Fillmore County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches (6 of 11 so headed), 1882

Biographical sketches

This township is the southwestern of the four central townships of Fillmore county, and is bounded on the north by Fountain, on the east by Preston, on the south by Bristol, and on the west by Forestville. Its form and size is identical with the original United States survey. At least twothirds is under cultivation, and the remainder is timber and pasture land. The original settlers found burr, white, and red oak openings, but preventing the annual fires, allowed the brush and timber to grow and thus produce what is called grub land. The surface is rolling, and the soil on the higher portions is a olay loam from six to ten inches deep, with a yellow clay subsoil, and on the low lands the soil is a black loam from eighteen to twenty- four inches deep, with a blue clay subsoil. At first it produced an enormous yield of whe{it, but the wheat-making material seems to be exhausted while its corn-making properties continue to be most admirable, as also the ability to produce fruit and root crops. The south branch of Root River runs across the town from section eighteen in quite a direct channel to section one, when it leaves for Preston. Willow Creek comes from Bristol and fiows through the eastern tier of sections to join the south branch in section one. There are also numerous springs to assist in watering the town. The northern and eastern parts are particularly adapted to stock raising, while the

The town was quite well filled up in 1853, although there were a few claims located the year previous. The nati(mality of the original settlers was about two-thirds Irishmen, and one-third each of Germans and Americans, and as they came with a common object to establish homes for themselves and their posterity, there has been the utmost concord and unity of feeling and interest.

Early Settlement

The summer or fall of 1852, is supposed to be the time of the first entry of the van guard of civilization, which so rapidly encompassed this whole region. Edwin, Joseph, and W. C. Pickett, with their father, David, natives of New York, came here from Indiana. Martin Kingsbury, also from New York, came direct from there, and the same year came Sylvester Benson, another New Yorker, and William Carpenter, with J. Howel, who located in this town. Some of them came with teams drawn by oxen, in which they encamped until a log cabin could be put up, which was 14x16 feet. The same cabin still stands in the village. .

In 1854, G^rge and A. P. Day, natives of New York, Christopher Fritzsommers, a native of Ireland, Samuel R. Ayer, of Canada, Peter Young, of New York, and others came in.

The earliest settlement in town, outside of the village, was that of Martin Kingsbury, William Carpenter, and Sylvester Benson, who came in the spring of 1853, and camped on Willow Creek, on section twenty-five. William Wilbur bought one of their claims afterwards. John B. Palmer ar-

W. H, Strong, who arrived in the spring of 1854, at once became a prominent citizen and built a hotel the next year, which did an inunense business. William Chalfant came at the same time. The Picketts had two younger brothers^ Philo and Alonzo, and their father, as already mentioned, who afterwards died. William Sitler was here a short time and then returned to Pennsylvania. William Holton came as a lad about the same period, and still lives in Carimona.

In 1855, J. W. Brackett came here and engaged in trade, but did not remain long. W. H. Roberts was a settler this year in the village. Jacob Diley was another, who came about this time. Gecrge Baboock aud Ebenezer Newcomb, from New England, are also remembered ab comers this year.

This village was on the great stage route, and when navigation closed, particularly, there would be regular lines of stages, the most prominent of which was M. O. Walker's, and extras without number.

Eablt Events

In 1856, a family came to the town from Iowa. Mr. Wm. Rendals, took a claim in section thirtyone and eugaged in business in section twenty-four, in Buffalo Grove. In 1858, Mr. and Mrs. Rendals both died of typhoid fever, and a supposed partner in the business in which they were engaged, which was the manufacture of coin, came iip from Iowa and secured the machinery moulds, and a certain amount of fifty and twenty-five cent pieces all ready to be "shoved." For the convenience of the mill an ostensible blacksmith shop was erected, and in this place the counterfeiting was carried on, how extensively will never be known, as, if any of the spurioiis coin was passed, it was taken into a neighboring State and never issued near home. His daughter married his partner, Mr. Warren, and tbey went to Dakota.

It is said that a case was being tried before a Jastice in town at one time, and the magistrate was found to be fast asleep when J. B. Jones, one of the attorneys, adjourned the case until the court should awake.

