USA > Minnesota > Washington County > History of Washington County and the St. Croix Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota > Part 80
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Almon Storer was born on July 4th, 1844, in Franklin county, Maine. Here he was reared by his parents and educated, and in the fall of 1868 came to Grant township. In 1871 he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, situated about four and one-half miles from Granite Falls, Minnesota, where he intends making his future home. During the spring of 1877 he settled on the McKusick farm of two hundred and twenty acres, where he has since remained, working by shares. He married Miss Ellen Middleton in 1875, who has borne him one son and one daugh- ter, Chares E. and Mary Belle.
Charles H. Taft was born at Deering, Hills- boroughi county, New Hampshire, 1815. He ac- companied his parents to Franklin county, Maine, when eleven years old, remaining until reaching his majority, then went to Old Cambridge, Mas-
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sachusetts, and engaged in brick-making for six years. After a brief visit at Charleston, South Carolina, he returned and was married to Miss Sarah, daughter of Colonel Newman, 1840. Lo- cating on their farm in Franklin county, Maine, they remained thirteen years, then went to Cali- fornia and spent three and one-half years in brick-making. He returned to Maine and sold his old homestead, then came to visit Minnesota,. purchasing, while here, his present farm. He lo- cated on his farm in 1877, and has one hundred and sixty acres under cultivation. His only son, Charles B., died in 1872.
John B. Taft was born at Weld, Franklin county, Maine, 1825, and remained with his parents until reaching man's estate, then engaged in railroading, which he followed until 1857. Coming direct to Stillwater during the spring, he purchased eighty acres, and after living on it eight years sold to S. R. Webster. The next fall he purchased his present farm, which, in addition to other lands, makes a total of four hundred and twenty acres. In 1855 he married Miss Orpha Newman, of Maine. They have an adopted son and daughter, Alice and Franklin Newman, chil- dren of Mrs. Taft's brother.
Samuel R. Webster was born at Weld, Frank- lin county, Maine, 1823. He lived at, or near his birth-place until 1855, then came west to Min- nesota, being detained at Chicago by the heaviest snow storm ever known in that region, finally ar- riving at Stillwater. Soon after, he pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres, disposing of it, he purchased of J. B. Taft his present farm in Grant township during the spring of 1866. His winters are devoted chiefly to hunting, he having secured one hundred and thirty mink in one sea- son. His wife was Miss Hannah Masterman, married 1845. They have eight children living, and two others have passed away.
William H. Wells was born at De Forest, Dane county, Wisconsin, 1852, where he lived until the age of twenty years, then acquired a knowl- edge of engineering. Was engineer in one of the Blue mills at Eau Claire, Wisconsin, for Capt. Sherman one year and continued in the business until 1880. Previously he purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres of land from F. W. Loh- mann, and the same year, 1878, he married Miss Ida Lohmann.
Fred. Wolf was born July 25th, 1847, and is a native of Holstein, Germany. In company with his parents and one sister, he immigrated to Ame- rica, landing at the port of New York. They came farther westward, settled at Stillwater, Min- nesota for a short time, then moved to their home- stead in Grant township in 1866. Mr. Wolf pur- chased his father's farm in 1878, and has since lived here, his parents living with him. In 1871, he married Miss Sophia Dagon, a native of Ger- many: Christina, John, Emma, Anna and Mena, are their their children.
ONEKA.
CHAPTER LXII.
BOUNDARIES-EARLY SETTLERS-ORGANIZA- TION -- TOWN OFFICERS -- SCHOOLS-ROADS- INITIAL EVENTS-BIOGRAPHICAL.
