USA > Mississippi > History of the upper Mississippi Valley, pt 2 > Part 15
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DON B. MCDONALD, Editor and Proprietor of the " Melrose Record," dates his birth at Peter- borough, province of Ontario, Canada, on the 18th of April, 1835. In 1855, he came to Iowa, where he resided six years, and thence to Acton, Meeker eounty, Minnesota, and remained upwards of a year. He then visited Towa and Canada, re- turning to Minnesota in1866, and settling on a farm about eight miles southeast of Melrose. In 1869, he removed to Melrose, where he has been actively engaged in business over since. He was l'ost-
master from 1870 to 1880, was Justiee of the Ponce for eight consecutive years, and is now No- tary Publie. With the exception of a few months, he has published the " Melrose Record" sinee June, 1877.
VOLNEY C. MEAD was born in New Lisbon, Ju- neau county, Wisconsin, in April, 1857. He fol- lowed the ordinary rontine of boy's life in his locality,-attending school and working on his father's farm. In 1877, he took a course at the Davenport Business College, at the eonelusion of which, he eame to Rock eounty, Minnesota, and remained till lis removal to Melrose, in July, 1879. Sinee that time he has been in the employ of Pills- bury and Hulbert, having the management of their elevator at this point.
OMER MOREHOUSE dates his birth in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1837. He came west in 1854, traveling through southern Minne- sota and northern Illinois, and returning to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, the same year. He was married in the latter county, when but nineteen years of age, to Miss Sarah Lonsbry. He soon after removed to Johnstown, Wisconsin, and thence to La Porte, Indiana, and after several other changes of residence, returned to Pennsylvania, where he en- listed in Company B, of the One hundred and first Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry; was wounded at Yorktown, for which eause he was discharged from the service. After returning from the South ho resided at different periods, in Cass county, mid Muskingum, Michigan, and in Faribault, Brown, and Todd counties, Minnesota. Then trav- cled through Kansas, Nebraska, and Towa, return- ing to Todd county, where he resided until his settlement in Melrose township a few years sinee.
PETER PALLANSCI, a native of Belgium, was born in June, 1849. In 1868, he came to Amer- iea and settled at Fredena, Wisconsin, where he learned the miller's trade. After a few years, he came to Minnesota and had charge of the flouring mill at Cold Spring City, Stearns county. In 1874, he came to Melrose and has ever sinee had the management of the Melrose Flonring Mill. Mr. Pallansch was married in 1873, to Miss S. Heintz, of Kandiyohi eouty, Minnesota.
GERHARD RICHTER was born in the province of Rhine, Prussia, on the 1st of May, 1843. When quite young, he went to Oberstgegen, where he served a three years apprenticeship to the black- smith trade, after which he traveled for the same length of time, still working at his trade in dif-
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438
HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
ferent cities of Prussia. In 1865, he came to America, arriving at St. Cloud in December of the same year, but only remained a short time, going to Clearwater, Wright county. In 1866, he re- moved to Rielnond, Stearns county, where he re- mained six years; nt that place and Clearwater he was blacksmith for the " Minnesota Stage Com- pany." On the 17th of January, 1872, he came to Melrose, and has since been engaged in the manufacture of wagons, and general blacksmith- ing; he is also engaged in the sale of farm mna- elinery. Mr. Richter was married, in July, 1868, to Miss M. Grunn, of St. Cloud.
A. A. WHITNEY was born in Oswego county, New York, in August, 1846. When but fifteen years of age, he enlisted in Company A, of the Eighty-first New York Volunteer Infantry, and served about four years and four months, withiont a day's siekness or an hour's absence from duty. After his return, he attended the Commercial Col- lege at Oswego, New York, and afterwards en- gaged in mercantile pursuits at the latter eity for two years. In 1871, he came to Melrose, taught school the first winter, and has since, with the ex- ception of two year's absenee on the plains, had the management of Clark & McClure's lumber business at this point. Mr. Whitney has held a number of important local offices, the duties of which he has discharged with mueh ability.
