Freeborn County, Minnesota - Chapter 56, 1882

Chapter 56

This township is one of the center subdivisions of Freeborn county, being separated by one tier from the north, and an equal distance from east and west county lines. Its contiguous neighbors are, Bath township on the north: Riceland on the east; Albert Lea on the south, and Manchester on the west, embracing the territory of town 103, range 21, containing thirty-six sections, or 23,040 acres, of which there are very few unsuitable for agricultural purposes, and the greater part is already under a high state of cultivation.

The town has no lakes, and no streams of importance. Bancroft Creek is the principal one; rising in the northwestern part of the town it takes a southerly course, and finally enters Fountain Lake. A small body of water, dignified with the appellation of Ttaska Lake, covers a few acres of land in the southwestern portion of section thirtyone.

The general make-up of the locality wc^uld be called prairie and oak openings. The early settlers say that originally, at least three-fourths of the area of the town was covered with a growth of burr and jack oak and other timber of the smaller varieties, interspersed with natural meadows and prairie. The greater part of the former growth of timber has been removed, and the rich country transformed into beautiful and productive farms. There are, however, a number of groves left, one upon section nineteen, another in section five, and in a number of other localities small groves mark the remains of former miniature forests. A strip of valuable prairie. kn<iwn as the Paradise Prairie, enters the town in the southwest-, ern comer and extends northeasterly almost across

The locality known as Oak Hill is the most elevated tract of land in the township, taking its name from the variety of timber with which it was formerly covered. It makes itself visible on the surface in the northwestern extremity of the town, and extends easterly across the entire township, embracing the northern tier of sections.

The farmers here, as a rule, are in comfortable circumstances, and the average appearance of the farm buildings indicate their thrift and energy, the town having the reputation of being one of the most valuable farming localities in the county.

The willow hedge is used to a considerable extent for fencing purposes, and is an excellent medium for giving the prairie a picturesque and pleasant appearance. J. C. Frost has four miles of this hedge, and has also cultivated fruit with success, having at this writing an orchard of 400 bearing and thrifty apple trees, of nearly twenty years growth. His brother, M. L. Frost, also has about three miles of this beautiful and useful hedge.

The soil on the prairie is mostly a rich dark loam, underlain with a rich sub-soil of clay ; while in the timber, or oak opening, it is of a lighter nature, with a marked tendency, in places, to clayeyness and a sub-soil of sand and gravel.

The township has no railroad through it, and therefore has not been the scene of the usual railroad assistance bond issue. It has had two villages, or hamlets, the rise and decline of each of which will be treated under proper heads.

Early in the spring of 18.55, a party of Eastern people left Wisconsin, where they had stopped for some time, and headed toward the prairie and timber land of Southern Minnesota. They consisted of Mr. Bethuel Lilly and wife, and the

Colby family, Jobn and his wife Hannah and six children. They arrived at Caledonia, Houston 'county, on the 18th of May, 1855. and here part of the little colony decided to remain, while the balance should push on toward the West in search of future homes. The lotg fell upon Charles C. and Sarah Jane Colby, a son and daughter of John, mentioned above, and Bethuel Lilly and wife. They took the ox teams, and in July pushed on toward the setting sun. They made their way direct to Bancroft, and selected farms in the southwestern part of the town, about the future site of Itasca village. C. C. Colby took the place on which the village was afterwards platted, and also selected a farm for his father, John Colby, who was yet in Caledonia. He remained until after the war, and finally found his way to New York City, where he is agent for the Musical Art Journal. Mr. Lilly remained upon his place for about one year; finally went to Kansas, enlisted and sacrificed his life for his country during the rebellion.

The following spring, in March, of 1856, the balance of the party made their appearance, and settled ujjon the place which the son had selected, jnst over the line in Albert Lea township, now occupied by Daniel Gibson. The party consisted of John Colby, his wife, and several children. The old gentleman lived Upon his place until June, 1876, when he peacefully yielded uj] the burdens of life to enter upon eternity, and his widow still lives with her son-in-law, Mr. Leander J. Thomas, of Albert Lea.

Guttorm Bottelson, a native of Norway, who had remained for a time in Wisconsin, arrived a few weeks after John Colby, in 1856, and commenced a sojourn which he still continues, upon a place near Itasca. He came with ox teams, bringing his family and considerable stock.

