USA > Minnesota > Hennepin County > Minneapolis > Personal recollections of Minnesota and its people : and early history of Minneapolis > 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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39
In the more southerly portion of the city Andrew J. Foster and Charles Gilpatrick had valuable farms, which are now included in the additions that bear their names. Deacon Sully's old claim is now on the map as Sully and Murphy's subdivision. The original Falls City farm of Henry Keith, made in 1852, is now owned by Judge Atwater and Judge C. E. Flandreau, which is a part of Falls City and Riverside Short-Line addition, and Dorwin Moulton's claim is Dorman's addition to the city. William G. Murphy's pre-emption is composed in part of Cook's Riverside addition, and Alfred Murphy's claim is included in the Fair-Ground addition. Hiram Burlingham's farm is included in Morrison and Love- joy's addition. . Simeon Odell's old home is now Palmer's addition, and E. A. Hodsdon's farm is the Southside addition to the city. Captain Arthur H. Mills's and J. Draper's claims were where the residence of Hon. D. Morrison is now. Galpin's and other additions are also portions of their old homes. Charles Brown's and Frank Rollin's claims are Rollin's Second addition, and Simon Bean's farm is Minnehaha Driving Park. John Wass's farm is a portion of Wass's addition. Ard Godfrey's old home has been transferred to the Soldiers' Home, and Amasa Craft's farm is Munroe Brother's addition. Hiram Van Nest's homestead is Van
145
OF MINNESOTA AND ITS PEOPLE.
Nest's addition. William G. Moffett's claim is now Minne- haha Park. Philander Prescott's claim is known as Annie E. Steele's out-lots addition.
Among the original settlers who occupied claims in 1851 and 1852, and whose old homes are not laid out into city lots, are those of Colonel S. Woods, William Finch, Samuel Stough, S. S. Crowell, Mark Baldwin, William Hanson, J. J. Dinsmore, Willis G. Moffett, Chris Garvey, H. S. Atwood, Thomas Pierce, and Titus Pettijohn. I think Messrs. Pierce, William G. Moffett, the Blaisdell Brothers, and Christopher C. Garvey are about the only ones who now own any considerable portion of those original pre- emptions. The entries made by A. K. Hartwell and Calvin Church, in the near vicinity of the Falls, are included in the original town-plat of Minneapolis. Among those who were residents on the west side of the river in the fall of 1850, were Simon Stevens, Henry and Thomas Chambers, and Horace Webster. They made claims elsewhere. Levi Smith, Edward Smith, Major A. M. Fridley, R. P. Russell, and George E. Huey, became interested with Robert Smith in the govern- ernment mill-property early in 1851. Levi Smith was a brother-in-law of Judge A. G. Chatfield. He never resided here. He was the first register of the U. S. land-office at Winona. His brother Edward Smith only remained a year here. He married a sister of Governor Burns, of Wisconsin, and moved to the Pacific coast.
While the foregoing may not be a full list of the original owners of the soil in this neighborhood, I think it as correct as possible to get it at this time. George A. Camp was a resident during the exciting claim-making on the west side of the river, but he never made a claim. He was a member of his uncle Anson Northrup's household. William Goodnow, a carpenter, who built Mr. Northrup's house, also resided here, but made no claim. He committed suicide in the begin- ning of the winter of 1852, by jumping into the river just above the Falls. Goodnow was a young man, an excellent workman, but addicted to strong-drink, and at the time of his death was suffering from delirium-tremens. This was the first case of suicide in what is now Minneapolis, and the first victim here suffering from that terrible disease. Gordon and
146
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS
William Jackins were members of their brother John Jackin's family. They were interested in a forty-acre tract of land joining Mrs. Sayer's claim. The younger brother William died while occupying the claim. William Hubbard, a lawyer from Tennessee, occupied a claim for a year or two, but sold it and removed from the territory before the land came into market. John Berry lived on and preempted a farm near the Lake of the Isles, which is now within the city limits.
FIRST MASONIC LODGE AT ST. ANTHONY FALLS.
Dr. A. E. Ames, soon after his arrival in St. Anthony, in 1851, found a few Freemasons, and called a meeting of such of them as were residents, at the parlors of Mr. Godfrey, with a view of establishing a lodge. A petition for a dispensation was sent to the grand lodge of Illinois. The petition was granted, and on the 14th of February, at the same parlors, Cataract Lodge, U. D., was organized. A. E. Ames was Wor- shipful Master ; William Smith, senior warden ; Isaac Brown, junior warden ; Ard Godfrey, treasurer ; John H. Stevens, secretary ; D. M. Coolbaugh, senior deacon ; H. S. Atwood, junior deacon ; and William Bramer, Tyler. Colonel E. Case of St. Anthony, and Captain J. W. T. Gardiner of Fort Snel- ling, were members.
