USA > Mississippi > History of the upper Mississippi Valley, pt 2 > Part 4
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
ORGANIZATION.
St. Clond was first incorporated as a town by an act of the Legislature passed on the Ist of March, 1856. J. L. Wilson was the first Presi- dent. In 1862, this act was repealed, and a new net passed incorporating the Town of St. Cloud, and providing for a Mayor and four Aldermen, to be elected at large. Judge L. A. Evans was chosen first Mayor, and H. C. Burbank, John W. Tenvoorde, Joseph Broker, and Barney Overbeck, constituted the Common Council, with A. B. Curry, Recorder.
In 1868, it was incorporated as a city, nud di- vided into four wards. Judge E. O. Hamlin was elected Mayor, with the following board of Alder- men : L. A. Evans, President; Peter Smith, Thomas Smith, T. C. Alden, Leander Gorton, J. R. Ben- nett, O. Tenny, C. Bridgman, Andrew Fritz, I .. R. Robbers, Lewis Clark, and H. C. Burbank. N. F. Barnes was Clerk.
378
HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
The city government is being conducted under the provisions of this last act, and has grown iu wealth and substantial business improvements. The development of manufacturing industries, and the organization nud growth of churches, societies, schools, and other evidences of a vigorous and healthy municipality, will be considered in the closing pages of this chapter.
MANUFACTURING.
The first mill erected in St. Cloud was in 1855, by George F. Brott and others, as before men- tioned. After a few months it was sold to Sidney C. Raymond, who operated it until the summer of 1856, and sold it to Gorton, Cook, and Bridg- man; but before the legal transfer had been made, the mill was burned to the ground. It was, how- ever, rebuilt by Raymond, and possession given the purchasers in October of the same year. The following winter, Torbet, Inman & Co. bought the property, and in 1858, it passed into the hands of Owen, Cook, and Bridgman. After two years, Oweu disposed of his interest to Bridgman, who also purchased Cook's interest two years later, and is still the owuer. It is known as Bridgman's Upper Mill, and has a daily capacity of 25,000 feet.
The mill known as Bridgman's Lower Mill was built in 1865, by E. M. Tobey, who run it till Deeember, 1868, when it was sold to C. Bridgman, the present owner. The daily capacity of this mill is 30,000 feet.
Raymond & Owen's Door, Sash, and Blind Fac- tory was erected by J. H. Raymond aud J. H. Owen, the present proprietors, in 1857. It was 40x50 feet, and two and a half stories high, but was destroyed by the breaking up of the ice in April, 1862. The machinery was saved, and the proprie- tors at once began the erection of their present factory. It is 30x40 feet, and two stories high. The business amounts to from ten to fifteen thou- sand dollars annually.
1
The Northern Pacific Planing Mill, and Door, Sash, and Blind Factory are operated by F. H.' Dam. This enterprise was begun in 1863, by Mr. Dam and W. T. Clarke, who built a planing mill on the opposite side of the street from the present site. In 1867, Mr. Dam bought Mr. Clarke's in- terest, pulled down the old mill, and erected his present establishment, adding a large amount of new machinery, and the door, sash, and blind de-
partment. Mr. Damn also carries on an extensive business as contractor and builder, besides Inmber- ing and logging to a considerable extent. He con- dnets a lumber yard in this city, and another at Alexandrin, Douglas county.
The Novelty Wood Works are carried on by F. E. Levanseler, who erected the establishment in 1876. It is 30x50 feet, and two stories high, and is well furnished with the necessary machinery to manufacture all kinds of woodwork. The motive power is a thirty horse-power engine. Mr. Levan- seler also carries on the business of contractor and builder to some extent.
The business of the Rosenberger Manufacturing Company is conducted by B. Rosenberger and his sons, J. M. and H. J. Rosenberger. It consists of a foundry, blacksmith and plow shops, and wood shop, which are furnished with all the necessary machinery for a first class manufactory of its kind. A specialty is made of farm machinery, although engines and other machinery are manufactured quite extensively. The junior members of this firm also own a large hardware store at the corner of St. Germaine and Richmond streets.
