Fillmore County, Minnesota - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 54 of those read), 1882

Chapter with an unread heading (no. 54 of those read)

The township bearing the above apellation is one of the most productive in Fillmore county, and, in location, holds one of the four prominent places, being the northwest comer township. It is hemmed in on the north and west respectively, by the counties of Olmsted and Mower, and its contiguous townships on the east and south are Jordan and Spring Valley.

The townships may justly be said, in a degree, to be noted for its excellent springs welling up in innumerable places - water as clear as crystal - and for its fine groves of natural timber. The western part is made up of level prairie, interspersed with a few groves, while the western and southern parts, although now, as a rule, under a high state of cultivation, at the time of first settlement was covered with hazel brush and "oak openings.'* The soil is generally a rich, dark loam, varying from twelve to forty inches in depth, with a subsoil of blue clay, limestone sand, or gravel. In the extreme southwestern part of the town the soil has an apparent tendency to sandiness, with a gravel subsoil, but this is confined to very few sections. The town is well watered by various brooks, creeks, and the Boot River. The latter stream bobs in and out along the southern line of the town, making its final exit through section thirty- six into Jordan township. The Kedron Brook derives its source in section eighteen, and Bowing in a southeasterly direction delays not in mingling its waters with those of Root Biver. Various other small brooks, arising from the numerous springs, flow into and are swallowed by the larger branches. The southern part of the town is rolling, and in places towering bluffs of threatening aspect rear, themselves to a height of 300 feet. All this region is well adapted to stock raising. The balance of the town is composed of prairie land and oak openings, the soil being very fertile and suitable for all kinds of grain raising and agriculture.

The town's area constitutes the fuU thirty-six sections of a government township, and in addition to this, one and one-half sections out from the northwest comer of Spring Valley, making thirty-seven and one-half sections.

Barlt Settlement

Sumner was not behind the balance of Fillmore county's townships, and like the majority of them commenced its evolutions towards civilization in 1853. Of course the perfectly natural, and always the first question to be asked when early settlement is spoken of,« will be the first querry here: ^*Who were the very first pioneers to attempt development in the town ?" In preface to the answer of this always interesting question, we will say that, as a rule, this is a more delicate matter to determine with any degree of oertainty than would be imagined; but, notwithstanding the fact that in other towns old pioneers dislike very much to grant the honor of being the "Oldest Settler" to any particular party or parties, we are pleased to state that the general rule does not prevail here, and the early settlers are conceded by all.

It is quite clear that the earliest exploration, with a view to establishing a home, was by the Hayes party in 1853, and arrived about the middle of May. The entire party who settled' that month consisted of three persons, H. S. H. Hayes, David Allen, and D. D. Fraser, and of the three, two are stiU living in the township.

H. S. H. Hayes came from New Hampshire, and arrived in Sumner on the 25th ^f May, 1853. He took a claim in sections twenty-seven and twentyeight, and is still making that place his home.

David Allen arrived at the same time from New York, and located on beotions thirty-three and t.hirty-foar, where his *4amp still holds out to bum."

D. D. Fraser, another of the party to arrive at the same time, came from Ohio, and located a claim in section thirty-two, where he lived for five or six years, and moved out of the township.

Deacon Qulielmns Garter arrived later in the same year, landing in Sumner in October. He is still living in the town, at the village of Hamilton, and is the oldest man in the township, having been ushered into light on the 1st of December, 1799, being yet able to get about and has good eyesight. He came from Massachusetts, and is mentioned more fully under the head of biographical.

Daniel Davis also made his appearance on the scene late in the same year, and secured himself an excellent farm on section twenty, where he may yet be found.

Darius Comstock also arrived this year, secaring a farm in section twenty-six, and in 1870, was called to his final account. His widow still lives on the place.

After this date it would be folly to to undertake to name the arrivals in sequence, but the most prominent of them are traced in another place.

Items Of Interest

Kedron Post-office was established in 1869, and is located in the southeastern comer of section seventeen. W. D. Bradford was appointed Postmaster when the office was first established, and held the office for a number of years. Oeo. Hood received the appointment in 1877, and retained the office for a few months, when Mr. Smith was appointed. It was discontinued soon after.

