Rice County, Minnesota - Chapter 60: Descriptive Early Settlement Early Events, 1882 (part 2 of 2)

S(»tt"s Mill. - In 1856, the foundation of this mill was laid by Henry Audyke, who erected a saw-mill there and commenced to cut lumber at the rate of about 3,000 feet per day. It was run by several jiarties and firms until 1873, when it was converted into a grist-mill by Strunk & Company, the owners at that time. They continued to run it until 187(), when the present owner, R. H. Scott, purchased it, and continues to 023erate it, with four run of stones, and the necessa ry machinery to make a first-class custom and merchant mill. It is located on the Canncm River in the southeastern part of section eight: its total cost was about .S34,000.

Norwegian Lutheran CntTRCH. - This society was organized some years ago, and in 1881,erected a small church building in the northwestern part of section eight. This is about the center of the Norwegian settlement, and the society is composed of about twenty families, the present pastor is Rev. Carter Hanson.

Oak Ridge Cemetery. - This beautiful spot for burial purposes is located ou what is known as "Oak Ridge," and contains ten acres. It w.as laid out and recorded in the fall of 1857, and has more graves than any burial ground in ttie county, being connected with and under the management of gentlemen in Pavil)anlt, usually going by the name of "Faribault Cemetery." The grounds are laid out in drives and walks, and a large vault has been constructed in the eastern I3art. It is under the care of Mr. Levi Nutting ; the present officers of the association are: President, General L. Nutting; Secretary, H. L. Jewett; Trea.surer, B. A. Mott.

Early in June, 18.57, two young ladies, Margarat Morgan and Sallie Robinson, were drowned at Cannon City by the upsetting of a boat in v. hich were twelve ladies and gentlemen, the others being rescued. In a book by Edward Eggleston, called the "Mysteries of Metropoli.sville," the scene of which is laid in this vicinity, the tragical part of the story embraces the drowning of two young ladies, which must have been suggested to the author by this sad and fatal accident, which cast such a gloom over all hearts at the time.

This village, the most important in the township, is located in about the center, in sections fifteen and twenty-two, of townshiji 110, range 20. Contiguous to East Prairie, it lies in the midst of a most valuable and productive farming country ; while the timber extends to the outskirts on the west. It is situated on the banks of a beautiful little sheet of water, justly called "Crystal Lake," and as a spot of beauty for a village site, the location is certainly hard to equal. Tlie prosjject at the times of starting was unexcelled, as the hope and expectation of a railroad and the county seat spurred the proprietors and those concerned on to enterprise and energy; but, when the probability, even, of such events, began to disappear, the village, which had taken many strides in advance of the surrounding country, began also to wane and decline, inaugurating a retrogrc-ssion which only ceased in its backward march when it left what we find to-day as a memory of days gone liy.

As an interesting item to tiiose now here, as to what was said ii; early days of Cannon City, we annex a short sketch of the village, made in 1860, by Mr. C. Williams, and published by Holley & Brown in pamphlet form; it is as follows:

"Cannon City village was laid out in the fall of 1855, by the Messrs. Ci. A. and ,T. D. Sears, from Michigan. It is located on section fifteen, town

110 north, range 20 west, four miles northeast of Faribault, thirty-five miles from Hastings, and forty- five from St. Paul, with excellent roads to each of these places. It is eligibly situated with reference to the surrounding country, on a beautiful and elevated plat of ground commanding a view for miles to the east, north, and south, and contiguous to the "Big Woods." It is situated on the main thorougiifare between tlie southwestern and southern counties and St. Paul, Minneapolis, St. Antliony, Hastings, and Red Wing. The village has all the requisite facilities for the accommodation of the surrounding county, having a good Houring mill and saw-mill connected, of easy access, and driven by steam, three stores, two hotels, mechanic's shops of all kinds, blacksmith shops, a wagon shop, a furniture establishment, a fanniug-mill manufactory. It has church organizations of the various Protestant denominations. The village is supporting two select schools the present winter, and they are well patronized by an intelligent, moral, industrious, and frugal population. There is no better farming country in the State than that which lies contiguous to this village. It is on the borders of what is known in this countv as 'East Prairie,' a country hard to beat for farming purposes in any State."