The township of Oneka is located in the north- western part of Washington county. It is bounded on the north by Forest lake, on the east by Marine, on the south by Grant, and west by Centerville, and embraces in its territory thirty-six sections. The surface is diversified. The eastern and south-eastern portions are quite rugged and uneven, giving it a rolling appear- ance. In the depressions, or valleys, are many fine lakelets, some of which are supplied from living springs; this section of the town is covered with a growth of small oak, excepting where it is cleared off for farming purposes. The west- ern portion of the town is divided from the eastern by a tamarack swamp, and Rice creek, which takes its rise in a lake of the same name. This swamp forms a natural barrier or division between the eastern and western portions of the town. It is from one-fourth to one-half mile in width, and extends from Rice lake to Forest lake, in the town north, about ten miles. The west- ern portion is comparatively level; along the
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borders of Rice creek, extending for some dis- tance westward, are fine hay meadows, while still further west of these bottoms, a larger growth of timber springs up. The eastern por- tion is especially adapted to the growth of wheat which is raised in large quantities, and of a very fine quality. The drainage of the town is fur- nished by a chain of lakes passing through the center from north to south, with one in the south- eastern part, on section 25, and a part of Bald Eagle lake in the extreme south-western part. The principal lake is Oneka, located on section 9, and 16 near the center of the town that takes its name from it. This is the finest and largest body of water in the chain. Skirted with high banks that support a fine growth of timber. Rice lake, located on the line of sections twenty- one and twenty-two, has long been the resort of a band of Indians from Mendota, who go to it every summer, bringing with them from eight to twelve lodges; they gather rice during the sum- mer, which they sell in St. Paul. The lake af- fords them excellent fishing-ground, containing more pickerel than any other lake in the town. It is fed by springs on the east and west sides in such a quantity as to furnish a steady flow of water into Rice creek, which rises from it and flows north to section thirty-four in Forest lake, thence in a south-westerly direction, and again entering Oneka in the north-west corner of sec. tion four and flowing through the north-western part of the town, finally emptying into the Miss- issippi at Fridley in Anoka county. To the south-east,on sections twenty-five and thirty-six, is located School Section lake, which furnishes good fishing. It was also the scene of a painful acci- dent which occurred about eight years ago. Stephen Luts, in company with a young friend, was out one day enjoying the sport and pleasure which these lakes furnish-trolling, when mid- way in the lake the boat upset, precipitating both into the water. Young Luts became tangled in the line, and when taken ont they found his hands completely bound up in its meshes. Eagle lake is located on section thirty-four in the south- ern part of the town, and Egg lake on section twenty near the St. Paul and Duluth railroad. Bald Eagle lake is located in the extreme south- western corner of the town, and on section four is Horse-shoe lake.
EARLY SETTLERS.
The first white man who settled in the town of Oneka was Lewis Semper, who came in the fall of 1855 and located on land he had entered some two years previous. He, in company with Joseph Freeman and family, one of whose daughters he had married, started out with strong arms to hew out for themselves, homes in the wilds of this new town. He, however, remained but one year, when he transferred his claim to Charles Morgan, of St. Paul, who rented it to Joseph Freeman, who remained on it till 1860, when it was sold to L. C. Dunn. The latter occupied it until the fall of 1866, when he transferred it to V. B. Barnum, who remained two years and sold to F. Young- bluth, who is now living on it, a prosperous farmer and respected citizen. Following close upon Lewis Semper, came two young men by the name of Austin and Tainter, who came for the purpose of baling hay that grew in abundance upon the rich bottom lands of Rice creek. They located a tract of land now occupied by David Hopkins, who is now one of the prominent farmers and land owners of the town, and doing a large dairy business, finding a ready sale for his choice butter, etc., in the Stillwater and St. Paul markets. Just how long Austin and Tainter re- mained we were unable to ascertain, though they were there some years, then settling in the west- ern part of the town. In the eastern part came John Beecroft, and located near Horse-shoe lake in 1858. He was a butcher by trade and came for the purpose of hunting and making a home for his family; he left in 1863, entering the army and is now in Chicago. William Hatch came in 1860 and built a shanty on section thirty-six. The farm is now owned by B. F. Judkins. Joseph Lambert and father, who still reside in the town, came in 1861 and are now living on section thirty- six, in the south-east corner of the town. Oneka did not escape the mania which took possession of the people in 1856; a town site with the name of "Washington" was surveyed and platted on Oneka lake, and filed with the register of deeds, but like many of the paper towns of those days, is as though it had never been.
ORGANIZATION.
The town of Oneka was organized by the coun- ty commissioners, and officers appointed Septem_
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ber 9th, 1870. The first town meeting for the election of officers was held at the house of George Walker, September 27th, 1870. A. J. Soule moderated the meeting, with George Walker, clerk. Two road districts were formed, designated as numbers one and two, representing the east and west divisions of the town. O. L. Kinyon was appointed overseer of district num- ber one, and V. B. Barnum for district number two. The officers elected were George Walker, clerk and treasurer; George H. Kannady, asses- sor; V. B. Barnum and Prescott Newman, jus- tices; Francis Briggs and Joseph Lambert, con- stables.
March 14th, 1871, annual town meeting was held at the house of George Walker. J. Crysler chosen moderator. Elected J. Crysler, O. L. Kinyon, B. F. Judkins, supervisors. Voted a tax of two hundred dollars for current expenses.
