Steele County, Minnesota - The whole text, 1868 (part 1 of 2)

Tribune Printimg Ccmpanv

This house is located at the junctioir of the Milwaukee, St. Paul & Minneapolis, and Winona & St. Peter Railroads, and the trains on both roads stop half an hour in going each way. The house is supplied with all the conveniences for the accommodation of guests.

Tribujcb Printing Compahy

An entirely correct history of any country or of any trair of events, would be "something new under the sun," as the memory of men differ according to the different stand points from which they view the events as they occur. And we have not the vanity to suppose that the followiug sketch of Steele county will be that rare thing in literatisif^' - a perfect history. Yet we have endeavored to gatlieT from the mass of events that cluster around the first settlement such items as would be of interest, to treasure up fox future reference. We have taken great pains to glean all the important incidents of pioneer life within the boundaries of the county, and to chronicle them in such manner a*? may be most useful and entertaining for the future enquirer? after ih.Q first things of this new country. Yet we canBot but apprehend that there are many matters of interest ih&t we have failed to produce, as we have been unable to &f^ all the early settlers in person, and consequently majiy items may have been left ungathered.

The events we have here chronicled ma/ seem f)! little or no importance to the present actors, but havisgbeen rescued from the deep pool of forgetfulness, we believe that in future years they will not be looked upon ar wholly insignificant. We have endeavored to give a trutitful representation of the present and prospective conditiesH of the country, and to faithfully record such incidents of pioneer civilization as we have been able to gather frm^ the actors themselvee.

We have vi3ited most of the towns in person, and obtained as far as possible, the kind and amount of business carried OR in each. Those towns we have not visited we have employed others to visit, who were acquainted with the locations, and from them learned the incidents recorded in these pages. We take this occasion to express our thanks to the many kind friends who have taken such interest in the success of this little volume, as to furnish us with items of information in regard to their respective localities.

Introduction

In the early days of American civilization, when the ' Pilgrim Fathers landed on Plymouth Rook, each and every event of actual life was treasured up in the memory of tha actors, and by them handed down to succeeding generations, till the record of them at the present time seems like the rehearsal of some ancient tradition. History has not! gathered the most minute and interesting portions of the soul-stirring incidents of that period. Printing Presses were things heard of in those new colonies, but whose advantages were not enjoyed, and newspapers were never seeis^ save now and then "when some good ship from the mother country brought the precious bundle of news from some kin# friend across the sea. The art of printing had not arrivec^ at that perfection that marks it at the present day, and no^ offices made their appearance in America for a long timer hereafter. As a consequence the adventures and incidents of those times are still unrescued from the oblivion of the^ past, many of which would be of deep and thrilling inter* est could they be accurately rehearsed to the present generation.

Of no less interest are the occurrences of pioneer life iathe west; the adventures among savage hordes, and thetrials and hardships and many privations incident to pioneer life, than those which marked the footsteps of civilization on the eastern shores of the American continent. And the advantages of the present day enable the faithful^., worker to gather them together and wrap them in a bu©

The broad and mighty river, on whose bosom float ^hips and palatial steamers, burdened with active life and the wealth of nations, flows downward from some mountain spring in which it takes its source, and only by the aid of maaj another rivulet and stream does it become the river. The towering oak owes its origin to the tiny and insignifi- .caat acorn that ages before was trampled in the earth ; and <g!?eat and powerful nations spring from small beginnings a«id first settlements. Could we but trace their growth, ste^ by step, with each of the leading incidents presented as they occurred, the wealth of a nation would not be .sufficient to tell the value of the records.

To remedy as far as possible these disadvantages of the pioneers of the western continent in the past century, and .;gr<jup together the incidents of the opening up and devel- -opment of civilization in the west, we have labored to collect such as we deemed of most interest to the future dwellers in this beautiful and fruitful country, which we present .'to those who may deem them worthy of their perusal, as contribution to the History of Steele County,

Historioal Sketch Of Minnesota

Minnesota, the land of "sky-tinted waters," is one of the youngest in the sisterhood of States; the thirty-second daughter of the hale matron Columbia, who was received at the baptismal font on the eleventh day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fiftyeight. Immediately after her confirmation, she shook hands with her elder sisters, and, like the fabled Minerva, who leaped from the brain of Jupiter, clad in mail, she stepped forth proud of her wealth and beauty, and in full consciousness of her power, has brought each year thousands of pilgrims to her feet, to bask in her smiles and grow rich upon her bounties.

Entering at once upon the duties of providing for her. household and her guests, her laborers turned up the sod of the prairie, and scattered seed upon the bosom of the earth, and the generous soil in return gave back bountiful harvests, which filled the granaries of the farmers to overflowing, and furnished an abundance of sweet prairie hay for his horses, oxen and cows, and from a wild and unbroken wilderness, traversed only by savage hordes of Indians, the country became the home of the white man, and teemed with arts and civilization, and growing richer and more beautiful, year by year, till she has outstripped many of her older sisters who were the first born of their mother ; and her green and pleasant prairies are so running over with the elements of wealth and material prosperity, that they only need- to be tickled by the hand of the husband-

Located midway between the two great oceans of the world, the Atlantic on the east and the Pacific on the west, Hudson's Bay on the north and the Gulf of Mexico on the south, its geographical position is the finest on the continent. Here all the products of agriculture attain their most perfect development, and the farmer receives the largest return for the labor bestowed. Bounded as it is on the north by Arctic frosts and ice glaciers, and on the south by arid sandy plains, its mean temperature is such as cannot fail to be productive, both of the fruits of the earth and of the elements of life to the physical system.

In the northern part of Minnesota is a high table land, rising several thousand feet above the level of the sea, and here issues from a cleft rock, a tiny stream, that flows along among the mosses till it meets with other streams, and together they find their way into and supply the waters of a little lake, from whence issues the Mississippi river. One could hardly imagine it to be so, as there it is but an insignificant stream ; but as it winds its way along towards the tropics, other streams without number pay tribute, and it grows broader and broader till it becomes, in truth, the patriarch of the rivers, and like Pharaoh's lean kine, swallows up all which pay it tribute, and the mighty Mississippi is the channel through which all the waters of the northwest find their way to the Gulf of Mexico.

A short distance to the eastward the same process is enacted over again, and the rivers empty their waters into Lake Superior, from which they take their way, flowing through the chain of the great lakes, and leaving Lake Ontario, the noble St» Lawrence rolls on eastward to the Atlantic ocean.

North, receiving the waters of all that section of the eoiintry and discharging them into the Northern ocean. Doea it occur to you then, that Minnesota is the summit of the American continent ? the water- shed of all this vast territory which is so rapidly becoming developed and will soon acknowledge one government all over the continent of North America.

In 1860, Hon. W. H. Seward delivered a speech in St. Paul, in which he referred to this fact as follows : "Here spring up, nearly side by side, so that they may almost kiss each other, the two great rivers of the continent," the Mississippi and the St. Lawrence, as it were, within a stone's throw of each other,, yet running in opposite directions - the one from its source across a mighty continent to the eastward, half way to Europe ; the other towards the tropics, bearing the products of our Northern climes to the Gulf of Mexico, and bringing in return the gathered cotton of southern plantations to feed the factories of the Upper Mississippi.

Minnesota is likewise a State of truly magnificent proportions ; extending from 43° 30' to 49° north latitude, and from 91° to 97° 5' west longitude, making it one of the largest Btates in the Union. It has an area of 84,000 square miles ; or to bring it to acres, the sum total of 54,000,000 of acres, nearly equal to the combined area of those old and populous states of Pennsylvania and Ohio.

New England might be placed in Minnesota, and then leave room for a game of national base ball on each of the four corners. When looking over the vast territory of the west we do not wonder at the reply the Yankee gave John Bull, in response to the assertion that England was a mightier country than America, "Sho !" replied Jonathan, "you might roll England through the United States and never make a dent in the trround." The only avenue of commercial intercourse between the east and west coasts ia through Minnesota, and consequently the only practicable route for a northern Pacific railway. Lying across this commercial isthmus, it? is the only outlet of the vast arable area to the north and west of us, to the eastern and southstates, and is emphatically the gateway between the eastern and western continents.

From its commanding physical position, it holds the key of the outlet of all this vast commercial and productive interest on the northwestern portion of the continent. Mr. Seward, in the speech referred to, says : "Here is the place, the central place, where the richest agricultural region of North America must pour out its tribute to the whole world. On the east, all along the shores of Lake Superior, and west stretching in one broad plain in a belt quite across the continent, is a country where State after State is yet to arise, and where the productions tor the support of the old crowded States must be broughi forth." And at no distant day those districts, large and fertile as they are, shall swarm with the industry and enterprise that founds empires, and pour their wealth into the lap of Minnesota, giving her material prosperity and significance^ second to no state in the Union, and no country of equal extent in the world. In the same speech Mr. Seward prophesies a brilliant political destiny for Minnesota, and says: "I now believe that the ultimate last seat of government on this great continent will be founded somewhere within a circle or radius not very far from the spot on which I stand, at the head of navigation on the Mississippi river." Such is the opinion of the far-seeing and clear-headed statesman, Wm. H. Seward ; and if his prophetic eye saw the future as it is to be, glorious, indeed, am^ng the sisterhood of States, is to be her destiny ; and happy, yea ! thrice blessed are those who obtain a heritage within her borders, in the early years of her existence.

