Anoka County, Minnesota - Chapter 10: City of Anoka, 1905

Chapter 10: City of Anoka

Two abortive attempts were made to incorporate the City of Anoka. The first act authorizing; incorporation was passed by the legislature in 1858, but the chartu- was rejected by popular vote. A charter authorized by act of March 5, 1869, met with a like fate, and it was not until March 2, 1878, that the city was set off from the township of the same name.

The first pcstoffice in Anoka county was established at Itaska in May, 1852. Rut Itaska dwindled after the bill to move the capital failed, while Anoka grew. It was inconvenient to get mail at Itaska. During the fall of 1853 Mr. Lavned used to get the mail at St. Anthony and bring it up in his hat. Some time that winter (1853- 4) a postofiice was established at Anoka and George W. Branch was named as ])ostmaster. His successors to the present time have been : R. M. Johnson. E. H. Davis, J. C. Frost. S. M. \''arney, George Colbath, G. A. Jenks. ^T. O. Butterfield, R. C. Mitchell. S. P. Starrett, Mrs. Johnson. R. M. Taylor.. J. A. Foote. James

Fire Department

A volunteer fire company was fomied in 1857, arid a few years later was incorporated under the name of "Protection Hook and Ladder Company No. i."' A hook and ladder truck was built by members of the company. The year 1877 was a disastrous year for conflagrations, and immediately after the incorporation of the city in the spring- of 1878, the fire department was reorganized, and steps were taken looking toward the purchase of more modern apparatus. A steam fire engine was bought and arrived Oct. 3, 1878. After the big fire of 1884 a chemical engine was added. The first officers of the city fire department were : Chief. O. L. Cutter ; first assistant, R. M. Lowell; second assistant, L. H. Bruns.

Nvater Works And Electric Light

The plant of the Anoka Water Works, Electric Light and Power Co., was installed as a result of an election held in the fall of 1889. Its franchise runs thirty-one years from Jan. i, 1890. The city rents 66 hydrants and 25 twelve hundred candle power arc lights for which it pays $6,336 per annum. The stand pipe is twenty feet in diameter and 115 feet high. There are seven and onehalf miles of water mains.

Industry

Aside from agricultural pursuits, the saw mills and flour mill furnished employment to the greater number of Anoka residents previous to the Civil War. Ammi Cutter built two ill-fated saw mills and a tub and pail factory, all of which were destroyed by fire. In i860 James McCann purchased the water power and all the mills run by it except the flour mill, and three years later, equipped a much better saw mill than the place had theretofore contained, raising the capacity to twenty thousand feet of lumber per day.

In 1868 A. and L. B. Martin built a steam s;iw mill on the west side of Rum river with a daily capacity of one hundred thousand feet of lumber, and employing over one bundrod nun. In 1870 another steam i^aw mill was built on the opposite river bank on the site of the burned Cutter mill, which gave employmtnt to fifty men, and had a capacity of 75,000 feet. In 1872 W. D. Washburn & Co. purchased James McCann's milling interests and immediately began the erection of a large steam saM mill with an annual capacity of sixteen million feet oi lumber and employing about 125 men. Logs for this large output were obtained on the upper waters of Rum river and its branches and from Mille Lacs and floated down the river to the mills. The lumber industry had attained its highest point when the country was swept by the panic of 1873. 'The lumber companies failed one after the other. W. D. AX'ashbum & Co. managed to keep afloat until Nov. 3, 1874, when they also made an assignment. Wages of common labor went down to a dollar a day and less. Recovery from this crisis was very slow throughout the country. The Alartin mill passed into the hands of the St. Paul Lumber Co. and some years later into those of Reed & Sherwood. The smaller mill became the ]Trnpcrty of the Anoka lAimber

City Of Axoka

Co., and later of Page Brothers, and W. D. Washburn succeeded in reorganizing his business under thr naii: of the Washburn Mill Co. But credit was shaken and markets restricted, so that it was several years before the mills were back to anything like their old lime < ut]nu. In the eighties it -began to be apparent that logging on Rum river was ncaring its end. and a board of trade was organized for the purpose of encouraging other industries to locate in Anoka to take the place of tho waning lumber business. In 1886 Leland & Hall buili the largest potato starch factnry in tb.e country at Anoka, and the same year a shoe factory from Lynn, Mass., was induced to locate in the place. There are now two starch factories at .\noka.

The Anoka shoe factory is now operated as a branch by the North Star Shoe Company of MuineapoHs, who took possession of it Sept. 15, 1897. It has a capacity of 800 pairs of shoes per day, and a product valued at about $300,000 per annum. It employs about eighty men.

Lincoln Mill

coin Flouring Mill, with a capacity of 600 barrels of flour per day. This mill was burned in the great fire of August 16, 1884, but was immediately rebuilt with improved machinery. It was sold to the Pi 11 sbury- Washburn Flour Mills Co. Feb. 19, 1890. The mill now has a capacity of 1600 barrels of flour per day.

The first bank at Anoka was organized April i, 1874, by Walter Mann, W. R. Merriani and C. E. Blake of St. Paul, and was called the Rank of Anoka. Jt was reor-

I-IKST CHlKCli IN ANOKA ClJlNTY. Built by the Congregational Socictv on Jackson str»^et, Anoka, in 1857. Purchased by the Catholic Church in 1866. Removed in 1888 to make room for the new St. Stephens church.

The Anoka National Bank was organized in 1883, with W. D. Washburn as the principal stockholder. The present officers are : John Coleman, president : A. D. Howard, vice president ; L. J. Greenwald, cashier.

The State Bank of Anoka was organized in February, 1892. Its present officers are : John Goss, president ; Henry Lee, vice president ; R. W. Akin, cashier.

The first newspaper in Anoka county was established Aug. 25, i860, by A. C. and E. A. Squire. May 31, 1863, the office was damaged by fire and there appears t:) have been no further publication of the paper. Thera are now no copies of this paper known to be in existence.

