Blue Earth County, Minnesota - Chapter 23: Mankato's Golden Jubilee - Eb Cent Events - in Conclusion, 1901 (part 3 of 4)

First Baptist Church, organized by Rev. J. R. Ash, August 21, 1859, with twelve charter members. Worshiped first in Masonic Hall. In spring of 1861, purchased a frame building of James Cannon, on present site of "Review Office" on Front street, which was occupied by society until May, 1867, when it was sold to J. C. Wise for a printing office. After this, the church worshiped in the log school house, and in halls until May 3, 1868, when a frame chapel was dedicated on site of present church on South Broad Street. Sunday school started January 28, 1865. F. T. Wait and M. L. Plumb were first deacons. Prominent among its pastors were: J. W. Rees, Wilson Whitney and F. E. R. Miller. During the pastorate of the first, two members, who were destined to become great leaders and workers in the church joined it - namely, W. C. Durkee and Geo. M. Palmer. In 1888, the present fine edifice was erected. The membership is about 300.

The West Mankato Branch Baptist church was organized in 1892, with twenty-six members. A. Sorenson was moderator of the meeting, and the other officers were: E. Strand, clerk; Blomquist, treasurer; G. Tanquist and J. Johnson, deacons. The church was incorporated May 5, 1899, by the election of Frank Tanquist, Chas. Lindfeldt, and Gust Tanquist as trustees. Their chapel was dedicated March 16, 1902. Members about fifty.

St. John's Catholic Church, (English) was started in June, 1884, under Father John Prior. It was legally incorporated Aug. 22, 1885, by Bishop John Ireland, Father A. Ravaux, Rev. John Prior and James Doherty and James Car- ney lay members. The corner stone of their church building was laid JSov. 24, 188i, and the dedication was held June ^0, 1886. i'ather Prior was succeeded by Father Daniel Hughes, and he by leather lioDert Hughes, the present pastor. The congregation numbers about -±50.

St. Peter and St. Pauls Catholic Church, (German) was started at a meeting held December 30, 1854, at the log hotel of Clements Kron. Father Kavaux and Vivaldi and Bishop Cretin ministered to the congregation untiJ March, 1856, when Father Valentine ISommereisen became the first settled pastor of the church. A log hut on Agency Hill was the first chapel. A stone chapel, 30x40 feet was erected in 1856. The present fine church was dedicated Nov. 23, 1873, by Bishop Thomas Grace, during the able pastorate of Father A. Wirth. The church was put in charge of the Jesuit Fathers in January, 1886. Many costly improvements have been made from time to time on the church building and its furnishings, its equipment costing in all about $47,000. In connection with this church, the sisters of the Sorrowful Mother erected St. Joseph's Hospital - one of the best and most important institutions in the city. The congregation now numbers about 3,000, and their present chief pastor is Father Theo. Hegemann.

The First Christian Church was organized May, 1868. The charter members were : James B. Elliot, Elizabeth Elliot, Clementine Elliot, E. W. Dickenson, Anna Dickenson, Elizabeth Chenowith, Meriam Eadford, Eobert _Sharpe, Jessie Sharpe, Joseph Powers, Cecilly Powers, Levi Scott, Mahala Scott, Clementine Levan, Amanda Holmes, Anna Brown and Sarah Davis. The first pastor was Eev. Austin B. Council, who began his work in June, 1870. The church was incorporated Feb. 1, 1871, by election of following trustees: HayJen E. Garrett, Henry S. Goff, John M. Faddis, Chauncy A. Austin, and Elijah W. Dickinson. Eed Jacket Hall was the first home of the church, but in 1872 its first chapel was built. The present edifice was completed in 1895. The membership is about 200 and the last pastor Eev. V. Black has recently resigned.

First Congregational Church organized at Shoemaker's Hall, Aug. 28, 1870. The charter members were : Harvey JMeacham, Geo. S. Meacham, j\largaret Meacham, L. Z. Torry, Harriet F. Torrey, Geo. M. Gage, Elizabeth Gage, J. A. Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, Caroline C. Brown, Susie M. Dyer, A. P. Tukey, Miss Arabella Olds and Miss Jeimie Hayden. a^he church incorporated Oct. 29, 1870, by the election of the following trustees: Francis Burke, James Morrison and J. A. Kennedy. The first pastor was Eev. C. H. Merril, followed in two years by Eev. L. W. Chaney. The church building was erected in 1871, remodeled and enlarged in 1906. The parsonage was built in 1907. Membership about 150. Present pastor Eev. B. L. Heermance.

The Swedish Congregational Church was organized in 1889, the first trustees elected on July 25, of that year, were: A. Hjerpe, Andrew Anderson and John P. Anderson. John Almquist was the first clerk. Eev. G. A. Burg was the first pastor. The church worshiped in the old Swedish Lutheran building until 1895, when the present edifice was built on Belgrade Avenue. jMembership about seventy.

St. John's Episcopal Church organized June 27, 1860, by Bishop Whipple. Eev. E. W. Blow was the first regular pastor in July, 1862. He was followed in April, 1863, by Eev. Geo. C. Tanner, who in turn was followed by Eev. Alpheus- Spor. The first incorporation occured July 9, 1866, at Shoemaker's Hall when the following officers were chosen : Wardens, N. Finch and Dr. J. C. Jones; vestrymen, 0. 0. Pitcher, P. B. Sparrow, J. HoUenbeck, C. D. Dunscomb, A. L. Lindholm, F. H. Waite, J. A. Wiswell, and E. D. B. Porter. The corner stone of the chapel was laid August 15, 1866, and the building occupied in August, 1867, but not completed and dedicated until Dec. 7, 1869. The rectory was built in 1887 - Present membership about 185.

Jerusalem Church of Evangelical Association was organized in 1868, and incorporated March 8, 1869, with following trustees; Geo. Eoose, Geo. Ortt and John Hauck. In 1872, their chapel was built under the pastorate of

"Our Savior's Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church" became a legal body in April, 1871, by the election of the following trustees : Lars C. Nilson, Christina Hanson and Bergamen Joliannesen. There had been a congregation formed two or three years before. Until 1875, the church worshiped in the German Lutheran chapel. In this year the congregation divided and two church edifices were built, one by the above named corporation on the corner of Pleasant and Carroll, and the other by the "Trinity Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church" on the corner of Van Brunt and Carroll. The former has a membership of about 130, under Eev. Nils Norgaard, and the Trinity Church has about 228 members under Eev. John H. Brono.

"The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel Church" dates its origin to the year 1871. In those early days it met in private houses, Higgins Hall, and the old Court House. The church was organized in 1874:, by the election of the following officers: Trustees, Chas P. Hallman, Louis Anderson and T. A. Fait; deacons, John Freeman, J. T. Hultengren and John F. Johnson; and clerk, Chas. F. Hallman. This year a brick chapel was erected in West Mankato and Eev. J. G. Lagerstrom became their first pastor. In 1886, a division arose in the church over the question of excluding from the membership those who belonged to fraternal societies. January 10, 1887, the seceding majority formed a new organization under Eev. S. Anderson and the following ofEicers were chosen: Trustees, Soren Johnson, Chas. Peterson and John Dahlen; deacons, John G. Magnuson, Martin Nelson and John Paulson. William's Hall served as a meeting place imtil the erection of the present fine house of worship in 1892, under the able leadership of Eev. S. C. Franzen. In 1902, the church received a gift of a pipe organ from Gen. G. Widell. The congregation now numbers 650 with 250 communicants.

The Centenary M. E. Church was started as early as the summer of 1855, when a class was organized by Eev. Lewis Bell. Methodist ministers had preached in the town as early as 1853 and 4. In October, 1855, Eev. John W. Powell was appointed the first pastor of the church. Meetings were held in halls and the log school house until 1866, when the base- of the first church building was finished, and the superstructure completed in 1870. The first incorporation of the church occured January 3, 1860, when the following trustees were appointed: David Lines, E. J. Sibley, John Hemperly, Benjamin Hotaling, John N. Hall, Joseph "Thompson, and Isaac N. Britton. It was reincorporated January 17, 1884, when Elder J. N. Liscomb appointed the following trustees: 0. E. Mather, A. H. Allen, Wm. Pearson, Geo. W. Bradley and D. L. Clements. In 1907, the present elegant edifice was erected at a cost of over $30,000, under the leadership of the present pastor, Eev. Peter Clare. The present trustees are: J. W. Andrews, J. H. Baker, T. C. Peart, John White, J. S. Young, Nelson Weed, George W. Sugden, C. Gable, and the stewards are: D. L. Clements, S. H. Grannis, A. J. Nelson, B. C. Parmalee, G. E. Nettleton, Thos. Dooley, H. W. Maltby, H. J.

The Belgrade Avenue M. E. Church was organized in 1899 and a chapel was erected in 1900. The German M. E. Church was organized in 1873, by Eev. F. E. Schulte. May 31, 1877, ilie church was incorporated by the appointment of the following trustees: Christian Maae, Christian Luehring and Johann Frey. May 18, 1879, their church building was dedicated, a brick structure, 33x54, which cost over $3,100. The present membership is about 70.

The First Swedish M. E. Church was organized Sept. 5, 1886, by Eev. J. D. Andrews, and incorporated January 2, 1897, by Elder Oscar J. Stead with the following trustees : Peter Carlstrom, F. W. Skoog, Nels Hoglund, GustofE Carlstrum and Erick Johnson. The church building was dedicated April 30, 1903. Membership about forty.

The First Presbyterian Church was started in February, 1854, by Eev. James Thomson, who held regular services thereafter. It was the first church in Mankato and Eev. Thomson was the first regular minister to locate in the county. The organization of the church occured August 31, 1855. A. D. Seward was the first Elder. The church worshiped in halls and the log school house until the erection of its first chapel in 1865. It was incorporated May- 15, 1863, when the following persons were elected trustees : A. D. Seward, B. P. Freeman, J. A. Willard, David Lamb, H. P. Christensen, Cornelius Wampler, J. S. Batchelder, J. J. Shaubut, and J. J. Porter. The present elegant church edifice was begun in 1893, and completed in 1896. Prominent among its pastors have been, Thos. Marshall, J. B. Little, Lee W. Beattie and Geo. W. Davis. The .present pastor is Eev. T. Eoss Paden, and the membership over 500.

Hope Mission was started by the First Presbyterian Church in August, 1887, and a neat chapel erected in which Sunday school and other services have been regularly held ever since.

The Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church was started in 1865, and it was organized in December of that year. Among the charter members were John D. Jones, and wife, Ellis E. Ellis and wife, Mary Eoberts, Hugh Hughes, Wm. Francis, Wm. S. Hughes, Margaret Jones, Owen Eoberts and wife and Owen Jones and wife. The church was incorporated Feb. 30, 1867, with the following trustees: Wm. Jones, Wm. W. Jones, John E. Thomas and Eev. Wm. Eoberts. The first church building was erected in the spring of 1867. Eichard T. Jones was made an elder in 1871, and in 1877, four elders were chosen, namely: Hugh Jones, Owen Jones, John D. Evans and James Griffiths. In February, 1884, the first building was burned, and in the fall of the same year a new brick church was built on State street. This was replaced in 1896, by the present fine edifice. Eev. Eichard F. Jones became pastor in Nov. 1873, Eev. John C. Jones, in Feb. 1884, and Eev. Wm. E. Evans in January, 1895. The present membership is about 150.

The Christian Scientists and the Christian Volunteers, also, hold regular services in the city, but have no church building. A Hebrew church called "Bnay-Israel" was organized Oct. 14, 1907, at the residence of L. Salet, where the society worships.

Histoey Of Blue Eaeth Couisity

The town was first settled in the spring of 1856, by Uriah Payne, Ira Annis, J. \V. Sprague, James Cornell, Eobert Taylor and others, a full account of which settlement appears elsewhere is this volume. It was first called "Sherman after Isaac Sherman an old settler of Danville, or possibly, after x^sa P. Sherman, an old settler of Mapleton, who lived on Section twenty t'herein, and united with the old town of ;\[apleton, now Sterling, for administrative purposes. On separation of the two towns, the present names were adopted. The first town meeting of the independent municipality, was held April 2, 1861, at the home of James Cornell, but it adjourned for the afternoon to a log school house on Section seven. The first sermon was preached by James Cornell in a grove near former residence of jSTeil Darroch. The first marriage was that of John Mund and Elizabeth Dixon, on Oct. 19, 1856, Eev. James Cornell ofEiciating. Mr. Cornell, also, officiated the same fall at the first funeral - a child of Azro Furguson. The first postofiice was established in 1857, with Stephen Middlebrook as postmaster. In 18C3, he was succeeded by Sylvester Hawkins, who in 1886 was succeeded by Eobert Taylor. In 1856 and 7, Vincent Wessels kept a small store at his home. Early in the sixties Sylvester Hawkins ran a store at his home in section 18, nntil February, 1866, when he transferred his farm, store and postofEice to Eobert Taylor. In 1865-6, H. A. Buck had a small store at old Mapleton and Wm. Wilde entertained the weary traveler at the same place. Benajah Corp, near the southwest corner of the northwest quarter of section 7, was the neighborhood blacksmith. About 1858, Middlebrook Bros, put up a steam saw mill on the Maple in the southwest quarter of section 7, which was burnt in June, 1863. They rebuilt the mill and operated it for two or three years thereafter. The old townsite of Mapleton was laid ont partly in this town, but it failed, and was vacated in Februar}^ 1863.

The first school was taught in 1857, by Jarvis P. Harrington in a log school house in Section 7. In 1867, a postoffice was established in the northeast corner of the town at the cabin of Joel Gates called "Garden Prairie." In 1870, Eichard Credicott succeeded Mr. Gates as its postmaster, but, when the Wells Eailway was built and the village of Mapleton founded about two or three years later, the office was discontinued.

The present village of Mapleton was surveyed in October, 1870, and platted January 31, 1871, by David Smith, owner of the land, and Clark W. Thompson, James B. Hubbell and John A. Willard, builders of the Mankato and Wells Railway. The first store (a small grocery) was built in the fall of 1870, by James N. Wishart. In September of the same year, James E. Brown now editor of "Amboy Herald" and his brother Geo. Brown opened the second store - being the first general store.

The railroad was built in 1874, and on February 29, 1875, Robert Taylor removed the Mapleton postofEice to the village, where he was postmaster until his death in June, 1883. He was succeeded by his son, James S. Taylor, who in turn was succeeded in Nov., 1885, by James McLaughlin. Then came Peter G. Johnston from May, 1889, to Oct., 1894, followed by Hugh M. Quinn, who held the office until Kov. 1900, when C. G. Spaulding was appointed.

The village was incorporated by an act of the Legislature, February 23, 1878, and David Smith, J. E. Brown and L. Troendle appointed to call first corporate election. This election was held March 19, 1878, and the following officers elected: Trustees - Joel Gates, Lucius Troendle, James McLaughlin, and C. H. Wicks; treasurer, Sherman Peet; recorder, P. A. Foster; justice, C. W. Smith; constable, Henry Tenney.

In the summer of 1889, a 2,000 barrel reservoir was erected and a water system installed, which was enlarged three or. four years later. In January, 1884, the village purchased a Rumsey engine for the use of the fire company. In 1896, an electric light plant was installed by Sellers Bros. In the winter of 1901-2 a sewer system was constructed at a cost of over $7,000. Prominent among the pioneer stores, and now the oldest in the village, is that of L. Troendle, which was opened in the fall of 1872. The first grist mill was erected by Moses Gates and N. P. Nelson in 1880. In 1881, it was leased to James Pearson, and later passed into the hands of S. Peet. December 31, 1886, it burned. In the summer of 1887, the present mill was built by Mr. Peet at a cost of $9,000, with 175 barrel capacity. It is now owned by the Mapleton Milling Co. A private bank was started by Corliss & Brown in March, 1882. In September 1896, this bank failed and a State Bank was immediately started, largely through the 'efforts of Judge Daniel Buck of Mankato. The latter's son, A. A. Buck, was made cashier and came near wrecking the bank in October, 1903. Through the special effort of its directors, it was restored to a solid basis, and reopened in a short time with 15. F. McGregor as cashier.

March 31, 1903, the First National Bank was organized by W. A. Hanna, L. Troendle, J. E. Norton, Wm. Stroebel, R. B. Hanna, and John Stroebel, of which C. W. Borchert is the cashier.

Sprague's Hall and Brown's Hall were early public gathering places. The I. 0. 0. F. and the Masonic lodges have each built fine blocks with good halls. Feb: 8, 1896, Mapleton was visited by a big fire, which destroyed six of its business houses. The following summer they were all replaced by brick blocks, which gave the village a much more substantial and modem appearance.

The first school house was built in 1869, and Geo. A. Clark was the first teacher. This building was occupied until 1878, when it was sold to the M. E. for a parsonage, and a new and larger structure was erected, after a very warm fight over its location. The high school was erected in 1887.

The first newspaper in the village was the "Mapleton Messenger" started by J. L. Barlow, June 13, 1879. After a few months it moved elsewhere, and was succeeded April, 1880, by the "Mapleton Censor," which suspended March 1, 1881. Its editor was , J. B. Price. The next paper was "The Mapleton Enterprise" which was. started September 1, 1884, as a small monthly sheet by Brown, Wishart and Orr, as a means to advertise their store. It was first issued by Brown and Hotaling as a weekly newspaper on June 1, 1888, and not long thereafter H. C. Hotaling became its sole proprietor.

The Mapleton Free Baptist Church was the first religious body to organize in the town. It was started about 1864-5, at the log house of Harlow Bassatt by Rev. S. A. Stow, with five charter members: John Goff, Minerva Goff, D.

Piistotiy Of Blue Earth Cottxty

Boynton, Isaac Smith, and Fredrick Miller. It was incorporated June 6, 1868, when the following officers were chosen: Deacons, Alonzo Clark and Fredrick Miller; trustees, Ira Annis, Isaac Smith, John Chase, John M. More, Fredrick Miller and ]\rilton Mills. Soon after the village was started the church moved thereto and a building was erected in 1878, costing about $1,500.

The German Evangelical Lutheran St. Johannes Church was organized in 1871, with ten members. Eev. A. Barnake was its first pastor, and after holding services for a few times in private houses Troendle's Hall became its meeting place. In 1876, a church building was erected at a cost of $1,500. April 17, of this year the congregation was incorporated. Jacob Geisenchoefer and A. Paget presided and the following trustees were chosen: Fritz Gruth, Chas. Proehl and Ch. Kruger. Christian H. Wicks was made deacon. The church is in a flourishing condition.

It is claimed that the M. E. were the first to start regular religious services in the town. This was as early as 18-56, when Eev. J. W. Powell made Mapleton a part of his Shelby^'ille circuit, and a class was formed. Early in the sixties the M. E. held meetings at the house of Harlow Basset and at the Kruger school house. The church was organized at Mapleton village in 1870, by Eev. Powell, who was its first pastor. Their church building was erected in the summer of 1891.

The Congregational Church was incorporated at the residence of D. W. Brooks Oct. 23, 1882, by the election of the following trustees : James Morris, W. D. Sprague and .John Sprague. The ecclesiastical organization took place Dec. 26. 1889, and Eev. 0. 0. Eundell was its first pastor. At first they worshiped in the Baptist Church, but in 1882-.3 they erected a building of their own which was dedicated June 14, 188'i.

The Eoman Catholic Church of St. Theresa was started in 1876. It was legallv incorporated March 9, 1885, by Bishop John Ireland, Father Eaveaux and Eev. Thos. Duane. pastor, and James McLaughlin and John Schweitzer lay members. The first chapel was of brick,

The first hotel in the village was opened in 1870, by Henry Tenney. The Farnum House, was built in 1875, by C. W. Farnum, who was its proprietor until Nov., 1880. In 1878, W. H. Leighton built the ilapleton House, which Mr. and Jlrs. ]\Iartin Schlingerman have so successfully conducted for many years. In the eighties. The Farnum House became the property of E. Traver, and was called the "Traver House" for many j'ears. In 1901, the old building was torn down and the present fine brick structure erected by Wm. Pagenkoff, and in January, 1902, Fred Gerlick was installed as its first landlord. The present landlord is Carl Splett.

Among the pioneer business men of the village, not before mentioned are: A. Eima, who started a general store in 1875, Johnston and Marvin came later, Joel Gates, J. M. Sprague and Wm. Hanna, hardware, John Schweitzer, druggist: Wm. Albrecht, boots and shoes (1876) Chas. Dietz, harness shop : James McLaughlin, furniture; S. C Brooks, W. Tenney and Geo. M. Cooper, livery : Dr. Ira Bishop, L. W. Kreuger and F. G. Bomberger, physicians: John Paul, J. E. Norton and S. Poet, lumber: C. G. Spaulding, wheat buyer: T. B. Taylor and Henry Pagel, stock buyers: P. A. Foster, Wm. N. Plymat, Morgan A. Berry, C. J. Laurisch and IT. G. Argetsinger, lawyers: Griner it Co., clothing: J. S. Taylor, books: IT. M. Quinn, farm implements.

