USA > Mississippi > History of the upper Mississippi Valley, pt 2 > Part 19
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sineo his father's death, a comfort and solace to his widowed mother. He has received both a Ger- man and English education, and for the past three years has successfully conducted the school in this neighborhood.
HENRY LOOSBROEK, (the original name of this family was Van Loosbroek ) was born in Holland on the 13th of February, 1838. At the age of twelve years, he began to work at the earpenter business, and after seven years service, emigrated to America and located at Dubuque, Iowa where he followed his trade till the fall of 1868, when le- came to Stearns county, Minnesota. After visit- ing several localities in the county, settled in sec- tion thirty-five, St. Martin township, on a forty- acre lot partly included in the village, though not platted. Here he followed his trade, besides en- gaging in some other lines of business. In May, 1880, he opened a general merchandise store, a hotel, and boarding house, in all of which he is doing n good 'business. He is the worthy Post- master of the place. Was married on the 25th of December, 1862, at Fairplay, Wisconsin, to Miss Margaret Heisler. Their children are, Cecelia, Sophia, Henry, Edward, Veronika, and Ellen.
ST. WENDEL.
St. Wendel lies in the northeastern portion of the county, and has an area of 23,040 aeres, of which 1,854 are under cultivation. The surface is undulating, and chiefly covered with timber and swamp land. Some of the latter is being drained, and thus converted into' valuable bay meadows. 'The sonth fork of Watab river flows in a north- casterly direction across the southeast part, and a number of small creeks meander through the town in varions directions. A number of lakes dot the surface, the largest of which is Watab Lake in the southeast, and Big Marsh Lake in the north- cast.
Probably the first settler in this town was a Mr. Merkling, who settled on section thirty-four some time prior to 1854, but does not now reside in the town. K. Eich settled on section twenty-four in 1854, and still lives there, the oldest settler in the town. John Inar made a olaim on section twenty- ยท Nix in 1856, and still resides on the old homestend. John T. Salter, the prosont efficient Town Clerk, and one of the most worthy men in the township,
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
eame to his present farm, on seetion twenty-two, in 1867.
This territory was a part of Brockway for many years, but organized with the name of Hancock, in the spring of 1868, and changed to St. Wendel the same summer. The first records were kept on slips of paper which cannot now be found. John T. Salter was the first Chairman of Supervisors, and the first Town Clerk.
There is a German Catholic Church situated on section six. It is a neat frame building. Father Anthony visits the congregation twice a month.
There are three school distriets, in which school is kept a portion of the year.
The St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba railroad crosses the southwest corner of the town, where there is a station named Collegeville.
The population of St. Wendel, according to the eensus of 1880, was 510 persons.
According to the agricultural report of 1880, the products of this town were: wheat, 17,654 bushels; oats, 16,168 bushels; corn, 4,285 bush- els; barley, 142 bushels; rye, 90 bushels; pota- toes, 2,891 bushels; cultivated hay, 20 tons; wild hay, 907 tons; wool, 836 pounds; butter, 8,012 pounds; and honey, 3 pounds.
BIOGRAPHICAL. .
JOHN I. SALTER was born in Devonshire, En- gland, ou the 3d of April, 1826, where he lived till seven years of age. Then the family moved to Portage, now Summit county, Ohio, where they still reside. John I. enjoyed common school privileges as a boy, entered the freshman class in Oberlin College, and soon after, the same class in St. John's College, where he attended about two years. He graduated in the medical department ut Middlebury College, Cleveland, Ohio. Ho practice his profession abont one year at Grand Haven, Michigan, then went into the milling business, and subsequently, into the gro- cery business at St. Paul, Minnesota. Enlisted at the latter place, in the fall of 1862, in Company K, of the Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, but soon after was transferred to a cavalry com-, pany. The company was enlisted by Governor Marshall, and commanded by Captain Roekwood. Mr. Salter was promoted to the Lieutenaney, and during the greater part of his term of service, had command of the company. He had charge of one hundred men for a time at Sauk Centre. After the close of the war, he engaged in the fur
trade about fifteen months, but finally, in 1867, removed to his present farm, where he has since lived. Mr. Salter has been closely identified with public affairs since coming to the town. He Is filled the several positions of Supervisor, Clerk, Justice of the Peace, and other local offices. Ile was united in marriage with Miss Roxy B. Ran- dolph, in August, 1850. She is a native of Madi- son county, Ohio, and was born on the 31st of July, 1830.
SAUK CENTRE.
