Goodhue County, Minnesota - Chapter 16: Zumbrota, 1909 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter 16: Zumbrota

Zumbrota Village - Its Situation and Advantages - Modern Zumbrota - Water, Sewer and Public Halls - Fire Department - Industries - Banks - Hotels - Mills and Elevators - Creamery - Fraternities - Village History and Officers - T. P. Kellett's Speech - Military Company - Village Schools - Public Library - Zumbrota Township - Township Officers Since Early Days - Soldiers from This Township.

Zumbrota Village is rich in historic lore, being one of several settlements, projected by eastern people, and designed to be places to which should be transported with more roomy surroundings jiihI wider opportunities, the thrift, education and customs of the thickly populated East. To this day, these sturdy eastern pioneers remain in the township and village, and form the backbone of the community. As elsewhere in the county, the sturdy Scandinavians have had their part in the general growth and development of the community, while in the village itself are many comparative newcomers who have assisted in the material and business progress of Zumbrota 's industrial and commercial activity.

The history of this community has been gathered from various sources, assisted by Edward F. Davis, editor of the Zumbrota "News," while the story of the modern village is largely the work of his gifted pen.

Zumbrota village is the trading center for one of the richest agricultural sections of what is acknowledged to be one of the richest agricultural states in the Union, commanding a large part of the trade of the farmers of Roseoe, Minneola, Pine Island and Zumbrota townships, as well as other adjoining country districts. It is admirably situated in the midst of a rolling prairie, on the north branch of the Zumbro river and on the Northwestern, Great Western and Milwaukee railroads, giving it exceptional shipping facilities, while well kept wagon roads extending fan-like in all

Zumbrota lias been considered by many competent judges to be an ideal home town. Near enough to several cities to make city attractions and lectures possible, it combines all the best features of village and country life, with none of the temptations of the city and none of the squalor of city slums. Its schools give the children exceptional advantages, and the social features furnish recreation after busy days of business, professional or agricultural endeavor.

Modern Zumbrota has a beautiful high school building, affording excellent educational facilities which takes the pupil from primary grades through a college preparatory or normal course; a Carnegie library; a city and three private halls; a Congregational. Methodist. Synod, Norwegian Lutheran, United Norwegian Lutheran, German Lutheran. English Lutheran, Catholic and Episcopal churches, connected with which are the various auxiliaries; a Lutheran hospital; several literary societies; an annual Lyceum course; a large number of fraternities, and- three fraternity halls: a weekly newspaper; a beautiful park; a band, and a company of state militia. It also has a large clay manufacturing company: three elevators; a mill; a bank with a capital stock of $45,000; two hotels; two lumber yards; one creamery; a cement block plant; six general stores; two clothing and dry goods stores; two furniture stores: two photograph galleries; three barber shops; one horse and auto livery; one garage and machine shop; four blacksmith shops; two jewelry stores; one fur factory; one meat market; two drug stores; one laundry; one bakery; three restaurants; one pool room; one wagon shop: two hardware stores; one cigar factory; two harness shops; one shoe store: real estate and collection agency; five saloons; four millinery stores and one tailor shop. Among the advantages which makes Zumbrota a valuable place of residence are a perfect system of water works and sewerage; excellent streets and driveways extending into well kept country roads ; five miles of cement sidewalks; good volunteer fire protection; electric lighting plant; local and rural telephone system; three telegraph lines, and two express companies.

The professions, aside from the clergy, are represented by one lawyer, two dentists, three physicians, one veterinary surgeon and one optician.

Water Works. The water works system was started in the summer of 1883 and consisted of three blocks of mains along the main street, which were supplied by a pump in the Palmer elevator and the water taken from the river. This was for fire protection only. Two vears later the system was extended and n 75,000 barrel reservoir erected on a hill southeast of the village, a well dug and a pumping station erected in the village, which now supplies good, pure water for domestic use as well as for fire protection. In 1907 thirteen blocks of six-inch mains were extended to various sections of the village. The system is owned by the village and under the supervision of the council.

Sewer System. In 1906 a sanitary sewer system was installed and takes care of the business section of the town. A survey of the whole village was made, but as yet only seven blocks have been installed.

Halls. There are seven halls in the village, three of which are used for lodge purposes, one city hall and three private halls. The Odd Fellows hall is owned by Mrs. H. H. Palmer; the Masonic, by F. C. Marvin; the Woodmen, by Kolbe & Kalass. The private halls are owned by F. C. Marvin. John Anderson and Sohn & Trelstad.

The Zumrota City Hall was built of wood. 00x40 feet, two stories, in 1887, at a cost of $4,500, under the supervision .of N. T. Wedge, The building committee consisted of S. B. Bartean. C. E. Johnson. F. Gr. Marvin and K. S. Sigmund. The building contains a hall for public meetings, also the volunteer Ore apparatus, the headquarters of the volunteer fire department, and a jail, consisting of two steel cages.

Fire Protection. Probably no village in the stale has better fire protection than has Zumbrota, and for that reason insurance rates are exceedingly low. The village supports a volunteer fire department, consisting of ninety men (the third largest in the state) winch is divided into three hose companies of twenty men each and one hook and ladder truck company of thirty men. The apparatus is owned by the city and kept at the city hall.

Fire Department. The fire department consists of'Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, Hose Company No. 1, Royal Hose Company and the Clipper Hose Company. There is one hook and ladder truck equipped with ladders, hooks, chains, etc.; three hose carts each carrying an average of six hundred feet of hose. Each company has its own separate organization and officers, who are governed by a set of department officers who are elected by the whole department. A board of directors consisting of two members from each company, the chief presiding, attend to all business matters of the department. The department was organized August 23, 1883, at which time M. L. Webb was elected the first chief ; B. C. Grover, first assistant ; C. E. Johnson, second assistant; William B. Bowdish. secretary; H. II. Palmer, treasurer. At that time the department consisted of the hook and ladder company and Hose Company No. 1. P. Dickenson was elected foreman of the former and Axel Anderson foreman of the hitter. The Royal Hose Company was organized February 11, 1885, and its tirst foreman or captain was C. E. Johnson. The Clipper Hose Company was organized October 6, 1896, and after a strenuous fight was admitted to the department March 15, 1897. Its first captain was Frank W. Yochem. The present officers are A. II. Kellett, chief; II. J. Teich, first assistant; Aug. Biersdorf, second assistant, E. F. Davis, secretary; II. E. Weiss, treasurer.

Hospital. The Zumbrota Lutheran Hospital was erected in 1898 at a <-ost of about $8,000, under the auspices of various Lutheran societies. It is a fine twenty-eight room building, built of pressed brick and fitted throughout with modern conveniences. It has an ideal location on the outskirts of the village, and it is greatly regretted by the people of this vicinity that the institution is out of com mission at the present time. However, it is expected that within a short time it will again be ready to receive patients.

The principal business houses of Zumbrota are as follows: Lumber yards - Wedge, Weiss & Co.. N. T. Wedge, Henry E. Weiss, C. L. Grover, proprietors; Marvin Lumber Company, F. L. .Marvin, proprietor, AYilliam Croxford. manager. Cement blocks - Wedge, Weiss & Co. General stores - New Store, Anto Amli and Anton Johnson ; City Grocery store, J. 0. Olson, proprietor ; Lee Schafer, Martin Satren. L. J. Henning. 0. N. Berg. Clothing and dry goods - The Star, R. R. Sigmond, L. W. Olson; Meyer & Johns, Fred W. Meyer and William F. Johns. Furniture stores - Langum & Nordvold. J. B. Langum and Adolph Nordvold ; Danielson Furniture and Music Company. Charles Danielson, proprietor, J. A. Boraas, manages. Photograph galleries - A. J. Trelstad, 0. G. Stearns. Barber shops - Miller & Ellstrom, J. C. Miller and Richard Ellstrom ; R. D. Windslow. Ben Hainan. Horse and auto livery - B. 0. Grover & Son (J. D.). Garage and machine shop - Skillman & Ness, Lambert Skillman and A. 0. Ness Blacksmiths - B. A. Nordly & Son (Arthur), R. A. Gorcler, Joint Iloff, Harry Jewison. Wagon shop - H. Keohler. Jewelry stores - J. L. Williams, Edward 0. Sohn. Fur factory - Teo. Steelier Meat Market - Hartwell & Matchan, E. T. Hartwell and E. M. Matchan. Drug stores - A. S. Baken, J. E. Kyllo. Laundry- Zumbrota Steam, P. T. Faus. Bakery - City Bakery, Annen Olson, proprietor. Restaurants - Axel Anderson and Lena Howe. F. W. Johnson. Pool room - F. W. Stary. Hardware stores- Myron & Olson, 0. A. Myron and Charles Olson ; Ira D. Warren & Son (S. D.). Cigar factory - Henning & NTesseth, George Henning and Chris Nesseth. Harness shops - B. A. Kolbe. M. II Baskfield. Shoe store - B. A. Kolbe. Real estate and collection A. B. Farwell. Telegraph - AVestern Union, E. J. Thomas, a -cut at Northwestern; 0. K. Anderson, agenl at Milwaukee depots;

Postal Telegraph, William Reimer, agent at Great Western depot. Wells Fargo Express - William Reimer, agent at Great Western depot, and O. K. Anderson, agent at Milwaukee depot. American Express - E. J. Thomas, agent at Northwestern depot. Millinery - Mrs. J. A. Johnson, Mrs. M. Ofstedahl. Mrs. Xettie Anderson, Carrie and Mary Dvergedahl. Tailor - Charles Anderson. Professional men - Attorney. A. J. Roekne : dentists, H. B. AVashburn, L. M. Woodbury; physicians, G. 0. Fortney, 0. 0. Larsen, K. Gryttenholm : optician. L. J. Korstad; veterinary surgeon, R. C. Xickerson.

