USA > Mississippi > History of the upper Mississippi Valley, pt 1 > Part 61
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The present officers are: Senior Warden, J. B. Hoit, and Junior Warden, C. G. Wood; Vestry- men, Rudolphus Burgit, James Beatty, J. W. Wat- son, W. F. Street, James A. Jones, M. W. Elthorp, Samuel Ellis, and P. G. Skeate.
The Roman Catholics have a church here, but no services are held, the members attending the church of the Immaculate Conception at St. Cloud.
The Freemasons are represented by Unity Lodge No. 93, which commenced working under dispensation in the spring of 1871. The first officers were: S. N. Wright, W. M., W. HI. Fletch- er, S. W., Justin Carpenter, J. W., S. P. Carpenter, See., E. S. Ball, Treas., G. W. Benediet, S. D., D).
B. Barstow, J. D., and S. S. Sweetland, Tyler. A charter was granted on the 10th of January, 1872, with twelve members, which has been increased to twenty-five. The present officers are: S. N. Wright, W. M., S. Chrysler, S. W., F. A. Fogg, J. W., W. H. Fletcher, See., G. S. Reader, Treas., W. Miller, S. D., C. B. Chrysler, J. D., and Theo. Berg, Tyler.
A good graded school is maintained, with three departments, and an average attendance of 168 scholars.
NEWSPAPERS .- The first newspaper published in the State, outside of St. Paul and St. Anthony, was at this place. It was named the "Sauk Rapids Frontiersman," and started by Jeremiah Russell, in October, 1854, who took as associate editor, George W. Benediet. This paper was dis- eontinned after a few years, and in its stead ap- peared "The New Era," edited by W. H. Wood and Mrs. Julia A. A. Wood. The " Sank Rapids Sentinel " was established by George W. Benedict in 1868, but in 1872, the material was sold and re- moved to St. Cloud, and on the 25th of March, 1873, the present "Sank Rapids Sentinel " came into existence, also under the proprietorship of Mr. Benedict. He continued the publication until Deeember, 1875, when it passed into the hands of W. L. Nieman, the present proprietor. A. De Lacey Wood also eondneted a paper here a short time, but removed to Breckenridge abont 1879.
There is a granite quarry, possessing a very fine quality of stone, located within the city limits. It is owned by Collins & Searle, of St. Cloud, and given, in connection with similar formations in this scetion of the State, a full notiee in the chap- ter devoted to Geology.
The agricultural products of Sauk Rapids town- ship in 1880, were: wheat, 4,087 bushels; oats, 1,446 bushels; corn, 288 bushels; rye, 160 bushels; potatoes, 640 bushels; wild hay, 204 tons; tobacco, 20 pounds ; wool, 777 pounds ; butter, 8,665 pounds; and honey, 2,600 pounds.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
JAMES BEATTY, one of the pioneers of Minne- sota, is a native of Fairfield county, Ohio, born on the 27th of April, 1816. When James was four- teen years old, the family removed to Cass county, Michigan, where he remained until twenty-one years of age. He then settled on a claim in Iowa, where he resided until 1840, after which, he man- aged the farms of the Winnebago Indians at Fort Atkinson, until coming to Minnesota in 1848. Af-
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ter n short stay in St. Paul, he accompanied a party to Crow Wing, and soon after located an In- dian Agency at Long Prairie, Todd eonuty. In December of the same year, he bought a trading post at Sank Rapids, which he conducted till the fall of 1849, when, in company with 'T. A. Holmes, he opened a trading post at Itasca, abont seven miles above Anoka. In 1855, he left Itasea and took charge of u trading post in Blue Earth county, for Mr. Myrick, which he continued until 1860. He then returned to Itasen, but soon after, engaged in the mercantile business, in Dayton, Hennepin county, which he disposed of in 1869, and came to Sank Rapids, where he has since been engaged in the hotel business. He was a member of the ter- ritorial legislature in 1851, 1853 and 1854; was Connty Commissioner of Benton county, from 1849 to 1855, and again in 1878. Mr. Beatty was united in marriage with Eliza Foscett, of New York City, in 1854. Of six children born to them, but three are living; James B., Margaret U., and Ella L.