Aoricultural Capacities

The Agricultural capacities of Minnesota are not surpassed by any State in the Union. Long ages of growth and decay of vegetable matter on the wide spread prairies of Minnesota, make up the organic ingredients of a soil abounding in all the most productive elements, the prevailing /eature of which is a dark calcareous, sandy loam, with a strong admixture of clay. The silica which constitutes a chief part of the sand, is one of the most important features in the soil for the production of the cereals, and is what makes Minnesota stand pre-eminent as a wheat-growing State. The soil is of that soft, spongy condition, so much sought after by experienced farmers, and only obtained in other soils by expensive underdraining. In order to give a fair showing of the natural productiveness of the soil without manuring or other fertilizing agents, we subjoin the following table, showing the staple agricultural products of the State, and about the average yield per acre :

This table was compiled from ihe census reports of 1860, and gives the average yield for that year, and though the yield has been larger some years since, it has also been smaller other years, and taking the average of years it is^ perhaps, a very correct estimate. Yet with proper cultivation, and having the land well fertilized in addition to being well cultivated, it might be made to produce a much larger crop. Under favorable circumstances wheat is produced at the rate of as high as thirty-five bushels to the acre. In 1865 there was harvested from a field of four hundred acres, 10,000 bushels of wheat, being at the rate of twenty-five bushels to the acre, and many ©ther fields were in proportion. Yet this was not considered as anything wonderful for Minnesota, nor was that year's crop considered as extraordinary. Wheat is considered the great staple of Minnesota, and has thus far been comparatively exempt from the various dangers to which it has been exposed in other localities - such as rust, smut, insects, &c. This is really a fortunate circumstance for this State, as the country is yet new, and with such a rapidly increasing population, it must necessarily draw more heavily on the productive qualities of the soil than in older settled localities with a less changing population. Thus far in the agricultural experience of the farmers of Minnesota the wheat crop has been considered a safe and Bure one, and the farmer commits his seed to the earth with a feeling of almost certainty that he will reap a rich harvest of from twenty to thirty fold in return. There is probably no State in the Union where wheat is as safe and sure crop as in Minnesota, and not only is it a sure crop, but it averages a larger number of bushels per acre than the best of them. In 1850, the four States producing the largest average yield, were Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Texas and Florida ; this did not exceed 15 bushels, while the other States averaged only from 5 to 12. The largest known yield of other States, as compared with the average of Minnesota, is as follows :

While we claim for Minnesota a pre-eminence as a wheat growing State, we must as frankly admit that it is inferior to other sections in milder climates for raising corn. Yet the second report of the Commissioner of Statistics claims that Minnesota is inferior to none of the Stated as a corn producing region.

Other grains grow with luxuriance and are generally a sure crop. Barley flourishes well on the same soil that produces wheat, as the principal ingredients that compose one enter into the other. Eye and buckwheat are generally considered a sure crop, yet very few farmers pay much attention to their cultivation. The average yield of these grains for the years 1860 and 1862 was as follows :

Potatoes, in this climate, attain their highest excellence, and in flavor and rich farinaceous qualities are superior to those of almost any other section, especially those regions that are exposed to the rays of a scorching and forcing sun, in more southern latitudes, where all tubers are brought to fructification before they have had time to attain to their proper size, or receive the essential qualities proper for nourishment. Already are the Minnesota potatoes becoming a considerable article of export to the States in the Mississippi valley, where they are held in much esteem as a table delicacy. Garden vegetables are produced in great abundance and well repay the labor bestowed upon them.

Fruit Raisinq

has heretofore been considered as an experiment of very doubtful success, but the experiments of the past few years have decided in favor of fruit growing in Minnesota, and now the fact is well established that the hardier kinds of fruit can be cultivated with success. When we consider that many forms of wild fruit are indigenous to the soil, and are produced in great abundance in their wild state, it is not a great stretch of the imagination to see cultivated fruit upon our tables which are the products of our own farmjB and gardens. The country being yet in such an undeveloped state, ani farmers generally turning all their at- tention to wheat raieitig, tlie advantages of fruit raising are not as generally known and appreciated as they will be when the country becomes older and its resources more thoroughly developed. There is no natural reason to suppose that fruit, such as apples, crab apples, plums, grapes, currants, gooseberries, strawberries, raspberries, cherries and the like, cannot be raised in as great abundance and possessing as delicate a flavor, here in Minnesota, especially in the southern portion, as in Wisconsin, Canada and New England in the same latitude, or even farther north. We have no idea that fruits indigenous only to tropical climates will be produced here otherwise than in hot houses ; but we can conceive no reason why the hardier fruits and those produced in this latitude in any country should not be produced with equal success in Minnesota. THE HEALTHFULNESS OF THE CLIMATE of Minnesota has long been a subject of comment and admiration, not only to the citizens of Minnesota but to the occasional visitor, the pleasure seeker, and the thousands of invalids who annually seek within her borders the health that has been denied them in less favored localities. The entire exemption of malaria and its attendant diseases, such as chills and fever, and all the train of bilious fevers, is an argument strongly in favor of the healthfulness of this climate ; as a large proportion of the diseases which affect mankind are produced by the poisonous exhalations from the earth, and these are effectually destroyed by the low temperature of our winters that continue for a period of four months. But we do not propose to go into a scientific analysis of the atmosphere of Minnesota, though such an analysis would speak whole volumes in favor of^the State, yet our limited space will only allow a mention of the fact which is supported by indubitable testimony that the climate of Minnesota is one of the healthiest in the world.

It is sustained by the testimony of thousands who have received benefits from its bracing and invigorating atmosphere, and recovered from diseases that had baffled the skill of the best physicians in other States, as well as by all the residents of the State for the past twenty years. The tables of mortality, when compared with those of other States, show a heavy balance in favor ©f Minnesota. As a beneficial resort for invalids it is probably not excelled by any in the Urion, or any country on the globe. It used to be customary for physicians to recommend consumptive patients to go south ; to some warmer climate - to Cuba, Florida, or some of the islands of the sea, but finding these changes attended with but poor success, they have changed their tactics, and now almost universally recommend a visit to Minnesota, which is generally attended with the most satisfactory results. As a

Resort For Pi.Kasure Skkkers

RESORT FOR PI.KASURE SKKKERS we also claim a pre-eminence for Minnesota. Its scenery has attracted the marked attention ,of the most eminent tourists, poets and painters. Its noble rivers, brilliant lakes and sparkling rivulets have been immortalized in song, and transferred to canvass have found a place among the gems of art of the great masters in the galleries of the Old World.

The tourist who seeks relaxation from the cares and perplexities of business, and a retreat from the hot pavements, dusty streets and din and noise of the city, can find here that repose that recuperates the physical, and invigorates and restores the mateiial capacities to such a wonderful extent as makes it almost seem the most favored locality in

Manufacturing Facilities

MANUFACTURING FACILITIES, whicli it possesses in a degree not excelled by tlic most favored locality of the known world. The immense water power of the Mississippi river at the Falls of St. Anthony is equal in extent to that of the whole water power of England and Scotland, and is said by experienced and competent engineers to be equal to 120,000 horse power. We give the following extract from the second report of the Commissioner of Statistics, showing somewhat the extent and capacity of this power alone :

"The available power created by this magnificent waterfall, is more than sufficient to drive all the 25,000,000 spindles and 4,000 mills of England and Scotland combined. The entire machinery of the English Manchester and the American Lowel, if they could be transplanted here, would scarcely press upon its immense hydraulio capabilities. But as compared with those great industrial centres, the Falls of St. Anthony possess one decisive advantage, which is to a great extent illustrative of the functions of the State a« a commercial and manufacturing emporium, this splendid cataract forms the terminus of continuous navigation on the Mississippi ; and the same waters which lavish on the broken ledges of limestone a strength almost sufficient to weave the garments of the world, may gather the products of its mills almost at their very doors, and di3tribute them to every part of the great valley of the Mississippi."

The falls of the St. Louis river, twenty -five miles from where it empties into Lake Superior are only second, and ficarcely inferior to ^he Falls of St. Anthony in power and future availability. Situated aa they are in the direct route of the Superior Railroad from St. Paul, it cannot be long before they will be made to perform their share ©f the labor of the enterprising and go-ahead operatives of Minnesota. The St. Croix Falls are similarly, though somewhat less advantageously situated on one of the largest tributaries of the Upper Mississippi river. Besides these three great powers there are innumerable smaller rivers and streams^ affording sufficient power to operate mills and factories,. scattered all over the State. This is not leally to be wondered at when we consider the fact which we at first mentioned, that Minnesota is the highest land on the continent of America, and from her prominent position very naturally overlooks all her sister States and the infant territories.

Not the least of the advantages possessed by Minnesota: is the great facilities she possesses for sending her products to market. The richness of her soil and the blandness of her climate, and her immense water power would be oomparatively valueless in a commercial point of view, were she not connected with the gTeat commercial em])orium8 of the world by accessible and easy channels of trade. Lake Superior on the north; the great Pacific railroad connecting the Atlantic and Pacific ; and the broad Mississippi s^reeping downward to the Gulf of Mexico, bearing our exports of the products of the earth, and lumber from our forests, and in return bringing cotton to supply our factories, and the railroads to eastern cities, aflford commercial facilities seldom if ever equalled.