Besides the postoffices named, the pioneers were served by an office established in the early sixties at Grapeland of which M. L. Lockerby was postmaster in November, 1877. The office was usually, however, kept just across the line in Faribault County. June 1, 1891. a postoffice was reestablished at Old J\Iaplcton called "Hawkins" after an early settler, with ilrs. Jennette Taylor as the postmistress. Since the opening of the present century all rural postoffices have been done away with and the daily delivery sys- tem has been inaugurated. Telephones add still more to the facility for communication on farm and in village. Besides the village school, which is independent, there are five school districts in the town and two Joint school districts, in each of which there is a good frame school house, and an excellent school regularly maintained.

The first settlers were C'has." J\Ianstield and A. W. Callen, who settled on the east side of Eice Lake in the fall of 1854. In 1855, the town was made a part of the Winnebago Reservation and the Agency buildings were located on the site of the present village of St. Clair. A number of government officials and employees were settled here and made the point one of special importance during the Indian occu}iancy. August 31, 1855, the town was made an election precinct under the name of Eice Lake, after the lake of that name found therein, which was famous among the Indians for its production of wild rice. Chas. Mansfield, A. W. Callen and J. L. Alexander were the first election judges and twenty-one votes were cast in the fall of 1855. Among those connected with the Indian agency, who came here with the Winnebagoes in June, 1855, were: General J. E. Fletcher, Indian agent, Henry Foster, Joshua Ady, A. L. Foyles W. J. Cullen, Superintendent of Indian School, Chas. H. Mi-x, Asa White, Geo. Culver, Peter ilanaige, Xewell Houghton and J. L. Alexander. In June, 1856, John Johnston, afterwards of Sterling, located at the Agency as blacksmith. In 1861, J. B. Hubbell and Lucius Dyer and other republican officials under Agent Balcome located at the agency. The Indians were removed in May, 1863, and immediately settlers began pouring into the town. There are many tales connected with the old Winnebago Agency, some of which have been recounted on former pages. In parting with the Indian period space will permit but one more glimpse into its savage scenes.

The Death Of Honk Honka

Life at an Indian Agency has many a sensation and many a tragedy. In April, 1857, when the Inkpadutah trouble was at its height, there lived among the Winnebagoes, a vicious, drunken Indian named Honk Honka. In one of his wild periodical sprees he assaulted a white man so viciously that the matter could not be overlooked and the sheriff was sent for, who took the culprit to Mankato to lodge in the County jail. It happened to be the very day that Captain Lewis' company returned from their skirmish with the Sioux near Madelia, and everybody's fittention was taken up with that exciting event. While the deputy sheriff was stopping a minute in the bar room of the Mankato House to discuss the news, he left Honk Honka, handcuffed, sitting on a -bench near the door. Suddenly the Indian darted out and disappeared into the neighboring brush, and aided by the gathering darkness escaped. After spending some weeks down in Sibley County, where some friends liberated his hands from the irons, he returned unexpectedly one day to the Agency and entered one of the Indian huts. Two papooses were sleeping on a bed in the room and Honk Honka, being drunk as usual, threw himself on the bed crosswise, pinning both children under him. The cries of the youngsters brought the mother at once to their aid, but unable to extricate them, she ran out yelling frantically for help. X white man named, John Quinlan, hearing the disturbance rushed in and jerked the Indian off the bed. Honk Honka drew a long, sharp knife and rushed furiously at Quinlan, who dodged around the stove in the center of the room. For half an hour or more the mad chase was kept up around that stove until Quinlan was nearly exhausted. There was no time to open the door and get out, for the knife in the hands of that whisky crazed savage was too close to his back. The woman had disappeared and there was no response to his cries for help. At last he spied an ax in a corner of the room, and as he spun around the stove he managed to grab it, and facing suddenly about, he dealt the Indian a blow which severed his head from his shoulders. A number of young bucks soon came and gathered Honk Honka's body up in a blanket and hurried it. A brother of the deceased refused to accept Quinlan's plea of self-defence, but threatened to avenge his brother's death. Knowing the Indian character, Quinlan concluded the Agency was not the safest place on earth for him, and departed for part unknown and thus ended the sprees of Honk Honka.

By Sept. 2, 1863, sufficient settlers had located in the town to require the County Board to create it into an independent municipality. The name was changed from Rice Lake to !Mc- Clelan, after the famous Union General. The first town meeting was held at the house of Luoius Dyer on September 19, 1863. when the following officers were elected : Supervisors, Asa White, chairman. J. Y. Colwell and Lucius Dyer ; clerk, Henry Poster ; treasurer, E. 0. Bartlett; assessor, Chas, Manaig; justices, J. L. Alexander and J. Y. Colwell : constables. Aaron Foyles and Alexander Paver. Henry Foster was the first postmaster, appointed in 1856. He was succeeded in January, 1862, by James B. Hubbell, who in turn was succeeded bv Lucius Dyer in May, 1863. Dyer had been Indian Farrher under the Eepublican administration, but on the departure of the Winnebagnes, had purchased the land on which the large brick residence of the Indian agent stood, and occupied it as a hotel. In ^March, 1X65, he sold the place to Josiah C. Truman, who about the same time succeeded him as postmaster. The house was afterwards the home of the late Duane F. Easdall, and is still occupied by his family.

In February, 1865, the name of the town was changed from ^fiC'lelan to ^IcPherson by act of the Legislature. August 11, 1865, Aaron Hilton laid out a townsite on the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section S. which he called after his own name, and which now corresponds with the main part of the village of St. Clair. On this land was located the government mill, which llr. Hilton had bought the summer before, and which after refitting he was now operating. The lumber department had two run of saws with a capacity of 10,000 feet per day, and had a lath and shingle mill attached. The flour department had a capacity of 100 barrels per day.

In July, 1866, Mr. Hilton was appointed postmaster and removed the office to his new town of "Hilton." The latter, at the time, contained about a dozen houses, 3 stores, 2 blacksmith chops,' 3 wagon shops, 2 boot and shoe shops, & saloons and 1 hotel, besides the mill. Henry Foster still had his store a few rods to the east, on the site of the old Agency, Mr. Gilmore had a saw and shingle mill there, also. James E. and Geo. Brown opened- a general store at Hilton in December, 1861. One Koehler had a store there at the same time. Hilton kept the postoffice at the store of Brown Bros, and in l^Tay, 1869, James E. Brown was appointed postmaster and was succeeded in August, 1871, by Henry Mohr, who had purchased the mercantile business of Nick Lang. In November, 1869, Hilton sold his mill to Hogle & Eeader, and in a year or two, Hegle pold his interest to Peter Pfaff. In 1R;0 M. B. Easdoll became a member of the firm of Brnwn Bros., and during the following year the Browns sold out to Mr. Easdcll and W. H. Harrison. Drs. Eaton and Haynes were among the pioneer physicians. J. C. Nutting, C. AVilbur Eay and W. S. Smith were later doctors. Will and l\[urpliy and afterwards John Murphj' conducted a store at St. Clair for years. Other prominent business men of the village were J. C. Cook, Chas. Young, M. Jost, Fred Gerlich, Mv. Crandall, H. E. King and H. Miller. Early in 1886, E. A. Deumeland built his present large store. About 1887, S. C. Hilton, the old mill owner, of the village, was succeeded by Chas. Eogers, who has been the chief mill owner since. In 1891, Grignon & Coughanour started the first creamery in the village. The present large co-operative creamery was built in 1904. October 14, 1880, J. H. Barlow started a paper called the "Messenger," which was only issued a short time. March 9, 1897, J. ^Y. Ward started the "St. Clair Star" which survived a few months longer.

The postofEice was designated "AVinnebago Agency" until April 1, 1886, when it was changed to "St. Clair", a name suggested by Chas. 0. Conner, after General St. Clair. The village has since, also, gone by the same name. There was a strong effort to have the postofifice called "Hilton" but it failed. February, 1890, Joseph H. Gebbard was appointed postmaster. His successor was Fred Gerlich, who in turn was succeeded in December, 1898, by M. B. Easdall, the present incumbent. Until 1887, the village was divided into two school districts, Numbers 70 and 73, but on August 6, of that year, the districts were united, and the present fine brick school house completed by the fall of 1888. In 1895, Geo. B. Caldwell built the present hotel; and in July, 1906, the "St. Clair State Bank" was organized by H. Thielman, N. Juliar, D. F. Easdell, C. J. Pagenkoff, P. W. Wingen, S. J. Mace, 0. 0. Juliar, E. S. Haedt, G. P. JuHar, A. A. Juliar, H. A. Hubner, Thos! Bowe, F. W. Lassow, F. C. Schultz, S. B. Wilson, G«o. May and John Bestman, with a" capital of $12,000. The present bank building was finished in 1907. The MePherson town hall was erected at St. Clair in 1898. The village has four churches. The Catholic Church was organized in 1864, by Father Sommereisen with about thirty families. The present church building was erected in 1874. The church was legally incorporated June, 11, 1903, by Bishop Joseph B.

The Lutheran Church was organized in 1874, with fifteen members. Eev. Albert Kuhn was its first pastor. The congregation was incorporated Feb. 29, 1876, under the name of "St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Winnebago Agency" at school house No. 70 and the following trustees chosen: John Fitzloff, August Barnske and August Kupke. Wjn. Brundt and Fritz Cords were made elders. The church building was erected in 1876.

The "Zion Church of Evangelical Association" was organized in 1874. The incorporation occurred Feb. 24, 1876, at school house No. 70, and the following trustees elected: Frederick Lumberg, John Borchard and Otto Schultz; and the chapel built that summer. The first pastor was Eev. G. H. Knabel.

The Congregational Church was organized in 1874, with about twelve families by Eev. Wallace Bruce. A house of worship was built in 1876. The church was reorganized Oct. 23, 1904 and a parsonage built in 1908.

In May, 1906, the St. Clair Citizens Telephone Co. was organized. The Alphabet Railway, now a branch of the Milwaukee system, was completed to the village in the fall of 1907.

Among the early settlers of the town not already mentioned were: Isaac Autrey, John Law, Dr. Coleman, Chas. W. Plerman, Michael Nary and Patrick O'Conner. The Belview postofEice was established in June, 1873, with James H. Eastman as postmaster. He was succeeded in January, 1876, by Amos H. Eastman, and in January, 1879, A. B. Preston was put in charge of the office.

The first school was taught by the pioneer Methodist preacher, Eev. B. Y. Coffin' in 1867, for the Indians. A parochial school was also taught by the sisters during the Indian time. The first public school for white children was taught in 1863, at the Agency by Francis Beveridge, a noted lawyer from St. Paul, who spent , , his last years in retirement at this out of the way village. There are now in the town seven good school houses outside of the village.

