Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31 92401 0437824 Cornell University Library F 614.M2M27 Mankato. Its first fifty years.Containi 3 1924 010 437 824 CORNELL UNIVERSITY UBRARIES ITHACA. N.Y. 14583 JOHN M. OUN LIBRARY CONTENTS. Address, Opening — J. H. Baker 9 Address of Welcome, (Old Settlers Day), — J. H. Baker. . . . 123 Agriculture, Development of — E. T. Champlin 118 Banking— AV. D. Willard 113 Biographies : . . . 168 Church, Baptist— F. E. E. Miller 42 Church, Congregational — E. L. Heermance . .• 53 Church, Catholic — A. Schaub 17 Church, Christian — H. D. Williams. . 52 Church, Episcopal — 0. H. Davis 38 Church, German Lutheran — Johanes Schulze 49 Church, Methodist Episcopal — F. B. Cowgill 31 Church, Presbyterian — G. H. Brewster and G. W. Davis. ... 13 Church, Swedish Lutheran — A. 0. Eberharf . . 57 Church, Welsh Cal. Meth.— W. E. Evans 60 Frontier Preacher, Eemarks on — J. W. Powell 11 Le Sueur, First Explorer of Minn. Valley — W. Upham. . . 130 Letter from Hon. J. B. Wakefield. 157 Letter from Hon. C. D. GilfiUan 161 Letter from Hon. J. B. Hubbell ............................ 164 ]\Iankato, Founding of — Thos. Hughes . 134 Manufactures — M. G. Willard ' 88 Ramsey, Hon. Alexander — Eemarks by 126 Eiggs, D. D., Eev. A. L. — Eemarks by. . . 129 School, Commercial — H. D. Williams 81 School, German Catholic — A; Schaub. 74 School, German Lutheran — J. H. Schaller 80 School, Public— L. G. M. Fletcher. . . . .' , . . . 63 School, State Normal — C. H. Cooper 69 Surveys, Early — Thos. Simpson 150 Trade, Growth of — C. A. Chapman 83 Willfinson Monument, Eemarks on Unveiling — D. Buck. . . 156 Williamson, D. D., Eev. J. P. — Eemarks by 127 PREFACE. The year ].902, being the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the City of Mankato, it was suggested that so important an event be worthily commemorated. Accordingly a call for a mass meeting to be held at the City liall on the evening of May 6th, 1902, was signed by the Mayor, the President of the Blue Earth County Territorial Association and the President of the Blue Earth County Historical Society. This call met with a hearty response on the part of the people, and it was unanimously voted to hold a Semi-Centennial celehra- tion, and the matter was put in charge of an Executive Com- mittee of nine, three of whom (PI. P. Jensen, Thos, Hughes and August Marschner) were selected at this meeting. The remain- ing six were appointed, two (Gen. J. H. Bake:- and Dr. J. W. Andrews) by the Territorial Association, two (M. B. Haynes and J. E. Eeynolds,) by the Historical Societj', and two (C. IST. Andrews and G-eo. M. Palmer,) by the Board of Trade. This committee organized by electing Gen. J. H. Baker, president, Hon. J. E. Reynolds,, secretary; and Hon. P. M. Currier, treasurer. The lat- ter was also made a member of the general committee. The matter of street amusements, including bands and fireworks, was put in charge of the Mankato Lodge of Elks, and the city gave them valuable street privileges to help defray the expense, and also put $800.00 in money at the disposal of the committee. The 30th of June and 1st, 2nd, 3rd,and 4th of July, were fixed upon as the time of the celebration, "and elaborate programmes arranged for each of the five days. The first day was devoted to Church Histories, the second day to a review of the Educational Growth of the City, the third day, to the story of its Industrial Development. The public gatherings for each of these days were held at the Man- kato Theater. The fourth day was denominated "Old Settlers' Day," and was the great day of the feast. The festivities of this memorable day opened with the largest and most magnificent street parade Mankato ever saw, headed by the Governor of tlie State, and his Staff in full uniform, followed Pi'eface, y by carriages filled with distinguished guests and" .prominent citi- zens, City Officials, Old Settler Organizations, gorgeous float dis- playing the City's industries, numerous bands of music, etc. — all extending miles in length. This splendid and imposing pageant of our natal day, was in charge of. Col. C. B. Johnson, as Chief Marshal, with H. P. Jensen, Martin Wiltgen, Geo. A. McKinley, P. J. Busch, W. J. Denser, Col. Geo. W. Mead,; C. J. Macbeth, Gus T. Monson and P. E. Day as assistants, and inarched to Sibley Park, where, exercises the most in^pressive and appropriate were held and a bountifvil picnic dinner served. The dinner was presided over Ijy a committee of ladies consisting of Mesdames : Pred. Kron, Chairman, H. J. Fuller, John Klein, H. P. Christensen, Catherine Eandall, L. G. M. Pletcher, and Miss Plelen Wise; and the splendid success of .this, important part of the day's rejoicing was mainly due to their efficiency. All prominent guests and ter- ritorial settlers were decked with souvenir badges, designed especial- ly for the occasion. A pleasing incident of this da}' was the unveiling of a massive granite monument to the memory of the late distinguished senator, Morton S. Wilkinson — the munificent gift of his friend, Hon. C. D. Gilfillan of St. Paul. The presentation was made by Judge Daniel Buck. In the evening a banquet was tendered to over three hundred invited guests in the A. 0. U.W.Hall, at which, interspersed with music, toasts were responded to by Hon. Thos. Simpson, Hon. H. P. Hall, Judge M. J. Severance, Hon. G. S. Ives, Judge Lqrin Cray, Hon. Mark H. Dunnell, Hon. J. E. Brown, and Hon. P. E. Johnson. The music, other than instrumental, was furnished by. a male quartette, composed of Prof. C. E. Travis, Hon. A. 0. Bber- hart, I. jST. Griffith and Evan Hughes. Another most important feature of the Great Jubilee was the Eest and Eelic Eooih, which occtipied the whole lower floor of , the Pay building on Hickory street. Here a:n immense collection of valuable and intensely interesting curios and relics of every kind had been gathered by a committee of ladies, consisting of Mes- dames : J. E. Beatt}', Chairman, Samuel Walker, Andrew Hanna, B. D. Pay, J. Q.A.. Marsh, H. J. Puller, and Clement Sehrocder. These rooms were daily thronged with visitors and no part of the celebration was more thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated. The festivities closed with a Grand Fourth of July Celebra- tion, the principal features of which were: A monster parade of ^ Prefaee. tho fraternnl sdcieties, an arldress 1)y J. Mm-itte Drivor D.D., and a brilliant display of lireworks. On no otluT occasion were there snch multitudes of people a-athcred in Southern Minnesota, as on the last two days of this great festival. The papers and addresses presented possessed such special historical value that the committee concluded that they should be preser\-ed — hence this volume. The stenographer failed to take Dr. Driver's address and that of Oov. Van .Sant was sent to his Excellency for revision, and by him accidentally mislaid. All the others are here offered to the reader. SIBLEY MOUND— on the top of which the exercises were held. MANKATO ITS FIRST FIFTY YEARS. Containing Addresses, Historic Papers and Brief Biographies of Early Settlers and Active Upbuilders of the City. Prepared for the Fiftieth Anniveesary of the Settlement of Mankato. 1852-1902. Free Press Printing Co. Mankato, Minn. 1903 Semi=Centennial Officei^s. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. Gkn. J. H. Baker, President. J. E. Reynoi,ds, Secretary. P. M. CuKRiER, Treasurer. Thomas Hughes. C. N. Andrews. George M. Palmer. Dr. J. W. Andrews. August Marschnee. M. B. Haynks. H. p. Jensen. COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION. Gen. J. H. Baker. Thomas Hughes. M. B. Haynes. C. A. Chapman. INVITATION COMMITTEE. Nicholas Petersen, Mayor. Dr. J. W. Andrews- George M. Palmer. DINNER AND BANQUET COMMITTEE. C. N. Andrews. H. A. Patterson. T. W. Hart. INTRODUCTOKY. In presenting this volume to the public, the Publication Committee would respectfully state, that they have faithfully and assiduously labored to bring together many of the essential facts touching the founding and development of our city, covering the ilrst fifty years of its existence. We are gratified to be able to pre- sent such a remarkalale collection of historical, descriptive and sta- tistical papers, illustrating the story of our city. They were care- fully prepared for oui' Semi-Centennial Celebration, by men of (•apacit}' and of large experience in the matters of which they iveat, the facts and statistics arc thoroughly reliable, and the future historian in constructing his historic edifice, may plant himself upon theiu as uj)on a rock. We have sought to cover all classes of facts and statistics, so that full information may be found touching all matters in our earlier history, ere they perish. The pioneer gixes the story of his adventures and hardships. There ai'e glim])ses ol' the lied men, whose local history is intimate- ly interwo-\'en with our own. Facts as to the founding and rapid Je\'elo]iinent of important industries, are graphically told. With ])ious care, we haxc related the story of our earliest settlers, and cought to perpetuate their names and deeds in a manner more durable than marble. There arc undoubtedly those whose names and portraits are unintentionally omitted; and as to others it is the fault of thenisehes or their friends, in failing to respond to the repeated .solicitations of the Committee. We claim for ourselves a con- scientious performan'ce of our duties, which were wholly without recompense, (.■xcei)t in the satisfaction of loyal service to the city of our love. COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION. *. ■^ '■/. "*l "^1— " ■ » ,' 'i ^^X; •' 2-- r-^. , ,i!^^^, ,. "™*!f ' *"^^^^^M ' -■> 1^ ■ - '^^ -r-'-^ '.- Tth of S('])tem- ber of that year. At the same date Rev. Thomas Marshall was installed as its pastor. ITc was its first pastor, as James Thomson and Marcus First Presbyterian Church ij Hicks were not installed, but acted rather as missionaries. At this time also the .church voted to pay the pastor a salary of one thous- and dollars, and to receive no further aid from the Missionary Boardj and from that time it has been self supporting. Mr. Mar- shall sontimied his pastorate until May, 18(i9. During this time ninety were received into the church on confession of faith, and one hundred and two by letter. Those who now sit in our warm and comfortable church can hardly realize the inconveniences which our friends suffered in the old church. It was heated by two box stoves, which stood in the two front corners, from vchich stove pipes ran the whole length of the building to the chimneys in the rear. In the coldest weather • they were not sufficient to make the room comfortable, especialh' under foot, so square blocks of hard wood were provided and heated at the stoves on Sunday mornings so they could be taken into the pews and used as foot warmers. It soon became the regular habit for the head of the family to take as many of these blocks as he had ladies -with him, and carry them up the aisle to his pew. After some years a great improvement was made by digging a cellar undet - the building, in which the stoves were placed, and hot air conveyed into the audience room by long narrow slits cut in the floor of each pew. These however were found somewhat inconvenient wlicn children dropped their pennies on the floor. In October 1869, Eev. Joseph B. Little became the pastor, and the salary was raised to $1,500. It was with some misgivings that this was done, but at the end qf the year it was found that they had not only paid the pastor's salary promptly, but had also paid up a church debt of about $2,200, and had raised in all for salary, debt and benevolences nearly $5,000. , The first four years of Mr. Little's pastorate were years of in- creased activit}' in both church and Sunday school. The church was repaired at a cost of about $2,000, and at the same time the contributions were largely increased, and many additions made to its membership. But the year lS:*/4 passed without one addition on confession of faith. This was a year of spiritual dearth through- out the whole synod, which led to the holding of a day of fasting, humiliation and ]irayer by all the churches. Soon after this Eev. H. P. Welton, an- evangelist, came to assist the pastor for a few weeks. Great interest AVas aroused by his efl'orts, so that 78 new ■members were receivd into the church. . Mr. Little's i^astorato continued until July 1, 1881, a period of lb Mankato — Its First Fifty Years nearlj' twelve years. There were received into the church during this period 236 on confession of faith and 161 by letter. On Feb. %\, 1870, Eev. Father Thomson, who still remained a member, was made Pastor Emeritus. On the first Sunday in February, 1883, Eev. Geo. C. Pollock o.nioved upon his work as pastor. His term continued until May, 1887. During these years there was steady growth, and there were added to the church 112 members^67 on confession and 45 by letter. After Mr. Pollock's resignation the church was without a pastor for fifteen months, during the first four of which, the pulpit was supplied by Eev. Ealston D. Irwin, who came from McCor- mick Seminary, being at the time under appointment to work in the foreign field in the Autumn of that year, and in September, 1887 he left for his mission work in Mexico. But he died Feb. 9, 1888. In August 1887 Hope Mission was organized in the north part of tbir- town, where it now has a neat chapel, and is a branch of the missionary work of the church. In August 1888, Eev. John Bar- bour commenced his pastorate which continued to March 1, 1893. During his ministry there were added to the chu.rc]i 138 on con- fession and 75 by letter. The chiirch building was now found to be too small for the growing congregation. Several projects for enlarging it were dis- cussed, but the majority seemed to be in favor of building a new church of more modern design. At length a subscription was started, and the amount suliscriljed — about $35,000 — seeming to warrant the expense, the lot on which the church now stands,, front- ing 99 feet on Broad street, was purchased, and the old church site was sold. Work was immediately commenced, and the corner stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies on July 3, 1893. The last service in the old church was held July 15, 1894. The congrega- tion then moved into the lecture room of the new church, which tliey occupied until 1896 when the main auditorium was completed. On Oct. 30, 1893, Eev. Lee W. Beattie was installed pastor. On Sept. 27, 1896, the church building being now finished, was dedicated. Three of its former jDastors were present : J. B. Little, Geo. C. Pollock a,nd John Barbour, and assisted in the services. The sermon was preached by Eev. Andrew B. Meldrum. Mr. Beattie resigned March 8, 1900, and on May 21, Eev. Geo. W. Davis, was unanimously elected pastor, but as he was then en- gaged in pastoral work in Paris he declined. He had occupied The Catholic Churches ly our pulpit during the winter of 1896-7, while Mr. Beattie was incapacitated by reason of illness. During the period from June 1900 to August 1901, the church was without a pastor. The pul- pit was supplied by various ministers, and in the summer of 1900 by Eev. Chas. E. Adams, who had been engaged to take charge of Hope Mission. Feb. 28, 1901, Rev. Geo. AV. Davis was again unanimous- ly elected, and this time he accepted, provided the chu.rch would wait until his engagement in Paris should terminate the next sum- mer. During a large part of this interim, the pulpit was supplied by Eev. Dr. Kirkwood. In the latter part of August 1901, Mr. Davis arrived and was installed Oct. 34, 1901. The membership of the church April 1, 1902, numbered 505; that of the Sunday school 465. The contributions for all purposes during the year ending at that date amounted to $4,292.73. The Catholic Churches. By ARTHUB, SCHAUB, E.sci. AVhen we speak of history, we generally mean the story of the birth, growth and fall of nations. But we who have gathered to- gether this week, for the purpose of looking back but fifty years to the time when our beloved little city was born, cannot but be im- pressed with the fact that even in this half-centujy, and in this humble locality, events have taken jjlace, and men have lived and toiled for human advancement, whose memory should not die like the leaves of summer, which in spring bud forth like a dream of beauty, and in autumn lie scattered and neglected by every road- side. And as we live in a Christian land and in a Christian era, it is indeed most proper for us this very first day of our semi-centen- nial to remember and recognize the work done by the churches of this city. Among these there is not one whose history is of more absorbing interest thanthat of the Oatholic church. It was the knowledge of this fact that prompted me several years ago, to the publication of a work which would preserve to future generations the memory of the most important facts of that thrilling history. It is the knowledge of this fact that prompted me again to accept the invitation of the Committee to speak to you today on this subject. i8 Mankato - Its First Fifty Years Fifty years ago when the first settlers came here to live, there were two Catholics among them: Jaeob Giienther and Peter Fraen- zel. The following year, came the following Catholics: Bern- hard Bruggennan, John Bruels, Joseph Frohnert, Blasiiis Yobst, Levi Kotthoff and Clements Kron, wlio opened tlie first hotel here. ST. PETER'S AND ST. PAUL'S CHURCH. In the spring and summer of 1854, the list of Catholics was increased by Michael Kauffmann, Adam Frenndl, Anton Jacoby A^■ith wife and little daughter (now Mrs. Sebastian Zimmerman, of this city) and Henry Sontag. lioM'ever it was in the fall of 18r,4: that a strong impetus was gi\i'n to the Catholic cause in Mankato, when seven thoroughly The Catholic Churches ig Catholic men who were permeated with a warm zeal for the faith they professed, having already had Mankato and vicinity pros- pected through one Anton Ilg whom they had sent before them, left their home at St. Charles, Mo., and set out for Mankato, with the intention of making it their permanent home: These seven men were: David Heidwinkel, Peter Schnlte, Franlt Borgmeier, Michael Hund, Philip Hodapp, Henry Yahle and Leo Lamm. Of these staunch and trusty men but two have lived to see this jubilee, Franli Borgmeier and Philip Hodapp. The latter's robust form, unbent by age and the hardships of pioneer life, we see here in the midst of our gathering tnidenth' as fresh and hearty as on tlu' day when he left St. Charles nearly a half century ago. Traveling in those days was greatly difEerent from ^^'hat it is today. Although this party left St. Charles on Aug. 28, they did, not arrive at Mankato until Oct. 1.5. During that time they en- countered dangers, privations, hardships and difficulties inniimer- able. They had withstood a severe attack of the cholera, had been shipwrecked on the Mississippi, and long weeks of fatigue and trav- el had worn down their robust frames. When they arrived here they found five log houses and two frame shanties. It was Mankato in all its glory. On all sides stretched out impenetrable forests. , They -were in the midst of the great wilderness — tbree days distant from St. Paul whence all provisions and su])plies had to be fetched. Xo. church and school awaited them here. Xo priest had ever been here to gi"\-e their predecessors the consolations of. their religion. Other than one or two zealous missionaries who had traveled oyer this, as eACvy other wilderness of America, with the burning desire to wrest from darkness the souls, of . the Ked men, no priest Jiad ever set foot on this soil. To the everlasting credit of these seven men from St. Charles, and their predecessors also, be it spoken that although "as yet they were in a wilderness where a rude block house was considered' a mansion, although they lacked all of the comforts of life and near- ly all its necessaries, although surrounded by these vast forests filled with Indians, although years of patient work cutting down these mighty forests and clearing the brush had to be done before the soil would yield to them the first harx'cst, although surrounded by all these hardships, all these dangers, their first thought was to found a church for themselves and their successors'. The first meeting for this purpose was held soon after, on the Sunday between Christmas 20 Mankalo — Its First Fifty Years and New Year, the 30th of December 1854, at Kron's Hotel, a simple log house. This was, we may say, the foundation of the Catholic congregation of Mankato, and it seems but just to mention those present. They were Frank Borgmeier, John Bruels, Peter Praenzel, Karl Prohnert, ' Jacob Guenther, David Heidwinkel, Philip Hodapp, iliehael Hund, Anton Jacoby, Blasius Yobst, Clements Kron, Peter Schulte, Henry Sontag and Henry Vahle. Similar meetings were held during the spring and summer of 1855. The first step to take was to buy a site for a church. The present site was soon selected, and P. K. Johnson generously do- nated one-half of it ; the other half was bought for $300 with money advanced by Michael Hund, a gentleman who was truly the leader among those who founded our congregation, who was always will- ing to' give his services and money for the purpose of advancing the interests of this work. It was he also who donated to the congre- gation in this year 1855, for the purpose of having the same serve as a church, the log house on the claim right owned by him about one mile east of present location- of church, on the Agency road. This block house built of hewn logs, 24 feet long and 16 feet wide, siu'rounded by forests on every side, was the first church of Blue Earth County. The first mass read in thecoimty was read by Father A. Ra- \'0ux, who will ever be remembered as the Indian missionary of Minnesota. It was read in the log house occupied by Michael Hund, three and a half miles from this city on February 3nd, 1855. Father Eavoux was on one of his great and arduous tours through tlie forests and over the prairies of ilinnesota, seeking the salvation of souls among the red men and hardy j)ioneers. He stopped as a guest at Michael Hund's for the night, and in the morning, after reading mass, again departed. Thus it was that but few of the Catholics here had an opportunity to attend. The latter part of June, 1855, a great event occurred in the liistory of the congregation. Bishop Joseph Cretin, the first bishop of Minnesota, like the good zealous shepherd that he was, came to look after his little flock at Mankato. His journey from St. Paul was made in a common wagon drawn by a team of horses, with but one companion, a clerical student. He remained several days and administered the consolations of religion to the faithful band of Catholics at Mankato and encouraged them in their resolutions to build a church. On June 24:th, he celebrated the first public mass in Blue Earth county. It was attended by all the Catholics in this The Catholic Churches 21 \iciiiit\-. Tliev came from far and near in their wagons, jiiostly drawn by oxen. As sthere were no seats in the log house which served as a church, those wlio could not dispense with that great luxury, brought their chairs with them. All the arrangements for this august . occasion were of the most primitive and crude kind, but oh ! how willing were the hands that made them. At this mass John Bruels and Henry Sontag officiated as a choir, singing a choral mass. I need not say that their only accompaniment were the little birds twittering on the trees outside. In the afternoon of the same day Bishop Cretin baptized eleven children ; ^among them Joseph Kron, said to be the first anale white child born in our cit^-. After this he had a long heart to heart talk with the men of his little flock; he then encouraged them in the work of building, and promised to send a pastor as soon as he possibly could. ■ As night came on before he had finished his work here, he and his companion spread their blankets and coats upon the floor of the log house and slept as peaceably as upon a bed of down — ^while Henry Sontag relieved his feelings after his musical effort of the morning, by raising a huge smudge all night long, to keep away the troublesome mosquitos from the rude hut where reposed the first Catholic Bishop of Minnesota. The next morning, after ha\'ing again read mass, and after having partaken of a luxurious breakfast consisting of lioiled po- tatoes and bacon, the precious remnants of which were carefully saved up for the return journey, the noble bishop and his assistant departed. On his way he halted at the farm of Philip' Hodapp and baptized Philip's eldest son, John B. Such was the simple self-sacrificing life of Minnesota's first Catholic bishop. His visit here ^\'as of great importance. His words, biit even more his example, stimulated the Catholics here to proceed with all dispatch in the construction of a church building. There is an interesting memorandum book still extant, now the property of Mrs. Philip Hodapp, which in early days was kept by John Bruels, secretary of the first building committee. This shows that immediately after the bishop's visit a subscription list was started; and already on the 22nd of July, IS.") 5, work was com- menced upon a stone church. Ludwig Volz had the contract for the stone work, and Gottfried Eobel had the contract to deliver the lumber and frame work. All the lumber used was by him and his men sawed by hand; as there was as yet no saw mill here. 32 ' Mankaio — Its first Fifty Years Tlie work progressed slowly for lack of ready money. To understand tlic sacrifices these early settlers made you must re- member that as yet tliey were cleariu"- tlie forest priiiie^al, and tliat no rich harvests had gladdened their hearts and rewarded their labors. The necessaries of life had to lx> brought from St. Paul by wagon; as there were no flour mills, the little wheat they had, had to be ground in their coffee mills. Under such circumstances the building of a stone church, even though it was a small one, was in- deed a great undertaking. Luckily the ^-ears 1855 and 185G brought a large miml>er of C'atholic settlers to Mankato. Plad this not been the case, the work that handful of men had so boldly undertaken could not have been accomplished without the most heroic sacrifices. During this time Eev. Vivaldi, the Indian missionary station- ed at the Winnebago Agency, on several occasions read mass for the MankatO' coiigr.egation in their log church. Pie also mai'ried sev- eral couples of our congregation. We find no mention anywhere of the rich attire of the bridesmaids, for in the place of that dear and precious commodity of modern life, men had to be employed as witnesses of the ceremony. March 16th, 1856 is a gala day in the history of our congre- gation, for on that day arrived the |)astor so long desired — Father Valentine Sommereisen; who remained here for over 14 years, building up vvith a zeal worthy of an aj)0stle not only the congre- gation at ilankato, .but dozens of, others in Soutliern Minnesota; performing work which at the present time, in spite of modern convenienoes and con\'eyances, seems to Ije Ix'X'ond the power of any one man, ne\'er allowing himself a moment of rest, bereft of all the luxuries, all the comforts of life, whose life the mcire I study it the more I admire as the type of the Christian Shepherd whose one and only thought is for the flock Christ has entrusted to his care. His field of work lay in 36 towns and villages in 14- different counties, and all the vast territory lying between them. He visit- ed all of these. Xo railroad connected them in those days, ilost of his trips were made on horseback over dangerous paths and roads. A trip of over a hundred miles to see a handful of pioneers in the forests was a frequent occurrence with him. How human nature could bear up under such work and privations, it is hard for us in this day to understand. As niueh of Father Somuiereisen's time was taken up by these lonely and dangeroiTS trips, he at first read mass at ilankato only The Catholic Churches ^3 one Sunday' in each month; later on every two weeks; and after new shepherds came in to divide the large field with him, he was here every Sunday. Of course the priest needed a parsonage ; and as the log house on Agency Hill was still used as the church and it could not be spared, a small corner in it — large enough for a man to lie down in, was assigned to him. There he lived, cooking his own meals, A\-hich arc said to have been so simple that they were barely suffic- ient to keep body and soul together. FATHER SOMMEREISEN. And here allow me to digress from my subject long enough to ,say, that \\'hen I mention such names as Bisliop Cretin, Father Kavoux, Father Sommereisen, I involuntarily call to mind all the hundreds and hundreds of zealous Catholic priests who in the early times of our history, devoted their lives to the cause of Christianitv in the wilds of America. If it is heroic to live in the wilderness b('reft of the comforts of liTc, to associate with the savages of tlie forests, to traverse the wilds in the face of dilficulties and dangers. 24 Mankato — Its First Fifty Years to suffer hardships various and innumerable, for the purpose of bringing bade 'to Christ a few lost souls, if this is heroic, then tlie Catholic Church in America is rich in heroes. Our history will probably mention but a few of these brave men; but I do believe that kind angels above are faithfully writing their history, and when it is opened to the gaze of mankind, the splendor of some of the brightest names in history will become dim, beside that of names long since forgotten and unremembered. Three months after Father Sommereisen's arrival another ad- vance was made. The church and parsonage were moved; in other words, the log house on Agency Hill was torn down, the roof sawed .into four parts, and all the parts dragged to a place immediately back of the stone church in course of construction ; and there it was again put together. The work on the new church still jjrogressed. From Septem- ber" 21 to 29. 1856, Father Weninger held the first mission in Man- kato. He, expressed the wish to be able to give his last sermon in the new church, and the idea was enthusiastically seized upon by all. The men of the parish, the sermon over, went to work with a will. The church was finished and the closing ceremonies of the mission were held in the new church. It was a solemn occasion. The people marched in procession from the old church to the new. The men had brought their guns, and as the procession proceeded the men turned faping Main Street and discharged their guns as a joyous salute. Proud men they were that day. The new church thereafter was used for all serAices and the log house back of it be- came the spacious residence of Father Sommereisen. He occupied it as such for nine years. As yet no deaths had occurred in the parish, and therefore no thought had'been given to the purchasing of a cemetery. But on January 4, 1857, Mary Eschbach. died, .the. first death in our par- ish. To provide for a church cemetery tliey now bought six acres of land on ISTorth Sixth Street, which for many years served the congregation for a burial place. We have already seen that John Bruels and Henry Sontag, could when occasion required, act as a choir. They, together witli John Pohl, and other occasional assistance, constituted the choir for some years after the stone church was completed. Later a me- lodeon was purchased and J. B. Wiedemann became organist, and the choir also was considerably enlarged. Dr. P. Pollman of this city, for a number of }'ears also acted as organist. i'lie Catholic Churches •y The original stone church was 40 feet long and 20 feet wide. It soon proved too svaall, and an addition 'l^i feet long and 4G feet wide was added to it, and the old part was raised to two stories.- This new part was in course of construction from 1859 to 1862. One reason for enlarging the church was to secure room for a school. The first sto]-y of the building served as a school and a residence for the Sisters ; the second was used as a church. Has it ever been brought home to you how much of interesting history can cluster around one inanimate object? Many years ago a bell was imported, from Germany for a church in the western part of tlie United States. It was brought all the way to the Mississip- pi and there embarked. However the boat on which it was carried foundered and with it the bell went down to the bottom of the water. There it remained for some time, until some people liviag on the banlis discovered its whereabouts, raised it, and sold it as salvage. It was bought by Father A'ivaldi, the Indian missionary at the Winnebago Agency. There for several years it called the Indians to religious services. However, times changed, though the bell did not change. The Winnebago Indians moved further on. The mission was therefore discontinued. The bell was aga,in for sale. Father Sommereisen bought it for the church at Mankato. For some time it was suspended on a wooden structure back of the church immediately in front of the log house, the first Catholic church of Mankato. Later a steeple was built for it on the stone church and there for many years it hung and called the white man to the same religious serA'ices it had called the red man. But still times changed, altliough the bell did not. A new church was built, a larger bell secured ; and noAV our little bell from (xermany was quite content to ser\e as a school bell. I remember its sound very well. When it called us 'out to play, its tones seemed clear and fresh ; yet often when it called us back, its doleful sound made many a little sinner wisli that the Father of Waters still held it in his strong embrace. And yet times changed, although the bell changed not. And now when you approach our cemetery in the sad procession that accompanies the body of a Catholic to its last resting place; you hear tolling sadly on the cemetcr}' chapel that same bell that has gone through so many vicissitudes. Many of our con- gregation has it called to iiraver, manv to alternate play and stud.y, and many to eternal rest. Time does not allow me to explain what part our people took in the Indian troubles which followed. Only one fact I cannot 2b Mcmkato—lts /'irst Fifty Years pass over. At the time the thirtj'-eight Indians were imprisoned here prior to their execution Father Ra^'oux, whom we have already mentioned several times, was seni; here to bring to them tlie light of God's truth if they would accept it. His influence and popularity among the Indians was so great that he succeeded beyond his own expectations. On Christmas day 1862 he baptized thirty of the condemned Indians, Father Sommereisen acting as sponsor. The names of these Indians were entered by Father Sommereisen into the baptismal register of our congregation, where of course they are still to be seen. A fac simile of this entry can be lound in the history written by Father de Pakisch and published by me. In August, 1868; Father Zwinge held the second mission here. On this occasion it became apparent to all that the stone church was again getting too small for the needs of the congregation. The building of a new church became at once the subject of serious con- sideration. On Sunday, August 22, 1869, at Father Sommereisen's request, the men of the parish held a meeting at which it was resolved to build a new church. The following nine naen were elected as a building Committee : Henry Wittrock, president ; Wendal Ho-- dapp, secretary; Stephen Lamm, treasurer; George KifEe, Michael Himd, August Wenner, Joseph Eder and J. B. Burke. Father Sommereisen was a, man who always looked far into the future and made liis arrangements accordingly. The future never oil a single occasion belied his clear sighted judgment. , The Ger- man Catholic church as it now stands in this city is not the church originally planned by him. That in area and beauty both far sur- IDassed the jDresent one — ^but the cost of building it would of course have been iiroportionately greater. In the fall of 1869 the foundation of the church as planned by Father Sommereisen was laid. In the spring of 1870, liowever, the work was not continued. An unhappy variance, of opinions prevailed in the congregation. One party wanted the church built as Father Sommereisen had designed, the other wanted it consider- ably reduced. While Father Sommereisen was emj)loying all that wonderful energy of his, tr)'ing to broaden the narrow vision of the latter party, he was unfortunately called to Alsace, his native country, by personal matters. Hardly had he arrived there when the Franco-Prussian war broke out. Troublesome complications now arose for him, as he had left in his youth without having first served in tlie French armv. The result was that lie was inilefinitelv llic Catholic Churches oj ik'taiiu'd. His ])l;u-(,' Iicit liad ln't'n ti'iiipoi'nrih' Kllcd ))\' a ymuii;' ])i'iest nanu'il FatluT HolztT. Jt was a time wlicn mir coii^regatjoii g-i-eatly nccik'd a n-fi'idar pastor, and realizing;' tliis fact, and not knowing when Fatlicr SoinnuTciscn would votui-n. the Fiishoji sent our oongri'gatioii as ]iastoi- tlic Ii('\\ Angiistiuc W'irtli, who ai'ri\i'd luTi' ahont .hinuarv 1, IS'j'l. Fatlioi- W'irtli ^^■as a man of great energy combined witli eonsunimate tact. He eiteeted a compromise between tlie two facti<>ns of the congregation, and tlie \vorl< uasagain talcen u[i witli entbnsiasm. 'Idle original ])lans were niodilied con- siderably. Tlie clnircli was reiliiced in size, and nnfortunately also greatly impaired in syiiime+ry and bciuity. Had the wise counsel of the far-seeing Father Sommereiseii ]n-e\"ailed how imicli better it would lia\'e been. FATHliR WIKTH. Father Wil'tb procei'ded vigoi'oiisly \\\\h the \\y)x\\ (d' Iniildilig ihe cbiii-<-h. j'^roni Febiaiary 1-1 to 1(1, the ])ai-ish held a bazaar which netted nearly ^-^J.UOO and was by the Keview of that date ]n'ononnced tlic greatest thing o! its kiml e\cr seen at .Maidoito, ii|i to that time. A new huiidiiig comiinttee was seleeted, and the 28 Man'kaio — Its First Fifty Vcurs number of the committee reduced to three : John Klein, president ; Wendel Hodapp, secretary and Stephen Lamm, treasurer. The corner stone was laid with great solemnity on July 33, 1871, in the presence of Bishop Thomas Grace. A parsonage A\'as also built this year at the corner of j\Iulberry and Sixth streets. From December 9th to December 12th, another bazaar was lield. It was held in the church which was practically completed. $3,000 ^ras realized from this bazaar which is said to liave been the largest ever held in the State up to that time. Among the articles disposed of by lottery were six horses, ten cows, five wagons, a bob sleigh, several sets of harness, saddles, a large number of stoves, and other useful as well as ornamental goods. After the church was completed and in shape to hold services in, a mission was held here by Fathers Karlstaetter, Kamp, and Sehnitzler, all members of the society of Jesus. On Xovember 23 IST'a, the church was dedicated with im- pressive ceremonies by Bishop Thomas Grace. It received the name of St. Peter and Paul. Prior thereto our parish was called St. Philip's. Father Wirth had been sent here to build the church. His work was done. The manner in which it was done reflects great credit upon him. He fully- realized that the congregation Avas too , large for one priest to care for; and he recommended tluit some Order be invited to take charge of it. Accordingly the Jesuit Fathers were asked to do so, and they consented.- On January 27th, Father Sehnitzler arrived here. He was pastor of the church for twelve years. He was deservedly popular, and I can remember how much the whole congregation regretted his departure on Feb- , ruary 14, 188G. How judicious it bad been to select the Jesuit , Fathers for the work here has been very evident from the day tlicy arrived to the present moment. Father Sehnitzler was succeeded |jy Father Gottfried Friderici; on September G, 1891, he in turn was succeeded by Father Aloys Suter; and since October 1896 the present pastor Father John B. Xeustich lias been in charge. All of these pastors have had at their side working with them aljle as- sistants. During tliis time tlie improvements made in the churcli were so numerous and various, tliat I can only give a general summary of the most important of them. On November 26, 1876 was first used the pi-esent pijjc organ, in place of the mclodeon formerly in use. The Catholic Churches 2g In the year 1878 the splendid high altar and' two side altars were placed in the church. In the year 1881 were erected the stone steps leading to the entrance. January 20, 1884 the church was for the first time lit by gas. During the spring and summer of 1886 the interior walls of the church were painted. The fm-naces were placed in the church in the year 1891. In 1893 the present beautiful chimes woi-e purchased and. jDlaced in the steeple, which had to be renovated to be able to bear the additional burden. The four statues seen in front of the church arc tlio work of Joseph Masberg of this city and were made in 1894 and 1896 and presented to the church. They are a credit to the artist. During 1896 and 1897 the altars in the church were re-gilded at a cost of $1,400. Eecently the church has been re-covered witli a roof of galvan- ized iron. Many other improvements have been made which lack of time prevents me from enumerating. Suffice it to say the impro\o- ments in the interior of our church have cost more money than the building of the church itself, which was about $47,000 ; and today there is not a church in the state, or probably in the Xorthwest, so richly equipped as St. Peter and Pauls Church of Mankato. In November 1885 the present cemetery consisting of forty acres was bought. In 1895 a handsome chapel was built on it. In connection with the history of our church should be men- tioned- St. Joseph's Hospital. Erected in 1899 by the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother it has ?ilready secured an enviable reputation throughout Southern Minnesota and even far beyond the confines of our state. On Xovember 27 and 28, 1898, our parish celebrated the silver jubilee of the dedication of their splendid church; in two years more they will celebrate even more elaborately the golden Jubilee of the foundation of the parish. I^p to the present time I have confined my remarks to the Ger- manCatholic church, for this reason that the history of this church is tlie history of both the Catholic churches here. There Avas up to the 3'ear 1884 but one congregation and one church. However, it became a|)])arent, on account of language only, that an English church aside from the other would be a benefit. Father John 30 3/ankato — Its First Fifty Years Prior came here in June of that year. Until a new church could be erected, he read mass for the English speaking Catholics in the chapel beneatli tlic school hoiise. On Xoveniber 24, 1884 the corner stone of St. John's church was laid. On June 20, 1886, the church was dedicated by Bishop Ireland. The church has been successful and jDrosperous. Father Prior was succeeded by Eev. Daniel Hugiics, and he in turn by_his brother, J{ev. Robert liughcs, the ])resent pastor. • My friends, the story of the foundation and early progress of the Catholic congregation in JMankato is a story of self-sacrifice and earnest devotion worthy of emulation, worthy indeed of our admiration and praise. It is a story of poverty giving willingly and ungrudgingly of the little it had to the cause of God, the house of God. It is a story of men who with enthusiasm and unselfish- ness toiled to the end that their children might have a church and school of which they might alwa^-s be justly jaroud. I^ow that we tlie younger generation are at last awakening to a due sense of the great debt we owe them, too many of these devoted and staunch ])ioneers ha^■c passed beyond liearing of our praise. Only a small numlier remain of that faithful band who toiled so hard for the first beginning. But whether they are here or have passed to a Ijettcr life, of all of them I wisli to say : Their work was well done and shall not be forgotten. As long as we liave in our midst the blessings of our cliurch and school we shall always remember with gratitude the men who labored day and night, and bereft themselves of many comforts and even necessaries of Jife, that these blessings might be ours. I' \ fil ^ V I If* »|| III I ^^e^f: * ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. By BEV. FBANK B. COWOILL. In , the summer of 1853, the Bev. Chaimcy Hobart visited Mankato, St. Peter, Traverse des Sioux, Le Sueur, Henderson, and Shakopee, holding services and arranging with joroprietors of land in the several towns for from two to six lots in each for church purposes; these to be marked on plats as so donated, and to be re- corded as soon as recorder's offices were established. Memoranda of these donations were handed to David Brooks, who became pre- siding elder of the Minnesota District in August, 1853. In the- course . of the tour above mentioned, Mr. Hobart preached the first Methodist sermon in ]Mankato, to a community of nearly two huiidred people, on the first Sunday in July, 1853. In September 1854, Lewis Bell was appointed to the Mankato mis- sion wliich embraced Mankato, St. Peter, Le Sueur, Belle Plaine, Traverse des Sioux, Kasota and Henderson. It required four weeks to hold services at all the j)reaching points. There are no available records to show that any quarterly conference was held .on this cir- cuit ])revious to September 1855. /" In the summer of 1855, Mr. Bell organized his following at (Mankato into a class, and since that time ilcthodism has had con- tinuous organized existence in this city. In September 1855, the circuit which Mr. Bell had traversed was divided, and the part to which ilanlcato belonged was left to be supplied by the presiding elder, John Kerns. Tlie latter appointed J. W. Powell to that work in October 1855. John Kerns district extended from St. Paul to the remotest preacliing point on tlie iliimesota Biver. ]\Ir. Powell's circuit embraced South Bend, MaJikato, Eureka and Da- Icota. The following are now remembered by J. \V. Powell as mem- bers of his class at Mankato: ^Ir. and ]\Irs. A. C Parrott, iMr. and Mrs. D. Campbell, j\lr. and l\rrs. Britton, \\v. and Mrs. George Clark, Mrs. Henry Shaubut, i\rrs. Lewis Branson. ^\r. A. G. Par- rott was class leader. Xo quarterly meetings aiipoar to have been held on Mr. Pow- ell's charge until ^Mareh 52nd and 23rd, ]S5r). when G. :\r. Kil- jiatrick appears on the recoi'ds as Presiding elder. This is ex- plained by a redistribution of district work which took place in the spring of 185G, the Mankato circuit then l.icirig put over into the CKXTlc^^\K^■ m. i-;, chtkcii pionhi:r pastors. EV. Daviii Rhoi.ks, Rh . J. W. IJ.iwiLL. RiA. K. R. Lathki.i" Rl-A. II. ^^ Ci.lKiN Rev Uami. T)ci;. Km. C. W. Saxidc^e. Rn . S. I'.. <",A[.E. l\l-\. THMb. McCi.EAkV Methodist Efiscopal Church jj Eed Wing district, while John Kerns continvied to be Presiding Elder of the country along the lower Minnesota Eiver, including St. Paul. It appears from the records of this Quarterly Conf er- L'nce that ilr. Powell's receipts during the quarter had been $40, and he says that they were $100 for the entire ycar.^ In August 1856, the Minnesota Conference was organized, John Kerns being Presiding Elder of the territory along the Min- nesota RiA'er, St. Paul having been taken out of his district. The Eev. Charles E. Kidder was made pastor of the Manlcato Circuit, which he served for six months. Wlien he left tlie charge, Mr. E. J. Sibley was appointed to serve the charge as pastor for the rest of the year. It required three A\'ec]\S to serve all the points on the circuit, which embraced Mankato, Glendale, Kasota, Washington, Fremont and Crystal Lalfe, as Sabbath appointments, and George- town as a week day appointment. At this time the Mankato class consisted of seventeen members and two probationers, Wm. A.' Wood being class leader; E. J. Sibley, local preacher ; Wm. A. Wood, exhorter; Daniel Campbell, I. X. Britton and George Goodsell, being stewards. In August 1857, the Eev. Esdras Smith was appointed pastor of the Mankato and Kasota IMission, John Kerns being his presid- ing elder, and the first quarterh- conference of tlie year, whicli was the second quarterly conference held at Mankato, being held Sep- tember 5th, 1857. This mission included, besides the above men- tioned places, South Bend, Washington Lake, and Cleveland. Under the pastorate of Mr. Smith, a successful scries of meetings were held, beginning January 1, 1858, in the Masonic ITall,()A'er a store, where Lamm & Shroeder now are. An old record mentions Brothers Gunn,. ]\Ii]nor and Kerns as having assisted in tiiese meet- ings, and the following persons joined the church as a result of them: Keilly Williams, Solomon Hartscll, Samuel, and Isabel Eobertson, Olive Eoe, John Quinline, Joseph, Elizabeth and Charity Younce.- The ordinance of baptism was administered by , Pastor Smith in the case of Daniel Jlilnor and Katherine Britton! The members of the first quarterly conference of the year 1857-8 were, besides the pastor and presiding elder, D. Campbell and I. X. Britton, stewards; Wm. Wood, exhorter and leader; Brother Fowler, leader; E. J. Sibley, local preacher; P. P. Milnor, local deacon. Thomas Steritt, and Brothers Xelson and Drury were also elected stewards. Mr. Smith was 'succeeded in the pastorate of the Mankato 34 Mankato — lis First Fifty Years church by T. S. Gumi, and ^he appears to have been succeeded in the spring of 1858 by B. Y. Coffin, who was teaching at the Win- nebago Indian Agency, at St. Clair, some ten or twelve miles away. In the fall of 1860, the Eev. John Kerns, became pastor of the Mankato church, and served as such for one year. Tradition says that he was a strong preacher of the old fashioned Methodist sort, taxing both lung and fist in the earnestness of his expostula- tions and entreaties, and backing up his pulpit work with fervent prayers and exhortations in the homes of the people. B. Y. Coffin, his predecessor, is also remembered as a very fervent and effective ]jrcacher, powerful in re\'ival work, and of a \'ery sweet and beaviti- ful spirit. Mr. Coffin was born at Paoli, Ind., in 1822, educated at Green Castle . University, and entered the ministry in 1848, serving several years in Indiana, and then removing on account of ill health to Minnesota. Edward Eggleston, of literary fame, was con\'erted under his ministry at Veva, Indiana. Mr. Coffin did much service in Minnesota in connection with the Indian agency and school, and at the outbreak of the Sioux Indians in 1862 served as a soldier, and participated in the battle of ISTew Ulm. Though preaching much, it was not until 1867 that he became a nieml)er of the Minnesota Conference. After superannuation, he lived at _ Camden place, Minneapolis, where he died in 1890. John W. Powell, alone of those early pastors, remains, a su])erannuated lueniber of the Minnesota Conference, imiversally beloved by his bretliren. It is doubtful whether the Minnesota Conferences c\'cr had a more genial and sunny nature than his. I'o good reasoning faculties, he added an imaginative and orator- ical temperament, rich humor and a sharp wit, sound practical judgment, and ranch tact in dealing with people, so that his career in the ministry has been a very useful and honorable one. In the autumn of 1861, John Kerns was succeeded l)y A. G.- Smith, for a single year, he being followed by L. A. Chubbuck for one year. Mi'. Chubbuck being followed by Thomas-Day, who served for two years. Mr. Day was an Englishman, who had been train- ed for business in the establishment of Samuel Budget, whom the famous Wm. Arthur eulogizes as "A Successful Merchant," in a Sunday School book which was very popular more than a gener- ation ago. Mr. Day Avas very systematic and careful in his at- tention to all details of parisli work, and it was in his time that the lot Avas secured upon which the Methodist Church now stands. AV'hile the old church records show a fairly good increase of Methodist Episcopal Church jj membership through eom'ersions and confessions of faith, the large number received by letter in the first ten j^ears of the church's organized existence indicates the large iiiunigration of ])i'oplc into this community. During these years the Methodists had no church edifice of their own. They worshipped a part of the time in the old log school house where the Union school now stands, a part of the time in the Masonic hall over a store, a part of the time in the City hall. They also used a hall called Concert hall, and for a time held re\'iYal meetings in a building on Main street between two saloons. . David Tice became pastor of the church in 1865, and in 1866 the foundations of the present edifice were laid, and during the two years of Mr. Tice's pastorate the basement was finished off for use. E. E. Lathrop followed David Tice for two years. He is remem- bered as a preacher of unusual ability, information and logical power. S. Gr. Gale became pastor in 1869. He negotiated a loan fro;n the Church Extension society, and completed the superstructure of the present edifice. The Central M. E. Church of Winona pre- sented the Mankato ]\I. E. Church with the pulpit, Bible and chandeliers which have been in use CAcr since. Mr. Gale is re- membered as a man of gentle spirit and ingratiating manners, Avho attended faithfulh- to pastoral work, and manifested a deep interest in the family life of his parish, and who was an acceptable preacher. The church was at this time in a prosperous condition, though carrying a considerable debt. After S. G. Gale, the Kev. J. I!. Creighton served tlic church for two years, and was followed by James Door, in a two years pastorate, who was followed by Thomas ilcClary. ilany people still remember Thomas Mc Clary and his work. No previous pas- tor seems to have commanded the attention of the community as did Thomas Mc Clary. Imaginative, poetical, dramatic, humor- ous and highly emotional, he filled the church to overfiowing, bringing such crowds that the aid of the police \\'as sometimes re- quired to preserve order. He delivered sermons and temperance lectures often to great crowds in the street. His pastorate was mark- ed by a great revival, resulting in many accessions to the church. But he did not succeed in relieving the church of its growing in- debtedness. J. H. Macomber followed Mr. ]\Ic( 'lary for a single jear, and j6 Manhato — Its First Fifty Years Charles W. Saviclge followed him in the fall of 1879. Mr. Savidge^ was an unmarried man, and needed but little salary, and it was be- lieved bj' his presiding elder, J. W. Martin, that he could raise the church debt. Mr. Savidge shared this confidence, and said he would pay off the debt if he had to saw wood to raise money. He surprised everybody by the success he had in securing contributions, and although the debt had grown from $4,000 to $6,000, he suc- ceeded in raising it, so that. for the first time since the church was began in 18GG, the church was out of debt. , The list of pastors since the time of Mr. Savidge is as follows: J. W. Martin, 1882-3 ; A. W. Edwards, 1883-4 ; J. C. Ogle, 1884-6 ; G. R. Hair, 188G-7; E. M.