St. Croix Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota > Part 68
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School district number 29, was organized May 26th, 1855, by the voters of the district, who met at the house of F. Leyde, and organized by the election of R. Walton, F. Leyde, and W. Buck, trustees; E. Ayers, clerk. The district was known as the Union district, but was soon changed to number 5. The first school was held in an old house on Mr. Ayers land for two terms, then in an old house of Mr. Marr's for one year. The district is now changed to number 29. A tax was voted, and a new school house built in 1860, at a cost of two hundred and fifty dollars, and located on section 33. The present officers are John J. Connally, director; A. Nattimier treasurer, E. Ayers, clerk.
School district number 28, was organized in 1860, and the first house built the same year, at an expense of three hundred dollars ; size 18x24. No record being kept, the first board cannot be given. The new house was built in 1867, size 22x36, at an expense of eight hundred dollars; it was located on section 29. The present board
of officers are Valentine Remenschneider, di- rector ; C. Bielenberg, treasurer ; John A. Ort- man, clerk.
School district number 27, honse located on sec- tion 8, was organized in 1860. The school was held in private houses until 1862, when a new house was built at a cost of three hundred dollars. The first teacher was Alexander Oldham. The first board of officers were: J. H. Kernkamp, director; F. Walterstrop, treasurer; J. M. Nip- poldt, clerk. A tax of six hundred dollars was voted to build a new house in 1872, and three hundred dollars additional in 1873.
School district number 41, located on section 4, was organized in 1864, with John Bershan, di- rector; Henry Besti, treasurer; John Sloan, clerk. The first school house was an old one purchased in Lakeland and moved to section 32, in Oakdale. In 1870 the old house was moved to its present site in Woodbury, and repaired. The district comprises sections 4, 5, and 6, in Woodbury, and scctions 31, 32, and 33 in Oakdale; present num- ber of scholars, forty-five.
School district, number 47, was organized August 6th, 1867. The legal voters of the dis- trict met at the house of Jacob Kumly, and or- ganized the district by the election of the follow- ing officers: James Clark, director; Henry Marty, treasurer; John Anderson, clerk. The first school was taught in the house of Jacob Kumly, by Miss A. S. Davis. In 1868, a tax of $500 was voted to build a house, which was located on the north- east corner of section thirty-four. The expense of. building the house was $550. The present board are: John Bahl, director; F. Neimann, treasurer; Henry Marty, clerk.
POST-OFFICES.
The first post-office was established in Wood- bury at the house of Gottfried Hartoung, on section twenty-seven, in 1870, and removed to the house of Alexander McHattie, on the same sec- tion, in 1874. It was discontinned for awhile, and then re-established at the blacksmith shop of Henry Schultz, corner of section twenty-three, May 4th, 1876. This office receives its mail by a daily stage running from Afton to Langdon. There is also a post-office located on section three called Oakdale, which has mails once a week.
392
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
INITIAL EVENTS.
The first road laid in the town was the old mil- itary road running from the south-east corner of the town, on the line between Wooubury and Cottage Grove, to the east line of section thirty- three, thence north-west through sections thirty- three, thirty-two, twenty-nine and thirty to St. Paul, known as the St. Paul and Point Douglas road, and surveyed by Captain Stimson in 1849. First road laid by the town was surveyed in 1852, running from the east line, between sections twenty-four and twenty-five, on same line to the west line of the town. The next road was run from the south-east corner of section twenty-two, diagonally across the town to the north-west corner of section six, known as the Afton and St. Paul road. A road on the north line of the town known as the St. Paul and Hud- son road, was a territorial road.
The first white child born in Woodbury, was Sarah Middleton, daughter of John and Jane Middleton, afterwards the wife of Anthony Fritz, of Newport.
The first death, was Miss Sarah Middleton, who died May 24th, 1849. The first marriage celebrated in the town of Woodbury, was that of John McHattie and Miss Jane Middleton, Jan- uary 15th, 1856. A pleasing incident occurred in connection with this ceremony. The bride's father being a member of the Scotch Presbyterian church was strongly opposed to having the nup- tials solemnized by a common justice of the peace, and urged them to defer the matter until some missionary should come that way. But as there was none within a hundred miles, the matter could not be deferred. The father was at last persuaded to give his consent, and a justice from Cottage Grove was called to the paternal home to perform the ceremony. The justice in the excitement, this being the first marriage ceremony that he had performed, made a slight mistake by using the bridesmaid's name instead of the bride's. The father seeing the mistake rushed in, peremp- torily stopped the ceremony, and the justice commenced again.