Medo is an Indian name meaning ''Small Potatoes" and was applied to the locality first by the redman. As early as April, 1858, the County Commissioners officially designated the town by this name. Until the departure of the Winnebagoes in Maj', 1863, the town formed a part of their reservation. The first settlers were Alonzo W. Barron and Samuel Goodwin, who arrived in the town with their families in May 1863, on the very day the Indians left it. They were followed immediately by Chas. Remington, George Dolan, W. J. Atcherson, Hiram H. Stratton, B. Dane, S. E. Stebbins and James Patterson. Other early settlers were Wm. Ledbeter, Thron Hoverson, James H. and Andrew Quinn, C. P. Merickel, August Beise, Robert C. Ward, A'apoleon B. Moody, Geo. W. Rogers, D. C. and Andrew Weston, David Weaver, Barney Olson, Ole T. Ingebretson, John W. \'ars, John, Patrick and Thos. Murray, Wni. and M. C. Ackerman, Isaac Amy, Jr., F. \\. and J. W. Atcherson, S. B. Babcock, Thos. Cary, Samuel Clapsliaw, Alfred Davis, Tilton Eastman, Seth Gilbert, Dr. J. W. Bently, Daniel A. Mandago, Francis and Joseph Neller, E. B. H. Norton, Stark Peterson, Ferdinand Plageman, Louis Siverson, Sanford E. Terwilliger, Edward L. Taylor, Ira and Wm. Ward, J. Lee, L. Breke, S. Germo, A. Andrson Sr., A. Anderson Jr., Torris Knudson, Lars Folkedahl, 8. N. Meg and others. Most of the settlers were from Wisconsin. By July 4, 1863, about forty families had settled in the town and on that date nearly all gathered for a picnic in the grove. Here it was determined to organize the town and call it "Oak Grove." As there was another town of that name in the utate, it was decided at a meeting in August, to change the name to "Cambridge." When it was found that name, also, had been taken, the old designation of "J\ledo" was adopted. At the same Fourth of July picnic, on the suggestion of Mrs. A. W. Barron, it was decided to start a Sunday school. Mrs. Barron was elected the first superintendent, and she collected $5, that day, which she sent to the Bible society for Bibles, and received $15 of books. She also, wrote to her sister, who was a member of Henry Ward Beecher's Church in Brooklyn, and received from that church a $200 Sunday school library. The Sunday School was held in the grove, except on rainy or cool Sabbaths, when an Indian bark hut was used, and in the winter the services were moved to Mr. Goodwin's house.

The sensation of that first summer was the appearance in the neighborhood of a monster snake, 16 to 20 feet in length, which finally made its lair under Mr. Barron's cabin. Teased by dogs, it is claimed to have committed suicide. It was evidently a python which had escaped from some traveling menagerie.

September 8, 1863, the town of Medo was organized and the first town meeting held at the iiouse of Hiram H. Stratton, September 19, 1863. The first town board were : H. W. Barron, Chr., S. E. Stebbins, and A. Bagley; and Hiram Stratton, Clerk. The first white child born in the town was Hiram, son of H. H. Stratton, born September, 1863. The first marriage was that of D. Allen and Lovina Webster in the spring of 1865. The first death was that of Eifie, a four year old daughter of Samuel Goodwin, who died in February, 1864. The first school was taught by Mrs. L. W. Barron at her own home in the summer of 1864. In the early spring of 1865 a log school house was built in District 58 and the first school in it taught that tummer by Miss Arvilla Keyes (Mrs. Napoleon Moody). The second school in it was taught by aMrs. Sue Stedman and thereafter B. F. Stedman taught in the same school for nine successive winters. The first school in District 57 was, also, taught in 1865 by Miss Amelia Ackerman, at her father's house, M. C. Ackerman. The to^TO now has nine school houses. A number of the boys and girls of these schools have taken prominent places in life. Among whom are Dr.

C. J. BeisCj Dr. R. A. Beise and Attorney G. W. Beise, sons of August Beise; Judge James H. Quinn, son of Andrew Quinn; Dr. Tlios. Murray, son of Patrick Murray; Attorney Prank Murray, son of John Murray, Dr. Wm. Will, son of David Will; Dr. Chas. Germo and Attorney Thos. Germo, sons of S. Germo and many others whose names we did not learn.

Two murder cases form a sensational chapter in the early history of Medo. Peb. 20, 1864, John Gill shot and killed Levi Matthews in a (]uarrel over some timber. He was threatened with lynching by twelve of Matthews neighbors from Danville, but was exonerated by the Court OD the ground of self defense. The next unfortunate event occurred on the evening of Peb. 23, 1876, when a widow, named Jane Gilbert, was shot through a window and killed at her home by Andrew Weston. The murderer was convicted and sent to the penitentiary.

The first postoffice was established in 1867 with J. W. Vares as postmaster. He was succeeded by B. P. Stedman, and he in turn by W. J. Atcherson. In December, 1878, James Paley was made postmaster and the office, thereafter remained at his store until discontinued in July, 1904. Besides the store and postoffice, a blacksmith shop and feed mill formed a small center for the town for many years near the northeast corner of Section 15. About August 1, 1875, Little Cobb Postoffice was established v,'ith Wm. Germo as postmaster. December, 1878, he was succeeded by Ole Ingebretson, and in Pebruary, 1889, Englebrit Olson became his successor. The office was discontinued July 15, 1904. John Hanson conducted a small store in connection with the postoffice near the l^Torwegian church. -He first started the store about 1880.

In 1894 a creamery was built on the southeast corner of the northeast quarter of Section 12, and a store started at the same point by Geo. L. Blaisdell. A postoffice was established here in 1895 called "Cream," in charge of Mr. Blaisdell, who was succeeded in November, 1897, by Albert Severson. About 1896 Ole Ostedahl Luilt another store at the same point, which burned in about two years. Then A. Berentson built a store there in which his son, John Berentson, and Albert Severson ran a general mercantile business for about a year, when Severson retired. Then later Simon Berentson succeeded his brother. The Blaisdell store burned in the winter of 1906-7 and the postoffice was discontinued in the summer of 1905. A blacksmith shop was started at Cream about 1895 by H. H. Johnson and about a year later 0. Moen opened another shop.

Religious services were started in Medo, as we have seen, shortly after the arrival of the first settlers. Preachers of the M. E. and United Brethren churches conducted services at private homes and school houses for years, and a Union Sunday school was maintained. During 1866 and 1867 a number of Norwegian families had settled in the town and in the fall of 1867 the first religious services for these people were conducted at the log cabin of 0. Ingebretson. A church was partly organized in the winter of 1867-8 and it was voted to hold quarterly services. The families forming this first organization were those of Thron Hoverson, Louis Siverfcon, S. Germo, S. N. Vieg, 0. Bngebretson, L. i^recke. Tennis Lakeson and Tennis Dahl of Blue Earth county and John, Owen and Tobias Johnson of Waseca county. Rev. M. Melby of New Richland became their first pastor. Services were continued in private houses until about 1869, when the first log school' house was built 'in District 63, when they were moved thereto. In a few years the log school house was replaced by an octogonal frame structure, which fj'om its odd shape was always known as the "Round School House." The "Medo Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church" continued to worship in this building, until a house of worship was completed in the summer of 1876 on a plat of ground near the northeast corner of Section 25, deeded to the congregation by Siever N. Vieg on July 15, 1872. On July 3, 1877, tJie new church building was completely wrecked ])y a big wind storm. Nothing daunted, however, the people, on the following summer erected their present commodious church edifice on the ?ame site. After Rev. Melby, Rev. M. Borge became pastor for a time, and then Rev. Melby was called to service a second time. Rev. H.

Histoey Op Blue Eaeth Couxty

Ostedahl followed and in his days, about 1887, a parsonage was built. Eev. J. A. Hammer became pastor next, then Eev. D. G. Fugleback and lastly Eev. J. Olson, the present minister. The iirst deacon was L. Brecke and the present holder of that office is J. Guddal. There are sixty-eight families now connected with this church. A Norwegian Sunday school was started first about 1867 in the settlers' cabins. After its removal to the school house, it began to as- ?ume the form of a parochial school during the vacation periods of the public school. It was usually taught by theological students. In 1892 District 63 built a new edifice and the old Eound school house was sold to the Norwegian congregation, who moved it to the northeast corner of Section 35, and have used it ever after for the parochial school. On the Waseca side of the line nearly opposite the center of Medo, stands the Congregational church of Freedom, the society of which was organized in 1887, and the building erected a year or two later. January 29, 1894, a Free Baptist church was organized with fifty-two members in the western part of the town as the result of a big revival season. An acre of ground was secured July 26, 1894, from Eobert Ward in the southwest corner of the northwest quarter of Section 19, on which a commodious chapel was built. The trustees at the time were: Wm. Miliken, Horace Greely, John Morrow, Ira Ward, John Eogers, Geo. Wai-d, Eobert Ward and Albert Gutcher. On May 10, 1897, Medo was visited by a tornado which destroyed school house No. 59, Alma City Creamery, and Engelbret Olson's house and the Little Cobb postoffice therein kept. Sept. 25, 1906, the town voted $7,000 bonds as a bonus to the Alphabet Eailway. This railroad was built in 1907. A townsite called "Pemberlon" was laid out in November, 1907, near the southwest corner of Section 1, whereon a depot, elevator, store, bank, etc., have been erected, forming a good nucleus for a village. A postoffice was created in June, 1908, with Marcus Williamson as postmaster.

Pleasant Mound

determined. Among the settlers of 1856 may be named, Eev. James H. Hindman, Thos. J. Thorp, Wm. A. Clark, Milton Walbridge, Lee Calhoon, Eev. John and Francis A. Clow. Others who came that year or in 1857 were: Oriu and John Scramlin, Hiram Bigelow, Knute Thompson, Geo. E. Bissell, Austin Brown, Wm. S. Marston, Barnard Marble, Wm. P. McKenney, and Joel and Jesse P. Thomas. 1858 came Nathanael Stevens, Phineas Lattin, Mvnard A. Chamberlin, Henry Eichardson, Hiram L. and Oscar Brown, Pardon B. Day and Sherman W. and Wm. Day. In 1859 came Frederick 0. Marks. Other early settlers were, Eev. Harrison F. Longworth, John S. Parks, Oliver E. ]\Iather, Alfred and John Kenney, Horace P. and Wm. I'errin, John and Wm. Eobinson, Jeremiah Parker, John L. Daboll, Gustavus McCollum, Horace E. Seeger, Jas. A. and Wm. H. Belts, Isaac J. Gardner, L. P. McKibbin, John E. Wilder, John C. Pratt, Benj. and Eli Preble, John K. Underwood, John P. West, Sanford AVebster, Isaac J. and John A. Wilson, Nathaniel T. York, Chas. N. Eadcliff, Jacob Schaffer, Cyrus P. Little, Benj. L. Eaymond, Chester J. Eyal, Wm. H. Porter, James J. Hamilton, Silas W. Graham, Ealph Cook, Elijah Carter, Eufus S. Briggs, Jlark Bradbury, Philander and Austin Brown, John Brockenridge, Wm. Adams, Jacob and James H. Anderson, Warren Andrews, Albert Archer, Alson D. Bently, Wm. A. A'eal, and Dexter Bartholcmew.

