USA > Minnesota > Faribault County > The history of Faribault County, Minnesota : from its first settlement to the close of the year 1879 : the story of the pioneers > Part 22
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And borrowing the imagery, though not the language of the poet, we may well express the thought that with the mighty hosts
20-
HISTORY OF
that marched along those broad avenues on those proud days, there was another and a mightier host which kept step with the triumphal music, invisible indeed to mortal eyes, but indeed there, great hosts, proud and victorious too, led by the immortal Washington and the other heroes of the Revolution, and the martyre Lincoln, and num- bering in the vast throng the patriot dead of all the battlefields of the Republic and the heroes of every age and land who have suffered and died for human freedom. for civil and religious liberty.
No, reader, no such another pageant has the world ever seen, or may ever see again.
THEY COME.
Immigration began to pour into the county the last of May, and continued throughout the season, much of it. however, going through this county to the counties of Martin and Jackson, immediately west of this. The settlement of the near counties on the west was deemed by many, at that time, to be of almost as much importance to this county (at least the next best thing) as the settlement of the county itself. for the people must, in those counties, be for a time, and in many respects, tributary for supplies to this county.
HUMILIATION AND PRAYER.
The first day of June was appointed by the national executive, as a day of prayer and humiliation, on account of the death of Pres- ident Lincoln. It was observed in this county by appropriate ser- vices in the churches and other places of religious gatherings. "Remember not, Lord, our offenses, nor the offenses of our fore- fathers; neither take Thou vengeance of our sins; spare us good Lord, spare Thy people. From lightning and tempest, from plague, pestilence and famine; from battle and murder and from sudden death; from all sedition, privy conspiracy and rebellion. Good Lord, deliver us."
HEAR YE! HEAR YE! HEAR YE!
The District Court held a session of one day on the first Tues- day, the 6th day of June. Hon. Horace Austin presided. and this was his first term in this county.
POSTING UP THE BOOKS.
A State census was taken in June, of this year, the work being done in each county by the assessors. Our statistics for the year are made up partly from the census tables, and partly from other official reports subsequently made.
209
FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
NO. 1-POPULATION.
tal
Males
Females
Families
Barber.
244
144
100
58
Blue Earth City.
807
425
382
150
Brush Creek ..
233
115
118
39
Elmore.
295
162
133
66
Foster.
166
88.
78
30
Guthrie.
367
200
167
75
Jo Daviess
241
124
117
49
Lura.
362
199
163
64
Marples.
290
158
132
56
Pilot Grove.
175
90
85
30
Prescott.
384
207
177
82
Seely ..
88
43
45
21
Verona
337
178
159
67
Walnut Lake
283
152
131
58
Winnebago City
463
232
231
78
Totals
4,735
2,517
12,218
926
NO. 2-STOCK, ETC.
The returns show 1,257 horses; cattle, 5,587; sheep, 6,004; hogs, 991; 760 wagons of all kinds, and 81 watches.
NO. 3-VALUATIONS.
The total value of all taxable personal property was set down at $172,647.00; value of real estate, $650,094.00; total, $822,741.00.
NO. 4-CROPS, ETC.
The number of acres under cultivation was 10,887 and the farm products of the year were wheat 109,672 bushels, oats 115,872 bushels, corn 92,110 bushels, barley 7,331 bushels, potatoes 51,537 bushels. beans 729 bushels, buckwheat 200 bushels, sorghum syrup 12,387 gallons.
NO. 5-SCHOOL MATTERS.
The number of persons between five and twenty-one years of age, was 1,854, number of school districts 62, number of teachers 50, number of school houses 22, which were valued at $4.925.00 in the aggregate.
NO. 6-PRICES.
