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 13

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 13

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).

As to district courts, the State is now divided into thirteen districts.

CHAPTER V.

REPRESENTATION IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS, AND THE CREATION OF COUNTIES.

ENATORS. The first United States Senators from Minnesota were James Shields and Henry M. Rice, who took the oath of office May 11, 1858. The former was suc- ceeded on March 4th, 1860, by Morton S. Wilkinson, who served the full term. Daniel S. Norton was sworn in to succeed Wilkin- son, March 4, 1867, and died while in office, July 14, 1870. O. P. Stearns was appointed, and served out the few weeks left of the term. William Win- dom came next, and retained the office until March 12, 1881, when he was succeeded by A. J. Edgerton, who resigned, however, in October of the same year, and William Win- dom was again chosen, serving until suc- ceeded by one of the present Senators, D. M. Sabin, March 4, 1883.

Henry M. Rice, who was mentioned as a colleague of James Shields, served as United States Senator from May 11, 1858, to March 4, 1863, when Alexander Ramsey succeeded him, and retained the position until March 4, 1875. S. J. R. McMillan became United States Senator on the day last named, and occupied the position for two full terms- twelve years - being succeeded March' 4, 1887, by Cushman K. Davis, one of the present Senators.

REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS.

The territorial delegates have already been

spoken of. When the State of Minnesota was organized,it was entitled to two represent- atives in the House of Representatives of the United States. This state of affairs con- tinued until 1871, when a reapportionment was made, and the State was allowed three members of the House. At that time the State was divided into three congressional districts-No. 1, embracing the southern, No. 2 the central. and No. 3 the northern portion of the State. In 1881 another ap- portionment was made, by which the State secured five Representatives. This is the present status of the representation. The State is divided into five congressional dis- tricts, as follows : The first district includes Houston, Fillmore, Mower, Freeborn, Steele, Dodge, Olmsted, Winona and Wabasha counties ; the second district includes Fari- bault, Blue Earth, Waseca, Watonwan, Mar- tin, Cottonwood, Jackson, Murray, Nobles, Rock, Pipestone, Lincoln, Lyon, Redwood, Brown, Nicollet, Yellow Medicine, Lac qui Parle, Sibley and Le Sueur counties ; the third district embraces Goodhue, Rice, Swift, Dakota, Scott, Carver, McLeod, Meeker, Kandiyohi, Renville and Chippewa counties ; the fourth district includes Washington, Ramsey, Hennepin, Wright, Pine, Kanabec, Anoka, Chisago, Isanti and Sherburne coun- ties, and the fifth district includes Mille Lacs, Benton, Morrison, Stearns, Pope, Douglas, Stevens, Big Stone, Traverse, Grant, Todd,

143

144

HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.

Crow Wing, Aitkin, Carlton, Wadena, Otter Tail, Wilkin, Cass, Becker, Clay, Polk, Bel- trami, Marshall, Hubbard, Kittson, Itasca, St. Louis, Lake and Cook counties.

The following is a list of the various gen- tlemen who have represented Minnesota in the lower house of Congress, with the years during which they served. With one or two exceptions, the term of office began and closed March 4th.

W. W. Phelps, 1858-9; J. M. Cavenaugh, 1858; William Windom, 1860-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8; Cyrus Aldrich, 1860-1-2; Ignatius Donnelly, 1864-5 6-7-8 ; M. S. Wilkinson, 1869-70 ; E. M. Wilson, 1869-70 ; John T. Averill, 1871-2- 3-4; M. H. Dunnell, from 1871 to 1883; II. B. Straight, 1874-5-6-7-8; William S. King, 1876; J. H. Stewart, 1878; Henry Poehler, 1879-80 ; H. B. Straight, 1881-2-3-4-5-6; W. D. Washburn, 1879-80-1-2-3-4 ; Milo White, 1883-4-5-6 ; J. B. Wakefield, 1883-4-5-6; Knute Nelson, 1883-4-5-6-7-8 ; J. B. Gilfillan, 1885-6 ; Thomas Wilson, 1887-8 ; John Lind, 1887-8 ; John L. McDonald, 1887-8 ; Edmund Rice, 1887-8.

CREATION OF COUNTIES.

