USA > Mississippi > History of the upper Mississippi Valley, pt 1 > Part 62
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was superintendent of a mining company. In 1837, he went to St. Croix, Wisconsin, and made a claim with Franklin Steele and others; in 1839, had a contract for doing the black- smithing for the Indians at Lake Pokeguma, and still later, at La Pointe, on Lake Super- ior. In 1848, Mr. Russell came to Crow Wing, Minnesota, acting as agent for C. N. W. Borup and C. H. Oakes, Indian agents and fur dealers, and in the fall of 1849, he was placed in charge of the American Fur Company's post, about two miles above Sauk Rapids. About four years later, he moved down the river, and set- tled on the west side, opposite the present site of Sauk Rapids, and in 1857, removed to the village of Sauk Rapids, which has been his home ever since. Mr. Russell was Treasurer of Benton county in an carly day, and has also held the of- fices of Auditor and Justice of the Peace. He was a member of the first Territorial Legislature, in 1849. The wife of Mr. Russell was Miss Sophia Oakes, daughter of Charles H. Oakes. They were married on the 20th of September, 1843, and have had seven children, three of whom are deceased.
JOHN A. SENN, Superintendent of Schools of Benton county, is a native of Switzerland, born on the 14th of March, 1850. In 1853, he came with his parents to America, they settling in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, where the subject of our sketch was reared to farming pursuits, and received his primary education. In 1869, he went to Ohio, and the next five years were spent in receiving in- struction in Baldwin University and Wallace Col- lege. In 1874, he removed to Olmsted county, Minnesota, where he taught school and read law; he also studied law for a time with S. R. Thayer, of Minneapolis, and was admitted to the bar in 1876. Ho practiced his profession a short time in Olmsted county, but in the spring of 1877, came to Sank Rapids, where he has since resided, in the active practice of his profession, and has held the office of County Attorney two years. Mr. Sem was married in March, 1877, to Bertha Kilroy, of Olmsted county. Their children are, William K. and Lec A.
ABNER ST. CYR, a pioneer of Minnesota, was born in Crawford county, Wisconsin, on the 17th of March, 1837. In the spring of 1849, he came to Sauk Rapids, and the following year, went to Swan river in the employ of Brown & Stewart, engaged in general merchandise and hotel busi- ness. In 1853, he removed to Big Lake, still in
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
the employ of Brown & Stewart, and resided there till 1857, when he wont to St. Paul. He was then employed on the river four years, the last two of which, he was pilot on a steamboat on the Minne- sota river. In October, 1861, he was commis- sioned First Lieutenant of Company G, of the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, but re- signed his commission at Huntsville, Alabama, in April, 1863. He then returned to Big Lake and kept a hotel one year, thenee to St. Cloud, and kept a billiard hall and saloon until 1875, when he came to Sauk Rapids and still continues in the same business. Mr. St. Cyr was married in 1865, to Ellen Monagan, of New York State. They have six children, Eugenie M., Lafayette A., Ca- mille E., Ubassy C., Maurice, and Hortense H.
E W. TRUESDELL is a native of Binghamton, New York, born on the 16th of August, 1854. At an early age, he removed with his parents, to Cattar- augus county, where he was brought up, and re- ceived his early education. In 1872, he came to Minnesota, and was engaged for two years, in the dry goods and grocery business, at Cannon Falls, Goodhue county, after which he took a course at Carleton College, Northfield. He was then in the dry goods business, four years, and kept a hardware store one and a half years. After a short term of rest, he, in the spring of 1881, beeame a partner in the firm of W. A. Newton & Co., proprietors of the Eagle Flour Mills, at Sank Rapids. Mr. Truesdell was united in marriage with Katie Newton, of Min- neapolis, in 1878. They have ono son, William E.
