History of Washington County and the St. Croix Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 79

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 79

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The annual town meeting was called at the school-house in district number 11, March 9th, 1875; a tax of $100 was voted for current expen- ses. The following officers were elected : Albion Masterman, chairman; Roger Minogue and W. Rutherford, supervisors.

The annual town meeting was held in the school-house in district number 11, March 14th, 1876; a tax of $100 was voted for current expen- ses; the following was the result of the election: J. B. Taft, chairman: John M. Keene and Fred. Lohmann, supervsiors.

The annual town meeting was called at the school-house in district number 11, March 13th, 1877; the following was the result of the election: J. B. Taft, chairman; John M. Keene and Henry Westing, supervisors.

The annual town meeting was called at the school-house in district number 11, March 12th, 1878; a tax of $150 was voted for current ex- penses; the result of the election was: J. B. Taft, chairman; Henry Westing and Frank Pfiffer, su- pervisors.

The next annual town meeting was called at the school-house in district number 11, March 11th, 1879; a tax of one mill on each dollar of taxable property for current expenses was voted;

the result of the election: J. B. Taft, chairman; Fred. Walt and Wm. Elliott, supervisors.

The annual town meeting of March 9th, 1880, was held in the school-house in district number 11; a tax of $200 was voted for current expenses; the result of the election was: Albion Masterman, chairman; W. S. Soule and Otto Steindorft, super- visors.

At the date of the last meeting seven road dis- tricts had been organized; at the organization of the town, Jesse H. Soule was elected town clerk, which he held until 1878, when J. M. Keene was elected, and has held it since.

SCHOOLS.

With the enterprising settlers of Grant town came the desire for knowledge, and with this de- sire means were taken to provide for the educa- tion of the children. The first school district or- ganization was effected in 1855, which comprised the north half of the town, the then town of Greenfield and the south half of Oneka town.

The first school-house built was in 1856, on section one. Prior to this in order to secure the apportionment of school money, a rude structure was erected, which was hardly a protection against rain or storm, and a school of about twenty schol- ars was collected under the tutorship of Joseph Cram. The following winter a comfortable build- ing was provided. In 1859 this house was de- stroyed by fire. An incident will show the enter- prise which characterized those early settlers. A neighbor came to Mr. J. H. Soule, the next even- ing, which was Friday, and says our school house is burned, but the windows, doors and books have been saved. With this material as a commence-" ment, and the knowledge of the fact that the dis- trict was already badly in debt, he soon formed a plan by which to secure at once a comfortable place in which to continue the school. Spending a portion of the night in forming his plans he was ready for action at an early hour the following morning. Going to his nearest neighbor he says, we must have a new building at once.

But the neighbors saw a large mountain in the way of such an enterprise. After some explana- tion he got his promise to go at once to the swamp and cut and draw a load of tamarack logs, and so on to six or seven he extorted the same promise, so that before night they had on the ground suf-

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ficient timber to erect quite a building. Monday morning found them busy hewing and planing for the new house. The next Monday morning found the teacher with his pupils located in their pleasant new quarters. This building answered its purpose for six or seven years, when a new frame house was erected on a new site, on section two. In 1877, on account of the re-districting of the town, it was thought best to erect a new house on another site, which was accomplished the same year. The first officers of this district were: J. H. Soule, clerk; George Bennett, Garret Organ and Jacob Cram, trustees.

School district number eleven was organized in the fall of 1859 by the election of the following officers: Daniel Getty, clerk; Roger Minogue, di- rector, and John Shaughnessy treasurer. Their first school-house was erected in the summer of 1860, on section fifteen. George Keller as teacher opened the school with eight pupils, but was suc- ceeded before the term was completed by Miss Lydia Lowell.

This school-house has been used as the town hall for several years, and shows the effects of usage. By a full vote of the district it was de- cided to erect a new house this present summer, ready for the coming winter term.

School district number fifty-four was organ- ized in October, 1872, by the election of the fol- lowing officers: John Smith, clerk; Fred Schlee, director; and Joseph Taylor, treasurer. The district for their first school-house purchased a building which had been used as a dwelling, and fitted it up for a school-house. Said house is lo- cated on section six. The school was opened with twenty scholars under the care of Miss O'Mara as instructress.

