USA > Minnesota > Washington County > History of Washington County and the St. Croix Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota > Part 78
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VILLAGE.
The only village in the town is Lake Elmo. In 1874, a tract of one hundred acres was platted by the railroad company at the head of the lake, where the station and warehouse stands, and called Bass Lake, since changed to Lake Elmo. In 1877, the railroad company erected a large hotel on the shore of the lake, within a conven- ient distance of the passenger depot. The busi- ness portion of the village comprises one store of general merchandise, J. W. Lohmann proprietor. A depot for the sale of all kinds of farm ma- chinery, by J. W. Lohmann and Brothers, black- smith and general repair shop by John Bauer, restaurant and sample room by John McDermott.
ROADS.
The first roads built in the town of Oakdale were the old territorial roads, the St. Paul and Stillwater and the St. Paul and Hudson roads. The St. Paul and Stillwater enters the town from the east on section 12, and bearing south-west, leaves the town from section 30. Many changes have been made since it was first opened. The St. Paul and Hudson road now runs between the towns of Oakdale and Woodbury, formerly ran in a diagonal direction from the south-east to inter- sect the St. Paul and Stillwater road near the Half-way House, then known as the Willow River road, since changed to its present route. The first road laid out by the town board was the road known as the Lake house and blacksmith road. Many changes have since been made in the route.
The St. Paul, Stillwater and Taylor's Falls railroad was built in 1870-1. It has three stations in the town; Lake Elmo, Oakdale and Midvale. In 1880, it was changed to the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha railway. A line of stages was established shortly after the land of- fice was opened at Stillwater by Willoughby and Powers of St. Paul, running from St. Paul to
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
Hudson. When first started the road from Hud- son, took a diagonal course across the country over the road called the Willow River road, mak- ing connections with the through stages at the Half-way house. The travel over these roads was immense; several stages daily each way were required to transport the passengers and luggage.
THE HALF-WAY HOUSE.
During those early days was a busy place. It was built and operated by John Morgan until the fall of 1853, when he rented to Mr. Branch from St. Paul for one year, then to B. B. Cypher's for eighteen months. In May, 1855, E. G. Gray from Harrisburgh, Pennsylvania, purchased the property of Churchill and Nelson, who took pos- sesion in the fall of the same year, making many valuable improvements. He died in 1874. His sons now own the property.
The products of this town in 1880, amounted to, wheat, 72,137 bushels; oats, 36,237 bushels; corn, 26,240 bushels; barley, 13,281 bushels; pota- toes, 9,545 bushels; hay, 569 tons; butter, 17,310 pounds; number of acres under cultivation, 8,- 043. The population of Oakdale was in 1875, 679; in 1880, 845. The total assessed valuation of real estate in 1880, was $269,187; of personal property, $60,193.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
William Boelter, a native of Prussia, was born 1858. He, with his parents, immigrated to this country in 1870, and located on a farm in Oak- dale township. Remaining with his parents on the farm until 1878, he went to make a home for himself, and after working for different farmers, he purchased his present farm and settled on it the same year. July 18th, 1880, he married Miss Emma Taungploat, a native of Germany.
Patrick Conlin, a native of Ireland, was born 1830. Immigrating to this country in 1854, lie settled at Chicago, remaining three years, thence to Minnesota, locating at St. Paul. In 1860 he removed to the North Star seed farms, in Ramsey county; was employed there until 1875, then set- tled on his present farm in Oakdale township. Married, in 1854, to Miss Julia Galagher, of Ire- land. Mary, Kate, Thomas, Martin, Patrick, William and Charles are their children.
Patrick Day was born in Limerick county, I re- land, 1822; came to America in 1847, and entered
the Mexican service, but was retained at West Troy, New York, in the ordnance department, five years. In 1852 he located a claim in Oakdale township, then returned to New York, engaging in the mercantile trade until 1855, when he again came to Minnesota, and settled on his farm, since following the quiet occupation of farming. Mr. Day has held the office of town supervisor two years, town clerk ten years, assessor one year and county commissioner one year. His marriage with Miss Ellen Carroll took place 1866. James, John E. and Daniel are their children.
Julius C. Gohlike, a native of Germany, was born December 8th, 1852. He came to America, with his parents, in 1870, and worked at his trade, that of carpentering, at St. Paul, four years, locating the following year on his farm in Oakdale township, there being one hundred and sixty acres, ninety-five of which are improved. IIis wife was Miss Minnie Boelter, who was born in Germany, and whom he married in 1876. Their children are Annie H. and Frederick A.