J. F. Stevenson & Co.'s foundry and machine shops were erected in 1871, by M. P. Noel, J. F. Stevenson, and others, but soon passed into the hands of Mr. Stevenson. It is now operated by the latter and his sou, although retaining the original company name. All kinds of farm and inill machinery are manufactured.
David H. Spicer established a furniture factory in 1878, and still coudnets the business. The building is 24x75 feet, and well equipped with machinery, which is driven by an eight horse- power engine. This establishment employs eight men, and a large amount of goods are mannfac- tured aunually.
In 1880, Albertis Montgomery and his son, William C., ereeted a chair factory, which is still operated by them. It is a frame building, 20x40 feet with an L, 20x20 feet. A six horse-power engine drives the necessary machinery. William C. Montgomery is the Superintendent.
R. L. Scott carries on the St. Cloud Carringe Works. His building is 24x78 feet, and two sto- ries high, consisting of n blicksmith shop, wood shop, sales room, etc. The enterprise was begun by the present proprietor in 1867.
379
CITY OF ST. CLOUD.
Sebra Rathbun eommeneed the manufacture of carriages here in 1871. His works occupy three buildings, one 24x50 feet with an L 22x32 feet, one 24x70 feet, and the other, 22x68 feet. These buildings contain all the necessary machinery for a first class carriage factory and blacksmith shop. The motive power is a twelve horse-power engine.
Andersou & Sons began the manufacture of ear- riages in 1875. Their building is 24x60 feet, and the necessary machinery is driven by a ten horse- power engine. Ten men are employed in this establishment.
NEWSPAPERS.
In 1856, a stock company, with George F. Brott as President, was organized, and the publication of the " Minnesota Advertiser " commenced, the first number appearing on the first of January, 1857. The paper was published by James Mow- att, and edited by H. M. Cowles, who was sne- ceeded, in a few months, by James C. Shepley. In the fall of the same year, the " Advertiser " was discontinued, and the "St. Cloud Visiter" estab- lished, with Mr. Mowatt as publisher, and Jane Grey Swisshelm, editress.
In July, 1858, the "Visiter" was suspended, and in August, Mrs. Swisshelm, having obtained possession of the office and fixtures, press, type, etc., commeneed the publication of the " St. Cloud Demoerat." In June, 1863, the establishment was purchased by W. B. Mitchell, who continued the " Demoerat " till September, 1866, when the name was changed to the "St. Cloud Journal," but has borne the name of the "St. Cloud Journal Press" for a number of years.
In 1871, a number of prominent citizens started a paper called the "St. Cloud Press." It was car- ried on for several years, but finally consolidated with the St. Cloud Journal, the latter paper after- wards appearing under the name of the "St. Cloud Journal Press."
The "St. Cloud Times " is an outgrowth of the "St. Cloud Union," which was established in 1861, with the material formerly used by the Hon. W. H. Wood, in the publication of the " New Era," at Sauk Rapids. The paper was leased by Gen. S. B. Lowry, and Gen. C. C. Andrews was the editor. In 1862, the office reverted to Mr. Wood, by whom the "Union " continued to be published till 1863, when it was sold to Spafford and Simonton. In 1864, R. Channing Moore assumed the editorial mangement, and changed
the name to the "St. Cloud Times," the publishers being Thomas and Joseph Simonton. The "Times " has been owned successively by Simonton Broth- ers, Simonton & Barnes, A. J. Reed, Evans & Green, L. A. Evans, R. W. Delano, Lamb & Rhodes, Will H. Lamb and C. F. MacDonald, the present editor and proprietor, into whose hands it passed in Jannary, 1875.
In November, 1872, soon after the paper had become the property of Lamb & Rhodes, a fire oeeurred which destroyed the office, press, mate- rial, files, ete. But hardly had the smoke cleared away, when the proprietors were on hand with material to replace the loss, and in a few weeks, the paper again tell from their own press. It had been printed, in the meantime, at the "Jour- nal " offiee.
A German newspaper, named " Der Nordstern," was started on the 17th of December, 1874, by Peter Briek and Peter E. Kaiser, who conducted it about a year, and sold to J. L. Meyer and Leo Brick, who converted it from a six cohunn quarto to a six column folio, the present size. In about two years, Peter E. Kaiser again became an owner, by the purchase of Meyer's interest, and Brick & Kaiser published the paper until the 1st of March, 1881. Kaiser's interest was then purchased by William L. Rosenberger and John Rentz, who, a few month's later, also purehased Mr. Meyer's share, and it is now published by Rosenberger & Rentz. Its eirenlation is about 2,200, being ex- eeeded by but two or three weeklies in the State.
