USA > Mississippi > History of the upper Mississippi Valley, pt 1 > Part 45
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 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63
BIOGRAPHICAL.
N. J. ANDERSON datos his birth in Sweden, on the 1st of May, 1834. He was reared to farming mirsnits in his native country, and followed that ocenpation until coming to America in 1870. He first located in Minneapolis, which was his home until removing to the farm he now acenpies, in 1873. Mr. Anderson was married in 1863, to Miss H. Paulson. The mion has been blessed with two children.
A. W. COULTER was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, on the 2nd of July, 1810. When but a child, his parents removed to Behnant county, Ohio, where the bayhaod days of our subject were speul. Al about Twenty-Two years of age, he k ft the parental roof, and was engaged in farming for himself in that State until 1862, when he bought a fam and located in West Virginia, but was soon compelled by the rebels to abandon it. He then removed to Meigs connty, Ohio, where he remained until 1867, and came to Minnesota, settling at Traverse des Sionx, Nicollet county. In 1875, he removed lo the farm on which he now lives. Mr. Conller was uniled in marriage with Miss Marga- ret Warkman, of Chia, an the 13th of October, 1831. Of eleven children born to them, but l'on ure living.
EmsnA DAY is a native of New Brunswick, born on the 30th of July, 1832. When but an in-
fant, his parents removed to the state of Maine, where Elisha remained until 1855, when he came to St. Anthony, Minnesota, and was employed in the lumber mills at that place for two years. He Then took a claim in what was known as the Quaker settlement, in Bethel township, bul at the breaking ont of the war, enlisted in Company C, of the Minnesota Mounted Rangers, and took an ac- tive part in the campaign against the Sioux. On his return he found his claim taken by another, and he resided in Anoka for two years. In 1865, he moved to his present farm and has resided here ever since. He was married on the 14th of Au- gust, 1853, to Miss Jane Seott. They have had ten children, but five of whom are living. One of Mr. Day's sons, William, owns a farm adjoining that of his father; he was born in Maine, on the 14th of May, 1857, and was raised with his par- ents, engaged in farming at the old homestead the greater portion of his time. He was married on the 6th of October, 1879, to Miss Julia Sim- mons. They have one ehild, named William Ohed.
JOHN DovenErY was born in New Brunswick, on the 3d of July, 1836. When ahont twelve years old, he came with his parents to the state of Maine, and soon after became employed in Inmber- ing pursuits, which he followed until coming to St. Anthony, Minnesota, in 1859. After remain- ing about a year at the latter place, he came to Bethel township and located a farm, but after- wards sold it and selected his present home in its stead. Mr. Dougherty was nited in marriage with Miss Dyer, in May, 1860. Of eight ehild- ren which they have had, six are living.
G. W. EVANS is a son of Joseph Evans, a native of Vermont, and one of the pioneers of Ashtabula county, Ohio, where the subject of our ~ sketch was born on The 3d of October, 1838. When quite young, he came with his parents to La Salle county, Illinois, where he grew to man- haod. At the breaking ont of the war he enlisted in Company G, of the Forty-fourth Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, serving nine months. He then returned to his home, and resided in In Salle comty until 1879, when he came to Anoka county and seltled on his present farm. Mr. Evans wns married in October, 1860, to Miss Clinda Linsday. This union has heen blessed with two children.
WILLIAM GRUNDY was born in Cheshire, Eng- land, in September, 1839. When but a small boy he hegan to learn the weaver's trade, at Newton- moor, where he remained for eleven years, after
17
.
258
HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
which he was employed at his trade in different parts of England, until coming to America in 1872. Being pleased with advantages afforded the artisan in this country, he returned to Eng- land the following year and brought his fam- ily over, loeating in Lonsdale, Rhode Island. He found employment in the factories of that town until 1878, when he eame westward and purchased the farm on which he now lives, in Bethel town- ship, his family coming the next year. Mr. Grundy was married on the 13th of September, 1858, to Miss C. Gregson. They have had four children, three of whom are living.
DAVID E. HARDY is a native of Windsor connty, Vermont, and was born on the Ist of January, 1827. When he was but an infant, the family removed to southern New York, where David was reared to farming pursuits until abont seventsen years old, when he began to run on the river boats, continuing that oceupation until 1845, when he eame west and settled on a farm in Carroll county, Illinois, and thenee, after a few years, to Iowa, but returned to Illinois, and in 1861, enlisted in Company H, of the Fifteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but was discharged before the expiration of his term of service, on account of wounds re- ceived at Pittsburg Landing. In 1865, he came to Minnesota, and was engaged as a plasterer and mason in Minneapolis, for four years, coming to his present farm in 1869. Mr. Hardy was united in marriage with Miss Olive funt, on the 4th of July, 1850. Of fourteen children born to them, nine are living.
