Fillmore County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches (4 of 11 so headed), 1882

Biographical sketches

The shire town of the county is the southeast of the four oentral towns, and has for immediate neighbors, Carrolton on the north, Amherst on the east, Harmony on the south, and Carimona on the west. In form and size it corresponds with a town of goyemment survey. The south branch of Root River impinges upon the northwest comer of the town, and Camp Creek, arising in Harmony, runs north from section thirty-three to section five, where it joins the main stream.

It is a good farming town with considerable rolling prairie; Union prairie involving the northeastern part, and Highland prairie the southeastern. The soil varies from a rich black loam in the valleys, to light clay of a sandy character on the hiUs.

In addition to the streams mentioned the town is well watered with springs which bubble up at the surface, yielding sparkling water in abundance.

There is a large supply of limestone, which is easily obtainable for lime or for building purposes, and there is a schoolhouse and quite a number of residences of this material.

Early Settlememt

The earliest settlers known to have surrounded claims here were Andrew ToUefson and Torger Peterson, who, coming from their native Norway, arrived in August, 1853, and took up their local habitations in sections twenty-two and twentythree. Mr. ToUefson built his house on section twenty -two, but afterwards moved it on to section twenty-three, where additions were made, and he still lives there. *

In 1854, L. M. Little, a native of Ohio, came here and pre-empted land in section three. A. J. Tillotson, of Ohio, also came with him, but Mr. Little went back and did not return until 1856. These three men are still residents of the town.

E. O. Wilson, a Norwegian who had stopped awhile in Illinois, took up his abode about the same time, and there were quite a number of others.

In 1855, William Gender settled on section five, and Chris, Hahn settled on section four; these men were Germans, and they still occupy their original farms. This year also brought several others.

During the year 1856, Henry Milne located in section twenty-six, and Robert McCallnm secured a claim in section twenty-two. These men were from Scotland. William Boice, of Dutchess county, New York, settled in section thirty-two, where his widow still lives. John Mills, an Englishman, transferred himself to section twentytwo. John Long, of Maryland, placed himself in section eighty but he has since been transplanted to "that home whence no traveler returns."

This year and the next was the flood tide of immigration, and since that time the incoming of settlers cannot be said to have been epidemic, but rather sporadic in its character. The town is now well settled with a thriving population.

The history of the town and city of Preston is necessarily blended together in a great measure, and in the sketches of the two they mutually overlap each other.

Marbiaoes. - Pordy Hart and Phebe J. Boice were married in the spring of 1857. Rufus D. Weymouth and Mary S. Painter were married in August, 1857.

EABiiT Dbath. - On the 8th of July, 1854, Bendriok Bendriokson, a son of Knudt and Bobina Bendrickson, died at the age of five years, and was buried on his father^s farm in <iection twentyfour. Pnrdy Bain died on the 21st of November, 1856.

The primary election and town meeting to set the local machinery in motion after the institution of the State government, was on the 11th of May, 1868.

The town officers elected at that time were: Supervisors, S. B. Murrell, Chairman; John Duxbury, and Thomas S. Vickerman; Town Clerk, B. S. Loomis; Collector, D. R Smith; Assessor, Oliver Williams; Justices of the Peace, S. B. Murrell and Duncan Murray; Constables, William D. Lipeand William Button; Overseer of the Poor, E. O. Wilson; Overseers of the Highways, J. K. Bradbury and Berge Oleson. At this election 133 votes were polled.

The political machinery in town, so far as the discharge of official duties are concerned, has gone on smoothly whichever party has been in power.

At the spring election in 1882, the so-called National ticket was successful. Supervisors, J. J. Merrill, Chairman; John Anstett, and L. O. Larson; Clerk, F. E. Bennett; Treasurer, Elias Lint; Assessor, W. E. Mitchell; Constables, B. Oleson and S. E. Ford; Justices of the Peace, W. B< Mitchell and Elias Lint.

Ratlroad Bonds. - ^Bonds were issued by the authority of town on the 27th of August, 1879, to the amount of $25,000, in aid of the construction of the '^Caledonia, Mississippi k Western Railroad." These bonds were fifty in number for $600 each, were to receive seven per cent, interest, and were payable on or before the expiration of twenty years. They were conditioned upon the road being built into town.

Pbeston In The Wab Of 1861

in the county. On two occasions the town was required to raise money for additional bounty, and it was promptly done. On the 5th of August, 1864, at a meeting of the board of Supervisors, a tax was levied to pay an additional bounty of $200 to each and every man who should volunteer, and thus help fill the quota of the town. Again, in December, 1864, in response to the President's call for 500,000 more, the Supervisors levied another tax to put the bounty up to $400, each to be paid by the town. And so the quota was filled.

District No. 53. - School was kept in H. Peterson's house in 1858, while this was a part of No. 42, William Sawyer bein^; the teacher. In 1861, the district was separately organized and the first school opened in the house of J. Hentz. The next year a log schoolhouse was put up on the land of O. C. GulbrandsoD. In 1871, the building was moved to section twenty-eight where A. Embretson gave the land. School was continued there till 1880, when a fourth of an acre of land was bought of J. C. Easton for $25, about eighty rods north, when a new house was built.

DisTRicrr No. 48. - On the 27th of January, 1858, a meeting was held to organize the district at the house of Mr. Livingood. A. J. Tillotson was the clerk, and the schoolhouse was built the same year on the land of Mr. Livingood which was leased for ninety-nine years. Each family was required to make a bench for the schoolhouse. Miss Emily Miller presided at the teacher's desk for the first time in the new schoolhouse. The lease of the land was afterwards lost, and Mr. Livingood took possession of the building and put a family in it.

For a year or two there was no school in the district. In 1874, a piece of land was procured of Chris. Hahn, in section four, and a new schoolhouse went up, the first school being taught by Miss Cara Slater.

DisTBiCT No. 46, organized in 1857 or '58, and the same year a schoolhouse was built, the farmers furnishing the logs and turned out to put them together. Logs were hauled to the village to have some boards sawed for the floor. The funds to buy shingles were raised by subscription. Miss Catharine Murrell taught the first school. This log structure was kept in use until 1869, when the present edifice was erected at a cost of $860.

half aero of land was bought of Andreas ToUefson, on section fifteen, paying $12.50 for it, and that same fall a house was built at a cost of $560. Tjc. B. Felt was the first teacher; John Livingood was clerk, Michael Anstett, director, and Ole Larson, treasurer.

District No. 137. - Tiiis was organized in the last half of the sixties, and was taken from No. 47, from the Preston District, ^nd a part in Carimona wjis added in 1878. When the district was first organized a log house was put up which lasted till 1878, when the present building was provided on section eighteen, at a cost of $1,200. In the new house, Miss Hattie Sutton had the honor of calling the first school to order. In the early history of the district, Ettie Prescott was the first teacher, in E. Long's house.

District No. 47. - In 1857 or '58, this district was established, and the next year a log schoolhouse was got up on section twenty -eight. In 1872, the house now standing was put up at a cost of $1,200, on the same section. Miss Jessie G. Johnson was the initial teacher in the new building. The first officers of the district were : John Duxbury, Clerk; Thomas Duxbury, Director, and Oliver Williams, Treasurer.

District No. 129. - In 1861, this district was organized, and the same year a schoolhouse was laid up of stone, at a cost of about ^500. This is a union district, part of it being in Harmony. The house is on section thirty-one. Miss Mary Manning was the first teacher in this district.

District No. 136. - Formerly a part of Nos. 48 and 169; it was set off and organized about 1863, when a small log house was procured from section eleven and moved to section twelve. Dun- Ccin Murray was the first teacher. In 1875, a house was built at a cost of |700, and J. W. Bennett was the first teacher.

Lutheran Evanoelical Church. -In 1855, meetings were held in Ole Wilson's house, and afterwards in other places, but after the erection of the Lutheran Church in Harmony, the people attended there, as they still do. No local organization was ever had.