May 2d, 1871, a meeting was held at the house of George Walker, to vote for arbitration on Minnesota state railroad bonds; O. L. Kinyon, moderator. The whole number of votes cast, nine, all in the affirmative.
March 12th, 1872, annual town meeting was held at the school-house in district number fifty- one. The meeting was called to order by George Walker, and A. J. Soule chosen moderator. Elected O. L. Kinyon, B. F. Judkins, A. J. Soule, supervisors.
March 11th, 1873, annual town meeting was held at the school-house in district number fifty- one, and called to order by George Walker; B. F. Judkins chosen moderator. Elected O. L. Kin- yon, Michael Houle, Joseph Luts, supervisors. Voted a tax of two hundred dollars for roads and one hundred dollars for town expenses.
March 10th, 1874, annual meeting was held at the school-house in district number fifty-one. Called to order by George Walker, and Prescott Newman chosen moderator. Elected O. L. Kin- yon, Joseph Luts, Michael Houle, supervisors. Voted a tax of one hundred and fifty dollars for current expenses.
1875. Annual town meeting was called at the school-house in district number fifty-one, March 9th. Called to order by the town clerk, and A. J. Soule chosen moderator. Elected A. J. Soule, T. J. Withrow, Michael Houle, supervisors.
Voted a tax of one hundred and fifty dollars for current expenses.
1876. Annual town meeting was held at the school-house in district number 51, and called to order by the town clerk, and A. J. Soule chosen moderator; elected A. J. Soule, T. J. Withrow and O. L. Kinyon, supervisors; voted a tax of $150 for current expenses.
1876. Annual town meeting was held at the school-house in district number 51, March 13th, called to order by the town clerk, and O. L Kinyon, chosen moderator; on motion of Thomas J. Withrow, the compensation of supervisors and town clerk was made one dollar per day; voted a tax of $150 for current expenses; elected Michael Houle, David Sawyer and F. Kunde, supervisors.
1878. Annual town meeting was held at the school-house in district number 51, called to order by P. Newman, and O. L. Kinyon, chosen mod- erator; moved to strike out the article in the war- rant to issue town bonds to raise money for town purposes, and voted a tax of $150 for current expenses; elected A. J. Soule, Michael Houle and F. Kunde, supervisors.
1879. Annual town meeting was held in the school-house in district number 51, on March 11th, and called to order by Prescott Newman, O. L. Kinyon, chosen moderator; voted a tax of $100 for current expenses; elected, A. J. Soule, Joseph Luts and F. Kunde, supervisors.
1880. Annual town meeting was held in the school-house in district number 63, March 9th, the meeting was called to order by George Walker and O. L. Kinyon, chosen moderator; voted a tax of $100 for current expenses; elected, A. J. Soule, E. C. Judkins and F. Kunde, supervisors.
SCHOOLS.
The first school was organized at the house of V. B. Barnum, February 17th, 1867, and the fol- lowing officers were elected: V. B. Barnum, di- rector; Mathew Tucker, clerk; Albert Pluitt, treasurer; Ruth Miller was the first teacher who opened her first school May 1st, 1868, receiving as compensation, thirty dollars per month for three months. The house has since been moved to Centerville station on section 20, for the greater convenience of the district.
The next school organized was in 1871; the building was located on section 26, and the dis-
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trict numbered fifty-one. The first officers were Joseph Luts, director; George Walker, clerk. The first teacher was Mary Withrow, who had an attendance of thirty-two scholars. This build- ing served the purpose of the residents of the eastern portion of the town until 1877, when a division was made and a new district organized, and numbered sixty-three. The old building was sold to Soule, Briggs and Newman, and the district immediately erected a new and neat build_ ing on section fourteen.
The new district erected a building about the same time, on section thirty-six. This is the largest and best school building in the town, and is said to be the most complete country school- house in the county. The first officers under the new organization were Joseph Luts, director; T. J. Withrow, treasurer, and O. L. Kinyon, clerk. Miss Lida Yorks taught the first school of thirty- six pupils. There are now in attendance fifty- six scholars, with Lizzie Withrow for teacher.
ROADS.
The first road laid out after the organization of the town, began on section nineteen and ex- tended eastward until it intersected the Still- water road on section 26. It was surveyed by J. H. Soule, October 2d, and established October 25th, 1873. A new road district was formed April 5th, 1875, comprising sections 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 22, 23 and 24, by the supervis- ors, who appointed George H. Kannady, over- seer, and called it road district number three.
