USA > Mississippi > History of the upper Mississippi Valley, pt 2 > Part 40
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Southside is the most northwestern town in the county, and embraces an area of about 18,000 acres, 912 being under cultivation. The surface is undulating, and in the south and cast, generally covered with heavy timber, while the north and west is mostly brush land. The soil is a dark loam with a clay sub-soil.
The first permanent settler was Nathan J. Rob- inson, who made a claim in section thirteen in 1857. M. Scoville also settled on the same see- tion about the same time, but both are dead. Thomas J. Noyes settled on section twelve in 1863, and now lives there. He had resided north of the river, in Maine Prairie township, for some years. Charles Dally made a claim in section twenty-four, in 1864, and still resides on the old homestead. These pioneers were soon followed by others, mostly Americans, and in 1880, the population numbered 312 persons.
Southside was organized in 1868, and the first election held at the house of N. J. Robinson on the 9th of March. The officers chosen were: Supervisors, Joshua Mayhew, Chairman, Thomas Ewing, and Jeremiah Gould; Clerk, Thomas J. Noyes; Treasurer, N. J. Robinson; Assessor, J. B. Robinson; Justices of the Peace, N. J. Robinson and P. Gould; and Constable, Abel Lambert.
The first religions services were held by Elder N. J. Robinson at his own residence. Rev. M. S. Harriman, of Corinna, also held services here in an early day. About 1878, a church was erected
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SOUTIISIDE TOWNSHIP.
by the Methodist Episcopal denomination on sec- tion twenty-four, in which services are held once in two weeks.
A Free-will Baptist organization has also been effected, and a church erceted on section twenty- three.
The first school taught in this town was by Mrs. Carrie Seoville, in 1860, at the residence of Thad- dens Robinson.
The town is now divided into three districts, in each of which good schools are kept during the regular terms.
The prodnets of Southside, according to the agricultural report of 1880, were: wheat, 9,435 bushels; oats, 3,916 bushels; corn, 6,485 bushels; barley, 109 bushels; rye, 40 bushels; potatoes, 1,283 bushels; beans, 28 bushels; sugar-cane, 2,222 gallons; cultivated hay, 42 tons; wild hay, 81 tons; tobacco, 180 pounds; wool, 180 ponds; butter, 3,735 pounds; and honey, 225 pounds.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
ANDREW BARRON, a native of New York, was born on the 14th of Jannary, 1834, where he lived with his parents until 1866, engaged in logging on the Susquehanna river. In this year Mr. Bar- ron moved to Jefferson county, and engaged in Imbering and farming until 1871, when he came to Minnesota, and located in the town of Sonth- side on a farm in section twenty-five, where he has lived since that date. When he first came to the country, he gave hunting some attention, to sup- ply the wants of his family. He has filled a num- ber of local offices of the town with credit to him- self. Was joined in marriage with Miss Carrie Stedge on the 4th of July, 1865. They have tonr children.
CHARLES DALLY, one of the pioneers of the town, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, on the 6th of October, 1810. When a child, the fam- ily moved to Wayne county, Ohio. While young, he learned the millwright trade, at which he was employed until twenty-four years of age, when he moved to Bureau county, Illinois. After some time he bought a farm in Putnam county, where he lived until 1856, when he came to Minnesota, and erected a floaring mill at the month of Clear Lako, in Stearns county, which was one of the first mills in the county. In 1864, he sold the mill and moved to his present farm in Southside, living on it until 1872, when he moved to Greene county, Towa, but after a stay of four years, re-
turned to his home in Minnesota. He married Miss Elizabeth MeQuillan, who died in 1837. He chose for a second wife, Miss Margaret Wherry, in 1839. They have eight children.
HARRY E. JONES was born in Jo Daviess cou- ty, Lllinois, on the 9th of August, 1837. When he was quite young, the family moved to Stephenson county, where his father erected a flouring mill. In a few years the family moved to Wisconsin, but after two years, returned to Stephenson county. When a youth, Mr. Jones learned the mason trade; which he followed for some time in Illinois, then went to California, where he worked at his trade for two and a half years. In 1862, returned to Illinois, and enlisted in Company E, of the Fif- teenth Illinois Volunteer Infanty, in which ho served about eighteen months. After leaving the army, moved to Grinnell, Iowa, where he aided in organizing a company for the State Militia. Then, after visiting California for a few months, came to Minnesota, locating in Monticello, and after living in various places, settled on his pres- ent farm in section twenty-three, in 1876. He was joined in marriage with Miss Maria Janc Ander- son, on the 9th of October, 1857. They have had seven children, six of whom are living.