Methodist Episcopal Church. - The first Methodist meetings in the southwest part of the town were at the residence of Joseph Weymouth in the fall of 1855. Benjamin Crist was the preacher, but after a time the people worshipped in Carimona. Id 1878, however, they organized a church-, with Mr. Dayton, of Harmony, as their class leader. Mr. Blain was the first preacher, and meetings were held in the schoolhouse in district No. 129.

German Baptist. - The first meeting was held at the house of John Kaercher, and soon after it was organized with about twelve members. The church is known as the Railroad church. Joseph Ogg is the Elder. Among the Deacons may be mentioned William Dreves, Jonathan Breadwater, John Sutter, John Shook, and S. M. Shuck. William Hipe was also a preacher. This sect is commonly called Dunkards.

Preston Vtllaoe

This village is situated on the north of the south branch of Root River, within a loop of the stream that thus furnishes the eastern, southern, and western boundary of the village. It is on the extreme northwestern comer of the town of the same name, and extends the width of four blocks north into Carrolton. As originally laid out it contained eleven blocks and a fraction. One block was reserved for a Court House square, and that left upwards of one hundred good sized lots. The direction of the streets conform to the cardinal points of the compass. As now constituted, the east and west streets, beginning at the river, are, Mill, River, Main, Fillmore, Preston, North, Spring, Brownsville, Valley, Kansas, Freeman, and Farmer's. In the other direction, beginning on the east, there is Bluff, Center, Pleasant, St. Anthony, St. Paul, Houston, Franklin, Washington, Winona, and Gap streets. An avenue from the corner of St. Anthony and Spring streets runs northwest and is called-^Chatfield."

The blocks have ten lots tor the most part, and an east and west alley. The contour of the surface of the land may be said to be rolling in several directions, giving a natural drainage, most valuable in a sanitary view. The buildings are substantial, many of them of brick and some of stone, and the village has a general air of thrift and prosperity. The United States census of 1880 gave Preston a peculation of 960. The population is now claimed to 1,009.

John Vail, from Pennsylvania, was the first man to locate a claim in the town or village of Preston, in 1853. His place was on the south side of the river, oppoaite the present village, bat in the fall of 1854, he transferred his claim to two men who really became the founders of the village.

John Kaercher was a cooper by trade, and while engaged in that occupation and earning some money at Freeport, Illinois, early in the decade of 1850, bought a farm southeast of Burr Oak, and such was the remarkable immigration and the rapid development and improvement of that immediate vicinity, that he soon realized $10,000 for the property., So, in the fall of 1854, he started for Minnesota, in company with Theobald Schweitzer, to repeat, if possible, the operation in some growing town. They at first struck Carimona, which had an embryotic village with a sawmill which had been erected by the three Pickett brothers. It was at once decided^ that this was a very desirable piece of property to have, although there was not a superlative abundance of firstclass lumber to keep it in operation. However, Kaercher and Schweitzer opened negotiations with a view of purchasing the proj^erty if it could be obtained at a satisfactory figure; two of the brothers were consulted, and they agreed that 1,400 would be a fair valuation. When, however, the third Pickett dawned upon the scene, he aflfected the most supreme indifference about selling, and placed his figures at $1,600, and to this unexpected raise the young prospectors expressed their surprise.

The two young men thus seeking their fortunes were attired in overalls, and shirts made of bed ticking, which would not create the impression that they had several thousand dollars in ready cash. The conversation finally became animated and was interlarded with spicy remarks on both sides, and finally they were told, with perhaps more candor than discretion, that Carimona could get along very well without any striped Dutchmen. Of course this abruptly closed negotiations in that quarter and they proceeded down the river, resolved to secure an independent location.

It must not be forgotten that this was then a new country, that straggling bands of Indians still roamed about their native wilds, and that the fleet footed antelopes still held possession of the choice pastures that now, for a quarter of a century, have yielded a wealth of golden harvest to those who have followed these pioneer footsteps. This pair of adventurers moved down the river for about four miles when they came across the primitive abode of John Vail, above mentioned. Near this cabin was a gurgling spring, with a volume of water almost sufficient to carry a mill. A brief reconnoisance revealed to the practical minds of John and Theobald that there were two or more valuable mill sites convenient, and a rich country all around. So Mr. Vail was sounded as to what he would take for his right, title, and interest. An equitable valuation was mutually agreed upon and the claim was transferred, and Kaercher and Schweitzer rejoiced that their room had been considered better than their company up the river.

A saw-mill was soon built, and in the spring of of 1855, a surveyor was procured and a town platted, which was none other than the present village of Preston.

At first the county seat was at Chatfield but it had been removed to Carimona, which was one of the four central towns in the county. These enterprising men had not forgotten the appellation of "Striped Dutchmen," and having a village with one comer in the geographical center of the county, and also having erected and run a flouring mill for a year at a clear profit, as it is stated of $30,000, Mr. Kaercher was in a position, with the aid of Chatfield, whose citizens were provoked at the loss of the prestige the relinquishment of the county seat would entail, to procure this as the shire town of the county, which was done within a year from the time it was laid out.

Mr. Kaercher was a man of energy and enterprise, with originality. In addition to the two mills, he built the Stanwix House, which was a noted hotel for more than twenty years. He also built a comfortable brick residence in the lower part of the village, now occupied by Louis Kramer. He bought a farm east of the village and erected a brick residence which would be no discredit anywhere.

After a few years he sold his mill to Mr. Filbert, of Decorah, Iowa; but out of active business he was afflicted with a spirit of unrest, and, after a time, bought back his mill property, and taking into partnership Mr. V. M. Baker, they prosecuted the business for a number of years, but finaUy sold to the Conkey Brothers, who still own and operate the mill.

Mr. Kaercher then resolved to permanently retire from the milling business, but seeing a place for the expression of his energies, and remembering the generous profits of flour manufacture, he

Jeaaed the Nonpareil Mill, in Chatfield, of Mr. S. T. Dickson. This was put in good repair and he made a complete success in operating it. He afterwards bought the Troy Mill, in Winona county, and at one time had four mills at different points. Soon after the war there was wild speculation in wheat, it went up to two dollars and seyenty-five cents, and an immense quantity of wheat was purchased at these prices, to keep the mills in operation, when suddenly the "comer" collapsed and only found a resting place at seventy cents. Mr. Kaercher, it is said, lost $70,000 and had $30,000, as a debt, hanging over him. He had before had serious reverses, but this was the most serious. For several years he was out of business, except as to his farm below the village, but he finally suoceded in trading this farm for a little mill at Clear Grit with one run of stones. He increased the power and added five run of stones. He made the best grades of flour, and in a word, retrieved his fallen fortunes, wiping out the last dollar of his indebtedness.

Again he enlarged the mill to more than double its former capacity, but a debt was contracted, and various circumstances conspired to make an unprofitable business, and on the 23d of June, 1881, he removed to Big Stone City, Grant county, Dakota, where his ability, energy, and experience, will be of value to the community, and it is hoped place him in a good financial condition.

To go back to the colony at Preston, which was called the Kaercher colony ; there were quite a number of them, Mrs. Barbara Schweitzer, the mother of Theobald, being one of the most energetic among the number, and there was Richard Jahn, -who was employed in erecting the mill for Mr. Kaercher, who is now a well situated farmer, and the same may be said of Christ Jahn his brother, and Michael Anstett, who resides here yet.

The Schweitzer family consisted of three sons and two daughters, besides the mother already mentioned, and the father, who came at a later period. She was a sister of John Kaercher, a partner in his real estate transactions, and secured in her own name the site of the village, including the water privilege of the Conkey mill, and also a lot of land south of the village. The town was platted and recorded in her name.

The name of Preston was given to the town and village by Mr. Kaercher in honor of his millwright, Luther Preston, and who is mentioned in another place. The first iiotel in the village was the Preston Hotel, and was situated where Anthony Ibach*s place is. The proprietor was Menno Ebby.

The first store was started in February by Theobald Schweitzer, who had a stock of general merchandise. It was closed a few years later, and his earthly career was also closed some time afterwards.

