Waseca County, Minnesota - Chapter 19: Liloominu (4 Move Township, 1887

Chapter 19: Liloominu (4 Move Township

fllK town of I 'looming Grove conipi'isos all ol' congressional tovvnsliip 1(18 nortii, range 22 west. It is l)oun(l(!(l <;n the nortli by Ilice (bounty, on the east by Steele (bounty, and on the south and west by th(! townships of WoodvilUi and Iosco. Some of the 11 nest portions of the county arc included in its limits. It is well drained by the snniJl ci'(!cl<s and streams that How into its several lakes ; mention is made of these latter in the former part of this history. The east iialf of the township is almost level, gently undulating, but as it approaches the west lino the "rolls " become more abrupt and knolly. Nearly one half of the town is covered with timber, iilike valuable for fuel and for protection from the searching winds of winter. The first settlers in what is now Blooming Grove Townshij) were Michac^I .hthnson, Jonathan Howell, A. J. Bell and S. F. Wyman. These young m(!n, in the spring of ls.5."), built a log cabin on section 4. Th(;re they kept "bach," being all single men, for about two years, when Wyman and Bell quit. The others kept right along, and for seven years longer lived the life of "single blessedness," doing their own cooking, ]iiirt of the time without a stove. At the explication of that period Mr. Johnson married, but Mr. IIowcll niiiiained single until the day of his death. Mr. Johnson is still a resident of the township ; Mr. Howell, who was a native of England, died here in 1880 as stated ; Mr. Bell removed to Faribault, and Mr. Wyman is a resident of the city of Waseca.

In June, 1855, Christian Remund with his fa^mily made a settlement in this subdivision of tlie county, on sections 8 and 9, where they still reside.

Christian licMuund, |)roprietor of llm ^looming Grove Stock Farm, is a native of Switzerland, born November 21, 18;5(). Ho resided in his native country until about twenty years of age, when, in March, 18.')(), li(!, in company with Jacob Bumgerdner, saihul for the shores of America, and liuuhid in New York. From there they W(Uit to Joliet, III., by way of Chicago, where they worked out in that vicinity for about one year. Then, still in company, they rent-ed a farm and raised and harvested one crop. Mr. Remund tlum loft this place and rentod another near by. October' 21, 1851, he married his partner's sister, Anna Bumgerdner, who was also a native of Switzerland, and had como to America a y<!ar earlier. After tli(!ir marriage he remained on the place he hiid rented one year, then rented anotlusr in siime neighborhood, where ho lived until the spring of 1855, when ho started for Minnesota, arriving in Waseca County, June 28, 1855. He immediately located a claim on section 9, Blooming Grove Township, the site of his present home. The; first summer they lived in their covered wagon until October, when they movcsd into the cabin which he had built. At this time the country was full of Indiims, and only one cabin wiis near where Mr. Remund en;cted his. When he came to this county his property invoiced as follows: one ox-team, two yoke; of threeyoiiT-old steers and a span of yearling colts, a, few cows, and not one dolliir in money. He now has 370 acres of land in a high state of cultivation, a nice residence and good barns, and a large quantity of stock about liim ; is a breeder of thoroughbred short-horn cattle, and also owns the two noted horses, Amateur No. 10 and Bruno No. 2101. When his son Lewis was married he gave him 160 acres of land, and about $1,500 in money and personal property. Mr. and Mrs. Christian Kemund are the parents of seven children, three of whom are living, four dying in infancy. Tiiose living are: Lewis C, born April 18, 1858, now in Minneapolis studying for a veterinary surgeon ; Carrie A., born December 3, 1861 ; George H., March 8, 1866. The last two still remain at home with their parents.

W. M. Gray with his family also settled here in 1855. He was a native of Allegan^' County, N. Y. This was his residence until about 1872, when he died. His settlement was on section 33.

J. M. Blivens, after whom one of the settlements in this townshij) was called, came here with his family in 1S55. He lived here for many years, finally emigrating to Missouri, where he is still living. His settlement was upon the west part of section 32.

