Houston County, Minnesota - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 54 of those read), 1882

Chapter with an unread heading (no. 54 of those read)

This is the first river town in the county coming down (he Mississippi, is the northeast township of Houston county, and embraces about twentyseven sections. Winona county is on the north, the Mississippi on the east, Hokah on the south, and Mound Prairie on the west. The thriving city of La Crosse is over the river opposite, in Wisconsin. It is the terminus of the Southern Minnesota railroad which comes from the west, and is the junction of two other divisions of the Chicago, Milwaukee, & St. Paul railroad.

Physical Features

From the Mississippi River the bottomlands extend well back into the township. In the southeast corner is Target Lake, a body of water threefourths of a mile long and half as wide, into which Pine Creek empties. This stream runs diagonally through the township from the northwestern corner, and lays in a characteristic valley. In the north part of the town the bluffs come quite near together. The best farming land is in the valleys, which are exceptionally healthful. The southwestern part of the town includes a high ridge extending from the Pine Creek valley to that of the Root River, but with ravines penetrating it at various points.

At first it was supposed that the ridges would never be settled, but the German immigrants commenced locating there, and the strong clay soil has proved valuable.

Early Settlement

Undoubtedly the first man of European extraction to set his foot on the soil of La Crescent with a view of creating a home, was Peter Cameron, a native of Deerfield, Oneida county, New York. He was the eldest son of Daniel Cameron, and was reared upon a farm, but became restive under the uneventful restraints of such a quiet life, and at an early age moved westward, buying furs through Michigan and Indiana, and finally to where Chicago now is. From that point he sent out four-horse teams to gather in the peltries from the Indians and trappers in Illinois and Wisconsin, and finally his base of operations became the Mississippi. He continued making trips by land and water between Galena and Fort Snelling. After a time he concluded to take a claim on the site of St. Paul, but finding himself anticipated, came down the river to La Crosse, and in 1842, built a claim shanty, and entered into trade doing some lumbering business and making improvements. In the spring of 1851, Mr. Cameron came across the river and erected a commodious double log house on section ten, near a fine large spring. A part of tha house still remains. At the same time he located 240 acres of land, which became the east half of the southwest and the west half of the southeast of section ten, and eighty acres south of the above, and also 300 acres in sections thirteen, fourteen, and twenty -four along the Mississippi River. He began improvements and did what he could to build up a village, encouraging people to locate here. In 1855, business interests took him to La Crosse again, where, while engaged in building a saw-mill, he died on the 30th of July, 1855. and there his remains were buried.

Part of Mr. Cameron's original claim was what was afterwards laid out as a village, and it was his evident intention to return and found a city on this western bank of the Father of Waters. Thor Halverson, a Norwegian, was the next man to appear, and he constructed a residence of a primitive character, on the southeast of section three. This was in 1852. He made few improvements, did some wood chopping, but worked away from home most of the time. He remained here until 1881, selling the land as he could from time to time, a part of it being in the village. The Gilletts were the next comers but they will be alluded to in the village sketch.

This same year, 1852, a settlement was started on Pine Creek near the northwestern part of the town, the immigrants following up that stream, . and it was known as the "Pine Creek Settlement."

Samuel Hooper was one of the pioneers here, and of his origin or history nothing is known, except that he came and built a cabin with one-half in this and the other half in Winona county, and that he worked there until 1854, when he departed, and Mr. P. Ferguson now owns the place.

In October, 1852, William Meyers, a German, established a claim on section six and rolled up some logs for a shelter, but sold out the next year, and took another farm further north on the same section, where he remained until summoned to that "bourne from which no traveler returns," in 1873.

In the early summer of 1852, Mr. F. Duren located on the same section, constructed a residence in the prevailing style and began to break up land, but in 1855, he left, and Mr. M. F. Welch now cultivates the farm. It is said that Duren went over into Winona county, thence to Chicago, and finally to Germany, to avoid the terrible draft during the war.

In the same summer, 1852, Henry Wetgen opened a farm on the east half of the northwest of section six, and improved and worked it until his removal from earth in 1871. His wife and two children remain to till the farm and keep up the home he provided. ~They must be the oldest living settlers in town.

On the 29th of July, 1853, Johannes Tuininga, a Hollander, located on the southwest of section six, and he is still there. The next day after his arrival Martin Cody, from the Emerald Isle, staked out his claim on section eight, and here he lived and wrought for several years, but finally made the village his home, where he now lives, one of the oldest men in town. Mr. M. Farrell now occupies this farm. After this the valley rapidly filled up, and many of the early settlers still occupy their original farms.

