Waseca County, Minnesota - Chapter 16: Wilton Township, 1887

Chapter 16: Wilton Township

ONGRESSIONAL township 106 north, range 23, constitutes what is known as Wilton. This is one of the most level, beautiful tracts of country in Waseca County. It is but very slightly undulating, the difference between the highest and lowest portions of the surface, connected b}^ slopes from a quarter of a mile to a mile in lengtlj. is but from five to ten feet. The soil is rich, alluvial, clayey loam, enriched by decay of vegetation for countless centuries, and is peculiarly adapted for the wants of agriculture. All the small grains, corn, vegetables and small fruits do exceedingly well, and return a rich harvest to the industrious tiller of the soil.

The Le Sueur River enters this township on the east side of section 36, and flowing in a general northerly direction, sometimes in this and sometimes in the adjoining town of Otisco, fully waters the eastern side of Wilton. In the western part lies Silver Lake, a superb sheet of water into which little runs and streamlets carry the drainage of the western portion of the territory.

Early Settlement

The first settlement in the county was in the township of Wilton. In August, 185J-, Asa G. Sutlief came to this place and made a settlement on section 35, as detailed at length in the history of the early settlement of the county in the former portion of this work. He remained here until November, when leaving his cattle, shanty and claim in charge of Luther Barrett, of Mankato, and taking his family into his wagon, he returned to Wisconsin. In January, 1855, he returned here and made this his residence, except about four years spent south, until his death, which occurred October 13, 1871.

Byron CI. Sutlief, a son of Asa G. Sutlief, the first settler of this county, was born in the town of Wilton, Waseca County, September 10, 1858, and still resides on the pioneer farm taken up by his father on the banks of the Le Sueur River, previous to the government survey of this part of the State, the surveying party wliile woi'king here boarding with A. G. Sutlief s family. On this farm was built the first house in Waseca County This was of primitive style, erected of loe:s, and stood about sixtv rods southeast of Byron Sutlief's present residence. The latter jrentleman owns 200 acres of excellent land, all situated in section 35, in Wilton Township. He was married December 18, 1884, to Lavenne Kerr, who was born in St. Mary Township, this county, October 1, 1864. Asa G. Sutlief, the father, was born in New York State and died in Wilton, October 13, 1871. The mother of Byron is a native of England, and is residing with her son on the old -homestead.

In January, 1855, on the return of Mr. Sutlief to this county, James E. Child, his brother, S. P. Child, and a man by the name of Plummer. came with iiim. They made claims in Wilton Township and settled there, where they resided for years. J. E. Child is the senior editor of the Waseca Herald; S. P. Child is a resident of Faribault County and both are spoken of fully elsewhere. Plummer lived here only about ten months.

Christopher Scott and his family were the next to locate in this little settlement. They came here in Januar}^ 1855, and put up Avith Mr. Sutlief until they could get their cabin built, into which they then removed. Scott came here from what was then called the " Straight River Settlement,'' wnere he had been staying since the previous autumn. He took up a claim about a mile north of ilr. Sutlief s. He was a native of Pennsylvania. He died in Kansas, whither he removed after living here a few years.

The spring of 1855 had scarceh' dawned when he was followed by his father and brother, Andrew and Charles D. Scott. Andrew took a claim on section 13, and opened up a farm where he dwelt for a few years, when he removed to Wilton where he died about 1865. Charles D. lived with his father until the removal of the latter, when he continued to farm on the old homestead. Finally he abandoned this, but is still a resident of the township.

John Jenkins was the first justice of the peace in the new settlement, and performed the first marriage ceremony in the county, as related elsewhere. He was a native of the State of New York. In 1862 he enlisted in Company F, Fifth Minnesota Infantr}^ and while in the service of the United States died at luka, Miss., August 21, 1862, of disease brought on bv exposure and camp life.

In January, 1856, William Young and Ambrose Kellogg came here from Jackson County, Iowa, and made claims. Young located on section 26, in this township, on the farm now occupied by George T. Dunn. He was a single man at that time, and remained here, off and on, for some five or six years, when he went to Fillmore County, where he was married. Afterward he removed to Iowa where he is still living. Kellogg was a doctor, but never practiced while here. He took up a claim on section 35, which he soon sold ; prospected around for coal, etc., and finally went back to Iowa, but is now in Kansas.

