USA > Mississippi > History of the upper Mississippi Valley, pt 1 > Part 57
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JOHN CONLIFFE was born in the city of St. Johns, New Brunswick, on the 29th of June, 1828. His father dying, when he was but a child, he was placed with a man named Perkins, by whom he was raised, learning the mason's trade. At the age of eighteeen years, he went to the State of Maine, and was employed at himbering for six years. In the fall of 1856, he came to Minnesota, and two years later, located on a farm in Clearwater township, Wright county, which was his home until coming to his present farm in the spring of 1881. Mr. Conliffe was married on the 29th of June, 1850, to Miss Susan Langdon. They have had ten children, eight of whom are living.
EDWARD CASTLE dates his birth at Holmfrith, England, in the year 1832. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and also learned the trade. of weaver and spinner, when quite young. He came to America in 1863, and after a stay of four years in New York State, went to Indiana and re- mained five years; up to this time, since coming to America, he had been employed at his trade, that of woolen weaver. Then came to Minnesota and settled on his present farm. Mr. Castle has been Chairman of the board of Supervisors, be- sides holding other important local offices in Clear Lake township. He was married on the 28th of February, 1875, to Miss Nancy Booth, who died on the 13th of July, 1875. Of six children born to them, five are living.
JOHN COFFINGER, one of the pioneers of Clear Lake, is a native of Saratoga county, New York, where his father, Walter Coffinger, was born, aud his grandfather who was a soldier in the revolu- tionary war, settled at an early day. John was born on the 20th of February, 1820, and when but a child, removed with the family to Steuben county, Ohio, and a few years later, to Ashtabula county, Ohio. Here he grew up, and afterwards went to Michigan, where he followed agricultural pursuits until eoming to Minnesota in 1851. After prospecting for some time, he returned East, but came again to Minnesota the following year, and settled on his present farm. Mr. Coffinger was a member of the first board of Supervisors, one of the first Justices of the Peace, and has held numerous towu offices since, discharging the duties of each with credit and ability. He was married on the 17th of August, 1842, to Miss Elizabeth Bridgeman. They have had but one child, Walter J., now deceased.
A. B. DARLING was born in Franklin county, Vermont, on the 26th of January, 1824. After taking the usual preparatory course, entered Bakersfield Academy, from which he graduated in 1844. The following year, he entered the offiec of the city engineer at Worcester, Massachusetts, as assistant, and in 1847, went to New York City and spent three years in the same profession. Then spent a few years in traveling, coming to Dubnque, Iowa, in 1854, and soon after, to St. Paul, where he was employed a short time, by Captain J. Ball, surveyor. In 1855, he made a surveying contract with the government, running the first lines west of Fort Ridgely, and dividing into townships, the Sioux Reservation. In 1859, he settled in Lynden township, Stearns county, where he was engaged in farming, and was also assessor of that town seven years. Mr. Darling settled on his present farm in 1880. He was mar- ried on the 14th of March, 1858, to Miss Jernsha A. Ingalls. Five children gather around the fam- ily board.
DANIEL FRYE dates his birth in Kennebec connty, Maine, on the 23d of July, 1843. When twenty years old, he went to Lynn, Massachusetts, and was employed in a shoe factory abont three years. He then spent two years as a sailor, after which, he came west and has since been a resident of Clear Lake township, buying and settling on his present farm in 1869. Mr. Frye has held a member of responsible loeal offices, and is the
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
present efficient Town Clerk. He was married on the 10th of January, 1866, to Miss Lavinia K. Davis. They have had seven children, but five of whom are living.
ALFRED FRANCIS is a native of England, born on the 27th of July, 1838. When he was an in- fant, his parents came to America and settled in Dexter, New York, where Alfred grew to man- hood. During the civil war, he enlisted in the Tenth New York Artillery, Company H, and served two years and eleven months. Soon after his return from the army, he came to Minnesota, arriving in Minneapolis in the spring of 1866, and was engaged in the manufacture of doors, sash, and blinds in that city, until coming to the farm on which he now lives, in 1871.
E. F. HURD, one of the pioneers of Clear Lake, was born at Newfield, Maine, on the 2d of May, 1829. His parents died when he was quite young, and he went to live with an uncle, attend- ing school and working on the farm until seven- teen years of age, when he began to learn the carpenter's trade at Bangor, remaining there nntil 1855. He then eame to Minnesota and located the farm on_which he now lives, but spent the greater portion of his time until 1860, working at . his trade in Minneapolis, and since then, has devoted his time chiefly to the improvement of his farm, with only an occasional return to his trade. Mr. Hurd has been County Commissioner, two terms, and held other important offices. He was married on the 7th of August, 1854, to Miss Fannie A. Macomber, of Bangor, Maine. One son, ' James Franklin, is living, and one is de- ceased, whose name was George.
