Fillmore County, Minnesota - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 46 of those read), 1882

Jordan Village Biographical

The township with this name is on the northern tier of towns in Pilhnore county, the second from the western boundary. Its neighbors are Olmsted coQDty on the north, Ohatfield on the east, Filhnore on the south, and Sumner on the west. The middle branoh of the Root River enters the town in section thirty-four, and runs diagonally to leave it from section twenty-four. Lost Creek runs across the northern part.

In the soil there is quite a variety. The west- | em part is a rolling prairie with a rich clay soil on a | limestone foundation. The larger part of the north- I east quarter is timber land, owned by a number ! of non- residents and so it is cut up in many small | lots of five acres, with some more and some less. In the early history of the county this was the "Woods" where people came, sometimes thirty miles for supplies, and it was no uncommon thing to see one hundred teams a day on this errand.

In addition to the rivers already mentioned, j there is Jordan Creek, with three branches con- I verging from the south and west, to form a confer- i ence with the Root River before it leaves the town. | Bear Creek also sweeps around into section thirty- I one, to drop a water-po\Ver which would be very | valuable if utilized. Lost Creek has several branches coming from near the town of Sumner. In low stages of water this creek loses itself in ^ the ground, and it is supposed that in its cavernous journey it finally reaches the Root River. There is a large spring on section seven that starts Ferguson's Creek and joins its fate in section eight with Lost Creek. It will thus be seen that Jordan is a well watered township. There was consider- , able rock maple along these creeks when the town : was first settled, and sugar was made to some extent and is still. The soil is inclined to be black loam and is everywhere productive. This is especially so in the Root River valley.

Early Settlement

The occupation of this town was commenced in 1853. John and Joseph Maine came in the spring of that year from New England. John found a place that suited him in section thirty-two, and cultivated it for five years when he dropped down into Iowa. Joseph secured some land in section twenty-eight and thirty-three, but soon sold out and started for pastures new.

Thomiis Mawer, an Englishman, came from Michigan and secured a home in section twenty, and lived there for ten years when he was called to occupy his eternal home. Mathew Mawer, a brother of Thomas, took a claim in section thirtythree, but went to California, and in 1859, met the grim archer who is waiting for us all.

George W. Hare, from New York State, and who had made a transient stay in Illinois, arrived in November and planted himself in section thirtyone, and there he has been living ever since.

Thomas Tabor, a native of England, came from Canada, and his farm was in section thirty-two; he sold that however, and went to Fillmore and is now in Pembina, Dakota. This list embraces most of those who were here in 1853.

In 1854, George Mawer and his son, from England originally, and later from Michigan, came in August and pre-empted places in sections twentynine and thirty, where the old gentleman died in 1875, but the son remains on section thirty.

F. P. Bowers, a son of the Keystone State, who had halted to recruit in Illinois, found his way so far west of the Mississippi and captured one lutn-

A. Finley, of Indiana, made a temporary sojourn on section seven, but a spirit of unrest carried him to California, where, to use the local language, he "passed in his checks."

A. Palmer, a native of the Empire State, who had stopped awhile in Indiana, purchased a claim of Thomas Maine, in section thirty-three but has since sold out.

The year 1855 was an epidemical one in the immigration business in Jordan. Little regard was paid to the song so fashionable at that time that "Jordan am a hard road to travel," for the way they poured in, it seemed the easiest thing in the world.*

Joseph Marshall, a son of the *'Ever Green Isle," who had wandered away from home as far as Wisconsin, secured a claim on land in section nineteen, and still retains it.

Isaac Green, of the Empire State, came from Iowa and located in section twenty, but he paid the debt of mortality in 1873. His widow lives in Chatlield.

G. Doty, also a native of New York, came here from Wisconsin in May, and his farm was in section nineteen. In 1874, he went to Benton county, Iowa.

W. P. Odell, of Pennsylvania, who came by the way of Illinois, took the southeast quarter of section twenty-eight, and that is still his home.

Edwin Pettis, a nati-we of New York, came here from Delaware county, Iowa, in the fall of 1855, and bought land in sections thirty-four and thirtyfive, and his residence is still on the latter section.

David Greiner had a place in section thirty-one, but he died in 1866. Other comers this year were, John D. Biggs, G. W. Biggs, Ned TindaU, William Cordell, Daniel M. OoUum, and Richard Malone, with several others.

