Freeborn County, Minnesota - Chapter 59: Descriptive First Settlement Necrology -, 1882

Schools Biographical

This town, with a name identical with that of the county, occupies one of the four most prominent planes - the northwestern corner. Its immediate surroundings are, Waseca county on the north; Faribault county on the west; Carlston township on the south, and Hartland on the east. It is constituted, as are all the towni^hips iu this county, of a full congressional townshijJ, containing 23,040 acres, known in legal parlance as Township 104, Range 23.

Freeborn is principally a prairie town, not so much inclined to be rolling as most of the towns, but level, and in places marshy. The lakes are surrounded by a small growth of the shrubby varieties of timber, which is all in the northwestern and southeastern parts of the town. The soil is a dark and sandy loam, with a sub-soil of clay and gravel, and almost the entire area is well adapted to agricultural purposes, and has a large cultivated acreage, yielding good crops of the cereals and other products of the latitude; and in the low lands hay is a most valuable crop. Fruit culture is more of less successful, although, as

The soil and climate is remarkably well adapted to the cultivation of Amber cane, and considerable attention has been paid to this crop, several mills being now in active operation. This industry, being new to most of the settlers, but gradually receives attention, but this very fact ensures its permanency, and with the large and ever increasing demaud for -'sweetening" this must in time take its place in the front rank of crops raised here.

The township is well watered by numerous lakes and streams, which diversify the scenery and help make the land valuable for agricultural purposes. First in order should be mentioned the lake bearing the name of Freeborn, which extends f ro n Carlston township, in which a greater part of the lake lies, northward, and covers a few acres of laud in section thirty -five, just south of the village of Freeborn. Lake George lies about one mile to the north, iu sections twenty -six and twenty - seven. Still further north, iu sections eleven and fourteen, is located another small body of water, known as Spioer Lake. Trenton Lake covers quitj an ari^a in s.>ctioas two and three, and extends northward into Waseca county. Another body of water known as Prairie Lake, is located in the extreme southwestern part of the town.

Two rivers known as the Big and Little Cobb Rivers, traverse the town from tlie soiitlieast to tlie northwest, almost parallel, within about two miles of each other, and enter Faribault eounty.

The population of the town is mostly American, with a scattering of foreign element, less in number than almost any town in Freeborn county.

Eaklt Settlement

There is a preponderance of testimony that the first settlers in this township were T. K. Page and William Montgomery, who came from Dodge county, Wisconsin, and in July, 1856, located in section twenty-six and commenced improvements; the former erecting the first house, of logs. They remained several years, when they returned to their former homes.

About the_ same time, or possibly a little later in 185(5, the next settlers, John W. Ayers and E. S. Dunn, made their appearance and secured farms in the northern part of the township, in sections two, three, and four. Mr. Ayers still resides upon his place, in prosperous circumstances, and Mr. Dunn remained upon his until 1857, when he removed to the southern part of the town, and in June took 320 acres of land in sections thirtyfour and thirtv-flve, under the provisions of the law allowing it for town site purposes. He lived here until within the last year, when he removed to Missouri.

A little later in 1856, came Charles Giddings, Parker Page, and L. T. Scott, from Dodge county, Wisconsin, who all settled upon sections twentyfive and twenty-six. Mr. Giddings remained about six years, when he removed to Faribault, and from there to Blooming Prairie, Steele county, where he now lives. Mr. Page remained about eight years, when he went to his present home in Saline county, Nebraska, via Wisconsin. Mr. Scott still lives in the township, and is one of the most successful, as well as most prominent men. This party came with ox teams, bringing also a few cows.

Early in the summer of 1856, H. T. Sims and D. C. Davis had made their way into the town and secured homes. Sims located upon a tract of land in section ten, and lived there for a number of years; finally, in 1881, he quietly passed away, in the city of Albert Lea. Davis located upon a place in section two, which he improved and occupied for a time, and then removed to Waseca county.