In this connection we present a list of the counties of Minnesota, together with the date on which they were created by the terri- torial or State Legislatures, viz .:

Aitkin, May 23, 1857, Marshall, February 25, 1879,

Anoka, May 23, 1857, Becker, March 18, 1858, Martin, May 23, 1857, Meeker, February 23, 1856, Beltrami, F'bru'ry 28, 1866, Mille Lacs, May 23, 1857, Benton, October 27, 1849, Morrison, Febr'ry 25, 1858, Big Stone, F'br'ry 20, 1862, Mower, February 20, 1855, Blue Earth, March 5, 1853, Murray, May 23, 1857, Brown, February 20, 1855, Nicollet, March 5, 1853, Carlton, May 23, 1857, Carver, February 20, 1855, Norman, Nov'mb'r 29, 1881, Nobles, May 23, 1857, Cass, September 1, 1851, Olmsted, February 20, 1855, Chippewa, F'br'ry 20, 1862, Otter Tail. March 18, 1858, Chisago, September 1, 1851, Pine, March 31, 1856, Clay, March 2, 1862, Cook, Marclı 9, 1874, Cottonwood, May 23, 1857, Pope, February 20, 1862, Pipestone, May 23, 1857, Polk, July 20, 1858, Crow Wing, May 23, 1857, Ramsey, October 27, 1849, Dakota, October 27, 1849, Redwood, February 6, 1862, Dodge, February 20, 1855, Renville, February 20, 1855, Douglas, March 8, 1858, Faribault, F'br'ry 20, 1855, Rock, March 23, 1857, Rice, March 5, 1853, Fillmore, March 5, 1853, St. Louis, March 1, 1856, Freeborn, F'br'ry, 20, 1855, Scott, March 5, 1858, Sherburne, Feb'y 25, 1856 Sibley, March 5, 1853, Stearns, February 20, 1855, Steele, February 20, 1855, Stevens, February 20, 1860, Swift, March 4, 1870, Todd, February 20, 1862, Travers, February 20, 1862, Goodhue, March 5, 1853, Grant, March 6, 1868, Hennepin, March 6, 1852, Houston, Feb'ry 23, 1854, Hubbard, Feb'y 26, 1883, Isanti, February 13, 1857, Itasca. October 29, 1849, Jackson, May 23, 1857,

Kanabec, March 13, 1858, Wabasha, October 27, 1849, Kandiyohi, March 20, 1858, Wadena, July 11, 1858, Kittson, February 25, 1879, Waseca, February 27, 1857, Lac qui Parle, Nov. 3, 1871, Washington, Oct. 27, 1849, Lake, March 1, 1856, Le Sueur, March 5, 1853, Lincoln, March 6,1873, Lyon, November 2, 1869, McLeod, March 1, 1856,

Watonwan, Nov. 6, 1860, Wilkin, March 6, 1868, Winona, February 23, 1849, Wright, February 20, 1855, Yellow Medicine, Novem- ber 3, 1871.

* SOUTHWESTERN

m INNESOTA

DESCRIPTIVE

: HISTO ISTORICAL

INTRODUCTORY

←

Descriptive and Historical Introductory

T IS with wonder and amazement that one contemplates the results of " Time's" wonder - working hand. The rapid civilization and de- velopment of the Northwest within a period that is almost within the memory of our chil- dren even, is the marvel of the age. This is especially true of that territory which comes properly within the scope of this work - Southwestern Minnesota -or the counties of Lincoln, Pipestone, Rock, Murray Nobles. Cottonwood, Jackson Martin and Faribault, This belt of counties has gained the reputation of being one of the most fertile and promising regions of the Northwest - has been termed " the fertile blue-grass region of Minnesota ;" widely advertised as being blessed with "the soil of the river bottoms and climate of the mountains," and the name of being " the home of the cereals," the yields of wheat

having usually been enormous. And these praises are not very extravagant. But it is an established fact that as years roll by, and as decades bury former decades, localities seem to change as to the yielding qualities of - their soil, and this is to a certain extent the case with South western Minnesota. Exclusive wheat raising is gradually giving way to diversified farming, or mixed farming and stock raising, although as yet wheat yields large returns. This has been the case in all the older States. The reputations which local- ities bear ever shift and vary according to the occupation and even temperament of the people, the success of their undertakings, or as the discovery of new Eldorados bedin and lessen the brilliancy of their former greatness. The writer distinctly remem- bers the time when the Genesee Valley of the noble " Empire State" was the garden spot of the world, so far as wheat raising was concerned, and was supposed to be the only native "home of the cereal." But through succeeding decades this has been entirely changed. The center of the wheat belt rap- idly moved westward, stopping for a time in

I49

150

SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

Ohio, then in Illinois, and finally, to-day, it rests over a belt of country which includes Western Minnesota and the two Dakotas. And who shall say where it will next land ?