P. T. HOOLIMAN was born in Ireland, in Novem- ber, 1832. When quite young, he removed with his parents to England, where he became em- ployed in a cotton mill, continuing in that ocen-" palion until coming to Amerien in 1862. Hle first located in Lawrence, Massachusetts, but after a short time, obtained a position in Washington, in the employ of the government. Desiring to obtain a permanent home for his growing family, he, a few years later, came to Minnesota and selected his present farm. Mr. Hoolihan is Chair- man of the board of Supervisors, and has fille'd a mnuber of positions of responsibility since com- ing to Bethel township. Ife was married on the 19th of November, 1855, to Miss R. Sheridan, of Ireland. Of eleven children, the result of this union, but six are living.
A. T. JOHNSON dates his birth in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, on the 13th of June, 1812.
His native State elaimed him as a resident until 1838, when he removed to Cattarangus county, New York, where he was engaged in cabinet- making for eight years. He then came to Illinois and settled on a farm, residing in that State nntil 1865, when he came to Rice county, Minnesota, and after farming there for eight years, removed to his present farm in 1873. Mr. Jolmsou was married on the 21st of June, 1840, to Miss Mary Ann Hardy. . They have had ten children, but five of whom are living.
LOUIS MITCHEL was born in Northumberland eounty, New Brunswick, on the 24th of April, 1810. He grew to manhood in his native prov- inee, being engaged in logging and lumbering after arriving at a mature age. In 1858, he eame to Minnesota and settled on the farm which he has sinee made his home. Mr. Mitchel was mar- ried on the 23d of December, 1842, to Miss C. Dixon, of his native provinee. They have had eight ehildren, seven of whom are living.
HENRY MILLER is a native of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and was born on the 1st of Angust, 1829. He came to where the city of Anoka now stands, in 1855, and after remaining in that vicinity a few months, built a Imting shanty on Coon Creek, in the present town of Ham Lake, and was engaged in hunting and rafting on the river for several years. On the breaking out of the war, he enlisted in Company B, of the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, und served nine months. In 1866, he located his present farm und has made this his home ever since. Mr. Miller was married on the 4th of April, 1861, to Miss S. E. Satfell. Of the eleven children born to them, but eight are living.
II. NEWBERT was born in Lincolnshire, Eng- land, on the 12th of November, 1848. When he was an infant the family came to America and after n short residenee in New York State, went to Illinois, where the father of our subject was en- gaged in farming until 1860. He then came to Min- nesota and located a farm on seetion thirty-two, in this township, which has been the home of the family over since. In 1869, Mr. Newbert selected a homestead adjoining his father's farm, to which he soon uffer removed and still resides there. In 1877, he opened a general store at what is known as " Bethel Corners," about one mile north of his farm, which he still condnets. He has been Post- master since 1879, is now Justice of the Peace, and has filled a number of important local offices.
-
259
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Mr. Newbert was married on the 26th of Nov- ember, 1868, to Miss Gusta Smith. The nion has been blessed with three children.
C. E. OLMSTED dates his birth in La Salle county, Illinois, on the 3d of May, 1848. He was raised in his native county, and during the war en- listed in Company K, of the Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry, taking an active part in fourteen en- gagements. On receiving his discharge, he re- turned to his home, and remained in that county until 1870, when he came to Minnesota and selected a farm in the north part of Bethel township, where he lived six years. He then resided in Ham Lake township, coming to his prosent farm in the fall of 1879. Mr. Olmstead was married on the 5th of December, 1868, to Miss H. C. Linsday. Six children gather around the family board.
CHARLES B. OSWALD was born in Norway, on the 18th of February, 1847. In 1854, the family came to America, and after a two years' residence in Canada, settled at Berlin Falls, New Hampshire. During the war, Charles enlisted as a drummer boy in the Fourteenth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry, but served in the ranks most of the time for three years. In 1865, the regiment veteranized, and he also re-enlisted, serving till the close of the war. He then came to Minnesota, and was engaged in hunting and trapping in different por- tions of the Northwest until 1870, when he selected the farm in Bethel township, on which he has since lived. Mr. Oswald was married in 1871, to Miss J. C. Norin, of Sw. den. They have had five children, but three of whom are living.