PHILIP BEAUPRE, also one of the pioncers of Minnesota, is a native of Lower Canada, born on the 6th of July, 1823. He came to the United States in 1840, and was employed on a canal in Chicago, one year, after whichi he went to Green Bay, Wisconsin, and spent one year and a half. Then, after a trip to St. Louis and New Orleans, he went into the Yellowstone country, and was one year in the employ of the American Fur Company. In the summer of 1844, he came to Minnesota and located at Crow Wing, in the employ of the In- dian traders, Morrison and MeDonald, with whom he remained four years, and was then in the cm- ploy of Henry M. Rice, one year. In 1849, he estab- lished n trading post in Morrison county, but after condueting it a year, came to Sank Rapids, where, some time after, he pre-empted some land, and was engaged in farming and trading nntil 1852, when he went to Pembina, D. T., and was employed in the United States Custom office at that point for three years. He then carried ou n trading post at Sank City, Stearns county, for a short time, but in 1856, took a contract from the Government for the transportation of goods from St. Cloud to Fort Abercrombie. He retained his residence in Sauk City, and in the fall of 1859. was elected Sheriff of Stearns conuty, and served two years. He then made a trip to Moutann, and after his return, lo- cated at St. Cloud, and was engaged in freighting for several years, after which, he was employed
two years, by Nathan Myrick, in the construction of Fort Pembina. He held the office of County Commissioner of Benton county, in 1849, and was Justice of the Peace at Sank Rapids, in 1851. After this busy life of earnest toil in the develop- ment of the frontier, Mr. Beaupro retired to his old homestead in Benton county, where he still lives, in the enjoyment of his quiet country home. He was married in 1852, to Theresa Desnoyer, of St. Louis. Of their sixteen children, thirteen are yet living; William P., Lonis G., Emma E., Hen- rie., Mary L., Eulalie, Jeanette, Theresa, Frauk, John B., Elizabeth, Alphonse L., and Andrew, the last two being twins.
GEO. W. BENEDICT, a resident of Minnesota for the last twenty-seven years, dates his birth in Rochester, New York, on the 20th of March, 1825. When the subject of our sketch was five years of age, the family removed to Lower Canada, where he was reared and received his early education. In early life he acquired the printer's trade, at which he was employed in Hamilton and other portions of Canada, and in New York State, until 1851, when he went to Teeumseh, Michigan, and com- meneed the publication of the "Tecumseh Her- ald," continuing it till 1854. While a resident of the latter place, he was a delegate to the Presi- dential convention which nominated General Scott. In 1854, he came to Sauk Rapids, under an en- gagement to manage the "Sauk Rapids Frontiers- man," for Jeremiah Russell, which position he held about four years, after which he started the "New Era," which was afterwards discontinued. In 1860, he was working in the " Times" office at St. Paul, and was afterwards foreman on the " Press." In 1864, he took charge of the printing depart- ment of the " Pioneer," and remained until 1868, when he started the "Sauk Rapids Sentinel," at Sank Rapids. He also commeneed the publica- tion of the "Alexandria Post," but soon sold his interest in it. He continued the "Sauk Rapids Sentinel" until 1872, when, in company with some others, he started the "St. Cloud Press;" disposed of his interest at the end of the first year, and re- established the " Sank Rapids Sentinel," which, in 1875, he sold to the present proprietor, W. L. Nic- mn. Mr. Benediet was Clerk of the District Court of Benton County, in 1856, was a member of the State Senate, in 1874, and was appointed Deputy Revenue Colleetor, in 1876, which latter position he still holds. He was married in 1851, to Anna Cronk, of Canada.
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IHISTORY OF THIE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
SAMUEL A. CHASE, a native of New Hampshire, was born on the 1st of January, 1832. He came to Minnesota in an early day, and for two years was employed at his trade, (carpentering) in St. Paul. Then went to St. Louis, Missouri, remained two years, was in Florida eighteen months, and returned to the North, after which, until 1861, he was in Grant county, Wisconsin. He then went to Chiengo, and after the fire in 1872, came to St. Cloud, and to Sauk Rapids in 1874. For several years he was in the wheat business in con- nection with his trade, and is now employed as a millwright in the flouring mill at this place.
JOSEPH COATES, for nearly twenty years a resi- dent of Sank Rapids, and at present Judge of Probate of Benton county, is a native of Lincoln- shire, England, born on the 30th of November, 1849. When the subject of our sketch was about five years old, the family came to America, locating at Davenport, Iowa, and thenee, in 1857, to Fillmore county, Minnesota, and in April, 1861, to Sank Rapids, where Joseph grew to manhood, receiving his education here and at St. Paul. With the ex- ception of about two years' absence in Arkansas, he has been a resident of Sauk Rapids ever since. HIe was Sheriff of Benton county from 1872 to 1874, and Deputy Sheriff the next four years, after which he was again elected Sheriff, serving until 1880, when he was elected Judge of Probate. Mr. Coates was united in marriage, in 1878, with Miss Mary E. Cross of England.
