USA > Mississippi > History of the upper Mississippi Valley, pt 2 > Part 39
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The Rockford Woolen Mills is the ontgrowth of a small carding mill established in 1873, by Parker and Reynolds. The next season Mr. Rey- nolds sold his interest to M. G. Waren, who still holds an interest. The following year, spinning was added, and one loom put in. J. Benner be- emne a partner the same year, since which the firm name has been Parker, Waren, & Benner. Two years later, another loom was added, the next year three looms and a yarn twister, besides a consider- able amount of finishing machinery. Still fur- ther additions were made in 1880, and now the Rockford Woolen Mills sustain a reputation excelled by none, and furnish goods to the trade thronghi- ont a large scope of territory. Sixteen operatives
find employment here, and the increasing busi- ness will soon demand the services of additional numbers.
'The village is fairly supplied with stores, shops, ole., and has a good school building, where two departments are maintained during the usnal school terms.
CHURCHES .- The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized through the effort of Mr. William Sleight, soon after his arrival here in 1856, and is still maintained. Rev. Mr. Abbott was among the first to minister to the society.
A Presbyterian Church was organized during war times, Rev. Mr. Hunter being the first setttled pastor. A church edifice was soon after erected, in which meetings are now held weekly, Rev. Mr. Cheadle, of Buffalo, offi- ciating. A Sabbath School has been maintained most of the time since the organization of the society.
A Swedish Lutheran Church was organized some years ago, and a building commenced on section seven, which is not yet fully completed, the society being neither mimerons nor wealthy.
A German Methodist Church was built on see- tion nineteen, in 1878, near which the society also own a parsonage. The church edifice is a sym- metrical structure, and denotes a prosperous soci- ety. Near this church is another in process of erection by the German Lutheran society. All these churches maintain cemeteries conveniently located.
SOCIETIES .-- Star Lodge No. 62, A. F. and A. M., was organized U.D. in January, 1867, and chartered a year later. The first officers were: Erenis W. Gray, W. M .; D. W. Guptill, S. W .; and E. Dyer, J. W. Other chartered members were: F. B. Angell, George Brown, C. T. Coverdale, John Wil- liams, and Jolm Acker. The present officers are: J. R. Ames, W. M .; D. W. McCarter, S. W .; I. P. Harvey, J. W .; Samuel Hesler, Treasurer; G. A. Ruckoldt, Secretary; H. D. Cadwell, S. D .; C. D. Fredericks, J. D .; and Enoch Miller, Tyler. The present membership is thirty-six.
The Good Templars were represented by Myrtle Lodge some years ago, but have no organiza- tion now.
From the agricultural report of 1880, we gather the following statistics as the aggregate products of Rockford township for that year: wheat, 36,430 bushels; oats, 17,782 bushels; corn, 22,533 bush- els; barley, 429 bushels; rye, 140 bushels; buek-
0
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
wheat, 67 busliels; potatoes, 5,520 bushels; beans, 125 bushels; sugar-eanc, 2,843 gallons; cultivated hay, 257 tons; wild hay, 1,404 tons; tobacco, 468 pounds; wool, 6,021 pounds; butter, 28,500 pounds; and honey, 150 pounds.
SILVER CREEK.
CHAPTER CXXXIII.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION-EARLY SETTLEMENT-TOWN SITES-MILLS-SCHOOLS - CHURCHES-AGRICUL- TURAL STATISTICS-BIOGRAPINICAL.
Silver Creek lies in the northern portion of the county, and embraces an area of abont 24,300 aeres, 2,882 being under eultivation. The surface is undulating, and in the eastern part, quite broken. Extending a few miles back from the river, it is covered with brush and light poplar groves, but towards the southwest part, heavier timber is found. The soil near the river is light and sandy, but the greater portion of the town has a dark loam. Sil- ver creek enters the town on the south line and runs in a northerly direction, entering the Missis- sippi on section fifteen. The township is also wa- tered by numerous lakes.
The first white man to remain any length of time in this town was Archie Downie, who made a claim near the mouth of Silver creek about 1852 or 1853. When the Indians were removed from the vicinity, he also left. The first permanent set- tlers were, Joseph S. Locke, J. W. Sanborn, and Thomas Melrose, who made claims in 1855, and were followed during that and the following year by a number of others, whe settled in different parts of the town. The population, in 1880, num- bered 381 persons.
