Houston County, Minnesota - Chapter 50 (2 of 2 so headed), 1882

Chapter 50

This is the shire town of Houston comity, and it has a village of the same name, originally laid out on section thirteen, which is of course on the eastern boundary of the township. As it would be impossible to divorce them, the town and village will be treated together in the following sketch, with perhaps a slight variation.

The village is but a few miles from the geographical center of the county, and is near the head of Crooked Creek valley. It is a dozen miles or so from the Mississippi, and lays high and dry on a rolling prairie, 550 feet above the river. The village is regularly laid out, with the direction of the streets corresponding with the cardinal points of the compass.

The principal business street is Main Street, an east and west thoroughfare, although two of the cross streets, Marshall and Kingston, are devoted largely to business purposes, as will be seen in the account of the business firms in town. North of Main is Lincoln, Grant, Caledonia, and High Streets. South of Main, is Grove, Washington, and Court Streets. For cross streets, the town line is east of the center of the village,and on that is the county road, beyond which the streets are named First, Second, etc. West of the public road the streets are East, Badger, Fine, Marshall, Kingston, Decora, Ramsey, and Hokah. The streets are of the usual width, many of them having plank sidewalks. Some of the crossings are plank and some are of stone.

Court House square is two blocks south of Main Street. On the northeast part of the block is the jail, a most creditable looking building, which is elsewhere described; south of this is the Court House, a purposeless looking structure, which the county has outgrown, and which, in due time, will be replaced by a building for county purposes in accordance with present and future requirements.

The other buildings for public purposes, churches and schools, are quite up to the average in villages no older than this. The building material is commonly of wood, although there are several of stone and a few of brick. The dwellings are good comfortable structures, and there are quite a number of fine residences, with ornamental grounds, some af which will, in another place, receive special mention.

As to health fulness, there can be no more salubrious climate, or physical surroundings more conducive to health and longevity, than is presented in Caledonia, where there are no prevailing diseases, and where the chronic remark of one doctor to another is that "it is distressingly healthy."

Water here, if sought for in the earth, has to be procured at uncertain, and sometimes great depths; and although the prevailing opinion may not coincide with the statement, it is nevertheless believed to be true, that cistern water, if properly filtered, taken as it falls from the clouds, before it has passed through the obnoxious decomposing vegetable elements on the surface of the earth, is much preferable to water which has taken up organic or mineral substances in its passage through the ground. The difficulty of procuring water by means of wells, has compelled the people, against

Caledonia is a place of considerable trade which is supplied by the residents in the vicinity, as well as its own citizens. When the railroad, connecting it with the commercial world, went west, in obedience to the great movement started by the Pilgrim Fathers, and which was never more vigorous than to-day, considerable trade stopping here per force, went on east, inflicting some disappointment, which, however, soon adjusted itself to the new circumstances in obdienoe to an instinct which is nowhere so striking as in America, where surprises, from their frequency, have almost ceased to be surprises at all.

It not unfrequently happens that the building of a particular railroad, looked upon with such fond anticipations, proves to be a temporary setback to prevailing prosperity, which time can only compensate for by new arrangements, and new developments. It was so in California; the completion of the Union Pacific railroad, by upsetting values, gave the Pacific coast a most profound commercial shock, that it took years to recover from.

The village, from its position in the center of a fine farming community, will enjoy a certain amount of trade, if its dealers are prepared to accommodate it.

Looking in another direction, the future prosperity depends largely upon the enterprise of its leading citizens. If competent attention is paid to manufacturing articles required within its commercial influence, its certain growth and prosperity is assured. A neglect in this direction will leave the place a slow growing County Seat, duplicating the experience of hundreds of others. Indeed the healthy condition of Caledonia to-day is more largely indebted to the limited manufacturing now carried on here, than most residents would be willing to admit.

The population of Caledonia, by the United States census of 1880, was: village, 894; township and village, 1,890; which has not very materially increased since that time.

In 1860, the whole number in the village and town was 701. These last figures represent what had been done in the eight years since the first settlement of the place.

As an early settlement it is antedated by Brownsville, which was at first the county seat, but on account of its location, and it being already a very thriving village, it was soon located here to remain, although there have been several more or less vigorous efforts made to have the county seat removed to one of the towns on the line of the Southern Minnesota railroad.

The narrow gauge railroad comes into town from the east, and, for a distance of two blocks, runs on Grant Street, the second north of Main; it has a good depot and an elevator, and as the road leaves the village, going west, it is deflected toward the south, to ultimately reach Spring Grove, which is on the lower tier of towns, to the west.

Caledonia has furnished several State officers, and several unsuccessful candidates for State positions, among them one for that of governor. The people of the village are of a good quality, attending to their own affairs. As to society, it has several "sets" and the usual number of grades, where the regular conventionalities are observed.

The Earliest Settlement

An absorbing interest is always manifested in regard to the very first pioneer who ventured into any locality to establish a home, and it would seem that while the parties who were contemporary with the first settler are still living, it would not be difficult to promptly arrive at the facts, but for various reasons, which it may not be desirable to state, there is much more uncertainty in this respect than would be supposed by those who have not undertaken to gather this kind of information. It is quite clear, however, that the first person to locate with his family within the limits Caledonia township, was Ralph L. Young, who was said to have been a Mormon elder with Joseph Smith, at Nauvoo, Illinois. He had a wife and three children, two sons and a daughter. He put up a bark hut in the southern part of the town m 1851. In May, 1852; Anthony Huyck and Peter L. Swartout, a pair of jolly batchelors, made their claim as mentioned elsewhere. A few others had also made their way hither.

The real founder of Caledonia was Samuel Mc- Phail, who came from Alton, Illinois, in December, 1851, and located in Wild Cat valley, as it was called, about two miles from Brownsville. In March, 1853, he went to where Caledonia now stands and selected a claim, and in J one, began active improvements building a little store and log

Mr. O. W. Streeter had a store in another place, and also had an interest in this one started by Mc- Phail. The business was afterward in the hands of A. D. Sprague, and finally came into the possession of Sprague Brothers & Co., who now manage it in a revised and enlarged form. Mr. Wm. F. Dunbar had been here in December, 1852, on a prospecting tour, and being pleased with the appearance of the land, had returned to Massachusetts, and induced ' about forty of his friends to seek new homes in Southern Minnesota. Mr. Dunbar returned in August, 1853. The first installment of this party arrived on a steamer, at Brownsville, in the night, and having been commended to a certain hotel, they made their way to it, to find a log hut, with not standing room enough inside for the party, to say nothing about sleeping room; but they all made the best of the situation, and the next day followed the trail to their future home, Caledonia. The names of a number of this party are here given: Edwin H. Stewart and family, John Dunbar and family, Henry Parmelee, and Michael Mead. Samuel Armstrong came the year before, and Joseph Pendleton, who was from South Hadley Falls where most of the party were also from, was already here; he afterward moved to Tennessee.

