USA > Mississippi > History of the upper Mississippi Valley, pt 1 > Part 59
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SAMUEL C. MILLIMAN was born in what is now the city of Anoka, Anoka county, Minnesota, on the 19th of March, 1854, and was the first white boy born in that township. He was raised in his native town until abont twenty years of age, when he removed with his parents to Sanford, Isanti county, making his father's house his home, being engaged in logging and lumbering. In 1875, he went to Colorado, and was employed in the mines a portion of two years. Returned to Isauti county in 1877, and in 1879, settled on his present farm. Mr. Milliman's wife was Miss Millie A. Wilber, the marriage taking place on the 1st of March, 1879.
WILLIAM HAGAN, a native of Canada, was born on the 15th of September, 1838. When a boy, he left home, and went to work on the neighboring farms, and subsequently engaged in farming on his own account, until coming to Minnesota in 1868. He first settled at Elk River, and worked in n saw mill until 1871, coming thenee to the
333
BIOGRAPHICAL.
farm on which he has since lived. Mr. Hagan's wife was Miss Catharine Huntington, with whom he was united in marriage on the 5th of August, 1868.
T. M. Ramey, a native of Milwaukee county, Wisconsin, was born on the 1st of March, 1852. He grew to manhood in his native State, after- wards visiting Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Nebraska, and Colorado, but returned again to the Badger State. In 1875, he came to Minnesota, and after remaining a year in the southern part of the State, settled on his present farm in Livonia town- ship. Mr. Reiley was married on the 7th of June, 1876, to Miss Annie Kernan. They have been blessed with three children.
SAMUEL ROBERTSON dates his birth in Canada, on the 28th of March, 1851. His mother died when he was quite young, and at the age of ten years, he began to work on the neighboring farms, but soon after became employed on the boats run- ning on the lakes, continuing that occupation for several years, and afterwards spent some time in railroading. In 1871, he settled on the farm in Livonia, where he has since lived. Mr. Robertson was married on the 14th of July, 1873, to Miss A. Sisson. Of six children born to them, but three are living.
ALVAN 'T. LOUGEE was born in New Hampshire, on the 9th of March, 1823. When he was twen. ty-one years old, went to the state of Maine, where he lived until he came to Minnesota in 1854. He settled at Stillwater, and was employed in the lumber mills at that place for tive years, going thence to Kanabre county, where he was engaged in farming, and also held the office of County Treasurer for seven years. In 1867, he came to this township and has lived here ever sinee. Mr. Longce is Town Clerk of Livonin, having held the office five years.
BENJAMIN N. SPENCER, deceased, was born in Pennsylvania, on the 30th of April, 1806. When a child, he removed with his parents to Ohio, where he grew to manhood, and at the age of twenty-two years, went to Indiana, where he was engaged in farming, and also worked at the car- penfers trade. About 1854, he came to Minne- sota, and lived in St. Anthony for a time, after which he went to Isanti county, and was engaged in farming for three years. In 1864, he came to the farm in Livonia township, where he resided until his death, which occurred on the 17th of March, 1881. Mr. Spencer was highly respected
by those who had the pleasure of his acquain- tance. He filled the office of Judge of Probate of Sherburne county, for two terms. His wife was Mrs. Sarah J. Thompson, a native of Tompkins county, New York, and a resident of Minnesota since 1849. She still resides on the oldl home- stead.
JOHN STRETCH is a native of Upper Canada, and was born on the 4th of February, 1837. He was raised on his father's farm, which was his home until 1863. Then came to the state of Michigan, and was employed in a saw-mill about a year and a half, after which he came to Minnesota, and set- tled on his present farm. He was married on the 2d of January, 1863, to Miss Jane McCollum. Five children are the result of this union.
JOHN STAPLES was born in York county, Maine, on the 2d of May, 1825. When but four years old, his father died, and he went to live with an unele in Penobscot county, where he remained twelve years. Was then engaged in logging and lumbering on the Penobscot river, until 1851, when he came to St. Anthony, Minnesota. He was then employed in the pincries four years, being one of the party who ent the first logs on the west branch of Rum river. In 1854, he opened a farm in the south part of Elk River township, but did not reside on it, although living in that town until removing to his prosent farm, in 1862.
J. B. SPENCER, son of Benjamin N. Spencer, whose memoir appears in these pages, was born in Porter county, Indiana, on the 9th of January, 1844. When quite young, he came to Minnesota with his parents, accompanying them to Isanti county; his father was the first settler in that lo- cality, and the township bears his name. They came to this township in 1864, and six years later. the subject of this sketch removed to his own farm, which he lind previously bought. Mr. Spen- cer was married on the 7th of October, 1870, to Miss Sarah Dennis. Of five children which they have had, four are living.