October of 1856 witnessed the ingress of .John Bostwick and William Purdie, from La Crosse county, Wisconsin, who took claims and settled to pioneer life. But two weeks of it, however, seemed to be sufficient, as they sold their provisions to the other settlers and left in disgust, for Wisconsin.

These are about all the pioneer.'^ who arrived and wintered this year. A few others had come, but they were merely transient, who staked a cldiim, now and then, and moved on to find their ideal spot elsewhere. The winter following, 1856-57, was very severe, and the settlers, not having had sufficient time to prepare for it, even had they imagined what they should have to pass through, necessarily fared badly. They were obliged to haul their provisions on hand sleds from Wilton, eighteen miles distant, through the deep snow and piercing cold, many of them not more than half clad, and slim shelter when the , trip was over.

The year, or spring and summer following, witnessed many accessions to the meagerly settled township, and the greater part of the government land was claimed and settled by actual residents.

The winter of 1857-58 was not so severe as the preceding one, and the residents fared very well. Mr. L. T. Scott, on one occasion, about this time, made a trip to St. Nicholas, where he purchased a sack of flour for $5, of the hotel keeper. This season there had been no crops raised, and settlers depended mainly upon people coming in for sup plies.

The Honoked Dead

Ezra Stearns. - A settler who came in 1861, and converted a wild waste prairie into a blooming, cultivated, and prolific farm. He was injured two years before his death, which was on the 7th of February, 1879, at the age of 79 years. Mr. Stearns was from the old New England .stock, his ancestors having come to Boston on the ship Arbella, with Gov. Winthrop, in 1630.

Squire Donn, on the 7th of September, 1874, at the mellow age of 80, was at last confronted by by the grim messenger that had already visited almost the last one of his early companions. Claiming New Jersey for his nativity, at an early day he went to Albany, New York, and in 1841, to Wisconsin, and to Minnesota in 1854, making the first halt in Faribault, Kice county, and when this county was opened up came here. He had

Nathan McQinney was boni iu Willistin), Vermont, in 1820. and lived in the Green Moniitain State until tlie year IH.'iO, and then pushed on vteai as far as Dane county, Wisconsin. There he engaged in farming up to the year 1860, when be came to Minnesota and secured a place in Freeborn, but after a time took up his residence in the village and went into business, at one time with O. S. Gilmore. He was a kindhearted man, much respected. His last removal was from his earthly tenement on the 19th of April, lH7il.

Mrs Gh.\blotte Gowakd was born in Easton, Bristol county, Massachusetts, and was a daughter of William and Keziah Dean, who was married to Jason (ioward in 1849, and has lived here since 1859. She was highly esteemed and was a woman of fine qualities, a devoted wife and mother, and a sincere friend. .\ very large concourse of people expressed their devotion l)y following her remains to their last resting place.

H. T. Sims was called hence on the 26th of February, 1881, at the age of 09. He was born in Salom county. New York, and lived forty-two years iu that State. Iu 1854, he came west and stopped two years in Wisconsin, and then, in 1856, come over the Mississippi and located in the northern part of Freel)orn township. After living there si.xteen years he went to Itasca, and for a year or two lived in Albert Lea with his daughter, Mrs. Batcholder. At 30 years of age he was married to Miss Anna B. Moore. Thoy had three children, two of whom are still living. He was noted for his purity of character, faithfulness to his engagements, and the generosity of his impulses. His house, in early days, was headquarters for ministers for preaching and religious services.

It is claimed that the first birth in the township occurred on the 12th of February, 1857, and ushered into the light of this world, George, a son of Mr. and Mrs. L. T. Scott.

Early in the spring of the same year the grim and sorrow laden messenger of death lowered itself in the midst of sparsely settled Freeborn and carried away its first victim in the person of George C. Snyder.