CHAPTER CXIV.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION-EARLY BEGINNINGS-AGRI- CULTURAL STATISTICS-VILLAGE-MANUFACTURES BANKS-BAND-CHURCHES -SOCIETIES-SCHOOL -- NEWSPAPERS-RAILROAD-BIOGRAPHICAL.
Sauk Centre township lies in the northwest part of Stearns county, and has an area of about 26,- 880 acres, of which 3,410 are under cultivation. The Sauk river enters the town from the north, and flows in a southeasterly direction, leaving about one third of the territory on the east side, which is chiefly timber, although a narrow strip of prairie fringes the river. That portion lying west of the river is an open prairie. The soil near the river is a dark sandy loam, while the higher por -. tions consist of a dark clay loam, with a elay sub- soil.
There are a number of beautiful lakes in the township, the most important of which is Sank Lake. This beautiful sheet of water is about eleven miles in length, with un average breadth of half a mile. The southern extremity of the lake is at the village of Sauk Centre, and the north end reaches a long distance into Todd county. Fish, of the different varieties peenliar to the locality, abound in its waters. Cedar and McCormie lakes are small, but beautiful, lying in the northeastern part of the town.
About 1854, an old artist from some eastern eity, accompanied by his daughter, settled on the bank of Lake Kandotta, about fonr miles from the present site of Sank Centre. He laid out a town there, and lived amid the wild and beautiful scen- ery which his poetic soul almost worshiped, until driven ont by the blood-thirsty savages, in 1862. He never returned to his beautiful home, and his land has been reclaimed by others. In 1856, the
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first settlers arrived and settled where the village of Sank Centre now stands. This settlement eon- sisted of what was known as the Sauk Centre Town Site Company, consisting of seven persons, the lending spirit in the enterprise being Alexander Moore, who was acting ns agent for his mother, Rachel Moore.
The improvements of that year consisted of an excavation in the bluff near the river, which was lined with poles, and appropriated to the general nses of a squatter's shanty. The outlines of a town- site were also staked out, the township not yet having been sub-divided. In June, 1857, the eree- tion of a dam aeross the Sauk river was eommeneed by Moore and Jaeques, and nearly completed dur- ing the summer and fall. A small log house was also built by the company, when operations were discontinued on aeeount of hard times, resulting from the financial erisis of that year. S. M. Bruce having purchased an interest in the enterprise, was left in possession of the elaim during the win- ter of 1857-58, while most of his associates retired to more eivilized communities. When the iee broke up, in the spring of 1858, the dam was carried away, but rebuilt in 1860, and a small saw mill put in operation that fall. During the same snm- mer, Jesse Draper built n blacksmith shop on the lot now owned by S. M. Bruce.
The first meeting of the settlers for any pur- pose, was on the 16th of July, 1857, when they formed what was known as the Sauk Valley Claim Association, with Constitution and By-Laws. The object of. the Association was the protection of claims and the preservation of good feeling among the settlers. The members were: S. M. Bruce, President; Moses W. Adley, Vice President; Ed. Gibson, Secretary; William T. Dingley, Edward K. Jueques, Sidney A. Irish, N. G. Bradly, Charles P. Pollard, and Robert Wheeler.
After a few meetings, the Association was dis- banded because of the disadvantages arising from being compelled to hold elaims for parties not in- terested in the progress of the town.
Through the strennons efforts of S. M. Bruce, n Post-office was established here in 1858, and W. Adley appointed Postmaster. The first store was opened by Pendergast & Fish in the spring of 1861, in what is now known as James' addition to Sank Centre, but then about forty rods beyond the town-site line. Joseph Capser kept the first store within the village limits, in 1864. In 1861, II. A. Boobar built a dwelling house and moved
into it with his family. In 1863, the hotel, known as the Sauk Centre House, was built by W. Adley; a small dwelling house by Stephen Bailey, and the main part of the store building on the corner of Main und Third streets, now owned by J. Chp- ser, was built and occupied us a family residence by Alexander Moore.
During the Indian outbreak in 1862, a stockade was built around the residenee of Solomon Pender- gast, and several houses were afterwards built with- in the enclosure. A military post was established here, which had the desired effect, that of pre- venting the Indians from approaching any nearer the settlements in this direction.
In 1863, the original town-site was laid out and platted by Rachel Moore, and during that year, Alexander Moore, as her agent, built a small grist mill containing two sets of buhrs. Joseph Cap- ser opened his store the following year, and Mark Bedell opened a blacksmith shop, which were the only improvements worthy of note until 1865 and '66, emigration to the frontier having almost en- tirely eeased sinee 1861, as a result of the Civil and Indian Wars during those years.
The real growth of the town may be dated from 1865, since when it has steadily increased in popu- lation and wealth, and advanced in importance and substantial improvements.