POPULATION AND PRODUCTS.
The political proclivities of Woodbury lean to- wards the democracy in town, county and state elections, but in the choice of president it has
given the republican candidate a small majority.
The township is largely composed of Germans and Swedes, with some Americans, Irish and Scotch. The numeration for 1875 was 1,153, and for 1880, 1,134.
Wheat, 8,300 acres, 112,233 bushels; oats, 1,350 acres, 38,807 bushels; corn, 995 acres, 57,513 bush- els; barley, 1,144 acres, 16,001 bushels; potatoes, 129 acres, 15,035 bushels; tame hay, 1,033 acres, 1,161 tons; cows, 475, butter, 30,083 pounds; cheese, 2,000 pounds. Valuation of real estate, $381,445, of personal property, $82,879.
In passing through the town of Woodbury, many fine improvements present themselves to view. Among the model farms are those of Hon. James Middleton, Hon. Ebenezer Ayers, A. and J. Horresberger, J. H. Cram and others that might be mentioned in this enterprising town.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
William L. Avery, born in Waterville. Maine, in 1836, where he remained until 1857, when he moved to Hastings, Minnesota, and resided there for about two years, working part of the time log- ging on Knife river. Moved from Hastings to Cottage Grove, and entered the employ of J. W. Furber for four years, buying eighty acres of land from him in 1861, which he held for one year, and sold it, then renting a farm for two years. In 1867 purchased forty acres in Woodbury and is now living on it. Married July 3d, 1867, to Miss Anna McHattie. They have two children.
Ebenezer Ayers was born in Herkimer county, New York, August 20th, 1817. In early life he evinced a great desire for knowledge, improving every opportunity to acquire sufficient education to teach school. In 1836 his parents moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, then eighteen miles to the nearest post-office. He commenced teaching school soon after and continued until 1840, when he returned to the academy at Aurora, Erie coun- ty, New York, to perfect his education. In 1844 moved to Shelby county, Kentucky, and taught school six years. Married in 1846 to Miss Lucy Connelly from the same county. Moved to Buffa- lo, New York, in 1850, and engaged in mercantile business until the spring of 1854, when he emi- grated to Minnesota and located on his present farm. Mr. Ayers has always taken an active and leading part in the affairs of his county and town.
393
WOODBURY-BIOGRAPHICAL.
He has held many important positions. Elected to the legislature in 1867 and again in 1872. In the session of 1872 he prepared and procured the passage of the bill for the sale of the internal im- provement lands. Elected to the office of town clerk for eleven years, and justice of the peace in 1860 and held the office since. Also the super- intendent of schools for Woodbury, and in 1873 nominated for lieutenant governor on the anti- monopoly ticket. Mr. Ayers has one of the finest farms in the county.
Martin Bach was born in Germany in 1816, lived with his parents until twenty-three years of age. Came to America in 1839, landing in New Or- leans, where he stayed about two years, and then moved to St. Louis, Missouri; bought property and lived there fourteen years. Moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1856, stayed there a short time and moved to Woodbury, buying 160 acres on section seven. Lived there about twelve years, sold out, and bought 240 acres on section six. Married twice; first marriage to Maggie Henning, who died; second marriage to Anna Henning. Have had by the two marriages sixteen children, thirteen now living.
William J. Bachman, was born in Michigan in 1849, lived with his parents until eighteen years of age, when he moved to Woodbury, Minnesota; in 1875 bought 160 acres and settled on it. Mr. Bachman has held a number of town offices, con- stable, chairman of the town board, assessor for five years and town clerk. Married in 1873 to Amelia Strate.
John Bahls was born in Germany in 1832. Moved to America and settled in St. Paul, Min- nesota, in 1857, where he remained one year, when he moved to Isanti county. Made a claim and lived on it five years. Sold out, and moved to Woodbury, and is now living on section thirty- five. Married in 1858 to Christina Roths. They have eight children: Charles, Lena, Mary, Anna, Henry, John, Louise and Christina. Mrs. Bahls' parents live with her. Her father, Charles Roths, was born in 1801. Her mother was born in 1812. They were married in 1827.
Peter Befort was born in Germany in 1846; lived with his parents until nineteen years of age, when he went to Belgium as a book-keeper for three years; then returned home, where he re- mained about six months before starting for
America. On landing in New York city, he started for St. Paul, Minnesota, where he re- mained about eight years, following various oc- cupations, when he came to Woodbury, making his home with Mathew Krentey.