Cameron's Canal. - No one can predict what might have happened if Cameron had lived. His projects and conceptions were on a vast scale. Remembering that rival cities on the mighty Mississippi, those on the western bank usually carry off the palm for superiority, he proposed to measure swords with the young contestant for the championship over in Wisconsin, and as a practical measure began the construction of a canal from the river to the high land available for a town site. The canal began at the river in the lower part of section thirteen, and terminated near the center of section fourteen, at a point in Pine Creek where a fragmentary lake or slough makes well up to the first bench. The lake is quite shoal in places, but the bottom is far from being compact, and it was thought the action of the steamers in passing through would secure and preserve a good depth. This canal was started in 1854, but Mr. Cameron had so many interests that it was not pushed very vigorously, although it was completed as above stated.

A steamboat was also built in La Crosse, 150 feet in length, and launched, but on account of the death of the proprietor it did not receive the machinery, and the whole enterprise was abandoned.

Interesting Events

An early, if not the first birth, was a lively little daughter of Henry and Margaret Anna Wetgen, who was born in October, 1853, on section six, and who received the christian name of Christiana. She is now Mrs. G. Baden, of Hokah.

Another uncertain point is as to the first death, but it is supposed to have been that of Cathariue, a two year old daughter of Mr. Detrich Day, in the fall of 1854. Her remains were at first deposited on the farm, but afterwards removed to the cemetery.

The First Store. - In the spring of 1854, Peter Cameron and D. Richardson put a stock of goods in the old house of Cameron, which is yet standing near the railroad track. There were severa hundred dollars worth, and Mr. Richardson, who still lives north of the village on his farm, attended to the customers. The establishment was maintained for about a year.

An Incident. - At an early day, when physicians were a luxury on this side of the river, and not readily obtainable by the new colonists, the wife of Mr. J. Tuininga was bitten by a rattlesnake, but, as he had no money, he consequently supposed it impossible to procure a doctor, and so he proceeded to do the best he could. He had, with a ton and a half of hay, bought four fowls, which had raised twenty-four chickens, and, in obedience to some tradition, he began to kill the chickens one by one, and laying them open, applied them to the bitten part. This was kept up until the last bird had made a blood warm poultice for the suffering woman, and still one side was swelling and there was no alleviation of the symptoms. The family were in despair when a stranger was seen coming up the road. The sorrowful story was soon told to him, with the anxious inquiry as to whether he was not a doctor ? and explained that he had no money to pay one. The gentlemen told him that he was not a physician, but handed him $10 and told him to go for a doctor at once, which he lost no time in doing, and the woman recovered. The stranger was pressed for his name and gave it as H. M. Rice, of St. Paul. Mr. Tuininga never forgot this act of kindness, and years afterwards he saw this name on a ticket at the polls for Governor, and he voted the straight ticket of that party the only time in his life.

Town Organization

On the 11th of May, 1858, the first town meeting was held to perfect the organization. On motion of J. \. Anderson, O. T. Oilman was called to the chair as temporary Chairman, and A. H. Brayton moved that J. C. Pennington be the Moderator, which prevailed. On motion of G. F. Potter, O. T. Oilman was appointed Clerk.

Supervisors, D. Cameron, Chairman, S. Day and P. S. Taft; Clerk, M. W. Wilcox; Assessor, Wm. R. Mercer; Collector, C. F. Adams; Justices of the Peace, Geo. F.Potter and J. Stewart; Constables, S. K. Clow and John Anderson; Overseer of the Poor, Thomas Minshall ; Road Overseers, D.

"Resolved: That the Supervisors and the Town Clerk of La Crescent be, and they are hereby instructed and required to issue township orders to the amount of $200 for each volunteer who shall be duly accredited to the township of La Crescent, to and for a sufficient number of volunteers to fill the quota of said town, on the present and all future calls that may be made by the President of the United States for volunteers."

Another special meeting of the board was called on the 20th of February, 1865, to confirm the action already taken, as a question had arisen as to whether the bounty would apply to subsequent calls. It was resolved to continue the bounty.

The Present Town Officers

Supervisors, A. H. Brayton, Chairman, Louis Lilly, and Aug. Rodke; Assessor, £. A. Wheeler; Clerk, P. Ferguson; Justices of the Peace, J. O. Sawyer and B. B. Groff; Constables, Geo. Donald and W. B. Potter.

