USA > Mississippi > History of the upper Mississippi Valley, pt 1 > Part 55
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W. H. SHAW, one of the carly settlers of Bald- win, was born in Piscataquis county, Maine, ou the 22d of September, 1833. His early life was spent on his father's farm, when not attending school, until twenty years of age, when he went to Lawrence, Massachusetts, and was employed in the Bay State woolen mills about a year. Re- turned to his former home and remained until 1856, when he came to Minnesota, and the follow- ing your, selected the farm on which he now lives. In 1862, he enlisted in the Second Minnesota But- tery, serving three years. Mr. Shuw is Town Clerk, having held the office many years, and hus also
been County Commissioner one term. He was married on the 17th of February, 1866, to Miss Angelia Hanseom, who is a native of Maine, and has been a resident of Minnesota since 1851. They have had five children, four of whom are living.
SMITH S. TRASk dates his birth in Kennebec county, Maine, on the 3d of November, 1855. When Smith was about twelve years old, the fam- ily removed to Elk River, Minnesota, and a year later, to Princeton, Mille Laes county, but after living there five years, returned to Elk River. In 1878, the subject of this sketch came to Baldwin and located the farm on which he has since lived. Mr. Trask is the present efficient Treasurer of Bald- win township. He was married in December, 1877, to Miss Abbie Nickerson. Two children are the result of this union.
ISAAC YOUNG, whose father was a native of New York State, was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, on the 17th of February, 1831. He lived on his father's farm during his minority, then vis- ited Boston, but returned home, and in 1853, came to Wisconsin, and lived on a farm in Winnebago county until 1864/ Then returned to Canada, and after remaining two years, eame to Minnesota and selected the farm on which he now lives. Mr. Young has held the offices of Supervisor and As- sessor for a member of terms, besides other local ollices. He was married on the 16th of February, 1853, to Miss Mary Elliott. They have two chil- dren.
BECKER.
CHAPTER LXVII.
DESCRIPTIVE-EARLY SETTLEMENT. - ORGANIZATION BECKER STATION - RELIGIOUS - AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS --- BIOGRAPHICAL. .
Beeker is centrally located in the county, the Mississippi river forming its southwestern bond- ary. It has an area of about 41,600 neres, of which 2,645 are under cullivation. The popula- tion, according to the lust census, wus 500.
The surface is level or gently undulating, ex- cept a small portion of the northern part, which is quite hilly. These hills differ from others in this seetion of country, in being heavy chy, while the lower lands nour by are sandy. About one Imlf the aren of the town is a dark sundy loam with clay subsoil. The southern part is beautiful
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IIISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
prairie, and the balance, brush land and timber. There is a large acreage of marsh land, sufficient, it is said, to yield twenty thousand tons of hay uunnally. In 1867, n hay press was put in opera- tion here by St. Paul parties, and since then, the amint shipments have been upwards of two thou- sand tons.
Elk river erosses the town in a southeasterly direction.
The first settler was a Mr. Vadnies, who located on seetion thirty-five, on the banks of the Mississ- ippi, in 1855. The following year, John A. Wag- ner, Noble Crawford, John Sadley, and John Cur- tis settled northeast of the present site of Becker station. Charles Maek and William Gay came the next season and settled near the others. The town was very sparsely settled until 1866-67, when a large number of Skandinavians settled in the cen- tral and northern part; the population is now about half composed of that nationality.
All that part of Becker lying cast of the line be- tween ranges twenty-eight and twenty-nine was formerly a part of Big Lake township, and all that part lying west of said line, belonged to Clear Lake, until the organization of Becker in 1871. The first officers were: Supervisors, George Eaton, Chairman, Lucius Pratt and Charles Astorgren; Clerk, Joseph H. Sheperdson. These officers con- ducted the business of the town until the next regular election, when the full number were elected.