The prices of grain, in the fall, average as follows per bushel: wheat 50 to 55 cents, oats 20 to 25 cents, corn 25 to 30 cents. All kinds of "store goods" still continued at high figures, but "with a downward tendency." As a matter of curiosity in may be stated that a record kept in Raleigh, N. C., in the closing Confederate days of February, 1865, shows that apples were $8 per dozen, bacon $8 per pound. beef $3 per pound, butter $10 per pound, corn $30
210
HISTORY OF
per bushel, coffee $40 per pound, eggs $4 per dozen, flour $500 per barrel, sugar $18 per pound, syrup $25 per gallon, sheeting $6 per yard, salt $90 per bushel, calico $15 per yard, wood $95 per cord.
About the 1st of April of this year, the Richmond Whig published at Richmond, Va., quoted flour in that city at $900 to $1,000 per barrel, corn $100 per bushel, and butter $20 per pound, in Confeder- ate money, however.
The statistics presented here from time to time are made up from official reports, but it is time now to remind the reader, that our ordinary state statistics are not very reliable, or accurate. The assessed valuation of property, at least until very late years seldom exhibits the true value. Perhaps fifty per cent. could be added to the official estimates, and not exceed the real value.
The reports of the amount of the different kinds of grain, etc .. raised, and the numbers of the various kinds of stock, are almost, if not quite, equally faulty. All these statistics are imperfect, and are only valuable in a general way, but they are the best we have and we give them as we find them, for whatever they are worth. The statistics collected when the national census is taken, are usually more reliable than our ordinary state statisties, and help to "cor- rect up" and show quite nearly the actual facts and conditions, from time to time. The collection, collation, classification, adjustment and verification of statistics constitute a science of much "importance, and is one understood by but few. Our state commissioners of statistics doubtless do the best they can. with the means and methods they have at hand, but the primary collection of all the necessary data is in hands that but little comprehend the import- ance of the work, and have little incentive to do it well.
THE PATRIOT'S DAY.
On the Fourth of July a great celebration of the day was had at Blue Earth City. Very extensive preparations had been made and a large unmber of people attended and took part in the festivi- ties. The good old Declaration of Independence was read by Capt. P. B. Davy, and James B. Wakefield delivered the oration, and what with the address, the music, an abundant dinner, the great attend- ance, the fine day and the spirit of rejoicing over the close of the war, the celebration was a grand success.
The day was also celebrated at Minnesota Lake. The largest con- course of people ever assembled in that portion of the county gathered there on this occasion. The Rev. A. W. Childs read the Declaration and J. A. Kiester, of Blue Earth City, delivered the ad- dress. Here also patriotic music and a bounteous dinner were a part of the programme. These were the only celebrations of the day in
211
FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
the county, the people having generally concluded to attend at one or the other of these places.
It may be mentioned as an incident of the time and the patriotic spirit of our local press, that the Blue Earth City Advocate came out in colors, the outside being printed in red, the inside blue, the paper white in honor of the brave old flag, "red, white and blue," which now waves victorious over the whole land.
And never to this time, at least, was there such a general and enthusiastic celebration on the Fourth of July, such a great out- pouring and rejoicing of the people as occurred this year through- the whole country. And it was very right and proper that it should be so, for at no time in the history of the country, since the achieve- ment of independence had there been so much to render the day il- lustrious and worthy of commemoration and rejoicings. The final triumph of the nation over treason and rebellion, the Union restored, the great war just ended, peace, white-winged and all glorious, once more hovering over the whole land, the great body of the citizen soldiers-the heroes of the war-returned again to their homes, all now added much to the previous significance of the day and its grand memories and associations.
A SUMMARY.
The great civil war having now closed, we give a brief summary of the closing vents which occurred during the year to this time, and also certain other facts and figures relating to the war of inter- est and value.