La Crescent Village

The natural advantages of the location of this village are most admirable. The usual high bluffs near the river, leave it here, just north of the village, to run back into a sweeping curve, to again appear a mile or so below, and thus forming a crescentic basin or plateau, with a chain of hills on the convex side. At the foot of the bluff north and west of the village, there- is a strip of table land, or the second bench, and below this is the first bench or plateau, and stretching away to the main channel of the Mississippi a mile distant, is the river bottom land.

This very spot must have been the site of a village of people that proceeded the Indians, who were not nomadic; as the relics they have left in the form of mounds, conclusively show that they had lived generation after generation on one spot, and the accumulation of ashes, husks, shells, bones and other material, insensibily built these mounds. As a confirmation of the correctness of this theory, it is stated that in Asia, every city of the plain, which was evidently started on a level with the surrounding country thousands of years ago, is now on a mound, and some of them with the ruins of three tiers of buildings, one above another. The indestructible material constantly coming into the city from the country to suppply the wantsof the people, having created this vast accumulation.

Here, at La Crescent, was a chain of these mounds near the slope of the second table which have not yet been obliterated. Fragments of pottery are found here in great abundance. In the railroad excavations large amounts of clay pottery, that which had been moulded and burned, were thrown out.

The village, as it was originally surveyed, platted, spread on parchment, and recorded, covers 280 acres on section eleven, about forty acres on section three, and all of section ten except about 120 acres. In this much laid out space can be found, water lots, always submerged, marshy ground frequently underwater, bluff land with its jagged declivities, and the table land on the second elevation, where the buildings are actually located. Some of this is covered with a fine growth of scattering oak and other trees.

The first man to locate on this spot was Peter Cameron, who has been already mentioned, and who erected a comfortable log house here in. the spring of 1851. The first steps taken toward the location and actual platting of a village here was by the Qillett Brothers, Harvey and William, who had taken the northeast quarter of section ten. The Gillett family consisted of these two young men and two still younger brothers, and a sister, with their mother who was a widow. They had come to La Crosse from Ohio, and having caught ths small pox and in some way lost their money, they found themselves in the pest house entirely destitute; but Peter Cameron became interested in the case, and through his influence they came over and took this claim. The young men were unmarried and the claim was entered in the mother's name. The first plat was about forty acres on the southwest of the northeast of section ten. They procured some oxen, and during the following winter got out logs and cordwood, and afterwards broke up some land. The place was called Man ton, and this part of the village still bears the name on the records. They commenced selling lots from the first, as the prospect of having a large city grow up here, seemed most favorable.

In the fall of that year, 1855, Col. Wm. R Mercer, of La Crosse, came over and erected a hotel on the site of the La Crescent Hotel, which is on the crest of the bench on Mississippi Avenue. This was run by him for about two years. Soon after the Colonel came, John A. Anderson, from Springfield, Ohio, erected a building and put in a stock of general merchandise. The old building still stands, next to the store of Ferguson's, on the east side. Charles Sperry opened a blacksmith shop the same year. Up to the spring of 1856, the Gillette did good business in disposing of house lots at a good round figure, and when they finally sold out, they were in good circumstances. They moved to La Crosse and thence to Hastings, where they still live.

The La Crescent Town Site Company

This company, which bought the property of the Gillette, and afterwards operated the ferry to La Crosse, was usually known as the "Kentucky Company." Its history is briefly as follows: In the spring of 1856, Jared Boyle, J. M. Bryant, Charles S. Waller,Thomas McRoberts, and E. Randolph Smith, formed themselves into a company and purchased of Mrs. Mary Qillett 160 acres, with the exception of the lots already sold and a few reserved, and also the north half of section eleven running to the river, paying for the whole, as was reported, between $25,000 and $35,000. Very soon a stock company was organized and large numbers of shares sold, at a handsome profit on the original investment. The whole of this tract was put into lots, and on the market, and although the company did not sell corner lots, reserving them for a rise, they made a corner on every lot, those under water as well as those setting up edgewise along the bluff. The stock rapidly rose and became very popular, particularly in Kentucky where the leading statesmen, generals, professional men, editors, and business men eagerly secured shares.

