_?«_
^^ALBUM^irx-
-OF
HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY .:
-^ . rT-»»
---^-^^^=rrF^^p^=r-7=^^=r
OF-
Meeker County, Minnesota,
Containing Sketches of the Cities, Villages and Townships, Educa-
tional, CiYil, Military and Political History ; Portraits of
Prominent Citizens and Biographies of Old Settlers and
Representative Hen, together with a Full History
of Meeker County's Experience During the
Famous Indian Massacre of 1862.
History of Minnesota,
Embracing an Account of Early Explorations, Organization, a
RcYiew of the Political History and a Concise
History of the Indian Outbreak.
Presidents of the United States,
Embracing Biographical Sketches and Full Page Portraits of Each.
ILLUSTRATED.
CH IC A GO :
Alden Ogle & Company,
18S8 .
ul-
f.:
■.^^4
\- ^
I; 5 '^i
'Biography is the Only True History." — Emerson.
CHICAGO:
DONOHUE & HENNEBERRY,
Printers and Binders,
1888.
PEEFACE.
^^^1^ N the compilation of this volume, it has been the aim of the publishers to prepare a
ife'fi local encyclopedia dealing with the history and biography of the people of Meeker
■ ' >^- county, of the past and present, comprising in a single volume of convenient form
a varied fund of information, not only of interest to the present, but for preservation
for coming generations, from which future searchers for historic data may draw,
without the tedium incurred in the preparation of this. We have gathered together
a vast mass of historic facts, and present them with individual sketches of hundreds
of those who have been identified with the development of the various localities. That our work
is wholly without error, or that nothing of interest has been omitted, is more than we dare to
hope, and is more than any reasonable or intelligent reader will expect, but we have spared neither
pains nor expense in our efforts to have the work as nearly perfect as it is possible for .such a work
to be made. The manuscript of the historical portions was carefully submitted to committees of
prominent old settlers, who were requested to make all changes or additions necessary for a com-
plete and correct work. The certificates of these gentlemen will be found on page iv. As to
the biographical department, equal care was bestowed. The biographical sketches, in every case,
were submitted to those whom they concerned, so that all had an opportunity to correct and revise
the statements and data before it was sent to press.
Inclosing our labors, we have the gratifying consciousness of having used our utmcst endeavors in
securing reliable data, and feel no hesitancy in submitting the result to an intelligent public, feeling justi-
fied in believing that the work will compare favorably with any local historical work ever published in the
State.
There is always more or less ditliculty, in an historical work, in selecting those things which will
interest the greatest number of readers. Individual tastes differ so widely, that that which may be of
absorbing interest to one has no attractions for another. Some are interested only in that which concerns
themselves, and do not care to read of even the most thrilling adventures in which they were not partici-
pants. Such persons are apt to conclude that what they are not interested in is of no value, and its pre-
servation in history a useless expense. In this, they are in error, as the most trivial reminiscence becomes
more and more important, as years roll by, and the preservation of the names of the pioneer partici-
pants is regarded with a just pride by their descendants. In the .settlement of any new township or county,
no one person is entitled to all the credit for what has been accomplished, but every individual is a part of
the great whole, and all are directly or indirectly connected with each step of progress. For this reason,
it is always a very difficult — if not impo.ssible — task to measure and express the exact meed of praise or
commendation due to the individual, and we have, therefore, stated facts, with "naught set down in
malice or in praise."
In conclusion, we desire to express our sincere thanks to the citizens generally, the pioneers, the press,
and the county, township and village officials, who have extended more than ordinary courtesy to our
employes in their arduous duties of obtaining data.
That our efforts may prove satisfactory, and this volume receive a welcome commensurate with the
care bestowed upon its preparation, is the earnest desire of the compilers.
ALDEN PUBLISHING COMPANY.
f liRTIFICATHS OF C OMMITTHItS.
5^ /
^-^ I
^ '^->>-^'^^f^>^'^;^^=^:^^^i^^^V5^
^^^V
Certificate of I^eVi^ion and dowection of the Indian IVja^^ad'e and (general dhaptef^.
W
'E. ihe undersigned, members of the committee appointed to revise and correct the chapter relating to the
Indian massacre, and also the general historical chapters of the History of Meeker County, compiled and
published by Alden, Ogle & Co., do hereby certify that the manuscript was duly submitted to us, and fur-
ther, that we revised and corrected the same, making all the changes and additions we deemed necessary; and, as
corrected, we hereby approve of the same as being correct and complete, to the best of our judgment and recollec-
tion. ' [Signed,] Hamlet Stevens.
J. B. Atkinson,
A. Nelson,
J. B. S.'VLISBURY,
M. J. Flvnn.
dertificate of the I^eVi^ion and dowection of diti] and ToWn^hip Hi^torij.
WE, the undersigned, members of the various committees selected to revise and correct the history of our
respective township or city for the History of Meeker County, do hereby certify, that the manuscript relating
to our respective township or village was duly submitted to us, and further, that we revised and corrected
the same, making all the changes and additions we deemed necessary; and, as corrected, we hereby approve of the
same as being complete and correct, to the best of our judgment and recollection.
[Signed,] J. B. Atkinson, .
J. B. S.VLISliURV,
W. D. JOUUERT,
M. J. Flynn,
Chas. H Strobeck,
Peter Johnson,
John Rudberg,
N. E. Hanson,
Nils Elokson,
J. Blomberg,
C. C. Reitan,
A. P. Nelson,
R. D. Griniiall,
J. M. Pit.man,
Daniel Jackman,
C. A. Oilman.
Patrick Casey,
J. S. Shields,
Andrew Davidson,
L. L. Wakefield,
G. W. Harding,
N. C. Caswell,
James Lang,
O. H. Campbell,
Ole Kittei.son,
Daniel Danielson,
SoREN Morton,
John A. Sa.mpson,
E. Evenson,
Harrison Fuller,
W. H. Greenleae (Ellsworth),
C. E. CUTTS,
m. muri'iiy,
Orrin Whitney,
James A. Kline,
Thomas Rvckman,
Jer. Leaminc,
Ed. H. Muri'hv.
— • • '^-^sj— *«-
CONTENTS.
>•♦•»♦♦♦♦—
I
'"^S^o^^^ ^^S).^^e^^^
Presidents of the United States.
Greorge Washington 9
John Adams 14
Thomas Jefferson 20
James Madison 3li
James Jlouioe 33
John Quincy Adams 38
Andrew Jackson. 47
Martin Van Biiren 53
Wm. Henry Harrison 56
John Tvier fi4
James K. Polli 64
PAGE.
Zachary Taylor 68
Millard Fillmore 73
Franklin Pierce 76
James Buchanan 80
Abraham Lincoln 84
Andrew Jobn.son 93
U.S. Grant 96
Rutherford B. Hayes 103
James A. Garfield 109
Chester A, Arthur 113
Grover Cleveland 117
History of Minnesota.
CHAPTER I.
Location, Topography, &c 123
Location 123
Resources 133
Topography 133
Railroads 134
Popul itiou Statistics 124
CHAPTER n.
HiSTOUY FROM 1660 TO 1888 125
Early E.x'plorations 135
During the Seventeenth Century 126
During the Eighteenth Century . . 138
During the Nineteenth Century 129
Organization as a Territory 131
Organization as a State 131
Chronological Events 131
CHAPTER in.
TiTE Indian Massacue 133
Indian Tril)es 133
^Bloodshed 1.3.5
Battles 138
Surren«?^^
EORGE WASHING-
TON, the "Father of
his Country" and its
first President, 1789-
'97, was born Febru-
ary 22, 1732, in Wash-
ington Parish, West-
"^^iM^C^ moreland Count y, Virginia.
His father, Augustine Wash-
ington, first married Jane But-
ler, who bore him four chil-
dren, and March 6, 1730, he
married Mary Ball. Of six
children by his second mar-
riage, George .was the eldest,
the others being Bettv, Samuel, John, Au-
gustine, Charles and Mildred, of whom the
youngest died in infancy. Little is known
of the early years of Washington, beyond
the fact that the house in which he was
born was burned during his early child-
hood, and that his father thereupon moyed
to another farm, inherited from his paternal
ancestors, situated in Stafford Count}-, on
the north bank of the Rappahannock, where
he acted as agent of the Principio Iron
Works in the immediate vicinity, and died
there in 1743.
From earliest childhood George devel-
oped a noble character. He had a vigorous
constitution, a fine form, and great bodily
Strength. His education was somewhat de-
fective, being confined to the elementary
branches taught him by his mother and at
a neighboring school. He developed, how-
ever, a fondness for mathematics, and en-
joyed in that branch the instructions of a
private teacher. On leaving school he re-
sided for some time at Mount Vernon with
his half brother, Lawrence, who acted as
his guardian, and who had married a daugh-
ter of his neighbor at Belvoir on the Poto-
mac, the wealthy William Fairfax, for some
time president of the executive council of
the colony. Both Fairfax and his son-in-law,
Lawrence Washington, had served with dis-
tinction in 1 740 as officers of an American '
battalion at the siege of Carthagena, and
were friends and correspondents of Admiral
Vernon, for whom the latter's residence on
the Potomac has been named. George's ■
inclinations were for a similar career, and a
midshipman's warrant was procured for
him, probably through the influence of the
Admiral ; but through the opposition of his
mother the project was abandoned. The
family connection with the Fairfaxes, how-
ever, opened another career for the young
man, who, at the age of sixteen, was ap-
pointed surveyor. to the immense estates of
the eccentric Lord Fairfax, who was then
on a visit at Belvoir, and who shortly aftei^-
ward established his baronial residence at
Greenway Court, in the Shenandoah Valley.
PRES/DhXTS OF THE UN/TED STATES.
Three years were passed bv 3'(ning Wash-
iiii^ton in a rough frontier Hfe, gaining ex-
perience which afterward proved very es-
sential to iiim.
In 1 75 1, when the Virginia mihtia were
put under training with a view to active
service against France, Washington, though
only nineteen years of age, was appointed
Adjutant with the rank of Major. In Sep-
tember of that year the failing health of
Lawrence Washington rendered it neces-
sary for him to seek a warmer climate, and
George accompanied him in a voyage to
Barbadoes. They returned early in 1752,
and Lawrence shortly afterward died, leav-
ing his large property to an infant daughter.
In his will George was named one of the
executors and as eventual heir to Mount
Vernon, and by the death of the infant niece
soon succeeded to that estate.
On the arrival of Robert Dinwiddie as
Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia in 1752
the militia was reorganized, and the prov-
ince divided into four districts. Washing-
ton was commissioned bv Dinwiddie Adju-
tant-General of the Northern District in
1753, and in November of that year a most
important as well as hazardous mission was
assigned him. This was to proceed to the
Canadian posts recently established on
French Creek, near Lake Erie, to demand
in the name of the King of England the
withdrawal of the French from a territory
claimed by Virginia. This enterprise had
been declined by more than one officer,
since it involved a journev through an ex-
tensive and almost unexplored wilderness
in the occupancy of savage Indian tribes,
either hostile to the English, or of doubtful
attachment. Major Washington, however,
accepted the commission with alacrity ; and,
accompanied bj' Captain Gist, he reached
Fort Le Boeuf on French Creek, delivered
his dispatches and received reply, which, of
course, was a polite refusal to surrender the
posts. This reply was of such a character
as to induce the Assembly of Virginia to
authorize the executive to raise a regiment
of 300 men for the purpose of maintaining
the asserted rights of the British crown
over the territory claimed. As_ Washing-
ton declined to be a candidate for that post,
the command of this regiment was given to
Colonel Joshua Fr}^ and Major Washing-
ton, at his own request, was commissioned
Lieutenant-Colonel. On the march to Ohio,
news was received that a part)' previously
sent to build a fort at the confluence of the
Monongahela with the Ohio had been
driven back by a considerable French force,
which had completed the work there be-
gun, and named it Fort Duquesne, in honor
of the Marquis Duquesne, then Governor
of Canada. This was the beginning of the
great " French and Indian war,'' which con-
tinued seven years. On the death of Colonel
Fry, Washington succeeded to the com-
mand of the regiment, and so well did he
fulfill his trust that the Virginia Assembly
commissioned him as Commander-in-Chief
of all the forces raised in the colony.
A cessation of all Indian hostility on the
frontier having followed the expulsion of
the French from the Ohio, the object of
Washington was accomplished and he re-
signed his commission as Commander-in-
Chief of the Virginia forces. He then pro-
ceeded to Williamsburg to take his seat in
the General Assembly, of which he had
been elected a member.
January 17, 1759, Washington married
Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, a young
and beautiful widow of great wealth, and de-
voted himself for the ensuing fifteen years
to the quiet pursuits of agriculture, inter-
rupted only by his annual attendance in
winter upon the Colonial Legislature at
Williamsburg, until summoned by his
countr}' to enter upon that other arena in
which his fame was to become world wide.
It is unnecessary here to trace the details
of the struggle upon the question of local
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
self-government, which, after ten years, cul-
minated by act of Parliament of the port of
Boston. It was at the instance of Virginia
that a congress of all the colonies was called
to meet at Philadelphia September 5, 1774,
to secure their common liberties — if possible
by peaceful means. To this Congress
Colonel Washington was sent as a dele-
gate. On dissolving in October, it recom-
mended the colonies to send deputies to
another Congress the following spring. In
the meantime several of the colonies felt
impelled to raise local forces to repel in-
sults and aggressions on the part of British
troops, so that on the assembling of the next
Congress, May 10, 1775, the war prepara-
tions of the mothesr country were unmis-
takable. The battles of Concord and Lex-
ington had been fought. Among the earliest
acts, therefore, of the Congress was the
selection of a commander-in-chief of the
colonial forces. This office was unani-
mously conferred upon Washington, still a
member of the Congress. He accepted it
on June 19, but on tiie express condition he
should receive no salary.
He immediately repaired to the vicinity
of Boston, against which point the British
ministry had concentrated their forces. As ,
early as April General Gage had 3,000 '
troops in and around this proscribed city. [
During the fall and winter the British policy
clearly indicated a purpose to divide pub-
lic sentiment and to build up a British party
in the colonies. Those who sided with the
ministry were stigmatized by the patriots
as " Tories," while the patriots took to them-
selves the name of " Whigs."
As early as 1776 the leading men had
come to the conclusion that there was no
hope except in separation and indepen-
dence. In May of that year Washington
wrote from the head of the army in New
York: "A reconciliation with Great Brit-
ain is impossible When I took
command of the army, I abhorred the idea
of independence ; but I am now fully satis-
fied that nothing else will save us."
It is not the object of this sketch to trace
the military acts of the patriot hero, to
whose hands the fortunes and liberties of
the United States were confided during the
seven years' bloody struggle that ensued
until the treaty of 1783, in which England
acknowledged the independence of each of
the thirteen States, and negotiated with
them, jointl}-, as separate sovereignties. The
merits of Washington as a military chief-
tain have been considerably discussed, espe-
cially by writers in his own country. Dur-
ing the war he was most bitterly assailed
for incompetency, and great efforts were
made to displace him ; but he never for a
moment lost the confidence of either the
Congress or the people. December 4, 1783,
the great commander took leave of his offi-
cers in most affectionate and patriotic terms,
and went to Annapolis, Maryland, where
the Congress of the States was in session,
and to that body, when peace and order
prevailed everywhere, resigned his com-
mission and retired to Mount Vernon.
It was in 1788 that Washington was called
to the chief magistracy of the nation. He
received every electoral vote cast in all the
colleges of the States voting for the office
of President. The 4th of March, 1789, was
the time appointed for the Government of
the United States to begin its operations,
but several weeks elapsed before quorums
of both the newly constituted houses of the
Congress were assembled. The city of New
York was the place where the Congress
then met. April 16 Washington left his
home to enter upon the discharge of his
new duties. He set out with a purpose of
traveling privately, and without attracting
any public attention ; but this was impossi-
ble. Everywhere on his way he was met
with thronging crowds, eager to see the
man wiicm they regarded as the chief de-
fender of their liberties, and everywhere
PRESIDENTS OF THE UXITED STATES.
he was hailed with those public manifesta-
tions of joy, regaicl and love which spring
spontaneously from the hearts of an affec-
tionate and t^rateful people. His reception
in New York was marked by a grandeur
and an enthusiasm never before witnessed
in that metropolis. The inauguration took
place April 30, in the presence of an immense
multitude which had assembled to witness
the new and imposing ceremony. The oath
of office was administered by Robert R.
Livingston, Chancellor of the State. When
this sacred pledge was given, he retired
with the other officials into the Senate
chamber, where he delivered his inaugural
address to both houses of the newly con-
stituted Congress in joint assembly.
In the manifold details of his civil ad-
ministration, Washington proved himself
equal to the requirements ol his position.
The greater portion of the first session of
the first Congress was occu])ied in passing
the necessary statutes for putting the new
organization into complete operation. In
the discussions brought up in the course of
tills legislati(5n the nature and character of
the new system came under general review.
On no one of them did any decided antago-
nism of opinion arise. All held it to be a
limited government, clothed only with spe-
cific powers conferred by delegation from
the States. There was no change in the
name of the legislative department ; it still
remained " the Congress of the United
States of America." There was no chansfe
in the original flag of the countr3',and none
in the seal, which still remains with the
Grecian escutcheon borne by the eagle,
with other emblems, under the great and
expressive motto, " E Phtribiis Uuriui."
The first division of parties arose upon
the manner of construing the powers dele-
gated, and they were first styled "strict
constructionists" and* " latitudinarian con-
structionists." The former were for con-
fining the action of the Government strictly
within its specific and limited sphere, while
the others were for enlarging its powers by
inference and implication. Hamilton and
Jefferson, both members of the first cabinet-
were regarded as the chief leaders, respect
ivel\\ of these rising antagonistic parties,
which have existed, under different names
from that day to this. Washington was re-
garded as holding a neutral position between
them, though, by mature deliberation, he
vetoed the first apportionment bill, in 1790,
passed by the party headed by Hamilton,
which was based upon a principle construct-
ively leading to centralization or consoli-
dation. This was the first exercise of the
veto power under the present Constitution.
It created considerable excitement at the
time. Another bill was soon passed in pur-
suance of Mr. Jefferson's views, which has
been adi.ered to in principle in every ap-
portionment act passed since.
At the second session of the new Con-
gress, Washington announced the gratif}'-
ing fact of " the accession of North Caro-
lina" to the Constitution of 1787, and June
I of the same year he announced by special
message the like " accession of the State of
Rhode Island," with his congratulations on
the happy event which " united under the
general Government" all the States which
were originally confederated.
In 1793, at the second Presidential elec-
tion, Washington was desirous to retire;
but he yielded to the general wish of the
country, and was again chosen President
by the unanimous vote of every electoral
college. At the third election, 1796, he was
again most urgently entreated to consent to
remain in the executive chair. This he
positively refused. In September, before
the election, he gave to his countrymen his
memorable Farewell Address, which in lan-
guage, sentiment and patriotism was a fit
and crowning glory of his illustrious life.
After March 4, 1797, he again retired to
Mount Vernon for peace, quiet and repose.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
13
His administration for the two terms had
been successful beyond tiie expectation and
hopes of even the most sanguine of his
friends. The finances of the country were
no longer in an embarrassed condition, the
public credit was fully restored, life was
given to every department of industry, the
workings of the new system in allowing
Congress to raise revenue from duties on
imjiorts proved to be not only harmonious
in its federal action, but astonishing in its
results upon the commerce and trade of all
the States. The e.xports from the Union
increased from $19,000,000 to over $56,000,-
000 per annum, while the imports increased
in about the same proportion. Three new
chief to quit his repose at Mount Vernon
and take command of all the United States
forces, with tlie rank of Lieutenant-General,
when war was threatened with France in
1798, nothing need here be stated, except to
note the fact as an unmistakable testimo-
nial of the high regard in which he was still
held by his countrymen, of all shades of po-
litical opinion. He patriotically accepted
this trust, but a treaty of peace put a stop
to all action under it. He again retired to
Mount Vernon, where, after a short and
severe illness, he died December 14, 1799,
in the sixty-eighth year of his age. The
whole countr}^ was filled with gloom by this
sad intelligence. Men of all parties in poli-
membershadbeenadded to the Union. The tics and creeds in rehgion, in every State
progress of the States in their new career
under their new organization thus far was
exceedingly encouraging, not only to the
friends of libctv within their own limits,
but to their sympathizing allies in all climes
and countries.
CM the call again made on this iUustrious
in the Union, united with Congress in " pay-
ing honor to the man, first in war, first in
peace, and first in the hearts of his country-
men "
His remains were deposited in a family
vault on the banks of the Potomac at Mount
Vernon, where they still lie entombed.
4-, fm.
14
PRbS/DENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
=, - ■ '.^^4«S?-»Sflf'""""-^'iSS»fffi5fi^i?!S!B:°> V' ^
OHN ADAMS, the second
President of the United
States, 1797 to 1801, was
born in the present town
,._ of Quinc_v, then a portion
2* of Braintree, Massachu-
setts, October 30, 1735. His
father was a farmer of mod-
erate means, a worthy and
industrious man. He was
a deacon in the church, and
was very desirous of gi'"ing
his son a collegiate educa-
tion, hoping that he would
become a minister of the
jospel. But, as up to this
time, the age of fourteen, he 'had been only
a play-boy in the fields and forests, he had
no taste for books, he chose farming. On
being set to work, however, by his father
out in the field, the very first day con-
verted the boy into a lover of books.
Accordingly, at the age of sixteen he
entered Harvard College, and graduated in
1755, at the age of twenty, highly esteemed
for integrity, energy and ability. Thus,
having no capital but his education, he
started out into the stormy world at a time
of great political exxitement, as France and
England were then engaged in their great
seven-years struggle for the mastery over
the New World. The fire of patriotism
seized young Adams, and for a time he
studied over the question whether he
should take to the law, to politics or the
army. He wrote a remarkable letter to a
friend, making prophecies concerning the
future greatness of this country which have
since been more than fulfilled. For two
years he taught school and studied law,
wasting no odd moments, and at the early
age of twenty-two years he opened a law
office in his native town. His inherited
powers of mind and untiring devotion to
his profession caused him to rise rapidly
in public esteem.
In October, 1764, Mr. Adams married
Miss Abigail Smith, daughter of a clergy-
man at Weymouth and a lady of rare per-
sonal and intellectual endowments, who
afterward contributed much to her hus-
band's celebrity.
Soon the oppression of the British in
America reached its climax. The Boston
merchants employed an attorney by the
name of James Otis to argue the legality of
oppressive tax law before the Superior
Court. Adams heard the argument, and
afterward wrote to a friend concerning the
ability displayed, as follows : " Otis was a
fiame of fire. With a promptitude of
classical allusion, a depth of research, a
rapid summary of historical events and
dates, a profusion of legal authorities and a
Jc^fiJdc
mm
JOHN ADAMS.
■7
prophetic glance into futurity, he hurried
away all before him. American independence
ivas then and there born. Every man of an
immensely crowded audience appeared to
me to go away, as I did, read}' to take up
arms."
Soon Mr. Adams wrote an essay to be
read before the literary club of his town,
upon the state of affairs, which was so able
as to attract public attention. It was pub-
lished in American journals, republished
in England, and was pronounced b}' the
friends of the colonists there as " one of the
very best productions ever seen from North
America."
The memorable Stamp Act was now '
issued, and Adams entered with all the
ardor of his soul into political life in order
to resist it. He drew up a series of reso-
lutions remonstrating against the act, which
were adopted at a public meeting of the
citizens of Braintree, and which were sub-
sequently adopted, word for word, by m(5re
than forty towns in the State. Popular
commotion prevented the landing of the
Stamp Act papers, and the English author-
ities then-closed the courts. The town of
Boston therefore appointed Jeremy Grid-
ley, James Otis and John Adams to argue a
petition before the Governor and council
for the re-opening of the courts; and while
the two first mentioned attorneys based
their argument upon the distress caused to
the people by the measure, Adams boldly
claimed that the Stamp Act was a violation
both of the English Constitution and the
charter of the Provinces. It is said that
this was the first direct denial of the un-
limited right of Parliament over the colo-
nies. Soon after this the Stamp Act was
repealed.
Directl}' Mr. Adams was employed to
defend Ansell Nickerson, who had killed an
Englishman in the act of impressing him
(Nickerson) into the King's service, and his
client was acquitted, the court thus estab-
lishing the principle that the infamous
royal prerogative of impressment could
have no existence in the colonial code.
But in 1770 Messrs. x\dams and Josiah
Quincy defended a party of British soldiers
who had been arrested for murder when
the_v had been only obeying Governmental
orders ; and when reproached for thus ap-
parently deserting the cause of popular
liberty, Mr. Adams replied that he would a
thousandfold rather live under the domina-
tion of the worst of England's kings than
under that of a lawle.ss mob. Next, after
serving a term as a member of the Colonial
Legislature from Boston, Mr. Adams, find-
ing his health affected by too great labor,
retired to his native home at Braintree.
The year 1774 soon arrived, with its fa-
mous Boston '• Tea Party," the first open
act of rebellion. Adams was sent to the
Congress at Philadelphia ; and when the
Attorney-General announced that Great
Britain had " determined on her system,
and that her power to execute it was irre-
sistible," Adams replied : " I know that
Great Britain has determined on her sys-
tem, and that very determination deter-
mines me on mine. You know that I have
been constant in my opposition to her
measures. The die is now cast. I have
passed the Rubicon. Sink or swim, live or
die, with m}- countr}-, is ni}' unalterable
determination." The rumor beginning to
prevail at Philadelphia that the Congress
had independence in view, Adams foresaw
that it was too soon to declare it openly.
He advised every one to remain quiet in
that respect ; and as soon as it became ap-
parent that he himself was for independ-
ence, he was advised to hide himself, which
he did.
The next year the great Revolutionary
war opened in earnest, and Mrs. Adams,
residing near Boston, kept her husband ad-
vised by letter of all the events transpiring
in her vicinity. The battle of Bunker Hill
18
r-RES/DENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
Congress had to do something
came on _
immediatel}'. The first thing was to
choose a commander-in-chief for the— we
can't say " army " — the fighting men of the
colonies. The New England delegation
was almost unanimous in favor of appoint-
ing General Ward, then at the head of the
Massachusetts forces, but Mr. Adams urged
the appointment of George Washington,
then almost unknown outside of his own
State. He was appointed without oppo-
sition. Mr. Adams offered the resolution,
which was adopted, annulling all the ro3'al
authority in the colonies. Having thus
prepared the wav, a few weeks later, viz.,
June 7. 1776, Richard Hcnrv Lee, of Y'n-
ginia, who a few months before had declared
that the British Government would aban-
don its oppressive measures, now offered
the memorable resolution, seconded by
Adams, "that these United States are, and
of right ought to be, free and independent."
Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Sherman and
Livingston were then appointed a commit-
tee to draught a declaration of independ-
ence. Mr. Jefferson desired Mr. Adams
to draw up the bold document, but the
latter persuaded Mr. Jefferson to perform
that responsible task. The Declaration
drawn up, Mr. Adams became its foremost
defender on the floor of Congress. It was
signed by all the fifty-five members present,
and the next day Mr. Adams wrote to his
wife how great a deed was done, and how
proud he was of it. Mr. Adams continued
to be the leading man of Congress, and
the leading advocate of American inde-
pendence. Above all other Americans,
he was considered b}' every one the prin-
cipal shining mark for British vengeance.
Thus circumstanced, he was appointed to
the most dangerous task of crossing the
ocean in winter, exposed to capture by the
British, who knew of his mission, which
was to visit Paris and solicit the co-opera-
tion of the French. Besides, to take him-
self awa}- from the country of which he
was the most prominent defender, at that
critical time, was an act of the greatest self-
sacrifice. Sure enough, while crossing the
sea, he had two very narrow escapes from
capture ; and the transit was otherwise a
stormy and eventful one. During thc-
summer of 1779 he returned home, but was
immediately dispatched back to France, to
be in readiness there to negotiate terms of
peace and commerce with Great Britain as
soon as the latter power was ready for such
business. But as Dr. Franklin was more
popular than heat the court of France, Mr.
Adams repaired to Holland, where he was
far more successful as a diplomatist.
The treat}' of peace between the United
States and England was finally signed at
Paris, Januar}^ 21, 1783; and the re-action
from so great exxitement as Mr. Adams had
so long been experiencing threw him into
a dangerous fever. Before he fully re-
covered he was in London, whence he was
dispatched again to Amsterdam to negoti-
ate another loan. Compliance with this
order undermined his physical constitution
for life.
In 1785 Mr. Adams was appointed envoy
to the court of St. James, to meet face to
face the very king who had regarded him
as an arch traitor! Accordingly he re-
paired thither, where he did actually meet
and converse with George III.! After a
residence there for about three years, he
obtained permission to return to America.
While in London he wrote and published
an able work, in three volumes, entitled:
" A Defense of the American Constitution."
The Articles of Confederation proving
inefficient, as Adams had prophesied, a
carefully draughted Constitution was
adopted in 1789, when George Washington
was elected President of the new nation,
and Adams Vice-President. Congress met
for a time in New York, but was removed
to Philadelphia for ten j-ears, until suitable
JOHN ADAMS.
19
buildings should be erected at the new
capital in the District of CoUimbia. Mr.
Adams then moved his family to Phila-
delphia. Toward the close of his term of
office the French Revolution culminated,
when Adams and Washington rather
S3'mpathized with England, and Jefferson
with France. The Presidential election of
1796 resulted in giving Mr. Adams the first
place by a small majority, and Mr. Jeffer-
son the second place.
Mr. Adams's administration was consci-
entious, patriotic and able. The period
was a turbulent one, and even an archangel
could not have reconciled the hostile par-
ties. Partisanism with reference to Eng-
land and France was bitter, and for four
years Mr. Adams struggled through almost
a constant tempest of assaults. In fact, he
was not truly a popular man, and his cha-
grin at not receiving a re-election was so
great that he did not even remain at Phila-
delphia to witness the inauguration of Mr.
Jefferson, his successor. The friendly
intimac}' between these two men was
interrupted for about thirteen j-ears of their
life. Adams finallv made the first advances
toward a restoration of their mutual friend-
ship, which were gratefully accepted bv
Jefferson.
Mr. Adams was glad of his opportunit)-
to retire to private lite, where he could rest
his mind and enjoy the comforts of home.
By a thousand bitter experiences he found
the path of public duty a thorny one. For
twenty-six years his service of the public
was as arduous, self-sacrificing and devoted
as ever fell to the lot of man. In one im-
portant sense he was as much the " Father
of his Country " as was Washington in
another sense. During these long )'ears of
anxiety and toil, in which he was laj'ing.
broad and deep, the foundations of the
greatest nation the sun ever shone upon, he
received from his impoverished country a
meager support. The only privilege he
carried with him into his retirement was
that of franking his letters.
Although taking no active part in public
affairs, both himself and his son, John
Quincy, nobly supported the policy of Mr.
Jefferson in resisting the encroachments of
England, who persisted in searching
American ships on the high seas and
dragging from them any sailors that might
be designated by any pert lieutenant as
British subjects. Even for this noble sup-
port Mr. Adams was maligned by thou-
sands of bitter enemies ! On this occasion,
for the first time since his retirement, he
broke silence and drew up a very able
paper, exposing the atrocity of the British
pretensions. ,
Mr. Adams outlived nearly all hisfamil3\
Though his physical frame began to give
way many years before his death, his mental
powers retained their strength and vigor to
the last. In his ninetieth )ear he was
gladdened by the popular elevation of his
son to the Presidential office, the highest in
the gift of the people. A few months more
passed away and the 4th of Julv, 1826,
arrived. The people, unaware of the near
approach of the end of two great lives —
that of Adams and Jefferson — were making
unusual preparations for a national holiday.
Mr. Adams lay upon his couch, listening to
the ringing of bells, the waftures of martial
music and the roar of cannon, with silent
emotion. Only four days before, lie had
given for a public toast, " Independence
forever." About two o'clock in the after-
noon he said, "And Jefferson still survives."
But he was mistaken by an hour or so;
and in a few minutes he had breathed his
last.
PRESrOE.VTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
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^g^HOMAS JEFFER-
iriff ^""' ^^^ third Presi-
dent of the United
States, 1801-9, ^^"^s
born April 2, 1743,
the eldest child of
his parents, Peter
and Jane (Randolph) Jef-
ferson, near Charlottes-
ville, Albemarle County,
Virginia, upon the slopes
ofthe Blue Ridge. When
he -was fourteen years of
age, his father died, leav-
ing a widow and eight
children. She was a beau-
tiful and accomplished
good letter-writer, with a fund of
humor, and an admirable housekeeper. His
parents belonged to the Church of England,
and are said to be of Welch origin. But
little is known of them, however.
Thomas was naturally of a serious turn
of mind, apt to learn, and a favorite at
school, his choice studies bemg mathemat-
ics and the classics. At the age of seven-
teen he entered William and Mary College,
in an advanced class, and lived in rather an
expensive style, consequently being much
caressed by gay society. That he was not
ruined, is proof of his stamina of character.
But during his second year he discarded
lady.
society, his horses and even his favorite
violin, and devoted thenceforward fifteen
hours a day to hard study, becoming ex-
traordinarily proficient in Latin and Greek
authors.
On leaving college, before he was twenty-
one, he commenced the study of law, and
pursued it diligently until he was well
qualified for practice, upon which he
entered in 1767. Bv this time he was also
versed in French, Spanish, Italian and An-
glo-Saxon, and in the criticism of the fine
arts. Being very polite and polished in his
manners, he won the friendship of all whom
he met. Though able with his pen, he was
not fluent in public speech.
In 1769 he was chosen a member of the
Virginia Legislature, and was the largest
slave-holding member of that body. He
introduced a bill empowering slave-holders
to manumit their slaves, but it was rejected
by an overwhelmiilg vote.
In 1770 Mr. Jefferson met with a great
loss ; his house at Shadwell was burned,
and his valuable library of 2,000 volumes
was consumed. But he was wealthy
enough to replace the most of it, as from
his 5,000 acres tilled by slaves and his
practice at the bar his income amounted to
about $5,000 a year.
In 1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton,
a beautiful, wealthy and accomplished
f
\
y^zz^
THOMAS JEFFERSON.
n
young widow, who owned 40,000 acres of
land and 130 slaves; yet he labored assidu-
ously for the abolition of slavery. For his
new home he selected a majestic rise of
land upon his large estate at Shadwell,
called Monticello, ' whereon he erected a
mansion of modest yet elegant architecture.
Here he lived in luxury, indulging his taste
in magnificent, high-blooded horses.
At this period the British Government
gradually became more insolent and op-
pressive toward the American colonies,
and Mr. Jefferson was ever one of the most
foremost to resist its encroachments. From
time to time he drew up resolutions of re-
monstrance, which were finally adopted,
thus proving his ability as a statesman and
as a leader. By the year 1774 he became
quite bus}', both with voice and pen, in de-
fending the right of the colonies to defend
themselves. His pamphlet entitled : " A
Summary View of the Rights of British
America," attracted much attention in Eng-
land. The following year he, in company
with George Washington, served as an ex-
ecutive committee in measures to defend
by arms the State of Virginia. As a Mem-
ber of the Congress, he was not a speech-
maker, yet in conversation and upon
committees he was so frank and decisive
that he always made a favorable impression.
But as late as the autumn of 1775 he re-
mained in hopes of reconciliation with the
parent country.
At length, however, the hour arrived for
draughting the " Declaration of Indepen-
dence," and this responsible task was de-
volved upon Jefferson. Franklin, and
Adams suggested a few verbal corrections
before it was submitted to Congress, which
was June 28, 1776, only six days before it
was adopted. During the three days of
the fiery ordeal of criticism through which
it passed in Congress, Mr. Jefferson opened
not his lips. John Adams was the main
champion of the Declaration on the floor
of Congress. The signing of this document
was one of the most solemn and momentous
occasions ever attended to by man. Prayer
and silence reigned throughout the hall,
and each signer realized that if American
independence was not finally sustained by
arms he was doomed to the scaffold.
After the colonies became independent
States, Jefferson resigned for a time his seat
in Congress in order. to aid in organizing
the government of Virginia, of which State
he was chosen Governor in 1779, when he
was thirty-six years of age. At this time
the British had possession of Georgia and
were invading South Carolina, and at one
time a British officer, Tarleton, sent a
secret expedition to Monticello to capture
the Governor. Five minutes after iNIr.
Jefferson escaped with his family, his man-
sion was in possession of the enemy ! The
British troops also destroyed his valuable
plantation on the James River. " Had tiiey
carried off the slaves," said Jefferson, with
characteristic magnanimity, " to give them
freedom, the}' would have done right."
The year 1781 was a gloomy one for the
Virginia Governor. While confined to his
secluded home in the forest by a sick and
dying wife, a party arose against him
throughout the State, severely criticising
his course as Governor. Being very sensi-
tive to reproach, this touched him to the
quick, and the heap of troubles then sur-
rounding him nearly crushed him. He re-
solved, in despair, to retire from public life
for the rest of his days. For weeks Mr.
Jefferson sat lovingly, but with a crushed
heart, at the bedside of his sick wife, during
which time unfeeling letters were sent to
him, accusing him of weakness and unfaith-
fulness to duty. All this, after he had lost
so much property and at the same time
done so much for his country! After her
death he actually fainted away, and re-
mained so long insensible that it was feared
he never would recover! Several weeks
p:;i-:siosvTS of the u.y/ted sr.iTES.
passed before he coulc] fully recover his
equilibrium. He was never married a
second time.
In the spring of 17S2 the people of Eng-
land compelled their king to make to the
Americans overtures of peace, and in No-
vember following, Mr. Jefferson was reap-
pointed by Congress, unanimously and
without a single adverse remark, minister
plenipotentiary to negotiate a treat}'.
In March, 1784, Mr. Jefferson was ap-
pointed on a committee to draught a plan
for the government of the Northwestern
Territory. His slavery-prohibition clause
in that plan was stricken out by the pro-
slavery majority of the committee; but amid
all the controversies and wrangles of poli-
ticians, he made it a rule never to contra-
dict an3'bod3- or engage in any discussion
as a debater.
In company with Mr. Adams and Dr.
Franklin, Mr. Jefferson was appointed in
May, 1784, to act as minister plenipotentiary
in the negotiation of treaties of commerce
with foreign nations. According!}', he went
to Paris and satisfactorily accomplished his
mission. The suavity and high bearing of
his manner made all the French his friends;
and even Mrs. Adams at one time wrote
to her sister that he was " the chosen
of the earth." But all the honors that
he received, both at home and abroad,
seemed to make no change in the simplicity
of his republican tastes. On his return to
America, he found two parties respecting
the foreign commercial policy, Mr. Adams
svmpathizing with that in favor of England
and himself favoring France.
On the inauguration of General Wash-
ington as President, Mr. Jefferson was
chosen by him for the office of Secretary of
State. At this time the rising storm of the
French Revolution became visible, and
Washington watched it with great anxiety.
His cabinet was divided in their views of
constitutional government as well as re-
garding the issues in France. General
Hamilttjn, Secretarv of the Treasury, was
the leader of the so-called Federal partv,
while Mr. Jefferson was the leader of the
Republican party. At the same time there
was a strong monarchical party in this
country, with which Mr. Adams svmpa-
thized. Some important financial measures,
wiiich were proposed by Hamilton and
finally adopted by the cabinet and approved
by Washington, were opposed by Mr.
Jefferson ; and his enemies then began to
reproach him with holding office under an
administration whose views he opposed.
The President poured oil on the troubled
waters. On his re-election to the Presi-
dency he desired Mr. Jefferson to remain
in the cabinet, but the latter sent in his
resignation at two different times, probably
because he was dissatisfied with some of
the measures of the Government. His
final one was not received until January i,
1794, when General Washington parted
from him with great regret.
Jefferson then retired to his quiet home
at Monticello, to enjoy a good rest, not even
reading the newspapers lest the political
gossip should disquiet him. On the Presi-
dent's again calling him back to the office
of Secretary of State, he replied that no
circumstances would ever again tempt him
to engage in anything public! But, while
all Europe was ablaze with war, and France
in the throes of a bloodv revolution and the
principal theater of the conflict, a new
Presidential election in this country came
on. John Adams was the Federal candi-
date and Mr. Jefferson became the Republi-
can candidate. The result of the election
was the promotion of the latter to the Vice-
Presidency, while the former was chosen
President. In this contest Mr. Jefferson
really did not desire to have either office,
he was "so weary" of party strife. He
loved the retirement of home more than
any other place on the earth.
THOMAS JEFFERSOX.
25
But for four long years his Vice-Presi-
dency passed joylessly away, while the
partisan strife between Federalist and Re-
publican was ever g-rowing hotter. The
former party split and the result of the
fourth general election was the elevation of
Mr. Jefferson to the Presidency ! with
Aaron Burr as Vice-President. These men
being at the head of a growing party, their
election was hailed everywhere with joy.
On the other hand, many of the Federalists
turned pale, as they believed what a portion
of the pulpit and the press had been preach-
ing — that Jefferson was a " scoffing atheist,"
a "Jacobin," the "incarnation of all evil,"
" breathing threatening and slaughter ! "
Mr. Jefferson's inaugural address con-
tained nothing but the noblest sentiments,
expressed in fine language, and his personal
behavior afterward exhibited the extreme
of American, democratic simplicity. His
disgust of European court etiquette grew
upon him with age. Me believed that
General Washington was somewhat dis-
trustful of the ultimate success of a popular
Government, and that, imbued with a little
admiration of the forms of a monarchical
Government, he had instituted levees, birth-
davs, pompous meetings with Congress,
etc. Jefferson was always polite, even to
slaves everywhere he met them, and carried
in his countenance the indications of an ac-
commodating disposition.
The political principles of the Jeffersoni-
an party now swept the country, and Mr.
Jefferson himself swayed an influence which
was never exceeded even by Washington.
Under his administration, in 1803, the Lou-
isiana purchase was made, for §15,000,000,
the " Louisiana Territory " purchased com-
prising all the land west of the Mississippi
to the Pacific Ocean.
The vear 1804 witnessed another severe
loss in his familv. His highly accomplished
and most beloved daughter Maria sickened
and died, causing as great grief in the
stricken parent as it was possible for him to
survive with any degree of sanity.
The same year he was re-elected to the
Presidenc}', with George Clinton as Vice-
President. During his second term our
relations wdth England became more com-
plicated, and on June 22, 1807, near Hamp-
ton Roads, the United States frigate
Chesapeake was fired upon by the Brit-
ish man-of-war Leopard, and was made
to surrender. Three men were killed and
ten wounded. Jefferson demanded repara-
tion. England grew insolent. It became
evident that war was determined upon by
the latter power. More than 1,200 Ameri-
cans were forced into the British service
upon the high seas. Before any satisfactory
solution was reached, Mr. Jefferson's
Presidential term closed. Amid all these
public excitements he thought constantly
of the welfare of his family, and longed
for the time when he could return home
to remain. There, at Monticello, his sub-
sequent life was very similar to that of
Washington at Mt. Vernon. His hospi-
tality toward his numerous friends, indul-
gence of his slaves, and misfortunes to his
property, etc., finally involved him in debt.
For years his home resembled a fashion-
able watering-place. During the summer,
thirty-seven house servants were required !
It was presided over by his daughter. Mrs.
Randolph.
Mr. Jefferson did rnuch for the establish-
ment of the University at Charlottesville,
making it unsectarian, in keeping with the
spirit of American institutions, but poverty
and the feebleness of old age prevented
him from doing what he would. He even
went so far as to petition the Legislature
for permission to dispose of some of his
possessions by lottery, in order to raise the
necessary funds for home expenses. It was
granted ; but before the plan was carried
out, Mr. Jefferson died, July 4, 1826, at
12:50 P. M.
;6
PRESIDEXTS OF THE V SITED STATES.
^i- » -.^
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J4Mii MillS®S«
J^fSi'-'* !JS -■■ *
m^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^i^^m^^^s^^^m^A
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*-"--if^
y'AMES MADISON, the
=: fourth President of the
i^ United States, 1809-'! 7.
Y was bom at Port Con-
wav, Prince George
„ -/ County. Virginia, March
16. 1 75 1. His father.
Colonel James Madison, was
a wealthy planter, residing
upon a verv fine estate
called ■■ Montpelier," only
twentv-five miles from the
home of Thomas Jefferson
at Monticello. The closest
personal and political at-
'^ tachment existed between
these illustrious men from their early youth
until death.
James was the eldest 01 a lamily of seven
children, four sons and three daughters, all
of whom attained maturity. His early edu-
cation was conducted mostly at home,
under a private tutor. Being naturally in-
tellectual in his tastes, he consecrated him-
self with unusual vigor to study. At a verv
early age he made considerable proficiency
in the Greek, Latin, French and Spanish
languages. In 1769 he entered Princeton
College, New Jersey, of which the illus-
trious Dr. Weatherspoon was then Presi-
dent. He graduated in 1771, with a char-
acter of the utmost purity, and a mind
highlv disciplined and stored with all the
learning which embellished and gave effi-
ciency to his subsequent career. After
graduating he pursued a course of reading
for several months, under the guidance of
President Weatherspoon, and in 1772 re-
turned to Virginia, where he continued in
incessant study for two years, nominally
directed to the law, but really including
extended researches in theologA", philoso-
phy and general literature.
The Church of England was the estab-
lished church in Virginia, invested with all
the prerogatives and immunities which it
enjoved in the fatherland, and other de-
nominations labored under serious disabili-
ties, the enforcement of which was rightly
or wrongly characterized by them as per-
secution. Madison took a prominent stand
in behalf of the removal of all disabilities,
repeatedlv appeared in the court of his own
county to defend the Baptist nonconform-
ists, and was elected from Orange County to
the Virginia Convention in the spring of
1766, when he signalized the beginning of
his public career by procuring the passage
of an amendment to the Declaration of
Rights as prepared by George Mason, sub-
stituting for '• toleration" a more emphatic
assertion of religious liberty.
-(--t^ ifti,-<%^
JAMES MADISON.
29
In 1776 he was elected a member of the
Virginia Convention to frame the Constitu-
tion of the State. Like Jefferson, lie took
but little part in the public debates. His
main strength lay in his conversational in-
fluence and in his pen. In November, 1777,
he was chosen a member of the Council of
State, and in March, 1780, took his seat in
the Continental Congress, where he first
gained prominence through his energetic
opposition to the issue of paper money b}^
the States. He continued in Congress three
years, one of its most active and influential
members.
In 1784 Mr. Madison was elected a mem-
ber of the Virginia Legislature. He ren-
dered important service by promoting and
participating in that revision of the statutes
which effectually abolished the remnants of
the feudal system subsistent up to that
time in the form of entails, primogeniture,
and State support given the Anglican
Church ; and his " Memorial and Remon-
strance" against a general assessment for
the support of religion is one of the ablest
papers which emanated from his pen. It
settled the question of the entire separation
of church and State in Virginia.
Mr. Jefferson says of him, in allusion to
the study and experience through which he
had already passed :
" Trained in these successive schools, he
acquired a habit of self-possession which
placed at ready command the rich resources
of his luminous and discriminating mind and
of his extensive information, and rendered
him the first of every assembly of which he
afterward became a member. Never wan-
dering from his subject into vain declama-
tion, but pursuing it closelv in language
pure, classical and copious, soothing al-
ways the feelings of his adversaries by civili-
ties and softness of expression, he rose to the
emi".cnt station which he held in the sfreat
N?.^ional Convention of 17S7; and in that of
Virginia, which followed, he sustained the
new Constitution in all its parts, bearing off
the palm against the logic of George Mason
and the fervid declamation of Patrick
Henrjr. With these consummate powers
were united a pure and spotless virtue
which no calumny has ever attempted to
sully. Of the power and polish of his pen,
and of the wisdom of his administration in
the highest otifice of the nation, I need say
nothing. They have spoken, and will for-
ever speak, for themselves."
In Januar}', 1786, Mr. Madison took the
initiative in proposing a meeting of State
Commissioners to devise measures for more
satisfactory commercial relations between
the States. A meeting was held at An-
napolis to discuss this subject, and but five
States were represented. The convention
issued another call, drawn up by Mr. Madi-
son, urging all the States to send their dele-
gates to Philadelphia, in May, 1787, to
draught a Constitution for the United
States. The delegates met at the time ap-
pointed, every State except Rhode Island
being represented. George Washington
was chosen president of the convention,
and the present Constitution of the United
States was then and there formed. There
was no mind and no pen more active in
framing this immortal document than the
mind and pen of James Madison. He was,
perhaps, its ablest advocate in the pages of
the Federalist.
Mr. Madison was a member of the first
four Congresses, i789-'97, in which he main-
tained a moderate opposition to Hamilton's
financial policy. He declined the mission
to France and the Secretaryship of State,
and, gradually identifying himself with the
Republican party, became from 1792 its
avowed leader. In 1796 he was its choice
for the Presidency as successor to Wash-
ington. Mr. Jefferson wrote: "There is
not another person in the United States
with whom, being placed at the helm of our
affairs, my mind would be so completely at
3°
PKhS/DEIVTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
rest for the fortune of our political bark."
But >fr. Madison declined to be a candi-
natc. His term in Cong'rcss had expired,
and ho returned from New York to his
beau.tiful retreat at Montpelier.
In 1/94 Mr. Madison married a young
widow of remarkable powers of fascination
— Mrs. Todd. Her maiden name was Doro-
thy Paine. She was born in 1767, in Vir-
ginia, of Quaker parents, and had been
educated in the strictest rules of that sect.
When but eighteen years of age she married
a young lawyer and moved to Philadelphia,
where she was introduced to brilliant scenes
of fashionable life. She speedily laid aside
the dress and address of the Quakeress, and
became one of the most fascinating ladies |
of the republican court. In New York,
after the death of her husband, she was the
belle of the season and was surrounded with
admirers. Mr. Madison won the prize.
She proved an invaluable helpmate. In
Washington she was the life of society.
If there was any diffident, timid young
girl just making her appearance, she
found in Mrs. Madison an encouraging
friend.
During the stormy administration of John
Adams Madison remained in private life,
but was the author of the celebrated " Reso-
lutions of 1798," adopted by the Virginia
Legislature, in condemnation of the Alien
and Sedition laws, as well as of the " report"
in which he defended those resolutions,
which is, by many, considered his ablest
State paper.
The storm passed away ; the Alien and
Sedition laws were repealed, John Adams
lost his re-election, and in 1801 Thomas Jef-
ferson was chosen President. The great re-
action in public sentiment which seated
Jefferson in the presidential chair was large-
ly owing to the writings of Madison, who
was consequently well entitled to the post
of Secretary of State. With great ability
he discharged the duties of this responsible
office during the eight ^-ears of Mr. Jeffer-
son's administration.
As Mr. Jefferson was a widower, and
neither of his daughters could be often with
him, Mrs. Madison usually presided over
the festivities of the White House; and as
her husband succeeded Mr. Jefferson, hold-
ing his office for two terms, this remarkable
woman was the mistress of the presidential
mansion for sixteen years.
Mr. Madison being entirely engrossed by
the cares of his office, all the duties of so-
cial life devolved upon his accomplished
wife.' Never were such responsibilities
more ably discharged. The most bitter
foes of her husband and of the administra-
tion were received with the frankly prof-
fered hand and the cordial smile of wel-
come; and the influence of this gentle
woman in allaying the bitterness of party
rancor became a great and salutary power
in the nation.
As the term of Mr. Jefferson's Presidency
drew near its close, party strife was roused
to the utmost to elect his successor. It was
a death-grapple between the two great
parties, the Federal and Republican. Mr.
Madison was chosen President by an elec-
toral vote of 122 to 53, and was inaugurated
March 4, 1S09, at a critical period, when
the relations of the United States with Great
Britain were becoming embittered, and his
first term was passed in diplomatic quarrels,
aggravated by the act of non-intercourse of
May, 1810, and finally resulting in a decla-
ration of war.
On the iSth of June, 1812, President
Madison gave his approval to an act of
Congress declaring war against Great Brit-
ain. Notwithstanding the bitter hostility
of the Federal party to the war, the country
in general approved ; and in the autumn
Madison was re-elected to the Presidency
by 128 electoral votes to 89 in favor of
George Clinton.
.March 4, 1S17, Madison yielded the Presi-
JA.UhS MAD/SUN.
31
dency to his Secretary of State and inti-
mate friend, James Monroe, and retired to
his ancestral estate at Montpelier, where he
passed the evening of his days surrounded
by attached friends and enjoying the
merited respect of the whole nation. He
took pleasure in promoting^griculture, as
president of the county society, and in
watching the development of the University
of Virginia, of which he was long rector and
visitor. In extreme old age he sat in 1829
as a member of the convention called to re-
form the Virginia Constitution, where his
appearance was hailed with the most gen-
uine interest and satisfaction, though he
was too infirm :o participate in the active
work of revision. Small in stature, slender
and delicate in form, with a countenance
full of intelligence, and expressive alike of
mildness and dignity, he attracted the atten-
tion of all who attended the convention,
and was treated with the utmost deference.
He seldom addressed the assembly, though
he always appeared self-possessed, and
watched with unflagging interest the prog-
ress of every measure. Though the con-
vention sat sixteen weeks, he spoke only
twice ; but when he did speak, the whole
house paused to listen. His voice was
feeble though his enunciation was very dis-
tinct. One of the reporters, Mr. Stansbury,
relates t^he following anecdote of Mr. Madi-
son's last speech:
" The next day, as there was a great call
for it, and the report had not been returned
for publication, 1 sent my son with a re-
spectful note, requesting the manuscript.
My son was a lad of sixteen, whom I had
taken with mc to act as amanuensis. On
delivering my note, he was received with
the utmost politeness, and requested to
come up into Mr. Madison's room and wait
while his eye ran over the paper, as com-
pany had prevented his attending to it. He
did so, and Mr. Madison sat down to correct
the report. The lad stood near him so that
his eye fell on the paper. Coming to a
certain sentence in the speech, Mr. Madison
erased a word and substituted another ; but
hesitated, and not feeling satisfied with the
second word, drew his pen through it also.
My son was young, ignorant of the world,
and unconscious of the solecism of which he
was about to be guilty, when, in all simplic-
ity,- he suggested a word. Probably no
other person then living would have taken
such a liberty. But the sage, instead of
reoarding such an intrusion with a frown,
raised his eyes to the boy's face with a
pleased surprise, and said, ' Thank you, sir ;
it is the very word,' and immediately in-
serted it. I saw him the next day, and he
mentioned the circumstance, with a compli-
ment on the young critic."
Mr. Madison died at Montpelier, June 28,
1836, at the advanced age of eighty-five.
While not possessing the highest order of
talent, and deficient in oratorical powers,
he was pre-eminently a statesman, of a well-
balanced mind. His attainments were solid,
his knowledge copious, his judgment gener-
ally sound, his powers of anal3-sis and logi-
cal statement rarely surpassed, his language
and literary style correct and polished, his
conversation witty, his temperament san-
guine and trusfful, his integrity unques-
tioned, his manners simple, courteous and
winning. By these rare qualities he con-
ciliated the esteem not only of friend*, but
of political opponents, in a greater degree
than any x\merican statesman in the present
century.
Mrs. Madison survived her husband thir-
teen 3 cars, and died July 12, 1849, i'^ the
eighty -second year of her age. She was one
of the most remarkable women our coun-
try has produced. Even now she is ad-
miringly remembered in Washington as
" Doll}' Madison," and it is fitting that her
memory should descend to posterity in
company with thatof the companion of
her life.
PJtESIDEXTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
''i^t^»^ta9
:S^
SSS.-Fx^n lES-IES-:
^^ ^Ffi^'^^^^k'^^'ji^a:
'^^^^it
gi<^'5gi«ji*a«^-
• yf'F(^■^
^Y
ir'C^^ y AMES MONROE, the fifth
President of the United
States, i8i7-'25,\vasborn
in Westmoreland County
Virginia, April 28, 1758.
He was a son of Spence
Monroe, and a descendant
of a Scottish cavalier fam-
ily. Like all his predeces-
sors thus far in the Presi-
dential chair, he enjoyed all
the advantages of educa-
tion which the country
could then afford. He was
early sent to a fine classical
school, and at the age of six-
teen entered William and Mary College..
In 1776, when he had been in college but
two years, the Declaration of Independence
was adopted, and our feeble militia, with-
out arms, amunition or clothing, were strug-
gling against the trained armies of England.
James Monroe left college, hastened to
General Washington's headquarters at New
York and enrolled himself as a cadet in the
army.
At Trenton Lieutenant Monroe so dis-
tinguished himself, receiving a wound in his
shoulder, that he was promoted to a Cap-
taincy. Upon recovering from his wound,
he was invited to act as aide to Lord Ster-
ling, and in that capacity he took an active
part in the battles of Brandywine, Ger-
aiantownand Monmouth. At Germantown
he stood by the side of Lafayette when the
French Marquis received his wound. Gen-
eral Washington, who had formed a high
idea of young Monroe's ability, sent him to
Virginia to raise a new regiment, of which
he was to be Colonel; but so exhausted was
Virginia at that time that the effort proved
unsuccessful. He, however, received his
commission.
Finding no opportunity to enter the arm\-
as a commissioned officer, he returned to his
original plan of studying law, and entered
the office of Thomas Jefferson, who was
then Governor of Virginia. He developed
a very noble character, frank, manly and
sincere. Mr. Jefferson said of him:
"James Monroe is so perfectly honest
that if his soul were turned inside out there
would not be found a spot on it."
In 1782 he was elected to the Assembly
of Virginia, and was also appointed a mem-
ber of the Executive Council. The next
year he was chosen delegate to the Conti-
nental Congress for a term of three years.
He was present at Annapolis when Wash-
ington surrendered his commission of Com-
mander-in-chief.
With Washington, Jefferson and Madison
he felt deeply the inefficiency of the old
Articles of Confederation, and urged the
formation of a new Constitution, which
should invest the Central Government with
something like national power. Influenced
by these views, he introduced a resolution
JAMES MONROE.
3S
that Congress should be empowered to
regulate trade, and to lay an impost duty
of five per cent. The resolution was refer-
red to a committee of which he was chair-
man. The report and the discussion which
rose upon it led to the convention of five
States at Annapolis, and the consequent
general convention at Philadelphia, which,
in 1787, drafted the Constitution of the
United States.
At this time there was a controversy be-
tween New York and Massachusetts in
reference to their boundaries. The high
esteem in which Colonel Monroe was held
is indicated by the fact that he was ap-
pointed one of the judges to decide the
controversy. While in New York attend-
ing Congress, he married Miss Kortright,
a young lady distinguished alike for her
beauty and accomplishments. For nearly
fifty years this happy union remained un-
broken. In London and in Paris, as in her
own country, Mrs. Monroe won admiration
and affection by the loveliness of her per-
son, the brilliancy of her intellect, and the
amiability of her character.
Returning to Virginia, Colonel Monroe
commenced the practice of law at Freder-
icksburg. He was very soon elected to a
seat in the State Legislature, and the next
year he was chosen a member of the Vir-
ginia convention which was assembled to
decide upon the acceptance or rejection of
the Constitution which had been drawn up
at Philadelphia, and was now submitted
to the several States. Deeply as he felt
the imperfections of the old Confederacy,
he was opposed to the new Constitution,
thinking, with man}' others of the Republi-
can party, that it gave too much power to
the Central Government, and not enough
to the individual States.
\x\ 1789 he became a member of the
United States Senate, which office he held
acceptably to his constituents, and with
honor to himself for four years.
Having opposed the Constitution as not
leaving enough power with the States, he,
of course, became more and more identi-
fied with the Republican party. Thus he
found himself in cordial co-operation with
Jefferson and Madison. The great Repub-
lican party became the dominant power
which ruled the land.
George Washington was then President.
England had espoused the cause of the
Bourbons against the principles of the
French Revolution. President Washing-
ton issued a proclamation of neutralit}- be-
tween these contending powers. France
had helped us in the struggle for our lib-
erties. All the despotisms of Europe were
now combined to prevent the French
from escaping from tyranny a thousandfold
worse than that which we had endured.
Colonel Monroe, more magnanimous than
prvident, was an.xious that we should help
our old allies in their extremitv. He vio-
lently opposed the President's procla-
mation as ungrateful and wanting in
magnanimitv.
Washington, who could appreciate such
a character, developed his calm, serene,
almost divine greatness bv appointing that
very James Monroe, who was denouncing
the polic}- of the Government, as the Minis-
ter of that Government to the republic of
France. He was directed b}' Washington
to express to the French people our warm-
est sympathy, communicating to them cor-
responding resolves approved by the Pres-
ident, and adopted \yy both houses of
Congress.
Mr. Monroe was welcomed by the Na-
tional Convention in France with the most
enthusiastic demonstrations of respect and
affection. He was publicly introduced to
that body, and received the embrace of the
President, Merlin de Douay, after having
been addressed in a speech glowing with
congratulations, and with expressions of
desire that harmony might ever exist be-
36
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
tween the two nations. The flags of the
two republics were intertwined in the hall
of the convention. Mr. Afonroe presented
the American colors, and received those of
France in return. The course which he
pursued in Paris was so annoying to Eng-
land and to the friends of England in
this country that, near the close of Wash-
ington's administration, Mr. Monroe, was
recalled.
After his return Colonel Monroe wrote a
book of 400 pages, entitled " A View of the
Conduct of the Executive in Foreign Af-
fairs." In this work he very ably advo-
cated his side of the question; but, with
the magnanimit\- of the man, he recorded a
warm tribute to the patriotism, ability and
spotless integrity of John Jay, between
whom and himself there was intense antag-
onism ; and in subsequent years he ex-
pressed in warmest terms his perfect
veneration for the character of George
Washington.
Shortlv after his return to this country
Colonel Monroe was elected Governor of
Virginia, and held that office for three
years, the period limited by the Constitu-
tion. In 1802 he was an Envoy to France,
and to Spain in 1805, and was Minister to
England in 1803. In 1806 he returned to
his quiet home in Virginia, and with his
wife and children and an ample competence
from his paternal estate, enjoyed a few years
of domestic repose.
In 1809 Mr. Jefferson's second term of
office expired, and many of the Republican
party were anxious to nominate James
Monroe as his successor. The majority
were in favor of Mr. Madison. Mr. Mon-
roe withdrew his name and was soon after
chosen a second time Governor of Virginia.
He soon resigned that office to accept the
position of Secretary of State, offered him
by President Madison.- The correspond-
ence which he then carried on with the
British Government demonstrated that
there was no hope of any peaceful adjust-
ment of our difficulties with the cabinet of
St. James. War was consequently declared
in June, 1812. Immediately after the sack
of Washington the Secretary of War re-
signed, and Mr. Monroe, at the earnest
request of Mr. Madison, assumed the ad-
ditional duties of the War Department,
without resigning his position as Secretary
of State. It has been confidently stated,
that, had Mr. Monroe's energies been in the
War Department a few months earlier, the
disaster at Washington would not have
occurred.
The duties now devolving upon Mr. Mon-
roe were extremely arduous. Ten thou-
sand men, picked from the veteran armies
of England, were sent with a powerful fleet
to New Orleans to acquire possession of
the mouths of the Mississippi. Our finan-
ces were in the most deplorable condition.
The treasury was exhausted and our credit
gone. And ^et it was necessary to make
the most rigorous preparations to meet the
foe. In this crisis James Monroe, the Sec-
retary of War, with virtue unsurpassed in
Greek or Roman story, stepped forward
and pledged his own individual credit as
subsidiary to that of the nation, and thus
succeeded in placing the city of New Or-
leans in such a posture of defense, that it
was enabled successfully to repel the in-
vader.
Mr. Monroe was truly tlic annor-bcarer
of President Madison, and the most efficient
business man in his cabinet. His energy
in the dmible capacity of Secretary, both
of State and War, pervaded all the depart-
ments of the country. He proposed to
increase the arm}- to 100,000 men, a meas-
ure which he deemed absolutely necessary
to save us from ignominious defeat, but
which, at the same time, he knew would
render his name so unpopular as to preclude
the possibilit}' of his being a successful can-
didate for the Presidency.
JAMES MONROE.
37
The happy result of the conference at
Ghent in securing peace rendered the in-
crease of the army unnecessary; but it is not
too much to say that James Monroe placed
in the hands of Andrew Jackson the
weapon with which to beat off the foe at
New Orleans. Upon the return of peace
Mr. Monroe resigned the department of
war, devoting himself entirely to the duties
of Secretary of State. These he continued
to discharge until the close of President
Madison's administration, with zeal which
was never abated, and with an ardor of
self-devotion which made him almost for-
getful of the claims of fortune, health or
life.
Mr. Madison's second term expired in
March, 1817, and Mr. Monroe succeeded
to the Presidency. He was a candidate of
the Republican party, now taking the name
of the Democratic Republican. In 1821 he
was re-elected, with scarcely any opposition.
Out of 232 electoral votes, he received 231.
The slavery question, which subsequently
assumed such formidable dimensions, now
began to make its appearance. The State
of Missouri, which had been carved out of
that immense territory which we had pur-
chased of France, applied for admission to
the Union, with a slavery Constitution.
There were not a few who foresaw the
evils impending. After the debate of a
week it was decided that Missouri could
not be admitted into the Union with slav-
er}'. This important question was at length
settled bv a compromise proposed by
Henry Clay.
The famous "Monroe Doctrine," of which
so much has been said, originated in this
way: In 1823 it was rumored that the
Holy Alliance was about to interfere to
prevent the establishment of Republican
liberty in the European colonies of South
America. President Monroe wrote to his
old friend Thomas Jefferson for advice in
the emergency. In his reply under date of
October 24, Mr. Jefferson writes upon the
supposition that our attempt to resist this
European movement might lead to war:
" Its object is to introduce and establish
the American system of keeping out of our
land all foreign powers; of never permitting
those of Europe to intermeddle with the
affairs of our nation. It is to maintain our
own principle, not to depart from it."
December 2, 1823, President Monroe
sent a message to Congress, declaring it to
be the policy of this Government not to
entangle ourselves with the broils of Eu-
rope, and not to allow Europe to interfere
with the affairs of nations on the American
continent; and the doctrine was announced,
that any attempt on the part of the Euro-
pean powers " to extend their system to
any portion of this hemisphere would be
regarded by the United States as danger-
ous to our peace and safety."
March 4, 1825, Mr. Monroe surrendered
the presidential chair to his Secretary of
State, John Ouincy Adams, and retired,
with the universal respect of the nation,
to his private residence at Oak Hill, Lou-
doun County, Virginia. His time had been
so entirel}- consecrated to his country, that
he had neglected his pecuniary interests,
and was deeply involved in debt. The
welfare of his country had ever been up-
permost in his mind.
For man\' years Mrs. Monroe was in such
feeble health that she rarely appeared in
public. In 1830 Mr. Monroe took up his
residence with his son-in-law in New York,
where he died on the 4th of July, 183 1.
The citizens of New York conducted his
obsequies with pageants more imposing
than had ever been witnessed there before.
Our country will ever cherish his mem-
ory with pride, gratefully enrolling his
name in the list of its benefactors, pronounc-
ing him the worthy successor of the illus-
trious men who had preceded him in the
presidential chair^
38
PKESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
iHSaHHaHd! r! H r' ?FF?^??aH
'Si(x^i}d~. .^ ^ ^^ .^
HSHHHI
JaffiiQ Qminof Adam
'ii^m^m^r
''■:\,^r;j^C,;^^/^^,.; ^'
,$m
'I'^OHN QUINCY ADAMS,
''3:
the sixth President of the
United States, i825-'9,
was born in the rural
home of his honored
father, John Adams, in
Q u i n c y , Massachusetts,
July II, 1767. Hismother,
a woman of exalted worth,
watclied over his childhood
during the almost constant
absence of his father. He
commenced his education
at the village school, giving
at an early period indica-
tions of superior mental en-
dowments.
When eleven years of age he sailed with
his father for Europe, wiiere the latter was
associated with Franklin and Lee as Minister
Plenipotentiary. The intelligence of John
Quincy attracted the attention of these men
and received from them flattering marks of
attention. Mr. Adams had scarcely returned
to this country in 1779 ere he was again
sent abroad, and John Quincy again accom-
panied him. On this voyage he commenced
a diary, which practice he continued, with
but few interruptions, until his death. He
journeyed with his father from Ferrol, in
Spain, to Paris. Here he applied himself
for six months to study; then accompanied
liis father to Holland, where he entered,
first a school in Amsterdam, and then the
University of Leyden. In 1781, when only
fourteen years of age, he was selected by
Mr. Dana, our Minister to the Russian
court, as his private secretary. In this
school of incessant labor he spent fourteen
months, and then returned alone to Holland
through Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg and
Bremen. Again he resumed his studies
under a private tutor, at The Hague.
In the spring of 1782 he accompanied liis
father to Paris, forming acquaintance with
the most distinguished men on the Conti-
nent. After a short visit to England, he re-
turned to Paris and studied until May,
1785, when he returned to America, leav-
ing his father an embassador at the court
of St. James. In 1786 he entered the jun-
ior class in Harvard University, and grad-
uated with the second honor of his class.
The oration he delivered on this occasion,
the " Importance of Public Faith to the
Well-being of a Community," was pub-
lished — an event very rare in this or any
other land.
Upon leaving college at the age of twenty
he studied law three years with tlie Hon.
Theophilus Parsons in Newburyport. In
1790 he opened a law office in Boston. The
profession was crowded with able men, and
the fees were small. The first year he had
Ui W . iJ^i.
CUVyy^
JOHN ^UINCr ADAMS.
no clients, but not a moment was lost. The
second year passed away, still no clients,
and still he was dependent upon his parents,
for support. Anxiously he awaited the
third year. The reward now came. Cli-
ents began to enter his office, and before
the end of the year he was so crowded
with business that all solicitude respecting
a support was at an end.
When Great Britain commenced war
against France, in 1793, Mr. Adams wrote
some articles, urging entire neutrality on
the part of the United States. The view
was not a popular one. Many felt that as
France had helped us, we were bound to
help France. But President Washington
coincided with Mr. Adams, and issued his
proclamation of neutrality. His writings
at this time in the Boston journals gave
him so high a reputation, that in June,
1794, he was appointed by Washington
resident Minister at the Netherlands. In
July, 1797, he left The Hague to go to Port-
ugal as Minister Plenipotentiary. Wash-
ington at this time wrote to his father, John
Adams:
" Without intending to compliment the
father or the mother, or to censure any
others, I give it as m}- decided opinion,
that Mr. Adams is the most valuable char-
acter we have abroad; and there remains
no doubt in m)' mind that he will prove the
ablest of our diplomatic corps."
On his way to Portugal, upon his arrival
in London, he met with dispatches direct-
ing him to the court of Berlin, but request-
ing him to remain in London until he should
receive instructions. While waiting he
was married to Miss Louisa Catherine John-
son, to whom he had been previously en-
gaged. Miss Johnson was a daughter of
Mr. Joshua Johnson, American Consul
in London, and was a lady endowed with
that beauty and those accomplishments
which fitted her to move in the elevated
sphere for which she was destined.
In July, 1799, having fulfilled all the pur-
poses of his mission, Mr. Adams returned.
In 1802 he was chosen to the Senate of
Massachusetts from Boston, and then was
elected Senator of the United States for six
years from March 4, 1804. His reputation,
his ability and his experience, placed him
immediately among the most prominent
and influential members of that body. He
sustained the Government in its measures
of resistance to the encrcjachments of Eng-
land, destroying our commerce and insult-
ing our flag. There was no man in America
more familiar with the arrogance of the
British court upon these points, and no
one more resolved to present a firm resist-
ance. This course, so truly patriotic, and
which scarcely a voice will now be found
to condemn, alienated him from the Fed-
eral party dominant in Boston, and sub-
jected him to censure.
In 1805 Mr. Adams was chosen professor
of rhetoric in Harvard College. His lect-
ures at this place were subsequently pub-
lished. In 1809 he was sent as Minister to
Russia. He was one of the commissioners
that negotiated the treaty of peace with
Great Britain, signed December 24, 18 14,
and he was appointed Minister to the court
of St. James in 1815. In 1817 he became
Secretary of State in Mr. Monroe's cabinet
in which position he remained eight years.
Few will now contradict the assertion that
the duties of that office were never more
ably discharged. Probably the most im-
portant measure which Mr. Adams con-
ducted was the purchase of Florida from
Spain for $5,000,000.
The campaign of 1824 was an exciting
one. Four candidates were in the field.
Of the 260 electoral votes that were cast,
Andrew Jackson received ninety-nine; John
Quincy Adams, eighty-four; William H.
Crawford, forty-one, and Henry Clay,
thirty-seven. As there was no choice by
the people, the question went to the House
*>
PliES/DENTS OF THE UN/TED STATES.
of Representatives. Mr. Clay gave the
vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, and fie
was elected.
Tfic friends of all disappointed candidates
now combined in a x'enomous assault upon
Mr. Adams. There is nothing more dis-
graceful in the past history of our country
than the abuse which was poured in one
uninterrupted stream upon this high-
minded, upright, j^atriotic man. There was
never an administration more pure in prin-
ciples, more conscientiously devoted to the
best interests of the country, than that of
John Quincy Adams; and never, perhaps,
was there an administration more unscru-
pulously assailed. Mr. Adams took his seat
in the presidential chair resolved not to
know any partisanship, but only to con-
sult for the interests of the whole Republic,
He refused to dismiss an}^ man from of-
fice for his political views. If he was a faith-
ful officer that was enough. Bitter must
have been his disappointment to find that the
Nation could not appreciate such conduct.
Mr. Adams, in his public manners, was
cold and repulsive; though with his per-
sonal friends he was at times very genial.
This chilling address very seriously de-
tracted from his popularity. No one can
read an impartial record of his administra-
tion without admitting that a more noble
example of uncompromising dignity can
scarcely be found. It was stated publicly
that Mr. Adams' administration was to be
put down, " though it be as pure as the an-
gels which stand at the right hand of the
throne of God." Many of the active par-
ticipants in these scenes lived to regret the
course they pursued. Some years after,
Warren R. Davis, of South Carolina, turn-
ing to Mr. Adams, then a member of the
House of I^epresentatives, said:
" Well do I remember the enthusiastic
zeal with which we reproached the admin-
istration of that gentleman, and the ardor
and vehemence with which wc labored to
bring in another. For the share I had in
these transactions, and it was not a small
one, I hope God will forgive vie, for I shall
7iever forgive myself.
March 4, 1829, Mr. Adams retired from
the Presidency and was succeeded by An-
drew Jackson, the latter receiving 168 out
of 261 electoral votes. John C. Calhoun
was elected Vice-President. The slavery
question now began to assume pretentious
magnitude. Mr. Adams returned to
Quincy, and pursued his studies with una-
bated zeal. But he was not long permitted
to remain in retirement. In N )vcmber,
1830, he was elected to Congress. In this
he recognized the principle that it is honor-
able for the General of yesterday to act as
Corporal to-day, if by so doing he can ren-
der service to his countr}'. Deep as are
our obligations to John Quincy Adams for
his services as embassador, as Secretary of
State and as President; in his capacity as
legislator in the House of Representa-
tives, he conferred benefits upon our land
which eclipsed all the rest, and which can
never be over-estimated.
For seventeen years, until his death, he
occupied the post of Representative, tow-
ering above all his peers, ever ready to do
brave battle for freedom, and winning the
title of " the old man eloquent." Upon
taking his seat in the House he announced
that he should hold himself bound to no
party. He was usually the first in his
place in the morning, and the last to leave
his seat in the evening. Not a measure
could escape his scrutiny. The battle
which he fought, almost singly, against the
pro-slavery party in the Government, was
sublime in its moral daring and heroism.
For persisting in presenting petitions for
the abolition of slavery, he was threatened
with indictment by the Grand Jury, with
expulsion from the House, with assassina-
tion; but no threats could intimidate him,
and his final triumph was complete.
JOHN ^UINCr ADAMS.
43
On one occasion Mr. Adams presented a
petition, signed by several women, against
tlie annexation of Texas for the purpose of
cutting it up into slave States. Mr. How-
ard, of Maryland, said that these women
discredited not only themselves, but their
section of the country, by turning from
their domestic duties to the conflicts of po-
litical life.
"Are women," exclaimed Mr. Adams,
" to have no opinions or actions on subjects
relating to the general welfare? Where
did the gentleman get his principle? Did
he find it in sacred history, — in the language
of Miriam, the pr<:)phetess, in one of the
noblest and sublime songs of triumph that
ever met the human eye or ear? Did the
gentleman never hear of Deborah, to whom
the children of Israel came up for judg-
ment ? Has he forgotten the deed of Jael,
who slew the dreaded enemy of her coun-
try ? Has he forgotten Esther, who, by her
petition saved her people and her coun-
try?
" To go from sacred history to profane,
does the gentleman there find it 'discredita-
ble ' for women to take an interest in politi-
cal affairs? Has he forgotten the Spartan
mother, who said to her son when going
out to battle, ' My son, come back to me
zvith th}' shield, or jipon thy shield?' Does
he remember Cloelia and her hundred com-
panions, who swam across the river unt"'er
a shower of darts, escaping from Porsena ?
Has he forgotten Cornelia, the mother of
the Gracchi ? Does he not remember Por-
tia, the wife of Brutus and the daughter of
Cato ?
" To come to later periods, what says the
history of our Anglo-Saxon ancestors ?
To say nothing of Boadicea, the British
heroine in the time of the Caesars, what
name is more illustrious than that of Eliza-
beth ? Or, if he will go to the continent,
will he not find the names of Maria Theresa
of Hungary, of the two Catherines of
Prussia, and of Isabella of Castile, the pa-
troness of Columbus ? Did she bring ' dis-
credit ' on her sex by mingling in politics ? "
In this glowing strain Mr. Adams si-
lenced and overwhelmed his antagonists.
In January, 1842, Mr. Adams presented
a petition from forty-five citizens of Haver-
hill, Massachusetts, praying for a peaceable
dissolution of the Union. The pro-slavery
party in Congress, who were then plotting
the destruction of the Government, were
aroused to a pretense of commotion such as
even our stormy hall of legislation has
rarely witnessed. They met in caucus, and,
finding that they probably would not be
able to expel Mr. Adams from the House
drew up a series of resolutions, which, if
adopted, would inflict upon him disgrace,
equivalent to expulsion. Mr. Adams had
presented the petition, which was most re-
spectfully worded, and had moved that it be
referred to a committee instructed to re-
port an answer, showing the reason why
the prayer ought not to be granted.
It was the 25th of' January. The whole
body of the pro-slavery party came crowd-
ing together in the House, prepared to
crush Mr. Adams forever. One of the num-
ber, Thomas F. Marshall, of Kentucky, was
appointed to read the resolutions, which
accused Mr. Adams of high treason, of
having insulted the Government, and of
meriting expulsion; but for which deserved
punishment, the House, in its great mercy,
would substitute its severest censure. With
the assumption of a very solemn and mag-
isterial air, there being breathless silence in
the audience, Mr. Marshall hurled the care-
fully prepared anathemas at his victim.
Mr. Adams stood alone, the whole pro-slav-
ery party against him.
As soon as the resolutions were read,
every eye being fixed upon him, that bold
old man, whose scattered locks were whit-
ened by seventy-five years, casting a wither-
ing glance in the direction of his assailants,
44
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
in :i clear, slirill tone, trcmuloiis with sup-
pressed emotion, said:
" In reply to this audacious, atrocious
charije of liig'h treason, I call for the read-
ing of the first paragraj)h of the Declaration
of Independence. Read it ! Read it ! and
see what that says of the rights of a people
to reform, to change, and to dissolve their
Government.'
The attitude, the manner, the tone, the
words; the venerable old man, with flash-
ing eye and flushed cheek, and whose very
form seemed to expand under the inspiration
of the occasion — all presented a scene over-
flowing in its sublimity. There was breath-
less silence as that paragraph was read, in
defense of whose principles our fathers had
pledged their lives, their fortunes and their
sacred honor. It was a proud hour to Mr.
Adams as thev were all compelled to listen
to the words:
" That, to secure these rights, govern-
ments are instituted among men, deriving
their just powers fn^m the consent of the
governed; and that whenever any form of
government becomes destructive of those
ends, it is the right of the people to alter or
abolish it, and to institute new government,
laying its foundations on such principles
and organizing its powers in such form
as shall seem most likely to effect their
safety and happiness."
That one sentence routed and baffled the
foe. The heroic old man looked around
upon the audience, and thundered out,
" Read that again!" It was again read.
Then in a few fiery, logical words he stated
his defense in terms which even prejudiced
minds could not resist. His discomfited
assailants made several attempts to rally.
After a conflict of eleven days they gave
up vanquished and their resolution was ig-
nominiously laid upon the table.
In January, 1846, when seventy-eight
years of age, he took part in the great de-
bate on the Oregon question, displaying
intellectual vigor, and an extent and accu-
racy of acquaintance with the subject that
excited great admiration.
On the 2 1 St of February, 1848, he rose on
the floor of Congress with a paper in his
hand to address the Speaker. Suddenly
he fell, stricken by paralysis, and was caught
in the arms of those around him. For a
time he was senseless and was conveyed
to a sofa in the rotunda. With reviving
consciousness he opened his eyes, looked
calmly around and said, " This is the end of
earth." Then after a moment's pause, he
added, " I am content." These were his last
words, and he soon breathed his last, in the
apartment beneath the dome of the capitol
— the theater of his labors and his triumphs.
In the language of hymnology, he " died at
his post;" he " ceased at once to work and
live."
ANDREW JACKSON.
47
4-
g^ gfe «n n^f
I fi'MjD'B*EM;3ffiCSK.SieWI
( •■
^^M
•^ ^
^m
NDREW JACKSON,
the seventh President
of the United States,
i829-'37, was born at
the Waxhaw Settle,
ment, Union Coun-
ty, North Carolina,
[arch i6, 1767. His parents
;ere Scotch-Irish, natives of
^arrickfergus, who came to
Lmerica in 1765, and settled
Twelve-Mile Creek, a trib-
utary of the Catawba. His
father, who was a poor farm
laborer, died shortly before An-
drew's birth, when his mother removed to
Waxhaw, where some relatives resided.
Few particulars of the childhood of Jack-
son have been preserved. His education
was of the most limited kind, and he showed
no fondness for books. He grew up to be a
tall, lank boy, with coarse hair and freck-
led cheeks, with bare feet dangling from
trousers too short for him, very fond of ath-
letic sports, running, boxing and wrestling.
He was generous to the younger and
weaker boj's, but very irascible and over-
bearing with his equals and superiors. He
was profane — a vice in which he surpassed
all other men. The character of his mother
he revered; and it was not until after her
death that his predominant vices gained
full strength.
- In 1780, at the age of thirteen, Andrew,
or Andy, as he was called, with his brother
Robert, volunteered to serve in the Revo-
lutionary forces under General Sumter, and
was a witness of the latter's defeat at Hang-
ing Rock. In the following )-ear the
brothers were made prisoners, and confined
in Camden, experiencing brutal treatment
from their captors, and being spectators of
General Green's defeat at Hobkirk Hill.
Through their mother's exertions the boys
were exchanged while suffering from small-
pox. In two days Robert was dead, and
Andy apparently dying. The strength of
his constitution triumphed, and he regained
health and vigor.
As he was getting better, his mother
heard the cry of anguish from the prison-
ers whom the British held in Charleston,
among whom were the sons of her sisters.
She hastened to their relief, was attacked
by fever, died and was buried where her
grave could never be found. Thus Andrew
Jackson, when fourteen years of age, was
left alone in the world, without father,
mother, sister or brother, and without one
dollar which he could call his own. He
48
PlfBSfDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
soon entered a saddler's shop, and labored
diligently for six months. But gradually,
as health returned, he became more and
more a wild, reckless, lawless boy. He
gambled, drank and was regarded as about
the worst character that could be found.
He now turned schoolmaster. He could
teach the alphabet, perhaps the multiplica-
tion table; and as he was a very bold boy,
it is possible he might have ventured to
teach a little writing. But he soon began to
think of a profession and decided to study
law. With a very slender purse, and on
the back of a very fine horse, he set out
for Salisbury, North Carolina, where he
entered the law office of Mr. McCay.
Here he remained two years, professedly
studying law. He is still remembered in
traditions of Salisbury, which say:
" Andrew Jackson was the most roaring,
rollicking, horse-racing, card-playing, mis-
chievous fellow that ever lived in Salisbury.
He did not trouble the law-books much."
Andrew was now, at the age of twenty,
a tall young man, being over six feet in
height. He was slender, remarkably grace-
ful and dignified in his manners, an exquis-
ite horseman, and developed, amidst his
traversed the almost pathless forest between
Nashville and Jonesborough, a distance of
200 miles, twent3'-two times. Hostile In-
dians were constantly on the watch, and a
man was liable at any moment to be shot
down in his own field. Andrew Jackson
was just the man for this service — a wild,
daring, rough backwoodsman. Daily he
made hair-breadth escapes. He seemed to
bear a charmed life. Boldly, alone or with
few companions, he traversed the forests,
encountering all perils and triumphing
over all.
In 1790 Tennessee became a Territory,
and Jackson was appointed, by President
Washington, United States Attorney for
the new district. In 1791 he married Mrs.
Rachel Robards (daughter of Colonel John
Donelson), whom he supposed to have been
divorced in that year by an act of the Leg-
islature of Virginia. Two years after this
Mr. and Mrs. Jackson learned, to their
great surprise, that Mr. Robards had just
obtained a divorce in one of the courts of
Kentuck}-, and that the act of the Virginia
Legislature was not final, but conditional.
To remedy the irregularity as much as pos-
sible, a new license was obtained and the
loathesome profanity and multiform vices, a marriage ceremony was again performed
vein of rare magnanimity. His temper was
fiery in the extreme; but it was said of him
that no man knew better than Andrew
Jackson when to get angry and when not.
In 1786 he was admitted to the bar, and
two years later removed to Nashville,
in what was then the western district of
North Carolina, with the appointment of so-
licitor, or public prosecutor. It was an of-
fice of little honor, small emolument and
great peril. Few men could be found to
accept it.
And now Andrew Jackson commenced
vigorously to practice law. It was an im-
portant part of his business to collect debts.
It required nerve. During the first seven
years of his residence in those wilds he
It proved to be a marriage of rare felic-
ity. Probably there never was a more
affectionate union. However rough Mr.
Jackson might have been abroad, he was
alwa3'S gentle and tender at home; and
through all the vicissitudes of their lives, he
treated Mrs. Jackson wil;h the most chival-
ric attention.
Under the circumstances it was not un-
natural that the facts in the case of this
marriage were so misrepresented bv oppo-
nents in the political campaigns a quarter
or a century later as to become the basis
of serious charges against Jackson's moral-
ity which, however, have been satisfactorily
attested by abundant evidence.
Jackson was untiring in his duties as
A.VUtih \r JACKSO V.
49
United States Attorney, which demanded
frequent journeys through the wilderness
and exposed him to Indian hostilities. He
acquired considerable property in land, and
obtained such influence as to be chosen
a member of the convention which framed
the Constitution for the new State of Ten-
nessee, in 1796, and in that year was elected
its first Representative in Congress. Albert
Gallatin thus describes the first appearance
of the Hon. Andrew Jackson in the House:
" A tall, lank, uncouth-looking personage,
with locks of hair hanging over his face and
a cue down his back, tied with an eel skin;
his dress singular, his manners and deport-
ment those of a rough backwoodsman."
Jackson was an earnest advocate of the
Democratic party. Jefferson was his idol.
He admired Bonaparte, loved France and
hated England. As Mr. Jackson took his
seat, General Washington, whose second
term of office was just expiring, delivered
his last speech to Congress. A committee
drew up a complimentary address in reply.
Andrew Jackson did not approve the ad-
dress and was one of twelve who voted
against it.
Tennessee had fitted out an expedition
against the Indians, contrary to the policy
of the Government. A resolution was intro-
duced that the National Government
should pa\' the expenses. Jackson advo-
cated it and it was carried. This rendered
him very popular in Tennessee. A va-
cancy chanced soon after to occur in the
Senate, and Andrew Jackson was chosen
United States Senator by the State of Ten-
nessee. John Adams was then President
and Thomas Jefferson, Vice-President.
In 1798 Mr. Jackson returned to Tennes-
see, and resigned his seat in the Senate.
Soon after he was chosen Judge of the Su-
preme Court of that State, with a salary of
$600. This office he held six years. It is
said that his decisions, though sometimes
ungrammatical, were generally right. He
did not enjoy his seat upon the bench, and
renounced the dignity in 1804. About
this time he was chosen Major-General of
militia, and lost the title of judge in that of
General.
When he retired from the Senate Cham-
ber, he decided to try his fortune through
trade. He purchased a stock of goods in
Philadelphia and sent them to Nashville,
where he opened a store. He lived about
thirteen miles from Nashville, on a tract of
land of several thousand acres, mostly un-
cultivated. He used a small block-house
for a store, from a narrow window of
which he sold goods to the Indians. As he
had an assistant his office as judge did not
materially interfere with his business.
As to slavery, born in the midst of it. the
idea never seemed to enter his mind that it
could be wrong. He eventually became
an extensive slave owner, but he was one of
the most humane and gentle of masters.
In 1804 Mr. Jackson withdrew from pol-
itics and settled on a plantation which he
called the Hermitage, near Nashville. He
set up a cotton-gin, formed a partnership
and traded in New Orleans, making the
voyage on flatboats. Through his hot tem-
per he became involved in several quarrels
and "affairs of honor," during this period,
in one of which he was severely wounded,
but had the misfortune to kill his opponent,
Charles Dickinson. For a time this affair
greatly injured General Jackson's popular-
ity. The verdict then was, and continues
to be, that General Jackson was outra-
geously wrong. If hesubsequentl}' felt any
remorse he never revealed it to anyone.
In 1805 Aaron Burr had visited Nash-
ville and been a guest of Jackson, with
whom he corresponded on the subject of a
war with Spain, which was anticipated and
desired by them, as well as by the people
of the Southwest generally.
Burr repeated his visit in September,
1806, when he engaged in the celebrated
5°
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
combinations which led to his trial for trea-
son. He was warmly received by Jackson,
at whose instance a public ball was given
in his honor at Nasiiville, and contracted
with the latter for boats and provisions.
Earlv in 1807, when Burr had been pro-
claimed a traitor by President Jefferson,
volunteer forces for the Federal service
were organized at Nashville under Jack-
son's command; but his energj' and activ-
ity did not shield him from suspicions of
connivance in the supposed treason. He
was summoned to Richmond as a witness
in Burr's trial, but was not called to the
stand, probably because he was out-spoken
in his partisanship.
On the outbreak of the war with Great
Britain in 181 2, Jackson tendered his serv-
ices, and in January, 181 3, embarked for
New Orleans at the head of the Tennessee
contingent. In March he received an or-
der to disband his forces; but in Septem-
ber he again took the field, in the Creek
war, and in conjunction with his former
partner. Colonel Coffee, inflicted upon the
Indians the memorable defeat at Talladega,
Emuckfaw and Tallapoosa.
In Ma\ , 1814, Jackson, who had now ac-
quired a national reputation, was appointed
a Major-Generalof the United States army,
and commenced a campaign against the
British in Florida. He conducted the de-
fense at Mobile, September 15, seized upon
Pensacola, November 6, and immediately
transported the bulk of his troops to New
Orleans, then threatened by a powerful
naval force. Martial law was declared in
Louisiana, the State militia was called to
arms, engagements with the British were
fought December 23 and 28, and after re-en-
forcements had been received on both sides
the famous victory of January 8, 181 5,
crowned Jackson's fame as a soldier, and
made him the typical American hero of
the first half of the nineteenth century.
In 1 817-'! 8 Jackson conducted the war
against the Seminoles of Florida, during
which he seized upon Pensacola and exe-
cuted by courtraartial two British subjects,
Arbuthnot and Ambrister acts which
might easily have involved the United
States in war both with Spain and Great
Britain. Fortunately the peril was averted
by the cession of Florida to the United
States; and Jackson, who had escaped a
trial for the irregularity of his conduct
only through a division of opinion in Mon-
roe's cabinet, was appointed in 1821 Gov-
ernor of the new Territory. Soon after he
declined the appointment of minister to
Mexico.
In 1823 Jackson was elected to the United
States Senate, and nominated by the Ten-
nessee Legislature for the Presidency. This
candidacy, though a matter of surprise, and
even merrvment, speedily became popular,
and in 1824, when the stormy electoral can-
vas resulted in the choice of John Quincy
Adams by the House of Representatives,
General Jackson received the largest popu-
lar vote among the four candidates.
In 1828 Jackson was triumphantly elected
President over Adams after a campaign of
unparalleled bitterness. He was inaugu-
rated Marcli 4, 1829, and at once remcived
from office all the incumbents belonging to
the opposite party — a procedure new to
American politics, but which naturally be-
came a precedent.
His first term was characterized by quar-
rels between the Vice-President, Calhoun,
and the Secretary of State, Van Buren, at-
tended by a cabinet crisis originating in
scandals connected with the name of Mrs.
General Eaton, wife of the Secretary of
War; by the beginning of his war u])on the
United States Bank, and by his vigorous
action against the partisans of Calhoun,
who, in South Carolina, threatened to
nullify the acts of Congress, establishing a
protective tariff.
In the Presidential campaign of 1832
ANDREW JACKSON.
51
Jackson received 219 out of 288 electoral
votes, his competitor being Mr. Clay, while
Mr. Wirt, on an Anti-Masonic platform,
received the vote of Vermont alone. In
1833 President Jackson removed the Gov-
ernment deposits from the United States
bank, thereby incurring a vote of censure
from the Senate, which was, however, ex-
punged four years later. During this second
term of office the Cherokees, Choctaws and
Creeks were removed, not without diffi-
culty, from Georgia, Alabama and Missis-
sippi, to the Indian Territory; the National
debt was extinguished; Arkansas and
Michigan were admitted as States to the
Union; the Seminole war was renewed; the
anti-slavery agitation first acquired impor-
tance; the Mormon delusion, which had
organized in 1829, attained considerable
proportions in Ohio and Missouri, and the
country experienced its greatest pecuniary
panic.
Railroads with locomotive propulsion
were introduced into America during Jack-
son's first term, and had become an impor-
tant element of national life before the
close of his second term. For many rea-
sons, therefore, the administration of Presi-
dent Jackson formed an era in American
history, political, social and industrial.
He succeeded in effecting the election of
his friend Van Buren as his successor, re-
tired from the Presidency March 4, 1837,
and led a tranquil life at the Hermitage
until his death, which occurred June 8,
1845. _
During his closing years he was a pro-
fessed Christian and a member of the Pres-
byterian church. No American of this
century has been the subject of such oppo-
site judgments. He was loved and hated
with equal vehemence during his life, but
at the present distance of time from his
career, while opinions still vary as to the
merits of his public acts, few of his country-
men will question that he was a warm-
hearted, brave, patriotic, honest and sincere
man. If his distinguishing qualities were
not such as constitute statesmanship, in the
highest sense, he at least never pretended
to other merits than such as were written
to his credit on the page of American his-
tory — not attempting to disguise the de-
merits which were equally legible. The
majority of his countrymen accepted and
honored him, in spite of all that calumny
as well as truth could allege against him.
His faults may therefore be truly said to
have been those of his time; his magnifi-
cent virtues may also, with the same jus-
tice, be considered as typical of a state of
society which has nearly passed away.
52
PRESIDENTS OF THE U.XITED STATES.
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>^ ACHARY TAY-
r-^ LOR, the twelfth
' "" President of the
United States,
i849-'50, was born
in Orange County,
Virginia, Septem-
1784. His father,
Richard Taylor, was Colo-
nel of a Virginia regiment
in the Revolutionary war,
and removed to Kentucky
in 1785 ; purchased a large
plantation near Louisville
and became an influential cit-
izen ; was a member of the convention that
framed the Constitution of Kentucky; served
in both branches of the Legislature ; was
Collector of the port of Louisville under
President Washington ; as a Presidential
elector, voted for Jefferson, Madison, Mon-
roe and Clay; died January 19,1829.
Zachary remained on his father's planta-
tion until 1808, in which year (May 3) he
was appointed First Lieutenant in the
Seventh Infantry, to fill a vacancy oc-
casioned by the death of his elder brother,
Hancock. Up to this point he had received
but a limited education.
joining his regiment at New Orleans, he
was attacked with yellow fever, with nearly
fatal termination. In November, 18 10, he
was promoted to Captain, and ni the sum-
mer of 1812 he was in command of Fort
Harrison, on the left bank of the Wabash
River, near the present site of Terre Haute,
his successful defense of which with but a
handful of men against a large force of
Indians whicii had attacked him was one of
the first marked military achievements of
the war. He was then brevetted Major,
and in 18 14 promoted to the full rank.
During the remainder of the war Taylor
was actively emplo3-ed on the Western
frontier. In the peace organization of 181 5
he was retained as Captain, but soon after
resigned and settled near Louisville. In
May, 1816, however, he re-entered the army
as Major of the Third Infantry ; became
Lieutenant-Colonel of the Eighth Infantry
in 1819, and in 1832 attained the Colonelcy
of the First Infantry, of which he had been
Lieutenant-Colonel since 1821. On different
occasions he had been called to Washington
as member of a military board for organiz-
ing the militia of the Union, and to aid the
Government with his knowledge in the
organization of the Indian Bureau, having
for many years discharged the duties of
Indian agent over large tracts of Western
»^
ZACHART TAT LOR.
7i
country. He served through the Black
Hawk war in 1832, and in 1837 was ordered
to take command in Florida, then the scene
of war with the Indians.
In 1846 he was transferred to the com-
mand of the Army of the Southwest, from
which he was relieved the same year at his
own request. Subsequentl)" he was sta-
tioned on the Arkansas frontier at Forts
Gibbon, Smith and Jesup, which latter work
had been built under his direction in 1822.
Way 28, 1 84:5, '""c received a dispatch from
the Secretarv of War informing him of the
receipt of information by the President
" that Texas would shortly accede to the
terms of anne.xation," in which event he
was instructed to defend and protect her
from " foreign invasion and Indian incur-
sions." He proceeded, upon the annexation
of Texas, with about 1,500 men to Corpus
Chnsti, where his force was increased to
some 4,000.
Taylor was brevetted Major-General May
28, and a month later, June 29, 1S46, his full
commission to that grade was issued. After
needed rest and reinforcement, he advanced
in September on Monterey, which city ca-
pitulated after three-days stubborn resist-
ance. Here he took up his winter quarters.
The plan for the invasion of Mexico, by
way of Vera Cruz, with Gene'^al Scott in
command, was now determined upon by
the Govenrment, and at the moment Taylor
was about to resume active operations, he
received orders to send the larger part of
his force to reinforce the army of General
Scott at Vera Cruz. Though subsequently
reinforced by raw recruits, yet after pro-
viding a garrison for Monterey and Saltillo
he had but about 5,300 effective troops, of
which but 500 or 600 were regulars. In
this weakened condition, however, he was
destined to achieve his greatest victory.
Confidently rel3ing upon his strength at
Vera Cruz to resist the enemy for a long
time, Santa Anna directed his entire army
against Taylor to overwhelm him, and then
to return to oppose the advance of Scott's
more formidable invasion. The battle of
Buena Vista was fought February 22 and
23, 1847. Taylor received the thanks of
Congress and a gold medal, and " Old
Rough and Ready," the sobi'iquet given
him in the army, became a household word.
He remained in quiet possession of the
Rio Grande Valley until November, when
he returned to the United States.
In the Whig convention which met at
Philadelphia, June 7, 1848, Taylor was nomi-
nated on the fourth ballot as candidate of
the Whig party for President, over Henry
Clay, General Scott and Daniel Webster.
In November Ta3'lor received a majority
of electoral votes, and a popular vote of
1,360,752, against 1,219,962 for Cass and
Butler, and 291,342 for Van Buren and
Adams. General Taylor was inaugurated
March 4, 1849.
The free and slave States being then equal
in number, the struggle for supremacy on
the part of the leaders in Congress was
violent and bitter. In the summer of 1849
California adopted in convention a Consti-
tution prohibiting slavery within its borders.
Taylor advocated the immediate admission
of California with her Constitution, and the
postponement of the question as to the other
Territories until they could hold conven-
tions and decide for themselves whether
slavery should exist within their borders.
This policy ultimately prevailed through
the celebrated " Compromise Measures" of
Henry Clay ; but not during the life of the
brave soldier and patriot statesman. July
5 he was taken suddenly ill with a bilious
fever, which proved fatal, his death occur-
ring July 9, 1850. One of his daughters
married Colonel W. W. S. Bliss, his Adju-
tant-General and Chief of Staff in Florida
and Mexico, and Private Secretary during
his Presidency. Another daughter was
married to Jefferson Davis.
P/iES/DENTS OF THE U.VITED STATES.
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LARD FILL-
MORE, the thir-
!■ teenth President
of the United
States, i850-'3, was
born in Summer
Hill, Cayuga
, New York, Janu-
1800. He was of
New England ancestry, and
his educational advantages
were limited. He early
learned the clothiers' trade,
but spent all his leisure time
in study. At nineteen years
*'' of age he was induced by
Judge Walter Wood to abandon his trade
and commence the study of law. Upon
learning that the young man was entirely
destitute of means, he took him into his
own office and loaned him such money as
he needed. That he might not be heavily
burdened with debt, young Fillmore taught
school during the winter months and in
various other ways helped himself along.
At the age of twenty-three he was ad-
mitted to the Court of Common Pleas, and
commenced the practice of his profession
in the village of Aurora, situated on the
eastern bank of the Ca3'uga Lake. In 1825
he married Miss Abigail Powers, daughter
of Rev. Lemuel Powers, a lady of great
moral worth. In 1825 he took his seat in
the House of Assembly of his native State,
as Representative from Erie County,
whither he had recently moved.
Though he had never taken a very
active part in politics his vote and his sym-
pathies were with the Whig party. The
State was then Democratic, but his cour-
tesy, ability and integrity won the respect
of his associates. In 1832 he was elected
to a seat in the United States Congress.
At the close of his term he returned to his
law practice, and in two years more he was
again elected to Congress.
He now began to have a national reputa-
tion. His labors were very arduous. To
draft resolutions in the committee room,
and then to defend them against the most
skillful opponents on the floor of the House
requires readiness of mind, mental resources
and skill in debate such as few possess.
Weary with these exhausting labors, and
pressed by the claims of his private affairs,
Ml'. Fillmore wrote a letter to his constitu-
ents and declined to be a candidate foi re-
election. Notwithstanding this communi-
MILLARD FILLMORE.
7S
cation his friends met in convention and
renominated him bv acclamation. Though
gratified by this proof of their appreciation
of his labors he adhered to his resolve and
returned to his home.
In 1847 Mr. Fillmore was elected to the
important otifice of comptroller of the State.
In entering upon the very responsible duties
which this situation demanded, it was nec-
essary for him to abandon his profession,
and he removed to the city of Albany. In
this year, also, the Whigs were looking
around to find suitable candidates for the
President and Vice-President at the ap-
proaching election, and the names of Zach-
ary Taylor and Millard Fillmore became
the rallying cry of the Whigs. On the 4th
of March, 1S49, General Taylor was inaug-
urated President and Millard Fillmore
Vice-President of the United States.
The great question of slavery had as-
sumed enormous proportions, and perme-
ated every subject that was brought before
Congress. It was evident that the strength
of our institutions was to be severely tried.
July 9, 1850, President Taylor died, and, by
the Constitution, Vice-President Fillmore
became President of the United States.
The agitated condition of the country
brought questions of great delicacy before
him. He was bound by his oath of office
to e.xecute the laws of the United States.
One of these laws was understood to be,
that if a slave, escaping from bondage,
should reach a free State, the United States
was bound to do its jitmost to capture him
and return him to his master. Most Chris-
tian men loathed this law. President Fill-
more felt bound by his oath rigidly to see
it enforced. Slavery was organizing armies
to invade Cuba as it had invaded Texas,
and annex it to the United States. Presi-
dent Fillmore gave all the influence of his
exalted station against the atrocious enter-
prise.
Mr. Fillmore had serious difficulties to
contend with, since the opposition had a
majority in both Houses. He did every-
thing in his power to conciliate the South,
but the pro-slavery party in that section
felt the inadequency of all measures of tran-
sient conciliation. The population of the
free States was so rapidly increasing over
that of the slave States, that it was inevita-
ble that the power of the Government
should soon pass into the hands of the free
States. The famous compromise measures
were adopted under Mr. Fillmore's admin-
istration, and the Japan expedition was
sent out.
March 4, 1853, having served one term,
President Fillmore retired from office. He
then took a long tour through the South,
where he met with quite an enthusiastic
reception. In a speech at Vicksburg, al-
luding to the rapid growth of the country,
he said:
" Canada is knocking for admission, and
Mexico would be glad to come in, and
without saying whether it would be right
or wrong, we stand with open arms to re-
ceive them; for it is the manifest destiny of
this Government to embrace the whole
North American Continent."
In 1855 Mr. Fillmore went to Europe
where he was received with those marked
attentions which his position and character
merited. Returning to this country in
1856 he was nominated for the Presidency
by the "Know-Nothing" party. Mr. Bu-
chanan, the Democratic candidate was
the successful competitor. Mr. Fillmore
ever afterward lived in retirement. Dur-
ing the conflict of civil war he was mostly
silent. It was generally supposed, how-
ever, that hissympath}' was with the South-
ern Confederacy. He kept aloof from the
conflict without any words of cheer to the
one party or the other. For this reason
he was forgotten by both. He died of
paralysis, in Buffalo, New York, March 8,
1874.
76
PRESfDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
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'r^ANKLIN PIERCE,
the fourteenth Presi-
dent of the United
States, was born in
Hillsborough, New
Hampshire, Novem-
ber 23, 1804. His
father, Governor
Benjamin Pierce, was a Rev-
olutionary soldier, a man of
rigid integrity ; was for sev-
eral years in the State Legis-
lature, a member of the Gov-
ernor's council and a General
of the militia.
Franklin was the sixth of eight children.
As a boy he listened eagerly to the argu-
ments of his father, enforced by strong and
ready utterance and earnest gesture. It
was in the days of intense political excite-
ment, when, all over the New England
States, Federalists and Democrats were ar-
rayed so fiercely against each other.
In 1820 he entered Bowdoin College, at
Brunswick, Maine, and graduated in 1824,
and commenced the study of law in the
office of Judge Woodbury, a ver}' distin-
guished lawyer, and in 1827 was admitted
to the bar. He practiced with great success
in Hillsborough and Concord. He served
in the State Legislature four 3'ears, the last
two of which he was chosen Speaker of the
H(5use b}' a very large vote.
In 1833 he was elected a member of Con-
gress. In 1837 he was elected to the United
States Senate, just as Mr. Van Buren com-
menced his administration.
In 1834 he married Miss Jane Means
Appleton, a lad}' admirably fitted to adorn
every station with which her husband was
honored. Three sons born to them all
found an early grave.
Upon his accession to office, President
Polk appointed Mr. Pierce Attorney-Gen-
eral of the United States, but the offer was
declined in consequence of numerous pro-
fessional engagements at home and the
precarious state of Mrs. Pierce's health.
About the same time he also decHned the
nomination for Governor bv the Demo-
cratic party.
The war with Mexico called Mr. Pierce
into the arm}'. Receiving the appointment
of Brigadier-General, he embarked with a
portion of his troops at Newport, Rhode
Island, May 27, 1847. He served during
this war, and distinguished himself by his
bravery, skill and excellent judgment.
When he reached his home in his native
State he was enthusiastically received by
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
79
the advocates of the war, and coldly b}^ its
opponents. He resumed the practice of liis
profession, frequently taking an active part
in political questions, and giving his sup-
port to the pro-slavery wing of the Demo-
cratic party.
June 12, 1852, the Democratic convention
met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate
for the Presidenc}-. For four days they
continued in session, and in thirty-five bal-
lotings no one had received the requisite
two-thirds vote. Not a vote had been
thrown thus far for General Pierce. Then
the Virginia delegation brought forward
his name. There were fourteen more bal-
lotings, during which General Pierce
gained strength, until, at the forty-ninth
ballot, he received 282 votes, and all other
candidates eleven. General Winfield Scott
was the Whig candidate. General Pierce
was elected with great unanimity. Onl}'
four States — Vermont, Massachusetts, Ken-
tuck}' and Tennessee — cast their electoral
votes against him. March 4, 1853, he was
inaugurated President of the United States,
and William R. King, Vice-President.
President Pierce's cabinet consisted of
William S. Marcy, James Guthrie, Jefferson
Davis, James C. Dobbin, Robert McClel-
land, James Campbell and Caleb dishing.
At the demand of slaver\- the >fissouri
Compromise was repealed, and all the Ter-
ritories of the Union were thrown open to
slavery. The Territorj' of Kansas, west of
Missouri, was settled by emigrants mainl}'
from the North. According to law, thev
were about to meet and decide whether
slavery or freedom should be the law of
that realm. Slavery in Missouri and
other Southern States rallied her armed
legions, marched them into Kansas, took
possession of the polls, drove away the
citizens, deposited their own votes by
handfuls, went through the farce of count-
ing them, and then declared that, by an
overwhelming majority, slavery was estab-
lished in Kansas. These facts nobody
denied, and 3-et President Pierce's adminis-
tration felt bound to respect the decision
obtained b}' such votes. The citizens of
Kansas, the majority of whom were free-
State men, met in convention and adopted
the following resolve :
"Rcsok'cJ, That the body of men who,
for the past two months, have been passing
laws for the people of our Territory,
moved, counseled and dictated to by the
demagogues of other States, are to us a
foreign body, representing only the lawless
invaders who elected them, and not the
people of this Territory ; that we repudiate
their action as the monstrous consummation
of an act of violence, usurpation and fraud
unparalleled in the history of the Union."
The free-State people of Kansas also sent
a petition to the General Government, im-
ploring its protection. Iii reply the Presi-
dent issued a proclamation, declaring that
Legislature thus created must be recog-
nized as the legitimate Legislature of I-ian-
sas, and that its laws were binding upon
the people, and that, if necessarv, the whole
force of the Governmental arm would be
put forth to inforce those laws.
James Buchanan succeeded him in the
Presidency, and, March 4, 1S57, President
Pierce retired to his home in Concord,
New Hampshire. When the Rebellion
burst forth Mr. Pierce remained steadfast
to the principles he had always cherished,
and gave his sympathies to the pro-slavery
party, with which he had ever been allied.
He declined to do an\'thing, eithei" bv
voice or pen, to strengthen the hands ot
the National Government. He resided in
Concord until his death, which occurred in
October, 1869. He was one of the most
genial and social of men, generous to
a fault, and contributed liberall)- of his
moderate means for the alleviation of suf-
fering and want. He was an honored
communicant of the Episcopal church.
So
rnEsrDE.VTS of the united states.
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•^Y AMES BUCHANAN, the
''' "■ fifteenth President of the
3;
^..
United States. 1857-61,
was born in Franklin
County, Penns3lvania,
p April 23, 1791. The
])lacc where his father's
cabin stood was called
Stony Batter, and it was
situated in a wild, romantic
spot, in a goi-ge of mount-
ains, with towering sum-
mits rising all around. He
was of Irish ancestry, his
father having emigrated in-
1783, with very little prop-
erty, save his own strong arms.
James remained in his secluded home for
eight years enjoying very few social or
intellectual advantages. His parents were
industrious, frugal, prosperous and intelli-
gent. In 1799 his father removed to Mer-
cersburg, where James was placed in
school and commenced a course in English,
Greek and Latin. His progress was rapid
and in 1801 he entered Dickinson College
at Carlisle. Here he took his stand among
the first scholars in the institution, and was
able to master the most abstruse subjects
with facility. In 1809 he graduated with
the highest honors in his class.
He was then eighteen years of age, tall,
graceful and in vigorous health, fond of
athletic sports, an uneiTing shot and en-
livened with an exuberant flow of animal
spirits. He immediately commenced the
study of law in the city of Lancaster, and
was admitted to the bar in 1S12. He rose
very rapidly in his profession and at once
took undisputed stand with the ablest law-
3-ers of the State. When but twenty-six
years of age, unaided b)' counsel, he suc-
cessfully defended before the State Senate
one of the Judges of the State, who was
tried upon articles of impeachment At
the age of thirty it was generally admitted
that he stood at the head of the bar, and
there was no law3'er in the State who had
a more extensive or lucrative practice.
In 1812, just after Mr. Buchanan had
entered upon the practice of the law, our
second war with England occurred. With
all his powers he sustained the Govern-
ment, eloquently urging the rigorous pros-
ecution of the war; and even enlisting as a
private soldier to assist in repelling the
British, who had sacked Washington and
were threatening Baltimore. He was at
that time a Federalist, but when the Con-
stitution was adopted by both parties,
Jefferson truly said, " We are all Federal-
ists; we are all Republicans."
The opposition of the Federalists to tiic
war with England, and the alien and sedi-
d
i^'z^ear^
y.lMES BUCHANAN.
S3
tion laws of John Adams, brought the party
into dispute, and the name of Federalist
became a reproach. Mr. Buchanan almost
immediately upon entering Congress began
to incline more and more to the Repub-
licans. In the stormy Presidential election
of 1824, in which Jackson, Cla}-, Crawford
and John Ouincy Adams were candidates,
Mr. Buchanan espoused the cause of Gen-
eral Jackson and unrelentingly opposed the
administration of Mr. Adams.
Upon his elevation to the Presidency,
General Jackson appointed Mr. Buchanan,
minister to Russia. Upon his return in 1S33
he was elected to a seat in the United States
Senate. He there met as his associates,
Webster, Clay, Wright and Calhoun. He
advocated the measures proposed by Presi-
dent Jackson of making reprisals against
France, and defended the course of the Pres-
ident in his unprecedented and wholesale
removals from office of those who were not
the supporters of his administration. Upon
this question he was brought into direct col-
lision with Henr)- Clay. In the discussion
of the question respecting the admission of
Michigan and Arkansas into the Union, Mr.
Buchanan defined his position by saying:
" The older I grow, the more I am in-
clined to be what is called a State-rights
man."
M. de Tocqueville, in his renowned work
upon " Democracy in America," foresaw
the trouble which was inevitable from the
doctrine of State sovereignty as held by
Calhoun and Buchanan. He was con-
vinced that the National Government was
losing that strength which was essential
to its own existence, and that the States
were assuming powers which threatened
the perpetuity of the Union. Mr. Buchanan
received the book in the Senate and de-
clared the fears of De Tocqueville to be
groundless, and yet he lived to sit in the
Presidential chair and see State after State,
in accordance with his own views of State
rights, breaking from the Union, thus
crumbling our Republic into ruins; while
the unhappy old man folded his arms in
despair, declaring that the National Consti-
tution invested him with no power to arrest
the destruction.
Upon Mr. Polk's accession to the Presi-
dency, Mr. Buchanan became Secretary of
State, and as such took his share of the
responsibility in the conduct of the Mexi-
can war. At the close of Mr. Polk's ad-
ministi-ation, Mr. Buchanan retired to pri-
vate life; but his intelligence, and his great
ability as a statesman, enabled him to exert
a powerful influence in National affairs.
Mr. Pierce, upon his election to the
Presidency, honored Mr. Buchanan with
the mission to England. In the year 1856
the National Democratic convention nomi-
nated Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency.
The political conflict was one of the most
severe in which our country has ever en-
gaged. On the 4th of March, 1857, Mr.
Buchanan was inaugurated President. His
cabinet were Lewis Cass, Howell Cobb,
J. B. Floyd, Isaac Toucey, Jacob Thomp-
son, A. V. Brown and J. S. Black.
The disruption of the Democratic party,
in consequence of the manner in which the
issue of the nationality of slavery was
pressed by the Southern wing, occurred at
the National convention, held at Cliarleston
in April, i860, for the nomination of Mr.
Buchanan's successor, when the majorit}^
of Southern delegates withdrew upon the
passage of a resolution declaring that the
constitutional status of slavery should be
determined by the Supreme Court.
In the next Presidential canvass Abra-
ham Lincoln was nominated by the oppo-
nents of Mr. Buchanan's administration.
Mr. Buchanan remained in Washington
long enough to see his successor installed
and then retired to his home in Wheatland.
He died June i, 1868, aged seventy-seven
years.
84
PliE^/DENTS OF THE UXITED STATES.
i,% B R fl H A ivi: LIN CD L N J
2^i?iC^"" Nt- •:- *5 ■!■ **» -I- itfl -I- ©SicjaT-a^as) ■'• «** •'■ *iSi -t- " e^^ -w 'i^' ""v^^-
BRAHAM LIN-
COLN, the sixteentli
President of the
United States, i86i-'5,
was born February
12, 1809, in Larue
(then Hardin) County,
Kentucky, in a cabin on Nolan
Creek, three miles west of
Hudgensville. His parents
w ere Thomas and Nancy
(Hanks) Lincoln. Of his an-
cestry and early years the little
"^^^ that is known may best be
given in his own language : " My
parents were both born in Virginia, of un-
distinguished families — second families, per-
haps I should say. M3' mother, who died
in my tenth year, was of a family o[ the
name of Hanks, some of whom now remain
in Adams, and others in Macon County,
Illinois. My paterna' grandfather, Abra-
ham Lincoln, emigrated from Rockbridge
County, Virginia, to Kentucky in 1781 or
1782, where, a 3'ear or two later, he was
killed by Indians — not in battle, but b)^
Stealth, when he was laboring to open a
LX.
87
I continued till I was t\vent3'-two. At
twent^'-one I came to Illinois and passed
the first year in Macon County. Then I got
to New Salem, at that time in Sangamon,
now in Menard County, where I remained
a year as a sort of clerk in a store.
" Then came the Black Hawk war, and I
was elected a Captain of volunteers — a suc-
cess which gave me more pleasure than any
I have had since. I went the campaign,
was elated ; ran for the Legislature the
same year (1832) and was beaten, the onl}-
time I have ever been beaten by the people.
The next and three succeeding biennial
elections I was elected to the Legislature,
and was never a candidate afterward.
" During this legislative period I had
studied law, and removed to .Springfield to
practice it. In 1846 I was ^elected to the
Lower House of Congress ; was not a can-
didate for re-election. From 1849 to 1854-
inclusive, I practiced the law more assid-
uously than ever before. Always a Whig
in politics, and generally on the Whig elec-
toral tickets, making active canvasses, I was
losing interest in politics, when the repeal
of the Missouri Compromise roused me
again. What I have done since is pretty
well known."
The early residence of Lincoln in Indi-
ana was sixteen miles north of the Ohio
River, on Little Pigeon Creek, one and a
half miles east of Gentry ville, within the
present township of Carter. Here his
mother died October 5, 1818, and the next
year his father married Mrs. Sally (Bush)
Johnston, of Elizabethtown, Kentucky. She
was an affectionate foster-parent, to whom
Abraham was indebted for his first encour-
agement to stud}'. He became an eager
reader, and the few books owned in the
vicinity were many times perused. He
worked frequently for the neighbors as a
farm laborer ; was for some time clerk in a
store at Gentry ville; and became famous
throughout that region for his athletic
powers, his fondness for argument, his in-
exhaustible fund of humerous anecdote, as
well as for mock oratory and the composi-
tion of rude satirical verses. In 1828 he
made a trading voyage to New Orleans as
"bow-hand" on a flatboat; removed to
Illinois in 1830; helped his father build a
log house and clear a farm on the north
fork of Sangamon River, ten miles west of
Decatur, and was for some time employed
in splitting rails for the fences — a fact which
was prominentl}' brought forward for a
political purpose thirty years later.
In the spring of 1851 he, with two of his
relatives, was hired to build a flatboat on
the Sangamon River and navigate it to
New Orleans. The boat "stuck" on a
mill-dam, and was got off with great labor
through an ingenious mechanical device
which some years later led to Lincoln's
taking out a patent for "an improved
method for lifting vessels over shoals."
This voyage was memorable for another
reason — the sight of slaves chained, mal-
treated and flogged at New Orleans was
the origin of his deep convictions upon the
slavery question.
Returning from this vo3-age he became a
resident for several years at New Salem, a
recently settled village on the Sangamon,
where he was successively a clerk, grocer,
surveyor and postmaster, and acted as pilot
to the first steamboat that ascended the
Sangamon. Here he studied law, inter-
ested himself in local politics after his
return from the Black Hawk war, and
became known as an effective "stump-
speaker." The subject of liis first political
speech was the improvement of the channel
of the Sangamon, and the chief ground on
which he announced himself (1832) a candi-
date for the Legislature was his advocacy
of this popular measure, on which subject
his practical experience made him the high-
est authority.
Elected to the Legislature in 1834 as a
88
P/if-:S/DE\TS OF THE UNITED STATES.
" Henry Clay Whig," he rapidly acquired
that command of language and that homely
but forcible rhetoric which, added to his
intimate knowledge of the people from
which he sprang, made him more than a
match in debate for his few well-educated
opponents.
Admitted to the bar in 1S37 he soon
established himself at Springfield, where
the State capital was located in 1839,
largely through his influence; became a
successful pleader in the State, Circuit and
District Courts ; married in 1842 a lady be-
longing to a prominent famil_y in Lexington,
Kentucky; took an active part in the Pres-
idential campaigns of 1840 and 1844 as
candidate for elector on the Harrison and
Clay tickets, and in 1846 was elected to the
United States House of Representatives
over the celebrated Peter Cartwright.
During his single term in Congress he did
not attain any prominence.
He voted for the reception of anti-slavery
petitions for the abolition of the slave trade
in the District of Columbia and for the
Wilmot proviso; but was chiefly remem-
bered for the stand he took against the
Mexican war. For several years there-
after he took comparatively little interest
in politics, but gained a leading position at
tiie Springfield bar. Two or three non-
political lectures and an eulogy on Henry
Clay (1852) added nothing to his reputation.
In 1854 the repeal of the Missouri
Compromise by the Kansas-Nebraska act
aroused Lincoln from his indifference, and
in attacking that measure he had the im-
mense advantage of knowing perfectly well
the motives and the record of its author,
Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois, then popu-
larly designated as the " Little Giant." The
latter came to Springfield in October, 1854,
on the occasion of the State Fair, to vindi-
cate his policy in the Senate, and the " Anti-
Nebraska" Whigs, remembering that Lin-
coln had often measured his strength with
Douglas in the Illinois Legislature and be-
fore the Springfield Courts, engaged him
to improvise a reply. This speech, in the
opinion of those who heard it, was one of
the greatest efforts of Lincoln's life ; cer-
tainl}' the most effective in his whole career.
It took the audience by storm, and from
that moment it was felt that Douglas had
met his match. Lincoln was accordingly
selected as the Anti-Nebraska candidate for
the United States Senate in place of General
Shields, whose term expired March 4, 1855,
and led to several ballots; but Trumbull
was ultimatel}- chosen.
The second conflict on the soil of Kan-
sas, which Lincoln had predicted, soon be-
gan. The result was the disruption of the
Whig and the formation of the Republican
party. At the Bloomington State Conven-
tion in 1856, where the new party first
assumed form in Illinois, Lincoln made an
impressive address, in which for the first
time he took distinctive ground against
slavery in itself.
At the National Republican Convention
at Philadelphia, June 17, after the nomi-
nation of Fremont, Lincoln was put for-
ward by the Illinois delegation for the
Vice-Presidency, and received on tlie first
ballot no votes against 259 for William L
Dayton. He took a prominent part in the
canvass, being on the electoral ticket.
In 1858 Lincoln was unanimously nomi-
nated by the Republican State Convention
as its candidate for the United States Senate
in place of Douglas, and in his speech of
acceptance used the celebrated illustration
of a "house divided against itself' on the
slavery question, which was, perhaps, the
cause of his defeat. The great debate car-
ried on at all the principal towns of Illinois
between Lincoln and Douglas as rival Sena-
torial candidates resulted at the time in the
election of the latter ; but being widely cir-
culated as a campaign document, it fixed
the attention of the country upon the
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
89
former, as the clearest and most convinc-
ing exponent of Republican doctrine.
Early in 1859 he began to be named in
Illinois as a suitable Republican candidate
for the Presidential campaign of the ensu-
ing year, and a political address 'delivered
at the Cooper Institute, New York, Febru-
ary 27, i860, followed by similar speeches
at New Haven, Hartford and elsewhere in
New England, first made him known to the
Eastern States in the light by which he had
long been regarded at home. By the Re-
publican State Convention, which met at
Decatur, lUinois, May 9 and 10, Lincoln
was unanimously endorsed for the Presi-
dency. It was on this occasion that two
rails, said to have been split by his hands
thirty years before, were brought into the
convention, and the incident contributed
much to his popularity. The National
Republican Convention at Chicago, after
spirited efforts made in favor of Seward,
Chase and Bates, nominated Lincoln for
the Presidency, with Hannibal Hamlin
for Vice-President, at the same time adopt-
ing a vigorous anti-slavery platform.
The Democratic party having been dis-
organized and presenting two candidates,
Douglas and Breckenridge, and the rem-
nant of the "American" party having put
forward John Bell, of Tennessee, the Re-
publican victory was an easy one, Lincoln
being elected November 6 by a large plu-
rality, comprehending nearly all the North-
ern States, but none of the Southern. The
secession of South Carolina and the Gulf
States was the immediate result, followed
a few months later by that of the border
slave States and the outbreak of the great
civil war.
The life of Abraham Lincoln became
thenceforth merged in the history of his
country. None of the details of the vast
conflict which filled the remainder of Lin-
coln's life can here be given. Narrowly
escaping assassination by avoiding Balti-
more on his way to the capital, he reached
Washington February 23, and was inaugu-
rated President of the United States March
4, 1 86 1.
In his inaugural address he said: " I hold,
that in contemplation of universal law and
the Constitution the Union of these States is
perpetual. Perpetuity is implied if not ex-
pressed in the fundamental laws of all na-
tional governments. It is safe to assert
that no government proper ever had a pro-
vision in its organic law for its own termi-
nation. I therefore consider that in view
of the Constitution and the laws, the Union
is unbroken, and to the extent of my ability
I shall take care, as the Constitution en-
joins upon me, that the laws of the United
States be extended in all the States. In
doing this there need be no bloodshed or vio-
lence, and there shall be none unless it be
forced upon the national authority. The
power conferred to me will be used to hold,
occupy and possess the property and places
belonging to the Government, and to col-
lect the duties and imports, but beyond
what may be necessary for these objects
there will be no invasion, no usina- of force
against or among the people anywhere. In
your hands, my dissatisfied fellow-country-
men, is the momentous issue of civil war.
The Government will not assail you. You
can have no conflict without being your-
selves the aggressors. You have no oath
registered in heaven to destroy the Gov-
ernment, while I shall have the most sol-
emn one to preserve, protect and defend
it."
He called to his cabinet his principal
rivals for the Presidential nomination —
Seward, Chase, Cameron and Bates; se-
cured the co-operation of the Union Demo-
crats, headed by Douglas ; called out 75,000
militia from the several States upon the first
tidings of the bombardment of Fort Sumter,
April 15; proclaimed a blockade of the
Southern posts April 19; called an extra
go
PJiES/DEiVrS OF THE UN/TED STATES.
session of Congress for July 4, from which
he asked and obtained 400,000 men and
$400,000,000 for the war; placed McClellan
at the head of the Federal army on General
Scott's resignation, October 31; appointed
Edwin M. Stanton Secretary of War, Jan-
uary 14, 1862, and September 22, 1862,
issued a proclamation declaring the free-
dom of all slaves in the States and parts of
States then in rebellion from and after
January i, 1863. This was the crowning
act of Lincoln's career — the act by which
he will be chiefly known through all future
time — and it decided the war.
October 16, 1863, President Lincoln called
for 300,000 volunteers to replace those
whose term of enlistment had expired ;
made a celebrated and touching, though
brief, address at the dedication of the
Gett3^sburg military cemetery, November
19, 1863; commissioned Ulysses S. Grant
Lieutenant-General and Commander-in-
Chief of the armies of the United States,
March 9, 1864; was reelected President in
November of the same year, by a large
majoritv over General McClellan, with
Andrew Johnson, of Tennessee, as Vice-
President; delivered a ver}- remarkable ad-
dress at his second inauguration, March 4,
1865; visited the army before Richmond the
same month; entered the capital of the Con-
federacy the day after its fall, and upon the
surrender of General Robert E. Lee's army,
April 9, was actively engaged in devising
generous plans for the reconstruction of the
Union, when, on the evening of Good Fri-
day, April 14, he was shot in his box at
Ford's Theatre, Washington, byjohn Wilkes
Booth, a fanatical actor, and expired earl}'
on the following morning, April 15. Al-
most simultaneously a murderous attack
was made upon William H. Seward, Secre-
tary of State.
At noon on the 15th of April Andrew
Johnson assumed the Presidency, and active
measures were taken which resulted in the
death of Booth and the execution of his
principal accomplices.
The funeral of President Lincoln was
conducted with unexampled solemnity and
magnificence. Impressive services were
held in Washington, after which the sad
procession proceeded over the same route
he had traveled four years before, from
Springfield to Washington. In Philadel-
phia his body lay in state in Independence
Hall, in which he had declared before his
first inauguration "that I would sooner be
assassinated than to give up the principles
of the Declaration of Independence." He
was buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery, near
Springfield, Illinois, on ISIay 4, where a
monument emblematic of the emancipation
of the slaves and the restoration of the
Union mark his resting place.
The leaders and citizens of the expiring
Confederacy expressed genuine indignation
at the murder of a generous political adver-
sary. Foreign nations took part in mourn-
ing the death of a statesman who had proved
himself a true representative of American
nationality. The freedmen of the South
almost worshiped the memor}- of their de-
liverer; and the general sentiment of the
ereat Nation he had saved awarded him a
place in its affections, second only to that
held by Washington.
The characteristics of Abraham Lincoln
have been familiarly known throughout the
civilized world. His tall, g;iunt, ungainly
figure, homely countenance, and his shrewd
mother-wit, shown in his celebrated con-
versations overflowing in humorous and
pointed anecdote, combined with an accu-
rate, intuitive appreciation of the questions
of the time, are recognized as forming the
best tvpe of a period of American historv
now rapidly passing away.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
93
■»-^*^ -j-^^t^'*-
_j^-^7>^^-V-
EHHBaB aH HmHHHa aa^ aHH gas HgH ^ eHF j^ ggE
>^*c^
'nDREW JOHNSON,
the seventeenth Presi-
dent of the United
States, 1 865-9, was
born at Raleigh,
North Carolina, De-
c e m b e r 29, 1808.
His father died when
he was four years old, and in
his eleventh 3-ear he was ap-
prenticed to a tailor. He nev-
er attended school, and did
not learn to read until late in
his apprenticeship, when he
suddenly acquired a passion for
obtaining knowledge, and devoted
all his spare time to reading.
After working two years as a journey-
man tailor at Lauren's Court-House, South
Carolina, he removed, in 1836, to Green-
ville, Tennessee, where he worked at his
trade and married. Under his wife's in-
structions he made rapid progress in his
education, and manifested such an intelli-
gent interest in local politics as to be
elected as " workingmen's candidate" al-
derman, in 1828, and mayor in 1830, being
twice re-elected to each office.
During this period he cultivated his tal-
ents as a public speaker by taking part in a
debating society, consisting largely of stu-
dents of Greenville College. In 1835, and
again in 1839, he was chosen to the lower
house of the Legislature, as a Democrat.
\n 1 841 he was elected State Senator, and
in 1843, Representative in Congress, being
re-elected four successive periods, until
1853, when he was chosen Governor of
Tennessee. In Congress he supported the
administrations of Tyler and Polk in their
chief measures, especially the annexation
of Texas, the adjustment of the Oregon
boundary, the Mexican war, and the tariff
of 1846.
In 1S55 Mr. Johnson was re elected Gov-
ernor, and in 1S57 entered the United
States Senate, wiiere he was conspicuous
as an advocate of retrenchment and of the
Homestead bill, and as an opponent of the
Pacific Railroad. He was supported by the
Tennessee delegation to the Democratic
convention in i860 for the Presidential
nomination, and lent his influence to the
Breckenridge wing of that partv.
When the election of Lincoln had
brought about the first attempt at secession
in December, i860, Johnson took in the
Senate a firm attitude for the Union, and
in May, 1861, on returning to Tennessee,
he was in imminent peril of suffering from
94
PliES/DEXTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
popular violence for his loyalty to the " old
flag." He was the leader of the Loyalists'
convention of East Tennessee, and during
the following winter was very active in or-
ganizing relief for the destitute loyal refu-
gees from that region, his own family being
among those compelled to leave.
Bv his course in this crisis Johnson came
prominently before the Northern public,
and when in March, 1863, he was appointed
bv President Lincoln military Governor of
Tennessee, with the rank ^^ at Point Pleasant,
"i^ Clermont County,
Oliio. His father was of Scotch
descent, and a dealer in leather.
At the age of seventeen he en-
tered the Military Academy at
West Point, and four years later
graduated twenty-first in a class
of thirty-nine, receiving the
commission of Brevet Second
Lieutenant. He was assigned
to the Fourth Infantry and re-
mained in the army eleven years. He was
engaged in every battle of the Mexican war
except that of Buena Vista, and received
two brevets for gallantr}'.
In 1848 Mr. Grant married Julia, daughter
of Frederick Dent, a prominent merchant of
St. Louis, and in 1854, having reached the
grade of Captain, he resigned his commis-
sion in the army. For several 3'ears he fol-
lowed farming near St. Louis, but unsuc-
cessfull}- ; and in i860 he entered the leather
trade with his father at Galena, Illinois.
When the civil war broke out in 1861,
Grant was thirty-nine years of age, but en-
tirely unknown to public men and without
any personal acquaintance with great affairs.
President Lincoln's first call for troops was
made on the 15th of April, and on the 19th
Grant was drilling a company of volunteers
at Galena. He also offered his services to
the Adjutant-General of the army, but re-
ceived no reply. The Governor of Illinois,
however, emp!o3'ed him in the organization
of volunteer troops, and at the end of five
weeks he was appointed Colonel of the
Twenty-first Infantr}-. He took command
of his regiment in June, and reported first
to General Pope in Missouri. His superior
knowledge of military life rather surprised
his sujicrior officers, who had never before
even heard of him, and they were thus led
to place him on the road to rapid advance-
ment. August 7 he was commissioned a
Brigadier-General of volunteers, the ap-
pointment having been made without his
knowledge. He had been unanimously
recommended by the Congressmen from
Illinois, not one of whom had been his
personal acquaintance. For a few weeks
he was occupied in watching the move-
ments of partisan forces in Missouri.
September i he was placed in command
of the District of Southeast Missouri, with
headquarters at Cairo, and on the 6th, with-
out orders, he seized Paducah, at the mouth
of tiic Tennessee River, and commanding
tlic navigation botli of that stream and of
^^-'--t-^O
ULTSSES S. GRANT.
99
the Ohio. This stroke secured Kentucivy
to the Union ; for the State Legislature,
which had until then affected to be neutral,
at once declared in favor of the Govern-
ment. In November following, according
to orders, he made a demonstration about
eighteen miles below Cairo, preventing the
crossing of hostile troops into Missouri ;
but in order to accomplish this purpose he
had to do some fighting, and that, too, with
only 3,000 raw recruits, against 7,000 Con-
federates. Grant carried off two pieces of
artillery and 200 prisoners.
After repeated applications to General
Halleck, his immediate superior, he was
allowed, in February, 1862, to move up the
Tennessee River against Fort Henry, in
conjunction with a naval force. The gun-
boats silenced the fort, and Grant immedi-
ately made preparations to attack Fort
Donelson, about twelve miles distant, on
the Cumberland River. Without waiting
for orders he moved his troops there, and
with 15,000 men began the siege. The
fort, garrisoned with 21,000 men, was a
strong one, but after hard fighting on three
successive days Grant forced an " Uncon-
ditional Surrender" (an alliteration upon
the initials of his name). The prize he capt-
ured consisted of sixty-five cannon, 17,600
small arms and 14,623 soldiers. About 4,-
000 of the garrison had escaped in the night,
and 2,500 were killed or wounded. Grant's
entire loss was less than 2,000. This was the
first important success won by the national
troops during the war, and its strategic re-
sults were marked, as the entire States of
Kentucky and Tennessee at once fell into the
National hands. Our hero was made a
Major-General of Volunteers and placed in
command of the District of West Ten-
nessee.
In March, 1862, he was ordered to move
up the Tennessee River toward Corinth,
where the Confederates were concentrat-
ing a large army ; but he was directed not
to attack. His forces, now numbering 38,-
000, were accordingly encamped near Shi-
loh, or Pittsburg Landing, to await the
arrival of General Buell with 40,000 more;
but April 6 the Confederates came out from
Corinth 50,000 strong and attacked Grant
violentl}-, hoping to overwhelm him before
Buell could arrive ; 5,000 of his troops were
be3'ond supporting distance, so that he was
largely outnumbered and forced back to the
river, where, however, he held out until
dark, when the head of Buell's column
came upon the field. The next day the
Confederates were driven back to Corinth,
nineteen miles. The loss was heavy on
both sides ; Grant, being senior in rank to
Buell, commanded on both days. Two
days afterward Halleck arrived at the front
and assumed command of the army. Grant
remaining at the head of the right wing and
the reserve. On May 30 Corinth was
evacuated by the Confederates. In July
Halleck was made General-in-Chief, and
Grant succeeded him in command of the
Department of the Tennessee. September
19 the battle of luka was fought, where,
owing to Rosecrans's fault, only an incom-
plete victory was obtained.
Next, Grant, with 30,000 men, moved
down into Mississippi and threatened Vicks-
burg, while Sherman, with 40,000 men, was
sent by way of the river to attack that place
in front ; but, owing to Colonel Murphy's
surrendering Holly Springs to the Con-
federates, Grant was so weakened that he
had to retire to Corinth, and then Sherman
failed to sustain his intended attack.
In January, 1863, General Grant took
command in person of all the troops in the
Mississippi Valley, and spent several months
in fruitless attempts to compel the surrender
or evacuation of Vicksburg; but July 4,
following, the place surrendered, with 31,-
600 men and 172 cannon, and the Mississippi
River thus fell permanently into the hands
of the Government. Grant was made a
PRES/DENT^i OF THE UNITED STATES.
Major-General in the rci^iilar annv, and in
October followiiiij lie was placed in com-
mand of the Division o( tiic Mississippi.
The same nioulii lie went to Cliatlanooga
and saved the Army o( the Cumberland
from starvation, and drove Brai;s^- from that
part of the countr\-. This viclorv over-
threw the last important hostile force west
of the Alleg-hanies and opened the way for
the National armies into Georgia and Sher-
man's march to the sea.
The remarkable series of successes which
Grant had now achieved pointed him out
as the appropriate leader of the National
armies, and accordingly, in February, 1864,
the rank of Lieutenant-General was created
for him by Congress, and on March 17 he
assumed command of the armies of the
United States. Planning the grand final
campaign, he sent Sherman into Georgia,
Sigel into the valley of Virginia, and Butler
to capture I-lichmond, while he fought his
own way from the Rapidan to the James.
The costly but victorious battles of the
Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North ^Vnnuand
Cold Harbor were fought, more for the
purpose of annihilating Lee than to capture
any particular point. In June, 1864, the
siege of Richmond was begun. Sherman,
meanwhile, was marching and fighting daily
in Georgia and steadily advancing toward
Atlanta ; but Sigel had been defeated in the
valley of Virginia, and was superseded by
Hunter. Lee sent Early to threaten the Na-
tional capital ; whereupon Grant gathered
up a force which he placed under Sheridan,
and that commander rapidly drove Earlv,
inasuccessionof battles, through the valley
of Virginia and destroyed his army as an
organized force. The siege of Richmond
went on, and Grant made numerous attacks,
but was only partially successful. The
people of the North grew impatient, and
even the Government advised him to
abandon the attempt to take Richmond or
crush the Confederacy in that way; but he
never wavered. He resolved to " fight it
out on that line, if it took all summer."
