Mower County, Minnesota - Chapter 39: Lansing Township, 1911

Chapter 39: Lansing Township

Lansing is bounded on 1lic north l)y Tdoliilio, east by Red Rock, south by Austin cily and townsliip, west by Freeborn county, and comprises ;ill of townshiii 1o;{, range 13. The town is well provided with Avalci' iiud limber. Tlu^ Red Cedar i-ivcr enters Ihc townsliip in scdioii 2, flowing llwongli sections 11. 14, 23, 2fi ;in(l :U, llicncc entering Austin city. This I'iver is noled Tor its valuable water powers. Spring creek rises in section 4, tlows in a southeasterly direction through section 3, and enters the Red Cedar in section 11. Well's creek rises in section IG, passes in a southeasterly direction through sections 15, 14, and empties into tlie Red Cedar in section 23. Dobins creek enters the town in section 36, from where it passes into Austin township. Turtle creek enters the township at the northwest corner of section 31, tlirough which section it flows ; leaving the town at the southeast corner. Timber was quite plenty along the Red Cedar river when the county was first settled, but was largely cut off for building purposes. There is still considerable second growth timber in the township.

On either side of the Red Cedar the country is comparatively level, generally with sufficient drainage. The western portion of the town has more of a rolling tendency, with groves of small oaks and grubs. OtherM^ise the township is a rolling prairie.

The prairie along the Red Cedar is composed of a rich soil of clay and vegetable mould, with a sprinkling of sand, making a natural corn soil. In the western part of the town, with exception of the prairie, yellow clay predominates. The prairie is composed of a black loam, underneath which is a clay subsoil.

Early Settlement

The first to make a' settlement in the township Avas II. O. Clark, known as "Hunter Clark," a name given him from his being an expert hunter. He came to the township in. the fall of

1853. He took a claim and settled on the northeast quarter of section 34. He built a log cabin, a short distance northeast of where Oakwood cemetery is now located. Clark was of the true pioneer stamp, ever seeking a newer country. He sold his claim to Baudler, who 'took possession May 8, 1855. Clark went west, where he could have room. The last seen of him was in Idaho.

1854. He built his log house in section 26. He had a wife and several children. Mr. Clayton was a member of the M. E. church. The first religious services were held at his house. He built a shop and worked at his trade of blacksmith. He was one of the tir.st, if not the first, to work at blacksmithing in the county. He worked at his trade, in connection with farming, until 18G5, wlien he sold out to Michael Teeter and went to Kansas.

N. G. Perry settled in the townsliip in the fall of 1854. He was accompanied by Samuel Dixon. Tliey were formerly from New York state, and had their families with them. Mr. Perry sold his farm to C. P. Bell. He afterwards purchased anotlier

John Pettiboue, a bachelor, entered three eighties in section 11, in 1854. He remained here until 1857, when he sold out to A. B. Vauglian and D. M. V. Stewart and returned to Ohio.

Alanson B. Vaughan came to Mower county, in company with two sons, in the fall of 1854. They were from Rock county, Wisconsin, where Mr. Vaughan had been engaged in the mercantile trade. They took claims in section 10 in this township. After letting the contract for building a house returned to Wisconsin, where they remained through the winter. In the spring of 1855 Mr. Vaughan, Avith his family, accompanied by his five grown sons, two of whom were married, came with teams to their new homes in ]\lower county. The sons of A. B. Vaughan are Phineas D., John G., Enoch G., Herman B., Benjamin K. Phineas D. located on the southeast quarter of section 3 ; John G. the southeast quarter of section 2 ; Enoch G. the northeast quarter of section 10; Herman B. the southeast of section 10.

There came in 1856, Thomas Gibson, William Rutherford, John P. and Harear Lyons, J. H. Watkins, H. C. Aldrich, Jos. Gillen, IMartin McNally, Jos. Smith, James McLaughlin, A. Bartlett, John Dignan, James N. Cook, A. H. Chapin, Lewis Thompson, William Litchfield, Jonas Haney, George Baird and others. Among those who came in later and have been prominent in town afit'airs are George Wood, John Mathieson, A. C. Boynton, E. H. Wells, G. W. Grimshaw, Rol)ert Lewis, C. C. Bell, M. Gregson, "SI. Teeter and Ole G. Anderson.