Stock m this company is to-day held in almost every State from the Atlantic to California. Among some of the noted men who were known to have stock in this affair were: (Jeorge D. Pren- tiss, of the Louisville Courier; Will Bross, of the Chicago Tribune; General Breckinridge; Geo. B. McGoffin, war Governor of Kentucky; Henry Walter, Chicago; John G. Allen, St. Louis; Col. A. G.Hodges, Louisville, Kentucky; A. H. Bowman, Lexington, Kentucky; G. A. Rockwell, and many others in different parts of the country. So that the company, although it failed to build a city, nevertheless sold the lots at a handsome profit.

The Name

This was a matter of considerable anxiety and of quite as much importance. The momentous question was settled at the regular meeting of the proprietors at the Tremont House in La Crosse, soon after the purchase was made. The original name, Manton, was proposed and rejected, as not being sufficiently high toned. As a feeble rival to their proposed city they saw La Crosse over the river, and presumed on an easy conquest for the su- . premacy, and remembering the form of the hills around the new town, and also recalling the ancient contests of the Crusaders against the Saracens and Turks in their efforts to recapture the Holy Sepulchre, where the Cross and the Crescent were raised aloft in deadly strife, and being mindful of the fate that overtook those who struggled under the banner of La Crosse, they resolved to challenge their rival by raising the standard of La Crescent, and thus fight it out on that line.

The Progress Of The Village

In June, 1856, the company put up an office as headquarters for the business, and in 1857, a double and single store was erected and twelve dwelling houses. Thomas McRoberts was the agent of the company, and sold many lots to anxious buyers, but such was his confidence in the growth of the city that no corner lots were sold, and others realized from $250 to $600 each. Such was the character of the fever that raged at that time, that for a corner lot where the Post-office now stands, and which was owned by an outsider, was offered $1,- 100 in gold, which was refused.

The company was short-sighted and illiberal in its policy, and while there were clearly elements of success in the enterprise, an opposition on both sides of the river was needlessly provoked, and the whole scheme proved a dismal failure.

boat, upon which it largely depended to coin money, and the prices were put up to the utmost limit of public endurance. No effort was made to have the steamboats on the river land here, as the company desired to secure the transfer across the river under an exacting toll. Few men who desired to locate for business, could afford the prices asked for building lots. The panic of the autumn of 1857 was depressingly felt here, but there was quite a prompt recovery, and in 1858 and 1859, when thi Southern Minnesota railroad was grading, La Crescent was on the top wave of its prosperity. Professional men, newspaper men, business men, and working men were flocking hither like pilgrims to the stardard of Richard Couer de Lion, but Hokah, Houston and the other towns to the west, with La Crosse, had conspired to leave it stranded a mile from the river where it was originally planted, and two miles from the railroad terminus, where trans-shipments were made across the river to La Crosse.

By the terms of the charter, the railroad was to have one terminus in La Crescent, but as no particular point was specified, the Kentucky company was thus left to gnash its teeth with impotent rage. And thus it was that this precocious city has not yet fulfilled the promises of its early founders, or met the expectations of its confiding stockholders.

Bryant & Watt's addition was platted in 1876 or '57, and must have been a purely speculating scheme, as it was on the marsh and lake, and some of it under water to the depth of six feet, the lots and blocks were sold, and the title deeds are still in the hands of the parties who, if they have ever cut their wisdom teeth, have done it since the purchase of the property.

The War Record

La Orescent, like her sister towns, was alive to the importance of responding to the call for so many hundred thousand more by Mr. Lincoln. And in 1863, an organization was effected called the "La Crescent Relief Club," to secure funds to pay enlisted men, that there might be no necessity for the dreaded draft. That the success was complete is shown by the books now in the hands of Mr. P. Ferguson, which indicate that the sum of $4,800 was raised and paid out in bounties at the rate of $200 each to enlisted men. The amount, however, was returned by the township, so as to make an equitable burden upon the property holders.

Post-Office

The Post-office was established in the winter or spring of 1856, with Mr. Harvey Oillett as Postmaster, and was at first located in the store of John A. Anderson. The first quarter, the total receipts of the office were sixty-five cents, which were duly forwarded to the department. Mr. Thomas Minshall was soon appointed Postmaster, and the office went to another store in the western part of the village. Mr. Minshall has held the key to the mail pouch ever since.

