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 4
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HISTORY OF
In an address delivered by Gen. Sibley in 1856, we find the following further facts, in relation to Mr. Faribault. "He removed to this country in 1798. His career in this region was marked with more of adverse fortune, than usually occurs, even in the perilous life of an Indian trader. Shortly after the close of the war with Great Britan, he was robbed by the Winnebagoes, at Prairie du Chien, of a large stock of goods, for which he never received any remuneration. Some years subsequently he fixed his residence upon Pikes Island, near Fort St. Anthony (now Snelling) and had barely established himself in his vocation of trader, when he was forced, by the Mandate of the Commandant of the Fort, to abandon his buildings and betake himself with his movable property to the bottom land on the east side of the Mississippi, where he erected new tenements. The following spring, the water, which was un- usually high, carried off his houses and live stock, he and his family escaping in boats, by means of which he was fortunately enabled to save his goods and furs from destruction. Still undiscouraged. he built a house at the point now known as Mendota, where he resided many years, except during the winter months, when he as- sumed charge of his trading post at Little Rapids, on the Minnesota river. He acquired a considerable fortune though having met with so many reverses."
In person, Mr. Faribault was below the medium height. of prepossessing appearance and of much dignity and frankness. It is said of him that he was a gentleman of the old French school, of Parisian style and of great affability and urbanity of manners and that, notwithstanding his long residence among savages and at the out post of civilization, in the far northwest, he never lost his ac- complishments and character of a well bred gentleman. It appears from a letter received from his grandson, that Mr. Faribault, in very early days, in company with General John C. Fremont and General Sibley, visited this region of country, on an exploring and hunting expedition, and that they were near what is now the local- ity of Blue Earth City, for some days. He lived to a great age and spent the last years of his eventful life with his sons, at Fairbault. in Rice county, in this State. He died Aug. 20th, 1860, and was at the time of his death, the oldest white resident of what is now Min . nesota. Our county is indeed worthily named and its people should, some day, erect an appropriate memorial, in honor of him whose name the county bears.
A brief notice of Alexander Faribault, the oldest and most prominent of the sons of Jean Baptiste Faribault, may be of inter- est. In a letter from a friend, who, at the writer's request, visited Mr. Faribault, we find the following statements: "He was born at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, in 1806. He is one-half French blood,
ALEXANDER FARIBAULT.
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FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
one-fourth Scotch and one-fourth Sioux Indian. He settled at Fort Snelling in 1819, and removed to Faribault (Rice County ) in 1853, where he still resides (December 12, 1871). He is the father of ten children, seven of whom are now living He possesses a good busi- ness education and speaks the English language very correctly. Since his removal to Faribault, he has adopted the manners and customs of the whites and is a good citizen, public spirited and gen- erous to a fault, and has ever taken an active and lively interest in the growth and prosperity of Faribault, which was named for him. Mr. Faribault is quite actively engaged in business, and owns one of the best flouring mills in Faribault, which was built by him some eight years ago at a cost of twenty-five thousand dollars. His wife is a full blood, of the Dakota, or Sioux tribe of Indians, and still retains the dress and customs of her tribe. Mr. Faribault was chief of the Wabasha band of Sioux, up to the time of his settlement in Faribault."
It appears that Mr. Faribault once visited this region of country. It is stated in the history of Rice county, Minnesota, that he, "in the spring of 1833, followed the Indians south, to their hunt- ing grounds, located in the present county of Faribault. (Should have added Martin.) The place had an Indian name signifying chained lakes."
He was a member of the second territorial legislature, being one of the representatives of legislative district number seven.
He died November 28, 1882.
The following tribute to his memory was written by one who knew him well.
"He was a man of the kindliest feelings, the most inflexible in- tegrity and an eveness of temper, which was seldom ruffled. A man more universally beloved and respected has never departed from among us."
The county being now bounded and named, we shall proceed to relate
THE STORY OF THE FIRST SETTLER.