- Carter, 1887-8; F. M. Eiile, 1888-93; J. P. Stout, 1893-5 ; H. A. Cleveland, 189.5-7 ; C. E. Line a -por- tion of the year 1897-8; John Merritte Driver, 1898-01; and E. B. Cowgill, the present pastor, came to his appointment in October 1901. All but two of the pastors naimed in the preceding paragraph are living, so far as this writer knows, the two exceptions are: J. C. Ogle and G. R. Hair. These were faithful and efBcient men, of u.nblemished reputation. Mr. Ogle was a man of large frame and rather imposing appearance, having a good command of. himself and his words, a warm, and brotherly nature, whose sys- tematized and thoughtful sermons edified the people. Mr. Hair is remembered 1)}' liis brethren and parishioners as a scholarly and studious man, having decided literary instincts and a fine librarj'', gracious in bearing, genial in conversation, and efficient in his pul- pit ministrations. F. M. Rule has the distinction .of having en- joyed the longest pastorate in the histor}' of this church, having been very popular with his own people and the public generally, and is gratefully remembered liy a host of friends. J. F. Stout's pastorate was marked by a revival which held the attention of the people, and crowded the altar of the church every night for many weeks, leaving as a result of it a long list of members who are still faithful and useful. Mr. Cleveland is remembered as a man of exquisite literary taste and ability, a great scholar and brilliant preacher. J. M. Driver is a preacher wliose education, versatility, and oratorical genius have given him crowded houses in every clmrch lie lias ser\'ed, and have been fully recognized and frankly acknowledged in pN'ory conference in which he has had a member- sliip. The choir loft and pastor's study of the present church were RKCENT PASTORS OF CliiNTI-IN ARY M. E. CHl^RCM. Riiv. J, Mekkittk DRn'En, D.D. Rev, J, C. Ogle. Rev. II. .\. Cleveland. D.D. Rev. F. M. Rule Rev. J. FuANK Stout. Ri;v. Geo. R. Haik. Rev, Fuank B. Cowgills 38 Mankato—Its First Fifty Years ■ added in 1889 during the pastorate of P. M. Rule. The parson- age was built in 1886, during the pastorate of J. C. Ogle. Before concluding this , sketch, perhaps it should be added that the German Methodist Church in this city was organized in 1873, the Eev. C. J. Jahn being pastor. Their church building was erected in 1877. The Swedish M. E. Church in Mankato was organized September 5, 1886, by the Eev. J. D. Andrews. Their church building was completed in April, and dedicated April 20, 1902, by Bishop I. W. Joyce. THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH, By BECTOB OEOKGE H. DAVIS. The first Episcopal service ever held in Mankato was con(iuet- ed by the Et. Eev. Jackson Kemper, D. D., Missionary Bishop of the northwest, on the evening of May 18, 1855. The bishop had been making a visitation of the Minnesota Valley, accompanied by the Rev. Timothy Wilcoxson, missionary in the valley. Hold- ing services in the new towns along the river, they reached Man- kato, then the limit, or nearly so, of settlement, where the Bishop- preached and the Eev. Mr. Wilcoxson assisted in the service. The record of this service appears in the diaries of both Bishop Kemp- er and Mr. Wilcoxson. In 1855 the Eev. B. Steele Peake, tutor of the Biblical litera- ture at Nashotah house and rector of Zion church, Oconomowoc, Wis., accepted an appointment as missionary for the Minnesota Valley and took his residence at Shakopee where he arrived No- vember 3, 1855. Tuesday, January 15, 1856, Mr. Peake made his first journey up the Minnesota Eiver and after holding service at several points walked from St. Peter to Mankato, where he made an appoint- ment for service and spent the night, but without holding service. On Thursday, February 21, he held his first service at Mankato at seven o'clock in the ' evening. This service was held in the log school house erected in 1855 where the Union school house now stands. Ko further service was held in Mankato until Thursday. April 3rd, when Mr. Peake writes "Visited Jlankato in rain and The Efisco^al Church m nrad ; walked to Kasota and borrowed a horse and saddle from Dr. Humphrey. On the way was thrown over the horse's head but es- caped without injury." In October, 1856, the Eev. Ezra Jones became resident mis- sionary at St. Peter, and for a time was the only missionary in the valley of the Minnesota. In a report printed in August, 1858, is the following statement: "At Mankato, twelve miles distant, there is one church family and services have been several times held there." Mr. Jones closed his labors in the valley November 6, 1859, and no further services are known to have been held in ]Mankato until the following spring. In the Mankato Eecord of April 1, 1860, an announcement is made that the Rev. Mark L. Olds of Minneapolis, will hold services on the evening of Thurs- day and Friday, April 12th, and 13th. The bis^hop thinlcs of appointing this as a station with Mr. Olds as minister." ISTo ar- rangement of this kind, however, was made. On Ju.ne 27, 1860, Bishop Whipple made his first visit to Mankato and held service in the public hall. An arrangement was made at this time to tinite Mankato with St. Peter, the Eev. Mr. Livermore holding services twice a month. Sunday, December 16, the bishop again held service and preached to a large congrega- tion. A faithful woman had at this time gathered a few children into a Sunday school. Mr. Livermore continued to hold services from time to time. Sunday, May 5, 1861, Bishop Whipple held service and ad- ministered the Holy Communion in the public hall. In the even- ing of November 9th, the Bishop again held service in the public hall, baptized two children and one adult, and confirmed three per- sons. May 18, 1862, the Bishop again preached in Mankato and celebrated the Holy Communion. "This", he says, "is one of the most important villages in the Valley of the Minnesota and the church must have a missionary soon". The Eev. E. W. Blow came to Mankato in July of this year, leased a hall and had it fitted for church services. The Sioux outbreak soon occurred and the people fled from their homes, Mr. Blow with others. Immediately upon hearing of the outbreak Bishop Whipple hastened to St. Peter to assist in caring for the wounded and in ministering to their spiritual wants. Sunday, December 28th, he preached in Mankato, celebrated the Holy Com- munion, and also spent a part of the day in religious conversation with the Indian prisoners. On the 31st he again preached, and 40 • , Mankato — Us First Fifty Years the next day, January 1, 1863, ofEciated at a marriage. During the year following occasional services were held by the Bishop and the Messrs. Liveriiiorc, DuBois and SpoT. In A])ril the Rev. George C. Tanner of Faribault came to Mankato and took charge of the work. Being unable to secure a house in the Village he fixed his residence at South .Bend. His services were held in the old log, school house. Shortly after, an upper room in a building on Main^ ■ street ^^'as rented for services but being shortly after condemned as unsafe, the old store formerly occupied by John P. Meagher as a hardware store was secured. At this time the church had but three communicants in the village, but during the summer others came until in. August there were seven. Plans were formed for the erection of a church and the rear of lots six and seven, block ten, was secured at a cost of $250.00. This property was afterwards exchanged for the present site of tlie church building. Mr. Tan-:' ner returned to Faribault in September. In April 18(jfi, Rev. Al- pheus Spor took charge of the mission. July 9th, St. John's church was organized, the first wardens aiid vestrymen" being N. Finch, senior warden; Dr. J. C. Jones, junior warden, and 0. 0. -Pitcher, P. B. Sparrow, J. H. HoUenbeck, C. S. Dunscomb, A. T. I'jindholm and P. H. Waite, vestrymen. August loth, the corner ' stone of the church was laid and on Au'gust 18th of the next year, (1867) the church was occupied, though still in an unfinished state. Mr. Spor twice visited the Fjast for the purpose of raising money to enable him to complete the church and pay for'it. This : was at length accomplished; and December 7, 1869, the edifice was duly consecrated for divine ser-^'ice by Bishop Armitage of Wis-: consin. In August 1870, Mr. Spor closed his services in Mankato. During his four years' rectorship the seven communicants had in- creased to forty-five ; there had been ninety-one baptisms and |orty- six confirmations. The church had been erected at a cost of more than $8,000, three-fourths of which had been given from abroad. Since 1870 the successive rectorships of the parish have been ' as follows: viz, The Rev. George W., Dunbar, December 15, 1870, until November 1, 1871 ; The Rey. F. C. Ooolbaugh, from Novem- ber 12, 1871, until September 26, 1874; the Rev. .T. J. Yundt, from June 1, 1875, until Ostober 18, of the same year; the Rev. Wm. Riclnnond., from March 1, 1877, until August 15, 1881, Then came a vacancy of eleven months after which the Rev. J. E. Higgins was rector for one year. December 16, 1883, the Rev. T. C. Hudson took charge of the parish and remained until June 1, ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND RECTORS. Rev. Geo. C. Tanner, D.D. Rev, Alpheus Spor, Rkv. Geo W. Dunbar. Rf.v. Frank C. Coolbaugh. Rev. T. C. Hudson. Rev. Arthur B. Taylor. Rev. Geo. H. Davis. D.D 42 Mankato — Its First J^'ifty Years ]890. June 15, he was succeeded by the Eev. Arthur R. Taylor, wh® closed his rectorship January 1, 1895, and was succeeded in February of the same year by the present rector, the Rev. George H. Davis, D. D. During the incumbency of the Rev. Mr. Hudson the rectory was erected on the rear of the church lot. During that of Mr. Taylor the church was enlarged and improved by the ad- dition of a recess chancel. Other improvements have since been * made. What has been accomplished in the only true work of a Church, the building up of spiritual life and character, is known only to the Master. The Church now enrolls about a hundred and eighty-five communicants. THE BAPTIST CHURCH. By REV. F. E. K,. MILLER. The history of any organization or institution is necessarily the history of those persons who have shaped its policies and pro- moted its acti\'ities. When the institution is a Christian church its history will be somewhat similar to that contained in the book of, the "Acts of the Apostles" a composite picture of Christ working through pastors, deacons and evangelists to rescue souls from the dominion of Satan, bring them into the Kingdom of God, and cul- tivate in thein the traits of Godliness. August 31st, 1859, at 3 .-30 o'clock in the afternoon, an eccle- siastical council convened at Mankato for the purpose of organiz- ing the First Baptist church. Delegates were in attendance from St. Peter, Traverse, Judson, Mankato, and Minneapolis. Amory A. Gale, the general superintendent of state missions was present. Rev. J. LaGrange, of St. Peter, was chosen moderator, and H. B. Nelson, clerk of the council. Twelve persons presented them- selves as charter members of the church about to be organized, and after due examination of their credentials, they were approved. The names of the twelve are as follows:' J.' R. Ash, M. J. Ash, A. Hazelton, Martha Hazelton, Mary Ward, Eliza Ross, Jane Millard, Isaac Andrews, P. T. Wait, Louisa Wait, Mary Fowler. Appropriate services of thanksgiving and supplication of the church were conducted by the minis- ters present. Not until January 7th, 1860, did the nascent church call a pastor and then it secured the The Baptist Church ^j services, of Eev. J. E. Ash, a godly and faithful man, who. labored with the people until the Indian outbreak in the year of 1862. The first place of meeting for the public worship of God was in the Masonic hall, then a store building on Front street, then in a building known as the "Eecord" printing office, then in an old log school house at or near the' present location of the Union school building. This was in the day of intense religious rivalry, where- fore the little body of Baptists found neither welcome nor favor from the other denominations of the town, so that, "having been most uncharitably denied the use of the (blank) house of worship when rmoccupied by themselves" (as the records state) the church began to think of buying a lot upon which to build its own Bethel. What seemed, therefore, a most unlovely opposition proved to be a source of stimulation in church expansion. The spring of 1864 found another pastor in the person of Eev. J. G-. Craven,- upon the field. Under his ministration the church was greatly strengthened, the lot on Third street was pur- chased, and the foundation for a structure was laid. In this latter work the pastor bore a large share with his own hands. At a covenant meeting, held January 28th, 1865, it was voted to estab- lish a sabbath school, and M. M. Prindle was appointed to super- intend it. Brother M. C. Cummings' was the first clerk. His minutes are brief but accurate, and contain many sentences which throw light upon the necessities and deliverances of the brethren. "We here record our grateful aclmowledgments to the American Baptist Home Mission society for timely aid in the support of .our pastor. Brother Craven, without which our candle stick must have been removed." "iloved that Sister Ash be appointed to visit Sister L to request her to be present at church meeting on Sabbath morning next." "We spent an hour in talking of God's love and mercy since la,st we met, expressing a desire to see a re- vival of the Holy Ghost's work in our midst." P. T. Wait and M. L. Plumb are mentioned as the .first dea- cons, and the minutes give to the former a pre-eminent place in all the activities of the body. August 4th, 1867, Mr. Craven resigned the pastorate, and E. E. Cressy was called to fill the office seven months later. He was ordained on the same day that the new church building was ded- icated. May 3rd, 1868. A newspaper clipping of that date in- forms the reader that the church edifice was dedicated in the Rev. H. F. Waring. Rkv. ¥. M. Archer. Rev. J. W. Reese. BAPTIST CHURCH— SOlNfE OF ITS PASTORS. Rev. Wilson Whitney. Rev. S. D. Works. Rev. F. E. R. Miller. Rev, L. B. Teft, The Baptist Church' 4S morning. At that time Kev. Amory Gale read a brief outline of the history of the church. In this it was stated that since its or- ganization 64 persons had been connected with the church of whom 32 were still members. One-third of the 64 had been baptized into the fellowship; three had died. In behalf of the church Mr. Gale thanked the enterprising citizens of Mankato for their liberal aid toward the erection of the pleasant little ediiice. In the after- noon the Lord's Slipper was observed and Eev. M. Doesher, of Le Sueur, preached a sermon in the German language. A large audience assembled in the evening to witness the simple but ap- priate exercises attending the ordination of Mr. Cressy. During the next four years the church had three pastors, Mr. ■ Cressy, L. B. TefEt and E. F. Gra}. It licensed one of its mem- bers, Casper H. Christiansen, to preach ; received 56 members, dis- ciplined twenty, excluded fifteen, paid its bills as they fell due rais- ing about $500 a year for this purpose. The spiritual strength of the body is shown in its frequent resort to discipline. It would not suffer non-attendance upon the services of the Lord's house, un- brotherly conduct, oi- a denial of the fundamental truths of Chris- tianity. When the very prosperous pastorate of Rev. J. W. Rees, a graduate of Brown University and of Newton Theological Semi- nary, opened in jMay 1873, to continue almost four y^ars (a long time in a pioneer community) the population of Mankato was es- timated at 5,500. But the band of Baptists numbered only forty- seven communicants because of removals and the use of church dis- • cipline. These forty-seven were salt, however, a Gideon's band. They raised and paid $500 upon the pastor's salary, (he received $500 from the Home Mission Society,) gave liberally to benevo- lences, and prosecu.ted revival meetings with success. During this period Mr. W. C. Durkee, a prominent man in Mankato and Blue Earth County affairs, was in' turn clerk, Sun- day school superintendent, trustee and, pastor's right hand advisor. It was during this time also, that Mr. Geo. M. Palmer was re- ceived into membership and began his career of great usefulness with the office of usher Deacon Hiram P. Shaw and Brother D. A. Thayer are given frequent mention in the church records as office holders and workers of considerable worth. Of honorable women there were not a few. Mrs. M. A. Durkee, Mrs. E. D. La- throp, Mrs. Moses Gates, Mrs. H. P. Shaw. Two years after this pastorate began the church member-r y6 Mankato — Its First Fifty Years ship had increased tweijty-five per cent and the church was able to pay $700 of the $1,000 required for the pastor's salary. The third year it raised $100 more and gave largely to benevolences. But in 1877 Mr. Eees felt that he could no longer remain upon the field, that he had expended his strength in the efforts of four years and must go to another field. To the regret of the church he resigned January 14th of that year. In the month of June the church sought to draw him again into the work but without success. A prosperous pastorate, contrary to all the rules Imown in the experiences of churches, followed this one. Eev. Wilson Whitney came from Osage, la., to Mankato in October 1877, and remained four years. During this period additions to the membership oc- cured monthly, and aggressive work was done. The brethren who as- sumed the burdens of the cMirch in addition to some mentioned before are : John Goodwin, William Eees, Webster, Gibson and Bradshaw. In June 1879, W. C. Durkee resigned as clerk and G. M. Palmer was elected to fill out the imexpired term. He kept the books continuously from this time on until April, 1884, when Miss Hattie Piper was elected to the office. A few, statistics culled from a church letter addressed to the association June 24th, 1880, will demonstrate the condition of affairs : membership in 1879, 145 ; increase by baptism, 31 ; letter, 5 ; experience, 2 ; total 28 ; decrease by letter, 6; by exclusion, 14; present membership, 153. Contributions : current expenses, $905.00 ; missions, $100.30 ; other objects, $28.00; total, $1,033.30. The following January Mr, Whitney was called into state mission work and resigned the pas- torate. Within six years he returned at the earnest solicitation of the church. The second time his work was to heal breaches and differences caused by the stormy career of a man whose mis- sion as a minister, judged by his work here and elsewhere, was to disrupt churches. During his second pastorate the fine, new, brick structure was completed and dedicated. In all probability, no pastor has been more acceptable to the members of the church and more successful in pastoral supervision than Wilson Whitney. For a few months of this period Miss Nora Yates, later missionary to China, acted as city missionary. Between Mr. Whitney's first and second pastorates J. F. Merriam, F. M. Archer and E. L. Patterson filled the pastoral office. It was the last named who worked such havoc. It is pleasure to record that some time after he left Mankato Mr. Pat- terson returned, appeared in the Baptist pulpit, confessed his sins The Baptist Church ^y and begged a forgiveness which was readily and lovingly granted, and the transaction spread upon the' minute book with even more care than the events of the quarrel. In the year 1881 E. D. Lathrop and J. G. Fowler were elected trustees aiid D. C. Evans took the place of D. A. Thayer upon the board of deacons. During Mr. Archer's pastorate Mrs. M. A. Howe was elected clerk and kept the record until 1893 when her • son, Herbert I. Howe succeeded to the office. Eev. Israel Bergstrom, district missionary for the South- western Minnesota, making his headqviarters in Mankato, was unanimously called to the pastoral office in March 1891. It is stated by the books that his preaching drew large congregations, and that his ministry was fruitful in winning souls to Christ. During the three years he remained with the church the Kennedy Bridge branch was founded and a chapel erected, the title of which is held by the Minnesota Baptist State Convention. In the year 1892 the church property in town was valued at $17,000 with $4,000 debt. Contributions to current expenses $2,000. Thirty- seven members had been received and the total figure for the same was 184. During the last year of his pastorate Mr. Berg- strom seemed to be laboring under great personal distress. His conduct was erratic; his financial burdens great, so that when he resigned in Pebruary_1894, he asked to-have his name dropped from the church membership list. This action was taken. Two weeks later Mr. Bergstrom united with the Protestant Episcopal chijjch, but none of his former parishoners followed him. April 22nd of that year the church called Mr. H. P. Waring of Xovia Scotia to become its pastor at a salary of $1,200. He accepted, came and was ordained June 5th. He proved to be a strong pulpit speaker and drew good audiences. He left the field October 1st, 1896. He has here many warm friends who have watched with pleasure his large success at St. Johns, N, B. Mr. Waring found in Miss Ella Durkee of the Mankato church an ex- cellent wife whose lineage and experience both fit her for the service intc which she has entered. W. S. Howe was the clerk of the church during this pastorate. September 4th, 1897, Eev. S. D. Works of Huron, S. D., be- gan a pastorate continuing through three years. This was the crucial period in the life of the church. Hard times prevailed through oiit the country and money was hard to get. Yet $1,000 of the church debt was liquidated and about $1,600 per year spent 4^ Mankato — Us Pirsl Fifty Years in the current expense fund. The second year of Mr. Works pas- torate he founded the West Mtokato Sunday school and preached for the church, preaching there every Friday night for two years. In 1898 Evangelist Meigs came to Mr. Works' assistance and a series of revival services in West Mankato resulted in twenty- five or thirty conversions. The same year in October the Minne- sota Baptist State Convention was entei'tained in a most royal fashion. Mr. Works resigned March 1st, 1901, giving as the rea- son nervous breakdown and throat trouble. As a mark of the high esteem in which he is held Ijy the people, the church gave a farewell reception and presented him with Stoddard's Complete works. May 1st, 1901, Rev. F. E. R. Miller filled the pulpit, having accepted the call of the church to become its pastor. During the year past come thirty-five members have united with the churcli. $2,300 have been paid of the debt, and an assistant, Mr. E. F. Judson of Chicago, has been secured to help in the mission work. During a period of four years from 1897, C. L. Holmes, J. S. Holbrook, J. E. Muzzy and Effie M. ifead have held the clerk's office. A history of the Baptists of the city would be incomplete ' were it to omit mention of the Scandinavian Baptist church. 'J^his organization came into being the 30tli of November 1892. Twenty- six names were enrolled upon 'the list as representative of the charter membership. The officers of the first meeting were S. Sorenson, moderator; E. Strand, clerk; Blomquist, treasurer; G. Tanquist and J. Johnson, deacons. For ten years this body wor- shiped in the chapel of the First Baptist church. Progress has been slow because this location was not suited to aggressive work midst the Scandinavian population, which makes its habitation near the Widell stone quarries. Two student pastors, F. Holm and David Nylin, and three ordained men, Revs. C. E. Nylin, H. Blomgren and C. F. Lindberg have served the church during the period. To the last named is due the credit of starting a new era in the church life and work. When Mr. Lindberg came to Man- kato, October 2, 1901, he saw that the most needful thing was to build a house of worship in a location nearer to the homes of the Scandinavian jjeople. Earnestly agitating this business he took hold of the actual erection of the building with his own hands. Slowly but surely he saw the chapel go up and on March 16, 1902, he had the pleasure of inviting in his English speaking brethren German Lutheran Church 4g to the dedication. Seventy-nine persons ha\'e belonged to this organization in the ten years. Now that its goispel tent is pitclaed in a favorable place the church expects to be a more important factor in the CAangelization of the community. Since the first of the present year some ten persons have united with this body. The present board of deacons consists of G. Tanquist and John Giistaf- son. QERiVlAN LU I HEKAN CHURCH. By KEV. JOMAMES SCHULZE. To have the German Lutheran Church join with the city of Mankato in its Jubilee celebration, in a short sketch setting forth its -history, is certainly proper and in order, because the German Evangelical Lutheran Church is one of the pioneer churches of this city, for its history dates back to the early sixties. Already in 1860 a small number of German Lvitherans had erected their log cabin here and chosen this their home. From 18G0 to 1866, the Lutherans here formed what is termed a "mission place". They had no minister of their own, but traveling Lutheran missionaries \i sited them from time to time, supplying their spiritual wants. The first of the missionaries were the ministers Rennecke and Weiss. Though not as yet organized as a Lutheran congregation — in fact the congregation was not organized until September 1-i, 1867 — the few German Lutherans then living here contributed and bought a lot for a church on the corner of Washington and Third streets as early as 1^66, paying $500 for the same. The next year, 1867, they built upon this lot, a church and parsonage combined, for the sum of $2,000. This amount was paid at once, with the exception of $600. The dedication of this church took place October 27th of the same year. In August 1867 they received their first reg- ular minister, Rev. W. A'omhof. He remained as their pastor but a short time, till June 1868, his wife's failing health compelling him to accept another call. His successor was Rev. A. Kuhn, Sr., who also was president of the German Lutheran Synod of Min- nesota, for a number of years. Besides this congregation. Rev. Kuhn had several other Lutheran parishes in his charge, and so could not give all his time and labor to this one place. Thus handicapped, the congregation could not flourish and increase so so Mankaio — Its First Fifty Years well as if Rev. Kuhn had had only this congregation in charge. Still the congregation grew and became stronger. For fourteen years Rev. Kuhn was pastor of the German Lutheran church here. In 1883 he accepted a call to the Lutheran congregation at Han- over, Minnesota. After receiving a call for the second time, from the German Lutheran congregation here," Rev. K. F. Schulze of Courtland, Minnesota, the present pastor, accepted this call in October 1882, and was installed as pastor of this congregation January 15, 1883. The early eighties was a time of new life and activity for this city in general, and certainly a time of great ac- tivity for the German Lutheran congregation of Mankato. The present healthy condition of this congregation is certainly due to a very great extent to the tireless energy its present pastor, spent in its behalf. When Rev. Schulze entered upon his duties in his new parish, new and great interest took hold of the members, new life and vigor was manifest on all sides. The attendance at. public worship increased at such a rate that the little frame church soon became far too small to hold all the audience. A large number of them would stand in the church yard near the open windows, and there take part in the public worship. The same marked interest was also shown by the members in their parochial school, of which an account is given in another part of this book. Though much vigorous opposition was brought to bear, the congregation in 1883 finally concluded to build a new large church. This vigorous- opposition seemed at the time not so unreasonable. There was still a debt pressing the congregation. The members were with but few exceptions, poor, some very poor. The credit of the congregation was gone, in fact not worth a dollar. The prospects that the existing gloomy condition would change for the better, were not very bright. In the face of all this the con- gregation, nevertheless, began to carry out their purpose. With fear and trembling, and yet with hope and courage they began their great work on IvTovember 10, 1883. No sooner was this work begun than the opposition gradually became less vigorous, and the in- terest and enthusiasm and activity in the project, moie and more general. Of course there was still some discontented grumbling to be noticed, and time and again were remarks of this kind to be heard. "They will never be able to finish and carry out their plans.'' "Where are they to get the necessary funds to erect so large a building, being poor and having no credit?" But in spite of the numerous prophets, who proclaimed their doom as a fore- German Lutheran Chitrch 5/ gone conclusion, and as a fact self-evident, interest and activity of the members did not lag. The necessary funds were forthcoming, all members doing their utmost, and contributing to the best of their means. All the work the members could do themselves, they did and did it gratis. The country members brought forth material .aid, by cutting down trees and having them sawed into lumber — in fact the greater part of the lumber used in ' building is home- grown. In 1884 the building was finished, but it still remained to be furnished. This task the members accomplished, by having each head of the family buy a pew, while the young men bought the altar, the young ladies the pulpit, and the Sunday School scholars the Baptismal Pont. In October 1884, the new church was dedicated, and great joy and thankfulness abounded. Excur- sion trains came on that day from Minnesota Lake, Good Thunder, New Ulm, Courtland and Nicollet, bringing a great number of Lutherans from those places, who wanted to share the joy of the German Lutherans here. With the building of this church erect- ed on the corner of Second and Spring streets, and even at the present time, though built nearly twenty years ago, one of the largest and finest in the city, the activity and progress of the Ger- man Lutheran congregation, did by no means cease. Two years later in 1886, they built a fine large parsonage in the rear of the church, at a cost of over $1,400. Some time later they placed a new, large pipe organ in their church at a cost of nearly $1,000. They were also very active in their school. They are, at present considering the plan of establishing a third school, with a third teacher. Their church, their schools, their parsonage have all, in later years been furnished with the necessary modern improvements. The current expenses of the congi'egation amount to about $-3,000 per annum. All these funds are raised by voluntary contributions. I'hus has the German Lutheran congregation of Mankato grown from a smair weak child, to a strong healthy man, has flourished and prospered so that today it stands as a mark and pillar, strong, sound, healthy, in a flourishing condition as one of the largest and strongest and most influential congregations in the city, and its hopes and expectation are to continue to flourish and prosper, and its fervent prayer is: "May God establish the work of our hands upon us, yea, the work of our hands may he estab- lish." FIKST CHUKCH OF CUmST By BEV. H. D. WILLIAMS. In the earliest records we find the following : "The Disciples of Christ living in and near Mankato, Minnesota^ met together on the 23rd of February, A. D. 1868, in an upper room on the corner of Front and Cherry streets. We, being few in number, and there being no evangelist near us, all we could do was to continue steadfastly in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship and of breaking of bread and in prayers," And this we did. On the 3rd of May, following, by mutual consent, we formed- ourselves into an organized church. The following are the names of those who composed the church as first organized to-wit: James B. Elliot, Elizabeth Elliot, Clementine Elliot, E. W. Dickinson, Anna Dickinson, Elizabeth Chenowith, Maria m Radford, Robert Sharpc, Jessie Sliarpe, Joseph Powers, Cecilly Powers, Levi Scott, Mahala Scott, Clementine Levari, Amanda Plolmes, Anna Brown, Sarah Davis. For elder E. AY. Dickinson was chosen." Of these charter members Mrs. Clementine Rogers and Mrs. L. ISr. Holmes and ]\Irs. Elizabeth Chenowith are still li\-ing. On the 13th day of June, 18'70, Austin B. Council commenced his duties as first pastor of the congregation. Pie was a young man full of noble purpose put into action, whose memory is still held dear in the hearts of those, m-Iio knew him. ' After staying with the church one year, failing health caused him to resign. After the death of Mr. Council, Robert Sharpe was especially acti^■e in carrying on the work of the church. The membership continued to increase imtil in 1872 it nuniljored 85. At this time the first church building was erected on the corner of Second and Grove streets. H. S. Goff, H. E. Garrett, J. M. Paddis, L. K. Holmes and C. H. Austin constituted the official board of the church. On January 1, 1874, E. T. C. Bennett became the second pastor of the congregation. He labored with the church one year. Edwin Rogers, the third pastor, took up the work Novenmber 17, 1875. After two year's work he resigned this position, and was at once elected an elder. In this new capacity, he still de- voted much time to preaching- for this .and neighboring congre- gations, until 1886. Elder Rogers died in 1898. His was a life First Conprepational Church 'S3 that by its "thorough goodness impressed many. At his death many were heard to say in all the fullness of the words, "He was a good man." E. W. Stevenson, the fourth jjastor, came to Mankato in the spring of 1886. He was with the church three years. , W. A¥. Sniff began his first pastorate at Mankato in 1890. He then gave promise of superior pulpit ability, and has since 'become one of the leading preachers in the brotherhood. David Husband was then pastor of the congregation for a year and a half. He then entered the evangelistic field. During the ministry of E. S. Sergisson, who came July 1, 1894, plans -w^ere perfected for the erection of the present church building, which was dedicated in the year 1895. Frank H. Marshall took charge of the church July 9, 1895, and continued its pastor until the summer of 1897. He then went to Japan as a missionary. . H. D. Williams, the present pastor first came to the cluirch June 10, 1897, but left in the fall of 1899 to assist in Bible Chair work at the University of Michigan. Between this time and his return in July of 1900, Sherman Hill, H. Jas. Crockett, and W. H. Willyard successi\'el3' acted as pastors of. the congregation. FIRST CONGKEGATIONAL CHUBCH. By REV. E. L. HEEKMANCE. In 1870, Prof. Geo. Isi. Gage, then at the head of the Man- kato State Xormal School, together with A. P. Tukey, L. . Z. Torre)', Harvey Meacham and others commenced to agitate the question of organizing a Congregational church in JIankato. A meeting was held on March 3rd, of that year at the old Eed Jacket hall, and a committee, consisting of Prof. Gage, L. Z. Tor- rev and Harvey Meacham, was appointed to ascertain the wishes of people of the Congregational persuasion residing here. On July 8th, a second meeting was held, at the call of the committee, and at this time a constitution and covenant were adopted and pro- visional officers elected. L. Z. Torrey and H. ]\Ieac]"iam were elected Deacons, L. A. ileacham, clerk, and A. P. Tukey, treasurer. A council to complete the organization of the church \\'as called to meet at Shoemaker's hail August 28th. The following 5^ Mankato — Its First Fifty Vearsf churches were represented: Plymouth, Minneapolis; Plymouth/ St. Paul; and the Congregational churches of St. Anthony, Pari- bault, Austin, Owatonna, Winnebago City, Hebron and Vernon. Eev. Eichard Hall, state superintendent for the Home Missionary Society, preached the sei-mon. Pifteen persons were enrolled as members of the new church, as follows: Harvey Meacham, Geo. S. Meacham, Mrs. Margaret Meacham, L. Z. Torrey, Mrs. Harriet F. Torrey, Geo. M. Gage, Mrs. Elizabeth Gage, J. A. Kennedy, Mrs. Caroline Kennedy, Mrs. Caroline C. Brown, Susie M. Dyer (now Mrs. L. G. M. Fletcher), A. P. Tukey, Miss Arabella Olds, Miss Jennie Hayden. The Home Missionar}' Society had commissioned Eev. C. PI. Merrill (now State Superintendent of Vermont) to preach one year, and promised $800 for his support. The new church pledged itself to add $200 to that amount. October 22nd, 1870, the ques- tion of forming a society in connection with the church was favor- , ably acted upon, and on the following week officers were elected. About this time Plymouth Church of Minneapolis extended help to the new organization by a generous gift of h;^mn books. On November 8th, 1870, a council was called for the purpose of ordaining Mr. Merrill to the ministry, and on this occasion the following churches were represented : Plymouth, Minneapolis ; and the Congregational churches of Winnebago City, Owatonna, Eochester, Austin and Waseca. The lirst permanent church offic- ers were chosen December 1st, 1870, as follows : Harvey Meacham and L. Z. Torrey, Deacons; L. A. Meacham, Clerk; and John H. Walker, Treasurer. The membership at this date was twenty- seven. During the summer of 1871, the present church building was erected,' costing $2,400. Of this amount, $500 was given by the Congregational IJnion, and $700 was raised by the church. The balance, with the added cost of the building site, was a heavy bur- den of debt, which oppressed the church for years. The church building was formally dedicated November 1st, 1871. Presidejit James W. Strong of Carleton college preached the serr^on, and the prayer of dedication was ofEered by Eev. Mr. Williams of Fari- bault. Eev. C. H. Merrill having refused to remain another year, a call was extended to Eev. L. W. Chaney, on September 3rd, 1872. At the close of his iirst year's laboj- here, he was installed as reg- ular pastor November 18th, 1873. The membership at that date CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND PASTORS. Rkv. E. L. Hkkrmanck. Rkv. T. Mkrrill Edmands. Rev. 1. L. Cory. Rev. H. A. Bushnell. Rev. C. H. Merrill. Rev. F M. Washburn. .Rev. L, W. Chaney. £6 Alankato — Its First Fifty Years was se\'enty-thri'L'. The years following were marked by a pros- perous and healthy growth of both church and society. Eevival meetings diiring the winter of 1874-5 resulted in larg(; additions to the church, twenty-eight persons rmiting on one occasion. Mr. Chaney's pastorate continued nearly nine years,, the longest in the history of the church. His ministry was marked Ijy earnest, faith- ful labor for the cause. In March 1881, he resigned, in order to benefit his son^s health, if possible, by a change of location. All ' the churches of the Ma,nkato conference, excejDt that of Sterling, met in council on April 19th, approved this action, and voted resolutions of respect and good wishes for Mr. Chaney. During the last year of his stay the standing debt of the church, amount- ing to o-\-er $1,700 was paid. For the accomplishment of this jnuch desired end the society was largely indebted to the tact and de- termined energy of Mrs. L. L. Davis, then Miss Ingram. Kev. J. A. Freeman of Bradbroolc, Conn., followed Mr. Chaney and preached for the year ending June 4th, 1883. On June 15th, the church invited Eev. Albert Warren of New Haven, Conn., to fill the pulpit, with a view to becoming pastor of the church, but the following' March his resignation was tendered and accepted. On November 1st, .1883, Eev. H. A. Bushnell commenced his labors with the church. He was ordained as pastor July 15th, 1884. He was a young man just entering the ministry. He had an intense devotion to the Master's cause, and the church prospered under his ministry. The congregations and the membership in- creased, and the church engaged in active mission work in North Mankato and West Mankato. Mr. Bushnell was led to do more than his delicate physical organization would permit, and on Sep- tember 16th, 1888, he resigned his pastorate because of ill-health. Under his leadership the church became for the first time self- supporting, having been aided up to 1886 by tlie American Home Missionary Societ)'. In October, Eev. A. Berle, of New Eichmond, Wis., was called to the vacant pulpit, but declined. On February 10th, 1889 Eev. I. L. Cory began his labors, being recognized by a council callecl to meet September 10th, 1889. During his pastorate the church felt the loss of some of its most active workers and supporters by removal to other localities. A Manual and Directory of our Church and Society was published in 1890. After ;\Ir. C'or\'"s de- parture in April, 1892, the church was without a pastor until October 16th, when Eev. J. W. Marshall came to its pulpit fresh SzuedisJi Lutheran Immanuel Church S7 from the sem'inaiT. He was ordained December Tth, 1893, and remained xmtil June 1st, 1894:. He was followed Ijv Eev. P. M. Washburn, with a pastorate lasting imtil October 11th, 1896. Mr. Washburn's successor, Eo\-. T. Merrill Edmands, came to Manlcato, March 7th, 1897, from a successful pastorate at Brain- erd, Minn., and remained five years. The term of his service here- was marked Ijv a steady growth. Another church edifice was talked of, but it was decided to repair and renovate the old. The church was in excellent condition when Mr. Edmands resigned,, and, in March, 1902, left Mankato to commence work in a larger field, at Wahpeton, N. D. After his departure, the . pulpit was supplied by preachers from the Twin cities, until the arrival of the present pastor, Ee^'. E. L. Heermance of New Haven, Conn. Mr. Heer- mance commenced work on June 8th, 1902, and was ordained and installed by a council of churches which met on June 20th. The Swedish or Second Congregational church was organized in 1889. Eev. G. A. Burg was the first pastor and served the church for a number of )-ears, while a student in Chicago Seminary and afterward. He was followed in the pastorate by Eev. Ernest Y. Bjorklund. The church worshipped in the old Swedish Luth- eran building in West Mankato until 1895, when the present church building was erected, on Belgrade Ave., in North Mankato. Aid was received from .the Congregational Church Building Society, and from the Home Missionary Society until 1902, when the field was yoked' with Kasota. The present pastor is Eev. Aaron Ander- son, a graduate of the Swedish department of Chicago Seminary, who came to Mankato from Winona. The present membership is about seventy. Swedish Lutheran Immanuel Church. By HON. A. O. EBERHART. The history of the Swedish Lutheran Church of Mankato dates back to the year 1871. In that year Ee\-. Carlson from Carver, jMinn., made occasional visits to Mankato with the hope of arousing a desire for religious work. Being an energetic toiler in the spiritual field his efforts were soon crowned with success. Meetings were held in private houses, Higgins' hall and the County Jail. The first communion service was held in the Jail. A jS Mankato — Its First fi/'ly Yccns few of those who partook thereof still recall this eventful period in their church history and talk about it with enthusiasm. So they ought, for it is not often that people, who assemble in i County jail, develoiJ into a harmonious congregation of 6o(.) peace- ful church members and law-abiding citizens. During the years 1872 and 1873, Rev. Sandell from St. Peter came now and then to encourage the new organization in ilankato and to kindle among its menilxTs the hope of a resident pastor. These helpful meetings wei'c held in Shoemaker's liall located near the present site of Ben T. Monson's grocery store. In 1874 the church was reorganized as the Swedish Lutheran Evangelical Church of Mankato. The first organization was not in harmony with either church or state laws. At this meeting Chas. F. Halhnan, Louis Anderson, and T. A. Fait were elected as trustees. John Freeman, J. T. Hultengren and John F. Johnson, as deacons. Clias. F. Hallman was elected as secretary, a position which he filled with credit for elcxen years afterwards. During the three past years the desire for a house of worship had been steadily growing, until, in 1874, it materialized in the West Mankato church, now used by the West ilankato branch of the First Baptist Church of Mankato. Their long nourished hope of securing a resident pastor was also realized in the spring of 1874, when Eev. J. G. Lagerstrom from St. I'etor responded to their call and assumed charge of church affairs. Under his leader- ship the church made steady progress, and in 188"2, six years there- after, paid the last dollar on the mortgage, thereby releasing a church property valued at $2,000.00. At present $2,000.00 would not be considered a heavy load, but in the early pioneer days such a sum kept the man in charge of financial affairs thinking and worrying. In 187S after four )-ears of successful labor I'ev. Lagerstrom resigned. A year passed by before another pastor was called. In the meantime services were held every other Sunday Ijy students from C. A. College, St. Peter. Prominent among these were J. P. Xyquist and J. E. Plcdburg. The first choir was organized in 1875 with John Smedburg as loader, who two years later was fol- lowed liy A. W. Johnson, ^fr. .Tohnson was in turn succcefled by A. 0. Eljerhardt, and the latter liy Wm. Johnson, tlic jn-oscnt hold- er of that position. In 1880 this church joined with the Tjuthoran ehiirch of Bel- grade in calling licv. A. Anderson, who accepted the position ten- Scvedish Lutheran Immanuel Church Jg dered him at a salary of $500.00 a year, and for seven succeeding years faithfully and conscientiously discharged his pastoral duties. In 1884 an organ was added to the church property, and Miss Emma Peterson, now Mrs. Charley Peterson was induced to become organ- ist at a salary of two collections; one on New Years eve, the other on Pentecost day. The names of those who have faithfully served the church in the same capacity are in order as follows : Miss Edith Gunstrom, now Mrs. Andrew Linder, A. 0. Eberhart, and Wm. Johnson, who is the present organist. As many members of the church lived in what is now the first ward an agitation arose to remove the church to a more cen- tral location. There was also some difference of opinion on the enforcement of the constitutional clause excluding members of fraternal organizations from church membership. The agitation grew and in the latter part of 1886 resulted in a division. On the 10th of January 1887, the seceding majority organized as the Swedish Lutheran Immanuel Church of Mankato under the temporary leadership of Eev. S. Anderson from Waseca. This new organization, comprising 25 members, at this meeting elected the following officers: — Soren Johnson, Carl Peterson and John Dahlen as trustees; John G. Maghuson, Martin Nelson and John Paulson as deacons. Eev. 0. J. Siljestrom succeeded Eev. Ander- son as temporary pastor. A parochial school which was started under the old organiza- tion in 1877 was continued under the new with C. 0. Cassel, a student of G. A. College, as teacher during July and August of 1888. Mr. Cassel also filled the pulpit every Sunday in addition to his teaching work. The people met in Williams hall for relig- ious services prior to the erection of the present church on Main street. C. 0. Swenson, another student from the sanie college, succeeded Mr. Cassel and preached alternately here and. in Bel- grade during the four last months of 1888. Eev. C. B. L. Boman was called in December 1888, but de-' clined. So did also Eev. C. J. Collin, called in February, 1839. Prof. J. S. Carlson of St. Peter College, now of the State Uni- versity agreed to take charge of the congregation until a resident pastor could be secured. This long cherished desire was attained when Eev. Frahzen from Worthington was called in 1889. He was tireless in his zeal, and by virtue thereof the present church was erected in 1892 at a cost of $16,000. Eev. Franzen resigned in 1894 and at the end of that year was succeeded by Eev. A. E. bo MankaLo ■ lis First Fifty Years Erickson. lio is the present pastor of the church. The church lias 250 communicants, . 650 members, a Sunday school of 150 children with John Eud as superintendent, and G7 pupils enrolled in the Parochial school. A very rare and highly appreciated gift consisting of a $1,000 pipe organ was received the 22nd of June, 1902, from Gen.Gustaf Widell and family. J. S. Eolf, J. A. Nordgren and Chas. Esberg are serving as trustees; Ole Monson, A. M. Wiemar, and J. Lans as deacons; A. W. Johnson, as secretary, and John G. Magnuson, as treasurer. M^elsh Calvanistic Methodist Church. By REV. WILLIAM E. EVANS. We are and have been/known as Calvinistic Methodists, and the appellation is historically and doctrinally correct — on our theo- logical side we are believers in and upholders of Calvinism. Of late years, for the sake of ecclesiastical classification, we occasion- ally style ourselves Presbyterians, and the term is etymologically right, ecclesiastically proper and Scriptiirally true. Like the churches of Scotland, in theology we are Calvinists, in church government Presbyterians. The Welsh Calvinistic Methodist church was first organized in Mankato, December 1865. There is no certainty when or by whom the first Welsh sermon was preached in this city. The Eev. John W. Eoberts of Lake Crystal was one of the pioneer Welsh preachers in this district. He used to come here to j)roach from Ottawa, Le Sueur County, before the Indian insurrection. There were a few Welsh people here then — John D. Jones, Robert Jones, Hugh Jones and their families and possibly otliers. They assem- bled at first in the old log school house. The first Sunday school was held April 30, 1865, at the house of John D. Jones. There were present John D. Jones and his family, Hugh Hughes, Thomas Jenkins, Ellis E. Ellis and his wife, ilaggie Jones, (Eome), Wil- liam Francis and his wife, Wm. S. Hughes, John E. Williams, John J. Edwards. liere they decided to keep it re'gularly. John 1). Jones acted as superintendent, and Hugh Hughes as teacher. In June of the same year a petition was sent'to the synod, held at Horeb, to organize a church here, and in Dccemljer, by the aid JFels/i Cah'anistic Methodist Church bi of the deacons at Zion and South Bend this was carried out. At this time the Eevs. R. W. Jones, William Eoberts, Joseph Eees and Jenkin Jenkins preached to them with some regularity. In 1866 they bought a lot on Hickory street, and in 1867 the first Welsh church was erected on it. It was small, only 25x30 feet, but at that time, it was quite an undertaking for the few members. Plowever, by the kind aid of the Wisconsin Synod they were able to pay for it. The first officer elected by the church was John I. Davies, who had previously acted as deacon at Cambria, Wisconsin. In 1866 several Welsh families moved here and joined them, viz: Ed. Owens, John R. Thomas and his family, Evan Williams and* others. From 1866-1868, Wm. Jones,- (Oshkosh), William W.' Jones, Isaac Cheshire, Evan Parry and their families came here to live and they rendered valuable assistance. In 1869 Richard Hughes and the Rev. D. M. Jones came here from Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Jones preached here for a year. In 1872 the Rev. Richard F. Jones, a unique man and an able preacher, took charge of the churches, Manlcatci, Zion and Carmel. His ministry lasted for eight years. In 1877 the church elected four deacons, viz : Hugh Jones, Owen Jones, John D. Evans, James Griffiths. February 1884, the Rev. John C. Jones, (now of Chicago), accepted their call and the union lasted for ten years. When he was about to enter on his work the church burned down. This was a great loss, with no insurance on it. But fortunately the few members were men and women of courage and faith, and in the same 3'ear a new church was erected on State street, the site of the present church. This cost them $2,500.00. They were all heart and soul in the work, so they managed to clear the debt and the Lord paid them bountifully for their labor of love. At this time Jabez Lloyd, (who was a deacon at Jerusalem, Judson) and family moved here. In 1868, 0. E. "Richards, Hugli D., and Richard Hughes were elected deacons. Later Thomas Hughes and Edward Evans, who were deacons at Zion, and R. T. Roberts, who was deacon at ^Bangor, Wis., moved here. De- cember 1894, the church here extended me a call and I undertook the charge of ?iIankato and Zion in January 1895. In 1896 wo felt that the church was too small for the congre- gation, so JMarch 17th, it was decided to build a new church. Peter Lloyd, D. J. Jones, Frederick Eoberts, Thos. 0. Jones, Griffith b2 Manhato — Its First Fifty Years Williams^ Hugh D. Hughes, Richard F. Jones and the pastor were- appointed as a building committee. In the su.mmer of the same year our present church building was erected at a cost of $7,000.00, which was paid by subscriptions, on the day of -dedication in October 1896. The church is now, for two years, free of debt. Some of the deacons mentioned deserve great credit for their de- votedness. They shall not lose their reward. Robert Owens, James Griffiths, Hugh D. liughes, Isaac N. Griffiths have acted as conductors of the singing, and Ella Jones, Hannah Jones and Jennie Hughes as organists. Our present organists being Mrs. R. P. Jones, Hannah Jones and Rachel Jones. Three have been raised to the ministry in this church, viz: Revs. Ed. Thomas of Tracy, John 0. Parry, of Cambria^ Wis., and Thos.P. Thomas of Manliato. My connection with this church for nearly eight years has been most happy. We have lost many of our most faithful mem- bers during these years, but, owing to the fact that some families have moved in from the country we have been able to keep up our membership and to increase. The church now numbers about 150 communicants; 30 children, 300 congregation. Our services are conducted entirely in the Welsh language and owing to this fact it is with difficulty we are able to keep some of our young peo- ple. We have a Christian Endeavor Society for' their benefit with a membership of 35 or 40. However, we hope to keep on; and if, after years, we shall be swallowed up in the American churches,, we hope at last to appear before the great Master to receive His greeting, "Well done !" for the aid that we have given some pil- grims, far from their native land, to reach the heavenly shore ; and it is our desire to praise His name for the Joy that we experience here while journeying through. SCHOOLS OF MANKATO. THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. By HON. L. G. M. FLETCHER. It is at times both pleasant and profitable to take a retrospect of the organizing and building up of any enterprise. It is pleas- ant for those who in the past have taken an active part and \vd\e borne the burden of organization. It is profitable for those who are to assume the responsibilities of carrying forward the work, to know what has been donean the past. I regret more than I can express that I have been unable to obtain more definite information regarding tl»e organization of our schools and the names of those who figured in their early history, but the book containing the records up to 1868 dis- appeared in that year (the year following the building of the Union School) and it has never been found. Excuse me for giving the history of that lost record book. A school meeting had been called for February 18th, 18()0. A few days prior to that date I was seated in Parry Bros. Bank office. In the office at the tiiue wore Dunscomb, Gillen and Wyckoff, three men whose names are familiar to all old settlers. One of them remarked to the others. "Let us go to the school meeting and help to vote a large school tax : it will he popular". I remark- ed: "Don't do things in that way and with that motive. Find out first how much is needed." I left the office with the determination to know the exact condition of the district. In order to do so I had to go to those who had acted as clerks of the Board of Trustees up to that tiiue. I then know who had so acted and now remonil]or the names of four: Geo. A. Clark, Ooo. W. Cnmmiugs, AVilliiun Coon and Alf ;\rinor. Each had kept tlio record in his own private book and when his term expired, the l)ook remained in liis possession. I got all these books together, bought a large book and recorded (^4 Manhalo — Its First Fifty Years in it, in order, the records of the school district up to that time — that is to February, 1860. I gave that book to the school dis- trict and in it were kept the records up to the year 1868, in which year, as I have before stated, it disappeared and I have never been able to find it. I make this full statement as an excuse for not being able to furnish more in detail the early history of our schools. The statements I make regarding that early history must be drawn from the memory of those left here, who were living here in that early time and who took an interest in the schools. It is much like . drawing water from, a dry well. Some are yet living in the Pacific States, but the great Eeaper has done his work well, only a \er\ few are left. The first school in Mankato was taught l)y Miss Sarah Jane Hanna, now Mrs. John Q. A. Marsh, during six. months in the summer of 1853. The enrollment of scholars was .about twenty- three. She was paid by subscription. The school was taught in a rough board warehouse at the end of Walnut street, on the south side of where the City Hall now stands. The next school was taught in 1854 and 1855 by Miss Mary Ann Thomson, afterwards Mrs. Aaron N. Dukes. The number of scholars enrolled was about thirty. This school was kept in the south room of a building on lot 1, block G, opposite where the Citizens Bank is now. Miss Thomson was also paid by subscription.. It was neces- sary to do this for the first assessment was not made until 1854, and, in order that you may realize how small an income would have been derived from any school tax imposed at that time, I will read that assessment list. This roll contains all the taxable prop- erty, real and personal in District No. 3, for the year 1854 : I. S. Lyon $650.00 D. C. Evans 300.00 Owen Herbert 40.00 Geo. D. Orton 310.00 Thomas Lamoreau 340.00 Chas. Miner 20.00 Hannah Howd 125.00 John Randolph 30.00 Augustus Tidland 15.00 Gusta'\'us Johnson 4(.)0.00 ' Noah Armstrong 250.00 Lucinda Garwood 50.00 The Public Schools (>j Andrew Myrick 500.00 Elijah K. Bangs 13.00 A Mr. May 40.00 Orliff Nelson 10.00 Orliii J. AVestover 10.00 B. Moreland 45.00 W. Comings 30.00 Lyman Mathews . 