The First State Bank of Zmnbrota whs organized in the spring of 1893 by the business men and farmers of Zmnbrota and vicinity.' The first officers were: President. 0. J. Wing; vice president. Henry Weiss; cashier. P. A. Henning; directors, the three above named gentlemen and R. 0. Lund and B.. J. Kelsey. In 1893 a fine bank building was erected. At the time of the consolidation with the Security State Bank, August 1, 1909, the capital stock was $30,000 and the officers were: President, 0. J. Wing; vice president, O. X. Berg: cashier, A. E. Mosher; assistant cashier. M. H. Powers. Prominently identified with the bank was E. S. Person, who succeeded P. A. Henning and served until 1907.

The Security State Bank, of Zumbrota, was organized June 19, 1894, by the March Brothers, of Litchfield, with a paid in capital of $30,000 and an authorized capital of $100,000. The bank opened for business July 2, 1894. with the following officers: President. Christian Peterson ; first vice president. Henry Ahneman; second vice president. Martin Halvorson; cashier, F. M. March. The first annual meeting was held Jan. 14, 1895, at which time the bank deposits were $26,593.91. as shown in the report below: Assets 4;4.">.395.61 : banking house, fixtures and furniture, $6.538.41 : cash and due from banks. $5,674.66. Total. $57,608.68. Liabilities: Capital. $30,000; surplus and profit, $1,014.77; deposits, $26,593.91. Total, $57,608.68. The annual reports each year show an increase in the business. On Jan. 11. 1898. F. G. Marvin was elected president of the bank, and on Feb. 17, 1900, H. E. AVeiss was elected assistant cashier. On June 13, 1903, F. M. March was elected vice president, and H. E. AVeiss elected cashier. April 8. 1907, F. C. Marvin was elected assistant cashier. This bank was consolidated with the First State Bank, Aug. 1, 1909. Under the new organization the name Security State Bank is retained and the name First State Bank is discontinued. Aug. 15, the business of the consolidated banks, roughly estimated, was as follows : Capital, surplus and profit, $45,000 ; deposits, $300,- 000; loans and discounts. $276,000: banking house furniture. $10,- 000; cash and discounts. $52,000. The present officers are: Presi-

The Zumbrota House was built in October, 1856, consisting at that time of only a small wing. It was erected and kept by Ezra Wilder. The hotel building was then 20x60, two stories. Mr. Wilder sold the place to G. R. Slosson, who in turn sold it to Fred George in 1872. In the spring of 1872, Mr. George built, a twostory front, 20x70. The present proprietor is E. Molke.

The Midland House was built in June, 1877, by George W. Cunningham. The main building was 22x40, two stories, with wing, 18x60. Mr. Cunningham kept the house until March 1, 1878, when he leased it to J. R. Clark. This hotel is now known as the New Hotel and is conducted by J. Schmidt, having recently been renovated and improved.

The Forest Mills were put up by William S. Wells and H. H. Palmer in 1867-68. This was the only market which the farmers in the vicinity had in the early days except Red Wing, and consequently the mill did a flourishing business for many years. Activity at this point consisted of a cooper shop, a flour mill and stores, and the settlement at one time bid fair to efface Zumbrota. Old settlers tell of often going there to unload their grain and being obliged to take their turn in a line of teams over a mile long. The railroads at Zumbrota and Mazeppa, however, brought the business to those places and the mill was idle for a number of years. Five years ago it was purchased by Theo. Stecher, who has greatly improved the mill and practically rebuilt a new dam. and now operates it as a grist mill.

The Zumbrota Creamery was erected by the Crescenl Creamery Company, of St. Paul, during the fall of 1884, who operated it about eighteen years. The building was erected by C. E. Marvin and E. A. Cammack, W. H, Squire being superintendent of the construction. The company's first manager was R. Londick, and he was succeeded by F. W. Stary. The latter was head man at the place for sixteen years. About nine years ago the Crescent people sold out to R. O. Lund, who continued the business about five years, when he sold to E. G. Hammer, who took possession October 1, 1906. E. A. Mann hauled the first can of cream to the creamery during the fall of 1884. On June 13, 1907, the old creamery was destroyed by fire and before the ashes were cold a new modern building was in course of erection and was completed and installed with machinery and running in a little over a month. The new building and machinery is estimated a1 ^7.000. The yearly output of the creamery is about 100.000 pounds, and it receives cream for a radius of sixty miles around this territory.

in Zumbrota and was completed in 1878. On November 20 of the same year F. G. Marvin took charge of the company's interests and continued as their local manager for nearly thirty years, or up to August 1, 1908. A. E. Collinge succeeded Mr. Marvin as local manager.

The Palmer Elevator, as it is now called, was erected in 1880 by Wiljiam Wells, and its first manager was H. E. Talmaclge, now a resident of Red Wing. AY ells sold the elevator to H. H. Palmer, who continued to run it with James Hall as his manager. Later J. 0. Jones leased it and bought grain independently. It was closed for some years and in 1908 was purchased from the Palmer estate by the Red Wing Malting Company, who installed Ed. Kolbe as their local buyer. Mr. Kolbe resigned August 1, 1909, and O. A. Stondahl succeeded him.

The Farmers' Elevator, of Zumbrota was organized by farmers in 1898. The first president was E. A. Bigelow. and N. T. Naeseth was the first manager. Those who have served as presidents are: Lou'* Starz, Josiah Lothrop and Oliver Berg. The secretaries have been: Fred Elwell. B. A. Colbe, Bond Olson. A. ( '. Ylvasaker and O. 0. Nordvold. Treasurers: Josiah Lothrop, Louis Starz. Henry Weiss.

Rialroads. The first railroad to reach Zumbrota was started at Wabash in 1877 by the Minnesota Midland Company, whose capital was exhausted before they had built many miles. The Milwaukee road picked up the construction and finished the road to Zumbrota in 1878. That same year the Rochester & Northwestern (now the Northwestern) run a branch from Rochester to this A'illage. Both lines came in here at the same time and both claimed a* portion of the right of way at the foot of Main street. Early residents tell of a pitched battle between the two track laying crews to see who would get possession of the disputed ground. "The Milwaukee road was operated as a narrow gauge until June 7. 1903, during which year it was extended through to Faribault and on November 9, 1903, the first standard gauge train passed over the roadbed. The Rod Wing & Iowa road was built in here from Red Wing in 1888. Later it became the property of the Duluth, Red Wing & Southern and in 1902 that company sold it to the Great AVestern. who extended it through to Rochester the following year. Thus Zumbrota now has three roads running into the village, affording excellent passenger and shipping facilities.

Telephones. The long distance telephone from Zumbrota to Kenyon was the result of the efforts of Dr. Ch. Grondvold and Dr. K. Gryttenholm. The former, however, died in 1895 and the negotiations were left to Dr. Gryttenholm. who raised about

$2,000 among the farmers ami the village residents. Dr. Gryttenholm corresponded with both the Northwestern Telephone Company and the I nion Electric Telephone Company of Iowa, with the result that the former built the line. It was completed in the fall of 1895 from Zombrota and Kenyon with a side line to Hader and Aspelund. In 1897 the line was sold to the Northwestern Telephone Company. The first local telephone franchise in Zumbrota was granted to L. D. Ward October 31, 1899, who erected a few poles and had a small system in operation for about a year, when he sold out to Elmer Peek. Mr. Peck ran the system about two years, when he sold to Matchan, Vickstrom & Ward, who operated it for one year and then sold to J. I. Howe. In February, 1905, Howe sold to Messrs. F. G. and F. C. Marvin, who have extended the system into the country districts and have an up-to-date service in every respect.

Electric Lights. Elmer Peck erected and equipped the first electric light plant in Zumbrota, getting a franchise in October, 1898. The first plant was established in a building on what is now the Great Western right of way and was located between the Northwestern and Great Western tracks about twro hundred yards west of Main street. In the early nineties the building was moved to its present location at the foot of Main street on the bank of the Zumbro river. Person & Co. purchased the plant from Mr. Peck and after running it four years sold to C. D. Dennison, the present proprietor.

The Zumbrota "News" was started in 1885 by a stock company, with W. W. Kinne as first editor and manager, which position he held for several years, after which Herman Anderson be-, came the editor. Later Mr. Kinne resumed charge of the paper. Subsequently Mr. Anderson purchased the paper from the stockholders, and in 1897 sold to A. J. Rockne. In 1900 E. F. Davis became part owner with Mr. Rockne, and is now the editor. The "News" is a newsy paper, has well written editorials, and through its local columns keeps the people of southern Goodhue county well acquainted with the doings in their part of the world. In addition to these features, a generous supply of general rending and a resume of the national and foreign news of the week makes the paper a welcome visitor in some thousand homes. A large job printing establishment is operated in conned ion with the paper. The firm is now conducted under the name of Rockne & Davis.

The fraternal spirit was early manifest in the village of Zumbrota, and in the early seventies the larger national societies were well represented by lodges in this place.

Esther Chapter, No. 4, Order of the Eastern Star, was granted a charter June !>. 1874, with the following officers: Isaac AV. Blake, AV. P.; Airs. Climena Blake, AV. AL, and Marion C. George, A. Al.