In September A. C. Squire sold the printing material and subscription list to A. G. Spaulding, who changed the name to Anoka Star, and the first issue of the new paper appeared Oct. 3, 1863. Many of the advertisements which had been running in the Republican reappeared in the Star, printed with the same type. Nov. 5, 1864, the Star appeared with Chas. W. Folsom and Ed. H. Folsom as editors and publishe's. In March, 1865, the Star passed into the hands of a stock companv composed of citizens of Anoka, who voted to change the name to Anoka Sentinel. The first number of the Sentinel appeared April 8, 1865, with Chas. W. Folsom and J. M. Thompson as editors and publishers. The last issue of the Sentinel which can now be found is that of June 23, 1865. Probably the paper was discontinued at that time or soon after.

August 31, 1865, the Anoka Union was started by George Gray. Many of the advertisements which had been appearing in the Sentinel were continued in the Union, but Mr. Gray began liis pa]:)er as \^nl. i. No. i.

April 5, 1866, the name of Granville S. Pease appeared as one of the publishers, and in June Mr. Pease became sole proprietor, having purchased all the stock of the company previously in control. The paper has never since changed ownership. The Union is widely quoted, and Mr. Pease has come to be one of the best known men in the state.

Immigrants going west with on ttarns in 1S68. Main street from First to Second avenue, showing Ticl<rior's drug store still unfinished, the first brick building in Anoka. Photo, by I. M. Woods.

Sept. 7. 1866, John M. Thompson started the Anoka Press, which he published seven or eight years, and then sold it to W. H. Campbell, who changed the name to Anoka Republican. About T877 the paper passed into the hands of a man named Wildridge, who changed the name to Anoka Sun. He only published it a few months. Up to this time this paper had been printed on the west side of Rum river, but it was now moved to the east side and William C. Whiteman, now of Ortonville, became its publisher. The next publisher was Frederick D. Carson. Double names for newspapers were now becoming ((uite common by consolidations, and Mr. Carson added the old name to the new, calling his paper the Sun and Republican. In 1879 Mr. Carson sold the paper to Animi Cutter, who changed the name to Anoka Herald, and soon after engaged Alvah Eastman as editor. In 1880 ?ilr. Eastman purchased the pa])er. which he owned and edited until 1891, selling it in that year to A. A. and T. A. Caswell. For ten years I. A. Caswell's name ap- ])eared at the head of the Herald columns as publisher. In June, 1901. the paper passed under the management of C. I. Cook and F. A. Dare, and the next year was sold to Cook & Chase. In 1904 Roe G. Chase became the sole pubHsher and editor. Under his management the high standard set by Alvah Eastman and the Caswells has been well maintained.

Methodist Episcopal Church, Anoka

In 1901 the Minneapolis Democrat was moved from Minneapolis to Anoka by N. P. Olson, its publisher, and the name changed to Anoka Free Press. The paper found plenty of friends and was soon on an enduring basis. The paper is independent democratic. Mr. Olson is severe in his criticism of tendencies which he deems undesirable, and his editorials often cut like a whiplash.

(3ne fact worthy of note is that the now powerful -Minneapolis Journal is the outgrowth of a small weekly started in Anoka by W. H. Lamb in 1876. The Anoka Journal did not prosper, and when there came an upheaval and consolidation of twin city dailies, Mr. Lamb moved the plant to Minneaj^olis and began the publication of a daily of the same name. The paper changed hands several times, and finally became a very valuable property.

Mkthodtst EriscoPAi.. - The first class was organied at Anoka Uec. 10, 1854. This charge was first called the T'enton County Mission. Wisconsin Conference, and James H. White was appointed as missionary. Tn 1859 a church was built on lot I, block 15, corner of Monroe street and Fourth avenue, but when ready for inside furnishings was destroyed by fire supposed to have been started l)y an incendiary. July 11. 1859. Services were then held in the Third .\venue School House, and afterward in a hall on Main street. The present church was completed in \P<(')^). but has since been remodeled and greatly enlarged. The present pastor is Rev. A. A. Graves.

CoxGREGATio.NWi-. - The Congregational church was organized May 6, 1855, at the residence of Rev. Royal Twitcheil, just over the line of the town of Grow, with five members, Rev. Royal Twitcheil, his wife, Almena

M. Twitchell, Benjamin Messer and wife, and Allen N. Nourse. A church was built in 1857, which stood on the present site of St. Stephens Catholic church. This was the first house of worship in Anoka. In December, 1866, the building- was sold to the Catholic society, and meetin <>> were lield in tlie [t^wn hall for a \-ear. ]\Iean while work was being: pushed on the present church, which was completed in i86(j. Extensive repairs were made in 1885. The present pastor is Rev. Edwin Ewcll.

March 2^, 1856, in tlie Third Avenue School House. Meeting^s were infrequent in the beginning, but Jan. 3, 1857, Rev. Lyman Palmer was called to the pastorate. In 1858 the construction of a church was begun on lower

Ferry street, and it was dedicated March i, 1859. This church was several times enlarged, and was sold a few years ago and the present fine brick church bnilt on the

St. Stephens Church, Anoka

The first meeting for the organization of the parish was held at the office of C. T. Curtiss, an attorney, Sept. 17, 1858. The church was erected on its present site in i860 and dedicated July 1 1 of that year. Soon after the church was moved to Third avenue, south of the site of the present Library Building, where it remained until 1880, when it was returned to its original site. The present pastor is Rev. R. R. Goudy.

Catholic. - The first mass was celebrated by Father Earth at the residence of Peter Donnelly, Aug 15, 1856. As adherents of the church increased the services became more regular, and in 1873 Father McDermott became the first resident priest. In October, 1866. the old Congregational church was purchased, and this church was utilized until 1889. when the present fine St. Stephens church was erected, the dedication taking place in July, i88(). The church maintains a school in connection with St. Ann's convent. The present pastor is Rev. Oliver Dolphin.

L'xTVKK.SALiST. - The L'niversalist church was organized Feb. 10, 1867. J. J. Couchman, John Mavall and L. H. Lennon were the first trustees, and Rev. Moses Goodrich the first pastor. S. Stockwell was elected treasurer. Tn 1871 a church was projected and was ready for dedication Feb. 15, 1872. The present pastor is Rev. W. F. Trussell.