The first birth that occurred in the town was in the family of Mr. Vudnies, about 1856. The first donth wns Mrs. T. Stilos, in June, 1857. The first marriage was Barn Stiles and Miss Mury E. Wug- ner, in May, 1858, and the second marringe was John T. D. Sadley and Miss Elizabeth Crawford, in September; 1858, these Indies wero step-sisters. The first school was taught in the unocenpied resi- deuce of J. T. D. Sadley, in the summer of 1860, by Miss Sarah Evims, of Clearwater.
With the completion of the railroad to Becker Station, in 1867, a platform was built for the ae- commodation of the few who had occasion to take or leave the train. Soon after, a commodious honse was erected by the railroad company for the use of cmigrants stopping here in search of land. It is still culled the " Emigrant House," though now ntilized as a store honse by Fridley und Merritt, who keep a small store here. The present depot was built in 1868.
The first religious service was held at the rosi-
dence of Noble Crawford on seetion thirty, in 1858, by the' Rev. Mr. Palmer. Mrs. Crawford had organized a Sabbath school in 1856, and was its superintendent for many years. This school was not allowed to perish, like many early efforts of a similar nature, but still exists in the school connected with the American Baptist Church, and has a membership of seventy-five.
The American Baptist Church was organized on the 21st of July, 1867; it was then ealled the Pleasant Valley Church, but changed to its pres- ent name soon after the organization of Becker township. There was no Pastor, and only occa- sional preaching, until the arrival of the Rev. Joseph H. Shepardson in 1869, who has filled the pulpit regularly ever since.
A Swedish Baptist Church was organized in 1872, and for several years maintained regular services, but is now in a feeble condition.
A Swedish Lutheran Church was also organized in 1876. Regular serviees were held for a time, but it is now nearly extinct.
The agricultural report for 1880 shows the fol- lowing products in Becker: wheat, 19,977 bushels; oats, 5,409 bushels; eorn, 17,765 bushels; barley, 90 bushels; rye, 730 bushels; potatoes, 3,080 bush- els; beans, 100 bushels; apples, 58 bushels; sugar cane, 321 gallons; cultivated hny, 10 tous; wild hay, 2,462 tons; wool, 868 pounds; butter, 37,365 pounds; and honey, 50 pounds.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
ANDRE ANDERSON was born in Sweden, on the 1sb of March, 1832. Came to Amerien in 1868, loenting in Becker township, where he still re- sides. He was married in 1860, to Johanna Nil- son. Their children are, Anthon, Jomm, Matilda, and Robert.
JENS PUTER ANDERSON is n native of Hasler, Denmark, and was born on the 27th of May, 1843. Hle came to America in 1866, and after a three years' stay in Michigan, came to this town- ship and selected a farm in section eight, which he still owns. About three years ago, he removed to the farm he now ocenpies, on section eighteen. Mr. Anderson has held the offices of Supervisor and Justice of the Peace, a number of terms. He was married in Michigan, in September, 1867, to Stine Olson, of Denmark. They have three child- ren living; Caroline D., Anna, and John M., and one deceased, whose name was Pia Matilda.
EDWARD 'T. Cox, whose birthplace is Cornwall
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
England, was born on the 13th of July, 1840. Was engaged in tin and copper mining in his native country unfil 1869, when he came to Amer- ica und proceeded immediately to the Pacifie slope, the trip from New York to California occu- pying thirteen days. The next eight years were spent in California, Idaho, Nevada, and Salt Lake City, coming to Minnesota in July, 1877. He soon purchased one luundred and sixty acres of land on sections one and thirty-two, Becker town- ship, where he now resides. Mr. Cox was mar- ried in Virginia City, Nevada, on the .29th of June, 1877, to Laura R. Leverton, of his native place. They have one child, an infant named Edward T.
