Fillmore County, Minnesota - Chapter 69, 1882

Chapter 69

The town with this gushing name is the northwest of the four center townships in Fillmore county. It is hemmed in by Chatfield, Carrolton, Carimona, and Fillmore, on the north, east, south, and west respectively. It has the Southern Minnesota railroad running through in a not very direct line east and west. The regular government thirty -six sections make up its territorial area.

Watson Creek is the largest river, and this runs across the southern part of the town, and has numerous branches joining it from the right and left. Winslow Creek rises in section seven and runs out of town in a northeasterly course. Big Spring, the third or fourth with this name, rises m section three, and sends a good sized rivulet into the last mentioned creek in section four.

The west half of the town may be called a rolling prairie, and was, when first entered upon by white settlers, covered quite fully with brush which has disappeared as the cultivation of the soil has been carried on. The soil is of a light clayey character and very productive. There was at first but little timber, but now some fine groves

Early Settlement

The first settlers in this town arrived in 1853. Abram Raider was the first to report in person, and he took the northwest quarter of section thirty, near a beautiful spring called afterwards **Kalder's Spring." He is a native of New York, remained a few years and removed to Preston, where he has been a leading citizen ever since. George Kalder was also owner of land in section thirty, but he died in Michigan soon after the war.

Hosmer H. Winslow, a native of Vermont, came here from Illinois in 1854, and his land was in section five. He died in 1874. Enoch Winslow took his farm in section four, but removed to Kansas in 1878.

Henry Winslow located in section five, but re- ! moved to Olmsted county in 1859, and afterwards to Kansas. These men were brothers, and came I about the same time.

Nicholas Wallrod, of New York, had stopped awhile in Illinois, and he secured a farm in section thirty, where he still lives. Abraham Finch, also of New York, came here and settled on section nineteen. These last six came in the sammer of 1854.

James Scott, a native of Indiana, who came from Iowa and bought a place in section four, where his widow still lives, he having died in 1875.

Walter Staplin, of New York State, arrived here in June, and he first held a claim in section seventeen, but his residence now is in section seven.

Gibson Essington, of Ohio, came here from Indiana, and his land was in section thirty-one. Whitney JeweU, of New York, came from Jefferson county, Wisconsin, and got a place in section thirty-one, where he remained about eighteen months and sold out and moved to Pine Island.

Valentine Woodbum, of Pennsylvania, came and secured a home in section nineteen. In 1861, he enlisted in the Third Minnesota Regiment, Company C, and was killed at the battle of Murfreesboro, on the 4th of October, 1863.

James Earley, from the '*01d Dominion,'* came from Ohio, where he had been living, and planted himself in section nineteen, where he still thrives.

Another among the earliest settlers was J. T. Mulvihill, who came at an early day and located in the northeastern part of the town', where he yet remains.

Patrick Mangan ^as among the first to put in an appearance, and located on section ten. He afterwards sold out his claim there and secured another on section twenty-four, where he still lives.

Susan 0., daughter of Gibson and Sarah A. Essington, was bom on the 15th of November, 1857. She married Oassius Wilson, and now lives in Grant County, Dakota.

As with other subdivisions of the county, this town was organized in 1858, the first town meeting being held at the house of Edward Cummings on the 11th of May. The judges of the first election were, Thomas Watson, J. L. Belles, and Hiram

Johnson ; Clerks, J. W. Hagerty and Martin Mulroy. The following were declared elected by the judges, and all served, to-wit : Supervisors, Thomas Watson, Chairman, H. T. Tru:nbull, and James Healy; Clerk, Hiram Johnson; Collector, S. F. Stilson; Assessor, P. McCabe; Overseer of the Poor, Jacob Hoatetler; Constables, James Watson and R W. Staplin.

The board then proceeded t > dispose of such business as should come before them, dividing the township into four road districts and appointing road masters. They also passed a resolution to the effect that the next meeting of the board would be held at the residence of James Healy.

On the 29th of August, 1864, a special town meeting was held for the purpose of raising a bounty for volunteers to fill the town quota, and after some discussion, a bounty of $300 was voted to every man who should volunteer and serve, under the President's call for 500,000 men.

The officers for 1882, are as follows: Supervisors, E. G. Bolles, Chairman, Alonzo Barber, and John Johnson; Treasurer, M. G. Kelley ; Clerk, A. W. Powers; Assessor, Patrick Mangan; Justice of the Peace, E. F. Mehrhood; Constable, William Hemiman.

Educational

District No. 75. - An organization of this district was eflected in 1856, and a schoolhouse put up the second year, on H. H. Winslow's laud, in section eight, which served until 18(58, when the house now standing was erected. Miss Jane Kinney was the first teacher in the old house, while Thomas Fitch inaugurated the new one.