A town site was surveyed and platted about 1856, near the mouth of Silver Creek, and named Fremont. The principal proprietors were George and E. H. Day, of St. Anthony. A steam saw- mill was erected, a store, blacksmith shop, school- honse, and hotel were also built, but further im- provements seemed impossible, and the enterprise finally collapsed. All that remains is the hotel, which is now the residence of Chester Dunklee.
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Another town, named Mount Vernon, was laid out in 1857, by F. Thompson, of Monticello, on sec- tions four, five, and eight, but this never rose above the common dignity of a paper town.
A saw-mill was erected on section five, by Lam- bert & Chubb in 1875. It has now passed into the hands of Mr. Chubb, who has recently remod- eled it. The present eapacity is five thousand feet per day.
. The first Post-office was established in 1855 or 1856, and named "Silver Creek." It was located on section fifteen, and A. G. Descent was the first Postmaster. It has been kept at different places since, but is now in charge of J. N. Locke, who resides on section cight.
A Post-office was established at the house of Moses Goodrich in 1857, and called " Bianca," but was discontinued in three or four years.
" Ypsilanti " Post-office was also established in 1857, at the house of J. Brooks, on section twenty- five, but suspended a couple of years later.
The first religious service held in the town was at the house of a man named Glazier, now owned by F. Hitter, by a Baptist elergyman, in 1858. A church organization was effected soon after by Rev. Reuben Wecks. Rev. Moses Good- rich, a Universalist minister, also held meetings at his own house on section eight, and in other localities.
Philip Locke, one of the pioneers of the town, and mueh interested in its welfare, offered $1,000 to the denomination that should erect the first house of worship. This was taken advantage of by members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, who erected a building on section thirty-three, in 1863, but it was subsequently moved to its present location on scetion five. Rev. J. B. Chaffee was the first minister.
The first school in the town was taught by Miss Jeanette Dunklee at the old town of Fremont in the summer of 1858. There are now four schools in the township, in which the regular terms are tauglit.
From the agricultural report of 1880, we gather the following as the products of the town for that year: wheat, 14,810 bushels; oats, 5,267 bushels; corn, 11,315 bushels; rye, 121 bushels; potatoes, 1,750 bushels; beans, 14 bushels; sugar cane, 801 gallons; cultivated hay, 64 tons; wild hay, 857 tons; wool, 1,505 pounds; butter, 16,110 pounds; cheese, 335 pounds; and honey, 700 pounds.
BIOGRAPHIICAL.
ANTHONY ANDREWS, a native of Mahoning county, Ohio, was born in January, 1831. He grew to manhood under his father's tutorage, on
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SILVER CREEK TOWNSHIP.
the farm. In 1852, he eame to Minnesota, loeating in Richfield township, Hennepin eounty, whiel was his home for thirteen years. In 1865, he came to Silver Creek township, loeating on section six, where he has since given his attention to farming. He married Miss Mary J. Richard, a native of New York, in the year 1854. They have eleven ehildren.
ALFRED BROWN, a native of Newark, New Jer- sey, was born on the 28th of May, 1841, where his father was engaged in the manufacture of gas fixtures. In 1858, the family moved to Illinois, and engaged in farming for a time. In 1860, Mr. Brown visited the home of his childhood, remain- ing one year. On his return to Illinois, in 1861, he enlisted in Company I, of the Twenty-fifth Il- linois Volunteer Infantry, serving three years and one month. During his soldier life, did not miss a march or an engagement in which the regiment participated. He was in the battles of Pea Ridge, Stone River, Perryville, Chickamauga, and Mis- sion Ridge, and with General Sherman on his march to Atlanta. After being discharged, spent about two years at Waukegan, Lake comity, Il- linois, and in 1866, returned to Minnesota, loca- ting on a farm in seetion thirty-four, Silver Creek township, where he has been a tiller of the soil ever since. He was elected Town Clerk in 1868, and again in 1875, also Town Treasurer the same year, and has filled both offices since. He married Miss Lanra A. Heath on the 21st of August, 1865. They have five eliildren.
CHARLES BRYANT, a native of Boston, Massa- chusetts, was born on the 9th of Angust, 1809. His father was a mason, and Charles learned the trade while a boy, working with his father till about twenty two years of age, when he commeneed business for himself, working in the vicinity of Boston for a number of years. In 1850, he moved to New York, working in that city and Brooklyn until 1858, when he bent his way westward, remaining in Minneapolis for one year. In 1859, came to Silver Creek town- ship and located on section nine, making it his home for a number of years, but during the hard times was compelled to give it up. Then he took a homestead in Corinna township, where he lived a number of years, but subsequently returned to Silver Creek, where he still resides.