School district number sixty was organized in 1874 by the election of the following officers: Fred Lohmann, director; Herman Lohmann, treas- urer; and Charles Taft, clerk. Their first school- house was erected on section thirty-five, and the first school, with an attendance of ten pupils, was taught by Theodore Wier.

With pride may the people of Grant town refer to the position they took during those dark days of the rebellion. Many were found among them who would give their lives to the pro- tection of home and country, while those that remained at home rendered what assistance they

could with means to assist in maintaining those who went to the front. Special meetings of the town were called, and large sums voted to pur- chase volunteers from time to time until the sum of $4,500 of town bonds was used to assist in the suppression of the rebellion. The last bond was redeemed in 1870. Though most of the bonds were held by her own citizens, still some found their way far from home, even to the state of Maine. One pleasant incident, spoken of by many of those who were among the volunteers that returned, was the pleasant party given by Mr. W. Rutherford and family to the returned volunteers.

An association was formed in 1868, under the statutes of Minnesota, known as the "Spirit- ualistic Association," with the following officers: J. H. Soule, president; George Walker, secretary and treasurer; George Walker, William Soule and B. J. Masterman, trustees. Exercises were held every Sunday, which were well attended during the warm weather. The services of several emi- nent lecturers were secured, among whom was J. K. Bailey, J. L. Potter, Prof. R. G. Eccles, Dr. Stewart, Mrs. Swain and others. With the ap- proach of winter the interest declined and has never been renewed to any extent, though no formal disbandment has ever taken place, and it may still he said to exist.

CHURCH.

The German Protestant Lutheran church was organized May 13th, 1872, with the following officers : Christian Harbke, president ; William Heifort, secretary; W. Heifort, H. Godman and H. Madans, trustees. The society erected a house of worship the same year, 20x28 feet. Their first preacher was Rev. Siegrist, with seven members at organization which was increased to twenty. In connection they have a burial ground with here and there a marble slab indicating that some of their loved ones have passed on before. There is also located in section 2, what is known as the neighborhood burial ground.

ROADS.

The first public highway that traversed the town of Grant, was the Rum river road, which enters the town on section 24 from the east, pass- ing almost directly west through section 17, when it turns north-west, keeping near . the shore of

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white Bear Lake, passes out from section 7. The first road laid out by township authority, was a road beginning on the line between James Rutherford and Thomas Ramsden, going south passes out of the town in the south-east corner, and was declared a legal road March 21st, 1861, Jesse H. Soule, surveyor. The town is crossed by the St. Paul and Duluth railroad, entering from the east on section 24, it runs to section 20, when it leaves to the north-west passing around the north shore of White Bear lake. Said road was built in 1872. A tract of land was laid out and platted on section 20, known as Wilson, about the same date, but never had any improve- ments made or town built, only on paper.

An incident in the history of the town in con- nection with its first surveys may be of interest. As early as 1854, Joseph Taylor, coming into the country to settle, brought with him a surveyor from St. Paul to locate his lines and corner posts, but by some error on the part of the surveyor the work was all wrong, as the sequel will show. In the course of time other parties in locating their lands took his lines and stakes as starting points, made their lines incorrect in proportion as his were wrong. The public highways were laid out on those lines, houses were built by new settlers on what they supposed to be their own land. But, as the lands were taken up to the east, it became apparent that there must be some great mistake. Jesse H. Soule was called upon to survey a forty acre lot on the town line for Charles Perry. They found an error of quite a large piece in favor of a certain forty. Mr. Frank Campbell seeing an opportunity to secure a fine piece of land, with seven or eight acres cleared, purchased the forty. Some dispute arose be- tween Campbell and his brother-in-law, John Smith, in regard to the correctness of the survey. Campbell said: "I have purchased the forty, and will have it surveyed," which he did, and proved true what he had said. Thus things continued until 1880, when by a correct survey it was found that to make the lines correct it would necessi- tate a removal of the lines three and three-tenths rods west, and fourteen rods south. By this cor- rection it was found that but two houses on the section were on their proper land.

The town of Grant by the last census contained a population of 518. The financial condition of

the town for the past fifteen years has been first- class. No order against the town has been pre- sented but what has been cashed at once.