W. B. WHITNEY, a native of Oswego county, New York, was born in July, 1838. He was reared on his father's farm until eighteen years of age, attending school a portion of the time; and was afterwards employed on a neighboring farm for three years. He then took a trip through Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin, but soon returned home and enlisted in the First New York Light Artillery, Company G, in which he served three years and twenty days, taking an active part in twenty-two engagements. After the war, he remained in New York State about two years. Coming to Stearns county in 1867, he located about six miles north- east of Melrose, where he remained until 1873, und removed to Melrose, which has since been his residence. .
JOHN WETTE, a native of the province of Rhine, Prussia, was born in 1840. His early life was spent on a farm, and later, engaged in the butcher business. He served two years and nine months in the Prussian urmy, stationed at Berlin. In 1862, he left the army und came to America; was 11 the employ of the Government at Fort Ridgely
for n time, and afterwards sp. ns a number of years on the western plains. In 1870, he came to St. Cloud and purchased a farm on which he made some improvements, but two years later, removed to Melroso and engaged in the purchase of five stock und produce, which he marketed at Fort Garry and other points in the Northwest. He has also conducted a meat market the greater portion of the time since coming to the village. Mr. Wette's wife was Miss T. Noubonm, of Trear, Prussia; they were married in St. Cloud.
O. D. WEBB dates his birth in Jefferson county, New York, in. July, 1821. When eighteen years old, he left home and went to work in a flouring mill where he remained two years. He then went to Plainsfield, Illinois, where he remained during a severe illness, and after his recovery, went to Chicago and was clerk in a store one year. Then took a trip through the Northwest, visited the East and again returned to Plainsfield, where he built and run a flouring mill, and resided at differ- ent places in Illinois until 1855. At the latter date, he came to Minnesota, loeating at Sauk Rapids, where he built a saw mill to which was afterwards added a flouring mill; from this time until 1878, Mr. Webb built and operated flouring mills at Fair Haven and Paynesville, in Minne- sota, and Clifton, Wisconsin. In 1878, he removed his family to his present residence, near Melrose. Mr. Webb was married on the fourth of April, 1847, to Miss Esther Northup, of Lewis county, New York.
A. E. WHITTEMORE was born in Merrimae county, New Hampshire, in April, 1832. When eleven years old, he removed with his parents to Burean county, Illinois, where he was engaged on his father's farm until the death of the latter, after which he commenced improving a farm of his own which he had previously bought. In 1864, he started with a team for Minnesota, arriv- ing in Sauk Centre the same season; he remained there all winter, and the following spring, opened a farm on which he has since resided. Mr. Whitte- inore's wife was Miss Sarah Norton, with whom he was united in marriage, in 1857.
WILLIAM H. WEST, a native of Jersey county, Illinois, was born on the 11th of Angust, 1854. At the age of two years, he came with his par- ents to Prescott, Wisconsin, where he remained, with the exception of one year's absence, until twenty-one years of age. In 1875, he took a trip through the Southern States, and after his return,
439
MILLWOOD TOWNSHIP.
rented a farm for one year, after which he was employed by Dalrymple in opening his immense farm near Fargo. He was then employed on his father's farm for a year, and in the fall of 1877 commenced learning the miller's trade at Hudson Wisconsin. In April, 1879, he came to Melrose, and has since been employed in the Melrose Flouring Mill. Mr. West was married on the 23d of December, 1879, to Miss Emma Webb, a daugh- ter of O. D. and Esther Webb, of Melrose.
MILLWOOD.
CHAPTER CV.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION -- EARLY SETTLEMENT-OR- GANIZATION -SCHOOLS - AGRICULTURAL STATIS- TICS-BIOGRAPHICAL.
Millwood lies in the northern part of the county, adjoining Melrose on the cast. Its area is abont 26,500 acres, of which 872 are under cultivation.