THOMAS J. NOYES, a native of Washington county, Maine, was born on the 16th of March, 1839. When an infant, his father died, and in a few years his mother married a Mr. Sylvanus Jen- kins. In 1851, the family came to St. Anthony, Minnesota, and in a few months removed to a farm in Brooklyn township, Hennepin county, where the subject of this sketch lived until about 1858, when he made a claim in Maine Prairie, Stearns county. In 1861, he located near Sank Centre, but in a few months returned to Hennepin county. Then, in the spring of 1863, he removed to his present farm in Southside township. He was the first Town Clerk, and has filled most of the town offices. He enlisted in Company I, of the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry in 1864, serving about nine months, and was with Sherman on his famous " March to the Sea." He married Miss Margaret Willey on the 1st of January, 1861. They have three children, all girls.
JACOB RUDOLPH was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, on the 19th of March, 1820, where he lived, working on a farm and preparing building timber. In 1866, came to Minnesota, and the following year took a farm in section fourteen, Southside township, where he still resides. lle
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
married Miss Hannah Arb in the year 1847. They have four chlidren. His oldest son, S. M., was born in Pennsylvania on the 14th of June, 1853; has always lived with his father, and for the past few years has rented the farm.
(. W. VAN DEVENDER, a native of Onssopolis, Cnss county, Michigan, was born on the 22d of February, 1843. His father was a merchant, and and also managed a farm. At the age of eighteen, on the 17th of April, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, of the Second Michigan Volunteer Infantry ; he was in about twenty-five different engagements, and was wounded at the battle of Jackson, Missis- sippi; he was a private for one year, then Orderly Sergeant one year, and then promoted to First Lieu- tenant, which position he held until discharged in July, 1865. After returning from the army he lived in Michigan until 1878, when he came to his present farm in Southside township. He married Miss Mary A. Kilbourn. They have three children.
STOCKHOLM.
CHAPTER CXXXV.
DESCRIPTIVE -- EARLY SETTLEMENT - ORGANIZA- TION - AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS - BIOGRAPH- ICAL,
This is the extreme southwestern town of Wright county, and contains an area of about 23,000 acres, of which 3,617 are under cultivation. The surface is rolling, and in some parts hilly. The soil is mainly a dark loam with clay sub-soil, and very fertile, producing excellent crops of the variety common in this latitude.
Sucker ereek rises in the west central part, flows in a northeasterly course, and crosses the town line south of Cokato village. The principal lakes are, Rice Lake, in the eastern part, Little Lake, in the northwestern part, and still farther west, Collinwood Lake, lying partly in Mecker connty. Timber and prairie are abont in the same proportion as in Cokato, adjoining it on the north.
The carly history of this town is so closely iden- tified with Cokato as to require little detail in ad- dition to the written history of that town, to which the reader is referred.
The present organization was effected in 1868, the first town meeting being held on the 15th of
August, when the following officers were elected: Supervisors, Henry Bull, Chairman, Ole H. Holm- berg, and Andrew Swanberg; Clerk and Asses- sor, Carl Carlson; and Treasurer, Andrew Alm- quist.
'The first settlers were Hugh MeNulty, on sec- tion three, in 1856, Mr. Kincade, in 1858, and later, the Dustin family. The first Swede settlers came in 1862, the first three of whom were Swan Swanson, John Brown, and Andrew Johnson. About four years later, a large Swede emigration was directed to this town, that nationality now being the leading element in the town. Four good schools are maintained in the township, the houses being situated respectively on sections three, seventeen, twenty-four, and twenty-nine.
The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mooers Prairie is the exponent of the religious element of the town, and was organized July 6th, 1866, with sixty-three members, which number has since increased to about four hundred. The first pastor was Rev. John S. Nilson, whose sue- eessor, Rev. J. G. Lagerstrom, was the first to settle here. His successor was the present clergy- man, Rev. P. A. Cederstam, who came in 1874, and is elsewhere mentioned. A small church edi- fice was erected on section seventeen in 1868, and in 1871-72 a fine parsonage house was also built. In 1876 the old church was supplanted by the present substantial edifice, and the old building purchased by the school district, being since that time devoted to school purposes. Cemetery grounds adjoin the church on the south, making with the building lots, and parsonage grounds, a tract of forty acres, owned by the society.
