USA > Minnesota > Illustrated album of biography of the famous valley of the Red River of the North and the park regions of Minnesota and North Dakota : containing biographical sketches of settlers and representative citizens > Part 13
USA > North Dakota > Illustrated album of biography of the famous valley of the Red River of the North and the park regions of Minnesota and North Dakota : containing biographical sketches of settlers and representative citizens > Part 13
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The office of secretary of State has been filled successively by the following gen- tlemen : Francis Baasen, from May 24, 1858, to January 2, 1860 ; James H. Baker, to November 17, 1862 ; David Blakely, to Janu- ary 8, 1866; Henry C. Rogers, during the years 1866-7-8-9; Hans Mattson, during 1870-1; S. P. Jennison, during 1872-3-4-5; John S. Irgens, during 1876-7-8-9; Fred. Von Baumbach, during 1880-1-2-3-4-5-6, and Hans Mattson, during 1887-8. .
The State treasurers have been as follows: George W. Armstrong, from May 24, 1858,
to January 2, 1860; Charles Scheffer, during 1860-1-2-3-4-5-6-7; Emil Munch, during 1868-9-70-1 ; William Seeger, from January 5, 1872, to February 7, 1873 ; Edwin W. Dyke, to January 7, 1876 ; William Pfaender, dur- ing 1876-7-8-9 ; Charles Kittelson, during 1880-1-2-3-4-5-6, and Joseph Bobleter, the present treasurer, 'who was elected for 1887-8.
The auditors of State have been as fol- lows : W. F. Dunbar, from May 24, 1858, to January 1, 1861; Charles McIlrath to January 13, 1873; O. P. Whitcomb, to Jan- uary 10, 1882, and W. W. Braden, who is the present incumbent of the office.
The office of attorney general has been filled as follows : Charles H. Berry, served from May 24, 1858, to January 2, 1860 ; Gor- don E. Cole, served during 1860-1-2-3-4-5 ; William Colville, during 1866-7; F. R. E. Cornell, during 1868-9-70-1-2-3; George P. Wilson, during 1874-5-6-7-8-9 ; Charles M. Start, from January 10, 1880, to March 11, 1881 ; W. J. Hahn, to January 5, 1887,.and Moses E. Clapp, the present attorney general.
The present board of railroad commission- ers is made up of Horace Austin, John L. Gibbs and George L. Becker. Those who have composed, the board in the past were: A. J. Edgerton, W. R. Marshall, J. J. Ran- dall, J. H. Baker and S. S. Murdock.
Edward D. Neill was the first superintend- ent of public instruction for Minnesota. . He was appointed in March, 1860, and on the 1st of July, 1861, was succeeded by B. F. Crary. From 1862 to 1867 the secretary of State was ex-officio superintendent, but on April 1, 1867, M. H. Dunnell was appointed superintendent, and served until August, 1870, when he was succeeded by H. B. Wil- son. April 3, 1875, David Burt was ap- pointed superintendent, and retained the office until succeeded by the present incum- bent, D. L. Kiehl, who was appointed Sep- tember 1, 1881.
142
HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.
The office of insurance commissioner lias been held in turn by Pennock Pusey, A. R. McGill and Charles Shandrew ; the last named gentleman having been appointed January 6, 1887, is the present commissioner.
The commissioners of statistics have been as follows : J. A. Wheelock, Pennock Pusey, C. F. Solberg, J. B. Phillips, T. M. Metcalf, J. P. Jacobson, F. Sneedorff, Oscar Malmros, A. F. Nordin, Victor Hjortsberg and Her- man Stockenstrom.
1
The following is a list of the gentlemen who have filled the office of adjutant-gen- eral: Alex. C. Jones, W. H. Acker, John B. Sanborn, Oscar Malmros, John Peller, H. P. Van Cleve, M. D. Flower, H. A. Castle, H. P. Van Cleve, A. C. Hawley, C. M. McCar- thy and F. W. Seeley.
JUDICIARY.