Early in the spring of this year (1856), William Wells came here from Wisconsin, and took up a claim. He was unfortunate in his marriage relations, and his wife leaving him, he finally, after five or six years residence, removed back to the Badger State. He was known throughout this region as " Nucky Wells."

Benjamin F. Weed, at the present a resident of the town of New Richland, made a settlement on section 23, in 1856, where he made his home for many years. A sketch of him is given in connection with the history of the township in which he is living. With him came Silas O. Kellogg, who remained but a short time ; he is now a I'esident of Jackson County, Iowa.

E. A. Rice and Isaac Hamlin located claims here during the year 1856. Mr. Rice was identified with the official life of the county, and is noticed in that connection in Chapter VIII.

Jesse I. Stewart came to this township in 1856, and located in the village of Wilton. He was a member of the Legislature of the State at the session commencing January. 1860, having served the county previous to that as treasurer for two years. Early in the "sixties," he removed to Morristown, and in 1879, emigrated to far away Oregon.

H. P. Norton, now a resident of the city of Waseca, made a settlement in this town in 1856. He was prominently identified with the office of register of deeds, which he held in 186J: and 1865, and is mentioned in that connection.

Nathaniel Garland, the first sherifl' of Waseca County, came to the little settlement in Wilton, in 1856, Avhere he located. He was, after holding office, engaged in the mercantile business in the village of Wilton, and afterward at Waseca, where he died.

Col. John C. Ide in the fall of 1856 came to Wilton bringing with him a steam sawmill, owned by himself and A. B. Cornell, of Owatonna. One of the leading men of his day, he was a recipient of the favor of the people and chosen to fill the office of county auditor. He is mentioned in that connection in the chapter devoted to State and County representation.

In October, 1856, Michael O'Brien located a claim on a part of section 12, where he made a residence. He was and is a single man, and lives in Wilton Township, at this writing.

Nathan Duane Baker made his appearance in the township in 1856. About the same time came Thomas L. Paige. Both these gentlemen are spoken of in connection with the village of Wilton, further on.

Abraham Jaque made a settlement in Waseca County in 1856, also, and remained a resident until May, 1872, when he passed over to the land beyond the grave.

Patrick Kenehan came to this township in 1856, and is still a resident. He was born in Ireland on St. Patrick's day, March 17, 1825. He lived in the Emerald Isle, until March 18, 1849, when he started for America, lantling in New York on the 1st of May, 1849. He came to Geneva, Wis., and from there removed to Peoria, 111., and from there to Lacon, in the same State and from the latter place came to Waseca County in 1856, settling on section 9, this township. During the Indian troubles in 1862, Mr. Kenehan belonged to the home organization for protection, and was one of three men detailed to visit the Winnebago agency to interview the agent, and found his house guarded by a company of soldiers and the Indians kept down through fear of the same. October 24, 1849, Mr. Kenehan and Bridget Martin were united in marriage at Geneva, Wis., by Rev. Father McKiernan. They have been the parents of nine children, of whom six are now living : James born August 31, 1850, died in 1851 ; John, born February 13, 1852 ; Margeret, born July 4, 1854, died October 27, 1860; Patrick Henry, born October 9, 1856 ; Michael, born December 3, 1858, died November 17, 1865 ; Elizabeth, born December 4, 1860 ; Mary Ann, December 15, 1862 ; William Pius, January 15, 1865, and Agnes, March 7, 1867.

Noah Lincoln was also one of the settlers of the same 3'ear. He was born in New York State, June 16, 1822, and came here from Cass County, Mich. He was united in marriage with Emma S. Davis, December 7. 1844. She was born December 19, 1826. They had a famih' of eight children : Maria W., born October 13, 1845 ; Francis M., born July 4, 1847, died in the army, at Mound City, 111., April 7, 1865 ; Charles F:, born September 9, 1849 ; Friend A., December 11, 1851, died August 28, 1852; Elva V., July 13, 1853 ; Louisa J., November 20, 1855, died July 8, 1887; Mina A., November 19, 1859, died March 30, 1862, and Ida V., born April 4, 1862. The family came through from Michigan with a team of oxen, consuming nine weeks on the way. During the winter of 1856-7 they were compelled to put up with many hardships, having to exist a greater part of the time on buckwheat ground in a coffee mill. Finally Mr. Lincoln bought a bushel and a half of corn for whicli he had to pay five dollars. On coming hei'e he took up a government claim, but soon sold out aud purchased nearly 219 acres on section 1, Wilton, and moved to the village of Wilton, where he died March 23, 1875. His son Charles F. carries on the farm.