As this was the first charitable order organized in this vicinity, where so many now exist, it will be observed that Cataract Lodge is the parent of all similar organizations north of St. Paul. Dr. Ames, the master, had been a member of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, and had also been master of the lodge at Roscoe, and Belvidere, in the same state. On the organization of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota, he was chosen Most Worshipful Grand Master, and in later years held high places of trusts in the different organizations of Freemasonry in this state.
Colonel William Smith, the senior warden, was a native of Maine, had been a prominent citizen of that state, and master of his lodge. Isaac Brown, the junior warden, was also a native of Maine, and was a past-master. He was the first sheriff of Hennepin county. Ard Godfrey, the treasurer, also a native of Maine, had held a similar office in a lodge on on the banks of the Penobscot.
147
OF MINNESOTA AND ITS PEOPLE.
John H. Stevens, the secretary, was initiated, passed and raised, in a military, traveling lodge, U. D., from the Grand Lodge of Tennessee, during the winter of 1848, at the National Bridge, in Mexico. The dispensation gave the officers of the lodge permission to meet on high hills, or low vales.
The senior deacen, D. M. Coolbaugh, was made a Mason in a Pennsylvania lodge. On the organization of Hennepin lodge, U. D., two years after the organization of Cataract lodge, he was selected as its first Master. The junior deacon, H. S. Atwood, was initiated, passed and raised, in a lodge in New Brunswick. His wife was a sister of Calvin A. Tuttle. The Tyler, William Bremer, I think, was made a Mason in Pennsylvania. He had a farm near the city.
Colonel E. Case, a native of New York, was made a Mason in a lodge near Rochester in that state. During a long resi- dence in Michigan he held high positions in the Order in that state, and was for a long time treasurer of Blue Lodges in Hennepin county, and the first Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota. Captain J. W. T. Gardiner was a native of Hallowell, Maine, a graduate of West Point, and stationed, at the organization of Cataract Lodge, at Fort Snelling, com- manding Company D, First regiment U. S. Dragoons. He was made a Mason at one of the western army forts.
The first who presented petitions for membership of Cataract Lodge were Isaac Atwater, John George Lennon, Anson Northrup, John C. Gairns, John H. Murphy, and Robert W. Cummings. These gentlemen were the first to become Masons at the Falls of St. Anthony.
The Grand Master of Iilinois, to whom the petition was sent, and who granted the dispensation to Cataract Lodge, was Judge E. B. Ames, long since a resident of Minneapolis.
CHAPTER XXIV.
SOME OF THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF THE SOIL AT THE FALLS.
A large majority of the original claimants and owners of the soil on the military reservation and Indian lands in the vicinity of the west bank of the Falls of St. Anthony, have crossed the invisible, silent river, and preceded us to the unknown land.
Sheriff Isaac Brown died many years since. Eli Pettijohn, once so prominent in our midst, resides in California, and is said to be a hale, hearty old man. Deacon Allen Harmon lived a life of usefulness, and was called to a better world some seven years ago. His children are among our most respected citizens. Mr. Harmon's good deeds in this life will ever be cherished by his old friends. Anson Northrup occu- pies a prominent place in the history of Minnesota. Warm- hearted, generous, a good neighbor and firm friend, he has reached a green old age, meriting the esteem of not only the pioneers, but of the new citizens of the commonwealth. Geo. W. Tew went further west at an early day, and died a few years since.
Edward Murphy was for many years a prominent citizen on the west side of the river. No one was more public-spirited. He firmly believed in the future greatness of Minneapolis, and freely expended money to develop its resources. He was at the head in securing the running of boats up the river to Minneapolis. His death was greatly regretted. His widow, and his two children, Ira Murphy of this city, and Mrs. B. Armstrong of St. Paul, survive him.
Sweet W. Case has long occupied a prominent position in
149
OF MINNESOTA AND ITS PEOPLE.
the community. For many years he has been city assessor. He was our first clerk in the district court. He still resides in Minneapolis. Peter Poncin emigrated to the Pacific coast and died there a few years since. Martin Layman, one of our most cherished pioneers, lived to see the city expand all around him. A portion of his claim was laid out into a cem- etery. He died three years ago.
