USA > Mississippi > History of the upper Mississippi Valley, pt 2 > Part 28
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SYLVESTER R. WELLS is a native of Rock Island, Illinois, and was born on the 24th of September, 1840. He remained in his native State until August, 1862, when he enlisted in the Eighty- ninth THlinois Volunteer Infantry, and participated in twenty-one engagements. He was wounded in the left hip in front of Atlanta, and was saved from death by the buckle of his belt receiving the force of a musket ball, and also received other wounds. He was mustered out at Nashville, on the 10th of June, 1865. In 1869, he came to
Minnesota and settled at Buffalo, where he soon after opened a cabinet shop, and still continues the business. He was appointed Town Clerk of Buf- falo in 1872, elected the following year, and still holds the office. Mr. Wells was united in marriage with Miss Addie R. Grenell, at Moline, Illinois, on the 9th of Angust, 1862.
JOSEPH H. WENDELL was born in Oakland county, Michigan, on the 25th of January, 1841. He remained with his parents until fourteen years of age, when he was apprentieed to the trade of earpenter and joiner, at which he was employed during summer and taught school in winter until twenty years of age. He then began the study of law, but after one year, went to West Virginia and was engaged in the oil business until February, 1870. He then returned to his native State, and soon after, resumed the study of law, and was ad- mitted to the Bar in 1872. Then began the prac- tice of law in partnership with W. B. Jackson, now a leading attorney in Detroit, Michigan, but after a year, entered the law department of Ann Arbor University, and graduated in the class of 1873. The following summer was spent in travel- ing through the States west of the Mississippi, and between the Gulf of Mexico and Minnesota. In 1874, he settled at Buffalo, where he has sinee been engaged in the aetive praetiee of his profes- sion. He was elected County Commissioner in the fall of 1874, and County Attorney the following year, being re-elected to the latter office at each sneeceding election to the present time. Mr. Wendell has been twice married; first to Elizabeth Washburn in April, 1874, who died on the 8th of March, 1879. His present wife was Miss Annie Covart, of Monticello, to whom he was married on the 4th of November, 1880.
BENJAMIN WARD, a native of Caledonia county, Vermont, was born on the 19th of March, 1807. He removed to Dane County, Wisconsin, in 1856, and to Minnesota in the spring of 1857, locating on section eighteen, Buffalo township. He was one of the organizers of the town, and has been Town Treasurer for eight years. He married Miss Keziah Jackson, a native of Vermont, who died in this county on the 27th of August, 1880. They lind three children, but one of whom is living. He is named Thaddens and was born at Danville, Ver- mont, on the 20th of Jannary, 1835. He came with his parents to Minnesota, in 1857, and has always lived with or near them. He married Miss Emeline Chickering, in Vermont, on the 14th of
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
November, 1862. They had two children, Frank- lin aud Etta. His wife died in April, 1871. He chose for a second wife Miss Jenny flynn, of this town, who has borne him four children; George, Orrilla, Freddie, and Evn W.
CHATHAM.
CHAPTER CXX.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION -- EARLY SETTLEMENT-ORGAN- IZATION-MANUFACTURES- RELIGIOUS -SCHOOLS -AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS-BIOGRAPHICAL.
Chatham is situated near the center of the county and embraces an area of about 11,520 aeres, 1,155 being under cultivation. Like the other timber towns of the county, the surface is somewhat bro- ken, lakes, marshes, and timber being the rule.
The greater portion of Buffalo Lake lies in this town, besides quite a number of small bodies of water. Mill creek is the only stream worthy of notice; it affords a good water-power.
The first settler in this town was Moses L. Calk- ins, who took a elaim on section twenty-five in 1855. Samuel Chamberlin settled on section twenty-eight in 1856, and Joseph Armstrong on section thirty-five, in the spring of 1857.
Of these three pioneers, only Mr. Armstrong remains. His home is pleasantly located on the west bank of Buffalo Lake. During the latter year (1857) quite a number of settlers arrived, prominent among whom were, Benjamin Ambler, or Uncle Ben, as he is familiarly called, Thomas Ward, William Sullivan, Gottlieb Haug, and Herman Erath. The population, according to the censns of 1880, mimbered 274 persons.