Henry Beste was born in Germany in 1821. Came to America, landing in Philadelphia, in 1847; remained there a short time and moved to Detroit, Michigan, and purchased five acres about two miles from the city, where he lived about seven years. Sold out and moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, and from there to Woodbury, and purchased eiglity acres of land on section five, where he now lives. Married in 1848 to Jose- phine Dunnebeck. They have eleven children: Frank, John, Conrad, Elizabeth, Barbara, Mary, Henry, Nicholas, Anthony, William and Joseph.
A. J. Borene was born in Sweden, in 1831. Came to Quebec, Canada, in 1857. The same year, he moved to Woodbury, Minnesota, work- ing a few months on Mr. Gilbert's farm, thence to the employ of Mr. James Middleton, where he remained for a little longer time; in 1859, moved to his present residence. Married, April 12th, 1859, to Miss Isabel Middleton. They have six children living.
Nicholas Brockman, born in Germany, in 1824. Came to America in 1850, landing in New York city, and immediately started for St. Paul, Min- nesota, thence to Woodbury and rented a farm for three years. In 1850, he bought the place where he now lives and moved on it in 1853. Married in Germany in 1849, to Miss Mary Brock- man. They have four children living: Theresa, Ernest; Peter and Mary.
John Classen was born in Germany in 1828. Lived with his parents until twenty-one years of age. Emigrated to America in 1850, going di- rectly to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he remained about two months, then went to Woodbury, working on different farms for three years, when he bought eighty acres where he now lives. Mar- ried in 1861 to Susan Lunnars. They have ten children: Mary, Catherine, Michael, Helen, Nich- olas, John, Susan, Arma, Henry and Bernard.
J. H. Cram was born in Brooks, Waldo county, Maine, January 12th, 1823. He was engaged on a farm during his early life. In 1844, engaged in the lumbering business at Bangor until 1855, then located in Grant county, Minnesota. He
394
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
moved to Woodbury, Minnesota, in the spring of 1866, and located on his present farm. Mr. Cram enjoys the confidence of his townsmen, having held the office of town supervisor for three years, school treasurer eleven years, on the board of of- ficers of the agricultural society of Washington county since its organization. Has a fine farm with all the modern improvements around him, and one of the best farms in the town. Mar- ried in 1859 to Miss Sarah M. Wing, of Maine. They have five children living: William E,, Frede- rick W., Henry J., Charles and Ida E.
Lyman E. Crossman was born in China, Maine, in 1838, remaining with his parents until twenty- one years of age, when he shipped in the brig Alston, bound for the West India islands. Re- turning after a seven months, trip, he engaged in the lumber business until 1861, when he enlisted in Company I, Sixth Maine Infantry, served three years, and was discharged at Washington, D. C., in 1864; then returned home and engaged in the picture business for one year, moved to Chicago, Illinois, in 1865; remained there about five years, moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1871, and in 1875, removed to St. Paul and worked in the Harvester works five years. Then rented a farm in Woodbury, where he now lives. Married, in 1864, Mary E. Mitchell. They have three chil- dren, William H., Charles E. and Bertha A.
William Donaghue, born in New York, 1830; remained at home until 1853, when he went to Connecticut and Chicago, stopping a few months in both places; then returned home, staying there a year; thence to New Orleans for a few months, when he moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, working on the river a short time; worked a rented farm in Ramsey county three years, then went to Afton and bought forty acres; sold it, and bought three hundred and fifty acres in McLeod county, and lived on it five years; sold that and bought eighty acres in Woodbury, Washington county, where he now lives. Married, in 1853, Mary Padden. They have had six children.
Michael F. Egan was born in Lowell, Massa- chusetts. When one year of age, his parents sold out and moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, where they stayed two years; moved to Woodbury, pur- chased forty acres on section sixteen, where they remained about ten years, then hought eighty acres more on the same section, built a new
house, when the subject of this sketch took charge of the farm, his father retiring to St. Paul, Janu- ary 1st, 1880. M. F. Egan was married, in 1880, to Miss Cora E. Clark.
Ellen Finnin was born in Ireland, 1824. Lived with her parents until twenty-four years of age. Her parents both died in 1848, when she emi- grated to Canada, and remained in Quebec one year; then moved to Vermont and married Wil- liam Finnin, in 1849. In 1866 came to Ramsey county, Minnesota, where they remained two years, and then moved to Woodbury and bought forty acres of land. William Finnin died in 1876. They have seven children living, John, William, Michael, Thomas, James, George and Edward.