January 15th, Fort Fisher was taken by the Union army. This was the last pe t of the rebels. February 18th, the Union troops enter Charleston, S. C. March 4th, President Lincoln inaugurated. March 16th, battle of Averysborough. March 19th, battle of Ben- tonville, N. C. April 2d, Gen. Lee evacuated Richmond and Peters- burg. Va., and retreated westward. Same day the battle of Selma, Ala. was fought-a Union victory. April 3d, Union troops took pos- session of Richmond, Va. April 9th, Lee surrended to Grant at Appo- mattox. April 10th, Mobile, Ala., evacuated by the rebels. April 12th Union troops captured Salisbury, N. C. April 14th, President Lincoln assassinated. April 25th, Booth, the assassin, shot. April 26th, Gen. Johnson surrendered to Gen. Sherman. May 4th, Gen. Taylor surrendered to Gen. Canby. July 7th, four of the villians engaged in the assassination plot were hung. No great battles were fought after the middle of April. The armies were disbanded, and a great majority of the troops returned to their homes during the next six months.
212
HISTORY OF
In the Adjutant General's report for the year. we find the fol- lowing statement of quotas and credits of men for this county, under all calls during the war.
Quota. Credits
Blue Earth City.
88
97
Brush Creek
25
21
Foster ..
Elmore
27
28
Guthrie.
27
35
Marples.
46
18
Pilot Grove.
35
25
Prescott
18
31
Seely
5
4
Verona
46
48
Walnut Lake.
31
19
Winnebago City.
396
400
There were eight others furnished by the county, not included in the above table, making our total credits 408.
While a few of the town districts in the county were in arrears, yet the county as a whole, furnished twelve more men than was re- quired, and the number of soldiers furnished by this county, in pro- portion to population, was greater than that of any county in the State except perhaps two.
It was reported about this time that there was one county in the State, which in this respect surpassed all others-the whole popu- lation, without exception, having enlisted-it appeared however, that there was but one resident in that county.
The aggregate amount of bounties paid by this county and the several towns, and otherwise contributed to encourage enlistments, was the very large sum of seventy-five thousand dollars.
The entire enlistments in the Union armies. during the war, were 2.688,523, but many of these were re-enlistments, and it is esti- mated that the entire number of individuals, forming the armies, was really but 1,500,000.
Of these 56,000 were killed in battle, 35.000 died in hospitals of injuries received in battle and 184,000 died in hospitals of disease. Many died afterwards in other places, of disease. and thousands were ruined in health for life. The national government also em- ployed over 7,000 vessels on the waters, in the great contest. Of the Confederate forces, there was, during the war, an aggregate of 600,000 men, but this is deemed a low estimate. The Confederate killed and wounded and sick, who died in hospitals, was about 300,000. In a late work we read that "The entire amount expended by the national government, by states, counties and towns, and con- tributed in other ways, to the comfort or sustenance of the army, is computed at $4,000.000,000. The support of the southern army
74
213
FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
cannot be ascertained, but it is thought that those expenses and des. truction of property, inflicted about an equal loss on them. These losses in life and property are fearful, but they are the price of free- dom and nationality." And now, so far as this history is concerned, we are done with the great civil war, and we have only to add that it should be the earnest hope, the constant prayer of every heart, both north and south, that never again, in all our history as a nation, may another so great a calamity be inflicted upon us, and to this end let us forget the past, cease recriminations, drop the hard names of rebel, traitor, copperhead and all other epithets, and all unite as brethren in strengthening the foundations, rearing the struc- tures, promoting the interests and enjoying the blessings of the strongest, the most enlightened, most progressive and best govern- ment ever known among men.
BUSINESS.
With the close of the war came a new era in many respects. Money became plenty, real estate took an upward tendency, outside capital came into the State and county for investment. All branches of trade and business greatly revived and there was employment for all at fair wages, and the attention which the war and its affairs had absorbed was now turned to local interests and enterprises.
THE INGATHERING.
On the first of August the song of the reaper began to be heard in the land. The harvest was quite favorable. The wheat and oat crops were very heavy, but other crops quite light. The price of wheat in August was seventy cents.
CALAMITIES.
