USA > Mississippi > History of the upper Mississippi Valley, pt 1 > Part 58
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Minnesota, in 1877. He soon after settled on the farm which he now occupies, in Haven township. Mr. Garlington was married on the 1st of Janu- ary, 1877, to Miss Ella Biggerstaff. They have two children.
MELVIN GRIFFIN dates his birth in Luzerne connty, Pennsylvania, on the 12th of April, 1850. When a child, his parents removed to Wisconsin, where his father was engaged in farming and lum- bering for a number of years. About 1867, the family eame to Minnesota, and two years later, settled in Sank Rapids, Benton county. Mr. Grif- fin lived with his parents, being employed oecas- ionally in the pineries, until 1879, when he settled on the farm which he now oceupies.
HERMAN A. HIBBARD is a native of St. Lawrence county, New York, and was born on the 3d of September, 1848. In 1861, the family removed to Franklin county, and six years later, the subjeet of our sketch left home, and went to New Hamp- shire, residing in that State and Vermont for two years. He came west in 1869, and after a short stay in Iowa, came to Minnesota, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Sherburne county nntil 1876. Then bought a farm in Benton connty, on which he lived till the spring of 1881, when he returned to Sherburne county. Mr. Hibbard was married on the 4th of July, 1876, to Miss Angie Starkey. They have three children.
HOWARD H. HIBBARD was also born in St. Law- rence connty, New York, on the 28th of November, 1854. When he was seven years old, the family re- moved to Franklin county, and in the spring of 1871, to Minnesota, first settling in the southern part of this township, but the following year, removed to their present farm. In the spring of 1881, the subject of our sketch left the parental roof, and settled on a farm of his own which he had pre- viously purchased. He was married on the 5th of November, 1877, to Miss Rosanna Doran. They have been blessed with three children.
N. K. HUNT, whose birth-place is in Orange county, Vermont, was born on the 23d of Janu- ary, 1837. While he was yet an infant, the fam- ily removed to Van Buren county, Michigan, where the subject of our sketch grew to manhood. At the age of twenty-one years, he engaged in the mercantile business at Lowell, Michigan, contin- ning the same until his establishment was des- troyed by fire, seven years later. Was then on- gaged in farming near his former home in Van Buren county, until 1880, when he came to Min-
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
nesota, and settled on his present farm. Mr. Hunt has been twice married ; first to Miss Annette Spencer, on the 10th of July, 1861, who died on the 22d of April, 1866. His present wife was Mrs. Jane L. Francis, with whom he was united in marriage on the 12th of May, 1867.
JOSEPH JODOIN was born in Canada, on the 25th of April, 1832. When he was seventeen years old, came to Vermont, and was employed on a farm five years. Then came to Minnesota, and after remaining a short time at St. Anthony, and one winter at Sauk Rapids, went to live with Victor Shiverlevee, on the bank of the Mississippi, in the present town of Haven. This place he subse- quently purchased, and is his present home. In 1862, began trading with the Indians in the Red River country, which he continued for sixteen years, when not engaged on his farm. Mr. Jodoin was married in 1872, to Mrs. Fannie Areenean, a na- tive of New York State.
DENNIS LANNAN is a native of Carlton county, Ontario, Canada, and was born on the 13th of De- cember, 1835. He was reared on his father's farm until twenty-one years of age, when he went to the western part of the Dominion, and remained three years. Came to Minnesota in 1869, and at- ter a three years' stay in Minneapolis, took a home- stead in Holding township, Stearns county, and resided there until coming to his present farm in 1879. Mr. Lannan was married on the 4th of Au- gust, 1875, to Annie Smith. They have three children.
HUGH MULLIGAN dates his birth in Donegal county, Ireland, on the 29th of January, 1828. In 1847, he came to America with the family, who lo- eated in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. Three years later, the subject of our sketch went to Phil- adelphia, where he was employed in a brewery five years. In 1855, he came west, and the follow- ing spring selected his present home. Resided on a farm in the neighborhood until 1867, when he went to the Pacific coast, and after spending the winter in Oregon, rented a farm near San Fran- cisco, but did not romain there long, traveling through Central America and returning to Minne -. sola in 1870. Then seffled on a farm in Dakota county, but after three years, returned to the form which he had located seventeen years before, and has resided here ever since. Mr. Mulligan is one of the representative men of the county, and has filled a number of county and town offices. Mrs. Mulligan's maiden name was Mary Doran, to whom
he was married on the 16th of Angust, 1854.