Scofield Post, No. 121, G. A. R., was organized September 9, 1884, the post being named for James and Amos Scofield, the former of whom died of sickness while in the army and the latter of whom was killed in battle. The charter members Avere : Edgar Stacey, deceased; H. W. Cooledge, Zumbrota; I. D. AVarren, Zumbrota; L. T. Ward, deceased; J. AI. Beeman, deceased; B. D. Woodbury, St. Paul; C. Daniels. South Dakota; F. D. AVebb, Chicago; ( '. Eastman, Soldier's Home; H.J. Eastman, Zumbrota; J. Hickock. unknown ; Ole Strand, deceased ; II. AI. Scofield. Zumbrota ; J. H. Reeves, Glasgow; D. L. Druse. Washington; AV. E. Alosher. Zumbrota; H. AV. Squire, South Dakota; L. S. Judd, Alora ; AI. L. AVebb. AVashington ; G. G. McCoy, Zumbrota; Louie Abend, deceased; P. D. Willard, deceased; 0. H. Hall, St. Paul; D. Bugby. AViseonsin; C. A. Leach, Zumbrota; Clark Rogers, deceased: AV. A. Black, North Dakota; Adolph Hoff. deceased. Those who have joined since are : G. AV. Giles, Zumbrota ; S. C. Holland, deceased; Sam Anclrist, Zumbrota: William Fulkerson, deceased ; Bond Olson, deceased ; J. P. Rians, unknown ; AV. E. Seckerson, Chatfield ; J. L. Annis, Zumbrota; AV. B. Dickey, deceased: J. R. Hemmingway. Zumbrota: X. L. Diekenson, Zumbrota ; Charles Gholtz. AVashington ; P. L. Dickenson. North Dakota; Frank AVyman, AVest Concord; Ared AVoodworth. Alazeppa ; Josiah Lothrop, Zumbrota; K. B. Bennett. AViseonsin; R. C. Morgan, deceased; M. C. Morgan, Zumbrota; Aaron Getty, deceased; J). 15. Seofield, deceased; John Danielson, South Dakota: Joab Irish, unknown; S. Y. Cranson, Goodhue; William Bonham, deceased; Win. Doxy, deceased; Philip Yochem, Zunibrota; Robert Parker, Goodhue; D. AY. Williams, unknown; R. II. F. Williams. Colorado; 0. T. Berg, AYanamingo; F. W. Langworthy. New York; Eleck Albertson, Zumbrota; G. A. Seitz, Rochester; X. ( '. Adams, Zumbrota; John Egan, Zumbrota; John Johnson, AYanamingo; Leander Watson, deceased. The twentyfifth anniversary of the post occurred on September 16, and an appropriate celebration was held in the hall on September 18, 1909. In a speech delivered on that occasion II. M. Seofield declared that there are now forty members living, the oldest of whom is Captain G. G. McCoy, who is 85. Next conies H. M. Seofield and S. Y. Cranston, each of whom is 78. The youngest member is H. Eastman, age 63. The officers at the time of organization were : Com., Ira D. Warren ; Sr. Y. C, G. G. McCoy ; Jr. Y. C, M. C. Morgan; chaplain, Ff. M. Seofield; quartermaster, AY. H. Squire; adjutant, II. W. Cooledge ; officer of the day, AY. E. Mosher; officer of the guard, O. A. Strand; surgeon, 0. H. Hall. The present officers are: Com., Josiah Lothrop; Sr. Y. C, 0. N. Berg; Jr. Y. C, A. Albertson; chaplain. H. M. Seofield; quartermaster, AY. E. Mosher; adjutant. X. C. Adams; officer of the day, < 'harles Leach; officer of the guard. J. C. Annis; quartermaster sergeant, X. L. Dickinson; Sergeant major, John Egan; surgeon, John Hemingway.

Seofield Post No. 84, W. R. C, was organized April 8, 1892, with the following charter members : Mrs. S. E. Lothrop, Airs. A. J. Hall, Airs. H. P. Abend. Airs. AI. A. Cooper, Airs. S. AI. Hall, Airs. J. C. Seofield, Airs. S. X. Ward, Airs. J. C. Black, Airs. Julia Friedrich, Airs. Rosina Reenes, Airs. J. E. Alosher, Mrs. Rose Dickinson, Airs. AI. II. Linton, Airs. AI. F. Mann, Airs. Climena Blake, Airs. AI. L. Rust, Airs. E. AI. B. Seofield, Airs. Ellen E. Stacy. Airs. Cornelia Rogers, Airs. Alaggie AYatson, Airs. E. R. Canfield, Airs. L. H. Grover, Ena R. AYoodbury, Carrie A. Alorgan, D. A. AYarren, A. J. Danse, Sophia Danielson, AI. AI. AYeatherhead, Ermina B. Schofield, Alanda Eastman, Rose Eastman and Lothe Black. The present membership is thirty-four. The present officers are: Pres., Airs. A. J. Hall; senior vice pres.. Airs. AI. J. AYoodbury; junior vice pres., Airs. J. Friedrich; secretary, Airs. E. R. Woodbury; treasurer, L. AI. Judd : chaplain. Alary Adams; guard, Airs. L. J. Grover; pat. inst., Airs. S. E. Lothrop.

Zumbro Tribe, No. 63, I. 0. R. M., was organized January 1. 1901, with the following charter members: John A. Johnson. Nels E. Koppang, Th. AYetzel, Edward Cain. Herman J. Teich, Fred Lohman, John 0. Finney. John H. Stenerscn, Peter Opem.

A. Olson, Dr. G. H. Crary, C. W. Rabel, J. J. Olsness, Charles Hem, J. H. Houck, Jr., Aug. King, William J. McWaters, Eric 0. Swenson, John L. McAVaters, P. Zimmerman, A. H. AVestby, Martin Opfer, W. C. Lohman, I. T. Avelsgaard, Thos. G. Nesseth, S. Lexvold, L. 0. Sehram, A. N. Anderson, Iyer Johnson, PI. J. Eastman, John Houek, Sr., L. L. Johnson, D. Buntje, Oliver Olson, Richard Elstrom and William Yerka. The first officers were : Sachem, John Houck, Jr. ; senior sagamore, Oliver Olson ; junior sagamore, II. J. Teich; prophet, John McWaters; keeper of records. Ed Cain; keeper of wampum, .John A. Johnson. The present officer are: Sachem, August King; senior sagamore, A. H. AVestby; junior Sagamore, Annen Olson; prophet. Louis Houek; keeper of records, II. J. Teich; keeper of wampum, J. A. Johnson.

Zumbrota Lodge, No. 72, I. 0. 0. F., was organized September 13, 1879, with the following charter members: B. F. Chamberlain, T. N. Lee, G. B. Anderson, C. E. Johnson, D. B. Scofield, I. W. Blake, AY. E. Powers. I). P. Mason, P. AY. Fulkerson, G. B. Wright and E. T. Lothrop. The present officers are : N. G., James Hoffman ; vice grand, Theo. Hartwell ; secretary, James Annis ; treasurer, AVilliam Croxford ; supporters, E. J. Thomas, G. Freeman and John Langsdorf; warden, Robert Priebe; inside guard, John Houck, Sr.

G. F. Freeman, C. 0. Bonham, II. K. Kuehner, J. L. Annis, N. Boysen, A. E. Collinge. Ed. Cain, E. F. Davis, James Hoffman, H. J. Klein, J. H. Langsdorf, E. AI. Matchan, J. H Houck, Sr., E. L. Peck, R. F. Priebe, F. N. Stary, E. At. B. Scofield, I. B. Freeman, N. B. Bonham, J. Kuehner, E. Annis, C: Boysen, M. Collinge, R. Casey, L. Johnson, A. Hoffman, B. Lovejoy, A. Langsdorf, B. Alonson, J. Alatchan, L. B. Houck, Alary Nickerson, Grace Poole, J. Peck, A. S. Priebe, C. W. Rogers, G. Stary and L. AVeaver. The present officers are : District deputy, A. E. Collinge ; N. G., Airs. C. Rogers; V. G.. Julia Korstad ; secretary, Airs. A. Hoffman; treasurer, Mrs. A. E. Collinge; chaplain. Airs. John Houek: inside guard, James Hoffman; financial secretary, Mrs. W. Johnson; -warden, Mrs. R. Priebe; supporters to N. G. and V. G., A. E. Collinge and E. J. Thomas.

Zumbrota Camp, No. 252, Modern Woodmen of America, was organized November 21, 1887, and the first officers were as follows : Venerable counsel, J. C. English ; worthy advisor, J. H. Peabody; excellent banker, II. Koehler; clerk, E. C. Bennett; escort, W. L. Nye; watchman, L. Hailing; sentry, Philip Yochen ; local physician, H. L. McKinstry; managers, J. H. Peabody, C. R. MeKinstry and W. L. Nye. The present officers are: Venerable counsel, William Croxford; worthy advisor, Fred Weckerling; excellent banker, H. Koehler; clerk. A. E. Collinge; escort, J. L. Williams; watchman, Louis Opfer; sentry, Aug. Miller; local physician, Dr. G. 0. Fortney ; managers, Louis J. Henning, A. Amli and W. S. Collinge.

Zumbrota Council, No. 30, Modern Samaritans, received its charter May 1, 1901, and at that time the members were as follows : Louis Satren, Edward S. Person, Stephen D. Sour, William G. Langworthy, B. A. Kolbe, Walter C. Rowell. Charles L. Grover, Henry W. Yochem, Louis J. Korstad, Herman Koehler, E. A. Kellett, Herman F. Kalass, Ole T. Thoreson. Frederick AV. Yochem, Elmer L. Peck, R. R. Sigmond, Oscar M. Nelson. Marshall A. Nelson, Edward H. F. Weckerling, Hans O. Vollan. Emil V. Ramharter, Henry E. AVeiss. John Stoudt. Edward F. Davis. J. E. Crewe, Frank E. Marvin, Charles Berg. Igiuar T. Avelsgaard, Edward S. Nelson, Henry J. Klein, Ole N. Berg. Edward C. F. Kalass, A. AV. Swanson, Andrew Samuelson, Eben Y. Bancroft, George G. Marvin, Richard S. Ellstroin, Ole A. Myron, Frank E. Judd, Roy Peter Sigmond, John A. Secor. AV. Scott "Van de Bo'gart, Ernest E. Peck, George IT. Wareham and Olaf

E. Hoff. The present officers are as follows: G. S., Louis Houck; V. G. S., William Langsdorf ; scribe and financier, A. E. Alosher; treasurer, William Croxford; high priest, G. Gunderson; chief messenger, Fred AYeckerling; P. G. S., L. J. Henning.