Mr. Stewart located on the farm he still owns, the neighbors all turned out and helped to lay up a log house, and it was finished on Sunday night, so that they moved in at once. It was 14x24 feet, and at one time they had fifteen in the house for three months, and Mrs. Stewart says there was too much chink ventilation to make that crowding unhealthy.

The greatest trouble at first was the want of water. When the Stewarts went to housekeeping, they had but a two- gallon jug full. McPhail had loaned them the jug, and gave them the water. On the 25th of October, that year, it began to snow. Mrs. Stewart was alone, with no one to send for water; she was expecting friends, and had but a pint of water in the house. She spread out sheets and table cloths and caught snow to melt, and so bridged over that immediate difficulty.

Other settlers that came here about this time were: J. W. FinD, who located southeast of Swartout; Jacob Webster, wife and two children, was another family, now well known in town;

Dan. Herring and family; Hiram Abbey and family, his wife being the daughter of Mr. Armstrong; James Wing, who married Miss Gillett after coming here; Henry Parmelee, who married another of Mr. Armstrong's daughters, Margaret, which was one of the earliest weddings in town; Joseph Pendleton, who was also married here to Miss Andrews; John Burns came a bachelor, as many others did, not being certain whether it would be safe to bring a woman here at that time; and Tom. Burns, who lived here until a few years ago, when he went to Dakota and there died; his wife died at an early day.

The First Death. - Mrs. Sarah M. Pomeroy died on the 24th of May, 1854, and it is likely that her babe was one of the first births in town. Mr. Pomeroy returned to the East after his wife's death. Mrs. Robinson, the daughter of Mr. Webster, died after living here awhile.

Mrs. McPhail had a daughter, who was named in honor of the State, which may have been the first child born here; it did not long survive. John J. Dunbar also had a son born, who died in May, 1854.

Late in the fall of 1853, there was a social gathering of the entire community at a candy pull. The whole settlement was there, and they numbered twenty-eight souls.

During that first winter there were several parties and dances at Mr. James Hiner's, who had arrived and started a hotel where the De Soto House now is. Huyok and Swartout were located where the Burns place now is.

Mr. McPhail had the village platted in the the spring of 1854, Mr. Eugene Marshall, the gentlemanly cashier of the Bank, making the survey, and doing the other work.

and there was quite a lively trade kept up with the Winnebago Indians, who had not then left this part of Minnesota. The most noted of the chiefs were Porter, Lightfoot, and his son, Little Priest But the early settlers here had little or no trouble with the Indians.

The nearest grist-mill was on Canoe Creek, in Iowa, and after reaching there it sometimes cost $10 for 100 pounds of flour. To show the disadvantages under which these people labored, it is related that Mr. McPhail, to get some work done for a plow, went to Prairie du Chein, paid 85.00 steamboat fare, and $2.00 hotel bills, for sixty cents worth of blacksmith work. But, notwithstanding such little drawbacks, the people were happy. Hope was then certainly springing eternal in the breasts of those hardy pioneers, very many of whom to-day, judging from their financial condition, must have exceeded their youthful expectations, unless they were unusually extravagant in this direction. Mr. McPhail is now a resident of Alta Vista, Minnesota, but he remembers the scenes of his early triumphs, and his early friends, as an exile remembers his early home and the environments of his early childhood.

L. W. Paddock arrived in 1853, from Illinois. His location was west of the town on section fourteen. Nelson Haight located southwest of the town, and had quite a family. Enoch C. Young, and his brother Alphonzo, sons of Balph L. Young, came here to spy out out the land, and afterwards the family came as above stated. After a time, as the country was settled up west of Houston county, the road through Caledonia became a great thoroughfare, and hundreds of teams were passing through every day, to and from the river. Wheat was often hauled from Albert Lea to Winona, but the expense would sometimes nearly eat up the whole price obtained for the grain. As an instance; a farmer contracted to have a load of grain teamed to Winona for forty cents a bushel, and on its arrival there it sold for forty-five cents a bushel, so the farmer obtained the munificent sum of five cents a bushel for his wheat; which realizes in a striking way the difference between the cost of transportation by animal and steam power, for now a bushel of grain can be carried around the world and still have a moiety of its value left

The virgin soil used to produce thirty-one bushels of wheat to the acre, as one man says, he raised 500 bushels on sixteen acres, which he sold for twenty cents a bushel in the stack.

The first threshing machine used by the early comers, was a double affair, composed of two pieces, with an eel-skin attachment between them. It was a one man power, and many of the present generation have never seen one like it; it was called a flail.

The earliest settlers had some trepidation as to the Indians, and unusual noises at night would create some alarm. Occasionally a belated traveler would lose the trail, and his shouting to attract attentio i would be taken as the distant reverberations of the sanguinary war whoop.

The first comers supposed as a matter of course, that water could be procured at reasonable depths, but it was soon found that a successful well with ordinary digging, was far from being the rule, and building cisterns and making artificial ponds was resorted to for a water supply. On one occasion some new comers borrowed Wm. F. Dunbar's ox team, to haul some water from the creek, just at dark, and, on attempting to return, the party got lost, and Mr. Dunbar started to find them. After venturing as far away as he dared without being lost himself, he succeeded, by vigorous shouting, in making them hear, but it was ten o'clock when they got back.

In the fall of 1854, more of the recruits from New England arrived, and were assisted to make themselves comfortable for the winter. The foreign element began to appear in 1856. The Irish were the first, then came the Norwegians, and lastly the Germans.

It must be remembered that the land was not in the market until 1854, when the first land sale was held in Brownsville All the settlers were at that time squatters, and realizing their sovereignty, a mutual protective association was organized, and a manager appointed to look after the interests of members, whose duty it was to attend the land sale, and when any section, or fraction therof, was put up, to announce that "that property is occupied and has been improved by Mr. so and so, and he will in due time file his claim and attend to the payment for the same."

This was long before the passage, or rather the enactment of the homestead law, which was vetoed several times in the interest of monopoly before it finally became operative. The laws were then in the interest of speculators. A man might break up and improve a quarter section, build a dwelling, barns, and fences, and there was nothing in the law to prevent any one from attending the land sale, or going to the land office and buying it in; and the settlers, to preserve their rights, which in equity they had, banded themselves together, and the penalty for an infraction of their simple rules was, that the offender should be crowded into the Mississippi River. The horde of cormorants who came with the words **let us prey," in every lineament of their features, very judiciously waited for a more favorable opportunity.

This part of the county was surveyed in 1853-54, and as soon as this was done, eaoh settler, learning the description of his land, and adjusting his boundaries, would file his claim, get a certificate, and in due time have a patent signed by the President of the United States.

Mr. J.J. Belden, who has always been a prominent citizen, came with his family from Connecticut, arriving at Brownsville on the 10th of April, 1854, on the steamer War Eagle, it beiug the first trip up that spring, from Galena, near where they met the steamer Greek Slave, going down. There were eighty persons got off the boat at Brownsville, or Wild Cat Bluff, as the steamboat Captains called it, to locate in various places. There were then about three log cabins there. The party for Caledonia moved in that direction in a procession headed by two ox-teams. Mr. Belden located on section twenty -four and still lives there: the original log-cabin yet remains as a silent reminder of those early struggles to plant a home in the wilds of Minnesota.