The Railroad System Of Minnesota

is extensive for any State in so early a stage of its existence. Congress made a grant to Minnesota, in 1857, of four and a half millions of acres of land, to aid in the construction of railroads ; and in 1864 still another grant was made. By these grants ten sections, or 6,400 acres of land was given for each ten miles of road constructed and put in operation, and projected under the provisions of these grants, which projected roads were designed to benefit all parts of the State. Wo give bfrlow a synopsis of the different land grant roads in this State :

St. Paul & Pacific Railroad

^extends from Stillwater, on the St. Croix river, via St. Paul ' ;and St. Anthony, to the western boundary of the State, to ,a point at or near Big Stone Lake. This line runs nearly ;r through the centre of the State from the eastern to the '^western boundary, about 220 miles. The road is now in ^operation from St. Paul to Wayzatta, a point about fifteen .miles west of Minneapolis, and twenty-five miles from St, jPaui. A branch line of this road is in operation from St. (^aul, via St. Anthony and Minneapolis to St. Cloud, a distance of seventy-six miles. A line is also laid out from some point between St. Cloud and Crow Wing, on the above road, to Lake Superior, a distance of about 120 miles.

The Minnesota Valley Railroad

ii a line of road from St. Paul, up the valley of the Minnesota river to Mankato, thence in a southwesterly directional fco the Iowa state line, to make connections at this point with a railroad from Sioux City, the terminus of the northwestern branch of the Union Pacific Railroad. The road is completed and in operation from St. Paul to Le Sueur, a -distance of about 60 miles, and will probably be finished to Mankato the present season.

The Winona & St. Peter Railroad

extends from Winona on the Mississippi river to the western boundary of the State, a distance of about 250 miles* and running through one of the most fertile regions of the far-famed Minnesota. The line is completed and in operation to Waseca, 105 miles from Winona, and will probably be completed to the Minnesota river earlv the present summer. This road runs through a country boasting of as fine scenery as one will find in a day's travel. Ascending from the lovely basin or valley where rests the beautiful city of Winona, by an inclined track placed on trestle-work, somet^imes ninety or a hundred feet above the level of the ground ; then winding around the edge of a bluff, with overhanging cliffs on one hand and a yawning chasm a hundred feet below on the other ; again plunging through "deep cuts," whose precipitous rocks on either side exclude the rays of the sun, when all at once the iron horse, puffing and blowing, emerges into the glorious sunlight, and rocky gorge and defile and pleasant valley are all left behind, and a scene of unrivalled magnificence and splendor lies spread out to the gaze of the enraptured beholder. Miles on miles away in the distance, in either direction, extend the broad and fertile prairies, and as far as the eye can reach, covered with fields of wheat. And here and there, dotted over the prairie, the farmhouses of the pioneers nestled among the growing wheat and corn ; while to the westward are thriving villages and bustling cities, filled with commerce and the busy hum of industry and active life.

The Southern Minnesota Railroad

is in operation as far as Rushford, in Fillmore county, about thirty miles from La Crescent, its point of starting. The line of the projected road extends from La Crescent through the southern tier of counties in Minnesota to the western boundary of the State. Its length is somewhat over 250 miles, extending as it does through the entire State. The

Hastinqs & Dakota Railroad

Dakota, Scott, Carver, and McLeod, to such point on the western boundary of the State as the legislature may determine. The road is in the hands of an active company, and the work will be prosecuted the present year, though there is none of the road in operation.

The L.Ake Superior & Miss. R. R.

is a line extending from St. Paul, on the Mississippi river, to the head of Lake Superior, with authority to connect with a branch to Superior City, Wisconsin. The head of Lake Superior is a distance of 150 miles from St, Paul, though the distance is only 133 miles to the navigable waters of the lake. The work is in active progress and some fifty miles are already fitted for the ties and laying of the track, and will no doubt be supplied with rolling stock and fully equipped the present year.

The Milwaukee, St. Paul & Minn. R. R.

commences both at Minneapolis and St. Paul, with a junction at Mendota, and runs through the towns of Farmington, Northfield, Faribault, Owatonna, Austin, &c. to the Iowa line, then through Iowa to McGregor, and through Wisconsin to Milwaukee. It is made up of the Minnesota Central in Minnesota, McGregor Western in Iowa, and the Milwaukee & Prairie du Chien in Wisconsin, all of which are consolidated and operated by one company under the name of the Milwaukee, St. Paul & Minneapolis Eailway. This is at present the only all rail route to the east from any part of Minnesota, and is a very popular line of travel. This company operates 215 miles of road. The passenger cars and rolling steck are of the mo^it approved styles in use, and we can feel pioud that we have so fine a railway under the control of such gentlemanly and efficient management.

Public Schools Of The State

Though comparatively in her infancy Minnesota has taken long strides in the right direction, in the educational department, and will even at this early stage of her existence, compare favorably with many of the older States- Possessing as she does the most munificent endowment for educational purposes of any State in the Union ; two sections of land to each township in the State are set apart, either for sale or lease, to aid in sustaining common schools - 1280 acres to each township in the whole State, amounting in the aggregate to over two and a half millions of acres. "We give below a few figures in relation to this department, which we gather from the last annual report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction :

For a State that has been known as a State less than ten years, and has had hardly a recognizable white population for twenty years, we think that the expenditure of three fourths of a million of dollars per year for school purposes alone, indicates a high standard in the educational department. The State University, located at St, Anthony, is a fine stone edifice, capable of accommodating a large number of pupils; is ably conducted and in a flourishing condition, aflfording all the facilities for a first-class education.

Private enterprise has also located many excellent schools, both classical and commercial, which add greatly to the educational facilities of the State. A Normal school is already in operation at Winona, and it is anticipated that another will be opened at Mankato the present season, A grant of 120,000 acres of land has been made to the State for the establishment and endowment of an agricultural college, which will probably soon be opened in connection with the State University.

An institution for the education of the deaf, dumb and blind is in very successful operation at Faribault, and is fully meeting the wants of those for whom the State has made this very liberal provision. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction, in his last report says: "No civil institution more unmistakably exhibits the Christian character of our civilization than this, which seeks to let the light of knowledge into the minds of such as never failed to touch the sympathy, or receive the healing word of the great Worker of Miracles.

At St. Peter is the asylum for the insane, one of the noble and benevolent institutions of the age, and one that adds to the testimony that Minnesota is not behind any of her sister States, according to her age, in providing for the helpless and unfortunate of her citizens.

The Social Status

of Minnesota is of course, an object of interest to all who may wish to locate in or even visit the State, and we can safely say that in point of education, refinement and morals, is scarcely inferior to that of the most refined and intelligent New England communities. Some localities have a large foreign population, and in others the population is nearly all of New England origin, and we may safely challenge New England or any other portion of the world, to produce a more healthy and industrious clasg of people than can be found in Minnesota. Everybody works, either with head or hands. The climate is so invigorating and exhilerating that all must have exercise in order to give

The population is increasing so rapidly that it is almost useless to try to keep any track of it. A census woul<2 have to be taken as often as once in six months in order to^ form even an approximate of the population. Yet witb all this increase, year by year and month by month, there^ will be land enough for all for many years to come.

The Homestead Bill

has done much to help in the development of the rich agf ricultural lands of Minnesota, as well as provide homes foi?^ many poor men who could ill afford the means to pay foB' the land that through this benifieence he is allowed to cultivate, and in time call his own, allowing all his means andi labor to support his family and improve his farm. Nearly 40,000,000 acres of land are yet open to settlement by this^ class of settlers, should they choose to avail themselves of the privilege. According to this law each settler who shalli occupy land for five years shall be entitled to a patent ofv 160 acres by paying the sum of $10 and the fees of the* land office ; and further provides that no land acquired under this law shall be liable for any debt contracted prior to» the issuance of the patent therefor. In view of all these* advantages offered to settlers, it is not strange that ehousands of emigrants from the old countries and the crowded! cities of the east are annually seeking homes in Minnesota,- and that the land is being rapidly taken up and convertedl from a wild and unbroken wilderness to fruitful fields audi. blooming gardens. The State is well watered by numerous rivers and beautiful lakes, that swarm with the best e-S ' fish, which renders this region almost a sportsman's paradise. The demand for labor is always great notwithstanding the great influx of people from all parts of the globe, and the over-worked and poorly fed laborers of the eastern cities will find that here they can procure much more pay for less work, as a general thing, than they can there.

The vast pine forests in the northern part of the State afford an extensive field for winter labor, while the mills, factories and farms offer the best of wages in the summer season. The various railroads that are being put in operation also give employment to thousands of men, as well as other branches of industry. None should stay away for fear of a lack of employment, for when there is no work to be done in Minnesota there will be a general stagnation everywhere.

The transformatiou of this section of country from the past wildness of an uninhabited prairie and timber land to its present condition of cultivated and fruitful fields, and the home of industry, wealth and refinement, has not been accomplished by any work of enchantment, though the rapidity of the change suggests to the dull plodders of the east the efiects of a fairy's wand, or that of some powerful magi, performed while people slept. Yet it is only the product of human muscle and energy, working out the problem of western life and the progressive spirit of the age ; the result of resistless and determined conflict with necessity and privation ; where persevering industry has, single-handed and alone, fed the hungry, sheltered the houseless and clothed the naked ; built roads and bridges ; established schools and churches ; built up towns and cities, and welded the markets of the east and west together by bands of iron ; has brought the trained lightning along the electric wire to talk with us at our own doors ; has opened up a highway of commerce with the markets of the world, and given to labor and its results the legitimate claim to wealth and aristocracy of position.