ALANSON JONES dates his birth in Wyoming county, New York, on the 16th of November, 1827. When he was a boy, the family removed to Cattaraugus county, where the subject of our sketch grew to manhood. In 1864, he enlisted in the One hundred and eighty-eighth New York Vohinteer Infantry, served about one year, and was present at the surrender of General Lee. On being discharged, he returned to New York State and carried on the old farm until coming to Min- nesota in 1868. He came at once to Clear Lake, and the following year, selected his present farm on section twenty, sitnated on the banks of Jones' Lake.
HENRY JONES was also born in Wyoming con- ty, New York, his birth being dated on the 19th of September, 1825. When fourteen years old,
he went to live with an uncle in Wayne county, but subsequently went with his parents to Cat- taraugus county, where he followed farming for a number of years. In 1852, he went to California, but after three years returned to Cattaraugus county and was engaged in farming until com- , ing to Minnesota in 1862. He purchased his present farm in 1866, although his whole atten- tion has been given to agricultural pursuits since coming to the State. Mr. Jones was married in December, 1857, to Miss Margaret Campbell. They have been blessed with six children.
JOHN H. STEVENSON, the oldest living settler in Clear Lake township, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the 26th of October, 1807. His mother died when he was a child, and he was placed with his uncle, but ran away from him when fifteen years old, with one eent in his pocket, which he paid for toll at the gate on the road lead- ing out of the city. He went to Pittsburg, and was employed as a nail entter, about two years, going thence to Harrison county, Ohio, where for several years, he was engaged in agricultural pur- snits. About 1833, he went to Illinois, where he conducted a farm, grist mill, and distillery, resid- ing in that State until 1850. He then started for Minnesota with eighty-nine head of horned eattle, arriving at the site of his present farm in July of the same year. At that time Mr. Stevenson's stock was about all there was in this section of country. He was a member of the first board of County Com- missioners; and also, of the first board of Supervis- ors, and has held a number of local offices sinee.
DRAYTON JONES dates his birth in Wyoming county, New York, on the 2d of April, 1824. In 1841, removed with the family to Cattaraugus county, where he grew to manhood. When he was twenty-one years old, went to work in n saw-mill, remaining there one year and a half, and afterwards carried on his father's farm until 1865. He then eame to Minnesota and located in the eastern part of Clear Lake township, but in 1868, removed to his present farm, and, with the exception of three years' absenee, has resided here ever since. Mr. Jones was married on the 25th of October, 1848, to Miss Sarah Thorp. They have had five children, three of whom are living.
JOHN KAUFMAN, whose birthplace is in Sullivan connty, Pennsylvania, was born on the 13th of August, 1849. Came with his parents to Mine- sotn in 1854 or 1855, loenting in Carver county, where the family still reside. He made his home
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
with his parents until 1874, then came to Clear Lako and selected his present farm, then in a wild state. Mr. Kaufman was a member of the board of Supervisors in 1878, and is rapidly plae- ing himself among the foremost families of this township. He was married on the 13th of Janu- ary, 1873, to Miss Mary Imholte, of Stearns eounty. They have been blessed with four children.
B. H. LEE was born in Wayne county, Pennsyl- vania, on the 2d of April, 1823. He came to Min- nesota in 1855, and loeated the farm on which he now lives, the same year. Mr. Lee assisted in the organization of Clear Lake township, was the first Assessor, and has made it his home ever since. He was married in October, 1858, to Miss Mary Stev- enson, danghter of John H. Stevenson, one of the pioneers of this township. Of five children which they have had, but three are living.
RUSSEL MARKHAM dates his birth in MeHenry eounty, Illinois, on the 3d of January, 1851. In 1854, the family came to Minnesota, and settled in Clearwater township, Wright county, where his parents still reside. In 1870, he obtained a situation with the corps of engineers then survey- ing for the Northern Pacific Railroad, continuing in that employment for three years, atter which he spent four years in St. Cloud and Sank Rapids. He settled on his present farm in 1877, and has sinee given his whole attention to its improvement. Mr. Markham was married on the 20th of Decem- ber, 1874, to Miss Cora M. Benson, of Clearwater, Minnesota. Four children gather around the fam- ily board.