FiiERBoiiN Okanoe No. 206. - The organization of this society took place in the latter part of May, 1874, at the schoolhouse in the village of Free-- born by Deputy F A. Elder, of the State Grange, with twenty -eight charter members. The officers were as foil . Master, S. S. Challis; Lecturer, E. D. Uodgers, '^.erseer, L. T. Sjott; Treasurer, P. M. Coon; Secretary. Ole. O. Simonsen; Chaplain, S. P. Purdie; Steward, J. Goward; Assistant Steward, D. A. Sooville; Gate Keeper, John A. Scoville; Lady Assistant Steward, Serena M. Cram: Flora, Caroline Scheen; Ceres, .\manda C. Purdie; and Pomona, Maggie A. Scoville. The (irange met once in two weeks in the schoolhouse until March, 1881, when it consolidated with the Carlstou Grange, which is still in existence.

TuENTON PosT-oFEK'E. - This office was established as early as 1858 and still continues, supplying quite an area with mail. .lohn W. Avers was the first and is the present Postmaster, with the office at his house in section three, near Trenton Lake, in the northern part of the township. The mail arrives once each week from Alden, by way of Freeborn.

CoNiiUEii.ATioNAL Chubch - This edifice was erected in 1879, by the Baptist society, at a cost of $1,000, its size being about 26x40 feet. In 1880 the building was purchased by the Congregationalists, who now own it, and moved to its present location, about eighty rods east of the old site. The first pastor here was the Rev. Mr. Luce, the present is Rev. Wilbur Fisk.

Methodist Episcopal Chuuch. - This building was erected iu 1878, at a cost of $1,000, its size being 24x36 feet. The first pastor was the Rev. S. B.Smith.

FitEEMoUN (Jembtery As.sofHTioN - Wss Originally organizeil in .lime, 1872, when the grounds were laid out containing six acres, ju.st north of the village of Freeborn, in section thirty-five, the land being donated to the project by L. G. Pierce; it is well adapted by nature for a "last resting place," and the natural beauty has been enhanced bj ini])rovements, tencmg, etc. The first buried here was of the remains of Mrs. E. S. Dunn, in 1858, some twelve years prior to the organization of the association.

There is also a cemetery located in* the uovthern part of the town, in section eleven; which was net apart for burial purposes in 18(l'2. The first person burieJ here was Norman Olin, and since the advent of his remains, a number, who have yielded to the irn«iHt!il)le call ol' death, have found their last eartlily abode by his side, while many gleaming monuments rear their heads in perpetuation of the memory and virtues of the departed ones.

Historical Sketch

As a matter alike interesting to all who are at all concerned in what has, or is to be said of their home, we herewith present a short historical sketch of the townsliip, |)rej)ared by 1). O. I'ark(!r, President of tlie old settlers' Association, and reatl by him at their annual re-iiiiion in the spring of 1877. It is only proper to state that the matter was obtained by correspondence, and it is not ini|iri)b:ible that errors have crcjjtin. The sketch is pul)lislied in tlie county papers as follows:

"FuEEBOiiN was settled by T. K. Page and William Montgomery, in .July, 1850. The former built a house oi logs and opened a farm. The same season, being in advance of any other, Clark and West opened a small store in the winter of 1857-8, in the village, but left in the following spring. E. D. Rogers, a blacksmith, was the first mechanic. J. li. (Jiddings was tlie first lawyer, and located in 1860. In 1861 J. K. Moore olfered his services as the first doctor. The first school was taught at the village in'Scpiire Dunn's log liouse by Miss Emeliue Allen, in the summer of 1857. The fir.st schoolliouse was l)uilt by district No. 13, in the fall of 1858. In the same year L. T. Scottopi^ned tlio ball-room of his hotel to Rev. Isa.'ic Ling for the first religious service. In 1859 tlio Metlioilists perfected tlie fir.s i \""\\ oiganization, and in 1867 the Baptists bunt I ' .irst house of worship. The first title to land, according to the land office abstracts, wasacipiinnl by Nelson Everest, on section twenty-two, as early as the 9th of .January, 1855, but as this was eighteen mouths before there was any settlement, it is believed to be an error of record. John Wood and lOmeline Allen were the first ])artic's ma-rricd, and the ceremony was performed by E. H. Dunn, Esq., in 1858. The first child born was George F. Soott, February 14th, 1857. The first death was that of Emily Dunn, in the fall of 1858. L. T. Scott opened the lirst hotel and was the first Postmaster,