The town was named "Otsego by the County Commissioners on April 6, 1858, and attached to Shelby for official purposes. Oct. 14, 1858, the name was changed to "Willow Creek" probably an eastern name familiar to some old settler, appropriately applied, because of the abundant growth of willows, which characterize the principal brook in the town.

Eunning north and south through sections 25 and 36 a peculiar chain of mound shaped hills rise to the height of 50 to 75 feet above the surrounding prairie. On the mounds in Section 25 lay the claim of P. 0. Marks, who in 1863, had a postoffice established at his home, which at his suggestion was called "Pleasant Mound."

eastern states and may have suggested to Mr. ilaiks the appropriateness of the name he gave the postoffice, and the beautiful ridge on which his cabin stood. The Indian name for this ridge was "Ichokse" or "Eepah Kichakse." (To cut in the middle, perhaps from the fact that the ridge is divided into a number of mounds, or it may mean "Thrown down or dumped in heaps" as the spelling is uncertain.)

Another postoffice was established in the town in 1863, called "Willow Creek" with T. H. Day as postmaster. Both offices were on a weekly mail route established that year between Garden City and Fairmont.

In January, 1864, an attempt was made to organize the town as a separate municipality under the name of "Butler" but it failed. September fj, 1865, the town was finally created and designated "Pleasant Mound," on the suggestion of ]''. 0. Marks, after the postoffice and ridge just mentioned. The first town meeting was held Sept. 26, 18-56, at the house of Harrison P. Longworth, when the following officers were cJiosen: Supervisors - M. A. Chamberlin, chairman, F. 0. Marks, and Isaac J. Gardner, clerk - John S. Parks, treasurer - H. P. Longworth, justices - J. P. West and J. H. Hindman, conbtable - H. G. Sager, and J. A. Betts.

About 1860, a brick yard was started on Section 12, by 0. E. Mather and Wm. McQueen, some claim this brick yard was located mostly in Section 7, of Shelby and was not started until 1864 or 5. The earliest known Fourth of July celebration was held in 1867, on top of the mounds, where a booth was made of the leafy branches of trees, and a Eed Eiver Cart was used as a speaker's platform.

The first settlers of the town were almost exclusively Americans, but not many became permanent settlers. In June, 1866, the vanguard, of v/hat proved to be a large German Lutheran Colony arrived in the town and purchased claims therein. They were Carl Schwarz, Amil Ludtke, iMichael Mitzner, Henry Wilke, John Kroenke and Chris Schwarz, all from Greenwood Prairie, Olmsted County, Minn. Carl Schwarz and some of the others removed to their new homes with Uieir families about September, the rest arrived next spring. In the spring of 1867, they were joined by Wm. Schwarz, August Urban and Wm. Ulrich and their families from Wisconsin. In 1868, came Samuel and John Hensline, and sevc'j-al others. All were religious people and the first German Lutheran services among them were held in 1868, at private houses by Eev. Ahner of Blue Earth City. The Congregation was organized in November, 1869, by Eev. Julius C. Mueller with 25 members. Among the charter members were: Carl Schwarz, Herman Zemple, August Urban, Wm. Schwarz, J. Urban, Emil Luedtke, Michael Altenburg, John Kroenke, Wm. Ulrich, Christ Schwarz, Johajin AVeinkauf, J. Wester, John Hensline, Wm. Lentz and Johan C. Witt. In the fall of 1869, a church and parsonage combined under one roof erected about half a mile south of the present buildings and Eev. J. C. Mueller was called as fitst pastor. A parochial school was started the same fall at the house of John Weinkoff in charge of the pastor. In April, 1872, the church and parsonage burned. The same summer both church and parsonage were rebuilt as separate buildings on a five acre lot in the northeast corner of Section 2 which lot was deeded Nov. 1874, by John Christian Witt and wife to Wm. Schwarz, Emil Ludke and August Urban', as church trustees. In 1881 it was determined to build two parochial school buildings. Accordingly on March 15, 1881, Wm. Ulrich and wife deeded to the church four acres of land in the S. E. corner of S. W. % of S. E. 14 Section 10, upon which a school building 20x30 was erected that summer. About 1884, a new school house was erected by the church on the S. B. corner of Section 35, Ceresco,- and the church has maintained both schools ever since. The first parocliial school teacher was Frederick Zink for 2 years. He was followed by Herman Zemple for one year. Then came Carl Voight, who was the first regular teacher of the school on Section 10. A teacher's residence has been erected beside each <.^f the parochial school houses. The old churchbuilding becoming too small, a large new edifice was erected in 1886, 38x70 feet, which with the steeple in front and pulpit in rear made the total length 90 feet, and the height of steeple is 104 feet. The building cost from $6,000 to $8,000. After serving the congregation with gi-eat satisfaction for 17 years, Rev. J. C. Mueller accepted a call to Lester Prairie, JMinn., and Rev. C. Ross succeeded him, who in 1891 accepted a professor's chair in Concordia College, Milwaukee, Wis. Rev. Ernest Starck became pastor next, and upon his death in 1893, Rev. A. F. Ude took charge of the congTegation, and has served them with acceptance ever since. In 1902, the present parsonage was built at a cost of about $1,700.00. In 1908, a new school building was erected on the site of the old building on Section 35, Ceresco. In the lists of the parochial teachers are: District No. 1, C. Yoight, P. Trupke, C. Marquardt and C. Bode; District ;\'o. 2 ; Carl Frolig, Renter and Y P. Goesveiler. The congregation now numbers about 110 voting members (heads of families) and C50 souls. The corporate name of the church is "The German Evangelical Lutheran St. Johannes Church of Willow Creek." The two churches and parochial schools in the Southwest corner of Ceresco minister to a number of German people in Pleasant Mound. Besides the parochial schools the town contains five public school buildings. No English church was ever established in tlie town, but English services were maintained in private homes, and school houses for years, and three or four of the early settlers, as we liave seen, were preachers. The American occupation of the town, however, wa.s too transitory for the development of such organizations to any extent. The few American families, who remained in the town, united with the j\r. E. and Christian churches just across the town lines, in Shelby, Nashville and Antrim townships.

In October, 1865, John S. Parks succeeded F. 0. Marks as postmaster of Pleasant IMound postoffice, and continued in charge until the office was discontinued in 1902. The Willow Creek postoffice was removed soon after its creation to the home of Horace Kinney in Shelby township, thence to Nathaniel Capen, and thence on Dec. 9, 3379, to John R. Wilder's home in Pleasant Mound in which town the office rema'ned thereafter until discontinued in February, 1902. Mr. Wilder was succeeded as postmaster in February 1887, by Carl Schwarz and he by Rich. Jones, he by G. H. Perry and he in turn by G. N. C'lrich in July, 1896. In the fall of 1886 two new postoffices were established in Pleasant iiound. One called "Upton" in charge of Mrs. S. A. Pattridge on section 5, and the other named "Hope" in the Northwest corner of Section 30 with Thos. Hamilton as postmaster. l:i 1899 Carl Nibbe was appointed postmaster of Upton in place of Mrs. Pattridge resigned. We have spoken elsewhere in this volume of the Pleasant Mound Grange; of the Blue Earth Valley Stock company and its big fairs; of the great wind storm of June 5, 1880; of John S. Parks apple orchard with its two hundred and forty varieties; and of the alleged jnurder on July 10, 1889 of John Schwarz by Wm. Lentz. In 1896, a creamery was built near the west line of the Southwest quarter of Section 13, with Nath. Haas as first buttermaker. A store had been erected at this place about 1889, by Rich. Jones. He sold out to G. H. Perry, and he in turn sold to G. H. Ulrich and he was succeeded by Wm. Ulrich. A blacksmith shop was put up, and the place has ever since been a small center for the town under name of "Willow Creek." Rural mail routes and telephone accommodations now reach all parts of the town, which is one of the most prosperous in our county-

The first claim in this town was located by Basil Moreland on Section 7 in March, 1854. A month later Oliver J. Roe made a claim in the same neighborhood. In August, Williston K. Greenwood, also, took a claim in Section 7. The same month Isaac Andrus and his son, Truman F. Andrus, located with their families on Sections 11 and 13 on the Maple. In October, Cornelius YanNice claimed in Section 21 and moved thereto with his family. Wm. P. Coffin and Joel Cloud, early in the spring of 1855, located on Section 5. But all of these settlers had to abandon their homes in a year or so as the town "n'as included in the Winnebago Reser^-ation. White settlers, were thereafter barred until the removal of the Indians in 1863. The fall of 1863 and the spring of 18G4 saw the beginning of white settlements again in the town. Among the first settlers were: Gottfried and Jacob Sanger, who located there in 1863, J. D. Hooser,

Eiley Stratton took possession of the log cabin, wliich Isaac Andrus had built and which during the Winnebago occupation had been used by the chief, Big Bear. The town was first named "DeSoto" by the County Board in yVpril, 1858. In July, 1864, C. P. Cook started a town site in Section 6, on the Blue Earth, which he called "Rapidan"" after the place he had come from in the east. March 2, 1865, a bill was passed by the State Ijegislature changing the name of the town to "Eapidan" at the suggestion of Mr. Cook.

The town was organized April, 1865, and the first town meeting held on April 15, 1865, at the house of E. C. Payne in Section 21, when 20 votes ^'cre cast and the following officers elected. Supervisors: E. C. Payne, (chairman), W. L. Stevens and J. Sanger; M. A. Eeeder, clerk; J. D. Hooser, assessor; G. Scliwan, treasurer;

May 2, 1865, occurred the murder of A. J. Jewett and his family by John Campbell and his Indian companions, a full account of which will be found elsewhere in this history.

Bears were found in the town in the early days. A black one nearly 7 feet long was killed in March, 1860, on the Blue Earth near the Northwest corner of the town, and another was killed by E. C. Payne in the fall of 18fi£.

