USA > Minnesota > Hennepin County > Minneapolis > Personal recollections of Minnesota and its people : and early history of Minneapolis > Part 16
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
181
1
OF MINNESOTA AND ITS PEOPLE.
Northrup, and John Reidhead. Sessions were held every Saturday, at the residence of John H. Stevens. Only in one instance was the association called upon to resort to severe measures. In that instance a cat-o'-nine-tails well laid on the bare back of the trespasser on a claim down toward Minnehaha, had the desired effect. No one else attemped to interfere with or jump a claim. The offender in this instance immedi- ately left the territory and has never been heard from since. It is true, however, that a good many compromises were made, and in some instances persons who had disputed claims were obliged to pay considerable sums of money to opposing parties in order to get peaceful possession of them.
The distinguished Syrian philanthropist, Gregory M. Wortabet, delivered several lectures in St. Anthony during the early fall. He was a native of Beyroot. His lectures attracted a good deal of attention.
Sandford I. Huse, of the firm of Farnham and Huse, and a son of Sherburne and Elvira Huse, died of consumption in . Detroit, Michigan, aged twenty-five years. He was on his way home from an extended journey taken for the benefit of his health.
On the 29th the news of the death of Daniel Webster was received at St. Anthony.
L. M. Ford, who afterwards became so extensively known throughout the country as a florist, pomologist, and horticul- turist, at Groveland, was engaged to teach a singing-school in the village for the ensuing autumn.
In the appointment of officers for the new United States land-office at Sauk Rapids, the President selected Charles W. Christmas for register. Aside from that of postmaster, this was the first Federal appointment bestowed upon a citizen of St. Anthony.
Lewis Stone's farm-house was destroyed by fire on the first of November.
The handsome Baptist church edifice was completed early in November. Upon its completion the, members of the Methodist Episcopal church met and decided that they, too, would immediately erect a church building, a determination they strictly adhered to and in good time accomplished.
The members of the Episcopal church, as well as all classes
182
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS
of citizens, were greatly pleased with the advent of Rev. Mr. Chamberlain to preside over the destinies of that church.
That popular pastor, Rev. C. G. Ames, of the Free Baptist church and his congregation occupied the school building for a meeting-house.
In October the Catholic church edifice was finished. The lots on which it was built were given to the church by Pierre Bottineau. . That denomination of Christians had not only the occasional wise teaching of Rev. A. Ravoux, but other excellent members of the priesthood.
Early in November there were no less than three singing- schools under way, all well patronized. One was taught by B. E. Messer, afterwards sheriff of Hennepin county.
With the preparatory department of the University and two common schools and a lyceum, and lectures under the auspices of the library association, the prospects were favor- able for a winter of profitable enjoyment. Tallmadge Elwell on November 27th delivered the first lecture of the season. His subject was Man of the Nineteenth century.
J. H. Stevens and Co. sold out their store to N. D. Shaw and Co. On November 12th the first heavy fall of snow came. From that day to March there was good sleighing in the vicinity of St. Anthony.
There was considerable sickness in the village during the late fall and early winter. Typhoid and other fevers prevailed.
On the 3d of November Albert H. Dorr, one of the most active and respected young business men of the village, died. On the 4th Mrs. Cordelia, wife of Hon. J. L. Wilson, died. On the 8th Mrs. Maria H., wife of the merchant Rufus P. Upton, died, aged twenty-two years. A little later Mrs. Abbey, wife of Andrew Foster, died. There was considera- ble speculation in regard to what caused the dreaded typhoid fever. Some attributed it to stagnant water in the mill-pond ; others thought it was the swampy lands immediately in the rear of the village. The physicians expressed no opinion as to its cause. The fever has never appeared on the east bank of the Falls in an epidemic form since.
I find it quite impossible to give a correct list of the names of those who settled in St. Anthony during the year 1852. There were several honored new settlers of the village and its
183
OF MINNESOTA AND ITS PEOPLE.
immediate vicinity during that year. All made good citizens and were most cordially welcomed by those who had preceded them. At the close of the year the citizens had reason to be thankful for the great prosperity that had attended them.
THE FORT SNELLING MILITARY RESERVATION REDUCED.
The news of the passage of the bill by congress reducing the military reservation of Fort Snelling, was received by the proper authorities of Ramsey county (to which county Hen- nepin had been attached for judicial and other purposes) in time to give the proper notice to participate in the approach- ing annual election which was to take place on the 11th of October. The board of county commissioners of Ramsey county directed us to elect a full set of county officers, and designated the whole county of Hennepin as one election precinct, with the polling-place at my house.
