Rice County, Minnesota - Chapter 64: Descriptive - Early Settlement Events and, 1882

Chapter 64: Descriptive - Early Settlement Events and

The township bearing this memorial name leaves no doubt as to the nationality which first settled it, and naturally would keep thronging in; and the name indicates the class of people by whicli it ia now almost entirely settled. As to the general features of the surface and scenery, what has been said of Forest and Shieldsville would apply very readily to this township, except, however, that Erin is a more strictly timber town, and has fewer lakes than either of those named; in fact it has no lakes of any importance wholly within its borders, although many small streams traverse the valley of the timber to become affluents to the Cannon River. Tuft's Lake on the south extends partially over sections thirty-four and thirty-five, forming the largest body of water in the township, while a small chain of lakes extend the sheet eastward and forms a southern boundary to section thirty-six. In the northern part of town Phelps' Lake infringes on portions of sections live and six,entering from Wheatland; and one mile to the east a small body of water covers a few acres of land in section four. In the center of section ten is located a pond known as "Logue Lake," from which flows a small stream which woiids its way eastward to Circle Lake in Forest townsliip. Another small brook, which joins the one mentioned, rises in section twenty-five, and flowing northward completes the unison in section thirteen.

The soil is mostly a rich dark loam, with, however, a frequent tendency to a lighter nature, and sand; well adapted to the common crops of this latitude, and ricli for all varieties of indigenous grasses for grazing. The entire town, with the exception of a few natural meadows, was originally forest, the noted body of timber known as the "Big Woods" claiming the greater portion of the territory, bift now a great deal of this has been removed and many fine and valuable farm are being cultivated, where originally the wilderness was almost impenetrable; and the hand of industry, which has wrought the change - converted the dense, uninhabitable region into homes and fields of plenty - is still at work, and probably, by the time another generation passes into the "days of old," additional changes shall have been wrought, quite as marvelous.

Erin is constituted as originally surveyed by government officers, and has, therefore, thirty-six sections or 23,040 acres, of which very little is no* taxable. In 1860, the population was barely 300, five years later, it had increased to 385; in 1870, to 527; and in 1880, at the last census, to 846. In 1870, the values in Erin, as given to the census takers, were as foUows: real property, $78,000; personal property, $42,350; total, $120,- 350. The total assessed value, real and personal for the same year, was .$57,187. In 1882, after taxes had been equalized, the values were assessed as follows: real property, $72,251; personal, $25,357; total, $97,608. This shows an increase of assessed value in the last twelve years of $40,- 421.

To furnish an idea of what was said of this township in early days, here is a sketch of it made in 1868, by F. W. Frink, and published in j^amphlet form; it is as follows: "As its name indicates, this town, like Shieldsville, is peopled almost entirely by emigrants from the Emerald Isle. In its general features of surface, and scenery also, it resembles the town last mentioned, which it lies next to on the north. Erin, however, has fewer lakes, in fact none situated wholly within its boundaries, more of meadows and brush prairie and less of heavily timbered land than the town of Shieldsville. Of its whole area 19,528 acres are taxable lands, 1,960 acres beloug to railroads,280 to Government, and 1,130 acres are unsold School lands. Non-resident lands are held at from §2.50 to S5 per acre."

The above would answer very readily for the present, except that the unsold land is now about all occupied by actual settlers. Of its comjjarison, in the clipping, with Shieldsville, it is incorrect; but that is treated in the former part of this article. The price of land now ranges from $i) per acre upwards.

Eaklt Settlement

The earliest actual settlement of tliis sub-divisiou of Rice county was commenced early in the year 1855, and was, therefore, a little behind the majority of towns, as most of them received a settler or two in IS.ii. As the name of the town implies, there were none but the descendants of the old loved Emerald Isle to be recorded in the pages of its early history ; and, in fact, for a number of years, until a good share of the government land was taken, there was not one resident of the township of other than the Celtic origin; as it is said, the arrival of pioneers of other nationalities, with a view to securing homes, being regarded by many of the citizens as an encroachment upon their rights and domain.

In the spring of 1855, as if premeditated, a party of pioneers, from various directions, burst in upon the tranquility of the town, in the southeastern part, with the determination to secure homes and promote civilization. The balance of the county had already received a number of settlers. Faribault was quite a town and near it already was heard the sound of the water-wheel and the buzz of the saw; but Eriu was yet considered "backwoods" ;ind no pioneer had consented to accept the hardship, privation, and toil the opening of the timber would necessarily incur. This party had decided to risk it, and here they were in June, 1855: Jeremiah Healy, Sylvester Smith, John Burke, James Cummin gs, John BIc- Manus and Owen Farley, the most of them bringing their families.

