USA > Mississippi > History of the upper Mississippi Valley, pt 2 > Part 38
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John McDonald, the first permanent settler in . Wright county, made a claim where the little vil- lage of Otsego now is, in October, 1852, and still resides in the vicinity.
Samuel Carrick is said to have had a trading post in the vicinity of Carrick's Prairie as early as 1850, but did not locate a claim until 1852. He was a soldier in the Fourth Minnesota regiment, and died in Andersonville prison on the 4th of May, 1864. David MePherson also settled in the town in 1852. George W. and James W. Carrick came in 1853, and settled on Carrick's Prairie, near their brother Samuel. Alva L. Cooley also arrived that year. The year 1854 witnessed the arrival of John Pepin, Charles Laplant and others.
As has been seen, this was the first town to be settled in Wright county, and it has maintained a steady growth ever since, the population, accord- ing to the last census, numbering 740 persons.
The records of the first town meetings are not in existence, and the reader is referred to the chap- ter devoted to the general history of the county for the date of organization and first boundaries.
The oldest village in the county is Otsego, lying on the Mississippi river, and covering a portion of scetions seventeen and eighteen. It contains n store, church, schoolhouse, post-office, and board- ing house.
A portion of Dayton village lies in this town, and is in the extreme eastern part. It contains one flouring mill, with a capacity of thirty bur- rels per day, a cooper shop, and a few residences.
"There is a Methodist Episcopal church in the village of Otsego, which was creeted by that de- nomination at a cost of $3,500.
The first religions service held in this town was by the Rev. Mr. White. This was in an early day, and as the dwellings were rather contracted in size as well as primitive in appearance, Mr. John McDonald's barn was used as the place of worship.
The first child born was David McPherson, a son of Norman MePherson.
The first marriage was L. McDonald, a son of John McDonald, and Miss C. Spencer, a daughter of Ephraim Spencer.
The first school taught in the town was by Mrs. Alva L. Cooley, at her residence, in 1854. There are now five schools, in which the regular terms are taught.
The agricultural products for 1880, were: wheat, 22,864 bushels; oats, 10,174 bushels; corn, 8,774 bushels; barley, 141 bushels; rye, 171 bushels; buckwheat, 20 bushels; potatoes, 5,356 bushels; beans, 44 bushels; sugar cane, 2,546 gallons; cul- tivated hay, 175 tons; wild hay, 1,184 tons; to- bacco, 355 pounds; wool, 1,775 pounds; butter, 18,250 pounds; and honey, 150 pounds.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
JAMES WILLIAM CARRICK was born in Washing- ton county, Maine, on the 25th of December, 1838. He came to Wisconsin, and soon after, to Minnesota, locating in Otsego, in 1853. His brother Samuel had come to this town some time before and located on Carrick's Prairie. Mr. Car- rick has lived in this town sinec coming to the State, except eight years spent in Montana Terri- tory. He was united in marriage with Miss Iney Aun Lovejoy, on the 13th of June, 1862. Mrs. Carrick was born on the 23d of October, 1843, and came to Minnesota in 1855. She attended school in St. Anthony for about two years, then at St. Cloud for a number of years, after which she taught school for one term in Sherburne county. They have had three children; two of whom are living; Georgia and Emma.
GEORGE W. CARRICK, a son of Lemuel Carrick, deceased, is one of the carly settlers of this town. The subject of this sketch located on a part of Samuel Carrick's claim, which he finally pur- chased, and where he still resides. This was the first farm opened on Carrick Prairie. Samuel en- listed in the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry; was captured during the advance upon Atlanta; kept in the rebel prison at Belle Isle during the winter, and in the spring of 1864, removed to An- dersonville, where he died in May of the same year. There were five brothers in this family. Eli was drowned in the west branch of the Run river in 1852. Charles J. is a farmer in Dakota Territory, and James William is mentioned in a previous sketch. The mother of this family died in 1876, aged seventy-five years; and the father died in July, 1880, aged eighty-three years. George W. Carrick has been twice married; his first wife, Miss Maryett Thorpe, of Connecticut, chosen on the 17th of August, 1863; she died in
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OTSEGO TOWNSHIP.
June, 1870, leaving three children; Anna, Mary- ett, and William W. He married his present wife, Miss Celia Gould, of Otsego, on the 10th of Sep- tember, 1872. They have had two children, one of whom is living; Clinton A.