The first chief justice of the supreme court of the State was Lafayette Emmett, who was sworn in May 24, 1858, and served until January 10, 1865. Thomas Wilson suc- ceeded him and served nntil July 14, 1869, when he was succeeded by James Gilfillan.
Christopher G. Ripley was the next, holding the position from January 7, 1870, until April 7, 1874, when he was followed by S. J. R. McMillan, who served until March 10, 1875. At that time James Gilfillan became chief justice, and is the present incumbent.
The following statements will show the associate justices, together with the date of qualification of each : Charles E. Flandrau and Isaac Atwater served from May 24, 1858, to July 6, 1864; S. J. R. McMillan from July 6, 1864, to April 7, 1874; Thomas Wilson from July 6, 1864, to January 10, 1865; George B. Young from April 16, 1874, to January 11, 1875 ; F. R. E. Cornell from January 11, 1875, to May 23, 1881, and Greenleaf Clark from March 14, 1881, to January 12, 1882. The present associate justices are John M. Berry, who first quali- fied January 10, 1865 ; D. A. Dickinson, since June 27, 1881; William Mitchell, since March 14, 1881, and C. E. Vanderburgh, since January 12, 1882.
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
[4.4
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; H. 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-S ; 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,
Nobles, May 23, 1857, Carver, February 20, 1855, Norman, Nov'mb'r 29, 1881, 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, Pipestone, May 23, 1857, Polk, July 20, 1858, Clay, March 2, 1862, Cook, March 9, 1874, Cottonwood, May 23, 1857, Pope, February 20, 1862, Crow Wing, May 23, 1857, Ramsey, October 27, 1849, Dakota, October 27, 1849, Redwood, February 6, 1862, Rice, March 5, 1853, Dodge, February 20, 1855, Renville, February 20, 1855, Douglas, March 8, 1858, Faribault, F'br'ry 20, 1855, Rock, March 23, 1857, Fillmore, March 5, 1853, St. Louis, March 1, 1856, Freeborn, F'br'ry, 20, 1855, Scott, March 5, 1858,
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, 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, 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, Watonwan, Nov. 6, 1860, Wilkin, March 6, 1868, Le Sueur, March 5, 1853, Lincoln, March 6,1873, Lyon, November 2, 1869, McLeod, March 1, 1856,
Winona, February 23, 1849, Wright, February 20, 1855, Yellow Medicine, Novem- ber 3, 1871.
RED RIVER
VALLE
AND THE
ARK REGIONS
OF MINNESOTA
1
ESCRIPTIVE
ANDHISTOI ISTORICAL
INTRODUCTORY
Descriptive and Historical Introductory
T IS with wonder and amazement that one contemplates the re- sults of "Time's " wonder-working hand. The rapid set- tlement, civilization and development of the North- west, within the memory of our children even, is the marvel of the age. This is especially true of that territory which comes properly within the scope of this work, the renowned " Val- ley of the Red River of the North," and the no less far- famed "Park Regions of Min- nesota." It is, in one sense, scarcely neces- sary to describe the territory which this appellation covers, as it is, to the present generation, almost as significant and com- pletely descriptive as it would be to name a State; but as this work is compiled more especially for coming generations, our children and children's children, it would doubtless be wise to outline, in general, the area to which this appellation refers in our
day. It is an established fact that as years roll by, and as decades bury former decades, the reputation of localities and the names which they bear ever shift and vary, accord- ing to the temperament or occupation of the people, the success of their undertakings, or as the discovery of new Eldorados bedims or lessens the brilliancy of former greatness. The writer distinctly remembers 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 rapidly moved west- ward, stopping for a time in Ohio, then in Illinois, and finally to-day rests in the famous Valley of the Red River of the North and the Park Regions of Minnesota. And who shall say where it will next land ?