About the first of this party to locate and select a claim was Jeremiah Healy, and as he was an important personage among the early pioneers, we will give a short sketch of his life: Jeremiah Healv was born in Cork, Ireland, in 1819, and remained at the place of his birth until the year 18i2, when he came to America and located at

Dubuque, Iowa, where, in April, 1849, he was married to Miss Hannah McCarthy. He remained here until 1855, when he came to Erin and located in the southern part of the town, where he put up a log shanty l(;x24 feet, the first in the township. Mr. Healy had left his family in his former home, and after he had prepared a place for them returned and brought them out, bringing also a, number of head of stock and one colt. He remained in Erin until the time of his death which occurred on the 25th of July, 18G8. Of his family of children, nine are still living. His widow lives in Faribault with her two sons, E. J. and J. F. Healy, twins, who are in the mercantile business. Anotiier son, Jolm Healy, is still on the old place in Erin.

After Healy had located, Sylvester Smith was next to select a place, which he did in sections twenty-five and thirty-six. He was a native of Ireland and had stopped for a time in Iowa, getting into Kice' county with a yoke of oxen and immediately erected a small log shanty. Soon after his arrival he manged to secure a grindstone, and for a number of years the settlers for six miles around would come to his place to sharpen their knives and farming cutlery. He also was fortunate enough to secure the first grain cradle in the township. When he first arrived with his family, consisting of his wife and two children, there were only three houses between his place and Faribault.

Mr. John Burke, of the same nationality, planted his stakes on the claim of his choice, but only remained for a few years when he left for parts unknown to us.

James Cummhigs next secured a place on section twenty-seven and put up a small log shanty at once, as he had brought his family, and commenced pioneering with barely enough to get. along with, and by thrift and enterprise has now become a well-to-do and iutluential farmer, still living on the old place. One of his sons is now a Justice of the Peace and Town Clerk, and another is school clerk of the district in which he lives.

John McMauus, another son of the Emerald Isle, a single man, took a claim in the southern part of the town, near his fellow countrymen, and still remains in the same vicinity. He was joined in wedlock shortly afterward, making one of the first marriages in the town.

This entire party came in with ox teams and all settled in the south and southeastern part of the township. Those of them who still remain, although coming with little or nothing, are now farmers in comfortable circumstances, and with fertile and valuable farms.

In the same year, a little later in the season, the southwestern comer of the town received a settler and commenced building up a neighborhood as efficiently as the southeastern part.

James McBride, another descendant of "Tlie Old Sod," drifted in and anchored himself in section thirty-one, where his moorings are still fast. He brought in considerable stock and commenced pioneer life by putting up a log shanty. Shortly after McBride arrived in the fall, E. Clarken put in an appearance and located on section thirty, where he still remains, having made himself what he is, a wealthy farmer, since his arrival in Erin.

This was the extent to which the township was settled this year, carrying the settlement up to the winter of 1855-56, which proved a very trying and severe one to the meagre settlement, as they, as yst, had had no time to prepare for it. A Mr. Condon was frozen to death while on his way to his claim near J. Oumming's place. He had gone to Shieldsville for groceries and jjrovisions to supply the wants of his family, and on his way home lost the road, became discouraged and benumbed by cold, and gave up to the drowsiness which in freezing means death. This misfortune was the third death that occurred in the township. Many of the settlers, lunvever, anticipating a hard time, had avoided the danger by going to St. Paul for the winter, and returning the following spring.

The next year the settlement became more rapid and all parts of the town received a share of the incomers. Many came who have since removed with the restlessness of Americans, to the far West, there to help, no doubt, in the civilization and cultivation of a land fully as rich as this has proved to be. Among the arrivals this year many will be mentioned.

Charley McBride arrived in 1856, and made himself at home on sections nine and sixteen where his lamp still holds out to burn. His ready wit, ever willingness for a joke, no matter who the "butt" of it was, and altogether his good nature and sociability made bim a noted character throughout the entire county and stamped him as the "prince of good fellows." Wherever the happy "phiz" of Charley is, there is sure to be fun and a good time generally.

Andrew Kelly, of Celtic origin, drifted in and dropped anchor in section twenty-six where his anchorage still remains intact. He came in company with his brother, Frank Kellv, who took a quarter section adjoining his farm. Frank was married at an early day, and lived here until about 1862, when he mysteriously disappeared^ and nothing has ever since been seen or heard of him. Many theories, and they could be only mere speculative ideas, have been advanced as to the cause of his disappearance, but they are all unsatisfactory, as nothing can be conclusive where there is not the slightest shadow of fact for its foundation. His son still holds the old homestead in section twenty-six.

