USA > Mississippi > History of the upper Mississippi Valley, pt 2 > Part 44
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The first marriage was Benjamin Fletcher and Miss Jane Forbes, in 1852 or '53.
Belle Prairie was organized by the County Com- missioners on the 25th of March, 1859, and the following officers appointed: F. Ayer, Supervisor; S. T. Hamilton, Justice of the Peace; and E. Tay- lor, Clerk. The first election was held on the 5th of April following, and a full set of officers chosen, as follows: Supervisors, J. E. Amiot, Chairman, F. Ayer, and T. Bellefeialle; Justices of the Peace, William Lewis and J. E. Amiot; Clerk, E. Taylor; Assessor, D. Mason; Collector, S. T. Hamilton, Constables, D. Mason and H. Houde; and Over- Beer of Roads, O. A. Coe.
Mr. Ayer was a regularly ordained Congrega- tional Minister, and held services in his school house soon after its completion. About 1854, meetings were held in the same building by the Methodist denomination, who assisted in the man- agement of the school for a time. Rev. E. New- ton, Congregationalist, was located here in 1875, and succeeded by Rev. D. W. Rosenkranz. The congregation is now regularly visited by the Rev. Mr. Hull, of Little Falls.
The first Catholic services were held by Father Pierz, in the house of Anton Bisson, in the fall of 1853. Mass was conducted at this place until 1855, when a chapel was erected, and Father Buch placed in charge. In 1877, a more commodious edifice was commenced. It was finished and dedi- cated on the 10th of October, 1880. This is called the Church of the Holy Family, and is under the charge of Father Fortier.
A convent was built, adjoining the church, in 1872, and a Sister's school established. There is also a substantial frame parsonage on the grounds.
As before stated, Mr. Ayer opened a school here for the Indian children in 1849. The funds for the erection of buildings and support of the school, which employed a number of teachers, was col- lected by Mrs. Ayers for that purpose, in the New
England states. After the immigration of settlers began, quite a number of white children attended, but on the removal of the Indians and establish- ment of district schools, tho enterprise was abin- doned.
The first district was organized about 1856, and school held the same year by a Miss Cunningham in the old mission school building. A school house was built near this spot in 1865, and the present building erected ten years later. There are a num- ber of schools now kept in the township during the regular terms.
GRAVELVILLE .- In 1876, Charles Gravel made a elaim on the- Platte river, in the southeastern por- tion of the town. There is a good mill site at this point, and Mr. Gravel and a brother at once com- meneed the erection of a flour and saw mill. The mills were completed, and soon alter, D. O. Goulet became a partner. In 1878, F. X. Goulet pur- chased his brother's interest, and the following year, a general store was opened. This company has done a very successful business at this place and are now making valuable improvements.
A steam saw mill was also built near the mis- sion school on the Mississippi river, by a company, in 1855. It afterwards became the property of F. Ayer, who sold it to Mr. Luther in 1860. It was taken down and removed some years afterwards.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
FREDERICK AYER, (deceased ) at an early date, was sent by the American board of foreign missions, to Minnesota. His first mission was at Sandy Lake, where he spent the year of 1831. Then, returning to his former home at Mackinaw, he married, and in a short time, was sent to Yellow Lake, where he re- mained a year and went to Pokeguma Lake. In 1843, he moved to Red Lake, was there for seven years, and finally came to Belle Prairie. Here he started a mission school which he and his wife conducted till the Winnebagoes were removed. Mr. Ayer then engaged in farming until 1863, when he went to Atlanta, Georgia, as Financial Agent for the American Missionary Association, which position he held until his death, in 1866.
LYMAN W. AYER, a son of the subject of our last sketch, was born at the Pokeguma Mission, Minnesota, on the 10th of June, 1834, being the first white child born in this part of the State. After living with his parents till 1862, he eulisted in the Second Minnesota Light Artillery, and served till the close of tho war. Then, for three
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years, was engaged in teaching school, one year in Tennessee, and two at Atlanta, Georgia. Ro- turning to this State, Mr. Ayer was employed in a store at Little Falls for a short time, and then came to Belle Prairie, settling on the old home- stead, where he now lives.
MICHEL AROUX, one of the pioneers of this town, was born in Canada East on the 17th of April, 1833. When fifteen years of age, he visited New York and Vermont, returning to Canada in about a year. In 1854, he came to Belle Prairie, Minne- sota, and purelsed his farm, where, with the ex- ception of three years when he was visiting, he has since lived. On the 15th of April, 1861, he was married to Margaret Ladoux. They have seven eliildren.