Charles F. Lincoln was born in Cass County, Mich., September 9, 1849, and is the son of Noah and Emma S. (Davis) Lincoln. He came to Minnesota with his parents in 1855, and to Wilton Township, Waseca County the year following. April 9, 1885, C. F. Lincoln and Mary Pomroy were united in marriage at Jackson,Mich.. She was born January 23, 1858. They have had one child which is now dead.

Early in the spring of 1857, several settlers made their appearance in this vicinity, among whom were George H. Woodbury, who settled on section 28 ; George Barclay, who located a claim on part of section 21 ; David Weaver, on section 11, and Eobert Gibson who " stuck his stakes " on the northwest quarter of section 29.

Among the settlers of the year 1857, was Edwin E. Verplanck. Lithe spring of that year, he came to Wilton Township and took up a claihi southwest of the village, where he lived for a short time, then abandoned it and moved back to Faribault. After his discharge from the United States service, in Company G, First Minnesota Infantrj^ he came back to Waseca County and settled in New Richland, where he is at present a resident.

M. F. Conner was born in Ireland, December 24, 1846, and came with his parents to America when but a child. The family settled in the State of Illinois, in 1848. In 1857, they came to Waseca County, and settled in the town of Wilton. During the years 1866, 1867 and 1808, M. F. was in Montana Territory, where he was engaged in mining, but at the end of that time returned to this county. November 2, 1873, he was united in marriage with Alice Dolan and the}^ have been the parents of eight children : George F., born July 13, 1874 ; Nellie E., born November 11, 1876 ; Arthur E., born May 14, 1877 ; Charles M., born January 29, 1879 ; William, born February 14, 1881; Gertrude, born November 13, 1883; Leo S., born April 13, 1885, and James Walter, born August 8, 1887. Mr. Conner owns and cultivates a fine farm of 160 acres on section 16, Wilton Township, and is a prominent and representative citizen of the county. He has held the offices of county commissioner, township trustee and member of the school board. He and his family are members of the Catholic Church.

On the 2d of November, 1857, William Murphy and his family left their home in Philadelphia, and journeyed toward Minnesota, first stopping in Steele County, but in December of the same year changed his residence to the village of Wilton. While there he was connected with the seminary, as teacher, and died at that place Mav 14, 1859.

C. O. Norton was among the settlers of 1857. He located in the village of Wilton, where he carried on the blacksmith trade. On the founding of the village of Waseca he removed there, where he died July 22, 1868.

Jackson TurnaclifF, proprietor of "Town- Line Farm," was born in the State of New York, May 6, 1835, and while a child the family moved to Ohio, where he was reared until he was about twent}' yeai's of age, when he came to Iowa and settled in Jackson County, but only remained there a short time, when he started for Minnesota, walk- ing the whole distance, arriving in this State the last day of the year 1855. He took up a claim on section 7, in the town of Otisco. He subsequentl}^ purchased the land on section 12, "Wilton Township, where he now lives, in 1867, and has erected an exceedingly fine residence and barns. His farm contains 160 acres of land located on both sides of the Le Sueur Eiver. August 25, 1858, Mr. Turnacliff and Lucia Elvira Barber were married in Ohio. She was born in that State, February 6, 1839. They have been the parents of nine children, eight of whom are living : Minnie Dora, born June 6, 1859 ; Lolah Mina, born January 26, 1861 ; Elsa Lavern, October 26, 1863 ; Linna May, December 6, 1865, died October 6, 1866; Laura Meria, August 9, 1867 ; Ferdinand, April 26, 1872; Walter D., May 1, 1876 ; Jay B., September 5, 1880 ; Kill, May 1, 1885.

Ferdinand Turnacliff, the father of Jackson, was born in Otsego County, N. Y., September 11, 1813, and is now a resident of Waseca County, and one of its early settlers. His wife, Maria, was born in New York, April 4, 1812, and died December 6, 1862. They were the parents of five children : Amelia Ann, born January 2 1837 ; Delevan, September 30, 1838; Sally M., August 27, 1842, died June 13, 1860 ; Matilda, born March 16, 1848, and Seymour, boi'n May 8, 1851, died January 17, 1854.

