USA > Mississippi > History of the upper Mississippi Valley, pt 2 > Part 10
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This township was a part of St. Joseph, and Farming, until January, 1880, when a separate organization was effected. The name is derived from St. John's College, a popuhr institution of
410
ITISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
learning, situated in the northern part of the town, n full description of which appears in the forego- ing pages of this work.
A portion of the first township officers were: Supervisors, Mathias Sauer, Chairman, Peter Eich, and Mathias Fandel; and Clerk, George Sauer.
Collegeville has an area of 23,040 acres, 352 being under eultivation. The products in 1880 were: wheat, 4,175 bushels; oats, 1,720 bushels; eorn, 790 bushels; rye, 60 bushels; wild hay, 216 tons; apples, 2 bushels; wool, 104 pounds; and butter, 1,090 pounds.
CROW LAKE.
Crow Lake is situated in the extreme southwest corner of the county, and embraces township 123 north, range 35 wost. It is chiefly a rolling prairie, excepting along the course of Skunk river, and on the margins of some of the lakes, where there is some swamp and brush land, and a quantity of light timber. The principal lakes are, Crow, from which the town derives its name, Tamarack, Fish, and Grass lakes, the latter lying partly in Pope county.
Skunk river is the name of a small stream which rises in Tamarack Lake, and flows easterly, empty- ing into the North Fork of Crow river, in Crow River township. The soil is chiefly a sandy loam with a clay subsoil.
This town was uninhabited until about 1861, when two Swedes, named C. H. Johnson and John Jolmson, made claims here. Since then there has been a steady increase in population, until in 1880, the census returns showed 255 souls. They uro nearly all Skandinavians, but two American families now living in the township.
Its nrea is 23,040 aeres, of which 1,650 are nn- der cultivation.
Crow Lake was organized in 1868, and em- brace, in addition to its present territory, the west half of township 123, range 34, but was reduced to its present limits by the organization of Crow River in 1877.
The first officers were: Supervisors, W. B. Reed, Clmirman, Peter Kundson, and H. Anderson; Clerk, F. H. Swenson; Assessor, C. H. Johnson; and Treasurer, Henry Hess.
The first school was taught by Miss Julin Nel- son in 1870.
The town is now divided into two school dis- tricts with buildings situated on sections twenty- two and twenty-eight.
The agricultural returns for 1880 show the fol- lowing products: wheat, 15,157 bushels; oats, 13,293 bushels; corn, 2,670 bushels; barley, 157 bushels; rye, 88 bushels; potatoes 770 bushels; sugar-eane, 40 gallons; eultivated hay, 32 tons; wild hay, 1,178 tons; apples, 6 bushels; wool, 566 pounds; and butter, 9,985 pounds.
CROW RIVER.
Crow River is located in the southwestern por- tion of the county, and is contained in township 123 north, range 34 west. The surface is a gently rolling prairie interspersed with marsh land, and a light growth of timber in the southwest corner along the ereek which is the outlet of Crow Lake, and erosses this portion of the town in a south- easterly direction. Skunk river and the North Fork of Crow river cross the northern and east- ern portions of the town, the former running in an easterly, and the latter in a southerly direc- tion. The soil is generally a sandy loam with a clay sub-soil, although a elay loam is found in the southwest part.
This town is also settled almost entirely by Skandinavians.
In 1860, the first settlers arrived. They con- sisted of Gilbert Anfinson, T. Wronson, and H. Jorgenson. They settled in the southwest part of the town, but lett their claims during the In- dian outbreak of 1862, and fled to more civilized localities.
In 1864, quite n settlement was formed, promi- uent mmong whom were Peter Knudson and Gil- bert Anfinson, the latter being one of the first settlers in 1860. This settlement erected a fort just over the line in Kandiyohi county, to which they might retrent in case of a suspected attack by the red-skins.
This town is yet but sparsely settled, the eensns of 1880 showing a population of but 137. Its nroa is 23,040 acres, of which 959 are under eultivation.