In the summer of 1865, John Morrow purchased 120 acres of land near the mouth of Maple River, whereon he erected kilns and engaged in the manufacture of lime for two or three years. He also opened stone quarries on the same land. During the winter of 1866-7 S. Kenworthy and Co., erected a large flour mill, 30x40 and four stories high, at the foot of the Blue Earth River rapids. The mill had two runs of buhrs four feet across. It was afterwards much enlarged, and for many years was famous as one of the principal custom mills of the county. The site is still occupied by the Rogers Roller Mill. During the winter of 1866- 7 Geo. Heaton and Richard Rew built a saw mill on the Blue Earth in Section 31, to which in a year or two they added a flour mill and named it the "Union Mill." The same winter Lucius Dyer put up a saw mill on the Maple in Section 35, to which he added later a grist mill. This mill later passed into the hands of Geo. Gerlich, then to Jesse 0. Mericle. In 1884, Henry Dyer built a new saw mill on the Maple. In vVugust 1867, Silas Kenworthy, J. W. Mendenhall, James B. Swan and James A. Wiswell, laid out a town called "Rapids" on land adjoining the Rapidan Mill. In December, 1865, PafE and Reynolds opened a store at this place. Nothing further came of this townsite. About 1867, a postofEice was established in Sec. 35 with J jucius Dyer as postmaster called "Maple River." It was on a newly established mail route between Wilton and Garden City. In October, 1869 "The (.astle Garden" postoffice was created in charge of Dr. N. Bixby, who lived on Section 15, As. there was no mail route, Dr. Bixby had to carry the mail from Mankato for the office. J. W. Derby succeeded Dr. Bixby as postmaster but tlie office was discontinued in March, 1875. In January, 187 G, a new postoffice was established at the house of Olof Olson called "Rapidan" on the Milwaukee Railway near where the present station is situated. In October, 1880, Mr. Olson opened a store at the present site of Rapidan station, which he conducted until August, 1887, when he was succeeded by W. 0. Dustin & Co. April 1, 1888, Olaf Olson was succeeded as postmaster by Noah Webster, who also, had become the owner of the store at Eapidan Station. He died in November, 1891, and \\as succeeded by h's son, Wm. Webster. March 1, 1895, Wm. T. Just became storekeeper and postmaster, and in 1907, Daniel E. and Wm. A. Bosin became his successors in business and Daniel E. Bosin was made postmaster. A lumber yard and blacksmith shop are also, main- tained at the same place. An ek-vator was erected, and in 1897 a co-operative creamer}' was built. In 1900, a Woodman Hall was built, and a passenger depot put up in the fall of 1906. Theee buildings, with a church and number cf residences, make now of Eapidan Station, a sjnall village.

The first religious service it is claimed was held in 1864, by Eev. Steinner of Alma City, a United Brethren minister, at the house of J. ]). Hooser, in the valley of the Blue Earth in ihe Southeast quarter of Section 31, then called "t;astle Garden." This valley was noted during llie Winnebago occupation for the beauty of its situation and richness of soil. An Indian \illage, a store and farm were here located then. A Sunday School was organized here about 1864, with Mr. Hooser as superintendent. About a year later a log school house was built on the Stratton claim in District 79 and the services were transferred there. A class was organized here about 1866 composed of the Stratton family, Geo. Hadaway, Mr. and ilrs. Henry C. Eberiiart, and Mr. Hooser. Elders Clow, Bookwaltcr, and Thurston continued to preach in the neighborhood. A Sunday School was maintained lor years at the school house. Henry Dyer was its Superintendent for some time and Henry 0. Eberhart succeeded him. In the 70's a few i^orwegian families began settling along the Blue Earth river. x\.mong the first to locate M'ere, S. Knudson, Ole K. Slvov, A. Hobrig, Ole Amundson, Eilef and Lars Anderson and Olaf Olson.

Lutheran services, in their own lang"uage, were started among them in 1S74 by Bev. M. Barge and a church organized. Among the charter members were: Eilef and Louis Anderson, Syver Broste, Nels Olson, Ole Stavem, Eilef Bjertson, Peter Brandlein, and Ole Anderson. The first meetings were held at the homes of Syver Broste and tlie Anderson brothers.

In 1885, a church building was erected about 80 rods East of the Xorthwcst corner of Section 8. This was a small frame structure 16x24 feet. It was replaced in 1893 by the present larger edifice. There are about forty families now in the congregation - all prosperous farmers. They are joined to Our Savior Norwegian Lutheran church of Mankato in their pastoral supply.

The Germans began settling in the town very earl}'. Among whom were Schwan, Just, Bosin, i\liescke, Kastner, Hubrig, and their famiJies. For some years they attended the German Lutheran church at Good Thunder. July 0, 1896, "St. John's German Evangelical Church" V7as incorporated by the following members: (Mias. E. Schwan, Herman Hausberg, Paul Kunkel, Carl Sternitreke, Gustaf Michael, Trangott Kastner, Wm. Geisthardt, H. Mieske, Frederick Bosin and Julius Just. The church was organized January 28, 1893 at school house No. i6, which was then the usual place of worship. The first board of trustees were: Trangott Kastner, Wm. Geisthardt, and Paul Kunkel. The church building was erected at Eapidan Station iD the summer of 1897, and dedicated on September 5, of that year.

An English Sunday School and preaching service has been maintained off and on for many y'^ars in the School House of the Eapidan mill district. In January, 1899 a Sunday School was organized in the Yeager school house with Mrs. George S. Harris as superintendent. It was called the Mt. Hope Sunday School, and flourished for some years. The Presbyterians maintained preaching services in connection tlierewith for some time.

In 1905-6 the Congregationalists maintained a Sunday school and preaching services at the AVoodmau's Hall at the station, and Iacv. J. A. Clark had charge of the work.

The Blue Earth County Poor Farm is located in Section one, and religious services were held there during the administration of Wm. P. Lewis, from 1889, to 1895, by Eevs. John C. Jones, Albert Warren and others, and a Sunday tchool regularlj' kept for years.

Col. B. F. Smith and General J. H. Baker were two prominent residents of the town for years, and at the tatter's hospitable home on "Oak Clift Farm" were held during the early nineties a series of annual old settler gatherings, which were very popular.

City, afterwards Mrs. Henry Dyer. Miss Nettie Crane (now Mills) and Elder Thurston were, also, among the first teachers of this district. The second school house was huilt in the Chamberlain district, and the third school house was put up in the Yeager district. All these first educational buildings were of logs. Now there are .«even good school houses in the town.

February, 1891, a postoffice was established at liapidan Mills with W. D. Hall, Jr., as postmaster. In 1892 P. E. Nelson became postmaster. In the fall of 1900 the Pree delivery sj-stem was inaiigurated in the town. In October, 1896, a telephone line was run from Eapidan to Amboy. In August, 1903, The Maple River Telephone Company was organized with Aleck Anderson as president, and in August, 1904, the Farmers Center Telephone Company was, also, organized, with Chas. Sperlich as president. The Eapidan Roller Mill is still 'being operated by E. S. Rogers, upon what is undoubtedly the finest water power in the county.

The first settlers of Shelby were Norman L. -Jackson, his son Eli N., and stepson, Hiram Luddington, who located at the north end of Jackson Lake in the summer of 1855. In the fall of the same year Edward Brace settled in tl'.e same neighborhood. In July Casper, Geo. J. and Simon Hoffman took claims on the Blue Earth, in what was soon afterwards called the Shelbyville neighborhood. Their filing seems "to have preceded the Jacksons, and they may have been the first actual settlers. In the late fall they were joined by Geo. Richardson, who bailt a log cabin near where the townsite next S]:ring was located, and batched there all "winter with 0. Nichols, Hiram Roberts and James Crane, whose claims were over the line in Faribault county. Tobias Miller, Sanford E. Allen and Wm. A. Clark located in the same vicinity tiie same fall. The fall of 1855 saw the beginning of another neighborhood in the northwest corner of the town, in what was later called the Green Valley neighborhood. Among these were Chas. C. Mack and his son, Jesse Mack. The }ear 1856 witnessed a large immigration into chelby. Early in April came Tilton 0. Allen and his brother Zoeth Allen, Albert M. Stephens, Wm. Chamberlain, Ardel D. Pinkerton, Noble G. Root, Orlando Smith and Geo. Quiggle. In April, 1856, came also the noted Methodist pioneer preacher. Rev. John W. Powell, and laid out the village of Shelbyville on a portion of the west half of Section 35. Other settlers of 1856 were Robert Shannon, Abner Thompson, Magnus Rice, Anthony Ritterbush, Wm. and Geo. H. Robbins, Ira J. and Chancellor Darling, Asa P. Jacobs, Benony and Ferris Farley, Thos. H. Day, James Miller, Geo. W. Marsh, John E. Romack, Horace Kinney, Rudolph Crandall, Milton Ross, Rudolph AfEholter, Reuben Bariott, Elijah L. and Henry R. Case, Joseph and Wm. Crandall, John Doke, Hiram Green, Wm. Gregory, Benjamin S. Stoner, Elnathan Kendall, Chas. P. Hutchins, Alexander Kennedy, Edmund Kingsland, Elwood Knowles, Abbington Parrett, Lewis F. and Hosea S. True, Milton T. Walbridge, Levi Calhoon, and John L. Samson.

So numerous were the settlers in 1856 that on July 7 the election precinct of Shelby was created, bounded as follows: Commencing at the southwest corner of the county thence north to the northwest corner of town 106 range 39, thence cast to the Blue Earth river, thence up said nver to line between ranges 27 and 28, thence south on said line to the south line of county, thence west to point of beginning. The precinct was named "Shelby" on request of Rev. J. W. Powell after the county in Indian;i, from which he had come. The first officers appointed were : Judges of Election, Noble G. Root, Joseph Mc- Canahan and A. B. Parrett; Justice, A. P. Par- ]-et; Constable, Wm. A. Clark; Supervisor, Horton W. Nelson. The first election was held at Shelbyville on October 15, 1856, when thirteen votes were cast. In July. 1857, Ceresco and Vernon were- separated from Shelby precinct, which still embraced ranges 28 and 29, in township 105. This precinct was created into the town of Shelby on May 11, 1858, and the following officers were elected : Supervisors, Rudolph Crandall (Chr.,) Sylvester Woodman, and James Miller; Clerk, Henry Stoek; Assessor, C. C. Mack; Collector, W. H. Miller; Overseer of the Poor, Norman L. Jackson; Justices, Horace Kinney and J. L. Sampson; Constables, John Diamond and C. P. Hutchins.

Mary A. Root, daughter of Noble G. Root, born June 16, 1856, was the first white child born in the town. The first marriage was , that cf Elnathan Kendall to Miss Louise A. Richardson on July 3, 1856. Celebrated by Rev. J. W. Powell at the home of Abner Thompson, which home consisted of a covered wagon, a tent beside it, and a fine oak grove. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson and Geo. Richardson witnessed the solemn compact. The second marriage was that of Simon Hoffman to Miss Phoebe Esther Allen on August 3, 1856, at the groom's log cabin, Rev. Powell ofPiciating. The marriage of George 'Juiggle to Mary D. Northru]i, often claimed to have been the first marriage in the town, really occurred on the Watonwan on July 13, 1856. The first death was that of Mr. Pierce in the autumn of 1856, and the second death was that of Mrs. Rudolph Crandall in August, 1857.