Samuel and Luther Dickenson made a settlement during the fall of 1855 in the northwestern part of Blooming Grove. About 1858, Luther growing tired of pioneer life returned to Vermont, their native State. Samuel remained here until 1860, when he moved to Le Sueur County.

Simeon Smith, who came from Fayette County, Iowa, with his family, made a claim just west of the lake on sections 31 and 32 in June, 1855. He lived on this place many vears and died there in November, 1872.

With him came Alfred C. Smith, his son. who lived with his father until the following year, when he removed to Woodville Township, where he resided until sometime after his father's death, when he returned to the elder Smith's farm, where he now lives.

The year 1856 witnessed everywhere an immense tide of immigration setting westward, and the countj' of Waseca received many new settlers. Among those who located in this township during that j'ear were : E. R. Conner, George Dean, John and James Walker, William Donaldson, Patrick Ilealy, Lewis McKune, John L. Saufferer, Cornelius Hand and his sons, J. N. Powers, Philo Woodruif, John Gibson, Daniel Riegle, Patrick Murphj', Andrew Nelson, Joshua, Josiah, Henry and Samuel Smith, Jacob Oory, William H. Young, B. Sharp and Joseph Churchill.

E. R. Conner was a native of Indiana, from whence he canie to Minnesota with James and John Walker, all bringing- families. Mr. Conner settled on eighty acres of land in the northwest quarter of section 10, to which he laid claim on the 11th of June. He lived on this place until 1883, when he removed to Faulk County, D. T., where he is still living.

Capt. Lewis McKune was quite prominent, politically, in the early days of the county's history, representing this district in the constitutional convention and in the senate. He was afterward killed, at the head of his company, at the battle of Bull Run. A detailed sketch of him is given in the chapter entitled State and County Representation.

J. N. Powers lived here but a short time, removing to Wilton, where he practiced law. He afterward moved to Rice County, and represented that district in the State Legislature.

Joshua Smith lives in Greenland, Le Sueur County, Minn ; Josiah Smith, in Nebraska ; Henry Smith, in Montana, and Samuel Smith in California.

John L. Saufferer is still a resident of tlie township, and a sketch of him is given in the chapter entitled State and County Representation, he having served the people of Waseca County in the legislative halls of the State.

Gottlieb Petrich, a German by birth, came to this town in June, 1856. and settling down upon a farm, there dwelt until January, 1887, when he was called hence by the death angel.

Fred. McKune is the son of Lewis McKune, one of the most prominent leaders of early days in Steele and Waseca counties. Fred. was born in Illinois, where his parents had settled on coming from Pennsylvania, on the 10th of February, 1851. In the year 1856 Capt. McKune brought his family to Waseca County and located on section 1. Here Fred, was reared, growing up among the scenes that now surround him, one of the old settlers of this locality. His sisters - Mrs McBride, now resides in Milbank, D. T., and Laura, Mrs. Vogel, at ^Marietta, D. T. - were raised in this county. His mother died at Morristown in 1863. In 1883 Mr. McKune was united in marriage with Clarissa C. Gore, of Indiana, and they are the parents of two children : Lewis and Edna. His wife's father is a resident of Morristown, but her mother was called away from this world by the angel of death during the -winter of 1886. Mr. McKune has a farm of 200 acres of land, 125 of which are under a high state of cultivation, and owns a handsome residence and some excellent graded stock.

In February. 1856, Christian Remund went as far as Dunlieth, 111., to meet his folks, and brought from there his father, Samuel Remund, and his brothers, John, Samuel, Rudolph and Albert, and sister Lina. John and Samuel were married, and with their father brought their wives with them. They took up claims on coming here. John settled on section 15, and is now in Wilmot, D. T.; Samuel located on section 9, and is a resident of the same section ; Ru(lol]>h took a claim on 8, and is now in Wilmot, D. T.; Albert on section 9, and is still in the county. The elder located on the claim of Rudolph.