The Frost family were also among the most prominent and active pioneers, and still remain in the town; but they are treated at length under the head of "Biographical."

Others who were also early pioneers in this part of the town, were Andrew Bottelson, who is yet living upon his place in the southwestern part of the town; John and Andrew Hermanson, Dr. Burnham, and others whose names have been forgotten.

comers; but ere this claims were getting to be scarce, except second hand, and in the same ratio that they were scarce, so they became valuable. The settlement north of the center of the town is more universally known as the "Oak Hill neighborhood."

A. C. Hall, a native of Maine, was the first to make his appearance, and he selected his domain in sections five and eight, in the middle of September, 1856, where he put up a shanty and made some improvements; but was . not really an actual settler, as he soon sold out and removed to Iowa.

Andrew Barlow was the next to arrive, making his appearance in September. He "footed it" all the way from McGregor, leaving his family, and after taking a claim, left for Iowa in search of work. While gone, the weather seemed to be antagonistic to his best interests, as the snow was very deep, and he was consequently unable to return to his proposed home, so his place was jumped; and when he finally returned in the spring of 1859, he purchased the farm back for if'H). He still lives ujion the place in comfortable circumstances.

H. K. Loomis, from Erie county, Pennsylvania, came by stage from Dubutpie to near Merry's Ford, on the Cedar River, Iowa, which is near the southeastern corner of the county, and from there walked to Bancroft, arriving and selecting his place on the first day of November, 1856. He erected a small t-hanty and made some improvements, and, as it was a lonely sojourn, bought a yoke of oxen, as he says, "to talk to."

At one time during the winter he went four miles for a load of hay, a job which engaged him from early morn till late at night, and upon his return could take the object and fruits of his entire day's labor in his arms and feed it ere another day .shoTild dawn. On the 2Gth of December, he started with his oxen to Delaware county, Iowa, and remained there until February, 1857. when he returned, bringing with him his sister, Louisa Loomis, and Oscar and Fannie Ward, the latter is now Mrs. George H. Prescott. The last two named were aged twenty and fifteen years, respectively. The entire party came in a sleigh, camping out on the way, finally arriving at Benjamin Frost's house, in the southeastern part of the town, where the, manager of the party, Mr. Loomis, left them and proceeded to his selected home in section eight; prepared a fire and set matters in shape for his gneats. The balance of the party, whom he had left at Frost's, followed on foot, on the top of the snow, there being a heavy crust.

They arrived and got settled m safety, and William Oscar Ward selected a farm for his father. Louisa Loomis is now Mrs. Caswell, living in Iowa. H. R. Loomis still lives upon the farm he first selected, a mo.st prominent and popular man.

Early in the fall of 1857, Jeremiah Ward, anative of New York, father of Oscar and Fannie, arrived and located upon the place selected for him, and lived upon it until 1879, when he was called upon to cross the dark river from earthly to eternal e.xistence, and his loss was severely felt by the many friends who honored him. His widow still lives in the town.

Early in the spring of 1857, Albert Loomis, from Erie county, Pennsylvania, came to the "Holein-the-ground" of H. K. Loomis, and immediately took a claim adjoining, in section nine, where he made his home for about ten years, when he went back to Pennsylvania.

About a week later, Cyrus Prescott, a native of Maine, who had made his home from childhood in Ohio, made his appearance in the town, coming by way of Hastings; and making a claim in section five took up his abode with 11. R. Loomis' people, while he made improvements sufficient to live upon his place. He resided here until 1876, when he moved to Albert Lea, and now lives in Dakota Territory.

Later in the season Cyrus' father, Daniel, joined his son, and made him a habitation and a home in section four, where he remained until a few years ago, and now, at the ripe old age of eighty, lives upon the farm of H. R. Loomis.

In June, 1857, the next pioneer drifted in, in the person of William H. Long, a native of Newark, New Jersey, and commenced a sojourn upon a farm in sections five and eight, which he still owns; but in the spring of 1882, he removed to city of Albert Lea.