A petition, signed by thirty-nine citizens of Buffalo and Maple Lake townships, was presented to the County Commissioners on the 5th of Jann- ary, 1866, asking for the organization of township 120 north, range 26 west, to be known as Chat- ham township. The petition was granted, and an election ordered to be held at the house of Benja-' miu Ambler, ou the 22d of January, for the elec- tion of township officers. The meeting was held according to notice, and a full set of officers elect- ed. But the town of Chatham was not so easily organized. The town of Maple Lake, organized under un net of the Legislature, on the 11th of May, 1858, claimed the north Iulf of the new
township, and W. G. MeCrory, a citizen of Maple Lake, commeneed an action in the District Court, to set aside the action of the board of County Commissioners in organizing the town of Chat- ham. It was a valid elaim aud the District Court decided in favor of Maple Lake and against the action of the County Commissioners. The deci- sion left Chatham with only the sonth half of the congressional township in question, and without an organization. An application was made to the Legislature, and that body passed an aet allowing the citizens of the new town to organize. By this act, the legal voters of the sonth half of the town- ship were authorized to meet at the house of Ben- jamin Ambler on the first Tuesday in April, 1868. The election was held and the following offieers chosen: Supervisors, W. W. Washburn, Chairman, Gottlieb Haug and James G. Nugent; Clerk, Her- man Erath; Treasurer, James E. Cochrau; Asses- sor, John C. Nugent; Justice of the Peace, W. W. Washburn; and Constable, Albert Erath.
The first child born in the town was Maggie Haug, on the 22d of January, 1858, and the next was Elizabeth E. Armstrong, on the 11th of June of the same year.
The first school was commenced on the 1st of July, 1860, wtth Alexander Ambler as teacher. The first school house was built the same year. There are now three school districts, with an equal number of good school houses, in which the usual terms are taught.
The only church in the town is St. Charles Church, (Catholic) organized in July, 1857. A temporary building has been erected, in which services are held pending the completion of their new church, now in process of construction. Father Robert Ims charge of the congregation.
In 1867, Charles H. Irvine, of Monticello, com- menced the erection of a dam and flonring mill on section twenty-five, but it was not a snecess, and a saw mill was finally plneed on the site. ft, how- ever, did not accomplish much, and the whole enterprise seems to have fallen through.
According to the agricultural report of 1880, Clintham produced the following: wheat, 10,127 bushels; oats, 7,325 bushels; coru, 4,925 bushels; barley, 300 bushels; rye, 40 bushels; potatoes, 2,235 bushels; cultivated hay, 142 tons; wild hay, 297 tons; wool, 1,310 pounds; and butter, 3,495 pounds.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
JOSEPH ARMSTRONG is u native of Westmeath
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509
CHIATHIAM TOWNSHIP.
county, Ireland. He followed farming till coming to America in September, 1848. Came over on the ship " European," lived for a time in New Or- leans, then in Towa and Illinois, and in 1854, came to Minnesota. For three years, he was sexton of the Episcopal Church in St. Paul. Located his present farm on the 16th of April, 1857; it is sit- nated on section thirty-five, west side of Buffalo lake, and contains one hundred and sixty acres. Mr. Armstrong was united in marriage with Miss Fanny Maynes, of Tyrone county, Ireland, in 1840. Of eight children born to them, three are living, two girls and one boy; Elizabeth Ellen is married to Otis Washburn, and Charles John and Mary Ann are residing with their parents.
BENJAMIN AMBLER was born in Westchester county, New York, on the 28th of August, 1807. When ten years of age he was sent to Connectient; lived there for four years and returned to his native State, where he learned the trade of mason and builder. Came to St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1856, and to his present farm, on section thirty- four, the following year. Since his residence here, Mr. Ambler has been Supervisor, and for several years held tho office of Treasurer. His nephew, James Ambler, resides with him and owns part of the farm. The latter was married to Miss Char- lotte Cochrane, a native of Canada, in 1865. Their union has been blessed with two daughters.
HERMAN ERATH is a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, and dates his birth on the 6th of Feb- ruary, 1829. His father was a physician in the French army, during which time, four years, the family resided in Africa. Came to America in 1847, and located in New York, where our subject was employed at his trade, that of a stone-entter, For about seven years. In 1854, ho came west, resided about two years in Wisconsin, und came to Minnesota in September, 1857, and to his present farm the following November. On the 15th of August, 1862, Mr. Erath enlisted in Company A, of the Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. Was in Sully's expedition, and in 1864, went South to Murfreesboro', Tennessce; was in an engage- ment at Kingston, North Carolina, and at Snow Hill. In August, 1865, he was mustered out and returned to his farm in Chatham township. Miss Louisa Dubois became his wife in 1850. She was born on the 12th of July, 1837, in the state of New York.