Henry McConville, a native of Ireland, came from Wisconsin in the spring, and pr<x;ured a farm in section thirty -five, where his widow yet lives. He was fn>zen to death the first winter after his arrival on hia way home from Chatfield,

In 1858, C. Farrington and two sons, E. V. and G. M., natives of New York, came from Wisconsin and l)ought some land in section twenty-six, where the old gentleman now lives, while G. M. Farrington lives on section thirty-six, and E. V. Farrington, Judge of Probate, temporarily residing in Preston.

Early Events Of Interest

A. Mr. Keck and two daughters died in November, 1855, and were buried the same week in the Jordan cemetery. These must have been the first deaths in the township after the arrival of white settlers.

Political

On the 11th of May, with the other towns of the State then ready for an independent existence, the town of Jordan started on its travels with the following officers in charge: Supervisors, J. M.Gillis, Ghairman, John D. Biggs, and John Murphy; Clerk, John Mawer; Assessor, Jacob Oakey; Justices of the Peace, George W. Biggs, and J. M. Gillis; Constables, C. B. Beverstock and Ned Tindall; Collector, G. W. Biggs; Overseer of the Poor, WUliam Cordell.

At this first meeting the judges of election were, Jacob Oakey, Dan McCallum, and James Tabor; Clerks of election, J. M. Gillis and C. M. Tindall.

For about twenty years town meetings were held in schoolhouses, but in 1877, a Town Hall was constructed on section seventeen. It is a neat and commodious building of stone that cost SI, 000.

The name of the town is derived from Jordan Creek, which was given this remarkable original designation by John Maine, one of the first settlers in town. The neighborhood of the stream is known as Jordan Valley, and who knows but that some day it may be a place for pious pilgrimages.

At the annual election on the 14th of March, 1882, the officers of the town were as follows: Supervisors, A. Balcom, Chairman, P. Lougbrey, and William Baker; Clerk, C. S. Wooster; Treasurer, M. Bobbins; Assessor, C. Hanley; Constable, G. Hare.

Since the origanization of the town there have been no startling developments in relation to the affairs of public administration; everything has moved along in the even tenor of its way with conservatism as a predominating tendency.

Jordan is most emphatically a rural township, as there is to-day no church, no. store, no Postoffioe, no mill, or even a blacksmith shop. The nearest approach to an industrial enterprise is the brickyard of Mr. N. A. Carson, who also occasionally burns a kiln. To obtain what a village furnishes, the people go to Chatfield or Fillmore.

Post-Offices

Jordan. - This was established as early as 1854, with Asher Palmer in charge, and the office was at his house on the southwest quarter of section twenty -eight. In about one year the office went to the store of J. M. Gillis. In 1856, it was removed to the town of Fillmore. Another office was established a few years afterwards on section sixteen, and Mr. I. Day was Postmaster. It was at first called Bear Creek. Afterwards the name was changed to "Iday" in honor of its first Postmaster. Mr. Saunders was the last one to handle the mails, in 1863.

Weston Mosher built a saw-mill on section thirty-one in 1858. It was an old fashioned sash saw, with a vertical reciprocating motion, and kept on making a limited amount of sawdust until 1872, when its vibrations were discontinued. It was ojierated by power derived from the Brook Kedron.

John Murphy bought a saw-mill, a portable steam aifair, and set it up on his land in section thirteen, where he run it for a number of years, and then sold to Kincaid & Doud, who transferred the establishment to Chatfield.

The Greiner Saw-Mill. - David Greiner built a Bttw-mill on Baar Creek, on section thirtyone, in 1856. Tliis was an **up and down" saw, worked by eleven feet fall of water. This saw kept up its reciprocating motion up to 1878, when the dam washed out, and it is now idle.

The same year this was put up a grist mill was constructed. It was a single run mill and turned out feed or Hour, the latter of a very nice quality. Since 1875, this has not run, but the stone's are in the Tunnell mill in summer.

Religious

It is probable that the first religious services in town were in the house of James Tabor, on section thirty-two, in 1855, by Rev. J. Oakey. Elder Stephen Jones had meetings in Mr. P. Loughrey's house in 1857, and afterwards in the schoolhouse. He belonged to the Protestant Methodist branch of the church militant. Rev. C. Kellogg and Rev. Nahum Tainter also held meetings at an early day, in the house of Mr. E. Pettis, tbey being Methodist Episcopal preachers.