The soil of Southwestern Minnesota has fitted this region for almost every depart- ment of agricultural industry. It is a rich, black loam, underlaid with a sub-soil, which absorbs and retains moisture in such a man- ner as to have made this region famed for its capabilities in withstanding the effects of either drought or excellent rainfall. It is ad- mirably adapted to raising all cereals, and corn is one of the staple products. Wheat is as yet the banner crop, and the yields of this cereal have at times been marvelous. All other products do remarkaly well, and in later years, as indicated above, diversified farming has been radily taking the place of exclusive wheat raising. Southwestern Minnesota is supplied with an abundance of pure, wholesome water, which makes it at once a desirable and profitable stock- raising locality. For some years past the in- telligent class of agriculturists have been devoting much attention to this important industry, and to-day Southwestern Minne- sota is second to no portion of the State in the assessed valuation of its cattle, propor- tionate to its settlement. Blooded and high grade stock are by no means rare in any por- tion of this region, and yearly more and more attention is devoted to this department. No portion of the United States, or world, for that matter, is better adapted by nature for raising stock, for the soil is very prolific in the production of both tame and indigenous grasses, furnishing the best of pasturage, and an abundance of rich, nutritious wild hay can be had merely for the labor of cutting and caring for it.

The surface of the land is made up of rolling prairies, which are interspersed with natural and domestic groves, and the scenery is magnificent. The country is dotted with

lakes, and the drainage afforded by the nu- merous rivers, creeks and rivulets is almost perfect. These lakes are of pure, limpid water, bordered by sandy beaches and hemmed in by natural groves. Almost with- out exception they abound with fish, while their shores and the adjacent prairies are the resorts of game of almost every descrip- tion. This portion of Minnesota is the "home of the sportsman and hunter," and each year thousand of pleasure seekers visit the resorts of this region, to fish in the clear depths of the beautiful lakes, to hunt, or for rest and recreation. The climate of Southwestern Minnesota is excellent. The clear, dry atmosphere and pure fresh air from off the countless miles of prairie have justly given it the reputation of being among the most healthy portions of the globe.

For many years prior to the first actual settlement in the western counties in South- western Minnesota, there is no question but that the soil was frequently trod by the foot of the white man. The abundance of game which infested this region drew hunters and trappers regularly to its lakes, and many of them took claims here and afterward made permanent settlements. The Indians for ages had made this portion of the State a hunting and camping ground, and, could they speak, each tree could, no doubt, tell some wild tale of Indian adventure. Wild game of almost every description-bear, elk, deer, etc .- abounded in those days, and many of these animals have only passed from these grounds recently. Many of the older set- tlers report that they frequently saw deer, elk and bear in the first days of their settle- ment here, and not a few have been seen and killed in recent years.

In 1856 there was a great tide of emigration "toward the setting sun " from the Eastern States, and a great proportion of the present area of Minne- sota grew rapidly in population This

151

SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

tide of emigration continued through the following year, but then came on the panic of 1857, and the influx of settlers almost completely ceased. Times were very hard all through the country, and especially was this condition of affairs felt in the North- west. It was at about the beginning of this rush of settlers that the first settlements were made in what is properly termed South western Minnesota. In 1855-57 set- tlers found their way to and made settle- ments in territory which now forms Fari- bault, Martin, Jackson and Cottonwood counties, and in some of these counties sub- stantial settlements were begun ; villages were platted, counties were organized, and civilization took its first advancing stride in these localities. A few of the settlers of these years are left, especially in Faribault county, but death has sadly thinned their ranks. In Jackson and Cottonwood coun- ties thriving settlements were begun, but in 1857 there occurred the "Inkpadutah Massacre," when the Indians under the lead- ership of Inkpadutah ruthlessly murdered settlers at Spirit Lake, Iowa, and others along the Des Moines River in Jackson and Cottonwood counties, Minnesota. This

proved to be a serious blow to the growth and development of this region. The coun- ties named were depopulated, everything was abandoned, and the pioneers fled for their lives. After this, those counties lying west of Faribault county remained almost wholly devoid of inhabitants for several years. Troops, however, were soon stationed through this region, and as soon as confidence was again established the settlement commmenced again, and early in the " sixties" many set- tlers had again found homes in Jackson, Cotton wood and Murray counties, and coun- ties lying east of them. Other events, how- ever, transpired to still further delay the development of Southwestern Minnesota. Following close upon the Inkpadutah mas-