C. Bappe was one of the oldest settlers, and erected a forge and kindled the second fire in a blacksmith shop. His arrival was in July, 1855, from New Orleans, where he had 'stopped awhile after coming from Germany.

Among the oldest settlers is J. P. Tibbetts, who came in 1855, and found almost the entire population engaged in building Mr. Kaercher^s mill. He at once begau the erection of a hotel, which, when completed, he called the New England House. It was opened by D. W. Morrell and was the second in town. The same building i; is now used as a dry goods store by O. H. Jacobeon, and has been used as a schoolhouse, church, saloon, etc.

The first drug store was started by a man by the name of John Krees, who erected what is known as the Central House, in 1857, and opened a stock of goods. In a few years the financial pressure was too much for him, and Mr. Tibbetts succeeded to the business which he still continues.

Mr. Thomas Hall migrated from Illinois in 1856, pre-empted a farm near Preston, and opened a store and saloon here, putting up the building known as Thomases Hall where he may still be found.

James Billings came to Preston in 1856, and pre-empted eighty acres on the southwest quarter of section thirty -one, in Carrolton, and laid out the addition in that section. He was born in 1796.

The first death in Preston is said to have been David Quinn, at the age of eighteen months, a child of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Quinn, in the summer of 1858.

When the land office opened for pre-emption, John Kaercher pre-empted the site of the present village of Preston. Barbara Schweitzer, his sister, and the mother of Theobald Schweitzer, pre-empted the lower part of the town. When Theobald beca me of age he pre-empted three forties.

W. W. Fife secured one hundred and twenty acres south of village. Barbara was, when she first came here, the divorced wife of John Schweitzer, and while living here they were re-united, but after a time he secured a permanent separation by killing himself.

Theobald was an enterprising man in many respects. He, with Kaercher, built the Stanwix Hotel, and with his mother managed it quite a long time. Mrs. Schweitzer had lived near Freeport, Illinois, and the rapid rise of real estate, aided by her skill, had decured her quite a sum of money.

In April, 1856, a county election placed the county seat here. Several contests have since been held in this regard, but the citizens building the Ck)urt House, and it being in the geographical center has kept it intact.

The first United States District Court was held in the schoolhouse, now the Methodist Church. Judge Wilson presided. This was then in the Thirteenth district, but it is now the Forty-fifth.

On the establishment of the Post-office, in 1855, the first mail came by the way of Carimona. Wheeler & Nichols were the proprietors of the stage line. Before this the people had to go to Carimona to get their mail matter.

Mayor, Reuben Wells; Councilmen, J. O. Brien, H. R. Wells, H. A. Billpgs, William Carpenter; and D. C. Kerr; Recorder, J. B. Viall; Justice of the Peace, R. Wells.

At this meeting the machinery of the new government was set in motion. The village was declared a single highway district, and Ab/am Kalder was appointed Overseer and MarshaL

The officers for 1882 are: Mayor, G. W. Hard; Aldermen, J. O. Brien, Ole Nelson, W. E. Bigelow, Henry Newman, and J. P. Tibbetts; Treasurer, E. Lint; Recorder, F. E. Bennett; Marshal, John Garletz. It will be observed that one member of the board chosen at the first election still retains his position as an alderman.

The commencement of the project of the Preston graded schools was in the spring of 1865. The citizens, after discussing the matter, came to the conclusion that the plan was practical, and determined to carry it through. On the 20th of March, 1865, notice was given to all concerned that there would be held a meeting to determine whether the enterprise met with the approval of all; for this purpose the polls were opened on Saturday the 1st of April, 1865, and the count showed that there were seventeen in favor of, and two opposed to the enterprise. Now that the measure had the approval of such a large majority, it became only a question of time as to when the matter would be finally closed up and Preston would have a graded school. A board of directors was appointed, who took the necessary steps to have District No. 45 reorganized as an independent district in due form. The following were the members of the first board of Directors elected: D. B. Coleman, President; N. P. Colburn, Treasurer; W. T. Wilkins, Secretary ; S. B. Murrell, Thomas Quinn, S. M. Shuck. The school, in the meantime, was taught in the building now occupied by the. Methodist Church.

schoolhouse, and at the same meeting decided to issue bonds to pay for material and for building the same. Thus the matter was closed up, and they at once issued bonds of the district to the amount of $5,000. One year later they issued additional bonds to the amount of $2,000, all bearing interest at the rate of ten per cent. The balance of $3,000 was paid in cash, the building, when completed, having cost about $10,000.

Tiie school has since proved an entire success, and under judicious management has prospered and grown to be a credit to the citizens of Preston who were the instigators of it, and pride of the county at large.

The school building is a large, square building, built of brick, and two stories high, with one general hall entry. The building contains three large, well proportioned rooms, thoroughly ventilated, and each containing the necessary apparatus.

On the lower floor is found the primary department. This is presided over by Miss Jennie Foote, who is the latest acquisition to the teaching force of the school, this being her first term there. She has about eighty scholars to manage and instruct in the lower branches of study.

Adjoining the primary department on the lower floor is the intermediate department, under the supervision of Mr. E. T. Clark. Mr. Clark has been employed in this department for the past two years, and has been engaged by the board for the ensuing term. This room enrolls about seventy scholars.

The second story of the building is occupied by the higher department, which is preside<I over by the principal of the schools, Prof. P. H. Brady. Mr. Brady is an able and industrious worker in the schools, and a marked evidence that his labors, as principal of the school, have been satisfactory and efficient, is found in the fact that he has been retained in his present capacity for the past six years, and engaged for the ensuing year. He has an able assistant in Mrs. G. A. Smith, who has also been employed in the school for the. past six years. This department enrolls about eighty -five soholars. The entire number of scholars enrolled is 235.

The following are the salaries paid the present teachers per month: Primary, $40; Intermediate, $10; Principal's assistant, $40; Principal, $100.

school board for 1882: N. P. Colburn, Preeident; W. W. Fife, Treasurer; C. H. Conkey, Secretary; W. W. Braden, J. O'Brien, and Thomas Quinn.

Post-Office

The Post-office was established in 1855, in Preston, the first Postmaster being Luther Preston, in honor of whom the town was named. He was a millwright and a good mechanic, and a gentleman of honor and integrity, but during his administration there were some postal irregularities; there was some robbing of the mails, which was traced to this office, and he was arrested and tried and sent to State Prison, although the beUef is universal that he was not the guilty party. Taking all the facts and circumstances into consideration, which, however, it would be unpleasant to recapitulate here, it is certain that his remaining dumb before his accusers, and submitting to bear the punishment and obloquy of the crime, was an act of heroism which is as rare as it is Hhocking to our sentiments of justice. As a slight measure of reparation he was soon pardoned.

The Postmasters to follow him were: T. J. Eames, D. B. Coleman, W. B. Conkey, and B. S. Loomis, the present holder of the mail pouch key, who was appointed on the Ist of January, 1874.

The office was opened as a money order office on the 4th of October, 1867. The first order sold was to T. Kemp for $30, payable to J. W. Toms, La Crosse, Wisconsin. During that month twenty orders were issued. The stamps and envelopes now sold amount to about $220 a month. From a weekly service it now receives two or three or more mails each day.

Preston Woolen Factory. - The construction of this mill was started by Way back k Schweitzer in 1857, and commenced operations the next year in wool carding, and a wood-turning lathe was also put in. Mr. B. S. Loomis at first had charge of the mill. In 1861, it was leased by Wallace k Wheeler who put in machinery for manufacturing woolen fabrics and yam. In 1863, the firm purchased the concern, and in 1869, C. A. Wheeler became sole proprietor.

In 1874, a feed-mill was added, driven by the same power as the other machinery, which is the south branch of the Boot Eiver, that furnishes here a fall of seven or eight feet. The establishment

Brigkmakino. - A brick-yard was established in 1856, by a man named Webb, from Canada. Tn 1859, the business passed into tbe hands of Alexander White. Beginning in 1861, Mr. F. Coleman, since deceased, burned brick until about 1867. His widow still owns the property, but no brick have been made here since 1870. It had a capacity of 20,000 a year.