Although the progress of the town sinee 1865 has been rapid, yet it has not been without its drawbacks. In July, 1867, the dam and mills were swept away aud entirely destroyed by a freshet, and in March, 1870, several of the most important business houses were consumed by fire, bnt by the energy and co-operation of the leading citizens, the structures destroyed in both instances, were speedily replaced by others more valuable und substantial.
The first school meeting was held on the 28th of April, 1861. S. Ramsdell was Moderator, and S. M. Bruce was elected Clerk. The distriet em- braced the whole of the present township. The first teacher was Miss Nellie Harmon, now Mrs. Frank Holmes, of Minneapolis. She was boarded by the lowest bidder, at ninety eents per week.
The first German settler here was Joseph Cap- ser, who eame in 1864. He was followed, during that and the two following years, by Anthony Miller, Fred Borgmann, Joseph Ebensteiner, Henry Kalkman, George Gruber, and others. Many of the most energtic business men and farmers of Sauk Centre are found among this nationality.
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
While the site now occupied by the village was being brought within the pale of civilization, the territory embraced within the present limits of Sank Centre township was also keeping step with the march of improvement. Claims were staked out, the virgin prairie was turned over by the breaking- plow, claim shanties and log cabins were erected, roads and bridges were built, families grew up, schools were inaugurated, and later, the primitive board and log shanty was superseded by the frame and brick dwelling, until now, Sauk Centre township ranks among the finest in the county. The agri- cultural report for 1880 shows the following pro- ducts: wheat, 32,344 bushels; oats, 18,855 bush- els; corn, 3,560 bushels; barley, 525 bushels; rye, 345 bushels; buckwheat, 4 bushels; potatoes, 1,522 bushels; beans, 4 bushels; sugar-cane, 46 gallons; cultivated hay, 201 tons; flax-sced, 330 bushels; wild hay, 1,033 tons; timothy seed, 25 bushels; apples, 34 bushels; butter, 5,755 pounds; cheese, 1,200 pounds; and honey, 15 pounds.
There are six school districts in the township, including two joint districts, in which good schools are kept during the regular terms. The popula- tion, according to the last eensus, was 398 persons.
A brickyard is carried on by Mr. Pangburn, which produces about 500,000 brick annually. An average of seven men are employed, and the brick are of a very superior quality.
VILLAGE OF SAUK CENTRE.
A brief sketch of the early beginnings in this beautiful and thriving village, in its relation to the history of the township, has just been given, and the continuation, which here follows, will be con- fined chietly to the further progress and develop- ment of the village.
Situated at the foot of Sank Lake, which forms a reservoir covering an area of ten square miles, in addition to a numerous chain of lakes above, fed by the Sank river, and with twelve feet head of water, Sauk Centre has one of the best and most reliable water-powers northwest of St. Anthony Falls, affording motive power for the development of large manufacturing interests.
The village was incorporated by an act of the Legislature, approved on the 12th of February, 1876, and the first election held on the 28th of March, following, at the office of L. L. West. II. L. Sage and P. M. Meigs were judges of the elec- tion, and E. P. Barnum, Clerk. The first officery wore: President, B. R. Palmer; Trustees, L. E. Coe, T. Fladeland, und S. Beidleman; Recorder,
E. P. Barnum; Treasurer, E. Oakford; Justices of the Peace, J. D. Carr and L. L. West; and Con- stables, H. A. Boobar and John H. Dennis.
There is a village library containing five hun- dred volumes of choice selections from standard literature. Miss Mollie Tobey is Librarian.
The population of the village, according to the census of 1880, was 1,201.
MANUFACTURES.
T. C. MCCLURE'S FLOURING MILL .- This mill was built by Moore & MeClure in 1866, and had a capacity of seventy-five barrels per day. In 1869, Mr. McCelure became sole proprietor, since when, substantial improvements, both in mill and ma- chinery, have been made. The main building is 40x50 feet, and four stories high.
It has Nix sets of buhrs and six run of stones, with a capacity of one hundred and fitty barrels per day. The elevator is 35x40 feet, with six bins, and a storage capacity of 25,000 bushels; there is also a storage room 30x40 fect.
LAKOTA ROLLER FLOURING MILL .- This was built in the summer of 1872, by a corporation, called the Kellogg Mill Company. In the fall of 1875, this firm went into bankruptcy, and the fol- lowing spring, Harmon, Holmes & Co., the present owners, bonght the property at the assignee's sale. The mill proper is 50x70 feet, and fonr stories high, including basement. It is constrneted on the Hungarian plan, and has a daily capacity of three hundred barrels. The motive power is a Corliss engine of 225 horse-power. The elevator is also owned by the company. It is 40x40 feet, and has twenty-two bins, with a capacity of 40,000 bushels.