CHARLES H. BRYANT was born in East Cam- bridge, Massachusetts, on the Ist of March, 1839. When a child of five years, the family removed to
Illinois, remaining about five years; then returned to Massachusetts for one year, and thenee to New York City, where the subject of this sketch lived till sixteen years of age, when he went to West Cambridge, Massachusetts, serving an appren- ticeship of two and one-half years to the carpenter trade. The following year he came to Wisconsin, and after spending some time in that State, eame to Wright county, whither his father and family had previously moved. In 1859, he secured his present farm in section seventeen, and made farm- ing his business. He married Miss Belinda Mathers on the 21st of April, 1859. They have five children.
GEORGE COOMBS, a native of Hancock county, Maine, was born on the 29th of June, 1823. His mother died when he was but eleven years old, and from that time till sixteen years of age, he worked on some neighboring farm. Then went on the Pe- nobscot river, logging and himbering till 1857, when he eame to Minnesota and located in what is now the township of Orrock, Sherburne county, where he farmed for two years. In 1859, moved to the farm in this township, where he still resides. He married Miss Mary Smith, of Maine, in 1845. She died on the 18th of December, 1871, leaving seven ehildren.
CHESTER DUNKLEE, one of the oldest settlers of the town, was born in Vermont on the 1st of De- eember, 1810. In youth he learned the earpenter's trade, and followed that business in his native eounty for a number of years. At the age of twenty-three, he left home and went to Claremont, New Hampshire, following his trade till 1840, when he engaged in the marble business, continuing it for about sixteen years. In 1856, came westward to look at the country and seek a future home, and in the following winter, located on scetion fifteen, Silver Creek township. Soon after locating he formed a company and eommeneed the ereetion of a steam saw-mill, on what was then the town site of Fremont, and soon after, built a hotel which is now his residence.
HENRY FERGUSON, one of the pioneers of this township, and now one of the oldest residents, was born in Canada West on the 14th of January, 1826, where he lived with his parents on the farm, engaged in agricultural pursuits. His father died when he was abont twenty-six years of age; after which he controlled the farm until 1855, when ho came to the United States, remaining on the banks of the Upper Mississippi with his family, among
568
HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
about eight hundred friendly Indians, in what is now Sherburne county. In a few weeks after his arrival, he took a elaim on section thirty-two, Sil- ver Creek township, being one of the first to locate in this town. The land at that time was not sur- veyed, but he at once commenced improving the claim, which has been his home ever since. He has held the office of Assessor, Supervisor, Trustee, and other offices since the organization of the town- ship. He married Miss Letitia Campbell, on the 29th of September, 1853, who was born in Canada, and was the second woman in this township. They have six children.
JOHN J. GRANT was born on the 8th of October, 1829, in Chenango county, New York; when but a child, the family moved to Genesee county, and from thence to Steuben county, where he spent his early years. At the age of twenty, commenced working in the pineries during the winter, and on the Erie Canal during the summer, which he fol- lowed till 1862, when he came to Montieello, Min- nesota, and rented a farm for two years, then located on the farm in this township where he now resides. He married Miss Adelaide Manley on the 9th of September, 1859, who died July 18th, 1865; he chose for a second wife, Eva M. Walker, on the 5th of October, 1866. They have five children.
PAUL KENNEDY, a native of Canada West, was born on the 6th of January, 1834. He grew to manhood at home, accustomed to farm-work and lumbering, and spent a year or two in the state of New York prior to making a trip westward. In 1856, came to Minnesota, and engaged in lumber- ing at St. Anthony for one year, when he took a elaim in the southern portion of Silver Creek town- ship. In 1865, took a homestead in Woodland township, but soon after, sold his interest in the homestead and returned to Silver Creek. In 1869, he located on his present farm in sections twenty- one and twenty-eight. In 1871, he visited the Black Hills, and remained about three years work- ing in the mines, then returned to his home. He married Miss Catherine MeDonald, of Canada, on the 22d of September, 1862. They have seven children.
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D. MCKENZIE, one of the oldest living settlers of the town, was born in Canada West, on the 22d of February, 1820. His parents were from the Highlands of Scotland, and came to Canada when our subject was quito young. Mr. MeKenzie lived with his parents till he attained manhood, when he commeneed life for himself, working at
farming, lumbering, etc., and finally became em- ployed in a Pail factory at Gault, Canada, where he remained till 1856, when he came to Minnesota, and soon after located on a farm near Limestone Lake, Silver Creek township. In 1857, moved to his farm in the same township, where he still resides, located on the west bank of MeKenzie Lake. Mr. Mckenzie has been Justice of the Peace and Super- visorfor several terms, and at present, is Chairman of the Board. He married Miss Catherine Quig, on the eighteenth of March, 1845. They have three children.