District No 76. - In 1861, this district was organized and a building bough' of Jerry O'Brien for $100, which was on section twenty, but moved to section sixteen in 1866, and that was used up to 1880, when the new schoolhouse was constructed and the old one serves as a woodshed. This building cost $800. Miss Luoretia Bilger was the first teacher in this district, and Miss Annie in the new building.

District No. 77. - In 1857, the district was formed, and a house built of logs furnished by the bettlers who arranged a "bee" and put them together. John Utley started the fii*st school and at the end of the third week Henry Lockwood took charge and finished the term. This served the district up to 1872, when the house was burned, and then the new house was built on the old site

DiSTRcrr No. 80. - This was organized in 1860, and a log house got up that summer. In the winter a school was taught by Mrs. J. S. Hanley. This building was 22x26 feet, erected by volunteer work and material, except windows and furniture, and it answered until the new house was built in 1878, at a c^st of about $700, on the old lot in section seven. Miss Blanch Cartlioh had the honor of being the first instructor in the new house.

DisrRicT No. 161 - Was set off in 1868, and two terms of school were taught in the house of James A. Seott, Miss Ida Barber presiding over the exercises. In 1870, the schoolhouse was erecttnl on section four at an expense of $260, and this still serves as a school building for the district.

District No. 74. - This is the district embracing the village of Fountain and surrounding territory. The district was organized about 1857, and a school was taught that year in a private house. Later in the same year a log house was erected in section fifteen, south of town, which served as a schoolhouse until 1873, having been moved several times. In 1873, the present neat house was erected at a cost of about $800, in the village, and has since been greatly improved, the size being 48x64 feet, and the district employs two teachers. The first teacher was Miss Carrie Wall. The present officers are: Director, D. D. Farrell; Treasurer, P. J. O^Shaughnessy; Clerk, A. C. Case.

District No. 78. - This district was organized in 1857, and a log schoolhouse was rolled together by subscription without tax, in the summer of that year. The first school was taught immediately after the completion of the schoolhouse, by Abraham Sheldon. The house now in use by the district is located in the northeastern comer of section thirty-three.

District No. 79. - Was organized at an early day, and a log schoolhouse erected by subscription. Tiie first school was taught by Mrs. Gates in the log house. The present house belonging to the district is situated in the central part of section twenty-five, and Miss Alice Bedmon is the teacher.

Theodore Trumbull's residence, in the same section. In 1856, Bev. Stephen Jones, from Chatfield preached at Mr. Trumbull's, and the next summer organized a society, and meetings were held in several places in the neighborhood, and afterwards in the schoolhouse No. 75. He continued preaching here until 1877, except one year when Rev. Caleb Austin oflBciated. Since 1878, the meetings have been discontinued. Elder Stephen Jones and Rev. Alonzo Hitchcock preached in the schoolhouse in district No. 80, soon after it was built.

Elder Jones was a man of whom more than a passing notice should be given. He was an apostolic kind of a preacher, who was always ready to minister to any flock, when there was a prospect of doing good, and this he did without hope of fee or reward. He was the father of John R Jones, of Chatfield, and was highly respected over a wide range of territory, a more extended notice of him appears on page 534 of this work.

SpiBiTUAiiisTS. - This denomination has held meetings in Watson ^s Creek schoolhouse, and at the house of Chester Clark. Miss Ella Arnold, Alonzo Barber and others were the speakers.

RoBfAN Catholic. - The first mass was said at the residence of James Mulroy in July, 1856, by Rev. Father Kinsley, and afterwards services were held in various houses until the church was built.

United Brethren. - This denomination organized a society at the schoolhouse in district No. 77, in 1879. Robert Shipton was the class leader, and there were eleven members. Meetings are held fortnightly. They now meet in the village of Wykoff.

At an early day several denominations held services in the schoolhouse in district No. 77; among them Elder Jones, Rev. Mr. Terwilliger, Rev. Mr. Kiehle, Rev. Mr. Armstrong, and Rev. Mr, Wilson.

A literary society beariai^ this name was organized at the Winslow schoolhouse in 1875, with the help of Mrs. Stowe, of Preston, and there were thirty-two charter members including the juveniles, which was increased to fifty. A fine library was secured by subscription, and kept at the schoolhouse. There were public exercises of a literary character, and prizes for composition and declamation. The last meeting was held on the 19 th of April, 1879. It was a valuable institution while it lasted.

Post-Offiob

A Post-office was established in the last half of the sixties. A petition for an office was circulated by G. Essington, which was favorably considered, and J. V. Sharpe received the commission. The office was opened at his house and kept until be moved away in 1871, then Chester Clark took it. T. Wallrod is the present incumbent of the office, and it is lc*cated on section thirty, where it has been from the beginning. At first the mail came on the route between Leroy and Chatfield. It is now taken down from Wykoff once a week.