By September Sherman had made his
way to Atlanta, and Grant then sent him
on his famous " march to the sea," a route
which the chief had designed six months
before. He made Sherman's success possi-
ble, not only by holding Lee in front of
Richmond, but also bv sending reinforce-
ments to Thomas, who then drew off and
defeated the only army which could have
confronted Sherman. Thus the latter was
left unopposed, and, with Thomas and Sheri-
dan, was used in the furtherance of Grant's
plans. Each executed his part in the great
design and contributed his share to the re-
sult at which Grant was aiming. Sherman
finally reached Savannah, Schofield beat
the enemy at Franklin, Thomas at Nash-
ville, and Sheridan wherever he met him;
and all this while General Grant was hold-
ing Lee, with the principal Confederate
army, near Richmond, as it were chained
and helpless. Then Schofield was brought
from the West, and Fort Fisher and Wil-
mington were captured on the sea-coast, so
as to afford him a foothold ; from here he
was sent into the interior of North Cai"o-
lina, and Sherman was ordered to move
northward to join him. When all this was
effected, and Sheridan could find no one else
to fight in the Shenandoah Valley, Grant
brought the cavalry leader to the front of
Richmond, and, making a last effort, drove
Lee from his entrenchments and captured
Richmond.
At the beginning of the final campaign
Lee had collected 73,000 fighting men in
the lines at Richmond, besides the local
militia and the gunboat crews, amounting
to 5,000 more. Including Sheridan's force
Grant had 1 10,000 men in the works before
Petersburg and Richmond. Petersbuig fell
on the 2d of April, and Richmond on th.e
3d, and Lee fled in the direction of Lynch-
burg. Grant pursued with remorseless
t/LrSSES S. GRANT.
enei"gy, only stopping to strike fresh blows,
and Lee at last found himself not only out-
fougiit but also out-marched and out-gen-
eraled. Being completely surrounded, he
surrendered on the glh of April, 1865, at
Appomattox d^urt-House, in the oyjen field,
with 27,000 men, all that remained of his
arm}'. This act virtually ended the war.
Thus, in ten da\'s Grant had captured
Petersburg and Richmond, fought, by his
subordinates, the battles of Five Forks and
Sailor's Creek, besides numerous smaller
ones, captured 20,000 men in actual battle,
and received the surrender of 27,000 more
at Appomattox, absolutely annihilating an
army of 70,000 soldiers.
General Grant returned at once to Wash-
ington to superintend the disbandment of
the armies, but this pleasurable work was
scarcely begun when President Lincoln was
assassinated. It had doubtless been in-
tended to inflict the same fate upon Grant ;
but he, fortunately, on account of leaving
Washington early in the evening, declined
an invitation to accompany the President
to the theater where the murder was com-
mitted. This event made Andrew Johnson
President, but left Grant by far the most
conspicuous figure in the public life of the
country. He became the object of an en-
thusiasm greater than had ever been known
in America. Every possible honor was
heaped upon him ; the grade of General
was created for him by Congress; houses
were presented to him by citizens; towns
were illuminated on his entrance into them ;
and, to cap the climax, when he made his
tour around the world, "all nations did him
honor" as they had never before honored
a foreigner.
The General, as Commander-in-Chief,
was placed in an embarrassing position by
the opposition of President Johnson to the
measures of Congress ; but he directly man-
ifested his characteristic loyalty by obeying
Congress rather than the disaffected Presi-
dent, although for a short time he had
served in his cabinet as Secretary of War.
Of course, everybody thought of General
Grant as the next President of the United
States, and he was accordingly elected as
such in 1868 "by a large majorit}'," and
four years later re-elected by a much larger
majority — the most overwhelming ever
given by the people of this country. His first
administration was distinguished by a ces-
sation of the strifes which sprang from the
war, by a large reduction of the National
debt, and by a settlement of the difficulties
with England which had grown out of the
depredations committed by privateers fit-
ted out in England during the war. This
last settlement was made b}' the famous
" Geneva arbitration," which saved to this
Government $15,000,000, but, more than all,
prevented a war with England. "Let us
have peace," was Grant's motto. And this
is the most appropriate place to remark
that above all Presidents whom this Gov-
ernment has ever had, General Grant was
the most non-partisan. He regarded the
Executive office as purely and exclusively
executive of the laws of Congress, irrespect-
ive of " politics." But every great man
has jealous, bitter enemies, a fact Grant
was well aware of.
After the close of his Presidency, our
General made his famous tour around the
world, already referred to, and soon after-
ward, in company with Ferdinand Ward,
of New York City, he engaged in banking
and stock brokerage, which business was
made disastrous to Grant, as well as to him-
self, by his rascality. By this time an in-
curable cancer of the tongue developed
itself in the person of the afflicted ex-
President, which ended his unrequited life
July 23, 1885. Thus passed away from
earth's turmoils the man, the General, who
was as truly the " father of this regenerated
countr}-" as was Washington the father of
the infant nation.
PlfESlDENTS OF THE UNITED S7ATES.
.V.UTHERFORD BIRCH-
^^ ARD HAYES, the nine-
ja^ teenth President of
the United States,
\8jj-'Si, was born in
-,'%^ Delaware, Ohio, Oc-
^''^■"^-s-^ tuber 4, 1822. His
ancestry can be traced as far
back as 1280, when Hayes and
Rutherford \vere two Scottish
chieftains fighting side by side
with Baliol, William Wallace
and Robert Bruce. Both fami-
lies belonged to the nobility,
owned extensive estates and had
a large following. The Hayes
family had, for a coat of-arms, a
shield, barred and surmounted by a flying
eagle. There was a circle of stars about
the eagle and above the shield, while on a
scroll underneath the shield was inscribed
the motto, " Recte." Misfortune overtaking
the family, George Hayes left Scotland in
1680, and settled in Windsor, Connecticut.
He was an industrious worker in wood and
iron, having a mechanical genius and a cul-
tivated mind. His son George was born
in Windsor and remained there during his
life.
Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, married
Sarah Lee, and lived in Simsburv, Con-
necticut. Ezekiel, son of Daniel, was born
in 1724, and was a manufacturer of scythes
at Bradford, Connecticut. Rutherford
Hayes, son of Ezekiel and grandfather of
President Hayes, was born in New Haven,
in August, 1756. He was a famous black-
smith and tavern-keeper. He immigrated to
Vermont at an unknown date, settling in
Brattleboro where he established a hotel.
Here his son Rutherford, father of Presi-
dent Hayes, was born. In September, 1813,
he married Sophia Birchard, of Wilming-
ton, Vermont, whose ancestry on the male
side is traced back to 1635, to John Birch-
ard, one of the principal founders of Nor-
wich. Both of her grandfathers were
soldiers in the Revolutionary war.
The father of President Hayes was of a
mechanical turn, and could mend a plow,
knit a stocking, or do almost anything that
he might undertake. He was prosperous
in business, a member of the church and
active in all the benevolent enterprises of
the town. After the close of the war of 1812
he immigrated to Ohio, and purchased a
farm near the present town of Delaware.
His family then consisted of his wife and
two children, and an orphan girl whom he
had adopted.
It was in 1S17 that the famil}- arrived at
Delaware. Instead of settling upon his
s
uA^'
<3_.04^
RUTHERFORD B. HAYES.
i"5
farm, Mr. Hayes concluded to enter into
business in the village. He purchased an
interest in a distillery, a business then as re-
spectable as it was profitable. His capital
and recognized ability assured hiin the
highest social position in the communitv'.
He died July 22, 1822, less than three
months before the birth of the son that was
destined to fill the office of President of the
United States.
Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak,
and the subject of this sketch was so feeble
at birth that he was not expected to live
beyond a month or two at most. As the
months went by he grew weaker and weaker
so that the neighbors were in the habit of
inquiring from time to time " if Mrs.
Hayes's baby died last night." On one oc-
casion a neighbor, who was on friendly
terms with the famih', after alluding to the
boy's big head and the mother's assiduous
care of him, said to her, in a bantering wa)',
"That's right! Stick to him. You have
got him along so far, and I shouldn't won-
der if he would really come to something
yet." " You need not laugh," said Mrs.
Hayes, " you wait and see. You can't tell
but I shall make him President of the
United States ^-et."
The boy lived, in spite of the universal
predictions of his speedy death; and when,
in 1825, his elder brother was drowned, he
became, if possible, still dearer to his mother.
He was seven years old before he was
placed in school. His education, however,
was not neglected. His sports were almost
wholly within doors, his plavmates being
his sister and her associates. These circum-
stances tended, no doubt, to foster that
gentleness of disposition and that delicate
consideration for the feelings of others
which are marked traits of his character.
At school he was ardently devoted to his
studies, obedient to the teacher, and care-
ful to avoid the quarrels in which many of
his schoolmates were involved. He was
always waiting at the school-house door
when it opened in the morning, and never
late in returning to his seat at recess. His
sister Fannie was his constant companion,
and their affection for each other excited
the admiration of their friends.
In 1838 3'oung Hayes entered Kenyon
College and graduated in 1842. He then
began the study of law in the office of
Thomas Sparrow at Columbus. His health
was now well established, his figure robust,
his mind vigorous and alert. In a short
time he determined to enter the law school
at Cambridge, Massachusetts, where for
two 3'ears he pursued his studies with great
diligence.
In 1845 he was admitted to the bar at
Marietta, Ohio, and shortly afterward went
into practice as an attorney-at-law with
Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he
remained three years, acquiring but limited
practice, and apparently unambitious of
distinction in his profession. His bachelor
uncle, Sardis Birchard, who had always
manifested great interest in his nephew and
rendered him assistance in boyhood, was
now a wealth}' banker, and it was under-
stood that the young man would be his
heir. It is possible that this expectation
may have made Mr. Hayes more indifferent
to the attainment of wealth than he would
otherwise have been, but he was led into no
extravagance or vices on this account.
In 1849 1^6 removed to Cincinnati where
his ambition found new stimulus. Two
events occurring at this period had a pow-
erful influence upon his subsequent life.
One of them was his marriage to Miss
Lucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James
Webb, of Cincinnati; the other was his
introduction to the Cincinnati Literary
Club, a body embracing such men as Chief
Justice Salmon P. Chase, General John
Pope and Governor Edward F. No3-es.
The marriage was a fortunate one as every-
body knows. Not one of all the wives of
io6
PRESIDENTS OF THE UXITED STATES.
our Presidents was more universally ad-
mired, reverenced and beloved than is Mrs.
Hayes, and no one has done more than she
to reflect honor upon American woman-
hood.
In 1856 Mr. Hayes was nominated to the
office of Judge of the Court of Common
Pleas, but declined to accept the n(5mina-
tion. Two years later he was chosen to the
office of City Solicitor.
In 1861, when the Rebellion broke out,
he was eager to take up arms in the defense
of his countr}'. His military life was
bright and illustrious. June 7, 1861, he
was appointed Major of the Twenty-third
Ohio Infantry. In July the regiment was
sent to Virginia. October 15, i86r, he was
made Lieutenant-Colonel of his regiment,
and in August, 1862, was promoted Colonel
of the Seventy-ninth Ohio Regiment, but
refused to leave his old comrades. He was
wounded at the battle of South Mountain,
and suffered severely, being unable to enter
upon active duty for several weeks. No-
vember 30, 1862, he rejoined his regiment as
its Colonel, having been promoted Octo-
ber 15.
December 25, 1862, he was placed in com-
mand of the Kanawha division, and for
meritorious service in several battles was
promoted Brigadier-General. He was also
brevetted Major-General for distinguished
services in 1864. He was wounded four
times, and five horses were sliot from
under him.
Mr. Ha3'es was first a Whig in politics,
and was among the first to unite with the
Free-Soil and Republican parties. In 1864
he was elected to Congress from che Sec-
ond Ohio District, which had always beqn
Democratic, receiving a majority of 3,098.
In 1866 hew-as renominated for Congress
and was a second time elected. In 1867 he
was elected Governor over Allen G. Thur-
maii, the Democratic candidate, and re-
elected in 1869. In 1874 Sardis Birchard
died, leaving his large estate to General
Hayes.
In 1876 he was nominated for the Presi-
dency. His letter of acceptance excited
the admiration of the whole country. He
resigned the office of Governor and retired
to his home in Fremont to await the result
of the canvass. After a hard, long contest
he was inaugurated March 5, 1877. His
Presidency was characterized by compro-
mises with all parties, in order to please as
many as possible. The close of his Presi-
dential term in 188 1 was the close of his
public life, and since then he has remained
at his home in Fremont, Ohio, in Jefferso-
nian retirement from public notice, in strik-
ing contrast with most others of the world's
notables.
yAAfES A. GARFIELD.
109
M
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f^\"i'v':^'~?i'"?'if.7*ifrt'C^
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p .I^JAAmSj 4, G ARFIEL:©,^4^ \
f^
^^■=- ^ '^^AMES A. GARFIELD,
twentieth President of
the United States, 1881,
was born November 19,
1 83 1, in tlie wild woods
of Cuyahoga County,
Ohio. His parents were
Abram and EHza (Ballou)
Garfield, who were of New
- England ancestry. The
senior Garfield was an in-
"" dustrious farmer, as the
rapid improvements which
appeared on his place at-
tested. The residence was
the familiar pioneer log cabin,
and the household comprised the parents
and their children — Mehetable, Thomas,
Mary and James A. In May, 1833, the
father died, and the care of the house-
hold consequently devolved upon young
Thomas, to whom James was greatly in-
debted for the educational and other ad-
vantages he enjoyed. He now lives in
Michigan, and the two sisters live in Solon,
Ohio, near their birthplace.
As the subject of our sketch grew up, he,
too, was industrious, both in mental and
physical labor. He worked upon the farm,
or at carpentering, or chopped wood, or at
any other odd job that would aid in support
of the family, and in the meantime made the
most of his books. Ever afterward he was
never ashamed of his humble origin, nor for-
got the friends of his youth. The poorest
laborer was sure of his sympathy, and he
always exhibited the character of a modest
gentleman.
Until he was about sixteen years of age,
James's highest ambition was to be a lake
captain. To this his mother was strongly
opposed, but she finally consented to his
going to Cleveland to carry out his long-
cherished design, with the understanding,
however, that he should try to obtain some
other kind of employment. He walked all
the way to Cleveland, and this was his first
visit to the city. After making man}' ap-
plications for work, including labor on
board a lake vessel, but all in vain; he
finally engaged as a driver for his cousin,
Amos Letcher, on the Ohio & Pennsyl-
vania Canal. In a short time, however, he
quit this and returned home. He then at-
tended the seminary at Chester for about
three years, and next he entered Hiram In-
stitute, a school started in 1850 by the
Disciples of Christ, of which church he was
a member. In order to pa}' his way he
assumed the duties of janitor, and at tmies
taught school. He soon completed the cur-
riculum there, and then entered Williams
College, at which he graduated in 1856,
taking one of the highest honors of his class.
PRESIDEXTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
Afterward he returned to Hiram as Presi-
dent. In hisyouthful and therefore zealous
piety, he exercised his talents occasionally
as a preacher of the Gospel. He was a
man of strong moral and religious convic-
tions, and as soon as he began to look into
politics, he saw innumerable points that
could be improved. He also studied law,
and was admitted to the bar in 1859.
November 11, 1858, Mr. Garfield married
Miss Lucretia Rudolph, who ever after-
ward proved a worthy consort in all the
stages of her husband's career. They had
seven children, five of whom are still liviii
in recognition of the Lieutenant's bravery
during the occasion in which he lost his
life. Mrs. Artaur died shortly before her
husband's nomination to the Vice-Presi-
dency, leaving two children.
Mr. Arthur obtained considerable celeb-
rity as an attorney in the famous Lemmon
suit, which was brought to recover posses-
sion of eight slaves, who had been declared
free by the Superior Court of New York
City. The noted Charles O'Conor, who
was nominated by the " Straight Demo-
crats" in 1872 for the United States Presi-
dency, was retained by Jonathan G. Lem-
114
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
mon, of Virginia, to recover the negroes,
but he lost the suit. In this case, however,
Mr. Arthur was assisted by William M.
Evarts, now United States Senator. Soon
afterward, in 1856, a respectable colored
woman was ejected from a street car in
New York City. Mr. Arthur sued the car
company in her behalf and recovered $500
damages. Immediately afterward all the
car companies in the city issued orders to
their employes to admit colored persons
upon their cars.
Mr. Arthur's political doctrines, as well
as his practice as a lawyer, raised him to
prominence in the party of freedom ; and
accordingly he was sent as a delegate to
the first National Republican Convention.
Soon afterward he was appointed Judge
Advocate for the Second Brigade of the
State of New York, and then Engineer-in-
Chief on Governor Morgan's staff. In 1861,
the first year of the war, he was made In-
spector-General, and ne.Kt, Quartermaster-
General, in both which offices he rendered
great service to the Government. Alter
the close of Governor Morgan's term he
resumed the practice of law, forming first a
partnership with Mr. Ransom, and subse-
quently adding Mr. Phelps to the firm.
Each of these gentlemen were able lawyers.
November 21, 1872, General Arthur was
appointed Collector of the Port of New
York by President Grant, and he held the
office until July 20, 1878.
The next event of prominence in General
Arthur's career was his nomination to the
Vice-Presidency of the United States, under
the influence of Roscoe Conkling, at the
National Republican Convention held at
Chicago in June, 1880, when James A. Gar-
field was placed at the head of the ticket.
Both the convention and the campaign that
followed were noisy and exciting. The
friends of Grant, constituting nearly half
the convention, were exceedingly persist-
ent, and were sorely disappointed over
their defeat. At the head of the Demo-
cratic ticket was placed a very strong and
popular man ; yet Garfield and Arthur were
elected by a respectable plurality of the
popular vote. The 4th of March following,
these gentlemen were accordingly inaugu-
rated ; but within four months the assassin's
bullet made a fatal wound in the person of
General Garfield, whose life terminated
September 19, 1881, when General Arthur,
ex officio, was obliged to take the chief
reins of government. Some misgivings
were entertained by many in this event, as
Mr. Arthur was thought to represent espe
cially the Grant and Conkling wing of the
Republican party ; but President Arthur
had both the ability and the good sense to
allay all fears, and he gave the restless,
critical American people as good an ad-
ministration as they had ever been blessed
with. Neither selfishness nor low parti-
sanism ever characterized any feature of
his public service. He ever maintained a
high sense of every individual right as well
as of the Nation's honor. Indeed, he stood
so high that his successor. President Cleve-
land, though of opposing politics, expressed
a wish in his inaugural address that he
could only satisfy the people with as good
an administration.
But the day of civil service reform had
come in so far, and the corresponding re-
action against " third-termism" had en-
croached so far even upon "second-term"
service, that the Republican party saw fit
in 1884 to nominate another man for Presi-
dent. Only by this means was General
Arthur's tenure of office closed at Wash-
ington. On his retirement from the Presi-
dency, March, 1885, he engaged in the
practice of law at New York City, where be
died Koveinher 18, 1886.
^
r
G ROVER CLEVELAND.
117
":i«:
^^^Ms
^^^^
ROVER CLEVE-
LAND, the twenty-
second President of the
United States, 1885—,
was born in Caldwell,
Essex County, New
W ^ Jersey, March 1 8,
1837. The house in which he
was born, a small two-story
wooden building, is still stand-
ing. It was the parsonage of
the Presbyterian church, of
which his father, Richard
Cleveland, at the time was
pastor. The family is of New
England origin, and for two centuries has
contributed to the professions and to busi-
ness, men who have reflected honor on the
name. Aaron Cleveland, Grover Cleve-
land's great-great-grandfather, was born in
Massachusetts, but subsequently moved to
Philadelphia, where he became an intimate
friend of Benjamin Franklin, at whose
house he died. He left a large family of
children, who in time married and settled
in different parts of New England. A
grandson was one of the small American
force that fought the British at Bunker
Hill. He served with gallantry through-
out the Revolution and was honorably
discharged at its close as a Lieutenant in
the Continental army. Another grandson,
William Cleveland (a son of a second Aaron
as a
Cleveland, who was distinguished
writer and member of the Connecticut
Legislature) was Grover Cleveland's grand-
father. William Cleveland became a silver-
smith in Norwich, Connecticut. He ac-
quired by industry some property and sent
his son, Richard Cleveland, the father of
Grover Cleveland, to Yale College, where
he graduated in 1 824. During a year spent
in teaching at Baltimore, Maryland, after
graduation, he met and fell in love with a
Miss Annie Neale, daughter of a wealthy
Baltimore book publisher, of Irish birth.
He was earning his own way in the world
at the time and was unable to marry; but
in three years he completed a course of
preparation for the ministry, secured a
church in Windham, Connecticut, and
married Annie Neale. Subsequently he
moved to Portsmouth, Virginia, where he
preached for nearly two years, when he
was summoned to Caldwell, New Jersey,
where was born Grover Cleveland.
When he was three years old the family
moved to Fayetteville, Onondaga County,
New York. Here Grover Cleveland lived
until he was fourteen years old, the rugged,
healthful life of a country boy. His frank,
generous manner made him a favorite
among his companions, and their respect
was won by the good qualities in the germ
which his manhood developed. He at-
tended the district school of the village and
ti8
P/iES/DENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
was for a short time at the academy. His
lather, however, believed that bo3's should
be taught to labor at an early age, and be-
fore he had completed the course of study
at the academy he began to work in the
village store at $50 for the first year, and the
promise of $100 for the second year. His
work was well done and the promised in-
crease of pay was granted the second year.
Meanwhile his father and family had
moved to Clinton, the seat of Hamilton
College, where his father acted as agent to
the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions,
preaching in the churches of the vicinity.
Hither Grover came at his father's request
shortly after the beginning of his second
year at the Fayetteville store, and.resumed
his studies at the Clinton Academy. After
three years spent in this town, the Rev.
Richard Cleveland was called to the vil-
lage church of Holland Patent. He had
preached here only a month when he was
suddenly stricken down and died without
an hour's warning. The death of the father
left the family in straitened circumstances,
as Richard Cleveland had spent all his
salary of $1,000 per year, which was not
required for the necessary expenses of liv-
ing, upon the education of his children, of
whom there were nine, Grover being the
fifth. Grover was hoping to enter Hamil-
ton College, but the death of his father
made it necessary for him to earn his own
livelihood. For the first year (1853-4) lie
acted as assistant teacher and bookkeeper in
the Institution for the Blind in New York
City, of which the late Augustus Schell was
for many years the patron. In the winter
of 1854 he returned to Holland Patent
where the generous people of that place,'
Fayetteville and Clinton, had purchased a
home for his mother, and in the following
spring, borrowing $25, he set out for the
West to earn his living.
Reaching Buffalo he paid a hasty visit to
an uncle, Lewis F. Allen, a well-known
stock farmer, living at Black Rock, a tew
miles distant. He communicated his plans
to Mr. Allen, who discouraged the idea of
the West, and finall}- induced the enthusi-
astic boy of seventeen to remain with him
and help him prepare a catalogue of blooded
short-horn cattle, known as " Allen's Amer-
ican Herd Book," a publication familiar to
all breeders of cattle. In August, 1855, he
entered the law office of Rogers, Bowen
tS: Rogers, at Buffalo, and after serving a
few months without pay, was paid $4 a
week — an amount barely sufficient to meet
the necessary expenses of his board in the
family of a fellow-student in Buffalo, with
whom he took lodgings. Life at this time
with Grover Cleveland was a stern battle
with the world. He took his breakfast by
candle-light with the drovers, and went at
once to the office where the whole day was
spent in work and stud}-. Usually he re-
turned again at night to resume reading
which had been interrupted by the duties
of the day. Gradually his employers came
to recognize the ability, trust worthinesb
and capacity for hard work in their young
employe, and by the time he was admitted
to the bar (1859) he stood high in their con-
fidence. A year later he was made confi-
dential and managing clerk, and in the
course of three 3ears more his salary had
been raised to $1,000. In 1863 he was ap-
pointed assistant district attorney of Erie
County by the district attorney, the Hon.
C. C. Torrance.
Since his first vote had been cast in 1858
he had been a staunch Democrat, and until
he was chosen Governor he always made
it his duty, rain or shine, to stand at the
polls and give out ballots to Democratic
voters. During the first year of his term
as assistant district attorney, the Democrats
desired especiall}' to carry the Board of Su-
pervisors. The old Second Ward in which
he lived was Republican- ordinarily by 250
majority, but at the urgent request of the
GRO VEIi CL E V ELAND.
"9
party Grover Cleveland consented to be
the Democratic candidate for Supervisor,
dnd came within thirteen votes of an elec-
tion. The three years spent in the district
attorney's office were devoted to assiduous
labor and the extension of his professional
attainments. He then formed a law part-
nership with the late Isaac V. Vanderpoel,
ex-State Treasurer, under the firm name
of Vanderpoel & Cleveland. Here the bulk
of the work devolved on Cleveland's shoul-
ders, and he soon won a good standing at
the bar of Erie County. In 1869 Mr.
Cleveland formed a partnership with e.x-
Senator A. P. Laning and ex-Assistant
United States District Attorney Oscar Fol-
som, under the firm name of Laning, Cleve-
land & Folsom. During these years he
began to earn a moderate professional in-
come; but the larger portion of it was sent
to his mother and sisters at Holland Patent
to whose support he had contributed ever
since i860. He served as sheriff of Erie
County, i870-'4, and then resumed the
practice of law, associating himself with the
Hon. Lyman K. Bass and Wilson S. Bissell.
The firm was strong and popular, and soon
commanded a large and lucrative practice.
Ill health forced the retirement of Mr. Bass
in 1879, ^"d the firm became Cleveland &
Bissell. In 1881 Mr. George J. Sicard was
added to the firm.
In the autumn election of 1881 he was
elected mayor of Buffalo by a majority of
over 3,500 — the largest majority ever given
a candidate for mayor — and the Democratic
city ticket was successful, although the
Republicans carried Buffalo by over 1,000
majority for their State ticket. Grover
Cleveland's administration as mayor fully
justified the confidence reposed in him by
the people of Buffalo, evidenced by the
great vote he received.
The Democratic State Convention met
at Syracuse, September 22, 1882, and nomi-
nated Grover Cleveland for Governor
on the third ballot and Cleveland was
elected by 192,000 majoritv. ' In the fall of
1 884 he was elected President of the United
States by about 1,000 popular majority,
in New York State, and he was accordingly
inaugurated the 4th of March following.
.vj«^^
>V
HISTORY
-OK-
HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.
CHAPTER I.
LOCATION, TOPOGRAPHY AND GENERAL REMARKS.
INNESOTA is located in the
geographical center of the con-
tinent of North America — mid-
way between the Atlantic and
Pacific Oceans, and also midway
between Hudson's Baj' and the
Gulf of Mexico. It embraces
territory extending from latitude
43 degrees 50 minutes, to 49 de-
grees, and from 89 degrees 29
minutes to 97 degrees 5 minutes
west longitude. As to its area,
it can only be estimated, as portions of the
State are as yet unsurveyed ; but as near as
can be arrived at, the area is 85,531 square
miles, or about 53,760,000 acres. In size
Minnesota is the fourth State in the Union.
From its southern boundary to the northern
is about 4()0 miles, and from the most east-
ern to tiie extreme western point about 354
miles. In altitude it appears to l)e one of
the highest portions of the continent, as the
headwaters of tlie three great river systems'
are foun)
PPEl®
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MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
149
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BIOGRMPHIQMl H
▼ J
■♦♦♦♦♦*♦ *•*«••*«»«*■
'*♦♦*
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"Tp^^ON. WILLIA
>l ., ■- J *, a prominent
jy^^ village of Li
WILLIAM H. GREENLEAF,
it lumber dealer of the
•g,.. v.. .jitchtield, is one of the
early pioneers of Meeker county who has
risen to prominence through hisown unaitled
efforts. lie is a native of Allegheny, now
Livingston county. New York, born Decem-
ber 7, 1834, and is the son of William and
Elmira (Sanford) Greenleaf, natives of the
Empire State and Vermont, respectively.
Tiie Greenleaf family is of respectable antiq-
uity in this country, the chain of ancestry
having been traced back as follows: William
Greenleaf, the father of our subject, was the
son of Tilly Greenleaf and was born Decem-
ber 23, 1797. Tilly was the son of Israel
Greenleaf, and born March 25, 1770. Israel
was born March 28, 1732, and was the son
of Dr. Daniel Greenleaf, who was born No-
vember 7, 1702, died July, 1795, and was the
son of Eev. Daniel Greenleaf. The latter
was the son of Stephen Greenleaf, Jr., and
was born February 10, 1680, and died Au-
gust 26, 1763, his father's birth having taken
place August 15, 1652, and his death October
13, 1743. Stephen Greenleaf, Sr., was born
in 1630, and was the son of Edmund Green-
leaf, and died December 1, 1690. llis father,
Edmund, was born in the parish of Brixham,
Devonshire, England, about 1600, and came
with his family in 1635 to this country and
settled at Newbury, in the colony of Massa-
chusetts Bay. lie was the lineal descend-
ant of an old French Huguenot family, who
left theu" home in La Belle France on account
of religious persecutions early in the sixteenth
century, the name Greenleaf being a literal
translation of their French name, Fuillevert.
The subject of this personal memoir, Will-
iam H., when he was but eight years of age,
removed with his parents to, Jefferson county,
Wisconsin, which in that year, 1843, was but
a new country, where his father settled upon
a farm. When he had attained the age of
seventeen, William H. commenced attending
school at the Fort Atkinson Academy, his
earlier education having been derived from
the common schools, and remained at that
institution some two years, after which he
acquired a knowledge of civil engineering.
In 1856, during the Kansas troubles, he made
a trip to that territory with a company raised
by Prof. Daniels, for the assistance of the
Free Soilers. He returned to Wisconsin
where, in 1857, he was engaged as surveyor
on the Wisconsin Central railroad. In the
150
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
spring of 1858 he came to Meeker county and
locateil upon section 30, Ellsworth township,
where he put up a saw mill and improved the
water power. He also took up a homestead
on section 25, in Greenleaf township, which
township was named in liis honor. A his-
tory of his business operations while in the vil-
lao-e of Greenleaf is given in detail elsewhere
in this volume. While a resident of that place
he was awakened at four o'clock on the morn-
ing of August 18, 1862, and told the dread-
ful tidings of murder and rapine that her-
alded the terrible massacre of that eventful
year, and as soon as possible took his wife
and ten-months-old child to St. Paul for se-
curity, and then returned to help make a
stand against the red fiends who were de|)op-
ulating the border. He stopped at Hutchin-
son, where he went through the experience of
border warfare with the people of that vil-
lage and remained that fall. Pie then went
to Minneapolis, where he made his home un-
til March, 1864, and then returned to this
county, where he has lived ever since. In
the spring of 1872 he removed to Litchfield,
and put up some of the first buildings in that
town. In 1871 he entered into the general
merchandise business in that "burg" in
which he continued until 1876. In 1874 he
was appointed receiver of the United States
Land office at this jilace and continued in
that office, having been reappointed in 187S,
until 1879, when he resigned. In 1878 he
purchased the lumber yard of M. J. Flynn,
and in 1880 that of II. B. Brown, and consoli-
dated the two, thus establishing his present
business. In 18S2 the present firm was formed
by the admission of his son, Charles A., to a
full partnership.
In the fall of 1870 Mr. Greenleaf was
elected by the people of this district to rep-
resent them in the State Legislature, and
served continuously for three sessions in that
capacity. In 1882 he was sent to the State
Senate and for four vears was a member of
that august body, looking sharply after the
interests of his constituents. He was united
in marriage September 27, 1859, with Miss
Cordelia J. DeLong, the daughter of Hiram
and Maria DeLong, the latter a niece of the
celebrated revolutionary general, Ethan Al-
len. Iler father is still living at Greenleaf
village at the ripe old age of eighty-nine
years. The result of this marriage has been
four children — Charles A., of whom a sketch
is given elsewhere; Jessie A., now Mrs. H. S.
Branham ; and twins, Frankie and Fred, de-
ceased.
ORRIS Y. TAYLOR, an enterprising,
prosperous and reliable farmer of
Ellsworth township, has his home upon sec-
tion 17. He settled on this place on coming to
the county in 1874, and has now a fine farm
of 246 acres of excellent arable land for the
most part, 110 of which is under a high state
of tillage. He carries on general farming,
but gives considerable attention to dairy in-
terests, keeping about thirty head of cattle,
mostly of Ilolstein strains.
Our subject is a native of Illinois, born in
Vermilion county, October 8, 1850. He
commenced life young, for when but sixteen
years of age he hired out to work for ten dol-
lars per month. His next move was to work
for his board and go to school, with the set
purpose of making up for the lack of earlier
opportunity. In this way he acquii'ed the
elements of an excellent education, taking a
course or more in the higher branches, in the
schools at Berrysville, Ind. He now com-
menced farming in the neighborhood of Bis-
marck. In the spring of 1870, having had
an attack of some lung disease, he came to
Minnesota and was engaged in lumberyards
at Stillwater, but a few months later he moved
to St. Paul and was engaged as chainman by
a party of Government surveyors. This kind
of business recuperating his health and being
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
151
agreeable to him, he continued to follow it
seven years in one capacity or another until
he rose to be superintendent in charge of the
party. The north shores of Lake Superior,
the White Earth reservation, the Eed Eiver
valley, and the Leach Lake reservation' were
all the scenes of his labors. In 1877 he gave
up his wandering and came to Meeker county,
where he had settled, or rather bought a farm
and worked it between his surveying expedi-
tions. Here he remained until 1880, when
he accepted the superintendency of the "No-
bles county farm," of George L Seney, of New
York, but the next year transferred his ser-
vices to the executors of the Horace Thomp-
son estate in the same capacity. For three
yeai-s he managed one of their farms, and
then came back here and has remained ever
since.
Mr. Taylor was married May 3, 1881, to
Miss Fina Shuart, a native of Geauga county,
Ohio, and daughter of William and Mary
Ann Shuart, and by this union there have
been three children — George S., Wilford B.,
and Marion.
In his views Mr. Taylor is entirely free
politically, and independent of party lines.
He was elected to the office of town clerk
in the spring of 18SS, and still holds that
office.
JTAMES SHELLEY. Among the promi-
^ nent pioneers of Darwin township, and
well-to-do farmers, there is none tliat has
more influence in the community in which
he Uves than the subject of this sketch. He
has his residence upon section 26, on his fine
farm of 500 acres, 120 of which are under a
high state of cultivation, wliere he carries on
agricultural pursuits.
Mr. Shelley is a native of Ireland, born in
County Tipperary, in the parish of Lough-
more, where his fathers and ancestor's had
lived from time immemorial. In 1848, that
eventful year in Irish history, he left his na-
tive land and disembarked at New York after
a long voyage, and for over seven 3'ears was
employed at Wilberham, Mass. At the ex-
piration of that time he came West, and after
one week spent in Wisconsin, settled in
Meeker county. April 29, 1857, he took a
claim by preemption, the northeast quarter
of section 22, Darwin township. At that ■
time there were but eight or ten men settled
here and the country was in its wild and
primitive condition. After putting in his
crop of potatoes, corn, etc., and working
around some, he went to Minneapolis and
fired on board the steamer H. M. Kice, then
plying upon the river. Returning to his
farm, he passed the winter here and made
this his home until the Indian troubles of
1862. Before this he had been accustomed
to trade with the Sioux and found them
peacefully inclined, althougli they would
steal whatever they could lay their hands on.
When he heard of the outbreak he was har-
vesting, but at once went to Forest City, and
tlie next morning started for Clearwater,
where he went to work for Eugene Baldwin.
Shortly after he came back and procured some
of his things and returned to Clearwater. He
was back and forth several times, and in the
fall took some of his stock to Minneapolis,
and then returned and passed the winter here.
He then went to Minneapolis and remained
nearly all the time, occasionally coming to
his place to see about it, until the spring of
1865, when he came to stay and lias lived on
his place ever since.
Mr. Shelley was married in 1866 to Miss
Mary Vaughan, in Minneapolis, and by this
union there have been born four children — ■
William, John, Daniel, and James, all of
whom are still living. Both Mr. and Mrs.
Shelley are members of the Eoman Catholic
Church and prompt in the fulfillment of their
religious duties.
152
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
^I^H" C. MARTIN, ex-judge of probate of
M^^ Meeker county, is one of the most
prominent attorneys at Litchfield. He is a
native of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where
he was born on the 20th of January, 1843.
His parents were Samuel M. and Martha
(McGrew) Martin; the father a native of
Pennsylvania, but who had come to Ohio
wlien young ; the mother a native of Ohio.
They both died when the subject of this
sketch was six years old, and N. C. went to
live with his grandmother, who was carrying
on a farm. In ISfi-l she removed to Indiana
and our subject remained on the farm, except
the time he sjient in the army, until he was
twenty-eight years of age. On the 2nd of
June, 1862, N. C. Martin enlisted in Com-
pany G, Eighty-sixth Ohio, and served dur-
ing that year in "West Virginia. He was
then mustered out of that regiment, and
enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and
Twenty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, on
the 20th of June, 1863. He served in West
Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia.
He never missed a day's service during his
army life, and was tinalh' mustered out as
orderly sergeant on the 5th of March, 1864.
In 1870 Mr. Martin began reading law at
Bowling Green, Clay county, Ind., with
Hon. E. Miles, now of Denver, Colorado.
In 1871 he was admitted to the bar and in
the spring of 1872 he established the Clay
County Enterprise at Knightsville, in Ind-
iana, a republican paper which is still run-
ning, — the only republican paper in that
county. Mr. Martin conducted that paper
for one year, and a short time later he struck
out for the West for the purpose of locating
in Minnesota. After remaining a few days
at St. Paul and Minneapolis he came to
Litchfield, arriving August 20, 1873, and
has since made that his home. While living
at Knightsville, Indiana, he was married to
Miss Clara S. Ward. Upon his arrival at
Litchfield Mr. Martin first engaged in the
law and real estate business, but in 1876 he
established the Litchfield Independent and
ran that as a greenback paper, supporting
Peter Cooper for the presidency. He con-
tinued in tlie newspaper business until June,
1877, when he sold out, and the same fall
was elected to the office of judge of probate
of Meeker county on the greenback ticket.
He was three times re-elected, the last time
his nomination being endorsed by all the
parties. He served from January 1, 1878.
until January 1, 1887, and in the fall of 1887
was unanimously renominated, but declined.
Since that time Mr. Martin has given his
attention wholly to the practice of law, also
carrying on an extensive real estate and
loan agency. He has alwa\'s taken an act-
ive interest in all matters affecting the wel-
fare of Litchfield. He was one of the prin-
cipal workers in the original organization of
the Frank Daggett Post, Grand Army of
the Tiepublic, and has taken an active inter-
est in its progress. He held tiie office of
commander of the post for four successive
terms, a fact which speaks for itself, as the
office is one wliich is usually held but one
term. In 1879 Mr. Martin was a candidate
for Attorney General on the greenback ticket
and for a number of years took a very active
interest in political matters. Mr. and Mrs.
Martin have seven children, Myrtle, Daisy,
Clara Ma\', Belle, Emma, Nathan and an
infant.
JTOHN M. MOUSLEY, one of the earliest
^ settlers of Meeker county, and an hon-
ored and respected citizen of Ellsworth, has
his residence upon section 22 of that town,
where he first settled in 1S5S. He is a native
of England, born in Manchester December
6, 1827, and is the son of Samuel and
Nancy (Mason) Mousley, natives, also, of
"Albion." The family came to Canada in
1851, and settled in Elgin count}^ where
K.J
^'^-^^
MERKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
155
Samuel died of lung disease in 1864. He
was born in 1792. His wife, who first saw
tlie light in 1795, died in England in Novem-
ber, 18-19. The father of our subject was a
cotton dyer by trade, having learned the
trade when a boy. He was an excellent
citizen, a good Cliristian man and a kind
neighbor. Both he and his estimable wife
were meml^ers of the Church of England, or
E[)isco])al Churcli. They were the parents of
five children — James, Alfred, Jane, John and
Alice.
The subject of this narrative continued
to make his home beneath the parental
roof until the spring of 1842, when, although
but fourteen years of age, he crossed the
briny deep to Canada, where he had an uncle
living, with whom he made his home for
some eight years. During this time he as-
sisted in the work upon the farm and at-
tended the common schools, receiving there-
from the elements of a fair education.
Most of this was obtained under difficulties,
as hai'd and persistent work was tiie order of
the da\'. He finally commenced to learn the
blacksmith's trade with McPherson, Glasgow
& Co., but after the expiration of his three
years' apprenticesliip returned to his uncle's,
working for him in the summer. He then
took u[) liis trade in the employ of several
parties, and continued tlius emplo^^ed until
he came to this county, in 1858, as detailed
above. After taking his claim of 160 acres
of land, the next spring he went to St. Paul
and went to work for one Frank Gilnian in
a foundry. With what he earned he pur-
chased a yoke of oxen and tlie various tools
he would need, and returned here and com-
menced the development of his farm, and
has seen it grow from pristine wiidness to
its present condition. Pie has since that, once
or twice, worked at his trade, but only for
short periods.
Mr. Mousley was married in April, 1S64-,
to Miss Catherine Doane, a native of Canada,
born in 1841, who died in January, 1872,
leaving four children — James Alfred, Hattie
Jane, Fi-ank M.,and Alice Ann. Hattie died
in the spring of ISSl, when some fifteen
years old ; and Alice died August 26, 1886.
Mr. M. has held the offices of town su]ier-
visor, town clerk and scliool clerk for years.
Tp)ETER MARTENSON is engaged in
I^ farming on section 25, Litchfield town-
ship. He is a son of Marten and Annie Isaac-
son, and was born in Sweden, on the 27th of
February, 1845. Peter was engaged in farm-
ing with his father in the old country until
1869, when he started for America. He
came direct to Meeker county, Minn., and
purchased a tract of railroad land on section
25, in Litchfield township. During the win-
ter of 1871-2 he re-visited the fatherland,
but the pleasure of his visit was marred by
the death of his father on the very day that
he arrived at the old home. In the spring
of 1872, he was married to Ellen Larson, a
daughter of Lars and Ellen Peterson, and
in the following May he returned to the
United States, and to his Meeker county
home. Four children have been the fruits
of their marriage, as follows: Louis, born
October 14, 1872; John, born March 29,
1876; Henry, born September 6, 1879: and
Annie, born April 2, 1882.
Like others in iiis neighborhood, Mr.
Martenson has sutt'ered from grasshoj)pers
and hailstorms, but his industry and perse-
verance have enabled him to recover from
these reverses and he is now in comfortable
circumstances.
J^^iCHAEL DELANEY, a prosperous
jPLi^L 'I'ld industrious farmer of Ells-
worth township, residing upon section 16,
came to Meeker county in 1877, and located
on the place where his home now is. He had
156
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
pui'cliaseil the land sdine time previous to
this, but he has made iiearh' all, if not all, the
improvements here, and he has now a mag-
nificent ])ropertv consisting of 342 acres
h'ing in tiiis and (ireenleaf townsiiips. lie
is giving a large share of his attention to
stock-raising, principally to half and three-
quarter-bred Durham, llolstein and Jersey
cattle. His home is one of the most beauti-
ful in the township, and attracts the atten-
tion of even the most casual observer.
Mr. Delaney is a native of Ireland, born in
County Leitrim, July 28, 1828, and is the
son of Bernard and Catiierine (McWeeny)
Delaney, both of whom died in that "ever
verdant isle," the mother' in 1863, the father
in 1873, at theage of ninety years. Bernard
Delaney was a farmer ancl followed that
business as best he could in that oppressed
land. lie was the ])arent of but two chil-
dren, Bernard and Michael.
The latter, the subject of this biography,
was reared among the beautiful scenery of
the West of Ireland, but on attaining man-
hood felt that he must seek in other countries
the freedom from the Saxon's yoke that has
oppressed that island for seven centuries, and
accordingly, in 1852, emigrated to the United
States, landing in New York. From there,
after stopping a short time in New Haven,
Conn., he went to the State of Virginia,
where he was engaged in railroad construc-
tion for four years. His next move was to
Minneapolis, where he arrived in 1856, and
made his home until 1877, except a year spent
in Kentucky and Tennessee. At the date
last mentioned he moved to Meeker county.
Mr. Delaney was united in marriage in
June, 1858, with Miss Mary Garvey, a native
County Mayo, Ireland, who had come to the
United States a short time before. Ihe
ceremony took place in St. Anthony, now
Miiin(-a])iilis. By this uni(jn they have had
seven ciiildren, six of whom survive: Mar}',
who is a teacher in tiic St. Paul schools;
John, teaching in Swift County, this State;
Kate, who is teachmg the school in District
68, Litchfield township; Hannah, who is
teaching in District '(i^, Ellsworth ; Nellieand
Antliony William.
TprON. JAMES B. ATKINSON, one of
'_^S8L the pioneers of JNIeeker county, as
well as one of the most prominent citizens, is
a native of Kingston, Canada, born November
13, 1822. His parents were both natives of
Yorkshire, England, but came to America
in 1821, landing in New York, from whence
they proceeded to Canada, where James B.
was born. About a year later the}^ removed
to Black Rock, N. Y., where they remained
for about nine years. The father was a
stone mason by trade, and during this time
was contracting on canal bridges and other
heavy work. Later, he purchased a large
farm near Freeport, Penn., where he lived
until the time of his death. The parents of
James B. had four children, three of whom
are still living — two in Minnesota and one
in Kansas.
James B. Atkinson remained athomew'ith
his parents until eighteen years of age, at-
tending common schools most of the time.
At the age referred to he began learning the
printer's trade at Freeport, following that at
various places until he was twenty-two, when
he returned home and rented a farm for
twentj'-one months. The firet fall from this
experiment, the hay crop cleared him $600
above all expenses, including the rent for
the full time. The following winter, March
20, 1845, he was married to Miss Abbie
Sholes, of Allegheny City, Penn., Init re-
mained on the farm until tiie followin"- fall,
when he moved into Frt'(>p(>i't and opened a
butcher shoj). Five oi' six yeais latei-, he
sold out and began his aftciward extensive
business of i-ailroad contracting. His first
contract was one for $8,000 on the Allegheny
iMEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
157
Valley road ; next on the North-Western,
now Pennsylvania, and from that to the Iron
Mountain, on which he had a contract for over
$100,000. His next move was to return to
Freeport, where he bought a stock of general
merchandise and conducted that business for
one year. He then came West in search of
a location, and spent some time in travelling
through the eastern part of Iowa. In the
.spring of 1856, he decided to come to Min-
neapolis, and, being pleased with the prospect
there, he returned to New York for goods,
was taken sick and laid up for three months.
For this reason he did not get back to Min-
neapolis until August of that year and the
.same fall came out to Rockford and took up
a claim, where he remained thirty days. The
town of Rockford had been laid out only that
iSpring : game was abundant and the pros-
pect generally fine. After returning to
Minneapolis, where he remained some six
weeks, he went East for his family. His
Jiousehold goods were packed and shipped
West, but the goods never arrived, nor have
they ever been seen or heard of since. Early
in the year 1857, he made his first trip to
Meeker county, driving through with a team,
bringing a load of goods and working his
way through the " Big Woods." Upon his
.arrival he located at Forest City. The coun-
ty had just been organized and that country
village, being the county seat, was the prin-
cipal point within its limits, although there
were neither business nor business houses
there at that time. Mr. Atkinson, liaving
brought the first goods to the county, went
immediately to work getting up a building.
He then returned to Minneapolis for the
balance of his goods.
Having, like all others, taken up a claim,
lie placed his family upon it, and going back
to St. Paul, proved up on it, paid for it, and
returning with more goods, removed to the
village, where he opened his store for busi-
ness, about March 1, 1857. He, the follow-
ing fall, erected the hotel, which he ran in
connection with his other businesses until
1879. The store was kept by him until
1865, when he disposed of it to his partner,
he having taken Mark W. Piper in with him
in 1862. During the winter of 1861-2 Mr.
Atkinson made a trip to Pike's Peak, but
came home, arriving at Forest City, August
I, just seventeen days previous to the Indian
outbreak. At the time of the organization
of the' "Home Guanls," at Forest City
he was elected first lieutenant. The night
previous to the attack u])on the stockade,
ammunition being short, he volunteered to
go after a supply, and starting after night,
alone, traveled throug'h the "Bio' Woods,'*
beset with savage enemies, but, although
aware of his peril, would not quail or flinch.
His undaunted courage carried hmi through
safely, and procuring powder, lead, and
soldiers to relieve the garrison, he returned.
He had previous to this, in company with
Geo. C. Whitcomb, been raising a company
for the Sixth Minnesota Infantry, but the
outbreak stopped jiroceedings. He then
enlisted and served as private and scout,
althougli favored by his superior officers to a
degree unknown elsewliere, on account of
his social position and certain promises made
to him but not fulfilled, in Company D,
Second Cavalry. He remaineil with them
until the close of hostilities with the red-
skins, when he was given a commission to
recruit men at St. Paul. After following
this for a time he raised a company which
was mustered into the service as Company
II, First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, with
which he served as cajitain, being stationed
chietiy at Chattanooga, until the close of the
war.
Captain Atkinson has filled many offices
of trust and honor in this coinmunit}'; he
was the representative in the Legislatui'e in
1857 and 1858, has filled the office of mem-
ber of the board of county commissioners,
158
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
served arents
of two children, as follows: William, born
January 11, 1868 ; Delia, born October 4,
1873.
Mr. Mayer is a republican in political mat-
l62
MI-EKEK COUNTY, M/X.VESOTA .
ters, imd has taken an active and prominent
part in township aff.iirs. He has held vui'i-
ous to\viishi|) ottices, iiaving been cliairnian
of tiie supervisors tliree years, school treas-
urer twent3'-one years, road overseer, and in
other minor positions. lie is one of the best
posted and most intelhgent men in the town-
ship, and is a careful business man. lie
stands high, wherever he is known, for his
integrity and uprightness, and is one of the
leading citizens of his townshij).
Mr. Mayer now owns 500 acres of land, a
£rood deal of which is under cultivation, and
he has good building improvements.
,RS. ELIZABETH GARDNER of Das-
sel township, came to Meeker
county in July, ISGtS, with her brother-in-law,
Andrew Davidson, bringing with her her
only child, Petei", who was then feda (de-
ceased), born July 2, 1875 ; Freda L. V., born
June 11, 1877; Esther A., born June 3,
1879; Joshua Theodore, born July 14, 1881 ;
Hannah JST., born November 23, 1883; and
Walter C. E., born June 30, 1887. The
family are active and jirominent members
in the Beckville Lutheran church.
Mr. Sampson has taken an active interest
in public matters, and is I'ated as one of the
most substantial and prominent citizens of
his township. In political matters he affili-
ates with the republican party, and has held
many offices of local importance, including
those of township supervisor, assessor, treas-
urer, etc. In financial matters, although,
like others in his township, he has suffered
i6S
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
some reverses, he has withal been very suc-
cessful. He has a large and valuable farm,
a great proportion of which is under cultiva-
tion, and has it well stocked. Ilis building
improvements are among the finest in the
township, making a home in which he may
justly take a pride, and which is, in the enter-
prise it manifests, a credit to the county.
In another department of this work will
be found a jiortrait of Mr. Sampson.
•■^-J^S^^-^— •-
EORGE W. HARDING, one of the
leading citizens of Darwin township,
and the present town clerk, is living on his
fertile and highly-cultivated farm on sec-
tion 21. lie was born in Hardenburgh, Ind.,
Octol)er 3, 1852, and is the son of Mitchell
and Mary A. Harding. He was reared and
educated in the '-Iloosier State" and remained
a resident there until April 25, 1866,
when became to Meeker county, Minn., with
his father, and settled in Darwin township,
where he now makes his home.
Mitchell Harding, the father of our sub-
ject, was born in Genesee county, N.
Y., March 14, 1808, and came West and
settled in Indiana in 1836, one of the pio-
neers of that noble State. His father was a
veteran of the conflict with Great Britain
in 1812-1815, and died at Fort Erie during
the war. Mitchell Harding makes his home
with his son, George, having given up act-
ive business pursuits, as he is over eighty
years old.
George Harding was united in marriage,
April 5, 1874, with Miss Josie L. Smith, and
by this union they are the parents of tiiree
children — Earl C, born March 1, 1875, died
October 8, 1880; Jennie M., born May 11,
1878 ; and George W., born July 26, 1881.
Our subject is politically a republican,
and has been called on several times by his
fellow citizens to discharge official duties.
He was elected chairman of the town board
of supervisors, and served in that capacity
three terms. Town assessor and town clerk
he has also been, and at present holds the two
offices — clerk of the township and school
district treasurer. Keligiously, he is a mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church,
while his estimable wife holds communion
with the Chui'ch of God, and both are sin-
cere, earnest. Christian people.
^^VENNING JOHNSON is a respected
~^^ and successful farmer, who resides on
section 21, Danielsoii township. Like a
majority of the most thrifty and enterpris-
ing farmers of his township, Mr. Johnson is
a native of Sweden, where he was born
November 3, 1831. His early life was spent
in his native land, but in 1869 he came to
the United States, and first settled in Illinois,
where he remained for two years, working
for different farmers. At the end of that
time, on April 24, 1871, he came to Meeker
county, Minn., and ]nirchased forty acres
of land on section 21, in Danielson town-
ship, where he has since lived. He has
since bought 140 acres more, so that he now
owns 180 acres, 100 of which are on section
21, and eighty on 29.
Mr. Johnson was married ]^fay 2, 1862,
while still in Sweden, to Johanna Larson, and
their union has been blessed with the follow-
ing named children : Amanda, born Api'il
18, 1863 ; Augusta, born September 9,
1864 ; Lewis, born August 28, 1867 ; August,
born September 26, 1869 ; Hattie, born Sep-
tember 1, 1872, and Emel, born July 28,
1874. Amanda and Augusta are working in
St. Paul. The son, Lewis, has general charge
of the farm, as his father is now well along
in years, and is spending the evening of his
long and useful life, partially retired from
the active participation in farm labor. The
famil}' are members of the Methodist church.
When Mr. Johnson came to the United
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
169
States he was a poor man, and it was only
by the hardest labor and strictest economy
that he secured a start and was able to sup-
port his family. lie pei-severed, however,
and is now in very good circumstances, hav-
ing a cojnfortable home in which to spend
the latter part of his life, and is possessed of
a comfortable property.
-^^
"OHN YOUNGSTROM, a farmer, resid-
ing on section 2S, Litchfield township,
is one of the most intelligent and best-posted
citizens in his portion of the county. He is
a native of Sweden, born on the 1st of
Februar}^, 184-5, and is a son of Andrew and
Christine Youngstrom. John grew to man-
hood at the home of his parents, and at an
ea,rly age embarked in the mercantile busi-
ness, continuing it until 1868, when he came
to the United States. Shortly after his
arrival he decided to locate in Meeker coun-
ty, Minn., and accordingly purchased parts
of sections 21, 28 and 29, in Litchfield
township. His farm at that time was one of
the largest operated by one man west of the
" Big Woods," but after about ten years' trial,
he became convinced that it was not quan-
tity of land which was essential to success
in farming, but sagacity and business tact in
management. Accordingly, he unloaded a
good portion of his huge farm, and has since
been operating on the safe side. Although
the grassho]ipers, hailstorms and drouth have
caused him serious backsets, entailing the
loss of three crops in four years, he has man-
aged to come out of it all in pretty good
financial shape.
Mr. Youngstrom was married in 1871 to
Mary C. Kjellander, a daughter of John
Kjellander, and a native of Sweden, born in
1844. Four children have been born to them,
viz.: John Oscar, Hilder Mary, Olga and
Axel H. Although Mr. Youngstrom has
never been caught m the maelstrom of polit-
ical office seeking, he has ever been a close
student of political economy, and has lent a
considerable amount of ■ time and all his
influence to the remedying of existing evils
in governmental aff'airs, and is an unyielding
foe to monopoly and all manner of oppres-
sion and harmful influences.
«"S^^-4^ •
l^RANK E. DAGGETT, deceased, was
Jp^ at one time one of the most prominent
citizens of Meeker count}^ and during his
residence at Litchfield, figured conspicuously
in its history. He was a native of Vermont,
but when quite young he came "West to Fond
du Lac, Wis., and in 1853, went to Hudson,
in the same State. He learned the trade of
a printer when still a boy, at Hudson, Wis.,
and Stillwater, Minn. At an early day he
went to Kansas and Nebraska, and as a
journalist, took an active part in the anti-
slavery movements, being one of John
Brown's most active associates, and expected
fully to accompany Brown on the Harper's
Ferry expedition ; but he went home to visit
his mother, and as the move took place ear-
lier than was planned, he did not get back in
time to participate in it. After that, he
went to St. Paul and began working at his
trade on the old Pioneer. From there he
returned to Rutland county, Vt., and in
18(>0 was married. Before he started West
again, war was declared, and he enlisted for
three months in the First Vermont Regiment.
At the expiration of his term of service, he
came to Minnesota and enlisted in the Sixth
Minnesota Infantry, and was ordered to the
frontier to participate in the Indian warfare.
After the close of the Indian troubles, he
went before the examining board at St. Louis,
and having passed the examination, was ap-
pointed lieutenant in the 117th LTnited States
Regiment [colored], and was assigned to the
Army of the Potomac. In the summer of
1861 he was taken sick and ordered to resie:n.
170
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
He then returned to Minnesota and worked
on the Pioneer until 1S*!6 when he went to
Wabasha and purchased the ^Vahaslla Herald.
This he published until the fall of 1870,
when he went to LaCrosse and bought an in-
terest in the Leader, of that place, the firm
becoming Taylor, Burns & Daggett. Through
some mismanagement the firm became in-
solvent, and Mr. Daggett began work on the
Milwaukee Daily News as a compositor. .In
the fall of 1871 he was given a position as
city editor on the Minneapolis News, and re-
mained there till April, 1872, when he re-
signed and came to Litchfield, and in com-
pany with W. D. Joubert, established the
Litchfield Ledger. While'in business here he
was three times elected clerk of the Minne-
sota House of Representatives. He was a
prominent and active member of the Grand
Army of the Republic, and at one time was
Grand Commander of the Department of
Minnesota. The post at Litchfield was named
" Frank Daggett Post," in honor of him.
Mr. Daggett's death occurred Saturday,
October li, 1876. He was then in his thirty-
ninth year.
• •« > '^^' ■ < '■ •
CHARLES A. STAPLES, a successful
merchant of the village of Manannah,
is a native of Waldo county, Me., born Feb-
ruary 17, 1843, and is the seventh son of
Jacob C, and Elizabeth (Small) Staples,
both of whom were also natives of the Pine
Tree State. The father of our subject was
born March 0, 1801, and his mother March
24, 1805. Their marriage took place March
20, 1828, and they continued to make their
home in their native State until October,
1854, when they came to Minnesota with
their family of ten children, of whom our
subject was one. The\^ settled in Sauk
Valley, six miles west of where St. Cloud is
now located, but at that time there was not
a house where the city now is located. They
remained in that vicinity until the time of
their death, the mother October 17, 1874,
the father, November 26, 1879. The latter's
demise was caused by exposure, cold and
exhaustion. He was then a man of seventy-
eight years and having been to St. Cloud,
upon a visit to a son who still resides there,
and on returning missed his road and landed
in the night on Maine Prairie, and being
refused shelter by professed Christian people
along the way, was out all night that cold
November night, and died a few days later.
Charles A. remained at home with his
parents until attaining his majority, during
which time he learned the carpenter's trade
of his father, also a good knowledge of farm-
ing which afterwai'd he made a success. He
came to Meeker county, and took up a home-
stead on section 5, Union Grove to\vnship,
selecting his land in July, 1864. After
filing papers for a homestead in August, he
enlisted, September 3, 1864, in the Fourth
Minnesota Infantry as a recruit, with which
he served only about three months, and then
being discharged for disabilitv, he returned
to his claim and commenced improving it,
and made it his home until 1882, during
which time he had added by purchase some
360 acres to his original homestead. He then
sold his original homestead and went to
Litchfield and entered into a partnership in
company with his brothers, J. II. and N. P.,
under the firm name and style of Staples
Brothers, who were then in the business of
general merchandising. In the spring of
1883 he sold out and made a trip to Dakota,
with the intention of dealing in hardware,
lumber and farm machinery in Spink county,
but returned and located at Manannah, and
in November of that year put in a new stock
of general merchandise and commenced his
present business in company with his brother,
J. H. Staples, and continued the business as
Staples Brothers up to April 13, 1888, when he
purchased his brother's interest and assumed
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
171
sole proprietorship. He left l^ome empty-
handed but by diligence and business tact
natural to him, before he left Union Grove
township, he had accumlated a fine farm of
240 acres of land and $3,000 in cash. lie
was chairman of the board of town super-
visors in that precinct, justice of the peace
and town clerk for a number of years, and
held some office of trust or responsibility in
that town nearly all the time of his residence
there. He was, also, active in all educational
work and is now one of the trustees in the
village of Manannah.
Mr. Staples was united in marriage in the
year 1870, with Miss Sarah A. Hinds, a native
of Columbia county. Wis., and a daughter of
Isaac and Mary (Thomas) Hinds, who settled
in Union Grove in 1864. By this union Mr.
and Mrs. Staples became the parents of
three children — Carrie Angelia, born Jan-
uary 4, 1871 ; Ancil Edmonds, born August
21,1872; and Frances Ann, born January
1, 1882.
^ON. ANDREW NELSON, one of the
prominent and leading citizens of
Meeker county, resides in the village of
Litchfield. His sterling integrity in all his
dealings with his fellow men, the honor and
ability displayed in official positions and the
spotless purity of his private life, have won
for him the respect of the entire conmiu-
nity. He is a native of Sweden, born
December 29, 1829, in the Forsamling of
Troninge Paapsbyl), No. 3, Hallandslane,
which is about three-quarters of a Swedish
mile (about five miles English) from Halm-
stadt.
The father of our subject, Nels Anderson,
was born in 1773, and was a native of the
same country and one of the wealthiest
faimers of that locality. He had erected
some very fine farm buildings, but lost them
by fire, and this, and other misfortunes which
overtook him, reduced him in circumstances.
He had been assaulted and nearly killed by
a man who bore him enmity, and left for
dead, with his brains almost oozing from his
fractured skull, but being of a very strong con-
stitution he recovered his physical strength,
although his mental balance was considera-
bly affected. He came to the United States
in 1862, with his wife, Johanna (Anderson)
Anderson, and came at once to St. Paul.
He died there about 1867, after lying in bed
for three j^ears, having been crippled by be-
ing run over, and never recovered. His
widow is now making her home with her
son, Andrew Nelson, in Litchfield, and not-
withstanding her eighty-eight years, she
having been born in October, 1800, is in the
enjoyment of nearly aU her faculties, and in
excellent health.
Andrew Nelson, on account of his father's
misfortunes, received but a limited education,
the present excellent school system of Swe-
den not having then been adopted; there
were no public schools. He, on attaining
maturer years, worked out at farm work
until the spring of 1856, when, taking passage
on a sailing vessel from the port of Gotten-
borg, emigrated to the new world, and, after
a stormy voyage across the Atlantic ocean,
arrived in New York harbor on the 3d of
July, and was compelled to stay on ship-
board all of the 4th. At night when the
surrounding scenery was lit up by the brill-
iant lights of the fireworks, he and his fel-
low travelers thought the inhabitants of
America must be crazy, for they had no idea
of our celebrating that day. On landing,
Mr. Nelson started for the West and located
at Galesburg, 111., where he remained two
years, working at farm labor, and teaming,
hauling wood for the railroad, etc. In July,
1858, he came to Minnesota and settled in
Monongalia count}', now a part of Kandiyohi
county, where he took up 160 acres of land
near Foot Lake. He commenced the im-
172
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
provement of the jiroperty and there made
his home until the Indian outbreak in
August, 1862.
There was living in the house with him,
for he was at that time a single man, his
brother-in-law, Swan Swanson, with the Lit-
ter's wife and three children, Annie, Theo-
dore and Emma. On the 21st of August
they received the news of the massacre at
Acton and the general uprising of the sav-
ages, and at once made preparations for
flight. Mr. Nelson assisted Swanson to take
off the hayrack from the running gear of the
wagon and substitute the box, into which
they loaded some of their household goods
and the little family, and started for a place
of safety, Mr. Nelson remaining to collect
some forty head of cattle which they had.
Night overtook him, and, starting in the dark-
ness, he soon heard whispered voices near him
and incautiously shouted, "Who's there?"
and in an instant the rapid footsteps of his
savage foes gave him the alarm as they
rushed toward him. Favored by the night,
he eluded them and made his way toward
Foot's house. He saw the Indians enter the
house, and he crept into the cornfield ; but
hearing them in liis immediate neighbor-
hood, the rustling of the leaves and the
breaking of the stalks betra3'ing their move-
ments, he slipped out and sought security else-
where. Arriving on the banks of Mud Lake,
he jumped off of a high bank for the water
below, but fell into a scrub oak, but a min-
ute or two after dropped into the lake in
mud and water to his armpits. After a
short time spent there he scrambled out, and
as the water in his boots made such a noise
when he walked he pulled them off, and in
doing so lost one and then threw the other
away. He wandered all about the prairie
all night in his bare feet, and at one time,
having cast himself down beside a log by the
side of the road, saw, dimly portrayed against
the sky, the figures of several of his pursuers
pass within a. few feet of him. As the morn-
ing dawned he heard the sound of musketry,
and looked about him to find out his bearings,
for he was still bewildered with his wander,
ings and did not know where he was, and,
casting himself into the grass, made out that
he was in the vicinity of Oscar Erickson's
house, about two miles from his own ])lace.
This cabin was near the outlet of Eagle Lake,
and contained four families, those of Foot,
Carlson, Swanson and Erickson, who were
making a brave defense and drove off the
invaders. Young Carlson was killed, and
Mr. Foot and Mr. Erickson severely wound-
ed, but all escaped with their lives, except
the former. Mr. Nelson, after waiting a
short time within about sixty rods of the
house, finally struck across the prairie for
Diamond Lake. His lacerated feet, the flesh
cut from them and bleeding at every step,
hardly allowed him to make much speed,
but on arriving at the house of Mr. Gates he
found a number of the settlers ready to start,
but calmly preparing their breakfast. Mr.
Nelson's tidings of the nearness of the ruthless
savages altered all this, and, abandoning the
half-prepared meal, they quickly betook
themselves to flight, he riding with them,
for by this time the pain in his feet had be-
come insupportable. Behind them, a few
miles, they could see a train of fleeing set-
tlers, who were attacked about two miles
west of Swede Grove, but who beat off the
savages by drawing up their wagons in a
circle around a hole in the earth, corral-
ine: their animals and fighting it out with
the Indians, losing two of their number,
Lorenson and Bucklin. The band with
whom the subject of this sketch was arrived
at Forest City, and pi-epared to go on east
beyond the Big Woods for safety. Mr.
Nelson went with them as far as Kings-
ton, where, through the kindness of Mr.
Davidson, the miller, ami his wife, he had
his feet washed and the wounds dressed
^?a4
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
175
with tallow and linen rags bv that gentle-
man, who loaned him a pair of Indian moc-
assins to wear. Borrowing a hoise of Swan
Munson, Mr. Nelson determined to return
and seek his brother-in-law's famil\% but on
the way thither met Lieut. J. B. Atkinson,
of the Meeker county militia, who was or-
dered with his squad to take all the horses
they could find to mount the command. Mr.
Nelson was ordered to dismount, but lie
would not, and informed the officer that he
could not have the horse as long as he (Mr.
Nelson) was alive, whereupon the good-nat-
ured officer told him to come along with
him, and Mr. Nelson joined the troop, en-
listing as a private therein. Tliis was in
Captain Whitcomb's company. From this
time out Mr. Nelson participated in every
movement of the troop, being with every
detail. The first time he was out with them
they got as far as Peter Lund's farm, and
founj) ASMUS NELSON, the junior member
'JPfV *^f *^^ ^™^ o^ Birch & Nelson, Litch^
field, is a native of Denmark, born Febru-
ary 11, 1844. His father was engaged in
agricultural pursuits, and our subject was
reared upon a farm, acquiring such education
as the schools of his native land afforded
l82
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
until ho w;is some fourteen years of age, after
wliich his tiiue was devoted solely to labor.
In 1869 he emigrated to the New World and
upon lauding in this country, came to Minne-
sota and pui'fhased a farm on section 34,
Acton township, and upon that tract of land
made his home for some sixteen years.
While a resident in that portion of the county
he was very active in the discharge of his
duties as a citizen, and was duly honored
by the people with election to several im-
portant offices. He served three years as town
supervisor, four years as county commissioner,
and in a number of the minor ones, and on
the school board.
In 1884 the subject of this sketch pur-
chased the interest of Andrew Nelson in the
clothing and gents' furnishing goods firm of
Birch & Nelson, and has been actively en-
gaged in mercantile pursuits in this line and
place ever since. lie is still the owner of
some 400 acres of excellent farm land in the
county, most of which is under cultivation.
His house, which is a handsome one, is sur-
rounded by a fine grove, and his place con-
tains a thrifty orchard, and is generally con-
sidered one of the best farms in the county.
Mr. Nelson was united in marriage in Den-
mark, previous to his leaving his native land,
with Miss Maren Peterson, a native of the
same countr}'^, who died September 29, 1887.
They were the parents of eight children —
Nels P., Charles G., Annie, Carrie M., Gertie
C, Walter W., Jennie and Arthur E.
1^-
-^-
lEMJT^ANS IVERSON resides on section 33,
JPSL Acton township. The parents of the
subject of this biogi'aphy were Iver and
Johanna Anderson, both of whom were
born in Norway and lived in their native
land until the time of their deaths. Hans
Iverson was a native of the same country
and was born on the 4th of May, 1846. He
came to the United States in 1869, and
shortly after his arrival he proceeded to
Dakota county, Minn., where he was em-
ployed by various farmers until during the
year 1873, when lie came to Meeker county
and bought railroad land on section 33,
in Acton township, where he still lives. He
has a good farm of 130 acres of land with
a good portion of it under cultivation, a
comfortable house, and other farm buildings,
and withal is in comfortal)le circumstances.
This has all been the result of his own in-
dustry and economj', as he was a poor man
when he came to this countr}'. He has met
with some reverses, especially during the
year that the grasshoppers visited Meeker
county, but as a whole his farming operations
have been very successful.
Mr. Iverson was married in 1869 to Miss
Ingeborg Pederson. She was born in Nor-
way', on the 4th of April, 1848, and is a
daughter of Iver and Martha Pederson.
Her father died in Norway and her mother
is now living in Pope county, Minn. Mr.
and Mrs. Iverson have been the parents of
the following children — Martin, born March
14,1870; Man, born December 29, 1873;
Olof, born July 7, 1875 ; Mina, born Sep-
tember 10, 1877; Hilda, born January 16,
1880; and Lydia, born July 23, 1882.
►^.
^^TlMROD BARRICK, a farmer of EUs-
^y'fji worth townshi[), lives on section 33,
where he carries on agricultural ]mrsuits,
and confines his operations to grain and cat-
tle raising.
Mr. IJarrick was born in Cediu' county,
Iowa, September 20, 1851, and is the son of
Alpheus and Minerva (Porter) Parrick, nat-
ives of \'irginia and Indiana respectively,
who came to Meeker count}' in the spring of
1864, and settled in the town of Cedar Mills,
where they still live. Mr. and Mrs. Alpheus
Barrick were the parents of eight children —
Isaac, Amos, Sarah, Scott, Nimrod, Nellie,
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
185
James and Ethan. Isaac, one of those
" whose faith and truth on war's red touch-
stone rang true metal," enlisted in Com-
pany 11, Third Minnesota Infantry, and after
nearly three years' service, died from expos-
ure. Ethan died at the age of two years.
The subject of our sketch spent a portion
of his earl}' life in Rice county, Minn., where
his father followed his trade, blacksmithing,
until war times, then enlisted in Company A,
Seventh Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, serv-
ing one year. During this time our subject
attended district school, and in the fall of
186-i he, with the rest of his people, removed
to Meeker county, Minn., and settled in Ce-
dar Mills township, where he remained at
home, assisting in the work and improving
the place, until the fall of 1873, when he
commenced }ife for himself and removed to
the town of Ellsworth.
October 9, 1873, Mr. Barrick and Miss
Julia Kennedy pledged their mutual vows
at the marriage altar. The bride was a
daughter of Dr. V. P., and Julia Ann
(Rudisill) Kenned}', natives of Pennsylvania
and Indiana respectively, and was herself
born in Clay county, Ind. A history of her
parents is given elsewhere in the pages of this
Album, to which the reader is referred. By
this union Mr. and Mrs. Barrick have become
the parents of three children, Poscoe, Vincent
and Baby, and their home is lightened by
the merry sound of childhood's laugh and
song.
In the spring of 1885, Mr. and Mrs. Bar-
rick moved to Brown county, D. T., but
becoming dissatisfied there, returned to
Meeker county in the fall of the same
year.
Our subject is republican in his principles,
and affiliates with that organization. In
local politics he takes considerable interest
although, in no way a professional politician
or an office seeker. In 1882 he was honored
by the citizens of Ellsworth township, by
having had bestowed upon him the office of
town supervisor, and for four years filled
that position. Several minor offices have,
also, in him found a worthy and trusty
administrator and he merits and receives the
respect and esteem of the whole community.
^i^"^^^^'
l&saTFNRY MARTIN, a successful and en-
JPjL ter])rising farmer residing on section
9, Cedar Mills township, has been a resident
of Meeker county, with the exception of one
year, since 1873. He is a native of Monroe
county. Wis., and was born October 8, 1855.
When Henry was seven years of age he
removed to Kedron, Fillmore county, Minn.,
with a man named Hale, who had adopted
him. He remained there until 1873, when
he came to Meeker county, Minn., and located
in what is now the town of Cosmos. After
remaining there a year he went to Stevens
county, Minn., where he also remained a
year, and then returned to Meeker county.
After his return he lived in Greenleaf town-
ship until the spring of 188-1, when he pur-
chased his present farm on section 9, Cedar
Mills township. Since that time he has
resided upon his farm and devoted his time
to diversified farming and stock raising. He
has a valuable farm of 160 acres, consider-
able of which is under cultivation, and is in
very comfortable circumstances.
Mr. Martin was married on January 9,
1878, to Miss Alma Pt. Nevens. She is a
native of Maine, born November 26, 1861,
and is a daughter of Daniel and Eveline
Nevens, who were among the earliest set-
tlers of Greerdeaf township. Mr. and Mrs.
Martin are the parents of four children, as
follows — Luman D., born January 28, 1880;
Mary E., born May 28, 1882; Sarah A., born
April 28, 1885 ; and Lettie G., born Septem-
ber 22, 1887, all of whom are now living.
1 86
MEEKER COUXTY, MINNESOTA.
"OHN HUNTER, SR. The subject of this
sketch, who is one of the most ])romi-
iient and respected fannei-s and stock raisers
in the northern porti(Mi of the county, is a
resident of section IS, Union Grove township.
He comes of a race which make the best
citizens in Minnesota's population, and a race
which is proverbial for their integrity, in-
dustry, frugality, and genial and hospitable
temperament, for it is an old and true saying
that " no man goes liungry from a Scotch-
man's door."
Mr. Hunter was born in the county of
Barrackshire, Scotland, on the 10th of April,
1826. His early life was spent in the land
of his birth, Avhere he received the training
and education afforded by the facilities of
those days, and imliibed the principles of
honesty, industry and economy, which are
characteristic of the Scotch ))eople. Economy
and industry were essential in those days to
make a living, and the wage earnings of that
day would now be considered a pittance.
About the year 1849 he came to America
and settled in Canada, where he remained
for sixteen years. He then, in 1865, came to
Meeker county, Minn., and located on section
18, in what is now Union Grove township,
where he has since lived. At the time he came
here there were only three settlers within the
limits of the township, as all the earlier
settlers had been driven off by the Indians
and had not returned as yet. Mr. Hunter
had a good deal to contend with during those
early days and had to encounter difficulties
and disadvantages to which most men would
have surrendered. When he arrived here
his earthly possessions consisted of one yoke
of oxen and a cow, and for two years he had
very little to eat, living a good share of the
time on wheat boiled in milk. Flour was
worth $16 per barrel, and potatoes $1.25 per
bushel, and at one time he traded a two-year-
old steer, even, for a 100-weight of flour.
They were obliged to go to Cold Springs, a
distance of twenty -five miles, to mdland the
trip usually took three days. No work
could be found, and there was no money in
the country, and at times it looked astliough
starvation stared them in the face, but during
all the trials and hardships his courage and
enterprise never forsook him and it has not
been unrewarded, as he is now rated as one
of the most solid and substantial citizens of
the township in which he lives. He has a
fine farm of 250 acres and a comfortable
home.
Mr. Hunter was married on the 1st of
April, 184:9, to Agnes Brown Lee, and tlieir
union has been blessed with seven children,
as follows — Mary, Jane, James (deceased),
John, Charles, Charlotte, and George
(deceased).
During the first year that Mr. Hunter and
his family were liere, they had neither team
nor cow ; they had to carry their house-logs
out of the woods — Mr. Hunter carried one
end and old Mr. Beaumont the other. The
boys each had to liold forked sticlcs to reach
to the log so as to help. When they got
their oxen, thev did all their hauling, sum-
mer and winter, on a sled. Deer and elk
would often come into the doorj'ard, while
bear was by no means an unfrequent visitor.
On one occasion, they found by the ti-acks,
that a bear had climbed upon the wood-house
and from there to the roof of the cabin,
which was covered with sod. In those days
they were afraid that some night they might
come down the fire chimney. Wolves were
numerous, and in addition to this they were
constantly on the lookout for Indians. These
were some of the trials, experiences and
hardships which the early settlers endured.
UGH DOWLING, harness maker and
dealer in horsemen's goods, Litch-
field, is a native of Bath, Me., born Septem-
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
187
ber 29, 1848, and is the son of Edward and
Lizzie (Hanlon) Dowling, natives of tlie Em-
erald Isle, wiio liad settled in Maine sliortly
before the birth of Hugh. The father of
our suljject worked at sliip-carpentering until
1850, in Bath, after which lie came to Minne-
sota, and remained until 1855 in St. Paul. He
then, in company with a Mi'. Egan, removed
to Dakota county, this State, and was one of
the first settlers in the town of Egan. He
took up a homestead there, and made it
his home until 18(56, when he sold out and
came to Meeker county and bought a farm.
He died here December 27, 1870.
Hugh Dowling resided at home on tlie farm
until he had attained the age of twentj'-five
years, when he commenced to learn the har-
ness-making trade. In 1879 he opened a
shop of liis own, which burned down March
4, 1885, with a loss of $1,900, only part of
wliich was covered by insurance. Recover-
ing himself, our subject soon afterward
opened his present place of business, where
he carries in stock all kinds of harness, robes,
blankets, trunks, et^ of Ellsworth township is N. D. Mer-
rill, livmg on section 32, where he is engaged
in carrying on general farming and stock
raising. He first came to Minnnesota in
1855, and after a year spent in Minneapohs,
settled in Buffalo, Wright county, where he
made his home until the breaking out of the
Civil War, when, imbued with the patriotism
of an American citizen, Mr. Merrill enlisted
in the Second Minnesota Battery, under the
command of Captain Hotchkiss, on January
1, 1862, and on the 21st of April following,
moved forward to the seat of war. The
company was engaged for the first time at
the capture of Corinth, and from that time
on made a creditable record for itself in the
conflicts of Perryville, Knob Gap, Stone
River, Chattanooga, Mission Kidge and
192
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
others. When the war closed they were on
detached duty in East Tennessee, where they
were mustered out. His term of service
over, Mr. Merrill returned to Minnesota,
where he remained until 1867, when he re-
moved to Montana, where he was engaged
in mining for three years, returning to
Wright county, this State, from whence he
came to Meeker county, in 1870, and here
has made his home ever since. He is a
native of Maine, born in Dover, Decem-
ber 29, 1834, and is the son of True and
Sally C. Merrill, both natives of Maine, the
father having been born September 7, 1806,
and the mother, Jul}' 25, 1805.
True and Sally C. Merrill were married
October 11, 1827, and were the parents of
the following children : E. W., born March
19, 1829 ; S. T., born May 25, 1831 ; Betsy
A., born February 14, 1833; N. D., the sub-
ject of this sketch ; Julia A., born February
2, 1837 ; Sarah E., born July 26, 1839 ;
Charles L., born May 19, 1842, and Marinda
A., born July 3, 1844.
N. D. Merrill, our subject, was married on
July 21, 1870, to Mrs. Ireland, widow of
Wesley Ireland. She was a native of Pen-
obscot county. Me.; was married in 1860
to Mr. Ireland, who afterward died. She
came to Minnesota in 1864 with her one
child, Ellen M., and lived a widow until her
marriage with Mr. Merrill. Her daughter,
Ellen M. Ireland, was born November 1,
1861, and is now Mrs. A. G. Hoot, of
Nebraska.
>ALEB HULL, a prosperous and enlight-
^ ened farmer of Dassel township, hav-
ing his home on section 10, is a native of
Herkimer county, N. Y., born in the town of
Russia, September 26, 1824, and is the son
of Benjamin and Betsey (Clapper) Hull,
natives of lihode Island and New York,
respectively. Benjamin Hull removed to
Dodge county. Wis., in 1851, where he died
in 1861 ; his wife some years later came to
Meeker countv, and died at Forest City in
1877.
The subject whose name heads this per-
sonal sketch, commenced at the age of thir-
teen years to learn the shoemaker's trade, and
after devoting three years to it, went to St.
Lawrence county, N. Y., whither his
parents had removed, where he made his
home for three years. Coming West, he
spent the same period of time in Jefferson
county. Wis., and then was engaged in the
pineries of that State for six years. On his
return, he built a house at Hustisford, Dodge
county, Wis., but from there went to the
Michigan pineries, where he spent some three
years more, and then came back to Dodge
county, where, December 1, 1855, he was
united in marriage with Miss Eunice Frost.
The next year of his life was passed in
Watertown, AVis., after which he removed
to Freeborn county, Minn., and purchased
160 acres of land on section 6, town of Free-
man, where he settled. While there, he fol-
lowed hunting and trapping to a great ex-
tent, and found it highly remunerative ; so
much so as to enable him to provide his
family with many comforts that the other
new settlers could not reach. While thus
engaged, came the news of the Indian out-
break of 1862, and most of his neighbors
fled panic stricken, but he would not go.
One day, while returning from his work in
Iowa, he met a numljer of his neighbors who
advised him not to go home, saying, with
their selfish instincts ujtpermost, that by the
time he got there, his family would be mur-
dered and his home in flames, as the Indians
were close behind ; but, nol^ly responding to
his duty, which called liim to the ilefense of
his family, he went on and found all peace-
ful at home, and the danger mucli magnified
by their fears and abject tenor. He re-
mained in Freeborn county some nine years
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
195
and then sold out and came to Meeker
county, arriving here July 7, 18G7. He
took up a homestead on section 10, where he
now lives, but lived in Darwin until the
spring of 1868, and then moved into a log
cabin, where the family lived until he could
get a house built, which stood where his
present cottage now stands. This latter was
erected in 1879, at a cost of $1,000, and is
handsome, neat and commodious, and he has
a fine farm of 120 acres of excellent land.
Mr. and Mrs. Hull have had a family of
six children, four of whom still survive —
Augustus, living in Dakota, Ida E., Mrs.
Charles Penny, of Dassel; Lillie B., and
Mark W., at home. Mr. Hull has served in
several official positions, chief among which
was that of chairman of the town board of
supervisors.
MELS CLEMENTS, of Litchfield, is the
son of Nels and Betsy Clements, and
Avas born in Meeker county May 14, 1860.
His parents, natives of Sweden, came to
Meeker county in 1857, and on the 20th of
August settled in the town of Litchfield on
a farm, where they lived until the death of
the father, in 1870. During the time of the
Indian outbreak Nels Clements removed for
safety to Forest City, and manfully did his
part toward the building of the stockade and
its defense. Having been on friendly terms
with the Indians, they did not destroy his
house, but stole all the provisions and stock
that were left on the place.
Nels remained at home upon the paternal
farm until he was of aye, on attaininu- which
he went to Minneapolis, but returned during
the following winter. The season of 1SS2
he spent in Montana, but, returning to this
county in 1883, he located in Grove City,
and went into the farm-machinery ])usiness.
In 1881 he came to Litchfield and tended
bar for S. A. Scarp, but in October, 1886,
opened the saloon he now lams. He was
married April 30, 1886, to Miss Kate Men-
ten, a native of Meeker count}^, Minn., and
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Men-
ten, natives of Germany. By this union
there has been born one child — Mary, whose
birth took place May 9, 1887.
5^ ELS AKESON is one of the prominent
y''^ and well-to-do citizens of Swede
Grove township. Mr. Akeson is a son of
Ake and Hannah Anderson, and was born
in Sweden on the 9th of May, 1841. He
came to the United States in 1868, and first
settled at Stillwater, Minn., where he lived
for about seven years, being employed part
of the time in a saw mill, again at railroading
and various other means of securing a living.
In 1875 he came to Swede Grove township,
and bought a farm on section 35, where he
has since remained, carrying on general farm-
ing and stociv raising. He has a comfortable
home, having a neat frame house and a very
fine barn 30x44 feet in size, and has gathered
about him considerable stock. When he
came to the United States he had only fifty
cents in his pocket, but by industry and good
management he has placed himself in com-
fortable circumstances, and to-day is one of
the substantial farmers of his township.
Mr. Akeson married Anna, a daughter of
Ole and Carrie Anderson. She was born
January 17, 1851. They have had the fol-
lowing children : Hilma, born July 18, 1875;
Hattie, born February 23, 1877 ; Carrie, born
February 10, 1879 ; Ake, born April 24, 1881 ;
Ella, born September 13, 1883; and Olof,
born August 9, 1887. The family are mem-
bers of the Swedish Lutheran church. Mr.
Akeson has taken a prominent and active
part in all public matters, and has held the
ottice of township clerk since 1882. He is a
republican in political faith.
196
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
JMLON. JOHN S. SHIELDS, the present
\j -X^ state senator from Meeker county, is
a resident of Darwin townsliip, living upon
his fine and extensive farm on section 34.
He is a native of Ottawa, Canada, born
November 8, 1830, and is of Irish ancestry,
at least ujwn liis father's side. He was
reai-ed and educated in the Dominion of his
birth until is.",;), when he came to the
United States, and from June until the
following fall remained mostly in the city of
Minneapohs. During this time he came to
Meeker county, and prospected, spending
July 4, 1859, here, and the following August
came here and made a settlement at Forest
City, where he resided until that winter, when
he located wliere he now lives. I'revious to
leaving his liome, on the 24th of May, 1859,
he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret
Kenney, and with his young wife came
through the Big Woods to the new settle-
ment. Mr. Shields furnished the labor
toward making the first United States flag
ever floated in Meeker county, J. B. Atkin-
son furnishing the cloth and Thomas Gray-
son the paint. He was appointed in 1860,
by the State, to cut a road thrnugh the Biff
Woods, and did so about this time, and
through it hauled the merchandise for a
merciiant at Forest City, which was the first
load brought that way. Mr. Shields remained
upon his farm until the sad times of the fall
of 1862, but on the terrible Sabbath of the
17th of August, he heard the news of the
Indian outbreak and went to Forest City to
investigate. He returned and warned all
witliin his reach. He took part in the
inquest, and all the subsequent movements
of the settlers as detailed elsewhere. He
sent his wife and children to Clearwater, but
he remained in Forest City and took part in
all the marclies, engagements, etc., of the
Home Guards, although not mustered into
the company. When the attack was made
by the Indians on Forest Citv, Jir. Shields
was sleeping in the barn with the sixty
horses of the Home Guards, and on the com-
mencement of the tiring untied his two
horses and endeavored to get to the stockade,
but one horse was shot, and with the other
he got away. This was the only horse
saved out of the lot. Many more incidents
of his bravery could be given did not space
forbid, but it is enough to say that lie did
his duty manfully.
He afterward went to Minneajiolis, where
he remained until 1865, but in the fall of that
year returned to this county and to his farm
where he now lives. He has occupied several
responsible positions since coming here, in-
cluding that of chairman of the town board,
assessor, town clerk, and justice of the peace,
and was elected to represent the county in
the State Senate in 1886, on the Farmers*
Alliance ticket, of which organization he is
the present president. He is the father of
the following six children : Isabella, born
April 15, 1860, and died October 29, 1879;
EUen J., born December 19, 1864; William
A., born August 20, 1868 ; Maggie E., born
April 2, 1870 ; and Charles A., born October
2, 1872. On the 11th of December, 1874,
the death angel invaded this little family
circle and drew from their affectionate em-
brace the beloved wife and mother, leaving
only her memory in their inner hearts, wliere
it is forever enshrined. Mr. Shields is an
attendant upon the services of tlw Episcopal
chui'ch, and an upright, honorable gentle-
man.
In the fall of 1886, as above mentioned,
Mr. Shields was elected to represent his
district in the State Senate, took his seat at
the opening of the Twenty fifth Legislature,
and holds that office at the present writing.
In the last session lie was among the most
active and influential members of that body,
and ably represented liis constituents in a ses-
sion which was among the most important
held in the historv of the State. His influence
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
197
and ability were recognized in the formation
of the senate committees, and none more
zealously favored and aided anti-monopoly
legislation. He has been identified with
O
Minnesota matters for more than a quarter
of a century and is well informed as to its
history. An able parliamentarian, a clear-
headed and careful business man, lie has ac-
cumulated a comfortable fortune.
lllyHE PRESENT register of deeds of
\j Meeker county, N. A. Vieen, came to
this section of the State in 1858, and in April
of that \'ear passed through to tiie extreme
frontier of those days, and located in Kan-
diyohi county. He remained there until the
,21st of August, 1862, when the dreadful
massacre of the defenseless settlers by the
red wards of our government struck terror
into the hearts of all upon the borders, for
their loved ones were in imminent danger.
Mr. Viren joined the tide of fugitives for
safety, and finally, after considerable travel,
reached Forest Cit}' with his family. He
took the latter on to Clearwater, where he
left them, and returned to assist those who
were less fortunate and to help make a stand
against the diabolical I'ed fiends, who, reek-
ing with the blood of the innocents, thirsted
for more lives to take. He did not join the
home guai'ds, but was active in many of the
volunteer expeditions that went out to look
up stock, etc., and was in Kandiyohi at the
time of the attack on Forest City. After
performing his part in the operations of that
fall Mr. Viren removed to St. Paul, where
he made his home until 180!*, when he again
tur-ed westward, and located in Litchfield,
where lie opened a wagon shop, wliicii busi-
ness he continued in until assuming the du-
ties of register of deeds, in January, 1871, to
which he had been elected tiie previous fall.
He remained in this oSice, being reelected
his own successor, until January, 1879. He
during the next few years filled the positions
of justice of the peace and town clerk, but
at the regular election of November 4, 1884,
the people of the county manifested a wish
for him to resume the office of register of
deeds, and he accordingly entered upon its
well-known duties in January, 1885, where
he has remained ever since.
Mr. Viren is a member of the Masonic fra-
ternity, a charter member of Golden Fleece
lodge, iSTo. 89, and also connected with the
A. O. U. W.
V. BROWN, the efficient
station and express agent at Eden
Valley came to tiiat village November 15,
1886, to take charge of tlie Minneapolis &
Pacific Railroad Company's business, and
has remained tiiere in that position ever
since. He became the agent for the Amer-
ican Express Company in the fall of 1886,
also.
Mr. Brown was born in the beautiful city
of Watertown, Jeff'erson county. Wis.,
January 8, 1858, and is the son of Peter V.
and Elizabeth (Johnson) Brown, both of
whom were natives of New York. The
father of our subject was one of the early
settlers and pioneer merchants of Water-
town, and is one of the stockholders of the
Wisconsin National Bank of that ]ilace,
where he still resides.
The subject of our sketch received his
education in the excellent schools of his
native city, and at the age of fifteen entered
the office of tlie Northwestern Telegraph
Company at that place, as manager, where
he remained four years. He was then trans-
ferred to Eau Claire, Wis., but a short time
after came to St. Paul and entered the office
of the train despatcher of the St. Paul &
Sioux City Railroad Company, where he
remained about one year. In May, 1878,
198
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
he became station agent at Darwin, Meeker
county, in the employ of the St. Paul, Minne-
apolis & Manitoba Railroad Company, and
remained at that post four years.
The next two years he h.ad charge of the
station at Willmar, but in 188-4 went to West-
ern Montana, as traveling auditor of the
iNorthern Pacific Railroad, which position he
held for two years, and then accepted his
present place. His upright dealing and
straightforward, gentlemanly demeanor has
won him hosts of friends, and his future looks
bright.
OHN LINDGREN, who has charge of
the Farmer's and JMerchant's Co-operat-
ive Elevator at Litchfield, is a native of
Sweden, born in 1854. He was brought to
America when still less than four years of
age by his step-father, his father having died
when John was an infant.
Mr. Lindgren lived with his step-father, T.
G. Cornelius, until he was thirteen years of
age, when he began life for himself, working
on a farm in Meeker county. In the spring
of ISSO he went to llallock, Kittson county,
Minn., where he had charge of a large farm
for four years, after which he returned to
Litchfield, where he has since been connected
with the grain trade. Mr. Lindgren was
married in 1876 to Miss Matilda Olson, of
Stevens county. They have four living
children — Annie M., George J., Bertha E.,
and an infant.
<4«
^^^
gf^RED SWANSON. The subject of this
Ijiography, a jirominent and respected
fanner, residing on section 2, Greenleaf
towruship, is a native of Sweden, born Maj'
5, 1S46. He remained in his native land
until twenty-one years of age, when he came
to the United States and settled in ]\Iar-
quette count\% Mich. For six years he was
employed in the iron mines in that county,
and then came to Meeker county, Minn., and
purchased a farm on section 2, in Greenleaf
township. By good management, industry
and economy he has been very successful in his
farming operations, notwithstanding the fact
that he has met with the partial loss of crops
in various j'ears, and is to day in comfort-
able circumstances and justly rated as one of
the substantial and "solid " citizens of his
townshi]). He has an excellent farm of 213
acres, about half of which is under cultiva-
tion, and has it well stocked. The place is
a valuable one, and is located in the best
farming district in Meeker county.
Mr. Swanson was married in 1809 to Miss
Mary L. Walstrom. She was a native of
Sweden, and had settled in Marquette county,
Mich., in 1869, being twenty-three years old
at that time. Her father died when she was
yet a child, and her mother remained in Swe-
den until 1882, when she came to live with
her daughter in Greenleaf. Mr. and Mrs.
Swanson have been the parents of seven chil-
dren, six of wliom are still living. Their
names are as follows — Clara J., born March
29, 1870; Carl J., ])orn September 27, 1873;
Hebna M. (deceased), born October 14, 1875,
died December 24, 1886 ; Ida E., born Sep-
tember 6, 1878; Esther M., born April 1,
1881 ; Hulda E., born June 1, 1885 ; and Sig-
frid E., born December 4, 1886.
M DELBERT B. HOAR, a thrifty and
J^-S^ enterprising young farmer residing
on section 32, Union Grove township, is the
eldest son of David B. and Melissa (Bryant)
Hoar, and was born in Wright county, Minn.,
on the 12th of December, 1862. A full
sketch of his parents will be found in another
department of this work, as they were among
the most jM'oininent early settlers in the north-
Avestern part of the county.
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
199
The subject of our present sketch com-
menced hfe for himself when about twenty-
one years of age, but remained at home for a
year or so after that time. He received the
education afforded by the pubhc schools, and
supplemented this by attending the Litch-
field schools for some time. On the 4th of
May, 1887, he was married to Miss Emma A.
Caswell, a daughter of Nathan W., and
Margaret (Robinson) Caswell. She was born
at Brompton, Province of Quebec, Can.,
March 9, 1865.
Mr. Hoar purchased eighty acres of land on
section 32, Union Grove township, in 1885,
and that forms liis present place. He has a
comfortable residence, and substantial farm
buildings and is getting in good shape for
carrying on his farming and stock raising
operations. In addition to this he owns a
half interest in an improvetl steam thresher,
and during the proper season devotes his
attention to that business.
MOS NELSON FOSEN, ex-county
^)^ treasurer of Meeker county, and now
a prominent farmer residing on section 31,
Litchfield township, is a native of Norway,
born on the 26th of September, 1837, and a
son of Nels and Malline (Ilovelsen) Gunder-
son. His father died in Norway in 1886 at
the age of eighty-two years, and the mother
is still a resident of his native land. In 1855
Amos sailed for the [Jnited States, and after
spending one year in Wisconsin, he came to
Meeker county, Minn., becoming one of the
six original settlers of Litchfield township.
He first took up a timber claim on section
25, in Acton township, but afterward
settled on section 30, in Litchfield township,
and retained property there until 1887, when
he sold that and rented the Crowe farm on
section 31, where he now^ lives. In 1861 he
went to Fort Snelling to enlist for service in
the army, but before being sworn in he re-
ceived a commission as a recruiting officer
and started for home to raise men. He had
to walk the entire distance and sleep out of
doors at night, thereby contracting rheum-
atism, which unfitted him for service, and
from which he has never fully I'ecovered. At
the time of the Indian outbreak in 1862 his
farm was tenanted by Burger Anderson, and
he onl}' spent a portion of the time there.
He was employed as a farm hand by Jones,
and narrowly escajjed being one of the party
that was murdered f»n that fatal Sunday —
August 17, 1862.
After the excitement attendant on the
Indian troubles had somewhat subsided he
returned to his farm. He was married, in.
1869, to Eacliel Hanson, a daughter of Chris-
topher Hanson. They have had eight
children, one of Avhich died in infancy, and
the rest are all living at home, as follows
— Nels A., Mathilda Caroline, Laura Marie,
Kagna Amelia, Agnes Eosilia, Hjalmar
Arthur and Gunda Mabel. The family are
active members of the Ness Norwegian Luth-
eran church. Mr. Fosen has always taken a
commendable interest in all public matters
and has held a great many local offices, be-
sides which he held the office of county
treasui'er for three successive terms.
WILLIAM H. JOHNS, of the firm of
Johns Brothers, dealers in hard-
ware, at Litchfield, and one of the most promi-
nent business men in Meeker count}', is a native
of Louisa, Lawrence county, Ky., the date of
his birth being July 23, 1855. His parents
w^ere Daniel N. and Annie [Atkins] Johns.
In 1864 the family removed to McLeod county,
Minn., and purchased a farm upon which they
lived for a number of years, but they are now
residents of Glencoe, in the same county.
William H. remained with his parents until
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
twenty-one years of age, during which time
he received the advantages of a common-
school education in the district scliools, anil
also attended tlie higher gi'aded scliools at
Howard Lake and Hutchinson. Upon ai-riv-
ino- at his majority he began life for himself,
and for four or five years was engaged at
teaching school and working on a farm. He
then went to Groton, Dak., and in com^iany
with his brother, D. B. Johns, opened a hard-
Avare store under the firm name of Johns
Brothers. They remained in trade at that
place for about six years, when they sold out
and opened their present business at Litch-
field. Mr. Johns is a member of tlie Masonic
fraternity, having joined Groton lodge No.
G5, in 1SS6; and is also a member of an Odd
Fellow's lodge at the same place.
/^ ZRA B. COMSTOCK. Among the
\^^ well known ]ioi)ular educators and
school teachers of Meeker county, there is,
perhaps, no better representative than Mr.
Comstock, a resident of Ellsworth township,
living in the village of Greenleaf. lie is a
native of Canada, having first seen the light
October 8, 1838, in Brown county, in the
province of Quebec, and is the son of Anson
and Hannah (Constadt) Comstock, both of
whom have passed to their reward in the
land beyond the river of death.
Our subject received the benefits of a
primary education in the district schools of
his native count}', and knowing the advan-
tages to be derived from it, for two years
was a student at I'rowne College, from which
he was graduated in 1858. His studies for a
time were in the direction of civil engineering
but meeting with an accident to one of his
limlis, whicli disqualified from the labors
incident upon that profession, he gave it up
and turned his attention to "teaching
the vounff idea how to slioot." He com-
menced his life's labors as pedagogue in his
native land. He came to the State of Min-
nesota in 18G9, and for some four years
presided over the studies of a large school.
From there he came to Meeker count}',
locating, for the nonce in Cedar Mills town-
shi]), where he remained, following his pro-
fession, for some four years, and then
removed to his present residence, in Green-
leaf.
May 21, 1861, Mr. Comstock was united in
marriage with Miss Eliza Cook, a native also
of the Dominion of Canada, with whom he
had been to school in his youth. Her par-
ents, both of whom were born in tlie same
section of country, are both dead, the mother
dying when Mrs. Comstock was but a child,
and the father in June, 1SG7. By this union
Mr. and Mrs. Comstock have one child —
Myrtie M., who was born in Meeker county,
this State, May 12, 1875.
In his political views, Mr. Comstock coin-
cides with the republican party, although
not blindly partisan. His judgment and
own intelligence are what he mostly depends
upon. He has held many of the more im-
portant township offices since coming here,
and always with honor. He has been a
constant resident since 187,3, except that
during the year 1870 when he was teaching
in St. Paul, he has taken a deep interest in
the advancement of educational matters, and
to him is due a share of the jmjgress made
in this direction by Ellsworth township.
Mr. Comstock at present holds a commis-
sion as notary public.
►h4^^
BANIEL AVERY CROSS, deceased, was
one of the most prominent of those
hardy pioneers who first located in the
southern part of the county. He was born
in Oneida county, N. Y., on the 6th of
Julv, 1820. When he was five years old,
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
his parents removed to Indiana. His fatlier
died when he was ten years of age, and he
was early thrown upon his own resources.
In 1857, accompanied l)y his family, which
consisted of his wife and two children, and
also a man named E. Dibbel, Mr. Cross came
to Minnesota and took a claim on section 13,
in what is now Cedar Mills townshij). They
arrived in July, and Mr. Cross and family
lived in tlieir wagon on the bank of Cedar
Lake until fall. That fall they built a house
an Cedar City, McLeod county, as they were
unable to procure the logs unless they built
on the town site, a plan which was followed
for the purpose of building up a village.
Two years later they moved the house to
the claim, and lived there until the Indian
outbreak occurred. At the time the news of
the massacre reached him, Mr. Cross moved
his family to the "Point," in Cedar Lake;
but a short time later moved them to Hutch-
inson. "When the report came tljat the
Indians were raiding and burning in Cedar
Mills, volunteers were called to go on an
expedition, and Mr. Cross was one of the
first to offer his services. They followed
the Indians until dark, and then spent the
night at Mr. Cross' house. In the morning
Llr. Cross, with five others, started to go to
the house of Caleb Sanborn, who lived on the
north side of Cedar Lake, to warn him of
his danger if the Indians had not already
killed him. While on their way they were
surprised by the Indians, and Mr. Cross was
shot and killed, while the others fled. Mr.
Cross laid where he fell until the following
day, when his remains were taken to Hutch-
inson, where the}^ were interred on the 25th
of September, 1862. His death was mourned
by a wide circle of friends. He was a man
possessed of the very best of qualities, and
of the strictest integrity and honor.
Soon after the death of Mr. Cross, the
widow returned to her former home in
Indiana, where she remained for a year
and a half, when she returned to the farm
on section 13, Cedar Mills township, where
she has since lived. Mrs. Cross has two
children, who are now living: Mary E., now
Mrs. A. Jordan, of Greenleaf township;
and Daniel Avery, who was born March 16,
1863, and still lives on the old homestead,
where he carries on farming and stock
raisino".
-*-
OHN SNELL, the leading furniture deal-
er of Litchfield, is a native of Verina
Island, Sweden, born September 5, 1831, and
is the son of Andrew and Katherine (Berg-
stadt) Snell. He was reared at home until
he had attained the age of seventeen, when
he commenced to learn the cabinet-maker's
trade, and served an apprenticeship at that
until he was twenty-one years old. He then
determined to emigrate to the New World,
the " promised land " of the poor of the old
countries, and, accordingly set sail for New
York. For eighteen months after landing
there he was employed in John dander's
piano manufactory in the metropolis of
America, after which time he removed to
Galesburg, 111., and for a year was engaged
at his trade. Coming still farther west after
a short time spent in St. Paul, he located in
Carver, Carver county, Minn., in 185-1. That
village had just been laid out, and as an induce-
ment to have so excellent a mechanic settle
among them, Mr. Snell was given a lot in
the village upon which to build. He put up
a house there, and commenced making chairs,
tables, etc., by hand, using one room in his
house for a shop. Later on he erected a
small mill that ran by water-power, which
greatly facilitated his work, and remained,
actively engaged in trade in that place until
1874, when he sold out his interests there
and removed to Chicago. In the latter city
he was engaged in carrying on the photo-
graphic business, he having accpiired some
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
knowledge of that art while living in Carver.
In 1877 he came to Litchfield and purchased
his present business, to wiiich he has added
undertaking, and has been employed in tiiat
ever since. In 1879 he began the erection of
his present handsome quarters, finishing it
the next year. It is a tine brick building of
some eighty feet front, and corresponding
depth, and one of the handsomest in the
village.
Mr. Snell was married while in New Yoi'k. in
1852, to Miss Esther Peterson, who died May
13, 1864, in Carver, leaving two children —
Clara A., born May 15, 1858, now the wife of
William Murdock, a business man of Chi-
cago ; and Hilda E.. bori) January 8, 1802, now
Mrs. E. M. "Warhanich, whose husband is a
druggist in the same city. Mr. Snell was
again married July 2*), 1865, to Miss Ida
Peterson, who has been the mother of three
children, onl}'^ one of whom is living — Alvin
O., born IVlarch 17, 1867. Those deceased
were Ida, born April 26, 1866,and died Novem-
ber 12, 1883; and Julian Paul, born May
5, 1870, and died July 13, 1872. Mrs. Snell
was born August 17, 1830, and is a most
estimable woman.
PETER JOHNSON is one of the leading
farmers living in the southern part of
Acton township, his residence being on sec-
tion 33. Mr. Johnson is a son of Peter and
Sarah Johnson, and was born in Norway on
the 17th of October, 183-4. lie came to the
United States in 1868, and for about a year
was employed at Minneapolis in a brick yard
and in different saw-mills. In 1869 he came
to Meeker county and took a homestead of
forty acres on the line between Acton and
Danielson townships. After proving up on
the homestead he removed his house to an
adjoining eighty acres which he had pur-
chased in the meantime. He still lives on
the last named place.
Mr. Johnson was married in Norway to
Miss Guru Peterson, a daughter of Peter
and Mary Henderson. B\' this marriage
they have had the following named ciiil-
dren— Sarah, born November 28, 1860;
Mary, born September 5, 1862 ; John, born
November 28, 1866 ; Catherine, born Sep-
tember 8, 1869 ; Peter, born November 12,
1872 ; Christian, born March 18, 1875 ; M;v
tilda, born December 30, 1878 ;and Hannah,
born October 15, 1881. Mary is now the
wife of Theodore Christian Kue, a resident
of Cosmos township. Meeker county; and
Sarah is now the wife of Lewis Olson, who
is a resident of Dakota Territoi-v.
'J^^-4-
5r OHN BLOMBERG is a prominent
iy fanner who i-esides on section 18,
Acton township. He is a native of Sweden,
born October 27, 1835, antl is a son of Jones
and Engriel Blomberg. In 1857 he came to
the United States and settled in Chisago
county, Minn., where for three j^ears he was
engaged at farming and lumbering. He
than went to Olmstead county, where for two
years he worlced for different parties. Re-
turning to Chisago county, he made that his-
home until 1864, when he went to Taylor's
Falls and enlisted in Company D, Third
Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. He served
one year with his regiment, and after being
honorably discharged he worked in Chicago,
Goodhue and other counties until 1867, when
he came to JVIeeker county and took a home-
stead claim in Acton township. For nearly
a year after this he worked in the pineries,
but in 1868 he settled on his homestead and
has since lived there. He was a poor man
when he came to the United States and M'as
even obliged to borrow a portion of the
money with which he paid his passage ; but
his perseverance, industry and economy have
been rewarded, and he is now in comfortable
.iii^Si
i -'^ii^m-
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
205
circumstances and getting along well. He
owns 212 acres of land, 110 acres of which are
under cultivation and he also has a great deal
of stock. He has met with some reverses in his
farming operations, especially during the
grasshopper raids, when he lost all the wheat
on eighty acres except sixty bushels. He
says he saved some oats that year, but " there
were more grasshopper legs than grain."
Mr. Blomberg has taken an active interest
in all public matters and has held many local
offices, including the following: School
clerk, ever since he came hei'e; county com-
missioner, now serving his second term ; was
chairman of supervisors one term ; town clerk
two years ; and was assessor four terms. He
is the present secretary of the Insurance
Company of Acton and Genesee, which in-
cludes twenty-five townships in Meeker and
Kandiyohi counties. The company was or-
ganized in 1S84 and now has a membership
of about 600, and is carrying risks to the
amount of about $800,000.
Mr. Blomberg was married, by a justice in
the town of Acton, in the house where the
Indians killed the first wiiites in Meeker
county, inaugurating the terrible outbreak of
1862. The marriage occurred on the 25th of
Se])tember, 1869, with Miss Lena M. Peter-
son, who was born July 7, 1842. They have
been blessed witii the following children —
Charles E., born May 26, 1870, died February
€, 1878 ; Anna Christina, born July 14, 1871;
Emily Catharine, born June 30, 1873; Ida
Victoria, born September 1, 1875 ; Victor
Emanuel, born January 5, 1877 ; Alice Char-
lotte, born August 27, 1880, died March 21,
1881 ; Claus Edward, born February 4, 188:i ;
Peter Eugene, born February 27, 1885 ; and
Hattie Maria, born Noveml^er 24, 1887.
JAMES MC CARNEY, a well-known and
highly respected farmer, residing on
section 4, Harvey townsiiip, comes of a
nationality, which through their natural
thrift, enterprise and frugality', now form one
of the most substantial and desirable elements
in Minnesota's population.
Mr. McCarney was born in Ireland, and is
a son of Patrick and Catherine (Brady)
McCarney. He spent his early life in the
land of his birth, and on March 1, 1846, he
sailed for the United States, landing at New
Orleans on the 7th of May, and proceeding
from there to Galena, 111. He remained
there for five years, and then came to Min-
nesota and settled at St. Paul, where he spent
about three years. His next move was to
Dakota county, where he settled upon a farm
in Burnsville township. There he was living
when the civil war broke out, and in response
to the President's call for men, he enhsted on
December 24, 1862, in Company M, First
Minnesota Mounted Rangers. He remained
in the service until August 16, 1863, when
he was discharged for disability, and re-
turned to his farm in Burnsville, Dakota
county, Minn. Three years later he came
to Meeker county, Minn., and after spending
the winter with his brother, Patrick, who
was living in Manannah township, he settled
on the farm where he still resides, on section
4, Harvey townshij-). This was in the spring
of 1867.
In May, 1850, Mr. McCarney was married
to Miss Margary McGinlay. Tliey are the
parents of ten children, eight of whom are
still living. Mr. and Mrs. McCarney are
members of the Catholic church. In politi-
cal matters, Mr. McCarney affiliates with
the democratic party.
^ V' '1
«^-
AMES DIEAREY, a leading and represent-
ative farmer of Darwin township, has
his residence on section 10, where he carries
on the pursuit of mixed agriculture. He was
born in County Monaghan, Ireland, March
9, 1835, but when but eight years of age, in
2'o6
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
1843, came to the United States with his
parents, who were, also, natives of the Em-
erald Isle. The family remained in New
York, where they at first located, about a year;
and then removed to Philadelphia, Penn.,
where the subject of this narrative grew to
manhood. October 15, 1855, he came to
Minnesota, locating in Minneapolis, where
he remained a year and then removed to
Monticello, Wright county, where he made
his home for the succeeding four years. In
1860 he came to Meeker county and made a
settlem-ent in Darwin township on the land
where he now resides, and has been identi-
fied with the growth and development of
that part of the county e^?er since.
At the time of the Indian outbreak he
was livmo: on his fann in Darwin, working
south of the house, and the next day re-
moved to Kingston, where he remained until
after the attack on Forest City, when he
returned to his farm. He in company with
his fatlier and brother-in-law, Timothy Dunn,
cut loo})holes in his cabin and tletermined to
stand and make a strong defense if attacked.
They had seven guns and plenty of ammu-
nition, and felt confident of themselves. He
remained here until December 1, 1863, when
he enlisted in Company D, Second Minne-
sota Cavalry. After serving against the In-
dians in Montana, he was discharged Decem-
ber 2, 1865, and returned to his home.
Mr. Dearey was united in marriage, with
Miss Hannah Roberts, who bore him two
children — John E., and Mary A., both of
whom are living. July 7, 1877, the death
angel entered the little household and bore
from the bereaved husband, his loved com-
panion, and from her little ones their best
friend, their mother.
Mr. Dearey is independent in his politics,
and a most excellent citizen. He is a mem-
ber of Frank Daggett Post, G. A. R., of
Litchfield, and religiously is attached to the
Roman Catholic Church.
#EORGE H. CHAPMAN, harness deal-
er, and one of Litch field's substantial
business men, is a native of Birmingham,
England, born January 27, 1844, but came to
the United States in July, 1856. His par-
ents were John and Susan (Crump) Chap-
man. His father, John Chapman, first came
to America in 1848, and later took up gov-
ernment land where Portage City now stands.
He lived for a year or so at Fort Winnebago,
Jefl' Davis at that time being one of the
commanding officers of tiie fort. On his
first trip Mr. Chapman had brought with liira
one son and a daughter, and, after his first
few years in the new world, he decided to
locate at Mt. Morris, Waushara county. Wis.
He accordingly sent for the balance of his
family, who arrived in July, 1856, as stated.
John Chapman was a tailor by trade, and he
followed that in Wisconsin until the spring
of 1857, when he again took up his westward
march, and, taking with him a stock of
goods, he started for Nebraska. He went
by the way of St. Louis, and took a boat up
the Missouri river, but the boat foundered
and Mr. Chapman lost all he had. He re-
mained in Nebraska about four yeai-s, when
he returned to Berlin, Wis., where the fam-
ily had been living in the meantime. His
death occurred at Berlin in about the year
1866.
George II. Chapman remained with his
father's family until he had reached the age
of fifteen, when he began life on his own
account, and began learning the harness-ma-
ker's trade at Berlin, Wis. He remained at
that until November, 1861, when he enlisted
in Company H, Eighteenth Wisconsin In-
fantry, for three years' service. A short
time later he was transferred to Company C,
Thirty-Eighth Wisconsin Infantry, and re-
mained with that regiment until the close of
the war. His first battle was that of Shiloh,
in April, 1862, and he afterward participated
in the battles of Corinth, Miss., in June,
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
207
1862; Cold Harbor, Va., in May, 1864; in
front of Petersburg, June 16, ISGA; Weldon
Railroad, Va., in August, 1864; Pebel's farm,
in September, 1864 ; again at Petersburg, dur-
ino; the winter of 1864-5 ; and' was in the
final charge on Sunday, April 2, 1865, being
with the brigade that captured Ft. Mahone
and followed Lee up the south side of the
railroad. He was near Appomattox at the
surrender of Lee. During all of his eventful
and active service Mr. Chapman was neither
wounded nor taken prisoner, and was only
in the hospital for a few days. He was on
guard at Washington during the trial of the
conspirators against Lincoln, and saw the
gallows where they were executed and the
graves of the criminals. He was finally
mustered out in August, 1865, and returned
to the old home in Berlin, Wis. In 1867 he
Settled at Rochester, Minn., and a few years
later removed to Wabasha, where he lived
for a time, and then decided to come to
Litchfield, Meeker county, and accordingly,
in May, 1870, he opened the harness and
saddleiy business, which he has successfully
carried on ever since. Mr. Chapman is an
active member of the Grand Army of the
Republic, and was one of the charter mem-
bers of Frank Daggett Post, in which he has
almost constantly held some office since its
organization. He was also a charter mem-
ber of the Ancient Order of United Work-
men at Litchfield, and has held at different
times all the offices in the gift of the local
lodge. In political matters he is a staunch
re])ublican, and cast his first vote for Abra-
ham Lincoln for President,while a soldier.
Mr. Chapman was married on the 2d of
December, 1868, to Miss Ellen Agnew, of
Preston, Fillmore Co., Minn. Mr. and Mrs.
Chapman are the parents of seven children,
as follows — Emma Glencora Susan, born
September 23, 1870, died January 2,1887;
Leslie H., born July 14, 1872; Sybal May,
born November 9, 1874, died March 24, 1881 ;
Bessie Pearl, born January 30, 1877; Lillian
G., born September 14, 1879 ; George Wal-
ter, born February 22, 1884; and Willie
Royal, born March 5, 1888.
Our subject and his estimable wife are
devout and zealous members of the Episco-
pal Church, and exemplary Christian people.
-^-I
-^-
OHN PALM, the junior member of the
igi; firm of Cairncross & Palm, of Litch-
field, is a native of Sweden, born on October
1, 1860. He remained in Sweden until
1870, when he came to America with his
father's family, the father having the year
before settled at Litchfield.
John Palm remained with his parents until
thirteen or fourteen years of age, when he
began to work as a painter, and followed
that four summers, attending school dur-
ing the winter months. In 1878 he en-
tered the store of Cairncross & Johnson as
clerk and remained with Mr. Cairncross after
that gentleman had bought out his partner,
and finally on the 1st of January, 1885, Mr.
Palm was admitted to partnership, and the
firm became Cairncross & Palm.
Mr. Palm is a shrewd and careful business
man, and his manner of conducting the af-
fairs of the firm have deservedly won them
an extensive trade.
"OHN PAULSON is one of the old resi-
dents of Swede Grove township. He,
like a majority of the citizens of his town-
ship, is a native of Sweden, and was born on
the 14th of July, 1833. His parents' names
were Paul and Ingra (Olson) Johnson.
John Paulson came to the United States
in 1869, and came direct to Meeker county,
Minn., and, purchasing eighty acres of land
on section 28, Swede Grove township, he
208
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
began his life in the new world on the place
where he still lives. He was married before
leaving Sweden to Miss Betsey Nelson. Mrs.
Paulson was the mother of si.x children, as
follows — Ellen, l)orn May 28, 1865, is mar-
ried to John Anderberg, and now lives in
Grove City; Hannah, born March 12,1868;
Anna, born August 8, 1869; Nels, born May
4, 1870, and died September 1, 1883 ; Lillie,
born June 14-, 1872, and died February 18,
1873 ; and Henry, born June 4, 1871. The
mother of these children died on March 28,
1876.
Mr. Paulson's second marriage was witli
Miss Hannah Jeppeson, a daughter of Nels
and Malinda Jeppeson. -Her father died in
Sweden, and her mother is now a resident of
Meeker county. Mrs. Paulson has been the
mother of the following children — Nels, born
November 5, 1875 ; Oscar, born January 17,
1878, and died June 18, 1879; Edward, born
ISToveraber 22, 1879; Molly, born May 15,
1882; Ella, born June 24, 1884; and Lillie,
born May 9, 1886. By thrift and economy
Mr. Paulson lias accumulated a comfortable
home ; he has a good farm, and has gathered
considerable stock aljout liim.
M UGUST T. KOERNER, real estate and
J^^ loan agent, is one of Litchfield's most
prominent citizens. He is a native of Ger-
many, born July 7, 1843. He remained in
his native country until fourteen years of
age when he started for this country, ]irac-
tically alone, and made his way to Ste. Gene-
vieve, Mo., wiiere a sister was then living.
Until the fall of 1860 he made his home with
his sister, and then went to Vernon, Ind., for
the purpose of learning the millers' business.
He remained at his trade until April, 1861,
Avhen he enlisted for ninety days' service in
Company H, Sixth Indiana Volunteers, being
then three months short of eighteen years of
age. After the term of enlistment expired
he reenlisted for three years in Company H,
Twenty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry.
In the spring of 1864 he veteranized and
served until the close of the war. His serv-
ice covered* a period of four years and
three months, the time being spent in West
Virginia, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi,
Louisiana, Texas and Alabama. He was
wounded in the left arm by a minie ball at the
battle of Prairie Grove ; was all through the
siege of Vicksburg, and in all, participated in
seventeen battles. After the close of the war
he located at Troy, III., where he was em-
ployed at book-keeping for Throp & Co.,
merchant millers. During his residence at
that point he made his first trip to Meeker
county in August, 1865, and while here was
married to Miss Katie McGannon, after which
event he returned to Troy. In 1867 he again
came to Meeker count}^ Minn., this time to
stay, and settled upon a farm on section 2,
Greenleaf township.
There he remained for two years, and then
gave up the farm and made several trijjs to
Illinois. In the spring of 1873 he again moved
onto the farm, and, after losing three suc-
cessive crops from grasshoj)pers and hail, gave
it up and removed to Litchfield. For two
yeai-s thereafter he was engaged at clerical
work, and in 1877 was elected register of
deeds of Meeker county. He was twice re-
elected and therefore served three successive
terms. Dui'ing this time he opened a real
estate office, and since the expiration of his
term of office has devoted his whole attention
to his real estate, loan and insurance business.
In 1877, in company with N. A. Viren and
P. Ekstrom, Mr. Koerner opened the first set
of abstract books in Meeker county. Mr.
Koerner has taken an active interest in all
matters affecting the welfare of his home,
and during his residence here has almost con-
stantly held some public position of trust and
responsibility. He Avas one of the charter
members of the Frank Daggett Post of the
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
209
Grand Army of the Eepublic, and has taken
a prominent part in its history. He is a
Mason, being a member of Golden Fleece
Lodge, No. 89, Rabboni Chapter, No. 37, and
Melita Commandery, No. 17, and has held
various offices in each organization, tilling all
positions with credit to himself and honor to
the fraternity. Mr. Koerner and wife, with
their family, are members of the Christian
church. Their family consists of three chil-
dren — Mamie, Carney and Pauline — all of
whom are living at home. They have lost
three children by death.
-^^
^^AMUEL COSSAIRT, the managing
"^^^ partner of the general merchandise
firm of S. Cossairt & Co., and one of the
most active, enterprising, energetic business
men of Eden Valley, is a native of Vermilion
county, 111., born February 12, 186:3, and is
the son of Silas and Alvira (Swisher) Cos-
sairt. In 1866 his parents and others of the
family came to that part of Meeker county
lying in the vicinity of Eden Valley, and
settled here , the pioneers of this region, as
there were no neighbors between them and
Manannah or Forest City. The parents of
our subject still live upon the original home-
stead.
Samuel was reared upon the parental
farm and remained beneath his father's roof
until he had attained the age of eighteen
years, drawing liis primary education from
the district schools of the vicinity. In 1881
he commenced attendance at the Normal
school at St. Cloud, Minn., where he remained
about a year and a half, and for the succeed-
ing three years was occupied in teaching
school, in which he made quite a success. At
the age of twenty-three he, in company with
E. L. Parker, opened a store in the village of
Litchfield. Three months later the firm
started a branch at Eden Valley, of which
our subject took charge, and operated until
March, 1888, when, having purchased the
interest of his partner, a new firm was formed,
consisting of Samuel Cossairt, his father,
Silas, and brother G. B. Cossairt. They car-
ry an extensive stock of all the various lines
that go to make up an establishment of this
kind and are doing an ample business.
In October, 1886, the subject of this
memoir was apjiointed postmaster of Eden
Lake, and when the office was changed to
Eden Valley was reappointed and now holds
that oflBce.
This gentle-
HARLES MANGUSON.
^ man is a thrifty and respected farmer
who resides on section 33, Litchfield town-
ship. He is a native of Sweden, born on the
3d of February, 1834, and a son of Magnus
and Katrina Nelson. When he was seven-
teen years of age he enlisted in the Swedish
Artillery and served about two years, when
he received his discharge on account of an
injury received in cannon practice. In 1857
he came to the United States and after
living about three years in Chisago and
Kandiyohi counties, he settled in Meeker
county. In the spring of 1862, he was
married to Mrs. Anna Colberg, widow of Nels
Colberg (deceased), and they settled on a
farm near Lake Harold, where he was living
when the Indian outbreak began. Upon
began.
receiving the warning he started with his
family for Forest City, but when they had
arrived within two and a half miles of that
place, darkness came on and a terrific rain
storm set in. From necessity, therefore, he
and his wife and their four children slept all
night on the prairie in the beating and drench-
ing rain. The next day they got to Forest City,
and after remaining there and at Kingston
for several days they went to Anoka and
made that their home for two years. In the
fall of 1864, Mr. Manguson moved back to
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Meeker county and took u]) a homestead
near the present site of Litclilield village,
and after living there for six years traded
the homestead for his jiresent farm on
section 33. In 1870 his first wife died. In
1872 he was married to Siso Swanson, who
■was born in Sweden November 29, 1831, and
who came to the United States in 1S71. By
this marriage they have had four children —
Johanna, William, Mathilda (deceased),
and Mathilda.
OHN E. DIME, fanner, of Swede Grove
township, is a native of Sweden, born
J^ovember 13, 1842, and a son of Carl and
Catharina (Born Janson) Anderson. He
came to the United States in 18C)8, and first
stopped at Ishpeming, Marquette county,
Mich., where he worked in the iron mines
until the spring of 1884, when he came to
Swede Grove township, Meeker county,
Minn., and purchased 160 acres of land on
section 32, where he has since lived.
Mr. Dime was married on November 15,
1873, to Miss Johanna Johnson, and the
couple have been blessed with the following-
named children — Erick Adolphus, who was
born August 16, 1874; Samuel Edward,
born October 17, 1876; Hannah Elizabeth,
born July 31, 1880 ; Ernst W., born October
10, 1883 (died same day); and Oscar Em-
anuel, born Feljruary 18, 1886. Mr. Dime's
sister is married to John J. Berg, a resident
of Pope county, Minn. Mr. Dime has been
very successful since coming to this country,
as he was so poor when he left the old coun-
try that he was obliged to borrow money
to pay his passage. He now has a good
farm and a comfortable home, while in the
way of stock he already has a good start.
While Mr. Dime was not here at tlie time
of the Indian massacre, so as to have an ex-
perience in the war against them, neverthe-
less he has his adventures to relate from the
mines wlien his life was endangered, and he
had some narrow escapes. One instance,
when a part of the Lake Shore Iron Mining
Company's mine caved in, filling up Mr.
Dime's woi'king place with 22.000 tons of
rock, he had to run for his life, while the rocks
rolled in after him. Another time he had a very
narrow escape from a falling rock from the
back of a tunnel where he kept his tools;
he was engaged in looking over the tools,
when a solid block, one and one-half tons in
weight, fell down close to his side, touch-
ing his clothes, but not hurting him in the
least. Another time his tender dropped the
contents of a smoking pipe right in the hole
on the naked powder, when he (Dime) was
charging up for a blast, but God, the
Almighty, led the fire so as not to come in
contact with the powder, and no accident
happened.
Still another time, God, who leads the fates
of men, kept his hand between, when he went
back after due time after blasting, to find out
the cause of a missing hole. He stepped right
up to the missed blast, touched the fuse with
his hands, but suspecting something wrong
went out of the pit, going well out of danger.
The blast exploded, throwing the rocks after
him, and he had great cause to thank God
for his deliverance.
•■«»-J^^'
lATRICK F. ARMSTRONG, a well-
p*-" known and substantial farmer and stock-
raiser, residing on section 28, Harvey town-
ship, is an old settler who has done his share
toward the development of Meeker county's
resources.
Mr. Armstrong is a native of Prince Ed-
wards Island, Canada, and was born on the
16th of March, 1846. Before Patrick was a
year old, his j)arents removed to the United
States and settled in Will county, 111., where
they remained for ten yeare, and then came to
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Meeker county, Minn., and settled in Harvej'^
township, where our subject still resides.
The parents, whose names were William and
Teressa Armstrong, were both natives of
Ireland. AVhen they came to Meeker county
the family consisted of the father and motlier,
four boys and two girls. The father and
mother are now living in Mannanah township.
Patrick learned the cooper's trade and fol-
lowed that for six years w^lien he was a
young man ; he also followed railroad work
for two years, but the balance of his life has
been spent in tilling the soil. He was mar-
ried December 2, 1879, to Miss Anna Corri-
gan, and they are the parents of four chil-
dren, ^vhose names are as follows: Michael,
Thomas, Arthur and Patrick. Mrs. Arm-
strong's parents are also natives of Ireland ;
they are now living in Harvey township.
Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong are devout mem-
bers and active supporters of the Catholic
church. His political principles are demo-
cratic.
Like all the old settlers, their farming
operations were interrupted and abandoned
at the time of the Indian outbreak. At the
time of the massacre at Acton, in August,
1862, Patrick Armstrong was at Empire City,
south of St. Paul. Hearing of the Indian
depredations, he at once started for home to
learn whether or not they had ail been killed.
He found them at Forest City, all well, and
on their way to Minneai)olis, so he went with
them to that place. They lived in Minneap-
olis until 1866, when they returned to Har-
vey township, where Patrick F. Armstrong
has since lived.
•^"^^^►-^►>
ij^HARLES H. STROBECK, the present
'^^^ probate judge of Meeker county, is a
native of West Parishville, St. Lawrence
county, N. Y., born October 8, 1841, and is
the son of Henry and Fannie M. (Willis)
Strobeck, natives of the Empire State and
New Hampshire, respectively. The father
was originally of Wurtemberg stock, and the
mother's ancestors were among the Puritan
pilgrims of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
The fatiier died at Litchfield, Meeker county,
December 17, 1887, having come to this place
the summer previous. The mother is still
living witli her son. The judge was reared
and received his primary education in the
county of his birth, assisting his father in the
labors attendant upon farm life until he was
some nineteen years of age. At that time
he entered the St. Lawrence Academy, where
he remained during the spring and fall terms
from 1860 to 1863, teaching school during
the winters. During the winter of 1863-4,
he took the place of the professor in the
mathematical department of the same acad-
emy, and filled the post creditably.
On leaving school, he entered the law
office of Judge Henry L. Knowles, as a stu-
dent and clerk, where he remained until
October, 1865, when he was admitted to the
bar in a class of fourteen, at a session of the
Supreme Com-t of New York, at Canton, the
county seat of St. Lawrence county. A bout
the 1st of December, the same year, Mr.
Strobeck came west to Chicago, and from
there to Ked Wing, Minn., where he located,
and commenced the practice of law. and
wrote fire insurance until coming to Litch
field. The latter branch of the business was
carried on in partnership with W.C.Williston.
October 22, 1869, Mr. Strobeck came to
Litchfield and made up his mind to locate in
the place, then in embrj'o, as there was only
a few buildings erected at that time. He
put up an office, being the pioneer attorney
of the city, and has remained in practice here
ever since. The judge is a staunch republican
but has had but little political aspirations. He
has held several local offices in the govern-
ment of the village and in educational mat-
ters, prominent among which was that of
MEEKER COUNTY, MIA'XESOTA.
prosecuting attorney. In the fall of 1880 he
■was elected to tiie responsihie position of
Probate judge, which ho still holds.
On the 24th of February, 1873, Ciiarles H.
Strobeck antl Miss Carrie E. Phelps were
united in marriage. The lady is a native of
Oaivland county, Mich., and daughter of
William and Carrie (James) Phelps, the
latter natives of the Empire State. B3' this
union there have been two children — Alice J,
and Henry.
eludge Strobeck is a man ol sterling integ-
rity, and having a mind of his own, has
strong feelinffs in regard to what he conceives
to be ri^ht or wrone:, and what is more,
dares to maintain them.
-«-;
v-^>
PETER K. BROWN, who is one of the
leading and influential farmers of
Acton township, has had an eventful and
varied life. He was a son of Knute and Eliza
Jirown and was born in Denmark on the 8th
of October, 1834. When he had arrived at
the age of twenty-four, thinking to benefit
his financial condition he started for the
gold fields of Australia, and after 101 days of
sailing he landed at Melbourne, and was
soon hard at work in the mines. He re-
mained there for seven years, and endured
much more hardship and suffering than falls
to the lot of mankind generally. At one
time he had neither money nor provisions,
and after a siege of fasting, which nearly
resulted in starvation, he was fortunate
enough to find gold with which he purchased
something to eat. He underwent many other
experiences which were fully as trying, but
still he pei-severed. At times, however, he
would enjoy a run of luck, and at one time
he had about $2,000 in his possession, but he
managed to leave with about $500 in his
pocket. He then returned to Denmark,
stopping at London, England, for a few days
while on the way home. He then remained
in Denmark for about two years, and on the
17th of April, 1868, he started for the United
States ami landed at New York, during the
latter part of May. He proceeded at once
to Kandiyohi county, Minn., where his
brother, N. K. Brown was living. A year
later he moved to the farm in Acton town-
ship on which he still lives, having purchased
railroad land. As he had learned the car-
penter's trade in the old countr\', he erected
his own buildings, which are located on sec-
tion 29. He has excellent improvements,
and now owns 250 acres of land, a good
share of which is under cultivation. Mr.
Brown's mother is dead and his father
lives with a brother, N. K. Brown, in Kandi-
yohi county. There are several other mem-
bers of the family living in the United
States, including R. K. Brown, of Acton ;
John K. Brown, of Danielson ; and Karen,
now Mi's. Paul Nelson, of Danielson; besides
N. K. Brown, of Kandiyohi county.
Peter K. Brown has taken a prominent
and active part in all public matters, and has
held many offices of a local but at the same
time important character, including those of
town clerk two years, chairman of super-
visors two years, assessor one 3'ear ; and was
elected justice of the peace but did not
qualify.
Mr. Brown was married, during the year
1870, to Bertha Margrethe Madson, and
they have been blessed with the following
children — Mads Peter, born March 21, 1871;
Albert Knuteson, born July 21,1873; Jo-
hanes, born June 13, 1875; Elizze Marie,
born April 30, 1877; and Nels Christian,
born April 25, 1879.
•^^^►-4-
EWIS LARSON, of Litchfield, is a mem-
ber of the firm of Nelson, Johnson
& Larson, dealers in general merchandise.
Mr. Larson was born in Sweden in 1842, and
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
215
remained in tlie "Fatherland" until about
twenty-seven years of age. His father died
when Lewis was three and his mother when
he was fifteen, so he was left to care for him-
self. He had up to that time attended school
regularly and had attained a good education.
"When about twenty years old he entered
a civil office, corresponding with the office
of sheriff in this country, and he remained
in this for six years. After this he went to
Gottenberg and for a short time was engaged
in business at that place but he finally sold out
and came to Ameiica, locating in Wisconsin.
At that time he could speak and understand
very little English, and for one year he lived
with an American family for tiie jnirpose of
acquiring it, finally becoming very profi-
cient. On the 31st of Decern l^er, 1870, he
arrived in Litchfield, and entered the store
of Nelson Brothers as a clerk a short time
later. In the summer of 1872 he went to
Willmar and was there emj)loyed as a clerk
in the store of Spicer & Larson for about
three years and a half. Then, in company
with W. Paulson, under the firm name of
Paulson & Larson, they went into the gen
eral merchandise trade at Willmar. In 1880
Mr. Larson sold his interest to his partner
and removed to Litchfield, and the present
mercantile firm of Nelson, Johnson & Lar-
son was formed. Mr. Larson is a member of
the Masonic fraternity, having joinetl Golden
Fleece Lodge, No. 89, in 1888.
PROMINENT farmer and stock-raiser
']^S^ residing on section 11, Cedar Mills
township, is R. A. AVheeler, a veteran of the
late civil war, and one of the leading citi-
zens in the southern part of the county.
Mr. Wheeler' is a native of Bangor, Me.,
born on the 25th of May, 184-1, and is a son
of Isaac and Martha (Norcross) Wheeler.
His parents were old settlers in Cedar Mills
township, and their history will be found
in another department of this work. Reuben
A. Wheeler, the subject of this sketch, re-
mained with his parents (coming with them
meanwhile to Wright county, Minn.,) until
October, 1861, when he enlisted in Company
D, Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry.
He remained in the service until July, 1865,
and probaldy saw more actual active war ser-
vice than any ex-soldier who to-day resides
in Meeker county. He participated in the
first and second battlesat Corinth. luka, Siege
of Vicksburg, where he was wounded in the
head by a piece of a shell, Altoona Pass.
Savannah, Ga., and was with Sherman in
his famous March to the Sea. He then, with
Sherman's army, went to Washington and
participated in the grand review. After re-
ceiving an honorable discharge from the serv-
ice he came to Meeker county, Minn., arriving
in July, 1865. He at once located on a soldier's
homestead, which his father, Isaac Wheeler,
had selected for him in 1863, which was
located on section 11, Cedar Mills township,
where he now lives. lie at once began
improving his place, and erected a log-cabin,
covering it with a hay roof. Mr. AVheeler
remained on his place most of the time until
1867, when he went to Green Lake, Kandi-
yohi county. Three years later he went to
Montana, but a short time later he returned
to his homestead in Cedar Mills township,
where he has since lived. He devotes his
attention to general farming and stock-rais-
ing, and is one of the most prominent and
best-known citizens of the township in which
he lives. He is a prominent member of the
Frank Daggett Post, No. 35, Grand Army of
the Republic, of Litchfield.
Mr. W^heeler was married on the 11th of
November, 1866, to Miss Malvina Nichols,
who was born in Racine county, Wis. Their
marriage has been blessed with six children,
as follows — Martha M., George R., Frank E.,
Harlan M., Ray M., and Mary P. The fam-
ily are members of the Presbyterian church.
21(3
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Mi. WELL-KNOWN businessman of Litch-
Jj^"^^ field is A. C. Johnson, a member of
tliefirmof Nelson, Johnson & Larson, gen-
eral merchants. He is a native of Sweden,
and was born in 1S5L
"When eleven years of age, he started with
his grandparents and his uncle, B. P. Kel-
son, for America, intending to come direct to
Meeker county, Minn., where Andrew, a
brother of Mr. Nelson, was then living. They
crossed the ocean in a sailing vessel, being
ten weeks on the way, arriving at Boston
about August 20, 1862. There they learned
of the terrible outbreak of the Indians in
this country, but continued on their journey,
coming as far as St. Paul, where they decided
to remain for a time. Mr. Johnson remained
there until 1871, when he removed to Litch-
field and entered the store of Nelson Broth-
ers as a clerk, and remained with them until
they sold out to Alex. Cairncross. lie was
then with the latter gentleman for about two
years and a half. At the end of that time,
he, in company with Stephen Cairncross, a
brother clerk, bought out the establishment
and went into business for themselves, under
the firm name of Cairncross & Johnson.
This firm continued in business for about two
years and a half, when the stock was sold
out. In 18S0, the present firm of Nelson,
Johnson & Larson was formed. The other
members of the firm are B. P. Nelson and
Lewis Larson, and the business they do is
probably the largest done in tiie village, in
their line. They carry a full stock of dry
goods, groceries, etc., and cater to the tastes
of everybody. They are among the bright-
est business men of the village, and are in
splendid financial condition.
•««:
—^^
JJEpROMINENT among the old settlers is
_fj*~ is A. M. Caswell, who now resides in
the village of Litch'ield. He was born in
Melbourne, Canada, October 2, 1833. His
father, Moody Caswell, was born in Vermont,
and his mother, Hannah (Bishop) Caswell, in
New Hampshire. They lived in Canada un-
td he was past seventeen and then moved to
Vermont, and fi'om there to New Hamp-
shire, and came to Minnesota in April, 1856.