Francis A. Foley, was born in Ireland, in 1836, emigrated to Ameriea in 1848. Landed in New York and lived in the state four years; enlisted in the army and went to Texas; discharged in 1856, at Fort McIntosh; returned to New York and remained until 1857. Moved to Woodbury, Wash- ington county, Minnesota, in 1859, bought forty acres, sold it, and bought the 160 he now lives on. Has been constable for twenty years. Married in 1857 to Catherine Phelps. They have seven chil- dren living.
August Frieboldt was born in St. Paul, Minne- sota, in 1853. Lived with his parents until twenty-one years of age, when his father gave him a deed of one hundred and twenty acres of land in the town of Woodbury, Washington county, Minnesota, where he now lives. Married in 1874, to Miss Mary Stutzman. They have two chil- dren.
Charles A. Fritze was born in Detroit, Michi- gan, 1853. Moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1859, where he remained one year, then moved to Woodbury and bought land and lived on it with his parents until 1878, then rented a farm, on which he now lives. Married in 1878, to Miss Amelia Heidel, by whom he had two children.
John George, a native of Germany, was born in 1825. Lived there until he was twenty-five years old, learned the blacksmiths trade with his father; came to America in 1851, landing in Bal- timore, where he remained two years, then came to Ramsey county, where he lived for seven years. Moved to Woodbury and bought one hundred and twenty acres, where he now lives. Married in
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WOODBURY-BIOGRAPHICAL.
1858, to Elizabeth Rither. They have ten chil- dren living.
James Healey, born in Ireland, in 1816, lived with his parents for twenty-four years. Emi- grated to Canada, and remained in Quebec a short time, and went to Springfield, Massachusetts, and remained a number of years, engaged in railroading. Moved to Wisconsin and remained about ten years, when he moved to Woodbury, Minnesota, in 1867, and settled on his present farm. Married in 1846 to Helen Lynch. They have three children living.
Charles Hellert was born in Germany in 1829. Immigrated to America in 1846. Landed in New York, and worked at the tailoring business for about five years. In 1851 moved to Afton, Min- nesota, where he remained four years, then to Woodbury, and purchased the farm on which he now lives. Married in 1855 to Margaret Taylor. They have four children living.
Louis Hoffman was born in Germany, in 1836. Immigrated to America in 1859, and located in Chicago, Illinois, where he remained for a few months, then moved to Isanti county, remaining there a short time when he moved to Woodbury, and rented a farm for six years, and then moved to Denmark and purchased a farm on which he lived for two years; returned to Woodbury and purchased his present farm. Married in 1866 to Miss Mary Baha, who died leaving five children. He married again in 1878 to Miss Mary Hatzfelt, by whom he has two children. John, William, Theodore, Albert, Henry, by his first wife, and Otto and Charles, by second.
Andrew Horresberger was born in Switzerland in 1838. Remained there until 1854, when he started for America, landing. in New York, and going to Philadelphia, where he remained one year, thence to St. Louis for one year, and then to St. Paul, Minnesota, and worked several years on a farm in Ramsey county. Went to the Yel- low Medicine and remained two years. In 1862, went to Fort Ridgely and drilled a while. Went home on a furlough; heard the Indians had com- menced hostilities, returned to the fort, and went with a party to the Little Cottonwood to bring away a family of seven hiding there in the woods. Went home in 1864, and the same year went to Woodbury, worked a year, and bought a farm on section 14, where he now lives. Married in 1865,
to Christina Pagel. They have four children living.
Jacob Horresberger was born in Switzerland in 1836. Came to America in 1855; landed in New York, and went to Philadelphia; thence to St. Louis, where he remained one year. In the spring of 1857 went to St. Paul, Minnesota, stay- ing there a short time, then removing to Wood- bury, where he remained until 1862, when he en- listed in Company H, Seventh Minnesota Vol- unteers. Discharged in 1865 in St. Paul, and returned to Woodbury, and is now living on his farm in section twenty-three. Married in 1867 to Miss Pauline Schultz.
Mons Johnson was born in Sweden in 1827; lived there until 1854, when he emigrated to Quebec, Canada. Moved to Detroit, Michigan, thence to Oakland county, and worked on a farm for two years; then moved to Woodbury, Wash- ington county, Minnesota, bought a farm, and settled on it in 1860. Enlisted in 1864 in Com- pany C, Seventh Minnesota. . Discharged in St. Paul, May 10th, 1865. . Married in 1853 to Han- nah Anderson, by whom he has five children living.
Herman Kernkamp was born in Missouri in 1851, where he remained three years; then moved with his parents to Woodbury, Washington county, Minnesota, and lived with them until 1875, when he bought the farm he now lives on. Married in 1875 to Christina Rode. They have one child.