Eakly Birth. - Orissa C. Kingsbury, a daughter of Martin and Caroline Kingsbury, was bom on the 19th of June, 1854. She is now married aud living in Nebraska.

Death, - In ihe spring of 1855, Mr. John Woolsey died of over-heat while at work. He was buried west of the cemetery, and is supposed to be the first death in town.

A Bad Mistake. - At the time of the Indian panic, about the 1st of September, 1862, Mr. E. McGt)wan suddenly started off with the rest of the people for Preston, leaving his pocket book, containing $800 in cash, and on his return he found that some one had taken care of it so effectually that he never saw it again.

In accordance with the act of the Legislature of Minnesota, approved on the 19th of March, 1868* the first town meeting was held on the 11th of May, following. The officers of the election were: Chairman, H. R. Wells; Clerk, J. T. Niokerson ; Judges, Samuel Hull, Abraham Anderson, and W. T. Little.

The officers elected were : Supervisors, William H. Strong, Chairmain, J. H. Kegan, and Daniel Garrison; Justices of the Peace, E. Pickett, J. W. Brackett, and W. H. Wilbur; Clerk, Abram Kalder; Assessor, S. R. Ellis; Constable, B. B. Strong; Collector, B. B. Strong; Overseers of the Poor, W. C. Pickett, aud Joseph Bisbey.

The first meeting of the board of Supervisors was on the 28th of May, when the road business received attention, the districts having been at that meeting designated and the overseers appointed. Thus the governmental were set in motion, and they have been rimning with little friction up to the present time, as honesty and economy have characterized town afifairs.

At the last town meeting, held on the 14th of March, 1882, the following officers were elected, T. H. Morgan being Moderator: Supervisors, Joseph Price, Chairman; A. Sand, and John Healy; Clerk, O. L. King; Treasurer, W. M. Roberts; Assessor, E. F. Maloney; Justice of .the Peace, H. G. Hill; Constable, John T. Healy.

At this meeting arrangements were made to build a Town Hall for town meetings, and the transaction of all town business. It is to be located on the converging comers of the four central sections in town, in the geographical oenter* and for this purpose a bond of $400 was authorized. In 1876, a bond was voted to assist in build-

Caiumona In The War Of The Rebellion

It is said that almost every able bodied man in town enlisted to serve their country in its hour of peril, and that the Union sentiment was well nigh universal.

The Indian Scare

On that terrible occasion the panic in town was almost universal. The fighting material being away at the front, those that were at home felt that they were at the mercy of the blood tliirsty savagea, and every soul left, as is reported, for Preston, to escape impending destruction.

District No. 70 was organized in 1861, with the following officers: Director, Cornelius Carl; Clerk, P. Flynn; Treasurer, James Kay gen. The location of the school building is on section thirty-two. The first school was taught the first year of its organization in the residence of Mr. M. Flynn, by Miss Lucy Okey. The schoolhouse was put up in 1862, and was of logs, 14x16 feet, and cost $300. Another house was constructed in 1873, 18x20 feet, at a cost of $600. The first school taught here was by William Allen with forty pupils.

District No. 71. - In 1862, this district was set apart and organized. The first Director was J. Savage; Clerk, S. Stevens; Treasurer, William Davis. A school was taught in this district in 1860, by Miss Jerusha Thacher, in Scott Steven's house, with eleven scholars. In 1863, a log building was put up, 18x20 feet, in section twentyseven. The next year Miss Alice Lancaster kept the school with fifteen pupils. The building cost $200. The present officers are Ross Workman, A. Sicking, aud Nels Johnson.

District No. 73, - This is the Waukokee school. In 1854, a log schoolhouse was rolled into form 16x20 feet, it had twenty scholars, and the next year the house that now exists was constructed, 20x30 feet, and furnished with a bell weighing seventy-five pounds. Miss Jessie Thacher now wields the sceptre of authority. The schoolhouse is located in section twenty-five.