The first birth was in the family of Gilbert Anfinson, before the Indian war, a danghter, who lived but a short time and was the first death.
The first marriage was in 1871, the eontrneting parties being Nels Halland and Miss R. Matiason.
411
EDEN LAKE TOWNSHIP.
The first public school was held in the summer of 1870, by Miss Emma Morgan, in the house of C. H. Johnson. The first and only school house in the town is located on section thirty. The first religions services were held in the house of Poter Knudson, in 1866, by Rev. Johnson.
Crow River was organized in 1877, eighteen sec- tions being detached from the west side of Lake Henry, and a similar number from the eastern por- tion of Crow Lake, for the formation of the new town. The first officers were: Supervisors, Daniel Peterson, Chairman, John Henrikson, and Nels Halland; Clerk, Knut P. Knutson; Assessor, Daniel Peterson; and Treasurer, G. Larson.
The products of the town, according to the re- port of 1880, were: wheat, 10,555 bushels; oats,. 7,484 bushels; eorn, 365 bushels; barley, 812 bushels; rye, 9 bushels; potatoes, 387 bushels; wild hay, 951 tons; apples, 4 bushels; wool, 44 pounds; and butter, 7,756 pounds.
EDEN LAKE.
CHAPTER XCV.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION -EARLY SETTLEMENT -- OR- GANIZATION-SCHOOLS-RELIGIOUS - AGRICULTU- RAL STATISTICS-BIOGRAPHICAL.
Eden Lake is situated on the south line of the county, and nearly midway between the east and west lines. It has an area of 23,040 acres, of which 1,686 are under cultivation, and embraces town- ship 122 north, range 31 west.
The surface is undulating, with some swamp and low land. The town ia chiefly covered with timber or brush, and contains a large number of lakes, the largest of which is Rice Lake, in the western portion of the town. Prominent among the smaller lakes, are: Pirz, Long, Brown's, Eden, and Vail's lakes.
The man who establishes the best claim to the honor of being the first settler in this town, is Charles Holifer, who made a claim on section four in 1856. Ile was followed during the same your by Ferdinand Zaczkobski, who settled on section five, and B. Pirz, who took land on sections five und six. Others also settled in that portion of the town nbont the same time. David J. Hanscom came in 1859, and loented on section twenty-five; he was the first American settler, and now resides
in that part of the township. In 1860, Haley Clark settled in section twenty-four, and in 1864, Thomas A. Allen also became a resident .of the town; both are now dead. The population, accord- ing to the last census, was 325.
The territory now included in Eden Lake, was formerly a part of Richmond township, afterwards Munson, organized in 1858, but formed into a sep- arate organization in 1867, and the first election held on the 16th of February. The first offiecrs were: Supervisors, W. T. Mills, Chairman, T. R. McGuire, and Ernst Holifer; Clerk, D. J. Hans- eom; Assessor, C. P. Russell; Treasurer, Thomas Allyn; Justices of the Peace, James Jones and B. Pirz; and Constables, George Hamilton and Wil- liam Marquette.
The first school taught in this town was in the German settlement, in 1864. In 1870, district number sixty-three was organized in the American settlement, a school house erected on section twenty-three, and the first school taught by Miss Lizzie C. Allyn.
Eden Lake is now divided into four distriets, with the school houses located respectively on see- tions, five, twenty-three, twenty-nine, and thirty- four. The school on section twenty-nine is held in a dwelling house.
An organization of Campbellites was formed by the Rev. Isaac Cameron in 1869. They have no church building, but meet regularly in some one of the school houses or private residences.
There is also another organization, known as the Church of God, which was formed in 1875. The first minister was the Rev. C. Scott. They have not yet erected a church, but hold regular services in the school houses.