Manufacturing Industries

Marble Works. - This institution was established in May, 1882, by C. S. Powers, and is located on Second street, in the village of Fountain. The works are run in metropolitan style and turn out neat and tasty work, the proprietor being an experienced artist.

Sorghum Mile.s. - The Winslow brothers established an amber cane mill in 1880, and succeeded in boiling down 2,000 gallons of syrup the first year and 3,000 the next. This is an important manufacturing establishment.

A sorghum mill was also established in 1880 by O. H. Case, who ran it for one season and sold the establisment to Barber k Sandford who still operate it. The mill is one mile and a half north of Fountain.

The Watson Sorghum mill was entablished about the same time as the others, by James Watson, on Watson Creek, and is now run by him. It has the reputation of being an excellent mill.

The Kemple Sorghum mill is located about three miles and a half south of Fountain. It was established in 1881, by Charles Kemple, who still runs it.

This village is the only one in Fountain township, and takes its name from the town in which it is located. It is on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, and is quite a central point for farmers as a grain market. There is one objec- tioQ to the location of the town, in the fact that it is impossible to reach water by well digging, there being not a well in the village, and water is obtained from the Big Springs in the eastern part of section four, about one mile from the village. A project is now on foot to have a supply of water carried from these springs in pipes, by hydraulic pressure.

Eakly Settlement. - The land upon which the village of Fountain now stands was first taken by a company of speculators, who held it for a few months. The first actual settler upon the land was Patrick Mangan, who arrived early in the fifties and commenced improvements, building a log hut on section ten, south of the present site of the village.

When the Southern Minnesota Bail road Company began pushing their line into Fillmore county, a townsite company was formed between H. W. HoUey, D. J. Cameron, and Mr. Wykoff, and the interest in the land was purchased of Patrick Mangan. This was in 1870, and when the railroad passed through the place in November, the village was platted and recorded by the above mentioned firm. The name of the village was derived from the same source as that of the town - the Fountain spring in section four.

The first building erected for business purposes was put up in the summer of 1869, when the railroad grading commenced, by John Dahl, who came from Lanesboro, and put in a stock of what was termed "forty-rod poison" by the men who were obliged to use it. The building is now a part of Mr. Eelley's store.

The Arkle brothers were the first to go into general merchandise trade. They put up a building shortly after Dahl's was completed, and placed a stock of general merchandise upon the shelves* They afterwards failed, and A. Benson is now running a saloon in the building erected by them.

D. Wilson arrived shortly after and put up a restaurant, which he afterwards ran as a tavern. Patrick Ferris put up and is still running a hotel in the village. In 1872, a fire destroyed the greater portion of the business part of the town, but it has been rebuilt and the traces of the catastrophe obliterated.

A statement of what the village now has would read somewhat like this: Four general merchandise stores, one tea store, five saloons, one drug store, three blacksmith shops, one boot and shoe store, two hotels, one furniture store, marble works, newspaper, harness shop, one hardware store, a wagon shop, and the residences.

Political. - The village of Fountain was incorporated by an act of the Legislature passed in 1876, and Patrick Ferris and D. D. Farrell were appointed judges of the first election. The first village meeting was held upon the 14th of April, 1876, and the following officers elected: Council,

A. Ferguson, President, J. W. Beedy, H. Thompson, and A. Benson; Treasurer, W. R Ellsworth; Recorder, A. W. Powers; Marshal, D. D. Driscoll; Justice of the Peace, O. H. Case.

At the meeting in the spring of 1882, the following officers were elected: Council, A. C. Case, President, M. G. Kelly, Daniel Culhane, and William Welch; Recorder, W. C. Gkirratt; Treasurer,

Jacob Annis was bom in Washington county, Indiana, in 1828, where he grew to manhood on a farm and received a common school education. In May, 1854, he removed to Minnesota and located in Fountain, in sections twenty-seven and thirty-four, where he still resides, having one hundred and twenty-three acres of land. He was married in St. Joseph county, Indiana, to Miss Margaret Jane Watson, who was bom in 1827. They have nine children; James, Nancy, Hattie, Lydia, Sarah, Adaline, William, Elmira, and Harvey.

J. W. Arnold was bom in Tnunbull coimty, Ohio, in 1823, and grew to manhood there. He was reared on a farm and received a common school education. He was married in 1851, to Misa Marriet M. Hyde, a native of the above State, born in 1827. In the spring of 1858, he removed to Eyota, Olmsted county, Minnesota, where he engaged in farming until the fall of 1862, when he came to this county and located in Foimtain township, on section twenty -six, where he still resides. He is the father of six children, five of whom are liviDg; Mary, Marian H., Charleii, Ezra and Ursa. Mr. Arnold has two' bnndred and eighty acres of choice land. Daring the Rebellion he was a member of the board of Supervisors.