The surface is generally covered with timber, exeept a few thousand acres of prairie in the east- ern part. The soil is a dark loam with a clay sub- soil. There are a large number of lakes in this town, principal among which are, Bireh Bark Fort Lake, King's, Cedar, Swamp, and Long lakes.
The first settler in Millwood was William Arm- strong, a native of Canada, who settled on section ten in 1866; he moved away after five or six years. Thomas Hanigan settled on seetion fourteen in 1868, and Jolm J. Ahearn, in section twelve the same year. These were followed during the same summer, by Edwin Lovell, Edward Graham, Bar- ney Barthle, and others.
Millwood was organized in 1871, and the first election held at the residenee of Henry Klasen, in section twenty-two, on the 1st of May.
The first officers were: Supervisors, Andrew Barthle, Chairman, William Graham, and Henry Wheaton; Clerk, John Ahearn; Assessor, Barney Barthle; Treasurer, Jolin Buttweiler; and Justices of the Peace, George I. Oldham and James Dng- gan, (the latter did not qualiy.)
This town is divided into three school districts. The first school in the town was tanght in district munber eighty-nine in 1871 or 1872; the school building is situated in section six.
District number ninety-four was organized in 1874. The school house is in section twelve.
District number ninety-five was organized in 1875, and the school building placed on seetion twenty- nine.
This town, although formerly hindered by many disadvantages, is now enjoying a fair degree of prosperity. The population, according to the last eensiis, was 283.
The agricultural report of 1880 shows the fol- lowing products: wheat, 11,520 bushels; oats, 3,709 bushels; eorn, 1,180 bushels; barley, 157 bushels; rye, 32 bushels; potatoes, 1,540 bushels; beans, 46 bushels; wild hay, 588 tons; apples, 1 bushel; wool, 304 pounds; and butter, 2,490 pounds.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
JOHN J. AHEARN was born in Tipperary eoun- ty, Ireland, in the year 1818. He learned shoe- making when a young man, which he has followed the greater part of his life. He emigrated to the United States in 1845, stopping first in New York, then in Detroit, Michigan, and then to Cineimati, Ohio, where he lived nntil 1851. From thence he moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, and after two years, to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he followed his trade until 1862, when he enlisted in Com- pany I, of the Eighth Minnesota Volunteer In- fantry. He was in the serviee three years, taking part in several hard fought battles; and was mustered out on the 11th of July, 1865. Af- ter returning from the army, eame to Seott county, Minnesota, where he remained until re- moving to his present farm, in the year 1868. He was married in 1879, to Miss Mary J. Oldham, who was born in Kentucky. They have had a family of nine children; six boys and three girls; eight of whom are living.
MARTIN MCCAULEY, a native of Ireland, was born in the year 1831. He lived with his parents till twenty years of age, when he emigrated to the United States. He remained for a short time in the city of New York, then went fo Pennsyl- vania, where he engaged in various kinds of em- ployment till 1855, when he moved to St. Paul, Minnesota. Soon after coming to the Northwest, he took a elaim of eighty aeres in Goodhue coun- ty. He followed steamboating for some years, and eame to his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, in 1868. His farm is well adapted to the growing of grain and grazing.
DAVID M. MCINTYRE was born in the state of New York, where he lived until eighteen years of age. He eame with his parents to Millwood town-
440
HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
ship, in 1872, his father settling on seetion thirty- four. After spending a few years in Minnesota, David M. returned to his former home in New York, but at the expiration of one year, returned to Millwood and bought a farm in section twelve. His farm is mostly in wi nimproved state, but offers a fine prospect for a good home in the neur future.
CORNELIUS E. WALKER was born on the 24th of October, 1858, near Marietta, Washington county, Ohio, where he lived with his parents un- til thirteen years of age, attending school a por- tion of the time. Came with the family to Mill- wood township in 1871, where he lived with his father, working on the farm. In 1873, he returned to his former home in Ohio, and attended seliool for several years. After completing his course of study, returned to Minnesota, and is at present with his parents on the farm.