Another brickyard was established about 1864, by William Davis, with a capacity of 150,000 a year; it was in active operation three or four years. Mr. Shields took charge of the business in 1876, and has since that supplied the demand for brick.

The Preston Brewery. - This establishment was started in the year 1859, by Messrs. Somers & Lint, who managed it for several years, when it passed into the hands of Mr. J. Hach, who operated it until about 1874, when Mr. Smith became the purchaser, and it is now in the possession of his widow. In the summer of 1878, it was closed, although at one time it was considered worth $12,000, which was refused for the property.

Hotel

The Stanwix Hoteii. - This was built at an early day by John Kaercher. It has been kept by various parties at different times. At one time Fifield & Wilkins were the proprietors. In December 1866, Morse & Son took charge of it. In the fall of 1879, James P. Tibbetts became the proprietor, and the name was changed to the IHbbetts House, and under bis supervision it was remodeled and enlarged, and was under the care of Mr. N. B. Roberts until April, 1882, when Mr. Charley Walter became proprietor. It is a large and commodious house.

Ridinq Park And Fair Grounds

In 1872, these grounds were laid out by Judge Basset and others, upon land formerly owned by Mrs. Barbara Schweitzsr, but now owned by the village of Preston, and consist of thirty acres. The property has been leased by the County Agricultural Society, which usually holds its annual fair here.

Banking

The first bank in this village was opened in the fall of 18G6, by J. C. Easton, of Chatfield. It was managed by J. C. Braden, who was the cashier. In 1869, A. H. Butler and J. B. Viall opened a bank in the Treasurer's office, in which Mr. Eiiston had an interest, and at one time it was Easton k Butler. In 1872, it ceased to do business, Mr. Butler having died. In 1873, Mr. J. C. Easton again opened a bank here, but it remained open but a few months. William Bradbury was the manager. In April, 1875, Henry R. Wells instituted the Preston Bank. Charles Webb is manager, Charles Schoenbaum, ctishier, and Fletcher Tinkham, assistant. The bank does a large business.

About the 1st of January, 1867, a Librafry AsscK^iation was started in Preston. The officers were: President, H. A. Billings; Vice-President Reuben Welk; Librarian, »1. C. Braden; Secretary, E. M. Mnrtrie; Treasurer, J. B. Viall; Direcrtors, Rev. J. E. Burbank and D. B. Coleman. There is now a regular debating club here.

Coknet Band

In 1876, an association for mutual improvement was formed. Among those interested were N. P. Colburn, Mrs. E. Benedict, Miss Ida Butler, Prof. J. Brady, H. S. Bassett, Mrs. F. C. Stowe, D. W. Sprague, Miss Florence Benedict and many others.

Masonic

Preston Lodge No. 36. - The first meeting of the Lodge was on Wednesday evening, the 27th of March, 1861. JThe following brothers were charter members: J. F. Marsh, W. M.; Abraham Kalder, S. W.; S. B. MurreU, J. W.; A. B. Tillotson, T.; J. H. Calkins, Sec.; H. A. Billings, SJ. D.; Thomas Quinn, J. T>. ; Amos Rose, Ty. ; H. D. Bristol, G. W. Willis, D. Dauchey, D. L. Bryant.

Daring the existence of the lodge there have been eleven Masters as follows : Josiah F. Marsh, William T. Wilkins, Harrison A. Billings, James C. Braden, Henry R. Wells, Abram Kalder, Henry S. Bassett, Giles A. Baker, W. W. Braden, and O. H. Jacobson.

.The secretaries have been: James H. Calkins, Wm. H. Roberts, A. S. Lindsey, Edwin J. Thompson, Abram Bergen, James Murray, Luther M. Ober, Charles H. Conkey, J. Burke Viall, Horace A. Todd, J. H. Larson, H. S. Bassett, L, M. Conkey, Abram Kalder.

The present officers are: O. H. Jacobson, W. M. ; G. W. Hard, S. W.; M. O. Ford, J. W. ; Charles Webb, T.; A. Kalder, Sec; A. D.Gray,S. D.; M. F. Thiem, J. D.; E. Lint, Ty. This lodge has furnished two Grand Masters for the State, and has a good standing in the order.

Odd Fellows

Preston Lodge No. 11. - Instituted on the 2l8t of April, 1858, with the following as prominent officers: T. J.Eames, S. B. Murrell, Wm. W. Fife, David C. Kerr, and Abram Kalder.

O. Hagen, V, G. ; H. C, Poole, T,; George A. Love, P. S.; C. H. Jacobson, R. S. The lodge has a good hall, and own the whole building and lot with other property. It is in good financial condition with sixty-four members.

Preston Encampment No. 16. - ^Was first instituted in 1879, at Lanesboro, and in March, 1880, removed to Preston. It has twenty-eight members. The present officers are: Thomas Wright,

Patrons Of Husbandry

Preston Grange. - This institution, when it was first organized, had quite a number of granges in the county, with a largo membership, which included some of the best farmers and leading men among the industrial classes.

At Preston the grange was instituted on the 3d of October, 1872, but as it is understcKMl that the meetings have been discontinued the names of the officers will not be printed.

First Presbyterian Church. - This society has a good, susbtantial brick church, and a Reported membership of sixty-one. At present there is no passtor, but the Sunday-school is kept up and occasional services are held.

Its Bardy History

During the month of January, 1864, the attention of Rev. E. D. Holt, pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Chatfield, was called to the condition of alfairs in Preston with a view of organizing a church there. They invited Rev. A. G. Rulifftton. State Agent of Home Missions, to visit the place, which he did in February, 1864, and after a thorough and prayerful examination of the conditions and wants of the locality, decided to commence the preparatory work. Mr. Holt was appointed to begin holding meetings in April, but he was taken sick and died, and a new arrangement had to be entered into, Mr. Ruliffson himself coming and laboring until June, 1865, when Rev.

On Sunday, the 28th of July, 1865, the church was duly organized, the Rev. Mr. RulifGson preaching the sermon. Jonas Conkey, E. J. Thompson, and Joseph Pickett, were ordained as ruling elders. The first communicants wgre the ruling Elders and William McUvane, Jarvis Billings, Thomas Watson, Catharine McMiirtrie, Nancj Watson, Mary Preston, Louisa Mcllvane, Ellen P. Thompson, and perhaps a few others. On the 4th of March, 1866, the church had a total membership of twenty -eight.

The society, as a legal body, was organized at the Court House on the 19th of February, 1866, and the following officers were duly elected: Dr. L. Bedmon, President; A. Bergen, Secretary; Alexander Galbraith, E. McMurtrie, H. A. Billings, E. J. Thompson, and William P. Conkey, Trustees. On the 21st of February the articles of agreement were duly executed. At a meeting on the 30th of April, 1866, the trustees were authorized to buy a lot, and they were instructed to proceed to erect t? church according to certain plans and specifications. On the 7th of May the trustess reported that the lot was secured, and the Rev. Mr. Kiehle was sent on a pilgrimage to his friends in the east, to secure funds to build the edifice. The church was finally completed in 1868, and occupicvl for public worship. On the 8th of November the church was dedicated and the whole Methodist congregation turned out, and the pastor, Rev. Mr. Shaw, assisted in the servioes.

Rev. D. L. Kiehle remained as pastor until the summer of 1875, when he was succeeded by Rev. S. F. Drew, who remained until July, 1881, when he, having resigned, surrendered charge of the church.

Previous to the time when this sketch commences, in 1856 or the next year, there had been services here by the Rev. Mr. Frothingham and Rev. Mr. Jackson, who, to some extent, prepared the way for those whc followed during the next decade.

