USA > Minnesota > Hennepin County > Minneapolis > Personal recollections of Minnesota and its people : and early history of Minneapolis > Part 21
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
Mr. Godfrey commenced important improvements on his mills this spring. A good levee was made at the junction of the Minnehaha stream with the Mississippi, so that steamers on their way from Fort Snelling to St. Anthony Falls could land with the greatest convenience. The steam- boat men very properly called this landing, or harbor, God- freyport.
On May 1st there appeared in St. Paul the first daily papers ever printed in Minnesota. They were twins, but the product of two distinct offices : the Pioneer by Earl S. Goodrich, and the Democrat by David Olmstead.
The opening of spring gave an impetus to trade in St. Anthony such as had not been felt at any former period. The many large buildings erected the previous year were all occupied, and new ones in every part of the village were being built. New business men moved into the village. O. W. Stoughton opened a new store. W. F. Cahill and S. L. Vawter each had a large drug store.
L. C. Walker was appointed postmaster, early in May, in
238
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS
place of O. W. Rice, resigned. On the 2d of May Miss Lydia Libby died at the home of her father in St. Anthony, aged twenty years.
T. M. Griffith, engineer of the suspension bridge, arrived on May 5th and immediately assumed the duties of his office. A goodly number of men were now employed on that struc- ture. The anchorage for the cables were of a superior kind, and secure from the possibility of moving, the earth being removed from the surface of the ledge, and excavations made under it from the river bank.
On the 10th of May Mrs. Stevens, myself and three little daughters left our home in Minneapolis for an extended east- ern journey. The foliage on the trees was full grown when we left home, but traveling through Michigan, Ohio, and New York, the leaves had hardly made their appearance, and while making passage down the St. Lawrence to Montreal, and from the latter place to northern Vermont, the trees were as bare of foliage as in mid-winter. This satisfied us that Minnesota was blessed with earlier vegetation than many of the eastern states that were south of us.
The first dray made its appearance in St. Anthony May 24. John F. Hannum was the proprietor.
Rev. Mr. Ledon, of the upper town in St. Anthony, and other friends of the enterprise, built a large structure for a female academy. It was the first structure of the kind in the village. When finished it was to be under the superintendence of the Sisters.
On the 17th of June a party of government surveyors dis- covered in the marsh where the freight-depot of the Milwau- kee road now stands, a large mud-turtle with the figures 1769 cut plainly on its back. It was supposed by these government employee that these figures were the handiwork of some of the early French voyagers who frequented this vicinity during the close of the last century.
Citizens of the Falls were honored, on the 8th of June, by a visit from ex-president Fillmore and a large party of dis- tinguished citizens from different parts of the Union. Among them were Governor Mattison of Illinois, Attorney-General Bates of Missouri, General John A. Dix of New York, Francis P. Blair of Virginia, George Bancroft the historian, Prof. B.
239
OF MINNESOTA AND ITS PEOPLE.
silliman of Yale, and a host of others, consisting of members of congress, editors, professors, and literary people. There were many noted ladies in the excursion, with Miss Catherine M. Sedgwick, the authoress, at the head.
IMPROVEMENTS DURING THE SUMMER.
I returned from my eastern journey July 3, leaving Mrs. Stevens and the little girls at the home of Mrs. Stevens' parents in Westmoreland, New York, to spend the summer at her early home. I found that during my absence great im- provements had been made on both sides of the river. The citizens had established a free ferry in the lower town, which was a great convenience to many of our citizens.
An anti-slavery convention was held in the Congregational church in St. Anthony. This convention may be said to have been almost the birth of the Republican party in Minnesota.
A daily mail had been established between St. Paul and St. Anthony.
Messrs. Rollins, Eastman, and Upton, had broken ground for a large grist-mill, to contain six run of stone, on Hennepin Island.
The Free-Will Baptist church of St. Anthony, with their pastor, Rev. C. G. Ames, transferred its meetings and its organization to Minneapolis.
