Goodhue County, Minnesota - The whole text, 1878 (part 9 of 16)

The town was surveyed and platted as now recorded, by J. Knauer, during the same summer. A partial survey had been made the year before, a few stakes had been driven ; but the whole plan was changed by Mr. Knauer.

Some farming was done this season. Wheat, oats, corn, potatoes and ruta-bagas, were grown within the limits of the present city. Probably the first wheat raised in Minnesota south of the Minnesota river was raised here at that time.

In the last of April, 1853, just before the Dakotas were accustomed to return from their winter wanderings to re-occupy their bark lodges, an event occurred which, more than anything else, served to emancipate the place from a savage to a civilized village.

The day was serene and cloudless. The sun had reached the meridian. The noise of the busy carpenters had ceased. That death-like stillness which forebodes the coming earthquake seemed everywhere to prevail. All at once the cry of fire was heard. It was no false alarm. Flame and smoke were seen to roll up at that instant from the roof of every Indian wigwam. No engine, no water, no - nobody to put out the fire. In less than an hour, every bark house had disappeared. This was the most extensive fire that ever occurred in Red Wing. Supposed to have been the work of incendiaries; but the perpetrators of the deed were never discovered and brought to justice. We can imagine the feelings of the poor Indians, who came on in a few days, to witness the changes that had taken place at their old home. They doubtless began to realize that they had sold their country.

Another event worthy of record this year was the first social Christmas dinner. It was a good time. Everybody was invited, and everybody was there. This gathering took place at the house now occupied by T. B. Sheldon, Esq., then the residence of William Freeborn. The house was well filled. The company all that could be desired. This was the first and last time, when the whole people of Red Wing met together and took dinner under the same roof - when they were all with one accord in one place.

Among the incidents of 1853 was the following: A number of Indian families were encamped in the vicinity of Red Wing, a few miles up the river, on the Minnesota side. A man named Hawley had a whisky shanty on the Wisconsin side, just above the site of the present village of Trenton. Some trouble occurred between Hawley and Ta-sha-ka (Deer Hoof,) in which Ta-sha ka received a fatal stab with a knife. Word was brought to the few settlers at Red Wing that Hawley had killed an Indian, and the settlers were seriously alarmed, for it had been the boast of Red Wing's people that none of that band had ever killed a white person, consequently, if Hawley had killed one of their number, it was naturally expected the " true inwardness'" of the Indian character would assert itself and seek retaliation in vengeance on the whites. Some of the settlers went up to the Indian encampment and assured them that Hawley should be punished as he deserved, and they were satisfied, and manifested no desire to wreak vengeance on the innocent settlers. Hawley fled from his shanty and was never afterwards seen in the country. A report subsequently came back that he had been shot and killed by an Iowa sheriff.

The spring of 1854, continues Mr. Hancock, brought a large number of immigrants. Many came to take up land and become permanent residents at Red Wing and vicinity. The county of Goodhue had been organized the winter previous by the Territorial Legislature, and Red Wing designated as the county seat.

Among the business houses opened this year was Mrs. Allen's boarding house, afterward called the American House, J. C. Weatherby's dry goods and grocery store, E. P. Lowater's shoe store, and Hoyt & Smith's warehouse, on the corner of Levee and Broad streets.

The prevalence of the cholera on the river during the summer months retarded the growth of the town very materially this season. Persons were frequently landed here from boats, who were infected and died soon after. Five deaths occurred in one week from this disease.

The Indians had been formally removed by the government in the fall of 1853 to their reservation, but many stragglers came back again and encamped near the place during the following season. So much attached to their old home, and so dear to them were the graves of their dead, this was not at all surprising. No danger was apprehended by those who were well acquainted with them, but some of the new comers were not without their fears. It would have been very easy for the Indians to have taken the place by surprise, and murdered all the inhabitants in a single night, at that time, had they been so disposed. The distance between Red Wing and their new home was not great. Very few white settlements then intervened. The Indians were fully acquainted with the country, and greatly dissatisfied with the change they had been compelled to make. But their patience was not quite exhausted, and the settlers were not molested. One man was badly scared, however. Awakened suddenly in the night by a hideous noise, he thought the Indians had certainly come, and that the work of death was going on at his neighbors' houses, and that all was lost, he determined to sell his life as dearly as possible. Snatching his revolver, which was ready loaded, he bounded into the street in his night dress, and rushing to a clump of bushes which stood between his house and the others he awaited the attack, hoping to kill at least three or four Indians before they should kill him. An interval occurred in the noise, revealing the sound of familiar voices among those who were imitating the savage war whoop, and he was convinced of his mistake. It was only a party of the boys paying their respects to a newly married couple.

The winter of 1854-5 was mild for this latitude, and the usual intellectual and social enjoyments of the season were passed with all the pleasures incident to such scenes. As spring approached there began to be a sense of want. The first boat of the season was never more anxiously waited for than at this time. With a large majority of the inhabitants of Red Wing this was their first year in Minnesota. Not knowing how much better appetites were enjoyed here than anywhere else in the United States, the supply of meat and bread fell short. Money was plenty enough, but pork and flour could not be bought for love or money. No one was in danger of starvation, for fish were plenty and easily taken, and as soon as the ice began to melt, ducks came to the rescue ; but still the settlers craved a change of meat, and wanted more bread. The old settlers remember how the proprietor of the Red Wing House was put to his trumps to provide tor his voracious guests. He took his pail and went to this and that private family to borrow a little flour, promising to return it as soon as the boats came. At last the long wished and waited for boat arrived. Messrs. Jackson & Enz brought up a stock of groceries and provisions. A hogshead of hams and shoulders and eleven barrels of flour!! All these came on Friday evening, April 25th, and by the next Monday morning were all sold out. As soon as it was noised abroad that there was flour and smoked meat at Jackson & Enz's, people could be seen in rows following each other to and from their store, carrying hams, and pails or sacks for flour. Settlers on claims far out of town came in so late on Saturday that they were obliged to buy food on Sunday to take home to their families. No one family could have a whole barrel of flour or more than a single piece of meat. It must be divided. Thus the firm of Jackson & Enz started with great promise of success. They then occupied the building next door north of the Argus printing office.

The United States Land Office for the Red Wing Land District was opened here about the beginning of the year 1855; W. W.Phelps, register, and C. Graham, receiver. They first occupied the office of P. Sandford, Esq., and were kept very busy in filing the declaration of intention for pre-emptors, and "proving up," until the time of the first public sale.

The same year, some time in the summer, the Red Wing " Sentinel," the first weekly newspaper, made its appearance. It was a very creditable appearing sheet, published by Merritt & Hutchins. The printing was in a building on Main street which had been used as a carpenter's shop, and a house of religious worship, and afterwards "reconstructed" and used as a private residence.

The most remarkable event of this year was the advent of whisky. The town proprietors and nearly all the early settlers were professedly temperance men. Liquor selling was to be forever prohibited. But as in Job's time, so then. When a number of good people are gathered together, Satan makes his appearance. He came in the form of evil spirits to Red Wing, on the sly. Nobody suspected any danger. The building where the "Argus" is now published, had been erected by Jared Boughton, Esq., and was rented by a dry goods merchant named Parish. This store began to be a place of frequent resort by those who loved to talk. After a while it was told one of the unsuspecting citizens that this dry goods merchant kept hardware in his cellar. Means were instituted to find out what this hardware meant, which resulted in the finding of a barrel of the crathur already tapped. A pail of water and a glass stood in close proximity. No whisky was actually sold, but a "thirsty" individual could enter the "hardware department," leave his dime on the barrel-head, take a drink, wipe his mouth, and return with a " brick in his hat." How that barrel of whisky got into the cellar was a great mystery. The people became somewhat excited and an indignation meeting was called, which resulted in a fixed determination to drive the evil from the village at whatever cost. Mr. Hancock relates :

The advent of whisky as an article of trade caused great commotion. More than two years had passed since the town was laid out, and no spirituous liquors had been kept for sale. But this ubiquitous evil found its way here also. It crept like a snake - first in the cellar. As it first lifted its hydra head into the light of an upper story, it was dashed out of the window by an indignant hotel keeper. It appeared as if no one could tolerate its presence in open day. At last it succeeded in charming a few into the cellar where they were evidently bitten, as they returned with visages marred by the effects of poison in the blood.

This was soon noised abroad. A public meeting was called. Men of all trades, professions and creeds met together to express their indignation at the outrage. Long and powerful speeches were uttered ; some advised that summary measures be taken with the offenders. Others counseled more moderate proceedings, but all were unanimous in having the evil removed as soon as practicable.

The result of the meeting was that a committee of five were appointed to wait on the merchant who kept whisky under the name of hardware in his cellar, and inform him that the traffic in intoxicating drinks could not be allowed. This committee was instructed to do all in its power to dissuade the dealer from his unpopular and pernicious trade. The committee performed their duty by going in a body to his store, stating the purposes of their visit, and the authority under which they acted.

The man winced somewhat under the influence of popular feeling thus boldly expressed, and denied the charge of selling liquor to be drank on his premises, but would not promise to abandon the traffie at once. His great object of life was to make money as fast as possible, and like many others, he was ready to sacrifice almost everything else to attain his desire. The committee therefore failed to accomplish the object of the meeting.

measures should be adopted, it was proposed that a committee be appointed to raise money by voluntary subscription to purchase all the whisky on hand and destroy it, providing that no more should ever be landed or brought to the place for sale.

This proposition received a hearty and almost unanimous support. The paper was immediately circulated and $200 soon raised, that being the amount understood to be necessary. For some reason the measure was not fully carried out. The money which had been paid to the committee was refunded, and the excitement for a time subsided.