The Methodlst Episcopal Church. - The first regular appoinment for Preston was in 1856, when the Rev. John L. Dyer was stationed here by the Winona Conference, to which the village was and still is attached. The following is a list of the regular appointments from the first: John L. Dyer, Z. C. Norton, Nahum Tainter, Ira Ellingwood, James Door, James A. White, W. C. Shaw, M. D. Terwilliger,J. M. Rogers, A. B. Bishop, Bailey Blain, W. M. Bowdish, and J. J. Crist, who has been here since 1880. Rev. Ira Ellingwood, who was here in 1860, afterward joined the United Brethren. In 1864, when Rev. John Door was pastor, a parsonage was built, 16x24 feet, and one and a half stories in height. In 1867, while Rev. James A. White was here, the village schoolhouse was purchased and fitted up for a church. While Mr. Bishop was here, in 1875, the parsonage was enlarged and improved. The records of the church show 100 baptisms. The whole number of marriages reported as solemnized by the various preachers is 139. The largest fee ever received was $15, and the smallest $1. In one case the minister mournfully reported that he rode sixteen miles on a cold, bleak day, and received $3. At another time the minister had a hard, rough ride of fifty miles, and was rewarded with $5.

German Evangelical Association, Zion Chubch. - The first preaching was in 1857, by Rev. Leonard Vonwald, of Wisconsin, in private houses. There is a regular conference with four districts in the State, and Zion Church belongs to the Mankato district, the only one in the county . It was organized in 1858, Rev. George Vonshen, of Wisconsin, was the first pastor, who remained until I860. Afterwards Rev. W. Stegner, Rev. H. Kleinsorge, Rev. T. N. Long, Rev. Mr. Vonwald, Rev. George Jahn, Rev. John Trehmell, and Rav. Mr. Knebel officiated. The present pastor is Rev. J. L. Stegner. ^

A small stone church was built in 1859, and a new brick church in 1875, at a cost of $3,000. It also has a parsonage. There is a membership of 112 here and in outlying stations.

German Lutheran Evangelical. - During the early days of this congregation, meetings were held in the Court House. In 1875, the church was built, and dedicated on the Ist of August. Rev. M. Reck, Rev. S. Hertrich, and Rev. O. Harkman, have been pastors. Rev. F. Kuete is the present minister.

St. Joseph's Catholic. - The first service was in 1857, in the house of Mr. J. O'Brien by Rev. Father O'Farrell, and from that time services were irregularly held until October, 1878, when the church was regularly organized, and they built a church at a cost of 82,000. There is an actual membership of forty persons. The first pastor was Rev. Father McDavid. Rev. Father Cogan is the present priest.

St. Joseph's Cemeteky. - This is in charge of the Catholic church, and was laid out in the fall of 1879, the first burial being the remains of Mrs. Anton Ibach, in November, 1879. The lot contains two acres, and is located in the northeast quarter of section six. The land was bought of Michael Metoalf. Before this was set aside as a cemetery, the Catholics buried the;r dead in Carimona.

German LuTriERAN Cemetery. - This adjoins the other on the east and also contains about two aores. In 1861, it was first used as a burial place. Mr. Jonas Conkey was the first to have his mortal remains deposited on this spot, and many others have followed him here.

The HiiiL Cemetery comes next to be described. There is no organization and hardly a name for this picturesque spot, on the hill across the river where it is located. The remains of Mrs, John^Kaeroher, in 1858, was the first to be interred here, and now there are about twenty headstones, showing Preston's loss and immortality's gain.

Quite a number of individuals and incidents connected with the history of Preston, are mentioned in the general article on the county and in the current events, where they may be perused by the reader who is disappointed in not finding them here.

John Brady was bom in Columbia county, Wisconsin, on the 14th of January, 1851. He was reared on a farm and attended the public schools until entering the State University. After completing his education he came to Minnesota and taught school in Winona and Wabasha counties until 1874, when he ceme to Fillmore county and had charge of the high school of Preston for two years. He then engaged in Bushford, and in 1877, was elected County Superintendent of Schools, having since filled the office with much credit to himself and satisfaction the public.

J. S. Benedict dates his birth the 22d of July, 1822, in Onondaga county. New York, where he was reared on a farm. When twenty years old he went to Ohio and was engaged in the hotel business for several years. On the 29th of May, 1842, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Elizabeth J. Smith, of Lima, Livingston county. New York. They had one child, a daughter, born in July, 1846, and died in August, 1881. In 1850, Mr. Benedict made a trip to California and worked in the mines for three years, then retnmed to Ohio and resided on a farm. He afterward lived in Wisconsin, and for seven years had charge of a hotel, coming to this place in 1864. For several years he was engaged in the livery business, and in 1877, bought the Preston and Isinour's stage route which he has since continued.

S. C. Barton, an active resident and one of the leading business men of this county, was bom in Clinton, Kennebec county, Maine, on the 9th of February, 1818. When he was eight years old his father died, leaving his mother with a family of six children, in destitute circumstances. 8. C, the eldest, was employed by farmers in the vicinity of his home until the age of eighteen years, when he commenced learning the millwright trade in Water ville, in the same county. He migrated to Michigan in 1839, when there were not one hundred miles of railroad on the entire route. The following year he went to St. Louis, Missoiiri, and thence to Illinois where he had charge of the first fiouring mill erected at Springfield in that State. In 1843, he went to Wisconsin, and soon after, in company with D. R. Burt, built a flouring mill at Waterloo, near Potosi, which they operated for several years. In 1849, he became a victim of the gold fever then prevailing, and crossed the plains to California, where he was engaged in mining for two years with very good success. He then returned to Grant county, Wisconsin, and engaged in milling near Platteville with N. W. Bass, for whom he had formerly built a fiouring milL In 1855, he moved to LaCrosse which was his home for about eight years, being engaged in real estate business. In 1864, he made another trip west, going with an ox team to Idaho where he remained for two years, then returned to LaCrosae. He subsequently took charge of the building of a large saw-mill at Hannibal, Missouri. In 1867, he came to Fillmore county, and erected, at Bushford, a flouring mill for B. D. Sprague, in which he afterwards became a partner. He retained this interest for several years, and at the same time, in company with J. C. Eastoo, owned and operated a flour-mill at Peterson. The later was burned in 1877, with no insurance, after which Mr. Barton had charge of the Peterson steam mill, with A. H. Kramer as a partner. In 1880, he took a running interest in the Kramer mill near Preston, and is also one of the leading men in the Creamery now being built at the latter place.

Nathan Pierce CJolburn, son of Abel and Deborah (Phelps) Colburn, was bom in Hebron, Grafton county, New Hampshire, on the 22d of December, 1825. His father was a soldier in the last war with England, and his maternal grandfather, Samuel Phelps, participated in the revolutionary war. The subject of this sketch attended the common schools of Campton and the village of Plymouth, New Hampshire, until he was about fifteen years of age, when he removed to Qiiincy, Massachusetts, and was the Following year apprenticed to George Badger, of Beading, at the cabinet-maker's trade, which business he followed for nearly twelve years in Reading and Boston. Ill health, resulting from close confinement during the day, and perhaps too closQ application to books during the evenings, compelled him to abandon the business, and in 1854, he was appointed Deputy Sheriff of Middlesex county, which position he held until he removed to Minnesota in the fall of 1855. In the winter of 1855- 56, he and his brother, Joseph R. Col burn, built a steam saw- mill at Waukokee, one of the first mills, of the kind in Fillmore county, and was engaged in the lumber business until the spring of 1857. Having, while Deputy Sheriff in Massachusetts, spent all his spare time in reading law, and having a liking for it, he sold out his interest in the lumber business to his brother in April, 1857, and resumed his reading in the law oflice of H. C. Butler, Eiq., of Oarimona, and was admitted to the bar at Preston, in October, 1857. In June, 1858, be removed to Preston with his famil> opened an office and has remained there ever since in constant and successful practice, except one year spent in the army. In early life Mr. Colburn had a taste for military affairs, and at the age of twentwo-years was elected Lieutenant of an Infantry company in Reading, Massachusetts, which he assisted in organizing; at twenty-four he was promoted to Major of the Fourth Regiment of Infantry; and at twenty-five was elected Colonel of the Seventh Regiment which position he held about five years, and until his removal to the West. This regiment was spoken of in the reports of the Adjutant General during those five years as one of the finest and best disciplined in the State. In 1861, Col. Colburn was tendered the appointment of Major of the Second Minnesota, but as he could not consistently accept at that time, declined the appointment. In August, 1862, he raised and organized, in less than three days, at the request of the Governor, one hundred and twenty men, mounted and armed with rifles, with whom he proceeded to the Blue Earth Valley to protect settlers and prevent invasions of the murderous Sioux into the settlements of that Valley. This company remained in the service about five weeks and until relieved by regular troops. In April, 1863, he was appointed by President Lincoln, Paymaster in the army, and served about one year in the Western department, when he resigned on accoimt of ill health. Col. Colburn was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1857, and was chairman of the committee on banking. In 1858, he was elected to the Legislature. He was a member of the House in 1867 and 1871, and during both sessions was chairman of the judiciary committee. For eight years he held the office of County Attorney of Fillmore county. In 1850, he married Miss Mary J. Eames, of South Reading, (now Wakefield), MasHHchusctts. She died at Preston on the 9th of July, 1874. They had four children; the second died in infancy, and Medora I., the eldest daughter, died of consumption at the age of twenty-one, and the youngest daughter, Mary E., died of the same disease at the age of twenty-two. The youngest son, W. E. Colburn, is married and now living in Preston. While feeling an interest in the political affairs of the country. Col. Colburn has had but little relish for political contests as they are usually conducted, and seldom participates in them, although in former years he occasionally did some canvassing. He has been identified with the republican party since its first organization, but has never been a politician.