In the spring of- 1858, Charles Dills, a native of the Empire State, came and purchased a place in section nine, of Charles E. Teneyoke, who had previously secured it. Mr. Dills still lives there.

whose names and actions have not been dotted upon the pages of memory, a few more will be chronicled. George H. Prescott, who still lives in section four. G. Thompson, who took land in section eight and is now in the West. Andrew Knudson took land in section nine, and is also in the West. Messrs. Wells and Clark took land, but soon left.

Jeremiah Ward is mentioned elsewhere. He was a carpenter and stone mason by trade; but could do a good job at almost anything, and his famous old "turn keys" are yet remembered as ferocious instruments in his hands, with a shudder, by many of the old pioneers; as they were the means of extracting all the poor teeth in the neighborhood. It is said in the winter of 1857-58, he pulled a tooth for David Blakely, and after the "turnkeys" were set, either head or tooth had to come, and for a time it was doubtful which.

Various Matters Of Intekest

The first marriage of parties from this jjlace, occurred on the 13th of January, 1857, and united the destinies of two couples, fit the residence of John Colby, just over the line in Albert Lea. An account of this is found in the article on the town of Albert Lea, to which we refer the reader.

The first death of a matured person was the demise of Margaret Horning, in April, 1859. Her remains were deposited in the graveyard at Albert Lea.

Oak Hh/L Religious Services. - Meetings of various denominations have been held in this locality ever since its early settlement, in private houses and the schoolhouse. In 1858, services were held by an itinerant preacher. Rev. Mr. Adams. Rev. Mr. Lowry, or, as he was usually called. Father Lowry, held services here at an early day also.

on the farm of A. M. Burnham. In 1861, Samuel Henderson, a resident of Pickerel Lake, died, and was the first person buried here. Others" remains were also deposited here, and about tlie yeiir 1870, the grounds were regularly arranged, platted, and set aside tor the purpose. This location was selected by Mrs. Burnham, and the site does justice to her taste, as it is a beautiful spot. She also selected the last resting place that her remains now occupy.

The order is now in a flourishing condition, having about twenty-seven members. During the summer months meetings are held the first Saturday in each month, and in the winter once every two weeks, in Frost's hall in section eight.

On the 7th of March, 187(j, a corporation was formed and shares of stock issued at .f 5 each, for the purpose of establishing a grange store. The undertaking was a success, and a store was started with about $500 capital, and continued under the management of directors until 1881, when Daniel Prescott purchased the establishment and still runs it. The dividends declared, while under the managemant of the grange, amounted to 10 per cent, upon the capital invested.

The present officers of the order are as follows: Clark H. Dills, Master; J. C. Frost, Overseer; H. E. Nielson, Lecturer; H. Ward, Steward; Daniel Prescott, Assistant Steward; Fannie Prescott,Chaplain; Charles Dills, Treasurer; George H. Prescott, Secretary; H. Frost, Gate Keeper; Mary Dills,

Official Recohd

The first meeting in the township for the purpose of effecting the organization of Bancroft, was held on the 11th of May, 1858, at the house of ( )lo OLsou. The meeting came to order l)y the appointment of N. H. Elliekson, Ohairniiiu; W. N. Oliver. Moderator, and ,T. M. Clark, Clerk. E. D. Porter and Gardner Frost were elected overseers of roads, and a resolntion was then adopted declaring that all cattle, mules, and horses, except stallions over two years of age, could run at large.

The election of officers was next taken up, and the following gentlemen for the various positions of trust, were declared elected: Supervisors, D. Blakely, Chairman, .L M. Clark, and 0. C. Colby; Clerk, G. M. Frost; As.iessor, Daniel Prescott; Treasurer, OleEllingsou; Overseer of Poor, Henry Loomis; Justices of the Peace, S. Hanson and S. S. Watson; Constables, H. Bedells and R. G. Franklin.

For several years the annual meetings were held at the store in Bancroft (now the county Poor Farm ) ; at present they are held in the residence of Ole Gulbrandson, in section sixteen.

The present officers of the township are as follows: Supervisors, M. E. Hewett, Chairman, Ole Narveson, and Andrtw Barlow; Clerk, Erick .Tohnsrud; Treasurer, N. Sandburg; Assessor, A. O. Moeu; Justices of the Peace, E. K. Pickett and C. Nelsen; Constables, C. H. Dills and T. B. Enghsh.