F. W. Frink, in his sketch of Rice county, says of this village: "It has a beautiful location with reference to surrounding country. * * * It is four miles northwest from Faribault, and being of easy access to some of the best farming country in the county, is a good point for trade, and its Post-office furnishes a large extent of country with its mails, etc.." * * *

Its Eaiiliek Dats. - The locality in which Cannon City is situated first received a settler in the year 1854, when Eli Oowen and Isaac Amy arrived and secured farms there. Truman Boss had also made his appearance and secured a habitation, when, in the spring of 1855, the Sears Brothers, of Micliigan, arrived and conceived the idea of starting a village. There were three of the brothers, Gregory A., the oldest, who brought lus family with him, Douglass, and William. They succeeded in platting and recording the town in 1855, naming it in honor of the Cannon iliver. The first house had already been erected on the town site by Eli Cowen and Isaac Amy, it being a small and rather cheaj) log structure, and the Sears

C. Smitli House, for the firm of North & Carroll, Hastings, erected a good store and placed a heavy stock of goods upon the shelves; and, as the Postoffice was soon after established, it was made a part of the store and Mr. House a|)pointed Postmaster. Mr. Talbert erected and put in motion an excellent steam power saw-mill, with a circular saw, and did a splendid business for some time, there often being, in the winter of 1856, as many as 500,000 feet of logs in the yard at once. After niuning it ft)r a time Mr. Talbert sold to the firm of Starks & Sears, who added a large Houriug mill to it at a cost of about $10,000.

W. L. Herriman, who had for a short time been operating a blacksmith shop on his farm a short distance from town, moved into the village and erecting a shop commenced awakening echoes in Gannon City, with the sound of the anvil. He is still in the village. William An Dyke soon joined his "fellow son of the forge,"' and after erecting a building he remained for some time at his trade, finally removing to Foi'est.

Mr. Freetine, of .Jewish origin, came the spring following, 1856, and constructed a small log tavern about the place where the Christian Church now is, and run it for a short time, when it was discontinued and finally torn down.

The City Hotel was erected within a few month.s after by Mr. Cowen, being a commodius frame building; it was purchased shortly after its completiim by J. Giles, who after running it a few years .sold to Mr. Samuel Hawkin.s and it finally passed into the hands of, and was partially torn down by, W. L. Herriman. The last, but one, proprietor, Samuel Hawkins, lost his life on Easter Day, 1881, while trying to save his library from his house which was burning, being so seriously burned that he died shortly after. His widow still lives in the village.

Charles and Peter Chenneworth erected a tine store building the same year - 1856 - and placed a large stock of goods upon the shelves, running it a short time and selling it to Albaugh & Brother.

and put in a heavy stock of goods. He continued in business some ten or twelve years. His building was sold and used for school purposes, and finally made into a blacksmith shop.

So the growth of the village went on - increasing and accumulating; but this is sufficient to show how rapidly it was developed, and exhibits the su|)posed "embryo city" in the height of the "boom," it being at this time equal in importance to any village in the county, not excepting even Faribault, and we hereto attach an article clipped from the Faribault Herald, of December, 1857, which will reveal Caun(m City at that time, and throw some light upon a busy scene which justified high expectations. The article is as follows: "We paid Cannon City a visit this week, and are happy to report positive permanent improvement. The large steam saw and flouring mill of Starks k Sears, built at a co.stof nearly .'$14,0()0 ( including $5,000 paid for the saw-mill ), is now ready for operation. This mill is a monument of the energy and enterprise of its proprietors. They have faltered not in its early completion, although the crisis lowered its dark front over our country. The wheat pouring into its vaults, last Monday, is indicative of its popularity. Its engine is of forty horse-power, and three bolts are put up. Success to the project.

Of her schoolhouse. Cannon City may lie proud. It is built and furnished with an eye to beauty and comfort. It cost SI, 400, and was designed to accommodate sixty-four scholars. It mfght contain, however, in the neighborhood of one hundred. We found a school promising in numbers, just organized under the superintendence of I. N. Sater,Esq., of that place.