In the history of every town, county, or state, a chapter of romance or tragedy might be writ- ten. Such was the history of Grant in 1874. First on the list of tragic deaths was that of P. Rathlesberger, a German. He with his wife and John Widmer, a son-in-law, and wife, were living together, but not pleasantly, it would seem. Both men were what would be termed "hen-pecked," being often driven to desperation by the fault- finding of the "strong minded frau." He, Rath- lesberger, had often said he would hang himself. April 16th was a more than usual trying day to the simple-hearted old man. Being a carpenter by trade, he had been called upon to make a coffin. By mistake, he had cut one side too short, which angered the wife. She in return poured upon him the vials of her wrath to such an extent that he could endure it no longer; he left the house in his desperation, and proceeded to carry out his often talked of revenge, by hang- ing himself to a tree in the marsh, not far from the house. Several days elapsed before the body was found. When asked by the neighbors where he was, his wife would say he had gone out to hang himself, little thinking that such was the fact.

The next case was that of a man by the name of Blair, once a prominent citizen of St. Paul, but by the use of strong drink had become so de- graded that life to him had become a curse. He was at this time engaged as hand on the railroad track. While at work, May 25th, same year, he was sent back for something; on the way, he sat down on the track; an engine came suddenly around a curve; the engineer saw him, but too late to stop; he threw himself in front of the engine, and was crushed to death.

The following winter, one James Taylor, in the employ of Mr. Schneider, of Ramsey county, was crossing the lake; when near the east side it was supposed he must have stepped into an air hole, and was drowned.

In the early settlement of this town the heavy timber surrounding the lake and extending north- ward was infested with the timber wolf. The settlers often had narrow escapes from the lun- gry marauders. The old settlers to this day en-

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joy relating their amusing incidents of when they or some neighbor was obliged to? seek refuge in some friendly tree just above the grasp of the hungry pack that were on his track.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Carl Eggert, a native of Germany, was born July 3d, 1841. Here he was reared by his parents and attended the schools until a lad of fourteen years. During the spring of 1872, he emigrated to America, landing at New York; then he pro- ceeded westward to Minnesota, and settled at Stillwater, working in the saw-mill for Schulen- berg and Boeckeler. In 1876, he purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Grant township, on which he has since resided, making many improvements. His wife was Miss Dora Reier, a native of Germany, married in 1868. They have three children living: Dora, Ida and Emma.

William Elliott was born in Ireland in May, 1825, and lived at his birth-place five years, then came with his parents to New Brunswick. On attaining his majority, he removed to Maine and gave his attention to lumbering until 1850, then came to St. Paul. Minnesota, and here also engaged in lumbering on the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers as pilot several years. In 1862, he purchased his present farm, and in 1876 left the river and removed to it, having since divided his attention between farming and lumbering. Mr. Elliott has been twice married; his present wife was Miss Mary Crawford, of Belfast, Ireland, mar- ried in 1855. They have eight children: Daniel D., James B., William J., Theo." H., Martha R., Mary E., Eliza V. and an adopted daughter, Mary A. Heary.

Joseph N. Fairbanks was born at Phillips, Franklin county, Maine, in 1829.He engaged in tilling the soil until the spring of 1868, when he came to Minnesota and purchased the farm on which he now lives, and has since been a farmer. In 1862, he enlisted in Company D, Twenty-eighth Maine Infantry, and was dis- charged in 1863. He married Miss L. S. Dill, of Maine, in 1854; she has horne him three children: I. Herbert, O. Willis and O. Elbridge.

Silas P. Holden is a native of Franklin county, Maine, born in 1831. At the age of twelve, he was thrown on his own resources, on account of

the death of his father. His educational advan- tages were somewhat limited as he began working as soon as able. In 1865, he came westward to Minnesota and settled in Grant township, where about four years later he purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, and has since been able to add sixty acres more; has built a comfor- table home and made all the improvements since his purchase. He married in 1873, Miss Melvi- nia, daughter of J. Norris Masterman. They are the parents of four children; the living are: William A., Edmund and Jobn Emmons.