The Toledo Woolen Mills. - This prosperous and substantial establishment is located in the southeast quarter of section six, on Pine Creek. Its erection was commenced by Thomas Fletcher and J. & N. Webster in the spring of 1865. It is a fine stone structure, three stories high and a good basement, and was completed in the fall of that year. It has first-class machinery that cost about $8,000, consisting of one set of cards fortyeight inches in width, six looms, a jack with 264 spindles, with shearing, fulling, and other machinery to finish good work. Special attention is given to the manufacture of yarn, flannels, blankets, and kerseymeres. The power is from the creek, and is transmitted, under a fourteen feet head, by a turbine wheel. In 1878, Mr. M. Webster bought out Mr. Fletcher and his brother, and has since managed it alone. The local trade is supplied in a retail way, and three men with teams are kept on the road to dispose of the goods manufactured. It is a most valuable industry, and

An Early Flouring Mill. - In 1860, Mr. 0. J. Laugenbach put up a mill with two run of stones near where the woolen mill now is. It did good work until the fall of 1864, when it fell a victim to the devouring element, and the woolen mill occupied the power.

Saw-Mill. - One of the earlier enterprises of the township was the erection of a saw- mill, which was commenced in 1856, by Groff & Co. Its location was on Pine Creek, in the extreme northwestern part of the town, on section three. A dam was thrown across the stream to secure power. The mill was 18x44 feet and two stories high, with a vertical saw propelled by a turbine wheel, and was completed and put in operation on the 13th of May, 1857 ; it developed a capacity of 1,000 feet of lumber a day. It was kept in operation more or less regularly up to about 1872, when it was sold to T. Casper; the building itself went to Hokah township, and the machinery beyond St. Cloud. The power is now used by Groff & Co. to drive their flouring mill.

Linganore Flouring Mill. - This is situated not far from the old saw-mill. When first built, in 1859, it was 30x40 feet with an attic above the second story. It had at first a single run of stones turned by a reaction wheel made by the owners of the mill, Groff & Co. Since its erection it has from time to time received improvements. In 1873, an addition of 14x30 feet was made, and now the mill has three run of stones for wheat, and one for feed. A head of thirteen feet is available. The concern has cost about $6,000, and is good property.

The Burton Saw-Mill. - This was constructed in 1857, on the southwest quarter of section six, by Mr. D. Burton, and was considered a good mill in those days, as it had two sash saws and plenty of water from Pine Creek. It was kept in operation a few years, but it had periodical seasons of distress on account of too much water, and it was finally nearly destroyed. With a hope of bettering the condition of things, an attempt was made to locate the establishment about eighty rods down stream, but the reverses had so nearly broken up the proprietor that the project was abandoned.

gle saw set in motion by an averehot wheel. This mill also, in its struggles with the freshets, got roughly handled. It frequently changed hands, with the hope that new backers might bring it safely through in its unequal contests, but in 1866, it went down and was not again resurrected.

La Crescent Flouring Mill. - This mill was built early in the seventies, by D. J. Cameron on his farm in section nine, on Pine Creek. It is a two story frame building and has four run of stones. A dam was constructed to secure a head of seven feet, but most unfortunately it was discovered that, to sustain that amount, the water was backed up to the race of the Toledo mill, and after a legal contest it was decided that the dam must be lowered two feet. Since that time the mill has been idle.

Present Business Of La Crescent

There is one general store kept by P. Ferguson, and a small stock of drugs, confectionery, and the like by the Postmaster, Thomas Minshall. Two blacksmith and wagon shops, one shoe shop, and Mr. Sawyer keeps a hotel, and then there is the railroad station with its agent, express office, and telegraph.

If the empty stores were filled the place would be like Paddy's toast to the "Gallant 69th," "Aqual to none." If there is any redemption for this deserted village, it must come from the introduction of manufacturing.

Fraternal

Masonic. - In 1858, a petition duly signed was presented to the officers of the Grand Lodge, and on the 15th of November a dispensation was granted to Morning Star Lodge, No. 29. The following masons were the charter members and officers: E. H. Kennedy, W. M.; J. S. Penningtou, S. W.; Elihu Hunt, J. W.; John A. Anderson, Treasurer; Charles H. Hudson, Secretary; M. W. Wilcox, S. D.; Cory (Jon Looney, J. D.; W R Anderson, Tyler; and Henry T. Fox, and Joseph Fowler.

The first mason made was Charles H. Hudson, who was appointed Secretary. He is now the general manager of the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway. The books show that a grand total of ninety-eight members have

The first communications were in the Waller building, and then they were held in a hall owned by J. A. Anderson. For many years past the lodge has occupied rooms in the old double store of the Town Site company, now owned by J. G. Allen.