D. and John Caliban came in 1856, the latter being still on his place. J. O'Keilly and father came about the same time; the latter is now deceased and the former is in St. Paul. The Ash brothers also arrived about the same time. They were Peter and Thomas, the former took the place where he now lives, in section fourteen, and the latter left without obtaining any land.

Section thirty- three, in the southern part of the town, was the recipient of T. Flaunagan, an Irishmen, who still "holds the fort" here, and about the same time of the year '56, Henry Smith secured a home in section twenty-seven.

Four Mnlcahy brothers, Patrick, Timothy, Daniel, and Dennis, natives of the Emerald Isle, put in an appearance this year and took farms near together, on and about section twenty-nine. The first two, Patrick and Timothy, died at an early day; Dennis removed to Wells township abont 1867, while Daniel still lives on the original preemption.

In section eight, the same year, Edward P. Oarroll took the northeast, and Patrick Sheehan secured the southwest (juarter where they now reside in comfortable circumstances. Just south of these parties, in section seventeen, B. Foley and Andrew Devereux each secured IGO acres and still flourish on their places, both having been prominent men in the township.

Hugh and Patrick McEntee, fatlier and son, came in IHbl], and the former took the farm in section twenty-four, on which he now lives, and after a few years Patrick got married and purchased a jjlace in section ten. E. Kiernan pre-emjjted a jjlace in 1856, which joins Patrick's farm.

There were many arrivals this year besides those noted already, among which may be mentioned John Gorman, who remained on his farm until 1870, when he removed to Fairbault where he is now "Mine host" at the Northwestern Hotel; the O'Sullivan brothers, Patrick, John, and James, who are still prominent men in the town ; James Warren, who paid the debt of mortality in 1873, leaving his widow and one son upon the place; Dennis Dooley, Michael Richardson, Chas. Maguire, M. Kallaher, John Quinlan, E. Maher, and T. McBreen, all of whom settled this year, and still remain in the township, well-to-do, influential, and comfortable farmers.

This carries the settlement up to a time when the influx became so rapid and constant that it is impossible to note them in sequence; but many arrivals since this date are noted in another place under the head of "Biographical," to which place we refer the reader. In 1860, the populaticm of Erin had grown to 306, and almost all of the government land was taken. It should be noted in this connection that General James Siiields had a great deal of influence in developing this township, and especially can the tide of Irish incomers be attributed to him, as he had located just on the line dividing this town from Shieldsville, and his advertisements in eastern papers in\'iting others to join him, attracted the attention of his countrymen, and they thronged in. A great many of the claims occupied by the settlers mentioned above, had been selected before the parties had arrived, by Jeremiah Healy, who was the first to actually secure a farm. By observation, he had jiicked up the rudiments of surveying and his knowledge was very useful to the pioneers in laying out their future homes. There have been as many as sisteen or twenty of them, in early days, stopping at Mr. Healy's log cabin - free of charge - while they were looking for farms.

Events And Incidents

township was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah Healy, in the latter part of 185.'), in the southern part of the town. The minor arrival was christened Sarah, and she afterwards m.-irried Mr. .John Dudley and is now living in Faribault.

Marriages. - In this line the township has a peculiar history, one in fact, which is almost without a parallel. It is, that since the original settlement of the town, almost thirty years ago, until the present time, only one marriage has taken place within the limits of the town, this being the oci-asion, in 1878, when Mr. George Levoy and Miss Annie Berry were united in the holy bonds of matrimony by Father Eobierrie, at the house of School district No. 68. The bride was the daughter of John Berry. Of course this does not signify that the residents of Erin have refrained from taking partners to their joys and sorrows, indeed, such is not the case, but by some queer freak of the "god of chance" parties matrimonially inclined have always had the conjugal knot tied at some point out of the limits of the town.

The first marriage of residents in the town occurred in the winter of 1856, at Faribault and were .John Quinlan and Bridget Martin. The ceremony was performed by Father Eavoux and the ha])py couple still reside in their country's namesake township.

As early as 1857, the marriage of Mr. John McManus to Miss Eliza Kelly took place at the village of ShieldsviUe, and after the couple had taken the floor preparatory to listening to the last words of the ceremony, it was discovered that there was no ring to place u]X)n the liride's finger, and as this article was indispensible in the code, for a moment it lo(.)ked as though the young couple were doomed to single life yet a short time, or until the needed finger ornament was brought forward. Happily, the officiating minister conceived an idea that he at once executed, which relieved them of the dilficulty; he took the key from the door and placing it upon the l)ride'8 finger pronounced them man and wife.

Early Deaths. - Undoubtedly the first death to occur in Erin was Mary Ann, child of Sylvester Smith, who was called away in October, 1855. She was buried in Shields ville. "This child's grandfather, Martin Smith, father of Sylvester Smith, was the second death, laying down the burden of life's trials and uncertainties in 1855, at the age of sixty- five years. His remains were also interred at Shieldsville.