JOHN D. MURPHY was born at St. Johns, New- foundland, on the 1st of April, 1837. When a
young man, he traveled over a large portion of the United States, and on the 4th of May, 1861, en- listed in a company known as the Southern Cadets. It was organized in New Orleans and soon after dis- banded, our subject joining Company E, of the Fifth Louisiana Volunteer Infantry and participating in several important battles. On the 4th of May, 1863, at the battle of Chancellorsville, he lost luis right arm and was taken to the hospital at Riclı- mond, Virginia. After recovering from his wound, he again enlisted in the service and remained till the close of the war. He resides with his par- ents, who came to Chatham township in 1858. Was married to Miss Mary Pylky, a native of Canada, in 1878. They have two children; Lilly M., and John D.
REV. C. ROBERT, a French Catholic Priest, was born near the city of Lyons, France, on the 18th of September, 1828. He received a classic educa- tion and afterwards entered the Theological Sem- inary at Le Puy. Came to America, and in May, 1854, to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he was or- dained a priest by Bishop Cretin, and sent to a church named Little Canada, above St. Panl; then to Mendota,, remaining till 1861 or 1862. In 1866, he returned to his native place on a visit, remained three years and eame again to America. On his return, he had charge of St. Patrick's church at Shieldsville, Rice county, for ten years. In May, 1880, eame to his present parish, which numbers about fifty members.
THOMAS WARD was born in Ireland in the year 1827. In 1852, he came to America, remained in New York City a short time, then, in New Jersey a few months, and thence to Ohio, where he was engaged in farming four yerrs. In 1856, he came to Minnesota, spent a year m different parts of the State and came to his present farm, on section twenty-one, in 1857. Was married in March, 1880, to Miss Elizabeth Elsenpeter, of Germany. They have one daughter.
WILLIAM W. WASHBURN was born in Plainville, New York, on the 7th of February, 1841. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and came west in 1860. Located in the town of Butfalo, Wright county, Minnesota, until the 4th of November, 1861, when he enlisted in Company C, Brackett's Battalion, and participated in the battles at Fort Henry, Fort Donaldson, and Corinth. Was changed to the Fifth Iowa Cavalry, and wounded at the second battle at Fort Donaldson and dis- charged. He re-enlisted, came north and was in
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
Sully's expedition, participating in one engage- ment with the Indians nt the Black Hills. On the 26th of May, 1866, after a sarvice of four and a half years, he was mustered out at Fort Snelling and came to his present farm, which he had taken in 1863, while in the service. Since his residence here, Mr. Washburn has been Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, and is at present Justice of the Peace. In 1859, Miss E. Mattison, of New York, hecame his wife. They have seven children, three sons and four daughters; one daughter, Sa- rah A., is married to a Mr. Jewett, and lives in this county. The others reside at home.
COKATO.
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CHAPTER CXXI.
DESCRIPTION-EARLY SETTLEMENT-ORGANIZATION
-MILLING - RAILROADS-FIRST SETTLEMENT- FIRST THINGS-COKATO VILLAGE.
Cokato is one of the extreme western towns of Wright county, Meeker county forming its west- ern boundary, with the town of French Lake on the north, Middleville east, and Stockholm south.
The surface is gently undulating, except near Cokato lake, and along the Crow river, where it is somewhat hilly. Throughout the town are many fine tracts of wild meadow, from which an excel- lent quality of hay is obtained.
The soil is a rich dark loam, with clay subsoil, thongh a narrow belt along Sucker creek, in the southeastern part, is somewhat sandy, with sub- soil of coarse sand and gravel.
Its principal lakes nro, Coknto lake in the cast central part, Swan lake in the northwest, and Beaver Dam lake in the southwest; the Inst two extending into Meeker county. Smith lake en- eroaches upon section thirty-six, covering about eighty acres, and Brooks, or Millner lake covers a larger surface in section twenty-eight. A few smaller bodies are also found at intervals through- out the town. Sucker creek enters from the sonth, flows through Cokato lake, and empties into Crow river, which also waters the northern part of the town.
The first permanent settlers were, Josiah P. Mooers, and his sons, Augustns P., and Henry, in the early spring of 1856. They came to Minne- sota, from Maine, in 1852, roaching St. Paul on
the 14th of May, and immediately located on Fridley's Prairie. After four years of ill-rewarded toil, they determined upon seeking better farming lands, and enme to this locality, where all took claims near the present village. Josiah P. Movers is a native of Deerfield, New Hampshire, where his birth occurred December 27th, 1804. His life was spent in agricultural pursuits, remaining in his native State until the age of thirty-two, when lie removed to Maine, where he lived until coming to Minnesota. He figures in the history of this town, not only as its first, and oldest living settler, but as its first Postmaster, and prime mover in many of its early events. Mooers Prairie was named in honor of him, as was also the first Post- office, and a town organization, both hereafter mentioned.