There was a lull in the storm. But like the war of the elements which sometimes intermits its warmth onty to increase its strength, the war against the whisky traffic was again renewed with augmented energy.

Red Wing had acquired a good reputation abroad for morals and sobriety. No town on the upper Mississippi had commenced with fairer prospects. It seemed a pity that this enviable position should be lost through inaction.

The friends of order and sobriety were called to meet in the hall over Smith, Hoyt & Oo's. store. This was the common hall for all public meetings at that time. A strong temperance organization was effected. The total abstinence pledge was taken, regular meetings appointed, and lecturers engaged for the time to come. All this was done with a special object in view, namely, to nip the growing evil in the bud. Besides the regular addresses on the subject of temperance in general, there were grave questions of policy discussed. Such as whether it was not the duty of the friends of order to " beard the lion in his den:" to go in a body and destroy all the whisky to be found in places where it had been stored for sale. It was suggested that the ladies might turn out and accomplish the work, if men could not. Some of these measures would doubtless have been adopted, had those who advised them been as ready to act as they were to speak.

There was a weighty lawyer here in those days, who threw his influence into the temperance scale. Mob law was not the best way in his opinion. There was already a strict prohibitory law. Whisky was contraband as an article of trade. All that was needed to conquer a lasting peace, and gain a complete victory for the temperance cause, was to put this law in force. At that time the county was under the jurisdiction of the United States law as a territory. The prohibitory law extended over all that portion of the territory lately occupied by the Indians. It was therein provided that any officer of the United States Government could destroy all the intoxicating liquors that he could find, brought for sale or otherwise to this forbidden ground.

This advice was taken, and two barrels of whisky, at least, and several marked vinegar (so reported,) were forced open by the ax, and their contents poured out to mingle with the waters of the Mississippi.

This was a triumph, but, alas for human laws and lawyers ! our prohibitory law had been repealed by the trickery of a St. Paul lawyer, who had been sent to the territorial legislature. In those days laws were made for special purposes, under other titles than belonged to them. The victory was, after all, on the side of the liquor dealers. They not only received damages from the friends of temperance, for losses sustained, but thenceforth began to sell openly the intoxicating draught.

It would be interesting to some at this day, to know why that first dry goods merchant who kept whisky on the sly, did not remain in Red Wing after the close of the struggle. All the reason that can be given is the following : At the close of an eloquent speech by a noted divine, this important, though somewhat mysterious advice, was given : That a hot stone he put in his nest. Perhaps that stone was too warm.

At the time of the events herein narrated, the foundations of Red Wing were well established. The village of a few hundred inhabitants grew in population year by year, until a city of thousands marks the favorite camping place of Hhoo-pa-hoo-doo-ta and his band of people. The old Indian cornfield and village plat is occupied with stately mansions, beautiful grounds, large business houses, and busy manufactories. The zigzagging Indian paths are blotted forever, and remain only in the memory of a few - J. W. Hancock, Dr. W. W. Sweeney, John Day, E. C. Stephens and a few of their surviving contemporaries of 1852-3 - of the times that tried the pluck and nerve of the pioneer settlers of the city of bluffs and church spires. Soon they will follow their fathers to the shores of the everlasting beyond.

The situation of the city is a charmingly romantic one. For beauty of location, pleasant surroundings and charming prospects from the various points of observation, Red Wing is remarkble. This accounts for its having long been the chosen dwelling place of the Indians, the sites of their villages always displaying a taste for the beautiful in nature. The many mounds that were seen within and around the townsite by the settlers of 1852-3-4, but obliterated many years since by the plow, gave evidence of the country having been inhabited by some tribe of the human race, long, long before Hhoo-pa-hoo-doo-ta and his band erected their lodges along the banks of "Jordan," and cultivated their " patches" of corn on the ground now overlooked by the local temple of human justice and various houses dedicated to the worship of the ever-living Jehovah. Here a band of the Dakotas had had their homes for full fifty years before the avarice of white men sought and claimed the land as the possession of civilization. Nestled down in a beautiful little valley, or rather in a series of connecting valleys, and encircled by a mighty river and mountainous bluffs, that rise hundreds of feet towards the clouds, the location is one to enlist the admiration of the most indifferent to beauty of scenery.

The grandest of these bluffs is La Grange, or Barn Bluff. It was named La Grange (The Barn) by the early French voyageurs, because of its fancied resemblance to a large barn.

From the summit of this bluff a grand prospect opens out before the visitor. Across the majestic river is the State of Wisconsin, with farms, herds, golden fields of grain, neat tasty residences, abodes of wealth comfort, contentment and happiness. Between the Mississippi and the Wisconsin bluffs a handsome lake spreads its waters over an expanse of several acres. Turning to the right and looking eastward and southward, the Father of Waters is lost in the silvery-shining Lake Pepin, whose beauty and grandeur can never be truthfully touched by poet pen or artist pencil. In the distance, where the pure waters of the lake dance " forward and back " to Wisconsin's shore, Maiden Rock, rendered immortal in song and story, lifts its summit as if to meet the clouds and catch the first drippings of heaven's dew or kiss Aurora's cheek as she unbars the gate of light. Turning still farther to the right, the eye reaches far out and takes in a range of hills, and valleys, and timber, and streams, that, reflected in summer's sun or winters snow, presents a scene that would have coquetted with the fancies of the old masters whose paintings have enlisted the enthusiastic admiration of art connoisseurs everywhere. Beneath, the valleys teem with life, with homes of happiness, culture and refinement; handsome houses and well-kept grounds, blooming with flowers that fill the air with perfume and richest incense; golden fields of ripening grain, the wealth and support of nations; busy husbandmen, smiling, contented matrons, gleeful, hopeful maidens, and laughing, joyous children as they trip along to or from the white school houses (America's sentinel posts) that dot the valleys or hillsides. Rivulets, creeks and rivers shimmer in the sunlight like ribbons of silver, and chassey along between the bluffs, one ripple chasing another over smoothly-worn gravel beds, or leaping over timeworn rocks, hurry on to kiss the hem of their great father and on to the gulf in the land of orange groves. Anon a church steeple points to the skies the home of God and the city of golden-paved streets. Here and there nestles a village with its stores, and shops, and mills and manufactories, and their busy sons and daughters of toil, whose strong arms and deft fingers fashion the useful and the beautiful, and add to the wealth of the country in which they dwell.

Tracing the distant horizon, the eye catches the rising, curling smoke as it is discharged from the throat of the ponderous steam-driven locomotive, that laughs at space and shortens time. By-and-by the ear receives the distant rumble of long trains of cars laden with merchandise, the product of the farm, the " fruit of the loom," the mill, the mine, the spices of Arabia, the tea-plant of China, the offerings of Brazil, or the cotton of the sunny South, or, may be, freighted with human souls, intent upon business or pleasure, but all infused with new life as they inhale the exhilarating atmosphere that rises only along the sources of the upper Mississippi. Nearer and nearer, louder and louder, come the rushing, roaring, rumbling trains, away down, down, down, so far below us that they seem as but a long strip of dark cloud driven before a huricane of wind, from the apex upon which the visitor stands. On, on they go, and are soon lost behind the curves of the great river whose course they follow towards Itasca - far up in the direction of the dominions of England's queen - or down towards the gulf where the Father of Waters is lost in the mighty ocean. Scarcely beyond the river curves, and the eye is relieved by the appearance of a steam floating-palace, gliding smoothly along on the peaceful bosom of the majestic river that unites the States of the American Union from the lakes to the sea, and divides them almost equally between the Atlantic on the east, where " the waves of ages" roll, and the goldensloped Pacific on the west.

What a grand picture, and yet the subject is scarcely touched. The pen is powerless and words are vain. It was the hand of a divine architect that unfolded this garden of beauty, that spread out these picturesque valleys, that fashioned the courses of the brooklets and streamlets and rivers; that hollowed out the basin of Lake Pepin, and supplied the never-failing fountains from which its depth of water is economized, and the unique range of mountain-like bluffs that hem them in like a cordon of forts are monuments to His superlative greatness and incomprehensible wisdom.

In the center of this prospect is the city of Red Wing with a population of seven thousand busy people, whose intelligence and wealth will bear favorable comparison with any city of equal population on the continent, and far surpass many others of greater pretensions. The several school buildings, with their accomplished and experienced teachers, and the numerous elegant church edifices, large congregations

This organization took place December 4, 1863, with a membership of fifty-seven. The first officers were W. S. Grow, president ; E. A. Sargeant, vice president ; J. A. Marvin, secretary, and William Featherstone, treasurer, and one director from each township. The first fair was held at Red Wing, in the fall of 1864. Fairs were held at that place each fall until 1870, when it was moved to Hader, where the receipts were $445.20. The following year they were $351.95.

In 1874, it was removed to Zumbrota, when the receipts amounted to $694.45. In 1875-6-7, the receipts were $724.12, $731.20, $825.54. The fair is now being held in Zumbrota, with A. J. Grover, president; H. E. Perkins, vice president; D. B. Schofield, secretary, and B. C. Grover, treasurer. The present executive committee are S. C. Hall, H. B. Carpenter, G. G. McCoy, Ole A. Strand and Henry Ahneman. The society it will be observed, is in a prosperous condition, and a valuable enterprise to the county.

Red Wing City Government

Red Wing became an incorporated city under a special act of the legislature, approved March 4, 1857. Since then there have been numerous amendatory enactments, the last one being passed by the legislature of 1878, under which the city was divided into four wards. From the time of the first act of incorporation to the passage of the last amendatory act, there was but one ward.