200.00 Total $2,&83.00 I do not know how much territor}' District No. 3 inckided, but so far as property was concerned, it might have been extended from Eochester on the east to the Iowa bou.ndary on the south and westward to the boundary of the state, or even to the Pacific coast. In the summer and fall of 1855 was built by subscription the first school house. I would like much that subscription list to read to you. I remember that A. D. Seward was very active in the work. Bxit the one who contributed the most liberally to that enterprise was John S. Hinckley, still a resident of our city. He gave the site, property now valued at four thousand dollars, being lots 3 and 4, Block 38, where the Union School house now stands. I wish to emphasize this fact that the hearts of the cominunity may go out more tenderly towards the old gentleman in the closing years of his life. It was during the }'ear 1855 that the School District was first organized by the election of three trustees, two of whom were James Thomson and Theron Parsons. I think the third was A. D. Seward. In December 1855, the first examination of applicants for the school was held. There were three applicants, John Walingford, E. B. D. Porter and L. G. M. Fletcher. They met for the purpose at Mr. Parsons' house, a log house situated on Lot 9, Block 3, Parsons Addition, being in the same block and west of where the Franklin school is now. The examination was conducted by the three trustees. They examined us separately. When we got through, they told me they had seventy dollars for the winter school and that they would i^ay me at the rate of thirty-fi^'e dollars per month until that was used up. I taught the school for the two months and continued it nearly one month more for nothing. The enrollment was thivty- se\'en and they averaged more tlian ordinarily bright. 66 Mankalo — Its First Fifty Years The first seliool building in all this part of the state was that old log school house and that winter's term was, without doubt, the first school taught in all this region in a building erect- ed for school purposes and paid for by public tax. THE OLD LOG SCHOOL HOUSE. The next school was taught by A. D. Seward, for three months in the winter of 1856 and 1857. The enrollment was between fifty and sixty. The next school was taught in the winter of 1857 and 1858 by L. G. M. Fletcher at fifty dollars per month. The number of scholars registered ninety-se\en ^^•ith books of all kinds used in schools from ilaine to Louisiana, and no book store, and classes ranging from a Primary class in the A. B. C. to a class in Civil Engineering. When the term ^\-as through there was no money to pay the teacher as all the school money had been taken by the County Com- missioners to pay for the building of the old Register of Deeds building. I waited until the September following. Then one of the County Commissioners said he could get the money to pay me of J. K. Tourtellottc if I would sign the note, which I did. Said commissioner paid the note and lost seventeen dollars before he got his i)ay from the County. This I made up to him afterwards. The PuHlic Schools . by I mention these things to show how closely all matters had to. be managed in those early times, especially up to 1861. In 1858 and '9 Alf Miner taught the school with an assistant, our teaching force having been increased by one. From this time up to 1867, our school kept on increasing, extra rooms being hired wherever they could be obtained for that purpose. By that time we felt the need of better accommodations for school purposes. After several exciting meetings held in .the old log school house, it was voted to negotiate bonds for $15,000 to build the Union School. The old log building was torn down to ■ make room for the new, and in the fall of 1867 a corps of seven teachers started work in the new school house. In 1871, four years later, the Pleasant Grove, an eight room building was erected and that, too, started'out with seven teachers. In 1874, more room being needed, we added the Franlclin and in the fall three rooms were opened in that building. The West Mankato school erected in 1885, the High Scho-l in 1891 and the East Mankato in 1895 complete the present number of our school buildings. Our High School was started in the year 1867, when' the Union School was built, but the school was not strong enough and the scholars dropped out, Xone were graduated until 1876, when a class of nine received diplomas. Twenty-seven classes have gone forth from the Manlcato High School and our records bear the names of three hundred and thirty-four graduates. I Avould like to call the names of that noble army of men and women who have been instructors in our schools during the past, but time and space will not permit. There is much more that I might tell but to go too much into detail would prove tiresome and statistics would but weary you. I would only suggest the contrast between that little school of twenty-three taught in the early fifties in the rough board ware- house and our schools as they are today. Our enrollment now is seventeen hundred ; our corps of teach- ers numbers forty-one. The current expenses of our schools from the beginning have amounted to over a million dollars. W^ have now a permanent property valued at one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. It has been no small burden to our people to acc'omf)lish all this. To their credit, I wish to state, that during my long ser- vice on the Board, at no time have I heard any great complaint 64" Afankato—Its First Fifty Years concerning the school tax, the cause of education receiving at all times the loj'al support of the patrons of o\ir schools. To the spec- ial credit of that class of our people who support schools of their own, I would say that I have never heard one of them complain of the school tax. One of that class who has for many years been a heavy tax payer and is today the heaviest tax payer of our city spoke words that should find an echo in every heart when he said to me : "I never feel like complaining of the school tax if I think it is wisely and carefully expended for I want good schools wherever I live." In closing I wish to pay a passing tribute to some who in the past have worked faithfully to promote the welfare of our schools. There is one office, the importance of which is too often over- looked, the office of Secretary of the Board. As a general thing our Board has been fortunate in its secretaries, but I wish to make special mention of one, no longer numbered among the living, who served continually for fourteen years, George H. Brewster. A I'lore careful, painstaking man I have never seen. He was worthy to have any trust placed in him, and will be long and kindly re- membered by those, who were members of the Board during the time that he served. The interest connected with our Public Schools is not a small one for it has to do with the welfare of the young, and through that everchanging band exerts an unseen influence through future years and around the globe. The responsibility of doing that army of young people the greatest amount of good with the means supplied is a responsibility of no mean order. That you may know the interest of our schools has been in good hands, it is proper for me to mention here the names of men who have served on our School Board and whose life work is now ended: James Thomson, Theron Parsons, Frank Bunker, George Maxfield, John Shaubut, James Shoemaker, John William Hoerr, John C. Wise, John A. Willard, T. R. Coulson, Judge James Brown, J. A. Wiswell, E. B. D. Porter, Henry Hartman, William Bierbauer, 0. 0. Pitcher, Q. Leonard, C. Eoos, J. Flachseuhar. I have served on the Board with nearly all the men named above. It was pleasant to serve with them for in the main vou were made to feel that they did what in their best judgment was for the greatest good of the schools, having due regard for the means under tlieir control, without jjutting too heavy a burden on tlic tax payers of our city. Tliey are entitled to your Icindly re- membrance'. STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. By PKES. C. n. COOPER. In 1858 a law was passed providing for a State normal school, and under that law the school at Winona was established soon after. In 1866 onr distinguished fellow-townsman, Judge Daniel Buck, was a member of the legislature, and a member of the com- mittee on the revision of the statutes. Coming in the course of the work to the section on normal schools, it occurred to him that it would be a good thing to have such a school at Mankato, and he moved to insert Mankato as the place for the second Normal school. It was carried in the committee, but a hard struggle en- sued in the House, the measure being defeated two or three times by the friends of the Winona school, who wanted only one in the state. But the fight was renewed as often, the matter was recon- sidered, and by shrewd management and hard fighting success was finally attained. Judge Buck declares that it was the hardest task' that he ever set himself to accomplish ; it is with justice that he is called the "Father of the Normal School." Judge Buck was immediately appointed Resident Director, in 1866, and the city took hold of the matter of raising the $5,000 necessary to meet the statutory condition, and an appropriation was secured for a school building. The Prudential Committee, whose duty it was to care for the school under the Normal Board, con- sisted of Daniel Buck, Chairman, Judge James Brown, and S. C. Harrington, who gave much of their time and strength, as well as of their wisdom and business sagacity to the work. Judge Buck heard that the present site of the building, not including the apex of the triangle, was for sale for $2,000, and not, much time was lost in securing it from its owner, a Methodist minister named . David Lines. The apex was secured ten years later when Judge Buck, then in the Senate, secured an appropriation for that pur- pose. The building could not be made ready by the time appointed for the opening of the school, and it was opened in the basement of the Methodist church on October 7, 1868, with George M. Gage as Principal, who is desorihcil in a report of that year as "a gentle- man of good experience in a flourishing Normal School in New England." October 26th, the school was removed' to the second MANKATO STATE NORMAL SCHOOL AND ITS PRESIDENTS. - Pres. Chas. H. Coui'Kii, Pkes. Edward SnARiNii. Pkes. David C. John, D.D. Prks. Geo. M. Gagh, Stale Normal School jj story of a store building, corner of Main and Front streets, over what is now called the "Corner Cafe." These quarters in the Shaubut building, were 100 feet long and 23 feet wide, divided as follows: First room, 20x22; second room, 18x22 ; third and fourth r6oms, 18x10 each. On the 26th of Oc- tober, the first day in these quarters, there were 40 desks with 52 students enrolled in the Normal department and IG in the Model school, total, 6-8. At the close of the term there were 90 enrolled. The second term opened January 6, 1869, with 55 students in the Normal department and 24 in the Model school. The as- sistants of President Gage were Miss Susie Dyer and Miss Emma H. Collins, the latter newly employed for that term. jMay 11th, 1809, ground was broken for the new building, and on the 22nd of June of that year the corner stone was laid with appropriate services under the auspices of the Odd Fellows. President Gage made an address. September 7th, 1870, the school began to occupy the new building, and by April, 1871, it was com- fortably and convenienth' housed, with ample facilities for that day. Judge Buck tells, with great gusto how he was scored by a farmer of the county for the wicked extravagance of the manage- ment in building so enormous a structure. The State Su})erintendent's report for the year 1869-70 gives the following figures : Cost of building and grounds $45,708.82 Cost of all furniture, including furnaces, 4,811.19 Cash raised in Mankato (condition of its location),: . . . 5,000.00 Books, maps, charts, from publisliers 3,000.00 . Actual cost of running the school 6,200.14 Eeceived from Model School 702.70 Number of Normal students, 130; males, 38; females, 98. Number in first graduating class, 1870, 10. Number of students in the Normal department during the second year, ending June, 1870, 154; males, 43; females. 111. Number in Model School, first year, 100 ; second year, 175. In 1872 President Gage resigned to accept the position of Superintendent of the St. Paul schools, and was succeeded in the office by Miss J. A. Sears, who remained but one y(?ar. In 1873 Eev. D. C. John became president of the school and ser\ed until 1880, when he resigned to become the president of liamline Uni- versity. In that same year Professor Edward Searing took charge after a brilliant career as college professor, author, and State Sup- f2 Mankato — lis First Fifty Years erintendent of Wisconsin. During the presidency of Dr. John the number of students fell from 171 in the Xormal department and 4G in the Model School, the number in 1873-74, to 129 in the Normal department and 40 in the Model School, the pumber in 1879-80. During the succeeding years the number of students in the Normal department runs as follows, not including the Preparatory department :— 120, 184, 239, 222, 326,, 335, 311, 309, 268, 305, (year ending in 1890). In 1890 the Model School numbered 239. I will not carry the figures further as they are easily accessible. The number of teachers was five in 1874; seven in 1880; twelve in 1885; thirteen in 1890; twenty in 1895 ; twenty-three in 1900; and is twenty-two in 1902. It seems to me altogether fitting and proper, on this occasion when the history of our city -is the subject of discussion, to show something of the benefits that have come to the city from having the school in operation within it during the past thirty-four years. I will speak only of the financial benefits from lack of time. J.. For the present purpose we may consider that an average of 200 students have been drawn hither for each of the past thirty years, making 6,000 years of residence altogether. We consider $150 a fair allowance for a student's expenses; but if $100 be taken as the average for all, we have the respectable sum of $600,000 as the amount brought to Mankato and expended here for food, cloth- ing, fuel, washing, and the other things that our merchants and citi- zens furnish for their own profit and their customers' good. 2. The State of Minnesota now appropriates $32,500 per an- num for the running expenses of the school; during the two years of continuous sessions the appropriation was $37,000. If -we take $20,000 as the average for thirty years, we shall have an amount of $600,000 as the expenditure for current expense, for the most part salaries and fuel. The greater part of this large amount has gone to our own merchants and citizens for the sup- port of the teachers and their families ; we can estimate the amount as thus brought to our city at $450,000. 3. The building and such parts of the equipment as have been supplied directly or indirectly, by local dealers and workmen mav be estimated at $100,000. Even if portions have been constructed or supplied by outside contractors and dealers, the work has large- ly been done here and the workmen supported here by purchase.? jnade from Mankato citizens. 4. More than one family has been drawn to Mankato, di- State Normal School yj rectly or indirectly by the school; the expenditures of such fam- ilies^ through the years of their stay, for support, clothing, homes, and the thousand -and one needs of family life, may be roughly estimated at $100,000., Summing up these various amounts of income brought to our city by way of trade through the operation of the State Normal School we have the noble sum of. a million and a quarter of dollars. In these days of enormous figures this may not seem as large as it once would have seemed, yet a business enterprise that has expend- ed among Mankato business men and workmen more than $40,000 per year for thirty years of the past, and that gives promise of bringing an increasingly larger sum each year for an indefinite future period, would appear to all who are interested in the city an enterprise to be valued for its past benefits and cherished for- the promise that is in it for future advantage to the city. But the financial benefit of the ISTormal School is not exhaust- ed by its" trade benefit to the people. There is a direct contri- bution that it has made to the city as a corporation, or rather to the school district that includes the city. This is often over- looked, but it should be prized at its full value. During the whole of its history the school has had in its grades, or Model School, a large number of the children of Mankato, whom it has educated without expense to the district, for. whose education the city would have been obliged to pay if the Normal School had not existed. During the past twelve years the number of children in this de- partment has averaged more than three hundred. Suppose that we take two hundred and fifty as the average for thirty years. To educate this additional number of Mankato children would have required the services of six additional teachers and the erection and maintenance of an additional school building, or not less than $100,000. So we see that the city has been saved the whole of this large sum by the State of Minnesota through the State's as- sumption of a portion of the burden of educating Manlcato's child- ren. There is not time to speak further of this aspect of the ques- tion. The past has shown that the people of Mankato do prize the Normal School; these facts have been brought forward as a con- tribution to the history of the city of which the school forms a part. THE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS. By AKTHUK, SCHAUB, Esq. It is impossible today to go to any country^ be the same civiliz- ed or imciA'ilized, where you will not find a steeple surmounted by the cross of the Catholic church. And wherever you find a Catholic church, you will most frequently find a school near it. In fact in every land beneath the sun that Church has erected schools ; and it can be truthfully said that no kingdom, empire or republic has ever built one-third as many schools as that chvircli has. In many of these countries there are no other schools, and were it not for the interest of the Church in education, the child- ren would grow up ignorant and uninstructed. , But many of you may wonder why in this country, where we have such an excellent public school system, Catholics .should go to the expense of erect- ing other schools. It seems but right that J should explain this fact briefly before I give you a sketch of the history of the school here. It certainly is not because we find fault with the method oi teaching secular subjects in the public schools. As true Americans, we are very proud of them, and viewed from, a worldly standpoint (mly, we believe as much as any one of you that they have not a parallel in the whole wide world. However, we believe that edu- cation to be complete must be twofold. That it must embrace not only the training of the intellect in the secular branches of knowl- edge, but as well a training of the soul in religious knowledge. Catholic parents as much as any others, desire to have their children educated in every branch of secular learning; but first and above all -they wish to see them well instructed in the dogmas, principles and teachings of the faith that is in them, that they hold dearer than life. They believe that while it is well indeed to know the name astronomers have given to every star, it is better to know the great creator of every star; that wliile it is well to hear and read the never dying thoughts of the master minds of the world, it is better still to hear and read the words of God himself in the Book of Books and in the teachings of his Church ; that while it is im- portant to study "the secrets told by rock and star, by dust and flower, l)y rain and snow, by frost and flame", oven more important will it ever be to stutly the will and laws of Him -svlio made us. For these reasons we believe in the j)arochia] schools for our The Catholic Schools 'j^ ehiklren; for in them are not only tanglat all the branches of se- cular wisdom, but the religious training of the children is also never put into the back ground, and in them the children are in- structed in that faith which is dear to us. " If religion is the science of seieuees — and, my friends, to us it is — then it is worthy of taking a highly honored place l)i'si(lfi tlie sciences of geography, algebra, geometry and all others. You may ask, cannot this instruction be given to the children aside and apart from their regular schooling ? We believe not. We can never consent to make religious instruction a side issue in that way. It has been erroneously sripposed by many that because Ger- man Catholics have been so zealous in advancing the interests of the parochial school, they acted thus from a desire to have schools in which that language would be taught. This may have been a secondary inducement. We lo\e our German language, not alone because it is so beautiful, so elegant, so powerful, so ex23ressi\'o ; but because the first words of endearment spoken to us iii this world were uttered in that language by the lips of the fond mother we love. Above all languages, however, abo\e all earthly things we love with a love undying and undi\ided our Holy Faith. In this lo\'o lies the true reason of the establishment of parochial t-cliools. T'nderstand me correctly. We have no fault to find with the public schools. Wo are proud of tliem, as the noblest of Ameri- ■ can institutions. AVe shall nevi'r di-eara of interfering with them or fastening an}- of our ideas upon them. ^Mien the Catholics under Lord Baltimore arrived upon the shores of ilaryland, tlicy proclaimed this principle: "In religious , matters let every man follow the dictates of his own conscience". We believe in this as firmly now as then; and we believe that nowhere should that rule be more strictly enforced than in tlie public scliool. I know there may be many among }'ou wlio think our reasons for having parochial schools are not sufficient, but I am, sure there i- not one of you who doubts for a moment the deep sincerity of those who while they uncomplaining!}' and ungrudgingly pay the taxes for the support of the public schools, at the same time load upon their shoulders this heavy additional ])urden, a burden \\hich demands of tlunn, esijeeially the poorer class among them, the utmost self- sacrifice and devotion. By doing this these men prove also how firm and deep-seated is their Ijelief in education. jd Mankato—Its First Fifty Years After what I have said it will not be surprising to note that as early as 1863, as we learn from the Daily Eeview of February 28, of that year, a committee consisting of John Bruels, Leo Lamm, George Kiffe and Michael liund were selected by the people of our liarish to get a Catholic parochial school established here, if possi- IdIc. The greatest difficulty in their way was the lack of teachers. As there is no nobler profession than that of teaching, it is sad to have to admit that upon this grand field much good work remains un- done for no other reason than a lack of workers. The teachers that the Catholics here were most anxious to secure were the Sisters of Notre Dame. The fame of their zeal, their learning, their devo- tion, their success had penetrated even as far as Mankato, at that time still the country of the hardy pioneer settler. In March 1864. Leo Lamm, one of the School Committee, went in person to Milwaukee, where there was at that time, and still is, the Mother House of these Sisters. He explained to the Mother Superior with all the eloquence he could muster, the grand opportunity for Catholic educational work at Mankato. The Sisters were not unwilling to go to the field which promised to be- come such a good one in course of time ; yet, alas ! there were no sisters to send here. Leo Lamm returned unsatisfied. However, hope was not abandoned. In June 1865, Father Sommereisen, our pastor at that time, himself went to Milwaukee to renew the attempt. Those only who remember the zeal, energy and earnestness of that noble . frontier priest can appreciate what an appeal he must have made to .the Sisters to urge them to come to the field which so much needed .their work. It could not be withstood. Father Kraut- bauer was sent to Mankato to look over the field here. His report being very favorable, the Sisters of Notre Dame consented to come. On Wednesday evening, August 30, 1865, three sisters and one candidate left Milwaukee for this city. They traveled by rail as far as LaCrosse ; from there a steamer took them to St. Paul. Here they were met 'by Father Sommereisen, who had hastened hither to give them a glad welcome to our State. The trip from St. Paul here was made in a post chaise. They had been ex- pected to arrive^ here on Saturday evening. However, the roads Ix'ing \'er\' dusty and the weather sultry, tlioy Avere delayed and did not arrive until the evening of the following day, Sundav. The streets of our city had been decorated with green boughs, flao-s and buiiting. The Catholic people had assembled, patiently await- The Catholic Schools yy ing their arrival. When from afar was seen the chaise in which they were known to be, a loud shout of joy and welcome went up from over a thousand people. A procession was formed and the chaise containing the sisters, was led in triumph to the church. A cordial welcome indeed for the Sisters, but one which through years of patient toil tliey were soon to earn. Words fail me when I wish to express to you my appreciation of the work of the Sisters of Notre Dame, these humble devout women whose whole life is devoted to the education of youth; to whom no salary is paid ; who have no choice even as to the course they wish to pursue, only obedience to the voice of the superior ; who have no hope, thought or wish of a surcease of labor even until their eyes are closed in death; who give unto the cause of Catholic education the bloom of their youth and the last waning strength of their age; who voluntarily have renounced all the pleasures, Joys and luxuries of life, the blessings of friendship, ' the consolations of hearth and home and family naturally so dear to every human heart, so that they might not be hampered in their work. If we extol as mart3Ts those who lay .down their lives fpr their faith, what will you call those who thus devote their lives to the cause of education. Among the school children lies their home, their whole life. No aspirations, hopes, desires, loves or ambitions have they but these. Thus do I remember them; thus will their image ever be engraven on my memorj^. The school opened here by these Sisters is the oldest parochial school in our diocese, the diScese of Winona. The school was open- ed at once after the arrival of the sisters. The first story of the stone building, the second story of which served as a church, was used' as a school and at the same time residence of the sisters. Only two of the four sisters who first came here were teachers, the others attended to the household duties. 87 children attended the school during the first year. Every succeeding year the attendance grew larger and larger, After the present church had been built, the whole of the old stone building served as a school and residence of the sisters. Hardly had the care of our congregation been 'entrusted to the Jesuit Fathers, when these zealous advocates of Catholic edu- cation commenced the erection of our ]5resoiit splendid school building. The work commenced on April 27, 1875. On July 11th, of the same year the corner stone was iaid with impressive 78 Mankato — Its First Fifty ]Va;-S ceremonies, on which occasion Father, now Arch-bishop, John Ireland, spoke extolling with his usual eloquence the work that was being clone here. The expense of building this school could not have been much less than $75,000. It consists of four stories and basement, is 150 feet long and G4 feet wide. In it there is also a hall with stage whicli serves frequently for dramatic and musical entertain- ments given b}' the school children, or the different clubs and so- cieties of till' congregation. THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL. On Scjjtember 4, 187(), school was opened for the first time in tlie new school building. The attendance on the very first dav was 189, which number was increased during the year. On the first of Octoljer tlie same year, the new school was formally dedi- (■at(Nl 1>y Bislio]) Ireland. From now on a male school teacher was also employed for tlio, higher class of boys. Tlie first was Joseph Karl, succeeded in 18i7 by Nicholas Moes, who in turn (in 1898) The Catholic Schools 79 was succeeded by Franlc Snellentrop. In 1880 the attendance was 373; in 1890, 502; at the present time it is over 600. In 1886 the Sisters acquired their present commodious and beautiful home; they were enabled to purchase and improve it through the generosity of Stephen Lamm, and other members of the congregation. The present superior is Sister Hieronymo Sehrage; she has taught school here for 26 years, and has been superior since 1896. She is assisted by thirteen sisters and two candidates; seven of these teach each a class of children, one devotes all her time to giving instructions in music. Besides the ordinary branches taught in public schools religious instruction is given, German is taught, and the Sisters take especial pride in teaching the girls every kind of fancy work. Specimens of this work made by the children have regularly been exhibited at the public examinations which are held in the spring of every year, and have always been greatly ad- mired by the ladies present on these occasions. My friends, the Church has always been the friend of educa- tion. It was she that brought to all the heathen lands not only the light of the gospel, but as well the light of human knowledge and sciences. When with a great convulsion the great Eoman Empire fell, and barbarians threatened to destroy every vestige of civilization, science, literature and the arts clung to the protecting arms of the Church that they might not perish from the earth. And the Church undertook the great work of civilizing and edu- cating the world. If vou wish to see the evidence of this, go to Borne. Of course you will go to see the ruins of the wonderful Coliseum, where a bloody pastime has saturated the ground with human blood ; you will go to see the ruins of the Forum which echoed once to the thrilling eloquence of the immortal Cicero. But finally you will turn away from these ruins, and no matter how many visions they may awaken of the, mighty Pagan world that is dead, your heart will feel unsatisfied. Then from the Eome of the dead, you will turn to the Eome of the living; from the Eome of the past, you will turn to the Eome of the present. You will go to the Vatican ; and there the beating of your heart will quicken ; for there . you stand before the wonderful immortal productions of Eapliacl and other great masters of the brush and chisel; there you liehold on the walls of the Sistine Chapel that living sermon which Michael Angelo with his powerful brush put there that it may speak So • Mankato — Us First Fifty Years to all generations the last Judgment Day. And there 3'ou will see the wonderful statutes, before which you stand with awe, holding your breath, and say: "Is it possible that these forms so warm, symmetrical and eloquent have been chiselled out of the cold in- animate marble." And you enter the Vatican library, one of the most wonderful libraries of the world, where you will find the works of the great master minds of, the world, all the living thoughts that the mighty dead have Iqft for our instruction and ])leasure, a library alone worth, .more to us than the whole King- dom of Italy. And you will say: "Wliat does this all mean." It means my friends, that the Church has never forgotten the command : "Go forth, and teach all nations" ; and her grateful sons ha.ve in return adorned the home of her pontiff with these the mightiest triumphs of the human intellect. QEKMAN LUTHERAN SCHOOLS. By PKOF. J. H. SCMALLEE.. The German Lutheran Church was founded in 1867. The first two ministers were Eev. Vomhof and Eev. Kulin. They had charge of several other congregations near Mankato and could not devote much time to school work. It was impossible to get teach- ers even if they had the money to pay them. In 1882 Rev. Kuhn having accepted a call to Hanover, Minn., Re\'. K. P. Schulze of Courtland was called, accepted and was installed January 15, 1883. He opened school next day, January 16th. The enrollment of scholars was Ijut thirteen, but he put all the time, labor and energy possible to increase the number of pupils. He made a vigorous house to house canvass and s23oke to the parents, asking them to send their children to school. As a result of his labor the school increased from thirteen to ninety-six. In 1883 the congregation called a teacher l^y the name of Theo. Diesner. This man proved a total failure. The school diminishing until in March 1884, he had but thirty-two scholars left. The congregation asked him to resign, which he did. Rev. iSehulze then took charge of the work again and taught contin- uously imtil ISS."), during that time the nimiber of scholars in- creased to ninety-seven. Commercial College Si In May 1885, H. I. F. Broekmeyer, who had been called from St. Louis, took charge of the school. lie proved to be the right- man and worked with great success. The school started with ninety-seven scholars and the number steadily increased until in 1888 he had one hundred and forty-six scholars. Then a second teacher was called, W. Scherber. A second school was built. , All this was done under great difficulties. Many of the members op- posed the school but still it was a success. ' Since that time quite a number of teachers have worked in the schools, viz : Mehrstaedt, Gossweiler, Eeim, Eeuter, (Bowie, Wacholtz, Yolkert, while stud- ents), Taggatz and Bode. The , school now has two classes and two hundred scholars. Ever since the two classes have been established there has been a scholarship of two hundred or more and the attendance was good and regular. The annual examinations are held during- the week preceding Easter. Since teachers have been appointed for the school the instruction has been in German and English. ■ ' I now turn to the second part of my address to show you why I think our German Lutheran School is a good thing for the City of ]\Iankato. We do not call our school a German school. It is true that the German language is taught there. Our fathers came from Germany and could not speak the English language and so the German language was originally taught altogether in the schools. We consider it of advantage to know more than one language and now German is taught as well as English. Some people say, why do you not abolish German schools and lae satisfied with the public schools. We explain it in this way. Teach children all the week in other subjects and take one day to teach arithmetic. Xo child will learn arithmetic in that way. Just so with religion. In our schools we instruct our children in the faith which we love and train them up to make good men and ^omen for the State. THE COiVIIVIEKCIAL COLLEGE. By EEV. H. D. WILLIAMS. This school was founded June 10th, 1891, and has had a steady and remarkable growth to the present time. It began with about a half-dozen students and closed its last year with. an enroll- ment of nearly four hundred. This phenomenal growth has lieen . 82 Mankalo — Its First Fifty Years due, not to unwarranted methods and extravagant advertising, but to that substantial work that depends on its fruits for its increase. In other words, the gradviates of this school have been, and are yet, its standing and living advertisements. The founder of the school was Mr. H. Ij. Eucker who em- ]jlo}-ed J. E. Brandrup and Mr. Matter as teachers. These men conducted the school a few months and bought the entire interest of Mr. Rucker. Brandrup and Matter continued as partners in the school till 1896 when Prof. W. E. Freeman bought out Mr. Matter. Prof. Freeman was with the school two years, retiring at the time of his election as Superintendent of Public Schools in Blue Earth County. Prof. Brandrup was sole proprietor from 1898 to 1899 when, in July of that year, Geo. E. ISTettleton bought a half interest in the school. Since that time the school has been run under the firm name of Brandrup and Nettleton, and under their management has attained its greatest efficiency and largest attendance. The present faculty consists of J. R. Brandrup, Geo. E. Xettleton, C. E. Ball, ■ Carrie Hawes, Josephine Pyrne, Haldor Olson, Geo. F. Thacker and V. S. Owens. The various depart- ments of the school are Bookkeeping, Shorthand, Penmanship, Typewriting, and English Training. The rapid and substantial growth of this school is due chiefly to tw^o things. First, it has had honest, efficient, thorough, and substantial management. Second, there is a growing demand for business education. The day of the specialist is at hand. Busi- ness, as well as all other things, must be done in the best passible A\'ay. The slipshod business methods of a new country are passing away. As better carpenters, better masons, better lawyers, and better teachers are demanded, so better business methods are called for. Men untrained in the principles and methods of business are greatly handicapped. The Mankato Commercial College has met with success be- cause it has supplied this demand of the times most efficiently and at reasonable cost. The city is rightly proud of this institution and confidently expects it to develop to much larger proportions though it is already one of the leading business colleges of the West. INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT OF MANKATO. Growth of IVade Fi-om 1852 to 1902. By CHAS. A. CHAPMAN. It is difficiTlt to make any comparison hi'twci'u the trade of 1852 in ifankato and that of 1902. In fact there is no compari- son, any more than between zero and a definite nnniber. From the -first store in the rear end of a log house with its diminntlYe stock of a little flour, a little molasses, a doz6n or two of candles and a few pieces of the cheapest kinds of dry goods, to the great ^^-ho]e- sale and retail establishments of the p)resent day is a very long step. Moreover, no records have come down to us of the volume of the business of those earliest traders. We only know that all the stores in those pioneer days were what are called general stores, keeping everything, but thejr were the germ from which has de- veloped the mighty department store of the present dav'. There is however, or should be, in the office of tlie County Auditor, a book containing the accounts kept liy one of these trad- ers in 1852, supplemented by minutes of the proceedings of tlie first board of County Commissioners. - From the charges in this book, some of which do not appear to have been settled, and arc probably by this time outlawed, we obtain an insight as to what our pioneers considered to be the necessities of life, for, sandwiched between charges for dried apples, beans, nails, etc., we find at very frequent intervals the three items, whisky, tobacco and cards. It is safe to say that these three commodities have held their own in the trade of Mankato from that time to this. ■ The first year with which any accurate comparison can l>e made is the year 1868, the year in which the city was incorpor- ated, for then the Board of Trade published its first report. Tak- ing this first report and the last, that of 1900, as standards for comparison, we may show the increase of niercantilt' business prac- tically during the whole existence of the city. In 1868 the sales of merchandise amounted to $1,157,619. In 1900 to $6,314,400, 'thing that offered itself to him pertaining to the his- tory of his city or state always found favor in his columns. So many of the citizens of Mankato have been my personal friends Old Settlers, Day i6j that I may fairly be charged with a partiality for the town. Those whc have passed away are perhaps now most prominently in my mind. Peace to their ashes and reverence to tlieir memories. To those yet in the land, may they live long and prosper. Your people will place a monument over the gi-ave of Kx- Senator Morton S. ■\A'ilkinson, long prominent in our "State and sometime a citizen of iXankato. I wish I could be present when that is done. Senator \Mlkinson and I were intimately acquainted and I liked him well. He ■was honest, earnest, and patriotic. One service he did for the country is not well enough known. Near the close of President Lincoln's first term, a cabal or organization of Republican Senators was formed to prevent his re-election. A number of Senators, some of them prominent, were in the movement, and Senator Wilkinson, then a Republican and prominent in the Senate as a debater and worker, was strongly urged to join. it. But this great loyal spirit not only refused to favor the reprehensible scheme but denounced it and fought it and was largely instrumental in defeating it, and Lincoln was nominated and re- elected to the great service of the Union and humanity. The record of Mankato in peace and in war is most gratifying to all of us, and your citizens are justly proud of it. The town has always done its duty. It sent its full quota of volunteer soldiers to the front in the period of the great Southern Rebellion, and many of them laid down their lives for their country. Then in 1862, at a time when the little town was almost stripped of its bravest and best, who were fighting to preserve the Union, came the great Sioux Indian Rebellion, almost upon the borders of' the municipality. History tells, and others will relate to you much better than I can, the conduct of the little city under the trying cir- cumstances. Word came that the country to your westward and north- ward was being ravaged and desolated by fire and gun and tomahawk, and that your neighbor city, Xbav Ulm, A\'as girt about by a wall of Indians, redhanded from the scenes of rapine and slaughter elsswhere and bent on the destruction of the town in flame and blood. Disregarding their own danger, the men of Mankato went at once to the rescue. How well and successfully they fought and beat ofl^ the savage hordes and how many of them were killed while fighting for their fellow men, history relates and the State will never forget. And when New Ulm lay crippled and imperiled, weak and exposed, fire-blackened and battle-scai-red, the people of Mankato opened their doors and invited their neighbors to come to them for shelter and protection. I well re- member the time and know something of the circumstances, and I cannot recall in all history an example of nobler conduct, more generous and righteous, than the action of the people of Mankato toward their unfort- unate neighbors of New Ulm and the surrounding country in the terrible days of 1862. Our State has made magnificent progress during the fifty years which have intervened between the date of the foimding of Mankato and the present, and your town has kept step in the front rank of the grand march. It has been my privilege, and I count it a distinction, that I ha\'e been as an humble citizen, a witness of the advancement made, although i(>4 Mankato — Its First Fifty Years I have not contributed my full share to the work. You and I and our other pioneer associates are getting to be old men now, and will be unable to do anything more for the upbuilding of our state. We can only bid God- speed to those who have taken our places. I know that the next fifty years will accomplish much more than has been already done^how much can only be foretold by one gifted with the spirit of prophecy. Regretting that I cannot be with you in person;' trusting that your celebration will be completely successful and in every way befitting the historic incident it commemorates, and with best wishes for the future prosperity and success of Mankato and kindest regards to my, old friends and associates of the town and for yourself personally, I am, Tery sincerely yours, C. D. GILFILLAN. LETTER OF HON. J. B. HUBBELL. My wife reminds me that I must send "regrets" that we can not attend the Mankato Semi-Centennial, which I now do. Not the formal sort, foi' form's sake simply, but heartfelt, that we cannot meet with the old settlers and friends, nlany of whom we will never have the opportunity to meet again. While sojourning at this beautiful resort (Bayfield, Wis.), I am often reminded of our old friends, Henry M. Rice, and John C. Wise, who located this town. Mr. Rice was United States Senator from Minne- sota, always genial and accommodating, whether on the frontier or in ^\'ashing■ton. Mr. ^A'ise was one of the very best citizens and ablest news- paper men to be found in any communitj'. He brought his young wife ■with him to Mankato, who soon Avon the respect and affection of all, and retained it tlirough life, and was of good assistance to her kind-hearted husband. I will only refer to a few incidents and characteristics of some of the oaily settlers of the town, leaving it for others more competent, to describe the most important matters, such as the Indian war, the grasshopper plague, etc., which were serious calamities and draw- backs to the prosperity of the town. The citizens generously aided the settlers in the suriounding country during those trying times more than will e^er be generally known. You are especially fortunate in having P. K. Johnson and Mr. Hinckley with you among other distinguished citizens from throughout the State. "P. K.," as we always called him, was the almost unanimous choice of thei people, regardless of party for many years to the Justice office, and I doubt if there was ever a better justice, for he was honest and competent to fill any position including the presidency of the United States. It will be too much of a task for me to mention many of the old settlers that luue passed away, suffice it to say they were generally su- perior to those usually found upon the frontier, in intelligence, generosity and public spirit. ' Among the first with whom I became acquainted, when I landed June 1st, 18.57, was Thos. D. Warren, a typical Vermonter, who had crossed the plains to California in "49," He had settled upon land adjoining Old Settlers Day j6^ the Mankato townsite, the title to which', was in dispute, but Warren said his title was perfect, that there had been but three transfers, the first from God to the Indians; second, from the Indians to the United States, and third and last from the United States to him. There was J. Travis Rosser, a courtly mannered gentleman from' Virginia. We were visiting a camp of Sioux Indians on the north side of the Minnesota River, now North Mankato. Rosser was admiring aboiit the most beautiful Indian maiden I ever saw, who, he- said, had looked kindly upon him and he said he imagined her to be a. second Pocahontas — I think those were the last , Sioux Indians that ever camped near Mankato. Chas. W. Miller was a bright young lawyer from New York. He came west for his health. He had consumption. As amusements were not plentiful, we occasionally met in Miller's room to play "draw poker" as the little excitement served to divert his mind from his infirmities for the time being, but Miller kept failing until he had to have watchers, and Mr. Chas. Thompson, an elderly gentleman,' had volunteered to sit up with him, when to Thompson's surprise John Hodgson (Big John as he was called) , Wm. Reid, Pax Kitchen and myself filed into the room to see how Miller was getting along and to try to cheer him up a little. He was in bed prepared for the night, but when he saw us he raised up saying: "by George, boys' this looks rather suspicious" and got up, and we played poker till early in the morning, to Mr. Thompson's astonish- ment, who used to tell the story as a good joke on himself, sitting up to see a sick man play poker all night. Miller left Mankato soon after and I think died in Galena, where he had relatives. The times Avere very hard in Mankato after the "panic" of '57, and I think I never knew money to be so scarce any where. At last the stringency was relieved a little by the advent of the purchasers of ginseng, who -paid cash for the roots. They were made welcome and were treated with greater consideration than would be so many millionaires today. As ginseng was plentiful in the "Big Woods" many young men who had never worked much before started out. with their hoes and sacks and made good wages "digging sang." John Hodgson did not fancy the business and I jokingly said to him if he would go to work I M'ould buy him a hoe. He said he would be if he would go to digging "sang" for a living, but would go back to Lake Superior capper mines where he came from. He did go, and as he was an expert miner made a large fortune in a few years and has been enjoying his income ever since. The early history of Mankato would be incomplete without something being said about Geo. W. Lay, He owned and operated the first saw mill. 