The products of Stockholm for 1880, as gath- ered from the agricultural report of that year, were: wheat, 55,710 bushels; oats, 13,082 bushels; corn, 5,570 bushels; barley, 30 bushels; buck- wheat, 80 buslicls; potatoes, 1,521, bushels; sugar cane, 1,222 gallons; wild hay, 1,603 tons; wool, 2,450 pounds; butter, 11,394 pounds; and honey, 800 pounds.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
CARL CARLSON, a native of Sweden, was born on the 11th of August, 1816. He held several Government offices in his native country, and was at one time collcetor of delinquent taxes. He was church chorister for sixteen years, and came to America in 1851, but returned to the old conntry a year and a half later. In 1859, he again came to America, bringing his family and loenting abont
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STOCKHOLM TOWNSHIP.
forty miles north of St. Paul. Came to Stock- holm in 1867, and located on his present farm on section twenty-one. Mr. Carlson was prominent among the organizers of this town; has held the office of Assessor, was the first Justice of the Peace, and, with the exception of three terms, has been Town Clerk since its organization. His dwel- ling burned in the summer of 1881, including nearly everything in it; the town records, however, were saved. He was united in marriage with Miss Kate Bergman in April, 1838. Of ten children born to them, four are living; Louisa, Carrie, Charles, and Mary. The others died in infancy.
AMOS CHAMBERS is a native of St. Clair county, Michigan, born on the 22d of Angust, 1884. Came to Blue Earth county, Minnesota, in 1852, but soon after, went to Wisconsin, and engaged in the lumber business abont two years, then re- turned to Minnesota and located abont half a mile from Cokato, of which town he was one of the organizers, and also held the office of Super- visor for several terms. During the. Indian troubles, he took his family to Greenwood for safety, and in July, 1863, enlisted in Company E, of the Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, serv- ing till July, 1865. Was in the siege of Atlanta, and with Sherman on his "March to the Sea." Came to Stockholm township in 1875, and has sinee resided on a farm on section three. The first marriage in the town of Mooers Prairie was that of Mr. Chambers and Miss Clara A. Hoyt, adopted daughter of J. P. Mooers. Of nine chil- dren, the result of this union, eight are living; Richard N., Jolm S., Sherman T., Frances, Elmer, Wilmot F., Frank, and Marietta.
REy. PETER A. CEDERSTAM, a native of Sweden, was born on the 19th of February, 1830. Camo to America in 1853, and after living in New York and Illinois, came to Minnesota in 1855, being the first Swedish Lutheran minister in the State; was located at Chisago Lake, Chisago county, and also did missionary work in other parts of the State. After going to St. Peter in 1858, and organizing a society, he returned to Illinois in 1862, and was obliged to suspend labor for a year on acconut of ill-health. Came again to Minnesota in 1866, and the following year, took charge of the society at Vasa, Goodhne county, remaining till 1870, after which he traveled as a missionary for two years, organizing churches in Duluth and other places. In 1872, he located at Taylor's Falls, and two years later, in this place. Miss Johana Levean became
his wife in 1856, the ceremony taking place at Galesburg, Illinois. They have had six children, four of whom are living; Nathaniel L., Georgiana S., Hulda C., and Esther M.
VICTOR.
CHAPTER CXXXVI.
DESCRIPTIVE-EARLY SETTLEMENT --- ORGANIZATION
VILLAGE HISTORY-AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS- BIOGRAPHICAL.
Vietor is one of the extreme southern towns in Wright county, and formed part of the town of Middleville nutil separated as hereafter mentioned. Its area is about 22,400 acres, 4,098 of whiel are under cultivation. The name was adopted at the suggestion of M. Fosket, who offered this in honor of the town of Victor, in Ontario county, New York.
The town is heavily timbered, and has a rich dark soil, beneath which is a subsoil of clay.
The surface is gently rolling, trending slightly to the northeast, as shown by the direction of the principal water course, Twelve Mile Creek, which forms the outlet to Rice lake, in the town of Stock- holm, entering this town from the west, flowing an easterly, then northcasterly course and crossing the east line at the extreme northeast corner. It also forms the ontlet of Long Lake, and Lakes Emma, and Ann, flowing through the latter. The three last named lie east of the center of the town, as do also Butler Lake and Lake Mary. Farther north is Dutch Lake, whose western margin forms part of the corporate bound of Howard Lake vil- lage. 'A few other bodies of moderate size give variety to the more western portion of the town, besides which Howard Lake eneroaches slightly From the north, and is Further mentioned in con- nection with the village bearing that name. On the south bank of this lake the first cabin was reared in the fall of 1855, by M. V. Cochran, now a resident of Cokato, and noticed in the history of that town. Few others came until the following year, and in 1857. Among those who came thus early were Edwin Brewster, a native of Vermont, who still resides on his original claim in section fifteen. A. J. Gardner, deceased, who came from New York; Jolm F. Pearson, a native of Ohio; Mark Fosket, of New York, A. D. Pinkerton, and
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
others, most of whom are mentioned elsewhere in this work:
The present town organization was perfected in 1866, and the first town meeting held on the 24th of Jamutry of that year, at the residence of Maik Foskot nt which the following officers were elected: Supervisors, A. D. Pinkerton, Chairman, Jesse Chris- topher and Abner Pearson; Clerk, George MeKin- ley; Treasurer, J. B. Nelson.