They came to Dunleath, 111., by rail and
thence uj) the Mississippi on the old steamer
"War Eagle." There were about 700 pas-
sengers on board, generally in high spirits
about the prospects in the Territory of Min-
nesota, where the land was rich and money
plenty. They landed at St. Paul and then
took the stage to St. Anthonj\ There was
only a few houses there then and one saw-
mill ; from there they came by steamboat up
the river to Monticello, where they stopped
until about the 1st of June, and then, hear-
ing of the great chance for getting land on
the big prairie in Meeker count}', and as
there was a party of immigrants came along,
A. M. Caswell followed, and camped the first
night alone in tiie woods about midway be-
tween Monticello and Kingston. The next
morning he came up with Patch's company,
and camped on the bank of Crow river.
The water was high, and as there was no
bridge, they had to make a raft of logs.
After crossing the river the company scat-
tered, hunting claims. Our subject traveled
to Forest City and took dinner with Thomas
Skinner, a whole-souled and public-spirited
gentleman, always courteous and obliging to
everybody, in whose death Meeker lost one
of her best men. From there he started
with two others to look for claims, and trav-
eled over the level prairie of Harvey, but
found it generally marked, as a ])arty had
been through there and marked claims for
all their relatives, some which were yet in
the old country', so he left that and went
above the woods in the vicinity of Manan-
nah, and there the claims were vacant, and
he marked his claim — the first one marked
in the townshiji — and then returned to Mon-
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
217
ticello. He was boarding at a hotel, when a
party came, who had been through to the
big prairie, among tiie party being T. C.
Jewett and Captain A. D. Pierce, an old
sea captain from Cape Cod, Mass., who said
he had been up above Forrest City and
located a town site. He gave glowing ac-
comits of the country and said there was only
one claim marked there and that was just
the one he wanted to build his town on, and
he was going to have it. He also said that
he camped on the liighest hill there was near
there, (which must have been Tower Hill)
and fought mosquitoes all night, and he fore-
saw the great events of the near future ; the
network of railroads that would come to
and through his town. He took out his
book and read the name tiiat he found on
his claim, as he called it, and it hap])ened to
be Mr. Caswell's; he afterward tried to scare
Mr. C. off, but failing to do it, he bought
him off b}' paying fifty dollars and a watch.
He afterward stated that the trade was like
a horse-trade, and he was mighty sick of the
horse. Mr. Caswell then made another claim
where F. F. Phillips now lives, and his
brother, Albert, came on and took one ad-
joining, and his father, mother and sisters
came the next fall. His mother was afflicted
with a rose cancer, and after having it cut
out died within a year, being the first woman
buried in Manannah grave-yard.
But the flush times of 1856 were followed
by several years of dearth, or almost a famine.
There was no money in the country and
scarcely any provisions, and for two or
three years a laboring man could get neither
money, clothing nor provisions for his work.
The only way to get money was to hunt or
trap for fur, which was hard-earned money.
So, getting tired out or starved out, at
Manannah, his brother, Albert, and himself,
and Ziba and Nathan Caswell started out
for the gold mines at Pike's Peak, in Colo-
rado, and were gone from the State most of
the time until after the Indian war. Our
subject was at work in the mines in Colorado,
and his brother and Ziba Caswell were in
Nevada in the Washoe silver mines. They
heard of the Indian war and started for
home, and although they were two thousand
miles apart when they started and neither
party knew when the other was going to
start, they met in Minneapolis and came home
on the stage together.
The next spring A. M. Caswell was mar-
ried to Vesta J. Britt, of the town of Har-
vey. They kept a hotel at Coon Creek one
year, then sold out and went to Anoka, where
they remained about three years. They then
sold out and moved to Harvey township,
where they lived until removing to Litchfield
in 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Caswell have two
children — one a young man, twenty four
years old, and a daughter about eight
In speaking of the "old times" Mr. Cas-
well says : " When I came to this county,
there had never been a bushel of wheat, corn
or potatoes raised here. Now nearly every
acre of prairie and thousands of acres of
brush and tiinbei' land are under cultivation,
, and thousands of reaping and threshing ma-
chines are kept busy, instead of the old down
reaper that took four horses, two men and a
bov to operate, the grain having to be raked
off by hand, and much of it left scattered on
the ground. We have a machine that three
horses and one man manage easily and which
leaves the grain tied up in neat bundles,
leaving- the field clean as if it hail l^een
gleaned by the gleaners of old times. But the
young men that were vigorous and strong
and active are now becoming okl, bleached
and gray ; but there is another generation
coming on to fill our places. I have faith and
believe there is a bright future for Meeker
county, and that it is bound to be one of the
richest and best stock-producing counties in
the Northwest."
MEEKER COUNTY, MIXNESOTA.
J^SAAC WHEELER, who was one of the
a_ most prominent early settlers in Cedar
Mills township, is a native of Maine, and was
born on June 19, 1817. He remained in
his native State until 1861, when he came to
Minnesota and located on a farm in Wrif^ht
county. In xA.pril, 1863, lie came to Meeker
county, and selected 160 acres of land on
section 9, Cedar ]\Iills, and the following
year moved on to it with his family. The\'
were tlie first settlers west of Cedar Mills
after the Indian outbreak, and were there
one season entirely without neighbors. At
the time they came here the soldiers were
stationed at Pipe Lake, and they helped Mr.
Wiieeler cut the logs with -wliich he erected
his cabin. IVIr. Wheeler remained on tiie
farm until after his wife's death in 1876,
when he sold his place to his sons, Frank and
Newton Wheeler, and since that time has
lived with his children, going back and
forth between them.
After a long and useful career of toil and
industry, he is now spending the evening of
his life in a quiet and peaceful way, having
to the fullest degree the confidence and
respect of all who know him.
-^^
NDREW J. NELSON, a well-to do and
'^\^ highh'-respected farmer residing on
section 22, Union Grove township, is a native
of Sweden, where he was born on the 2d of
December, 18.52. His parents' names were
Nels and Kersten Anderson. The mother
died when he was only sixteen weeks old,
and his father died when he was seventeen
years of age.
Andrew J. spent his younger days in the
land of his birth, when he acquired the same
habits of industry and frugality which are
characteristic of the race of which he springs.
In 1880 he sailed for the United States, and
making his way directly to Meeker county,
Minn., he rented a farm in Swede Grove
townsiii]). He remained there for three years
and then io February, 1884, he removed to
the farm on section 22, Union Grove town-
ship, where he still lives. He owns 130 acres
of land, a good share of which is cleared and
under cultivation. lie has considerable stock
and comfortable buildings. When Mr. Nel-
son came to America his earthly possessions-
consisted of $1,000 in money, but he lost a
good share of that in the first two years
through the failure of crops, but by good
management and hard work he has recov-
ered and is now in comfortable circumstances.
Mr. Nelson was married before leaving-
Sweden, in 1878, to Miss Ingrid Larson, a
daughter of Mr. anil Mrs. Lars Nelson, and
their union has been blessed with three chil-
dren, as follows — Hilda, born in Sweden, Jan-
uary 19, 1879 ; Ida, born in Swede Grove
township, October 18, 1880 ; and Anton, born
in Union Grove township, July 30, 1884.
Mrs. Nelson's mother died in 1868, and her
father is now living with them.
"OHN B. PENNOYER, a prominent resi-
dent of the village of Greenleaf, is a
native of Sherbrook county. Lower Camula,
born on the 12tli of February, 1832. His
parents, Truman and Priscdia II. Pennoyer,
were natives of Vermont, and both were
born in the year 1804. The mother died in
1886, but the father is still living, a respected
resident of Ellsworth township, Meeker
county. Truman Pennoyer's father was a
Frenchman, and sailed the seas as a privateer
during the revolutionary war, subsequently
settling in Vermont. Truman spent a few
years in Canada and then returned to Ver-
mont. P'rom the latter State he removed to
St. Lawrence county, N. Y., taking the family
by wagon through the timber over the
Plattsburg and Ogdensburg ]iike, and
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
219
through the Chateaugay cedar swamp, to
Potsdam, and remained there from 1836 to
1864. He was a cooper by trade, but a
farmer by occupation
Truman Pennoyer and wife were the par-
ents of seven sons and six daughters. The
three oldest died in infancy, and were buried
at Compton Center, C. E. Three others died
in infancy, and two sisters died after they
were grown. Five of their children are still
living — J. B. Pennoyer, O. A. Pennoyer,
H. H. Pennoyer, Mrs. J. M. Howard, of
Meeker county, Minn., and Mrs. H. F. Pow-
ers, of Cincinnati, Oiiio.
John B. Pennoyer, the subject of this mem-
oir, was reared on a farm, and upon reaching
the age of twenty-four lie left home and
started West, He traveled over various por-
tions of the West, but lived the greater part
of the time in Whiteside and Jersey coun-
ties, 111., until 1864, when he came to Meeker
eounty, Minn., making the journey from
Hastings on foot. He entered a homestead
on section 35, in what is now Greenleaf town-
ship, and continued to reside thereuntil Aug-
ust, 1885, when he rented his farm and
started out in search of a locality that would
benefit his health. After spending the fall
and winter in Macoupin and Jersey counties,
111., he went to Huntsvilie, Ala., and remained
there until Septeml)er 27, 1886, when he
■came back and took up his residence in the
village of Greenleaf.
In tlie month of September following Mr.
Pennoyer's first arrival in Meeker county,
1864. he went to Greene county, 111., and was
married to Mary F. Bilbruck, a daughter of
John and Charlotte Bilbruck, who was born
in Nottinghamshire, England, on the 7th of
December, 1842. Five ciiildren have been
born to them — Alice Naomi, born July 25,
1867, died May 8, 1870 ; Charlotte Augusta,
born December 5, 1870; Francis Irene, born
October 26, 1875, died April 3, 1879; Har-
mon Lee, born September 4, 1880 ; and
Florence Emma, born June 5, 1884. Mr.
Pennoyer has taken an active interest in all
public matters and has held various local of-
fices. In political matters he affiliates with
the republican party.
Having been identified with the growth
and development of Meeker county iluring
a residence of nearly a quarter of a century,
he is well-known to all pioneers, and none is
held in higher esteem. Tiirough his untar-
nished and unblemished integrity his word is
recognized as being as good as a bond, and
he is held in the highest respect by all who
know him. Hospitable, charitable, and en-
terprising, aiding whatever entei'prise is cal-
culated to benefit either town or county in
which he has lived so long, he has justly
earned the high reputation which he bears, of
being one of the most desirable citizens of
which any locality can boast.
We take [Jeasure in presenting a portrait
of Mr. Pennoyer in another department of
this work.
I^RANK E. WHEELER. The subject of
JP' this sketch, a resident of section 9, is
one of the leading citizens of Cedar Mills
township, and is a son of Isaac Wheeler, who
is mentioned above. He is a native of Gar-
land, Maine, and was born on the 1st of Jan-
uary, 1851. His early life was spent in his
native State, and in 1861 he came West with
his father's family, and they settled in
Wright county, Minnesota, as has been
stated. In 1863 they settled in Meeker
county, and Frank remained at home until
the death of his mother in 1876, when
the family was l)roken up and scattered.
After this Frank taught school in this
county and also in Wabash county, Indiana,
following this profession for three years.
In April, 1881, he settled upon the old
homestead, and this has since been his home.
He has a valuable farm of 180 acres, eighty
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
of which are already under cultivation, and all
of it is in tillable condition. He has made
substantia! im])rovenients on the place and it
is conveniently arranged. He devotes his
time and energies to general farming and
stock raising, and is I'ated as one of the nK)st
successful and enteiprisiug agriculturists in
the township. He has taken an active and
prominent part in township and educational
affairs of late years, and has held various
local offices, including those of supervisor,
school clerk and others. He has been a
member of the Presbyterian Church for
fifteen years.
Mr. Wheeler was married at Ellsworth,
March 19, 1879, to Miss .Lucy Porter, of
Ellsworth township, and they are the parents
of four children, as follows: Mellen E.,
Ethel E., Ruth C. and Allen K. Mrs.
Wheeler was born at Greenfield, Wis., July
9, 1856.
-♦•
J^RANK T. PETERSON, of Swede Grove
_lp2- township, is one of the most extensive
stock raisers in Meeker county. lie is a son
of Peter O. and Christine (Hawkinson)
Peterson. The parents were natives of
Sweden, who came to the United States in
1854, and settled in Chisago county, Minn.
The following is a hst of their children —
John W., born January 20, 1858 ; Frank T.,
born October 2, 1859 ; Mary C, born March
14, 1861 ; Christine E., born March 29, 1863 ;
Oscar F., (deceased) born January 20, 1865 ;
and Ida ]V[., born May 21, 1867. Mary C.
married Charles M. Ahlstrom, a resident of
Harvey township. John W., for the past
three years, has been engaged in railroad
contracting, in company with a cousin, John
G. Lundquist, who has been in the business
for the last thirteen years. They are now
building a road near Chicago. Frank T.,
Christine and Ida M. still live at home,
although the last named, at this writing, is
in St. Peter, attending college. Frank T. &
Co. carry on the extensive farming and stock
raising business; they own 1,200 acres of
land and have about the finest farm build-
ings in the western j)art of the county.
As has been stated, the father settled in
Chisago county, Minn., in 1854. In 1868 the
family removed to Swede Grove township,
Meeker county, settling on section 36, where
the father died on the 24th of November,
1886, and where the mother still lives. The
farm is carried on jointly', being owned in
thirds by Frank T. and John W. Peterson,
and their cousin, John G. Lundquist, with
Frank as manager. They devote sjiecial at-
tention to raising blooded horses, cattle and
hogs, and some of the finest stock in the
State may be seen at their fai'm. They have
on hand two stallions worthy of special
notice : Sansonnet, imported by M. W.
Dunham in 1887; French No. 8,811, Ameri-
can No. 6,991 ; also Simonneau, French No.
9,020, American No. 7,108. They have the
following valuable inares, which were im-
ported by M. W. Dunham : Poulotte, im-
ported in 1886, French No. 6677, American
No. 5614; Valentine, imported in 1884,
French No. 2778, American No. 3663 ; Lil-
liane, imported in 1887, French No. 8554,
American No. 7145 ; Bibi, imported in
1887, French No. 10248, American No.
7128. These magnificent animals were
purchased at a cost of $11,750. In addition
to these they have many others of high
grade which are a credit to the county.
^^ B. BENSON, cashier of the Meeker
^^^ Bank of Litchfield, was born in St.
Peter, Nicollet county, Minn., July 2, 1860,
and is the son of Peter and Malena Benson,
natives of Sweden, who were engaged in
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
agricultural pursuits in that section of the
State, having settled there some time in the
" Forties," among the pioneers of the State.
The subject of this memoir was reared
upon the paternal farm, receiving his educa-
tion in the district schools and remained at
home until the fall of 1880, when he attended
a course at the business college at Minnea-
polis. The following spring he came to
Litchfield and entered the Meeker County
Bank as book-keeper, and remained in that
capacity until July 7, 1884, when he was
made assistant cashier, and in March, 1885,
was jiromoted to the post of cashier in tiie
same monetary institution. He is one of the
solid young business men of whom Litchfield
can justly boast, and has a bright and pros-
perous future before him.
On the 24th of November, 1887, Mr. Benson
' led to the hymeneal altar Miss Pauline Fuller,
one of Meeker county's fairest, brightest
daughters. She was the child of George W.
Fuller, the well known horticulturist and
arboriculturist of Litchfield. The happiness
of the young couple was, however, of but
brief duration, the angel of death claiming
the bride on the 9th of May, 1888, and after a
brief honeymoon of about five months she
passed to that land Elysian, whose portals we
call death, leaving her husband's heart and
home a desolate waste.
l&aTANS EVENSON, a successful farmer
JL-^IL and stock raiser, residing on section 8,
Green leaf township, and one of the most
prominent old settlers in Meeker county,
was born in Norway on September 6, 181.5.
He remained in his native land until the
spring of 1852, when he came to the United
States and settled in Eock count\'. Wis. On
July 12, 1854, he returned to his native land
and remained until 1857, when he returned
to the United States, setthng this time in
St. Paul, but three months later went to
Scott county, Minn., where he spent the
winter. His next move was to locate in
Wright county, where he spent two years in
the " Big Woods," and then, in the spring of
1860, he came to Meeker county, and took
a claim on section 8, where he has since
lived. Flis trip to this county was one of
severe hardship, as he came on foot from
Wright county, accompanied by his oldest
son, Even. At that time there was only one
house in sight — on Inger Hill, which was oc-
cupied by a man named Inger. They came
in tlie winter or early spring, and bought a
hand-sled, on which they drew their tools,
etc., and went direct to the Ole Ness place,
which was near Little Lake, in what is now
Litchfield township. During that winter,
he would start every morning for his place,
and spent his time in getting out logs, so as
to be ready to build in the spring ; also dur-
ing that time, he dug a well fifty feet deep
for Ole Ness, and stoned it up. He remained
about a month at that time, and then bor-
rowed a sled and yoke of oxen from Ness and
started to Wright county for his family. At
the time he started, the ground was covered
with snow, but it thawed before he s:ot
through, and he was compelled to construct
a home-made wagon with which to get back,
accomplishing it by hewing out four wheels
and erecting a rude frame work. Upon his
return, he staid two nights at the Ness place,
and then left his family for several months
at a bachelor's named Guner, while he was
building a shanty on his place. About
August he moved his family into the cabin.
During that year he raised a few potatoes,
but for the first five years following his set-
. tlement, he lost most of his crops through
the blackbirds.
Thus matters were moving peaceably until
that fatal August, 1862, when the terrible
Indian outbreak began, and as Mi'. Evenson
was one of those who were here during the
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
most trying times, we will briefly review his
experience. On the ITtli of August, Even
and one of his brothers were at Ness's and
learned of the massacre at Acton. When
they told their father, he could not realize
that the matter was an aotual fact, and after
remaining quietly at home over night, he
started the next day (Monday, the 18th,) for
Ness's to learn the pai-ticulars. On the way
he met a neighbor, named Butler, who
begged him to hitch u]) mhiI take his family
to St. Paul, but Ml'. Evensou refused and
went on to the farm of Ole Ness. Learning
that the Indians were really on the warpath,
he sent his wife and two little children to
Forest City, and he and. the boys staid on
the farm until the following Wednesday,
putting up hay. On the day mentioned, his
wife returned to the ])lace, and told him that
he must pack up and get to some place of
safety, as the news had come in daily of the
terrible murders which the Indians had com-
mitted. He accordingly was reluctantly pre-
vailed upon to go to Forest City, where heat
once learned that there was good ground for
the terror which had seized every one. The
following morning he started with his family
for Kingston, where he remained t\\ o weeks,
and then, as Capt. Whitcomb's " Home
Guards" had been organized, they returned
to Forest Cit}\ They were there when the
Indians made the attack on that place, and
Mr. Evenson and son, Even, were doing
guai'd duty that night. Even was the sec-
ond one to return the fire of the Indians.
At the time, the family were sleeping in
Atkinson's store, and when the attack came,
at about one o'clock in the morning, they
hastened inside the fortification. When the
father got a chance to look around, he found
that one of his sons — Andrew — was missing,
and at once started out to find him, but see-
ing nothing of him, he returned and found
that Andrew had safely got inside. The
bullets were then flying thick and fast.
After the attack there followed a period
when j)rovisions got very scarce, and it was
dangerous to go out to find eatables.
After a time the excitement some\vhat
subsiiled, but for two years they were
always on the alert, not knowing what time
the treacherous savages might renew their
depredations. In the fall the family return-
ed to the farm and during the \vinter they
lived by trapping. Settlei's soon began re-
turning to tlieir claims and his cabin was a
I'egular tavern. Money was very scarce,
and but few of the settlers had the pleasure
of seeing any money that winter, to say
nothing of owning any.
Now to return to Mr. Evenson's private
history : Hans Evenson was married in the
year 1842, to Christina F. Anderson, and
they have been blessed with seven chil-
dren, as follows — Bertha, born Sept. 22,
1842; Even, born Nov. 21, 1844, mentioned
elsewhere at length ; Andrew, born Oct. 30,
1847; Helena M., born Oct. 3, 1852 ; John
F., born Feb. 3, 1856, died May 30, 1857, on
board shiji and was buried at sea in St.
Lawrence Bay ; John F., born Jan. 22, 1859 ;
and a child born in 1861, which died at the
time of birth. Mrs. Evenson, the wife and
mother, dieil on the 19th of January, 18S7.
Mr. Evenson is a republican in politics as is
the case with all his sons. He is a member
of the Lutheran church. Mr. Evenson is
now well along in years and is passing the
evening of his life in a quiet way with his
children. He has lived a life of usefulness
and activity, a man of the strictest honor
and integrit}'' and one for whom every one
who knows him entertains the kindliest feel-
ings and highest regard.
John F. Evenson, one of the sons who is
mentioned above, with whom the father
resides, was born in Wright county. He
was married May 28, 1885, to Mary John-
son, and they have been blessed with two
children — George H., born June 22, 1886 ;
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
225
and Christina F., born Feb. 20, 1888. Mr.
•Evenson carries on the farm and also devotes
his attention extensi veh' to stock raising.
He is one of the leading and most successful
agriculturists in the township.
-■•J"
JAMES NELSON HANSON is one of the
successful farmers of Acton township.
He was born in Denmark on the 20th of
March, 1837. When he left his native land,
in 1859, he was called upon liy a government
officer and told that he must return to
Denmark a year later and serve his time in
the army but after his arrival liere he
decided that he was better suited to stay
here and so he "forgot to return." Upon
landing in the New World he stojiped for a
short time at New Orleans and then went
to Kaufman county, Tex., where he was
employed at driving and marking cattle for
an extensive stock-raiser until the fall of
1860. He then returned to New Orleans
and worked for W. H. Wilier, at gardening
for one month for §10; then he drove a mule
team for the same party for $20 per month.
His next move was to St. Louis, but not
liking the place he boarded a steamboat for
St. Paul and from there made his way to
Empire City, Dakota county, Minn. There
he remained for six years, working on a farm
for Mr. J. Haislet, after which in 1872, he
settled in Acton township, where he still
lives.
Mr. Hanson was married in 1802, to Miss
Marthe Christianson, who was born in
Norway on the 17th of February, 1843.
They have been blessed with the following
named children — Josephine, born January 9,
1863, died April 5, 1860; Mary Julia, born
December IS, 1861:; Josephine E., born
August 24, 1866 ; Gemalinde Christine, born
April 3, 1869; Hans Olaus, born September
25, 1870 ; Martin Julius, born August 16,
1872; Edwin Anton, born September 25, 1874^
Adolph Ottoer, born June 26, 1876, died June-
8, 1877; Adolph Ottoer, born April 8,1878;
Nettie Amanda, born July 3, 1880, died Feb-
ruary 16, 1884; Henry Elvin, born August
21, 1882; and Nettie Amanda, born October
6, 1885. Mr. Hanson has taken an active
interest in all public affairs and has held
various offices of trust and importance,
including those of school director, and
clerk, road ovei'seei-, pound master and
others. The family are members of the
Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Hanson
was a poor man when he came to this
country but has been very successful and
has a comfortable home and a valuable farm
of 120 acres.
>^HARLES W. BUTTERFIELD, proprie-
^^^ tor of the hotel and the oldest resi-
dent now living in the village of Greenleaf,
was born in Washington county. Me., on
the 8th of May, 1835. His parents, Francis
and Eliza Eutteriield,were of English descent,
though natives of the "Pine Tree" State.
The greater part of Charles' early life was
spent on his father's farm and doing carpen-
ter work, yet he was engaged at various
times in the pineries. In 1854 he was mar-
ried to Mary E. Beedy, who was born in
Maine 1835. Three children were born to
them — Wilmot B., who is mentioned else-
where at length; Ida May, now Mrs. W. W.
Johnson, of Litchfield; and Edwin B., a resi-
dent of Dickinson, Dakota. Mrs. Butterfield
died in 1861, and in 1862 Mr. Butterfield
was united in marriage with Mary A. Pineo,
who was also a native of Maine.
In 1865 Charles W. Butterfield, our sub-
ject, came West and settled in the village of
Greenleaf, Meeker county, Minn., where
he still lives. He purchased farm property
in Ellsworth township, but his residence and
business interests were in the village. For
2a6
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
one year he controlled the mail route from
Minneapolis to (Treenleaf via Watertown, and
he at ]ircsent has thei'oute from Litchfield to
Hutchinson. Mr. Butterfleld is a Greenleaf
man in the strongest sense of ihe term. He
has staid by the village through all its vicis-
situdes, and to-day enjoys the distinction of
being its oldest inhabitant in point of years of
residence. He has held various township
offices and is ever found identified Avith mat-
ters pertaining to the welfare of his adopted
home. Mr. Buttertield's name appears fre-
quentl}' in the pages of this volume, as he has
been prominently connected with the history
of the village in whicli he resides. He is a
member of the Golden Fleece lodge, No. 89,
A. F. & A. M., of Litchfield.
>ETER BERGGREN, a respected and
1^ intelligent farmer residing on section
85, Union Grove townshij), is a son of Nels
O. and Meta Berggren, and was born in
Sweden on the 27th of July, 1860. His
parents brought the family to the United
States in 1868 and made their way direct-
ly to Meeker county, Minn. They first
stopped at Grove City, and the father took
a homestead near there, upon which they
lived for five years, proving up on the place,
but afterward lost it on a mortgage, having
had bad luck with their crops. They then
settled on another farm where they lived
three years, but the grasshoppers came and
destroyed their grain and they lost that
farm. In March, 1879, they came to Union
Grove township and the father purchased
200 acres of land on sections 35 and 36,
•where the family still reside. The fatlier
died tliere on the 4th of Septeml)er, 1879,
and the mother on the 2d of Februarv,
1888. They were both honest and industri-
ous peo])ie and were held in high respect by
all who knew them. They had a family of
eleven children, six of whom are dead and
five living. The living children are as fol-
lows : Petei-, born July 27, 1860 ; Ole, born
September 5, 1862 ; Andrew, born July 17,
1869 ; William, born February 8,1871; and
John, born July 16, 1875.
Peter has cliarge of the farm and is a suc-
cessful and industrious young man, who is
certain to succeed in liis farming opei'ations.
The farm is well stocked, and is one of the
most valuable in the township.
TOHN FLYNN, the father of Michael J.
W and Daniel Flynn, was one of the
pioneers of Meeker county, arriving here on
the 8th of July, 1856, and took Government
land on sections 22 and 23, in Forest City
township. He was accompanied at that
time by John Whalen and family, and sev-
eral others. His family at that time con-
sisted of himself and wife; Mary (now Mrs.
Daniel Dougherty, of Harvey township);
Michael J. and Daniel, now of Litchfield;
and Elizabeth, now wife of Hon. W. M.
Campbell, United States Marshal for Minne-
sota. Besides these, there were two hired
men and a nephew of Mr. Flynn. The
Flynn family started from Crown Point,
Lake county. Ind., about the 12th of May,
1856, with the idea of finding a home in
Iowa or Minnesota. Their outfit consisted
of two covered Avagons, with two yoke of
oxen hitched to each ; and they also had
twenty-five head of cows, besides quite a lot
young stock. Wlien they reached Dubuque
and learned of the magnificent country in
this part of ]\Iinnesota, tlie father decided to
investigate, and, in company with John
"Whalen, he started on a Mississip])i river
boat for St. Anthony, with the under-
standing that the family should meet him
upon his I'eturn, at Rochester. The family
accordingly 2>i"oceeded with the teams and
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
227
stock, arriving at the appointed place four
or five days before tlie return of the father.
At that time there was only one house at
Eochester — a little 14x20 feet log cabin,
which served tiie purpose of store, hotel,
saloon, etc. When the father returned he told
them that he had looked over Meeker county
and had decided to locate here. They then
started north, crossing the river at Monti-
cello on the 4th of July, having to swim the
stock, finally arriving and taking up land in
this county, as above stated. Mr. Flynn at
once began improvements and remained upon
the farm until the time of his death, in June,
1859. The family remained there until the
time of the Indian outbreak, at wiiich time
the women folks went to Clearwater, where
they remained a month or so. The bo^'s
remained here or returned immediately to
get in their crop (for it was harvest time),
and participate in the action against the
Indians. Their house was not molested by
the redskins, but served as a headquarters
for all of the friends and neighbors south
and west of them.
John Flynn was a native of County Wa-
terford, Ireland, born in 1805, and was a
gardener Ijy profession in the old country.
About the year 1836 he emigrated to Amer-
ica ami lived for some time at Buffalo, N. Y.,
whence he removed to Chicago. In the lat-
ter city lie married Miss Ann Lynch. From
there he moved to Elgin. 111., where he set-
tled on a farm. He afterward made several
removals previous to coming here, and was at
one time engaged in contracting on the Lake
iShore & Michigan Soutliern railroad, in Indi-
ana, just before starting for this locality.
MELS ELOFSON is one of the pioneers
of Swede Grove township. He is a
son of Elofson and Bertha Anderson, and
was born in Sweden on the 14th of June,
1834. He came to the United States with
his mother in 1857, coming to Meeker
county, Minn., direct, and filed a claim on
land on section 33. He later sold that place
and now owns 240 acres on sections 26 and
27, where he now lives. On tlie 31st of
August, 1861, he was married to Miss Ellen
Eckbom, a daughter of Andrew and Anna
Eckbom, who was born in Sweden August 20,
184L Their union has been blessed with
the following children — Edward N., born
October 9,1862; Andrew N., born March 21,
1864; William, born April 11, 1866 ; Betsy,
born May 16, 1868 ; Anna, born December
26, 1869; Alice Bertha, born January 18,
1876, and Fred, born November 18, 1880.
Edward is in business at Grove City ; An-
drew N. is foreman in a store at Paynesville ;
and Betsy is a dressmaker at Litchfield. The
other children are at home. Mr. Elofson
learned the carpenter's trade before he left
his native land. The fii-st work he did in tlie
United States was in that line, finishing a
house for a Mr. Yates in the fall of 1857.
Being unable to speak English, Mr. Elofson
was made to understand what was wanted
by signs, and when the job was finished he
received his pay in flour, and was perfectly
satisfied.
Tlie following spring he had hard work to
find employment, but finally about six miles
below St. Paul, he got a job of digging a cel-
lar, laying the wall and foundation — his first
mason work — and buikling the house. After
finishing this he went to Carver and took
charge of a widow's farm for about a year
and a half, when he again returned to his
claim, but soon went back to Carver and for
a few months was engaged in a furniture
shop. After his marriage he returned to his
claim and his mother, his brother, Peter, and
sistei", Betsy, lived with him.
Mr. Elofson took an active part in the
Indian warfare and was present through all
the Indian troubles. On the 17th of August,
228
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
1862, a meeting of some of the settlers was
held at Mr. Elofson's house for the purpose
of raising three men to fill a draft, which had
been made on the town of Swede Grove. At
about ten o'clock in the morning his neighbor
Monson's children came and informed them
that the Indians were about and they were
afraid to stay there. Upon learning this Mr.
Monson and Swan Nelson went over to see
what was the trouble and met the Indians,
who were mounted, on tiie way. One of the
red skins reached down and caught Nelson
by the whiskers and pointed to the east, but
he did not understand what tiiey meant.
They soon arrived at Elofson's and the latter
found that he was acquainted with several
of the party. The Indians would not talk
English but stated that they were on their
way to the " Big Woods '' for the purpose of
killing some Chippewas, that had been kill-
ing the whites. They then rode off and soon
met an aunt of Mr. Elofson's and frightened
her by brandishing their knives, but offered
no violence. After the murder of the Jones
and Baker families the news of the outbreak
spread very rapidly, and in the evening Mr.
Elofson and Nels Hanson went to the scene
of tlie murder where others had gathered
before tlieir arrival. There they learned the
details of the affair and were told to come
back the next morning and help bury the
dead, which they did. While they were there
nine Indians came in sight and several shots
were exchanged, but no one was hurt. Mr.
Elofson then returned to his home and helped
to start his own and all neighboring families
for Lake Ripley (now Litchfield); while he
with acouple of others awaited developments.
On the 22d they saw Indians at a distance
in pursuit of whites and decided that it
was time for them to go to some place of
safety. Mr. Elofson learned that his family
had gone from Lake Ripley to Forest City,
then Clearwater, and then St. Paul, and
knowing they were safe he returned to
Forest City and participated in the organiza-
tion of the " Home Guards." Mr. Elofson
was also at Forest City at the time it was
attacked by the Indians, and took an active
part in the defense. Mr. Elofson remained
at Forest City until October, when, lie in
company with others, started out in seai'cli of
stock and found considerable of it. All of
the houses in Grove City had been burned
except two. Not iiaving heard from his
wife and child since the beginning of the
outbreak, and not knowing where they were,
he went to St. Paul to look them up. There
he met a friend who informed him that they
had gone to his wife's parents at Carver,
whither he went, and remained until the fol-
lowing spring. lie then worked at carpen-
ter woi'k until August, when he removed to
Anoka. In February, 1864, he rented the
farm where Litchfield is now located, and re-
mained there until fall, when he Ijought a
house at Forest City, and lived there until
the following s])ring, then returned to his
farm, and has since made this his home. In
January, 1870, he went to Sweden, and
returned the following June, bringing 300
emigrants with him ; he was the first post-
master in Swede Grove township and held
the office for seven years. From 1872 to
1876 he was in the agricultural implement
business. He also spent about five months
in the employ of the map publishing house
of Warner ife Foote. Mr. Elofson is a demo-
crat in political matters, and has taken an
active interest in all matters of a public
nature. He has held various offices, includ-
ing those of coroner, chairman of supervisors,,
school clerk, etc.
f
^Ifi^'iMOTHY DUNN, one of the earhest
._Jj settlers of Meeker count}', made a pre-
emption claim on a part of sections, Darwin
township, in July, 1856, atid upon that same
piece of land makes his home at the present.
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
229
He was a native of Count}- Tipperary, Ire-
land, who had come to the free shores of
America in 1847, landing at New York.
After a few daj'^s spent in the metropolis of
the western world, he went up the Iludsoii
river to Rondout, New York, but a few
weeks later came westward and settled at
Milwaukee, Wis., where he labored for five
years. About that time the gold excitement
in California was at its height, and Mr.
Dunn, then a young and vigorous man,
started for that land of the sunset and
passed three years of his life in that part of
our country.
Returning to the " States," as it was
termed in tiiose days, Mi-. Dunn then came
to Meeker county, as stated above. He was
one of the first settlers of Darwin township,
and, it is believed, plowed the first furrow in
that part of the county. His boy, Edmund,
who died in 1862, was the first death in the
township. The first season that Mr. Dunn
was here he planted some potatoes, but says
that the grasshoppers took them about as
fast as they showed above the ground.
In August, 1862, Mr. Dunn was assisting
in stacking grain at the Widow Powers'
place, Avhen he heard of the cowardly mur-
ders at Acton and the first news of the
Indian outbreak. Leaving at once, he
found, on reaching his own place, that a
notice was fastened upon the door of his
cabin, warning him of his danger, and that
the Indians were up for mischief. He ac-
cordingly went to Forest City, antl from
there to Kingston, where lie remained some
three weeks. Going on, finally, to Minne-
apolis, he there remained until October fol-
lowing, when he returned to his farm. He
found everything destroyeil here, and had to
commence forthwitii to rebuild his place
as from the very beainnino-.
Mr. Dunn was married July -1, 1861, to
Miss Mary A. Deavey, who l)ecame the
mother of nine cliildren, all of whom are
dead but two. Tlie family are devotedly
attached to the Roman Catholic Church, and
fulfill their proper duties. In politics Mr.
Dunn is a steady, warm-hearted democrat,
and a good citizen.
-4-
^^OPHIA C. PRATT is' postmistress at
"^^^ Greenleaf village, and also cari-ies an
extensive stock of general merchandise. She'
is a native of Otsego county, N. Y. After
receiving a thorough education, attending
school in New York and Canada, she be-
gan teaching school and followed that pro-
fession for some time in Canada. On the
17th of September, 1859, she came to
Meeker county, Minn., with her sister, Eliza,
the father having arrived here on the
6th of June, 1859, they Ijeing among the
early settlers, and she resumed her vocation
as a teacher in her new home. She was one
of the first teachers in the county, having
held one term at the house of Mr. Ci'oss, at
Cedar Mills, as early as 1860. She was paid
by subscription and " boarded round." When
the Indian outljreak occurred siie was teaching
school at Greenleaf village. At an early day
Miss Pratt clerked for W. H. Greenleaf. On
November 30, 1SS6, Miss Pratt was ap-
pointed postmistress at Greenleaf village, the
office having become vacant through the
resignation of her brother Ira, and since that
time she has retained the position to the entire
satisfaction of all the patrons of the office.
Miss Pratt's connection with the business in-
terests of Greenleaf has been an active one,
and she is prominently identified with the
history of the southern part of the county.
BANIEL FLYNN, of Litchfield, is a
son of John Flynn, who has ah'eady
been mentioned in this department. Daniel
is a native of Elgin, 111., born May 18, 1843,
230
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
and came to Meeker county, witli his parents,
in 1856, when still a boy. lie remained
principally with the family until 1873.
During the Indian troubles the family was
taken to Clearwater, l)ut Daniel, with others,
remained to fight the redskins. In 1S73,
he rented out the old homestead and came
to Litchlieltl. Tiie following year, in
company with his brother, Michael J., he
engaged in the lumber trade and in the
winter of 1875-0, they took up agricultural
implements. Later they sold out their
lumber business to W. H. Greenleaf. In
1879 the firm purchased the Butler elevator,
and since that time have carried on a very
extensive business in 'grain and farm
machinery. During the season of 1887 they
handled over 175,000 bushels of wheat alone.
In 1884 Mr. Flinn was elected sheriff of
Meeker county, and held the office for three
years. He has filled various other offices
and was for several years one of the village
aldermen, and has always taken an active
interest in all matters affecting the welfare
of his town or county.
Mr. Flynn was united in marriage, Decem-
ber 25, 187-1, with Miss Mary A. McNamara,
a native of Jefferson City, Mo. By this
union there have been born a family of eight
children, whose names are respectively —
John Arthur, Daniel, Thomas, Michael,
Francis, Louise, Mary and Elizabeth.
-«--
lLE AMUNDSON, a pioneer of Meeker
county, who is now a resident of sec-
tion 29, Litchfield township, is a native of
Norway, born April 9, 1823, and a son of
Amund and Bertha Christophdatter Olson,
both of whom are dead. Ole came to Amer-
ica in 1855, and after living for two years in
Eock county. Wis., came to Meeker count}^
Minn., arriving here in July, 1857. He first
selected a timber claim on section 25, Acton
township, and he and Kels Danielson and
Amos Nelson Fosen ])roved u]i on tlieir land
together and then divided it. he retaining
one forty -acre tract in tlie timber, and three
forties on section 29, in what is now Litch-
field township. After the close of tiie war
he took an eighty-acre liomestead, and five
years latei' built the house on section 29,
where he now lives.
On the lotli of October, 1860, he was mar-
ried to Oline Marie Sy vertsdatter, who was
born in Norway on the 5th of February,
1832, and who died on the 27th of August,
1883. She bore him seven children — Albert,
born July 30, 1861 ; Betse, born January 4,
1863; Syvert, born October 20, 1864, died
October 6, 1865; Syvert, born March 21,
1866; Johanne Marie, born August 9, 1869 ;
Carl, born September 3, 1871 ; and Olaven,
born October 3, 1873.
At the time of the Indian outbreak Mr.
Amundson was living on his original claim.
He received the news of the beginning of
the massacre from Mrs. Baker, widow of
one of the murdered men, and another
woman, who came to his house on Sunday,
August 17, 1802. After assisting in the
burial of the victims, he removed his family
to Forest City, and assisted in Iniilding the
stockade, living in the meanwhile in a house
just outside of it. W.'ien the town was so
suddenly attacked by the Indians, he lost no
time in gettmg his family into the fort for
refuge. When the danger seemed to have
passed, he and several others went to Ever
Jackson's place to cradle wheat, taking
with them Mrs. Ever Jackson and IMrs.
Helena Danielson, to keep house for them.
They cradled wheat on one Saturday, and
on Sunday went out and found the cattle,
which had strayed off, and drove them into
tlie yards. That night they noticed that the
dogs were in a state of alarm all night, and
it became evident that Indians were prowl-
ing around. The next morning Andrew
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
231
Olson and Nels Danielson -vvent over to the
corrals to salt the cattle, while Mr. Amund-
son and Burger Anderson were ens'affed in
grinding their cradles. Presently they
heard five shots fired, and taking the two
women with them, started to run for their
hves. Finding that the women could not
hold out, they secreted them in a thicket and
then went on to Forest City. The next
morning they returned with a squad of men
and found the women still safeh^ hid, but
Olson had been killed and scalped. They
buried him on the spot, but his remains were
subsequently interred in the Ness cemetery.
In the spring, after the outbreak, Mr.
Amundson moved his family back to his
farm. He has met with three disasters
since, having his crops destroyed once by a
hailstorm, and twice by the grasshoppers ;
but his untiring energy has enabled him to
overcome all, and he now has a splendid
farm of over 200 acres. His family are
members of the Ness Norwesfian Lutheran
church, and he is sexton of the cemetery.
It may be of interest to state in this connec-
tion, that the State monument over the first
five massacre victims is located in this burial
ground.
-«—
lRIN B. VOSE, the present township
clerk of Union Grove township, is an
enterprising and respected farmer residing
on section 22. Mr. Vose was born in Waldo
county, Maine, on January 28, 1840, and is a
son of Edwin and Nancy J. (Custis) Vose.
His mother ,died when he was eight years
old, and for two years he lived with Daniel
Heriman, near Frankfort, Maine. He then
went to Montville and lived with Samuel
Dodge for four years, after which for eight-
een months he worked for Ames Sprawl.
He then went to Boston, Mass., where he
was apprenticed to George Kobinson, to
learn the carpenter's trade, remaining with
him three years. He then worked at his
trade for two years, when he had a serious
fall while working on an ice house at Lin-
field, Mass., which laid him up for six
months. When he had recovered sufficiently
from his injuries he found employment driv-
ing the horse cars between Chelsea and Bos-
ton, which he followed for a year and a half.
He then enlisted in Company H, Fiftieth
Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry,
for nine months' service, and was mustered in
on the 29th of September, 1862. After the
expiration of his term of service he was mus-
tered out on the 24:th of August, 1863. He
then went back to the horse cars, and served
as conductor on the line between Eoxbury
and Boston for two years and a half. At
the end of that time he came to Minnesota,
and for one summer stopped at St. Joseph,
Stearns county. In the fall of 1866 he came
to Meeker county, and took a homestead on
section 22, Union Grove township, and soon
afterward spent two and a half months in the
pineries. He then settled on his homestead,
building a log cabin, but two months later
took his family to St. Joseph, Stearns county,
and remained there four months. He then
settled again upon his homestead and has
since lived here, Avith the exception of one
year spent in California.
Mr. Vose was married on the 11th of Sep-
tember, 1861:, to Miss Sarah F. Merrill, a
daughter of John and Mary (Wilson) Merrill,
who was born April 2, 184:8. Their marriage
has been blessed with one child — Bessie Lynn
Vose, who was born September 17, 1881.
Mrs. Vose lost one brother, Charles F., in the
first battle of Bull Hun. She has three sisters
living in Minnesota, and one in Maine,
besides one brother in Maine and one in
Ohio. Mr Vose lost one brother, Edwin, in
the battle at Petersburg.
Mr. Vose has taken an active interest in
public affairs, and has been closely identified
23^
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
with official business of tlie township. He
has held various offices, including the follow-
ing: supervisor, one year; constable, eight
years; school clerk ten years, and town clerk
since 18S4.
JAMES PETER BERG, of Acton townshiji,
is a native of Denmark, and was born on
the 29th of December, 1S44. His parents
were Hans Peter and Mary Berg ; the father
died in Denmark in 1870 and the mother
is still living in his native land. James
Peter came to the United States in 1865,
and first stopped at Chicago, where he was
employed in a lumber yard for several weeks.
He then went to Dakota county, Minn,
where he remained until the spring of 1867,
and then settled in Acton township. Meeker
county, having previous to this time taken a
homestead on section 3-4, in that township,
where he still lives. He was a poor man
when he came to America, in fact was
almost penniless, but by thrift and economy
he has accumulated a line property. He
now has 172 acres of land and a great deal
of it is under a high state of cultivation. He
has excellent farm buildings, an abundance
of farm maciiinery, and has considerable
valuable stock gathered aljout him.
Mr. Berg was married on the 23d of
October, 1869, to Miss Helena Sophia Mari,a
Thompson, a native of Denmark, born April
10, 1850. She came to Meeker county, in
1869, with Nels K. Brown and worl;ed for
different parties until her marriage. Her
parents came to tlie United States in 1877
and are now living in Big Stone county,
JMiiin. Tlie niarriaije of Wv. and Mrs. Bero-
has been Ijlessed with the following named
children: Hansina Maria, born October 12,
1870; Thomas, born March 27, 1873; Karo-
line, born June 13, 1875 ; Jennie Sophia,
born February 13", 1878 ; Hans Peter, born
June 15, 1880; Dagmar Anneta, born Febru-
ary 13, 1883; and Rose Marinda, born
August 15, 1885. The family are members
of the Norwegian Lutheran church. In
])oliticul matters, Mr. Berg acts independent
of party lines or party ties.
"•V' 'l
EUBEN S. HERSHEY, proprietor of
[['c^, the " Fairview Stock and Dairy
Farm," in Greenleaf township, is a lineal
descendant of the Swiss Mennonites of that
name who first settled in Lancaster county.
Pa., in 1719. Reuben Hershey was born in
Lancaster county, and was reared on the
farm with his parents, Martin and Elizabeth
Hershey. After reaching manhood he \vas
engaged for a time in the forwarding and
commission business, and in 1872 he came
to Meeker county, Minn., and bought his
l)resent farm ])roperty in Greenleaf town-
shij). In 1873 he purchased the James H.
Morris interest in the Litchfield flouring
mills, retaining the interest about three
years, remodeling the mill and giving it a
reputation second to none in this part of
the State. After his retirement from the
milling business, he began devoting all his
time, energy and talents to the stock and
dairy business and the improvement of his
beautiful farm home. The farm consists of
about 1,000 acres, but a goodly portion is
tenanted, Mr. Ilershey's attention being for
the most jjart given to his stock and dairy
interests. He operates a dairy on the place,
the butter of which always commands an
advance in price over the best creamery but-
ter generally on the market. Mr. Hershey
has in the ])ast suffered some heavy losses
through grasslH)j)per ravages and hailstorms,
yet he has taken but few backward steps,
antl to-day " Fairview " is justly regarded as
one of the most beautiful and most valuable
farms in this portion of Minnesota.
^^^>ATRICK CASEY. Prominent among
W~ the old pioneers of Meeker county
that still remain here is the gentleman whose
name heads this personal memoir. He is a
native of County Tipperary, Ireland, and was
born in March, 1816, being baptized on the
12th of that month. He was reared in the
Emerald Isle and there made his home until
tlie sad and eventful year of 1848, when,
with a laudable desire to better his condition,
he came to this country, landing at the port
of New York on the 22d of January, 1849.
After a short stay in the metropolis he
removed to Allegheny county, Pa., where he
remained some six years, and where he was
married July 8, 1851, to Miss Hannorali
McRaith. Leaving the "Keystone State" in the
spring of 1S56, he came west to IManitowoc.
Wis., and from there by way of Chicago, to
Dubuque, Iowa, and fi'om there by steam-
boat to St. Paul. There he met Captain
Hayden, with his corps of surveyors, William
and Michael O'Brien and Patrick Condon,
and the whole party, in the month of May
started in a bee line for Meeker county.
With them was one ox team, the wagon
being loaded with four barrels of flour
belonging to Hayden. On the 1st of June,
the little pai'ty struck the Big Woods and
for sixteen days they struggled through the
thirty-five miles that lay between them and
their destination, reaching Kingston on
the 16th of June, 1856. Two days later Mr.
Casey took his claim on section 33, Darwin
township, where he now lives, and which
has been his home ever since, except during
the Indian troubles.
Putting up a cabin for himself and assist-
ing the others to do the same, he paid Cap-
tain Hayden thirty-five to dollars plow up
an acre of ground for him, so that he could
hold the claim. He then returned to Penn-
sylvania, where he had left his family, but
hearing that his claim had been "jumped,"
he returned to his land and found that Cap-
tain Hayden's brother in-law had laid claim
to the land, but no one was occupying it at
the time. He took up his residence in his
humble cabin to guard the place, but found
no trouble. He and Patrick Condon
" batched "' in Condon's shanty, where they
had plenty of provisions, and spent that win-
ter. In the spring IMr. Casey sent for his
family, and waited in St. Paul for them. On
their arrival he brought his wife and three
children to this county, they arriving here
May 9, 1857. That year he raised but a few
potatoes, and in 1858 he bought a few bush-
els of wheat, which he sowed and had to
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
237
thrash witli a flail. From the bushel and a
half which he sowed ujion the acre of ground
which he broke, he harvested over fortj^
bushels.
On the evenino- of the 18th of Aug-ust,
1862, our subject heard of the Indian out-
break that had commenced that day, and
immediately took his family to Forest City,
and two days later to Clearwater, stopping
several times on his way, and from the last
place sent the family on to Minnea})olis, and
returned to look after the stock. lie found
all in good sha])e but one steer, and gathering
them together, drove off some twenty seven
head, leaving six cows with John'Peiffer to
keep for him. Going to Minneapolis, he did
not return here until the spring of 1865,
when he again took up his abode on his farm.
He got about $300 from the State to indem-
nify him for his losses, which helped give him
a new start.
Mr. and Mrs. Casey are the parents of
twelve children, of whom the following is the
record — Bridget, born April 16, 1853; Mary,
whose birth took place August 31, 1854 ; Pat-
rick, born April 18, 1856 ; Daniel, born April
3, 1858; John, born March 21, 1861; Ed-
mund, born December 24, 1862; Margaret,
born August 20, 1865 ; Thomas, born Janu-
ary 20, 1867 ; Ellen, born February 3, 1869 ;
Hannorah, born June 27, 1870; Joanna, born
May 14, 1872; and James, born February 9,
1874.
The family are devout members of the
Roman Catholic church. Mr. Casey is in
politics a democrat, and has held the offices
of chairman of the town board and town
treasurer.
^TlLS DANIELSON, deceased, was a
_yfj| respected citizen and an old settler
in the western part of the county. The
township of Danielson was so named in
honor of him. He came to this country
with his parents in 1855, and first settled in
Rock county, Wis. They moved from there
to Meeker county, Minn., in 1857, in com-
pany with Kittel Haraldson, Ole Amundson
and Gilbert Zackson. They first settled
in the town of Acton and in 1863, Nils
Danielson took his homestead on section 2,
town of Danielson, and was the first settler
in the township and the town was afterward
named in honor of him. Nils Danielson died
in 1869. The widow and six children
survive him, all living in this county. There
are four boys and two girls: the eldest, Helen,
is married to E. Evenson, of the town of
Greenleaf; the next oldest, Mary, is married
to Ole K. Nilson, of the town of Danielson.
Then comes D. N. Danielson, who is
mentioned elsewhere. The next oldest is
Henry, who is married and lives in the town
of Cedar Mills. The next is Hans, who is a
single man and lives with Daniel. The
youngest, Anthony, also single and lives on
the old homestead with his mother.
As will be seen the family were hei'e at
the time of the Indian outbreak. The father
took an active part in the whole of it;
was one of the band who went on the night
of the 17th of August to Acton, where Jones,
Baker and the others were murdered. Nils
Danielson started out in company with
Andrew Olson, to their respective farms, on
the morning when Olson was shot by the
Indians, and the two were only about fifty
rods apart when Olson fell.
fETER JOHNSON. Among the citizens
of Meeker county who owe their pres-
ent adequate fortunes entirely to their own
ability and labor there is probably none more
widely or more favorably known than the gen-
tleman whose name heads this sketch. He is a
resident of the village of Dassel, where he has
large interests, prominent among which are
his loan and real estate business, the lumber
23S
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
yarcl, liis connection with the woolen mill,
and greatest of all, the Tile Stove J\Ianufac-
tory, the product of which is destined to
supersede, to some extent in this country,
the old, unsightly iron stoves of the present.
Mr. Johnson is a native of Sweden, born
December 13, 1S40, and the son of Maria
and John Olson, of CoUingwood township.
When a young man he learned the tailor's
trade and followed that avocation in his
native land until 1861. Perceiving the
impossibihty of acquiring any start in life in
that counti'v he determined to seek in the
New World the fortune denied him at home,
and accordingly crossed the stormy Atlantic,
and coming directly west worked at his
trade in Chicago, 111., Mem])his, Tenn., and
St. Paul, Minn., remaining in the latter city
until 1867. Leaving there, that year, he
traveled on foot to see the country, and on
his arrival in CoUingwood township, this
county, took up a homestead on section 12,
and commenced its improvement. He lived
upon this place, engaged in the avocation
of a farmer until 1878, when he sold out
and removed to Dassel, and opened his loan
and real estate office. From this time on he
has been identified with the growth and
development of the town and county, and
hasgrown in wealth and influence with them
and to-day is one of the leading spirits in all
enterprises that advance the interests or
propei-ty of Dassel.
Mr. Johnson, while a resident of St. Paul,
was united in marriage with Miss Johanna
Swanson, a native of Sweden. The ceremony
which united them took place May 28, 1868,
in the German Lutheran church, tiien on
Ninth street.
Xo one citizen has been more prominently
identified with the growth and development
of the eastern jiart of Meeker county than
has Mr. Johnson, and every enterprise cal-
culated to benefit either town or county has
always received his hearty aid and encour-
agement, lie is a man of the strictest honor
and integrity, and justly merits the high
esteem in which he is held. He takes an act-
ive interest in political matters, being a staunch
republican, and is one of the leaders of that
party in the locality in which he lives, and
as such is well known thi'oughuut this part
of the State. Mr. Johnson was one of the
delegates from this congressional district in
J1888 to the national convention at Chicago.
A portrait of him will be found elsewhere in
this Album.
/^^, ROVE CITY can boast of as fine a
^^pT class of business men as any town
of its size in Minnesota, and prominent
among them is C. C. Reitan, the subject of
this sketch. He, like many of the citizens
of the State, is a native of Norway, born
March 21, 18-19, and the son of Clement and
Anna Reitan. Reared in his native land, he
there received the elements of his education,
and remained there until 1870, when, at the
age of twenty-one, he crossed the ocean to
the New AVorld to hew out his own fortune,
bringing with him the honesty of purpose,
the perseverance and the thrift so common
to his countrymen. He came direct to Min-
nesota on his arrival on Columbia's shore,
and locating in Rice county, near Northfield,
worked for a farmer there for some four
years. He then went to Minnea])o]is, and
for nearly as long a period was employed as
a clerk in the grocery store of A. C.
Haugen. A triji to his native land at the
close of that eno-asement followed ; and
while there he was united in marriage Julv
10, 1877, with Miss Karen Kinseth. the sister
of Mrs. A. C. Haugen, the cashier of the
Scandia bank of Minneapolis. She was
born September 19, 1852. He, with his
young wife, returned to this country, arriv-
ing in Minneapolis on the 13th of August,
1879. Resuming his old place with Mr.
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
239
Haugen, he remained until November fol-
lowing, when he came to Grove City and
opened a general merchandise store in con-
nection with Mr. Haugen. This partnership
lasted three years, and then he purchased
the interest of his partner. Two years later
John Christensen became a member of the
firm, and the business is still carried on by
them. Their building is a very line one
and well filled with a well assorted stock of
goods. The firm Iniilt an elevator of 50,000
bushels capacity, which tliey also operated
for two years, after which they sold it to
the Northwestern Elevator Co. In 1885
Mr. Reitan made another trip to Europe for
his health, durine which he visited Enjr-
land, France, Belgium, Germany, Norway
and Sweden. His parents came to the
United States in 1887, and now make their
home with him.
Mr. and Mrs. Reitan are the parents of
five children, of whom the following is the
record — Conrad Ulfred C, born June 17,
1879; Louis, born April 17, 1881; Gustaf
Arthur, born July 19, 1883 ; Ludwig
Christian, born June 30, 1885 ; and Beatha
Susanna, born October 20, 1886.
«»-
lp)ETER KEILTY, a highly respected
1^ farmer and stock- raiser, residing on sec-
tion 28, Forest Prairie township, was born in
Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 20th of September,
1847, and is the son of William and Bridget
Keilty, who were natives of Ireland. The
family were among the earliest settlers in the
township, the father having cut his own road
to his homestead on section 34, which he
took in 1864. The parents lived here for
many years, then went to Kansas, but re-
turned, and are now living in the township.
Peter Keilty spent his school days, receiv-
ing a good education, in Kentucky and Illi-
nois, his parents having removed to the latter
State in 1863. They remained there for sev-
eral years, one of which was spent in the city
of Chicago, and they then went to Berrien
county, Mich., where they remained until
coming to Meeker county, Minn., in 1866.
The most of the life of our subject has been
devoted to farming, althougii there have
been some excejjtions. For two years he
was on the Northern Pacific Railroad as a
cook, and he also spent some time in lumber-
ing. He also for some time was in Colorado.
Mr. Keilty was married at Forest City on
the 7th of January, 1SS3, to Miss Gertrude
Thissen, a native of Minnesota and a daughter
of Peter Thissen, a farmer of Forest Prairie
township. Their marriage has been blessed
with two children, named Josie and Bernard.
In political matters Mr. Keilty affiliates
with the republican party. The family are
members of the Catholic Church. lie has a
comfortable home and good farm, and de-
votes his time and attention to stock-raising
and to diversified farming'.
-«•-£:
-^^.■
EANDER L. WAKEFIELD. One of the
first pioneeis of Meeker county, and
one who has always been identified with its
interests, is the gentleman named above, who
first made his appearance here in November,
1856, and settled upon section 18, Forest City
township. He is now a resident of the
village of Forest City, the old county seat,
whose glory has departed since the incep-
tion of Litchfield.
Mr. Wakefield is a native of the town of
Gardiner, Kennebec county. Me., born Octo-
ber 22, 1833.
He received his education, and was reared
in the " Old Pine Tree State," and as he
grew to manhood engaged in lumbering in
that locality, and followed that business until
some twentj'-three years of age, when he
came to Minnesota, and Meeker county.
240
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
He iulopted farniing on coining here, which
has been liis chief occupation ever since, lie
has filled several of tiie town offices, the
chief ones being those of supervisoi' and con-
stal)le. lie is always interested in educational
matters, being for several yeai's a member of
tlie school board.
Our subject lias been twice married, the
first time to ]\[iss Lois Sturtevant, also a
native of Maine, who died Aunust 2r., 1876,
leaving seven children — AVilliam Edwin, wlio
married Miss Addie Peters, and is living in
Forest City ; Theron A., who married Miss
Flora Taylor, and lives in Litchfield ; Sarah
H., Mrs. Seth Burdick, living in Forest City ;
Mary E., John R., Luella L., and Leander L.
April 15, 1878, Mr. Wakefield contracted a
second matrimonial alliance, with Mrs. Ruth
E. Smith, a native of the State of Maine.
During the Indian outbreak Mr. Wake-
field had quite an experience. He and Will-
iam Mai'ble had engaged to take a quantity
of flour from Forest City to the Yellow
Medicine Agency, and when within half a
mile of tlie Minnesota river and eight miles
below the agency, camped for the night,
sleeping under their wagons.
About two o'clock in the morning they
were awakened by two Frenchmen who had
fortunately escaped the mui-derous Sioux at
the agency and on account of the dense fog
had lost theii' way. From the Frenchman's
limited knowledge of the English language
they \vere unable to learn the particulars,
and determined to investigate the matter.
They yoked tlie oxen, intending to proceed to
the ferry, then in charge of a Mr. Brown.
When on their way to the ferry their atten-
tion was attracted by two horsemen, riding
at a rapid rate. On noticing the teams the
horsemen turned out of their course, accosted
Mr. AVakefield and Mr. Marble, saying,
" Turn back, if you want to save your scalps ;
the Indians arekilling the whites at sight, at
the agenc}'." After giving this information
they continued their flight to the lower
agency. Witliinan hart
of it, and got it ready for seeding. In the
fall he returned to St. Paul, where he spent part
of the winter in getting ready for removal.
In January, 1868, Mr. March moved his
household goods and belongings to this farm
where he made his home until 1874:, when
having been elected to the office of sheriff of
the county he removed to Litchfield, on tak-
ing up the duties of that position. He was
reelected at the expiration of his term of
office, and served, in all, four years, in a very
satisfactory manner. About 1876, our sub-
ject disposed of his farm in Cedar Mills, but
shortly after invested in 240 acres on section
30 of the same town, which he owned until
1885. In 1880, however, he took up a tree
claim in Spink county, Dak., and bought
lots in the village of Mellette. In 1885 he
purchased SO acres on section 1, Litchfield
township, which he now cultivates. In 1862
Mr. March married Miss Mary J. Morrison,
who was born in Bradford, N. IL, in 1842,
and is the daughter of Moses and Mary
(Cressey) Morrison, representatives of two of
the oldest families of the " Old Granite State."
Her parents settled at St. Anthony, Minn.,
in 1855, Ijut a year later removed to St. Cloud,
where JMr. March and Miss Morrison were
married. By this marriage there have been
born five children — Frank M., born October
22, 1863 ; Nelson D., born February 26, 1866 ;
George K., July 26, 1868; Charles IL, Octo-
ber 20, 1870; and Mary N., July 1, 1874.
Mr. March is a member of the city council of
Litchfield, and of Frank Daggett Post, No.
35, G. A. E., and of the Masonic fraternity,
having joined the latter order in St. Paul in
1857.
Mr. March has been a ])rominent and
active public man wherever he has lived.
In the spring of 1858 he was ajipointed as-
sessor of the third ward in the city of St.
Paul ; in the spring of 1859 was appointed
market master for one year by the common
council of St. Paul; in June, 1862, was ap-
pointed enrolling agent of Dakota county,
Minn., by Governor Ramsey. These positions
all came to him unsolicited, as was also the
case Avith his apjiointment as provost marshal.
Mr. ]\Larch was engaged at "enrolling" in
Dakota county when he first learned of the
Indian outbreak.
JTOHN DUCKERJNG. Among the older
^ residents of the county, and reliable,
trusted citizens, may be found the subject of
thi^ sketch, who is a resident of section 22,
Ellsworth township, where he settled July
5, 1865,' and where he is devoting a large
share of his attention to the rearing of Nor-
man and English Shire horses, high-bred Dur-
ham and Shorthorn cattle, and also sheep.
He has some imported stock of the very best
strains, that represent a large outlay of cash
capital. Of late years the celebrated Cots-
wold sheep have been his favorite, although
formerly doing much with the fine-wool or
Merinos. He sold, during the year 1886, of
his surplus stock some §1,500 worth. His
English Shire horse is claimed to be as fine
a one as there is in the State, and, with one
exception, the only one in the county. He
has now some 348 acres of excellent land, a
large share of which is under tillaare.
242
MEEKER COi'XTV. MINNESOTA.
Mr. Duckering was born in Apley, Lincoln-
shire, England, September 11, 1819, hence is
nearly the same age as Queen Victoria. lie
is tlie son of John and Elizabeth (Semper)
Duckering, the former a native of Horsing-
ton and the latter of Bucknell, England. The
greatgrandfather of oui' subject was born in
DenniJirkand died in England, and all of the
ancestors on his father's side died in the same
house, and lie in the same cemetery. John
Duckering, the father of oui' subject, was
a whig in politics, anresented them
with a forty-acre farm on which to live, not-
withstanding their protestations that they
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
249
preferred to continue their old relation of
master and servant. In 1846 Harmon
Becker removed to Washtenaw county,
Mich., settling near Ann Arbor. While in
that State he erected a large hotel, and
later, sold it for $8,000 to a man named
Grovener, but lost it ; and besides this, lost
another $8,000 by becoming surety for an-
other party and having to pay it. After
this he followed farming until 1854, when he
came to Minnesota to see the country, and,
being pleased with it, he made arrangements
to locate the land on which the city of St.
Cloud is now located. J. L. Wilson was sent
for a compass to survey the site, and, immed-
iately upon his return, he ran out tlie lines, and
built a shanty of tamarac rails and slept on the
place that night. The next day, when
search was made for him, there he was,
in the first house on the site, and he, accord-
ingly, claimed the land. Harmon Becker
then returned to Michigan, and, the follow-
ing year, settled in Stearns county, as stated
above. He lived there until the time of his
death, in January, 1857, aged sixty-six years.
The widow, Margaret M., was very sickly
at the time of leaving Michigan. She gained
strength, however, and recovered, living
until January, 1886, when her death occurred
at Litchfield. She was eighty years of age.
She was a woman of rare personal cour-
age, which stood her in good need during the
Indian outbreak. Both Mr. and Mrs. Har-
mon Becker were members of the Presby-
terian church, and exemplary Christian peo-
ple.
Times were very hard during their first
few j'ears' settlement in Stearns county, as all
pioneers will realize, and at times it seemed
as though starvation stai-ed them in the
face. But with that indomitable persever-
ance and hope for the future which is of
necessity a characteristic of the pioneer, they
lived through it all. Just as times began to
look a little brighter the Indian outbreak
occurred, but they stood their ground and
lived at or near St. Cloud during all the ex-
citement. Shortly after this, George joined
the Sully expedition, and followed the move-
ments of that brigade, acting as sutler's
clerk. Upon his return he remained at St.
Cloud until 1865, when he went to the Pa-
cific coast, by way of New York city, and
as his journeys, hardships and adventures
form an interesting narrative, we will briefly
review them in this connection. He shipped
from the metropolis on the steamer "Golden
Rule" for Central America. They crossed
the Isthmus by way of the Nicaragua river
and lake, their steamer striking a rock and
sinking, but the passengers continued their
journey on other crafts. The river was so
low that a part of the way they were con-
veyed in small boats, manned by the natives.
George Becker finally reached the Pacific
ocean and shipped for San Francisco. The
second day out they learned from a passing
vessel the news of the death of Abraham
Lincoln, and the flags were placed at half-
mast during the rest of the voyage, and upon
their arrival at the metropolis of California,
they found the city a solid mass of emblems
of mourning in honor of the martyred pres-
ident. The trip from New York to this
point had consumed forty-five days, and
George at once sailed for the city of Victo-
ria, Vancouver's Island, and, in a small boat
crossed Puget sound to Whatcom county.
There he remained for three years, follow-
ing lumbering, and then returned to St. Cloud,
Stearns county, Minn., on which trip he ex-
perienced many dangers and hardships. He
first shipped on the steamer "California" for
San Francisco. When within thirty-five
miles of the harbor of the latter place they
encountered one of the worst storms ever
known on the Pacific and they were driven
500 miles to sea by the gale. The cabin was
partly filled with water by the waves rolling
over the vessel and the stateroom doors were
250
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
broken in by tlio force of tlie water. When
the vessel pitched and rolled, those in the
lower berths were carried to the' floor by the
water. Some were crying, some were Jiray-
ing, some swearing, and others, as the saying
goes, "were throwing up Jonah." Alter
three days the storm subsided, but the waves
were mountain high and it was not until the
fifth day that they reached San Francisco.
Their vessel had been given up for lost and
reported wrecked with about eighty others
that shared this fate. George Becker then
shipped for Panama and on this voyage the
vessel he was in took fire. When the alai-m
was given it created a terrible panic and for
a time it looked as though all were lost, but
the engine, with a capacity of 320-horse
power w^as attached to the hose, and the
flames were extinguisiied. Four daj's later,
the vessel ran out ot fuel, and the masts,
yardarms, deck, cattle pens, bacon, rezin
and all other loose material was used for
fuel, to get ashore at Saline Bay, twelve
miles from San Juan del Sura. Tliere they
anchored and sent boats to San Juan for
coal, while the passengers and crew went
ashore in small boats, to cut mahogany wood,
securing about forty cords by the time the
coal arrived. That night the crew mutinied,
and those who refused to do their duty,
were brought to time by being tied to the
masts. Upon his arrival at Panama, George
Becker crossed the Isthmus on the railroad,
the trains being queer affairs and running
only at the rate of five miles an hour, mak-
ing no stops. Our subject then shipped on
the Atlantic for New York. When two
days out, the vessel was wrecked or disabled
by the cylinder head being blown out, and
for twenty-four hours they were left at the
mercy of the sea. They were then taken
in tow by another steamer and piloted to the
Gulf Stream, off' the coast of Cuba, and were
then left to drift in to Savannah, Ga.
By this time, George Becker had had enough
of that kind of life, as for the last three days
out, the cabin passengers hail nothing to eat
but rice, crust coffee and hiud tack. Accord-
ingly, he pui'chased another ticket for New
York by rail, through the Southern States.
This was shortlj' after the war, and General
Sherman had left Georgia a hard looking
country. Provisions were verj' scarce, and
the conductors were obliged to telegi'a])h
ahead for supplies for the passengers. Mr.
Becker sto])ped off at several points, includ-
iui!' Pichmond, Washington and New York,
and finally arrived at St. Cloud on February
1-1, 1S6S. He remained there, following the
vocation of a policeman and various other
lines of business until June, 1871, when he
returned to tiie Pacific coast by wa_y of the
Central Pacific Eailroad, proceeding from
San Francisco to Puget Sound. He remained
there until the winter of 1876, when he came
to Litchfield, Meeker count}', Minn. In
1878 he settled on the farm where he now
lives, on section 23, Greenleaf township. He
has one of the largest farms in the township,
and one of the most valuable in the county,
and has justly earned the reputation which
he bears, of being one of the most desirable
citizens, and from liis extensive travels and
wide association with business, is one of the
most intelligent and best-posted men in the
county.
On July 18, 1885, Mr. Becker was married
to Sophia Vanberg, and they are the parents
of two children — William II., born April 28,
18S6, and Lillie M., born August 18. 1887,
both of whom are living. Mr. Becker is a
member of the Masonic fraternity. He and
his wife attend the Presbyterian Church.
We take pleasure in presenting a portrait
of Mr. Becker on another ]iage in this Album.
-«— I
«4^-
JTOHN MARTIN, an intelligent, thrifty and
^ enterprising farmer, residing on section
5, Harvey township, was born in County
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
251
Cavan, Ireland, in Maj', 1824. His parents,
Avho were Pliigh and Elizabeth Martin, were
natives nf the same count}'. The father died
in Ireland in 1830. The mother came to the
United States in 1851, and lived in Pennsyl-
vania until the time of her death, in 1876.
John Martin, the subject of our sketch,
grew to manhood in liis native land, acquir-
ing the same habits of enterprise, industry
and frugality which are so characteristic of
his race. In 1S4S he left Ireland and came
to the United States, landing at New York
city on the 23d of May, and two days later
he went to Bucks county, Pa., where he
remained for four years. At the expiration
of that time he went to Schuylkill count}',
Pa., and remained there from the year 1852
until 1877. While in that State he was em-
ployed in mining coal for twenty-seven years.
In 1877 he came to Meeker county, Minn.,
and located on a farm on section 5, in Har-
vey township, where he has since lived. Since
his residence here he has been eneae'ed in
farming and stock-raising, and now has a
valuable farm of 160 acres, a good share of
which is under cultivation.
Mr. Martin was married on the 25th of
July, 1852, to Mary Farrelly, and their mar-
riage has been blessed with the following-
named children: Ellen, born August 22,
1853, died January 25, 1855; Hugh, born
October 31, 1855, died October 12, 1857;
Joseph, born September 28, 1857; Bridget
and Lizzie, born November 17, 1859; John,
born November 3, 1861 ; Mary, born Sep-
tember 18, 1863, died December 17, 1863;
Thomas, born January 30, 1870, died same
day. Mrs. Martin's parents were both na-
tives of Ireland, where they lived until the
time of their death.
Mr. and Mrs. Martin are both active and
exemplary members of the Catholic Church.
In political matters Mr. Martin affiliates with
the democratic party.
P
?J
ELS EKBOM is one of the prominent
farmers of Swede Grove township.
He was born in Sweden on the 16th of
December, 1849, and came to the United
States in 1857, with his parents, Anna and
Andrew Ekbora. They settled in Carver
county, Minn., where Nels worked part of
the time for his father, and the balance of
the time for other farmers. In 1865 they
came to Meeker county, and from Nels
Swanson they rented a farm, on which the
village of Litchfield is now located. A year
later they removed to Swede Grove town-
ship, and took a homestead on section 34,
where Nels has since lived. He has been
industrious, and the results prove that he is
an excellent manager, as he has accumulated
a fine property. He now has 120 acres of
land, with fine buildings located on the edge
of a beautiful grove. He has a goodly lot
of stock, and all the necessary farm
machinery.
Mr. Ekbom was married on the 16th of
July, 1870, to Miss Betsey Nelson, a daughter
of Nels and Ellen Peterson, and the couple
have had the following children — Anna
(deceased), born July 5, 1871, died Septem-
ber 15, 1871; Oscar, born July 22, 1873;
Eugene, born August 15, 1875 ; Ellmer, born
November 3, 1878 ; Anna, born May 8, 1882 ;
and Joseph, born October 8, 1883. Mrs.
Ekboin's father is dead and her mother is
living in Sweden. Mr. Ekbom's mother is
dead, and his father resides with a bi'other,
Simon. Nels Ekbom and wife are members
of the Baptist Church, in which he Is a
deacon. Mr. Ekbom is a prohibitionist in
political matters, and takes an active interest
in township matters. He has held various
local offices, including those of side-super-
visor and road overseer.
Mr. Ekljom is a man of the strictest integ-
rity, and is held in high esteem by all. He
has been superintendent of the Sunday
school for over fifteen years.
2S2
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
WILLIAM S. COX, one of the leading
merchants of the village of Dassel,
is the junior partner in the hardware firm
of Gallagher k, Cox, who succeeded Bartholo-
mew tV: Co. in 1888. lie is, althoiigh a man
3'^oung in years,'oneof the influential citizens
and largely interested in the growth and
prosperity of his home village. He is a
native of Bakersville, N. C, born in 1853,
and is the son of S. I), and Mary ("Wright)
Cox, natives of Virginia and North Carolina
respectively. The father of our subject
owned property in Knoxville, Tenn., and
when AVilliam was but four vears of aoe,
the family removed to that place, where they
resided until 1860, at which date they re-
turned to Bakersville, N. C, where the
parents still live.
The subject of this personal memoir re-
mained with the family until 18Y0, at which
time he returned to Knoxville, but a short
time subsequent, removed to Broadhead,
Ky., where he was engaged in mercantile
pursuits for about a year and then, after a
short stay in Little Eock, Ark., removed to
Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory, where he
made his home until 1878, when he came to
Meeker county, and settled on a farm on
section 4, Collinwood township. He was
engaged in railroad work while there until
1881, when he purchased a farm on
section 33, Dassel township, where he
followed a farming life until 1885. He
moved into the village in January, 1886, and
for a year was a member of the firm of
Johnson & Cox, dealers in agricultural im-
plements, and remained in this connection
until January, 1887. At that time, having
been elected city marshal, he entered upon
the duties of the office, but in August follow-
ing resigned and entered the employ of the
Minnesota k, Dakota Elevator Co,, with
whom he remained until the formation of the
present firm.
Mr. Cox is a man of familv, having been
married, April 11, 1878, to Miss Ala E.
Wrigiit, a native of Minnesota. They are
the parents of four children, of whom the
following is a record — Custer, born August
21, 1S7".»; Agnes, whose birth took place
November 15, 1880 ; Soery, born August 15,
1882, and died March 6, 1883; Sampson, the
date of whose l)irth was J^ebruary 2, 1884;
and Mautl, who was born December 25, 1887.
JSRAEL J. ANDERSON, a farmer, resid-
%^ ing on section 19, and one of the leading
citizens of Union Grove township, is a native
of Norway, born on the 4rth of February,
1851, and is a son of Andrew and Karen
Jacobson. His boyhood days were spent in
his native land, and in 1868, in company
with his mother and step-father, he came to
the United States, and they settled first
in Eacine county, Wis. When Israel
started out to earn his own way in the
world, he went to the southern part of Min-
nesota, and for three years he worked in
different localities. During this time he
married his first wife, her name being, before
marriage. Miss Jensinellendrickson, born on
the 21st of June, 1854, a daughter of Hen-
drick and Maren Olson. She died, leaving
three children, whose names were — Hilda,
born on the 25th of December, 1873 ; Albert,
born on the 17th of June, 1875, and Martin,
born on the 28th of March, 1877.
Some time later Mr. Anderson was mar-
ried to Miss Anna Jacobson, a daughter of
Adrean Jacobson and wife. She was born
on the 20tii of August, 1861. This marriage
has been blessed with four children, as fol-
lows — Jensine Nettie, born on the 7th of
October, ISSO ; Adoli)h B., born on the 24th
of February, 1883; Ida, born on the 7th of
Februar}', 1885, died on the 17th of July,
1887 ; and Anna, born on the 1st of March,
1887, died on the 9th of March, 1887.
^-.^^
'^^^^A^-jC^I^
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
255
Mr. Anderson comes of a nationality, Avhich
through their enterprise, thrift, industry and
frugalit}', make the most valuable citizens
included in Minnesota's pojjulation, and fol-
lowing the habits characteristic of liis race,
lie has accumulated a fine pro]ierty. He now
owns 250 acres of land located on sections 4,19
and 30, Union Grove township, and has com-
fortable building improvements located on
sections 19 and 30. lie has taken an active
interest in township matters, and has held
various local offices, including those of super-
visor and school clerk. In political matters
he is a prohibitionist. The family are mem-
bers of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.
-««
iLE NELSON LINDELL, one of the
\^^ leading, enterprising merchants of the
village of Grove City, is a native of Sweden,
born March 9, 1844, and made his home in
the land of his birth until after his marriage
which took place Nov. 7, 1867, on whicli
day he wedded Miss Ella Nelson. In 1SG9,
the young couple decided to leave their
home beneath the frowning rocks and rock-
ing ])ines of Norway, and seek in the new
world that easier road to competence that
America affords. On their arrival they
came at once to Minnesota, and Mr. Lindell
bought a homestead claim in Swede Grove
township, of O. Levander. Tiiis was in the
southeast quarter of section 2fi, and consti-
tuted the south half, and upon tliis fanu he
lived some eight years. In 1871 he bought
sixty acres more ; his father's family emi-
grated to this country. TJenting hisjilacetoan
individual for six years, Mr. Lindell removed
to the village of Grove City, and engaged in
the furnicure business and gave some atten-
tion to his trade, which was that of a car
jienter. A year's trial satistietl him that the
venture would be a judicious one, he added
a full and complete stock of hardware and
has now as large an assortment in both lines
as is needed by the necessities of the trade.
In the cellar of his store building he carries
all kinds of heavy hardware ; on the first
floor shelf and fancy hardware, and the sec-
ond story is packed with furniture of every
description.
Mr. and Mrs. Lindell are the parents of
four children, three on earth and one in
Heaven. Their records are as follows —
Mary Chi'istine, who was born Nov. 27,
1871 ; Mina Albertina, born in September,
1880; Otto, born Dec. 23, 188.5, and died
March 25, 1886 ; Otto Anton, born Feb. 19,
1887.
Mr. Lindell in politics affiliates with the
Democratic party and usually supports the
candidates of that organization. He has
held the position of village trustee for two
years, and in March, 1888, was elected pres-
ident of the village trustees, and is looked
upon as a representative citizen. Mrs. Lin-
dell is a consistent member of the Swedish
Lutheran Church.
In 1884 our subject became a member of
the Ancient Order of United Workmen,
was elected financier and served for two
years and was then chosen master workman
of the lodge.
(^^ KIMBALL, who was for many years
\^^ closely connected with the business
life of the country, and one of its leading mill
owners, although now retired from the active
pursuits of trade or manufacture, still keeps
up his interests in wiiatsoever is for the ben-
efit of the community. He is a native of tlie
State of Maine, having been born in Oxford
county, Jan. 4, 1832, and is the son of Asa
and Esther A. (Walker) Kimball, both of
whom were natives of the "Pine Tree State."
His motlier was a daughter of tlie celebrated
Col. Dexter Walker, whose history is too well
known to be repeated in this connection.
256
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
The subject of tliis memoir was reared in
Androscoggin county, Me., and received a
fair business education. From liis boyhood
he lias always had a taste for study, and is
to-day a ripe scholar. On reaching tlie years
of manhood lie embarked in mercantile busi-
ness, which liecari-ied on successfully for some
thirteen years in his native State and then
came to Minnesota, locating at Forest City
in the fall of lS(i7. The same year, the firm
of nines, Kimball c*c Beedy built the large
fiouring mill at that place, and the same time
opened a store in the village. This business
arrangement continued until 1873, when Mr.
Hines retired from the firm, the company
having erected the Manannah flour mill on
the Crow River, some ten miles above Forest
City. This last Mr. Ilines took antl operated
for several j'ears, the business at Forest City
being continued by Kimball & Beedy until
18S2, when ilr. Kiml)all I'etired from the
business on account of ill-health, paying all
his attention to the improvement of his place,
one of the handsomest in Foi'est City town-
ship, and to bee keeping, in which he is pre
eminently successful.
Mr. Kimball was united in marriage, Feb-
ruary 7, 1854, with Miss Phoebe Manwell and
they are the parents of two children: Geor-
giana, the wife of Dr. W. E. Chapman, of
Litchfield, and Edna Cecil, at home. Both
Mr. K. and his estimable wife, are members
of the Baptist Church. He is a republican
in j)olitics, and is filling the offices of jus-
tice of the peace and coroner, and isa pension
and real estate agent. lie has held the office
of justice for over fifteen years.
•«"S€{^-4— —
kOCTOR F. E. BiSSELL, one of the
most prominent ])liysicians and sur-
geons in this part of the State, settled at
Litchfield in 1871, and began the practice of
his profession in Meeker county. Doctor
Bissell is a native of Wisconsin, and was the
first male child born in Washington county,
of that State — his birth having occurred on
December 27, 18-15. His parents were Cyrus
and Amanda (Case) Bissell, both of whom
were natives of Connecticut ; but they had
settled in Washington county. Wis., in .lune,
1S15, and were therei'ore among the oldest
settlers of that region. The Doctnt twentv-
five cents to his name. Something to eat
cost fifteen of this, and ten cents to cross the
river, landed him in Minnesota totally penni-
less and friendless, and the pi-ospect looked
dark to him indeed. Instead of sitting down
to grieve about it, however,- he found work
with a farmer near Eochester, with whom he
remained until fall. In the spring of 1870
he commenced work on the river division of
the Chicago, Milwankee & St. Paul rail-
road, grading, and was soon made foreman
of a gang of men. The following spring he
went to Scott county, this State, when he
commenced contracting for grading on the
Hastings & Dakota railroad, and worked
hard until the fall, when he went to St. Paul
and there bought a boarding house and
saloon which he only ran a short time.
About the last of 1871, he removed to Car-
ver county, and took some more contracts
for grading, and there remained until the
stoppage of work in 1872. Purchasing some
land in connection with others, he platted
and established the village of Norwood,
where he made his home until 1885, follow-
ing railroad construction during the summer
months, and photography in the winters.
The restless activity that ever prompted him
to better his condition, induced him in the
spring of 1885, to sell out his interests in
Norwood, and remove to Dassel village,
where he purchased ten acres of ground
adjoining the town site, where he put up his
residence. Later the same season, he pur-
chased some town lots and put up the brick
store building which he now occupies, laying
out in these im])rovenients about 84,500. In
the summer of 1886, Mr. Sundquist ]Hit in a
stock of drugs, but a few months later dis-
posed of them and opened a stock of notions,
to which he added afterwards, clothinj)- and
boots and shoes. In connection with this
business he carries on the jihotograiihic art
gallei'y, the second story being litted n\) foi-
that business.
Mr. Sundquist was married in October,
1871, to Miss Anna Swenson, a native of
Sweden. Since becoming a citizen of Dassel,
Mr. Sundquist has taken a dee]) intei'est in
all matters relating to his ado]ited home, and
the people, believing that a man who has
been so successful in his own affairs, would
be so in the public's, elected him to the posi-
tion of member of the village board of
trustees in 1888.
-«-J:
Iggp P. NELSON, one of the most promi-
l^jjD nent and successful business men in the
count}', is a member of the firm of Nelson,
Johnson & Larson, dealers in general mer-
chandise at Litchfield. Mr. Nelson is anative
of Sweden, born on the 29th of October, 1840,
and is a son of Nels and Johanna Anderson.
His early life was spent in the land of his birth,
but in 1862, with his parents, he embarked
for America, and after a voyage of eleven
weeks they landed on the shores of the new
world and proceeded to St. Paul. It had
been their intention to settle on Foot Lake,
in Kandiyohi county, Minn., but, learning of
the Indian outljrejdv, their plans were changed,
and shortly afterward B. P. Nelson, our sult-
ject, went to Galesburg, Knox county. 111.,
where he remained from October, 1862, until
the following May. AVe next find him in
Chicago, where he remained for six montiis
at work in a brickyard. The following win-
ter was spent in the pineries of Michigan,
after which he settled at St. Paul, ]\[inn.,
and for two years and a half worked in an
agricultural warehouse for Bigelow, Murdock
& Co. After leaving there, for about a year
he was at various places, principally in iVfec-
ker county, and in C'ottage Grove, and then
went to Nicollet county, and started a store
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
267
at New Sweden. Two yeiirsand a half later
he sold Ijis business to his biotber in-law,
John Burke, and came to Litchfield, arriving
here during the year 1871. Upon his arrival
he, with his brother, Andrew Nelson, engaged
in the general mercantile business, and con-
tinued in it for three years, when the business
was sold to A. Cairncross. After this our
subject was engaged in farming and buying
grain until 1880, when the present firm of
Nelson, Johnson & Larson was formed, and
he has since devoted his time to the interests
of the firm.
Mr. Nelson was married on the 31st of
May. 1878, to Emily E. Johnson, and tliey
are the parents of four children, one of whom
died in infancy, and the other three — Archie
E., Clara E. and Bertram C. — are living.
Mr. Nelson has taken a prominent and
active interest in all matters of a. public nat-
ure, and he has been closely identified with
the growth and development of business
enterprises of Litchfield. He has been one
of the directors of the Meeker County Bank
ever since its organization.
M, NDREW CARLSON, a successful far-
jiP^ mer residing on section 17, Greenleaf
township, was born in Sweden, on the 17tli
of February, 1825. Ilis ])arents were both
natives of the same country, and liveti there
until tlie time of their deaths. Andrew
learned the carpenter's trade, and woi'ked at
that and other vocations in his native land
until 1869, when he sailed for America.
Shorth' after his arrival he went to Mich-
igan, where he was employed chiefly at min-
ing, and remained until 1874, when he came
to Meeker county, Minn., and })urchased the
farm in Greenleaf townsliip, where ho has
since lived. He has a well-cultivated farm
of 120 acres, and devotes his attention to gen-
eral farming and stock-raising. Mr. Carlson
was married, in 1856, to Maria C. Olson, a
native of Sweden. She bore him two chil-
dren, and died in Sweden on the 23d of Feb-
ruary, 1868. The children were Andrew G.
and Alfred G. Anderson. Andrew was born
in 1860, and died in infancy-.
Alfred G. Anderson, the second child, was
born in Sweden, on the 21st of December,
1863, and came to America when still a lad,
with his father, with whom he still lives.
Alfred was married, on the ■1th of July, 1885,
to Augusta E. Hagerstrom, and the couple
have had one child — Elmer T., born May 12,
1886.
The father and son are both intelligent,
progressive citizens. They are prohibition-
ists in political matters. The family are
members of the Swedish Baptist Church.
—^^
^UGUST SWANSON.a progressive and
successful farmer and stock-raiser
residing on section 17, Cedar Mills township,
is a native of Sweden, where he was born on
the 15th of June, 1844. His early life was
spent in his native land, where he remained
until he had reached the age of twenty-four,
and then came to the United States. Upon
liis arrival he went to Marquette County,
Mich., where he secured work in the iron
mines. He remained there for about five
years, and then started West, and on March
13, 1874, in company with his brother, Fred
Swanson, he arrived in Meeker county,
Minn., and together they purchased the farm
which had been originally taken by J. V.
Branhara, in the northern part of Greenleaf
tow'nship. August lived there with his
brother until 1876, when he sold his interest
in the place. After that he worked in that
township for two years, and in 1878 he pur-
chased the farm on section 17, Cedar Mills
township, where he still resides, erecting the
house in which he lives, in 1880. He has a
268
MEEKER COUNTY, MIKNESOTA.
valuable farm of 200 acres, a good sliare of
wliicli is under cultivation, and luis substan-
tial and comfortable building improvements.
He devotes his attention extensively to stock-
raising in connection with his fanning, and
bv his integrity, industry and eiiterpi'ise he
has gained the reputation dI' l)eing one of the
most substantial and most highly respected
citizens of the township.
Mr. Swanson was mari'ied, Novend)er 24,
1879, to Mrs. Christina Erickson, a native of
Sweden, who was born October 7, 1832.
fOHN C. KRUGER, a prominent and rep-
resentative citizen of Ellsworth town-
ship, living on section 8, came to this county
May 27, 18G2, and settled on section 8 of the
same town, where he remained until the
Indian outl)reak that fall. At that time lie
went to Forest City, Kingston, and Clear-
water, but soon came back and remained
that winter in Forest City. In the spring he
moved to a farm in that vicinity, and from
there after one season spent in Greenleaf
township, came to his present residence, where
he took up eighty acres under the homestead
law, to which he has added some 300 acres,
and now has an excellent farm.
Mr. Kruger was born in the northern ]iart
of Germany, May 1, 1815, and is the son of
Charles D. Kruger, who was the parent of
five children — four besides our subject —
AVilliain, Herman, Charles and Mary, the
latter the widow of John Putzer, of Green-
leaf.
Mr. Kruger remained in the "fatherland"
until 1851, when he sought in free America
the chance for achievinga competency denied
in the land of his birth, so down-trodden is
it by military despotism, lie located in
Illinois, where he remained until coming to
iVIinnesota. Before leaving his native coun-
try, October 20, 184(;, he was united in mar-
riage with Miss Mary Long, a native of the
same Emjiire, a daughter of Fred Long. She
was born March 20, 1824. By this union there
have been born five children, as follows —
Charles, Ferdinand, Mary, Minnie and Lizzie.
In his political I'aitli Mr. Kruger strongly
clings to the I'cpublican doctrines, and sup-
ports the camlidates of that party.
^«.-.
l^RANK M' INTYRE, a well-to-do and
'JP^ prosperous farmer of Manannah town-
ship, lias his beautiful home upon section 26,
and is surrounded by his magniticent estate of
440 acres of as fine land as any in the county.
He is a native of County Cavan, Ireland, born
May 12, 1832, and'is the son of James and
Mary (Clark) Mclntyre. He remained in the
land of his birth until nineteen years
of age, when perceiving the impossibility of
e'ettin • -^Sg^' < *• ■
^,\iANlEL JACKMAN. The gentleman
t^/ of whom this article is written, a
leading agriculturist of Cosmos township, is
one of the early settlers of 1867. In that
year he came here and took up a homestead
upon section 26. He returned to Minneapo-
lis the following spring, but immediately re-
turned here, and has made this his home
ever since.
Mr. Jackman is a native of Kennebec coun-
ty, Me., born April 5, 1822, and is the son of
Eben and Hannah (Hutchinson) Jackman,
both of whom were also natives of the " Pine
Tree State." Both of his grandfathers
served in the continental army during the
struggle for independence, and after their
term of service had expired, settled in Maine,
and there died. Eben Jackman, who was a
farmer, also lived and died in the same local-
ity. For a number of years after reaching
his eighteenth year, our subject was engaged
in the pineries of Maine and Canada, taking-
charge of the lumber camps, etc. In 18.58
he came to Minneapolis, and went into the
logging business towards the headwaters of
the Mississippi, and i-enuiined there for seven
years. In 1865 hegave up the lumbering busi-
ness and renting a farm near Minneapolis,
remained there three years engaged in farm-
ing. He then came to Meeker county, as
above mentioned. On his return ]\[ay 4,
1868, he brought his famil}', and putting up
his house, made a permanent settlement. In
1877 he made a trip to the Black Hills, and
spent the season in gold mining, but returned
in the fall.
Mr. Jackman is the oldest resident settler,
all the others having passed from this world
or moved to other localities. On his arrival
here, until he could get up his house, he lived
in a tent, and cooked at an open fire. When
the township was organized, the first election
was held at the house of our subject. He
was elected the first chairman of the board
of supervisors and served as such some three
years.
Mr. Jackman and Annette K. Page were
united in marriage February 15, 1852. The
lady is a native of Bangor, Me. By this
union there have been born four children —
Frank P., EUra P., Lettie G. and Mabel M.
Fi'ank is the proprietor of the American
house at Hector, and the I'est are at home.
OBERT N. DAMUTH.oneof theintel-
\i^ ligent anti thonnigh-going agricultur-
ists of the town of Kingston, having his
home on section 22, where he located on
coming to the county in 1868, is a native of
the State of J^ew York. He was born in
Jefferson county February 8, 1820, and is
the son of Peter and Elizabeth (Weaver)
Damuth. He is of Holland Dutch ancestry,
his grandfather coming from that country
and settling where the city of Utica now
stands, erecting his log cabin there, the first
building on the town plat.
Our subject was reared in that part of the
country, receiving his education in the excel-
lent disti'ict schools provided by the Empire
State for the rising generation, anil assisted
his father in the labors of the farni until he
had attained his majority. At that time he
commenced life for himself, finding employ-
ment on the Erie Canal, where he remained
272
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
some ten years or more, after which he re-
moved to Marquette count}', Wis., and set-
tled on a farm, where he made his home for
four years. From that place he removed to
Cokimbia county, in the same State, but a
few years later came to Minnesota, and set-
tled in Dakota county, whence, in ISfiS, he
came to Meeker county.
August 30, 18-i3, Mr. Damuth and Miss
Emily Eliza Stone were united in marriage.
His life companion is a native of Oswego
county, N. Y., born January 23, 18:^7, and
the daughter of Philo and Eliza L. (Scott)
Stone, natives of Rhode Island and Connecti-
cut respectively. By this .union there have
been born a family of ten children — Madison,
Myron W., Ellen E., Edwin S., Emily E.,
Margaret, Eliza, Carrie A., Addie M. and
Robert N., Jr. The death angel has taken
all but the last two named, and there are
many vacant chairs around the domestic
hearth.
In his politics Mr. Damuth is a democrat,
but has had no political aspirations. He
has always taken a great interest in educa-
tional matters.
JTOSEPH HUBBARD, postmaster at Crow
SI river, e.K-county commissioner, and one
of the most successful and prominent farmers
and stock-raisers of Meeker county, is a resi-
dent of section 33, Union Grove township.
Mr. Hubbard is a son of Joseph and Mer-
riam (Biownjllubbard, and was born on the
27th of May, 1820. He commenced life for
himself when about nineteen years of age,
first working in a cotton factory at Three
Rivers, Mass., remaining there until he was
twenty-seven years of age. He then traveled
through the country canvassing for news-
papers until 185i, when he came to Minne-
sota, and prer-mptod 160 acres of land in
Scott county. He lived there for twelve
years and then sold out and settled at
Shakopee, where he remained for four years
engaged at teaming. In 1869 he came to
Meeker county and purchased a farm of 240
acres in Union Grove township, and has since
made this his home. Besides liis residence
he has a small store building in which he
keeps quite a large assortment of goods for
the accommodation of the neighborhood and
also the postoffice. In connection with his
general merchandise he also handles a lim-
ited line of agricultural implements, ]ilows, etc.
He has one of the most valuable farms in the
township, and it is well arranged for diversi-
fied farming and stock-raising, which he car-
ries on. Mr. Hubbard has taken an active
interest in public matters, and no man in
the northern jiortion of the county is more
prominently identified with the official his-
tory of the county than is he. For the past
twenty-five years he has held the office of
justice of the peace, both here and at his
former place of residence. For six years he
was a member of the board of county cora-
missionei's, and during that time was one of
the most influential members of that body.
During the war he was deputy provost
marslial.
Mr. Hubbard was married in April, 1842, at
Northfield, Mass., to Gratia Field, a daughter
of Oliver and Rhoda Field. Slie died in
October, 1864, leaving three childi'en, as fol-
lows — Emma, born Jan. 21,1844; Edward J.,
born Fel). 1, 1847 ; and Crissa, born in Decem-
ber, 1857, died in January, 1864. Emma
married Abner S. Marshall, and they live in
Union Grove; they have five ciiildren — Jos-
eph B., Mabel C, Lewis C, Frank F., and
Anna H. Edward J. married Fidelia Nich-
ols, and they live in McPherson county. Dak.;
they have four children — George A., Charles
E., Addie L., and Linna L.
Mr. Hubbard's second marriage occurred
in April, 1866, when he was wedded to JNlrs.
Mianda McKinney, formerly ]\Iiss Hidden.
By her nuirriage with Frederick McKinney
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
275
, she had had five children, as follows — William
O., George F., Fannie, Edwin A., and Ever-
son E. Fannie and William are dead. Mrs.
Mianda Hubbard died in June, 1870. Mr.
Hubbard's present wife was the widow of
Samuel McCoy, formerly Miss Elisabeth
Haseltine. They have two adopted children —
Ida and Oliver.
In 1S7G the First Universalist Church of
Crow river was organized, and Mr. Hubbard
was chosen deacon, he having been for years
a believer in that faith.
Politically Mr. Hubbard has been a repub-
lican ever since the birth of that ]iarty, and
has cast his ballot for every republican nom-
inee for president up to date.
He has always been a constant reader and
patron of republican literature. Believing
that the boys of to-day will be the men of
to-morrow he has liberally su]ip!ied his own
family with the best of literature, which has
been almost a circulating library in his neigh-
borhood.
■ < »• •
P- REDERICK ADAMS, one of the hard-
■ working agriculturists of Collinwood
townsliip, living upon section 1, is a native
of Hampshire, England, born September 7,
1839, and is the son of Henry and Mary
(Marsh) Adams. His parents were of the
class of sturdy yeomen of Alljion that
have made that island so famous in history,
and were born, like their forefathers, in that
Empire. From tlie time he was about seven
years old, our subject was emjiloyed in farm-
labor until leaving his native land. May 29,.
1860, he was united in marriage with Miss
Eliza Forder, who was born, also, in Hamp-
shire December 9, 1S38. She is the daughter
of George and Elizabeth (Bo wen) Forder.
Her father, a native of same country, was
born May 17, 1804, came to America in April,
J871, and died November 31, 1881. Her
mother died in England, in 1858.
Mr. Adams, appreciating the im]irobability
of his acquiring a competency in his native
land, determined to seek his fortune in the
United States, the land of the free, and
accordingly, on the 6th of April, 1871, bid-
ding adieu to " White-cliffed Albion," he
sailed for America, and after a pleasant and
easy voyage, landed at New York, April 17,
1871. On the 21st of the same month, he
reached the home of AVilliam Forder, in
Indiana. He remained in that State, em-
ployed in a saw mill and on a farm, until the
following spring, when he came to Collin-
wood township, this county, where, April 6,
1872, he purchased forty acres of railroad
land on section 1, upon which he moved and
has since made his home. He now has an
excellent farm of 120 acres in this and sec-
tion 11, about fifty -five acres of which has
been cleared of the primeval forest that
covered it. The first year he was here, he
was in absolute penury, having but little
provisions and often suff'ering for the want
of the necessaries of life. But energy and
diligence will accomplish much, and he has,
assisted only by his devoted wife and chil-
dren, succeeded in turning the point that leads
to competency and fortune.
Mr. and Mrs. Adams' marital life has been
blessed by the advent of four children, as
follows — William, whose birth took place
March 31, 1861 ; Elizabeth, born October 26,
1865; Mary Ann, whose birth dates from
December 5, 1867; and George Henry, liorn
August 22, 1871. In liis political views Mr.
Adams coincides with the republican party,
and has held the office of road overseer of
his district for over ten years.
PROMINENT business man of Meeker
county is D. Elmquist, watchmaker
and jeweler, of Litchfield, who is a native of
Sweden, Ijorn in 1848. His parents were
276
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
John Magnus Elmquist and Christena John-
son, botli of whom are now tleceased. Mr.
Ehnquist connnenced in eai-ly manhood to
learn the jeweler's trade, at wliich he has be-
come so proficient. In ISf!',) he came to Min-
neapolis, Minn., Init a short time later went
to Wisconsin, where he worked at his trade
with his brother, P. J. Elm(|uist, with whom
he i-emained as journeynian until 1S72. He
then returned to Minneapolis and went into
business with this brother, and remained
there four years; then after that he located
at Litchfield, opening a jewelry store as a
branch of their Minneapolis store, but later
on bought out his brother's interest, and still
continues in that business, carrying a full and
complete stock of everything in that line.
Mr. Elmquist was one of the charter mem-
bers of Litchfield lodge, No. 50, A. O. U. AV.,
and is also an active member of the Litch-
field fire department.
Mr. Elmquist was mai'i'ied, February 22,
1876, to Miss Ida M. Ilultgren, of Minneap-
olis, and they have been blessed with five
children, four of whom are still living. The
names of the survivors are as follows — Emily
Christine, Minnie, Charles J. and John Ar-
thur. Mr. and Mrs. Elmquist are prominent
and zealous members of the Swedish Luth-
eran Cimrch at Litchfield, and exemplary
Christian ]ieople.
j) ICHARD ELLIOTT, an active citizen
Hjy of Dassel, and the proprietor of the
G. A. R. House, is one of the veterans of the
late civil war —
" Whose faith aud truth
On war's red touchstone rang true metal."
He is a native of Eakersville, Vt., born in
1839, and is the son of William E. and
Miranda (Harvey) Elliott.
When Richard was onlv a year old, his
parents moved to St. Lawrence county,
N. Y., and, amid the wild scenery of that
section, our subject was reared until he was
sixteen years old. About that time the fam-
ily, tired of the stony soil of the East, came
with the "star of empire'' and settled in the
town of Ossian, Winneshiek county, Iowa,
among the earliest settlers of that county.
On the 13th of December, 1861, Richard El-
liottenlisted in CompanyC, Thirteenth United
States Infantry, and served until December
12, 1864, when he received his discharge at
JN'ashville, Tenn. He partici)3ated in some
nine pitched battles, prominent among
which were the siege of Yicksburg, Chatta-
nooga, and Mission Ridge. He was fortun-
ate enough to escape without a wound
or scratch, or ever having been in hospital
after leaving their barracks. On his dis-
charge, he returned to his home in Iowa,
but shortly after removed to Fillmore county,
this State, whither his father had preceded
him. In 1869 he moved to Stevens county,
and took up a homestead, where he remained
until 1876, suffering two years from grass-
ho])pers, which devoured his crops, and two
years from drouth, which burned them up.
These circumstances embarrassed him finan-
cially, and he traded the farm off for an in-
terest in the steam saw-mill at Dassel, to
which {)lace he removed with his family.
Two yeai-s later he sold his mill interests and
erected the hotel, which, for a time, he
leased. In ISSl he took charge of it him-
self, and has run it ever since. In connec-
tion, he is considerablv engaoed in buving
and ship})ing hoo|) jtoles and cordwood.
Mr. Elliott was united in marriage with
Miss Sallie L. Huntley, October 8, 1868, in
'Fillmore county, Minn. The lady is a native
of Beaver Dam, Wis., and is the mother of
four children — Mertie, now Mrs. L. Whitta-
ker, of Cokato ; James D., Jasper, and
Thoren. Mr. Elliott is quite prominent in
G. A. R. circles ; was a charter member and
is the present officer of the guard of Colfax
Post, No. 133, of the village of Dassel.
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
277
M^NDREW ELOFSON, one of the lead-
jp>^ ing citizens of Swede Grove town-
sliip, is a son of Elofson and Bertha Ander-
son. He was born in Sweden, on the ISth
of July, 1840. His father died in Sweden,
in 1855, and in 1857, with his mother, An-
drew came to the United States. He settled
in Swede Grove township, Meeker county,
Minn., in 1857, and this has since been his
home. The mother and three sons were
among the first settlers in the township.
Andrew has a well-tilled and valuable farm
on section 29, where he carries on general
farming and stock-raising, and has accumu-
lated a fair competency. Mr. Elofson's
mother died in Swede Grove, in 1871.
Andrew Elofson was married, on the 31st
of December, 1870, to Miss Sine Peterson, a
daughter of Hans and Betsy Peterson, resi-
dents of Swede Grove township. Mr. and
Mrs. Elofson have been blessed with the fol-
lowing named cliildren — Matilda, born April
13, 1873 ; Elmerth, born September 20, 1875 ;
Morris, born October 4, 1877 ; Mabel, born
November 1, 1881, antl Alma, born August
.27, 1886. Mr. Elofson has taken a promi-
nent part in all matters pertaining to the west-
ern portion of the county, and has taken an
active interest in all the township and official
matters. He has been township assessor for
the past eighteen years ; has been pathmas-
ter a number of terms ; chairman of the su-
pervisors several terms, and has also, at vari-
ous times, held the offices of town clerk,
scliool clerk, school treasurer and school di-
rector. He can certainly be justly termed
one of the leading and I'epresentative farmers
of Meeker county.
PETER J. CONNOLE. a thrifty and en-
teiprising \'ouiig man who is engaged
in farming and stock-raising on section 16,
Harvey township, is a native of Pennsyl-
vania, and was born on the ICth of April,
1865. His parents were Peter and Bridget
Connole. The father, Peter, was a native of
Ireland, born November 1, 1830. When
still young he came to the United States and
settled in Hollidaysburgh, Blair county, Pa.
The family remained there until 1872, when
they removed to Meeker county-, Minn., and
settled in Harvey township, where they were
living at the time of the death of the father,
August 22, 1877. His death was the result
of a runaway. He had rented a farm in
Kandiyohi county, and was on his way from
home to the farm when the sad accident
occurred, and it was supposed that the
wagon ran over him. "When found he was
still living, but so seriously injured that he
died within eight hours. His death was a
sad blow to the family, as he was beloved by
them and respected by all who knew him.
His widow, who was also a native of Ireland,
is still living in this township. They had a
family of nine children, who are still living,
six boys and three girls. Their names are as
follows — Thomas W., John C, Mary A.,
Peter J., Katie E., Lillie B., Rodgei", Patrick
and Martin F.
Peter J. Connole, the subject of this sketch,
has followed farming most of his life. He
i-eceived a common-school education, and
imbibed the same principles of frugality and
industi'v which are characteristic of the race
from which he springs. He is a good man-
ager and has been very successful in his farm-
mg operations. In religion he is a Catholic,
and in political matters he supports the dem-
ocratic principles.
BAVID SHEPHERD, an active, promi-
nent and entei])rising farmer, residing
on section 29, Greenleaf township, was born
in Scotland on the 2d of April, isii. He
can trace his genealogy back through four
generations, William Shepherd being the
name of his gi-eat-great-great-grandfather,
278
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
then James in the next degree. Ilis grand-
father, Wiliam Shepherd, was born in Scot-
land about the year ITnC). His fatiier was
born in tlie same country, and still lives
there, being now about seventy-one years of
age. He (David's father) was married in
1840 to Margaret Ayer, and they were the
parents of two cliildren — David, our subject,
and James, who is now living in New Zea-
land.
David Shepherd, of whom we write, left
his native land in 1869 and settled in Can-
ada, where he remained about one year, and
then removed to St. I'aul, Minn. After three
months' residence there he went to Hastings
and remained a like period, then went to
Minneapolis. Here he left his family and went
to Colorado and Nevada, and after a sojourn
in that region of some fourteen months re-
turned to Minneapolis. On the 27th of April,
1879, he arrived in Meeker county, Minn., and
purchased of Anna McGraw a farm on sec-
tion 29, Greenleaf township, where he has
since lived. He now has a valuable farm,
which consists of about 300 acres of land,
his buildings being located on the line be-
tween sections 29 and 32. It is a most de-
sirable place, containing some forty acres of
timber, and he has it well stocked. He lie-
votes his time to diversified farming and
stock-raising, and well deserves the standing
which he maintains of l>eing one of the most
solid and influential farmers in the township.
In political matters Mr. Shepherd is a re])ub-
lican, and has taken an active interest in
affairs of that nature, having held various
local offices which his fellow-citizens have
desired him to fill. , He is the present chair-
man of the township supervisors, and the
fact that he is the pi-esent treasurer of school
district No. 34 is evidence of the well-known
fact that lie takes a commendable interest in
educational matters.
On the 5tli of June, ISfiO, :\[i'. Siiepherd
was married to Ehzabetii Tiionipson, who
was a native of Scotland. Their union has
been blessed with the following children, all
of whom are still living: D. K., born Janu-
ary 7, 1872; Christina A., born April 28,
1874; and Maggie S., born March 31, 1879.
JTaMES LAWTON, one of the pioneers of
^ Forest Prairie township, came to
Meeker county in 1867, and took up a home-
stead on section 32, where he now resides,
carrying on general farming. He was born
in Hadley, Saratoga county, N. Y., IVIarch
19, 1825, and is the son of David and Thank-
ful (Parraeter) Lawton, the latter a native
of White Hall, N. Y., and the former of
Dennison, Vt. During the childliood of
our subject his father's house was de-
stroyed by fire, and with it the records of the
family, so the}' are lost. In January, 1856,
the mother of our subject died in Lafa^'ette,
McKean county, Penn., and the father's de-
cease occurred in 1858.
James Lawton passed his school days in
Wa\'ne and Morgan counties, N. Y., with his
brothers and sisters, whose names were —
Amos, Iluth, Pollie, Luc}', Davitl, Iluldah,
Hester, Daniel and Jonathan. In 1846 he
removed with his parents to Warren county
Penn., wiiere they lived some six or seven
years, he being engaged in farming and in
lumliering. In 1856 he came west and set-
tled in Shelby county. 111., where he remained
until August 11, 1862, when, leaving wife and
family, he enlisted atthecall of jiatriotism, in
the One Hundred and Fifteentli Illinois Infan-
try ,and participated in all the skirmishes and
battles in which his regiment was engaged,
the principal one being that of Chickamauga.
He was dischargetl August 14, 1864. on ac-
count of disability, and returned home. He
then came to Meeker coimty to look over
the country, and went back to Illinois, where
he remained two yeais longer, and then came
here and settled.
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
279
Mr. Lawtoii was married Mairli i!5, 1859,
to Miss Mary M. Vermillion, a native of
Shelby county, 111., where she was married,
and daughter of James and Jane (Fletcher)
Vermillion. Her birth took place December
26, 1842. By this union there has been
born one son — David E., whose birth took
place July 26, 1882. Mr. Lawton is a staunch
republican in ])olitical faith; and has held
various local offices. He is a prominent and
zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and class leader of the congregation
at Forest City.
«-J^^-<^
;LARK L. ANGELL, photographer, is
one of the pioneers of Minnesota, as
well as one of tlie first settlers at Litchfield,
after the village was i)latted. He was born
in Jefferson countj^ N. Y., in May, 1838,
and is the son of Nicholas and Aseneth
Angell. His parents were both natives of
Vermont, but were removed by their families
to New York in their childhood. His father
was enrolled among the brave defenders of
his country, during the last war with Great
Britain in 1 812-1815, and it is within the
recollections of his mother viewing the battle
ui)on Lake Cham])lain, as they lived at or near
Plattsburgh. After tiieir marriage the par-
ents of our sui)ject removed to Jefferson
county in tlie same State, where the elder
Mr. Angell died, at the age of sixt\'-one.
His widow came to Minnesota, where she
died at the advanced age of eighty -eight.
Clark L. was reared in the Empire State,
but at the age of eighteen years commenced
life for himself, starting for the AVest in
the fall of 1855, stopping first at Dunlieth,
111., which was then the terminus of the
railroad. From there he took a boat up the
Mississippi river to St. Paul, and the follow-
ing spring, of 1856, he claimed government
land near Rockford-, Minn., that being previ-
ous to the laying out of the village. lie re-
mained there, impi'oving liis claim, until the
war broke out, when, in the fall of 1861, in
response lo the first call for men, he enlisted
in Company A, Third Minnesota Infantry.
He sjient a year in the army, serving in
Tennessee and Kentucky, and was finally
discharged on account of sickness, and soon
returned to Minnesota. He then learned
photography, and spent most of his tinae on
the road, until the fall of 1869, when he
settled in Litchfield and opened the art gal-
lerv, which he still conducts. He at once
erected a house and brought his family here
in the spring of 1870. Litchfield has since
been his home, and he now has one of the
finest and most complete galleries in this part
of the State. Mr. Angell is an active mem-
ber of the Grand Army of the Republic, and
was one of the charter members of the first
])Ost organized at Litchfield. He also a
member of the Masonic fraternity, having
been one of the charter members of Golden
Fleece Lodge. No. 89.
OSES H. BOGAR, who is one of the
^^jf^ self-made men of Collinwood town-
ship, lives on section 2. He is a son of Thom-
as H. Bogar, who is mentioned at length else-
where in this volume, to whose sketch the
reader is also referred for much of the person-
al history of the gentleman whose name
heads this article.
Moses H. Bogar was born in Tazewell
county, Va., November 28, 1842. When
about seven years of age he removed with his
parents to Pike county, Ky., where he was
reared to agricultural pursuits. At the
bi-ealcing out of the civil war, he enlisted,
October 25, 1861, in Company H, Four-
teenth Kentucky U. S. Infantr}^ and went
into active service, participating in the bat-
tles of Ganley, Middle Creek, and Half Moun-
tain, Kentucky; Hagar Gap, Koeler Pole,
28o
MEEKEK COUNTY. MINNESOTA.
Virginia; and Tazewell. Tenn., Altoona,
Cupp's Farm, and Atlanta, Ga., Jonesboro,
and various other battles of the campaign.
He served successively under the following
generals: Nelson, C4arfield. White. Beard,
Morgan. Cooper, Ilaskel, Schofield, Sherman,
and, lastly, Thomas.
Our subject came to Minnesota Avith his
fathei' in ISfifi, and settled on section 2, Col-
linwood. On the 1st of March, 18tl!», he was
married to Mrs. Mary C. (Graves) Livingston.
She died in May. 1SS2, leaving six children,
as follows — Lizzie ilay, born February 18,
1870 ; Edward G., born July 18, 1871 ; Cyn-
thia C, born September 9, 1873 ; Joseph
0.,born February 28. 1876 ; Moses XL, born
February 2, 1878 ; and John P., born Febru-
ary 1, 1880.
On the 13th of December, 18S3, Mr. Bo-
gar married Caroline, a daughter of Volney
and Lura (Farrington) Gay, who was born
Julv 21, 1857. This marriage has been
blessed with two children — Geneva Blanche
and Ruth Lillian.
Mr. Bogar's house was destroyed by fire,
with most of its contents, April 1, 1888. In
political matters our subject is an opponent
of monopoly and is a prohiljitionist. He has
held several local offices with honor.
lLAF B. JORGENSON, the efficient
^^ and trustworthy harness maker of the
village of Grove City, is a native of Norway,
born February 26, 1868, and is the son of
Ove E. and Bertha Jorgenson. He was
reared in that rugged but picturesque land,
aniid its bold mountains and velvety vallej's,
until about sixteen years of age, coming to
America in 1884. Coming directly to the
State of Minnesota, after a few days spent at
Willmar, our suiiject wentto Kirkhoven, and
worked at the harness maker's trade with his
brother Oscar, and remained there some five
months. lie then returned to Willmar and
worked for an uncle, Martin Jorgenson, at
the same ti-ade, for about two months, at the
close of which time he came to Grove City,
and for nearly two years followed his trade
with A. II. Lind. In March, 1887, he quit
work here and went to St. Paul and worked
for W. II. Konants & Bro.. with whom he
only staid until October 1st. when he returned
to Grove City and bought out ]\Ir. i^iiid, and
commenced business for himself. He has
always a full and complete stock of all kinds
of goods in his line, ami Ijeing an excellent
workman, honest and true, and of pleasant
manners, he has a large and increasing busi-
ness. He commenced to learn his trade in
Norway with his father, who is a harness
maker, as is the onlj' brother he has in this
country, who now lives at Benson.
^.^«
«^^
fAMES H. SHIMIN, a farmer of Kingston
township, residing upon section 26,
where he has a nice place, is a native of
Albany, the cajntal of the State of New York,
born January 1, 1830, and is the son of John
and Ann (Corros) Shimin, both of whom first
saw the light in the Isle of Man, a dependency
of the British Empire, located in the Irish Sea.
His parents came to America in 1829, and
settled in Albany, where they resided many
years and where the father dieil. In 184-1
the mother removed to Michigan and made
her home there until 1867, when she came to
Minnesota and located in Henne)iin county,
where she died at the age of eighty four
years. She was a devout Christian and a
member of the Episcopal church.
The subject of this memoir was reared
upon a farm, and has always followed the
occui)ation of a farmer. Commencing life
on his own account in New York State at
the age of eighteen years, he essayed agi'i-
culture in the Empire State, but later re-
MEEKER COUNTY, MINXESOTA.
281
moved to Michigan, where lie lived until he
came to Hennepin county, Minn., where he
made his home until December. 1876, when
he came to Meeker county, arriving here the
18th of that month.
Mr. Shimin was married in January, 18G1,
to Miss Mary Ann Thomas, a native of Rich-
mond county, Ind., and daughter of Robert
Thomas, of tiuit State. She cauie to Hen-
nepin county, this State, where she was
united in marriage to our subject, and there
died December 21, 1863, leaving one child —
Edgar T., born December 5, 1863. Mr.
Shimin again contracted a matrimonial alli-
ance, August 14, 1887, with Miss Maggie
Francis, a resident of Kingston township, a
native of Meeker county, this State, and
daughter of A. J. and II. Francis.
In his politics Mr. Shimin is a republican
and is the present treasurer of school district
No. 33. During the great civil war our sub-
ject, with commendable patriotism, enlisted
February 18, 1864:, in Company B, Sixth
Minnesota Infantry, and served until the
close of the war with that gallant regiment,
receiving his discharge August 19, 1865.
His record wliile carrying a musket is that
of a loyal and gallant soldier and one " prompt
to everv dutv's call."
?i'"-^ M. BECKSTRAND is a Avell-known
and highly respected farmer, who
resides on section Id, Greenleaf township.
He has one of the finest farms in the county,
and his farm buildings are a credit to the
township in which he lives. His place con-
sists of 207 acres of land, a good portion of
which is under cultivation, and, as he has it
well stocked, he devotes his time to general
farming and stock-raising.
Ml'. Beckstrand is a native of Sweden, and
was born on the 1st of December, 1849. He
remained in his native land until the fall of
1869, when he came to the United States,
and made his way directl}^ to Greenleaf
township, Meeker county, Minn., where his
uncle, John Sampson, was then living. This
townshij) has been his home ever since. In
1881 Mr. Beckstrand sent for his parents,
who were still living in the land of his birth,
and thej^ tlien came to this country, and are
now living in Cedar Mills township with one
of their sons.
In 1875 the suljject of our sketch was
married to Bengta Nelson, and their mar-
riage was blessed with one child, a girl
named Emma G., who was born in Septem-
ber, 1878, and who died March 11, 1879,
and was buried in the Beckville Cemetery.
Mrs. Beckstrand's parents were natives of
Sweden ; her father died there, and her
mother is still living in the Fatherland. Mr.
and Mrs. Beckstrand are members of the
Swedish Lutheran church. Mr. B. has taken
an active interest in public affairs, and has
for two years been a member of the board of
supervisors of the towTiship.
AMUEL A. HEARD. Among the prom-
inent figures in the history of Litch-
field, of which he is a resident, is the gentle-
man whose name heads this sketch, who was
the pioneer merchant of the place. He was
born in Newport, Canada, September 6, 1831,
and is the son of Samuel and Sojjhronia M.
(AVilliams) Heard, both of whom were natives
of the same province. He was reared upon
a farm and remained with his parents until
his twenty-third year, when he came to the
United States, and, after a short time spent
in Illinois and Wisconsin, in the spring of
1856 came to Minnesota, and settled in
Wright county, where he located on a farm
of 160 acres, which he took up on govern-
ment land, a few miles south of Clearwater.
The first summer was employed in looking
after the interests of the Clearwater Town
232
MEEKER CO UN 7- Y, MINNESOTA.
Site Company, and the following wintei- in
teaching school a sliort distance I'roni tiie
village. ^Next spring, in company witii a
Mr. Chase, lio bougiit out tlio mercantile
establishment of Gibbs & AVhitney, of Clear-
water, and remained in that business for
over a year, when, the firm being dissolved,
Mr. Heard built another store, and again
entered into trade, and followed it until
IStil. He had been appoint eil (U'piity post-
master in 1857, and had ciiarge of the mails
until 1S61, when, his health failing, he gave
up liis business altogether, and spent the fol-
lowing year in ]\[aine and Canada, returning
to Clearwater in the spring of 1S()2. whei-e
he passed some time, and later went to Cold
Springs, where lie rebuiltthe Hour-mill, wiiich
had been destro\'ed by fire. After gravitating
between this State and his native home for
some years, in 1869 he came to Litchfield,
and, in company with C. D. Ward, opened the
first store in the embryo village. After con-
tinuing in the mercantile trade, both with
his partner and alone, until 1880, Mr. Heard
then sold out and retired fi-om trade. He
has large real-estate interests in the village
still, and stock in the woolen-mills and other
enterprises in Litchfield, and finds in their
conservation and improvement sutticient em-
ployment. In 1S78 he was elected a mem-
berof the village council, and in 1879 as mayor
of the place, and served with great credit to
himself.. He has always been deejily imbued
with religious ideas, and has always lent a
helping hand in all church matters. He had
charge of the erection of the first church edi-
fice in the village, the Presbyterian, and was
chairman of the building committee.
Mr. Heard was united in marriage, Octo-
ber 1, 1871, with Miss N. 11. iiowen, a native
of Chenango county, N. Y., and daughter of
Luther and Martha (Hatch) Bowen, both of
whom are natives of Connecticut, and both
of whom were among the iii'st settlers of
that region, settling there in 1785. Mr.
Heard is a ])rominent meml)erof the Ancient
Oi'derof United Workmen, and is one of the
Past Grand Masters of the Grand Lodge of
this State.
Dui'ing the civd war J\lr. Heard was ap-
|)ointed ensign of Company A, Nineteenth
Regiment, M. V. M. He assisted in raising
a company for service in 1861, and was to
have gone with them, but ])oor health induced
the doctor to order his remaining at home,
much to his I'egret.
Mr. Heard has always been prominently
identified with the best interests of the vil-
lage. He was a charter member and is the
master workman of the Litchfield Lodge of
Ancient Order of United Workmen.
-^-S^^-<-
i^HARLES H. ATKINSON, a young and
>^y enterprising farmer of Forest City
township, is a native of Pennsylvania, born
May 7, 1855, and is the son of Hon. James
B. Atkinson, one of the pioneers of Meeker
county, a sketch of whom is given in the
pages of this Album. Charles came to this
county with his father's family in 1857, and
here resided until about eighteen years of
age, when lie went to Minneapolis to read up
in the higher branches of studies, in the
Union School. Returning from there he en-
tered the office of Hon. A. C. Smith, with
whom he read law, but finally abandoned
that and settled down upon a farm, whei'e he
now lives. He has been the incumbent of
several township offices, first filling that of
assessor foi' some two years; and then that
of justice of the peace for a like term, antl
now is the present chaiiinaii of the town
board of su]iervisors.
Mr. Atkinson and Miss Ida Mitchell
plighted their mutual vows at the marriage
altar, June 27, 18S2. The lady is the daugh-
ter of David Mitchell, one of the oldest set-
tlers of this county, and whose memoir can
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
285
be found in this volume. By tliis union there
have been born two ciiiklren — Stella Eliza-
beth and Charles Herbert. Mr. Atkinson,
following the traditions of the familv, is a
staunch democrat, politically.
"OHN E. ZACKRISON, a respected farm-
er, residing on section 17, Cedar Mills
township, has been a resident of Meeker
county since 1S75. He is a native of Sweden,
and was born January -i, ISiT. His early life
was spent in the land of his birth, Avhere he
remained until he was twent3'-one years of
age, when he came to the United States and
settled in Marquette county, Mich. "While
there he was employed in iron mining, con-
tract drilling and various other lines of work.
'After he had been there five years he rented
a farm and engaged in the milk and dairy
business. Two years later, in the spring of
1875, he sold out his interests there and came
to Meeker county, Minn. Upon his arrival
he purchased a farm of 316 acres in the town
of Greenleaf, and remained on that for three
years. He met with a number of serious
reverses. The first year he had a very fair
crop ; the second year he did not raise over
five bushels to the acre; and the third year
he lost all his grain on account of the grass-
hopper depredations. These misfortunes
proved a severe setback to him and resulted
in the loss of his farm, upon which he had
paid $1,500 in cash. During the summer of
1878 he remained in Greenleaf townshij),
working for various parties, and in the fall
of the same year he purchased the farm on sec-
tion 17, Cedar Mills townsiiip, upon which he
still resides. He now owns 160 acres of land,
a good share of which is under cultivation,
and devotes his time and energies to raising
stock and doing general farming. His enter-
prise, industry and economy have again placed
him in comfortable circumstances, notwith-
standing the severe reverses and misfortunes
through which he has passed, and he now
ranks as one of the substantial and leading
farmers of his township.
Mr. Zackrison was married on June 19,
1869, at Xegaunee, Mich., to Miss Caroline
Swanson, who is also a native of Sweden.
She was born on September IS, 1837. Their
marriage has been blessed with four children,
as follows — Hulda J., born Jime 12, 1874;
Annie S., born Septembers, 187G; Ella M.,
born November 18, 1878, and Oscar E., born
May 13, 1881.
fAMES GRANT, an industrious and ener-
getic agriculturist of CoUinwood town-
ship, was born in the parish of Cromdal,
Scotland, August 1, 1807, and is the son of
Donald and Catherine (Grant) Grant, natives
of the same country.
Like many of the boys of that land, he at
an earl}' age commenced working both at
home and elsewhere, and made his home in
the "land of heather" until 1835, when, with
a wish to better his condition, he came to the
United States, landing in New York. He
remained in that city from August 18 to the
28th of the following April, employing him-
self at whatever he could find to do. From
there he went to Maysville, Ky., but after
a year's experience there gardening and por-
tering, he removed to Louisville and worked
in a store. At Millstown, Ky., he was next
employed, as engineer of a large distillery,
where he remained some five years. At the
expiration of that time he went to Madison,
Ind., and there rented a farm and lived four
years. While at that place he was married,
January 7, 1841, to Miss Elizabeth McMillen,
a native of Jefferson county Ind., the daugh-
ter of Robert McMillen, and who died in 1845.
From Madison he removed to AVinooski, in
the same State, where he dwelt for about
twenty years. He was married there, to
286
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Miss Eebecca Fifer, June 3, 1847. By this
union thei'e has been born a family of nine
children, as follows — George, James, Will-
iam, Joiin, Sai-ah. Belle, Ann Catherine, Jane
and ]\rary. ]\fr. Grant came to Meeker
county on the 10th of October, 180(3, and
built a house on land that he su|)|)()sed to be
his, but two }'ears later, finding his error,
moved to his own place, on section 26, where
he now lives, lie has 120 acres, well im-
proved.
JOHN P. FALK, one of the leading farm-
ers of Acton township, is a native of
Schleswig, a province of t)enmark, which the
Germans took in 186-1:. lie was born on the
17th of Feliruary, 1833, and came to the
United States in 1876, and after stopping for
about two months on Two Bivers, in Mor-
rison county, Minn., walked from there to
Acton township, a distance of eighty-two
miles, in two days. One difficulty he en-
countered was in finding a place to stay all
night, as he had $1,200 on his person, and
feared robbery ; but after considerable
trouble, he found a place at German's where
he was hospitably treated. In Denmark he
had owned a small farm, which he had sold
before leaving the old counti-y. and upon his
arrival in Acton he pui'chased eighty acres
on section 32, with no improvements, paying
$1,000 for it. lie has added forty acres to
the farm since, and now has a comfortable
home and a valuable farm. He has substan-
tial farm Iniildings, and his barn is the most
conveniently ari-anged in tiie township, it
being so Iniilt that he can water his stock
without taking them out of tiieir stalls, and
it is so warm that water does not freeze in it
during the most severe weather.
Mr. Falk was married, on the 27tli of
March, 1857, to Sophia Christianson, who
was born on the 21st of September, 1830.
They have had tiie following children — John,
born January 28, 1858, died when about five
months okl ; Laurine, born Se])t('mber 12,
1859, married Martin Ilinck, and lives in
Minneapolis; and Beter John, born Decem-
ber 2, 18«":
^^^^
NOTHER prominent citizen of Meeker
j^^ count}' is G. W. Fuller, of Litchfield,
a native of Broome county, N. Y., born
Septomlier 24, 1824. He is the son of Ira
and Sallie (Barnes) Fuller, both of whom
were born in the State of Connecticut, the
former April 17, 1793, and the latter Janu-
ary 12, 17U5. His father and mother were
married at Lisle, Broome county, N. Y., Sep-
tember 14, 1814, and in 1833 removed to
Trumbull county, Ohio, where thev made
their home until the death of Mr. Fuller, Sr.,
on his seventy-fourth birthday ; his wife sm'-
vived him until March 25, 1877.
The subject of our narrative remained with
his parents until he was about fifteen j'ears
of age, when he commenced life by teaching
for one term. He then entered the jiostffice
at AVarren, and was there employeil during
the great ])residential campaign of 1840, be-
tween W. II. Harrison and Martin Van Bu-
ren. He remained in that position for about
a year, and then attended the Farmington
Academy for a time. He then entered what
is now Dennison University where he re-
mained over five years, graduating from
there in 1847. He taught school for two
terms subsequent to this and then entered
the imiversity, taking charge of the Baptist
church at Birmingham, in the Buckeye State,
where he remained some three years. The
next three years were passed in the service of
the Lord at Ashtabula, Ohio, after which he
occupied the puljtit of the I'aptist church
at Meadville, Penn., for a like period.
Having been sent by the Baptist Home Mis-
sionary Society to Chatfield, this State, he
came to Minnesota in 1858, and remained in
the last mentioned city some seven years, a
faithful watchman upon the walls of Zion.
From there he removed to Lake City, and
during his labors in that place, extending
over a period of seven years, missed but two
Sabbaths' exercise of his beloved calling. His
health becoming impaired, he came to Litch-
field in 1872, and purchasing twenty-live
acres of land, established his present nursery
business.
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
289
Mr. Fuller has three times been married,
his present wife being Miss S. S. Garfield, a
second cousin of our late lamented, martyred
president, James A. Garfield. lie is the pa-
rent of nine children, five of whom are liv-
ing-. The record of these is Isabel, Mrs.
Dr. Canney, of San Francisco, Gal.; Minnie
E., whose husband, L. Swift, is lousiness man-
ager of the Minneapolis Evening Journal;
Annie, deceased wife of J. Q. A. Braden,who
died October 2.5, 1879, at Santa Cruz, Cali-
fornia ; George Garfield, who is book-keeper
for the AYashburn Mill company, Minneapo-
lis; Pauline, the lately deceased wife of E.
B. Benson, the cashier of the Meeker County
Bank, who died May 19, 1S8S ; and Jevrel and
Lillian, living at home.
/^f^ARlON BOYER, a veteran of the
ir-Ltr"\ late war', is engaged in carrying on
both the meat-market and dray business in
the village of Dassel, where he located in
1881. He is a native of Mercer county, Ohio,
born January 1, 1840, and is the son of Louis
and Nancy A. (Bowersock) Boyer, both of
whom were also natives of the " Buckeye
State." The parents of our subject, in 1855,
removed with their family to Crawford, how
Vernon county, AVis., where they remained
upon a farm until the death of the father, in
1857. Later the mother came to Hastings,
in this State, and died at St. Paul in 1887.
Marion, in 1860, at the age of twenty, was
united in marriage with Miss Esther Buck-
master, with whom he lived upon a farm
until the spring of 1862 when the angel of
death invaded his household and snatched
away his wife from his embrace. He then
gave up farming, and, August 6, 1862, enlisted
in Company I), Thirty-First Wisconsin Infan-
try, and served with that well-known regi-
ment imtil the close of the wai'. The first
battle in which he participated was that of
Peach Tree Creek, in the Atlanta campaign,
and throughout the engagements around the
last-named city, and at the capture of that
])lace. Mr. Boyer Avas always present with
regiment, wliich did excellent service. When
Sherman cut himself off from his base of
supplies and commenced his memorable
march to the sea, the Thirty-First Wisconsin
was a part of his columns, and our subject
marched with his company. During the
battle of Bentonville, N. C, when the con-
federate general, Joseph Johnston, had turned
the flank and surrounded our forces, the regi-
ment, with others, faced about and charged
the enemy, during which Mr. Boyer received
a bullet and fell to the ground. Lying upon
the ground, propped upon his elbow, he
essayed to open the cartridge boxes of his
fallen comrades, and, in spite of his wound,
passed the ammunition to his companions,
and while doing so was again hit in the
neighborhood of the s])ine, which disabled
him entirelv. His gallant comrades, out-
numbered, were forced to retire, leaving
him, as the}' supposed, dead upon the field,
and the rebel line charged over him. Some
time elapsed, and, coming to, he managed to
crawl to a tree, Ijut, on ])ulling himself erect,
found he could not stand, so crawled on all
fours toward the lines of his regiment, about
half a mile away, and when his comrades
saw him they came forth and carried him in
and placed him in an ambulance. Four or
five days later he moved along with the regi-
ment, and in a month resumed duty. He
participated in all the hardships of that
famous march, and wound up with the grand
review at Washington, after which he received
his discharge, June 20, 1865, at Louisville,
Ivy., and returned to Wisconsin. In the
spring of 1866 he came to Minnesota, and
settled in Dakota county, but in 1873 removed
to Bird Island, and from there, the next
spring, to Elk River, where he remained
until coming here.
2go
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Mr. Boypr, November 28, 1872, again en-
tered the marriage state, being united on
that day with Miss Annie Slieldon, a native
of Elk River. Minn., and daughter of Henry
II. and Cyntiiia Slieldon. ller ])arents set,
tied in Sherburne county, at Elk River, in
Mav, 1850, and were among the earliest set-
tlers of that section. By this marriage Mr.
and Mrs. Boyer have two children — Clara
E. and Louis.
Mr. Boyer was quite prominent in the or-
ganization of Colfax Post, No. 133,G. A. R., at
this village, and was the first officer of the
day. He was a member of the post at Elk
River before coming here. He has been an
officer in the Good Templars order, and is
prominent in the prohibition movement.
fOHN MURRAY, who is numbered
among the most extensive farmers and
stock-raisers of Meeker county, is one of
the pioneers of 1857. During that year he
made his first appearance here, and immedi-
ately took up a claim of IGO acres upon sec-
tion 30, Forest City townshi]), where he now
resides. To his original farm he has added
from time to time, until lie has now one of
the finest properties in the county, extending
into the three townships of Dassel, Darwin
and Forest City, embracing something like
800 acres.
Mr. Murray is a native of that "Gem of
the Sea," Ireland, and was Ijorn in the year
1838. At the age of fourteen years, he left
his native home and came alone to the United
States. Arriving in New York, the young
emigrant, after a few months spent in the
metropolis, came out AVest, ami spent the
next five years in the city of Chicago.
From there he came to tiiis county l)y way
of Minneapolis, and on his arrival, settled,
and has ever since made this his home.
During the Indian (tutbreak of 18C2. he took
his family to a place of safety, but soon re-
turned to help in the defense of his home.
He has always been engaged in agriculture,
and still follows that avocation.
Mr. Murray was married in March, 1857,
to Miss Margaret Flynn, a native of the
Emerald Isle, born in 1835. By this union
there have been born a family of nine chil-
dren, whose names are as follows — John,
Michael, Thomas, William, James, Daniel,
Catharine, Ellen and Margaret. John, the
only one not single, married Miss Lizzie
Hughes, and is a farmer.
In his political views Mr. Murray coincides
witii the democratic part}', and accepts their
doctrines and principles. In religion he is a
zealous Roman Catholic, and socially is a
genial hospitable gentleman, like all the
Celtic race, and one whom it is a pleasure
to meet.
"OSEPH VOSSEN, the merchant of
AVatkins, came to that village in
1882, and opened a stock of general mer-
chandise, in company with A. D. Spaulding,
in a building 22x10, which they erected for
the purpose. After carrying on the business
for about six months, tlie partnei'ship was
dissolved, Mr. Yossen purchasing ^Mr.
Spauiding's interest. Since that time he
continued to operate the business alone.
Mr. Yossen was born in the Rhine Prov-
inces of the German Empire, on the 17tli of
April, 1849, and is the son of Ciiristian and
Nella (Koenigs) Yossen. He passed his
early years and received his education
'neath the genial skies and amid the vine-
clad hills of his native land, but on attaining
his thirteenth year commenced woi'k for
himself. In 1864 he came to the United
States with his parents, landing at New
Yoi'k after a voyage of fifty-four days.
They settled in Carver county, where they
remained about four years, and then came to
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
2gi
Meeker county and settled in Forest Prairie
township, among the first to locate there,
where the parents still make their home.
Mr. Vossen, of whom we write, was united
in marriage with Miss Anna Weinman Janu-
ary 29, 1877, at Burton, Carvercounty. She is
the daughter of John W. Weinman, a farmer
of that county. I'y this union there have
been borij a family of three children —
Joseph, Nellie and John.
Mr. Vossen is entirely independent of
party lines in discharge of his elective fran-
chise. He has, however, held the post of
town supervisor for eight or nine years. He
is a member of the Roman Catholic Church.
P. NYGREN, a prominent citizen and
a successful farmer, residing on section
y, Greenleaf township, was born in Sweden
on the 24th of June, 1822. He was raised
on a farm, learning the habits of industry
and economy, whicli are a characteristic of
the people of his nationality. In June, 185-1,
he was married at Kroneburg, Sweden, to
Anna F. Petterson. lie remained in his
native land until 1SG8, Avhen he came to the
United States, and after making short stops
at New York City, Rockford, 111., and
Watertown, Minn., he finally arrived in
Meeker county in October, 1868, locating at
once in Greenleaf township. He has as good
a farm as any in the township, has it well
stocked and has fine farm buildings.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Nygren,
has been blessed with the following children —
John P., born October 2, 1855; Matilda C,
born January 22, 1857; Carl A., born in
November, 1858; Christina M., born Decem-
ber 15, 1860, and Charles O., born December
21, 1862; all of whom are still living except
John P., who died October li, 1877, in
Greenleaf township ; and Carl A., who died
in Sweden when only fifteen months old.
Matilda C. is now the wife of W. H.
Wilkins, and resides in St. Cloud ; Christina
is now in Litchfield ; and the son Charles O.,
is still at home and carries on the business.
Charles has a thorough knowledge of farm
work, and lias the reputation of being one
of the most thorougli and successful agri-
culturistsin the township.
J. P. Nygren is a re|niblican in jiojitics,
and in religious matters he and his wife are
members of the Swedish Lutheran Church.
Mrs. Nygren is a native of the same country
as her husband, having been born in Sweden
on the 18th of July, 1828.
1||\AV1D GORMAN, who carries on a liv-
ii/ eiy, feed and sale stable at Litchfield,
is a native of Canada West, born in 1855, and
is the son of John and Bridget (Taberty)
Gorman, natives of Ireland, who came to
America in 1840. He remained in his na-
tive country until he was thirteen years of
age, when his parents removed to Minnesota
and settled at Monticello, Wright county.