Steele County lies somewhat centrally in Southern Minnesota, with Rice county on the north, Dodge county ou the east, on the south is Freeborn county, and Waseca ou the west. Its present boundaries comprise only twelve townships, according to government survey, being three in width from east to west and four from north to south. Yet there are thirteen towns as organized, as the central township of the northern tier is divided into the towns of Medford and Clinton Falls, each containing only eighteen sections of land instead of thirty-six. The surface is somewhat diversified with timber lands, openings, prairie and marshes. The timber and openings predominate, covering nearly or quite two-thirds of the county. The heaviest body of timber is found in the northern part on the eastern side of the Straight river, which flows through the entire length of the county from south to north, affording several fine water powers in its course. The towns of Medford, Clinton Falls, Owatonna and Deerfield are perhaps the most bountifully supplied with the heavy timber, while oak openings prevail more in the other towns. Crane creek runs through the towns of Meriden, Deerfield, Clinton Falls and Medford, emptying into the Straight river at the village of Medford. Maple Creek rises in Rice Lake, in the eastern part of the town of Dover, and runs in a westerly direction, and empties into the Straight river at Owatonna. Various other small streams help to make up the Straight river, and contribute to proper watering of the country. Hay marshes abound more or less in all parts of the county, except the timber lands, affoi'ding special advantages for procuring hay for stock. The county is well watered. The soil is somewhat varied, in s®me parts being composed of deep, black loam with clay subsoil, while in other parts it is a lighter loam with an under strata of gravel, and yet other portions a sandy loam for a considerable depth. Yet in all its varieties it is very generous in its supply of the productions of the earth, whose seeds are committed to its care, returning sometimes ten, sometimes fifty and sometimes an hundred fold. The year 1867, though considered by all as one of the poorest seasons ever known in Minnesota, marked the products of the soil in Steele county as follows :

Steele county was organized on the 1st of August, 1855, and divided into three election precincts, called Owatonna, Le Sueur and Swavesy precincts, and the county-seat located at Owatonna. Medford precinct was added to the trio at an extra session of the county commissioners, held on the 25th of the same month. The county officers for this year were all appointed by the county commissioners, who were themselves appointed by the Governor. The first meeting of the commissioners was held at the residence of A. B. Cornell, who was one of the commissioners, on the 1st day of August, 1855, the day of the organization of the county.

Owatonna Precinct was made up of the following territory : Townships 105, 106, 107, 108, north of range 20 and 21 east. Dexter Carlton, Obed Gaines and Leonard F. Case were appointed judges of elections.

The Second or Swavesey precinct comprised Townships 107 and 108 north, in ranges 22, 23 and 24 west, of which Messrs. A. J. Bell, - Wyman, and - Johnson were appointed judges of elcetions.

Le Sueur, the Third election precinct, consisted of Townships 105 and 106, of ranges 22, 23 and 24 west. The judges of election were A. B. Sutliff, Christopher Scott and a Mr. Plummer.

Medford precinct was made up of Township 108, north of ranges 20 and 21 west, formerly a part of Owatonna precinct. F. F. Adams, William Allen and Orlanio Bartholomew were appointed to act as judges of elections.

John Jenkins was appointed Justice of the Peace for Le Sueur precinct, and John Jenning, constable. Wm. P. Ide was appointed Justice for Swavesy precinct.

The first election after the organization was held on the 9th of October, 1856, at which time 0. A. Thomas was elected as member of the Territorial Legislature ; David Lindersmith was elected Sheriff; David Sanborn, Treasurer, who had held the office by appointment since July, 1855 ; John W. Park, Register of Deeds. The County Attorney was G. W. Green ; Basil Meek -vras chosen Judge of Probate ; H. W. Peck, County Surveyor ; Thomas Kinyon, Coroner ; Z. B. Morse, County Auditor, and Ezra Abbot, Superintendent of Schools. The Assessors this year were George Hankenson, P. Sanford and P Headley. S. B. Smith, Wm. Allen and Wm. P. Ide were elected County- Commissioners. The business of the Commissioners was mostly confined to laying out roads and preparing for the active life the county was about to enter upon, and sessions were held as often as the circumstances and the rapid development of the country seemed to demand them.

At the spring session of the Board of Commissioners, 1857, several other election precincts were organized, and judges of election appointed: yet the records are so imperfect that we have been unable to give the names. Jas. E. Child, Benjamin Arnold and Wilbur Fisk were appointed Assessors for the county. At the election in the fall of 1857 Wm. F. Pettit was elected County Commissioner ; G. W. Danforth, Register of Deeds ; Joseph W. Morford, Treasurer, which office he held till January 1st, 1861 ;. Walter Morris, County Auditor ; S. M. Yearley, County Attorney ; 0. W. Pollock, County Surveyor ; W. B. Evans, F. A. Stevens and A. B. Clark, Assessors ; and Seth H. Patterson and Zachariah Scribner, Road Commissioners.

that the whole amount received by him was $1,364 10 ; of which there had been paid out on vouchers, $733,46 ; on commissions of two per cent., $27,28 ; leaving a balance in the treasury of $598,36. The official report of the finances of the county showed there was an outstanding indebtedness amounting to $2,129,68, and due on the tax rolls but not collected $4,148 04.

The Resources

of the county are abundant. In addition to the general agricultural products it has an immense supply of timber, sufficient to supply all the inhabitants of Steele and adjoining tounties with fuel and fencing for a century to come. Large hay marshes or natural meadows abound in various parts, and beds of peat occupy quite a tract in the eastern portion of the county.

When we reflect that the germs of the future, in latent embryo, lie hidden in the present, that to-day is giving color to the doings and shaping the destinies of to-morrow, we have only to examine the immense resources of wealth and prosperity that yet lie undeveloped in the garner of nature's great storehouse ; the raw material with which the country is supplied, and the aptitude of western men to lay held of all these advantages that lie spread out before them, and convert them into material for wealth and power, to form something of an idea of what is in store for Steele county when her entire resources have been developed and brought into active use.

Men of independent mind and effort, with a full realization of what lies before them ; men of strong nerve and iron muscle, willing to work out the great problem of life, determined to conquer and overcome any and all obstacles that lie in the way of progress, have looked out this beautiful country and built for themselves homes on the fertile prairies, beautiful openings and majestic timber, that diversifies and beautifies the landscape. With the light of science to illuminate and develop the progressive energies that tend to bring into action the vital principles, enduring strength and substantial wealth of the community, coupled with the material elements of prosperity which are so boundless, it takes no prophet's eye to discern a glorious future in store for the young county that is now in its embryo state of civilization, wealth and greatness

As yet but an insignificant fraction of the resources of the county are developed ; each and every avenue of communication that is opened to eastern markets, or western and northern grain fields and lumber regions, gives a fresh impetus to the tide of trade, commerce and prosperity.

The First Settlement

of Steele county was made in the fall of 1653, at Medford, by Smith and Orlando Johnson, Chauncey Lull, Lewis M. Howard and A. L. Wright, who built houses and moved into them. Wm. Colling also came into the town in the winter of 1753^, and David and John Sanborn in the spring of 1854, and a settlement soon sprang into existence on the banks of the Straight river, at the present site of the village of Medford. Other settlers soon followed and located in other parts of the county. Dr. Finch, Mr. Avery W. Adams, Messrs. Williamson, and others located at Clinton Falls, and still further up the river at the break in the timber bordering the Straight river, where now stands the city of Owatonna, Wm. F. Pettit and A. B. Cornel had made claims, and Mr. Cornell had built a habitation of poles and sticks and covered it with the wild hay cut on the prairies, making on exceedingly primitive but very comfortable home during the summer season, as the long grass of the prairies affords an excellent protection from the Btorms. This served them till the fall following, when Mr. Cornell built a log house and moved his family into it, Mr. Pettit boarding with him. The house is still Ffp.nding, and is one of the most ancient landmarks of civilization in Steele county.

At this point there was soon a rapid increase in the population. Hon. G. W. Green, from Beaver Dam, in "Wisconsin, built a log house in the winter following, in the northern part of what is now the city, though he did not remove his family until the fall of 1854. Messrs. J. W. Park and S. W. Smith made a claim just north of Mr. Pettit's, and had also built a log house, so that there was quite a village in embryo. These houses are also still standing and occupied ; the former by Mr. Hanks and the latter by Mr. Murray. Accessions to the settlements were constantly being made, not onlv at Owatonna but at Medford, Clinton Falls and other points in the county, so that the year 1854 was an important year in the opening up and settlement of the county. Yet it was also a year of hardship and privation to all or nearly all who had ventured upon the experiment of pioneering in this new and almost unexplored country. All provisions had to be brought Irom St. Paul, a distance of about seventy-five miles, and by a course that, at that time, teams must travel something more than a hundred. But sometime in the summer of 1854, Dr. "W. W. Finch, of Clinton Falls, who was appointed with two others to locate and mark out a road from St. Paul via Straight river valley to the Iowa line, entered upon the duties of that undertaking, and the course for immigrants to pursue was marked through the timber by blazed trees, and across the prairies by poles stuck in the ground.

Adventures were but few, of a startling nature; the struggle was a hand to hand conflict with stern necessity, and the disadvantages that must be met before the means of subsistence and the necessaries of life conld be supplied - from the cultivation of the soil. Many a time was the meal'* to furnish the family with bread manufactured in a coffee mill, and oftener still was the wheat or corn boiled and eaten without grinding in any manner.