The first meeting of the city board was held on the evening of the 25th of May, following. Present: Mayor Weatherby, and Councilmen Hoyt and Beers. S. A. Bevans was elected city clerk, and William Colvill was elected city attorney.

At the next meeting, June 8th, Councilman Lauver, who did not appear at the first meeting, was present and tendered his resignation, which was accepted. James Lawther was appointed to the vacancy.

The Pioneer Missionaries

In no county of any of the States of the great Northwest, have religious interests been more carefully nurtured than in the county whose history we are writing. And it is very questionable whether there is any county in the entire country, away from the large cities, of equal, or even greater population, that can boast the same number of neat, tasty, church edifices, or more attentive, devoted, prosperous and wellorganized and well-to-do religious congregations.

The foundations of this desirable condition of affairs were laid under the direction of the Christian people of Lausanne, Switzerland. In 1837, that community sent Revs. Denton and Gavin, to found a mission among the Indians at Trempeleau, Wisconsin. In 1838, the mission was removed to Red Wing's village, where the founders continued to labor until Mr. Denton's health failed in 1846, when it was given up to the American Board of Missions. After Denton and Gavin \ gave up the work, the mission remained unoccupied until the fall of 1848, when the American Board commissioned Rev. Joseph W. Hancock and Rev. John Aiton,to take up the work where Denton and Gavin had left it. Hence, it may be said that the soil of Goodhue was consecrated to the teachings of the meek and lowly Jesus, long before white people ever thought of claiming the country as an abiding place, and converting the Indian wild into a very paradise of beauty and remunerative productiveness.

The seeds scattered by Revs. Denton and Gavan, and industriously cultivated by Rev. Joseph W. Hancock, were not without reward. A bountiful harvest has ripened into fullness, and blessed their labors as missionaries of the Cross.

Methodist Episcopal Church Society At Red Wing

Where has Methodism not been carried ? From a little class organized by John Wesley, in London, England, in 1739, persecuted and hunted from place to place, their numbers increasing from month to month, from year to year, they now rank first in point of numbers among the civilized people of the world. There is no limit to the industry and earnestness of this people. Wherever it has been possible to reach mankind, at home and abroad, there the truths taught by the followers of John Wesley have been carried. It has made the dark places light, and opened the pathway of peace to millions of benighted souls. No sluggard can be a Methodist. That organization tolerates no drones, and its system is so perfect that each part of its working machinery is in full harmony with the other. These people follow their plan of evangelization as regularly as the sun follows its orbit. No plummet was ever truer to the line than are the Methodists to their work. Not only is industry a prerequisite to a good Methodist, but courage as well, particularly to the ministry. When once one's mind is made up to enter that sacred calling, friends, kindred, home, and if needs be, country, must be sacrified to the duty embraced, and wherever work is to be done, there must he go. It may be to missionary service in the remotest islands of the sea - a backwoods or prairie mission or circuit, with perhaps the appointments a day's journey or a week's journey apart - the settlements sparse, the labor great, and the prospect of earthly reward exceedingly small. Hunger, exposure, persecution, are in the way, but Methodism smiles at these and sings its hosannas of praise and shouts its pasans of defiance at the bulwarks of the tempter. In the character of the pioneer Methodist minister - circuit riders, like Peter Cartwright or Kentucky's Findley - there is something grand and touchingly sublime. But these are only two of tens of thousands, the memories of whose character, courage, self denial, and devotion to the cause of the Master and the salvation of souls, lives as a monument in the minds of true followers of the author and finisher of men's faith.

Early in the field everywhere, they followed close on the heels of the early immigrants to the land of the Dakotas, chanting their songs of praise, and shouting defiance at all obstacles between them and the accomplishment of the work they were commissioned to do.

As a general rule, their missionaries go ahead to spy out the land and look after the spiritual needs of the early pioneers. Later comes the circuit rider, with his saddle-bags, Bible, and hymn-book; and thus, step by step, their good work is prosecuted.

The history of Methodism in Minnesota shows that missions were established by that branch of the Christian church as early as 1837, by the Rev. Alfred Brunson and Rev. David King, at Kaposia and St. Peter's, among the Sioux. On the 31st day of December, 1848, a Methodist church was organized at St. Paul, and in October of the following year, a similar organization was accomplished at St. Anthony's Falls. Services were also held at Stillwater and Point Douglas in 1850.

White settlements commenced at Red Wing's village in June, 1852. At that time this district of country was included in what was then known as the St. Peter's Mission, and the year just mentioned Rev. S. L. Leonard was appointed to be pastor at Red Wing.

In 1853 a class was organized, out of which has grown the present prosperous congregation. In 1854 the society formally organized by the election of a board of trustees.

The first pastor sent to Red Wing as a separate and independent appointment, was Rev. Jabez Brooks, in 1854. He was also principal of the preparatory department of Hamline University. At that time the congregation only numbered twenty-two members. During that conference year the membership increased to ninety-five.

Regular services were first held, and for a little more than a year, in the schoolroom of the University, in C. I. F. Smith's store-building, near the river. When the University building was completed, services commenced and were continued in the college chapel until the present church edifice, costing $11,000 was completed and dedicated in the summer of 1858. On the 2d of June, 1859, the tower, nearly one hundred feet in hight, blew down, falling lengthwise, and carrying to the ground nearly the whole building with it. It was immediately rebuilt, at a cost of $1,400, making the entire cost of the building $12,400.

The two-story brick parsonage belonging to the church, was erected under the superintendency of Rev. J. H. Macomber, pastor, in 1877, at a cost of $2,200. It is partially furnished by the congregation, which obviates the necessity of the preachers sent to the work from time to time, removing heavy articles of furniture with them.

In 1875, the citizens had the honor of entertaining the annual Conference. Every house was thrown open to the members and visitors of the Conference, and for once sectarian differences were ignored. On the Sunday that intervened during the session of the Conference, most of the other church pulpits were occupied by members of the Conference.

Sabbath School

The Sabbath School was organized in the fall of 1854, and has been steadily maintained ever since. The principal school now numbers two hundred scholars. Besides this school there is a mission school in the upper part of the city, with a recorded scholarship of one hundred. The church here also has supervision of a school at Lewis' school house, in Wacoota township, and one on Wells Creek, representing an aggregate enrolled membership of 420, the average attendance of which is 350. Forty-eight officers and teachers were employed at the date of Mr. Macomber's last report to Conference.

A. J. Meacham is superintendent of the parent school ; William Robinson of the mission school, and James Sutherland of the Wells Creek school.

First Presbyterian Church

The next church in the order of organization is the First Presbyterian. For a period of time involving nearly three years from the date of the first settlement by white people at Red Wing, the only regularly organized religious services were conducted under the auspices of the

Methodist Episcopal people, but the services, as is always the rule with that branch of the Christian church, were open to all, and no member of any other church organization declined to attend because the services were of the Methodist order.

As immigration increased, so increased the adherents to the different forms of worship. Presbyterianism, as industrious, earnest and zealous as the Baptist or the Methodist - always jealous of the tenets of its faith, and true to the spirit of its founder - had representatives among the immigrants, and as time grew apace, and their numbers increased, they, too, determined upon establishing a church. Their first services were held at the old mission house. At first, like their Methodist co-laborers, their congregations were small, but their earnestness and religious ardor were none the less sincere. The same zeal and devotion that had been the governing principles of the fathers of that branch of the church - that. had carried its tenets and truths wherever man had an abiding place ; that, through evil report as well as good, had enabled it to build churches, found schools and seminaries and colleges - was present in these pioneer meetings, and sustained and encouraged its believers. Years of trial and persecution, as all Christian people were persecuted in the earlier days of the Christian era, had only tended to purify and strengthen their faith. While acknowledging all religious organizations as co-laborers in one common field, and ready to bow with them in the presence of the Most High, there is yet an independence in a true Presbyterian that will accept no compromise of his church articles of faith, or to depart therefrom and give up its individuality by becoming a part of any other church organization, unless for reasons beyond possible control, such as inaccessibility to their own churches and houses of worship. Love of order and home enter largely into the hearts of Presbyterians everywhere, as much in the Minnesota wilds as in the densely populated cities. No matter where Presbyterians may go, they carry these attributes with them, and never feel that they are at home until worshiping beneath their own vine and fig-tree - their own roof, and that free from debt.

First assembled as a little band of true and steadfast worshipers, at a rude log cabin, erected in 1838 as a Swiss mission house, without organization, we trace the history of this society, its success and prosperity, down to the present. In the compilation of this summary, we are much indebted to the Rev. Joseph W. Hancock, the first pastor of this congregation.

subject to the Presbytery of Minnesota, on the records of which it was designated as the First Presbyterian Church of Red Wing. Since that time the territory then included in the Minnesota Presbytery has been several times divided, and Red Wing is now included in what is known as the St. Paul Presbytery.

The first seven members of the church were Rev. Joseph W. Hancock, Mrs. Sarah R. Hancock, C. J. F. Smith, Otis F. Smith, W. H. Wellington, Rachel Van Denbergh, and Margaret Culbertson.

Rev. Joseph W. Hancock, who had been laboring for several years as a missionary in connection with the Am. B. C. Foreign Missions, among the Dakota Indians of Minnesota, was engaged as minister of the church from its organization until about Sept. 1st, 1861. For sometime the congregation worshipped in a log cabin about 16 feet square, with a sort of rude table made of rough boards, and supported by legs cut with the axe from the neighboring forest, for a pulpit. The village of Red Wing was just being commenced. Only two or three houses had been erected. The Indians were still here, and the unearthly noise of their war dance was mingled with the songs of praise that went up from the little cabin.