S. N. WRIGHT dates his birth in Addison county, Vermont, on the 27th of April, 1820. When quite young, he removed with his parents, to Essex county, New York, where he remained until fifteen years of age, when he commenced the life of a sailor by going as a cabin boy on Lake Champlain. He followed a sea-faring life until 1850, when he went to New York City and was in the transportation business nutil 1852. He then returned to Lake Champlain, and was a steamboat Captain until 1857, when he came to Minnesota, locating in Wabasha county. Ile was in mercan- tile business there two years, and also conducted a hotel, had a mail route, and was Postmaster at Plainview. In 1870, he came to Sank Rapids, and was in charge of the railroad station, until elected County Treasurer, in the fall of 1877. Mr. Wright still guards with jealous care, the funds of Benton county. He was married in 1855, to Eliz- abeth Fletcher, of Essex county, New York.
CHARLES G. WOOD was born in Franklin county, Vermont, on the 22d of April, 1840. He was reared and received his early education in his na- tive county. In October, 1861, I.e enlisted in Com- pany A, of the Eighth Vermont Volunteer Infan- try, and served until mustered ont at New Ork ans, in July, 1865. Ilo was promoted to First Lich- tenant, for meritorions condnet during the year 1862. After a short time spent as sutler, in Loni- siana, he returned to his home in Vermont. In May, 1866, he came to St. Cloud, Minnesota, where he was engaged in mercantile business until 1871, when he changed his place of residence to Sauk Rapids. Mr. Wood is one of the prominent mer- chants of Sauk Rapids, and takes quite a lively in- terest in local political affairs, having held the of- fiee of Supervisor and also Treasurer of the School Board. He was married in September, 1869, to Elizabeth Greenlee, of North Carolina. Their children are, Charles W., Frederick D., and Anna E.
ALBERTA.
CHAPTER LXXVIII.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION-EARLY SETTLEMENT-OR- GANIZATION- SAW-MILL-FIRST THINGS-RELIG- IOUS-AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS-BIOGRAPHICAL.
Alberta lies in the northeast portion of the county, and has an area of 46,080 aeres, of which 367 are under cultivation.
The surface is slightly undulating, and chictly covered with timber. The soil is a dark loam and quite productive. The town is watered by the Elk and St. Francis rivers, the sourecs of which are within its boundaries, and the west branch of the Rum river, which crosses the northeastern part.
Along these river bottoms there is a large acre- age of hay meadows, the low land, in many places, extending far into the timber.
The first settlers in this town were J. B. Abbott and C. A. Gilman, but the exact date of their ar- rival cannot be ascertained. The oldest settler in the western portion of the town is Winslow Pap- penfus, who settled on section thirty-four, with his parents, in March, 1865. The oldest settler in the eastern part of the town is William Wipper, who settled on scetion thirty, in 1868. These are the oldest settlers now living here, although others had made claims carlier, only to be abandoned af-
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ALBERTA TOWNSHIP.
ter a short stay. Among other carly settlers are William Oreott and George W. Burfield, both of whom are now residents of the town.
This township was a part of Gilmanton until 1868, when a separate organization was effected, and the first election held at the residence of Wil- liam Orcott, on Tuesday, the 31st of March. The officers eleeted were: Supervisors, Freeman Or- entt, Chairman, Phillip Wipper, and Isaae Farns- worth; Clerk, J. B. Abbott; Treasurer, Frank Pap- pentns; Assessor, Nelson Orcutt; Justices of the Peace, William Orentt and Henry Harrison.
The first school held in the town was about 1867, by Miss Sarah Teller, at the residence of Frank Pappenfus. The first school taught in an organ- ized district, was by Milton H. Slosson, in 1868. This was in district number twelve, in a small log seliool house on section twenty-seven.
The first marriage was Archibald Parks to Miss Emma Wipper, in 1870. The ceremony was per- formed by William Orcutt, Justice of the Peace, and the couple now reside in Silver City, Cali- fornia.
The first death was that of Frank Pappenfus, on the 20th of February, 1870. He was a native of Poland, and settled in this town with his family, in 1866.