The Mooers family were not long without neigh- bors. They were joined the same season by Wil- liam Lee, L. Putnam, Timothy Lowell, David Griffith, and Hugh McNulty, and thereafter the settlement enjoyed a steady, though not rapid growth, with some few interruptions, the causes for which are apparent in the County history.
The territory now embraced in Cokato, Middle- ville, Victor, and Stockholm, was set apart by the County Commissioners in 1858, as the town of Middleville, and an election held on the 11th of May. The same territory constituted a voting precinct as early as 1856, and an election was held at the house of A. E. Cochran that year. In 1861, the present towns of Cokato and Stockholm were set off, and formed the town of Mooers Prai- rie. Only five voters were present at the first meeting, which was held at the house of Samuel Pafet, near Cokato lake. We have no information respecting the results of this meeting, further than that William Putnam was elected Chairman and member of the board of County Commissioners, and William Lee, Assessor. In 1868, the present organization was effected, and nt an election held at the residence of Samuel Allen, on the 4th of August, the following officers were elected: Super- visors, Ahira Cady, Chairman, Martin Edgerly and Hans Erickson; Clerk, A. A. Jenks; Assessor, L. W. Perkins; Justices of the Peace, Henry Mooers and L. W. Perkins. No Treasurer was elected until the annual meeting the following spring.
As enrly as 1866, a dam was built, and the next year a small saw mill erected at the outlet of Co- kato lake, by F. X. Lafond. A feed mill was soon
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COKATO TOWNSHIP.
after attached, and proved a convenience to the early settlers.
. On this ground a town site was located, and a few buildings are said to have been erceted as early as 1855 or '56, but like most other ventures of the kind at that date, quietly faded away. In 1868, Mr. M. V. Cochran bought an interest with Lafond, and a year later purchased his partner's interest and became sole proprietor, soon after which he built a substantial flonring mill, remov- ing the old mill about two years later. The first stones used in this mill are of historie note, and elaim a brief mention here. They were small French burrs, purchased in St. Louis, by Richard Rogers, of St. Anthony, in the summer of 1852, and used by him in grinding the first flour manu- factured at the Falls, in December of that year. They were afterwards taken to Clearwater, doing service in pioneer milling at that point, until the burning of the mill, after which they were re- moved to this place, and two years ago were taken to Watertown, Carver county, where they are used in grinding feed. Mr. Cochran has materially increased his milling facilities since his first efforts, and enjoys a liberal patronage.
In 1869, the railroad reached Cokato, and the population increased rapidly, a large Swede and Finn emigration following, and taking lands in this, and adjoining towns. Of the latter class, the pioneers were, Martin Henre, Ole Westberg, Isaac Parper, and others. These settled in the central and north part of the town, and were soon followed by large numbers, this nationality now constituting the major portion of the population, and, with the Swede element, all, except a few American families. They have a church on seetion ninc, built in 1877, where service is held weekly and a parish school is soon to be established. A ceme- tery adjoins the church on the east.
They have no local Pastor, but hold meetings under the supervision of leading members and of- ficers, being visited occasionally by an ordained minister.
The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran church is sitnated on seetion five, near the town line on the north, with cemetery grounds adjoining on the sonth. A small log building was erected in 1870, which gave place to a more commodious frame ed- ifice the present year, the old building now serving as a place for condneting the Parish school. Weekly serviec is held at the church by the Pastor of the Swedish church at Cokato village.
The first white child born in the town, then Mooers Prairie, was Frank Putnam, whose natal date is February, 16th, 1859.
'The first death of which we have reliable infor- mation, was the wife of Josiah P'. Mooers, on the 1st of August, 1860, though it is probable others may have occurred previous to this date.
The first marriage ceremony was performed in the summer of 1860, uniting Amos Chambers and Miss Clara A. Hoyt.
The first religious exercises were held in the honse of J. P. Mooers in 1858, by Rev. L. Wood. The first school of which we have any record, was about 1865, in the house of Mr. Edgerly, by Miss MeKinney, from near the old town of Greenwood.