Their next place of worship was a carpenter shop. The shavings were carried out every Saturday evening, the tools packed away in the chests, a few benches carried in, and there they assembled to hold their Sabbath meetings ; but as they could not use it for week day meetings, they proceeded to rear a tabernacle for the express purpose. This was accomplished at an expense of about one hundred dollars. It consisted of a shanty of rough boards and joists, 18x35 feet, and was the first house built for public worship in Red Wing. They occupied this for one summer only ; it being too open for the winter, they removed to the village school house, which had been erected during that summer, and there continued to worship until the following spring, when they rented and occupied Philleo Hall. This was the last place occupied by them until the completion of their present place of worship, which was dedicated August 19, 1857, the Rev. Mr. Mattox, of St. Paul, officiating, selecting his text from Eccl., 19th chapter and 13th verse.

The contrast between the organization of the church, and the dedication of their spacious and elegant building, was most striking, and was alluded to in the most touching tones by Mr. Hancock. He truly had reason to rejoice, for, from such small beginnings, in one year this society had become one of the most flourishing in the territory, and with the edifice was the fruit of his own pious zeal and toil. He then in a solemn and eloquent prayer, dedicated the church. The services were deeply interesting, and were attended by a large and intellectual audience.

The church is a very handsome edifice, 38x66 feet, with tower and bell attached. It contains sixty slips, and will seat three hundred persons. It occupies a very eligible situation at the corner of East avenue and Sixth street. The lot of ground on which the church edifice is situated was given to the congregation by the town proprietors ; the adjoining quarter of the block of lots on which the church is situated was purchased for a parsonage, on which a very neat and commodious building has been erected.

Rev. P. H. Snow, of Wisconsin, succeeded him, and supplied the pulpit for one year. Rev. S. H. Smith, of Morristown, New Jersey, was the next minister, and the first installed pastor of the church. He commenced his labors August 1st, 1863, and resigned the pastorate in February, 1866. Rev. James Thomson, of Mankato, and President Jabez Brooks, D. D., of Hamline University, have supplied the pulpit at different times when the church has been without a pastor. July 1st, 1866, Rev. J. A. Annin, of Cedarville, New Jersey, became the regular minister of the church, and continued the labors until November 21th, 1867. On the 1st of January, 1868, Rev. D. E. Wells, of Monroeville, Ohio, took charge of the congregation, and was unanimously elected pastor of the church on the 27th of February, 1868.

Pastors In Succession

In the spring of 1854, says Mr. Hancock, we organized a Union Sabbath School at the old mission house, and I think W. H. Wellington was selected as superintendent. We took up a collection for a library, amounting to about $6.00. I was delegated to take the money to St. Paul to buy a library. I found Rev. E. D. Neill, who had a few ten dollar libraries which had been sent out from the American Sabbath School Union for the purpose of supplying new schools. He received the sis dollars and gave me one of the libraries, carrying it on his shoulders, case and all, from his own house to the steamboat landing. That was our Sabbath School beginning.

As the village grew in population, and the church society increased in numbers, the Sabbath School increased in corresponding proportion, until in 1878 it numbers 300 enrolled scholars, with an average attendance of 250, and twenty-eight teachers. Ed. B. Philleo was selected superintendent of the school in 1871. At the date of the compilation of this history the Presbyterian Sabbath School library contained 500 volumes.

German Methodist Episcopal Church

This church society was organized in October, 1855, with Rev. Gustav Zellman as pastor, and Gottleib Sulrasse as local preacher, and the following named persons as members of the congregation : A. Koch, Frederick and Mary Koch, William and Katherina Koch, Margaretta Koch, Lena Hoffman, Otto Kaschube and Katherine his wife, Henry Banze, Frederick William Siebrasse, Margaretta Siebrasse, Anna M. Siebrasse, Anna W. Siebrasse, Herman Kalterjohn, Gotthilf Post, Anna Post, Conrad Singuistria, Charles Ahlers, Sen., Louisa Ahlers, and Charles Ahlers, Jr.

After the organization of the society, and until the erection of a house of worship, their meetings were held at the residence of A.Koch. In the summer of 1856, the Red Wing town proprietors donated the society a lot for a church building at the corner of West avenue and Seventh street. The erection of a small frame church building, which is still standing, was commenced and completed at a cost of $400 in that year. The church was dedicated in November, 1856, and was the first church to be built and dedicated in the city of Red Wing. The dedicatory services were conducted by the presiding elder of the district, Rev. H. Roth. The building is small (24x36 feet) and old, and must soon give way to a larger and better one - one more in keeping with the progress of the times and increase of the congregation, and arrangements are now on foot looking to that end. The following named pastors have served this congregation :

This school was organized March 18th, 1856, by Rev. Phillip Funk, with John Pfoffenberger sts superintendent. There is now an enrolled membership of forty scholars, with nearly an equal average attendance; eight teachers, and a library of 150 volumes. W. H. Meyer, superintendent; Henry Gross, vice-superintendent.

Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church

This church society organized as a class in 1870, under the direction of Rev. C. F. Lindquist, presiding elder of the Swedish district of the Minnesota M. E. Conference. The class consisted of eight members, as follows : Ole Larson and wife, Sorin Everson, Aton Olin and wife, Andrew Lus, aiid N. Peterson and wife. Ole Larson and Soren Everson, were elected trustees. The class was embraced in the Yasa charge.

Soon after the class was formed, preparations were commenced for building a church. A lot was secured, and the collection of money to build a house of worship was undertaken by Rev. Mr. Lindquist. His undertaking was blessed with success, and the erection of a house was undertaken, and so far completed that it was occupied the same year. The society was not able to finish it entirely, and for seats some old boards were brought into use, which were placed on blocks. When night meetings were held, some one or more of the members carried lamps from their residences. The members always kept their lamps trimmed and ready to burn if not burning.

Johnson was appointed by Conference to take charge of the work. On the 11th day of April, 1874, the first quarterly conference was held in this church building, Rev. O. Gunderson, presiding. In 1874, at the beginning of the conference year, Rev. Mr. Johnson was succeeded by Rev. A. G. Wickland, who remained until 1876, when Conference appointed Rev. L. Dahlgren to the charge. Mr. Dahlgren remained until the close of that conference year, when Rev. C. G. Nelson succeeded to the pastorate.

The society prospered, and having bought a lot at the corner of Seventh street and East avenue, the erection of a new church building was undertaken and completed in 1877. The lot for the new church edifice cost them $1,250. A part of the lot was sold, and the proceeds applied to the erection of their new building. The most of the money necessary for the payment of the lot and cost of building, was raised within. the society. It was dedicated July 1, 1877, by Rev. O. Gunderson, of Chicago.

Mr. Nelson, who was appointed to the charge in 1877, remained during that conference year, and was succeeded by Rev. O.J. Stead, in September, 1878.

Officers of the Church. - Trustees, C. Youngquist, Germand Johnson, G. P. Peterson, Nels Dahlburg, Ole Johnson ; class leader, Germand Johnson ; steward, Nels Dahlberg ; recording steward, C. Youngquist ; district steward, Fuman.

The Sabbath School was organized in 1874, by Rev. A. J. Wickland. Mr. Wickland was chosen as superintendent. The school has an enrolled membership of forty scholars, an average attendance of thirty-six, six teachers, and a library of one hundred volumes. Nels Dahlburg superintendent in 1878.

Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Missionary Church

This society held its first meeting in September, 1868, at the house of Nels Nelson, who then lived near the present location of the depot. The services were conducted by Mr. Nels Selvander, who had arrived in this country from Sweden only two weeks previous. After this they continued to convene for worship every Wednesday night, at the house of some of the brethren in different parts of the town. The services were generally conducted by the brother above named; but in case of his absence, they were conducted by P.Johnson and others, as the case might require. This mode of worship was continued, with an occasional sermon by Rev. P. Undeen, of Illinois, who, at the invitation of Mr. Selvander, would come and preach for them when his duties would permit, being two or three times a year. They were also frequently favored, in those times, with an occasional sermon by Rev. J. M. Sangren, their present pastor, who was then stationed at Chicago. The society was incorporated some time in the early part of 1874, and they immediately began the erection of a suitable building for missionary services. It is a frame building, 30x40 feet, situated on Sixth street, near West Avenue, and cost $1,200. As soon as the building was inclosed, the society commenced holding meetings, in it. It was finished and dedicated in the spring of 1875.

In that month the Rev. G. M. Sangren became the regular pastor, since when there have been regular services every Sabbath. The seats are all free, and the services are conducted with a true spirit of Christianity.

The society is governed by a board of eleven persons, consisting of one superintendent, one secretary, one cashier, four trustees and four deacons, who are chosen annually at an election held for that purpose. These officers are chosen for their known Christian zeal and earnestness, liberality and devotion to the society's professions of faith.

This is one of the very few church buildings in Minnesota that is free from debt, a fact that speaks volumes for the economy of the society.

The Sabbath School was organized immediately after the completion of their church building, with F. G. Kelstrom as superintendent. The school now has an enrolled membership of fifty scolars, with an average attendance of thirty, and eight teachers. In addition to the regular Sabbath School they maintain a Bible class that meets at three o'clock every Sabbath afternoon.

German Lutheran Church

This church society was organized in the spring of 1861, with F. Heyer, of St. Paul, pastor. At the time of organization the society, consisted of sixteen members. The first services were held in the old Swedish Lutheran Church. Their present church edifice was built in the same year after their organization, and cost $1,500. It was dedicated by Rev. Mr. Heyer, December 6th, 1861. Mr. Heyer remained as pastor of the society until July, 1865, when he was succeeded by Rev. C. H. Becker, who filled the pulpit until the spring of 1867, when he in turn was succeeded by Rev. August Smith, until December of the same year, when the present pastor, Rev. Christian Bender, assumed pastoral charge of the congregation. The society now numbers fifty-five members.