The Minneapolis brick company had been very successful in making brick.
Tallmadge Elwell, the daguerrean of St. Anthony, was married July 3 to Miss Margrette Miller, at Cottage Grove.
Messrs. O. and H. Rogers started in early July a planing- machine, the first at the Falls.
W. W. Wales gave up his experiments in his garden, and succeeded Joseph Le Duc in the bookstore.
An order was received from the land department at Wash- ington bringing into market all the land belonging to the old military reservation of Fort Snelling on the east side of the river. It was to be sold to the highest bidder, at the land- office in Stillwater. An organization of the settlers on those lands was had. Wm. R. Marshall was appointed their agent to bid the lands in, paying therefor one dollar and a quarter an acre. It was decided to surround the land-office during the sale and permit no one to bid against Mr. Marshall. The
.
240
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS
programme, at the proper time, when the sale took place, was carried out, and every man obtained his home.
Rev. C. Secombe was installed pastor of the Congregational church July 30th. Sermon by Rev. H. M. Nichols of Still- water, Prayer by Rev. Richard Hall of Point Douglas. Charge by the pastor, Rev. J. C. Whitney, of Minneapolis. Charge to " the people by Rev. Charles Galpin of Excelsior.
M. C. Baker of Minneapolis was appointed, by the Governor superintendent of common schools for Minnesota. Mr. Baker was a native of New Hampshire, and had large interests in Minneapolis real estate.
On the 26th of July Mrs. Louisa B. Cochrane, recently from Lowell, Massachusetts, died. With her husband, Mr Justin Cochrane, she intended to make Minneapolis her home. She was sick only a few hours.
The First Baptist church of Minneapolis was organized, and Rev. A. A. Russell, of Illinois, was selected as its pastor. That organization held its meetings in Fletcher's hall.
The Congregational association of Minnesota was organized at Excelsior July 27th, Rev. Charles Galpin, moderator, and Rev. H. M. Nichols, of Stillwater, scribe.
FIRST NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED IN MINNEAPOLIS.
On September 2d the Northwestern Democrat, W. A. Hotchkiss, editor and proprietor, was issued from the Minne- apolis side of the river. Mr. Hotchkiss purchased the paper early in August from the proprietors, Messrs. Prescott and Jones. The first two issues after the purchase were 'from the St. Anthony office. September 2d, 1354, therefore, dates the first publication of a newspaper in Minneapolis, and the first paper published on the west side of the river north of Iowa.
Captain A. R. Dodge, a prominent lawyer of St. Anthony, died of cholera, at Syracuse, New York, on the 24th of August.
On the 7th of September the democrats in convention of Hennepin county, made the following nominations for county offices : H. Townsend, of Richfield, for county com- missioner ; B. E. Messer, of Minneapolis, sheriff ; Geo. E. Huy, of Minneapolis, register of deeds ; Charles Hoag, treas- urer ; Dr. A. E. Ames, judge of probate ; Titus, Pettijohn, coroner ; Ebenezer Wardswell, surveyor ; Messrs. Scofield of .
-
241
OF MINNESOTA AND ITS PEOPLE.
Bloomington, Charles Miles of Elm Creek, and William Dickie of Minneapolis, assessors.
On the 14th of September a meeting was held in Fletcher's hall to take into consideration the propriety of organizing a cemetery association. It was attended by nearly every citizen in the village. It was decided to purchase forty acres of the claim of Mr. J. S. Johnson, on the bluff directly back of Johnson's lake, for a cemetery. Messrs. Isaac Atwater, Edward Murphy, Rev. J. C. Whitney, Geo. E. Huy, and B. E. Messer, were appointed a committee to negotiate with Mr. Johnson for the land. Several subsequent meetings were held ; but the committee failed in the negotiation with Mr. Johnson. Heretofore the only place used for the burial of the dead, on this side of the river, was on the hill in the grove immediately in the rear of Hoag's lake. The land being claimed, the owner objected to it being used for a cemetery. In the meantime Martin Layman set apart a portion of his land for a cemetery, which seemed to give general satisfaction to the citizens, and no further efforts were made for the selec- tion of a cemetery by the early settlers of Minneapolis. In later years the beautiful grounds of the Lakewood cemetery were selected.
