USA > Mississippi > History of the upper Mississippi Valley, pt 1 > Part 56
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WILLIAM B. BECK is a native of Devonshire, En- gland, and was born in the year 1837. In 1850, the family came to America and settled in Mem- phis, Tennessee, where William learned the mason's trade. In 1857, he removed to Ohio, but returned to Memphis a few years later, and remained till the breaking ont of the civil war. He then went to Detroit, Michigan, and in 1862, eume to Big . Lake, but in August of the same year, enlisted in Company A, of the Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, served two years in the Indian war and was then ordered sonth, where he participated in several engagements, in one of which, he was slightly wounded. He was discharged at Fort Snelling in July, 1865, and soon after, eame again to Big Lake, and selected his present farm on sce- tion thirty-six. Mr. Beck was married in 1866, to Miss Charlotte Davey, who is also a native of Der- onshire, England. They have hnd six children, five of whom are living.
S. C. Davis dates his birth in Lincoln, Maine, on the 14th of February, 1846. . He was raised by his grandparents, remaining with them during his
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minority, after which he was engaged in logging und lumbering for about six years. Having thus acemulated sufficient means, he purchased the farm in this township, on which he has lived since 1873. Mr. Davis was married on the 19th of Oc- tober, 1879, to Miss Mary L. Foster. They have had three children, only one of whom, the eldest, is living.
JOHN O. HAVEN was born in Addison county, Ver- mont, on the 3d of October, 1824. He was reared and educated in his native county, graduating from Middleborough College, in 1852. He was then employed as teacher, in Vermont and New York, for two years, and was subsequently professor in an Academy for some years. In 1851, he came to Minnesota, visited St. Paul and Big Lake, but finally settled in Wright county, where he offici- ated as County Anditor for some time. In 1866, he came to his present farm in this township, and has lived here ever since. Since coming to this county, Mr. Haven has been County Surveyor, Register of Deeds, Superintendent of schools, County Auditor, and Clerk of the District Court; ulso represented his district in the Legislature du- ring the session of 1872-73, and is at present, Chair- man of the board of Supervisors. He was mar- ried in August, 1852, to Miss Vienna McAllister, a native of Whitney, Vermont. They have two children, a son and daughter.
ELI N. HOUGHTON was born in Prairie dn Chien, Wisconsin, on the 7th of September, 1845. When he was but three years old, the family came to Minnesota, and the subject of our sketch has re -; sided here ever since. He was imited in marriage with Mrs. Susan Cook, whose maiden name was Bell, in the year 1874. They have five children; three sons and two daughters.
MRS. CHARLOTTE S. LINDSEY was born near De- troit, Michigan, on the 20th of December, 1835. When she was quite young, her parents removed to Missouri, and thence to Nanvoo, Illinois, where Charlotte remained until sixteen years of age. She was married in 1856, to Joseph Lindsey, now deceased. She has four children, one daughter and three sons.
W. E. LANDSRY, a son of Mrs. Lindsey, whose sketch appears above, was born in Big Lake town- ship, on the 17th of September, 1857. When a boy, he attended school two years in the East, and afterwards took a course at Curtiss' Business Col- lege, Minneapolis, and also clerked in the latter city for a time. He was traveling salesman for
agricultural machinery one season, after which he opened a general store at Big Lake Station, which he still continues.
JOHN W. MITCHELL dates his birth in the prov- ines of New Brunswick, in the year 1826. When twenty years old, he removed to a place near Ban- gor, Maine, where he was engaged in farming dur- ing the summer months, and in the pineries during the winter, until 1866, when he came to Mine- sota, and after spending the summer in Elk River, came to his present farm, which is situated on sec- tion eighteen, Big Lake township. Mr. Mitchell has been twice married; his first wife was Miss Anna Bell Boreland, by whom he had six children three of whom are living. His present wife was Miss Grace Peters, to whom he was married in 1862. The results of this union are three boys and two girls.
M. C. OBERT was born in Allegany county, New York, on the 30th of September, 1840. He came west in 1857, and located at Minneapolis, where he learned the trade of millwright, which occupa- tion he has followed most of the time since, in different parts of the State. In Angust, 1880, he enme to Big Lake, and soon after, in company with Mr. Dickey, commenced the construction of the Diamond Mill, on section thirty-six, which he now runs in company with Mr. Bonghton. Mr. Obert was married in 1867, to Miss Sarah A. Peat, of Ohio. They have three children, the oldest, a sprightly Miss of thirteen years.