The society are now (October, 1878,) completing a very graceful brick church edifice, 36x56 feet, at the corner of East avenue and Fifth street, the cost of which will be $9,000.

A Lutheran school has been maintained in connection with the church for ten years, of which Mr. Christian Bender has been the constant and regular teacher.

The Sabbath School was organized in 1866, with Rev. Charles Bender as superintendent. The school now has an enrolled membership of 106 scholars and twelve teachers - seven males and five females, and a library of 150 volumes. F. Hsempfling is the present superintendent.

St. Joseph'S Catholic Church

In 1853 the Catholic people were represented at Red Wing bv fifteen families. They were visited occasionally and spiritual consolation administered to them by the Rev. F. Tissot, then local missionary at Wabasha, Wabasha county, and now the pastor of St. Anthony's Church, at St. Anthony, Minn.

For some seven years services were held at Mr. Thomas Taylor's private residence by Rev, Father Tissot, but in 1859-'60, at a meeting called to order by Father Tissot, the few families unanimously agreed to build a frame church edifice at the corner of Park and Fifth streets. The building was completed as soon thereafter as practicable, in which services were continued until June, 1878.

The first resident pastor was C. J. Knauf, who was appointed by Right Rev. Thomas L. Grace, Bishop of St. Paul. Rev. Mr. Knauf remained in charge of the parish for several years, during which time he also conducted services at the several missions of the county - at Belle Creek, Belvidere, Cherry Grove and Mazeppa - and wherever there were Catholic people in Pierce county, Wisconsin.

and Rev. J. N. Stariha, the present pastor, succeeded to the charge. During his pastorate the number of families increased to 150, and thus the congregation was enabled to make many improvements. The first work of the present pastor was the building of a Catholic school in 1873, which is conducted by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, Milwaukee.

The mission places required more attention than the resident pastor here could render, and Revs. C. Walter, A. Holzer and J. Meyer were assigned as assistants to Rev. Father Stariha.

In the meantime three new church edifices were erected in different parts of the county as follows: At Belvidere, a stone building, 50x90 feet, in 1878 ; at Mazeppa, a frame building, 30x60 feet; at Cherry Grove, a stone structure, 28x46 feet. The Bell Creek Catholic church edifice was erected in 1860.

In 1877, an elegant stone church, with all modern improvements, was built at Red Wing, at the corner of Sixth and Park streets, the site on which the edifice was built being purchased from the M. E. Church society.

In the early fall of 1878, the missions of Bell Creek and Belvidere were assigned regular pastors. Rev. W. T. Roy is in charge at Bell Creek, and Rev. J. Meyer at Belvidere. Rev. Mr. Roy was directed to officiate at Cherry Grove and Cannon Falls also, and Rev. Mr. Meyer's charge included Mazeppa.

Baptist Church

The first meeting to organize a Baptist society in Red Wing, was held at the residence of Mr. Cressey, on Fourth street, between East avenue and Bush street, on the 21st day of January, A. D. 1855. Rev.T. R. Cressey presided, and W. S. Grow acted as secretary. At that meeting the organization was fully completed, under the name of the First Baptist Church of Red Wing. The following named persons having church letters were the constituent members :

W. S. Grow, Martha M. Grow, Mary A. Whelan, and Cecelia A. Brown. Jeremiah Fuller and Hannah Fuller were received on their Christian experience.

Mr. Cressey became the first pastor of the church, and continued to officiate in that capacity until the 30th of April, 1857, when the Rev. Enos Munger was called to the pastorate, and continued with the society until March 9, 1858.

Up to the date last quoted, the society held its services in the district school house, at the corner of East avenue and Fourth streets - the building now used as a laundry by Mrs. Fogg. From this time until 1867, the society was without a pastor. On the 10th of June, 1866, however, a meeting was held at the court house, to consider the necessity of re-establishing the church, and a resolution was passed looking to that end, but it was not carried into immediate effect. On the 3rd of February, 1867, a series of meetings were commenced and continued until the first of April. These meetings re-kindled the Baptist zeal, and on the 19th of August of that year, Rev. W. W. Whitcomb, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was called and accepted the charge, and remained as pastor to the society until April, 1869. Under his pastorate, the present church edifice, 40x60 feet, at the corner of East avenue and Fourth street, was commenced and completed at a cost of $5,000. The building was dedicated on the 3rd of February, 1869, the dedicatory services being conducted by Rev. Dr. Abbott, of Rochester, who preached the dedicatory sermon.

November 26th, 1870, Rev. Gideon Cole was called and accepted the pastorate, which he continued to fill until the spring of 1876, preaching his farewell sermon on Sunday, the 23d of April. Mr. Cole was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. William E. Stanley, who preached his first sermon to the society on the 4th of May, 1876. Mr. Stanley came to Minnesota on the 4th day of July, 1873, at the call of the Baptist society of St. Cloud, who had just completed a very handsome church edifice. He is yet a young man, but a very able speaker, close student, full of Christian zeal and energy, and untiring in good works.

superintendent was W. P. Hood ; the present superintendent is D.J. M. Higgins. Number oi" scholars, 100 ; average attendance, 80 ; teachers, 7 ; No. of volumes in library, 150.

First Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church Faithful Workers And Patrons Of Martin Luther

For several years this society consisted of only eight members, without regular church organization. They consistently maintained their faith, however, and met for worship every Sunday. Sometimes their meetings were held in Indian Hall, sometimes in the court house, sometimes in the Swedish Lutheran Church, but most frequently at the house of some of the brethren. At these meetings and until they formally organized as a church society, their principal speaker and religious instructor until the arrival of Rev. B. Muns, was Prof. L. Larson. A permanent church organization was effected at the German Lutheran Church, on Sunday, the 18th day of February, 1864, with Rev. Mr. Muns as pastor. Mr. Muns had been pastor of a church at Holden, and rendered missionary services in several of the adjoining counties. The organization represented nine families. Ole K. Simmons, C. Bergh and O. A. Indsith were chosen as trustees.

In 1866 the society undertook and completed the erection of their present house of worship, at the corner of Sixth and Bush streets. The building is 30x42 feet on the ground, with chancel 14x16 feet, and surmounted with a tower, 12 feet square at the base, and rising to a heighth of 96 feet. The building cost $4000.

Having no place of worship, they took possession of the basement of their church building some two years before the building was entirely completed, holding their first meeting in the basement on Sunday, the 16th day of October, 1866. The building was fully completed in the fall of 1868, and was dedicated on the 18th day of October in that year. The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. J. A. Ottesen, of Dane county, Wisconsin. On the evening of their dedication day, Rev. H. A Preus, president of the Norwegian Synod, ordained Nels Th. Ylvisaker as a minister of the gospel, and commissioned him to preach the glad tidings of great joy according to the faith of the Norwegian Lutheran church. The sermon delivered on the following Sunday by Rev. Mr. Ylvisaker was the first sermon delivered by him after his ordination, and the first he ever preached in America, he having just arrived from Norway to take charge of this congregation in place of

Rev. Mr. Muns, whose duties called him elsewhere. Mr. Y. continued as preacher to this congregation until 1874, when he was succeeded by Rev. R. Larson, and November 12, 1876, Mr. Larson was succeeded by Rev. K. Berven, the present pastor. The membership now numbers about 140. The trustees are C. C. Claussen (who is also treasurer,) Peter Nelson, Christian Peterson and John Nelson. U. C. S. Hjermstad is secretary. -

The Sabbath School was organized in the fall of 1869, with O. A. Indsith as superintendent. The school now has an enrolled membership of 65 scholars, with an average attendance of 35, and twelve teachers. The S. S. library contains about 250 volumes. U. C. S. Hjermstad is the present superintendent.

Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church Of Red Wing

This church was organized by Rev. Erick Norelius on the 4th day of September, 1855. Number of members at the time of its organization was fifty-four.

The first services were held in a small frame building, used as a store, situate at the corner of 4th and Plumb streets, where now John Lyon's boarding house stands, and services were held there until the first church was built in 1856.

In the winter of 1856-1857 its first church edifice (a frame building 26x30 \ feet) was built at the corner of 5th and Franklin streets, at a cost of $ 1,000, which building was afterwards, when the brick church was built, changed into a parsonage at an additional cost of about $700.

The new church edifice (brick, 36x60) on the corner of 5th and West avenue was begun in 1866, and completed in 1875, at a cost as it stands with the lots of $12,000.

The Sabbath School was organized in 1857; first superintendent, Hawkin Olson; number in attendance at that time, 30; present superintendent, Nels Peterson ; teachers now number 20 ; children in attendance, 200.

St. Peter'S Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church Hauges Synod

This church society first began to hold meetings in 1863, their meetings being conducted by O. O. Hagna. The society was formally organized on the 15th of March, 1864, with O. O. Hagna, N. Jakobson and L. Sivertson as trustees. The society was incorporated April 16, 1866. A house of worship, 24x40 feet, was erected on Bluff street, near Sixth, in the spring and summer of 1866, at a cost of $1,200. It was dedicated by Rev. A. Hanson, who was the pastor of the congregation up to 1875, when he was succeeded by Rev. C. 0. Brohaugh, the present pastor.

The Norwegian branch or division of the Sabbath School was organized by O. O. Hagna, at his residence, in 1865, and was held there until the church building was completed and ready for occupancy.