The potato-bug, a very destructive insect, made its appearance in this region near the middle of June, and did some damage, and in July several immense swarms of grassshoppers visited the upper Minnesota river and came as near to us as Garden City, some twelve miles north of this county, where they did much injury to crops. But little notice was taken of these incidents at the time and they were soon forgotten, but we shall have much more to say hereafter about these pests. We are now done with the Indians and the war of the rebellion, what other calamities now await us? It is often true that "Coming events
Cast their shadows before."
THAT BOARD.
The commissioners met September 5th, and had a session of three days. It having appeared by the returns of the last preceding general election, that over eight hundred votes had been polled in
214
HISTORY OF
the county, the county now became entitled under the law, to tive instead of three county commissioners and the board at this meeting proceeded to divide the county into five commissioner, districts, as follows: The First district was comprised of the towns of Camp- bell. Elmore, Pilot Grove and Jo Daviess. The Second district, of Blue Earth City, Emerald and Prescott townships. The Third dis- triet of Kiester, Seely. Foster, Brush Creek, Walnut Lake and Cobb townships. The Fourth district of the towns of Winnebago City, Verona and Guthrie. The Fifth district was composed of the towns of Barber, Lura, Marples and Dunbar. The board also appointed school examiners, in conformity to the new commissioner districts, as follows: No. 1. J. A. Dean; No. 2, J. A. Kiester; No. 3, S. L. Rugg; No. 4. J. H. Welch: No. 5, Joseph Claggett. This was the last meeting of the board for this year, and the last board of only three commissioners, it subsequently being composed of five members.
THE FAIR.
The officers of the Agricultural Society for this year were J. A. Latimer, president; C. M. Sly, secretary and D. Birdsall, treasurer.
The fair was held at Blue Earth City on the 21st and 22nd days of September.
The fair while passably good, was not considered much of a snecess. While the officers of the society and a very few others made considerable effort to keep up the society and make the fairs of interest and useful, it must be written that about this period in the history of the society, extending over several years, there was not that interest manifested in it and that unity of action on the part of the people, generally, which is so necessary to the support of such an institution.
THE FALL FIGHT.
The political campaign of this year covered a considerable pe- riod of time, and it was quite a lively and in some respects a peculiar contest. Among the other interesting features of the campaign, a governor of the State and several other State officers were to be elected.
The republican candidate for Governor was Wm. R. Marshall and Henry M. Rice was the democratic candidate.
On the 30th day of August. the Republican County Convention met at Blue Earth City and made the following nominations.
For Treasurer, Win. Dustin.
For Sheriff. W. J. C. Robertson.
For County Attorney. J. B. Wakefield.
For Surveyor. D. Birdsall.
For Judge of Probate. A. Preston.
For Coroner, D. H. McDowell.
215
FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
On the 16th day of September a mass convention was held at Blue Earth City, at the instance and in the interest of those who did not approve of all the nominations of the republican convention. This meeting nominated R. B. Johnson for treasurer and Hiram Raymond for sheriff. The other republican nominations were in- dorsed. This convention was rather slimly attended, there being persons present from only seven towns, and the prospects for the election of the new nominees were not at the time very flattering. But "great oaks from little acorns grow, etc."
And sometimes "great aches from little toe-corns grow."
But the situation was still not satisfactory to all, and so on the 23rd day of September a mass convention was held at Winnebago City, where certain republicans and the democrats formed a coali- tion. This convention made the following nominations:
For Sheriff, Charles Chaple.
For Treasurer, R. B. Johnson.
For County Attorney. J. L. Weir.
For Surveyor, A. H. Pelsey.
For Judge of Probate, A. Preston.
For Coroner, D. H. McDowell.
It will be observed that several of the regular republican nom- inees were re-nominated by this convention. The principal contest was for the offices of treasurer and sheriff.
The Republican Legislative Convention met at Winnebago City, October 2nd and nominated J. B. Wakefield for representative. For the same office the democracy again placed in the field R. B. Simmons, of Martin County.
The election was held on the seventh day of November, and the following table exhibits the result as officially declared :
Repr. Judge]
Sheriff
Treas. Sur.| Atty. |Cor.