Religious meetings were held in schoolhouse No. 99, as early as 1855, Elder Phelps, Jacob Oakey, and others officiated at irregular intervals until the building was burned. Since the new house was built, services have been held occasionally. Elder Hopkins, a Baptist from Chatfield, was the last to preach in 1881.

nation effected an organization in the echooihouse of District No. 98, Mr. J. Oakey was class leader, and it constitutes a part of Fillmore circuit. Rev. Joseph Hanna was pastor, and Rev. W. M. Bowdish is the present supply.

Other meetings were held as early as 1856, in another portion of the town. Rev. Benjamin Crist was the preacher, and he was followed by Rev. J. Oakey. An or{i;anization was secured with Mr. A. Buckingham as class leader. Meetings were held at stated intervals in the schoolhouse for a number of years, but finally, as the attendance fell off, Fillmore absorbed the congregation. Meetings have been held in No. 98 schoolhouse and other places, as there is still intermittent services.

District No. 97. - This came into existence in 1855, at the house of A. Palmer, and that same year a schoolhouse was got up, a commodious frame structure on section thirty-two, which served a good purpose until it was sold in 1870, for $20. While it stood it was used for a Town Hall, and for a general meeting house, as well as for schools. The new house was built the last mentioned year, at a cost of about $1,800. Mrs. Maroline Whittaker was the first to commence a school in the new house.

District No. 98. - The earliest school here was in the house of Mrs. Mackey, on section twenty, in 1858, although the district is said to have been defined in 1856. Miss Jane Green presided over the first school. The first house was put up with logs by the people of the district, and a subscription secured the shingles and windows, the first teacher to attempt to *'get the hang" of the new schoolhouse wss Sedate Pebbles. In 1876, a new one was erected of brick, with a stone foundation, the whole costing $1,400. Isaac Bergen wap the man to inaugurate the brick schoolhouse.

Distrktt No. 99. - In 1855, this district was defined and organized, and a school building erected the first jear, the farmers furnishing the logs, and all turning out on a given day and putting up the structure on section five. Susan Rucker was the first to attempt to teach the young idea how to shoot. In 1860, this schoolhouse was transformed into smoke and ashes, and the school was suspended until 1864, when the building now found on section eight was erected.

school was opened in this district, the schoolhouse being bnilt that year in the usual way by voluntary contributions, on section twenty-four. Jerusha W. Thacher seems to have been the first teacher. The first building was used until 1875, and then a substantial brick edifice was completed, at a cost of $825.

Dlstrict No. 101. - The first school here was in the summer of 1858, and the district was put in running order that year, and a schoolhouse built. H. T. Wilson conducted the school. The house was built of those logs which seem to have been so availabb at that time. Each man in the district subscribed so many logs, so many nails, a window, a board or two, and so the house went up. This was the shortest way to get a school building, and imposed a lighter burden than any other method, and so it was usually adopted. A new building was put up here in 1870, in section twent y-six.

Jordan Village

This was laid out in 1855, on the northeast quarter of section thirty- two and the southeast half of the southeast of section twenty-nine. Mr. »J. M. Gillis opened a store there, and kept it going for about a year. At the same time there was a blacksmith shop put up, but the fire in its forge was never kindled, because the village never matoriajjzed, although it was put to a good use, and is now on the farm of William Hutton.

F. P. Bowers was bom in Pennsylvania in May, 1832. He attended school and did general farm work when a boy. In 1848, he left his native State for Freeport, Stephenson county, Illinois, where he was engaged on the river, lumbering, rafting, «%c. In the spring of 1854, he became a pioneer in Minnesota, and staked out a claim in Jordan, Fillmore county, in section seven. He remained but a short time on his claim, going from there to Pleasant Grove, where he built a saw-mill, the first in that section. In 1855, he assisted in the organization of a Sabbath school, of which he was superintendent two years. In 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Rawley. The same year he returned to his farm in Jordan, where he has since lived. He first built a log house, and lived in it thirteen years, when he erected a frame house. He has a family of five children; John, Clara, Edwin, Lucy, and Mattie.

Warren H. Brown, son of Harry Brown, was bom in Winnebago county, Wisconsin, on the 27th of February, 1851. When he was about four years of age his parents removed to Winneshiek county, Iowa, where they lived until 1856, then came to Albert Lea, Minnesota, where they were residents until 1859. They then came to this town, and his father bought a farm in section five. Warren lived at home till he was twenty -one years of age, when he went to Nebraska for one season, thence to Wisconsin. In 1873, he was joined in marriage with Miss Helen M. Daty. He resided in Sumner two and a half years, and in 1875, returned to the old homestead. Warren*s father died in 1875, at the age of fifty years. His mother lives with him on the old place. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have had seven children, three of whom are now living; Clara, Henry, and Idell. Two pair of twins died in infancy.