The mercantile line is well represented. We were shown fiver the establishment of C. Smith House, and found as fine a variety of dry goods, groceries, shelf wares, fancy goods, etc., as we have seen in the Territory, and a larger assortment of crockery and glass ware than we have before observed. His warehouse was literally crammed with grain, which is taken in exchange for goods. Mr. House is also Postmaster at this place.

The professions are represented by Revs. T. R. Cressey and J. Hoover, in the clerical line; Dr. Dale in the medical; Starts & Carman'^n the legal.

The topography of Cannon City has been too frequently given to need a repetition by us, suffice it to say that as a spot of beauty it has few equals."

This prosperous state of affairs kept ujj for a time, but gradually the decline set in. The town jiroprietors, with whom a great deal of merited f;iult had been found, packed up their "duds," as they were called, and disappeared from view for a time, finally coming to light as the town proprietors of Kar.son City, Nevada, and since that time have been lost sight of. The mill was discontinued and the floui'ing machinery removed to Matteson's Mill, in Faribault, while the saw portion found its way to Osakis. C. Smith House, whose name in front of his grocery store, had deceived so many travelers into believing it was a hotel in charge of ''C. Smith," finally went out of business. The lawyers and doctor left in queat of pastures new. Dr. Dale removing to Faribault and gradually the business interests deserted the town, with the exception of a hotel, store and Post-otEce. The two latter are in charge of William KiekenolT, and Mr. Gordon is "Mine Host" at the hotel, where, in the words of Shenstone, the weary traveler

Tu addition to this the village has a large number of residences, a good schoolhouse, three churches, and in 1880, Isaac Walden erected a building, put in mjicl)inery,and now operates a feed mill with the steamer of his threshing machine.

As an important factor of the village, both of early times and the present, we below give a short history of the gruwtli and development of the various religious denominations.

:\Iethodist Protestant. - This denomination organized in 18(!0,with about forty members. The first .services were lield in the summer of 1856, by Rev. J. Hoover, on the shores of Crystal Lake, wliore a Sunday school was also organized. After organization, which took place in the schoolhouse, services were held at various places until about 1870, when the membership increased to seventy and a chui-ch was erected, size 36x40 feet, at a cost of $2,000, besides a great amount of the labor being accomplished by the members. In 1872, the congregation merged into the Congregational Society, the church was deeded over to new trustees, and the denomination has since been known under this bead. Among the pastors who have officiated here are. Rev. J. Hoover. Rev. Mr. McChesney, Rev. Mr. Bushnell, Rev. Mr. Mitchell, and Rev. Mr. Guitou. There is no regidar pastor at present.

CnnisTiAN OR Campbellite Chdrch. - Effected an organization in 1873, in the schoolhouse, with Rev. Mr. Taylor officiating, and a small membership. The society increased rapidly and the following winter the lake was brought into requisition to baptize 150 members. Soon after a neat and commodious church was erected in the village which they now use; Rev. Mr. McRennels being the present minister.

Episcopal Society. - This was organized by Bishop H. B. Whipple, of Faribault, in 1868, with probably fifteen members. In 1874, a small, though neat, church was erected, in which they now worship, the membership not having increased much. The society has no regular minister, tlieir puljiit being filled occasionally by a student, whom the Bislioj5 sends from the college in Faribault.

Methodist Episcopal. - .-Vt an early day there was a very strong organization of this denomination, but the interest waning and the organization growing weak, was finally suspended and the society declared i/iorihund.

East Praibieville

This little hamlet is situated in the southern ])art of the township of Cannon City, in section thirty-five, extending partially over the line and into Walcott township. The village started out with a very fair prospect, although it was not laid out with au eye to making a metropolis of it, but more for convenience of farmers.

The village site is well located for a pleasant village, adjoining the rich farming land of East Prairie f>n the east, and the timber exi.ends up to the bouudary of the village on the west, being about two miles and a half distant from the city limits of Faribault. To show what has been said of the village at various times, we liave clipped fi'om a sketch of the county by 0. Williams, in 1860, the following in regard to East Prairieville; "It is a little village situated upon the edge of what is called East Prairie and the Straight River timber. It has perhaps the best settled prairie country east of it in the county. It contains from fifty to a hundred inhabitants, has a Post-office, a good schoolhouse, a tavern, a store, iind a steam mill."