David made his home with his parents until
he was twent\'-one years of age, his time
being spent upon a farm, attending common
school as opportunity offered. On reaching
his majority he went to the Black IliUs,
and for a year remained there following min-
ing, after which he returned to Minnesota
and engaged in the liquor trade at Monticello.
In ISSO he was employed at bridge building*
on the Manitoba railroad, and later took
charge 6f the Howard House at Litchfield, in
company with Richard Knights, and ran that
a \'ear, but at the expiration of that time sold
out to his jiartner, purchasing at the same
time the livery business of Knights & Mc-
Carger, at Litchfield, and has conducted it
ever since.
Mr. Gorman was married on the 3d of
May, 1882, to Miss Belle Knights, a native of
Canada, but a resident of Meeker county at
292
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
the time. Their union luis been blessed by
the advent of t\vochikh-en — Herbert Francis,
born August 30, 1883, and Ilattie Marie,
born February 12, 188S.
-««
^Ip^HOMAS RYCKM AN, a well-known and
JID' highly respected oiil settler, and one
of the most successful and pi'ominent stock-
raisers and farmers in tlie northern part of
Meeker county, resides on section 14, Union
Grove towiisliip.
Mr. Ryckman was born in Upper Canada,
on November 2, 1S34, and is a son of Mun-
son and Fidelia (Ganford) Ilyckman. lie
remained on his father's farm, attending
school during the winter months and work-
ing on the farm durini;' tiie summei', until he
was about twenty-two years of age, when he
started to make liis own way in the world.
In 1857 he came to Stillwater, Minn., and
remained there for about tln'ee months,
working some at harvesting, but putting in
the most of his time looking for a suitable
location. In September, 1877, he came to
Meeker county and pro-emi)ted land on sec-
tion 28, in what is now Manannah township.
He was married on the 11th of February,
1862, to Miss IlaiTiet ilaybee, a daughter of
Chai'les and Harriet (Smitli) Maybee. They
were living on their farm when the Indian
outbreak occurred. As a full history of that
matter is given in anotiier department of
this work it is imnecessaiy to repeat it here.
Mr. R\'ckman took a prominent ])art in the
moves of tliose times, and was on some of the
most perilous antl dangerous ex])editionsthat
were made. Upon hearing the news of the
massacre at Acton, August 17, 1862, with
the others they went to Forest City, and a
day or two later, Mrs. Ryckman went to St.
Paul, while Mr. Ilyckman remained to look
after his stock, and was back and forth
between Forest City and liis claim. Besides
many other perilous trips lie made, he was
with a party of eleven that went to Caswell's
fai'm. and four of the jiarty were killed,
AViliiain Maybee, a brother of Mrs. Ilyck-
man, being among the slain.
After the close of hostilities they returned
to their farm, and in 1865 tliey sold the
Manannah farm and moved to their present
place on section 14, Union Grove township.
He now owns 550 acres of land, one of the
mo. t valuable farms in the county, and his
buildings are by far the best in the township,
being a credit to himself and also to the
neighborhood. The residence alone cost
$3,000.
Ml-, antl ]\Irs. Ryckman are the parents of
the following children — Ella Jane, born
April 13, 1863; John Nelson, born October
31,1865; Cora Edna, born April 20,1871;
and Roy Franklin, Ijorn June 27, 1882.
Mr. Ryckman has four brothers in Ore-
gon — Tobias, James, John and Descum, and
four sisters in Canada — Abigail, Sarah, Har-
riet and Ellen. His parents both died in
Canada. The parents of Mrs. Ryckman
reside in Litclitield. She has two sisters —
Adelia, wife of James A. Lee of Litchfield,
and Augusta Jane, wife of Wallace Smith,
of Fair Haven, Stearns county, Minn.
Mr. Ryckman has taken an active interest
in townshi]iand educational matters, and has
held various otfices of this nature. He is
one of the leading and most influential citi-
zens of his town.
•«--fS{^"4^'
PETER J. MALMQUIST, one of the
blacksmiths at Grove City, is among
the most respected citizens of the county.
He is a native of Sweden, born July 13, 1833,
and the son of Johannes and Ingrid Martins
Olander. lie came to the United States dur-
ing the year 1871, and altera stormy passage,
across the briny deep, came directly to this
countv. He remained here al)out a month
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
295
aTul then went to Chippewa county, this
State, where he took up a claim with a sol-
dier's warrant. As he had paid for this be-
fore he got it he was obliged to make many
trips to Litchfield before he could lay his
hands on it, but has linally accomplished it.
His claim, which was the west halt' of the
northeast quarter of section 2(3, Leenthrop
township, Chippewa county, was a tine piece
of land, and on it he made his home for some
four years, and then sold out and came to
Groye City and put up his smith}', where he
has carried on business eyer since.
Mr. Malmtinist and IMiss Petronella Eliza-
beth Pearson were united in the holy bonds
of matrimony December 2(5, 1860, and are
the parents of three children, two of whom
are living. Their record is as follows — Charles
E. F., born May 20, 1864, died in March,
1866; Charles E. F., born Decendjer 1, 1867,
and is now a clerk in the oifice of Dudley &
Nelson's elevator, at Grove City; and Ernest
H. E., born May 31, 1800, at home attending
school.
^^^
JOHN TEBERG. Among the Swedish
element which makes up so large a share
of the population of Meeker county, and
whose lial)its of industry and tlirift, brought
from their native land, that so soon raise
them to competency, is the gentleman whose
name heads this sketch. He is living on
section 32, in the town of Darwin, where he
has a fine and extensive farm of 400 acres,
250 of which are under excellent cultivation,
and upon which he has some forty two head
of horses and cattle.
Mr. Teberg was born in Sweden Kovera
ber 5, 1839, and is the son of Carl and Celia
Teberg, natives of the same kingdom. He
remained in the land of his birth until 1870,
when, with a view to better his condition
beyond what is possible in the mother
country, he emigrated to the United States.
On his arrival in this country he came at
once to Meeker county, and with his family
settled in what is now Litchfield township.
After remaining there for about five years
he removed to Darwin, and took up his
residence where he now lives, on section 32.
He has passed most of his life in farm pur-
suits, his parents being farmers in Sweden,
where they botli died.
On the 1st of July, 1866, in Sweden, Mr.
Tebero; was united in marriase with Miss
Ellen Peterson, the daughter of Peter Larson
and Elsie Larson Peterson. Her parents
came to America in 1865, and settled in
Litchfield township. By this marriage Mr.
Tebei'g is the parent of two children, namely
John, born September 11, 1866 ; and Martin,
born October 15, 1869.
In his political views Mr. Teberg is with the
republican party, although not a politician
by any means.
l|;?,aEWlS A. PIER, pastor of the Christian
|i^ church at Litchfield, and editor and
proprietor of the Saturday L'evieiv, is a native
of Yerinont, and was born on the 7tli of
October, 1855. His parents were K. A. and
Lucy B. (Damon) Pier, both natives of the
same State. The father, who was a farmer,
came to Dodge county, Wis., in 1856, in the
interest of a large real estate owner East,
for the purpose of opening up the lands in
that part of Wisconsin belonging to his prin-
cipal. He remained there until 1863, when
he settled in Dodge count}', Minn., and
bought a farm. In 1869 he was elected treas-
urer of that county and located at Mantor-
ville. x\t the expiration of his tenn of office
he purchased the Mantorville Express, in
connection with his son, but soon disposed of
his interest to the latter. He is still a res-
ident of Mantorville.
Lewis A. Pier remained with his parents
296
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
until twenty-one years of age. He enjoyed
the advantages of the common schools until
he was sixteen years of age, when he entered
the office of the Mantorville Kq/reHK to learn
the printer's trade. In 1874 he became sole
editor and ]n-oj)rietor of the i)aper and con-
ducted it until ISTt), when he sold out and
Avent to Indianapolis, Ind., and entered But-
ler University, from whicii he graduated in
1882. Previous to this, however, he had
become pastor of one of the Christian
churches of that city, of which he remained
in charge until 1883. He then took charge
of a church at Union City, Ind., remaining
until the spring of 1881, when he settled at
Litchfield, Minn., and took charge of the
Christian cluirch at that place. In July, of
the same year, lie established the Review,
whicli he still conducts. Mr. Pier was mar-
ried on the 31st of August, 1881, to Miss
Clarinda C. Ilarriman, of Frankfort, Ind.,
Avho is also a graduate of Butler Univei'sity.
ip^HRISTIAN HALVORSEN, one of the
\^ thrifty fanners of Cosmos townshiji,
residing upon section 22, is a native of the
Kingdom of Norway, born in November,
184:1. He was reared in the land of his birth
and made it his home until he was some
twenty-five years of age, when he crossed the
ocean to America. He resided for one year in
"Wisconsin and then came to Meeker county,
arriving at Litchlield in the first passenger
train run into that village. In 1870 Mr.
Halvorsen bought the claim of O. K. Nelson
to the place he now lives on, and the next
year filed on it as homestead, he having
declared his intention of becoming an Amer-
ican citizen.
During that summer he broke up some five
acres of land and then took a tri]) elsewhere,
returning the following winter, and in 1871
was married to Miss Annie Hanson. Thev
have a family of eight children — Minnie,
Helen, IIenr3', Carl, Alma, Clara, Lena and
Lawrence. Mr. Halvorsen is among the
rising men of the township.
^IliplBBlTTS J. SOULE, superintendent of
XJliJ schools of Meeker county, is a native
of Erie county, N. Y., born February 3, 1817.
His parents were Stephen "W. and Ruth
(Munger) Soule, both natives of the Empire
State. His father followed the profession of
school teaching from the time he was eie:h-
teen until he was sixty-seven years of age,
his last term having been taught in Meeker
county in the winter of 188(!-7. He had
come West on a visit and was pi'evailed upon
to take a school for the winter term, and the
following spring returned to his Eastern
home.
Tibbitts J. remained with his parents until
sixteen years of age, having up to that time
attended school most of the time. At that
age he enlisted in Company D, Second New
York Mounted Rifles, was mustered in Janu-
ary' 27, 1861, and served in the Army of the
Potomac until the close of the war. During
his service he was in thirteen pitched battles;
was wounded twice while in the trenches in
front of Petersbui'g; at Bellefield I'aid he had
his shin bone shattered by a minie ball, and
as he says "had he entered the hospital
would have worn a wooden leg to-day " ; but
he remained with the "boys" and was soon
on duty again. After receiving his discharge,
on the 23d of August, 18(15, he returned to
his home in Erie county, N. Y., but shortly
afterward took a trip through Kan.sas and
Indian Territory, remaining West for some
two years. After this he went back to New
York and followed the profession of a school
teacher until 1879, with the exception of two
years, during which he was agent for A. S.
Barnes & Co.'s school books through West-
ern New York. In 1879 he came to Meeker
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
297
county, Minn., and rented a 1,200-acre farm,
for one year. Being a stranger to that busi-
ness, he met with considerable loss ; but, with
hopes for better success in the future, he
stuck to the business, and a year or so later
he purchased a farm in Greenleaf township.
This place he sold in 1885. In the fall of
1880 he was elected superintendent of schools
of Meeker county, which position he still
holds, filling the office with credit to himself
and satisfaction to his constituents. Mr. Soule
is an active member of the Grand Army of
tlie Republic and is the present junior vice-
commander of Frank Daggett Post, Xo. 35,
at Litchfield. He is also a member of the
Masonic order, having joined Phoenix lodge,
Eo. 262, of Gowand, N. Y., while in that
State, and has since retained his membership
with them. Politically, Mr. Soule is a demo-
crat. He was an active supporter of Grover
Cleveland when he was a candidate for sheriff
of Erie county, N. Y., in 1869, there being
in that campaign only two successful candi-
dates on the democratic ticket, Grover Cleve-
land, for sheriff, and Stephen W. Soule (Tib-
bitts J.'s father), for school commissioner.
Mr. Soule was married in 1873 to Miss
Maria Anthony, of Boston, Erie county N.,
Y., and they have been blessed with four
children, as follows— Sharlie M., born May
14, 1875 ; Helen M., born November 13,
1879; Ruth M., born January 29, 1886; and
Louisa M., born September 4, 1887. Mr.
and Mrs. Soule are active members of the
Episcopal Church.
PETER ELOFSON is one of the old set-
tlers of Swede Grove township. He
■was born in Sweden on the 27th of March,
1845, and is a son of Elofson and Bertha An-
derson. In 1857, in com]iany with his
mother and brothers — INels and Andrew —
he came to the United States, and they
settled in Swede Grove townshij), this
count}'. Jn 1862 they were driven away by
the Indians and went to Forest City, and
later to Anoka, and he remained with them
until the following spring, when he began
working out at different lines of business.
Three years later he returned to Swede
Grove township and took a homestead on
section 30, remaining there until 1878, when,
he sold out and bought forty acres on sec-
tion 20, on which there was a small house.
He lived there for two years, and, in the-
meantime, built on land which had been in-
cluded in his mother's homestead. He also-
purchased more land, and now has a farm of
160 acres, a good share of which is under
cultivation. He has considerable stock and
is in comfortable circumstances.
Mr. Elofson was married on the 5th of
February, 1870, to Miss Emma Nelson, a
daughter of Nils and Ingra Pehrson. They
have had the following children — Betsy,,
born December 12, 1870; Anna, born May
18, 1872; Henry, born January 15,1874;.
Edward, born August 19, 1875 ; and AYilliam,
born July 12, 1878. Mr. Elofson is a repub-
lican in political matters and takes an active
interest in all matters affecting his township.
He has been road overseer for the past five
or six years, and has been school treasurer
for six years.
'S^^'-4^'
JOHN HALLGREN, a farmer and stock
raiser residing on section 17, Greenleaf
township,is one of those hospitable and open-
hearted farmers whom it is a pleasure to meet
and who reflect credit on the community in
which they live. He is a native of Gothland,.
Sweden, and was born on the 1st of Novem-
ber, 1 839. He left his native land in 1807
for the United States, and settled in Michi-
gan. While there he was married on the 6thi
of November, 1873, to Mary S.Swanson, and
their union has been blessed with three chil-
dren, as follows — John A., born December
■zgi
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
6, 1874; Emma C, born August 11, 1877 ;
and Jolin E., born May 10, 1884. All of
these are living except John A.. Avho died on
the 2d of Febraary, 1881, and was Ijuried at
Ish])eming, Mich. Mr. Ilallgren remained
in Michigan until 1885, -when he removed to
Minnesota and purchased the farm in Green-
leaf townslii]) where he now lives. lie has
a valuable farm, a comfortalile iiome and is
in coiafortabh; circnmstanees linancially.
"While in Michigan j\Ir. Ilallgren followed
his profession as an engineer and had the
misfortune to lose his hearing, or at least to
greatly impair it, while fixing the Avhistle on
his engine, it being one of the largest in that
■State. The ice had formed about the pipe
and he went up with an axe to knock it off.
"When the ice dro))ped it struck the lever
Avhich blew off the whistle, and the roar was
so tremendous that it impaired his hearing
«,s stated.
— «•-;
J^) AY F. CASE, the popular young drug-
Ji^ gist of the village of Dassel, is a
uativ^e of Waupun, Dodge county, AVis., born
February 12, 1855, and is the son of Eoyal
T. anil Almira (Fay) Case. He came to this
county in 1873, with his parents, who settled
at BonniwelFs Mill, where they made their
home until their deaths, the mother in 1879,
the father in 1886. At the time of the settle-
ment of the family. Hay came to Dassel
■and entered the drug store of Charles A.
Morris, the pioneer druggist, with whom he
remained until that gentleman sold out to
Dr. McCulloni, with whom he continued.
Jonas Eudberg, the successor of McCullom,
appreciating the mei'its of the young man,
ke})t him in his employ, and liay was still in
the position of confidential clci'k when Mr.
Eudberg died. After that event, Mr. Case
and Mrs. Eudberg formed a co-partnership to
carry on the business, Mr. Case purchasing a
lialf interest therein, and [^being managing
partner. Close attention to l)usiness and com-
mendable economy enabled him, on the re-
marriage of his associate in trade, in 1886, to
purchase her interest, since which time he
has carried on the business alone. lie carries
a full lini' of drugs, paints, oils, wall paper,
fancy g()(xls, tobaccos, cigars, etc., and is
doing a handsome business.
Eay F. Case and Miss Ella G. Stocking,
])ledge(l their mutual faith at the marriage
altar, Sei)t ember 8, 18S2. The lad}' is a
native of McLeod county, Minn., and a
daughter of E. W. and Jennie Stocking, of
Hutchinson. Mrs. Case, when an infant,
was an inmate of the stockade at Hutchin-
son, during the attack u])on that ])lace by the
Sioux Indians in the fall of 1862.
/^LIAS CARLSON, an enter])rising and
\^^ respected farmer and stock raiser, re-
siding on section 30. Ilarve^y township, is the
present chairman of the board of supervisors
of the townshi]). He has taken an active
part and interest in public affairs and is a
leading citizen of his township. He is a na-
tive of Sweden and was born on the 5th of
December, 1837. Ilisjiarents were natives of
the same country and his father was a farmer.
Both of his ])arents died in the land of their
birth.
The early life of Elias Carlson was spent
in his native land, but in 1857 he came to the
United States and made his way to Minne-
sota, settling at Taylor's Falls, Chisago
county. He i-emained there until August
20, 1864, when he came to Meeker county,
Minn., and locateil in Harvey townshij),
where he has since lived. lie owns a valua-
ble farm of SOO acres of land, a good share of
which is under cultivation. He dev(jtes his
time to general farming and stock-raising and
now has over iifty head of cattle on his
])lace. He has been ver\' successful in his
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
259
farming operations and owes all his present
prosperit}' to bis own efforts and industry, as
he was a poor man when he came here, as
was the case with about all of the pioneers
of Meeker county. He has splendid improve-
ments on the place and fine buildings.
Mr. Carlson was married on the 14th of
November, 1S61, to Mary G. Ahlstrom, and
they have been the parents of fourteen
children, one of whom, Frank, is married.
Mrs. Carlson is also a native of Sweden.
Mr. Carlson has spent the most of his time
at farming, although he learned the wagon-
maker's trade and followed that for a num-
ber of years.
l^ARNSWORTH R. HILL, one of Meeker
Jp^ county's most successful farmers and
stock-raisers, and one of the large land own-
ers, is a resident of Forest City township, his
home being upon section 33. He has a mag-
nificent farm of 711 acres of fine land, em-
bracing a large portion of sections 33 and
34, Forest City, and section 4, Darwin, much
of which is under a high state of cultivation.
Mr. Hill gives a large share of his attention
to the raising of graded Holstein and Dur-
ham cattle and graded Norman horses. Plis
herd numbers now seme 160 head, and he is
extensively engaged in the manufacture of
" gilt-edge " butter, which he ships to Min-
neapolis for sale.
The subject of this personal history was
born in Cumberland county, Me., February
20, 1842, and is the son of Reuben and Miriam
C. Hill. He was reared in the State of his
birth, and there received the elements of a
most excellent common-school education. In
his earlier days he followed lumbering and
farming in the " Old Pine Tree State," and af-
terwards commenced lumbering operations in
Minnesota. He was also engaged in the
butchering business for some five years, all
in the State of Minnesota. In the fall of
1877 he came to Meeker county, with L. D.
Flill, and both settled in the town of Litch-
field, but in about a year our subject removed
to his present place of abode, where he has.
since lived.
He was united in marriage March 25,.
1872, with Miss Etta Sanborn, a native of
Cumberland county, JMe., who died July 30,
1881, leaving two children— Emma L. and
Charley E., both of whom are at home with
their father. December 11, 1882, Mr. Hill
contracted a second matrimonial alliance,
with Miss Anna L. Peifer, a native of Meeker
countj% Minn., who is the mother of two
children — Earns worth L. and AVinnie M.
Hill.
Mr. Hill is one of the honored and re-
spected citizens of the township, and has-
served the people in the responsible position
of supervisor for some time, and is always-
interested in tlie public affairs of the county.
He is a republican politically.
M NDREW lee. The subject of this-
7;^V biographical notice is a respected
farmer, who resides on section 15, Greenleaf
township, where he has a valuable farm, a
comfortable home, and building improve-
ments which reflect much credit upon his.
enterprise and thi'ift.
He comes of the same nationality which
has made so many stunly and substantial
citizens of Minnesota, having been born in
Sweden on the 31st of August, 1847. His.
parents were natives of the same country,
his father having been born there in 1809,
and died in the land of his birth in 1862,
while his mother is now a resident of Meeker
county. Andrew left his native land in 1872
for America, and settled in Chautauqua
county, N. Y., and two j^ears later, in
1874, again took up his Avestward march and
settled in Minneapolis, Minn. Three j^ears
■300
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
later, in ISTO, lie came to Meeker county,
Minn., and purchased a I'arni of eighty acres
in Greenleaf township, wliere he has since
iived. Since that time lie has purchased an
additional forty, and also ten in Ellsworth,
which makes his present farm 130 acres, a
^ood share of which is under cultivation.
He devotes his time to general farming and
stock-raising, and has a good numl)er of head
of cattle on the farm.
In 1ST5 Mr. Lee was married to IMiss Mary
Anderson. Her parents were natives of
Sweden ; her mother died there when she
-was only seven years old, and her father now
lives in Meeker county. Mr. and ilrs. Lee
have been the parents of seven children, all
of whom are living. Their names are as fol-
lows — Frank E., born June -i, 1S77 ; Ernest
Y., born February 13, 1879 ; Alex. T., born
December 30, ISSO; Pljalmar E., born Octo-
ber 23, 1882; Hilma Y., born May 27, 1884;
€arl E., born December 30, 1885, and Polly
O., born June 20, 1887.
•«-J
npi T ON. CHARLES E. CUTIS, one of the
jyi"J_ ))ioneers of Meeker county, who has
always been prominently identified with its
progress and development, and who lias held
some of the most exalted offices in the gift of
the people of this portion of the State, is the
subject of this biograjiliical history. He
•came to Forest City, where he located, in
18.56, and is still a resident upon tlie land
■v\-here he first settled, on section 22.
Mr. Cutts first saw the light at Orwell. Ad-
dison county, Yt., on the 2d of August,
1835, and is the son of Lorain and Emeline
{Murray) Cutts, both of whom were natives
of the " Green Mountain State."' He received
his primary education in the district schools
of his native State, and in 1853 s])ent one year
at the aoadein\' at Fort Flain, ]\[ontgom-
«ry county, N. Y., after which he remained
at home until 185(3, when he came West and
settled in Minnesota, as mentioned above.
He found, on his arrival here, a beautiful land,
that far surjiassed anything the other side of
the i)ig Woods, and determined to stay and
help develop the country. But a few settlers
were here at the time, this being but a
short time before an almost unknown land.
Brought up as he was upon tlie rocky soil
of New England he was more than pleased
witii the aspect of the new land, for
"Here no stonj- ground provokes the wratli of Ihe farmer;
Smoothly the plough-share runs through the soil as a
keel through the water."
He at once took up his claim and settled
do-wn to the hard life of a Western pioneer
upon the border. For a while he kept bach-
elor's hall, but April 17, 1859, he was united
in marriage with Miss Betsey Larson, a native
of Sweden, who had come to the United
States the previous year. He has always
followed farming, except in 1859, when he
held the office of county treasurer. In 1871,
Mr. Cutts was elected State Senator from
this district and represented the people of
Meeker county in the Senate chamber through
the sessions of the Fourteenth, Fifteenth and
Sixteenth General Assemblies.
Mr. and ]\[rs. Cutts are the parents of the
following chiklren — Alice, Mrs. J. AY. Wright
of Litchfield; Rollin E., a student at the State
University ; Willie E., Custer and Garfield.
In politics our subject is an unswerving re-
publican, and is quite active in all local
campaigns. He is a member of the Masonic
fraternity.
— — «•-
TP)UDOLPH SCHWARZ. the village
JF^ blacksmith of Manannah, came to
Meeker county on 1883, and commenced his
work on the spot where he now has his
smithy. He is a native of Mecklenburg,
Germany, born on the lith of Sei)tember,
1853. At the age of fifteen he became ap-
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
301
prenticed to learn the blacksmith's trade, and
served some three years, and then pursued
that calling as journeyman, beneath his
native skies until 1882, when, with the com-
mendable ambition to better his fortune, he
emigrated to America. For a sliort time he
remained in Milwaukee, Wis., after his ar-
rival in this country, and afterward removed
to Duluth. In 1883 he came toManannah,
as above mentioned.
Mr. Scliwarz was married September 21,
1886, to Miss Addie Shephei'd, a native of
Meeker county, Minn., and daughter of
Charles and Adaline (Hartman) Sheplierd.
Mr. Schwarz is the son of Christian S. Schwarz
and wife, who still live in their native
land, Mecklenburg, Germany.
ILLIAM HAMILTON, an ex-Union
soldier, and one of the most intelli-
gent and prominent citizens in the northern
part of Meeker county, is a resident of section
36, Forest Prairie township, where he has
lived since about the year 1870.
Air. Hamilton was born in County Tyi'one,
Ireland, on tiie 17th of March, 1833, and is a
son of Thomas and Belle Hamilton. The
mother died in Ireland, -when AVilliam was
six years of age, and in 1811, the father
brought the family to America, and settled
in Bellview, Eden county, Mich., wdiere he
lived until the time of his death, in 1880. At
the time of his death the father vi'as about
eighty years of age. He was an educated
man and a school teacher for manv years ;
clerk in the Presbyterian Church, of which
he was an exemplary membei-, and otherwise
was [irominent in tlie locality in which he
lived.
William Hamilton, the subject of this
sketch,. began life for himself wlien about
twenty years old. He came to Minnesota in
1858, and remained at St. Paul and Minne-
apolis until 1861,when, on the 26th of August,
he enlisted in the Second Minnesota Volun-
teer Infantry, and went into service, his regi-
ment being assigned to the Fourteenth Army
Corps.. He saw very active service, partici-
pating in the battles of Chickamauga,
Hoover's Gap, Mill Spring, Berryville,
besides many skirmisiies. In one of these
battles he lost the use of his left arm. He
finally was honorably discharged at St. Paul,
in August, 1861, and returned to Michigan.
Mr. Hamilton was married at St. Anthony,
now East Minneapolis, in September, 1804,
to Miss Martha J. Dayton, a native of Penn-
sylvania. They have five living children —
Thomas C, Minna B., Earl, Katie and Olive
G. Minna B. is now married to A. J. Lynn,
a resident of Kingston township.
In political matters Mr. Hamilton is a re-
publican, and in religious matters the family
are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church.
^-'■^^
jANIEL N. DANIELSON, a prominent
I By farmer and stock raiser, residing on
section 1, Danielson township, is a son of
Nils Danielson, the earliest settler in the
township, and after whom it was named.
Daniel N"., the subject of this sketch, was
born in Norway on the 15th of August,
1853. In 1855 his parents brought him to
the United States, and they settled on Rock
Prairie, Wis., and after remaining there for
two years they came to Meeker county,
Minn., and bought eighty acres of Gov-
ernment land on section 25 in Acton town-
ship. In 1863, the father, Nils Danielson,
took a homestead on section 2, Danielson
township, and moved his family upon it, thus
becoming the first settler within the limits
of that township, and it afterward was
named in honor of the family. The father
lived there until the time of his death, July
10, 1870, and his widow still lives on the old
302
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
homestead with lier son, A. N. Danielson,
There are six of the childivn still living, as
follows — A. K, Daniel N., Hans, Ileiuy,
Helen, wife of Hon. Even Evonson, and
Mary, wife of Ole Nelson of Danielson.
Daniel N. Danielson, the subject of this
biography, came to the United States with
his parents, and lived under the parental roof
until 1S78, when he erected a house on a
farm which he had become ])ossessed of on
section 1, Danielson township. For some
time he kept bachelor's hall and worked
his farm, and was then, for two years,
employed at car repairing at Fergus Falls,
Barnesville and Glyndon. On the ITth of
June, 1887, he was nxarried to Miss Betsy
Hartz, and their union has been blessed with
one child, named Nils Oskar, born March 30,
1888. Mrs. Danielson was born February
6, 1869, and is a daughter of Ole and
Johanna Hartz, who are now residents of
Acton.
WELL KNOWN old settler in the
^^^ southern part of Meeker county, is
J. M. Pitman, a resident of section 14-, Cedar
Mills township.
Mr. Pitman is a native of Belknap county,
K. 11., born on the 26th of May, 1819, and
is a son of Ebenezer l*itman. He received a
thorough education in his younger days, both
preparatory and collegiate, and was grad-
uated from Dartmouth College,an educational
institution of high rank, in 1841. He began
teaching while still a boy, and remained in
his native State until 1853, when he came
West and located in Wisconsin. He first
taught school in that State, on Sand Prairie,
near Beloit, and the following spring went
to Menomonie, where he remained, following
his profession, for six years, the greater
portion of the time, being a teacher in a
private school at that place. In 1860 he
came to Meeker county, Minn., and took
a pre-emption claim of 172 acres on section
2, Cedar Mills township. During that year
he ])ut in a crop covering an acre or so of
land, and erected a log house on his claim,
lie remained steadily upon the land until the
time of the Indian outljreak when he, as did
all the rest, left for safety. lie helped to
fortify "the Point" in Cedar Lake, when
the settlers gathered there. Later he went
to Hutchinson, and when the " Hutchinson
Guards" was organized at that place he
joined them, and took charge of the commis-
sai-y department. After the out break, Mr.
Pitman occuj)ied his time with teaching in
the winter and farming in the summer, until
about 1870, after which he devoted his at-
tention entirely to the farm until 1887,
when he sold out and has since retired
from participation in the cares of business.
During the (>arly days of this country Mr.
Pitman preached occasionally to the people
on Sund.ay, and on the 22d of September,
1867, assisted in organizing a Baptist Church
in Greenleaf, one of the early religious organ-
izations effected in the soutiiern part of the
count}'. He has always taken an interest in
all matters relating to the welfare of the
township. When the organization of the
township was effected in 1870, he was elected
chairman of the supervisors, and retained the
office for five successive years, and he was
again elected to the same position in 1885.
-*"i
-^-
^^ O. LINDGREN, one of the active, en-
"i^^ terprising business men of the village
of Dassel, is a member of the firm of Thomp-
son & Lindgren, general merchants. He
was born in Sweden, July 13, 1857, and is
the son of Olaf and Anna Lindgren, natives
of the same kingdom. He came to this
country in 1879, and came to Meeker county
direct, and during the summer of that year
Avorked on a farm near Litchfield. In
„»*^Rv^
y^^ ^
MEEKER COL'A'Ti; MINXESOTA.
305
November lie removed to tlie villae^e of Das-
sel, and attended school until spring, when
he entered the store of August Sallberg, as
clerk, with whom he remained some two
3'ears. He, at the expiration of his engage-
ment, went to Minneapolis and engaged in
Inisiness for a time. In the summer of 1SS3
he returned to Dassel and formed a partner-
ship with John Thompson, and the following
September o]iened a stock of general mer-
chandise in a building that they had erected.
They have continued in that line of trade ever
since, and are now doing a large and increas-
ing trade, their fair dealing and ujn-ightness
in all business matters winning them hosts of
friends.
Mr. Lindgren has taken great interest in
all local politics, and was elected one of the
village trustees in 1884. In 1885 he was
chosen to fill the position of recorder, and
has been re-elected his own successor ever
since, and now fills that office. He is a
member of the Masonic fraternity, having
Ijeen made a Mason hx Cakato Lodge, jSTo.
134, in 1884.
The marriage of Mr. Lindgren and Miss
Mar\' Teterson took place in August, 1885.
i^^EORGE S. BELKNAP is one of the
\^i most prominent citizens of Swede
Grove township. He is a son of 8te]ihen and
Elizabeth Belknap, and was born on the 28th
of March, 1828, in the village of Blooming-
l)urgh, N. Y., eighty -four miles from Kew
Yoi-k city. Mr. Belknap traces his ancestry
back through some of the most notable fam-
ilies in American history. He is ix grandson
of Lieut. William Belknap, Avho entered the
service of his countr\' in Col. Henry Beekman
Livingston s Fourth Ilegiment, and continued
in the service until the conclusion of the war.
He was an original member of the New York
State Society of the Cincinnati, formed by
the officers of the American armv of the rev-
olution at the cantonment on the banks of
the Hudson river in Mav, 1783. Gen. Georire
Washington was elerted president-general of
the society, and held that honor until the day
of his death. The officers of the American
army having generall}' been taken from the
citizens of America possessing high venera-
tion for the character of that illustrious
Eoman, Lucius Quintius Cincinnatus, who
was found following the plough when the
statesmen of his country sought him as the
only one capable of leading their armies to
victory, and clothed him with absolute
power, and who, having achieved the salva-
tion of his country, laid aside that power and
gladly returned to his plough and the ob-
scurity of domestic life, they thought they
could with propriety denominate themselves
the Society of the Cincinnati.
The original design or idea seems to have
been of an institution bearing resemblance to
a military order. The subject of this sketch
was elected a member of this organization
July 4, 1861.
George S. Belknap received an academical
education, then went to New York City and
learned the tailor's trade, at which he be-
came an expeit, and was promoted to the po-
sition of draughtsman, at a salary of 82,500
per year. Duri ng the war he was inspector of
army supphes and equipage in the quarter-
mastei''s department, under Deputy Quarter-
master-General, Colonel Yinton, which posi-
tion he held until the close of hostilities, and
then reengaging in his former business with
his old-time employer. In 1ST7 he came to
Meeker count}', Minn., and settled upon the
farm where he now resides, on section 6,
Swede Grove township, having previously
taken the farm on a mortgage. A short time
later he rented the farm and stock for a term
of five years, and I'eturned to New York,
but a short time later was obliged to return,
as his tenant proved a very poor manager.
Mr. Belknap was married, on the 23d of
3o6
MEEKER COUXTY, MIXXESOTA.
February, 1851, to Ellen Craft, by whom he
had five children, as follows— Mary Alice,
born July 21, 1853 ; Lydia S., born March 18,
1801 (;died in ISSl); Cora Ellen, born Sep-
tember 9, 1863; Jessie, born February 15,
186(1, and Ida Elizabeth. l)orn June 25, 1858.
Ida E. married Alexander T. Caraccioli, a
salesman in a wholesale music store in New
York City ; Cora E. married Ilorton Parsons,
born in this State, who has charge of a rail-
road station in Dakota; and Jessie married
Lewis Haiidlin, railroad station agent at
Hancock, Minn. They have all been school
teachers. Mr. Belknap's second marriage
occurred on the 16th of August, 1874, when
he wedded Sarah J. Mead, a daughter of
Daniel and Eleanor Mead. Her first hus-
band, Martin A. Mosier, was killed in the re-
beUion ; her father was a soldier in the war
of 1812. Her mother is still alive, a resident
of New York State. Mr. Belknap's peo])le
are all dead except one brother, who is a
bookkeeper in Newberg, N.Y. Mr Belknap
is one of the best posted and educated men
in the county. In ]iiilitical uiatters he is a
republican.
^OL. J.ACOB M. HOWARD, owner of
the Howard House, and other prop-
erty in the village of Litchfield, including
his beautiful residence. Lake Side, on the
shores of the lovely Lake Ripley, received his
military title for services rendered in the
Union army during the late war. He came
to Meeker county in 1867, and purchased a
farm in the town of Greenleaf, where he
remained until 1872, when he removed to
Litchfield and erected the first independent
elevator on the line of this railroad. He was
engaged in the dual occupation of buying
and shipping grain and carrying on his farm
until 1879, when lie sold the latter. In 1880,
he erected the Howard House at an outlay
of someS19,000, which he has always leased.
In 1886 he ]Hirchased forty five acres of land
on the l)anks of Lake Ripley and erecte
IpLON. JONATHAN BURNETT SALIS-
Jr^ BURY, the present county surveyor,
was l.)orn in the State of New York, in 1824,
and is the son of Dr. Gideon and Phoebe
(Bui-nett) Salisbury. His father died when
he was a mere infant, and he was brought up
under a mother's care. When he was about
two years old she moved to New Jersey, but
later settled at Brooklyn, N. Y. His motlicr
died in 1S50.
The subject of our sketch, in 1845, having
studied thoroughly in tlie mathematical line,
and mastering the profession of surveyor,
went to Ohio, where, the following spring,
he enlisted in the First Ohio Regiment of
Volunteers, and served his one year's term of
service in the Mexican war, with the little
column under Genei-al Zachary Taylor. He
wasdiscliargedat New Orleans, in the spring
of 1847, but returned to Mexico, in the quar-
termaster's department, and was at the City
of Mexico when the war closed. He re-
turned to Ohio, where he made his residence
until the spring of 1850, when he removed to
Iowa, where he lived for six years, engaged
in public surveys in various parts of Iowa,
"Wisconsin and Minnesota. While running
township lines through what is now Meeker
county, in the summer of 1855, he was so
much pleased with the country that he stuck
a claim stake, on sections 18 and 19, in what'
is now Kingston township. At that time
there were no other people, except those
of surveying parties, within the limits of the
county. Ileturning to his home in Scott
county, Iowa, in October, of that year, he
there passed the winter, but in the spring of
ISoT). he started for his new-found Eden with
his family, which consisted of his wife, Mar-
garet L. (Weymer) Salisbury, and one child,
Frank L. They were accompanied by his
father-in-law, Jacob Weymer, Sr., his wife
and two sons — Jacob Jr. and Josejjh. Mi-.
Salisbmy had brought all his goods with him,
and the trip consumed about one month.
To one large, Avide tracked wagon were
hitched four yoke of oxen, and to another
wagon a team of horses was attached. A
good share of the time was spent in getting
through the "big Avoods," there being no
other road than a trail, and a good deal of
chopping was necessary. This trail was cut
so that one team could barely get through,
and is the same that for 3'ears was known as
the "Old Territorial Eoad." The party,
however, finally reached the claim, and their
first work was to get up a little cabin, the
remains of which still mark the spot. This
was one of the very first houses erected in
the county. Here they settled and here he
carried on farming for years. At the time
of the Indian outbreak, he left the farm and
went to Kingston which he helped to fortify.
Foi" two weelcs the family occupied a house,
and then all the refuiiees who had o-athered
312
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
there spent their nights in the grist mill,
■\vliicli was being used as a fort. Mr. Salis-
bury reniainecl at Kingston for about one
niontii, wlien his family returned to the old
home in Iowa, and he enlisted in the
" Mounted Eangers," or First Minnesota Cav-
alry, and served through the Indian troubles
on tlie borders, one year. He then enlisted
in Hatch's Independent Battalion of Minne-
sota Cavalry for three years or during the
war, and served on the frontier. IT})on
being honorably discharged in the spring of
1861), he again returned to his farm and cul-
tivated it until Jjine, 1875, when he removed
to Litchfield, where he has since lived. In
ISGS he was elected to represent his district
in the Legislature, and made a ci'edi table rec-
ord. In 1870 he was elected county surveyor,
and has either held that office or been de-
puty most of the time since. Mr. Salisbury
is a prominent member of the Grand Army
of the Republic and takes an active interest
in all its affairs. He and his wife have a
familv of eight children.
— — «•- J^^ ^^^—^
«sIDREVV EVENSON, an enterprising
fanner residing on section 7, Green-
leaf township, is a son of Hans and Christine
Evenson, and a native of Norway, born Octo-
ber 30, 181:7. A full sketch of his parents,
who M-ere prominent old settlers of Meeker
count}', will be found elsewhere in this
volume. Andrew came to the United States
with his parents in 1857, and they first set-
tled in Scott county, Minn., and remained
there and in AVright county for three years,
and at the expiration of that time located in
Meeker county. The father took a claim on
section 8, in what is now Greenloaf town-
ship, where Andrew spent his youth, in the
same industrious and frugal manner common
to the 3'outh of his nationality. He was
with the family through all the horrors of
tlie Indian outbreak, and shared tiic dano-oi-s
and pi-ivations of those terrible times with
the hardiest of men.
In 1876 he was mai'i'ied to Matilda Bjor-
hns, a daughter of OleK. and Mary Bjorhus.
She w;is born in Norway, September 23,
1851, and came to the United States in 1871.
Five children have blessed their uni(m —
Hans 0., born March 22, 1877; Martha C,
born August 6, 1878 ; Frederick E., born
April 4, 1881 ; Petra Anette, born November
25, 1883, and Olga M., born January 25,
1886. IVIr. Evenson is at present (1888) chair-
man of the board of township supervisors,
and is also a member of the board of direc-
tors of the Farmers' aiul Merchants' Cooper-
ative Elevator Association. He has taken
an active interest in all public matters, and
is to-day one of the leading citizens of his
township. He has a valuable farm where he
devotes his attention to general farming and
stock-raising, in Avhich he has been very suc-
cessful, as he has accumulated a comfortable
property through his own industry and care-
ful management. In his younger days Mr.
Evenson had but slight educational advan-
tages, only having the privilege of attending
school twenty-three days. His natural ability
and self-educational efforts, however, have
not been in vain, and he has thoroughly
mastered the English language, and acipiired
a varied and general fund of useful knowl-
edge.
>y.^^
fAMES P. DAVIS, an enterprising and
]irospei'ous agriculturist of L)assel town-
ship, is the son of Stephen and Mary (Pat-
terson) Davis, and was l)orn in Wayne county,
Ohio, March 14, 1830. His parents were
very early settlers in that portion of the
"Buckeye" State, but removed to Meigs
county in 18-41, also then a new county,
and made their home there until 1855, when
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
315
they ciinie to Minnesota aiul settled at the
village of Caledonia, Houston county, where
the father carried on his trade and bought
"overnnient land. He remained there until
1859, when during the excitement about
Pike's Peak, he started for that country, but
soon changed his mind and settled in Jo
Daviess county. 111., where he died in 1871.
The mother died in Ida county, Iowa, in 1882.
The subject of our sketch remained with
his parents until he was twenty-two years of
age, and followed various employments until
his marriage, Ajn-il 10, 1859, with Miss
Eachel Russell, a native of Indiana. After
his marriage he remained in Houston county
until the fall of 1860, when, in company with
Isaac Russell, Sr., and John Russell, he came
to Meeker county, and followed hunting and
exploring the countj^ through that winter,
and in the following autumn went to Illinois
with the intention of enlisting in the United
States army, but was rejected, and having
disposed of his property in this State, re-
mained in the " Sucker State " until 1866.
lie then came to Meeker county and took up
a claim early in July, on section 10, of Das-
sel township. He commenced to improve
his place, working at the same time on the
railroad. The next fall he worked in the
Forest City grist mill. He did not neglect
his farm, but got it in shape for next \'ear's
crop. In 1868 he helped clear the present
site of the village, chopping cord-wood, etc.,
and thus, while developing his farm, provided
for the wants of his family until 1872, since
which time he has devoted the most of his
time to his calling. In 1876 he bought a
threshing machine in company with George
Brower, with theaccompanying steam engine,
and in 1879 became the sole owner of the
outfit, and carries on that business in con-
nection with his farm. The latter consists of
160 acres of land on section 10, and besides
this he is the half owner of 100 acres more on
section 16.
Mr. and Mrs. Davis are tlie parents of ten
children — Stephen W., born Deceml)er 29,
1859; Reuben B., born. December 15,1861;
Mary J., born January 17, 1864; Wealthy
M., born May 21-, 1866; William E., born
October 25, 1868; Isaac A., born December
25, 1870, died April 5, 1880 ; James H., born
June 11, 1873 ; Emma B., born March 6,
1876 ; Annie Z., born November 2, 1878, and
John E., born Januaiy 8, 1882. Stephen is
married and lives in Dakota; Reuben, also
married, makes his home on section 16, this
town ; Mary J. (Mrs. C. G. Waller) lives at
Kingston, and Wealthy (Mrs. W. II. Bran-
ham\ resides in Litchfield.
SHARLES SHEPHERD, an ex Union sol-
dier, and one of the most intelligent,
prominent and successful farmers in the
northern part of the count}^, was born in
Belgium, in the year 1826. His parents
were John and Catharine (ShepeUe) Shep-
herd, the father being a native of England
and the mother a native of Belgium. When
Charles was eight or ten years of age the
family removed from Belgium to England,
and six years later they came to the
United States and located in Massachusetts,
where the parents died. Charles remained
in Massachusetts until he had arrived at
about the age of twenty-one, when he went
to Rhode Island, but nine or ten months
later he returned to BaUardvale, Mass.
Two years later he started West, and for
ten years lived in Wisconsin. While there,
on the 27th of February, 1865, he enlisted
in Company A, Fifty-first Wisconsin Volun-
teer Infantry, and was mustered into the
service. He remained with his regiment
until the 22d of August, 1865, when he was
honorably discharged and returned to AVis-
consin. In 1866 he came to Meeker county,
Minn., and located on a farm on section 20,
3i6
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Manaiinali township. He now lias a valu-
able i'urm of 220 acres of land and is in com-
fortable circumstances.
]\rr. Shepherd was first married, when a
young man, to Julia Iliggins, who died. B\'
this marriage he had three children.
On the IJrth of August, 1S57, lie was mar-
ried to Miss Adaline Ilartman, who was
born in Germany April 2, 1S57. This mar-
riage has been blessed with twelve children.
J\ LEXANDER L. GORDON, an intelli-
^ gent and 'industrious farmer living
upon section 10, Collinwood township, is a
native of Westchester county, N. Y., born
August 1, 1850, and is the son of Will-
iam and Jane (Ferguson) Gordon, who had
come to America fi-om the land of their birth,
Scotland, some time previous. The family
removed in the boyhood of our subject to
Fond du Lac county. Wis., where he re-
mained until eighteen vears of age. At
tiiat time he commenced life for himself as
brakeman on the railroad, which he followed
for two years. The following summer he
was in the employ of the Government, driv-
ing team, on the line between the United
States and Manitoba. From that time on,
for several years, he was engaged in several
occupations, all of them, however, attended
by hard labor, sometimes in the pineries, and
sometimes in the harvest Held, until his
marriage.
This happy event took ]ilace March 21,
187S, at which time he wedded Miss Martha
Delong, the daughter of Madison and Eliza-
beth (Lunsford) Delong, a sketch of whom
appears elsewhere in this Albusi. Mrs. Gor-
don was born in Lawrence county, Ohio,
IMarch 10, 1858, and came to Meeker county
with her i)arents in 1866.
At the time of his marriage Mr. Gordon
settled down ti) farm life on section lo, where
he now lives and where he has some sixty
acres of land mostly under cultivation. He
has held several of the town offices, chief
among which is that of chairman of the
board of supervisors, which he occupied for
seven j'ears. He is the parent of four chil-
dren — Elizabeth Jane, born April 2, 1^7'.»;
William, born Decemljer 15, 1880; Elma,
born March 11, 1883 ; and Grace, boru Jan-
uary 1, 1886.
LI BORING, an ex-Union soldier, is a
'^J^ farmer who resides on section 10, For-
est Prairie township. He is a native of Clin-
ton county, Ohio, born May 22. 1836, and is
a son of Absalom and Isabellc (Williams)
Boring. His father and mother were natives
of Baltimore county, Md., and Harrison
county, Ya., respectively. They are both
dead. The father died in Indiana, at the
age of eighty-one years, April 28, 1888. He
was a farmer; had settled in Indiana in 1836,
and was one of the pioneers of that State.
The mother was born in 1809 and died Feb-
ruary 5, 1863. They were the [tarents of
eleven children, eight boys and three girls,
the names of whom were as follows — Thomas
William, Lafayette, Eli, John A., I'^lizabeth,
Sarah, Jesse E., Henry, Harrison, William
and Eliza.
Eli Boring, the subject of this sketch, re-
mained at home during his boyhood and
school days. On the 20lh of February, 1864,
he enlisted in Comjiany D, Eighth Indiana
Cavah'v, and went into the service. He saw
active service and participated in numerous
battles, engagements and skirmishes. He
was shot in the side at the battle of Camp-
bellton, Ga., and remained in the hospital for
several weeks. On the iDth of September,
1S64, he was taken prisonei-and was held for
some three months, after which he was in the
hospital at Annapolis, ]\1(1., for three weeks.
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
317
anil, after a short furlough, returned to his
I'ea'inient. lie was tinally mustered out July
20, 1S65, near Raleigh, X. C, and returned to
his home in Indiana. In the fall of 1868 he
came to Meeker county, Minn., and located
in Forest Prairie township. In 1882 he went
to Minneapolis and engaged in the milling-
business, but spent his winters at lumbering,
continuing this for three years, and then
returned to Forest Prairie and settled where
he now resides.
Mr. Boring was married on the 2d of No-
vember, 1886, to Miss Victoria Spaulding, a
daughter of Danville Spaulding, an old and
respected citizen of Forest Prairie township.
They were married at Litchfield b}^ N. C.
Martin.
Our subject is a man of the strictest integ-
rity, and is respected by all who know hi;n.
In ]iolitical nu^tters he affiliates with the
repul)lican ]Kirty.
S^HARLES M. AHLSTROM. The subject
^ of this sketch is an enterprising and
successful farmer and stock-raiser, who. re-
sides on section 31, Harvey township. He is
a native of Chisago county, ilinn., where he
was born on the 8th of August, 1859, and he
is a son of Andrew M. and Carrie Ahlstrom.
In 1864 he removed, with his parents, to
Meeker county, and the family settled on
section 30, where Charles M. still resides.
His parents were both natives of Sweden.
They came to the United States in 185-1.
They are both still living.
The subject of our sketch, Charles, grew to
manhood in Meeker county, attending school
as opportunity offered, and assisting his
fatlier on the farm. On the 27tli of Maj',
1882, he was married to Mary Peterson, of
Swede Grove township. Their niari-iage
has been blessed with tliree cliildren, whose
names are Stacie, Carl M. and Clearence A..
the last named being an infant. Mr. and
Mrs. Ahlstrom are exemplary members and
active supporters of tke Lutheran Church.
In political matters Mr. Ahlstrom is a re-
publican. He now owns 160 acres of land,
and has a good start and good prospects for
future success.
M LEXANDER D. ROSS, the present
J^Jl. postmaster of Litchfield, was born
in Upper Canada, July 25, 1815, and is the
son of Alexander and Frances Bassett (Con-
ners) Eoss, the former a native of Glasgow,
Scotland, and the latter of Bangor, County
Down, Ireland. His jxirents came to Amer-
ica, settling in Canada, prior to his birth, and
there, in the town of Southani]iton, where
the father was engaged in mercantile trade,
our subject received his earl^^ education, and
there grew to manhootl. In 1866, he removed
with his parents to Chicago, III., where he
commenced work with the American Express
Company, with whom he remained until 1872,
when he came to Minnesota. He located first
at St. Cloud, but one year later removed to
Litchfield, where, in August, 1873, he took
charge of a grain elevator, now the M. and
D. which he has superintended ever since.
In July, 1887, he took charge of the postotfice
of the village, having been appointed to that
position a short time previousl\\ He is a
thorough democrat politically, and believes
that in its principles lies the true germ of civil
liberty. He is a member of the present coun-
cil of Litchfield, and holds a high place in the
respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens.
Mr. Eoss united in marriage, June 11, 1872,
with Miss Elizabeth M. Becker, a native of
New York, and daughter of Herman and
Margaret Becker. By this union there has
been born two children, who bear the names
of Carrie and George. Mr. Eoss is a mem-
ber of Golden Fleece Lodge, No. 86, A. F.
3iS
MEJlace was destroved bv fire, with a
loss of 82,500, only part of which was insured.
In company with J. S. Larson and "William
Gallagher, he then commenced the erection
of a new hotel, the new Dassel House, the
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
325
old one having been burned. On the com-
pletion of this hotel, which is of brick and
cost some $4,500, he again opened a saloon,
and remained in that business until 1886,
when he closed it out, and since that time
has given his attention to the cultivation of
a farm which he bought in 1881. This con-
tains some forty acres, and adjoins the town
site. He is also engaged in the letting of
livery rigs.
Among the leading proiiibitionists of the
county, there is none who is better known
than Mr. Remick, who, being thorougldy
acquainted with the traffic in liquor, knows
its evil, and is quite active in the movement
looking to its suppression.
/^ HRISTIAN BADEN. Among the
V^^ thrifty, prosperous German citizens of
Meeker county, who helped so materially
toward its development and progress, until
it now stands one of the brightest jewels in
the crown of the noble State of Minnesota,
is the worthy gentleman whose name heads
this sketch. He was born in that part of
the German empire known as Trier, June IS,
1839, and there grew to manhood. He is the
son of John and Marj' Baden, who had a
family of live children.
Our subject received the education so
common to the youth of the fatherland, and
at the age of sixteen commenced an appren-
ticeship to the trade of blacksmith. He
came to the United States in search of a
home in this free land, in 1867, and located
at Belle Plaine, Scott county, Minn., where he
opened a blacksmith shop and followed his
trade for one year. In 1868 he came to this
country and bought out the interest of Albert
Taylor, in the blacksmith shop in Forest
City, and has been engaged at this trade ever
since. He is also the owner of a fine farm of
250 acres of land in the same township, part
of which he leases to other parties and part
cultivates himself. His success since he
came here is entirely due to his energy, per-
severance and thrift, as he is the sole archi-
tect of his own fortunes.
Mr. Baden was married before leaving his
native land, April 11-, 1865, to Miss Mary
Schmidt, who was the daughter of Michael
and Susan Schmidt, and one of a family of
eight children. On the -Ith of May, Mrs.
Baden, who was a devout Catholic and
an estimable woman, was called away
by death, leaving ten children — William,
Nicholas, Frank, John, Joseph, Susan, Cath-
erine, Anna, Eosa and Mary. Susan married
Eugene Schuler, March 2, 1886, and lives in
Dakota.
[^ARRISON FULLER, one of the old set-
tlers of Collinwood township, has his
home on section i. He is a native of Russell
county, Va., and there made his residence
until he was ten years of age, then emigrated
to Tazwell county, settling in Avhat after-
ward became a part of Buchanan county.
Most of this time was spent on a farm with
his parents. In 1862 he was conscripted into
the Confederate arm}', and served some eigh-
teen months. Having been made lieutenant,
and detailed for recruiting service, he ab-
sented himself without leave, and passing the
lines, came to Minnesota. He arrived at
Hutchinson, McLeod county. Ma}' 14, 1864,
and spent the summer in digging gmseng,
and the next winter in huntingand trapping.
The following year he moved to the place
where he now lives, but did little toward
its improvement for some three years. The
hard frost of August 19, 1866, destroying the
little crops he and the other settlers had in,
he had considerable difficulty in getting
along, so, with others, he went to Wright
county and chopped wood all the following
326
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
winter. Many of his neighbors were sadly
pinched witli hunger at that time. One day
he walked to Kingston for provisions, but
failed to get tliem, and on returning, found
that the family had eaten up everything in
the house, and he was forced to go supper-
less to bed. The next day he was more
fortunate, getting some flour at Greenleaf.
Most of the settlers lived through the winter
on what game they could kill, and in tlie
sprmg on ramps or leeks, elm bark and other
herbage. One family, to his knowledge,
lived on game, ramps or leeks, and herbage
that winter and sjiring. In 1873, after an
absence of ' a year in Virginia, he com-
menced to develop his farm pro]ierly, and liy
diligence has succeeded in accumulating a
nice property. He was married March 7,
1861, to Miss Smyth, who was born in Taze-
well county, Ya., April 26, 18-15, and is the
daughter of Samuel M. and Mary (Justice)
Smyth, natives of Kentucky. By this union
there has been ten children, as follows — Ash-
ville, born November 7, 1862, and married,
March 27, 1884, to Mrs. Clarinda (Goble)
"West ; Mary F., born September 29,- 1865,
married Solomon Scalf in January, 1883;
Pricy J., born May 19, 1868, married, March
7, 1885. to Armstrong Sellard ; Elijah S., born
March 15, 1871; James A., born March 20,
1873 ; Roxelena, born May 21, 1875 ; Ida A.,
born May 26, 1877; Vashti, born May 2,
1880 ; Lucretia, born November 5, 1882 ; and
Maggie, born June 30, 1886.
PATRICK McKARNEY, an ex-Union
soldier, and a prominent and success-
ful farmer and stock raiser, residing on sec-
tion 8, Manannah township, was born in
County Monaghan, Ireland, in 1832, and is
a son of Patrick and Catherine (Bradj') Mc-
Karney. His early life was spent in the
land of his birth, receiving the schooling in
industry and frugality which was given to
the youth of his nationality in that day.
In 1849 he came to the United States, land-
ing in New Orleans, where he remained
about one month and then went to St. Louis,
Mo. Two months later he went to Rock
Island, 111., and spent the winter, and after
this was »mj)loyed on the Mississippi river,
at whatever he could find to do, until the
15th of August, 1862, when he enlisted in
C'ompany B, Ninetieth Illinois Volunteer
Infantry, and went into the service. His
regiment was assigned to severe duty, and
he remained in active service until the close
of the war, receiving an honorable discharge
on the 6th of June, 1865. After leaving the
service he came to Minnesota, and settled in
Dakota county, where he reuuiined until the
following April, 1866, and then came to
Meeker county, and settled on section 8,
Manannah townshi]j, where he still lives.
He has a farm of 150 acres of land, a good
share of which is under cultivation, and
devotes his attention to general farming and
stock raising.
]\Ir. McKarnev was married on the -ith of
April, 1869, to Miss Mary O'Keeffe, and they
have been blessed with the following chil-
dren — Charlotte, born July 15, 1870; Cathe-
rine, born May 26, 1872; James, born Janu-
ary 8, 1874; Peter, born May 16, 1876; and
Menus, born January 16, 1878; all of whom
are still living.
Mrs. IVlcKarney's parents were natives of
Ireland. They came to America, and both
died in Meeker county. Mr. McKarney is a
re])ublican in political matters, and in religi-
ous affairs both he and his wife are ex-
emjilary memliers and active supporters of
the Catholic Church.
--^f^^"*-
pi;^*RANK W. MINTON, the present
lP>- genial proprietor of the Howard
House, at Litchfield, is the son of William
L. and Louisa C. (Hull) Minton, and was
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
327
born in Brocton, Chautauqua county, N. Y.,
May 7, 1854. His mother was a descendant
of one of the pioneer families of the
Mohawk A'^alley.
Frank remained in his native town until he
was fifteen years of age, and then came to
Eice county, Minn., where he lived with an
uncle for a time. He removed from there to
Chicago, whither his parents had gone, and
entering the office of the Pullman Palace
Car Co., remained there employed for seven
years. Taking charge of a palace car run-
ning between St. Louis and Minneapolis at
the end of that time, he continued in that
species of employment for two years and a
half, but his health having become somewhat
impaired he left the road. He entered the
law office of Perkins & Whipple, of North-
field, Minn., where he remained some eigh-
teen months. He then went on the road as
traveling salesman for the Champion Eeaper
Co., and was with that corporation for the
succeeding two years, after which he came
to Litchfield, and assumed the charge of the
Howard House, as landlord. May 1, 1884.
Frank W. Minton and Miss Mattie Knight
were united in the bonds of marriage. May
20, 1884. The lady is a native of Canada,
but at the time of her marriage a resident of
Meeker county.
: ■ • ' > ■
T^OBERT B. RALSTON. The subject
_l^y, of this biography, one of Meeker
county's most prominent and wealthy farm-
ers and stock-raisers, is a resident of section
14, Harvey township. He was born in the
Province of Quebec, Canada East, on the
2Sth day of August, 1826, and is a son of
Andrew and Jane Kalston. His parents
were natives of Scotland, but both died in
Canada ; the father January 10, 1888, and the
mother August 21, 1884.
Eobert B. left his native province in April,
1849, and went to Waterbury, A^t., where he
secured employment on the Vermont Central
railroad, and remained until the latter part
of the following December, when he returned
to Canada and remained until the spring of
1850. At that time he went to St. Johns-
bury, Vt., where he drove a team on railroad
work, and in August, 1850, went to Cam-
bridge, N. Y., and worked about there until
the following summer of 1851. He next
spent a few months at Bedford, Ind., and
then went to Cincinnati, O., where he re-
mained for four years, being emploj'ed at
teaming most of the time; after that was at
work on the Cincinnati & St. Louis railroad.
In 1855 he went still further west, and spent
one winter at Oskaloosa, Iowa, and then set-
tled at Minneapolis, Minn. That place, which
was then a mere village, remained his home
until the fall of 1861, although, during this
time, in 1859, he had come west to Meeker
county and purchased the southwest quarter
of section 11, in what is now Harvey town-
ship. In that fall he came here and put in his
time in caring for a few calves which he had
purchased, and also did a good deal of trap-
ping in various parts of this county. He was
living here when the Indian outbreak oc-
curred. He heard the news of the massacre
at Acton on Sunday evening, while with his
brother John. They at once went to mould-
ing bullets and getting their guns in shape,
after which they went to bed, and the follow-
ing morning continued their harvesting. At
noon they went to Forest City, and learned
the serious condition of affairs. They then
returned to look for a neighbor, Ilutchins,
and his wife, and met them, and also Joachin
Schultz, so all turned and went to Forest
City. There they remained all through the
Indian trouble. The following spring Mr.
Ealston returned to his claim and put in his
crops, and while at work could distinctly see
the soldiers on patrol between his place and
Forest City. This has since been his home.
328
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
He has one of the most vahiable farms in the
county, and carries on general farming and
stock-raising extensively.
• On tiie nth of June, ISOT, Mr. Ralston was
n\arried to Miss ilelissa Pickle, and tlieir
union has been blessed witii three children, as
follows— Marcia, born August 22, 1868 ; Elsie
v., born November 4, 1872; Arthur D.,
born April 13, 1882, all of whom are still
living. Mr. and Mrs. Ralston attend, and
Mrs. R. is a member of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church. Mrs. Ralston's parents are still
living in Canada ; her father is a native of
Canada, and her mother a native of Ver-
mont.
In political matters Mr. Ralston affiliates
with the democratic party. He has taken
an active interest in everything calculated to
develop the county's resources, and is rated
as one of the most solid and substantial citi-
zens of Meeker countv.
-S^^^-4-
ILLIAM MURPHY, a memberof the
firm of Murphy Bros., general mer-
chandise dealers at the village of Kingston,
commenced business here in January, 1886,
in company with T. Owen, with whom he
remained in partnership until the 1st of Janu-
ary, 1888, when Mr. Owen sold out to T. J.
Murphy, the brother of our subject, and the
present firm was formed.
Mr. Murphy is a native of Rutland county,
Vt., born November 3, 1860, and came to
Minnesota with his parents in May, 1862.
He is a son of Michael and Catherine (Clif-
ford) Murph\', a history of whom is given
elsewhere in this Album. He was reared and
received the elements of his education in the
district schools of Meeker county, and finished
with a thorough course at the University, at
St. John's, Minn., from which he was gradu-
ated in 1882. He taught the Kingston
village school the winter term of 1883-4, and
later settled in the village and entered upon
his present enterprise, which is the only store
therein. He has held the office of justice of
the peace for tAvo^'ears, and that of clerk of
the townsiiip for quite a time. He was ap-
pointed ))ostmasterin September, 1886, which
position he holds at present. Mi'. IMui'iihy
and Miss Ellen AVhalen were married Feb-
ruary 20, 1887. The lady is a native of
]\Ieeker county and daughter of Joim Wha-
len, one of the oldest pioneers whose sketch
is to be found in the pages of this volume.
JAMES McCUE, blacksmith, at Greenleaf
village, Meeker county, is a native of
Ireland, born on the 10th of May, 1837.
When he was but one year old, his parents,
Timothy and Margaret McCue, emigrated to
the United States and settled near Buffalo,
N. Y. Mrs. McCue died soon afterward, and
when James was ten years of age he was
placed in a store at Hamilton, Ontario, where
he remained until he reached his seventeenth
year, at which time he was apprenticed to a
blacksmith near Hamilton. Three years
later, in 1857, he came to Minnesota, and
located in Northfield, Rice county. In the
fall of 1858 he went to California, where he
remained about four years, engaged at mining
and blacksmithing. Then, leaving there, he
spent two or three years in Nevada and
Montana, during the great mining excite-
ment, and at the expiration of that time he
returned to the States. After a trip to South-
ern Kansas, he returned to Minnesota and
settled in Renville county. In 1877 he left his
family at Hutchinson and went to the Black
Hills, D. T. After making several trips
home, he finally, in 1879, returnetl to Ren-
ville county, and continued to live there until
1884, when he came to the village of Green-
leaf, and established his present business.
Being thoroughly skilled at his trade, he com-
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
329
mands a good patronage. In 1886 he made
a trip to Iluntsville, Ala., Init returned with-
out giving tlie matter of locating there much
thought.
Mr. McCue was married at the village of
Greenleaf in 1873, to Miss Mary Kaler, a
daughter of Christian and Almira Kaler, of
Greenleaf township. Six children have been
the fruit of this union, as follows — John E.,
born March 20, 1875; Stella A., born April
9, 1877; Alford 0., born August 21, 1879;
Effie May, born March 29, 1881; Margaret
Myra, born March 13, 1883 ; Annie Ethel,
born March 19, 1885.
^^ICHAEL F. LENHARDT, a respected
_M^J3^^ and enterprising farmer, who re-
sides on section 1, Litchfield, was born in
Saxon-Meiningen, Germany, on the SUth of
October, 1827, and is a son of Michael and
Margaret Lenhardt. He remained with his
parents in his native land until 1853, when
he came to America, landing in New Orleans
shortly after the great yellow-fever scourge
had abated. He located in St. Louis and re-
mained there for two years, then went to
Kansas, but, not being favorably impressed
with the outlook there, he returned to St.
Louis, and, the following 3'ear (185fi), he
caTue to Meeker county, Minn., and took a
claim on section 11, Litchfield township,
where the village of Litchfield now stands.
The following year he gave up that place
and took a claim on section 1, in the same
township, where he still lives. In 1859
he was married to Eebecca Louhan, a
native of Kentuck}', and two children were
born to them, one of whom is deceased,
and the other — Minne — is the wife of
Frank Maetzold, of Litchfield. In 1803 Mrs.
Lenhardt, the wife, and youngest child, died.
In 1872 Mr. Lenhardt made a visit to his na-
tive land, and while there Avas united in mar-
riage with Margaret Peipus, a daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. John Peipus. Four children
were the result of this union — Kicke (de-
ceased), Anna, August, and Bertha.
At the time of the Indian outbreak, in
1862, Mr. Lenhardt was ojierating his farm
in a quiet way. He did not become much
alarmed at first, but soon felt the gravity of
the situation, and, on Wednesday following
the massacre at Acton, he started with his
family for Clearwater. The road en route
was literally alive with people and stock, and
the woods were full of panic-sti'icken beings.
After remaining in Clearwater a short time,
he concluded the matter was more a scare
than anything else, and went back to his
farm. He was not long in discovering,
however, that the ]3eo]ile were not terrorized
without cause, and, therefore, took his fam-
ily to Forest City for safet}^, arriving there
just before the Indians made the attack on
the fort. After spending about one month
at Forest City, Mr. Lenhardt Avent back to his
farm for the winter, and the following year
put in his crops and has since made that his
home. He devotes his entire attention to
farming and stock raising, and has a most
pleasantly situated and comfortable home.
He is one of the most highly respected old
settlers and substantial citizens of the county.
-»►
3ME ANS M. AKESSON, a resident of Swede
_1?^ Grove township, is a son of Mons and
Siselia Akesson. He was born in Sweden on
the Sthof March, 1856, and remained in his
native land until 1881, when he came to the
LTnited States, and, aftei* spending two months
in Wisconsin, jiushed on westward and located
in Swede Grove township. Meeker county.
Minn. On the 24th of November, 1882
he was married to Miss Anna Olena Erickson
the only daughter of Gerti'am and JMartha
Erickson. The father of Anna died in Amer-
330
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
ica, and the mother, Martha, came to the
United States in 185", and in I860 was mar-
ried to Christian Erickson, wiio died on the
2(3th of March, 1882. Mrs. Erickson liad two
children — Ilalvor Michelson, who was born
February 11. 184t!, wiio Hves on section 32,
Swede Grove townsiiip, and Anna Olena, now
Mrs. Hans Akesson, wlio was born March 18,
1864. Hans M. Akesson and his family live
■with his wife's mother and cultivate the farm.
Mrs. Erickson is an old settler in the town-
ship and was here all through the " pioneer
days." When the Indian trouble began she
fled for her life with the others who were
living here at that time. She fled in the
night for Forest City for protection, and at
onetime came very near losing her life, when
Indian bullets were flvini; as thick as hail.
As a full histor}' of those Indian times is
given in another chapter of this work it is
unnecessary to repeat it here.
Mr. and Mrs. Akesson have been blessed
with three children, whose names and
ages are as follows — Martin Clarence, born
May 6, 1883 ; Gotfried Casper, born Novem-
ber 29, 1884 ; and Ilelmer Eugene, who was
born on the 5th of November, 1886.
M NOTHER pioneer of Meeker county
j^^ is F. V. DeCostek, ex-jndge of pro-
bate, and one of Litchfield's most prominent
merchants. Mr. DeCc)ster was born in Buck-
field, Me., on the I'.Hh of November, 1838.
His parents were Varanes and Louisa
(Thompson) DeCoster, both natives of the
same State. F. V. remained at home until
seventeen, working on a farm and attending
school and at fifteen began teaching school.
When seventeen he went to the city of Bos-
ton and worked in a store for about a year,
when he started west and brought up at
Dunkirk, N. Y. A short time later he pushed
on West to St. Anthonv, Minn., and remained
there until the spring of 1858, when he located
in the village of Kingston, Meeker county,
and was there engaged in carpentering, teach-
ing and in carrvintron the fur trade, remain-
ing at this most of the time until the war
broke out. He thus became personally ac-
quainted with the famous Little Crow, the
head of the massacre movement in 1862, and
also with the chief Shakopee, buying fur
and venison at various times of both these
notables. In 1859-60 Mr. DeCoster left
Kingston for atrip through the south, going
to St. Louis, then to Cmcinnati, and then
Natchez, Miss., where he had charge of the
boats on the levee for a time. From there
he went to New Orleans ; then Mobile ; and
then to Montgomery, Ala., on the same boat
that carried a lot of Southern planters who
were on their way to attend a secession con-
vention. After spending a short time at
Savannah, Ga., Mr. DeCoster, returned to the
North, and finally drifted to his old home in
Buckfield, INIaine, where he remained some
two weeks, and then returned to Kingston,
Minn. Shortly after the war broke out, on
the 25th of September, 1861, he enlisted in
Company D, Fourth Minnesota Volunteer
Infantr\", and went to Fort Aberci'ombie. In
the spring of 1862, his company was assigned
to the Army of theAVest in Tennessee. On the
1st of Januai-y, 1863, he was made orderly
sergeant of Company A, Firet Battalion Cav-
alry, Mississippi Marine Brigade, and on the
8th of July, in the same year, he was jJaced
in command of Company D, as Captain and
served until August 29, 1864. The business
of the brigade was to keep the Mississippi
river clear of Rebel forces who fired on
transports, one of the most dangerous assign-
ments in the service. The full bi'igade was
carried on boats, and consisted of eight ma-
rine fleet boats, with five rams, one regi-
ment of infantry, battalion of cavalry and
battery besides the rams. During this time
Mr. DeCoster had two horses shot from un-
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
331
der him, and in one engagement when they
were surprised by SCO of the enemy in the
canebrake the company had seventy horses
shot out of 170. The night previous to this
action they learned that the boat " Bostona"
had been burned by the Rebels at Austin,
Miss. The brigade was then 100 miles off
but they started in haste and arrived at that
point at four o'clock the following morning.
Mr. DeCoster was ordered to take ten men
and go into the country in search of the
Eebels. When four miles out they came in
sight of five of the Rebels and captured them.
When about to return to the command the
major of the brigade came up and they were
ordered to push on, which they did, and when
they had proceeded but a short distance they
were met by the 800 rebels, and all hands of
the Union men came near losing their lives.
It is worthy of mention that their flag-ship.
The Autocrat, was the second one at Vicks-
burg. Mr. DeCoster continued in service on
the river, participating in numerous engage-
ments, until the 27th of August, 1801:, when
he was mustered out, being made super-
numerary by the consolidation of the
brigade. After the close of the war he
remained at St. Louis for some four
months and then returned to Minnesota and
engaged in the general mercantile trade at
Kingston. This he conducted until 1868
when he sold out and became interested in a
flouring mill and remained in that until the
spring of 1871, being justice of the peace
most of the time and otherwise taking a
prominent and active interest in public af-
fairs. In the spring of 1871 he removed to
Litchfield and again embarked in the general
merchandise trade. This he continued until
about 1879, when he changed his line and
handled musical instruments, sewing ma-
chines and notions. In 1887 he Avent into
the jewelry business and now handles a line
which includes jewelry, musical instruments,
etc. In 1872 he was elected judge of pro-
bate and served one term, and since that time
has been court commissioner most of the
time. He has also taken an active interest
in educational mattei's and has held various
oifices on the school board. He has also been
a member of the council and taken an active
interest in all public matters at Litchfield.
Mr. DeCoster is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, having joined the Golden Fleece
Lodge, No. 89, when it was located at Forest
City, and has always maintained his mem-
bership. He is also a member of the Grand
Army of the Republic, and was one of the
charter members of the first post organized
at Litclifield, and joined the present post soon
after it was organized, and is identified with
the " Survivors of the Mississippi River Ram
Fleet and Marine Brigade." He is a mem-
ber of the dramatic association, and was its
manager for some two years.
Mr. DeCoster was married in the spring of
1871 to Miss Mary E. Campbell, of North
Manchester, Conn. They have one child —
Esther L., who was born on the 4th of Janu-
ary, 1875. The family are members of the
Presbyterian Church, and Mr. DeCoster has
been supermtentlent of the Sunday-school of
that church constantlv since 1871.
JTOHN McINTEE, at present a resident of
^ section 8, Manannah township, and a
leading citizen of that neighborhood, was
born in Ontario, Canada, on the 15th of
August, 1852, and is a son of Nicholas and
Margaret (Clark) Mclntee. His early life
was spent in his native Dominion, but in
1878 he came to Meeker county, Minn., and
settled in Manannah township, where he still
lives. He has a farm of 100 acres, with a
good share of it under cultivation, and
devotes his attention to general farming and
stock liaising. He has been very successful
and through his frugality and industry is
now in verv comfortable circumstances.
332
MEEKER COUNTY, M 1 XA'ESOTA.
Mr. Mclntee was married on the 1st of
June. 1S80, to Mary A. IStewart, and their
marriage has been blessed with three chil-
dren, named — William J., ISIary, and Marga-
ret, all of whom are living and at home.
The family are members of the Catholic
Ghnrch. In political matters Mr. Mclntee's
principles are independent of party, and he
votes for the man rather than for creed.
Mr. Mclntee's pai-ents were born in Ire-
land, and l)oth of them died in Canada. Tiie
father of Mrs. Mclntee was a native of Scot-
land, and died in Canada ; her mother was a
native of Ireland, and now lives in Meeker
county.
JplENRY J. BOYNTON, an energetic
JiP^dL and prosperous farmer and stock-
raiser of Forest Cit\' townsliip, lives upon
section 16, where he settled in 1865. He is
engaged, to a large extent, in the raising
of cattle, and for a man of liis years is
extremely active and business like, for he
was born May IS, 1820. Lincolnville,
Penobscot county, Maine, Avas the home of
his pai'ents, Jeremiah and Sarah (Higgms)
Boynton, at the time of his birth. His father
was born in Kennebec county, that State,
and his mother at Lincolnville. The former
died in 1876, the latter in 186S.
The subject of this narrative was reared
in his native State, and until he was eleven
veal's of age, attended school at Bradley,
Penobscot county. At the age of thirteen
he commenced life, lumbering ujion the rivers
of Maine, and followed that business until
he had reached the age of forty-five years.
"With a view to change his mode of life he
then removed westward and settled in
Meeker county, where he has since made his
home. He has been connected with several
of the town offices since his coming here,
and merits and receives the warmest esteem
and respect of ail wlio know liini.
U])on tlie Otli of August, 1841, Mr. Boyn-
ton and Miss Euth Eaton, jjledged their
mutual vows at the marriage altar. Tlie
lady is a native of Kova Scotia, and daugh-
ter of Guy and Lydia (Rockwell) Eaton,
natives of Nova Scotia, who had moved to
the above province some time before the
l)irtli of their daughter. By this union Mr.
and Mrs. Boynton have a family of nine
children, as follows: Mary Ann, wife of
Andrew Gilchrist; Albert, in Minneapoh's ;
Lewyn, who married Miss Lizzie Abbott, and
is living in Eden Valley ; Louisa, Mrs. "Wra.
Peters; Charles; Eldora, the wife of Rollin
Thorp, of "Wright county ; Lizzie, wjio
married Rev. L. L. Tower, and is living at
Princeton, this State ; Alonzo, residing at
home ; and Effie, Mrs. D. Lounsberry, of Man-
annah township.
Mr. Bovnton is a life-long democrat, cast-
ing his first vote for the candidate of that
party in 1841. He and his family are mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
he has occujned the position of steward and
class leader in that denomination for some
time, and was quite prominently identified
with the building up of the congregation at
Forest Citv.
•-J-J^j^-^*
/^^\NE OF THE enterprising farmers of
VS^/ Kingston toAvnship is H. Y. Rumsey,
who lives on section 8, township 120, range
29 west, where he also carries on stock rais-
ing. He is a native of Cortland county, N.
Y., Ijorn April 27, 1848, and is the son of
L. H. and Mary A. (A'incent) Rumsey, who
came to INIinnesota, in 1868, from "Wisconsin,
where tliev had been living for vears, and
settled in Kingston, where they still live.
Our suljject was one of two children born to
his parents, his sister being the wife of
Kelson Turner, of whom a sketch is given
elsewhere in thisAi.nrM.
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
335
The subject of this memoir spent bis
school days in Fond da Lac county, Wis., and,
until attaining his majority, assisted his
father in the labor of carrying on the farm.
He came with the family to this county,
and, after coming of age, engaged in agri-
cultural pursuits upon his own account, tak-
ing up a homestead, where he now lives, and
to which he has added until he now owns
ISO acres of fine land. He was married.
New Year's day, 1873, to Miss Anna M.
Kline, a native of Michigan, born in Flint,
Genesee county, October IS, IS-iO, and
daughter of James A. and Ann (Shimin)
Kline. She was reared and educated in
Winnebago county, 111., whither her parents
had moved at an early day, and came to this
county with the family. A biography of
hor father appears in the pages of this
volume.
By their union Mr. and Mrs. Riunsey are
the parents of one child — Elton K., born
October 26, 1S78. Mr. Rumsey is a democrat
in his political views, and usually supports
the candidates and measures of that organ-
ization. He is the jjresent treasurer of school
district No. 7i. and has held that office since
it was organized.
fOHN HURLEY, one of the pioneers of
Meeker county, and one of its i-epre-
seutative men, is a resident of Ellsworth
township, and is engaged in carrying on his
farm on section 8. He came here in 1S5S,
and took up his claim where he now lives,
and there remained until the Indian troubles
of 1862. During those fearful, tragic
days he left here and went to Fremont and
Clearwater, and from thence back to Kins's-
ton, and from there, finall}', to what is now
Darwin, where he remained some two years.
He then returned to his farm, where he has
ever since made his home. His original
claim consisted of some 160 acres, but he now
has nearly doulile that number of acres, and
his farm is Ijrought, to a hio'li state of culti-
vation.
Mr. Hurley is a native of that "bright
gem of the sea," Ireland, born in County
Cork in the year 1S2.5, and is the son of
Dennis and Mary (DriscoU) Hurley, both of
Avhom were, also, natives of the Emei'ald
Isle. Dennis Hurley died in his native land
in 18i7, and his widow came to the United
States in 1864 or 1805, and after a stay in
New York and Pittsburg, came to Minne-
apolis, and from thence to this county, where
she died September 29. 1872. They were
the parents of seven children, one of whom
died in infancy.
Mr. Hui'ley, of whom we write, was united
in marriage in February, 1S51, with Miss El-
len White, who was born in Ireland in May,
1819, and who came to America with her
parents in 1844, and settled in Pittsburg,
Pa. She died in March, 1887, having been
the mother of four children — Mary. Ellen,
Ann and John. Mary died in Pennsyl-
vania in 1857, at the age of two years ; John
died October 15. 1887, of typhoid fever, the
others are at home with their father.
In his political views Mr. Hurley is entirely
independent of paity lines, and non-partisan
in the discharge of his elective franchise.
He has held the office of director of his
school district, and takes great interest in all
educational work. As a progressive, enter-
prising man he is the peer of any in the
town.
-— «"?^^ "<" ■
/^^ RICK W. NELSON, a young and euter-
\^^ prising farmer of Dassel township, is
also engaged, in company with N. J. Lind,
in carrying on the saloon business in the
village of that name. He is a native of
Sweden, born among its beautiful scenes
336
MEEKER COUNTY, MIXNESOTA.
October 14, 1856, anil is the son of Peter
and Mary ]SIelson. lie came to America,
when but twelve years of age, in company
with his parents, who took up railroad land
and settleil on section 35, Dassel township,
in 1868, where the father of our subject made
his homo until overtaken by death in 1S83.
Erick remained with Jiis parents upon the
family homestead until their death, and
then came to the village, of Dassel, and was
employed as a clerk in a store until May,
1886, when he embarked in the saloon busi-
ness, as above mentioned. He is carrying
on a farm of sixty acres, a portion of the
parental estate, and has made quite a success
in life for a young man. Self-reliant, with-
out obstrusiveness, and straight forward in
his dealings, he is bound to succeed in life,
and his business tact will insure his finan-
cial elevation.
"OHN PETERSON, better known as B.
W. Peterson, one of the leading farmers
of Collinwood township, and one of its most
enterprising citizens, is a native of Sweden,
born October IS, 1825, and is the son of
Peter Johnson and his wife, Jennie (Matson)
Johnson. He was reared and educated in
his native land, and was an inmate of his
father's house until he liad attained the age
of thirty-eight. December 25, 1850, he was
united in marriage with Miss Mary Olson,
and for three years thereafter made his home
with the old folks. Purchasing a timber
farm, he then took up his residence upon it,
and made it his home until 1867, clearing off
the timber and cultivating its soil, when 'he
sold out and emigrated to the new world in
search of a home in the land of the free.
Coming to Minnes(jta on landing, he at first
settled in Carver county, but two years after
removed to this county and purchased eighty
acres of land on section ?>G, Collinwood town-
shi]), where he now lives. All of the im-
provements upon his place are the result of
his own enei'gy and diligence, and are a
credit to his industry.
Mr. and Mrs. I'eterson are the parents of
six children, of whom the following is the
record — Jennie, born March 17, 1852, mar-
ried Paul Anderson, and lives in Wright
county; Olof, born January 24, 1860, mar-
ried Miss Betsy Larsen, and resides in this
township; Martha, born August 24, 1854,
and is the wife of B. N. Peterson, of Cokato,
this State; John, born September 6, 1862;
Peter, who was born in 1857 and died in
1859; and Peter, born in 1865 and died in
1877. Although a poor man when he came
here, Mr. Peterson has, by the exercise of
excellent judgment and hard work, placed
himself in acondition of comparative comfort.
-«■-
►^^
M ^NDREW LARSON, who resides on sec-
_^^ tion 16, Litclilield township, is one of
the most extensive farmers and stock-raisers
in Meeker county. He was born in Sweden
on the 31st of October, 1843, but left his
native land with his parents, John and Celia
Larson, and came to America in 1857. The
family came direct to Meeker countj^ Minn.,
and settled on section 9, Litchfield township.
Andrew remained with his parents about one
year thereafter, and then voluntarily threw
himself on his own resources, and began the
struggle of life alone, working as a farm
hand at small monthly wages. "When the
Indian outbreak came he was yet a mere
boy, but entered into the contest for the pro-
tection of life and ]H'operty with the spirit of
a veteran. On that fatal Suiulay, August
17, 186;^, he was at a gathering of citizens of
the neigiiborhood at the old Pi])ley ]iost-
ottice, where they were discussing the matter
of securing substitutes to go into the array,
when the news came of the killing of five
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
337
persons at Acton. The next day he went
over to the scene with the party raised for
the rescue and protection of the people in
that neighborliood. Andrew was detailed,
along with Andrew Ingerman to go to lakes
Lillian and Elizabeth and extend the alarm
to the settlers thereabouts. At first the set-
tlers were loth to believe the story, and were
with difficulty induced to flee for their lives.
Andrew remained with the garrison at Forest
City until the 15th of September, when he
was sworn into the State service with the
rest of the original company. After return-
ing from the campaign with this company he
enlisted in Company C, Mounted Hangers
of the United States service, for one year,
and did duty on the frontierduring the time,
protecting settlers, and witnessed many evi-
dences of Indian atrocity and brutality that
were blood-curdling and heart-rending in the
extreme, and also participated in several 'en-
gagements with the red skins. In the fall
of 1863 he was honorably discharged from
this service, and in August, 1864, enlisted in
Company 13, Eleventh Minnesota Infantry,
and remained in the service until the close of
the war. The reo'iment was first assigned to
the Second Army Corps, but was subse-
quently ordered to Nashville to assist General
Thomas in resisting Hood's great Tennessee
raid. The regiment was engaged in the bat-
tle of Nashville, and afterward did patrol
duty on the Nashville & Chattanooga rail-
road. On the 26th of June, 1865, Mr. Larson
was mustered out of service, and on return-
ing home took an eighty-acre homestead and
at once began improving it.
In 1S68 Andrew Larson was married to
Anna Larson, daughter of Peter Larson,
whose farm adjoined the homestead belong-
ing to Andrew's father. Anna Larson was
born on the 6th of January, 1849. Their
marriage has been blessed witli four children,
all of whom are living at home. Their
names are Alice E., Edward A., Charlotte
M., and Harry J. Mr. Larson has taken a
commendable interest in public matters, and
has held various offices of a local character;,
he has held the office of constable for about
sixteen years, doing duty in some of the-
most trying times in the history of th&
county. His industry and careful manage-
ment have enal)led him to acquire a good
share of this world's goods, and he is now
well oif . He owns a farm of over a thousand
acres, most of which is under cultivation.
v^>
TOT
I^ON. MICHAEL J. FLYNN. Among
the honored citizens of the village of
Litchfield there are very few that hold the
place in the esteem and respect of the com-
munity to the degree that Mr. Flynn does_
Closely connected with the business and
social life of the place, an honored and rep-
resentative pioneer citizen of Meeker county,,
and the talented and worthy recipient of leg-
islative laurels bestowed by this people, he-
occupies a prominent place in its annals.
Mr. Flynn is a native of Kane county,
III., born August 15, 1840, and is the son of
John and Ann (Lynch) Flynn, natives of
Ireland. His parents came to America about-
1836, and were married at Chicago, 111.
From there they moved to Kane county,
111., where they resided many years. In
1856, he came to Meeker count}' with his-
parents who settled in Forest City township.
In 1859 the father died and Michael, although
but nineteen years of age, took upon him-
self the management of the farm and the
support of the family, but being endowed
with a strong will and excellent judgment,
felt competent to grapple with the responsi-
bilities of the situation. During the dread-
ful days of the Indian massacre in 1862, h©
found his hands full in endeavoring to pro-
tect his charge, and the stock, from the red
fiends who
were
wasting
the border with.
33S
MEEKER COUNTY, M/XA'ESOTA.
tomahawk, rifle and torch. His home duties
prevented Iiis joining "Whitcomb's Irregu-
lars," l)ut when the occasion offered he was
not baclvward in vokniteering to assist in
lielj)ing those more exposed than themselves,
and incurred many peinls in the discharge of
his duty. On one occasion, when out with a
))arty who left the stockade at Forest City on
one of their many errands of mercy, the little
band was assaulted by a liost of tlie rutliless,
retl-handed, murdering Sioux, and forced to
flee for their lives. Tiiis was the famous expe-
dition that was driven back l)y over 300 Indi-
ans to the fortifications they had erected,
with the loss of one horse and wagon that
had stuck fast in the mud of a slough. In
JN^ovember, 1803, Mr. Flynn's domestic
arrangements permitting his absence, he
enlisted in Company D, Second Minnesota
Cavalry, and joined General Sully's column
on the Missouri river, and i)articipated with
the regiment in all the engagements n|)on
the frontier, the regiment having been
assigned for that duty on account of being-
cavalry. He remained in the service until
November or December, 1865, when, being-
honorably discharged, he returned to the
farm, where he made his home, engaged in
agricultural ]>ursuits until 1870, when he
came to Litchfield and took charge of the
lumber yard belonging to Ciiauncey Butler.
Three yeai-s he remained in that position,
but in 1873 purchased the lumber yard of J.
H. Morris, which he carried on ahme until
1874, when his brother Daniel joined him
and the present Arm was formed. They
added tlie sale of agricultural implements to
their business, a branch which they still pur-
sue, having disposeil of their lumber inter-
ests in 1S7S, but still carry evei-ything in the
way of farm macliinery. In 1880 the broth-
ers purchased the Butlei' elevator and do
about the heaviest grain tratle in Litchfield,
handling about 175,000 bushels of wheat per
annum. In addition to his mercantile
engagements, Mi\ Flynn has a farm of 480
acres of flneland in Harvey townshi]), where
he carries on, quite extensiveh", the raising of
stock.
Our subject has always held a ])rominent
place in the official history of Meeker county,
and taken a deep interest in the welfai'e of
its peo})le. In 1867 he served upon the
board of county commissioners, and, appre-
ciating his worth in 1884, he was elected to
the State Legislature and served in the
House during the session of the Twenty-
fourth Assembly. When the city of Litch-
field came under its new charter in 1887, he
was chosen its first mayor. He has large
interests in the woolen mill, and is the presi-
dent of the board of directors of the same ;
is a member of the Frank Daggett Post, G.
A. Pt. ; of Father Mathew's Total Absti-
nence Society, and a leading and influential
meniber of the Eoman Catholic Church.
Mr. Flynn and ]\Iiss Frances Campbell
were united in marriage February 8, 1869.
The lady is a native of Kane county. 111., and
sister of Hon. William M. Campbell, the
United States Marshal of this district. By
this union there have been born six children —
John, who is a student at the college at
Notre Dame, Ind. ; Louise, Elizabeth,
Marv. Finances and Edward AVilliam.
-«-i
M lFRED J. JOHNSON, a successful
pv^ farmer and stock-raiser, residing on
section 16, Danielson township, is one nf the
most prominent citizens of the township in
which lie lives. He is a son of Isaac and
Hannah Ogi'en, and was born in Sweden, on
the '2'^'A of September, 18.">3. He came to the
United States with his parents, in 1870, and
the family made their way directly to
Meeker county, Minn., where they settled
upon a forty -acre homestead on section 20, in
Danielson township. Alfred mad(>liis home
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
339
with his parents, working, in the mean time,
for different parties, until 18S0, when he pur-
chased a portion of his present farm. Times
were very hard during the early days of theh'
settlement here, and money was scarce, an
incident of whicli is the fact that at one time,
when they wanted to mail a letter, it took all
the money that three of thetn had to buy a
three-cent stamp. Alfred did a good deal of
trapping in those days, and in the fall, after
frost set in, he walked to Forest City bare-
footed, and carried 500 rat skins. With the
proceeds he purchased a pair of shoes, some
sugar, coffee, etc., and felt quite rich when
he arrived home with seventy-five cents in his
pocket. The loss of crops in 1877, from the
depredations of the grasshoppers, made times
still harder, as they onlv saved forty -five
bushels, after planting 100. A laughable
incident is told of the days when Alfred de-
voted a good deal of his time to trapping.
He had a partner, and one day they set a
trap in the side of a hill for the purpose of
catching whatever might come along. The
next day the partner went to discover and
bring in whatever might have found its way
to the hole. He crawled into the aperture,
and was just about to pull the trap out when
a skunk, which had got fast, opened hostil-
ities with most excellent aim at his face.
The partner beat a hastj^ retreat, while the
fun of the joke was all on Alfred's part.
Alfred J. Johnson was married on the 7th
of December, 1S81, to Esther Holmgren, a
daughter of John and Mary Holmgren, who
was born October 16, 1862. They have been
blessed with the following children — Gustaf
Edward, born September 24, 1883; Edith
Evolina, born June 25, 1885; and "Walter
William, born September 30, 1886. Mr. and
Mrs. Johnson are members of the Methodist
Church. Mr. Johnson now has a splendid
farm of 260 acres, a good share of which is
under cultivation, and he devotes his time to
general farming and stock-raising. In addi-
tion to his farming operations, he has for the
last fourteen years run a horse-power
thresher, and during the last two years has
run a steam thresher. In political matters he
is a republican, and he has taken an active in-
terest in all mattei's affecting the welfare of
his township. He has held various offices of
a local nature, among which are the follow-
ing : justice of the peace, six years ; super-
visor, two years, and school clerk, one year.
Mrs. Johnson's parents are living in Acton.
Alfred's parents reside on section 20, Dan-
ielson township. He has two half-brothers
living in Meeker county — Andrew, who
keeps a hotel at Litchfield, and John, a res-
ident of Danielson.
j^HARLES McALOON, a respected and
i^^ well-to-do farmer, residing on section
2, Harvey township, is a native of Ireland,
and was born in 1835. His father died in
his native land, and in 1853 he started for
America with his mother, arriving at Boston
on the 19th of May. He went direct to
Lowell, Mass., where he was emj^loyed in
the factories for fourteen years. At the end
of that time he started for Meeker county,
Minn., and upon his arrival, after stopping
for one night at Forest City, he settled in
Manannah township, where he lived for
about six months. He then took a home-
stead in what is now^ Forest Prairie town-
ship, and lived there until May, 1871:, when
he again settled in Manannah township. On
the Irth of October, 1885. he settled on sec-
tion 2, in Harvey township, where he still
lives. He has a valuable farm, a large, com-
fortable residence and other substantial farm
improvements. Mr. McAloon's mother died
while he was living at Lowell, Mass.
On the 1st of October, 1871, our subject
was married to Miss Mary McQuade, and
their union has been blessed with nine chil-
340
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
dren, as follows — John F., born July 2,
1872, died July 2G, 1873, and buried in For-
■est City cemetery ; Charles II., born Decem-
ber 7, 1873; an infant, born July 6, 1871:,
•died at birth ; Matthew E., born November
6, 1876; Eosella, born November 11, 1878;
Mary C, born October 30, 1880; Alice A.,
l)orn September 18, 1882; Hannah E., born
May 15,1881; Catharine A., born October
12, 1886, died P'ebruary 10, 1887, and buried
in Manannah cemetery. Mrs. McAloon's
parents were l)oth natives of Ireland. Her
-mother died in her native land, and the
father is now living in Swift count}', Minn.
Mr. McAloon and wife are exemplary and
active members of the Catholic Church. In
political affairs Mr. McAloon does not follow
the arbitrary dictation of any party, but acts
in an independent manner. He owes all his
prosperity to his own industry and frugality,
as he started in the woi-ld without a dollar,
but the same habits of thrift, economy and
energy which characterize the natives of the
Emerald Isle, have been successful in his
■case, and he is now well off in this world's
goods. He owns 400 acres of land, a good
share of which is under cultivation, and he
has the place well stocked.
IM^ERSVEND S. THORP is one of the
1^^ many thrifty and suljstantial farmers
■of Acton township. He was born in Norway
on the 18th of January, 1841, and is the son
■of Severt and Brynnil Thorp. He came to
the United States in 1860, and settled iirst
in Goodhue county, Minn., where he remained
for a short time at work for diffei'ent parties;
then went to Minneapolis and drifted around
from one business to another, and from place
to place, until 1868, when he came to Meeker
county and took a homestead of eighty acres
on section 8, in Acton townsliip, where he
has since lived. He has added to his home-
stead, and now has a fann of 270 acres, well
stocked and improved, and has fine farm
buildings. IMr. Thorp was a poor man when
he came to America, but the industry and
economy, so characteristic of his country-
men, have been successful in his case, and he
is now well off.
Mr. Thorp was married in July, 1869, at
Acton, to Miss Beretli MaJvig. They have
had the following children — Ole, born August
23, 1870, died same day; Regine, born
December 9, 1871, died March 11, 1877;
Severt, born August 17, 1873, died in Octo-
ber, 1877; Severt, born August .5, 1874;
Pauline, born December 18, 1876, died same
day; Bertha, born April 12, 1879, died in
September, 1879 ; and Olena, born January
31, 1884. In political matters, Mr. Thorp is
a republican, and in religious affairs the
family are members of the Norwegian Luth-
eran Church. Mr. Thorp devotes his atten-
tion to diversified farming and stock-raising.
He has met with some reverses, but nothing
of a very serious character, except during
the grasshopper raids, when he lost about
half his crops.
-<^-
l^RANK NELSON, one of the represent-
1^^ ative young farmers of Cosmos town-
ship, has his home upon section 16, where he
now owns some 200 acres of fine land. This
place, or, rather, 160 acres of it, he purchased
in 1886, it being school land. To it he has
since added forty acres more, and has some
11.5 acres of it under cultivation. His dwell-
ing, etc., which he erected in 1887, are of an
excellent character, and the whole place man-
ifests the thrift and care of its owner.
Mr. Nelson, who is the son of Swan and
Louisa Nelson, was born in Goodhue county
March 2, 1864, and came to Meeker county
with his parents on the 26th of September,
1876. The family located in the town of
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
341
Litchfield, where our subject remained until
coming here. June 10, 1887, he and Miss
Mary Petereon were united iu marriage, and
took up the duties of life upon their farm.
Our subject has always manifested consid-
erable interest in all town and educational
matters, and since coming here has been
intrusted with the office of clerk of school
district No. 81.
-♦-:
»-^-
'OHN CARNEY, the able representative
of the hardware trade at Eden Valley,
came to that village iu the fall of 1886,' and
the next spring established his present busi-
ness. In addition to the usual lines handled,
he gives a share of his attention to farm ma-
chinery and }nimps.
Mr. Carney is a native of Rutland county,
Yt., born February 17, 185*3, and a son of
Jeremiah and Catherine (McConnell) Carney,
natives of Ireland and Vermont, respectively.
When our subject was only about four years
of age his parents removed to Eice county,
Minn., where they settled on a farm. In the
spring of 1878 they moved to Chippewa
county and took a homestead and timber
claim, where they still live. In Rice county
John Carney grew up, receiving his educa-
tion in the district schools of the vicinity.
He made his home with his parents, and
learned the blacksmith's trade. In 1886 he
came to Eden Valley and opened a smithy, but
the next spring commenced dealing in hard-
ware, which business he still follows.
•«"S€{^--4^'
ILTON GORTON.
Foremost among
[1^_ the old pioneers of Meeker county,
who yet remain here, is the gentleman who
is the subject of this memoir. Coming here
in 1857, the second year of the county's ex-
istence, he has, more or less, been identified
with its history, ever since. He is a resident
of the town of Forest City, on his farm on
section 29 and 30, which he preempted on
his arrival in tiiis localit3^
Mr. Gorton was born in the county of
Steuben, N". Y., May 22, 1822, and is the son
of Silas and Betsey (Spring) Gorton, both
of whom were natives of the " Empire State."
He was one of a family of nine children
born to his parents, the others being —
Horatio, Betsey, Jane, Stephen D., Elmira,
Hiram, William and Milo. Milo, a member
of a New York Regiment, was killed at the
battle of Resaca, Ga.
Our subject is the grandson of Peleg
Gorton, one of the six proprietors of Painted
Post, N. Y., and was reared in that vicinity,
and there received the elements of a common
school education. On the 3d of July,
1859, he was united in marriage with Miss
Harriett C. Marks, a native of New York
State, also.
At the time of the Indian outbreak, Mr.
Gorton's wife and he took refuge in Forest
Cit}', and upon the memorable morning of
the 23d of August, when nearly everybody
had fled from the county, Milton Gorton
was one of the little band of heroes who
remained to make a stand at Forest City, in
defense of their homes, as detailed in the
history of the massacre in this volume. Mr.
Gorton lost heavily by these troubles, the
Sioux burning his house and its contents, and
destroying everytfiing else that they could
about the 2)lace. lie has, however, fully
recovered from the setback, and is one of
the large land owners and prosperous farmers
of the county, owning over a full section of
some of the best land in the town of Forest
City.
Mr. Gorton, having no children of his
own, adopted Ida A. Fergerson, when she
was but five years of age. She was born
April 17, 1873, and is the daughter of George
Fergerson.
342
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Our subject is a stanch republican in his
political views, but has had but little desire
for political preferment, although he has, at
. times, been induced to accept several town
offices.
-■^
JOHN BIRCH, of the firm of Birch &
Nelson, Litchfield, is a native of Sweden,
born August 21, 1840, and is the son of An-
drew and Martha (Johnson) Birch. He re-
mained in his native land until ISOS, when,
with a natural wish to better his financial
condition, he bade adieu to the old world and
souo-ht in America a new home. He had
served a long apprenticeship in the land of
his birth, to the trade of tailor, and on land-
ing on these shores, worked at journey work
in that trade in the city of St. Paul, whither
he had come, until 1880, when he removed
to Litchfield, and in company with Andrew
Nelson, founded the business now represented
by Mr. Birch and Easmus Nelson, trading
under the firm name of Birch & Nelson, in
the clothing and gents' furnishing goods
line. Mr. Birch is a mendjer of the I. O.
O. F., having joined that order while in St.
Paul.
Mr. Birch was married January 4, 1873, to
Miss Sarah Johnson, a daughter of Olaf
Johnson, of this county, and a native of
Sweden. They have three children— Aman-
da Elizabeth, Ella Hannah and Horace John.
♦S«^-»-
JETER SANGREEN, a hard-working and
_^p industrious farmer, living on section 9,
Collinwood township, was born in Sweden in
1856, and is the son of Andrew Peter and
Eve Anderson. "When he was about sixteen
years of age he left his native shores and
emigrated to America, and located in St.
Louis county, Minn. For three years there
he was employed in railroad work, and then
came to Collinwood, where his parents had
come, that year, 1876, and took uj) his home
beneath their roof. One year later he rented
a farm, upon which he carried on the avoca-
tion of a farmer, and then purchased forty
acres of land where he now lives. The neat
impi'ovements in the way of liouse, granary,
stable, etc., have all been erected by himself,
and he is in a fair way to achieve success in
life through energy, industry and frugality.
He has held the office of town clerk five
years; chairman of the board of supervisors
one year; side supervisor two years, and the
responsible position of county commissioner
for two years, and always with credit to him-
self and honor to the judgment of those who
placed him in those capacities.
Mr. Sangreen was united in marriage
March 6, ISSO, with Miss Caroline Dohlman,
a native of Sweden, born August 5, 1858,
and daughter of Olaf and Caroline Dohlman.
-♦"S^i^^-^^-
ITOHN S. LARSON, a prominent citizen
f) of Dassel village, is engaged in the
retail liquor business. Born in Yaermlan,
Sweden, March 24, 1857, he is the son of
John and Mar\' Larson, natives of Swetlen.
He came to Meeker county with his parents
in 1870, when he was about twelve years of
age. The family settled upon a farm in
section 30, Dassel township, where his par-
ents still live.
John remained at home, assisting his father
in the labors incident to farm life, until 1874,
when he entered the employ of the St. Paul,
Minneapolis & Manitoba Eailroad, at St.
Paul, with whom he remained for a couple
of years. In 1879 he returned to this county
and settled at the village of Dassel, where he
entered the service of Andrew Linquist, as
bartender, and fulfilled the duties of that
position until 1882. In the latter year he
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
345
entered into a proprietorsbip with John
Thomas, in the same hne, but sliortly after
J. H. Eemick, having bought out Mr. Thomas,
the firm of Eeraick & Larson was formed.
In February, 1883, their place of business
was desti'oyed b}' fire, and our subject lost
his entire stock of clothes, except those he
had on and considerable of his stock in trade.
At once, in companj^ with J. II. Remick and
Thomas Gallagher, he commenced the erec-
tion of the Dassel house, but before its com-
pletion IVIr. Larson sold out his interest in
the hotel, only reserving the saloon part,
where he now carries on the business.
Mr. Larson was married, in 1883, to Miss
Emma J. Bunting, who was called away
by death May 31, 1885, leaving without a
mother's love and care, their little girl, Ella
May.
/f^LA NELSON, a thrifty and successful
^^i£} farmer, Avho resides on section 36,
Litchfield township, is a native of Sweden,
born October t), 1848. His father, Nels
Swanson, was born in Sweden in 1822, and
died in Meeker county in 1875, having settled
hei-e in 1872. Ola's mother, Hannah Swan-
son, was born in 1819, came to America in
1871, and died in 1884.
Ola Nelson came to the United States in
1866, and in 1869 he located on section 36,
Litchfield township. Meeker count}', Minn.,
Avliere he has since lived. During that time
he has continually followed farming, and has
been reasonably successful, notwithstanding
the reverses which he has met, including the
destruction of his crop two seasons by grass-
hoppers and hail, and the burning of his
residence, with all its contents, March 2,
1873.
In 1878 Mr. Nelson was married to Ellen
Hawkinson, a daughter of Hogan Peterson.
Their marriage has been blessed with four
children — Amanda, Mary, Alice and Anna.
Mr. Nelson has a valuable farm and devotes
his attention to stock raising and general
farming.
^Tv?" ILLIAM
*paiiL industrious
ROACH, an enterprising,
and energetic farmer
of Forest Prairie township, living upon sec-
tion 4, is the son of Michael J. and Sarah J.
(Wynn) Eoach, a sketch of whom is given
elsewhere in the pages of this volume. "Will-
iam was born in Cass county, Indiana, July
1, 1848, and received his earlier schooling in
that locality. In 1866 he came to this county
with his parents and passed his time between
that and his majority in attending school and
in assisting his father to cany on the farm.
About the year 1 871 he commenced the bat-
tle of life for himself, engaging in agricult-
ural pursuits upon the place wiiere he now
resides, and where he has met with merited
success.
Mr. Eoach was united in marriage Febru-
ary 26, 1871, with Miss Matilda Kisinger.
The lady is a native of Fulton county, Ind.,
and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Kising-
er. Her mother is among those who have
gone to their rest in the land of the blest ;
but her father is still living. Bv this marriae-e
Mr. and Mrs. Eoach have a family of eight
children — Matilda, Emma, Henry, Eosa,
Nettie, William, Monroe, all living at home,
and George and John deceased.
Mr. Eoach is a democrat politically, and has
served in some of the local offices in this town-
ship. He is a veteran of the late war, enlist-
ing in 1862 in the Twenty-first Indiana
Heavy Artillery, but was honorably dis-
charged from the service, after a short term,
and returned to his home.
In regard to his pioneer life here, Mr.
Eoach writes — "When I first came to this
county, in 1867, I got my living by hunting
346
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
and trapping. In 1S71 I threw down the
gnn iuul trap and went to farming. About
the first money I earned I carried a Ijushel of
potatoes from Forest City for AVilliani M.
Abbott."
JOHN OLSON, a steady, thrifty farmer
of Kingston township, came to Meeker
county in IsfiS, and took a liomestead of
eighty acres of knd on section 34, where he
now liv^es. He was born in Sweden, Novem-
ber 8, 1830. In 1SG5 he determined to seek
in the new world his fortune, and emigrated
thither, landing at Xew York, but came at
once West and was engaged at various kinds
of labor in St. Paul, Stillwater and in the
pinery, until he came to this county. He is
the son of Ole and Anna Flink, the former of
whom was always a farmer. Our subject
was one of a family of ten children, but he is
the only survivor.
Mr. Olson was married to Miss Sabrina
Olson, by Rev. John L. Fasig, and they are
the parents of si.x children — Selina, born
November 5, 1870; Obenius, born August
31, 1872 ; Alva Josia, born August 2-4, 1874 ;
Johan Adolph, born May 23, 1876 ; Hilma,
born March 26, 1878, and Caleb Sethur, born
September 30, 1881. This was Mr. Olson's
second marriage, he having wedded Miss
Josephine Peterson, at Stockholm, Sweden,
but she died after about eighteen months'
time. Mr. Olson and his family are zealous
members of the Missionary Church at Kings-
ton. In politics he is a republican.
• ■* > •S^^"^-
^^^ICHAEL LOVETT, deceased, was at
J^ili^ one time a ])rominent citizen of
^lanannah township. He was a native of
County Cavan, Ireland, and came to the
United States about the year 1848, and
located in tiie city of Boston, Mass. Two
years later he went to the State of Xew
York, wliere he also lived for about two
years, after which he removed to Canada.
That Dominion was his home for about
eighteen j'ears, and then, in 1870, he came
with his family to Meeker county, Minn.,
and located on a farm in what is now ^Manan-
nah township, where he remained until the
time of his death, on tlie 29th of April, 1879.
He was married to Miss Bridget Fanley, who
still survives him. They had a family of
nine children, five girls and four boys, whose
names were as follows — Bridget, Alice, Peter,
Catherine, Mar}', Ann, John, Michael and
James. All of the cliildren are still living,
except Mary and Alice. The widow still
carries on the place, which consists of eight}'
acres of land. She is a member of the Cath-
olic Church, and holds the res])ect of all who
know her.
James Lovett, a son of Michael, who owns
forty acres of land in the township of Manan-
nah, was born in Canada on the 13th of
November, 1865, and still resides with his
mother. He is also a member of the Catho-
lic Church, and in political matters he acts
independently of party creed, and votes for
the man rather than party.
M LB E R T VITZTHUM VON ECK-
.^^L STAEDT, of Litchfield, was born in
Prussia, Germany, in 1845, and is the son of
Frederic and Louisa (Manns) von Eckstaedt.
His father was a captain in the army of Prus-
sia, and served in the wars of Napoleon.
Later in his life he was the occupant of an
important position in tlie custom house of
that State, and died in his native land in
1854. He was of the aristocratic class, as
the "von" before his name jilainly shows.
Albert, at the age of thirteen, was sent to
the military school at Berlin, where he re-
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
347
mtiined some three years, and at the age of
sixteen received a commission as lieutenant
in the Second Pomeranian Lancers, and
served in the army for four years. In 1865
he left the fatherland and came to Amer-
ica, where he traveletl for a couple of years,
most of the time on the Pacific slope. In
1878 he came to Litchfield, and for two years
was in the employ of John Eodange, and at
the expiration of that time entered into part-
nership with the same gentleman in the sa-
loon business. In 1SS2 the subject of this
memoir opened his present place of business
on Sibley avenue.
Albert Y. von Eckstaedt has alwa\'s taken
great interest in military affairs, especially in
the militia, and was largelj^ instrumental in
the organization of Company II, First Regi-
nient M. N". G., of this place, and also helped
organize the bucket brigade of the Are de-
partment. He is a valued citizen and much
res[)ected member of the community.
Our subject was married November 11,
1881, to Miss Lizzie Mittwer, a native of
Prussia, Germany, and daughter of Martin
and Busche (Eadise) Mittwer. By this union
there have been born two children — Adelia
and Theresa.
lp)ROMlNENT among the farmers of
1^ Swede Grove township, is N. L. Nel-
son, who has a good farm and comfortable
home on section 33. He was boi-n in Swe-
den on the 2oth of February, 1815, his
parents being Lewis and Johanna Nelson.
N. L. Nelson came to the United States with
his father in 1871. He came direct to Swede
Grove township, and worked for several
farmers in that part of the county for seven
years, when he bought a farm on section 22
and lived tliere for nine years. He then sold
that and bought his present place on section
33.
Mr. Nelson was married on the 21th of
March, 1868, to Emily Anderson, and they
have had the following children — Ole, who
was born January 28, 1869; Albert, born
May 21, 1874; and Lewis, born May 16,
1877. AVhen Mr. Nelson came to this coun-
try he was a poor man, but by industry and
economy he has acquired a competency and
a comfortable home. He now has 155 acres
of land and has a good lot of stock gathered
about him. He is a republican in political
matters and ranks as one of the leading
farmers of his township.
/^^j»ADlSON DELONG, a prominent
J -tIl mem ber of the farming community
of CoUinwood township, has his home upon
section 1, where he owns and cultivates nearly
his entire farm of 163 acres. His house,
which is a neat and tast}^ cottage, is sur-
rounded with all the necessary conveniences
and comforts for carrying on his business,
and is a home in the true sense of the word.
Mr. Belong was born in Lawrence county,
Ohio, June 1, 1836, and is the son of Francis
and Nancy (GiUilan) Belong, natives of Penn-
sylvania and Ohio, respectively. He remained
beneath the parental roof until his marriage,
March 5, 1857, on which date he led to the
nuptial altar Miss Elizabeth Lunsford, a na-
tive of Augusta county, Va., and daughter
of Reuben and Nancy Lunsford. He then
commenced work at a smelting furnace
where he was engaged until 1866, when he
came to Carver county, Minn., but one year
later removed to Scott county. While vari-
ously engaged there he came to this county
and took up a claim on section 34, Dassel, on
the site of the present village of that name,
where he resided, keeping " bach " that win-
ter. He returned to Scott county where his
family were, and in coming back to his claim
found that it had jumped by Parker Simons,
34«
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
a railroad man. A law-suit ensued, which
was carried up to the Secretary of the Inte-
rior, and linally Mr. Delong's title to the
claim was canceled. The claimant then com-
proniised with our subject, wiio removed to
Collinwood townshij), and settled where he
now lives. He was a poor man when he
came to this country, and his law-suit and
loss of his claim still furtlier set him back,
but by liis energy and industry he has been
the arciiitect of iiis present excellent finan-
cial condition. Mr. Belong has held the of-
fice of town supervisor for some eight years,
and that of assessor for four, and holds the
latter position now.
Mr. and Mrs. Belong have a family of
eight children, as follows— Martha, born
March 10, 1858, married Alexander S. Gor-
don, March 21, 1877 ; Nancy C, born Au-
gust 7, 1859, married William Compton, July
31, 1887; Rachel, born July 17, 1861, mar-
ried Lemuel L. Sison, Becember 25, 1878 ;
Edmund, born May 13, 1863 ; Lewis, born
March 19, 1866 ; Napoleon, born August 16,
1869; Francis, born April 10, 1873; and
William, whose birth took place April 23,
1876.
^^^
IRGIL H. HARRIS, the popular drug-
gist of Litchfield, is the descendant of
one of the colonial families of Virginia, and
was born in Hanover, Licking county, Ohio,
May 14, 1840.
John Harris, the great-grandfather of our
subject, was a native of Hanover county, Va.,
where he remained until his death. His sons
drifted to North Carolina, where they became
prominent men, and were prime movers in
the movement for Independence passed at
Charlotte, Mecklenburgh county, N. C, May
20, 1775, antedating the Beclaration of Inde-
pendence of the Continental Congress over
one year, and furnishing many of the ideas
for that celeljrated document. Subsequently
the^' removed to South Carolina, and settled
on the San tee river, from which place Ephraim
Harris, the grandfather of the suliject of this
sketch, in company with Baniel Boone, who
was a warm friend of his, made a trip into
the wilderness that is now the State of Ohio.
After prospecting over that territory, Mr.
Harris, aiwut 1820, took up a homestead on
the Licking i-iver, in what is now Licking
county, and there made a settlement. The
old homestead now forms a part of the site
of the busy city of Newark. Ephraim Harris
remained upon this place for about twenty
years, wlien he removed to the town of Han-
over, in the same county, near his son
Baniel's farm, and there made his home until
he was killed in breaking a pair of colts, in
his ninety-eighth year.
Baniel Harris, the father of the subject of
this memoir, who was a tanner as well as a
farmer, remained upon the farm which he
had purchased in Licking countv until about
1848, when he sold out and removed to Bay-
ton, Ohio, where he followed his trade for
about a year, when he died, leaving a wife
and five children to mourn their loss. The
children bore tlie names of Virgil II., Emma
E., Cynthia A., Louis E., and Bavid M.
The mother of Virgil was formerly Miss
Martha Bowling. Her father was a native
of Ireland, who had left the land of his birth
on account of some trouble with a landlord,
which culminated in Mr. Bowling pulling
him off of his horse and beating him. This,
in that oppressed land, was a terrilile offense,
so he emigrated to this country, and settled
in Juniata county, Penn., where the future
Mrs. Harris was born. When her brothers
moved to Ohio, she went with them, walking
the whole distance, some 700 miles, driving
their cattle all the way. Later she married
Mr. Harris, and after his death returned to
Licking county, from whence, two years
later, she removed to Marion county, in the
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
349
same State, where her ])eople had settled.
Subsequently she married Jolm Baker, and
made her home in Ohio until 1883, when the}'
removed to Indiana, where she died in 18S7.
Virgil remained with his mother after his
father's death until about 1852, when, being
but twelve j'ears of age, he went to Macon
count}'. 111., where for four years he was
engaged in herding some 4,000 head of sheep.
In the fall of 1859 he returned to Ohio, and
cast his first presidential vote for Lincoln in
1860. In May, 1862, he enlisted in Company
B, One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio Infan-
try, and sefved until the close of the war.
He participated, with his gallant regiment, in
some twenty-eight engagements, the princi-
pal of which were Perryville, Green Kiver
Bridge, Bowling Green, Crab Orchard, Lou-
donville, Kno.wille, Buzzard's Koost, Resaca,
New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain,
Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Allatoona,
Spring Hill, Franklin, Nashville, Fort Fisher
and others. He received his discharge as
orderly sergeant, June 28, 1865, and on
returning home attended college for a year
and a half at Indianapolis, Ind., and Ashland,
Ohio. He was married, December 25, 1S6S,
to Miss Lizzie Hill, a native of Marion county,
Ohio, and daughter of Jolm and Catherine
Hill, who were among the pioneer families
of the Buckeye State. For two years after
that Mr. Harris followed farming in Marion
county, Ohio, whither he had moved. In
December, 1870, in company with George
Lyon, he came to this part of the State, and,
determining to settle at Litchfield, brought
his family here in January, 1871, when the
place was but in embryo. In company with
S. Y. Gordon he started a meat market and
remained in that two years, and then opened
a drug store, which business he has followed
ever since.
In politics Mr. Harris is a republican and
has filled many offices in village and county.
He was one of tlie first justices of the peace
of the village of Litchfield, and has, since
then, been alderman, recorder, mayor and
county commissioner, and is now serving as
chairman of that board, having been a mem-
ber of it for five years. He is a memljer of
Frank Daggett Post, G. A. E., holding
the third rank in the department of Minne-
sota, and belongs to the A. O. U. W.
«"S^^"4-
I^EWIS OSTERLUND, of the mercantile
" '^ firm of Osterhmd & Leighton, promi-
nent dealers in general mei'chandise, in Das-
sel village, came to Meeker county in the
year 1881. In March, 1882, he entered the
postoffice in this place as clerk, under Louis
Rudberg, postmaster, with whom he re-
mained until January 1, 1883, when he was
himself appointed postmaster. He occupied
this official position until May 1, 1887, after
which the present firm was formed and the
store opened under their auspices. He is a
native of Sweden, born October 17, 1853,
and remained a resident of his native land
until he had attained the age of twenty-
seven years, but on the 23d of May, 1881,
embarked for the promised land, the home of
the poor man beneath the folds of our starry
banner, and upon setting foot upon the free
soil of America, came to Meeker county as
mentioned above. After a short time he
went to Minneapolis, but five months later
returned to Dassel where he now lives.
RIC P. EKLLIND, one of the black-
smiths of the village of Grove City, is
a native of Sweden, born July 3, 1836, and
is the son of Peter and Lisa Kranz. Having
acquired the blacksmith's trade in his youth
and early manhood, he worked at that call-
ing in his native land until he was about
twenty-five years of age, when he went to
Russia and purchased a smithy, and for
350
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
three years labored among the Muscovites at
his calling. AVhile there ilr. Eklund was
united in marriage with Miss Julia Paulina
Elizabeth Kruger, the ceremony taking-
place October 13, 1863. Tiie lady, a daugh-
ter of Henry and Louisa Kruger, was born
in Ilussia, July 25, 1843. The same year
Mr. Eklund returned to Sweden, where he
worketl at his trade for two years more and
then emigrated to the United States in
search of a fortune more consonant with his
ideas than was to be found in the Old World.
He remained in New York for some ten
months, where he found amjile enniloymentat
the forge, iiutat the end of that time came west
and located at St. Paul, where he remained
employed as usual until 1808, in which year
he came to Meeker county' and took a home-
stead in section 14, Swede Grove township,
on which he made his home for five years.
During this time he erected a blacksmith
shop in the village of Grove City, where he
now carries on his trade. Three years later
he built his fine residence in the same block
as his smithy, where he now lives.
Mr. and Mrs. Eklund have been the par-
ents of thirteen children, as follows — Leon-
tina Louisa, born Koveraber 7, 1864, died
January 8, 1877 ; Engelbert, born September
27, 1866; Amanda Julia, born April 8,1868;
Alga Matilda, born December 4, 1869; Gott-
lieb Waldimar, born September 22, 1871 ;
Otilia Valeria, born September 3, 1873 ; Ida
Almira, born August 15, 1875, died Decem-
ber 29, 1880 ; Elida Paulina, born September
25, 1876, died January 16, 1881 ; Leonhard
Eric and Leontina Elizabeth, twins, born
October 27, 1879; the first of whom died
February 22, 1881 ; Arthur Eric, born June
20, 1881 ; Hilger Conrad Anton, born June
11, 1883; and Henry Oscar Edwin, whose
birth took place October 26, 1885. Amanda
J. is married, and with her husliand, ]Vels S.
Strand, is engaged in running a boarding-
house and dining-room at Helena, Mont.
^M LBERT H. DELONG. The subject of
Jp>-^ tliis sketch is a resident of section
25, Greenleaf township, and is one of the
most prominent and respected old settlers in
]\Ieeker county. He is a native of St. Law-
rence county, N. Y., born April 12, 1842,
and his parents, Hiram and Maria Delong,
were natives of Grand Isle, Lake Champlain.
Tlie mother died in the village of Greenleaf
in 1>70, while the father, who was born in
1799, is still living, making his home with
Albert H. The family emigrated from New
York to A\'isconsin when Albert was seven
years of age. His time was divided between
school and work on his father's farm, and at
the age of seventeen he came to Meeker
county, Minn. After entering and paying
for a claim in what is now Ellswortli town-
ship, he leased the flouring mill on the outlet
of Cedar Lake, known as Cedar ]\[ill, and
there he was engaged Avhen the Indian out-
break began. A few days previous to the
massacre at Acton, IMr. Delong, while at the
agency, met an old Indian known as Charley
Minnetonka, whose friendship he had gained
by various acts of kindness. He had always
worn citizen's clothes but was then rol)ed in
a hritiiit I'ed blanket. He acted strangely
and took occasion to infonn Mr. Delong, suh
rom., that there wasgoiiig to be "a big fight."
Little or no attention was paid to the old
fellow's warning, for it was thought he had
reference to some fight in project between
the Indians. "When the news of the massacre
reached the mills, on the morning of August
18, 1862, Mr. Delong and Vincent Coombs
started out to learn whether or not there
was an J' truth in the reports. Learning
nothing definite, they went on to Acton and
found the people assembled there preparing
to bury the bodies of the five who were slain.
When the Indians came upon the scene,
Albert joined the party which chased them
to tlie Kandiyohi woods. Having a keen
sense of the duties of a scout, he was made
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
351
useful ill that capacity many times during
the terrible weeks and months that followed.
At Hutchinson he was enrolled with a com-
pany of volunteers as a scout, and for six
weeks never missed a day in the saddle, riding
sometimes as much as forty miles a day.
When the detail of the Ninth Minnesota
Regiment was sent to Forest City he joined,
them as a scout, and -was riding in advance,
and was first to discover the redskins in
ambush at the time of the battle near Acton.
The Indians were crawling in a wheat field
and the glimmer of a bright gun was dis
covered by Mr. Delong, who rode back and
informed the captain. AVhen the Indians
saw they were discovered they rose and fired
a volley at the whites, and then commenced
surrounding them. In this battle three men
were killed and twenty-one wounded out
of a total of forty-nine in the command.
Although left behind by the command, and
once almost completely surrountled Iw Indi-
ans, he escaped unhurt. In the summer of
1863 he was with the Sibley expedition as a
scout, and in the fall of the same year again
put his mill in operation. Two years later
he bought an interest in the Greenleaf saw-
mill, which he retained about three ji^ears, and
then jHirchased an interest in the Greenleaf
flouring mill, he and his partner subsequently
buying the old Cedar Mill. Matters became
seriously complicated with the firm, and the
outcome was a complete collapse. Albert
then went to the Black Hills and spent the
summer; and the following 3'ear went out
and remained nearly two 3' ears, when he
returned to Meeker county and purchased
the fine farm where he at present makes his
home, on section 25, Greenleaf township.
He has been twice married, his first wife,
Cecilia Nichols Delong, to whom he was
married in 1803, bore him one child, Francis,
born September 21, 1867. His first wife died
in 1869, and in 1871 Mr. Delong was married
to Mary Post, daughter of Abrani and Sarah
Post, of Greenleaf. She was born Septem-
ber 10, 1852, in the State of New York.
Mr. Delong has taken an active interest in
the affairs calculated- to benefit either his
town or county, and is rated as one of the
most prominent citizens in the south half of
Meeker county. He is a member of Golden
Fleece Lodge," No. 89, A. F. and A. M.
v^.
v^jJHARLES SMITH. Among the influen-
;^p tial citizens of Cosmos township, is
the gentleman whose name heads this article.
He has been prominently identified with the
growth and development of Minnesota since
1S55, although he did not come to Meeker
county until 1879. He is the son of Alex-
ander and Henrietta (Sutphin) Smith, and
was born in Upper Stillwater, Maine, on the
19th of July, 1835. "When he was only two
years of age his parents removed to the State
of New Yoi-k, and settled at Plattsburgh,
Clinton county, where they remained until
taken from this world by death.
The subject of this memoir resided beneath
the parental roof until attaining his nine-
teenth year, when he came to Minnesota,
coming from Chicago with a team. In that
year. 1851, there was but one building in
either St. Anthony or Minneapolis, except
the pul)lic edifices. He remained in St. Paul
some six months, and then returned to New
York, l)ut in the following fall returned to
this State. He made his home in Minne-
apolis until the year 1800, when he removed
to Aitkin county, where he engaged in lum-
bering. He was a resident of that county
when it was organized, and was appointed by
Governor Pillsbury as one of the organizing
commissioners, and filled that oflice by elec-
tion for some thirteen yeai-s.
In the spring of 1861, when traitorous
hands essayed to rend the Union in twain,
Mr. Smith enlisted in Company D, First
352
MEEKER COU.VTY, MINNESOTA.
Minnesota, and with that noble regiment,
whose name brings up so many gallant deeds,
participated in the first battle of J'uU Run,
July 21, ISGl. lie was there wounded by a
ball in the right shoulder, and was laid up
for some seven months, Ijut on recovery
re-enlisted in his old regiment, and stood
with them in the awful Hood of lire, that so
nearly annihilated them, at Antietam, and
in the battle of Mill Spring.
After his discharge Mi*. Smith came back
to Minnesota, and in 1879 removed to this
county and purchased a farm on section 22,
where he now lives, in Cosmos township.
Of his fine place of 200 acres, some 125 are
under cultivation.
-— ♦-S^^"*'
BOCTOR WILL E. CHAPMAN, while
not among the old practitioners of the
county, has, by close attention to the duties
of his profession and a remarkable success in
gra])pling with the dread destroyer, death,
taken a prominent position among the medi-
cal fraternity of this county, and ranks high
in the estimation of the community.
Dr. Chapman isanativeof Hill, Merrimack
county, N. II., born February 0, 1S57, and is
the son of John W. and Charlotte (Taplin)
Chapman, natives of Kew Hampshire and
New York respectively. Our subject recei ved
his primary education and was reared among
the hills and valleys of the " Granite State,"
upon the paternal acres. At the age of
fifteen years lie entered a drug store, where
he remained about two years. Having then
attained a sutticient age, he matriculated at
the medical department of the Vermont State
University, at Ihirlington, Yt., and after a
rigid course of study was graduated from
that celebrated institution of learning, in
Julv, 1879. Tiie ne.xt year he located at
North Branch, Chisago county, Minn., where
he was engaged in the practice of his chosen
profession for about two years. In 1882 he
came to Meeker county, and opened an office
in Forest City, but, after two years" labor in
that field removed to Litchfield, and, com-
mencing practice here, has rapidly grown
into favor with the people of the city and
the surrounding country. His pleasant man-
nei's in the sick-room, his love for his calling
and his rare judgment in diagnosis are fast
fiainino- him friends and patrons, and bv care-
ful stud}- to keep abreast of the times he
merits the warmest encomiums.
The Doctor assumed the duties of matri-
mon\' December 24, 1883, while a resident
of Forest Citv^, on wliich day he led to the
hymeneal altar Miss Georgie Kimball, a na-
tive of New Hampshire and a daughter of
Edwin and Phoebe (Manwell) Kimball.
I^HILIP DECK, deceased, who fell by the
"lfS>^ deadly rifle of the ruthless Sioux dur-
ing the tragic days of the Indian massacre in
1862, was born in France May 24,1825. He
learned the trade of baker in his native land,
and there made his home until his twenty-
first year, when he came to America and
settled at Lyons, Wayne county, N. Y. He
remained there until 185-4, at which date he
removed to Sault Ste. Marie, and was the fore-
man on the ship canal then in course of con-
struction there. He staid there until that
work was finished and then went to New York,
but in the spring of 1856 came West, to Mil-
waukee, Wis., where he made his home until
July, 1860, when he came to Meeker county,
arriving here the 5th of that month. He
purchased 160 acres of land, which was ]iar-
tially improved, on section 29, Manannah
township, of William Wilcox, taking every-
thing on the place, house, furniture, stock,
crop in the field, etc. He then returned to Mil-
waukee for his family, who arrived at St. Paul
after numerous mishaps and troubles, and
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
355
there made a stay of a da}', and from there to
their place, where they located the same fall.
Mr. Deck remained upon this farm until
thetimeofthe Indian outbreak. The news
of the murders in Acton reached the house
about 11 o'clock in the forenoon of Monday,
August ISth. Mrs. Deck was sick in bed, and
Mr. Deck was away from home helping a
neighbor harvest. Mrs. Ryckman brought
the news, and took Mrs. Deck and her fam-
ily to Silas Maybee's, where they were left
while the men were sent for. The women
soon saw some Indians approaching, and were
terribly scared, but the savages did not come
to the house. Mr. Deck rejoined his family
that night, and remained there until morn-
ing. The next night they spent at the
house of ]Sr. C. Caswell, but learning that the
outbreak was general, the entire body of set-
tlers removed to Forest City. Friday Mr.
Deck took his family to Kingston, where he
remained until the following Monday, when,
provisions running short, he returned to For-
est City, with the intention of trying to get
to his farm for clothing, provisions, etc. In
company Avith Wilmot Maybee and others,
they started, and met with the fate told in
the history of the Indian massacre in this vol-
ume. Shot in the very dooryard of Carlos
Caswell's house, Mr. Deck was found some
ten or twelve rods from where his wagon had
stood, lying on his face, with eight bullet
holes in his back, and it is supposed that, not
being hit at the first fire, he jumped to the
ground and ran that distance before he was
shot. The home guard turned out the second
day after and buried the dead, all except
Wilmot Maybee, whose body was not found
until three months after. Deck, Howe and
Page were buried in one grave in Manannah
cemeteiy, where, owing to the exertions and
liberality of Mrs. Deck, there is erected a fine
and appropriate monument to mark the place
where rests the remains of her murdered
husband and his companions.
Mrs. Deck remained at Forest City until
the following fall and then returned to
Wayne county, N. Y., with her family of five
children, where she remained until April 22,
1879. On that date she returned to thjs
county, having all these years had a hard
struggle to keep her little family and pay
the taxes on her farm. Almost everything-
upon the latter was destroyed by the savage
marauders, the loss amounting to some
$1,100, which Mrs. Deck did not receive from
the State until nearly twelve years after,
owing to the carelessness of those intrusted
with her business.
Mr. and Mrs. Deck were united in mar-
riage April 23, 18-19, at Lyons, N. Y. The lady,
whose maiden name was Miss Salome Shimpf,
was boi'n at Salza, France, November 21,
1830, and came to the United States in 1810.
They were the parents of five children, as
follows — Philopena, born December 4, 1850,
now married and living iu New Yoi'k; Mag-
dalena, born May 18, 1852, also married and
living in the same place ; Josephine, born
March 11,1856, married, making her home in
the Empire State; Franklin, in this coimty;
and Marie Louise, born December 22, 1860,
died December 9, 1862.
Franklin Deck, who was born August 2,
1858, in Humboldt, Milwaukee, Wis., came
back to Meeker county with liis mother in
1879, and purchasing eighty acres on section
28, Manannah, carries on agricultural pur-
suits on it and upon the family homestead,
and with him the widowed mother makes
her home.
^««
.-^►^
TEETER D. RINGSTROM, the landlord
llg>^ of the Grove City House, is a native
of Sweden, born March 17, 1814, and is the
son of Nels and Ingra Kingstrom. His pa-
rents were farmers in that country, and he
was reared to agricultural pursuits and re-
356
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
ceived the elements of a fair education. He re-
mained at home until some twenty-seven years
■old, when, bidding adicni to the parental roof
and all whom it sheltered, he crossed the
■ocean to a home in America. On landing,
he came direct to Atwater, this State, arriv-
ing at that place May 24, 1S71. Entering
the emjiloy of Pahrs Pahrson he was en-
gaged in farm work that summer and on the
railroad during the fall and winter. Going
to Breclcenridge he was employed as hotel
■clerk and liartender for about six months,
after which he worked on the railroad in the
nfigld)orhood of Alexandria, where he re-
mained until October 3, 1872. He then made
his home for a short time with Peter Chris-
toferson, with whom he always remained
when out of employment, while waiting for
money due him from his Breckenridge em-
ployer, intending to go back to Sweden, but
falling in love with Mr. Christoferson's
daughter Joanna, he gave up the prospective
tri]) and married the young lady. The young
couple moved on her homestead claim and
Mr. Pmgstrom commenced farming and con-
tinued to follow this avocation until 1885,
when he rented the farm and sold agricultu-
ral machinery. They made their home upon
their place, however, until March 28, 1888,
when, renting the Grove City House, he re-
moved with his family to tlie village, and is
now running the hotel. March 31, 1888, he
was elected chief of the police of the village
and fills that position.
Mrs. Ringstrom is a native of Sweden, born
April 8, 1844, and came to the United. States
with her parents in 18fi4. She was at the
time of her marriage with the subject of this
sketch, the widow of Charles Johnson, who
died in Illinois on their road to Minnesota.
Mr. and Mrs. Eingstrom are the parents of
four children — Kels Peter, born April 8,
1876; Carl Oscar, born October 17, 1878;
Alice, born April 10, 1883; and Saraii. liorn
April 20, 1887.
^iCHAEL FINNEGAN, one of the
^_i.S^^ most prominent and successful
farmers and stock-raisers in Aleeker county,
is a resident of section 28, Harvey township.
He has one of the most valuable farms in the
county, and his building and other improve-
ments are a credit to the townsiiip in which
he lives.
Mr. Finnegan was born in Ireland, on the
2d of December, 1852. AViien he was less
than two years of age, his parents came to
the United States, and for several years they
moved about considerably, tlie father follow-
ing the trade of blacksmithing. In 1857, the
father, Patrick Finnegan, came to Meeker
county, ]\nnn., and imrchascd a farm in Har-
vey township, and lived on tlie farm carry-
ing on his farming operations, and at the
same time working at his trade. He was
living on the farm with the family at the
time of the Indian outbreak. The same day
as the massacre at Acton, a neighbor brought
them the news of the killing, and they went
to Forest City with the rest to decide what
course to pursue, returning to the farm the
next day. The following day they went to
Clearwater, where they remained until the
fall of 1862. During the winter they lived
at Elk River, and then settled at Minneapolis,
where they remained until the ensuing fall.
During that winter the father worked on the
Omaha railroad, and the family lived at Fort
Snelling, and in tiie spring they returned to
Minneapolis. In July, 1865, they returned
to tiieir farm in Harvey township, where the
family have since lived. Thefatherdied in Har-
vey May 23, 1885, and was burieil at Litch-
field. In his death the county lost a worthy
and substantial citizen, and a respected old
settler. His widow still lives in Harvey.
IVIichael Finnegan, tlie subject of this
.sketch, is an active member of tiie Catholic
Church. In political matters he affiliates
witii the democratic party. He has been
vei'y successful in his farming o])erations, and
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
357
has the reputation of being one of the best
business men in the township. In connection
with diversiHed farming, he carries on stock-
raising extensively, for ■\vhicli tlie farm is
conveniently arranged.
"^^'^^,^^-
J^TaRRY H. mines, an intelligent and
JKL trusted citizen of the village of Dassel,
the superintendent anil manager of the Min-
nesota and Dakota elevator, is a native of
Colchester, Chittenden county, Yt., born in
August, 1848, and is the son of Benjamin and
Emily (Rolfe) Ilines. His paternal grand-
father, William Hines, was one of the earliest
settlers of the town of Colchester, as was the
maternal grandfather of our subject, Jacob
Rolfe, and these two gentlemen and one other
owned, at one time, nearly the entire town.
William Hines lived and died among the ver-
dant hills of the " Green Mountain State,"
where he settled, and on his death the home-
stead descended to his son Benjamin, the father
of our subject, who, besides managing three
good farms in that portion of the countrj^,
was engaged in mercantile pursuits. Jacob
Rolfe, the giundfather of Harry, mentioned
above, was a colonel in command of the
"Green Mountain Boys" during the last con-
flict with Great Britain, 1S12-15, and was a
gallant and able soldier, and our subject
recollects his telling of war experiences, in
his younger days.
Harry H. Ilines came to Meeker county
in 1868, and settled in what is now Litchfield
township, on section 31, where he followed
agricultural pursuits for some ten years, after
which he removed, after selling his pro]ierty,
to the village of Darwin, where he purchased
wheat and other grain for the Davidson Ele-
vator Company. In August, 1SS6, he came
to Dassel and assumed charge of the elevator
where he is now located. He has, since first
coming here, taken a lively interest in all
educational and political affairs, and is now
serving as one of the school directors of the
the village. In his political affiliations he is
in thorough accord with the republican party,
and supports the candidates of that organiza-
tion. He is a member of the Golden Fleece
Lodge, No. 89, A. F. & A. M., having been
made a Mason at Litchfield in 1882. Mr. Hines
was united in marriage with Miss Maggie
Harding, October It), 1870. His life com-
panion is a native of Jennings county, Ind.,
and a daughter of Mitchell and Mary Ann
(Reeves) Harding. By this marriage there
have been six ciiildren — Maud, Grace, Bessie,
Benjamin, Blanche and the baby.
• ■' >" ^€^>^— '-
^jJl^HE PRESENT county treasurer of Mee-
uiiy ker county, N. W. Hawkinsox, an old
settler of the village of Litchfield, is a native
of Skone, Sweden, and was born in 1837.
He remained in his native countrj^ until he
was thirty-two years of age. His father
died when he was about fourteen years of
age, and short!}' after this he began learning
the cabinet-maker's trade, at which he spent
an apprenticeship of three years and then
followed as a trade for four 3'ears. He then
learned the carpenter's trade, and followed
that until he was twent}' eight, when he
•entered the mercantile business and remained
in that until 1869, when he sold out and
came to Minnesota, coming direct to Meeker
county. For a time he stayed at Forest City,
following the carpenter's trade, but in No-
vember of the same year he went to Califoi*-
nia, and followed his trade there for about
one year, working up and down the Pacific
coast. At the eiul of that time he returned
to Sweden, going by way of the Isthmus of
Panama and New York. He remained in
his native land until the following June,
1871, and then came again to Meeker county,
Minn., locating at Litchfield, where he has
358
AfEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
since lived. I'^or a number of years he fol-
lowed his trade, but in the fall of 1883 he
was elected to the office of county treasurer,
and, being re-elected in the fall of 1880, he
is the present incumbent of that office. He
is a careful and j)ainstaking official, and has
filled the office with credit to himself and
satisfaction to the ])ublic. Mi'. Iluwkinson
is a prominent membei' of the Masonic fra-
ternity, holding membership in Golden
Fleece Lodge, Xo. 89; Rabboni Chapter,
ISTo. 37; and Melita Commandery, No. 17,
Knights Templar, iuul has held various offices
in these organizations. He is also a member
of the Ancient Order of United "Workmen,
and was one of the charter members of the
organization at Litchfield, of which he is the
present financier.