NOBLE R. CRAWFORD dates his birth in Middle- town, New Jersey, on the 1st of November, 1810. He resided in his native town until thirty-one years old, going thence to New York, where he remained twelve years, then removed to Kenosha, Wisconsin, and in 1856, to Becker township. Mr. Crawford selected his present place on section thirty, and was the first to open a farm in this vicinity, though others soon followed. He was one of the organizers of the township and has been active in matters of public interest. Was married in New York City, in January, 1839, to Mrs. Lucinda Wagner, whose maiden name was Smith. She was also born at Middletown, New Jersey, on the 25th of November, 1811, and was married to Jolm Wagner, in December, 1832. He died in 1839, leaving four children, Lucinda, John, Amanda, and Mary 1. By her marriage with Mr. Crawford, the children are, Elizabeth, Joseph M., and Caroline. To Mrs. Crawford is dne the credit of first advancing the religious interests of the community, by opening her house for Sab- bath-school and preaching. She organized the first Sabbath-school here, and was for many years its superintendent. During the Indian outbreak of 1862, she was entirely alone for two weeks, but did not experience that wild alarm that sent so many from their homes.
WILLIAM G. CARLEY was born in Toronto, Canada, on the 18th of May, 1853. When he was seven years old, the family removed to Buf- falo, New York, where the subject of our sketch remained fifteen years. Then went to Polo, Illi- nois, and after a residence there of four years, came to Minnesota and settled at Stillwater. In the spring of 1881, he came to this township, and in partnership with Samuel Thorn, opened a large
stoek farm on section thirty-three, occupying all of the seetion except eighty acres. Mr. Corley was united in marriage with Savallie A. Reed, of Speedsville, New York, on the 8th of February, 1877. Mr. Thorn is a ntive of England. His wife was Matilda Price, of Buffalo, New York, and they have three children; Thomas, William, and an infant.
PEDER C. JENSEN is a native of Vendsyssel, Den- mark, and was born on the 6th of March, 1849. He was reared to agricultural pursuits in his na- tive country, and came to America in 1870, set- tling on section cight in this township, the same season. Five years later, he removed to his pres- ent farm on section eleven. Mr. Jensen bas held the office of Supervisor, and has been elerk of the school district for a number of years. He was married in September, 1873, to Mrs. Anna M. Rasmusen, of Denmark. They have two children living, Axel and Adol, and two died in infaney. Mr. Rasmusen, Mrs. Jensen's former husband, was killed in the army, in Denmark, about 1868, leav- ing a son, named Carl, who is now in his four- teenth year.
WILLIAM H. LYON, whose birthplace is Port- land, Maine, was born on the 16th of November, 1846. When he was three years old, the family came to Minnesota, and after remaining three years in St. Paul, went to Hastings, Dakota county, where his father, James W. Lyon, still lives. In 1863, William enlisted in the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, and soon was pro- moted to the rank of Sergeant, serving in the Army of the Cumberland one year. Returning to Hastings, he entered npon an active business carcer, and during his residence there, was City Justice four years. In May, 1878, he came to Becker township, and purchased seven hundred and twenty-six aeres of excellent land bordering on the Mississippi river, to which he has recently added three hundred acres, making one of the finest farms in the West. Mr. Lyon was married at Hastings, on the 20th of November, 1873, to Miss Mary McCurriel, of the latter eity. Their children are, Gertrude L., Leslie L., Winnifred, and Lloyd.
LEWIS O. LIND was born in Sundsvall, Sweden, on the 30th of March, 1847. He came to Amer- ien in 1866, and after remaining five years nt Anoka, came to this township and located on see- tion ten, where he owns a fine farm of two him- dred and forty aeres. Has held the office of
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
Supervisor three terms, besides other local offices, and is at present Justice of the Peace. He was married on the twelfth of March, 1870, to Miss Hedvig Carlson, of Sweden. They have one son named Churkes R., now in his eleventh year.