John Carneqie was born in Scotland in 1821, and when three years old came with his parents to America. They landed in Quebec, and resided in Montreal for a time, then moved to Cornwall, Ontario, where John was engaged in watch-making in company with his father. He then went to Prescott, where he learned the machinist trade, and afterwards was employed at the latter in Ottawa. He was married to Miss Jane McGowen in 18i0. In December, 1855, he came to Minnesota and located in Harmony township, Fillmore county, where he took land, but soon went to Carimona and built a steam saw-mill, which he afterwards traded for a farm in this place, in section thirty. Mr. Carnegie participated in the Indian war in 1862, and in August, 1864, enlisted in the Eleventh Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company A, serving till July, 1865, when he received an honorable discharge at Fort Snelling. Mr. and Mrs. Carnegie have had nine children; William, Christian, James, Margaret, George, Alexander, John, Frank, and Sarah. William, the eldest, enlisted in the Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry in 1864, and died while in service, aged twenty years.

William W. Fife is a native of Pennsylvania, bom in Philadelphia on the Istof November, 1830. When he was an infant his parents moved to Mifflin county, where his father died in 1834. William learned the carpenter and also the millwright trade when young. He was engaged at the latter in the South until 1853, when he moved to Illinois, and two years later to this place. He was engaged at both his trade*^ for several years, and filled a number of local offices. On the 11th of January, 1859, he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Eliza Foote, who died in May, 1878, leaving five children. The maiden name of his present wife was Susanna Seely, whom he wedded on the 11th of September, 1879. The result of the union is one child. Mr. Fife opened a lumber yard in 1870, and has since done a prosperous business.

William Ginder was bom in Germany in 1829. In 1832, his parents joined a colony of English immigrants and sailed for America, but while on the ocean his father died. The remainder of the family arrived in Toronto, Ontario, after a long and stormy voyage. They went to Collinwood, and thence to a new home about forty miles from any habitation, where they remained several years, during which time they experienced much suffering and want. His mother was married in 1835, at Markham, and soon after moved to Stratford, where William resided until twenty- one years old. He then left home, but remained in Canada until coining to Minnesota in 1855, and taking land in what is now Presti^n. In 1858, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Deibold. Their children are Ellen, Charles, Eebecca, Hannah, Alfred, and Minnie. Mr. Ginder erected his present dwelling in 1864, and in 1880, built a fine bam.

A. D. Gray, one of the old settlers of this county, was born in New York on the 13th of November, 1845. His parents moved to Pennsylvania when he was seven years old, and in 1854, his father came with his family to Minnesota. They drove the entire distance, and arrived in Newburg after a journey of six weeks. A. D. resided with his parents and attended the public schools until 1863, completing his education in the Iowa University. After graduating he returned home, and taught school in that vicinity ten years. On the 24th of March, 1868, he was united in marriage with Miss Emma Seely. The result of the union is six children, three girls ond three boys. Mr. Gray was constable of Newburg in an early day. Justice of the Peace six years, and held other local offices. In 1877, he was elected County Commissioner, in which capacity he served until 1877, when he was elected Clerk of the District Court, and still holds the office. He was admitted to the bar in 1881, and now is doing a^good business, the firm name being Gray k Thompson.

Thomas Hall, one of the early settlers of this place, is a native of England, born in Lincoln on the 22d of January, 1828. He was reared on a farm, coming to America/in 1847. He resided in Buffalo, New York, two years, then moved to Carlyle, Illinois, where he owned a grocery store. While there he married Miss Martha E. Williams, the ceremony taking place on the 20th of May, 1850. In 1852, they came to Stillwater, Minnesota, but the following year returned to Illinois. In 1855, they located in West Union, Iowa. The following year Mr. Hall came to Preston, took a claim, and soon aft3r bought out J. B. Frazer, since which time he has carried on a grocery store. Mr. and Mrs. Hall have had four children, three of whom are living, respected citizens of this place.

Lars O. Hamre was bom in Vestre Slidre, Valders, Norway, on the 9th of August, 1840. He attended the schools of his native country until seventeen years of age, when he came to America. For two years he found employment in Decorab, Iowa, farming and attending and teaching school. He then moved to Spring Grove, Houston county, and thence to Greenfield, in the township of Harmony, Fillmore county. There he opened a small store, but, unfortunately, ten days after starting, nearly all his goods were stolen, and on account of limited means he was obliged to abandon the enterprise. He then moved to Elliota, and finally to Preston. On the 27th of December, 1869, he was married to Miss Rachel Wilson, and they have been blessed with four children. Mr. Hamre was engaged as clerk in the store of A. Howell five years. In 1871, he was elected Register of Deeds, and served in that capacity eight years. Near the close of his term he became interested in a set of abstracts of title, to which he has since given his whole attention.

John Halverson was bom in Norway on the 2l8t of January, 1854. Ht? came to America and directly to this county, locating in Bloomfield township, when but fifteen years old. He was engaged in farming two years, then attended school here and at Albert Lea, remaining in the latter until 1872. After finishing bis education Mr. Halverson entered the employ of James P. Tibbetts in this village, and two years later' was given the charge of his store at Fountain. In 1876, be opened a drug store of his own in the latter place, and continued in the business until 1880. Miss Lena Fredrickson became his wife on the 22d of May, 1876. They have three children. While in Fountain, Mr. Halverson held the office of Postmaster four years. After selling his store there he came to Preston and opened his present mercantile establishment, the firm name being known as Halverson & Thomas.

Anton Ibach, a native of Germany, dates his birth in Baden-Baden on the 15th of July, 1833. He came to America in 1850, and was engaged in farming near Bufialo, New York, two years. He afterward lived in Dubuque, Iowa, and in 1856, came to this county, locating in Carimona township, and was engaged at the stone-mason's trade. Miss Theresa Lomen became his wife on the 12 th of April, 1858, They had six children, three of whom are living. Since 1859, Mr. Ibach has been a resident of this place, opening his saloon a year after coming, and has since continued in the business. His wife died on the 24th of November, 1879. In 1881, he married Miss Hannah Bolman, the ceremony dating the 10th of August.

Henry Jones, M. D., dates his birth in Nashville, Ohio, on the 13th of March, 1845. When nineteen years old he enlisted in the Sixtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; was wounded and confined in the hospital ten months, and received his discharge after a service of a year and a half. He then returned to his former home in Nashville, and in 1865, moved to Prophetstown, Illinois, where he attended school and afterward studied medicine with Dr. J. H. Mosher. He entered the Bush Medical College, and was graduated in February 1871, after which he oame to this county, and practiced his profession in Granger for about one year, then came to this village. He was united in marriage, on the 24th of December, 1874, to Miss Bertha A. Loomis, who died in October, 1878. Miss Ella E. Gray, of Decorah, Iowa, was the maiden name of his present wife, the marriage taking place the 19th of June, 1881. Since coming here Dr. Jones has established a good practice, and made many friends. The doctor is also engaged in the practice of dentistry in which he is doing a lucrative business.

