_?«_ ^^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. ^ ff?^-^ .>fi«f-><^-<->^^-- -l^? »^;:;'- «i^ * g--'-'^W - -'- i p?J^^=^ F^ ?^'';^^7J^^^?J?f? ?rpp?T3 ;3 - ^;j p ^ ^ ;'1 i<: ^, -^ ^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- » -.^ :-^ iLC,:Qi c^oic;oiOiC.iciC!.o;C; ic, : l-f J4Mii MillS®S« J^fSi'-'* !JS -■■ * m^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^i^^m^^^s^^^m^A i?^ *-"--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. || ^^^OQai^tin Uan Bui^en.<^^|| i^agj-^^^F^iiagjg^T^ j;.^a"afc.:g!t^-it'33jt ^tt'^ssj^s^^^ .^^i^^^^^^^^^ 4|)<&*Si«^j'iJj4«i^.^^^^^^c^rrT1,r^■v^':^'r^-'^^r-^^; aa3:^a3i^^^^^':a!^^m^^ra-^^:^^-ji'i^:a'3s^33i ^1^ (,^^'^»^-^*^«^*^«^«^^(^'^^^^r^<='^"^'*^"^*^'*^'*^^'^^t f « >^ 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. ^i"!.^, ^^i Q / 0«jixiTtT3iTTJTnnntTXXTirtTri*TiT(XTTixTXirirTiTiT \ ' o ^^>^>i^'" i A %',■ -;^-^ Ci)unt\ 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. '«£-;^' )y^. ^H^as^fecEHa ^^ '^■>^---, jiii^itf- >^«^->c Jt nU FPI]I^LI]] PIER(^E. ^V.t^Jc'^/r^dJk a. H2Ei^HHHSHH5HHE2H2HH5Hi2EHHaBSaH2HHHHS!Has:^a laV '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. P EEkggirsBifeKg gr'^KKrKKir^i^Kir^ ^ IJIvVA^[Mf5 M fi^^^T-ri^:(^r, f| ~ y.y -v A .^ -v -v -v . t^v:r^^' xtcsi^lESi:!: -CSift^Ci^iiiK^i^&^'^u hi&f^imUi^ii^ii^^Ui^-^^^ f •^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 T @<^g f^\"i'v':^'~?i'"?'if.7*ifrt'C^ IW^%^-^^,^;i^T,'r.^,^^^r^r;i.'r.i.g^i 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® r^>^"" ^,^^^e^^_ ^rmnp f .(^""* -S V ;p]i, (51 f MEEKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA. 149 -^. ,^^^P ^^^ (D ^^^ BIOGRMPHIQMl H ▼ J ■♦♦♦♦♦*♦ *•*«••*«»«*■ '*♦♦* ^^^^C^p^^^ ©-^ "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." A^ -♦@^ . .^=:id : pfc^ , ^^^ ^1 Hfis^.T^0^K:r(E'?im m^ *' {♦♦♦*»♦♦♦♦♦*•••••**•••**••••**•••■• *********** t^^-t^^-^tttt T •#«» «»♦♦♦«« >« »»4 .t;n:j»t«»»>»»»»«»»>»«»»»»»>» »♦♦♦«♦♦♦♦«»»* ■ GE-NERAL HIS^eRY, ! ** **************** ************************** " ^*T**»tttT«* t l»»»»»»t>m»»^f^)maj,,,,,,,,,,.atat >■■■■■»>■■«■«■■■ aai.T \5 ofs^ (ij" « 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. 1- >- I— z. =) o cc Ll_l z o en z cr I— LU CL 2: LU o CO LU or 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).