PETER L. LAND, a nativo of Halsingland, Swe- den, was born on the 11th of February, 1837. Ile grew to manhood in his native country, being engaged in Inmlering. Came to America in July, 1870, and after spending a few months in Anoka, came to this township and settled on section ten, where he now resides. Mr. Lind experienced many trying hardships during the first years of his residence here, but by industry and persever- anco is now one of the most prosperous farmers in the township. He was married on the 5th of November, 1865, to Miss Mary Peterson, of Swe- den. They have had but one child, a daughter, who died at the age of one year. They have three adopted children, named Carrie Alexon, John Thompson, and Lucena Lind, the Intter taking the family name.
HENRY E. STILES, whose birthplace is Mon- treal, Canada, was born in the year 1825. When he was fifteen years old, the family removed to New York, where Henry grew to manhood. In 1849, he came to Wisconsin, and after residing in Beloit three years, went to California and re- mained four years and a half. Then returned to New York, and thence, again to Beloit, but after one year's stay, went to Stevens Point where he remained until 1861. On the breaking out of the war, he raised the Eighth Wisconsin Light Ar- tillery; was commissioned First Lientenant, and afterwards promoted to Captain. His Battery was the last to leave Murfreesborough, in August, 1865. Was mustered out at Milwankce, Wiscon- sin, and rommined in that city until 1873, when he camo to Minnesota and settled on section thirty-three, Becker township, where he now lives. While in Milwaukee he was Vice-President and business manager of the " Daily News," for three years; two years in the grocery trade, and the balance of the time was dealing in real estate and building. Mr. Stiles has been twice married; first to Jennio Joy, of Racine, Wisconsin, in 1863, who died the following year. His second wife was Harriet Panl, of Washington, D. C., to whom he was married in 1867; she also departed this life in 1870, leaving two children, Winnifred H. and Georgia P., both residing with their father.
ORLANDO F. STILES, a brother of the subject
of our last sketch, was born in Stowe, Vermont, on the 22d of August, 1810. At the age of twelve years, he went with his parents to Mon- treal, Canada, and thence, in 1840, to New York. In 1867, he came to Minnesota and sottled on sec- tion thirty-four, Becker township; there was then only seven families in the town. Mr. Stiles is by trade a carpenter and joiner, and made the first improvements at Becker station, building the depot and store in 1868. He was married on the 4th of March, 1844, to Acenath Stephens, of Cor- intlı, Vermont, who died on the 26th of March, 1876. They had two children, Edward P., now a teacher in Iowa, and Edgar O., who died January 31st, 1874.
ANDREW SWANSON, son of Swan Johnson, of this township, was born in Sweden, in April, 1860. At the age of ten years, came with his parents to America, they settling on their present farm of one hundred and twenty aercs, situated on seetion fourteen. The family, besides his father, mother, and himself, are John, Peter, August, and Anna. Andrew has lately purchased n farm of one hun- dred and twenty acres of fine prairie land, about one mile west of Becker station, which he intends making his future home.
REV. JOSEPH H. SHEPARDSON, a native of Roy- alston, Massachusetts, was born on the 31st of De- eember, 1831, and grew to manhood in his native State, receiving an academie education. In 1856, he went to Maine, and in 1865 was ordained, and becamo Pastor of the Baptist Church (close com- munion ) nt Princeton, in the latter State. Ono year was spent nt this charge, and the same length of time at Barre, Massachusetts, after which he had no regular charge until he came to Minne- sota, in June, 1869. Coming to Becker township, he took n homestend on section thirty, und ac- cepted the Pastorate of the American Baptist Church at this place, which position he has since occupied. Mr. Shephardson has also been Town Clerk of Becker, every year, except one, sinee its organization. He has been twice married; first to Martha Henry, of Barre, Massachusetts, the mar- ringe taking place in 1865. Mrs. Shepardson died in April, 1869. His prosent wife, whose maiden name was Lucinda E. Rand, of Alton, Maine, was chosen on the 4th of March, 1870. Mrs. Shepard- son is an experienced teacher, and an efficient worker in the Sabbath Schools.