Wakefield
Simmons
Preston
Raymond
Robertson
Chaple
Johnson
Dustin
Birdsall
Wakefield
Wier
McDowell
Brush Creek
144
14
3
7
4
9
1
14
14
...
Barber.
11
20
32
32
32
16
11
21
32
Blue Earth City
104
16
140
31
54
53
60
80
119
117
19
140
Elmore
27
5
31
2
1
26
15
17
27
27
5
32
Foster.
9
15
8
7
15
15 30
29
13
42
Jo Daviess.
14
17
31
23
21
10
14
15
16
31
Lura.
28
28
27
27
1
28
28
1
28
Marples
28
13
41
19
22
20
20
28
22
19
41
Prescott.
53
3
56
1
17
42
46
13
36
56
35
Pilot Grove
20
1
24
1
19
5
6
19
21
22
3
24
Seely ..
12
12
12
12
Verona.
34
4
44
1
1
42
42
38
37
6
44
Walnut Lake.
2
31
3
14
15
14
19
26
3
5
3i
Winnebago City
67
17
64
8
93
92
9
75
34
64
65
Total
475
111
598
42
180
426
418
229
499
437
176
586
10
15
Guthrie ..
32
10
35
8 188 1
35
34
8
12
12
12
·
14
. .
216
HISTORY OF
For Governor, Wm. R. Marshall had a total vote in the county of 501; Henry M. Rice had 138.
The following-named persons were elected county commission- ers without opposition :
Allen Shultis, District No. One.
Henry J. Neal, District No. Two.
John R. Sisson, District No. Three.
H. H. Gilman, District No. Four.
J. Claggett, District No. Five.
Marshall was elected Governor of the State by a large majority, and Wakefield was elected representative of the district. The re- turns, as given above, indicate who were elected as county officers. The result of the election as to sheriff and treasurer. was surprising to most of the people, aud quite as surprising to the candidates them - selves. This was the first regularly organized "bolt," or formal opposition to the regular nominees backed by convention nomina- tions. which had occurred in the republican party, or in fact in the politics of the county.
The two newspapers took a great interest, on opposite sides. to some extent, in the local campaign, besides some questions of dif- ference had arisen earlier in the year between them. and an examin- ation of the old files proves the fact that a great deal of a very poor class of dirt was "slung" back and forth by both, and both equally bad, reminding the reader of the story of the Dutchman who, on being asked the age of himself and wife said. "mine wife is dirty (30) and I ish dirty two."
No frost occurred in September of this year, and the autumn was an unusually mild and pleasant one, and continued until about the middle of December, when the winter set in, introducing its reign by a heavy snow storm.
THE GRAND ROSTER OF THE SOLDIERS OF FARIBAULT COUNTY.
THE NAMES OF THE MEN FROM THIS COUNTY, WHO HELPED TO FIGHT THE GREAT BATTLES.
"Ye have kept the flag and seal, Emblem of the Nation's weal: Ye have stood like hardened steel In war's crimson way-the battle field- When shot and shell did ring the knell
Of comrades brave who 'round ye fell, Ye did leave your friends and home, And loved ones weeping, left alone To see the flag and country saved," And saved them. -TALBOT.
There is presented in this history of the county many rolls of houor of the early settlers of the county and lists of public officers
217
FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
and of the actors in many important events, but there is now pre- sented here the most honorable of all our rolls, that of the names of the men who enlisted from this county, in the military service of the United States, during the Rebellion and the Indian war in the Northwest.
This year practically closed the war, and it is now time to name the men of our county, who in the day of mighty conflicts with powerful foes, took an active part, as soldiers, in the great struggle for our homes, for the Union and for the maintenance of free gov- ernment on this continent.
The list is not absolutely correct in every respect, but it is as nearly so as it is possible to make it, for there are errors in the public official records themselves, but many, if not all of which, are corrected here.