Embbyotio Villages

Bancboft Village. - In the fall of 1856, a village was platted under this name in sections twenty-eight and twenty-nine, which figured high in the contest for the county seat, as narrated elsewhere.

The first building put up on the village site was a shanty erected just previous to the store, in 1857, by W. N. Oleson. He had first lived in a "dug-out," to which he brought his wife, but finally gave up this mode of life and became civilized. Oleson brought his wife from Shell Bock on a hand sled, as the snow was so deep.

Bancroft Townsiitp

A steam saw mill was moved to the village from Hastiugs by the Town Site Company, which was set up and operated by B. F. Ross and Addison Caswell. The cost of the mill was about $2,500, it occupying a building 20x40, and for two years the mill kept piling up the sawdust of hard wood; but, alas! the entire concern was finally, in 1859, sold for taxes.

A newspaper was next started by David Blakely, under the flaming banner of the "Bancroft Pioneer," which, for a few short months, distributed its newsy wares among its limited number of subscribers. Mr. Blakely is a native of Vermont, and is now the Minneapolis editor of the "Pioneer Press."

When the county seat matter was settled, all hopes of the village amounting to anything vanished, and the lots which were purchased were afterward sold for taxes, and in 1870, Freeborn county bought the entire property, and it is now used as the County Poor Farm.

Itasoa ViiiiiAGB. - The land where this village had its rise and decline was taken under the government laws, in 1855, by C. C. Colby and Samuel Batchelder. In the winter following the idea of a village was conceived and carried out by the platting and recording of Itasca, C. C. Colby being the surveyor. The scene was laid in section thirty-one of Bancroft, about the little body of water called by the same name as the village.

Soon after the preliminary steps were taken, a man named Dunbar, started a store by putting in a very limited stock of goods. A Post-office was established with C. C. Corljy as Postmaster, and mail wss received regularly. The name of this office was "Freeborn Springs" and prior to its establishment the citizens were obliged to go as far as Osage, Iowa, for mail matter. After a time the office was changed to Bancroft, and Mr. Josh.

In 1857 Pres. Hall and .James Longworth started a store which they ran for a few years, making a profit, such as buying calico for 11 cents and selling it for 60 cents per yard.

Dr. Burnham arrived at an early day, got a large fai'm and erected thereon a .17,500 house, hauling the lumber by water from Shell Bock; coming up the Shell Rock river and thence by way of the lake. The energetic doctor had a little brig, called "Itasca," built, which continued to ply up and down the water for a number of years. Through him a number of buildings were erected, and his energy enbued life into the whole locality; but all was of no aval 1.

As soon as the county seat was settled the interest in the village began to wane, the stores pulled out one by one, for pastures green, and the village now lives only in the memories of those who were connected with it in its brief career.

DisTKiOT No. 20. - Was originally organized in 1857, as a part of District No. 9, and a log house was soon afterwards erected in which Mary Prescott taught the first school to an attendance of about twenty- five pnpils. The first officers were Messrs. Ole Stuga, Daniel Prescott, and A. Loomis. In 1859, it wis made a part of District No. 2, and three years later, in 1862, it was reorganized under its present number. The schoolhouse now in use was erected in 1875, in the southeast corner of section five, size 24x30, furnished with patent seats, and cost about $1,000. The present officers are: Director, Asa Ward; Treasurer, G. H. Prescott; Clerk, W. H. Long; the latter officer having held that position for twenty years. The last term of school was taught by Miss Eva Loomis, with an an attendance of fortyfour scholars.

District No. 24 - Effected an organization in 1862, the first meeting being held at the residence of Knute Tollottson, on the 19th of April of that year, and the following officers were elected: Director, Lars .Johnson ; Treasurer, G. J. Johnson; Clerk, Knute ToUoftson. A log house was at once erected, 16x16 feet, at a coat of $150, which lasted until the year 1881 when the present school structure was built, occupying a place in the porthwestern part of section twenty -six, size 2Qs26 feet, at a cost of .*()00, being supplied witli patent seats and improved furniture. The first school was taught in 1863, by Lida Hewitt, it is claimed with thirty pupils in attendance, and she received the sum of .$45 for her services for two months.

