USA > Mississippi > History of the upper Mississippi Valley, pt 2 > Part 29
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66
'The village of Cokato was incorporated by act of the Legislature, approved February 16th, 1878. Its first officers were: President, H. F. Edwards; Trustees, Benjamin Lee, Frank Granfelt, and B. Thirstenson; Recorder, G. A. Wahlquist; 'Treas- urer, A. W. L. Almquist.
The village is now well supplied with stores. and the usual list of shops and artisans.
The Depot building is conveniently located, and at present in charge of J. H. MeVeety. The first agent was J. E. Jenks, who held the position till 1879, after which several were temporarily in charge till April, 1881, when Mr. MeVeety was stationed here.
According to the agricultural report of 1880, the products of Cokato were: wheat, 7,839 bush- els; oats, 9,720 bushels; eorn, 4,986 bushels; bar- ley, 250 bushels; buckwheat, 23 bushels; potatoes, 1,095 bushels; beans, 20 bushels; wild hay, 1,689 tons; wool, 1,046 pounds; butter, 7,850 pounds; and honey, 2,900 pounds. The cultivated area is 1,585 acres.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
C. J. ANDERSON is a native of Sweden, born on the 28th of October, 183-t. He came to Amerien in 1869, and took a homestead in French Lake,
1
BIOGRAPHIICAL.
513
Wright county, where he remained until coming to this township in 1875. He was employed in the store of Peterson and Carlson, as clerk till May, 1878, when he was appointed Postmaster. He kept the books, however, for The firm till they dissolved in 1880. Mr. Anderson speaks several languages and is a most efficient and obliging Postmaster. He has one sister living in this conty, she being his only relative this side of Sweden.
ANDREW W. L. ALMQUIST was born in Sweden, on the 17th of October, 1852. When eleven years old, he came with a friend to America, and joined his father in Carver county, Minnesota. Was in Hastings and St. Paul most of the time till com- ing here, and while at the latter place, was em- ployed as foreman in the shops at the Reform School. Mr. Almquist came to Cokato township in the spring of 1876, and opened a tin shop, to which he soon added hardware, and also sells farm machinery. In February, 1878, he moved to his present location, has the only full line of hard- ware in town, and does a large business in machinery. Miss Julia M. Kneeland, of this place, became his wife on the 30th of May, 1880. They have one child named Alice C.
GUSTAV BODIN was also born in Sweden, on the 5th of February, 1844. He came to America in 1868, and after a short stay in Illinois, came to Minnesota; was in Stillwater n short time and went thence to St. Paul, where he was employed as clerk in a wholesale store. In 1878, our subject, in company with his brother, John Bodin, opened a general commission house, and also assisted in organizing a company for a large grocery store. He was secretary of the company, and still holds an interest in the business. Mr. Bodin came to this place in 1879, and purchased of G. A. Wahl- quist, his prosent business. The firm is now known as Bodin Bros. & Co. Mr. Bodin is Vil- lage Recorder, and also Clerk of the school dis- triet. He was married on the 3d of September, 1873, to Miss Johana Johnson.
MORGAN V. COCHRAN, one of the early settlers o' Wright county, was born in Harrison county, West Virginia, on the 22d of April, 1836. When he was an infant, his parents removed to Indian, thence to Iowa, and when our subject was ten years old, returned to Virginia. In the spring of 1855, ho enme west to seek his fortune. Came by boat down the Ohio and up the Mississippi rivers, to St. Paul, thence by stage to Shakopee, then on
foot to Greenwood, arriving on the 14th of May, 1855, and on the next day, staked ont a elaim at Montrose, now the farm of George M. Wright. During that fall he was engaged in building a "Lownsite house," where Howard bake is now. The following spring he pre-empled the land, which had been abandoned by the company, and afterwards sold it to Mr. Goodsell, and in 1864, took a homestead in Stockholm township, sold it in 1871, and in the fall, moved to his present home at Cochran's mills, north side of Cokato lake. Mr. Cochran has taken an active interest in all public matters, and has filled many Ioeal offices. Was a member of- the sceond Board of County Commis- sioners. While serving in this capacity, he was chietly instrumental tn abolishing the custom of paying teachers in depreciated county orders, while the publie school money was appropriated by county othieials. He was united in marriage with Miss Jane P. Gleason, of Green Lake county, Wis- consin, on the 9th of May, 1859. This was the tirst marriage at Howard Lake, in the town of Victor. Their children are, Seymour E., Irvin E., Carrie, Mary, Morgan V,., James T., Helen, Gar- nett, Oliver, and an infant not yet named.