Father Bneh began to hold religions services in the township in 1872, and two years later the Church of St. Wenceslaus was built.
The first store was opened by Winslow Pappen- fus, at his residence, a short time ago.
In 1864-5, C. A. Gilman erected a steam saw mill, with a capacity of ten thousand feet per day. It was burned on the 20th of June, 1866, but re- built soon after, and is now in operation.
Although Alberta is comparatively a new town, yet, it is being rapidly developed, the eensns enumeration of 1880 showing a population of 413 persons.
The agricultural report for the same year shows the following prodnets: wheat, 2,732 bushels; uats, 2,539 bushels; corn, 401 bushels; barley, 15 bushels; potatoes, 1,913 bushels; beans, 45 bush- els; cultivated hay, 25 tons; wild hay, 657 tons; tobacco, 74 pounds; wool, 307 pounds, butter, 5,490 pounds; and honey, 29 pounds.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
GEORGE W. BURFIELD was born in Cameron county, Pennsylvania, on the 19th of October, 1819. Residing with his parents on a farm till
eighteen years of age, he was employed as pilot on one of the boats on the Susquehanna river. In 1864, he eame to Minnesota, located on a farm in Dodge county, and two years later, came to his present farm in section eighteen. Mr. Burfield was married to Miss Eliza Sheffer, of Pommsylva- nia, in 1841. They have had six children, of whom two sons and two daughters are living. Their eldest son, William S., was killed in the late civil war, on the 2d of April, 1865.
GEORGE W. ELWELL was born in Miami eonnty, Ohio, on the 1st of September, 1849. When he was a child, his parents moved to Randolph county, locating on a farm near Union City. In 1862, he enlisted in Company C, of the Fifth Indi- ana Cavalry, under Captain Smith. They were ordered south, and soon after, took part in a skir- mish with a party of Morgan's Guerillas, near Lexington, and afterwards, participated in the battles of Beemis' station and Nashville, Tennes- sce. In 1865, he was mustered ont, and returned to Indiana, where he was employed on the Pan- handle Railroad, first as brakesman, then as fire- man, and conductor on freight trains. In 1870, he came to Maywood, Benton county, and after a residenee of three years, purchased the farm where he has since resided. In 1878, Mr. Elwell was married to Anna C. Kleinman, of Wisconsin. They have one son, aged fourteen months.
REV. CLEMENS GREENHOLZ, a native of Olivn, Prussia, was born in April, 1843. Living there until ten years of age, he was sent to the High school at Kul, where he remained until nineteen years old. Then, after graduating at the Univer- sity of Breslan, he was ordained a priest, and in 1869, graduated at the Theological Seminary of Posen, and the following year, was principal of a high school at Neumarkt. In the year 1871, he started on a voyage, visiting Rome, France, and finally, South America, where he was engaged as missionary in the Polish and German settlements of Peru, living for a year at Lima. In 1875, after having taken a trip around South America, he re- turned to his native country, and for three years, was missionary in New Zealand and other places. By continuing his travels to San Francisco, and thence ro Milwaukee, he made the entire circuit of the globe. From the latter city, he was called, by Bishop Seidenbush, to St. Cloud, and has since had charge of St. Wenceslaus Parish, in Alberta township.
NELSON ORCUTT was born in Allegany county,
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
New York, on the 31st of July, 1836. Ho re- mained in his native place, where he received n good common school education, and also learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, at which he worked, almost continuously, nubil 1857. "Then, coming to Minnesota, he located on a farm in Dodge county; remaining until the 11th of Feb- rmary, 1865, when he enlisted in Company M, of the First Minnesota Artillery, under Captain Charles Johnson. He was soon sent to Chattan- ooga, Tennessee, where he was on guard duty, for a few months. In October, 1865, he was mus- tered out of the serviee in St. Paul, and returned to his farm in Dodge county. Two years later, Mr. Orentt came to this township, purchased his present farm, and for two years has held the office of Assessor of the town. He was married in Oc- 'tober, 1856, to Miss Sarah MeKay. They have four children living.