ยท At a convention of the whigs of Hennepin county, held September 16th, the following nominations were made for county officers : Joseph H. Canney, for commissioner ; A. N. Hoyt, for sheriff ; Isaac I. Lewis, for register of deeds ; Isaac Atwater, for district-attorney ; Isaac Brown, for judge of probate; C. W. Christmas, for surveyor ; H. S. Atwood, for coroner ; Messrs. John Cathcart, John P. Plummer, and Wm. G. Murphy, for assessors. Messrs. John H. Stevens, Edward Murphy, H. S. Plummer, J. H. Canney, and A. N. Hoyt, were appointed the central whig committee for the ensuing year.
At a district convention of the democracy held in Shakopee Hon. H. H. Sibley and D. M. Hanson were nominated for the house of representatives ; and the following day the whigs held a convention at the same place, and nominated Joel B. Bassett and Wm. H. Nobles candidates for the house.
The Minnesota Republican, Rev. C. G. Ames, editor, an eight-column newspaper, made its appearance October 1st in St. Anthony.
242
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS
At the annual election October 19th most of the candidates on the democratic ticket were elected.
FIRST AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL FAIR IN MINNESOTA.
The annual meeting of the Hennepin county agricultural society was held October 6. John H. Stevens was elected president for one year ; Col. E. Case, treasurer ; Joseph H. Canney, secretary. It was voted to hold the first annual fair on the 20th of October, in Minneapolis. It came off at the appointed time, and it was the first fair of an agricultural and horticultural character that was ever held in Minnesota. It was a success in every department. Speeches were made on the occasion, by Governor Gorman, ex-governor Ramsey, and Judge B. B. Meeker. Among the exhibitors were Sylvanus Jenkins, Henry C. Keith, Allen Harmon, W. G. Murphy, Charles Hoag, David Bickford, Arba Cleveland, Peter Poncin, John Wass, Titus Pettijohn, Dr. A. E. Ames, D. M. Coolbaugh, John Jackins, S. Bigelow, J. H. Stevens, William Hanson, Alex. Farribault, J. W. Cormack, Isaac Wales, Norman Jen- kins, W. D. Babbitt, James F. Bradley, B. E. Messer, Edward Murphy, John Chambers, Anson Northrup, Captain John Tapper, J. W. Dow, Clark Varner, W. H. Lauderdale, Mrs. J. H. Canney, Mrs. Sweet W. Case. Mrs. Charles Hoag, Mrs. D. Bickford, Mrs. D. Elliott, Mrs. W. A. Hotchkiss, Mrs. S. Hidden, Mrs. J. Boorbar, Mrs. S. Bigelow, and Mrs. Pauline Clarke ; Amasa Crafts, Davie & Calef, Geo. A. Brown, E. Jordan, T. Elwell, L. A. Smith, John M. Anderson, and Prescott, Pettijohn & Moffett. The grain, roots, vegetables, stock, swine, poultry, dairy exhibits, the mechanical and domestic department, fine arts, ladies' department and mis- cellaneous articles exhibited, were all of such excellence they would have done credit to one of the oldest and richest agri- cultural counties in New York. The premium list amounted to several hundred dollars, and they were all paid. Fortu- nately there were several strangers present representing several of the eastern, middle, and western states, and the extraordinary character of the grain, vegetables and stock on exhibition impressed them so favorably with the farm pro- ducts of Minnesota that most of them became, in after years, permanent residents in Minnesota.
A sad and fatal accident occurred near the Lake of the
243
OF MINNESOTA AND ITS PEOPLE.