Eden Lake produced, according to the agricul- tural report of 1880: wheat, 21,396 bushels; oats, 9,368 bushels; corn, 5,540 bushels; rye, 83 bush- els; potatoes, 2,815 bushels; sugar cane, 133 gnl- lons; cultivated hay, 10 tons; wild hay, 838 tons; apples 38 bushels; wool, 1,479 pounds; butter, 7,300 pounds; chcese, 666 pounds; and honey, 100 pounds.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
HENRY M. DYE, a native of Pennsylvania, was born on the 10th of November, 1827. He enjoyed the advantages of a common school education, learn- ing the art of farming under his father's direction. In 1851, he went to Iowa, where he engaged in the lumber business for fifteen years, except one year spent in Kentucky. In 1866, he came to
412
HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
Minneapolis and engaged in the manufacture of fanning-mills for two years, then moved to Osseo, Hennepin county, and eontinned the same busi- ness until 1872. Then moved to Clearwater, Wright county, for a few months, and thence to Eden Lake, in the spring of 1873, and bought a farm on section twenty-four. Mr. Dye has been Justice of the Peace, and is now on his third term as Town Clerk, and has also been a member of the School Board for several years. He married Miss Mary Welliver, of Pennsylvania, in the year 1853. They have three children; Florenee E., Ada F., and Judson J.
DAVID J. HANSCOM was born in York county, Maine, on the 23d of August, 1833. When a small boy, the family removed to Kennebee eounty, where he grew to manhood engaged in agricul- tural pursuits. At the age of nineteen years lie engaged in mercantile business, but after three years, eame west and remained one year in Wis- eonsin, eoming thence to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he was employed at the earpenter trade until 1859. He then came to Eden Lake and located on section twenty-five, being the first American settler in the town. He lived here until 1861, when he enlisted in the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, going first to Fort Abercrom- bie, and in Mareh, 1862, to St. Louis. In May of the same year, his regiment was ordered sonth, where it joined General Pope's division, and in the full, was transferred to General Grant's divi- sion, and participated in the siege of Vicksburg in 1863. In the early summer of 1864, he eame home on furlough, but returned to Fort Ripley, and was discharged in October, 1864. He then returned to Eden Lake and took a homestead on seetion twenty-four where he now resides. Mr. Hauscom was the first Town Clerk, elected in 1867, and held the otliee eleven years. He has been Assessor for the last eight years, and is now Treasurer and Clerk of the school board. He represented his district in the State Legislature in 1880. Mr. Hanscom has been twice married; first to Miss Maria Clark, of Illinois, on the 18th of Angust, 1859, who died on the 19th of Jan- imry, 1870, lenving two children; Sanford and Mary A. His present wife was Lizzie C. Ab- bott, to whom he was married on the 22d of Feb- rnary, 1871. They have had four children, three of whom are living; George E., Stella L., and Ella F. Benhihi died on the 20th of April, 1881, aged two years three months and thirteen days.
BARTHOLOMEW PIRZ, a native of Prussia, was born on the 24th of August, 1819. He emigrated to the United States in 1854, spending the first winter at Sauk Rapids, Crow Wing, and Platte River. In the spring of 1855, located at Cold Spring City, in the township of Wakefield, taking a claim on section twenty-nine, where he lived about two years. He moved to Munson. in the fall of 1856, remaining one year, and then re- moved to Eden Lake. In 1859, he went to the Rocky Mountains, and after three years returned to Munson, where he lived two years; thence re- turning to Eden Lake he located on a farm in seetions five and six, where he now resides. He was Treasurer of the town one year. He married Miss Johanna Holifer in 1858. Their children are, Josephine, Magdaline, Joseph, Angeline, and John.
FAIR HAVEN.
CHAPTER XCVI.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION-EARLY SETTLEMENT-FIRST THINGS - ORGANIZATION - RELIGIOUS-SCHOOLS -AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS-BIOGRAPHICAL.
Fair Haven is one of the southeastern towns in the county, and embraces a portion of township 122 north, range 28 west, and a portion of town- ship 121, range 28. The surface is undulating and was formerly covered with brush, most of which has been removed by the stride of improvement.
There are a number of small lakes within the limits of the town, besides a chain of larger lakes, which form its southern boundary. The latter consists of Clearwater, Angusta, Caroline, Maria, Sunday, and Mary lakes, through which flows the Clearwater river. Its arca is 21,760 acres, of which 1,861 are under cultivation.