JOHN MCDONALD WAS born in Standish, Com- berland county, Maine, on the 5th of June, 1806. His early life was spent on a farm. In 1827, he engaged in lumbering and millwright business. In 1847, he came to St. Anthony, Minnesota. His first work was to repair the old Government saw- mill on the west side of the falls, to saw plank for a flat-boat; and then with Caleb Dorr, Ard Godfrey, George Forbes, W. A. Cheever, and others, built the first dam at St. Anthony Falls in the fall of 1847. The following spring, returned to Maine, and in the fall of the same year went to Willow river, now Hudson, Wisconsin, remaining until May, 1849, when he returned to St Anthony and built two mills. Then went to Little Falls, Min- nesota, and spent the winter, and in the spring of 1850, returned to Minneapolis, remaining fill 1852, when he came to Otsego, and made a claim on see- tion seventeen. We built a house, and in the fol- lowing October, moved his family to their new home, where he has sinee resided, engaged in farm- ing. He built the first ferry aeross the Missis- sippi at this place, in April 1854. He was Chair- man of the first board of Comity Commissioners in 1855, and was also Justice of the Peace. Mr. MeDonald has been twice married; his first wife, Miss Mary Inman, was chosen on the 6th of Nov- ember, 1828. They had two sons; John and Lewis. He lost his companion, and married for a second wife, Miss Zelpha H. Marsh, of Orono, Maine, on the 1st of August, 1841.
JOSEPH DAVIS, a native of Lowell, Penobscot connty, Maine, was born in the year 1823, and attained manhood on a farm in his native State. When thirty years of age he came to Minnesota, engaged in lumbering and farming until 1850, when he located at SI. Aufhony and gave his whole attention to lumbering for three years. Wus a fireman on the first steamboat that run on the Upper Mississippi, called the "Governor Ramsey," commanded by Captain Rollins. In 1853, he moved on a farm near Elk River, Sherburne eounty, where he lived until 1866, when he came to his present farm on section eighteen, part of which is within the limits of the village of Otsego. Mr. Davis has been twice married. His present wife was Miss Emeline A. Spencer, to whom ho
was married in December, 1855. She has borne him eleven ehildren, five girls and six boys.
CALEB FULTON BAKER was born in Steuben conty, New York, on the 18th of December, 1820. He lived in his native State till 1860, when he moved to Iowa, and in a short time, returned to New York, where he lived till 1867, when he came to Minnesota, and located on a farm in this town- ship where he still resides. He keeps a ferry which is known as Baker's Ferry. He was joined in mar- riage with Miss Emeline Stevens in the year 1849. Mrs. Baker is a native of New York, and they have five children; three boys, and two girls.
WATSON HIRAM GERRISH was born in the town of Brownville, Maine, on the 28th of February, 1836, where he lived till coming to Big Lake, Sher- burne county, Minnesota, in 1865. He came to his present home in section ten, in March, 1874. He married Miss Anna Heath, a native of Brownville, Piscataquis connty, Maine, on the 31st of Novem- ber, 1866. Their children are, Evan G., Ada, Ed- ward F., Charles W., and Jay Lymm.
JOSEPH BRADLEY HAMLET, a native of Brown- ville, Piscataquis county, Maine, was born on the 5th of March, 1824. He lived in his native State till 1862, when he enlisted in Company D, of the Eleventh Maine Volunteer Infantry under Captain Stafford, serving seven months. Was in the bat- tle of Yorktown, Virginia, and at the battle of Seven Pines; was wounded, on account of which he was mustered out of service at Yorktown, Vir- ginia, on the 7th of October, 1862. Then returned to Maine, where he lived till the spring of 1865, when he came to Minnesota, and located in Otsego township where he still resides. He was joined in marriage with Miss Charlotte M. Snow, a native of Maine, in the year 1845. They have four children; two boys, and two girls; all married.
HIRAM HARPER, a native of Oxford county, Maine, was born in the year 1806. His mother died when he was but four years old, and his father six years later. He lived in his native State fill thirty years of age, when he came to Minne- sota, and located in this township in December, 1855, where he has a farm of one hundred aeres. He married Miss Elmira Heath, of Maine, on the 19th of Angust, 1827. They have six children. The oldest son, Elisha K., was in the late civil war three years. After receiving an honorable dis- charge, was employed in the Provost-marshal's department at Washington, D. C., and in the Ad- jutant-general's department, and also performed
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
clerical labor for President Lincoln for a time. He died in June, 1866, in Washington, and was buried in the Congregational cemetery in the lat- ter city. The youngest son, Benjamin, is on the home farm; three of the other children are living in Minnesota, and one resides in Michigan.