M. P. Gray was born at Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- vania, 1843, and with his parents removed to Harrisburgh the same year. They engaged in dairying and farming until 1855, then came to Minnesota and for many years kept what was known as the "Half-Way" house between St. Paul and Stillwater. Mr. Gray was one of eight children, and after the death of his parents, which occurred in 1872-4. he was chosen admin- istrator, and settled the estate, he and his brother David carrying on the farm in company. He has held the office of township supervisor for five years, and has been chairman of the board two years.
W. H. Gray was born at Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- vania, 1837, and a is brother of M. P. Gray. IIe settled in Oakdale township in 1855, and re- mained with his parents until 1857; then returned to ITarrisburgh, Pennsylvania, and entered the eni- ploy of the Pennsylvania Central railroad. In 1861, he enlisted in the First Pennsylvania Regi- ment, and at expiration of term, re-enlisted in the Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania, but was soon taken sick, and in consequence was discharged. Re- turning to the healthful climate of Minnesota, he recovered and again re-enlisted, serving until the close of war. The farm on which he now lives, was presented to him by his father, on his return,
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OAKDALE-BIOGRAPHICAL.
as bis portion of the estate. His marriage with Mrs. Annie Flood, of St. Paul took place in 1876. They have two children, David M. and Clifton G. Mrs. Gray's son Mathew, by her first hus- band, lives with them.
William Jennings, a native of Yorkshire, Eng- land, was born 1846. At the early age of nine years he went from hts boyhood home to earn his livelihood. Working on a farm four years, he entered as an apprentice to learn the training of horses for the chase in fox hunting. In 1868, he crossed to Canada, and there had charge of fine trotting and draught horses for different par- ties, also at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Illinois, and with Col. W. S. King, in the same business. He began tilling the soil in 1877, and finally located on a farm in Oakdale township. His family con- sists of his wife, who was Miss Elizabeth Spence, married in 1873, and three children, Florence A., Sarah A. and Edward S.
J. W. Lohmann was born in Germany, 1852. When five years old, he immigrated with his par- ents to America, and settled on a farm in Oak- dale township. Remaining till 1869, then went to Buffalo, New York, to study for the ministry; being unable to master the rudiments of music, which was required of him. he abandoned his studies after two and one-half years, and engaged in a wholesale trade at that city. He experienced an illness and returned to his home; on recover- ing, he removed to St. Paul and for a short time was dealing in dry-goods, then went to Milwaukee and learned cigar-making. From this time until 1877, he traveled about, engaging in different pur- suits, then returned to Oakdale and opened a general merchandise store. The next spring he was appointed post-master and express agent, at what is now Lake Elmo. In 1880, he formed a a partnership with his brother, J. H. Lohmann, in the sale of machinery and lumber and wheat speculation, the same year receiving the appoint- ment of agent of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneap- olis & Omaha railway. His wife was Miss Mary Schroeer, married in 1876. Two children were born to them, Gregory C. J. and Alphonso P. II.
C. D. Lucken was born 1843, in Germany. At fourteen years of age he began learning carpen- tering with his father, and five years later left the home of his childhood to perfect his trade. The death of his father occurred in 1866, and for two
years after he remained at home; married in 1868 to Miss Anna Sullwold and the next year they came to America. Locating at Stillwater, Min- nesota, he worked as a journeyman seven years, and in 1876 purchased his present farm, which is located on the shore of the beautiful "Jane lake." He possesses very fine picnic grounds, also, keeps a large supply of boats, fishing tackle, etc., for the use of pleasure seekers. Gesine M., Henry T., Charles J., John D., Frederick C. and Anna, are their children.
Cornelius Malone, a native of Ireland, was born 1828, and when reaching majority crossed the At- lantic, landing in America, May 24th, 1850. Dur- ing the fall of that year he came to the "North Star" state, settling on a farm in Oakdale town- ship, which he purchased from his brother Mor- ris. Purchasing his present farm in 1868, situated on the south shore of Lake Elmo, he tilled it in connection with the one previously purchased, until 1879, then sold and removed to his present fine location. In 1861 he was married to Miss Bridget Brody. Mary, Catherine, Cornelius, Bridget, Josephine and Margaret, are their living children.