Swedish Evangelical Lutheran. - This church was organized Jan. 11, 1870, and reorganized in 1871 by Rev. Jonas Osland. The first deacons were Jonas Norell, J. Edsberg, P. Englund. Trustees : A. Petterson, Ohf Petterson and Jonas Xorell. The present pastor is Rev. P. I'.. I'redlund. This society has a substantial clnuxh edifice located on l-'ourth avenue.

Dr. Klines Sanatorium

This popular home for the sick, which is beautifully located on south Ferry street on a rolling tract of fifteen acres abutting- on the left shore of the Mississippi river and on the right bank of the Rum river at the forks of the two streams above the mouth of the latter, was es- tablished in the spring of 1892, and has been under the personal medical supervision of Dr. James Franklin Kline, the owner, from the beginning. Tlie grounds have been lavishly laid out, and the landscape effects prove to any observer that the doctor is an expert not only in his own profession, but also in the field of landscape gardeninii-, for here we find trees and shrubl)er\-, Imildings and all located just w'.icre llu'v should lie to secure charming- views up and down the great river and over the smaller stream - desiderata so essential to the many indisposed who find heneficial treatment and rest at the Sanatorium. The main building itself is a three story structure with mansard roof and is constructed of pressed brick, with partition walls and joists fitted in with solid concrete, thus making it as nearly fire proof as possible without the usi- of structural iron. It has fifty- four rooms all adequately heated b\- steam and lighted with electricity. For utility and convenience the interior arrangeu'ient of Dr. Kline's Sanatorium is without a superior in the Northwest, and it was designed to meet everv emergency in niedical and surgical treatment.

Housed within this institution Dr. Kline has all tlie remedies known to the medical profession, skillfully placed for immediate use, and a crnijilete assortment of surgical instrimients and appliances for quick or carefully planned operations. Xothing seems to be lacking fcr medical or surgical treatunnt.

Tn addition to the above, the ])atient who is atllicted with neurasthenia - or nervous disorrlers - will find in Dr. Kline's Sanatorium one of the best ef|ni]ipcd elect' ical outfits in the state. The very latest practice in electrical applications is carried out, not only in the treatment of nervous troubles, bul also of many other afflictions inv which clectricitv has been demonstrated to he of advantage. For catarrh and diseases of the respiratory organs conrplcte sprayirg outfits are at band. 1 laths in all forms, massage and Swedish movements are administered. ; nd trained nurses are in constant attendance.

in the common schools of his native state. He graduated from Bryant & Stratton's Business College in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1879, ^"^ l^ter took a special business course at Archibald's Minneapolis, 1884-5. He took the medical course at the University of Minnesota, graduating'in Homeopathy in \Sx;2. He came to Anoka in

James F Klink. M. D.

1893, since which time he has been in contmuous practice. Dr. Kline was health officer for the City of Anoka several years, and for nine years has been surgeon for the Great Northern Railroad Company. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, Woodmen, Royal Neighbors, Workmen, and Degree of Honor, and is examiner for the local lodges of tliese orders, and is also examiner for the New York Life Insurance Co. Dr. Kline was married Sept. 15, 1885, to Miss Anna Grififith. and there have been born to them Stella, Jessie and Harrv.

The Philolectian Society By Mrs. Ghokgk H. Wy.Man

During the fall of 1899 several prominent ladies of Anoka met at the home of Mrs. G. S. Pease for the purpose of organizing a club to Ix? known as the Ladies' Social Club of Anoka. A simple plan of organization was agreed upon, the idea being to make the club almost wholly social in its character. The number of members was first limited to fifteen, Init was afterwards changed to twenty-five, only married ladies being eligible to membership. The club met at the homes of its members once in two weeks from three to five o'clock on I'Tiday afternoons. The only officer was a secretary, the hostess always acting as chairman, and the only committee an executive committee, whose chief duty was to arrange for a place of meeting. The ladies brought their work, and chatted or listened to the reading of some interesting article.

In the spring of 1890 a few of the members commenced agitating a more complete organization, with a more definite object and an increased membership. A committee was finallv apjiointed on constitution and bylaws, their report being read and adopted at a meeting held at the residence of Mrs. C. H. Tasker, June 20. 1890. Only a few of the rules and regulations, governing The Ladies' Social Club remained unchanged. The membership was increased to thirty-five ; the name changed to The T'hilolectian Society ; the object, the social and men- tal improvement of its members, and an admission fee of fifty cents and dues of twenty-five cents quarterly were charged. New members were elected by ballot, three votes against excluding. The following officers were elected for one year, their term of office to date from the first Friday in June : President, Mrs. Flora L. S. Aidrich, M. D. ; first vice pres., Mrs. Cassimer Cutter; sec- ( p<l vice i^res., Mrs. Edward L. Reed; third vice pres..

comber, Berry and White. Only eight of these are members at the present time. Two have died, three withdrawn, and tlie others have fovnid homes elsewhere.

The executive committee planned programs for each meeting, and interest in the literar}- work of the society rapidly increased. Articles on given subjects were read, papers written and discussed, debates were held, and some attention given to parliamentary law. The society subscribed for one or more standard magazines, but felt the need of books, especially those of reference.

Tn the spring of 1892, the Anoka Union published an article advocating the establishment of a free public library in the city. Almost simultaneously with this publication, Mrs. J. H. Niles, who had been visiting a fine library in Menominee, Wis., very enthusiastically proposed that the Philolectians undertake the establishment of a library in Anoka. Her enthusiasm was so contagious that the society decided to increase its membership to fifty, to incorporate this object in its constitution, and to proceed to take the necessary steps for the accomplishment of this object. In accordance with certain provisions of the statutes of the state, a petition was circulated by them, presented to the city council, and unanimously granted. A tax of one mill was levied, and a library board of nine directors appointed by the mayor. The society canvassed the city for books, periodicals, furniture, anything- that would be useful or ornamental in such an institution, and met with a very liberal response. In January, 1894, the free public Hbrary of Anoka was formally opened to the public. Having- pledged nn uncial support, the society now entered upon a series of sociables, concerts and entertainments of various kinds, and have succeeded in contributing from one hundred to two hundred dollars annually to the library fur.d, besides giving books, at one time one hundred dollars' worth, and rendering other needed assistance. In 1898 and 1899 the library committee of the Philolectian Society succeeded in having one of the four rooms recently occupied by the library, set apart for a juvenile department. Money was raised by the committee for books, tables and chairs for the children. They also organized a Library League, and meetings were held every Saturday afternoon, at which one or more ladies from the committee or the society, instructed and entertained the children. The meetings of the League have been discontinued, but the children's reading room is still maintained, under the supervision of the librarian. Further