John M. Keene, is a native of Maine, born No- vember 27th, 1840. During the late war, he en- listed in Company C, Sixteenth Maine, in 1862; at the battle of Gettysburg, he was taken prison- er and held one month, and was discharged in 1865: Returning to Maine, he devoted his time to agricultural pursuits, and in 1870, came to Minnesota, settling in Grant township. He now has an improved farm of one hundred and forty eight acres, with good buildings. His parents came west in 1879, and are living with him. His wife was Miss Lena A. Fairbanks, married 1871. Their only child is Edward O., Leslie E. died in 1872.

John Kempf was born at Darmstadt, Germany, January 21st, 1816. He came to America in 1853, locating in Clinton county, Indiana, where he fol- lowed the milling business twelve years; thence to Hudson, Wisconsin, making it his home until the spring of 1876, then moved to his present farm, and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits, having eighty acres under cultivation. His marriage with Elizabeth Heartman took place June 8th, 1843 .. They have had thirteen children, only six of whom are living; all are mar- ried except the youngest son, who still lives with his parents.

Frederick Lamb, a native of Prussia, was born 1826. Here he was reared under the parental guidance and received his education; at the age of sixteen he entered the Prussian army, serving three years, and later, traveled through Switzer- land, France, England and Italy, for Herr Von Weiss, who was a prominent manufacturer in Germany. During the war of 1848, Mr. Lamb came to America, coming to Menominee, Michi- gan, via Chicago. After a stay of abont one year, he returned to Chicago, thence to Stillwater,

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Minnesota, in 1849. Changing about for some time after this, he finally located at Stillwater, in 1852, remaining until he purchased a farm in Grant township, in 1866. His present farm of one hundred and thirty-one acres was purchased in 1876, where he lias since lived. His wife was Miss Lena Laroche, married 1851. Frederick, their oldest son received fatal injuries while work- ing in the saw-mill of Isaac Staples, at Stillwater, from which he died the following day, Septem- ber 27th, 1872; William is married, and resides with his father; Lizzie, at the age of three years, was so severely burned, that death followed soon; Emma, Lizzie and Mary still remain.

Henry Mardans, a native of Germany, was born 1833. He attended school until fourteen years of. age, then worked for others until the age of twen- ty-four, then came to America, proceeding direct- ly to Toledo, Ohio, where he remained during the winter with his sisters. In 1858 he came to Still- water, Minnesota, and worked for Schulenberg and Boeckeler. His present farm in Grant town- ship, consists of two hundred and twenty acres, which he has purchased from time to time, locating on it first in 1862. He and Miss Mary Logrien were married in 1862 and have four child- ren living: Emma, Joseph, Lizzie and Clara.

Albion Masterman was born in Franklin coun- ty, Maine, 1823. After attaining his majority he came west via the lakes and Chicago to La Salle, thence to St. Louis; making only a brief stay he went to Quincy, and in 1845 became a resident of Stillwater, Minnesota, where he devoted his time to lumbering for three years. In 1850 he moved with his family to his farm, where he has since lived, having held the office of county commis- sioner two years, chairman of town board ten years, and assessor five years. His wife was Miss Eliza Middleton of Ireland, married in 1848. Their children are, Eliza A., William J., Eme- line, Stillman and Albion D. Mrs. Masterman was the first white woman who came to this town, they being the first white settlers.

Benjamin J. Masterman was born in Franklin county, Maine, 1824. He came to Washington county, Minnesota, in 1855, living with Mr. Al- bion Masterman four years, and worked at his trade, that of carpentering. He moved to his farm in 1859, and has since been engaged in agri- culture and in the pursuit of his trade. Married

in 1844, his wife dying four years later, leaving one daughter, now the wife of James Middleton. His second wife was Abbie Marston, now de- ceased. In 1858 he remarried to Miss Catherine Middleton, a native of Ireland, who has borne him four children; the living are, Orion B., James and Jane.

J. Norris Masterman was born in Maine, 1821, where he grew to manhood's estate. His educa- tional advantages were somewhat limited. During his youth he made manifest a passion for hunting and sallied forth on many an expedition; among other game that fell to the crack of his trusty rifle was a monstrous bear, measuring six feet in length, and four and one-half feet in height; also some very large moose. In 1855 he came west and settled in Grant township, where he has since resided. At the age of twenty-eight years he married Miss Louisa Thorn, who has borne him seven children, four of whom are married.