The writer is greatly indebted in making up this roster, to Charles A. Rose, now of St. Paul, but a former resident of this county, and a soldier, enlisted from this county.
Mr. Rose, as a public officer of the State for many years, has had access to all the official records in the capitol of the State and, owing to his long services in the army, is also possessed of a large personal knowledge of individuals and events connected with the war and there are few, if any persons, who are better qualified to prepare such a list than he.
The writer is also indebted to James H. Mead, of Blue Earth City, another old soldier, for valuable assistance and suggestions in making up the roll.
The companies and regiments given are those in which the first enlistments were made, but many, after the expiration of their term of service, re enlisted in the same or other companies aud regiments. But of the re-enlistments, official positions or promo- tions, no record is here made, the principal object being to present and preserve here simply the names of those who enlisted in the service of the nation from our connty. The re-enlistments numbered about twenty-eight per cent. of the original enlistments.
ENLISTMENTS.
BLUE EARTHI CITY TOWNSHIP DISTRICT.
Andrews, Alfred D. .Company D, 9th Regiment Infantry, three years
Brown, Aaron.
B, Bracket's Battalion,
Botsford, Isaac.
B,
Butler, Zimry C.
C, 5th Regiment Infantry,
Blackmer, Frank A,
0, 5th 66
Converse, Geo. S.
B, Bracket's Battalion,
Decker, A. L. M.
F, Ist Regiment Infantry. 66
Grout, Albert K.
66 C, 5th
Harris, Peter E
C, 5th ..
Johnson, John
F, 5th
215
HISTORY OF
Leslie, Sam., Jr.
Company II, 2d Regiment Infantry,
three years
Mead, Jas. Il ..
. L
C, 5th
6
MeFall, Orlando.
..
C, 5th
Morris, Win. D
..
F, 5th
Pratt. Albert
4 6
1), 9th 6 6
..
..
Rose. Chas A
C, 5th
. .
Squires, Freeman A
B, Bracket's Battalion,
Schroeder. Peter ..
F, 5th Regiment Infantry,
Schroeder, Herbert.
66 F, 5th
Schroeder, Wi
D. 9th
. .
Thompkins, Hiram
6 6
H, 2d Regiment Infantry,
Young. E. C ..
..
F, 5th
L, Mounted Rangers.
one year
Anderson, Evan
.6
Anderson, Geo.
16
L,
..
..
..
Brown, John.
L,
L.
Cusick, WI
1.,
Cook, Geo.
L,
Davy, Peter B.
66
Davis, Geo. R.
١٩
L,
Ellis, Henry
L,
Ewald, Henry C
Frandall, John J
1.,
Fox, Markham L,
L,
Frandall, Geo.
L,
Frandall, Jos ..
L.
Franklin, Benj
L,
..
Grillin, Lucius
L.,
. .
Ilowland, Geo. II.
B,
Hyatt, Norman B.
Johnson, Ole.
L,
..
Johnson, Henry
..
L,
Jameson, James
L,
Kamrar, Henry
L,
Krinke, Michael
L,
Larson, Henry E
1,
Leslie, Sam. Sr.
L,
Landis, Samuel
L,
Manthie, Julius II
L,
=
. 4
Neal, Henry J
B,
Newton, Wm. J.
B,
Nelson, Christian
L.
Nelson, Ole.
..
L.
١٩
..
11
Rose, Jacob A.
..
13,
Salor, Abel
L.
Smith, Cyrus.
L,
..
Sailor. Martin
Sailor, Jacob
L.,
. .
Silliman, Wayne B
B3.
. 6
Weber, Henry C.
B. Bracket's Battalion
..
Wheeler, Wmn.
. .
Anderson, Jeff.
66
..
Bennett. Leon
Ellis, Ezca M.
66
64
.6
..
..
..
..
..
..
L.
Oleson, Harvey S.
..
..
..
219
FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Waterbury, Sam B.
Company H, Mounted Rangers,
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