Illustrated album of biography of Southwestern Minnesota : containing biographical sketches of hundreds of prominent old settlers...:History of Minnesota, embracing an account of early exploration...and a concise history of the Indian outbreak of 1862, Part 10

Author:
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago : Occidental Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 814

USA > Minnesota > Illustrated album of biography of Southwestern Minnesota : containing biographical sketches of hundreds of prominent old settlers...:History of Minnesota, embracing an account of early exploration...and a concise history of the Indian outbreak of 1862 > Part 10

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

When he was three years old the family moved to Fayetteville, Onondaga County, New York. Here Grover Cleveland lived until he was fourteen years old, the rugged, healthful life of a country boy. His frank, generous manner made him a favorite among his companions, and their respect was won by the good qualities in the germ which his manhood developed. He at- tended the district school of the village and

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PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.

was for a short time at the academy. His father, however, believed that boys should be taught to labor at an early age, and be- fore he had completed the course of study at the academy he began to work in the village store at $50 for the first year, and the promise of $100 for the second year. His work was well done and the promised in- crease of pay was granted the second year.

Meanwhile his father and family had moved to Clinton, the seat of Hamilton College, where his father acted as agent to the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions, preaching in the churches of the vicinity. Hither Grover came at his father's request shortly after the beginning of his second year at the Fayetteville store, and resumed his studies at the Clinton Academy. After three years spent in this town, the Rev. Richard Cleveland was called to the vil- lage church of Holland Patent. He had preached here only a month when he was suddenly stricken down and died without an hour's warning. The death of the father left the family in straitened circumstances, as Richard Cleveland had spent all his salary of $1,000 per year, which was not required for the necessary expenses of liv- ing, upon the education of his children, of whom there were nine, Grover being the fifth. Grover was hoping to enter Hamil- ton College, but the death of his father made it necessary for him to earn his own livelihood. For the first year (1853-'4) he acted as assistant teacher and bookkeeper in the Institution for the Blind in New York City, of which the late Augustus Schell was for many years the patron. In the winter of 1854 he returned to Holland Patent where the generous people of that place, Fayetteville and Clinton, had purchased a home for his mother, and in the following spring, borrowing $25, he set out for the West to earn his living.

Reaching Buffalo he paid a hasty visit to an uncle, Lewis F. Allen, a well-known

stock farmer, living at Black Rock, a few miles distant. He communicated his plans to Mr. Allen, who discouraged the idea of the West, and finally induced the enthusi- astic boy of seventeen to remain with him and help him prepare a catalogue of blooded short-horn cattle, known as " Allen's Amer- ican Herd Book," a publication familiar to all breeders of cattle. In August, 1855, he entered the law office of Rogers, Bowen & Rogers, at Buffalo, and after serving a few months without pay, was paid $4 a week-an amount barely sufficient to meet the necessary expenses of his board in the family of a fellow-student in Buffalo, with whom he took lodgings. Life at this time with Grover Cleveland was a stern battle with the world. He took his breakfast by candle-light with the drovers, and went at once to the office where the whole day was. spent in work and study. Usually he re- turned again at night to resume reading which had been interrupted by the duties of the day. Gradually his employers came to recognize the ability, trustworthiness. and capacity for hard work in their young employe, and by the time he was admitted to the bar (1859) he stood high in their con- fidence. A year later he was made confi- dential and managing clerk, and in the course of three years more his salary had. been raised to $1,000. In 1863 he was ap- pointed assistant district attorney of Erie County by the district attorney, the Hon .. C. C. Torrance.

Since his first vote had been cast in 1858 he had been a staunch Democrat, and until he was chosen Governor he always made. it his duty, rain or shine, to stand at the polls and give out ballots to Democratic voters. During the first year of his term as assistant district attorney, the Democrats desired especially to carry the Board of Su- pervisors. The old Second Ward in which he lived was Republican ordinarily by 250 majority, but at the urgent request of the

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party Grover Cleveland consented to be the Democratic candidate for Supervisor, and came within thirteen votes of an elec- cion. The three years spent in the district attorney's office were devoted to assiduous labor and the extension of his professional attainments. He then formed a law part- nership with the late Isaac V. Vanderpoel, ex-State Treasurer, under the firm name of Vanderpoel & Cleveland. Here the bulk of the work devolved on Cleveland's shoul- ders, and he soon won a good standing at the bar of Erie County. In 1869 Mr. Cleveland formed a partnership with ex- Senator A. P. Laning and ex-Assistant United States District Attorney Oscar Fol- som, under the firm name of Laning, Cleve- land & Folsom. During these years he began to earn a moderate professional in- come; but the larger portion of it was sent to his mother and sisters at Holland Patent to whose support he had contributed ever since 1860. He served as sheriff of Erie County, 1870-'4, and then resumed the practice of law, associating himself with the Hon. Lyman K. Bass and Wilson S. Bissell.