VILLAGE OF HOWARD LAKE .- Though the pres- ent village organization is of comparatively re- cent date, it is by no nicans the first demonstra- tion of the kind having this spot as its objective point. Morgan V. Cochran has already been mentioned as the first to ereet a dwelling on this ground. In the fall of 1855, he came here in the employ of a town site company, having been engaged by them to crect a house on the pres- ent site of the village. He performed the re- quired labor, and then looked to the company for the promised remuneration, which, however, was never received. Being thus deserted, the company's enthusiasm having died out, Mr. Coehran, the fol- lowing spring, 1856, took out pre-emption papers on the traet mentioned, which was in section threc, and commenced improvements on his own account. Lynden, which was to have been the name of the proposed city, was indefinitely postponed.
The old town site honse afterward became the first temple of learning, and within its rude walls were gathered the first band of juvenile students, in the winter of 1858-59, under the supervision and instruction of Miss Jane P. Gleason, now Mrs. M. V. Cochran. Miss Gleason also became the first bride in this town, her marriage with Mr. Cochran dating May 9th, 1859. Still foremost in all good works, this newly wedded couple opened their house for public worship, and a few months after their marriage, the first religions excercises in the place were held at their residence by Rev. William Baisley, a Baptist clergyman. It was not long until the beauty of the location, and the fertility of the soil began to attract settlers, some of whom, peering into the vista of the future, . saw what is already partially realized in the pres- ent growth and energy of the village. Perhaps, after all, no one is entitled to special eredit for founding a village here. Nature had designed it for a comely borough, and it only waited the ar- rival of men of energy to perfect the plan. In 1863, Mr. Cochran sold his hund, on which he had made considerable improvments, to Charles Good-
sell, who occupied it as a farm until completion of the railroad to this point, then, in the spring of 1869, platted the portion of the present site then owned by him, and improvements were at once commenced. The village takes its name from the benutiful sheet of water, on the south of which it is loented, and which tradition informs us was named by the first surveyers who visited this region, in honor of John Howard, the English philanthropist. Several buildings were com- menced in the spring of 1869, and pushed to rapid completion, Jones and Algine taking the lead. Their building was the Sherman House, and was long used as a hotel, and is about being re-opened by Richard Knights, former proprietor of the leading hotel in Buffalo, the Windsor House. J. M. Markley soon had a frame building fit for occupancy, in which he opened a general store, and during the summer he erected a larger build- ing for mereantile use. George Bayton had opened a stock of goods in a small building previous to Mr. Markley's. John A. Johnson began the erec- tion of a lumber and grist mill about the same time. Another store was opened soon after by J. F. Pearson, and the village made rapid strides in general development. In 1879, the village was incorporated, and its citizens, mostly Americans, constitute a strong temperance community, and steadfastly refuse to grant license for the sale of intoxicating drinks.
The People's Elevator was built in the fall and winter of 1879, by Calvin Movers, having a ca- pacity of 20,000 bushels, and operated by a six horse-power engine. Mr. D. B. Brown bought a half interest the following year, since which time the firm name is Mooers & Brown. A new elevator is now in process of construction, with capacity of 40,000 bushels.
A Post-office was established in 1860, und A. E. Cochran appointed Postmaster, with the office at his residence on section two. In 1865, he sold his farm to Joseph Pearson, who also became his sue- cessor in the office, which he retained till January, 1870, when it was moved to the village, and J. F. Pearson appointed Postmaster. The name of the office was originally Middleville, but changed to Howard Lake at time of removal. In 1877, W. L. McCollum was appointed Postmaster, which posi- tion he still retains.