District No. 58 was organized in 18f)3, and on 10th of April, that year, the first meeting was held, at which officers were elected as follows: Clerk, Andrew Bottelson; Director, B. Frost; Treasurer, John Hermanson. This meeting was held at the residence of Benjamin Frost in section nineteen. The first school commenced on the 9th day of May, 18G3, with sixteen scholars present, in the back room of A. Bottelson's house, with Miss Mary Frost teacher, she receiving S1.50 per week. The log shoo) house was finished in 1864. The pi'esent officers are: Director, Erick Attleson; Treasurer, O. G. Bottelson; Clerk, A. Bottelson. The schoolhouse is located in section twenty.

District No. 22 - The first school in this district was taught by Mrs. Margaret Fitzgerald, in her husband's house in section twenty-six in the summer of 1860, for .$1.50 per week. The district was organized at a meeting held in the spring of the year at the same place. The first officers were Ole Narveson, J. Fitzgerald, and D. N. - Ostrander. A log schoolhouse was rolled together by subscription, which lasted until 1872, when the present schoolhouse was erected in the northwestern comer of section twenty-six, being a frame building. 20x30 feet, and cost about $700.

District No. 23. - ES'ected an organization in 1861, the first meeting being held at the house of William English, in the fall of 1860. The same gentleman donated a site, and a schoolhouse was secured and moved upon it in 1862. The present schoolhouse was erected in 1874, on the southeast quarter of section two, at a cost of about $1,200, size 18x26 ftet, equipped with patent seats for sixty pupils. The last term of school was taught by Anna English for .§25 per month, with thirtyfive scholars present. The officers at the present writing are Thomas D. English, H. L. Oleson. and O. Nelson.

District No. 107. - Is one of the younger districts of the county, having efl'ected an organization in 1878. The first meeting was held at the residence of Daniel Peterson, and officers elected as follows: John Slater, Director; I. Hammer, Clerk; and O. O. Styve, Treasurer. A schoolhouse was soon afterward erected in the southern part of section thirty-three, at a cost of 8770. The first school was taught in the winter of 1879, by Ella Slater. The last terra was instructed by Grace Slater, with thirty -one scholars present, auvl her compensation was §25 per month.

Andrew Bottelson, one of the first settlers in this place, was born in Norway on the 22d of May, 1833. At the age of twenty he emigrated to -America, residing in Illinois for one year, and in November, 1855, came to Bancroft, pre-empting one hundred and sixty acres in section twentynine. He devotes his entire time to the cultivation of his farm; has been a member of the board of Supervisors four years, and is a member of the Freeborn church. He was united in marriage on the 22d of March, 1860, to IMiss Irene Iverson, and they have four children.

Eugene Chamberlain is a native of New York, born on the 25th of December, 1857. He came west with his parents when seven years old, and they located in Manchester, where Eugene run a ditching machine for some time after reaching maturity. He was married in 1880, to Miss Fannie Reynolds, and the following spring came to Bancroft, having since devoted his time to agricultural pursuits.

J.4COB C. Frost was born in Ohio on the 9th of April, 1841. He removed with his parents to Walworth county, Wisconsin, when six years old, and in 1856, came to Itasca, in this township. .Jacob resided with his parents until 1861, when he enlisted in the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry under Captain White; was with Sherman in his march to the sea, and participated in twenty battles, receiving his discharge after a service of three years ami ten months. After liis return to this place he purchased a farm in section nine, which contains two hundred and eighteen acres; built a residence, and has since made it his home. He was married on the 17th of March, 1864, to Miss Jennie (-ribson, and the issue of the union is five children.

MAHL.'iN L. Frost, one of the early settlers of this place, is a native of Ohio, born on the 2Uth of September, 183P. He came with his )wrents to Bancroft in 1856, and took a claim in section thirty, but resided with his parents iintil enlisting on the 9th of October, 1861, in Company F, of the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. He was in the array three years and three months, coming homeou furlough in 1862, and then mariied Miss Naocy E. Ward, daughter of J. Ward, one of the pioneers of the place, and formerly from Pennsylvania. After Mr. Frost's return from the army he bought land in section eight, and now has a well unproved farm of three hundred acres, with good house, barn, etc. He has three children.