BANKS.
In 1859, Henry C. Waite and Thomas C. Me- Clure opened a bank in a small room over Edel- brock's store, which they carried on till 1860. Mr. MeChire was then appointed Register of the Land office, and Mr. Waite eondueted the banking busi- ness alone until 1864. He then succeeded Mr. McClure in the Land office, and the latter returned to the bank, which he operated until his death in the summer of 1881. It is now known as Clarke & MeClure's Bank.
The Bank of St. Cloud was established by James A. Bell and Joseph G. Smith, about 1867. It was conducted as a private bank until December, 1879, when it was changed to a State bank, with a cap- ital of $50,000.00.
RELIGIOUS.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. - This church was organized on the 19th of November, 1864, by the
380
HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
Rev. E. V. Campbell, with ten members. The El- ders were Marshall McComb and James Bigger- staff. A church was erected the following year, und dedicated on the 7th of Jummary, 1866. The cost of the building was $1,350.00, to which a lee- ture room has since been added at a cost of $1,500.00
The present membership is eighty-five, and the oflieers are: Elders, H. Z. Mitchell, James Big- gerstaff, Joseph Hill, and E. D. Moore; and Dea- eon, Lewis Clark. Mr. Campbell is the present Pastor, having had charge of the congregation almost continuously since its organization.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH .- This congre- gation was organized on the 10th of February, 1864, with eleven members; Horaee P. Bennett was Deacon, and Dr. W. R. Hunter, Clerk. A build- ing spot was purchased in September, 1866, on which a substantial briek church was ereeted the following year, at a cost of $3,000.00. The board of trustees who superintended its ereetion were, Charles F. Davis, William Mulliken, and William T. Clarke; H. P'. Bennett was Treasurer, und G. I. Porter, Clerk. The successive Pastors have been, Rovs. George I. Woods, James Tompkins, Henry Mills, Cyrus Pickett, George R. Milton, and Na- than C. Chapin, the present minister. The pres- ent membership is forty-one, and the officers are: Trustees, Joseph E. Wing, A. T. Whitman, and William T. Clarke; Deacons, Horace P'. Bennett and George I. Porter.
CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION -- CATII- OLIC .- Father Pierz, the well known missionary Priest, eame to St. Cloud in the spring of 1855, and held the first mass at the residence of Joseph Edel- broek, on the 22d of May. In the fall of that year, lumber for a ehmirch was purchased, and the , building erected the following year at a cost of $850.00. Most of the members were carpenters, and all assisted in the erection of their first house of worship, charging nothing for their labor. This building is now in use as the Sisters' Home.
After nearly ten years service, the old church was found to be inadequate for the reception of the rapidly inerensing members, and steps were' taken for the creation of a more commodious edi- fice. The present church was accordingly built, and dedicated on the 8th of December, 1866, by Rt. Rev. Bishop Grace, of St. Panl. It is an im- posing brick structure, 75x125 feet, with a senting capacity of six hundred und thirteen persons, und cost $35,000.00. A priests' house was also ercet-
ed, on the same grounds, in 1868, at a cost of $8,000.00. The priests who have had charge of this congregation successively are, Fathers Deme- trius de Morogna, Cornelius Wittmann, Alexins Boctzer, Benedict Haindl, Clemens Stanb, Mein- ulph Stnekenkemper, under whose pastorate the new church was built, Alphonse Kuisle, and Severin Gross, the prosent ineumbent, who is ably assisted by Father Paul Rettenmaier.
The membership has increased from eighty-five, at the organization in the fall of 1855, to sixteen hundred.
There is a private school in conncetion with this church. It is presided over by a male Principal, who is assisted by the Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict. It was organized as a parish school in 1864, and continued as such until 1875, since when it has been conducted as a private school.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF ST. CLOUD .--- The first Methodist minister who held services here, was Rev. John Pugh. He remained only about four weeks and was followed by Rev. Levi Gleason, who organized the first church in 1858. The first quarterly conference was held in St. Clond, in July of the same year, at the house of Ambrose Freeman, who was the first class leader.