Two or three buildings were put up in Shelbyville in 1856. One of which was occupied with a few goods by Rev. J. W. Powell. In 1857 Robert Shannon built a double log house, which he used as a hotel for a )'car or two. Rev. Powell turned over the store he had started to his brother Nathan Powell. In the summer of 1857 Thomas and John Comstock, brothers-inlaw of John J. Shaubut of Mankato, and Henry

Stoek and John J. Porter came to Shelbyville from Lancester County, Pa. and all purchased a big interest in the towTisite. The Com stocks started in the mercantile business there, and Stoek and Porter purchased at St. Louis a steam saw mill which they set up that fall at the townsite. John Diamond, who had come with this party, was employed in this mill. It is claimed that President Buchanan, with whom Stoek and Porter were personally acquainted, had promised fheni the Minnesota Land Office, which had it been fulfilled, would have been a big boom for their townsite. In the fall of the same year John Swearingen purchased and put up on the west side of the Blue Earth, opposite Shelbyville a small portable steam saw mill. In 1858 Tilton 0. Allen began the erection of a large frame hotel, which was completed that year. Geo. W. j\larsh assisted by Alfred ]\L Stephens, opened a l)lacksmith shop in the village this same year. A log school house was built, having only one small window. The seats were fashioned from split logs, having wooden pegs for legs. Here in the winter of 1857-8 David Grey taught the first regular school in town, having about a dozen scliolai's. The preceding summer a school had been taught by Miss Clarissa A. Jacobs, at her latliers home, Asahael P. Jacobs, in Section 4, with eight children ' in attendance, all from Shelby. August Hi. 1857, j\Iiss Jacobs was married to Stephen R. Henderson, and later the young couple moved to the Beaver Creek settlement in Renville County. During the Indian outbreak of 1862, Mrs. Henderson and her two children were most brutally murdered by the ravages, and Mr. Henderson was killed by them a few days later at the battle of Birch Coulie. -'\bout 1859 the Comstocks sold their store to John J. Shaubut and left the country. Mr. Shaubut put Washington Kaggerice in charge of the store. The steam saw mill of Stoek and Porter was a patent affair and proved a failure. The old settlers used to call it the "Tri-weekly" because they claimed the saw went up and down three times a week. After a year or two an attachment for grinding corn and unbolted flour was added, but after a few years spent in a vain attempt to make the mill work successfully, the proprietors abandoned it, and about 1860 moved to Mankato, \Yliere Mr. Porter started a tannery and Mr. Stoek was elected County Auditor. After operating his portable saw mill about two years, Jolm Swearingen erected a much larger mill in the village. This was sold in the spring of 1863 to Tilton 0. Allen and Geo. W. Marsh, who operated it under the tlrm name of Allen & Marsh. In the fall of 1865 ilr. Marsh liought out his partner and moved the mill to a five acre tract on the Blue Earth in Section ?7. He added to it, also, a fair-sized grist mill, which he operated until h^.s death in September, 1875.

The first postofEice was established at ShelbyvilJe in 1856 with J. W. Powell as postmaster. He was succeeded by Eobert Shannon, and he in turn, by John Diamond. In December, 1861. Cyrus L. Taylor became postmaster and was followed in April, 1872, by Alvin Englebrecht, who after a few months was succeeded by H. E. Young. Lyman Turner was appointed in March, 1873 and in October, 1874 Virgil Tiffany came to the office and held it until July 29, 1881, when it was merged into the Amboy postoffice. In the early sixties C. L. Taylor opened a store. In July, 1864, H. A. Buck, started a store in Shelbyville, and in December, of the same year, J. M. Fellows & Co. established a store there. October, 1865, T. 0. Allen 'and Cap't Crandall opened a new general store, which in May, 1867, they sold to A. Van Awken. In 1869 the latter Imilt a large new building in the village. The upper floor to be used for a hotel and the ground floor he occupied with a double store, which he ran for two years. The building was then moved to Danville, where it is still used as a barn. Early in the sixties Prael & Dubuisson of Mankato opened a branch store at Shelbyville in charge of Alvin Englebrecht. In May, 1868, the latter purchased the stock of goods owned by Elder C. L. Taylor. In the seventies H. E. Young conducted a store for a short time at Shelbyville and was succeeded by Geo. Turner, Jr., whose store was burnt in September, 1874. Tbos. E. Cross ran a store in the village, also, for a short period. The first religious services in the town were conducted in 1856 by Rev. John W. Powell, and an M. E. church was organized by him in the fall of that year. Among its first members were : Robert Shannon and Susan Shannon, liis wife, John L. Samson and Barbara Samson his wife, Benjamin S. Stoner and Lydia Stoner his wife, Henry Stoek and family, J. JIartin and wife, Abbington Parret and wife, Henry Comstock and wife, Mrs. Tilton 0. Allen and others, whose name we did not get. A Sunday School was started in 1857 with Henry Stoek as first superintendent. During 1 857-8 Rev. Ransom Judd, was pastor of the cliurch. He was followed by Elder Cyrus L. Tavlor, during whose pastorate in 1858 a church building was erected on Block 32 of the village. The corner stone of the building was laid with due ceremony. Rev. Powell and Rev. Whiteford, w])0 had cared for the church the first year, assisted Elder Taylor at the services. A jar filled with various mementoes of the occasion v-as duly deposited under the stone. Henry Comstock deeded the church a lot for its use on February 5, 1859. In the fall of 1859 Eev. S. T. Richardson was appointed to the charge and in the fall of 1862 was succeeded by Eev. .S. A. Chubbuk. The church was legally incorporated January 8, 1863, when Rev. S. A. Chubbuck, then pastor, appointed the following trustees: Robert Shannon, Benjamin Stoner, Aaron S. Rounse, John Lee, Thos. J. Cross, J. A. Lattimer, Cyrus L. Taylor, Benjamin Farley, and Wm. H. Hunt. Other pastors of the church not ai)bve ment^'oned were: Revs. Nailer and Thos. .McClear}'.

In 1857 an attempt was made by S. M. Folsom and others to start a towiisite on the north - Avest quarter of section 5, but it was soon abandoned.

In July, 1864 Wm. H. Blackmer put up a saw mill on the Blue Earth near where the Woodland- Mill is now located. This mill was sold two years later to H. C. Capwell and others, who added a grist mill to it. In November, 1866, H. C, Howard put up a portable steam saw mill on the James Miller farm on the Blue Earth River. In August, 1867, this mill burned, but Mr. Howard rebuilt it at once and added thereto a grist mill. At the same time Howard and Co. opened a general store close to the mill and the place was named "Shelby Center." In November, 1869-, Howard & Co.

sold the flour mill to T. Henry Day, and the machinery of the saw mill to Asa White and A. C. Hilton of Winnebago Agency. The flour mill was removed by Mr. Day to his farm and enlarged, and was known as the "Champion Mill." William Thompson became a proprietor a few years later and in 1883 Frank Bill and S. V. naycraft purchased it. In 18'?8 Robert Eichards'ln was running a store near the Champion Mill and in August of that year the "Champion Mill PostofEice" was established with Mr. Richardson as postmaster. On his removal the following year to the new townsite of Amboy, Frank D. Bill succeeded him as postmaster. In 1880 the office was removed to the home of James Miller and in March, 1882, Mrs. Mary was created in the neighborhood of the north end of Jackson Lake, with ISTorman L. Jackson as postmaster. In 1863 he was succeeded by Edward P. Childs, who kept the office until the fpring of 1866, when he sold his farm to Cornelius Sillman. The postoffice remained in charge of Mr. Sillman for a short period and then was abolished.

F. McKibben and wife, H. E. Salisbury and v.ife, Benjamin Hewson and wife, Joseph Hewson, Sr., and wife, J. Paulson and wife, Price and family, Mrs. Hiram Gilbert, Elvira Gilbert, Mrs. J. Shouts, Mrs. Henry Day and Jesse Mack. Services at first were held in private residences, then in the school house, until the present commodious house of worship was erected in 1862. Benjamin Hewson and L. F. McKibben were among the first superintendents of the Sunday School connected with this church.

In 1867 Bardon B. Day, who had considerable inventive genius, obtained a patent on a wind inill, which he applied as a motive power for a new grist mill built by him. He, also, attempted to invent a perpetual motion power. The force generated by a stream of water falling along a series of shoots in a tower, was supposed to be sufficient to pump itself back to the top of the tower and have sufficient surplus power to

July 2, 1879, a wind storm passed over the lown which blew down the brick residence of K'athaniel Stevens, killing Mrs. Stevens. The next year another hurricane blew down three school houses in the town and did much damage. From 1858 until 1879 Shelbyville was a live hustling little village. In 1867 it had a h'.'tel, church, school house, mill, two stores, blacksmith shop, wagon shop, etc.