WALTER GROVE HOLLY, a native of New York State, was born on the 26th of Jannary, 1833, where he lived, working on his father's farm, until he moved to Michigan in 1855. In 1869, he moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, working in a saw mill for ten years, when he came to his pres- ent farm in section twenty-three. He married, in 1856, Mrs. Naomi Markham, who was born in the state of New York. They have seven living chil- dren; four girls and three boys. Mrs. Holly liad five children by her first husband.
CLARK HALEY, a native of Canada East, was born on the 16th of April, 1831. His father moved to New York soon after his birth, and in 1856 eame to Minnesota and lived in Hennepin county for three years, affer which he returned to the state of New York. llo enlisted in August, 1861, in Company D, of the One hundred and forty- second New York Volunteer Infantry, under Cap- tain Jones, serving one year; was in several en- gagements during his term of service. He lost his health in the army, and now draws a pension. Returned to Minnesota in 1879, and located on a farm in Otsego township, known as the Cory farmn. HIc married Miss Amanda Lee, a native of New York, in the year 1856. They have five children. The oldest daughter is married, and the remaining children are at home.
JOHN NICHOLAS MORRELL, a native of the prov- ince of New Brunswick, was born on the 25th of December, 1820. His parents moved to the state of Maine when he was but eight years of age. At the age of seventeen, went on a sea voyage to Bos- ton and New York, then back to Maine, and en- gaged in farming and lumbering until 1855, when he moved to Minneapolis and worked in a saw mill for Leonard Day & Brothers for a short time, but came to this township the same year, where.he has lived ever since. He bought his present farm in seetion eighteen in 1863. He enlisted on the 4th of October, 1861, in Company C, of the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Do- naldson; was in the siege of Corinth, where he received a sunstroke and laid in an unconscions state for seven weeks, being removed, in the mean- · time, to Keokuk, Town, He was discharged on the
12th of September, 1862, on account of disability ; but re-enlisted in August, 1864, in Company F, of his old regiment, under Captain Wellman, serving until the 12th of June, 1865. Then returned to his farm, and now resides in this town. He mar- ried Miss Mary A. Leahey, a native of Nova Sco- tia, on the 4th of November, 1844. They have had a family of six children, four of whom are living.
MISS HATTIE JOSEPHINE PEPIN was born in the town of Otsego, Wright county, on the 18th of October, 1859, where she still resides. Her father, John Pepin, was born in Montreal, Canada, and eame with his parents to New York, where he lived till coming to Minnesota, in 1848. Mr. Pepin moved to his present farm in section twenty-two, in the fall of 1854, where the family now live. He married Miss Julia Osier, of Canada, on the 1st of January, 1848. They have eight children; two sons and one daughter are. at home. Hattie J. at- tended school in the district where they reside, for several years, and one year at Dayton, Hennepin county.
MISS SARAH E. RICKER was born in the town of Bradford, Penobscot county, Maine. She eame with her parents to Manomin county, now Fridley township, Anoka county, in April, 1855. The family came to Otsego township in 1856, and moved to their present farm in 1857. Miss Ricker has been teaching school for a number of years with credit to herself, but has been obliged to de- sist on account of ill health. She taught the first school in district number twelve in the year 1865.
LEONARD SNOW was born in Penobseot county, Maine, on the 18th of May, 1837, where he lived till twenty years of age. He and his brother eame to Minnesota in 1856, and located on section sev- cuteen, Otsego township, where he has lived since, except while in the army. Enlisted in November, 1861, in Company C, of the first Minnesota Vohm- teer Infantry. Soon after his enlistment he was sent to Maryland; was through the Peninsula Cam- paign; in the battle of Seven Oaks; at the second battle of Bull Run, and at the siege of Yorktown, Virginia. After serving for two years, was mis- tered out at Baltimore, when he returned to his home in Minnesota, and has since resided with his brother.
NICHOLAS SCHUMACHER, a native of Germany, was born on the 13th of July, 1837. He mi- grated to America in 1854, and soon after, located on his present farm in section thirty-four. He
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563
ROCKFORD TOWNSIIIP.
has a farm of eighty aeres, sixty of which are under eultivation. His father and mother eame to the town with him, but have since passed away. His mother died on the 27th of December, 1865, and his father, on the 12th of May, 1867. He married Miss Mary Ann Boden, also a native of Germany, in the year 1865. Their children are, Stephen, Joseph, Benediet, Adam, Ignatius, and Vincent.