Moses Sailor was the first permanent settler of Faribault county. He was born in Monroe county, state of Ohio, in the year 1808, and was married at the age of twenty-four years. He has always been a farmer by occupation. Immediately after marrying he emigrated to Elkhart county, Indiana, which was then quite a new and sparce- ly settled country. Here he continued to reside for twenty-two years. His wife died in 1849, leaving him with nine children. In the fall of the year 1854, he emigrated, with his family, to Chicka- saw county, Iowa, where he took up quarters for the winter, in the village of Bradford. Finding that the country there had already been mainly taken up and. as he says, "Not being new enough to
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HISTORY OF
suit his pioneer tastes," and desiring to get lands for his boys as well as a home for himself, he concluded to prospect further, as soon as the weather would permit in the spring. Having heard very favorable accounts of the territory of Minnesota. he, near the first of April. 1855, in company with James Little and John Love, carry- ing their guns, provisions and blankets, started on foot from Brad- ford, on an exploring expedition into Minnesota. After a day's journey, neither roads nor settlements existed, but striking out boldly into the wilderness, they directed their course by the aid of a pocket compass and a map, for the head waters of the Blue Earth river. as that stream was somewhat indefinitely laid down on the maps of that time. The first point at which they struck the Blue Earth river, was on the east branch, about two miles east of the site of Blue Earth City. Here they stopped and built a fire on the eighth day of April. at about eleven (11) o'clock in the forenoon. Leav-
ing Mr. Little here, Mr. Sailor and Mr. Love proceeded across the prairie for the west branch of the river, to examine the timber and lay of the country. They reached the west branch on section twen- ty. in town 102. range 27. as was indicated by the section stakes and quite near where Mr. Sailor subsequently took his "claim."
After prospecting for a few hours and being much pleased with the country. they returned to Mr. Little and then all proceeded to the junction of the two branches of the river, afterwards known as "the forks." near which they were so fortunate as to find a small, rough log cabin, on the north bank of the stream. It was very rudely built, quite low and not more than ten by twelve feet in size, and had evidently been built as a mere temporary shelter.
This cabin had been erected by one Thomas Holmes. of Shakopee, a famous explorer and town-site locator. in the early days of the territory of Minnesota. He was in this region in 1954. and erected this cabin, with the intention of making a claim of the land adjoining, with a view of eventually laying out a town in the vicinity. This he never did, however, but went so far as to employ two men, whose names are now forgotten. to go upon the land and who occupied this cabin a short time. But Mr. Holmes not coming with provisions, as agreed, they returned to Shakopee and the project of laying off a town was given up by him. This cabin was the first advance made in the building of a human habitation, on the capacity and architectural style of an Indian tepee. It was the first house erected in the county. To return to our company. it being now near night, they concluded to camp here. This country at the time. presented a very favorable aspect. The snow of which there seemed to have been but little during the winter, had all disap- peared.
...
....
MOSES SAILOR, The First Settler.
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FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
The ground was dry and the grass just starting. The streams were very low and easily forded. A bright, warm sun, cloudless skies and a mild and balmy atmosphere, welcomed our explorers to this new land.
The next morning they started northward to Mankato, exploring the timber and adjacent prairies and camped in the evening near Jackson's lake, in Blue Earth county. The next day they reached Mankato, which they found to be a small village of some fifteen houses, large and small, and a frontier hotel, where they stopped. This town had been laid out some three years before. Here they learned that it was currently reported that the Winnebago Indians, who were soon to be removed from their location in the more north- ern part of the territory, were to be located upon a "Reservation" on the head-waters of the Blue Earth river, in Faribault county. Should this occur, our pioneers would, of course, have to abandon any intention of settling in this county. They then proceeded to prospect the country for a few days on the Blue Earth, Maple and Cobb rivers, in Blue Earth county, with which they were highly pleased. At this time there were but a few scattered settlers in Blue Earth county and but one small village-Mankato. At an election held in that county, in the fall of this year, but eighty-six votes were polled. There were but a few settlers in Freeborn county, and this county and all the territory west, and northwest was vacant.