The firm was strong and popular, and soon commanded a large and lucrative practice. Ill health forced the retirement of Mr. Bass in 1879, and the firm became Cleveland & Bissell. In 1881 Mr. George J. Sicard was added to the firm.

In the autumn election of 1881 he was elected mayor of Buffalo by a majority of over 3,500-the largest majority ever given a candidate for mayor-and the Democratic city ticket was successful, although the Republicans carried Buffalo by over 1,000 majority for their State ticket. Grover Cleveland's administration as mayor fully justified the confidence reposed in him by the people of Buffalo, evidenced by the great vote he received.

The Democratic State Convention met at Syracuse, September 22, 1882, and nomi. nated Grover Cleveland for Governor on the third ballot and Cleveland was elected by 192,000 majority. In the fall of 1884 he was elected President of the United States by about 1,000 popular majority, in New York State, and he was accordingly inaugurated the 4th of March following.

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PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.

BENJAMIN

HARRISON.

ENJAMIN HARRISON, the twenty-third Presi- dent of the United States, 1889, was born at North Bend, Hamilton County, Ohio, in the house of his grandfather, William Hen- ry Harrison (who was the ninth President of this country), August 20th, 1833. He is a descendant of one of the historical families of this country, as also of England. The head of the family was a Major-General Harrison who was devoted to the cause of Oliver Cromwell. It became the duty of this Har- rison to participate in the trial of Charles I. and afterward to sign the death warrant of the king, which subsequently cost him his life. His enemies succeeding to power, he was condemned and executed October 13th, 1660. His descendants came to America, and the first mention made in history of the Harrison family as representative in public affairs, is that of Benjamin Harrison, great- grandfather of our present President, who was a member of the Continental Congress, 1774-5-6, and one of the original signers of

the Declaration of Independence, and three times Governor of Virginia. His son, Will- iam Henry Harrison, made a brilliant mili- tary record, was Governor of the Northwest Territory, and the ninth President of the United States.

The subject of this sketch at an early age became a student at Farmers College, where he remained two years, at the end of which time he entered Miami University, at Ox- ford, Ohio. Upon graduation from said seat of learning he entered, as a student, the of- fice of Stover & Gwyne, a notable law firm at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he applied himself closely to the study of his chosen profession, and here laid the foundation for the honora- ble and famous career before him. He spent two years with the firm in Cincinnati, at the expiration of which time he received the only inheritance of his life, which was a lot left him by an aunt, which he sold for $800. This sum he deemed sufficient to justify him in marrying the lady of his choice, and to whom he was then engaged, a daughter of Dr. Scott, then Principal of a female school at Oxford, Ohio.

After marriage he located at Indianapolis, Indiana, where he began the practice of law. Meeting with slight encouragement he made but little the first year, but applied himself

Beni. Hannisou

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BENJAMIN HARRISON.

closely to his business, and by perseverance, honorable dealing and an upright life, suc- ceeded in building up an extensive practice and took a leading position in the legal profession.

In 1860 he was nominated for the position of Supreme Court Reporter for the State of Indiana, and then began his experience as a stump speaker. He canvassed the State thoroughly and was elected.

In 1862 his patriotism caused him to abandon a civil office and to offer his country his services in a military capacity. He or- ganized the Seventieth Indiana Infantry and was chosen its Colonel. Although his regi- ment was composed of raw material, and lie practically void of military schooling, he at once mastered military tactics and drilled his men, so that when he with his regiment was assigned to Gen. Sherman's command it was known as one of the best drilled organ- izations of the army. He was especially distinguished for bravery at the battles of Resacca and Peach Tree Creek. For his bravery and efficiency at the last named bat- tle he was made a Brigadier-General, Gen- eral Hooker speaking of him in the most complimentary terms.