Daniel Kerr came in 1854, and took a claim on section three. He was originally from Scotland, and had a family of ten children, eight of whom are still living.

Robert Lewis moved here in 1855. He still has the team of horses, twenty- three and twenty- four years of age, respectively, that took himself and family away at the time of the Indian panic in 1862.

At a "candy pull," alluded to elsewhere, there were present : Mr. and Mrs. MePhail, at whose house the sociable took place, Mr. and Mrs. James Hiner, Mr. and Mrs. J. Dunbar, Anthony Huyck, Peter Swartout, Joseph Pendleton, Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong, Mr. and Mrs. Finn, Mr. and Mrs. Stewart, and Henry Parmelee, with their children and others who were here at the time. It was an enjoyable affair, for the first union gathering, and numerous reunions were held afterward, which afforded rare enjoyment for the settlers, as they relieved the monotony of pioneer life.

The first religious services held in the neighborhood of school district No. 39, was at the house of Nelson Haight, in 1855. Prayer meetings were held there for some time, and Rev. John Hooper sometimes held meetings in the neighborhood.

Elkana Huyck, from Albany county, New York, came in 1855, and bought 100 acres in section twenty-seven, but did not live on it for ten years or so afterward.

There is no pretense in this volume, of mentioning all the pioneers or early settlers of any town or village, for, naturally, there are many persons who come along with the crowd in a quiet way, and who, on account of their circumspection, never attract particular notice. Not unfrequently large numbers of the best citizens, of those to whom the community is indebted for its prosperity, never have their names before the public. What is desired here is to give the reader a truthful idea of the settlement and the progress of events up to where we find them now.

The Fib8T Schoolhouse

The First attempt to build a schoolhouse was on Belden's Hill. Mr. Dunbar, Mr. Belden, and others in the fall of 1854, commenced the erection of a log building in their neighborhood, and got it ready for the roof, when Mr. McPhail and others, with an eye to securing every advantage for the embryotic village, made a proposition which was favorably received, to build a schoolhouse in the edge of the village, toward the Dunbar place. So the schoolhouse was built there, and it served a good purpose until about 1864, when it was removed to make room for the present structure. The old building is still in existence as the brown house nearly opposite Sprague's hardware store.

The First Marriage

The question is whether James H. Williams and Martha Hiner, or Henry Parmelee and Miss Maggie Armstrong were married first. Both couples were married before the county organization, and it matters little which is given priority.

Town Organization

The initial meeting to organize the town, took place on the 11th of May 1858. It was called to order by Samuel McPhail. Nelson Haight was chosen moderator, and Eugene Marshall, clerk. The whole number of votes oast at that election was 126. The officers elected were: Supervisors, Stephen Bugbee, Chairman; John Dorsch, and Oliver Dunbar; Town Clerk, Truman B. Neff; Assessor, William McGinnis; Justices of the Peace, Thomas Abbott and J. Webster; Collector, Wm. W. Willis; Overseers of the Poor, Samuel Armstrong and Jedediah Pope; Road Supervisors, James H. Williams and Peter L. Swartout.

The officers for 1881, are as follows: Supervisors, B. W. Andrews, Chairman; Henry Becker, and C. W. Wheaton; Clerk, Hugh T. Brown; Treasurer, Theodore Schmidt; Assessor, Mathias Schlitz; Justices of the Peace,Patrick Jennings and Reuben Rollins; Constables, Halvor Wisland and Samuel N. Wheaton.

Village Organization

Caledonia was organized as a village in accordance with an act of the State legislature, approved Feb. 25th, 1870; and the first election was held on Monday, the 2d of May of the same year. M. M. Wooden and Thomas Abbotts were Judges of Election. At 10 o'clock, N. H. Kemp was chosen moderator, and Nicholas Koob was appointed clerk. At 4 o'clock the polls were closed, and a canvass of the votes showed the whole number oast to be forty-five. Each of the following persons received a unanimous vote for their respective offices: Trustees, D. L. Buell, Thomas Abbotts, and Nicholas Koob; Justice of the Peace, M. M. Wooden; Treasurer, T. W. Burns. The trustees appointed Nicholas Murphy as Village Clerk. Michael Lally was appointed Surveyor of Highways. Hon. D. L. Buell was appointed President of the board of trustees.

The first ordinance was in relation to drunkenness and disorderly conduct, fixing the penalty between five and twenty dollars. The second ordinance related to licenses, fixing the fee at $40. The third related to the obstruction of streets. The fourth, to the hitching of horses, oxeu, or other draft animals to trees, gates or fences. The fifth provided a pound, and the sixth regulated the laying down of sidewalks.

This brings the village around to near the end of its first year, when it began to feel metropolitan and no more ordinances were passed until more than two years afterwards. Various ordinances have since been passed, however, some amended, and some repealed. The whole number, consecutively arranged, comes up to thirty-three.

At the second election, in the spring of 1871, the following persons were elected: D. L. Buell, President; N. Koob, and N. E. Dorival, Trustees, and James O'Brien, Village Clerk.

In January, 1873, Mr. E. W. Trask resigned as Village Clerk, and N. E. Dorival was elected in his place. The village license was raise to $50; and additional restrictions enacted. On the 6th of March, 1873, a petition was presented to the village board, asking that a special election be held to vote on the question of issuing bonds to assist in the construction of a Court Couse, for the use of the county. The petition was signed by, Thomas Abbotts, Wm. McGinnis, Nicholas Koob, N. E. Dorival, James O'Brien, Daniel Hainz, Peter Roberts, D. C. Spragne, J. Scofieid, and A. D. Sprague. An election was accordingly ordered for the 17th of March, when the following question was voted on :

Yes or No. "Issue of bonds to aid in the erection of county buildings." The sum was not to exceed $5,000. The result of the election was 90 votes, ail in favor of issuing the bonds. A formal proposition was then made to the county board, to donate this amount on condition that the buildings should be commenced at once and not to cost less than $15,000.

The Caledonia and Mississippi Railroad Company, through the friends of the enterprise, petitioned the board to order a special election, to see if the Village would aid the construction of the road by voting bonds to the amount of $12,000. And in response to this request an election was ordered, and held on the 11th of March, 1874.

There must have been considerable interest in the proposition, as the whole number of votes cast were 143, of which, 124 voted for the proposition, and some of the minority voted on a modified plan. So the proposition was declared carried.

At the elected on the 6th of April, 1874, the following persons were elected village officers: Trustees, Thomas Abbotts, Jacob Bouquet, and Joseph Vossen; Village Clerk, Thomas Ryan, Jr.; Treasurer, N. Koob; Justice of the Peace, O. J. Weida; Constable, H. K. Belding.

