USA > Mississippi > History of the upper Mississippi Valley, pt 2 > Part 59
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J. W. NokEs was born in Lake county, Illinois on the 2d of Junnary, 1857. He is a son of Rufus Nokes, who enme to Princeton in 1869. The sub- jeet of this sketch owns a farm of one hundred and twenty aeres in section six, in Wyanette, Isanti county, on which he has lived since 1878.
LEONARD PRATT is a native of Foxcroft, Pisea- taquis county, Maine, born on the 13th of Jann- ary, 1825. He resided on a farm till eighteen years of age, then for thirteen years engaged in the lumber business and exploring pine lands. Sinee 1856, Mr. Pratt has made his home in Princeton and devoted his time to exploring and surveying pine lands, having traveled over a large portion of this seetion of the country.
JAMES M. PRICE is a native of Marion county, Ohio, born in the year 1855. There he learned the trade of carpenter and builder, at which he was employed till 1879. Came to Princeton in the latter year, and has since been engaged at his trade.
CALEB J. PINKHAM, a native of the town of Munson, Ohio, was born on the 10th of July, 1843. When he was a child the family removed to Wis- cousin, where our subject remained till 1861, when ho enlisted in the Twelfth Wisconsin Infantry, serving till the elose of the war. Came to Prince- ton in 1867, and loeated a farm of one hundred and sixty aeres in seetion thirty, which has since been his home.
ADDISON G. PLUMMER was born in the year 1830, in Montgomery county, Virginin. In 1862, he removed to Illinois, and in the spring of the following year, enlisted in the Nineteenth Ilinois Volunteer Infantry; was discharged at the end of his term of service, ( three years ) und re-enlisted in Battery B, First Ilinois Volunteer Infantry, serv- ing till the close of the war. Mr. Plummer enno to Princeton in 1868, mid hus sinco dovoted his time to various occupations.
NEWELL A. Ross was born on the 16th of Jonu- ary, 1845, spending his early life on a farm. In 1864, he sailed in a merchantman, and spent three years on the sea. On his return, he worked two years in the Portsmonth navy-yard, in Kittery, Maine. Then came to Princeton, und for seven years was employed at the earpenter trade. In 1876, Mr. Ross was elected Register of Deeds, and the following year Postmaster, and has held both offiees ever sinee.
GEORGE M. REYNOLDS, a native of Lumberville, Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, was born on the 11th of March, 1853. He was reared on a farm and when ten years of age eame to Dakota county, Minnesota, where he followed farming till 1872. Then, after living in Missouri for a time, he went to Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, and was en- gaged in the himber business six years. In 1879, Mr. Reynolds returned to Minnesota and entered the employ of a Fire and Marine Insurance Com- pany in St. Paul, and in a few months was sent to Prineeton as agent for the Company. Associated with him as partner, is J. L. Brady, and in June, 1880, they opened a restaurant, which they operate in connection with the Insuranee business.
JOSEPH A. Ross is a native of Jefferson, Maine, his birth dating the 22d of September, 1829. HIo received his edneation at the Waterville College, from which he graduated in 1856, and has since devoted the greater portion of his time to teaching school. Came to Minnesota in 1869, was admitted to the Bar in 1876, and has since divided his time between the practice of law and school teaching.
SYLVESTER RUSSELL was born on the 6th of July, 1833, in the state of Ohio, where he was reured on n form. Came to Minnesota in 1856, und located on a form in Hastings, remaining till 1870. Then, after living on a farm in Baldwin, Sherburne county, six years, he came to Prince- ton, where he owns a home, and works in the flour- ing mills.
CHARLES H. RINES, one of the carly settlers of this region, was born in Muine, on the Ist of De- cember, 1842. His parents came to Princeton in 1856, and on the breaking ont of the war, on subjeet enlisted in the First Minnesota Vohmteer Infuntry. After serving three years he returned to Princeton, und when twenty-five years of age, opened a general mereuutile establishment, which he has since continned. He has also been in the Inmber business for the past six years, with Leon-
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
ard Pratt as partner. During the season they em- ploy about fifty men.