First Events

The first couple to be .joined in the holy bonds of wedlock was Silas Dutcher and Mary R. Perry, which notable event took place August 27, 1856, Sylvester Smith, of Austin, presiding. Another early marriage in the township was Nelson M. Wilder and Maria H. Vaughan, which occurred January 4, 1861, Rev. H. I. Parker, a Baptist minister, officiating. Mr. Wilder died in Nebraska, where he had gone for his health, in 1880.

The first child born in Lansing township was Adeline Ruth, daughter of P. D. and Elizabeth Vaughan, which event occurred Augiist 8, 1856. She was married December 6, 1877, to George Russell.

The first death was that of Daniel MePherson, a Scotchman from Canada. He was a single man and made his home with Mr. Dobbins in section 22. While at work on the old log schoolhouse Mr. MePherson fell, by which he sustained injuries that caused his death. He died in the autumn of 1857 and was buried

Organization

A Avarrant was issued April 18, 1858, calling upon the citizens of Lansing township to meet and organize. Pursuant to said notice the legal voters met in the old log schoolhouse in section 27 and elected the following officers : Supervisors, A. B. Vaughan, chairman, Jonas Haney, E. A. Snow; clerk, P. D. Vaughan; assessor, James McLaughlin; collector, Enoch Vaughan; overseer, J. H. Watkins ; justices of the peace, A. B. Vaughan and Emery Snow; constable, John P. Lyons; overseer of highways, John P. Lyons.

Soldiers' Bounty

At a special meeting of the voters of Lansing, held at the village of Lansing, September 5, 1862, A. Sprague was elected chairman, P. G. Lamoreaux clerk pro tern. The following resolutions were unanimously passed: "Resolved, That we raise by tax on the property of the toMTi of Lansing, one hundred and fifty dollars. That we pay twenty-five dollars to each of the following named persons who enlisted into the service of the United States, after August 20, 1862, and prior to August 26, 1862, or as many of these as may be accredited to this town in making up the quota for the call of the president for 600,000 troops, and the filling up of the old regiments : John Harlley, Benjamin Vaughan,

Religious

Methodist Episcopal. The first religious services held in Lansing township Avere at the house of Samuel Clayton, in 1855, by Rev. W. E. Holbrook, a Methodist minister from Iowa. Occasional services were held by him at houses in the neighborhood until 1857, when the Pettibone house was fixed up for school purposes, in which meetings were afterwards held. Rev. Mr. Phelps also held services at different houses in the neighborhood in 1856. A class of the Methodist denomination Avas formed about 1855 and meetings held at houses in the neighborhood. Meetings Avere afterAvards held at the old Pettibone schoolhouse in District No. 43. The organization Avas kept up until about 1857-58, when the class was divided, a part going to Austin and a part to Lansing A'illage. This class was organized by Rev. W. E. Holbrook. ReA'. Mr. Mapes also held services in the toAA-nship at an early day. The fir.st serA-ices of the Lansing branch Avere held at the schoolhouse, the building later used by George Wood as a residence. There was a membership of about tAvelve. In 1856 the founda- tion for a brick church building was begun, and the walls well up, when they were unfortunately blown down, which added materially to the future cost of the building. Work, however, was immediately resumed and the building completed that summer at a total cost of about $3,000. The house was built through the efforts of Eev. W. M. Soules, at that time in charge of the congregation. Eev. E. E. Lathrop was another early pastor. The present pastor is E. H. Bedford, of Brownsdale.

Catholic Church. The first services of this church in the township were held at the house of Thomas Gibson, in section 12, in the fall of 1859. Through the efforts of A. Brown, of Austin, John Digman and Thomas Gibson, the services of Father Pendergast, of Winona, were procured, who held services as above stated. He also held services during the summer of 1860. Father Kellar, from Faribault, held occasional services at the house of Mr. Gibson until the fall of 1867, when Father John McDermot was located at Austin. He held occasional services in the township until the spring of 1869, when he was succeeded by Father Jennis. Members of this ehuvch in the township, now attend church at Austin.

Baptist Church. The first proceedings in the organization of this church was a meeting called by members of the church, who had settled at Lansing and vicinity, at the hoiase of N. S. Dorwin, for the purpose of organizing a Baptist church. At this meeting Llilton McCall was chosen moderator, B. D. Sprague, clerk. The meeting resulted in the organization of the church, at the schoolhouse in Lansing, January 19, 1862. Those who were present at this meeting were IMilton INIcCall, EdAvard Bassett, B. D. Sprague, P. G. Lamoreaux, N. S. Dorwin and wife, Lou A. Sprague. Eev. M. Craven, from High Forest, helped in the organization. The church held communion services December 21, 1862. The first Covenant meeting was April 5, 1862. The first baptism was April 12, 1863. The candidates were Mrs. Julia A. McCall, Betta Vaughan, and Ellen Page. The first minister was Eev. H. I. Parker, who had charge of the church ten years. He was succeeded by Eev. Amus Weaver, from Wisconsin, but formerly from New York. He remained with the church about three years, -when he was succeeded by Eev. E. Sadick, from England. Services are now held every other Sunday in tlie Methodist church, in charge of Eev. C. D. Belden, of Austin.