sacre and the financial panic of 1857, came the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, and in August, 1862, was inaugurated the terrible Sioux Indian outbreak, which depopulated the western part of Minnesota and crim- soned the fair soil with the blood of so many innocent men, women and children. Fiend- ish atrocity, blood-curdling cruelty and red- handed murder ran riot, and the growth of Minnesota received a set-back from which it took many years to fully recover. After the inauguration of this fiendish warfare, the western frontier line receded eastward, and the greater portion of Southwestern Minne- sota was again left in the midst of the hos- tile Indian country, and for many months no white man trod its soil. After the settle- ments in the eastern part of the State had partially recovered from the first rude shock of the Indian outbreak, which fell like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, steps were at once taken to defend the exposed settlements, to conquer the redskins and drive them back. At that time the Civil War was in pro- gress, and a majority of the able-bodied settlers were in the South fighting for the flag and the Union. It therefore required some time to muster troops and place them in advantageous posi- tions to cope with the wily red foe, and in the meantime the Indians carried on their brutal warfare, murdering men, women and children and burning as they went. After considerable delay the Indians were driven back, soldiers were placed all through this western country, and the prairies were con- stantly patrolled by companies which were

detailed for this service. The redskins were soon subdued, but for a number of years the settlers on the extreme frontier lived in a state of constant fear and anxiety, not know- ing at what time the massacre might break out afresh. Through these causes soldiers were kept on the frontier for some time, and many of these soldiers afterward found

I52

SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

homes in Southwestern Minnesota, not a few having selected their claims while here in the service. When peace was again estab- lished on the border, settlements again began, and the frontier line moved westward very rapidly. Immediately after the close of the war all of the Northwest began a very rapid development, and especially was this the case in Southwestern Minnesota, as all counties in this portion of the State grew rapidly in pop- ulation, a great many of the settlers being men who had been in the service; and it is to-day questionable whether any portion of the United States has an equal pro- portion of veterans of the war among its inhabitants as has Southwestern Minnesota. When the war closed railroads began reach- ing out and interlocking through the North- west, and this seems to have been the starting point of such an era of rapid growth and development as has been the marvel of the times. Railroads reached Southwestern Minnesota late in the "sixties," and early in the " seventies " they were con- structed through and beyond these counties. After that thousands upon thousands of set- tlers crowded into this favored region, select- ed farms and began improvements. Cities and villages sprung up as if by magic, sub- stantial farms were opened, tasty and com- fortable dwellings, churches and school houses soon dotted the prairie in all directions, and the waving fields of golden grain bespoke the wonderful prosperity which prevailed. The financial panic of 1873 caused a slight de- pression here, but as the settlement was so new, and was made up of an excellent class of men, the drawback was not a very serious one. The yields of crops were so enormous and the prospects so flattering that a major- ity of the farmers in preparing for more con- venient and extensive operations, incurred indebtedness which they otherwise would have refrained from, and they thereby made an unforeseen calamity harder to bear. Thus,

in the midst of present prosperity, and the most flattering prospects for the future, the grasshoppers swarmed down upon the crops of the settlers, annihilating and destroying almost every vestige of the growing crops. leaving the farmers destitute. This began in 1874, and continued for three years, prov- ing even a more disastrous set-back to the country than the Indian massacre. Times were very hard during those days. Unable to draw support and sustenance from the soil, thousands of the settlers left, while others, unable or unwilling to leave and abandon their claims, engaged in trapping. and it can be truthfully said that for several years " fur was legal tender" in this region. Money was very scarce. There was no sale for personal property, and after the first blow fell the only sale for land was in mort- gaging it to Eastern capitalists, and nearly all the Eastern money was withdrawn after the first year. But finally the grasshoppers left or ceased coming and again South- western Minnesota resumed its onward march.

Nothing has since occurred to seriously interrupt the growth, development and pros- perity. Like all new countries there have been years of slight depression and occasion- ally a partial failure of crops, but they are the exception to what has been the rule in the history of South western Minnesota. And the native energy and enterprise of the inhabitants soon overcame the obstacles, and as success has always followed a reverse, the onward march has been resumed with more satisfactory results than before ; and to-day, taken as a whole, Southwestern Minnesota is one of the most prosperous and promising regions of the whole Northwest.

Contemplate the changes that have been made here, and one can not but wonder at the marvelous results that have been accom- plished within so short a period of time. Turn back, as it were, the leaves of Time's

I53

SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

great book to a period only a little more than a quarter of a century ago, and what a con- trast. Then all was as nature had formed it. The broad and rolling prairies were as green then as now ; in summer a perfect paradise of verdure, with its variegated hues of flowers and vegetation ; in winter a dreary snow-man- tled desert. Selected as a camping and hunt- ing ground by the Sioux, with that wonderful appreciation of the beautiful which nature has made an instinct in the savage, scarcely a sign of habitation or civilization existed. It was the home of the red man, and the freedom of bird and beast reigned supreme. To-day, what a contrast ! Cities and villages, the peer of those which have been centuries in building, have sprung up as if by magic ; civilization and progress are apparent on every hand ; comfortable and elegant dwell- ings are everywhere visible; schools and churches adorn the former barren prairie ; and the result is a prosperous land, filled with an enterprising, intelligent and happy people, and the iron horse, swifter than the nimble deer, treads the pathway so recently the trail of the red man.