Mr. Hawkinson was married in 1862 to
Miss Nellie Hanson, of Sweden, and they
Avere blessed with three children — Andrew,
Ellen and Annie. The wife and mother died
shortly after their removal to the United
States. Mr. Hawkinson was again married,
in ] 873, to Annie Katharena Anderson. They
have one child — Harry. All of the children
are still at home, except Andrew and Ellen,
who are now residents of Minneapolis.
^^^
^•-^— -
^.EORGE PAULSON, a farmer of Acton
township, has probably the most
famous and historic piece of land in Minne
sota. He owns the place where the Jones
and Baker families were killed by the In-
dians on the 17th of August, 1862 — the spot
where the first blood was shed in the memor-
able Indian massacre of 1862. Mr. Paulson
is a native of Norway, and was born on the
3d of March, 1855, his parents being George
and Anna Paulson. The family came to the
United States in 1868, and after stopping for
one year in Iowa, they came to Meeker
county, Minn., and took a homestead on sec
tion 33, in Acton township. In 1877 they
went to Dakota, where George Paulson, Jr.,
took a homestead, and remained until 1886,
when he sold out and returned to Minnesota,
and purchased the farm in Acton township,
where he still lives. He has a valuable farm
and devotes his attention to "-eneral farming
O O
and stock raising. The farm is often visited
by sight-seers, who wish to look ujion the old
cabin and the site which has become famous
in Minnesota's history. The subject of this
sketch was married at LitcMeld, January
25, 1875, to Miss Christina Kittelson, who
was born in AVisconsin March 3, 1854, and
their union has been blessed with the follow-
ing-named children — Clara Josephine, who
was born April 28, 1877, died a few months
later; Carl Johan, born June 29, 1878 ; Ella,
born September 27, 1880; James Christan,
born October 18, 1883 ; Anna Josephine, born
March 13, 1884 ; and Cora, born December
30, 1887. Mr. Paulson's parents still reside
in Dakota.
■* V' •(
^HARLES H. DUCKERING, one of the
-^' most prosperous farmers and stock
raisers of Cosmos township, resides upon sec-
tion 30, where he cultivates about 150 acres
of his magnificent 400-acre tract. He is a
native of Beaver Dam, "Wis., born on the
25th of September, 1849, and is the son
of John and Maria (Bean) Duckering, who
were natives of England and New York,
respectively. In 1863, when our subject was
about sixteen years of age, he came with his
parents to Meeker county and settled with
them in Ellsworth township. He remained
beneath the parental roof until 1871, when
he came to Cosmos and took up a homestead
on section 30, and breaking some twenty-five
acres and putting up a house, made a penna-
nent settlement. In 1877 he leased his farm
and made a trip to "Washington Territory,
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
359
and prolonged his stay there until the
beginning of 1880, at which time he returned
to this county and has lived on his farm
ever since. He is largely engaged in stock-
raising, but still has some 1,500 bushels of
grain as the result of his labors each year.
In 1876 and 1877, he lost about all his crop
through the incursions of the grasshoppers,
and the outlook being poor he went to the
West, as before mentioned.
Mr. Duckering has been called upon sev-
eral tiiues to nil the responsible olRce of
town supervisor, and has been chairman of
that Ijoard for four consecutive years. He
has filled several of the minor offices, as well
as been director of district No. 53. He still
holds the last-named position.
July 18, 1880, Mr. Duckering was united
in marriage with Miss Sarah I. Dean, a
native of Bartholomew county, Ind., and
daughter of John and Eliza (Roberts) Dean,
residents of Hutchinson, McLeod county.
By this union there have been three chil-
dren — John S., born May 27, 1881 ; Daisy,
born May 9, 1883 ; and Edna, born May 15,
1885.
"•"V*~*l
NDREW J. ANDERSON, the senior
'~^^\ partner in the firm of Anderson &
Hanson, hardware dealers in the village of
Litchfield, is a native of Norway, born in
1843. "When he was about a year old he
was brought by his parents to the United
States, they settling in Waukesha county.
Wis., where they were among the very ear-
liest settlers. They remained in that place
until 1850, when the}' removed to Winnebago
county in the same State, ami in 1866 to
this county.
Andrew remained at home with his parents
until 1864, when he enlisted in Company H,
Fifth Wisconsin Infantr}', and served in that
noble regiment until the close of the war.
He participated in several of the engage-
ments of the bloody campaign that closed
the war, particularly in the immortal charge
on the lines at Petersburg, Va., April 1 and
2, 1865. After receiving his discharge Mr.
Anderson returned to Wisconsin, but in 1866
came to Meeker county, where he took up a
homestead in the town of Harvey. He was
engaged in farming until 1876, at which
time he removed to Litchfield and entered
into the sale of farm nuvchinery and imple-
ments. He made quite a success in this busi-
ness, and in Ma}', 1886, in copartnership
with Nels C. G. Hanson, he opened the
hardware establishment where he now car-
ries on business, and in conjunction with
which they still make a specialty of the sale
of agricultural machinerv. Mr. Anderson is
a prominent member of Frank Daggett
Post, No. 35, G. A. Pt., of Litchfield, and
takes great interest in the order.
.-^>
l^RANK J. CHEVRE, the owner and
JP^ manager of the pioneer elevator at
the village of Darwin, is a native of Chau-
tauqua county, N. Y., born November 6,
1859, and is the son of Henry J. and Jean-
nette (Fievre) Chevre, who are of French an-
cestry. His father came to Minnesota in
1867, and died in August, 1874, and his re-
mains lie buried in Scott county, this State.
The subject of this sketch left the Empire
State with his parents in 1867, and settled
with them at Chaska, Carver county, where
he received his primary' education. At the
age of thirteen he removed to Minneapolis to
attend school and remained until in his nine-
teenth year, in study and the pursuits of
knowledge. For a year thereafter he was
engaged in keeping books, but at the end of
that time he came to Dassel and commenced
to learn the miller's trade, and finally took
charge of the Washington flour mill of that
360
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
place which he ran successfully until the
spring of 18ST, at wiiicii time he removed to
the village of Darwin and erected the eleva-
tor where he now carries on business. He is
an unmarried man, his mother living with
him, and one of the most reliable, trust-
worthy citizens of town, and. for so young
a man, possesses a large share of the respect
and esteem of the whole community. In his
political views he is in accord with the prin-
ciples formulated by the republican party,
and supports, Avith energy, the candidates
and platforms of that organization. As a
business man, he is active, enterprising and
upright, and socially, genial and companion-
able, and bids fair to achieve a high position
in life.
ENRY CLAY, the popular postmaster
of the village of Dassel, is the son of
Caleb and Zilpah (Akers) Clay, and first saw
the light January 4, 18i2, in Lawrence
county, Ky. His father was a native of Vir-
ginia, and his mother of Tennessee, who
had married in Pike county, Ky., and later
moved northward to Lawrence county.
Some time after the birth of our subject they
removed to "Wayne county, W. Ya., where
they made their home until the spring of
1866, at which time they came to Minnesota
and settled in McLeod county. A year later
they made their appearance in Collinwood
township, this county, but in the spring of
1868 settled on section 28, in what is now
Dassel township, where they resided until
called to " cross the dark river. Death," the
mother in 1875, the father in 1877.
Henry remained beneath the paternal roof
until September 5, 1861, when he was united
in ^Tarriage with Miss Martha Bartrum, a
native of Boyd county, Ky., after which he
with his young wife settled on a farm in
Wayne county, W. Va. On the 24th of
June, 1863, Henry enlisted in Companj' B,
Fortj'-fifth Kentucky Mounted Infantry, and
served in the Union army. They were em-
ployed in the pursuit of Morgan when on his
famous raid, and Mr. Clay, with the balance
of the command, was in the saddle for twen-
t\'-six days and nights, only stopping long
enough to feed their horses and cook their
coffee. The little sleep they got was found
in the saddle. They were in two engage-
ments, Mt. Sterling and Cynthiana, at the
last named totally scattering and demoral-
izing the rebels, and the command for sev-
eral days were engaged in picking up strag-
o'lers. Amono; them w^ere a cousin and an
old school mate, the former with his arm
broken. Out of Mr. Clay's family he was the
only loyal one, all his brothers except one
being in the Confederate army. He received
his discharge December 21, 1864, and the
next spring came to Minnesota, and after
remaining in Glencoe some eighteen months
removed to Meeker county and took up a
claim on section 32, in what is now Dassel
township. This being all timber his crops
for a year or so were quite limited, but as
the land was cleared they grew more ex-
tensive. He remained upon the farm until
1870 or 1871, and then entered the employ of
the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Rail-
road Company, building snow fences, al-
though his family resided on the farm. In
December, 1887, he removed his family to
the village of Dassel, and on the 1st of
May, 1887, took possession of the post-
office, he having been appointed to that posi-
tion.
Mr. Clay is an active and influential mem-
ber of Colfax Post, No. 133, G. A. R., and
was one of the signers for a charter for that
society. Mr. and Mrs. Clay are the parents
of seven children, whose names are as fol-
lows —Rufus E., Ida M., John F., Emily E.,
Walter Scott and Walter McClellan, twins,
and Clifford H.
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
361
^jp^AYLOR JOHNSON, a leading Scandi-
w
ship, living on section 9, was born in Sweden
June 10, 1832, and is the son of John and
Christina Jolinson. At the age of eleven
years he commenced to learn the tailor's
trade, and followed that line of business in
his native land until 1S5S, when, with a nat-
ural desire to better his condition in life, he
crossed the ocean to America. He settled
in Carver county, this State, putting in his
time on a twenty -acre tract that he purchased
there, and in working for his neighbors, until
August 20, 1SC2, when he enlisted in Com-
pany H, Ninth Minnesota Infantry. The
next day he heard of the Indian outbreak,
and took his family to an island in Clear-
water Lake, where many others had fled for
.safety, where the}' camped without shelter
from the rain. Three days later Mrs. John-
son went home to their little cabin in the
brush, with her fom* children, her husband
going with his regiment to Glencoe. He
remained in that locality until spring, and
then participated in the Sibley expedition,
and was present at the hanging of the thirty-
eight Indians at Mankato. In October, 18^3,
he, with the regiment, was ordered South,
and met the enemy at Guntown, Miss. They
also were engaged in the siege and cnpture
of Mobile. Our subject Avas mustered out of
service in October, 1865, and returned to his
home. While he was absent in the army,
his wife was laid up by sickness brought on
by exposure, and for the last week of her
illness she and her little ones were without
food or fire, although it was cold winter
weather. An old man hobbled over on
crutches, finall}', to find what had become
of them, and helped them out of their dis-
tress by sawing up some wood and sending
in some provisions.
In the spring of 1866 Mr. Johnson removed
to Minneapolis, where he was employed in
lumber yards, etc., until the spring of 1869,
when he came to CoUinwood township and
settled where he now lives. He was mar-
ried November 1, 1855, to Christina Louisa
Anderson, a native of Sweden, born June 12,
1835, and dangliter of Andrew and Katrina.
Anderson. They have had eleven children,
namely — Ilulda, born December 14, 1856,
died January 11, 1873; Frank Victor, born
January 1, 1859; Abbie, born October 9,
1860; Clara, born August 3, 1862; Godfrey,
born April 30, 1806, and died September 10,
1866; August, born July 21:, 1867; Joseph-
ine, born October 22, 1869 ; Ida, born Decem-
ber 25, 1871, and died September 16, 1878 %
Alice, born April l-l, 1874; Hulda, born
July 9, 1876, and died April 21, 1880; and
Nathaniel, born March 26, 1878.
Mr. Johnson is a zealous member of the
Lutheran Church. In politics he is a repub-
lican of the strict type, and is an influential
citizen. His estimable wife is beloved bv all
with Avhom she comes in contact, and her
home-loving tastes are abundantly testified
to by the multitude of choice ])lants and
flowering shrubs that adorn and beautify
her home, and make winter lovely Avith sum-
mer's perfumes and verdure.
|AV1D ANDERSON. The subject of
^ this sketch is one of the leading and
well-to-do farmers of Acton township, being
a resident of section 7 in that subdivision of
Meeker county. He is a native of Sweden,
born February 14, 1829, and a son of Andreas
and Christina Anderson. In 1861 he came
to the United States, and for one summer he
worked in Illinois ; then he settled at Clear-
watei', "Wright county, Minn., where he
rented a farm and remained for three years.
At the expiration of that time he went to
Idaho to seek his fortune in the gold fields,
and, being very successful there, he remained
three yeai-s. In 1868 he came to Meeker
362
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
county, Jlinn., and bought 240 acres of rail-
road land iu Acton townshi]), where he now
lives. Three years later he returned to the
gold fields of Idaho, and engaged in mining
and the hotel business, in company with his
brother, Solomon, and, while in the midst of
their prosperity, making money very rapidly,
their mining camp broke uji, many of their
boarders being left penniless, and from these
and kindred causes they lost about $13,000.
David, thereupon, sold his property there^
returned to his farm in Acton, and engaged
in farming and stock-raising, which business
he has since continued. He has a valuable
farm, good improvements, and a good deal
of stock, lie has met with some slight re-
verses, especially during the grasshopper
raids, but, withal, has been verj- successful,
and his enterprise and good management
have earned for him a competency. In poli-
tical matters, he is republican, and in religion,
he is a member of the Swedish Lutheran
Chui'ch.
Mr. Anderson was married in Sweden, in
1852, to Miss Petronella Samuelsdatter, a
native of the same land. The fruits of their
union have been one child, Solomon, who
was born on the 24th of December, 1853.
Solomon is unmarried and still lives with his
parents.
-«-
►-»>
ELS CHARLES G. HANSON was born
May 14, 1857, at Hamburg, Germany
■while his parents, Bengt and Elna Hanson,
were on their way from their native land,
Sweden, to America, and is a twin brother
of C. J. G. Hanson. His parents settled on
a farm in what is now Litchfield township, in
1857, where our subject grew to manhood.
Charles remained with his parents until
1S79, at which time he entered the employ
of the St. Paul & Duluth Railroad Company,
with whom he remained but one winter, and
then worked for a time for the St. Paul Har-
vester AVorks, traveling through the country
as an expert in their business. One year later
he transferred his services to the McCormick
Harvester Company, and traveled through
the Southern States, and followed the harvest
season north again. In 1880 he was engaged
in farming on section 27, Litchfield town-
ship. In the spring of 1887, in company
with A. J. Anderson, he opened their pres-
ent hardware and agricultural depot at
Litchfield.
Mr. Hanson and Miss Clara L. Ahlstrom
Avere united in marriage June 30, 1S87. The
lady is the diiughter of A. M. and Christine
Ahlstrom, who were among the earliest pio-
neers that broke the way for civilization into
the wilds of Chisago county, Minn.
/^ORNELIUS McGRAW, a prominent
\^J^ farmer and stock-raiser residing on
section 33, Greenleaf townshij), is one of the
oldest settlers residing in that portion of the
count3^ He came to Meeker county in 1860
with his parents, who were Michael and
Winnefred McGraw, and the father selected
160 acres of land on section 26, in Greenleaf
township. At that time the family consisted
of the parents, six boys and two girls, and
four of the boys are still living here. Accom-
panying the party were Patrick ]\Ianley and
family, M. Ilanley and famil}^ M. Ryan and
familj'^, Lewis Maher and family, and a Mr.
Carrigan and family, all of whom settled in
Greenleaf. The part}' arrived in July, and
Michael McGraw at once put up a cabin and
began improvements. He remained on the
farm, except during the Indian troubles,
until the time of his death, which occurred in
March, 1878. His widow is still living on
the old farm.
Cornelius McGraw, the subject of this
biography, remained with his parents until
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
365
the time of the Indian outbreak. After they
heard of the killing of Jones and Baker, he
went to G. C. AVhitconib's to learn the par-
ticulars, and returned that night. The fol-
lowing (lay the whole settlement gathered at
Whitcomb's, and remained there for two
days, when all hands started for Forest Cit}',
driving their stock with them. The follow-
ing day Cornelius returned to his father's
house and found that the Indians had been
there, but had not burned it. After Whit-
comb had returned from St. Paul with guns
and ammunition, Cornelius enlisted in the
company which was organized, and served
in it until it was disbanded. In the spring
of 1863 he joined the Inde]3endent Battalion
Minnesota Volunteer Cavalry, and served on
the frontier until the war closed. He then
returned to Gi'eenleaf and worked at various
things until 1869 when he pui'ohased 160
acres of wild land on section 27, and at once
began improvements. He lived upon that
for about ten years, when he sold it and
bought his present place on section 33, where
he now has 235 acres, well improved with
excellent buildings. He devotes his attention
largely to stock-raising, and his able manage-
ment has placed him among the most prom-
inent stock-raisers and general farmers of
the county.
He has taken an active interest in educa-
tional matters, and has held various offices
in his district. In political matters he does
not hold himself bound to any ])arty, but
acts independently.
Mr. McGraw made a gallant and credit-
able record during Indian times. When the
Indians made the attack on Forest City, he
was asleep, and, not until the bullets were
flying thick and Indians yelling all around
was he aroused. He started up to find that
he was left alone with a single companion.
They each grasped a box of ammunition and
fire arms, a heavy load, and started for the
stockade, arriving in safety amidst the yells
and bullets of the foe. For three years and a
half he was in service, fighting the redskins
wheneveran opportunity presented, and never
flinched when dutv called. He began fight-
ing Indians when only si.xteen, and his brav-
ery equaled that of the hardiest of men. He
was one of the nine who remained in Forest
City in those trying times, when there was
scarcely a white man in the county beside
themselves.
/^^EORGE MAYNARD. The suljject of
V^r>i this sketch is one of the residents of
Ivingst(jn township at present, although one
of the first settlers in the town of Dassel,
where he located in May, 1866. He made
his home in that part of the count}' for about
twenty j'ears and then removed to his pres-
ent place, which is located upon section 32.
He is one of the " woods " farmers and stock-
raisers of the town, and one of its represent-
ative citizens.
Mr. Maynard was born in Floyd county,
Ky., on the 27th of August, 1852, and is the
son of Rev. William and Sarah (Parsons)
Maynard. His father was, also, born upon
" the dark and bloody ground," and was
ordained a minister in 1860, and first preached
the gospel in Floyd county, in his native
State. He came to Meeker count}' in 1866,
settling in Dassel, Avhere he cast the first
vote after its organization, and where he has
continued to fulfill his duties as watchman
upon the walls of Zion. since coming here.
He is still a resident of Dassel.
George Maynard was but thirteen years of
age when his parents came here, and was
reared the balance of his days in this count}',
together with his brothers and sisters. These
latter were Susan, jS'ancy, Oma, Charity,
Maggie, James N. and Robert G. Finishing
the education l)egan in Kentucky, after
coming here, Mr. Maynard grew to man-
hood upon his father's farm.
366
MEEKER COUA'J'V, MEVNESOTA.
March 5, 1875, George Maynard and Miss
Margaret Sanson were united in marriage.
The lady is a native of "West Virginia, born
in 1859, and daughter of "Riley and Sarah
Sanson, who were natives of the same State,
but residents of this county now. By this
union there have been born a family of five
children — Sarah, "William R., Minerva J.,
Margaret A. and James M. Mr. Maynard is
a member of the Seventh Day Advent Church.
In his politics he affiliates with the repulili-
can party.
— -«"
JTOHN OGREN, a wealthy, successful and
^ prominent farmer and stock-raiser, re-
siding on section 20, Danielson township,
conies of the same thrifty and enterprising
nationality which forms such a large ele-
ment in the best class of citizens in Minne-
sota's population. Industrious, economical
and enterprising, his characteristics are the
natural result of the general training given
to the youth of his nationality. Having
come here a poor man and accumulated a
comfortable property he is a self-made man,
and his present easy circumstances is entirely
due to his own industry and efforts.
Mr. Ogren is a son of Andrew and Han-
nah Anderson, and was born in Sweden on
the 17th March, 1838. His early life was
spent in his native land, where he remained
imtil 1 SOU, when he came to the United
States and proceeded to Stillwater, Minn.,
where he remained for four months, being
emjiloyed for two weeks on the river, and
the balance of the time working for farmers.
At the expiration of that time, October 1,
1869, he came to Meeker county, Minn., and
took a homestead on section 20, in Danielson
township, where he still lives. He now owns
520 acres of land upon which he has placed
excellent building imjjrovements. The farm
is among the most valuable in the township,
as a good share of it is under cultivation.
He has it well stocked. "When Mr. Ogren
took his homestead he had only $10 left after
buying one cow and a yoke of oxen.
Mr. Ogren was married on the 4th of Jan-
uarv, 1868, to Carrie Larson, a daughter of
Lewis and Bertha Larson, who was born
February 13, 1837. Their marriage has been
blessed with six children, as follows — An-
drew, born December 1, 1868, died March
17, 1870; Josephine, born July 19, 1870;
Hilda Christine, born November 1, 1872;
"William, born April 11, 1874; Anna Caro-
lina, born March 31, 1876 ; and Alfred, born
July 8, 1S79. The family are members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church.
In political matters Mr. Ogren is a repub-
lican, and he has taken an active interest in
matters affecting the welfare of his town-
ship as an organization. He has held vari-
ous local offices, including those of school
treasurer one year, and road overseer three
years.
^^^
^M DOLPH MAASS, an enterprising, intel-
_Z^Sjl ligent and successful farmer residing
on section 3, Litchfield township, was Lorn
in Brandenburg, Germany, on the 14th of
July, 1840, and is a son of John and Maria
(Evert) Maas. The parents are both dead,
having died in their native land. Adolph
grew to manhood in his native land, receiv-
ing a common-school education, and working
most of the time on a farm. He acquired the
same habits of frugality and industry' that
characterizes his race and makes them the
most desirable citizens which Jlinnesota has
received from the Old "\Yorld. In 1869
Adolph came to the United States and set-
tled in St. Louis county, Mo., where he re-
mained for two years and then went to Ten-
nessee. A year later he went back to Mis-
souri, and after a year's residence there he
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
367
came to Minnesota, and after remaining for
a few montlis in Cloodlme county, returned
to Missouri. Tlie following summer of 1875,
he again came to Minnesota, and after re-
maining for two winters in Scott county, in
1878 he came to Meeker county, and settled
in Litchfield township, whei'e he has since
lived. He has a valuable farm within easy
reach of the county seat, and there devotes
his attention to general farming and stock-
raising.
Mr. Maass was married on the 17th of No-
vember, 1877, to Miss Augusta Arndt, and
their union has been blessed with two chil-
dren, Frederick and Adolph, both of whom
are still living and at home. Mrs. Maass is
also a native of Germany. She. came to the
United States in 1868 with her parents and
they settled in Scott county, Minn., where
the father and mother are still living. The
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Maass took place
in that count}'.
In political matters Mr. Maass does not
follow the dictates of any party, but. acts in-
dependently and votes for the man rather
than creed. Both Mr. and Mrs. Maass are
active members of the Lutheran Church, and
are exemplary Christian people.
-«-J
l^^^
l&jjUKE RAILS, one of the industrious, ener-
ll^i^ getic and able farmers of Manannah
township, came to Meeker county in the fall
of 1866, with two other men, Silas and John
Cossairt, and took up a homestead claim in
the spring of 1867. As an instance of his
foresight he said to his companions, although
they had no neighbors for miles, nothing
between theni and Manannah or Forest City.
that inside of twenty years there would be a
railroad through here, meaning by their
farms or near them, and that he would buy
a railroad "forty." on section 3, whether he
took up a homestead or not, which he accord-
ingly did, and in 1886 the Minneapolis and
Pacific Kailroad came to the neighborhood.
Soon after neighbors became more plentiful
and the vicinit}' settled up.
Mr. Rails is a native of Vermillion county^
111., born April 27, 1840, and is the son of
James and Sarah (Wiles) Rails. He was.
reared in that portion of the great " Prairie
State," and early in life was initiated into-
the mysteries of agriculture and hard work..
Attainingthe years of manhood, with a nat-
ural desire for a home of his OM-n and the
jo}' s of the family hearth, he was united in
marriage, March 10, 1864, with Miss Eliza
A. Cossairt, a native, also, of Vermillioni
county, and the daughter of Samuel and
Rachel (Venible) Cossairt. Shortly after
this happy event he removed to Foi'd county,
111., but in September, 1866, started from
there with teams, for Stearns county, Minn.
In their party were Samuel Cossairt and
family, Mr. Rails and wife, and two young
men. On their arrival they settled here, as
mentioned above. Mr. Rails has now a farm
of 200 acres of land, and has made good
improvements on the place. Both he and
his wife are members of the Christian
Church at Eden Valley and zealous workers
in the vineyard of our Lord.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Rails consists
of four children — "William IL, born April 26,
1865; Samuel F., born April 1, 1871; Leslie
E., born July 28, 1874 ; Edith V., born July
2.3, 1879.
■^^
^P^RS. MARY BELFOY {nee McGannon),
\i^^ a resident of Litchfield, is a
native of Jennings count}% Ind., born July
8, 1843, and is the daughter of John and
Mary (Carney) McGannon, natives of Vir-
ginia and Kentucky, respectively. She was
united in marriage, June 11, 1862, with John
Blackwell.
368
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
John Blackwoll was born in Gloucester-
shire, Enghmd, January 4, 1832, and came
to Meeker county April 15, 1857, and set-
tled in Acton, where he was one of the pio-
neers. He was a mason by trade, but found
but little to do at that calling in the new-
country, so worked on his farm in summer
and taught school in the winter seasons,
being the first to teach in Litchfield town-
ship. After his marriage he went i^nto his
farm to live, and while there was interrupted
by the news of tiie Indian outbreak. (_)n the
eventful night of August 17, 1S(')2, he organ-
ized a posse to go to the houses of Jones
and Baker to assist the wounded, if any, and
was the first to enter the Baker cabin, where
with a steady hand he struck a light, a peril-
ous proceeding under tiie circumstances, as
he made himself a mark for any lurking foe.
He it was that found the little child at Jones'
house and gave him into the hands of one of
the men who accompanied him. Some time
after this he went to Anoka with his j'oung
wife and there remained until 1865, when he
retui-ned to this count\' and o{)ened a store
in the township of Eipley, now Litchfield.
In the fall of that year he was elected to the
office of register of deeds and removed to
Forest City. Shortly after assuming the duties
of that position, James M. Harvey, the clerk
of the district court, died, and that office was
also conferred ujion Mr. Black well, and a short
time after he was also made school examiner,
thus holding three offices at one and the
same time. From this time on he was an
occupant of some of the county offices until
his death, which took place Ma}' 21, 1875,
while he was judge of probate. He left five
children — Minnie, wife of F. P. Olney, of
Litchfield; Marv J., Mrs. Charles Downey,
of Minneapolis ; Addie, George, and John
at home, and Mattie, deceased. On the 7th
day of January, 1881, Mrs. I'lackwell was
again married, this time to Frank Belfoy.
Frank Belfoy was a lawyer by profession,
and a native of Prescott, Province of Onta-
rio, Canada, born November 1, 1827. lie
came to Forest City in 1808 and there estab-
lished the pioneer journal of Meeker county,
The News, which he edited in connection
with his legal practice. In 18t)0 he removed
to Litchfield and in 1874 he sold the sub.
scrijition books and goodwill of The Beios
to Daggett & Joubert, who consolidated with
Thie Ledger, and Mr. Belfoy devoted his sole
attention to his profession. In 1876 Mr.
Belfoy purchased an interest in the News-
Ledger with Mr. Joubert, and assumed the
greater share of the editorial labor, which he
continued until July 10, 1881, when he was
called to " that land elysian,- whose portals
we call death." His widow is still a resident
of the village of Litchfield. By her last
union there was born one child, Frank, living
at home with his surviving parent.
-«•-
i^^USTOF BERGQUIST, an energetic
>^pr and thrifty Swedish farmer of CoUin-
wood township, resides upon section 10,
where he owns some eighty acres of land.
His home is pleasantly located, and is sur-
rounded by his excellent outbuildings. His
stoolv, to which he gives considerable atten-
tion, is of good strains, and the place evinces
the prosperity and care of the proprietor.
He was born in Sweden August 2, 1831. and
is the son of John and Eva Katrina Mag-
ason. He made liis home in his native land
until he was about forty years of age, when,
realizing the fact that it was almost impossi-
ble in that section of the world for a man to
achieve a competence, determined to seek in
America a new home. Accordingly, in 1871,
he sailed from tbei'e, and on lantling in the
United States, went at once to Duluth, where
he was emjiloved three years in a saw-mill.
From there he removed to Tiiomson, this
State, where he ran a latli mill in summer
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
369
and worked in the pineries during tl:e winter,
for two years. In 1870 he came to Collin-
wood township, this county, where he pur-
chased the farm where he now Hves, and set-
tled down to nn agricultural life. lie has
prospei'ed according to his merits since com-
ing here, and I'iciily deserves the esteem and
respect in wiiich he is held by the people of
the community. He has held the olHce of
town treasurer for some three or four years,
and being a strict momljer of the Lutheran
Church, has acted as deacon and treasui'er of
that organization for some time.
Mr. liergquist Avas married May 5, 1860,
to Miss Anna Louisa Peterson, also a native
of Sweden, and daugliter of Peter and Ka-
trine Carlson. By this union there has
been born a family of eight children, of whom
the following is a record — Axel Edward was
born December 25, 1801 ; John Siegfried was
born November 2,180-4; Jennie Augusta's
birth took place November 4, 1807 ; France
Augustus was born March. 19, 1871, and died
August 19, 1872 ; Anna Olize was born July
1, 1S73, and died April 19, 1885; Walter
Emanuel was born April 23, 1879 ; Carl Otto,
born July 10, 1882; and Aiigust William was
born March 24, 1885. Axel E. married Miss
Hulda Swanson, and lives on section 15, Col-
linwood ; and Jennie A., now Mrs. Theodore
Premous, and is a resident of Dassel.
l-'^-
/^^LE JOHNSON RENOS, is a respected
^^hiy «nd thrifty farmer of Acton town-
ship. Meeker county, Minn. He is a son of
John anil Betsy Renos, and was liorn in
Norway in 1825. The grea,ter part of his
life was spent in his native land, and he was
married there, in October, 1860, to Miss Mary
Gunderson. They came to the United States
in 1872, and for two years after their arrival
they lived in Minneapolis. At the expira-
tion of that tijiie thev came to Acton town-
ship and purchased 120 acres of railroad land
on section 19, where they still live, and where
they now have a comfortable home in which
to sj^end their declining years. Mr. and Mrs.
Eenos have but one child, a daughter, Betsy,
who was born on the 27th of November,
1805.
Betsy Renos was married on the 13th of
March, 1882, to John Jacob Oestadt, and
they are living with her parents. They have
been blessed with one child, Mina Helen, who
was born on the 27th of November, 1885. The
family are all members of the Norwegian
Lutheran Church.
IpEENRY Mc CANN. The subject of this
JHL biographical sketch is a successful
and enterprising farmer and stock-raiser, who
resides on section 9, Harvey township. He
is a native of Lowell, Mass., and was born
on the 1st of April, 1859. His parents, who
Avere natives of Ireland, were Thomas and
Alice (McLaughlin) McCann.
On the 1st of May, 1867, quite a party of
settlers left Lowell, Mass., bent upon finding
homes in Minnesota, the McCann family
being among the number. They finally
arrived at Clearwater, and from there, with
teams, they made their way across the
country to Forest City. Thomas McCann,
the father of our subject, located on section
10, in Harvey township, where he remained
for seven years, and then removed to Manan-
nah township, where he still resides.
Henry McCann remained at home until
he had arrived at the age of cwenty-one
years, when he began making^ his own way
in the world. With the exception of one
winter spent in the pineries, his home has
been in Harvey township, constantly, since
that time. He now has a valuable farm of
120 acres, and a comfortable home. A good
share of his place is under a high state of
370
MEEKER COUXTY, MINNESOTA.
cultivation, and, in connection with his
general fanning operations, he carries on
stock-raising to a considerable extent. In
political matters he votes the democratic
ticket, and is regarded as one of the leading-
citizens of tlie township in wiiicli he resides.
Onr subject was married on tlie 24rth of
Novemijer, 188-1-, to Miss Katie A. Mitcliell,
and they have been the parents of two chil-
dren, as follows — Miss Allice, born March 1,
1886; and Harry, born Marcli 15, ISSS.
Both Mr. and Mrs. McCann are devout and
active members of the Catholic Church.
The marriage of our subject and his lady
took place at East Minneapolis, the cere-
mony being jierformed by the Rev. Father
O'Reillv, of St. Anthonv church.
^^^^
>y^-
McLANE. The subject of the
I'ing biography is one of the
finest representatives of a class of foreign-
born citizens, who have brought the tlirift
and energy, whicli was their only heritage
in tlieir native land, to tliis country, witli its
gTeat possibilities, and are accomplishing the
best results in tlieir application under the
influence of American institutions.
Mr. McLane is a native of County Antrim,
Ireland, born October 9, 1854, and is the sou
of Patrick and ]\[arian ((^lose) McLane. He
was reared in the Emerald Isle and remained
in the land of his birth until 1879, when, with
a natural wish to better his fortune, he crossed
the stormy bosom of the Atlantic, landing at
New York City. P'rom there he proceeded
to Chicago, but, a few mouths later, in 1880,
came to Litchfiekl and opened the wholesale
and retail gi'ocerv stoi-e now under the ]iro-
prietorsiiip of W. II. Dai-t, building the store
building in the summer of 1881. He re-
mained in this lino of trade until 1SS7, when,
being desirous of a change in his business, he
sold out to Mr. Dait, as he had the previous
year entered into a copartnersliip Avith L. D.
Crowe, in the agricultural implement busi-
ness. Devoting his abundant energies to
this line of trade Mr. McLane is ra])idly and
surely acquii'ing a jirominent place among
the business men of this section of the State,
and has the warmest respect nnd esteem of
his fellow-citizens.
-«— :
ETER J. LUND, one of the pioneers
of Meeker county, and the first set-
tler in Acton township, still has his resi-
dence on the southeast quarter of section 4,
where he first located in 1857.
Mr. Lund is a native of Skone, Sweden,
born October 2, 1821, and came to this coun-
try in 1852. After short stays in Knoxville
and Moline, 111., he located in Chisago
county, this State, where he remained until
coming here. During the Indian troubles he
suffered much loss of property, the savages
burning his houses, stealing his horses and
running off his stock. He heard of the out-
rage and left his liouse in a hurry with his
family to Forest City, and leaving them in
safety returned to his place with six or seven
neighl)ors, foi' he had considerable provi-
sions, etc., in his house, which he had accu-
mulated to sell to such of his neighbors as
needed tliem. They approached the house
cautiously, seeing everj' where the evidences
of the Indians having been about, and did
not dare to light a candle or even a match.
The house hail been broken open and Mr.
Lund, entering, could see by the dim light
that the drawers and trunks had been forced
and their clothing stolen. He went up stairs
and dropped two sacks of flour to the
friends below, and, taking a trunk that was
still intact, left. These depredations he lays
to the Ilonu! (Guards, as the Indians had not
been there }'et, but at the time he did not
know it. After loading- these things on a
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
371
sled, they got a yoke of the neighbors' oxen
which they hitched to it, and drove out on
the prairie, where the others had congre-
gated with their teams. All being afi-aid,
he volunteered to lead, but confesses that he
lay pretty close to the sled and kept his
eyes wide open for Indians. They got
through safely to Forest City, although the
savages shortly afterwards burned his house
and destroyed all the property they could.
During the attack on the stockade at Forest
City, on the morning of the 4th of Septem-
ber, Mr. Lund says that an opening existed
in the line of fortification on the north side,
and that while he and another man held
poles and planks across the opening, Hamlet
Stevens, now the banker at Litchfield, calmly
nailed them fast, although the bullets were
singing round their heads prettj^ freely, and
also says that Mr. Stevens budt the first
house in Grove City, while he boarded with
Mr. Lund.
Mr. Lund has now a fine farm of 350 acres
of land, although he was a poor man when
he came here. He was married, in May,
1850, in Sweden, to Miss Ellen ISTelson, who
is the mother of seven children — Anna,
deceased ; Ingi'a, Sarah, Joanna, Amy, and
Nels, deceased.
-^^
puis MARTENSON, a respected farm-
|&^ er, residing on section 25, Litchfield
township, is a son of Marten and Pernella
Larsen, and was born in Sweden on the <)th
of September, 18i4. lie lived with liis
parents in the old country until 1872, when
he came to the United States with Peter
Martenson and Peter Olson, and the party
settled in Meeker county, Minn.
In 1879 Louis Martenson was married to
Anna Johnson. She was born in Sweden.
Feljruary 10, 1859, and came to America
with her parents, Jonas and Lovisa Johnson,
in 1869. Her father died in 1870, and her
mother lives with Louis and his wife. Four
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Martenson, as follows-^Emma Lovise, born
May 28, 1880; Axel Albert, born October
15, 1882 ; Oscar Louander, born February
14, 1885 ; and Marten Edward, born August
14, 1887. Mr. Martenson devotes his entire
time to farming and stock-raising and is very
successful. His good management, economy
and enterprise have not been without their
reward, and he is now in comfortable circum-
stances and has a pleasant home. He has
also met with some serious reverses in the
way of loss of crops. In 1887 his crops were
almost wholly destroyed by the terrific hail-
storm which swept over this portion of the
county.
EV. HUGH McDEVlTT, resident priest
J^V, of the Catholic Church at Manannah,
is a native of County Donegal, Ireland, born
on the 3d of Februar3', 1843, and is the son
of Winifrede O'Flaherty and William
McDevitt. He received his education in the
Missionary College of All Hallows, Dublin ;
promoted to the order of priesthood on the
27th of June, 1865, and served for some years
as a missionary in the diocese of Sydney, N.
S. W. Returning to Ireland, with the per-
mission of his superiors he came to America,
and became affiliated with the Diocese of St.
Paul many years ago. He is now under the
jurisdiction of Bishop Ireland. Prior to
his coming to Manannah, he served in the
missions of Chatfield, Pine Island and Bell
Creek, with excellent results. On the re-
moval of Father King to St. Stephen's
church, he was requested by the bishop to
succeed Father King, and came to Litchfield
on the 1st of May, 1885. Manannah was
then united to Litchfield, services being held
every alternate Sunday. Seeing the neces-
372
MEEKER COUNTY, MIXNESOTA.
sitj'^ of Manannah having a resident priest,
lie mentioned tiie matter to tlie bisliop, who
gave liiin every encouragement in his under-
taking, lie immediately' began the erection
of the pastoral residence, at a cost of $2,000.
The congregation was rejoiced that a jiriest
was to reside with tliem ; all subscribed
nobly, and cooperated with their priest in
2>roviding every requisite, lie is a priest
strict in all church matters, kind, but firm in
what he considers his duty botii to churcli and
people. We wish him God-speed in all his
undertakings and best endeavors for the wel-
fare and good of his congregation, and to cul-
tivate the ]>oi'tion of his Master's vineyard
entrusted to his care with Heaven's choicest
flowers.
-.^>
JOHN W. KNIGHT, dealer in tubular
well machinery, wood pumps, rubber
goods and engine extras, and one of the pi'om-
inent businessmen of Litchfield, is an old set-
tler in Meeker county. Mr. Knight is a native
of Burrilville, E. I., born on the IStli of
August, 1841. His parents were William
and Abigail (Olney) Knight, both natives of
Massachusetts, Avliose forefathers on both
sides were among the first settlers of that
region, and the mother's brother, Wilson
Olney, was an Indian iigent in Massachu-
setts many years ago.
The subject of this sketch was one of a
family of six children, as follows — William
Henry, of Swanzey, N. II., where he has
been steadily employed in a bucket factory
for thirty years; Abigail, now Mrs. C. C. Car-
penter, of Graceville, Minn.; John W. ; Liz-
zie G., now Mrs. Fitch, of Swanzey, N. H.;
Mary, now Mrs. White, of Keene, N. II.;
Dutte S., of Hinsdale, JS". H., an overseer
in a large blanket factory; and Ilattie N.,
now a Mrs. White, of Keene, N. H.
John W. Knight remained with his iinreiits
working on a farm and attending school when
opportunity ortVred until he was eighteen
years of age, when he purchased his "time"
of his father and began life on his own
account. He worked in factories and at
whatever he found profitable until Marcii 3,
1861, when he enlisted in Company K, Sec-
ond New Hampshire Infantry for three years
service. He was mustered in at Concord,
N. H., on the ith of April and his regiment
was assigned to the Army of the Potomac.
The first actual service was at the siege of
Yoi-ktown, Va., under Gen. G. B. McClellan.
From there they went to AVilliamsburg with
tlie division under General Hooker, and there
Mr. Knight was seriously wounded l)y the
concussion of a shell ; a comrade to his right
having his head taken off, and one to his left
having a leg amputated by the same shell.
J\Ir. Knight was taken to the Williamsburg
hospital and a shoi't time later to the York-
town hospital, and there remained until the
latter place was evacuated. He was finally
mustered out and discharged for disability
July 31, 1803, at Concord, N. H.
On the 27th of August, 1863, he was mar-
ried by Rev. S. S. Dudley to JVIiss Abbie P.
Fletcher, a native of Acwortii, N. II., born
March 18, 1845. A short time later they
went to Winchendon, Mass., where Mr.
Knight was engaged in the sewing machine
factory of Goodspeed'ct Weyman, for about
one yeai", when he went to ilarlborough,
N. II. A short time later lie went to Bellows
Falls, A"t., and remained thereuntil May, 1866,
when he came to Meeker county, Minn. He
selected a homestead on section 28, in For-
est City township, and commenced improv-
ing his land, erecting the kind of a cabin
customary with the early settlers. His fam-
ily arrived in October of the same year.
Mr. Knight remained on his farm for seven
3'ears, when he sold out and removed to
Litchfield, where for a year he followed car-
iientering and draying. In 1873 he went
A".-
.^^^^..^ .^.^^
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
375
into the puni|) business which he has followed
constantly since. In 1886, in company with
his son, Wilmer W., lie opened a shop in
Paynesville, Stearns county, which his son
now conducts. Mr. and ^Irs. Knight are the
parents of five living children — Wilmer W.,
born in New Hampshire, November 28, 1864,
now in Paynesville, Minn. ; Alnion E. luid
Ahnina E., born in Forest City, April 21,
1869 ; Elsie V., born in Forest City, October
23, 1873 ; Ernest A., died at the age of four-
teen months ; and Inez O., born at Litch-
field, May 31, 1879. Tiie family are mem-
bers of the Christian Church.
-«-
I^DAM BROWER, an enterprising and
pi'ogressive farmer of Kingston town-
ship, living on section 16, is a native of Jen-
nings county, Tnd., born June 29, 1840. and
is the son of Adam and Jeannette (McMur-
chey) Brower. His father, wlio was the son
of Peter Brower, a native of Holland, wlio
had settled in this country some time liefore,
was born in Gloucester county, N. J., K\m\
13, 1S02, and moved with his parents to
Clareiiiont county, Ohio, in 1816, where he
was married October 12, 1824, and there car-
ried on lirickmaking and farming. He was
one of the representative men of that portion
of the State, and on moving, in 1838, to Jen-
nings county, Ind., carried his popularity
with him. He was soon elected to the magis-
trate's bench, upon which he served some
thirteen years, and his decisions were such
that bnt one was ever ajipealed from.
" Ripe in wisdom was he, but patient and
simple and childlike." He connected him-
self with the Methodist Chnrch in 1825, and
was licensed to preach in 1845. His voice
was ever heard against slavery and intem-
perance, and his walk and conversation were
in consonance with his teaching. He is still
living in his Indiana home, having raised a
family of thirteen children, of whom the fol-
lowing is the record — James, moved to Hai'ri-
son county, Mo., in 1853, and represented
his district twice in the legislature; Sarah,
living in Rush county, Ind.; Alineda, whose
home is still in Jennings county; George
and Adam, living in Minnesota; Margaret,
in Jefferson county, Ind.; Jennette, in Marion
count}'; Lemuel, in Hendricks county; and
John. The latter, a brave and gallant sol-
dier, died of starvation and exposure in one
of the loathsome prison pens of the rebels
during the late war.
The subject of this sketch enlisted, also, in
April, 1861, in the Sixth Indiana Infantry,
and, after serving his three months with that
regiment, re-enlisted, September 14, in Com-
pany H, Twenty Seventh Indiana Infantry,
and with that famous liand of heroes partici-
pated in many of tiie l)loodiest battles of the
war, among Avhicli were Winchester, Chan-
cellorsville, Gettysburg, in the east, and, after
they were transferred to the Cumberland,
Resaca and Altoona. He was wounded in
the latter confiict, and was laid up in the
hospital for a few weeks. He was mustered
out, at Indianapolis, Septemlier 14, 1S65. He
was taken prisoner by the rebels at the bat-
tle of Winchester, May 25, 1862, and kept
by them until September 20th, following,
when he was exchanged and resumed duty.
In February', 1867, our subject came to
Meeker county, and purchased the place
where he now lives. For the first three
years of his residence here he was engaged
in brickmaking in the village, but at the
expiration of that time took up farming.
Two seasons since that he has been in the
same business, and a part of the time in the
sawmill at Dassel.
j\[r. Brower was married, October 4, 1869,
to Miss Flora E. DeCoster, a native of Mas-
sachusetts, and daughter of Albert DeCoster,
of Massachusetts. By this union there have
been born f(jur children, namelv — Adam M..
376
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
■whose birtli took place August 3, 1870;
Claude D., born Septeinber 28, 1871; Daisy,
born December 12, 1874; and Frederick G.,
born Januar}"^ 6, 1883.
Mr. Brower is a rei)ublican in politics, and
is the clerk of the school district in which he
lives.
'OHN RALSTON, one of the most suc-
cessful, prominent and leading farmers
jind stock-raisers in Meeker county, is a resi-
dent of section 25, Harvey township. He
was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada,
of Scotch parents, on the 2d of March, 1837,
and his early days were spent in his native
Province, where he received the education
afforded by the facilities of those daj'S and
he received the same training as to industry
and frugality that is characteristic of the
people of that nationalit3\
In March, 1858, he came to Meeker county,
Minn., and spent one month in wliat is now
Harvey townshi|). At the expiration of that
time he went to Minneapolis and spent the
summer, returning to Meeker county in the
winter, working at stone masonry most of
the time during this period. Five years later
he again returned to Minneapolis, where he
remained three years, and since that time he
has made his home in Harvey township. He
has one of the most valuable and best im-
proved farms in the county, and his success-
ful and able business management is abund-
antly evidenced by his present standing, as
he is rated as one of the most solid and sul)-
stantial citizens in the nortiiern pait of
Meeker county. He carries on diversitietl
fanning, together with stock-raising, exten-
sivelv, and his i)lace is well arranged for his
work.
Mr. Kalston was married, on March 18,
1869, to Miss Sarah L. Wilkinson, of the
Province of Quebec, and they have been
parents of two children — John E., deceased.
and Jane E., who is still at home. The
family are members of the Presbyterian
Church. Mr. Ralston does not take an ac-
tive ])art in political matters, at least so far
, as oiKco seeking is concerned, and in those
matters he does not follow tiie arbitrary dic-
tation of party, but acts in an independent
ma/imer.
M
ONORABLE LOUIS RUDBERG, one
of Dassel's respected and honored
deceased citizens, who was identified with its
early development, was a native of Sweden,
and came to Meeker county in 1866 and took
a homestead. He was at that time a
young unmarried man, and did not remain
upon the farms steadih% but when the St.
Paul & Pacific Railroad was being built
through the county in 1869, he entered their
employ as carpenter, he having learned that
trade. He remained with them until 1872,
at which date he came to Dassel village and
entered into the mercantile business, and
remained in that line until his death, which
occurred in January, 18S4. While a resident
here, in 1876, he was elected a member of
the Minnesota State Legislature, and served
one term with credit.
PETER PETERSON, a farmer of Acton
township, belongs to a family that
has a number of representatives scattered
through the Northwest. A sister is now Mre.
Laurits Frogner, of Atwater; one of his
brothers, Frederick Peterson, also lives in
Atwater, where he works in an elevator;
and another bi'other, Xels, is inspector in on
elevator at Fisher's Landing, Dak.
Peter Peterson, the subject of this biogru-
ph\', was born in Denmark on the 21st of
August, 1839, and is a son of Peter and Anna
Peterson. He came to the United States in
1873, and at once settled in Acton township, "*
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
377
Meeker county, Minn. He then purchased
•eighty acres on section 31, but has since
bought an acklitional eiglity, so that his farm
now consists of 160 acres, a large share of
which is under a higli state of cultivation.
His place is improved with substantial and
■comfortable farm buildings, and he has it
well stocked with iiorses and cattle. In ad-
•dition to his farming operations he has a feed
mill on his place, which he operates for the
•convenience of himself and neighboi's.
Mr. Peterson was married, in 1863, to Anna,
.a daughter of Peter and Anna Christina
Peterson. The following is a record of the
births and deaths of the children that have
been born to them — Mary, born December
:21, 1863, died June 15, 1866 ; Mary Christina,
born September 6, 1866, died in June, 1871 ;
Peter, born August 1, 1868, died in October,
1869 ; Kasmus, born November 16, 1872, died
in May, 187-1; Mary, born August 10, 1875,
•died in August 1878; Anna P., born Decem-
ber 16, 1876 ; Marius, born January 27, 1878,
'died in August, 1878 ; Peter and Gogen
(twins), born March 11, 1881, both died early
in 1B82. The family are members of the
Norwegian Lutheran Church. Mr. Peterson
is a repuljlican in political matters, and has
taken an active interest in all matters wliich
.affect the township's welfare. It is well
worthy of notice in this connection that Mr.
Peterson is an old soldier, having served ten
anonths in tiie resular army before leavinjr
Denmark.
,/H:SALE KITTLESON, a proininont old set-
X^li/ tier who resides on section 31, Litch-
field township, is a native of Norway, born
in 184:4, and a son of Kittle and Carrie Har-
oldson. In 1846 he came to the United
States with his parents and they settled in
Kock county. Wis., where they remained
.until 1857, and then removed to Meeker
county, Minn., and the family settled on sec-
tion 30, Litchfield township. Ole Kittleson
was only a bo}' of eighteen years of age at
the time the outbreak of tlie Indians be-
gan, but the duties of a man devolved upon
him. He assisted in the burial of the first
five victims, and was one of the pursuing
party that chased the retlskins who came
upon the ground while the inquest was being
held. When the danger seemed to have
passed, he and his father and Ijrothers re-
turned to their unfinished harvesting, but
the news of the bloody massacres and mur-
ders that followed, drove them to Forest City
for refuge. The family spent the following
winter of 1S62-63, on the old Gitchell place,
near Kingston, but Ole stayed a portion of
the time on the oltl claim, sleeping in the
house alone. In' 1 863 they gathered together
what stock there was left and did a little
farming.
Ole Kittleson tinuily purchased a farm ad-
joining that of his father's and went to farm-
ino' on his own account. He has been very
successful and now has a valuable farm, upon
which he devotes his time, carrying on diver-
sified farminjy and stock-raisins'. In 1869 he
was married to Sarah Ilalverson Ness, a
daughter of Ole Ilalverson Ness. Their
marriage has been blessed with eight children,
seven of whom are living — Carrie, Christian,
Olavus, Mary, Henry, George and Iila. At
the time of the grasshopper i)lagne in 1S77,
•Mr. Kittleson lost about all his crops, hav-
ing sown seventy bushels antl only raised
five.
Mr. Kittleson lias taken an active interest
in all matters affecting the Avelfare of his
township, and is justly regarded as one of
the solid and substantial citizens of the
county. He has held various township offices
and has been school director of his district
for over twenty years. The family are
members of the Ness Norwegian Lutheran
Church.
378
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
^^^TENDERSON M. ANGIER, of Litch-
-At'o- lielil, is a native of Clieiiango county,
N. Y., born October 24, 1835, and is the son
of Roland and IVfary (AFarsh) Angler. Both
of his parents were natives of Massachusetts
who had come to tiie Empire State in youth,
and were marrietl there. Shortly after the
birth of 11. M. the couple removed to Porter
county, Ind., where they resided until 1859,
wiien they came to Meeker county, and set-
tled in (Treenieaf township, where they died,
the father in 1867, the mother in 1873.
Henderson M. remained with his parents
until August, 1855, when he was united in
marriage with Miss Mary J. Crosby, a
native of Schenectady count\', N. Y., and
the young people remained in Indiana until
the spring of 1850, when they came to
Meeker county, ari'iving here June 19th, of
that year. The next year they settletl upon
section 10, Greenleaf, on which the}' lived
until June, 1862, when they removed to
Litchfield township, Mr. Angier taking up a
homestead on section 12, and commencing to
get out the timber foi' a house, when his
operations were interrujited by the Indian
outbreak. The night before that event he
was at Forest City, attending a war meeting,
but, on hearing the news, decided to remain
and help defend this portion of the country
against the savages, and accordingh' went
to Forest City and took charge of the crew
who were ffettini:' out the timbers for the
stockade. He was on many of the expedi-
tions, which issuetl forth from that place to
look up the missing and bury the dead set-
tlers, and did valiant service at the fort
during the night of the attack on Forest
City. lie was one of the volunteers who
went out to rescue the party in the old house
in the timber, and collect the loose stock the
next morning, and stood next to Olson when
the latter was wounded, and helped assist
him and William Branham, who was also
wounded, back to the stockade.
Mr. Angler remained in' Forest City until
the spring of 18»J3, when he went to Illinois
for his family, whither he had sent them for
safety, and I'eturned to Forest City in 1865,
sto))])ing for some time in Clearwater on his
return. In 1866 he returned to his farm
and liiiished building his house, begun four
years before. There he remained until 1873,
when he removed to Union Grove, but one
year later removed to the village of Litch-
field, where he now lives. In the spring of
1878 he was elected city marshal, and has
held that office and that of deputy sheriff,
ever since. He is a member of the Masonic
fraternity anil of the A. O. U. W., and was the
Grand Representative to the State lodge of
the latter for two 3'ears. He is also an
active temperance man and worker.
SARL JOHN GOTTFRIED HANSON,,
is an enterprising farmer who is
located on section 26, in Litchfield town-
ship. He is a son of Bengt and Elna Han-
son, and was born in the city of Hamburg,
Germany, while the family were en route
from Sweden to the United States, and is a
twin brother of Nels C. G. Hanson, a mer-
chant in Litchfield. His father, Bengt Han-
son, is one of the most prosperous fanners In
this part of the county, and noticed at length
elsewhere in this volume. Carl was reared
on his father's farm, receiving good educa-
tional advantages in the Litclifiehl schools.
During the summer of 1886 he erected a
house on that portion of the original Hanson
farm located on sections 26 and 27, and
embarked in the business of farming on his-
own account. On the Ith of Novend)er of
the same year, he was united in marriage
with Emma C. Lindberg. She Is a daughter
of Hans and Carrie Lindberg, and was born
in Sweden October 31, 1867. They have
one child — Lily — a bright little babe, which
was born to them on the 29th of July, 1887-
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
379
Mr. Hanson attends closely to his business
of fanning and stock raising, and justly
ranks as one of the most substantial young
farmers of the county. He is a member of
Golden Fleece Lodge No. 89, A. F. & A.
M., of Litchfield.
JAMES H. McKENNEY, one of the ac-
tive, enterprising l)usiness men of the
village of Dassel, is a native of Limerick,
York county. Me., born March 26, 1843,
and is the son of He4iry and Nancy (Jack)
McKinney, l)otli of whom, as well as tiie
gramljiarents of our subject, were natives of
the same State.
When the subject of this memoir was some
ten years of age the angel of death invaded
the household and bore away the loving
mother, and the family circle was bi'oken.
Young McKenney remained in his native
town until his nineteenth 3'ear, receiving the
elements of a good education, finishing the
last three years at the academy, and laying
the broad foundation upon which he has
built his present fortune, and in 1862 re-
moved to Charleston, Mass., where he was
engaged as clerk in a wholesale and retail
grocery store. On the 29th of September,
1865, he left that city by the sea for Minne-
sota, and for the next year or more, followed
teaching at Anoka. \\\ the spring of 1867
he removed to Anderson, Ind., at which point
he entered into the saw-mill and lumber busi-
ness and continued in that line until 1874,
when the mill was burned down, involving a
loss to him of some i?7,000. The next spring-
he returned to Anoka and taught the same
school which he had taught in 1865. He re-
mained in that ])lace until 1877, when he re-
moved to Wright county, and one year later
to Meeker county. He was engaged in school
teaching near Spring Lake and at Beaver
Dam until the fall of 1878, when he came to
Dassel, and for two years filled the position
of principal of the village schools. Li the
fall of 1880, Mr. McKenney bought an inter-
est in the Dassel elevatoi", and took charge of
the business, and since that time, hasacquired
by purchase almost all the shares in the same,
and now has full control of it. The elevator
has a capacity of 45,000 bushels, and his
business reached the shipment of 65,000
bushels of wheat dui-ing the year 1887.
Mr. McKenney was united in marriage, in
Anderson, Ind., December 26, 1868, with
Miss Lydia J. Isley, who died December 17,
1870, leaving one child, which died in infancy
December 25, 1881. Mr. McKenney again
entered the married state, wedding Miss
Emma E. Wolsey, a native of Stockbridge,
Wis., who has become the mother of two
children — Henry B., and Gertrude A.
-«-!
"T|lnUKE D. CROWE, the junior partner in
llM^^ the firm of McLane & Crowe, agricul-
tural implement dealers, Litchfield, is a fair
specimen of the representative class of citi-
zens of Meeker county, who, by their native
ability, are fast taking rank among the best
business men of this section of the State.
He is a native of County Gal way, Ireland,
born in 1853, and is the son of George J. and
Jane Crowe, with whom he came to Meeker
county in 1870. His father purchased a
farm in the town of Litchfield, and settled
down to the quiet pursuits of agriculture.
Luke D., whose home training was under the
tender influences of his mother's cai'e, grew
to manhood and helped his father in the man-
ifold cares devolving upon the industrious
farmer, until he attained the age of twenty-
five years. About that time our subject re-
moved to Traverse county, Minn., where he
filed a homestead and tree claim, and
made his residence there for six years. Ee-
38o
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
turning to his home, u])on the farm of his
father, in this county, lie remained one sea-
son, anti in 1880 came to tlie city of Litch-
field, and, in company with Daniel McLane,
opened a warehouse for the sale of agricul-
tural im])lements, and is now in the full tide
of the success that invariably awaits honest
and unremitting attention to business and
straightforward dealing.
,ARS P. SORENSON, one of the most
successful and enterprising stock-raisers
anil general farmers in Meeker county, re-
sides on section 17, Danielson township,
where he located in 18T<'>. He is a son of
Soren and Mary Christianson, and was born
in Denmark on the 1st of May, 1852. His
eai'ly life was one of toil and hardship, as he
has relied upon his own exertions ever since
he arrived at the age of fourteen years. As
he grew to manhootl he spent three years in
the regular army of Denmark. His parents
Averc also natives of Denmark, who remained
in the land of their birth until their deaths.
In 1876, Lars P., in company with his brother
John, came to the United States, and made
his way directly to Meeker county, Minn.,
and together they purchased 240 acres on
section 17, in Danielson townsliip. He has
since purchased his brother's interest. He
has erected farm buildings which are a credit
to the township, and plainly evidence his
thrift and enterprise. He has a substantial
story-and-a-half house, 18x24- feet in size,
with an addition 10x18 feet, and his barn is
32x72 feet in dimensions with t went \'-foot
posts, besides which he has a good granary,
machinery sheds and other farm buildings.
He devotes his time to diversified farming,
and in company Avith A. ISTelson, is raising
pure-bred Holstein cattle. Mr. Sorenson has
taken an interest in the affairs of his town-
ship, and has held the office of township
treasurer for two years.
In 1879, Mr. Sorenson was married to Miss-
Johanna Dotha Jacobson, and their union
has been blessed Avith three children — Soren
Christen, born June 3, 1880; Andrew, born
April 12, 1882; and l^fartin Jorgen, born
April 13, 1888. Mrs. Sorenson is a daughter
of Andrew and Sarah Jacobson. She Avas.
born on the 19th of Decembei-, 1852, and
came to the United States with her parents,
in July, 1872.
lis) ALPH D. GRINDALL, one of the
'JfcJV most successful and prominent stock
raisers and general farmers in the southern
portion of Meeker county, is a resident of
section 8, Cedar Mills toAA^nship. He is a
native of Hancock county. Me., and Avas
born on the 20th of November, 1827. His.
parents were Elijah W. and Caroline B_
(Iliggins) Grindall, both of whom Avere
natives of Maine. His grandfather, on his
father's side, Avas a native of the Isle of
Wight, Avho settled at the town of Penob-
scot at an early day ; and when the English
came to build their forts at Castine, he Avas
pressed into the English service, and Avorked
upon the fort during the summer of 1812'
receiving compensation at the rate of eight
cents per day. Kalph's grandfather Hig-
gins, Avas a nati\'e of Nova Scotia, Avho at
an early day settled on Bartlett's Island,
Avhere the mother of our subject, Caroline-
B. Iliggins, Avas born February 21, 1806.
Elijah W. Grindall, the father of our sub-
ject, Avas born Sept. 2, 1804. He married
Miss Iliggins on the 4th of January, 1827,
and remained in his native State — Maine —
until 1854, Avhen became to Minnesota, and
opened up a farm near St. Anthony. He
remained there until the time of his death^
June 28, 1872, and his Avidow still resides in
Minnea])olis.
Tla]i)h D. Grindall remained Avith his
parents until he Avas nineteen years of age,.
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
381
and then bought "liis time"' of his father,
and for the two yeai's immediately follow-
ing he was em])loyed at whatever he could
find to do, a portion of the time working for
his father. lie then followed teaming and
in 1851 had the misfortune to lose by fire
five horses, wagons, harness, etc. In August,
1852, he was married to Miss Sophrona L.
Howard, a native of Maine. Mr. Grindall
remained at Bangor, in his native State,
until 1854, Avhen he went to Kansas and
spent a few months, helping to erect the first
mill that was built on the present site of
Lawrence. In the fall of the same 3'ear he
came to St. Anthony, Minn., but only stayed
a short time and then went to Chicago
where, daring the following winter (1854-55)
he had general charge of transfer work and
collecting bills for the Michigan Southern
& Northern Indiana Railroad. In the spring
of 1855 he engaged in farming near Du-
buque, Iowa, and the following fall again
came to St. Anthony, Minn. He put up the
first slaughter house in Minneapolis for
Allan Hammond, after which he followed
butchering at Fort Snelling for Pettijohn &
Steele. In the spring 0% 1856 he engaged in
the same business at St. Anthony and
remained there until the spring of 1861. In
1856 he had purchased forty acres of land
near Minneapolis. [It is now in the heart
of the city.] In the spring of 1861 he put
in a crop on this land, and then went to work
with a government surveying party in the
western part of the State, running township
lines, and remained at this work until the
following fall. He then returned to St. An-
thony, and on the 6th of May, 1862, he had
the misfortune to lose his house by fire, and
with it the accumulations of ten years' hard
labor. He built another house during the
summer and also carried on his farm. When
the Indian outbreak occurred in August,
1862, he enlisted in Northup's Cavalry, and
spent some time at Fort Ridgely, and then
he returned to St. Anthony and engaged
in farming. During the winter of 1867-68-
he followed teaming. from ilinneapolis to
Meeker county, making nine trips, and
during the following winter he followed the
same business from Greenleaf to Clearwater
and from Hutchinson to Carver. In the
spring of 1868 Mr. Grindall came to his.
present farm in Cedar Mills township, hav-
ing purchased 360 acres of his farm in 1862,
and commenced to imjirove it. He has met
with some reverses, especially during 1876
and 1877 when his crops were destroyed by
the grasshoppers. Upon the whole, however,
he has been very successful in his fanning
operations. He has a splendid farm of 440
acres of land and carries on general farming
and stock-raising, devoting especial attention
to breeding thorough-bred Short-horn stock.
Among the fine animals which Mr. Grindall
has recently added to his herd are the fol-
loAving : " Roan Duchess of Oxford 8th,"
from one of the oldest tribes on record ;
" Oxford Wild Eyes 2d," another animal' of
pure breeding ; and a Short-horn bull, "Duke
of Minneapolis." All of these magnificent
animals are registered, pure bred and have
splendid jiedigrees.
Since his settlement here Mr. Grindall has
taken an active interest in public affairs and
figures prominently in the official history of
the township. He has held about all the
various township offices and is now township
treasurer. He has taken a prominent part
in educational matters and aided in securing
the erection of the first school-house in the
township.
Mr. and Mrs. Grindall are the parents of
six living children, as follows — AVilbur F.,
born May 16, 1858 ; Emma M., born May 7,
1860 ; Fanny G., born September 19, 1862 ;
Mortimer C, born January 29, 1865 ; Edwin
W., born October 29, 1867; and Eva C,
born August 16, 1869. The three following
deceased — George
named children are
382
'^MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Edwiird, l)orn Octot)ef 8, 1853 ; Louisa, horn
May 4, 185(5 ; and Ernest li., l)orn Septeiu-
ber'lO, 1862.
We take jjleasure in presenting a portrait
of Ml'. Grindall in another department of
this volume.
^■^-,
^«<*.
|[gg) OY M. CASE, one of the young and
'JPIV- enterprising agricuiturists of Col-
liiuvood towiishi]), maizes his home upon his
farm on section -11. He is a native of Wau-
pun. Dodge county, "Wis., born March 25,
1853, and is the son of Royal T. and Almira
F. (Batcheller) Case, natives of the State of
Yermont. Ilis father was a farmer and upon
the farm our subject was reared. When he
was about eight years old his parents re-
moved to tJiis State and located at Plain-
view, where they purchased a farm, and
there made their home until the spring of
1869. During that year they moved to the
neighborhood of Hixtchinson, where they
lived until coming to this county in 1873.
They settled in Collinwood on section 27,
where the mother died October 29, 1877,
and the father February U, 1886.
The subject of our sketch was an inmate of
his father's house until his marriage with
Miss Catherine Ann Grant, on October 17,
1882. The lady is the daughter of James
and Rebecca Grant, and was born in Jen-
nings county, Ind., December 18, 1862,
and is a most accomplished musician, as are
most of the family. "When Mr. Case was mar-
ried he had but little of this world's goods, but
purchasing a farm of fifty acres upon section
21, on time, and by diligence and industry
has reclaimetl it from its original state of
wildness and cleared it of debt. He is a
finished musician, and has traveled, giving
lessons and selling instruments. His estima-
l)le wife has largely contributed toward
their success in life by her industry and
economv.
^^[ONORABLE O. M. LINNELL, of Ac-
J!?^'jL ton township, is one of the most
prominent citizens of Meeker county. He
was born near Wexio, in Sweden, on the
21st of April, 1810, and is a son of Magnus
Jonason and Lisa C. (Falk) Linnell. With
his parents he came to the United States in
1852, and they settled on Lake Chisago, in
Chisago county, Minn., the same year. O.
M. Linnell, being the oldest in the family,
had to woi'k veiy hard in the summer time
to help his father clear off a farm in the
heavy timber and had to work out for oth-
ers to earn money for clothing. Most of the
year 1857 was put in at and around the city
of Superior, Wis., when the noted hard times
in Minnesota set in, of 1857, 1858 and 1859,
when it was next to an impossibility to get
a dollar in money. The av inter of 1859 and
1 860 our subject spent near St. Joe, La., cut-
ting cord wood, where money was paid for
labor. He was thei'e offered the charge of
a cordwood landing, with three large wood
Inirges and twelve negroes, but could not
stand it to hear the abuse of the Southerners
toward the Northern men, nor see the abuse
of the slaves ; so in A]iril he went back to
his liome in Minnesota, where he remained
with his parents part of the time, and to
earn money for the family worked on the St.
Croix river during the summers, on the logs,
driving, or on the booms. In August, 1862,
he enlisted in Company C, Seventh Minne-
sota Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered
in at Fort Snelling, just at the time the Sioux
Indians' noted massacre broke out in the
town of Acton, where Mr. Linnell now lives.
Company C, of the Seventh jMinnesota Infan-
try, was sent on foot, marching to Fort Rip-
ley without having time to wait for uni-
forms. They received bright, shining Spring-
field rifles, but not a single cartridge. It
looked, as the boys used to ex])ress it, " kind
of funny to meet the savage Indians without
powder or lead, meeting citizens Ijy the linn-
'^<7^^Z.C^t!^
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
385
clreds fleeing from their homes for their lives."
From Foi't Eipley the company was ordereJ
to the Ciiippewa Agenw to guard the gov-
ernment stores. Tiiere they were soon sur-
rounded by 500 Indian warriors, and as the
company had only a few rounds of ammuni-
tion the position for a time was a dangerous
one. Tliey were kept in this shape for four
days, when the Indians learned that the
Sioux were defeated at Wood Lake, and
were then very glad to make a treaty. Had
the Indians known the condition of the sol-
diers and made an attack, Company C would
have been annihilated. After the treaty
was perfected the company was sent back to
Eipley, where tliey built large barracks, and
with other com])anies expected to camp over
winter, but in the latter part of Xovember
they received orders to report at Fort Snell-
ing, to go South. The compan}'^ got a few
daj's' furlough to go home to visit friends,
and during this time the governor of Minne-
sota got permission to keep what soldiers
were in the State for fear of a new out-
break of the Indians in the spring, and Com-
pany C was sent to IMankato to guard the
Indian ])risoners. This company afterward
carried out the linal execution of the thirty-
eight Indians who were hanged there. The
last military duty Mr. Linnell did was on
December 17, 1S62, wlien he was detailed to
help ferry the government teams across the
Minnesota Kiver, and was taken sick with a
disease of tlie lungs. He Avas under the doc-
tor's cai'e for eleven months. He has nevei
fully recovered from tliis sickness. He was
honorably discharged from the service for
disability, at Fort Snelling, on the ith ol
August, 1863, and returned to his home, and
from 186-1: to 1876 was farming, lumbering
and dealing in rafting materials. In 1876
he came to Meeker and settled in Acton
township, where he now lives. He now has
a good farm of 520 acres of land, with excel-
lent macliinerv and a good stock of liorses
and cattle. All of his property has been
accumulated since liis army service.
Mr. Linnell has taken an active and prom-
inent part in public matters ever since he
attained his manliood, and he has held some
town or county otlice each year since he has
been old enougii, with tlie cxce])tion of the
first year in Meeker count}'. Since coming
here he has held the offices of county com-
missioner, school treasurer for nine j'ears,
and is at the present time. He is the present
town clerk. In 1880 he was elected to rep-
resent this district in the legislature, and was
re-elected in 1882. The sessions in which he
served were three of the most important ever
held in the history of the State, particulai'ly
in settling at fifty cents on the dollar the
"Eight-Million-Dollar State Ptailroad Bonds,"
whicli had been a stain on the glorious ban-
ner of our North Star State. Mr. Linnell had
always advocated a settlement of the bonds
to redeem the honor of the State. In 1883
he was chairman of the standing committee
of agriculture and manufactures, and, as
usual, a member of several difi'erent commit-
tees.
Mr. Linnell strongly supported temperance
legislation, and a reduction of interest on
money. He served with honor to himself
and credit to the district.
Mr. Linnell was married on the 21th of
June, 1881:, to Carolina Sophia Anderson, a
daughter of C. M. and Kaisa Anderson. She
was a native of Smfdand, Sweden, born
November 11, 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Linnell
have been blessed Avith the following named
children — Luther A., Medora E., Emely L.,
Llerbert M., William Sabin, Mary A., Albert
T. and Annette E. The daugliter ISIedora is
now a teacher in tlie graded schools at Grove
City. Mr. Linnell has all his life been a
worthy member of the Lutheran Evangelical
Church, and is now one of its trustees and
treasurer. He is a man of the strictest honor
and integritv, and his word is recognized as
386
MEEKER COUNTY, MIXXESOTA.
beino- as o-ood as liis l)on(l, wlierever he is
known. lie is well read and well posted on
all public topics and justly holds the confi-
dence and esteem of ail who know him.
I
OHN WHALEN, one of the first pio-
neers that broke the way for progress
and civilization into the wilds of Meeker
county, came here with a party of his coun-
trymen, and made a settlement npon section
24, of Forest City townshij), where he now
lives.
He is a native of Ireland, born in
County Waterford, in the year 1824. He
made liis home in the "Emerald Isle" until
184C, when he crossed the ocean in search of
a home in America. He landed at Montreal,
Canada, reaching that place l)y way of the
St. Lawrence lliver, and fi'om there by way
of Montpelier, Vt., he drifted to Boston and
Lowell, Mass. After some time spent in
those places, he turned his steps toward Xew
York and New Jersey, and finally to Phila-
delphia, seeking employment Avherever it
offered, for he \vas of an industrious disposi-
tion, and had his living to provide for. Mak-
ing up his mind that in the great West there
was a greater chance for him, he accordingly
came to Indiana, where he passed some six
years and a half in farming, having adopted
that calling. In the spring of 1S56. a party
consistmg of the Whalens, the Flynns, the
Fitzgeralds and others left Crown Point, Ind.,
for California, init reaching Dubu(|ue, Iowa,
heard of this country, and determined to in-
vestigate it. John Whalen and John Flynn
pushed on ahead of the others, and on reach-
ing Meeker count\', and being ])leased with
it, returned for the train containing their
families and friends, meeting them at Eoches-
ter, this State. Tiiey at once headed for
this country, and crossed the county line on
the Otli of July, that year, and made their
settlement. Mr. Whalen located upon the
place where he now lives, tiie others else-
where, as related in their memoirs. Mr.
Whalen has added to iiis place from time to
time, until he is now the owner of 714 acres,
and is classed among the wealthiest farmers
in the county. In 1S5G he was married to
Miss Mary Flynn, and they are the j)arents
of five children — Thomas^ James, Ellen, Mary
and John.
Politically, Mr. Whalen is a democrat of
the Andrew Jackson type, and religiously is
a devout member of the Roman Catholic
Church.
TOSEPH PLUMADORE, one of the act-
^ ive, thorough-going agriculturists of
Kingston township, living upon section 15,
came to Meeker county in 1870, and settled
at the village of Litchfield, where he })Hed
his craft of carpenter. A few years later he
removed to Minneapolis, where he followed
the same avocation for about two years,
when he returned here and took up his pi'cs-
ent homestead, knowing that " here lands
may be had for the asking, and forests of
timber with a few blows of the axe are hewn
and framed into houses." Although the
place was covered with the primeval forest,
still, by extreme energy and jJerseverance, he
has succeeded in clearing it and developing a
fine farm of eighty acres in extent.
The subject of this memoir is a native of
New York, born May 11, 1830, and is the son
of William and Mary (Laurie) Plumadore.
His father was a native of lahelle France^
and was engaged in all kinds of speculating
and barter and sale. After attending school,
our subject took up his handicraft, in whicli
he served a full apprenticeship, and followed
regularly until settling down to agricultural
pursuits. He was united in marriage, Sep-
tember 11, 1S73. with Miss Mary A])field, a
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
3S7
native of Germany, whose parents had crossed
the ocean with her in her infanc}^ and set-
tled in Scoit county, where she was reared
and educated. By this union Mr. and Mrs.
Phimadore are the parents of an only daugh-
ter—Edith, born April 22, 1S75.
In his political views Mr. Plumadore coin-
cides Avith the principles formulated in the
platforms of the republican party, and has
always been an adherent of that organiza-
tion. His sterling- integritv and honorable
dealing has won him hosts of friends in the
community, and his name is synonymous
with easy good nature and genial hospitality.
ILS MARTENSON, one of the most
highly respected and prominent farm-
ers in the western ])art of Meeker county,
resides on section 4, Swede Grove township.
He was born in Sweden on the 10th of No-
vember, ISiS, and is a son of Marten and
Alice (Olson) Anderson. Nils was reared in
his native land, ])ut in 1S6S, when twenty
years old, he cameakme to America, landing
in Quebec, making his way on to St. Paul,
Minn., and one day later came to Litchfield,
in Jleeker county. He worked two weeks
for Ole Ingerman, four for Andrew Nelson,
and then went to Cutt's Grove, where he was
sick for six weeks. Upon his recovery he
went to St. Paul, and one montii later to
Louisiana, where he remained six months. He
then returned to Minnesota, working for six
months at St. Paul and Cutts' Grove in
Washington county. After this he worked
for six months in Louisiana, and then went
to St. Paul to meet his parents who had just
arrived from Sweden, and together they
came to Meeker county and settled on the
land where Nils now resides. Tliis was in
1871. He is now in comfortable circumstan-
ces, all of which is the result of his own
enterprise, industry and good management.
He owns one of the most valuable fains in
the township, comprising 320 acres, a good
share of which is under a iiigh state of cul-
tivation.
Mr. Martenson was mnrried on the 11th
of August, 1873, to Ellen Trulson, wliose
parents still reside in Meeker county. Mr.
and Mrs. Martenson have been the parents
of eight children, the three oldest of whom
are dead. The names of those liv ng are
Judet M., Euth, Samuel, Ehoda, and Lydia.
The family are members of the Baptist
Church and are exemplary Christian people.
In political matters Mr. Martenson affiliates
with the republican party.
The parents of Mr. Martenson were natives
of Sweden. Both of his parents died in
this count V.
PATRICK ENRIGHT, one of tiie most
prominent and enterprising fai'mers
and stock-i'aisers in the northern part of the
county, resides on section IS, Manannah
township. He was Ijorn in County Limerick,
Ireland, March i^5, 183-±, and is a son of John
and Eliza (Blake) Enright. He left his native
land in 1S47 with his parents, and settled in
Canada, where his parents remained until
the time of their death. Our subject re-
mained in Canada until 1874, when he came
to Meeker county, Minn., and settled on sec-
tion 18, Manannah township, where he still
lives. He is now in comfortable circum-
stances, and is one of the largest land owners
in the township, having 400 acres of land.
A good share of his place is under cultiva-
tion, and in connection with diversified farm
ing he devotes considerable attention to rais-
ing stock. In political matters Mi'. Enright
affiliates with the democratic party, and lias
taken an active interest in public matters.
He has been prominently identified with tiie
official history of the township, and has held
3S8
MEEKER COUNTY, MIXNESOTA.
various local ottices. int'ludino- that of town-
ship sui)ei'visor, which ottice he has held for
six terms.
Mr. Enright was married in December,
ISoo. to Miss Mary Fitzpatriek, and their
marriage has been blessed with nine children,
us follows — Patrick, Mary, Eliza, James,
William, Catherine, Michael, Marguaret and
John, all of whom are still living. ]\Irs.
Enright's parents were natives of Ireland.
The mothor died in Canada and the father in
^[eeker county.
BothjMr. and Mrs. Enright are exemplary
meml)crs and active suj)j)orters of the Cath-
olic Church.
-««
►^^
WILLIAM GRONO is the proprietor
of the marble works at Litchfiekl,
the first and only establishment of the kind
ever started at the county seat. Mr. Grono
was born at Pontiac, Oakland county, Mich.,
October 4, ISfiO, and is the son of William
and ]\[innie (Zelhime) Grono. Both of his
parents were natives of Prussia, who had
settled in Michigan in 1856. In 1872 they
settled at Worthington, Mmn., taking up
government land in N"obles county, on which
the parents still reside. William Grono, Jr.,
remained wiLii his parents until he was fif-
teen years of age when he went to Owa-
tonna, ]\[inn., and learned the marble cutter's
trade. lie remained in that city until 1883,
when he went to Montevideo, and in company
with J. II. Seaman, engaged in the marble
trade. A year later he sold his interest to
his i^artner and came to Litchfield, and on
tlie first of March, 1885, established the mar-
ble works of which he is still proprietor. lie
carries on an extensive business.
Mr. Grono was married on the 10th of
October,lS84, to Miss Rosa Maw, of Steele
county, Minn. They have one chdd — Maudie
May, l)oru Janvuirv 25, 1886.
TpTALVER O. HALVERSEN, one of Acton
i^i township's representative farmers, is
one of the best known citizens in the western
part of Sleeker county. He is a native of
Wisconsin, born on the 2r)th of October,
1850. Ilis j)arents were Henry and ilarga-
rette Ilalversen, both natives of Nor\vay.
They came to the United States in 1840. and
settled in Wisconsin, where they engaged at
farminir, and remained until 1856, then came
to Sleeker county, Minn., and settled upon a
farm, which the father purchased in Litch-
field township. In 1883 they sold this, and
the father purchased a farm in Acton town-
ship, which he still owns. At this writing
the father is visiting in Washington Terri-
tory.
H. 0. Ilalversen, the subject of this sketch,
was brought up on a farm. LTpon attaining
his manhood he was married to Mrs. Uattie
Olson, in 1873, widow of Gutrom Olson,
who died in 1867. By her first marriage his
wife had one child, Gurine, who was born
December 5, 1867, and died July 21, 1882.
Mr. and Mrs. Halversen have been blessed
with the following children — Mattie A., born
May 13, 1875 ; Henry C, born February 27,
1877, and died July '22, 1882; and Ida O.,
born January 10, 1870, and died July 10,
1882 (these three children died of diphtheria,
and were buried on the same day); and the
following children, who are living — Mattie
A., born May 13, 1875; Ole L., born August
22, 1881 ; and Ida (Murine Henrietta, born
December 29, 1883. i\Ir. Ilalvei'sen has been
very successful in his farming o))erations,
and is well-off in this '" world's goods." He
has in all 291 acres of land, and hves on the
northwest quarter of section 24, where he
has a neat and comfortable residence, and
splendid barn, and other farm buildings. In
addition to his farming and stock-i-aising
interests, he runs a steam tliresher during the
threshing season. At the time of the Lulian
outbreak, althouyh ]\[r. Ilalversen was but a
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
3^9
lad of twelve, he has a distinct recollection
of the events during that trying time. His
parents fled with the famih' from their
Litchfield farm, and went to Forest City for
safety. A year later, however, Halver re-
turned witlx his father and helped put in the
crops. Til is matter receives full attention
in the chapter I'elating to the massacre. In
religion Mr. Halversen and famih' are mem-
bers of the Xorwegian Lutheran Church,
and in political matters, Mr. Halversen is a
republican.
EORGE DICKSON, for many years
a banker in Scotland and India,
retired in Ijroken health in 1S72, on a life
pension of five thousand dollars per annum.
After recruiting his health for over two
vears in Eng-land, he traveled throuo'h the
United States and Canada, during 1874 and
1875, and in 1880 purchased from Col. "V7.
S. King, the property of " Oakwood," in
Danielson township, ]Meeker county. Minn.
This is one of th'e best equipped fanus in
the State of Minnesota, the buildings being
of a very superior description and well fin-
ished. It contains 150 acres of well matured
timber, skirting "Lake Dickson," two miles
long, h^ one and three-quarters of a mile in
breadth. The soil is remarkably good,
ffentlv rolling thi'oucrhout: is well watered,
and is subdivided by over eight miles of sub-
stantial fencing.
The herd of short horn cattle usually num-
bers from 130 to 180 head, and has been
graded up to a high state of perfection.
The interior accommodation, with numerous
box stalls for wintering 1-30 head of cattle
and eighteen horses, is very complete.
The loft of the cattle barn, 195 by 40 feet,
with two large wings, has a capacity of 200
tons of hay ; and the stable, S() by 40 feet, a
capacity of 100 tons.
Over 500 acres are under cultivation ; two
separate holdings, each of 160 acres, have
hitherto been let to tenants, and the main
farm, usually held by a tenant " on shares "
is under a regidar cereal rotation, and has
ample provision of natural and cultivated
grasses, orchard and blue grass, red clover
and timothy.
A school house and postoffice have recently
been established here. Otherwise consider-
able improvements in building, draining and
fencing have been effected on the pi'opeity
since 1880. So that it is now one of the
most valuable and desirable among ^[inne-
sota"s •• Bonanza farms."
-^--j^^:-
/o?? RiCK BYLU.ND is a prominent old set-
V^^ tier who resides on section 6. Litch-
field to\vnship. He was born in Sweden on
the 16th of February, 1824, and is a son of
John E. and Anna Byliind. His early life
was one of incessant toil and bitter hardship,
and during four years of the earlier period
of his life, from 1837 to 1840, he lived on
nothing but fish and bread made from pine
bark. In 1850 he came to the L'nited States
and after living one winter in Illinois he came
to Minnesota, settling at Taylor's Falls.
Chisago county. There were but very few
settlers in the Territory' of Minnesota at that
time and none away from the east territorial
line. Erick worked for several j-ears in the
pineries striving to get money enough
together to transport his father anil brother
from the old world to the new. In 1863 he
came to Meeker county and located on sec-
tion 6, in Litchfield township, where he still
lives. During that summer he helped build
a fort near his fann and his own and four
other families occupied it for several weeks
during the Indian scare.
In 1857 Mr. Byiund was married to Cath-
erine Xordin, a native of Sweden, who bore
3Q0
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
liiiii twn cliildren — Jolin, horn l)cceiHl)er 7,
] SriS, (lied when four j'etirs of age ; and Nels,
born June 12, ISCO. Nels has always fol-
lowed farming with his father, and now has
cliiirge of the farm. Mrs. ByhuKl died on
the ISth of May, 1884, and Mr. Bylund and
son, Nels, have since lived on the old home-
steail, which is beautifully situated in the
northwestern part of the township. The
farm is well located and well improved.
■*•-[<
>^^^-\ EORGE NEUBAUER, an intelligent,
''•y'V I'espected and prominent farmer and
esidiui
stock-raiser, residin"' on section 9, Forest
Pj'airie township, was liorn in Baiern, Ger-
many, on the 7th of April, 1832, and isason
of George and Catherine (Martin) Keubauer.
His father and mother ^vere the jiarents of
eleven children, some of whom, however,
died in infancy.
George Neubauer, the subject of this sketch,
spent his boyhood days in his native land, at-
tending school regalarl}' until he was twelve
years old, and for six years thereafter, at-
tended a school held every Sunday. He re-
mained at home with his parents until he was
twenty years of age, when, in 1852, he, in
company with his brothers and sisters, John,
Michael, Mary and Barbara, came to the
United States. They landed in New York
and tlicn went to Jersey City, where they re-
mained two years, George being at work in
a cement factory. In 185i they removed to
Silver Creek, Penn., and lived there until
1879, when George came to Minnesota.
In 1881, George Neubauer came to Meeker
county and located on section 22, Forest
Prairie township. Two years later he set-
tled u])on the place on section 9, where he
still resides. He has a valuable farm of eighty
acres and devotes his attention to general
farming and stock-raising.
Our subject v.'as married before leaving his
native land, on the l.")tli of August, 1852, to
]\riss Elizaljeth Schreivogel. They have
eight children living, six boys and two girls,
as follows — John, Michael, Mary, Joseph,
Lawrence, Lizzie, George and Daniel.
In political matters, Mr. Neubauer is a
democrat. The family are respected mem-
bers of the Catholic Church.
•«"!^i^-4^
_. MBROSE T. DORMAN. Another pio-
i'll_ neer family of Meeker county is the
Dormans, some of whom have jmssed away,
some have removed from the county, but
there are a few here still. One of them, and
a prominent one, is the gentleman whose
name heads this article.
Ambrose Dorman was born in Ilai'ring-
ton, AVashington county. Me., May 29, 1836,
antl was there reared to manhood. He re-
ceived the elements of the excellent education
which is the privilege of every citizen of New
England, in the schools of his native town.
In 1858, with a view to the betterment of his
fortunes, he came to Minnesota and settled
in Meeker county, where he now resides.
Nathaniel Dorman, the father of the sub-
ject of this memoir, came to Meeker county
in 1857, with the first settlers of the town-
ship, and took up a cLiim. The old gentle-
man, altliou^'li some eiii'litv-four years of asre,
still survives, a monument to the regularity
of the lives of the former generation, whose
habits have preserved them to a ripe old age.
Mrs. Nathaniel Dorman died in 1870, and
her remains are buried in the Kingston cem-
et^r}'. They were the parents of eight chil-
dren, seven of whom are living — John F.,
Phoebe S., Ambrose T., Hany Y., Samuel A.,
Ellen E. and Leonard L.
Ambrose T. Dorman made a trip to Cali-
fornia in 18(53, and remained in that Eldo-
rado, engaged in mining, for some three
years, and then returned to Meeker county.
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
391
He is somewhat of an adventurous disposi-
tion, havins: followed the sea for some five
years in his _youth, and spent one j'ear in
Maine, one in Wisconsin, and one in the
Minnesota pineries. April 18, 18(i0, he was
united in marriage with Miss Sarah J. Goble,
a native of Kentucky, born July 27, 1847,
and the daughter of William and Edith
(Phelps) Goble. Her father died here in
June, 1876, and his body lies at rest in the
cemetery of Kingston; her mother is still liv-
ing. The latter is a native of Virginia, where
she grew to the years of womaniiood.
Mr. and Mrs. Domian have an interesting
family of five children, whose names are as
follows — Willie A., Edith V., Silva Jane,
_Mai"tha Ann, and John P. Mr. Dorman is a
stanch adherent to the principles of Jeffer-
^sonian democracy in his politics, and is a
worthy and public spirited citizen .of the
county.
-^^^
JOHN HILL. The subject of this bio-
grajihy, a resident of section 28, Manan-
nah townsliip, is one of the most intelligent,
leading and successful farmers and stock-rais-
ers in the northern part of the countj^ He
was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1829,
and is a son of Francis and Mary (Campbell)
Hill. His early life was spent in his native
land, where he acquired the iiabitsof industry,
perseverance and frugality', wliich are so
characteristic of the race from which he
springs. In 1851 he came to tlie LTnited
States, landing in Boston and proceeded to
Lowell, Mass., where he remained for eleven
years, working in a cotton factory. Tie then
went to San Francisco, Cal., where he lived
for five years, engaged at firing on an engine.
He then returned to Lowell, Mass., and six-
teen montiis later he came to Meeker county,
Minn. From Clearwater he came by stage
to Forest City, and the next day he ari'ived
at the house of Owen Quinn, in Manannah
townshi]x A few days later he purchased
the farm on section 28, where he still resides.
He has 240 acres of land, and devotes his
attention to farming and stock raising.
Mr. Hill was married on the 21st of Feb-
ruary, 1855, to Hannah McAloon. Their
marriage has been blessed with three chil-
dren, Avhose names were Francis, John and
Charles H. John is the only child living,
the other two having died, and are buried in
Lowell, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Elill are exem-
plary members and active sujjporters of the
Catholic Church.
In political matters Mr. Hill affiliates with
the democratic i)arty.
/f^HARLES A. OILMAN, a prominent and
\^>' energetic farmer of Cosmos township,
has his beautiful home upon sections 20 and
29, where his fine farm of 240 acres is sit-
uated. He came to this locality in 1877, and
for about a year lived on section 26, and then
three j^ears on 33. In 1881 he took up his
present homestead. One hundred acres of
his land is well cultivated and the improve-
ments are of a high class.
Mr. Gilman was born at Sangerville,
Piscataquis county. Me., August 25, 1846,
and is the son of Jonathan C. Gilman and
wife, natives of Gihnanton, N. H. His
parents removed to Maine in 1826, and lo-
cated at Sangerville and made their home
there until 1850, when thej' moved to Dex-
ter, Penobscot county, where the}' still live.
Charles remained at home until he was about
twelve years of age, when he commenced
worlcing for other parties, and was thus em-
ploj'ed until 1863. About that time the gov-
ernment, needing more men to suppress the
rebellion, had just issued a new call for vol-
unteers, and in Se])tember, 1863, our subject
enlisted in Company E, Second Maine Cav-
392
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
airy, and served with the Nineteenth Army
Corps in all its campaigns and marches, lie
was discharged at the close of hostilities, at
Augusta, Me., September 11, 1S05, and going
to Dead river, Franklin county, that State,
bought a farm, upon ^viiicli lie settled, and
where he made his home until 1872, when,
selling out, he came to Minneapolis and went
into the lumber business. He came to
Meeker county from there in 1877.
Mr. Gilman was married, October 27,
1865, to Miss Angelina S. Fisher, a native
of Parkman, Piscataquis county, Me., and
daughter of A. J. and Laura A. (Sargent)
Fisher. They have a family of two children —
George F. and Charles A. Mr. Gilman is a
member of Frank Daggett Post, No. 35, G. A.
E., and has served the town as justice of the
peace from 18So until tlie present time.
i^^
PENRY E. DANIELSON, a prominent
farmer anil stock-i'aisei', wiio resides
on section 31, Cedar ]\Iills township, is a
native of Meeker count}', antl is a member
of one of the most prominent pioneer fami-
lies in the county. He was born in Acton
township, Meeker county, Minn., on the 25th
of April, 1858, and is a son of Nels and
Kandi Danielson, after whom the township of
Danielson was named. A full histor}' of his
parents will be found elsewhere in this work.
Henry was the fifth in a family of six chil-
dren. He remained at home with his fath-
er's family until 1881, when he struck out
for himself to earn his own way in the world.
He first went to Atwater, where he remained
for some three months, and then went to
Minneapolis, where he spent one winter in
Archibald's Business College. The follow-
ing spring- he entered the employ of the St.
Paul, Minneapolis A: Manitoba Railway Com-
pany as car repairer, and remained in that
position until ^lay, 1881. During the fol-
lowing season he Avas engaged at carpenter
work and various other lines of employment.
In the spring of 1885 he located on section
31, Cedar Mills township, where he still
lives. He has a valuable farm of 160 aci'cs,
a good share of wliieli is under cultivation,
has comfortable buildings, and is in good
circumstances. He devotes liis attention to
general farming and stock-raising, and by his
enterprise and industry he now ranks with
the leading and most substantial citizens of
of the township.
Mr. Danielson was married while in Glyn-
don,on the 25th of June, 1883, to Miss Mary
Eller, and one child has been born to them —
Daniel D., born February 27, 1886. Mrs.
Danielson was born at Baiern, Germany, on
tiie lOtli of January, 1861. Her parents'
names were Jojian and Maria Eller.
^-^^
OHN KONSBRICK, of the city of Litch-
field, is a native of the duch}' of Luxem-
burg, Germany, born in the year 1839. He
was reared in the land of his birth, among
its picturesque and vine clad hills, and
remained there until he had reached the age
of one and twenty. He then emigrated to
the shores of the new world to better his
fortunes, and on arrival in this country set-
tled at Aurora, 111., where he lived for some
two years, and at the expiration of that time
came to Minnesota. For two yeai's he was
employed in farming in Dakota county, after
which he sjient a couple of years more at
Bellevue, Jackson county, Iowa. From the
latter place he returned to Dakota county,
this State, and after a trip to the Teri'itory
of Dakota ho came to Litchfield, and for
three years was in tiie employ of John
Rodange, a fellow countryman and an
acquaintance of his boyhood. In 1883 our
subject started for himself in the retail
liquor business, but some two years later his
^ y^'0i^
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
395
place was destroyed by fire by whicli he lost
some $700 over tlie insurance. lie, instead
of being discouraged, at once commenced to
put up a new building. It was erected at a
total cost of something like $4,500, and is a
credit to the town. Mr. Konsbrick is one of
the leading saloon men of the town and a
square business man.
m^'c. NIELSON KASTETT, a respected
farmer who resides on section 23,
Danielson township, is a son of Niels and
Marie (Olson) Kastett, and was born in Nor-
way, on the 15th of Jul}', ISiU. He came to
the united States in 1861, and first settled in
Houston county, Minn., where he remained
one summer, and then M'ent to Iowa, where
he stayed for two years at work for farmers.
In December, 1S63, lie enlisted in the Second
Minnesota Cavalry, and Avas mustered in
early in the following January. He served
on the frontier, participating in two engage-
ments with the Indians in the Bad Lands of
Dakota, and was finally mustered out at
Fort Snelling, in December, 1SC5. He then
returned to Houston county, Minn., and re-
mained there until the spring of 18C6, when
he came to what is now Cosmos township,
Meeker county, then a part of Lincoln county.
He was the first man to take a team and a
plow into that township, and did the first
breaking there. He also erected the first
house. He remained there for five years,
and then lived in Danielson township for five
years, after which he spent two years in
Cosmos, and then settled on the place where
he now lives. In 1S7S he sold his Cosmos
farm, and now owns a place of ninety acres
on section 23, Danielson toAvnship. He has
taken an active interest in all mattei's affect-
ing the wellfare of the township, and has
held various local offices, including that of
chairman of the township supervisors for two
or three years.
Our subject was married on the 22d of
January, 1870, to Mary N. Nelson, who
is mentioned at length hereafter. They are
the parents of the following children — Nellie
Amelia, born October 25, 1870 ; Regina
Marie, born August 19, 1872; Nels Oliver,
born July 28, 1871:; George Henry Necha-
lai, born August 8, 1876 ; Carl Theodore,
born July 10, 1879 ; Helen Matilda, born
April 30, 1882; Eagnhild Mary Agnes, born
July 16, 1881; and Daniel Anton, born Jan-
uary 26, 1887.
Mary'N. Nelson, the wife of Ole Nielson
Kastett, is a daughter of Nels and Ragnliild
Danielson, the first settlers in Danielson
township, and was born in Norway, on the
16th of October, 1819. She came to the
United States in 1855 with her parents, and
after stopping for two years in Wisconsin, in
1857 they came to Meeker county, Minn.,
where they have since lived. When the
Indian outbreak began, the family with the
majority of the other settlers, hastily went
to Forest City, and a short time later to
Kingston, it being stated that the string of
teams extended in procession from one place
to the other. They remained at Kingston
but a short time, and then went back to
Forest City and moved into a house near the
river, there being another family to occui)y
it with them. Mr. Danielson, the father,
was helping to complete the fort in the after-
noon before the attack was made on Forest
City, and, beginnning to fear that an attack
would be made, he directed the women to
take the children and go to the hotel, which
they did. He and three other men remained.
In the night the house was set on fire, and upon
looking out, they coukl see hundreds of Indi-
ans. They succeeded in escaping, however,
unhurt. The Danielsons remained but a few
days after the attack, and then retui-ned to
their farm, but before taking the family
back, the father and the daughter, Helen,
had gathered some of the grain. The follow-
396
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
ing winter Mr. Danielson took fifty head of
cattle to winter, and as lie had hay in Kan-
di\'olii county, he took tluMu there and also
took his daughters llclcn and Mary to aid in
caring foi- tlieni. The father was unable to
clotiie the girls properly, and as they could
not keep u|) enough fire to keep even water
next to the stove from freezing, both the
girls froze their feet badly, and the father
contracted rheumatism from which he after-
ward died. Tiiis will illustrate some of the
harilships whicii the early settlers were com-
pelled to endure. The daughter, Mary, re-
mained at home until her marriage. Having
been among the oldest settlers of the county,
she has witnessed the county grow from
nothing to its present pros]ierous andtliickly
settled condition.
ILLIAM H. WILCOX, ex-county
commissioner, a resident of Swede
Grove township, is one of the most prominent
citizens in the noi'thern part of the county.
He is a native of Ohio, born on the 22d of
May, 183.5, and was the son of Horace and
Polly "Wilcox. His father was extensively
engaged in the dairy business.
"William H. remained with his parents un-
til lie was twenty-one years of age and then
began life for himself, working first in a
cheese factory for a year, and then starting
for the "West. He worked about St. Paul
and Minneapolis until 1857, when he bought
a squatter's claim to 100 acres of land in
Manannah township in Meeker county, pay-
ing fifty dollars for it. He secured govern-
ment title with a soldier's land warrant,
wiiicii cost him $130. He then sold the land
to a Mr. Deck- for $750 in gold, and bought
ir>0 acres on sections 2 and 3, in Swede Grove
township, where he lias since liveil with the
exception of the summer of 1858, when he
worked at St. Paul. He returned to his
place in the fall, accompanied by Mr. Ryck-
man, who had a claim adjoining, and they
"bached it" too;ether durino; the followin/ live business men,is engaged in the sale
of farm machinery, and in running the meat
market and feed store. He is the son of
Otto and Elizabeth Dersch, natives of Ger-
many, and was born in Germany while his
parents were coming in search of fortune to
America. The date of his advent was Feb-
ruary 19, 18.50.
The parents settled in Washington county,
Minnesota, on reaching tiie United States,
where the young Otto received his education
in the district schools, until old enough to
learn a trade, and there his parents died.
He commenced life by leai'ning the black-
smith trade with William Post, with whom
he remained two years and nine months,
after which he worked nine months in the
Monitor Plow Works at Minneapolis. En-
tering the machine shops of the St. Paul &
Duluth Eailroad, Mr. Dersch followed his
trade for two years more, after which he
ran a locomotive engine for nearly a year.
At the expiration of that engagement he
came to Afton township, Washington county,
and for eighteen months worked at the
smith's trade for Getchell & Co., in their saw-
mill. After that he followed his business on
his own account in various places, doing a
little farming at times in connection with
his craft. Coming then to this county, after
farming for a while he removed to Grove
City, and, putting up a dwelling and a
smithy, followed the trade for three years,
during which time he was the partner of
Hover Mickelson in the saw-mill. At the
close of the third year he sold his interest in
the mill, rented his shop, and established his
present business, he having for some time
back handled agricultural implements. Since
then he has added the other branches of the
business and is one of the leading business
men of the village. He has held the office of
city marshal and been a member of the vil-
lage council, and is in his politics a stanch
republican.
Mr. Dersch has been twice married, the
first time to Miss Louisa Brauer, November
18, 1873. She was the daughter of John and
Louisa Brauer, and a resident of Washington
county. She died July 2, 1880, leaving three
chddren — Josephine, born June 24, 1874;
William, born May 6, 1876, and Hubert, born
January 29, 1879. His second marriage
occurred January 16, 1881, at which time he
wedded Miss Maria Muhly, daughter of
Henry and Maria Muhly, who has borne him
three children — Arthui', whose birth took
place April 23, 1883 ; Lydia, born January
4, 1886, and Adeline, born February 17. 1888.
spHRISTlAN L. HANSON, a successful
and enterprising farmer and stock-
raiser, residing on section 4, Danielson, is
one of the pioneers of the township in which
he lives. He is a son of Hans and Anna
(Arnson) Christianson, and was born on the
7th of November, 1833. His mother died in
1838, and his father, who was born in 1802,
married Hannah Nelson in 1839; the father
died January 28, 1878. Christian remained
on the farm with his father in Denmark
until he was twenty-four years of age, Avhen
he went to Nakskon, Denmark, a cit}^ of
about 5,000 population, where he rented
property and engaged in the business of
brewing malt-beer, and also keeping a
restaurant. In addition to this he rented a
small farm adjoining the city, and followed
40 8
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
these combined lines of business for eight
years, when he sold cut. On tlie 7th of
November, 1860, he was married to Miss
(lena Hanson, a daughtei' of Ilaiis C. and
Christianna Hanson, who was burn December
15, 1833.
On March 28, 18t>6. Mr. Hanson, with his
family, started for tiie United States, and,
when they were about lialf way across the
ocean, cholera broke out on board the ship,
and about 300 persons died, Mr. Hanson
losino- two of his cliildren and a liired man,
from the (h-ead disease. When the vessel
got near Neu^ York they were quarantined,
and were not allowed to land, until the
28th of May. Upon landing, a man who
could talk the Dane language, apjiroached
Mr. Hanson, and stated, that he would attend
to shipping their goods to Minnesota. The
goods were never heard of afterward, and
it was a very severe loss to Mr. Hanson, as
he had an abundance of household goods.
He afterward corresponded with the consuls
from Norway and Denmark, but to no avail.
From New York the family proceeded to
Faribault, Minn., where Mr. Hanson left
them, while he traveled about in search of a
suitable location. Finally, on the 6th of
July, he settled upon a homestead on section
4, in Danielson towmshij). Meeker county,
Minn., where he has since lived. He erected
the second frame house in the township,
hauling his shingles and flooring from St.
Cloud. He now owns one of the finest farms
in the township, and has splendid building
improvements, besides a beautiful grove of
four acres of his own planting. ]\Ir. Hanson
has taken an active interest in all matters
affecting the welfare of the township, and
has held a great many local offices of impor-
tance, including those of school director,
township supervisor, treasurer, road overseer,
etc. He has always filled every position, to
which his fellow-citizens have called him,
with credit to himself and satisfaction to all
concerned. In iiolitical matters, he does not
follow the dictates of any party, but acts in
an indepentlent manner.
The marriage of Mr. and ]\rrs. Hanson lias
been blessed with the following named chil-
dren—Matilda S. (who died April 21, 1866,
on board ship) was born ]\ray 5, 1862;
Francena D., born August 1, 1S(!3; Arnt
Peter (wiio also died on board siiip, April
19, 1866), born February 5, I860 ; Arnt P.
H., born November 13, 1866, died June 16,
1868 (the first death in the township) ; Arnold
P. E., born December 1, 1868; Tilda Celui,
born July 31, 1871 ; William M., born May
24, 1873; and Levi Benjamin, born April
27, 1875.
■ < »■ •
^M UGUST SALLBERG, one of the most
jp>-J^ enterprising and energetic merchants
and business men of Dassel, is a native of
Sweden, born in the parish of Norungo,
Vestagotlilund, Januai'y 13, 1845. He was
reared upon a farm in his native land until
he was some eighteen years of age, and aftei-
that followed railroading in the old countr\',
but emigrated to America in 1869, and cam&
directly to Minnesota and for a time worked
on the railroad. Later on, he commenced
doina: contract work wdiich he followed until
1871, at which time he entered a clothing-
store in St. Cloud, as salesman. He followed
the profession of clerk there for over a year,
and then went to St. Paul and traveled for a
wholesale clothing house of that city,
throuo-h northern Iowa and Minnesota.
With them he remained five years, and
then for three years represented a Chicago
clothing firm upon the road. In October,
1880, he purchased the general stock of mer-
chandise of Kudberg Bros., and soon after
moved to Dassel and took charge of the
business. In February, 1883, the building
in wliicii he was, was destroyed by fire, and
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
409
he immediately put up the handsome briclc
building where he is now located, which is
20x120 feet in size, two stories high, and
erected at a cost of $10,000. He moved
into this fine edifice September 5, following
the fire. For a number of years he was
largely interested in theDassel elevator, and
at another time owned and carried on a
lai'ge farm in the neighborhood, but has
abandoned all outside speculations, confining
himself wholly to his mercantile business.
Mr. Sallberg has been twice married. The
first time, December 15, 1875, he was united
with Miss Jennie Kline, of St. Paul, who
died January 22, 1885, leaving two chil-
dren — Arthur Julian and Emil Robert.
May 3, 1886, Mr. Sallljerg wedded ]\Irs. Jo-
anna Rudberg, the widow of Jonas lludberg,
a history of whom appears elsewhere. By
this marriage they have one child — Jen-
nie I.
Mr. Sallberg is a Christian gentleman, an
active member of the Lutheran Church, and
an admh-able citizen and receives the highest
meed of respect from all.
PETER E. HANSEN, of Litchfield, a pio-
neer of Meeker county, and one of
the most prominent citizens in this part of
the State, is a native of Sweden, born on the
12th of June, 1815. Ilis parents were Plans
and Betsy Peterson, both natives of the same
country. They came to America in company
with about 150 others of the same national-
ity, and landed in New York on the 4tli of
July, 1857. From there tliey pursued their
journey westward to Minnesota, coming by
way of Dunleith, 111., tiien the terminus of
the railway lines, and Dubuque, Iowa. Thej'
stopped for about one month at Carver,
Minn., where a full outfit of oxen, wagons
and other supplies was purchased, and came
on, stopping briefly at Glencoe, Hutchinson
and Greenleaf, and finally arrived at Lar-
son's Grove, in what is now Litchfield town-
ship. Meeker county, Minn. There they re-
mained about two weeks, and the men made
exploring trips in search of land. The bulk
of the original party that left the old country
settled in various other counties in the North-
west, while about fifty found homes in
Meeker county, mostly in Swede Grove
township. Among the number who were
members of the party who found homes in
Meeker county, were the following — Bengt
Hansen, J. Larson, Nels Larson, Hogan Pe-
terson, Andrew Peterson, Nels Hansen, Ole
Nelson, Peter Larson, Andrew Larson, Nils
Clemens, Nils Elofson, Andrew Elofson.
Peter Elofson, Nils H. Peterson and Peter
H. Peterson.
Hans Peterson, the father of Peter E.
Hansen, found land that suited him, and took
a preemption on section 29, in Swede
Grove township, where he began improve-
ments, and where the familj^ lived in quiet,
contentment and prosperity until the terrible
massacre of 18G2. Something of the disad-
vantage under which these Swedish j^ioneers
labored may be understood when it is stated
that not a man in the colony could speak
English, and they were totally ignorant of
American customs or manners. The Han-
sen familj^ or rather Hans Peterson's family,
moved onto their claim on the 3d of August,
1857, and their first move was to ]iut up a
shed, which was constructed of jioles laid
from tree to tree, thereby making a frame-
work. Instead of covering this with hay
ami matting it down, so as to shed watei-, the
father directed that it be covered with brush.
Of course, whenever it rained, the family
would Ije di'enched and nearly drowned out.
When this occurred the father would direct
the boys to ]mt on more brush, and it would
accordingly be piled on, but to no avail, how-
ever. A little later a stable was built, with
the framework arranged like a pyramid, into
410
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
which the family was moved, and which did
very well for a time. The most of the trad-
ing, botli as to himl)ei'an(l pi'ovisions, atthat
time, was done in St. Paul or Miimeapolis, as
the trading post at Forest City was then a
small aifair, as one old settler puts it, " the
whole stock of goods could be loaded on a
wheelbarrow." An old second-hand stove
had been purchased by Mr. Peterson, but he
had been unable to secure but cue leugth of
pipe, so after a little perplexing study, a
hollow log was substituted and thus the pro-
per lengtli of pi])e was secured. When this
got dry and well-seasoned, however, it took
fire, thereby creating much excitement and
leaving them in the same ]iredicament as be-
fore. This was remedied, however, and mat-
ters again ran smooth. As cold weather ap-
proached, in the fall of 1857, a cellar was
dug about forty feet square, but as no frame-
work could be secured, jilanks were laid over
the top, and it was covered with gravel and
earth. Then the question arose as to how^
the " dug out " sliould be lighted, and finally
a little framework was constructed overhead
in which were set panes of glass. This did
very well for a time, but when snow came
and covered it up, the dogs, wliicli the family
kept, fell through the window. When it
rained the water soaked right through, as
the roof was flat, anil it was necessary to
keep all the clothes and perishable gooils in
barrels to prevent them fi'om being ruined.
A short time later, however, they put in plank,
and otherwise improved the condition of
things, and thus they occupied the " cellar"
for about three years, or until in 1S(!(I, when
they procured lumber from a saw-mill which
hiul been started in what is now Acton town-
ship, and with this they completed a house,
into which they moved and lived for aixtut
two years, in ]oeace and prosperity.
During this time there were but few, if
any, new settlers. There were many Indians
roving through the country, and in camp
near the cabins of the settlers, and the pio-
neers were constantly trading back and forth
with them. They were always friendly, Ijut
occasionally a little troublesome, on account
of their begging, and especially their steahng
propensities, yet as a rule, if the right course
was followed, stolen goods could generally
be recovered. Peter Hansen was associated
with the Indians a great deal. He was an
inveterate hunter in those days, and became
noted as a dead shot, and for tiiat matter he
has maintained his reputation ;ind skill in
that line to tiu; )iresent day. His relations
with the Indians were always pleasant and
friendly until the time of the outbreak.
On the morning of tlie memorable Sunday
that inaugurated the carnival of bloodshed —
the 17th day of August, 18G2— a band of
fourteen Indians passed the Peterson claim
on their way to the Manannah woods, and it
was supposed, from sukscquent develop-
ments, that they went to murder a man
against whom they had a gi'udge. Failing,
however, to find him, they returned, stop-
ping at Ilogan Peterson's, where they learned
of the Jones and Riker massacre, and passed
near the scene of that slaughter, exchanged
a few shots with some settlers who had gath-
ered there, and then made their way south-
westerly to the Minnesota Piver.
The news of the Jones and Bakci' murders
s]iread among the settlers lilce wildlire. not-
withstanding the fact that the country was
so sparsely settled. On Monday the word
came to get together and prepare for defense
or flight, and at Hansen's a few things were
piled into the wagon, the oxen hitched up,
and they went to a postofiice on section 33,
Swede Grove townshiji, where about one
hundred families had gathered ; but the fear
had seized all, and they at once proceeded to
the shores of Lake Ripley, where they
camped on the night of tiie 18th of August.
Very few slept that night, as every new
arrival reported horrible murders and savage
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
411
atrocities committed by the Indians. The
next morning they went to Forest City,
where the families were left. P. E. Hansen
and his father, accompanied by several
others, then stalled out to go back to the
farm for jirovisions. When out a short dis-
tance they met the remnant of a fleeing
party, several of whom had been killed and
mutilated, ami then they realized that an
Indian outbreak had really been inaug-
urated, and that the previous killing was not
an isolated or single case, but was merely
the beginning of a teiTible warfare on the
part of the Indians to drive the whites from
what they considered their hunting grounds.
The party at once returned to Forest City,
and a fort was at once built. Provisions
were scarce, and it was some time before
any one ventured out in search of any.
'Peter Hansen, however, with bis gun, man-
aged to keep his father's and several
other families, supplied with wild game.
About a week later a party of eight
or ten started out for the purpose of
burying dead and picking up wounded.
They got as far as Peter Loen's, on sec-
tion 5, Swede Grove township, fifteen
miles from Forest City, where they ex-
changed several shots with Indians, no one
being hurt, and then turned and came back.
The next day the "company of forty-one"
was organized, P. E. Hansen, being among
the number. After the return of this expe-
dition to Forest City, they went to work and
completed the fort, but not a family Jiioved
into it on that nigiit, all sleeping in the huts
they had been occupying. During the night
the Indians made an attack, and every one
scrambled for the fort itnmediatcly after the
first volley, some in undress uniform, while
others were covered with blankets and bed
cjuilts. The Indians withdrew the following
morning. After this, for a week or two,
every one stayed pretty close to the fort.
Provisions were very scarce ; flour was meted
out to the various families in equal parts, and
was worth almost its weight in gold. About
two weeks after the attack the Hansens
started one evening for the farm for the pur-
pose of getting provisions. They fastened
their oxen, upon reaching the farm, and
loaded the wagon witli ])rovisions, after
which, as the father thought there was no
danger, they went into the bed-room and laid
down in order to get some rest. Just as
they were about to fall asleep, they were
aroused by a frightful crash in the outer
room. In an instant they were wide awake,
and as visions of j)ainted, blood-thirsty sav-
ages flashed through their brains their hair
stood on end. A moment later they heard
the welcome " meow " of a cat, and the
attack was explained, much to their relief.
The cat, in its attempt to gain admittance,
had broken through the window. They
then returned to Forest City, where their
provisions were divided with their friends,
and therefore the supply did not last over a
weeic. In the meantime those coming in
brought terrible reports of Indian ravages.
Notwithstanding this fact, the father, Hans
Peterson, decided to again go to the farm.
He yoked the oxen, and, taking an old
double-barreled shot gun, started. He
found the cattle about the house and salted
them, thinking their presence was a pretty
safe indication that that there were no In-
dians about, as they would stampede at
sight or smell of a " redskin." He lit a
lamp in the house and went to work in earn-
est, and had loaded the wagon nearly full,
Avhen suddenly he heard the cattle running
and bellowing. He dashed out and found
the cattle on the run, and a few moments
later he heard the Indians yelling about the
cabin. He kept on in his northeast coui"se,
and laid all the next day in the Manannah
woods, and at night made his way back to
Forest City. There he told the story, and
for two weeks no further attempt was made
412
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
by them to reiU'li tlio fanii. At the end of
that time, Peter Hansen, accompanied by
several others, again visited the farm by
nigiit, and found the liouse ])urned to the
ground, and while there were startled by
hearing the Indians yelling in the distance.
They at once took the back track and
arrived in Forest City before da^'-break,
having tramped over thirty miles during the
night. No further trips were made until in
November, when matters had quieted down
somewhat. Tlun' then found the cattle all
right, but tiie Indians had smashed every
thing in tiie wagon and feasted on the sheep,
evidently having camped near by for some
time. The family remaineil at Forest City
for about three years, and then, in 1865, the
"Indian war" having closed, they returned
to Swede Grove township and settled upon a
homestead, wiiicli the father liad taken on
section 20. Tiie old folks still live upon the
place.
We now take up the personal history of
Peter E. Hansen. He remained at home
until the 19th of June, 18()7, when he was
married to Rachel Halverson. The cere-
mony was performed at Forest City by
'Squire James B. Atkinson, and the event
was heartily celebrated by a large attend-
ance of friends. Their union has been blessed
with four children, as follows — Nellie 0.,
born February 3, 1871 ; Harry A., born Feb-
ruary 8, 1873 ; Jennie F., born August 16,
1875 ; and Lillie May, born February 5, 1886.
Mr. Hansen has been successful beyond the
lot of most men, and is now among the larg-
est land-owners in the State. He is owner,
either alone or jointly with a partner, of
78,000 acres of land, situated in Meeker,
lienville, Kandiyohi, Stearns, Douglas, Pope
Grant, Otter Tail and Wright counties, and
besides has large landed interests in the city
of Minneapolis and several villages. He is
one of the directors and also vice president of
the Meeker County Bank, and holds stock in
a numl)ei- of local enterprises. In 1880 lie
was ap])ointed as agent of the Manitoba
Kailway Company to handle their lands, and
now has charge of the railroad lands in
Meeker, Carver, Wright, and Renville coun-
ties, and part of Stearns county. He
is also loan agent for the Kelly Brothers,
of Minneapolis. Mr. Hansen is recognized
as one of the shrewdest and best busi-
ness men in this part of the State. He
has acquired immense property interests, and
has always taken an active interest in all
matters calculated to benefit the locality in
which he lives. Mr. Hansen resides on sec-
tion 18, Litchfield township, although he
carries on business in the village ; and his
residence and farm improvements are among
the finest to be found anv where in the State.
— «"
^ kRRlN WHITNEY. Among the old set-
V^l^y tiers of Meeker county, who are still
spared to this world, there is none more
worthy of mention in a work of this charac-
ter than the gentleman whose name heads
this sketch. He came to this county in
March, 1857, with his brother, A. P. Whit-
ney, S. B. Hutchins and others, and settled
at Kingston, where he still lives. He helped
build the mill |)ut up l)v Whitney, Averill &
Hutchins, in 1857 and 1858, which was the
first grist-mill in the county, and from the
day of his first location here has alwa^'s been
identified with the onward progress and de-
velo|mi('nt of this region.
The subject of this biograpliy was Itorn in
Somerset county, Me., August 18, 1815, and
is tlie son of William and Olive (Parlin)
Whitney, who were natives of Connecticut
and Massachusetts, respectively. He was
reared in Penobscot county, in the " Pine
Tree State," and there received the elements
of his education. On attaining his majority,
he commenced farming in his native State.
•^~.,-v'
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
417
He came to Minnesota in 1857, and as he
liad a knowledge of mill-wriojitino', liaving
worked at that business a few years, he helped
put up the Hennepin Island Mill, tiie first
grist-mill at Minneapolis. In 1857 he came
to this county as above mentioned, and has
been a resident nearly ever since. On his
arrival in Meeker county, Mr. Whitney pre-
empted 160 acres of land on section 21, where
he now lives. In 1861 he went to California,
where he remained until December, 1864,
when he returned to this place, which he has
brought to a high state of cultivation and
finely improved until it is as desirable a piece
of property as any in the county.
Mr. Whitne}' and Miss Rebecca Carvill
were united in the bonds of mari'iage, March
10, 1879. His life companion and helpmeet,
who is a lady of rare accomplishments and
intelligence, is a native of Lewistoii, Andros-
coggin county, Me., born December 23, 1827,
and is the daughter of Sewell and Tama
(Higgins) Carvill, she being tlie sixth child in
their family of thirteen. Of them there are
seven, besides her, still surviving — Submit,
Mary, Milton, Jefferson, Wesley, Alonzo and
Alphonso. The latter was a physician, who
came to Kingston in 1867, and made his home
here for several yeai's; Jefferson resides in
Dassel township, this couiity ; most of the
rest still live in New England. Mrs. Whit-
ney having received considerable schooling,
learned the trade of coat-making, at which
she worked some thirty years. In the spring
of 1848 she went to Boston, and in that city
followed her trade twenty-nine years, board-
ing at one place fourteen years. She has in
the course of a busy life, with characteristic
thrift, accumulated a nice property, owning
as she does the East Kingston Mill, which
cost her S7,000.
Mr. Whitney is a greenbackei' in his poli-
tics and a supporter of the Grange movement.
Both he and his estimable wife are held in
high esteem wherever known, and theii-many
years of residence has made them respected
and well-known throughout nearly the whole
county.
In another department of this Album will
be found portraits of both Mr. and Mrs.
Whitney.
F. PROCTOR.
Among the
kfc^ leading citizens of the village of Das-
sel there is none more prominent than the
gentleman whose name heads this sketch.
He is the son of William and Ehoda (Snow)
Proctor, both of whom were natives of Ver-
mont, who had gone with their parents into
the wilds of St. Lawrence county, N. Y., the
former at the age of twelve years, and the
latter at the age of seven. There they at-
tained the years of manhood and woman-
hood, and were marrietl, and made their
home. At the time of the Mexican war,
AYilliam Proctor, being impelled by the
ardor that dwells in each patriot's breast,
enlisted in Company D, Ninth United States
Infantry, and was wounded in one of the
battles at the gates of the city of Mexico, in
1847, and died shortly after in the general
hospital in that ''City of the Montezumas."
Mrs. Proctor is now making her home with
her son, Edwin F.
The subject of our present sketch was
born at Massena, St. Lawrence county, N.Y.,
in 1840, and made his home in his native
town until 1855, when he took Horace
Greeley's advice and moved westward, set-
tling at Madison, Wis., where he found em-
ployment in a brickyard. In that city he
remained until the fall of 186U, when he re-
moved to Marshall, Wis., and attended school
that winter. While peacefully pursuing his
studies, in the eventful spring of 1861, the
tocsin of war rang out, and thousands of
hurrying feet j^ressed on to the front of i)at-
tle in defence of their country, and in res-
4>8
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
ponse to the call of the General Government
for troops to suppress the unholy rebellion.
Mr. Proctor, with the spirit of his noble sire,
came forward at once, and enlisted in (Jora-
pany A, Third Wisconsin Infantry, on the 1st
of April, 1861, for three-months service, but
was not mustered in under this enlistment.
On the IStb of April, he enlisted for three
years or during the war; and on the 21st of
December, 18fi3, he re-enlisted, in Tennessee,
as a veteran for three years more, making,
until his discharge, a term of service of four
years and four months. In the three-months
term he had been cor|)oral, but in the spring
of 1862 he was made duty sergeant, and in
1864 orderly sergeant. In April, 1865, he
was duly commissioned second lieutenant
for gallant and meritorious conduct, and in
July following, received the rank of first
lieutenant. During the first part of his term
of service, he served with his regiment with
the Armies of the Potomac and of the Shen-
andoah, and participated in the engagements
at Bolivar Heights, Winchester, Cedar Moun-
tain, Antietam, Chancellorville and Beverly
Ford. The command (Twelfth Corps) to
which he was then attached, was transferred
with the Seventh Corps to the WesternArmy,
and under General Siierman, he was present
with his regiment, in the thickest of-the con-
flicts that raged around Atlanta, and
was actively engaged there, and in the
subsequent March to the Sea, under that
matchless General, and in the engagements
that marked its progress. ■He participated
in fourteen general engagements in all, and
was slightly wounded in two battles — Chan-
cellorville and Antietam. He took part in
the grand review at Washington, in June,
1865, after which he received his discharge
and came home, Cincinnatus like, laying the
sword down for the plow handle. He came
to Minnesota, and took u]) a homestead on
section 4, of the town of Dassel, in the month
of May, 1869. Upon this place he remained
engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1885,
when he traded a portion of his estate for
his village propertj^, and sold the balance,
and is now living a retired life, being unable
])liysically to longer carry on agricultural
labor. His exposure while in the army,
brought on rheumatism, from which he has
never recovered, and for which he now draws
a small pension, %V1 per month, from the
government.
Mr. Proctor and Miss Emeline P. Frost
were united in marriage Januaiy 18, 1864,
while he was home on his veteran furlough.
The lady is a native of Delaware county,
Ohio, and is the daughter of Alva and Per-
milla Fi'ost. Her parents came to Ohio in
1816, and settled in Delaware county. July
7, 1847, they removed to Dodge county,
Wis., where they lived until the death of
Mr. Frost, June 29, 1867. His wife came to
Minnesota in 1874, and died in this county
April 6, 1883.
Mr. and Mrs Proctor are the parents of
four children — Justin T., Elwin Z., Delia D.,
and Elward J. Elwin died July 19, 1881,
the rest are living. Mr. Proctor was one of
the charter members of Colfax Post No. 133,
G. A. K., Department of Minnesota, and its
first commander, and is now the quarter-
master of that post.
«»►
/J^THO H. CAMPBELL. Prominent
among the
influential, leading citizens
of Manannah township, and of Meeker coun-
ty, is Mr. Campbell, of whom this narrative
IS written. He came to the village of Kings-
ton in the year 1866, and entered into the
general merchandise trade in connection with
Whiting Bros., a Clearwater firm. One
year later he purchased the interest of his
partners, and for two years pursued the busi-
ness alone. At the end of that time he re-
moved to the new village of Litchfield, and,
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
419
purchasing the Lake Eipley House, ran the
hotel for two years, after which, disposing
of all property in that place, he removed to
Manannah, and purcliased an interest with
N. C. Hines in the Hour and grist mill. In
1877 he became the sole proprietor, since
which time he has added many im]irove-
ments. In 1880 he put in steam engine and
boilers, so that he can run eitlier liy steam
or water. During 1887 the mill was remod-
eled, and full sets of rolls jjlaced in it, and it
now ranks as one of the best in this part of
the State.
O. H. Campbell was born in Hartford,
Conn., August 1, ISi-l, and is the son of
James and Esther (Griswold) Campbell. The
father was a native of Vermont, and had
removed to Connecticut, where he became
an insurance agent. The mother, who was
a representative of the noted Griswold fam-
ily, was a native of Connecticut.
The subject of our sketch, at the age of
seventeen, entered an insurance office in his
native city, where he remained until Septem-
ber, 1862, when he enlisted in Company B,
Twenty-Second Connecticut Infantry, and
served in the Army of the Potomac for some
ten months, when he was discharged. Dur-
ing this time the regiment had participated
in the siege of Suffolk, Va., the capture of
Forts Huger and Nansemond, where it was
under fire for two days. This was while it
was a part of the Twenty-Second Army
Corps and in Abercrombie's Division. It
was then sent to West Point, and. under
General Gordon, maile the advance on Eich-
mond and the noted Blackberry roaire.
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
421
Frederick, at the age of sixteen years left
the fatherland for America, and on his arri-
val in Philadeli)hia, Pa., commenced learn-
ing the blacksmith trade in that city. He
remained there until 1856, at which date he
came to Minnesota, and settled in Hennepin
county, and opened a blacksmith shop, about
seven miles north of Minneapolis. About a
year later he removed to Anoka county,
among the earliest pioneers of that section,
and preempted a farm in the town of Bethel.
There he made his lionie until 1864. During
the Indian outbreak of 1862, much excite-
ment was felt in that county and most of
the settlers left the town. Mrs. Spath kept
her children dressed and ready to start at a
moment's warning for tliree days and nights,
while waiting for news of the appeai'ance
of the savages, who never came. The
trouble died out and people soon came back
to their homes, there as elsewhere. In 1864
Mr.Spath came toKingston,this county, where
he opened a blacksmith shop, and continued
to follow that calling for two years in that
place. In 1866 he removed to the town of
Dassel, then known as Swan Lake, and took
a homestead of eighty acres of land in sec-
tion 10, where his family lived nine years.
He worked for a while on the construction
of the railroad, and on the laying out of
the village of Dassel opened a smithy in that
place. His family moved into the latter in
1875, where thev all remained until 1881,
when he sold out his interests and returned
to the farm, which is now increased to 120
acres, more than half of it under a high state
of cultivation, and upon which he has erect-
ed some fine buildings. On the organization
of the town in 1867, he \vas appointed one
of the town supervisors, and the following-
year was chairman of the board. He was, also,
one of the first village trustees and held
that office for three years consecutively.
Mr. Spath was married in the city of
Philadelphia, September 10, 1849, to Miss
Catherine Pliipps, a native of Philadelphia.
Bj^ this union there have been born six chil-
dren, namely — William, Jiving in Dakota; Ka-
tie, Mrs.John Bunker,of the village of Dassel;
Fi"ank P, who is carrying on the blacksmith
trade in the same village ; Susan, Mrs. M.
Penny, of Dassel township; Fred P. and
Sarah, at home.
^1 ILAS W. LEAVITT, one of the lead-
"^^^ ing citizens of the village of Litchfield,
is a native of Giimanton, N. IL, born in 1848,
and is a son of Joseph S. and Hannah
(Cotton) Leavitt. He remained at home with
his parents until he had attained the age of
seventeen years, when he enlisted in August,
1863, in Company A, Fifteenth New Hamp-
siiii-e Infantry, and with that gallant regi-
ment served one year. He participated in
the siege and capture of Port Hudson, and
was discharged with the regiment in October,
1864. For the two years following he was
compelled to suffer much from a disease of
the eyes contracted while in the service.
Becoming able to use his eyes he went to
Dover, in the same State, where he remained
a 3'ear. From there he moved to Boston,
and for three years was engaged in clerical
labor in that city. Following the advice of
Horace Greeley, he then came West, and for
some time was prospecting through the
country. After looking the State over, Mr.
Leavitt decided to locate in Meeker county,
and, in 1868, purchased a farm in the town
of Greenleaf, where he made his home until
the fall of 1871, when, being elected to the
office of clerk of the district court, he re-
moved to the village of Litchfield. For
twelve successive years he filled that respon-
sible ]iosition with the utmost credit, and de-
clined a fourth re-election. During most of
this time he was also engaged in the lumber
business in Litchfield. Mr. Leavitt was
422
MEEKER COUNTY. MINNESOTA.
elected president of the board of education of
tlic village, in September. ISSO, :ind still fills
that office. (_)n the organization of Com])anj
H, First Eegiment, Minnesota National
Guards, in February, 1883, he was elected cap-
tain, and has served his full term of five
3'ears, but at the solicitation of the company
still remains in command. At the close of
his time he tendered his resignation, but the
company unanimously rejected it, and as a
testimony of their appreciation of his services
they ]>resented him with a very handsome
eold watch aaid chain. On the formation of
the creamery association, Mr. Leavitt was
elected secretary and general manager of tiiat
institution, and has charge of that business
at the present.
Our subject was mai'ried in August, 1866,
to Miss Mary D. Chapman, a native of
"Worcester, Mass., and l)y this union there has
been born two children — Grace W., and
Marian II.
-«"
*,BERT HUTCHINS, a young and
enterprising farmer, of Collinwood
township, was born in Yanc}' county, N. C,
the 27th of May, 1849, and is the son of Jacob
and Nancy (Buchanan) llutchins. His father
was born in Berks county, N. C, June 19,
181-1, and is the son of AYright and Margaret
Hutchins. The mother was born in the
same county April 19, 1814. Jacob Hutchins
remained in the county of his birth until he
was aiKjut thirty years old, engaged in farm-
ing, but, in the spring of ISl-f, movetl to
West Virginia, and there made his home
until 1864, at Avliich date he came to Collin-
wood and settled on a homestead on section
8. In 1879 he gave the place to his son,
with whom he lives. He was inarried in
1835 to Miss Nancy Buchanan, by whom he
had fourteen children, namely — Anna, Louisa,
Sarah, Mary, Thomas, Margaret, Elizabeth,
William, Albert, John, George, Oliver,
Jennie, and Cynthia.
Albert was married September 12, 1880,
to Miss Theresa Erfurth, who was l)orn in
Ohio. May 9, 1859, and is the daughter of
Edward and Johanna Ei-furth. They are
the parents of three children, all of whom
are dead. They were Arthur, born August
5, ISSl, died May 18, 1887 ; Michael, born
September 15, 1883, and died May 12, 1887;
and Milton, born May 8, 1885, and died May
18, 1887. Albert has made his home with
his parents all his life, and for fifteen
years has been the main support of
his family. His mother died August 19,
1881. Jacob Hutchins Ijuilt the first house
in the township, and was the first school
treasurer. The farm contains al)out 116
acres of fine land, of which eiglitv are under
cultivation. The improvements are of a
very fair character, and the whole place
evinces that the young farmer understands
his business and is in a prosperous condition.
Ft MBROSE WALL, the present audi-
jp'^ tor of Meeker county, is a native
of Cayuga county, N. Y., born December 7,
1852,and is the son of Michael and Alice (Dee)
Wall. He was reared in the county of his
birth, and received his primary education in
the common schools of that district, which was
sup]Jemented by two tei'ms jiassed at Port
Byron Academy. His occupation during all
this time was farming, he assisting his father,
for a tnne, and afterward working for other
parties as opportunit}' served.
In the fall of 1879, Mr. Wall came to Min-
nesota and located in Stearns county, where
he taught school that winter, but the follow-
ing spring came to Meeker county and pur-
chased a farm on section 26, Manannah
townshi]). Here he commenced the avoca-
tion of western farmer, for which his train-
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
423
iiig in the Empire State liad so well fitted
him. He maile that place his home, carry-
on the tillage of the soil \\\ the summer, and
"teaching the young idea how to shoot" in
the various district schools of tlie county
during the winter months. On the initiation
of the Farmers' Alliance movement in 1S85,
he adopted their views and principles, believ-
ing them to be for the best intei'ests of the
working classes, and a step in the direction
of personal liberty and enfranchisement.
In the fall of 188(3, Mr. Wall was nomi-
nated for the office of auditor on the alliance
and democratic tickets, and carried ofl" the
honors of the campaign with a handsome
majority. He is the present secretary of the
Meeker County Farmers' Alliance, is inde-
pendent of party lines, in political faith being
of decidedlj' anti-monopolistic tendency, and
is a bright and intelligent leader in the new
movement, looking to the elevation of the
auriculturists and laboring classes.
fOHN CHRISTENSEN, one of the promi-
nent merchants of Grove City, and a
member of the firm of Reitan &Christensen,
general merchandise dealers, is a native of
Norway, and the son of Haider and Karen
Marie (Hebgh) Christensen. The date of
his birth was January 31, 1834. He re-
mained in the land of his nativity, where he
secured his education, until November 2,
1867, when he made his appearance in
Meeker countv, having emigrated from his
boj'hood's home in search of fortune and a
competence. With him came his brother,
Carl, who was born January 2(3, 1837.
Carl Christensen married September 17,
1870, Miss Ellen Olava Gronseth, who
became the mother of five children — Haider,
born July 1, 1871 ; Otto G., born May 15,
1873; Andrew Christian, born June 6, 1875;
William Martin, born October 22, 1877 ; and
Carl John Henry, born March 2, 1880. Carl
foUowed farming after coming to this
country, until December 22, 1879, when he
died, since which time John Christensen has
taken care of his bereaved family.
• John Christensen was totally unacquainted
with farm work when he came here, but
helj)ed iiis brother for some time on the
hitter's place, but its monotony tiring hira,
in 1870 he entered the store of Mr. Brown,
in Litchfield, as a clerk, with whom he
stayed over a year. He then kept a board-
ing house for the men who were working on
the railroad construction. In about 1872 he
purchased a farm, adjoining that of his
brother, and from that year, until 1875, he
was with his brother, they working the farms
together. At the expiration of that time he
came to Grove City, and was a clerk in the
store of W. W. Hobbs, until the death of
that gentleman in December, 1876, after
which he entered the store of H. O. Peter-
son, and stayed with that gentleman until
April, 1877, when our subject went to the
Black Hills, where he remained until the
following fall, returning to Grove City in
September. Again entering the employ of
H. O. Peterson, as clerk in his store, he
there continued, both with him and with the
succeeding firm of Peterson, Dudley & Nel-
son, until May, 1S82, when he became a
clerk in the store of C. C. Eeitan, and Octo-
ber 1, 1883, became a partner with that
gentleman, and the present firm formed.
AMES LANG, one of the old settlei's of
^ Manannah township, and the merchant,
postmaster and hotel proprietor of the village
of Manannah, is a son of James and Mar-
garet (Leech) Lang, natives of Scotland, who
were married in that land of heather and
emigrated to the United States about 1822,
settling in Vermont. About a year later
424
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
they removetl to Canada wliere tliev both
died, the fatlier in 188<'>, tlie iiiotlier in
1847.
The subject of our sketcli was born in La-
Prairie county, Canada, December 2(i, 1838,
and remained at home with Ins parents until
1857, when at the age of eighteen years he
came to tlie " States " with his brother Rob-
ert, wlio had been here the year previous,
and settled in this counts', where he lived, on
section 18, Harvey township, for some years.
He went to work putting up a cabin, and
breaking up the prairie sod with a yoke of
oxen. In the fall of 1857 he built a house
upon tlie site of the village, in company with
Robert Lang and S. Dickinson, and for two
years lived there during the winter months,
and upon his farm in the summer. From
that time on he made his home upon the
homestead until the Indian outbreak in 1862.
On that eventful Sunday, Mr. Lang and sev-
eral other parties started for Forest City
with the intention of enlisting, but hearing
of the murders in Acton, they suspended
action, waiting more definite news. Hear-
ing that some Indians had been seen going
toward Manannah, they returned speedily,
he remaining until the following Wed-
nesday, when all the settlers left, as it was
unsafe to remain. At Kingston he heard of
the organization of Captain Whitcomb's com-
pany of Home Guards, and with others came
and enlisted in that company. AVith them
he jiarticipated in all the movements as de-
tailed in the chapter devoted to the massa-
cre in this volume. He it was, who was
riding with Mr. Britt, when their horses were
stuck in the slough. As he got out of the
slough, he was some eighty rods behind the
party, and he had to run for his life.
When he saw that the teams had gone on
and left him, he laid down to pull otf his
shoes, and the Indians thinking they ha^y ing dealer in confectionery, books, sta-
tionery, and fancy goods in the village of
Litchfield, is the son of Harvey and Maria
(Van Buskirk) Bigelow, and was born at
Rush, Monroe county, N. Y., October 5,
430
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
1853. His ))iirents \ver« both nutivcs of tlie
Ein])ire St;ite, altliouyli liis jjatenitil gruncl-
I'iilhcr came originally from Connecticut, and
was one of a noted and liistoi'ic family tliei'e.