A church was built at Lower Town in the sun- mer of 1864, and dedicated on the 4th of Sep- tember, by Bishop Kingsley. The cost of the building was upwards of $3,000. In April, 1873, it was removed to Upper Town, and dedicated in its new location the same year. The clergymen who have succeeded Rev. Mr. Gleason, are Revs., C. G. Bowdish, A. J. Nelson, Bartley Blain, S. T. Sterrett, David Tice, J. R. Creighton, William W. Satterlee, Harvey Webb, James T. Lawton, J. S. Hilton, J. W. Clepper, Isaae Riddick, J. M. Marsh, and M. O. MeNiff, the present minister.
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH -EPISCOPAL. -- This church was organized on the 12th of April, 1856, by the Rev. J. S. Chamberlin. The first officers were: Wardens, L. B. Johnson and James H. Taylor; Vestrymen, J. C. Shepley, William S. Judd, and W. B. Crm; Clerk, John HI. Taylor; and Trustee, Charles Taylor. A church was built in 1857, which Is been umch enlarged and improved. The ministers who have succeeded Rev. Mr. Cham- berlin, nre Revs. M. Chase, George Stewart, George L. Chase, John Scott, Samuel K. Stewart, J. T. Chambers, J. Taylor, G. H. Davis, and Philip MeKinn, the present minister.
BAPTIST CHURCH .- The first religions services
381
CITY OF ST. CLOUD.
held by protestants in St. Cloud, was by the Rev. A. C. MeLanghlin of this denomination, in a grove in Lower Town, near the present residence of John Ball, in July, 1855. An organization was effected on the 28th of December, by this minister, with eight or ten members. By the courtesy of Orrin Curtis and George F. Brott in giving forty lots for a church site, the highest aspiration was infused into the members, and a large church was begun and partially completed; but on ae- count of hard times, the war, and some unavoida- ble irregularities, the whole enterprise failed. The members of this ehureh were: Henry Pratt, Mr and Mrs. Leland Cram, Rev. A. C. MeLaughlin and wife, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. West, Mr. and Mrs. N. N. Smith, and Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Spicer. The officers were: Trustees, George F. Brott, N. N. Smith, and Jolm Ball; Clerk, N. N. Smith; and Treasurer, D. H. Spicer.
During the war, a second church, called Cal- vary, was organized, but after n short life, ceased to exist. The present church was organized with eleven members in 1864, and the house of wor- slip erected in 1873.
'The officers of this latter organization were: Trustees, J. H. Raymond, D. W. Sprague, and D. H. Spieer; Deacon, Albert Smith; and Clerk, D. H. Spicer.
A German Lutheran Church of the Missouri order, was organized about 1868, with twenty members, but serviees have been discontinued for some years. The Pastors were: Revs. Listinan, Fetter, and Menda. William Albreeht and F. Wag- ner were the Elders, and Henry Green, Deacon.
WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION .- The object of this society is to hold publie meetings, cirenlate petitions in aid of the temperance canse, distribute temperance literature, etc.
It was organized in 1879, by Mrs. J. L. Foster, of Iowa, with about thirty members. The first officers were: President, Mrs. A. C. Blaisdell, and a Vice-President from each church in the city; See- rotary, Mrs. W. W. Wright; and Treasurer, Mrs. A. C. Blaisdell. .
Sr. CLOUD LIBRARY .-- The ladies of St. Cloud organized a Library Association in 1866, which is still in a flourishing condition. By means of sow- ing circles, tea parties, suppers, etc., a large amount of money has been raised, and devoted to the purchase of about three thousand volumes of standard literature.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
ST. CLOUD LODGE, No. 63, A. O. U. W .- This lodge was instituted on the 10th of April, 1880, with twenty members. It has since maintained a steady growth, having within its organization a large number of the representative men of the city. The first officers were: M. Mickley, P. M .; J. E. Wing, M .; A. L. Cram, G. F .; C. F. Wheeler, O .; J. H. Raymond, G .; T. J. Gray, R. S .; W. L. Beebe, F .; W. B. Mitchell, R .; E. Hart, I. W .; and D. Rathbun, O. W.
