USA > Mississippi > History of the upper Mississippi Valley, pt 1 > Part 51
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
PATRICK KELLY was born in Lowd county, Ire- land, in the year 1815. Ho eame to America in 1860, and after remaining a short time in New York, came to Anoka county and settled in section one, Ramsey township, nbont 1864, residing here ever since. Mr. Kelley has been twice married, his first wife was Magaret Carroll, who died soon after coming to New York, leaving three children, Thomas, James, and Richard. His present wife was Hannah MeHenry, to whom he was married
sixteen years ago. Their children are, William, Jolm, and Ann.
A. McLEOD, is a native of the state of Maine, and came to Minnesota in 1854. After remaining two years at St. Anthony he came to Anoka, and thence, after one yearand a half, to a farm in section one Ramsey township, which he subsequently sold, and settled on his present farm in section three. During the war, he enlisted in the Second Minne- sota Battery and served three years. Mr. MeLeod was married in 1859, to Priscilla Ford, of Anoka. Their children are, Winfield, Fred., Ruth, and Charles.
A. E. MERRILL was born in Brownfield, Maine, in September, 1834. He went to New York City when twenty-one years old, and resided there until 1869, when he eame to Minnesota. After spend- ing a few months in St. Paul, he eamne to Anoka, and was engaged in lathing and painting, until 1875, when he settled on seetion twenty-eight, Ramsey township; his farm contains ninety-five acres, ninety of which are under cultivation. Mr. Merrill was married in June, 1858, to Harriet Ingals, of Bridgeton, Maine. Their children are, Fred. O., and Arthur I.
A. J. McKENNEY dates his birth in Lowell, Maine, on the 20th of February, 1829. From boyhood he was engaged in lumbering in his native State, until 1850, when he came to St. An- thony, Minnesota, and after four years spent in the mills at that place; came to Ramsey town- ship and settled on seetion two, where he still lives. Was one of the organizers of the township in 1857, and has been prominently identified with its subsequent development. Mr. MeKenney owns one hundred and eighty aeres of land in Anoka county; the farm on which he lives consists of one hundred aeres, with substantial buildings, and in a high state of cultivation. He was married on the 20th of February, 1856, to Elizabeth H. Littlefield, of his native town. Their children are, Melvin, Avaline, Leander, Wallace, Ella, Al- mon, Herman, Urban, and Milton.
N. SouCIE is of French extraction, and was born in New Brunswick, in November, 1840. He eume to Minnesota in 1874, and after six years' residence in St. Paul, came to Ramsey township and settled on section six, where he still lives. He has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Ellen Cyr, the marriage taking place in New Brunswick, in 1861; she died in 1868, leaving three children; Jolm T., who died at the age of
19
290
HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
seven years; James Henry, and Alfred. Mr. Soneie's present wife was Marttine Griovious. Their children living are, Susan, Panley, and Mary, and they have lost four by death; the first, an infant not named; Mary, who died at the age of four years; Moses N. died when eight months old; and Sophia, also dying in infancy.
ANDREW J. Smith dates his birth in Fairfield, Maine, in the year 1827. When a young man, he engaged in lumbering in his native State, until 1854, when he came to Minnesota and settled at St. Anthony. He remained there three years mid then went to Maiden Rock, Wisconsin, where he was engaged in the hunber nd wood business, until 1863. Then enlisted in the Twelfth Wiscon- sin Volunteer Infantry and served two years. Re- turning to Maiden Roek he remained one year, coming thence to Ramsey township and purehas- ing a farm on seetions twenty-seven and thirty- four, where he has sinee lived, enjoying the retire- ment of one of the finest rural homes in the coun- try. Mr. Smith was married in March, 1857, to Lorinda Eatinger, of Ohio. They have not been blessed with children, but have adopted two, named John Wesley Smith, and Emna J.
W. A. STONE was born in Sidney, Maine, in Sep- tember, 1829. The morning of his life was spent in his native State, coming to Minnesota in 1856, but returned home the following spring, and bronght his family to the North Star State, in 1858. Ho first settled in Silver Creek township, Wright county, where he remained unfil 1863, and returned to Maine, but came again to Mime- sota two years fater, and settled in Anoka. In 1870, he came to this township, and settled on sec- tion thirty-five, where he still resides. Mr. Stone was married in 1853, to Carolino Drew, of Hal- lowell, Maine. There children are, Ella, and Bell.