HON. SAMUEL Ross, deceased, was born near Fairfield, Mereer eounty, Pennsylvania, on the 22d of August, 1812. He was educated at the com- mon schools and at the Western Reserve College, Ohio, but on account of ill health did not gradu- ate from the latter institution. He came west soon after leaving college, and engaged in teaeh- ing sehool in Illinois. In 1839, removed to Mar- ion, Linn eounty, Iowa, where he acquired eonsid- erable property, and married Miss Mary Vaughn on the 12th of December, 1841. Two danghters were born to them; Myra, the elder, died in early girlhood; and Olive, now Mrs. A. P. Baker, re- sides in Princeton. Some time after his marriage, Mr. Ross moved to Hazel Green, Wisconsin. About 1846, he returned to Marion, where the death of his wife oceurred in 1851. The following year he engaged in buying cattle and horses in Iowa, and selling them in Minnesota. He soon after settled in St. Anthony, (now East Minnea- polis) and in 1855 eame to Prineeton and pur- chased from Albert B. Damon his squatter's right to the land now comprising a part of the town site of Princeton. The following year (1856) he, in company with Jolm S. Prinee, Dorilius Morri- son, Richard Chute, and James W. Gillam, platted and laid out the town. Although others had kept " stopping places," Mr. Ross was the first to open a hotel in this county, and continued in this busi- ness until his death. Until 1869, he was in the old Princeton House, a large log hotel substan- tially built, sided up and painted; but in the latter year, he completed the North Star Hotel, a large three story frame building, with thirty sleeping rooms.
It was Mr. Ross who built and operated the first mill, and blacksmith shop in this connty. He also run an express between Prineeton and St. An- thony for the convenience of passengers, and ear- ried the first mails. In 1859, he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Justice, of Marion, Iowa, who survives him. . Mr. Ross was an active business man, and npon the organization of Mille Lac county in 1860, was appointed by Gov. Ram- sey, Judge of Probate. He also held other ofli- eial positions, always acceptably, and in 1868, rep- resented this district in the State Legislature. Early in life he was a prominent anti-slavery man, even when to be an abolitionist was to be mnpopu- lar with the clergy. Mr. Ross was an early advo-
eate of total abstinence, and foremost in church matters. He was one of the founders of the first Congregational church at Marion, Iowa, and also at St. Anthony and Princeton, the one at St. An- thony being (it is thought) the first of that de- nomination in this State. His health was never the best, but his mind was aetive, and before it be- eame impaired, he was distinguished in the locali- ties in which he lived as a publie debater, and was a man of quite decided literary tastes. About 1873, he suffered a stroke of paralysis, sinee which time his faculties gradually failed, resulting in softening of the brain, causing his death on the 9th of October, 1881.
BENJAMIN SOULE was born on the 16th of Mareh, 1820, in Piseataquis eounty, Maine, where he was reared, and when old enough, beeame en- gaged in the Inmber business. In 1854, came to Minnesota, remained three years in St. Anthony, then to Princeton. In 1867, he built a steam saw- mill, with a thirty horse-power engine and a capa- city for entting 10,000 feet per day. This mill was operated till May, 1881, when it was torn down and a larger one built, the latter being situ- ated about eighty rods below the junction of the east and west branches of the river, and is noticed elsewhere. Mr. Soule also built a flouring mill in 1870, which he operated till June, 1874, and sold to J. T. D. Sadley, the present owner. Our sub- jeet has served as County Attorney several years, since his residence in this town.
JOHN T. D. SADLEY was born in the year 1834, in England, where he was reared to Agricultural pursuits. Came to America in 1852, residing three years in Ohio, then to Minnesota in 1856, locating a farm of three luindred and twenty aeres in Becker, Sherburne county, which he still owns. Since 1874, Mr. Sadley has been a resident of Princeton, having in that year purchased the flouring mill of B. Soule, which he still operates. He also owns a mill abont a mile and a half ap the west branch of Rum river.
G. J. SOWDEN, son of William Sowden, a resi- dent of Anoka, is a native of Massachusetts. The family eame to Minnesota when onr subject was bnt a child, and located in Stillwater, where he resided most of the time till coming to Princeton in 1880. In that year the Prinecton Bank was established by Coehren & Clark, with Mr. Sowden as cashier; but in April, 1881, the proprietors sokl to the present owners, Mr. Sowden being cashier and part owner.
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BIOGRAPHIICAL.
REED E. SANFORD is a native of Livingston county, New York, born in the year 1844. At the age of fourteen years, he removed to Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in farming until he enlisted in the Second United States Cavalry, and after i service of three yours returned to Pennsylvanin. Came to Princeton in 1870, and owns a farm of one hundred and twenty aeres in seetion nineteeen, whiel is his home.
SMITH N. SOULE, son of Benjamin Saule, was born in Brownville, Maine, on the 22d of Febru- ary, 1852. He has resided with his parents most of his life and for the past eight years has been in company with his father in the lumber and mill business.