COKATO VILLAGE .- When the Mooers family visited this locality in the spring of 1856, they came by way of Greenwood, cutting their own roads through the timber. During the winter pre- vions to their coming, a town site was located here, on section thirty-four, by Messrs. Murphy, Cham- bers, Sully, Hedderly, Hancock, and Keith, of Min- neapolis. They came by way of Monticello, the frosts of winter enabling them to cross lakes. marshes, and streams, without difficulty. Forty aeres were surveyed into lots and the prospective city named Glenwood. A hotel was begun, but never finished, and the whole scheine " vanished in thin air" soon after.
In 1867, the east half of the present village plat was taken under the homestead act, by Benjamin Lee, whose claim shanty then built was the first human habitation within the village limits. The west half was taken by Samuel Jenks, who cu- tered the land at the usual government price, in order to dispose of lots. In 1869, the railroad reached this point, and the depot, built soon after, was the first good building in the place. From this time the growth was quite rapid for a time, several families locating here, and a store was opened by A. P. Mooers & Amos Chambers. Mr. Parcher opened a second store about the same time.
In 1872, a hotel was opened by B. Thurstenson, which was conducted by him until September, 1880, when he closed it to the publie.
Another hotel was opened two or three years later than the one just mentioned, by Guy Per- kins, who conducted it but a short time, since which it has several times changed hands.
A steam flour mill, and a small lumber mill were built in 1873 by Ward Brothers & Runion, both
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
of which were successfully conducted until de- stroyed by fire in the spring of 1879.
In 1876, an elevator of thirty thousand bushels capacity, was built here by the Elevator Company, which has since been in constant use.
A large circular clevalor was built two years ago by the Farmers' Elevator Company, of Co- kato. In May, 1881, it was destroyed by fire, and from the immethodical condition of the company's business affairs, arose numerous cases of litigation.
Two elevators were built in 1881; one by Cofield and Wright, with a capacity of twenty thousand bushels; and another by Bull, Edmonds, and Lar- sou with a capacity of forty thousand bushels. All three elevators use steam power, and handle im- mense quantities of grain.
A weekly newspaper, ealled the "Cokato Re- publicau," had a brief existenee here in 1878, under the management of Felix Head.
Soon after the completion of the railroad to this point, a school district was organized, and a graded school established in 1879.
A Post-office has been maintained since about 1857, when a private office was established, and A. P. Movers appointed Postmaster, the office being at his residence south of the present vil- lage. Mail was brought from Middleville by pri- vate parties until July, 1862, when a route from Rockford to Forest City supplied this office. Dur- ing the Indiau war the route was discontinued, but at its close was resumed, continuing until the completion of the railroad, when the office was moved to the station. In 1876, M. Lewis suc- ceeded Mr. Mooers as Postmaster, and the next year the office passed to C. P. Anderson, the pres- ent incumbent. It was made a Money Order office in 1879.
A Swedish Baptist church was formed in June, 1871, with nine members. Services were held at irregular intervals by missionary preachers, until 1874, when their church edifice was finished, and Rev. O. S. Lendberg became the pastor, re- maining till 1879, when he was succeeded by Rev. A. Fogelstrom, the present minister. The society own cemetery grounds on section twenty-two. .
A Swedish Evangelical Lutheran church was organized January 7th, 1870, with sixty-four com- munieants, which number has increased to about one hundred and seventy-five. A durable edifice was ereeted in 1870, and a cemetery located ad- joining the village plat on the north, near which it neal parsonage was built about two years ago.
The first pastor was Rev. J. G. Logerstrom, sue- eeeded three years later by Rev. F. Petersou, and he, in July, 1877, by the present pastor, Rev. L. A. Hoennzon, who also officintes as pastor of the church on section five, already mentioned.
In 1874 75 the Methodist Episcopal church held regular services here. A small membership still exists, though meetings are held only at irregular intervals.
The Congregational church is represented by a small society of about three years existence, whose meetings are held each Sunday evening in the Swedish Lutheran church edifice, through the ex- tended courtesy of that society. At one time they had a local pastor, Rev. Mr. Hull, but are now supplied by Rev. Mr. Lewis, stationed at Dassel.
Free Masonry is represented by Cokato Lodge No. 134, A. F. and A. M., organized U. D., Decem- ber, 1877, and chartered in January, 1879. Its first officers were: E. H. Farnham, W. M .; John Chapman, S. W .; F. M. Jenks, J. W .; K. O. Mol- storteigen, Sec .; H. F. Edwards, Treas .; L. Co- field, S. D .; F. M. Ball, J. D .; and Benjamin Lec, Tyler. The present membership is about twenty, and regular communications are held on the first aud third Thursday evenings of each month.
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