NORTH STAR LODGE, No. 23, A. F. and A. M .-- The first meeting of this lodge was held under dispensation at Watab, Benton county, on the 31st of October, 1857. The first officers were: Martin G. Smith, W. M .; Richard C. Burdick, S. W .; James K. Miller, J. W .; Taylor Dudley, Sec .; David Gilman, Treas .; Peter Grant, S. D .; D. I. Boynton, J. D .; and P. Hanson, Tyler. The char- ter was issued by the Grand Lodge of Minnesota, on the 8th of January, 1858, and the lodge insti- tuted, and officers elected and installed on the 16th of the same month. The installation cere- monies were conducted by J. M. Lackey, and all the officers, acting under the dispensation, were eleeted and installed, except P. Hanson, who was succeeded as 'Tyler, by Henry Hillman.
This lodge was removed to St. Cloud in 1865. The membership now numbers seventy-eight.
BLUECHER LODGE, No. 17, SONS OF HERMAN .- This society was organized on the 10th of July, 1880, with ten members. The first officers were: Frank Balder, President; Peter Vandersluis, Vice President; Anton Wankin, Secretary; and Henry Ottensmeyer, Treasurer. Mestings are held semi- monthly.
DIAMOND LODGE, No. 104, I. O. G. T .- This organization was effected on the 17th of June, 1875, by Miss H. L. Hood, Deputy G. W. C. T., with fifty-two members. The first officers were: Rev. H. S. Hilton, W. C. T .; Elora Hayward, W. V. T .; E. S. Hill, R. S .; Frank Tohan, F. S .; Mrs. C. C. Tobey, T .; Richard Smith, M .; Rev. W. E. Stanley, Chap .; Minnie MeIntire, G .; James Big- gerstaff, S .; Mary Lock, A. S .; Lizzie Barnes, D. M .; Mrs. H. S. Hilton, R. H. S .; Mrs. S. Marlatt, L. H. S .; Joseph Hill, Lodge Deputy.
SCHOOLS.
A private school was taught in St. Cloud as early as the fall of 1855, by - Father Cornelius Wittmann, O. S. B., in the dwelling of Joseph
382
HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
Edelbrock. One room served the purpose, in which religions services were also conducted. This room was furnished by Mr. Edelbrock, free, and Father Wittmann conducted the school on the same terms. The pupils were: Mary, Anton, the present Abbot of St. Joseph's College, Barney and Joseph Edelbrock, Henry and Lizzie Rosen- berger, Mary and Thompson Brown, Joseph Rei- chert, and Louis Emmel.
In the fall of 1856, a school house was built in Lower Town, and named the Everett School, in honor of Edward Everett, of Massachusetts, who contributed a library of one hundred and twenty- five volumes, and rendered other substantial aid. The first school taught in this building was in the winter of 1856-57, by Miss Amelia Talcott, now Mrs. T. C. Alden. This was a subscription sehool.
The first public school was opened in this build- ing on Monday, the 20th of December, 1858, with M. P. Noel as teacher, and an enrollment of thirty- three scholars, This was the foundation stone of the present public school system of St. Cloud.
The Everett school building continued in use as a school house until 1868; it is now used, chiefly, as a polling place, and stands in the First ward, near the Normal Sehool Building. Rev. E. V. Campbell conducted a school of a more advanced grade, in 1868, in a building not far from where the Congregational church now stands. 'It had two departments, and two teachers were employed.
In 1858, the Methodist Episcopal Church opened a school for young ladies, in a building known as the "Seminary Building," continuing it for sev- eral years.
After this closed, the Protestant Episcopal Church opened a school in the same building, but after about two years, this effort also ceased.
Tn 1869, the present City school building, in the Second ward, was erected. This is a substan- tial brick building, about seventy-five feet square, and three stories high, and cost, in round num- bers, $17,000. In 1875, the city had grown so that it became necessary to form a new district. The St. Cloud Independent District was theu formed, and another building erected, in the Third ward. This was also built of brick, 40x55 fect, and two stories high, at a cost of $6,000. The re- ports of these schools, for 1881, show the follow- ing figures: The St. Cloud District, or that con- tuining the first City building, employed one Principal and tive assistants, at an aggregate sal- ary of $2,845. The average daily attendance was
two hundred and sixty-one scholars. The St. Cloud Independent District employed one Prinei- pal and two assistants, at an aggregate salary of $1,564. There were one hundred and fifty schol- ars enrolled, and an average daily attendance of one hundred and twenty-six.