An English branch or division of the school was commenced in 1867, and continued until 1877, when it was suspended, the society preferring that the exercises should be conducted in the Norwegian language. Very often during the time the English school was conducted there was an attendance of one hundred scholars, with an average attendance of forty. Since the suspension of the English school the number has decreased to about seventy-five scholars and eight teachers. The library contains 150 volumes. A. Ellenger, superintendent.

Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church

The first services were held in a small frame building, used as a store room, at the corner of Fourth and Plumb streets, on the ground now occupied by John Lyons' boarding house. Services were continued there until the first church was built. The building was afterwards used as a saloon. Their first house of worship, a frame building 26x30 feet, was erected at the corner of Fifth and Franklin streets, in the winter of 1856 or 1857, at a cost of $1,000. When the new brick church was built in 1866, the old frame structure was " reconstructed " for a parsonage at an expense of $700. The new church, 36x40 feet, is situated at the corner of Fifth street and West avenue, and cost $12,000.

The Sabbath school was organized in 1857 with thirty scholars, and Hawkin Olson as superintendent. There is now (Oct., 1878) an enrolled membership of two hundred scholars and twenty teachers ; Nels Peterson, superintendent.

This people were among the first to obtain a footing in Minnesota, and with that zeal, earnestness, dignity and industry that characterizes them everywhere, have kept pace with the growth and prosperity of the country.

In the summer of 1850, Rev. Messrs. Breck, Wilcoxson and Merrick were located at St. Paul as missionaries of this branch of the Christian church to the Territory. They visited every neighborhood, from Fort Ripley to Point Douglas, and thence to the Falls of St. Croix, on foot, once in three weeks, besides maintaining regular services in St. Paul. From that time to the present a faithful watch has been exercised over the growth and development of the truths and religious principles disseminated by these faithful missionaries in the primitive days of Minnesota.

On the 19th day of December, 1871, Right Rev. H. B. Whipple, D. D., Bishop of Minnesota, consecrated the present elegant and commodious church-building, situated on the block of ground between Third and Fourth streets and East and West avenues. On the next day (the 20th) Rev. Dr. Wells, now Bishop of Wisconsin, preached his thirteenth anniversary sermon. His text was taken from 1 Samuel, vii, 12: " Hitherto the Lord helped us."

The history and growth of the parish is mainly connected with a single pastorate ; but the first services of the church in Red Wing were given by the faithful missionary, the Rev. Timothy Wilcoxson, on the 17th day of November, 1855. The building occupied was the law office of Co]. William Colvill, at the foot of Broad street, near the present site of the Chicago and St. Paul Railway station. Occasional services by Mr. Wilcoxson extended over a period of one year from this time, mostly given in the schoolhouse on the northeast corner of Fourth street and East avenue, now occupied as a laundry by Mrs. Fogg, and at the residence of Mr. Warren Bristol, on the southwest corner of Main and Broad streets. The first administration of holy baptism in Red Wing, according to the office of the Prayer Book, was by Mr. Wilcoxson, when a child of Mr. and Mrs. Newell, now living in Pine Island, was baptized.

In the course of his visitations of the immense district which formed his missionary jurisdiction, the apostolic Kemper preached in Red Wing on the 28th day of April, 1858. Mr. Wilcoxson accompanied the bishop at this time, and baptized two children, Mary Elizabeth, daughter of P. M. and Clara Wright, and Mary Hereford, daughter of Nehemiah V. and Sarah A. Bennett.

In June, 1858, Dr. Wells made his first visit to the parish and held his first service. This service was in the Presbyterian house of worship, the use of which was kindly granted for the occasion by its pastor, the Rev. J. W. Hancock.

The record which Bishop Kemper made of his visit to Red Wing was, that he u found here a few zealous members of the church preparing to organize a parish and to build a church." The preparatory work to which the bishop referred in that record was a meeting of those friendly to the church, held in Judge Wilder's office on Christmas Day, 1857. The notice for this meeting was circulated by Judge Wilder and Dr. Hawley, and beside them there were present W. C. Williston, Dr. Sweeney, Warren Bristol, Geo. Wilkinson, H. C. Hoffman, W.W. Dekay, Judge Welch, Col. Colvill, Jas. Hamilton, Ira McClenthen, Wm. Freeborn, P. M. Wright, N. V. Bennett and Isaac Green.

On the occasion of Dr. Wells' visit in June, arrangements were made for perfecting the organization of the parish, and for his return in the early autumn to be its pastor. In the course of the sermon from which we are quoting, Dr. Wells remarked: " Of those who had taken part in the Christmas meeting, there was but one communicant of the church ; his words and influence had turned my attention to Red Wing, and the thought that he was to be a fellow-helper in the work of this mission for the church was to me an assurance, based upon the experiences of an acquaintance running back to college days, that so long as our motto was ; Pro Ecclesia Dei'' he would be a faithful and unflinching worker. The 3d day of October, 1858, the Sunday of our first service in Philleo Hall, was one of those kingly days which always call to mind the oft quoted lines of holy George Herbert. " We thought and spoke of its brightness as propitious, and in God's good providence our hopes have been to a certain extent blessedly realized."

" The arrangements of the hall for our services were extremely simple - a melodeon was provided for our use, which we retained until the present cabinet organ was purchased by the parish, and a desk, which served as a prayer desk, lectern and pulpit, was, upon our removal to the church building, transferred to the parish school room, and is still in use as the teacher's desk.

"The salary of the rector was fixed at $700 for the first year. No missionary aid of any kind was ever given to the parish. During the winter, the matter of church building was thoroughly canvassed; plans were examined, a church lot secured at the head of Broad street, onehalf of which was the generous gift of Dr. Sweeney ; and on Wednesday, the 1st day of June, 1859, the Vestry entered into a contract with Messrs. Whitney and McOlenthen, to build a church edifice for the parish.

" At the service that morning, the venerable Bishop Kemper preached, and confirmed ten persons ; one kept by sickness from attending the public service was confirmed in private. At six o'clock, p. m., evening prayer was read, and directly after, the bishop, rector, warden, and vestrymen, and a large congregation, proceeded from the hall to the church lot.

" We have always spoken of this service as the ; laying of the corner stone.' There was no corner stone, as such, prepared for deposits ; but it was rather a service of prayer - commending our labors to God's good favor, and asking his blessing on them.

"The bishop's address was full of words of sympathy and encouragement ; and there is no memory of this noble missionary prelate which I retain with more pleasure than the truly apostolic presence and kindly Christian greetings of the venerated pastor ; as gathered there in the golden sunlight, we listened to his words of wisdom, and felt that a

"At this time there were no services of the church in Wabasha county, and, with the exception of the Rev. Mr. Wilcoxson's services at Cannon Falls, none in Goodhue county outside of Red Wing.

"On Tuesday, the 29th of November, 1859, Bishop Whipple (who was consecrated bishop in St. James Church, Richmond, Virginia, October 13th, A. D. 1859, and the first bishop of Minnesota) made his first visitation of the parish. In his convention address in the following June, he said of this visitation: 'On November 29th, I consecrated to the worship of Almighty God the new and beautiful edifice of Christ Church, Red Wing, on which occasion I preached, confirmed twelve persons, delivered an address, and administered the holy communion. St. Andrews. November 30th : Preached both morning and afternoon, and catechized the children at the second service. In the evening I met the members of the parish at the residence of Mr. Wilkinson. On Thursday, December 31st, I confirmed one sick person in private. I gladly place on record the fact, that this free church, which now has its daily service, its parish school, its candidate for holy orders, its well ordered and beautiful parish church, was planted by its rector and his faithful parishioners without missionary aid.'

" In addition to the bishop there were present at these services, the Rev. Dr. Paterson, of St. Paul ; the Revs. Fitch and Knickerbocker, of Minneapolis ; Wilcoxson, of Hastings ; Williamson, of Point Douglas ; and Gray, of Shakopee. The entire cost of the church, church lot, furnishing, etc., was $2,967. Of this amount $401 were contributed by friends at the East, for the purchase of the windows, a bell, and com munion linen. It was a very happy day for us, which witnessed the consecration of our church. The sittings in it were to be free to all."

The services in the old church, now used as a parish schoolhouse, were of more than ordinary interest on the ordination of the Rev. C. P. Dorset, in 1860 ; the convention services in 1861 ; the ordination, in 1865, of the Rev. H. G. Batterson to the priesthood, and of the Rev. S. P. Chandler to the deaconate ; and the service for the first company of volunteers that enlisted in Red Wing for the war.

In the summer of 1868, it was felt that the growth of the parish, and claims of a spreading and deepening influence, made some action on the part of the congregation, in the way of enlargement or by building anew, an absolute necessity. In the autumn of that year work was commenced on the new building in accordance with plans furnished by Henry Dudley, of New York. Mr. D. C. Hill contracted to do the car- penter work, except the seats, the contract for which was let to Mr. E. Simmons; and Mr. George Carlson to do the stone work. The woodwork, (seats, columns, tracery, wainscotting, &c.,) is of butternut, finished in oil, by Mr. George H. Davis. The windows were furnished by Mr. Sharpe, of New York. The corner stone was laid on the 24th day of June, 1869, on which occasion, in addition to Bishop Bishop and a number of the clergy of the diocese, the Right Rev. Dr. Armitage, of Wisconsin, was present and made an address, of which the "Argus" report of the ceremony said that " manj^ of those who heard it were so won by its fitness and beauty, that they would be glad to have a full report of it."

There are many tokens of love and kindly interest in the fitting and complete appointments of the church. The beautiful altar cloth, with the cross and book rack for the altar, were the generous gifts of a kind friend in Philadelphia ; personal friends, mostly in St. Paul's Parish, Waterloo, Central New York, contributed largely for the altar fittings.