In 1876, a newspaper was started by Orlando E. Hoag, enlled the " Howard Lake Union." It was n five-column quarto, and was published about a
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VICTOR TOWNSHIP.
year, then suspended. On the 12th of June, 1877, Frank Matehett, having purchased the " Union" ontfit, commenced the publication of a paper bear- ing the same name, reducing the size to a five-col- umn folio, afterward clinging to its former size, and changing the mune to the " People's Advocate," soon after which he sold to Alley & Smith, and they. in February, 1879, to J. E. Warren, from whom it was purchased by the present proprietor, H. Tanner, in October of that year. While in Mr. Warren's hands it was changed to a six-column folio, and by Mr. Tamer to a seven-column folio, which is its present size.
Two stave factories have been built at this place by G. W. Thompson, both of which were destroyed by fire after a brief existence.
In 1878, the Jones House, a commodious and well arranged hotel, was built by H. E. Jones, who still owns and controls it.
The lumber and flouring mills built by John A. Johnson, already mentioned, contributed mich to the growth of the village. In 1874, Mr. Johnson took G. W. Thompson as partner, the new firm adding the manufacture of barrel stock. Mr. Draper was admitted to partnership, the firm name being Johnson, Thompson & Draper. In 1876, Mr. Draper retired from the firm, and in 1878, Mr. Johnson leased his partner's share and prosecuted the business alone, afterwards purchasing his share, and now owns and operates it alone, having recently made material alterations and improvements.
CHURCHES. -- The Presbyterian Church was organized in 1875, with eight members, holding their meetings in the Methodist church until the erection of their own edifice in 1879, which was dedicated on the 28th of December of that year. Rev. J. W. Dickey, the first stated pastor, is still iu charge of the society, which now numbers about sixty-two.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1867, and Rev. W. H. Sherman assigned to this charge. Services were held at the house of Joseph Pearson, in section two, until the village commenced its growth, then the schoolhouse became their place of worship, and after a time the building was purchased by the society and fitted up for a church, which they still nse. Rev. William Brown is their present pastor. Previous to the organiza- tion of the society, Methodist preaching was fur- nished by the Conference as carly as 1866, when Rev. A. H. Abbott was assigned to this, with
other points, holding occasional meetings at Lake Mary.
The Protestant Episcopal Church was organ- ized as a mission in the spring of 1876, by Rev. D. B. Knickerbacker, of Minneapolis, who held service here in 1875. The organization was known as All Saints Mission, and Johnson's Hall was secured as their place of worship. J. A. Johnson was chosen Warden; J. E. Warren, Sec- retary; and Joseph Robinson, Treasurer. In 1880, they were offered, and accepted the use of the Methodist church, where their meetings were held monthly by Rev. D. B. Knickerbacker, or his Curate, until the consecration of their new church in August, 1881.
The Christian Church was organized in July, 1874, by Rev. J. C. McReynolds, State Evangelist, with eleven members. Their meetings were held at the school house until the completion of their church in 1875. The present membership is about seventy-five, and service is conducted by C. E. Carter when no regular elergyman is present.
A Quaker society was organized in 1870, meet- ings having previously been held at private houses, and afterward in the old school house, until 1871, when their present house of worship was erected. Service has been conducted most of the time by Daniel McPherson. The present membership is about eighty.
The German Evangelical Lutheran Church is a flourishing society, with a good church edifice, a large membership, and is now in charge of Rev. F. H. Kolbe.
A Masonic Lodge was organized in 1869, with about thirteen charter members, and the following officers: N. C. Rickerson, W. M .; K. Wakefield, S. W .; Frank Lafort, J. W .; Charles Goodsell, Treas .; John A. Johnson, See .; C. W. Rickerson, S. D .; J. M. Markley, J. D .; T. Blnek, Tyler. Lodge meetings were held in Markley's Hall until 1879, when a hall was leased over the store of Smith Brothers & Co., where they have fitted up an elegant Lodge room, and regular commm- nications are held on the second and fourth Saturday evenings of each month. The present numerical strength of the Lodge is about sixty.
Howard Lake Grange was organized in 1873, meeting for a few months at the residences of members of the order, afterward seenring a hall in thic village. Meetings are now held, at irregular intervals, at the residence of E. Brewster, section fifteen.
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
The village of Howard Lake was incorporated in 1878, and held an cleetion on the 29th of Au- gust of that year, resulting in the election of the following officers: President, C. E. Carter; Trustees, Charles Goodsell, Jonathan Smith, and John F. Pearson; Treasurer, HI. E. Jones; Justice of the Peace, F. E. Latham; Reeorder, Eugene Johnston; Constable, C. W. Fogle.
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