LUDWIG ROBBERS was born in Prussia, on the 14th of April, 1832. The family came to Amer- ica in 1844, and settled in Evansville, Indiana, where the subject of our sketch soon became en- gaged as clerk in a store, At the age of seven- teen years, was apprenticed to a harness-maker, and after learning the trade, opened a shop of his own in the above city. In 1856, he came to Min- nesota, and entered the employ of J. W. Tenvoorde at St. Cloud, remaining with him five years. He then opened a saloon in the latter city, and with the exception of a few months in St. Paul, con- ducted it until coming to his present farm in 1878. Mr. Robbers was a member of the State Legisla- ture in 1869, besides holding a number of local offices while a resident of St. Cloud. He has been twice married; first to Miss Mary Lansing, who died in 1861, and on the 13th of January, 1862, he was again married, to Miss Esther McAvay.
HENRY SCHERFENBURG is a native of Germany, born on the 5th of April, 1833. He learned the shoemaker's trade when he was a young man in his native country, and at the age of twenty-one years, came to America, and located near Spring- field, Massachusetts, where he learned the trade of wood-turner, making that State his home for three years. In 1857, came to Minnesota, and settled on a farm in Rockville, Stearns county, remaining there five years, after which he came to St. Cloud, and was employed in the saw mills and at his trade, until coming to his present farm in 1880. Mr. Scherfenburg was married in 1858, to Ange- line Evers; they have live children.
O. F. TRACE, whose birthplace is in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, was born on the 28th of August, 1852. While he was yet an infant, the family removed to Wabasha county, Minnesota, where they lived on a farm until 1871, when they removed to Sank Centre, Stearns county, and thenee to Todd county. The subject of onr sketch attended the common schools when a boy, took one term at Carleton college, Northfield, and after- wards attended the State Normal School, at St. Cloud, graduating in 1876. Since then, has been engaged in teaching most of the time. Purchased a firm in llaven township in 1878, and has since spent some time in its improvement. Mr. Trace was married on the 21st of Angnst, 1878, to Miss Jennette Russell. They have two children, both boys.
SMITH G. WILLIAMS was born in Orleans comty,
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LIVONIA TOWNSHIP.
New York, on the 27th of December, 1835. When about thirteen years old, the family removed to Michigan, which State claimed the subject of our sketch as a resident until his removal to this town- ship in 1880. Mr. Williams was united in marri- age with Adeline Adams, on the 22d of March, 1866.
J. F. WRAY is a son of James Wray, a native of Donegal, Ireland, who came to America in 1817, and was for thirty-three years a prominent mer- chant in Philadelphia. The subject of this sketch was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, on the 3d of October, 1829. The family removed to Philadelphia, in 1832, where he attended publie and privat , schools, and graduated at the high school in 1847. Soon after, he became employed in his father's store, remaining there until 1854, when he went to St. Louis, Missouri, and entered the employ of the American Fur Company. He was stationed at Fort Benton, four years, and afterward at Fort Union, at the mouth of the Yel- lowstone, until 1862. Then went with a party to Manitoba, and was engaged in agricultural pur- suits there until coming to his present farm, which is situated on the bank of the Mississippi river, in 1869. Mr. Wray is Town Clerk of Haven town- ship, having held the office since 1874, besides filling other town offices during his residence here. He was married on the 30th of April, 1863, to Miss Fanny Demarais, of Manitoba. One dangh- ter is the result of this union.
LIVONIA.
CHAPTER LXXH.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION -- EARLY SETTLEMENT - ORGANIZATION -- RELIGIOUS -SCHOOLS-AGRICUL- TURAL STATISTICS-BIOGRAPHICAL.
Livonia is situated on the east side of the county, adjoining Elk River on the north. It has an area of 23,040 acres, of which 1,598 are under cultivation. -
The population, according to the last consns, was 321.
The surface is somewhat undulating, the east- ern part being covered with n good growth of timber .. The southeastern portion contains some good timber, but is mostly brush land. The northwestern part has a seattering growth of burr
oak, and the soil is somewhat sandy, but the bal- unee of the town has a clay soil.
There are a number of lakes, the largest of which is Lake Fremont, in the northern part; its outlet, Tibbetts' brook, runs in a sontherly direction into Elk river, and forms some good hay meadows. A small, but very pretty lake, situated in the eastern part of the town, is called Hunter's Lake, and a short distance to the northwest, are two others, known as Twin Lakes.