William Carpenter was born in Herkimer county, New York, on the 23d of December, 1813. When he was about three years of age his parents moved to Oneida county, where he lived until twenty -one years old, then went to Canada. In 1835, be was united in marriage with Miss Phebe Garratt, a native of Canada. They moved to Walworth county, Wisconsin, in 1849, where he purchased a farm and lived until 1853, then sold it and came to Oarimona, this county. He staked out a claim near Waukokee, but in 1854, sold it to J. Colbum, and removed to Jordan, section twenty -four. He first built a log house, and in 1870, erected the frame house in which they now reside. In 1856, he built a barn, 30x44 feet. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter had one child, Emily. She married L. D. Crosby, and died on the 21st of September, 1880, leaving two children, Lee and May.

Grove M. Farrington was bom in Herkimer county, New York, on the 19th of May> 1845. His parents moved to Wisconsin when he was eleven years of age, and settled in Baraboo, where they lived until 1858, then came to Minnesota and bought land in Jordan, section twenty- six, where his father still lives. When a boy Grove attended the district school and Chatfield Graded school, and also worked on his father^s farm. On the Ist of March, 1866, he married Miss Hannah Tyson, a native of Indiana. They have four children;

E. V. Farrington was bom in Herkimer county, New York, in 1836. He was reared on a farm, and when twenty years old came to Baraboo, Wisconsin. He afterward made a visit to Kansas and Missouri, and then, in 1858, came to Fillmore county, locating in Jordan township, where he still owns a farm. On the 28th of December, 1865, he was married to Miss A.. E. Sheldon. They have had four children, two of whom are living. Mr. Farrington has always taken an interest in political affairs, and while a resident of Jordan filled many af the local offices; was a member of the House of Representatives in 1875, and again in 1879. Since the last election he has filled the office of Juge of Probate.

Thomas Ferguson was born in county Kirkcudbright, Scotland, in 1841. He attended school in his younger days, and when eighteen years of age was apprenticed to leam the stone-mason trade, and after three years service was employed as journeyman. He was united in marriage with Miss Jane McVinnie in 1863. He left Scotland in 1869, and came to America, going directly to Pittsburgh. In the spring of 1870, he removed to Chester, Olmsted county, Minnesota, remaining one year then came to Jordan, this county, and purchased a farm in section seven, of Andrew Findley. Mr. Ferguson works at his trade most of the time, and when not so employe<l, works on his farm. In 1878, he built the Town Hall in Jordan. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson have been blessed with seven children; Eliza, Samuel, Euphemia, Jennie, John, Thomas, and Violet. The third, Euphemia, a beloved daughter, died of lung fever on the 31st of October, 1874. Her remains were the first to be placed in the Washington Presbyterian Cemetery.

William J. Greiner was born in Pennsylvania in August, 1825. When sixteen years of age he commenced to learn the carpenter trade, at which he worked as long as he remained in Pennsylvania. In 1850, he wa«i united in marriage with Mary A. Gfirber, also a native of Pennsylvania. In 1857, he came to Minnesota and purchased a half interest in a saw and grist-mill in Jordan, his brother owning the other half. He remained here but a short time, then went back to Pennsylvania but returned in 1859, and run the mill as long as it was in rnuuiug order. Of late years he has turned his attention to farming and stock raising, having cleared a nice farm. Mr. and Mrs Greiner have had eight children, five of who are now living; A.lice, Samuel, Morris, Luther, and Miles. His brother, David Greiner, was also born in Pennsylvania, his birth dating in 1820. His early home was on the farm, but he afterward learned the carpenter trade also that of a millwright, which he followed until 1855, when he came west to Jordan, this county. In company with two men named Mahoney, he built the only saw and grist-mill in this town, and run it until the time of his death, on the 25th of December, 1866, at forty-six years of age.

Charles Hanley was born in Ludlow, Vermont, in 1846. He attended school and assisted his father on his farm. When fifteen years of age he came with his parents to Jordan, where his father bought a farm in section twenty. His mother died on the 26th of April, 1870, and his father on the 4th of May 1873, at seventy years of age. Charles was united in marriage in 1869, with Charlotte A. Ault They have had two children, Kath B. and Nellie, both dying while quite young. Mr. Hanley occupies the old homestead with his brother, and has held offices of trust in the town, being the present assessor.