A Grange was also instituted in 1873, and failed, donating its funds, as did the Good Templars above mentioned, to a public library, of which Mrs. Smith is librarian, the office being at the house of S. T. Smith, on section seventeen. This was organized in 1879, and now has 105 volumes.

A Friends Society was partially organized about 1856, and the first services were held on section thirty-three. In 1874, the Quakers erected their present church edifice on section thirty-four.

Sumner Cemetery is in the southern part of section twenty-eight, and was set apart for a burial ground in 1862. The first burials here were the remains of Ernest Gove, a child of 0. B. Gove, and the wife of W. W. Beers, who died in April, 1863. The ground contains two acres, and was purchased of G. A. Hayes.

The first marriage was performed by Hon. H. S. H. Hayes on the 4th of February, 1855, the contracting parties being David Allen and Miss Sepha Ann Carter, and they are still residing in the town.

The organization of the town of Sumner was effected on the 11th of May, 1858, after the organization of the Territory into a State. The first town meeting was held on that day at the hoose of T. W. Cooorey, and the records show that William B. Melvin was made Chairman, pro. tern., of the meeting, and C. D. Sherwood, Moderator. Walter S. Booth was then elected Town Clerk. Henry Plummer and H. P. Sleeper were made clerks of election, and William B. Melvin,

1. M. Choate, and William H. Doane, were judges of election. The sum of $150 was appropriated for town purposes, and it was voted that horses and cows could run at large, but sheep and hogs were restricted of that freedom.

The following ofiicers were then elected, all of whom served, to-wit: Supervisors, C. D. Sherwood, Chairman; 0: W. Knight, and James H. Tedman; town clerk, D. T. Booth; assessor, John Jolley; collector, W. T. Horton; overseer of the poor, L. Chamberlain; constables, D. C. Hendershott and W. H. Clamo; Justices of the Peace, C. Brownell and W. S. Booth.

It was decided to hold the next town meeting at the house of Martin Richer. There were 140 votes polled, and the records of the meeting are dated on the 13th of May 1858, but the town meeting is recorded as being held on the 11th. The board met again on the 19th following, and divided the town into six road districts.

Since the organization of the town its governmental wheels have moved with very little friction, and no town in the county has been better managed than this, not only financially but pleasantly.

At the town meeting on the 14th of March, 1882, the following officers were elected: Supervisors, D. N. St. John, Chairman; C. A. Prouty, and F. W. MiUett; Clerk, C. M. Colby; Treasurer, Edwin Doten; Assessor, Eben North; Justice of the Peace, Henry E. King; Constable, Henry Gammel.

This township is divided into nine school districts, employing one teacher in each. The first school in the township was in the winter of 1855- 56 in district No. 25.

All of the districts in the town are in a flourishing condition, being well managed and well kept. The wages for teachers, in common with other towns, are comparatively low, ranging from $20 to 830 per month.

District No. 121. - This was the first district in the township to receive organization, which was effected November, 1857, at the house of Mr. W. W. Parkinson. The officers first elected were: Trustee, H, M. C. Ballow; chairman, and Richard Freeman; clerk, L M. Choate; Treasurer, Walter Woodmansee. The following spring $600 was appropriated to build a school-house, and tlie contractor instead of following instructions, put up one at a cost of $1,200. This made the district considerable trouble, besides involving them in a law suit which was decided against them, and the carpenter succeeded in getting judgment for the amount. The first school was taught by I. M. Choate in his house, in the winter of 1856-57; and in the fall of 1858, by Nathial Parker, being then known as District No. 30. The present school- house is situated in the northeast comer of section twenty, and has on enrolled about thirtytwo scholars.

District No. 123 - ^This was the second district in the town, being organized in the winter of 1857. A log house was built by subscription in 1860, which lasted until it was destroyed by fire in 1876. Their present brick house was erected soon after, in 1876, at a cost of $800, in the southeast comer of section fourteen. The first teacher to preside in this district was Miss Martha Guill; the present teacher is Florence Swartz.