The first settlers in this township were, J. H. Felch, of Maine, and J. F. Bean, of New Hamp- shire, who settled on seetion five in 1856. Sam- nel Hayden located on section nine the same year. These were the first of what has since been known as the Lake Fremont settlement. In the south- eastern part, William Gowan was the first settler, making a claim on section twenty-three, also in 1856, but did not remain long; others soon fol- lowed, and this is now known as the Spencer settle- ment. The southwestern part of the town, com- monly called Meadow Vale, has been more recently settled.
This township was formerly a part of Elk River, but organized as Livonia in1866. Owing to the incompleteness of the early records, the names of all the first town officers could not be obtained, but we present this partial list: Supervisors, B. N. Spencer, Chairman, and A. C. Whitney; Clerk, Cyrus Calkins; Justice of the Peace, A. T. Lon- gee; F. A. Felch was elected Assessor, but did not qualify, and W. Wagner filled the office.
The only regular religious services in the town, are held in the Spencer settlement school-house. Ekler Adam Ringer, of Anoka county, preach. s about onee in four weeks, under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The first school taught in Livonia, was in 1859, in the house of J. F. Bean. The town is now divided into four distriets.
School has been held quite regularly in district number eleven sinee that above mentioned in Mr. Bean's house. In 1867, the present school-house was erected on section four.
The school-house in district number twelve was built in 1866, on section twenty-six, but destroyed by fire in 1874, and re-built in 1879, although placed on section twenty-three.
District number fourteen was organized in 1867, und a temporary school building erected on see- tion thirteen the following year. This was re- placed by one more commodions on section four-
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
teen, in 1869. Miss Nettie Smith taught the first school in the district.
Distriet number nineteen was organized in 1869, and a school-house ereeted on section twenty- seven the same summer.
The agricultural report for 1880 shows the fol- lowing products in Livonia : wheat, 11,252 bushels; oats, 5,711 bushels; corn, 8,533 bushels; rye, 1,008 bushels; potatoes, 1,995 bushels; beans, 112 bushels; sugar cane, 641 gallons; cultivated hay, 30 tons; wild hay, 1,166 tous; apples, 114 bush- els; wool, 195 pounds; butter, 10,475 pounds; and honey, 160 pounds.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
J. F. BEAN, one of the first settlers of Livonia township, was born in Rockingham county, New Hampshire, in July, 1824. From the age of five to twenty-one years, he attended school and assisted his father on the farm and in the mill, after which, he taught school a couple of years. When about twenty-four years old, he set out for the West, and located in Wisconsin, where he remained mmtil coming to Minnesota in 1852. He first settled at Elk River and improved a farm about two miles cust of the towu, but in 1856, came to the farm ou which he now lives; nt that time there were no improvements of any kind in this township. Was appointed Postmaster of Lake Fremont post- office in 1865, and still holds the position. Mr. Bean was married on the 15th of January, 1850, to Miss Betsy Harvey, of Maine. Of three children born to them, two are living.
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DAVID K. BILL dates his birth in Vermont, on the 24th of February, 1839. His father dying when he was but two years old, he was placed with a consin in Connecticut, remaining there until sixteen years of age, when he came to Bn- rean county, Illinois, and made that his home until 1860. Coming to Minnesota, he located in the town of Waterford, Dakota county, and on the 10th of October, 1861, enlisted in Company B, of the Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, was taken prisoner nt Murfreesborough, and while on parole, served in the Indian war of 1862. Re-en- listed on the 4th of December, 1863, was pro- moted to Sergeant in 1864, and served in that capacity until discharged on the 2d of Septem- ber, 1865. He then returned to his home and subsequently lived in Mecker and Lo Suor con- lies, and in Minneapolis, until selfling on his pres- ont farm in 1879. Mr. Bill was married on the
25th of October, 1866, to Hattie M. Bolser. They have been blessed with five children.
HORATIO BLASDELL was born in Canada West, in the year 1848. He came to Minnesota in 1870, and settled in Becker township, Sherburne county, but in 1877, removed to his present home in Livo- nia. Mr. Blasdell's farmn is located on section thirty-two, and contains one hundred and sixty acres of good farming land. He was married in January, 1871, to Miss Angelina Eaton. Their children are, Bertha, Leona, Alfred, and Miunie.
ALVIN BAILEY is a native of New York State, and was born in the year 1817. Early in life, he studied for the ministry, and after his ordination, preached in his native State for some time, going thence to Michigan, where he preached on a cir- cuit until coming to Minnesota about 1863. After residing about a year in Champlin, Hennepin county, removed to Big Lake, and iu 1878, to their present farm on section thirty-one, Livonia. Mr. Bailey has been twice married; first to Miss Louisa Bliss, who died in 1871, leaving four chil- drou; Melvin, Orville, Thomas, and Amelia. His present wife was Mrs. Catharine HI. Rogers, to whom he was married in 1874. Mr. Bailey's place contains eighty acres, and adjoining it, Mrs. Bailey also owns a pleasantly located farm of the same size.