The township of Freeborn came into existence as an official subdivision of the county, at a meeting hold for the purpose of organization at the house of E. S. Dunn on the lltli of May, 1858. The meeting came to order and Charles D. Giddings was chosen moderator, and John Wood, clerk. After the usual preliminaries the polls were declared open for the election of officers for the ensuing year, which election resulted as follows: Supervisors, Charles D. Giddings, Chairman, E. D. Rogers, and .John W. Ayers; Clerk, John Wood; Assessor, Thomas \V. Purdio; Collector, John B. Purdie; Overseer of the poor, Joseph S. liickard; Constables, John B. Purdie, and S. B. McGuire; Justices of the Peace, Edward Dunn and Henry Olin.

Public matters have progressed (piiotly and without interuption, the voters having been sufficiently careful to keep good, honest, and capable officers at the helm of the town afi'airs, and therefore th( ro has been no iisel(«s waste of public mon(^y, or extravagance.

In 1865, during the rebellion, a special town meeting was help at which the sum of $1,800 was voted to pay men who should volunteer to enlist in the service and fill the quota assigned the town, the amount to be issued in bonds as directed by a committee for the purpose.

At the twenty-fourth annual town meeting, held in the spring of 1882, the following officers were elected, and are now in charge of tlie public business:' Supervisors, L. T. Scott, Chairman, J. W. Ayers, and H. Stcnsrud; Clerk, J. Goward; Treasurer, O. S. Gilmor(!; Justices of the Peace, Geo. Miller and H. S. Olin; Assessor, J. B. Purdie; Constables, A. Andrews and C. Ayers.

It will be observed that some of the present officers were members of the first board elected in the town, at the meeting on the lltb of May, 1858.

Statistics

Fob the year 1882. - It being two early in the season, at this writing, to procure the returns of threshing, we can only give the acreage sown this year in Freeborn :

Population. - The census of 1870 gave Freeborn a population of 362. The last census, taken in 1880, reports 480 for tliis town; showing an increase of 118.

Feeeborn Village

This is the only village in the township, and may be said to be the only one in this portion of the county; and, although as yet not large, it may, at almost any time, get a railroad which will connect it with the outer worUl, and commence an expansion which will bring it into prominent notice, as it has an excellent location for a village, and is

STirrounded by some of tlie most productive farming lands in the county. It is located in the southeastern part of the town, in sections thirty-four and thirty-five, on the north bank of Freeborn Lake.

The land upon which the village stands was claimed for town site purposes in June, 1857, by E. S. Dunn, who had arrived in the township the year previous and located in the northern part, and the village was platted the same year.

It is claimed that the first store was started in the winter of 1857-58, by Clark & West, and in the spring following were succeeded by Jason Goward, who may be said to have opened the first substantial store, as he put in a fair stock of general merchandise, which he continued to manage for about ten years. In 1861, another store was , opened, by the Southwick Brothers, which is still in active operation.

Freeborn Post-Office. - This office was originally established in 1857, with L. T. Scott as Postmaster, on the site of the village of Freeborn. In 1858, ]\Ir. J. Goward was commissiooed Postmaster, and the mail was received once each week, i-iii the Mankato and Otronto, Iowa, mail route, Henry Lacy being the mail carrier. In 1867 J. Goward resigned and David Southwick received the appointment, holding the same for about three years, when A. Munn took the mail pouch keys and continued in the capacity of Postmaster until the year 1876 rolled arounil, when he relieved the usual monotony of affairs by committing suicide. His principal bondsman, J. Goward, took charge of the office, and removed it to the store of T. A. Southwick, who received the appointment of deputy, and in a few weeks was made Postmaster, which position he still occupies. Mail arrives daily from Aldeu, and supplies the Trenton Postoffice with mail matter.