WILLIAM ORCUTT was born in Canada, on the 27th of November, 1827. When he was eight years of age, his parents moved to Allegany eonnty, New York, where he received his odnca- tion. At the age of seventeen, he went to Wis- eonsin, returning soon to New York, where he re- mained a short time, and went to Indiana. There he was employed for a season as clerk in a store, after which he engaged in the groeery business for himself, continuing for about two years. Mr. Orentt was, for four years, employed as grain buyer and receiver, by the Toledo, Wabash & Western Railroad Company; he was also Constable and Deputy Sheriff for the same length of time in Wabash county. In 1866, he came to St. Cloud, and was engaged in a boot and shoe store for about a year; then came to Alberta township and purchased his present farm. Since coming here he Im sbeen County Commissioner for three years, and at dil- ferent times, has held the offices of Town Clerk, Justice of the Peace, and Supervisor. Miss Ellen Wright beenme his wife in 1854. They have had seven children. Five boys are living, two of whom are teaching school in the town.
WINSLOW PAPPENFUS, a native of Prussia, was born on the 28th of September, 1854. The year following, his parents came to America, locating in Wisconsin, first at Watertown, and then at Green Bay, where they renmined for nine years. In 1864, they came to Stearns county, Minnesota, and the following year, to Their present farm. On the 20th of February, 1870, Mr. Pappentus, Sr. died, leaving a farm of one hundred and ten
acres, which was originally all timber, but a large portion of which is under cultivation. Mr. Wins- low Pappenfus was married to Miss Mary Blysezk, of Prussia, in 1875. They have had three chil- dren, one is deceased, and one boy and one girl aro still living.
JOHN K. STEWART was born in Antrim county, Ireland, on the 6th of February, 1846. In 1848, his parents eame to Ameriea, first going to New Orleans, thenee to Randolph county, Illinois, where they resided a number of years, John improving every opportunity afforded him to get an eduea- tion. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company E., of the Thirtieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Besides being in a great many skirmishes, he was in the battles of Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Land- ing, Corinthi, and in front of Vicksburg during the entire seige. The summer of 1863, he veter- anized at Vicksburg; was in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, and on the 22d of July, 1864, taken prisoner, to Andersonville prison. After being re- leased he was in the memorable mareh with Sher- man to the Sea, and in August, 1865, was mus- tered out, returning to Randolph county, Illinois. In 1868, Mr. Stewart eame to Minnesota, and for four years, was engaged in the printer's occupation. In 1876, he came to his farm in this township, where he has sinee resided, devoting most of his time to teaching school. Since his residenee in the town, he has held the office of Town Clerk for six years, and is at present Justice of the Peace. In 1866, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Jane Lively, of Missouri. They have seven children, four boys and three girls.
PHILIPP JACOB WIPPER was born in Prussia, on the banks of the river Rhine, on the 25th of November, 1883. When twenty-one years of age, he came with his parents to America; they loea- ted in Wisconsin, and remained until 1860. In July, 1861, Mr. Wipper enlisted in Company B, of the Third Missouri Infantry. He was in the entire seige at Vicksburg, also in the battles of Jackson, Mississippi; Mount Lookout, and Mission Ridge. On the 4th of May, 1864, he was wounded at the battle of Resaca, and on the 10th of September, 1864, was discharged, since when he has drawn a pension. In July, 1867, he came to his present farm, and has since been elected Supervisor four times, and Treasurer twice. Three years after coming, he was married lo Miss Adelia Richardson, of Pennsylvania. They had seven
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GILMANTON TOWNSHIP.
childron, one is deceased, and five boys and one girl are living.
WILLIAM WIPPER, the first settler in East Al- berta, was born in Prussia, on the 8th of May, 1845. In 1854, the family come to America, lo- cating in Wisconsin. In 1868, Mr. William Wip- per came to Alberta township and purchased the farm where he has since resided. For one year he was Supervisor, Constable for three, and Overseer of the Poor for four. Miss Nancy Jane Burfield, of Pennsylvania, became his wife in March, 1870. Six children, five girls and one boy, have been born to them.