The windows in the chancel, although not memorial windows in their character, were placed in the church in memory of the departed. The only proper memorial window is the one in the nave, which through the efforts of Mr. John Wilkinson was placed there by the friends of the late Major Welch, of the " Fourth Minnesota," although originally of the First Regiment ; and among all the gifts and sacrifices of the commonwealth in the hour of the nation's sorest needs, Minnesota did not send to the field of battle a youth of more peerless honor, unquestioned courage, and long enduring fortitude, than the brave soldier whom this window commemorates. The entire cost of the church, every indebtedness thereof being paid, or provided for by pledged notes, at the time of the consecration, was about $23,000.

Young Men'S Christian Association

of April, 1868, with seventy members. The rooms of the Association are located on Bush street, in the second story of the postoffice' block, and are kept in excellent order. The annual election of officers is held in October. Daily prayer meetings are held during the winter seasons, and are liberally attended. The present membership is about one hundred. The rooms were first opened on the first Wednesday in October, 1868.

Mention of the first schools, names of the first teachers, location of school rooms, and description of the first school houses, with other school statistics, etc., is made in a general educational chapter, to be found elsewhere within these pages.

Hamline University

This institution of learning, originally located at Red Wing, was chartered by the Territorial Legislature of 1853-4. It originated under the patronage of the M. E. Church, and was named in honor of Rev. L. L. Hamline, D. D., one of the bishops of that church, and who, through the influence of Rev. David Brooks, made a donation of $25,000 to the institution.

The preparatory department of the university was opened by Rev. Jabez Brooks, A. M., as principal, on the 16th of November, 1854, with thirty-three students. The room occupied was in the second story of the store-building of Smith, Hoyt & Co., at the foot of Broadway.

In August, 1854, the erection of a University building was commenced. The site selected, was on the block of ground between Fourth and Fifth streets and East and West avenues, which had been donated by the town proprietors. The building was never fully completed, but was formally opened on the 10th of January, 1855. In 1857 Jabez Brooks resigned the management, and was succeeded by Rev. B. F. Crary. In 1861 Mr. Crary resigned, and Mr. Brooks was re-elected to the presidency, which position he maintained until 1869. About that time it was found that the University could not be successfully maintained here, and it was determined to remove it to a point nearer the capital of the State, and thus secure the patronage and influence of St. Paul and Minneapolis. The property was sold to the city for $5,000, the transfer papers bearing date February 24, 1872. The building was torn down, and the material sold wherever purchasers could be found. The ground is still owned by the city, and dedicated to the uses of a public park.

Red Wing Collegiate Institute

This institute was organized and incorporated Aug. 28,1870, with the following board of officers: president, Lucius F. Hubbard; secretary, Charles C. Webster; treasurer, F. A. Cole.

The grounds were donated by Edward Murphy, of Minneapolis, and funds raised for building purposes by issuing stock certificates to the amount of $12,500. Daniels & Simmons took the contract for a consideration of $14,800, and to complete it a mortgage was given to Joseph Averill, of Danvers, Massachusetts, who advanced $5,000.

The institute was successful for about three years, when, for want of funds it was sold to Joseph Averill, to satisfy the above noted mortgage. January 8, 1878, it was purchased by Hans Marcuson, in trust for the Hauges Norwegian Evangelical Synod, and afterwards deeded to a board of directors, viz. : Hans Marcuson, Gunelf Tollefson, Gnut Johnson, O. H. Fames, O. E. Boyum, Ingebret Anderson, C. Krogh, N. Stangeland, and Andrew Ellingson, with the design of making it a Lutheran Theological Seminary.

Temperance Movements

The first temperance movement in Red Wing was made by Rev. J. W. Hancock while the place was known as " Red Wing's Indian village," and dates back to the 10th of February, 1851. The pledge was drawn up for the benefit of the Indians, and bears the names and the X's of a number of the Indian notables. The first name on the pledge is that of "Wacoota," who signed the pledge for "seven months." One of them signed it for two years, one of them for one year, and the remainder of the nineteen signed it for various periods, ranging from two to seven months.

In referring to the habits and disposition of the Indians, and the difficulties he had to battle against in trying to conquer their appetite for strong drink, Mr. Hancock relates the following :

" The Red Wing Indians were generally peaceable, but occasionally we had a row which set the whole village in commotion. Whisky could be obtained over on the Wisconsin side for money, blankets, or anything valuable which the Indians could spare. Moderate drinking was not their custom. They must have enough to make ' drunk come,' or none at all. Several of them would put their ' mites ' together, and go over and buy two or three gallons at a time, which, being brought home, was drunk up in a short time. This was followed by all the noise and quarreling imaginable, and usually resulted in somebody being either killed or badly wounded.

"Shortly after a row of this kind had taken place, and while there were a number of very sick children in the village, whom I was visiting at the time, I heard a woman cry out, ' Now they are coming with it' 'With what?' said I. She immediately pointed to the river, and answered, ' Minni-wakun"1 (spirit- water, or whisky.) I saw a canoe approaching from the other shore, in which were five or six young braves, who soon landed. I placed myself where the path led up the bank, ready to meet them. The leader carried a tin pail with a cover, holding, I should think, about two gallons. I asked what he had in the pail, and he replied, ' Minne-wakan.' Snatching it from him, it was the work of a moment, and the contents of the pail were soaking into the ground.

"Loud talk followed on both sides. I tried hard to convince them that whisky was contraband on the Minnesota side of the river, and advised them not to bring over any more. After leaving them I understood that one of the braves boasted that he would bring whisky here and drink it, and defying me to spill it.

"But a few days had elapsed before he made the trial. The first intimation I had of it was when an Indian called at my house and wished me to come to the door. I looked out and saw the young braves coming single file, singing as they marched along. The first one carried a two gallon stone jug, which he was anxious that I should notice - affirming at the same time that it was whisky. I went for him; got hold of his jug, but could not wrest it from his grasp, for the reason that he had it tied to a strong cord which passed around his neck and over one shoulder, but I managed to pull out the cork and to overturn the jug, when the liquor commenced to run out. He let go the jug and clenched me by the hair with both hands, and used me rather roughly until the whisky had all run out, as it took both my hands to keep the jug inverted while he was dragging me about. Well, I had but partially conquered. There were many witnesses and he did not like to give up as entirely beaten, so he stretched himself out at full length on the ground near the door of the mission house. I entreated him to leave and go to his wigwam. He declared that he would not. Alter waiting for some time for him to go voluntarily, and fearing that he might stay there all night, I took a piece of rope, and slipping it around his ankles, tied his feet together, took the other end over ray shoulder and dragged him towards his home. After being drawn five or six rods he begged me to let him get up, promising that he would not trouble me any more. He threatened some after he got out of my reach, but never did me any harm. The prohibitory law was triumphant at that time."

Reference is made elsewhere to another " whisky war," that occurred after the whites came to occupy the favorite camping places of Red Wing and his band, so that, whatever the opinions and practices of the people in later years, the first settlers were a strictly temperate people, and determinedly opposed to the traffic in ardent spirits. A number of temperance organizations were started from time to time, such as I. O. G. T., Temples of Honor, S. of T., etc., etc., that flourished for a while and then went clown.

The last movement, resulting in the organization of a Reform Club, was inaugurated in September, 1877. On the 17th of that month a club numbering one hundred members, many of whom had been pretty hard drinkers, was organized, with the following officers: president, A. J. Clark ; vice president, J. Ashton ; secretary, T. Bixby ; treasurer, A. J. Meacham.

The club occupies rooms in common with the Young Men's Christian Association, where meetings are held every Monday evening. The exercises are varied and diversified, consisting of vocal and instrumental music, reading short addresses, etc.

Oakwood Cemetery

This beautiful repose for the dead is located on the summit of one of the numerous bluffs that encircle and overlook the city, about one and a half miles south of Main street. The plot of ground includes forty acres, belongs to the city, and was selected by Stephen A. Hart and David Hancock, a committee appointed for that purpose by the early settlers, in September, 1854. The first burial in Oakwood was a child named Charles, son of William Freeborn and wife. The death and burial occurred before the selection of the site was made ; but, by common consent, the situation was recognized from the beginning of white settlements in 1852, as the most appropriate location for a cemetery. The remains of Mrs. Hancock, whose death and burial is mentioned elsewhere, were exhumed and re-buried in Oakwood Cemetery soon after the ground was selected and platted for burial purposes.

Secret Societies, Lodges, Unions, Etc

This lodge was chartered February 1, 1878, and the first meeting was held in the hall of Red Wing Lodge, No 8, A. F. and A. M., February 27, 1877, A. L. 5,877; charter members as follows: F. A. Williamson, T. H. Perkins, P. F. Geardon, A. F. Graves, C. C. Webster, William Daniels, P. Y. Moser, A. H. Allen, I. H. Stevens, G. L. Marble, O. Densmore, Sr., J. H. Macomber, H. Brown and H. C. Hodgman.,

Red Wing Lodge No. 57, I. 0. 0. F.

This lodge was organized November 27, 1876, with the following charter members: W. C. Williston, C. M. Lawrence, C. L. Kellogg, D. C. Hill, T. J. Clark, E. P. Howell, A. A. Mathews, A. J. Robertson, E. F. Grow, George Hudson, John Stearns, W. A. Potter, W. S. Grow, W. H. White, P. N. McPostie and J. C. Cook.

The regular meeting of this lodge is held on Friday evening of each week, at 7 o'clock, from November to February, inclusive ; March to October, inclusive, 7:30 ; May to August, inclusive, 8 o'clock.