Trondhjem Lodge, No. 51, Sons of Norway, was organized August 1, 1905, with the following members: Carl G. Ofstie, Arne H. Westby, Severin J. Floor, Iver Peterson, S. A. Lexvold, C. K. Kolstad, P. A. Merseth, Carl R. Erslaud, Thorwald Lien, Peder Fredrickson. Theodore Thompson, Hofgen Klaven, G. 0. Reppe. J. M. Holtan, Friek 0. Swenson, Oscar Reppe, John Peterson, Henry Martin Medehill, Iver E. Loken, T. C. Siversen, I. N. Johnson, K. E. Gryttenholm, Knut Berg, Johan A. Nerhaugen and Xcls E. Koppang. The present officers are: President, A. H. Westby; vice president, Knut Berg: secretary, Nels Koppang; treasurer, Severt Lexvold ; regent. I*. Neeseth; marshall, II. Klaven; inside warden. Iver Johnson: chaplain, J. Nerhaugen.

Village History

The village of Zumbrota was platted on the northwest and southwest quarters of section 31, in September, 1856, on land that had previously been entered by Aaron Doty. Doty was a bachelor, and in the employ of 0. W. Smith, who was the practical owner, but who could not pre-empt land because he was a land speculator. The owners of the townsite were the members* of the Strafford Emigration Company. Bailey and Thompson made an addition which is called North Zumbrota, in 1857. The west addition was made by Josiah Thompson, on section 36, Minneola township. The first house was built by C. AY. Smith. It was a log structure, 14x18, and was erected on the south bank of the Zumbrota river. In 1857, Smith moved away, and was last heard of in Bay City, Michigan. The first store building was erected in October, 1856, by Thomas P. Kellett, in which he kept the first store. Lizzie Shedd taught the first school in the fall of 1857. A public school building, erected in 1866. 30x42. was

The ad incorporating the village of Zumbrota passed the state legislature February If), 1877, the petitioners being J. A. Thacher, T. P. Kellett and George Person. The first meeting of the voters in the village was held February 27, 1877, in Parker's hall. The judges of election were I. C. Stearns and E. T. Halbert. The clerk was S. G. (adv. The returns were sworn to before D.. B. Scofield as justice of the peace. The first meeting of the village council was held in April, 1877. J. A. Thacher was the first president of the village; John Anderson, George Person and T. P. Kellett were the first trustees; A. C. Rostacl was recorder, William Dorman was treasurer, D. B. Scofield was justice and L. Summers was constable. In 1886 the village was separated from the township. The presidents of the council since 1877 have been: 1877-78, J. A. Thacher; 1879, H. Blanchard; 1880-81-82-83, H. H. Palmer; 1884, E. V. Canfield; 1885-86-87-88, S. B. Barteau, Sr.; 1889, William F. Bevers; 1890-91, John Anderson; 1892-93-94, S. B. Barteau, Jr.; 189."). William F. Bevers; 1896-97, Louis Starz; 1898-99, A. W. Eddy; 1900, A. J. Rockne ; 1901, F. M. March; 1902-03, E. Woodbury; 1904. Paul C. Kalass; 1905-06-07. James H. Farwell; 1908-09, M. II. Baskerfield. The clerks have been: 1877-78, A. C. Rostad; 1879-80-81, S. G. Cady; 1882-83-84-85-86-87,

A speech delivered many years ago by T. P. Kellett contains much of interest to the seeker after facts regarding the early days of Zumbrota. After speaking of his arrival in 1856. Mr. Kellett said : On the first Sabbath day three of us, enough to "claim the blessing," held a meeting in a small log house or shanty, eight by ten, standing not far from where Mr. Skillman's house was later erected, and judging the feelings of others by my own, I must say that our worship was not in vain. And from that time to this, with but few if any exceptions, some sort of religious meeting has been held every Sabbath. (It mighl here be noted that the first public religious observance in the town was the prayer made by Albert Barrett at the funeral of John Cameron, who was buried not far from where the residence of

In the spring of 1857 the first bridge was built over the north branch of the Zumbro river and eovered with sided poplar poles, and these poles did service as a covering or, more properly, a flooring for three years and then the bridge was floored with plank. In the year 1862. 1 believe, a new bridge was built with an additional bent in the middle. In the following winter that middle bent was knocked oui by the ice and senl down the river. Tli£ bent was replaced only to be knocked out again by the next winter's breakup. In the year 1869 a more substantial structure was erected. Note: This bridge still remains and is preeminently the Zumbrota landmark.) In the spring of 1857 a Congregational Society was organized and all professing Christians of all denominations, with all others favorable to religious services, united cordially in supporl of such services on the Sabbath. In tlm summer of 1857 the public hall was buill and furnished, a place for meetings and schools Tor a uumber of years. In the fall of L857 came the greal financial m-isis. which made the great financiers of the country tremble in their hoots. We people of Zumbrota, however, did not feel its effecl until the spring of 1858, and those of lis who were here during that year have doubtless a very vivid recollection of those hard times. If we could blol thai year from our past record, the record would be more pleasing retrospect than it is. Doubtless there are men among us now in good circumstances and position, who can look back to tlnil year of rutabagas and corn cake, and feel thankful that their lines have since fallen in mure pleasanl places. The crisis jusl referred to was the means of retarding the settlement of Zumbrota for many years. .Men who had planned to move OUl here with their families were unable to do so because they were unable to sell their property in the East. Bence our growlh was very slow for some years after the first set 1 lenient. Then came the war of the rebellion, which seemed to upset all previous calculations. All we could exped to do during those dark days was to maintain a mere existence. At the call for volunteers some of oui- very worthy young men enlisted and went into active service in defense of the government. Amos Scofield. (ieorge Scofield. John Morrell. William Peck. Edward Davis, and others, are all sleeping in southern graves today, but the mere mention of their names touches a tender spot in many of our hearts.

In the years of 1862-63 was built our first church, and in 1866 was built our first school building. Soon after the building of the Congregational church just referred to, our Baptist friends, who for some time had been worshiping as a separate organization, built them a nice little church, and later the Methodist Episcopal society built themselves a comfortable place of worship."

Military Company

Company D, Zumbrota By E. F. Davis) - In the early spring of 1885 a handful of young men met in the old Parker hall to take the preliminary steps for forming a state militia company in Zumbrota. The company was first known as the ''Zumbrota Guards, reserve militia," and was mustered into service March 6, 1885. by ('apt. A. P. Pierce of Red Wing. John Stenersen was the first captain and the charter members were as follows: J. H. Stenersen, P. F. Ryder, Dan Dyerson, F. G. Mitchell, Charles E. Kolbe. Bert Pease, William Rogers, Herman Shirley, Tim Mahoney, Willis George, S. B. Scott, Fred Steelier. Amos Scofield, II. B. Carpenter, C. E. Johnson, Carl L. Strom. M. L. Webb, A. W. Thomas, J. C. Powers, Leroy Carley, Fred Caffee, C. H. Stearns,. Leo Schafer. Albert Woodbury, William Clemens and Frank Halbert. Willis George and -I. C. Powers were elected first and second lieutenants, respectively, with C. H. Stearns first sergeant and ('. E. Johnson se.-ond sergeant. M. L. Webb was first corporal and R. R. Sigmond second corporal. During the first few years of the existence of the company the members were compelled to furnish their own uniforms, the only thing the state supplied being the old 50-caliber rifles, belts and bayonets. At the end of the first year J. II. Stenersen resigned to accept a place on Gov. L. F. Hubbard's staff and C. E. Johnson was elected to fill his place. In October. 1885, Willis George resigned and C. H. Stearns was elected first lieutenant.

The Third Regiment was organized in 1887. at which time the Zumbrota Guards became Company D of that organization, and have held their title. ever since, being now the oldest company in the state of Minnesota and having the distinction of furnishing more field and staff officers than any other company in their regiment. At the first encampment in 1888 there were only eighteen men, who served without pay. This little group showed such enthusiasm that there was a much larger number thereafter, although it took a great deal of hard work on the part of Capt. Johnson, as the members received absolutely no aid from the state. In March, 1887, Lieut. Powers resigned and was succeeded by Sergt. William Clemens. The latter resigned in August, 1887. and was succeeded by Private Thomas Brusegaard. In March, 1888, Lieut. Stearns resigned and Sergt. Leo Schafer was elected in his place. Capt. Johnson resigned in 1891 to take the position of major and C. H. Stearns became the third captain of the company. LTnder his command the members went to Chicago to take part in the dedication of the World's Fair buildings. Shortly after this Capt. Stearns and Lieut. Schafer resigned and First Sergt. E. S. Person was elected captain and Sergt. W. W.

Kimie first lieutenant. The company again visited the World's Fair and took part in the Minnesota Day parade, which was during the fall of 1893. Capt. Person was untiring in his efforts to bring the company up to a high standard, and during the encampments of 1895 and 1896 his command won the gold medal for proficiency in guard duty. In 1897 Capt. Person resigned to accept ;i position as major of the regiment, and in January, 1898, W. W. Kinne was elected captain and II. W. Yochem first lieutenant. -1. A. Erstad was at thai time second lieutenant, having been elected some years previous.