Another proposition was made on the 17th of March, 1875, to further aid the Caledonia and Mississippi railroad, by voting $8,000 additional. The question was submitted to the legal voters of the Village on the 30th of March. The polls were opened at 10 o'oclock, A. M., and closed at 4 o'clock P. M., and the result of the election was as follows: whole number of votes deposited, 184; 103 in the affirmative and 71 in the negative. So the proposition, "Shall bonds be issued," was declared duly carried.

At the regular election on the 5th of April, 1875, the following were the successful candidates: Trustees, J. H. Cooper, Joseph Vossen, and J. J. Belden; Village Clerk, Thomas Ryan, Jr. ; Treasurer, Nicholas Koob; Assessor, John Aiken; Constable, J. B. Davidson.

At one time a well was sunk at the junction of Marshall and Main streets, and a pump applied to be worked by a windmill. It was in operation for some time with more or less success, but on account of the expense involved by frequent repairs, necessitated by the great distance the water had to be raised, it was finally abandoned.

On the 25th of March, 1876, a proposition was made by Oliver Dunbar to have the board purchase a Fire Engine at a cost of $283.82, but nothing came of it.

At the election on the 3d of April, 1876, the following persons were chosen as village officers: Trustees, J. J. Belden, Walter Goergen, and Joseph Vossen; Treasurer, Nicholas Koob; Assessor, T. W. Burns; Justices of Peace, O.J. Weida and M. M. Wooden; Village Clerk, Thomas Ryan, Jr.; Constable, S. W. Walker. This was an uneventful year, the most noticeable thing in the proceedings of the board being allowances for sidewalks, and bills for the repair of the windmill and pump.

In 1877, the election was on the 2d of April. The officers elected were: Trustees, Joseph Vossen, J. J. Belden, and A. J. Flynn; Treasurer, Nicholas Koob: Assessor, James McMahon; Clerk, Thomas Ryan, Jr. ; Constable, D.C. Thompson. On the 27th of April, C. A. Coe was appointed Village Clerk in place of Mr. Ryan, who had removed from the village. This year the Pound was removed to a lot purchased by the village. A petition was received on the 14th of August, 1877, signed by leading citizens, asking for an appropriation to sink -an artesian well, and a special election was held to determine whether a tax amounting to $3,000, to defray the expense of sinking a well, should be assessed. The result of the balloting was 35 votes in favor and fifty

On the 5th of January, 1878, the license fees were fixed at $100, payable half yearly in advance. On the 21st of January, 1878, the trustees adopted a resolution that: Unless the Caledonia and Mississippi railroad should be completed by the 25th of January, 1879, that the bonds voted for that purpose, to the aggregate amount of $20,000, should be forfeited, and the company was so notified.

In March, 1878, W. C. Pidge was employed to resurvey the village plat,to establish boundaries at the street crossings, and make a complete map of the village, for the sum of $110, to be completed by the first of May.

On the 28th of December, the resignation of J. J. Belden, as president of the board, and trustee, was accepted, and Charles A. Coe was appointed to fill the vacancy. A petition with eighty-three signatures was presented asking that the time for building the railroad, to secure the village aid, be extended, which was unanimously refused.

At the April election in 1879, the whole number of votes cast was 185, and the following persons duly elected: Trustees, J. C. Keirn, President, S. Williams and Jesse Scofield; Clerk, A. J. Flynn; Treasurer, N. Koob; Assessor, N. H.Kemp; Constable, John C. Bessen.

At a meeting of the village board, held on the 12th of May, 1879, a petition was presented, signed by twenty of the leading citizens, asking that another election be held to see whether the village would issue bonds to the amount of $20,- 000, to aid in the completion of the Caledonia and Mississippi railroad. The conditions being that the road shall be running to a point west of Kingston street by the 1st of October, 1879. The bonds to be executed and placed in escrow in the hands of D. L. Buell. An election was accordingly ordered for the 23d day of May, 1879. A canvass of the votes revealed the whole number to be 193,of which 112 were in favor of the propositon, and 81 against it, the majority for the proposition being thirty-one. The proposition being carried, the bonds were accordingly issued. The authority for this action was found in an act of the State legislature, approved March 4th, 1875. Authority was given the company to occupy Grant and other streets necessary to get iuto town.

At the election held on the 5th of April, 1880, the following gentlemen were duly elected : Trustee, Joseph Vossen, President; W. H. Bunce, and Daniel Hainz; Clerk, A. J. Flynn; Treasurer, N. Koob; Assessor, N.H. Kemp; Justice of the Peace, C. S. Trask; Constables, N. Weigand and G. A. Lindley.

In the spring of 1881, it was determined to set aside two- thirds of -the license money received, toward paying the indebtedness for railroad bonds, and accordingly, the fees for selling spirituous and malt liquors was raised from $50 to $100 per year, and as there were fourteen licenses granted, this realized quite a sum as a sinking fund.

The election in 1881, was on the 6th of April, and the officers elected were: Trustees, Joseph Vossen, President, D. L. Buell, and W. H. Bunce; Treasurer, N. Koob; Clerk, A. J. Flynn; Assessor, N. H.Kemp; Justices of the Peace, J. Vossen and C. S. Trask; Constable, J. P. Bessen;. Little of public interest has been transacted up to January, 1882, where our record closes.

The schools of Caledonia village are in old District No. 42, of the county system, which was organized into an independent district in 1880, previous to which time the schools were under county supervision and were well up to the requirements as county schools usually go. The first attempt at building a schoolhouse was made on Belden' s Hill, as has already been stated. Mr. J. J. Belden donated the lot for the purpose, and the logs were laid up ready for the roof, meantime,however,a log house was built in the town, so that the building southwest of the town was never completed for that purpose. About 1864, anew building was constructed where it now stands, opposite the Presbyterian Church. Before the old one was torn down, it had to receive, it could hardly be said to accommodate, 110 pupils, three being often crowded into a seat designated for two. But as that was during the war, and they had a patriotic teacher, Mrs. Sheldon, who encouraged military drilling by the boys, and red, white, and blue embroidered aprons to be worn by the girls, there was sufficient out-door exercise to counteract the in-door crowding.

The first teacher was Reuben Rollins, in the store first built by O. W. Streeter or Mr. McPhail, it was a mere log cabin, on Kingston Street. The schoolhouse was built in the fall of 1854, and Truman B. Neff was one of the early teachers, and Miss Sarah McNelly followed. In 1857 or '58, Mr. David M. Farr opened a private school. Mr. Farr was a Sleight-of-hand performer, a professor of legerdemain, of an itinerant turn, he afterwards went west, and it is understood located in Moscow, Mower county.

To give a list of those who taught, up to the time the village was organized as an independent District, would be to present quite a galaxy of names, and it would embrace some of the best ladies in town, the leaders in society at the present time, as well as others who have joined the procession that is marching away never to return.