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL .- This school was or- ganized in the fall of 1869, with Tra Moore as Principal, in a building now used as a " Home" for the young ladies attending the school. The first enrollment contained the names of sixty Nor- mal, and one hundred Model students.
This building was filled to its utmost capacity from the beginning, and Professor Moore, with marked executive ability, conducted the School until 1875. In the summer of 1874, the present building was erected at a cost of $60,000. It is built of brick, and rests on a stone foundation. The capacity is two hundred and fifty Normal, and one hundred Model students, and it is pro- nounced, by competent judges, to be one of the best, in design and construction, for the purpose, in the West.
In the fall of 1875, Prof. D. L. Kiehle was elected Principal of the School, which has contin- ued to enjoy a constant and healthy growth. Dur- ing the last few years, less attention has been given to the Preparatory department, and the standard of the Normal department has been raised. Yet, it is due the credit of the State, in her educational interests, to say that the number of students have constantly increased. Professor D. L. Kiehle has recently retired from his position in this institu- tion, and accepted that of State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Thomas L. Gray is now Acting Principal.
The State Normal Board consists of: Hon. Thomas Simpson, Winona; Hon. D. Burt, St. Panl; Hon. S. C. Gale, Minneapolis; John H. Ray, Esq., Mankato; W. B. Mitchell, Esq., St. Clond; Rev. G. W. T. Wright, D. D., Lake City; and Professor Sanford Niles, Rochester.
The officers are: Hon. Thomas Simpson, Presi- dent; Hon. D. Burt, Secretary; and W. B. Mitchell, Esq., Resident Director and Treasurer.
The Instructors are, Thomas J. Gray, Institute Conductor and Natural Science, and also, Acting Principal; Isabel Lawrence, Methods und Super- intendent of Model School; C. W. G. Hyde, Music, Penmanship, Accounts and Physiology; Ada A. Waruer, Mathe maties, Drawing and Geography; H. Celin Higgins, Latin, History, and Grammar;
-
383
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Mary E. Laing, Rhetoric, English Literature, and Grammar; Waite A. Shoemaker, preparatory stnd- ies; and Mary L. Wright, Model School. Mrs. A. V. Whitney is Matron of the Home, and F. T. Whitney, Janitor.
The whole number of students is now one hun- dred and fifty-five; eighty in the Normal, and seven- ty-five in the Model department, the latter being filled to its utmost capacity.
CHAPTER LXXXVIII.
BIOGRAPIIICAL.
A TO M.
THOMAS C. ALDEN, one of the pioneers of St. Cloud, is a native of Hartford, Connecticut, and was born on the 1st of November, 1827. He grew to manhood at the old homestead, and in 1848, went to California in the ship " Henry Lee," by way of Cape Horn. He remained there, engaged in mercantile pursuits most of the time, until Feb- ruary, 1855, when he took a trip to China and the Sandwich Islands, returning to New York in March, 1856. In the fall of that year, he came to St. Cloud, and has resided here ever since. Mr. Alden's voyages and business ventures on the Pacific had not been fruitless, and he came to St. Cloud pos- sessed of considerable means, the greater part of which he soon lost by loaning to irresponsible parties. In 1860, he engaged in the butcher bus- iness, which he continued five years. He then purchased a piece of land, which is within the present city limits, and erected thereon his present residence. During the Indian outbreak, Mr. Alden went as Second Lieutenant, in Captain Freeman's "Northern Rangers," to the relief of Forest City and Fort Abercrombie. He was elected Sheriff of Stearns county in 1869, and served until 1872, and has since then been engaged in farming. Miss Amelia S. Taleott, a native of Glastonbury, Con- necticut, became the wife of Mr. Alden, in March, 1858, the marriage taking place at St. Cloud. Their children are, William HI., Horace, Muy L., and Anna E.
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.