In the earlier days of the settlement, before any post routes were established in this section, it was only occasionally that the people received any mail matter, and when they did it was generally through the kindness of some of the settlers who would go to Faribault, which was the newest post office, and bring the bundle for all the settlers. A. B. Cornell was usually the messenger, and at such times as the river was swollen so that teams could not ford it, he used to swim across the river and go on foot and procure the mail, and on returning, when he reached the river he would tie the letters and papers in a bundle and attaching a stone thereto, would throw the bundle across the river and thQn swim across and deliver the mail to those to whom it was directed. The news in those times was lully appreciated by all who were so fortunate as to have letters from friends.

In the summer of 1855 there was a still larger increase in population. All over the country immigrants were coming by scores and hundreds ; among these John H. Abbot,, a civil engineer, came in July, and purchased the claim. of Mr. Pettit, the latter soon after buying one-half of Cornell's claim, lying directly south of the one just sold to Abbot. Mr. Abbot having had considerable experience in railroads, very naturally began to look about to ascertain the prospect for a railroad to visit the new city which all had determined to build. Upon examination of maps and charts that he had previously made, it seoi^ed evident that a railroad from St. Paul south, on the west side of the Mississippi,, must go far back into the interior in order to avoid the -

-deep ravines and high ridges formed by tlie Zumbro and Boot rivers ; that in the interior were the Gannon and .Straight rivers flowing north, the latter interlocking with the Cedar river flowing south, and 'that manifestly in the valley of these streams there was not only a leading railroad route, but fine timber, excellent water power, and a good .agricultural district. Then, too, this place lay in a direct line from Winona to the south bend of the Minnesota river, which route was already looked out, and a charter granted to the Transit company.

Eailroads they must have,, and strenuous eflbrts w^ere made to put the scheme in operation. Parties went to St. Paul to attend the session of the Territorial Legislature, of 1856, and succeeded in getting a bill introduced incorporating the Minneapolis & Cedar Valley Kailroad. Section first of this bill provided that "Franklin Steele, Isaac Atwater, D. M. Hanson, James F. Bradley, Ezra Abbot, E. P. Russell, A. M. Fridley, H. H. Sibley, John W. North, James Shields, Alex. Faribault, John C. Ide, Chas. Jewett, F. W. Fisk, Benj. L. Arnold, Wm. F. Pettit, John H. Abbott, A. B. Cornell, A. Town, A. B. Vaughn, H. 0. Billings, Orlando Wilder, and such other persons as may become associated with them," were created ''a body corporate, by the name of the Minneapolis & Cedar Valley Railroad Company." Secticm four appointed Henry H- Sibley, at Mendota, Franklin Steele, at Minneapolis, James Shields, at Faribault, Wm. F. Pettit, at Owatonna, and A. B. Vaughn, at Austin, commissionors to open books and re- >ceive subscriptions to the capital stock of the company. The charter also provided that when $50,000 of stock should be subscribed, the commissioners should meet at Faribault for the purpose of apportioning the stock among the subscribers, and also call a meeting of the stock-holders to choose directors. The stock was mostly subscribed for in Owatonna and Nortlifield, and was generally referred to as "Owatonna straw stock," the people having little or no faith in the success of the enterprise. The first meeting of stockholders was held at Mendota in February, 1S57, at which time the following named directors were elected: ;Ezra Abhot, of St. Anthony ; Franklin Steele, Fort Snelling; H. H. Sibley, Mendota; J. W. North, Korthfield; James Shields, Faribault; Wm. F. Pettit, Owatonna; and A. B. Vaughn, Austin - Ezra Abbot, Treasurer ; Franklin Steele, Secretary, and J. H. Abbott, Chief Engineer. In June Mr. Abbott and Mr. L. Kellett commenced surveying the route, and by the close of September the location was made and the estimates for construction, &c., completed. In May, at the extra seseion of the Legislature, that body made to this road a munifioent grant of lands, according to the act of Congress of that year, which was much more liberal than that heretofore granted to any State or Territory. But the great financial crash of 1857 followed, and men of reputed wealth, who had thought themselves wealthy, were reduced from affluence to poverty, and in this western country the pressure was very severe. In 1858 all the companies in the State did a large amount of grading and other work, on the lines of the roads, stimulated thereto by the action of the Legislature in passing the ''Five Million Loan Bill," and its ratification by the' people. Of the one hundred and ten miles of the Cedar Valley Railroad to the State line, seventy-two were graded and a large amount on other portions of the road.

In the fall of 1860 the election contest w^as an exciting one, the main question at issue being the location of the Transit, (Now AVinona &^t. Peter,) Kailroad. Hon. Wm. F. Pettit being the candieate of those who favored Owatonna as a point, and Hon. G. W. Green of the opposing party. Mr. Pettit 'Was elected bv a handsome majority, and at the following session of the Legislature the land grants were disposed of to solid companies, upon conditions that a certain number of miles of road should be completed, and the cais running thereon each year, under penalty of foifeiture of the whole grant to the State. But the rebellion breaking out that spring, work was delayed on all the roads. Yet it was resumed again in 1863 and 1864, and in 1865 the Central road was put in operation as far as Faribault, and the Winona & St. Peter as far as Kasson, about sixtyfive miles west from Winona. In August, 1866, both roards were completed to Owatonna, and the struggle and anxiety of the people received their legitimate reward in the improved business and increased value of property. The Central, (now Milwaukee, St. Paul & Minneapolis,) company have good depot buildings and a fine grain elevator, with a capacity of some 60,000 bushels ; and the Winona & St. Peter Eailroad Company have also good depot buildings and an elevator with a capacity of about 75,000 bushels. We understand that the two companies will build a Union hotel the present season, for the accommodation of the traveling public.

County Newspapers

The first newspaper published in Steele county follo'vlred so close upon the track of the pioneers that it seemed almost to be cotemporary with the introduction of civilization. In 1854 was the first settlement, and in 1856 a newspaper was established. Few enterprises at the pre»« «nt day are undertaken and carried out to ^ suoce^ful completion without having invoked the all-powerful and magic influence of the press. No town or village is <miaf pl^e without its weekly journal, s^ in this busy, driykig West, people would a& soon think of establishing a, county seat, or carrying an ^ilection without the aid of voters and

The Watchman and Register was the first paper started fn the county, and was established in July, 1856, by- Messrs. J. H. Abbott and A. B. Cornell, who purchased the press, type and fixtures of Major W. A. Hotchkiss, at that time editor and publisher of the Northwestern Democrat at St. Anthony. Mr. Cornell acted as editor and business manager for a time, when the services of H. M. Sheetz, an experienced newspaper man was secured as editor. The word TFa^cAmayi was" dropped from the name sometime in

1857, and the Oiuatonna Register was published till sometime in the winter of 1857-8 with Abbott & Cornell and Wm. F. Pettit as proprietors, and H. M. Sheetz as editor, when it was discontinued. It had been "a power in th© land" while it was published, and did its full share in moulding the public mind in the State.

The Medford Valley Argus was the next journal to lay claim to public favor as a public retailer of the doings and sayings of Steele county. It was published at Medford, dating its first appearance about the middle of August,

1858, and was under the control of Messrs, Francis & Sulley. It was printed with the same material which was used in the publication of the Megistcr, said material having been purchased of the company by Wm. F. Pettit and by him sold to Mr. Bartholomew, of Medford, afid by Mr. Bartholomew leased to Messrs. Francis & Sully. Mr. Sulley soon after sold his interest to Mr. J. R. Lucas, and the publicati®n was continued for a few weeks when the enterprise was abandoned, and the material was rented to H. M. Sheets and by him removed back to Owatonna, and the

It was a seven column sheet, neatly printed and ably edited, and was received with marked favor by its patrons. Republican in politics and the earnest and devoted advocate of all reforms. In October, 1859, Mr. Sheetz died, and the Jowrnal was carried on by his widow for some time thereafter. Hon. Wm. F. Pettit, at that time State Senator from Steele county, had started a project to allow Mrs. Sheetz, who was a woman of considerable literary ability, to retain the office as a mark of esteem from the public, whom her husband had so faithfully served, and had already received $150 from his fellow members of the Senate to aid in carrying out this benevolent project, when upon returning home he found that the ofEce had been sold to Mr. A, B. Cornell, which at once put a stop to the publication of the Jonrnal,

The News Letter embarked upon the sea of journalism soon after the suspension of the Journal, under the protecting care of A. B. Cornell, who kept up the enterprise till 1862, when he took a sutler's position in the army, and Mrs. Cornell continued the publication of a small sheet, some three or four columns in width, till 1863, when Dr. Kelly, editor of the Flaindcalcr purchased the good will of her paper and job office, and the paper was discontinued.