'Twas charged he dealt in horses and that he was not particular how he got them if they were only good ones. He always had quite a large gang of men about, ready to do his bidding, hence he was an important factor about election time and although a democrat he supported me when I was elected Register of Deeds on the Republican ticket over Wm. S. Sargent, the Democratic candidate. Sargent was a fine young man and was then Register and a most excellent oflicer, and my majority in the County was only about 70. As we were good friends I did not feel much j6b Md'Tihato — Its First Fifty Years like I'ejoicing over his defeat, and he did not blame me, but attributed his defeat to his over confidence. He went to Colorado and died there. Some years afterwards I eame across Lay in a western town under arrest for having in his possession a pair of horses which another man claimed.' Lay said he was an innocent purchaser and asked me to go on his bond. Notwithstanding appearances were against him, he being an old friend, I gave him the benefit of the doubt and went on his bond. He concluded not to stand trial, and the last I heard of him he was a prosperous, highly respected citizen on the Pacific slope. He had quit the horse business, his methods being unpopular there, arid horses were too cheap to make it profitable, which necessitated a change and his engaging in other business. When the Civil War broke out there was great excitement in Man- kato. I was one of those that "came near going" just how near I have never told. My deputy, Henry Wykoflf, a splendid, fine looking young man, en- listed in the celebrated First Minnesota Regiment, and vs^as killed at Gettysburg., About the time Wykoflf decided to enlist, there was a man that made himself very offensive in talking about the war and Ephraim Cole and myself were appointed to wait upon him and ask him to desist. We told him our friends were enlisting and that we did not like to hear such talk as he was making and asked him to take it back. He said he'd be d d if he would, and would say it again, whereupon I grabbed him around the arms and waist and Cole took him by the collar and neck. He then discovered we were in earnest and he recanted, I reckon the matter has never been mentioned before this, and those who knew Mr. Cole may be surprised to hear that the great, good natured, kind hearted man was ever wrought up to such a pitch ; besides he was a Democrat. E. D. Bruner, who was a surveyor and made a new map of the town, went into the navy. He was a graduate of Annapolis, and had served in the navy before. The first "party" (or "function," I suppose they would now call it), that I attended was at Mr. Bruner's, it was a bitter cold night andhe had sawed and split an extra lot of wood (everybody sawed and split their own wood in those days), but it was all used up before midnight and Bruner was kept pretty busy in the wood shed until between two and three o'clock in the morning when the party broke up and we went home, after spending an enjoyable evening, and early morning. Mr. Bruner has joined the great majority. He was a fine man and his w'lie. was an es-- timable lady. We had many social parties and dances, as there was but little else to do. The finest and most enjoyable of all was a party given by the Thurstons on the Watonwan. There were many young married couples, and as they had not been in the country long enough to wear out their fine garments, and as the ladies were the belles of the localities in the states from where they came, it was a brilliant affair. We were made to feel welcome and the refreshments were the finest to be had east or west, ^ and I venture to say the canned fruits were the first ever brought to the country. I came near forgetting to mention the Presbyterian church bell. It should not be overlooked. The ladies struggled hard to raise the money to buy it and nearly every body contributed their mites toward it until Old Settlers Dav i6y it was finally landed from a steamboat on the levee on Front street, in the mud. It was first hoisted upon two bundles of shingles and many took a turn at ringing it. George H. Marsh, Avho was the capitalist of the town and looked after his investments carefully, said he would give it a few turns to get his contribution back. The bell did great service for all sorts of occasions and 'twas said they used to ring it for the boys to go in swimming. I suppose it A\ill be heard during the Semi-Centennial. I would like to mention many of the old settlers, but if I begin I will not get this otl' in time, and my wife says, 1 am too late with it now, so with a liearty greeting and best wishes from both my wife antl myself to each and all we bid j'ou goodbye. LINCOLN PARK. BIOGRAPHIES. NOTE: The portraits and biographies in this volume are not con-, fined exclusively to old settlers. All of the mayors, municipal ajid. District court judges, and members of the Executive Committee of the Semi-Centen- nial of our City, have, also, been included, without regard to the date of their citizenship. A few comparatively late comers, besides, have been added, who have contributed in a special way to the upbuilding of our City., Through lack of time for a thorough systematic canvass, many entitled: to a place herein, have been unintentionally overlooked. A few — not over half a dozen — failed to respond to the committee's solicitation. Invari- ably the treatment accorded the committee has been most courteous and obliging and many of our old settler friends have rendered invaluable aid in gathering photographs and biographical data for our use. The active and friendly interest and help, which our citizens have given our enterprise, liave greatly alleviated the burden of the work. The length of the biographies has mainly depended on three things : Amount of data furnished, number of : historical incidents, which could be inwoven, and the number of separate events pertaining to a life — some having an even tenor, while others are full of change. The importance of the life itself can not therefore be guaged thereby. , A number of the churches furnished us cuts of their buildings and pastors, and few of the latter sent datas for biographies, but press of other duties has detained the committee from attempting any special can- vass along this line, except in the case of three or four of the pioneers. Committee, "j ANDREWS, CHAS. N., at the time of this sketch is 43 years of age, and has resided in Mankato since 1899, and been engaged' in the practice, of law. He is a native of Wisconsin and removed to Minnesota in 1869. His parents are both natives of Connectient, and lie claims to be as nearly pure blooded American as any, but tlie native Indiati. Since residing in Mankato he lias taken an interest in public affairs of the city, and is regarded as an active and progressive citizen. He was President of the Board of Trade of the City at the time of its Semi-Centerinial celebration, and as such was made a member of the gen-' CHAS. N. ANDREWS. gral committce, having in charge that celebration, and did his part of the committee work. Biographies i6<) ANDREWS, DR. JOHN IV.— Born in EussellviUe, 111, April 6, 1849— son of Eev. John R. Andrews and Delilah Andrews. His father, was actively engaged in the ministry of the M. E. chiirch for over forty years. The family removed to St. I'eter, Minn., in October 1856. Dr. Andrews was educated in the common schools and the Mankato Xormal school. He attended the University at Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1875-6, graduated from Eush Medical College of Chicago, 111., in the Class of 1877, and from Belle- \'ue Hospital Medical College of Xew York City, in the (Jlass of 1880. He then spent (ine year in Europe studying in the hospitals of Berlin and Vienna. He has at several ilifEerent times since gone to medical centers of the country for special study and review, and has become very eminent in his profession. He located at Marshall, Minn., for the first five years, then in August 1883, removed to Manlcato, where he has built up an extensive practice. He is public spirited and energetic in every move, which tends to the material or moral growth of the City. He married Jennie C. ' French, Wellsville, N. Y., April 4th, 1878, and they have one child, Roy Newberry Andrews. BAKER, GEN. JAMES h., bom at Monroe, Butler County, Ohio, May 6, 1829, son of Henry and Hanna-h Heaton Baker. His father was a native of Baltimore, Md., forty years a practising physician, and possessed fine literary attainments. His grand- fathers, William Baker and David Heaton, were both Revolution- ary soldiers. When young Baker was three years old his- parents moved to Lebanon, Ohio, whence, upon liis mother^s death, he was sent to his grandfather's home, near Middletown, Ohio, and for two years attended "Firman Academy." He completed liis edu- cation at the Ohio Wesleyan University, graduating witli honor DR. JOHN WESLEY ANDREWS. Biographies ifi in the Class of 1852, and receiving, three years later, the additional degree of A. M. After spending a brief period teaching, Mr. Baker purchased of Otway Curry, the poet, the. "Scioto Gazette," of Chillicothe, Ohio, being the oldest newspaper in the state. In return for the great service rendered to the Eepublican party then organizing, he was elected on its ticket. Secretary of State. Upon the expiration of his term of office he removed to Minnesota, in May 1857, and soon thereafter settled on a farm near Garden City. Taking an active part in politics, he was elected Secretary of our State in 1859, and re-elected in 1861. Hearing lais country's call in her hour of peril, he resigned his ofBce, and rushed to her aid. Was commissioned Colonel of the Tenth Minn. Vol- unteers, Xov. 16th, 1862, and served with his regiment under Gen. Sibley in 1862-3, in suppressing the Sioux outbreak. In October 1863, his regiment was ordered south, and he was assigned to the command of the post of St. Louis by Gen. Scofiekl. This com- mand was enlarged subsequently to embrace seven counties, and finally he was created Provost Marshal General of the Department of Missouri, a very, important position, making him practically the military governor of the State. For efficiency in the dis- charge of his duties in this important position, he was made a Brevet Brigadier General, and was not mustered out until October 31st, 1865. After the war Gen. Baker returned to his farm in Blue Earth county. In 1871, President Grant, appointed him U. S. Com- missioner of Pensions, the duties of which important office, he as- sumed June 1st, of that year, and discharged faithfully for four years. He was then made Surveyor General of Minnesota, and, after serving efficiently for a full term, he retired to his home, which in the meantime he had remoyed from the farm to the City of Mankato. While Surveyor General he did much, l)y private letters and published articles, to call attention for the first time to the great iron deposits of our State. In 1879, he purchased the Union and Record, and united the two papers into the Free Press, which he published two years. In 1881, he was elected Railway Commissioner, serving two terms and, on creation of the Railway Board, was made its president. Gen. Baker, is one of the most brilliant and forcible orators in the iS^orthwest, and no man in the State has delivered more public addresses than he. He has been for years a member of the State Historical Society, and has published a number of valia- 173 Mankato — Its First Fifty Years able historical papers, among them : "Historj- of Lake Superior/' "The Sources of the Mississippi Eiver," "Transportation in Min- nesota." "History of the . Minnesota Valley," etc. Judge Flandrau in his History, says of him: "As a public speaker he is brilliant and forceful. In personal appearance, six feet in height and symmetrical in proportion, moves with a quick soldierly step, indicative of his character. He is courteous in de- meanor and affable in conversation. He is somewhat incisive in speech and impulsive in action. As a valued friend of Freedom, the name of Gen. Baker must ever be honored among those who have deserved well of their country." He married in Delaware, Ohio, September 25, 1851, Miss Eose Lucia Thurston, who begot him two sons : Dr. Arthur Heaton Baker (now deceased), and Harry Edgar Baker, of Baker City, Oregon. Mrs. Baker died at Washington City, March 20, 1873. Gen. Baker on December 23, 1879, married his present wife, Zulu, daughter of George W. Bartlett, of Paris, 111., whose grandfather was the second signer of the Declaration of Independence. To this union there is but one child : James Henry Baker. BARNEY, ASA C.— Born at Summer Hill, Cayuga County, N. Y., September 26th, 1835. Eemoved with his parents to Chau- tauqua, N. Y., when four years old. Came thence to Blue Earth County, Minn., on May 7th, 1857, and lo- cated on a claim in Vernon Township, where he contin- ued, until his removal to Mankato in 1865. Clerked in a dry goods store for three A'ears, and was book- keeper at the Xovelty Works f(Tr two years. From 1870 to 1890 was in the in- surance and real estate business. Is a prominent member of the local Mason- ic lodge, and for thirteen years has been recorder of the Mankato lodge of Knight Templars. Married ASA C. BARNEY. Biographies '73 to Miss Mary C. Wood, daughter of Abiel C. Wood, on September 13, 1870, by whom he has three children: Mrs. Blanche Carleton, Paul W., and Harry C. Barney. BARNEY, CHAS. —Born January 8th, 1832, at Summer Hill, Cay- uga County, N. Y. His father, Judiah Barney, a native of Vermont, was a lineal descendant of Jacob Barney, who settled in Salem, Mass., in 1634. His mother,Philura Cummings, a ISTew Yorker by birth, was re- lated to Benjamin Franklin, the noted philosopher and statesman. In 1840, the Barney family removed to Chautauqua, IST. Y., whence the subject of this sketch came to Blue Earth County, Minn., in 1855, arriving in Mankato on the 20th of October. In a few days he pre-em|)ted the land com- prising his present valuable farm in section six of Vern- on. In ,1856, he came to Mankato, where he was em- ployed for most of the time in the saw mill of Geo. W. La]^, until April 1858. This Geo. W. Lay was a prominent character at Mankato in his day, and lii.-* mill was the first industry of the kind in town. It was . a great event, witnessed by nearly the whole village, when the mill was started in. October, 1856, and the proprietor was borne by a number of men, in triumph through the streets, seated ujjon the first board produced by his mill, while the populace ma.de the welkin ring with their plaudits. After spending two years upon his claim, on the Watonwan Mr. Barney in the spring of 1860, went to Wisconsin for two years. He was next employed for five years as a traveling sales- man for a Chicago Mercantile house, and one year for a Jlilwaukee house. For two years he was a dealer in horses. In 1869, he re- turned to his farm in Vernon Township, where he Ifas ever since CHAS. BARNEY. n4 Mankato — Its First Fifty Years resided. Mr. Barney has a remarkably good memory of early days in Mankato and. Blue Earth County, and takes much interest in preserving their local history. He was married March 9th, 1870, to Miss Carrie A. Moore, of Juneau, Wisconsin, and they have three children : Mark J., Maud, and May, wife of Mr. Wal- ton Friend, all of Blue Earth County. BARNEY, HON. SHELDON E., Was born December 4, 1831, in Groton, Tompkins County, New York, and was brought up on a farm in Cayuga County in the same state. Having a strong propensity for a legal career he entered the law office of Warren T. Worden, of Au- burn, N. Y., in December, 1852, and on December 13, 1854, was admitted to the bar. He practiced law in New York until October, 1855, when becoming am- bitious for a wider field of action he emigrated to the West. He arrived -in Blue Earth County, April 25, 1856, and pre-empted a claim, on which he lived until December 26, 1857, when he moved to Mankato for the purpose of practic- ing his profession. In June 1858, he formed a co-part- HON. SHELDON F. BARNEY. ncrship'with John A. Wil- lard, and practiced law under the name of Willard & Barney. This was for many years the most prominent law firm in Blue Earth County, and one of the best known in the North West. He was engaged in the business of law about twenty-live years. During this time, in 1861, he represented Blue Earth and Le Sueur Counties in the State Senate. In 1865, in connection with his brother, C. W. Barney, Wm. F. Bailey and F. J'. Euter, he established the Mankato Xo\clty Works on Elm and Willow streets, under the firm name of C. W. Barney & Co. This was the first machine shop and foundry in Blue Earth County. In 1867, with B/o,ifrap/if<\'^ '75 his l>rotlior, Arza 1>. Baviii'W ]i(' estahlislicd a Inin-fl, stave and headiiiu' J'aetorv. Tliis fivin \\as known as xV. P.. Baraey & Co. He lias also ser\'e(l on the ]\lankato City t'oiineil as Aldei'inan, and M-as tor some time a mendx'v of the Board of Edm'ation. Dni-in;;- tlie wliole of liis active lii'e he lias hem a eousist(>nt and nnconi- priimisinL;- Demoerat. He was married August 'l\ , ts?-?, to Sarah C Walz, who came to Mankato a child, in IS.")!). Tliey ha\-e had six children, five of whom are no«' li\-ing, Xornian S., hoi'ii Dec. 31, IS?:!, died July .2T, 1S74: ^^'illal■d A., Ijorn J)ecenil)er "iS, tS'/.5; .John ('., hoi-n ]*Iarch -J-i, 1S;!I: Charles .\., horn duly V.K ISSl ; Sai'ah, born January Ki, ISS-I:; Benjamin V., horn Api'il 7, ISSS. ]\[r. Barney retired from business sexcral years ago, and is now living in liis tine suhui'han residence just outside the city limits, enjoying tlu' well earned fruits of an honoi'able career. As a Imsiness man lie has always had the conlidenee and esteem of his fellow citizens, and his ad\'ice in ])uhlie alfairs, with wliich he has been much identified, has e\'ei- been eminently reliable. BARR, HON. GEORGE 7".— Rom at Terre Haute, Tnd., in 1S.-,1, educated in the jnihlic schools of his nati\'e town, until condng to Alankalo «'ith his par- ents in "May, ISlir. lie served i\rankato as Al- derman, one tei'ui, and as ;\[ayor, one tei'in. lie was member of its Board of Trade for many years and ])resi- dent ol' the Board foi- some time, ^\'as U. S. ])e|i\ity !!e\'cniie eollecfoi', during ]SS(I- Sl. Was member of Board of Managei's ol' the Slate Xormal Schoid in lSS-l-lSS."i. liepi'esentati\'e of illue HON. GEORGE TILLOTSON B.VRR. 1^6 Mankato — Its First Fifty Years Earth County in the Twenty-Sixth Legislative Session, and State Senator from 1890 to 1898. He was made President pro-tem of the Senate during the sessions of 1895 and 1897. He was, for a number of years, engaged in the banking business, and for a time was a member of the banking firm of Lewis, Sliaubut & Barr. Mr. Barr has excellent business qiialifications, is very accurate and systematic in his work, and is strictly honorable and honest in all his waj's. He married June 24, 1873, Miss Clara L., daugh- ter of C. D. Hersey, of Mankato. A change of climate being nec- essary for Mr. Barr's health, he aD,d his excellent wife removed to Los Angeles, Cal., in AjDril, 190:2. There he has become asso- ciated with the firm of Hayden & Lewis Co., in the Saddlery Hard- ware and Carriage Trimmings business. BARR, JOHN HEI\RY.—Bovn September 2, 1828, in Loudoun - County, Ta. liis father removed to Zanesville, Ohio, when the subject of this sketch was but two years old, and died there, when he was nine, leaving a fam- ily of four boys, of whieli, he was the oldest. He was bound out as an apprentice to a tobacconist, but so dis- liked the business, tliat he never followed the trade, but immediately upon the expiration of his term, re- bound himself to learn the trade of house painting. This occupation he followed as workman and owner of a shop of his own, first in Kentucky and then in Terre Haute, Indiana, until he was about thirty-five years old. He then, about 1848 or 49, became" associated JOHN HENRY BARR. ^i^h his brother in the wholesale and retail drug business at Terre liaute, but failing health compelled him to withdraw from this business, and remove ^^•itll his family, in 18C7, to Mankato, Minn., where he arrived on the 10th of May. Here lie first formed a co-partnership with Biographies lyy Wm. P. Lewis and Henry' Shaubut in tlie banking business, as Lewis, Shaubut & Co., but in about a year, he sold out his interest to the otlier two partners, and erecting tlie building now occupied by the John E. Thomas furniture store, he started a wagon and plow manufactory, which he continued with good success until, his death, on November 27th, 1869. Mr. Barr was a man of great energy and splendid business, qualifications. He was ever wide awake, progressive , and public spirited. The champion and leader of any measure, which tended to the material, moral or social advancement of his fellow mea. Xo one, considering the brief period he lived in it, ever contributed more to the growth of Mankato, or gave its development a more lasting impetus than he. During the Civil War, though in poor health, he was contin- uously active in sanitary work, making several trips to battle- fields, with hospital and sanitary supplies, and. he lent efficient aid to raising Indiana's quota of troops. At .Mankato, besides his wagon factory, he invested in considerable other real property, and built other business, blocks. He was one of the prime movers in the organization of the Mankato Board of Trade, and was made its first President. He was a republican in politics, and liberal in his religious faith, during the later years of his life a member of the Universalist church. Mr. Barr was married to Miss Eliza. Tillotson, a native of Terre Haute, Indiana, on May 2, 1850. She died June 5, 1890. Five of the seven children born to them still survive : Prof. John H. Barr, of Cornell University, X. Y. ; Hon. George T. Barr, of Los Angeles, Cal.; Mrs. Sarah B. Cole, of Minneapolis, Minn.; Mrs. Margaret T. Jones, of Seattle, Wash.; and Mrs. Martha H. Jones, of Jackson County, Iowa. BEATTY JOHN R. — Born in Loyalhanna Township, West- moreland Cou.nty, Penn., November 5, 1831. His parents John C, and Isabella Walker Beatty, were of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Mr. Beatty came to Minnesota in April, 1857, locating at Man- kato, the latter part of the following May. During 1859 and 1860, he conducted a private school, which was about the first in which high school studies were taught in the city. J78 Mankato — Its First Fifty Years In June, 18G1, he enlistee] in Co. H. 2nd. Minn. Vol., and was made 1st Lieuten- ant. Juljr 8tli, 1863, lie was promoted Captain, and serv- ed with his company until his resignation, on March 30, 1865. In 1866, Mr. Beatty en- gaged^ in the stone and lime business. He built the first patent lime kiln and ship- ped the first car load of lime from Mankato. As the pio- neer of our lime industry, he did more than anyone else in introducing Mankato lime through the North West. To him also belongs JOHN R. BEATTY. •(;]-^g credit of discovering the Mankato Cement stone, and in getting the Standard Cement Com- pany interested in its development. In 1867-68, he, served as superintendent of the Blue Earth County schools, and in 1895, as president of the Mankato Board of Public Works. He married Miss Laura E. Maxfield, February 16th, 1864. and six children have been born them: James M., Isabella, John G., Laura E., Anna M., and Emma E. BECHDOLT, Prof. A. T.— Born November 16, 1846, near Karls,- ruhe. Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany. His parents emi- grated to the United States in 18.54. He graduated from the public schools of Easton,'Pa., and in 186(1, from Lafayette College, Pa., with the degree, A. B., and in 1869, A. M. In 1890, Frank- lin and Marshall College conferred upoii him the further degree, of Ph. D. After spending a year teaching in an academy, he became in 1869, professor of Natural Science in Mercersburg Col- lege, Pa. Resigning in 1876, he came West and accepted the po- sition of superintendent of the Mankato schools, and in 1880, be- Biografhtes '79 came Professor of Chem- istry in the State Formal school located in the same city. Five years later he returned to the position of superintendent of the Citj schools. In 1892, he re- signed to go to the Univer- sity of North Dakota, as professor of English, and in 1895, he accepted the same professorship in the University of Washington at Seattle, Wash. In 1901, hg resigned his University work, and took the position of superiritendent of schools of the city of Eugene, Ore., which he now holds. His wife, whom he had married prof. a. f. bechdolt. in 1871, died in 1896. He has four children: Prod, on the staff of the "Post Intelligencer," of Seattle; Hilda, wife of P. W. Smith, of Pife, Wash. ; ilargaret, who has a position as trained nurse at Seattle, and John Ernest Bechdolt. Prof. Bechdolt is a ripe scholar, deep thinker and a strong, successful educator. BERGHOLTZ, MICHAEL //.—Born on the river Rhine in Prussia, in 1804. His father was captain of one of the Ehine boats and continued to be so employed until young Henry was sixteen years old, when the family removed to Cologne. About 1851, he immigrated to the United States, going first to St. Louis, and thence in the spring of 1852 to St. Paul. The same spring he visited the new town site of Mankato, and on July 24, of that year, bought lot 4, block 6, on which stood the first claim shanty in Mankato, and upon which in 1858, he built, first of frame, the block of store buildings, which so long bore his name, and which, a few years later, he replaced with the present brick structures. He started the first harness shop in Mankato, and continued the business for many years. On November 20, 1862, he was married to Mrs. Apolonia Blair, nee Kaberla, who died in 1870. Mr. Berg- rSo Mankato — Its First Fifty Years holtz died April 20th, 1884, leaving surviving three daughters: Mrs. :Flora M. Eing, Mrs. Elizabeth Gerlach (since deceased), and Mrs. Elizabeth M. Lulsdorff, wife of John Lulsdorff. ' BIERBAUER, J.'— Born in Einselthurn, Ehine Bavaria, Au- gust 28, 1819. He lived in his native town until eighteen years of age, when he went to Switzerland, where he engaged in cabinet making. In 1848, he join- ed the rebellion in Bavaria, as captain of an infantry company, until the heroic effort of the Bavarian pa- triots in behalf of liberty, was crushed in 1849, when he returned to Switzerland with his two brothers, , and soon thereafter all three emigrated to the United States. Mr. Bierbauer settled first in New York, where lie was employed for two years in a piano factory. Hr then removed to Brie, Pa.. where, on December 14. 1854, he was married to Bertha, daughter of Dr. A. JACOB BIERBAUER. G. Dornberg. Soon after his marriage he went to TJtica, N. Y., and engaged in the brewing business. , In October, 1856, he re- moved to Mankato, and was soon joined by his brother, William Bierbauer, and together they started the first brewery west of St. ■ Paul, in the summer of 1857. In 18G2, he sold out to his brother his interest in the brewery and with his brother-in-law, William H. Eockey, bought the South Bend Hour mill, and a saw mill located then near the present Blue Earth river bridge, both of which inills they removed to Mankato, locating the saw mill on Vine street, west of Front street, and the /grist mill, known for years as the City Mills, on Eock street. The firm of Bierbauer & Eockey was popular and had a large custom trade. In 1866, Mr. Bierbau.er paid his old home in Europe a six months' visitj and on his retiirn, in January, 186 7; Biogra;phies i8i sold his milling interest to Mr. Eockey, and erected a large woolen factory on Vine street, east of Front, which he operated until 1874. He then sold the factory to Christian Koos and retired from active business for a season, spending two and one-half years in Oregon, and on his return, engaged in the manufacture of a middlings purifier, which he had invent(3d. In 1882, he again took charge of the Mankato City Mills, which he ran. for ten years. He died March 1st, 1896, leaving his wife and six children: Oscar Bierbauer, dealer in grain and proprietor of the Mankato Malt Works; Mrs. Ida Buetaw, of Milwaukee; Mrs. Emma Bettinger, of Portland; Miss Alma Bierbauer, .deputy Eegister of Deeds of Blue Earth County; Mrs. Mattic Paddock and Herman Bierbauer, of Manliato. BIERBAUER, Capt. William. was born in Einselthurn, Bavaria, February 36, 1836. He was well educated and served a term in the Ger- man army. He became in- volved in the German Eev- olution of 1848, with Carl Schurz, and others, and was forced to leave his native country, and landed in ISTev/ York in 1849. He soon be- came interested in the brew- cry business, first at Seneca Falls, and subsequently at Milwaukee, with Philip Best. In 1856, he came to Mankato, and with his brother Jacob, established a brewery, which grew to be a large and prosperous plant. CAPT. WM. BIERBAUER. At first he occupied, a small frame building erected in 1858 on Xorth Front street, but in 1873 re- moved to the present site. William Bierbauer was a patriotic citi- zen, and when the Indian outbreak of 1868 occurred, he promptly raised a company, of which he was made captain, and went to the relief of New Ulm, where he rendered valiant service. He was a iSs Mankato — Its First Fifty Years gentleman of fine presence, good jnclgment, and, with a high sense of lionor. In 1858, he was married to Mis8 Louisa Dornberg, danghter of Dr. A. G. Dornberg, of this city. To this marriage, there were born seven children, six of whom are now living, viz: Albert, Bruno, Eudolph, William, Addie and Ella. Capt. Bierbauer died in this city universally respected and lamented November 30, 1893, and is buried in Glenwood cemetery. BRADLEY, ED W.~Born at TJtica, N. Y., September 14, 1839. In 1855, he located in the Mercantile business at Maquolceta, Iowa, and with his brother, William, removed to Mankato, in October, 1857, where they con- ducted a large store of general mercliandise, for many years. Dur- ing the Sioux out- break of 1862, he was appointed Marshal by General Sibley for the district embracing Blue Earth and . the counties south west of it, and rendered excel- lent service. He was elected County Audi- tor in the fall of 1876. He served on Mankato's first Board of Aldermen, and .was Mayor of the City for two terms. He has EDWIN BRADLEY. also, held a numbcr of other local offices. For the past few years he has conducted : a grocery store. • He married Miss Jennie B. Colven, in June, 1864. Mr. Bradley is highly esteemed by his large circle of friends, for his strict integrity and fidelity to duty. BRADLEY, ftARVtY.—BoTn at MiUington, (!onn., April 14, 1781, He spent some years peddling goods through the Southern States Biog-rafhics ■ jg About is:*."), removed to Utiea, Xew y. and did a thriving Inisiness. York, and purciiased a large tract of land, upon a part of wliich, much of the present city of Utica, stands. Aljout 1840, he went to Whites- boro, A"ew York, and open- ed a mercantile store. He also started an extensive business at Macon, Ga., in conjunction with his broth- er, Alvin Bradley, )_)y whom it was conducted. In July, 18.57, he visited Mankato and invested in some West Mankato projjerty, and three farms. In the follow- ing Octolx'r, he started a mercantile store in West Mankato, in charge of his . sons, Edwin and William Bradley both building and stock to the coimer now occupied )jy D. L. Clements' store, ilr. Bradley retained ]ris residence in Wliites- Ijoro for a numl)er of years, s[)eiiding only liis summers in Mankato, but upon the death of his onlv daugliter, he liroke up his Ne^v York home and moved to IMankato permanently. He died Jan- uary 2.'), 1877. He was a man of great energy and excellent busi- ness judgment. To his puldic s[)irit and \igorous push, Mankato owes many of its early im]U'o\ements. The Cemetery and Bel- grade roads and the extension of Front street through the Van Brunt slough M'ere mainly instigated by him. His store in the early days of Mankato, was one of the largest and liest knoAvn in the village, resorted to by all the country sides. He was a strong and vigorous character. Mr. Bradley was married about 1820, at his native town in Connecticut, to Miss Nancy Bradley, who died in the winter of 18.5G-.57. He left surviving three sons, Charles and William (both since deceased), and Edwin Bradley of Mankato. H.4RVEY BRADLEY, Two ^-ears later he moved rS^ Mankato — Its First Fifty Years BRANSON, LEWIS C.— The first district judge of the Sixth Judicial J)isti-i(i. was Ijoi-n ]\larcli 10, IS^T), near Flushing, Bel- mont (,'ouuty, Ohio. He was of (Quaker ancestry. At tlie age of eleven, the family vi'inoveil to Henry County, Indiana, wliere he was self educated, andstudj'- a, ing law, was admitted to the har. He ojjened his first law office in Wabash, Ind. But wear)- of the swamps and miasmatic conditions there, he took his wife and i^f' MBKHl^. M^\ two children, April, 1854, and came direct to Mankato, arriving there with but two dollars and fifty cents in his pocket. Here he buried two children; the first dying very soon after the Judge's arrival, was the first death among the white people at .Alankato. May 24, 1858, he was elected Judge of the JUDGE LEWIS c,\ss BR.^NSON Si.xtli Judicial District, and ser\ed the ici'iii of si'\-en years, lieing the first Judge of this district iindci' the Slab' ( 'unstitution. It '\\-as during his incumbency that jiearly all of the Judges' deeds were obtained by the settlers, of (lie lots in the original town site of this city, at the conclusion of the lonu' litigation touching titles between the settlers and the town site propi'ieturs. hi Ociobci-. fSiWi. he uatliei'ed u[) his l)elongings and taking his family, i-ciiioNcd to the Far West, settling in San Fi'ancisco, early in 1S(>;. where he I'eniained till 1S^5, practicing his ])rofession. Ik'altli failing, he remo\"ed to A'irginia City, Nevada, but the '■|>oom" ceasing, in ISSO, be again i-emoved, finding home and practice in Ijead\ille. ('(ilorailo. In 1885, he made a final re- moval to Seattle, ill Washington, near where he yet lives. He had aeciunulateil ipiite an independence. Lmt the crash of 1893, swept it nearly awav. BRETT, Geo. Everett. — This prominent merchant was born at Sti'ong, Franklin County, Maine, November 23, 1845. His Biographies 185 ' father was Cyru? Hamlin Brett, who was a direct descendant of the noted John Alden and Priseilla and was rehited to the fam- ous Phoebe and Allice Gary, and his mother, MarV Himter Brett, was of sturdy Scotch ancestry. The family came to Minnesota in 1863. In May, 1868, he established a dry goods house in Man- 'kato, and with fine busi- ness capacity and good taste, his business has pros- pered, till Jhe became in his line the leading merchant in the Minnesota Valley. He has been devoted to his special business for nearly forty years. His store is a bower of beauty and good taste. He has aided in the upbuilding of every mater- ial interest of the city. ' In the midst of a busy life, he has found time to indulge his taste for music, and his fine tenor voice has enriched our glee clubs and church choirs. . He came naturally by his musical tastes, for his father before him was quite a musician, possessed of an excellent tenor voice. He was a teacher of music in various towns of this State as well as of Maine, his former home. Mr. Brett is public spirited and has been a member of the Common Council, Board of Trade, and other important civic and trade bodies. March 19, 1873, he was married to Miss Lizzie Ellen Max- field, of St. Paul. This estimable lady was the daughter of the Hon. James Maxfield, so many years the ]\Iayov of St. Paul. To this union, there were born three children, viz : James Edwin, born July 1st, 1875; Prank Everett, born August 7th, 1877; and Mary Maxfield, born June 26, 1879. This daughter was mar- ried to Wilbur Morgan Taylor, Jiine 2, 1900. Mr. Brett is one of our oldest business men and among the most successful of our mer- chants. GEORGE EVERETT 1 BRETT. j86 Mankato — tls First Fifty Years BROOME, JOHN M, —Born September 25, 1836, at Albersweiler, in Ehenish Bavaria. Followed a course of classical education for some years,- with intent to become an ecclesiastic, but changing his pur230se, he entered the Sta,te Normal school at Spire, from which he graduated in 1847. His cherished career, as teacher in his na- tive land, was, however, cut short by the Eevolution of Ehenish Bavaria and Baden, in 1848, in which he took an active part. Having thus made himself obnoxious to the government, he came- to America in January, 1853, and for a few years was engaged as an instructor of languages and music in Ohio and Ken- tucky. In 1860, he started a German Eepublican paper at Portsmouth, Ohio. On January 3rd, 1862, he en- listed as leader of the band in the 12th Kentucky Vol., and served in Gen. Buell's Corps. In April, 1869, he came to Minnesota, and started the first German pa- per at St. Cloud. In 1871, he took charge of the New Ulm public schools and two years later removed to Man- kato, where he embarked in Journalism for the third time, publishing the ''j\linncsota Beobachter," the first .German paper in Mankato, from 1873 to July, 1894, when owing to ill- health, incident to army experience, he retired from active life. He was married August 25, 1856, in Ohio to Miss Mary Bernar- dina Von Brandt, of Essen, Prussia, who died June 30, 1897. He has one surviving child, Mrs. Stella Hamilton. BROWN, HON. JAS.—Bora March 14, 1831, at Milford, But- ler County, Ohio, where his parents had immigrated in 1810, from Belfast, Ireland. Graduated with honors from Miami Col- lege .at Oxford, Ohio, in the Class of 1845. During his college course he spent all his spare time in -the study of law, and, upion graduating, entered tlae ]a\\' office of 0. S. Witherl)y, and was ad- mitted to the bar on the 26th of March, 1846, in Union County, JOHN M. BROOME. Biographies 187 fndiana. Soon after this he opened an office in Winchester, In- diana, and began the practice of his profession. On September 14, 184C, he married Miss Caroline Ir- Avin, daughter of Eev. Eob- ert Irwin. In 1849, he was elected to the Indiana Leg- islature, and in 1854, the governor of that State ap- pointed him Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. Ho, also was county exam- iner of , Schools for Win- chester County for years. Was chosen piresidential elector in 1864, and, in the fall of. the same year, was the Democratic nominee for Congress. Tlie health of Mrs. Brown necessitatiJig a change of climate, the HON. JAMES BROWN. family removed to Minne- sota, arri\'ing at Mankato, August 19, 1865. The following year he formed a partnership with J. A. Wiswell, and the firm of Brown & Wiswell, continued for . many years, one of the best known in this part of the State. Judge Brown always took great interest in chiirch and educational matti'rs, and was e\-er active in their proriiotion. Was resident director of Mankato Normal 'School for years, and sc4ecte(l its present site. Was member of the Legislature in 1881. In 1885, his wife died and December 23, 1886, he married again, Mrs. Josephine E. Sheets, of Hamilton, Ohio. He died August 3, 1889, leaving surviving him, l)esicles his second wife, the following children: Mrs. j\lary Cornelia Pfau, Jlrs. Marcella Man, Charles I., Henry \Y., and Eobert E. Brown. The latter has been for years the efficient maniigev of the Gas and Electric Light Company. BROWN, Orville.— Born Nov. intli, I8IO, in Ellisburg, Jeffer- son County, New York. He cnme west in 1S4S, and was engaged in railroad work in Ohio and Indiana from 1851 to 1856, when i8S Mankato — Its /''irst fiflv ] rars lie carne to j\rhinosota. Here lie located first at Cliatfield, and started the Chatficld "liepubliean." In ISfiS, he Teino\'ed to Fari- l)aalt aud founded the "Faribault lio|iuliliean" — the fii'st paper to ad\i)eate the })i'inei])les of yf '%,_ the Repuhliean party in Rice County — which he eon- duete(l as editor and jii'opi'i- etor until l.SliH. lie then came to ^lankato anil, in connection \\\\\\ .1. T. AVil- lianis. purehasi'd "''idic Rec- ord,"" chaniji'd it politically to a Repuljlican paper, and was its editor and proprie- foi- until 1S7!». when he sold il lo (ien'l. liakei' to tie nioi-.ucil, with the "Union,"' i)do the ";\rankato P^ree I'ress."" In 187:!, he was appointed postuuister at Mankato, and continued in the office for ten years. Jlr. Rirown «'as a man id' strong;' and honest convictions and fear- loss and vii;oi'iiiis ill llii'ir defoner. He wielded an able, forcible jieii, e\er rraih' to cliam])ion the cause he believed in, and a terror to its Foes. Ilr was. withal, a man of kindly ■sympathies, a true frii'iid and stricl in bis integrity. His first wife was Miss Ruth Jijai'l, whom hr mai'ried October 1)1, ls:!l, and by whom be had I'Diir childrrii : Mrs. Xancy ]\l. Xiebols, of Elyria, Ohio, Pardon J)., and ()r\illr I). Ilrown, of St. Paul, and Christopher, of Ever- I'tt, Wasliiniiton. His lirst wilV died in Xew York, I)i'i-ember 35, 1S44, anil on Jmu' 1st, IS,"):], ho marfird iliss Carrie Condit, and tbeir children aro: Frank ()., and Theodore ]\r., of St. Paul, Arthur FT., of Didntb, and Clareiicr, doceased. j\1r. l^>rown died al St. Paul, ^liiin., Januarv 5tli, I'.IOl. ORVILLE BROWN, BVCh, HON. D4/V/f/..— AYas born at Roonville, Xew York, Si'ptcmlirr '.'S. IS-ill. He came of KcNoliitionary stock-. lie was well rducafi'd in Ibr i-imimon schools of Ids localit\', wlierc he >3tudieil law and was admitted to the hai'. lie came to Minnesota, B I'off rafltics iSg May IS, 1,S5T. and at nneo bogan tlif practifo of \a\\ , wliicli lie lias (•dntimu'd to this day. lir first held liis' office at Sdiitli Pii'iid. liiit ill lS(;s. I'cininiMJ |icnnaiiciitly to Maiilcato. lie was uiavi-iod OetolxT 'i'l, IS.'iS. to Miss Lo\isa Aim A\'ood, at Kl^'in igo Mankato — lis Fir.sl Fifty Years Illinois, and to this union there were born three children, viz: Charles Delos Buck, born February 24, 1864, who died November 27, 1882, in California; Alfred A. Buck, now anayor of Mapleton, born April 16, 1872, and Laura M. Buck, now Mrs. Abbott, born June 15, 1874. Mrs. Buck, a most estimable lady, died December 13, 1899. Judge Buck filled many positions of trust and honor at the hands of the public. He was elected to the Legislature in 1863. He was chiefly inatrumental in establishing the Normal School in this city. He was County Attorney for four years. In 1878, he was elected to the State Senate. He served in many State and County positions to the entire satisfaction of the people. As a lawyer, he has been prominent and distinguished, and in 1892, was elected a Judge of the State Supreme Court and served as such from 1893 to 1899, when he resigned by reason of ill health. Judge Buck ia a man of striking and commanding presence, of un- impeachable integrity, great intellectual capacity and always en- Joying the confidence of the people. He has ever been an honor to this city and a noble specimen of American manhood. BURT. GROVER C. —Born at Oswego, N. y.. May 28th, 1827. When nine years old, removed with his par- ents, James and Julia Burt, to Hannibal, in the same State, where his fath- er ran a farm and kept a wayside inn for many years. In 1856, the subject of our sketch removed to Winne- bago City, Minn., and en- gaged in mercantile and other occupations, and was prominent in the early his- tory of that town. In 1863, he came to Mankato, and, associated with D. S. Law, purchased, the Mankato House. In 1865, he be- . grover c. burt, came sole proprietor, and conducted the hotel business vmtil 1883, Biographies IQl when he leased the house to H. M. Hamilton for six years. Upon the expiration of this period^ he resumed the management until the spring of 1890, when owing to failing health, he retired from business and sold the corner lot, on which the old part of the hotel building was located, retaining the adjoining lot, on which in 1881, he had erected the present fine three story brick block owned ))y the family. He died June 2(), 1890. Mr. Burt served six 3'eai's as alderman of Mankato, and longer as a member of its Board of Trade. Mr. Wise, of the Mankato Keview, said of him. "He was public spirited and liberal with his time and ]purse in efforts to promote the welfare and prosperity of Mankato, and in all this he was instigated by earnest and un- selfish patriotism."' He "married, Dec. 23, 1866, Miss Phoebe E,, daughter of Mor- ton and.J-ulia A. Laflin, who had located in Lime Township as carlv as June, 1854. He left surviving besides his widow, an only daughter. Miss Xellie Burt. CARNEY. PATRICK //.—Born January 18th, 1838, near Clones, Fermanagh County, Ireland. Emigrated to Buf- falo, New York, in 1844, where he remained until the Fall of 1856, when he re- moved to Lacon, Marshall County, Illinois. Here he spent five years and then went to Logansport, Indi- ana, where for nearly anoth- er five years he was clerk of the Barnett House. Leav- ing Logansport in July, 1866, he located at Minne- apolis, Minn., until 1871, when he came to Mankato, where he has resided ever since. From 1871 to. 1887, he was in the wholesale wine, liquor and cigar business. .On Aug. 1st, 1890, he became manager of the Mankato Standard ('ciiiont Works, and since April, 1894, has operated this large plant under PATRICK H. CARNEY. igz Mankato — Its First Fifty Years a lease, devoting all his time to the Cement interests. Besides" manufacturing the celebrated Mankato Cement, he is also the Northwestern agent for some of the best brands of Portland Ce- ment. Mr. Carney has been married twice. The first time on April 16th, 1867, to Anna O'Neill, of Hudson, Wisconsin, who died December 32, 1896, and the second time, to Mrs. Mary A. Hamlin, on September 23, 1902. There were nine children born to him of his first wife, si.x of whom are living, namely: Frank, Cora, wife of P. K. Meagher; Harry, Mary, wife of President G. W. Bohannon, of the Duluth State Normal School ; Leo, and Percy." CHANEY, REV. LVCIAN IV.— Born in Barnard, Vt., October 1822, of good New England stock, which had first settled in Massachusetts about 1641. He graduated from the University of Verniont, in the class of 1844. Por a lirief period after grad- uating, he pursued the study of law, but abandoned it soon for the ministry, under the conviction that the latter profession re- quired his services. After spending two years in an academy for boys in Burlington, he entered Andover Theological Seminary. His first pastoral work was with the Congregational churches of Pleuvelton, Pulaski, and Eutland, in northern New York. In 1854, he married Miss Happy Kinney, of Royalton. With the hope of benefiting his wife's failing health, Mr. Chaney came to Minnesota in 1872, and took the pastorate of the Congregational church at Mankato, where after a few months his wife died. He continued in his Mankato pastorate for nine years, doing most excellent work. He then moved to Waseca, thence to Granite Palls, Morristown and Medford, Minn., at each of which places successively he had pastoral charges of Congregational churches. After forty-two years of service, he retired, spending the last few years of a most useful life in the village of Dundas, where he died January 13th, 1900. He left him surviving his second wife, whose maiden, name was Miss Sarah Blodgett, and whom he had married in 1878, and one son by his first wife. Prof. Tjucian W. CHianey, Jr., of Carleton College, Northfield, Minn. CHAPMAN, CHAS 4.— Was born in Cambridge, Mass., Octo- ber 14, 1833. He was educated in the public scliool of that town, and in the Lawrence Scientific School of Harvard University, from which he graduated in 1856. In the spring of that year he came Biographies 193 West seeking eiuployiiient ;is a railroad enginecT. The iiard times then coming on caused a cessation of railroad building, so having emigrated so far as Des Moines, Iowa, he concluded to stop there and pursue the business of a surveyor. In the Autumn of 185G, he was engaged in the sur- vey of the Des Moines Riv- er Improvement Company's land grant. In the spring of I80T', in company with Dr. Byron DeWitt, of Os- \\'ego, he left Des Moines, with the intention of settl- ing in Minnesota. Having IJureliased a wagon, pair oi' horses, and the necessary stock of provisions and cook- ing utensils, they commenc- ed their journey up the river road, passing through Fort Dodge, Algona — then con- sisting of only two or three houses — Blue Earth City, -CHARi^Es A. CHAPMAN. A'emou and Garden City. These were all embryo towns, just lieginning to Ije settled. For aljout fort)' miles near the border of Minnesota Territory and Iowa •there was no I'oad, and our pioneers were ojjliged to steer by the compass. They arri\ed at tSouth Bend, June 13, 1857, where they lived during that summer at the boarding house of Elijah K. Bangs. Soon after arriving here they bought in com])any with se\'eral others, the farm of Noah Armstrong, on which they laid out the town site of Le Hillier City. In the Fall of 18-")'i', Mr. Chapman moved to Mankato and opened a surveyor's oifice •with A. D. McSweeney in a small shanty on the s})ot where Patterson's wholesale grocery now stands. Dur- ing the following year he surveyed and platted several aiklitions to Mankato — Warren's, Hanna's, Givens & Lewis", Moreland, Free- man & Buck's, Shaubut's, Dukes', and I!oelf)fson's first and second additions. Mr. Chajunan served one term as Auditor of Blue Earth County, and was the first city engineer of jMankato. He was for '91- Mankato — Its First Fifty Years about twenty j'ears Secretary of the Mankato Board of Trade, and has been secretary of the Mankato Cemetery Association from its organization in 1869 to the present time. He married, Mareli. 31, 1859, Hannah A. Cliapman, of Bethel, Maine. They, have had three children, two of whom, died in in- fancy. The third son, James F. Chapman, was educated at Carle- ton College and the Mass. Institute of Technology, and now oc- cupies a responsible position with the Colorado Fuel and Iron Co., at Pueblo, Colorado. CHRISTENSEN, CHRISTIAN S. C— Born May 5, 1835, in the Duke- dom of Schleswig, then the southern part of Denmark; and in 1857, emigrated to America, arriving, with his brother, H. P., at JURGEN p. CHRISTENSEN. HENRY P. CHRISTENSEN CHRI.STIAN S. C. CHRIStENSEN. Kasota, on August 1st. He resided on a farm five miles north east of Mankato, until 1860, when he removed to town and formed a partnership in the general mercantile businesa with his brother. Their store was first located in Block 15, but in 1862, they erected, what was then considered, a very large and .fine business house on the corner now occupied by the Glass Block. About two years later, a third brother, Jurgen P., was added to the firm, and for Biogra;phies igs many years they did a very large and lucrative business. In 1867, H. P., retired from the firm, the other two continuing until 1887, when they disposed of the store and business. Since which time the subject of this sketch was in the real estate and insurance business with his brother, Henry P., imtil his sad and untimely death, February 8, 1903, by being run over by a railway train. He was married in 1858, to Caroline, daughter of Jacob Hub. She died January 14, 1884. Their surviving children are: Charles, and Carrie, wife of L. J. Smith, of Mahkato. Mr. Christensen was a quiet, modest, industrious man, always genial, and incapable of anything mean or dislionest. CHRISTENSEN, HENRY P..— Born August 27, 1832, at Sehleswig, then the Southern part of Denmark. Immigrated to America in 1857, arriving on August 1st, afKasota, Minn., where he was employed for the first year and a half as clerk for C. E. Shaeffer. On May 10, 1859, he located at Mankato, and opened a general mercantile store in Block 15 of this ,city. In 1862, he built a large frame store on the corner now occupied by tlie Glass Block, and his two brothers, C. S. C, and J. P. Christensen, became as- sociated with him in the business. In 18G7, he sold his interest to his brothers, and moved to his large farm in Lincoln Township. Returning to Mankato in 1873, he opened a real estate and in- surance office in company with C. A. Chapman, whicli continued for ten years. Since 1883, he has continued alone in the same business, and has platted two important additions to Mankato : North Manltato, (now a village of 1,200 inhabitants) in- 1886 and East Mankato in 1887 and 1894. Mr. Christensen is a man of the strictest integrity and is en- dowed with boundless energy and business jjluck. The Presbjr terian. society owe to him as much as any one person the building of their first edifice and many a public ' enterprise he has helpe(| push to success. While avoiding politics, he has served a number of times in local city and school offices. He married February 24, 1870, Isabella B. Walz, and they have three children : Edgar W., Isabella and Julia. CHRISTENSEN, JURGEN P.— Born September 24, 1846, in Sehles- wig, Denmark, came to Mankato in 1860, and clerked in* stores until 1864, when he became a member of the firm of Christensen Brothers, in the general mercantile business^ at Mankato, where ic)6 Mankato — Its First Fifty Years he continued with success until 1887, when the firm having sold out, he visited California, and finally in 1890, removed to San Diego, that State, where he still resides, engaged in fruit farming and real estate. lie was married in 1866, to Miss Mary A. Warren. They have no surviving children. During his residence in Manlcato, Mr. Christensen was ever an active promoter of the city's welfare. Was trustee of Glenwood cemetery, and held other positions of trust CLARK, Dr. Wm. Wyckoff.—One of Mankato's early settlers was a natiA'c of Western Pennsylvania from which place he moved to Ashtabula County, Ohio, began the practice of medicine, arid was married to Adaline Bab.bett. In 1858, he moved to Mankato and continued the practice of his profession until the war broke out, whereupon he was made one of the surgeons of the Tenth Minnesota Regiment. He serv- ed throughout the war, with more than ordinary success, and came out as acting Division Surgeon in the 16th Army Corps. His army experience gave him a pre- eminence among the members of hi? profession in Southern Min- nesota and his practice as a Surgeon at Mankato, from the close of the war to his death, January 1st, 1878, was one of great usefulness and covered a large expanse of territory. At the time of his death he was in his fifty-seventh year. Although a stalwart Re- publican he repeatedly de- clined to permit the use of his name as a candidate for office. At one time he was urged to accept the Repub- lican nomination for Con- gress but was unwilling to abandon his professional, DR. WILLIAM WYCKOFF CLARK. career. Two sons were born to Dr. and Mrs. Clark, one of whom died at the age of eight, and the other, William WyckofE Clark. Biografhies '(?7 is a practicing Attorney of Minneapolis?. His widow is still living, now making her home at ilinneapolis. CLARKE, Maj. Geo. 4.— Born Febniar.y 1, 1833, at Water- ville, Maine. Went to China, iliehigan, in 183G, and thence to Wattshurg, Pennsylvania, in 1849, where on July 6, 1851, he married Eliza, daughter of Jabez and j\[ariali Hubbell, prominent and \\'ealthy farmers. In 18.31, he came to ]Mankato, arriving on N^ovcmljcr ".'nd, and put up at the residence of James Hanna, whose house, a one story frame, located M'here the First National Bank now stands, was the principal stojiping place of the town. The following spring he located a claim on the Belgrade bluff, opposite the mouth of the Blue Earth, but in 185G, moved back to ilankato and engaged in lousiness. In 1861, he Ijecame the senior partner of the firm of Clarke & Keggereis, general merchants. In the Fall of 1861, he raised a company for the defence of his country, and on September 20tli, with a muster roll of 80, went to Fort Snelling, ^^'herc, with forty of these, he enlisted as private in the Fourth Minn. A'ol. Infantry. On December 30, 1861, he was made 3nd, Lieutenant of Co. II. of this regiment. Promoted 1st Lieutenant on August 34. 