H. MARKHAM is also a native of MeHenry county, Illinois, and was born on the 15th of December, 1839. His parents removed to Minnesota in 1854, and selected their residence as mentioned in the preceding sketch. In 1857, the family removed to Cannon Falls, Goodhne county, but did not re- main long, returning to their former farm in Wright county. In 1862, the subject of our sketch en- listed in Company E, of Eighth Mimesota Volun- teer Infantry, serving three years. Returning from the army, Mr. Markham resided with his parents until 1874, when he removed to the farm on which he now lives. He was united in mar- riage with Miss Emma M. White, on the 11th of October, 1876. They have one ehild, named Ada B.
ALFRED MARKHAM, a brother of the subjects of tho two preeeding brief sketches, was born in Clearwater, Wright county, on the 20th of August,
1857, being one of the first white children born in the town. During his boyhood, he reecived such education as the public schools of his native place afforded, residing with his parents until 1876, when he settled on his present farm, in Clear Lake township. He was married on the 6th of October, 1876, to Miss Velonia Jones. They have one child, named Graeie E.
A. C. POTTER, whose birth-place is in Onondaga eounty, New York, was born on the 3d of Novem- ber, 1817. The family removed to Pennsylvania in 1828, and when our subject beeame of age, he engaged in farming and hotel business at Tioga county, in that State, continuing the same until 1852. He then went to Canada, but soon returned, and settled in Baraboo, Wiseonsin, where he was connected with Selah Chamberlain, in rail- road construction. Came to St. Paul in 1858, and assisted in building the first miles of the St. Paul & Paeifie Railroad, the first in this State. He has remained in the employ of the latter company most of the time since, and in 1866, was placed in charge of Clear Lake station, holding the position ever since. Mr. Potter was married in August, 1846, to Miss Mary H. Currier. They have had eleven children, eight of whom are living.
HENRY PRUFER was born in Frankfort, on the Oder, Prussia, on the 4th of December, 1842. Received his carly ednention in his native place, and, after graduating at the high school, took a course in the agrienltural college at Berlin, after which he began practical farming. In October, 1864, he became a soldier in the Prussian army, took part in the war with Denmark, was with the army in Bohemia, and also participated in the Franco-Prussian war, in 1870. For deeds of valor on the tiekt of battle, in the last mentioned war, he was decorated with the " Iron Cross of the Ger- man Empire," an honor conferred on but fow. Mr. Pruter came to America in 1872, and after a year's employment as clerk in East Saginaw, Michigan, came to Minnesota, spent three years in hunting and trapping, and then settled on the farm in Clear Lake township, where he now re- sides.
JOSEPH SYKES, a native of Yorkshire, England, was born on the 8th of November, 1840. When but eight years oldl, he began working in a cotton factory, which he continued until coming to Amer- ica, in 1864. Was employed in woolen mills in different places in the state of Maine until 1870, when he went to New Albany, Indiana. After a
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HIAVEN TOWNSHIP.
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year spent in a woolen mill at the latter place, he enme to Minnesota, and soffled on a farm in Becker township, Sherburne county, but in 1876, removed to his present home in Clear Lake. Mr. Sykes was married on the 8th of September, 1865, to Miss Elizabeth Chapman, his present worthy partner.
EDGAR Warre was born in Franklin county, New York, on the 16th of July, 1839. When he was about eight years old, the family removed to Illinois, where Edgar grew to manhood. At the age of twenty-one years, he took his father's farm, ' and carried it on, his parents living with him until coming to his present home in 1872. Since coming to Clear Lake, Mr. White has been closely identified with the progress of the town, and has held the office of Supervisor and Assessor. He was married on the 29th of June, 1865, to Miss Emma Thurston, of Pennsylvania; they have five children.
11. T. Wurre was born in Clinton county, New York, residing with his parents until seventeen years of age, when he went to work in an iron foundry at Wellington, and was employed there three years. In 1848, he went to Illinois and settled on a farm in DeKalb county, where he lived until coming to his present farm in 1873. Mr. White is one of the representative men of Clear Lake, having held nearly every town office since coming here. Mrs. White's maiden name was Ahnira Woolsey. They have four children; Emma M., Adah A., Wilber G., and Charles E.