In the summer of 1860 Meeeers. Wm. F. Pettit and John H. Abbott assisted J. W. Crawford in the purchase of an office from Mantonville, in Dodge conuty, and the OwATONNA Repeesentative was launched upon its trial trip among the breakers of public opinion and literary criticism. The JReprcsentativG was an eight column sheet and was very ably conducted and well printed, reflecting miwh credit upon the enterprise and go-aheaditiveness of the citizens of the county who sustained it as well as those who conducted it. It was continued for about eighteen months, when Mr. Crawford entered the army, and Messrs. Pettit and Abbott

Steele Couisty

The Owatonna Plaindealer was first published in April, 1863, by Dr. L. II. Kelly, and as the town was growing rapidly and business crowding in, the patronage kept increasing, till the Plaindealer was one of the best paying offices in the State, Town, county and State patronage kept the driving wheels properly lubricated and the concern was running so easily that in the spring of 186G, the Dr. enlarged it to an eight column sheet, and in the following fall sold to Messrs. Tappan, Higbee & Hathaway, who thereupon commenced the publication of the

Republican Journal, which is now published under the care of Messrs. ITigbee,^Spellman & Bickham, with the name of Owatonna Journal, a large eight column sheet and one of the leading papers in the State. It has swallowedl ^ up or "driven out" three other papers within the past two^ years.

The Owatonna Register Vas started by A. B. Coraellsoon after his return from the army, which was publish^iii in an independent, neutral manner, consequently meeting; with poor success, yet continued to drag out an existencefor some little time, when its sun set in rather a thick darkness, and it died for the want of proper sustenance.

The Owatonna Democrat was the next aspirant fo? public favor, and was received with considerable enthusi- , asm by the Democracy, as it was a purely demooratic paper. Capt. T. D. Woods was editor and proprietor ; yet it did not receive the support that would fill the treasury-j, and after trying the experiment for about a year it was-- discontinued. .

time in the spring of 1867, but was continued only for a short time, when it was merged with the Journal^ and Mr. "Spelman became one of the proprietors in connection with "Messrs. Higbee and Hathaway. In the winter of 1867-8. Mr. Hathaway sold his interest to Mr. Bickham, who still remains one of the proprietors.

In 1867 another Democratic paper was started, which was called the Owatonna Register, nnder the controll of 'Mx. 0. F. Gaorge, who continued its publication for about year, having one side printed in some other city and 'iilling the remainder at heme. It proved to be a pecuniary loss and the office was removed to Faribault, after an exist* of about one year.

All of the papers published. in the county have been Ee* publican in politics except two, and the only one now published by either party i# the Oioatonna Journalyd^ldiXg^ height column sheet, that claims and exerts its share of in- "Euence in moulding the public sentiment of the country. T^iie present proprietors of the Journal are Messrs. Higbee, & Bickham.

Church Orqanizations

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Owatonna was organized in October, 1856, with the following persons as members on probation : Wm. B. Norman, Sarah J. Norman, Amelia Oliver, James M. Soper and Emily Soper, in all £ve pereons. On the 7th of August previous. Rev. Sok>- mon Wetzel had been appointed by the M. E. Conference, in session at Red Wing, to take charge of the Owatonna Circuit, which was at that time just organized. Mr. Wetzel was a man of untiring energy and perseverance and who knew, no such word as fail, and when he put his hand to the plow did not look back repiningly, but with faith and confidence performed his duty, trusting in God. Find- ing that the amount likely to be received frem the CTiurch would not be sufficient for hig proper support, he labored with his hands to supply the temporal needs of himself and family, and with the active energies of his brap to meet tke spiritual demands of his congregation.

The meetings were first held in the school house, the Methodists and Baptists alternating with each other in the use of the house. At the next session of the Conference Kev- A. Mattison was appointed to take charge of the interests of the Church on this circuit. Services were held for a time in the old log school house and afterwards in » part of a house owned by Mr. Stoughton, and still later their place of worship was a building afterwards used by Mr. E. McClure as a jewelry store, and which is still standing on Broadway.

The Church prospered rapidly under the labors of Mr,. Mattison, and many members were added to it, not only to the class at Owatonna but also to other points under his charge. John Odell was the first class leader of the Church in Owatonna. In 1859 Rev. John Rogers was appointed to the pastorate charge of the Church, and the meetings wer6 held first in the school house, afterwards in Morford's Hall. Mr. Rogers was succeeded as pastor in 1860 by Rev. R,obt. Hoover who was in turn succeeded by Rev. Mr. Cornwell, who remained something less than a year, when he was appointed Chaplain of one of the Minnesota regiments, and went into the field to look after the spiritual welfare of those who were fighting for the preservation of the government, leaving the church without a pastor for the remainder of the conference year. In 1862 E,ev. J. H. Richardson was appointed by the Conference as pastor of ths Chureh, and remained for two years, when he was succeed*- ed by Rev. T. McClary, who also remained two years, after which time Owatonna was made a station and Rev. E.

The society have held meetings in the school house, Morford's Hall, the Baptist Church, and Dresser's Hall. In the summer of 1867 a neat chapel was erected on lots owned by the society, on the corner of Main and Elm Streets, at an expense of about §2,000. The first M. E. Sunday School wa.s organized in the spring of 1865, with the following officers : ^ Superintendent, A. C. Hickman ; Assistant Superintendent, John Odell ; Secretary, C. F. Andrews ; Librarian, Orrin Greeley ; Treasurer, Wm. F. Pettit ; and soon grew in numbers until the officers and teachers were twenty with 218 scholars enrolled, and an average attendance of 128, with a well selected library of 370 volumes. The church has increased in numbers from five probationei3 in 1855 to 175 members in good standing in 1867.

The Congregational Chuech of Owatonna was organized on the 22d of October, 1857, by Eev. 0. A. Thomas, assisted by Rev. J. C. Strong, of Bradford, Iowa, with the following members who were admitted upon showing letters of recommendation from other churches to which they had formerly belonged: George "W. Danforth, A. N. Stoughton, Wait Stoughton, Malcolm C. Burr, George W. Hall, Mary J. Stoughton, Naomi L. Stoughton, Lydia H. Hall, Emeline Hall, and Charles A. Strong. Jesse B. Gaylord and 0. E. Walden not having received their letters were each vouched for by those who had and were duljr admitted. A sermon was preached by Rev. 0. A. Thomas and the church w^as duly organized with twelve members-

The first preliminary meeting was held in September previous, when resolutions were passed to invite the Faribault, Medford, and Clinton Falls churches to meet in council for the purpose of affecting a church organization, which was carried out on the 22d of October, with the fol-

Art. III. Such modification of the usages of Congregational Churches as may be demanded by our circumstances or views, may be adopted by the Church and embodied in '-'Standing Kules," to be passed, amended or abolished at any regular meeting, three months' notice having been previously given.

Art. V. The constitution shall only be 'amended or altered by a vote of three-fourths of the members present^ at a meeting regularly convened after three months notice for. that purpose.

The following Articles of Faith being short and varying somewhat from those adopted by other Churches of the same denomination, will be of interest to those who care to know anything of the history of the Church.

Article I. You believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are given by the inspiration of God, and are the only infallible rule of faith and. practice.

Art. II. You believe in one God, the Creator and Ruler of the Universe, existing in a divine and incomprensible Trinity - the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, . and the Holy Ghost, each possessing all divine perfections.

Art. V. You believe in the necessity of a radical change of heart, and that this is directed through the truth by the agency of the Holy Spirit.

Art. VI. You believe that the moral law is binding on all as the rule of life, and that obedience to it is the proper evidence of a saving change.

Art. VII. You believe that a credible evidence of a change o^ heart is an indispensible ground of admission to the privileges of the Christian Church.

Art. VIII. You believe that the Ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, together with the Christian Sabbathy are of perpetual obligation in the Church.

Art. IX. - You believe in the future judgment, the general resurrection of the dead, and the endless ha])piness of tie righteous and the endless misery of the Tvicked.

During the winter all the churches met in union meet'- ings and quite a number were added to the church. At this time A. N, Stoughton was chosen deacon, and C. A. Strong, clerk. A series of Church prayer meetings were tilso organized which have been kept up ever since. BeV. Ozro A. Thomas held service with this church on alternate Gundays till 1863. In the summer of 1858 A. N. Stoughton fitted up a room in his house where meetings were held till the fall Of 1859. Wait Stoughton, A. N. Stoughton and E. Mills were chosen trustees of the church. In 1864 Rev. C. T. Tappa* commenced preaching and remained with the church for two years. In August, 1866, Rev. L. L. Crigge was called to the pastorate and is still pastor of the church. One hundred and fifty-six persons have joined the church, forty-two have taken letters, leaving a membership of one hundred and fourteen. In the summer of 1867 the society commenced the erection of a house of worship, 38x60 feet, with a tower 12x12 and an extension in the rear 7x8 for a pulpdt, with height of side walls of 22 feet. The building was enclosed and fitted for holding service, though not yet completed. The whole cost of the building when finished and furnished will probably be somewhere between $7,000 and $8,000. In 1865 a Sabbath School was organized, and Dr. L. H. Kelly chosen superintendent, which has been successfully continued till the present time. The present average attendance is about 150. There has not thus far in the history of the church, been a single instance of death of one of its members to record.

Baptist Church. - The First Baptist Church of Owatonna was organized on the 27th of June, 1857, with the following members who were admitted upon letters from other churches to which they had previously belonged : Adolphus Town, Ann Town, Albert D. Low, M. 0. Low, J. M. Finch, E: J. Tousley, and Wm. H. Woods. Some time in the fall L. B. Town, Daniel Burch, and S. W. Breese were also admitted by letter.