Ten years later than the above was written, in 1870, F. W. Frink, County Auditor, commented on the village as follows: "East Prairieville is a small town four miles east of Faribault, lying on the edge of the Straight River timber, on what is known as East Prairie, a name which designates a large extent of the best prairie lands in the county. The town has a neat and commodit)Us church belonging to the Congregational society, has a Post-office and a store, and from its situation must always be a pleasant little village and a good point tor trade."

Early Development. - In 1854, Prof. Ide, in company with others who are noted in another place, came to Cannon City township and took as a pre-emption the land in section thirty -five, where the village now stands. He held it and remained until the spring of the following year, when James Anderson, with his father, Alexander Anderson, and their families made their appearance, and the former, in May, 1855, purchased Ide's claim, John Corsett bad also settled in the same section, adjoining the village, and in 1854, sold to W. N. Owena. On this pre-emption the first house erected in the village was put up, in the spring of 1854, by Corsett. In the year 1855, the village was laid out and all made ready for the events which followed. In the meantime, before the platting of the village,or about the same time.W. B. Spencer, a native of Pennsylvania, came and erecting a little board building, placed a stock of goods in it, and commenced keeping store. Alf. Barrick had arrived with his father and their families, and had located in another part of the town, but when he learned of East Prairieville he at once came down determined to start a shop, as he was by trade a blacksmith. As trade was at first slow in coming, he almost starved waiting for it, and had it not been for the generous spirit of Mr. W. N. Owens, who furnished bis family with provisions, they would have suffered from hunger. This was soon bridged over, however, and Mr. Barrick continued until 18G4, when he sold to John Wagner and removed to Crow River. Wagner ccmtinued for a time and finally sold to Charley Edward.s, who in turn, in 1878, sold to the present jnoprietor, Mr. McLean, who is now doing a good l)usiMess, to the entire satisfaction of all who jiatronize his establishment.

1858, when the condition of affairs here are pretty well descriljcd by the following article, taken from the Faribault Herald, which was published during the early days of the village :

East Prairieville is the name of a new town laid out east of Straight River timber, about three miles from Faribault, by Anderson, Thompson & Spencer. It is about three months since the plat and survey was completed. It already numbers about fifteen houses - all new. A schoolhouse twenty -five feet by tbiriy-two has been ereoted,and a school under the supeiintendence of Mr. R. Hoaglaud is in progress. We will notice that more fully some future time.

A general variety store, with a good ass'jrtment, has lately been opened by W. B. Spencer, who has entered into successful competition with the merchants of the adjacent towns. From our own experience, we must say that we have never seen goods cheaper in the west.

A steam saw and gri.st-mill has been built by Anderson & Thompson, at a cost of over S12,000. The grist mill is thirty by forty - three stories in height. They, have put in three runs of stones and four bolts. - Each run of stones will grind twelve bushels per hour. We have tried some of the flour and found it good as any in the market. The machinery was made by Weston & Cogswell, N. Y. The extension which contains the saw-mill is thirty by sixty feet. Eight hundred feet of lum- ber is near the average cut every twelve hours. Logs are coming iu briskly. The engine driviug both mills is of thirty-Qve horse-power - from the shop of Davis & Bonsell, Salem, Ohio, and works admirably.

This placn lies adjanent to a good body of tim- Iier, wliile south and oast lie? some of the richest agricultural lauds in the country. The prairie is thickly settled, and by a very intelligent and enteprisiug community."

Store and Post-office. - This was established in 1858, with W. B. Spencer as manager, iu a little board building which Spencer had erected. The first mail received consisted of two letters. Among the proprietors since, have been, Daniel Bussell, John Bailey, Charley L. Lowell, Isaac Hamlin, Henry Hile, IMr. Alther, and Mr. Brockman. The store and the Post-office have been discontinued. The former is soon to he restocked, however, and the latter re-established.