It was just at this time thai the call for volunteers for the Spanish-American war was issued ami Company D was among the first io offer their services. One evening when the company was lined up at the armory, Capt. Kinne asked all the members who would volunteer to step two paces to the front. Every man in Hie company stepped forward, bu1 as they were some short of the 105, to fill out a lull company. Col. Johnson furnished the balance of the quota from Mankato. On Thursday, April 28. 1908, the company left Zumbrota amid a scene which will he lonu- remembered by those who witnessed it. Many eyes were dimmed with tears and hearts throbbed with emotion as the buys left home. At that time Hie no n- commissioned officers were: Sergeants, John Bouck, George W. Eastman, C. O. Bonham. E. F. Davis, II. -I. Teich, -I. C. .Miller and II. Eastman; corporals, Sid Anderson. \Y. P. Armstrong, M. II. Powers, Harry G. Gudd, Ludwig Johnson. Charles C, Dickenson. Louis Lohman, and others. The company was stationed al the slate fair grounds and had a total number of 115 men. About thirty of these had to be rejected, as an order was received for only 84 men to a company. On May 8 the company was mustered in and was known as Company I). 14th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. A few days later the regimenl left Camp Ramsey in three sections for Chickamauga Park, Ga. All along the route citizens turned out to welcome and cheer the troops. Arriving at a small station called Lytic, the regiment marched into the park a few miles, where a cam]) was assigned them, in company with 60,000 other troops from all parts of the United States. This camp was known as the George H. Thomas, and the company was brigaded with the First Pennsylvania and Second Ohio Regiments, and known as the third brigade, second division, first army corps, under command of Gen. Rossar, a veteran who fought with the South during the civil war. The extreme heat and poor water began to tell on the men from the North and as a result there was a great deal of sickness, but everyone was anxious to get to the front, and patiently endured the constant drilling, and it was but a hi June an order w;is issued to recruit the companies up to the full strength of 105 men, and Lieut. Erstad was detailed to go back home and perform that duty. Many of the men who were a1 tirst rejected were then given a chance and returned with him to join the command. After his return Lieut. Erstad w;is promoted to tirst lieutenanl and assigned to Company I. First Sergt. John Houck was promoted to second lieutenant and assigned to Company K. and Lieut. Demming of Company E was assigned tu < 'ompany D.

On August 28, 1908, the regiment was transferred from Camp Thomas to Camp Poland, at Knoxville, Tenn., where they remained until September 21. and then started on the return trip to St. Paul, arriving there Sept. 23, and went into camp at Camp Van Duzee, between the twin cities. A furlough of thirty days was granted to all the men. who returned to their homes for a short period. At this time there was an Indian uprising in the northern pan of the state and a detachment from each company was seut to quell the Reds, including several of the D boys, who returned without incident.

On reassembling at St. Paul the regiment was mustered out of service November 18, 1908. Sergt. (leorge Miles Houck was the only member of the company who did not answer to roll call on the return home. He was taken ill at Knoxville shortly before leaving and when he arrived at Chicago was too sick to continue the journey and was taken to a hospital, where he died October 1. The remains were brought to Zumbrota for burial.

Twice during their stay in the park the regiment was ordered to the front and both times they struck tents, packed up all their belongings and had destroyed the few luxuries they had accumulated for comfort's sake, such as straw for bedding, boxes for tables, etc., and both times were ordered to unpack and pitch tents before they had left the company street. The second time the regiment was in line and the column had started to move toward the station when the order was countermanded, which nearly resulted in a riot on the part of the men and only the personal persuasion on the part of the officers prevented an open rebellion. "We do not construe this as a disgraceful act on the part of the men, but it well illustrates their willingness to get to the front and do actual service.

After the muster out of the Fourteenth. Company D resumed its place in the state militia with Capt. Kinne at the head and H. "W. Yochem and E. F. Davis as lieutenants. In May. 1900, Kinne resigned and H. W. Yochem was elected captain; Davis was advanced to first lieutenant and Sergt. C. 0. Bonham to second lieutenant. In the spring of 1901 Yoehem resigned by reason of removal from company station and Kinne was again placed at the head. He removed and Lieut. E. E. Davis was elected captain. Bonham being advanced and Sergt. J. R. Johnson elected second lieutenant. Davis resigned in 1903 and II. W. Yoehem was again placed in command. Yoehem and Bonham resigned in the fall of 1905 and F. \Y. Wilcox was elected captain; Johnson pushed up to first lieutenanl and 31. H. Powers was elected second lieutenant. Wilcox held office for less than a year and then quit. First Lieut. Johnson look the company to camp that year, after which he resigned and II. T. Banks was elected captain and E. F. Davis went into the company again asfirst lieutenant. In the spring of ]!><)!) I'.anks and Davis resigned and Second Lieut. M. II. Powers was elected captain, and Sergts. John Logan and Chris. X. Nesseth promoted to firsl and second lieutenants. Powers removed from company station September 1, 1909, and al the present time the command is in charge of Lieut. -John Logan.

state rifle ranee, as well as making good records on their own range. II. J. Teich is the first sergeant of the company, having served nearly fifteen years with the company and is the oldest first sergeant in the state.

The company has participated in every encampment held by the national guard and in 1901 was with the regiment on an 80-mile march from Milaca to Brainerd. In 1906 they marched across the country from Zumbrota to Lake City. Both of these trips proved instinctive as well as enjoyable. There are many other interesting features connected with the history of Company D which cannot be enumerated here, as this article was intended to cite only the more important events which have transpired during the quarter of a century of its existence.

Village Schools

In 1858 the first village school was formed, taught by Lizzie Shedd, daughter of Eev. Charles Shedd, pastor of the Congregational Church. In the beginning and for several successive years, the sessions of the school were held in the second story room of the store, built just before by T. P. Kellett. on the corner now occupied by the Security State Bank. The building was justly considered at that and for those times as ambitions, elegant ami commodious.

.Mrs. .Mutisoii came nexl as teacher, followed by Mrs. C. C. Webster, wife of one of the earliesl settlers, and she was followed by Ella Wilder, daughter of Ezra Wilder, another pioneer. Later she married Rev. Mr. Sedgwick, then pastor of the Baptist ( lunch, who afterward became a physician. .Mrs. Ellery Person, wife of Samuel Person, a brother of Messrs. Ralzy and George Person, who were among the early settlers^ was the next teacher. Then in succession came Sarah Stowed. .Mrs. Preston, Florence Brown, cousin to the hero of Harper's Perry and martyr of freedom for the slave, whose soul is still marching on. Then, still in the Kellett hall came the male teachers, Mr. Griffin and Mr

E. \V. Conat taughl in the summer of 1864 at $22 per month J. P>. Griffin in the winter of the same year at .$27.50 per month: Florence Brown, winter of '65, at $22 per month. Before this the general rate of salary for the female teachers was $5 per week. In the school year of 1862-68 and for many years therealter the board of trustees were: .). A. Thacher, director; I. C. Stearns, clerk, and H. Blanchard. treasurer.

There were six months of school in two terms of twelve weeks each in 1862-63. and seven months in 1863-64. The appointment of school money from the county in 18H2-(i3 was but $117.70. In the spring of 1863 a movement was started by a petition signed by T. F. Kellett. George Samuel Person and E. L. Kingsbury for the building of a school house. Favorable action was taken and a levy agreed to of 5 mills on all taxable property, to begin the necessary funds. In 1864-65, 2 mills more were voted for schools and 7 mills for school house fund. In 1865-66, 8 mills was voted toward the fund. In March, 1867, it was voted to have three terms of school of twelve weeks each. In March, 1866, definite steps were taken to build a two-story school house, 24 feet high, width 30 feet, length 50 feet. Two lots were first bought and later two more adjoining, in block 40, the cost of the building not to exceed $3,000. The district received from the county treasurer in 1865, $537. The money to build the school house was loaned to the district by private individuals, chief among them being I. C. Stearns, H. H. Palmer, J. A. Thacher, Ezra Wilder and the Ladies' Sewing Society, with a few gentlemen loaning minor sums. E. L. Kingsbury was the contractor and builder, and received for the job $2,000.

In March, 1868, the district voted to have three terms of school per year of thirteen weeks each. This year the county treasurer paid to the district $717. In March. 1870, on motion of Ezra Wilder, it was voted to build- another school house and the board was authorized to select a site and proceed with the work.

They accordingly decided upon a site adjoining the public square and commenced excavation for the cellar when, serious opposition to that site developing, a special meeting of the district was called in .July of that year to decide the matter. By a majority of four votes the site north of the Baptist church was decided upon, the land being donated for that purpose. !l has been claimed that the majority was not one of all the voters in the district, but only of those present ami voting, a majority of all preferring the much more elevated site, though some <>f them failed to be on hand at the pinch. In consequence the present tine building is located where it is instead of on a spot where its tine and imposing proportions and asped would be much more effective than is now possible. In March, 1871, it Mas voted that there should he three schools and three terms of thirteen weeks each, and that there should be two male teachers and one female teacher. In and in 1872, +2.200. During this school year .Mr. Savage taught the high school for ten weeks. Previously and after the tirst school house was Iniill. the li'.idp'i's were (). II. Parker. Ilattie Ward, Emma Barrett, now Mrs. .lames Farwell; Lettie Barrett, now .Mrs. Harry Sergeanl of California; A.bby Moody, then of York. Maine, and Alice Kendall. At a district meeting held in October. 1872, on motion of J. A. Thacher, it was voted, with but two of three dissenting, to maintain the schools at the highest point of efficiency then attainable and that no backward steps be taken.