LITTLE SAUK MILL -This mill is located on the Sauk river, in Todd county, but is tributary to Sank Centre, the flour being shipped at this point. It was built in 1873, by Alexander Moore, but passed into the hands of MeNiece Brothers & Carpenter, the present proprietors, in March, 1879. The main building is 32x50 feet, and three and a half stories high, including the basement. The power is furnished by water, and the daily capacity is one hundred barrels.
HOOPLE'S GRAIN ELEVATOR AND SAW MILL- In the fall of 1873, Nelson Hoople erected an ele- vator for the storage of flax seed for the Linseed Oil Company, of Mineapolis, which was used for that purpose umtil 1875, but has since been utilized for the storage of wheat. It is 30x48 feet, and has twelve bins, with a capacity of cigh- teen thousand bushels.
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The saw mill was erected in 1880, and furnished with a fine engine of 25 horse-power, and an im- proved flue boiler. This mill has facilities for manufacturing fifty thousand feet of lumber per week.
MANN & ALLISON'S MACHINE SHOP AND FOUN- DRY-The initiatory steps to this enterprise were taken by Allison & Brown, in March, 1877, when they erected a machine shop for the purpose of repairing mill and agrienltural machinery. After operating one and a half years, business was suspended until April, 1880, when the pres- ent firm of Mam & Allison established a machine shop and foundry combined; Mr. Mann, who is a practical moulder, having charge of the foun- dry, and Mr. Allison, a practical machinist, super- intending the other department. Mill and farm machinery is the principal work in the machinist department, while the foundry has facilities for general work, although the present specialties are sleigh shoes, knees, ete.
NOVELTY WOOD WORKS-The proprietors of these works, C. O. Hoffinan, J. W. Brnce, and J. W. Gray, established the business in November, 1880, for the purpose of meeting a want long felt in Sauk Centre, the manufacture of doors, sash, blinds, cornice, and all kinds of cabinet work. This company report the results of their enter- prise as very satisfactory, and the prospect for the future, in the same terms.
FANNING MILL FACTORY-This factory is situ- ated near the depot, south of the railroad track, and is owned by Henry Keller. It is said that the best fanning mill in the Northwest is manu- factured at this establishment.
BANKS-There are two private banks in the village, both of which rest upon a solid basis, and are reliable and truthworthy.
The "Citizens Bank of Sauk Centre " was established by Andrew J. Smith, the present pro- prietor, in May, 1872, he having arrived here but a month before.
The "Bank of Sauk Centre" was established by Solomon Pendergast and Lucas Kells, and opened on the 1st of September, 1880. Mr. Pen- dergast is President, and Mr. Kells, Cashier.
SAUK CENTRE BRASS BAND .- Was organized in 1873, with ten pieces, and F. C. Chase as leader. The present leader is E. P. Barmmm, and E. J. Leavitt is musical director and instructor. The number of instruments has been inereused to fifteen.
CEMETERIES. - In 1874, John H. Dermis laid ont
and platted Oakland Cemetery, on the northwest quarter of section fourteen, about one mile from the center of the village.
There is also a small cemetery in the village, owned by Mr. White.
RELIGIOUS.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- The first or- ganization by this denomination west of St. Cloud, was at this place in November, 1865. The class consisted of ten persons, and was organized by Rev. B. A. Kemp. A conference was held at St. Cloud on the 6th of December following, but no pastor was appointed to this charge. At the con- ference held the following year, however, J. H. Macomber was appointed. Services were held in an old schoolhouse, and a parsonage erected by Mr. Macomber. Hc was succeeded by Revs. Charles T. Barkulow, William Copp, F. H. Tubbs, J. Milton Akers, H. S. Hilton, L. W. Wright, who built the present house of worship in 1875 and '76, W. M. Speer, and A. W. Cummings, the present minister. The present membership is about nine- ty-two.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH .. -- This congre- gation was organized in January, 1867, by Rev. A. K. Fox, with thirteen members. Rev. C. S. Harrison had held services here frequently prior to this time, but no steps looking towards organi- zation had been taken. The church building was purchased on the 31st of July, 1872. It had been erected by a Presbyterian congregation which ex- isted here some years before, but had disbanded, the members mingling with other denominations. The ministers who succeeded A. K. Fox, were, Alpheus J. Pike, who was pastor for nine years, and I. L. Corey, the present incumbent. The con- gregation now consists of about seventy-five members.