HIRAM N. WOODWARD, a native of Ohio, was born on the 4th of August, 1837. His parents moved to different places, and finally to Valpa- raiso, Porter county, Indiana, where he lived for thirty years on a farm. Ile was a soldier during the civil war, enlisting in 1863. Started for Pike's Peak during the gold excitement, but was among the fortunate ones that never reached the scene of disappointment. He eame to his present home in section eleven, in October, 1879, where he has lived, giving his attention to the improvement of his farm. He was married on the 4th of Deeem- ber, 1862, to Miss Elizabeth J. Skinner, who was born in Vermont. They have had a family of seven children; five are living.
MUNSON.
CHAPTER CVI.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION -- EARLY SETTLEMENT - ORGANIZATION - VILLAGE OF RICHMOND - AGRI- CULTURAL STATISTICS -- BIOGRAPHICAL.
Munson lies in the southern part of the county, and Ins an area of 23,010 acres, of which 5,784 are under cultivation. It embraces township 123 northi, range 31 wont. The surface is chiefly a rol- ling prairie, exeept in the northeast and southwest, which is covered with light timber and brush.
Sauk river enters the town near the northwest cor- ner, and leaves it near the southcast corner, pas- sing through Horseshoe Lake, which is the largest body of water in the town. There are a number of smuller lakes, the largest of which is Huit's Imke, lying about a mile west of Horseshoe, und in the southern portion of the town.
The first permanent settlement was made in 1856. Herman Brunning und Joseph Young werc, undoubtedly, the first settlers. They made claims on section twenty-four, but now live in Swift county. William Buck also settled on the same seetion, about the same time, but is now dead. Henry Rolfus made a claim on scetion six, and still resides in the town. Andrew Benmel settled on seetion sixteen, and John Snyder, on section twenty. The following year was marked by quite an inerease in the population, and since then the growth of Munson has been steady. The population, according to the last eensns, was 810.
This territory was ineluded in the town of Richmond, which was organized in 1858. Mimson was organized in 1859. The first records have been burned, but the following is a partial list of the first officers: Supervisors, Renben M. Rich- ardson, Chairman, Andrew Benmel, and William Bnek; Clerk, Henry Broker; Justiee of the Peace, H. Brunning; Assessor, B. Pirz; and Constable, Samuel Wakefield.
RICHMOND VILLAGE .- In 1855, Reuben Rieli- ardson made a elaim on section twenty-four, and the following year, surveyed and platted Rich- mond on this elaim. An addition was platted the following year, by Herman Brunning, and the greater portion of the present village stands on this addition.
The first store was opened by Henry Broker in 1856 or '57 and the first blacksmith shop, by Andrew Goehring in 1857. The first church (Catholic ) was built of logs in 1856, and the first services were held by Father Bruno. There are now two hotels, two general stores, two blacksmith and carriage shops, one church, one school, one harness shop, and three saloons.
The township of Munson prodneed, according to the lust report: wheat, 66, 749 bushels; oats, 47,733 bushels; corn, 13,100 bushels; barley, 165 bushels; rye, 1,626 bushels; buckwheat, 86 bush- els; potatoes, 4,405 bushels; wild hay, 2,176 tous; apples, 87 bushels; tobacco, 275 pounds; wool, 3,984 pounds; butter, 11,075 pounds; cheese, 1,600 pounds; and honey, 570 pounds.
441
NORTHI FORK TOWNSHIP.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
MATHEW A. BUSSEN was born in Germany in the year 1851. He came to America in 1870, and after remaining in St. Cloud a short time, attended St. John's College, taking a three year's course. He then went to Quiney, Illinois, where he was en- gaged as clerk in a store one year, going thence to St. Louis, and was employed as a traveling salesman for some time. In 1876, he returned to St. Cloud, and two years later, came to Richmond, where he was employed as book-keeper in a store until 1880, when he embarked in the mercantile business on his own account. Mr. Bussen was united in marriage with Miss Annie Liser in 1877. They have two children, Leonard and Anthony.