The niemhership of the society at the present time is limited to sixty, not including ministers' wives, who may become members by signing the constitution and paying the admission fee. There are the following standing committees : executive, entertainment, music, membership, club courtesy and reciprocity l)ureau. Elaborate printed programs of a literary and miscellaneous character are made out each year, by the executive and music committees, for the regular meetings, while an occasional social evening event is arranged, to which the husbands and frien<ls of the members are invited. The society joined the State h'edcralidn of Women's Clubs in 1895. and has usually been representetl at its annual meetings, llio colors of the society are brown and cream ; the flower, the red carnation. The officers for the present chib year 'of 1904-5, are: President, Mrs. D. S. Gow ; vice president, Mrs. H. C. Johnson; secretary, Mrs. J. B. Berry; treasurer. Mrs. C. P. McLean.

The Philolcctian Society is one of the oldest, largest and has the reputation of being one of the best working chibs in the state. Beside its pubHc work and helpful influence in the town, it has done much toward stimulating and broadening the minds of its members, as well as bringing them in closer touch with each other along lines of mutual interest and benefit.

The Anoka Public Library By Mrs. I. A. Caswell

The first attempt to establish a public library in Anoka was made in 1859. Several gentlemen gave and solicited money and books, collecting" several hundred volumes and renting a room that was opened at stated periods to allow residents of the town to borrow books. Later, the rapidly growing little town needed this room for other, purposes, and J. M. Woods, one of our pioneer photograjihers. i)ermitted the library to be kept in his apartments. There being nn regular librarian, it was inevitable tliat the volumes should by tlegrees become scattered, and when ^^Ir. Woods' increasing business rendered it impossible for him to longer store the remaining liooks. they \vere, at some time after 1870, given to the public scbiools.

In 1880 a library association was formed with the purpose of endeavoring to establish a city library, but, owing to various discouragements, the attempt was a failure, and nothing more along that line was done until in 1892, as previously described in this volume, the ladies of the Philolectian Society took, the matter in hand, with the gratifying^ result that a one mill tax for the establishment and support of a public librar}' was granted, and the city council appointed the following members of the library board : PI L. Reed, G. H. Wyman, A. E. Giddings, E. E. Hammons, W. A. Greenwald, IM'rs. W. P. JNIacomber, Mrs. A. G. Aldrich, Mrs. P. S. Rose, and ]\Iiss Mary D. Woodbury. In organizing, the board elected Mr. Reed president, Mrs. Aldrich vice president, and Miss Woodbury, secretary and treasurer. The board rented the second story rooms in the Ticknor block, at the corner of Main street and Second avenue, appointed Mrs. Rose librarian; and bought nearly one thousand volumes, which, in addition to many books presented by private individuals, made a total of about 1500 volumes, beside 1700 of Congressional records and public documents contributed by Senator C. K. Davis. The library was opened in 1894, and was eagerly patronized from its Ijeginning. The number of books issued month- Iv was at first about 800 a month, and the demand has steadily grown larger, until in 1904 an average of 1600 a mionth was issued, 200 of these being history, biography, travels, etc., and the remainder fiction. There were, exclusive of the public documents, about 3500 volumes in the library in 1904, of which 1634 were fiction for adult readers, 518 juvenile fiction, 177 biography, 164 history, 146 travel, 159 reference, 58 sociology, 87 bound periodicals, while the rest are theology, philosophy, poems, and unclassified books.

In 1903 Mr. J. E. Douglas of Anoka, wrote to Mr, Andrew Carnegie, asking if he would give Anoka a public library building. Receiving a favorable answer,

Mr. Dfiiiolas, wlio was a member of the library board, turned the correspondence over to Mr. Warnes, its secretary, who was active in closing the negotiations on the subject. Mr. Carnegie's only condition to his generous gift was that the city should agree to supply $1250 per year for ten years for the sup]:)ort of the library. This was agreed to, and he assured the board that $12,500 would be sent in such installments as the building expenses should require. The site selected by the city council was the corner of Jackson street and Third avenue, and the board at once proceeded to the consideration of plans, selecting one furnished h\ R. D. Church, architect, and employing Mr. Fransen, a St. Paul contractor. The building was finished the first week in December, 1004. It is a f\\^c structure of gray Columbus brick. ^^-illl trimmings (^f r)edford stone. The portico, with its four liaii(l.--omi,' pillars of stone, and tile flooring, faces the corner, with walks leading on each side to the streets. The entrance leads up the steps of Georgia marble to the circular space l)cncath the dome, which is surr(^unded l)v ])ill:irs anrl faced by the librarian's desk. On the north side is the children's reading room, with a handsouH' grate and mantel, and on the north the general reading room, the stack room being in the southwest corner, behind the desk, and the remainder of the s])ace on the main lloor occuiiied b\ the librarian's room and toilet rooms The building is steam heated, and finished in red 0:1k-. with a cork floor covering. The furniture is of red oak and golden oak of good design. The large room in the l)asement has a ma])le fl<^or. and is lighted, like the rest of the building, with electricity, but was not furnished at the time of the completion of the building. It was expected that it might be often used by the Phi- lolectian society, which has always retained its interest in the Hbrary. The building was formally opened on the evening of Dec. 6, 1904. The library board at this time was G. H. Goodrich, president, Airs. T. A. Caswell, vice president, J. H. Niles, secretary and treasurer, Dr. J. H. Frank, C. L. Johnson, W. H. Jordan, Mrs. L. J. Green wald, Mrs. J. C. H. Engel, and Mrs. A. C. Frauman. The librarian is Airs. O. C. Bland. Tho^ who have contributed money to the library, beside the tPhilolectian Society, are E. L. Reed, who twice gave $100 for books, and the following gentlemen, who, on the solicitation of G S. Pease, gave as follows : J. J., Hill, $200; W. D. Washburn, $50 Tc. A. Pillsbury. $25 ; J. S. Pillsbury. .'?25; Thos. Shevlin, $25; J. B. CTilfillan. $25; S. D. Works, $25; F. II. I^eavy, $25; and P. B. \Mnston, $25.