1863, Captain on July 1st, 1863, and Mnjor of the IJegiment on September 16, 1864. He served with his regiment in the liard cam- paigns under Grant and Sherman, until discharged liy reason of expiration of service, September 16, 1864. He received special com- mendation from liis super- ior officers for gallant serv- ice, and at the time of his discharge was Provost Mar- shal of 3rd. Division IStli, A. C., on the statt' of Gen'l. J. E. Smith. On the close of the war in 186.5, he re- turned to Mankato and en- gaged in the mercantile, MAJ. GEORGE A. CLARKE. igS Mankato — Its First Fifty Years real estate and insurance business until 1889, when, owing to the failing health of himself and wife, he removed to Florence, Ala., and thence in 1892 to Union City, Penn.^ where he still resides, engaged in the manufacturing business. The Major has led a life of strenuous activity, and was ever public spirited and generous. COFFIIS, Rev. Bartlett Y, —Born May 22, 1822, at Paoli, Indi- ana. His parents were Thomas and Miriam Coffin, members of a Quaker Colony, who were early settlers of the Hoosier State. Hie father was a cousin of Lucretia Mott, and the Coffins traced theii ancestry to Tristain Coflfin, who was a lineal descendant of Sir Eichard Coffin, who came to England with William th« Conqueror. Bartlett Y. Coffin was educated in Depauw University, Ind., and was ordained "Deacon" in the M. E. church by Bishop Janes on October 14, 1849, and "Elder" by Bishop Waugh, on October 7th, 1851. His first ministerial appointment was to Veda, Ind., where Dr. Edward Eggleston, the author, was converted under his preaching. In Indiana, he was, also, successively appointed to Edinburg, Bedford, Madison. City, New Albany and. Indian- apolis. In June 1855, he came to Blue Earth County,. Minn., and located on a claim near his brother, W. P. Coffin, in South Bend Township. This move was made to benefit his health, which the malaria of his native state was fast undermining. The drier air of Minnesota proved beneficial and he soon resumed his ministerial work, preaching at South Bend, Mankato and in almost ever\ settlement in this part of the State. He was located for some time in those earlier years at the Winnebago Agency, teaching school and assisting Gen'I. Fletcher, the Indian agent there. Dur- ing this time he conducted gratuitously an evening school also, for the white employees at the Agency. When the Sioux outbreak occurred in the Pall of 1862, he was ainong the first to go to the defence of New Ulm, where his cool bravery and unerring marksmanship gave him special promi- nence in that memorable struggle with the savage foe. On Feb' ruary 7th, 1863, he was appointed Captain of a Militia Company by Governor Eamsey. . ' feev. Coffin did not join the Minnesota Conference until 1867. as he dicl not wish to be tied down to any particular church but preferred preaching as a missionary in the outlying districts in the log cabins and school houses of the scattered pioneers, who Biograflnes igg were deprived of regular religious services. His labors as a. mis- sionary, evangelist and pastor were very abundant and effective There is hardly a neighborhood in Blue Earth County and vicinity, to which he did not minister in spiritual things. Humble and gentle in all his ways, he was one of the most genuine of men, whom none knew but to love. Tliou.gh quiet and reserved in manner, he was withal most fervid and zealous in his Master's cause, and the only pay he cared for was the joy of the service Hundreds of the old settlers, who profited by his humble and faithful ministry bless his memory, for his whole life was a bene- diction to all with whom it came in touch. Eev. Coffin was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Mankato, and did much to build up the order. He was married at St. Peter, December 18, 1863, to Caroline Marilda, daughter of George P. Hicks, then a merchant of that town. He died ■ September 7th, 1900, at Minneapolis, Minn., where his last years were spent and where his widow still resides. COFFIN, William P. — Born in Paoli, Indiana, September 20, 1833. His parents were Thos. and Miriam Coffin, worthy mem- bers of a Quaker Colony, who as pioneers had settled in the wilder- ness of the Hoosier State. He first came to Mankato in October, 1854, and during the winter of that year, in connection with another young man named, Joel Cloud, opened a small grocery store in the Hanna building, which stood where Young & Otto's store now stands. The fol- lowing spring Mr. Coffin pre-empted a claim in what is called the Spring Island portion of South Bend Township, and in 1856, went back to Indiana. In 1866, he returned to Man- kato, where he has resided ever since, engaged in the real estate and loaning busi- ness. He has led a quiet, industrious life and is high- william p. coffin. 200 Mankato—Its First Fifty Y^ars ly esteemed for his scrupulous honesty and fidelity to every trust. He is a worthy member of the M. E. church. October 2, 18G7, he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret C. Todd, who died April, 1900. Their children are : Ellen E., and Mark T. Coffin. COLE, Mrs. Catharine.— Bom January 15, 1815, in Orwigs- burg, Pa., of which State her ancestors were among the earliest settlers. Her parents were Christian and Sarah (Sail) Bxobst. Her grandfather, Jacob Sail, had his farm where is now located the city of Pottsville, Pa. Mrs. Cole was first married in 1832, to Eichard Bruce, and lived at Miners ville. Pa., where Mr. Bruce died. She was next married in 1838, to Hoxie Kathburn, a native of Delaware County, New York. After residing for a number of years in Pennsylvania, Mr. Eathburn removed with his family to the vicinity of Steubenville, Ohio, and was employed for a year or two in railway construction. About March 1853, he came West with his family, intending to locate at Galena, Illinois, but was induced to continue his journey to St. Paul. Finding employment on the boat Clarion, he left his family at St. Paul and ascended the Minnesota to Port Ridgely in May, 1853, and, on the return trip, concluded to locate at Mankato. He built a claim shanty on the stone quarry bench Just north of the Great Western round- house, and his family arrived on June 12th, and went into posses- sion. In the Pall of 1856, Mr. Eathburn was employed by Messrs. Babcock and Marsh to carry the mails between Mankato and Sioux City, and, being caught by a blizzard, was frozen to death near Jackson, Minn., December 26, of that year. In the Pall of 1862, his widow married Ephraim Cole, a car- penter by trade, who had first come to Mankato in 1852, and in the following year had helped build the Mankato House. He was a member of the first Board of County Commissioners and a prom- inent character in the early history of our town. Mrs. Cole was a nurse by profession, and there was hardly a pioneer household in Mankato to whose sick she did not minister. She has seen our city's growth from its very infancy, and still her vigor is unabated. She had two children by her first husband: William and Franklin Bruce, and four Ijy her second husband: Mrs. Mary Goodrich, Mrs. Margaret Funk, Mrs. Jane Fuller and Mrs. Eebecca Burris. CO OPER, Pres. Charles H. —Born ki 1855, at La Crosse, Wisconsin, of New England parentage. Entered Dartmouth Col- Biogra;phies lege in 1873 and graduated in the class of 1877. The first year after graduating, he was sub-master of the Abbott school, at Wash- ington, D. C. In 1878, he became teacher in the Hitchcock Free Academy, at Brimfield, Mass., and from 1879 to 1882 was its prin- cipal. In the latter year he was elected tutor of Dartmouth Col- lege, and in the following year became professor of History and Political Science, and Librarian of Carleton College, Northfield, .Minn., where he continued until the close of 1898, when he was elected to the Presidency of the State Normal school at Mankato, which position he still holds. President Cooper is dignified in presence, decisive in actionj ripe in scholarship and high in his intellectual and moral ideals^- an exemplary instructor of youth. He was united in nrarriage in 1883 to Miss Caroline A. Wheeler, of North Woburn, Mass. They have three children : Helen, Margaret, and Robert Wheeler. CRAY, Judge Lorin. — Is of Scotch descent, the name Jt is claim- ed being a corrxiption of "McRea." His parents, Deleva'n and Charlotte (Chappel) Cray, were natives of Vermont, who had lo- cated at the town of Mooers, .Clinton County, New York, where the subject of this sketch, was born October 19, 1844. The family removed in 1849 to Winnebago County, Wiscon- sin, and thence in the sum- mer of 1859, to Blue Earth Count}', Minn., locating on a farm in the town of Pleas- ant Mound. At seventeen years of age, young Cray en- listed in Company D. 9th, Minnesota Vol., and served in the Sioux war and South- ern Eebellion. At the battle of Nashville, Tenn., Decem- ber 15, 1864, he was severe- ly wounded in the shoulder. After reading law for three years with Judges Severance and Dickinson, he was ad- judge lorin gray. mitted to the bar in 1875, and opened an office at Ijake Crystal, Matikalo — /Is J-'irsI J-'i)ly '^((trs Minn., where he practiced nntil 1887, wlien he i-emoved to ]\Ian- laito. He was attorney for the C. St. \\ ]\I. & O. Ily. Company for twenty-tliree years, and for tlie C & N. W. liy. C'oinpany for ten years. He was also the attorney for tlie National (Jitizen's Bank of JMankato, and several other larg-e corporations for many years. Hi 1S98, he was elected Judge of the Sixth Judicial Dis- trict of Minnesota, and entered upon tlu' discharge of his duties on January 1st, 1900. Judge Cray is an ahle lawyer and a learned, efficient Judge. He lias l)een twice nuirried. His hrst wife was Sarah Triuihle, to whom he was united in 18(i!(, and who died in January, 18!)(l. j\Iiss Lulu, daughter of Ca])t. A. J. ihirphy, of Lake Crystal, Minn., hecame his second wife in Sejitemher, 189:5. CURRIER, Frederick /W.— Born in Boston, Jlass., December .'iOth, IS.")-.'. Idis ])arents were natives of Maine, but after their marria,ge had settled in Boston. Mr. Curriers forefathers had been prominent leaders in the I'evolutionary War, and he is the direct descendant in the eighth geiu'ration of liichard Currier, Avho settled in Salisbury, ;\Iass., in 1(>40, and of John Bean, who settled in Exeter, Xew Irfampsbire in l(i(>0. He was educated in tiie Boston public schools, and at eighteen }Tars, centered a wholesale dry goods firm of his native city, until the spring of 1870, when he came to Blue Earth Coun- ty i\finn., arriving at ilan- kato on the .")tli of March. He located on a farm in Decoria, Avliere he resided nntil Xoveuiber 1S9;5, wlien he removed to j\rankato. In 18!).",, h(. formed a co- Frederick M. CURRIER. partners]n> with J. 0. Kol- ler in the gi'ain and produce business, but in a I'ew months dis- ]K)sed of his inteivst, and becaiue associated with Ernest Tfosen- bei-ger in the manufacture and wholesaling of confectionerv. which Biographies 20J business they started October 10th, 1895. Quickly outgrowing their first quarters, they erected in 1897, their present commod- ious and elegant factory, whose capacity their rapidly growing business is already beginning to tax, Mr. Currier was elected a member of the Legislature in 1890, and served with credit to his constituents and himself. In the spring of 1899, he became Mayor of Mankato, and served two years. During his administration the city's floating debt was reduced $22,000.00, and the treasury which had only $100.00 in it, when he took office, had $18,000, in it at the conclusion of his term. Mr. Currier is a member of the Presbyterian church and at present, president of its Board of Trustees. He is, also, a di- rector of the First National Bank, Vice-President and Treasurer of the Central Minnesota Immigration Land Co., and Vice-Presi- dent of the Social Science Club. He was married January 6th, 1878, to Ellen L., daughter of George Todd, of Decoria Township, and two children have blessed their union: Guy E., and Ethel. DA VIS, Dr. Edward J. — Son of Edward and Jane Davis was born' July 6, 1839, at Merionethshire, Wales. When he was an infant his j)arents emigrated to Marcy Township, Oneida County, New York, and removed thence to the village of Whitesboro, in the same county, when he was twelve years old. Soon after this, his father having met severe financial reverses, he was thrown upon his own resources in his struggles for an education in the village school and Whitestown Seminary. During 1860, and .until the spring of 1862, he taught at Wilson Institute, Wilson, New York, and Judge A. W. Tourgee was his co-laborer and room-mate during the first year. He returned to Whitesboro in the spring of 1862, and began his medical studies in the office of Dr. Charles E. Smith. The call of his country becoming urgent, he enlisted October 9, 1862, as private in Co. D., 146th Eegiment New York Vol., and soon went to the front. After two months service he was "detailed assistant hospital steward, and after the battle of Gettys- burg was commissioned hospital steward of his. regiment. After the battle of Cold Harbor, June, 1864, he was detailed chief steward of Second Division Fifth Corps, field hospital. This responsible position he filled until March 2, 1865, when he was commissioned First Lieutenant of Company C, of his Kegiment, which position he held until disabled by wounds at the battle of ^4 Mankalo — Its First Fifty Years Five Porks, Va., April 1st, 1865. He was bre vetted Captain for gallant and meritorious conduct at this battle, and was mustered out with his regiment June 16, 1865. The following September he resumed his medical studies and graduated with the degree of M. D., from the Albany Medical College in 1868. In April of that year, he came to Mankato and the following May, began the active practice of his profession there, which was continued until June, 1900, when he removed to Weiser, Idaho, where he is now engaged in the drug business with his son. On June 30, 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Chrissie Thompson, of Wilmington, Illinois, and three children have blessed their union, two of whom survive: Ed- ward and Franc. During his thirty- two years residence at Mankato, Dr. Davis iilled many positions of honor and trust. He was U. S. Examin- ing Surgeon of Pen- sions from 1869 until his departure from the State, except dur- ing President' Cleve- land's second term. Was member of the State Board of Health for fifteen years. As- sisted in reorganizing the State Medical So- DR. EDWARD J. DAVIS. cicty, of which he was made President in 1885, and to which he contributed many valu- uable papers. Was a charter member of the Minnesota Valley Medical Association and served as its president one year. Was an active and efficient meniber of the Mankato Board of Education for seven years. Was an elder of the Presbyterian church from 1872 until his departure from Mankato and always took an active part in all the work of the church and Sunday school. His re- moval from Mankato, where the best part of his active life had Biographies io£ been so successfully spent, was due to the failing health of his wife, which required a change of climate. DAVIS, D. D., Rector George //.-Born May 27th, 1842, at Buxton, Maine. When he was an infant, his parents Freder- ick and Ellen (Gould) Davis, removed to Portland, Maine, where his father became a merchant. The rector was educated in the Portland schools. Philips' Academy of Exeter, IST. H., and Kenyon, College, Ohio. After graduating from the latter institution he followed mercantile life for some years at Newark, N. J., and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1869, he came to Minnesota and taught school one year at Elk Eiver. He then became teacher in the Shattuck school at Paribault, Minnesota,, and at the same time pursued a theological course at the Seabury Divinity school connected with the same institution, graduating in 1875. Ordained to the deaconate the same year by Bishop Whipple, he became rector of the St. Cloud Episcopal church in 1876. In 1882, he took charge of St. Mich- ael's church at Boise City, Idaho. Eeturning to Minnesota in 1888, he became rector of St. Paul's church at Brainerd, and thence in 1895, came to St. John's Episcopal church of this city, where he still officiates. In 1901, he received from Seabury the degree of D. D. Eec- tor Davis stands high in educational and ecclesiastical circles. For the past ten years he has been a member of the standing com- mittee of the Minnesota Diocese and president of it for pa(=t seven years. For the past twelve years he has been trustee of Bishop Seabury Mission, the corporation having charge of the Episcopal schools at Faribault. He was county superintendent of public schools in Idaho for five years and of Crow Wing County, Minnesota for one year. He was president of Brainerd School Board for years and has held a similar position on the Mankato Board of Education for the j3ast four 3^ears. He is also promi- nent in Masonic circles. Doctor Davis has been married thrice. His first wife, whom he married in Maine, and his second wife, whom he married in Ohio, both died in their young womanhood. His present wife, whose maiden name was Alice C. ITpham, he married in 1874^ at Elk Eiver, Minnesota. She is a native of New Brunswick. Three children have blessed this last union: Dr. Frederick Up- ■ham, of St. Clair; Alice C, and Katherine G., of Mankato. He 2ob Mankato — Its First Fifty Years also has a daughter by his former wife: Mrs. CarrieT. Kedway, of Idaho. DIAMOND, JOHN.--^-^^^ in Baltimore, ^\A., January 14,. 1828, of Scotch-Irish parents. He was left an orphan in early child- hood, and moved with his guardian in 1838 to Down- ing, Chester County, Penn., where he ^vorked on a farm until 1850, when he went to Lancaster City, Penn- sylvania. Here he first learned the tanning business and then the machinist's trade. Eemovod to Minne- sota in 1857. reaching Man- kato on May 12th, of that year. He pre-empted a farm in section 31, of Ster- ling, but resided for a num- ber of 3'ears at Shelbyville, operating a saw mill for Henry Stoeks. In 1860, he removed to his farm, where JOHN DIAMOND. he resided during the trying days of the Indian massacre, in which he bore himself with forti- tude. In 18G9, he was elected sheriif, and was continued in the office fbr three terms. He then jourchased a farm near the city limits in Mankato Township. In 188-1, he was elected County Commissioner — serving two terms — and was largely instrumental in having erected the present County Court House. Has been president of the Blue Earth County Agricultural Society, and is now president of the Blue Earth County Territorial Association. Has always taken an active interest in all the political and sociol- ogical questions of the day. He was married May 12, 18.54, to j\lary, daughter of John and Mary Shutt, of Marietta, Penn. She died Sejitembcr 4, 1898. Their children are: John Evert, Annie Elizabeth, wife of T. F. Brown, of St. Paul: Sarah Jane Keith (deceased), Calvin A., Harvard Downing, j\rargaret Alice, and Lewis Clayton Diamond. Biogra-phies soj DICKII\SOI\, Judge Daniel 4.— Born at Hartford, Vermont, October 28, 1839. Having early lost his parents, lie was. reared and educated by his grand- father. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1860, He studied law in the office of Smith M. Weed, at Plattsburgh, IS!". Y. He was in the naval service of the U. S., as assistant paymast- er in 1863. Subsequently resigning, he returned to New York, where he prac- ticed law with Mr. Weed^ until 1868, when he remov- ed to Mankato. Here he successfully practiced his profession until 1875, wheij he was elected Jiidge of the Cth Judicial District. This position he held until June JUDGE DANIEL ASHLEY DICKINSON. g^.^^ jfigi, when he was ap- pointed by the Governor, Associate Judge of the Supreme Court to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Justice Cornell, to which position he was subsequently twice elected, and remained upon the bench until October, 1893. After his retirement, he resumed the practice of law at Duluth, where he was associated with a promi- ment firm under the name of Billson, Congdon & Dickinson, which relation continued until his death on the 12th of February, 1902. May 11th, 18C7, he was married to May E. Weed, and to this union, four children were bom, Sarah W., Anna M., Mattie, and Daniel Ashley; one of these, Mattie, is dead. He was a thorough lawyer, an able and conscientious judge, possessed the urbanity of a gentleman, and fully enjoyed the confidence of the legal fratern- ity of the entire State. As a man, as a judge and as a patriot, he was an honor to this city. DORNBERG, DR. ALBON 6,— E3rn in Tliuringia, Ciontral Germany, in 1800, educated at Heidelberg, and jiracticed medicine in Ger- many until 1847, when he emigrated to America. Locating at 208 Mankalo — Its First Pifty i cars Miffinburg, Penn., he work- ed up a large practice dur- ing the ten years of his resi- dence there. In 1856, he removed to Mankato, Minn., and was the leading homeo- pathic physician of the town until his death on December 29, 1878. His wife, Chris- tiana Dornberg, had depart- ed this life on October 26, 1874. He had nine child- ren: Clotilda, married to Christian Mosser ; Dr. Adol- phus L. Dornberg; Augusta, married to Wm. H. Eockey ; Bertha, married to Jacob Bierbauer ; Alma, married to Charles Heilborn; Louisa DR. ALBON G. DORNBERG. married to Wm. Bierbauer; Laura, married to Herman DuBuisson ; Rosa, married to Frederick Prael, and Leander Dornberg, who died prior to his father. Most of the doctor's children were located prominently at Mankato at the time of his death, and three of them; Mrs. Eoclcey, Mrs. Jacob Bierbauer and Mrs. Wm. Bierbauer, still live there. DUKES, AARON N, — Iss a native of Randolph County, Indiana, where his birth occurred, October 27, 183-1. His grandfather, Isaac Dukes, emigrated from England to Maryland, whence his father, William Dukes, removed to Randolph County, Indiana, and for many years was successively engaged in merchandising, milling and agricultural pursuits. In 184(), he uioved to Miami County, Indiana, and several years later to a farm adjoining the city of Peru, Indiana, where he died in 1878. Mr. Dukes' mother, Mrs. Matilda Dukes, was a daughter of William and Jane McKim, who emigrated to the United States from Ireland, about a century ago, and settled near Chillicothc, Ohio, but subsequentlv removed to Randolph County, Indiana, and thence to j\[iami County, where Biographies 20g they died. Mr. Dukes re- ceived a good public school education and, at the age of seventeen, accepted the po- sition of salesman in the mercantile house of E. PL Shirk, of Peru, Indiana, and at the end of a year he formed a co-partnership with his employer in a gen- eral store in the town of Gilead, in the same County. After remaining two years in the latter place, he dis- posed of his interest, and, in the spring of 1850, came to Mankato, where in the fall AARON N DUKES, at the age of 22 years. gf that year he erected a store building, 20x60 feet in Block 14.. It was constructed of basswood boards — about the first product of the first saw mill in Mankato, which Geo. W. Lay had then just started, about where the Mankato pumping station now stands. Most of the work on the building, Mr. Dukes did himself, with the assistance of the late John A. Willard, whose services he repaid, by helping him put up his law office on an adjoining lot. There being no facil- ities for plastering, the store walls were lined with heavy muslin, and the counters of xmdressed lumber covered with oilcloth. In such quarters, then as elegant as any in town, Mr. Dukes opened what was considered a very large stock of general merchandise, which he conducted with success for several years. His first stock of goods was lost in transit, through the closing of navigation, and he had to spend two or three weeks, in the dead of winter, chasing up and down the Minnesota and Mississippi Valleys, looking for them, and then had to haul them over land at great expense, so that his flour had to be sold at $10.00 per barrel and other goods in proportion. This transportation experience was a ^ommon-one however, with our pioneer merchants. In 1857, he formed a co-partnership with Abel and Josiah Keene and A. D. Seward, in the erection of a saw mill, to which later were added grist, shingle and lath mill attachments. Losses Manhato—Its First Fifty Years incurred from spring freshets and finally the total destruction of the plant by fire in the Fall of 1862, rendered this investment rather unprofitable. Dining the great excitement incident to the Sioux war, Mr. Dukes was appointed provost marshal, with the rank of captain, and had command of the towns of Mankato and South Bend, which he put under military discipline. When, upon the evacuation of New Ulm, the refugees of that town and all the adjacent country, many wounded and sick, and all destitute, came pouring like a flood into. Mankato, the duties of those in authority were ap- palling. The vacant stores and dwellings, whose own- ers had fled the country, were appropriated for hos- pitals and places of shelter, and the cattle and the pro- duce of field and garden every where confiscated for food, under the law of mili- tary necessity. Mr. Dukes was, also, appointed com- missary and rendered effici- ent service in each trying position. Upon the close of the Sioux war he return- ed to Peru, Indiana, where AARON N. DUKES. jje has ever since resided, to form a co-partnership with his friend E. H. Shirk, in a large mer- cantile store at that place. From 18G6 to 1870, he was engaged in the grocery and pork packing business, and from 1870 to 1881, he was mostly employed as a dealer in real estate. He laid out two large additions to Mankato, which bear his name and, also, two additions to Peru, Ind. Since 1881, he has been connected with the Indiana Manu- facturing Co., of Peru, Indiana, one of the largest enterprises of the kind in the State — first as receiver, and now as vice-president and manager, and the success of that great business institution is largely due to his untiring energy and financial tact. He was married September 21, 1858, to Mary Ann, daughter Biografihies 211 of Eev. Jas. Thomson, the pioneer minister of Mankato, by whom he had two children: Elbert J., and William, the latter deceas- ed. His Mdfe died in May, 1898, and in ]S^ovember, 1900, he was again married to Miss Mary Rose Thomson, a niece of his first wife. DURKEE, WILLIAM C.-Born May 27, 1842, at Redwood, JefEerson County, New York. He was the son of Benjamin and Isabel (McCan) Durkee. The father, who was known to all the pioneers of Blue Earth County as "Dr. Durkee", was a native of Madison County, Xew York, and a glassmaker by trade. Por a number of years before coming to Minnesota he resided in New Jersey, being employed as foreman in a large glass factory. Here the mother died Nov. 20th, 1854. The father, after serving the people of Blue Earth County for a number of years as Coroner and otherwise, died January 19th, 1883, highly esteemed by all the old settlers of Mankato. The subject of this sketch removed with his father to Mankato in the spring of 1856, locat- ing on a claim aear town. Jidy 15, 1861, he enlisted in Co.H. Second Regiment Minnesota Vol., and was discharged for disability, January 14, 1862. On his recovery from a severe at- tack of typhoid fever, he re- enlisted in Co. E. Ninth Minnesota Vol., and was chosen First Sargeant. De- cember 28, 18G3, he was discharged to accept a com- mission as captain in the 62nd. Regiment Colored Infantry, and on May 13, 1865, he was commissioned WILLIAM c. DURKEE. Brcvot Major. He took part in the last battle of the Civil War, fought at Palmetto Ranch, Texas, May 13, 1865, a month after Gen. Lee had surrendered, and was discharged from the service March 31, 1866. He then entered the law department of the University of Michigan and 213 Mankalo — Its First Fifty Years graduated in 1868, and was admitted to the bar both in Michigan and Minnesota. In 1869, he was elected Clerk of the District Court of Blue Earth County, and held the position continuously with great satisfaction until his death, which occurred at Columbus, Kansas, October 27, 1882. He was a 32nd degree Mason and an Odd Fellow. He was also an active, influential member of the Baptist church — one of its trustees and superintendent of its Sunday School for years. He was president of the State Sunday School Association and Trustee of Pillsbury Academy. A brave soldier, an energetic and useful citizen, and a true Christian, he served his day and generation well. He married ^iss Mary A.- Davis, October 26, 1869, whom he left surviving with four children: Emma M., who is a very capable trained nurse, residing at St. Paul, Ella, wife of Eev. H. E. Waring, a prominent Baptist divine of Halifax, Nova Scotia, well and most favorably known also in Man- kato, where he formerly ministered, William Charles of Mankato, and Gertrude M., for four years a very successful teacher in the Mankato Public Schools, and elected this year (1903) to a position in the Owatonna State School. FLETCHER, LAFAYETTE G. 4/.— The, father of education in this city — Born in Stockholm, St. Lawrence County. New York, February 13th, 1830. His parents were Adolphus and Sarah (Wellington) Fletcher. Both his parents were of English descent through colonial families noted in the early his- tory of Few England. His father was a native of AValpole, New Hampshire, born in 1795, and served as a private soldier in the War of 1812. His grandfather, Luke Fletcher, served through Oie War of the Revolution, fought at Newton, and, wintering at Valley Forge, was present at the surrender of Yofktown. The Fletcher family came from England in 1630, and settled at Lowell, Massachusetts. He spent his j'ounger days on his father's farm attended the common school and later the St. Lawrence Academy, at Potsdam, and the Ogdensburg Academy, and taught school winters from the age of nineteen to twenty-four. His father died at the old homestead in 1851, and his mother in 1873. In Mav 1854, he started out to see the world. He stopped at Dubuque Iowa, and while there met a party of government surveyors and engaged to go with them. Being active, energetic, and quick to learn, he soon acquired a fair understanding of surveying. They BiograpJties ^'3 started the survey July 6, 1854, at the southeast corner of Blue Earth County, and ran west oni:he first standard parallel, reach- ing Mankato about August 15th, of the same year. He was so much pleased with the country that he conclud- ed to locate there perma- nently, and he was the only one out of a party of forty men that re- mained.. He immediate- ly made a claim, north of the present town site, where he built a home- stead, and where he has resided for over forty eight years.. He spent much of his time in those early years in locating new corners, surveying claims and making out papers. He located the Maple Eiver- colony and surveyed the land; he al- LAFAYETTE G. M, FLETCHER. ,„ SUTVeyed and kid OUt several additions to the city of Mankato. He has been engaged in farming, grain storing, and in the real estate business and banking and has built many substantial business blocks in Man- kato. He was one of the original incorporators of the Mankato Savings Bank, and has been its president since its organization. He was also one of the directors of the Mankato Manufacturing Company, and has been interested in various business institu- tions. He was one of the original five who organized the Eepub- liean party in Mankato, in 1856, and he is the only surviving member of that quintette. He has been a member of the school board nearly all the time since 1860, and has served the people with zeal and marked capacity. He helped to build the first school house in Mankato, in the summer of 1855, and he taught the first school in it in the winter of 1855-1856, and also in the winter of 1857-1858. He was elected to the State Senate in 1883 214 Mankato — Its First Fifty Years and served for one term. In fact he has always been a prominent- figure in the history and growth of Mankato. Success attended his efforts, as a reward for well-directed ijidustry, and with it all he secured the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens. Mr.. Fletcher is a gentleman of correct habits, ■ positive convictions, and strong friendships. He has ever been a firm and unswerving friend of the cause of popular education, and from his earliest citizenship in Mankato, has earnestly and unselfishly labored to promote its success. For over forty years he has been identified with the school interests of this city, and ■ while he has, in" the positive declaration of his views, incurred opposition, the earnestness and unmistakable honesty of his pur- pose, has commanded the confidence and support of his constitu- ency, enabling him to wield a large influence in shaping and di- recting the policy of the public schools. He has always been on the side of good government, and for simplicity and economy in all public affairs. Mr. Fletcher's noblest monument will be his unswerving devotion to the school interests of this city. For this alone, he deserves, and will receive the lasting remembrance of all good citizens. Mr. Fletcher was married to Miss Lucina Bacon, at Canton, New York, December 30, 1858. To this marriage four children were born, viz : George Henry, Carrie D., now the wife of Chelsie J. Eockwood; Emma A., the wife of W. W. Davis; Harry E., born June 12, 1870; this child dying August 17, 1870. Mrs. Lucina Bacon Fletcher died September 17, 1870. She was a true and noble woman, and died unusually beloved. Mr. Fletcher was again married, May 15, 1872, to Susie M. Dyer, a teacher in the Normal school of Mankato, at New Sharon, Maine. To this marriage seven children were born, viz : Lucina E., born April 7, 1873, who died June 13, 1891; Ella May, Jennie D., Nellie, who died September 10, 1884; Mildred E., L. G. M. Jr., and Edith A. FLOWER, Marcus T. C— Born in Springfield,. Mass., October 3, 1814, and died in Saint Paul, Minnesota, January 4, 1903. His ancestors settled in Massachusetts, in 1635. His grand- father, Ozias Flower, served with credit in the War of the Eevolution. Mr. Flower settled in the State of Ohio in the year 1816, when the State was on the westerly border of civilization. He received a good common gchobl education, and was a great student. Biogra;ph ies ^rj He married Cybele Brooks, whose father, Col. John Brooks, served with distinction in the war of 1813, and whose grandfather Hanna- niah Brooks, for three years was a member of the Conti- nental army. Mr. Flower re- moved from his ''Western Keserve" home and set- tled in Chicago when that city had a population of less than thirty thousand, and subsequently, in the spring of 1856, removed to the Territory of Minnesota, taking a farm in Steele County, twelve miles west of Owatonna, and was the pioneer 'settler of Meriden Township. In 1860, ]Mr. Flower bought the Clifton House. in Mankato, then in an un- finisbed condition, which he marcus t. c. flower. . greatly enlarged, and which he riianaged until 1870. The Clifton under his control became one of the most noted hotels of that period in the state. For several years he was engaged in the flouring business with Mr. H. C. Capwell, on the Blue Earth River near Garden City. In 1873, he removed to Saint Paul, Minnesota, where he be- came proprietor and manager of the International Hotel, for a long term of years and where he lived until his death. He had an extensive acquaintance throughout tlie State, was kind and genial in his nature, and had a host of friends, who honor his memory. Mr. Flower is survived by his son, General i\I. D. Flower, president of the St. Paul Union Stock Yards Company, and three daughters, Mrs. J. J. Porter, Mrs. J. A. Burnett and TMi's. F. L. Krayenbuhl, all of whom reside in Saint Paul. FOLLMAN, Dr. Peter. — Born at Echternach, Luxemburg, Ger- many, son of Michael and Margaretha (nee Diederich) Follman. Studied medicine at the Ecole de Medicine, Paris, where he grad- 2ib Mankato — Its First Fifty Years nated August -J, 18C0. August 24, of the same year, he was ad- mitted to practice, and was stationed, for one year at Echternach, There he was also married to Jliss Catherine Schweitzer on February 2, 1859. He came to America, May 20, 1801, and after traveling extensively, settled in St. Louis, Mo., in 1863, where he practiced hif profession until 1867, when he returned to Europe and again entered the University of Paris for further studies. Revolu;tionary times were brewing, and the doctor again embarked for the New World After looking for a suitable location in the east and mid- dle west, he finally settled at Mankato in August, 1869. DR. PETER FOLLMAN. Here lic has resided and prac- ticed, with the exception of a few years at Mapleton, continuously. When he first came here the local druggist was only capable of filling prescriptions written in plain English, and as the doctor was accustomed to write his prescriptions in Latin with the metric system, he was obliged to put up his medicine himself. To over- come this difficulty the doctor went east in 1873, bought a line of drugs and established a drug store. Since that time he has had the drug business connected with his profession. He prac- ticed medicine until 1900, when he concluded to retire from his JDractice, and has presided over his drug store ever since. The doctor had a very large practice and was frequently called into the country to take charge of important and dangerous eases, which he always treated very successfully. Many of his calls came from a distance of fifty miles. Dr. Pollman has ever taken a keen interest in the welfare of Mankato, always lending a helping hand when necessary. He is one of the prominent members of the Mankato Board of Trade, of which he has been a member and director since 1886. To meet the doctor is to meet one of those Biographies iiy genial, hvoad gang'cd Germans, liLieral with lianil and lieart and a gentleman above reproach. FOSTER, HENRY,— ^imw April 2-^ \^-ir-,, in Trnnil)ull County, Oliio. Eenioved with his jiareiits to Wisconsin, in 1837', and settled near Prairie du Cliicn. Tliree years later the family moved to Towa, and yonng If^ister obtained tlic position of assistant Maeksmith J'or the Winne- bago Indians. On the re- moval of this tribe to Long Ih-airie, ]\Iinnesota, in IS-tS, he went witli it, and thence followed it to Blue Earth Connty in Jnne, 18,5."). He continned in the black- s:nith business until 18."i(). when he formed a co-jiart- n('rshii> with C'lias. H. J\Iix, ]i\irchased a stock of goods and engaged in the Indian li-ade, whi(ti he continued HON. HENRY FOSTER. until the rcuioval of the Winnel)agoes in 18(;3. In 18.56, he was ajipointed lirst ]>ostmaster at Winnebago Agency. In 18(iO, he was elected Countv Commis- sioner, and in 18T2, a member of the State Legislature, lie lias held a number of town offices, and has been a director of the First Xational Bank of ilankato for o\er twenty yeai's. In 18(;i, he married ilrs. Lydui A. Itasdall, sistei- of Judge O. 0. Pitcher. She died :\rarch 22, 188,3, leaving three (tiildren : Duane F., ]ilelvin B., and Hnbert Pasdall. IsVw Foster is well known to a large circle of "Id settlers and hi'ddv esteemed. lie still residesat Winnebago Agenc-y, now, St. Claii-. FREEMAN, Everett P.— \>m\ January 22nd, f8:!'r, at Hartford, Conn. Graduated from Yale College in 18(;o, and from the Al- banv Law school in 18(il. Soon after graduating, he married Eliza K. Morris, of Albany, New Yoi-k, and removed to j\Iankato, Mankato — Its, First Fifty Years HON. EVERETT P. FREEMAN. Minnesota, about February 1st, 1862, where he began practicing his profession. When the Indian outbreak occurred in Augiigt, 1862, he enlisted in Capt. Bier- bauer's Company and did good service in the defence of New Ulm. During 1867- 68, he served as County At- torney, and in the fall of the latter year, was elected to the State Senate, serving two terms. In the fall of 1869, he was appointed ilegister of U. S., Land office at Jackson, Minne- sota. He was State Sena- tor from Jackson County, two terms, 1874-75. At ex- piration of his term, he resumed his law practice at Manlcato, and was chosen County Attorney of Bhie Earth County in 1878 and 1880. In 1888, he was appointed Eeceiver of U. S. Land office at Marshall, Minnesota. He- was also City Attorney of Mankato, several years. He died No\ember 26, 1895, leaving him surviv- ing his wife and three children : Minnesota M., wife of H. I. (,'leveland; Eljiia H., and Edward. FULLER, Hiram J. — Born at Pomfret, Chautauqua County, New York, April 27, 1824. Moved to Kipley in the same county, and thence, in October, ].852, to St. Paul, Minnesota. In November of the same year he located in Mankato. At the first election for Blue Earth County held October 11th, 1853, he was chosen County Treasurer, June 3rd, 1863, he married Jane Eathburn, who had come to Mankato with her parents June 12th, 1853. They resided on their farm in Lime Township, until tlie fall of 1896, when they retired lo Mankato. While residing in Lime Mr. Fuller frequently held town offices. He is doubtless the oldest present resident of Blue Earth Countv. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller have been blessed with eleven children, nine of whom arc living, namely: Charles N., Edwin Biographies 2ig J., Emma J. Eandolph, Anna K. Brown, Bertram H., Elizabeth R., William F., George P., Grover C"., Ida M., and Lewis W. GAGE, Prof. George M. — Born in Waterford, Maine, Augnpt 22, 1834, arrived in Mankato, Aiigaist 28, 1868. He was not without experience in educational work, having been, from 1864 to 1868, an instructor in the State jSTormal School at Earmington, Maine, and from 1865, its Principal. He had also, for several years, been the editor and publisher of the Maine Normal, Maine's educational journal, and had interested himself in the work of general reform of the public school system of his native State. Mr. Gage opened the Mankato State XormalSchoolinOctober,1868, with an attendance of 29, in the basement of the M. B. church. He continued in charge four years, and then went to St. Paul, where he had been elected superintendent of the city schools. In 1874, he resigned his position, and has not since been engaged in teaching. While in the St. Paul schools, Mr. Gage was appointed a member of the Board of Xormal School Eegents, and was elected President of that Board. He also became associated with Prof. W. W. Payne, of Carleton College in the publication of the Minne- sota Teacher, and was afterward the sole owner and. manager of that periodical. In 1861, Mr. Gage married Miss Elizabeth S. Webber, who died in St. Paul, February 21, 1899. Mrs. Gage was a well educated lady, very highly esteemed by all who knew her. Their three children are living, two in Portland, Oregon, one in Boston, Mass. Mr. Gage is now assistant manager of The Pacific Monthly, published at Portland, Oregon, and at sixty- eight years of age is possessed of much of the vigor and dispo- sition to work, which stood him in hand so well when Imown to the pioneers of Minnesota's flourishing inland metropolis. GOODRICH, Cleans— Born July 6, 1828, in Eipley, New York. He removed to St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1850, and to Mankato in February, 1852, being one of the very first settlers. , He was the rirst County Surveyor and Justice of the Peace of Blue Earth County. In November, 1861, he enlisted in Second Company of Minnesota Sharpshooters, which afterwards became Company L., of First Minnesota Tolunteers, of which he was sergeant. Dis- charged in February, 1863, for disability, he retired to his farm in Lime Township, where he resided until 1877. He then moved back to Mankato and engaged in business. Mankato — Its First Fifty Years He married, July 21, 1855, Miss Mary Eathburn, and being separated from her, he married Mrs. Margaret Ann Blake, Sep- tember 8, 1890. He died July 3, 1899, leaving surviving his wife and six children by his first wife: Frank Goodrich, of Medo, Minnesota; Gertrude, wife of Peter Furrier, of California; Wil- liam Spencer Goodrich; Otilla, wife of Geo. Rising, of Winona, Minnesota; Harry Rathburn Goodrich, and Mabel, wife of Ed. E. Williams, of California. GOODRICH, Henry.— Born at Ripley, New York, June 14th, 1831. He removed to Mankato, Minnesota in May, 1853, and lo- cated first on what is now Dukes' Addition,, but a year or two later, having disposed of his interest in this land, he made a claim in Lime Township, whereon he resided until about 1893, when he removed to Manlcato, and led the life of a retired farmer until his death, on June 4, 1901. Lime Township, and was a member of the Territor- ial Old Settlers-Association. ' He was a man of the strict- est integrity and highly es- teemed by his acquaint- ances. He was married March 19, 1863, to Miss Mary E. Crisp, who survives him, with their three children: James A., A¥illiani S., and C^arrie H. Goodricli. Mrs. Goodrich, with her parents, Harrison and Elzi- ra Crisp, were among the first settlers of Judson township, where they resided HENRY GOODRICH. ™*il f^^^r tlic Sioux War. GRISWOLD, William B. -Both November 9, 1834, near Ypsi- lanti, Michigan. Removed with his parents, in 1838, to Quinev, Illinois, where his father, Elijah Griswold, was for fifteen years, professor of Greek and Mathematics in Mission Institute of that Biographies City. Young Griswold acquired his educatioUi at this school, and at the age of sixteen began teaching. In 1852, he went by the overland ox team route to California and engaged in lumbering and mining. Eeturning home to Quincy in 1855, in the following year he entered the law office of 0. H. Browning, afterwards Secretary of the Interior under President Johnson,- and early in 1860, was admitted to the Illi- nois bar. The fall of the same year, he came to Minnesota and opened an office for the practice of his profession at Chaska, with J. A. Sargent. At the beginning of the Eebellion in 1861, the loyal people of Chaska were anxious to have a local paper vigorous in its support of the Administration, and they induced Mr. Griswold and his partner to establish the "Valley Herald," which they conducted for four years. In 1865, he removed to Mankato, and purchased "The Man- kato Union," which he published for about ten years. During 1869 and 1870 he served as postmaster at Mankato. Haying sold the "Union" ,to Judge ' Cleveland, who had already been interested in the paper for two or three years, he removed in 1875, to Chaska, and in partnership with J. W. Gregg, a practical brick- maker, established the larg- est brick yard in, the state, to which was added a lumber yard, and the iirmof "Gregg & Griswold" continued until 1890, having branch offices at Minneapolis and St. Paul, and many of the principal business blocks of the Twin cities were erected by it. Upon dissolution of the firm, Mr. Griswold went to the Pacific slope and en- gaged in the manufacture of lumber, having a yard and general store at Chico, California, where he now resides. WILLIAM B. GRISWOLD. 222 Mankato — Us First Fifty Years He was united in marriage, November 35, 1863, to Mrs, Caroline M. Lathrop, nee Gregg. They have one daughter, Clara B., married and residing at Santa Gruz, and one son, John Wol- cott, born at Mankato, November 22, 1871, and now associated in business with his father. GUENTHER, Jacob.— Born at Zell, near Coblentz, Germany, Jan- uary 13th, 1826. He emigrated in 1847 to the vicinity of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Early in 18-52 he came to St. Paul, and on April 8th, 1852, in company with Joseph Weinheimer, Philip Krummel, M. H. Bergholtz and another German, started for Mankato up the Minnesota river in a bateau, which they had constructed. When about fifteen miles up the river, their mast caught in an overhanging branch and upset the boat, spilling them and all their goods into the icy flood. Weinheimer was drowned, but Mr. Giienther and his other comrades managed to cling to the wreck until rescued by some Indians. The only item' of their property which they saved, was a gun, which Mr. Guenther had in his hands. Later the survivors made the jourm^y on foot and arrived at Mankato aboiit May 18, 1852, and located claims. Here Mr. Guenther "batched" it in the wilderness until June 11, 1853, when he was married to Christiana M. Wischmeier, being the first Christian marriage in Blue Earth County. In the Pall of this same year, he was elected County Commissioner at the first elec- tion ever held in the County, and at the first meeting of the Board in March, 1854, he with his colleague, Ephraim Cole, located the County Seat at Mankato and fixed the present Court House site. His brother, Joseph, was Caiitain of the first *milita company, organized in March 1858, and built the Clifton House. Mr. Guenther was an honest, hardworking, thrifty man and a public spirited citizen. He was one of the charter members of Schiller Lodge of I. 0. 0. P. He died October 16, 1893, leaving a valuable land estate within the city limits, and his widow de- parted this life on June 11, 1902. They left one adopted child, John B. Guenther, of Mankato. Mrs. Gunther was a native of Hanover, Germany, and came to Blue Earth county in the spring of 1853 with the wife of Joseph Pronert, from Milwaukee, where she and Mr. Guenther first met. HALL, John Norris—Bom in Warren, Litchfield County, Conn., May 15th, 1822. He comes of excellent New England stock in- ured to habits of industry, tlirift and temperance. Blessed with Siogra'pMes ^^3 strong constitutions, sup- plemented with right-liv- ing, his ancestors were a long lived race. His ma- ternal grandmother reach- ed the age of ninety-nine years. He is the youngest of nine children, among whom no death occurred for sixty-live years. He has two sisters living, one at the age of 85, and the other 90 years. His father was a tanner and farmer, and young Hall worked at both avocations during the inter- vals of his school life and, after graduation from War- ren Academy in 1836, until JOHN NORRis HALL. 1'^ jears of age. In the spring of 1839, he went to New Canaan, Conn. Here Jie clerked in a store until the summer of 1843, when his employer, having opened a branch store at i\Iilan, Ohio, sent him to take charge of it. Returning to Xew Canaan the next spring, he formed a part- nership with his employer, vhich lasted until January, 1850. In the meantime the firm had opened three additional stores in Ohio — at Painesville, Fitchville and Sullivan, two of which fell to Mr. Hall's share under the dissolution agreement. In the summer of 1850, he started in the mercantile business on his own account at New Canaan, and soon closed out his Ohio branches. In 1857, he visited Minnesota, and was so impressed with what he heard of Mankato, that he concluded to locate there. Disposing of his business at New Canaan, he left his native state on October 4tli, 1858, and reached Winona on the 9th, and Mankato on the 26th, of the same month, after a somewhat event- ful Journey. He continued in the mercantile business at Man- kato until August 1862, when he was appointed by President Lincoln, Collector of Internal Revenue for the First District of Minnesota, embracing all the country south of St. Paul, except four or five counties. The district A\'as so large as to require four- 334- Mankalo — Its First Fifty Years teen deputies, ilr. Hall strved for the fxxU term of four years, during which time, at request of the Secretary of War, he was designated to receive from the drafted men in his district, who wished to be relieved from military service, the commutation money ($300.00), which exempted them from the operation of the draft — receiving in that capacity over $90,000.00. In the fall of 1865, in connection with the late Senator il. S. Wilkinson, J. B. Hubbell and J. J. Thornton, he established the private bank of J. J. 'I'hornton & Co., of which he was cashier, ilr. Thornton was a Union man from Texas, and some time after the War — about 18G7 — he returned to his own state, where he had interests to look after. The bank continued in business until September, 1868, when it was succeeded l)y the First Xational Bank, which had been organized hy Mr. Hall, J. B. Hubbell, J. A. Willard, J. F. Meagher, Daniel Buck, J. J. Shaubut and others. 