Petkr Ijoughkey, deceased, was bom in Huntington county, Pennsylvania, on the 31st of December, 1798. When alx)ut eighteen years of age he removed with his parents to Ohio, where he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Carroll. He moved from Ohio to Illinois, lived there a few years, and thence to Iowa. In the spring of 1855, he came to Minnesota and settled in tliis county, in the town of Jordan, staking out a claim in section twenty-six. He improved the land and built a house in which he lived until his death, in February, 1882, at eighty-three years of age. His wife died on the 2l8t of May, 1878, aged seventyeight years. They had eleven children, ten of whom are now living. His son. Perry A., \* as bom in Scott county, Iowa, on the 9th of June, 1840. He came to Minnesota with his parents and made his home with them while they lived. He now occupies the old homestead. Hs was united in marriage with Miss Julia Wilson in March, 1874. They have two children Peter F., and Perry Lee. He has l)een elected t(3 offices of trast in the town and is at present one of the supervisors.

John Maweb was bom vi Yorkshire, England, on the 29th of December, 1825. He attended school until twelve years of age when he entered an Agricultural College which he attended three years. He was then apprenticed to a gardener and served three years. He followed that vocation until 1850, when he emigrated to America. He went directly to Michigan and settled in Tecumseh where he remained one year, then was on a farm two years. In 1857, he married Margaret L. Cozad. In August, 1864, he came to Minnesota, settling in this county, in Jordan, where he took a claim in section thirty. He has improved the land and built a good house and bam. Mr. and Mrs. Mawer have been blessed with six children, four of whom are now living; Silvia Ann, Laura A., Ida M., and Margaret Ellen. Mr. Mawer has held several offices in the town and was the first town clerk.

George Mawer, deceased, was bora in Yorkshire, England, in 1800. He lived on a farm, and in 1823 was married to Eebecca Reed. After his marriage he leamed the weaver's trade and worked at that occupation about fifteen years when he went to farming once more. In 1850, he left his native land with his family, oonsisting of his wife and five children. They went to Michigan where he lived iintil 1854, when he came to this county, where two of his sons had been living a year. He selected a claim in Jordan, in section twenty-nine, improved the land and built a residence. They were blessed with thirteen children. His first wife died in 1852. In 1862, he marrie^ Mary Cadwalder, who died in 1870. Mr. Mawer died in 1875.

DuvALL McKenny, son of Captain J. H. Mc- Kenny, was born in St. Louis county, Missouri, on the 8th of July, 1836. In his younger days he attended school in St. Louis, and later went to Prof. Sheldon's Academy in Burlington, Iowa. In 1853, he went to Calif omia where he was engaged in mining and freighting until 1867. He then came to Chatfield, Minnesota, where liis father was living. In July, 1867, he married Miss Hortense R. Robbius, daughter of Marcus Robbins. The same year he purchased one hundred and seventy-five acres of land in Jordan, section thirty -one, where he now lives. He has for many years been connected with the M. E. church, has been secretary of the Fillmore county Camp Meeting Association, and for many years superintendent of the Sabbath

School. Mr. and Mrs. MoKenny have been bless: d with three children; Miiry P., Marcus R., and John H. He has been J ustice of the Peace six years.

John Murphy was bom in Green county, Tennessee, on the 24th of February, 1810. When he was four years of age his father died. His mother married again and now lives in Indiana. When he was twelve years old he went to work for himself, and was engaged at farm labor for six years. In March, 1830, he married Miss Mary Julian. He worked as a tanner until 1856, when he came to this county settling in Jordan, where he bought land in section thirteen. He has since purchased land adjoining that in Chatfield. In 1856, he bought a steam saw-mill, which he moved on his land in Jordan, and run it several years tlien sold to Kincaid & Doud, who moved it to Chatfield. He then erected a saw-mill on Bear Creek that runs by water-power. Mr. and Mrs. Murphy have had ten children, five of whom are living; Nancy, Catharine, Sarah, William, and Ira. Amanda died on the 29th of August, 1839, aged four years. Archibald died on the 6th of October, 1850, one year old ; Almira on the 30th of April, 1879, forty -eight years of age; Oliver on the 5th of August, 1863, thirty years of age, and Caroline on the 7th of November, 1878, at the age of forty years. Mr. Murphy was one of the first board of supervisors in the town and has been elected several times since.