ALBERT BARBEAU was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, on the 14th of March, 1852. When an infant, he was taken by his brother-in- law, who came to Minnesota in 1865, and located at Belle Prairie. In 1876, Mr. Barbean purchased the farm where he has sinee resided. He was mar- ried on the 9th of January, 1878, to Miss A. Char- tier, who has borne him two children.
G. BISSON was born in Canada on the 23d of October, 1828. In 1859, he came to Ohio, and for three years, was employed in a brick-yard; then for about seven years, was engaged in Il- linois and Iowa, furnishing wood for steamers on the Mississippi river. After coming to Minnesota, he resided in Anoka and Kandiyohi counties um- til 1879, when he came to Belle Prairie and settled on his present farm.
JOHN W. BALL was born in Onondaga county, New York, on the 1st of November, 1832. In 1854, he came to Wisconsin, and after two years, visited his native place, but soon returned again to Wisconsin. In 1859, Mr. Ball went to Pike's Peak, and spent the greater portion of the time for five years, in hunting in the mountains. Go- ing from there to Montana, he carried on a stock and hay ranche for six years. Then, after spend- ing a short time in Salt Lake, Mr. Bull returned to New York in 1870, and the same year, wns married to Mrs. Kate Seibert. They came to Little Falls in 1880, and purchased their present farm.
ANTON Bisson was born in Wiseonsin on the 2d of March, 1828. When he was a child, his pa- rents moved to their former home in Canada, where Anton lived until sixteen years old, after which he was employed by the American Vur
Company, under the charge of his uncle, Clement Bolio. His business carried him throughout the Northwest, and from the head of the Mississippi river to St. Louis. For nine years, Mr. Bisson was engaged in this business, traveling from one trading post to another. In passing through Mor- rison county he was favorably impressed with the country, and in 1853, returned, purchased a farm, and has since made it his home. He was married to Miss Amelia Houde in 1854. They have had thirteen children, nine of whom are living.
FELIX BAISTIEN was born in the district of 'Three Rivers, Canada, on the 15th of July, 1836. When seventeen years of age he eame to St. Paul, Min- nesota, where he was employed for a few months in a saw mill. Removing to Little Falls, he was in the same occupation during summers, and in the woods in winter. In 1856, he came to Belle Prairie, where he has since remained, carrying on his farm. On the 27th of October, 1862, he was married to Miss Adeline Fournier. They have had nine children, and eight are living.
P. J. BERK was born in Europe on the 12th of June, 1845. Until 1870, he worked at farming in his native country, and then came to America. Mr. Berk came directly to Morrison county, taking a homestead in the town of Pierz, where he lived in- til 1875. He then purchased a farm in this town- ship, on which he now resides. Mr. Berk also owns eight hundred and sixty aeres in Little Falls, where he devotes a part of his time, and is making extensive improvements.
O. A. Com, a native of Geanga county, Ohio, was born on the 2d of March, 1818. When he was sixteen years of age, his mother died, and until 1839, he was employed on the neighboring farms. In the latter year, during the summer, tie was en- gaged in farming in Illinois and Wisconsin. In the fall of the same year, Mr. Coe went to Taylor's Falls, going on the first steamer ever run on the St. Croix river. During the winter of 1839 and 1810, he was engaged in the lumber business, and the following summer, on the mission farm at Po- kegnma Lake. In 1841, he returned to Ohio, and three years later, came to Red Lake, Bettrami county, where he had charge of the Indian agency farm. In 1853, Mr. Coe came to his present farm, being one of the oldest settlers of the town. Miss Henrietta Galawa became his wife on the 17th of April, 1844, and they have seven children.
A. B. Con was born on the 26th of January, 1850, at Red Lake, Beltrami county. in 1853, he
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
came with his parents to Belle Prairie, and worked on the farm until sixteen years of age. He then went to Lake Superior, and was engaged in the lumber business. In 1870, he came to Morrison county, took a claim in the town of Pierz, but soon removed to Little Falls. In 1877, Mr. Coe eame to his present farm. He was married to Miss Martha Wilcox on the 2d of July, 1870. They have three children.
MOSES E. COE was also born at Red Lake, Beltrami county, on the 28th of August, 1852. When he was an infant his parents moved to Belle Prairie, where he assisted his father on a farm until seventeen years of age, after which he de- voted his time to hunting and lumbering. In 1877, he joined the Whitehead party, and visited the Black Hills, but soon returned as far as the Yellowstone, where he took a claim, from which he supplied the steamers on the river with wood. He made his home there for three years, and on his return formed a partnership with John Gorst, creeting a saw-mill in the southern part of Crow Wing county, which they operated until 1881. After disposing of the mill, Mr. Coe purchased a farm in this county, and was married on the 11th of January, 1881, to Miss Mary Gorst, of Boston.