S. A. Farrington was born in Kennebec County, Me., August 27, 1826, and in an early day removed with his parents to what is now Green Lake County, Wis., where he remained until 1857, when he came to Waseca County, Minn., settling in Otisco Township, from whence he moved to Woodville Township, and in 1884 to this present location on section 15, in Wilton. November 26, 1855, he was married to Mary Foster, who was born November 26, 1840. The young people shortly after their marriage, came with a colony of twelve families from Green Lake County by team, spending some five weeks on the trip. All these people settled within the radius of six miles, and Mr. and Mr. Farrington had to live in their wagon until they completed a house. This was a hard year for the new arrivals, and the first experience Mr. Farrington had was dividing the necessaries of life with their more needy neighbors. During the Indian troubles twelve neighboring families congregated at Mr. Farrington's houses, for he had two, and he generously provided them with shelter. All were badly frightened by a report of the coming of their savage foes, and hiding their most valuable articles in a stone jar, concealed it in a corn-field. Mr. and Mrs. Farrington have had born to them eight children, seven of whom are now living : Minnie E., born September 7, 1857, died December 11, 1875; Howard S., born October 31, 1859;Kosetta S., born June 30, 1861 ; Sarah C, July 20, 1863; Warren A., October 11, 1866 ; Edith M., May 30, 1870 ; Frank W., February 5, 1875. and Guy A., October 18, 1878. Mr. Farrington's farm consists of 160 acres in Wilton Township and 40 acres near the town of Waseca. He has a herd of fine grade short-horn and Holstein cattle, and is giving considerable attention to stockraising.

P. Burns is a native of Ireland, born in the year 1837, who emigrated to the shores of America and settled in the State of Ohio in 1851. There he remained until 1856, when he came to Minnesota. In 1865 he moved to the farm which he now occupies. On the 11th of June, 1862, he was united in marriage with Ann How Ian, and they have eight children, all living ; Mary Elizabeth, born April 27, 1863; Margaret, December 20, 1864; George, December 18, 1866 ; Catherine Ann, April 5, 1869; Martha, July 4, 1871; Martin, July 29, 1873 ; Peter, November 30, 1878, and William, January 15, 1882. Mr. Burns is making a specialty of breeding short-horn cattle and has a herd of forty head of grades. In early times, like all old settlers, he had some tough experiences, but by courage and perseverence got through them all and is now one of the most j^rosperous farmers in the county. He has held the office of treasurer of the township.

James A. Root, the proprietor of the " Willow Grove Farm," is a native of Jefferson, N". Y., born February 26, 1832. With his parents he removed to Ellicottville, Cattaraugus County, N". Y., where his mother died. In 1859 they removed to Minnesota, settling on the farm where James A. now lives, on section 34, in this township. His father, Joseph N. Eoot, came later and died here April 12, 1869, aged 68 years and eight months. James A. Eoot and Hannah Brisbane were united in marriage December 12, 1859. She is a daughterof Hon. William Brisbane and born August 18, 1840. They have been the parents of ten children of whom eight are now living; Charles E., born February 27, 1861, married to Ella M. Eoddle February 2, 1883, who was born in Wilton, January 12, 1863, and who is the mother of one child, Oren E., born February 4, 1884 ; William L., born January 29, 1863; Joseph S., born April 16, 1865 ; Cora B., August 26, 1867; Hattie M., March 4, 1870; James A., May 22, 1872; Maggie J., May 31, 1873 ; Freddie, July 2, 1877, died August 24, 1877; Dora" E., born March 14, 1879, and Marvin L., born October 9, 1880, died February 22, 1882. Mr. Root's farm comprises some 270 acres of tine land and is well tilled, and his residence is surrounded by a thrifty plantation of fine trees containing nearly all the varieties that will grow in this climate. Besides, he lias a fine orchard of fruit trees and a garden of small fruit.

John Doran was born in Ireland, June 20, 1829. On the 11th of December, 1851, he left the Emerald Isle and came to America, and for awhile after his arrival here drifted about the State of New York, but finally settled in Erie County, that State. From there he came west, and locating in Wisconsin, remained there about ten vears.

coming to Waseca County in 1865 and settled on section 27, in this township. He subsequently removed to his present location in section 33. March 16, 1855, in the State of New York, John Doran and Catherine Kohl were united in marriage, and they have been the parents of fourteen children, nine of whom are now living : Peter, born February 27, 1856; James and David, (twins) born and died in November, 1857; Annistacia Mary, l^orn November 5, 1858 ; Margarette Ann, born March 28, 1861 ; James A., June 15, 1863 ; Mary C, June 27, 1865, died July 6, 1887; Catherine A., September 29, 1867 ; John M., January 8, 1869 ; George W., born March 28, 1871, died August 8, 1874 ; Agnes E., born June 26, 1874, died August 15, 1886; George William, March 2, 1877; Lurina M., November 7, 1880, and Nellie G., July 7, 1882.