JOHN ETIEN was born in Germany, in the year 1846, and came with his parents to the United States in 1852. The family located in Iowa, where Jolin attended school four years. After school days were past, he began to cast about for a propitions opening where he might secure his future livelihood. Mr. Etlien then eame to St. Wendel, Stearns county, Minnesota, where he en- gaged in farming for a time, then moved to the township of Getty and farmed till 1873, when he removed to his present location and engaged in the hotel business. He is now the proprietor of the Central House. He married Miss Cecelia Spath in 1867. They have five children; Joseph, Mary, Anton L., Henry B., and Barbarn.
JOSEPH DUBER, a native of Missouri, was born on the 28th of August, 1852. While a child, came with his parents to St. Cloud, Minnesota, where he learned the harness-maker's trade which he has since followed. In 1873, he sold ont and moved to Rielunond, following the occupation of his first choice. He married Miss Maggie Kraemer, of Lake Henry, on the 4th of September, 1876. They have two children, Rosa and Lucas.
JACOB SIMONITSCH, a native of Germany, was born on the 9th of October, 1832. He came to America in 1851, and after remaining one year in Missouri, came to St. Paul, Minnesota, and was engaged as traveling salesmen for a wholesale house until 1862. Then came to Richmond, Stearns conuty, und opened a general store, which he still continues. This house was established in 1861, by John Stockard, who condneted it alone one year, when the subject of this sketch became his partner. After three years of snecessful opern- tion, Mr. Simonitsch purchased his partner's in-
terest, and has sinee very much inereased his busi- ness under his own management. He was united in marriage with Miss Gertrude Stoekard, and they have three children; Mary, Frank, and Anna.
JOHN SNEIDER, a native of Bavaria, Germany, was born in the year 1825. He emigrated with the family to the United States in 1839, living in Missonri till 1856. Hc then eame to Cold Spring City, in the township of Wakefield, and engaged in farming and blacksmithing till 1871, when he eame to Richmond, where he has since conducted the manufacture of wagons. He married Miss Margaret Rupp in 1852. They have five chil- dren; Lizzie, Margaret, Theresa, Andrew, and Catharine.
WILLIAM WIEBER, proprictor of the Richmond House, was born in Germany in the year 1835. Came with his parents to the United States in 1842. He remained in Michigan, engaged in farming till 1861, when he went to the copper mines at Lake Superior, where he remained four years. Then he came to Spring Hill and re- mained two years engaged in farming, coming thence to Riehond where he now resides. He married Miss Mary G. Pfeffer in 1859. Their children are, Louis, Theresa, Mary, John, Joseph, Carl, Anna, Faronica, and George B.
NORTH FORK.
CHAPTER CVII.
DESCRIPTIVE-EARLY SETTLEMENT -- ORGANIZATION -SCHOOLS-CHURCHES-ACADEMY -AGRICULTU- RAL STATISTICS-BIOGRAPHICAL.
This town lies in the southwestern part of the county, and has an area of 23,040 acres, of which 3,202 are under cultivation.
The surface is chiefly prairie, although small groves and light timber are occasionally found. The soil varies from n sandy to a clayey loam, the latter being found on the higher ground. The North Fork of Crow river flows in a southeasterly direction through this town, and is joined in its course by several small creeks. Along these streams are excellent hay meadows, small marshy tracts are also found throughout the entire aren.
The first settlers were E. Baalson and Hans Peterson, who came in the summer of 1864. A week later, John U. Anderson arrived and was the
4.42
HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
first to purchase land in the town. He died nt his residence on seetion thirty-four, in 1869; the others still reside here.