Recurring briefly to the early beginnings of the work of the Schools, of which, unfortunately, lor the first years no trace of records can be found, it may be said thai the persons to whom were committed the responsibilities of inaugurating and carrying forward the educational interests of the incipient community were men not only deeply interested in the work, but especially qualified to conduct il in such a way as not only to enlist hearty cooperation but also to fix and intensify the public sentiment in favor of unremitting devotion to the cause of sound, practical and thorough mental and moral training of the young people. Each member of the school board had learned the art of teaching by experience in New England. They were J. A. Thacher. 1. 0. Stearns and C. C. Webster. During all the years that have followed, the hoard has never been without members who were leading citizens, interested in their duties and competent to perform them so as to carry forward the cause which, to the honer of our village can be said, has been always near her heart. The first school house being on an elevated site and in itself a handsome building, having a fine front and crowned with a tasteful cupola, was, with the church, the conspicuous objects, arresting the eye as one approaching the town reached the brow of the prairie, where it descends toward the valley. Its two school rooms, above and below, were approached from the south. In L872, alter only six years of use, 11 caught fire one evening, on the roof, from some unexplained cause and was burned to the ground. The desks in the Lower room were saved and were used in one n\' the rooms of the upper floor of the house built in L870. At the time of the tin- a festival was being held in the second story open room of the building so recently destroyed by the same element, and the shock of sudden discovery of it brought the gathering to an abrupt close.

The new school building of two stories, high posted, dimensions 40 by 60 feet, buill in 1870, costing $4,000 not including furnishings, had the two Lower rooms at once finished and put to use. Teachers employed during the earlier years were Mr. Parker, Emma Barrett, Persis Scofield and Jessie Ball, who later becoming the wife of < harles A. Ward, and L. D. Henry, the principal for one year. All these teachers gave satisfaction. Later Mv. Henry acted as clerk in the store of H. II. Palmer and subsequently married one of his pupils. Jennie Weatherhead. For several years four teachers were employed, including the head master. The resources of the district steadily increased, as well as the number of the pupils. The salaries of the teachers also were gradually increased. With Mr. Henry the school rose to the grade of a high school, though not, of course, of the first class, at that time. Benjamin Darby was principal in 1872, a successful instructor and a man of powerful physique. It is said that when the fire which consumed the earlier school house was discovered, Prof. Darby and E. L. Melius, then in trade here and afterwards a physician of good standing, were among the first to enter the burning building, seeking to save whatever of value could be snatched from the flames. The egress by the stairway being cut off. they descended by a ladder. Mr. Darby with the big heating stove in his arms, while Mr. Melius bore off something less weighty. M. B. Green, an esteemed teacher, was principal in 1873-74, one year. Then Miss Wood for a short time was principal. In the fall of 1876 A. B. Guptill of Red Wing, a former resident of Lubec, Maine, became principal and remained till the spring following. In 1876 district No. 68 became independent, the school board assuming the duties and responsibilities that ordinarily rest upon a majority of the legal voters of school districts. The number of pupils in the primary department, taught by Miss Scofield, was 62; in the intermediate, taught by Miss

Mr. Fletcher succeeded Mr. .Guptill for a short time iu the spring of 1877, a worthy num. fund of music and excelling as a flutist. In the fall of 1877 .Mr. Mooney, also a native of Lubec, recommended by Dr. Tupper, who had known him there, took charge of the school for our term. Later he became a practicing lawyer in his native town.' In the fall of 1878 W. A. Snook succeeded to the principalship. He was a rigid disciplinarian. possessing both moral and physical courage for all emergencies. The modern history of Ziiinhrota schools is found elsewhere in this history.

Public Library

The Zumbrota Public Library. There are in Goodhue county two free public libraries, one at Red Wing, the other at Zumbrota. While the Red Wing library takes precedence as regards size, it must yield the palm as regards age to the Zumbrota library, which can trace its beginning to a period forty years ago. For some years during the early history of Zumbrota one of the most popular organizations in towi. was the Zumbrota Literary Society, at whose weekly meetings old and young, both men and women, gathered, finding therein much mental stimulus as well as recreation. Several prominent members of this organization, notable anion- them being .Joseph A. Thaeher, became, during the winter of L868 and 1869, much interested in the matter of a town Library. The few books which the early settlers had brought from their eastern homes had been circulated through the neighborhood until everybody had read them. Periodicals were few and expensive. The literary society was cramped in preparing ils programs by dearth of material, and individuals were hungry for good literature. After considerable agitation of the question, a new organization superseded the literary society, called the Zumbrota Literary Society and Library Association. By paying the sum of fifteen dollars, any individual could become a life member of the association, he and his family being thereby entitled to the use of the library for life. About twenty were found who became life members at this time, the following being a necessarily imperfect list of the names: J. A. Thaeher. -J. ('. Stearns. F. L. Halbert, H. H. Palmer, Henry Blanchard, John Mitchell, Charles A. "Ward. Sr.. Charles Ward, Jr., 0. H. Parker. J. B. Locke, Henry Shedd, Mathias P. Ringdahl, "William Wells, B. C. Grover, James Cram. D. B. Scofield, T. D. Rowell and T. P. Kellett. The first actual conlll-loKY OF GOODHUE COUJNTY 257 tribution toward the library fund was a cord of wood, contributed by Mathias P. Ringdahl. To the money obtained from life membership fees and voluntary contributions was added the proceeds of an oyster supper, given to celebrate the organization of the new association, and with these funds about 27.") books were purchased and placed in a room over the store building owned by Mr. Thacher and located where the Great Western station now stands, ( >. II. Parker being appointed librarian. .Many of us who now lake pride and pleasure in our beautiful library building can distinctly remember, as children, walking the length of the store, climbing the narrow, dusty stairway at the back. traversing a dark lane formed by piles of packing boxes, to the front of the store again, where we selected a library book from one of the two cases stationed by the window, then through the lane and down again to have the book charged to our name at the desk in the rear of the store. Sometimes we made the charge ourselves, for. since the librarian's labors were gratuitous, they must be as lighl as possible.

In February. 1 S 7 7 . Zumbrota became an incorporated village and not long after the library became the Free Public Library of Zumbrota, to be supported by a one-mill tax. Henceforth we find it in charge of a board appointed by the village council, and almost immediately the books were removed to Good Templars' hall, in the building owned by Charles Anderson. Mrs. .lames ('ram was elected librarian, with Ida Weatherhead, Mrs. Cooper and Amanda Dam as assistants, and these ladies kept the reading- room open two afternoons and one evening of each week, giving their own time to this for the good of the cause. After a year or two came another change. The library was moved into the building occupied by the Misses Walker's millinery establishment and Miss AValker became and was for many years librarian. Dr. O. H. Hall, for twenty years chairman of the committee for selecting new books, in writing of this period said that much of the prosperity of the library during these years was due to Miss Walker's faithful and painstaking work in its behalf, for which the small sum paid her for rent and care was no adequate compensation.

When a change became necessary by reason of Miss Walker's retiring from the millinery business, the library was moved into the Security State Bank building, and for some time a great deal of the work of conducting and caring for it was done by George A. Thacher, who selected new books, catalogued those on hand, and was first to agitate the question of a Carnegie library, although it was some years before the building became a fact.

held for three years, was deeply interested in the prosperity of the library, and it was largely through his efforts that the plans for a library building were successful, Andrew Carnegie furnishing the $6,500 which our building cost on the usual condition that a sum equal to 10 per cent of that amount be annually devoted by the village to the library. At the time of its completion in May, 1908, the structure was the smallest library building in the state. It provides a well arranged one-room library on the ground floor, with wall shelves, reading tables and librarian's desk. It is lighted by electricity and doubtless in the near future will be furnished with an adequate heating plant. There is a rest room furnished by Zumbrota business men in the basement. The rest room is open all day. The library is open every evening except Sunday, and on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Hattie Marvin, who is a graduate of the state university and has also completed the library course at the University summer school, is librarian and. like many of her predecessors in that position, is profoundly interested in the advancements of the library, and gives much gratuitous time to the work. There is no institution which so thoroughly gives evidence of the real spirit of Zumbrota as does our library, established in the pioneer days of hardship, persistently supported and increased through the changing fortunes of forty years, its work done largely by volunteers, with unwavering determination and unfailing enthusiasm, Zumbrota 's citizens have loved and labored for their library and now, in its new home, with two thousand books upon its shelves and thirteen periodicals upon its reading tables, and wTith an able and enthusiastic librarian, there seems no reason why its future may not be of the brightest.

Zumbrota comprises township 110. range 15, and originally included Minneola, which was set off in June, 1860. It is bounded on the north by Goodhue, east by "Wabasha county, south by Pine Island and west by Minneola. Through a larger part of the southern tier of sections runs one of the branches of the Zumbro, and from this river the name of the township is derived. The surface is largely rolling prairie, with higher, undulating land .in the northwestern portions.

The first settler was "William Fiske, who came in 1854 and took a claim on Dry Run, in the southeastern part. Fiske was a man of strong personality. He was born in Maine and for some years was a sailor. Of hermit tendencies, he tried to get as far from civilization as possible. He died in 1878 and is buried in the cemetery at Mazeppa, Wabasha county. Aaron Doty and

C. W. Smith were also early settlers, as was C. P. Bonney, who arrived .May 26, 1856, and built a cabin. It is related that for the first six weeks Mrs. Bonney saw the face of no white man but her husband.

In the fall of 1S55 Rev. II. X. Gates, a missionary who had been laboring in Iowa, returned to Stafford, Connecticut, where he had formerly lived, and proposed organizing an emigration company to establish a colony in the AY est. The first meeting was held in Stafford, at which time the company was organized, under the name of Stafford Western Emigration Company, with Albert Barrett, of Stafford, as president and Charles Ward, of Lowell, Mass., as secretary. The following members constituted the board: T. P. Kellett, Josiah Thompson, Joseph Bailey, D. B. Goddard, Dr. Ira Perry, James Elwell, Milton Bonner, Samuel Chaffee, Ruben A. Smith and C. ('. Webster. At a meeting held in Palmer, Mass.. January, 1856, they adjourned to meet at Lowell in February, 1856. One hundred and sixty persons joined the association at the time of the adjourned meeting in Lowell and the capital stock paid in at that time was $30,000. At this meeting Rev. H. N. Gates, Albert Barrett and Mr. Sherwood were appointed a committee to go to Iowa or Minnesota and purchase a township of land. The funds of the association were placed at the disposal of Rev. H. N. Gates, chairman of the committee. Nothing was heard from the committee after their departure until the latter part of May. 1856, when a call for a meeting was issued by the secretary, Charles Ward, stating that the committee had returned and would report.. Gates and Sherwood both made reports but disagreed, and the company disbanded. A smaller company was formed soon after. There were certain transportation concessions that had been made to the old company and the company wished to secure these and at the same time not have the name of the old company, a thing which was accomplished by the insertion of the letter "r" in the oh! name, the new designation being the Strafford Western Emigration Company. The members were Josiah Thompson, Ira Perry, Joseph Bailey, D. B. Goddard, T. P. Kellett and Samuel Chaffee.