H. B. Allen is a native of Potsdam, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., born May 1, 1836. From there the family moved to Pennsylvania and finally to Wisconsin. On the 16th of November, 1860, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Ackerman, in Columbia County, Wis. The date of her birth was January 13, 1839. In June, 1863, Mr. and Mrs. Allen came to Minnesota, settling in Faribault County. While there Mr. Allen enlisted in Comjiany G, 1st Minnesota Infantry, and served until the close of the war, being discharged at Washington, in April, 1864, viewing the body of the murdered president, Abraham Lincoln, as it lay in state in that city, while there. Mrs. Allen had four brothers in the service during the war, one of whom spent two years in the rebel jirison pens and endured hardships that no ijen can tell of or words portray. Mr. Allen has a fine farm and is extensively ena'a"'ed in stock-raising', having several tine short-horn cattle, full bloods. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have had born to them the following children : Benjamin C, born September 12, 1861 ; Willie D. W., born October 25, 1867 ; Merritt H. C, born August 6, 1871 ; Josie

Gladys, boi'n July 30, 1873, and twins that died in infancy. They came to Waseca County in 1876 and settled on section 25, in this town, where they now live.

R. Nelson was born in Crawford County, Pa., December 16, 1837. When he was twelve years of age his parents moved to he State of Wisconsin, where they lived for years. In 1857 Mr. Nelson made a tour of inspection through a part of Minnesota and then returned to the Badger State. On the 9th of August, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, Thirty-second Wisconsin Infantry, and served one year, when he was discharged, in October, 1863, but remained at the front until some time in December in the same year, when he came to Wilton and mad§ a settlement. February 2, 1865, he reenlisted, this time in tlie First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, and went to Chattanooga, Tenn., where he remained until the close of the war. March 18, 1866, he was united in marriage witli Rhoda A. Sutlief, a daughter of Asa G. Sutlief, the first settler of this county, born in Dodge County, Wis., September 18, 1818. They are the parents of seven children, six of whom are living : Lee B., born December 31, 1868 ; Rezin Jr., born February 15, 1871; Clarence W., born April 13, 1873; Mary, born January 22, 1876, who died February 22, 1882 ; Roy, born September 23, 1878; Volney F., born February 10, 1881, died Februaiy 5, 1882; Nellie D., born August 20, 1884, and Rex G., born March 5, 1887. Mr. Nelson settled upon his present place in 1871.

E. M. Atwood was born at Littleton, N. H., December 24, 1839, and moved with his parents to Wisconsin in the fall of 1849. He resided in various places in the Badger State but finally, in 1859, left Grant County, that State, and came to Waseca County, first settling in the town of St. Mary. In 1866 he located in Wilton Township, where he at present resides. In 1862 he enlisted in company F, Fifth Minnesota Infantry, and served three years, being discharged at Point Lookout, Md., January 25, 1865, and is a member of Lewis McKune Post No. 29, Grand Army of the Republic. March 11, 1869, Mr. Atwood and Mary Frances Reibeling, a native of Philadelphia, were united in marriage at Wilton, by Elder Smith. They are the parents of five children: Eva Valeria, born February 27, 1870, died January 13, 1877 ; Eliza Frances, born December 26, 1871 ; Laura May, born January 2, 1873, died January 19,1877 ; George Edwin, born March 9, 1879, and Anna Lolah, born April 4, 1884. Mr. Atwood's father was born in New Hampshire, October 31, 1811.

William Roddle is a native of England, born June 2, 1822, and came to America in 1840, first locating in Cayuga County, N. Y., From there he moved to Onondaga County, and finally to Tompkins County, in the same State. In 1844 he journe^'ed to Ohio, and from there subsequently to Kenosha County, Wis., where he remained imtil the fall of 1860, when he came to this county, and purchasing a farm on section 12 in this township, took up his residence in the village of Wilton, where he now lives. His place contains 120 - acres of finely cultivated land. In 1849, at Bristol, Wis., Mr. Roddle and Mary Green were united in marriage, and they wei'e the pai'ents of three children : William Henry, born December 28, 1850 ; B. F., born April 9, 1854, and Ella, born January 12, 1863. Mrs. Roddle died at Wilton, June 19, 1876. December 17, 1879, Mr. Roddle and Emily A. Loder were united in marriage. She was born in Fond du Lac County, Wis., October 26, 1852. Her father, John W. Loder, enlisted in the army and died in the service of his country, in 1862 ; her mother is still living. Her brother, S. T., died in Steele County, Minn., May 17, 1864.