JOHN A. WAGNER was born in New York City, in November, 1835. At the age of seventeen years,
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BIG LAKE TOWNSHIP.
he went to Michigan, and two years later, came to Minnesota; and soon after selected his present farm in what is now Becker township. In Feb- ruary, 1860, he went to Pike's Peak, and spent over two years in Virginia City. Then enlisted in the Second Colorado Cavalry, and served two years as private scout, "bushwhacking," with Quantrell's band, in Missouri and Arkansas. Was wounded several times, once receiving a charge of buckshot in the breast, the scars of which he yet carries. At the close of the war, he returned to his farm, and in July, 1865, married Kate L. Foster, of Clear Lake, formerly of New York. They have had uine children, seven of whom are living; John, Katie, Ruby, Irvin, Herbert, Ernest, and Frank. Mr. Wagner is one of the representa- tive men of the county. Has held the office of Assessor nine years, and in 1879, was clected County Commissioner; he has also been Consta- ble four years, Chairman of Supervisors, and Clerk of the school district, a number of terms.
BIG LAKE.
CHAPTER LXVIII.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION -EARLY SETTLEMENT -- OR- GANIZATION-FLOURING MILL-SCHOOLS -AGRI- CULTURAL STATISTICS-BIOGRAPHICAL.
Big Lake is situated in the southeast portion of the county, adjoining Elk River on the west. It has an area of abont 29,760 acres, of which 1,716 are under enltivation.
In 1880, the population was 330.
The southern half of the town is prairie with a sandy loam, but the northern part is somewhat broken by the Elk river, which crosses in a sonth- easterly direction, St. Francis river, which joins the Elk near the the ecnter of the township, and Tibbett's brook, which flows in from the northeast, and also mingles its waters with the Elk, in its passage through the town. The banks of the Elk river here, as in other towns in this county through which it passes, are good hay meadows.
The pioneers of this town were, James, Eli, and Newell Honghton, natives of Vermont, who settled ' here in 1848. Newell was killed at the memorable massacre at New Ulm, in Angust, 1862, and buried on the old homestead which he had pre-empted fourteen years before. Joseph Brown came here in 18-19, and selected one hundred and six aeros,
which he entered the following year at $1.25 per acre. Mrs. Brown and family still reside on the old homestead. John M. Thompson, a native of Maine, settled on section twenty-three, in 1854. Orlando Bailey, a native of New York State, settled on section twenty-five, in the spring of 1852, and is still a resident of the town. John E. Putnam, a native of Massachusetts, settled on section twenty, in 1855, and still lives there.
In 1857, a village was surveyed and platted, on seetion three, by the name of "Liberty," but it never arose above the cognomen of a "paper town." In the organic act of Sherburne county, Hum- boldt is named as the county seat, this being the residenes of Joseph Brown, on the bank of Big Lake, and as is noticed elsewhere, this was the county seat for a number of years.
There is a eluster of buildings at Big Lake station, on seetion nineteen, consisting of one storc, by W. E. Lindsey, a boarding house, blacksmith shop, postoffice, ete. There is also a flag station, named Bailey's Station, on section twenty-five.
Big Lake was organized in 1858, and included all of the present town of Becker, lying cast of the range line, and the town of Orrock.
The first officers were: Supervisors, H. L. Put- nam, Chairman, Ebenezer Heath, and J. Hawley ; Assessor, Henry Heatlı ; Overseer of the Poor, Orlando Bailey; Collector, Samuel Roberts; Con- stables, J. Heath and C. Davis; and Justices of the Peace, L. S. Daggett and H. M. Lineoln.
Located on Elk river, in the southeast eorner of the town, is a flouring mill owned by Dickey, Obert, & Co. It was erected in 1880, and is 34 x 44 feet and three stories high, with a daily capacity of thirty barrels. It is leased and operated by Obert & Boughton.
There are two school districts in the town, each of which has a good sehool building.