Anoka suffered severely from fires in its earlier days. The destruction of the flour mill Feb. 24, 1855, was the first of these. The loss was $t 2,000, the heaviest loss by fire in Alinnesota up to that time. The hotel of J. R. M'cFarlan was burned on the night of June 18, 1856, the boarders barely escaping with their lives. On May 31, 1863, occurred the fire which caused the death of George C. Colbath and burned the records of the county treasurer's office. The mill of Stowell & Co. btu-ned Aug. 12, i8f)4, entailing a loss of $10,000. April 18, 1867, Cutter's mill, together with his tub and pail factory, were destroyed by fire, and in Se])tember of the same year Houston & Prescott's sash and door factory and Sias & l''omeroy's furniture factory were burned. On the night of March 13, 1869, fire caught in the rear of the dry goods store of James J. Couchman on Main

Street near First avenue and ten stores were destroyed, with a loss agg'rej2:ating nearly $20,000. Au" 23. 1870, the old Kimball House burned. 1877 was a disastrous year for fires. On Aug. 20, fire eaught in the lumber yard of W. D. Washburn & Co. and destroyed nearly $100,000 worth of lumber and buildings. The fire smouldered in the edgings which had been piled along the east river bank, and was not entirely extinguished for several weeks. The last spark had hardly l)een quenched when Reed & Sherwood's lumber yard on the west side caught fire, causing a loss of some $30,000, and in November the sash and door factory of Bergsma & Co. was burned, entailing a loss of $25,000. This fire also swept away the old town 'hall, which stood near the present site of T>a Plant's feed store.

The great fire of Aug. 16. 1884, destroyed the Lincoln mill and laid the whole business part of the city in ashes from Rum river east to Third avenue. Eightysix buildings were burned, and the loss amounted to more than $r)00,ooo.

Frekmasons. - Anoka Lodge Xo. 30, A. V. and A. M., was organized Oct. 21, 1859. with .twelve charter members. The first officers were \\\ Al.. Owen Evans; S. W., J. F. Clark: j. \V.. 1. II. Martin; Trens.. J. P.. Lufkin; Sec. J. Tl. Colbath : S. D., X. Small; j. D.. T. P. Strout; Tiler, Geo. M. Small. The first mason initiated was Albert Woodbury, and he was also the first to be raised to the degree of master mason.

Town Organizations

Ramskv. - The carlv settlement of this town has already been described. The town was organized in 1857. and the first' officers were: supervisors. Jared Renson. cliairnnn. Isaac Varney and Cornelius I'iluMn ; clerk, David Whiting; treasurer, William Tennyson: collector, Joseph C. Varney. Population: 1860 - 192: 1870 - 265; 1880 - ^Sy \ 1890 - 398; 1900 - 490.

Burns. - -The first settler of R.urns is said to .have been a Afr. Deriqan, who made his home on section 29 about 1853. Tn 1854 Charles M. Ford made a claim in sectii n 35 and <;'ave his name to the brook whicli II1 werl through his land., although he spent much of iiis time for some \ears at Anoka, where he started the tirst lilacksmith shop. In 1855 canie Charles ^Merrill and I'ranklin Demarest. The first wedding was that of Thrnias Web!) and Edith Flint in 1857. The first white cliild Ixirn in the town was Robert J. Demarest. son of Franklin Demarest, who was born in August. 1857. The first religious service was in i8s8, held at the house of M. Montfort. The first school was taught by Miss Clara ^^'akefield in ^^(\^. The town o\ r)urns was organized in i8f»(). it ba\ing jireviously formed a part of St. h'rancis. 'I"he first o.fficers were su[K'rvisors, John D. Keen, chairman. John A. Muzzey and W. D. Laclair: assessor. Jionier McAlister: treasurer. James Kelsey ; clerk. William D. Cheever. Fo]ndation : 1870 - 340; 1880 - ^=,2: 1890 - 650 : T 900 - 920.

zic. who niadc claims in May, 1855. --^^^- Seelye was accompanied by his son H. E. Seelye, who assisted in breaking the first sod and w^io still lives on a farm adjoining" the original claim. Close behind these came David Rogers, who arrived in June of the same year; and a little later John C. Smith made a claim. Gilbert Leathers assisted the settlers in breaking land during the summer and put up a -hou^e for himself, and in the fall

Lake Gecjrge

Franklin Whitney arrived. The next spring brought John F. Clements, and during 1856 Alden W. Norris, (iraft;n .X'orris, Justus Seelve, Thcnuas (laslin and John Cundy settled in the town, west of Rum river. In Oak Grove east of the river there was a considerable settlement (luring 1856, including George Small, Stephen Sias, David Sias. l\~)mcroy witli his three sons, George,

Town Organizations. 1 57

Copeland. and Patrick Gallagher. Rehgious services were held in Oak Grove in 1857 hy Rev. Lyman Pahner, and a Baptist church was organized not long after. In the same year Miss Nora Orton taught the first school. The first white child horn in the town was RosaHa B. Smith, daughter of John C. Smith, who was born Oct. 16, 1S57. The town of Oak Grove was organized in 1857, and the first officers were: supervisors, A. \V. Norris, chairman. Dennis E. Mahoney and Peter Brennan : clerk, Erank Lane; collector, John C. Smith; justices of the peace, !\Ioses S. Seelye and 1). ]\lahonev; assessor, Thomas B. Richards. Population : i860 - 231 ; 1870 - 198; 1880 - 305: 1890 - 293; 1900 - 494.