Being entirely satisfied with the country, our company returned by their former route, through this county to Bradford and deter- mined to remove into Blue Earth county, immediatly in the vicinity of Mankato. In pursuance of this conclusion, Mr. Sailor, ou or about the 8th day of May, started from Bradford with his family of children consisting of five sons, Jacob, Able, Daniel, William and Manuel and three daughters, Esther, Amanda and Roxina, all of whom subsequently remained here as residents of the county . He was accompanied by one Solomon Myers and Archibald Morris and family. They travelled in covered wagons heavily loaded with house- hold goods and provisions, each wagon drawn by two yoke of oxen, the great motive power of new countries. They had decided to settle somewhere on the Maple river, in Blue Earth county, and the route they travelled lay by Clear lake, in Iowa, Walnut lake and Minne- sota lake, in this county. This country as before intimated was then a trackless wilderness, no roads, or bridges, no human habita- tions and the "trail" made by Mr. Sailor and his company, was the first wagon track made in the county, by any settler. They stopped on the Maple river, about ten miles from Mankato, where Mr. Sailor left the company in camp and proceeded to Mankato. Here he found that the Indians had selected their Reservation in Blue
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HISTORY OF
Earth county. Ile then concluded to return and settle on the head- waters of the Blue Earth, in this county, but Mr. Morris decided not to accompany him and remained in Blue Earth county a short time. Mr. Sailor accompanied by Mr. Myers travelled on his re- turn by the route he had taken when prospecting, there being no track, or road however, and on the twenty-fifth day of May, near noon, he had reached his jouney's end and stopped on the west half of the southwest quarter of section twenty, which with the south half of the southeast quarter of seetion nineteen, adjoining, all in town- ship one hundred and two, of range twenty seven, he determined to claim.
On locating Mr. Sailor proceeded to break up about five acres of land, which he planted to corn and potatoes, camping in the meantime, in his wagon and a large tent, which he had brought with him.
This sod corn produced plenty of "roasting ears," and fodder sufficient for one horse and a dozen hogs during the succeeding winter. The potatoes yielded abundantly and were of a superior quality. After getting in his crop, he proceeded to erect a log house. This building was eighteen by twenty-four feet and one story high and was completed in about a week, except the roof, which was partly covered by the tent cloth. And this was the second house in this county.
Provisions now getting scarce, Mr. Sailor went about 120 miles into Iowa, for a supply. He was gone some twelve days and on his return he finished up his house, putting on a "shake" roof. This old house long since disappeared, but it was once the head- quarters of the county-the only hotel, or stopping place, in a vast region for sometime-the first resort of new comers-the scene of many a hospitable entertainment and of many a frontier dance and social gathering in the early days. The boys set to work to break up some ten acres more of land in the early summer and a small additional tract was broken in October, which Mr. Sailor says did not prove valuable, as the sod instead of rotting, dried in tough strips and pieces like old sheep skins and lay about for some three or four years. He says he knows more about "breaking" now, than he did then.
During the year many Indians, sometimes as many as two hundred, or three hundred, in a company, would call on Mr. Sailor. generally wanting tobacco, sugar, pork and sometimes "fire-water," which latter article he never let them have. In fact the country was full of small bands of roving Indians. who were engaged in hunt- ing and fishing and sometimes on the war-path, but he says they were always peaceable and well disposed towards him.
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FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
In those days he says game and fur-bearing animals were very plenty, especially wolves, foxes, mink, otter and elk, though but few deer. There were squirrels, rabbits, gophers, prairie chickens, geese, ducks, cranes, some few black bear, panthers, wild cats, wood chucks, musk rats and skunks, and the lakes and streams were stocked with fish. He further says that on his arrival he found no buffalo, but observed a stamping or herding ground near the state line, where a large number of buffalos had stopped during the preceding winter. During the year the health of himself and fam- ily was very good, and the weather until winter set in, unusually pleasant.
He has continued to reside on the land he first took up. His farm has been largely improved and he has long since erected a comfortable frame house and large barn. Mr. Sailor is of medium stature, well built and has black hair and a long dark beard, now well sprinkled with gray; dark eyes and dark complexion, and in his prime was a man of great muscular power and endurance-hard working and courageous. He belongs to that race of hardy adven- turous pioneers, known only in the far west, who have the courage to abandon the advantages of old settled countries and go upon the extreme frontier, or plunge into the wilderness and amid want and hardships and privations, surrounded by many daugers, open up the ways of settlement and civilization.