The Red River Valley embraces much of the finest country on the continent. It ex- tends from near the center of the Park Regions of Minnesota, west a short distance, and then north to the British possessions. The Park Regions of Minnesota can best be
149
150
RED RIVER VALLEY AND
described as beginning at the Red River and extending east and south to the valleys of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers. The surface of the Red River Valley is made up almost wholly of rolling prairie land, diversi- fied with many groves, which have been set out by the thrifty agriculturists who have settled here. As you proceed northward the surface is more level and less inclined to be undulating. As a rule the drainage is excel- lent, but in some of the counties on the Min- nesota side artificial drainage is necessary to attain the highest returns from agricultural efforts. Of late years this matter has been agitated considerably, and many of the most prominent citizens in the valley have taken active steps to secure a general drainage sys- tem throughout the counties of Marshall, Polk, Norman, Clay and Wilkin in Minnesota. An important convention was held at Crooks- ton during the past year to take steps in regard to this matter, and this movement will prove, as time rolls on, one of the most important "mile posts in the history " of the country affected. This matter receives full attention in connection with the sketches of the prime movers in the work, so it is un- necessary to refer to it further here.
The soil of the Red River Valley is a rich black loam, well adapted to the raising of all the cereals. Wheat is the banner crop, and the yields of this cereal have excited the wonder and admiration of the world. Other products, however, do remarkably well, and, in later years, diversified farming has been rapidly taking the place of exclusive wheat raising. Stock-raising, too, both native and blooded, is attracting much attention from the intelligent class of farmers who have found homes here. This is a profitable branch of industry all through the West, as the pasturage of rich, nutritious native grasses is unlimited.
A good deal of what has already been said also applies to the Park Regions of
Minnesota. There is, however, one material difference. The Park Regions are made up of interspersed prairie and timber land, and are dotted and studded with thousands of beautiful lakes, sheets of pure, limpid water, bordered by sandy beaches, and liemmed in by magnificent groves of native timber. These lakes, almost without excep- tion, abound with fish, while their shores and the adjacent prairie and groves are the re- sorts of game of every description. This portion of Minnesota is the " home of the sportsman and hunter," and each year thousands of pleasure seekers from all parts of the United States visit the fa- mous summer resorts of this region, to fish in the clear depths of the beautiful lakes, to hunt, or for rest and recreation. The cli- mate of the Red River Valley and Park Re- gions is excellent. The clear, dry atmos- phere and pure, fresh air from off the count- less miles of prairie have justly given the Northwest the reputation of being among the most healthy portions of the globe.
The very first settlements in the Red River Valley were made many years ago. Indeed, at a very early day the white man had tra- versed this region, hunting and trapping. Trading posts for commerce with the Indians were maintained, and the famous Hudson Bay Fur Company early in the history of the Northwest had planted their outposts throughout various portions of Minnesota and North Dakota. These were the fore- runners of civilization, but it is impossible at this late date to give with any degree of accuracy the names of those who thus planted the seeds of settlement in the great Northwest. Names and dates have alike been lost in the mist of years, the parties themselves not knowing how important a part they were playing in the history of the race. These first pioneers were a hardy set, following a wild life of adventure and dan- ger far from the haunts of civilization. Trap-
I51
PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA.
ping, hunting and trading with the abori- gines, they lived nomadic lives ; and while they accomplished nothing in the way of material improvement, they early dissemin- ated among the eastern settlements in Can- ada and the United States descriptions of the wondrous beauty, fertility and product- iveness of this region. Early in the present century a colony called the Selkirk settle- ment was established on the Red River, north of the British line, and for a time there was some travel and freighting which traversed the Park Regions and Valley into the United State's and to the settlements at Fort Snelling and Prairie du Chien. And one historian of high reputa- tion declares that they ran boats between these points via the Minnesota river and Red River of the North, getting the boats from one river to the other by means of rollers.