FIRST AND ONLY UNANIMOUS ELECTION IN HENNEPIN COUNTY.
The citizens met the Saturday previous to the election and unanimously nominated the following ticket : For Representa- tives, Benjamin H. Randall, of Fort Snelling, and Dr. A. E. Ames, of All Saints ; County Commissioners, John Jackins, and Alex Moore, of All Saints, and Joseph Dean, of Oak Grove, now Bloomington ; Sheriff, Isaac Brown ; Judge of Probate, Joel B. Bassett ; Register of Deeds and Clerk of the board of county commissioners, John H. Stevens ; Coroner, David Gorham ; Surveyor, Chas. W. Christmas ; Assessors, Eli Pettijohn, Edwin Hedderly,' and . William Chambers ; Treasurer, Deacon John S. Mann ; Justices of the Peace, Eli Pettijohn, of Fort Snelling, and Edwin Hedderly of All Saints ; Constables, E. Stanley, and C. C. Jenks ; Supervisor of Roads; George Parks.
The election came off in pursuance of law ; the parties named above received every vote that was cast; each had seventy-one votes. The election returns were sent to St. Paul, and were canvassed by the board of commissioners of Ramsey county. That body directed M. S. Wilkinson, then their clerk, to issue to each of the newly-elected officers of the new county certificates of their election, with directions to Messrs. Jackins, Moore, and Dean, and Stevens, to meet on the 21st of the same month to qualify, and to complete the organization of the county in due form according to law.
184
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS
All the persons elected met at my house on that day and took the oath of office, gave bonds, and assumed the several duties they had been called upon to perform.
SELECTION OF THE COUNTY SEAT OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.
The first business transacted by the board of county com- missioners, after the filing and approval of the bonds of the newly-elected officers, was the selection of the county-seat of the new county. Commissioner Jackins moved that the county seat of Hennepin county be established on the west bank of the Falls of St. Anthony. This motion was carried unani- mously.
THE COMMISSIONERS SELECT A NAME FOR THE NEW COUNTY SEAT.
Then the question came up as to what name should be given to the place selected for the county-seat. Commissioner Moore thought that Albion would be a proper name. Another commissioner said that, in view of the extensive water-power the name of Lowell would be suggestive, as the power, when improved, would make this place the Lowell of the west. A vote being taken, the name of Albion was selected, and the clerk was directed to so record it. He was further instructed to date all the records of the county under the head of Albion, Hennepin county, Minnesota. After the transaction of other unimportant business, the commissioners adjourned.
During the adjournment considerable feeling was exhibited by the residents of the county, and the almost unanimous sentiment was against the name selected by the commission- ers for the new county-seat. Meantime all the necessary blanks for the use of the county had been obtained with the name of Albion, as per instructions of the commissioners ,
printed therein.
Also during the adjournment of the commissioners, Charles Hoag, a classical scholar, and Geo. D. Bowman, editor of the St. Anthony Express, were determined to invent a new name for the embryo city. On the 5th of November an article appeared in the Express, written by Mr. Hoag, advocating the blotting out of the name of Albion (as the commissioners had that of All Saints ) and substituting that of Minnehapolis. This was the first time that the name of the future city ever appeared in print. In fact Mr. Hoag had only invented it the
185
OF MINNESOTA AND ITS PEOPLE.
previous night while in bed. In the morning he hurried over to St. Anthony and secured its publication in the issue of the paper of that date. The forms of the Express had been locked up when Mr. Hoag arrived at the office with his com- munication, but Mr. Bowman had them unlocked, and the article was put in type and inserted. Mr. Hoag had no time to consult any one, except Mr. Bowman, in regard to the name proposed, previous to its appearance in the paper ; but when it did appear most every one was in favor of it.
In the next issue of the paper, November 12th, Mr. Bow- man, in a leading editorial, said : "When the communication "proposing this name ( Minnehapolis ) for the promising town " growing on the other side of the river, was last week handed " us, we were so much engaged as to have no time to com- "ment on it. The name is an excellent one, and deserves "much favor by our citizens. The h being silent, as our " correspondent recommends, and as custom would soon "make it, it is practical and euphonious. The nice adjust- ' ment of the Indian minne with the Greek polis, becomes a " beautiful compound, and finally it is, as all names should be "when it is possible, admirably descriptive of the locality. "By all means, we would say, adopt this beautiful and " exceedingly appropriate title, and do not longer suffer abroad "from connection with the meaningless and outlandish name " of All Saints."