'Sir. Hall continued as cashier of the new bank until March, 1880, when he purchased of J. B. Huljbell, a set of Blue Earth County Abstract books, and has ever since been engaged in the abstract, real estate and insurance business. He was also engaged for a time earlier, in selling farm machinery. He has had H. C. Howard, George H. Brewster and William P. Coffin associated with him in lousiness at different times. Jlr. Hall was married February 2Gth, 1846, at Xorwalk, C-onn., to Esther Mary Corastock, a lineal descendant of Eev. Thomas Hanford, one of the founders of her native town. Their children were: Eoger Loslie, who died December 10th, 1887; Emily Maria, who died July 6th, 1890; Caroline Comstock, John Xorris, Jr., who died April, 1856; Esther Mary Comstock, and Rev. John Xorris Hall, Jr., pastor of the M. E. church at Chi- cago. The two surviving daughters live with their father — ilrs. Hall having died Xovember 13tli, 1896. Mr. Hall has led an active, useful life, and no one has been more enthusiastically loyal to ilankato than he. His purse, time and thought have ever l)e3n at her service. He was one of the founders of the Board of Trade, and has served on its Board of Directors continuously from its organization. He is the onlv charter member left on the Board. HANNA, JAMES. — Bom in Guernsey Countv, Ohio, June 13th, 1801, and January 1st, 1821, married ;\[iss Xanrv Boden, who was bom in 180T, at Laucaster County, Pa. They soon settled Biog'rafhies Oil a farm in Guenisov County, Ohio, and thence removed to another farm iu Licking County, near Eeynoldsburg, of the same state, where the family re- sided until coming to ilin- nesota. In 1850 ilr. Hanna went to California and retiirniiig home in the fall of 185"^, in company with his son, J. Cochrane Hanna, and his Ijrother-in- law, George Maxfield, he went to insiioct the country at the mouth of the Blue Earth in ilinnesota. At St. Paul, ilr. Hanna was taken sick and his son and JAMES HANNA, ^J,. Til,,xtield CaUlC to JLui- kato, and liking the country located claims in the vicinity in October, ISrr,?. Returning home Hanna and ilaxfield rcuuived in the spring witli their families to Mankato arriving there May Uitli, Mr. Hanna immediately purchased of ilinard Mills tlie frame of a warehouse, which he was erecting wliere the Young Oc Otto grocery now stands, and fitting it np for a residence, moved both families into it before the end of iUay. Late in the Fall of the same year. Mr. Hanna moved his family to a new frame dwelling he had liuilt on the site now occupied by the Fii-st Xational Bank. Tntil the opening of the Manksito House in 18-715, ilr. Hanna "s homo was the principal stopping place for strangers. Mr. and Mi-s. Hanna were conscientious religious people and nuMubei-s of the Presbyterian church, and they were the fii-st to inaugurate public worship and public education in Mankato. A Sunday school was stai-ted early in June, 185o. in their house, and preaching services were held there whenever a minister visit- ed the town. In July of the same year ^Ir. Hanna opened the first day school iu Mankato in a room of his home, with his daughter Sarah J., (now Mrs. Mai-sh) as teacher. Mr. Hanna located a 33b Mankalo — Its First Fifty Years claim in West Mankato, including Sibley Park and the low land • between it and Front street, a part of which has been platted as Hanna's addition. He died May 13th, 1855, and his wife in De- cember, 1877. There were fourteen children born to them : Mrs. Mary Ann Northrup (deceased), Ellen, John (deceased), An- drew (deceased), Mrs Sarah Jane Marsh, James Cochrane (de- ceased) , Mrs. Lucinda Cummings (now Nichols) , Melinda (de- ceased), Margaret (deceased), Milton, Mrs. Nancy Griffiths, Mrs. Margaret Twitchell (deceased), Martha and William 0. HARRINGTON, DR. UNA GOOOm. —Wns born at Londonderry Vermont, August 20, 1830. . His parents, Emery and Calysta (Goodell) Harrington, were natives of Orange, Massachusetts. When Zina G., was about thirteen years old the family removed to Bennington. He was educated at Westriver Academy and Bennington Seminary. He spent three years in Delaware teach- ing, then began his medical studies with Dr. L. G. Whiting, of, Chester, Vermont, and soon thereafter entered the Albany Med- ical School, from which he graduated in 1857. Eeturning to Chester, he was there associated for the next fifteen years with Dr. Whiting in the practice of his profession. During this period he served as sup- erintendent of the Chester public schools for a nuui- ber of years. In the spring of 1871, he came to Mankato, where lie has been actively engaged in the practice of liis profession ever since, save that he spent 1900 and 1901 abroad, passing much of his time in the great hos- pitals and medical schools of Europe. Before return- iug home he extsnded his trip with his wife into Greece, Egypt and the Holy DR. ZINA GOODELL HARRINGTON. Land. Dr. Harrington has served on the Mankato Board of Aldermen. He is a member of the Biograjihies 32^ Minnesota Valley Medical Association, of which he has been pres- ident. He is also connected with the State Medical Association and American Medical Society. He is genial, kind hearted and gen- erous, and has been eminently successful in his profession. He was united in marriage on October 20th, 1874 to Miss Julia B. Eobbins, of Chester, Vermont. In January, 1903, he was elected president of the Mankato State Bank. HAYISES, Milton B.— Born December 9th, 1834, at Strongsville, Ohio. His parents, Eeubeii and Phoebe B. Haynes, removed in 1854, to Oberlin, where he received his education. In May, 1856, he came to Blue Earth County, Minnesota, locating first at Maple- ton, and a year later removing to Vernon Center, where he was associated with Col. B. F. Smith in a saw mill for a few years, and then pre-empted a farm in the same town, upon which he resided for a time. Mr. Haynes, however, is a surveyor and civil engineer by profession, and many of the townsites in Blue E'artb County and vicinity, and additions to Mankato were surveyed and platted by him. In 1872-, he removed to Mankato, and for several years was engaged upon surveys and civil engineer work for the Northern Pacific and Great Nor,thern Kailways. He has served three terms as County Surveyor of Blue Earth County, and eleven years, as City Engineer of Mankato. His first wife was Miss Helen Bostwick, of Oberlin, Ohio, whom he married October 14, 1858, and who died April 26, 1886. His second wife is Mrs. Flora J. Gates, whom he married at Mankato, January 3, 1903. His child- ren, are : Arthur M., civil engineer at Denver, Color- ado; Manley B., bank cash- ier at Seattle, Washington ; MILTON B. HAYNES. Cora, wife of Prof. L. H, Clark, of the State Normal School at Kiver Falls, Wisconsin, and Mabel, who resides with her father at Mankato. 328 Mankato — Its First Fifty Years HAW LEY, ALPHEUS T.— Came to Mankato in 1857, and was associated with James E. Tinkcom in a general mercantile busi- ness. Their store was in the Plubbell building on the spot where now stands the Patterson wholesale grocery. Hawley & Tinkcom occupied the lower story, -ft-hile in the second was the printing office of the Mankato Independent. Mr. Hawley lived on the corner of Broad and Hickory streets on the lot now occupied by P. B. Sparrow. He was later appoint- ed trader with the Winnebago Indians, and went with them when they were removed to the Missouri river. He became a member of the Northwestern Fur Company and was Captain of their steamer "Miner," for sever- al years. He was formerly from Jamestown, New York, and was sheriff of Chautauqua County. He was nominat- ed for Congress by the "Know Nothing" party, but was defeated by Eeuben E. Fenton. Mr. Hawley died at Cen- tralia, Illinois, in 1877. He was a genial, generous, and polished gentleman, well liked by all the • old ALPHEUS FENN HAWLEY. SettlcrS. HEIIMZE, Ferdinand C— Born at Bottendorf, Saxony, Septem- ber 14, 1848. His parents, Frederick and Caroline (Hoefer) Pleinze, immigrated to the United States in 1850, with all their children, except the oldest, who was in the German army. They arrived at Milwauliee on August 1st, of that year and located on a farm in the vicinity. In 185(i, they removed to Minnesota arriv- ing at Mankato on May 2nd, and soon thereafter located on a farm in Lime Township. Their nine children, who came with them, all became prominent people of Blue Earth County, namelv : Theodore, who lives op the old homestead in Lime town, Robert Biographies 33g G-., late of this County; Charles A., late of Mankato; Pauline, wife of Henry Himmelman, Sr., Frederick E., of Mankato; Her- man, of Le Eay township; Avina, wife, of Chas. Forster, of Man- kato township; Ferdinand G., the subject of this sketch, and Annie E., widow of the late Nicholas Lang. The father died in February, 1858, and the mother in 1898. Ferdinand Gr., came to Mankato in 1863, and was in the em- ploy of his brother, Charles A., in the bakery business for eight years. He then went to Watertown, Wisconsin, and was engaged as foreman in the large steam bakery of Woodward & Stone for nine years. Here he was married November 1st, 1873, to Mary, daught- er of Emil and Christina Schuerer ,of Watertown, Wisconsin. In 1879, he returned to Mankato and bought out the bakery and grocery business of his brother, Charles A., located on corn^ er of Walnut and Second streets, in the building late- ly occupied by the World Stock Food Co. After spending tAvo years in this location, he removed his business to a new business block he had built at 205 N. Front street, where he remained until 1890. He then bought and removed to his present large and convenient building. No. 405 S. Front street, where FERDINAND G. HEiNZE. evcr siuce lie' has conducted the largest and most importiint restaurant and bakery in the city. Mr. Heinze was a director of the Mankato Board of Trade for a number of years and is uow a member of the City Council. He is an energetic, successful business man and a public spirited citi- zen. His first wife died February 12th, 1883, and he was married to her sister. Miss Matilda Schuerer, on January 12th, 1885. His children by his first wife are: Meta, Carl and Selma, and by his second wife : William, Oscar, Louise, Marie, .Brma, Ferdi- nand and Christina Helen. 330 Mankalo — Its First Fifty Years MENSLEY, Clinton B. -The first newspaper man in Manlato, was born September 27, 1827, at Spencer, Ind., and was brought up on a farm in Cass County, near Logansport. ■ Indiana. When fifteen years of age he learned the printer's trade at Peru, Indianaj and subsequently graduated from a commercial college at Cin- cinnati, Ohio, where after his graduation, he was employed for some time in a printing office. In 1850, he was married at Logansport, Indiana, to ]\Iiss Isa- belle Kelly, a native of ISTew Carlisle, Ohio, where she was born February 12, 182-6. The young couple first located at Bloom- ington, Indiana, where Mr. Hensley started the "Herald," his first paper, in 1850. Removing to Kokomo, Indiana, he purchased soon thereafter, of Dr. M. R. Wickersham, the Howard County Tribune, which he continued to pub- lish imtil he came to Man- kato, where he arrived on De- cember 1st, 1856. He was induced to com.e Hiither by his old friend. Dr. Wicker- sham, who thought there was a good opening for the establishment of a news- paper in this flourishing new town..^ Receiving much encouragement to his enter- prise from the people of Mankato (a few of those in biisiness promptly pledging $800.00 worth of work be-, fore hand), Mr. Hensley concluded to locate here,* and upon the opening of navigation the next spring his printing press arrived. The paper was called "The Mankato Weekly Independent" and the first issue bears date, June 13th, 1857. Prank W. Gunning, a practical printer, who had been in the employ of Mr. Hensley in Indiana, was associated with him as proprietor of the Independent The paper was started in r small frame building on the corner of Walnut and Third streets, where the residence of Mrs. Wm, CLINTON B. HENSLEY. From an old photo-Taken In hunting costume. Biographies 231 Funk now stands. In October, 1857, it was removed to the second story of A. P. Hawley's new store, where the L. Patterson whole- sale house now stands, and later it foimd a home in the Leech stone building. Mr. Hensley was an able and vigorous writer, a staunch Ee- publican in politics, and the Independent at once became one of the leading newspapers of Southern Minnesota. On the breaking out of the Sioux War in 1863, Mr. Hensley immediately volun-' teered for the defense of our frontier, and was with Gen. Sibley upon his first campaign against the savage foe, until their power was broken at the battle 01 Wood Lake. He contracted a severe cold from the hardships of this campaign, which brought on a complication of ailments, vfhich resulted in his untimely . death on December 20th, 1862. A brilliant writer, a tactful political leader, a true patriot and friend, Mr. Hensley's early demise was lamented by all. He left surviving his devoted wife and four children. Mrs. Hensley and two of her children, Mrs. Jessie Robinson and Miss Emma Hens- ley, still survive, and now reside at Bloomington, Indiana. tilMMELMAN, Sr., //enry— Born at Elsass, Germany, in 1834, and there learned the wagon maker's trade. Immigrated to Amer- ica in 1854, and located first at St. "Charles, Mo., and the following year came to Mankato, Minn. In 1856, he opened, on the present site of the City Ho- tel, a blacksmith and wagon makers shop. In 1869, he built and opened to the public the City Hotel, which at once became a very popular hostelry, es- pecially with the farmers, who in those early years used to frequent Mankato for market purposes from a vast radius of country. A few years later he erected and conducted the Union Hall: In 1890, he began HENRY HIMMELM-AN, SR. 2^3 Mankato —Its First Fifty Years the manufacture of mattresses and soon retired from the pro- prietorship of the City Hot.rl in favor of his son, Henry Himmel- man, Jr., who still contimies to make the house a favorite resort to a large number of the traveling public. Mr. Himmelman served as City Alderman for fifteen years. He was married in 1858 to Paulina Heinze, a native of Saxony, Germany, and they have four children now living: Mrs. Eosina Engelbert and Mrs. Ida Schabert, of St. Paul Park, Minn., E. J. Himmelman of Sioux City, and Henry Himmelman, Jr., the popular landlord of the City Hotel at Mankato. Mr. and Mrs. Himmelman have retired from active business and now reside at St. Paul Park. HII\CKLEY, John S.— Bom June 30th, 1816, at New London, Conn. His parents were Thomas and Mary (Scholfield) Hinck- ley. He learned the paintei's trade and in 1849, removed to St. Paul, Minnesota. In February, 1853, he came to Mankato .with Henr}' Jackson and party and was one of the original townsite company. The following year he built a shanty, where the Citi- zens Bank now stands. In 1854, he pre-empted 160 acres of land on the top of Agency hill, a large part of which he platted a few years later as an addition to Mankato. Mr. Hinckley served on the first Board of County Commissioners of Blue Earth County. He married in 1864, Mrs. Henry Jackson, who was born April 11, 1817, at Clarence, Erie County, JSTew York. Her maiden name was Angeline Bivens. She had been married to Henry Jackson, at Buffalo, New York, in May, 1838, locating that year- at Green Bay, Wisconsin, and on June 9th, 1843, they arrived at St. Paul, Minnesota. There purchasing a small tract of land bounded by Jackson, Eobert, Bench and Third streets, Mr. Jack- son built a cabin — the first with a shingle roof in town, and opened therein a stock of goods, suitable for the Indian trade, and built up a prosperous business. The following year he was made jus- tice of the peace — the first to fill that position in Ramsey County — and in 1846 he was appointed the first postmaster of St. Paul, and in 1849, was elected to the first Minnesota Legislature. Mrs. Jack- son was the first white woman to settle in St. Paul, and it is claimed that her son, William, was the first boy born there of American parentage. Mr. Jackson was one of the original founders of Mankato in 1853, and Mrs. Hinckley, then Jackson, removed here in the Biogra;phies ^33 spring of 1853. Mr. Jackson died in 1857, and Mrs. Hincldey on January 1st, 1894. Mr. Hinckley still survives. HOERR, George Peter— Bom August 34, 1830, at Pliltersklin- gen, Hessen Darmstadt, Germany. Immigrated to Ohio in 1853, and thence vrent to Indiana, whence he came in the fall of 185G, with his brother, J. W. Hoerr, to Manlcatn, Minn. April 9th, 1858, he married Mrs. Anna Maria Hubb. He was director of the First National Banlc for many years, and held a sim- ilar position in several oth- er local corporations. He was a charter member cif Schiller Lodge of I. 0. 0. F. His occupation of cattle dealer, for nearly forty years, gave him a wide acquaint- ance, and he was much es- teemed for his strict integ- rity and genial disposition. He died January 13, 1901, george peter hoerr. leaving him surviving his wife and four children: Emma, wife of John G. Miller; Susan, widow of the late Henry Walraven; Tillie, wife of John G. Gerlich, and George H. Hoerr. Mrs. Hoerr is a native of Eall, Prussia, where she was born ]\[ay 37th, 1831. Her parents, Mathias and Margaret (Stinach) Lang, with their children: Nic Lang, late of Mankato, Mathias Lang of Mankato township, John Lang, of Iowa, Mrs. Hoerr, Mrs. Mathias Jost, Mrs. Adam Beaver, and the late Mrs. John Lauer, emigrated in 1847 to Milwaukee, Wis. There Mrs. Hoerr was married to Jacob Hubb and in August, 1856, they came to Mankato, where Mr. Hubb opened a butcher shop on site of First ISTational Bank, but soon died. Mrs. Hoerr has one child by her first husband : Mrs. Peter Kramer (formerly ]\Irs. Jacola Plaxen- haer) . 234 Mankato — Its First Fifty Years HOERR, John William— Bom in Hiltersklingen, Hessen-Darm- stadt, Germany, June 27, 1834. In 1852, he immigrated to America, with his brother, Geo. P. Hoerr, and located in Ohio, where he followed his trade of cabinet making. In the fall of 1856, both brothers came to Mankato and took claims in the vicinity of Madelia. J. W. found employment in a furniture factory at St. Peter, for a time. May 13th, 1858, he married Margaret, daughter of George A. and Margaret Schaefer, a natiye of Baden, Germany, who emigrated with her parents to Dayton, Ohio, in 1847, thence to St. Paul, Minn., in 1854, and to Mankato the spring of 1857. Her parents, however, located in Lime township the previous spring, upon a farm now embraced in the Widell Stone quarry. In 1859, Mr. Hoerr traded his Watonwan County claim with one Melgen for the Washington House at Mankato and began his career as a hotel keeper. After about two years he sold the Washington House and purchased and completed the American House, which he conducted, with few in- termissions, for twenty-eight years, with great success. Mr. Hoerr held many official jDositions, such as Supervisor, Justice of the Peace, Member of the Board of Education, Coun- ty Treasurer, (three terms), and City Alderman. He had the faculty of remem- bering the face and name of every person he met, and this, with his hearty greet- ing and obliging ways, ren- dered him very popular. JOHN WILLIAM HOERR, gc died August 12, 1889, leaving him surviving his wife and their eight children: William G. Hoerr, president of the National Citizens Bank, of Manlcato IJose, wife of H:enry E. Hance, the prominent Mankato merchant; Julia, wife of Frank B. Clements, Ferdinand J., John J., Frank P., A. Otto, and Charles 0. Biographies ^JS HOATLING, Benjamin F. — The pioneer Jiardware dealer of Mankato, was born at Cayuga, New York, June 12, 1826. After serving an apprenticeship as a tinner at Aurora, Illinois, he located for a while at Ottawa, Illinois, but in 1853, he moved to Hastings, Minnesota, where, in company with 0. S. Taylor, he established a hardware store. Five years later a branch of their business was put in at Mankato, the first store of the kind here, and Mr. Ho- taling took charge of it. In 1860, he purchased the bricli (by the way, about the first made in Mankato) with intent of erecting a brick block on corner of Front and Cherry streets, where D. L. Clements' store now stands, but changing his mind, used the ma- terial in the construction of a residence on the lot adjoining the Episcopal church, then considered the "finest in the country." In 1862, Mr. Hotaling was succeeded in business by John F. Meagher. About this time he became interested with Capt. Dick- erson, in a project to build a mill on the Blue Earth, in South Bend township, but the distractions incident to the Civil and Indian Wars caused the enterprise to be abandoned. During the Sioux outbreak he was made Second Lieutenant of the Mankato Home Guards. Mankato ever found Mr. liotaling an active jjromot- er of its interests and in every way a ptiblic spirited citizen. Starting in life as a poor boy he climbed the ladder of success until well to do. Then adversity came and, during the last years of his life, he follow- ed his trade of tinner. He BENJAMIN F. HOATLING. was a man of strong prin- ciples, integrity and character. He was an early member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternities. He was married at Lodi, New York, August 14, 1853, to Mary Cleveland. They had seven children, of whom five are living : Albert C, Frank C, Fred and 2j6 Mankato-^Its First Fifty Years John S., of Mankato, and Herbert C. Hotaling, the well known editor and publisher of the "Mapleton Entetprise.' HUBBARD, Rensselaer D.—^orn in Maryland Township, Ot- sego County, New York, December 14, 1837. His parents, Oliver B., and Lavinia Chase Hubbard, were farmers, natives of Con- necticut, whose ancestry went back into Colonial days, among whom were some prominent in the early history of New England. His education was limited to such as the district school and a few months in a select school, taught by Prof. W. P. Perry, codJd furnish. At fifteen years of age he left home to earn bis own living, and obtaining work with a surveying party engaged in lo- cating the Albany and Susquehanna Railroad — now called The Del- aware and Hudson Canal Company. In the spring of 1854, he went with a party of men to California, where he secured work on a farm in the Sacramento Valley, at $50 per month, and in two years had saved $1,126.00, every dollar of which sum he sent inomc to his parents. He took a claim and tried farming on his own hook, but OAring to the dr()tiLh his crops failed and hf jioon tired of tlie venture. In August, 18-"7, he went to the Humboldt river country, and for a few months engaged in trade with the immigrants. In July, 1858, he went to Praser river, British Co- lumbia, at the time of the gold excitement in that region. In the fall of 1859, he paid a visit to his old home in New York, re- turning in March, 1860, to RENSSELAER DEAN HUBBARD ' Sacrameuto, Cal., where he secured a position as clerk in a grocery store at $50.00 per month and in four months was promoted to be head manager of the store at a salary of $160.00 per month. In January, 1863, lie went back to New York intending to enlist in the Union army, but was Biographies 23^ prostrated by a severe attack of pneiimonia on the journey, which rendered him unfit for military duty. He now engaged in tobacco culture for two years at Sidney Plains, New York. April 9, 1863, he married Mary E., daughter of Harvey W. Cook of his native village. In the fall of 1866, he removed to Corry, Pa., and engaged in the grocery business, which proved a very profitable venture — starting with a capital of less than $2,000.00, in four years he had cleared $30,000.00. In 1870, Mr. Hubbard went again to Cali- fornia intending to start a bank, but the conditions not being as favorable as he expected, he returned and, after spending some time looking the country over, he finally located at Mankato. Here he built a warehouse and engaged in the wheat buying busi- ness until March, 1872, when in company with J. A. Willard and J. B. Hubbell, he organized the Mankato Linseed Oil Co., of which he was the manager for eleven years. After passing through a period of depression the enterprise finally proved a financial suc- cess. In 1879, he established the Mankato Milling Co., with him- self as president. The mill, one of the largest and most import- ant in Southern Minnesota, he has ever since continued to operate — the corporate name being changed first to the E. D. Hubbard & Co., until 1894, then E. D. Hubbard Milling Co., until 1897, and then the "Hubbard Milling Co.," since. The mill was built in 1878, reconstructed in 1879, and its character changed from the stone system to the roller process. Its present capacity is 1,200 barrels daily and 1,500,000 bushels of wheat pass through the mill annually. In 1882, Mr. Hubbard, with J. J. Thompson, established a large live stock business in Custer County, Montana. About the same time, associated with Capt. T. P. Gere, he established exten- sive linseed. oil works at Sioux City, which in 1887 were sold to the Linseed Oil Trust. In 1892, he purchased the interest of S. H. Grannis in the firm of Grannis & Palmer, and organized the Hubbard & Palmer Elevator Company, which in 1897 was re-incor- porated as Hubbard, Palmer & Co., and has forty elevators on the line of the C. St. P. M. & 0. Ey., chiefly used to buy and store wheat for the mill. Mr. Hubbard is one- of the ablest business men in the state and the magnificent plant, which his lousiness capacity and enter- prise has built up, has contributed largely to the prosperity and growth of Mankato. 238 Mankato — Its First Fifty Years Mr. Hubbard's wife died April 21, IS??, leaving one son. Jay Hubbard, born January 8, 1872, now in business with his father. Mr. Hubbard was again married October 7, 1878, to Miss Prank Griffith, step-daughter of the late James Cannon. They are the parents of two daughters : Kate and Mary E. HUBBELL, James B.— Born March 18th, 1836, at Winsted, Litchfield County, Conn. His parents died during his childhood and he was reared by his guardian, Capt. Wheelock Thayer, a prominent manufacturer. He believed boys should be brought up to work, as he had been, and so placed his ward on his uncle's farm. In 184D, James attended Howard's boarding school at Warren, Conn., and the next year the Jonesville Academy at Jonesville, N. Y. For two years he clerked in a country store and, then be- coming ambitious to be a sea captain, he spent the sum- mer of 1853, "before the mast" on a voyage to the West Indies. The hard- ships of this trip cured his longing for the sea and, on his return to New York, he was induced by a friend of the family, who was one of the largest merchants in the State of Georgia, to accept a position in his store at Ft. Gaines, on the Chattahoo- jAMES B. HUBBELL, ghee rfvcr. At this time the Southern feeling against all Yankees was most bitter. The excite- ment, incident to the occupation of Kansas, was at a fever heat. Public meetings were continually being held and southern elo- quence was lashing the populace into a fury of rage against the North. All circulation of Northern newspapers was suppressed ex- cept that of the New York Day Book, the rabid utterances and misrepresentations of which, but added fuel to the factional fire. Buford and Baker recruited 500 men from this section of Georgia Biographies sjg to go to Kansas. They declared that all they wanted was one Southerner to twenty Yanlcees. Hubbell was about the only Yankee at these meetings, and being musciilar and active, he suggested to some of those present, how one of them would like to tackle twenty lilte him. All the men were required to do patrol duty and it was considered a most pleasant and patriotic service to catch and whip any unfortunate "nigger" abroad without a pass. At last, 'old Hal,' the faithful servant of Mr. Hubbell, was caught and fEogged by the vigilants, and, in his hot indignation, our Yankee youth did not hesitate to express his sentiments about the outrage. This indiscretion might have resulted seriously, had he not im- mediately left the country for New Orleans. This was in October, 1856. He was soon driven from New Orleans, by the ague, north to St. Louis, and thence for the winter to his old home in Con- necticut. In the spring of 1857, he came to Minnesota, and after looking over St. Paul and Minneapolis, came up the Minnesota river with his friend, Charles Thompson, and both were so capti- vated with the beauty of the surrounding country that they con- cluded to locate at Mankato in May of that year. It was custom- ary then for all new comers of every profession to pre-empt claims, and accordingly the first thing our friends did on their arrival was to stake out farms west of Lake Crystal. Later, that sum- mer, Mr. Hubbell in connection with A. P. Hawley, built a double store block on the site of the L. Patterson wholesale house, and engaged in the clothing and merchant tailoring business. In the Fall of 1859, he was elected Eegister of Deeds of Blue Earth Coimty, but resigned in 1861, to accept tlie position of licensed trader to the Winnebago Indians. He was with this tribe during the trying days of the Sioux massacre, when the Winne- bagoes were in a furor of excitement, debating whether to join their Sioux brethern or no. On the removal of the Indians in May, 1863, Mr. Hubbell went with them to their new reservation on the upper Missouri river. The buffalo that year being too far, and no other food being available in this new Indian country, the government found itself in a perplexing plight, with a northern winter at the door, and thousands of Indians, traders, and soldiers on its hands, with nothing to feed them. A contract was finally made with Mr. Hubbell, and within a month he purchased 800 head of oxen in Blue Earth County and vicinity, and hitching these to 153 wagons, loaded with provisions, he started from Mankato 240 Manhato—Ils First Fifty Years about the middle of November, going across the prairies, by way of Lake Crystal and Laike Shetek. The train reached over a mile in length, and it had a military escort of four companies of soldiers. There was no road west of Lake Sketek, but the track they then made could be discerned on the plain twenty years thereafter, in a different color of the grass. Though the newspapers and others predicted dire things and called it the '-'Moscow Expedition,' be- cause of the lateness of the season, the train, after suffering many hardships and hiiidrances, finally reached Fort Thompson, its destination, all safe, to the great joy of the hunger pinched Indians and whites. In 1864, Mr. Hubbell purchased of Chas. P. Choteau, of St. Louis, an interest in the old American Fur Company on the Upper Missouri, including: • Fort Pierre, Fort Bcrthold, Fort Union, at the mouth of the Yellowstone, and Fort Benton, at the head of navigation in Montana. He also organized The iSTorthwestern Fur Company and developed a great trade — supplying miners at Fort Benton and Helena, adding new Indian trading posts, and engaging in the transportation, by steamboats and wagon trains, of government supplies, as well as the goods of the corporation, over a vast extent of covmtry for years. The Company's collection of jDeltries alone amounted to 24,000 buffalo robes per annum and small furs in proportion. Mr. Hubbell was one of the founders of the First National Bank of Mankato and, with J. A. Willard and E. D. Hubbard, built the Mankato Linseed Oil Works. He introduced the rais- ing of flax in southwestern Minnesota, and, by repeated cropping of his own farms to it, demonstrated to the farmers that flax was a paying product, and that the prejudice against it as a destroyer of the soil was fallacious. He and J. A. Willard were, also, the principal promoters and builders of the Wells Railway, and in 1871, Mr. Hubbell was elected to the Legislature and, after a des- perate fight, pushed through both houses the Internal Improvement Land Bill (in the common parlance of the day known as the "Laiid Grab Act"), which, had it not been vetoed by the governor, would have insured the building of the Wells road at once to St. Cloud, and given Mankato an inestimable advantage as a com- mercial center. Mr. Hubbell was married September 9, ISrjR, to Katie A. Tew of Connecticut, and seven children were born to them. After a Biogra'phies 241 most active life spent in tlie development of the Northwest, Mr. Hubbell suffered a paralytic stroke si few years ago, and now he and his good wife live retired in St. Paul. HUGHES, THOMAS— Bom at Minersville, Ohio, September 23, 1854. Son of Henry and Eliza Hughes, who came to Blue Earth County, Minnesota, in October, 1855, and located on a farm in Cambria township, the following June. He worked on his father's farm and attended the district school until 1874, when he entered the preparatory department of Caileton College, Northfield, Minn., and graduated A. B., in the class of 1880. He studied law in the office of Waite & Porter, of Mankato, was ad- mitted to the bar in 1882, and ever since has been in the active practice of his profession. He formed a law partnership with M. G. Willard in February, 1884, which continued until July, 1887. For the past ten years his brother, Evan Hughes, has been associated with him. He was elected County Attorney in 1896, and served for 4 years with great acceptance to his con- stituents. He was attorn- ey for the Mankato Mutual Building and Loan Association for fifteen years, and is the present attorney of its successor, the Mankato Savings and Building As- sociation. He is president of the Wisconsin and Minnesota Land Co., and one of the directors of the Board of Trade. He is much interested in historical themes and has prepared a number of ad- dresses of great historical value for the State Historical Society and the Blue Earth County Territorial Association. In 1895, he was the author of most of the English part of a work entitled: "The History of the Welsh in Minnesota." Mr. Hughes is also active in church work and has been for many years Trustee, Deacon, and Sunday School Superintendent THOMAS HUGHES. S43 Mankato — Its First Fifty Years of the Congregational church. He was married November 25, 1885, to Miss Alice 0., daughter of Amos B., and Sybil (Eawson) Hills, of Faribault, who is a graduate of Carleton College. Tiioy have two children : Burton E., and Evan Eaymond. HUNT, LEWIS P.— Born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., Sep-" tember 22, 1854. In 1863, the parents removed to Independence, Iowa, where L. P., received a common school education. In 1867, he entered an ofBce in Monticello, Iowa, where he commenced the printer's trade. Two years lat- er he took the foremanship of a small country office at Earl- ville, Iowa, and ever after un-. til entering business for him- self at Lanesboro, Minnesota, in November, 1880, he had mechanical charge of several: important printing offices in Iowa and Illinois. Mr. Hunt: was thorough in all branches of the printing department, mechanical as well as editorial — and his success therein is no doubt largely attributable to his knowledge of every- detail of the business. In October, 1881, Mr. Hunt purchased George Chamberlain's interest in the Mankato Free Press and a year later bought the interest of W. W. Woodard, thereby becoming sole proprietor of this well-known and influential Journal. In 1883, he was commissioned postmaster of Mankato by Presi- dent Arthur, succeeding 0. Brown, and retired on May, 1885, during Grover Cleveland's administration. In April, 1887, Mr. Hunt organized the Free Press Print- ing Company and started the Daily Free Press, with himself as editor and general manager. This institution has had a constant growth, and now enjoys the distinction of being the leading Ee- publican paper in Southern Minnesota, with the finest equipped printing and blanli book manufactory found in any city in the Uni- ted States of 12,000 population. In March, 1902, Mr. Hunt dis- posed of considerable of his stock in the printing company, to some LEWIS p. HUNT. Biographies ^^j> of his old and trusted employees, and while he still retains the presidency of the company, and contributes articles to the columns of the paper as his time and disposition permits, he has surrender- ed the active management of the business to others and is de- voting much of his time to recreation and the conduct of private afEairs. He was President of the Minnesota State Editorial As- sociation in 1889. Mr. Hunt has spent a busy life. For about thirty-seven' years he was confined to the "print shop" and has certainly earned a respite from the exacting duties thereof. In 1890, he was appointed an alternate National Committee- man from Minnesota to the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago. After the organization of the State Commission, he was unanimuosly chosen as the executive officer of that body, and served until the close of the Exposition in 1893, and the afEairs of the Commission wound up. He undertook the herculean task of rais- ing $100,000 by contribution from citizens to supplement the $50,000 appropriated by the legislature for the purpose of making an exhibit that would be in keeping with the great and varied in-! terests of Minnesota, and later 'the legislature appropriated an equal sum to reimburse those patriotic citizens, who so generously pledg- ed the amount for the credit of their state in the greatest exposi- tion ever held. Mr. Hunt was a delegate at large to the Republican National' Convention at St. Louis, that nominated William McKinley Pres- ident of the United States, and has many times represented his county in State and Congressional conventions. He was appoint- ed postmaster of Mankato, by President McKinley in 1897, and on his own volition retired from office in October, 1903. In the upbuilding of Mankato, Mr. Hunt has played no in- considerable part. His enterprise has led him to erect one of the finest office buildings in the Northwest, and he has added to the needs and beauty of the city by erecting four handsome resi- dences. In September, 1874, Mr. Hunt was united in marriage to Miss Lisbeth Putnam, a native of New Hampshire. IRVING, WILLIAM— Bom in Liverpool, England, April 8, 1831, and immigrated to America in July, 1850. During the voyage had occurred the death of Sir Eobert Peel, the English Prime Minister, and President Taylor of the United States, the report 244 Mankato—Its First Fifty Years of which they first learned on landing in New York. Mr. Irving was a tailor by trade and spent the first two years in America, working in the shops of New York and Newark, New Jer- sey. He then visited New Orleans, and Cincinnati, making only a short stop at each, .and in the spring of 1853, landed at St. Paul, Minnesota. There he enter- ed the employ of Winny & Cooley, . who conducted about the first tailor shop in that city. In the spring of 1854, he visited Mankato, and lo- cated a claim near the vil- lage of Jndson, and then went to Dubuque, Iowa, to work at his trade for over ?, year. In the Fall of 185G, he returned to Mankato, and the next year entered the employ of J. B. Hubbell as manager of his tailoring business Inl860^ on the election of J. B. Hubbell, to the Eegister of Deed? ofiice, Mr. Irving succeeded him as proprietor of the tailoring business. He soon removed his shop to the corner now occupied by the American Express Company. After continuing twenty four years in business, he retired about 1872, and removed to hi? present residence in West Mankato. He was married to Miss Elizabeth A. Caplinger of Mankato, April 16, 1808, and they have three children: Annie E.. a teach- er in the Minneapolis schools; Mary, wife of Mr. H. Andrews, of Minneapolis, and Jessie B., of Mankato. Honest, thrifty and industrious has been Mr. Ir\-ino-'s life, rewarding his declining years with a fair competency. JENSEN, HANS P. — Is a native of Denmark, where his birth occurred November 26, 1844, at the town of Hyallese, Pyen. He was one of nine children, and was left fatherless at the ao-e of 13 years. When 15 years old he was apprenticed to learn the black- WILLIAM IRVING. Biogriifliies ^45 smith trade, and in 1865, emigrated to the United States, landing at New York, November 7th. He located first at Fredonia, IS!" Y., and thence weut to Sil- ver Creek, K. Y. Ii: thp Pall of 1866, he came to Mankato, but the foUowirig Fall went back to Fredonia for a year, -returniKg in the winter of 1868, to Mankato, where he has lived ever since. In 1873, he formed a co-partnership with Aaron Miller and built a factory for the manufacture of car- riages on the corner of Jackson and Second streets. HANS p. JENSEN. In 1890, he removed to his present quartei's on the corner of Cherry and Second streets, where he conducts an extensive carriage business. J. D. Firestone and H. B. Perrin were associated in business with him after Mr. Miller at different times, but for the last few years he has run the plant alone. In 1895, he erected the business block which bears his name. Mr. Jensen is a wide awake, enterprising business man, and no 6ne is more ready with time and money to promote any project for the upbuilding of Mankato. He has been an aggres- sive, efficient member of the Board of Trade for many years. He has also for the past thirty-three years been connected with the I. 0. 0. P. Is an elder of the Presbyterian church and superin- tendent of its Plope Mission Sunday School. On December 4, 1869, he was married to Miss Mary Schwitzer, of Cook County, Illinois. JOHN, D. D. Rev. David Clark.— Boicn February 14, 1835, near Bloomsburg, Pa. Was brought up on a farm. Began his education in the country schools, prepared for college at Dick- inson Seminary at Williamsport, Pa., and graduated at the head of his class from Dickinson College, Carlisle Pa., in June, 1859. 2^b ilaiikato — lis Fu-st Fifty Years Had to work his own way through school, — mostly by teaching. In March, 1859, he was admitted upon trial, and ordained deacon of the East Baltimore (now Central Pennsylvania) district Con- ference of the M. E. church, and appointed to the Carlisle Cir- cuit. During 1860-1, he was pastor of the Caroline Street Station Church of Baltimore, Md. ; 1862-3, of the Bloomsbtirg Station, Pa., and 1804, of the Lewisburg Station, Pa. In March, 1861, he was ordained Elder. Failing in health, he was obliged, after 1864, to rest for a time, but in 1868, began educational work, as pro- fessor of Xatural Science in the State Normal School at Blooms- burg, Pa., where he continued until the Pall of 1873, when he be- came President of the State ISTormal School at Mankato, Minne- sota. He resigned this position in May, 1880, to accept the presi- dency of Hamline University, St. Paul, where he remained three years, and then returned again to the pastorate. In October, 1885, he was transferred to the Wisconsin Conference, with which he is still connected. Since this transfer, he has been employed seven years as pastor, one year as professor, and three as president, of Clark University, Atlanta, Ga., and in October, 1896, was made Presiding Elder of the Milwaukee district, serving the full term of six years, and in September, 1902, was appointed Presiding Elder of the Oshkosh district. He received the degrees of A. B., and A. M., from Dickinson College, and in 1880, the degree of D. D., from the same institution and, also, from the Upper Iowa University. He was delegate to the General Conference of the M. E. Church in 1880 and 1884, and delegate to the Centennial Conference, Baltimore, December, 1884. Member of the M. E. Book Committee from 1880 to 1884. Has published three music books'^ "The Guiding Star," 1872; "The Corona," 1892; and "The Evangel," 1896. Dr. John was first married in August, 1860, to Miss Adeline E. Wells, who died February 19, 1885, at Winona, Minnesota. Four of their five children survive: Annie M., James W., David C, and William N. July 26, 1888, the doctor was united in a second marriage to Miss Sarah E. Whittaker, of Frederiea, Del., and they now reside at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. JOHNSON, Parsons King—Fhst settler in Mankato — Born at Brandon, Eutland County, Vermont, May 8th, 1816. His parents Charles and Eunice (King) Johnson, were prominent people of Brandon, where his father held a number of local offices. His Biographies 24^ mother was a descendant of Jonathan Carver, the English traveler, who claimed to have purchased of the Sioux Indians, on May 1st, 17G7, a tract of land, extending from the Falls of St. Anthony to Lake Pepin, and thence- one hundred miles to the East. An uncle of P. K., named Wm. King, visited the present site of St. Paul in 1816 to look up his Carver inheritance. Brandon was also the native place of Hon. Stephen A. Douglass, and he and young Johnson were students together for a time at the village academy, under the tutorship of the noted instructor, Chipman. Soon after the death of his mother in 1831, young Johnson was ap- prenticed to the tailor's trade at Pittsford, Vermont. In the Au- tumn of 1834, the articles of apprenticeship were cancelled by mutual consent, and Johnson entered a tailoring establishment j,t Eutland, Vermont. Eemaining here only six months, he re- moved to Thetford, Vermont, where he opened a tailor shop of his own, and had a number of assistants in his employ. Forming the acquaintance of the principal of the town academy, he was induced by him to take up a course of study under his private instruction. He also became much interested in the village Lyceum. Hearing much of the advantages to young men to be found in the newly organized territory of Wisconsin, Johnson, with a number of his companions, in the spring of 1837, emigrated to that then distant wilderness. Their destination was Eacine, which after a long and adventurous journey, by land and lake, they finally reached. Eacine then comprised only a few rude shanties, and did not im- press our Green Mountain boys very favorably. Milwaukee, also proved disappointing and they tried Chicago. Chicago then was a very tough town — full of gamblers and lawless people generally. A big fight occurred in the bar-room of their hotel on the first night of our friends arrival. To staid Kew England youths, such a scene was shocking, and they concluded not to stay there anolher night, and started for home. At the boat landing Johnson met an acquaintance from Thetford, who had just landed, and who induced him to accompany him to Elgin, Illinois. Elgin again proved disappointing, but Johnson proceeded to Eockford, where he was better suited. Here he formed a partnership with Wm. H. Tinker (now of St. Paul), in the tailoring business, which continued for four years. In the spring of 1841, finding the hard times were crippling his business at Eockford, he removed to Prairie du Chien, where he soon worked up a lucrative trade PARSONS KING JOHNSON. with the prosperous Indian traders of that pointy and the army oificers at Port Atchinson. Here he formed the acquaintance of Hon. Henry M. Eice, then sutler and Indian trader at the latter place, and they became fast friends. Here, also, he obtained his first taste of politics, and was appointed by Gov. Doty, Deputy Sheriff and Notary Public. In the winter of 1846-7, he made a business visit to St. Paul, and removed there the following spring. He took an active part in the organization of Minnesota Territory, and was a member of the first legislature. In 1850, he married Miss Laura Bivens, of St. Paul. In February, 1853, in company with Henry Jackson and- others, he founded the present city of Manlcato, of which he was the first Biographies 2^g actual. settler. From 1853 to 1856 he served as the first Register of Deeds, and first Postmaster in Blue Earth County. During 1856 and 1857, he represented this County in the S.tate Legislature. For over fourteen years he was village and city Justice of Man- kato, discharging the duties of the office with much ability and the strictest impartiality. In the spring of 1865, he removed to Kasota, intending to en- gage in business with Mr. Babcock. • Their plans, however, failed to mature, and Mr. Johnson returned to Mankato in the spring of 1869. In 1894, he moved to Brainerd, Minnesota, where his devoted wife died on May 9th, 1895, and where Kovember 16, 1902, he lost his son. Prank B. Johnson. Three children still survive: Charles D., who is engaged in the drug business at Brainerd, and William H. Johnson and Mrs. Julia K. McFadden. Mr. Johnson is possessed of a social, genial disposition and has much native wit. In politics he has ever been a consistent Democrat of the Jacksonian school. lie has lived to see the city he foimded fifty years ago grow to be the most important commercial center in ■ Southern Minnesota. Mrs. Laura (Bivens) Johnson, was born in 1823, at Clarence, Erie County, Xew York. In 1848, she came to St. Paul, Minn., to visit her sister, the late Mrs. J. S. Hinckley (then Mrs. Henry Jack- son). There she met Mr. P. K. Johnson, and on May 8th, 1850, they were married. In April, 1853, Mrs, Johnson came to Man- kato, where she made her home (with the exception of the few years above mentioned, when the family resided at Kasota) until 1894, when she and her hiisband removed to Brainerd to reside with her son, Chas D. Johnson. There Mrs. Johnson died, as we have above recorded, at the age of 72 years. She was kind and generous and, like most of our noble pioneer women, much given to hospitality. KJKRMANY, URIAH S.— Bom February 18, 1827, near the city of Lebanon, Pa. His parents, Henry and Mary (Smith) Earmany, were of German ancestry, who had settled in Lebanon County, Pa., about 200 years ago. The siibject of this sketch spent his boy- hood days on the farm, attended the district school during the winter months, and at the age of IG years was sent to an academy in an adjacent village. The family removed to Mercersburg, Pa., and a year later located at East Hanover. In the spring of 1853, sso Mankalo—Its First Fifty Vears young Karmany came west to seek his fortune, and spent a few months with an uncle at Preeport, Illinois. In September of the same year he went to St. Paul, Minnesota, and thence to Mankato, where he arrived on December 20th, 1853. He first made a claim on Agency Hill, but abandoned it the next spring and spent the summer of 1854, in the employ of the Eussell boys, who were engaged in running a flat- boat on the Minnesota river for Nathan Myrick. The small steamer lola was sub- stituted for the flat-boat in the Fall of that year, and Mr. Karmany has many reminiscences of his river experience. After spending the winter of 1854-5 clerk- ing for ' Eobcrt Wardlaw, who conducted a store in the Wardlaw building on Lot 1, Block 6, he located a claim in the spring of of 1855, on the hill back of the Cement Works, which he afterwards sold to Sam- uel Walker. For a time URIAH s. KARMANY. beforc the War, he was en- gaged in the butcher business, but July 15, 1861, he enlisted in Co. H., Second Minnesota Infantry, and on September 31, 1863, while detailed to hospital duty, at the battle of Chickamauga, he was taken prisoner and for twenty months, until the close of the war, suffered the horrors of Eebel prison life — first at Libby and then at Anderson ville. Savannah, . Milan and Blackshire, and lastly at Anderson ville a second time. Possessed of an indomitable pluck and a shrewd tact, ho managed to survive the terrible ordeal, where thousands perished. After the close of the War, Mr. Kar- many was engaged in the meat and grocery business for over twelve years, most of the time in connection with his brother James M. Karmany. In 1875, he married Mrs. Mary Jane Pero, nee Hinman. Mrs. Karniany died May 5, 1899, leaving surviving, besides her second Biograpluc 25' husband ,two children by her first hns].)and : Dr. Gland Fero, of Minneapolis, and Jlrs. P. A. Ifalsfead, of Mankato. ]\Irs. Kar- manv was a dangliter of Xathaniel Hininan, who was descended from a prominent family of Connecticut. KARMAISY, JAS. /W.— P.orn at Leiianon, I'a., ilay 19th, 1S47. He came to Mankato on July lUtli, ISCKi, and two years later, ojiened a meat market here. Since tlie opening of liis first sliop, in Block 1.), thirty-five years ago, ISh. Ivaruiany has been in the business continnonsly, with an intermission of only one year, and is the oldest butcher shop projjrietor in town. His has Iteen a Ijusy life, devoted to his chosen vocation, in which he has met good success. His splendid record for business probity, be can justlv be proud of, and it has won for him the high esteem of his fellow citizen. He was married, in 1872, to 8usan, daughter of Henrv Furrier, late of Lime township, and thev ha\'e three child- ren: James H., Ella, and Eathel. KEEISE, ABEL.—V,'.mi in Clinton, ilaine, October 9, 1823. He was the oldest son of a large family and bad to enter early the battle of life to keep the wolf from the dooi-. He became familiar in youth with the hardships of the lumber camps of Northern Maine in winter, and the dangers of the river drives in the sjiring. On the discovery of gold in California in 1849, be took the first ship, sent by \im- derbilt by the Nicaraugua route, to that distant land, Mdiere he arrived, after many thrilling adventures. He did well in the gold fields, but lost nearly all his fortune through the failure of the E.xpress company, to which it had been intrusted for transportation. He came ABEL KEENE. ^^ Maukato in the Fall of 2^2 Mankalo — Its First Fifty Years 1855, and in 1857, formed a partnership with his brother, Josiah Keene, and A. D. Seward and H. K. Lee in the construction and operation of a saw mill, to which, la,ter, a grist mill department was added. The mill proved quite a success and was the main life of the town for years. On the night of August 19, 1862, when the excitement incident to the Sioux massacre was at its height, the mill mysteriously caught fire and burned to the ground. There being no insurance, it proved a total loss. Nothing daunted, how- ever, by his loss, in 1865 he bought another mill in Iowa and moved it to Hebron, a point ten miles west of Mankato on the ■ Minnesota river. Here his mill was burned three times — the last time in the spring of 1885. In 1891, he moved upon a farm in Belgrade, near Mankato, which he had owned before the burn- ing of the first mill. He died May 22, 1901. Mr. Keene was thrifty, honest and public spirited — a man that could always be depended upon. He married Nov. 7, 1860, Miss Carrie Doughty, of Spirit Lake, Iowa, and eight children have been born to them : Eev. Josiah L. Keene, of Cottage Grove, Min- nesota; Mrs. Addie Thurston, of Hebron, Minnesota; William S. Keene, of Dawson City, Alaska; Dr. Ralph Keene, of Bellingham, Minnesota, and Bert Keene, Amy Permenich, Marcia Witzel and Ida Keene, of North Mankato, Minnesota. KEENE, JOSIAH— Bovn November 21st, 1827, in Clinton, Maine. In»1852, he came to Winona, Minnesota, and located upon a claim, which is now in the heart of that city. In May, 1853, he removed to Mankato, and at the instance of Henry McKenty, a St. Paul real estate dealer, who had laid out what is known as "Mankato City," as a rival townsite to Mankato proper, he opened a black- smith shop on the stone quarry bench, near the head of Pront street — the first ever located in Mankato. Later he removed his shop to Second street, near the center of town. In the winter of 1856-7, he went to Pittsburg and Cincin- nati, and purchased a saw mill outfit, which, in partnership with his brother, Abel Keene, A. D. Seward and others, he put up and operated the following summer. This mill was located near the corner of Cherry and Pike streets. In 1859, the firm added ma- chinery for the manufacture of fiour and later a turning lathe, shingle factory, wooden-bowl factory, etc., were added, making an extensive manufacturing plant. The business Avas pushed with vigor and for those early days, was a very important industry, Biographies 2S3 and gave employment to many people. The Company's clue bills, too, passed as currency in the community. In the early social and religious life of Mankato, Mr. Keene, also, took an active part. He was fond of music and played well on the violin, and his fine tenor voice generally led the singing in. Father Thomson's church. When he went East to buy the saw mill the ladies' society of the Presby- , terian church entrusted to him the $300.00 they had raised for the first church bell in Mankato, which he purchased and brought back with him in the spring of, 1857. In June, 1861, he enlisted in Co. H., 2nd Eeg. Minn. Vol., and acquitted himself with signal bravery, losing an arm at the battle of Chickamauga, While ^ he was South fighting for his country, the mill was de- stroyed by fire, and on his return from the War he was incapacitated to follow his trade of blacksmith. He therefore sought and obtained employment for many years in the U. S. Treasury Department at Washington. Thence he removed to California and engaged in the fruit and honey business near Sespe, where he died September 13th, 1899. He was a man of strict integrity and kindly sympathies. He was th-rice married and his last wife still survives with five children : Kendall, Allen, Herman, Eobert, and Helen. KEENE, MADISON— Both in Clinton, Maine, May 28th, 1833. His parents were Jeremiah and Kebecca (Kendall) Keene. His grandfather, Isaac Keene, was a soldier under Gen. Washington in the Eevolutionary War, and his grandfather, David Kendall, was a member of the American army in the war of 1812. On lais father's side he is of Scotch-Irish descent, and on his mother's side of English ancestry. Mr. Keene was married on January JOSIAH KEENE. 