While General Harrison was actively en- gaged in the field the Supreme Court declared the office of Supreme Court Reporter vacant, and another person was elected to fill the position. From the time of leaving Indiana with his regiment for the front, until the fall of 1864, General Harrison had taken no leave of absence. But having been nominated that year for the same office that he vacated in order to serve his country where he could do the greatest good, he got a thirty-day leave of absence, and during that time canvassed the State and was elected for another term as Supreme Court Reporter. He then started to rejoin his command, then with General Sherman in the South, but was stricken down

with fever and after a very trying siege, made his way to the front, and participated in the closing scenes and incidents of the war.

In 1868 General Harrison declined a re- election as Reporter, and applied himself to the practice of his profession. He was a candidate for Governor of Indiana on the Republican ticket in 1876. Although de- feated, the brilliant campaign brought him to public notice and gave him a National reputation as an able and formidable debater and he was much sought in the Eastern States as a public speaker. He took an act- ive part in the Presidential campaign of 1880, and was elected to the United States Senate, where he served six years, and was known as one of the strongest debaters, as well as one of the ablest mnen and best law- yers. When his term expired in the Senate he resumed his law practice at Indianapolis, becoming the head of one of the strongest law firms in the State of Indiana.

Sometime prior to the opening of the Presidential campaign of 1888, the two great political parties (Republican and Democratic) drew the line of political battle on the ques- tion of tariff, which became the leading issue and the rallying watchword during the mem- orable campaign. The Republicans appealed to the people for their voice as to a tariff to protect home industries, while the Democrats wanted a tariff for revenue only. The Re- publican convention assembled in Chicago in June and selected Mr. Harrison as their standard bearer on a platform of principles, among other important clauses being that of protection, which he cordially indorsed in accepting the nomination. November 6, 1888, after a heated canvass, General Harri- son was elected, defeating Grover Cleveland, who was again the nominee of the Demo- cratic party. He was inaugurated and as- sumed the duties of his office March 4, 1889.

HISTORY

KMINNESOTA.D

HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.

CHAPTER I.

LOCATION, TOPOGRAPHY AND GENERAL REMARKS.

INNESOTA is located in the geographical center of the con- tinent of North America -- mid- way between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and also midway between Hudson's Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. It embraces territory extending from latitude 43 degrees 50 minutes, to 49 de- grees, and from 89 degrees 29 minutes to 97 degrees 5 minutes west longitude. As to its area, it can only be estimated, as portions of the State are as yet unsurveyed ; but as near as can be arrived at, the area is 85,531 square miles, or about 53,760,000 acres. In size Minnesota is the fourth State in the Union. From its southern boundary to the northern is about 400 miles, and from the most east- ern to the extreme western point about 354 miles. In altitude it appears to be one of the highest portions of the continent, as the headwaters of the three great river systems are found in its limits - those of streams flowing northward to Hudson's Bay, east ward to the Atlantic Ocean, and southward to the Gulf of Mexico.

Nearly three-quarters of the surface of the State is made up of rolling prairie, inter- spersed with frequent groves, oak openings and belts of hardwood timber, watered by numerous lakes and streams, and covered with a warm, dark soil of great fertility. The balance, embracing the elevated district

immediately west of Lake Superior, consists mainly of the rich mineral ranges on its shores, and of the pine forests which extend over the upper Mississippi country, affording extensive supplies of timber. But a very small portion is broken, rocky or worthless land; nearly all is arable. But few States are so well watered as Minnesota, and the numerous rivers and water-courses give ex- cellent drainage. A number of the rivers - the Mississippi, the Minnesota, the St. Croix, the St. Louis, the Red and the Red Lake riv- ers -are navigable, and nearly all of the balance afford water power. The lakes of Minnesota are among its principal physical characteristics. The estimate of 10,000 lakes in the State is not an unreasonable one.

With all these natural advantages, favor- able climate and rich soil, Minnesota has become one of the most successful agricult- ural States in the Union, and stock-raising and dairying is rapidly becoming a leading industry. Lumbering is also carried on very extensively, and the manufacturing branch is rapidly becoming large. While at first it was supposed that this State was destitute of valuable minerals, recent discoveries prove to the contrary. Inexhaustible supplies of the best iron ore exist, and are now being mined and exported in large quantities. Sil- ver veins have also been found near the boundary line ; copper ore has also been found, and it is known that plumbago and gold quartz exist. Building material, gran-

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HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.

ite, brownstone, limestone, sandstone and brick and potter's clay are abundant.