Grow. - The first settler in Grow was probably Rev. Royal Twitchell, who took a claim just over the line from Anoka about 1852. Sanmcl Branch made a claim just above ihc UpjxM- Lord and in 1853 John Glynn made a claim above Branch. In 1854 came Erancis Peteler, a Mexican War veteran, who settled at Round lake, and Jacob ^Tillinian abandoned his claim on Rum river and settled near Peteler. He was soon followed by Thomas McCiraw and Patrick Tiemey. By 1856 there was quite a settlement in the town, including besides those already

This town was organized in 1857, with the name of Round Lake. The name was changed to Grow in 1859 in honor of Galnsha A. Grow, who spoke at Anoka in the political campaign of that year. The present town of Ham Lake was included in the organization until 1871. The first school was taught by John Giddings in the house of James W. Groat about 1857. The first child born in the town was Da\id Glynn, son of John Glynn, wdio was born in December, 1853, ^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^ year.s later. Population: i860 (including Ham Lake) - 330; 1870 (including Ham Lake) - 396; 1880 - 419: 1890 - 485; 1000 - 721.

Bt.mnr. - T'le first ])ermanent settler appears to have been Philip Laddy, wlm came there about 1862. George Townsend came soon after, and Green ChamlDors settled on To'wnsend's claim after the latter had gone in 1865. Up to 1877 this town formed a part of the town of Anoka, The first town officers were : supervisors, Moses Ripley, chairman. George Tisdale and Richard Delong: clerk, (i. F. ^hrrtll ; assessor, H. P. Winder; justices of the peace. Thomas Schleif and Thomas Conroy. Population: 1880 - 128: 1890 - 205; 1900 - 374.

Ham Lake. - The craze for laying out town sites was manifested in this town before it had acquired any permanent i^opulation. In 1856 the tow-n of Glencarie or Glen Gary was platted on land now owned by Berger Titterud. Seven or eight houses were built and the place v^'idely arlvertised as a future city. One day after the panic of 1857 the houses were destroyed by a prairie fire. Some of llio iiiliahitants baroly escaped with tlieir lives, and witli the scanty lot of lionsehold effects saved from the flames they t(X)k their departnre, and the embryo mctro])oHs came to an end.

Jolin Scnlly. a native of Ireland, made a claim on section _^i in March. iS5<S: a Mr. Conley settled near hy. and in October of the same year Josiah Hart settled on section 6. There was no fnrt'ier settlement nntil 1866, when Mats (lilhertson settled in section 20. followed soon after by If. M. Titternd and A. B. Livgard. Other early settlers were Xels Peterson, Ole Moore, Iver Peterson, OIc Foss. Ole Peterson, Thomas Olson and Ole Heglnnd. The town began to fill np with Scandinavians, and in 1871 it was detached from Grow and organized under the name of Ham Lake. The first town ot^icers were: supervisors, John Rowe, chairman. A. I). Livgard and C. Olson; clerk, Charles Rowe; treasurer, D. C. Money; justice of the peace. Josiah Hart. Population: 1880 - 235; 1890 - 384; 1900 - 505.

P)Kttii:l. - The first settlement in piethel was made in the nortliern ])art of the town in the s]iring of 1856 by Rice Price, Owen Evans, Asher Hyatt and Josciih Canny. fhey were Quakers, and the place came to be known as the Onaker Settlonunt. The same summer came Edward K. Pratt. I'Jisha Day. Louis Mitchell. James Dyer, and John Dyer with their families. The last tiamed died in the spring of 1857, and was the first person buried in the town. Three single men also came in 1856: John Dougherty, John McCann anil Charles Ross, and in the fall came James Cooper, an enthusiastic abolitionist, who thought he would find the Quakers congenial neighbors. The Quakers held regular religious services, and started a Sunda\' school, which was attended bv the children of the settlement. The services were g"enerally led by Mrs. Asher Hyatt. The first wedding- in Bethel was that of John Dougherty and Margaret Dyer, and the first white child born in the town was their son, John B. Dougherty. In the spring of 1859 came John H. Strong, now living just over the line in Isanti county. In the fall of 1S62, at the time of the Sioux massacre, the Quakers moved awav and never returned.

Residence Of J. H. Cooper, Bethel

The town of Bethel was organized in 1858 and included nearly all of the present town of Linwood. The town was reduced to its present limits when Linwood was organized in 1871. The first town officers were: supervisors. Owen Evans, chairman. W. Dickens, and Kice Price; clerk. J. Alayhew; treasurer, John Wyatt; assessor, F. Wvatt. About 1863 a postofifice was establislied with fames Cooper as postmaster. About 1876 Hugh Spence started a store near Mr, Cooper's house, and tlic place began to be known as "Cooper's Corners." The postoffice was removed to Bethel station in 1899. Population: i860 (including; Linwood) - 128; 1870 (including Linwood) - 216; 1880 - 423; 1890 - 419; 1900 - 617.

Li. \' WOOD. - The first settler in what is now Linwood, was Joseph Sauscn, who located in the southeast corner of the town on section 24 in 1855. W. Dickens settled on section 5 in 1857. Other early settlers were Edward Servis, Michael Hurley, Fergus McGregor, Joshua Mayhew. James Shorrocks and Timothy O'Connor. The town of Linwood was organized Sept. 5, 1871. The first town officers were: supervisors, J. G. Green, chairman, F. MacGrcgor and Michael Hurley, treasurer, E. G. Smith ; clerk and justice of the peace, D. W. Green. Population: 1880 - 227; 1890 - 242; 1900 - 333.