That Unfortunate Mill. - This may seem an odd and rather exaggerated caption, but wlien the truth is known, it will be admitted as appropriate. When James Auderson first came to tlie East Prairie, he purchased a small portable saw-mill which he moved to the village and commenced running. After a time this was discontinued and sold. Hon. .Tolin Thompson then went into partnership and erected a suitable building, put in necessary machinery, and commenced operating a first rate steam saw-mill. Shortly afterward a large two-story building was erected and a splendid Houring mill put in running order. This commenced grinding on tlio second day of December, 1857, and after running just six weeks caught fire and was totally destroyed. This cast a gloom over the entire settlement, as Mr. Anderson had l)orrowed a good deal of money on the building, and all the farmers in the neighborhood were in one way iir another financially interested in it, the mill having' been the hope and pride of the entire southern portion of the township. It was intended for five run of stones and at the time of the fire had already received throe run. This so crippled the firm tliat they were unable to re-build, and a public meeting was held for the purpo.se of furnishing aid, wliich resulted in raising the sum of ^1,900 toward a new mill. This money was given to James Anderson with instructions to go to Cleveland, Ohio, and purchase the necessary machinery. When he r.'turned he stated thiit ho had accomplished it, and had paid in addition to the |1,900, $400 from his own pocket. In a short time .'$300 worth of machinery arrived and the people got nervous but Mr. Anderson seemed to be as impatient for its arrival as any one. Next came the astonishing news from the firm in Cleveland that they had shipped all that Anderson had paid for, - $300 worth. Anderson was arrested, but bailed out, and be disappeared from view. The true extent of his swindling was never known until after he had gone, when it was found that the lots of the village which had been purchased by the various settlers were all under heavy mortgage in the hands of Dr. Mc- Cutcheon, of Faribault. Several widows and a great many persons in moderate circumstances, turned up, who had placed their entire wordly posessions in the shape of ready cash, only to see it vanish with the oily-tongued scamp whom they had trusted. Another interesting point in connection with this, is that during Anderson's absence in Cleveland, supposedly purchasing machinery, the citizens of this vicinity all turned out and erected a suitable building, ready to place machinery in, and were going to surprise him; this building is still doing service - not for which it was built, but as the barn of Mr. Owens.

After all this had been settled as far as ever could be, Mr. Thompson, the unfortunate partner of Anderson, secured a partner iu the person of Mr. A. Renslow, who furnished the necessary means for purchasing the balance of the machinery, and by the fall of 1858, a first-class saw-mill was in operation, under the management of the new firm. This was continued for about two years, when it was sold to a Mr. Al)bot,t, who removed it to Medford.

E.\ST Praieieville Hotel. - In 1857, two young men, Benjamin Friedenburg and John Eoss, who had been at work on the mill, purchased six acres and commenced the erection of this hotel. After they had got up the walls the mill burning catastroplie occurred which spoiled tlie hopes of making a hotel profitable, and they thereupon sold out to William N. Owens, who finished it and. opened up iu October, 1858. Mr. Owens continued as the proprietor until 1866, wheUj his health failing, ho sold to Isaac Hamlin, who operated it until the present proprietor, O. R. Ingram, purchased it in 1877, and now occupies the building as a residence.

The first services of this nature in this neighborhood were heUl in the hcmse of Williana N. Owens, in Blarcb, 1855, by Rev. T. R. Cressey, of the Baptist faith. After this, services were held once every four weeks by Rev. Mr. Cressey, but no organization took place in this faith. Since that two societies have been organized, a short .sketch of which are below given, the Congregational and Methodist.

CoNGKEGATiONAL SOCIETY. - The first services for this denomination were held in the spring of 1858, at the schoollious(>, by Rev. Mr. Heverland, a photographer. An organization was effected soon after, and in 1865, a church edifice was erected by them in the village, the size of which is about 30x50 feet, W. B. Spencer donating a church site. Rev. Mr. Gilbert was the first minister stationed here, and remained for about fifteen years. Their church was finally sold to the Methodist society, and no meetings are held at present.