In the latter part of July oi* early part of August. 1856, some of the members of the company came to this pari of Minnesota and, after looking over the country in different local it it's. Samuel Chaffee, D. B. Goddard and Joseph Bailey came across the Zumbro river valley with the intention of returning to \e\v England via Red Wing. As they ascended the hill north of where the village of Zumbrota now stands, Samuel Chaffee discovered the beauties of the valley, and probably to him belongs the en', lit for the subsequent settlement of the colony at that point. The fol- lowing day the party arrived in Red Wing, where Mr. Chaffee, who had heen taken ill on the journey, died, August 9, 1856. His remains still repose in the cemetery at Red Wing.

There was quite a tide of immigration to Zumbrota, ehieliy among those who belonged to the company, in the fall of 1856 and spring of 1857. Prink and Walker's stage route from Dubuque to St. Paul had previously been established through the township, but in March, 1857. the route was changed so as to lead through the village. T. P. Kellett was the first postmaster. The first death was that of John Cameron, December, 1856. AVilliam E. Winter was married in .May. 1857. his being the first marriage in the township.

An active participant in the settlement of Zumbrota is authority for the following items regarding the early days of the township: "Zumbrota was settled by a small fragment of a large company called the Stafford Western Emigration Company. The original company was organized in the winter of 1855-56. This company contained over 150 members, most of them heads of families. Its members were mainly from Massachusetts and Connecticut, h had a paid up capital of $30,000. The plan contemplated the purchase of at least a township of land in one body, and laying ou1 a village in the eenter of the tract. The aim of the projectors was to plant a distinctively New England colony in the West. At a meeting of the company at Lowell, Mass., in February. 1856, the organization was perfected and plans matured to transplant the colony in the early spring as soon as a suitable site could be selected by the committee of three chosen for the purpose. This committee started for the West soon after the meeting at Lowell and took with them about $30,000, with which to purchase land and make the needed improvements ready for the colonists, when they should arrive. It would be tedious to relate the details which followed the departure of the committee for the West. Suffice it to say that not one of the committee was a practical man. They had no acquaintance with western affairs. And at least two out of the three seem to have had separate schemes of their own by which each hoped to subserve his own interest, or that of his friends and backers. The result was such as might have been expected. There soon developed dissensions and divisions in the committee. After wasting some three months of time and $3,000 of the company's funds, the company was called together again in May, at Lowell, to hear the report of the chairman of the committee. The outcome of this meeting was a dissolution of the original company and a repayment of the funds to the members, less the amount expended or squandered by the committee. This re-

"Immediately upon the breaking up of the original company, a few of its members proceeded to reorganize a new company upon a much smaller scale. Several members of this company immediately started for Minnesota in order to find a location for their little colony. Instead of a special committee, the members constituted themselves a committee of the whole, and upon their arrival in Minnesota started out in search of land. They had agreed upon Red Wing as a place of rendezvous, where they should meet and compare notes. A company of three of these explorers, who seem to have been a leading sub-committee of the company, in the latter part of July, 1856, proceeded to the southwest of that point to a southerly portion of the then territory of Minnesota. This committee consisted of Joseph Bailey, Daniel B. Goddard and Samuel ( 'haffee. After several days of weary search for government land that could be had for their purpose, and finding nothing to their liking, they started on their return to Red Wing, weary, footsore and discouraged, fully resolved to return to New England.

"Let us now for a brief period leave our travelers making their melancholy journey to the Mississippi river, and give a few moments' attention to what has transpired in the valley of the north branch of the Zumbro. There was a beautiful valley, three miles in width, and perhaps four miles in length, through the center of which the Zumbro coursed like a serpentine band of silver. On account of this tract not being represented on the maps of the time as surveyed lands it was supposed by many to be on the 'Half Breed' tract, so called, consequently up to the midsummer of 1856 scarcely a settler had ventured into this beautiful valley. No road traversed it.' The trail of the red men and the old paths left by the buffalo were the only evidence remaining that any living creature had ever traversed the valley. The old territorial road from St. Paul to Dubuque crossed the Zumbro about one and one-half miles below the lower end of this valley. In the spring of 1856 a backwoodsman by the name of Smith, who was a born pioneer and could no more endure civilization than a Sioux Indian, who, nevertheless, was shrewd and scheming, in one of his hunting trips for (U-i'v. ducks and prairie chickens, strolled over the divide from the big woods on the middle branches of the Zumbro. where he had settled the year before, into the above described valley. He round to his surprise that no settler had invaded its precin'cts. His interesl was aroused. He traveled over its length and breadth, appreciated both its beauty and its advantages, though one may sup- pose that its beauties in his mind had more of a practical than an aesthetic value. Visiting the valley several times he discovered that near the center was an ideal site for a town: that the road from Red Wing to the southwest, if straightened, would cross the Zumbro in the center of his proposed townsite, and that there was a natural crossing at that point. He also discovered that by straightening the St. Paul and Dubuque road it would also cross the center of this valley. Keeping all this to himself, lie found a man by the name of Aaron Doty, who would preempt a quartersection in tin' valley ami share the land with him after the title was obtained from tie- government. Meantime he had traced out the rout'' for the change of the Red Wing and Mantorville road, and stationed himself somewhere near the center of the presenl town of Roscoe. in order to intercepl some of the many teams which were passing from towns and points south toward Red Wine-, lie was able, now and then, to persuade one to try the new route over the trackless prairie. In this way. after a while, there was a wagon track that could be followed in the direction he desired, straightening the former road. Ii was late in July or early in August of 1856, Smith and Doty had the walls of their shanty luiilt to the heighl of some ten feet. It had ;is yet no roof. A few boards leaned againsl the inside wall furnished them a rude shelter during the rain and at night. Occasionally a wayfarer would stop and share the hospitality t>\' Smith, whose wife had come over from the woods to keep house for her husband. Doty, who was unmarried, boarded with Smith. The sun A\as approaching the horizon one afternoon when three weary travelers called at Smith "s shanty and asked for a drink of water and some food. They were informed by Smith, who was delighted that his new road was beginning to be traveled, that he could accommodate them. Smith's wife soon spread before them on a rough board table such viands as Inn- larder afforded, consisting of wheal bread, molasses and cold boiled venison, some coffee, black as ink, without milk or sugar, and a refreshing drink of cold water from a spring near by. These three travelers were the sub-committee whom we left journeying toward Red Wing. They anxiously inquired the distance to Red AVing. and also the distance to the nearest stopping place 071 the road. Smith having no accommodation for them over night. They concluded to go on as far as Moer's. who had a log house where Luther Chapman's house was later erected. Smith, with his shreAvd inquisitiveness. had drawn out of these men the object of their journey and the fact of their failure to find what they were seeking for. Learning that they were the representatives of a colony and had been upon an unsuccessful search for a suitable,

Location, Smith, with his rude- enthusiasm, told them thai he had jusl the spot for, them; that the place where they now were was the promised land. He expatiated upon the fad that the center of the valley was just the place for a town; thai there was an abundance of vacanl land all around; pointed out the further fact that thai particular point was the natural center of travel from St. Paul to Dubuque, Wabasha to Faribault, and Red Wing to Mantorville, and other points to the southwest which made Red Wine- their shipping point. But our travelers were too weary and discouraged to listen to Smith's suggestions and propositions. Samuel Chaffee, one of the three, an elderly man, was not only weary hut sick. It was with difficulty that he could travel at all. lie reached Red Wine the next day and died a fewdays after. As the trio ascended the northern slope of the valley Mr. Chaffee, in his weak condition, sat down to rest. Turning his eyes toward the river, as the sun was casting its last rays upon the landscape, the view thai met his uaze was one of unequalled beauty. So impressed was he that he called out to his associates to stop and look at the landscape as he was doing. At firsl they chided him for delaying their progress, but at his solicitation they returned to his side. He exclaimed to them, 'How beautiful' Why is not that the spot we have been looking for?' His companions became interested also. As the shadows of evening began to fall the three men arose with a profound conviction that the beautiful valley before them was their Canaan. It continued to be the theme of their conversation while picking their way along the faint wagon tracks on the prairie, and at their lodging place. During the next day. with more hope than they had felt before, they made their way to Red Wing - Goddard and Bailey w^eak and footsore, Chaffee sick unto death. At Red Wing they found several of their associates awaiting them. They reported what they had found in the valley of the Zumbro. It was resolved by all of them that the place should be visited the next day. The other members of the party were Josiah Thompson. T. P. Kellett, Albert Barrett and Dr. Ira Perry. On the following morning, leaving Goddard to take care of his sick companion, Chaffee, the others chartered a conveyance and repaired to the valley of promise. It Avas afternoon when they came in sight of it. The whole party were in ecstasies over the view that met their eyes, and all with one accord exclaimed that it wTas the place for which they had been seeking for so long.