District No. 76. - An early school was got together here and taught by Miss Ellen S. Morgan with twelve children, in Whitmore Ford's house in section ten. The next year, 1858, the district was organized. In 1861, the house now standing was built on section eleven, 16x22 feet, the land being donated by Mr. W. Ford. The house cost $300. Mary Ford is the present teacher, with twentytwo scholars. The present officers are: - Clerk, C. Brady; Director, Frank Day: Treasurer, T. H. Morgan,

District No. 171. - This was not organized till 1877. The schoolhouse is on section seventeen, is 16x24 feet, and cost $300 or more. The first Director was J. Healy; Treasurer, C. Smith; Clerk, T. Delaney. The first school was taught by P. Healy, in the residence of J. Healy, with fifteen pupils. Mary Healy is the present instructor.

Saw-mill. - In the winter of 1854, the two brothers, A. R. and George Day, commenced the erection of a saw-mill on section eleven, to be operated by water power, and in the spring of 1855, it was completed, and George sold his interest to his l)rother, who ran it till 1865, when, having sawed up most of the available lumber, the gate was shut down, and there the institution still stands as a connecting link between the past and the present.

Rendals k Warner's Saw-mill. - This was started in t!ie fall of 1854, and run by the firm up to the time that Mr. Rendals and wife died in 1858. Afterwards the mill was secured by Mr. E. Thomas, who operated it until it was bought by William A. Miller, who dismantled the building and removed the lumber to Forestville, and it was made into a bam by John Vail. The machinery is now laying around on the Miller place. This Rendals was the man who was found to have been making spurious coin.

Kramer Brothers Flouring Mill. - This mill is in section one, on the south branch of Root River, and was constructed by Jacob Kramer in 1877. It is 32x72 feet, and 40 feet high, and is supplied with six run of buhr stones and four sets of rolls, which are propelled by a Lafell wheel. It is a general merchant mill and has all the modern facilities for turning out 100 barrels of choice Hour each day. John ELramer is the manager.

one, which was built in 1875, at a cost of 82,000, and is a frame structure. The first remembered mass in town was by Father Callaghan, at the house of Edward Maloney in 1857. Tiie present priest is Father Riordau.

The Carimona Cemetery Association was organized in the spring of 1856, and is on land presenfed by Mr. H. C. Butler. The first burial was the year previous, on the 6th of September, that of Richard R. Marple, aged twenty-eight years. The location is on section nine, south of the east end of the village of Carimona.

Catholic Cemetery. - This is adjoining the church and includes three acres presented by D. C. Maloney. The first burial was that of Thomas McGrath, who was seventy years of age, and died in 1875.

Waukokee Cemetery. - la 1856, the cemetery was surveyed on laud presented for tiie purpose by Mr. S. Benson and Mr. William D. Hurlburt, in section twenty-four, and it contains one and onefourth acres. The first burial was an infant child of Mr. and Mrs. E. Zebough. In 1872, the citizens fenced the ground, and to-day there are seventy-five gnives, to mark so many last resting places.

Tiie location of this village is on the south branch of the Root River, on the southern line of section four. It was first indicated as a village in 1853, but was not platted until the following spring. Edwin and William C. Pickett were the proprietors. Carimona being one of the four center towns of the county, it was judged that if a village could be created there, that it would be an object for the county to establish it as a county scat, and the idea was reinforced by the subsequent action of the voters.

In the summer of 1854, William H. Strong built a two- story frame building, the lower part Jie used as a dry goods and grocery store, and the upper part for a residence. In 1855, he built a two and one- half story hotel, and occupied it as such for a year or so, until he built the brick building, the second story of which was intended for county purposes.

In 1856, Gilbert & Pickett started a hardware and tinsmith shop. A shoe shop was opened in 1857, by William Taft. D. Holton built a wheelright shop in 1858, and it was occupied by Mr. Chamberlain.

Some time in 1857, William Holton opened a sample room in Mr. Tafts building, and different parties engaged in the business up to the year 1864, when it was closed out to be opened no m(jre as the citizens declare.

When the county seat was established at this place the people seemed to have had too much assurance that it was all right. That there could possibly be a reversion never seems to have entered their thoughts, or that it was necessary for them to do anything to retain the county seat, and the result was that when the question again went before the people, Preston, which had located its village as near the geographical center of the county as possible, carried off the prize, and Carimona, which up to that moment had been so promising, could promise no more.