Methodist Denomination. - The first services for this society were held by Rev. Mr. Kirkpatrick, in the residence of Elijah Austin in the village, in the fall of 1855, and a class of about fourteen members was formed soon after. Services were held in his house and the school house until the Congregational church was completed, when services were held in that, and iu 187(5, the buUding was purchased of the Congregationalists. There are now about twenty members, and services are held every two weeks in the church, with Rev. Mr. Acres as pastor.

Peaieieville Cemetery. - This burial ground is located on the farm of William N. Owens, having been laid out in April, 18G0. The first interment here was the remains of Mrs. Warren who died in April, 1855, and who was removed from her former resting place to these grounds as soon as laid out. The grounds are now pretty thickly dotted with head stones and thoughts are entertained of enlarging them.

Joseph Covert was bom in Sullivan county, New York, on the 29th of April, 1828, brought up on a farm and when twenty-two years old began the manufacture of lumber. Two and a half years later he removed to Dodge county, Wisconsin, and engaged in farming two years. In 1850, he married Miss Sarah F. Ogden and three years later came to this township, pre-empting wild land in 1855. He now owns two hundred and forty acres most of which is improved, and has erected a fine brick residence. Mr. Covert has held local ofBces and in 1870, was elected to the Legislature, and again in 1879. He has a family of seven chililren.

John T. Cowles is a native of .Jefferson coimty, New York, bom in 1832, and was schooled to agricultural pursuits. In 1844, he removed to Dodge county, Wisconsin, and C(mtinued tilling the soil. On the 21st of November, 1858, he married Miss Mary Jane Walrod. In 1863, they removed to Plainview, Wabasha county, Minnesota, and in 1865, came to liis present farm of two hundred and forty-seven acres in section sixteen. Cannon City township. He has been a member of the l)oard of Supervisors three years. Mr. and Mrs. Cowles have been ble.ssed with five children.

J. Clossan was born in Jefferson county, New York, and remained at home on a farm until sixteen years old, then came to Wisconsin, where in 1853, he married Miss Susan Koon. They came to Rice county in 1855, and Mr. Clossan preempted his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres in section one. He served nine months in Company C, of the Sixth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and was discharged at Fort Snelling for disability. He has one child, a son.

CiEOEGE Douglass was born in Beekmantown, Clinton coimty. New York, in 1825, and grew to manhood as a farmer and currier. In 1852, he married Miss Minerva Howe, who was born in 1831, in Vermont, and in 1855, they removed to Minnesota, coming by the way of Iowa. Mr. Douglass located a farm in sections twelve and thirteen and now has two hundred acres improved, building his present house in 1879. Ha has three children.

P. B. Edwards was born in Warrensville, Ohio, in 1848, and remained at home until twenty-one years old. In 1869, he came to Bridgewater, this county, and in 1874, to this township, buying a farm of eighty acres in section thirty-five where he still resides. Mrs. C. J. Edwards became his wife in 1882.

B. C. Godfrey was born in New Brunswick, Canada, on the 4th of November, 1852. His father, Ehsha Godfrey, was a farmer and was also engaged in the fisheries to some extent, and afterward, in 1855, became a pioneer in this county

Our subject came to this jilace and resided on his father's farm, in section three, until he purchased the same in 1880. He was united in marriage in the latter year wttlx Miss Eva Foster.

John Jepson was born in New York in 1835, and learned the cooper trade of liis brother. In August, 1856, he came to Bice county, and staked out a claim in Kichland township, and in the fall of 1857, Miss Lyda L. Sherpy became his wife. In 1800, he made a trip to California, remaining two and a half vears, then returned and located in Cannon City, where he conducted a store nine years. He served seven months in the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery. In 1876, he removed to section fourteen and has a farm of two hundred and eighty acres with good substantial buildings. Mr. and Mrs. Jepson have four children. He was Cohstable two years; Chairman of the board of Supervisors one year; Postmaster three years; Justice of the Peace three years, and Town Clerk seven years.