J. T. Quimy is a native of Phillips, Maine, and was born in the year 1833. He came to Minne- sota, in 1855, and seven years later, settled on see- tion ten, Ramsey township, where he still lives. Mr. Quimby has a pleasant home, and well devel- oped farm, and is one of the prominent men of,the community. He was married in 1872, to Char- lofte Rogers. Their children are, Julia R. and Susie J.
WILLIAM VARNEY, also an an old settler in Ram- sey township, was born in Harlem, Maine, in the year 1815. When he was four years old, the fam- ily removed to Lowell, where the subject of our sketch remained nutil 1854, when he came to Min-
nesota, and settled on section ten in this township, where he still lives. Mr. Varney assisted in the organization of the township, and has discharged the duties of nearly every town officer. He has a fine farm of one hundred and sixty aeres, with good residenee and substantial outbuildings, and well stocked.
ST. FRANCIS.
CHAPTER LXIII.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION-FIRST SETTLERS-ST. FRAN- CIS VILLAGE-MILLS-SCHOOLS -AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS-BIOGRAPHICAL;
St. Francis is situated in the northwest corner of the county, and is twelve miles long from east to west, and two miles wide, having an area of 15,360 aeres, of which 709 are under cultivation. The popnlatian in 1880 was 270. The principal settlement is at the little village of St. Francis, located on the Rum river, which flows through the eastern half of the town. The west half is heavily timbered, and at its extremity, has quite a settle- ment of Seandinavians. The east half, aside from St. Francis, is very sparsely settled, owing to the surface disadvantages, being of a swampy eharae- ter, and the soil rather light.
The first improvements made in this town, was in the spring of 1855. Dwight Woodbury, taking advantage of the fine wafer power, built a dam, and soon after, a grist and saw mill. During the summer, George Armsby and E. Fowler took claims, and they may be regarded as the first settlers.
In 1856, J. P. Austin and W. P. Clark arrived with their families, and others soon followed. The first house was built by D. Woodbury, in 1855, and has been used as a hotel ever since. The first store was opened by C. C. Streetly. These im- provements were made at or near the present vil- lage of St. Francis. The business of this place now consists of two general stores, one flour and grist mill, one saw mill, one hotel, one wagon shop, and one blacksmith shop.
In 1869, the grist and saw mills were destroyed by fire, but innedintely rebuilt. In 1880, the old dam and bridge were torn away, and rebuilt at a cost of $7,000, by Dwight Woodbury; S. W. Clements neting ns engineer. The water power at
291
ST. FRANCIS TOWNSHIP.
this point is excellent, only a small portion of the capacity being in nse.
St. Francis was organized in 1857, but there is no record in existence of the early official proceedings.
In 1857, a school was started at the house of Mr. Fowler, and Miss Hattie Waterhouse installed as teacher. There are now two organized dis- triets, besides a school in the village; this is held in a house furnished by Dwight Woodbury, until such time as a school-house can be erected.
The mills above mentioned are owned by Dwight Woodbury. The flour and feed mill is 24x40 feet and two a half stories high. The daily capacity is thirty barrels of flour and three hundred bush- els of fecd. The saw-mill has a daily capacity of three thousand feet.
The agricultural report for 1880 shows the fol- lowing products: wheat, 4,003 bushels; oats, 1,151 bushels; corn, 5,304 bushels; barley, 10 bushels; rye, 657 bushels; buckwheat, 76 bushels; pota- toss, 2,323 bushels; beans, 38 bushels; sugar cane, 1,057 gallons; cultivated hay, 3 tons; wild hay, 306 tons; apples, 67 bushels; tobaceo, 59 pounds; wool, 409 pounds, butter, 7,055 pounds; and honey, 115 pounds.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
ELIAS G. BROWN, an old settler of Minnesota, was born in Washington county, New York, on the 28th of May, 1830. At an early age he ro- moved with his parents to Rochester, where he resided until 1846, coming thence to Michigan, where he completed the trade of carpenter and joiner, which he had commenced before leaving Rochester. He then traveled through different portions of the country, finally coming to Miune- Nota in the full of 1858. Leaving his family nt St. Anthony, he spent some time in prospecting, but eventually settled at Osseo, Hennepin county, which was his home until the breaking out of the war. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, of the Sixth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, serving three years. Returning to Osseo, he eon- tinued his resdence there until coming to ,St. Francis in March, 1870. Mr. Brown was married in 1853, to Amelia O. Chaffee, of Michigan. Of ten children born to them, eight are living; Annic J., Willfred C., Melora A., Harry W., Gertrude I., Grace A., Alice E., and Elins G.