In 1858, while Edward Kiley and Sylvester Smith were in the timber chopping wood, a limb from one of the trees fell, and striking Edward Riley on the head, killed him instantly.

FiKST Crop. - When Sylvester Smith first came to the town in company with a few others, in 1855, they made their way with ox teams through the timber, having to ciit their own roads. Their nearest place for supplies was at Hastings or St. Paul. In 1856, they broke a little ground and put in and raised a small crop of corn and potatoes. The first crop of wheat was raised in 1857, and it was marketed at Hastings at 50 cei'ts per bushel, the trip l)eing made with ox teams, and occupying five days, camping on the way and cooking their meals by the wayside.

First Election. - The first precinct election ever held, embracing Erin, was held at Shieldsville in 1855; the precinct comprising what is now known as Erin, Shieldsville, Wheatland, and part of the towns of Forest and Wells.

McBride and the R.ats. - Charley McBride can undoubtedly claim the honor of bringing rats iuto this town.ship, from what we can learn. It seems that Mr. BIcBride, while in the East, sent several boxes of clothing, consigned to a commission warehouse in Hastings, and finally, after much trouble, succeeded in getting them to Shieldsville. Upou arriving there he selected the one which upon opening was discovered to contain two rats. He hastily slammed the cover shut, and shouting to several of liis friends near tuld them to get sticks and he did likewise. Friends all gathered round the box, spit on their hands, held their sticks up ready to flatten the first rat into a grease spot and thus nip the rat business in the bud. All were in expectation. Every one held his breath, gripped his stick tighter, and determined to do or die; the deep silence was oppressive, as the box lid was being raised. It came up with a rush, and with a yell of vengeance the crowd of clubs made a downward swoop! But, alas! As the foolish expression deepened on the countenance of the astonished vengeance seekers, it was easy to guess the cause, - llie rain were f/oiie. McBride, as usual, laughed immoderately, and to this day when a rat is seen it is called "McBride's pet" by those who remember the incident.

But this did not injure McBride's reputation, for his many good deeds overbalanced by far this dark one. One of the latter was to bring in with him some geese, and "McBride's geese" were for years the only ones in the region, and from the product of this small flock, has many a feather bed been made, that has given rest to not a tew weary travelers, who can testify to the hospitality of these natives of the Emerald Isle. This same Charley McBride also brought the first horse team into Erin township.

Clergy in Erin. - The town of Erin was first encroached upon in the month of May, 1855, and among the first to build a log cabin was Mr. Jeremiah Healy who, amidst the trials and privations of pioneer life, had succeeded in preserving a few seed jjotatoes and planted them near his cabin, and about the time the potatoes were in bloom Father Ravoux, the first missionary in this part of the country, came traveling along on his Indian pony, and discovering this cabin with the inmates and a few scattering neighbors, he concluded to stop and hold the first service here, and when about to retire respectfully declined to sleep inside of the cabin, but taking his saddle for a pillow, and spreading his blankets, made his bed between the rows of potatoes, and there, with the sky for a mantle, slept sweetly until the rising sun kissed the morning dew.

Erin in the Late War. - This town did its full share in the war of rebellion and we have succeeded in getting the list of volunteers who participated in it from the township. The following is the list: Daniel Caliban, John Caliban, Charles Lipman, Tore Coran, Antoine LaDuc, David Tierney, James McLaughlin, John Mc- Bride, James O'Neill, Arne Logue, Michael Logue, Jerry Lyons, Thomas Grady, Herman

Political

This town was organized in common with the balance of the townships in Bice county, when the Territory was made a State. The first town meeting was held on the llth of May, 1858, at the residence of P. Kyan. The meeting was called to order by the election of Thomas Flanuagan as chairman, and William Kerrott, secretary. A motion was then made by D. Dooley to name the town " McBride," then one to call it " Healy " in honor of Jeremiah Healy, but both of these were lost. A motion was next made by Mr. John Gorman that the township should be called "Erin," in honor of their nativity, and this was carried by a majority of seven. They then proceeded to the election of the following officers: Supervisors, John Conn iff. Chairman; Timothy Foley, and Sylvester Smith; Assessor, Dennis Dooley; Collector, John Gorman: Justices of the Peace, Thomas Flanigan and B. Foley; Constables, Michael Richardson and John Smith; Overseer of the poor, Charles McBride; Overseers of roads, Patrick Ryan, Martin Duffy, and Edward darken.

At the town meeting in spring of 1882, the following officers were elected : Supervisors, Patrick Sullivan, Chairman, John Quinlan, and Patrick Mangan; Town Clerk, Thomas Cummiugs; Justices of Peace, Thomas Cummiugs and Andrew Devereux; Treasurer, Owen Farley; Constables, Edward Rouin and Thomas Carroll; Assessor, Michael Carroll. There is no town hall in Erin, and elections and town meetings are held at the residence of Michael Carroll.