2^4 Mavkalo—Its First Fifty Years 3rd, 1854, to Miss Phoebe A. Eldridge, and m June of the following year, came to Mankato, Minnesota, where his brothers, Josiah, Lor- enzo D., and Allen Keene, and his sister, Lorana Keene (afterwards Mrs. Clark), had preceded him. He pre-empted a claim' in Nicollet Count)', and in the spring of 1856, his wife joined him, and they began their experience as pioneer farmers. On July 15th, 1861, he and his brother, Josiah Keene, enlisted in Company H. 2nd Eegiment, Minne- sota Vols., and served with great faithfulness and brav- ery in many of the great battles of the Civil War. On the ex- piration of his term of service, July 14, 18G4, he returned home and resumed agricultural pursuits. About 1888, he retired from his farm to Mankato, where he built him a pleasant home in which he still resides. His children are : V. M. Keene, o'f Winnebago City, George E. Keene, the well known photographer of Mankato, and Mrs. Ellen ilay, wife of Sherman Eouse of the same place. MADISON KEENE. KEYSOR, Capt. Clark — Born in Luzerne, Warren County, New York, May 24th, 1826, a son of Clark and Elizabeth (Frost) Key- sor. His grandparents on his father's side were natives of Ger- Dianv, who landed in New York City about the end of the 18th century, where the grandmother died, leaving the Captain's father an infant, who, being adopted by a family named Wells, was brought up in New York State, where he died in 1830. After his father's death, Capt. Kcysor made his home with his grandfather Frost, in the town of Hadle)', New York, working on a farm and attend- ing the country school until he was sixteen years of age. He then started out for himself, finding employment first in a saw mill at Luzerne, and the following winter in a lumber camp. Biographies ^55 The spring of 1847, finds liim on a log drive and the fall of that year after a visit to his mother, at Blackbrook, New York, sees him apprenticed at Ati Sable Forks, X. Y., to learn the carpenter and joiners trade. He followed this occupation for two years, when his health failing, he went to North Adams, Mass., and followed farm- ing for a few months. He then returned to the lumber camps of Plamilton County, N. Y., and engaged in the lumbering, rafting and mill-wright business for same time. September 15, 1850, he married Amy L., daughter of John Johnson, of East Day, N. Y. Her father had been a soldier of CAPT. CLARK KEYSOR. the War of 1813, and her grandfather a Eevolutionary soldier under Washington. In the spring of 1851, Capt. Keysor moved to Caldwell's Forge, near Plattsburg, N. Y., where he was employed as millwright and mill operator until 1855, when he engaged in the same business at Plattsburg. After one year failing health compelled him to seek the drier atmosphere of the West. He first stopped at La Crosse, and was employed for a time in the lumber mills there. Thence he came to Mankato arriving here May llth, 1858. From July of that year until October, 1859, he was engaged as millwright and operator in a sawmill at Winnebago Agency (St. Clair). Ee- turning to Mankato he entered the employ of A. D. Seward & Co., as millwright and carpenter. He and one Thompson were pro- prietors for a time of Concert Hall — a place for public gatherings in the early days. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. E. Ninth Minn. Vol., and was cojnmissioned First Lieutenant. In the Sioux war his company rendered valuable frontier service. Thoy ^^'c■re the first to enter New Ulm, after its evacuation, and later wintered at Judson, until 2Sb Mankato — Its First Fifty Years March, 1863. They were then ordered successively to St. Peter and Hutchinson, where the company was divided, and one-half under Lieutenant Keysor assigned to Forest City. In October, 1863, his regiment was ordered South and for some time had its headquarters at Jefferson City. Mo. Here Lieut. Keysor was de- tailed on a commission to try private citizens, for offences against the military law there in force, until March 1st, 1864, when he rejoined, his company and was engaged in active service in sever- al hard campaigns. In January, 1865, he was promoted Captain and was mustered out with his company the following August. After the War, Capt. Keysor was engaged for years at his occupation of carpenter and contractor. He has frequently been honored by positions of public trust and responsibility. For two terms he served the city as Alderman, and for two years lie was its Assessor, and such a member of its Board of Public Works. In 1873 and again in 1877, he was a member of the State Legis- lature. He has been an active promoter of the City's Educational interests and been on its School Board for years, and is now serv- ing in that capacity. He was, also, one of the local Lirectors of the Mankato Normal School when first started. For many years he has been a prominent Mason and Knight Templar, and has been Master and Commander of the Mankato Lodge and Commandery. Democratic in his ways, earnest and honest in his convictions, strict in his integrity, Capt. Keysor , stands high in the esteem of his fellow citizens. To him and his amiable wife nine children were born: Wil- liam Winchester, for eleven years Judge of the District Court at Omaha, Nebraska, but since last September, Professor at the St. Louis Law School — -his Alma Mater; \ivL7A& F., wife of J. E. Flittie, Eeferee in Bankruptcy of U. S. Court of the Mankato district; Amy M., widow of E, Morse; and John J., of Sturgis, So. Dakota. The other four are deceased — two dying in infancy and two, Eva M., and Fanny J., in more mature life. KLEIIS, CONRAD J.— Both November 30, 1835, at Hessian, near Frankfort on the Main, Germany. Emigrated in May, 1848, with his parents, George and Catherine (Fox) Klein, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Eemoved in 1854 to New Lisbon, Wisconsin, and for a time was employed in the pineries. In 1861, he enlisted in Co. H. Tenth Wisconsin Infantry, and took part in the battles of Biogra;phies ^S? CONRAD J. KLEIN. Perryville, Stone Riv- er, Mission Eidge, Chickamauga and the Atlanta Campaign. After a long, arduous, and honorable career in his country's service, he was disciiarged in September, 1865. In May, 1866, he came to Mankato and, in part- nership with James Quinn, purchased the livery business of D. H. Tyner, which he conducted for several years. On retiring from this business, he became for two years proprietor of the "Minnesota House," and in 1882, he purchased the "Clifton House," which he has con- ducted with much popularity ever since. On October 10, 1870, Mr. Klein was united in marriage to Margaret, daughter of Henry B., and Eliza (Montgomery) Collins, also prominent early settlers of Mankato — having come from Indi- ana in 1866. Two children were born of the union: Dr. George H. Klein, of Ottawa, Illinois and Laura B. Mclntire, who is in the present graduating class of the State University. KLEIN, JOHN— Both April 6th, 1835, at Maria Each Darf, ISTassau, Germany. In 1854, he emigrated to Little Falls, N. Y. His brother, Wm. Klein, had come from Germany with him and was employed in the same factory. Imbued with the restlessness common to young men in a new country, they both concluded to go to California, in 1856, but, hearing evil reports of that land of gold, William came first to Winona, Minn., where he bought prop- erty, and sent for John and the rest of the family, who had all in the meantime come from Germany. The parents not liking Winona, they all removed in August, 1856, to St. Peter, Minn., which then was enjoying a great boom. William 2S8 Mankato—Ils First Fifty Years and John soon started a furniture factory there, birt were greatly hampered for lack of capital at first, and paid 4 per cent per month for the little that they could borrow. Many were the hardships they saw, but they were plucky, and not afraid of work. Their first load of furniture, they brought on a fiat boat from Anoka. Their old employer in New York finally came to their rescue, with goods and money, and great success soon crowned their efforts. June 20th, 1870, John remoX^ed to Mankato, where he has con- ducted the largest furniture store, not only in Mankato, but in Southern Minnesota. For a ,;,;ts"?-;,TW7«T""-;- '" "'"^ ,- . -v^::^z7.. i number of years he has associ- ated his son, George Klein, and his son-in-law, Frank J. Busch, vyith him in the business 'under the firm name of "J. Klein & Co." Mr. Klein has been an active, public spirited citizen, who has helped to start a num- ber of business enterprises in Mankato. He has been , for years director and vice-presi- dent of the First National Bank, and director of the Board of Trade, and of sever- al other institutions. He was a member of the Board of County Commissioners, when the Blue Earth County Court House began to be constructed. His has been an energetic, busy and useful life, not only in the civic and commercial growth of our city, but, also, in the development of its religious and chari- table institutions. He has been a leading and influential member of the Catholic churcli of JIankato. He was a prime mover in the founding of St. Joseph's Hospital and has been its superintendent from the first. He, also, was one of the main instigators, and first superintendent of Calvary Cemetery. ilr. Klein was married at Mankato, on Jfay 18th, 1803 to Miss Gertrude Fitterer, a nati^•e of Indiana, whose parents were Philip ?all)Fitterer. Seven children have blf>«=o^ t\.^\^ JOHN KLEIN. and Maria (Ball)] children have blessed their Biographies. 2J9 union, five of whom grew to maturity: Otilla, the deceased wife of Leo S. Ijamni, George J., Gertrude, (now "Sister Baptiste" of Port Wayne, Indiana) ; Ida i[., (now "Sister Gertrude" of Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin) ; and Elizabeth M., wife of Frank J. Busch of Mankato. KRON, CLE!VIENTS—BoTVL at Ulloffen, Baden, Germany, in 1826, and emigrated to America in 1846, locating first at Philadelphia, where he followed his trade of harness maker for about four years. He then came to Milwaukee, where on June 39th, 1851, he married Miss Johanna Armbroster, who was a native of the same town in Germany, where she had been born July 29, 1829, and whence she had immigrated to Mil- waulvee in 1818, arriving there on the 4th of July. On June 12th, 1853, Mr. Kron arrived at Mankato by the boat Clarion on a visit, and concluded to make it his home. Returning to St. Paul for his family, Mankato with them on the CLEMENTS KRON. whom he had left there, he reached 24th of the following July. He first located on a claim on Agency Hill, but soon sold it and in the fall of 1853, built (Indians helping at the raising) and occupied a log cabin, on the site of the present store building owned by Joseph Kron, No. 309 jSTorth Front street, where for two or three years he kept a frontier tavern. About 1855, he built a small frame structure on the corner now occupied by the Stahl House, where he started a saddlerj', but in those ox team days, that business proved unprofitable, and he soon turned his attention to hotel keeping, and opened the Minnesota House. In connection with the hotel he ran a livery for a number of years. Commencing in 1864, and for some time he 2bo Mankato—Ils First Fifty Years had the contract to carry the mails between Mankato and ISTew TJlm. His industry, thrift and honesty brought him success in his business, and the Minnesota House was for years a very popular hostelry, especially among the MRS. JOHANNA KRON. Germans. He continued as its proprietor and manager antil his death on Christmas day, 1873. Mrs. Kron still survives and six of their children, namely: Fred, Joseph, who was the first white boy born in Mankato; Anna Barbara, ivife of J. V. Stahl, Berdie, wife of Henry Fricke; Amelia, and Leona, wife of J. E. Seidle. The site of the old Minnesota House, is now oc- cupied by Mr. Stahl, with a fine three story brick hotel, bearing his name. KRON, r/?£"D.— Born at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, August 9, 1853. Came with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clements Kron, to Mankato July 24, 1853. Upon the death of his father in 1873, he as- sumed the management of the Minnesota House for two years.. Turning the hotel business over to his mother and brother, who after conducting it for three years, leased and finally sold it to Joseph Stahl, Fred turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, and opened a general merchandise store at No. 309 North Front street, which he conducted for ten years. After -spending four years in retirement, he resumed the same business with a new stock at the old stand. In 1895, he erected the fine large three story business block he now occupies, on the corner of Front and Main streets, and that fall opened therein the big department store, which he has successfully conducted ever since. Mr. Kron served as Alderman of Mankato for three years, but otherwise he has refused all political preferment and devoted B/o^raJ^/iu's 261 FREDERICK KRON. liis tiniG and energy to Ids great business interests^ in wliicli he lias Jjeen eminent- ly siiccessfnl. Pie stands to- day as one of the leading inerehants and eapitalists of oar city. He is howe\'er, generous and public spirited. He has invested extensively in j\ran- kato real estate, and built a number of residences thereon for sale and rent. On May ]!)th, 1874, he was married to Clara, daughter of j\Iatthias Ulman, who was, also, one of the l)ioneer hotel keepers of Jtankato. LAMM, STEPHEN.— Turn Decendjer 33rd, 1837, at Haslacb, Baden, (ierniany. In Decendjer, 1851, he emigrated to the United ■States and located lirst at St. Charles, Missouri. Here he was united in marriage on August 1st, IS.")!, to Caroline, daughter of ilr. and ^ilrs. ^latthias Stiliuire. In the spi'ing of IS.Ki, lie rcuio\ed to Maukato, where he ari-i\('il on May 1st of that year, and engaged in tlie mercantile business continuing therein until 1S8,") ; since which time he has been engaged in real estate, loans and banking. Since 1S9G, he has Ijcen jtresident of tlie First National Bank of ilankato. ilr. Lamm was a mendjcr of the City Council for seventeen yeai's and County Treasurer of Blue hearth County from 18.j7 to 18(10. He has, also, held a number of other local olUces. Schooled in economy and thrift, grounded in principles of honesty and trutli and endowed with excellent Imsincss sagacity. Ml'. Lamm has been the successful architect of his own fortune. He stands today, as one of tlie leading financiers of our prosperous city, commanding the respect and confidence of all; and during his long Imsincss career, mid all the ups and downs of our Western speculative life, with such cautious, conscientious care has he 262 Ma?! ka to— Its First Fifty Years giiardod each step, that no spot has sullied his integ- rity — no trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed or disappointed. Among the many secular affairs which have occupied his time, Mr. Lamm has not been neglectful of spiritual things. Prom the first he has been one of the pillars of the German Cath- olic church of our city, and has taken an active part as a faithful member and office bearer in all its upbuilding. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. STEPHEN LAMM. Lamm: Lizzie (now Sist- er M. Lambertine) of Milwaukee, Julia, wife of Clement Schroeder, Leo S., Philip, Eobert and Otto, all prominent business men of ^lankato, and Carrie, wife of John H. Hohmann of St. Louis, ilo. LEE, HENRY K. —Born in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1825. Locating at Mankato in IS 5 7, he became associated with Abel and Josiah Keene, and A. D. Seward, in the operation of a large saw and- grist mill, which, until its destruction by fire August 19, 1862, constituted one of Mankato's most important industries. On the same date the mill was burned Mr. Lee enlisted in Com- pany E. Ninth Minnesota Vokmteers, and served with his regi- ment in the Indian and Southern campaigns. He was captured at the battle of Brice's Cross Eoads and for nine months suffered the horrors of Andersonville prison. He lived, however, to be exchanged, and afterwards served with his company to the end of the war. Upon his return home, he became associated with Mr. Man- derfeld in the paint business, and later entered the employ of the Mankato Manufacturing Company as superintendent, and the suc- cess of this important plant was largely due to his efforts. Mr. Lee was honored by his fellow citizens with a num- Biographies 263 ber of local offices. In 1859, he was chairman of the Man- kato Board of Supervisors, which, also, constituted him one of the Board of County Commissioners. He was afterwards elected County Auditor, and in 1886, he was chosen as Mankato's representative in the Board of County Commissioners and was made its chairman. During his administration the -present commodious Blue Earth County Court House was erected, and the city and county owe Mr. Lee a debt of gratitude for HENRY K. LEE. patriotic,painstaking service he then rendered them. He devoted to the work all his time, energy and ability, and no one was better fitted for the task. He died June 13, 1890, soon after the completion of the Court House, but before the expiration of his term of office. He was never married. LEWIS, DR. WILLIAM T.— Born October 3, 1829, at Clyde, New York. His parents. Dr. John Lewis and Elizabeth A. (Frisbie) Lewis, both died when he was quite young, and he was brought up by his uncle, Dr. E. Willard Frisbie, of Phelps, New York. After graduating from the high school he began the study of medicine in his uncle's office, spent two years at Rush Medical College, and graduated from the College of Phjrsics and Medicine, of New York City. He then spent two years abroad, mostly in Paris, pursuing special medical studies. In the Fall of 1856, he came to Mankato and began the prac- tice of his profession. During the Inkpadutah trouble, in the spring of 1857, he was captain of a volunteer company from Man- kato, which went to the defence of the settlers upon the Watonwan, and had an engagement with a camp of Indians by Linden Lake, near Madelia, on April 12th. On June 15th, 1857, he married, at Burlington, Wisconsin, 264 Mankalo — Its First Fifty Years Albertina E., daughter of Joel F., and Mary A. (Mellgran) Cow- ham. After his marriage he spent some years at Black Eiver Palls, Wisconsin; Medford, Minnesota; and other places, returning to Mankato in the spring of 1864. Associated - with his cousin. Dr. William Frisbie, who had located at Mankato the previous summer, he now engaged in the drug business for three years. He then embarked in the banking business with Henry Shaubut and John H. Barr, and after the lat- ter's decease, with George T. Barr, and still later with Henry W. Hamilton — the style of the firm changing from Lewis, Shaubut & Barr, to Lewis & Shaubut, and Lewis, Shaubut & Hamilton. The business DR. WILLIAM F. LEWIS. ^as coutiuued until Octob- er, 1886, since which date Mr. Lewis has spent his time in travel, visiting most of the important sites of Europe and America. Dr. Lewis is a gentleman of fine culture, pleasant manners and an able financier. To him and his estimable wife, five children have been born, three of whom survive: Louisa Alber- tina, Irving C, and John M. LULSDORFF, GERHARD. —Born April 25, 1827, in Cologne, Prussia, where he attended school until tliirteen years old, and was then apprenticed to learn the cabinet maker's trade, until he arrived at the age of seventeen years. During the next three years he visited many cities in Germany and Holland, working at his trade, until drafted for the German army. Being released from military service through the influence of friends, he returned to his native city, and, from 1847 until 1853, was employed in one of the largest factories there. In 1853, he emigrated to the United States, landing on May Biogra-phics 36s 22iid in New York City, where he soon found work as a cabinet maker, and the first piece of furniture he was employed on took the gold medal premium at the Crj'stal Palace ex- Iiibition of that city soon after. In 1854, he quit his job in the. furni- ture factory and hired out as a ship builder, working for a while in !N"ew York City, and then at Thomaston. Maine, where the cutting of his foot with, an ax cured his ship building fever. He now re- turned to New York city, and as soon as able took gerhard lulsdorff. employment in a piano factory. The company, however, failed in a short time and the men were all thrown out of work. Mr. Lulsdorff now (October 1854) took a trip through the Southern States, locating for the winter in New Orleans. In the spring he took an extended "trip through the Northern States, looking for work, and again got back to New York Clity and was em- ployed for a time in a piano factor}^, until his health failing, he came west to recuperate. After spending a short season in Wis- consin, he went to Chicago, where, after a spell "of severe illness, he found work and prospered for a year or so. In the winter of 1857-8, he formed a partnership with one Theodore Schroeder in the building business and had contracts in various places. While at work on a business block in Tuscola, Illinois, both part- ners were seriously injured by the breaking of the scaffolding. On completion of the building the partnership dissolved and Mr. Lulsdorff came to St. Paul, Minnesota, on July 15, 1858, where he remained until the last of Pebru.ary, 1859, when with three com- 2b6 Mankato—Its First Fifty Years panions he went to the Eed Eiver country. There he helped to built the first steamboat/ the Anson N"orthrop, which ever disturbed the waters of that northern stream^ (and took the first trip on it to Port Gary (now Winni- peg), then belong- ing to the Hudson Bay Company. Ee- turning with a car- go of buffalo hides to Port Abercrom- bie, the party went to St. Paul to get their pay and a fresh supply of pro- yisions. The jour- neys back and forth through the wild, Indian invested country were full of MRS. GERHARD LULSDORFF. advonturgs. In 1860, he was employed by the Hudson Bay Company as carpenter, and the following year built for the Minnesota Stage Company the first building in the present town of Moorhead. He also built several houses for the company in Georgetown. In 1861, he helped build the second boat for the Eed Eiver. It was called the International and made its first trip in the spring of 1862. During the Sioux outbreak of that year all the em- ployees of the Company fled to British Columbia. Mr. Lulsdorff, however, was of the party, who were sent back on the perilous duty, to look after the Company's property at Georgetown, where he remained until the spring of 1863, After taking the boat to Port Abercrombie for protection, he was induced by a tinsmith he had met, to come to Mankato and go into business with .him. Arriving here in August, 1863, he at once started the hardware business which he still conducts, and which his perseverance, thrift and industry has developed from a small tinshop into one of the best hardware stores in town. In 1887, his son, John A. Biogra'phies a6f Lulsdorffj who was born, in Mankato, JSTovember 14, 1366, became associated with his father, and of late years has had the principal charge of the business. Mr. LulsdrofE is now about the oldest merchant in continuous business in Mankato, and no man ever had a cleaner record for business fairness and h6nesty than he. He was married, February 16, 1865 to Mrs. Jane Mills, who had been born February 4, 1834, in the Province of Quebec. She was a daughter of Philip and Bridget (Teneyck) Eykerd, and had been married in 1850 to Minard Mills at Johnston, Ver- mont. Soon after their marriage she and Mr. Mills came to Wis- consin, and thence, in the spring of 1852, to St. Paul, and on March 14, 1853, settled in Mankato, where Mr. Mills died in 1864. Mrs. Lulsdorff has the distinction of being the first white woman to permanently locate in Mankato. Mr. and Mrs. Luls- dorff have but one child, John A, Lulsdorff before mentioned. McCLtARY HON. JAMES WOMFSON. —The noted Congressman bf the Second Congressional District, was born February 5, 1853, in Ingersoll, Ontario. His father, Thompson McCleary, was an architect and builder. His mother's maiden name was Sarah McCutcheon. He was educated in the common schools of his na- tive town and McGill University, Montreal. He came to the United States shortly before coming of age and settled in Wis- consin, where he followed his chosen vocation of teacher, and in a few years was made superintendent of the public schools of Pierce County. His active interest in teachers' institutes soon won him considerable reputation as a champion of the newer and better methods of education, and the quality of his work stamped him as a man of mark. In 1881, he accepted the position of State institute conductor in Minnesota and professor of history and civics in the State Normal School at Mankato, at which city he has ever since made his home. He at once became prominent in ediicational circles and, in va- cation seasons, conducted teachers' institutes in Wisconsin, Da- kota, Virginia, Tennessee and Colorado. He pu.blished in 1888, a work entitled "Studies in Civics," and this was followed in 1894 by "A Manual of Civics." Both of these books possess much merit and are now used as text books in the best schools of the country. In 1883, he served as secretary of the Minnesota Edu- cational Association, and as its president in 1891. His studies HON. JAMES THOMPSON McCLEARY, Biograjyhics 26g of economical questions specially fitted him for a statesman, and this was recognized by the Second District, where in 1892, he was nominated by the Eepnblican party and elected to Congress, in which position he has been continued by his constituents, with increased majorities, each successive election. His famous speech on the currency question, in the Fifty-Fourth Congress, was the ablest discussion of the great money issue of that day ever given, and contributed more to the defeat of the silver -heresy than any other thing, and brought him at once to national prominence. Many of his other speeches, such as the one against the repeal of the Federal Election Laws, and on the Tariff, made a profound impression upon the country and have raised him to a position of national prominence. He is recognized as one of the leading members of the Lower House of Congress and his colleagues regard him as an authority on the great questions of the day. Mr. McCleary was reared in the Presbyterian ■ church. He was married in 1874 to Mary Edith Taylor. Their union, has. been blessed with one son, Leslie Taylor, who acts as his father's private secretary. McMAHAh, DR. WILLIAM DR. WILLIAM E. McMAHAN R. —Born in Clark County, .Kentucky, . May 23, 1816. When young, his parents removed to Indiana. There he studi- ed medicine and, receiving his diploma, practiced his profession at Ottumwa and Dubuque, Iowa. Removing to Mankato in the summer of 1856, he followed his profession with marked suc- cess, till prevented by ad- vanced age. He was Coun- ty Physician for many years. He was one of the procurers of the char- ter of the Minnesota and jSTorthwestern Eailway, and was twice its president. He was a rnember of the State Medicarl Society, and 2^0 Mankato Us First Fifty Years was an examiner for pensions under the IT. S. government. He also served on the city council and in other official positions. He was noted for his generous free practice among the poor of this, city. He died November 14, 1900, and is remembered by all the old settlers, as the "Pioneer Physician." He was married MarchUO, ■ 1841, to Mary Caroline Conduit, who died July 15, 1873. To them, ten children were born. Of these, but three are now living, viz: Isadore F., now the widow of Wesley Maxfield ; Helen, now the wife of Prank B. Kennedy; and James C.,' the youngest son. The dead are Elizabeth, wife of William Swint; Charles C, Dr. Joseph C, William E., Agnes, Mary and Eulalie. MANSFIELD, Chas.—Bom July 9, 1828, in Monroe County, New York. He died March 30, 1885. He early came west, and taught school in Sharon, Wisconsin. Subsequently, he went to California and Oregon. He, however, returned to New York. In 1854, he arrived in Mankato and took a claim in what is now the town of McPherson. But in 1855, he settled permanently in this city. In May, 1861, he enlisted in Company H. Pirst Minnesota Volunteers and served Lintil May, 1864, when he was honorably mustered out. His career as a soldier of the Union army was highly meritorious. He was wounded in Pirst, Bull Eun battle. He was in the great battles of tntietam, Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg and Gettys- Hirg. His record as a brave soldier is one of which his family may Justly be proud. He was married May 27, 1876, to Miss Louisa Burch- ' ard. To this union, there were five children, viz : Charles, John A., Mary Louise, Cornelia J., and Barbara. His widow with her fam- ily resides at tjie old CHARLES MANSFIELD. liomestead on Clark street. Biographies 371 MARKS, ISAAC— Both in East Prussia, January 22nd, 1823. In 1840, he emigrated to St. Louis, where he resided until the spring of 1846, when he removed to Prairie du Cliien, and thence to La Crosse, Wisconsin. In May, 1848, he came with the Winnebago Indians to Long Prairie, and, forming a co-partnership with Asa White, opened . a trading post. On the removal of the Winnebagoes to Blue Earth Coimty, in June, 1855, White and Marks came with them and erected the first trading house at the new Agency. In 1856, the firm opened a store at -Mankato in charge of Mr. Marks, in a log building on the corner of Second and Hickory streets. The following year they built in Block 14, a large three story stone business house, which for many 3-ears was one oE the most important structures of our city. August 24th, 1862, Mr. Marks was married to Anna SchofE- man at Manlcato. The Eecord in announcing the marriage, says : ' "The ceremony took place when the Indian excitement was at its height, and those who attended to congratu- late the happy couple, were armed with rifles and musk- ets. It was indeed a novel sight to witness a ceremony of the kind guarded by bristling bayonets." Mr. Marks was generous and public spirited, and held a number of local offices. His store for many years was one of Mankato's principal emporiums of trade. He was the first mason initiated to the Man- kato lodge. He died Jan- uary 22, 1885, leaving no issue. MARSCHNER, AUGUST.-— Born July 29, 1875, near Franklin, Een- ville County, Minnesota. His parents. Bernhard and Johanna ISAAC MARKS, From an early picture. 2y2 .]/a>ika/o^Ils First J-'ifly Years AUGUST MARSCHNER, Marschner, removed to New Ulm, when August was five years old. Here young Mar- schner was educated at the public school and at Martin Luther College. liere he, also, learned the printer's trade. He spent two years as printer and reporter at Kansas City, Missouri, and three years at Winona, Minnesota. April 18D8, he came to Manlxato to assume the edi- torial chair of the ''Mankato Post," which he continues to occupy with much ability. He was married June 1st, 189G, to Miss Martha Schulze of Fountain City, Wisconsin. MARSH, George //.—Born November ^(i, 1833, at Chesterfield, Xew Hampshire, of Asa and Elizabeth Hall Marsh, both worthy jieople of Cliesterfield. He was educated in the common school and academy of his native town, and at the age of sixteen began teacliing country schools. Two years later he went to Boston to learn business, remaining there until the summer of 1853, when he conchidcd to go West to seek his fortune. After a short stay at Chicago, he arrived at Mankato on Oc- tober 6, 1853, and |)urehased a lot on the corner of Front and Mulljcrry streets, where he erected a lousiness Jjlock tlie following summer, He ordered at once a stock of general merchandise from Boston, Init owing to the lateness of the season it did not arrive until May 20, 185-1. In connection with Iris brother, John Q. A. Marsh, who had come on the same boat with the goods, he opened the first store, having other than Indian goods, in Mankato. For a number of years the firm of Marsh Brothers did an ex- tensive business, their trade extending over a territory as far Biographies 273 GEORGE H. MARSH. south as the Iowa line. In 1853, Mr. Marsh contracted to carry the mail between St. Paul and Mankato., and in 1856, in company with J. W. Babcock of Kasota, he took a eontract to carry tlie mails between Fort Snelling and Sioux City, and received in part payment extensive grants of land, whicli afterwards proved quite valuable. Mr. Marsh served as Eegister of Deeds of Blue Earth County in 1856-7, but never entered politics thereafter. In Sep- tember, 1858, lie married Cor- nelia M. Darling, of Chester- field, New Hampshire, whose ancestors had served in the French and Eevolutionary wars. He died October 28, 1903. MARSH, JOHN Q. 4.— Born in Chesterfield, New Hampshire, October 13, 1826, of excellent New England ancestry. He was educated in the common school of his native town, and Mt. Caesar Seminary in Swansea, New Hampshire. After spending some years as a school teacher, he went into the mercantile business in his native town, which he conducted for five or six years. In the mean time his brother, George H. Marsh, had come to Man- kato, and advised him to come here too, as it was a fine business point. Packing most of his goods, he shipped them to Mankato in the spring of 1854, with a lot of new merchandise, bought at Boston and St. Louis, and arrived at his destination with most of his stock on the boat with him, on May 20, 1854. Plere he and his brother opened the first store of general merchandise in town, which they conducted with great success until 1858, when they sold out. In the winter of 1853-4 George Marsh had been awarded the contract to carry the mails between St. Paul and Mankato, along the Minnesota Valley for four }ears, commencing July 1, 1854. This contract was performed by both brothers jointly. At first the service was only once a week, but later it 274 Mankato - Its First Fifty Years was increased to twice a week, and finally daily, and the southern terminus extended to South Bend. The first trip was made by George Marsh on foot as far as Traverse des Sioux, and thence by Indian canoe to St. Paul. A horse and liglit wagon were then procured and did service for a time, and soon thereafter two horses and a covered rig were em- ployed on the route. In 1856, the brothers in com- pany with J. W. Babcock, secured the contract foi two years from July 1, 1856, to carry the mails once every two weeks between Fort Snelling and Sioux City, passing north of Ka- sota along the old Dodd road. Incident to thit con- tract, was the privilege to pre-empt one section of land for every twenty mile? of the route, which resulted in the brothers acquiring con- siderable real estate. Of so little value was land then JOHN Q, A. MARSH Considered however, that they never filed on any on the route west of Cottonwood County. Since retiring from their mercantile business, the brothers devoted their time to their real estate and loaning interests. The subject of this sketch, before coming to Mankato,' was Superintendent of Schools and Surveyor in his native town, and since coming here, was elected County Treasurer in 1855, and has served as supervisor, trustee and clerk of Mankato in its early history. December 39, 1859, he married Miss Sarah J. Hanna, who was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, October 15, 1833, and came to Mankato with her parents in April, 1853, and taught the first school here in the summer of that year. They had two children : Charles M., and Mary E., the latter of whom died in 1886. MARSHALL, D. D., Thomas— Botu at Bast Weare, Hillsboro County, New Hampshire, April 4, 1831. Educated at Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, New Hampshire, and at Dartmouth Biogra-ph ies '73 College, where he was graduated in 1857, and at Union Theological Seminary, New York in 1864. He was ordained to the ministry in the Presbyterian chnrch, and settled as the first pastor of that church in Mankato, where he arrived January 14, 1865, and was installed as pastor September 7, 1865. He remained here until 1869, when he was called to the High Street Presbyterian church of St. Louis, and afterward to the Glasgow Avenue PresbyteriaiV church in that city. In 1888-9, he Journeyed around the world, to acquaint himself with foreign missionary work. In 1890, he Avas chosen Field Secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions, which office he still holds. He received the degree of D. D., from Ga^'. College, Wisconsin in 1892, and from Dartmouth College in 1902. He is a life member of the Asiatic Society of Japan. He married in October, 1871, Mrs. Louise Goodheart Schneck, who died in September, 1873. Dr. Marshall erected a memorial hall at Chefoo, China, in memory of his parents, and as a memorial to his wife has paid the salary of a native teacher in China for ten years. He is a powerful teacher, and popular lecturer on missionary work. MAXFIELD, George — Born in Monongalia County, West Vir- ginia, October 10, 1810. He worked upon a^ farm until 1829, when he went to Norwich, Ohio, and learned the wagon-making trade, which business he followed during his residence in that State, mostly at the village of Etna. May 16, 1853, he came to Mankato, and acquired a claim in the north end of the city, on which was located one of the best and most accessible of our stone quarries and lime kilns, which after a year or two spent in a store, he undertook to develop. The pioneer work of start- ing these now important in- dustries 6f Mankato, fell largely to his lot. Mr. Maxfleld held many po- sitions of trust at the hands of his Mankato fellow citi- GEORGE MAXFIELD. 316 Mankato — Its First Fifty Years zens. He was township supervisor; member of the first Board of Aldermen, and continued , upon the board for many years, until retired at his own request. He also served two terms as Mayor and for many years as City Treasurer. He was a prominent member of the Masonic lodge. In 1856, when the Mankato lodge was acting under dispensation, he was its senior warden and a year later, when duly chartered, he was its first master — holding the position for two terms, and he was charter member of the Blue Earth Chapter E. A. M., when organized in 1863. November, 1831, he was married to Miss Sarah Boden, who was born July 5, 1811, in Jefferson County, Penn., and died June 13, 1893. Mr. Maxfield died December 24, 1893. Eight children survived them : Laura E., wife of John R. Beatty ; Emily J., widow of Andrew Hanna; Nettie M., widow of B. P. Shafer; Anna M., wife of Henry W. Eobinson of Eoswell, Idaho ;■ Wesley (de- ceased), George, Kinsey and Charles F. Maxfield, the last two of Minneapolis, Minnesota. MEAGHER, HON. JOHN T.— Born in the County of Kerry, Ireland, April 11, 1836. He emigrated to America when he was but eleven years of age. For several years, he was on a farm in La Salle County, Illinois. When he was fourteen, he bound himself as an apprentice to learn the tinsmith trade at Otta- wa, Illinois. At the age of 21, he resolved to come to the territory of Minnesota, and landed at Eed Wing, September, 1857. June, 1858, he finally removed to Mankato, where he bought out Taylor and Hotaling in 1861, in the tin and hard- ware business, and was speedily established in busi- ness for himself. He was HON. JOHN F, MEAGHER fr^,^ ^hc start successful in business, and added farm machinery to his store. In 1868 he Biographies zyj assisted in the organization of the First National Bank, and was its vice-president till 1872, when he, with others, organized the Citizens' National Bank, of which he was president, when in 1892, it was merged into the National Citizens' Bank, of which he was president until his death. Mr. Meagher was always active and alert in business enterprises, building many houses and acquiring much property. He dealt largely and profitably in lands. On the breaking out of the Indian war, in 1862, he enlisted, and was made First Lieutenant of a company, and gallantly par- " ticipated in the defense of New Ulm. Subsequently he was com- missioned Captain of another military company, organized for the defense of Mankato. Mr. Meagher was actively interested in various companies, which had for their object the material development of this city. In politics, he was a Democrat, but broad and liberal in his views. His first entrance into this field was as County Treasurer. He was elected to the legislature in 1870, 1871, and to the Senate in 1872. He made an able and valuable record in both houses. In 1876, he was Democratic Presidential Elector at large. He was for many years, a director in various State institutions. He was a member of the commission for locating and erecting the New Ulm battle monument, and made the presentation address at its formal dedi- cation, August 22, 1891. Mr. Meagher acquired a large private fortune, and in. his long successful career, he ever secured and maintained the confidence and respect of all of his fellow citizens. He was personally a man of commanding figure, noble features, pleasing address and noble generosity. He was one of the true, strong men who laid and reared the fortunes of our city. He died June 18, 1897, and lies buried in the Catholic cemetery. He was married September 14, 1866, to Miss Mary A. Battelle. She was born March 14, 1844, and died at Santa Barbara, Cali- fornia, April 24, 1895. She was a most estimable and universally beloved woman. To this marriage, seven children were born, viz : John B., July 2, 1867; Alonzo E., born December 2, 1868, and died August 23, 1890 ; John William, born May 6, 1871, died March 7, 1893; Felix K., born February 5, 1874; Katherine F., wife of Mr. James Spencer; Mary B.; and Agnes J. MERRILL, Rev. Charles H. -Was born in Haverhill, N. H„ June 16, 1845. He was graduated at Kimball Union Academy, in 1863, Dartmouth College, in 1867, and Andover Theological. Sem- 278 Mankato — Its First Fifty Years ■inary, in 1870. The same year he was ordained in Mankato, Minn., pastor of the Congregational church, which was organized im- mediately upon his coming there. The following year the church building was erected. He returned Bast the latter part of 1872, and was installed pastor of the church in West Brattleboro, Vt., in 1873. After a pastorate of 14 years, he was called to be secretary of the Vermont Domestic Missionary "Society in 1887, and removed to St. Johhsbury, in which position he now remains. Dartmouth College conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1901. NEFF, George W. — Born February 39, 1838, in Uniontown, Pa., where he began to learn the printer's trade. Thence he went to Pittsburg and finished his apprenticeship, and was foreman of a job office there for a time. Leaving the East he came to Chicago, was employed for a season in the Tribune office. He also spent some time in St. Louis and a number of other points. He was married in 1864 to Miss Sarah B. Fancher at Val- paraiso, Indiana, whence he came to Mankato in 1866. He was employed on the Union, as foreman and associate editor, until 1877, when he purchased the paper and ran it for over three years. After disposing of the Man- kato Union, he removed to Lake Crystal, and, in 1882, established the "Ijake Crys- tal Union," which he is still conducting with much success. Mr. jS^eff is one of the oldest and best known news- I)aper men in Southern ]\Iinnesota and is one of its best j)rinters. His paper always independent, vigor- ous and fearless in its po- litical views, .enjoys a large patronage. Mr. and ]\Irs. Neff have •three children: Howard T., Paul D., and Georgia. GEORGE, W. NEFF. Biographies 279 NOE, JOHN C— Born at Newburgh, New York, May 2, 1844, son of Albert Noe, a prominent merchant of the place. Was ad- mitted to the bar in 1866, at Poughkeepsie, New York, and practiced his profession in his native town until 1873, when he removed to Winona, Min- nesota, and thence to Mankato in the following February. He has ever since conducted one of the leading real estate and loan agencies in the city; has been president of the Board of Trade and a most efficient promoter of Mankato's welfare. He is aggres- sive, public spirited and conscientious in every good work. He was married at john c. noe. Fishkill, X. Y. June 23, 1868, to Miss Anna Chandler. OGLESBY, fl/wari/— Born in 1823 in England, was one of the earliest shoemakers of Mankato. He immigrated to New York in 1850, where he remained until 1853, and. then ^\'ent to Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois, coming to Mankato in May, 1857, where he worked at his trade until his death March 7th, 1882. PADDOCK, William W.— Born November 4, 1828, at the town of Mence, Cayuga County, New York. Moved in 1838, with his parents to Kenosha County, Wisconsin, and thence he came alone to St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1851, and in February, 1852, joined P. K. Johnson and party on their first trip to the mouth of the Blue Earth to found the present city of Mankato. A year or two later he located here permanently and has lived here ever since. For a number of years he was engaged in various mercan- tile occupations — such as grain buyer, lumber dealer, and grocery keeper — ^but of late years he has retired from active business. He has held the positions of Alderman and Chief of Police of Man- 28o Maiikalo — Rs First Fifty Years kato, for two terms respectively, and has represented the city on the Board of County Commissioners for the past four years, and tliis year was re-elected for another term. The day before the terrible Sioux massacre of 1863 began, Mr. Paddock was at the lower Sioux Agency and it was only by a mere chance that he happened to be away on the fateful morning of August 18th, 1862. Meeting Louis De Moreau, the French teamster, who had, in 1852, carried him and P. K. Johnson and party from St. Paul to found Mankato, at Kobinette's trading post, on August 17th, he was induced to accompany him to New Ulm to get a load of goods. At noon the next day, hearing of the ter- riljle tragedy. Just as he was on the point of leaving New Ulm on the return journey, Mr. Paddock at once came to Mankato, warn- ing the settlers on the way with the first news of the awful out- break. His host, Eobinette, with all his household, were among the first victims of the murderous savages, and Mr. Paddock would have shared their fate, had it not been for DeMoreau's invitation. He was married November 7, 1867 to Miss Ellen P. Bston, PADDOCK, Zach. — Born at Mence, Cayuga County, New York, February 6, 1824. Removed with his parents to Kenosha County, Wisconsin, in 1838, where _ _ ! on April 25th, 1852, he married Miss Cynthia Skel- ton, of Hartford, Wisconsin, who was a native of Hannibal, New York. In 1857, he re- moved to Dubuque, Iowa, and thence to Mankato in July, 1858. He studied law in his younger days and was admit- ted to the bar, but never en- tered active practice. He was in the grocery business for a time and was a contractor for a number of j^ears. He was honored by his fellow citizens with a number of official po- sitions in the city and county. He was clerk of. ihe Blue Earth County District Court from 1860 to 1869; County Coroner ZACHARIAH PADDOCK. Biographies 281 for three terms, and Mayor of Mankato for one term. He died August 27, 1895. He was a man of good judgment and excellent character. He left surviving his widow, who died January 21, 1902, and their four children: N. Valentine, late of San Diego, California; Thos. S., of Cortez, Nevada; Mrs. Emma C. Barnard, late of Mankato, and Harry Paddock, the well known attorney. PALMER, George M. — Born JSTovember 17, 1853, in Winnebago County, Wisconsin. His parents were John and Cordelia (Morri- son) Palmer, both natives of Fayette, Maine, whence they removed fco Wisconsin in 1848 and located on a farm. On the paternal side his ancestors were early settlers of New Hampshire, of English extraction, locating in Maine about 1809. His mother was of Scotch descent, whose an- cestors, also, were early settlers of New England. At eight years of age, George went to live with an uncle, and with his familj', removed to Maine. He at- tended the common school and later the Monmouth Academy, at Monmouth, Maine, where his uncle re- sided. In 1868, he came to Minnesota and located at Garden City, where . he at- tended school for a time, and then found employment as clerk in the store of T. M. Boynton & Co. When this firm closed out its busi- GEORGE M. PALMER. ness in 1872, young Palmer went to St. Paul and took a full course in a business college. Upon his return he engaged as bookkeeper with the Mankato Linseed Oil Co., of which Mr. K. D. Hubbard was raanager. He held this position from the summer of 1873 until the Pall of 1879, when he resigned to join Mr. Hubbard in the building and management of the Mankato Flouring Mill, where he has since continued — ^liaving full charge of the office business. In 1888, he formed a partnership with S. H. Grannis in the 282 Mankalo — Its First Fifty Years business of buying and storing wheat, and built a large number of elevators along the C. St. P. M. and Omaha Railway. In 1892, Mr. HulDbard succeeded Mr. Grannis and the iirm name was cha/nged to Hubbard & Palmer, and in 1897 to Hubbard, Palmer Co., of which Mr. Palmer has been president from the first. The eoriDoration has about forty elevators, and handles about three million bushels of grain annually. Mr. Palmer has, also, dealt extensively in real estate, and is a director of the Pirst National Bank of Mankato. Though his time is taxed to the utmost by the details of his extensive business, Mr. Palmer never neglects his duties to church and state. Every enterprise tending to the material advantage of the community, every reform in government, every movement making for the elevation of his fellow-men in a moral or religious way, finds him ever ready with time, money and talent to contribute to its success. He was elected mayor of Mankato in 1885. He has served on the Board of Education, the Board of Trade, and other positions of trust always with energy and acceptance. He has for years been a leader in the Y. M. C. A., work and in the church and Sunday school of the Baptist denomination, of which he and Mrs. Palmer are faithful members. Mr. Palmer was married in 1881 to Olivia M., daughter of William E., and Mary E. (Fowler) Roberts, then of Mankato, and they have two children: Earl M., and Ruth. PARRY, Maj. Edward Randolph — Born at New Hope, near Philadelphia, Penn., July 27, 1832. Came to Mankato, Minn., in October, 1856, in company with his brother, Richard Randolph Parry, and purchased some real estate, but did not locate here until the following spring, when they opened the first banking establishment in town under the .firm name of Parry and Brother, When the War of the Rebellion broke out, Mr. Parry was Mankato's first soldier for the defense of the Union, and on May 14, 1861, was commissioned Pirst Lieutenant in the 11th U. S. Infantry by his cousin. Major General Lorenzo Thomas, and served throughout the war with great credit and was the only citizen of Mankato commissioned to the Regular Army. In 1864,he was made captain in the 11th; afterwards transferred to the 20th Eeg't., and on reorganization of the army was promoted major for gallant services. He was in the terrible fighting along the line of the Wcldon Railroad and before Petersburg, Virginia, commandino- his regiment in several actions. In 1865, he was assistant Ad- Biografhies 283 jutant-General of theEegu-' lar Brigade, Army of the Potomac, and served upon the staff of General Win- throp, when he was killed. At Lee's sxirrender he was attached to Army Head- quarters. In 1868, Major Parry commanded Forts Philip and Jackson - at mouth of Mississippi river, and Fort Kiplej^, Minnesota in 1869. He resigned on account of ill health in 1871 and died at the "old Parry Mansion" near Philadel- phia, April 13th, 1874. He was a grandson of. Major Edward Randolph, who MAJOR EDWARD RANDOLPH PARRY. gervcd from the beginning to the end of the Revolutionary War. Major Parry married, De- cember 17, 1863, Frances E., daughter of Gen. Justin Dimick, who with one daughter, Katherine, survives him. PARRY, Richard Randolph— Bom December 5, 1835, in Phila delphia, Penn., second son of Oliver and Rachel Randolph Parry. His ancestors were wealthy and prominent people of Philadelphia long before the days of the Revolution— the first bearing the Parry name being Thomas Parry, gent., who immigrated from Pwllheli, Caernarvonshire, Wales, to Pennsylvania about 1700, and was pro- prietor of a large grant of land near Philadelphia. The subject of our sketch was educated at private schools and Haverford College. In October, 1856, in company with his brother, the late Major Edward R. Parry, he visited Manlcato, Minnesota, and in March of the following year located here, pur- chasing the lot, 316 South Front street. Here the brothers erected a building and opened the first banking institution in Mankato, which they continued to conduct until the summer of 1862, when Edward having entered the afmy, Richard returned to his old Pennsylvania home to engage in business there. October 11, 186,6, 284 Ma>ikato - Its First Fifty Yeais he married Miss Ellen L. Eead, daughter of Eufus and Martha (Gerrish) Eead of Portland, by whom he has three children: Ger- trude E., Adelaide E., and Oliver Eandolph. Being of literary and historical tastes Mr. Parry has contributed a number of articles for the press and published works, and is a member of two or three historical societies of his native state. He has for many 3'ears been presi- dent of "The New Hope Delaware Bridge Co." He is also a prominent member RICHARD RANDOLPH PARRY, ESQ. of the Protestaut Episcopal church of Lambertville, X. J., being its senior warden. He now resides in "the old Parry Mansion/' which was built for his grand- father, Benjamin Parry, a prominent inventor and merchant, in 1784, at New Hope (called in Eevolutionary days, Coryell's Perry), Penn. The Parry brothers during the early days platted the addition to Mankato, which bears their name, and Eichard has still a landed interest in, and many pleasant recollections of this city of his early choice. PARSONS, Theron — Bom in Jefferson County, New York, in 1804. He published a newspaper for some time at Watertown, New York. In 1831, he removed to Illinois, and, as the Black- hawk war was then in progress, he located temporarily at Chicago, until the Indians were quieted, when he settled upon a farm at Halfda]', Lake County, Illinois. Late in the Pall of 1853 in company with his son, L. P. Parsons, he paid a visit to the region at' the big bend of the Minnesota, driving with a team across the country. At Hastings, Eev. Jonathan Morris, a Campbellite preacher, kept a hotel, and he accompanied Mr. Parsons as far as Mankato, where they arrived about December 30th, and where Eev. Morris preached on Sunday, January 1st, 1854. Under the Biographies 283 guidance of Amos Post, whom they had met at Shakopee, Mr. Parsons and his son went as far as the cabin of Joshua Post in Nicollet County, in whose near neighborhood they made claims. Mr. Parsons also purchased of Chris Eoos, a claim ad- joining the townsite of Mankato, to which he brought his family early the next spring, reaching here on April 15, 18.54, in his wagons drawn by four yokes of oxen and a span, of horses. After a few weeks sojourn in the Peter Fren- zel cabin (about where the Manderfeld store now stands), he occupied his own new residence, which stood a little northwsst of the Franklin school house; In the fall of 1855, he was ejected a member of the THERON PARSONS, Board of County Commis- sioners, and, upon taking his seat in the following January, was niade chairman of the Board. He served until January, 1858, when the other two members having voted to grant licenses for the sale of intoxicating liquors, ilr. Parsons, who entertained very positive views on the subject, promjjtly resigned. In April, 1857, he laid out most of his farm into what is known as Parsons' Addition to Mankato. In the summer of 1869, he removed to California, where he was one of the founders of National City. He died there in September, 1893. His wife, Lovina C. Parsons, had departed this life some years before. They left six children: Maria Antoinette, wife of Eobert Wardlaw; Hattie, wife of David Lamb ; Silvanus D., Laura E., Jennie, wife of Peleg Griffith, and Josephine, wife of Thos. Walker. Mr. Parsons was a man of more than ordinary ability, a great reader and held positive convictions on all the leading questions of his day. He was an earnest abolitionist and teetotaler, and took an active part in every crusade against, slavery and intemperance. 