Aix)Nzo Babber was bom in Scott, Cortland county, New York, on the 14th of October, 1818^ where he attended school and worked on his father's farm. When twenty-ono years old he engaged in dressing flax, at which he worked seven years. He then built a shop and operated a turning lathe, circular saw, etc., and manufactured shoe pegs, broom handles, fork handles, and made furniture to order. On the 2d of February, 1846, Hannah Oalgrove became his wife. They have one child, Amos. In 1865, he sold his business and purchased a farm in his native State, but in three years sold it and came to Minnesota and bought a farm in Fountain, section four, where he still lives. Mr. Barber is one of the present Supervisors.

Andrew Benson was bom in Norway in 1851, where he grew to manhood on a farm. In 1870, he emigrated to America and located in Bushford, Minnesot<a, where he was engaged in clerking. Four years later he came to Fountain, where he had a general merchandise store which he conducted five years, and since that has been engaged in the saloon business. In the fall of 1877, he was united in marriage with Miss Sophie Severson, a native of Iowa, bom in 1857. They have two children; Bessie, foiur years old, and an infant.

RoYAii 0. BEiiiiUs was bom in Fairfax, Franklin county, Vermont, in 1851, where he resided with his father on a farm until the fall of 1874, when he went to Illinois and taught one term of school. The following spring he came to Minnesota, and after teaching awhile engaged with Milo White, a merchant in Chatfield, six years, three of which were spent in that village and three in this, running a branch store. In 1881, he engaged in the mercantile business in company with his brofcber-in-law A. C. Case, succeeding Milo White; the firm name is Bellus & Case. Mr. Bellus is Postmaster,^ having been appointed to that office in May, 1880. His wife was formerly Miss Ella Burton, a daughter of Joshua Burton, of High Forest, Minnesota.

Fillmore county in April, 1856, and made a claim of his present farm which now contains three hundred and sixty acres. Mr. Bolles is one of the prominent men of this place, and haa been Chairman of the board of Supervisors for the past four years. His wife was formerly Jane E., daughter of William and Sarah Bolles. She was bom in Oneida county. New York, in 1830, and came to Minnesota in September, 1855, her parents coming three years later. Mr. and Mrs. Bolles had three children; the two oldest, Florence S. and Mary Jane, died in childhood. Sarah Y., their surviving daughter, was bom in 1872.

A. C. Casb was bora in Essex, Crittenden county, Vermont, in 1847. His father, Lyman Case, came to Minnesota with hiB family in 1856. There were ten children, six of whom are living, five sons and one daughter. A. C. enlisted in the Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and served till the dose of the war. His oldest brother, Herman Q., served four years in the Second Minnesota Regiment, and now lives in Mower county. Gihial was a Captain in a colored regiment, served three years, and he also is a resident of Mower county, being County Treasurer. Norman served about two and a half years in the Second Minnesota Regiment, and was killed at the battle of Chickamauga. After the war Mr. Case, the subject of this sketch, was engaged in fanning for a time, then in the stage business and mail carrying, and later in the insurance and real estate business with his brother, B. A. Case, of Chatfield. He came from the latter place to Fountain in the spring of 1877, bought what was then known as the Hicks House, which he rebuilt and refitted, changing the name to the Case House, and still owns and conducts the same. He is also a partner in the general mercantile house of Bellus k Case. Mrs. Case was formerly Miss Mahala Burton, daughter of Joshua Burton, who died in the army. They have three children; Frank A., nineyears old; Nettie Maud, seven years old, and Jessie Gertrade, aged one and a half years.

W. A. Conrad was bom in Brooklyn, New York, in 1856; moved with his parents to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he grew to manhood and received a thorough education. When nineteen years old he came to Grand Meadow, Mower county, Minnesota, where he was telegraph operator for a few months. In 1875, he located at Wells, and was depot agent five months. He served as railroad and depot agent in different places until April, 1882, when he oame to Fountain and has since faithfully filled the position of station agent. On the 9th of December, 1880, he was married to Miss Mary Jaquish, a native of Pennsylvania. His father Dedrick Conrad, was bom in (Germany and still lives in Kenosha, Wisconsin, sixty-six years old. His mother, Eliza (Krase) Conrad, is sixty years of age. Mrs. Conrad^s father, Joseph 6. Jaquish, lives in this county on a farm.

James Earley was bom in Brooke county, West Virginia, in 1837. When he was quite young his parents moved to Pickaway county, Ohio, where he made his home until 1846. In the fall of that year he came to this county, taking a claim in Fountain, section nineteen. In 1863, he was married to Lucretia Bilger, a native of Pennsylvania. In the fall of 1864, Mr. Earley enlisted in the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, Company D, went south and served till the close of the war. He was discharged in June, 1865, and retumed to his farm which he has since improved, also bought more land and now owns two hundred acres. Mr. Farley's mother died in Ohio, in 1855. His father came west with him and died in 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Earley have had seven children; George, James, Jane, Edwin, Ellen, Martha, and Anna. James died in infancy, and Jane in 1871, aged five years.