Lyceums, mock senates, and various meetings afforded the people social advantages and entertainments and there were many religious privileges. April 1871, a farmers club was organized with Chas. Holgate, James Miller, C. Crocker, D. E. Cross and R. Crandall among its officers. July 22, 1875, a big Sunday School picnic was held in the proVe by the village, when a procession half a mile long was marshalled by C. W. Herrman, Cap't Dorsey and Henry Goody and over 500 people participated in the festivities. February 12, 1877, a big old settlers meeting was held in the village when Andrew C. Dunn and Rev. Thos. McCleary orated. July 4, 1878 was held another old settlers celebration in the village ,?rnve, when an immense crowd listened to addresses by Eev. J. E. Conrad and others. In 1870 the branch of the C. St. P. M. & 0. Ey. was built through Shelby. The proposition to give the railway a bonus of $10,000.00 was defeated by the town September 2, 1879, by a vote of 120 to 52. The uncertainty as to the depot location and the certainty that the railway would be built anyway were the mam causes of this defeat. The railway company immediately after the election secured a tract of land from Geo. Quiggle in Section 23, and on October 31, 1879, laid out the new townsite of "Amboy." The name was suggested by Eobert Richardson after "Amboy," Illinois - his former home. An attempt was made to name the town "Jackson Lake" or "Jacksonville," but it failed. The location of this townsite recalls an interesting chapter in the railway history of our county. Back in the seventies when the Mankato and Wells road was owned by the Minnesota Central Company, of which Thompson, Hubbell and Willard were the chief managers, the St. Paul and Sioux City Eailway Company made an agreement with its officers for the purchase of the road, which only required the sanction of the Board of Directors of the "Central" to become a binding compact. Before this was done the Milwaukee Company in some way learned of the matter, and secretly worked up a deal of their own and secured a majority of the d^'rectors to favor it. So after the meeting the officers of the Sioux City Eailway were surprised and chagrined beyond measure to learn that the piece of road Ihey had bargained for had been sold to tht Milwaukee company. Smarting under what they regarded as a mean, underhanded trick on the part of the Milwaukee, the officers of the Sioux City company determined to retaliate by building a parallel road from Lake Crystal to Blue Earth City, and the station of Amboy was put towards the north end of Jackson Lake, so that it might draw as much trade away from Good Thunder and Mapleton as possible. This quarrel between the two companies, however, secured to our county two railroads instead of one. Eobert Eichardson built the first store in the new town, a building 28x30 with wing 12-30, and moved his stock of goods from Champion Mills thereto in the fall of 1ST9. A railway depot was built the same fall and a postoffice established on January 1, 1880, with Eobert Eichardson as postmaster. The first year saw quite a boom in the new village. By June, 1880 Thos. Eandall and J. M. More had built and occupied stores there in addition to Eichardson's store. Lathrop & Conrad had a hardware; J. H. T3-ler, a drug store; Fred Affolter, a wagon shop; H. E. Young, wagon and blacksmith shop; Amos Pisk, contractor and builder; John Noble, lumber; A. J. Davis, livery; W. Christe, insurance; F. Cole, harness shop. There were two hotels: The "West House," John West, proprietor, and "Davis House," A. J. Davis, proprietor. There were, also, two warehouses with J. M. More and Eandall & Thompson as buyers. This same summer two churches were erected in the village. The action of the railroad in ignoring Shelbyville and locating Amboy just one and a half miles north of it, soon proved fatal to the older town. In two or three years it had become a deserted place. Even the buildings had about all disappeared. The old hotel was moved to the Counselman farm, now owned by Thos. Nasinith, the Van Awken store became a barn in Danville, and the M. E. Church is one of the out buildings on the John Barnard farm, now owned by Michael Snrrensen. Other buildings were fjaulcd to Amboy and elsewhere, and today the site of the old village is a grain field.

Xovember 15, 1879, a new M. E. Church was organized at Amboy for which the following persons were appointed trustees: Benjamin Farley, Wm. S. Aldridge, J. C. Durr, Ed. Eeed, G. J. Louer, and Chas. Holgate. A church building was started in Amboy in 1880, but was not completed until 1884, though finished so it could be occupied in 1882. It was dedicated August 31, 1884, Elders McKinley, Liscomb, and Stockdill officiating. The Shelbyville church soon sold their building and united with the Amboy church. In 1891 their house of worship was enlarged and remodeled into the present fine structure under the pastorate of Eev. 0. W. Taylor. The Amboy and Willow Creek M. E. Church are united under the same pastorate. They have a membership of 185, and property valued at $8,000.00. Eev. W. H. Irwin is their present pastor.

The Amboy Presbyterian Church dates its orgin to a meeting held at the home of Edward Brace, when the following written request was handed to Eev. J. E. Conrad a Presbyterian minister living in Sterling:

Ida Lake. March, 1869. We, the undersigned, wish to be organized into a Presbyterian Church, to be called the Presbyterian Church of Pleasant Eidge

Eev. Conrad at once organized the church and Edward Brace was elected its first elder. For a year and a half services were held every alternate Sunday at Pleasant Eidge school house or at the home of Edward Brace. Then for eight years the Jackson Lake school house was used, and the services conducted by Eev. Conrad every other week. The legal incorporation occurred at Jackson Lake school house, on January 6, 1880, when the following trustees were elected: J. E. Conrad, Geo. Quiggle, Warren White, Jabin EadcJiffe, and Theodore Sower. A church building was started that spring at Amboy. 'The frame had Just been raised, when the big wind storm of June 5, 1880, blew it down. It was again raised and the building dedicated on August 28, 1881. It was a frame structure 28x40 fee{ and 16 feet posts. The name was now changed to "Presbyterian Church of Amboy." February 27, 1893, the church was reincorporated under this name by Mrs. Clara Smith, F. W. White,

B. A. Merrill, and Wm. Keinholz, and the folloAving trustees chosen: Amos Fisk, J. B. Eadcliffe, J. A. McLain, Wm. Eobinson and A. E. Salisbury. Eev. J. E. Conrad continued to serve the church until the summer of 1890, driving nine miles from his home in Sterling for the purpose, but declining years compelled him to resign. He was succeeded by Eev. T. Eosf? P;iden in the fall of 1890. In November of that year, with the help of Evangelist Hamilton H. Hunter, a great revival occurred and fifty new members were added. The old building proving too small for the greatly enlarged congregation, the present tine structure was erected in 1892-3 at a cost of $5,200.00. It was first occupied in June, 1893, and the dedication occurred December 10, 1893, when Eev. W. 0. Conrad, son of the former pastor, preached the dedication sermon. Eev. PaHen served the church with great acceptance for five years and was succeeded by Eev. J. Milne Smith, who, after two years was succeeded by Eev. J. D. Gibb in May, 1898. The latter closed his pastorate in October, 1905, and the present pastor, Eev. S. M. Marsh, be.G;nn hi? work with the church in April, 1906. A parsonage was purchased in December, 1906. In the spring of 1908 another great revival occurred in Amboy and about 200 conversions made. Between sixty and seventy of those united with the Presbyterian Church, and an equal number with the M. E. Church, nearly doubling the membership of both churches. A Sund'ay School was started in connection with the Presbyterian Church very early. John DiamoTjd,

About 1887 the German Methodist Emmanuel Church was organized at Amboy, and a church building erected. Its membership embraces about thirty families. January 14, 1889, the Evangelical Lutheran' St. Paul Church of Amboy, was organized and on January 19, 1891, it ^as incorporated by the election of the following trustees: E. Eadke, W. F. Ludtke and H. 'Wiedenhaeft. In the spring of 1891 a house of worship was built in the village, which was dedicated July 12, 1891. The membership of rhis church embraces about thirty families.

The Willow Creek Christian Church was organized July 19, 1885, at the Kinney School House, by Eev. Edwin Eogers, with thirteen members. In 1891 the church was incorporated and the present fine chapel built at a cost of over $1,450.00 and dedicated that year free of debt. Wm. Chamberlain was a prominent leader and worker in the church for years. In all there jiave been 151 names on the church roll, a large number of whom are among its present membership.

In October, 188G, David E. Cross bought the Eichardson store and succeeded the latter as postmaster of Amboy. In 1887 John C. Nobles was appomted postmaster and on his resignation in February, 1889, D. E. Cross was again installed in the oifice. October 1, 1893, Anson j^ [a] lory was appointed to the position by President Cleveland. Under President McKinle}', D. E. Cross was again, in 1897, made the village postmaster, which ofPen he still retains. The first newspaper was the "Amboy News," started about February 3, 1885. October 13, 1891, the "Amboy Herald" was started as a branch of the Ivake Crystal Mirror with Carl Strom as manager. After tn'o or three years the paper was sold to K. 0. Sandum, who in November, 1894, disposed of it to Theo. Freer, who in turn in April, 1895, sold it to C. W. Dillman. Mr. Eagley purchased the paper next, and in March, 1899, J. A. Krohn became its proprietor. In .A.u,!]:iist. 1900, the present owner, James E, Brown, assumed control of the "Herald" and lias made an excellent local paper of it. The first mill in Amboy was built by John C, No- bles in the spring of 1887. In 1889 Jacob PfafE pi'ected a three story steam flour mill, 32x48; himished with roller process machinery at a cost of $15,000.00. In November, 1893, Mr. Pfaff leased the mill to Germain & Howe; diiring which lease the mill was burned on July 4, 1894. In the fall of 1895 Peterson & Fuller built the present large three story mill at a cost of over $15,000.00 and in October, 1897 Oliver Peterson bought out his partner, and became sole owner of the Amboy Poller Mill, which he still operates with good success. In April, 1883, Elder Eoss became proprietor of the "Amboy House" and in October, 1889, Barney Kilmer became its landlord. In September, 1897, D. E. Cross sold his store to his son J. Henry Cross, who conducted it until January, 1906, when he sold it to the present proprietors, Woodis & Co. In 1883, Perrin Bros, started in the agricultural implement business, which they conducted for some years. In 1885 Chas. Brown ocened a furniture store at Amboy and was succeeded by Chas. E. Durr and Wm. E. Barnard. Other business men of the village are or have been: _^Thos. Eandall & Son, Frank W. White and John H. Dredge, Anson Mallory, Asa C. Baker, Fred J. Behm, Geo. E. Wilder, C. D. Cooper and Henry F. Day, Byron 0. Killmer and Prank V. Lattin, Willis L. Perrin, Edwin Titfany, Laomi B. Smith, Schwarz Bros., G. K. Stevens, John C. Bakke and Frank E. Cooper, Eue, Pederson and Eue, and Knute S. Haroldson. The Bank of Amboy was started as private enterprise about 1893, by Secors, Ware & Co., but on July 1, 1899, it was changed to a state b.ink, under the corporate name of "The Amboy State Bank," with a capital stock of $25,000.00. Its first officers were: President, David Secor; A'ice-President, Franklin F. Ware; Cashier, S.

C. Berner. This bank went out of business in 1905. The Minnesota State Bank was organized on August 23, 1902, with J. A. Eeagan, as president, W. E. Schmidt as cashier. January 24. 1906, the German State Bank of Amboy was started with A. F. Eempferd as president and C.

school building erected. The other part was put up in 1906. The village was incorporated June 11, 1887, by a vote of 32 to 1, and a census taken at the time showed it to have 181 inhabitants.

South Bend

Of the first settlement of the village and townsliip of South Bend we have treated elsewhere in this volume. Soon after the founding of the village in the fall of 1853 by D. C. Evans and Lyman Mathews it became an important pioneer trading point.

In the early period the two story log house of D. C. Evans, built in 1854, on lot 6, block 64 of South Bend, was the center of activity. Here was held the first election in 18.54, when every voter got an office. Here was preached the first English sermon west of the Blue Earth in 1854, and the first Welsh sermon in 1855, here Joshua Barnard organized the first Sunday school in the town in 1854 and Dr. Edward Thomas organized the first Welsh Sunday school in the spring of 1855, here were held the first debating societies, the first singing school and the first Eisteddfod. In 185?, the South Bend hotel was built by Mathew Thompson and Jehiel Cheney and on Jan. 1, 1858 opened to the public by L. Abbott & Co. Mr. Thompson and Mr. Slepier were, also, among its early landlords.