Isaac Atwater is one of the most prominent men in the state. For many years he occupied a seat on the supreme bench of Minnesota. A graduate of old Yale, he is a classic writer and ready speaker. As a lawyer he ranks among the foremost. As a member and secretary of the old board of regents of the University of Minnesota, he labored long and earnestly in the interest of that great seat of learning. Judge Atwater has occupied many high positions with credit to himself and satisfaction to the community. At the birth of the city he fortunately consentod to serve as one of its alder- men. His wisc course in the council tended largely to shape the course of those aldermen who followed him in the adop- tion of wholesome ordinances for the city government. For many years he was a member of the board of education. He was one of the founders of our fine system of graded schools. His good works are all around us, and he is still vigorous and useful.
John George Lennon, a pioneer merchant, a man who was always alive to the interests of the city, died in October, 1886, at the age of seventy-one years. In the earlier years of the occupation of this section of the state by the whites, Mr. Lennon was at the front in all enterprises for the good of the country, and was especially efficient at the Falls of St. Anthony in securing immigration. As the representative of the Amer- ican Fur Company in this neighborhood, he was influential in the community, and he always used that influence for the benefit of the people. He was a son-in-law of Major Nathan- iel McLean, at one time United States agent at Fort Snelling for the Dakotas. His widow and an only son have their home in Minneapolis.
Captain Parker, the old master of the steamboat Governor Ramsey, after he moved on his claim adjoining Mr. Layman's, became county commissioner, in 1872, and continued in office
-
150
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS
until 1875. He died shortly after the expiration of his term of office. Chandler Hutchins several years since moved into the upper portion of this state, where he still resides. Capt. John C. Reno went to Ohio in 1858, but returned to this city in 1887, and is now an efficient business man. George Parks sold his claim and returned to Maine where, if alive, he still resides. He was our first supervisor of roads. N. E. Stod- dard came from Ohio. He was a scientific agriculturist and horticulturist, and was the first to improve, by a system of hybridizing, the earliness of Ohio dent-corn. He also intro- duced the Stoddard seedling-potato, of much merit. He died in the prime of manhood while a resident on his farm.
Z. M. Brown was a pioneer hardware dealer in St. Anthony. He removed to this side of the river, and was engaged in active business. After entering his land he sold it and removed to Monticello in this state. He died some ten years ago. Mr. Hill, his ancient neighbor, was the father of Hon. Henry Hill, an early lawyer in Minneapolis. He died many years ago at the residence of a son who resides in Brooklyn in this county. Dennis Peters was an early settler. He was a hard-working, honest man. I think he still resides in Minne- sota. William Worthingham, the pioneer mechanic of St. Anthony, lived to a great age, and died three years ago at his home on Western avenue in this city.
Charles Farrington, after entering his land, sold it to Mr. Jewett, and removed to Plymouth, in this county. He died in 1887. Elijah Austin, a prominent farmer, died at his home in this city, some ten years since, leaving a widow and a son. F. X. Crepau, a pioneer of St. Anthony, resides on his original preemption. He is a market-gardener, and has secured a competency. Stephen Pratt, a member of the ancient lumber-firm of Stevens, Pratt, and Chambers, lived an eventful life on his farm. He was a member of Captain E. M. Wilson's company of Mounted Rangers. He lived to see the city limits include his farm. He died four years ago. His brother Rufus H., who owned a place near him, is still a resident of the city. A part of his homestead has been laid out in city lots. Thomas Stinson, the preemptor of the beautiful Oak Grove addition, was an old man when he first arri ved in Minnesota. He died soon after entering his land
151
OF MINNESOTA AND ITS PEOPLE.
Joseph S. Johnson still resides in Minneapolis. He has lived to see it grow from a small hamlet to an estimated population of over two hundred thousand. Asa Fletcher sold his farm on Portland avenue and removed to Farmington, in Dakota county, which is his present home. He is a brother of Dr. H. Fletcher. Another brother, Timothy, who owned an adjoining farm, died some fifteen years since. The Fletcher brothers were earnest, good men. William Goodwin, a son- in-law of Timothy Fletcher, who formerly owned the Ever- green addition to Minneapolis, resides in Brooklyn, in this county. Mr. Jackson, I think, soon after perfecting the title to his land, removed from the State.