Evan Erickson was bora in Norway, in 1845, and learned the trade of a shoemaker in his native country. He came to America in 1872, and resided in Spring Grove, Houston county, a short time, then oame to Fountain and established his present boot and shoe business. He was married to Miss Jennie Allinson, a native of Norway. They have had six children, only one of whom is living, Edward Julius.

Gibson Essinoton was bom in Perry county, Ohio, on the 18th of August, 1822. When he was ten years of age his parents moved to Hamilton county, Indiana, where Gibson lived until 1845, when he married Miss Sarah A. Finch, a native of the latter State. In 1856, they came to Minnesota and located in this county, in Fountain, section thirty-one, where he now lives. They were blessed with nine children ; Hiram F., who enhsted on the 6th of October, 1861, in the Third Minnesota, Company C, and died at Jefferson barracks, St. Louis, on the 3d of November, 1863, aged seventeen years; Oliver H. enlisted in October, 1863, in the Seventh Minnesota, Company E, and was shot in a battle on the 14th of July, 1864, sixteen years old; Charity J., Amanda E., J. Clinton, Susie C, Henry C, Elma E., and AUie C.

Daniel D. Farrell is a son of James Farrell, one of the earliest settlers of Chatfield, who was bom in Ireland in 1820. His parents oame to America and settled in Philadelphia when he was nine years of age. He was married and five of his children were bom in the latter city. He brought his family to Iowa, in 1852, and to Chatfield the following spring. They resided there until 1862, then removed to this township and located a claim in section three. He had. seven children, four of whom are living; Daniel D. and three sisters, Mrs. C. J. Bice, Mrs. B. A. Fogle, and Mrs. Mary E. Sperry. Daniel D. and his brother, George G., served in the army during the rebellion. The latter was bom in Philadelphia in 1842, served three years in the Second Minnefiota Volunteer Infantry, then enlisted in the First Minnesota Begiment, was promoted to a Lieutenancy and discharged at the close of the war. He died in Fountain in July, 1871. Daniel D. was also bom in Philadelphia, in December, 1846. He enlisted in Company A, of the Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, serving till the close of the war, and participated in the battles of Besaca and Kenesaw Mountain, was at the siege of Atlanta and in Sherman's <^Maroh to the sea.*' He graduated at the Philadelphia Commercial College in 1866, after which he was engaged in teaching school, book-keeping, etc., for several years. He has been in the grain and wood business in this place since 1878. He married Miss Emily S. Case, daughter of S. Case, who came to Fillmore county from Massachusetts, in 1860. They have five children.

B. L. Fleming was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, on tne 17th of January, 1830. He worked on a farm until fifteen years of age, then was on a canal boat a number of summers, going to school during the winter, and finishing his education at Albion College, Erie county. When eighteen years old he purchased his time of his father, and in 1849, went with a drove of cattle to Wyoming county, from there to Albany, and thence to Massachusetts, working on a farm in that State a short time. In 1850, he retumed to Pennsylvania, and in the fall of the same year went to the Isthmus of Panama, where he helped to drive the first piles on the railroad. He came home sick, and the next year started oDce more on the canal, and in six years cleared $2,400. In the spring of 1856, he came to Minnesota, located in Fountain, in section twenty seven, returned east, but finally settled permanently on his farm in 1857. On the 29th of January, 1859, he was married to Miss Martha E. Watson, who was bom in 1834. They have had seven children, six of whom are living; Mary E., Flora B., Jennie E. Mattie M., Robert H., and Thomas. Mr. Fleming was Chainnan of the board of Supervisors several years. Assessor one term, County Commissioner three years, and was in the Legislature in 1874 and ^75. He has seven hundred and fifty acres of land, well improved, with good buildings.

Wii*soN C. Garratt, a native of Canada, was born in 1830. His parents were natives of New York, and returned to that State soon after the birth of Wilson. The latter was one of the earliest settlers of Fillmore county, coming in March, 1853, and first made a claim in Harmony township. He soon after settled in Waukokee, Preston township, and in 1861, enlisted in the Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company A., and served two and a half years as private, was then promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant, in which capacity he served till the close of the war. He was in the battles of Mill Spring, Perryville, Chickamauga, Siege of Atlanta, and Sherman^s *'March to the sea;" was wounded in the battle of Besaoa, Georgia, for which he draws a pension. After the war Mr. Garratt went to what is now Jackson county, and helped to organize that county; was appointed its first Register of Deeds, elected the following spring, and held the office eight years. In 1874, he moved to Chatfield, and a year later to Fountain, where he has since been a dealer in furniture, flour, etc. He was Town Clerk two years. President of the Village Council two and a half years, and in May, 1882, was appointed by Gov. Hubbard, Notary Public, a position which his long exj^erience as Register of Deeds renders him well qualified to fill. Mrs. Garratt was formerly Miss M. Crosby, daughter of Isaac Crosby, an early settler in the town of Chatfield. They have three children; Hattie, May, and Thomas.