The first Baptist meeting held in Owatonna or Steele county, was on a Sabbath about the last of April, 1856, a,t the residence of A. B. Cornell, about fifteen persons being present, and Rev. Adolphus Town preaching the sermon. Meetings were held in the log school house during the yeas 1,857. In January, 1858, a religious awakening took place ,^id fifteen were added to the churcli. On the 23d of Jaauary Mr. Hiram Robinson received the rite of baptism ?it the hands of the pastor, Rev. A. Town, which was til® £tb% baptism of which any knowledge is had in this section of ^ country. In 1858 preliminary steps were taken fot building a church. On the 11th of September of this year the djurehep of Aihland, Wasioja and Faribault, met with th» OvratouAa Church and organized the Minnesota Ceolral

Baptist Association, said association reporting at the time of its organization 120 members, and in 1867, 566 members. In 1859 Elder Town resigned tlie pastorate, and Elder Edgar Cady, of Lake City, was chosen to supply the place, who was followed in 1860 by Eev. A. D. Low, who remained as pastor until February, 1861. In consequence of a difference of opinion among the members, a vote was taken in one of the church meetings to disband the organization, and a portion of the members left. Those who remained chose Elder Town as their pastor, and regular meetings were held until October, 1863. During which time Elder Town supplied the pulpit once in two weeks, and succeeded in getting the church building completed which had been standing unfinished during the time of the church difficulty. The house of worship was dedicated on the loth of October, 1863. The dedication sermon was preached-by Eev. D. S. Dean, of Illinois, who accepted the pastorate of the church and remained until April, 1865, when by a mutual understanding the two churches united into one.

The present Baptist Church of Owatonna was organized January 31st, with fifteen members; and recognized by a council of the Minnesota Central Baptist Association February 3d, 1863. The church met once in two weeks for worship, being supplied by Rev. J. F. Wilcox with preaching. On the 8th day of April, 1865, the two Baptist churches ifi the place consolidated with a united membership of sixty-four, and took the name as above. Rev. J. F. "Wilcox continued as pastor of the church till June, 1866, when his labors closed. In July, 1866, Rev. A. L. Cole came to Owatonna and commenced preaching, and in October the church gave him a unanimous call to the pastorate, which he accepted and still holds. The church is self-sustaining, paying a salary of $800. Baptisms have occurred every year except one ; in 1863, four, 1864, none, 1865, two, 1866, three, 1867, forty and in 1868, forty three ; total babtisms, ninety-two. Whole number connected with the church since its organization, 216 ; number of deceased, 4 ; present membership, 167. They have a church edifice 32 by 58 feet, with a tower in front in which hangs a bell weighing 1000 ^pounds - the^only one in the city. The house was built in the fall of 1867, costing $4,159.64, and was dedicated Dec. 22d, 1867. Preaching every Sunday morning and evening ; prayer meeting every Thursday evening; church meetings on Saturday before the Urst Sunday in each month ; Lord's Supper first Sunday in each month. Church officers are J. B. Crooker and Walter Stebbins, deacons, and P. Bliss, clerk.

St. Paul's Parish. - The first Episcopal services in Owatonna were held early in the summer of 1858 by the Rev. J. Lloyd Ereck, D. D., and the Rev. D. P. Sanford. Services were kept up every other Sunday by the latter of these clergymen imtil the following spring, when, after a short interruption, they were continued by Rev. Solon W^ Manney, D. D. At that time there was no Church edifice in the village. Our first service was held in the office of Maj. M. 4- Daily, on Mill skeet; subsequently services were held in the wing of the residence of Mr, Stoughton ; afterwards in the school house, and still later in Morford s Hall.

Services continued to be carried on by the Rev. Dr. Manney, assisted by other clergymen of the Bishop Seabury Mission, established at Faribault. This had been considered a station of the Faribault Mission from the first. The

Ecv. Dr. Manney was eucceeded by the Rev. Geo. 0. Tanner for a short time, when the work was placed under the charge of the Rev. S. S. Burleson. In the fall of 186 1 the Rev. Mr. Burleson resigned the charge of the parish, and the Rev. J. A. Babcock, of New York, removed here and took charge of the parish. He continued to minister to the people till the fall of 1866, when the parish again became vacant; services were discontinued for winter, excepting at the occasional vifiitations of the Bishop. In March, 1867, Rev. Geo. C. Tanner resumed services, and in June removed with his family to Owatonna.

The chapel in which the congregation now worship is a neat church-like edifice at the corner of Cedar and Mill streets. Thi^ chapel ^yas built by the exertions of the present rector, amid many discouragements. The cost of the building was about $1,400. The lot had been purchas* ed by the Bishop Seabury Mission several years before at a cost of fifty dollars. This chapel was consecrated on Friday, Nov. 15, 1867, by the Rt. Rev. H. B. Whipple, Bishop of the Diocese of Minnesota, a large number of the clergy of the diocese being present, and assisting in the service!. The present number of communicants is thirty.

Peesbyterian Church of Owatonna. - For the fol« lowing sketch of the Presbyterian Church, we are indebted to Ezra Abbott, Esq., of Owatonna:

"The Presbyterian Church of Owatonna was organized by Rev. Harvey Chapin, who came here during the winter ^f 1855-6, a hard-working pioneer minister of the Gospel. By a general invitation of its few citizens he was induced tQ settle in this place for "^he following year, dividing his lai)ors, however, between this village and several otbgt places. In Dodge City, East Prairieville sttd Ashland llf organiaed churches. For several years his place of prealhing in Owatonna was a log school house, until the year

1863, when, principally throngh the indefatigable labors and influence of Mr. Chapin, a chmrch was commenced, and in 1864 was completed. In this small but neat church Mr. Chapin continued to preach until the spring of 1865, when he left for Tipton in the State of Missouri. In about a year, by a mournful Providence, his ministerial labors were suddenly brought to a close. His house caught fire, and in an efibrt, as was supposed, to save important papers, he perished in the flames.

Mr. Chapin was succeeded in Owatonna by Mr. H. F, Nelson, who supplied the pulpit the ensuing nine months. In October, 1866. Rev. J. Faries, who had come to Minnesota in search of health, was most earnestly solicited to become the stated supply of the church, so far as his health might permit. In the following May his failing health deprived the church of ministrations which had been so eagerly sought and eminently useful.

On th« 22d of July, 1867, Rev. R. H. Cunnigham accepted an invitation from the church and continued his very useful labors until the following May, when he accepted a call to Rushford, leaving in Owatonna a church of thirty- eight members, a Sunday School of an average number of fifty scholars, a fine organ and, generally, a good congregation.

Universalist Society. - There is quite a large number of believers in UniverBalism in this county, but there is no organised society except in Owatonna. In November, 1866, Rev. S. Wakefield, then pastor of the Universalist Society in Rochester, visited Owatonna, and preached the first Universalist sermon ever preached in the county. In May, 1867, a society was organized; a society which, however, remained inactive till March, 1868, when, by invitation of the society, Rev. S. Wakefield became its pastor. In April he removed from Rochester to this place. The society now is quite large and m a very flourishing condition. As soon as meetings were permanently established, a Sabbath school was organized, which is now in a very flourishing condition. Its numbers are quite large and are rapidly increasing. Measures are now being taken to organize societies and support preaching in all the principal towns in the county. The society in Owatonna intend to build a church the coming year.

The Catholic Church. - The first Catholics in the county were Thomas and John Bergan, Michael Bangs. Joseph Keisel, a German Tailor, at whose house house the first mass was celebrated in the county, James McLaughlin and James Lornegan. There are at the present time about fifty families living in the city. The town of Merton has probably thirty or forty families, some of whom have resided there ten or twelve years. Mr. Francis McAndrew and Hugh Murray were among the first. The Rev. Father Keller has mass in the settlement about once a month ; he also has mass each month in the towns of Owatonna and Somerset, where there are some seventy- five catholic families of Germans and Bohemians. Every town in the county has some Catholic families, whose spiritual welfare is looked after by Father Keller, who speaks the difierent languages and can converse with all.

A church committee has been organized to take steps for the election of a church edifice. M. J. Toher is president and treasurer ; the balance of the committee are as follows : James Lornegan, Joseph Kaplin, and Charles Schoen, of Owatonna, and Wm. Leary, of Merton. They have purchased a fine site of two and a half acres on Ce'dar street, for the location of a church building, and made a contract for the stone and sand for the foundation, which is to be completed immediately. It is the intention of the committee to complete the church for Divine service this fall. They have also purchased five acres of land in a very

Secret Societies

Masonic. - Star in the East Lodge No. 33, A. F. & A. M., was organized in Owatonna, Steele county, Minn., December 16th, A. D. 1859, by Bro. J. C. Whipple, G. J. W. of Faribault Lodge, No. 9. First stated communication held U. D. Jan. 23rd, 1860.

Good Templars. - Owatonna Lodge, No. 31, I. 0. of G. "T. was organized on the 12th of October, 1865, by Rev. -Beuben Gregg, District Deputy from the Grand Lodge of the State. There were seventeen charter members as follows : H. C. Eldred, E. Durham, L. S. Padgham, Frank Biekinson, Jas. D. Beers, T. E. Hughes, J. H. Donaldson, H. M. Brown, D. D. F. Brown, Daniel Thom, J. W. Smith, A.lb«rt A. Orandall, Mrs. Mary Durham, Mrs. L. A. El- ^ed, Miss L. J. Kellogg, Miss Mary Blair, J. E. Bush.