JOSEPH C. PARKS is a native of Goshen, Elkhart county, Indiana, and was born in the year 1852. When he was quite young, the family removed to Illinois, and three years later, to New Mexico, where the subject of our sketch remained until twenty-five years of age. He then came to Min- nesota, and after two years spent in lumbering, purchased his present farm, in sections eighteen und nineteen, Big Lake township. Mr. Parks was married in the spring of 1879, to Miss Marilla Dunbar, of Ohio. They have one child, a little girl aged ten months.
SAMUEL ROBERTS, whose birth-place is in Bucks conuty, Pennsylvania, was born in the year 1818. In 1837, he removed to Tecumseh, Michigan, where he learned the carriage makers' trade, and followed it for a number of years at that place. In 1856, he came to Minnesota, and settled in Big Lake township, locating a farm of one Indred aeres, in section thirty-six, near Bailey's Station, in the improvement of which he has since been
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
engaged. Mr. Roberts was married in 1844, to Miss Harriet Bailey, who is now deceased. He chose for his second wife Mrs. Annie Prescott. They have five children.
HENRY 11. SNow dates his birth in Brownsville, Maine, on the 3d of July, 1852. His boyhood days were spent in his native State, but when about sixteen years of age, came to Minnesota with the family, who settled in Otsego township, Wright county. In 1869, he came to Big Lake township, which has since been his residence. Mr. Snow was married in 1878, to Miss Ava E. Elli- thorpe, who is a native of Illinois, born in 1853. They have two children, a boy and girl.
B. F. SNow was born in Piscataquis county, Maine, on the 5th of October, 1826. He was reared in his native county, engaged in farming and sur- veying, until October, 1864, when he enlisted in the Seventh Maine Battery, and served until mus- tered out, at Angusta, Maine, in July, 1865. Re- turned to his home, and remained until coming to Minnesota in 1868. He first located in Wright connty, but the following year came to Big Lake, where he still resides. He has held the office of County Surveyor ten years, and also Town Clerk, Treasurer, and Chairman of the Board of Super- visors, for a mumber of years. Mr. Snow was mar- ried in 1850, to Miss Ruth Harris, of Maine. Of seven children born to them, six are living; Henry H., Kate F., Charles T., Nellie E., Amanda P., and Agnes M.
LEMUEL WILLIAMS, a native of Green county, New York, was born in the year 1813. Was raised in his native county, receiving a common school education, and afterward resided in Livingston county. In 1860, he came to Minnesota and set- fled on section twenty-six, Big Inke township, which is his present home. He has held the otlice of Sheriff of Anoka conty, and also County Com- missioner aud Justice of the Peace, at present fill- ing the latter position. Mr. Williams has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Adelia Kineentt, of New York, the marriage taking place in 1832; and his present wife was Mrs. Harriet Himmman, of Ontario county, New York, to whom he was married in 1860. Six children were the result of the first marriage, and his present wife is the mother of one.
BLUE HILL.
CHAPTER LXIX.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION -- EARLY SETTLEMENT-OR- GANIZATION - SCHOOLS - AGRICULTURAL STATIS- TICS-BIOGRAPHICAL.
Blue Hill issituated in the northeast portion of the county, and has an area of 23,040 acres, of which 890 are under cultivation. The popula- tion, according to the last census, was 255.
The surface is undulating, and mostly covered with a light growth of burr and black oak. The St. Francis river meanders through the town in a southeasterly direction, and furnislies some good hay meadows. The only lake worthy of note is St. Francis Lake, through which flows the river bearing the same name; it is located in the sonthi- ern part of the town, and is surrounded by some good hay land. Battle brook also crosses the northeast corner of the town.
There were a number of settlers in this town as early as 1857, but uo authentie account of them can be obtained. There was a town site laid out on sections nine and ten, on the St. Francis river, in 1857, called Grotan, but no evidence of any im- provement is to be found there to-day. The old- est settler living in the township is Joshua R. Brown, a native of New York, who settled on see- tion twelve in 1861; his family still reside there. This town has many advantages for agrienltural purposes, and is now being improved very rapidly.
This was a part of Baldwin township until 1877, when a separate town was organized, and the first election held on the 20th of March. The first officers were: Supervisors, J. R. Carruthers, Chair- man, T. II. Pratt and John Kaliher; Clerk, Thomas E. Brown; Justices of the Peace, J. R. Brown and J. R. Carruthers; Assessor, R. B. Mc- Arthur; Treasurer, John Rogers; and Constables, William Marsh and Frank Northway.