The Independent school district was inaugurated in this way : On the 25th of February, 1880, a notice was posted, requesting the voters of the district to assemble at the schoolhouse on the 8th of March, to determine whether, in accordance with Chapter 36 of the general statutes of 1878, an Independent district should be organized. The notice was in conformity to law, and was signed by O. J. Weida, A. D. Sprague, Daniel Hainz. A. J. Flynn, C. W. Metcalf, D. G. Sprague, and W. H. Harries. The legal voters of the district accordingly convened. W. H. Harries, Esq., called the meeting to order, when E. P. Dorival was elected Chairman, and A. J. Flyun was appointed Clerk. After the object of the meeting had been stated by the chairman, Mr. Harries read the law applicable to the case, and recommended the formation of an Independent school organization. Prof. A. H. Belding coincided with this view in a few pointed remarks, deprecating the State law in relation to books, and expressing dissatisfaction with their quality as furnished. The final result of the balloting was twenty-two for the proposition and twelve against, so the plan was adopted.

The second meeting, to complete the organization, was held on the 20th of March, when W. H. Harries was Chairman, and A. H. Belding, Clerk. The following board of Directors was elected: to serve three years, W. H. Harries and P. J. Smalley ;

The board of education subsequently organized, D. L. Buell was made President, and A. J. Flynn, Clerk of the board; E. P. Dorival was elected Treasurer, Various committees were appointed, and the school machinery set in motion. It was found that the number of scholars in the primary department of the public schools was sixty-eight, average attendance, forty-four, seating capacity, forty-eight. In the intermediate department, total number of scholars, seventytwo, average attendance, forty -six, seating capacity, sixty. In the g rammer school, the average attendance was twenty-eight, seating capacity, forty-six.

At a meeting held on the 3d of April, 1880, Mrs. J. S. Kilbourne, Miss Florence Bunce, and G. J. Lomen, were appointed on the board of examiners. On the 14th of April, A. H. Belding was appointed Principal of the public schools for the remaining term of the school year.

At a meeting on the 17th of April, Miss Fannie E. Dunbar was appointed teacher of the intermediate school for the ensuing term, and Miss Fannie Lapham was appointed teacher of the primary department. The salaries were fixed as follows: Mr. Belding $55.00, and the ladies $35.00 per month.

At the commencement of the next school term, it was voted, on the 31st of July, to employ four teachers, and A. H. Belding was afterwards appointed as Principal, and Miss Josephine A. McCan, Miss Eva Burns, and Miss Mary E. Anderson as assistants.

The annual meeting of the independent district was held on the 4th of September, 1880. J. J. J. Belden was moderator. The report of the board was received. E. P. Dorival and A. J. Flynn were elected directors for three years.

The board of education, at a meeting held on the 16th of July, 1881, appointed the following teachers: Miss Fannie E. Dunbar, Primary; Miss Emma Randolph, Second intermediate; Miss L. L. Wilder, First intermediate; Miss Josephine McCan, Grammar department. The salaries were adjusted as follows: Grammar and First intermediate, $40 per month; Second intermediate and Primary, $35. W. D. Belden was appointed a member of the examining board.

At the annual school meeting in September, 1881, D. L. Buell and W. E. Dunbar were elected directors for the term of three years. A meeting of the board in September appointed A. H. Belding and G. J. Lomen, members of the board of examiners. D. L. Buell was made President; E. P. Dorival, Treasurer, A. J. Flynn, Clerk. In December, 1881, the salary of Miss McOan, in the Grammer school was increased to $45 per month. Quite a full account of the transactions of the board of education has been thus presented, for present as well as prospective information as to school affairs, in the closing quarter of the nineteenth century, that has been so productive in new methods. In addition to what has been mentioned as having been done by the board since the new departure, a different series of books have been introduced as fast as possible, new charts have been ordered, and the most improved plans adopted. And if the people continue to second the motions of the board, the schools will continue to be objects of pride to the whole community.

School No. 33 is the outcome of the original district No. 6. The first school taught was in the log house of Nelson Haight, on section twenty-eight, in the fall of 1859. The teacher was Mrs. Mary Wheaton, now Mrs. M. L. Brigham. The next school was in the house of G. N. Thompson, just west of Flynn's stone house, on section thirty-three. In the summer of 1861, the teacher was Laura V. Haight. The next school was in Thompson's stone house. The school house of this district is on section twenty-seven; was erected in 1863, and has a comfortable seating capacity of fifty. The first school within its walls was presided over by Wm. Connift; in the winter of 1863-64. About 1877, the German Catholics had a schoolhouse in which several terms were held..

The first school in district No. 40, was at the house of Reuben Rollins. The district was established in 1859. The second school was in the house of J. Pope. The school house was built in 1863.

District No. 21. The house was built in 1870. In 1866, there was a school in a log house on section twenty-two, Miss Margaret Murphy was the teacher. In 1868,* a school was kept by Mr.

Schools No. 35 and 36, were the outcome of school started in 1856 or '57,;in a log house on section eleven, where it was kept up until the winter of 1873, when two houses were put up, No. 35, on section eleven, and the other. No. 36, was built soon after on section nine. Mr. L. D. Churchill was among the first teachers in the log houses.

The history of these districts is not unlike, in the principal features, that of all the others. We have at first a necessity for a school, and a firm resolve to meet the requirements, and then the best make-shift for a place and the best teacher available, and as the ability of the people grows, school houses are provided.

Caledonia Academy

The Academy building was erected in 1869, by Rev. W. R. Powell, who conducted a school for one year, but not receiving sufficient patronage to meet the expenses, he gave it up and left the place. His successor in the pastorate of the Episcopal Church, then took charge of the school for about one year, when, as it did not meet his expectations, it was again abandoned. In the fall of 1871, and the winter of 1872, Mr. E. W. Trasktook hold of the enterprise. In the autumn of 1872, Prof. W. D. Belden, a young gentlemen of education, energy, and enterprise, assumed the management of the institution, and proceeded to organize an academy in accordance with the requirements of the times. A regular course of study was prescribed for four years, or, to be more exact, there were two courses, a practical one, where the student desired to have this end his school education, and a classical one for those who expected to enter a collegiate course, particular reference being had to the State University, this Academy being a connecting link between the common school and the University, which at that time was unprovided for by the State. The instruction given would enable the student to receive a first-class teacher's certificate.

The school went on with considerable success until 1875, when the building was thoroughly repaired and improved, at an expense of about $1,- 000. The school was supplied with Camp's outline maps, Cutter's physiological charts, a telescope of sufficient power to show the rings of Saturn, the moons of Jupiter, and the mountains on the moon, with a planetarium, a twelve inch globe, and other valuable implements. Many of the graduates of the Academy taught school in the county and elsewhere, while several went to the State University.

The attendance was quite large, the number in 1878 being fifty-five. Of course the number completing the full four years course would be small. The first commencement was held in 1877, when the following class graduated with honor.