D. C. Green was bom in Jefierson county. New York, and reared on a farm, receiving his education at the district school. When seventeen years of age he engaged in a saw-mill as foreman, working some time in his native county, and later in Canada. On the 19th of July, 1853, he was married to Miss Martha Laidlow, a native of St. Lawrence county, New York. In 1859, he engaged in mercantile business in Diana, Lewis county, in the latter State. In the fall of 1860, he sold and came to this State, buying one hundred and sixty acres of land in Bristol. He then went to Wisoondin and remained until February, thence to New York, and in March came back to Minnesota. He worked a farm two years on shares in Chatfield. In 1865, he purchased a farm in the latter town ship, lived there three months, then sold and bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Fountain, section five. He improved the land and built a house and barn, and now resides here. Mr. and Mrs. Green had two children, both of whom are now dead.

John M. Ham was bom in Cortland county, New York, on the 10th of January, 1838. His younger days were spent at school and at work on a farm. In 1860, he came to Minnesota, settling in Fillmore township, where he spent the winter. In the spring he came to Fountain and engaged with Robert Fleming. He joined a volunteer company under Captain Colbum, in September, and west to fight the Indians. In one month they were relieved by government troops, and he returned to Mr. Fleming's. He married Miss Hannah Watson in 1862. In the fall of 1864, he enlisted in the heavy artillery and went South, being at Chattanooga when Lincoln was assassinated. He was discharged in June, 1865, and returned to his farm in Fountain, sections twentyseven and twenty-eight, which he had previously bought. Mr. and Mrs. Ham have been blessed with six children; Melvin, James, Gteorge, Luther, William, and Flora.

T. J. HoUen was bom in Norway in 1853, reared on a farm and learned the carpenter's trade. In 1874, he came to America and located in Lake Mills, Iowa, worked at his trade four or five years, and then kept a saloon. He came to Minnesota in July, 1881, located in Fountain, and has a saloon and billiard hall. His father and mother died in Norway.

John Johnson is a native of Norway, bom in 1850. His father died in that country in 1352, and in 1861, his mother brought the family to America and first settled in Spring Grove, Hous- ton county, then came to Lanesboro, where they still live. John left his home in 1874, came to Fonntain and took charge of the lumber yard of John Paul, of La Crosse, which he conducted until September, 1880, when he opened his present store, keeping a large stock of hardware and farm implements. His brother, Charles Johnson, and H. Christopherson, who are in business in Lanesboro, are also interested in the business here. Mr. Johnson Married Miss EmmaThorson. They have been blessed with three children; Hot, Norwiu, and an infant daughter, Jahsie.

John Johnson was bom in Norway in 1832. Ho came to America with his parents in 1848, and located first in Dane county, Wisconsin, where he grew to manhood. In June, 1855, he came to this county and located in Fountain township, section fourteen, where he still resides. In December, 1858, he married Miss Anna Johnson, a native of Norway, bom in 1836. They had seven children, six of whom are living; Julia, Caroline, Beatta, Nils, Mary, and Henry. Fred., who was two years and seven months old, was scalded to death by falling backwards into a kettle of boiling water. In 1864, Mr. Johnson enlisted in the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, was mustered in at Fort Snelling and served till the close of the war and was honorably dicharged at Chattanooga, Tennessee.

John Kemfle is a native of Tennsylvania, born in Union county in 1842. He grew to manhood in the village of New Columbia, and there received bis education. In the spring of 1861, he removed to Minnesota, and settled in Fountain township, section thirty -four, where he still resides. He was married in November, 1863, to Miss Mary Jane Sturges, the ceremony taking place in Chatfield. They have been blessed with five children, four of whom are living; Charles J., Thomas, Effie and Robert.

Andrew Levey was born in New York in 1833, where he grew to manhood on a farm and received his education. In 1853, he removed to McHenry county, Illinois, where he was engaged in farming until 1855, then came to Minnesota and located in Fountain, section twenty-three, and remained one year. He returned to Hlinois in 1856, remained six or seven years, then moved to Marshall county, Iowa, where he remained engaged in farming imtil the fall of 1873, then returned to his farm here where he still resides. He was married in 1859, to Miss Mary Osbora, a native of New York. She died in Fountain in 1873. They had, four children, three of whom are living; Weber, Ida, and Annie. His present wife was formerly Miss Isabella Werner, a native of Indiana. They have two children; Peter and Emma. In 1862, he enlisted in the One hundred and twenty-fourth Illinois Infantry, Company B, was mustered in at Springfield and remained in the service one year when he was discharged on account of injuries received at the siege of Vicksburg.