Samuel Remund, one of the pioneers of Waseca County and one of the representative citizens, is a native of Canton Berne, Oberamt, Switzerland. He was born January 26, 1833, at Laupen, Miihlberg, Buttenreid, and resided among those Alpine heights until April, 1855, when he and his wife emigrated to the shores of the United States, in company with his father's family, landing in New York on Christmas day. From the latter point they journeyed to Dubuque, by way of Buffalo, Cleveland and Chicago, and remained there until al)out the 15th of January. Leaving there by sleigh, when they reached Dunleith Mr. Remund was taken sick, and he and his wife remained at that place until February, when they finished the journey, reached the point for which they had made their long journey, as before mentioned, in February, 1856, and located a claim on section 9, where he now resides. When they came here this part of Minnesota was a wilderness, only one frame house standing in Faribault, the hotel - and nothing but log and pole cabins in Owatonna, and but five or six settlers were in this town, and Indians abounded in this section of country. Before starting for this country, Mr. lieraund, on the 21st of July, 1856, was united in marriage with Anna Jiine, by wlioni he had four cliildren; Samuel, who died at the age of six years; Lana, now Mrs. David Newhart, of St. Paul; Anna, now Mrs. Andrew Brooker, of Colorado, and Rosina, now Mrs. Davison, of Waseca. His first wife dying in 1861, he was again united in marriage with Elizabeth Newhart, in the fall of 1861. They had six children: Samuel, Lizzie, Henry, David, Mar}' and Eddie. Again, in 1874, Mr. Remund was bereft of his wife, and in the summer of 1874, was married to Mrs. Orsala Rover, by whom he had no family. Mr. Remund has lield the office of town assessor and clerk of school district, and was elected town supervisor, but declined to serve. He is one of tiie leading farmers of the town, owning 450 acres of land, 220 of which are in a iiigh state of cultivation. He has also a fine lot of cattle.

Albert Remund, another brother, was born in Canton Berne, Oberamt, Laupen, Mlihlberg, Buttenreid. in July, 1836, and came to America with the family, asabove mentioned, in 1855. On coming to Waseca County he took a claim, as was the custom in tliosedays, on section 9, and proved up on the same. In June, 1859, he was united in marriage with Frances Winter, a native of Gei-many, born March 26, 1844, and moved on the place on section 9, where he now lives. They are the parents of eleven children: Emma L., born June 3, 1869; William, August 13, 1874; Louisa, January 23, 1877; Sarah, September 1, 1880; Laura, July 12, 1883; Mabel, May 13, 18S6; Philip, who is dead, and four who died in infancy. His wife is the daughter of P'red. and Louisa Winter, who both died in Iowa. Thev have several children vet livins: besides Mrs. Remund : Edward, who lives in Iowa; Henrietta, now Mrs. Rief, on a farm near Des Moines, and Augusta, Mrs. Flacknuin, whose husband is connected with the police force of Burlington, in the same State. Mr. Remund for twenty 3'ears has held the office of clerk of tliis town, and at present (1887) is justice of the peace and school director. He has 110 acres of very fine land, 80 of wJiich is under a high state of cultivation, and has some very fine stock, chiefly shorthorn cattle and Victoria swine.

James Hand was born February 22, 1835. and is the son of Cornelius and Rebecca Hand. His grandfather, Cornelius, also a native of New Jersey, was a soldier of the war of 1812-15, who later in life removed to Ohio. The father of James, who was born February 27, 1812, resided in Holmes County, Ohio, when James was born. In 1840 the family removed to Kosciusko County, Ind., settling on a farm, where the mother and Elizabeth, one of the daughters, died. In 1855 the family came to Minnesota and spent one winterj and in the spring of 1856 came to Waseca County and located on east half of the northeast quarter of section 5, this township, where James now lives. August 24, 1856, James Hand and Lydia Ann Sprague were united in marriage, and they are the parents of three children : Ella, now Mrs. M. E. Milieu ; Stephen T., living in the township, and Manerva, deceased. In Novemljer. 1864, Mr. Hand enlisted in Company E, First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, and was ordered to Chattanooga, Tenn., where he was engaged in provost duty until September 25, 1865, when he was mustered out. He has a good farm in excellent state of culture. He has been honored by his fellow citizens by having conferred upon liim the office of town supervisor for three different terms, and has held school district oifices besides.