A. Nye was born in Washington county, Vermont, on the 25th of August, 1828. He remained in Vermont until, 1856, when he came to Minnenesota and pre-empted land in Sumner, this county. He boarded with Thomas Brooks, in .Jordan, and while there the house caught fire and was burned with all its contents, including Mr. Nye's trunk in which was $1,800; ^400 of this was in gold which he recovered, and S 1,400 in bills on the Montpelier Bank, which returned him )^ 1,300. He was in Vermont until 1862, when he returned to this county and purchased a farm in the town of Jordan, section five. In 1867, he built a barn, 42x60 feet. He lived in a log cabin four years, then erected the brick house in whiv*h he now resides. In 1871, he was joined in marriage with Miss J ulia Fulkerson, a native of Missoun. They have had four children ; Medora, Keziah, Eliza, and Helen.

He attended school until seventeen years of age, when he commenced surveying with his father, who was a civil engineer. He married, in June, 1850, Miss Irene E. Wright, a native of Vermont. He was engaged in farming as well as surveying and carpentering in his native State until 1863, when he came to Minnesota and settled in the town of Jordan. In 1873, he went to Sumner and resided there two years, then came back to Jordan and bought a farm in section twenty, where he still lives. Mr. and Mrs. Osborne have had four children; Frederick N., Edwin O., Frank W., and Ira B. His father, whose name was Nathan Osborne, was born in Lanesboro, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, m 1782. In 1817, he married Miss Jane Ann Piatt, who was bom in Plattsburg, Essex county, New York, in 1797. In 1802, he moved to Stockholm, where he was one of the first settlers. He died there in 1849. His widow is living with her son in this county.

James Tabor, deceased, was bora in England, on the 23d of July, 1795. In his youth he attended evening school. When fourteen years of age, he leamed the wagonmaker s trade, at which he worked three years. He then entered the English Army in which he served four (ind a half years, and was then honorably discharged. In 1817, he waw united in marriage with Miss Jane Exton. They were blessed with six children, three of whom are now living. In 1830, they left their native land for America, landed at Quel:>ec and went from there to Montreal on a flat boat, thence to Wellington. His wife died in 1832. In 1833, he married Miss Ann H. Nash, also a native of England. He lived in Simcoe county about eighteen years, employed in farming and running a whip-saw. He fumished the lumber for the first boat that run on Lake Simcoe. He moved from there to Waterloo county where he took two hundred acres of land. He was one of the first settlers in the township of Marysborougli. He fmproved the land, built a house and bam, and resided there until February, 1855, when he became a pioneer in this county, taking land in Jordan, section thirty-two, where he lived until the time of his death (»n the 11th of June, 1869. His widow makes her home with her children, of which she had nine. Their son, C. H. Tabor, was bom in Canada, on the 23d of February, 1839. He came to Minnesota with his parents, with whom he lived until 1861. On the 1st of January, 1862, he was united in marriage with

Miss Elizibatli McCollum. The same year he purchased a farm in section nineteen, where he still lives. They have had six children, three of them now living.

Edward J. Williams was bom in Cherry Valley, Otsego county, New York, on the 7th of January, 1815. When he was about three years of age his parents moved to Leroy, Grenesee county. His father was a millwright by trade. In about three years they removed to Canada, near Niagara. In 1835, Edward married Eliza Bennett, and in 1837, they went to Lockport, New York, where he bought a farm. In August he sold his farm to his father and engaged with Clark k Sumner, contractors, who were at work widening the canal. The next spring he bought a canal boat which henm two or three years. In 1840, his wife died, at twenty-four years of age. One year later he run a ferry boat across the Niagara River. On the 28th of January, 1843, he married Miss Eliza O. Kane. He built a house at Niagara, on the Canada side, in which he lived until 1847, when he sold and went to Kane county, Illinois, where he purchased a farm. In 1856, he bought a steam saw-mill at Burlington, which he run a few months, then purchased a hotel which he kept one winter, then moved back to his farm. In 1858, he sold and removed to McGregor, Iowa, where he bought town lots, built a house and barn and remained two years. In 1860, he came to Minnesota and settled in the town of Chatfield, where he lived until 1872, when he bought a farm in the village of Jordcm, ia section thirteen. He has since improved the land and purchased more in section twenty-six. His son, Qeorge N., enlisted in August, 1863, in Company D, of the Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and was killed at the battle uf Murfreesborough on the 7th of December, 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Williams had twelve children ; George N., Edward J., who died when a year old; John A., Mary E., who died in infancy; Mary A., Edward L., Edwin H., Wallace F., Franklin W., Minnie B., Georgie Etta, who died when two years old, and Freddie J.