JOHN D. MCKENZIE, a native of Canada, was born on the 21st of April, 1850. In 1856, the family came to Minnesota, spending the winter at Stillwater. In the following spring, his father made a claim in Silver Creek township, to which the family moved in the fall. In the fall of 1879, John D. bonght a part of the old farm, and built a comfortable house, in which he now resides. He married Miss Abbie Dunklee, daughter of one of the oldest settlers, on the 9th of November, 1873. They have four children; Homer A., Howard E., Ada E. and an infant unnamed. Mr. MeKenzie has been giving special attention to stock raising for sonte years past.
E. J. LAMBERT, an old settler of Hennepin county, was born in the city of Ithaca, Tompkins county, New York, on the 26th of October, 1828. He grew to manhood on a farm near the above named city. At the age of twenty-one he left home, engaging in various pursuits nutil 1855, when he went to Marquette, Wisconsin, returning to New York the following spring. In 1858, he moved to Hennepin county, Mumesota, and lived on a farm for one year; then came to Silver Creek township and pre-empted his present farm, where he lived till 1874. Then moved to Minneapolis for a few years, after which he returned to his farm and has lived here sinee. Since living in the State, Mr. Lambert has devoted a large portion of his time to hunting and trapping. He hunted with the Sionx Indians several seasons, and is re- garded as one of the best marksmen and most sue- cessful hunters in the country. His son John is following in the footsteps of his father in this par- ticular, having killed over fifty deer the past win- ter. Mr. Lambert Married Miss Mary Jane Mor- ris, November 21st, 1852. They have three chil- dren.
EDSON M. LAMBERT, one of the carly settlers of the township, and a successful trapper, was born
569
BIOGRAPHIICAL.
in Tompkins county, New York, on the 9th of No- vember, 1830. He engaged in farming nntil 1857, when he came to Minnesota, remaining a few months in Winona county; then returned to the state of New York. . The following year he again returned to Minnesota, locating in femmepin county, but spent most of his time in Silver Creek township, hunting and trapping. He was in eom- pany with the Sioux Indians on several hunting expeditions prior to the outbreak of 1862. Dur- ing the Indian war, he was one of the party that volunteered from Richfield township, Hennepin eonnty, to aid in relieving the settlers, and was distinguished for his bravery. While on his re- turn from an expedition to Fort Ridgely, he was thrown from his horse and injured, from which he has never fully recovered. In 1865, he purchased a farm in Silver Creek township, to which he re- moved the following year. In 1875, he and J. D. Chubb built a steam saw mill in the town, which he eontrolled for a few years and then sold. He married Miss Mary B. Culver on the 18th of May, 1852, who died on the 6th of January, 1858. Mar- ried Mrs. Ahna A. Reichards on the 5th of June, 1863, and has three children.
JOSEPH S. LOCKE, ( deceased) one of the pio- neers of the town, was born in New Hampshire, on the 21st of July, 1804. When a youth, he went to sea, following that oeeupation for about three years; then farmed for a time, and was after- wards employed in a factory in Lowell, Massa- chusetts; and also was a policeman in that city, and thence to Franklin county, Maine, where he farmed until coming to Minnesota in the spring of 1855. He then took a claim in Silver Creek township, and was a resident of the town till his death, which ocenrred on the 22d of June, 1875. Hle took a prominent part in all the affairs of the town. His oldest son, J. N. Locke, was born on the 17th of November, 1844, and lives on a part of the old farm. Ho was appointed Post- master of Silver Creek post-office in 1880, and has held the office since that dato. He married Miss Ario L. Melrose, a dangliter of one of the pioneers of the town, on the 6th of April, 1872. They have three children.
GEORGE H. MIDWOOD, a native of Roeliester, New York, was born on the 28th of August, 1832. Soon after his birth the family moved to Auburn, New York, where the father owned and operated a woolen inill. After George had completed his school days, he assisted his father in the factory.
In 1854, the family removed to Riehfield, Hennepin eonnty, Minnesota, where he lived on his father's farm until 1863, when he became associated with the Quartermaster department, at St. Louis, Missouri, where he remained till 1865. He then spent about two years iu traveling through the West. In 1867, located on a farm in Silver Creek township, where he still lives. Married Miss An- geline H. Tenny in 1873. They have one son, named George L. T.