0. H. MumjInbe was born in Penfield, Monroe county. New York, on the 12th of November, 1826, and when young worked on a farm. In 1850, he came to Michigan and was engaged in farming in different localities, and in 1852, he was married to Miss Sabrina Sanford. In 1856, he removed to this township, settled on section three, and in 1858, removed to the village, where he has since resided. He enlisted in 1862, in the First Minnesota Cavalry, served one year, and re-enlisted in the Sixth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, serving two years. He now draws a ])cnsion for injuries received while in service. Mr. Mulliner has three children.

D. A. M(^Lean was born in Canada on the 19th of August, 1855, and learned the blacksmith trade of his uncle, Alexander McLean. In 1878, our subject (-ame to Rice county directly to Faribault, and bouglit the shop owned by C. P. Edwards, wliich he has since conducted, doing a good business.

William Neel is a native of Ohio, born in 1829, and when seventeen years old learned the carpenter trade. On the 18th of August, 1853, he was joined in marriage with Miss Pauline Hoovor, and the next year removed to Rice county. He pre-empted land in this township in section thirty-two, which ho sold the following winter to G. M. Crilmore, and moved to Faribault, where ho engaged in cabinet making. The next spring he sold out his business and removed to Cannon City, locating in section ten, but afterward removed to his present farm in sections ten and eleven, where he has a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. Mr. and Mrs. Neel have four children.

E. B. Okcdtt was born in Oneida county. New York, on the 22d of February, 1822, and ten years later he removed with his parents to Ohio, but returned to New York in 1838, and located in Monroe county. On the 13th of June, 1851, he was married to Miss Sylvia Dunning. Mr. Orcutt had charge of a boat on the Erie Canal until 1852, then removed to Dodge county, Wisconsin, and in 1855, came with two yoke of oxen to his present farm on section twenty-five, where he has two hundred and sixty acres, all improved, and with a maple grove, which he set out thirteen years ago. He has a family of five children.

William N. Owen, one of the pioneers of this place, was born in Delaware county, New York, in 1813, and grew to manhood on a farm. He was joined in marriage on the 5th of July, 1837, and in 1844, removed to Dane county, Wisconsin, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1854, then came to Rice county and located a farm in this township on section thirty-five. He built his house on the Indian trial, the Sioux Indians coming from Wabasha to the trading post, Faril)ault, also put up the first fence and raised the first wheat and oats in Rice county. He states that he was the first Justice of the Peace of this place. Mr. and Mrs. Owen have had eleven children, six of whom are living, and all have received a good education in the Faribault schools. His son George conducts the farm.

William Pennock is a native of Madison county. New York, born in 1822, and came with his parents to Steele county, Minnesota, in 1842. Miss Julia Hamlin became his wife in 1843, and in 1869, they removed to this township and located on their present farm near the city of Faribault.

G. W. Pope was born in St. Lawrence county. Now York, on the 17th of September, 1828, and removed with his parents to Kenosha county, Wisconsin, in 1846, remaining at home until twenty-three years old. He then louated on a farm near Portage City, and in 1852, married Miss Adaline Barlow. In 1857, he removed to this township, where he has one hundred and fifty-two

F. Strunk was born in New York in 18:!G, and after working at agricultural pursuits, came to Michigan in 1802. Two years later he removed to this county, and in company with bis brother purchased a farm in Richland township, which he sold in 1876, and came to this place, forming a stock companj' for a flour mill, known as the Cannon City Jlill Co. This be conducted two years, then sold out and j)urchased bis present farm on sections ten and eleven, having now two hundred and forty acres. He was married in 1867 to Miss Ada C. Rathbun, who has borne him three children.

M. C. SwEATT, one of the old settlers of this place, was born on a farm in Vermont in 1829. In 1831, he removed to New Hampshire, where he was married to Miss Cynthia Amy. They removed to Wisconsin in 1849, and Mr. Sweatt worked on a farm and in the pineries until 1851, when he moved to Green Bay. In 1854, he came to this county, and located on his present farm, the northeast quarter of section twenty-three. Soon after coming here he visited the Rocky Mountains, but returned and enlisted in the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, served one year, and previous to that was First Lieutenant of the State Militia in 1861. He has a family of four children.