The first man to make a elaim in Fair Haven was Thomas C. Partridge, a Free Baptist Clergy- man, now residing in Orland, Indiana. Ile came here in the spring of 1856, and located where the village of Fair Haven now stands; surveyed nud platted the town site, and built a saw mill the fol- lowing year. In the spring of 1857, a general store was opened by Charles Abell, a native of Ohio, and later in the summer, Partridge und Huz- zard opened a clothing store.
In 1859, a grist mill was built by O. D. Webb.
413
FAIR HAVEN TOWNSHIP.
Grinols und Cooper opened a general store in 1866, which is still contimed by them. There is also another store kept by J. B. Vundervort & Co. 'This little village, although far removed from railroad facilities, has maintained a steady growth, and has two saw mills, one grist mill, two stores, three blacksmith shops, one hotel, one church, and one school house.
As a matter of course, these improvements were stimulated by the rapid development of the coun- try adjacent.
During the summer of 1856, Mr. Partridge was joined by George G. Root, who built the first house, Henry Root, John L. Dean, J. G. Smith, L. Abell, and A. Smith. These six men each opened a farm within one mile northeast of the town site. The settlement thus begun by a thrifty and intel- ligent colony of Americans, has developed into one of the best settled townships in the county, the population, according to the census of 1880, being 420.
The first child born was Engene Day, son of William Day, now residing in Maine Prairie. The first death was Theron Dean, a son of George W. Dean, who died in the spring of 1857, soon after his arrival. The first marriage occurred in the summer of 1857, the contracting parties being Joseph Strickland and Amelia Giles. The first Post-office was established in 1858, and John K. Noyes appointed Postmaster; Mr. Noyes also opened the first hotel in 1857. S. Leavitt built the first blacksmith shop in 1861.
Fair Haven township was organized in 1859, and the first election held on the 5th of April, at which the following officers were elected: Super- visors, A. Montgomery, Chairman, Thomas C. Par- fridge, and Sammel Young; Assessor, J. Il. Lock; Clerk, James Jenks; Collector, William Hayward; Overseer of the Poor, H. H. Mayo; Constables, G. A. Bibber and S. Leavitt; and Justices of the Peace, C. J. Boobar and H. P. Bennett. Forty-four votes were polled.
Mr. Partridge, the pioneer of the town, held re- ligious services as soon as an audience arrived, und formed an organization, but this has been ex- tinet for a number of years.
About 1858, Rev. Mr. Imman succeeded in or- ganizing a congregation of Close Communion Bap- tists. Services were held in such places as could be secured, for a number of years, but they now worship in a church of their own. . A. W. Wood- ruff is the Pastor.
The first school was kept in a store-house, in the winter of 1856-57, by Miss Anna M. Boobar. A school house was built in 1866, which was replaced in 1880, by n large two-story building. There are also two schools in the township, in which school is kept during the regular terms.
The agricultural report of 1880 shows the fol- lowing products: wheat, 19,736 bushels; oats, 6,955 bushels; corn, 6,405 bushels; buckwheat, 30 bushels; potatoes, 1,585 bushels; beans, 75 bush- els; sugar cane, 1,552 gallons; cultivated hay, 39 tons; wild hay, 656 tons; apples, 163 bushels; wool, 616 pounds; butter, 8,345 pounds; and honey, 1,740 pounds.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
JOHN D. ABELL, a son of Lovinas Abell, who was one of the original six who opened farms in this town in 1856, was born in Ohio, on the 1st of December, 1845. He eame with the family to Fair Haven in 1856, and with the exception of three years spent in the army, has been engaged in farming in the town ever since. He married Miss Henrietta Dean, on the 16th of Angust, 1879. They have one child, Horace E.