District No. 126. - This district was also organized about 1857, their house being built about this time by S. P. Green, on section thirty; but as the trustees of the district refused to accept the building he attached it on a carpenter's lien and moved it to section twenty-nine, where it was used for religious purposes by the Methodists. The present house of district 126 is situated in the center of section thirty. The present officers are Messrs. Babcock, R Steffins, abd S. Wilson; Miss Nellie M, Grant is the teacher.

with the following officers elected: Director, Chester Hart; Clerk, G. B. HeDdrioks, and Treasuref, R Vandel. School wae first held by Polly Layman in Chester Hart's granary, and afterwards in various places until 1866, when their schoolhouse was erected in the southeast comer of section two. Prior to the organization of the district a subscription school was held in a log hut by Mary Brady, which had twelve scholars in attendance; this was in the year 1860.

District No. 119. - This district really received its organization in 1864, but after the organizing steps were taken, matters of the district stood at one point until 1876, when the organization, in a practical sense, commenced. In the year 1876, a meeting was held at the house of Z. D. Lassell, and the following gentlemen were made officers: Director, Z. D. Lassell; Treasurer, Edwin Todd; Clerk, W. H. Kendall. The same spring their sohoolbouse was erected in the northwest corner of section ten, and the first school taught by Martha Wooldridge.

District No. 120. - In 1867, a meeting was held at the house of Mr. Randall, on section six, which organized this district, and the following were the first officers: Treasurer, Edson Owen; Director, David Jolley, and Clerk, W. B. Randell. Miss Frances Amelia Owen was the first to call school to order after the organization of the district. Their schoolhouse was erected in the southwest comer of section five, at a cost of $600. Previous to this organization a select school had been held for a number of years on section six, taught by Miss P. Stewart. The present officers are: Director, John Kelley; Clerk, John McBride, and Treasurer, J. Strain; Miss Margaret Kelley being the teacher.

District No. 125. - This district is claimed to have been partially organized in 1855, and a schoolhouse was erected that year, the size of which was 24x36 feet, and cost $600. The present house is a frame structure, 26x34 feet, and was erected in 1869 at a cost of $800. It is located in the eastern part of section thirty-three. The first schoolhouse built by the district was destroyed by fire.

District No. 122. - The present neat house now in use by this district is situated in the southwest, em comer of section fifteen. The organization was effected at a meeting held in the house of Martin Bicker in 1862. The first school was taught by Ferdinand Stevens in 1863. Their present house was erected in 1874, and is now in good order. The first floor of the schoolhouse is used as a Town Hall, while the second story answers for school purposes.

District No. 124. - The house now in use by the citizens of this district is a neat frame, and stands in the southern part of section twenty-five.

District No. 125. - This is the Hamilton district, and embraces the locality surrounding the village. Their schoolhouse is the beet one in the township, and is located in Hamilton, having been erected at a cost of about $1,000.

Presbyterian Church

The Presbyterian Church was organized about 1870, and the same year the society bought three acres of land for a church building, paying M. S. Harwood $125 for it. They commenced their building in 1871, but it was not completed until 1875. The first sermon in the building was delivered in 1875, by Rev. Geo. Ainsley. The present pastor is Bev. John E. Beachor, having in the charge thirty members. The church is located three miles north of Washington village.

Presbyterian Cemetery

This association was organized on the 28th of May, 1870 having, when organized, an attendance of eleven members. The first interment made in these grounds was the remains of Euphemia, daughter of Thomas and Jane Ferguson, in 1871.

The town of Sumner, possessing as it does as fine water power advantages as can be found in the country, of oouse is not without manufacturing industries.

Saw-Mells. - In 1855, a saw-miU was erected, and commenced running in the village of Hamilton, by Booth, Morris, and C. D. Sherwood. It was in good running order and kept piling up sawdust for two or three years, when the proprietors got into a tangle and the property was divided to satisfy them, the company being declared dissolved.

Another mill was built and put in operation at an earlier day than this, which has also succumbed. In 1864, D. D. Eraser erected a saw-mill on the banks of Bear Creek, in section five, just over the south town line, with an upright saw and 20x40 feet, at an entire cost of about $4,000.