Osborne Russell was born at Hallowell, Maine, 1847, and lived at or near his birth-place until 1855, then moved with his parents to Carthage, Franklin county. In 1869 came to Minnesota, and lumbered on the upper Mississippi river, then purchased his present farm in Grant township, and has since lived here, giving his attention to the improvement of his farm. He married Miss Clara Webster, in 1875, and they have two chil- dren to gladden their home, Eva and Irving.

James Rutherford was born in the parish of Elsdon, Northumberland county, England, 1812. When six years old, he accompanied his parents to America, arriving at the port of New York, coming thence via Quebec and the St. Lawrence river to Ogdensburg, New York. Remaining with his parents until twenty years old, he then began working on a farm for ten dollars per month. In 1833, he was called upon to assume control of a deceased uncle's farm, where he re- mained until 1849. Coming to Minnesota at that time he purchased one hundred and seventy-five acres at his present location, then returned to. New York for his family, and the next spring settled at his country home. His marriage with Miss Elizabeth Smith occurred in 1836. Their living children are: D. Q., Ann E., Charles A. and Harriet N.

William Rutherford was born at Bath, Steuben

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.

county, New York, in 1823. At the early age of cleven years he began life's battle by working on a farm until reaching sixteen years old; then be- gan in the lumbering business for $13 per month, and continued six years. In 1845 he started west and walked along the shore of Lake Michi- igan from Michigan City to Chicago, a distance of sixty-five miles; thence to Galena and on up the Mississippi to Stillwater. Here he worked in the saw-mills about one year, and afterward speculated in the horse trade between Illinois and New York. Finally he purchased his present farm in 1848 and located thereon in 1849. In addition to this farm he has several others, making a total of seven hundred acres. At Jackson, Michigan, in 1849, he married Miss Christiana J. Holcomb. They have seven chil- dren, four sons and three daughters. Cassey O., the oldest daughter, was the first white child born in Grant township.

Jesse H. Soule was born at Avon, Franklin county, Maine, 1823. He came west in 1854, coming by boat from Galena, Illinois, to St. Paul, having a narrow escape. During the trip the boat was wrecked, and with difficulty reached an island where it sank almost immediately. All on board were obliged to remain on the island forty-eight hours, when they were rescued by a passing boat, the "War Eagle." In 1855, Mr. Soule pre-empted one hundred and fifty acres in Grant township, there being at that time only six families in the township. He built a shanty, using only eight dollars worth of lumber, and for one of the posts used a standing burr-oak tree. When he and his family took possession of their western home, they had only one month's supply of provisions and fifty-eight cents. Little by lit- tle he gained a foothold and by industry and econ- omy gradually became independent. In 1878, he presented the farm to his two sons, reserving seventeen acres for himself, on which he has erected good buildings, and where he intends making the home of his old age. He has been thrice married, his first wife living three and one- half years, leaving one daughter at her death. His second wife left two sons, twins, Osmer and Winfield. In 1871, he married Rachel Michener, who has borne him three children, Alice, Olive and Reuel. At the organization of the town of Grant, in 1856, Mr. Soule was elected town clerk,

and held the office twenty-two years; was mem- ber of the legislature in 1861; has also been county commissioner, superintendent of schools, assessor and justice of the peace, having held the last named since the organization of the town.

Frederick W. Springborn was born in the prov- ince of Brandenborg, Germany, 1822. He came to America in 1851, and located on a farm at Martinsville, New York, and in 1865, came to Minnesota, purchasing sixty acres in Grant township, where he has since resided. His wife was Wilhelmine L. C. Wolff, married 1848. They are the parents of thirteen children, nine of whom are living.

C. Frederick Springborn, son of Frederick W. Springborn, was born at Martinsville, New York, 1854. When a lad of eleven years, he came to Minnesota with his parents, and lived with them on the farm until purchasing his present home, to which he moved in 1878. April 4th, 1880, he married Miss Bertha Boelter of Oakdale.

Otto Steindorf, a native of Germany, was born May 1st, 1849. When three years of age he ac- companied his mother and sister to America, his father having come one year previous. They lo- cated at a village near Buffalo, New York. In 1867 Mr. Steindorf migrated to Minnesota, where he has since engaged in tilling the soil, purchasing his farm in 1879 from H. C. Book. His marriage with Augusta Heuer of New York, occurred in 1871. Their children are, Otto H., Edward R. and Amanda.

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