S. P. CARPENTER dates his birth in Washte- naw county, Michigan, on the 1st of June, 1835. When four years old, he removed with his parents to Jefferson county, Wisconsin, where he was reared on a farin, and occasionally clerking in a store, until 1855, when he went to Milwaukee, and was employed as clerk nutil 1858, when he returned to Jefferson county. In 1859, he went to Calfornia and was engaged in the clothing business until 1865, when he romoved to Chicago, and was in the same business until coming to Sauk Rapids in 1871. Here he took charge of the Russell House, which ho managed nine years; he is now bookkeeper for A. J. Dein- enles. Mr. Carpenter was Sheriff of Benton county, from 1871 to 1878, and in the fall of the lafter year, was elected Clerk of the District Court, which office he still holds. He was mar- ried in 1872, to Eva E. Coburn, of Galen, Illi- nois. Their children are, Ora L., Horace B., and Olive M.
ERASMUS CROSS is a native of Yorkshire, Eng- land, born on the 4th of November, 1833. He came to America in 1851, settling in Jacksonville, Illinois, where he was engaged in farming and also kept a meat market, until 1860, when he camo to St. Cloud, Minnesota. Mr. Cross brought five hundred sheep with him, which he sold, re- turning to Illinois the following spring. In 1864, he removed his family to St. Cloud, and was in the cattle trade and meat business there mmtil 1876, when he came to Sauk Rapids, where he lias since resided. He was married in 1853, to Jane Willoughby, of Yorkshire, England. Of ten children, the result of this union, but five are liv- ing; Mary E., Emma, Annie C., James S., and Robert E.
RICHARD CRONK was born in Upper Canada, on the 30th of January, 1838. His lifo was spent in the vicinity of his early home until 1856, when he came to Minnesota and settled in Minden township, Benton county, and was engaged in farming until 1867, when he sold his farm and has since resided in Sauk Rapids. For the last seventeen years, Mr. Cronk has been widely known as a practical land surveyor, having surveyed for the Government, six townships in Crow Wing county, and also spent several years in Nebraska and the Red River of the North, following his profession. He was County Surveyor of Benton county, fifteen years, and County Treasurer 'two years. Mr. Cronk was united in marriage with Miss Sarah E. Hall, daughter of the late Rev. Sherman Hall, of Sauk Rapids, in 1870. Of three children born to them, two are living, Charles G. and Edwin S.
A. J. DEMEULES is a native of Minnesota, born . in St. Paul, on the 28th of February, 1854. He received his early education in his native city, but afterwards attended the Terra Bonne Commercial College, of Canada, graduating therefrom in 1874. He then returned to St. Paul, and was Clerk of the Probate Court until September, 1875, when he formed a partnership with Mr. Linnemann, and engaged in mercantile business at Sank Rap- ids, under the firm name of Linnemann & Do- menles. In February, 1881, Mr. Linnemann withdrew from the firm, leaving Mr. Demeules sole proprietor. He was married in June, 1875, to Miss Anna C. Linnemann, of La Fayette, Indiana. They have lmd three children, two of whom are living, Bertha S., and Edgar A. Mr. Demeules is also Chairman of the Board of County
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Commissioners, and discharges the duties of the office in a ereditable manner.
WILLIAM H. FLETCHER is a native of Musk- ingitm county, Ohio, born on the 27th of Febru- ary, 1842. At an early age, he removed with his parents, to Chicago, thence, to Beloit, Wisconsin, and in 1857, to St. Anthony, Minnesota, where his father had located two years before and engaged in the milling business. In 1858, the family re- moved to Little Falls, Minnesota, but only re- mained one year, coming to Sauk Rapids, where the subject of our sketch has sinee resided. When a young man, he learned the trade of wagon- making, and since 1868, has been engaged in their manufacture. During the last few years, Mr. Fletcher has devoted much time to bee culture. Commencing in 1872, with one swarm of bees, he has gradually increased his stock, until at the present time he has upwards of one hundred colo- nic's. He also maunfactures lives and all kinds of apiary material, and is rapidly extending his bus- iness in this line. Miss Ada M. Everest, of Ohio, became the wife of Mr. Fletcher, in 1879.
JOHN B. HOMAN is a native of Prussia, born on on the 1st of January, 1828. He was rearcd in his native country, learning the shoemaker's trade. In 1853, he came to America, and settled in Lake county, Indiana, where he worked at his trade and was engaged in other porsnits, until coming to Minnesota, in May, 1860. After a few weeks stay in St. Cloud and St. Joseph, he came to Sauk Rapids, and worked at his trade and kept saloon until 1864, when he removed to St. Cloud, but after remaining thirteen months, he again re- turned to Sank Rapids, and has resided here ever sinee. In 1866-67, lie built the City Hotel, of which he is still the proprietor. This hotel con- tains fourteen rooms, and is one of the neatest in the town. Mr. Homan was married in 1854, to Theresa Ulenbrock, of Germany. They have had twelve children, ten of whom are living. Their names are, John, Mary, Josephine, Annie, Theresa, Kate, Frank, Margaret, George, and Joseph.