The subject of this sketch was reai'cd
amid tiic familiar scenes of his childiiood and
received his education in the excellent schools
of his native state. At the age of lifteen
he commenced to learn the cai-riiige and
wagon nudving trade, iind after finisliing
that took up carpentering wliich he foHowed
for some two years. In I'Vl)i'uary, l>i7<>. he
went to Louisville, Ky., where he entered
the emi)loy of I>. F. Avery & Sons, one of
the large plow manufacturing concerns of
tins country. He remained witii tliis lii'iii
until 187S, when he came to Litchiield, imd
after looking around a little counni^nced
farming in the town <;f Greenleaf, on ;i lai'in
which he rented of his wife's father. In
January, 1880, he came back to the village
of Litchiield, and initiated his present busi-
ness. He has always filled an im])ortant
place in the community anil I'eceives the
respect and esteem of all. In November,
1883, he became deputy auditoi', and ful-
filled the duties of that office until A])ril,
1887. - In 1880 he was village recorder, in
1887 chief of tli(> lire dcpiniment, and is the
])res('nt first lieutenant of the local militia
company. In his political views he coincides
with the re]>id)lican party, and, religiously, is
a member of the Presbyterian Cliurch. of
which he is one of the trustees. He is a
member of Golden Fleece Lodge, A. F. & A.
M., of Itabboni Chapter, Iv. A. M., of Melita
Comnuinder\\ K, T., and of Fuielity Chapter,
East(!rn Stiir.
Mr. Bigelow was united in nuu'riage, Sep-
tember 28, 187C, with Miss Frances K. Wianl,
a native of Livingston county, N. Y., and
daughter of Edward and Charlotte Wiard.
By this union there are three children —
Harvey Edward, Frederick, and Lydia
Alice.
/^•V P H R A IM A. BRIGGS. Prominent
\i!_^ among the successful business men of
Meeker county, men who have by their own
ability and tact, acquired an ample fortune,
stands the subject of this memoii-. His life
has been a busy one, and he has not lost his
opportunities. He is a native of New Vork,
having first seen the light of (Uiy at Coey-
UKins, Albany county, Fei^ruary 14, 1837,
and is the son of A. N. and Maria (Andrews)
P.riggs. He was reared amid the familiar
scenes of his childhood, and I'cciiived the
I'lidimeiits of his <'ducati()n in the common
schools of Cliai'l(.)tteville, Schohari(! county.
Ap])roaching the yenrs of manhood, our
subject commenced the study of law with
Ira Iliirris, of Albany, with whom he r(!-
maiued some two years, and with S. T.
lliggins one year. He then attended a
coui'se (jf lectures at the Law School at
Albany, N. Y., under the tuition of such
men as Ira Harris, Ainasa J. Parker and
Amos Dean. He was admitted to the bar
in 1859, and commenced the practice of his
profession at Albany, N. Y.
While peacefully |)ursuing the quiet rounds
of his profession and duties, traitors in arms
inaugurated civil war by threatening the life
of our Nation, and on the call of llie presi-
dent for 75,00(1 threes-months' soldiers, Mr.
Ih'iggs with a, noble patriotism, leaving
everything, enlisted in the Tenth New York
Infantry, and proceeded to the front. The
tiiree-nKHiths' term of his service havinir
exj)ireil, he re-enlisted in the Forty-
third New York Infantry, of which he was
commissioned second lieutenant. He was
soon detailed for service in the Signal Corps,
and, after instruction at Georgetown, was
ordered to I'eport to General N. !>. Banks,
then commanding in the Shenaiuloah N'alley,
and served there through the year lStl2. Re-
ceiving his commission in the United States
Signal Corps, he was then attached to the
headquarters of the Twenty-third Army
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
431
Corps, with whom lie remained until the
close of the war, altliough later lie was under
the immediate command of General J. M.
Scliofield. Our subject participated in the
Atlanta caui])aign, and in the sanguinary
contests at P'ranldin and Nashville, Tenn.,
and was present at tlie junction of tlie forces
of Sherman and Schofiekl, at Goldsboro.
Pie was mustered out at the close of hostili-
ties, and returned to his home.
Mr. Briggs was married, November 16,
1866, to Miss Helen F. Hale, a native of
Aroostook county. Me., and has resided, ever
since, in Meeker county, at the village of
Kingston. He engiiged in the mercantile
business, but after eight months sold out and
returned to New York. Three months later
he came back and took up a homestead on
section 34, Kingston township. He then
purchased the store of F. V. DeCoster, and
continued the mercantile business until 1875,
since whicii time he has been chiefly em-
ployed dealing in real estate.
Mr. and Mrs. JJriggs have a faiiiil}' of iowv
children, three of whom are living. Their
names are Albert N., Maria T., and T'onnie.
The one deceased bore the name of Tlionias
A. The subject of whom this is written,
was postmaster of Kingston from 1ST4 until
1886; has tilled the offices of justice of the
peace and town treasurer, and is a strong
adiierent to the principles formulated by the
republican party. He is a member of Frank
Daggett Post, G. A. R.
-^S€{^"*-
OREN NELSON. The subject of this
l)ersonal history is one of the most
prominent and wealthy farmers and stock-
raisers in Danielson township, his residence
being located on section 4 in that civil sub-
division of Meeker county. Mr. Nelson is a
son of Nels and Mary Peterson, and was
born in Denmark, on the 16th of April, 18,34.
His early life was spent in his native land,
where he received the same lessons of indus-
try and economy which are characteristic of
the peojile of his nationality. From neces-
sity, in early youth, he imbibed these princi-
ples, and they have benefited him all
through life. In telling of the way his folks
hved in the old country, he says that there
were seven children in the family, besides the
parents, and that his father worked for twelve
cents per day, and supported the family.
For some time the father was out of work,
and the mother supported the entire family
by spinning, earning only three cents per day.
BreatI, and, in the summer, onions and occa-
sionally potatoes, were their only food. It
was through such hardships as these that
Soren spent his early days. In 1863 he came
to America, and upon landing in New York,
he had just %\M, and %\ of this he paid for
his first day's board. The next (hiy he bor-
rowed $20 of a friend and went to Chicago,
where he worked at butchering and in a lum-
ber-yard. In the fall he went to Lookout
Mountain, in tiie employ of the government.
On the 28th of March, 186.5, he was dis-
charged, and returned to Chicago, where he
remained until in the following December,
when he went to Texas, and was there em-
ployed by the government, at Galveston.
From there he went to Peoria, III., and spent
some time in looking for land, and then re-
turned to Chicago. On the 1st of April,
1866, he came to Minnesota, and bought a
quarter section of land in Dodge county,
which he sold three months later, and aoain
started west, and spent some time in looking
for a location. In 1866 he purchased a farm
near Grove City, in Swede Grove township,
this county, and made that his home for ten
years. In 18*76 he removed to where he now
lives, on section 4, Danielson township. He
now owns a farm of 200 acres on section 4,
besides still owning his farm of eighty acres
in Swede Grove.
He has good
l)uil(lings,
432
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
and his farm is one of the most vahiable in
the township. He lias met with a number of
sei'ioiis reverses, hut by iiis perseverance, en-
ter|)rise and in(Uistry, lie has overcome them
all, and is now rated as one of the solid and
substantial citizens of the county. In 1877
he lost his crop by the grasshopper depreda-
tions. In 1872 his buildings were destroyed
by a tornado, he and his wife being seriously
injured and rendered insensible when the
house was blown over. They both recovered,
however.
In political matters Mr. Nelson is a dem-
ocrat.
On the 13th of May, 1867, Soren Nelson
was married to Miss Mary Johnson, a daugh-
ter of Peter and Anna Johnson. Their mar-
riage has been blessed with three children, as
follows — Nels P., born August 12, 1870;
William, born Sejitember 22, 1872 ; and
Charles, born February 21, 1875. Mr. and
Mrs. Nelson are members of the Danish
Lutheran Church. Both of them hold the
utmost respect and confidence of all their
neighbors and acquaintances.
JEREMIAH LEAMING, one of the most
prominent and successful farmers in
Union Grove township, is a resident of sec-
tion 3-f. He is a son of George and Juliette
Leaming, and is a native of Laramie town-
ship, Tippecanoe county, Ind. He left the
parental roof when seventeen years old and
apprenticed himself to learn the cabinet-
maker's trade, remaining as an apprentice
for three years, after which he worked as a
journeyman for a year. He then came to St.
Anthony, and for two years worked at his
trade, after whi6h, for a year, he was employeil
in a sash and door factory. At the expiration
of that time, in company with J. W. Bassett,
he opened a wagon, carriage and plow fac-
tory, and also ran a blacksmith shop in con-
nection. IIi^ continued this liiisiness until
1857, when he sold out to his partner, and
went to Monticello, in Wright county, where
he had charge of a lumber yard tor Charles
King for nearl}^ two years. In the spring of
1859 he came to Meeker county and bought
a claim on section 3-1. in what is now Union
Grove township, of a man named Judson
Pearson. This is the farm where he stiU
lives, and it has been his home ever since
with the exception of four years during the
Indian troubles, a history of which is given
elsewhere. When they first heard the news
of the massacre at Acton the family went to
Forest City, and two days later to Monti-
cello, in Wright county. The family re-
mained there while Mr. Learning worked at
different places as millwright, farm hand,
and whatever else turned up. ■ Upon the
close of hostilities the family returned to the
farm, where they have since lived. Mr.
Leaming has a splendid farm of 200 acres, a
good share of which is under cultivation,
and he devotes his attention to farming and
stock-raising.
Mr. Leaming, in some respects has been
very unfortunate, and has had to surmount
difficulties and misfortunes which would dis-
courage most mankind. He was a heavy
loser on account of the redskins, and also by
the white men after the trouble was over.
The Indians destroyed his grain and his resi-
dence was burned during his absence. It
was hard to accumulate anything. Wheat
was only thirty-five cents a bushel, eggs five
cents a dozen, and butter five cents a pound.
When the Indians drove him away he was
almost penniless, and he was not much better
off when he i-eturned. In 1877 the grass-
hoppers took about all of his crops, and
another year he lost nearly all his grain by
hail. Notwithstanding the disadvantages
with which he had to contend, his energy
and enterprise have never flagged, and his
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
433
present comfoi'table circumstances attest to
this fact.
Our subject has taken an active interest in
township matters and has been closely identi-
fied with the official historj' of the town. He
has held numerous local offices, including the
following: Assessor, thirteen or fourteen
years; supervisor, one year ; school treasurer,
three years; and justice of the peace, six
years.
On the 31st of March, 1857, Mr. Leaming
was married to Phebe AV. Bryant, a daughter
of Ambrose and Narcissa (Merrill) Bryant,
and their marriage has been blessed with the
following children — George A., born March
4, 1859; Ella J., born December 6, 1860;
Curtis M., born January 22, 1866 ; Juliette,
born February 26, 1868 ; and Clara B., born
September 4, 1869. George A. is married to
Annie A. Barrie, and lives on section 35.
Ella J. married J. B. Tuttle, and they reside
on section 20, Union Grove.
Mrs. Leaming was born in Kennebec
county. Me. Her father was a blacksmith
when a young man, but for a great many
years before he left his native State was en-
gaged in the mercantile business. In 1855
he came to "Wright county, Minn., and en-
gaged in farming, but has now retired and
resides at Buffalo, Minn.
Mr. Learning's fatlier was a farmer. For
a number of years he operated a pottery in
connection with ji is farming operations, Ijut
later sold that and devoted his entire atten-
tion to farming until the time of his death, in
1880. Mr. Learning's mother now lives in
Jasper county, Mo.
Mr. Leaming became a Mason when
twenty-two years of age, joining, at St.
Anthony's, Cataract Lodge, No. 2, A. F. &
A. M. He is a man of the strictest integrity,
and no one stands higher, or more fully holds
the respect of the community, than he. A
portrait of Mr. Leaming will be found else-
where in this volume.
TOHN W. JOHNSON, one of Litchfield's
^ most enterprising dealers in farm ma-
cliinery, is a native of Skone, Sweden, born
October 24, 1849, and is the son of Ole and
Hannah (Ingeman) Johnson, also natives of
Sweden. When he was but nine years of
age, in 1857, he came to Meeker county with
his parents, who were among the very first
settlers in Litchfield township, and remained
an inmate of the paternal home until he was
about twenty years old. In his boyhood
davs John became quite an expert hunter
and trapper, shooting his first deer when
but eleven years of age. The next winter
he and his father captured a full grown buck,
which he succeeded in fully taming. One
winter tiie profits on the furs he got brought
about $500.
When he had nearly reached his majorit}',
he commenced railroad work on the grade
through this county, from Smith Lake to a
point tiiree miles west of where Litchfield
now stands, as foreman of a gang of men.
In 1869 he went to California, and remained
on the Pacific slope, in that beautiful land of
the sunset, for a year, after which he re-
turned to his paternal home and rested for a
short time. He then entered tlie employ of
the Northern Pacific Railroad, and remained
with them one season. His next venture
was in having charge of the " Bonanza
farm," of George L. Becker, of St Paul, now
Railroad Commissioner, in Stevens county,
for two years. Returning to Meeker county,
Mr. Johnson then pui'chased a farm of 400
acres of land in the town of Darwin, 300
acres »jf which is under cultivation and has
good buildings upon it. He lived thereuntil
1886, when, leasing the place, he removed to
Litchfield and entered upon his present busi-
ness. He is one of the original members of
the Swedish Temperance Association, and
one of its most active membei"s. Mr. John-
son was elected a member of the villao:e
council, on the prohibition ticket, in A))ril,
434
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
1888, after a liard contest, and now occupies
that position.
The subject of this sketch was united in
marriage, l\rarch 29, 1874, with Miss Annie
Pehrson, also a native of Sweden, born Jan-
uary 14, 1S54, and daughter of Peter AVilson
and Bengta (Wilson) Pehrson, wiio were
born in Sweden, but came to tJie United
States in 1868.
«^^^
.««
^DWARD H. MURPHY, a leading farm-
\^il er of Manaunali township, living on
section 34, is a native of Carrick-on-Sui",
County Tipperary, Ireland, born July 5, 1830.
He remained a resident of his down-trodden
and oppressed native land until 1848, when
he bade farewell to the Emerald Isle and
crossed the sea to America. The first year
he spent in Vermont, but with the beginning
of the year 1849 he went to the coast and
shipped on a United States hydrographic
surveying cutter, but not being pleased witii
his treatment left them at Boston. He fol-
lowed railroading for a wliile in the East, but
later coming West to Chillicothe, Oiiio, he
there carried on the butcher business for four
years. The ne.xt six years were spent as
foreman of a iiemp warehouse. About the
year 1854, he went to Louisiana, Mo., where
he remained until the breaking out of the
Rebellion. In tiie spring of 1861 Mr. Mur-
phy enlisted in Company D, Henderson's
Brigade, Missouri Infantry, for three months.
At the e.K])iration of that time he re-enlisted
in Company D, First Missouri Infantry, a
six-months' regiment, and participated in the
siege and battle of Springfield, Mo. After
this he enlisted in the First Missouri Infantrv
for three 3'ears, or the war. He was then
detailed for secret service or espionage, and
in that capacity penetrated the rebel lines
and traveled throughout tiieir country, often
amid their armies, and always incurring the
greatest danger, for death by hanging is the
mildest penalty awarded a detected spy.
Mr. iluri)hy was frequently arrested on sus-
])icion. and had many narrow escapes. A
history of his adventures would prove in-
teresting reading and would fill a volume.
He was brought by the discharge of his duty
into close contact witli nearl\' all the general
officers in the Western Army. The war over,
he was discharged from the service with
strong recommendations from most of the
commanders of tiie Armies of the Tennessee,
Cumberland and Ohio.
He was strongly persuaded by the mayor
and others to remain in St. Louisas detective,
but desiring to settle upon a farm, in 1865
came to Meeker county and took up a home-
stead, where he now lives.
Our subject was married in Chillicothe,
Ohio, May 10, 1852, to Miss Margaret Kin-
sella, a native of County Waterford, Ire-
land, who is the mother of two children —
James, living at Montevideo, and Edward,
at iiome.
-«-
^^^
/^, EORGE B. WALLER, Jr., the engineer
V^jl' of the roller flouring mill, at Litch-
field, is a native of FrankUn, Morgan county,
111., born August 29, 1854, and is the son of
George B. and Mary S. (Chestnut) Waller.
Honorable George B. Waller, Sr., the father
of our subject, was born in King and Queen
county, A^'a , in 1804, and remained in that
State until 1815, when he removed with
his parents to Lexington, Ky., where he
grew to manhood. He acquired a great pro-
ficiency in the machinist's trade, which he
had adopted in his youth, and was an able
engineer. In 1833 he removed to Alton, 111.,
and,during that year made a trip, as engineer
of the boat Utility, to Fort Snelling. In
183G he removed to Morgan county. 111.,
where he followed his trade as machinist.
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
435
and, while there, was united in marriage
with Miss Mary S Chestnut. He occupied
a prominent position in tliat part of our
country, representing his district in the
lower house of the Illinois Legislature, for
one term. In 1867 he removed with his
family to Minneapolis, where he resided for
two years, and came to where Litch-
field now stanils in June, 1869. Lie had
previously purchased the northeast quar
ter of section 11, in Litchfield township,
knowing that a town would be located in
this vicinity, and, upon the railroad com-
ing here, deeded an undivided one -half
interest in 150 acres of his land to the
railroad company to plat a town upon,
and upon which a part of the original town-
site was laid out in Jul}', 1869. He shipped
a house, which had been gotten out in
Minneapolis, to this point as soon as the
trains were running, and put up one of the
first houses in the village, and moved his
familj' here in November. Here he made
his home until his death, which occurred
July 18, 1878. He was a member of the
Methodist Church, and a devout Christian,
and said, while on his dying bed, that he had
never uttered an oath in his life. He left,
to mourn his loss, his widow and three sons
and one daughter. The latter are as follows —
John, now grain inspector, at Minneapolis;
Lizzie, Mi's. H. M. Miller, of Waverly, 111.;
Henry, of Litchfield, and George E., Jr., the
subject of this sketch. The mother of the
family, after residing here until 1884, re-
turned to Morgan county. 111., where she
now lives.
George B., Jr., made his home with his
parents until after his fatiier's death, and
the removal of his mother from this place.
At the age of eighteen years he commenced
his apprenticeship to the calling of engineer,
which he now follows ; and on the 1st of
January, 1888, took charge of the engine of
Shaw & Ehler's Eoller Flouring Mill. He is
a member of Golden Fleece Lodge, No. 89,
A. F. & A. M.
The marriage of George B. Waller, Jr.,
and Miss Etta Dowman, of Dassel, took
place November 15, 1S86.
JOHN JOHNSON, one of the most active
and enterprising young business men of
the village of Dassel, is engaged in the sale
of agricultural machinery, tie is Swedish
by birth, and was born in 1853. His parents,
Daniel and Bratta Johnson were natives, also,
of Sweden, and came to the United States in
1871, with the natural desire to better their
condition in life. The family settled on sec-
tion 2, Collin wood township, where they
purchased land of the railroad company.
Shortly after they got settled in their new
home, and tlie affairs of the farm began to
go along swimmingly, the subject of this
sketch left the parental roof and found em-
ployment with the Northern Pacific Railroad
Company, and followed that line of business
with varied success, off and on, for a period
covering some six or seven years. Growing
tired at last of that life Mr. Joimson finally
abandoned it, and locatmg in the rising vil-
lage of Dassel, the second important place in
the county, entered into the farm implement
business which he still carries on. In con-
nection with this he is, also, the approved
agent lor sewing machines, and has a wide
reputation in the vicinity for his honorable
dealing.
Mr. Johnson was united in marriage, in
September, 1876, with Miss Alice Forder,
daughter of William and Mary Forder, of
CoUinwood. By this marriage there have
been born three children — William E., Ben-
jamin F. and John E.
Mr. Johnson has always manifested con-
siderable interest in the discharge of his duties
436
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
as a eiti/en, and, being elected town clerk in
1882, was re-elected by an approving constit-
uency lor several terms, serving five consecu-
tive years. He is a member of the Cokato
iodge, No. 13i, A. F. & A. M.
• •* > >»;^{^- < >- •
:rS. MARTHA BOWEN, late of
Litclilield, was a descendant of tbe
Puritans, who preferred the wilds of Amer-
ica, its privations, toil and dangers, with free-
dom to worship God, to comfort and luxury
in a land Avhere tyrants ruled. The progeni-
tors of Mrs. Bo wen were driven by religious
persecution from England, and fled to Hol-
land. As soon as practicable they returned
to England, having decided to leave the Old
World and its strife for the New "World
across the Atlantic wave. They sailed for
Plymouth, Mass., in the vessel following the
Mayflower. Mrs. Martha Bowen, daughter
of Timothy and Ruth Wells Hatch, was born
in Kent, Conn., December 14, 1783. The
father of Mrs. Bowen waS' a brave soldier in
the Tlevolutionary War. He loved God and
freedom, and proved the soundness of his
principles by warring against despotism.
As a specimen of the zeal of the family in
the cause of liberty — when it was impossible
to obtain sufficient firearms for the soldiers,
the grandfather. Styles Wells, made a large
number of iron flails and sent them to our
defenseless soldiers, bidding them, in God's
name, use them bravely against the foes of
our country. When the war was ended and
peace declared, Timothy Hatch, father of
Mrs. Bowen, left his home in Connecticut to
build up a new home in the almost ])athless
wilds of New York. One iumdred and five
3'ears ago there might have been seen in the
wilderness of New York a father and his
daughter with her wee babe, wending their
way on horseback, then the only safe method
of traveling in the unsettled country. That
father was accompanying his daughter to
her husband and the new home prepared for
her in "the West" — Central New York!
The babe became Mrs. Bowen, the subject
of this sketch. In Duanesljurg our pioneer
soldier lived until eight children surrounded
the festal board. By frugality and industry,
sufficient means had been accumulated to
gratiiy tlie wish of the ambitious members
of the family for a change. To Chenango
county, N. Y., to the region afterward
named Sherburne, the father removed. In
til is town, now noticeable for its beautiful
homes, its fine residences and its costly pub-
lic edifices, one could hardly imagine that
not long ago bands of wild Indians roved at
will ; that the thick woodland almost shut
out the light of the noonday sun and the
light of the stars by night.
In a home where God was honored by par-
ents and children, a home of much mature
refinement and intellectual culture, in the
sunshine of worldly prosperity, Martha Hatch
was reared and grew into wonumhood. In
the eighteenth year of her age she married
Luther Bowen, a gentleman from Litchfield,
Conn., whose intelligence, integrity and zeal
in every good work made him a fit compan-
ion for the noble maiden. Mr. Bowen was
for thirty years a merchant and engaged in
various avocations which would have ab-
sorbed the time and strength of a man less
philanthropic and religious; but in the whirl
of busy life he found time to assist in laying
well the foundations of the society in which
his fanuly moved. Nor were his efi'orts
bounded by his own town ; with the ever
ready help of his wife, assistance was often
rendered to pooi\ but promising young men
and women to gain an education. The poor,
friendless and suffering never called in vain
upon his family for help. Six orphans at one
time shared the fireside with the eight chil-
dren of Mr. aiul Mrs. Bowen. Rare was the
year when needy ones were not sheltered
'^^c
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
439
beneath the roof-tree. The abihty to do
good was, by the blessing of God, enlarged
and continued down to the death of the hon-
ored husband. In all the sad changes and
bereavements of her life, Mrs. Bowen mani-
ifested a fortitude founded upon a holy con-
fidence in God. The purity and simplicity
of her life was not changed by circumstances,
only, as she di-ew nearer her final home, she
seemed purified from earthly dross. In May,
1871, Mrs. Bowen came to Litchfield in com-
pany with her son, M. D. Bowen, to make
this town her home. Her extreme age did
not lessen her interest in passing events.
Her memory down to tlie last da3's of her
life was unimpaired. For seventy-five years
Mrs. Bowen was a member of the church,
where she was characterized by her energy
and liberal zeal. She died in Litchfield, Jan-
uary 19, 1876, in tiie ninety-third year of
her age. Her long pilgrimage is ended ; her
crown is won.
ICHAEL MURPHY. One of the
|=lace, the depot
and a store. He was poor and a foreigner
who could not speak the language, but he
buckled to his life work, and now reaps the
reward. He did whatever lie could find at
hand for a cou])le of years, but learning the
house-painting trade with A. Lofstrom, he
followed that for about seven years. In
1879 Mr. Paulson purchased the Swede Grove
House, the pioneer hotel of the village, open-
ed in 1874 by L. A. Olson, and changed the
name to Grove City House, and was the land-
lord of it until the spring of 1888, when he
removed to Lake Koronis where he now
lives. He has, by his own industry and thrift,
raised himself, unaided, from his penniless
condition into comjmrative affluence. He
owns the fine hotel property and a good
farm in Stearns county. He has also grown
in influence in the community and has held
the office of member of the council since
1882; is the i)resent village recorder; and
being the candidate upon the democratic
ticket for member of the legislature, in the
fall of 1886, was only defeated by the union
of the three other parties, and then only by
a small majority.
November 12, 1884, Mr. Paulson was uni-
ted in marriage with Miss Siney Peterson,
daughter of Andrew and Anna (Eskelson)
Peterson-Clase. Both of Mr. Paulson's
parents died in this county, his mother in
1887, and his father in 1886. His wife's
father resides with them, but her mother
died here about the time of the Indian
troubles.
-«-!^J^-^-
^g^ILLER C. WOOD, a resjiected
^^t,i%_ citizen and a successful farmer and
stock-raiser residing on section 20, Mannnah
township, was born in Logan county, Ky.,
on the 4tli of August, islS, and is a son of
Miller and Melinda (Campbell) AVood. He
left his native State with his parents in 1832
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
455
and settled in Illinois, being among the ear-
liest settlers of tliat region. lie remained
there for many years, but in ISO-t came to
Nicollet county, Minn., and settled, remain-
ing one year. At the expiration of that
time he came to Meeker county, and located
on a farm in Union Grove township. In
1879 he removed to Manannah township and
settled on section 20, where he has since
continued to reside. lie lias eiglity acres of
land, and, in connection with a light general
farming business, he devotes considerable
attention to raising stock.
Mr. Wood was married in 1842, to Minerva
Deatherage. She bore him seven children,
and died in 1853.
In the year 1855 he was again married,
Miss Lucinda S. Rogers becoming his wife.
Thirteen children were born to them, ten
of whom are still living. In political mat-
ters Mr. Wood affiliates witli tlie demo-
cratic party.
— «.-:
-^►^
M
^IRAM S. BRANHAM, the junior mem-
Co., is a native of Johnson county, Ind., and
was born January 30, 1856. His parents,
Jesse V. and Mary (Stark) Braniiam, were
natives of Johnson county, Ind., and came
to Meeker county in 1857, and located in
what is now Litchfield township.
Hiram was reared upon a farm until he
was about twelve years of age, since which
time he has, until the formation of tlie pres-
ent firm, been employed in some capacit}' in
some of the county offices. He commenced
in ISOS, with his father, Jesse V. Branham,
Jr., who was serving then as auditor, and
later on was with his present [)artner, Ham-
let Stevens, in the same office, having been
appointed his deputy, and remained in that
position for some eight years. Tlie banking
firm was established bv them in ISSl, and
they are now doing a large biisiness, real
estate and farm loans being a specialty. Mr.
Branham, who is recognized in the com-
munity as one of its ablest and brainiest
business men, by his long and faithful service
in the auditor's office, became thorouglily
posted in regard to the lands of the county,
and this, together with his intuitive and sure
judgment in all land matters make him an
extremely safe guide in all real estate trans-
actions.
Mr. Branham and Miss Jessie A. Greenleaf,
the latter the daughter of Hon.W. H. Green-
leaf, were united in marriage December 27,
1882. They are the parents of one child —
Charles Greenleaf Branham, born December
26, 1884.
-«-2^p5--4-
fOHN VOGEL, one of the prosperous and
intelligent farmers of Dassel township,
is a native of Germany, born in 1813. He
was reared amid the scenes of his youth until
he was about twenty-one years of age, when,
starting out to seek his fortune, he turned
his steps toAvard the west, to the land of the
free, on this side of the ocean, whither he
soon after arrived. For about two years he
was engaged in the coal mines of Pennsyl-
vania, but that work not being congenial to
his taste, he came to Minnesota and for a
time remained in tlie city of St. Paul. He
then went to Howard Lake, and was in the
employ of the railroad until 1877, when he
gave that up, and witii his family settled on
the farm on section 20, Dassel township,
where he now lives. The first year they
lived here there was no floor to their house,
and they suffered considerable privation in
every respect. Mucli of his time was taken
up in working for others in order to provide
for his family, so that the development of his
own farm was somewhat retarded, but the
native thrift and economy of his race, and
456
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
stciidv persovoi-ance and undcviating dili-
gence, in time met witli a signal reward, and
he has now one of the best farms in the town.
It contains 120 acres, and is highly cul-
tivated and cared for.
Mr. Vogel was married in St. Paul, Octo-
ber 23, 1865, to Miss Emily Zeigler, a native
of Germany, wlio came to this country the
August preceding. They are the parents of
eleven children, as follows — Edwin, born De-
cember Y, 1807; Martin, born March 19,
1869; Adelia, born February 22, 1877 ; Louisa,
born July 23, 1873 ; Albert, born March 3,
1875 ; Julia, born December 22, 1876 ; Emily,
born November 26, 1878 ; Mary, born March
31, 1881 ; Hattie, born March 8, 1883 ; John,
born April 1, 1885 ; and Mabel, born June 6,
1887.
-««
^^.■
liW. AI.VFR O. NESS, an enterprising
JP*^ farmer of Litchfield township, is a
son of Ole Halverson and Mary Ness, and
was born in Rock county. Wis., February 20,
1850. "When he was but six years of age his
parents removed to Meeker county, and set-
tled on section 29, of what is now Litchfield
township, where his entire life has been
spent in the same industrious and upright
manner that characterized the lives of his
worthy ancestors. In 1877 he was married
to Carrie M. Karn, who was born in Alama-
kee county, Iowa, March 25, 1855. Her
parents, Helga and Hellen Ness, came to
America in 1844:, and are still residents of
Iowa. Two children have been born to
Ilalver and Carrie Ness — Mary, born June
1, 1878; and Hellen, born April 5, 1879.
The family are members of the Norwegian
Lutheran Church of Grove City. "When the
Indian outbreak came in 1862, Halver was
but twelve yeai-s old, yet the work of a man
devolved upon him, and he remembers many
incidents of the memorable reign of terror.
^^ILAS H. CASWELL, one of the pio-
'5^§) neers of T'nion Grove township, is the
son of Carlos and Anna Caswell, who were
natives of Vermont. He was born at Bromj)-
ton, Quebec, Canada, October 22, 1827, and
Avas reared upon a farm until his nineteenth
year. For a few years he was sa\vyer in a
sawmill, commencing life on his own account
when twenty-four years old. August 9, 1853,
he was married to Miss Fannie E. McCrea,
the daughter of Eobert and Elizabeth P.
McCrea, who was born March 4, 1832, at
Castle Fin, Ireland, of Scottish parents. She
had resided in the land of her birth until
eighteen 3'ears of age, coming to Canada in
1850.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Caswell
came to the United States, November 3, 1854,
arriving in St. Anthon}', Minn., with but
$2.50 in their jiossession. The following
February they removed to Monticello, Wright
county, where he took up a claim and made
his home until his removal to Union Grove
township, this county, in 1857. While at St.
Anthony, he was engaged in carpentering,
and helped finish the first brick building
erected in Minneapolis. In 1856 he came
here, as detailed elsewhere, and, going back,
sold out and moved his family here, as above
mentioned.
He preempted some 160 acres of land on
sections 23 and 24, in the town of Union
Grove, where he lived at the time of the
Indian outbreak in 1862, a history of which
is given in detail elsewhere in this volume.
Like all of the rest of the settlers here, that
fall he and his family left, for safer quarters,
and made their home on a farm in Wright
county for two years. In 18»)4 he returned
to Union Grove, where he made his home
until 1876, during which time he had filled
several local offices. At that date he
removed to Stevens county where he lived
for three years, afterwai'd moving back to
Union Grove, where he has a fine farm,
MEEKEK COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
459
besides owning a quarter section in Brown
county, Dakota, having some 380 acres in
all. Mr. and Mrs. Caswell are the parents
of five children— Miranda F. E., born June
26, 1854, Brompton, Quebec, Canada; Ed-
win H., born April 22, 1857, Monticello,
Minn. ; Addie J., born February 13, 1862,
Union Grove, Minn. ; Oscar C, born Octo-
ber 29, 1866 ; and Ernest F., born August 2,
1869, same place. The eldest, now Mrs. J.
H. Murray, of Marshall county. Dak., is the
mother of three children — Lura E., born
April 7, 1876; Pearl C, deceased, born in
1878 ; and Berna D., born in January, 1887.
Addie, Mrs. A. Matteson, of Castle, Mont.,
has two children living — Bei'tha G., born
December, 16, 1879; and Earl L., March 31,
1884 ; she had three more, now deceased.
M. WANVIG, a resident of section 36,
Acton township, is one of the most
prominent citizens of Meeker county. He is
a native of Norway, born June 20, 1831, and
a son of Olaavis and Johanna Wanvig. His
father followed the business of a general
merchant in Norway until the time of his
death. In 1861 D. M. Wanvig came to the
New World, and settled in Quebec, Canada,
where he engaged in farming and was also
an interpreter for the Grand Trunk Com-
pany
in their emigration business. In 1868
he settled in St. Paul, having in the mean-
time begun railroading, which he followed
for a number of years. In the spring of 1870
he removed to Litchfield, being then engaged
in railroad contracting,and in superintending
the laying of tracks. In March, 1873, he
purchased a farm on section 36, Acton town-
ship, and moved his family upon it. This
has since been his home, with the exception
of the years from 1881 to 1885, inclusive,
Avhen he was a resident of Litchfield, and
where he still owns a magnificent residence.
When Mr. Wanvig purchased his farm there
was but fifty-two acres broke. He has added
to the place until he now has 320 acres in
all, 160 of which is under cultivation, and it
is one of the most valuable farms in the
county. Mr. Wanvig devotes his attention
to general farming and stock-raising, the
latter particularly. Mr. AVanvig was mar-
ried in Norway, in 1852, to Marie Louisa
Enebo, and they were blessed with four chil-
dren, as follows — Augusta, born March 31,
1853; John Olof, born December 1, 1854;
George Martin, born February 16, 1856, and
Marcus, born February 8, 1858. His first
wife died in Norway, on the 16th of Febru-
ary, 1858. After coming to Canada, Mr.
Wanvig was married again, this time to
Elizabeth Dudy. Three children have blessed
this union — Daniel, Matilda and Adolph.
Mr. Wanvig has been prominently identi-
fied with railroad building in the Northwest.
When he began his railroad work the present
Manitoba line was known as the St. Paul &
Pacific, and he had a $16,000 contract on
that line. He built the Winona Road from
Marshall west to Chachaska, now Water-
town ; also built the track on the line from
Morris west to Breckenridge ; and the track
from Barnesville to twenty-eight miles north
of Crookston. When he settled at Litchfield
the terminus of the line was at Benson. In
political matters Mr. Wanvig is a republican,
and is one of the leading members of that
party in the county. From 1874 until 1883,
he was, under the republican administration,
railway postal clerk from St. Paul to St.
Vincent, his home during this time, however,
being in Meeker county. It is worthy of
mention that the Indian battle which is
mentioned at length in the historical depart-
ment of this work was fought on section 35,
of Acton township, on land now owned by
Mr. Wanvig. One of the victims was buried
there, but the remains were afterward taken
up and re-interi'ed at Hutchinson.
460
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
^^AMUEL A. DORMAN, aix-omincntand
"^i^ resjiected old settlor residing on sec-
tion 17, Kingston township, dates his resi-
dence in Meeker connty the year 1857, and is
therefore one of tiie best known citizens in
the eastern part of the county. Afr. Dorman
is a native of Washington connty. Me., born
on the2J:th of January, 18-13. His early life
was spent in attending school in his native
State, and in 1857, with his parents, he came
to Meeker county, Minn., and they located
on section 17, Kingston township, where he
still resides. His mother is dead and his
father is still living. They were here all
through the Indian outbreak and all through
the most trying times in the history of the
county. ]\rr. Dorman, the subject of our
sketch, was married in December, 1873, to
Miss Martha Gable, a native of Kentuck}',
and a daughter of David Gable and wife.
Her mother is dead and her father is still liv-
ing. Mr. and Mrs. Dorman are the parents
of four children — named, Jesse, Elmer, Ilat-
tie and Ada — two girls and two boys.
Mr. Dorman has taken an active interest
in pui)lic mattei's, and has been prominentl}'
identified with the official history of the
township, having held various local offices.
In political matters he is a democrat. Dur-
ing his early manhood Mr. Dorman follow^ed
wag(jn-malcing to some extent, but the prin-
cipal portion of his life has been devoted to
farming, and he is now engaged in diversified
farminf; and stock-raising.
JASPER WRIGHT, an enterprising farmer
of Collinwood township, living on sec-
tion 4, was l)orn in Yancey county, N. C,
January 4, 1837, and is tlie son of Jonathan
and Mary (Bailey) Wright, both of whom
were natives of the " same State." When
he was a boy of six or seven years old, his
parents removed to Russell county, Va..
where he was reared to manhood. He re-
mained at home until his marriage, after
which he started for himself on one of his
father's farms, where he remained until July
19, 1861, when he enlisted in Company H,
Fiftieth Virginia Infantry, and served until
he was wounded and cajjtured. On being
paroled he returned to his home, where he
remained until 1865, when he removed to
Lawrence county, Ohio, liut the following
October, came to Collinwood township, this
county. He took up a claim of 81 acres, on
section 4, where he now lives. His entire
wealth, when he got here, was ^33, his gun,
a spider, and a dinner kettle, and his wife,
and two children. He invested three dollars
in provisions, and the balance of his money
in a cow, and settled down to frontier life.
His brother, Waitsdel, and his family were
with him, and, as the brother was sick, he
was the only support of both families, and
kept them going in venison brought down
by his gun. For three years Ijieir only meat
was of this variet}'. He is now well fixed,
however, and enjoys life in a more comfort-
able fashion.
Mr. Wright was married January 6, 1858,.
to Miss Elizabeth Taylor, who was born in
Russell county, Va., August 26, 1840, and is
the daughter of William and Dycia Taylor.
They have had a family of five children.
-^.
^; ECKSTROM. Prominent among the
[^' leading citizens of Dassel village is ex-
sheriff Ekstrom, of whom this sketch is writ-
ten. His life, which began in Sweden, Jan-
uary 20, 1845, has been a diversified one,
his eai'ly years having been passed as a sea-
man upon the boisterous waters of the North
Atlantic, and the more placid Pacific Ocean,
and in which profession he rose to the posi-
tion of mate. Growing tired of the monot-
ony of sea life he came to New Yoi-k in
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
46 r
1S67, and in company witli K. and G. Rai-
ling, came directly through to Meeker county
by way of St. Paul. During the winter of
that year he followed hunting and trapping
with the other two men, and in August,
1867, the three purchased 1100 acres of land,
all of which they afterwards sold except 300
acres which Mr. Ekstroui kept for his own
use, and on which he carried on farming.
This was on section 3, town of Greenleaf,
and upon it he took up agricultural pursuits,
and remained there until 1874, when he sold
out, and removing to Litchfield, entered into
partnership with A. T. Koerner, in the real
estate business, under the firm name of
Ekstrom & Koerner. lie remained in this
until 18S1. Having been elected sheriff of
the county in 1877 he assumed the duties of
that office and held it for six years, having
been twice re-elected. After the termination
of his official career he entered upon the
handling of grain at ]\Iorton, where he re-
mained until 188G when he came to Dassel
where he is engaged in the real estate busi-
ness with Peter Johnson, although he still
lives at the county seat.
Mr. Eckstrom was married in 1872 to Miss
Helen Sauvror, a native of Sweden, and they
are the parents of four cliildren.
^H^HEODORE EHLERS, of the firm of
^jJU Shaw & Ehlers, millers and grain
dealers, Litchfield, is a native of Mecklen-
burg-Schwerin, Germany, born December
10, 1837, and is the son of Christian and
Amelia Ehlers. He received his education
in his native land, and tliere acquired some
knowledge of the milling business. He came
to the United States in January, 1851, while
yet a young man, and followed llie profession
of a miller, through various parts of Wisconsin,
until 1863, when he located in the city of
Minneapolis. There he was employed in the
old Cataract mill, which was the first and, at.
that time, the only merchant mill in the
Flour City. After two years spent as miilei-
in that establishment, Mr. Ehlers started the-
Arctic, now St. Anthony mill, which he
operated for about a year. The next two
succeeding years were spent by him in the-
same line of business at Chaska, this State,
after whicii he returned to Minneapolis,,
where he entered the Wasliburn flour mill,
now known as " B " mill. He started the
Zenith and the Galaxy mills, and several
others, and made his home there until 1877-
At that time he came here, and in company
with Mr. Shaw, purchased the Litchfield
flouring mill, and established the present
business. Shortly after its purchase the new
proprietors remodeled the mill, and changed
it to the roller system, and improved it
throughout, making it first-class in every res-
pect. In 1882 the firm erected their eleva-
tor. They are also engaged in the flour and
feed business in Litchfield.
Mr. Ehlers is one of the active members of
the Masonic fraternity, having been made a
Mason in Hennepin Lodge, No. 4. He is a
member of Rabboni Ciiapter, No. 39, and
Melita Commandery, No.l7, of this place, and
he and his wife both belong to Fidelity
Chapter, Eastern Star degree, of which Mrs.
Ehlers, formerly Miss Emma E. Elkins, is the-
present secretai'v.
-*-:
J^ARTIN O. NESS, is a well-known
.^.tj^_ farmer and stock-raiser, who re-
sides on section 32. Litchfield township. He
is a son of Ole Halverson and Mary Ness,
and was among the first white children born
in Meeker county, having first seen the light
on the old Ness homestead February 11,.
1858. His father and mother were natives-
of Norway, and among the first settlers of
Meeker county, and Martin was reared on
462
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
the farm with them. In 1881 he purchased
the (Tuiuier-Olson farm, and commenced tlie
business of farming on his own acconnt. In
1SS3 he moved tlieold homestead house onto
his ])hice, and "batched" it there until Sep-
tember 13, 1884, wlien lie was nuirried to
Hannah Peterson, who was born in JS'orwav,
June 23, 1859. She is the daughter of Peter
and Tisa Peterson Schonhoveh Martin Ness
and wife have two children — Oscar Peter,
born October IS, 1885 ; Charles Pandolph,
born January 31, 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Ness
are both members of tiie Norwegian Luth-
eran Church of Grove City.
Carl O. Nkss, of Litchfield townsliip, is
another sturdy young farmer, who was born
Meeker county, the date of his birth being
July 12, 1805, and his parents being Olellai-
verson and Mary Ness. He is of that hardy
Norse stock that make successful farmers and
substantial citizens. He owns a quarter sec-
tion of land adjoining the farms of his broth-
ers Martin and Halver, and devotes his entire
attention to farming and stock-raising,making
his home witli Martin. He is a member of
the Protestant Episcopal Church of Litch-
Jfield.
— -^:
)ATRICK MCCAFFREY, one of the most
prominent and well-to-do farmers and
stock-raisers in the northern portion of the
county, resides on section 22, Manannah
township. He was born in County Tyrone,
Ireland, on the 8th of ]\Iarch, 1822, and is a
son of Patrick and Ellen (McCarran) McCaf-
frey. He grew to manhood in his native
land, acquiring the same habits of industry
Jinil frugality which are characteristic of the
race from which he springs. His jiarents
died in the land of his birth, and in 1844 he
started for America, landing in Boston, and
went direct to Lowell, Mass., where he set-
tled. He remained there until Mav, 1865,
when he came "West to Meeker county, Minn.,
aud took a claim in Harvey townshij), where
T. W. Dougherty now lives. He dug a cel-
lar, got read\' to buiki. and made some other
improvements, after which he and his wife
returned to Lowell, Mass., for the rest of the
familv and i»-oods. Durinj;' their absence a
party jumped their claim, and Mr. McCaffrey
lost his homestead. The family remained
in Massachusetts one year, and then returned
to Meeker county, Minn., and Mr. McCaffrey
took a claim and built a house on section 30,
in what is now Harvey township. After
living there for one year they were burned
out and lost all they had. When this mis-
fortune overtook them they returned to Low-
ell, Mass., and remained there until 1876,
when thej' again settled in Meeker county,
locating on section 22, Manannah township,
where they still reside. Mr. McCaffrey has
a valuable farm of 200 acres, where he car-
ries on general farming and stock-raising.
In 1842 Mr. McCaffrey was mai'ried to
Elizabeth Quinn, and tiiey have been blessed
with nine children, as follows — Patrick, Rose
Ann, Owen, James, Thomas, Mary J., John,
Mary E. and Charles II., all of whom are
living except Patrick, Mary J. and Charles
H. The family are members of the Catholic
Church.
Mrs. McCaffrey's ]iarents were natives of
Ireland. The father died in his native land,
and the mother in Lowell, Mass.
-««:
/^HARLES F. SPAULDING, a respected
^^p and prominent old settler residing on
section 22, Forest Prairie, and a successful
farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Oxford
county. Me., born on the 14tli of April, 1850,
and is a son of I'enjainin Y. S|)aulding. His
parents are still living in Forest Prairie town-
ship, in which they were among the earliest
settlers.
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
463
While Charles was still 3'oung his parents
removed to Scott county, and in 1866, they
removed to Meeker county. When our sub-
ject was only fifteen years of age, in Febru-
ary, 1865, he enlisted in the First Minnesota
Heavy Artillery, and went into the service,
and joined his company at Chattanooga,
Tenn. He remained in the service until July
29, 1865, when he was honorably discharged
at Prairie du Chien, Wis. He then returned
to Scott county, Minn., and the following
year the family settled in Forest Prairie
township, where they have since lived. Our
subject owns 2i0 acres of land in all, and de-
votes his attention to general farming and
stock-raising. He has been engaged in farm-
ing most of the time since attaining his ma-
jority, although for four years following
1880, he carried the mail from Litclifield to
Forest City.
Charles F. Spaulding was married on the
1st of February, 1874, to Miss Josephine
Vossen, a native of Germany, and a daugh-
ter of Christian Vossen, a respected resident
of Forest Prairie township. Mr. and Mrs.
Spaulding have been the parents of five chil-
dren, as follows — Joseph, Frank, Charles,
Lydia and Julia.
In political matters Mr. Spaulding is a re-
publican. He has taken an active interest in
township and educational matters, and has
been prominently identified with the official
history of the town.
%y^ m. OLSON,
tial farmer.
-^^
a respected and influen-
who lives on section 21,
Greenleaf township, was born in Sweden,
on the 11th of February, 1839. His father
died in Sweden, and he was brought up on a
farm, learning the same habits of economy
and industry which characterize a majority
of that nationality. In 1867 he sailed for
the United States and settled at Eock Island,
111. He remained there until 1873, when he
removed to Meeker county, Minn., and pur-
chased the farm in Greenleaf township
where he now lives. He has beeii ver}^ suc-
cessful in his farming operations, notwith-
standing he has met with several reverses in
losing or getting poor crops, but his industry
has not been without its reward and he is
now in comfortable circumstances. He now
has 100 acres of land, substantial buildins's
and a good lot of stock.
Mr. Olson Avas married in 1876 to Johanna
C. Johnson. In religious matters Mr. Olson
is a member of the Church of God ; and in
political affairs he affiliates with the repub-
lican party. His mother resides with
him.
rVlREN W. TOPPING, who is engaged
^/ in the hay and straw baling business
in the village of Litchfield, was born in
Greenleaf, Meeker county, November 11,
1860, and is the son Charles G. and Louisa
M. ( Br iggs) Topping.
The father of the subject of this memoir,
one of the pioneers of this county, was born
in Tompkins county, N. Y., April 11, 1834,
and made his home there, with his parents,
until 1855. In the spring of that year he
removed to Wisconsin, where he lived until
the fall of 1857, when he came to this vicin-
ity, settling at Hutchinson, McLeod county.
The following spring he took up a claim on
section 10, Cedar Mills township, which be
commeneed improving as a fai'm. In Janu-
ary, 1860, he returned to his native State,
and was there united in marriage to Miss
Louisa M. Briggs, and with her returned the
following spring to his farm.
In 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Fourth
Minnesota Infantr}^ and served until Sep-
tember, 1864, when lie was honorably dis-
frora the service for
charged
disability,
464
MEEKER COUNTY, ^MINNESOTA.
owing to disease contracted in tiie army.
His family, at the time of tlie Indian out-
break, having fled back to New York State,
he, on receiving his discharge, went there
4ind bi'ought them back to Minnesota, and
made his home upon his fanii until 1872,
when he sold out and came to the village of
Litchfield, where he now lives. His wife,
the mother of our subject, and three broth-
•ers and one sister, died February 14, 1888.
She was a most estimable woman, an affect-
ionate wife and indulgent motlier, and who
possessed the esteem of all witii whom she
•came in contact.
Oren W. remained with liis parents while
they lived upon the farm, but some time
after coming to Litchfield, commenced to
learn the barber's trade, which he followed
for some time, after which he established his
present business.
MELS JOHNSON, a successful and en-
terprising fai'mer ami stock-raiser, re-
siding on section 32, Union Grove township,
is a native of Sweden, born July 17, 1836,
-and a son of John and Maggie Hanson. His
earlv life Avas spent in his native land, where
he learned the mason's trade, and acquin^d
the habits of industry and frugality which
-are characteristics of the Swedish people.
In 1880 he came to the United States and
made his way direct to Meeker county, Minn.
JB[e first located at Grove City, where he fol
lowed his trade, and remained there for four
years. At the expiration of that time he
came to Union Grove township and pur-
chased 160 acres of land on section 32, where
he now lives. His resitience is a comfortable
new frame building, and he is rapidly getting
his farm in tillable condition.
Mr. Johnson was married in Octobei', 1863,
in Sweden, to Miss Hannah Peterson, a
■->
l^RANK J. TWOMBLY, one of the pro-
JP^ gressive farmers of Cosmos township,
living on section 23, is the son of James and
Ellice Twombly, and is a native of McKeene
county, Penn., born in 1857. He was reared
among the hills, and amid the })icturesQue
surroundings of his native county, until he
was about six or seven years of age, when
his parents removed to St. Anthony, this
State, where they made their home until
1878, when they came to Meeker county and
located on the jilace, now owned and occu-
pied by Frank. The latter accompanied his
parents here, and remained with them until
1884, when he purchased the homestead of
his fathei', upon which he now carries on
agricultural pursuits. His father, after dis-
posing of his ]iroperty, emigrated to far-off
Oregon, settled there anil is still a resident
of that State. Frank Twombly has held
several minor local offices as a ])reparatory
school to the more important ones which,
no doubt, the future holds in store for him.
He is a careful lousiness man, and holds the
respect of all who know him.
466
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
^^•■"^ELS A. DRAXTEN is one of the thrifty
and enterprising- farmers of Acton
townsiiip. Like so many of the residents of
the western part of Meeker country, he is a
native of Norway, born on tlie Oth of Octo-
ber, 1850, the names of his immediate ances-
tors being Andrew F. and Mary Draxten.
His early life was spent in his native
land, hut in 1SG9 he sailed for the United
States, and upon his arrival, came direct to
Minneapolis, where he was employed in saw-
mills. Seven years later he came to Meeker
county and ]iurchased 111 acres of land on
section 17, in Acton township, where he now
lives. He has a good farm and valuable im-
provements — a neat twostory house, 26x32
feet in size, with an addition 14x1-1, and also
a substantial barn 28x51: feet in dimensions.
His parents live with him, and he has four
brothers who are Meeker county farmers, all
of whom are married.
Mr. Draxten is a democrat in political mat-
ters, and takes an active interest in all
matters affecting the welfare of his town-
ship. He is a well-posted and intelligent
citizen, and is highly respected by his neigh-
bors. He has held a number of township
offices ; was elected supervisor in 1881 and
served one term, and in March, 1886, was
elected township treasurer.
•■e>--S^^"4^-
JTeSSE V. BRANHAM, SR., one of the
pioneers of this locality, was born
April IS, 1803, in Scott county, K3^, and lived
there until 1811, when he removed with his
parents to Franklin,Jefferson county, Ind. He
learned the millwright's trade there and fol-
lowed it for some years, at one time owning
a half-interest in the mill at Franklin, and
an interest in the woolen mill at the same
place. In 1857 he removed to Meeker
county, and took up a claim in the town of
Litchfield, where he made his home until the
tragic days of the Indian outbreak in 1862,
when he took his family to a place of secur-
it}', and, although then nearly sixty years of
age, returned to help defend the country. He
it was that volunteered to ride to the State
capital, with the demand of the settlers for
help, a service of danger and fatigue, as the
road then was nearly one hundred miles
long. After fulfilling his duty here he went
to Minneapolis, where iiis family were and
and there spent the winter. Inthe springof
1863, he and his family returned to Forest
City, and two years later to the old home-
stead. In lS6i he was elected to the office
of county treasurer, and served for six years.
In 1874 Mr. Branhara sold his farm and
moved to the village of Litchfield, where
he now resides. He was married Decem-
ber 21, 1821, to Miss Mary Butler, and they
have been the parents of eight children,
four of whom are living, namely — Jesse V.
Jr., Wilham, Mrs. Gullet, and Mrs. E. A.
Campbell. Mrs. Branham died June 12, 1888,
at Litchfield.
^TlCK BAUER. The subject of this bi-
iffjl ography, a respected and enterprising
farmer and stock-raiser residing on section
7, Forest Prairie township, is a native of
Prussia, German}', born on the 20th of
March, 1853, and a son of Goodheart and
Mary (Earnest) Bauer. In 1865 the family
sailed for the United States, and after a
voyage lasting for forty days they landed at
New York City, and at once proceeded by
way of 'St. Paul to St. Cloud, in Stearns
county, Minn., where they were among the
first settlers. They settled on a farm about
nine miles from St. Cloud, and that was the
home of the parents until the time of their
death. Goodheart Bauer and wife were the
parents of a large family of children, the
names of their offspring being as follows —
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
469
Lena, Man', Lizzie, Gertrude, Lucy, Katie,
•Peter, John Peter, Michael, Nick, Matt and
Hobart.
Nick Bauer, the subject of our present
sketch, was married on the 14th of Septem-
ber, 1879, at Minneapolis, to Miss Lizzie
Fenniman, a native of German}'. She be-
came the mother of one child, a girl named
Marj', and the mother died in June, 1880.
Mr. Bauer's present wife was formerly
Miss Marj' Roucli. The}' were married at
St. Nicholas, Stearns county, on the 9th of
November, 1882. They are the parents of
two living children, named Anna and Peter.
In political matters Mr. Bauer affiliates
with the democratic pai-ty. The family are
exemplary members and active supporters of
the Catholic Church.
r^'
ICHARD DOYLE, a progressive and
wide-awake farmer of Darwin town-
ship, has his home on section 10. He is a
native of Upper Canada, born about the year
1836, and is the son of Terence and Margaret
Doyle, who were natives of the beloved but
down-trodden island of Ireland. Richard
remained for many years in his Canadian
home engaged in tilling the soil, for he was
alwaj's a farmer until 1867, when he came to
the States and settled in Meeker county,
where he now lives, and where he has con-
tinued to make his home ever since.
While living in Canada he was united in
marriage with Miss Mary Enright, who bore
him nine children, of whom the following
six still survive — Michael, John, James A.,
Richard T., Mary and Terence. Their oldest
child, Terence, died in Canada, as did Pat-
rick, in 1867 ; Margaret died here April 14,
1888, and is buried in Darwin.
Mr. Doyle has given a great amount of
attention to mixed farming, and is authority
with those who know him best in respect to
his calling. His success since coming here
is entirely due to his persistent labor and
good judgment, and is an excellent example.
There is no tlowery road to success, nothing
but diligent work, and Mr. Doyle has proven
that he has found it so. He is a strict mem-
ber of the Roman Catholic Church. In pol-
itics he is a sincere and abiding democrat,
believing that in that party lies the safest
rules for the preservation of our National
existence.
-*-i
I
►^^
OHN WISE, who is successfully engaged
'0 in farming and stock-raising, upon sec-
tion 29, Kingston township, is a native of
Miami county, Ohio, born April 8, 1835,
and is the son of Samuel and Barbara (Shope)
Wise, who were natives of Lancaster county,
Penn. His father emigrated from the
" Buckeye State," in his later days, to Indi-
ana, where he died at the age of seventy -nine
years nine months and thirteen days. The
mother died in 1869. Both were members
sf the German Baptist Church, and were the
parents of fourteen children, who all grew to
manhood and womanhood. Their names
were — Jacob, John, Samuel, Andreas, Levi,
Isaac, Abram, Ilenr}', Daniel, Elizabeth,
Sallie, Teena, Barbara, and Marj'.
John Wise was reared in Miami county,
Ohio, upon the paternal farm, where he
lived until attaining his majority, receiving
in the halc3'on days of youth the elements
of a good education. He commenced farm-
ing in his native State, and from there moved
over into Indiana, where he lived until 1879,
when he came to Minnesota, locating in
Meeker county, on the place where he now
lives.
The subject of this historical notice was
united in marriage, January 2, 1855, with
Miss Sarah Christian, a native of Pennsyl-
vania, and daughter of Solomon and PolMe
470
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Christian, natives of the "Keystone State"
also. By this union there have been six
children born, namely — Samuel, living in
Wisconsin; and Anna, Fannie, Elizabeth,
Barbara, and Sara Jane, all of whom are
married, but the son. In his politics Mr.
Wise is a steady adherent to the principles
of the republican ])arty, and is a representa-
tive man of tlie township.
MELS EKMAN is a farmer on section
3i, Swede Grove township, where he
carries on general farming and stock raising.
Mr. Ekman is a son of Swan and Ingra Swan-
son, and is a native of Sweden, born on the
2d of October, 1853. He came to the United
States in ]S71, and made his way directly to
Meeker county, Minn. He worked for farm-
ers in this part of the State until about 1877,
when he bought a farm of Peter Elofson.
Two months later he traded this for a farm
in Douglas county, but did not move on to
it, and soon afterward traded it for a farm
near Grove City, in this county. Two
months later he sold this and went to Devil's
Lake, where he worked on the railroad one
summer, and then returned to Swede Grove.
In the spriAg he bought a farm of George
Okeson, where he now lives. He has 120
acres of land on sections 3.3 and 3-t, his build-
ings being on tiie latter section. By industry
and economy Mr. Ekman has secured a good
start, and is in comfortable circumstances.
Jrle was a poor man when he came here — so
poor, in fact, that he owed for his passage
from his native land to the New World, and
he worked for two years to pay the debt.
Mr. Ekman was married to Miss Ellen An-
derson, a daughter of Bengt and Betsy Han-
son. They have been blessed with two chil-
dren—Betsy, born March 21, 1884, and An-
drew, born February 2, 1887. Mrs. Ekman
was born in Sweden on the 28th of Novem-
ber, 1859. Her mother is dead, and her
father lives in Swede Grove township. Mr.
Ekman's father is dead, and his mother is
still living in Sweden, her native land. In
political matters Mr. Ekman is a republican.
-«-;
^III^HE SUBJECT of this sketch, W. J.
XiL WHririNGTON, the proprietor of the
Litchfield greenhouse and market garden, is
a native of Sussex, England, born December
28, 1863. From the time that he was old
enough he spent his time in a greenhouse and
garden in his old home, on the south coast of
his native land, until he was about fourteen
years of age, when he came to this country
and located in Union Grove township, in this
county. He passed some three yeai-s in that
vicinity, and then removed to Litclitield.
The first six months he was here he spent in
attendance at the high school, after which,
for about four years, he was employed at
farm labor. In the fall of 1885 he leased two
town lots on the corner of Third and Hol-
comb streets, with the intention of establish-
ing a floral and plant conservatory for local
and shipping trade. He broke the first
ground for this enterprise September 12,
1885, and by his energy and perseverance
soon built up an active trade and an enviable
reputation. These grounds proving too small
for his rapidly increasing business, in the fall
of 1887 Mr. Whittington purchased some five
acres of ground in Greenleaf's addition to the
town, a portion of which he is laying out as
a private park, for the purpose of floral dis-
plays, which is to bear the name of Garfield
Park. In this our subject proposes to show
the growth and culture of the various flow-
ers and plants susceptible of outdoor exposure
in this climate, and exhibit some features of
landscape gardening. It is the intention to
hold annual horticultural shows and festivals
here, given by the generosity of the propri-
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
471
etor to his friends and patrons throughout
this section of the State. In connection with
this Mr. Whittington carries on market gar-
dening, and being connected with the business
part of the city by telephone, can make deliv-
eries at short notice. He also handles all the
various tools used in gardening, pots, and in-
structions as to the cultivation of plants and
flowers, and is ])repared to furnish bouquets
and floral decorations for weddings or other
festive occasions.
•-«-
M UGUST ERICKSON, The subject of
j|£>^ this sketch is a prominent farmer
who lives on section 15, in Greenleaf town-
ship. He was born in Sweden October 3,
1851, and his parents were natives of the
same land, his father having been born in
1809 and his mother in 1812. His father
died when he was only twelve years of age
and he wa-s early in life thrown upon his own
resources. His mother 'is still living. In
1872 he came to the United States and set-
tled at Brocton, Chautauqua county, N. Y.
Two years later he removed to Minneapolis,
Minn., and renuiined there about four months
after which he came to Meeker county, and
settled in Greenleaf township, where he has
since livetl. He arrived here in the fall of
1874. He has a valuable farm, substantial
improvements and is in prosperous circum-
stances. He has taken an active interest in
religious matte)'s and is a member of the
Mission Friends Church.
On the 20th of July, 1873, he was married
to Christina Peterson, who is also a native
of Sweden. Her parents were also natives
of the same country, her mother still liv-
ing, but the father having died several years
ago. Mr. and Mrs. Erickson have been blessed
with seven children, all of whom are liv-
ing, as follows — Anna, born September 5,
187-1; Ilildur, born June -i, 1876; Salraa,
born May 9, 1878; Frida, born March 11,
1880; Agda, born February 21, 1882; Ed-
ward Eniil, born March 22, 1881 ; and Albert,
born December 29, 1885.
'■»-!
WEN PRINTY, a prosperous and well-
V^y to-do agriculturist of Darwin town-
ship, residing on section 14, is a nat^'e of
that gem of the sea, Ireland, born about the
year 1831. Reared among the beautiful
scenery of that ever-verdant isle, Mr. Prin-
ty had no wish to leave it, were it not for
the fact that it was almost impossible to stay
there and enjoy more than the barest necessa-
ries of life, so oppressed and down-trodden
are its. people by foreign misrule.
In October, 1860, Owen was married to
Miss Alice McGill, a native of the same
country, and the following year the young
couple determined to seek a new home in
free America, where a man could raise his
condition if he chose. They accordingly
embarked, and, crossing the ocean, landed at
Quebec. From there they came direct to
St. Paul and St. Anthony, and in the latter
city Mr. Printy remained some five or six
months. He then came to Meeker county,
but after a stay at Forest City of some five
or six months more, he was driven back to
St. Anthony by the terrible Indian outbreak
of 1862. Four years later, with his family,
he left St. Anthony, where they had been
living, and coming to Meeker county, settled
in Darwin township, on the farm where he
now lives, where he has ever since made his
home.
Mr. and Mrs. Printy are the parents of
seven children — Ellen, Mary, Owen, Alice,
John, Joanna and Michael, all living but
Joanna, who died November 29, 1877. The
family are members of the Roman Catholic
Church.
472
AfEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
ICHOLAS NELSON, a highly res-
pected old settler of Litchlield town-
lip, was born in Sweden, October 23, 1849.
His father, Bengt Nelson, was born in 1815,
and died in Meeker county, in 187-1. His
mother, Christine Nelson, was born in Swe-
den, in 1805, and at this date (1888) still
lives near neighbor to Nicholas. The family
came to America in 1850, and lived in Knox
county, 111., till 1858, Avhen they came to
Meeker county, by way of the river to Car-
ver county, and took up a claim on section
22, of what is now Litchfield township.
Nicholas has three half brothers and one
half sister, namely — Swan, Nels and Peter
Swanson, and Hannah Swanson Vorys.
At the time of the Indian outbreak the
family, consisting of Nicholas and his father
and mother, were living on the old claim,
about two miles from where Litchfield vil-
lage now stands. After receiving the warn-
ing of the onslaught of the savages on that
memorable 17th of August, the family took
refuge for the night in the house of Nels
Swanson, and they next proceeded to Forest
City. After remaining there a short time,
they went to Washington county and stayed
there during the winter, returning to the
farm in the spring. Nicholas continued to
assist his father in carrying on the farm until
the latter's death, when he took the hehn
himself, and has operated it in a quiet,
though successful way. In 1879 he was mar-
ried to Emma Olson, a native of Sweden.
They have four children — Charles, Josephine,
Ellen and Alfred.
^^►.
-«-l
JTOHN W. TORREY. One of tlie most
^ successful and enterprising farmers
of Union Grove township, is the gentle-
man whose name heads this article. He
is a resident of section 25, and his enter-
prise is manifested in the substantial build-
ings wiiich he iuis erected, and his fai'm,as a
whole, is a credit to the township in wiiich he
resides.
Mr. Torrey is a son of John A. and Ann
E. (Diamond) Torrey, and was born forty
miles west of Detroit, in Jackson county,
Michigan, on the 29tli of December, 1838.
His mother died when he was still a boy of
eight, and he remained with his father until
he was sixteen years old, when he started
out to earn his own way in the workL In
1855 he came to Minnesota with his father,
and remained here two years working on a
farm, after wiiich he returned to Michigan.
Three years later he came back to Minne-
sota, and in October, 1861, he enlisted in the
First Minnesota Battery, and went south for
service with his company. He saw very
active service, and participated in tiiefolhjw-
ing battles — Shdoh, Corinth, second Corinth,
Vicksbm-g, Champion Hill, luka, Atlanta,
Columbia and Goldsborough.
He remained in active service for three
years and seven months, and was finally
mustered out at St. Paul, on the 2d of July,
1865. He then came to Meeker county and
looked over the country, but did not locate
until March, 1866, when he took eighty
acres on section 26, in Union Grove town-
ship. He remained there for two years and
then sold his right, and purchasetl forty
acres of railroad land. He has since adfled
additional pieces, until he now owns 210
acres of land, his buildings being located on
section 25.
Mr. Torre}^ was first married, December
5, 1868, to Miss Laura Vincent, who died
March 22, 1878. She left four children, as
follows — Agnes, born October 26, 1870 ;
Ilulda, born January 26, 1872 ; Jolliette E.,
born May 29, 1871; and Bernice, born May
29, 1877; died March 7, 1878.
Mr. Torrey's second marriage was with
Miss Emily F. Snell, daughter of James and
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
473
Mary Snell. She is a native of Madison
county, Ind.
In the winter of 1865-6, the husband of
Mr. Torrey's sister \Yas frozen to death, and
the care of his sister and her three cliildren,
devolved upon liim. She was with him
three years, when she removed to Litchfield,
and has since married.
Mr. Torrey has met with considerable bad
luck. He had some $1,400 in money when
he came to the county, but lost in all in
three years, from various causes beyond his
control. In 1877 the grasshoppers took his
grain, and one year he paid $2.50 per bushel
for seed wheat, and sold his meager crop in
October for 50 cents per bushel. Thus luck
ran against him until, when he bought the
first forty of his present farm, he did
not have a dollar. His enterprise and indus-
trj', however, have not been unrewarded, as
he is now one of the most comfortably
"fi.xed" farmers in the township. He is a
republican in political matters, and has taken
considerable interest in township matters,
and held various local offices, including that
of supervisor for four years.
^M NTHONY WAYNE COLEMAN is one
Jt^"^^ of the leading farmers of the town of
Collinwood, and lives on section 31, where
he has a fine farm of 180 acres. He is a
native of Buchanan count}', Va., and is the
son of Richard and Nancy (King) Coleman,
natives of Virginia and Kentucky, respect-
ively. His father was a merchant in the vil-
lage of Grundy, and owned a large stock
farm besides. When the war broke out he
joined the " Home Guards," and while absent
from home on duty was taken prisoner by
the Federals. By disguising himself he man-
aged to escape, but found that the Confeder-
ates had cleaned him out of ever3'thing in
his absence. _ Disgusteil, he returned and
and enlisted in the federal army, and was
afterward killed in battle. The family, being
left destitute, removed to Louisa, Ky., where
they lived until 1864, at which time the fam-
ily came to Minnesota. At that time the
family consisted of Mrs. Coleman and her
eight cliildren — Lewis, Joseph, Anthony,
Mary Jane, Pricy, Ellen, Ci-osby and Carrie.
They settled in Hutchinson, IVfcLeod county,
where the mother died two years later, and
the children were scattered. Anthony worked
around from place to place until he was
about eighteen years old, at which time
he commenced attending school, spending
two years in the district schools, one year
in the Hutchinson High School and the last
term in the State Normal. He then came
to Collinwood, and for eleven years taught a
portion of each year. In 1877 he purchased
the farm where he now lives, and has made
it his home ever since. He was married.
April 4, 1878, to Miss Lydia McKinney,
daughter of John and Lydia (Hicks) McKin-
ney. By this union they have five children —
Lydia, born January 6, 1879; Joseph, born
August 29, 1880; James, born September 13,
1882 ; Jane, born May 5, 1884 ; and Theresa,
born July 7, 1886.
-«—
ENRY C. ROWLEY. The subject of
this sketch is a well-known and highly
respected farmer and stock-raiser, residing
on section 20, Forest Prairie township, and
an ex-I^nion soldier.
Mr. Rowley was born in Cai'roU county,
Ohio, on the 24th of August, 1844, and is a
son of William and Ann (Morledge) Rowley.
The parents were natives of England ; the
father came to the United States, when
seventeen, and the mother, when eleven
years of age. They were married in Ohio.
The}' are now both dead ; the father died
June 23, 1877, in Bartholomew county, Ind.,
474
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
aged seventy-five; and the mother died in
September, 1887, aged ninety six years.
Tli-ey (Henry's parents) h:ul tliirteen cliil-
dren.
Henry C. Tlowley, our subject, spent liis
school days in Jennings and i>artholoniew
counties, Ind. On the 11th of November,
1862, he enlisted in Company I, Sixth Indi-
ana Volunteer Infantry, and went into
service, participating in the battles of Green
river, Shiloh, Corinth, Marietta, Chicka-
mauga, and Atlanta, besides many skir-
mishes. He was finally discharged at Chat-
tanooga, Tenn., on the 21st of November,
18fi5, and returned to his former home in
Indiana. As he was only seventeen years
old at the time of his enlistment he resumed
his schooling, after his return from the war,
and attended one winter term, after which
he was emploj'ed in a saw mill, and also
worked at mason work, having learned that
trade. In the spring of 18S0 he went to
Arkansas, and was on the road in the
macliinery business for about one year, then
lived in Little Rock, Ark., for one year,
engaged in the milling business. In April,
1882, he came to Meeker county, Minn., and
purchased his present farm in Forest Prairie
township, where he has since lived. He has
one of the best improved and most valuable
farms in the township.
Mr. Rowley was married at Columbus,
Ind., December 17, 1868, to Miss Margaret
Irwin, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of
William Irwin. Her fatiier was t;inner l)y
trade, who died when she was quite young.
Her mother married James W. Polk, and
now lives in the same township as her
daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Rowley are the
parents of six children living, as follows^
William Orien, Luia B., George, Clarence,
Grace, and Mattie. One child, Nora B.,
died when three years old. The famil}' are
members of the Christian Church.
In political matters Mr. Rowley is a repub-
lican. He has taken an active interest in
educational and official mattei-s, and is one
of the leading citizens of the township in
which he lives.
l^ERGUS McCUSKER, the subject of this
JP^ personal historj', a resident of section
10, is one of the most successful and enter-
prising farmers and stock-raisers in Ilarvey
township. He is a native of County Tyrone,
Ireland, and was born in September, 1827.
His early life was spent in the land of his
birth, where he received the severe and rigid
discipline of industry and frugality which
was given to lads of his nationality. On the
1st of November, 1846, he sailed for America,
landing at the city of New York, and a few
days later went to Newburyport, Mass ,
where he worked in the ship-yards for sev-
eral j'ears. From there he went to Lowell,
Mass., where he secured work in a cotton fac-
tory and remained until 1855. In the spring
of that year he started west and located in
Illinois, arriving there on the 4th of April.
Remainino; in that State during the inter-
vening time, in 1859 he came to Meeker
county, Minn., and located in Harvey town-
ship, where he still lives. Here he was liv-
ing with his family peaceably carrying on his
farming operations when the Indian out-
break occurred. Mr. McCusker at once
moved his family to Forest City, and a few
days later to Clearwater, where he left them
and he returned temporarily to finish his
harvesting. In the same fall, 1862, he
brought his family back, and has since made
this his home without interruption.
On the 7th of June, 1S4S, ]\[r. McCusker
was married to Miss Margaret ]\IcNulty, and
they have been the parents of seven children
the two oldest of whom — Charles and Charles
A. — are dead. The five living children are —
James, Mary Ann, Rosella, Maggie and
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
475
Charles. James is married. Mary Ann is
now Mrs. Patrick McQuid, of Swift county,
Minn. The family are active members of
the Catholic Church.
In political matters Mr. McCusker acts in-
dependent of party. By his thrift, industry
and frugality he has accumulated a fine prop-
erty, and now has a splendid farm of 460
acres, which is one of the best improved
farms in Meeker county. His enterprise is
manifested in his building improvements,
which are a credit to any farming district.
He has a windmill on his place arranged
with the necessary machinery so that he can
grind all his grain except for flour, and also
does all such work as sawing wood, churn-
ing, etc.
■ ■■ > . ■
^LE LARSON, one of the old settlers of
Acton township, was born in Nor-
way, on the 9th of January, 1835, and is a
son of Lars and Katrina Anderson. He came
to the United States in 1855, and settled in
Illinois, where he worked for various farmers
until 1861, when he came to Minnesota, and
took a homestead on section 26, in Acton
township, where he now lives. Mr. Larson
had barely got settled in his new home when
the terrible Indian outbreak of 1862 began.
He visited Baker's house — where the first
murder was committed — at about eleven
o'clock on the night of the killing, and could
hear the Indians yelling and shooting in the
neighborhood, some of the bullets coming so
near that he could hear them sing as they
passed his head. Fearing that a large force
of Indians would come he returned to his
homestead, and, gathering together what few
things he could readily carry, he went to
Forest City. The same night the Indians
burned his house, grain, and destroyed all
else that they could. At Forest Citj' he got
a house to live in, and on the night of the
attack upon Forest City he went to the stock-
ade for safety, and the Indians burned the
house which he had occupied. After the
close of hostihties he returned to his farm
and has since made it his home. He has
been very successful in his farming opera-
tions and is now well off. He has a com-
fortable house and fine farm buildings.
Mr. Larson was first married in the spring
of 1861, to Miss Sarah Halverson, who died
in 1870. His second marriage was with
Mrs. Dora Hanson. Her first husband was
Andrew Hanson, who died in Norway in
1863, and by whom she had two children —
Sophia and Hans, both of whom were born
in 1855. By these marriages Mr. Larson has
had the following children — Betsy, born
January 9, 1863; Louisa, born in March,
1865; Hannah, born March 1, 1867; and
Lewis, born May 7, 1869. Betsy married A.
0. Lawson, a general merchant of Grove
City ; Louisa married Andrew Bjorhus, a
farmer in Greenleaf township ; Hannah mar-
ried Olof Olson, a farmer in Acton township;
and Lewis is living at home Avith his parents.
JOHN KNIGHTS, one of the leading
stock-buyers of Litchfield, is also
engaged in the livery business in that vil-
lasre. He is a native of Eaton, Canada,
born February 27, 1837, and is the son of
"William and Catherine (Hoburn) Knights.
Both of his parents were natives of the Em-
erald Isle, who had come to the Dominion
several years previous. John was reared in
the county of his birth, upon the farm of
his father, until he had reached the age of
nineteen, when he came to the United States
and located at St. Paul, this State. He
remained in that place and in Hennepin
county for about four years, engaged in
lumbering, and then moved to Oshkosh,
Wis. In the spring of 1861 he enlisted in
476
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
tlie I'^ii'st l\rinnesota Infantry, for thi-ee
iiiontlis, and on the exjiiration of liis term
of service, re-enlisted in the Third Alinne-
sota Infantry. He partici])ated in the for-
tunes of the regiment until March, 18G3, wlien
he was mustered out for disability. Settling
in Wright county, at the time of the out-
break he was made scout and guide to one
of the columns, after which he served as
deputy provost marshal until the close of the
war. Mr. Knights remained at farming in
Wright county six years, and then ran a
store at Cokato for eighteen months,and after
spending another year in lumbei'ing, hecame
to Litchfield and went into the livery business
with A. L. McCarger. Four years later he
commenced the cattle business. In 1886 the
firm of Ross & Knights was formed. In
April, 1864, he married Miss Helen Marr
Jenks, a native of Illinois, who had come to
this State in her childhood. By this union
there have been Ijorn nine children — Henry
H., Viola E., Gertrude E., Bertha M., Win-
nie M.. Arthur E., AUie F., Harry M., and
John A.
-«-
•«►-
>ETER E. LARSON, a prominent citizen
[^ of Litchfield township, was born in
Sweden March 1, 1846, and came to Amer-
ica and Meeker county, Minn., with his par-
ents, John and Celia Peterson Larson, in
1857. He was sixteen years of age Avhen the
Indian outbreak occurred, but the duties of
a man devolved upon him. He helped move
the family to Forest City, then Clearwater,
and, later on, to Anoka. While the family
were encamped on the bank of the river
opposite Clearwater, he started there to see
them. The ferryman refused to take hini
across the river, the object being to keep all
the men and horses on this side of the river
for use in the constantly expected confiicts
with the Indians. But Peter had started to
see his folks, and see them he would, at all
hazards. So, nothing daunted, he tied his
clothes on his back and swam the Father of
Waters, in defiance of the mandates of the
ferryman and all his men. During the fall
he came liack and remained at the old home
ail winter and the following spring and sum-
mer, "keeping bach" witiihis brother Louis.
After his father's death, in 1867, Peter con-
ducted the farm, and still lives on the old
homestead. On the 11th of June, 1870, he
was married to Anna Oleson, daughter of Ole
Ilawkinson. Eight children have been born
to them, two of whom — Charles and an in-
fant unnamed — are dead. The others are all
at home — Josephine Albertina, Alice A.,
Geoi'ge William, Alexander, Amanda and
Huldah. Like his brothers, Peter has ac-
quired some fine propert}', by dint of hard
toil and close attention to business, having a
splenditl farm of ne.irly 400 acres. In addi-
tion to farming, he has for many years car-
ried on the business of threshing, and yearly
adds a goodly portion to his earthly store by
that means. He devotes considerable atten-
tion to stock-raising, both native and blooded.
-«-
►^^
,'V)LE K. BJORHUS, a prominent and
X^ii/ successful farmer residing on section
IS, Greenleaf township, was born in Norway,
in 1824, and is a son of Knute and Martha
Bjorhus. In 1869 he came to America in
company with his oldest son, Knute, and
two years later transpoi-ted the rest of his
family. In 1878 he purchased a tract of
land on section 18, Greenleaf township,
where he still resides. He has reared a
family of seven children — Matilda, Knute,
Lisa, Louis, Andrew, Tnga and I^eter, the
last named of whom is dead.
Andrew Bjouhus, fifth child of Ole K.
Bjorhus, was born in Norway, October 6,
1860, and came to America with the family
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
479
in 1871. He was reared on the farm with
his father, and in 1884 purchased a farm ad-
joining, and commenced business forliimself.
The same year he was married to Louisa
Larson, a daughter of Ole (Kalvorson) Lar-
son, who was born in Meeker county, Feb-
ruary 10, 1865. They have one child, Maria
Sarah, born May 26, 1887. Both are mem-
bers of the Ness Lutheran Church, and the
family are highly respected by all wlio know
them.
-*"5^{^-^-
"T|:^aOUlS EKBOM, a fanner and stock-
IIM^ raiser of Darwin township, living on
section 7, is a native of Sweden, born in the
province of Gothland, October 25, 1833. He
remained in the land of his bii'th until 1856,
and then immigrated to the LTnited States,
landing in New York, from whence he came
direct to Minnesota, and settled in Carver
county. One year later he came to Meeker
county, locating near where the city of Litch-
field now stands. The first year he did what
he could find to do, until during the year
1859,. when he removed to Forest City and
opened the first shoemaking shop in that
place, and in the county. He continued
there in that line until tiie starting of Litch-
field, when he put up one of the first build-
ings in that city, and opened a shoe store and
shop for the making of foot gear. This he
ran successfully for twelve years. In 1880
he sold out his place and removed to the
farm in Darwin, where he now lives.
When the Indians murdered the Jones and
Baker families, on the 17th of August, 1862,
Mr. Ekbom was at the house of liis In-otlier-
in-law, Nels Elofson, in Swede Grove, where
they were holding a meeting to find means
to raise mone\' with which to ])rocure substi
tutes in the army, not desiring that any in
their town should be drafted. Toward even-
ing our subject started for the house of Ole
Munson, a neighbor, and on the way met
nine Indians, six of whom were mounted,
who made motions for him to go back, but
he did not understand them, and went on to
his destination. On his return to Elofson's,
he found these Indians there, quietly smok-
ing their pipes, and after talking with the
whites went north toward Manannah. Hear-
ing the news of the killing of the settlers in
Acton, they sat up and watched all that night
and in the morning joined the party at the
inquest and l)urial of the first victims of the
massacre. Mr. Ekbom that night stayed
with Nels Elofson, and in the morning went
to Forest City, but a few days later went to
St. Paul, where he remained about a year
and then returned to Forest City.
Februar}^ 15, 1868, Mr. Ekbom was united
in marriage with Miss Lizzie Williams, and
b}' this union there have been born eight
children, all of whom ai'e living.
In politics Mr. Ekbom is a republican, and
in religious views affiliates with the Metho-
dist Church.
PETER MelNTYRE, who is engaged in
carrying on farming upon section 14,
of Mannanah township, is one of tiie earliest
settlers of that jiart of the county lying
north of Crow river. He is a native of Ire-
land, born in 1839, but his mother dying in
his childhood, he was taken to Scotland by
his relatives, with whom he was reared. He
made his home in that land of heaths and
braes until he was almost nineteen years of
age, at which time he concluded to cross the
ocean and come to America. He set out and
lantling upon Columbia's shore made directly
for Joliet, 111., where his elder brothers were
living. He made iiis home in that place for two
years, but in 1860 he removed to Kansas,
but one year later he returned to Joliet. On
the •20th of July, 1862, our subject enlisted
48o
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
in the Nineteenth Illinois InfantiT, which
was a part of the famous Fifteenth Corps,
commanded by Gen. John A. Logan. He
participated with the regiment in many a
hardly contested field througliout their long
and valued service, principal among which
were the siege and capture of Vicksburg,
battles of Corinth, Chattanooga, Missionary
Kidge, all the various engagments in the
Atlanta campaign, including the capture of
the city. At the battle of Jonesboro, Aug-
ust 3L 1864. Peter JMcIntyre was badly
wounded in the shoulder by a minne ball, so
that he could not march with Shei'manto the
sea. He was sent north on a fui'lough, alter
spending some time in the general hospital,
and thirty days later reportetl at Nashville,
where he was in the convalesent hospital dur-
ing the bloody battle fought for its posses-
sion. On his recovery our subject was placed
in a pioneer corps, and there served until
June 6, 1865, when he was discharged.
About the 11th of August, the same year,
Mr. Mclntyre came to Meeker county and
took up a homestead of 160 acres where he
now lives, but which was then entirely cov-
ered with heavy timber. He lived here off
and on until his marriage, since which time
he has made it his home. He was married
November 7, 1870, at Forest City, to Miss
Catharine Klaas. They have a family of
ten children — James, Mary, John, Nellie,
Thomas F., Peter, Edward, Matilda, Philip
Sheridan, and Ilosanna. Mr. Mclntyre is
one of the board of school directors, and
takes a deep interest in the cause of educa-
tion. He is a member, also, of Frank Dag-
gett Post, No. 35, G. A. E.
.-^>
'ICHARD FOURRE, a leading agricult-
l&{\, urist of Darwin township, having his
residence on section 10, is a native of Canada
West, born February 8, 1839, and is a son of
George and Eliza (Wyman) Fourre. His
father was born in England, although the
paternal grandfather of our subject was a
native of France, and was Pichai-d Fourre
by name. The mother of our subject was
born in Oswego, N. Y., and was the daugh-
ter of Gardner Wyman, a native of Scotland.
The gentleman whose name heads this
sketch remained in his Canadian home until
1857, when he came to the United States,
and settled in Kane county, 111., where he
made his home for some five years, llemov-
ing to Grant county. Wis., at the end of that
time, he made that his home until 18G5, when
he came to Meeker county, and made a set-
tlement in Da"win townshi|), on the property
where he now lives. AVhile a resident of
Grant county, April 18, 186:3, he was united
in marriage with Mrs. Morgan (Condon) Gro-
gen. While still a citizen of the " Badger
State,"' Mr. Fourre enlisted in Company F,
Seventh Wisconsin Infantry, on the 27th of
February, 186i, and was assigned for duty
to the Army of the Potomac, and partici-
pated with the regiment in the sanguinary
contest known as the battle of the Wilder-
ness, where he received some slight injuries
from a spent shot. In the battle of Spot-
sylvania, which followed some time after, he
had the misfortune to have his thumb blown
oif, and was transferred to the Twenty-Fourth
Kegiment, Veteran Reserve Corps, stationed
at Washington, D. C, where he remained on
duty until the close of the war. He was one
of the guawls over Mrs. Surratt, just before
her hanging, and over the infamous Dr.
Mudd. He received his discharge July 25,
1865, and returned to his home.
Mr. FouiTe is a republican in his political
faith. His wife is a consistent member of
the Catholic Church.
Mrs. Fourre was born January 6, 1838, in
County Limerick, Ireland. She came to
Grant county* Wis., with her ])arcnts, David
and Mary (Galway) Condon, in the spring of
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
481
1847. The parents were both born in County
Limerick, Ireland.
Mr. and Mrs. Fourre are the parents of
the following children — Mary F., born De-
cenaber 15, 1858; George, born January 15,
1864- ; James, born April 28, 1866; liichard,
born March 16, 1868 ; Laura C, born May 25,
1870; John A., born October 8, 1872; Char-
ley A., born November 10, 1874; Frederick
E., born December 20, 1870 ; and Lucy, born
December 22, 1878.
-^.
PETER R. PETERSON is a prosperous
and respected farmer who resides on
section 23, in the township of Danielson, in
which he was one of the very earliest set-
tlers. He comes of the same nationality
which by their industry and frugality have
done so much toward tlie development of
Minnesota's resources. He was born in Nor-
way on the 10th of October, 1838, and is a
son of Rolof and Rachel Peterson. The
family came to the United States in 1857
and located in Rock county, Wis., where the
father's death occurred, and where the
mother still resides.
Shortly after his arrival in the United
States, in 1857, Peter R. Peterson, our sub-
ject, began life for himself, by working for
farmers in Wisconsin, and remained there
until June, 1864. At that time he came to
Meeker county, Minn., and went to work for
Ever Jackson, a farmer in Litchfield town-
ship. In the spring of 1865 he removed to a
homestead which he had taken on section 2,
in Danielson township, thus becoming one of
the first settlers of that township, the only
settler at that time within its limits being
Nels Danielson. Mr. Peterson remained
upon his farm until 1872, when he sold out
and removed to a farm uliich he had pur-
chased in Iowa. In 1874 lie ^old tiie Iowa
farm and returned to Danielson township.
where he bought the farm on section 23,
upon which he still resides. lie has been
ver\' successful in his farming operations and
now owns 104 acres of land, sixty-four of
which is in Danielson, and the balance in
Cosmos township, besides which, in 1882 he-
gave his son, Elof, eighty acres on section
23, Danielson township. He was a poor man
when he came to America, and his present
comfortable circumstances are entirely due ta
his own efforts and industry.
While in Wisconsin Mr. Peterson was mar-
ried to Miss Mary Anderson, and they were
the parents of five children — Elof, born Sep-
tember 19, 1862; Ralph, born November 11^
1864; Anna, born October 1, 1866; John,,
born June 20, 1869; and Eliza, born November
20, 1871, died August 13, 1873. The daugh-
ter Anna, married Hans Olson, of Greenleaf
township. The sons, Ralph and John, are in
Dakota. Mr. Peterson's first wife died on
the 25th of May, 1880, and on the 16th of
October, 1885, he was married to Carrie
Olson, the widow of Christian Jacobson. By
her former marriage she had four children,.
as follows — Jacob Jacobson, Ole Jacobson,
John Jacobson and Christina Jacobson.
Mr. Peterson has taken an active interest
in the public matters affecting his township,
and has held various offices of a local nature,
including the following: Township super-
visor, two years; school director, two or
three years, and road overseer, two years. In
political matters he affiliates with the repub-
lican party.
kR. E. B. WEEKS, dentist, residing iu
the village of Litchfield, is a native
of Ilartland Waukesha county. Wis., born
September 30, 1857, and is the son of Thomas
and Mary E. (Bissell) Weeks. His father
was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and
the subject of this sketch was reared upon a
482
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
farm until he was about twenty years of
age. His early educational advantages were
somewhat limited, hut lie attended the dis-
trict school wiien the opportunity occurred,
and being of a studious nature studied by
himself whenever he had any leisure from
the duties of the farm, thus, by energy and
perseverance, laying a good foundation of
knowledge. Sliortly before attaining his
majority our subject went to Dakota, where
he spent one year, and, returning, entered a
dental office in "Wliitewater, Wis., where he
remained until lie had l)ecome proficient in
the theory ami ])ractice of that profession.
In 1SS3 he came to Litchfield and opened
his present office, over Eevell Bros.' drug
store, and is now enjoying the fruits of an
extensive practice, having gained the reputa-
tion in this community of being a man of
sterling worth and excellent ability.
The Doctor is a member of the Presbyte-
rian Ciiurch and a Christian gentleman. He
takes great interest in the good of the vil-
lage and enjoys the esteem of all who know
him.
-««
s\ ELS WAYLANDER, one of the pio-
ii iu ueers of Acton townshij), is a native
of Sweden, and came to this country in
1852, with his wife and child, he having mar-
ried Miss Elsa Swan. The first winter after
coming here he spent in Ivnoxville, 111.,
and the following summer in Moline, but
late that year he emigrated to St. Paul,
Minn., and after numerous difficulties got his
little family to Chisago county, this State,
Avhere he took up a claim. This he sold
shortly after, and owned and occupied various
))ieces of real estate thei-e, until the spi-ing
of 1837, when he came to Meeker county
and settled on section 4, Acton township.
He afterward took up a homestead on the
same section, and later, ])urcliased adjoining
land until he had accumulated a fine prop-
erty. Foi' many years he was busily
engaged in oj)erating this farm, but has now
retired from the active cares of life. He
has given each of his sons a farm, and his
daughter a ti'act of timber land. In 1862,
with the other settlers here, he passed
through the terrible vicissitudes of the
Indian troubles. On tlie night of tiie Acton
murder, he was with the party who set out
from Swede Grove, as detailed elsewhere.
He took a prominent part in the movements
of that autumn, and relates many hair-
breadth escapes and thrilling stories of those
eventful days. On Sunday afternoon,
August 17, 18^2, six Indians stopped at his
cabin and talked with him, and it is the sup-
position that they were the red fiends who
had murdered Jones, Baker, etc., in that
town, but a few houi-s previous.
Mr. and Mrs. Waylander are the parents
of five children, as follows : Nels, born
September 12, 1851, married and living in
Acton; Betsy, born in May, 1S51, is dead;
Ellen, wife of George Oakeson. born April
20, 1856, living in Grove City; Lewis, born
September 12, 1860, died September 18,
1878; and Albert, born Fei)ruary 20, 1863,
married and living in Paj'nesville, Minn.
Mr. Waylander is one of the representative
citizens of the county, and merits and receives
the I'espect and esteem of the entire commu-
nity, for his industry, thrift, and social
uprightness and sterling integrity.
"• V* •(
.-^^
ferJ^TjriLLIAM p. CHANEY. Among the
\./a:/ thriving farmers of CoUinwood
township, there is none more ]irominent
than the subject of this biograj)iiy. He was
born in Russell county, Ya , January 15,
183t!, and is the son of John and Elizabeth
(Biair) (;haney. His ])arents were natives
of Is'orth Carolina, and his maternal gieat-
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
483
grandfather was born in Germany, and set-
tled in Pennsylvania at an earl}'^ da}'. The
latter married and moved to North Carolina,
where he died at the age of 101 years, in
186i. His wife was a native of Scotland,
and a daughter of General "Wilson, of Revolu-
tionary' celebrity.
The subject of this memoir lived with his
mother until attaining the age of twenty-one
years, and then went to Pike county, Ky.,
where he was married, April 7, 1858, to Miss
Malinda Sword, the daughter of John and
Rebecca Sword. Two years later he moved
back to Russell county, Ya., where he farmed
about four yeare. While there he enlisted in
a battalion of Virginia cavalry, and served
three years in the Confederate Army. He
was taken prisoner, and after lingering in
confinement for a year, enlisted in the
Union Army, and served there, on the fron-
tier, thirteen months. After his discharge be
returned to Kentucky. Two years later he
moved to Piatt county. Mo., where he made
his home until April, 1887, when he came to
Meeker county. He has a fine farm of 120
acres of good land. Mr. Chaney is the
parent of ten children.
-'^m-
JETER OLSON, an intelligent, promi-
nent and successful former and stock-
raiser of Litchfield township, was born in
Sweden, April 7, 1845, and is a son of Ole
and Carrie Peterson. In 1870 he was mar-
ried to Betsy Larson, daughter of Louis
Paulson. No children have been born to
them, but they have adopted and are rearing
a boy named John Ockescvn, who was born
in Sweden May 7, 1876. Mr. Olson and wife
came to America in 1872, and lived near St.
Paul until 1875, when they came to Meeker
county and settled, pursuing the business of
farming. Mr. Olson has met with some se-
vere reverses since since coming to Meeker
count\', by way of grasshoppers and hail-
stones, which destroyed a good portion of
his crops, but he still ranks as a successful
and enterprising farmer.
-^-
lE^URNS BROTHERS, two of Meeker
JMy county's honest, sober, industrious and
prosperous stock-raisers, farmers and business
men, are proprietors of the Union Stock
Farm, on Tyrone prairie, in Manannah town-
ship. They are natives of Lowell, Mass.,
where Edward Frank, the elder, was born
December 5, 1859, and where Hugh was born
November 25, ISCl.
Their father, Frank Burns, was born at the
same place, August 13, 1838, just after the
death of his father, and his mother jiassed to
the other world two weeks after his birth.
Frank Burns learned the miller's trade, and
in 1858 was married to Mary McMahon, a
daughter of Peter and Ann McMahon.
When the foundation of the government was
threatened, and the stars and stripes were
fired upon by Southern traitors, Frank Burns
enlisted and went into the service, and the
fact that he-nobl}' did his duty, and answered
to every call where danger was involved, is
attested by the sad fact that he now fills an
honored soldier's grave. The following will
explain itself:
Commonwealth op Massachusetts, Adjutant- )
Genekal's Office, Boston, June 4, 1888. )
The name of Frank Burns, of Lowell, aged 24, occu-
pation mill operator, is borne on the muster-out roll of
Company B, Fortieth Regiment Massachusetts Volun-
teer Infantry ; enlisted August 13, 1863 ; mustered in
August 23, 1863, for three years; killed in battle June
3, 1864. Samuel Dai.ton,
Adjutant-General .
Frank Burns was with Grant's advance on
Ri«hmond, and, as the historian has already
recorded, " a series of terrible conflicts ensued,
in which blood flowed like water." He was
at the AVilderness May 5th to 7th ; at Spot-
484
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
SN'lvania C. H. from the 8th to the 12th ; and
at Cold Harbor, a few miles from Ilichmond,
June 3, 1864. At daybreak on that date a
general assault was made, ami, twenty min-
utes after the first shot was fired, ten thou-
sand Union men were stretched writhing on
the sod or still and calm in death. Here
Frank Burns met his death. He fills an hon-
ored soldier's grave — his life given as a sacri-
fice upon the altar of his country and his
flag.
Upon the death of the father, the children
and bereaved widow lived with the widow's
father and mother, Peter and Ann Mc-
Mahon, the grandfather, becoming guardian
■of Edward and Hugh. They lived happily
together, and the grandfather invested the
money, obtained for the boys from the gov-
ernment, in railroad land, as he received
about enough to meet the payments. On the
'3d of October, 1866, they came to Meeker
county, Minn., and settled in Manannah
township, where the two boys, with their
mother and two sisters, Mary Ann and
Lizzie, still live happily together. The
grandmother died in May, 1875 ; the grand-
father March 11, 1883. They were highly
respected by all. The grandfather was a
■" Father Mathew Temperance man." They
were buried at Forest City, where there have
since been interred the remains of Edward
and Hugh's half-sister, Ellen Omelia A. Vin-
tus, a young lady, sixteen years old, who
died Ma}' 2, 1888. Her death was sincerely
regretted by a wide circle of friends, and her
funeral, which was presided over by Father
McDevitt, was very largely attended.
In 1875 Edward F. Burns started West,
and entered a homestead near DeGraff. He
was then but seventeen years of age, so he
used his father's homestead right. He farmed
it for five years under discouraging circum-
stances, meeting with reverses in the loss of
crops, which would have disheartened the
hardiest of men. The fourth year his labors
were better repaid, as he cleared about $500,
but losing the following crop he finally left
Swift county, and afterward sold his farm.
On the 24th of February, 1884, he took a
contract to ship cattle to Miles City, Mont.,
and during the following spring shipped 300
head, and was very successful in this enter-
prise. In March, 1885, he purchased the
stallion French Emperor II., and Avas also
successful in this venture. With him he se-
cured the second premium at the county fair
and his colts rated high. Mr. Burns tintiUy
sold the animal April 1, 1886. On the 15th
of September, 1886, E. F. Burns bought the
first lot that was sold in Eden Valley, erected
a fine building, and October ItUh, established
a meat market ami farm produce exchange,
and supplied the railroad contractors with
provisions. He also bought wheat and dealt
in wood. AVhen the boom began to " weak-
en," in Febi'uary, 1887, he soUl out.
The brothers are independent in politics,
and are members of the Catholic Church. In
1885 Edward F. was elected treasurer of his
school district, which ofiice he filled for three
years, and in the spring of 1886 he was
elected justice of the peace. He has also
taken an active interest in temperance raat-
tere, and in speaking of their ])rosperity, they
say they attribute the success of their firm to
"religion, temperance and diversified farm-
-^>
^^WAN CARLSON. The subject of this
'^^ biography is an enterprising and thor-
ough farmer and stock-raiser on section 32,
Harvey township. He was born in Sweden,
May 4, 1848, and six years later came to
the United States with his parents, landing
in the cit}' of New York, but after a week's
stay came to Minnesota and located at
Swede Lake, Chisago county. He made
that place his home until 1871, when he
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
485
came to Meeker county and settled on the
place where he now lives.
He was united in marriage May 16, 1872,
with Miss Ellen Nilson, and by this union
there have been born seven children as fol-
lows — Edward, born February 5, 1873;
Eugene, born July 12, 1874 ; William, born
February 4, 1877; Aivina, born February 9,
1879 ; Frank, born August 15, 1880 ; Alfred,
born November 24,|1882 ; and Victoria, born
February 11, 1885. Mrs. Carlson's father
died in Sweden, his native country, in Octo-
ber, 1878, but her mother is still living in
the old country. Mr. Carlson's parents
make their home in Chisago county, where
his father carries on the carpenter's trade
in connection with his farming o]ierations.
In his political views our subject is an
adherent to the princii)les of the republican
pai'ty, and has held several local offices. He
and his wife are zealous members of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church, and are exem-
plary Christian people. Mr. Carlson, being
imbued with the natural thrift and frugality
of the race from which he sprang, has accum-
ulated a fine property consisting of 280 acres
of excellent arable land, ujion which he has
made some excellent improvements.
-*--
T|jaOXLEY R. WOOD, a prominent citi-
11^^ zen of Darwin township, has his resi-
dence on section 7, where he carries on
farming and stock-raising. He is a native
of the city of Philadelphia, Pa., born March
23, 1828, where he was reared. Remaining
there until 1856, our subject then removed
to Luzerne county, in the same State, and
made his home there, among the picturesque
scenery of the Blue Ridge, for about three
years. About 1859 he came to Minnesota,
and settled at Minneapolis, where he made
his home for some two years, and then re-
moved to Wright county, and there lived for
about eight years. At the end of that time
he again made a new settlement, this time
in the vicinty of Montevideo, Chippewa
county, this State, but a few years later
returned to Minneapolis, and in that city
remained some thirteen years. While a resi-
dent of Wright county, Mr. Wood was a
participant in many of the exciting scenes of
the Indian massacre of 18(52. He was livinar
on Moore's Praii-ie at the time, but did not
feel alarmed until he heard of the murder of
the Dustin family, and then went to Minne-
apolis, and on his way there came across the
corpses of the victims of the savages, and
assisted in their burial. He came back to
his place a few days later, and gathered up
his stock, which he drove to a place of safety.
The war for the defense of the Union had
been progressing some time, and men had
become quite scarce in the Northern States,
and in response to the call from the President
for more troops, in 1864, our subject enlisted
in Company I, Sixth New York Heavy Artil-
lery, and served with that regiment uniler
General Sheridan. He was assigned to the
quartermaster's department, and there served
until the close of the war, and was mustered
out and discharged in 18G5, and returned to
Wright count\% Minn.
Mr. Wood was united in marriage August
18, 1850, with Miss Elizabeth J. Fisk. By
this union there have been seven children,
four boys and three girls, all of whom are
dead except one — Isaac L., born June 1, 1860.
In 1884 Mr. Wood came to Meeker county,
and took up his residence in Darwin town-
ship.
WILLIAM MILLS CAMPBELL, the
present L'nited States marshal for
the district of Minnesota, is one of Meeker
county's most prominent citizens, and has
been identified with its interests from pio-
486
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
neer days. lie was born in Philadelphia,
Pa., A|)ril 11, 1839, and is the son of Edward
and Eliza (Mills) Campbell. The father was
a native of the cit}' of Londonderry', Ireland,
born in February, 1808. lie came to the
United States in 183-1, and in Philadelphia
learned and followed phunbing and gas
fitting. In 1837 he married, moved to
Hutland, Kane county, 111., in 1842, and
shortly after purchased a farm near Elgin,
where now stands the village of Gilbert.
The mother of our subject was born in County
Tyrone, Ireland, and died in 1818, leaving
five children, namely — William M., Edward
Augustus, Louisa, now Mrs. John Fitzgerald,
Fannie, Mrs. Michael J. Flynn. and Eliza M.,
Mrs. C. F. McDonald, of St. Cloud.
William grew to manhood upon the farm
and received his education in the district
schools of the day and county, which he at-
tended during the winter sessions. In 1858,
hearing excellent accounts from Minnesota,
from friends hei-e, who had come in 1850, on
the first of May. he started alone for Meeker
county, walking the entire distance from St.
Anthony to Forest City, arriving there the
same month. He was for some two years
engaged in working on the river and in saw
mills.
In 1860, his father, induced by the de-
scriptions of the son, sold out and came to
Meeker county, and William helped his father
get settled, and took up a claim himself, the
southwest quarter of section 26, Forest City
township. This he lost, however, by enlist-
ing in the service. At the time of the In-
dian outbreak, in 1862, Mr. Campbell was
temporary in Iowa, but hurried back, and as-
sisted in organizing a force of young men,
stacked and took care of all the grain they
could find cut and helped some thresh. He
then enlisted in Comj)any A, First Jlinnesota
Mounted Rangers, and accompanied Sibley
in the campaign to the Missouri in 1863, par-
ticipating in all its dangers, and in all its
battles. Returning, he re-enlisted in Com-
pany D, Second Minnesota Cavalry, and was
a part of theex])edition under General Sully,
and served two years. He was mustered
out December 5, 1865, and returned home.
The following year Mr. Camjibell entered
into mercantile life in company with his
brother Edward; not liking that line, quit it
and engaged in farming, opening up a large
farm in company with Michael J. and Daniel
Flynn, his brothers-in-law. In 1868 he pur-
chased a place on section 34, in Harvey, to
which he removed the following year.
In 1809 our subject was elected sheriff of
the county on the democratic tidket, over-
coming a republican majority of about 500.
He was re-elected to the same office in 1871,
and then removed to Litchfield. At the con-
clusion of his second term he commenced the
sale of agricultural implements, a business
he followed until 1877, when he sold out, and
in company with AV. II Jones, became general
northwestern agent of the Gammon & Deering
harvester machinery. In the'fall of 1877
Mr. Campbell was elected to the State Legis-
lature, to which he was re-elected the next
year. In 1880 he was elected to the State
Senate, Garfield carrying the county at the
same time by a majoritv larger than the
whole democi'atic vote. Two years later he
was defeated for re-election by fifteen votes.
His record in the House and Senate is highly
creditable, and he then assumed the position
of a leader in the democratic party in this
State, from which he has not receded. He
was a delegate to the national democratic
convention at Chicago, in 1884, and received
his appointment of United States marshal in
February, 1880, and then moved to St. Paul.
June 11, 1866, Mr. Campbell was married
to ]\riss Lizzie A. Flynn, and the}' are the
parents of ten children — John A., Millie,
Edward Bennett (deceased), Anna, Grace,
Edward, James, William Lewis, Michael B.,
and Mary.
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
489
JAMES NELSON is a prominent and
wealthy fanner and stock-raiser, who
resides on section 23, Union Grove town-
ship. To avoid rejietition we must refer the
reader to the chapters devoted to the Indian
trouble, and also to other sketches for many
of the most interesting features in the his-
tory of Mr. Nelson. He took a very active
and prominent part in those trying days.
Mr. Nelson was born in Ireland, on the
18th of June, 1837, and was a son of Robert
and Ann Nelson. In July, 1840, he came to
America with his parents. His father and
mother settled near Montreal, in Canada
East, where they engaged in farming, and
remained until the time of their deaths. In
August, 1856, James came to Meeker county,
Minn., and preempted 160 acres on section
23, in what is now Union Grove township.
This place has since been his home, with the
exception of a short time during 1862-3,
when they were driven away by the Indians.
He then enlisted in the Second Minnesota
Infantr}^ and went South, remaining there
until the close of the war, when he again
settled upon the farm, and lias since remained
there. He has one of the most valuable
farms in the township, and it is well im-
proved, with substantial farm buildings.
Mr. Nelson was married on the 7th of
April, 1857, to Miss Elizabeth Caswell, which
is said to have been the first marriage within
the limits of Meeker county. Mrs. Nelson
was a daughter of Carlos and Anna Caswell,
and was born in Canada on the 16th of
August, 1838. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have
been the parents of six children, as follo-ws — ■
William, born November 24, 1858 ; Frank,
born October 27, 1860; Anna, born May 25,
1863; James, born July 9, 1870 ; Orriu, born
July 9, 1872 ; and Albert, born October 21,
1875. Anna married William Phillips, and
now lives in Union Grove township ; they
have three children — Mana, Carl and Flor-
ence. William married Sarah Newcomb,
and lives in Dakota; they have one child,
Iva. Frank married Ella Hinds, and lives
in Dakota.
In political matters Mr. Nelson is a repub-
lican. He has taken an active interest in
public matters, and is one of the leading citi-
zens of the countj^ He has taken a promi-
nent part in township afPairs and held vari-
ous local offices.
^^OREN MORTON. The subject of this
"^^^ biography is one of the most promi-
nent citizens ef Danielson township, being a
resident of section 10, in that subdivision of
Meeker county. Mr. Morton is a native of
Denmark, born on the 29th of November,
1836, and is a son of Morten Johnson and
Johanna Skovenborg. Soren remained in
the land of his birth until 1863, when he
came to the United States and first located
in Kipon, Wis., where he remained five or
six months, having charge of a farm. He
then went to St. Clare county. 111., where he
worked on a farm until March, 1864, when
he returned to Eipon, and again took charge
of the farm which he had previously had
control of. In the fall of 1864 he came to
Meeker county, Minn., and took a homestead
on section 10, in Danielson toAvnship, where
he now lives. After taking his claim he
worked for different farmei-s for a time, then
went to St. Paul, and remained through the
winter, working in a wood-yard. The fol-
lowing spring he returned to his claim, set
out some trees and made some other im-
provements and then returned to St. Paul.
A short time later, in July, 1865, he moved
his family to his claim, and has lived there
ever since. He now has a splendid farm and
splendid improvements. He devotes consid-
erable attention to raising stock, together
with general farming, and is recognized as
one of the most intelligent and prominent
490
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
farmers in the western part of the county.
He is a democrat in political matters and
takes an active interest in the affairs of his
townshi]), having held a number of the most
important local offices, including those of
chairman of the supervisors, for several years
while Acton and Uanielson formed one town-
ship, school clerk for eight years, and others.
Mr. Morton married Miss Louisa Winter-
lig, who was born May 22, 1845, and is a
daughter of Peter C. and Christine Wintei'-
lig. Mr. and Mrs. Morton have hail six
children, as follows — Sarah H., born July 3,
1865 : Henry "W., born December 28, 1867;
Willie T., born June 8, 1869 ; Victor, born
July 12, 1874; Agnes Myrtle, born February
4, 1877; and Alice, born July 3, 1884. The
family are members of the Methodist Church,
in which Mr. Morton is one of the most active
workei"s, having held various offices in that
organization, including those of trustee and
steward, for several }'ears.
— «-;
^^.-^
G. JOHNSON. The subject of this
biography, a farmer residing on sec-
tion 22, Greenleaf township, was born in
Sweden on the 10th of October, 1857. He
left his native land with his father s family
in 1867, and came to Meeker county, Minn.
His father was a farmer most of his life, but
has now retired from active business and
lives in the village of Litchfield. The sub-
ject of this sketch now has three brothers
and four sisters living, one brother having
died.
C. G. Johnson learned the carpenter's trade
in 1878, and followed that vocation for sev-
eral years. In 1881 he went to Missouri and
remained there about eighteen months, re-
turning then to Minnesota. In 1 884 he pur-
chased the farm where he now lives, on section
22, Greenleaf township, and has since made
that his home. He has a valuable farm of
160 acres, seventy-eight of which is under
plow and fifty to meadow, while he has a few
acres of timber. He has substantial improve-
ments, and his farm is among the most valu-
able in his portion of the township. He
devotes his time to general farming and to
stock-raising, and has a good lierd of cattle
on the ])lace.
•■*"^^"*-
JCHAEL J. ROACH. Among the
farmers and cattle raisers of the
north part of the county, is Mr. Roach of
Forest Prairie, who has his home upon sec-
tion 8 of that township. He was born in
Rockbridge county, Va., December 23, 1820,
and is the son of John antl Elizabeth (Peto-
lomey) Roach, natives of Maryland and Vir-
ginia, respectively. When our subject was
but a child his parents removed to Henry
county, Ind., and finally settled in Cass
county, that State, where they died. The
early education of the subject of this sketch
was acquired in his native count}', and after-
wards in the schools of Indiana, which at
that earl}^ day were few and far between.
He was one of a family of thirteen children,
the names of the others being — Lucilla,
William, James N., Mary Ellen, John C,
Betsy J., Margret A., Joseph, Andrew J.,
George, Carson, Nancy D., and one that
died in infancy.
Mr. Roach was reared to maidiood in Cass
county, Ind., and was there married, Decem-
ber 28, 1843, to Miss Sarah J. Wynn, a native
of Warren county, the same State, born No-
vember 4, 1832. She is the daughter of
James and PoUie (Harden) Wynn, who were
born in Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively.
By this union there have been born a family
of thirteen children — William, Michael,
Sarah Jane, Margaret A., Deniza, Elizabetii,
Ellen Dosh, Cinda, James, John and Mary.
The latter died in infancy ; the rest are all
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
491
living and married except Dosh and Ellen,
who reside at home.
Mr. Eoach came to Meeker county in 1866,
reaching Forest City, on the 9th of May,
and shortly after came to his present place
and took up his homestead. At that time
the woods were full of game and he acquired
the reputation of being the best and most
successful hunter in this part of the country.
He made considerable money by this means,
but has always given considerable attention
to farming and stock-raising, preferring the
sure gains of husbandry to any more allur-
ing speculation or business. He was the
third settler in the township, one of the okl
pioneers ; is a member of the Church of
God, and usually votes the re])ublican ticket.
JESSE V. BRANHAM, Jr., a pioneer, who
took a most active and j^rominent part
in the trying times of the Indian massacre,
is one of the best-known and most conspic-
ous figures in Meeker county's history. He
is a native of Jennings county, Ind., born
July 8, 1834:, and is the son of Jesse V. and
Mary (Butler) Branham, a sketch of whom
will be found elsewhere in this Album. In
1847 his parents removed to Franklin, John-
son county, Ind , where our subject remained
under the parental roof until nineteen years
of age, when he opened a dry -goods and
gi'ocery store. In 1855 he was united in
mariage with Miss Mary L. Stark.
Early in tlie summer, of 1857, Jesse V.,
Jr., joined a party of pioneers, consisting of
his father, Jesse V. Branham, Sr., William
Branham, Levi Eeed, Hugh McCannon, and
others, and came to Meeker county, Minn.,
our subject Locating on section 35, of Litch-
field — then jS^ess — township, in June of that
3'ear. He at once began improvements, and
his family joined him in August. He there
remained, earnestly devoting his time and
labor to developing a farm, living in content-
ment and prosperity, notwithstanding the
many disadvantages usual to pioneer life,
until the Indian outbreak of 1862 began.
On Sunday, August 17, 1862, while Jesse
V. Branham, Jr., was crossing a field with a
neighbor, the report of the Jones and Baker
murders were brought to him. After a
hasty consideration of the matter, he con-
cluded to get all the people of the neighbor-
hood together at the house of George C.
"Whitcomb (who was absent), on account of
the location, partly because of a good well
in the cellar, should the Indians make an
attack, and partly to protect Whitcomb's
family. Sunday night, after the neighbor-
hood had been notified and brought to one
point, our subject, in company with his
brother William, mounted his horse and
started for Acton, to learn as to the truth of
the reports. When within about three
miles from their destination, they met a
part}'^ from the scene of the massacre, who
had with them a child, which was the only
surviving member of either the Jones or
Baker households. The Branhams then
learned that all reports were true, and imme-
diately retui'ned to AVhitcomb's house.
Early Monday morning the.y all started for
Forest City, where they remained inactive
for a daj' or so, but Tuesday afternoon
word was received that the outbreak was
general and would extend all along the bor-
der. That evening they held a council, and
decided to send all women and children to
Clearwater, and J. Y . Branham, Jr., was ap-
pointed to take charge of the train. Wednes-
day morning the train started, being made
up of teams of every description, and being
half a mile in length. Jesse V., Jr., piloted
thefn about half way through the "Big
AYoods," when he bade his famil}' good-bye
and returned to Kingston. There he talked
with a number of the leading citizens, gave
them hie idea of the stockade, and the fol-
492
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
lowing morning, with iiis team, he hauled
the first log for tiie Kingston fortifications.
Returning to Forest City, he found George
C. Whitcoml) witli an order from Governor
Ramsey to form a comi)any of State militia,
to defend the town. Our subject joined the
ranks, and, as soon as possible, he, with
others of the command, were mounted and
started west to bury the dead and aid the
wounded. The}' rode through the western
part of Meelcer county and all over Kandi-
j^ohi county.
After this Jesse Y., Jr., remained with
the comjmny until the night of Se])tember2,
when, on coming into the stockade after a
brush with the Indians, they learned that
Captain Strout would be in camp at Acton that
night. The whole company knew that the
countr}^ was filled with hostile Indians, and
knew that unless Strout was warned, his
whole command would probal)]y be mur-
dered. Captain Wliitcomb called for volun-
teers to go upon the extremely dangerous
mission of warning Strout, and Jesse V.
Branham, Ji-., was the first to offer his serv-
ices, Thomas Holmes and A. P. Sperry soon
joining him, and at sundown they started for
Acton, with Jesse in command of the trio.
Reaching their destination and fulfilling
their mission in the night, they slept for a
time,' and in the morning the company
started for Forest City. The Indians soon
made an attack on them, and in the ene-aee-
ment, Jesse Branham, Jr., was shot through
the lungs, the bullet coming out of his back,
and seventeen others of Strout's company
were wounded. Tiiey were taken to Hutch-
inson that night, and ujion arriving tliere,
Branham got u)> and walked from the
wagon to his room, in the second story of the
hotel. AVhen the doctor examined him, he
said to those in attendance: "I can do
nothing for this man; make him as comfort-
able as you can ; he will be dead in three
hours." The following morning, September
4th, was the day of the attack on Hutchinson,
and while our subject was lying on his cot,
tlien unable to move, there came a shower of
bullets on and through the house. Later he
was carried to the stockade with the other
wounded, and tliere cared for. Four weeks
later he was able to go to ]\[inneapolis to
his family. Tliree weeks later the family
went south to Louisville, K\'., and I'emained
tliere until the spring of 1863, wlien they
returned to Minneapolis, and the following
fall, again settled in Meeker count}'. Jesse
V. Branham, Jr., rented the mill at Green-
leaf, and operated it during the winter of
1863-4, and the following spring went to
Forest City and rented a farm for tlie season.
In the fall of 1864, the county commissioners
ap]5ointed him county auditor to fill a
vacancy, and he M'as afterward elected and
re-elected, serving until the spring of 1871.
During this time the county seat had been
removed to Litchfield, and after the expira-
tion of his term of office, our subject en-
gaged in the mercantile trade at that place.
Smce that time he has been engaged either
in the mercantile trade, real estate or farm-
ing.
In eai'ly days Jesse Y. Branham, Jr., was
one of the most active and public-spirited
men in the county. When the town of Xess
was organized, he was elected first town
clerk ; he also held the office of county com-
missioner, besides that of county auditor,
and various local offices. He was one of the
original town site proprietors of Litchfield ;
drew the bill changing the county seat from
Forest City ; gave Litchfield its name, and
in many other ways connected his name
indissolubly with the early history of the
county. He drew the plan of the park in
Litchfiekl, and to him, more than any other
one man, is due the credit of planting trees
and oettine: it into the'beautiful condition of
to-day.
Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Y. Branham, Jr., are
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
493
tlie parents of five cliildren, as follows —
Iliram S., a member of the Litchfield bank-
ing firm of Stevens & Co.; Alice, now Mrs.
Robert Burns; Delaney E., I-ula and
Thomas.
fNORGREN & CO., dealers in general
merchandise in the village of Dassel,
came to the village in thespring of 1S75, and
established their present business, and are,
therefore, the oldest house in town having a
continuous existence. They carry a large
and well-assoi'ted stock, and are doing an
extensive and lucrative trade. The stoi'e
which they occupy was built b}' Louis Rud-
berg, and is a handsome brick edifice, well
lighted and ventilated, and presents a neat
appearance from the street.
John Norgren, the senior member of the
firm, is a native of Sweden, and immigrated
to America in 1866, landing in Carver county,
Minn., on the 22d of July, with his family,
which then consisted of his wife and five
children. He soon afterward bought a farm
of eighty acres in Hancock township, about
nine miles from Carver, and moved liis fam-
ily to it. They remained there until 1873,
during which time the farm was increased to
160 acres. In 1873 they came to Meeker
county, and the father ])urcliased a half inter-
est in the saw- and flouring-mill at East
Kingston. He was there engaged in the
milling business for two years and a half,
when he sold his interest to his partner, and
came to Dassel, where he has since lived.
He then, in company with J. O. Berlin,
opened a general merchandise store under
the firm name of J. Norgren & Co. The
partner, Mr. Berlin, is also his son-in-law,
and had the misfortune to lose bis ej'esight
some nine years ago. Mr. Norgren has
turned the active management of the mer-
cantile business over to his sons, John and
Lewis. Mr. Norgren is a hale and hearty
man of about sixt^y years of age, and still
retains his vigor. He has large property
interests here in the way of faims and vil-
lage real estate, and has been intimately as-
sociated with the growth and development
of the eastern part of Meeker county. He
is the present town treasurer, and has taken
an active interest in official and educational
matters.
John and Lewis Norgren, who have charge
of the business, are both capable business
men, and their establishment commands as
heavy a trade as any in the village. John
has been a member of the village council
for four years, while both take a prominent
part in all matters pertaining to the welfare
of their localitv.
— — ^-•;
^.^^
ON. A. C. SMITH, for many years
one of the most prominent figures in
the history of the county, and one of the
leading attorneys, was a native of Vermont,
born in 1814. He was educated in the State
of his nativity, and thei'e studied law, and
was admitted to the bar at Washington, D.
C, at a session of the Supreme Court of the
United States. In 1839 he removed to
Mount Clemens, Macomb county, Mich.,
where he entered upon the practice of his
profession. A short time after he entered
upon a career of journalism, editing and
publishing the Macoinh Oazette, and the
Landvuvrhs, the latter a Masonic periodical,
and continued at this for some five years.
He then occupied the judicial bench for
three years, and served one term in the
Michigan State Senate. In 1855 he came to
St. Paul, where he established and published
the Free Press, a democratic daily, which
did not prove very remunerative. He then
took up his law practice in that city, and
made it his home until March, 1858, when,
494
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
haviiio; been appointed to tlie position of
register of the land office of tlie United
States at Forest City, he came to this
county, where he made his lionie until the
da}' of his death, which ocurred September
20, 1880. Of liis death, the News Ledger
said : " We have known Judge Smith for
twelve 3'ears ; in fact, he was the first man
we consulted when we thought of locating
in this county in 1868, and our confidence in
his judgment led us to settle in Forest City.
Judge Smith was a man among men — hon-
orable to a fault. He could not brook dis-
honesty or trickery in others. As a friend
he was genial, warm and true as steel — ever
ready to assist all who were so fortunate as
to be associated with him. As a mend^er of
the bar he ranked among the best — was
courteous and affable — always working for
the interests of his clients with a will and
energy which caused him to be respected
by his op])onents. In his death the county
met with a great loss and the community of
Litchfield one of its most esteemed citizens,
and his memory is revered by all the early
residents of this part of the State."
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CHAPTEE I.
LOCATION AND TOPOGRAPHY.
N NO ]»ortion of the
great State of Minne-
,& ''* * " ^br-^ sota IS Meeker county
surpassed for its beau-
tiful scenery; its roil-
ing prairies inter-
spersed and diversified
with natural and domestic groves;
its famous lakes, meandering
streams and its carpet of Howers
and verdure. It lies in the cen-
.,_. tral, or south-central part of the
^"^j^ State, having for its boundaries
Stearns county on the north,
Wright on the east, McLeod and
Eenville on the south and Kan-
diyohi on the west. As an agri-
cultural and stock-raising region Meeker
county cannot be excelled. The soil is
very productive — ^a rich, dark loam, well
adapted to all the cereals common to this
latitude. It is also Avell suited to the pro-
duction of tame and indigenous grasses; and
stock-raising, both native and blooded, at-
tracts the general attention of the intelligent
class of farmers that have settled here. The
greater portion of the surface of the county
is made up of a rolling prairie, interspersed
with oak openings ; while a considerable area
is covered with a moderately heavy growth
of natural timber. The surface is weU
watered by numerous streams, which furnish
ample drainage and an abundance of pure
water for stock. In addition to the streams
there are scattered throughout the count}'
hundreds of beautiful lakes teemine: with
fish, and at some seasons of the year the re-
sort of myriads of wild fowl. These lakes
add greatly to the beauty of the scenery and
healthfulness of the region, and they have
made the county noted throughout the State
as a " sportsman's paradise."
The principal stream is the Crow River,
which traverses with sinuous course through
the northeastern portion of the county, and
with its many little affluents drains a con-
siderable area of territory. The St. Paul,
Minneapolis & Manitoba Railway Company
have a branch, known as the Breckinridge
division, that intersects Meeker county,
crossing the boundary line at the north line
of section 30, in Dassell township, on the
east, and after crossing the townships of
Dassell, Darwin, Litchfield and Acton, re-
crosses the county's limits, on the west, at
the north line of section 7, of the latter town-
ship. This road, which is one of the best in
the State, affords ample facilities for the
499
50O
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
marketing of tlie products of the county and
vicinit}', and the transportation of freight or
passengers. Tiie nortliern part of the county
is ])rovided with shipping facilities by the
Minneapolis & Pacific liaihvay, upon the
line of which is located two stations within
the limits of Meeker county.
•^^'^^'^-
CHAPTER II.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
^^HE annals of the early settlement
y of the county, while it is the most
difficult to collate, is yet the most
interesting and
entertaining to the general
reader, and of absorbing interest to the pio-
neer himself. For several years prior to the
advent of white settlers, this portion of the
State was frequently traversed by hunters
and trappers. The nomadic Indian for ages
had here found his hunting ground, and
doubtless his battlefield, and the woods, if
they could speak, could tell of dire deeds of
blood that were #nacted beneath their leafy
shade.
During the summer of 1855 three men in
a canoe paddled and poled their way up the
Crow River, through the " Big Woods," into
what is now Meeker county. They were
John "W. liuy, Benjamin Brown and a man
named Mackenzie, and were in search of pine
timber for some lumber firm. Pushing on-
ward through the forest, they emerged upon
the prairie east of where Forest City after-
ward stood, and were delighted with the
view that burst upon their sight.
"The wondrous, beautiful prairie, billowy
bays of grace ever rolling in t^iatlows and
sunshine," intei-spersed with groves of tim-
ber, islands of verdure in an emerald sea.
The paradise of lake and land that lay before
them in its pristine loveliness charmed them,
and, returning to their employers with the
report of their failure to find in this direc-
tion the object of their (juest, John Iluy
made up a party to come to this ideal land
and settle.
In company with D. M. Hanson, Rudolph
Shultz and Thomas H. Skinner, he came
back the same fall, by way of Glencoe, and
on their arrival at the Crow River located a
town site upon the north bank, opposite the
mouth of the creek, on section 13 of what is
now Harvey township. To this prospective
village they gave the name of Kar-i-shon,
the Indian name for " crow." Erecting a
claim shanty upon the shelving banks of the
ripi)lingstream, Iluy and Skinner commenced
housekeeping, Hanson returning to Minne-
apolis, where he died in April, 1856.
The two adventurers passed the winter,
for the most part, in their humble cabin in
the pathless wilderness, to hold their claim
to the town site, but in the spring, discover-
ing at some distance down the river, a more
eligible site for a village, moved on to sec-
tions 17 and 20, of what is now Forest City
township, on which thej' at once erected a
claim shanty, calling the place " the village
of Forest City." John Huy also, afterward,
pre-empted the northeast quarter of sec-
tion li).
Upon this tract arose the villnge that for
about twelve years was the county seat of
Meeker county, and a history of it is given
elsewhere in this Album. John Huy lived
here until the summer of 1862, when he left
the county. He is now a resident of the
State of California, quite well-to-do. Thomas
H. Skinner, who was quite a prominent fig-
ure in those early days, died in Milwaukee,
whither he had gone on business, August 20,
1863, and is buried at St. Albans, Me., his
boyhood's home.
Rudolph Shultz made a settlement early
in 1856, he having spent the previous winter
in Minneapolis, on section 26, Harvey town-
ship, where he now lives.
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
501
Abijah Bemis came here in the early spring
of 1856, and was appointed the first sheriff
of the county, to help organize it. He re
mained until tlie fall of 1857, and then left
this locality.
Milton G. Moore, the first register of deeds
of the county, took up his residence early in
the year, 1856, before the snow was off of
the ground. He remained for a year or so,
and then left this part of the country.
Dr. Frederick Noah Kipley and John
McClelland took up claims in Ellsworth
township, on coming to this county late in
the fall of 1855. They erected a cabin on
the shores of Cedar Lake, where they passed
the winter, but running short of provisions,
on the 1st of March, 1856, they started across
the country to the shanty of John Iluy and
his party, near Forest City, where they knew
they could replenish their stores. Although
it was a beautiful morning when they started,
the breeze warm and balmy, and the snow
melting fast, before long a terrible blizzard
sprang u]i and enveloped them. They were
compelled to camp that night, and having
neither food nor blankets, for they expected to
travel the eighteen miles before dark, they
suffered intensely. In the morning they
again started on their quest. On striking
the river they were lost and could not tell
whether they were above or below the cabin
they sought, so about two o'clock they, being
discouraged, started back for their claim, as
the storm had abated. The}' had no matches
to build a fire, the few in their possession
having become wet, and the want of food en-
feebled them. As they stumbled on their
course. Dr. Ripley became too weak to
travel, and insisted on his companion going
on and seeking safety, and leave him to his
fate, telling him at tlie same time, if help
could be got for him to come to his assistance.
He perished in the snow near the shores of the
beautiful lake that now bears his name, and
his remains were found the following spring
by W. S. Chapman and a party of others, and
buried beneath the trees where he was
found. The Masonic fraternity, of which he
was a member, on the laying out of the Litch-
field cemetery, exliumed his body and j^laced
it in consecrated ground in the center of the
circle in that beautiful " city of tlie dead."
McClelland had to have both legs amputated,
and barely escaped with his life. He after-
ward removetl to Becker county, this State,
where he finally became register of deeds.
J. B. Salisbury, still a resident of the coimty ,
came here first in the summer of 1855, with
a Government surveying party, and was en-
engaged in running town lines. In the fall
he went back to Scott county, Iowa, but in
the spring of 1856 returned here and made
a settlement in Kingston. With him came
Joseph Weymer, Sr., his father-in-law, and
two brother-in-laws, Joseph, Jr., and Jacob.
The elder Weymer settled in Forest City, as
did his son Jacob. Joseph, Ji'., located in
Ivingston. Jacob removed to Iowa, where he
now lives. Joseph, Sr., died in Iowa, whence
he had removed, but Joseph, Jr., is still a
citizen of the county.
On the 20th of June, 1856, T. Carlos Jew-
ett made his appearance in this county, and
seven days later, having spent that time in
looking over the country and finding the
section lines, made a claim upon the south-
west quarter of section 31, in Forest City
township. At the time of his arrival here
his entire capital consisted of $16.19, besides
considerable energy and Yankee thrift. He
is still among his old associates, residing in
the city of Litchfield.
July 2 of the same year marked the settle-
ment of Isaac C. Delamater. His claim was
located upon the southwest quarter of section
29, Forest City township.
Josiah W. Dorman and Benjamin Dorman,
Alpheus C. Maddox, Henry, Warren and
Cyrus Averill, Mark Gates, Elmer Harper,
William Higgins, John Fitzgerald, Patrick
502
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Flynn, John T. Kennison and A. B. Whit-
nev iiiaile, settlements in the territory now
enibi'iiced in the civil townshij) of Kingston.
Josiah Dormandied in this county about two
years ago; Benjamin Dorman remained a
resident until about 1878 or 1880. John
Fitzgerald died herein 1876, and John Flynn
was gathered to his fathers many years
ago. Alpheus C. Maddox left this county
about twenty years ago, and is now living at
Lake Calhoun, Kandiyohi county. Henry
Averill left the county, having, when acting
as sheriff, stabbed Kennison in a fight ; his
brothers Warren and C\'rus left the county
about 1858. Mark Gates is still a citizen of
Meeker county. Elmer Harper and "William
Higgins did not remain long in this locality.
John T. Kennison made his residence here
until about 1870, and is now a citizen of
Minneapolis ; and A. B. Whitney, after about
two years' residence, emigrated to California,
where he now lives. S. B. Ilutchins, another
settler in the same town in the year 1856, re-
mained here until 1863, when he left, and
now has his home in French Lake township,
Wright county.
John Bramhall came to this county the
same spring, and located in Forest City. He
was a carpenter by trade, and the first in the
county.
Nathan C. Caswell, Ziba Caswell, Christo-
pher Davis, and Green Sykes, made a trip
through this county in November, 1855, in
search of a mill site and lands for farming.
This part}"^ returning to Monticello, AV right
county, on the 10th of December, follow-
ing, N. C. and Ziba Caswell again started
for the country that had jileased them so
much on the first trip. They simply came
to prospect, and that part of the country
now embraced in the town of Manannah,
pleasing them, they returned here in the
spring of 1856, with Alonzo, Silas and Al-
bert Caswell, James Nelson, Edward Brown
and A. D. Pierce, and took up claims in the
neigliborhood of what was afterwards
known as the the town site of Manannah,
which was laid out and surveyed in Decem-
ber, 1856. The new settlement was rein-
forced the same autumn Ijy the arrival of
Andrew Hamilton, Charles Caswell and
John Tower.
Timothy Dunn and Patrick Condon came
to tiiis county in 1856. and .settled in Darwin
township. Mr. Dunn is still a resident, but
Condon was frozen to death in January,
1873.
A considerable number of settlers came
through the Big Woods together, early in
July, 1856, and found homes in this country.
They were friends, countrymen and neigh-
bors, for the most part, in Lidiana, who were
on their way to California's golden shores,
when, at Dubuque, Iowa, they heard of the
rich lands in this new country and determined
to investigate. These people were John
Flynn, his wife, family, consisting of Michael
J., then some sixteen years of age, Daniel
and Elizabeth ; S. IMarshall, two hired men
and a nephew ; John Dougherty and family;
John Whalen and family, Thomas Dough-
erty and family, Edward Fitzgerald and
family, Patrick Fitzgerakl and family, and
Morris Powers and family.
After a preliminary survey of the coun-
try made by Messrs. Flynn and Whalen,
they all came here and made settlements,
some in Kingston, some in Forest Cit}', and
some further west in Harvey. They arrived
in the county on the Stli of July. Dr. Y. P.
Kennedy came to what is now Meeker county,
in June, 1S56, and took the same claim in
Ellsworth township, in section 31, on the
shores of Cedar Lake, the same place as was
formerly claimed by Dr. Pipley. The Dr. is
now a resident of the county seat.
Nathan Butler and M. M. Standish, two
surveyors, came to this locality in the early
part of 1856, and pi-ospected through the
country. Butler settled on a claim of beau-
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
503
tiful timber in Acton, which he owned for
some time, but finally sold, and went to
Minneapolis. lie is v/hat is known as a
" cruiser," looking out timber land for par-
ties engaged in tiie lumber trade, at the
present time. Standish enlisted in the First
Minnesota during the war, and never re-
turned to tliis coimty.
Two men by the names of George Orcutt
and Mr. Pratt, made a claim in what is now
Greenleaf township, in the summer of 1856,
but having had one of their oxen killed b}^
the Indians, this breaking up their team,
they, in discouragment abandoned their land,
and a short time afterward left the county.
William Benson, Swen and Nels Swenson,
and Michael Lenhardt made settlements in
what is now Litchfield township, in the year
1856, and all are still residents of the original
homesteads.
C. L. Eichardson and Edwin Ayres, Avho
were surveyors by profession, made their
appearance in the county in 1856, and took
up claims in what is now Dassel township.
They made their home here until the Indian
massacre times of 1862, when they left and
never returned.
Among the others who came to this local-
ity this same year, were the following :
E. O. Eritt, who located in Manannah
township, where he lived about one year,
and then moved to Harvey ; he died in May,
1871.
David Mitchell and William II. Van Ness,
both of whom are still residents of the
county, located in Forest City township.
Judson A. Stanton made a claim on section
24, Harvey, where he remained for a time,
then entered into trade at Forest City. He
remained there until tlie Indian outbreak,
and now lives at Sauk City.
Harrison Thorns settled upon section 17,
Forest City, where he made his home until
1868, when he left here for California and
Oregon.
' T. R. Webb and Dr. Russell Whiteman
located in Ellsw' orth : the former is still a
citizen of the county ; the latter is in Illi-
nois.
Dudley and Samuel Taylor took up
their residence in Forest City, on the
25th of June. Dudley Taylor entered the
army during the late war and was hurt by
the falling of the deck of the steamer "Glad-
iator," in the Tennessee river, and on his dis-
charge went to New York State, where he
died shortly afterwards. Samuel Taylor is
living on the claim he took upon first com-
ing here.
J. W. Walker and Reuben Davis came to
this section of the State late in the fall of the
same year and settled in Harvey, but only
remained a short time.
James A. Quick came this same year, but
after a year or two's residence left here,
going back to Penns\'lvania.
Charles McAron came to the county and
helped set up a saw-mill. He ran a black-
smith shop for a time and left here in
1857.
John W. Patterson took up a claim on the
northwest quarter of section 30, Forest City,
where he took up bachelor " house-keeping "
and made his home here for some time, and
then left for Minneapolis, where he was
when last heard from.
Henry Clinton made a claim on the north-
west quarter of section 32, Forest City. In
1875 he left here for California, where he
now lives.
Peter Stearns, John Peiffer and Gottleib
Reef, three Germans, made their appearance
here and took claims in the town of Darwin.
Peter Stearns, a veteran member of both the
First and Second Cavalry during the last
war, is still resident here; Peiffer also lives
on his original claim, and Reef is now a
wealthy farmer of Kandiyohi county, having
gone there in 1865.
Leander L. Wakefield made his settlement
504
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
in the fall of 1856, on section 19, Forest City,
and is still a resident of the county.
Loring G. IIU3' and Ogden T. Tuttle made
a settlement in 1856, also, but only stayed
about a ,year, going to Minnea}X)lis.
Frederick Cook made a trip to this count}^
from Illinois in July, of this same year, and,
liking the looks of it, returned to his home,
and the next month brought his brothers,
Christopher, Ferdinand and William, with
him and made a settlement in Litchfield
township. Fred died in 1860 ; Chris, in
1858; William was killed accidentally in the
army, and Ferdinand is a resident of Manan-
nah at the present time.
Lyman Allen and Messrs. Baker iind
Allen came to the county and settled in
what is now Union Grove, this same year.
Baker died here, and the other two, in 1860,
returned to their home in the "Old Bay
State."
Daniel Cross located in Cedar Mills town-
ship in 1856, where he made his home until
he was killed by the Indians, in 1862.
Charles E. Cutts and Walter Bacon settled
on adjoining claims in the town of Forest
City, in the fall of 1856, and put up bachelor
quarters, where they lived. Mr. Cutts, who
has been prominently identified with the his-
tory of the county, is still a resident upon his
original preemption ; Mr. Bacon, after living
here some yeai-s, moved to Otter Tail
county, and is a resident of Fergus Falls.
James B. Atkinson came to the site of
Forest City on the 7th of February, 1857,
where he found but about five people. He
had with him a load of merchandise, and at
once put up a store, and in April opened the
first store in the county. A full account of
his business afl'airs may be found in the his-
tory of the village of Forest City, and a
sketch of this well-known resident of Litch-
field in the biographical department of this
work.
W. H. Dart, now engaged in the grocery
trade in the city of Litchfield, is also a set-
tler of the same \'ear, coming to Forest City
in April, where he found but seven men, who
all lived in one house. Their names were
Thomas II. Skinner, Walter Brown, A.
Bemis, Matthew Stand ish, M. G. Moore, and
two others. With him came Charles N.
Shedd, and the two men took up adjoining
claims in Forest City township.
About the same time that Atkinson came,
there appeared Henry N. Baker, one of the
original Baker family, from Waukeegan, 111.,
a jolly scapegrace, most widely known, who
hoped to bury in the woods some of his
escapades. He remained here for a few
years, and then returned to his friends. He
acted as judge of probate here in 1857-8-9.
Jacob Ball, carpenter, located in the village
of Forest City, this county, in the spring of
1857, and erected a store building for James
B. Atkinson. He followed his trade some-
what, and taking up a claim on section 4, did
some farming. After a few years passed
here, he returned to Canada.
