Meeker County, Minnesota - Chapter 11: Cedar Mills Township, 1888

IST^HIS town, which embraces all of y townslii]) 117, north range 31 west, lies in the extreme southern part of the county. It contains a total acreage of 24,209.44, but 077 acres are taken up by the various lakes that dot its level and beautiful surface. The largest of these pellucid bodies of water, Red Cedar Lake, received its name from Xicollet on account of an island in it covered with timber of that variety. On the old maps, and in John C. Fremont's work, it is designated by its Indian title of Ranti-tia-wita, or the Lake of the Tied Cedar Island. From this the town drew its name. The ground is shghtly rolling and of a prairie character, and the soil is of a warm, rich, black loam, which has a wonderful adaptability for raising wheat and other cereals.

The first to make a settlement within the limits of this town was Daniel Cross, who came here with his family in 1856. He was one of the victims of the tragic days of the Indian outbreak, being shot down by the treacherous Sioux.

In 1857 K. J. Brodwell, O. S. Merriam, Philander Ball and Elmer Eighmey made settlements here. The same year the following settled here also : Milton Coombs, Hector Hunter, David Hern, John Hunter, a German by the name of Steinkopf, AYilliam Hunter, Charles H. Stinchfleld, L. S. Weymouth and a Doctor Hester, who brought several young men with him. The names of the latter have passed out of the minds of the settlers, and can not be given at this late day.

The settlers of 1858 wei'e the following named, who all found homes here : S. D. L. Baldwin, George R. Jewett, C. G. Topping. . In the year 1859, a few more settlers here found the land they were seeking, and took claims. Among them were - George Nichols and Jesse W. Topping, both of whom were largely instrumental in the growth of the town.

Among the jiromment arrivals of 1860 II. J. Lasher, J. M. Pitman, Seth Nichols, and one or two more that no longer live here. No more valuable citizens than those named above could have found a home here, and after they took up their claims here they Avere strongly identified with every movement calculated to benefit the community.

mention in a work of this character, are the following named : Arthur AVheeler, Isaac Wheeler, Jesse Barrick, A. C. Barrick, John Curry, William Owens, James A. Austin, Elijah Austin, E. E. Austin, R. D. Grindall, Edward Stafford, Edwin Gillett and C. B. Jordan.

The first school was taught by Miss Sophia Pratt, at the residence of Daniel Cross, in 1860, at Cedar Mills. The first school-house was built in 1869, and E. B. Com stock was the first teacher there.

The first religious services were held the winter of 1859-60, at the house of H. J. Lasher, by Ilev. H. Adams, a Presbyterian minister from St. Peter.

There was a postofiice established here in 1858, with C. G. Tupping as postmaster. He held the ottice until 1861, when he was succeeded by H. J. Lasher. During the Indian outbreak, the latter buried the official papers in the ground, and for several years there was no postofiice within the town limits. In 1870, in answer to a petition the postoifice was re-established, with Thomas Vinacke as postmaster. He was succeeded by J. D. Baldwin, who resigned two years later. O. W. Sterns was the next to occupy that position. Following him came E. B. Conistock, Elijah Austin, L. E. Austin and the ])resent incumbent, Mrs. Julia Anderson.

The Presbvterian Church was organized in the town in May, 1879, with Rev. J. S. Sherrell, of Litchfield, as pastor, and a membershi]) of about twenty-five. The first elder was John C. Curry, but later on S. W. Barrick and J. W. Topping were elected to the same position. In 1882 a neat and handsome church edifice was erected upon a lot of four acres of ground donated by Judge Yanderburg, of Minneajwlis. The building cost some -$1,800. Services were kept up every alternate Sabbath until October, 1887, when

The ))ioneer store of Cedar Mills was established in ISTO, by J. D. Baldwin. For a couple of years he ran it, alone and in company with a brother, and then sold out to O. W. Sterns. A shoil time after this gentleman formed a jiartnership with E. B. Comstock. These parties drifted into the blacksmith business and their mercantile venture came to naught, finally, and some years after they disposed of the smithy.

In the fall of 1870, Ira Williams put in a stock of goods, but altera short time in his possession and in that of E. Gdlett. it was purchased by L. E. Austin, who ran it for ten years. In the fall of 1887 another store was started by Elliott & Anderson, but in March, 1888, it was sold to the present proprietors, Standish Bros.

The flouring mill at Cedar Mills was erected by George Nichols, in 18.58, who run it until 1867, when it was purchased by C. B. Jordan. The latter employed Samuel Anderson, a miller, to run it, but some time afterward it passed into the hands of Dr. Y. P. Kennedy. He took out the machinery, remodeled it, and finally sold the equipment, and it was all taken down and moved away.

The town was organized January 25, 1870, at a meeting held at the residence of Isaac Wheeler, some thirty votei-s being present. Mr. AVheeler was chosen moderator, and James A. Austin clerk of the meeting, and