It will be seen by the above that the editor totally ignored, as most every one else did, the selection of the name by the county commissioners. In short, from the appearance of Mr. Hoag's article of November 5, the Anglo-Saxon Albion was doomed, and All Saints would fall with it. It was evi- dent that Messrs. Hoag and Bowman had won the victory. It was finally settled at an accidental meeting of most all the citizens at my house, in December, 1852. It was decided to withdraw the silent h, and call the place Minneapolis. It is derived from minne, a portion of the Dakota name of the falls, and polis, the Greek for city, and was allowed by all the old settlers to be a beautiful combination of the Dakota and classic Greek. This settled forever one of the most trouble- some matters the original settlers in this neighborhood had to contend with. It was about the only thing they could not
186
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS
at first unite on. For some time they agreed to disagree on any name. It was happily settled to the entire satisfaction of all; though when the commissioners found the sentiment was against Albion, they endorsed the name of Winona, but that did not strike the fancy of the people ; hence in common with every one else they accepted the inevitable, and fell in line with the others.
SETTLEMENTS IN THE COUNTY.
During the year 1852, Joseph Dean, S. A. Goodrich, O. Ames, A. L. Goodrich, H. and M. S. Whalon, E. Ames, Wm. Chambers, and Reuben B. Gibson, took up and occupied claims in what is now Bloomington. Rev. G. H. Pond, Hon. Martin McLeod, Peter Quinn, Moses Starr Titus, and Victor Chatel, all connected with the Indian department, had resided there for years. They called the place the Oak Grove Mission.
The old upper prairie, now known as Eden prairie, this year received its first settlers in the persons of John and Samuel Mitchell, their families, and their father and mother, Hiram Abbott, and David Livingston, while Messrs. C. C. ยท Garvey, Samuel Stough, Mark Baldwin, William Finch, Gilbert Hanson, J. V. Draper, and Mrs. Gordon, selected claims on and near Brown's creek, now known as the Minne- haha stream, which is in the present town of Richfield.
Simon Stevens, Horace Webster, O. E. Garrison, A. B. Robinson, John McGalpin, George and Lewis Bourgeois, James Shaver, jr., and James Mountain, took up and occupied claims in the lower Minnetonka district.
The Messrs. Fuller brothers, and Colonel Thomas H. Hunt claimed the present town-site of Chaska, then in Hennepin but now in Carver county, during the late summer of this year. Chaska had long been a trading-post belonging to the Fur company, under the direction' of one of the Faribault brothers. It had also been the seat of an excellent Catholic mission-school, under Rev. A. Ravoux.
In the spring of this year, Washington Getchell, Winslow Getchell, Amos Berry, and Jacob Longfellow, made claims on what was then called Getchell's prairie, which is now included in the town of Brooklyn. In July of the same year, Joseph Potvin, Pierre Bottineau, Peter Raiche, and Peter Garvais,
187
OF MINNESOTA AND IT'S PEOPLE.
made claims on Bottineau prairie, which is also included in the same town. Ezra Hanscom, N. S. Grover, and John W. Brown, made claims the same year in what is now Brooklyn.
The first claim made in what is now Crystal Lake was during this year. The claimants were Rev. John Ware Dow, N. P. Warren, Josiah Dutton, Wyman McCumber, L. Wag- oner, and John Garty. This was the largest settlement made in one locality in Hennepin county, during the year, outside of Minneapolis. Rev. L. Palmer also made a claim in the town, which I think was for his brother.
Charles Miles was the only one who made a claim in what is now Champlin, in 1852, while Louis P. Garvais, and Wm. M. Ewing, were the only ones who took up claims in what is now Maple Grove, the same year.
Francis Morrison, one of the most enterprising of all the old settlers, moved with his family from Vermont, late in the summer, and selected and occupied a claim above Mr. Christ- mas's place, on the bank of the river. He still resides on a portion of it. Cyrus C. Jenks this year occupied the claim of J. Draper. Mr. Jenks resides in Grand Forks county, Dakota.