Rev. John Robson, an ordained minister
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, came
to the new settlement at Forest Cit}"^ early
in the same year, and preempted 160 acres
of land, the northwest quarter of section 20,
and operated the saw-mill for a time. He
was the first justice of the peace, and made
this place his home for a few years, but left
here previous to the Indian outbreak, remov-
ing to the far East, and died at Medford,
Mass.
H. Walker, a carpenter, came to the rising
village in May, 1857, and took up his resi-
dence. After some years' residence here he
removed from the county, and, when last
heard from, was keeping a hotel at Buffalo,
Wright county.
Thomas Grayson, also a knight of the saw,
plane and chisel, settled in the town aV)out
the same time. He is still a resident of the
countv.
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
507
J. W. Griswold settled about the same
time, and remained for a few years. He
now lives in Minneapolis.
James Willis, who is a resident at the
present of the town of Litchfield, located in
a claim south of Forest City in 1857, where
he made his home for many years,
Among the other arrivals of the same \'ear
Avas Hamlet Stevens, now a banker of the
City of Litchfield, who located at Forest City.
The tide of immigration having set toward
this section of the State, Avest of the "Big
Woods," many, being delighted with the
picturesque scenery and abundant fei'tility
of the land of Meeker county, settled in the
county of Meeker during the years of 1857
and 1858, and the country began to assume
the appearance of being the home of white
people. The blue smoke curling from the
chimneys of the cabins of the settlers, the
ploughed ground around their little clear-
ings and breakings, and the hum of busy
industry announced the coming of civiliza-
tion. Among those located in the county
in 1857, not mentioned were Dennis Shields,
John and A. F. Heath, John Wigle, L. F.
Haines, Jacob Reef, Isjiac Perrine, James
Murphy, John Kimball, S. W. Ryan, B. F.
Butler, Willard Keats, Charles McPartheon,
David Ralston, L. A. Henry, Richard Poole,
Allen Teachout, H. M. Angier, J. P. Botham,
W. W. Woodman, Jacob Knapp, Henry
Bierman, Louis and Maximillian Cook and
their mother, A. B. Hoyt, D. P. Delemater,
A. C. Campbell, Charles Willis, N. O. Grif-
fin, Patrick Finnegan, Mark AVarren, Messrs.
Charlton and Andrews, George S. Sholes
Sr., William Marble, William Cramer;
Charles, William and Herman Krueger,
Bengt Hanson; John. Nels, Andrew, Peter
E., and Lewis Larson; Hogan Peterson, Thol-
son J. Cornelius, Ole Amundson, Nels Dan-
ielson, Kettle Haroldson, Henry J. Johnson,
John Nelson; Jesse V. Branham Sr., and his
sons, AVilliam, Jesse and Edward; Oscar
Erickson, Nels Clements, Ole Johanson, John
Wincjuist, Ole J. Winquist, E. S. Fitch, Bryan
McNulty, Noah White, Patrick Casey, John
Doyle, Louis Ekbom, John Dougherty, John
McRaith. William Cunningham, Michael
Gallahue, James Shelley, Jacob Reef, three
brothers O'Brien, Mr. Hagerty, John Ramsey,
Hans Peterson, Peter E. Hanson, Andrew
Peterson, Ole Nelson, N. E. Hanson, Nels
Elofson, Peter E. Lund, Nels Waylander,
John Rosencrans, Bertha Anderson, Andrew
Elofson, Peter J. Lund, John and Peter
Ritchie, Robinson Jones, Howard Baker,
Mrs. Ann Baker, Abram Kelley. John Black-
well, Capt. Robinson, Lyman Allen, and pos-
sibly a few others.
Rev. J. C. Whitney, in 1858, came to the
new settlement, and bought the claim of
Nathan Roberts, adjoining the town site,
where he lived for some years, after Avhich he
removed to the city of Minneapolis, and
acted as United States ganger for a time,
since which time he has grown quite wealthy
in the real estate business, and makes his
home in the " Flour City."
John Goodspeed settled in Union Grove in
the same year, where he made his home for
several years. He afterwards removed ta
Monticello.
Among those who took up their residence
in the county during the year 1858, there
have been gathered the following names — J.
D. Evans, A. C. Smith. R. W. Brown, Ursil-
lius S. Willie, George S. Sholes Jr., J. A.
Baird, Thomas E. Massey, Charles and Sam-
uel Getchell, Daniel Campbell, Levi L.
Getchell, E. K. Wright, James Merrill, F. M.
Scott, Dennis Cronin, G. W. Parker, N. W.
Bannister, Charles May bee, E. O. Britt, Vin-
cent Coombs, Thomas McGannon, Iver Jack-
son, Bengt Nelson, Dana E. King, William
n. Greenleaf, Bennett M. Brink, William H.
Wilcox, Thomas Ryckman, Christian Erick-
son, Halver Michelson, Ole Munson and Ole
Lindquist.
5o8
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
A full history of the settlement, location
of their homes, etc., of many of the old set-
tlers is given in detail in the annals of their
respective towns, or in the biographical de-
partments, to whicli chapters tiie reader is
referred for particulars.
HISTOKICAL ITEMS.
The first birth in Meeker county was that
of Sarah Jane, daughter of Thomas Dougli-
erty, born while the family were still living-
in a wagon, before getting to their claim,
July 15, 1856. She is now living with her
parents in Harvey township.
The first male child was Ole T. Halverson,
son of Henr}' and ]\Iai'garet Halverson, born
December, 11 1856, in Litchfield township.
The first death W'as that of Dr. Frederick
N. Eipley, who was frozen to death March 3,
1856, on the shores of the beautiful lake that
bears his name, in Litchfield township, and
commemorates this unhappy man's cruel
fate. The second death was that of Frank
Parsons, who died Noveinl)er 20, 1856, and
was buried on the town site of Foi'est City.
The first land bi'oken was by Benjamin
Dorman, in the summer of 1856, in Kings-
ton township. Morris Powers broke the sod
next the same season.
Thefirst house erected was a shanty, put
.up by John Huy and his party at the junc-
tion of the creek with the Crow river, on sec-
tion 13, Ilai-vey township, in the summer of
1855.
The first barn was built by OlelL Ness in
the summer of 1856, in Ripley, now Litch-
field township.
The first religious services were held at
Forest City in November, 1856, at which
Ilev. John Robson, a ]\rethodist clergyman,
delivered the sermon and led the exercises.
On the 2-2d of :\[arch, 1858, the United
States land office, under A. C. Smith, reg-
ister, and John D. Evans, receiver, was
opened at Forest City, and this was deemed
an important era in the history of that town
and of the county. There was but a small
quantity of land upon which claims had been
filed at that time, in this portion of the
State, and consequently, with the consider-
able title of immigration this way, the land
office was crowded nearly all the time. Old
settlers state that in those davs it was no
uncommon sight toseea large number of land-
seekers camped all around the office, await-
ing their turn to enter their claim or ti-ansact
other business with the officers. The build-
ing in which it was located was a small log
shanty. Here the office remained until after
the Indian outbreak in August, 1862, when
it was removed back to Minneapolis, but
some time after the cessation of hostilities
and peace again reigned upon the bonier it
was brought l)ack to this county and located
at Greenleaf, where it remained some time.
The first homestead under the act of Con-
gress authorizing their entry was taken and
filed by Samuel Taylor in 1863; this was
located upon the south half of the southeast
quai'ter of section -1, in the town of Darwin,
and was first claimed by Richard Poole.
The first term of the district court held in
the county was in October, 1859, with lion.
E. O. ILamlin upon the bench, and met in
the office of A. C. Smith, in Forest City.
The first case before the court was that of
John Peiffert'.^. Peter Stearns, and was a sin-
gular one. They were brothers-in law, and
hail erected one cabin on the line between
their farms, so as to cover both with their
residence. After a time they quarreled, and
Peiffersliot Stearns as the latter was attem]it-
ing to cany off his share of the lumber of
the house, and to settle the shooting case
Peiffer gave the other a chattel mortgage on
two yoke of oxen, but on the maturity of the
claim refused to give up the cattle, as the
mortgage had been given to comjiouiid a fel-
ony. During this ti'ial, as to who was the
owner of the cattle, was impaneled the first
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
509
petit jury in tlie county, which consisted of
the following named : George S. Sholes, Sr.,
foreman ; Azro B. Iloyt, J. C. Scribner, Alex-
ander Lee, T. E. AVebb, Thos. Dougherty,
A. C. Maddox, Samuel L. Getcliell, George
"W. Baird, Edward Brown, John Black well
and Charles Duffy. Tlie verdict was found
for tlie plaintiff, tliree cents damages. U. S.
Willie appeared for Stearns, and A.C. Smith
for Peiffer. These two were tlie sole mem-
bers of the bar, but at this term AVilliam
Kichards was admitted to tlie bar, tlie first
in the county so honored.
The first gristmill in die county was erected
at Kingston. Its construction was com-
menced in 1856, by A. P. AVhitney, and
finished the following year. This was the
pioneer mill of the region lying west of the
Big Woods, and was a gi-eat advantage to
the earlj' settlers, as all their flour, previous
to its completion, had to lie hauled here by
teams from St. Paul. This mill is still in
operation. Mills were built shortly after
this, one at Greenleaf anil one at Porest City.
The pioneer postoffice of the county was
established in the spring of 1857, at Forest
City, with James B. Atkinson as postmaster.
Pie had the office in his store, but there was
no regular mail until the fall of the same
year, when a mail route was established be-
tween that point and St. Cloud, and a man
by the name of Evans became mail-carrier.
He covered the thirty-five miles between the
two places on foot, and frequently got into
Forest City b\' 2 o'clock in the afternoon.
The first hotel in the county was a log
building, where entertainment of a primitive
character was dispensed in 1856 and 1857,
by Mr. and Mrs. Dudley Taylor.
-««:
CHAPTER III.
OFFICIAL MATTERS.
ZT IS intended, that grouped together
under this general head, will be given
all that pertains to the otticial life of
the county, those who have represented it
and its citizens in office, property valuations,
educational statistics and all other kindred
matter that is drawn from official records,
and worthy of preservation in a volume of
this character. The first point taken up,
therefore, will be
ORGANIZATION.
The Seventh Territorial Legislature which
met in the spring of 1856, ordered the crea-
tion and organization of a county to be
called Meeker, in honor of Hon. B. B.
Meeker, of St. Anthony, and to contain
within its boundaries all that is now defined
by them, except what is now the townships
of Cosmos and Cedar Mills. This act of
creation is dated February 23, 1856. Pre-
vious to that time, this territory had been
considered a part of Kandiyohi county, but
was almost without any definite boundaries.
Under this act, the Governor appointed
Thomas H. Skinner, Dr. Frederick N. Eip-
ley and J. W. Iluy, as commissioners to
complete the organization.
Accordingly, on the 5tli of May, the first
board met at the house of Mr. Skinner, in
Forest City, where the seat of justice had
been located, and appointed Milton G. Moore,
register of deeds, Thos. H. Skinner, clerk of
the board, and Abijah Beniis, sheriff. At
the same time they made into one election
precinct the whole county, to be named
Forest City precinct. Thus was born the
county of Meeker. No assessments or levy
of taxes were made in the county that year,
nor were there any bills presented or paid by
the board. The latter simply started the
machineiy and held their seats until the due
qualification of their elected successors.
The following is the record of the succeed-
ing
BOARDS OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
At the second meeting of board, January
5, 1857, the county was divided into three
assessment districts, as follows : The town-
510
MEEKER COUNJ-Y, MINNESOTA.
ships in range 29, and the east half of the
townsiiips in i-ange 30, were designated as
district No. 1 ; the west lialf of the town-
ships in range 30, and all the townships in
range 31 were to be district No. 2; and the
townships in ranges 32 and 33 were to con-
stitute district No. 3. The assessors elected
in October, 1856, having failed to present
themselves, or to qualify, the commissionei's
appointed A. P. Whitney to assess No. 1 ;
John E. Kimball to assess No. 2, and Lyman
Baker to assess No. 3.
At a meeting on the Cth of April, 1857,
the county was divided into four election pre-
cincts, which were designated as Kingston,
Forest City, Round Lake and Union Grove
precincts. At this meeting nine petitions for
roads were presented to the board, the first
business of the kind to come before it.
At the meeting on the 20th of July, 1857,
the office of sheriff having become vacant by
the removal of Abijah Bemis from the coun-
ty, T. C. Jewett was appointed to fill the
vacancy.
In October, 1857, a meeting of the board
was held, at which the county was divided
into four school districts, with boundaries
the same as the election precints.
On the 5th of October, 1857, the first bill
audited and ordered paid by the board was
presented by John W. Goodspeed, for ser-
vices in assessing district No. 3.
The following is a complete list of the
gentlemen who have comjiosed the board of
county commissioners for each year since
the county was organized, as complete and
correct as it is possible, at this late day, to
make it :
1850. Thomas H. Skinner, John Huy and
Frederick N. Ripley.
1857. J. T. Kinnison, John Wigle and J.
W. Griswold, and later T. G. Gould.
1858. A. P. Whitney, John Wigle, Mark
Warren, Peter Ritchie, Ziba Caswell, and J.
V. Branham Sr.
1859. Peter Ritchie, Mark Warren, John
Wigle, Charles Low, Robert Lang and J . W.
Dame.
1860. E. ]\[. AVhitney, Mark Warren and
Linus Howe.
1861. J. C. Whitney, Peter Ritchie, and
J. V. Branham, Sr.
1862. Charles E. Cutts, E. B. Kingsley,
E. A. Chapin, E. H. Whitney, James B. At-
kinson and Samuel Taylor.
1863. George S. Sholes, Sr., IL Hall and
Moody Caswell.
1864. George S. Sholes, Sr., II. Hall,
Michael Johnson and F. McCusker.
1865-6. G. S. Sholes, Sr., II. Hall, and
Ziba Caswell.
1867. M. J. Flynn, H. Hall, and Ziba
Caswell.
1868. W. H. Dart, S. Y. Gordon, and A.
N. Fosen.
1869. W. E. Graham, J. B. Atkinson,
and A. N. Fosen.
1870. J. B. Atkinson, W. E. Graham,
and H. Halvorson.
1871. J. A. C. Waller, Even Evenson, H.
C. Bull, Patrick Flynn and N. C. Hines.
1872. E. Evenson, N. C. Hines, Patrick
Flynn, H. C. Bull, and Chauncey Butler.
1873. C. Butler, N. C. Hines, E. Evenson,
Patrick Flynn, and Henry Clay.
1874. C. Butler, E. Evenson, Henry Clay,
B. F. Spaulding, and Joseph Hubbard.
1875. E. Evenson, II. Halvorson, H. Clay,
Joseph Hubbard and B. F. Spaulding.
1876. Even Evenson, H. Halvorson, Jo-
seph Hubbard, Louis Rudberg, and B. F.
Spaulding.
1877. Even Evenson, chairman; Joseph
Hubbard, Henry Halvorson, J. \l. Pender-
gast, and Isaac Lloyd.
1878. Even Evenson, chairman ; Joseph
Hubbard, Isaac Lloyd, V. H. Harris, and C.
A. McCoUom.-
1879. C. A. McColloni, chairman ; Joseph
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
5"
Hubbard, V. H. Harris, O. M. Linnell, and
Isaac Lloyd.
1880. V. H. Harris, chairman; C. A. Mc-
CoUom, W. H. Wilcox, O. M. Linnell, and
Isaac Lloyd.
188L Peter E. Hansen, chairman ; Kas-
mus Nelson, Claus Anderson, Isaac Lloyd,
and W. H. Wilcox.
1882. Peter E. Hansen, chairman ; Isaac
Lloyd, Kasmus Nelson, C. Anderson, and W.
H. Wilcox.
1883. Peter E. Hansen, chairman; C.
Anderson, R. Nelson, F. F. Phillips, and C.
H. Atkinson.
1884. Andrew Nelson, chairman; F. F.
Phillips, C. A. McCoUora, C. II. Atkinson,
and R. Nelson.
1885. Andrew Nelson, chairman; F. F.
Phillips, C. A. McCollom, C. II. Atkinson,
and John Bloraberg.
1886. Andrew Nelson, chainnan; F. F.
Phillips, C. H. Atkinson, John Blomberg,
and C. A. McCollom.
188Y. V. H. Harris, chairman; John
Blomberg, N. C. Caswell, Peter Sangreen,
and William M. Abbott.
1888. V. H. Harris, chairman ; John
Blomberg, Peter Sangreen, William M.
Abbott, and N. C. Caswell.
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE.
Upon the formation of the State Constitu-
tion, July 13th, and its subsequent ratification,
October 13, 1857, the State was divided into
twenty-six senatorial districts. These dis-
tricts were subdivided into representative
districts and many were entitled to two Sen-
ators, and from one to six Representatives in
the Lower House.
Under this apportionment, when the First
State Legislature convened, on the 2d of De-
cember, 1857, the body was composed of
thirty-seven Senators and eighty Representa-
tives. According to the provisions of the
Constitution the newly created county of
Meeker became a part of the Twentieth Sen-
atorial District, being associated with the
counties of Benton, Sherburne and Stearns.
The district was entitled to one Senator and
three Representatives. The first Senator to
represent this district was Hon. Reuben M.
Richardson, of Stearns county. The first
Representatives were Hon. J. B. Atkinson,
of Meeker county; John L. Young, of Benton
county, and Joseph B. Carpenter, of Sher-
burne county.
When the Second State Legislature con-
vened, December 7, 1859, Meeker county was
still a part of the Twentieth Senatorial Dis-
trict which at that time was represented in
the Senate by C. C. Andrews, of Stearns
county, and in the House by U. S. Willie, of
Meeker county; G. W. Sweet, of Benton
county, and M. C. Tolman, of Anoka county.
The "apportionment of 1860" was made by
this Legislature, and by the re-arrangement
of districts Meeker county was associated
with the counties of Carver, Wright, LcLeod,
Kandiyohi and Monongalia in constituting
the Sixth Senatorial District, the district be-
inf entitled to elect one Senator and thi-ee
Representati ves.
The Third Legislature assembled on the 8th
of January, 1861, and adjourned on the 8th
of March. In this session the newly-formed
Sixth District was represented in the Senate
by Hon. Samuel Bennett, of Wright county,
and in the Lower House by Hon. V. P. Ken-
nedy, of Meeker county; Hon. T. D. Ken-
nedy, of Kandiyohi county, and Hon. William
R. Baxter, of Carver county.
On the 7th of January, 1862, the Foui-th
Legislature convened, and in this body the
Sixth District was represented by the same
delegation that had served it in the pi'eced-
ing Legislature except that Hon. John H.
Stevens, of McLeod county, had succeeded
W. R. Baxter in the House.
In the Fifth Legislature, which convened
January 6th, 1S63, Charles A. Warner, of
512
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Carver county, represented the Sixth District
in the Senate, while in the House it was
served by C. F. Davis, of IVIeeker county; W.
G. Butler, of Wright county, and B. G. Lee,
of McLeod county.
The Sixtli Legislature assembled on the 5th
of January, IStU. Charles A. AVarner was
still in the Senate. In the House were Henry
Hill, of Meeker county; W. G. Butler, of
Wright county, and John S. Letford, of
Carver county.
The Seventh Legislature convened January
3, 1865. The Sixth District at that time was
represented by the following gentlemen —
G. D. George, of Wright county, Senator ;
and Henry Hill, Frank A. Renz and C. F.
Davis, Representatives.
In the Eighth Legislature, which assembled
January 2, 1866, G. D. George was still in the
Senate. The Representatives were — Danna
£. King, of Meeker county ; L. Harrington,
of McLeod county, and Chauncy W. Griggs,
of Carver county. The " apportionment of
1866 " was made by this Legislature, accord-
ing to which there were then to be twenty-
two Senators and fort}' -seven Representatives.
Meeker county still remained in the Sixth
district, which was then formed of Meeker,
Wright, McLeod, Kandiyohi and Monongalia
counties.
When the Ninth Legislature convened, Jan-
uary 8, 1867, H. L. Gordon, of Wright
county, took his seat as Senator from the
Sixth District. The district was only entitled
to two Representatives in the House — Dana
E. King, of Meeker county, and P. W. Sav-
age, of McLeod county, being the members.
In the Tenth Legislature, which assembled
on the 7th of January, 1868, II. L. Gordon
was still in the Senate, and in the House the
district was served by J. B. Salisbury, of this
county, and Lewis Harrington, of McLeod
county.
The Eleventh Legislature convened Janu-
ary 5, 1869. The Sixth District was repre-
sented in the Senate by Dana E. King, of
Meeker county, and in the House by D. Pile
and W. W. Patteison.
On the 4rth of January, 1S70, the Twelfth
Legislature assembled, with Mr. King still
in the Senate. In the House the Sixth Dis-
trict was represented by E. Abbott, of Kan-
diyohi county, and A. II. Reed, of McLeod
county.
The Thirteenth Legislature convened Jan-
uary 8, 1871. The re])resentatives of the
Sixth District at that time were as follows —
W. T. Bonniwell, of McLeod county, Senator,
and W. II. Greenleaf, of Meeker county, antl
Andrew Railson, of Kandiyohi county. Rep-
resentatives. The apportionment of 1871
was made by this Legislature, the State being
divided into forty-one senatorial districts,
and tlie House to be composed of 106 mem-
bers. Under the division of territory then
made, Meeker county constituted District No.
3.5, and was entitled to elect one Senator and
one Representative.
In the Fourteenth Legislature, which con-
vened January2,1872,Meeker county Avas rep-
resented in the Senate by diaries E. Cutts, and
in the House by AVilliam II. Greenleaf.
The Fifteenth Legislature assembled Jan-
uary 7, 1873. Meeker count}' was repre-
sented by the same delegation as in the
preceding Legislature.
The Sixteenth Legislature convened Jan-
uary 6, 1871. Charles E. Cutts was still the
Senator from Meeker county, and Andrew
Nelson took his seat as Representative.
In the Seventeenth Legislature, whicli con-
vened January 5, 1875, Meeker county was
represented in the Senate by Andrew Nel-
son, and in the House by N. C. Ilines.
The Eighteenth Legislature assembled
January 4, 1876. Andrew Nelson was still
in the Senate from Meeker county, and C.
E. Cutts took his seat as Representative.
The Nineteenth Legislature convened Jan-
uary 2, 1877. Meeker county's delegation at
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
513
that time was composed of J. M. Waldron,
Senator, and L. Riidberg, Representative.
TheTwentietli Legislature assembled Janu-
ary 8, 1S78. Meeker count}' was represented
in this Legislature by J. M. Waldron in the
Senate, and W. M. Campbell in the House.
The Twentv-first Legislature began its woi'k
on the 7th of January, 1879. The Represent-
atives from Meeker county at that time were,
C. E. Cutts, Senator, ami W. M. Campbell,
Representative.
The Twenty-second Legislature convened
January 4, ISSL Meeker county's delega-
tion at that time was composed of William
Campbell, Senator, and O. M. Linnell, Repre-
sentative. The apportionment of 1881 was
made by this Legislature. According to the
provisions of the act. Meeker connty was
made District No. Si, and was entitled to
the same representation as under the preced-
ing apportionment. By this act the Legisla-
ture consisted of forty-seven Senators and
103 Representatives. It was also provided
that sessions of the Legislature should be
held biennially instead of annually.
The Twenty-third Legislature convened
January 2, 1883. At that time Meeker
county was represented in the Senate by W.
H. Greenleaf, and in the House by O. M.
Linnell.
The Twenty fourth Legislature assembled
on the 6th of Januar}', 1885. Meeker
county's representatives were W. H. Green-
leaf in the Senate, and Michael J. Flynn in
the House.
The Twenty-fifth Legislature assembled
January 7th, and adjourned March 4th,
1887. Meeker county was ably represented
in this session by J. S. Shields in the Senate,
and Even Evenson in the Lower House.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
The following is believed to be a com-
plete record of the gentlemen who have rep-
resented the people of Meeker county in khe
various offices in the gift of the electors
thereof:
EEGISTEES OF DEEDS.
Milton G. Moore, 1856 ;Thomas H. Skinner,
1857-8-9, and 60; T. C. Jewett, 1861-2;
Thos. H. Skinner, 1863, until August iiO,
when he died ; Hamlet Stevens, who was
appointed to fill vacancy 1863-4; E. H.
Whitney, 1865; J. M. Harvey, 1866; John
Blackwell, 1867 to 1871 ; N. A. Viren, 1871
to 1878; August T. Koerner, 1878, to 1884;
and N. A. Viren, the present incumbent,
from January, 1885.
COUNTY AUDITORS.
Thos. H. Skinner, as clerk of the board,
was ex-qffieio the county auditor, 1856 to 60;
D. P. Delamater, 1860 to Kovember, 1863 ;
James M. Harvey, 1864, resigned in 1864;
M. W. Piper, appointed by the board and serv-
ed until 1865, when he, too, resigned , Charles
E. Cutts was appointed to the office, but did
not qualif\^; Jesse V. Branham, Jr., 1865
(Nov.) to January, 1871 ; John Blackwell,
1871 to 1875 ; Hamlet Stevens, 1875 to 1879 ;
G. B. Phelps, 1879 to 1886 ; Ambrose Wall,
1886, the present incumbent.
CLERKS OF THE DISTRICT COURT.
J. A. Stanton, 1860 to 1863 ; J. M. Har-
vey, 1863 to 1867; John Blackwell, 1867 to
1872; S. W. Leavitt, 1872 to 1884; J. E.
Upham, the present official, since 1884, hav-
ing been re-elected in 1SS6.
COUNTY TREASURERS.
J. A. Stanton was elected to this office in
1858, but, failing to qualify, the board in
January, 1859, appointed Charles E. Cutts,
who served that year ; W. H. Greenleaf was
the next, 1860 to' 1862 ; George C. Whitcomb
1862 to January 6, 1863, when he resigned
and board appointed A. C. Smith ; Jesse V.
Branham, Sr., served from 1864 to 1870 ;
^14
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Henry Hill, 1870-71 ; Hamlet Stevens, 1872
to 1873 : Amos Nelson Fosen, 1874 to 1880;
August Palm, 1880 to 1884; and N. W.
Hawkinson, the present treasurer, first
elected in 1883, and re-elected in 1886.
SHERIFFS.
Abijah Bemis, appointed May 5, 1856, who
served until fall of the same year, when
Henry Averill was elected to this office ; the
latter, having wounded Kennison in a fight,
fled the country, and T. C. Jewett was ap-
pointed to the office July 20, 1857, and was
elected to the same office ; he served in this
capacity until 1860, and was succeeded that
year by E. S. Fitch, who served 1860 and
1861 ; John Wigle, short time in 1862 ; James
B. Atkinson, 1862-3-4 ; George S. Sholes, Jr.,
1865 to 1868 ; A. A. Sanford, 1868 and 1869;
W. M. Campbell, 1870 to 1874; N. J. March,
1874 to 1878; P. Ekstrora, to 1878 to 1884;
Daniel Flynn, ISSlto 1887 ; and H. M. Holm,
the present incumbent of the office, elected
November 2, 1886, and qualified in 1887.
JUDGES OF PKOBATE.
H. N. Baker, 1857 to 1860 ; A. C. Smith,
1860 to 1865 ; E. II. Whitney, 1865 ; C. B.
Jordan, 1806 to 1868 ; Harvey Wilson, 1868;
John M. Waldron, 1869 and 1870 ; Charles
B. Howell, 1871-2; F. V. DeCoster, 1873-4;
John Blackwell, 1875 until his death, when
he was succeeded by S. A. Plumley, who
served the balance of that year and 1876 and
1877 ; N. C. Martin 1878 to"l8S7 ; and Charles
H. Strobeck avIio occupies that office at the
present vrriting, having been elected thereto
in November, 1886.
COUNIT ATTORNEYS.
The following lifet of those occupying this
position is believed correct, haviiag been sub-
mitted to those well posted in the county,
although in several instances no record
authorizes the insertion of the names : Will-
iam Eichards, the first, qualified July 4, 1858,
and served until 1861 ; Mark AVarren, 1861-2;
A. C. Smith. 1863 to 1867 ; Thomas Brown,
1867 until he resigned and was succeeded by
Henry Wilson ; Henry Hill, 1869 and part
of 1870 ; Charles B. Howell, the balance of
that year; Francis Belfoy, 1871-2; C. H.
Strobeck, 1873-4 ; E. A. Campbell, 1875-6 ;
C. II. Strobeck, 1877-8; S. A. Plumley,
1879-80 ; W. S. Van Enian, 1881 ; E. A.
Campbell, 1882-3 ; E. P. Peterson, 188'l^5-6 ;
and J. M. Ilussell, the present attorney, who
was elected in 1886, and qualified in 1887.
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS.*
The first officer of this denomination, after
it became elective, was J. W. Gordon, who
was elected November 5, 1877, and served
during the years 1878 and 1879 ; J. W.
Wright, who served from 1880 to 1884; S.
W. Gordon from 1884 to 1887, and was suc-
ceeded by T. J. Soule, who was elected to
that office in 1886, and is the present occupant
of the position.
COUNTY SURVEYORS.
M. M. Standish ; William Kichardson ; W.
H. Greenleaf, elected in 1866 and also in
1868; J. B. Salisbury, elected in 1870; L. E.
Dudley, who occupied the office from 1873
to 1885; J. B. Salisbury, the present sur-
veyor, since 1885.
CORONERS.
John Heath, 1862-3; O. H. Ness, 1865;
John Curran, 1866; S. Y. Gordon, 1867-8;
O. H. Ness, 1869; William Matheny, 1870;
John A. Quick, 1871-2-3-4; Oliver Kaswick,
1875; L. E. Dudley, 1876-7; Nels Elofson,
1878-9; John A. Quick, 1880 to 1884; E.
Kimball, 1884 and at present.
•Note.— It Is impossible to give complete lists of those who
have served in the offices of superintendent, surveyor, coro-
ner and court commissioner, aa the records do not show their
namea.— Editor.
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MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
517
COURT COSIMISSIONEKS.
The record of these officers is very incom-
plete in tlie books of the county, but the fol-
lowing-named are known to have served in
this office: James B. Atkinson, W. D. Stan-
ton, O. H. Campbell, J. H. Bacon, II. L.
Smith, Francis V. DeCoster and H. S. Mc-
Gonagle.
MARRIAGES.
The following table shows the number of
marriages recorded on the books of the
county from 1858 to 1887, inclusive :
1858
1859 .
1860
1861 .
1862
1863 .
1864
1865 .
1866
1867 .
1868
1869 . . .
1870
1871 . . .
1872
Total, licenses issue
1887, inclusive.
During tlie same time, from the date of
the organization of the county until the
beginning of tlie current year, there have
only been granted some fifty -seven divorces,
which, in a population which now numbers
nearly 17,000, is a remarkable showing, as
against the 3,700 people who have been
joined in wedlock.
CENSUS.
A research among the volumes of the Cen-
sus Bureau of the United States Government
shows that the territory known as Meeker
county had a total population in 1860 of 928,
of which 572 were of American and 356 of
foreign birth. In 1870 the inhabitants had
1
1873
. 88
3
1874 .
. . 85
7
1875
65
7
1876 .
. 89
3
1877
. 68
1
1878 .
. . 76
•i
1879
86
8
1880 .
. . 107
17
1881
. 115
27
1882 .
. . 116
42
1883
. 114
78
1884 .
. . 109
86
1885
. 106
72
1886 .
. . 114
65
'd f
1887
rom 1S58 to
. 119
1,882
increased to 6,090, and in 1880 to 12,069,
and it is safe to say that it has nearly 17,000
to-day (1888). About two-fifths of the entire
population is made up of hardy Scandina-
vians, who bring to the new New World the
thrift and economy of their native land, and
are very important factors in the develo])-
ment of this county and State.
COURT-HOUSE AND JAIL.
The Meeker county courthouse is one of
the most substantial and serviceable struc-
tures of its kind in this jmrt of the State. It
was built in 1885-6 at a cost of nearly $20,-
000, bonds for that amount having been
issued by vote of the people. The building-
is of brick, made in the county, covers a
ground space of 74x80 feet over all, and is
two stories and basement in height, the two
upper stories being fifteen feet in height,
each. It is surmounted with a Mansard slate
roof and a tower which reaches the height of
seventy feet above the ground. It contains
rooms for all the county officers, with
capacious vaults and ample conveniences for
each. The vaults are all situated so as to
form part of the outside walls, and are pro-
vided with outside windows, thus aflfordino-
good light and insuring great safety in case
of fire. On the upper floor is a commodious
court room, 45x65 feet, with which is con-
nected two jury rooms, an attorney's room,
judge's room and the circuit clerk's office.
Although the appearance of the building will
compare favorably with others of its class,
gaudy ornamentation and style is generally
ignored, and every foot of available space is
utilized for business purposes, thus afiording
larger and more commodious offices and
apartments than are usually found in build-
ings of its size.
The jail building, which is a substantial,
comfortable and capacious structure, was
built some three years previous to the erection
of the court-house. It is provided with four
5i8
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
large steel cage cells of the latest improved
pattern, and the foundation of floor is of con-
crete, three feet in thickness. G. 1>. Phelps,
county auditor, was the architect of both
buildings.
MEEKER COUNTY IN THE WAR.
Altliougli Meeker county liad a population
but little exceeding 900 at the last census
preceding the great conflict between the
seceding States and the Federal Govern-
ment, it furnished a number of men for the
army exceeding her 2:)roper quota. With
about 300 voters, not one county of the State
.sent a greater percentage of her citizens.
The following list of the " brave boys in
blue," whose homes were in Meeker count}'^,
has been compiled from the reports of the
Adjutant General of tiie State, with great
care, and supplemented by consultation with
some of the comrades, who have added some
of the names not credited to this county in
the official"record.
ROSTER.
FIRST MINNESOTA SHARPSHOOTERS.
James Lang,
Henry McGaffy,
Leverson Rogers,
Horace Mixer,
Phili]! Page,
J. W. Walker.
FIRST MINNESOTA INFANTRY.
E. W. Pierce,
Rufus Eastman,
B. W. Harriman,
Reuben Waite.
SECOND MINNESOTA INFANTRY.
E. F. Branham,
Daniel Cam]ibell,
Andrew Nelson,
Charles Ilutchins,
Gdbert Jackson,
Joseph T. Riggs,
James Nelson,
H. Clinton,
Isaac Chapin,
O. Oaks,
Moses Hutch ins,
Christopher Johnson,
George S. Sholes, Jr.,
W. W. Hunter.
THIRD MINNESOTA INFANTRY.
Albert W. Angier, J. H. Bradsliaw,
William Foster, Lorain Johnson,
John Peterson, Felix Stark,
Albert Taylor, Jerome Todd,
William Willis.
FOURTH MINNESOTA INFANTRY.
Capt. F. V. DeCoster,
Capt.C.H.Stinchfield
Daniel Butler,
Washington S. Cates,
Michael McCann,
James W. Dunn,
John Fallon,
Daniel Rhodes,
Augustus Whitney,
C. M. F.
L. D. Allen,
, S. D. L. Baldwin,
A. C. Lawrence,
Seth Nichols,
Thomas Fallon,
William H. Hall.
Dudley Taylor,
Joel Taylor,
C. G. Peabodv,
Hutch ins.
FIFTH MINNESOTA INFANTRY.
Surgeon V. P. Kennedy, R. Bogusrode,
Benjamin Pottle.
SIXTH MINNESOTA INFANTRY.
Paul Mattson, August AVilliams,
Ole Peterson, Paul Paulson,
John Johnson.
SEVENTH MINNESOTA INFANTRY.
E. Reiff, Emanuel ReifT.
EIGHTH MINNESOTA INFANTRY.
James Murphy, O. Olson.
TENTH MINNESOTA INFANTRY.
A. Oleson, ■ K. Larson.
SIXTEENTH WISCONSIN INFANTRY'.
Azro B. Hoyt.
hatch's independent BATTALION.
Cap. G. C. Whitcomb, T. Grogton,
William P. Bennett, Charles Maybee,
Thomas Grayson, Frank Howe,
Henry S. Howe, Charles Peabody,
Emanuel Reef, J. B. Salisbury,
E. N. Eastman, W. S, Winston.
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
519
beackett's battalion mounted rangers.
Edward Evans, "\V. P. Burnett,
Wm. M. Campbell, E. A. Campbell,
Samuel Hutcbins, Patrick McKenney,
G. R. Page, Peter Stearn,
John Wigle.
FIRST MINNESOTA CAVALRY.
John AVigie.
SECOND MINNESOTA CAVALRY.
William Branhara, Freeman G. Gould,
J. B. Atkinson, James Deerey,
Jasper Fischer, Michael J. Fljnn,
Egidon Moers, William Koch,
Maximillian Koch, G. E. Page,
Jacob Reef, Peter Stearn,
Carl Schultz, C. Gould,
William Caswell, John Fitzgerald,
William M.Campbell, E. A. Campbell,
Even Evenson, William Heath,
Henry Luton, G. W. P. Little,
Andrew Larson, H. Mickelson,
Samuel Hutchins, Jerome Rogers,
Thomas Armstrong, Daniel B. Hoyt,
Otho Campbell, William Armstrong,
Knute Ilaverson.
FIRST MINNESOTA HEAVY ARTILLERY.
Capt. J. B. Atkinson, Louis Koch,
John Angier, Henry Johnson.
FIRST INDEPENDENT COAIPANY OF SCOUTS.
Albert DeLong, J. A. Brink.
CHAPTER IV.
POLITICAL.
/r^ll^-vHE political history of Meeker
(51^ county is more fully and authentic-
JIL ally shown by giving the vote of
the county during the various years, than
by any other manner.
The count}' has been Republican nearly
every campaign since its organization in State
and National politics, yet on local issues it has
varied considerably, and many from the
other tickets have ca])tuTed the coveted offices
from the republican nominees through per-
sonal popularity or other causes. In this
connection is presented an abstract of the
vote at every general election held in Meeker
county, as far as could be ascertained from
the records in the court house and files of
newspapers. The vote for some years in the
early pai't of the county's history are entirely
wanting and a most diligent research among
the papers and books of the county fails to
find any trace of them.
Election, October 13, 1857.
Member of the CounciL
Daniel Bassett 38— 38
Members of the House of Representatives.
Otis Bradford 93—
John W. Griswold 92
J. M. Spear 33
County Commissioner.
Freeman L. Gould 95— 55
A. D. Pierce 40
County Treasurer.
J. A. Stanton . .
I. C. Delamater.
C. T. Jewitt
H. G. O. Thorns.
Wm. Hichards.
M. Warren. . . .
W. Warren. . . .
Sheriff.
District Attorney.
95—
41
54
92—
43
50
93—
36
1
57
J. W. Griswold.
Probate Judge.
J. Teachout.
John Heath. .
Coroner.
55
73— 40
33
Election, November 6, 1860.
President.
Abraham Lincoln, Republican 166 — 74
Stephen A. Douglas, Democrat 83
John C. Breckinridge, Southern Democrat. 9
The balance of the vote for this year is entirely
wanting in the county records, nor can it be procured
in any way.
520
MEEKER COUNTY, MJXNESOTA.
Election, Novemher ^, ISGIi.
[There were but two jJolling places in
Meeker county, one at Kingston and the
othei' at the stockade at Forest City, the
county being depopulated by the Indian
massacre and scare.]
Member of Congress.
Ignatius Donnelly 38 — 7
W. J. Cullen
State Senator.
Clias. A. Warner . . .
I. H. Stevens
Representatives.
B. G. Lee
A. C. Smith
C. F. Davis
Joseph TVcyman
Register of Deeds.
T. H. Skinner
T. C. .lewett
Clerk of the District Court,
J. M. Harvey
T. H. Skinner
County Auditor.
J. M. Harvey
Sheriff.
J. B. Atkinson
Milton Gordon
County Attornej'.
A. C. Smith
Coroner.
John Heath
31
34—
31
33
32
32
5
37—
33
26—
1
66—
37—
30
14
66
7
23— 23
34— 34
Election, November 3, 1863.
No general election was held this year in
Meeker county, the inhabitants not liaving
sufficiently recovered from the efifects of the
Indian outbreak to give attention to politics.
Meetings were held at Forest City and at
Kingston, and several officers were subse-
quently installed, in accordance with the
sentiment of the people, as manifested at
the meetings.
Election, November 8, 1861^.
President.
Abraham Lincoln, R 115 81
George B. McClellan, D 84
Member of Congress.
Ignatius Donnelly, R 115 32
John M. Gillman, D 83
State Senator.
G.D.George 113— 28
I.I.Lewis 85
Representatives.
C. F. Davis ...
Henry Hill
F. A. Renz
M. W. Piper
.John Hein
Gustave A. Ruckoldt
County Auditor.
Charles E. Cutts
Mark W. Piper
Register of Deeds.
E. H. Whitney
Hamlet Stevens
M. W. Piper
J. H. Harvey
Sheriff.
George Sholes, Jr
William Richard.son
County Attorney.
Mark Warreu
Coroner.
Ole Halverson Ness
112— 24
111— 36
111— 27
88
85
84
92— 2
90
89— 9
74
4
3
101— 31
70
69— 69
70— 70
Election, Novemher 7, 1865.
Governor.
William R. JIarshall, R
Henry M. Rice, D
Representatives.
Lewis Harrington
O. E. King
E. F. Lewis
J. S. Telford
D. W. Johns
C. W. Griggs
C. F. Warner
County Treasurer.
Jesse V. Branham, Sr
Chester D. Hill
Register of Deeds.
J. M. Harvey
W. II. Dart.
County Auditor.
Jesse V. Branham, Jr
J. B. Atkinson
Judge of Probate.
C. B. Jordan
J. M . Harvey
Clerk of District Court.
J. M. Harvey
J . E. Warren
Sheriff.
Henderson Angler
George S. Sholes, Jr .....
County Attorney.
A. C. Smith
105— 13
93
103
103
84
83
80
78
19
97— 22
75
111— 39
72
101— 18
83
45— 3
43
103— 30
83
88
88
40— 40
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
521
157
153
Election., November 6, 1866.
Member of Congress.
Ignatius Donnelly, R 299-
William Colville, U 142
State Senator.
H. L. Gordon 298-
W. T. Bonn! well 145
Representatives.
D. E. King 308
P. W. Savage 299
George Defler 140
Edward A . Campbell 139
County Auditor.
Jesse V. Branham, Jr 292— 142
M. W. Piper 150
Register of Deeds.
John Blackwell 280— 121
James M . Harvey 159
Probate Judge.
C. B. Jordan 298— 154
Thaddeus R. Webb 144
Sheriff.
Orrin Whitney 300— 300
Court Commissioner.
J. B. Atkinson 117—117
County Attorney.
Thos. S. Brown 248-
226
A. C. Smith....
W. H. Greenleaf
Surveyor.
300— 300
Coroner.
S. Y. Gordon 29."?- 146
H. G. 0. Thorns 147
Election, Novemher 5, 1867.
Governor.
William R. Mar.shall, R 403— 188
ChasE. Flandrau, D 220
State Senator.
A. C. Smith 210— 210
Representatives.
J. B. Salisbury 361
Lewis Harrington 384
M. V. Cochran 211
M. W. Piper 223
County Treasurer.
J. V. Branham, Sr 380 —148
Andrew Elofson 232
Clerk of the District Court.
John Blackwell 400 —188
E. A. Evans 212
Sheriff.
A. A. Sanford 399— 179
H. G. O. Thorns 220
Judge of Probate.
Harry Wilson 398— 185
James B. Atkinson 213
Harry Wilson.
A. C. Smith...
County Attorney.
Election, November 3, 1868.
President.
U. S.Grant, R
Horatio Seymour, D
Member of Congress.
C. C. Andrews, R
E. M. Wilson
Ignatius Donnelly
State Senator.
Dana E. King, R
Mark W. Piper, D
Representatives.
W. W. Patterson, R
Daniel Pyle, R
EliE. Lewis, D
Ashley C. Riggs, D
County Auditor.
Jesse V. Branham, Jr
Hamlet Stevens
Register of Deeds.
John Blackwell
H. L. Smith
Probate Judge.
John M. Waldron
James Thorns
County Attorney.
Henry Hill
Surveyor.
William H. Greenleaf
Coroner.
Ole Halverson Ness
M.J. Flyun
Election, November S, 1869.
Governor.
Horace Austin, R
Geo. L. Otis, D
Daniel Cobb, P
Representatives.
A. H. Reed
Burroughs Abbott
A. G. Sexton
Albert Sperry
County Treasurer.
Henry Hill
Hamlet Stevens
Sheriff.
William M . Campbell
Samuel G. Gordon
County Attorney.
Chas. B. Howe. No opposition.
357 —185
172
600
285
459
291
133
539
336
592
592
289
288
531
332
603
378
570
303
593
590 ■
591 -
-315
—168
—203
-203
-204
-199
-325
-268
-592
-590
-303
630 —336
294
627— 346
624— 344
281
280
500-
414
493-
399
86
94
522
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Coroner.
William Matheney. No opposition.
On the question of removal of the county seat to Litch-
field:
For the removal 508— 89
Against the removal 419
Election, November 5, 1872.
President.
U. S. Grant, R 908— 532
Horace Greeley, D 476
Members of Congress.
John T. Averill 881— 383
George L. Becker 498
State Senator.
Chas. E. Cutts 809— 334
Charles B. Howell 575
Representatives.
"William Greenleaf 829— 384
Dillon O'Brien 545
County Auditor.
John Blackwell 896— 327
Jesse V. Brauham, Jr 469
Register of Deeds.
N. A. Viren 934— 483
John W. McKeen 451
County Attorney.
0. H. Strobeck 915— 475
Francis Belfoy 440
Judge of Probate.
F. V. DeCoster 817— 391
E. A. Campbell 526
County Surveyor.
L. E. Dudley 919 —455
Asa Garland 464
Coroner.
John A. Quick , ... 850— 323
H. F. Edmund 524
Henry Clay 4
Election., Nmeml)er ^, 1873.
Governor.
C. K. Davis, R 839—430
A.Barton, D 419
County Treasurer.
Amos N. Fosen 681— 108
Hamlet Stevens 573
Sheriff.
N. J. March 726— 190
Geo. W. Brower 457
H. M. Angier 79
Court Commissioners.
O. H. Campbell 822— 394
H. C. Bull 428
Representative.
Andrew Nelson 787—335
Orrin Whitney 452
Election, Novemher 3, 187 ^.
Member of Congress.
Eugene M. Wilson 875— 151
William S. King 724
State Senator.
Andrew Nelson 798— 14
J. M. Waldron 784
Representative.
N. C. Hines 731— 52
L. G. Pendergast 679
W. W. Hobbs 168
County Auditor.
Hamlet Stevens 937— 274
John Waller 663
Register of Deeds.
N. A. Viren 1582—1582
Judge of Probate.
John Blackwell 923— 254
S. A. Plumley 669
County Attorney.
E. A. Campbell 898— 227
C. H. Strobeck 671
County Commissioner.
J.H.Bacon 1588—1588
Coroner.
Oliver Rasmick 881— 164
J. A. Quick 717
Election, Novemher 2, 1875.
Governor.
J. S. Pillsbury, R 720— 55
D. L. Buell.D 665
Representative.
C.E.Cuttr, 704— 15
V.P.Kennedy 689
County Treasurer.
Amos N. Fosen 759 — 135
M. J. Flynn 624
Clerk of the District Court .
S. W. Leavitt 726— 57
J. Q. A. Braden 669
Sheriff.
N.J.March 712— 49
P. Ekstrom 673
Judge of Probate.
S. A. Plumley 721— 83
N. C. Martin 638
Coroner.
L.E.Dudley 747— 82
L. P. Poster 655
Election, Novemher 7, 1876.
President.
R. B. Hayes, R 1211—381
S. J. Tilden, D 487
Peter Cooper, G 343
MEEKER COUNT
Y, MINNESOTA. 523
Representative.
W.M.Campbell 785— 27
.Toseph Hubbard 758
R. K. Beecham 133
County Auditor.
G. B. Phelps 963— 230
H. S. Branham 733
Register of Deeds.
Aug. T. Koerner 914— 144
N. A. Viren 770
County Attorney.
S. A. Plumley 904— 129
L. C. Spooner 775
County Surveyor.
L.E.Dudley 901—113
J.P.Mann 788
Election, Novemher J^, 1879.
Governor.
John S. Pillsbury, R 870— 160
William Meighen, G 710
Edmund Rice, D 363
W. W. Satterlee, P 14
County Treasurer.
August Palm 1018— 73
A. H. Lof.strum 707
J. B. Atkinson 238
Clerk of the District Court.
S. W. Leavitt 1062— 167
W. D. Joubert .590
N.Y.Taylor 305
Superintendent of Common Schools.
J. W. AVright 943— 139
J. W. Gordon 804
Joseph Weymer . 210
Sheriff.
P. Ekstrom 1263— 573
L. D. Marshall 571
J. B. Hatch 119
Judge of Probate.
N. C. Martin 1038— 118
AV. L. Van Enian 698
A.C.Smith 227
Coroner.
J. A. Quick 9.50— 221
William Christoph 729
A. Fryberger 278
Election, Novemler '2, 1880.
President.
James A. Garfield, R 1335— 373
Winfield S. Hancock. D 563
James B. Weaver, G 399
Member of Congress .
W. D. Washburn, R 1292— 299
H. H. Sibley, D 684
Ebeuezer Ayers, G 329
State Senator.
John M. Waldron, R 1216— 409
V. P. Kennedy, D 5.54
A. C. Smith, G 253
Representative.
Louis Rudberg, R 1201— 417
J. N. McDonald. D 405
T. R. Webb, G 379
County Auditor.
Hamlet Stevens 1034— 76
A. T. Koerner 958
Register of Deeds.
N. A. Viren 1224— 460
G. W. Jordan 458
A. P. Ornsdorff 306
County Attorney.
C. H. Strobeck 777— 66
E. A. Campbell 603
J. B.Atkinson 108
County Surveyor.
L. E. Dudley 1087— 162
J. B. Salisbury 817
J. B. Atkinson 108
Electicm, Noveiniber 5, 1877.
Governor.
John S. Pillsbury, R 832— 2
W. D. Banning, D. and G 826
Austin Willey, P 4
County Treasurer.
Amos N. Fosen... 840— 76
W. H. Dart 764
Sheriff.
P. Ekstrom 916— 181
N. J. March 735
Superintendent of Schools.
J. W. Gordon 707— 136
W. E. Cathcart 571
R. R. Beecham 376
Judge of Probate.
N.C.Martin 883—111
S. A. Plumley 772
Coroner.
NelsElof.son 866— 85
M. Baldwin 397
G. O. Trow 884
Court Commissioners.
H.L.Smith 825— 14
E. P. Peterson 517
J. B. Atkinson 294
Election, November 5, 1875.
State Senator.
C. E. Cutts 866— 37
V. P. Kennedy 829
524
MEEKER COUNTY, M/NA'ESOTA.
State Senator.
W.M.Campbell 981— 17
V. P. Kennedy 964
V. H. Harris 336
Representative.
0. M. Linuell 1120— 497
Ole Johnson 623
A. D. Ross 533
County Auditor.
G.B.Phelps 981— 17
Daniel Pineo 964
Hamlet Stevens 336
Register of Deeds.
A. T. Koerner 1250— 230
James Kline 1020
County Attorney.
W. S. Van Euian 1203— 147
L. C. Spooner 1056
County Surveyor.
L. E. Dudley 1236— 188
J. B. Salisbury 1048
Court Commissioner.
F. V. DeCoster 1183— 149
E. P. Peterson 1034
Mection., November 8, 1881.
Governor.
L. F. Hubbard, R 1061— 306
C. H. Roberts, D 459
R. W. Johnson 396
County Treasurer.
A. Palm 767 —144
N . W . Havekinson 623
Amos N. Fosen 376
Sheriff.
P.Ekstrom 969—134
N.J.March 731
James McMahon 104
Judge of Probate.
N. C. Martin 1035— 273
J. T. Alley 662
J. B. Atkinson 100
County Attorney.
E. A. Campbell 960 —184
S. A. Plumley 776
Superintendent of Common Schools.
J. W. "Wright 971 —136
J. Y. Winings 835
Coroner.
J. A. Quick 943 —325
E. Hilderbrandt 617
William Christoph 237
Mection, November 7, 1882.
Member of Congress.
H. B. Strait 1385— 587
C. P. Adams 438
Porter Martin 360
State Senator.
W. H. Greenleaf 1100— 15
William M. Campbell 1085
Representative.
O. M. Linnell 1108— 54
Olaf Peterson 1054
County Auditor.
George P. Phelps 1297— 406
Andrevp Rowland 891
Register of Deeds.
Aug. T. Koerner 1361— 660
H. W . Adlerbjelke 801
Election, November 6, 1883.
Governor.
A. Biermann, D 1 123— 44
L. F. Hubbard, R 1026
Chas. E. Holt, P .53
County Treasurer.
N. W. Hawkinson 1160— 97
A. Nelson Fosen 1063
Clerk of the District Court.
J. E. Upham 1292— 536
C.D.Brown 766
Sheriff.
Daniel Flynn 1019—239
P. Ekstn.m 780
John Knight 437
Judge of Probate.
N. C. Martin 2192—2160
F. H. Wickstrand 33
County Attorney.
E. P. Peterson 1301— 183
C. H. Strobeck 1018
Court Commissioner.
F. V. DeCoster 1211— 221
J.B.Atkinson 737
A. Wall 263
Coroner.
E. Kimball 1315— 305
William Christoph 1010
Superintendent.
W. E. Cathcart 571
J. W. Gordon 707— 136
A. J. Garland 238
Representative.
W. M. Campbell 841— 48
L. Rudberg 419
R. K. Beccham 376
.'..«w^,«f?
•I
Q
o
to
LLJ
Q
u-i
Uj.,1.1
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
527
Election, N'ovemher 4-, I88J1..
President.
James G. Blaine, R 1456— 184
Grover Cleveland, D 860
B. F. Butler, G. and L 294
John P. St. Jobn. P 118
Member of Congress.
Horace B. Strait, R 1448— 165
Ignatius Donnelly, D. and G 1173
I. C. Stearns, P 100
Representative.
M.J.Flyun 1380— 45
Even Evenson 1320
C. S. Clark 115
County Auditor.
G. B. Phelps 1857— 981
E. Kimball ... 876
Register of Deeds.
N. A. Viren 1566— 418
T. J. Soule 904
A. P. Onsdorf 244
County Surveyor.
J. B. Salisbury 2733—2733
Election, November S, 1886.
Governor.
A. R. McGill, R 1377— 61
A. A. Ames, D 1316
James E. Child, P 113
Member of Congress.
B. B. Herbert, R 1416— 13
J. L. McDonald. D 1398
E. B. Lathrop, P 105
State Senator.
John S. Shields 1007— 53
O. H. Campbell.... 954
Hamlet Stevens 837
Representatives.
Even Evenson 1810— 814
Martin Paulson 996
County Auditor.
Ambrose Walls 1467— 136
T. H. Pendergast 1331
County Treasurer.
N. W. Hawkinson 1430— 63
Rasmus Nelson 1 367,
Register of Deeds.
N. A. Viren ■ 1743— 697
John Rodange 1046
Clerk of the District Court.
J. E. Upham 1915—1049
J. B. Hatch 866
Sheriff.
H. M. Hohn
Daniel Flynn
J. W. Johnson
Superintendent of Schools.
T. J. Soule
J. W. Wright...
Judge of Probate.
Chas. H. Strobeck
C. M. Gumaelius
County Attorney.
J. M. Russell
E. P. Peterson
Court Commissioner.
H. S . McMonagle
F. V. DeCoster
County Surveyor.
J. B.Salisbury
Coroner.
E. Kimball
James Maher
Commissioners.
V. H. Harris, 1st dist
Andrew Nelson, 1st dist
John Blomburg, 3d dist
Daniel Jackman, 2d dist
Peter Sangren, 3d dist
Harrison Fuller, 3d dist
William Abbott, 4th dist
C. H, Atkinson, 4th dist
N. C. Caswell, 5th dist
1163-
1098
552
64
1473— 105
1368
1381-
1083
1491-
1319
299
173
1601— 413
1189
3793-
1737-
1076
-2793
- 651
397— 163
234
401— 223
179
451-
308
213-
177
443-
243
36
443
CHAPTER V.
JOURNALISM AND EDUCATION.
/J--7]||5--^WO important and potent factors m
W 1 9 the civilization and development of
^JXli any community are its educational
and newpaper facilities. In these respects
Meeker county is not behind her sister
counties, having been provided liberalh' as
to both these engines of civilization.
THE PRESS.
The pioneer journal was the Mee'ker
County News,\\\\\c\\ was established at Forest
City in 1868, and was published in that place
by Frank Belfoy until the fall of 1869, when
he removed the oifice and material to the
new town of Litchfield. It was a sprightly,
528
MEEKER COUNTY, MIXNESOTA.
newsy, republican sheet, and well edited.
It was carried on by Mr. Belfoy in the latter
town until tlie fall of 1S74, when the sul)-
scription book and g(XMl-will of the journal
w'ere purchased b}"^ Daggett & Joubert, and
the ]iaper consolidated with the Leihjer. press
and material beinj'- sold to "o to Hutchinson,
by Mr. Belfoy. The press was the first that
was ever bi'ought to the State of Minnesota.
In the fall of 1S70, II. G. Rising com-
menced the publication of a newspaper,
known as the Litchfield I?ej)uJj/ican, and
continued its issue until the autumn of 1871,
when he removed it to Glenwoodjthe county
seat of Pope county, west of this place. It
was, as its name implies, republican in ])oli-
tics, and was a good local sheet.
The Litchfield Ledger was established in
1872, the first issue bearing date of April .30.
It was an exponent of the ])rinciples formu-
lated hy the republican party, was a seven-
column folio, and was edited and pul)lished
by Daggett & Joubert. It was an able and
spicy local paper, and attained, from its first
inception, considerable influence. In the
latter part of 1S7I: the firm purchased the
business of the Hews, and consolidated the
two journals under the name of News-Ledger,
and the paper ^\■as issued weekly by Daggett
& Joubert under the double title. In Octo-
ber, 1876, Mr. Daggett was taken from this
world b}' death, after which W. D. Joubert
ran the paper alone until six months later,
when Frank Belfoy brought a half-interest,
and the firm of Belfoy &. Joubert was
formed, and carried on the business until
August, 1881, when Mr. Belfoy, also, died,
and four months afterwards the interest
belonging to him was purchased by his sur-
viving partner. Under the sole management
of Mr. Joubert the News-Ledger has con-
tinued until the present day, growing in
influence and prosperit}' every year. Since
the establishment of the paper five of the
apprentices in the office have become fuU-
fiedged editors, after having learned the
principles and practice of the "Art preserva-
tive" in this school. Four of them are now
running j)aj'ers in the State of Minnesota,
namely — S.W. Frasier, of the Brown''s Valley
Rejwrter; V. Goi'don, of the fnter-Lake
Tribune; F. E. Joubert, of the AVheaton
Gazette; and N". P. Oleson, who is jiublishing
a Swedish paper in Minneapolis. The other
is M. O. Cathcart, one of the Litchfield
Ledger staff.
The liamhler, a small humorous journal,
first saw the light in 1874, and owed its
inception to two of the compositors in the
L^edger office, J. D. Ilayford and N. P.
Olson. For a few months, while its existenc
lasted, it aff'orded considerable amusement.
The Litchfield Lndependent was started in
1S7C) by a stock company, as an exponent of
the National greenback party. Among
those who' owned stock in it were W. M.
Campbell. E. A. Cam])bell, Dr. V. P. Ken-
nedy', A. Palm, P. Ekstroni, and the editors,
II. C. Martin and A. Sanders. A short time
after the first issue, II. I. Peterson ]iurchased
the interest of Sanders, and the firm of
II. C. Martin «fe Co., was formed, who ac-
quired the interests of the other owners.
Two years later E. P. Peterson bought out
Mr. Martin and the firm name and style
changed to E. P. and II. I. Peterson. These
gentlemen carried on the pa])er until March,
1881, when II. I. Peterson, the present pro-
prietor, purchased the interest of his brother
and has continued at the head of the journal
ever since. He is a good newspaper man, a
pungent writer, and the paper, under his
management, is deservedly popular.
The JuitliliKggaren, a Swedish radical
journal, was established by Hans H. Wids-
trand, in 1880, as a montldy paper, and for
a period of a few months operated in this
locality, but its publication was finaUy sus-
pended.
The Litchfield lieview made its first ap-
MEEKER COUNTY, AUNNESOTA.
529
pearance on the 5th of July, 1881, with the
names of the firm of Lewis A. and Fred. A.
Pier at the head of its coUimns as editors and
proprietors. It was at that time an indei)end-
ent, five-column quarto sheet, but is now a
six-column quarto, just as non-partizan as
ever, and an excellent local pa})er. April 1,
1887, the junior partner disposed of his inter-
est in the business to Frank II. Ilaven^ and
the firm of Pier & Haven formed, who have
controlled the management and revenue of
the office ever since. July 1, 1887, they
jjurchased a Shipman one-horse-power engine,
■which furnishes the power to run their presses,
etc. Besides his laboi's upon this journal,
Mr. Pier holds and occupies the editorial
tripod on the Christian Gleaner, a monthly
paper published at Minneapolis, devoteil to
the interests of the Christian Churcii of Minne-
sota, of which denomination he is a minister.
The Svenska Folkets Allahanda, fin inde-
pendent Swedish paper, was established in
1882, by Gisslo & Peterson, and published
by them in Litchfield in that language for
about eighteen months, when it was removed
to Minneapolis.
EDUCATIONAL.
Perhaps in no other direction is tlie mate-
rial development and progress of tlie county
better shown than in the rapid and enormous
increase in the educational facilities afi^orded
the rising generation. A careful study of
the statistics furnished from tlie official
papers will convince the most skeptical
reader that in this respect Meeker county has
made giant strides toward universal education.
In 18C1 it is shown by the records there
were within the bounds of the county but
245 persons of a school age, or between the
years of five and twenty-one, while in 1868
there were 1,426, and in 1887 these had in-
creased to 4,20-1 scholars entitled to their
proportion of the school apportionment.
The whole number of schools in 1861 is
reported as being 11, which in 1868 had risen
to 35, and now in tlie present year, 1888,
there are 81 organized school districts in the
county, having some 77 school-houses erected
and in use. In 1861 there were but 4 school-
houses within the county limits, and in 1868
there were 12.
In 1861 it required 8 teachers to manage
the schools ; in 1868, 15 were necessary; wliile
now 90 are required for the schools taught in
the winter, and 82 for the summer schools.
In 1861 the salaries paid to teachers aggre-
gated only $343.80 ; in 1868 the sum was
$1,477, but in 1887 it took $22,392 to liqui-
date the indebtedness of the districts for the
same purpose.
The value of the school edifices in 1861 is
recorded as having been $345, and in 1868
$2,270. In 1887 the same class of property
represented a value of $66,708.
In the early records of the county there is
no mention of any school apparatus or school
libraries, and the furniture in use in those
days was of a very rude and primitive char-
acter, while the annual report of T. J. Soule,
the efficient county superintendent, for 1887,
shows that the value of school apparatus,
libraries and furniture in use in the various
schools of the county v,'as $9,172, being,
alone, about four times the value of all the
school property in the county twenty years
previous.
The average per cent, of attendance to the
whole number of pupils in 1868 was 31.5,
while in 1887 the percentage had risen to
61.4; the difference being partly owing to
the increased facilities, hut more to the grow-
ing interest in educational matters by the cit-
izens, and a more intense desire on the part
of the children of this generation for the
advantages of an education, for thej' can see
that in this day and age the man who has the
greatest amount of knowledge has the great-
est chance for success in life.
The whole number of trees planted by the
53°
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
pupils of the various scliools in the county
on Arbor Day, 1887, was, according to offi-
cial sources, 2,202.
Take it altogether, but few counties in
Minnesota can make a lietter showing in the
matter of education than Meeker county.
The interest manifested hy the people, the
high grade of teachers employed, and the
general excellent feeling throughout the
community in regard to school affairs, is rap-
idl}' and clearly placing the county at the
head as one of the most enlightened and pro-
gressive subdivisions of the State.
^.^'*-^-
\fm.
Meel^eii Countij DuMg the Ma^^acrfe.
1%. /
-^^<^^
CHAPTER YI.
THE INDIAN MASSACRE.
'O THE necessaiy hiu'd-
ships and trials of the
pioneers of this county
was added the terrible
experience of Indian
atrocity and fiendisli-
ness. By the first set-
tlers here, in the midst of
their hard struggle with na-
ture, was heard, in 1862, the
thrilling war whoop of the
red savage and the sharp
crack of his rifle, as its ball
sped to the doom of the peace-
ful farmer. The tragical epi-
sode of the Indian massacre
of that year commenced
within the limits of Meeker county, and has
impressed itself indelibly, in letters of fire and
blood, with fearful distinctness, upon the
pages of its annals and in the hearts and
minds of the survivors of that fearful ordeal.
It is the task of the historian to trace the
event in all its detail, and endeavor to recon-
cile some of the conflicting statements re-
ceived.
In order to have a full understanding of
the causes that led to the outbreak, it is
necessary to give in brief the complaints of
the tribes, and other matters connected
therewith, compiled from the most authentic
State and United States documents.
By the treaty of Traverse de Sioux, be-
tween the United States Government and the
Sissetons and Wapatons, dated July 23,
1851, ^275,000 were to be paid to their
chiefs, and the further sum of $.30,000, was
to be expended for the benefit of the tribes.
By the treaty of Mendota, dated August 5,
1851, the Medawakantons and Wapakutas
were to receive the sum of $2(H>,000, to be paid
to their chiefs, and $30,000 to the improve-
ment fund. This sum of $535,000, the
Indians claimed, and perhaps truly, that they
had never received, except probably a small
amount expended on the improvements on
the reservations. This evident bi-each of
treaty obligations, caused the Indians to ex-
press their discontent quite freely to the
Government agents. In 1857, Major Kintz-
ing Pritchette, sent out by the Department,
made a report, in which he sa\'s :
" The comi)laint which runs through all of
their councils, points to the imperfect per-
formance or non-fulfillment of treaty stipu-
lations. Whether these are well or ill-
founded, it is not my premise to discuss.
That such belief prevails among them, im-
pairing their confidence and good faith in
the Government, can not be questioned."
Judge Young, who was commissioned to
mvestigate certam
charges
bi'ought against
531
532
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
the GoveiTior of Minnesota, in connection
with thedis]K)Siilot' hirge amounts of money,
due to the Indians and paid out under liis
direction, in his rejiort, shows quite conchi-
sively that some §320,000 was paid by the
Governor to Ilugii Tyler, for the savages, but
a large proportion clung to the fingers of that
gentleman, and the balance was paid out
in accordance with the dictates of the post
traders, and witiiout any regard to the
wishes of tiic annuitants. Peculation and
chicanery were rife in all transactions of the
Indian Department and its agents at the
time, and this was no exception to the gen-
eral rule. The Senate of the United States
exonerated Governor Kanisey, of Minnesota,
from any bhime in the business, but still the
Indians murmured about their treatment.
It is very evident that there was some truth
in their complaints, but wily men among
them, who had certain ends to gain, stirred
up the feeling and intensified it in every
savage breast. When they wanted an ex-
cuse, Indian subtlety never lacked one.
From tlie time wlien tlie Government de-
sisted from the pursuit of Inkpaduta, the in-
famous author of tlie Spirit Lake massacre,
in Dickinson county, Iowa, in 1857, consid-
erable feeling was manifested by the Sioux
who thought that the action of the United
States arose from fear of tiie savages, and
these feelings were fomented and increased
with insiduous care by Little Crow, and other
chiefs. This famous chief was a second edi-
tion of Tecumseh, on a smaller scale, and
had formed the scheme of driving the whites
from the territory of Minnesota, and enjoy-
ing it themselves, by a preconcerted massa-
cre of all the settlers by a simultaneous out-
break. ]\[aturing his plans with a care worthy
of a great general, by means of a secret or-
ganization,knowii as the "Soldier's Lodge," he
adopted means forthe carrying out of all the
arrangements. It was a deep-laid c(jnspiracy,
and Ijut for the ])r(Miiiitiirc action of a few
braves would have been more direful in its
consecjuences and wide-spread in its effect.
On the 3d of August, 1862, a memorable
council was held at the village of Little Crow,
near the Lower Agency. Little Crow was
present and was not wanting in the ability
to meet tlie momentous occasion with a wily
subtlety. Tlie proceedings were entirely
secret, but some of the details have since
been divulged, and it is now known that then
were matured the details of a conspiracy,
which for atrocity has scarcely ever been
ecpialed. Little Crow eaid, ujion that occa-
sion, that ill this way they could get all the
land back ; tiiat the whites would want their
lands again, and that the Sioux would get
double annuities. But the causes that led to
the outln-eak are of so complex a nature that
but few have fully mastered them, and hardly
any two people agree on all points on this
head, and therefore, it suffices to give the
above account, which is a simple statement
of what is known and fully agreed on by all,
and not enter into a closer investigation as to
the details, which are given with regard to
their general effect in the State at large in
the history of Minnesota, in this volume.
"VVe will, however, go at length into the
account of its local annals within the bounds
of Meeker county.
We now come to the terrible massacre it-
self, the fierce blow that fell, like a lightning-
flash from a cloudless sky, with such sudden-
ness and force upon an almost unarmed and
unsuspecting border, crimsoning its beautiful
fields with the life blood of the settlers, and
firing the heavens with the lurid glare of
their blazing homes. The suivivors fleeing,
filled with the nameless terror of such a
moment, wandei-ed around, often to fall be-
fore the deadly rifle or gleaming tomahawk
of the ruthless and fierce nomadic Sioux, or
to perish miserably of want and exposure on
the broad prairies.
Although Little Crow, the chief mover of
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
533
the plot had ordered the simultaneous out-
break to take place on the first of September,
■wishing the whites to get in their gi'ain, for
it was harvesting time, and that the three
regiments that had been raised to aid in the
suppression of the rebellion but then, in this
State, would be forwarded to the front. His
able tactics, however, were thwarted by the
action of some "bucks" who precipitated
matters by the attack on the settlers of
Meeker county. AVhat was the reason for
this premature movement will never be fully
known, as many theories have been formed,
and hardly two of them agree.
Rt. Rev. H. B. Whipple, Episcopal Bishop
of Minnesota, gives tiie following account of
th'e massacre at the Lower Agency and the
causes that led to the outbreak, and it deserves
preservation. It is given in this connection
just as it was written, but not all, as
mucli of it is irrelevant to our purpose. He
says :
"The Sioux liad been our friends, and for
more than a quarter of a century had boasted
that they had never taken the life of a white
man. Our Avretched Indian system was at
its worst. It left wild men without govern-
ment or personal )ights of property, and by
its alms-house system at every agency, was
training up savage paupers. The Indians
made bitter complaints of the treaty of
Traverse de Sioux — that they did not receive
the money promised to them, that they were
not permitted to take tlie reserve agreed
upon, that large claims were allowed, that
when payment was made, it was delayed
until they were starving, and their annuities
were paid for food. In 1858 they sold 800,-
000 acres of land on the north side of their
reserve, to procure additional means for civil-
ization. This treaty had a provision that
the Secretary of the Interior might use the
avails of this purchase, and any of their
mone\'s, as he deemed best for their interests,
liut that no debts should be allowed unless
they had been approved by the Indians in
open council. Xo such council was ever
held. There were councils of a few chiefs;
one was held in our school room, and Little
Crow was one of the leaders in it. They
waited four years, and the onl}^ thing they
received for this valuable tract of land, was
a few thousand dollars' worth of goods,
among which were many dozens of Canadian
belts. At our first meeting Wabasha said,
'AVill you ask the Great Father what has
become of our money ? He would not lie to
us. White men would not have a liar for
their great chief. He says he would send
the money — so many boxes. He probably
started it, but tiie cars go so fast it has fallen
off by the way. Tell him we are poor, and
ask him to look it up.' Another chief, Wa-
couta, said, ' Our eyes have grown dim by
looking so long for our money. Our old
men would like to see it befoi-e they die.'
Sometimes harder words were spoken with
flashing e3'es, anil many young braves
boasted they would never shake hands with
a white man. The civil war was at its
height, and up to this time the tide of victory
seemed to be with the South. Pictorial
papers lay on the counters of traders, and
Indians believed that the South was victori-
ous. About this time a company of Renville
Rangers was organized by the agent, and
many of its members were mixed bloods and
Indians. The Indians said: 'The whites
are all being killed, and now they come to
us for help.' There were many darker
stories told of whicli I will not speak. The
Indians, with foolish bravado, began to
boast that they could repossess their lands,
and sweep the white man from their country.
Most of the new settlers were very poor im-
migrants, upon whom the Indians looked
down in contempt. The payment had al-
ways taken ])lace in June. They came as
usual — 2.500 at the Lower Agency, and over
5,000 at the Upper Agency. Misses Catha-
534
MEEKER COVXTY, MINNESOTA.
rine and Elizabetli Beddle, Miss Caroline A.
Harris, Miss Sarah A. Farninn, Mrs. "Whipple
and iny son Ciiiirles had accompanied me to
the Sioux Mission. We found everytliing
unsettled, the air lull of rumors, tlie Indians
turbulent, restless, dissatislied. Again and
again the Indians asked me, ' When will we
receive our payment? How much will we
receive?' I invariably answered, 'You will
receive $20 each, and be paid very soon.'
No one seemed to believe me. One day after
my return from the Upper Agency, I said to
a trader, ' Major Galbraith will be down to-
day to make arrangements for ]5ayment.'
He answered, ' Galbraith is a fool. The full
payment will not be made. Tiie money is
gone; it has been spent foi' claims; we can
not trust the Indians because they will liavc
no money to pay us.' It filled me witli sad
forebodings. I l>elieved Major Galbraith was
an honest man, but here was a trader who
claimed to know more about the payment
than the agent. Each day there was some
new dance or gathering, as if the Indians
would crowd into weeks, all the savagery
and heathenism of generations. The air was
charged with elements which at any moment
might carry descjlation and death to the
whole border. We left the Sioux coun-
try about the 10th of July, and went im-
mediately to the Chippewa country. While
at Crow Wing, a letter was brought, di-
rected to care of Rev. E. S. Peake, for
' Hole-in-the-Da}',' and marked ' immedi-
ate.' Hole-in-the-Day was absent, we called
in his head warrior, and opened it. It was
from Little Crow, the leader of the Sioux
outbreak, and said, 'My Friend: — Some of
your people have killed one of our civilized
Indians. I tried to keep my men back as I
agreed. I could not. They have gone.
Look out. (Signed) Little Crow.' Whether
an agreement had been made between them
we do not know. We sent messengers to
warn some Chippewas camped on the Crow
Wing river, and then went to St. Columlta.'"
After detailing mucli of liis trip ;ind
pointing out that a party of Sioux Indians
were ahead of them bent on tiie murder of
some Chippewa people, because a meml>er of
the latter triije, as Little Crow had said, had
murdered one of their people, the Lishop
goes on to say:
"On our way home our Indians (('hi])pe-
was) said they had seen Sioux signs. We
laughed at the idea that they could tell a
Sioux moccasin track from the Ojibway.
Thev insisted. Manitowaub threw himself on
the ground and with a stick lifted each weed
and spear of grass until he could trace a hu-
man step, and after hours he found the mark
of a human foot in the sand. He showed us
his moccasin and the mark in tiie sand, and
said : ' That is Sioux !' The next day we
found where the Sioux had camped, and the
Indians told us about how many Sioux were
in the party. They found a Sioux moccasin.
The Indians were much excited and made a
forced march to reach Gull Lake, and were
rejoiced to find their peo])le safe. Saturday
we went from Crow Wing to St. Cloud and
heard of this party of Sioux as being across
the river near Winnebago prairie. That
Sunday afternoon they reached Acton, and
either for fear of being laughed at on their
return home for their fruitless errand or
from hatred of the whites, or because filled
with malice and deviltry, they murdered the
family at Acton and then fled. They trav-
eled all night and reached Little Crow's vil-
lage eai-ly Monday, August IS. The Sioux
have a Soldier's lodge, which decides aU
questions connected with war. The lodge
was hastily convened, the story of Acton
told, the certainty that troops would come
to arrest the murdereis. The spark had
been laid to the train of powder, and it was
settled that the whites should be massacred.
"About seven o'clock John Wliipple, a
stone mason, who was building our church,
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
535
Stood by the door of the Mission house talk-
ing with ill". Ilinman. They heard the
report of guns, and, looking toward the trad-
ing post of My rick, saw a crowd of Indians
firing into the store ; others were running
toward Forbes' and Roberts' stores armed.
Shunkaska (White Dog) came running Ijy.
Mr. Ilinman asked him what this meant.
He answered, ' Go, go, the Indians are killing-
all the whites. I am going to Wabasiia to
see if I can not stop it.' Shunkaska was pale
with terror. He was a civilized Indian —
not a Christian. A few minutes after Little
Crow came running by with other Indians.
Hinman called him, but lie refused to answer.
They went to the Government barn, a little
way from the Mission house, to take the
Government horses, and were resisted by
Wagner, the farmer, and his man, John
Lamb. Crow said, ' Kill them,' and they
were both killed. Mr. Hinman told Miss
Emily West, a teacher in the Mission, that
the Indians were killing the whites and tiiey
must flee. Mrs. Ilinman was in Faribault.
Mr. Hinman went to notify some neighbors.
Miss West started for the ferry. On her
way she met a woman and child, and advised
tliem to go with her. They crossed the
ferry and the In-oad valley beyond, and as
they came to the top of the hill met three
Indians, armed. As thej' saw Miss West the
leader, a stranger to her, said, ' You belong
to the Missionary ? ' She said, ' Yes.' He
reached out his hand and shook hands, and
said, 'Washta' (good). Tlie poor woman
with her reached out her hand. He refused
it, and drew his knife and said, 'I will kill
you.' Miss West said, ' No, she belongs to
me.' The Indian laughed, as if it were
strange that this single woman had a mother
and child in lier care, but Miss West persisted
and the Indian said ' Waslita.' He asked
her where she was going. She pointed to a
distant house. He said, ' No, we are going
to kill those pei\sons.' She said, ' Where
shall we go?' The Indians led them to the
road, and said, 'This will bring you to the
fort.' "
The outbreak commenced as mentioned by
Bishop Whipple, in Meeker county, and it is
now our duty to enter upon the narration of
the events, both the massacre in Acton, and
the subsequent perils, hairbreadth escapes, and
labors of the settlers and soldiery in putting
down the Indians during those trying times.
As near as can be arrived at now, by an
extensive and exhaustive research among all
the papers, both State and otherwise, and
personal interviews with many of the sur-
viving citizens of the county, the facts are
about as follows :
About eleven o'clock in the forenoon of
Sunday, August 17, 1862, while the bright
golden gleams of the summer sun poured
downupon the lovely landscape in the wealth
of its noontide splendor, and while from the
throats of the feathered songsters of grove
and ])rairie rose the glad hymns of peace
and thanksgiving, six Indians, supposed to
have been of Shakopee's band from the
Lower Agency, red fiends with foul and
deadly murder in their hearts, approached
the house of Eobinson Jones, which stood on
the southwest quarter of tlie northeast quar-
ter of section 21, of Acton township. Mr.
Jones kept a kind of frontier tavern and had
for sale various staple articles of groceries,
among which was the inevitable whisky,
and besides attending to this business pur-
chased or traded for furs, and carried on
farming. The Indians came up to the house
and demanded whisky of Mr. Jones, which
tie saw fit to refuse, and some words ensued
and the savages became quite boisterous.
Some little time after this Mr. Jones went
over to the cabin of Howard Baker, leaving
Miss Clara D. Wilson, a niece, in charge of
the house, and a little boy, a half-brother of
Clara and an adopted son of Mr. Jones about
a couple years of age, lying on the bed. The
536
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Indians, who liacl left the house some time
before, followed after Mr. Jones, and four of
tliem soon arrived at tlic liouse of Howard
Baker, about three-quarters of a mile distant
from Jones' house, and, sauntering leisurely
up, bantered the men, Jones, Baker and
Viranus "Webster, who was an emigrant
passing to the West, to shoot at a mark.
After the savages had stayed in the house
some fifteen or twenty minutes, the white
men, taking down tiieir guns, agreed to go
outside and shoot with them. After a few
minutes spent in tliis kind of sport, while the
settlers were standing aruuiid, Mr. Baker
made a trade witli uiie of the redmen for his
gun, the savage giving some three dollars
difference between the weapons. Not sus-
pecting any evil, and being entirely too
trusting when an Indian was in the question,
none of the three men reloaded their guns,
an oversight for which the}' paid their lives.
The savages, on the contrary, recharged their
pieces in the doorway of the house, and about
noon were joined by the two other Indians,
who had been with them at Jones' cabin.
The latter said that they were Sioux, and
that he knew them all. Mrs. Howard Baker,
one of the survivors, describes them as all
being of middle age, one quite tall and one
short, chubby and thick. The last two had
on Avhite men's coats, and one of the savages
had three feathers in his cap and another
two.
While they stood there one of the fiends
raised his rifle to his shoulder and ]ioured its
leaden contents into tiie body of Mr. Jones,
who fell. Mrs. Ann Baker and her daugli-
ter-in-law, Mrs. Horace Baker, were standing
in the doorway of the house and witnessed
the cowardly murder, and when another of
the savages took aim at the younger Mrs.
Baker, her husband, with noble self devotion,
threw himself forward to shield her and re-
ceived in his own body the bullet intended
for his wife. Almost at the same instant
tAvo more of the guns of the Indians blazed
forth their death-dealing contents, and Web-
ster and Mrs. Ann Baker fell to the ground.
The latter had turned to run within the
house after receiving the first shot and fell
into the buttery, the other two Indians firing
at her as she pitched forward. Mrs. Howard
Baker, who had her infant child in her arms,
in trying to get out of a window, fell down
into the cellar, which saved her life. The
last she saw was Mrs. Webster trying to pull
the dead body of her husband into the house.
Thus were four souls called to an account,
cut off in the full prime of their life by the
fiendish hand of ruthless mui'dcr, and thus
was inaugurated the terrible massacre of that
eventful year, that carried death and de-
struction into so many households through-
out the State, and fear and panic over so
vast an expanse of territory.
The report that this premature stroke in
the massacre was the outgrowth of a
drunken spree or broil has been so effectu-
ally disposed of that it is needless to dwell
upon it in this connection.
After the dastardly attack upon and kill-
ing: of the unarmed men and defenseless
women, the same red devils returned to the
cabin of Jones, and, in passing the house, one
of them lifted his rifle, fired, and killed Clara
Davis Wilson, who stood in plain sight in
the room. They did not discover the little
child nor enter the house. They then left
the vicinity, taking the direction of the
Beaver Creek settlement and the Lower
Agency, leaving Acton about three o'clock
in the afternoon. The incentive of this
cruel outrage is sufficiently shown by the
fact that no robbery took place, nor other
damage being done except in the murder of
these inoffensive settlers.
Mi'S. Howard Baker, who was unhurt by
her fall into the cellar, still had the presence
of mind to remain quietly there until the
murderers had gone. She finally emerged
MEEKER COUNTY. MINNESOTA.
537
from her place of concealment, and, before
she left the house, was accosted by an Irish-
man, by the name of Cox, suspected of hav-
ing been a spy of the redskins, and reputed
to be crazy. She asked him to go with her
to the settlement and helj) cany the baby,
but he, with an incivility quite strSnge in
one of the Celtic race, refused, saying, " the
men are not dead but drunk, and in falling-
down have bumped their noses, which made
them bleed." He, however, robbed the
corpses of some $50 or $fiO which -was on
their persons, and leaving the lone willow
in her distress, with a total disregard for
feeling or decency', took the road for the
Lower Agency.
Mrs. "Webster and Mrs. Baker, taking the
latter's child in their arms, started alone for
the comity seat. Forest City. They stopped
at the residence of John Blackwell, their
nearest neighbor, but on their arrival there
found that that gentleman and his family were
absent. The two women then proceeded on
their weary way, and soon reached the
house of Nels Olson, who had a blacksmith's
forge on his place and was employed at that
business. From there Mrs. Baker went on
to Forest City, which was some twelve
miles from the scene of the massacre, and
corroborated the account which had been
given by Ole Ingeman, who had ridden into
the town about six o'clock, and given the
alarm to the settlers. The news spread
thj'oughout the country with amazing i-apid-
ity, and many were the parties who started
out to inquire into the matter and investi-
gate its truth, for the news was of so unwel-
come a nature that many wished to disbe-
lieve it.
During the week preceding the attack at
the houses of Jones and Baker, the latter and
Amos Nelson Fosen, now one of the promi-
nent citizens of Meeker county, were cradling
the wheat on the farm of Eobinson Jones,
but, as it was raining on that Saturday, Mr.
Fosen concluded that he would visit his own
farm, which he had rented to Burger Ander-
son, and see how things were going on. Put-
ting his idea into execution, he started with
the intention of returning on Sunda\'. After
spending some time in looking after his af-
fairs, he went to attend a " war meeting,"
and was detained so late that he came to the
determination not to return to work until
Monday morning, instead of that night.
Never has procrastination met with so signal
and sudden a reward, for this dilatoriness in
his movements undoubtedly saved his life.
In the mean time the news of the fiendish
butchery came to the neighborhood Avhere he
was, and a partj^ of thirteen started for the
scene. Part of the number went but a por-
tion of the distance, but seven of them
pressed on. These detennined men were
Amos N. Fosen, Nels Danielson, John Black-
well, Burger Anderson, Ole Westman,
Charles Quick and John Nelson. They came
in sight of the late home of Howard Baker,
and cautiously and carefully approached the
house, with stealthy steps and peering eyes.
Finding the coast clear, the}' drew nearer and
nearer, the friendly shades of night covering
their movements, and finally, entering the
house, discovered the dead bodies of Mrs.
Jones, Webster and Baker.
After lingering there for a short time the
little party of heroes started for Jones"
house, but on the road, met another band of
settlers, headed by Thomas McGannon, with
whom they turned back to Baker's house,
and making a more thorough searcii at that
place discovered the bodj' of poor Jones near
the corn-crib, where he had fallen, and over
whom was thrown a wagon-box. He had
torn up the ground all ai^ound him in his
death agony. Guards were properly posted
and the balance of the party again started
for Jones' place. At the forks of the road,
before reaching that point, they were met by
another squad of settlers, for many were out,
538
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
the evil tidings having spread fast, and
stricken i)anic terror into the hearts of a
jrreat niuuher, while others were seized
with a desire to investigate the matter. The
last addition to the little band was a delega-
tion from Swede Grove, and Avere all
mounted. On coming to the house, it was
cautiously surrounded and a plan formed for
the captui'c of tlie Indians, for it was sup-
posed that tliey were in tlie house, as it was
of wide notoriety that wliisky was kej)t in
the cabin, and it was but natural to suppose
that the savages had come here after com-
mitting the murder to indulge in a drunken
orgie. The dead body of poor Clara Wilson
was found lying across the pantry doorway,
but no Indians, and there was no evidence of
their having entered the house, for nothing
was disturbed. A barrel of whiskv stood in
one corner, and several bottles of tlie same
liquor upon the shelf, but no signs of
the Indians having disturbed them. In a
bedroom, lying upon tiie bed, was the
adopted child of Mi'. Jones, spoken of be-
fore, smiling up into the faces of his res-
cuers. The babe, who was about two years
old, was the grandchild of Mrs. Ann IJaker,
and l)ore the name of liobinson J. Cotton.
He was taken from the lied and afterwartl
placed in the liands of T. C. Jewett, of Forest
City, who kept him for some little time, until
he was finally adopted by Charles H. Ellis
and wife, of Otsego, Wrigiit county, this
State, with whom he remained until lie had
attained the years of manhood.
In another direction, as soon as the news
came to the neighborhood of Swede Grove.
Xels Elofson and Nels Hanson got on their
horses, and, with others, proceeded to the
scene of the tragedy, and fell in with the other
party as related above, at the forks of the
road near Baker's house. Another party was
formed at Forest City that same evening, on
the arrival there of Mis. iJaker, for thither
she had fled, carrying her babe, for protection.
This force consisted of J. B. Atkinson, Syl-
vester Stevens, John Wigle, Hamlet Stevens
and one or two others, and left the county
seat and ])roceeded toward the place where
the startling events of that day had happened.
They met the other squads mentioned be-
fore, arid, on learning the facts, spread the
news througiiout the country, warning the
settlers of their peril, and then returned to
their homes at Forest City, arriving there
about four o'clock in the morning.
Tlie next morning a strong posse, consist-
ing of A. C. Smith, Milton Gorton, J. B.
Atkinson, T. C. Jewett and others, accompa-
nied by Mr.s. Jewett and Mrs. Gorton, started
for the Baker house, and the settlers, by this
time all thoroughly aroused to their peril,
flocked in the same direction, so that they
reached the scene of the murder some sixty
strong. An inquest was held that day and
the facts as stated above elicited, and a ver-
dict given in accordance therewith.
Whilst the inquest was in progress, some
one espied a body of eleven mounted Indians
ill the vicinity, and gave the alarm, and seven
men, among whom were J. B. Atkinson,
Hamlet Stevens, Daniel McGraw, Albert
De Long and Sylvester Stevens, mounting in
hot haste, pursued the savages, who, when
thev saw the pursuit, cut across the slough.
A few distant shots were fired, Avithout dam-
age to either party, and the wild race was
kept u]3 at breakneck speed as far as Lake
Lillian. Here the redskins were joined by
another band from another direction, and a
halt was called. The party counted twenty-
five well-mounted Sioux before them, their
own horses were blown and worn out with
fatigue, and although one or two wanted to
go on, a vote was taken and the pursuit
abandoned. One of the pai-ty is credited
with having shot one of the Indians, who
was seen to drop, but was picked up by his
comrades and hurried away with them in
their flight. The little squad of settlers re-
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
539
turned after feeding their horses and resting
them, and the savages, who were afterward
found to have been another band than those
who committed tiie murders, went on their
way toward their tribal headquarters.
While the little company of enraged set-
tlers were pursuing the redskins, the inquest
was finished, and, tools being at hand, boxes
were made and the bodies of the murdered
people placed tlierein, and the five victims
placed in one grave in the Norwegian Lu-
theran Church cemeter}'^, in Litchfield town-
ship, on the spot now marked with the mon-
ument.
Tlie funeral over, the party returned to
Forest City, whither they were followed by
almost the entire community, for the panic
had seized every one, and the trembling
pioneers saw Indians in every waving bush,
or heard their yell in every sound brought to
their listening ears b}' the gentle evening
breeze. To nerves unaccustomed to this
tension, the position was too frightful, and
men could not long stand it. Something
must be done and that right speedily.
George C. Wliitcomli, the treasurer of
Meeker county, left Forest City on that
eventful Monday, and rode to Carver or
Chaska, and there took the small steamer
Antelope, and reached St. Paul about ten
or eleven o'clock on Tuesday morning, ac-
cording to the official report of Governor
Kamsey, and at once waited upon the gov-
ernor, witli tlie dreadful tidings with which
he was laden. The news of tlie outbreak,
which was, prior to his arrival, supposed to
be only a local emeute, at Yellow Medicine,
bad preceded him only an liour or two. Mr.
Shelley, from the latter agency, having rid-
den in with dispatches announcing the mas-
sacre at that point.
Governor Ramsey, in his report upon the
matter, uses the following language in speak-
ing of the action taken at that time:
"I at once proceeded to Fort Snelling,
and consulted with the authorities there
regarding the outbreak, and the best means
to be used to meet the danger. A serious
difficulty met us at the outstart. The only
troops at the fort were the raw recruits,
which had been hastily gathered for the five
regiments. Most of them were without
arms or suitable clothing as yet ; some not
mustered in or properly officered, and those
who had arms had no fixed ammunition of
the proper caliber. We were without trans-
portation, quartermaster's or commissary
stores, and, in fact, devoid of anything with
which to commence a campaign against two
or three thousand Indians, well mounted
and armed, with an abundance of ammuni-
tion and ])rovisions ca|itured at the agency,
and flushed with the easy ^^ctory they had
won over the unarmed settlers. Finally
four companies were fully organized, armed
and uniformed, and late at night were got
off on two small steamers, the Antelope and
Pomeroy, for Shakopee, from which point
they could proceed overland. It was ar-
ranged that others would follow as fast as
the}" could be got i-eatly.
"This expedition was placed under the
command of H. H. Sibley, whose long resi-
dence in the country of the Sioux had iriven
him great influence with that peojjle, and it
was hoped that the chiefs and older men
were still sensible to reason, and that with
these he could check the mad and reckless
disposition of the younger men ; and if that
failed, that his knowledge of Indian war and
tactics would enable him to overcome them
in battle.
* * * * » * *
" Late that night (the 2uth), probably after
midnight, Jesse Y. Branham, Sr., arrived
from Forest Citv after a forced ride of 100
540
MEEKER COUNTY. MINNESOTA.
miles on horsebaclv, bearing the following
FouEST City, August 20, 1802, [
o'clock A. M. j
His Excellency Alexander Ramsey, Gov-
ernor, etc.
Sir — In advance of the news from the
Minnesota Kiver, the Indians have opened on
us in Meeker. It is war. A few propose to
make a stand here. Send us, foi'thwith,
some ffood ouns and ammunition to match.
Yours truly,
A. C. Smith.
• " Seventy -five stands of Springfield rifles
and several thousand rounds of ball cart-
ridges were at once issued to George C.
Whitcoml), to be used in arming a company
which I directed to be raised and enrolled
to use these arms ; and General Sibley gave
Mr. Whitcomb a captain's commission for
the comjiany. Trans]iortation was at once
furnished him, and the rifles were in Forest
City by the morning of the 23d, a portion
having been issued to a company at Hutch-
inson on the way up."
Jesse V. Branham, Sr., whom the governor
mentions as bringing the dispatch, had vol-
unteered, notwithstanding his sixty years,
to ride the entire distance of one hundred
miles for help, and on his arrival at St. Paul,
paying no attention to his fatigue or his
bodil}' wants, at once waited upon the gov-
ernor, although it was one o'clock in the
morning, with the result as given above. On
the arrival of Captain Whitcomb with the
arms and ammunition, having left thirty-one
muskets and a part of the ammunition at
Hutchinson, that place being entirely desti-
tute of firearms, a company was formed at
Forest City, of which the following is the
roster :
G. C; Whitcomb, captain.
J. B. Atkinson, first lieutenant.
Ilandet Stevens, second lieutenant.
William Branham, fii'st sergeant.
PI. S. Howe, second sergeant.
Daniel McGraw, third sergeant.
F. G. Gould, fourth sergeant.
A. F. Heath, first corjioral.
H. J. Hill, second corporal.
T. C. Jewett, third corporal.
Samuel Ilutcliins, fourth corporal.
J. M. Harvey, fifth corporal.
R. B. Ralston, sixth corporal.
N. H. White, seventh corporal.
A. B. lloyt, eighth corporal.
PRIVATES.
O. B. Todd, J. V. Branham, Jr.,
James Lang, A. G. Smith,
Thomas Grayson, Aslog Olson,
Henry Johnson, H. Lutons,
M. Gorton, G. S. Sholes, Sr.,
Sylvester Stevens, J. H. Bradshaw,
C. E. Payson, Halga Olson,
Lory Smith, Kels Tornborn,
Jerome Rogers, Oliver Gibbins,
J. Heath, S. W. White,
Albert S]ierry, J. B. Garrison,
Joseph Tiiomas, E. A. Chapin,
A. Hamilton, H. Behrmann,
William Caswell, C. D. Maybee,
Patrick Condon, Andrew Nelson,
Thos. Ragan, Eli Gibbins,
Charles Kruger. G. W. AVaggoner,
Herman Kruger, W. Johnson,
Michael McGraw, G. R. Page,
Jesse F. Gobi), Henry L. Smith,
Alfred Mousley, D. Chapin,
William Wilcox, H. Mickelson,
D. M. Ilolbrook.
On the arrival of Captain Whitcomb, he
found that the county seat was nearly a de-
serted village, most of the inhabitants having
fled for safety to the eastern portion of the
State, and but thirteen men and three women
were left of its population. These brave
men and heroic women, who had determined
to maive a stand in defense of their homes,
and whii, by thoir gallant and spirited action,
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
541
stayed the tide of arson and murder, and
saved the balance of the State, as far as the
Mississippi River, from tiie iiendish cruelty
oi the relentless Sioux. Their names should
be perpetuated in the pages of history, with
those of tlie nol^le band of Spartans under
Leonidas, at the pass of Thermopylte, who
devoted themselves to the salvation of their
country. Their names are J. E. Atkinson,
A. C. Smith, T. C. Jewett. Milton Gorton,
George S. Siioles, Dr. Thomas II. Skinner,
James M. Harvey, William i'owler, Henry
L. Smith, Thomas Grayson, Judson A. Stan-
ton, S\'lvester Stevens and Hamlet Stevens,
and Mesdames T. C. Jewett, Howard Baker
and G. C. Whitcomb. Tliese, however, were
soon joined by many others.
During the time while AVhitcomb was ab-
sent nearly two hundred teams passed
through Forest City on their way to the
Mississippi River and safety, with their hasti-
Ij'-gathered household goods thrown promis-
cuously upon their wagons, and all fleeing in
fear and trembling, and listening for the
dreaded war-whoop which they expected to
brealc upon their ears at every moment, or
the whip-like crack of the deadly rifle.
The military organization was formed on
Sunday, the 24th of August, and b}' the next
day some thirty had joined, and a portion of
them mounted upon such horses as they had.
The following is preserved as the oath
taken by the members of the "Irregulars,"
as the}' were termed, at the date of their
muster, August 24, 1862:
"We, the undersigned, do solemnly swear
to bear true allegiance to the United States
and the State of Minnesota, and the officers
which ma}' be elected or appointed over us,
to the best of our ability, in accordance with
tlie captain's commission issued to G. C.
Whitcomb, by Col. H. H. Sil)ley, bearing
date August 20, 1862."
The forty-four muskets brought by Cap-
tain Whitcomb were then issued to as manv
men, and the balance either left unarmed or
given some Belgian muskets which had been
procured for a militia company organized by
G. C. Whitcomb and J. B. Atkmson some
time before, or the few shotguns that could
be found in the settlement. As it was neces-
sary for their efficiency that they should be
all mounted in order to cope with the
mounted Indians, and as they only had about
fifteen horses in all, a detail was made from
the command to proceed to Kingston and
make a forced levy of all the horses that they
could find there for the use of the company.
The detail consisted of sergeants William
Branham and II. S. Howe, corporals A. F.
Heath, H. J. Hill, T. C. Jewett, Samuel
ITutchins and R. B. Ralston, and privates O.
B. Todd, G. W. AVaggoner, Michael McGraw,
F. G. Gould, A. II. Hamilton, H. Kruger
and D. McGraw, and was under the com-
mand of Lieut. J. B. Atkinson. They ad-
vanced to Kingston, and the lev}' made of
about forty horses, much against the wishes
of the people in that place, and desjiite their
vehement protests, and returned to head-
quarters of the company at Forest City. At
the same time a detail, consisting of B. Cobb,
D. P. De Lamater, J. A. Stanton and Oliver
Gibbins, to procure forage for the animals,
and W. H. Towler and Gottlieb Reef as stock
guard. These were citizens who volunteered
for this duty.
On the dawning of Monday morning,
August 25th, a portion of the company, num-
bering some twenty seven, rank and file,
were ordered on a reconnoisance into Monon-
galia county, now a part of Kandiyohi, and
swept through the country for some forty
miles distant from headquarters, and returned
on the 27th, having seen none of the enemy,
but had found traces of them in the corpses
of nine or ten mutilated, murdered settlers,
ruins of burned houses, and a considerable
number of dead domestic animals scattered
over the countrv. The bodies of the dead
542
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
settlers were given decent buriiil l)y the party
before their departure.
On "Wednesday, August 2()th, eleven citi-
zens of Manannah, wlio were staying at
Forest City, iinding that there was a great
lack of stoves, bedding, provisions, etc., in
that place, volunteered to go to their homes
and procure the necessaries. They were
Linus Howe, Moody Caswell, Chauncy "Wil-
son, Thomas Ryckman, David Hoar, James
Nelson, "Wilmot Maybee, Philip H. Deck,
Nathan C. Caswell, R. D. C. Cressy and
Joseph Page. They started, and on their
arrival at the house of "Wilmot Maybee
stopped and got tlieir dinner, and from there
proceeded to the house of Carlos Caswell, at
Manannah, and, seeing no Indians about, left
one yoke of their oxen there, intending to
return thither that evening and spend the
night there. They went on about two miles
further to the residences of Silas Caswell and
James Nelson, where they loaded Maybee's
wagon full of bedding, provisions, etc., and
the latter gentleman, who was driving, ac-
companied by Joseph Page, turned the team
toward their last stopping-place, where they
intended to camp. They were closely fol-
lowed by P. II. Deck and Linus Howe in
the former's one-hoi-se wagon, which was
filled with James Nelson's household goods,
the rest of the party being employed in gath-
erinjr the scattered farm stock about them.
As they turned into Carlos Caswell's door-
yard the sharp crack of several rifles rang
out upon the air, from behind a pile of lum-
ber and the weeds by the fence, and Joseph
Page fell dead to the ground. The others
turned east to escape, and drove for about
fifteen or eighteen rods, when again the
deadly rifle spoke and carried death to Deck
and Howe. Wilmot Maybee, thinking to
escape, run his horses for about thirty or
forty rods further, breaking down a stout
pair of bars in his way, but, on being cut off
in his retreat by the savages, leaped to the
gi-ound, and, leaving the horses and wagon
to their fate, I'an about a hundred and fifty
yards toward the river, but was shot and in-
stantly killed by a well-aimed charge of
buckshot from an Indian musket.
Chauncy "Wilson and Thomas Kyckman
were but a short distance away, and witnessed
the cold-blooded murder of their comrades,
but could offer no assistance, as they had
placed their arms, such was their fancied se-
curity, in one of the wagons. After securing
the teams and their loads, the Sioux, a band
of about ten or twelve, started toward the
west, and passed within thirty rods of H. C.
Caswell and James Nelson, who let them go
by without firing a shot as they mistook
them for white men, the shades of evening-
having descended upon the earth. They
followed the warriors, still thinking they
were their friends, for some distance. The
party returned to Forest City, having lost
four of their best men. Mr. Howe was one
of the county commissioners at the time,
and has served for three years in that office.
Lieut. J. B. Atkinson set out the next
morning with some twenty-four men to bury
the murdered settlers and bring in anything
that he could find, which mission he accom-
plished without any molestation. On the
SOth of the month, a detail of twenty-four
men was ordered to move to Hutchinson to
procure the government arms left there, but
found on their arrival at that ]ilace that the
citizens of the town would not surrender the
sruns, so returned the next tlav to headiruar-
ters. On the 1st of Se]itember, a i-cport
having gained currency in Forest City, orig-
inating with Andrew Nelson, that the family
of that gentleman's brother-in-law. Swan
Swanson, was on an island in Foot Lake,
Kandiyohi county, in destitute circumstances,
a detail of some seventeen men, sup])lemented
by some volunteer citizens, was dispatched
to their aid. The little force took up their
line nes, an open spot surrounded
by timber, in which lurked some two or
three hundred savages, and it is claimed that
he entirely failed to post any pickets. In
this blind security he lay exposed to any
attack that the enemy might make, and in
almost a defenseless position. Thomas
Chambers, of Hutchinson, having arrived in
Forest City, antl mentioning the movements
of Cajjtain Sti'out and his company, it was
determined to intercept his column and bring
it to Forest City direct, and, the disi)atch
having been prei)ared, a volunteer force of
three to carry it was asked, in response to
which J. V. Branham, Jr., Albert Sperry and
Thomas Holmes came forward and offered
their services, which were accepted. As the
summer sun was setting behind the western
horizon, and flooding the land with its crim-
son light, the three brave and gallant men
put foot in the stirruj) and started on their
lonel}', perilous ride. They started toward
Eice City, with the intention of saving the
command from running into the Indian
camp at Swede Grove, which they were
approaching so incautiously.
They found, on reaching what was known
as the Henderson trail, that Captain Strout
and his men had passed that point, so they
pushed on in the intense darkness, surrounded
by peril, toward Acton, and found the com-
man«i jieacefully sleeping, with no guard or
picket set. The party at once communicated
their tidings, and instantly the excitement
grew intense. The Belgian muskets that
the company had been ai-med with, for lack
of better pieces, were overhauled, when it
was discovered that most of the ammunition
was of a different caliber from the guns, and
would not fit, so the balance of the night
was spent in preparing it for service in tlie
best manner possible. As daylight dawned,
and breakfast was being eaten, the firing of
guns in their neighborhood alarmed all
hands, as it was well known that there were
no white men in that entire neighborhood.
All made ready for the march to Hutchin-
son, which was necessary for their safety,
for it was plainly apparent that their camp
was untenable against any force of Indians.
The five mounted men rode ahead of the col-
umn, wliicii marched in a southerlv direction
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
545
for about two miles, when the glistening of
gun-barrels through the foliage announced
an ambush. This was upon a hill opposite
Kelley's bluff, and our troops moved steadily
on until they had arrived within half a mile
of the enemy, and then halted. They were
then formed in line of battle, and advanced
until they were about two hundred yards
from the savage foe, when they were saluted
by a storm of bullets, which was bravely
and promptly returned, and the firing thus
commenced was ke]it up rapidly witli some
effect. Our troops, who were formed in four
sections, in open order, pressed on as skir-
mishers toward the foe. Shortly after this
a fresh body of mounted Indians were dis-
covered in their rear, and, the two forces
being united, and the lake Ijeing on the left
of the company, the little body of soldiers
were effectually surrounded. A charge in
the direction of Ilutcliinson was ordered,
and, the bayonets dropping to a level, the
men bravely charged the red horde, who fell
back, for the savage can not stand cold steel.
Like many another battle, the troops were
endangered by the misconduct of the team-
sters, who, thinking that the road to the
south was now opened, started on the run
for Hutchinson, and their panic soon spread
to the scarcely-disciplined soldiers, who had
behaved so bravely but a few minutes before,
and awa}^ they all went, pell-mell, after the
teams. In a few minutes order was restored,
and the retreat conducted in a more orderly
manner. During this movement Jesse V.
Branham, Jr., one of the scouts and messen-
gers of the previous night, was seriously
wounded, being shot under the shoulder
blade, the ball passing through his lungs.
Three men were killed in this engagement,
and some eighteen wounded ; the latter
were all brought fiom the field. The dead
were afterward buried l>y the detail from
the Third Regiment. On theii' arrival at
Hutchinson the wounded were properly
cared for, and the command obtained some
rest.
Early on the morning of the 3d of Septem-
ber, the entire force, both of the Home
Guards and the citizens of Forest City,
finished the erection of a stockade for their
defense, and labored hard and faithfully all
that day. It was a parallelogram of 120
feet square, and was made of a double row
of logs on end, planted in the ground some
three feet, and projecting upward some ten
feet. Bastions on the corners and numerous
loopholes through the timbers afforded ample
means for sweeping down any assailants that
attacked it, antl would shelter the marksmen
from the bullets of the savages. Every one
being turned out, the companj' were marched
to the principal hotel of the place, where
they were quartered, and all settled down
to a peaceful slumber, and, with the excep-
tion of the arnied guard, seemed totally ob-
livious of the proximity of the savages.
Between two and three o'clock in the
morning, the sentinels discovered the ap-
proach of a body of Indians and gave the
alarm, at which the Sioux, with wild yells,
charged forward and fired a volley at the
hotel, where the troops were in quarters.
These latter, sallying out with most of the
citizens, retired to the stockade, but in their
hurry forgot or neglected to take with them
the horses or the bulk of the ammunition,
the former being in J. B. Atkinson's stable
and the powder and balls in the store of
Judson A. Stanton. Within the palisaded en-
closure stood a frame house and a well, and
had they one-half the ammunition with them
they could have held out for some time. But,
not expecting the redskins so soon, they were
taken by surprise, and in the excitement
mueii was overlooked. No sooner had they
reached the fort and been safely ensconced
therein than the savages opened upon it with
some forty or fifty rifles, for it was both a sur-
prise and a disappointment to the red fiends
546
MEEKER COUNTY. MINNESOTA.
to find the stockade built, for they never
dreamed of such a thing and anticipated an
easy victory. The intense darlcness of tiie
niglit rendered aim veiy uncertain, so, to save
tiieir ammunition, but very little tiring was
done upon the part of the beleaguered gar-
rison. Nels Elofson,a resident of tiie county,
in speaking of that niglit says: that " the
captain told him to be saving of his ammu-
nition, as they had Ijut a small supply." He
adds that " while one part of the savages,
early in the morning, continued to harass the
settlers within the enclosure, the others were
employed in burning the buildings and hay-
stacks, and in running otf the horses, oxen,
wagons and other projierty." Most of the
property burned was situated at a distance
from the fort, for if an Indian stepped into
the circle of light from a l)urning building,
the leaden missives warned him that he was
seen, and, if he did not drop, he hastily re-
treated. Once the incendiaries approached
the more central part of the village, but the
torches in their hands betrayed them to the
troops, and a discharge of their muskets laid
some half a dozen upon the ground, and the
rest fled. As the ligiit of day once more
dawned upon the settlers, they found the
most of the Indians had retired, while an
Indian was perceived stealing out from be-
hind the barn of J. B. Atkinson, and Thomas
Grayson, who was an excellent shot, deter-
mined to kill him. The distance was about
three hundred yards, and in the gray light
of early morn the savage stood sharj)ly out-
lined against a Ijright background. Slowly
the death -dealing rifle of the settler rose to
bis shoulder, an instant, as he tightened his
grip, as the aim became sure, the shar]), whip-
like report rang out witii wondrous clear-
ness, and the Indian threw up his hands with
a yell and pitched to the ground.
As the ligiit of day grew more briglit the
beleaguered citizens and soldiers saw with
delight that most of their savage foes had
retired, while a small body of them were
driving away some of the captured stock.
A number of volunteers, among whom were
Neis Elofson, Aslog Olson and William Eran-
liam, made a charge upon the latter, when
the Indians fled over the hills, but, wlien the
))arty arrivetl at the brow of the eminence,
they were fired upon from an ambush in the
school-house, and Aslog Olson and William
Branham were wounded. The settlers re-
treated to the stockade, canying their crip-
pled comrades with them, and some of the
stock for which they had ventured their lives.
A few days subsequently the command es-
corted their wounded to Hutchinson to have
their wounds dressed and be taken care of,
and both recovered in time.
On the ITtli of September, Caleb Sanborn,
a settler in the neigh borhood of Cedar Lake,
was murdered by the Indians, who were
prowling around in that locality, murdered
in cold blood, through a general hatred of
the white race and being filled witli the
malice and cruelty of the Evil One himself.
The next day a party, consisting of Lewis
Harrington, Daniel Cross, T. K. AY ebb, Silas
Greene, Frank Jewett, David Hern and
Nathaniel Pierce, left the town of Hutchin-
son to get the body and to bury it decently.
After their arrival north of the lake, while
skirting the forest, tliev were startled bv the
discharge of three rifles, and saw with dis-
may one of their numlier, Daniel Cross, fall
to the ground, movtally wounded. Five of
the party jumped into tiieir wagon and left
for a more secure place, whilst T. R. Webb
found his way to a small boat in the lake
and paddled for the island, where he s])ent
the niglit. The next morning he escaped
and reached Hutchinson, meeting on the way
a iiosse of about fifty, who had started in
search for the bodies of Cross and himself..
This party marched on to the scene of the
ambush, and recovered the bodies of both
Sanborn and Cross, and returned safely to
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
547
their homes. It seems that it was discovered
then that there were thirteen redskins in the
body, who had fired on the little squad.
On the 5th of September Lieut. William
Byrnes, of the Tenth Minnesota Infantry,
with a part of a company of that regiment,
numbering some forty-five muskets, started
to reinforce any troops that tlien might be
in Meeker county, and took up their quar-
ters at Kingston, turning the storehouse of
Hall & Co., of that place, into a barrack for
his men. This he strengthened by means
of earthworks, and during the same time car-
ried on scouting expeditions all over the
vicinity. Ca])tain Pettit, of tiie Eiglith Min-
nesota Infantry, with liis company, had rein-
forced Captain "Whitcomb's command at For-
est City, and Avas there on the reappearance
of tlie Sioux on the 22d of September. Word
that day was brought to tlie county seat that
the red fiends were again committing out-
rages, this time at Lake Ri})ley (now Litch-
field), and Captain Pettit asked the coopera-
tion of his comrade. Lieutenant Lymes, in a
movement to the neighborhood of the hos-
tiles. The next morning the latter sallied
out with some thii"ty-six men, and, uniting
his command with that of Captain Pettit,
who had eightA'-seven, and five of Captain
Wliitcomb's mounted rangers as guides,
started for Lake Kipley. On their arrival
they found the body of poor Olson, the black-
smith mentioned in tiie first part of this arti-
cle, lie had been shot three times through
the body and once through the hand, was
scalped, his brains beaten out, his throat cut
fi'om ear to ear, and his tongue cut out by
the roots.
After burving the dead and picking up
three women who had been hiding several
days in the woods, and sending them on to
Forest City, an extended reconnoissance was
made toward Diamond Lake, in Monongalia
county, through a deserted country, covered
with the ruins of tlie settlers' cabins and
wantonly-killed stock. On the morning of
the 25th, while on their return to Forest
City, they surprised a party of Indians with
some stock, which the}' took in charge, the
Sioux fleeing on catching sight of them.
On the 23d of September, Capt. Eichard
Strout, having sent out a party to scout
around, was alarmed by the report of the little
band who returned with the information that
they had had a skirmish with the enemy at
Greenleaf. and one of their number slain.
Other parties of scouts came in with the
information of having seen pai-ties of red-
skins, who seemed to have flocked here in
great numbers.
From this time on the country was safe,
for troops, having been organized, now came
forward to fill the places held by the Irregu-
lars, and calm settled down on the land. Still
the strained nerves of the citizens would
vibrate at the slightest sound, and they saw
and heard an Indian in every suspicious noise
or movement.
We now come to the concluding phase of
this tragedy, the death of Little Crow, the
prime instigator of the conspiracy, with
whose demise, and the hanging of the thirty-
eight at Mankato, terminated the terrible
massacre of 1802.
On the 1st of July, 1863, nearly ten
months after the first blow was struck, James
McGannon was killed between Kingston and
Fair Haven, bj^ some Indian, said to have
been Little Crow. On Friday, July 3d, follow-
ing, Mr. Lampson and his son Chauncy were
out hunting and suddenly came in sight of two
Indians j^icking berries on section 30, Col-
linwood township, on a little prairie opening
in the woods, interspersed with clumjis of
bushes and a few poplar trees. These sav-
ages were Sioux, and Avere Little Crow and
his son Wowinapa. !Mr. Lam])son and his
son crept up within gunshot, and lieing the
best shot took aim at Little Crow, his son
covering the bov, who was about sixteen
548
MEEKER COUNTY, MlNNESOl^A.
years old. Two reports rang out upon tlie
still air, and the Indian cliief fell to the
ground, hit just above the hip. He, how-
ever, snatched up his gun and tired it and
section 20, Litchfield township, bears the fol-
lowing inscriptions, and was erected by the
State, in 1878:
SOUTH SIDE.
his son's piece in the direction wiiere the
curling smoke betrayed the presence of the
enemy, but another report came from the
settlers gun and tlic ball hit the savage in
IK MEMORY OF TIIE FIRST
FIVE VICTIMS OF
THE (lUEAT INDIAN M.\SS.\CRE IN 1863,
AND
BURIED HERE IN ONE GRAVE.
the side and lie fell over. After asking his
son for water, which was given him, he ex-
WEST SIDE.
pired. The son, wiio iuid on the clothes of
the murdered McGannon, escai)ed, anil after
wandei'ing around was Knally captured some
twenty -six days after in the neighborhood of
ROBINSON JONES,
VIRANUS WEBSTER,
HOWARD BAKER,
ANN BAKER,
CL.\RA D. WILSON.
Big Stone Lake.
During the eventful year there were killed
EAST SIDE.
by the red fiends, of the settlers in Meeker
county, the following twelve persons: Rob-
inson Jones, Mrs. Ann i'akcr, Viranus Web-
ster, Clara D. Wilson, Philip Deck, Joseph
"FIRST BLOOD."
Page, Lmus Howe, VVumot May bee, JNels
Olsen, Caleb Sanborn, Daniel Cross and
NOETH SIDE.
Thomas McGannon. To the tirst five vic-
tims of the murderous Sioux there has been
erected a monument by the State, commem-
orative of the beginning of the fearful out-
ERECTED BY THE STATE, IN 1878,
UNDER THE DniECTION OF
THE
MEEKER CO. OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.
«
break that deluged this fair land with blood
and fire. Besides the soldiers who lost their
lives in this county, of whom tiiere is no per-
sonal record, two Swedes were slain within
the limits of Acton, as they were fleeing
thitlier for safety. Their names were Lorin-
son and Backlin, wiio had settled at Eagle
Lake, Kandiyohi county, but had left there
with a train of fleeing citizens and were over-
taken just this side of the county line and
murdered. One of them had a number of
butcher knives sticking iu his body when
found.
The monument, whicii stands in the Ness
No)'wegian Lutheran Churcii cemetery, on
The personal experiences of the settlers of
this and the adjacent counties during the
exciting times of the outbreak and massacre
are given in detail in their sketches in the
biographical depiirtment of this work, to
which tiie reader is referred. The subject is
one of great interest to ever}' one, and, as the
data from wiiicii these narratives are written
are taken down from the participants them-
selves, strotigly portray the trials and jierils
endured by the jiioneers of this region.
Stamped with the plain accents of truth,
these }>ei'sonal biogra})liies make up the full
history of tliese perilous times, and finish out
the tale of woe, of life upon the border, in
the fateful year 1862.
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
549
Before dismissing this tragic episode in the
history of Mealier county, at the desire of
many of the survivors of those fearful days,
it is proper to say that the prompt and
hearty aid accorded to the imperiled settlers
by Gov. Alexander Eamsey, has won
him a place in their esteem and affection
that is undying, and the mention of his
honored name touches a chord in the breasts
of the participants in the Indian war that
vibrates with gratitude for his noble actions
and efficient work at that time. A truly
respected and beloved inan in this com-
munity, he needs no monument to recall him
to the children's children of the old settlers
of Meeker county ; their regard has built up
one in their hearts that is more
than stone or bronze.
enduring
8E!'
TO\VNS
L.
ISTOI^IK^,
■•• ♦♦♦»♦»♦»♦♦♦»♦»♦♦■
*
CHAPTER VIII.
FOREST CITY TOWNSHIP.
[fvV^HE subdivision of the
count\' which ))eavs the
above name is one of tlie
oldest settled and one
of the most pictur-
esquely beautiful. It
embraces what is techni-
callv known as congressional
township 120, north of range
30 west, and contains 22,-
84G.87 acres in all, only
88-1-.37 of which are covered
with water of any descrip-
tion. It is for the most part
extremely fertile, and the
timber which covers a por-
tion of the territory is of
the finest character.
It was upon tlie shores of the north branch
of the Crow River, that meanders through
the emerald prairies and leafy groves of this
town, that John lluy and Thomas H. Skin-
ner, the first settlers of the county, passed the
lonesome and dreary winter of 1855, as related
in the history of the early settlement of the
county, in a former portion of this volume.
I). M. Hanson, a talented young lawyer of
Minneapolis, and Rudolph Shultz had come
here with Iluy and Skinner, but on the ap-
proach of winter returned to the " Flour
City," where Hanson died the following
April. Shultz returned to this county in the
spring, and took up a claim in what is now
Harvey township.
With the advent of the new year of 1856
came new settlers, the first to ari'ive l)eing
])ossibl3' Milton G. Moore and Elijah IJemis.
The exact date of their arrival can not be
ascertained at the present moment, but the
former was ajipointed register of deeds and
the latter sheriff at the time of the organiza-
tion of the county, that same spring. Nei-
ther of them remained long, both leaving
the county a few years after their settle-
ment, probably in 1858.
During the year 1856, others made settle-
ments in the township, among whom were
the following named, some of whom still
live here, some have moved away, while still
another poi'tion have passed to their reward
beyond the grave :
Jose])h Weymer, Sr., Jacob Weymer, T.
Carlos Jewett, Samuel anil Dudley Taylor,
Isaac C. Delamater, David Mitchell, Wait H.
Dart, Charles E. Cutts, Walter Bacon, Lean-
der L. AVakelield, John Whalen, John A.
Quick, James Bramhall, Mathew Miles Stan-
dish, John W. Johnson, Charles McAron,
550
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
551
John Patterson, lleniy Clinton, LoringHuy,
Ogden T. Tuttle, AV. H. Vaness, John Kim-
ball, Edward Fitzgerald, J. W. Griswold,
Jndson A. Stanton, Harrison G. O. Thorns,
Charles N. Shed, Rev. John Eobson, John
Flynn, John Wigle and Wyman Evan.
Most of these first settlers took up claims
and commenced to improve their land, erect-
ing log cabins in which to live. Their near-
est market being St. Paul, they were, of a
necessity, compelled to deprive themselves
of all the comforts and conveniences of life,
but game was in abundance in these pristine
wilds, and they did not suffer from hunger
at least.
The year 18.57 witnessed a still furtiier in-
flux of settlers into this township, prominent
among whom were the following : Milton
Gorton, John Sullivan, John Murray, James
B'. Atlcinson, Jacob Knapp, Jacob Ball,
James "Willis, John Heath, A. F. Heath, L.
F. Haines, Isaac Perrine, Allen Teachout,
H. N. Baker, H. M. Angier, William Rich-
ards, W. W. Woodman, Hamlet Stevens,
A. B. Hoyt, G. M. Blandin, H. Walker, B.
F. Butler, Thomas Grayson, D. P. Dela-
mater, Charles and William Willis, ]^. O.
Griffin, Michael Lenhart and W. S. Chap-
man. Many' of those, also, have left the
county, but a few are still residents, either of
the farms upon which the}^ settled or in the
village of Litchfield.
The hard times that followed the financial
crisis of 1857 had a discouraging effect upon
all emigration, and the tide of settlers flow-
ing into Meeker county was not so strong dur-
ing the year 1858 as might have been expected.
Still there were a few that came to Forest
City township, and made settlements that
year. Among them were : Sylvester Stevens,
Charles McPartheon. L. W. Henry, Patrick
Finnegan, Rev. J. C. Whitney, R. AV. Brown,
U. S. Willie, a lawyer ; George S. Sholes Sr.,
George S. Sholes Jr., J. A. Baird, Thomas
E. Masse}^ A. C. Smith; John D. Evans,
Charles and Samuel Getchell, E. K. AVright,
James Merrill, Levi Getchell, F. M. Scott,
Dennis Cronin, G. AV. Parker, and N. W.
Bannister. But few came here after this,
until al)out the close of the war, and the
condition of the country was more settled.
The terrible outbreak and Indian massacre
of 1862, a history in detail of which has
been given in an earlier portion of this work,
not only caused the cessation of settlement
in this portion of the State, but nearly all
that were here left to seek secure quarters
for their families. Some never returned and
others only after considerable absence.
During the year 18(33, there were but few,
if any, new settlers to locate in this town,
and the population was much reduced in
number, both by the people leaving and by
the manv men being absent with the Union
armies.
FiftST ITEMS.
The first birth was that of Sarah Jane
Dougherty, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Thomas Dougherty, who was born here
while her parents were camped Julj' 15,
1856. The first birth among the settlers of
this township was that of a son to John
Whalen, born in the early part of 1857.
The first death was that of Frank Parsons,
a young man, who died November 12, 1856,
and was buried on the town site.
The first religious services were held by
Rev. John Robson, a Methodist minister, in
November, 1856.
The first steam saw-mill was put up by
John Robson, near the village, in 1858.
The first school-house was built in 1857,
on section 17, and the first teacher was T.
Carlos Jewett.
FOREST CITY VILLAGE.
The village of Forest City was originally
laid out by Stand ish and Moore, surveyors,
in the summer of 1857, for the proprietors,
T. H. Skinner, AV. S. Chapman, J. AV. Huy,
552
MEEKER COUNTY, MIXXESOTA.
A. M. Fi-idlev, A. Juclvson Ucll, and E. E.
Wilson. Tliisplat is described as covering the
northeast (juarter of section IT, and the
northeast (luarter of section 2(i, and was
filed for record August 13, 1857. For some
reason this was replatted, and other territory
added in the latter part of 1858. The plat
was tiled for record ]\[arch 23, 1859, and
covered the south half of section 17 and
the west half of the northwest quarter of
section 21. The ]iroprictors are desci'ibed
officially to have l^een W. P. Curtis, of Hen-
nepin county, and Thomas 11. Skinner, pres-
ident of the Forest City Company. To this
nines, Kimball and Beedy laid out an addi-
tion on the northeast quarter of section 17,
in September, 1871, the plat being filed on
the 6th of that month.
Dudley Taylor and his wife had a large
log building put uj), in which they kept the
first hotel in the village and in the county.
A few other cabins were put up by the few
settlers here, and thus the county seat was
commenced.
Early in the spring of 1857, James B. Atkin-
son came to the village with a load of goods,
and putting up a building, about the 1st of
March of that year opened a general stock
of gooils. This was the first store in the
township, and in the county. This estab-
lishment he presided over until the summer
of 1802, when he took in as partner, Mark
W. Piper, who ran it while Captain Atkin-
son was fifihtino' in defense of his country.
In 1866, Piper sold out to Atkinson, he hav-
ing acquired sole possession, and the latter
gentleman ran the store until 1879, when it
was closed out.
The second store was opened in the village
in 1858, b)' Fitch & Stanton, who ran it
until the time of the Indian outbreak, when
the goods were removed to a safer place by
their owner.
Others in trade after this were : Thomas II.
Skinner, who started in 1862, who afterwaid
sold ittoChauncey Dart ; Campbell & Flynn,
Wait H. Dart, Jesse V. Bi-anham, Sr., Ilines,
Kimball & Beedy, O. C. McGray, C. D.
Boom, Brost & liodgers, William Hardy,
Frank McCumber, William Knight and
Nicholas Schreiner.
J. A. Baird established a lirickyard herein
1858, and made the fii'st brick in the county,
liut, finding but little chance for his business
at that tune, returned to Minneapolis the
same year.
On 'the 22d of March, 1858, the United
States land office, which had been located
here, arrived at Forest City, and with it came
John D. Evans, receiver, and A. C. Smith,
register. Both of these men were afterward
prominently identified with the growth of
the place, and the institution over which they
presided had a great influence in giving an
ini|)etus to the settlement of the county.
A postoffice was established in the fall of
1856, with Walter C. Bacon as postmaster,
and in the spring of 1857 he was succeeded
by James B. Atkinson. In turn this posi-
tit« Avas held by the following named gentle-
men : AVilliam IJichards, J. A. Stanton, C.
F. Woodman, O. C. SIcGray, Benjamin Man-
ter, William Hardy and others. Nicholas
Schreiner is the pi-esent incumbent.
W. S. Chapman brought with him and
erected the saw-mill, and, in company with
others, operated it for a short time, when it
was sold to John Bobson. After a little
time it was again disposed of and removed to
Bear Lake.
The Forest City flouring-mill was erected
in 1865, by Hines, Kimball ife Beedy, and
was operated by that firm for several years.
N. C. Ilines then sold out to his partners,
and the\' ran it untd a few years ago, when,
becoming linancially embarrassed, it passed
into the hands of Stout, Mills i*e Temple, of
Dayton, Ohio, and was ojierated for them by
William Hilderbrandt, until May, 1888, when
it was purchased by a Minneapolis party.
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
553
Forest City Lodge, No. 70, A. F. & A. M.,
the oldest lodge of an^^ kind in the county,
was organized under dispensation, May 18,
1867, with the following list of charter mem-
bers and officers : A. C. Smith, W. M. ; J. B.
Atkinson, S. W. ; T. Carlos Jewett, J. W. ;
H. G. 0. Thorns, tyler; George W. AVeisel,
Sylvester Stevens, John S. Shields, Jesse S.
Hippie, and Perry D. Bentley. The charter
granted the lodge was dated November 11,
1869. The lirst officers under this were as
follows: A. C. Smith, W. M.; G. AV.AVeisel,
S. W. ; T. C. Jewett, J. W. ; M. W. Piper,
T. ; J. AA^ McKean, S. ; S. B. Ilutchins, S.
D. ; E. A. Campbell, J. D. ; and A. G. Peters,
t^der. A. C. Smith was his own successor
in the otfice of worshipful master, until the
dissolution of the lodge, December 23, 1871,
caused by the removal of most of the mem-
bers to the rising village of Litchfield.
The Methodist Church was oi'ganized in
the old school-house, in 18.57, althougii there
had been services held here ]ireviously. Rev.
Tiiomas Ilarwood was tlie first pastor. Serv-
ices wei'e held in pi'ivate houses, school-
houses, or where occasion offered, until 1869,
when, with the removal of most of the mem-
bers to Litchfield, the church was moved to
that village.
The Baptists have an oi'gauization in the
village at the pi-esent, and have a neat and
tasty church edifice built in 1879.
On the 19th of September, 1857, pursuant
to a notice given, the people of this town
met at the house of AVarren AV. AVoodman,
to take some action toward building a school-
house. Mr. AVoodman was made chairman,
and J. AV". Griswold, secretary. After some
remarks by John Robson and AVilliam
Richards, a committee, consisting of C. E.
Cutis, John Robson and J. A. Stanton, was
appointed to see how much money could be
raised for the purpose. The committee
reported that the sum of $205 could be raised
for a church, or $130 for a school-house, and
on putting the nuxtter to a vote, five pre-
ferred a church, and six a school-house. A
committee was then appointed, consisting of
C. E. Cutts, John Robson, T. C. Jewett and
J. A. Stanton, to collect subscriptions. At
a meeting held a week later, the committee
reported that the following gentlemen had
agreed to contribute toward the matter :
John Robson, J. AV. Griswold, AV. Richards,
D. P. Delamatei', J. B. Atkinson, A. B.
Hoyt, Jacob Ball, John AVigle, David Bal-
stor, C. E. Cutts, IL AValker, T. H. Skinner,
John Kimball, Thomas Gra3'son, James Pat-
terson, H. G. O. Thoms, Allen Teachout,
John Flynn, Milton Gorton, J. A. Stanton,
B. F. Butler, T. C. Jewett, and A. AV.
Angier.
A\^. AV. AVoodman entered into a contract
to ])ut up the Ijuildiug for $250, and it was
finislied tluit same fall. This was the first
school in the town.
'S^{^--»-
CHAPTER IX.
TOWNSHIP OF MANATSTNAH.
^HE subdivision of the county
known by the above name em-
bi-aces all of Congressional town-
ship 121, north of range 31 west, and con-
tains 25,393 acres ; only 31.31 are covered
by water. There is more available land in
the town than in any other, were it denuded
of the heavy timber that covers a large por-
tion of its territory. The beauty of its scen-
ery attracted the attention of its earliest set-
tlers, and it has not lost an}' of its attractive-
ness by the lapse of years. The rich farms
and clearings among the primeval forests
have a charm peculiarly their own, and are
found in abundance. South of the river the
land is chiefly pi'airie, interspersed with
groves of timber.
Tlie pioneer settlers in this town Avere
554
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Nathan C. Caswell. Zil)a Caswell, Alonzo M.
Caswell, Edward I5rown, Silas Caswell and
A. D. Pierce, who came here in 1S5G, as
already detailed in the history of the early
settlement of the county. Tliey put up their
cabins, the first in the town, around the town-
site of the village.
The same fall tiiere came to the little set-
tlement John Tower, Carlos Caswell, An-
drew Hamilton, J. W. Walker, Moody Bailey
and Moody Caswell.
Among the settlers of the year 1S57 were
the following named : Jonathan Kimball,
Linus Howe, Mark Bridges, Freeman T.
Gould. E. B. Kingsley. C. O. Whitney, David
Dustin. J. J. Baston, John Setter, G. W.
Lamb, Ilol)ert Lyon, W. D. Magill, Thomas
Faloon, Porter Loveless, Eobert Lang, Henry
Fleming, Henry Harrideen, Ephraim Pier-
son, Charles ]\rayl)ee, Wilmot Maybee, James
Shearer, Alexander Lee, R. D. C. Cressy,
John Adcock, Henry Whitman, J. Hubbard,
J. Marden, J. C. Hollis, S. Sterrett, James
Lang, E. O. Britt and Chauncey Wilson.
The financial crisis that convulsed our
country in 1857 put a stop to all settlement
here as elsewhere, and but a few are found to
have located here in 1858. Among these,
however, were Samuel Clyde, Michael
O'Keefe and Rol^ert Carroll.
Joseph Page and Philip Deck, who were
killed during the massacre days, settled here
in 1860.
The first birth in tiie town was that of Hat-
tie Estelle Kiinl)all, which occurred in 1857.
The first death was that of Samuel Clyde,
who was called hence in 1851*.
The first school was held in district No.
12, in 1866, and Patrick McNulty was the
pioneer teacher.
The first ground was broken by the Cas-
wells. May 4, 1857.
The first religious services were held by
Rev. Mr. Kidder, a Methodist clergyman, at
the old village of Manannah, in 1859.
The first mass of the Roman Catholic
Church was celebrated by Father Anthony,
of St. Cloud, in 1865, at the house of Frank
Mclntyre.
]\Ianannah was oi-ganized at an election
held at the house of J. W. Walker, October
13, 1S57, at which the following officers
were chosen : N. C. Caswell, assessor ; J. W.'
Walker and E. B. Kingsley, justices; Nathan
Caswell and Mark Bridges, constables, and
Ziba Caswell, road overseer. At this elec-
tion J. W. Goodspeed, A. D. Pierce and J.
Kimball were judges, and J. C. Llollis and
Freeman Gould, clerks.
The present (1888) officers of the town are
as follows : Supervisors : Jacob Hammus,
chairman ; Menus O'Keefe, Jr., and James
Fitzpatrick. Clerk: C. J. O'Brien. Treas-
urer : N. C. Caswell. Assessor : P. Enright,
Jr. Justices of the peace : Richard O'Brien
and O. H. Campbell. Constable: Henry
Hukreide.
A name was wanted for the village which
was laid out by J. W. Walker and Ziba Cas-
well, on part of section 30, in the spring of
1856, and search in an old Scottish history
gave them the name of Manannah, so it was
adopted. The partj' who made the survey
and platted the village was a man by the
name of ILalcott, and N. C. Caswell acted as
chain bearer.
A postolfice was established in the new
village in 1857, with Jonathan Kimball as
postmaster ; this has been presided over, in
turn, by Carlos Caswell, Ziba Caswell and
James Lang. The latter is the jiresent in-
cumbent of the office.
On the4:th of March, 1857, Ziba, Nathan
C. and Alljert Caswell commenced the erec-
tion of a hewn log building lSx2t! feet in
size,- one story and a half high, in which, the
following ^Fay, Jonathan Kimball opened a
hotel. This building was used as a stockade
during the Indian outbreak, as detailed else-
where, but is now a thing of the past.
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
555
In May, 1857, J. W. Walker opened a store
in a hewn log building he had erected, which
was the first and only one in the village.
In the same spring "Walker put in the dam
and the following fall put up the saw-mill.
This stood there until after 1862, when it
burned down.
Of the old village, nothing remains, its
glory having long since departed, and grow-
ing crops cover the site of the place that was
hoped would be the principal place in the
count}^
MANANNAH VILLAGE.
The present village of Manannah was laid
out in ISTl, by Ilines, Kimball & Beed\', and
the ]ilat filed for record September 6, 1871.
Cressy's addition was platted by E. D. C.
Cressy, and filed for record November 16,
187-1. It occupies a small part of sections 30
and 31.
In 1869, Ziba Caswell put in a dam at this
place, which partly went out the following
spring. In 1871, Ziba Caswell erected a
store building and opened a general stock of
goods. He was succeeded in this stand by
N. C. Hines, and he, in turn, by Hardy &
Boone, Boone & Mitchell, O. B. Webb, Hines
& Campbell, O. H. Campbell, Gray & Lang,
Haines Bros., Con O'Brien, T. Kerry, Staples
Bros., and by the present owner, C. A.
Staples.
Another store Avas built in 1872, and run
as a furniture depot l)y T. P. Murray until
1874, when James Lang purchased it and
opened his present general merchandise
business.
The hotel was run for a time in 1871 as a
boarding house by N. C. Hines, but the next
year it was opened as a hotel by S. H. Cas-
well. He was succeeded by James Lee, he
b\' Jerome Haight, and then it passed into
the hands of the present proprietor, James
Lang.
At one time there was a tidrd store kept
by Haight Bros., who were succeeded by E.
A. Price, and finally was abandoned.
The flouring-mill was erected in 1872, by
Hines, Kimball & Beedy, and Avas operated
by N, C. Ilines until 1874. He then formed
a partnership with 0. H. Campbell, and it
was run under the firm name of Hines &
Campbell. The next proprietors were Camp-
bell & Caswell, Avho were succeeded O. H.
Campbell, the present owner and opera-
tor. He has largely addetl to it, changing
it to the I'oller system, putting in eight sets
of rolls, with all the other machinery, and a
fine sixty-horse power engine, and it is now
one of the finest mills in the county. The
main structure is 50x40 feet in size, with an
addition 12x40 feet, besides the engine room.
Its daily capacity is 100 barrels.
There is a fine graded school building now
in course of construction, Avhicli is 24x40
feet in size, two stories in height.
The saw-mill which once stood here was
built by Ilines. Kimball & Beedy in 1871.
The Catholic Church of Our Lady, at Ma-
nannah, was established by the late Rev. John
McDermott, of Darwin, in the year 1876,
under wliose direction was built a portion of
the present edifice. The ground on which
the church stands was donated by Anthony
Kelly, of Minneapolis. It is situated on the
bank of the Crow river, on a lofty eminence.
The church building was finished during the
administration of Father Kinney,the parish
then being united to that of Litchfield. On the
removal of the latter, the church was attended
by the present pastor. Father McDevitt, who
resided at Litchfield, for one year. Seeing the
utility of Manannah having a resident priest,
a parochial residence Avas erected in the fall
of 1885, at a cost of about 82,000. The
parish, Avhicli is a separate one, contains
about ninety-five families, and is in a flour-
ishing condition. The church edifice is not
yet completed, as the toAA-er is to be finished
and a bell put up. The first Catholic priest
556
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
that visited this )>art of the country was
Fatlier Anthony, from the Benedictine
Abbe3% in the diocese of St. Cloud in 1865
The mission was visited occasional!}' by Father
Burns, who also resided at St. John's Abbey,
in St. Cloud. Father Arthur Hurley, of the
diocese of St. Paul was appointed to look
after the spiritual wants of the people, and
visited tliem occasional!}', his residence being
at Litchfield. This zealous priest had many
missions to attend to and could visit each but
seldom. After the removal of Father Hurley,
Father Cahill served for some time with mark-
ed success. The late and much lamented priest
of Darwin, Father John McDermott, came
next and under his wise and able adminis-
tration the parisii increased rapidly. Father
Kinney next took charge of the united par-
ishes of Litchfield and Manannah, till his
appointment to the Chui-ch of St. Stephen's,
Minneapolis, in 1S85. Tlie present pastor
then came to Litchfield and later to Manan-
nah, as stated. The churcii corporation
owns property to the amount of al)out
$6,000.
EDEN VALLEY VILLAGE.