W. J. Masterman is a native of Minnesota, born in Grant township, 1851. Remaining with his parents until twenty one, he then engaged at the carpenter's trade, working in Stillwater and other towns. In the fall of 1874 he made a trip to Cali- fornia; not being favorably impressed, returned during the spring of 1875, and purchased a farm of one hundred and ten acres in Oakdale town- ship, where he now lives. Mr. Masterman mar- ried Miss Fidella Masterman of Stillwater, who has borne him three children: Lillie, Edna and Clara.
John McDermott, a native of Ireland, was born 1842. In company with his parents he came to America and settled in Illinois, in 1847, remain- ing until 1853. The next year they came to St. Paul, and the year following he started to earn his own livelihood, which was in the employ of others in different capacities until 1867. Open- ing sample rooms in that year, he continued on his own account, until his location on his farm at Lake Elmo in 1876, except two years in the hotel business. He married Miss M. Dewey in 1871. Mary, Jobn, Catherine and Charles are their child- ren.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
August Munkelwitz was born in Prussia, No- vember 19th, 1852, and with his parents immi- grated to this country in 1866, locating on a farm in Oakdale township. He engaged as lumberman for some time and in 1876 purchased his farm of one hundred and sixty acres, one hundred and twenty acres being at present under cultivation. The following year he married Miss Sopia Koepke, who has borne him two children, John T. C. and Matilda M. E.
William Munkelwitz, a native of Germany, born 1851, and when a lad of fifteen years came to America with his parents, settling in Oakdale township. Remaining with his parents until 1874, he then purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres; the same year being united in marriage with Miss Catherine Wink. They have three children, Lizzie, Winnie and Lydia. Mr. Munkelwitz is an honest, industrious farmer, having one hundred and twenty acres under improvement; has held the office of school clerk the past four years.
Arthur Stephen was born in Scotland, in 1830, and came to America at the age of nine years, locating in Knox county, Illinois. In 1844 he began learning the trade of brick-layer and plasterer, and five years later settled at St. Paul, Minnesota; while there took the contract for plastering the Market Street M. E. church, which was the first brick structure in the state. In 1854 he moved with his family to his farm in Oakdale; his house being consumed by fire in 1868, they removed to Stillwater, returning in 1876, his son having carried on the farm since. Mr. Stephen has been county commissioner three years, chairman of town board one year, and post-master at Oakdale ten years. His mar- riage with Miss Maria Payden took place in 1852. Harriet S., Arthur Jr., Elizabeth, and Emma, are their children.
Jacob Sullwold was born in 1833, and is a Ger- man by birth. He followed farming until 1859, then came to America, making Duluth, Minne- sota, his home for two years. In 1861 he went to Ohio, and enlisted in the Thirty-seventh Ohio Regiment, Company B. On account of sickness he was discharged in 1862, and during the spring of 1864 returned to Minnesota, purchased the farm on which he now lives, and has since made agriculture his chief pursuit. In 1865 he married
Miss Amelia Silaf, a native of Prussia. Five children have been born to them: Henry and Hulda, twins, Emma, Mary and Anna.
H. B. Volmer, a native of Switzerland, was born 1846. When a child of two years, his father, J. Bingeli, died at Paris. During early life he attended the public schools of his native country, and in 1853 was placed in a German school, remaining two years, then attended a French school two years. His mother, leaving him at school, immigrated to America in 1856, and lived for a short time in Lakeland, Minne- sota, where she met and married Daniel Volmer. Mr. Volmer immigrated to America in 1858, and settled on the farm with his parents, assuming his step-father's name. He married Miss Mary Friedrick, in 1871, and moved to his present farm four years later. Their children are, C. A., Julia, Susan A. T., E. E. Clara and Henry P. I. He was enumerator of census of 1880.
Louis Volmer was born in Lakeland township, Washington county, Minnesota, April 10th, 1855. His early life was passed under the parental guidance. His marriage with Miss Augusta Friedrick took place in 1877. They purchased and moved to their present farm the same year. Louis W. D., and Henry C. J., are their child- ren.
GRANT.
CHAPTER LXI.
ORGANIZED AS GREENFIELD-DESCRIPTIVE- FIRST SETTLERS-ORGANIZATION-SCHOOLS- SPIRITUALISTIC ASSOCIATION -- INCIDENTS- BIOGRAPHICAL.