He remarried some years ago (1869), and is passing his declin- ing years in ease and comfort, owing no man anything, strictly honest in his dealings, hospitable and a Jackson democrat. In the early days of the county, he served the public well and faithfully for some years as County Commissioner. But he now takes no in- terest in politics, or public affairs, except to vote. He says he has no ambitions to gratify and hates turmoil and strife. May the even- ing of his days be cloudless, and his sun of life set in tranquility and peace, preluding a still brighter day that may break for him on the other shore.
Since writing the above sketch, Mr. Sailor departed this life. He died February 14, 1896.
OTHER SETTLERS AND VISITORS OF 1855.
A short time after Mr. Sailor had located, Austin R. Nichols and Harry G. Roberts, called upon him, having followed his wagon track from the north.
In a letter to the writer Mr. Nichols says, his and Robert's act- tual residence (or settlement) dates June 8th, and that Mr. E. Crosby came in a few days after their settlement.
These persons located in town 104, range 28, now Winnebago city township.
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HISTORY OF
Mr. Archibald Morris, having concluded to follow Mr. Sailor arrived about this time. In June also came Henry T. Stoddard and Newel Dewey, and selected claims. As they had only come to look out the land, they remained but a short time, but about the first of November following, Mr. Stoddard returned, accompanied by his wife and his father, Mr. Dewey and Henry R. Walker. They all settled in town 103, range 28, now Verona.
A man by the name of White, with whom Mr. Sailor had become acquainted on the Cedar river, in lowa, came to the county with his wife and son, about the first days of June, and took a claim near Walnut lake, in town 103, range 25. He erected a "shanty." broke up several acres of land and planted a few potatoes, but soon went back to Iowa. He returned in the fall and harvested his crop-some fourteen bushels-and brought them to Mr. Sailor. At this time he discovered that he had taken his claim on a school section and could not hold it. He left the country again and never returned.
Benjamin Gray and family and Aaron Mudge and family, be- came residents of the county this year. Orlow Webster, James L McCrery, J. G. Whitford, W. H. Furness and Rufus Nichols, visited the county and selected claims, and the next year brought in their families and remained. James Johnson was among the settlers of this year. Alexander Johnson visited the county but did not remain. The next year he returned and became a permanent resident.
In the latter part of Angust. Levi Billings, Sr., and Albert Bill- ings, John Boon and his sons Nelson and William and Crawford W. Wilson passed through the county and called on Mr. Sailor. Mr. Wilson returned in the fall with his family, accompanied by Jacob Miller, and took a claim in town 101, range 27, now Elmore.
Mr. Billings, Sr., and one Dickinson and Rufus Clark, all resi- dents of Iowa, had for a number of seasons previous to this, been in this county hunting buffalo calves and elk, which they shipped to Chicago, Illinois, and sold at large prices. Mr. Billings was thoroughly acquainted with the country and determined to locate a town near the "forks" of the Blue Earth river, either on the same ground, or in the vicinity of the present location of Blue Earth City. In pursuance of this design, in the autumn of this year, he sent in a number of teams loaded with provisions and the irons and castings for a saw mill, which he designed to erect near the forks, on the cast branch of the Blue Earth, the next spring. With these loads came Albert Billings, Levi Billings, Jr., William M. Scott and one Rouse. Several of these parties designed to remain here during the winter, but for some cause, after engaging Messrs. Gray and Mudge, to get out the mill timbers during the winter, which they did, they all returned to Iowa, all purposing to come again to the county in the spring.
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FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Owing to various unfavorable circumstances, Mr. Billings inten- tion of laying off a town aud erecting a mill was never carried out, and the timbers, designed for the mill, were subsequently used for a bridge across the east branch of the Blue Earth river, near Blue Earth City, and was the first bridge across that stream.