Cor.UMUus. - The first settlers of Columbus were John Kleiner, who settled in section 11. and J. H. Batzle, who settled in section 25. Thev came in 1855. The following spiing James Starkey platted the village of Columbus in section 22 and built a saw mill to give emplo\nunt lo the settlers who were invited to make their homes in the new town. Kleiner put up a hotel in the village, and a few years later Captain Starkey built a two and a half story hotel said to have cost $10,000. In the fall of 1856 came Yost Yost, who made a claim the following >ear on the farm where he still lives. The saw mill ran during the winter of 1856-7, but the next year was shut down on acount of financial troubles and May 2. 1865. it was burned. Captain Starkey spent large

The town of Columbus was organized in 1857. Capt. Starkey was probably chairman of the board of supervisors, and Mr. Somers was a town officer of some kind, A postoffice was established in 1858, but was discontinued a few years later. jMary Yost (Mrs. Edward Ry-

Fridley. - John l^)anfil settled in what is now Fridley in 1847, ^^"^^ '"^'^'Pt a stopping place for the accommodation of travelers. Two years later Henry INI. Rice acquired consideralile laud and liuilt a country residence at

Cold Spring's, giving- liis name to the creek which flows through the town. In tin- spring of 1853 came Isaac Kimball, who purchased the hotel from IJanfil, and a little later Job Eastman settled in the place. A ferry across the Mississippi river was established about 1854. May 23, 1S57, the county of Manomin was organized, with the same limits as the present town of Fridley

(including Coluni])ia neiglits). A. .M. iM-idley was made chairman of the board of county commissioners. This miniature county of eighteen sections of land, continued to exist until i870,.when it became a part of Anoka county, as the town of Manomin. In 1879 the name was changed to Fridley. The first officers of the town of

Fridley. Minn. My clear Major : - In connection with my lectures at the University of Minnesota pn "Taxation" I want to ^ive a brief statement of the history' of Manomin county. To that end will you be good enough to give me what knowledge you have on this subject and refer me to authorities where ithat knowledge can be supplemented/ Hoping to see you soon in St. Paul, and with pleasante^lrecollections of our transactions while I was at the bar, I remain,

Dear Sir: Your favor of 8th inst. was dulj^ received, requesting information concerning Manomin county. It was organized by an act of the territorial legislature approved May 3, 1857, and abolished by constitutional amendment adopted Nov. 2, 1869.

The bill passed by both houses embraced, in addition to the territory comprising the present town of Fridley, the town of Mound View, both taken from Ramsey county ; but by skulduggery, presumably by a Ramsey county politician. Mound View was omitted in the enrollment of the bill presented to the Governor (an uncle of mine), who approved it without discovering the emasculation. Of course, a county of so small an area and sparsely populated was unable to maintain an organization without embarrassment and liability of being subject to exorbitant taxation, should its political management fall into incompetent hands. It \v:is "an elephant on our hands," difficult to get rid of, because of the constitutional provision against reducing counties below four hundred square miles, hence the constitutional amendment was submitted and adopted as the only way out of the dilemma. With best wishes for your continued success and iirnsperity, I remain,

One of the nio.st iinpdrlant industries in Anoka comity is the Northwestern P'ireprooting Works, situated just north of the ]\Iinneapolis city Hmits. The proprietor, C. J. Swanson, started in the business of brick making at Camden Place in 1875. and tour years later purchased the present site east of the river, upon which buildings were erected in 1880. Large quantities of hollow brick and hollow tile fire proofing are manufactured and shipped to all ]:!arts of the W^est. About seventy-five men are employed at the works, and as many more on buildings.

St. Francis. This was in 1855. J. P. Austin, \\'. P. Clark and others followed the next year. The first school was taught by Miss Hattie Waterhouse at the house of E. Fowler. The present flouring null at St. iM'ancis is property of the St. P>ancis Milling Co. It is a fivestory building, and was erected in 1888. It has a capacity of 2*0 barrels of Hdur ])er day. The bulk of the outjiut is shipped to Chicagi!. The St. l-'rancis ."^tarch

Manufacturing' Co. has licon doing business since 1895. Tlie first vcar the ooiupany made 600 tons of starch. 'I'hc axcramc run ])vr animni since has liecn about 300 tons, varyino- ^vith the cliaractcr of the season and the price of potatoes. I'hcre are about 140 stockholders. nearly all of whom are farmers. The starch is shipped to Chicago and Boston. The St. Francis Canning Factory has run four seasons. Corn is the only product canned. The last two years about 2500 cases have been turned out in a season. In a good year the factory should turn out double that amount. Population: i86(^ (including Burns) 153; 1870 - 166; 1880 - 2/0: 1890 - 324; i()oo - 483.

CENTRKvrLT.E. - The early settlement of this town is descrilicd on jiage 50. In 1854 Charles Peltier built a saw mill, and in CDmjiany with l*". X. Lavellee and Francis Lamotte, ])lattcd the village of Centreville. The settlers in the village and vicinity were mostly Freneli. and tl;is came to be known as llie I-rench settlement. ( )li\er Dupre, A. Gervais. Joseph Forcier. Paul and Oliver Peltier, Stephen \\'ard and L. Burkard were among the first eiMuers. Mi ;!n\v!iile ( ierman settlers had lieen making claims near the home of F. ^\'. Traves in the western part of the town, among them Henry \\'enzel. who came in 1855, and this place .was known as the German settlement. The town of Centreville was organized August II, 1857. The first officers so far as known were: Oliver Peltier, chairman. Francis Lamott ; clerk, Charles Peltier; treasurer, Stephen Ward; justice of the peace. Francis Lamott.

The first religious service in the town was at the residence of Francis Lamott, where mass was said by Father Kaller in 1854. who continued to visit the place occasion- ally for several years. He was succeeded by Father Robert, and in 1861 Rev. Joseph Goiffon was placed in charge of that parish and that of Little Canada, a position which he held for many years. His successors have been Rev. Francis Combette. Rev. H. Bonnefous. Rev. A. \'an den Uosch. Rev. Peter A. Ouesnel, and the present pastor, Rev. Marcil Masl. The Church of St. Genevieve of Paris was erected in 1859.

The first settler in Chaniplin was Charles Miles, who built a house near the Mississippi a few rods below Elm creek in 1852. The following^ springy Joseph B. and Augustus Holt took claims on the present site of the village. Augustus Holt erected a frame house in the summer of 1853 - the first in the village. Richard M. Lowell, a brother-in-law of Miles, had been here as early as 1851. but did not make a claim until 1853, when he located above the village near the river. Rohert H. Miller, John K. Pike and Benjamin Messer also settled above the village, and here also came John Shumway, who had sold his fractional claim in Ramsey to Moses Brown. IMr. Lowell soon sold his claim to a Mr. Stevens, and made another claim in section 30. Colby Emery also located in section 30 that year, and William Milhollin and Rev. Lewis Atkinson settled in section 33. Stephen Howes made a claim in section 2g. and Hiram Smith settled en the south line of the town.