"They were soon in conference with Smith and Doty. The 100 acres preempted by Doty was negotiated for at a low price, each retaining an interest with the company, which was denomi- nated the Strafford Western Emigration Company. Smith, who knew every acre of land in the valley, pointed out to them the claims, very few of which had as yet been taken. Three or four pioneers had settled in the valley besides Smith and Doty, but they were soon bought out. Each of those present selected a claim for himself and one or two of his friends, who in some cases were real and in others imaginary. The land office was at Winona, where all those who had selected claims repaired and made the necessary tiling. On their return the party fell in with several persons who were seeking places in the West where they could settle, among them J. A. Thacher, a civil engineer and surveyor. He was induced to go along with the company. Meantime they had round a surveyor by the name of Beckwith, whom they had engaged to survey their lownsile. I'pon the return of the party from Winona, the townsite was surveyed and platted under t lie auspices of Messrs. Beckwith and Thacher. The shape of the original townsite was unique. It extended from the Znmbro river, one mile in Length and about seventy rods in width. It is ;i matter of tradition that the reason for Laying out the town -in this shape was thai the town would eventually grow to large dimensions and would extend across the river. The townsite was hounded on its west Por its whole length by a school section which was not then available. The ICO acres east of the surveyed townsite was claimed by S. I\ Gambia, of Red Wing, who had hecome a member of the company and who had promised, so far as he dared to do before getting the title to his land, that he would turn it in to the company and have it laid out in hits. One of the members had purchased of a settler a quarter-section, north of the school section, which some of the party alleged was to be turned in to the company and become a part of the extensive townsite. while -loseph Bailey and Ira Perry, getting possession of the adjacent land across the river, were to turn in that, in due course of time, to the company for a further addition to the townsite. Alas, for human expectations! The north quarter of the original strip of land laid out for a townsite was all and more than was needed for town purposes for many years after the events here narrated.

"Smith and Doty's shanty soon became a hotel. Travel had set in over the new road and many wayfarers were glad to avail themselves of the hospitality of the hostelry. Most of the members of the company lodged in the board shanty across the river, but took their meals at Smith's. Smith's hotel for several months was the center of interest and influence in the embryo city. A description of it may not be uninteresting: In dimensions it was 12 by 18 feet on the ground, and 12 feet to the eaves. It was built of poplar Logs aboul 8 and 1<> inches in diameter, roughly hewn on the inside and outside. The interstices between the logs were filled with clay, according to the mo'sl primitive architecture. The floor for the upper story was about eight feet from the lower floor, and both doors were rough boards. The upper story was u^<<| exclusively as a sleeping room. There was a small window in the east gable. In this attic there were as many beds as could be placed, some on rude bedsteads and some on the floor. These beds were made of prairie hay, and the bed clothes were mainly cheap blankets. There wen1 also two beds in the lower room, standing end to end. During the autumn the cooking and much of the housework was done in a lean-to shed at one end of the cabin. Soon after the location of the company, new arrivals were frequent, until Smith's hotel was filled to overflowing. The table fare was abundant, if not always palatable. But in those days appetites were good and the food was eagerly disposed of. The fare consisted mainly of bread made from wheat flour, mixed with the "fry of pork and baked in large iron pans; salt pork, occasionally boiled; fresh beef or venison, which sometimes was allowed to remain out in the sun until it became slippery before it was cooked. Vegetables were rare; butter likewise, and when furnished was. in strength, about five horse power. Molasses was a staple article. Coffee, or a decoction which went by that name, was an ever-present beverage. Those who lodged at Dr. Perry's shanty over the river had comfortable beds and pure air. at least. All was activity and stir. Everyone was eager to secure a claim and get his shanty up before winter. Soon all the travel from Red AYiug to the southward passed through the new settlement. The amount of teaming increased daily, and in a few weeks the new road became a busy thoroughfare. Trouble about this time arose over the claims which settlers had selected for friends, as they pretended. One of the settlers saved a claim near his own ostensibly for a friend, and then sold it for $350. This caused all kinds of trouble. Smith was indignant, as, in his interest for the settlers, he had given up the chance of making many a fat fee for locating casual settlers. The matter was finally adjusted to the satisfaction of Smith and of the company; but soon outside parties learned of these claims, held for so-called but largely imaginary friends, and began to settle on them, as was their legal right to do, and soon no claims were held except such as had been filed on according to law.

"The question of naming the new town was the cause of no little discussion. Zumbrota was finally decided upon. The original members of the company were not men of practical ex- perience and broad views in the matter of town building. The trustees, especially, were very narrow and short-sighted. They placed an extravagant price upon their town lots and were not liberal enough to devote any for much desired and needed improvements. One of the most important needs of the new town was a hotel. Ezra Wilder came over from Oronoco to build one. The trustees gave him no attention and were unwilling to makeany concessions to him. Doty finally sold him two lots at a reasonable price in an undesirable location. He proceeded to erect a building for a hotel late in the fall, which he was not able to make comfortable till midwinter, although it was actually occupied at the beginning of the winter. The frame of the building was put up and it was sided and the roof shingled by December 1. The weather was extremely cold and a considerable depth of snow was on the ground. Ento this he moved his wife and several children. Smith's cabin was full to overflowing. Another family besides Smith's occupied the lower floor, while the attic was filled with Lodgers. Wilder laid a loose floor in the second story of his building over the cook stove, and hung up sheets tn keep the snow out. Qpou this Moor a bed, filled with prairie hay, was laid and two men lodged there for some weeks. with the mercury outside a1 o<» below zero, and bu1 a trifle above that indoors where they slept. W'ildcr's family consisted of his wife and two daughters. Now these women endured the rigors of that terrible winter in the half finished building has ever been a mystery. So cold was it that, within four feet of the cook stove where these women cooked, water would \'ri'<'/JL in the men's beards while washing. A few families came on in the fall, bu1 they suffered many hardships and deprivations, which can scarcely be realized a1 this day. There were many cases of sickness and much discouragement. Dr. Perry's wife was sick all winter and nearly insane. Others were similarly affected. One poor fellow was taken down with typhoid fever at Smith's; the house was full of boarders; he soon died from want of care1 - it could not be given him. All travel soon ceased. Occasionally someone would go to Red Wing for the mail and needed supplies. T. P. Kellet had opened a store with a small stock of goods. No postoffiee was established until the following spring. Locomotion on the prairies was made on snow shoes. Those remote from timber found it difficult to keep warm during the winter. Snow fell about November 20 and remained on the ground until May of the following spring. Notwithstanding the setting in of winter, all parties were eagerly planning to advance the interests of the new town. It was determined to change the route of the

"The few members of the company remaining all the winter in Zumbrota were busy planning for the opening of spring, when large accessions of settlers were expected, and the parties who had gone east were expected to return with their families. The first important end to gain was to open the St. Paul and Dubuque stage road through Zumbrota. The stage company had promised to make the change if a passable road could be made. To open this road it became necessary to break a new track from Lee's, four miles southeast of Zumbrota, to Ilader, eight miles to the northwest. All the inhabitants in the settlement and along the proposed new route turned out on an appointed day, with shovels and axes, to cut down the brush and break through the snow crust, and a few yoke of oxen to tread the snow crust into some semblance of a road. After several days of hard work the road was declared passable and, to the unspeakable delight of all, the stage for the first time made the trip through the incipient town. This was a great event. The next move was to secure a post office. This was eventually done and T. P. Kellett appointed postmaster. The next important enterprise inaugurated was a bridge over the Zumbro at the foot of Main street. This bridge consisted of stringers of oak laid from bank to bank, upon which were laid for a floor poplar poles, hewed fiat on the upper and lower sides. This primitive bridge was the only one for several years. After the middle of March old settlers began to return and new ones started to come in. The ice did not break up on Lake Pepin until May 1. so that many of the families of the settlers were obliged to remain at the foot of the lake for days and weeks. There was a rush of people to Zumbrota in the spring. Many found claims on the prairie, a few settled in town. A large number, finding no chance of employment and no building material at hand, left for other parts. Those who remained exerted themselves to the utmost to boom the new town. A flouring mill was built, other enterprises inaugurated, high hopes were entertained and the prospects bore a roseate hue. The financial panic of 1857 blasted the hopes of the settlers, and it was many years before the town regained its prosperity and courage."

The first town meeting in Zumbrota, including what is now the township of Minneola. was held July 5, 1858. in the public hall over T. P. Kellett \s store, in the village of Zumbrota. The officers elected at this meeting were: Supervisors, I. C. Stearns (chairman), T. D. Kowell and George Sanderson; clerk. Charles Jewett; assessor, James Cram; collector, C. S. Spendly; overseer of the poor, Albert Barrett ; justices, Albert G. Hawkes and

Those who enlisted from here, who are still remembered by the old settlers, were: -lames L. Batty, William A. Bickford. Nathan Buckingham, William K. Barnes. Joseph Bonney. Edward E. Davis, William Dowling, II. K. Eggleston, Sanford ('. Holland. P. ( '. Hill. Orrin C. Leonard, J. II. Miner, Leonard B. Morris, John A. Merrill, William McDonough, Lieut. Bond Olson, Hiraman B. Patterson. George Reeves, dames Reeves, William Reeves. Benjamin J. Smith. Thomas Edwards, Francis Wyman and Daniel I). Alichaels. Others who were credited to this village hut who are not now remembered are : Goswin Dumers. Christian Ewen, Oswald Ewen, Michael Honan, John Howes, George W. Knowlton, David C. Grow, Thomas Foster, James H. Giles. Cabel Plant, George K. Clark, Patrick McCarty. AVilliam J. Weston, Josiah Whitford, Amund Amundson, Chauncey Pugher, Peter J. Hilden. Edward Lauderdale and Charles Root. In explanation of these latter names, practically none of whom are connected with this village, it is said that Joseph Thacher. then state senator and deputy provost marshal at the recruiting station in St. Paul, persuaded a number of recruits to give Znmbrota as their residence, thus filling the township quota, even though the recruits had never resided in this locality.