H. H. Shepley came to Minnesota as an invalid. The climate was a great benefit to him. He was a respected influ- ential citizen, and died many years since. His daughter is the wife of Abner Godfrey. Several of his sons are residents of this state. Andrew J. Foster has been efficient in building up the city. Charles Gilpatrick is one of our best farmers. As the city expanded he laid out his old home in city-lots and purchased another farm in the northern part of the county, but kept a city residence.
Deacon James Sully's name was for a long time a house- hold word with the citizens of this county. Whenever county matters became entangled, Deacon Sully was called upon to straighten them out. For several years he served the county as one of its commissioners. When he died the state lost one of its best citizens. Children and grandchildren survive him. Henry C. Keith was for many years a prominent citizen. After he disposed of his land, he followed the business of a contractor. He delighted in church work, and was called upon to forward every work to make his follow-citizens better men. He died in 1888, leaving a widow and three children. Joseph H. Canney was a brother-in-law of Mr. Keith, his sister being Mr. Keith's wife ; and he was also a brother-in- law of J. B. Bassett. Mr. Canney preempted a small frac- tion of land at the junction of Bassett's creek with the Mis- sissippi. Several years since he moved to the south, and died there.
Dorwin E. Moulton, who preempted Dorman's addition to Minneapolis, lives at Belvidere, Boone county, Illinois. Dur-
152
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS
ing his long residence in Minnesota he was in active business life. He was a nephew of Ezra Dorman, one of the pioneers of St. Anthony. His wife was a sister of the wife of Major L. C. Walker, and a daughter of Cephas Gardner, who at one time represented St. Anthony in the territorial house of rep- resentatives.
Alfred C. Murphy was a brother of Edward Murphy. He was engaged in the saddle and harness business. A correct, just man, he was much respected by his neighbors. He died in 1887, leaving a widow and several children. William G. Murphy, also a brother of Edward Murphy, was many years engaged in business in this city. He died in early life. He was never married.
Hiram Burlingham raised a large family of children, and a few years since moved to California. His wife was a daugh- ter of Reuben Bean who temporarily resided in the old gov- ernment house, on this side of the river, as early as 1849. Mr. Burlingham's object in emigrating to California was to secure land upon which to settle his children around him. He was a hard-working man while a resident of this state.
Simeon Odell, a young, single man who kept bachelor's hall for many years on the road to the Fort, had received a good education, and was fond of books, and made as good a farmer as could be expected of a man without a wife. He sold his farm many years since, and removed to the southern part of the state, where he resides.
E. A. Hodson came to this state as a Universalist minister. In early years he led a sea-faring life. He resides near the city. He is a fluent speaker, a warm friend of the pioneers, and a man of generous impulses.
Edgar Folsom, one of the earliest pioneers of St. Anthony, resides in the city. He is a man of industrious habits. Mrs. Sayer, the only female preemptor on the military reservation, became the wife of William Dickie. She died many years ago. Mr. Dickie was a man of talent, and always popular. He removed to Virginia several years since, where he now resides.
Robert Blaisdell, a native of northern Vermont, spent many years in Maine, from which state he removed with his family to Minnesota. Industrious, a kind husband and father, an
1
153
1
OF MINNESOTA AND ITS PEOPLE.
obliging neighbor, his death, in the spring of 1887, was much lamented. He was over four-score years of age at the time of his departure from this world of sorrow. His eldest son, John T. Blaisdell, resides on the land he preempted so many years ago. He is a man of strict integrity, of good business habits, and enjoys the entire confidence of the community. William Blaisdell, another son of Robert Blaisdell, also resides on his primitive claim. A great portion of the time since his resi- dence here he has been engaged in the lumber business. He is alive to everything that benefits the city and state, and is a good man. While he has decided opinions of his own, he is willing others should enjoy the same privilege.
Deacon John S. Mann came west from Vermont when a boy. After selling his claim he removed further west, and is now a resident of Mandan, Dakota. He was the first deacon in the first Congregational church at the Falls of St. Anthony. He was also the first treasurer of Hennepin county. His first wife was a daughter of the venerable pioneer, Joshua Draper. Deacon Mann was a useful citizen, and his removal from the county is greatly regretted.
Lucien N. Parker is a resident of Minneapolis. For many years he has followed the practice of veterinary surgeon in this city, with much success. Henry Angell sold his claim and removed to California. He is remembered as a quiet, good man. Henry Heap resides in Minneapolis. He has led a just, honest life, and is respected by every one.