GILBERT L. SANFORD was born on the 4th of March, 1833, in Livingston county, New York, where he remained on his father's farm till 1854. Then was engaged on neighboring farms for a time, after which he learned the earpenter trade. Came to Mille Lae county in 1859, and pre- empted a farm on which he has made great im- provements and now resides.
MOSES A. TIBBETTS is a native of New Sharon, Maine, born in the year 1828. He was engaged in the Inmber business in his native place, till com- ing to St. Anthony, Minnesota, in 1855, making it his home ten years. Came from the latter place to Princeton, where he resides three months of the year; the balanee being spent about twenty- five miles up the east braneli of the Rum river, where, for the past six years, he has kept a stop- ping place. Mr. Tibbetts is also engaged in the lumber business sending a crew of men in the woods every winter.
ALMON R. TOBEY was born in Somerville, Maine, on the 12th of October, 1846. When sixteen years of age, he enlisted in the Ninth Maine Vol- unteer Infantry, serving two years and eleven months. Came to Minnesota in 1868, and after living in Hutchinson and Henderson eael one year, eame to Prineeton, and engaged in the jew- elry business, which he still follows. Sinee 1873, he has operated a photograph parlor in connection with the above business.
ISAAO W. VEALE is a son of Richard P. Veale, who came to Prineeton in 1866, loeated a farm in section eleven and died a few months after. Our snbjeet was born in Indiana, in the year 1851. He devotes the summer months to the improvement of the l'arm loeated by his father, and spends the winters in the lumber woods.
ALEXANDER L. VAN WORMER was born in 1827, in the state of New York, where he was reared on n farm, and afterward followed the same occupa- tion in Illinois und Howard county, Town. Came to Princeton in 1873, and took a claim in section nine, but resides in the village most of the time. He is engaged in teaming from Elk River to Princeton, and spends the winter months in the pineries. Mr. Van Wormer also owns a farm in Traverse county.
BENJAMIN F. WHITNEY is a native of Allegany county, New York. his birth dating the 24th of Deeember, 1836. He learned the earpenter trade, at which he worked in his native State till 1855, and removed to Illinois. Came to Prineeton in the spring of the following year, and ear- ried on the old log tavern during the summer. In the fall, took a elaim in section thirty-four, where he resided three years; then moved one and a half miles west of the village, and a year later, to the village, still earrying on both farms. In 1862, he removed to Hasting, worked at his trade two years, then enlisted in the Second Minne- sota Cavalry, serving till the elose of the war. After receiving his discharge, he returned to Princeton and has lived here ever since. In 1874, Mr. Whitney built a feed mill, and also owns a wagon shop. His younger son, Elmer E., is a partner in the latter business; and the elder son, Harley W., operates the feed mill. Onr subjeet has filled several county and town offiees, and is now Chairman of the board of County Commis- sioners.
HENRY WEBSTER, is a native of Orono, Penob- scot county, Maine, born on the 4th of April, 1852. He was engaged in the lumber business in his native State till coming to Minnesota, in May, 1874. Then was employed by W. D. Washburn to take charge of the lumber yard in Minneap- olis, for two years; thenee, in the same employ, to Anoka, till October, 1879. Came to this place on the latter date, and purchased the American House, of which he is now proprietor. The house is a two story frame building, containing twenty-six rooms.
JOSEPH A. WALKER was born on the 11th of November, 1813, in the state of Connecticut. When young, his parents moved to New York, where he learned the shoe-maker's trade, at which he has since devoted his time. In 1860, he moved to Chicago, Illinois, and in 1875, to Galena; thenco to Dubuque, Iowa, where he remained till July,
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
1878, and eame to Prineeton. Mr. Walker has since earried on a boot and shoe shop, which is the only one in the village.
GREENBUSH.
CHAPTER CLVI.
DESCRIPTIVE -- EARLY SETTLEMENT -- FIRST THINGS -- ORGANIZATION-AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS-BIO- GRAPHICAL.
This town originally embraced four Congres- sional townships, lying along the western line of the county, beginning with the southwestern town- ship of the county, and so remained until the organization of the town of Milo, which reduced its area one-fourth. Near the south line of the town is the border of the heavy timber which ex- tends many miles northward, and the dense forest suggested to the early settlers the name adopted -- Greenbush. The entire area embraced is about 69,120 acres, of which 1,236 are improved.
The surface is rolling, and somewhat broken near some of the streams. In the southeastern part of the south township, is a small tract of brush prai- rie, with light, sandy soil; the remainder of the township having a rieh, heavy soil, heavily tim- bered, with extensive wild meadows intervening. In the next township north, is a fine growth of hardwood timber, with traets of pine, mueli of which has been removed by lumbermen.