Sinas W. CLEMENTS is a son of John Clements, one of the pioneers of Oak Grove township, and was born in Waldo county, Maine, on the 15th
of June, 1850. In 1855, the family came to St. Anthony, Minnesota, and the following year, to Oak Grove, where Silas was reared to agricultural pursuits. In 1866, he entered the employ of Dwight Woodbury, with whom he has remained ever since. He has been a resident of St. Francis several years, and owns a blacksmith and wagon shop here. The improvement of the water power at St. Francis, and the building of an improved dam and bridge at the same point, bear evidence of his superior skill as an engineer. Mr. Clements was married in 1873, to Betsey C. Westley, of Sweden. Their children are, Sophia M., Jolmn W., Louisa M., Abbie E., and Bertha M.
JACOB EMMONS, whose birthplace is Columbiana county, Ohio, was born on the 19th of September, 1837. When he was ten years old, the family re- moved to West Virginia, but after a ten years' stay, r. turned to Ohio, where Jacob remained until the breaking out of the war. In August, 1861, he en- listed in battery F, of the First Ohio Light Artil- lery, and served until mustered out at Camp Den- ison, Ohio, in July, 1865. He came to Minnesota in October, 1866, and settled in St. Francis. He worked the first three years at lumbering, but has since been engaged in farming. Mr. Emmons was married in 1869, to Magnolia N. Campbell, of Ohio. Their children are, Edgar, Alverda M., Herbert, John W., George, and Agnes.
D. C. EMMONS, a brother of the above, was born in West Virginia, on the 11th of November, 1852. His early life was spent in his native State and Ohio, until 1876, when he removed to Illinois, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits until coming to St. Francis, in January, 1878. He is now con- Queting a farm in this township.
PELATIAN MCCLURE, one of the carly settlers of St. Francis, was born in Thorndike, Maine, on the 10th of April, 1828, At an early age he removed with his parents to Holton, Aroostook county, and eight years later, to Bradford, where he remained, en- gaged in farming pursuits, until 1850. He then went to Boston, Massachusetts, and in 1852, came to Minnesota, and the next year, to St. Francis. le was first employed by Dwight Woodbury, in a hotel, then three years at Minneapolis and St. Paul, after which, he returned to Boston and was in the employ of the city until 1862, when he re- turned to Minneapolis. He purchased n farm in St. Francis in 1863, and has made this township his home ever since. He has been in the employ of Elias Moses, of Minneapolis,'for sixteen winters,
-
292
HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
spending the summer months in the improvement of his farm. In 1879, started a general store in St. Francis, which he still continues. Mr. McChire was united in marriage with Angelia M. Lindsay, of Lineoln, Maine, the event taking place in 1869.
H. T. MILLER, a native of Beaver eounty, Penn- sylvania, was born on the 13th of September, 1846. When he was quite young, his parents removed to Ohio, where the subject of our sketch was reared to agricultural pursuits. In August, 1864, he en- listed in Company D, of the One hundred and seventy-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served till mustered out at Charlotte, North Carolina, in June, 1865. He then returned to Ohio, and re- suumed farming until 1868, when he came to St. Franeis and has resided here ever since. He was engaged in farming and Inmbering until 1875, when he commenced the manufacture of wagons, sleighs, ete., which he still prosperously continues. Mr. Miller was married in 1873, to Caroline J. Miller, of Ohio. Their children are, Rose Effie M., George G., Oliver H., and Mand M.
JOHN McDONALD was born in Ireland, on the 3d of July, 1848. When he was about one year old, the family came to America and settled on Long Island, New York, where his father followed the occupation of gardner and contractor, until 1855, when he removed to Rock eounty, Wiscon- sin. The subject of this sketch came with the family to Minnesota, in 1856, his father having come the year before. In 1879, he bought the farm in St. Francis on which he has sinee lived. Mr. McDonald was married in 1880, to Mary A. Robinson. They have one child, named Lilian M.
PATRICK McDONALD is a brother of the subject of our last sketch, and was also born in Ireland, in June, 1834. He came with the family to Amer- ien, and with them to Oak Grove township, in 1856. In 1866, the subject of our sketch came to section thirty-four, St. Francis township, and eommeneed the building up of his present home. He was two weeks entting a wagon road to his claim, and for two years had only Chippewa In- dians for neighbors, with whom he eamped on his first arrival. There was then but one house be- tween him and St. Francis village, and none be- tween him and Elk River or Speneer Brook. Mr. Mc Donald has been twice married. His first wife was Mary Moore, of St. Paul, to whom he was married in 1858; she died on the 22d of October, 1864, leaving three children; John H., Bernard F., and Nellie Maria. His present wife was Mary
Mulligan, also of St. Paul, to whom he was mar- ried in 1865. They have had nine children, only four of whom are living; James E., Margaret E., Elizabeth E., and Edward F. The names of those deceased were, Patrick Henry, two named Mary Jane, Thomas, and William Henry.