At the present writing a i-esiime of what the village contains, would read something like this: - two general stores by M. A. Southwick and O. S. Gillmore; a black-smith shop by D. A. Scoville; a wagon repair shop, by J. H. Clarke; broom factory by L. T. Scott; shoemaking shop by A. Andrews. And a population, it is said, of about one hundred.

Medi0Ms Of Education

The territory of Freeborn is divided, for educational purposes, into five school districts, with numbers and locations of houses as follows; No.

11, with schoolhouse in section four; No. 12, in section twenty-three; No. 13, in Freeborn village;. No. 98, in section one; No. 101, in section twentyeight. The districts are all in good condition, and under careful management, having good buildings and moderate attendance. A short sketch of the various districts is herewith presented :

DisTBiCT No. 11. - Effected the first organization in the township in 1857, and school was first held in a house 12x14, in section three, taught by Miss Normand Olin, to an attendance of about twelve scholars. In 1860 a schoolhouse was constructed in section three, size 20x24 feet, at a cost of S350, And in this school is still held, although in 1874 it was removed^to the'eastern part of section four, remodeled 'and partly rebuilt at a cost of .S400.

District No. 12. - It is claimed that this educational subdivision did not arrive to the dignity of an organization until 1865, and^soon afterward a building was purchased for -'f50 to be used for school purposes. The first school was taught by Miss Minnie Caswell with an attendance of twelve pupils. In 1870, the school edifice now in use was constructed at a cost of about S400, size 16x20 feet. The last term of school was instructed by Miss Nellie Scott, there being an attendance of twenty-eight pupils. The schoolhouse is located in the northeastern corner of section twentythree.

DiSTBiCT No. 13. - This is the district embracing the village of Freeborn and immediately surrounding country. The organization was effected in 1858, and the first term of school was held at the private residence of E.]^S. Dunn, on the site of the present village, shortly afterward being taught by Mr. Joel Southwick, with an attendance of ten scholars. The school was held in private houses for about two years when a little shanty twelve feet square was erected, costing about $20, and three years later another school building was substituted, size 20x30 feet, at a cost]jof $700. In 1876, the latter structure was dispensed with and the present neat and commodious schoolhouse was buUt at a cost of .SI, 500, size 30x40 feet, two stories high, and the finest schoolhouse in the township. The district has lately been organized into a graded school, employing two teachers, and is one of the most effectual educational mediums in the county. George Latin was the last principal, and the average attendance amounted to about sixty.

District No. 98. - Effected an organization in 1872. The first school was taught by Mrs. Mattie B. Frisby in the residence of R. D. Burdick in section one, with an attendance of twelve pupils. In 1873, the schoolhouse was erected in the southwestern part of section one, size 16x24 feet, at a cost of $350. The last term was taught by Miss Ellen Roland.

District No. 101. - This district effected an organization in the spring of 1876, and the same year erected their schoolhouse in section twenty eight, size 18x22 feet, at a cost of .f450. The first teacher was Miss Emily Blighton, with an attendance of ten scholars. The last teacher was Miss Abby Chase, to an attendance of nine.

BnssELii D. Bdrmck was born in New York on the 27th of January, 1830. He attended the common schools near his home, and afterward an academy in Madison county. In 1855, he came West to Dane county, Wisconsin, and two years later married Miss Luransa Champlin, also a native of New York. They have had four children, one of whom died on the 4th of May, 1876. In 1865, Mr. Burdick brought his family to this place and has since made it his home, his farm being located in section one of this township. He was one of the organizers of his school district and has since been one of its officers. In religious belief he is a Seventh Day Baptist.

Alfred Obandall is a native of Rhode Island, born on the 14th of April, 1814. When an infant ht removed with his parents to a farm in Madison county. New York, and at the early age of twelve years left home and began working for his own support. When twenty-two years of age he moved to Massachusetts and found employment in wagon shops. In 1840, he married Miss Almira Day, a native of New York. They came to Dane county, Wisconsin, in 1846, and to this place in 1863. For ten years Mr. Craudall had charge of different mail routes from Freeborn, going to Geneva, to Owatonna, to Albert Lea, and from the latter place to Waseca. He is one of the old and respected citizens, and has been instrumental in the organization and growth of the place. His farm contains two hundred acres. Mr. and Mrs. Crandall have a family of eleven children.