WILLIAM JAMES URAN was born in the state of New York, on the 22d of September, 1833, where he lived until twenty-one years of age, working on his father's farm. Came to Illinois in 1854, and lived in that State, Indiana, and Iowa, until February, 1865, when he enlisted in Company B, of the One hundred and fifty-first Indiana Volun- teer Infantry, under Captain Goodwin. Was sent to Tennessee, and after serving about eight months, was mustered out of service at Nashville. Returned from the army and came to Otsego township in 1866, where he has since resided. He married Miss E. A. Dimick, a native of New York, in the year 1869. They have had four children, three of whom are living; two boys and one girl.
ADAM JOHN WOOD, a native of Canada, was born on the 9th of March, 1816, where he lived nutil 1855, when he came to Minnesota, and the following year located on a farm in this township, which was his home for twenty-one years. He now lives in the village of Otsego, where he has a fine residenee, and still owns part of his farm in seetion thirty. He married Miss Catharine Wood on the 26th of January, 1841, who died on the 10th of November, 1876. He has ten children; eight sons and two danghters. His present wife was Mrs. Nancy Pierco. His son, Adam Jr., was born in Canada West, on the 9th of May, 1852. He came with the family to Otsego, in 1855, and has lived in the town ever since. He has a farm of one hundred and twenty aeres in section thirty, eighty of which is part of the original home- stead of his father. He married Miss Sarah E. Fleming on the 4th of July, 1857. They have two children; Harris Walter and Frederick. .
EPHRAIM P. WirE, a native of Belmont town- ship, Waldo county, Maine, was born on the 22d of November, 1823. When he was seven years of age, his parents moved to Penobscot county, where he lived till 1861, when he enlisted in Com- pany K, of the Eighth Maine Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Conant. Wus at Fortress Monroe nt the time of its capture, and also at Fort l'u-
laski. After serving fourteen monthis in Company K, was transferred to Company H, of the First South Carolina Colored Infantry, and promoted to First Lientenant, where he served for two years, and was mustered out of service at Hilton, South Carolina, on the 9th of March, 1864. He re- enlisted in September, 1864, in the Ninth Maine Regulars, serving until September, 1865. He married, on the 14th of February, 1847, Miss Emeline M. White, by whom he had seven ehil- dren, six of whom are living. His two sons, Henry and Buell S., served in the late civil war. His wife died in Greenbush, on the 8th of Jann- ary, 1878.
EDSON D. WASHBURN, a native of Essex county, New York, was born in the year 1841. Came with his parents to Minnesota in 1855, and soon after, located on a farm in section twenty-seven, Otsego township. He enlisted on the 14th of Angust, 1862, in Company E, of the Eighth Min- nesota Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Hartley. Spent the first winter at Fort Ripley, then on a campaign after the Indians, during the summer of 1863.' In 1864, went with Sully's expedition into Montana Territory, and was in various en- gagements with the Indians. Was sent south in October, 1864; was in an engagement at Murfrees- boro', and several other places, and mustered ont at Fort Snelling after nearly three years of eon- tinned service. He was joined in marriage to Miss Amelia Wells, who was born in New York, in the year 1866. They have a family of six ehil- dren. His parents live with him on the same farm which he seleeted in 1855.
ROCKFORD.
CHAPTER CXXXII.
DESCRIPTIVE-EARLY SETTLEMENT-FIRST THINGS -- VILLAGE HISTORY-AGRICULTURAL.
Roekford is one of the southeastern towns of Wright county, and has an area of about 24,960 acres, of which 3,210 are under enltivation. Its sonthern and eastern boundaries are irregular, the former being marked by the North Fork of Crow River, und the latter by the main stream, or Crow River, formed by the confhience of the North and South Forks at n point about two miles above the village.
564
HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
The surface is mainly rolling, und originally well timbered, except a small tract in the southi- western portion, known as Frederic's Prairie, so named for one of the early settlers. Here the soil is somewhat sandy, but elsewhere, is a rich dark loam, with clay sub-soil. Several fine lakes are found in this town, most of which are well stocked with fish. The principal of these are, Martha, Charlotte, Moore's, Crawford, Rinkard, Dean, and Mary lakes, the last three of which find an outlet to the North Fork of Crow river.
The first settlers here came in 1855, one of whom, Mr. Fraser, pre-empted the town site of Rockford village, and soon after sold his claim to George F. Ames, Joel Florida, and G. D. George, who built a steam saw mill the following year. The mill burned the next season, and was replaced by a water-power mill, and a grist mill was added. A portion of this primitive mill yet remains, though scarcely distinguishable in the present structure. Mr. Ames purchased both his partners' interest and for some time operated the mills alone. None of the original proprietors are now living. Mr. Ames died at Rockford, October 30th, 1878; Mr. Florida some years since, in Min- neapolis, and Mr. George, about eight years since, at Roekford. In 1878, George W. Florida, a son of Joel Florida, acquired the title to this prop- erty, and has made it one of the most valuable in the county - both the lumber und flouring mills having been remodeled und fitted up with ma- chinery of the latest improved style.