REV. SHERMAN HALL, (deceased) one of the inost useful of the pioneer missionaries of Minnesota, was a native of Wethersfield, Vermont, born on the 80th of April, 1800. He early began his preparation for the ministry, and after a preparatory course at Exeter Academy, entered Dartmouth College, graduated at the end of a four years' course, and finished his theological studies with three years
more of study, at Andover Theological Seminary. Early in his ministry, he was located at La Pointe, on Lake Superior, where he remained twenty-two years, Then he was sent to the Chippewa Ageney, near the present site of Crow Wing, to take charge of the government schools at that point. Here he took up and completed a work, great enough in itself to be his lasting memorial. He, in substance, created the Chippewa language. He first trans- lated the New Testament into that tongue, and had it published in New York City in 1843-44, and revised it in 1856. He next prepared a grammar of that tongue, but this was stolen from him. His next work was a hymu book in the same language, and afterwards followed "Pecp of Day " and "Lessons in the New Testament." Bnt just when he was becoming of greatest nse to this people, the Government removed the schools to Gull Lake, and changed their denominational control, which would seem to have been a great mistake, as he had become thoroughly acquainted with the In- dian life and mode of thought, and so the better prepared to advance their civilization. After this, Father Hall, as he was familiarly called, removed to Sank Rapids, where for many years, he was pas- tor of the Congregational church. In addition to his ministerial labors, he was, for many years, Judge of Probate of Benton county, and also County Superintendent of Schools. He was a missionary in the Northwest forty-eight years, and won the warm affection of the people everywhere, the savage as well as the eivilized, and died be- loved and respeeted by all. Ile died on the 31st of August, 1879, from injuries received in falling from his wagon and striking on the back of Inis head. Mr. Hall was married in Cambridgeport, Massachusetts, on the 15th of June, 1831, to Miss Betsey P. Parker, of Pepperell, Massachusetts. Of five children born to them, but three are living; Edwin S., Harriet P., and Sarah E.
EDWIN S. HALL, only son of the late Rev. Sher- man Hall, of Sauk Rapids, was born at La Pointe, Wisconsin, on the 8th of July, 1833, his father be- ing a missionary at that point, in the employ of the American Board of Foreign Missions. When Edwin was eighteen years of age, he removed with his parents to the vicinity of Crow Wing, and thence, after two years, to Clear Lake, but only remained there a short time, going to Wisconsin, where he was engaged in various pursuits until 1861, when he returned to Sank Rapids, and has remained here ever since. In 1866, he bought an
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
addition to the property in the town of Minden which his father had pre-empted many years ago, and which he has converted into a fine farm. Mr. Hall was for eight years Clerk of the District. Court of Benton county. He was married in 1871, to Sarah A. Truitt, of Illinois. Their children are, William H. and Hattie.
JOHN JONES, one of the old settlers of Sauk Rapids, is a native of Ross county, Ohio, born on the 13th of Angust, 1822. His parents died when he was six years old, and he was raised in Scioto county until eighteen years of age, when he went to Indiana and was engaged in farming two years. He then returned to Ohio, and in May, 1846, en- listed in Company D, of the Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served in the Mexican war one year. Returning to his native State, he spent several years there, and in Iowa and Illinois, and eame to Sauk Rapids in the fall of 1856. After remaining a couple of years, he settled in St. Cloud, Stearns county, and at the breaking out of the civil war, returned to Ilinois mal enlisted in Company F, of the Twenty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served in that and other regiments until May, 1865, when he was mustered out at Indianapolis, Indiana, In May of the same year, he took a homestead in Glendorado township, Benton county, where he lived until the fall of 1876, and moved to his pres- ent residence at Sauk Rapids, giving the farm to his son. Mr. Jones was one of the organizers of Glendorado township; was the first town treas- urer, and also held the offices of Assessor and Clerk, while living there. He was married in 1851, to Christiana Littlefield, of Illinois, who died in the fall of 1857, leaving one son, named Willis, who is still living. Mr. Jones was again married in 1867, to Rebecea A. Bonham, of Illi- nois.