The town is divided into two school districts, in each of which the usnal terms are held each year. Distriet number twenty-seven was organized in 1874, and tho school house erected on section ten. The first teacher was Miss Isadore Marshall, and Miss Nora Kaliher is teaching the present term. District number twenty-six was also organized in 1874; the school house is situated on section twenty-eight.
The agrienlturul statistics for 1880 show the
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BLUE HILL TOWNSHIP.
following products: wheat, 5,189 bushels; oats, 2,179 bushels; coru, 6,615 bushels; barley, 60 bushels; rye, 284 bushels; buckwheat, 110 bush- els; potatoes, 1,769 bushels; beans, 36 bushels; wild hay, 961 tons; wool, 278 pounds; butter, 13,700 pounds; cheese, 600 pounds; and honey, 635 pounds.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
JOHN A. BROWN was born near Laneaster, Erie county, New York, on the 6th of March, 1854. When he was three years old, the family removed to MeHenry county, Illinois, and in 1861, to Min- nesota, settling on seetion twelve, Blue Hill town- ship, where he still resides. Mr. Brown was mar- ried on the 21st of June, 1874, to Miss Eliza Jane Danning, who was born near Toronto, Canada. They have one ehild, a daughter.
THOMAS E. BROWN was born in Ireland, in the year 1843. He was raised on a farm, and at the age of nineteen years went to England and was employed in a ship-yard for three years. He then came to America, and after six years in the lumber business at Glen Falls, New York; eame to Min- nesota and settled in Baldwin township, Sher- burne county. In 1876, removed to Blue Hill, . and settled on the farm which he now occupies on section fourteen. Mr. Brown was married in . 1871, to Miss Helen Emily Costly, who was born in England, on the 18th of September, 1847, and came to America when twelve years old.
EDWARD CARMODY, whose birthplace is in Kerry county, Ireland, was born in February, 1856. In 1866, he eame to Minnesota with the family, his father having come a year or two previons, and a few years after selected the farm on which they now live, on section fourteen, Blue Hill township. The family consists of five sons and four daugh- lors, all residing at home.
JOHN KannER was born in Massachusetts, on the 28th of August, 1849. When he was two years old, the family removed to Brooklyn, New York, und thenee to Ohio, and Dubuque, Iowa, but subsequently settled in Anoka county, Minne- sota, where the subject of onr sketch attended school for some time. His father, in the mein- lime, had selfled ou section one, Bluo Hill town- ship, and John joined the family there, remaining at home three or four years. He was then engaged in lumbering for six years, but in 1873, settled on his present farm in Blue Hill. This property consists of one hundred and sixty neves of good farming land, and is located on scetion twenty-
seven. Mr. Kaliher is a member of the board of Supervisors, having held the position for the last seven years. He was married in 1873, to Miss Eliza Etta Chadbourne, a native of Massachusetts. They have been blessed with four children.
EDWARD LARKIN is a native of Ireland, and was born in the year 1835. Ilis parents came to Tor- onto, Canada, when Edward was quite young, and soon after, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the sub- ject of our sketch remaining in that State until 1859. He then eame to Minnesota, and was em- ployed on a farm about twenty miles from New Ulm at the tin.e of the Sioux outbreak in 1862. He at once started for the latter place and assisted the citizens in the defense of their homes. Then enlisted in Company B, of the First Minnesota Mounted Rangers, and after his discharge, re-en- listed in a Cavalry regiment, and served until mustered out at Fort Snelling in the fall of 1865. In 1874, he settled on his present farm, which contains two hundred and forty aeres, situated in sections twelve and seventeen.
LUCIUS H. PRATT was born in Paris, Maine, on the 8th of August, 1832. When he was right years old, the family removed to Piscataquis county, where the subject of our sketch received his early education and remained until twenty-one years of age. He then was employed in a woolen mill about three years, after which, he eame west and resided in Alamnkee county, Iowa, until 1857, when he came to Minnesota. His first location was about three miles east of the city of Anoka, where he was engaged in farming until the break- ing out of the war. Enlisted in November, 1861, in a company of Light Artillery, and served three years and two months. Was sunstruck while in the service, receiving injuries for which he receives a pension from the Government. Returning from the army he settled in Wright county, and after- wards lived in Becker, Sherburne county, eoming to his present farm in 1879. Mr. Pratt was mar- ried on the 29th of November, 1860, to Miss Ellen E. Rogers, who was born in Brownsville, Maine, in the year 1844. They have eight children, four sons and four daughters.