LORENZO COFIELD, a native of Noble county, Ohio, was born on the 13th of July, 1849, and reared to agricultural pursuits in his native place till coming to Minnesota in 1867. He resided on a farm in Stockholm ten years before coming here. Then, in 1877, came to this phee and opened the confectionery, grocery, flour and feed store whiel he still owns. Two years later he. built a small grain house and commeneed dealing in wheat. and in 1881, formed a partnership with C. A. Wright, of Howard Lake, and built an elevator with a ca- pacity of twenty thousand bushels. Miss Emma Reed of this place became his wife in 1872. They have two children; James D. and Stillman L.
EDWIN H. FARNHAM is a native of Massachu- setts and was born on the 7th of December, 1839, in a pleasant New England home, situated on the old Bunker Hill battle ground, and not twenty rods from the spot where the gallant Warren fell. During his early childhood, he removed with his parents to Peabody, where his father died when our subject was sixteen years of age. On the 19th of April, 1861, he enlisted in Ellsworth's Zonaves, was discharged after fonr months service, and re-enlisted in the Seventeenth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, serving till the 20th of All- gust, 1864, when he was discharged, and soon
33
1
₪2
514
HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
after came to Minnesota. He located at Rock- ford and was engaged in teaching school. The winter of 1866-67, he resided in Chicago where he attended a law school. On the 4th of July, 1868, Mr. Farnham was married to Miss Mary Barnett, of Fort Covington, New York, and the following year returned to Minnesota and located at Delano. They were the first American family in Delano, and with the exception of a few months spent at Rockford, teaching school, remained there till 1874. Then came to this place where he has since resided and practiced his profession, having been admitted to the Bar in 1871. They have two children; Schnyler E. and Snsau M.
DAVID GRIFFITH was born near the city of Phil- adelphia, Pennsylvania, on the 6th of November, 1813. He removed to the city in 1842, remaining till 1857, when he came to Minnesota. He first took a claim on seetion twelve, Cokato township, but soon after removed to section thirty-four where he still resides. Has held the office of Justice of the Peace several terms. During the war, Mr. Griffith, who was over age, and his son Franklin, who was under age, were the only volunteers from Cokato. The former enlisted in the Mounted Rangers and served one year, and the latter in the Eleventhi Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, serving two years. Miss Emoline Hinchman became his wife in 1841, the marriage taking place in Phila- delphia. They have had three children; Franklin, the only one living, resides at home.
MAGNUS HOLMSTROM, a native of Sweden, was born on the 17th of September, 1838. Came to America in 1869, and for a short time attended school; then located at Hastings, Minnesota, re- maining a year and a half; after which he was employed by R. B. Langdon ou the railroad. Then, after spending six years in Minneapolis, he came to Cokato in 1878, and opened a large blacksmith shop, where he also keeps plows and farm ma- chinery. Was appointed village Trustee in 1879, to fill a vacancy, and in 1881, elected to the same office. Mr. Holmstrom was nited in marriage with Miss Sophia Christina, on the 25th of December, 1862. Of six children born to them, four are liv- ing; Charles A., Anna K., Louisa, and Clara E. Ewald and John both died in November, 1878, at Cokato.
MARTIN HENNE was born in Finland, in Jannary, 1839. Ho was reared to agricultural pursuits and in the spring of 1865, came to America. Was Que year engaged in the copper-mines of Michigan,
then four years in Hastings and Red Wing, in this State, and in the summer of 1870, came to Cokato and settled on section ten. In the spring of 1881, he moved to his present farm on section seventeen. Mr. Henre has a good English educa- tion and an extensive acquaintance throughout the county. Takes an active interest in the Fin church and also in publie local affairs. Was elected Supervisor of Cokato in 1881. In 1869, he was married, at Red Wing, to Miss Anna Teberg, Three children have been born; John, Anna, and William.
LARS A. HOCANZON is a native of Sweden, born on the 22d of April, 1837. He learned the pro- fession of architect and civil engineer, which he followed for fifteen years. Came to America in June, 1869, and located at Lake City, Minnesota, remaining till that fall, when he removed to Pepin county, Wisconsin. Then, after a residence of a year and a half in the latter place, he went to Paxton, Illinois, where he took a course in the Swedish Theological Seminary, and in 1871, was ordained, and returned to Wisconsin, thence to Vista, Wascea county, Minnesota, where he had charge of a church, and remained till July, 1877. In 1862, he was married, in Sweden, to Miss Mary C. Johnson, who bore him five children; Hilda, Hannah, Hanny, Hilma, and Heeman. On the 20th of March, 1874, during high water and a washont, she and the youngest child, Heeman, were drowned. In April, 1876, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Hannah Noling, of Rockford, Illi- nois. The result of this union has been three children; Hulda, Hegina, and Hinnlla. In 1877, he came to Cokato and has since had charge of the church at this place.