New York, on the 2a of November. 1833. When thirteen years old he cnme with his parents to Dane county, Wisconiin, where tliey lived on a farm. He was married in 1858, to Miss Alma RioUmond, and they liave a family of seven children. At the outbreak of the war Mr. Drake enlisted in the Seventh Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Company C; in March, 1862, joined the Array of the Potomac under General Grant, and took part in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Shiloh, and several other important ones. He was honorably discharged in 1864, and returned to his home in Wisconsin. In 1867, he came to this township and bought a farm of two hundred and eighty acres, to which he has since added, and it is now well improved. He is the father of seven children.

Charles H. Derby, another native of the Empire State, was born in Otsego county on the 7th of October, 1832. When ten years old he removed with his parents to Pennsylvania, where they resided until 1854, then came to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, but the same year went to Virginia. In the latter year Mr. Derby was united in wedlock with Miss Harriet E. St. John, a native of New York. They have been blessed with three children. In 1857, he returned with his wife to Wisconsin, and soon after moved to St. Paul. He has been a prominent resident of this place since 1863, owning a well cultivated farm of two hundred and forty acres.

Stephen Poller, one of the pioneers of this place, is a native of Orange county, Vermont, born on the 2d of May, 1828. He attended the common schools in Vershire, his native town, completing his education at the Thetford Academy, and afterwanl taught school for several years in Vermont and New Hampshire. In 1852 he married Miss Lnvia M. Carpenter, also a native of that State, by whom he had three children. They came west in 1859, and located a farm in sections fourteen and twenty-three, where Mr. Fuller has since devoted his time. His wife died in 1861, and he has since married Miss Elizabeth M. Aughenbaugh, of Freeborn. They have a family of four children.

Samuel J. Fuller was also born in Vershire, Orange county, Vermont, his birth dating the 15th of July, 1834. He assisted his father on the farm until twenty years old when he entered the academy known as the New London Literary and

Scientific Institution, at New Loudon, New Hampshire, where he took a scientific course, learning the theory of surveying and civil engineering, which, however, he never practiced. In the fall of 1856, he emigrated to Keokuk, Iowa; the winter following taught school in the old Mormon town of Nauvoo, Illinois. The following s])ring he became one of the pioneers of Freeborn, and staked out a claim in sections twenty-three and twenty-four which has since been his home, dividing his attention between farming and school teaching. He was married in 1865, to Miss Sarah A. Turner, a native of New York, and they have been blessed with two children, both boys. Mr. Puller served three years in the army. He has been a member of the board of Supervisors several terms and Clerk of his school district for the past twelve years.

Rev. Wilbur Fisk was born in Sharon, Windsor county, Vermont, on the 7th of June, 1839. He is the son of a farmer and arrived at manhood in his native place. In 1861, he enlisted for three years in the Second Regiment Vermont Volunteer Infantry, Company E; went South, joined the army of the Potomac, and re-enlisted as a veteran before his first term had expired; was in active service with that army till the close of the war. In July, 1865, he received an honorable discharge, having served nearly four years, including six months oil' duty on acc(.)unt of sickness. He was married to Miss Angelina S. Drew, of Tuubridge, Vermont, and in September, 1865, they removed to a farm he had purchased in Kansas. Mr. Fisk was here led to commence ministerial laliors in his own and contiguous neighborhoods. In 1875, he received an invitation to come to this place and devote his whole time to the work of the ministry, which call he accepted. He was ordained and installed pastor of the Congregational Church of Freeborn on the 13th of June, 1876. His labor is under the auspices of the American Home Missionary Society of the Congregational denomination, and his held includes, with Freeborn, places in Hartland, New Richland, and Lemond. He has four cliildren living and one buried in Kansas.