The class of 1878 was: Frances V. Burns, Caledonia; Evangeline P. Burns, Caledonia; Hattie H. Dunbar, Caledonia; Fannie P. Lapham, Winnebago; M. T. McGinnis, Wilmington; Samantha L. Wright, Wilmington.

At this time, there being public schools intermediate between the district and the University, the school was discontinued, and the building is dow used for a public school.

During the time the Academy was under the charge of Prof. Belden, the following named assistant teachers were employed for longer or shorter periods: Miss Larkie Lapham, Mrs. White, Miss, Kate Rudolph, and Miss Eva S. Belden. The members of the learned professions in town, and the leading citizens, were interested in its success. Dr. Castle, W. H. Harries, Esq., P. J. Smalley and others, delivered addresses in connection with the commencement exercises on the various occasions. This collegiate institute, while it remained in active operation, was an honor to its founders and to its principal, a matter of pride to the citizens, and an Alma Mater not to be ashamed of by its alumni. The building was not without architectural - pretensions, being of a modern style. It is in a good location, in the rear of the Episcopal Church, and is well adapted to school purposes.

Post-Office

The Post-office in Caledonia was first established in 1854. Before that time the settlers had to send to Brownsville for their mail, and any one going over was expected to bring what mail matter happened to be there.

The arrival of the first mail bag was siezed upon by the restive citizens as a suitable occasion for a jollification, and an improvised programme was carried out, with volunteer pieces thrown in, to fill the measure of the impromptu hilarity.

It was established as a money order office on the 9th of September, 1867. Wells E. Dunbar was Postmaster. The first money order issued was to John O'Connor, on the 9th of November, 1867, for the sum of $10, payable to D. C. Cameron, of La Crescent. The second was issued to Albert H. Belding, for the sum of $10.71, payable to Root & Cady, Chicago. During that month eight orders were issued. In October, twenty-nine were sold, and in October, 1868, the number was fifty.

On the 16th of May, 1872, the key to open the new locks, just introduced, was received and receipted for to the department by John Dorech. The number of the key, which is still in'use in the office, is 58,338.

The business of the money order department kept on increasing until the establishment of the Bank of Caledonia, when it began to fall oti, although a large business is still done in this branch of the office. The sales of stamps, stamped envelopes, and postal cards amount to from $409 to $460 per month.

In the absence of the early records, and from early recollection, the list of those who have bee i Postmasters in the Caledonia office is here given, as nearly as can be ascertained: Samuel McPhai , William McKee, Peter H. Thomas, A. S. Lindsej, R S. Williams, C. G. Ward, J. G. Prentiss, H. B . Belding, John Dorech, Wells E. Dunbar, O. G. Wall, John Dorech, again, and O. E. Comstock.

The above list must be approximately correc 1 although it is possible that James Wertz an 1 John B. Neff should be added to the list. Amon ( the quite large number of old settlers who wei 9 consulted as to- the postmasters, no two agree* . This is mentioned to show the difficulty of pn - curing accurate information in the absence < f record evidence.

Methodist Episcopal Church. - As early as 1854, the Rev. Mr. Wing, an exploring missionary, visited this locality and held a meeting in the log cabin of Mr. James Balden, a half-mile southwest of the town. After the second meeting in the same place, a class was organized embracing the following members: Lewis Herring, John Paddock and wife, Nelson Haight and wife, H. M. Phelps and wife, Daniel Cook and wife, Samuel Armstrong and wife, and Lucy Stewart. Mr. Phelps was appointed leader. Soon after this. Rev. Benj. Crist was appointed to Brownsville, and he preached several times here, finding little encouragement. - His meetings were held in a log house used as a tavern by James Hiner. It was afterwards used as a blacksmith shop.

The next year, 1855, the first conference of the Methodist church was held, and the towns of Caledonia, Brownsville, and Hokah, were designated as the Caledonia circuit.

Subsequently it was enlarged by the addition of Hacket's Ridge, Pope's Prairie, Winnebago Valley, and Portland Prairie, which points became appointments in the same charge.

The first regular assignment to the charge was Rev. John Hooper, who was allowed by the conference the sum of $50, as from the reports of the itinerants who had visited the places, the mission would prove far from self supporting, and the experiment confirmed the unpromising character of the field in a pecuniary view. Mr. Hooper was a painstaking and industrious minister.

The first quarterly meeting held in Caledonia was in the house of Mr. Phelps, in October, 1855. Rev. Norris Hobart was the presiding elder. Rev. Mr. Hooper was present, and Ransom Scott, an enthusiastic exhorter, was also in attendance. H. M. Phelps was class leader. The minister reported that he had received in contributions the sum of fifty cents, and his traveling expenses had amounted to $17, which had been taken from the $50 allowed him as a missionary.

At this meeting a board of stewards was elected as follows: Lewis Herring, Nelson Haight, and Oreb Parker, with H. M. Phelps as recording stewart^ which place he held several years.

Hokah was an important part of the conference at that time, and at the second quarterly meeting, which was held there, that society had paid $20 or the support of preaching.

The third quarterly meeting was held at Portland Prairie, and in 1856, Mr. Hooper was returned with an allowance of $100 for the coming year. Mr. Hooper was reported as being a successful preacher, although not particularly so in Caledonia. At the quarterly meeting in April, 1857, Mr. N. Haight and Robert Lewis were appointed a committee to obtain subscriptions toward a fund to build a parsonage. Samuel McPhail donated two lots for a church and parsonage, and in the fall of 1859, the house was so far finished as to be occupied.

Rev. J. L. Dyer succeeded Mr. Hooper in 1857. He was an elderly man, with a rough exterior and much earnestness as a preacher. He had been a lead miner at Galena, Illinois, and engaged extensively in revival work; his habit being to visit every family in the place, and by personal effort endeavor to awaken a religious interest. At the end of a year he wended his way west, with the hope of discovering pastures new, where a more abundant harvest would be the reward of his labors.

Rev. E. Haight was here a year, in 1858 and '59. He was also an elderly men, and lived a short distance from Caledonia with Mr. Swartout. Rev. J. Cowden followed in the spring of '59, and he resided in Money Creek. Of course all these ministers were on the circuit, which embraced several appointments. In 1860, there was a short conference year, caused by a change in the date of the conference from the spring to the fall, and for this brief term Rev. Mr. Ellin g wood was the pastor. In the fall, Rev. Mr. Wendell came and remained one year. In 1861, Rev. Nahum Taintor, a middle aged gentleman, came, and was here until the fall of 1863, and then came Rev. Mr. White, who stayed three years, the full period allowed by the denomination. Succeeding him, in the fall of 1866, was the Rev. John W. Klepper, who infused new life into Methodism here. He was a worker and speaker, and his being here marked an epoch in the history of the church in Caledonia, by the building of the edifice and solidifying the congregation. Brownsville, Hackets Ridge, and Winnebago Valley, were dropped one after another. Portland Prairie, being the only other appointment, services were held every Sunday in each place. At the end of two years, in the fall of 1868, Rev. J ames Door, a native of New York, succeeded him and remained one year, when Rev. A. M. Ste- yens, a Virginian, was assigned to the charge, but before the year was through, his voice failed, and the pulpit was transiently filled until fall, when Rev. Linderman Wright, of Ohio, came, remaining one year. In the fall of 1871, there came a young man just from a Theological school, Rev. Henry C. Jennings, who became popular, and did considerable revival work. He remained two years. The next minister was Rev. Aaron Matson, of Ohio, an elderly gentleman who was here two years. The parsonage was built during his term.