On the evening of the organization of the Lodge, D. Marble, A. C. Hickman, and James Lee were admitted Bif - card; L. Bixby, G. W. Shaw, and R. Joos by initiatiOB; W. H. Twiford resigning his office of secretary, L. BixBjr was elected to fill the vacancy and duly installed. During:,- the first term of six months three members were admitted^ by card and twelve by initiation. The officers elected sm&'l installed for the second term commencing July 1st, 186"^^ ,. were : E. K. Smith, N. G.; L. Bixby, V. G.; A.C. Hickmaa,, Sec; D. B. Marble, Treas.; J. Newsalt, D. D. G. M. Bm-- ing the second term two were admitted by card and six hj^- initiation.

The officers elected and installed for the third term commencing January Ist, 1866, were: L. Bixby, N. G.; D. B. Marble, V. G.; A. T. Mygatt, Secretary; G. W. Shaw, Treasurer. During the third term five members were admitted by initiation.

The officers elected and installed for the fourth term -^commencing July 1st, 1866, were : D. B. Marble. N. G.; W. Shaw, V. G.; P. T. Smith, Secretary; Wm. Pepper, Treasurer; E. K. Smith, D. D. G. M. During the above term four members were admitted by card and four were Admitted members by initiation. During this term the amount of fifty dollars were paid for the relief of brothers.

The officers elected and installed for the fifth term commencing Jan. 1st, 1867, were: L. Bixby, N. G.; P. T.Smith, V. G.; G. H. Tyrrell, Secretary; P. McCrastie, Treasurer. During the term there were admitted to membership by oard, one; and by initiation five. Paid for the relief of l)rothers, ten dollars.

The officers elected and installed for the sixth term, July 1st, 1867, were: G. W. Shaw, N. G.; Wm. Scruby, V. G.; > J. J. Thomas, Secretary; E. T. Smith, Treasurer; L. Bixby, D. D. G. M. During the term, J. J. Thomas resigned, and ''C. S. Crandall was elected secretary and served the balance of the term. There were initiated during this term ^ight members, and admitted *as an ancient Odd Fellow, 'One. During the term Bro. Wm. H. Wadsworth died.

The officers elected and installed for the seventh term, Jan. 1, 1868, were : G. H. Tyrrell, N. G.; W. H. Reynolds, V. G.; 0. S. Crandall, Secretary; Alson Sellick, Treasurer. During the early part of the term, G. H. Tyrrell resigned the office of N. G.; and L. Bixby was elected to fill the vacancy. During the term three members were admitted by vinitiation and two by card.

is in a fine, prosperous condition at the present time. We have labored under some difficulties in procuring a suitable hall, but are at present in a comfortable hall over Seaton's book store. We expect to start a- camp here this summer. During the first term there was organized a Rebecca Lodge, in which all scarlet degree members are entitled to membership, also the wives of Scarlet Degree members. The object of this degree is for the special benefit of the wives of members. The Rebecca Lodge meets on the first Friday evening of each month and is in & prosperous condition, and adds largely to the interests of the regular Lodge.

Military Record

When the call "to arms" resounded over the country, the patriotic hearts of brave men in Steele county rose up to meet the demand, and not once was the call repeated but her quota was more than filled with men already in the field. We shall enter upon no eulogium of tho brave hearts who perilled their lives for their country's sake, as their memory is engraven upon the hearts of the nation too many of them, alas ! died to save. We simply give a list of the names of all who entered the service from .Steele county, as we found them recorded in the Adjutant General's office in St. Paul.

Summit

The town of Medford is only three miles in extent from north to south and six from east to west, embracing only eighteen sections of land instead of thirty- six, about three fourths of which is covered with timber. Nearly all on the east side of the Straight river is covered witk a good growth of fine timber suitable for lumber or rails. The soil of the timber land is of a black sandy loam, very deep, with a clay subsoil, adapted to all kinds of cereals or vegetables. On the west side of the river the soil is of a lighter loam and produces the best quality of wheat, though not always of the largest yield. The town is well watered by the Straight river running through it from south to north, as well as several smail streams that flow into it. - There is one fine water power on the river as yet unimproved, and a steam saw mill in successful operation, owned by the Abbott Brothers.

The first claims were made in the summer of 1853, by Smith and Orlando Johnson, A. L. "Wright, L. M. Howard Chauncey Lull, '?7ho staked ofi" their claims, and in September Mr. Howard turned over the first prairie sod in what is now Steele County. The Messrs. Johnson commenced breaking on their claims that fall, but did not build their houses or remove their families to this place till the following spring. Messrs Wright and Lull built a log house in which they spent the winter, which was probably the first abode for civilization within the limits of the county. In the winter or .early spring of 1854 John Sanborn brought his family with him and located in the southern part of the town, Mrs. Sanborn being the first white woman to find a home in that vicinity. Mrs, Wm. K. Colling was the next white woman to take up her residence in the infant colony, which she did in the following spring. Soon after her arrival she gave birth to a son which was the first birth of a white child in either town or county. The first marriage that was solemnized in Medford was that of A. L. Wright and Miss Pheboe Ann Hays, Rev. 0. A. Thomas sealing the contract with the authority and sanction of the church. Mr. "William Woolford w^s the first to embark on the voyage '

In the spring of 1856 Miss Flora Sawyer, now Mrs. Isaac Sanborn, opened a select school in one room of her father's house, which was the first public efibrt at teaching the youth of that town how to climb the hill of science. - Religious services were held as early as 1854, Mr. Wm. Colling, a man of real practical piety, though not an ordained minister, frequently gathered his neighbors together and explained the scriptures, exhorting his audienee to live sober and useful lives. At a meeting of the settlers to consult upon a name wherewith to christen the town Mr. Colling said that he had a son who was born on board the ship Medford, and was named Medford in honor of the ship and proposed that the town should be named Medford in honor of the boy, which proposition was unanimously adopted.

Medford was organized on the 11th of May, 1858, and commenced the exercise of her new powers by the election of the following town officers:

Treasuerr: Edwin Drake. Overseer of Foot: E. Sanborn. Justices: K. Prescott, Joel L. Pound. Constables: D. T. Eastman, S. M. Freeman. Since that time the following named persons have served the town in the capacity of Chairman of Supervisors and Town Clerks:

W. P. Bissell. In the fall of 1857 Smith Johnson wbs elected to the Territorial Legislature. B. F. Melvin was elected County Treasurer in 1862 which position he has held till the present time, having been twice re-elected. 0. Bartholomew has been County Commissioner^since 1865.

In the spring of 1858 the town officers let a contract to B. F. Melvin and J. P. Eideout to build a bridge across the Straight river, for the sum of $900, the County to pay $600, on condition that the town of Medford should pay the other $300, 0. Bartholomew and others were sureties that the town would pay this sum, and on the 19th of June a special town meeting was called to take formal action for the town to assume the liablilaty. The vote stood 42 for paying the debt to 38 against it.

In 1862 the report of the Town Treasurer, as to the Liabilities of the town was as follows: " The Town owes not one dollar, that we know of and there remains in the hands of the Treasurer a ballance of $218,68," the proposition to purchase the School house on the west side of the river for a Town House, but the project failed and in 1867 the building was bought by the Free Will Baptist Society and removed to the east side of the river and fitted up for a Church, which by an arrangement with other denominations is now used as a Union Church.

In 1862, at the iinae of the Indian massacres on the frontier, the people of Medford became somewhat excited ia relation to their own safety, and the town appropriated $5 to purchase powder to burn in their defence, and for some time pickets were stationed about the town. But as the Indians very wisely confined their operations to the more remote settlements, the powder was burned to celebrate the fall of Richmond or the capture of Jeff. Davis.

In 1866 the spring floods carried away the bridge across the river, and in May a special town meeting was held to authorize an appropriation to build a new one. A majority decided in favor of the project, and a committee consisting of Smith Johnson, L. M. Howard, George Hankerson, W. Wilkins and Alfred Sanborn, were appointed to select a location that would be most favorable to the building, and the best accommodate the people of the town. The committee selected a point about forty rods above the old one. The report of the committee was adopted, and an appropriation of $1,500 made to pay the cost ; the county appropriating $1,000, making $2,500 in all. Another special meeting was called and the vote on the report of the committee reconsidered, and it waa decided to build on the old location, and on motion of Smith Johnson, an appropriation of $500 additional was made to the fund. The contract was let to a Mr. Alden, who cominenced th » work but failed to go through with it, and the town board finished it. Another ipccial meeting was called in July to add $650 more to the bridge fund, and thia sum proving insufficient, a further appropriation of $500 was made in the November following, making a sum total of $4,150, which completed a fine structure that will probably withstand the efi'ects of any floods that will be likely to visit that region. In the summer of 1855 the Messrs. Abbott Brothers built a fine steam saw-mill, which furnished most of the lumber for the new town. The mill was removed after running a year or two. In 1866 Messrs. Melvin, Rideout and Hall built a fine saw-mill a short distance below the village site, which, after being run for two or three years, was burned. In 1865 Messrs. Abbott and Merrill built another steam sawmill which is still in successful operation.

The first store was built in 1856 by Alfred McKinney, who put in a stock of goods the same season. The same year Smith Johnson built a hotel and furnished it for the accommodation of the traveling public. After the expiration of the Owatonna Begister the office was bought by Messrs. Sully & Francis and removed to Medford, where a paper was started, called the Medford Valley Argios, sometime in the fall of 1858. Mr. Sulley soon sold his half of the establishment to James R. Lucas, who, after continuing the publieation for a few months, sold his share to H. M. Sheetz, and Messrs. Sheetz & Francis removed the office to Owatonna. This is the only newspaper enterprise ever started in the town.