The village of Eden Valley, located on the
Minneapolis & Pacific Railroad, on the west
half of the northwest quarter of the north-
west quarter of section 2 and the east half
of the northeast quarter of tiie northeast
quarter of section 3, was laid out by Silas
Cossairt, F. B. Smith and the railroad com-
pany, in the fall of 1886, P.M. Dalil being
the civil engineer. The plat was filed for
record May 11, 1887.
Previous to the location of the town-site.
a store was opened there in May, 1SS6, by
Parker «fe Cossairt. This was a small branch
of their Litchfield store, but, when the rail-
road came liere, they put up a large building
and increased the stock to a great extent.
The next building was a blacksmith shop,
erected by Henry llukreide.
In December, 1886, "William Hardy o])oned
a store for the sale of general merchandise,
and about the same time the two hotels, the
Mansard and Pacific houses, were erected
and opened for business.
Duringthe same month two elevators were
put up, one by Hoskins & Reeves, and the
other by the railroad company. The for-
mer is now operated by Andrew Johnson,
for its present owners, Osborne & McMullen,
of Minneapolis.
The first dwelling house was put up by
Bartley McDonough, that fall, and the second
by C. J. O'Brien. The next spring there
was several other stores adtled to the place,
among them a general stock of some $10,000,
kept by Theisen & Schoen ; a hard ware store
In' C. Schmidt (fe Co., and one by John
Cooney ; one furniture establishment kept by
William Thoms; and other smaller institu-
tions. W. H. Greenleaf & Son have a lum-
ber yard here also.
The ]iostoffice was established April 1,
1887, with Samuel Cossairt as postmaster.
A fine depot was built about the same
time, Avitli L. Y. Brown as station agent.
The Christian church, a neat and tasty
structure, was erected in the fall of 1887.
There are now, in addition to the houses
mentioned above, the following business
places: AVilliam Kersten, general merchan-
dise;two more blacksmith shops; atemperance
pool room. I'lin by E. H. Caswell, and a con-
fectioneiy stand, by T. B. Mann.
CHAPTER X.
TOWN OF KINGSTON.
*HE town of Kingston is the largest
subdivision of Meeker county
acing all of township 120
noi'tli, range 29 west, and the south half of
township 121, the same range. It contains,
in nil, 3-t,389.39 acres, of which 1.337 are
^jisr^HE to\
(^ I y civil s
JIL embni
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
557
covered with water. Much of the land is
still covered by the primeval forest, a j^ortion
of " The Big Woods." The Crow River, that
crosses its territory from west to east, bisect-
ing sections IS, 19, 20, 21,22, 23, 26 and 25,
seems to be the boundary line between the
prairie and forest, south of it being mostly
prairie, and north of it timber land. Con-
sequent upon this, the first settlements were
made in the southern part of the town,
many locating upon the banks of the river,
and at the village of Kingston.
The first to settle in this subdivision of
the county is believed to have been IMark
Gates, in the spring of 1856, and he was fol-
lowed shortly after by J. B. Salisbui'y, A. P.
Whitney, Benjamin and Josiah Doi'man,
John Fitzgerald. Patrick Flynn, A. C.
Maddox, Henry Averill, Cyrus Averill, War-
ren Averill. Elmer Harper, AVilliam Higgins,
John T. Kennison, Joseph Wej'mer, JMorris
Power, Wellington Cates, B. P. Whitnej',
Oliver Patch, Solomon Gi'ay, John K. Per-
kins, John Lowell, Byley Lyford, John Mar-
tin, Uriah Palmer, Enoch Eastman, Rufus
Eastman, Robert Niles, Nelson Niles, and
Scott Hutchinson.
In 1857 Orrin Whitney, S. B. Ilutchins,
Benjamin Ruggles and E. H. Whitney were
the most prominent settlers, but few coming
here that year.
Among those who came here in 1858. and
here found homes, may be mentioned F.
V. DeCoster, George Scribner, A. H. Car-
vill, Jefferson Carvill, and John Do^de.
The trials, tribulations and hardships en-
dured by the pioneers of the town would fill
a volume. Coming here, for the most part,
without money, or the wherewitiial to live
until tliey could get a crop, their endurance
was severely tested. The land had to be pre-
pared, and seed purchased before the land
could be sown, ant! in many cases to get the
seed was a serious problem.
Some of these old pioneers still live in this
town, some are in other {lortions of the
county, many have moved away, and a part
havejmssed to their reward beyond the grave.
Their work remains, however, and it is due
to the hardy pioneers of this county to re-
mark that when they laid the foundations of
society in this part of the State, they builded
better than they knew, and to tiiem is due
much of the development of its resources.
Enough settlers having located here, on the
5th of April, 1858, the town was duly organ-
ized, at which time the following names
bore a prominent part : A. P. Whitney, J.
B. Salisbury, Orrin Whitney, Benjamin
Ruggles, Mark Cates, E. H. Whitney, Joseph
Weymer, Joseph Dorman, S. B. Hutchins
and others of the older settlers. The pres-
ent officers are : Supervisors, John Clay
(chairman), Andrew Anderson and Geo. W.
Robinson ; assessor, Ben Apfeld ; justice of
tiie peace, Walter Salisbury, and Timothy
Murphy, clerk.
The first birth in the town was that of
Will II. Cates, in the opinion of the older
residents. He was born July 6, 1856.
The first death was that of Morris Power,
who died in 1857.
The first marriage, which was also the first
in the county, was that of Joseph Weymer
and Miss Mary Dorman, in August, 1857.
The first school was taught by James A.
Austin, in the summer of 1857. This was
undoubtedly the first in the count3\ The
teacher held the school in the cabin of Enoch
Eastman, which the people had fitted up for
the pui'pose.
The first school house was built in 18G1, at
the village of Kingston.
The pioneer religious services were held at
the village, up stairs over the store, by Rev.
J. C. Whitney, in 1857.
KINGSTON VILLAGE.
The village of Kingston, which lies in this
town, although now of but smaller inipor-
558
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
tance, was, at one time, the rival and peer of
the then county-seat. The location of the
seat of justice at Litchfield, and the arrival
of the I'aiiroad at that village, destroyed the
hopes of Kingston, as well as several others,
and it is now but a semblance of its former
self. The town site was taken up by Albion
P. Whitney, G. R. Nourse and R. P. Upton,
in 1857, and surveyed and laid out that fall
by a surveyor liy the name of Curtis. The
plat was filed for record June 2, 1858. The
village is located upon the northwest quar-
ter of section 22, township 120, range 20.
Here the town pro])rietors put in the dam,
and commenced the erection of the saw-mill
in 1857, anil that institution commenced
operations in July, of that year.
A stock of goods was brought hei-e dur-
ing the spring of 1857, by A. P. Whitney,
and the first sales were made from the los;
cabin of that gentleman.
The same year the first store building
was erected and a stock of goods put in by
Whitney, bourse & Upton. In 1858 A. P.
Whitney disposed of his interest in the con-
cern, and shortly after the business passed
into the hantls of Hines & Carmer. The
next to operate the institution was Iliram
Hall, who was followed by William Hall, and
he by Peck, Hutchinson & Durkee. Peck k.
Durkee were their successors, and were fol-
lowed by Owen ct Murphy, and the estab-
lishment is now under the control of the
Murphy Bros.
The other store building was erected about
1859, and in it N. C. Hines commenced the
sale of general merchandise. He was suc-
ceeded by William Hall, he by F. V. De Cos-
ter, and the latter by E. A. Briggs.
The mercantile life of the village is now
represented by the firm of Murphy Bros.,
dealers in general merchandise ; E. A. Briggs,
capitalist; a blacksmith shop kept by Mr.
Mahoney, and a wagon-making shop operated
by Samuel Dorman.
The grist-mill was erected in 1858. by A.
P. Whitney ifc Co., the foundation having
been put in by (Jri'in Whitney, for them.
The f(jllowing year the property passed into
the hands of Hiram Hall, and was run l)y
Hall & Davis, Hall k, Thompson, King &
De Coster, Hall & Thompson again, and J.
H. Thom]ison, successively, until it was pur-
chased and improved by John Mattson, the
present owner.
East Kingston was laid out in 1871, by
Jefferson Carvill, upon the northeast quar-
ter of section 14, and the plat filed for record
January 24, 1871.
Jefferson and Dr. A. H. Carvill had, how-
ever, in 1806, taken up the mill site, and
erected a dam at this place, and the follow-
ing year put up the grist and saw mill, which
constituted the entire business of the place.
The Carvill Bros, ran the mills until 1873,
when the doctor sold out to John Norgren,
and for several years they were operated
under the firm name and style of Carville &
Norgren. Jefferson Carvill then became
sole proprietor, but for the past three years
the mills have been silent, they being in liti-
gation.
CHAPTER XI.
CEDAR MILLS TOWNSHIP.
IST^HIS town, which embraces all of
y townslii]) 117, north range 31 west,
lies in the extreme southern part
of the county. It contains a total acreage
of 24,209.44, but 077 acres are taken up by
the various lakes that dot its level and
beautiful surface. The largest of these pel-
lucid bodies of water, Red Cedar Lake,
received its name from Xicollet on account
of an island in it covered with timber of that
variety. On the old maps, and in John C.
Fremont's work, it is designated by its
Indian title of Ranti-tia-wita, or the Lake of
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
559
the Tied Cedar Island. From this the town
drew its name. The ground is shghtly roll-
ing and of a prairie character, and the soil
is of a warm, rich, black loam, which has a
wonderful adaptability for raising wheat
and other cereals.
The first to make a settlement within the
limits of this town was Daniel Cross, who
came here with his family in 1856. He was
one of the victims of the tragic days of the
Indian outbreak, being shot down by the
treacherous Sioux.
In 1857 K. J. Brodwell, O. S. Merriam,
Philander Ball and Elmer Eighmey made
settlements here. The same year the follow-
ing settled here also : Milton Coombs, Hector
Hunter, David Hern, John Hunter, a
German by the name of Steinkopf, AYilliam
Hunter, Charles H. Stinchfleld, L. S. Wey-
mouth and a Doctor Hester, who brought
several young men with him. The names of
the latter have passed out of the minds of
the settlers, and can not be given at this late
day.
The settlers of 1858 wei'e the following
named, who all found homes here : S. D. L.
Baldwin, George R. Jewett, C. G. Topping.
. In the year 1859, a few more settlers
here found the land they were seeking, and
took claims. Among them were — George
Nichols and Jesse W. Topping, both of whom
were largely instrumental in the growth of
the town.
Among the jiromment arrivals of 1860
■were II. J. Lasher, J. M. Pitman, Seth
Nichols, and one or two more that no longer
live here. No more valuable citizens than
those named above could have found a home
here, and after they took up their claims
here they Avere strongly identified with
every movement calculated to benefit the
community.
Among those "who, although not very
early settlers, still having done so much to-
ward the upliuilding of the town, deserve
mention in a work of this character, are the
following named : Arthur AVheeler, Isaac
Wheeler, Jesse Barrick, A. C. Barrick, John
Curry, William Owens, James A. Austin,
Elijah Austin, E. E. Austin, R. D. Grindall,
Edward Stafford, Edwin Gillett and C. B.
Jordan.
The first deaths occurred in 1S59, and
were two children of Elmer Eighmey's.
The first school was taught by Miss
Sophia Pratt, at the residence of Daniel
Cross, in 1860, at Cedar Mills. The first
school-house was built in 1869, and E. B.
Com stock was the first teacher there.
The first religious services were held the
winter of 1859-60, at the house of H. J.
Lasher, by Ilev. H. Adams, a Presbyterian
minister from St. Peter.
There was a postofiice established here in
1858, with C. G. Tupping as postmaster.
He held the ottice until 1861, when he was
succeeded by H. J. Lasher. During the In-
dian outbreak, the latter buried the official
papers in the ground, and for several years
there was no postofiice within the town
limits. In 1870, in answer to a petition the
postoifice was re-established, with Thomas
Vinacke as postmaster. He was succeeded
by J. D. Baldwin, who resigned two years
later. O. W. Sterns was the next to occupy
that position. Following him came E. B.
Conistock, Elijah Austin, L. E. Austin and
the ])resent incumbent, Mrs. Julia Anderson.
The Presbvterian Church was organized
in the town in May, 1879, with Rev. J. S.
Sherrell, of Litchfield, as pastor, and a mem-
bershi]) of about twenty-five. The first elder
was John C. Curry, but later on S. W. Bar-
rick and J. W. Topping were elected to the
same position. In 1882 a neat and hand-
some church edifice was erected upon a lot of
four acres of ground donated by Judge Yan-
derburg, of Minneajwlis. The building cost
some -$1,800. Services were kept up every
alternate Sabbath until October, 1887, when
56o
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Rev. E. CuiTV became tlie resident pastor,
and services are lield on every Sunday. The
church lias now a menibersbip of forty-one,
witli tlie following- officers : H. J. Lasher, J.
W. Topping- and S. AV. Barrick, elders; R.
A. Wiieeler, H. J. Lasher, E. B. Littell,
Franklin Curry and L N. Wheeler, trustees.
The church was dedicated July 16, 1883,
Rev. D. E. Wells, of Minneapolis, preaching
the sermon.
The ))ioneer store of Cedar Mills was
established in ISTO, by J. D. Baldwin. For
a couple of years he ran it, alone and in com-
pany with a brother, and then sold out to O.
W. Sterns. A shoil time after this gentle-
man formed a jiartnership with E. B. Com-
stock. These parties drifted into the black-
smith business and their mercantile venture
came to naught, finally, and some years after
they disposed of the smithy.
In the fall of 1870, Ira Williams put in a
stock of goods, but altera short time in his
possession and in that of E. Gdlett. it was
purchased by L. E. Austin, who ran it for
ten years. In the fall of 1887 another store
was started by Elliott & Anderson, but in
March, 1888, it was sold to the present pro-
prietors, Standish Bros.
There are now two blacksmith shops in the
village, one run Ijy Louis Ivlamm, and the
other by A'igenske & iJumont.
The flouring mill at Cedar Mills was erected
by George Nichols, in 18.58, who run it until
1867, when it was purchased by C. B. Jor-
dan. The latter employed Samuel Anderson,
a miller, to run it, but some time afterward it
passed into the hands of Dr. Y. P. Kennedy.
He took out the machinery, remodeled it,
and finally sold the equipment, and it was all
taken down and moved away.
The town was organized January 25, 1870,
at a meeting held at the residence of Isaac
Wheeler, some thirty votei-s being present.
Mr. AVheeler was chosen moderator, and
James A. Austin clerk of the meeting, and
the following town officers chosen : J. M.
Pitman, chairman, and E. II. Halsted and
E. R. Austin, supervisors; J. A. Austin,
clerk; John Dyer, treasurer; E. Gillett,
assessoi' ; V. P. Kennedy and A. C. Barrick,
justices.
The officers for 1888 are the following:
Supervisors, E. B. Littell, chairman, F. E.
Wheeler and A. G. Beckstrand ; clei'k, James
A. Austin ; treasurer, R. D. Grindall ; asses-
sor, I. X. Wheeler ; constables, W. A. Currj'
antl A.D.Cross; justice of the peace, T.
Vinacke ; roadmasters, Vincent Combs, Amos
Barrick, O. J. Austin, E. C. Bell. Fred
Schultz, II. II. Weeks.
-««
CHAPTER XII.
SWEDE GROVE TOWNSHIP.
^^Hj^^HE subdivision of Meeker county
l)earing this appellation lies upon
[^ the western border of the county,
and comprises the thirty six sections of
Congressional township 120, nortii of range
32 west, and contains 22,746.0-1 acres,
22,155.18 of which are either fine farm lands,
or covered with the primeval timber, the
balance being water. For the most part the
surface is of a gentle, I'olling character, and
is neai'ly all of it natural meadow or prairie,
interpersed with native groves or mottes of
timber, seemiiigh' prepared for the plow by
beneficent nature. The soil is the ricli.dai'k,
sandy loam, that has made the name of
Minnesota synonymous with all that is fertile
and productive.
Several beautiful lakes nestle on the bosom
of the township, which all abound with vari-
ous species of the finny tribe, and because
of the abundance of the game in this neigh-
borhood, and the fine quality of the fisli, it
was a favorite resort for the Indians in an
eaih' dav. The lakes bear the names of
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
561
Wilcox, Mud, Miller, Peterson, Halga, and
Elofson.
Among the sturdy pioneers that made set-
tlements in this township in 1857 were
Hans Peterson and his family, Peter E.
Hanson, then a lioy, Andrew Peterson, N.
E. Hanson, John Eosencranz, Bertha Elof-
son, and her sons. Nels, Andrew, and Peter
Elofson, jSTels Thorbjornson, Helgar Olson,
Amos Olson, K'els Olson, and Nels Askelson.
With the year 1858 came others to found
homes in this part of the county, prominent
among whom Avere the following : William
H. Wilcox. Christian Erickson, Halver Mick-
elson, Arslag Olson and John Larson. Mr.
Wilcox is one of the few native American
settlers in the town, and holds the warmest
esteem and respect of the entire community.
Arslag Olson was the settler who was so
badly wounded during the attack on the
stockade at Forest City, in 1862.
Swen Nelson and a few others settled in
the town during the year 1859, but from
that time until the close of the war there
were very few, if any, who sought homes
here, and none are remembered by the old
settlers.
The town was a portion of the civil town-
shi]i of Acton until March 15, 1868, when it
was organized as a .separate precinct, by
Nels Elofson, Nels E. Hanson, and AV. H.
Wilcox. The name was given on account
of its having been first settled V)y the Swed-
ish colony. At the first election among the
officers chosen were the following: Nels
Elofson. chairman of the town lioard ; Nels
E. Hanson, clerk ; and W. H. Wilcox, treas-
urer.
The present officers are as follows : Swan
W. Olson, chairman ; Andrew Elofson and
Andrew Peterson, supervisors ; Nels Oke-
son, clerk ; Henry Palm, treasurer ; Mr.
Sily, justice ; and Xels Erickson, constable.
In 1864 a postoffice known as Swede
Grove was established at the house of Nels
Elofson, then on section 33, and that gentle-
man made postmaster. He held that
office until 1870, when he resigned to make
a trip to the old country, in favor of Mr.
Dahlquist. The latter held it about one
year, when he was succeeded by Ole J. Le-
vander. It was removed to what is now
Grove City, in 1870, when Mr. Dahlquist
was appointed, and has continued there ever
since.
The first birth in the town was that of
Peter Peterson, the son of Andrew Peter-
son, born January 3, 1859. The second was
that of A. P. Hanson, born the 9th of June,
following.
The first death was the child of Ole Nel-
son, a Swede who came here in 1857, but
shortly after went to Carver county. The
child was buried on Nels Elofson's place.
The pioneer marriage was that between
John Larson and Miss Hannah Elofson,
which took place in 1858.
The first school was taught at the house
of Nels Elofson, by Kev. William Bagiund,
a Lutheran minister, in 1859.
The first religious services were held at
Nels Elofson's residence on section 33, in
1859, by the Ptcv. Mr. Bagiund.
The pioneer to ]ilow up the sod and
sow grain was Hans Peterson, in 1859; He
did some breaking in 1857 and 1858, but did
not sow until the vear mentioned above.
CHAPTER XIIL
DASSEL TOW'XSHIP.
[i^^HE subdivision of Jleeker county
that bears this name lies in the
eastern tiei- of townships, and em-
braces all of Congressional township 119
north of range 29 west, and contains 22,967.66
acres of ground ; 3,275.66 are covered with
water, leaving something like 19,692 acres
562
MEhKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
suitable for agricultural use. ]\ruch of the
land is covered with tiuiber and the soil is of
a choice quality. The town was originally a
portion of the town of Kingston, and when
set off was called Swan Lake, after a body of
water Avithin its limits, of that name. In
1871, on a petition of tlie citizens of the town-
ship its name was changed to Dassel, after
the village of that name within its bound-
aries.
The earliest settk'i's in this portion of the
county wereuntloubtedly two surveyors by the
names of C. L. Jiichardson and Edwin Ayres,
who located here in ISofi. They came to this
locality from their homes in Houston county,
this State, having come from Mexico, N. Y.,
originally. They built a cabin on section 14,
where they lived until the Indian troubles of
1862, when they fled, and the savages burned
their shanty. This was on what was after-
wards termed Ayres' Prairie.
There were no other settlers who located
in the town until after the Indian massacre,
which depopulated the border and checked
the tide of immigration in lS(i2. In Novem-
ber, 1863, Isaac Eussell and his brother
Anthony "W., with their families, came here
and took up claims on section 10. The\'
were natives of Vermont. Tliey Uved here
some Tears, and combined hunting and trap-
ping with their farm ojiei'ations. Isaac, in
1875, went to the Black Hills, but retui'ned
here in 1882, and here died, November 13.
1883. His brother died some years previous
to that.
Wells Tumans, with his family, made a set-
tlement in the summer of 1805, on section 14.
The same year he was followed by Barne}'
Cox, G. D. Arrowood, and Peter and "William
Cunningham.
The settlers of 1866 were the following
named, who all took up claims and per;na-
nently located in the town — Thomas and
James Sellards, Lewis Eudberg, John Erick-
son, John Rudberg, "William Mayiiard,
Andrew Davidson, Mrs. Gardner and her
son Peter, David "W. King, John McKinney,
Madison Delong, John Hendrickson, Eric
liuiKjuist, B. N. Backstrom, Henry Mattson,
and James Littom.
Among those who fouiul homes in this
town in 1867, were : Peter Johnson, Harlow
Ames, Sr., Harlow F. Ames, Henry Ames,
and others. All these now occupy cjuite
prominent positions in the county, as will l)e
seen on reference to the biographical depart-
ment of this work.
The first school-house in the town was
built in 1867. on the corners of sections 10,
11, 14 anil 15. It was a small atTair, l)uilt of
logs with a dirt roof, and had to admit the
light through two small half sash, let into the
sides. Mrs. E. M. "Winan was the pioneer
teacher.
The first frame house was erected by
Harlow Ames on section 23, and is now a
])ortion of the residence of that gentleman.
Tlie first chimney regularly built was also
by him.
The first child born in the town was
probably George Cunningham, Avhose liirth
took ])lacelate in the year 1865. The second
was that of Ada Tumans, who was born ]\[ay
6, 1866.
The first death was that of the child of
James and Margaret Littom.
The first marriage w-as that of Barney Co.x
and Janet Davitison, which occurred in
April, 1S68.
The township was organized as Swan
Lake, in the fall of 1866, at which time the
following officers were chosen — John Smith
(chairman), Frederick Spath and "NA^ayne
Russell, supervisors; G. D. Arrowood, clerk ;
Andrew Davidson and William Maynard,
justices of the peace. G. A. Arrowood was
appointed the first assessor. In 1871 the
name of the town was changed to its present
one. The present (18SS) officers of the town-
ship, consist of the following named — Super-
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
-563
visors: Andrew Davidson (chairman), Nelson
Tninans and John Boo ; clerk, W. S. Cox ;
treasurer, Peter Johnson ; assessor, A. J.
Waller; justices, W. Bartholomew and Isaac
Yervalin.
A Methodist church was organized in
187-i, by William Arrowood, in the school-
house in district 21, with eighteen members,
■which has been kept up ever since. In 1885
the congregation erected a church edifice on
the northwest corner of section 11, where
they hold services every Sabbath, which are
partially of a union character.
The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran was
organized October 14, 1873, by Kev. F. Peter-
son, with the following membership : An-
drew Olson and wife ; Andrew Anderson and
wife; Swen Johnson and wife; Andrew Larson
and wife ; E. A. Boren and wife, and Lars
Nelson and wife. The first officers were the
following named : A. E. Boren, secretary ;
A. E. Boren, Andrew Olson and Andrew
Anderson, deacons ; and Andrew Larson,
Lars Nelson and Swen Johnson, trustees.
The congregation own some ten acres of
land on section 5, where they have a frame
church. The jjastorate was vacant until
1881, when Pev. J. S. R3'ding took charge of
the church. He was succeeded in jSroveml)er,
1883, by the present pastor. Rev. L. A.
Hocanzan, who has filled the duties ever
since. The present officers are : L. A.
Hocanzan, pastor; Andrew Tunians, secre-
tary ; A, P. Gissle, A. Frank and John Lind-
quist, deacons; and Nels Olson, Andrew
Freeman and Andrew Larson, trustees.
There are seventy-two communicants and
l-fO members connected with the church,
which holds meetings ever}^ Sunday. A Sab-
bath-school is lield in operation during the
summer months, and a parish school is held
during some eight weeks in the year, with
aljout forty scholars. The ]iroperty has a
value of about $250, but no debt is due
on it.
DASSEL VILLAGE.
The village of Dassel, which is situated in
this township, upon the southeast quarter of
the southwest quarter of section 27, and lot
0, of the same section, and u])on the north-
east quarter of the northwest rjuarter and
the west half of the northwest quarter of
section 3-4, was laid out and platted Ijy the
St. Paul &c Pacific Railroad in 1803, on tlie
advent of the road at this point, and tiled
for record on the 11th of October, 1870.
Several additions have been added to the
original town site by Horace P. Breed, Ber-
nard Dassel, A. M. Bell, and Jonas Rudberg.
The land whereon the original site stands
was owned previous to this h\ Madison De-
Long, who had made a claim to it, and had
erected a shanty near where R. T. Elliott
now lives. Parker Simons, who was a civil
engineer in the employ of the St. Paul &
Pacific Railway, purchased the claim and
proceeded to lay out the town, the railroad
company acquiring an interest subsequently.
He moved his family here as soon as the
road was opened and made this his home,
although his business called him away
nearly all the time for several years.
The town was named after Bernard
Dassel, who was the secretary of the St.
Paul & Pacific Railroad Companv, at
that time. After laying out the place,
in the fall of 1809 Mr. Simons put up
the first frame Ijuilding-, and was quickly
followed by Seth Nichols. Ralph Wal-
ters erected a building for hotel purposes,
which was opened and run as such by Mr.
Phillips, and is still standing.
During the fall of 18fi9 there were a few
other dwelling houses erected, but in the
pring and summer of 1870, quite a boom
for the new village set in and a number of
houses and store buildings were put up, and
the population largely increased until it is
to-day the largest place in the county out-
side of the countv seat. It has now three
564
MEEKER COUN rv, MINNESOTA.
elevators, a flouring mill, a woolen mill, two
hotels, a public hall, engine house and jiub-
lic library. Congregational, Seventliduy
Adventists, Sweiiish Lutheran and Swedish.
Missicjnary churches, and the tile stove
w'orks. Quite a number of store buildings
have been put up, and are all well filled with
excellent stocks of goods, both necessaries
and luxuries, aiul the mercantile trade is well
rei)resented i)V a fine class of enterprising
merchants, who are doing quite a large share
of the business of this section of the county.
The jiioneer stoie was o|>ened by James
and Charles Morris in the fall of ISCO, who
displayed a full stock of general merchandise.
This ]ilace was run by the original owners,
and afterwards b}' Charles Morris until 1872,
when it was sold to Wilson & Bunting, wiio
continued to operate it until 1875, when the
business was purchased by the Rudberg
Brothers.
A steam saw mill was next erected by
George Brower, William Bradford and
Thomas Wilson. These gentlemen operated
it but a short time, Avhen there was a change
in the copartnership, and it passed through
several hands, until in 1875, when it was
destroyed by tiiv. The following year it
was rebuilt and continued in opei';ition until
about August, 1881, when it was blown down
by wind and never rebuilt.
James H. Morris, now of Litchfield, built
the second store building, the one now occu-
pied by Peter Johnson as an office, in which
was opened a stock of general merchandise
in 1872.
In 1872 the third store was commenced by
Mickel Henderson, who died before finishing-
it. In the latter part of October, 1873, this
building was occupied by O. II. Sundahl and
Lewis and Jonas J. Rudberg, who opened a
general stock. This they ran until 1874.
Then C. A. Morris purchased SundaiiFs in-
terest, and in 1875 the firm purchased the
business of Samuel Bunting's executors, as
above stated, and incorporated it with
their business.
The fourth store building was built by
Norgren k, Co. in 1875, and was occupied by
them until 1880, when they removed to
their present quarters.
John Osborne was the first to deal in
lumber and furniture, commencing in those
lines in 1874. In 1881 he sold out to the
Itudberg Brothers, and this old stand is still
continued by the survivor of that firm, John
Rudberg.
The old Dassel riouse,tlie pioneer hotel, was
built in 1872, by George Brower, and for a
time was run by him. Samuel Bunting
afterwards o])crated it, and, after his death,
his widow. J. II. Remick held the position
of landlord from 1877 until February 3,
1883, when the structure burned to the
ground. It was then rebuilt in its present
shape.
The first hardware store in Dassel was
established in 1880 by H. L. Babst, who ran
it until 1882. when he sold out to K. M.
Bell, who in ls8(i disposeil of it to W. S.
Bartholomew, who sold it to Cox & Galla-
gher in 18SS. L. W. Leigliton and J. M.
Johnson, in August, 1882, opened the second
store of this character and carried on the
trade until Jaiuuay 7, 1887, when Mi'. John-
son bought his partner's interest, and the
firm is now J. M. Johnson it Co.
The pioneer drug store was commenced in
1872, by C. A. Morris and Lewis Rud-
berg, who carried it on until 1875, when
Rudberg sold to his partner, who operated it
until 1880, and then disposed of it to Dr. Mc-
Collum and George Breed, who sold it again
in 1883, to Rudberg Bros. On the death of
Jonas Rudberg, in 1885, a partnership was
formed by his widow and R. F. Case, which
lasted for one year, when the latter purchased
tiie business, aiul cariies it on.
The first grain warehouse was built in
1870 by the IMillers' Association, and in 1876
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA,
565
the same corporation erected the pioneer ele-
vator. The latter, now owned by the Minne-
sota and Dakota Elevator Company, has a
capacity of 30,000 bushels of wheat, and last
year (1887) handled 7,000 bushels of that
cereal alone. It is under the management of
Harry Hines. The Dassel elevator was
built by the citizens of the place in 18S0, and
has a capacity of 45,000 bushels; in 1887
shipped some 65,000 bushels of wheat.
This is managed by J. II. McKinney. The
CargillBros. elevator was erected in 1885, by
Alexander Cofield, and this institution
handleil 70,000 bushels during the past year.
Weisner & Mattson, the proprietors of
the machine and l)lacksmitli shop, established
their business in the fall of 18S3, as a wagon,
blacksmith anil repair shop, which they
carried on until the fall of 18SG, when they
put in an engine of four-horse power and
some machinery. October 30, 1887, their
shop was destroyed by fire, when they met
"with a loss of some $1,500. At once they
erected their present shop, which is 40x60
feet in size and well fitted up, and where
they carry on business, employing some four
or five workmen.
The flouring mill of Dassel was erected as
a foundry in 1883, and in 1887 E. Heglund
purchased it and remodeled the edifice and
put in roller machinery of the finest descrip-
tion. It has a capacity of sixty barrels per
da}', and is valued at between $8,000 and
$10,000. The building is of solid brick and
substantially built, and the internal arrange-
ments are of the best. The motive power is
furnished by a good engine of forty horse-
power. The output of the mill ranks with
the best, and is made out of the famous Min-
nesota hard wheat.
The woolen mill was built about 1882 by
G. 1j. Lewis and S. P. I'reetl, and is one of
the leading industries of the jilace. It has
• been improved largely of late, and is now in
the hands of a stock company.
A custom card-machine mill was built in
1876, by G. B. Lewis & Co., for the manu-
facture of certain kinds of woolen yarns, but
it was destroyed by fire in 1880. From the
ashes of this rose the present woolen mill.
The first wagon shop in the village was
run by L. W. Leighton, in the spring of 1874.
The first blacksmith sho]) was opened by
Frederick Spath, in the fall of 1869, in a
log shanty, without any roof, where he
carried on ijusiness for a short time, and then
built another smithy. He remained in this
business in the village until 1881, when he
removed to his farm in the township where
he now lives.
There is a most excellent graded school,
the building in which it is located, a hand-
some and substantial brick edifice, having
been erected by the Indejiendent district in
1885. It contains eight rooms, and cost some
$10,000 to build and tiuish. Prof. R. McKay
is the present j)rincipal. The town hall and
library are located in the same house with
the village fire apparatus, and are each of
them worthy of more than a passing notice.
The library, which consists of an extensive
selection of choice booivs, reflects great credit
upon the taste and enterprise of the place
in initiating so noble an institution.
The tile stove works of Peter Johnson is
yet in its infancy, and is the only one of the
kind in the United States. It was estab-
lished by the present proprietor in 1886, and
is for the manufacture of tile stoves, etc.,
such as have been in use in the northern part
of Europe for years, but which have been,
until now, unknown in America. Mr. John-
son has inaugurated the enterprise at an out-
la}' of some $10,000, and, having already met
with a merited success, anticipates greatly
enlarging the plant in the summer of 1888.
This is one of the greatest institutions in
the county and such places as St. Paul and
Minneapolis would bid high to have it
brouoht into their limits.
566
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
The postoffico was established here in the
fall of 1SG9, and Isaac Atwater, the station
agent of the railroad, was the first postmas-
ter. He had the office in the depot, and there
held it until the summer of 1877, when he
was succeeded by C A. Morris, J ul y 1. Lewis
Rudl)erg was the successor of Mr. Morris,
and entered upon its duties July 1, 1881, and
held it until January 1, 1883, when he gave
way to Louis Osterlund. Ma}' 1, 1887,
Henry Clay assumed the duties of the office,
and is the present postmaster.
The village was duly incorporated as such
March 4, 1S7S, and is still governed under
the charter granted at that time. The first
officers of the village were the following
named : J. B. Smith, president ; C. A. Mor-
ris, recorder ; H. P. Breed, Allen Weatherby
and J. J. Rndberg, trustees. Since that time
H. P. Breed, J. J. Rudberg, J. II. Eemick,
L. W. Leighton, P. Johnson and J. 11.
McKenney have filled tlie office of president
of the village hoard ; J. J. Iludberg, Fred
Spath, C. A. Morris, August Sallbei'g, Lewis
Eudberg, J. M. Johnson, L. W. Leighton,
John Norgren, William Gallagher, A. M.
Bell, John Iludberg, S. O. Lindgren, L. A.
Whitmore and Alexander Cofield have served
as members of the board of trustees. W. L.
Yan Eman, C. A. McCollum, Douglas Mar-
tin and S. O. Lindgren have each in turn
filled the position of recorder. The present
officers are as follows : W. D. Bangs, presi-
dent ; S. O. Lindgren, recorder; J. Norgren,
treasurer; W. S. Bartholomew, justice, and
J. Kudberg, J. M. Johnson and J. J. Lind-
quist, trustees.
The Gethsemane Swedish Evangelical Lu-
theran Church was oi-ganized February 13,
1S73, with the following memi:)ers : Daniel
Johnson and wife, Taylor Johnson and wife,
Swen Johnson and wife, F. J. Peterson and
wife, C. J. Johnson and wife, Olaf Dahlman
and wife, and Johannes Johnson and wife.
The officers at the time of its establishment
were as follows: Rev. J. G. Lagerstrom,
pastor; D. Johnson, secretary ; Daniel John-
son, Swen Johnson and Taylor Johnson, dea-
cons ; C. G. Johnson, Olaf Dahlman and C.
G. Johnson, trustees. A log ciiurch was
built the same year by the congregation, at
Steelsville, in which services were held until
1878, when they purchased the school-house
for $350, in the village of Dassel, and fitted
it up for a church, which they occupied until
lS8aker, Ahram Kelley. John
Blackwell, Cajjtain Robinson, and Joim
"Wiiiqnist.
Among the few that located here between
that time and the jieriod of the Indian
massacre were Mathias Paulson, Paul M.
Paulson, in 1859, and Peter, and John P.
Johnson and Ole Larson, in 1861.
The fearful tragedy, known as the Indian
outbreak, commenced in this town, as is de-
tailed at full length in the history of the
massacre in this volume. Isot only did all
the survivors of that bloody Sabbath flee the
country, but for sevei-al years only few came
here to take their place, nor did they return.
Among the settlers of tiie next ten years,
who have so materially assisted toward the
development and upbuilding of the town and
the develojiment of its resources, may be
mentioned the following named — John Blom-
berg, August Davidson, Hans Cristoferson,
Thomas Johnson, John Lnnke, Bersvend
Thorp, Lars Christianson, (). P. Draxten,
Peter Brandt, Sever Johnson, P. O. Eiden,
Ole P. Eiden, Ole Peterson, O. M. Linnell, Ole
P. O. Engen, John Syng, and P. M. Peterson.
The first birth was that of a son of Peter
Eitchie, which occurred in 1859.
The first school was taught at the house of
Nels Waylander, on section 4, in 1859, by a
man by the name of Algreen.
The ]>ioneer religious services were held at
the same cabin in 1858, by Eev. John Eob-
son, a Methodist divine.
As to the first death and first marriage
there are numerous opinions, and the com-
mittee could not decide, as many of the
older settlors have left this part of the county,
and exact liates can not be given.
Acton was set off and organized in April,
1858, and then embraced all the territory
now constituting the town of Danielson and
the south half of Swede Grove, besides its
present jurisdiction.
Nearly all the settlers here at the time
took an active part in the matter, and much
interest was manifested in the outcome.
The officers of the town for the current
year (1888) are the following named : Nels
Waylander, chairman of the town board ;
O. T. 0. Lee and J. P. Berg, supervisors ; O.
M. Linnell, clerk ; Nels A. Draxten, treas-
urer ; John Paulson, assessor, and Peder Pet-
terson Swenaas, justice of the peace.
TUE VILLAGE OF GROVE CITY.
Grove City was laid out and platted by
the St. Paul & Pacific Eailroad Company, on
the northeast quarter of section 3, of this
township, in the summer of 1870, the plat of
which was filed for record with the county
register of deeds, August 26, 1870. One ad-
dition has since been added to the original
site bv the same corporation, the plat of
whicii was filed September 11, 1877.
Among the. very first settlers of the village
were Olaf Levander, A. P. Nelson, Swan
Hokanson, George Okeson, Mark W. Piper,
A. S. "Wilcox, Andrew Okeson and E. P.
Eklund.
The first dwelling-house on the site of the
new village was erected by Olaf Levander, in
the spring of 1870. About the same time a
house was put u]> by the railroad company
for the section hands, and the next one was
built by Swan Hok.anson.
The business life of the village commenced
the fall of 1869, when Ilines, Kimball &
Beedy, of Kingston, ])ut uj) a store building
and opened a stock of genei'al merchandise,
uniler the charge of M. W. Piper. Two years
afterward this was sold to W. "W. Hobbs,
who finally died, when the pro]>erty was ])ur-
chased bv Nels Luberg, and the goods by
Nels Elofson ; the latter closed them out
shortlv after.
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
577
The second store was opened in 1870, by
Larson & Dahlquist. A year or two after,
Louis Larson purchasing his partner's inter-
est, became sole proprietor, and thus operated
it for three years, and then closed out the
goods and moved to Atwatei'.
0. H. Peterson started a store in 1876, and
in Jul}', 1878, was succeeded by Peterson,
Nelson & Co. This firm was succeeded, on
the death of Mr. Peterson, by Dudley & Nel-
son, and in their hands it remained some
three j'ears. I. Hooper then became a part-
ner, but was bought out again, and A. P.
Nelson disposed of his mterest to O. L. Dud-
ley, who, in turn, sold out the business.
Eeitan & Christensen are the present propri-
etors.
The pioneer blacksmith shop was put uji by
E. P. Eklund, in the fall of 1869, and he still
carries on the business.
The first hotel, which was known as the
Swede Grove House, was erected bv Louis
Olson in 1874, and run by him until his
death ; afterward his widow rented it to M.
J. Paulson. The latter purchased the prop-
erty in 1879, and continued the landlord of
the Grove House, for he ciianged its name,
until the spring of 1888, when he leased it to
S. D. Kingstrom, the present host.
The business of the place is represented by
the following firms : Reitau & Christensen,
general merchandise; O. N. Lindell, hard-
ware and furniture; Fenstad ik: Grinsgard,
general merchandise; A. O. Lawson & Co.,
clothing and general merchandise; M. A.
Brown, general merchandise ; A. J. Florin,
boots and shoes ; Hans Norgood, boots and
shoes; Otto Dersch, agricultural implements,
stock dealer, butcher siio]), flour and feed ;
John Harstad, liarber and confectionary ;
Olaf Jorgenson, harness; P. J. Malnupiist,
E. P. Eklund and Ole B. Anderson, black-
smitlis ; Bresden Ar Hawkinson, lumber;
Eklund & Nelson, agricultural implements ;
O. N. Lindell, drugs; Ole Palirson, Peter
Redin, Nels Lagergren and Nels Elofson,
saloons; E. N. Hanson, wheat buyer and
flour depot ; Swen Hawkinson, jewelry,
clocks, etc.; Dudle}' & Nelson, insurance ;
and the three elevators of Dudley & Nelson,
C. E. Sundberg and the Northwestern Eleva-
tor Co.
The village of Grove City was incorpora-
ted as such, by an act of the State Legisla-
ture, passed February 14, 1878. At that
time tlie Secretary of State appointed C. J.
Erickson, Nels Paulson and A. S. "Wilcox as
commissioners to issue the notices for the
first election, and to govern the balloting at
the time. At this election there were chosen
the following officers : A. S. "Wilcox, presi-
dent of the village board ; Nels Paulson,
recorder ; C. J. Erickson, treasurer ; and N.
Loberg, C. C. Eeitan, and P. J. Malmquist,
trustees. The first meeting of the new gov-
ernment met March 1, 1878, when most of
the officers were duly sworn in. The gov-
ernment of the village is vested at present
(spring of 1888) in the following gentle-
men : O. N. Lindell, president ; P. J. Malm-
quist, Otto Dersch and A. O. Lawson,
trustees ; John N. Gaynor, recorder ; A. P
Nelson, treasurer ; N. E. Hanson and N.
Loberg, justices; and J. J. Hartstad and
Olaf Ask, constables. C. C. Eeitan was
president of the village board for three
terms, Init prefers to eschew politics for the
present.
Grove City Lodge, No. 69, A. O. U. ^ ., of
this village, was organized November 4, 1880,
with the following named charter members:
N. M. Holm, J. "W. Jamison, N. Paulson, C.
M. Carlson. H. P. Stark, George T. McKin-
ney, J. T. Ally, Olaf Levander, L. N. Lund,
A. P. Nelson, P. N. Engstrom, A. "W. Lar-
son, lion. O. M. Linnell, N. E. Hanson, C. E-
Lindberg and John Christensen. On organ-
ization, officers were chosen, of whom the
following is the roll : N. M. Holm, P. "W. M.;
N. Paulson, rec; H. P. Stark, fin.; N. E.
578
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Hanson, receiver; J. W. Jamison, G.; P. N.
Engstrom, I. W.; A. W. Larson, O. W. Tlie
lodge is in a very healthy condition, and is
one of the noble benevolent orders that are
of so much benefit to the families of the
members in cases of sickness and death.
The present officers are: A. P. Nelson, P.
M. W.; O. N. Lindell, M. W.; D. A. Roos,
O.; N. N. Waylander, F.; J. N. Gaynor, R. ;
C. C. Reitan, receiver ; A. O. Lawson, fin.;
J. J. Harstad, G.; P. Paulson, I. W.; H.
Simonson, O. W., and J. Christensen, D. D.
G. M. W.
There are three churches in the village, all
having neat and tasty edifices for worship.
They are the Swedish Baptist, Swedish
Lutheran and the Norwegian Lutheran.
The ])ostoffice, whicli is the old Swede
Grove postoffice, brought to the village by
Olaf Levander in 1870, has been presided over
since his administration by Nels M. Holm,
N. P. Olson, H. P. Stark and John Gaynor.
The latter is tlie present incumbent of the
office.
CHAPTER XXIL
GREENLEAF TOWNSHIP.
11
^^HE sul)di vision of Meeker county,
\'i) which takes its name from Hon.
William H. Greenleaf, comprises
all that tract of land known as congressional
township lis, north range 31 west, and con-
tains a total of 24,736.07 acres, 1,958.23 of
which are covered with the waters of its
lakes and streams, and 22,777.84 are fine
arable land or e.xcellent timbered ground.
The soil, like the entire county, is a fine,
rich, dark, sandy loam, and peculiarly fertile
and susceptible to a high state of cultivation.
The pioneer settlers in this portion of the
count}' were two men by the names of George
Orcutt and JMr. Pratt, who located on the
southwest cpiarter of section 35, in the sum-
mer of 1850. They commenced to break up
the land, and had got about three or four
acres of the sod turned \vhen the Indians
killed one of their oxen, which crippled their
team, and growing discouraged thej' threw
up the job in disgust and moved to Forest
City, remaining in that village until the fol-
lowing fall, when they left the county.
The first pei-manent settlers were a family
of brothers, AVilliam, Herman and Charles
Kruger, natives of Germany, who came here
in May, 1857, and located together on sec-
tion 12. William is still a resident of the
township, living on section 13; Herman is
living near the village of Hutchinson, in
McLeod county, and Charles makes his home
in LeSueur county.
After these, in 1857, there came to this
portion of the county the following named
settlers, who here found homes — George C.
Whitcomb, Vincent Coombs, Milton Coombs
and Jesse V. Branhara, Sr.
The settlers of 1858-9 were John Sampson,
John A. Sampson, Roland Angler, Hender-
son M. Angler, Charles Allen, George Mc-
Gowen, Jonathan Keach, Mr. Mathews, Ira
Pratt, Sr., Ira Pratt, Jr., Silas Pratt, and
Mr. Malloy.
Of the settlers of the year 1860, most of
them are still residents of their original
claims, but some have removed from the
county to pastures new, or have paid the debt
of nature. They were as follows : Lewis
Meagher, John McGraw, Patrick Manning,
Michael Ilanley, Michael R3'an, Michael
Carrigan, Pijtrick McCnnn, Thomas Reagan
and Hans and Even Evenson, and others.
After the Indian outbreak of 1862, for
several years, emigration seemed to have
ceased, but about 1865 it recommenced and
has steadily filled up the countj- with a sturdy
class of citizens that is rapidly developing
its resources. Of those who have settled in
Greenleaf since the massacre days, but are
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
579
yet entitled to the distinction of old resi-
dents are the following : John B. Pennoyer,
Martin Spellicy, Hiram Delong, Martin
Lawson, John T. Putzier, John Knack,
Daniel Kevins, L. M. Johnson, Jacob Ander-
son, J. William Johnson, Leonard lloman
Johnson, J. A. Nystrom, C. M. Beckstrand,
Olavius Hanson and Alexander Hanson. A
great many of the pi'ominent citizens of this
township are noticed at length in the bio-
graphical department of this volume.
The town of Greenleaf was organized as
•a civil township, at a meeting held August
27, 1859, and at that time embraced all the
territory now known as ColUnwood, Ells-
worth and Greenleaf, except the northern
tier of sections whicli were attached to the
town of Litchfield. At this organization
the following named gentlemen took a prom-
inent part : Dana E. King, George C. Whit-
comb, W. H. Greenleaf, George McGowen,
Jonathan Keach, T. H. Webb and Dr. Pus-
sell AVhiteman.
The present (1888) officers are : David
Shepherd, chairman ; I^els B. Johnson and
Alfred Anderson, supervisors ; Even Even-
son, clerk ; John Spellic}', assessor ; Even
Evenson, justice of the peace ; and C. W.
Anderson and Ole Oleson, constables.
The first death was most probably tiiat
of Mrs. Kruger, the mother of the three
Krugers, about 1859.
The first school was held in the Manning
neighborhood.
The fii'st school-house was erected where
the Swede church is now located, on section
10, about 1868. This was a log structure,
and in this Miss Viola Dart taught the first
school.
The first rehgious services were held at
the house of John Sampson, in 1860, by Rev.
Andrew Jackson.
The BeckviUe Swedish Lutheran Church
commenced with services held at the resi-
dence of Erick Norelius, in 1859. Worship
was held at various private houses and in the
school-house, until 1873, when the present
church edifice was erected. The first perma-
nent pastor was the Rev: P. Backman, who
settled here in 1869.
CHAPTER XXIIL
COLLINWOOD TOWNSHIP.
*HE town which bears the above
name, embraces all of Congression-
ly al township 118, north of range 29,
and is one of the most beautifullv ])icturescjue
in the county. It has a surface area of
over 2-1,000 acres, of which a portion is
covered with the waters of the beautiful
lakes that bestud its surface. It lies entirelv
within the limits of the timber belt, and it is
largely still in its primeval, wild state.
Beautiful clearings, like isles in the sea of
waving foliage, dot its surface, and the cot-
tages of the settlers lend life to the picture.
The first settler in this part of the county
was Charles C. Dewing, in the fall of 1862.
Although several claims had been made
within its boundaries, previously one by Den-
nis Felix, in January, 1858, and one by Levi
Wilcox, in September, 1857. Neither of
these settled here however.
The next to take up homestead and settle
here was Thomas Fallon, who filed his claim
in Januarj', 186'1, and was followed in the
summer and fall of the same year, by Jacob
Hutchins, Thomas J. Hutchins, Jacob Blair,
Elkanah McStotts, Alexander Ramey, Harri-
son Fuller, Philip Van Blarrecom, Hawkins
Steel, Oliver Rasnick, E. K. Counts, Canaan
Counts, George Fuller, Swan Johnson, John
Fosberg, David Parks, ISToah Parks, and
Lazarus Parks.
Most of these ])eople came from their
native State, Virginia, and the town was
know as New Virginia, previous even to its
organization.
580
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
During the year 1865, there was added
quite a number to the popuhxtion of the
town, nearly all of the same sturdy class of
woodmen, wiio literally hewed out homes for
themselves here. Their names were : Abra-
ham Pancake, George Pancake, John Mc-
Ivinne\', James Currington, Jasper Wright,
Solomon H. AVriglit, AV. A. Wright, William
Taylor, Charles Taylor, Jonathan Watson,
David Taylor, Lemuel and John Dent}', An-
drew Slujrtridge, Ei'in Kamsdell, George H.
Watson, Jolmson Taylor, Abraham Risner,
William J. Yates, Erick Larson, Amost
Stage, K. M. Young, and John Acres.
Among those who settled here shortly
after this were tlie following named : Moses
H. Bogar, Peter Anderson, Erick Stitiinson,
T. H. Bogar, J. A. Quick, Taylor Johnson,
George W. Clark, James Grant, S. Johnson,
and others.
The first death was that of Mrs. E. K.
McStotts, who died in the fall of 1S65.
The first marriage was that of John Tay-
lor and Miss Elizabetli llutchins, in the fall
of 1866.
The first school was taught by E. K.
Counts, during tiie winter of 1866-7, in what
is now district 17, on the Van Blarrecom
farm, on section IS.
This was the first school-house built in the
town, put up in the fall of 1866, the first
school officers of the district being — Jacob
Blair, clerk; E. K. McStotts, treasurer; and
Jacobs Hutchins, director.
The first religious services were held in
what is now Steelsville, in the Grove, by the
Pevs. William Maynard and James Sellards,
two Baptist clergymen, in 1867. The first
church organized was that of the Methodists,
who formed a class in the fall of 1868, with
J. A. Quick, as class-leader, and George
Fuller as steward. The fii-st ])astor was
George D. Potter. This church is still in
existence, and John A. (^uick is still the
classleader.
The town was organized as New Virginia
in the spring of 1866, with the following
officers elected — E. K. ]\[cStotts, chairman,
and Canaan Counts and Hawkins Steel,
supervisors; E. K. Counts, town clerk; Jacob
llutchins, treasurer; Jacob Blair, assessor;
Oliver Pasnick, justice; and ILarrison Fuller,
constable.
The name of the town was changed
throngh tJie influence of IL C. Bull and
otliers to its present name, '■ Collinwood," in
1868.
The officers for the present year are the
following named — Supervisors, Oscar Peter-
son (chairman). Matt Anderson, Swan Cervin;
clerk, Peter Sangreen ; treasurer, Erik Dahl-
man ; assessor. Matt. DeLong ; justices, John
A. Quick and G. O. Bailey; constable, Will-
iam Adams.
A village was laid out in 1866, on the
shores of Lake Collinwood, by H. C. Bull,
an eastern man, and called Collinwood, in
which David Parks was the pioneer mer-
ciiant. Bull and Taylor followed soon after
in the same line of trade. David Parks put
up a saw-mill which he sold to Pendergast
Bros., and by them was moved away about
1876. The latter parties also erected and
ran a grist-mill, but it, too, has ceased run-
ning. A postoffice was also establislied with
IL C. Bull as postmaster. He was succeeded
by L. G. Pendergast, and various other
parties, but finallj' the whole thing was aban-
doned.
Bonniwell's mill was erected in 1870, by
Geoi'ge Bonniwell and his nephew Charles,
who purchased the water power and site of
Lloyd and William Pendergast. This was
operated by them and by George Bonniwell
alone until June, 1887, when it was destroyed
by fire.
Jewett's mill, built by G. R. Jewett, in
1867, on section 7. This is a saw and grist-
mill combined, and still ojierated by Mr.
Jewett.
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
581
CHAPTEE XXIV.
TOWNSHIP OF ELLSWORTH.
ONGRESSIONAL township 118,
north of range 3U west, is known
'as the civil town of Ellsworth. It
comprises some 23,019 acres ; 18,494 acres
are either fine, arable prairie, oak openings,
or covered with timber; 4,525 acres of its
sui'face are included in the beautiful lakes
which dot its bosom. It was named in honor
of that gallant hero. Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth,
who was so ruthlessly murdered at Alexan-
dria, Va., in the spring of 1861, for defend-
ing his fiag from insult. Tiie soil, a quick,
warm, sandy loam, is remarkalily fertile, and
the return to the husbandman ample. The
chief product is wheat, of tlie best quality
of the much sought after hard variety.
The pioneer settler in tins town was Dr.
V. P. Kennedy, now^ a resident of the coun-
ty seat, who came here in June, 1856, and
took tlie land formerly claimed by Dr. F. N.
Pipley. He made his residence here for a
number of years previous to his removal to
Litchfield.
The others who made settlements in what
is now Ellsworth, during the year 1856,
were — Thaddeus E. Webb, James Barrett,
Dr. Eussell "Whiteman, and ))ossibly one or
two others.
Like all who pioneer the way for advanc-
ing emigration, these hardy men and their
families were called upon to endure many
privations, such as is incident to life upon
the frontier. Their nearest market was St.
Paul, a hundred miles distant, by the rude
road of the period, and the smallness of
their crops gave them but little to purchase
with when tliey reached that cit}'.
In 1858, there came to this subdivision of
the county, the following named, who found
homes here — James Fallon, John M. Mous-
ley, Alfred Mousley, John Hurley, W. II.
Greenleaf, Dana E. King, and a man by the
name of Hook.
In 1859 and 1860, there were but few to
seek homes in what is now Ellsworth town-
ship, the financial panic of 1857 having for
a time put a stop to all, or nearly all, immi-
gration. Among the few who did dare to
come west in those years and locate here,
Avere the following named : George
McGowen, Ira Pratt, Sr., Ira Pratt, Jr.,
Silas Pratt and Mr. Mathews.
Tiie Indian outbreak of the fall of 1862,
depopulated this town, along with the
balance of the county. For a little while
thereafter, there were but few within its
limits, l)ut it has gradual^ filled up, how-
ever, until now it has a respectably large
population of sturdy farmers.
The first birth in Ellsworth occurred in
1857, and was that of a child born to Dr.
Eussell Whiteman.
The second births and first deaths in the
village, were those of Frankie and Fred, the
twin babies of Hon. AV. II. Greenleaf, whose
birth and death occurred in 1860.
The next time that the angel of death came
to this locality, was in 1862, when Mr. Hal-
stead died.
The first school-house, was the one erected
in 1859, and in which Lydia Angier taught
the first sessioii.
Ellsworth township was for years a por-
tion of the town of Greenleaf, but on the 1st
of September, 1868, it was organized as a
separate civil township, under its present
name. At the first election therein, most of
the residents took an active part. The pres-
ent officers are as follows — Supervisors:
Eudolph Krussow (chairman), Jonathan Mc-
Stotts and D. Barret ; assessor, Ira Gleason ;
clerk, N. Y. Taylor; treasurer, Eudolph
Leverence ; justices, John Vogelpohl and L.
L. Sisson ; constables, D. F. Smith and Wm.
Christoph.
582
MEEKER COUNTY, MIXXESOTA.
GREENLEAF VILLAGE.
Tlie village of (xreenleaf was laid out and
platted by Dana E. King, in 1859, and the
plat filed for record on the 3d of Septemljer
of that year. Shortly after this W. H.
Greenleaf, A. C. Smith and Bennett M.
Brink acquired an interest in the town site
by purchase. The village plat was situated
upon the southwest quarter of the southwest
quarter, the southwest quarter of the south-
east quarter, and lots 5 and 6, of section 30,
and contained a mill site and water-power.
Previous to the laying out of the town, in
the fall of 1858, William II. Greenleaf and
Dana E. King came here, and ^he former,
finding a mill site, went back to Wisconsin,
and, purchasing the machinery for a saw-
mill, returned the same fall with Bennett M.
Brink, and the two in company erected the
saw-mill and improved the water-power.
Around this mill sprang up the little settle-
ment which bore the name of Greenleaf.
atter the founder of the leading industry of
the place. Dana E. King returned in 1S59,
and laid out the town as above mentioned,
having preempted the land. In 1859 Jud-
son A. Brink came to the embryo village,
and here made his residence until 186-1, when
he returned to New York State, from which
he had come, where he died of consumption
at a later date. Greenleaf and Brink oper-
ated the mill from December, 1858, until the
spring of 1862, when Judson A. Brink pur-
chased the interest of Mr. Greenleaf, and the
two brothers ran the mill in partnership until
1861:. Steam was then put in and its owners
continued its operation until three years
plater, when they removed the machinery
some few miles into the woods. It was after-
Avard removed to the village of Dassel.
In 1862, on closing out his interest in the
mill, W. H. Greenleaf put up a store build-
ing, and opened a stock of hardware and
groceries. This was the first attempt toward
mercantile life in the village, and was, like
everything else in the county, interrupted
by the dreadful Indian outbreak of the
autumn of 1862. In March, 186-1-, Mr.
Greenleaf returned here and put in a stock
of general mercluunlise. A short time after
this he took into partnership C. B. Jordan,
but, two months afterwai'd, sold out to his
]iartner. The latter gentleman ran the store
for some years, but subsequently disposed of
it to John Rank, who ran it for some time.
One year after selling out, W. H. Green-
leaf erected the second store building, and in
it opened with another stock of the same gen-
eral character. This establishment he sold
out to L. S. Weymouth, who carried on the
business until 1884.
Anderson opened the third store here in
1868, and ran it for one year. These were
all the mercantile establishments of the
place. Miss Sophia C. Pratt, the present
postmistress of the village, is also the present
merchant, and carries an extensive stock of
general merchandise.
A flouring mill was erected in the sum-
mer of 1862, by Dana E. King and Judson A.
Brink, but its construction and equipment
having been interrupted bj' the Indian
troubles, it was not in running order until
186-I-. This manufacturing institution, which
was a large and well-constructed building,
with three run of stone, was shortly after
sold to Xorman Pixley and Albert Delong,
who ran it in partnership until 1873. Mr.
Pixley then sold out to his copartner, who
admitted to the firm J. R. JNlcDonald, and
under this management the mill remained
for a time. Finally, as the investment did
not pay, it was sold to Mr. Leiser, who tore
it down and removed it bodily to Traverse
county, this State, about the year 1879.
The United States Land Office, which had
formerly been located at Forest City, was re-
moved to Greenleaf in 1866, at which time
Dr. Fletcher was the receiver, and B. F.
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
583
Baker the register. This office remained in
the village until in December, 1869, when
the growing importance of the railroad town
of Litchfield, the new county seat, attracted
nearly everything else in the county, and tlie
office was moved to that place.
A seminary was started in the village in
1867, with Rev. W. 0. Harding as principal
and Miss Todd as assistant. On account of
the sparsely settled condition of the country
at that time, this institution of learning,
which was ablycondiicted, could not be made
a success, and only existed for some two
3'ears, when it was abandoned for want of
sufficient support.
The first school was taught in the village
in 1859, by Miss Lj'dia Angier. This was
the first district school in the town of Ells-
worth, and was held in a school-house that
was built the same year.
The first and only hotel of which the place
could l)()ast w^as opened by C. W. Butter-
field in 1865, he buying the residence of
Dana E. King for that j'ui'pose. He has
kept it ever since, enlarging the original build-
ing as the necessities of the occasion required,
and is still the landlord.
The first religious services were held at the
residence of W. H. Greenleaf, in the upper
story of the saw-mill, in the fall of 1859, on
which occasion Rev. J. C. Whitney, a Pres-
l)yterian clergyman, officiated. A church
edifice was built in 1S68, by the Presbyterian
congregation, in which the Rev. AY. C. Hard-
ing, now deceased, was the first jiastor.
The Methodists had also a religious ore-an-
ization, and held regular services, but never
put up any church edifice.
The first blacksmith shojs was put up and
operated by Henry Keach, in 1861. He re-
mained here until about 1870, and then
removed to Nebraska. James McCue is the
present blacksmith of the village, and does a
flourishing business.
w
CHAPTEE XXV.
HISTORY OF THE VILLAGE OF LITCHFIELD.
f)'XRIOR to the advent of
|p the iron horse in this
part of Meeker coun-
ty, there was nothing
upon the site of the
now ])rosperous vil-
%( hige of Litchfield, ex-
r-i\ cept a wheat field and pasture
lands. It entirely owes its ex-
istence to that happy event, the
coming of the railroad, which
reached hei-e in the summer of
1809. the track-laying as far as
til is place having been com-
])]ete(l, and the rirst train, a con-
struction, running in August
13tli of tiiatyear. The town site
was laid out and ]ilatted by the St. Paul
& Pacific Kailroad (Company and George B.
Waller, on the east half of section 11, Litch-
field township. This was surveyed, platted
and filed for record, July ft), ISOU.
Litchfield is beautifully located on portions
of sections 11, 12 and 14, and reaches north
from tlie shores of lovely Lake Ptijiley for
more
than
L mile
and a half,
whilst its great-
est breath is about a mile. To the original
town plat there have been added Weisel's
addition in 1869, the second addition in
1873, Butler's addition in 1873, Crosby's
addition in 187-4, the third railroad addition
in 1875, Hansen's addition in 1879, Angier's
addition and Greenleafs addition in 1887, and
Bodano'e & Johnson's addition in 1888. The
entire city is well laid out with wide streets
and avenues, and the site is dotted all over
with hand some residences, many of them
surrounded with elegant and well-kept
grounds. The business portion of the city
presents a substantial and thrifty ap[)earance,
owing to the large number of line brick
stores, offices, hotels, etc., all of which are
in fine taste. The stores are well filled
with well-selected merchandise of a char-
acter above that usualh' found in cities of
the size of Litchfield, and are doing a
splendid business. The pride the citizens
take in their home can be readily seen
in tiie appearance of the place, in the
many noble edifices, and their beautiful park.
Tlie town drew its name from E. D.
Litclilield, an English capitalist and stock-
holder in the St. I^aul tt Pacific Ilailroad, liv-
ini'- in I>ondon, and whose wife made such lib-
584
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
585
eral donations to the Episcopal Church Soci-
ety, as is detailed elsewliere.
Litclilield is connected with the outer
world by the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Mani-
toba Railroad, wliich passes diagonally north
west and southeast through the town plat.
This, whicii is one of the best roads in the
State, affords ample facilities for marketing
the products of this part of Minnesota.
At the regular election held November 2,
1869, tlie question ot the removal of the
county seat from Forest City to Litchfield
was submitted to the qualified electors of
the county, and by a majority of 89, in a
total vote of 927, it was decided in tlie
affirmative, and the latter city became the
seat of justice of Meeker county. The
court-house, of whicli a descrijJtion is given
in another place, adorns the north part of
the town, and is really a very handsome and
complete edifice. The location of the seat
of justice at Litchfield and the presence of
the railroad have both been important fac-
tors in the I'apid growth of the place, and
have established it upon a firm basis.
George B. Waller, who had previously
purchased the northeast c[uarter of section
11, in this township, came to this locality in
the late summer of 1869, and settled, know-
ing that a town would be estaljlished near
by. When the railroiul liad been graded
through tliis county, he deeded to the rail-
road company an undivided half in his
quarter of section of land to be laid out
into town lots, reserving a lot of some ten
acres in the northwest corner of the tract
for his home. As soon as the road was con-
structed to this point, and trains were run-
ning, he shipped from Minneapolis the mate-
rial with which to construct a house, which
had already been fi-amed and gotten ready
to put together, in the previous winter. In
November, of the same year, he brought his
family to the incipient village.
About the same time that Mr. Waller was
building his residence, J.M.Miller hauled
the lumber for a house from Clearwater, and
erected a dwelling. Shortly after this Truls
Nelson put up another building in which to
live, near where the town hall is now loca-
ted. These were the first three buildings,
the nucleus around which has sprang up this
thriving and growing town.
B. F.Pixley put up the next house,and others
soon followed. Mrs. C. 0. Porter was the
first lady to take up her residence here, and
Mrs. Pixley the second, the former dating
her arrival from the 26th of August, 1869,
and the latter, one day later.
The first store was erected by Heard &
Ward, a firm composed of S. A. Heard and
C. D. Ward, who opened what is known as
a genei'al merchandise stock, in the embryo
city, in the fall of 1869. The building which
they occupied is the one that is used as a
harness shop by Hugh Dowling, but origin-
ally stood on the site now occupied by the
handsome brick store of D. E. Branham.
Heard & Ward continued in business to-
gether until 1872, when Mr. Heard purchased
the interest of liis partner, and carried it on
until 1880, at which date he, too, sold out to
Branham & Hickcox.
H. B. Johnson's store building Avas the
next to be erected, and was soon followed by
that of Joseph James.
In November of this year, C. H. Strobeck,.
who had decided to locate in the place,,
erected a store building on the site of the
present Ivronsbrick building, which he occu-
pied in part, nnd })art of which he rented.
The first man to do turner's work in the
village, was M. A. Brown, who jnit up a
little shop on the site of the brick building
now occupied by Birch & Nelson, where he
carried on the business.
The pioneer hardware store was that of
Vanderhorck & King, who commenced in
that line in the fall of 1S69. The firm of
King it Whyborn, who succeeded them,
586
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
dis])ose(l of the stock and good \vill to Z. B.
Fitield in 1877, in whose hands it proved a
losing investment.
W. S. Brill entered into business in the
drue: line about the same time in the buihling-
put up by C. H. Strobeck, and continued in
trade here until 1882, when, selling out to
Revell Bros., he I'emoved to St. Paul, wliere
he now lives.
The first man to sell lumber in tiie new-
town was .Io.sei)li James, but lie did not estab-
lish a yanl ; tlie first to enter into that line
regularly was John Esbjornsson and C. Pe-
terson, who. together, opened a lunil)er yard
in tiie summer of ISG'.t, when there was
scarcely a building 'on the town site. They
quit this business the following winter.
E. A. Cami)bell moved to Litchfield in the
fall of 18()9, with a stock of general mer-
chandise, from Foi-est City. About a year
later Jesse V. Branhani, Jr., became a mem-
ber of the firm and they carried on the busi-
ness for some time under the firm name of
Campbell & Branham.
C. L. Angell, another pioneer of the village,
came here in the fall of 1869, and commenced
the establishment of the photograjihic art
gallery that he still carries on.
Chase & Dunn came into the incipient city
during the same fall, ami opened a livery
stable, which they ran for some time.
Rapidly, as if by the stroke of a magician's
wand, a Ijusy town sprang up w-ith a mirac-
ulous orowth, and where once the o-i-ound
gave back oidy the sound of the footfalls of
grazing cattle, came the busy hum of com-
merce, and the noise of the saw, plane and
hammer, as building after building rose into
view.
Among those who settled in the village in
1S69, not mentioneil above, were the follow-
ing : William H. Greenleaf. J. P. Scarp,
James Tinkham. J. II. Bacon, N. A. Tiren,
Hamlet Stevens, E. A. Campbell, C. II. Stro-
beck, Dr. Geo. B. Weisel, O. B. Espin, W.
II. Dart. Walfreid Erickson. Smith D. King,
David Miller, Mr. Ilunnion, Charles and
Solomon Almquist, L. "W. Perkins, Hans
Mattson, {'harles O. Porter, P. Crosb}^ Isaac
Crosby, Julius Crosby, S. Y. Gordon, John
Mitchell, J. D. Chapman, A. R. Potter, J. C.
Braden, J. M. Waldron, C. B. Howell, Henry
Hill, John Blackwell, Jesse V. Branham, Jr.,
Jesse V. Branham, Sr., H. B. Johnson and
Andrew and B. P. Nelson.
In 1870 there came to the new village
quite a numl)er, among whom were — George
H. Chapman, V. II. Harris, George Lyon,
Lewis Laisoii, Chauncey Butler. ]\r. J. Flynn,
W. W. Rollin, Wni. M." Campbell, Dr. F. E.
Bissell. Henry Chase, R. W. Dunn, J. Q. A.
Braden, John Patten. W. D. Stanton, Louis
Ekbom, D. E. Potter, A. C. Smith and
others.
Others who made settlements in the new
village early in 1871,1872 and 1873 are easily
named. Among the most prominent and
best remembered are Frank E. Dagget, "W.
D. Joubert, F. V. DeCoster, X. W. Hawkin-
son, Col. Jacob M. Howard, Daniel Flynn,
S. A. Scarp, A. C. Johnson, Morris Neuman,
Robert Gordon, "W. S. Knappen. S. W. Gla-
zier, Joseph Cameron, A. T. Koerner. M. T.
Hayford, John Whyborn, S. P. Chipman,
E. M. Eastman, Peter Bei-ens, Joseph Leaser,
W. S. Adams, James Hooser, S. "\Y. Leavitt,
R. S. Hershey, E. F. Roberts, J. B. Hatch,
Joseph Mills, N. Anderson and many others.
From this time on the settlement was rapid,
and the village soon grew to be one of the
commercial centers of this portion of the
State.
Late in August, 1869, the Litchfield House
was built and opened, and was, therefore,
the fi st hotel in the city, as well as one of
fii"st structures on the town site.
The pioneer religious services in the vil-
lage were held in a small school-house, then
in course of construction, but, as yet, with-
out doors or windows, on the 15th of August,
MEEKER COUNTY. MINNESOTA.
587
1869, at which the Rev. D. B. Jackson, a
Presbyterian clergyman in charge of the
church at Kingston, this county, officiated.
A Sabbatli-school was organized September
19th of the same year, by Eev. M r. Hall, a
divine of the Congregational denomination,
and Avas the pioneer of several others. The
first church edifice was not finished until
1871, and was the house of the Presiiyteri-
ans, which was commenced in the fall of
1870. The firet donation ]iarty was held by
the people connected with the Methodist
Church, on an evening in December, 1869,
at the house of Rev. J. S. Fassig, their min-
ister. Gifts of §52 in cash and a great
amount of other articles were left with the
worthy recipient of their kindness.
Hans Mattson, the present Secretary of
State, came to Litchfield in 1869, and estab-
lished the railway company's land-office in
the small building on the corner opposite
the Howard House. Here he remained sev-
eral years.
The first death in the community occurred
in the year 1871, and was that of the little son
of M. D. Bowen. About the same time a
Swedish settler, while passing to his home
west of the city, fell from the trestle bridge
of the railroad near the western limits of
the village, and broke his neck. Old resi-
dents are undecided as to which of these
preceded the other, but as the former is the
death of a resident of the vilhige it is given
prominence.
The pioneer physician of Litchfield was
Dr. George W. "Weisel, who came to this
place from Forest City in the fall of 1869.
He remained here in practice, according to
the regular or alloi)athic school, for some
years, but is now living in Williamsport,
Lycoming coimtv. Pa. The second was Dr. F.
E. Bissell, still a resident of the village. The
third physician was a Dr. Bell, a follower of
the homeopathic school, but who ditl not
long remain in the place.
The pioneer bank was established in 1875,
by Harrington & Lyon, who called it the
Bank of Litchfield. They continued to run
it for a short time, when it passed into the
hands of Chauncey Butler, who continued
its operations until December 27, 1877, when
it collapsed.
The pioneer attorney of Litchfield was
Charles H. Strobeck, who first came here in
October, 1869. Newton H. Ciiittenden was
the next to locate, and was followed, the
same year, by Frank Belfoy. In 1870,
Henry Hill, Charles B. Howell and A. C.
Smith joined the resident members of the
bar.
When Frank Belfoy came here in 1869,
he brought from Forest City the press and
material of the MceTcer County Keivs, the
pioneer paper of the county, which became
an important factor in the ujibuilding and
development of the young village.
Among the business concerns of an early
day were the following named, ivith such
history as would be of interest as could be
gleaned from those most intei'ested and best
posted. These are the firms that have ceased
to exist; those that still survive, or that are
still operated by their successors, are treated
of further on.
B. O. Esping came here in 1870 or 1871,
opened the first jewelry store, and fol-
lowed that business for several years. He is
now engaged in the hotel business in South-
ern Minnesota.
Josejih Mills opened a jewelry establish-
ment in 1872, and continued its operation
until about 1877, when he died.
W. II. Dart came to the village with a
stock of goods from Forest City, in 1869, but
was succeeded by "W. D. Stanton in 1870,
wiio ran the business until 1874, when he
sold out on account of ill iieaitli.
William II. Greeiileaf opened a store for
the sale of general merchandise in 1870, but
the next fall sold it to B. L. Perrv, who ran
5S8
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
it to the early part of 1871, when he in turn
disposed of it to F. Y. DeCoster.
Eankin & Greenleaf were for some time
enffatjed in the sale of hardware. Tiiev were
succeeded bv S. W. Rankin, who ran it until
18S7, wlien he sold out.
The pioneers in the sale of agricultural im-
plements were James Tinkham and Scarp &
Anderson. The latter established the Inisi-
ness in 1872, and it passed through many
changes of firm until the death of John
Scarp, by drowning, in a wreck on the Baltic
Sea in 1 882.
Jacob Koerner was the pioneer butcher of
the place, opening a meat market in about
1870. Harris ct Gordon were in this same
line for two Vears, dating from some time in
1872.
The first furniture was that of D. E. Potter,
who commenced business in 1871. He finalh'
removed from the village.
Mark liaklwin opened a harness shop in
1871, which he ran until 1877, and then
closed out and emigrated to California, wliere
he now lives.
A. W. Swenson, in 1877, started in the
general merchandise line, continued in busi-
ness two years, and then removed to Alex-
andria, this State.
C. M. Tileston's dr^' goods store was estab-
lished in 1878, and ran until 1881, Avhen he
closed out and went to Minneapolis.
G. M. Babcock & Co. opened a hardware
store in 1875, and continued in that line of
ti'ade for two years before closing out.
W. AV. Page opened a book and notion
stoi'e in the building where the postoffice is
now located, in 1872, which ran for about a
year.
J. "VV. Billings' confectionery store com-
menced operations in 1875, and continued
about two years.
Conrad Juul came to Litchfield with a
stock of goods in 1878, and ran for some
time, when he failed. He built the first brick
store building in the town, the one where
Tharalson Bros, are now doing business.
Among the gentlemen who have been con-
nected with the bar of Meeker county, resident
at Litchfield, not mentioned before, or not
hei'e at present, were : E. A. Campbell, S.
A. Plumley, F. P. Olne}', L. C. Spooner and
]\rr Julian.
LITCHFIELD IN 1888.
In order to have a just comprehension of
the development and progress of the city, it
is absolutely necessary to give a picture of
the present business, religious, social and
educational institutions of the city, with
their histories; and they are herewith ap-
pended.
The genei'al merchandise firm of Cairn-
cross & Palm, originated in 1871 with the
Nelson Bros. Several changes have been
made in the name and style, several parties
having oiierated it, among whom were
Cairncross A: Brother, who commenced in
1878. In 1881, Alexander Cairncross pur-
chased the interest of his brother, Stewart,
and ran the business until January 1, 1885,
when, John Palm having acquired an inter-
est, the present firm was formed.
The business house of Tharalson i Bro.,
dealers in general merchandise, was initiated
July 1, 1878, by A. Tharalson, where the
harness-making shop is now. N. Tharalson
was general manager at that time. They
remained in that building until October,
1881, when they purchased the store where
they are now located, and moved in the same
fall. February 23, 1887, N. Tharalson was
admitted to a full partnershiji, and the firm
name changed to its present form.
The stand of Nelson, Johnson tV- Larson
originated in 1>180, l)v the formation of a
firm under the above name, composed of B.
P. Nelson, A. C. Johnson and Lewis Larson.
They at once commenced the erection of
their fine brick store building, which was
put up at an expense of some $10,000, and
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
589
in December, ISSO, therein opened a stock
of thy goods, etc., and are to-dav^ among tlie
heaviest dealers in that line.
J. L. AVakefield, dealer in dry goods and
general furnisliing materials, came to Litch-
field in November, 1883, and opened a stock
of general merchandise in the l)nilding where
F. V. DeCoster is now located. A short
time subsequently he removed to his present
location.
Charles Johnson came to Litchfield in the
fall of 1SS3, opened a general stock of
goods, and is engaged in that line at the
present time.
The oldest drug house in the city is that
of A. J. and N. F. Eevell, operating under
the firm name of Eevell Bros., who are the
successors of W. S. Brill, who started this
establishment in 1869, the first of its kind in
the village. The latter continued to manage
it until 1882, when he removed to St. Paul,
after disposing of it to the present proprie-
tors, who are in the enjoyment of an excel-
lent Inisiness. They carry a large and well-
selected stock of drugs, fancy articles, as
well as paints, etc.
V. II. Harris, who is also engaged in the
drug business, was the second to open a store
of that character in the village, commencing
in the fall of 1ST3, under the firm name of
Harris & Bell, in the building now occupied
by the ])ostolEce. There they remained
until IST'.t, when, having erected the second
brick store building in the jilace, Mr. Harris
removed into it, where he now carries on
bu&iii' ss, which he has filled with a full and
comp ete stock of first-class goods and is a
leader in that line.
Tiie drug firm of W. W. Johnson & Co.
originated in a business established by J. E.
Upham and W. W. Johnson, in 1881, in the
building now used as the postoffice, and there
continued, under the firm name of Upham &
Jolmson, until two years later, when Dr.
George Newland purchased the interest of
the senior partner, and the present firm was
formed. Tiiree months later tiiey removed
to the Howard House block, where they re-
mained until the fall of 1886, when they took
up their quarters in the Old Court House
block, where the}^ are at present located.
They, too, have a large stock and do a good
trade.
Tiie grocery house of D. E. Branham was
established in March, 1883, Ijy D. E. Bran-
ham and G. O. Hickcox, they buying out S.
A. Heard, the pioneer merchant of theplace.
They conducted tlie business until March,
1SS8, when Mr. Hickcox disposed of his in-
terest to his partnei', and the firm name
changed from Branham ct Hickcox, to its
present one. His stock is full, complete and
elegantly displayed, and his business is ac-
cordingly quite large and remunerative.
W. II. Dart, who is also engaged in deal-
ing in groceries, etc., exclusively, occupies
the stand established by Daniel McLane, in
1880, and succeeded that gentleman in 1887.
He carries a very large and complete stock
for a town of the size of Litchfield, and as a
representative pioneer citizen, has a wide ac-
quaintance in the county.
The hardware firm of AVindle & Anderson
succeeded Anderson & Hanson, among the
leading ones in that line. The latter Avas
formed in May, 1887, by A. J. Anderson
and N. C. G. Hanson. They entered at once
upon the transaction of business, and carried
it on until the spring of 1888, when they
were succeeded by the present firm.
The hardware house of Johns Brothers,
was established in April, 1887, by D. B. and
W. H. Johns, under the above firm name
and style. -They started l)y purchasing the
stock of Daniel McLane, and later that of
S. W. Eankin.
Peter M. Johnson is also engaged in the
sale of all kinds of hai'dware in the city. He
came here in July, 1880, and, in connection
with M. A. Brown, entered into this line of
590
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
trade. One year later it passed into
the sole possession of its present proprietor.
The establishment of Birch c*c Nelson,
dealers in clothing, hats, caps and gents' fur-
nishing goods, was commenced in 1880, by
John Birch and Andrew Nelson, trading
under the firm name of John Birch & Co.
They 0))ene(l business in what is known as
the old J>ank building, where the}' remained
some five years. In the spring of 1884-, An-
drew Nelson disposed of his interest to Ras-
mus Nelson, and the present firm was formed.
The Golden Eagle clothing house origin-
ated in March, 1886, at which time Jacob
Kahn and M. Leon opened a stock in this
line. The senior partner, who is a resident
of Chicago, is a member of the wholesale
clothing firm of Kahn Brothei-s & Co., and
Mr. Leon is managing partner in this village.
F. V. DeCoster entered into the mercantde
circles of Litchfield in the spring of 1871,
opening a stock of general merchandise in
the building, where he is now located, and
operated in that line until 1870, when he
commenced the sale of musical instruments,
sewing machines and notions. This he con-
tinued until 1S87, when he added to iiis
stock an invoice of watches, jewelry and
silver-plated ware.
D. Elmquist came to Litchfield in 1876,
and opened a jewelry store, in the building
now occupied by Nelson & Winger as a
tailor shop. He remained in that edifice for
some four years, when he removed to
Brown's corner building, and later from
there to a store owned by Mr. Koerner. In
1886, he removed to his present location in
the Okl Court House block.
C. G. Wennerlund, a native of Norway,
ope;!od a jewelry store in May, 1887, under
the control of C. B. Nelson.
The pioneer lumi)er yard of the city of
Litchfield, was established in August. 1860,
by Joh» Esbjornssen and C. Peterson, when
the embryo town contained iiardly a build-
ing. The firm carried on the business until
the following winter, Avhen it was dissolved.
In 1876 Mr. Esbjornssen again entered into
the lumber business, buying out the yard
antl stock of S. W. Leavitt, and has con-
tinued to carry it on ever since, cariwing full
stocks of all goods pertaining to the trade.
In 1878 W. II. Greenleaf bought out the
lumljer yard of M. J. Flynn, and in 18SMthat
of H. B. Brown, and consolidated the two
and carried on the business alone until 1882,
when he admitted to a partnership his son,
Charles A., and the firm of Greenleaf & Son,
thus formed, still conduct the business. They
have also an interest in a wholesale lumber-
yard in St. Paul, and another retail yard on
the ^linneapolis it Pacific Railroad.
During the year 1880 Chauncey F. Dart
established a furniture store in Litchfield,
and continued its operation until November,
1884, when he disposed of it to P. Berens,
the present jiropiietor, who has largely in-
creased the stock, and carries a large line of
goods of the description usually making up
stocks of this character, inchuling carpets,
etc. His building, which he owns, is on the
east side of Sibley avenue, and was erected in
1886 at a cost of over §5,000.
John Snell came to Litchfield in 1877, and
bought out the furniture establishment orig-
inated by J. B. Hatch, in 1876, and has con-
tinued in that Ime ever since. In 1879 he
erected the brick building where he carries
on business, his store-rooms having a front-
age of eig-htv feet. He has added under-
taking to the other branches of his business,
and controls a large trade.
The extensive business carried on by M.
J. Flynn & Bro. has grown up with the
town. In the sj)ring of 1870 Chauncey But-
ler established a lumber yard, which, in 1873,
passed into the hands of J. H. Morris. One
year later it was jnirchased by M. J. Flynn,
who ran it until the fall of 1878, when he
sold it to W. II. Greenleaf. In the same
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
591
year, Mr. Flynn and liis brother Daniel, enter-
ing into partnersliip, commenced the sale of
agricultural machinery, in which they are so
largely engaged, succeeding in this line the
firm of Butler, Campbell ct White, which
originated with those gentlemen in 1872. In
18S0 M. J. Flynn & Bro. purchased the But-
ler elevator, with a storage capacit}' of 30,-
000 bushels, and are also engaged in handling-
grain, shipping 175,000 bushels of wheat
alone in 1887.
McLane & Crowe are also engaged in the
sale of agricultural implements, wagons, etc.,
having commenced this line of trade here in
the spring of 1886. Tlie firm consists of
Daniel McLane and L. D. Crowe. They are
also extensively known as grain buyers, tliey
operating one of the elevators at this point.
J. W. Johnson commenced the sale of
agricultural implements, farm machinery,
wagons, etc. in 1888, carries a full line of
everything needed liy tlie farmer in that
class of goods, and is quite a popular mer-
chant.
Maher & Palm are also engaged in the
Stile of farm machinery and wagons, on Wall
street, west of Sibley avenue.
George 11. Chapman, who is engaged in
the manufacture and sale of harness, etc.,
commenced business in Litchfield in May,
1870, and has continued in that line ever
since. He carries a full line of all horse ac-
coutrements, and everything needed by a
horseman. His business, which is a large
one, is gradually increasing 3'ear by year.
E. J. Gould is also carrying on the har-
ness-making trade in Litchfield, commencino-
the business here in February, 1886. He
carries everything needed in liis line.
The harness-making shop of Hugli Dowl-
ing was established in September, 1879, by
the present proprietor, who carries a full
stock of all manner of goods connected with
his line of trade, and has built up for himself
a fine business in this localitv, bv strict at-
tention to business. On the 4th of March,
1885, lie met with the misfortune of losing
his stock by fire, but has fully recovered
from the stroke of adverse fate.
The flour and feed store of C. H. Dart
owes its origin to Mr. Dart and George Gor-
don, wlio commenced its operation in April,
1880. The firm only existed for a short
time, when the present owner assumed sole
charge, and has continued to so run it. In
connection with this business he is also en-
gaged in jobbing cigars, having been in
partnership in this department with E. S. Her-
shey until Jannary, 1887, when he purchased
the interest of liis partner. In 1886, Mr.
Dart erected the fine brick building where he
is located, and moved into it the same fall.
Robert Yorys, who is engaged in carrying
on a bakery and restaurant, initiated this
business stand in 1886. He carries a stock
of confectionery and tobaccos in connection,
therewith.
Chris. Mortenson opened his bakery in the
fall of ISS-t, on the corner of Second street
and Marshall avenue, where he remained
until June 19, 1886, when he removed to the
corner of Ramsey and Second streets, where
he operated a boarding house in connection
with his bakery; but in April, 1888, he sold out
to Heni'v Halvorson, Jr., who is now engaged
in the same line.
Chris. Bertleson is occupied in running a
blacksmith shop, having established that
business here in 1883. He worked here for
about two years, and then suspended opera-
tions for three years at this point, but came
back to Litchfield on the expiration of that
time, and re-opened his smithy.
Morris Neuman, blacksmith and wagon
maker, commenced his business herein 1872,
in a shop located on Marshall avenue. He
erected the brick building he now occupies,
in 1876, and moved into it the same year.
Paulson & Satlier are engaged in the
meat market business in the village, as are
592
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Barker it Andrews. The first mentioned
firm commenced business in 1882, with John
Paulson andC. C. Sather at the helm, and so
continued until Jul}', 1885, when the former
retired from lousiness, but in 18ST came back
to Litchfield, anil again entered into partner-
ship with the same i)arty with whom he was
in business before. The firm of Barker ^
Andrews was formed in the fall of ISST l>y
D. W. Barker and J. (,). Andrews.
David Gorman is engaged in running the
Pioneer livery stable, which was established
in the fall of 1869, by Chase & Dunn. Some
time after the latter disposed of the business
to R. "W. Dunn, and the firm of Dunn &
Deymouth was formed. They ran it for a
while, and were in turn succeeded by Dey-
mouth it McCarger, and it was run by them
until 1882, Avhen it passed into the possession
of the present pi'o[)rietoi', who has operated
it ever since.
Knights & Ross, who are. also, engaged in
the liver}' stable business, commenced their
labors in that line in Litchfield in 1SS6.
There are eight places in the city of
Litchfield for the sale of li(iuor. wine, beer,
etc. The gentlemen who conduct them, for
the most part, are excellent citizens, and
receive the i-espect of the people generally,
although there is a large element of prohibi-
tionists in the community. The saloons are
kept ijy the following named — John Kons-
brick, A. von Eckstaedt, John Burns, Minton
& Peterson, Xels Clements, S. A. Scarp, A.
D. Eoos and Charles Foster.
Nelson & Winger, tailoi-s, C. B. Nelson
and N. Anderson, boot and shoe makers, and
A. Lofstrom, house and sign painter, are
among tlie lear<>. was erected in 1870 b\'
Chauncey Butler, who o])erated it until the
time of his failure in 1877, when it was pur-
chased by James B. Atkinson. This gentle-
man continued its management for about
two years, and, finding that it was an uore-
munerative investment, re-sold it to the as-
signees of Ciiauncey Butler, who disposed of
it to its present projirietors, Flynn Bros., in
1880.
The Farmers and Merchants Cooperative
Association's elevator was put up by that
company in the fall of IS.'sri, and has storage
of capacity of 85,000 bushels. John Lind-
gren is the efficient manager.
The elevator of the Litchfield Holler Mill
was constructed by Shaw & Ehlers in 1885,
and has been operated ever since.
The Howard elevator was erected by Col.
J. M. Howard in 1872, and Avas the first
independent institution of the kind on tlie
line of the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba
Railroad. It continued under the manage-
ment of the owner until 1884, when it was
sold by him to its present projtrietors. Car-
gill Bros.
The Minnesota and Dakota Elevator
Company are also running an elevator in the
village. This edifice was constructed in
1883 by a local stock comjiany, known as
the Litchfield Elevator Company, composed
of Alexander Cairncross, Andrew Nelson,
W. W. Eollins, Nels Larson, B. P. Nelson
and others, who operated it until 1SS7, when
it passed into the hands of the present
owners.
The Litchfield Brewery was established in
1874, by Lenhardt and Roetzer, and after-
ward passed into the ownership of the
present projirietor, Ehrliardt Lenhardt, on
the north shore of Lake Ripley. During the
first year, he manufactuied about 100 bar-
rels of beer, but tiie business has increased,
until now he makes and (lisj)oses of over
2,000 barrels each year. This institution
furnishes employment for five men.
The Litchfield and Meeker County Nur-
sery, the only one in Central Minnesota, is
owned and operated by G. W. Fuller and
son. The senior ])artner came to this ]5lace
in the spring of 1872, and purchased the
Litchfield Nursery, or what there was of it,
and that year started some 10,000 evero-reen
trees. He deals largely in all kinds of orna-
mental, shade and fruit trees, and all descrip-
tions of small fruits, etc., and has a large and
increasing trade.
The greenhouse and market garden of W.
J. Whittington is one of the institutions of
the city that must not be ovei'looked. The
proprietor came to Litchfield in 1878, and,
September 12th broke ground on two town
lots which lie bought on the corner of Third
street and llolcomb avenue, for the purpose
of establishing his biisiness here. After
raising a crop of vegetables, and later mak-
ing a grand floral display on the grounds
that year, he continued to inake that his
]ilace of business for about two years, but
finding it too circumscribed, tlecided to
remove to his present location in Greenleaf's
adilition to the town site, where he now has
five acres of land. Part of this is matle into
a private Park, known as Garfield park, and
is used for the i>urpose of floral and land-
scape gardening displays. In this is hold an
annual horticultural fair and festival, given
to the friends and patrons of the proprietor.
Connected with the establishment is a mar-
ket garden for the raising of early and
choice vegetables, and as he has telephonic
communication with the town, affords eas}'^
facilities for procuring those necessaries at
the shortest notice.
The Litchfield House, the first in the vil-
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
597
lage, was built by Charles Almqiiist and his
brother in 1S69, and was at once rented to
L. W. Perkins, who was the landlonl for a
year. He was succeeded by M. T. Hayford
in 1870, and the business was carried on by
the latter gentleman until about 1880, when
C. C. Sturdevant became the proprietor. A
short time afterward it passed back into the
hands of Mr. IIayford,who remained at the
head of its affairs until the fall of 1885,
when Mr. Hayford died, and the charge of
it was assumed In' M. E. Bauni, the present
proprietor.
The Howard flouse, the leading hotel of
Litclilield, now under the able jiroprietorship
of Franl: W. Minton, was erected by Col. J.
M. Howard in 1880, at a cost of some $19,-
000. It is a beautiful and tasty edifice,
built of cream-colored brick with brown
trimmings; is about 75x90 feet in size, three
stories, surmounted with a mansard roof,
which adds another story to its height. It
contains a comfortable office, complete bar-
room, ample dining-room, and a large num-
ber of comfoi'tably furnisiied betlrooms,
with all of the usual additional rooms proper
to the carrying on of a first-class hotel. The
owner of the edifice has never assumeil the
responsibility of catering to the traveling
public, preferring to rent it to some one
more conversant with the business. The
first landlord was Harry S. Lilligar, who
remained imtil 188J:, when he was succeeded
by Richard Knights. Afterward Knights &
Gorman ran it until May, 1885, when they
were succeeded by Frank Minton, the
present host. Mr. Minton is admirably
fitted for the position of landlord, his kindly,
genial disposition and accommodating man-
ners making him a general favorite with the
traveling community, a great number of
which frequent this part of the State.
Tlie Union House, owned and occupied by
Andrew Ogren, Avas built in the summer of
1887, and opened for business in August of
that year. It is a fine building, two stories
in height, built of cream colored brick, is
thoroughly fitted and furnished tiirougliout,
and offers superior inducements to travelers.
The Exchange Hotel, another of the
hosteli'ies of tiie village, was erected by W.
S. Knappen early in 1873, and was situated
on Sibley Avenue, opposite to where the
Meeker County Bank is now located. Mr.
Knappen continued to fill the post of "mine
host " here for about two 3'ears, but in Janu-
ary, 1875, he disposed of it to Thomas Ryck-
man, who owned it until it was purchased
by H. "W. Simons, who removed it to its
present site on Marshall avenue, and enlarged
it, and ran it for some time. He finally sold
it to J. B. Hatch, who presided over its
destinies for about a year, when, not being-
able to meet his payments on it, it reverted
to Mr. Simons, who sold it to S. A. Scarp,
who I'ented it to A. J. Lee. The latter con-
tinued its landlord untd tlie fall of 1887,
when Henr^' E. Freeman became host, and
has filled tiiat position ever since.
The St. Cloud Hotel was erected in 1880
by M. L. O'Lauglilin, and continued under
his management until his death, since which
time it has been run by his widow.
The Lake liipley House was built by
Gould & Co. in 1870, and was first rented
by James Tinkham, who ran the house for a
little over a year, when he was succeeded by
P. E. Christian, who was followed soon by
John Scarp. A short time afterward 0. D.
Webb became the landlord, and continued
to hold that position until the fall of 1872,
and was followed by Otto Campbell, and
then G. H. Fountain entered upon the pos-
session of the house. He remained to fill
the duties of host until March, 187C. when
he was succeeded by L. D. Marshall, who
"was in town, followed by Otho H. Canijibell,
and he by R. AV. Dunn. For a short time
the house was run by tiie latter when he
was in town, succeeded bv Z. B. Fifield.
598
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Peter Weissenburg liecame the landlord in
1S80, and continued so until his deatli Janu-
ary 5, 1884, since which time the house has
been presided over by his widow and son
Nicholas.
The United States Land Office was l)rouglit
from Greenleaf to Litchfield in December,
1869, at which time J. C. Braden was the re-
ceiver, and J. M. Walden, register. The
office was located in this place until the 16th
of September, 1S7G, when, in obedience to
the mandate of tlie powers that were, it was
removed to Benson, this State. At tiie time
of this removal, "W. H. Greenleaf, now of
Litchfield, was receiver, and J. C. Braden,
who died in December, 1S77, was register.
BOARD OF TRADE.
One of the prime factors in the substantial
growth and progi'ess of Litchfield is tiie
Litchfield Board of Trade. It was organ-
ized in 1880, with eighty-two charter mem-
bers, and may be said to have had its origin
in the movement which established and put
the Litciifield Creamery in successful opera-
tion. The first officers of the board were as
follows: ^Y. S. Brill, president: E. P. Peter-
son, secretary; M. J. Flynn, treasurer;
Henry Ames, W. M. Campbell, P. Eckstrom,
S. A. Heard, H. B. Johnson, N. C. Martin,
Jacob Koerner, J. H. Morris, A. Xelson, A.
D. Boss, John Rodange, S. AV. Leavitt and
S. Cairncross. The board of directors has
full power for the transaction of all routine
business, and the aiding and encouragement
of such enterprises as it nuiy deem beneficial
to the town and community. In 1885 the
board took in hand the project of establish-
ing a woolen manufactory^ and the result
was — the close of the year found one of the
most creditable enterprises of its kind in the
State established and in operation in the vil-
lage. The present officers of the board are ;
J. M. Ilowai-d, president; W. D. Joubert,
secretary; Andrew Nelson, treasurer.
I'OSTOFFICE.
The postoffice in Litchfield was established
in August, IbCiy, and J. A. C. "Waller com-
missioned as postmaster. He was succeeded
by II. B. Johnson, and the latter by Frank
E. Daggett. The next to hold the position
was James II. Morris, who was followed by
A. D. Ross, the present incumbent.
GRAND ARMY OF THK REPtJBI.IO.
Frank Daggett Post, No. 35, G. A. R., was
organized at Litchfield on the 8th of July,
1883. with f(,)urteen cliarter members. The
books, however, were held open until the
next meeting, when additional names were
added, making the luunber appearing on the
rolls as charter members, twenty-seven. The
following is a list of these, the original " four-
teen" being named first — J. M. Howard, G.
H. Chapman, J. B. Atkinson, Jolin Lock-
wood, Y. II. Harris, Carl Smith, William
Heath, N. C. Martin, S. II. Hoffman, F. E.
Bissell, Thomas G. Crump, George Siioles,
A. J. Anderson, Carl Schultz, John Knights,
Peter Stiern, August T. Koerner, J. S. Mc-
Neal, Peter Mclntyre, Patrick McKarney,
James Dearey, Robert Vorys, William Mc-
Stotts, Isaac il. Russell, Christian M. Morten-
son, Samuel Gleason and A. D. Simons.
The first officers of the Post were as fol-
lows — J. M. Howard, commander; John
Lockwood, senior vice-commander; J. B.
Atkinson, junior vice-commantler ; G. H.
Cha])man, officer of the day ; \ . II. Harris,
quartermaster; N. C.Martin, adjutant; F.
E. Bissell, surgeon ; T. G. Crump, chajilain,
ami George Sholes, officer of the guard.
Colonel Howard held the position of com-
mander until January 1, 1884, when he was
succeeded by Y. H. Harris, who served one
year. N". C. Martin was then elected com-
mander, and has since been his own successor,
being the pi'esent commandei'. Tlie Post
was organized in the old court-room building,
but held regular meetings in the judge of
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
599
]>robate's office at tlic court-house until the
summer of 1SS5, wlien the present G. A. R.
l)iiikhng, "Memorial Ilall," was erected.
The corner-stone was laid on Memorial Da v,
in May, 1885. The cost of the building and
grountls was !?5,0n0, aiul it is one of tlie tinest
furnished and finished buildings of that
cliaracter in tlie county, and the only one
owned by the uiembers of the order in JMin-
nesota. Thei'e is a fine libraiy room in the
hall, in wiiicli the Post have a nundjer of in-
teresting and valual)le relics of the rebellion
and "Indian massacre times." Among
these relics are the two l)ullets which were
fired at a mark on the tree by Jones and
Baker with the Indians, on the 17th of Aug-
ust, 1862. Tiiey were cut from the tree on
the first of January, 1886. The gavel, which
is now in use by tiie commander, was made
from tlie wood of a log taken from one of the
log caljins in wiiich the Jones and Bakei'
faiuilies were killed.
The Post is now in excellent condition,
having 125 members in good standing, and
socially as well as well as financially it has
been one of the most successful organizations
in the State. The ]iresent officers of tlie Post
are as f(jllows — N. C Maitin, c(jmniander ;
G. H. Chapin, senior vice-eonimander ; T. J.
Soule, junior vice-commander ; J. 13. Hatch,
adjutant; Israel Miller, officer of the day;
G. A. Phelps, officer of the guard ; A. T.
Koerner, rpiarteiinaster ; T. G, Crump, chap-
lain ; F. E. Bissell, surgeon ; F. V. DeCostei-,
Q. M. S. ; C. V,. Curtis, S. M. ; and J. M. How-
ard, V. II. Harris and A. T. Koerner, tiustees.
It may be of interest to state that tne
Post was named in honor of Frank E. Dag-
gett, who was a lieutenant in the Sixth Min-
nesota Volunteer Infantry-. He was the first
grand commander of the Department of
Minnesota, G. A. P., and was well known
tiiroughout the State. A sketch of him is
given in the biographical department of
this work.
Edward Branhani Post, G. A. P., was an
institution of ]iast days, formed under the
old organization of the order. Their meet-
ing room was ov^er Dart's store on the east
side of Siljley Avenue
The Relief Corps, No. 16, auxiliary to
Frank Daggett Post, No. 35, G. A. R., was
organized January 2, 1886, with the follow-
ing sixteen charter mend:)eis — Mrs. J. B.
Atkinson, Mrs. M. J. Flynn, Mrs. F. E. Bis-
sell, Mrs. J. M. Lockwood, Mrs. William
Caiupbell, JSlrs. J. B. Sherman, Mrs. J. B.
Hatch, Mrs. N. C. Martin, Mrs. A. Phelps,
Mrs. Israel Miller, Mrs. George Chajiman,
Mrs. L. Perry, Mrs. J. McNeal, Mrs. F. V.
DeCoster, Mrs. L. Damutli and Mrs. C. L.
Angell. The following is the roster of the
first officers who were elected on organiza-
tion—Mrs. J. B. Atkinson, P.; Mrs. M. J.
Flynn, S. V. P.; Mrs J. McNeal, J. V. P.;
Mrs. J. B. Sherman, S.; Mrs. F. E. Bissell, T.;
Mrs. G. L. Angell, C; Mrs. J. M. Lockwood,
Con.; Mrs. A. Phelps, Asst. Con.; Mrs. N.
C. Martin, G.; Mrs. J. B. Hatch, Asst. G.
These officers were installed the same even-
ing by Mrs. Becker, department installing
officei-, assisted by Mrs. Stai'kweather, the
department treasurer. The corps soon h-
ceiveil applications for new membershij), ;i;id
has always held interesting meetings and
done much good ^'arious ways of obtain-
ing funds for their treasury were devi.sed,
such as giving dinners, snjipei'S, entertain-
ments, making and selling ice cream, etc.,
witli happy results. In the year 1886 relief
was given to the needy to the amount of §^85
in provisions ami clothing, and, in 1SS7, to
$53. In addition to this the ladies have
jriven to the G. A. R. Post money to the
amount of $215 since their organization. The
officers were reelected the second year, with
the exception of Mrs. J. M. Howard being
chosen J. Y. P., and Mrs. Miller, guard.
December 3, 1887, the following officers
were chosen for the ensuing year — Mrs.
6oo
MEEKER COUNTY. MINNESOTA.
Bissoll, P.; ]\ri-s. Howard, S. V. P.; Mrs.
Cliapnian, J. V. P.; Mi's. Sherman, S.; Mrs.
Soulo, T.; Mrs. Perry, C; Mrs. Angell, Con.;
Mrs. Pljelps, Asst.Con.; Mrs. McNeal, G.,
and ]\[rs. Martin, A. (4. The Corps is in a
floni'ishing condition, having at pi-esent over
tiiirty members in good standing.
J. C. Braden Cani]i, No. 10, Sons of Vet-
erans, was originally known as YerrickCamp,
and was organized at the village of Dassel,
December 5, 1885. In August, 1887, the
camp was moved to Litchlield, and the name
changed, though the original membership
was retained and eight new members addeil,
the camp being officered as follows: F. B.
Lawson, captain; C. A. Perry, first lieuten-
ant; Charles Phdps, second lieutenant; F.
H. Haven, first sergeant; J. B. Atkinson,
Jr., quartermaster. At present (1888) the
camp musters twenty members in good
standing, and has the following officers: C.
A. Perry, captain ; Chas. Phelps, first lieu-
tenant; Chas. Collier, second lieutenant; F.
B. Lawson, orderly; J. B. Atkinson, Jr.,
quartermaster.
MASONIC.
The Masonic Fraternity is exceptionally
strong at Litchfield, there being a represen-
tative of three of the different branches of
the order in full operation, namely — Golden
Fleece Lodge, Eabboni Chapter and Melita
Commandery, besides the lodge for tiie con-
ferring the Eastern Star degree.
Golden Fleece Lodge, No. 89, A. F. ic A.
M., was organized under dispensation March
10, 1871, with the following jnembers — J. C.
Braden, B. L. Perry, J. B. Hatch, H. L.
Wadsworth, J. M. Mitchell, C. D. Ward, J.
A. C. Waller, D. C. Miller, C. L. Angell,
Samuel Anderson, G. AV. Weisel, M. AV. Pi-
per, Daniel Pineo, IL J. Lasher, Henry Hill,
N. A. Yiren, M. T. Hayford, J. PI. Morris,
and Lowell AVeymouth. The first officers
chosen and installed — J. C. Braden, AV. M. ;
J. M. Alitchell, S. AV. ; B. L. Perry, J. AV. ;
C. D. Ward, T. ; J. A. C. AYaller,"s. ; J. B.
Hatch, S. D. ; D. C. Miller, J. D. ; ILL.
Wadsworth, S. S. ; and C. L. Angell, tyler.
The lodge ran along under the dispensation
until January 23, 1873, when it was ])laced
under acharter granted by the Giami l.ddge,
and the following officers installed — J. C.
Braden ; AV. M. ; J. A. C. AValler, S. AV. ; J.
]\[. Waldren, J. AV. ; Frank LaCross, T. ; J.
Q. A. Braden, S. ; J. B. Hatch, S. D. ; T. R.
Briggs, J. D. ; II. L. Wadsworth, S. S. ; D.
C. Miller, J. S. ; II. J. Lasher, tyler. Dur-
ing the years of its existence the following
named worshipful masters have presided
over its meetings— J. C. Braden, 1871-2-
3; J. A. C. AValler, 1874; A. C. Smith,
1875 ; J. Q. A. Braden, 187(5; S. A. Plmnley,
1877; J. II. Morris 1878-9; J. B. Hatch,
1880 ; Henry Ames, 1881; A.D. Ross, 1882-
3-4 ; AV. J. Nytcs, 1885 ; A. D. Ross, 1886 ;
and A. J. Revell, 1887. The officers for the
current year (1888) are as follows — A. •.!.
Revell, AV. M. ; O. A. Pennoyer, S. AV. ; C.
Bertleson, J. AV. ; H. S. Branham, T. ; Ham-
let Stevens, S. ; T. G. Crump, Q.. ; G. B.
Phelps, S. D. ; Peter Berens, J. D. ; C. F.
Payne, S. S. ; J. AV. AV right, J. S. ; C. H.
Bigelow, tyler.
Ral)boni Chapter, No. 39, R. A. ]VI., was
instituted at a meeting held June 1, 18S2,
when the following named companions
signed the petition for authority to establish
the chapter, and who filled the respective
offices— J. H. Brown, H. P.; S. A. Plumley,
K.; A. D. Ross, S.; A. T. Koerner, C. of H.;
AV. J. Nytes, P. S.; O. A. Pennoyer, R. A.
C.; llandet Stevens, R.; II. H. Pennover, G.
M. T. v.; T. G. Crump, G. M. S. A^;"d. II.
Duclcering, G. M. F. A^.; and A. C. Brown,
acting sentinel. The first communication
under the charter and name and number was
held November 30, 1882, when the following
com])ani()ns were installed as officers — J. II.
Brown, 11. P.; S. A. Plumley, K.; A. D.
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
601
Koss, S.; A. T. Koerner, C. of H.; W. J.
Nytes, P. S.; C. H. Strobeck, R. A. C; W.
S.' Brill, T.; Hamlet Stevens, S. ; II. II. Pen-
no ver, G. M. T. v.; H. B. Johnson, G. M. S.
v.; D. H. Duckerson, G. M. F. V.; O. A.
Pennoyer, Sent. J. 11. Brown held the office
of Higli Priest until 1884, and companion A.
D. Koss filled the chair of High Priest of
tiiis chapter until the current year, when the
dignity of that office was conferred upon
Charles H. Strobeck. The otlier officers for
18SS, are as follows— Tiieodore Eiders, K.;
A. T. Koerner, S.; J. H. Morris, C. of H.;
A. J. Revel], P. S.; Nels M. Holm, R A. C;
H. S. Branham, T.; Handet Stevens, S. ; T.
G. Crump, C; Amund Dahl, G. M. T. V.; O.
A. Pennoyer, G. M. S. Y.; J. E. Uphani, G.
M. F. v.; and C. H. Bigelow, Sent.
Melita Commandery, No. 17, K. T., was
duly instituted at a meeting lield June 21,
ISSi, at whieli time Sir Knights J. II. Mor-
ris, A. D. Ross, A. T. Koerner, T. G. Crump,
O. H. Strobeck, T. Ehlers, H. S. Branliam,
N. W. Ilawkinson, O. A. Pennoyer, S. B.
Lake, Hamlet Stevens and Peter Johnson
signed the petition to the Grand Com-
mander for the establishment of the Com-
mandery. At a conclave lield January 10,
1885, the following officers were chosen and
installed : J. H. Morris, E. C. ; A. D. Ross,
G. ; A. T. Koerner, C. G. ; T. G. Crump, P. ;
C. II. Strobeck, S. W. ; Tiieodore Eiders, J.
W. ; II. S. Branham, T. ; Hamlet Stevens,
R. ; E. A. D. Salter, standard Itearer; O. A.
Pennoyer, sword bearer; N. W. Hawkinson,
W., and Marcus Jolmson, Sent. The charter
was received October 2!*, 1SS5, and tlie fii-st
officers under it were the following named
Sir Knights: J. IT. Morris, E. C. ; A. D.
Ross, G. ; A. T. Koerner, C. G. ; T. G.
Crump, p. ; C. II. Strobeck, S. W. ; Tiieodore
Ehlers, J. W. ; H. S. Branliam, T. ; Hamlet
Stevens, R. ; E. A. D. Salter, standard bearer ;
O. A. Pennoyer, sword bearer ; N. W. Hawk-
inson, W. ; A. E. Rice, C. of 1st G. ; W. J.
Nytes, C. of 2d G. ; Peter Johnson, C. of 3d
G., and O. W. Ilawkinson, Sent. Sir Knight
J. H. Mori'is lield the post of Eminent Com-
mander until April 9, 1888, from the first
meeting. On the above date tlie following
officers of the Commandery were duly in-
stalled at the regular conclave : A. T. Koer-
ner, E. C; Theodore Ehlers, G. ; J. II.
Morris, C. G.; C. H. Slrolieck. P.; C. II.
Bigelow, S. W. ; A. J. Revell, J. W. ; II. S.
Branham, T. ; Hamlet Stevens, R. ; E. A. D.
Salter, standard Ijearer; O. A. Pennoj'er,
sword Ijearer; N. AV. Ilawkinson, W. ; Peter
Johnson, C. of 1st (t. ; O. W. Ilawkinson, C.
of 2d G.
All of the brandies of the Fraternity are in
splentiid cutidition, Ijoth financially and
socially, and great interest is taken in the
work by tlie members.
The Blue Lodge erected the hall, in lS7i,
as related elsewhere, and rents the use of it
to the other societies. It is a finely furnished
and comfortable lodge-room, and manifests
considerable taste in the fitting and furnish-
ing.
Fidelity Ciiapter, No. 17, Eastern Star,
was organized under dispensation, March 3,
18Sn, with the following list of officers and
members, all of wiiom were initiated into
the order by Golden Fleece Lodge, No. 89:
Mrs. Narcissa H. Heard, "VV. Matron; Charles
H. Strobeck, W. Patron; Mrs. Carrie E.
Strobeck, assistant matron ; Mrs. Eunice A.
Hayford, treasurer; ]\lrs. Tlieo. Ehlers, sec-
retary ; Mrs. Elizabeth M. Ross, conductress ;
Mrs. Elizabeth S. Newland, assistant con-
ductress; ilrs. Louisa M. Hayford, Adali ;
Mrs. Ida H. Joubert, Ruth ; Mrs. Alice E.
Wright, Esther; Mrs. Ida ]\I. Johnson,
Martha; Mrs. Ellen M. Crump. Electa; A. J.
Revell, warder; Charles II. Bigelow, senti-
nel ; Mrs. Frances S. Patrick, Mrs. Jennie
Revel, Mrs. Frances R. Bigelow, Mrs. C. D.
Patrick, Mrs. Sarali Thomas, Mrs. Frances
L. Salter, J. D. Hayford. Theo. Ehlers, A.
602
MEEKER COUNJY, MINNESOTA.
D. lloss, S. D. Patrick, T. G. Cnimp and O.
A. Fennoycr. Tlic lodgo lias ])ros|)ei-<'il since
its inception, and ranks among- tlie best in
the State. The jn-esent otticers are as t'ol-
lo-.vs— Mns. N. 11. Heard, W. ^r.; Charles II.
Strobeck, W. P.; Mrs. (". II. Stn.heck, A.
M.; Mrs. C. C. Patrick, T.; Mrs. Theo.
Ehlers, 8.; Mrs. E. M. Ross, C; ]\[rs. -I.
Kevell, A. C; Mrs. L. M. Ilayford, A.; Mrs.
I. II. Joubert, K.; Mrs. M. C. Braden, E.;
Mrs. F. S. Pati'ick, M ; Mrs. E. P. Howard,
Electa; Mrs. I' ranees Uigelow, warder; Theo.
Ehlers, Sent.; A. J. lleveil, C!hai).: and Mrs.
T. J. Morris, organist.
OTHER SOCIKTIES.
Litchfield Lodge, No. 50,Ancient Order of
United Woi'knien, was instituted February
23, 1878, with the following charter mem-
bers — N. C. Martin, II. Angier. S. Cairn-
cross, S. A. Heard, \\. P. Nelson, A. Nelson,
II. S. Branham, G. O. Hickox, C. (4. Top-
ping, L. Eckslrom, II. McGannon, A. D.
Ross, L. Elmquist, A. Palmquist, F. E. Bis
sell, A. ]\IcConger, A. J. Anderson, G. II.
Chapman, S. Y. Gordon, A. A. Sanford and
E. P. Peterson. The first officers were —
C. G. Topping, M. W. ; N. C. Martin, F. ;
F. E. Bisseil, O. ; G. O. Hickox, Rec. ; H. S.
Branham, financier; A. Nelson, receiver;
H. McGannon, G. ; II. T\I. Angier, I. W. ;
A. G. Anderson, (). W.; S. (,'airncross, P.
N. AY. Tlie present ollicers of the h-dge are
as follows— E. M. Eastman, M. AY.; (). A.
Phelps, G. F. ; (ieorge H. Chapman, ( ). ;
N. A. A'^iren, recorder; N. AV. Hawkinson,
financier; S. S.Cook, receiver; E.Nelson,
G.; A. Palmquist, I. AV.; C. Topping, ().
AY. ; V. H. Harris, I). Elmquist, and John
Rodange, trustees. Tiie lodge has eom-
fortaijle, convenient and pleasant lodge-rooms
in the Harris block, and is in a fioiirishing
condition, and enjoys an excellent i"e])nta-
tion as a benevolent and social organization.
A lodge of tlic Indcpenilent Order i>f Odd-
fellows was instituted in Litchfield, and sus-
tained foi' a time, but was finally abandoneil
and the charter surrendered.
The Litchfield Library Association was
chartered untler the laws of the State, on
September 15, 1875. The capital stock was
fixed at $5,000, 1,000 shares being issued, at
$5 each. The articles of incoijioration de-
fined the general ])nr])oses of the associaLion
to l)e " for iiisti'iu-tion and mental iiii|iiii\e-
ment in the arts and sciences, and for lilciary
and social cultuie by means of the establish-
meiil and maintenance of a librai'y of miscel-
laneous l)ooks, the collection and preservation
of curiosities, works of art and skill, and ob-
ject illustrations of natural science, and Ijy
lectures, addresses, and literary, scientific,
musical and dramatic entertainments." The
officers and charter members of the Associa-
tion were as follows — A. C. Smith, ])resi-
dent; AV. M. AYhite, vice-president; AY. S.
Brill, secretary and librarian; Charles II.
Strobeck, treasurer; F. Daggett, J. 0. A.
Braden, AY. M. Campbell, AY. II. Greenleaf,
S. A. Plumley, A^ P. Kennedy, F. A^ De-
Coster, H. S. Lasher, directors; F. Belfoy,
Dr. F. E. Bisseil, S. AV. Leavitt, A. NelsJn
Fosen, J. Esbjornsson, Leonard Leight, Henry
McGannon, Nelson J. Marsh, C. F. Dart, E.
A. Campi)ell, M. J. Flynn, ,1. 11. I5ac(m, J.
A. C. Waller, James 11. INIorris ami C. (i.
Topping. The library is at present in the
(irand Army of the Re|)ublic hall, in the
immediate care of Post No. 35, though still
the ])ropcrty of the Association.
The Litchfield Dramatic Association was
organized January 13, 1877, with the follow-
ing members — J. C. Braden and wife;
Chauncey Butler and wife; J. 11. Morris
and wife; Col. J. M. Howard and wife: ('.
II. Strobeck and wife; Rev. T. (L Crump
and wife; S. W. Leavitt and wife; A. D.
Ross and wife; S. A. Plumley and wife;
AV. M. AVhite and wife; J. E.sbjornsson, O.
n. .Itilinsiii), Hamlet Stevens, AV. D. Joultert,
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
603
S. W. Frazier, II. J. Laslier, Dr. 8. L. Barr,
Dr. J. II. riacon, and Misses lluttie Camp
bell, Nettie JI. Ti.xley, and Ilattie 15. Siniuns.
On organization the following oiticers wei-e
elected to attend to the govei'nnient of the
society: S. W. Leavitt, nianagei'; Dr. J. II.
Bacon, assistant manager; O. B. Johnson,
treasurer, and W. D. Joiibert, secretary. By
one of the by-laws of the Association the
number of members was confined lo forty,
half of whom were to be of the gentler sex.
It has proven a brilliant success, and has a
full membershi]!, each of whom takes an
individual interest in its woi'kings. The
present officers are the following — S. W.
Leavitt, manager; J. II. Bacon, assistant;
James \\. Mori-is, treasurer; E. B. Weeks,
secretary.
The Scandinavian Temperance Society
was organized in the autumn of 1886, as an
open society, by the citizens of that nation-
ality or descent, with a meinbershi)i of alioiit
twenty. It has accomplished much gond in
liel])ing on the cause in this locality, and has
increased rapitlly in size, having now some
275 members. Meetings are hekl semi-
monthly at the Swedisli Methotlist Episcopal
Church, and great interest is manifested in
them. The first otiicers wei'e — E. B. Nelson,
pi'esident ; Halvor Burgliii, vice-pi'esidcnt ;
O. Ringdahl, secretary ; and Charles Hanson,
treasurer. Elections are held every four
months, and the present ollicers are the fol-
lowiuy named oentlemen : Ber"!! Anderson,
president; J. G. Johnson, vice-president;
Edward Benson, secretary; and S. Peterson,
treasurer.
KKI.IOIOI.'S.
The First Presbyterian Church Societj'
of Litchfield, was organized temporarily on
the 2d of day January, 1870, under the ilirec-
tion of a committee from the St. Paul Pi'es-
bytery, alth real life of the clnirch began.
The pioneer oflicei's were tlie following-
named — Kev. T. (t. Crinn|i, I'ectoi'; J. C.
Braden, senioi- wanlen ; Charles II. Stroljcck,
junior warden ; II. (i. Itisiiig, I). E. Potter,
J M. Mitchell. J. M. Waldren, O. B. Espin,
W. S. Ih'ill and G. II. (Miajjnian, vestrymen ;
I). E. Potter, cleik ; C II. Strobeck, treasurer.
A Mrs. Ellen Anehenty ])laced the sum of
^.j.ddo in the hands of Hisliop Whipple for
the purpose of erecting a church and jjarish
school, and the Ihshoj) selected this congre-
"•ation as the bencliciarv. 'I'lie chui'ch edifice
was erected during the year 1871, and dedi-
cated February 1, ISTii. It is a very hand-
some structure, built in the English Gothic
style of architecture, and together with the
rectory and school buildingis valued at over
$7,000. Mr. C'rumi) continued to fill the
position of rector until March 19, 1888, when
he resigned, and was succeeded by Rev.
Alfred G. Pinkhani. The present officers
are — C. II. Strobeck and J. II. ]\Iorris,
wardens; A. J. Revcll, T. II. AYood, C. A.
Hraisie, A. R. j\Iontf(jrt, James Dickson and
J. E. Upliam, vestrymen; Hamlet Stevens,
treasurer; and M. (). Gathcart, clerk. Al-
though the church had l)ut about ten or
eleven members at its inception it now num-
bers some 375 individuals in the congrega-
tion, of whom one hundred are communi-
cants.
The Methodist Ej)iscopal Church of Litch-
field was instituted in this neighborhood, as
an auxiliary to the Forest City Church, in
18G(i, a board of trustees being ap]iointed
and a temporary organization being effected
in July of that year. Rev. T. J. Woodworth
was the first pastor to labor with the people,
services being held ii'regularly in jn'ivate
houses. In 18(>!1, on theii- removal to Litch-
field, meetings were hehl in the old school-
house, a permanent organization was effected,
and the first (piarterly conference was in
November of that vear. At that time the
jiastor was Rev. J. S. Fasig, who was suc-
ceeded, in September, 1871, by Rev. AVUIiam
Copj). Under the administration of Rev.
Copp the erection of the present church edi-
fice was begun and completed, at a cost of
$2,600. For a year jji-evious to its comple-
tion services were held in the hall over a
saloon on Sibley avenue. In 1872 Rev.
Levi Gleason came to the charge, and in
1873 he was succeeded by lie v. Isaac II.
Riddick, whose circuit inclnde. Hunt, 1878-80; Rev. L. Hall,
1881-2; Rev. N. M. Learned, 1882-3; Rev.
J. C. Gullett, 1883-1; Rev. A. J. Brock,
188-L-r.. In 1886 the present pastor, Rev. T.
W. Butler, was called to the charge. The
church membership is now 120, anil the soci-
ety is in a wi^vy ])rospei"ous condition. L)ur-
ing the year 1887 some .s300 worth of im-
provements wei-e put njion the church, and
a parsonage was erected at a cost of $1,400.
S, which is 14 feet scpiaie,
rises to a height of 87 feet. It is well fur-
nished inside, is heated by first-class furna-
ces, and is handsomely liuished in fresco.
6o6
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
The present officers are tlie rolluwiny
named — llev. L. A. IIocanzMii, pastor; A.
Palniqiiist. organist; Aaron landliolni, secre-
tary ; Carl Hanson, treasurer; A. Palniquist,
John Sncll, and Swen Nelson, deacons; and
Andrew Nelson, Carl Hanson, and Nels An-
derson, trustees. The clmrcli has a total
niendicrsliip of I'lo, of whom 117 are com-
municants. The Sunday-school, which meets
every Sabbath, is under the superintendency
of J. A. Elvblad. A parish school is hehl
during some eight weeks in the year in con
nection with the church, and a ladies society
meets once a month.
The Roman Catholic Church at Litchfield
was organized as a part of the parish of
Forest City, in 1871, by Rev. Father Arthur
Hurley, who remained pastor of it until
1873, when he was succeeded by Rev. Fatliei'
Caiiill, under wiiose direction a pai-sonage
was j)urciiased, and one room therein was
fitted u]) as a chapel, in wliich mass was
celebrated. In 1875 Rev. Fatiiei' John Mc-
Dermolt became the spiritual director of the
church, and organized, during his ministry,
the first total abstinence society in Meeker
county, and lots were xwi'chased, and the
foundation of the cliurch laid in 1881. Rev.
Father I'atrick Kinney, the next priest, came
in the spring of 1882, and the churcli edifice
was built under his direction, at a cost
of $4.()(H). Rev. Father 11. McDevitt took
charge of tlie parish in iss.'i, and remained
about a year, when lie was succeeded by
Rev. Father P. J. Roland, the present pastor.
In tile summer of 1887 tlie present hand-
some parsonage was erected at a cost of
!B2,0()0.
EDLX'ATIONAf. M.VTTERS.
These are matters upon wliieii the cili/.i-ns
of Litchfield take a just pride. At tJiis writing
iheir schools are well graded, and have; been
in tlie past, and are to-day, among the best
managed schools in the State. There is not
a city of tlie same size in Minnesota where
; the |>ublic schools ai-e rated higher, or edu-
cational facilities and privileges more excel-
lent than in Litchfield, and the citizens justly
feel proud of their institutions.
The first olficial school meetiiiji' on the
present site of Litciilield was iield on the 'itltli
of March, 187n, when tiie following officers
were elected: J V. I'ranliain, Jr., director ;
C. H. Strobeck, clerk, and Bengt Hanson,
treasurer. This i)erfecteil tlie organization
of the district. The lirstschool on the town
site was held in a small frame building which
stood on block 41, and was valued at S250.
It is presumed that the district had bought
this building, but the I'ecords do not show
anything of the purchase, altiiough it appears
upon the reports as school property. The
total enrollment of scholars during that year
(1870) was forty-six, and there was only one
teacher employed — Flora !Mitc!iell. She was
paid ii;25 per month. The term lasted three
months, and the total expenditure for school
purposes during the year 1870 amounted to
only $U8.78.
On the 8th of February, 1871. a special
school meeting was held, at which it was de-
cided to buikl a new school-house, to cost not
more than !f;3,00(>, and to be located on the
northeast quarter of block 51. The contract
was let June 19, 1871, calling for the com-
pletion of a two-story, four-room building.
The building was occiipietl in the winter of
1871-'72, there being an enroUment during
tiie term of ninety two. The total iimount
paid teachers during 1871 was^3(i5, the totiil
amount expended for school purpcjses being
!?3,:}t);t.54.
The sciiool gr;idii;illy advnnceil mid grew
in numbers until it became necessary to erect
a larger schonl-building. A hot contest, last-
ing from March 15 until April 26, 1879, took
])lace over this question, which is referred
t(j as the " North and South side war." Each
side wanted the building erected in their
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
607
own part of the town, the railroad track being
the dividing line. The question was finall}'
decided, and a splendid school structure was
erected on the north side of the track, being
located on block 124. The building is of
brick, and contained eight rooms, although
only four were furnished at the time. The
total cost of the building was $10,000, while
the site and furniture cost §2,000 luore.
In August, 1880, Litchfield was organized
as an independent district, with the follow-
ing school board — S. W. Leavitt, president ;
Bengt Hanson, treasurer; J. H. Morris,
clerk ; M. J. Flynn, W. H. Greenleaf and
Henry McGannon, trustees. The schools
were graded during this year.
In April, 1886, an additional building was
erected at a cost to the city of $3,500 includ-
ing the grounds. This building is located
on the south side of the railroad. In the
fall of 1887 it was found that the necessities
of the schools required still another building,
and one was rented and furnished, which is
now used as first primary. This makes
three buildings in all, with a total of eleven
rooms. Eleven teachers are emplo\'ed, Y.
W. Brokaw being the present principal.
The present enrollment of the schools is 550
scholars. The total amount paid as teachers'
salaries during the year 1887 was $6,815.
The jiresent school board of Litchfield is
composed as follows — S. W. Leavitt, presi-
dent ; J. W. "Wright, secretary ; W. H.
Greenleaf, treasurer; J. H. Morris, M. J.
Flynn, and V. H. Harris, directors.
FIRE DEPAKTMEXT.
The first movement toward the fo)'mation
of a fire department at Litchfield, was a vol-
unteer company which was brought into
existence in 1873. Among those who were
active workers in this organization were the
following named — A. E. Potter, A. E.
Howe, J. D. Hayford, John Mosette, H. J.
Lasher, E. F. Koberts, John Ilayford, J. P.
Scarp, James McCabe, John Peterson, A. T.
Koerner, W . II. Myers, F. P. Zimmerman,
John Anderson, Henry McGannon, M. W.
Damuth, P. Eckstrom, II. J. Brinkman, P.
Berens, AV. D. Joubert, S. Y. Gordon, S. P.
Chipman, S. AV. Frasier, Chauncey Butler,
Jacob Koerner and others. This organiza-
tion was maintained until the present com-
pany was incorporated in 1877.
On the 20th of January, 1877, articles of
incorporation were drawn organizing and
incorporating the Litchfield Fire Companyt
The first officers were as follows — P. Eck-
strom, foreman ; H. J. Lasher, first assistant;
J. M. Howard, second assistant ; A. T.
Koerner, secretary and treasurer; and AV.H.
Myers, steward. Besides the officers the fol-
lowing named were all charter memljers of
the association — J. N. Bacon, Henry McGan-
non, M. AV. Damuth, M. Thurin, Chauncey
Butler, A^. M. Campbell, M. J. Flynn, John
Peterson, Henry Eckstrom, F. P. Campbell,
S. Y. Gordon, F. P. Zimmerman, Alexander
Cairncross, John Anderson, S. AV. Leavitt, A.
D. Koss, N. J. March, John Hayford, J. B.
Hatch, J. P. Scarp, E. F. Koberts, P. Berens
and James McCabe.
At the time of organization the depart-
ment was equipped with one Babcock ex-
tinguisher, together with the usual hooks,
ladders, etc. In November, 1883, the city
seeing the necessity of better protection
against the fiery element, furnished the de-
partment with a Cataract hand engine, two
hose carts and a thousand feet of hose, at a
cost of $2,350. The building then in use as
an engine house was the old frame school-
house located on block 51. This was used
as an engine house until 1886, when the
present brick engine house was erected on
the corner of Second and Ramsey streets.
It is a substantial, two-story building, con-
venientl}' dividetl,and containing a fireman's
hall and council room. The building cost
the city $1,865 in money, besides which,
6o8
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
the old frame building and lots Avere traded
in.
A few additional items in regard to the
history of the dejjartnient may be of interest.
On thelTth of Feln-iiary. 1877, a committee
was appointed to solicit subscriptions for the
purchase of a bell. The bell was secured
during the following summer at a cost of
$80. The first time the present department
turned out for drilling purposes was in June,
1878. The first delegates to the State Fire
Department, were P. Eckstrom and A. T.
Koerner. On the Oth of March, 1882, the
village council appropriated $50 for the pur-
pose, and tlie dt'iiartniont secui'ed fifty hel-
mets and belts.
In addition to the organization given
above, the village also lioasts of a " bucket
brierade," which was organized on the !>tli of
Mav, 1882. It then had twenty-five mem-
bers. The organization has been sustained
up to the present time, and the "brigade"
now has thirt\- members, and is in good
working order. The i)resent officers are — N.
F. Reveli, captain ; N. Thoralson, secretary;
and S. A. Scarp, assistant. "Water is drawn
from four cisterns which hold about 450
barrels, and the supjily is practically inex-
haustible. They have three force pumps.
About 1878 an imlepeiulent company was
organized here, which was known as the
" Litchfield Rifles." It was comjiosed of
about forty members, and was commanded
by the following officers — S. W. Leavitt, cap-
tain; J. II. Morris, first lieutenant; and A.
T. Koerner, second lieutenant. This oi-gani-
zation was maintained for about two years,
when their guns were called for, as they
were needed in the West for actual service.
As the guns were not I'elurned, the organi-
zation was finally abandoned.
On the 20th of Fel)ruary. 1883,Company II,
First Ilegiment Minnesota National (Tuards,
was organized at Litchfield with sixty-two
members. The following were tiie first and
are the present officers of the company — S.
W. Leavitt, captain ; J. H. Morris, first lieu-
tenant ; and A. T. Koerner, second lieuten-
ant. The organization is still maintained,
and the company now has sixty-four men,
including both rank and file, and is under an
excellent degree of disci]iline.
BANDS.
The first brass band in the county was or-
ganized in Litchfield in 1871, with fourteen
members — H. J. Lasher, J. H. Bacon, S. "W.
Leavitt, H. S. Branham, D. E. Branham, Y.
II. Harris, II. Mc(4annon, August Lund-
crantz, N. A. Yiren, John Black well, George
Waller, Henry Chase, IMartin Thurien and
B. F. Pixley. It was not only the pioneer
organization in musical matters, but also in
dramatic and other entertainments. The
first dramatic and literary society was insti-
tuted by its members, which is still in ex-
istence and fioui'ishing under the name of
the Litchfield Dramatic Association. The
Litchfield Band maintained its organization
for about three \'ears, and proved the jirinci-
pal stepping-stone for amusement enterprises
of almost every kind in the village.
The Litchfield cornet band was organized
Xoveml)er 5, 1885, and was officered for the
first year as follows — F. M. Phillijis, presi-
dent ; I). Elmquist, vice-president ; A. Leid-
holm, secretary ; F. P. Zimmerman, treas-
urer. On the 5th of Noveml)er, 1.SS7, the
band was incorporated under the laws of the
State. It is now in a flourishing conditii^n,
owns a set of fine instruments, wiiich were
paid for entirely out of its own funds, and
enjoys the reimtation of being one of the
best bands in this i)ortion of the State. The
present officers and members are as follows —
I. N. Nelson, jjresident; August Ericson,
vice-president ; M. O. Oathcart, secretary ;
A. Palmquist. treasurer ; O. A. Olson, leader
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
609
and teacher ; D. Elraquist, E. Anderson, A.
O. Snell, B. E. Harris, Fritz Koerner, Andrew
Palmquist.
PAEKS.
Probably no village of its size in the
Northwest can boast of a more beautiful
park than Litchfield. It is called Central
Park, and occupies one block, bounded by
Sibley and Marshall avenues, and Third and
Fourth streets. The land was donated the
village bv the Manitoba Eailroad Company,
who caused trees to be set out in it, in 1870.
These trees died, and the following year the
citizens, under the direction of Jesse Y.
Branham, Jr., took it in hand, broke and pre-
pared the ground, and the next year ti-ees
and shrubbery were planted in it through pri-
vate donations. Since that time it has been
cared for and improved by tlie village coun-
cil, until it has become one of the most l)eau-
tiful ]iarks in the State, and the pride which
the citizens manifest in its preservation and
imjM'ovement is indeed a ]iardonable one.
The general ])icturesqueness of tlie park is
greatly added to by a handsome pagoda,
which occupies a circle in the center of the
park, where suuimer-night concerts are given
regularly by the Litchfield cornet band.
There are two other parks belonging to
the village, one in the northwest portion and
one in the southern part of town, both of
which are being improved and ornamented
with trees and shrubbery, and which will
eventually become a ci"edit to the village.
Not the least among the many commend-
able enterprises of Litchfield is the Litchfield
Driving Park, which is located on a beauti-
ful tract of land on the north shore of Lake
Piplev. which was formerly the ])roperty of
the Meeker Count3' Agricultural and Me-
chanical Association. It is the design of the
corporation to convert it into a fir.st-class
driving park, with a perfectly level half-mile
track, amphitheater, stables, etc. The ground
is more admirably adapted for the purpose
than any in this locality, and the backing
which the enteri)rise has insures its success
beyond pei-adventure.
INCOEPOEATION.
The village of Litchfield was chartered by
act of the Legislature, February 29, 1872.
On the first Monday in April of that year,
an election was held in accordance with the
provisions of the charter, when the follow-
ing officers were chosen — Jesse V. Branham,
Jr., president; J. Q. A. Braden, recorder;
Charles B. Howell, attorney; Y. H, Harris,
justice; John Esbjornsson, treasurer; S. Y.
Gordon, constable; George ]'. Waller, J. C.
Brailen, Nels Swanson, trustees. The elec-
tion was held under the supervision of Jesse
Y. Branliam, Jr., Miciiael J. Flynn and Nels
Swanson. The first meeting of the council
was held on the .5th of April, in the LTnited
States land ofiicc, whieii was then located in
the building occupied by W. II. Dart, the
grocer.
Tlie second year in the history of the
incorporated village the original officers were
I'eelected, with the exception of members of
the council, as follows — G. W. Weisel, presi-
dent; M. A. Brown, C. O. Porter, Andrew
Nelson .
No record of election in lS7i.
In 1875 the annual election resulted in the
choice of the following officers — S. W.
Leavitt, president ; Cliauncey Butler, F. Y.
DeCoster, J. B. Hatch, trustees ; Y. H. Har-
ris, recorder; John Esbjornsson, treasurer;
S. A. Plumley, attorney ; S. Y. Gordon,
constable.
For the centennial year the village chose
for its officers the following — J. M. Wakh-en,
president; Chauncey Butler. P. Eckstrom,
Frank Daggett, trustees; A. T. Koerner,
I'ecorder; J. Esbjornsson, treasurer; S. A.
Plumley, attorney ; H. IMcGannon, constable.
1877. Chauncey Butler, ])i-esident ; H.
6io
MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Ames, N. A. Viren, A. Cairncross, trustees;
A. T. Koerner, recorder; S Y. Gordon, con-
stable.
ISTS. A. C. Smith, president; 11. Ames,
S.A.Heard, TST. Anderson, trustees; A. T.
Koerner, recorder ; Jacob Koei'iier, treasurer ;
F. II. liawley, attorney; II. Angler, constable.
1S79. S. A. Heard, president ; M. J. Flynn,
A. D. Ross, II. B. Johnson, trustees ; A. Palm,
recorder; M. A. Brown, treasurer; A. C.
Smith, attorney; J. W. Ilooser, constable.
1880. H. B. Johnson, president ; A. Cairn-
cross, F. E. Bisseli, J. Koernei-, trustees ; W.
W. Johnson, recorder ; H. B. Gates, treas-
urer ; A. C. Smith, attorney ; II. McGannon,
constable.
- 1881. M. A. Brown, president; V. II.
Harris, S. A. Pluraley, J. P. Scarp, trustees;
A. T. Koerner, recorder; H. S. Branham,
treasurer; S. A. Plumley, attorney; II.
McGannon, constable.
1882. Cliarles II. Strobeck, president ; N.
Thoralson, I). Flynn, J. E. Peterson, trus-
tees ; A. T. Koerner, recorder ; H. B. Gates,
treasurer; E. P. Peterson, attorney; II.
McGannon, constable.
1883. V. FT. Harris, president ; D. Flynn,
John Rodange, J. Esbjornsson, trustees; A.
T. Koerner, recorder ; Geo. H. Simons, attor-
ney ; \1. McGannon, constable.
188-4. V. H. Harris, president; M. J.
Flynn, J. Esbjornsson, S. W. Leavitt, trust-
ees; A. T. Koerner, recorder; J. M. Russell,
attorney; H. M. Angler, constable.
1885. J. M. Howard, president; M. J.
Flynn, ]\r. A. Brown, S.W. Rankin, trustees;
A. T. Koerner, recorder; Wm. Kenney, at-"
torney ; II. M. Angier, constable.
1886. F. E. Bisseli, president ; C. L. An-
gell, S. W. Rankin, N. C. Martin, trustees;
C. H. Bigeiow, recorder ; A. J. Revell, treas-
urer; J. M. Russell, attorney, H. M. Angier,
constable.
In 1887 the village charter was amended,
empowering the extension of boundaries,
dividing the village into wards, and giving
it the powers generally possessed by munici-
pal corporations at common law. The fol-
lowing officers were elected untler the new
regime — j\1. J. Flynn, mayor; J. L. Wake-
field, recorder; W. H. Dart, treasurer; E.
P. Peterson, attorney ; II. M. Angier, mar-
shal; A. T. Koerner, justice of the jieace.
Council: J. M. Howard, president; N. J.
March, C. A. Greenleaf, first ward ; J. Esb-
jornsson, A. D. Ross, second ward; J. M.
Howard, N. W. Hawkinson, third ward.
These were the officers at the time this man-
uscript went to press (February, 1888).