JOHN ROGERS is a untive of Worcestershire, En- gland, born in the year 1842. He was raised near his native town, received a good common school education, and afterwards learned the machinist's trade. Came to America in 1860, and after work- ing at his trade in New York City, Canada, Illi- nois, Memphis, Ciucimti, Pittsburg, Youngstown,
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und Marquette, Michigan, enme to Blue Hill town- ship, and purchased his present farm, moving thereto in 1874. Mr. Rogers has been Chairman of the board of Supervisors two terms, and is the preseut Town Treasurer. He was married in 1870, to Miss Ellen Jameson, who was born in Scotland, on the 11th of March, 1842.
ABEL SLABACK was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was reared until about sixteen years old, partially learning the blacksmith trade. Then went to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, remained abont two years and returned to his native State, where he completed his trade. In 1854, went to California and for a number of years was engaged in stock-raising. He came to Orrock township, Sherburne conty, in 1871, and in 1880, removed to Blue Hill and settled on his present farm in section thirty-four. Mr. Slaback has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Lonisa Jane Kilgore, who died near Dayton, Ohio, in 1862, leaving five children. His present wife was Mrs. Bertha Smith, whose maiden name was Morning- star, and they have been blessed with seven child- ren. Mrs. Slaback has two children by her for- mer marriage.
CLEAR LAKE.
CHAPTER LXX.
DESCRIPTION-EARLY SETTLEMENT-ORGANIZATION RELIGIOUS-SCHOOLS-AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS -BIOGRAPHICAL.
This town is situated in the northwestern portion of the conuty, and is nearly triangular in shape, the Mississippi river running from northwest to sonth- east and forming the southwestern boundary. Its area is about 21,760 acres, of which 2,603 are un- der cultivation. The population, according to the last consus, was 352.
A strip of timber fringes the river the whole length of the town, back of which lies a fine prai- rie with light sandy loam, which is lost in a light growth of timber towards the northeast corner of the town.
There are a number of small and benutiful lakes, the most prominent of which is Clear Lake, from which the town derives its nume. It is located in the western part of the town, and is surrounded by open prairie, und u smooth sundy bench. Long
Lake, lying west of the above, is relieved by a light growth of timber along its banks. A chain of lakes extending from Elk River, which erosses the northeast corner of the town, nearly to the Mississippi, are also very beautiful.
The first white men to inhabit the territory in- cluded within the township were, a Mr. White and Isaac Marks, who opened a trading post near what is now known as the " Big Bend," on the Mississippi river, about 1848. Mr. White cultivated some land, but did not remain long. J. Davis and Nathan Myrick also had a trading post, in an early day, about a mile below the Clearwater ferry.
The first permanent settler was John H. Steven- son, a native of Philadelphia, who settled on sce- tion ten, in July, 1850, and still lives there. Ac- companying him was John Townshend, also of Pennsylvania, who settled on section eleven, but remained only five years. Thomas Porter came from the same State in 1851, and settled on sce- tion fifteen, but only remained a few years; he now lives in Clearwater, Wright county. Jolin Cof- finger, of New York, and A. Gates, of Ohio, set- tled on section ten, in 1852. Andrew Boyington settled on scetion twenty-nine, in the summer of 1854, and was soon followed by A. D. Boyington, E. F. Hurd, B. H. Lec, E. Cutter, F. E. Baldwin, and others.
In 1856, a town was laid out on a portion of sections ten, eleven, fourteen, and fifteen, by F. E. Baldwin and John H. Stevenson. An effort was made to secure the location of the county seat, but that failing, the project for a new town was abandoned.
After the completion of the railroad in 1867, Clear Lake Station was established on section seven, and in 1879, A. C. Potter surveyed and platted a few lots near the station, on which there has been erected a Town Hall, hotel, two stores, blacksmith shop, and elevator, thus giving the place a lively business appearance.
Clear Lake was organized in 1858, and included all of the present town of Becker lying west of the range line. The first officers were: Super- visors, John H. Stevenson, Chairman, E. Cntter and John Coffinger; Clerk and Collector, F. E. Baldwin; Assessor, B. H. Lee; Overseer of the Poor, S. Churmard; Constables, J. Biggerstaff and Alonzo Boyington; and Justices of the Peace, J. HI. Stevenson and John Coflinger.
The first religious services were held ut the truding post of White and Marks, by Rev. Wil-
CLEAR LAKE TOWNSHIP.
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liam Sterritt. The Methodist Episcopal Church is the only organization in the town. The first minister appointed by the conference to this charge, was the Rev. John Quigley. There has been regular preaching about five years. A neat frame church was erected in 1880, near Clear Lake station.