The town of Grant, prior to 1864, was known by the name of Greenfield, which name it re- ceived at the date of its organization in 1858, by Socrates Nelson, then one of the commissioners appointed by the state for the organization and
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GRANT-ORGANIZATION.
naming of the several towns of which the county was composed. The name of Greenfield was given in honor of the town which was his former home in Massachusetts. It was found at a sub- sequent date that another town in the state had received the same name, which was contrary to an act passed by the legislature. The other town having the precedence, this one was changed to Grant, in honor of General U. S. Grant. Mr. Jesse H. Soule has the honor of proposing the name. The town is a full congressional town- ship of thirty-six full sections, the surface of which is quite rolling, and a large portion is cov- ered with timber composed of burr and white oak, with here and there small growth of tama- rack. There are, however, many beautiful farms in all parts of the town which have been reclaimed from the forests, and are now in a fine state of cultivation, with the best of improvements, which is especially the case with the eastern and southern portions of the town. The drainage of the town is good. On the east White Bear lake occupies portions of six sections, or about twelve hundred acres of surface, and is noted as a sum- mer resort. It is a large, beautiful sheet of water, shared about equally between Grant, and White Bear of Ramsey county. This beautiful lake is sought after by tourists and excursionists from all parts of the country. Many people from the sultry south make their homes during the summer months on the shores of this lake.
Pine lake, to the north-east, is a small lake about a mile in length. Other lakes, such as Deep, Long, Ben's and Stone Quarry, together with Brown's creek in the north-east, furnish splendid drainage to the town. The water from the creek is utilized by having the course of the stream turned into McKusick's lake, from which the city of Stillwater receives its supply of water.
The soil of a large portion of the town is of a loamy nature with a clayey subsoil, while some portions are sandy. The first settlement in the town was made in 1849, by Albion Master- man and William Rutherford, who made their claims and settled on them about the same time. Next came James Rutherford the following year. Following these in 1852, came Thomas P. Ramsden, who erected a house and rented it to Mr. George Bennett, who is now living in the town of Marine. We have no record of other
accessions until the fall of 1854, when Joseph Taylor and family settled in section 6. The fol- lowing spring Jesse H. Soule located on section 2. In 1855, their number was increased by Mr. John Shaughnessy and family, and R. Minouge in 1856. The first white child born in the town was Castinia O. Rutherford, June 26th, 1850; the second was W. J. Masterman, February 28th, 1851; the first marriage was at the house of AI- bion Masterman, the happy couple was W. Mid- dleton and lady from Woodbury town; were mar- ried by Rev. W. T. Boutwell, September, 1850. The next was W. Price to F. Wamsley July, 1855. The first death was James M. Rutherford, son of James and Elizabeth, July 24th, 1851. The first public religious services held in the town was in the school-house in district number 10, (the date does not appear) by Rev. Mr. Hamlin, of the Free Will Baptist, persuasion. His labors met with some returns to the Master; he performed the first rite of baptism at Ben's Lake to Mrs. Mor- ris Masterman. The first house erected in the town was by Albion Masterman; the first white woman that came to reside in the town was Mrs. Albion Masterman.
ORGANIZATION.
The meeting for the organization of the town of Greenfield was called at the house of Thomas Ramsden, October 20th, 1858. Joseph Cram was chosen moderatar, and Jesse II. Soule, clerk pro tem. An organization of the new town was ef- fected by the election of the following officers, thirteen votes being cast, viz: Albion Masterman, chairman, James Rutherford and Joseph Cram, supervisors; Jesse H. Soule, clerk; R. S. Thornton, assessor; Daniel Getty, collector; O. L. Kingman, overseer of poor; Jacob H. Cram and S. R. Web- ster, constables; Albion Masterman and Jesse H. Soule, justices of the peace; overseer of roads, Thomas Ramsden, of number one; J. B. Taft, of number two, and S. R. Webster, of number three.
The next annual election was held at the house of Reuben 'S. Thornton, April 5th, 1859. on mc- tion, the town was reorganized into four road districts, with divisions of the town into four equal parts. Number one comprised the south- east, number two the south-west portion, num- ber three the north-eastern and number four the north-western portion. The following was the
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
result of the election: Albion Masterman, Chair- man of the board; W. Rutherford and W. W. Bradley, supervisors,
The third annual town meeting was held at the house of Jesse H. Soule, April 13th, 1860. It was voted to raise one hundred dollars for town expenses. W. Rutherford was elected pound master, he giving his yard for pound that year. The following was the result of the election: Al- bion Masterman, chairman of the board; W. Rutherford and John B. Taft, supervisors.