During this autumn, Henry Schuler, also, made a flying visit to the county, and was so well pleased with the country that he returned the next spring. On his return, an accident occurred to him, which nearly cost him his life. He had selected a claim across the Blue Earth river, west of Stoddard's, where he was stopping. The water being very high at the breaking up in the spring, he had constructed a rude raft of logs, on which he passed back and forth to his work on his claim. On one occasion, some time in March, when far out in the stream, his raft swamped and he went down, but fortunately caught hold of some limbs and tops of small trees. After a long struggle in the water, which was very cold, swimming, and wading to his neck, he reached the west bank, nearly exhausted. He rested a moment, but found he should freeze to death, very soon, as the wind was very cold. He could not re-cross the stream and there were no residents on the west side. He must keep moving, and as there was no other way of saving his life, he started northward, but was compelled to wade, or swim, a number of streams, until at length he reached a house, near Vernon, in Blue Earth county. He was so worn out and chilled, that he could not have gone a mile further. Here he recuperated somewhat and then went to Mankato. At Stoddard's, as Schuler did not return, it was concluded he had been drowned and Stoddard proceeded at once to Mankato also, where was the nearest blacksmith shop, to have some grappling hooks made to drag the river for Schuler's body. Stoddard had arrived at the shop and had just given his order, for the hooks, which were to be made at once, when suddenly Schuler stepped into the shop ! The hooks were not needed.
The names above given include all those, so far as the writer has been able to learn, after the most careful inquiry, who settled in the county, or visited it with the intention of locating here, in 1855.
The list of actual settlers is very short.
It is curious to observe, as we proceed with this history, how and when, the men who have taken a large part in the public affairs of the county and in its growth and development, appeared here upon the scenes of their life work. And it is worthy of record, as a valuable historic fact, that this county has been fortunate, beyond most others, in the character of its inhabitants generally from the beginning. With but rare exceptions, they have ever been an intel- ligent, law-abiding and industrious people. Among them too, even from the earliest years, have been quite a number of men of more
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HISTORY OF
than ordinary ability and of very liberal education in the schools and professions. And these facts have had their legitimate results. apparent on every hand.
PRODUCTS AND IMPROVEMENTS.
Nothing more than a few garden vegetables and some sod corn were raised during the year and the improvements made, consisted only of a few log cabins and some acres of breaking. The winter set in about the fourteenth day of December. The snows fell deep and the cold became severe and the year closed in a hard winter.
The monotony in the lives of the few lonely residents here during that winter, was broken occasionally by visits among themselves and the Indians favored them with a few calls, which, however, were never returned But very important events were near at hand, as will be seen in the next chapter.
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FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
CHAPTER II.
A. D. 1856.
The year 1856 was an eventful and ever memorable one in the history of this county. The record of its events reads like a romance.
While during the winter of 1855-6, the few settlers here were living quietly awaiting the events of the future, and not knowing what was in store for them, far away from the borders of the county, plans were being laid by men who had never been within its limits, which were greatly to affect its future and control the lives and shape the destinies of many people.
The first important matter of the year demanding our attention was the project of certain persons whom we shall name, the
TOWN-SITE PIONEERS.
On a cold stormy night in the last days of January 1856, James B. Wakefield, Henry P. Constans, Spier Spencer and Samuel V. Hibler, with several others, whose names are not important to this history, were assembled in a small store by a warm stove, in the town of Shakopee, in Scott county, Minnesota. All were poor in purse, but in youth, health and courage, were rich and hopeful.
This was a year ever memorable in Minnesota of inflated prices of land and of wild speculations. Immigrants had been coming into the territory in great numbers and for several years past great improvements had been made and fortunes acquired in a day, by speculators in lands, town-sites and corner lots. The pros- pects for the year just beginning were very flattering. The con- versation of this small company turned upon these interesting sub- jects and the project was proposed of striking out somewhere and founding a city. Others were doing this very thing and were rapidly acquiring wealth and why should they not do the same? The company was "impecunious" it was true, but what of that- "where there is a will there is a way." So it was then and there agreed to go forth into the wilderness and find a suitable place for a town-site, survey and plat it and settle down as permanent citi- zens and build a town. Speculation was not the sole motive of this project. A desire to secure permanent locations, the establishment of business and to contribute their mite, toward the building up
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