The territory forming the present town of North Fork was formerly a part of Verdale, organized in 1858. North Fork was organized in 1867, and the first officers were: Supervisors, Ole O. Rund, Chairman, Ole Halvorson, and Nils Hellekson; Clerk, Embrick Kundson; Assessor, John U. All- derson; and Treasurer, Nels Olson.
The first birth was Nels Nelson, in 1865.
The first marriage took place in 1870, the parties being Gunuf Evenson and Miss Randi Thompson.
The first school wns taught in 1868, by Edward Meagher.
The first preaching was by Rev. Thomas John- son in 1866, at the residence of Nels Olson.
The town is divided into four school districts, with the buildings located on sections cight, four- teen, twenty-six, and thirty.
NORWEGIAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
This congregation was formed in 1867, with abont forty members. A year or two later, a log chapel was built on seetion twenty-two, which was replaced, in 1880, by a commodions frame church, ninety feet in length. The congregation now numbers upwrads of one hundred.
A parish school for imparting religions instruc- tion, and for the study of the Norwegian lan- gnage, is maintained about four months in the year. Two teachers are employed, and the school is sup- ported by subscription.
GROVE LAKE ACADEMY .- This institution of learning is pleasantly located a few rods cast of the line dividing Pope and Stearns counties, and on the banks of Grove lake, a small, but beautiful sheet of water. This Academy was founded five years ago by the present Principal, D. J. Cogan. It is established on a new system, entirely differ- ent from the ordinary methods. There are no classes, the pupils reciting alone, and in private rooms, receiving such aid as their capacity and proficiency demand. It is a boys' school, and in- tended to fit young men to carry on successfully any business in life.
Professor , Cogan commenced this sehoof as an experimout, the result of years of careful thought on the subject, and with a very small patronage, nud has succeeded beyond his expectation, having recently increased the capacity of the Academy to accommodate the increasing member of pupils.
AGRICULTURAL .- The agricultural report for 1880, shows the following products: wheat, 38,- 829 bushels: oats, 16,619 bushels; corn, 1,782 bushels; barley, 670 bushels; potatoes, 2,184 bush- els; wild hay, 2,090 tons; apples, 2 bushels; wool, 760 pounds; butter, 19,888 pounds; and cheese, 500 pounds.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
THOMAS ANDERSON was born in Winnebago county, Wiseonsin, on the 5th of December, 1855. He came with his parents to Minnesota in 1863, who located on a forty acre lot the following year, fearing to buy extensively because of anticipated trouble with the Indians. His father, John U. An- derson, purchased the first land in the town of North Fork, and was one of the first settlers; he died in 1869. The family still remain on the old homestead. One of his sisters is the wife of Kit- tle Halverson, living in the neighborhood. Thomas has lived here since 1864, with the exception of a year and a half at Wilmar, where he was deputy Postmaster and agent of the Express company. In 1879, he opened a general store on section thirty- thrce, the only store within a radius of ten miles. He does a successful business, being also engaged in the buying and selling of stock.
PROFESSOR DANIEL J. COGAN was born in the city of Dublin, Ireland, on the 28th of May, 1836. He wns edneated at Trinity University; atter which he entered St. Patrick's College at Cork, Ireland, where he graduated at the age of twenty- four years, and was ordained a priest. He then became a professor in Colman College, county of Cork, Ireland, at which place he remained, filling the chair of an educator till 1860, when he emi- grated to the United States. After coming to this country he took charge of St. Paul's Academy at Helena, Arkansas, filling the position till 1867 when he went to Dubuque, Iowa, and labored as a Missionary Priest in that State and Illinois till 1875, when he came to St. John's College in this county, as Professor of English literature and the sciences. During the year's labor, he became so deeply impressed with the many deficiencies in the ordinary school room routine of eoflege study, and seeing how difficult it was for many students in elasses to gain the requisite practical knowledge they coveted, that he withdrew from the corps of instructors in the college und founded the present Grove Lake Academy. He is a natural edneator, and prefers the life and duties of an educator, to those of a Priest. It is impossible to estimate the
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