Woodt on the 30th of October. Viennas, a lad of some sixteen years of age, a son of M. C. Gregory, was killed by the acci- dental discharge of a gun he was handling. This was the first death in Richfield township.
A lyceum was organized in Minneapolis on the 7th of November. The officers elected were John H. Stevens, pres- ident; Geo. W. Bertram and J. F. Bradley, vice-presidents ; S. Bigelow, secretary and treasurer ; M. C. Baker, Reuben Robinson and W. D. Babbitt, executive committee. The first discussion was on the question, "Is the moral condition of the world improving ?" T. C. Jones and W. D. Babbitt in the affirmative, J. Brown and J. F. Bradley in the negative. This was the first association of a literary character ever organized in Minneapolis.
Winter set in early this year. On the 18th of November sufficient snow fell to make good sleighing.
On the 11th of November William Hanson's dwelling in the lower town was destroyed by fire. Loss two thousand dollars and no insurance. This was the first dwelling and the second building destroyed by fire in Minneapolis.
The annual meeting of the citizens of the Minneapolis school district No. 1 was held on the 11th of November. Messrs. William Hanson, J. N. Barber and J. H. Stevens were elected trustees for the year. Allen Harmon was re- elected clerk. The services of Charles Hoag were secured for teacher during the winter term
There were polled three hundred and one votes in Henne- pin county at the annual fall election of 1854, of which Min- neapolis had one hundred and thirty-two, Bloomington eighteen, Minnetonka twenty-one, Brooklyn forty, Chanhas- sen forty-two, and Richfield forty-eight. Messrs. John N. Barber and Simeon K. Odell were elected justices of the peace in Minneapolis, James Shaver, jr., justice in the Min- netonka precinct, J. B. Holt in the Brooklyn precinct, and J. A. Dunsmore and R. L. Bartholomew in the Richfield district.
The Garland, an adjunct of the lyceum, a literary paper of rare merit, made its appearance in December. Several monthly numbers appeared during the winter. It was under the management of Mrs. S. Bigelow, Miss Mary E. Miller, Mrs. Mary Messer, and Miss Boyington. There were more
244
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS
pupils in attendance at the district school than the rooms could contain, and it was decided that a select school should be opened in Fletcher's hall, with Miss Martha Boyington es teacher. By the 15th of December there were one hundred and twenty-five pupils in attendance at the schools.
W. D. Morris, who lived on his claim at Lake Harriet, succeeded, during the prior year, in maturing a few acres of broom-corn on his farm. He converted it into domestic utility by manufacturing several hundred dozens of brooms, and good ones they were. This was the first broom-corn raised in Minnesota, as well as the first manufactory of brooms in the territory.
There were filed in the Minneapolis land-office during October, November and December, four hundred declaratory statements, which meant that number of farmers, and all in Hennepin county.
Dr. A. E. Ames left for Washington on December 20th, to spend the winter in that city, in the interest of the settlers on the reservation. Franklin Steele of Fort Snelling, and Henry T. Welles also spent the winter at the national capital for the same purpose.
Several school-districts were organized in the county this year, as follows : one in Richfield in December, and a school taught by Miss Mary Townsend ; General R. L. Bartoholmew, C. Gregory, Geo. Gilmore, C. Conillard, and William Finch, built the school-house. This was the first school taught in Richfield. Another district was organized near the Richfield mills early in 1855, and a second school opened under the auspices of Miss Clarke as teacher. A school-district was organized in Eden Prairie during the early part of the year ; a very good school-house was built, and a school opened in May, taught by Miss Sarah Clarke. A school-district was also organized in Minnetonka this year, and a school-house built and a school opened with Miss Mary Carman as teacher. Another school-district was organized in Excelsior this year, a log school-house built ; a summer school was taught in it by Mrs. Jane Wolcott. Brooklyn also organized two school- districts this year ; in one a school was taught during the summer by Miss Augusta Mclaughlin ; the house was built on what was known as long prairie ; the center of the other
245
OF MINNESOTA AND ITS PEOPLE.
was on Getchell prairie ; the teacher was Miss Mary Huff. These schools at that time were all in a flourishing condition. They were a greater recommendation to the country than any- thing that could be said about it. Where there are good schools there are always good people and, consequently, good society and a prosperous community.
