History of Washington County and the St. Croix Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 73

Author: Warner, George E., 1826?-1917; Foote, C. M. (Charles M.), 1849-1899; Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893. Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota; Williams, J. Fletcher (John Fletcher), 1834-1895. Outlines of the history of Minnesota from 1858 to 1881
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Minneapolis : North Star Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 662

USA > Minnesota > Washington County > History of Washington County and the St. Croix Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota > Part 73

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at Marthasville, Missouri, was ordained to the ministry in 1875, at Portage, Wisconsin, and ac- cepted a call as pastor from the churches of Lake- land and Cottage Grove, the church at Cottage Grove being organized under his pastoral care. Married in 1871 to Augusta Schabedissen, a native of Germany. Willie, Ella and Charles are their children. Charles being adopted.

J. R. Dickinson was born in Deleware county, New York, 1826. At the age of eleven years he accompanied his parents to Bradford county, Pennsylvannia, remaining with them till nearly twenty-one, then paying his father ninety dollars for the nine months yet due him he began work for himself in an axe factory. Two years later he be- gan attending the Canton Academy of Bradford county. Spending some time in Tioga county, in the milling business, he afterward embarked in the mercantile trade, in which he continued until coming west in 1855. He pre-empted 160 acres in Star Prairie, Wisconsin, and later worked in the Shanghai mill at Lakeland and the next spring moved to his land on Star Prairie. Some time later he disposed of his property and located in Lakeland township in 1857. He engaged in lumbering, mining and milling at different times until 1878, locating at that time on his present farm, having 315 acres. His wife was Alice L. Smith. They have eight sons, Fred, Charles, Grant, Clinton, Daniel, Albert, Raymond and Burn.

Ferdinand Dornfeld, a native of Prussia, was born July Ist, 1833. He came America in 1843, accompanied by his parents, arriving at New York after a voyage of fifty days. Proceeding to Ni- agara county, New York, he attended a German school, and when sixteen, began his experience on the Erie canal. In 1862, a partnership with his brothers was formed, the firm known as Dorn- feld Brothers; they carrying on a saw-mill, store, boat building establishment, etc. Remaining in the firm two years, he afterward purchased eighty acres in Lakeland township, and in 1871, erected his present residence; having added to his farm, he now has one hundred and sixty acres of fine. land. He has held several offices of trust in con- nection with the town and county. His wife was Henriette Wilke, married in 1860. Their chil- dren are: Henry, Carl, August, Emil, Ferdinand, Rudolph, Emily, Paul, Henriette and John.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.

David Hanna is a native of New Brunswick, born in 1846. He first came to Lakeland in 1861, his father, Thomas Hanna having preceded him in 1856, and worked his father's farm. Finally learned his trade of carpenter under R. Sanderson, becoming indentified as one of the firm of Sanderson and Hanna in 1872. This firm is well-known, having erected many of the finest buildings throughout the whole county. Mr. Hanna was married in 1877 to Miss Mary Willoughby.

Christian Kappler, a native of Germany, was born in 1833. After attending school according to the custom of that country, from the age of six to fourteen; he was apprenticed as a butcher, serv- ing, however, only nine months of his time. In 1848, he came to America, accompanied by his mother, his father having preceded them. Mr. Kappler located on a farm in New Jersey, where he remained until 1858, except one year passed in Philadelphia. During that year, he came west and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Anoka county, which he sold soon after, and in 1863, came to Lakeland, locating on his present farm, to which he has added, having now two hundred acres. His wife was Miss Anna Vollmer, married May 1st, 1865: Henry, George Louisa, Frank and Clara, are their children.

Frederick Kappler was born in 1829, and is a native of Germany, where he was reared by his parents, and attended school, as was customary in those days, until the age of fourteen. After serving an apprenticeship of four years as a blacksmith, he came to America, and followed his trade in Philadelphia until coming west in 1860. He located in Lakeland on a farm of forty acres, which he sold in 1867 and purchased one hundred and twenty acres in the adjoining sec- tion, on which he has since lived, being very comfortably situated. In 1853 he married Miss Katrina Herritier. Their children living are Emily, Jacob, Bertha, Caroline, Gottleib and Benjamin.