Ernst Koenig was born in Germany, in 1842. His parents died while he was young, and he went into the German army, and served eight years. Emigrated to America, landing in New York, and proceeded at once to Illinois, where he re- mained two years. Moved to St. Paul, Minneso- ta, in 1872, thence to Afton and taught school three years, worked on a farm one year. Moved to Woodbury, in 1876, and has been teaching ever since. Married in 1874, to Miss Minnie Siehl. They have three children, Bruno, Emeline and Merta.
Matt. Leithauser, was born in Germany, in 1857. Emigrated to America in 1865, and located in New Jersey, where he remained eighteen months. Moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, and learned the mason's trade. In 1875, moved to Woodbury, and rented a farm, and is now follow-
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
ing his trade as a mason and working his farm. Married in 1880, to Miss Mary Neubauer, from Germany.
William Lindemann was born in Germany, in 1850; came with his parents to America, in 1855, remaining in New York state about twelve years. Moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1867, and to Woodbury, and in 1873, bought the farm where he now lives. Married in 1876, to Henrietta Goers. They have two children, Gertrude and Luella.
Stephen Maisch was born in Germany, in 1821; came to America in 1848; landed in New York, and started at once for Michigan, where he re- mained until 1857, when he moved to Woodbury, Washington county, Minnesota, and purchased the farm he now lives on. Married in 1852, to Miss Henrietta Bunker. They have six children living.
Fredolin Marty was born in Switzerland in 1831. Came to America in 1850, landing in New York, and proceeded to Stillwater, Washington county, Minnesota, where he remained for about fourteen years, then went to Woodbury and bought the farm on which he now lives. Mar- ried, in 1857, Sophia Tussy. They have nine children.
Archibald McCallum was born in Scotland, in 1833. He came to America, in 1851, with his parents, locating first at Albany, then at Cale- donia, Livingston county, New York. He re- mained there until 1863, when he came to Hast- ings. The next year he bought eighty acres in Woodbury, Washington county, Minnesota, on which he now lives. He was married in 1871, to Mary Taggart, who has borne him two children.
Alexander McHattie was born in Scotland and remained with his parents until sixteen years of age, when he worked as teamster two years and farmed three years. In 1833 came to America and lived in Vermont two years, thence to Her- kimer county, New York, for a short time; also in Ohio a short time, and Indiana on the Wabash and Erie canal, then to La Porte on the railroad for a short time, thence to Galena and engaged in mining. Left Galena in the fall of 1839, and went to St. Croix Falls and remained a few months lumbering, went to Prescott to hold a claim and remained there until the fall of 1840. In 1841, purchased a claim of the land where the
village of Afton now stands. Went from there to Gray Cloud Island in the employ of Mooers and Robinson's trading post, where he remained until the spring of 1841, when he returned to his claim, which he sold in 1844, and moved to Woodbury, Minnesota, and lived with his brother until 1848, when he married Miss Margaret Middleton. They have eight children living: Jane, James A., John A., Ellen, Annie, Matilda, George L. and Marga- ret E.
John McHattie, born in Scotland in 1809. Moved to Canada in 1833, where he remained a short time, and then went to Vermont, remaining there a few months when he moved to Herkimer county, New York. Thence to Ohio for two years, and Indiana one year; Illinois two years, and to Gray Cloud Island in the full of 1840. In the spring of 1841, took a claim at Afton and lived on it three years. Moved to Woodbury in 1844 and located, where he now lives. Married in 1846 to Jane Middleton. They have seven children living.
James McMahon, born in Ireland in 1822. Lived there fifteen years, when he went to Scot- land and remained five years; returned to his na- tive land and stopped a short time, and in 1844, came to America, landed in New York, went to Boston, Massachusetts, returned to New York state and lived in Orange county six years, from there to Pennsylvania for four years. Thence to St. Paul, Minnesota, for two years, and to Afton about twelve years, when he sold out and moved to his present farm in Woodbury. Married in 1854 to Catherine Devery. They have six chil- dren living.
Thomas McNaughton was born in Scotland in 1825. Moved with his parents to Canada in 1831, and lived with them until twenty-two years of age, going to Ottawa in 1847, and worked at lum- bering. In the spring of 1848 went to Quebec, engaged three years lumbering and surveying, then to Vermont for a short time. Moved back to Canada, and in 1856 moved to St. Paul, Min- nesota, and to Woodbury, working there and in Oakdale a number of years, and settled on his present farm in 1863. Married in 1867 to Laura . J. Lawson. They have three children.
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