BENJAMIN WRIGHT is a native of Warwickshire, England, and was born on the 29th of May, 1828. lle came to America in 1852, and after two years spent in New York State, came to Minnesota, and settled in Hassan, Hennepin county, where he was a member of the first board of Supervisors. In 1863, he removed to Illinois, but in 1877, returned again to Minnesota, and settled on his present farm. Mr. Wright is Justice of the Peace in Li- vonia township.
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
EDWARD L. WHITNEY, whose birthplace is in the state of Maine, was born on the 15th of Sep- tember, 1851. When but a child, his parents came to Minnesota and settled in Anoka, but after a two year's stay, removed to Oak Grove township, in the same county, and in 1865, came to Livonia, where the family has since lived. Mr. Whitney resided with his parents until removing to his present farm in 1879. He was married on the 20th of June, 1876, to Miss Sarah Longee. They have two children.
S. F. Woods was born in Waldo county, Maine, on the 29th of May, 1838. Came with his parents to Anoka, Minnesota, about 1855 or '56, and was engaged in lumbering until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in the Second Minne- sota Light Artillery, serving three years. In 1867, he located his present farm, and has lived here ever since. Mr. Woods was married in 1862, to Miss Lney Tilton, of Anoka county, who died in 1869, leaving three children.
ORROCK.
CHAPTER LXXIII.
DESCRIPTION-EARLY SETTLEMENT - ORGANIZATION -- SCHOOLS - AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS - BIO- GRAPHICAL.
Orrock is situated a little east of the center of the county, and contains 23,040 acres, of which 1,204 are under cultivation. The population, according to the last census, wns 358.
There are several sections of prairie near the center of the town which is not very productive, a small portion only being cultivated, but the bal- ance of the town is good farming land. The St. Francis river enters the township at the northenst corner, and runs in a southerly direction until it nears the south line, when it takes a westerly course, and leaves the town on section thirty-two; good hay meadows are found in its bottoms. There are a number of small lakos in the town- ship, the largest of which are Eagle Lake and Lakes Ann and Josephine.
The first permanent settler was Robert Orrock, in honor of whom the town is named. He is n native of Scotland, and settled on section twenty- nine in 1856, and still resides there. Either that fall or the next spring, Isaac Bailey, n untive of
Canada, settled in the town, but moved away a few years ago. Among the early settlers were G. L. Knapp, Hans Damm, Gunder Nelson, and L. A. Schack.
The chief portion of the population are Swedes, Norwegians, and Danes, although a few German and American families live there.
This town was a part of Big Lake until 1875, when a separate organization was effected and the following officers elected: Supervisors, C. Varley, Chairman, Hans Damm and Gunder Nelson; Clerk, G. L. Knapp; Treasurer, Thomas Tattham; Assessor, L. A. Schack; Justices of the Peace, H. E. Craig and L. A. Lindquist; and Constables, L. A. Schack and J. B. Peterson.
There are no churches in the town, but religious services are frequently held in some one of the school-houses.
District number eight was the first organized in the town, in 1860; the school-house is situated on section eleven, and the first teacher was Miss Jeanette Orrock.
District number thirty was organized in 1877, and the school-house located on section twenty- nine.
District number thirty-three was organized in the spring of 1878, and the school-honse placed on section eight. The first teacher was Miss Annie Larson.
District number thirty-four was also organized in the spring of 1878. . The school-honse is situ- ated on section twenty-six.
According to the agricultural report of 1880, the prodnets were: wheat, 7,712 bushels; oats, 891 bushels; corn, 5,577 bushels; rye, 1,698 bush- els; potatoes, 2,743 bushels; beans, 152 bushels; apples, 19 bushels; sugar-cane, 477 gallons; wild hay, 1,113 tons; wool, 312 pounds; butter, 10,892 pounds; cheese, 250 pounds; and honey, 100 pounds.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
WILLIAM BAER was born near Cologne, Ger- many, in the year 1820. Received a good com- mon school education in his native country, and after he grew np. was engaged at farming and also had a bakery, about six miles from Cologne. Came to America when twenty-seven years old, and in company with two brothers, opened u store at Cross Plains, Wisconsin, conducting it about twenty years. , In 1869, he came to Minne- Nota, and selected his prosent farm of one hundred und sixty acres, which is located on section thirty.
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335
ORROCK TOWNSHIP.
Mr. Baer was married in 1849, to Miss Catharine Legenbecker, of his native town. They have had ten children, but seven of whom are living.