Martin Lally was born at West Oxford, Berk- shire county, Massachusetts, in 1841, Here he was reared by his parents, and received his early education, and at the age of eighteen came west to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, engaging in the Steam Variety Iron Works. He was assistant foreman until the company reorganized under the firm

name of Green, Merritt and Company, and formed an expedition to Pike's Peak, for the pur- pose of putting in a quartz mill. Conveying their machinery, etc., overland by team, they located on Left Hand creek, at the foot of Gold Hill, in Boulder District, and here Mr. Lally acted as foreman and engineer. The company finally sold the mill-site to Holt and Holly of that place, and the mills to Nye and Bradley of New York Gulch; then their foreman erected a mill at Leavenworth Gulch, and after getting it in readiness for operation, he returned to Cedar Rapids, resuming his labors in the Variety Works. In 1862 he enlisted in Company I, Twentieth Iowa Volunteers, but was discharged the next year on account of disability, and re- turned to liis former position. In 1865 he entered the service of Pond and Mc Vicker, lumbermen, at Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where he remained two years, when the firm sold to Messrs. Wilson and Foster, in whose service he continued five years. He gave his attention chiefly to his lum- bering interests until 1879, then came to Still- water, and after being in the employ of C. N. Nelson Lumber Co.'s mills at that place and at Lakeland, he was finally given the superintend- ency, which position he still occupies. His mar- riage with Miss Margaret Mahony, occurred in 1864. J. M., George M., and Johanna M., are their children.

James Martin was born in the city of Exeter, England, 1830. At thirteen years of age he came to Quebec, with his parents, residing there about four years, afterward going to New Brunswick. His time was given chiefly to lumbering on the Penobscot and Merrimac, until 1853, then came to St. Paul, Minnesota, thence to Stillwater. Soon after, he started for the pineries, and for twenty- five years served as cook every season. In 1862, he purchased his present farm and residence in Lakeland, owned formerly by Dr. Edward John- son. Mr. Martin still remains a bachelor.

W. II. Markle, was born at Blooming Grove, Wisconsin, 1853, and when quite small, moved witli his parents to Watertown, and attended school until fifteen years of age, then accom- panied his parents to Menominee and commenced work in the saw-mills. He has given special at- tention to sawing and filing, in which he has suc- cessfully won a first-class reputation. March 4th,

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1880, he removed to Lakeland, and has since been engaged in the saw-mills of C. N. Nelson Lumber Company, as head sawyer. His wife was Miss Susie Wilson, married October 14th, 1880.

Daniel Mckean was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania; here he received his early educa- tion and grew to manhood. When twenty-seven years of age, he came west to Minnesota and set- tled in Lakeland, residing with his brother Elias, until the call from his country was heard. En- listing in 1861, in Company K, Brackett's Batal- lion, he served until the fall of 1862, when he was discharged on account of disability. In 1871, he moved to his present farm, one hundred and sixty acres, and four years later, built his present resi- dence. His brother and sister are living with him.

Elias Mckean was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, June 30th, 1817. He received a practical education; his father was one of the as- sociate judges of Bradford county, for twenty-eight years. In 1841 he leftthe home of his parents and entered the employ of the St. Croix Lumber Com- pany. In company with Capt. Daniel M. Frazer and four others, he went to St. Louis, waiting in that city about three weeks for a boat specially chartered by the company for the shipping of pro- visions, etc. They started up the Mississippi, in- tending to make St. Croix Falls, but the boat was stranded near Stillwater, and the whole party, numbering one hundred and fifty, were obliged to walk to Marine. Mr. McKean procured a small skiff and paddled his "own canoe" the remaining distance to St. Croix Falls. Nothing to make one comfortable was to be found, not enough blankets to protect them and no shelter for some time. After working for this company over a year, he came to Marine, making a contract with the Ma- rine Lumber Company; serving his stated time he took sawed lumber for his pay and rafted it to St. Louis, in company with Calvin Leach. After disposing of their lumber they purchased supplies for a mill at Stillwater, which they erected and had in completion in the spring of 1844. He con- tinned in lumbering until 1851 and was in part- nership with Calvin Leach until his death in 1849. Mr. McKean purchased land in Lakeland in 1848, and located there three years after, there being but one settler in the township, Mr. Northrup. His wife was the widow of Calvin Leach, whom

he married in 1851. They have six sons: Frank, Grow, Grant H., John, Samuel and Ben Scott.