THOMAS MELROSE, a native of Edinburgh, Seot- land, was born on the 22d of February, 1822. When sixteen years of age, commenced to learn ornamental gardening, serving an apprenticeship of four years. After that, was employed in the offiees of warehouses at Glasgow and Leith, Seot- land, where he remained nntil 1849, when he emi- ยท grated to the United States, locating at Newark, New Jersey. Here he worked at ornamental gar- dening for abont five years. In 1855, eame to Wright eounty, making a elaim in seetion twenty- five, Silver Creek township, which has been his home since that date. During the first few years of his life in Minnesota, devoted a portion of his time to trapping and hunting, to proenre means to improve his farm. He has filled most of the town offices with eredit to himself, and was chosen to represent the county in the House of Representa- tives in 1874. He married Miss Ann Robertson, in Seotland, on the 27th of Mareli, 1849. They have four children.
GOTTLIEB MARTI, a native of Switzerland, was born in Deeember, 1820. When yonng he learned the earpenter trade, and took a thorough course in musie, working at his trade and being a mem- ber of the Government band. In 1852, he emi- grated to the United States, and located at Free- port, Illinois, working at his trade and organizing the brass and string bands in that place. In 1857, came to St. Anthony, Minnesota, and the same year took a claim on section fifteen, Silver Creek township. He made St. Paul and St. Anthony his home, and worked at his trade until 1861, when he moved to his farm in this conty. Married Miss Elizabeth Burkhart in May, 1846. They have tive children.
ABRAM SIMMONS, a native of Sehoharie eonnty, New York, was born on the 6th of May, 1827. While yet a ehild, the family moved to Tompkins county, where he grew to manhood, working chiefly in the lumber business. In 1857, he came to Minnesota, making his home for three years in
570
HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
Richfield township, Hennepin county. In 1860, moved to his present farm in section six. He married Miss Elmira L. Morris on the 13th of July, 1849.
'PENNES SCHERMER, a native of Holland, was born on the Ist of December, 1841, living on a farm and obtaining a good education. In 1867, pur- chased a mill and store in his native land, which he operated till 1874, when he sold out and emigrated to the United States. Soon after landing in America, located on a farm in Silver Creek township, where he still resides, giving his attention to farming. He married Miss Nellie Slagter, on the 19th of April 1863. They have eight children.
CONRAD SCHOMBER was born in Franklin county, Indiana, on the Ist of June, 1836, where he lived with his father until 1857. Then went to Texas on a land exploring expedition, remaining three. years. In 1860, returned to Indiana, and in a short time, set out for Minnesota, spending a few weeks in Stearns county, and then coming to Wright county, where, in company with a partner, he purchased two sections of land in Silver Creek and Maple Lake townships. In the fall of the same year, returned to Indiana, and in 1861, en- listed in Company D, of the Sixteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry; was in the battles of Second Bull Run, Antietam, Huntsville, and many others, without receiving a single wound. When dis- charged he returned to Indiana, and in 1866, moved to his farm in Minnesota, where he now resides, being one of the most extensive farmers in Silver Creek township. He married Miss Paul- ina Ghernbeck on the 29th of June, 1864. They have five children.
IRA C. WADE, a native of New Brunswick, was born on the 23d of August, 1829. When Ira was abont nine years of age, the family moved to Aroostook county, Maine. At the age of twenty- one, ho left his home and worked in the pineries during the winter, and rafting during the sum- mer until 1854, when he went to Michigan and en- gaged in lumbering till 1856, when he moved to Minnesota and followed his old business. In 1862, he enlisted in Company D, of the First Minnesota Cavalry, known as the " Mounted Rangers," serving one year. In 1866, he came to the farm in section twelve, Silver Creek township, where he now resides. He married Miss Susan A. Bailey on the 2d of October, 1864.
THOMAS WANN, a native of Hartford county, Maryland, was born on the 11th of October, 1836.
His parents moved to Coles county, Illinois, while Thomas was an infant, living there until 1849, when they moved to Burean county. Here Mr. Wann lived with his father till 1858, when he com- menced business for himself. In 1862, he enlisted in Company H, of the Forty-seventh Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, serving three years. After being discharged he returned to Bureau county, remain- ing till 1869; then came to Minnesota, living on a rented farm until 1871, when he located on the farm in section thirty-four, where he now lives.
SOUTHSIDE.
CHAPTER CXXXIV.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION - EARLY SETTLEMENT - ORGANIZATION- CHURCHES- SCHOOLS-AGRICUL- TURAL STATISTICS-BIOGRAPHICAL.
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