The town is watered by Battle and Estes brooks, and Rum river in the south, and in the northern part by the West Branch of Rum river, also the main stream, Chase Brook, and several affluents of Run river further north. Among the first settlers within the present limits of the town were: Philan- der P. Farrington, a native of Maine, whose father also eame with him, the two settling on seetions twelve and thirteen, in 1856. The former is still living on the original farm. Robert Ceraw, a na- tive of Ireland, came in 1856, and located in see- tion twenty-five, where he has since resided. The same year, Murdock Campbell, of Seottish birth, eame here from Canada, and selected his present home in section eleven. Isaac Gillespie, B. S. Farrington, L. Twitchel, Mr. Perkins, and others, were also among the early settlers.
The first religious serviees were eondneted by Rev. Mr. Twitchel, Congregationalist, at the resi-
denee of B. S. Farrington, about the year 1857, and by others of the same denomination, at other private houses, until the erection of a school- house, after which that was used for preaching, and other public meetings. For the past few years the Methodists have ocenpied the field, the minister stationed at Princeton officiating.
Catholie serviees were held in what is known as the French Settlement, in 1868, by Father Maurer, at the residence of Joseph Robideaux, in section thirty-two. Soon after the residence of Louis Rushford became their place of worship, and in 1880, they had completed a new church near by, which has been used at somewhat irregular inter- vals since.
The first sehool was taught about 1860, in the residence of B. S. Farrington, by M. A. Twitchel, who was paid by subseription. About two years later a small log schoolhouse was built, which in time was replaced by a frame building. This was destroyed by fire, and soon after, the present building was brought here from Princeton, and is near the site of the old one, section twenty-five.
The first school in distriet number five was opened in the spring of 1869, at the residence of M. Kenely, in section twenty-eight, Miss Mary Jane Kenely being employed as teacher. In 1870, a schoolhouse was built on seetion twenty, which has since been in use.
In district number four a building was ereeted for sehool purposes in 1867. It was located on section two, and was in use until replaced by the present structure, in the spring of 1881.
A Post-office-Estes Brook-was removed from the town of Milo, and established at the residenee of William Huggins, in section six, in the fall of 1880.
Greenbush was organized in 1869, the first meeting being held at the sehool house on section two, at which the following officers were eleeted : Supervisors, B. Babb, Chairman, C. W. Maddox and George Wetzel; Clerk, George S. Maxfield; Treasurer and Assessor, B. S. Farrington; Justices of the Peace, Samnel Orton and M. Kenely; the last named, however, did not qualify. The same year the territory was dismembered by the organ- ization of the town of Milo, north of which are but few settlers, the major portion being in the south congressional township.
The agricultural report of 1880 furnishes the following as the prodnets of the town: wheat, 6,339 bushels; oats, 5,832 bushels; corn, 5,927
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GREENBUSH TOWNSHIP.
bushels; barley, 96 bushels; rye, 407 bushels; buckwheat, 60 bushels; potatoes, 2,904 bushels; beans, 46 bushels; sugar-eane, 40 gallons; culti- vated hay, 56 tons; wild hay, 1,417 tons; clover seed, 383 bushels; tobacco, 40 pounds; wool, 408 pounds; butter, 14,827 pounds; cheese, 900 pounds; and honey, 1,116 pounds.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
MURDOCK CAMPBELL was born in 1823, in the Highlands of Scotland, where he remained until eight years of age. Then eame with his parents to Canada, and when old enough, engaged in the lumber business and was soon made foreman in a lumber camp. In 1856, he came to Minnesota and located his present farm, being one of the first set- tlers in the town. Since his residence here, Mr. Campbell has devoted his time to the cultivation of hay, which he sells to the lumbermen, and is also engaged in freighting. He was united in marriage, on the 24th of July, 1852, to Margaret MeCosham, who has borne him four children.
ROBERT CERAW, one of the carly settlers of this town, was born in Ireland, on the 7th of Novem- ber, 1826. His parents came to Canada when he was but an infant, our subject making that his home till twenty years of age. Then, after living in New York about ten years, he came to this place in 1856, aud has since resided here.
MICHAEL CORBIT is a native of Ireland, born on the 20th of August, 1827. He landed in America in the spring of 1847, spent several years in the states of Massachusetts and New York, and came west, locating in Wisconsin in 1855. Three years later, he removed to Shakopee, and engaged in farming and on steamers on the Minnesota river for about ten years. Since 1868, has been a resi- dent of this town, locating first in section twenty- six and subsequently coming to his present farm. Miss Ann MeQuinn became his wife on the 3d of October, 1858. They have three children.