Newton McKusick, son of John McKusick, is a native of Stillwater, Minnesota, born 1850. His early education was received at home, finishing his studies at the University at Minneapolis. He was afterward employed in the United States and American Express office in St. Paul; as this busi- ness was detrimental to his health, he removed to Lakeland and settled on a farm, which his father had purchased for $10,000, consisting of 215 acres and residence. Mr. McKusick has since expended nearly as much more money and time in improv- ing and beautifying the property and surround- ings, having added a large green-house and now has a fine variety of choice plants, etc., which re- quire much time and attention. His taste is ex- cellent and his home, farm, mill and other build- ings are examples of neatness and thrift. June 6th, 1872, he married Miss Jennie L. Green, a native of Alabama. Mary, Elva, Jennie and Ruth are their children.

Mrs. L. A. Munger nee Miss Lucy Tefft, was born in Exeter, Rhode Island, 1831, and was reared under the protection of her parents, her father having been a Rhode Island farmer. When eighteen years of age, she went to West Newton, Massachusetts, to attend the normal school, from which she graduated about three and one-half years later, after which she taught school at Farmington and Salem. November 25th, 1856, she was united in marriage with Rev. Enos Mun- ger; the next year they came west to Red Wing, Minnesota, thence to Lakeland. Since the death of her beloved husband, which occurred October 4th, 1873, she has been employed in teaching school, having taught at Lakeland for six years past. She has three children.

Rev. Enos Munger, was the son of Rev. Dexter Munger. Was born in Munson, Massachusetts, in the year 1825. He was converted when about sixteen years of age, and became a Christian. After reaching his twenty-first year, while em- ployed in a mechanical trade, his mind was strongly exercised upon the duty of preaching. Following this conviction, he left his business and commenced a preparatory course of study. He entered Brown University in 1849, and gradu- ated in 1854, having spent the third year in teach- ing in Middleboro' Academy. Three years later

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he graduated from Newton Theological Seminary; and soon after thus completing his course of study in these institutions, he was ordained in Provi- dence, Rhode Island, and then left his native New England for a life in the "Far West." In the spring of 1858 he became pastor of the newly- organized Baptist church, in Lakeland, Minne- sota, where he assiduously labored until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted, as a private, in the Seventh Minnesota Regiment. A year and a half later he received an appointment as chaplain of the Sixty-second U. S. Colored In- fantry, which position he held nine months, when hemorrhage of the lungs and general prostration compelled him to resign and return north. After a rest of two years he had so far recovered as to be able to resume preaching; when he became pastor of the church in Belle Plaine, Minnesota, preaching also at Jordan and Lexington. Having served in this field of labor one year and a half, he received an urgent invitation to return to his old field in Lakeland. Accepting this invitation he preached here four years, when he again re- signed, hoping, after a short rest, to resume pas- toral labor elsewhere. But in this hope he was disappointed. He had labored hard, mentally and physically, both to lift the little church above its embarrassments, to build for them a neat house of worship unencumbered with debt (which he also accomplished, much with his own hands and means), and to provide what the church lacked in ability to furnish for his own family. Disease, contracted in the army, had gained upon a pros- trated and broken constitution; and this present autumn he has been laid away, a noble sacrifice to an unabated desire to serve his Lord and Master, and his fellow-men for His sake. He was spared a lingering sickness, from which he instinctively shrank. For though reduced in strength and condition, he was allowed to keep about, and busy himself in preparations to leave his wife and children comfortable, until Saturday October 4th, when, without any known cause, profuse bleeding took place; and in a few mo- ments he had passed away, without being able to communicate a sentence to the dear ones who were obliged in silence, to witness the scene. But his sudden departure leaves no one in doubt as to his happy entrance into the rest of saints. His life was a preparation for his reward. Earnest

and devoted as a Christian; laborious and con- sistent as a minister; discriminating and plain as a preacher; discreet and kind as a counsellor; de- voted and trustworthy as a friend; he has left a noble monument behind, and, doubtless is enjoy- ing that blessed condition for which he so earn- estly sought to prepare others; he "rests from his labors, and his works do follow him."

John Oliver was born at Dorchester, Massachu- setts, 1823. On attaining his majority. he was employed in the Boston harbor, and later was made pilot, in which capacity he continued until coming to Lakeland in 1848, accompanied by his brother Edwin, for the purpose of selecting lands for himself and his father, Captain John Oliver. He pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres, made arrangements for the erection of a house, and re- turned to his native place, leaving his brother in charge. The next year his father and family came west to take possession of their new home, and after one more visit to Boston, Mr. Oliver also settled on a portion of the land, and has since made it his home. In December, 1853, he mar- ried Miss Mary Newell, who has borne him four children, Clara A., Ellen M., Emma M. and Gracia A.