The first school tanght, was by Miss Elizabeth Hieks, in a building on section ten, belonging to John H. Stevenson. Subsequently, school was kept for some time in a building on Mr. F. E. Baldwin's farm. There are now four schools in the town, three organized districts, and special school number one, the latter being located near the station.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
C. H. AIKIN, whose birthplace is in Delaware county, New York, was born on the 26th of De- cember, 1826. He was raised on his father's farm until twenty years old, then was employed at carpenter work until 1855, when he came west and settled on a farm in St. Croix connty, Wis- consin. After remaining on this farm for twenty- three years, he engaged in the hotel business, but discontinued that after one year, and traveled in Jowa as a salesman, until 1881, when he settled in Clear Lake township. Mr. Aikin was married on the 15th of March, 1855, to Miss Catharine Lockwood, of Ulster conty, New York. They have two children.
F. EUGENE BALDWIN was born in Wayne county, Pennsylvania, on the 7th of March, 1825. His boyhood was spent attending school until 1838, when the family removed to St. Clair county, Illinois. He soou commenced to attend Metlenry College, and later, Illinois College, graduating from the latter institution in 1846. Then studied law in the office of Judge Lyman Trumbull, and was admitted to the Bar in 1847. The same tall, he went to Boston, where he continued his law studies, and was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar. He went to California, with thousands of others in 1849, and was engaged in mining for some time. Returning to St. Clair county, Illinois, in 1851, he engaged in farming there, which he fol- lowed until 1855. Then came to Minnesota, and after remaining in St. Anthony some time, re- moved to the farm on which he now lives. In 1872, he removed to Minneapolis, but returned to his farm in 1879, and has resided here since. Mr. Baldwin has taken a prominent part in public af- fairs since coming to Sherburne county. He has
served two terms as County Attorney, was a mem- ber of the State Senate in 1859 and '60, and Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, besides filling other offices of responsibility. The town of Baldwin, in This county, is named in his honor. Mr. Baldwin was married on the 20 of September, 1851, to Miss Elizabeth Wilkinson. They have ten children, six of whom are living.
HENRY BETTNER, twenty-six years a resident of Clear Lake township, was born in Bavaria, on the 12th of May, 1799. When a boy of eight years, he ran away from home, and came by way of Paris and Havre de Grace to America. After re- maining a short time in New York City, he went to live with the celebrated Dr. Jaynes, staying with him about fifteen years, In 1835, he en- listed in the First United States Dragoons, under Col. Kearney, serving five years. After being dis- charged he soon tired of civil life, re-enlisted in the First United States Infantry, and at the expiration of his term of service, again enlisted, this time in the Second United States Dragoons, under Colonel Twiggs. While in this regiment, Mr. Bettner took an active part in the Mexican war, receiving some serious wounds, from which he has never fully recovered. At the battle of Buena Vista, he performed a daring feat, which is worthy of mention here. In the heat of the battle, and when the American forces were literally sur- rounded by the Mexicans, Mr. Bettner volunteered to carry a dispatch from Gen. Taylor through the Mexican lines to an American fort. He thus be- came the target for thousands of muskets, but, strange to say, he reached his destination with the dispatches, although pierced with bullets in many places. He was not able to return to the ranks, and was discharged one year and a half before the expiration of his term of enlistment. He then located at St. Louis, Missouri, but the climate was not favorable to the healing of his wounds, and he came to Minnesota, settling in Clear Lake, in 1855; resided in section ten until 1874, when he removed to his present home. Mr. Bettner was anxions to take part in the late war, but was rejected on ae- count of his previous wounds!' He was married to Miss Elizabeth Fountain, of Greensboro, North Carolina.
A. D. BOYINGTON, one of the pioneers of this township, is a native of New York State, born on the 8th of April, 1833. He resided with his parents, in his native State, until 1854, when they came to Minnesota, and settled on section twenty-nine,
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Clear Lake township, the subject of our sketch following, the same fall, and taking a farm adjoin- ing that of his father. His grounds are among the most attractive in this section of country, the beauty of the scenery being enhanced by a very pretty little lake near his residence. Mr. Boying- ton was married on the 26th of April, 1860, to Miss Zanett Wilber. Of four children born to them, three are living.
JAMES CAMPBELL, whose birthplace is Cattaran- gus county, New York, was born on the 9th of November, 1831. Resided with his parents nntil twenty-two years old, when he bought his father's farm and conducted it until 1868, when he eamne to Minnesota, and the following year, settled on his present farm. He took a trip to the Black Hills in 1877, but returned after a year, and has since given his entire attention to farming. Mr. Campbell was married in September, 1857, to Miss U. Wright, who died on the 18th of May, 1872. They had four children, but two of whom are living.
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