The St. Paul and Duluth railroad enters the north-west corner of the town, on the line of sec- tions 4 and 5, passing in a south-westerly direc- tion through it, and leaving it a little east of the center of section 31. This road has a station at Centerville, on section 20, where there is a hotel, store and sample-room, kept by Mrs. Kuchli.
INITIAL EVENTS.
The first birth in the town was Susie Semper, daughter of the first settler, April 10th, 1856. She was married June 26th, 1875, to W. H. Fish- leigh of Chicago. The next birth was Iloyt E. Kinyon, son of O. L. Kinyon, born December 27th, 1863.
The first death was a son of O. L. Kinyon, Herbert, who died May 30th, 1869.
The first marriage was Joseph Lambert to Miss Mary Courtoue, of Marine, November 13th, 1865. He brought his bride to his father's house, where they still reside.
POPULATION AND VALUATION.
The population of Oneka in 1875 was two hun- dred and ten; in 1880 it was three hundred and seventy-nine.
The valuation in 1880, of the real estate, was $114,501; of personal property, $11,830.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
F. V. Briggs was born January 28th. 1848, in Kennebec county, Maine, and came west with his father, Calvin Briggs, when about eighteen years of age. He located, with his father, in Marine township, and finally moved to Oneka, in 1874. Here they tilled the farm previously purchased. In 1874 he married Castina O. Rutherford, who has borne him three children: William R., Harry F. and Calvin V. Mr. Briggs has now a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, nicely improved.
Pierre Girard was born at St. Rose, Canada, in 1814. Remaining at Montreal until the "pat- riotic upstir," he then sought refuge in the United States in 1839. Passing some time in traveling about, he visited Chicago, Buffalo, and other places, and engaged in different pursuits. At times he was compelled to go long distances on foot, experiencing many privations and diffi- culties. For some time he made his home at Prairie du Chien, and manufactured ginger beer, also engaged in farming near there for five years. In 1849 he came up the river to St. Paul, and was employed in rafting, and as a lumber- man cook, until the commencement of hostili- ties, when be enlisted in Company I, Second Minnesota Volunteers, serving until discharged for injuries received, in 1862. During the fall of the next year he removed to Stillwater, and in 1867 located on a farm in Oneka township, on the lake shore.
Daniel Hopkins was born in 1820, and is a na- tive of New Hampshire. Learning the trade of tanner and currier in his native state, he worked as such a number of years; also engaged in lum- bering seven years. In 1850 he located at St. Paul, Minnesota, and carried on general merch-
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andising until failing health compelled him to abandon the business, which he did in 1853, pur- chasing a fine farm between St. Paul and St. Anthony, on which he lived seventeen years and dealt quite extensively in fancy horses. While on a hunting excursion, he crossed his present farm, and thought it so fine a locality that he sold his farm and purchased four hundred and forty acres, having since added two hundred acres more. The St. Paul and Duluth railroad crosses his estate, having a flag-station, commonly called Hopkins' station. Mr. Hopkins has been twice married; his present wife was Anatte Johnson, a native of Norway, whom he married in 1857. Edward, William M., Judson, Chester, Frank, Henrietta, Marty and John are his chil- dren.
Michel Houle, a native of Canada, was born in 1832. Remaining under the home guidance and protection until seventeen years of age, he then sought the copper mines near Georgian bay, working at mining a few months. After spend- ing one summer with an exploring party, he re- moved to Michigan peninsula and engaged in the mines about four years, going thence to Duluth, Minnesota, from which place he enlisted in 1864 in Company E, Independent Cavalry, receiving his discharge at Fort Snelling in April, 1866. He returned to Duluth, remaining until 1870; then located on his present farm in Oneka township, of one hundred and eighty acres. There is a spring of clear, pure water near by his house, having been made by his sinking a well forty feet deep, which soon filled to overflowing. Mr. Houle was married in 1869 to Mary Pleteir; their living children are Adella, Adeline, Frank, Eliza and Mary.
E. C. Judkins was born at Phillips, Maine, in 1851. When six years old be removed with his parents to Stillwater, Minnesota, and six months later to Anoka, where they remained one and one- half years; then returned to Stillwater. Nearly two years later his father purchased eighty acres on Grant township, in which they lived some time, finally purchasing a farm of two hundred and twenty acres in Oneka township, which has since been their home. Mr. Judkins was married in October, 1880, to Carrie Prince of Stillwater.