W. D. Worse is a native of Onondaga county, New York, and was born on the 17th of Angust, 1833. When he was fifteen years old, the family removed to Catlarangus county, where his father kopf a hold. About 1854, ho opened a farm in the mountains of Callaraugus county, residing there nutil about 1866, when he came to Minne- sota, and settled in this township, but did not remove to his present larm until 1870. Mr. Wiltse has held the offices of Supervisor, Assessor, and other town offices, and has been Justice of the Peace for the last six years. He was married on the 7th of June, 1853, to Loretta Morgan. They have been blessed with three children.
E. G. WARNER was born in the province of Quebec, Canada. on the 23d of October, 1850. While he was yel a child, the family came lo Miu- nesota and settled in Byuden township, Stearns county, but the following year removed to Clear- water, Wright county. After residing two years
at the latter place, they returned to Lynden and still live there. When the subject of our sketch was twenty-one years old, his father gave him a farm in the latter town, on which he lived until coming to his present home in 1880. Mr. War- ner was united in marriage with Miss Fannie W. Lock, on the first of January, 1876. They have one child living, named Ernest, and one, named Ray, is deceased.
HAVEN.
CHAPTER LXXI.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION -- EARLY SETTLEMENT - OR- GANIZATION - AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS - BIO- GRAPHICAL.
Haven lies in the extreme northwest corner of the county, and has an area of about 24,320 acres, of which 2,942 are under cultivation. The een- sus of 1880, shows the population to be 290.
Along the bank of the Mississippi river, which forms the western boundary, there is a narrow strip of timber, but about three-fourths of the balance of the township is level prairie. Until within a few years, this land was considered, by the settlers, to be almost worthless, but recent devel- opments have shown the soil, although sandy, to be of a very fine quality, and as a result, this prairie is being rapidly settled. The eastern part of the town contains some small timber and brush land, through which Elk river passes in a sonth- erly direction, forming some good hay meadows.
The first white man to establish a residence in this town was Joseph Jerome, who hund a tavern or stopping place for travelers on the trail of the "Red River Carls," asearly as 1816. This location was on the Mississippi river, and near the line be- tween seetions thirty-six and twenty-five. In the fall of 1848, he sold his claim to William Sturgis, who was, as well as Mr. Jerome, a native of Can- ada, but eame here from Cedar Rapids, Jowa, having been an extensive farmer and one of the pioneers of that locality. He now resides in Michigan.
In 1850, Casimere Galarneanlt and H. Dnfort came to Mr. Sturgis' farin, and the following year both made claims. Mr. Galarneault setlled on section twenty-five, and lived there thirteen years, but is now a resident of Benton county. Mr. Dnfort's claim adjoined Mr. Galarucault, or it
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
may have been a joint claim and afterwards di- vided; he now lives in the northwestern part of the State. Oliver Arceneau took a claim on sec- tion twelve in 1852, where he died in 1870. His brother, J. B. Arceneau, came the same year and located on section thirteen. A steamboat landing was established on his place soon after, called " Battise Landing." Frank Beandreau came from Long Prairie in 1852, whither he had gone in 1848, and took a claim on section twelve; he now lives in Le Sauk, Stearns county. A Mr. Shiverlevee came abont this time and located on the farm now owned by Joseph Jodoin, the latter coming here in 1856, and purchasing the farm soon after. Hugh Mulligan, now a resident of the town, settled here in 1856, but has been ab- sent a portion of the time since. Joshua O. Cater and John Biggerstaff were also early settlers.
This town was a part of Briggs, now Palmer township, umtil 1872, when the County Commis- sioners organized Haven township. It was named in honor of Hon. J. O. Haven, of Big Lake, who represented this district in the State Senate in 1872-73.
Owing to the incompleteness of the early records, the names of the first town officers cannot be ob- tained.
A school-house was built on section twenty-five in an early day, and the first school taught by Betsey Hicks. The building was afterwards re- moved to section nineteen, where it was destroyed by fire. J. Briggs also taught a school in his own house, then in this district, soon after his settle- inent at Briggs Lake in 1855. There are now three good schools being conducted in the town.
There are two granite quarries in this township, for a description of which the reader is referred to the chapter on Geology by Prof. N. H. Winchell.