In 1856, J. A. Stoat & Co. erected a large sawmill on Bear Creek at a cost of about 84,000, which, after being operated for some years, was merged into the stone flouring mill.

The Stone Mill. - This valuable acquisition to the town was built in 1866, by J. A. Stout, at a cost of about 88,000. The size of the mill was 25x35 feet, two stories, and had a capacity of about thirty-five barrels per day. It is situated on Bear Creek, in section thirty-four. Since building it has changed hands several times and been im proved so that its capacity is now about fifty barrels per day. The present proprietors are F. A. k J. A. Branum, and the mill has the reputation of making excellent flour.

Union Mill. - This mill is located just south of Washington in section thirty-six, on Bear Creek. It was built by Mr. C. Hart in 1855, and since that time has run almost constantly, although it is now a very diiferent mill from what it was then, it has been so much improved by additions and machinery. It is now equipped with one run of stones, and six set of corrugated and smooth rolls. It receives power from the Bear Creek, through the medium of a Lafell wheel, and ten feet fall, having a capacity of about thirty barrels per day. T. O. Kilbom is the present proprietor.

The Tunnel Mill. - ^This manufacturing enterprise is located on the Bear Creek, in section thirty-four. The mill was commenced in 1869, by J. A. Stout, and completed in 1871. It has a capacity, if worked to its utmost, of fifty barrels per d'ly. The mill receives its power from a tunnelled race. The river, in meandering in and out of the town, makes a bend in the shape of a "Horse Shoe," as it is justly termed in the locality, and Mr. Stout adopted this natural advantage and made his race in the form of an underground passage from one side of the ^'shoe" straight across, cutting oflf the bend in the river, and thereby gained an abrupt fall of twenty-five feet, building his mill at the lower mouth of the tunnel. It is claimed that four men were engaged in digging the tunnel one year, and that they used three tons of powder for blasting. In addition to the mill, Mr. J. A. Stout, in 1881, commenced operating a sorghum mill, with which, in that year, . he turned out 2,000 gallons of molasses. His en- | tire machinery is run with the water-power ob- i taiuetl through the tunnel. |

Hamilton Village

This village is situated in the southwestern part of Sunmer township, its town plat extending to the boundary line of Mower county, occupying portions of sections six and thirty. It lies on the north bank of the middle branch of Root River, which furnishes one of the best water-powers in the county. Adjoining the town are the "Hamilton springs," that continue boiling up, fresh, clear and sparkling water, both summer and winter, at the rate of 1,500 gallons per minute.

In location it may truthfully be said the village of Hamilton is a success, and the non- arrival of the hoped for railroad alone blasted its prospects. The first house erected was put up in 1853, by Adam Zedygar. In 1855, Daniel Booth, from the New England States, arrived, and had the village of Hamilton platted and recorded. Immediate steps were taken to secure a Post-office, in which they succeeded, and in 1856, an office was established under the name of ^'Elkhom," and Jacob McQuillan was appointed to handle the mails. Charles Davis arrived in 1855. Booth & Randall made their appearance, and put in a 83,000 stock of goods. A blacksmith shop was started in 1856, and the town for a number of years **boomed." Several saw-mills were erected and put in operation, besides a custom grist-mill.

The village now has about thirty buildings all told. Several general merchandise stores, several blacksmith shops, one schoolhouse, one harness shop, one hotel, several vacant business houses, and about twenty residences.

Hamilton, in the year 1858, was metropolitan, so far as a gang of organized thieves were concerned, who were bound together by an oath that they would support, stand by, and defend each other. They would steal anything that could be carried off, but made horses a specialty. The gang was made up almost entirely of home talent, and it was with the utmost difficulty that the honest members of the community ridded themselves of the pest, by organizing what was termed a "vigilance committee." Upon one occasion this last mentioned association turned out, and after collecting the population of the village together, made the announcement that as they had received . sufficient evidence as to those who had been comj mitting depredations, they were now prepared to I "lynch" those who had been implicated! At this I one hundred shooting arms were brought into view! Imagine their surprise when a number of the most influential citizens broke from among the orowd and made for the woods as fast as boots and hair standing on end would take them. But this matter, as it involved not only Hamilton and the town of Sumner, but also this entire portion of the country, is dealt with in the county article.