The early settlers in this region, as in all other localities in pioneer days, experienced many hardships and disadvantages, but as a rule, they are to-day in comfortable circum- stances, and have been well repaid for their industry, tenacity and enterprise. The ex- cellent class of improvements attest their general prosperity. Some of the most mag- nificent farms on the continent are found in this region-some devoted to exclusive grain raising, others to mixed farming and to stock raising. No portion of the country is better

adapted to stock raising and general farming, and the intelligent class of farmers who have located here devote much of their attention to these lines, although wheat raising as yet is the leading occupation of the husbandman.

It has been the endeavor in this volume to gather and place in enduring form, a his- tory of the lives of many of those who have aided in the growth and development of Southwestern Minnesota; to preserve the lives of many of the old settlers and their recollections of pioneer days, together with biographies of many of the prominent and representative citizens, who are to-day, or have in the past, been identified with busi- ness interests or the growth and development of the various localities. Years roll by so rapidly that time is already fast thinning the ranks of those who were the forerunners of civilization in the Northwest, and it will be but few years until our children and our children's children will succeed the pres- ent generation, and take the places of those who are now the leading factors. It is for the purpose of gathering the history of the life work of the present citizens before it is too late, and placing it in' an enduring form, that this ALBUM has been compiled, as an heirloom to posterity; so that when, in years to come, some future historian takes up the pen to write of the Northwest and its past, he will not have to depend upon the uncertainty of tradition, but will have in anthentic and enduring form a review of the lives of hundreds of those who took part and aided in the early prog- ress and development of SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

BIOGRAPHICAL

ON. JOHN CLARK is a retired capitalist who resides in Windom, Cottonwood county, Minnesota. He is a native of Unity, New Hampshire, where he was born December 8, 1825.

The parents of the subject of our sketch were Robert and Sophia (Silsby) Clark, natives of Axworth, New Hampshire. The father was engaged extensively in farming and was perhaps one of the most successful farmers in his locality, having accumulated considerable means. Robert Clark's father was also named Robert, and was a native of Londonderry, New Hampshire, a farmer by occupation and of Scotch descent. The founders of the American branch of this family left the old country on account of religious persecution and located in the northern part of Ireland, from whence with sixteen other families they came to the

United States, locating in Londonderry, New Hampshire. On the Silsby side this family are of English descent. The subject of our sketch was one of nine children, seven of whom grew to manhood and four of whom are now living-Mrs. Eustis, of Minneapolis; John, Eliza (now Mrs. Dickerson, of Massa- chusetts), and Amanda (now Mrs. Fairbanks, of Massachusetts).

Until he was nineteen years of age the subject of our sketch remained with his parents on the old homestead and was given good educational advantages and took a course of study in an academical institution in his native State. At nineteen he engaged in selling goods throughout the New Eng- land States, following that line of business for six years. He then removed to Ashland, Massachusetts, where for twenty-eight years he had the distinction of being the largest

157

158

SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

dealer in hardware and tinware. He did a remarkably large business and employed thirty men on the road selling his goods throughout the New England States. In 1877 he sold out his extensive manufacturing interests and came to Windom, Minnesota, where he located in the spring of 1878. He purchased two sections of land and also con- siderable village property, and erected the hotel known as the "Clark House." This he operated for one and a half years, then rented the same until 1886, when he sold out. This has been and is the leading hotel of Windom. Our subject has been engaged quite extensively in farming, and this year has eight hundred acres in small grain. He has built several fine buildings in the village of Windom. He has expended some- what over four thousand dollars in various improvements in the village, and platted an addition to Windom in 1876 calling it " Clark's addition." Mr. Clark has always taken an active part in matters of a. public nature, and has acceptably filled various official positions. In 1864 he was elected a member of the legislature of Massachusetts, and served on the finance committee. In 1886, while residing in Windom, he was elected a member of the upper house, or sen- ate, of the legislature of Minnesota. In this capacity he served his constituents faith- fully and well. He has been president of the village board for four years and for the same length of time was chairman of the board of county commis- sioners. He has always taken an active part in matters which pertain to the devel- opment and strengthening of the financial interests of Windom and has aided liberally both by word and means in the furtherance of various plans for internal improvements. He built the county court house and was also instrumental in the construction of sev- eral combination bridges across the Des Moines river. In politics the subject of our

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 13

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