A few words as to railroads and history relating to their construction will also be interesting. Twenty-five years ago (1862), there were only ten miles of railway in operation in the State. At the close of 1885 there were 6,721 miles in operation. The general government has granted to railroads within this State 12,151,527 acres of land, and the State has given 1,811,750 acres of swamp and other lands, making a total of 13,933,277 acres of land within the State given to railroads, valued on the average at $5 per acre, making $69,666,385 thus given. In addition, local, county and State bonds have been given them amounting to over $6,680,000, making in lands and cash a total gift of $76,496,385, or about $19,345 for

every mile completed. There is material in these facts for an extended political essay, and they certainly furnish food for thought.

In concluding these general remarks it may justly be said that the outlook for the State is most gratifying. Its population is rapidly increasing, and its taxable wealth increasing in similar ratio. Every year sees an enormous area of its rich soil brought under cultivation, while there are still mill- ions of acres awaiting the plow of the set- tler.

The following table of census returns will show the growth of the State as to popula- tion: 1850, population 6,077; 1860, popula- tion 172,023 ; 1865, population 250.099 ; 1870, population 439,706; 1875, population 597, 407; 1880, population 780,773, and in 1885 the population was 1,117,798.

CHAPTER II.

HISTORY OF MINNESOTA-FROM 1660-TO 1887.

HE first exploration by whites of ......... the territory which now com- prises the State of Minnesota dates back early into the seven- teenth century. It is claimed by good authority that Jean Nicolet (pronounced Nicolay), one of Champlain's interpreters, was the first to spread knowl- edge of the country west of Lake Michigan. As early as 1635 he set foot upon the western shores of Lake Michigan, and traded near Green Bay, also roaming over various portions of Wisconsin at about that time. In December of the same year he returned to Canada. It is very doubtful whether Nicolet ever set foot on Minnesota soil, although it is certain that his visit to the country west of Lake Michigan was the means of spreading knowledge of this country, and of the aborigines of Minnesota. It was said of him that he penetrated far (listant countries, and in a letter bearing date of 1640, it is stated that "if he had proceeded three days more on a river which flows from that lake (Green Bay), he would have found the sea." The death of this explorer occurred at Three Rivers in 1640.

After Nicolet's visit to Wisconsin, for a quarter of a century history brings no trace of any explorations concerning this region. At the end of this time, in 1660, the first white men of whom there is any reliable record, set foot on Minnesota soil. They were Medard Chouart, called Groselliers, and Pierre d'Esprit, who was known as Sieur Radisson. Both were Frenchmen who had come to Canada when young men to engage

in the fur trade. About the middle of that century several important changes had been made in the location of Indian tribes. The Hurons and their allies, the Ottawas, after successive battles, had drifted to the west of Lake Michigan. In former times they had been located in the St. Lawrence region. Finally reaching the Mississippi they found the Iowa River. Later, returning to the Mississippi, they settled upon an island in the river near where the city of Hastings is now located ; but becoming involved in battles with the Sioux, we finally find the Hurons located about the headwaters of the Chippeway, and the Ottawas on the shores of Lake Superior, near where Bay- field is now situated. It was to trade with the Indians that the two Frenchmen men- tioned, Groselliers and Radisson, made their trip to this wild region. They passed the winter of 1659-60 among the Sioux villages in the Mille Lacs country, and the following spring and summer was spent in the region of Lake Superior. In August, 1660, they returned to Montreal, and their report of the country they had visited created much ex- citement. Within a few weeks an exploring and trading party was formed, and accom- panied by six Frenchmen and two priests, one of whom was the Jesuit, Rene Menard, they again started westward, and on the 15th of October, 1660, they reached the Ottawa settlement on the shores of Lake Superior. The objects of this party were various, some bent on exploration, others on trading, while Father Menard went as a missionary. Groselliers (pronounced Gro- say-ya) and Radisson, accompanied by others,

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HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.

pushed on through the country to the northwest of Lake Superior and at length reached Hudson's Bay. They returned to Montreal in May, 1662. The names of all the members of this party have not been preserved. Groselliers and Rad- isson proceeded to Paris, thence to Lon- don, where they were well received by the nobility and scientific men. A vessel was fitted out and placed at their disposal, in the hope of finding a northwest passage to Asia. In June, 1668, they left England and made an extended voyage, reaching a tributary of Hudson's Bay and returning to England, where, in 1670, the famous trading corporation, the "Hudson's Bay Company," was chartered.