BOATS ON THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI.
The trade on the upper Mississippi had attained such a magnitude, during the season of navigation this year that it became evident the steamer Governor Ramsey would not be of sufficient capacity for the transportation of more than half the freight another year from St. Anthony to Sauk Rapids It was true St. Cloud had not yet been brought into existence, but John L. Wilson and Geo. F. Brott had each an eye on the west bank of the river from Sauk Rapids, and Anoka had become the center of considerable commercial importance, while Itaska, Elk River, Monticello, and Clearwater, were rapidly becoming villages of some importance, and the country around them was rapidly filling up with immigrants. As a consequence the carrying-trade had doubled. At a meeting held in St. Anthony, Major A. M. Fridley, R. Cutler, and S. M. Tracy, of St. Anthony, A. P. Lane of Anoka, and Geo. W. Sweet of Sauk Rapids, were appointed a committee to arrange for adding another boat to the trade. The movement was entirely successful. Not only one boat, but two or three were, in after years engaged in the passenger and freight trade above St. Anthony. One of the boats, the Henry M. Rice, was a craft that would have been a credit to the boats on the lower Mississippi.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF THE EARLY SETTLERS.
Hennepin county, as well as Minneapolis, was greatly benefitted during the year by the superior class of immigrants. Among those who selected Minneapolis for their home, was Francis R. E. Cornell who, in after years, became a member of the legislature for several terms, was also attorney-general of the state for many years, and was elevated to a seat on the supreme bench, which high office he held at the time of his death. Immediately on his arrival in Minneapolis he formed a partnership with D. M. Hanson, and at once entered into a large practice. On the death of Mr. Hanson he associated with him Judge C. E. Vanderburgh, now of the supreme court, but then a young lawyer from the interior of New York. At the time of his arrival in Minneapolis he was only thirty- four years of age, but he had previously been elected a mem- ber of the New York senate from Steuben county, and had also held other high offices in that state. From the time of his arrival here to his death he lent a helping hand in every possible way that could benefit the place. He was much inter- ested in the schools of Minneapolis, and consented at an early day to serve as one of the trustees of the district-school. When the city required his wise counsels in her municipal affairs, he willingly served, greatly to his inconvenience, as an alderman. Thoroughly unselfish, he delighted in bestowing aid upon those who required it. An accomplished orator, an impartial and able judge, a warm friend, his death was much regretted by the whole community. Judge Cornell left an
247
OF MINNESOTA AND ITS PEOPLE.
interesting family consisting of his widow, a son and daugh- ter, who are residents of Minneapolis.
George W. Chowen came to Minneapolis in 1851, but resided mostly in other portions of the territory until 1854. Though but partially connected with Minneapolis since 1852, and may be considered a citizen of the city from that date. On the organization of the county he was selected as deputy register of deeds, and deputy clerk of the board of county commissioners, and as such recorded the first deed and the first instrument in writing that was necessary to be recorded in Hennepin county. Mr. Chowen was one of the most useful men that ever honored the city with a residence. For many years he was the register of deeds of the county. For some years previous to his death he was the head of an abstract office, which he had established at great expense. He was greatly esteemed by all classes of citizens, and his memory is greatly revered. He was one of the founders of the city.
Isaac Brooks Edwards, a native of North Carolina, but long a merchant of Gosport, Indiana, came to Minneapolis in 1854, purchased a lot on Nicollet avenue, built a house on it, and moved into it this year. He became a partner of Isaac I. Lewis in the store. After a residence of several years in Minneapolis, Mr. Edwards moved to Watertown, in Carver county, of which he was one of the original founders, and died there several years since. Mr. Edwards contributed in many ways to help Minneapolis in an early day.