JOTHAM L. BUZZELL, a native of Maine, was born in the year 1821. He learned the blacksmith trade in youth, and has followed the business most of his life. He was three years in the army during the late civil war. Came to Anoka, Minnesota, in 1878, and in the fall of 1880, to Fair Haven, where he conducts a blacksmith shop. He married Miss Sarah D. Wakefield, in 1847. They have two children; Clara A., now the wife of Charles E. Brown, of Champlin, and Henry H., who is a part- ner with his father in the shop. He was born on the 16th of July, 1849, and married Miss Mary Coffin, of Maine, in 1871. They have four chil- dren; Arthur L., Iney E., Edwin W., and Harry H.
WILLIAM COOPER, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was born on the 4th of March, 1838. When he was five years old, the family moved to the north part of the State, where he grew to manhood on a farm, and followed the same till 1857, when he came to Bethel, Anoka county, Minnesota. In 1862, he enlisted in the Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and served eighteen months on the frontier in pursuit of the Indians, and then went south, but after six months was discharged on account of wounds received at the battle of Murfreesboro'. In July, 1865, came to Fair Inven, and in company with Benjamin Grinols conducts a general merchandise business.
414
HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
Ins been Postmaster for a number of years. Mar- ried Miss Lizzie Noyes on the 29th of May, 1866. Their children are, Minnie M., Mand A., and Blanch.
(I. W. Birnor was born in Ohio, on the 17th of July, 1840. His ourty life was spent on a farm und in a flonring mill, following the latter ocen- pation through life. At the age of twenty-five years he went to Indiana, and after a stay of ten years, removed to Wisconsin, and thence, in 1877, to Kingston, Meeker county, Minnesota. In April, 1880, he came to Fair llaven, and in company with John S. Crocker, has since conducted a flour- ing mill at this point. Mr. Bishop was married in 1869, to Miss Ella J. Britton. Their children arc, Alice L., Amy E., and Nancy A.
JOHN S. CROCKER, a native of Anburn, New York, was born on the 1st of May, 1847. At the age of eighteen years he went to sea, visiting San Francisco, the Sandwich Islands, and West Indies. In 1868, he located in Michigan, and was in the mil- ling business for six years, then went to Iowa in the sameocenpation for two years, thence to Wilmar, Minnesota, and Kingston, Meeker county, and finally, in 1880, to Fair Haven in company with G. W. Bishop, as above mentioned.
GEORGE W. DEAN was born in Connectient on the 23d of June, 1809, and came to Fair Haven in the spring of 1857. Farming has been his life's business. He married Miss Maria Brown in 1837, who died in September, 1879. Ilis son, John I., one of the original six to open farms in this township in 1856, died in 1880.
GIBSON W. DEAN, a native of Ohio, was born on the 28th of S.pt mber, 1839. He came with the family to Fair Haven in the spring of 1857, where he has lived since that date. He married Miss Eliza A. Griggs, of Ohio, on the 4th of July, 1861. They had one child, Eliza. Mrs. Dean died in April, 1865. His present wife was Miss Mary E. Vandervort, to whom he was married on the 19th of March, 1871. They have two chil- dren; Howard E. and Chester W.
ALEXANDER C. EASTON, a native of Illmois, was born in the year 1852. He spent most of his life in his native State, coming to Fair Haven in 1875. lle is a carpenter by trade, which profession he followed until April, 1881, when he succeeded T. (. Wiltse in the stage route between this place and St. Cloud. He also carries the United States mail, and has in connection with his stage route, a livery stable.
BENJAMIN GRINOLS, a native of the town of Otto, New York, was born in the year 1832. His early life was spent on a farm; eame to Oak Grove, Anoka county, Minnesota, in 1856, and farmed until 1865, then moved to Fair Haven and en- gaged in a general merchandise business. The firm name is Grinols and Cooper. He married Miss Isabella Cooper in May, 1859. They have three children; Clinton D., Ernest E., and Elvie J.
CARSON A. KIMBLE, a native of Penfield, New York, was born on the 8th of October, 1853. He came to Minnesota in April, 1871, and located at Fair Haven. His father, Uriah Kimble, was a wagon maker by trade, and followed it through life. He died in August, 1880, after which the subject of this sketeh, and a man named Charles L. Kimball formed a partnership and continued the business. Mr. A. Kimble married Miss Mary Henneman on the 30th of November, 1879.