OoNOBBGATiONAii Ohuroh. - ^Thc first scrvicc held for this denomination was held at an early day by Rev. Crist. The organization was effected in 1860, and in 1871, the church edifice was erected at a cost of about $2,700, being an excellent frame building in the eastern part of the village.

This has not the necessary concomitants requisite for a village, and therefore must be designated as a hamlet. It is situated in the northern part of section thirty-six, a few rods north of the middle branch of Root River. Of the villages of Sumner, this comes second in importance. The early settlement of the village was commenced in 1855» Rider & Wolfe, of Indiana, putting up the first building. The village was laid out and recorded in 1856, by John H. Maine. In 1858, the first store building was erected by Joseph Bongardner, and he placed a stock of goods on the shelves. A Post-office was established about this time. It is now kept in the store in the village.

Washington Cemetery. - The burial ground known under this caption was laid out by Mr. Rider in 1857, on section twenty-five. It now contains the remains of about sixty -five persons.

The village of Washington now contains ten buildings; one general merchandine store, Postoffice, two blacksmith shops, schoolhouse and dwellings. The Post-office at this point was established in 1859, J. H. Tedman being first appointed Post-master.

Henry Ambrosio was bom in Italy, on the 2d of June, 1824, and came to America in March, 1852. For three years he was a clerk in the dry goods house of A. T. Stewart in New York City, and then went to the California gold mines. He enlisted in the army in 1860, and served fourteen years as Quartermaster Sergeant. In 1874, he came to Sumner and bought a farm of sixty acres, on section twenty-four, on which he built a fine residence, and has made other valuable improve ments.

GuiiiBiiMUs Carter was bom in Becket, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, on the Ist of December, 1799. In 1813, he went to New York, in 1834, to Michigan, and in the fall of 1853, came to Sumner, where he has since resided. He was united in marriage, on the 15th of September, 1827, with Miss Letsey Thompson, who was bom on the 3d of December, 1804, and has borne him two children, only one of whom is living. Mr. Carter is quite aged but is very active, and has the full use of his senses. He is the oldest man in the town of Sumner. His grandmother was thrown from a carriage and instantly killed, while his grandfather died a natural death, being ninety years old.

Daniel Davis was bom in Vermont on the 2d of January, 1805. In 1853, he emigrated to America, coming directly to Sumner, Fillmore county, where he has a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in section twenty-nine. ' He was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Keck, who bore him one son, Alfred. He was on picket duty while serving in the Twenty-ninth Ohio Regiment, aged twenty-two years.

John D. Gregory was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 17th of May, 1830, and two yeara later removed with his parents to Pennsylvania, and in 1849, to Iowa. On the 1st of April, 1855, he married Miss Olivia Robb, who has home him ten children, six of whom are living, four at home and two married. In the same month of his marriage he removed to this county and settled in Sumner township, section eight, where he engaged in farming until 1876, then removed to Hamilton and purchased the Hamilton House, of which he has since been the proprietor. In 1881, he opened h dry goods and grocery store, which he also carries on.

Reuben Gasper, a native of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, was bom on the 22d of July, 1836. He traveled in different States and territories until 1860, when he came from Illinois to Chatfield, Minnesota. He enlisted in the Ninth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company A, and served one year and a half. In the fall of 1866^ he returned to Minnesota and purchased forty acres of land in section twenty -six in Sumner, where he now lives. He was married in 1863, to Miss Jennie Steel.

John S. and Mary A. Green, came to Sumner* Minnesota, and located on section thirty. His father died in July, 1877. On the 28th of January, 1878, D. E. was united in marriage with Miss Rose E. Babcock.