C. H. Pratt was born in Ontario county, New York, 1834. He remained under the home pro- tection until a young man, then began working in the saw-mills in Lycoming county, Pennsylva- nia, subsequently becoming head-sawyer. In 1857 he came westward to Minnesota; in Lake- land he had charge of Reynolds and Ballard's saw-mill until their failure, after which he was head-sawyer in the "old Osgood" mill. Remov- ing to Hudson, Wisconsin, in 1861, he embarked in the grocery and provision trade, then made a visit to Pennsylvania, and returned in 1863. He was head sawyer in Day, Hanson and Company's saw-mills at Lakeland, also in the Getchell mill at Afton. Finally in 1870, he purchased a farm in Lakeland, which he tilled, but resided in the village, until 1878. then sold and secured his pres- ent place from A. E. Jackson. Mr. Pratt was married in 1856 to Maria Callahan. Julia and Jennie are their only children.

Clarence W. Rogers, manager and accountant of the Lakeland branch of C. N. Nelson Lumber Company, was born at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, 1856. He grew to manhood under the careful training

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of his parents, and graduated from the Ripon College, also from Daggett's Business College, of Oshkosh, after which he read law two years. In 1877 he came to Stillwater, Minnesota, and en- gaged with the C. N. Nelson Lumber Company, and has since been in their employ. During the summer of 1880, he was placed in charge of their extensive interests at Lakeland, where he now resides. His marriage with Miss Emma Fritzen, took place January 2, 1879.

Reuben H. Sanderson, of the firm of Sander- son and Hanna, carpenters and builders, was born in Genessee county, New York, in 1831. After acquiring a common school education, he attended the Collegiate Seminary at Brockport, and subsequently learned the carpenter's trade, making it is business thus far through life. In 1852, he removed to Brockport and formed a partnership with F. H. Lisk; three years later, he sold to his partner and came to Minnesota, lo- cating immediately at Lakeland. Begining at once in the pursuit of his trade, he soon estab- . lished a reputation as a workman, and has since been a respected and industrious citizen. He was the first justice of the peace in the precinct; was elected delegate to the convention of 1857, and was chosen as chairman of the board of su- pervisors a number of years in succession. His wife was Martha E. Tyler, married in 1854.

Henry Schaar, a native of Germany, was horn May 15th, 1847. He came to America in 1867 with his mother, his father having died some time previously. They proceeded westward to Minnesota, and for some time Mr. Schaar was employed hy Christian Schrade, also the Wolf brewery and the pineries. In 1875, he purchased a farm in Lakeland township, which he sold and bought his present farm. His marriage with Henrietta Hatte took place at the residence of Mr. Schrade in 1875. Henry, Rudolph, Herman and Willhelm, twins, are their children.

Christian Schrade, a native of Germany, was born in 1824. He attended school until fourteen years of age, then apprenticed fora term of three years as a carpenter; after serving his time, he continued two years longer in the employ of the same firm. To avoid being drafted into the army, he visited Switzerland, and after a brief period returned to his native country only to flee again for the same purpose. In 1847, he left Switzer-

land for America, landing at New Orleans, and came up the river as far as Stillwater, Minnesota, in 1848, While here, he built the first ware- house, which, it appears, was a very small affair. On concluding to try farming, he purchased two hundred and eighty acres in Lakeland township, having since added three hundred and twenty acres, and settled in that township in 1856. Mr. Schrade has been thrice married; his present wife was Mrs. Juliana Willomine, married in 1876. She had two daughters: Emma and Au- gusta; John, Christian, William, Phillip and Frede- rick, are his children by his first and second wives. John is a farmer in Lakeland.

Joseph Shaw is a native of Broome county, New York, where he received his education and grew to manhood estate. In 1857, acting under the advice Horace Greeley has given, he came west and visited Lakeland, where he located with his family in 1859, and has resided at his present place since 1873. He married Miss Jane Ann Mitchell, in 1847. Their children are Jennie L., who is Mrs. Wm. Lovatt, of Lakeland, John and Bessie A.