EDWARD E. PRATT, a pioneer of Bethel township, and at present one of the County Commissioners of Anoka county, was born nt Greenfield, Massa- chusetts, on the 7th of June, 1831. He remained at home until twenty years of age, when he wenl to Connectient and was employed in an axe mant- factory for one year. He then returned to Green- field, but in April, 1856, eame west in search of a permanent home. Arriving in Minneapolis he en- gaged with a farmer named Joseph Canney, and while in his employ, located the farm on which he now lives, in the fall of 1856. On the breaking out of the war, ho,enlisted in the Second Minue- sota Light Artillery, serving three and a half years. Returning from the army, he settled in Blooming- ton towuship, Hennepin county, but in 1878, re- turned to his old farm in Bethel, purchasing it from The railroad company, who had obtained pos- session during his abs nec. Mr. Prult was mar-
ried in May, 1868, to Miss Fannie E. Dyer, n danghter af one of the pioneers of Bethel township.
ABNER D. PURMORT is a native of Franklin coun- ty, Vermont, his ancestry being pioneers in that county, and also among the first settlers of Boston, Massachusetts. He remained at the old home- stead during his minority, after which he went to Ohio, and was employed in a store for two years. Then, after a short time spent at his former home, he went to Pennsylvania and taught school one year, coming thence to Hennepin county, Mine- sota, where he was engaged in farming until 1871, when he settled at his present home. Mr. Pur- mort was married on the 1st of April, 1854, to Miss Ellen A. Evans. One of their children is dead and seven are living.
HARTLEY PEEL was born in Laneashire, Eng- land, on the 13th of May, 1824. When but eight years old, he began to learn the weaver's trade, which was his occupation, both by hand and steam process, until coming to his present farm. He visited America in 1866, but soon returned to England, and in 1873, eame again to this country and spent the next six years in the factorics of Rhode Island, and Fall River, Massachusetts. He settled on his farm in Bethel township, in 1879.
ROGER RIDGE is a native of Nottinghamshire, England, and was born on the 19th of April, 1819. His early years were spent in farming pursuits, but at twenty-one years of age, he was employed on the river boats, following that ocenpation while he remained in England. On coming to America, he was employed as coachman, by n family in Gen- esce county, New York, for about a year, after which he came to Illinois, and was engaged in farming there until setlling on his present farm in 1861.
Joux H. Sruosa, one of the pioneers of Athens township, Isanti county, where he now resides, was born in Montreal, Canada, on the 5th of Jan- uary, 1821. When but three years old he re- moved with the family to New York City, where he lived, with the exception of two years spent by the family in the state of Alabama, until 1840. He then went to Boston, Massachusetts, completed an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, which had been commeneed some time before, and was employed at that occupation in Boston and Law- rence, until 1847. He then removed to New Jer- soy, and thence, iu 1856, to Minneapolis, and in 1858, to his present home in Allens. Mr. Strong hus taken a deep interest in the development of this seelion of country; he was a member of the
260
HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
state Legislature in 1872, and the following year, was elected County Commissioner, and re-elected at each succeeding election that has since been held, besides assuming the responsibilities of other local offices. He was married on the 27th of Octo- ber, 1842, to Miss Harriet B. Read, of Vermont, who died on the 31st of August, 1880. The result of this union was seven children, six of whom are living.
N. H. STARBIRD is a native of Hartland, Somer- set county, Maine, and was born on the 10th of March, 1846. When about nine years old, he re- moved with the family to Vermont, and soon after commenced working in his father's saw mill, where he continued until abont sixteen years of age, when he left home and was employed in saw mills in different parts of the State for the next two years. The occupation thus early acquired has been Mr. Starbird's employment through life, ex- cept a few months each year since 1876, which he has spent on his farm. When eighteen years old, he returned to his native State, and in 1870, eame to Minneapolis, remained one year, and spent the next five years in saw mills towards Lake Super- ior. Since 1876, his home has been in Bethel township. Mr. Starbird was married on the 10th of March, 1868, to Miss Ada F. Martin. They have two children.
JAMES SIMMONS was born in England, in Octo- ber, 1820. After arriving at maturity, he was em- ployed on a railroad and various other occupa- tions until coming to America in 1853. He then spent a number of years in different portions of the country, finally settling on a farm in Scott county, Minnesota, where he resided until coming to his present home in 1875. Mr. Simmons was married in June, 1860, to Miss M. A. Woodward. They have had ten children, of whom ouly five are living.