Orvtlle S. Gilmoue was born in Ripton, Addison county, Vermont, on the 17th of February, 1844. He resided at home until the age of eighteen years, then enlisted in the army and served six months. In the fall of 1865, he came to Dane county, Wisconsin, from whence he soon after came to Freeborn county, and located in Freeborn township. In 1871, he came to the village of Freeborn, and for two years clerked in the store of T. A. Southwick, then bought out the business of A. A. Munn, deceased, and has since conducted it, having a good trade. On the 29th of September, 1874, IMr. Gilmore was married to Miss Jennie E. Leonard, and they have three children. He has held several local offices and is now Treasurer of the town and also of the school district in which he resides. He is a member of the M. E. Church. His father was born in Bristol, Vermont, in 1802, and now resides with him.

Jason Gowahd was born in Croydon, New Hampshire, on the 19th of November, 1820, and lived with and worked for his father on his farms until arriving at the age of twenty -one. He then began for himself, working at different occupations for two years; then went south to Acton, Massachusetts, where he engaged to carry on "a sash and blind factory, buying the same after three years. In 1849, he married Miss Charlos Dean, who bore him five children. In 18.52, he sold out his business in the latter place and made a trip to California where he aengaged in raining two and a half years. He experienced all kinds of luck, at some times being worth several thousand dollars and at other times several hundred worse than nothing, the latter being occasioned by a protracted illness. On his return to his native State, he located on a farm which he purchased previous to going west. In September, 1857, he sold his lands and the following spring came to this section of the country. After a two weeks sojourn at McGregor, Iowa, he started for the northern part of that State and southern Minnesota and while at Brownsdale in Mower county, he made the acquaintance of a Mr. Bigelow and his son-in-law, in company with whom he bought a yoke of oxen and wagon, supplied themselves well with provisions and started west with high hopes of future success. They drove to Freeborn, a distance of thirty miles, in four days, and Blr. Goward staked out a claim in section twenty-five. ' He immediately erected a small frame dwelling ! and then returned for his family. In July, 1858, he opened a store which he carried on for ten years, during all of which time he was Postmaster. He now owns about eight hundred acres of farming land in the county and is also interested in the coal and gypsum mines. He was one of the leading men in the organization of the first schools in this place, and has held nearly all the local offices, having for the past eight years tilled the office of Town Clerk. Many of the old settlers remember Mr. and Mrs. Goward (the latter of whom is lying in the Freeborn cemetery, having died on the 29th of March, 1882j with gratitude for the aid rendered by them during hard times in 1859.

John G. Haebison was born in Derbyshire, England, on the 18th of March, 1827. When he was an infant his parents moved to Liverpool and in 1837 came to America and located in Canada West, Durham county, where they were pioneers. They returned to England in 1840, remained four years and then came to this country, settling in Dane county, Wisconsin. In 1851, Mr. Harrison was joined in marriage with Miss Mary J. Pierce and they have six children. He became one of the pioneers of this place in 1857, having been to the State two years pi-evious residing one of the years in Iowa. Immediately after coming here he staked out a claim in section twehe, which has since been his home.

Nels Hanson, a native of Denmark, was born on the 11th of January, 1845. When twenty-two years old he joined the army and served eighteen months, receiving at the end of time, an honorable discharge. In 1870, he came to America and located in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was engaged in the blacksmith trade for about ten years. He was married in 1874, to Miss Christina Hanson, also a native of Denmark. The result of the union is two children. They came to this place in 1880, and own a farm in section twentysix.

James Hansen, one of the first Danish settlers of this place, dates his birth the 7th of January, 1837. At the age of nineteen years he came to America and resided in Wisconsin until 1862, when he enlisted in the Eighth United States Infantry, Company D, and served three years. He then returned to Wisconsin, and in 1867, came to Minnesota and bought a farm in this township, remaining three years. He returned to Wisconsin and Miss Augusta Dorn, a native of Germany, since which time his farm has been their home. They have a family of five children.

majority in his native country, and in 1849. married Isabelle Johnson and the issue of the union is eleven children. They emigratad to America in 1861, and first settled in Dane county, Wisconsin, where he carried on a farm for ten years. In 1871, he moved to Minnesota and has since been one of the respected and industrious farmers of this place.