M. L. Harwood was born in New York, on the Ist of February, 1832, and ten years later removed to Michigan, where he remained until the fall of 1853, when he dame to Pleasant Grove, and in the spring of 1854, to the town of Jordan. In 1855, he married Miss Mary Ann Winans, who has borne him three children, one girl and two boys. In 1860, he came to Sumner township and bought a farm on section thirteen, on which he has made valuable improvements. He was a member of the board of Supervisors in 1872 and '73. Mr. Harwood is director of school district No. 123. He is a member of tlie Maspnic order and takes a deep interest in public affairs.

H. S. H. Hayes was bom in Barring ton, Strafford county, New Hampshire, on the 22d of February, 1824, in the same house where four generations of the family were bom.^ In December, 1852, he came to Hlinois, and the next May landed in Brownsville, Minnesota, and walked to Elliota with a company of immigrants and parties looking for land. In the same month, he with D. D. Eraser and David Allen, started on a voyage of discovery to the headwaters of Root River. Tljey found a country that suited them but no traces of white men, the land not having been surveyed. On the 28th of May, 1853, Mr. Hayes staked out a claim where he now lives, and it happened to be in Sumner, section twenty -seven. He lived in a tent during the summer, and in the fall built a log house sixteen and one-half feet square, in which he lived four years, then erected the house he now occupies. He was united in marriage, on the 28th of June, 1854, with Miss Clara J. Femald, of his native place. He has never raised wheat as exclusively as his neighbors, but has devoted more attention to stock, especially during the last four years, taking no little pride in his high grade of short horn cattle, Norman Percheron colts, and Poland China hogs. In 1854, he was elected Justice of the Peace and County Commissioner, in 1861, was town Superintendent of Schools, and has also served five years as Assessor. In June, 1860, he united with the Congregational Church of Hamilton at its organization. Mrs. Hayes died on the 3d of September, 1871, leaving one child, a boy, who now lives with his father.

John KEiiLT, a native of Ireland, was bom on the 2d of April, 1830, emigrated to America in 1846, and settled in Wayne county, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1851, then went to work on the railroad. On the 23d of August, 1854, he married Miss Mary Kelley. In 1856, he came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, where he pre-empted laud, and in 1862, purchased his present farm in Suumer, section six. In November, 1874, he moved his family to their new home, and his time has since l)een devoted to its improvement. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly have had nine children, seven of whom are living. The oldest daughter, Margaret is teaching school.

John Neill is a native of Ireland, bom in 1812. In 1847, he emigrated to America, remained in New York until 1865, when he purchased his present farm in Sumner, section nineteen. He was married on the 15th of July, 1844, to Miss Jane McGunnis, who bore him eight children, six of whom are living. She died in 1869, and Mr- Neill was again married in 1877, to Miss Nancy Cocken.

J. F. Newell was bom near Dubuque, Iowa, on the 21st of Se])tember, 1847. In 1851, became with his parents to Wisconsin, and in three years they retumed to Iowa where his father died. In 1858, his mother came to Filhnore county, and in 1869, Mr. Newell purchased his farm on section twenty-seven. On the 16th of October, 1870, he married Miss Eliza Thresher, Vho has home him two children,

F. A. Neill was bom in Ireland on the 5th of February, 1847, and came with his parents to America, settling in Westfield, Chautauqua county, New York. In 1865, his family removed to this county, aud settled in Sumner township. When twenty-one years old he engaged to work for M. J. Hoag, and in 1870, for J. H. Hale, where he remained six years, during which time he saved $2,400. Mr. Neill was married on the 1st of April, 1876, to Miss Mary E. Parkinson, a native of this township. Hethen purchased his present farm in section twenty-nine. They have two children; Benjamin F., bom the 1st of June, 1877; and Floyd P., bom in 1881, and these two boys have nine grand-parents living.

Wllllam W. Parkinson was bom in Madison county, Illinois, on the 14th of July, 1837, and removed with his parents to La Fayette county, Wisconsin, in 1841. In the fall of 1854, he came to Chatfield, Fillmore county, and drove team from there to Winona through the spring and summer of 1855. On the 15th of July, of the latter year he married Miss Augusta M. Freeman, the ceremony being performed at her father's residence, on what is now known as "Easton's trout brook farm," by George M. Gere. They have been blessed with four children, two boys and two girls. The eldest, a son, lives in Crookston, and the next in age is a daughter, who is married and has two children, who boast of nine grandparents, one of whom is a great-great- grandfather, the venerable Martin Rowley, of Lewistown, Illinois- Mr. Parkinson has always been an active worker in the Sunday Schools, and for many years a Superintendent. He has also held important positions on different committees in the democratic party, and was once elected to represent his party in the State Convention. He located on his present farm in 1857, and has since devoted his time to its improvement and to raising stock. He has an extensive farmer's library, which cost about $300.