THE CHURCH OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN ---- EPIS- COPAL .-- The first Episcopal services held here, were by Rev. George Stewart, in an old school- house, in 1865, and the church was organized the same year. Their present church was erected in 1868. Rev. T. C. Hudson succeeded Mr. Stewart and Rev. C. S. Linsley is the present minister, who also holds regular service at Melrose.
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, CATHOLIC .- The first ser- vices held here by this denomination, were by Father Mathias, at the house of Joseph Capser, in the fall of 1864.
The elergymen who have had charge of the con- gregation here since, are, Fathers Buch, in the
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
winter of 1865, Ansear, who came occasionally in 1866, Antony Kapser, who had a mission here in 1867-68, Burns, Valentine, and Simplicins. Until this time, these priests were paid by private sub- seription or free contribution. During 1874-75, Father Burghart held services once a month, at $200 per annum. From 1875 to 1877, Father Sehenck, of Long Prairie, attended this place once' a month, at an annual salary of $200. From the fall of 1877 to the fall of 1880, Father Paul Ret- teumaier held services twice a month, and received $300 per year. Father Meinrad, of Melrose, is the present priest. His visits are made twice a month at a salary of $300 per annumn.
In 1870, Joseph Capser, Ferd. Borgman, Joseph Ebensteiner, Henry Kalkman, George Gruber, and Anthony Muller bought a piece of ground on which to build a church. The sum of $475.00 was paid, Mr. Capser paying $300.00, and the other gentlemen named, the balanec. A ehmreli was erected on the spot the next year, and dedi- cated by Father Valentine on the 30th of June, 1871.
The first confirmation took place in September, 1875, by Bishop Seidenbush, who has since held two confirmation services here, onc on the 30th of June, 1878, and the other on the 30th of June, 1881. This congregation has always been con- nected with an adjoining parish.
BAPTIST CHURCH .- Rev. E. B. Haskell organ- ized this church in 1878, with but eight members. The first services were held in the house of Deacon West, then in Barnum's Hall, but subsequently, the Congregational Church was hired, and oeen- pied until the erection of their present church in 1879. Rev. Haskell was sueceeded by Rev. C. W. Woodruff, and he, by Rev. W. K. Dennis, the pres- ent minister. The membership now numbers fifty-two.
SOCIETIES.
STAR IN THE WEST LODGE, No. 60, A. F. and A. M .- The first meeting of this Lodge was held under dispensation on the 15th of December, 1866. The officers were: W. H. Smith, W. M .; N. S., Parker, S. W .; and Lneas Kells, J. W. The num- ber of members was nine. The charter is dated on the 23d of October, 1867. The present mem- bership is fifty-six, and the offieers are, A. Barto, W. M .; F. E. Scarle, S. W .; and A. H. Pettit, J. W.
SAUK CENTRE LODGE, No. 34, T. O. O. F .- This Lodge was instituted on the 1st of March, 1872,
with five members. The first officers were, A. M. Stiles, N. G .; S. Beidelman, V. G .; J. M. Gilman, Sec .; and S. A. Irish, Treas.
CRESCENT ENCAMPMENT, No. 21-Was instituted on the 21st of March, 1880, with fifteen members. The officers were, C. M. Sprague, C. P .; J. B. Per- kins, S. W .; J. L. Robbins, Sec .; and S. Beidelman, Treas.
SCHOOL .- An independent distriet was organ- ized, embracing the territory contained in the vil- lage, in 1869, and a charter granted by the Leg- islature, approved in Mareh, of that year. The first election, of officers, was held on the 27th of March, at which six Directors were eliosen.
The first school building, under the new char- ter, was erected in 1870. Miss Amelia Wright was the first Principal, and Miss S. J. Robbins was teacher in the intermediate department. The building has been much enlarged and improved, and now contains seven class rooms. Seven teachers are employed, and the rooms are classi- fied as follows: one high school, one grammar school, two intermediate, and three primary depart- ments. This is the best public school in the county.
NEWSPAPERS .- The first newspaper published in Sank Centre was the "Sauk Valley News," in the winter of 1866-67, by George MeLaughlin, but it seems to have been short-lived. The following summer, J. H. Simonton started the "Sauk Centre Herald," the first number appearing on the 6th of June, 1867. This paper was printed on the first press ever brought to Minnesota, formerly the property of James M. Goodhne, who printed the first newspaper in the Territory, the " Minnesota Pioneer," at St. Paul, on the 28th of April, 1819.
Mr. Simonton was soon joined by his brother, . S. Simonton, and the Herald continued to be pub- lished by them until August, 1879, when it was sold to Charles F. Hendryx, who is the present able oecnpant of the editorial chair.
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