This office was established in 185(), with Bartholomew Foley as Postmaster, and the office at his house. In 1857, John Smith was appointed Postmaster and the office was removed to his house in section eighteen, where it remained for eight years, until Charles Cooke became Postmaster, when it was again changed and kept in Bern ard Tague's house in section sixteen. Here it was kept for a short time when Edward Carroll was made Postmaster, and it was removed to his residence in section eight. Four years later Edward

In Erin we find rather less than the average number of school districts in the towns throughout the county, there being only five. The districts are all, however, efficiently managed, and the educational advantages here are at par with the general run of neighboring towns. The school buildings are neat and substantial, and the schools are well attended, employing one teacher in each district, a short sketch of which are given below.

District No. 4fi. - This was the first district organized in the township, having been etl'ected about 1857, and a log schoolbouse rolled together in the southeastern part of section fifteen. The school grew rapidly, and in 18G5, Miss Powers taught a term with thirty juveniles on the benches. In 1872, the old log schoolhouse was dispensed with and their present house erected near the center of section eleven, at a cost of $300, where Miss L. Douley first distributed knowledge. The pressnt school officers are: Messrs. Daniel Callahan, Patrick McEntee, and Edward Kiernan, respectively director, treasurer, and clerk. The last school was taught by Miss Anna L. Kiernan, with twenty-five scholars present. The land on which the schoolhouse stands was generously donated by Mr. Daniel Caliban.

DisTKicT No. 49, - The first school in this district was taught in the summer of 1860, in the log house of Dennis Dooley, and Bridget Fitzgerald first taught the young idea how to shoot. The first school board consisted of Messrs. Dooley, Coffey, and Mehan. In 1863, the schoolhouse was erected of logs in the eastern part of section thirty, the land being donated by E. darken. The first school was attended by twelve pupils, and it has increased until there are now about twenty enrolled.

1858, when the first school was taught in the winter by Andrew Devereux in John Gorman's log house in section fifteen. Shortly afterwards Patrick Sheehan deeded the district one half an acre of ground in section eight and a log house was put up. This was about a half a mile north of the present site, to which it was removed in

1859. In 1873, the present frame building was erected at a cost of $400, on the same site in the southern part of section eiglit. The j)resent

District No. 69. - The first school in this district was taught in a log house on Anthony Kelly's land, in the summer of 1857, with Mrs. Kyun as teacher. Tlie winter school was taught by Anthony Kelly in a little log hut that stood on the Warren place, tlie inhabitants having agreed that it should be held part of the time in one end, and the remainder of the time in theother end of the district. In 1859, the district was divided, and this obtains the original number. A log building was put U]) this year on the site of the present building, the school ground having been donated to the district liy Andrew Kelly. This house was burned to the ground on the evening of election in 1870. It seems that on the day following, E. J. Healy, now a merchant of Faribault, was to commence teaching a term of school having been hired by the school board under the bitter ojjposition of some of the residents and one member of the board, and the building was undoubtedly burned by some of the lawless to prevent the school being taught. In this design, however, they signally failed, for Mr. Healy went to work, plastered a log building on theMcCullough place, and two days after the fire, school was called to order in this building and kept for five months by the plucky teacher. At the time of reorganization this was a very large district, and the first school was attended by about twentyfive scholars. At present the register shows about twice that many enrolled, and the present officers are: Director, Patrick Mangan; Treasurer, B. Kiley; and Clerk, H. Cummings.

District No. 98. - This district comprises as its territory portions of the townships of Erin and Forest, and its schoolhouse is located on the line betweeu the two towns in section twenty-five. The district is in good standing, well attended, and ably managed, having been organized some time during the sixties. Their present school structure was erected at a cost of about .$400, being a neat frame building.

Daniel C.vi-niAx was born in Ireland in 1823, and when young engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1851, he came to America and for five years resided in New York, engaged in brick making. He was married in that State in 1852, to Miss Ann Simpson, a native of Ireland. For a time after leaving that place he was engaged in a stone quarry in Eock Island, Illinois, quarrying some of the stone for the first bridge built across the Mississippi. In the spring of 1856, he came to this county and located a farm in section eleven, Erin, which has since been his home. He has held local offices and has taken an active part in organizing the schools. He was in the army from 1864 until the close of the war, being with Sherman in his famous March to the Sea. Mr. and Mrs. Caliban have have had seven children, four living; Arba, aged twenty-nine years, is the wife of Thomas Cahill, clferk in the State House at St. Paul ; Bessie, Miles, and Mary.