James A. Lennon, a brother of John George Lennon, was for many years an active business man. He dealt largely in real-estate. His death occurred in 1876. Mr. Lennon wasa man of much more than average ability. He was never married.
Deacon Oliver was for many years one of the best-known men in Minneapolis, and one of the most honored of all its citizens. He was one of the founders of the Westminster church in this city. He never had any children, but his aged widow survives him. That excellent lady has recently con- tributed a very large sum of money for the benefit of Mc- Allister college.
Charles Moseau, after selling his farm on Lake Calhoun, moved into the city and followed the business of carpentering. He died several years since, leaving several children. He was
154
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS
a quiet, unassuming man, honest and faithful in every walk of life.
George E. Huy is now a resident of Great Falls, Montana, filling the office of city judge. He was the second register of deeds of Hennepin county, and also held several other offices in the city and county. He contributed much in building up the city. None of the old settlers are held in higher esteem than Mr. Huy
David Gorham, after selling his farm to R. P. Russell, moved to the neighborhood of Medicine Lake, and for most of the time has lived there. He was the first coroner of Hennepin county. Mr. Gorham has always commanded the respect of the citizens of the county.
Arthur H. Mills, for many years, was actively engaged in business in this vicinity. He was a quartermaster in the army, with the rank of captain, during the late civil war. His wife, one of the most beautiful ladies that ever resided here, died while he was in the army, leaving an only son. After the war, Captain Mills was engaged in the lumber business. He died greatly lamented by a large circle of friends.
Josiah Draper, Captain Mills nearest neighbor on the old reservation, sold his interest in his preemption and moved to Sauk Center in this state, but lived only a few years after his removal. Mr. Draper was a deacon in the Baptist church, and was a man of great worth.
Charles Brown, after the disposal of his farm, removed up the river from Minneapolis, where he resides. Mr. Brown was a good farmer and a good neighbor.
Frank Rollins lived on his farm for many years after he preempted it. He subsequently moved to Hutchinson, Mc- Leod county, in this state, where he died two years ago. Mr. Rollins was a man of great merit. Simeon Bean, a nephew of Captain John Rollins, has been engaged more or less in the lumber business. He is a resident of the state, and is a capable, honest man.
John Wass is a resident of this city, though since preempt- ing his land he has frequently been absent from the state. He has always led an honest life.
Ard Godfrey's life has been full of interesting events. For
155
OF MINNESOTA AND ITS PEOPLE.
many years he has been extensively engaged in the milling industries of this state. He is a resident of this city. No man among the pioneers has been more efficient in accom- plishing good results for the state than Mr. Godfrey. His friends are numerous ; his enemies (if any) are few. For the many favors he bestowed upon the pioneers, in territo- rial days, too much credit cannot be given.
Amasa Crafts lives in our midst. Since his preemption he has been engaged in different business pursuits. He is a man of sterling worth, and held in the highest esteem by the entire community.
Hiram Van Nest has, by a life of industry and integrity, accumulated a competency. He divides his time between this city and California. His wife was a daughter of the late Robert Blaisdell.
John Berry, after he sold his farm, moved into the city and resided here during the remainder of his life. He was con- sidered one of the best farmers in the state. He left an interesting family, some of whom are residents of this city. Mr. Berry was an industrious, honest man.
Mark T. Berry, only son of John Berry, is a resident of Los Angeles, California, and is extensively engaged in fruit- raising.
Robert Blaisdell, jr., has been largely engaged with his brother William in the lumber trade. He has also exten- sive farming interests. His residence has always been in Minneapolis. Mr. Blaisdell is a good citizen.
Willis G. Moffett lived to a good old age, surrounded by a large family of children who had all reached maturity before his death. He was one of the most valued of the pioneers. His son, William G. Moffett, is a resident of a portion of the land he preempted. He has led a farmer's life, honored by the people of this portion of the state.
Colonel S. Woods, U. S. A., who owned the land bordering on the north bank of Minnehaha Falls, is now a resident of Oakland, California.
William Finch moved to California in 1878, and is now a resident of that state. He is a nephew of Hon. John W. North. Mr. Finch was deservedly popular.
Samuel Stough had reached middle life upon his advent
156
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS
into the territory. He has been dead many years, but his memory is still green in the hearts of those who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. His aged widow, and several children, survive him. Among the latter is Mrs. Captain Mahlon Black of this city.
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.