The year 1854 saw a considerable accession of population. Rev. Wentworth Hayden settled in section 24 and gave his name to the lake near by. Daniel W. and Horace IMcLaugblin and \\'. ^^^ Cate made claims on the prairie below the village. Samuel Colburn made his claim this year, and James ^McCann built a log house on the north bank of Elm creek. To section 25 came John 1. Giddings. and in tlic southern part of the town LIenr\ L. Cheever, James D. Hervcy, Benjamin Bond. Charles B. 1 lale and E. P>. Lowell made claims. Erancis Tliornd\kc settled above the village near the river.

In 1855 came Samuel D. Lceman. David S. McConnell and John D. Hank. In May John Martin bought out John I. Giddings, and Alvah Hills and his son George A. Hills settled in section 31. William Davenport, James W. Dyson, Fredolin Zopfi and Terrance Donnelly settled between Leeman and Havden lakes.

The first birth was that cf a child of Mr. and Mrs Stevens and the second a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Ibilt. The first death was that 'if Stci)lieTi Grant in

1856. In tlie summer of 1855 ^ shanty was erected near t!ie west line of the town for a school house. The first school was taught by Miss Emily Thorndykc (Mrs. S. O. Lum). and the second school by ^Nliss Mary Nelson (\\Irs. (i. G. Crowell). The first wedding was that of Cyrus Rollin and Aliss Lucretia Clark, which took place in 1857.

In 1858 the township of Marshall was organized, embracing" the present territory of Champlin and Dayton. The officers elected served only one year, and the two towns were separately organized the following spring, under the nahies which they now bear. At the first town meeting for Cham])lin, held April 5, 1859, the following officers were elected : Supervisors, "Rev. Wentworth Havden, chairman, Samuel C. Griggs and Samuel D. Leeman: clerk, Joseph B. Holt; assessor, Jackson A. Linscott ; collector. Job Keniston ; overseer of poor, John D. Hank: justices of the peace, Samuel Colburn and Alvah Hills: constables, Joseph Downs and George A Hills. - '

The village of Champlin was platted by Joseph B. Holl. Samuel Colburn and John B. Cook in 1854, but the ])lat was not filed until two years later. George Ivollin started a hotel in 1855. Joseph Downs conducted ihc hotel from 1857 to 1859. Other early settlers w^ere John Dei)ue. ^^'illiam Brander, Charles I. Clark, William A. Messer, Alonzo Cook, Christian Stahlberg, E. A. Linscott, and Franklin Wood. In 1859 ^ school house was ])uilt in tlie village 'on l)lock 43. Nicholas Faber o])ened a general store in 1866. which he conducted for many years.

not long' after it was undcrniiiicd by extraordinary hig^h wat<?r. and was swept into the river and destroyed. In 1874 Clark & Smith purchased the water power and buih a rtour mill on the south side of the creek. Thii mill chantjcd hands several times and was destroved bv fire in February, 1890. The same year the water i)Ower was purchased by O. S. ^liller & Co.. who erected a thoroughly equipped roller mill,' which is still operated by them. In 1867 J- H. and J. G. Wiley built a steam saw mill below Lane's flour mill. This mill waS soon after burned. Another saw mill was erected bv W'illiam

Brockway and J. G. Wiley, but this was torn down on account of litigation in 1869. In 1871 Brockway and Brown built a large saw mill, which was destroyed by fire.

The Free Will Baptist church of Chaniplin was organized in 1854 by Rev. C. G. Ames as a branch of th? Minneapolis church. The first members were Betsy Shumway, W. AW Gate, Sarah G. Gate, and W\ W. \\'oodman and wife. In 1855 the church was organized independently and named Elm Greek Ghurch. The first regular pastor was Rev. Wentworth Hay den, who served until 1863. In 1865 Rev. S. S. Paine became the pastor and remained in that capacity initil 1870.

Pastoral work of the Methodist Episcopal church was done by Lorenzo D. Brown in 1865, 1866 and 1867. In 1872 a class of thirteen memlj>ers was organized in the old school house by Rev. John Stafford, with George D. ]Miars as leader. The next year a small church 32 by 50 feet was erected. In 1900 the present church was built at a cost of $3,200. The present pastor is Rev. J. H. Buttelman. The present trustees are, Mrs. O. S. Miller, Miss Sarah Ricker, G. W. Nicholls, John Allison and James AA^atson.

The first settlers of Dayton were Paul G<xline anl Isaiah Cowet, who came to the town in July, 1852. Th^i same year J. Veine made a claim where the village of Dayton now is, and Marcellus Boulis, and Benjamin Livia settled near the river. In 1854 Francis Thorndyke, R. H. Miller and John Shumway settled in Dayton near the Champlin line. The following year came Dr. L. Bistedeaux, who lived in the town thirty-seven years, and A. C. Kimball, who made a claim on the north shorj of Diamond lake. Matthew F. Taylor made a claim near his present home.

In 1856 came Neil and Alexander McNeil, F. G. Laflin, A. D. Purmort, W. P. Ives and George Slauyter. The same year E. II. Robinson and John Baxter built a steam saw mill on the bank of the Mississippi below the mouth of Crow river. Mr. Robinson also built a blacksmith shop, and did some custom work for his neighbors , A postofifice was established in 1855, and John Baxter was appointed postmaster. The first school was taught by Miss Cynthia Slauyter in the summer of 1857. T^'**= first wedding was that of E. H. Robinson and Mrs. Sarah L. Gardner, June 29, 1856. The first white child born in the town was George Dayton Slauyter in September, 1856. A bridge was built across Crow river in 1857 The first religious services were held at the house of J. B. Hinkley in the summer of 1857 by Rev. Winthrop Hayden. The first death was that of a Mr. Twonibley, who was killed by. a limb falling from a tree. J. B. Hinklev was the first justice of the peace, having been appointed in territorial days.

The French Catholic Church was organized in 1857, by Father Jennis, and a church was built the same year. A larger church was built in the village of Dayton in 1866. During 1904 a fine edifice of red pressed brick was completed at a cost of nearly $40,000. The church will seat 800 people. It was dedicated November 24, 1904. The present priest is Rev. C. A. Pettigrew.