Avausrus P. MooERS was born in Kennebec county, Maine, on the 8th of April, 1835. He came west with his parents in 1852, by the way of Greenwood. Being among the first to come through, they were obliged to cut their own roads. Mr. Movers was with the army of the Tennessee as photographer for five years; then, until 1869, was traveling in different portions of the country. In the latter year he returned to Minnesota and settled in this place, which has since been his home. He was the first to build a store at Cokato, but a Mr. Parcher put in a stock in another build- ing a few months sooner than he. Mr. Mooers was engaged in the drug business for several years, and was appointed Register of Deeds to fill a vacancy caused by the removal of C. B. Jordan,
515
BIOGRAPHICAL.
serving one year. He was united in marriage at St. Paul, in September, 1864, to Miss May Bruer, who died on the 16th of Angust, 1879.
JAMES HT. MOVEErY, Station agent at this place, was born in Canada, where he learned telegraph- ing. For three years, he had charge of the Com- mnereial Telegraph Office at Bishop's Mills, in Canada, and afterwards was employed as book- keeper for a general merchandise store. Came to Minnesota in November, 1877, and lias sinee been with this company, taking charge at this place in April, 1881.
DR. HENRY A. OLSTON, a native of Sweden, was born on the 22d of April, 1846. After grad- nating at a medical college in his native place, he came to America in 1871. Has since taken diplo- mas from the medieal college at Keokuk, lowa, and the New York State University. He prac- ticed for three years in Iowa, six years in St. Paul, and in 1880, came to Cokato, where he has a large practice, and has gained an enviable reputation as a surgeon, having taken charge of several ditli- eult cases, with successful results.
ANDREW B. PETERSON Was born in Sweden, on the 7th of September, 1851. He eame to Ameriea with his parents in 1860, they loeating in Carver eonnty, Minnesota, but reinoved to Stockholm in 1866. After the family settled in Stoekholm, An- drew returned to Carver county and attended an Academy near Carver for three years. He then entered the store of A. P. Mooers, at Cokato, as elerk, and in 1873, became a partner, C. E. Lind- berg also becoming a partner about the same time. In 1865, Mr. Mooers sold his interest to his part- ners, and in the fall of the same year, Mr. Peter- son also retired. He next formed a partnership with John Paulson in the mercantile business, but sold out in the fall of 1876. He is now eonduet- ing a drug store, which he opened in 1880. Mr. Peterson represented his distriet in the State Leg- islature in 1876, and is now County Commissioner. He was married in May, 1878, to Miss Anna S. Anderson, of Minneapolis, They have one child, named Vietor Nathaniel.
PETER STEVENSON was born on the 29th of Febru- ary, 1840, in Sweden. When twenty-four years old, he came to America, located first in Carver county, Minnesota, remaining a year and a half, then in Minneapolis for a time, and afterwards on a farm in Stockholmn. In 1876, in company with P. T. Nel- son, lie opened a general merchandise store in this place. Three years later, Mr. Stevenson bought
his partner's interest and is doing a large bnsi- ness. During the year 1880, he was Town Treas- nrer and also one of the village Trustees. Miss Kiser Nilson, of Sweden, became his wife on the 20th of November, 1864. Their children are, Christian, Betsey, Ludvick, Jamie, Einmn, Ella, and Cecilia. Two died in infancy.
GARDNER O. TRow, a native of Dodge county, Wisconsin, dates his birth on the 19th of June, 1877. When he was young, his parents removed to Milwaukee, where his father died in 1849, the family remaining there till 1855, when they re- turned to Dodge county. In 1860, our subject entered the State University at Madison, remained till April, 1861, when he enlisted in the First Wis- consin Infantry, and at the expiration of his term, (three months ) re-enlisted and served one year, both times as drummer. He again enlisted, this time as soldier, in the Seventh Wisconsin Battery, was transferred to Company A, of the Twelfth Towa Infantry, and served till the fall of 1865. After luis discharge, he came to Minnesota, purchased a farm in Mower county, and taught school in the adjoining distriet for three years. Then sold his farm and went to Albert Lea, and two years later, to Chieago, where he took two eonrses in the dental department of Rush Medieal College. After practieing for a time at Lake Mills, Iowa, in 1874, he returned to this State, and for two and a half years was engaged in the hotel business at Kingston. Then eame to Cokato, purchased A. P. Mooer's drug store, and has sinee practiced den- tistry and had charge of the store, keeping drugs, groceries, etc. Was married at Lake Mills, Iowa, on the 16th of November, 1872, to Miss Abbie Baker. Their union has been blessed with two children; Gardner O. and Rhoda E.