JOHN TOMLINSON is a native of Lancashire, Eng- land, and was born in the year 1822. When abont fifteen years old, he commenced work as a cotton weaver, at which he was employed until coming to America in 1867, and afterwards followed the same occupation in Massaelmsetts for nine years. In 1879, he came to Minnesota, and located on his present farm in Bethel township. Mr. Tomlinson was united in marriage with Miss Mary Newton, on the 11th of February, 1843. Six children are living and two deceased.
i
GionaE A. WoodWARD was born in Manchester, England, on the 19th of May, 1815. When quite
young, he came to America with his parents, who first settled in New Orleans, but afterwards lived in Kentucky and Missouri, finafly settling in St. Pant in 1854. George resided in the latter city until the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he enlisted in the Second Minnesota Volunteer Infan try, served cighteen months, was discharged, and re-enlisted in the Tenth Infantry, serving two and a half years. On the 15th of November, 1864, he received a wound in the right arm which necessi- tated its amputation near the elbow. Returning to St. Paul, he engaged in the mercantile business for a time, but in 1869, removed to Anoka county, where he has since been engaged in farming. Miss Mary Whitbeck became the wife of Mr. Wood- ward, the marriage taking place on the 15th of March, 1870.
BLAINE.
CHAPTER LIII.
DESCRIPTION- EARLY SETTLEMENT-ORGANIZATION SCHOOLS-AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS-BIOGRAPHI- ICAL.
This town is situated in the southern portion of the county, and contains thirty-six square miles, or about 23,040 acres, of which abont 350 are under cultivation. The population, according to the last census, was 128.
The surface is chiefly prairie, interspersed with oak openings and brush land, and the soil, a light sandy loam. There are several small lakes in the town, and some good hay meadows. Rice Creek crosses the extreme southeastern corner, in a sonth- westerly direction.
The first settlers of Blaine are no longer in the conntry; some have died, and others moved away, so that the carly history must be gathered from secondary sources, and may not be entirely accu- rate. It seems, however, that a man named Philip Laddy, a native of Ireland, was the first to settle in what is now Blaine township. He came in 1862, and settled near the lake which now bears his name, but died several years since, and the survivors of the family reside in Minneapolis.
George Townsend came here soon after Laddy, and settled on section twenty-four; he was a native of England, and remained but a few years. Several others settled in the vicinity about
261
BLAINE TOWNSHIP.
the same time, but all have left. Green Chambers is the oldest settler now living in the town; he settled on Townsend's claim in 1865. In 1870, Cicorge Wall, Joseph Gagner, and others came in, and since then the growth has been stendy.
'This town was attached to Anoka until 1877, when a separate organization was effected, and the first election held at the house of S. C. Tisdale, on the 7th of July. It was named in honor of the Sena- tor from Maine.
The first town officers were: Supervisors, Moses Ripley, Chairman; George Tisdale and Richard Delong; Clerk, G. F. Murrell: Assessor, H P. Win- der; Justices of the Peace, Thomas Schleif and Thomas Conroy.
There are two school districts in the town, in both of which, school is kept a portion of the time.
District number forty-one was organized in 1877, and has a neat frame school-house.
The other district is in the southeast part of the town, and school is kept in John Golden's resi- dence; it was organized in 1880.
According to the agricultural report of 1880, the products of Blaine during that year, were as follows: wheat, 2,337 bushels; oats, 868 bushels; corn, 3,385 bushels; rye, 54 bushels; potatoes, 2,370 bushels; beans, 5 bushels; sugar cane, 5 gallons; will hay, 961 tons; wool, 80 pounds; and butter, 4180 pounds,
BIOGRAPHICAL.
THOMAS CONROY was born in Ireland, and grew to manhood in his native country. He was a member of the Royal Irish Constabulary, in the city of Armagh, from 1842 to 1847, after which he spent a year as elork for the Commissioners of Public Works. He then removed to Glasgow, Scotland, and after a residence of nine years, went to Australia and lived twelve years. He returned to Treland in 1869, and the following year, came to America, and settled in Minnesota ; he pur- chased the farm on which he now lives, a year or so later. Mr. Conroy was elected Justice of the Peace, at the first election held in Blaine town- ship, and is now Town Clerk. He was married, on the 20th of November, 1871, to Mrs. Honore Lyons, of Manomin.