ALECK CHARTIER was born in Canada, on the 7th of September, 1851. When he was three years old his parents moved to Illinois, and the following year came to Belle Prairie. In 1869, Mr. Chartier went to Wisconsin, where he was en- gaged in lumbering. Three year later, he re- turned to this place, and in 1875, purchased the Farm where he has sinee lived. On the 22d of January, 1874, Miss Emily Barbcan became his wife.
ONESIMUS CHANDONNET was born in the district of Three Rivers, Canada, on the 18th of May, 1855. When sixteen years of age, he came to Michigan, working on the Saginaw river. Then, removing to Massachusetts, he was employed on the Hoosae Tunel until 1878, when he came to this county, and has sinec resided on a farm. Mr. Chandonnet was married to Miss Julia Branchand on the 4th of July, 1879. They have one son.
JOHN CLARK was born in lower Canada, on the 21st of June, 1807. When he was abont three years old, his parents removed to Oneida county, New York, and subsequently to Herkimer county. In 1829, Mr. Clark went to Clinton county, where' he learned the carpenter's trade. In that county he filled many local offices, and had charge of the .
Clinton Prison. In 1869, he eame to Belle Prai- rie, and for ten years lived in the southern part of the township, then, came to the farm where he has since resided. On the 11th of January, 1870, Miss Mary Ann Davis became his wife.
JOSEPH DOUCET was born in the district of Three Rivers, Canada, on the 12th of July, 1835. He eame to the United States in 1853, and was cm- ployed for a time in detroit, Michigan, and in the woods near Lake Superior, after which he came to Crow Wing in a birch bark eanoe, arriving there in 1856, and was afterwards engaged in the lumber business. Mr. Doucet then moved to Otter Lake and opened a hotel, which he carried on for a few years, and in 1862, came to Belle Prairie. After going from here to Crow Wing, Fort Garry, and Little Falls, he returned to this township, and has since made it his home. He married Miss Julia Aroux. They have had ten children, nine of whom are living.
JOIIN DEMARS was born in Canada, on the 6th of April, 1850. He resided with his parents until nineteen years of age, then moved to New Jersey, and thence to Massachusetts, where he lived for five years. In about 1875, he went to Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he learned the earpenter trade. Then, after living in Winona and. St. Panl, he was employed about fifteen months in the cop- per mines of Lake Superior. In 1876, Mr. De- mars came to this township, worked at his trade for two years, and then purchase a farm, which has since been his home.
CYRIAC DU FORT was born in Montreal, Canada, on the 13th of September, 1815. He assisted his father in a meat market until sixteen years of age, then moved to Vermont, and the following year, to Michigan, where he was employed in the woods during the winters and on the lakes in summers. After living a few years in New York, he was cu- gaged, for ten years, as fireman on the steamers of Lake Champlain. Then went to St. Johns, Canada, where he opened a meat market, which he carried on till 1855, and came to Belle Prairie, where he has sinee lived. Miss Mary Trablai be- eame his wife on the 27th of February, 1843. They have had eight children, only one of whom is living.
REV. J. FORTIER was born in Quebec, Canada, on the 19th of July, 1854. He attended the Nie- ollet College, in Canada, and graduated at the age of eighteen years. Then took np a theologi- cal eonrse, which he continued at the same place
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BIOGRAPIIICAL.
for two years, and then went to the Grand Semi- nary of Three Rivers for one year. In 1875, he was ordained by Bishop La Fleche, and remained nt the Seminary as an assistant, till 1879. In the Intter year he came to Crookston, Minnesota, where he had charge of the missionary work from Crookston to St. Vincent. In 1880, he came to this township, where he has charge of the church of The Holy Family.
F. J. FARRAND was born in Chittenden county, Vermont, on the 3d of March, 1832. He learned the earpenter trade of his father, working at it near his home and in Hartford until 1855. In the latter year he eame to Belle Prairie, worked at his trade for two years and returned to Vermont. In 1864, he came again to this place and pur- chased his present farm. The following spring he enlisted in Company A, of the First Minnesota Infantry, served till the elose of the war and re- turned to his farm. Mr. Farrand was married to Miss Mary E. Hamilton on the 16th of October, 1856. They have had nine children, seven of whom are living.