George T. Dunn, proprietor of the River Side farm, was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., February 7, 1845, and removed with his parents to Illinois in 1856, where he was engaged in farming. In 1867 he removed to Waseca County, Minn. In the year 1881 purchased his present farm of four hundred acres in sections 26 and 27, town of Wilton. Mr. Dunn is giving particular attention to raising Norman Perciieron horses, cattle and grain. His fann is well adapted to stockraising, being located directly on the banks of Le Sueur River. Mr. Dunn's father, Thomas Dunn, was born in Dumfrieshire, Scotland, March S, 1813, and emigrated to America in the year 1839. He died in Lee County, III, September, 1862. Isabell Dunn, the mother of George T. and wife of Thomas Dunn, was born also in Dumfrieshire, Scotland, June 25, 1812, and is still living, a member of Cleo. T. Dunn's family.

First Items

The first marriage was that of James E. Child and Justina Krassin, April 19, 1856, John Jenkins, justice of the peace, performing the ceremony.

Organic

The first town meeting was held, as the records state, on the 11th of May, 1858, at the house of Joseph Doty. The assembly was called to order, with P. C. Bailey in the chair. The object of the meeting beingstated, Buel "Welsh was made modei-ator and T. L. Paige, clerk. On motion of A. J. "Woodbury, the name of the township was made that of "Wilton, and the following officers chosen : "W. "W. Robinson, chairman, John Brand and A. J. "Woodbury, supervisors ; Tarrant Putnam, town clerk and collector ; L. Curtis, assessor ; J. B. Jackson and P. C. Bailey, justices of the peace ; A. Miller, overseer of the poor, and P. Van Dyke and L. Curtis, constables. The present officers of the town are as follows : G. Gehering, chairman, T. Bardon and A. Schulz, supervisors ; "William Brisbane, clerk ; Thos. Bowers, treasurer; Henry Buck, assessor; William Bi-isbane, justice of the peace.

The Roman Catholics liave a church edifice on the southwest corner of section 31, which was erected by that denomination in 1881. Rev. Robert Hughes is the pastor here and attends to the spiritual wants of more than sixty families, or 350 members. The congregation live in all four townships, the church standing at the corner where Byron, Vivian, Freedom and Wilton join.

Village Of Wilton

In the autumn of 1855 a village plat was surveyed and laid out by A. B. Cornell, J. H. Abbott and W. F. Pettit, of Owatonna, and James E. Child, John Jenkins and D. J. Jenkins, of this county. Shortl}' after, James Child and John Jenkins gave up their claim to the town site and others took their place. Says a local writer in speaking of these days, of which he is fully cognizant :

"During the winters of 1855 and 1856, the first claim jumping commenced. The avarice of some of the town proprietors, and the land and town site fever of tliat time, caused some unprincijDled ones to trespass upon the just rights of some of the early settlers, and caused such a feeling of opposition to the town of Wilton, that for the first year after it was laid out, no building was completed.

" Like all other towns of that day, it was expected, like Jonah's gourd, to grow in a day, but unfortunately the prime movers of the enterprise so managed their affairs that the people of the county, even up to the boundary line of the village plat, refused to countenance the building of the new city, and even Avent so far as to oppose the erection of buildings on the town plat by force and arms.

" In the month of April, 1856, several house bodies made of logs, found standing in the village, were discovered one Sunday morning and razed to the ground. As to who did the evil deed, probably no one knows except those engaged in it. This occurrence, and the general opposition to the persons having control of the village, by the surrounding settlers, prevented any further growth during the summer."

In the fall of 1856, John C. Lie and A. B. Cornell brought in a sawmill, and Mr. Ide becoming part owner of tlie town site, the difficulties between the proprietors and the settlers were adjusted and during that winter the place began to grow. During the coldest weather stores, shops, hotels and residences were put up, so that by spring it had the appearance of a verj^ fair village.