E. H. Learned is a native of Pennsylvania, bom in Crawford county in 1852, and removed with his parents to Minnesota in the spring of 1861. When E. H. was seventeen years old the family returned to his native county, where he received the greater part of his education. In 1872, he was joined in marriage with Miss Susie I. Hayford, also of Pennsylvania. In 1872, Mr. Learned returned to Minnesota and located in Spring Valley, where he dealt in grain for three years, then moved to Oakland, Minnesota, and engaged in the same business. In October, 1880, he removed to Fountain, where he is buyiug and shipping grain to Chicago and Milwaukee. He is the father of four children ; Orvill S., Adelaide M., Abijah E., and John J.

Patrick Mangan is a native of Ireland, bom in 1833, and was brought up on a farm. In 1852, he emigrated to America, and located in Onondaga county. New York, where he clerked for a time, but finally went into business for himself with a stt)ck of groceries and provisions in Syracuse, and remained in that business until July, 1866, when he came to Minnesota and located in Fountain, buying one hundred and sixty acres where the village now is. lie sold his land to the railroad company for S3,000, and bought on section twenty- four in the same township, where he still resides. He was married in Syracuse in 1856, to Miss Margaret Fegerson, a native of Ireland, born in 1833. She died in Fountain leaving six children; John, Edward, Timothy, Mary, Patrick, and Anna. He and his sons have three hundred and twenty acres of land with fine buildings, and carries on a grain and stock farm. He has been Justice of the Peace, a member of the board of Supervisors, and is Assessor at present, having had the office for a number of terms.

days were spent at school and on the farm. In 1855, he came to this county and settled in Foun* tain, section thirty- three. In 1859, he was joined in marriage with Miss Mattie Dillener, a native of Marion county, Indiana. In October, 1864, he enlisted in the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery and went to Fort Snelling, where he remained until the 25th of November, then went South and joined (hm. Thomas at Nashville. He was discharged on the 25th of June, 1865, and returned home by the way of Winona. He has since devoted his time to farming, paying considerable attention to fruit growing, and is one of the few suocessful apple growers in Minnesota. He is also engaged in stock raising, making a specialty of fine horses. He lived in ^ log house until 1875, when he built the frame house in which he now resides. In 1866, he erected a bam, 40x52 feet. Mr. and Mrs. Means have had six children; Melvina, Ulysses, GJeorge H., Daisy, Charlie V., and Lillie May. Melvina died in 1867, seven years of age, Daisy died in infancy on the 14th of October, 1877.

Anton Pbtebson was born in Norway, in 1852, and came to America with his parents in 1861. The family settled in Eock county, Wisconsin, and two years later came to this place which has since been their home. Anton was for some time engaged in mercantile business in Fountain, the firm name being Benson k Peterson, but in August, 1880, he took charge of the lumber yard of John Paul, of La Crosse, succeeding John Johnson. Mr. Peterson has one brother, Ole, who lives with bis parents.

Prof. C. S. Powers is a native of Canada, his father, however, was born in Vermont and his mother in Ireland. Prof. Powers is a self-educated man, and in early life turned his attention to the study of scientific subjects. For some time before leaving Canada he was editor of the "New Castle Garland," a literary paper of much merit. In 1858, he entered the lecture field, traveling through various States, and at the same time reported for the Toronto papers, having since devoted most of his time to the two occupations. For many years he was identified with the republican party, but in 1876, endorsed the Greenback movement and became one of its most stalwart supporters. In 1878, he was editor of the "Dollar Weekly," a paper published in the interest of the Greenback party, at Wykoif. The following year the "Fillmore County Badical" was established, and he became its editor and still publishes the same. Prof. Powers has twice reprenented his district in the State Senate. He possesses great versatility of talent and is a fluent, forcible, and impressive public speaker. He is related to Hiram Powers, the eminent sculptor, and has partaken, to some extent, of his genius, being an accomplished worker in marble, to which he is now devoting some attention. Mrs. Powers was formerly Mary A. Bailey, a native of Canada. They have four children; Helen, now Mrs. James M. Moore; Mattie M., wife of C. W. Green; Albert W., and Frederick F. Albert W. Powers was bom in New Castle, Canada West, in 1850. He began the study of medicine in 1869, with Dr. L. Bedmon, of Preston. He entered Bush Medical College a year later, and is now a practicing physician in Fountain. Fred F. has been eight years in the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Bailroad Company, as station agent and telegraph operator, and is now located at Hokah.