There have been other fraternal organizations of a reformatory character, but stc transit gloria mumH must be written on whatever monuments they have left, as a reminder that they were once here.

A select school was opened by Elder Spencer Carr, a Baptist minister, in 1857. A building was erected with a view of enlarging it if necessary. The higher branches were taught, and some pupils from abroad were secured, which, with others in town, made up the number to about eighteen. The school was not an overwhelming success, and it soon received a sine die vacation, when the gentleman put in a stock of drugs in the same building. He afterwards went to Wisconsin and finally to Kansas, where he paid the debt of mortality.

La Crescent Female Seminary. - This educational institute was opened in 1861, Mrs. Rice and Mrs. Anderson being the teachers, assisted by Edwin, a son of Mrs. Rice. They first occupied a building put up by Charles Waller, of Chicago, which has since been used as a storeroom, and there was an attendance of from twenty to thirty pupils, the old La Crescent Hotel being used as a boarding house. After the first year the whole establishment was removed to the Hotel, using the whole building, and from thirty to forty boarders were secured, with several day scholars from the village. At the end of two years they removed to Rochester, and after awhile the family went to California.

District No. 1. - This is in the village. A school was held in the spring of 1356, in a building now used by W. R. Anderson as a carpenter shop. It was erected by John A. Anderson as a territorial schoolhouse, and is a small frame affair. The first term was one of three months, and the presiding authority was Miss Nancy Ambler.

After working for about three months to get the keys of knowledge in their hands, the fever and ague came along and shook the school up so lively that it was, for the time, discontinued. There were .but six or eight scholars all told.

In 1857, a one-story brick house was laid up, 20x30 feet, and this served for educational purposes up to 1868, when their present large stone building was constructed. It is of two stories, 26x42 feet, and cost abont $2,800. It has usually ten months of school each year, is divided into two departments with an attendance of about eighty. The house is furnished with modern appliances.

District No. 2. - The first school here was held in a log house rolled together for that purpose, in section six, on the land of the present B. A. Jenkins estate, in 1855, and Miss Jane Burton wielded the ferule. This house served the district until 1864, when a frame house went up 16x24 feet, at a cost of $300, and was put on the land of J. Tuininga on section six. The infantile population gathered in this house till the formation of District No. 84, when it was sold at auction, realizing fifteen dollars. A new house was built early in the seventies, on section eight, on the farm now owned by W. McArthur.

District No. 84. - In 1870 or '71, this was set off from number two, and a frame house put up on section six soon after. Mr. M. Emery was the first teacher. There are now twenty -five pupils in attendance.

District No 4. - A school was taught here in 1860 by MissAbbie Taftin Groff & Co's mill for a single term. In 1861, a school was started in a small frame house just east of Groff1 s mill on section three. Then it went into a log house, and finally their present building was put up at a cost of about $400.

District No. 75. - This district was organized about 1870. The school was usually held only during the winter. The first school was instructed by Miss Ella Richardson. The building is of hewn logs and a school is now taught in the summer.

Church of the Crucifixion, Roman Catholic. - The earliest mass in town was in a little log schoolhouse on section six, in 1856, by Father Tappard, of La Crosse. In 1858, Bev. Father Pendergast, who then resided in Winona, raised a little frame church 20x40 feet, for the few Irish Catholics located on Pine Creek. It was on a lot back of a tavern kept by James Keen, near the place where the station house now is. Since that time the Catholic congregation continned to be attended occasionally, either from Hokah convent, Caledonia, Winona, or La Crosse. This was the condition of affairs when Rev. Father P. Pernin was called from Wisconsin to be the first resident priest of La Crescent. He at once removed the old church to a more central location, and enlarged it to meet the requirements of the increasing congregation which now embraces seventy families.

Methodist. - This is a village society. The first meeting was held in a building that is now known as the Brown office, in June, 1856; this was before the structure was completed. The Rev. John Hooper was the officiating missionary. The next week a class was organized with Ralph Garrell as leader, and W. R. Anderson as steward. This point was associated with Hokah circuit, and services were kept up every two or three weeks at different places; when the brick schoolhouse went up, that was occupied by this denomination. In 1867, the society was enabled to build a church 28x40 feet at a cost of $1,600. Services are now held on alternate Sundays by Rev. G. W. Barrett. The membership is about twenty-five.