In the spring of 1854, E. & J. Pickett built a saw-mill 20x60 feet, and set it in operation. It run in an intermittent way until 1874, when it was demolished by Mr. H. Spies, it being the only one in town after 1863.

Floubino Mill. - In the spring of 1854, William C. Pickett and Eiram Johnson oommenced building a fiouring mill, but soon sold to Mr. Morris, who completed the work, making a mill 20x40 feet, and two stories, with two run of stones, delivering about twenty barrels of flour a day, besides considerable custom work. The building is still standing, and is a frame one \nth a stone foundation. It is located on the river, and has a fall of eleven feet with a never failing supply of water. The mill was purchased by Mr. H. Spies on tl^e 25th of January, 1869, and in 1874 an addition was put on, 22x20 feet, and a warehouse 20x30 feet, another run of stones was also added, and the capacity increased to thirty barrels a day.

In the spring of 1882, the establishment was struck by the milling revolution. It was thoroughly overhauled and remodeled, and fitted with three run of stones, three sets of double rolls, two sets of single rolls, and the other appliances to manufacture sixty barrels of high grade flour per day, making a first class merchant mill, managed by H. Spies & Son.

Garimona Townjsuif

ViLiiAOE ScHooLHousE. -In 1857, a stone schoolhouse was put up, 16x20 feet, which served up to 1868, when the building now standing was erected of brick with a stone foundation. It has a tower 10x12 feet, of brick, with a bell, the cost being about $1,200. The ground floor will seat sixty scholars. A school had been taught as early as 1855, in a building belonging to Brackett & Pickett, by Rev. T. P. Ropes with fifteen children. It was afterwards taught by Miss M. J. Shaft in the Converse building. Miss Ada Mclntire is the present teacher.

Post-Office. - In 1854 a Post-office was established in the village with William C. Pickett as Postmaster, and he was sucC/eededby the following gentlemen: William H. Strong, E. T. Nelson, J, M. Howe, A. King, and William K. Read, the present occupant of the office.

Eakly Preaching. - In the spring of 1854, Rev. Thomas Hackney, a Methodist minister from Indiana, preached in the residence of Edwin Pickett, and during that summer Rev. J. L. Dyer held services in the dwelling of David Pickett.

In the spring of 1856, Rev. Mr. T. P. Ropes got together a Baptist Society of fifteen members, holding meetings at first in private houses and in the schoolhouse after that.

The village of Carimona as it now exists is made up of the eleven dwellings, one schoolhouse, one dry goods and grocery store, one notion store with the Postoffice, a wagon and repair shop, two blacksmith shops, one shoemaker's shop, one merchant flouring mill, and nine unoccupied buildings.

It is a fine location for a village, and if the railroad with its terminus at Preston should be extended over the intervening four miles, Carimona would be warmed into a vigorous life and pposperity.

This is a locality rathw than a village, as it was never platted or recorded. It is on section twentyfive in the Willow Creek valley, and the land was at first pre-empted by Daniel Hulburt and others. The name was derived from an Indian chief, who used to have a fishing and hunting camp at this place.

opened a small grocey store, and in 1857 there were seven houses in the village, and a Post-office was edtablished, with Mr. West as Postmaster, but he was soon succeeded by Mr. Wilbur. In 1868, the office was discontinued, and about that time Mr. B. Larkins oi>ened a dry goods store, which was soon transferred to Joseph Colburn, but the business did not continue for a great length of time. As early as 1855, Mr. M.Kingsbury organized a Sunday-school in the house of Sylvester Benson.

On the 7th of October, 1855, Rev. John L. Dyer preached the first sermon, as is supposed, in the Willow Creek valley. His well remembered text was, *'I Am hath sent me unto you."

On the 27th of January, 1856, Mr. Dyer organized a Methodist Episcopal society with six members. Services were held from time to time in the schoolhouse, and since then this has been a kind of missionary field where various shades of belief have been expounded. The school in this place is district No. 73, and is mentioned in connection with the other schools in town. An account of the cemetery also appears with the others. The village now exists only as a recollection.