Peter Finton is a native of Ohio, born on the 23d of March, 1830. When young he learned the carpenter trade, and at the age of sixteen years moved with his parents to Indiana, where he was employed at his trade. He was united in marriage to Miss Mary B. Shaul in 1856. She was formerly from Logan county, Ohio. They moved to Olmsted county, Minnesota, in 1861. and in 1874, sold their farm there and went to Nebraska, but after a re.><idence of nine months returned to Minnesota. He is the father of seven children. Mr. Finton was elected to the Legislature from Olmsted county in 1871 and '72; was Justice of the Peace fourteeu years, and also a member of the board of Supervisors.

Ekiok Johnsrud was born in Norway on the 27th of March, 1850, and emigrated with his father to America, locating in Green county, Wisconsin, m 1857. They resided in New Albany township three years and then came to this county, being pioneers of Hay ward, where they lived three years and then removed to this township, locating in section thirteen. Erick boiight the old homestead in 1879, and his parents live with him. He has held the office of Town Clerk since 1876. His brother, G. Johnsrud, was born on the 31st of March, 1841, and lived with his parents until enlisting in Company H, of the Sixteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He served until receiving his discharge on the 3rd of March, 1865, after which he located a farm near his father's. He was married in 1866, to Miss Anna Johnson, who has borne him tiv^ children. He was appointed Postmaster at Albert Lea in 1877, and held the office until 1880, since which time he has given his time to agricultural pursuits.

H. P. Jensen was born in Denmark on the 31st of December, 1828. His father died when H. P. was six years old, and at an early age he assisted in the support of the family. He was converted, and in 1840 joined the Baptist Church. He was married in the faU of 1852, to Miss Christina Olson, w'ao had joined the church in 1847. They have a family of five children. In the autumn of 1862, they came to America, located in Wisconsin and remained until the spring of 1864, when they removed to Freeborn county. Mr. Jensen owns a farm of four hundred and twenty acres, all of which is improved, containing a grove of ornamental trees, and he also owns some very fine cattle and sheep. When the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company was organized, in 1878, Mr. Jensen was appointed President, and still fills the office.

H. K. LooMis, one of the first settlers in tlie northern part of the township, is a native of Erie county, Pennsylvania, born on the 12th of October, 1828. He attended the district school, after which he was engaged in chopping wood in the Southern Statas for eight winters, returning home and assisting on the farm summers. In 1854, he visited California and worked in the mines two years with moderate success. In 1856, he came to Bancroft and took a claim of one hundred and sixty acres, which has since been his home, having now a good frame residence and well improved ground. He was married on the 4th of April, 1860, to Miss Mary Prescott. In 1861, he enlisted in the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company F, and at the expiration of his term, three years, re-enlisted in the same regiment and served till the close of the war, being promoted to the rank of brevet Second Lieutenant. He participated in nineteen engagements, although in the siege of Vicksburg, on the 22d of May, 1863, he was shot, a ball passing through his body. He is the father of five children.

Henby N. Osteander, one of the early settlers of this county, is a native of New York, born in Plattsburg on the 15th of October, 1824. When he was an infant his parents moved to Upper Canada, and in 1828, his mother died. His father soon after returned to New York, and Henry resided with him until the age of twenty-one years. He then went to Beekmantown and engaged in the coal and lumber business for three years. On the 22d of November, 1846, he was joined in matrimony with Miss Sarah A. Smith, also a native of New York. In June, 1849, they moved to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin; resided in town about four months and then moved on a farm in the western part of the county. On the 12th of June, 1859, Mr. Ostrander staked out a I claim in section twenty-six, Bancroft, and has since made it his liome. He came here with four yolce of oxen, meeting with many diificultiee. He has been a member of the school board most of the time since his residence liere. and was Chairman of the board of Supervisors five years, also was County Commissioner five years. He lias had a family of eight children, six of whom are living; Hannah B., the eldest, was born on the 6th of June, 1852, and died on the 3r<l of May, 18o(); and the second, Eva E., was born on tlie 9th of Mav, 1854, and died on the 20th of March, 1878.

To.M Oleson was born in Norway in 1859, and resided in his native country until the age of eighteen years. He then emigrated to America, and came directly to Minnesota; made his home in Houston county two yiars, ami in the sjjriug of 1879, found employment on the railroad in this county. He afterward lived in Albert Lea until the spring of 1882, when he came to this township and has since been engaged in farming.