As far as I can ascertain or remember at this time, the foregoing are the names of all the men who settled in the ' county, that year, outside of Minneapolis. Many of these persons had been former residents of St. Anthony. A few were from Minneapolis. They went out into the wilderness to secure new homes and open up farms. Minneapolis proper received but very few new-comers this year. The claims had all been previously occupied. There were no lots laid out for any one to buy or build upon, and there was no business that would pay to follow ; hence no immigration ; but the sur- rounding country in the near vicinity of the town was satis- factorily occupied by an excellent class of immigrants.
There was not to exceed, at the close of the year, twelve dwelling-houses upon the original town-site, and none conveniently near each other, as they were built on the claims taken by the owners, and could not be very close neighbors, though in a few cases the parties owning the claims would build near the boundaries of their line, instead of near the center, so they could be near neighbors. We had learned from experience that we could not expect any more improve-
188
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS
ments in our immediate vicinity until the title to our land had been secured from the government, and it was laid out into lots ; so we were not disappointed that there was no increase in the number of buildings, and only a very limited number of persons added to our population, until the spring of 1855, when we entered our land, and received a good, solid title to our homes, at the United States land-office ; but in the meantime, while we remained in a stationary condition, the country around us prospered beyond our utmost expectations. For once in our history the rural districts went far ahead of the villages in improvements, which was perhaps all the better for us ; because when we were in a condition to start our town, we had a solid foundation to build upon, and had a prosperous country to back us ; which proves that it is desir- able to have the country go ahead of the village, rather than that the village should go ahead of the country.
The whole taxable property in the county, according to the returns of the assessors, was $43,605. The commissioners laid a tax levy of thirteen mills on a dollar, which would return a revenue of $566 87. When the collector (Sheriff Brown) returned the tax-book, in February, containing the assessments, he turned over to the county treasurer (Deacon Mann) $566 86-all but one cent having been collected.
The first petition presented to the board of county com- missioners was from A. E. Ames and others praying for the establishment of a county-road from Little Falls creek to Crystal lake. The petition was granted, and Colonel E. Case and William Dickie, with the county surveyor, were appointed commissioners to locate the road. The second petition which was presented at the same session, November 29th, was from Cyrus C. Jenks and others praying for the organization of a school-district on the west bank of the Falls. The petition was granted, and the whole county was organized into school- district number one. The first school in district number one was opened in a little building belonging to Anson Northrup, which was near the corner of Third avenue south and Second street, in December. The teacher was Miss Mary E. Miller. Some twenty pupils were in constant attendance during the winter. The school-trustees were Edward Murphy, A. E. Ames and John H. Stevens. Allen Harmon, clerk of district.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
FIRST REAL START FOR A PROSPEROUS RACE.
During the year eighteen hundred and fifty-three, the most hopeful indication of the future rapidly-increasing prosperity of the embryo city, new-born town, and recently-christened infant Minneapolis, was the nuptial ceremonies that occurred during that year of romantic courtship and wedded bliss ; the like of which, considering the small number of inhabitants, is a marvel. Many who came here were in the prime of early, vigorous manhood ; or fresh, beautiful womanhood ; and were unmarried. They were in a new country. Their surroundings were novel, and long life seemed before them. It was a land of wonder, with a lovely landscape and virgin soil. There was exhilaration in the air that caused youthful blood to course more rapidly, bringing strength to limb, glow to cheek, sparkle to eye, sprightliness to step, natural grace to every movement, and an overflow of love in every heart. In the light of possi- bilities open to them, each was a hero, or heroine. The invigorating air, blooming prairies, fresh forests, smiling lakes and laughing waterfalls, made it an Eden to lovers, where the wild roar of the cataract was an inspiring accompaniment to their wooing. Those fair united couples gave an early boom to our prosperity that has exceeded their wildest imaginings. The frosts of thirty-six winters have powdered the locks, and care for loved ones has wrinkled the brow, of each Adam and Eve of that paradise ; but duplicates of their fresh faces and lithe forms, to the third generation, ornament our streets ; and descendants are now, as ancestors were then, keeping their
-
190
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS
loved home at St. Anthony Falls in the front rank of enlight- ened progress.