The next annual town meeting was called at the house of R. S. Thornton, April 2d, 1861. It was voted to raise one hundred dollars for school purposes and fifty dollars for town purposes. The following was the result of the election: Albion Masterman, chairman of the board; Jacob H. Cram and W. Rutherford, supervisors.
The next annual meeting was called at the school-house, in sub-district number one, April 1st, 1862. The following was the result of the election: George Walker, chairman of board; Al- bion Masterman and W. Rutherford, supervisors. The next annual town meeting was called at the house of James Rutherford, April 7th, 1863. A tax of $100 was voted for current expenses. The following was the result of the election: A. Masterman, chairman of board; W. Rutherford and Daniel Getty, supervisors. The next annual town meeting was called April 5th, 1864, at school-house number 10. The following resolu- tion was read and adopted.
"Resolved that we assess a tax of $1,200 to pay bounties to volunteers or drafted men for this town, and that the supervisors be instructed to procure men enough to fill our quota, by pur- chase or otherwise, and return to the county the amount of tax necessary for such purpose. Not to exceed the above named sum."
The following was the result of the election: Albion Masterman, chairman of board; B. J. Masterman and W. Rutherford, supervisors. The annual town meeting was called at the house of William Rutherford, April 4th, 1865. On mo- tion it was voted that those in favor of issuing the bonds of the town, to those persons who ad- vanced money to clear the town of the draft un- der call of December 19th, 1864, be requested to deposit a ballot with the words "for bonds" writ- .en thereon; and those opposed to the issuing
such bonds to deposit a ballot with the words "against bonds" written thereon." The results were eight for and five against. The amount of $1,200 was voted for town expenses and bonds. The following was the result of the election: Jacob H. Cram, chairman of board; John B. Taft and John Shaughnessy, supervisors. The annual town meeting was called at the school- house of district number eleven, April 3d, 1866. It was voted to raise $1,200 for current expenses and bonds. The following officers were elected: James Rutherford, chairman of board; B. J. Masterman and Alexander Rutherford, super- visors. A special town meeting was called at school-house, number eleven, to consider the mat- ter of voting funds to pay soldier bounty bonds. After due consideration it was voted to raise $1,200 for said purpose. The annual town meet- ing was called at the house of James Rutherford, April 2d, 1867. It was voted to raise $1,000, or so much of it as shall be ordered by the super- visors to pay soldiers bounty bonds; officers elected were James Rutherford, chairman of board; Alex. Rutherford and B. J. Masterman, supervisors. The annual town meeting of April 7th, 1868, was held in school-house district number ten, resulted in the election of James Rutherford, chairman; B. J. Masterman and W. Rutherford, supervis- ors. The annual town meeting was called at the school-house district number ten, April 6th, 1869. The results were as follows, viz: James Ruther- ford, chairman; Albion Masterman and W. Ruth- erford, supervisors.
The next annual town meeting was called at the house of James Rutherford, April 5th, 1870, with the following results, viz: B. J. Masterman, chairman; James Rutherford and Fred Lohmann, supervisors.
The next annual town meeting was called at school-house number eleven, March 14th, 1871. A tax of one hundred dollars was voted for cur- rent expenses. The results of the election were as follows: James Rutherford, chairman, Charles II. Taft and D. P. Kallahan, supervisors.
At a meeting of the town board held at the clerk's office, March 18th, 1871, it was voted to divide the town into five road districts, with the following territory, viz: District number one, to embrace sections 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36; number two, scctions 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30. 19, 20, 23, 24;
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GRANT-SCHOOLS.
number three, sections 1, 2, 3, 11, 12, 13 and 15; number four, sections 4, 9, 10, 15, 16, 21 and 22; number five, sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17 and 18.
The annual town meeting was held March 12th, 1872. at school-house number eleven. A tax of one hundred dollars was voted for current ex- penses. The result of the election was as fol- lows: James Rutherford, chairman; D. P. Kalla- han and Fred Lohmann, supervisors.
The annual town meeting was called at the school-house in district number eleven, March 11th, 1873. It was voted to raise one hundred and fifty dollars for current expenses. The fol- lowing was the result of the election, viz: B. J. Masterman, chairman, S. R. Webster and Frank Pfiffer, supervisors.
The next annual town meeting was call at the school-house in district number 11, March 11th, 1874; a tax of $100 was voted for current expen- ses, with the following as the result of the elec- tion: A. Masterman, chairman; W. Rutherford and Roger Minogue, supervisors.
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