A. J. CRAIG was born in Cambridge, Massachu- setts, on the 9th of February, 1842. His home was beneath the parental roof until about eighteen years of age, when he came to Minnesota, and after one year's stay at St. Anthony, went to Stillwater and engaged in logging and lumbering until 1867. Then came to Sherburne county and was employed for a number of years ou Rum river, but in 1875, settled on his present farm. Mr. Craig is Chairman of the board of Supervis- ors and has held a number of other local offices. He was married on the 12th of April, 1867, to Hattie Whitney. Of four children born to them, three are living.
JOHN DAVISON dates his birth in Canada, on the 20th of October, 1841. When a young man, he came to New York State, and was engaged in farm- ing there until 1869, when he removed to Michi- gan, and the following year, to the farm on which he now lives. Mr. Davison was nited in mar- ringo with Miss Holen Nichols, of Syracuse, Now York, on The 25th of December, 1867.
JOHN FRISBEE was born in New York State, but enme to Lce county, Illinois, in 1839. In 1855,
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
he went to Missouri, and after three years spent in farming, went to California, where he was en- gaged in farming and Inmlering for five years. Returned to Illinois in 1863, and nine years later, enme to Minnesota, remained one year in Cham- plin, Hennepin connty, and then removed to his present farm, in section thirty, Livonia township. Mr. Frisbee has been twice married; his first wife was Luna J. Ford, of Lee county, Illinois, to whom he was married in 1852; she died in 1861, leaving two children, Charles H. and Ella A. His present wife was Miss Catharine Morgan, the marriage taking place in 1865. Their children are, Maggie and Jolmn M.
JOHN H. GRAY, whose birth-place is Lincoln county, Maine, was born in the year 1826. When a young man, he karned the machinist's trade, which has been his chicf occupation through life. Came to St. Anthony, Minnesota, in 1857, and in 1879, removed to his present home. He lives on seetion thirty-one, where he owns one hundred und twenty acres of land. Mr. Gray has no fam- ily, and lives n quiet life, surrounded by his books, und for recreation, resorts to his dog and gun.
CHARLES A. HILL was born in the state of Maine, on the 24th of March, 1853. He resided in his native State until 1867, when the family came to Minnesota, and settled at Elk River. In 1878, Charles came to Livonia, and bonght a farm of eighty-five acres, on section thirty-one, where he now lives. He was married on the 5th of No- vember, 1879, to Miss Minnie A. Eaton. They have one child, named Rachel.
SAMUEL HUNTER was born in Canada, on the 24th of July, 1837. He was raised on his father's farm, and at eighteen years of age, went to work in a saw and flouring mill owned by his father, contiming in that employment until coming to Minnesota, in 1865. Mr. Hunter at once settled · on his prosent form, and has lived here ever since. His occupation is that of farmer, but usually works on the river during the driving season. He was married on the 18th of October, 1858, to Miss Sally A. Holdon. They have eight children.,
S. B. HEATH is a native of the state of Maine, born on the 28th of March, 1828. Affer passing his boyhood, he was employed on his father's farm and in lumbering, until coming to Minnesota in 1851. He lived with his brother on his farm, in what is now Big Lake township, Sherburne county, and worked in the woods during winter, for several years. In 1854, he returned to Maine, and fol-
lowed farming until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in Company G, of the Third Maine Volunteer Infantry, and after nine months was discharged for disability incurred while in the service. Returned to his home in the Pine Tree State, but in 1866, came again to Minnesota, and settled on the farm where he has since lived. Mr. Heath was married on the 10th of December, 1856, to Miss Ellen Mayo. Of twelve children born to them, but nine are living.
JAMES ILIFF was born in Preble county, Ohio, on the 6th of August, 1824. When ten years old, he went with his parents to Indiana, his father mov- ing the first family to the site of the present city of Wabash, in that State, in 1834. The subject of our sketch remained in the Hoosier State, farming and dealing in live stock, nntil coming to Minne- sota in 1853. After a stay of two years in St. An- thony, he went to what is now Spencer Rrook town- ship, Isanti county, and was the first permanent settler in that county, which was his home until coming to the present farm in Livonia, in 1880. Mr. Iliff was married on the 21st of May, 1854, to Miss Margaret Spencer. Of ten children born to them, but five are living.