B. K. KNOWLTON, for twenty-four years a resi- dent of Sauk Rapids, was born on the 10th of July, 1825, in Stockholm, New York. While he was quite young his father died, and the family re- moved to Sudbury, Vermont, where the subject of our sketch was brought np. In 1852, he came west, and was engaged in the construction of rail- way bridges in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Missouri, to which business he had been accustomed in early life, in New England. On account of rapidly fail- ing health, he was obliged to give up active busi- ness, and in search of a healthier climate, he came to Sank Rapids in 1857, and has resided here over since, enjoying comparatively good health under
the influence of Minnesota's bracing atmosphere. During his first three years residence he was en- gaged in the grocery business, but was then elec- ted County Treasurer, and served five years. Since then, the greater portion of his time has been de- voted to real estate and insurance business, al- though he has held the office of County Commis- sioner four years, and Register of Deeds, by ap- pointment, one year. He has represented the St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company at this place for fifteen years. Mr. Knowlton was mar- ried in 1851, to Amanda Phillips, of Ohio. Of five children born to them, but three are living; Frank F., Edwin S. and Fred. B.
FRED. L. KING dates his birth in Broome county, New York, on the 17th of August, 1858. At an early age he removed with his parents to Mexico, Oswego county, where he was reared and received his early education. In December, 1876, he came to Sauk Rapids, as telegraph operator for the rail- road company, and ten months later, was placed in charge of the station, which position he still fills, discharging the duties in an able and business like manner.
GUSTAV KERN is a native of Germany, born in the year 1856. He came to America in 1869, and for two years was employed by his father on a farm near St. Cloud. He then went to St. Paul, and after a two years stay, to Stillwater, where he learned the shoemakers trade, at which he was ent- ployed until coming to Sauk Rapids, in the spring of 1881. Ile soon opened a boot and shoe store at the latter place, and is doing a prosperous business.
JOSEPH MOODY, one of the old settlers of Min- nesota, was born in Waterbury, Vermont, on the 27th of July, 1816. He remained on his father's farm until twenty-one years of age, when he en- gaged in the cattle trade between Vermont and Brighton, Massachusetts, which he continued about seventeen years. In 1854, he came to St. Anthony, Minnesota, and commenced dealing in real estate and loaning money; he was also engaged in mer- cantile pursuits and hotel business. During the eivil war, he had large contracts with the govern- ment, and was in traffic in the South abont two years. Since the war, he has been engaged in various speculations. In 1874, he came to Sauk Rapids, built a store, and carried on an extensive farm; the latter pursuit he still continues. A fine granite quarry is located on Mr. Moody's furm, covering an extent of abont forty acres. He
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has been twice married. His present wife was Amanda Sherman, of Waterbury, Vermont, the marriage taking place in 1855. He Ims four chil- dren, Joseph II., Martha A., Cora C., and Frank T. Mr. Moody is a type of our western men, posses- sing the necessary ingredients, energy and enter- prise.
WAYLAND MILLER was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, on the 20th of April, 1844. He received his early education in his native county, and after- wards attended Hillsdale College, Michigan. After leaving college, he took a trip across the plains, but on account of ill health, he returned, and set- tled at Sauk Rapids in 1861. Here he followed the business of painting until 1877. In 1879, he was elected Register of Deeds, and has since dis- charged the duties required of him, with marked ability. Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Maria J. Truitt, in 1868. Their children are, El- mina and Marian Lee.
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JOHN RENARD is a native of Champagne, Franec, born on the 12th of August, 1838. He came to America in 1854, with his parents, they settling in La Salle county, Illinois, where the subject of our sketch was engaged in farming until 1866, when he came to Benton county. He condneted a farm until the fall of 1873, when he was elected Register of Deeds, and removed to Sauk Rapids, which has been his home ever since. He ocenpied the Reg- ister's office until 1879, when he was elected County Auditor, and is the present incumbent. He has always been found faithful to his trust, and enjoys the 'ullest confidence of his constitu- ency. Mr. Renard was married in 1866, to Lcon- cie Simoneau, of Canada. They have had seven children, but four of whom are living; Mary J., John J., Mary L., and Ferdinand P.
JEREMIAn RUSSELL, one of the frontiersmen of what is now the state of Minnesota, was born in Eaton, Madison county, New York, on the 2d of February, 1809. He was edneated in the district school, and Academy at Fredonia, learning also, when quite young, to set type, in the office of the " Fredonia Gazette," the first paper published in Chautauqua county. After being employed for some time in a printing office at Geneva, and other places, and clerk in a store at Palmyra, Wayne county, several years, he, in 1835, enme west, and traveled over the Territory of Michigan, and the state of Indiana; visited Chicago and Milwaukee in the latter part of the same year; then went into the Lake Superior country, and for two years,
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