The agricultural report of Haven, for 1880. shows the following products: wheat, 34,416 bush- els; oats, 17,168 bushels; corn, 4,109 bushels; barley, 307 bushels; rye, 70 bushels; buckwheat, 15 bushels; potatocs, 1,261 bushels; beans, 16 bushels; cultivated hay, 30 tons; wild hay, 392 tons; wool, 441 ponnds; and butter, 7,300 pounds.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
C. W. Avens is a native of Northamptonshire, England, and was born on the 7th of Angust, 1844. When but an infant, his parents came to America, and settled in Canada. He was roured in his father's family until seventeen years of age, when he kft home and engaged in agricultural
pursuits. At the age of twenty-six years, came to Minnesota and settled in Mille Lacs county, where he was engaged in farming. Removed to ; his present home, in Haven township, in 1879, rc- siding here since. Mr. Ayers was married in Jan- nary, 1846, to Miss Margaret J. Bingham. They have had five children, four of whom are living.
JOHN BIGGERSTAFF (deceased ) was born in Ire- land, on the 9th of October, 1806. He came to America in 1836, and settled near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but subsequently lived in other portions of the State, until 1858, when he came to Minnesota and settled in Clear Lake township, Sherburne county, being one of the first officers of that town. In 1861, removed to the farm in Haven, on which the family now live, and where he resided till his death, which occurred on the 20th of October, 1872. He was married in Novem- ber, 1828, to Miss Janet Campbell. They have had seven sons and seven daughters, all living. The youngest son, Samuel, has carried on the farm since the death of his father, and has made some valnable improvements.
JOSEPH BARTHELEMY, a native of France, was born on the 18th of March, 1844. The family came to America in 1853, and settled in Pennsyl- vania, but four years later removed to Minnesota, and located in St. Augusta, St arns county. In 1871, Joseph settled on a farm near that of his father, but in 1879, removed to his present home, which he had previously purchased. Located on Mr. Barthelemy's farm is a fine granite quarry, the stone from which is in great demand at present.
JOSHUA O. CATER, whose birthplace is Barring- ton, Strafford county, New Hampshire, was born on the 25th of June, 1822. He was raised on his father's farm, and when twenty-three years old, bought a small farm in the neighborhood, on which he resided until 1857. Then came to Min- nesota, accompanied by his three brothers, and spent the summer in visiting various parts of the country. Returned to New Hampshire, and in 1860, traded his farm in that State for the one on which he now lives, removing here the same year. Mr. Cater has devoted his whole time to the im- provement of his farm, it being one of the finest in the township. He was one of the organizers of Haven township, and the first Chairman of the board of Supervisors. Mrs. Cater's maiden name was Lonisa Woodis. They have had eight chil- dren, six of whom are living.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
E. E. CATER was born in Strafford county, New Hampshire, on the 23d of April, 1852. Came with his parents to Minnesota, and this township, in 1860, and has lived here ever since. In 1879, he removed to the farm which he now occupies. Mr. Cater was married on the 26th of October, 1878, to Miss Mary Boyd, of Clear Lake. Of two chil- dren born to them, but one is living.
ABSALOM CAMPBELL was born in Canada, and resided in his native province, engaged in farming and ship-building, until coming to Minnesota in 1869. He first settled on a farm in Benton county, but subsequently removed to Sauk Rapids. In 1879, he began the improvement of his present farm, and removed his family here the following year. A son, Elmer, owns a farm adjoining that of his father, with whom he resides. He was born in Canada, on the 20th of April, 1850.
MARTIN DOWLING is a native of Ireland, and was born on the 8th of November, 1848. While yet an infant, his parents came to America and settled in Washington county, New York, but in 1857, removed to Illinois. The subject of our sketch remained in the latter State, working at the plas- terer's trade in Chicago a portion of the time, until 1869, when he came to Minnesota. After remaining a short time in St. Cloud, he was em- ployed by the government and went to work on Fort Abercrombie. Returning to St. Clond, he worked at plastering for three years, after which he settled on his present farm, to which he has added from time to time, until it now contains two hundred and forty acres of good farming land. Mr. Dowling was married on the 22d of June, 1872, to Miss C. Clarity. They have had six children, five of whom are living.
E. A. GAmaaron was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, on the 26th of September, 1836. At the age of seventeen years, he went to live with an unele, with whom he learned the trade of wood- turning. In 1856, came west in search of a home, lived in St. Cloud a short time, after which he was employed in different parts of northwestern Min- nesota and Dakota. In October, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, of the Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, serving three years. Was taken pris- oner at Murfreesborough, and on being exchanged, took an active part in the campaign against the Indians in Minnesota. In 1866, he went to Mon- tana, and after prospecting for some time, engaged in farming, which he continued until his return to
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