E. K. PioKBTT, one of the respected and old settlers of this place, was born in Alexander, Genesee county. New York, on the 27tli of September, 1828. When he was four years old his parents movsd to Cattaraugus county, where he was brought up on a farm and received his education. He was married on the 4th of March, 1849, to Miss Phileua A. Skiff. In 1850, he came to Wisconsin and settled in Sheboygan county, two i years later moved to Waukesha county, where our I subject worked at the carpenter trade three years. In 1855, he moved to Walwortli county and in 1860, came to this township, settling in section thirty-two, having driven the entire distance, bringing two span of horses and two wagons. In 1862, he enlisted in the Tentli Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company E; was .soon after promoted Second Lieutenant and assigned to Company C, of the Tenth Regiment and served three years, until the close of the war, Ijeiug with the comjjany in every march and battle. Since coming here Mr. Pickett has worked at his trade a portion of the time. Of five children born to him, three are^living.

GEtutGE H. PuEscoTT Was born in Maine on the 20th of January, 1829. He resided with his parents until the ago of twenty-one years, then engaged in the milling business on the Ohio river, owning a saw and grist mill which he conducted five years. In 1851, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Poor, of Utopia, Clermont county, Ohio.

In 1856, they came to this township and was one of the first to open a farm in the place. After a residence of one year here he returned to Hastings, and two years later moved to Stearns county where he took a homestead and engaged in farming seven years. In October 1864, his wife died leaving four children, two daughters and two sons. He then returned to Bancroft end bought the farm his father pre-empted. Mr. Prescott was again married, on the 25th of December, 1870, to Mrs Fannie Ward Frost, widow of the late G. M. Frost, and the mother of two children, Emma and Edward. This latter union has been blessed with one son, Gerald, born in April, 1875. Their farm is well improved, having a good orchard, and Mr. Prescott is also interested in a sorghum factory at Albert Lea. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1871, and held the office two terms.

B. F. Ross is a native of Pennsylvania, born on 27th of June, 1835. When he was tliree years old his parents moved to New York where he grew to manhood and at the age of twenty married Miss .Jane Starks. Immediately after their marriage they came west, resided one year in Iowa, and then, in 185(1, moved to Riceland, where they were the third family to locate, and made it their home several years. They have a family of five children. In 1862, Mr. Ross enlisted in Company C, of the Fifth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and remained in service till the 29th of August, 1865. After his discharge he returned ta his farm and in 1870 came to Albert Lea, remaining six years. In 1877, he rented the county poor farm which has since been his home.

Ai Rice was born in New York on the 18th of March, 1840. When he was but six years old his father died and he has since maintained himself, working at different occupations. When he was nineteen years old he enlisted iu the Eleventh Wisconsin Regiment, Company K, was under Gen. Grant and participated in fifteen battles, receiving an honorable discharge on the 4th of September, 1865. He returned to Wisconsin and engaged iu the lumber business four years, then came to Rochester, Minnesota, and in 1877, married Margaret Knapp. The same year he came to Bancroft and has since devoted his time to farming.

Asa Wakd was born in Plainsville, Ashtabula county, Ohio, on tlie 4th of November, 1844. In 1855, the family moved to Iowa, and two years ater to Bancroft, his father taking a claim in sec- tion seventeen. Asa enlisted in the Tenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company I, in 1862, and served three years. After his discharge he returned to his home and remained one year, then spent three years traveling. He returned to this place and on the 9th of April, 1868, married Miss Helen Dills. The same year he purchased his present farm in section four and has it well improved.

Bev. Johan T. Ylvisakeb, a native of Norway, was born on the 10th of November, 1858. His father was a minister and came to America, locating at Red Wing, Minnesota, in 1868. He died in 1877, at the age of forty-four years, Johan attended the Norwegian College in Decorah, Iowa, for six and a half years, graduating in the summer of 1877, and then entered the Concordia Theological Seminary at St. Louis, from which he graduated three years later. He returned to his home and in March,1881, came to Bancroft; was ordained on the last day of the same month, Eev. Bishop Koren performing the ceremony. He assists the Eev. E. Hulfsbury, having charge of the Norwegian Lutharian Congregation in this place.