(FREEN CHAMBERS is n native of Barron county, Kentneky, was born in bondage, and owned by dlames Gillick, and after his death, beenme the prop- erty of his two sons, but was finally purchased by n Mr. Chambers, from whom he takes his name. Some time after the breaking out of the civil war,
he enlisted in the One hundred and fifteenth Ken- theky Colored Infantry, and served over a year. On being discharged he went in search of his three children, whom he lomd, and after some difficulty, released from their master. He then brought bis wife and family to Anoka county, in 1865, and has resided here ever since. He is engaged in farming, having purchased the farm on which he now lives about four years ago. He was married in 1851, to Miss C. Simmons. Of five children born to them, but two are living.
JOHN W. GOLDEN, one of the old settlers of Anoka county, was born in the county of Tyrone, Ireland, on the 24th of June, 1836. While yet a child, his parents came to America and settled in Providence, Rhode Island, but after a few years' stay, came to Minnesota, settling in Centreville township, Anoka county, in 1855. Mr. Golden bought the farm on which he now lives, in 1876, and has been a resident of Blaine township ever since. He has filled a number of important local offices in the county, and is now Justice of the Peace and Supervisor, discharging the duties de- volving upon him with marked ability. Mr. Gol- den was married on the 16th of April, 1868, to Miss Frances Grindall, of St. Anthony.
GILBERT JEVNE was born on the 29th of March, 1856, at Hedemarken, Norway. After attending school until nineteen years of age, he was em- ployed as clerk in a store, still residing at home. In the fall of 1877, he came to America, and re- mained seven months in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, attending school. The following spring he came to Minneapolis, and was in the employ of Peter- son Brothers, as clerk, until July, 1880, when he purchased the farm on which he has since resided. Mr. Jevne was married on the 5th of Jime, 1880, to Mrs. Amelin Rosinins, of Minneapolis. They have one child.
G. F. MURRELL was born in London, England, on the 12th of August, 1831. He attended school in his native city, and afterwards graduated at Dumpton Hall College, Rumsgate. He was then employed as teacher until 1856, when he obtained the position of Principal of the school of Lons- dale House, at Gosport, where he remained until 1862. He was then engaged in the manufacture of wine and beer, for several years, after which he was employed us salesman, by Rickett, Smith, & Co., the largest conl dealers in England. After a few years, he again engaged in the brewery business, which he continued until coming to
1
262
HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
America in 1874. For three years he resided in St. Paul and Minneapolis, and in 1877, removed to his present home. Mr. Murrell was married on the 31st of December, 1859, to Miss L. Camney, daughter of William Camney, of Portsmouth, England. Their union has been blessed with eight children.
CHARLES F. MATHER is a native of Chester, England, and was born on the 27th of June, 1845. At the age of thirteen years, he com- .moneed to learn the trade of brickmaker, which he continued for two years, and was afterwards employed on the Buxton railroad. When sixteen years old, he began learning the trade of weaver, at which he was employed until coming to Amer- ica in 1869. Ile at onee came to Mimesota, in search of a location for a home, but not finding a suitable spot, returned to New England, and was employed in the factories, at his trade, for the next ten years. In 1879, he returned to Minne- sota and settled on his present farm, on the 22d of December, of the same year. Mr. Mather was nnited in marriage with Sarah Cox, of England, on the 10th of February, 1870.
T. SCHLEIF was born in Berlin, Germany, on the 10th of June, 1848. When but a child his par- ents came to America and settled in St. Paul, Min- nesota, where he remained nntil ten years of age, when he traveled alone to Pittsburg, Pemsylvania, and for Three years, was engaged in learning the glass-stainer's trade, at that place. He then re- turned to St. Paul and began to learn the trade of carriage painting, at which he was employed until after the breaking out of the civil war, when he enlisted in the First Minnesota Cavalry, but after eighteen months' service, was discharged for dis- ability. After a year's stay in St. Paul, he re- enlisted, in the Eighteenth United States Infantry, and served three years, being discharged in 1868. The following year he again enlisted, in the Third United States Infantry, and served as sergeant for five years, most of the time in the Indian country. In 1874, he located in Blaine township and has resided here ever since. Mr. Sehleif was one of the first Justices of the Peace of the township.
J. L. WINDER dales his birth in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, on the 7th of November, 1824. His mother dying when he was an infant, he was placed with his grandfather, and at his death, his unele's family became his home. During his boy- hood, he attended school in Montgomery county, and at Clermont Academy during the winter
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.