James A. Scjott, deceased, one of the early set tiers of Fillmore county, was bom in Washington county, Irdiana, on the 6th of October, 1823. When a young man he leamed the carpenter trade. In 1847, he moved to Davis county, Iowa, and bought a farm. In 1853, he went to California, taking a herd of cattle with him. He was engaged at his trade there six months, then retumed to Iowa. On the 19th of March, 1855, he married Miss Marian McMasters. The same month they came to Minnesota and located in Fountain, where he staked out a claim in section four. He improved the land and built a house in which he lived until his death, i^rhich occurred on the 11th of December, 1874. He was an industrious man and a good citizen, and was highly respected by all who knew him. He was the father of five children; Alice, Lucius, Henry, and twins, Abiram and Loraine. His family now occupy the homestead.

James H. Sherman, a native of Washington county. New York, was bom in 1834. He went to the South in 1865, but the following year came to Minnesota and resided in this township one year, then went to Fillmore and engaged in farming. In September, 1878, he opened a general mercantile store in this place, and also deals in millinery goods. He owns a farm of two hundred acres in Fillmore township. His wife was Martha, daugh-

WUiiiiAM Shipton, a native of Pennsylvania, was born on the Slst of March, 1836. When he was eighteen years old he worked at the blacksmith trade. He was engaged at that three years, then was in William Mason^s axe factory nntil 1856, when, on accomit of failing health, he came to Minnesota and took land in Foimtain, section twenty-nine. In 1858, he returned to Pennsylvania and worked in the same factory until 1862, since which time he has been in this State, returning frequently to his native place. In 1870, he settled permanently in Minnesota. He was in Fillmore three years, then improved his farm where he now lives. In 1875, he built his present frame house, and in April of the same year, Elizabeth Croue, widow of Myron Philips, became his wife. They have one child, Nancy May. Mrs. Shipton had one child by her first husband, named Russell Philips.

Edward STEVEjis was bom in Ireland in 1881. In 1847, he came to America with his parents, who settled in Onondaga county, New York. In 1853 they moved to Davis county, Illinois. One year later Edward came to Minnesota and settled in Fountain. In 1860, he enlisted in the regular army, Fourth Regiment U. S, Heavy Artillery. They were sent west to the frontier, and in April were ordered to Washington^ passed through Baltimore the day before the massacre. He was with the regiment until his time expired, and in March, 1865, returned to Fountain, and now lives on his farm in section sixteen.

WiLiiiAM Stevens, a native of Ireland, was bom in 1840, and came to America with his parents in 1846. They remained in Onondaga county. New York, until 1853, then went to Jo Daviess county, Illinois. In 1855, William came to Minnesota and settled in Fountain. In 1866, he purchased a farm in section sixteen, where he still lives. One year later he married Miss Ann Madden. The union has been blessed with six children; Martin, Margaret, Ulich, Edward, Mary A., and Catharine.

James F. Wbib was bom in Syracuse, New York, on the 30th of August, 1857, and removed with his parents to Minnesota in 1866. He was reared on a farm and finished his education at

Preston High School, and established himself in business in Fountain in 1881. He has a saloon and billiard hall. His father, James Weir, was bom in Ireland, and is farming in Carimona. His mother, Ann (Gallagher) Weir, is also a native of Ireland. James has five brothers and four sisters; John, Thomas, Anthony, Peter, Edward, Hannah, Rosa, Mary, and Ella.

RosETTA May was born in Henry county, Indiana, in 1833, reared on a farm and received a common school education. She was married in 1852, to John Wimmer, a native of Ohio, and moved to Minnesota in the fall 1859, locating in Fountain, on section thirty, where she still resides. Her husband died on the 9th of December, 1875, at the age of fifty-four years, and was buried in Watson Cemetery. She has had eight children, seven of whom are living; Isabelle, Elizabeth, Margaret, Celinda, Samuel, Cendrelia, and Andrew.

HoBMER H. WiNsiiOW, deccascd, one of the pioneers of Fillmore county, was bom in Chittenden county, Vermont, on the 12th of February, 1807. When a young man he left home and went to Cattaraugus county. New York. On the 11th of June, 1834, Cornelia Winslow became his wife. They were blessed with nine children. He bought property in the latter county, consisting of a sawmill and two hundred acres of timber land. He subsequently sold his interest there and bought a farm with a grind-stone quarry on it. He carried on the farm and manufactured grind-stones until 1851, then sold and moved to Stephenson county, niinois, where he lived until July, 1854, when he came to Minnesota and located in Fountain, this county, taking land on section five. He improved the land and built the second log house in this vicinity, which is still standing. In 1865, he built a frame house, where he lived until his death, on the 13th of October, 1877.

Enoch O. Winslow, son of Hosmer H. Winslow, was bora in Cattaraugus county. New York, on the 2d of June, 1839. He came west with his parents and remained with them until they died. He was educated at the district school. In 1862, he married Miss Nellie J. Post. They have seven children; Reinhardt, Ada, Amos, Maria, Seba, Tena, and Bertie. In 1876, Mr. Winslow purchased a farm in section five, where he now resides.