GILMANTON.
CHAPTER LXXIX.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION -EARLY SETTLEMENT -- OR- GANIZATION - MANUFACTURING -- RELIGIOUS - SCHOOLS-AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS-BIOGRAPHI- ICAL.
Gilmanton lies near the center of the county, and has an area of 30,720 acres, of whichi 689 are un- der cultivation.
The surface is gently undulating, and gener- ally covered with timber, excepting the meadow land, of which there is a large aercage along the creeks and in the Elk river bottom. The latter river flows in a southerly direction through the western portion of the township. The soil in the castern part is a rich, dark loam, but the timber is very heavy, and the work of improvement pro- grosses slowly. The soil in the western part is mare sandy, and the surface in the vicinity of Elk river, somewhat broken.
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In the fall of 1855, Charles A. Gilman, while on a prospecting tour, encamped on section seven, and selected the spot for a town-site. In 1857, Mr. Gilman, in company with S. C. Hayes, G. W. Sweet, and H. C. Nute, surveyed and platted a town there, which they named " Medora," but was more commonly known as "Peep O'Day." A house was huilt, which was the headquarters for Nome eight or ten unmarried men, who had made claims in the vicinity and built small shanties. T. Delong brought his family during that sum- mer, and settled on scetion eight. He remained about eighteen months and abandoned his claim, as did the others who had settled at Peep O'Day.
No further improvements were made until March, 1864, when C. Galarncault settled on section thirty-two. In April, John Donovan settled near him, on section twenty-eight, and removed his family there in the fall of the same year. Free- man Benwar settled on the same section that fall, and E. Raymond made a chim on section twenty- six. These all reside on their old homesteads, which formed a nucleus for a thrifty and enter- prising settlement. The same fall, P. G. Skeate, now of Sauk Rapids, settled near the old town- site of Medora, on section eight. There was no road, and three days were required to transport his family from Sauk Rapids to his claim. Jacob Gazette settled near him, on section four, the fol- lowing spring; he is now a resident of Minneapo- lis. Peter Visner, Clement Teller, and others soon settled in the vicinity, and since then, the popu- lation has steadily increased, until 1880, it num- bered 461 persons.
Gilmanton was organized in 1866, it having previously belonged to Watab township. It was named in honor of Charles A. Gilman, who had always taken a deep interest in the welfare of the town, and was instrumental in the location of per- manent settlers.
When organized, the territory included all the present towns of Maywood, Alberta, and Gilman- ton, except the west twelve sections of the latter, but was redneed to a single congressional town- ship by the organization of Alberta and May- wood, and in 1873, twelve sections were detached from Watab, since when, the boundaries have not been changed.
The first election was held at the residence of P. G. Skeate on the 5th of May, at which the fol- lowing officers were elected: Supervisors, Calvin Briggs, Chairman, C. Galarneault and Jacob Wolhart; Clerk, J. B. Abbott; Treasurer, Jacob Gazette; Assessor, Joseph Heiney; Justices of the Peace, John Donovan, and P. G. Skcate; Con- stables, Michael Hary and William W. Goundry; and Road Overseer, P. G. Skeate.
The first birth in the town was George Henry, a son of P. G. Skeate, born on the 8th of Febru- ary, 1865.
The first death was the danghter of Henry Miner, in 1865.
The first marriage took place on the 4th of Jan- nary, 1870, the happy couple being John MeCune und Sarah Teller.
Rev. Sherman Hall with whose faithful somvi-
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
ees, the reader is already acquainted, held meet- ings in the town in an early day, and formed a congregation. He was followed by Revs. T. T. Priekstad and A. N. Ward, and a church was built, but there are now no regular services held.