BERGER THURSTENSON is a native of Norway, born on the 18th of September, 1840. In 1861, he eame to Ameriea, was one year in Carver eoun- ty, Minnesota, and in Angst, 1862, enlisted in Company H, of the Ninth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, serving three years. On receiving his discharge, he returned to Carver county, remained a short time and was employed as foreman on work for the St. Paul and Sionx City Railroad. Then, after a residenee at Smith Lake in this county, he came to Cokato in 1871, and the fol- lowing year opened a hotel, which he operated till September, 1880. Has since devoted his time to commission business, real estate, and sale of emi- grant tiekets. Mr. Thorstenson was a member of
516
HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
the first board of Village Commissioners. Was married in July, 1872, to Miss Julia Evanson, of Minneapolis. They have one child, Ludvig.
CORINNA.
CHAPTER CXXII.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION-EARLY SETTLEMENT - OR- GANIZATION -SCHOOLS - CHURCHES-AGRICULT- URAL STATISTICS-BIOGRAPHICAL.
Corinna lies in the northwest portion of the county, and has an area of about 23,000 acres, 1,349 of which are under cultivation. The sur- face is undulating and generally covered with tim- ber, except where removed for agricultural pur- poses. About 5,000 acres of the aggregate area is covered with water, the largest lake being Clear- water Fake, which fies in the northwestern part, extending into Stearns county, and is a popular smumer resort. Octavins Longworth has a large and comfortable residence, surrounded by a num- ber of summer cottages, light and airy, ou the north bank of the lake. This place is visited each summer by a number of southern families and health seekers, whose systems are invigorated by the braeing dranght from this beautiful expanse of water.
The first permaneut settlement in this town was made in 1856, by Elijah Doble, Sen., now dead, John F. Doble, Lorenzo Doble, Elijah Doble, Jr., Ebenezer Perry, and Charles I. Dakin. These men were natives of Maine, and were accompanied by their families. They settled on sections eight, nine, and sixteen, on the north shore of Clear- water Lake, and were soon followed by others. The population has steadily increased, until the ceusns of 1880 showed a population of 386 persons.
This town was embraced in Clearwater town- ship until 1860, when a separate organization was effected, and the name of " Delhi" applied, but soon changed to "Corinna," because of a town in another portion of the State having previously adopted the same name. In addition to the pres- ent territory of Corinna, the present area of South- side was also included in the new town, but was reduced to its present limits on the organization of the latter in 1868. The first officers were: Su- pervisors, H. L. Gordon, Chairman, T. H. Dakin,
and Elijah Doble; Assessor, Charles M. Gordon; Collector, John F. Doble; Clerk, Octavins Long- worth; Justices of the Peace, Edward Moody and Octavius Longworth; Overseer of the Poor, J. F. Gates; and Constables, Charles 1. Dakin and J. F. Doble.
A town was laid out on section twenty-one, in 1857 or 1858, by George Saunders, A. McDonald, William McDonald, Charles I. Dakin, and E. Do- ble, and named Osseo. Some improvements were made, but it did not meet the expectations of the proprietors, and the enterprise was given up.
A steam saw mill was built in 1865, by David Heberling, on his farm in section nine. It was run for a few years and abandoned.
In 1867, a water-power saw mill was erected near Cedar Lake, on Clearwater creek, by L. H. Reynolds, of Illinois. It was leased and operated by David Heberling & Sons to. a number of years, but was destroyed by fire some time ago.
Religions services were held by Rev. M. S. Har- rinmin as early as 1857, although the first sermon preached was probably over the line in Stearns county, yet the congregation was largely composed of residents of Corinna township.
In 1859, Bartlett Blaine, a Methodist Minister, hield meetings in the house of Lorenzo Doble. Serviees were held by that denomination in pri- vate dwellings and school houses until 1878. when the congregation erected a church just over the line in Southside township.
In 1871, through the instrumentality of Oeta- vius Longworth, and Rev. D. B. Knickerbacker, of Minneapolis, a Protestant Episcopal Church was erected near Mr. Longworth's residence. It is a very pretty structure and was dedicated by Bishop Whipple in September, 1872. There has been no regular clergyman, but the pulpit is very often suppled by guests of Mr. Longworth and others.
There is also a German Methodist organization in this town. The first services were held by Rev. Mr. Mentz in 1864, at the residence of Martin Ransom. A church was built in 1875-76, on see- tion nine.