James Cummixgs was born in Ireland in 1806, and lived in his native country until 1846. He then came to America, landed in Quebec, Canada, and was engaged in railroading one year, then came to the States and followed the same business in Vermont two years. He carried on a farm for six year^in Clinton county. New York, and then moved to St. Paul where he was engaged in the construction of tlie Catholic Church. Since 1856, he has been a resident of this place, he being one of the first sis to settle here; his farm is Ijcated in section twenty-seven. He was married in his native land in 1845, to Miss Alice Kirk. They are both members of the Koman Catholic church in this place. They have had nine children, three of whom are living and at home; Thomas M., who is Justice of the Peace and Town Clerk; William H., aged twenty-four yeans, and Annie J., aged nineteen years; Mary died in Canada at the age of one year; Patrick died in Vermont when an infant, James died in Vermont at the age of two years, John died iu this place when thirteen years old; James, second, died after coming here, and Ellen died in infancy.

Edward Cl.vrken was born in 1825, in Ireland where he received his education and resided until twenty-two years old. After coming to America he located in Maryland and remained eight months, then in Virginia and engaged in railroading and mining for eight years. He was married in the latter place and his wife is a native of Ireland. They have had ten chDdren, nine of whom are living, eight at ho3e and one in St. Paul. Mr. darken came with his family to this place in 1856, and has since made his home in section thirty, where he owns one hun-

John Cokley was born in Ireland iu 1842, aud lived in his native country uutil the age of nine years. He emigrated to .'America with his parents iu 1851, and located in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he was educated and afterward taught school, remaining in the State sixteen years. His father died in the latter place, and iu October, 1866, he and his mother came to Kice county, Minnesota, and located a farm in section thirty, Erin township, which is still their home. Mr. Corley was united in marriage at Shieldsville in 1869, to Miss Margaret Maloney, a uative of Maine. She died on the 5th of September, 1870, aged twenty-two years, leaving one child, Mary Bertha, who died at the age of three months. He has been a member of the board of education for several years aud is at present school treasurer. He and his mother, the only members of the family now living, are both members of the Koman Catholic church.

Andkew Deverehx was born in County Wexford, Ireland, iu 1836. The Devereux family are of Norman descent and have lived in Wexford, Ireland, for centuries. The father of the subject of this sketch, Patrick Devereux, was a farmer in good circumstances and emigrated to Canada in 1850, lauded in Quebec, and after a sojourn of two days settled on a farm of two hundred acres, presented him by his brother A^'illiam, about twelve miles from Presoott, upon which they lived five years. The family consisted of five children, Andrew being the eldest. The secpud, Robert, was shot and instantly killed while herding cattle in this place. The deed was done in November, 1861, by a villain named Lydou, and the death of Mr. Devereux was mourned l)y a large circle of friends. William, the third child, died in Ireland at the age of seven years; John, the fourth son, is still living and owns a farm in tills township, his father living with him; Mary, the youngest and only daughter, married a man named Bernard Cassidy and lives in the city of Stockton, California. After a residence of five years iu Canada Mr. Patrick Devereux returned the farm to his brother, sold out his effects and came to the States, settling in Iowa, twelve miles south of Dubuque. There Andrew commenced to shape his own fortune, working at farm labor during summer months and attending school win- ters. He remained with his father until August, 1856, when he came to Minnesota territory and after traveling over the greater portion of the State finally located in Erin, where he built a shanty and also made claims for several of his countrymen. At the beginning of the winter he returned to his home in Iowa and commenced the study of surveying, which he completed in six months. He then came again to this place in comjjany with his brother Robert, for whom he made a claim adjoining his own, and where, as previously mentioned, he lost his life. In the winter of 1857, Mr. Devereux taught the first term of school ever held in the township and the following summer worked as a deck hand on a Mississippi steamer. At the close of navigation he went south as far as Lake Providence in Louisiana where he acted as foreman for a contractor, repairing levees. The following summer he spent at his father's and iu September, 1860, the whole family moved to Minnesota. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, of the Tenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and was appointed duty Sergeant. He spent part of the winter in camp at Swan Lake, Nicollet county, and from thence was sent to LeSueur to attend a military school taught by Lieut. Col. S. P. Jenuisou. In the spring of 1863, he joined Sibley's expedition and participated in several engagement.s with the Indians, driving them across the Missouri River, but they soon returned, however. The, regiment returned to Fort SneUing and then south, having their winter quarters at St. Louis where they remained six months, and in the spring of 1864, joined the First Brigade of the First Division of the Sixteenth Anny Corps, commanded by Major General A. J. Smith, and was engaged in all the battles in which the division took part. He was honorably discharged at Fort Snelling in September, 18()5, with the rank of First Sergeant, and immediately returned to his farm. On the 3d of June, 1866, Mr. Devereux was married to Miss Mary Cassidy and is now the father of sis children; Robert, aged fifteen years; Margaret, thirteen; William F., eleven; Mary Jane, nine; Kate, five; aud John B., fifteen months.