The first Catholic service was held by Father Pierz, at the residence of C. Galarneanlt in 1867 or '8. He was followed by Father Buch, who held mass at the house of E. Raymond in 1870, and succeeded in organizing a congregation who have erected a church on section thirty-three.
In 1872, Rev. D. A. Miller organized a Baptist Church, of which he became the pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. M. D. Everst, and a church was built, but at present, services have been discontin- ned.
The first school tanght in the town was by Mrs. Ida Barnum, in a log school house on seetion eighteen. There are now four school houses, in which the regular terms are taught.
A saw mill was built by C. C. Holmes, on Elk river, on section twenty-six, in 1871. It is still operated by Mr. Holmes, and has a daily capacity of about twelve hundred feet.
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According to the agricultural report of 1880, the aggregate prodnets were: wheat, 3510 bushels; oats, 2806 bushels; eorn, 2282 bushels; barley, 80 bushels; buckwheat, 27 bushels; potatoes, 2083 bushels; enltivated hay, 112 tons; wild hay, 753 tons; tobacco, 266 pounds; wool, 248 pounds; but- ter, 9300 pounds; and honey, 680 pounds.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
F. BENWAR, one of the carly settlers of Gilman- ton, was born in Canada East, on the 14th of March, 1819. He remained in Canada, working on a farm, until 1835, when he eame to New York; and in abont 1841, removed to Rhode Island, where he lived for six years. Then, going back to Can- ada, he spent two years, and again returned to Rhode Island. In 1855, Mr. Benwar emme to Minnesota, living in Riee and Sherburne counties till 1861, when he came to his present farm. Miss S. Morris beenme his wife on the 13th of Septem- ber, 1843. They have hud thirteen children, seven of whom are living.
JOHN DONOVAN, an early settler of this town, was born in June, 1820, in Tipperary county, Ireland, where he was engaged in farming until 1852. Then, coming to America, he resided on n farm, in Columbia county, New York. In May, 1857, after having spent one winter in Hlinois, Mr. Donovan
eame to Minnesota, resided for seven years in Sher- burne county, and came to this town, taking a tim- ber farm and homestead. The following year, (1865), he brought his family to their new home, which is now one of the best improved farms in the town. Mr. Donovan was the first Justice of tho Peace in the town, and in 1872, was elected Connty Commissioner, which office he held three years. On the 23d of October, 1856; he married Miss Bridget Doolan. They have two sons.
THURSTON DE LONG was born on the 18th of February, 1835, in Canada West. Assisting his parents on a farm until eighteen years of age, he came to Buffalo, New York, and learned the car- panter's trade. The following year (1854), he re- turned to Canada, and two years later, came to Sank Rapids, Minnesota, working a year at his trade. He then came, with his wife, to Gilmanton, and took a claim on section six, being the first married man who located in the town, In 1858, Mr. De Long returned to Sank Rapids, from thence to Canada, and in 1864, to Illinois. Two years later, he came to his present farm, since when, he has made himself thoroughly acquainted with the northern part of the State, spending many years in its wilds, in prospecting for pine lands. Miss Sarah E. Cronk became his wife on the 5th of Feb- rnary, 1857. They have had ten children, and seven are living.
EBENEZER N. DEMICK, a descendant of one of the Plymouth Colonists, was born on the 12th of May, 1845, in St. Lawrence county, New York. Residing with his parents until sixteen years of age, he enlisted in Company E, of the Ninety- second New York Infantry, and served for seven months, when he was discharged for disabilities received in the service. In August, 1862, he re- enlisted in the Sixteenth New York Infantry, Company F, serving as an orderly at Brigade headquarters. After receiving his discharge, he returned to New York, in 1865, and the fall of 1869, came to Sank Rapids, Minnesota. The fol- lowing year, he came to this town, taught school for a time, and has since given his attention to the improvement of his farm in section seven. Mr. Demick married Miss Georgiana Teller, dangh- ter of one of the old settlers of the town, on the 6th of December, 1870. They have had six chil- dren, one of whom is deceased.
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