District number four was organized on the 12th of March, 1859. The first school was taught by Miss Fletcher, in a little house on John E. Put- nam's farm. The present teacher is Miss Susie Mayhew. The other school house is situated about one-half mile sonth of Bailey's Station.
According to the agricultural report of 1880, Big Lake yielded the following products: wheat, 19,305 bushels; oats, 2,206 bushels; corn, 6,815 bushels; rye, 30 bushels; potatoes, 1,673 bushels; beans, 75 bushels; sugar cane, 329 gallons; culti- vated hay. 65 tous; wild ly, 334 tons; and but- ter, 19,790 pounds.
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
BIOGRAPHIEICAL.
JOHN BRADFORD is a descendant of the North- umberland branch of tho Bradford family, who resided in the north of England. His great- great-great-grandfather came to America in the beginning of the eighteenth century, and settled in Maryland; he was a son of Lord Newport, and brother of the Lord Bishop of Rochester, and the Dean of Westminster. His maternal grandfather, Colonel Armistead, was in command at Fort Mc- Henry when it was attacked by the British, in the war of 1812. The subject of our sketch was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in the year 1850. When he was seven years old, the family removed to Westchester, twenty-eight miles from Phila- delphia, where he received a common sehool edu- cation, and afterwards attended a military academy in Lexington, Virginia, about a year. He then entered Prinecton College, and subsequently studied in Cambridge and Yale. In 1876, he came to Minnesota, and settled in Big Lake town- ship with his mother, who still lives with him.
GIBSON I. BAILEY is a native of Canada, born on the 6th of November, 1853. When four years old, he came with his father to Minnesota, he set- tling in Wright county, but subsequently removed to Orrock, Sherburne county. Here the subject of our sketch resided until seventeen years old, when he began life for himself, and until twenty- five years of age, was in the humber business in Wisconsin. With the money thus saved, he re- turned to Sherburne county, and bought a small farm near Big Lake, where he now resides. Mr. Bailey was married in 1878, to Miss Flora E. Welcome. They have two children.
MRS. JULIA BROWN, whose maiden name was St. Cyr, was born in Galena, Ilinois, in the year 1836, and was untried to Joseph Brown, on the 13th of June, 1852. Mr. Brown was born in Montgomery county, New York, in 1812. He came to Fort Snelling as early as 1836, and to Big Lake, in 1849, loeating a claim on the south- west shore of Big Lake, which he entered the fol- lowing year at $1.25 per acre. This was proba- bly the second claim made in the town. He re- ' moved his family to this farm in 1854, and was engaged in farming and also kept a hotel, until his death, which occurred on the 19th of October, 1864. Mrs. Brown has had nine children, of whom six sons are living; three of these are railroading, in the separate capacities of conductor, baggage- muster, and brakeman.
FREDERICK HI. BARBER, whose birthplace is New York, was born on the 25th of November, 1854. When he was abont eight years old, the family removed to Macon City, Missouri, and thence, after a short time, to Chicago, where the subject of our sketch lived most of the time for sixteen years. In April, 1880, he came to Big Lake township, and settled on his present farm on seetion thirty-six. Mr. Barbee was married in January, 1876, to Miss Cora Ella Pickle, who was born in Seneea county, New York, on the 7th of January, 1858. They have two children, a boy and a girl.
ORLANDO BAILEY was born in Chautauqua eounty, New York, in the year 1820. When he was quite young, the family removed to Washte- naw eounty, Michigan, where he attended school most of the time during the next twelve years. In 1846, he removed to Cook county, Illinois, twenty-eight miles west of Chicago, and in 1852, to his present farm in Big Lake township. For nine years he kept a stage station and hotel, but of late years has devoted his whole attention to farming. Mr. Bailey was Sheriff of Sherburne eonnty, six years, has been County Commissioner and Justice of the Peace at different times, and also Postmaster for several years. He has been twice married, and has four children by the second marriage.
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