Mr. Edgar Folsom and Mrs. Mary Stowell took the initiative for a honeymoon, followed in quick succession by Shelton Hollister and Annie Lewis, J. C. Lawrence and Hannah Stim- son, William D. Garland and Sarah E. Dorr, John M. Dur- man and Louisa M. Reidhead, Simon B. Bean and Margaret B. Munson, A. K. Hartwell and Maria N. Smith, George D. Bowman and Miss J. P. Derby, Z. E. B. Nash and Octavia M. Mills, W. H. Kean and Mrs. Florentine Kean, E. L. Hall and Urania Lawrence, Edw'd P. Shaw and Sarah C. Torrey, Rich- ard Lowell and Sophronia M. Smith, Isaac Gilpatrick and Sarah Sinclair, Casper Kopp and Delena Eisennacker, An- drew J. Foster and Mary W. Averill, Robert J. Irwin and Jerusha Ann Berry, Amos P. Bean and Eveline E. Huse, J. C. Shipley and May F. Barrows, L. A. Foster and Jane Richardson, Geo. E. Huy and Mary Ticknor, D. L. Paine and Sarah Berry. In the light of the above showing for the young village, can we wonder at the extraordinary increase of the population at an early day around the Falls ? It is certain we can date back to that period the commencement of our prosperity.
INDUSTRIAL, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL EVENTS OF 1853.
Charles King, a former merchant of New York, arrived from that city with his family and invested largely in real- estate, purchasing the interest of Elmer Tyler. The latter, after accomplishing a good work in lending a helping hand at an early day in developing the resources of St. Anthony, returned to Chicago and died in that city several years since. His name will always be remembered in the history of the old village of St. Anthony from the fact that he purchased and introduced the first complete newspaper outfit from which the Express made its appearance. Mr. King resided several years in the village. He then disposed of his property and moved to Washington, D. C., and became a prominent pension agent.
The fourth territorial legislature met in St. Paul, January 5th. Hon. Martin McLeod, of Hennepin county, was elected president of the council. This excellent selection gave much satisfaction to the people of the new county, as they were
191
OF MINNESOTA AND ITS PEOPLE.
proud of their talented member. To Mr. McLeod, who was chairman of the committee on schools in the council, at the first session of the territorial legislature, and to Rev. E. D. Neill, the first superintendent of common schools in the ter- ritory, the children of the early settlers are greatly indebted for the efforts that were made in their behalf ; and the people of the state to-day are under deep obligations to those early and able advocates of the common-school system of Minnesota. If for no other services rendered the state, for - these alone they should ever be held in grateful remembrance by the people of the state.
Dr. David Day, then a resident of Long Prairie, Todd county, after a contest of two weeks, was elected speaker of the House. The initiatory steps of the organization of the house were taken in Minneapolis the day before the election of Dr. Day to the speakership. Dr. Day was at the time the resident physician of the Indian department at Long Prairie, which was then the headquarters of the Winnebagoes. The members of the legislature at that session from St. Anthony were Wm. H. Larned of the council ; and R. P. Russell and G. B. Dutton of the house. Hennepin county was repre- sented by Martin McLeod in the council, and A. E. Ames and B. H. Randall in the house. With such excellent delegations it is not necessary to say that the interests of the people were in safe hands, at least as far as their wants in necessary leg- islation were concerned.
For some unaccountable reason, out of the fourteen officers elected in both houses, such as secretary, clerk of the house, sergeant-at-arms, door-keeper, and the like, none were bestowed on the residents of either bank of the Falls of St. Anthony.
On the 15th of January, Miss Eliza, eldest daughter of John P. Miller, died at the residence of her parents in what is now south Minneapolis, aged fifteen years. She was a young lady of much promise.
The citizens of St. Anthony were much pleased with the addition to their numbers of S. M. Tracy, who subsequently for many years was one of the most active citizens of that village.
The long winter months passed without excitement ; the citizens generally on each side of the river pursued their
192
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS
usual occupations. Good reports came from the pineries in regard to the favorable condition of the lumber operations. The schools were well patronized, and the numerous lectures were well attended. The Central Hall recently built was convenient for public gatherings. Messrs. E. P. Mills and Z. E. B. Nash occupied the lower part of the building for their stores. This was the first public hall erected in St. Anthony.
The first district court held in Minneapolis, after the organ- ization of Hennepin county, convened Monday morning, April 4th, Judge B. B. Meeker, presiding. The county commis- sioners secured the parlor in Anson Northrup's house for the main court-room, and two bed-rooms in the same house, for the jury-rooms. There were in attendance on that memorable occasion, Hon. Henry L. Moss, U. S. district-attorney ; War- ren Bristol, county-attorney ; Joseph Warren Furber, U. S. marshal ; Isaac Brown, sheriff ; Joseph H. Canney, deputy sheriff ; Sweet W. Case, clerk of the court ; with the follow- ing grand-jury :
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.