Charles H, Ja(X)Rson, M. D., is a iiative of Norway, born on the 17th of May, 1856. He attended schools in the ''Old Country'' until coming to America in 1871, and located in Preston, Fillmore county, where he was engaged in the drug store of A. Weiser for five years. He then entered the Bennett Medical College, of Chicago, graduating in March, 1879, and later graduated from the Chicago College of Ophtholmology and Otology. Dr. Jacobson came to this place immediately after ^ completing his studies and has since been in active ^ practice.

A. H. Kramer was bom in Canada on the 3d of ) March, 1848. He commenced learning the carpenter trade when fourteen years old, and in 1865, ^ came to this township and entered the employ of f Jacob Kramer as salesman and book-keeper. On Z the 2l8t of January, 1874, Miss Celina M. Rogers became his wife. She has borne him two children. In 1875, Mr. Kramer took charge of a flour-mill ^ in Peterson, and four years later opened his present general mercantile store. Mr. Hard entered the U firm as partner in 1881, and the firm is now Kramer &> Hard. He also owns an interest in a flour-mill and creamery.

George AtiiEN Love, M. D., a native of Illinois, was bom in Woodstock, McHenry county. When he was about five years old his parents moved to Manchester, Iowa, and two years later came to this county, locating in the town of York, where they were among the pioneers, George came to Preston when sixteen years of age, and attended school for foiu: years, after which he entered the office of Dr. John A. Boss, where he studied medicine until 1871, then took a finishing course in the Bennett Medical College, Chicago, graduating in 1874. He came immediately to this place, and in 1877, was married to Miss Mary J. Kingston, the ceremony taking place on the 5th of March. Their union has been blessed with two children. Dr. Love was in

WiLiiiAM LoEFFLER was bom in Meiningen, (Germany, in 1861, and came to America in 1873. He came directly to Chicago, remained there fifteen months and then came to this county, in 1875. He subsequently went to St. Louis and was employed in a publishing house until 1881, when he returned to this county and located at Preston. He carries on a restaurant and confectionery store and is doing a prosperous business. On the 18th of August, 1880, he was joined in marriage with Miss Fanny Neumann, whose acquaintance he had formed while on a short pleasure trip to his home in the "old country," in 1879.

Samueij a. Lauoum is a native of this county, bom in Bloomfield on the 18th of August, 1857. He attended successively the Marshall Academy, of Wisconsin, the Decorah High School, and Augsburg Seminary, of Minneapolis. After completing his education, he returned home and taught school until 1876, when he was appointed Deputy Register of Deeds, holding the same four years. Since 1881 he has displayed his skill as Sheriff of the county. On the 14th of September, 1878, the marriage ceremony of Mr. Laugum and Miss Emma C. McCollum took place. They have two children, Alfred H. and William M., the latter of whom died in infancy.

Amos Xiono dates his birth in June, 1836, in Alexandria, Maryland, and when twenty yeai*8 old came to Minnesota with his parents. His father took land in sections eight and nine, Preston town* ship, and in 1874, Amos boughr eighty acres adjoining, but still lives on the old homestead. He was united in marriage, on the 10th of June, 1860, with Miss Mary Reihl, a native of Canada. Eight children have been bom of this union, four of whom are living; Annie B., Michael A., Lydia R, and Benhart A. Those, dead are, John, aged four years, Mary C, also aged four years, John Sherman, aged sixteen years and seven months, and Alexander, who died in infancy. Mr. Long's father died on the 1st of March, 1879, and his mother on the 10th of the following Octo1>er.

BoBERT McCJoLiiUM, dcceascd, was born in Scotland, and left his native land for America in 1856. He came directly to Wisconsin, wbere he left his faniily and continued his search for a home, finally locating in section twenty -two Preston township. Before leaving Scotland, he married Miss Janet MoNee, in 1846. Their children were eight in number, two of whom are dead; those living are Margaret, Helen, John, Christian J., Peter, and George J. Mr. McCollum died in 1873, moumed by a large circle of friends.

WiiiLiAM A. Nelson was bora in North Amherst, Lorain county, Ohio, on the 12th of Febraary, 1849. He came with the family to Fillmore county in 1864, and located in Amherst township, where he attended school until 1867, then entered the Shattuck School, at Faribault, and remained eighteen mouths, also attended the State University one year. He subsequently taught school in this county till 1874, when he assisted W. W. Braden in the County Treasurer's office until 1881, was then elected County Treasurer, which office he has since filled. On the 4th of January, 1882, Miss Martha A. Loomis became his wife.

Jeremiah O'Brien, a native of Limerick county, Ireland, was bom on the 25th of December, 1831. His father died when Jeremiah was four years old, and in 1848, the family emigrated to America. His mother died soon after in Illinois. Jeremiah located in Freeport, Illinois, and remained until 1857. Miss Elizabeth Plunkett became his wife on the 13th of August, 1855. They came to this place after leaving Freeport, and Mr. O'Brien engaged in the hardware and general mercantile business in company with his brother for two years. Then sold his interest and opened a hardware store, in which business he has since been engaged, and is now one of the oldest traders in the town.

Joseph Ober, one of the early settlers of the place, is a native of New Hampshire, bora in Hillsborough county, on the 5th of September, 1811. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, moving to Vermont when fourteen years old. He was married on the 7th of November, 1836, to Miss Rosana Chatfieid. In 1854, they moved to Illinois, and the following year to Houston county. In 1857, he came to Preston and rented a hotel for six months, then erected his present brick build- ! ing, which is known as the Minnesota House. ' Mr. and Mrs. Ober have had nine children, six of whom are living.

pareDts to Scott connty, Iowa, and at the age of fonrteen years commenced driving stage from Davenport to Le Clair. In 1861, he enlisted in the Third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company F, serving nearly four years. After his discharge he returned to Iowa, and on the 4th of July, 1864, married Miss Harriet A. Brow, of Decorah. They moved to McGregor the following year, where Mr. Pooler was engaged in the dray business in the employ of Austin & Pratt until 1876, then opened a livery stable and conducted it until 1880. He has since been a resident of Preston, engaged in the livery business. Mr. and Mrs. Pooler have had four children, one of wJiom is dead.

H. V. Peterson is a Canadian by birth, his nativity dating in Northumberland county, Ontario, the 11th of December, 1856. When he was seven years old he came with his parents to Lake City, Minnesota, where he received his education. At the age of sixteen years he entered the Northwestern Telegraph Institute, at Janesville, Wisoonsin, and in 1873, was given a position as telegraph operator at Winona. He was was afterward stationed along the line of the Green Bay A Minnesota Railroad until 1877, when he liad charge of a store in Minneapolis for the St. Louis Railroad Company, for a year. He then entered the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, and had charge of several stations on the different branches of their road. On the 28th, of April, 1881, he was joined in marriage with Miss Clara Seavey, of Clinton, Iowa. Since January, 1881, he has been in this place engaged as agent and operator for the' Narrow Guage line.

F. Read is a native of England, bom in London, in 1841. He came to America with his parents in 1857, and settled in Preston, in 1858. There are four children in the family, two sons and two daughters. W. K. is in business in Carimonia, where he resides and is Postmaster, and the daughters live in Preston. Mr. Read, the subject of this sketch, married Miss Carrie E. Kington, a native of New York. Her parents are George and EUizabeth Kingston, who settled in Amherst township, in 1856, Mr. Kingston being a minister in the M. E. Church. The family consisted of five children, four of whom are living and all residents of Preston. Mr. Read has been with Mr. James P. Tibbetts in ih6 the dry goods and drug business since 1874, ond took charge of the store in Fountain in December, 1881, but is residing there only temporarily. He owns several residences in Preston and a farm in Fountain township.