JOHN BELL, a native of Mercer county, Penn- sylvania, was born in the year 1849. When he was abont six years old, the family came to Wis- consin and located abont seven miles from La Crosse, where the subject of our sketch grew to manhood. When abont fifteen years old, he com- menced farming for himself, and has followed the plongh ever since. He came to his present farm in Orrock township, in 1879; it contains one linn- dred and twenty acres and is located on sections twelve and thirteen. Mr. Bell was married in 1874, to Miss Rosella Proctor, who is a native of Fairfax, Vermont, born in 1854. They have two children, a girl of six, and a boy of two years.
H. E. CRAIG was born in St. Andrew's, New Brunswick, on the 15th of February, 1834. He was raised in his native town, and at the age of seventeen years, went to Boston and learned the carpenter's trade. After remaining in the latter city about five years, came to Minnesota and set- tled at Crow Wing, where, for several years, he worked at his trade during the summer months, and followed hunting and trapping during winter. In 1861, he visited the Rocky Mountains in com- pany with Sir Henry Chaplin, a member of the British Parliament, and Sir Frederick Jolmson, who had come to this country for the purpose of hunting Buffalo. On the 4th of July, 1863, he en- listed in Captain Whitcomb's company of vomn- teers, and spent several years in fighting the In- diaus, being mistered out at Fort Snelling on the 9th of June, 1866. Then removed to what is now Orrock township and has lived here ever sinee. His farm consists of two hundred and forty acres and is located in section eighteen; its agricultural advantages are diversified by one hundred acres of meadow, one hundred acres suitable for wheat- raising, and forty aeres of timber. Mr. Craig has become one of the prominent men of the county, and has been County Commissioner two years; he has also held the offices of Justice of the Peace, Town Clerk, Supervisor and other town offices, and is the present Postmaster. He was married in 1861, to Miss Hattie (. Orrock, who was born in Durham, Canada East, in the year 1843. They have five children, four danghters and one son.
JonN Kianr dates his birth in Jackson, Ohio, on the 14th of December, 1842. When he was abont two years old, the family removed to Iowa, which
was the home of our subject for seventeen years. Then went to Missouri, but soon returned and set- tled in Wisconsin, where he was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits until coming to his present farm four years ago. During the war, he enlisted at La Crosse, in Company B, of the Fiftieth Wiscon- sin Volunteer Infantry, but was not called into act- ive service, being discharged at the close of the war, after having served three months. Mr. Kight was married in 1863, to Miss Rosina Nesler. They have nine children, six sons and three danghters.
G. L. KNAPP was born in Barnston, Canada, in the year 1838, where he grew to manhood, receiv- ing a good common school education. He was among the early settlers of this township, and was married in 1866, to Miss Jeanette Orrock, a daugh- ter of Robert Orrock, of this town. They have been blessed with two children, a son and dangh- ter. Mr. Knapp resides with his father-in-law and has the management of the farm.
ROBERT ORROCK, the pioneer of the township bearing his name, was born in Scotland, on the 15th of July, 1805. He came to America in 1831, and settled in Quebce, Canada, but removed to Minnesota in 1856, and settled on the farm which he now occupies, on section twenty-nine.
WALLACE B. SAWYER was born near the Green Mountains in western Vermont, in the year 1839. In 1812, his father removed to Mason, New Hamp- shire, where Wallace received his early education. When he was fourteen years old, the family re- turned to Vermont, and soon after, the subject of onr sketch went to Templeton, Massachusetts, where he learned the trade of wood-turner, which he followed for a number of years. In 1857, re- moved to Springfield, Illinois, and resided in that State nntil the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in Company I, of the One Inundred and fifteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served nearly three years. He was under command of Generals Buell and Thomas, and participated in the battles of Fort Donnelson, Chickamauga and many others, receiving injuries entitling him to a pension, which he receives. Was discharged at Fort Hooker, Tennessee, on the 11th of June, 1865. Returning from the army he engaged in merenntile business, in which he continued until his removal to the farm in 1876. Mr. Sawyer was married in 1860, to Miss Elvira Smith, who is now deceased. His present wife was Miss Emma Bailey, a native of Canada, to whom he was mar- ried in 1875. They have three children, all girls.
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
PALMER.
ยท CHAPTER LXXIV.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION - - EARLY SETTLEMENT- OR- GANIZATION -- SCHOOLS -- AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS -BIOGRAPHICAL.
Palmer is situated in the northwest portion of the county, and has an area of 23,040 acres, of which 501 are under eultivation. The population, according to the last census, was 55.