Congregational Church. This church was organized August 23, 3807, Uvv. Mr. :\i<)rsc presiding. The first officers were D. M. Evans, S. H. Smith, deacons; George W. Eobinson, clerk. Eev. Philo Canfield, from Albert Lea, took charge of the church October 1, 1867. After remaining six months he was relieved by Eev. Mr. Booth, he by Eev. George B. Nutting, he by Eev. J. D. Todd,

The old Minnesota Central, now the Iowa and Dakota division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway company, in October, 1867, bi;ilt its road through the township, entering the town in section 3, passing through sections 19, 15, 14, 23, 26, 35, from which section it passes into Austin.

The Southern Minnesota railroad, now owned by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, was built through the township in 1869-70. The road enters the town at the southeast corner of section 13, and runs in a southwesterly direction through sections 24-23, in which latter section it forms a junction with the Chicago, Mil- Avaukee & St. Paul railroad, and proceeds on its course through sections 22, 27, 28, 29, 31, from which section it enters Freeborn county.

A special vote was taken at the general election held April 7, 1882, to vote aid to the Austin, Mankato & St. Cloud Railway company. Four thousand dollars was voted, there being 71 votes in favor, to 35 against. The line now known as the Chicago Great Western was completed through the toAvnship in 1885.

Ramsey Mill. This mill is located on the west bank of the Cedar river in section 23, near Ramsey Junction. Mathew Gregson, the proprietor, commenced the erection of the building and dam in October, 1872, working on the foundation and dam that winter, completing the mill the next summer in time for the next crop. The mill was supplied with four run of buhrs, which are run by water power. In the summer of 1884 rollers were added and a fine grade of flour was manufactured under the roller process. This mill is still in operation.

Lansing Flouring Mill. Lansing Flouring Mill was located on the west bank of the Red Cedar in section 2. The mill was originally built by Higley & Richards, in 1877. The building was burned in March, 1883. The site was then purchased by Simon Alverson, who rebuilt the mill on the site of the old one that summer. The ruins of the dam is now the only reminder of this mill.

Lansing Mill. A steam mill was ])uilt at Lansing village in 1857 by A. B. Vaughan. the engine of which was hauled by teams I'rom "Wabasha, Wabaslia county, ]\rinnesota. It was run as a saw mill until 1860. when it was converted into a grist mill and run as sm-li about thrci' years, wlieii llie engine was sold and taken to Osage, in Mitchell county, Iowa. In the winter of 1866-67 the building and machinery were repaired and a wind mill put up for furnishing power. It was run with varied success until 1869, when the wind mill was taken down and the buhrs sold. The building was sold to L. Hawley, who removed it to his farm and converted it into a barn.

Turtle Creek Cheese Factory. A joint stock company Avas organized in the fall of 1874, under the laws of the state, with a capital of $2,000. There were forty shares issued at $50 a share. The stockholders were S. N. Frisbee, John Van House, Granville Kearn, Jerome Rodgers, Jonas Haney, A. P. McBride, Daniel E. Bero, James M. Cook, N. S. Hardy, Israel Pace, Michael Teeter, Merrick Knok, H. W. Page, Oliver Shaw, Solner & Morgan, A. Harwood, R. 0. Hall. The business is under the control of a board of five directors, elected annually. The first directors were S. N. Frisbee, John Van House, Jerome Rodgers, Jonas Haney, E. McBride. The cheese factory building was commenced in the fall of 1874. AVhen nearly completed it was bloAvn down. It was immediately rebuilt. It is a two-story frame building, 26x52 feet. Cheese making commenced June 10, 1875. The cheese manufactured was of a high quality and won many prizes. The business was closed up many years ago.

Lansing' Cemetery. Is located on the northeast corner of the northwest quarter of section 11, the ground being donated by A. B. Vaughan, and is incorporated under the laws of the state. The first burial was that of Gardner Mitchell. He came from "Wisconsin here, but formerly lived in Rhode Island. He was a veteran of the war of 1812. He made his home with the Vaughans until his death.