S. M. Shook was bom in Pennsylvania, in 1824. Since the age of ten years he has supported himself, learning the wngon-makers' trade when younpf, and afterwards worked at the carpenter trade. He was joined in matrimony with Miss Catharine Barkley in 1845, They came to Minnesota, arriving in this township in April, 1855, and preempted land in section seven, which is still their home. Mr. Shook assisted in biiilding the first mill and also the first house in the village. He devotes his time to the cultivation of his farm, and in 1874, built his present frame house. Mr. and Mrs. Shook have had eight children, two of whom died in infancy, and one, Susan, jit the age of eleven years; those living are T. T., Myers C, Lizzie, Adelina and Cora L.

employed in a brewery until 1858, when he came r to Preston and opened a saloon and billiard hall in * ^ which business he has since been engaged. He

Milwaukee, where he learned the harness makers' trade. He afterward worked at his trade in Chicago, St. Louis, and New Orleans, returning to Milwaukee in 1862. Li January of the latter year he enlisted in the Second Wisconsin Cavalry, Company A, was wounded after a service of thirteen months, received his discharge and again returned to Milwaukee. In 1863, he married Miss Annie Tistelson, who has borne him six children, five of whom are living. The same year they came to Preston and Mr. Thieme opened his present harness shop, his wife carrying on a millinery department in the same building.

R. E. Thompson, is a native of this county, which has always been his home, bom in Preble township on the 7th of March, 1857. He was educated at the schools of Newburg, the Institute of Decorah, Iowa, and at tne Winona Normal school. He subsequently taught until 1879, when he en- tered the ofiSce of H. R. Wells and studied law, being admitted to the bar in 1881. The firm of of Gray & Thompson was soon after formed and they have since done a good business. Mr. Thompson was appointed Deputy Clerk of the Court in 1881.

James P. Tibbetts, one of the prominent business men and early residents of this place, is a native of Maine, bom in Brewer, Penobscot county, on the 22d of May, 1830. He remained at home on a farm until twenty-two years old, then started on a trip through the New England States and the British Provinces, engaged in the photographer's business, and selling jewelry. In 1855; he came to this county and took land in Harmony township, and the same year erected a building in this place which, in an early day, was used for school, hotel, and various other purposes. He continued in his former ocoiipation, traveling in the West and South, and making this his home. Located here in 1861, and bought J.W. Krees' stock of drugs, in which business he has since continued, at one time carrying on two stores here, besides one in Lanesboro and another at Fountain. Miss Mary E. Vroman became his wife on the 26th of February, 1862. They have been blessed with three children. Mr. Tibbetts has filled a number of local offices since living here, and was Justice of the Peace for seventeen years.

Alexander Watson was bom in Moneyshire, Scotland, on the 10th of April, 1826. At-the age of fifteen years he commenced learning the shoemaker's trade, at which he was engaged in his native place eleven years. He then came to America and resided in Cattaraugus county. New York, until 1855, when he came to Iowa, but returned to New York two years later. He was married on the 6th of August, 1857, to Miss Mary Ann Parker. They have had two children, only one of ^hom is living. In July, 1862, they came to Winona, Minnesota, where Mr. Watson was engaged at his trade until Januury, 1865, when they moved to this place. He opened a boot and shoe store, which is now the oldest establishment of the kind in the village, and is doing a good business.

Charles Webb dates his birth in Clinton county. New York, on the 11th of July, 1848. He was reared on a farm, and in 1863, enlisted in the Sixteenth New York Cavalry, Company A, serving two yrars and six months. After his discharge, he resided in his native State until coming to Decorah, Iowa, in 1865. He remained there, engaged in the insurance business, until removing to Preston, in 1873. On the 28th of November, 1868, he was united in matrimony with Miss Eunice Dayton, who died in Decorah, Iowa, in 1874. Miss Alice Loonus was the maiden name of his present wife, the marriage ceremony taking place on the 20th of January, 1876. They have one son, William. In 1874, H. R Wells established a bank, of which Mr. Webb has since had charge, also doing an extensive insurance business.

A. Weiser, a native of Pennsylvania, was bom in York, York county, on the 6th of July, 1833. He was engaged in farming pursuits until the age of twenty-one years, then entered mercantile life in the western part of that State, and in 1857, came to Decorah, Iowa, where he formed a partnership with his brother in the drug business. On 14th of August, 1861, Miss Olive L. Bogers became his wife; she died in September, 1867, leaving three children. He came to Preston in 1866, and opened a small drug store, but in 1875, moved to his present large and finely furnished building. In 1876, he married Miss Ida Norman, a daughter of one of the pioneers of this county, the ceremony taking place on the 6th of June. This union has been blessed with two children. Mr. Weiser owns the finest brick residence in this locality.

C. A. Wheeler was bom in Yates county. New York, on the 4th of August, 1825. When he was quite young, he entered a woolen factory in Dresden, and remained in that occupation in different parts of the State until twenty-one years old. Then came to Michigan, but returned to New York in about a year, and soon after removed to Ohio. While there he married Miss Harrriet Allen, in 1852. They afterward resided in Michigan, and in 1861, came to this place. Mr. Wheeler leased the Preston Woolen Factory, with Mr. Wallace as partner, for a number of years. The firm then bought the property, and some time after Mr. Wheeler purchased the interest of his partner, and has since cohtinued in the business. He has one daughter, May, and a son named Charles, died when young.

Reuben Wells, one of the old settlers and prominent political men of this county, was bora in Washington county. New York, on the 17th of November, 1802. When he was seven years oH" the family moved to Luzerne, Warren county, where Reuben received his education. He was afterward engaged in mercantile and lumbering pursuits, at the same time studying law, and in 1856, was admitted to the bar at Glen'8 Falls in the same county. He was married in 1828, to Miss Catherine Leaven, who bore him two children, one of whom is living. Mr. Wells was a member of the New York State Legislature for two terms, and always took an active part in political and educational affairs. In 1857, he came to Fillmore county and took land in York township upon which he lived until 1863, when he came to Preston. On the organization of the town of York he was chosen Chairman of the first board of Supervisors, was also Chairman of the first board of County Commissioners. He was elected County Attorney in 1862, and filled the office two years; was a member of the State Senate in 1859 and 1860. When the village of Preston was organized he was its first Mayor and retained the office three terms, has also held other offices of trust and has been Court Commissioner for the past twelve years. Mrs. Wells died on the 8th of January, 1877. On the 27th of November, 1879, Mr. Wells married Mrs. Mary A. MoKenny, who died on the 16th of February, 1882. Since coming to this place Mr. Wells has been engaged in the practice of his profession.

Edwin O. Wilson is a native of Norway, bom on the 15th of September, 1821. He attended the public school near his home, and graduated when seventeen years old, after which he taught school three years. In 1843, he came to America and soon to Boone county, Illinois, thence to Mineral Point, Wisconsin, where he was employed in the lead mines. He purchased land in Boone county, Illinois, in 1846, but sold some years later on account of ill health, and came to this place. In 1848, Miss Betsey Olson became his wife. They located a farm on section nineteen, Preston township, and immediately erected a log cabin, 14x20 feet, remained in it two years, then built their present frame building and have since added to their farm. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have had twelve children; L. Matilda, John, Ellen, Ann, Clara, Sophia, Mollie, Osman, Edwina, Minnie, Willie, and Bern hard. Ellen died in 1879, aged twenty-seven years.

John Vail, one' of the oldest settlers of this place, was bom in Pennsylvania in 1825. When about seventeen years old he commenced learning the carpenter trade at which he was employed in his native State until 1852. He then came west, resided in Iowa one and a half years and moved to Preston where he located a claim on the present site of the Court House. He was joined in matrimony with Miss Margaret Ream in 1854. In 1855, Mr. Vail sold his farm and moved to Bristol township where he purchased land and remained twenty-seven years, Mr. and Mrs. Vail had eleven children, eight of whom are now living. Mrs. Vail died in 1871. His present wife was formerly Miss A. M. Pond. This union has been blesed with three children, two of whom are living. On the 18th of April, 1882, they moved west, intending hereafter to make their home in Montana.