The surface is considerably broken, caused by the Elk River crossing the southwest corner, and Rice Creek running in a southerly direction through the center of the town. This, like other towns in the county through which creeks and rivers flow, abounds in good hay meadows. There are also a member of lakes, prominent among which are Elk Lake, on the south line, and Briggs and Julia Lakes, likewise in the southern part of the town. Rice Lake, in the northern part, is a shallow body of water, and on its surface may be seen immense numbers of wild ducks, in their season.
Among the first settlers was James Brady, a native of Ireland, who made a claim on section nineteen, in the spring of 1855. Joshua Briggs, a native of Maine, and recently deceased, settled on section twenty-seven the same fall. In 1856, Thomas Carlin located a claim in the town, but did not settle here until 1859.
This town was organized in 1858, with the name of Briggs, in honor of Joshna Briggs, who resided on the west bank of the lake bearing his name. The present town of Haven was also included within its limits. A few years afterwards, the name was changed to Clinton Lake, and subsequently, to Palmer, in honor of Robinson Palmer, the father of Mrs. Joshua Briggs. In 1872, it was reduced to its present size by the organization of Haven, as before stated.
As near as can be ascertained, the first oflieers were: Supervisors, Joshua Briggs, Chairman, and C. Galarneault; Clerk, Assessor, and Collector, H. Mulligan; Justices of the Peace, Jolm Emerson and Joshna Briggs.
School district number twenty-four, and a portion of unmber six, are in this town. The former was organized in 1874, but there is no school house in the district, school being held in private houses.
The agricultural report for 1880 shows the fol- lowing products; wheat, 3,675 bushels; oats, 2,373
bushels; corn, 2,950 bushels; rye, 224 bushels; potatoes, 125 bushels; wild hay, 347 tons; wool, 50 pounds; and butter, 5,985 pounds.
MIOGRAPHICAL.
JOSHUA BRIdas ( deceased ) was born in the state of Maine, on the 25th of April, 1814. During his boyhood he attended the public schools, and sub- sequently graduated at Milton College, Massa- chusetts. His father was a ship-builder, and Joshua became a sailor, filling the responsible position of Captain for fourteen years. In 1855, he gave up a sea-faring life, came to Minnesota, and settled on the farm where he resided until his death, which oceurred on the 6th of July, 1881. This farm is situated on the west bank of Briggs' Lake, and is one of the finest in the township, one hundred and twenty-five acres being under enltivation. Mr. Briggs was married on the 30th of September, 1846, to Caroline Palmer. They have had five children, all living. The oldest son, Joshna, and the youngest, Benjamin R., have conducted the farm since 1874.
THOMAS CARLIN was born in Derry county, Ire- land, about the year 1827. When about eighteen years old, he came to America, and spent a num- ber of years, mostly in agricultural pursuits, in Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey. In 1856, he came to Minnesota, remained in St. Panl the first winter, and the following year came to Clear Lake, Sherburne county, where he remained until coming to his present farm in Palmer towu- ship, in 1859. Mr. Carlin came to Minnesota with but thirty dollars, and now owns a fine farm of three hundred and seventy acres, with good im- provements. He is Chairman of the board of Supervisors, having held the position for a num- ber of years. Was married on the 19th of July, 1856, to Miss Mary Brady. They have right chil- dren.
SANTIAGO.
CHAPTER LXXV.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION -EARLY SETTLEMENT-FIRST THINGS - ORGANIZATION -- SANTIAGO VILLAGE -- MANUFACTURING- MERCANTILE-SCHOOLS-AGRI- CULTURAL STATISTICS- BIOGRAPHICAL.
Santingo is situated in the north tier of towns, and ocenpics a central position east and west. Its
337
SANTIAGO TOWNSHIP.
area is abont 23,040 acres, of which 929 are under cultivation. The population, according to the last censns, was 213.
The surface, for the most part, is gently undu- lating. Extending across the town from east to west is a belt of meadow land, partly fringed by swamp. South of this meadow, the soil is light and sandy, but on the north it is much better, and in places, well timbered.
There are a few small lakes in the town, the largest of which is Boyd Lake.
The principal stream is the St. Francis river, which enters the town from the north, about two miles from the northwest corner, pursues an irreg- ular course, and crosses the east line into Blue Hill, near the center of the township.
The first settlers were, Charles F. George, and his brother, Royal J., W, L. Babcock, and a young man named P. Holland, all natives of Vermont, who came in 1856, and settled on section ten. Mr. George is the only one of those carly pioneers now living here, and is, consequently, the oldest settler in the town.
In the south part of the town, which contains but few inhabitants, the first settlers were, Sam- uel Walker, Jolm Coombs, and others whose names conld no be obtained. The date of their settle- ment was in the year 1865.