Lansing Village

Lansing is a lively village of some one hundred inhabitants, and is noted especially for the creamery Avhich is operated by the Lansing Cooperative Dairy Association. It has a railroad station, an elevator, a public school, a hotel, a postoffice and a Methodist church. It was at one time incorporated but gave up its charter.

This village clusters around the corner stake of sections 2, 3, 10 and IL It was surveyed and platted in 1858, by Charles Carter, for A. B. Vaughan, the proprietor. The first building on the site was a log house erected in 1855, by A. B. Vaughan for a residence. The first building for business purposes was erected by P. D. Vaughan iu the fall of 1858. He rented the building- to Jolin Clarlv, who put in a small stock of goods. In the fall of 1859 this building was burned. In 1860 Clark closed out the business.

Early Business

The first blacksmith in the village was Alfred Clough, who located here in the summer of 1857. He remained here until 1866, then returned to Wisconsin. Later came Sidney Fuller.

P. D. Vaughan opened a store in the fall of 1864, putting a small stock of general merchandise into a small building on the north side of the creek. The same fall George AVood purchased an interest in the business and they moved to more commodious quarters on the south side of the creek. In the spring of 1866 they sold to A. B. Vaughan, who continued in the business until 1868, when he closed out. During the fall of 1867 there were two Avarehouses built here, one of them by a Mr. Fames, from Lake City. In 1868, Bassett, Huntting & Co. erected a warehouse, and in 1870 0. C. LaBar erected one. AVood & La Bar were also early buyers. The Huntting Elevator Company still operates here. The first lumber yard Avas established in 1867 by Vaughan & AVood. They continued in the business until 1870, when they closed out.

The store of P. D. and AV. B. Vaughan, general merchants, was commenced in the fall of 1875, by AVarren B. Vaughan, when he had just received the appointment of postmaster. He put in a stock of groceries, drugs and stationery, valued at $1,000. He conducted the business alone until the fall of 1877, when he formed a partnership with his father, P. D. Vaughan. Charles E. Payne now" conducts a general store in the village.

H. M. Mclntyre, general merchant, commenced business in company with John Bartlett, under the firm name of Bartlett & Mclntyre, in the store building known as the AVeller building. In NoA'ember, 1880, Mr. Mclntyre purchased his partner's interest, and is still in business.

The first station agent at Lansing was Charles Linton. He remained in the office about two years, when he Avent to Aledford, in Steele county, Minnesota. The first express agent Avas A. B. A'aughan, Avhich office he held until 1872.

The Lansing Hotel Avas built as a private residence by Patrick Eagan in 1860. It Avas first kept as a hotel by Benjamin Carll in the fall of 1864. He continued to act the part of jolly host until the spring of 1867, Avhen his son-in-laAV, A\'illiam lirOAvn, took charge. In the fall of tliat year lie Avas succeeded by Chauiicy

Incorporation. The village was iueorporated liy an act of tlie legislature, and approved by the governor, February 17, 1871 : witnessed ])y the secretary of state, March 30, 1881, Georg.- "Wood, C. J, Rieker and J. W. George were designated commissioners to call an election. The first election was held at the postoffice March 10, 1881, and the following named officers were elected : President, W. H. White ; trustees, John Watkins, George "W, "Williams, J. G. Vaughan; recorder, H. jNIcIntyre; justice of the peace, J, E. Robinson; treasurer, John Bai'tlett ; assessor, 11, Rowe; constable, John Thompson, At this meeting John J. Guthrie was clerk, P, D, Vaughan and J. H. Watkins, judges, Thicharter was surrendered some years since.

Ramsey Junction

Ramsey Junction is a station at the junction of the Iowa and Minnesota and the Southern ^Minnesota divisions of the Ghicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul. It was platted November 18, 1873, the proprietor being D. J. Cameron. At one time an eflfort was made to have the county seat located at this point. Until 1887 stages were run from Austin to this point and a number of eating houses flourished. With the building of the "Y" to Austin, the importance of Ramsey ceased. The first station agent was Harvey Coleman.

Corning Village

The Corning Farmers' Telephone Company has a large patronage. The officers are: President, C. B. Christianson; vice president, Nels Goodwin; secretary, O. A. Ulland; treasurer, S. S. Ulland ; directors, G. Tollefson, Albert Ulland and Thomas Dowd.