George H. Kannady is a native of Maine, born born 1845. Here he made his home until July,
1862, when he enlisted in Company G, Seven- teenth Maine Volunteers, passed through twenty- one engagements, including Fredericksburg, Get- tysburg, second Bull Run and battle of Wilder- ness. During the last named siege he received a gun-shot through the knee, for which lie has re- ceived a pension. In 1867 he came west to Still- water, Minnesota, and purchased a farm in Ma- rine township, on which he resided five years, then sold, and in 1875 purchased one hundred and twenty acres in Oneka township and has since re- sided there. His marriage with Laura E. Church occurred in 1867. Their children are, Charley E., Marshall E. and Eva M.
B. R. Kellogg was horn at Worthington, Ohio and when three years of age went with his par- ents to Holmes county; at the age of fourteen he went to Wayne county, Iowa, remaining until he enlisted in Company I, Fourth Iowa Infantry, un- der Col. Dodge. He was discharged on account of disability, August 6th, 1863, and in June, 1864, re-enlisted for one hundred days. Having been dis- charged at expiration of term at Keokuk, Iowa, he engaged in the quiet pursuit of agriculture in Des Moines county, and in 1878 located in Oneka township, having a fine farm and pleasant loca- tion; he is now one of the justices. He was mar- ried in 1865 to Miss Anna M. Carter, who has borne him five children, viz: Charles M., Rebecca, Luella, Fred L. and Florence.
Mrs. Francoise Kuchli, was born in France, province of Loraine, now Germany, in 1835. At the age of eighteen she, with her brothers Joseph and Jacob Klaen, sailed for America, landing at New York city after a voyage of thirty-three days. They proceeded directly to Cleveland, thence to Detroit, and on to St. Marys, here she married Mr. Kuchli, who had accompanied them from their native country. In 1854 they removed to Port Washington, Wisconsin, and after pur- chasing a farm located and remained two years, then to Superior City until 1875, then for three years carried on a store of general merchandise. They finally opened a store and hotel at Center- ville Station, on the St. Paul and Duluth railroad. Mr. Kuchli departed this life November 1, 1880, and his widow still superintends the business affairs; she speaks three languages, English, French and German, and has an estate of one hundred and thirty-three acres, adjoining her
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place of business. Her children are Joseph L, who has a meat market at Minneapolis, Mary, Henry L., Francoise M. and Louis F.
Joseph Lambert was born 1842 at Sorel, about forty-five miles north of Montreal, Canada. When a lad of fourteen, he came with his father to Stillwater and worked in different capacities until his final location in Oneka township on his farm. It consisted of eighty acres, all under cul- tivation. having on it a good residence and other buildings. He and Miss Mary Courtoue were united in marriage, November 13th, 1865. Their children are: Eugene and Agnes.
Joseph Luts, a native of Canada, was born in 1829, and when ten years old went to Clintonville New York, and apprenticed in the rolling milis at that place. . After learning the trade, he worked at it about ten years, then returned to Canada and and began farming. Visiting Minnesota in 1854, he again retured to his native country, and about ten years later again visited the North Star state. In 1866, he located on a farm in Oneka township where he has since resided with his family, hav- ing been supervisor of the township the entire time. He married Miss Elizabeth Papnow in 1848, who as borne him twelve children: Stephen, who met his death by drowning in the lake ad- joining the farm; Napoleon, Lizzie, Mary, John, Armina, Jane, Emily, David, Ellen, George and Louis.
Prescott Newman, son of Col. E. Newman, was born at Weld, Franklin county, Maine in 1832. He came to Stillwater, Minnesota, in 1848, returning the year following, afterward going into business in that county. August 18th, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, Seventeenth Maine, be- ing soon promoted to the rank of lieutenant, was discharged in 1863. Four years later, he returned to Minnesota and purchased a claim in Grant township; disposing of it, he purchased in Oncka township, where he has since resided, having a . farm of two hundred and forty acres. Mr. New- man has been twice married, to his present wife, who was Ellen M., daughter of Rev. J. S. Staples, of Maine, in June, 1863. Their children are: Gracia O., Prescott E., Charley T. and Harry C.
David Sawyer was born in Lower Canada, 1815. Here he learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, serving five and one-half years as appren- tice, then followed his calling until 1872, when
he came to St. Paul. During the spring of the next year he moved to Stillwater, remaining until moving to his farm in Oneka township, in 1874. His marriage with Miss Cynthia Rowe took place in 1834. She died at St. Paul, 1872, leaving four children; the living are P. Benjamin, D. Hubert and Alfred.
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