J. L. NUTTER, another old settler in Anoka county, was born in Lubeek, Maine, on the 4th of July, 1834. When he was eight years old, the family removed to New Brunswick, where he re- mained until coming to Anoka eounty in 1853. Was engaged in lumbering and surveying until the spring of 1855, when he went with others to form a settlement in Oak Grove township. Re- sided there until 1862, when he sold his farm, and in August of the same year, enlisted in Company A, of the Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served until discharged at Fort Snelling, in July, 1865. Returning to Anoka county, he pur- chased the farm in St. Francis, on which he now lives. Mr. Nutter was married in 1863, to Eliza- beth Brown, of Maine, who died in 1873, leaving three children; George M., Hattie M., and Lizzie H.
JOHN QUIST, whose birthplace is Sweden, was born on the 7th of December, 1840. He learned the trade of a miller, in his native country, which has been his chief employment through life. He came to America in 1870, and after one year at Lansing, Iowa, came to Red Wing, Minnesota, but only remained a short time, going to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he resided one year and a half. He then came to Isanti county, Minne- sota, and took a claim, but sold it in 1874, and came to St. Francis, where he still resides. He lias had charge of the flour and grist mill ever sinee coming here, three years of which, he run the concern on his own account. Mr. Qnist was married in 1874, to Amie S. Johnson, of his native country. Their children are, Ellen S. and John F.
.
C. C. STREETLY dates his birth in Galloway, Scotland, on the 26th of February, 1832. He came to New Brunswick in 1852, and after clerk- ing in a store for a short time, went to Prince Ed- ward's Island, and was engaged in mercantile business until 1857. He then came Minnesota and kept an Indian trading post nt Mille Lac until 1860, thence to Minneapolis, where he was clerking about two years, and afterwards to Wright county, where he opened the first store at Waverly, continuing it until the Indian outbreak in 1862. He then opened n dry goods store at
.
293
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Anoka, but in 1866 removed to St. Francis, and opened the first general store at this place, which he still prosperously continues. He was appointed Postmaster in 1867, and still fills the position; he Is also held a number of town offices since com- ing to Anoku county. Mr. Strectly was married in 1857, to Sophia Gardner, who is a native of New Brunswick.
H. E. SEELYE, one of the pioneers of Anoka county, was born in New Brunswick, on the 4th of January, 1838. He remained in his native pro- vinee until 1855, when he eame with his father to Anoka eounty, and settled in Oak Grove township, his father being the first to break land in that town. In Angust, 1862, the snbjeet of our sketch enlisted in Company A, of the Ninth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, serving until mustered out nt St. Paul, in May, 1865. He was with Sibley's ex- pedition, and took an active part in seventeen In- dian battles. Returning from the army, he assist d at the old homestead until his father's death, in 1869, when he began farming on his own account,
and continued to follow the plough until Novem- ber, 1880, when he took charge of the hotel at St. Franeis, but still keeps the Oak Grove farm. Mr. Seelye was married in 1865, to Minnie Pease, of Minneapolis, who died after one year of wedded life. His present wife was Jennie Bogedd, of Michigan, to whom he was married in 1867. Their children are, Minnie and Jennie.
JAMES S. SMALL, whose birth place is in New Brunswiek, was born on the 26th of May, 1830. When ten years old, the family removed to Aroos- took county, Maine, where the subject of our sketeh grew to manhood, being engaged in lum- bering after arriving at maturity. In the fall of 1856, lie eame to Minnesota, and after two years spent in the saw mills at St. Anthony, eame to St. Francis, and has followed agricultural pursuits und lumbering since that time. Mr. Small wns married in 1849, to Barbara J. Peters, of New Brunswick. Of twelve children born to them, but five are living; Caroline E., Clarissa A., Celeste J., Charles M., and James L.
-
294
HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
SHERBURNE COUNTY.
CHAPTER LXIV.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION - ORGANIZATION -- COUNTY OFFICES HELD IN PRIVATE HOUSES-NAMES OF COUNTY OFFICIALS-FIRST DISTRICT COURT-FIRST ROAD PETITION -- COUNTY SEAT-DIVISION OF THE COUNTY INTO TOWNSHIPS.