Now to return to the venerable Father Menard, who had been left among the Ottawa Indians on the shores of Lake Superior in October, 1660. For nearly a year he lived there in a cabin built of fir branches. In the summer of 1661 he decided to visit the Hurons, who had fled eastward from the Sioux of Minnesota and were located among the woods of northern Wisconsin, as stated. He was accompanied by one Frenchman, whose name has been lost in the mist of years. They became separated, and Father Menard was lost, as Perrot says, "in the labyrinth of trees." This was the last ever positively known of him, although his brevi- ary and cassock were said afterward to have been found among the Sioux Indians. Whether this good and venerable man starved or was murdered or captured by the Indians will forever be shrouded in mystery.

These were the earliest explorations of the Northwest of which any record has been left, but after that period this region was visited by various parties at long intervals, and many interesting documents have been pre- served giving accounts of their journeys and discoveries.

About the year 1665 several French trad-

ers and the Jesuit, Allouez, visited the coun- try off the western shore of Lake Superior. Early in 1679 we find Daniel G. Du Luth west of Lake Michigan, and it is believed he planted the French arms on Minnesota soil. His records state that " on July 2d he caused his Majesty's arms to be planted in the great village of the Nadousioux, called Kathio, and at Songaskicous and Houetbatons, one hundred and twenty leagues distant from the former." Rev. E. D. Neill in his thorough work relating to early explorers of Minnesota, locates this as being "one hun- dred and twenty leagues beyond Mille Lacs." Du Luth states that at one point on Minnesota soil he found upon a tree this legend : " Arms of the King cut on this tree in the year 1679." He established several posts, carried on trading with the Indians, and was probably the most prominent of the early explorers. Later he was stationed near Lake Erie and died in 1710. His reports furnish much interesting information regarding the early explorations in the Northwest.

La Salle was given a commission by the King of France in 1678 to "explore the West," and do limited trading. He visited various parts of the Northwest. His jeal- ousy of Du Luth appears to form a consider- able portion of his official reports, but it is stated on good authority that he wrote the first description of the upper Mississippi Valley, August 22, 1682, some months before the publication of Father Hennepin's first work, "Description de la Louisiane." IIe must, however, have obtained his information from one of Hennepin's men.

Father Louis Hennepin's explorations and adventures through the Northwest form an interesting chapter in the earlier history of this region. He was a native of Ath, an in- land town of the Netherlands, and had early assumed the robes of priesthood. In 1676 he came to Canada, and two years later was

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HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.

ordered to join the La Salle exploring expe- dition. A ship was rigged, and on August 7th, 1679, its sails caught the breezes of Lake Erie- the first European vessel launched on the great lakes. La Salle con- ducted his expedition to Green Bay, thence along the coast of Lake Michigan, and about the middle of January, 1680, landed it on an eminence near Lake Peoria, on the Illinois River, where he commenced the erection of Fort Crevecœur. On the last of February of the same year, Father Hennepin, in company with Michael Accault (Ako) and Angelle, left the fort to ascend the Mississippi River. On the 11th of April, 1680, after having reached a point north of the Chippewa River, they were met and taken charge of by a party of over a hundred Sioux Indians. They then proceeded with the Indians to their villages, nearly sixty leagues north of St. An- thony falls. They remained with the Indians some time, being well treated, and on the 25th of July, 1680, they were met by Du Luth, who was accompanied by his interpre- ter, Faffart, and several French soldiers. They then proceeded to Mille Lacs, arriving, according to Father's Hennepin writings, on the 11th of August, 1680. In the latter part of September they started to return to the French settlement, passing by St. Anthony falls. Father Hennepin published two works relating to his discoveries, the first, "De- scription de la Louisiane," in 1836; the sec- ond, " The New Discovery," in 1697. These works called forth much criticism, as there can be no doubt Hennepin greatly magnified his own importance, and exaggerated his services and discoveries. For instance, he claims to have descended the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico, before proceed- ing northward, then returned and proceeded on to the St. Anthony falls. This in the face of his own stated facts - leaving Fort Creve- cœur the last of February, he claims to have made this wonderful trip, and arrived two

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Illustrated album of biography of Southwestern Minnesota : containing biographical sketches of hundreds of prominent old settlers...:History of Minnesota, embracing an account of early exploration...and a concise history of the Indian outbreak of 1862, Part 10

Author: Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Chicago : Occidental Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 814

Author:
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago : Occidental Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 814