SAMiTETi R. Ater, one of the pioneers of this place, is a native of Canada East, born on the 28th of April, 1817. He came to Beloit, Wisconsin, in August, 1839, and to his present place on the 4th of July, 1854. He staked out a claim and built a log house which served him as a residence until July, 1876, when he moved into his present large and comfortable stone residence. Mr. Ayer was married in Dane county, Wisconsin, on the 1st of January, 1843, to Alvira F. Barnes. They have had eleven children, seven of whom are living, six boys and one girl.

Wllliam O. Kleimenhagen, a native of Grermany, was bom in Prussia on the 19th of February, 1855. He emigrated to America in 1873, with his parents, who came directly to this place and bought a farm in section fourteen. In 1878, William purchased the land of his father and has since devoted his time to its cultivation, his parents living with him.

WUiLiAM A. Miller is a native of Vermont, his birth dating the 8th of October, 1829. He came with his parents to Wisconsin in 1850, but three years later went to Indiana and remained till the fall of 1856. While there he was joined in mar- riage with Miss Emily L. Hurlbut. She died on the 19th of December of the folio wiug year, leaving one daughter. Mr. Miller returned tc Wisconsin in the fall of 1856, and in 1858, came to this place, purchasing laud in section thirteen. Miss Jennie Whitford became his wife on the 28th of September, 1858. She has borne him five children, four of whom are living. He owns a farm of four hundred and fifty acres, which is well cultivated and has good buildings.

William Meiohen, one of the early settlers here, was bom in Green county, Pennsylvinia, on the 5th of December, 1816. His native State claimed him as a resident until 1843, wheu he **went Wast." He remained one year near Burlington, Iowa, thence to the lead mines in northem Illinois, and in the sprmg of 1849, journeyed over the plains to California. He returned to Galena, Illinois, in 1852, and in February, 1855, came to Minnesota, stopping at what is now known as the village of Forestville, taking laud in the vicinity. On the 27th of December, 1808, he was married to Miss Catherine Foster, and in June, 1871, removed to the farm on which he now resides. He has a family of five children, one boy and four girls; William James, aged eleven years; Jane Elizabeth, nine years; Mary Cassandra, seven years; Susannah, four years, and Martha, three months.

ELi T. NEiiSON was bora on the 16th of July, 1833, in Berkshire county, Massachusetts. He came to this place in 1856, and immediately preempted his present farm, but lived in the village of Carimona engaged at the carpenter trade for several years. While there he married Miss Louisa C. Sheldon, the event taking place on the* 13th of March, 1800. They have three children, all living at home. Mr. Nelson brought his family to the farm in 1866, and has since devoted his time to its cultivation.

Jacob Eiehl was bom in Upper Canada on the 8th of December, 1851. He was married in his native place to Miss Christina Ackest on the 22d of April, 1877. They came to this county in 1879, located in the town of Fountain and resided there until the fall of 1880, when they purchased their present farm. They have three children, two girls and one boy. Mr. Riehl met with a serious accident on the 3d of last Maroh, his horse running away threw him from the vehicle and broke his right arm and leg, and a bone in the left \e^^ which has confined him to his bed since.

J erome Utley, a native of New York, was bora in Tioga county on the 4th of May, 1835. Four years later the family removed to Pennsylvania, in the spring of 1856, to Kentucky, and thenoe to Minnesota. He staked out a claim in section one, Carimona, and built a slab shanty, 10x12 feet. On the 17th of January, 1859, he married Miss Lydia E. Day, a native of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, who has home him eight children, five of whom are living. On the 23d of November, 1864, Mr. Utley enhsted in the Second Minnesota Volunteers. He was elected County Commissioner in the fall of 1876, and still holds the same office. He has a well cultivated farm with a good house, outbuildings, etc., and devotes his time to stock raising and fruit growing.

James Weir was bom in a seaport town in Sligo county, Ireland, in the year 1829. He came to America in 1851, locating first in New York, but soon after moved to Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in a brickiyard. While there he married Miss Annie GiUlagher, the ceremony taking place on the 22d of March, 1852. In 1865, they came to this county, settling; in Fountain township, and remained until 1870, when they removed to this place and purchased their present farm. Mr. and Mrs. Weir have had twelve ohil-. dren, ten of whom are living, six sons and four daughters.