John Streif was born in Canton Glarus, Swit- zerland, 1840. When five years old he came with his parents to America, and located at Galena, Illinois, making his home at that place until 1868, then commenced running with the steamers on the Mississippi and tributaries, some of which were the Wisconsin, Ohio, Arkansas, Red river of the south, and others; was also connected with the boats Milwaukee, Dubuque, David Pike, Alex. Mitchell, War Eagle, Granite Star, also the Diamond Joe five seasons. In 1876, he went to the Red River of the North and engaged with the Red River Transfer Company, running on their boats on Red River, also on the Assiniboine between. Winnipeg and Fort Ellis. Being well acquainted with the river channels it renders him very prominent as a steamboat employe. At Ga- lena, in 1863, he married Miss Edith B. White, who has borne him three sons and one daughter, Charles H., Frederick, John E. and Jessie B. His family resides at Lakeland.

F. C. Tyler is a native of St. Lawrence county, New York, born in 1821. When a lad of twelve years, he moved with his parents to Rochester, Monroe county, making it his home about four years, removing thence to Brockport, where he

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.

was in the canal-boat packet service eighteen years. During the latter part of the time on the canal he was captain of the "Red Bird" and the "Jenny Lind," owning a one-half interest in both. Coming to Minnesota in 1853, he located at Lakeland and invested in the Shanghai Mill. Disposing of his interests, he purchased a farm and erected a house, having since been a tiller of the soil. His marriage with Miss Maria Higgins took place in 1846. She after a number of years of suffering departed this life in 1880, leaving six children to mourn their loss: Charles T., Henry C., Annie M., Stillman A., Lillian A. and Martha J.

Burnham K. Watson was born in Somerset county, Maine, in 1837; moved to New Hamp- shire with his parents when four years old; in 1856 he came to Minnesota, and the next spring located at Lakeland. His father, in company with others, at once opened a saw-mill, the firm being stearns, Watson and Company, and here he was in employ until 1861; then went to St. Paul and for about three years was proprietor of the North-western steam bakery. After making a visit to the oil regions of Pennsylvania he be- came a member of the firm of T. B. Tenney and Company, merchant tailors in St. Paul. In 1865 he purchased a farm in Lakeland, and since 1874 has resided on it and given his attention to agri- culture. Mr. Watson has been twice married; to his present wife, who was Annette Martin, in 1865. One daughter, Mary C., has been born to them.

BAYTOWN.

CHAPTER LIX.

DESCRIPTION -- FIRST SETTLEMENT -- ORGANI- ZATION -- WAR RECORD -- SCHOOLS -- CHURCHES -VILLAGE OF SOUTH STILLWATER-MILLS- POST OFFICE-RAILROADS-BIOGRAPHICAL.

The township of Baytown is located near the center of the tier of towns bordering on Lake St. Croix, in Washington county. It is a frac-

tional township containing twelve full and three fractional sections of land. It is bounded on the north by Stillwater, on the east by Lake St. Croix, south by Lakeland, and west by Oakdale. The division of the congressional township was made anterior to the admission of the state in 1858. The villages of South Stillwater and Lakeland were already established, and to accom- modate both sections and place the voting pre- cincts within easy access, the division was made.

Socrates Nelson has the honor of naming Bay- town. The surface of the town is quite broken; from the lake west for eighty rods is a level plain, and from this point extending an equal distance still further west, it is rolling. Then comes a high ridge extending through from north to south. In the south-west lies a fine level country, also in the south-east are located some fine level farms. In its wild state it would be called oak openings. What timber still remains is a thick under-growth of oak. The soil is well adapted to the raising of wheat, the yield being equal to that of any part of the state. The soil varies somewhat, from light sandy to a heavy clay and loam, which, with proper tillage, yields a good return for the labor of the husbandman.

It is drained by Lake St. Croix, which washes its entire eastern shore from north to south; its average width is about three-quarters of a mile, with a curve in it opposite South Stillwater. From this curve extends a bay into the land, run- ning north-westerly about half a mile. The narrow neck or point of land extending between the bay and main lake, is known as Kittson's Point. It is covered with a thin growth of oak. On section three are some fine springs, from which flows a small creek, which, extending in a south-eastern direction, and called Perro creek, enters the lake on section 11. The water of this creek is conducted through a race for some distance, supplying the power which runs the Baytown flour-mill. In the western part of the town, located on sections 7 and 8 is a fine lake, covering about fifty acres, called McDonald's lake, in honor of R. McDonald, one of the oldest settlers in that part of town.

FIRST SETTLEMENT.

The first settlement in this town was made by one Francis Bruce, who built a block house on

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BAYTOWN-ORGANIZATION.

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