G. A. Turner was born in Ommdaga county, New York, on the Ist of May, 1821, and removed with his parents to Indiana when fifteen years of age. In 1842, he went to Illinois, spent a few months there, and made a trip south, spending the winter of 1842 and '43, in New Orleans. In the spring he went to Hillsdale county, Michigan, and engaged in farming. In 1851, he married Miss Romina S. Blanchard, of Ovid, Michigan. They came to (his State in 1854, and after remaining in Hastings a short time pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres in section four, Cannon City, which he made his home until 1862, when he removed to his present farm in section two. Mr. and Mrs. Turner have two daughters and five sons.

John Thompson was bom in Scotland on the 28th of January, 1832, and removed to Canada with his parents at the age of three years. He assisted his father on the farm, and at the age of seventeen years began the manufacture of lumber, removing to West Canada in four years. In 1852, he made a trip to California, remained three years and came to Cannon City township, erecting a steam saw-mill between Faribault and Prairieville; conducted it one year, then traded it for three factories, which ho still owns. He was next engaged in a grist-mill, first alone, but after its de- Ktruction by fire, creeled another and took a partner. On the 12th of July, 1857, he married Miss Nancy E. Henderson, and the issue of the union is three children, two of whom are living. In 1859, Mr. Thompson bought a part of his present farm, moved cm it, and now has a farm of four hundred acres, well improved and good buildings. In 1878. he was elected to the State Legislature, and again in 1881.

H. C. Tripp was born in Fjrie county. New York, on the 10th of May, 1817, and his fatlier, Noah Tripp, being a farmer, H. C. was reai-ed to the same occupation. In 1838, he went to Jackson county, Michigan, worked in a saw-mill a short time, then returned to New York. In 1840, he married Miss Emma E. White, of Cayuga county, who bore him three children. After her death he married his jiresent wife. Bliss Minerva Ray, who was born in Vermont in 1825, the marriage taking place in 1849. They removed to Collins, Erie county, New York, where Mr. Tripp engaged in carriage making until 1854, and in that year started for Minnesota with a team, landing in this place in 1855, and immediately located a farm in section twenty-three, where he now owns two himdred and forty acres of land. He has a large brick house, beautifully located, and one of the finest farms in the county. He was Justice of the Peace four years, and Assessor one year. His eldest sou, Merritt N., enlisted in 1861, in Company A, of the Sixty-fourth New I'ork Battalion, and died at Alexandria Hosjjital on the 29th of April, 1862. Mr. Tripp has two living children, Lettie and Delose, both at home.

F. Van Eaton, a native of Indiana, was born in ] 835, and assisted in the farm labor until the age of fourteen years, when ho learned the blacksmith trade, worked four years in his native State, then removed to Illinois. In 1851, he removed to Winnebago county, Wisconsin, engaged in farming until 1856, and came to Cannon City, locating on his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres in section three. His land is all improved but thirty acres, which is covered with heavy timber, and has two mineral springs. He has been twice married, first to Miss S. J. Patterson in 1853, and after her death to Mrs. Phoebe M. Davis in 1864, and has been blessed with four children. Mr. Van Eaton has been a member of the board of Supervisors three years, and District Clerk fifteen years.

J. M. Wood was born in Nova Scotia on the 24th of Octolter, 1815, and learned the carpenter trade when fourteen years old. He removed to Massachusetts in 1830, where he married Miss Mary Ann Finch in 1842, and the issue of the union is three children. In 18G0, they came to this State, settled in Union Lakes until 1872, then removed to his present farm in section seventeen, Cannon City township.

Massachusetts, on the 1st of March, 1828, and when sixteen years old went to Worcester coiinty, and for seven years worked at the boot and shoe business. At the expiration of that time he removed to Northampton, where he engaged with his uncle working in marble. In 1853, he removed to St. Paul, Minnesota, arriving there the 3d of May, and in five months went to Medford, Steele county, locating land in section five, which was the first land claimed in that county, and he and Mr. C. Lull are said to be the first white men there. In 1855, he married Miss Plioebe Hays, the ceremony taking place the 22d of March. They have five children. In 1863, he removed to this place, and has two hundred and forty acres of improved land in section three, being supplied with good buildings.