Denis Dooly was born in 1820, in Ireland, where he recieved his education and learned the carpenter, trade. In 1842, he came to Canada, where he found employment at his trade and resided fourteen years. He was married there in

1843, to Miss Mary Allen, a native of Ireland. In September, 1856, Mr. Dooly became one of the pioneers of this place, locating a farm in section thirty-two, where he has since resided. He has been a member of the school board for several terms, and always takes an active part in school matters. Mr. and Mrs. Dooly have had seven children, five of whom are living and all in this State; Patrick, thirty-five years of age; Mary Ann, thirty-two; Louisa, thirty; Daniel, twenty -eight, and Hattie, twenty-six. One child died in Canada and one in Shieldsville, Minnesota.

Timothy P. Foley, a native of Minnesota, was bom in Erin township in March, 1860. His father was born in county Cork, Ireland, and is of a very ancient family. He emigrated to America in 1845, landing in New York City where he worked at the stone mason trade two years, at the end of which time he engaged in agricultural pursuits for six years. He moved from New York to Iowa, and three years later he came to Minnesota and pre-empted land in this township. He returned to Iowa and married a young lady by the name of Donahoe, a native of county Wexford, Ireland. She is a lineal descendant of the O'Donahoes, formerly valiant Knights of Ireland, who upheld Christianity while in its infancy in that country, their gleaming swords finally establishing the Christian religion there. Mr. and Mrs. Foley moved to his new home in Minnesota and immediately began improvements on his farm and the surrounding country, petitioning for the first public road in the township. He established a Post oflice which he kept a number of years, and also held other local offices. Of a family of ten children, nine are living; EHzae, the eldest, is a dressmaker living in Minneapolis, aged twenty-four years; Timothy, twenty-two; Mary Ann, twenty; John,eighteen ; Catheriucsixteen ; Bridget, thirteen ; Thomas, eleven ; Bartholomew, nine; William, the youngest living, is six years of age, and Margaret E., the youngest of the family, died at the age of ten months. Timothy, the subject of this sketch, received a good common school education and is now engaged in farming.

Thomas Flanio.vn, one of the early settlers of this townsliip, was born in Ireland in 1823, reared on a farm and received a common school education there. In August, 1844, be came to America, was engaged in a tannery in New York City one year, after which he removed to Rhode Island and was employed in a cotton factory in all its different departments. While in that State he was married in May, 1848, to Miss Ellen Hughs, a native of Ireland. In April, 1857, they came to Rice county and settled in this township in section thirty-three. He has a fine farm, well improved; has been chairman of the board of Supervisors several terms, a member of the school board, Justice of the Peace, and was Justice of the precinct at the organization of the town. Mr. and Mrs. Flanigan have had nine children, five of whom are living; Cilia, aged thirty years; Clarry, twenty-three; Eliza, twenty-one; Joseph, nineteen, and Ella, seventeen. Three children died in Rhode Island and one in this place.

Anthony M. Kellt, another of the early settlers of tins place, was born in Ireland in 1814, and attended the common school in his native country. In May, 1840, he was married to Miss Judith Ganghan. Just five years later they came to America and located in Indiana where he was engaged in farming and surveying on railroads. He was subsequently employed as overseer in an asylum in Indianapolis. In 1856, they came to this place and located in section twenty-eight which is still their home. Mr. Kelly has been Justice of the Peace, Town Treasurer, Assessor, and a member of the school board, taking an active interest in all educational matters, having taught the first winter school in his district. Of ten children born to him, five are living; Bridget, born in 1845;Thomas M.,in 1850; Kate E., in 1853; William A., in 1857; and Joseph P., in 1859; one daughter died in Ireland aged four years; John died in Indianapolis at the age of seven years; one in infancy; Philip and Blary Ann, in this place, of diphtheria. The family are all members of the Catholic church. Joseph P. was elected Justice of the Peace just as he attained his majority.