E. D. Pbrrin was bom in Vermont on the 5th of October, 1817. In 1839, he removed to Illinois, where he remained three years, then came to Wisconsin, and in 1857, to Minnesota. He purchased his farm in Sunmer, one hundred and sixty acres, in section twenty -one, where he still resides. He was united in marriage with Miss Benia Tucker, who has borne him three children, one living in Kansas, one in Texas, and one at home.

W. Perrin was bom in Vermont on the 26th of December, 1815, and remained in his native State until 1859, then went to Wisconsin. In 1867, he came to this county and purchased his present farm in Sumner, in sections thirty and nineteen. In March, 1870, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Susan Brown, who has borne him two children.

Db. a. Plummeb was bom in Cheshire county, New Hampshire, on the 7th of September, 1840. He was 'assistant surgeon during the war, had a private practice afterwards, and graduated at Bowdoin College, Maine. In 1867, he came to Sumner township and settled in Hamilton, where he still resides as a practicing physician. On the 10th of October, 1872, he married Miss Isabelle Steer. They have had three children, but one of whom is living.

14th of February, 1803. In March, 1828, Miss Catherine Bowyer became hia wife. In 1834, he emigrated to Indiana, where he remained until 1854, then came to Minnesota and located in Jordan. Mr. and Mrs. Rucker were blessed with two children, but one of whom is living. His wife died in July, 1856, and four years later he married Mrs. Mary S. Friend, who had four children. He purchased his present farm in Summer, section thirty-four, on the 11th of January, 1881.

J. L. Robinson was bom in New York on the 15th of May, 1846, and remained there until 1865, when he came to Minnesota and located in Pilot Mound. On the 3d of January, 1868, Miss Mary Augusta Gould became his wife, and a year later they moved to Jordan, this county, acd in 1875, to Sumner, where he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in section twenty. He has improved the farm and still makes it his home. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have had seven children, six of whom are living, five at home, and the oldest at school in Pennsylvania.

Charles Sajidte was born in Germany on the 2l8t of July, 1828. In 1856, became to America and settled in New York. On the 15th of July, 1857, he married Miss Catherine Seibdt, and the same year purchased his farm in Sumner, section eight. They removed there in 1863, and it is still their home. Mr. and Mrs. Sandte have had four children, three of whom are living.

Henry Shroder was born in Hanover, Germany, on the 3d of January, 1858, and in 1869, emigrated to America, coming to Minnesota and locating in Sumner. He purchased one hundred and eighty acres of land in sections twenty-seven and twenty-eight. On the 22d of July, 1877, he married Miss Catherine KeflTer, who has borne him two children, ohe of whom is living, a daughter. His son died in February, 1882, and is buried at Spring Grove. In the fall of 1877, much of his property was destroyed by a fire which caught from a steam thresher.

D. N. St. John, a native of New York, was bom on the 15th of October, 1837, and removed to Wisconsin in 1844. He was married on the 23d of December, 1860, to Miss Laura Brown. In 1868, he purchased his present farm in Sumner township, section thirty-two, and has since devoted his time to improving it. Mr. and Mrs. St. John have had eight children, six of whom are living.

Chronology

J. A. Stout was bom in Michigan, on the 24th of May, 1830. In 1852, he married Miss Mary Gove, who died in Iowa on the 14th of November, 1864. In 1854, he came to Minnesota and settled in Snmner, where he engaged in building mills, being a millwright by trade. In 1866, he was married to Miss Sarah Morrill. He has located in section thirty -four. In 1858, he was a member of the board of Supervisors and served five years, in 1865, he was again elected and served two years, and still another two years beginning with 1872.