Rev. W. M. Bowdish was stationed in Caledonia in the fall of 1876, and remained two years. In 1878, Rev. W. A. Miles succeeded him, remaining one year. Rev. A. P. Bunce was located here in 1878, and still remains. The church is on the corner of Grant and Kingston streets.

The Sunday school was at first a union school, the various denominations joining in its exercises, and assisting in carrying it on, but after a time it became distinctively a Methodist school, and so continued up to the spring of 1863, when it again became a union school. After the church was built it resumed its place as an auxiliary to the church, and has kept on to the present time with varying interest in its operations.

The two churches, Caledonia and Portland Prairie, which are under one charge, now number fifty members, thirty in Caledonia and twenty at Portland Prairie. In 1874, there were sixty-five active members in Portland Prairie, and fifty-one in Caledonia. The loss has been from removals more than any other cause.

The Presbyterian Church. - This society was organized on the 17th of May, 1863, by Rev. James Frothingham. Rev. E. W. Rice, a missionary, was also present. The meeting was held at the court house. The following persons handed in their letters from other societies: Mr. Peter H. Thomas, Mrs. Frances Thomas, Mr. John Craig, Mrs. Elizabeth Craig, and Mr. S. Jefferson. Miss Emily Pope passed an examination. John Craig was appointed an Elder of the Presbyterian church, and was ordained on the 26th of Jane, 1863. At a meeting on the 27th of June, Miss Emily Pope was received into the church, with Miss Sarah Hazeltine. It seems that a church in

Hokah had disbanded, and Mrs. J. S. Prentiss and Miss Ruth Prentiss, of Spring Grove, were received into the church here. At this meeting Elizabeth Smith was admitted by examination, and Mrs. James Frothingham by letter.

Mr. Craig preao hed until 1866, when Rev. Wm. T. Hendren was installed as pastor, remaining until 1872. Rev. Mr. Radcliffe was here awhile, then followed Rev. Mr. James for about two years, then the Rev. Wm. G. Westervelt, who remained until October, 1880, and since that time there has been no settled minister. The Sunday-school is still kept up.

During the existence of the Society, about fifty persons were admitted as members, and according to the revised list there were twenty-three members when the last pastor severed his relations with it. The record reveals thirteen marriages solemnized by the several pastors. With a pastor in charge, the Society now seems to possess the elements of prosperity.

Roman Catholic

St. John the Baptist. - This is the elder of the two Catholic societies in Caledonia, and there are perhaps 150 families attending upon its ministrations. The edifice is capacious, and occupies a whole square, with Washington Street in front, South Street in the rear, and Kingston and Decorah Streets on either side. The present pastor is Rev. Father Shanahan, who has a residence near the county buildings on Marshall Street

The building now occupied by the church was erected during the earlier years of the war, the Rev. Charles Eoeberl being the resident priest at the time. The earliest meetings in town must have been held in 1855, when itinerant missionaries from Wisconsin, and perhaps Winona, visited the settlement, and held mass at private houses; the first of these remembered was Michael Pendergast. A small place of worship was erected, which soon gave place to the present church building. Rev. Father F. Essing was the first regular priest here, and he was followed by

Rev. Mathew Stnrenberg, who was familiarly called Father Mathew; Rev. Father Muohelberger, ai)d then Rev. Charles Koeberl. The language used in this church, aside from the Latin ritual, is the English, as most of the congregation have this as their mother tongue.

St. Peter's Ohuboh. - This congregation and church is made up of those Catholics in Caledonia and vicinity, who use and understand the German language. A separation was made in the year 1873, when the present church was completed. The building is a very fine structure of stone, which cost $30,000, with lofty spire and a large, fine toned bell. It is located on Pine Street, near the corner of South. A pastoral residence is in process of construction on the lot north of the house of worship.

The Episcopal Church. - This church was built in 1868, under the fostering care of Rev. Wm. R. PowelL It is quite a neat structure, well adapted to the wants of the society. Mr. J. Southworth had charge of the building while it was being erected. After Mr. Powell left, Rev. Mr. Loir was the pastor for some time. He was accidently killed in Brownsville. Rev. Mr. Gur is the present minister, who also has chage of two other churches.

Fraternal Orders

Masonic, Caledonia Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 20. - The first meeting was held under dispensation from the grand lodge of Minnesota, Friday evening, the 2d day of October, 1857. At this meeting there was present Wm. B. Bushfield, W. M.; Wm. F. Dunbar, S. W.; Robert S. Williams, J. W.; Samuel McPhail, A. D. Sprague, Wm. W. Willis, and as visiting brothers, James Hiner and Eugene Marshall of Hokah Lodge, No. 17.

A full charter was subsequently granted from the grand lodge, bearing date the 7th of January, 1858, and having the names of the officers above mentioned as charter members.

"The ancient rites and regulations. The passwords, the grips, and signals, Used among the pristine brothers, By this mystic organisation, This fraternal order, Received its truthful teachings. Its principles of virtue, Its simple traditions."

The membership of the lodge is among the leading citizens. Samuel McPhail, the original proprietor of the village plat, was an active Mason, and frequently in the chair during its early history.

Ancient Obdek Of United Workingmen

Caledonia Lodge, No. 61. - A Lodge of this fraternal and beneficial order was instituted in Caledonia in 1879. The charter is dated February 18th, and shows the following charter members:

Dr. F. Castle, James MoMahon, John F. Bussell, George B. Winship, Albert H. Belding, E. P. Dorival, Spafford Williams, David P. Thompson, John Abbotts, and James B. Davidson. The Lodge at first met in the Masonic Hall, on Kingston Street This is a beneficial order, paying specific sums in case of disability or death.

Manufacturing Industries

goes on, these shops may be enlarged and others will arise, as there seems to be no good reason why this should not be a manufacturing point.

The first manufacturing establishment that claims our attention is that of Thomas Abbotts, who has a steam engine and other machinery for the manufacture of wagons, drays, buggies, sleighs, and other carriage work. He also manufactures cultivators and other farm machinery. Mr. Abbotts is also an extensive dealer in agricultural machinery and implements. His place is on Main Street, on the north side, but with an office on the opposite side of the street.