ALEXANDER DE SHAW was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, on the 20th of May, 1838. Both his father and grandfather visited this sec- tion of the country at a very carly date; the lat- ter spending twenty-two years in the employ of the Fur Company, coming as early as 1800. When the subject of this sketch was an infant his parents moved to New York, where he was reared to agri- cultural pursuits, remaining till 1871, when he came to this township and located his present farm. He has held a number of local offices, and
since 1875, has been Assessor of the town. The marriage of Mr. De Shaw with Miss Eliza A. Grow occurred on the 2d of March, 1859. Of ten children, the result of this union, eight are living.
PHILANDER P. FARRINGTON, the first settler in this town, is a native of Andover, Maine, in which place he learned the blacksmith trade. After liv- ing in Portland for some time, he came to Minne- sota, engaged in the lumber business on the Rum river, and staked out a claim on the land now in- cluded in the village of Princeton; but returning, after an absence, found it taken by another. He located the farm which has since been his home, in 1856. Mr. Farrington enlisted in Company C, of the First Minnesota Mounted Rangers, serving till the close of the war. Was united in marriage with Miss Melinda Orton, on the 19th of Febru- ary, 1865. They have had five children, four of whom are living.
BENJAMIN S. FARRINGTON dates his birth on the 3d of February, 1827, in Oxford county, Maine, where he was reared on a farm and resided until twenty-one years of age. Then removed to Mas- sachusetts, remaining but a few months, however, and returned to Maine. In 1852, he took a trip to California, and being quite successful in min- ing, remained several years. Came to Minnesota in 1855, and the following year located his pres- ent farm. Mr. Farrington was the first Assessor and Treasurer of the town, holding both offices two years; also held the office of County Commis- sioner two terms.
ISAAC GILLESPIE, one of the pioneers of this towu, was born near Belfast, Ireland, in 1829. He resided with his parents until coming to America in 1857, and the spring of the following year came to the farm which he has since made his home. On the 7th of June, 1858, he was married to Margaret Henry.
PAUL GROFF, a native of Otsego county, New York, was born on the 27th of December, 1820. When twenty-two years old he enlisted in Company I, of the Fourth United States Artillery; was dis- charged at the end of five years, and re-enlisted in Company K, of the First United States Dragoons, serving one year. Then, .after living on a farm in Iowa, he came to Sherburne county, Minnesota, in about 1859, and finally to his present home, which is located on section twenty-four; he also owns land on which he is making improvements, in sec- tion one.
NELSON A. GROW was born on the 14th of No-
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
vember, 1841, in Franklin county, New York, which was his home until coming to Minnesota in 1869. Came dircetly to this place, and now owns a farm of two hundred acres. Mr. Grow has served the town as Supervisor three years, and for the past two years has been Treasurer. Miss Adaline Jesmer beeame his wife on the 3d of July, 1864, and eight children have been born to them.
FRANK HENRY was born in the northern part of Ireland on the 3d of December, 1819. He resided with his parents until coming to America in 1849. After remaining a few years in New York, he came to New Jersey, where he wns married to Miss Mar- garet Hoey in 1855. They came to Minnesota and located on a farm near St. Paul till 1858; then removed to Oak Grove, Anoka county ; and iu 1867, came to this place, having sinee made it their home. The union has been blessed with nine ehildren.
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A. D. JESMER is a native of Franklin county, New York, born on the 7th of June, 1846. At the age of twenty years, he commeneed life for himself; engaged in the lumber business in his native State for a year, then came to St. Paul, Minnesota, and the same year (1867) located a claim in section thirty-two, Greenbush township, and has since lived here. Mr. Jesmer was a mem- ber, of the board of County Commissioners for six successive years, and is at present Town Clerk, having held the offiec several terms. He was imited in marriage with Julia Ann Robideanix, on the 9th of September, 1868.
JOSEPH JESMER is also a native of Franklin county, New York, and was born in the year 1848. He came to Minnesota in 1867, purchased land in this township the same year, and now has a well improved farm of three lumdred and twenty acres. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Ann Robi- deaux. She has borne him fourteen children, thir- teen of whom are living.
MICHAEL KENELY is a native of Ireland, born on the 16th of March, 1812. At the age of four- teen years he commenced learning the uil maker's trade, at which he served nn apprenticeship of seven years, then was employed in his native place till 1839. After coming to this country in the lutter year, he resided six years on a farm in Can- ada, thenee to Washington county, Wisconsin, un- til coming to his present farm in 1868. Mr. Ken- ely was the first Justice of the Peace in this town. He was married on the 5th of October, 1848, to
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