NARCISSE GRAVEL, a native of Lower Canada, was born on the 1st of November, 1838. When young, he learned the earpenter's trade of his father, at which he worked until eoming to Min- nesota, in 1858. After his arrival in this State, he made his home at Crow Wing, but was employed at his trade by the Government, at Red Lake, White Earth, and other places in the northern part of the State. In 1870, he located in what is now known as Brainerd, building one of the first houses in that section. Six years later, he came to Belle Prairie and assisted his brother in the erection of the mills at Gravelville, and finally lo- cated on his present farm, which he had previously taken as a homestead. Mr. Gravel was married to Miss Exida Croninard on the 30th of January, 1862.
CHARLES GRAVEL, the original owner, and now one of the principal owners of the village of Grav- elville, was born in the city of Montreal, Canada, on the 15th of December, 1846. He removed to Wisconsin in 1867, and the following spring, to Crow Wing village. A few months later he was employed by the Government at Leech Lake, re- maining in that employ for two years. During the years of 1872 and 1873, he owned and oper- ated the ferry at Crow Wing. Then, after being in the employ of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company a short time, he moved to Little Falls,
and was engaged in the mereantile business for two years. In. 1876, Mr. Gravel, in partnership with Henry Rasico, took the contract for carrying the mail from St. Clond to Brainerd, being in the business for two and a half years. In the same year (1876) he also commenced the eroction of a saw and grist mill and store at Belle Prairie, to which, since 1878, he has devoted his entire atten- tion. On the 25th of November, 1874, he was married to Miss L. Brown, who has borne him four children.
F. X. GOULET, a native of Quebee, Canada, was born on the 28th of November, 1844. Previous to coming to Michigan, he was engaged in the lum- bering business in Canada. After living in Michi- ganza short time, he moved to Oconto county, Wis- consin, and was in the lumber business there. In 1867, he eame to. Little Falls, and three years later, formed a partnership with Mr. Lefond, and opened a meat market. In 1873, a branch shop was started at Brainerd, Mr. Goulet having charge of it. He was a member of the first City Council of Brainerd, and was elected County Anditor in 1873, which office he held for five years. In 1876, he was elected a member of the House of Repre- sentatives from this distriet. Two years later, he purchased his brother's interest in the mills and store at Belle Prairie station, and has sinee de- voted his time to his largely increasing business. He was married to Miss Adelaide Duclos, on the 17th of February, 1871. They have had five children, two of whom are living.
WILLIAM HARRISON, a native of Lincolnshire, England, was born on the 17th of Jannary, 1826: He was employed at farming until coming to America in 1851. After living in the vicinity of Janesville, Wiseonsin, a few months, he moved to Cleveland, Ohio, and in 1855, eame to Little Falls, where, for several years, he was engaged in team- ing from St. Panl. He purchased a farm in Belle Prairie, on which he lived until 1872, when he eame to his present farm. For twenty successive years, Mr. Harrison was Assessor of this town, and was also County Commissioner for one torm. He was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Halnan, on the 31st of May, 1857. They have had eight chil- dren, seven of whom are living.
O. KINa, a pioneer of this town, was boru. on the 17th of March, 1830, in Montreal, Canada. When about twenty-two years of age, he came to Chippewa county, Wisconsin, where he was on- gaged in the hunber business. In 1854, he came
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
to this town, purchased a farm, and has since de- voted his time to its cultivation. On the 18th of November, 1860, he was married to Miss P. La- doux. They have had thirteen children, and ten nro living.
GEORGE G. KIMBALL, was born in Hollis, York county, Maine, on the 22d of October, 1825. Ilis father was engaged in the manufacture of lumber, and George assisted him until eighteen years of nge. He then went to Saeo, where he learned the trade of spinner, at which he worked until 1855. He came to Green Prairie, Morrison county, in June, of the latter year, being the second settler in the town. In October, 1861, he enlisted in the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, serving for three years. On receiving his discharge, he came to the town of Two Rivers, Morrison county, where he resided on a farm until 1879. He then came to this town and has since made it his home. He was married on the 27th of March, 1848, to Miss Rubie W. Hackett. They have had six chil- dren, five of whom are living.
JAMES F. KIMBALL was born in Lawrence, Mas -. saelmisetts, on the 8th of January, 1851. His fa- ther came to Morrison county in 1855, and the family the following year. When his father en- listed in the army, they lived in different parts of the county, and on his return settled in the town of Two Rivers. In 1872, James took a farm in the latter place, where he lived until coming to this town in 1879. Here he purchased the farm which has since been his home. On the 27th of October, 1874, he was married to Miss Sora Ann Roff, and they have four children.