Flouring Mill

In 1855, a saw- mill was built by Armstrong and Curry ,in the northwestern part of the township, on Beaver Creek, near the center of section five. It was a primitive affair with a single up and down frame saw. Two or three years later a grist mill was added, with a single run of stones. In 1867, Mr. John Blinn bought the grist mill, the saw mill by this time having disappeared, and the next year put in another run of stones. He thus run it until 1875, when he built a fine stone mill, 34x54 feet, three stories high, and placed four run of stones in it, three for flour and one for corn and feed, also one purifier, one separator, one 8m utter, one corn sbeller, and other machinery. The power is obtained by two feet of head and two turbine wheels. It manufactures twenty -five barrels a day.

Present Business Enterprises

Banking. - After the Post-office became a money order office, most of the exchange was effected through money orders, excepting large transactions, which had to be done through La Crosse, or some other city. The only bank in town is the bank of Caledonia, - A private institution, owned and managed by A.D. Sprague and J. C. Easton, which went into operation on the 1st of June, 1875. As to the amount of capital, enough is used to be profitably employed in that way, and the responsibility of the bank is only limited by the individual and collective wealth of the owners; and to speculate in that regard would leave the question all unsettled, but as the philosophical Mercrutio remarked "it will suffice."

stated that the deposits during the month of November, 1881, amounted to $92,158.75. The amount of business varies in different seasons of the year from $12,000, to $25,000 a week. The banking facilities of the house are sufficient for th present and prospective requirements of Caledonia.

[Narrow Gauge.] This road has about all it can do with its present equipment. Of course the capacity of a road is not limited or measured by the gauge, but by the amount of rolling stock.

The total amount of freight received in 1880 was 2,911,206 pounds. The amount forwarded was 4,884,460 pounds. This was at the Caledonia station alone. The outgoing freight in 1881, was 4,408,900 pounds; incoming freight for the same year, 2,465,300. The amount of passenger fares received, the agent was not at liberty to furnish.

The road was opened for business, October 1, 1879, Mr. C. E. Lyman was appointed agent, and he still remains. He is also agent of the Amercan express company, that does a business here of $1,500 a year.

The Elevator

An elevator, holding 20,000 bushels, was built at the railroad station in the fall of 1881. It was opened for business by A. & T. McMiohael of McGregor, Iowa, on the 25th of September, 1881. George McMichael is the local agent Wheat, corn, barley, rye, and oats are purchased, as 'well as hogs. The amount of grain purchased up to the 25th of December, the first three months of its existence, aggregated 167,600 bushels, the prices paid being well up to the market for like grades. The building cost about $3,500, and has a single horse power. This elevator takes the place of one burned on the 12th of July, 1881.

Lumber Dealers

Trask & Blair; E. W. Trask and F. A. Blair, warehouse and yard near the depot Contractors and dealers in lumber, lath, shingles, pickets, doors, sash, and blinds, building paper, looks, butts, and building material generally.

C. Clark. Mr. Clark resides in Brownsville, the business is under the charge of Christian Klein. The place is near the railroad station, and was ee-

Edwards & Osborne, of La Crosse, have a lumber yard near the depot, under the charge of John Tarr. Lumber and building material on sale. Mr. Tarr has been in business here and in Brownsville for twenty-six years.

Cabinet Making

Nick Schttmmers, has an establishment on Kingston Street, where he manufactures furniture and coffins. He is the only manufacturer and dealer in the village, of this character. He has a good shop and has been in the business here since 1875.

Blacksmithing And Horse-Shoeing

W. D. Belden, drugs, medicines, druggist's sundries, clocks, watches, and jewelry, show case goods and notions. This establishment was bought of C. B. Coe, October 1, 1880. Mr. Coe first started it in 1874. Mr. Belden keeps a good stock of goods in his several lines, and has a good location on Main Street

Mrs. Julia O'Connor, drugs, groceries, fancy goods, and notions. Mrs. O'Connor succeeded her husband, Dr. John O'Connor, who died in October, 1880, after having been in business since 1865. The store is on Kingston street.

F. & W. M. Bacon, druggists and apothecaries. Druggists' sundries and show case goods. Corner Main and Pine Streets. The Post-office is in this store, which is an old stand.

General Merchandise

Sprague Brothers; D. G. & D. C. Sprague. This firm has been in existence since 1875. The store has been here since 1854. They are heavy dealers in dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, clothing, hats and caps, crockery and glass ware, and general merchandise in great variety.

Jacob Bouquet, general merchandise, dry goods, boots and shoes. Mr. Bouquet was for several years in company with Joseph Kiern. The present place is on Kingston Street.

John P. Lommen, general merchandise, farm machinery, clothing, boots and shoes, hats and caps, wines and liquors, groceries, and a variety of domestic and foreign goods.

Nicholas Koor, dry goods, groceries, clothing, furnishing goods, hats and caps, boots and shoes, notions and sundries; corner Main and Marshall Streets.

Bakery And Confectionery

Mrs. E. Spettle, bread, cakes, and crackers, with fancy goods, and Catholic books and church articles. The business was started in 1875, by the husband of the present proprietor, who died December 20th, 1879.

Shoemaking

Daniel Hainz, custom manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes. Employs two or three men; has been in the business twenty-five years. Shop on Main street.

Barber And Hairdresser

Peter Arnoldy purchased the establishment in 1880. Brewed about four hundred barrels of lager the first year. The business was started in 1873, by Peter Wagner.

Restaurant And Confectionery

Dr. Wm. McKenna, physician and surgeon, office and residence corner of Main and Marshall Streets, where he may be found when not professionally engaged.

If, according to the old calculation, it takes a thousand inhabitants to support one doctor, these gentlemen must have to do some country practice to keep up in the race of fortune hunting.

Insurance Agents

Barnes House. - An old institution, at present well kept by Mr. Spafford Williams. The establishment is on the corner of Main and Marshall Streets.

De Soto House. - Corner of Main and Kingston Streets, J. T. Hurd, Proprietor. This house was started in 1863. Mr. Williams, Mr. Laflin and others have been proprietors of the house in former years. It is located on the site of the first hotel in Caledonia.

New York House. - This has been in operation since 1875 Peter Styer is the proprietor. There is an oyster parlor and a saloon connected with the house, which is on Kingston Street, where the first log cabin in town was put up.

Several of these saloons have pool and billiard tables, and a part of them also have hotel facilities and accommodate boarders and transient

There are of course, in town, carpenters and builders, painters, glaziers, and paper hangers and other trades required by a village of this size, but the above is a fair resume of the business interests in Caledonia.

Brass Band

Several years ago Caledonia had a brass band, which was no discredit to the members of the village. The following named persons were at one time the performers: John Bouquet, C. B. Coe, John A. Cutting, George D. Cole, George H. Belding, J. McLaren, B. F. Willis, J. W. Edin.

Literary And Musical Society

An organization with this name flourished for several years in Caledonia. At the 4th annual meeting held at the Academy, the following officers were chosen: P. J. Smalley, Prest.; G. J. Lomen, Sec.; James Smith, T. W. Burns, and C. B. Coe, Executive Committee. Literary committee, W. D. Belden, P. J. Smalley, O. E. Comstock. Committee on music, Dr. F. Castle, Libbie Burns, G. J. Lomen.