The abundance of game which infested this region also drew hunters and trappers to its beautiful lakes, prairie and woodlands; and as one historian truly writes, “The In- dians. had for ages made this region a hunt- ing and trapping ground; and could they speak each tree could no doubt tell some wild tale of Indian adventure." Wild game of almost every description, buffalo, bear, elk, deer, etc., abounded in those early times, and many of these animals have only recently be- come a thing of the past. Hunting and trapping was very profitable. Thus it was that for many years before the first actual settlement the Park Regions of Minnesota and the Red River Valley, both in Dakota and Minnesota, were frequently trod by the foot of the white man. During the year 1856 there was a great tide of iminigration from the East toward the setting sun, and a great many whites passed through the Park Regions and Red River Valley. A number of pioneers had already found homes in the Park Regions, and all portions of Minnesota
were materially benefited, although but few found their way into the northwestern part of that State. The tide of immigration and travel continued until the panic of 1857, when the influx of settlers almost completely ceased. Times were very hard all through the country, but especially was this condition of affairs felt in the Northwest.
Following close upon the financial panic, came the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, and in August, 1862, was inaugurated the terrible Sioux Indian outbreak, which almost depopulated the whole of the country lying northwest of the capital of Minnesota, and crimsoned the fair soil with the blood of so many men, women and children. Fiendish atrocity, blood-curdling cruelty and red-handed murder ran riot, and the growth of the Northwest received a set-back from which it took many years to fully recover. After the beginning of this ter- rible and fiendish warfare, the frontier line receded eastward, and the Red River Valley and Park Regions were again left in the midst of the hostile Indian country, and for many months few, if any, white men trod this soil. After the settlements in the eastern part of Minnesota had partially recovered from the first rude shock of the 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 progress, 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 advanta-' geous positions 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
152
RED RIVER. VALLEY AND
through this northwestern country, and the prairies of a good share of the Park Re- gions and Red River Valley were constantly patrolled by the companies of brave sol- diers who were detailed for this service. In time the redskins were subdued, although for a number of years the settlers on the extreme frontier lived in a constant state of fear and anxiety, not knowing at what time the massacre might break out afresh. Through these causes soldiers were kept on the frontier for some time, and many of the present well-to-do and prominent citizens who are mentioned in this ALBUM selected claims while here in the service. When peace was again established on the border, travel between the settlements and the frontier was again resumed, and the "fron- tier line" moved westward very rapidly.
Immediately after the close of the war, all of the Northwest began a very rapid development, and all portions of the Park Regions and Red River Valley received set- tlers. Railroads began reaching out and in- terlocking through the great Northwest, and this seems to have been the starting point of such an era of rapid development as has been the marvel of the times. It has con- tinued to the present day. The Northern Pacific and the St. Paul & Pacific -now the Manitoba system - both reached the Red River early in the seventies. After that, thousands upon thousands of settlers crowded into this favored region, selected farms and began improvements. Cities and villages have sprung up as if by magic, and already, before two decades have passed, all kinds of material improvement will compare favor- ably with any part of the United States. Substantial farms were opened all over the Northwest; 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 comparatively recent, and the pioneers an excellent class of men, the drawback was not a serious one, and the tide of immigra- tion continued unabated. The yields of crops were enormnous, and the prospects in every branch of industry or trade were flat- tering
Nothing has since occurred to seriously in- terrupt the growth, development and pros- perity. Like all new countries, there have been years of slight depression, and an oc- casional failure of crops, but they are the ex- ception to what has been the rule in the his- tory of the Northwest. And the native energy and enterprise of the inhabitants soon overcame such obstacles, and as success has always followed a reverse, the onward march of growth, civilization and develop- ment has been resumed with more satisfac- tory results than before.
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 great book to a period only a quarter of a cen- tury ago, and what a contrast. Then ail was as nature had formed it. The broad and roll- ing 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 mantled desert. Selected as a camping and hunting ground by the Sioux, with that wonderful apprecia- tion 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 building, have sprung up as if by magic ; civ- ilization and progress are apparent on every hand; comfortable and elegant dwellings are
·
153
PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA.
everywhere visible ; schools and churches adorn the former barren prairie ; and the re- sult is a prosperous land, filled with an en- terprising, 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 magnificent farms on the continent are found in this region-some devoted to ex- clusive grain raising, others to mixed farm- ing and 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 de- vote much of their attention to these lines, although wheat raising as yet is the leading occupation of the husbandmen.
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