Corinna is divided into four school districts. The first public school was held in the house of E. Doble, in 1862, the district then comprising the present towns of Corinna and Southside. The first school house was built in 1868. This was a primitive looking edifice, composed of round
517
CORINNA TOWNSHIP.
logs, but was replaced by a neat frame building in 1871.
The products of this town, according to the agricultural report of 1880, were: wheat, 13,429 bushels; oats, 4,218 bushels; corn, 7,702 bushels; potatoes, 1,516 bushels; beans, 54 bushels; sugar cane, 1,815 gallons; cultivated hay, 158 tons; wild hay, 241 tons; tobaeco, 136 pounds; wool, 350 pounds; butter, 9,321 pounds; and honey, 450 pounds.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
W. W. DAY, (deceased) a native of Milton, Ver- mont, was born on the 16th of October, 1822. When he was twelve years old, the family moved to Franklin county, New York, where he worked on his father's farm until twenty years of age, when he commenced to till the soil for himself on a neighboring l'arm. In 1854, he came to Minne- sota, locating on a claim in Hennepin county, near Excelsior, where he lived for two years, when he moved to Silver Creek, Wright county, locating where the town site of Fremont was afterwards fixed. Here he and others built a steam saw-mill. In 1862, moved to the farm in section fourteen, Corinna, where he lived till his death, on the 8th of Angust, 1879. After this, his widow and son, Edwin C., conducted the farm. Edwin C. Day was born on the 15th of May, 1856, at Excelsior, Hennepin county, and has lived at home ever since.
LEVI H. DAKIN, one of the oldest residents of the town, was born in Nova Scotia on the 25th of December, 1830. When he was but three years old, the family moved to Aroostook connty, Maine, where he worked on a farm till 1856, when he eame to St. Paul, Minnesota, and from that place, walked to Clearwater, and soon after, came to Co- rinha township and took a claim on section twen- ty-one, living in a log house with a bark roof for some time. He soon commenced to improve his farm, and continued the effort till he sold it in 1865. During the Indian war, the family sought protection in Clearwater, where they remained for two years. After selling his farm, bought another in section twenty, to which he has since added as his circumstances have permitted. He was a mem- ber of the first board of Supervisors. Married Miss Clara J. Smith on the 29th of September, 1861. They have two children.
ANTHONY HENNEMAN, A native of Germany, was born on the 18th of December, 1838. At the age of thirteen, emigrated with his parents to America, and located on a farm in Jefferson county, Pon-
sylvania. At the age of twenty-two, commenced life for himself, being engaged in farming in Penn- sylvania till 1869, when he eame to Minnesota and located on section eleven in the town of Corinna, where he still resides. Ho married Miss Margaret Knorr on the 3d of March, 1861. They have twelve children.
JAMES HIGGINS, deceased, was born in St. Law- rence county, New York. While he lived in his native State, worked most of the time at himbering. He came to Minnesota in 1863, and spent the first three years in the pinerics and on the river. He married Mrs. Amelia Higgins, of Clearwater, on the 31st of December, 1865, and the following year located on his farm in section thirty, Corinna township, where he lived till his death, October 5th, 1876. Mis. Higgins has controlled the farm since 'the death of her husband.
DAVID HEBERLING, deceased, one of the early settlers of the town, was born in May, 1815, in Pennsylvania. He was engaged in himbering, principally on Sandy creek, one of the tributaries of the Alleghany river, and at the same time car- ried on a farm. In 1865, he came to Minnesota, and bought land on the banks of Clearwater Lake, in section nine, where he engaged in farming; also built a steam saw mill, and run it for three or l'onr years. He married Miss Susanna Rissinger on the 6th of March, 1836. They had ten children, eight of whom are living. He died on the 21st of May, 1871. His oldest son, Panl K., sinee a boy has been identified with his father in business. He was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, on the 20th of December, 1836, eame to Minnesota with his parents in 1865, and lived on the farm since, being engaged in farming and the manu- facture of lumber. He married Miss Esther Ris- singer in 1860. They have one child, a boy.
JAMES K. POLK HEBERLING, a native of Penn- sylvania. was born on the 22d of January, 1845. He lived with his parents in his native State, en- gaged in farming aud himbering till abont twenty years of age. In 1865, came to Minnesota and lived for some years with his father. In 1867, commenced to manage business for himself on a portion of his father's farm, where he may yet be found, favored with success in his business opera- tions. He married Miss Minnie Fetters on the 9th of April, 1868. They have four children.
ANDREW KUNNERY was born in Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, on the 20th of February, 1832. At the age of nineteen, commeneed to learn the car-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.