This society was organized October 7, 1868, with a membership of eight charter members : H. J. McGiveren, Charles Brown, M. Kappel, John Bryan, W. Eisenbrand, W. C. Williston, and Henry Pamperin.

Laurel Lodge, No. 17, Knights Of Pithias

Charter members: F. S. Field, E. W. Shenton, J. W. Swanstrom, W. H. Crary, J. W. Delano, R. Kreiger, J. D. Kellogg, J. F.Taake, A. Messer, A. J. Robertson, E. J. Garrison, R. A. Bigham, H. A. Charles, J. Mc- Clean, A. A. Mathews, H. Martins, M. L. Ecker, Galen Allen, H. Reinertson, A. F. Graves, G. H. Benton, L. R. Wellman, J. Webb, O. Whitman, and T. Bixby.

Regular meetings, second and fourth Tuesday evenings of each month at 7£ o'clock, from October 1st to March 15th ; and at 8 o'clock from March 15th to October 1st.

Scandanavian Benevolent Society

This society was organized February 19, 1869, and incorporated by State authority August 1, 1874. Officers at time of organization were : Charles Kempe, president; Nicholas Lovgren, vice-president; J. G. Gustafson, secretary ; Olof Peterson, treasurer.

Svea Society

Organized February 6, 1869, with a membership ol thirty-one. President, S. J. Willard ; vice president, Charles Kempe ; secretary, Gustav Berg; treasurer, Andrew Johnson; librarian, William Zingerman; janitor, Andrew Bengston.

The present membership is small, there being only sixteen persons in the society, with the following officers : president, Charles Himmelman; vice president, Charles Swanson ; secretary, John Hawkanson;

Manufacturing Industries Red Wing Flouring Mills

At the head of the industries of Minnesota stands the growing of wheat; second in the catalogue is the manufacture of flour. The latter branch is steadily increasing to keep pace with the demand, and the rapid progress being made in the cultivation of wheat.

First among the industries of this rising young city is the turning of wheat into flour. The flouring mills of Red Wing are not only an honor to the city but a credit to the State. Goodhue county being the banner wheat county of Minnesota, and Red Wing the chief city of the county, with her natural and acquired advantages, a milling interest has obtained here that deserves more than a passing notice in this volume.

In 1873 the Red Wing Mill Company erected what is known as the " Bluff Mill." This enterprise contains eleven run of burrs, three sets of iron and six of porcelain rollers, with all the improved machinery and appliances of a first-class " new process mill."

Connected with this structure by a warehouse having a capacity of 150,000 bushels, is that very excellent building known as the "Diamond Mill." A notable feature of this mill is the Hungarian system, the first introduced into this country. By that process there are four or more grindings of the wheat, elaborate purification, and the reduction of middlings to flour by means of rolls, or rolls and stones combined.

The plans for this mill were furnished by Oscar Oexle, the celebrated civil engineer and millwright of Augsburg, Bavaria, who has constructed some of the best mills in Europe, visiting America last year for the purpose of introducing the Wegmann porcelain roller mills. Messrs. Gunn & Cross, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, were the millwrights, and the work is highly creditable to that enterprising firm. The foundation story is a solid system of stone masonry, six feet in thickness at the base, and sloping to sixteen inches at the top. Above the basement are five stories built of brick, fourteen and sixteen feet in height, with pitch and gravel roof over all. The building proper is 80x90 feet, and 106 feet in height, basement 12 feet.

and brick. On the first floor is a 24x48 Harris-Corliss condensing engine, rated at 250 horse power. In addition, there are a Knowles fire pump, a force pump, and two heaters. The second story of the engine house, is used as a barrel room, for storing and nailing up barrels before packing, and the office occupies the third story. The boiler house and fuel room combined, are 40x50 feet, one story, of stone. In this room are four boilers, each twenty feet long by forty-eight inches in diameter. The chimney is octagonal in form, 136 feet in height, of brick, resting on a stone base fourteen feet square. It is a master piece of workmanship, and cost $5,000.

In the basement of the main building, are the iron hurst frames, resting upon cut- stone piers, and the main shaft also supported by a solid stone foundation. This shaft is driven by a thirty inch belt from a driving wheel eighteen feet in diameter, weighing twelve tons, to a nine foot pulley.

The second floor contains twelve run of burrs of five different varieties, fifteen sets of Wegmann's porclain roller mills, and four Eureka flour packers. Connected with this room is the barrel room, in the second story of the engine house.

The third story is principally used for storing wheat and middlings in process. It contains two large Sturtevant blowers, that remove the offal from the mill to the warehouse.

In the fourth story are located the purifiers, fifteen in number, fourteen of Standard middlings purifiers, made by Fender & Cuthbertson, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and one of the best European make, imported from Zurich, Switzerland. From the trial he has made, Mr. Baker, the president of the company, is convinced that American purifiers are unexcelled. The fifth floor contains the bolting chests and four aspirators. There are fifty-four reels in the mill, most of them twelve feet, or the length usual in Hungarian mills.

In the sixth story are the lines of shafting that drive the reels below, the elevator-heads, and the dust room. The purifiers and reels are driven by a twenty-inch belt, running up from the main line. The elevator pulleys are made to order, with flanges to prevent the tearing off of cups and to destroy the friction at the heads of the elevators, to which it is believed many mill fires are attributable.

In a five-story warehouse adjoining the mill, and separated from it by a brick wall, without openings, (except for the shaft and wheat spout,) is where the wheat cleaning is done. The machinery of this part of the enterprise is driven from the end of the engine shaft by a friction coupling, which can be thrown on or off without stopping the mill. In this building are two Eureka smutters, made by Messrs. Howes, Babcock & Co., Silver Creek, New York ; two dustless separators, manufactured by the Barnard Leas Manufacturing Company, Moline, III.; two graders for sizing wheat; two pairs of four-and-a-half foot ending stones ; two Victor brush scourers ; one of Kurth's cockle separators, and four reels, besides wheat bins on each floor. The dust is blown into an apartment at the extremity of the warehouse adjoining the "Bluff Mill."

The iron work for this magnificent structure was furnished by Messrs. Stout, Mills & Temple, of Dayton, Ohio, and the burrs by Messrs. W. & F. Livingston, New York City. The belting was manufactured to order by Messrs. Jewell Bros., Hartford, Conn. The mill is fitted up with Rathbun's flour bolt attachments, Gratiot's wheat heaters and every modern device of utility known in the manufacture of flour. It is heated by steam and lighted by gas. In addition to the Knowles fire pump in the engine room, and the usual stand pipes with hose attachments on all the floors, there are also Babcock extinguishers and barrels of water on each, and in case of fire, (as a last resort,) a steam pipe connects from each story directly with the main boiler, so that the mill can be rapidly filled with live steam. The cost of this mill, including the wheat cleaning warehouse, aggregates $140,000.

Both mills are located on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, and the basement floors are on a level with the bottom of a freight car standing on the track. The distance to the river dock is only one hundred feet, thus giving the mills remarkable shipping facilities. The capacity of the mill is six hundred barrels of flour in twenty-four hours, and of the Bluff or old mill, four hundred barrels. Of course those figures signify round numbers - when the mills are running to their full capacity. The brands of flour put up in the old mill are " Corner Stone," favorably known throughout New England, and " Old Glory," a baker's flour, popular in New York. The brands used for the Diamond mill are " Edward " and "OO O," all secured as a trade mark in the United States.

The Diamond mill enjoys the honor of being the first in this country established on the Hungarian plan, and the mechanical structure and arrangement of this machinery stands par excellence in the catalogue of the milling industries of this country.

All the officers directly connected with this important system of works are men of business ability and sound practical experience, and under their supervision the excellence of the manufactured articles turned out by the various departments have won a well merited popularity wherever introduced.

The officers of the company are, E. L. Baker, president, superintendent and principal stockholder; F. B. Howe, treasurer; E. B. Philleo, secretary ; F. R. Sterrett, wheat superintendent; and E. L. Harn, head miller. The capital stock of the company is $250,000.

La Grange Mill

This company was formed, and articles of incorporation signed as early as March 7, 1873, but not to take effect until January, 27, 1877, and to continue thirty years. The capital stock was fixed at $100,000, divided into two thousand shares of $50 each. O. Earns, Hiram Waters, Anerand Seeback, A. J. Grover, John Miller, J. J. Starz, Charles Betcher, J. O. Bennewitz, John Doblow, Peter Stromberg, D. O. Hill, B. B. Herbert, John G. Deipenbrock and F. W. Hoyt were the incorporators.

Feb. 3, 1877, at a meeting of the stockholders, E. W. Brooks, Anerand Seeback, J. S. Hoard, William Hayman, H. E. Perkins, Charles Betcher and O. Earns were elected a board of directors. Feb. 5, 1877, at a meeting of the board, E. W. Brooks was elected president; Charles Betcher, vice-president; J. S. Hoard, treasurer; A. J. Meacham, secretary ; and A. Seeback, superintendent.

September 30, 1878, the treasurer's report showed $85,000 stock subscriptions ; amount paid in $85,000. The wheat purchased by the company amounted in round numbers to 324,238.35 bushels, costing an aggregate of $315,072.51, an average of a fraction over ninetyseven cents per bushel. The amount in store was 12,000 bushels, making the total amount received 336,238.35 bushels. The company had manufactured up to that date 63,031 barrels of flour, and of that amount 55,000 barrels were shipped. Receipts from all sources amounted to the handsome sum of $1,096,357.57.

February 20, 1878, at a meeting of the board, E. W. Brooks was elected president; O. Earns, vice-president; J. S. Hoard, treasurer; G. H. Malcolmson, secretary ; and A. Seeback, superintendent.