German Methodist Episcopal. - This is an organization with a separate conference. The earliest religious service connected with this denomination was at the log school house in section six, in the spring of 1858, by Rev. Mr. Feigenbaum, a Presiding Elder from Galena, Illinois, assisted by Rev. Charles Leibrandt. A class was promptly formed, a series of protracted meetings inaugurated, and the air was vocal witn revival melodies; the interest spread and deepened, a great revival ensued, and among the leading spirits in this work was Henry Knight. He was an earnest worker, his exhortations were affecting, his prayers fervent, and his piety unquestioned. He was a dealer in horses, and would leave town for a few weeks and return with some fine stock, when he would again turn his attention to evangelical work, and gather in new converts. But one day an officer appeared with a requisition from the Governor of Illinois, and his saintship was tried and convicted in that State as a horse thief, and sent to state prison. And, although no one else was responsible for his hypocrisy, it was a severe set-back to the church. In 1861, the society was resuscitated and new members were added, the meetings were mostly held at the residence of C. J. Laugenbach, on section six, and in 1863, the church was built. It is 20x28 feet and entailed a cost of 8500. The supply is now from Hokah, Rev. F. W. Buckholz being the minister.

Presbyterian. - A very early religious meeting was held on the first of J une under an outspreading oak, at the corner of Walnut and Wisconsin Streets, which, in the absence of any one to sing the song "Woodman spare that tree," has since been cut down. Rev. S. G. Lowry held this service, on Sunday, while on his way further west, as an emigrant.

Rev. D. L. Lyon visited the village in 1857, and talked about an organization, and the next year a meeting was called at the residence of W. H. Lapham, to perfect arrangements to form a society, and such was the apparent success that $800 was subscribed to build a church, but, as it was not all available, no church was built at that time.

On the 31st of July, 1859, Rev. Sheldon Jackson occupied the brick schoolhouse for services; the following month he and and his estimable wife came here to reside, and on the 28th of December,

The first members were : Daniel Cameron, Sr., Mrs. Janette Cameron, Mrs. A. J. Mercer, Mrs. Catharine B. Richardson, Dr. A. J. McCurdy, Mrs. Mary B. Jackson, and Mrs. Rozanna D. Burton. The first communion was on Sunday, in January,

In July, 1861, the construction of the church was commenced, but was not completed until the next spring, and was dedicated on the 27th of April, 1862, Rev. James Frothingham and Rev. Wm. McNair assisting in the exercises. Mr. Jackson retired in the spring of 1864, and since his time the following reverend gentlemen have been pastors. Mr. Parrott, S. Morton Pierce, J. H. Marr, J. H. Carpenter, Samuel H. Murphy, and James H. Marr and Mr. Carpenter were again here. At present there is no pastor.

The bell to this church should not be forgotten, for it is claimed to be the first bell in a Presbyterian church in Minnesota. The donors of the bell, which was hung up in the early winter of

There are several of these necessary enclosures in the limits of the township, few of them, however, have yet received special care with a view to beautifying the grounds with flowers, shrubs, and trees.

The Roman Catholic cemetery is one of the oldest burial spots in town. The first mortal to be returned to mother earth here, was a Mr. Morris, who was frozen to death in 1856 or '57. His widow still lives in La Crosse.

Long before the land was purchased it was the custom to bury those of this faith here, and now it is regularly set aside for that purpose, and for miles around, even from Winona county, they come on the melancholy errand of leaving the earthly remains of their departed ones here. The land was bought of Mr. Cody, and is a free burial place for those of the Catholic faith.

Toledo Cemetery. - This is situated near the Toledo Woolen Mill, on section six, a part on the Jenkins estate and a part on Mr. Webster's farm. The first person whose remains were returned, dust to dust, here, was Henry Wetgen, in 1877, an early settler in this part of the town. The following year the grounds were laid out, and it has since been used as a public burial place, the receipts of the lots going towards improvements. A score or so are already interred here.

Thr Village Cemetery. - At first La Crescent's dead were buried on the farm of W. B. Potter, just north of the village, but in 1863, Wm. Davidson died and a new burial place was started on . the northwest corner of the village plat. As i others climbed the golden stair their remains were deposited in the same lot, and so, in 1873, ten years from the first use of the ground for this purpose, it was regularly laid out and set aside as a place of sepulture. In 1880, an additional lot was added. It is owned by a company called The Prospect Hill Association.