MICHEL LADOUX was born in Canada East, on the 22d of January, 1823. He was employed at farming in his native place, until 1846, when he moved to Illinois. In 1855, Mr. Ladoux came to Belle Prairie, was engaged in agricultural pursuits for about three years, and then purchased the farm where he has since lived.
JOSEPH LADOUX was born in Illinois on the 28tli of February, 1839. He came with the family to Belle Prairie, and was employed on the neighbor- ing farms and in the pineries. In 1872, he pur- chased his present farm, on which he has resided sinee 1877. Mr. Ladoux was married on the 5th of October, 1877, to Miss O. Douect, who has borne him three children, two of whom are living.
JOUN B. LAFOND was born in the district of Three Rivers, Canada, on the 6th of February, 1848. When sixteen years of nge, he went to
Michigan and was employed for a short time in the iron mines of Lake Superior. He then moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin, remained for a short time and came to Little Falls. Soon after, he pur- chased a farin in Belle Prairie, resided there for a time, and moved to Brainerd, where he was en- gaged in a meat market. In 1877, Mr. Lafond returned to Belle Prairie, purchased a farm, and has since carried it on, in connection with the lumber business, in which he has been extensively engaged during the winter months. Miss Eliza- beth Grinier became his wife on the 15th of De- cember, 1870. They have five children.
EDWARD W. MALBURN was born in Canada, on the 23d of December, 1830. When he was an infant his parents moved to New York, where he was engaged in various pursuits mutil 1868. In the latter year, he came to Belle Prairie, devoted most of his time to farming, and in 1877, moved to his present home.
DAVID MORIN was born in the district of Three Rivers, Canada, on the 22d of July, 1820. At the age of sixteen years, he commenced lumbering and making square timber on the- Ottawa river. In 1842, came to Detroit, Michigan, where he was employed in a saw-mill for four years. Mr. Morin spent one winter in St. Louis, and then entered the employ of the American Fur Company, trad- ing with the Indians in the Rocky Mountains. For three years he was in the lumber business on the Chippewa river, then moved to Belle Plaine in the Minnesota valley, and in 1857, purchased a farm in this town, which has since been his home.
CHARLES PELKEY, a native of Nicollet, Canada, was born in May, 1823. When fifteen years old, le came to the United States, locating in West- port, New York, and was employed on a farm for some ten or twelve years. Then, moving to Essox county he purchased a farm, resided there for several years and moved to Vermont. After re- turning to New York and remaining for some time, he came to Minnesota in 1866; lived in Little Falls one year, and then came to this town, which has since been his home.
SAMUEL TRIBBY was born in Delaware county, New York, on the 20th of April, 1850. At the age of eight years he came to Minnesota with his father, who soon returned to New York. Mr. Tribby entered the employ of n St. Paul grocery house, where he remained for three years. For the next six years ho was engaged in humbering, and also on the river steamboats. In 1869, he was
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BELLEVUE TOWNSHIP.
employed by the Northern Pacific Railroad Com- pany, remaining until 1872. Then, after visiting the eust, he returned to this State and was on- gaged in the lumber business, putting in about five million feet of logs a year. Iu the spring of 1881, Mr. Tribby came to this township and opened a general merchandise store on section fourteen. On the 4th of September, 1873, Miss Catharine E. Ireland became his wife. They have had two children, but one of whom is living.
THOMAS M. WILcox, a native of Essex county, New York, was born on the 7th of June, 1841. In 1861, he enlisted in the Ninety-first New York Volunteer Infantry, serving eighteen months, re- enlisted in the United States Regular Artillery and served three years. He then returned to his native State and lived until coming to Belle Prairie in 1868. Here he rented a farm for a few years, and in 1871, purchased his present home. In 1875, Mr. Wilcox visited Texas, resided there for two years, and returned to his farm in this place. Miss Lydia A. Segnor became his wife on the 31st of December, 1865. The have five ehildren.
BELLEVUE.
CHAPTER CXL.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION -- EARLY SETTLEMENT-OR- GANIZATION -- CHURCHES -- SCHOOLS-VILLAGE OF ROYALTON-MANUFACTURING-BIOGRAPHIICAL.
Bellevue lies in the southern part of the county, and is bounded on the west by the Mississippi river, and on the south by Benton county. It em- braces in aren of about 28,800 acres, of which abont 2,000 are under cultivation.
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