The first child born was Arthur B. George, on the 5th of March, 1857. The first death was Lil- lian, an infant daughter of W. L. Babcock, who died in the spring of 1857. The first marriage was P. Holland and Miss Lucy Hunt, in the sum- mer of 1860. The first preaching was about 1869, by Rev. J. H. Shepardson, of Beeker. A Baptist Church was organized, but existed only a short time.
'This town was a part of Baldwin until 1868, when a separate organization was effected, and the new town named Northway, but was subsequently changed to its present name. The first election was held on the 23d of May, and the following officers were elected: Supervisors, W. L. Bab- cock, Chairman, David Harvey and Samnel Walk- er; Clerk, Benjamin F. Noel; Treasurer, B. G. Rushton; and Assessor, Samuel Walker.
In April, 1857, n plat, bearing the name of San- tingo Village, was recorded at the county seat, but it never assumed any more importance than most other paper towus.
In 1868, Andrew Boyington built a saw mill ou scetion ten, near the old town site, on the St.
Francis river. It subsequently passed into the hands of W. & W. H. Bailey, who have owned and operated it since Jannary, 1874. The old mill, erected by Boyington, was burned about three years ago, but immediately rebuilt by the owners. The mannfactures of this inill consist chiefly of hard and basswood lumber, besides staves and bur- rel heads, wagon felloes and shingles. The daily capacity is ten thousand feet of lumber, one hun- dred sets of fellocs, onc hundred sets of staves and heading, and fifteen thousand shingles.
Mr. W. L. Babcock opened a store at his resi- dence on section ten, in 1868, and the following Angust, Santiago Post-office was established there, with Mr. Babcock as Postmaster. Mr. James W. Guild now owns a fine store at this point, and is also Postmaster; the otlice is supplied by a weekly mail from Clear Lake station.
Mrs. Harriet M. Bigelow, now Mrs. Benjamin F. Noel, taught a private sehool in the summer of 1868, in the residence of Geo. A. Bigelow, on see- tion four. This was the first school taught in the township. The first public school was taught in the summer of 1869, in district number fifteen, by Mrs. Marion B. Harvey.
In 1865, Mrs. Siloam Potter, a Vermont lady then living here, organized a Sabbath school, inde- pendent of any denomination, which has been kept np ever since.
'The agricultural report for 1880, shows the fol- lowing products: wheat, 4,455 bushels; oats, 2,526 bushels; corn, 4,775 bushels; rye, 1,322 bushels; buckwheat, 6 bushels; potatoes, 1,830 bushels; beans, 116 bushels; apples, 13 bushels ; sugar cane, 33 gallons; cultivated hay, 6 tons; wild hay, 1,769 tons; wool, 427 pounds; butter, 13,815 pounds; cheese, 7,350 pounds; and honey, 885 ponnds.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
OLE ANDERSON was born near Mora, Sweden, in August, 1817. His early life was spent in his native country, where he was employed for a number of years in an iron foundry. Came to America in 1868, and the same fall, settled on his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, located on section two. Mr. Anderson was mar- ried in 1841, to Miss Anna Skalberg. They have had two children; Caroline, who died in Sweden, aged tonsteen years, and John O. The latter was born in September, 1850, came to America with his parents, and now carries on the old farm, re- siding beneath the parental roof. He was united
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IIISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
in marriage with Miss Mary Loden, of Minneap- olis, on the 3d of November, 1880.
WILLIAM H. BAILEY is a native of Burlington, Pennsylvania, and was born on the 20th of Janu- ary, 1842. He came to Minnesota in 1864, and after residing two years in Dayton, Hennepin county, six years in Middleville, Wright county, and ubout a year in Clearwater, came to this town- ship, and has lived here ever since. In company with his brother, Weston Bailey, he owns and operates a lumber, stave, and shingle mill, which is located on section ten. Mr. Bailey was married on the 19th of June, 1864, to Miss Orley L. Dodd, of Pennsylvania. Their children are, Harry C., Ella E., Minnie B., and Perley A.
WESTON BAILEY, a brother of our last sub- ject, is also a native of Burlington, Pennsylvania, and was born on the 13th of July, 1834. Came to Minnesota in 1865, and has lived in the West ever since, five years of which, he carried on a saw-mill in Wisconsin, but sold it in the fall of 1880. Also built the first steam saw-mill at Buf- falo, Wright county. He was married in 1859, to Marion Roberts, of Pennsylvania, who died in the fall of 1864, leaving two children, Jessie, now re- siding in Wisconsin, and John F. Mr. Bailey now resides in St. Panl.
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