Among those who came to the infant village during this year, 1857, may be mentioned the following: Buel "Welsh, Alva B. Hough, A. T. Peck, Micajah C. Wright, Owen C. "Waters, "W. B. Burbank, L. Curtiss, Lorenzo P. Stowell, Alva C. "Walker, Smith Lapham, Newell Morse, A. B. "Wattles, E. F. Lawton, Byron F. Clarke, H. P. West, Asa Wait, George W. Watkins and others.

Buel Welsh, came to the State in 1855, and located at Faribault, pursuing his trade of carpenter. He came there from Wisconsin. In the fall of 1856, he removed to Wilton, where he remained for many years. He was a kind-hearted man of but little education, but had picked up considerable knowledge of law and other subjects, and had practiced for about twenty-five years in the various justices' courts. On Saturday, April 24, 1886, he fell dead in a neighbor's wagon, while going from Alma City to his home in Freedom Township.

Dr. M. S. Gove, one of the pioneer physicians, came to Wilton in 1858, from his native State, "Vermont, and remained in practice in Waseca County until December 1, 1874, when he passed to " that land from whose bourne no traveler ever returns," in the very prime of life.

A. J. Woodbury came to Wilton in 1856 and put up a hotel which he called the Washington. This place he ran for man^' years, up to 1882, except some six or eight months when it was rented and operated by Joseph Doty. He is a native of Beverley, Mass., born in 1808. In 1855, he came west, after having been to Texas, New Orleans, etc., and in the spring of 1856 came to Wilton as alreadj' detailed. About 1830 he married Elizabeth Stratton, by whom he had two children : Henry C. and George H. both of whom came with their father. All three have been identified with the history of the county since. George H., however, is now a resident of Jamestown, D. T. Henry C. is the municipal judge of the city of Waseca, and his father, A. J. lives in the same city.

Another hotel, afterward called the Globe was put up and run by E. A. Eice, about this same time. Welsh and Smith were the next proprietors of the tavern, and were then succeeded by Tyrrell. Hall, Long and Gray all in turn played the part of host in this hotel, which was one of the institutions of Wilton, but, alas, the old building stands in forlorn loneliness, in the almost deserted village.

The first store was opened by Paige & Baker, in a small log shanty, in the winter of 1855-6. They came here about this time from Oswego, N. Y. Thomas L. Paige acted as the first clerk of the court, but about 1858 sold out and I'eturned to York State. His partner, Nathan Duane Baker, stayed but little longer, when he, too, returned east. Both are now among the dead.

ment. John C. Hunter who came to Wilton about this time, afterward was in partnership with him. They sold out to Isaac Hamlin, who ran it until the war broke out.

P. C. Bailey opened up in the hardware business in 1857, and ran the same for some years alone, when J. H. "Wightman went in with him, but his interest was finalh* purchased by George Watkins, and the firm of Bailey & "Watkins formed. This was afterward moved to Waseca, where it is continued to-day.

Many other stores were started after that, many changes were made in the ownership of those mentioned, but to-day there is not one store left. At one time there were some twenty stores and saloons in the place, but the glory of the place has departed. On the foundation of the city of Waseca, many of* the inhabitants of Wilton removed thither, and when the seat of justice was transferred to the former place, the rest of the merchants moved there too, and the village of Wilton relapsed into an apathy that is premonit.ory of its real demise. Silence reigns in its streets where once resounded the noise of busy commerce, and desolation broods over it.

A Masonic lodge was organized at the village of Wilton under dispensation granted June 1, 1857, with the following officers : Jesse I. Stewart, W. M.; J. C. Ide, S. W.; H. P. Norton, J. W.; E. A. Bice, T.; H. S. Edmondson, S.;T. L. Paige, S.D.;Buel Welsh, J. I), and John Magill, Tyler. For the after history of this lodge in full detail the reader is referred to the annals of Alma City, where it was transferred, under dispensation, November 21, 1883, and where it now is located. It is one of the oldest lodges in the State, being known as Wilton, No. 24.

Waseca Lodge No. 17, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized atW ilton, in 1866 or 1867, and continued for many years. In 1883 it was consolidated with Comee Lodge of Waseca, most of the members having removed thither.

The first bridge built in the county was put up by James E. and S. P. Child, in this township, for which they received the enormous sum of $5, and it was not much of a bridge, either.

About the year 1862, a Presbyterian Church was organized, and lingered along for several years, when it naturally died out. Rev. William McClelland was the last pastor.