JOSEPH H. LOCK was born in Maine, in the year 1820. He was brought up in the mercantile bus- incus which he followed in Maine and Massachus- etts until 1848, when he went to California and spent several years in mining, then returned to the States. In 1857, came to Minnesota and lo- cated at Fair Haven. Here he bought a farm on section twenty-four, and has resided on it ever since. His farm contains five hundred and sixty acres. He married Miss Martha B. Bradford, of Maine, in 1845. They have two adopted children, Fanny W. and Harry S.
JOHN K. NoYES was born in Jonesboro', Maine, on the 3d of May, 1817. He was engaged in the lumber business when a boy, and followed it till 1856, when he came to Minnesota, and located in the township of Fair Haven in 1857. He engaged in the hotel business for four or five years, and was the first to open a public house in this part of the county. He next farmed for three years, then en- gaged in building mill-dams in different parts of the State, and also continues to manage his farm. He has a fine farm in section four, near the village of Fair Haven. He was the first Post-master in the town, in 1858. He married Miss Martha P. Small, of Cherryfield, Washington county, Maine, in December, 1837. They have ten children; Lizzie, Mary, Vernice, George, Julia, Frank, Nel- lie, James A., Nettie, and Mattic.
WEBSTER K. NYE was born in Chantanqua county, New York, on the 13th of October, 1842. When n child the family moved to Cattarangus county, where he lived until 1869. Then he wen
415
BIOGRAPHICAL.
to Bradford, Pennsylvania, and engaged in the ho- tel nnd livery business until March, 1880, when he moved to Fair Haven, locating on a farm in sec- tion two, where he still resides. He married Miss Emily E. Fuller, of Bradford, Pennsylvania, in 1867. They have four children; Leon H., Sidney M., Clayton T., and Earl. Mr. Nye served three years and ten months in the Union army.
FLOROUS B. PARTRIDGE was born on the 14th of July, 1853, in Ohio. Came to Fair Haven, in 1856, and grew to manhood at home. From March, 1870, to 1881, was clerking in a store. He now owns a farm in section twenty-two, town of South- side, Wright county, which he rents, and lives with his brother in Fair Haven. He married Miss Anna Kurtz, on the 3d of October, 1880.
PAYSON P. PARTRIDGE, eldest son of Thomns C. Partridge, was born in Ohio, on the 16th of No- vember, 1843. Came with the family to Fair Ha- ven, in 1856, and worked with his father in a saw- mill, from the age of fifteen to twenty-five years. During the last four years he was in the business, he owned a one-third interest in the saw-mill. Then was three years in the mercantile trade, then worked at pattern making, in St. Cloud, till 1877, when he moved to a farm located on section thirty, in the town of Fair Haven. He married Miss Althea Boobar, on the 14th of January, 1868. They have two children; Errol C. and Ralph C.
THOMAS C. PARTRIDGE, the founder of Fair Ha- ven township, was born in Ohio, in 1816. He was edneated for a Baptist minister, and after coming to Fair Haven took an active part in managing the town interests. He married Miss Caroline U. Root. Their children are, Payson P., Velona C., how the. wife of J. B. Vandervort, Cecil C., aud Florous B. Mr. Partridge has given his attention to preach- ing for some years, und is now located at Orland, Indiana, preaching and farming.
STEPHEN SIAS was born in Cattarangns county, New York, on the 29th of April, 1830. Ho came to Anoka county, Minnesota, in 1856, and lived four years in Oak Grove township, engaged in farming. He was then in the city of Anoka four years, working in a cooper shop, then two years in Fair Haven in the carpenter business, after which he took a homestead on section two, in the town of Fair Haven, where he now resides. He married Mrs. Desiro Baldwin, on the 17th of February, 1855. They have one son, Frank L., born on the 30th of January, 1857; a graduate of the Normal
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