Isaac P. Harvey came in the fall of 1855, and is the oldest living settler in the town. He is a na- tive of Ohio, was born in 1834, removed to Illi- nois in 1854, and here the following year, selecting the claim which is still his home. He was much in office during the earlier days of this colony, having filled the several local offices of importance in his town, and has been active in projecting many publie improvements. He has been twice married; first in 1856, to Miss Esther Bushnell, who died in August, 1879, leaving four children; and in July, 1880, he was united in marriage with Miss Phoebe Lindley, of Monticello, a prominent teacher, at one time employed in the Academy at Monticello.
Among other early settlers were: Owen Davis, who came in the spring of 1856, John nnd Jesse Prestige, in June or July the same your, Ralph Ames and Jumes Dixon, later in the season, and William Sleight, who now has one of the finest
fruit farms in this region. He is of English birth, and has, since coming here, been prominently identified with church and other public affairs, and one of the founders and supporters of the Wright County Agricultural Society, and Old Settlers As- sociation, in both of which he has held several terms as President. William and Thomas Walker, John Elliot, the Dean family, and others came in 1857, besides many whose names are not learned.
The town of Rockford was organized in 1858, and Joel Florida was the first chairman of Super- visors. Miner Ball was the first Treasurer, and H. A. Wallace and Oscar F. Jackson were also umong the first officer's elected.
The first preaching was by a Methodist minis- ter about 1856, to which referenee is made in the sketch of the Methodist Church in the village, fol- lowing.
The first school wns taught by Miss M. Moses, in the winter of 1856-57, in an old claim shanty built by Mrs. Ames, afterwards Mrs. G. D. George. Miss Moses is now the wife of George Sook, a prosperous farmer of this town.
The first white ehild born in the town was Thomas B. Smith, in the summer of 1856. The family removed from this locality a few months later.
The first death occurred the same season, re- moving from the community Washington Stew- ard, an unele of O. J. Steward, the present County Superintendent of Wright county.
The first marriage bears date October 11th, 1856, the parties being Isaac P. Harvey and Miss Esther Bushnell. Ralph Ames, H. Angell, und George Sook also selected partners about this time.
Aside from the murder of Wallaee, with which the reader is already familiar, another tragedy oe- curred in this town, which is still well remem- bered by the early settlers. In 1857, a Mr. Shippy, living on the farm now owned by Henry Mack, was unnoyed by a visit from three drunken parties who evidently miscalculated the mettle of Mr. Shippy, who, though a sort of recluse, was a quiet, inoffensive citizen and enjoyed the respect of the community. A diffienlty ensned, resulting in the death of Raymer, a man of ill repute, whom Shippy dispatched with u shot from his fowling piece. Shippy was arrested, tried, and sentenced to prison for life, notwithstanding the general ex- pressed opinion that it was a case of justifiable
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ROCKFORD TOWNSHIP.
homicide, and resulted in ridding the community of an obnoxious character.
The village of Rockford was platted by the original mill company alrendy mentioned, soon aller their coming here, and a hotel opened by C. C. Jenks, which passed through the hands of sov- oral parties, and was removed a few years since. A few private houses have, from time to time, been thrown open to the traveling public, but no well-regulated hotel until L. Allars built the "Centennial Hotel" in 1876, which has since ab- sorbed all the public patronage. Mr. Allars came to the town of Greenwood, just opposite, in 1855, and has been identified with Rockford ever since. A man named Farnham was also one of the first settlers on the cast side, soon changing to this side, and has since made this town his home.
J. Ralph Ames is also prominent among the settlers of 1856. He is a native of Colchester, Ver- mont, and was born on the 2d of Febrnay, 1827. Miss Mary E. Miller became his wife June 7tlı, 1857, and two children were born to them, one of whom, Dow D., is still living; the other, Annie E., died March 17th, 1870. Mr. Ames has filled the principal town offices, and in 1870, was elected County Auditor of Wright County, and re-elected in 1872, but resigned during the summer of 1873 on account of poor health. He is now living in the village of Rockford, and is one of her most honored citizens.
Ames & Benner opened a small store here in 1856, and in 1858, Miner Ball, now a real estate dealer of Minneapolis, began trade here. He con- ducted the business for a few years with marked success, then sold to M. W. SImltis, from whom, after one or two changes, it passed, in 1865, to J. Bonner, who is still in trade.
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