Sherburne county is situated near the geograph- ieal center of Minnesota, and its elevation and general topography is in harmony with the un- dulating surface of the State. It has an arca of 104,800 acres, of which, about 20,000 are under cultivation. The population, according to the census of 1880, was 4,503.
From the Mississippi river, which forms its southwest boundary, for a short distance the sur- face is low, and in places inclined to be swampy, then rises gradually to a second plain, which covers the greater portion of the county. This may be described as rolling prairie interspersed with frequent groves, and in some portions, with almost continuous oak openings and narrow belts of hardwood timber.
In the northern part of Elk River, and in Livo- nia township, a belt of high land, from three to five miles in width, and varying in general char- acter, runs in a northeasterly course into Anoka county. This belt is hilly and covered with tim- ber. On the southwest end there is a prominent elevation, flat on the top, from which the beholder obtains a grand view of the surrounding country. There is a small portion of this upper table land in the northeast corner of the county, and also in the northwest. On the top of this third eleva- tion, large granite boulders are to be found, and in the town of Haven, in the extreme northwest corner of the county, there are fine quarries of granite.
The county is dotted with n number of beauti- ful lakes, and drained by Rum, Elk, and St. Fran- cis rivers, and Tibbetts and Trott brooks, giving
the county a general declination to the southwest.
The three slopes above specified, have each a different soil and vegetable growth. The lower, which is a sandy alluvial deposit, is well adapted to corn-raising and grazing. The middle or second elevation, which is the principal portion of the county, is a sandy loam with a clay subsoil, and well adapted to grain-raising and fruit culture. The upper elevation is a sandy soil, adapted to grazing purposes.
While the development of this county has been retarded, by reason of a large amount of land held by speculators, yet, the fertility of the soil has attracted an honest and industrious class of farmers, who have made a reputation for Sher- burne county, that is now bearing fruit, as is evi- denced by the thousands of acres of cultivated land yearly added to the assessor's lists.
A full history of the early settlement and sub- sequent development of each portion of the county, is given in the village and township histories which follow this chapter.
Sherburne county came into existence by an act of the Territorial Legislature, passed on the 25th of February, 1856, and was named in honor of Judge Moses Sherburne, one of the supreme judges of the Territory, and a native of Franklin county, Maine. He was practicing law in St. Paul at the time of his appointment, by President Pierce, but subsequently removed to Elk River, where he died a few years since.
This county was originally a part of Benton, and in the organie act, the following boundaries were established: "Beginning in the centre of "the main channel of the Mississippi river, on the "line between townships thirty-tive and thirty- "six; thence east on said township line, to the line "between ranges twenty-five und twenty-six; "thence south, on suid range line, to the centre of "the main channel of the Mississippi river; thence "up said channel to the place of beginning."
295
SHERBURNE COUNTY.
The Governor appointed J. H. Stevenson, Ephraim Nickerson, and E. Cutter, the first Board of County Commissioners, with instructions to or- ganize the county.
'Their first session was held at the house of Joseph Brown, in the town of Big Lake, on the 2d of May, 1856. Mr. Stephenson was elected Chairman of the Board, and the county officers clected were: Register of Deeds, H. T. Putnam; Treasurer, Eli Houghton; Judge of Probate, An- drew Boyington; Sheriff, Orlando Bailey; Coroner, Joseph Brown; and Justices of the Peace, J. H. Stevenson, A. Conrad, and Hiram Riddle. After some time, John G. Jameson was appointed County Attorney.
Joseph Brown's house was the county seat for a number of years, at least, the County Commis- sioners held their meetings there. Onec, however, on arriving at the designated place, they found Mr. Brown's house in ashes. The Board organ- ized on a little knoll on the point of land betw. en Big and Grass lakes, but the month being Jan- ary, it was thought expedient to adjourn to the house of Jolm E. Putnam, where the business was transacted.
The judicial affairs of the county and a portion of the official business continued to be transacted at Sauk Rapids until 1862. Then for a few years, Court was held at the house of Joseph Brown, and cach county officer held his office at his own residence. Orono, now within the cor- porate limits of Elk River, was the next scat of justice, with the county offices distributed as be- fore, at the home of each official. In 1867, Elk River became the county seat, and the school- house furnished the first court room.
In 1877, the present court-house was erected; it is n substantial wooden structure, 28x56 feet, and two stories high, affording four office rooms on the first floor, and a convenient court room on the sceond. For the construction of this build- ing, the people of the village of Elk River do- nated one thousand dollars, J. Q. A. Nickerson donated lots ten, eleven, and twelve, in bloek twenty-one, on which the court-house stands, and the balance was raised by general assessment on the county.
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.