W. J. HARRINGTON, whose birthplace is in Mont- gomery county, New York, was born on the 7th of November, 1825. When but a child, his father died, and at the age of twelve years, he removed with his mother to Ohio, and soon after commeneed working on the neighboring farms, remaining in the State six years. He then removed with his mother to Indiana, and purchased a small farm, which he carried on until coming to Minnesota in 1861. He settled in Sherburnecounty, but on the brenking out of the Sioux Massacre, enlisted in Company C, of the First Minnesota Mounted Ran- gers, and served thirteen months. Returned to Indiana in 1864, and two years later, again came to Minnesota and settled in Isanti county, where he lived ten years, and came to his present farm in 1876. Mr. Harrington was married in 1862, to Miss Annie V. Stevenson. They have had five children, four of whom are living.
REUBEN HILES was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, on the 31st of May, 1828. He was employed on n farm, and in the iron works in his native State, until coming to Minnesota in 1851. He was then engaged in logging and lumbering, with his residence at Taylor's Fulls, for six years, after which he lived in Wisconsin until 1861. I 1862, he again enme to Minnesota, and after ro-
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
maining in St. Paul a few years, settled on his present farm in 1865. Mr. Hiles' wife was Miss Ann Robertson, the marriage taking place on the 20th of Angust, 1868.
Chantes D. Gisseur dates his birth in Clinton county, New York, on the 18th of April, 1851. When twenty years old, he became engaged in a cotton factory at Manchester, New Hampshire, continuing the occupation for five years. In 1876, he came to Minnesota and located on a farm in Livonia township, but two years later, disposed of his improvements, and bought the farm on which he now lives, in another portion of the town. Mr. Gilbert was married on the 14th of September, 1872, to Miss Nancy Gordon, of his native county. They have been blessed with two children.
DENNIS A. KALIHER is a native of Dunkirk, New York, and was born on the 5th of Angust, 1852. Ilis father was engaged in railroad con- struction, and as he worked his way west, brought his family with him, and settled on a farm near Elk River, in 1859. After a four years' stay there, he removed to the north part of Sherburne county, residing there until 1873, when he removed to his present farm in Livo- nia township. Mr. Kaliher was married on the Ist of July, 1873, to Miss Jennie Larkins. They have four children.
WILLIAM R. LOVELL was born in Northampton- shire, England, on the 6th of September, 1846. When but a child, he came to America with his parents, who located in Hassan, Hennepin county. The subject of our sketch remained there until 1862, when he enlisted in Company B, of the Ninth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, serving over three years. Returning from the army, he settled in East Minneapolis, but in 1874, went to Pros- cot1, Wisconsin, and was engaged in a saw-mill until 1877, the date of his removal to his present home. Mr. Lovell was married on the 10th of December, 1874, to Miss Isabel Hurtt. Three children gather around the family board.
JOSEPH LARNE, whose birthplace is in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, was born on the 11th of' May, 183t. When a boy he was employed at agricultural pursuits, but at the age of seventeen years, began to learn the blacksmith trade, which occupation he followed for seven years, and after- wards spent five years in farming. Came to Ohio in 1856, where he lived for several years. In 1866, he settled on a farm near La Crosse, Wisconsin,
and in 1879, came to his present home in Livonia township. Mr. Larne's wife was Miss Charlotte Jolmson, the marriage taking place on the 1st of Jamary, 1866.
R. M. Mayo dates his birth in Waldo county, Maine, on the 9th of May, 1833. He was reared in his native State, and engaged in hibering until coming to Minnesota in 1855. Followed his former occupation here until the breaking ont of the war, when he enlisted in Company E, of the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. Served with some distinction until wounded, near Fairfax Court House, after which he was compelled to lay in the hospital for months, and finally was discharged for disability on account of his wounds. He then returned to his native State and remained nntil 1866, when he settled on his present farn in Livo- nia. Mr. Mayo was united in marriage with Addie E. Burroughs, on the 24th of January, 1876.
LUTHER MONEIL was born in Michigan, on the 21st of June, 1843. His native State claimed him as a resident until 1861, when he came to Wabasha county, Minnesota, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits until December, 1863, when he culisted in Company M, of the Second Minne- sota Cavalry and served two years. Returned to his farm in Wabasha county, which was his home until coming to the farm on which he now lives, in 1867. Mr. McNeil was married on the 4th of May, 1865, to Marietta Spencer. Of six children born to them, but five are living.
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