William Keeeott was born in February, 1810, and raised on a farm between Newry and Loughbrickland in county Down, Ireland. He received a fair business education in various private schools kept by itinerant teachers and assisted in all departments of farm labor until the age of seventeen years. He then entered the employ of William Francis Hart, Esq., his father's landlord, as under steward and gardener at Greenogiie in county Dublin, discharging those duties five and a half years, until the death of his employer. He was afterward engaged as foreman and salesman in Livingston's nnrsery and public gardens in tho suburbs of the city, and later aoqnirod tho jxisition of steward in a popular semiuiiry at Port Bella from Avhich place he departed for Liverpool, England, on the 11th of May, 1835, and sailed for America the 18th of the same month. He landed in New York on the 24th of June and enjoyed the first 4th of July with friends in Albany. Coming westward by way of the Erie Canal he found employment for some time in Rochester, and then engaged in the construction of new locks at Lockport on the latter canal, thence to Canada and settled at the first lock on the Grand River, assuming the duty of Deputy Collector, Look-master, and section Superintendent on the first division of the said canal, discharging these duties for twenty years with marked success and satisfaction to the civil officers and directors. He was married on the 20th of May, 1839. On the 15th of May, 1856, they moved to Minnesota, and on the 9th of June following filed a claim in this township. By his advice his parents' family followed him in the fall, coming in the steamer "Lady Franklin" which sunk causing tlie loss of all their effects and scattered the family of six boys and two girls to struggle for self-support. In March, 1858, Mr. Kerrott organized an election precinct in the town of Wheatland, and conducted the election ; afterward organized the town of Eriu and was its first Town Clerk. His wife, having a distaste for the privations and struggles of frontier life, made a visit to friends in Chicago where she died. In October, 1859, Mr. Kerrott went to New Orleans; in 1860, worked on levees at Lake Bolivar, Mississippi; in 1861, was in Tunica county, thence north to Blemphis and took passage for Columbus, Kentucky, landing iinder fire of the Rebels at Fort Pillow, where he acted with the sappers and miners for some time. He returned to Memphis and remained until it was occupied by Federal troops, being present at the naval conflict hefore the city surrendered. He was watchman of Government freight transportation and also Superintendent of a wood yard on Wolf Island. In 1866, he accepted employment at the National - Cemetery on the M. & O. railroad but two years later returned to Minnesota and has since lived in this county always holding some office of trust - Town Clerk, Justice of the Peace, etc., every one of which was vacated on his own motion, having

Ch.veles McBride, one of the first farmers to settle in this township, is a native of Ireland, bom in 1812. He was married in 1830, to Sarah Martin. Two years later they emigrated to America, located in Westchester county. New York, and remained in the State six years. They afterwards resided in New Jersey one year and in Iowa nine years, engaged in farming. In the spring of 1856, Mr. McBride came to Erin, liringing the first horse team in the township, and settled in section nine where he still lives. His wife died in 1858, and is buried in Shieldsville cemetery. She bore him eight children, seven of whom are living. He married his j)resent wife. Miss Alesia McHall, a native of Ireland, in 1861. The result of this union is ten children, six of whom are living. His children all live in the State and six are at home. He and his wife are members of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. McBride took a very active part in organizing schools in an early day; he hired and paid the teacher who taught the first school in this township; has been a member of the board of supervisors and of the school board, each several terms.

Patrick McENTEEwas born in Ireland in 1844! and lived in his native country until 1852. He came with his parents to Virginia where he attended school, completing his education, after coming to Minnesota, in St. Paul. The family settled in section twenty-four in this township in 1856, and our subject remained at home until 1869, when he was married to Miss Mary Ann Dooley, a native of Canada, the ceremony taking place in Shieldsville. The same year he moved to section ten which he still makes his home. He has been Chairman of the Board of Supervisors two terms, a member of the school board several terms and in 1880, took the census. His parents still live in this township, his father aged seventy-five years and his mother ten years younger. He has two brothers and two sisters in this place, one sister in St. Paul, and one in Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. McEntee have had seven children, three of whom are living; William, Patrick, and Agnes.

Edw.\ed Ruinn was born in Canada in 1840, and his native place claimed him as a resident until the age of twenty-six. He was united in marriage in 1862, with Miss Catherine McKinna, a native of Ireland. They have a family of nine children; Timothy, nineteen years of age; Patrick, seventeen; Catherine, fifteen; Julia Ann, thirteen: Mary, eleven; Margaret, nine; Louise, seven; Teresa, five, and Edward J., three, all living at home. Mr. Ruinu at present fills the oflBce of Constable.

Sylvester Smith, one of the first settlers in this township, was born in 1814, in Ireland where he received his education. He came to America in 1842, located in SuUivan county. New York, and remained in that State ten years. He was married in New York City, in 1851, to Miss Sarah Brady, a native of Ireland. They resided in West

Virginia three years, then came to this place and settled in section twenty-five, which has since been their home. He has been a meniber of the school board several terms, and was one of the first to organize and maintain the school in this section, it being by subscription; has also been a member of the board of Supervisors two terms. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had seven children, five of whom are living; John, Matthew, Julia, Mary, and Annie. Mary A., died in infancy in 1855, and was the first death in the township, and Sarah E. was drowned in the lake while bathing, in June, 1875.