Subscription papers were frequently passed around solicit- ing support for ministers of the gospel, and to aid in building school-houses, churches, town-halls, bridges, and laying out roads and streets, as well as for the support of teachers. Mr. Edwards always responded liberally on these occasions. He had a large family, some of the members of which are citizens of this state.
Thomas H. Perkins came from Orleans county, New York, during the year, and purchased real estate near Murphy's ferry. He still resides in the county. Mr. Perkins invested considerable money soon after his arrival in the milling industry, and aided greatly in developing that industry in this neighborhood. He has two sons, E. R. Perkins, a physician
248
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS
at Excelsior, and Frank Perkins, who is also a physician.
S. Bigelow came from Ohio and secured a lot and built on it, now occupied by Temple Court block. He also made a claim on Crow river. Mr. Bigelow was a prominent citizen in Minneapolis for several years. He returned to Ohio.
Many valuable mechanics made their homes in the village this year, such as Reuben Robinson, John H. Atty, Josiah Orthoudt, and Wm. H. Varner, who became prominent citizens. C. C. Berkman erected a building, and established a first-class bakery, during the summer, adjoining Mr. Lewis' store. This was the first bakery in Minneapolis. Dr. Berk- man resided here many years, and then moved to St. Paul. He still resides in that city.
W. H. Lauderdale came from Ohio and took a claim near Lake Calhoun, on which he resided for several years. He was the first to introduce fancy poultry into the county. He has been a resident of the city for many years. His father- in-law, John Sloane, accompanied him to this territory. Mr. Sloane assisted C. W. Christmas in making the first survey of town lots in Minneapolis. Mr. Sloane's father was for a long term of years a member of congress from Ohio. He was also treasurer of the United States during several administra- tions.
J. B. Mills, a brother of E. P. Mills of St. Anthony, became a citizen of Hennepin county, late in the fall, and opened a large store in the postoffice building. Mr. Mills resided here for several years. He went to McLeod county and preempted a farm. Afterwards he became a government contractor.
Dr. J. S. Elliott came from Maine and settled in Minneap- olis in 1854. He was accompanied by his family. Dr. Elliott became interested in the water-power company and made, for those early days, heavy investments in the improvements at the Falls. Wyman Elliott, his eldest son, became a resident of the village at the same time, though for a year or two he lived on a claim in Wright county. Dr. A. F. Elliott, J. R. Elliott, and Frank Elliott, also sons of Dr. Elliott, became residents of the village in 1854, as did a nephew, Dan. Elliott. Members of the Elliott family have all become prominent in the business and social circles of Minneapolis.
W. Augustus Hotchkiss came to Minneapolis in August of
249
OF MINNESOTA AND ITS PEOPLE.
this year. He immediately purchased the Northwestern Democrat, a St. Anthony plant, and moved it on this side of the river, and continued its publication for several years. Mr. Hotchkiss was one of our best citizens ; perhaps no one contributed more to the early development of the resources of Minneapolis and Hennepin county. He was an earnest worker, a conscientious man, a Christian gentleman, and a firm believer in the future greatness of the embryo city. He was also a firm believer in Democracy ; his paper was partisan, but more devoted to local matters, and to building up the new village and county, than to politics. When the attempt was made to dissolve the Union, he entered the service and com- manded Hotchkiss' battery during the war, which became noted throughout the United States for its efficiency. Major Hotchkiss was peculiarly adapted to the artillery service, for he had in early life served an apprenticeship to that mode of warfare. The citizens of Minneapolis will, for all time to come, owe much to Major Hotchkiss for his great efforts in attracting immigration and capital here in the early days of the village. He is still engaged in the newspaper business, editing and publishing the National Republican at Preston, in this state. His family resides in this city, which is his home proper.
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.