Henry S. Olin, one of the early settlers of Freeborn, was Ijoru in Chenango county, New York, on the 12th of July, 1829. When but twelve years of age he began to learn the carpenter and joiner's trade which he followed in bis early life. In 1852, he moved to Illinois, and in November, 1856, to Wisconsin, in both of which places he worked at his trade. He was joined in marriage in 1856, with Miss Annie P. Crandall, who was born in Madison county. New York. They have a family of three children. Mr. Olin came to this place in 1857, 9nd has a good farm of two hundred and sixty acres. He has been Justice of the Peace and held other town and school offices since his residence here.

Thomah W. PiRDiE, a native of Scotland, was born near (rlasgow, on the 3d of September, 1828. When he was five years old his parents moved to America and settled in St. Lawrence county. New York, where he reached his majority. In 1848 he came to Wisconsin, and in 1857 to Mianesota, taking a claim in section twenty-five, Freeborn township. He was married in 1860 to Miss Tilley L. Crandall, a native of New York. Mr. Purdie was one of the first County Commissioners, first Town Clerk, and in 1859, and again in 1877, was elected to the State Legislature. He is the father of four children.

John B. Pi'Rdie was also born near Glasgow, Scotland, his birth dating the 24th of March, 1830. He came with his parents to America, resided in St. Lawrence county, New York, and afterward in Wisconsin where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1855 he made a trip to Kansas, remained a short time, and returned to Wisconsin and two years later came to Minneesota, locating a claim in section twenty-five, in this township. He was married in 1865 to Miss Amanda C. Augtrendaveli, a native of Pennsylvania. The issue of the union jis one child. Mr. Purdie was the first constable of this place ami has filled other offices of trust.

])arents moved to Michigan, and three years later to Dane county, Wisconsin, where they were engaged in farming. They came to Freeborn township in 1862, where Noyes was engaged with his father on a farm until he became of age, then returned to Wisconsin and entered Albion Academy, from which he graduated in 1869, and afterward taught in the institution. He returned to this place in 1871, and has since taught twenty terms of school, at the same time carrying on his farm, which is in section one. In 1874, Miss Emma Benjamin, of Newport, Vermont, became his wife. She has borne him two children; Gertie Maud and Edith May.

John A. Sihoen, an early resident of this place is a native of Gei-many, born on the 2d of January, 1829. He came to America in 1852, and for five years lived in New York City, marrying, in 1856, Miss ("aroline Herold, a native of Switzerland. In 1857, they came to Minnesota, and took a claim in this township but after two years returned to New York. He subsequently resided in Wisconsin, and in 1865 enhsted in the army, went south and joined the army of the Potomac, receiving an honorable discharge after a service of six months. Mr. Sohoen always takes an active part in school and local matters. He is the father of five children.

George Seath, one of the old citizens, is a native of Scotland, and dates bis birth the 15th of October, 1833. When he was quite young he came with his |)arents to America, and for one year lived in New York City. The family then moved to Delaware county, and on the 9th of February, 1858, George married Miss Phtebe Larribee. He came to this township in 1861, taking a claim in section twenty-seven, which has since been his home. Mr. and Mrs. Seath have five children.

Frietz Tack was born in northern Prussia, on the 15th of April, 1849, and arrived at manhood's estate in his native country. He was joined in wedlock, in 1867, with Miss Mary Shodenberg. The issue of the marriage is two children. In 1869, Mr. Tack emigrated with his family to America and was a resident of Milwaukee eleven years, engaged in the lumber business. In 1882 he came to this place, where he resides with his widowed mother, his father having ilied a year previous to their coming. They have a good home, the farm being located in section twenty-six and is well cultivated.