38b Mankato — Its First Fifty Years Honest, courteous and conscientious, he ever commanded the respect of even his opponents, while his great fidelity to duty and courageous advocacy of the right, won the admiration of his friends. PATTERSON, LESTER— Bot:^ December 34, 1841, near Alliance, Mahoning Countj^, Ohio, where he resided with his parents on a farm until 1863. In 1865, he married Miss Melissa ^A. Kibler, of Pal- myra, Ohio. The following year he moved to Deerfield, Ohio, where he was engaged in the manufacture of tow from flax straw until 1873. He then moved to Van Wert, Ohio, where he con- tinued the manufacture of tow, and embarked, also, in the wholesale and retail grocery business. Here, too, he became interested in banking and was made di- rector of the First JSTation- al Bank of Van Wert. He was one of the incorpor- ators and builders of the Cincinnati, Van Wert, and Michigan Railway, which has developed into an important trans- portation line. In 1881 he went to Chicago and engaged in the boiler plate and strap iron Jobbing business, until he came to Mankato in 1883. Here with associates mostly from Van Wert, Ohio, he constructed the Manlcato Gas Works, which later develop- ed into the Mankato Gas and Electric Light Co., of which he was made president and one of the principal managers. Soon after his arrival in Mankato, he made plans for starting a wholesale grocery house, which were perfected the following April. A splendid four story business block was erected for the purpose and, what has since proved to be one of the largest and most successful wholesale enterjirises in the State started. The family located at ilankato on May 1, 1881, and, two or LESTER PATTERSON. Biographies sSj three years later, Mr. Patterson biiilt for himself one of the finest residences in the city. He is interested as stockholder and director of the National Citizens' Bank of Mankato ; is connected with the Hackney-Boyn- ton Land Co., and has recently opened a large wholesale grocery at Bismarck, N. Dakota, of which at present he has personal super- vision, while his sons, H. A., and Eugene L. Patterson manage the Manliato business. PAY, Benjamin D.— Born October 3, 1831, at Dover, England. His parents, William and Susanna (Pilcher) Pay, emigrated to Watertown, New York in 1837, where his father was engaged in the bakery and cracker manufactory business. After leaving school young Pay spent seven years as a traveling salesman — first for his father, and then for a cracker factory at Watertown, Wisconsin, where he had removed in the spring of 1851. November 1st, 1853, he married Miss Mary A., daughter of Horatio and Anna (Eeed) Eoper, of Juneau, Wisconsin, 'and in the summer of 1854, engaged in the livery business at Horicon, Wisconsin. In 1856, he sold his business and moved to Blue Earth County, Minnesota, arriving at Mankato on October 1st, of that year. He located that fall on a claim in Vernon township, but spent most of the winter teaming between Mankato and St. Paul. In the spring of 1858, he ran a livery at Mankato, but sold out during the year and repaired to his Vernon farm, where he remained until the Sioux outbreak in 1862. In this crisis Mr. Pay was at once appointed deputy sheriff and rendered excel- lent service. He was active, fearless and able in the discharge of the multitudinous duties, many fraught with extreme danger, which then fell to that important office. He assisted in building the gallows, on which the thirty-eight Indians were executed at Man- kato on December 26th, 1862. AVhen the half breed, John Camp- bell, was arrested for the murdei' of the Jewett family in Eapidan township on May 2nd, 1865, Mr. Pay was mainly instrumental in discovering the evidence upon which he was convicted and hung. This evidence consisted for the most part of clothing belonging to the Jewett family found upon his person. Mr. Pay also rendered efficient service in the pursuit and expulsion from the timber back of Mankato of Campbell's bloody companions. In those years of the Sioux war he was kept busy night and day for weeks togeth- 2S8 Mankato—Its First Fifty Years er carrying messages, or scouring the country for the dreaded foe. For a time while acting as deputy sheriff, in 1862-1863, he was associated with Sheriff D. H. Tyner in the livery business, but their barn was burned in the winter of 1863-4, and in March, 1864, Mr. Pay started alone in the busi- ness, and continued therein until 1902 — ^having the fin- est and most extensive es- tablishment of the kind in the city. Since 1888, his son, W. H. Pay, was asso- ciated with him in the busi- ness. After disposing of their livery, Mr. Pay and his son opened a large candy manufactory at Man- kato in August, 1902, which they are now conducting ;( BENJAMIN D. PAY. with their accustomed push and energy. Mr. Pay has served Mankato as alderman and as chief of its fire department. He has also, served as deputy for several sheriffs of Blue Earth County. Mr. and Mrs. Pay have four children: William Horatio, who is associated in business with his father; Benjamin P., of the well known iirm of Powler & Pay ; Xellie E., and Mary L. Pay. PAYNE, Erastus C. — Born January 2.5, 1823, at Orange, Ver- mont. He studied for the ministry and was ordained a minister of the Universalist church on August 13th, 1845. He married in 1848, and in 1858 came West, locating first in Pond-du-Lac County, Wisconsin. In May, 1859, he moved with his family to Blue Earth County, Minnesota, settling on a farm near Garden City, where he divided his time between farming and preaching until 1861, when he was elected Kegister of Deeds, of Blue Earth County, and moved to Mankato. In 18G9, in company with the late John C. Wise he established the Mankato Weekly Eeview, but sold out his interest to Mr. Wise after one year. He held the office of County Superintendent of Schools for two terms, and, upon retiring from office in 1882, removed to his farm in De- Biographies coria township, where he died January 26, 1893. He had strong literary tastes, was a great reader and well posted on current events. He left surviving eight children. PETERSON, yV/C— Born January 26, 1851, at Schleswig— Holstein, Germany. At the age of sixteen years he came to New York City, and worked for a year and a half in a grocery store. He then went by the way of St. Louis, (where he tarried two months) to New Orleans and engaged in the grocery business there for about a year. About 1869, he removed to Chicago, where he was employed in the grocery and other work, until 1875, when he removed to Lincoln, Illinois. In 1878, he went on a trip to Europe and visited his old home in Germany. On his return in the fall of the same year, he came to Mankato and con- ducted a cigar factory for three years, when he started his present business of " bottling soda and mineral waters, etc. He was one of the organizers of the Standard Brew- ing Co., and has been interested in a number of other business en- terprises. In 1891, he was elected alderman of Mankato, serving for eight years, and in 1901, he was made its mayor, which po- sition he held until 1903. Mr. Peterson is an enterprising, successful business man, and is a prominent member of several of the secret orders. He was married September 24, 1874, to Marie Bode, of Chicago, Illinois. PFAU, ALBERT R.— Born February 14, 1847, in Prussia, Ger- many. His parents in 1849 left their native land for America, NICHOLAS PETERSON. 2go Mankato—Its First Fifty Years but both died on the journey. Thus early left an orphan, he was iarought up and educated by friends in New York state, and studied law in the office of Judge E. S. Hart. In 1868, he removed to Wisconsin, where he was admitted to the bar and the following spring came to Mankato. He served seven years as County Attorney of Bkie Earth County, one year as City Attorney of Mankato and four years as its Mayor. Mr. Pfau is a lawyer of marked ability, quick and vigofous in the prosecution of cases and possessed of an eminently ready mind to grasp legal propositions. He is the local attorney of the Chicago Mil- waukee and St. Paul, and Chica- go and North Western Kailway Companies. He was mari-ied in 1871, to Miss Cornelia Brown, daughter of the late Judge Brown, and five children have been born to them: James F., Albert R., Caro- line, wife of L. W. Pendergast ; Edith and Mary. The second son, ' ALBERT R. PFAU. Albert R., is as- sociated with his father in the legal profession. PHILLIPS, George M.— Born April 10, 1844 in St. Lawrence County, New York. In September, 1862, he enlisted in Co. B. lOG N. Y. Infantry and being injured at Harper's Perry on July 1st, 1863, he was transferred to the veteran Reserve Corps in New York City, where he was placed in the Provost Marshall General's office until the close of the war. In 1867, he spent a year in Kentucky, then a year at Chicago, and another year in loWa. In 1871, he came to Blue Earth County, Minnesota, and Biographies 29/ found employment with J. B. Hiibbell at Lake Crystal for a time then settled in Mankato, where he soon opened a livery; which business he has carried on ever since with much success. He was deputy sheriff for six years and chief of the Mankato Fire De- partment for sixteen years. PITCHER, Hon. OrrinOrmsby — The first municipal judge of MankatOj was born May 30, 1830, at Jamestown, ISTew York. When nineteen j^ears old he accompanied his parents; Orrin and Miranda (Woodruff) Pitcher to WarreiiTille, Illinois. He attended Shurt- LiflE College at Alton, Illinois, for three years and then, in 1857, 3ame to Mankato; studied law in the office of Wilkinson and Burt, and in 1859, was admitted to the bar. He at once took m active and prominent part in all the public affairs of the com- munity. His uprightness and integrity won for him the confidence Df the people and he was frequently honored by them with posi- tions of trust. For four years he was County Attorney of Blue Earth County. He was a member of the City Council of Mankato for twelve years. He served as resident director of the State Nor- mal School for seven years and in 1868-9 was a member of the Legislature. When the Mankato Municipal Court was established he was appointed its first judge. He was on the com- mission which appraised the lands of the Winnebago Agency. He . also drafted mainly, one or two of the early city charters of Man- kato. He served as presi- dent of the Board of Public Works, and was a member of the Board of Education for a number of years. He was a prominent mem- ber of the Masonic Lodge. Mr. Pitcher was married in 1859 to Miss Mary Warren, who had come to Mankato with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thos. D. HON. ORRIN oRMSBY PITCHER, Warren, early in June 1853. 3g2 Mankato — Its First Fifty Years Their union was blessed with three children : Plummer W., Mrs. Grace Pox and Fannie. Judge Pitcher died ]\Iarch 20th, 1902. PORTER, Judge Jerome E.-Born December 28, 1843, at Mace- don, Wayne County, New York. When he was only a few months old, his parents moved to a farm near Albion, New York, removing to that village about ten years later. Here the subject of this sketch was educated at the village academy, and went thence to Genessee College (now Syracuse University), graduating in the Class of 1863. Eeturning home, he entered a law office .at Albion and was admitted to the bar at Buffalo in 1866. I-Ie continued at Albion until 1870, when he came to Minnesota and finally lo- cated at Mankato in September of that year. In the Fall of 1872, he was elected Probate Judge of Blue Earth County, which office he held for eight years. Retiring in 1881, he formed a partnership with Judge Waite, but in the spring of the following year (1882), he was elected judge of the Munic- ipal Court of Mankato. He served faithfully in this position for twelve years and then retired again for a brief , period to the practice of his profession. In May, 1898, he was ap- pointed President of the ]\Iankato Board of Public Works, which office he still holds. Judge Porter is an enthusiastic ibember of the A. 0. IT W., and in 1893-4 was chosen Grand Master of the lodge for the state of Minnesota. lie was married October 6th, 1875, to Marion J. DeGraft' of Mankato and they have three children: Jerome D., Harriet M , and JUDGE JEROME E. PORTER. Lulu. PORTER, miner— Both February 22, 1820, in Tompkins County, New York, whence, when he was^ a child, his parents removed to a farm in Howard, Steuben County, New York. Biographies ^93 He began the study of medicine, but office confinement dis- agreeing with his health, he turned his attention to farming. April 3, 1843, he married Miss Louisa Spaulding of Howard. His fath- er having purchased and removed to a large tract of land in Trenton, near Pox Lake, Wisconsin, in 1846, he followed him the same year, locating at the village. Here with his brother, John, he conducted for years the leading hotel and store, was post- master, and did much by his enterprise and liberality for the town. February 38, 1853, his first wife died, and on December 39, 1853, he married Miss Mary A. Potts, a most estimable young lady of Markesan, Wisconsin, a native of Cherry Valley, New York, where she was born in 1833. In May, 1857, accompanied by Peter Potts, his brother-in-law, and Leman Pratt, now of Lake Crystalj he came to Blue Earth County, and they located first on claims in Ceresco township. Messrs. Porter and Potts had brought in their wagons a small stock of merchandise, and for a short time they conducted a store in their claim shanty. Later in the same j'ear, they settled in South Bend village, where Mr. Potts conducted the mercantile business, and Mr. Porter formed a partnership with Judge Buck in a real estate agency. In 1858, Mr. Porter built the house now on the Minneopa dairy farm, for a summer hotel, and adorn- ing the grounds about it very tastefully, called it "Minneopa Park." Here in October, 1859, was held the first Blue Earth County Pair, with Judge Buck as orator. During 1863 and 1864, Mr. Porter was quart- ermaster under Gen. Baker at St. Louis, Mo. In the Pall of 1873, he removed from his farm to Mankato, kept a boarding house for a time, then became pro- prietor of the Barrett House, changing its name to "Minneopa Hotel." In 1879, he opened the "Mer- MiNER PORTER. chauts Hotel," on the pres- 2g^ Mankato—Its First Fifty Years ent corner of the Mankato State Banic, which he conducted as a first class house for four years. In 1883, he engaged in the grocery business, and later in a restaurant, but in a few years retired from active life. His devoted wife died on April 8, 1884. She is remembered by her pioneer friends for many excellent qualities. After a few years sojourn at his old home in Fox Lake, Mr. Porter returned to Blue Earth County, where he lived until his death February 4, 1903. He left surviving by his first wife one daughter, Alice, wife of Horace J. Knox, of Lake Crystal, Min- nesota, and by his second wife, Ada, wife of W. H. PfefEcr, of Windom, Minnesota, and Miss Nettie J. Porter, of the firm of Porter & Pay of this city. Mr. Porter was an energetic, positive character and, withal, genial, sociable and public spirited, who had a prominent place in the early history of our own county and of Fox Lake, Wisconsin. POWELL, REV. JOHN W.— Born August 15, 1833, in Dear- born County, Indiana. His opportunities to gain an education in early life were limited to those of a common country school and a short course at Shelby County Seminary. His boyhood and early manhood were spent on a farm. In February, 1845, he entered the ministry of the M. E. Church, Joining the Indiana Conference. He was ordained deacon of that church in 1847, and elder in 1849, and did excellent pastoral work in several towns of the Hoosier State. He came to Manlcato, October 10, 1855, and was the first regular pastor of the M. E. church here. In 1856, he helped lay out the townsiteof Shelbyville, which for many years was a flourishing village, until the location of the railway necessitated its removal to the present village of Amboy. Eev. Powell made Shelbyville his home until his removal to Blue Earth City in 1859. He was busily engaged for many years preaching and organizing churches in the neighborhood of Shelbyville and Blue Earth City, and had pastoral charge of the M. E. church at the latter place several different times. In 1872, he built the first chapel there, and in 1887, he erected the present commodious church there, then the finest in the county. After fifty years of the most active ministerial work he re- tired in 1895 on account of his advanced age. Father Powell is a splendid type of that noble heroic character, to whom our Western civilization is so largely indebted — the pioneer preacher. Untiring in energy and devotion, flaming with zeal and fervor for Biographies ^95 the Master's cause, he heroically met every hardship, danger and self-sacrifice incident to frontier life. He was married September 37, 1847, to Miss Ehoda B. Gray and eleven children were born to them of whom only five are now living. Mrs. Powell died in 1884 at Delano, Minnesota. Father Powell now resides on his farm in South Bend township, and is much interested in berry culture. REYNOLDS, JOS. f.— Born in Lockport, Few York, ISTovember 1, 1863. His father. Prof. B. M. Eeynolds, has been a prominent educator all his life — having superintended some of the best city schools of New York, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota, and hav- ing served as County Superintendent of the Eice County schools for some years. Joseph received a good business education, and has been connected with newspaper work since he was a mere lad. After working in various news- paper offices, he became in 1887, the telegraph editor of the Daily News of Ash- land, Wisconsin. In 1888, he bought out the Pioneer of Wadena, Minnesota, which he published until 1891, when he sold it to accept a position on the Fargo Argus. From 1893 to 1896, he was connected with the editorial force of the Great Falls Leader, dur- ing which period, in 1894, he was elected to the Mon- tana Legislature. In May, 1896, he came to Mankato and was engaged as city reporter for the Daily Eeview until the summer of 1902, when he became associate editor of the Mankato Daily Free Press. He was married in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to Miss Alice A. Lewis, in 1885, and they have two children: Wilfred Denver, and Mary Grace Eeynolds. • JOSEPH E. REYNOLDS. 2g6 Mankato — Its First Fifty Years RANDALL, Samuel— Bom June 26, 183-i, in Ohio, of which state his ancestors, especially his great grandparents, Judge Find- ley and wife were among the earliest settlers, and passed through all the hardships and perils of pioneer life. His great grand- mother in her younger days, when riding on horseback to church, was waylaid by Indians and left tomahawked by the roadside for dead, but afterwards revived and escaped. Young Eandall was left an orphan in infancy and soon removed with his grandparents to Paris, Illinois. He was taken there into the home of Col. Bald- win, a prominent merchant of the place, whose wife was a cousin of President Lincoln's wife, and received an excellent business educa- tion. He came west in 1855 and entered the employ of the Pettijohns at Mendota, where they had a lumber yard. He was soon transferred to the management of one of their yards at Shakopee. He next moved to Henderson to take charge of a lumber yard for Franklin Steele. Here on November 11, 185S, he mar- ried Miss Catherine Eidge- way, a teacher in ''he Public school, whose native state was Kentucky. In June, 1859, he came to Mankato and opened the first lumber yard in town, on Hie corner now occupied by the Lewis and Manderfeld stores. During the Indian outbreak air-'-his lumber was appro- priated by the military and his business broken up. The following year (18G3) he opened the first distinctively ready made clothing store in Mankato, and in a year or two associated his cousin. War- ham B. Smith, with him in the business. The firm of Randall & Smith continued with much success until its dissolution in 1878, when Mr. Randall retired, having been completely prostrated by the sudden death of all his five children from diphtheria. • He served as alderman and in other- local offices and with SAMUEL RANDALL. Biographies 297 John H. Barr, was among the first instigators of the Mankato Board of Trade, which was organized in the second story of his building. He was always enterprising and public spirited. He died July 6, 1882. RA Y, JOHN H. — Born near ISTorthfield, Ohio, December IS, 1836. His parents, William and Ellen (Bateman) E,ay, were natives of Pennsylvania. The family moved in April, 1851 to Charlotte, Michigan, where the subject of this sketch, about 1857, engaged in the mercantile business. In 1861, he came to Blue Earth County, arriving at Mankato on May 13th, and soon opened a general store at Garden Cit}', where he continued until 1865. He then removed to Mankato, erected the store building, designated No. 410 S. Front street, and conducted there until 1872, a retail and wholesale grocery, the first establishment of the latter kind in town. In February, 1872, he with others organized the Citi- zens National Bank of Man- kato (now called National JOHN H. RAY. Citizen's Bank), and he was elected its first cashier, which position he held for twelve years. In January, 1884, he went to Minneapolis, to take charge of the Manufacturers' National Banlc of that city, which, also, he had helped to organize. In 1885, he returned to Mankato and aided in starting the Mankato National Bank, of which in 1888, he was made president and which position he continued to hold in its successor the "Mankato State Bank," until January 19, 1903, when he retired from active work. Mr. Eay has always refused to enter the domain of politics, preferring the more independent, if less notorious world of business, in which he has been most emi- nently successful, a:nd where he has ever enjoyed the esteem and confidence of his fellow men. zqS Mankato—Its First Fifty Years He was married first in December, 1859, to Miss Mary P. Williams, who died' in 1882. In December, 1885, he married Mrs. Genevieve Hawley, his present most estimable wife, and they have two sons: John H., and Philip L. Eay. ROBERTSON, Col. Daniel A.— Bom at Pictou, ISTova Scotia, May 15, 1812, of Highland Scotch ancestry. When he was very young the family removed to Philadelphia, Pa., where he was educated and grew to young manhood. He studied law in New York and was admitted to the bar in 1839. Soon thereafter he removed to Ohio, where he began his career as a newspaper man. He was editor successively of the"Cincinnati Enquirer," the Mt. Vernon Banner" and other prominent papers of the state. In 1844, he was appointed U. S. Marshall for Ohio, which office he held for four years. He was a member of the Ohio Constitutional convention, but resigned his position in the fall of 1850 to come to St. Paul, Minn., where, in December of that year, he started the "Minnesota Democrat." This paper he conducted until June, 1853, when it was sold to Daniel Olmstead, and finally merged into the "Pioneer." Col. Eobertson was a member of the legis- lature in 1859-60; sheriff of Eamsay County in 1863, continuing in office for two terms; member of the St. Paul Board of Educa- tion; member and an earnest promoter of the "State Historical Society" and "Academy of Science" ; Director of the St. Paul Li- brary; and organized the first "Grange of Patrons of Husbandry" in the United States. He was prominent among the ten townsite proprietors of Mankato In the Pall of 1852, he erected on lot four, in block fifteen, the first log store in Mankato and stocked it with Indian goods in charge of Evans Goodrich. Two or three years later he put up a frame store building near the site of the log one. He, also, greatly aided our infant city by calling attention to it, and the adjacent country, in his paper from time to time, and in inducing steamboats and emigrants to come to it. He died at St. Paul, March 16, 1895. His widow, whom he married. May 29, 1844, at Mt. Vernon, 0., survives, a resident of St. Paul. ROSE, Maj. Robert //.—Born June 30, 1831, at Susquehanna County, Pa., and in 1847, he entered Princeton College. His first business venture was a hardware store in Maine, which he con- ducted for three years. In 1855, he removed to St. Paul and Biogra;phies sgQ thence in 1857, to Belle Plaine, where with Judge Chatfield and others, he became interested in that townsite. He enlisted No- vember 1, 1861, in Company I, recniited largely by Col. Smith in Blue Earth Coitnty. It was the Second Volunteer Company organized in the state and was attached to the Fifth Iowa Cavalry. Mr. Kose was made orderly sergeant, and later promoted for gal- lant service to a lieutenancy. At the expiration of his three years service he was commissioned Major of the Second Minnesota \ Cavalry, and accompanied Gen. Sully's expedition to the Yellow- stone. Afterwards he was detailed to build Port Wadsworth, and continued in command of this important station from 1864 until ipril 1866, when he was relieved to be mustered out of the service. It was while in charge of Fort Wadsworth that he and Major Brown, who had sug- gested the plan, were in- trusted with the organiza- tion and command of the frieridly Indian scouts, who rendered such efficient serv- ice in stopping the raids of the hostile bands into the border settlements. He was State Senator from Le Sueur County in 1871-3. In 1872, he removed to Mankato, where in 1873, he opened a general real estate and insurance agency, which became very prosperous. He was married in 1852 to Miss MAJOR ROBERT H. ROSE.' Charlotte S. Ladd of Maine. Major Eose died March 18, 1885, leaving him surviving, besides his estimable wife, three children : Fanny E., Dickinson L., who was associated for a number of years with his father in business, and has conducted the same since his death, and Kobert H. He was a genial, whole-souled person, whom everybody liked, an energetic, prudent, successful bu.siness man and a liberal, public spirited citizen. 300 Mankato—Its First Fifty Years SAULPAUGH, Thomas-Boin April 7tli, 183-^, at Milford, Ot- sego County, New York. He learned the stone cutter's trade, which he followed for a number of years. When about thirty years of age, he went to Tennessee and engaged in, railroad con- tracting until 1856. He then removed to Eock Island, Illinois, where he formed a partnership in the same business with E. E. Eeynolds, under the style of Eeynolds, Saulpaugh & Co., which continued for twenty-five years. In 1881, he located at Minneapolis, Minnesota, and became associated with his son, C, H, Saulpaugh and one John Crubaugh, tinder the firm name of T. Saulpaugh & Co. The stone deposits of Mankato soon attracted his attention, and for six or seven years his firm was an extensive consumer of Mankato stone. Among the large bridge substructure contracts executed by the firm were, the one at Bismarck, K. D., for the JSTorthern Pacific Eailway. Co.; the one at Minneapolis, Minnesota, for the same Company; the one at Blair, Nebraska, for the Chicago and North Western Eailway Co.; one at Sioux Citj', Iowa, for the same Company; one at Omaha, Nebraska, for the Union Pacific Eailway ; one at Plattsmouth, Nebraska, for the Burlington Eailway ; and one at Nebraska City, for the same road. Ih 1888, Mr. Saulpaugh moved to Mankato and built the Saulpaugh House, the larg- est and best equipped hotel in Southern Minnesota. The formal opening of this fine hostelry occurred No- vember 6th, 1889, when a THOMAS SAULPAUGH. magnificent reception was given by the City in honor of the occasion. Mr. Saulpaugh served upon the Mankato Board of Aldermen in 1891-3. He was a shrewd successful business man, and a stirring- public spirited citizen. He was married at Pultonville, New York, December 16, 1850, Biografihtes 301 to Eliza C. Vinton, who died December 31, 1893. Mr. Saulpaugh died on May 9tli, 1893, leaving surviving his only son, Clarence H. Saulpaugh. SHISSLER, Judge Ira P. —Born at New Hagerstown, Ohio, Oc- tober 25, 1844. His parents were John L., and Catherine (Price) Shissler, p r m i- nent people of his native town. After receiving such edu- cation as his home schools furnished, and spending a few years clerking at Wellsvilie, Pitts- burg, and one or (two other places, he went in 1866, to Van Wert, Ohio, and entered the law office of his uncle. Judge James L. Price, now on the Ohio Supreme Bench. At inter- vals, while reading JUDGE IRA p. SHISSLER. ^^w, he t a u g h t school for- a term or two and attended Ann Arbor University for a time. In 1869, he was admitted to the bar, but not satisfied with his legal attainments, he spent a year in the Ann Arbor Law School, gradiiating in 1,871. Returning to Van Wert, he was associated with Judge Price in the practice of his profession for eleven years, during which time he was elected County Attorney two terms, and Mayor of Van A¥ert, two years. In April, 1884, he removed to Mankato, and for two years was associated with A. E. Pfau. In 1893, he was elected Munici- pal Court Judge, and assumed the duties of the office in April, 1894, in which office he has been continued ever since. Judge Shissler was united in marriage on November 11, 1873, to Miss Alice J. Graham, of Van Wert, Ohio. They have one child: Harry G. ^02 Mankato — Its First Fifty Years SCHMIDT, Gottlieb— Born April 17, 1826, on the border of Sax- ony, not far from Berlin, to which city he went when a boy, to learn the harness making trade. In 1854, in company with his two brothers, Frederick and August Schmidt, he emigrated to the United States and spent a few months in Illinois, and then in Iowa, before coming to St. Paul in 1855. In the summer of 1856, the three brothers came together to Mankato and located upon claims in Manka- to township. The three, though having separate trades, had kept together since they had left their German home, and always had a common purse until they were married. Aft- er living for some time on his claim, Gottlieb returned to St. Paul, where he worked at his trade for about three years. He then came back to his claim and, about 1861, formed GOTTLIEB SCHMIDT. a partnership with M. H. Bergholtz in the saddlery business at Mankato. The shop had been started by Bergholtz about four or five years before and is the oldest in the city. During the Indian war the business of the firm was greatly augmented by government contracts, and the rapid growth of the country after the war, continued its prosperity. After a few years Mr. Schmidt bought out Mr. Bergholtz's interest, and in 1887, took into partnership his only surviving son, Oscar W. Schmidt, who since his father's death, March 30, 1896, has conducted the business alone. Mr. Schmidt was married April 19th, 186-Jt, to Ida Goedicke, of Lime township, who, with her son above named, still survives, Mr. Schmidt was an industrious, honest, public spirited man, worthy of the confidence and respect he enjoyed. i SEARING, A.M., Pres. fdward— Was born in Aurora, Few York, July 14th, 1835. His boyhood was passed mostly on a Biographies. ^oj farm, and the elements of his education were obtained in a country school. At the age of sixteen he taught his first term. Eesolving soon afterwards to obtain a college education, he entered Courtland Academy, Homer, New York, where he remained two years, meet- ing his expense by teaching winters. He then went to Casenovia Seminary, where his classical studies were continued, and where he accepted the position of assistant teacher of Latin. A year or two later he went to Michigan and was for a year principal of the public school at Bay City. In 1857, he went to Wisconsin and conducted a private school at Union, Rock County, which attained some renown. In the fall of 1860, he entered the Senior class of the University of Michigan and graduated the following year. Eeturning to Wisconsin, Prof. Searing was elected to the professorship of Latin and Greek in Milton College, which he held until his election as State Superintendent of Public Instruction, in the fall of 1873. Ee-elected in the fall of 1875, he resided in Madison until 1878, when he returned to Milton College. Two years later he was elected President of the State Formal School at Mankato, a position which he held until his death, October 32, 1898. The school enjoyed a remarkable growth under his ad- ministration. In 1869, Prof. Searing published his well known edition of Virgil's Aeneid, which is still used in many schools over the country. For four years he \^^s editor of the Wisconsin Journal of Educa- tion. He always took a deep interest in agriculture and horti- culture. He was possessed of ripe scholarship, and was a most suc- cessful instructor. Prof. Searing was twice married, to Isabel Eraser, December 13th, 1865, by whom he had one son, Edward Eraser Searing, and to Mary L. Lattin, January 23rd, 1868, who survives him. One son, Frederick Lyle Searing, was born to his second union. The elder son is city editor of the Mankato Daily Free Press, and the younger is teacher of Latin in the State Normal School at Mankato. SEVERANCE, JUDGE MARTIN J —Born December 24, 1826, at Shel- burne Falls, Franklin County, Mass. His first American ancestor, on his father's side, came ' from England to Massachusetts in .1636, and his great grandfather, Martin Severance, made an hon-' orable record as a soldier in the French and Indian and Eevolu- tionary wars. His parents, Asa and Calista (Boyden) Severance, 304 Manhato—lts First Fifty Years '^^,; i t rtj^Mtea^- W^ ^W Im ^1 1 ^S M fy^ ^^H 1 % 1^ ^ ilitf^^^ 1 ^^^pps^T^ l' were worthy, thrifty farmers and their son, Martin, re- mained on the farm until eighteen years of age, at- tending the country school in winter. Six years were then, spent completing his education in the Franklin A.cademy at Shelburne Palls, and in Williston Seminary, (now Williston College), East Hampton, Mass. In 1849, he went to Chicopee, and for two years read law in the office of Judge Wells, later on the Massachusetts Supreme bench. After fin- ishing his law studies at the office of Beach & Bond, of JUDGE MARTIN J. SEVERANCE, Springfield, Mass., he was in 1854, admitted to the bar, and for two years practiced his pro- fession at Chicopee. In May, 1856, he came to Minnesota and located at Henderson, where, in the fall of that year, he was elected tiounty Attorney of Sibley County, serving for two terms. In 1861 he was a member of the State Legislature. August 14, 1862, he enlisted as private in Co. I., Tenth Minn. Vol., and served with his regiment in the Sioux and Civil wars, making an excellent record for fidelity and courage, and on April 4, 1864, was promoted captain of his company. When the war closed, he resumed the practice of his profession at Le Sueur and soon formed a partnership there with Judge Cadwell. In 1870, he removed to Mankato and was associated for one year with 0. 0. Pitcher, and then with D. A. Dickinson until 1875, when the latter was appointed to the District Court bench. In 1881, he removed to St. Paul, and formed a co-partnership with W. P. Warner, but retu.rned to Mankato in June of that year to succeed Judge Dick- inson, who had been appointed on the Supreme Court bench. .He continued in the Judgeship of the Sixth Judicial District until January, 1900, when he became associated with C. N. Andrews and resumed the practice of law, until his retirement from the strain Biographies joj and anxiety of active life in the summer of 1902. During his long and eventful career Judge Severance has been a prominent figure in the history of our state. An able lawyer, an eloquent advocate and a learned jurist, he has stood at the forefront of the bar, forum and bench of our commonwealth. Judge Severance married June 19, 1858, Elizabeth P. Van Horn of Chicopee, Mass., daughter of Lester Van Horn, a descend- ant of David Van Horn, one of the first Dutch settlers of New York City. Three children were born to them : , Winthrop G., who died at the age of 39 years; Frank Q., engaged in railroading in Nebraska, and Nettie J., of Mankato. SHEPARD, WILLIAM H. —Was born in New London, New Hampshire. In his youth he taught school in New York, and clerk- ed in a newspaper office in Nashville, Tennessee. He then emi- grated to California, and became one of the "Forty-Niners." In 1856 he came to Minnesota, settling first in Dakota County, and early in 1857 came to Mankato, arriving by steamboat about June nth. For several years he kept a drug store on the corner of Front and Hickory streets in partnership with William Frisbie. He was afterwards engaged in the insurance business. Eetiring from ac- tive business, he has for the past few years made his home with his daughters, Mrs. Gere, of Sioux City, and Mrs. Jones of Minneapolis. SEWARD, Amos Dudley-Bonn April 19th, 1815, at New Hart- ford, Oneida County, New York. Both of his grand fathers were Eevolutionary soldiers. The family removed to a farm in Ohio in 1818. Having received a grammar school education young Seward, at the age of 21 years, went to Indiana, and, from 1836 to 1840, was engaged in Civil Engineering. July 14, 1840, he married Miss Pleiades B. Barber of Pleas- ant township, Wabash County, Indiana, and located on a farm spending many of his winters school teacliing. In the spring of 1855, the Seward family, in company with the families of Henry Shaubut and Abington Parret, removed to Mankato, where they arrived on the 38th of April. The town then comprised only five frame and seven log buildings. In 1857, Mr. Seward formed a co-partnership with Abel and Josiah Keene and A. N. Dukes in the erection of a saw mill, which was operated tintil its destruction by fire in August, 1862. In ^o6 hTankato — Its first Fifty Vears AMOS DUDLEY SEWARD SIBLEY, DR. REVBEN /—Was a uati\-e of Ohio, where lie was horn in 1814. He was onJainecl in his native state to tlie niinistr}' of tlie j\I. ill. Chureh, and served in that saered othee until ahout l'S-54-, when lie removed to Erie. Penn. He eanie to :\rankato in the fall of lS5(i, and hrought his family here ill the spring of 1857'. He had learned the dentist's trade and for a few yesfrs he conducted a real estate and dental otfiee in a small huilding he had erceteil, ahout where the Gas and Electric Light Company's office now stands. He often 18(;8, lie was elected Audi- tor of Ijlue Earth County, and was continued in olliee for eight years. Mr. Seward lias hcen an acti\'e member of the Pres- hyterian churcli from his youth. Was chosen the first ruling elder of the Mankato church on its organization, August 31, 1855, and has been engaged in Sunday school work for S3 years. On Oct. 11, 1883, ]\Ir. and ]\Irs. Sev.-ard removed to Ventura, California, where they still reside. Six child- ren have keen borii to them, four of whom still survive. DK. REUBEN J, SIBLEY. Biographies 307 preached and was very active in the M. E. church of our eit}-. In the spring of 1861, he was appointed postmaster of Mankato by President Lincoln and conducted the oflBce in a small frame building, which stood Just north of the Clifton House, until his death on April 13th, 1864. He was a man of excellent Christian cliaracter, ever active in promoting every good movement. He was married in Ohio, to Miss Maria J. Eggleston, and their children are: Jennie M., wife of John G. Dodsworth, of Granite Falls, Minnesota; Anna M., widow of the late John A. Willard, of Manlcato; Hattie, (now deceased) and Billings P., of Clinton, Ontario. Mrs. Sibley died January 10, 1892, aged 78 years. SHAUBUT, HENRY— Born March 22, 1822, in Pranklin County, Penn. Kemoved to Ohio in 1836, and thence in 1841, to Indiana. In May, 1854, he visited Mankato and purchased of the Townsite Company, the "Mankato House," then only partly finished, and in the spring of 1855, removed here with his family and opened the hotel, which soon be- came the most noted hostel- ry in the valley for some years. He was also inter- ested with his brother, John J. Shaubut, in the mercan- tile business for some years. After leasing his hotel in 1861, he lived for a time on his farm in Lime township, but in 1867 returned to the city, and in connection with Dr. Wm. P. Lewis, and other capitalists, opened the City Bank, of which he was made presi- dent. August, 1887, he re- moved with his wife to National City, Cal., where he died July 18th, 1895. In 1847, he was married to Hannah Collett, by whom he had ten children, of whom six reached maturity: Benjamin P., (deceased 1897); Henry, Viola, wife of Fred H. Samborn; Lizzie, wife of John A.Samborn; Harry E., HENRY SHAUBUT. 3o8 Mankato—Its First Fifty Years of Seattle, Wash. ; Luella, wife of Edgar A. Waltz; and Grace, wife of W. C; Tonkin. SHAVBUT, John J.— Born Jiily 21, 1818, in Franklin County, Pa. Removed in 1836, with his parents to Eichland Comity, Ohio, and thence in 1840 to Liberty Mills, Wabash County, Ind., where October 3, 1847, he married Anna, daughter of Johh Comstock. In the fall of 1856, he removed to Mankato, where for twenty- two years he was engaged in the mercantile business. He served on the city coun- cil and school board. Was trustee and contributed lib- erally to the erection of the first Presbyterian church. Held the position of vice- president of the First Nat- ional Bank for years. Built the brick block on the cor- ner of Front and Main streets, and the large resi- joHN J. SHAUBUT. dence now used in connection with the Catholic hospital. He was always active, public spirited and generous. In 1882, he moved to his stock farm in Belgrade, a few miles from Mankato, where he died September 6, 1887. He left him surviving his wife and their eight children : Emma, wife of Eugene Banks, and John C. Shaubut, both of Deerlodge, Mont.; Ella, wife of A. W. Watson, of Minneapolis; Elizabeth, wife of J. H. Enearl, of Anaheim, Cal. ; Eva, wife of J. E. Craig, of Pipestone, Minnesota; Bertha, wife of H. W. Comstock, of Anaheim, Cal.; Katie, wife of Hugh Grice, of Belgrade, Minn., and Guy W. Shaubut, of Deerlodge, Mont. . - . SHOEMAKER, J4S.— Born June 9th, 1823, in Monroe County, Penn., of German ancestry, whose settlement in the Quaker State ante-dated the days of the American Eevolution. His parents, Jacob and Hannah Shoemaker, were worthy and prominent people in their community. The father operated a large farm and two Biogra;phies JC9 floiu-ing mills, one in Monroe Coxmty, and the other at .Flatbrook- ville, New Jersey. He was, also, treasurer of his native county for 'years. The son, James, received a good common school education, and worked on his father's farm and in the mills, until he became of age, when he went to Easton, Penn., and clerked in a store for four years. He was then con- nected with a foundry and stove manufactory, at the same place, for one year. His next business venture was as a partner in a dry goods store at Easton, from which he retired in 1856, and in 1857, came to Man- kato, arriving there on the 9th of May. For a time he clerked in Mr. Bradley's store. In 1858 he was chair- man of the Mankato town board, and as such, a member of the Board of County Commissioners. In 1859, he opened an auction and commission store, which, after conducting one year, he "Bold out and went to Pike's Peak during the gold excitement. After spending the sum- mer prospecting and mining with no great success, he returned to Mankato in the Pall of 1860. He took an active part in the defence of the frontier during the Sioux outbreak of 1862. Was Commissary Sergeant in Capt. Bierbauer's company at the de- fense of New ITlm, and had his horse killed under him during the battle. Was Second Lieutenant of a Company of State Militia, organized at Mankato, August 31, 1862, for the protection of the frontier, and helped build Fort Cox at Madelia, and served until his company was relieved by H. S. troops, a month or two later. He built and. conducted Shoemaker's Hall, a prominent place for public gatherings of every kind for many years. He published the first four directories of Mankato and Blue Earth County, the first being issued in 1878, Helped organize the first Fire Department JAMES SHOKMAKER. ^jo ' Mankato^Its First Fifty Years in Mankato. Was elected a member of the School Board in I860, and was alwavs active in the upbuilding of the schools of the city. Was the first president of the Board of Trustees of the Mankato. Cemetery Association, and a trustee until death. Was one of the organizers of the Board of Trade and its president at the time, and for more than four years immediately prior to his demise. He also organized the "Old Settlers' Territorial Association" and was its president until his death. He served on the Board of Public Works for several years,— as City Assessor Irom 1878 until 1894, and as manager of the Mankato exhibit at the New Orleans Exjjosition during 1884-5. No one, during the forty-four years of his residence therein, was more active or unselfisli than he in promoting the welfare of Mankato. His tragic death, by being crushed by a car in the yard of the C. St. P. M. & 0. Ky., where he had gone from a patriotic motive to inspect the railway facilities of the city, oc- curred May 22, 1901. Mr. Shoemaker was married May 30th, 1867, to Frances V. King, daughter of John A. King, of New York, who survives him. Their only child, Charles J. Shoemaker, a most promising young attorney of Duluth, Minnesota, died December 16, 1890. SMITH, Col. Benjamin F. -Bom July 4, 1811, at Mount Vernon, Ohio. In early life he was assistant Clerk of Court of Knox County, under his father. He was afterwards, about 1851, elected Auditor of the same county for four years, and later was a member of the Ohio Legislature. He was inspector of Militia for some time and much interested in military afEairs. In the spring of 1857, he came to Blue Earth County, as the represent- ative of the Mount Vernon Colony, and with others laid out the town site of Vernon Center, so named in honor of his native place. In the summer of 1861, he organized a militia company at Vernon and was made its captain. In the fall of the Same year, he and one Nathan Bass recruited a cavalry company for service against the Southern Rebellion, which enlisted in November as Company B, of Brackett's Battalion, and later was attached to the 5th Iowa Cavalry. Mr. Smith, however, was on November 5th, 1861, commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of the Third Minn. Inf. After six months service he resigned because of ill-health. Puring the smnmer and fall of 1862, the recruits for a number Biographies 31 ' COL, BENJAMIN F. SMITH. of Minnesota regiments were rendezvoused at a camp in Port Snelling, and soon after his return liome, Col. Smitli was put in charge of this camp, by Gov. Ramsey, to help organize the men into companies and regiments. This duty com- pleted, he returned to Man- kato and, in November, 1862, was elected ' Eegister of Deeds of Blue Earth County, and continued in the office for six years. In 1863, he was also, commis- sioned commander of the militia for the Blue Earth County District, with head- quarters at Mankato, which position he held until the termination of the Sioux war in 1866. In 1869, he was chosen mayor of .'the city of Mankato, and during 1870 and 1871, was a member of the State Senate. From 1872 to 1876, he was Eegister of the T. S. Land Office at Eed Wood Falls, Minn. Col. Smith was a conspicuous figure in the politics of Southern Minnesota for many years, and was very highly esteemed l^y a large circle of friends. He occupied a prominent and influential posi^ tion in the Masonic fraternity. Wliile living in Ohio, he served as Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge for eight years, and, in 1856, was made Grand Master of the Grand Lodge. He took his 33rd degree after coming to Minnesota. He was married in 1830 to Miss Julia Stilley, who was born in August, 1808, and who still survives in good health, residing in the state of Washington. They had thirteen children, seven of whom lived to mature life, namely: John S. Smith, of Man- kato, :Mrs. Diana Dunn, wife of the well-known lawyer, Hon. A. C. Dunn, of Winnebago City'; Mrs. Sarah Bixby, Mrs. Eliza A. Brown, Mrs. Henrietta Parrett, the deceased wife of Geo. N. Parrett; Ada A. Smith, and Henry W. B. Smith. A grandson, Benjamin D. Smith, is a prominent lawyer of Mankato, who served two terms as County Attorney of Blue Ea,rth County^ and JI2 Mankato — Its First Fifty Years is now, and for the past eight years has been, one of the National Directors of the Modern Woodmen of America. Col. Smith was a brother of Hon. Jas.Smith, Jr., of St. Paul, former president of the St. Paul and Duluth Eailroad, and of Dr. Vespatian Smith, of Duluth, for many years president of the State Board of Health, and Collector of Customs. He died December 12th, 1892. SOMMtRllStN, FATHER MZ^f A'7/A'f. — Born at Eohrback, Elsass, May 28, 1829. In 1854, Father A. Kavoux, the great Indian missionary, went to Prance to get sliepherds for his nussionary field in Minnesota.. Pather Sommereisen, then only a theological student, was one of seven, who accompanied Father Eavoux on his return. Pather Sommereisen was ordained by Bishop Cretin, the first Catholic bishop of Minnesota, March 8, 1856. He arrived at Mankato as pastor, March IG, 1856, and remained here in that capacity for fourteen years. His field of work at first covered all of the following counties : Blue Earth, Le Sueur, Scott, Car- ver, Waseca, Paribault, Wright, Traverse, Yellow Medicine, Eed- wood, Sibley, Brown, Eenville and Nicollet." This field was grad- ually narrowed, while his work at Mankato grew in importance and difficulty. In 1869, he commenced the erection of the present splendid German Catholic Church at Mankato; but in June, 1870, he was called to his home in Prance by important matters. He was gone for a whole year, being detained in Prance in consequence of the war waging between that country and Germany. Upon his return to Mankato in June, 1871, he was assigned to Yankton, South Dakota, to build upi a new parish there, in which work he had been so zealous and successful here. He died at Hays, Kansas, January 25, 1897. SPOR, Rev. Alpheus — Was born and educated in England. He took charge of the Episcopal mission at Mankato in April, 1866, being about forty years old. He was the builder and first rector of St. John's Episcopal church. He had been rector of a church at Cohoes, N. Y., before coming to Mankato, and it was the members of that church, who mostly aided Mr. Spor in the erection of the church here. He obtained, there and at other points East^ about five thousand dollars in money, a small pipe BiografKies 3'3 organ, bell, alter, lecturn and three chancel windows. The font was an offering of his own. Mr. Spor's old parishioners at Man- kato retain the Idndliest memories of him and his gifted wife. In 1870, Mr. Spor resigned his Mankato charge to become rector of the. church at Eochester, Minnesota. About four years later he was accidentally killed by a fractious horse at Eushford, Minnesota. His sad and untimely death was long and deeply lamented by all who knew him, for he was gifted in his ministry and a noble character. THOMPSON, James A?.— Born March 3, 1860, at Garden City, Minnesota, son of James G., and Frances Thompson. The Thomp- sons were of good New England origin, and early pioneers of Waukesha Coimty, Wisconsin, and Blue Earth County, Minnesota. . Davjd and William E. Thompson were brothers, who settled on the Watonwan in 1855-6. The latter had three sons: John C, and William Thompson, now of Vernon Center township, and George Thompson, of Washington State. David had two sons : Edward, who settled in Garden City, in 1854, be- - ing one of the very first, and James G., above men- tioned, who came there in 1856 from N. Y, The latter was a prominent soldier in the War of the Eebellion, enlisting in Co. E, .Ninth Minnesota. He was promoted captain in the 68th U. S. Colored In- fantry and afterwards Ma- jor of the regiment. After the war he served one term in the IvEinnesota Tjegislature ; was Collector of Customs at Bottineau, North Dakota, for six years and a half, and Audi I or of james r. Thompson. Bottineau County for four years, and died in Mankato, May 26th, 1899. His son, the subject of this sketch, graduated from the Man- j/^ Mankato Its First Fifty Years kato High School in 1882. He taught school for two years, and then studied civil engineering,- and was employed in Eailway con- struction work for three years. From 1890 to 1894, he was County Surveyor and since 1897 has been City Engineer of Mankato. He was married October 30, 1889, to Miss Nellie J., daughter of Hon. Lysander Cook of Lyra township. THOMSON, REV. 7/4 /Wf