Kj^es Swift was born in Fond du Lac, Wis., where he lived until two years of age. While he was quite young his father died, and he was thrown upon his own resources, and through hard labor and steady habits he has accumulated a fair amount of tliis world's ffoods and a fine home. He came to Waseca

Coimty in 1856, and at that time the Indian trail passed near his door. Five imndred Indians have been at his well at one time for water. Mr. Swift's father was a native of New York State. His mother died in Cattaraugus County, that State, in 1865. At Morristown, Minn., July 3, 1874, Mr. Swift was married, and is the parent of three children : Clara A,, born April 28,1875; Clarence C, June 26, 1878, and Homer J., November 4, 1883, who died March 22, 1884.

Mrs. Margeret Hackett, whose maiden name was Phelan, is a native of County Tipperary, 'Ireland, and resided in that county until she attained her twenty-seventh year. One year previous to that she had been united in marriage with John Hackett. They sailed for America about a 3'ear after marriage, landing at New York City, and from there went to Milwaukee, but after a residence there of six months moved to Kockford. 111., whei'e they remained some eight years, he working by the day at any work that he and his team could find to do. In 1856 they came to "Waseca County, settling on the place on section 13, where they now live. They have had ten children born to them : Martin, Pierce, Julia, Patrick, William, John, James,Mary, Maggie and William. Five of the children are living and five are numbered with the dead. Two boys are in St. Paul, Julia lives near Hastings, this State, and two are at home with their parents.

Knut Ericksen, sometimes called Saltvold, a native of Norway, came to this townsliip in June, 1856, and made a settlement. He was a resident of this township until his death in 1869. His widow and children are residents here still.

Gullick Knutsen was born at Roldat, Bergenstift, Norway, May 25, 1840, and came to America, with his parents, Knut Ericksen Saltvold, and liagnhild (GuUicksdatter Berge), in the spring of 1 851, settling near Marsliall, Dane Count}'. Wis. After remaining there five years, they removed to Minnesota, and in the latter part of June, 1856, settled in Blooming Grove Township, this county. In the fall of 1862, during the Sioux war, Gullick enlisted m Company B, First Minnesota Mounted Rangers, under Capt. Horace Austin, which were with the Sibley expedition in the summer of 1863, participating in several engagements with the Indians. He was mustered out at Fort Snelling, November 9, 1863, on account of expiration of term of service. In 1866 he returned to Wisconsin, and while there, June 25, 1866, he was united in marriage with Martha Johnson, of Lodi, Columbia County, Wis., who was a native of Haugs, Bergenstift, Norwaj% born August 20, 1844, and who had come to America with her parents in 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Knutsen are the parents of eight children : Regina, now Mrs. John Knutsen, of Waseca; Valetha, now Mrs. O. T. Hagen ; Cora J., Jennie O., Alice S., Martha J., Joseph K. and Emma R. The last named died at the age of eighteen months, in 1883. After his marriage Mj'. Knutsen returned to Minnesota, and settled in Iosco Township, and remained there until 1878, when he sold his farm there and removed to Blooming Grove, on section 18, where he now lives. His father died here in 1869 as stated elsewhere ; his mother is still a resident of the township. Mr. Knutsen has held the office of town supervisor one year, town treasurer three years, town clerk, in Iosco, for four or five years, and is now clerk of the school district in which he lives. His farm consists of 120 acres of land, eighty of whicii is under a high state of cultivation, and his improvements in the shape of buildings are fine. He has also considerable good stock.

Joseph Churchill in the summer of 1857, located on section 30, where he made a long residence, finally removing to Renville County, this State, where he died several years ago.

Samuel Isaac, who came here with his father, James, i-emained at home until 1862, when he enlisted in the Fourth Minnesota Infantry, and served during the war. He was promoted to the position of captain sometime before he received his discharge. His brother Jonathan, who enlisted at the same time, was killed at the battle of Altoona Pass.

Andrew Nelson was born in Sweden, August 29, 1829, and made that country his home until he was twenty-four years old, when he came alone to America, landins' at Quebec, Canada. From there he went to Moline, 111., where he remained until fall, and spent the winter in Albany, the same State. In the spring of 18.55 he came to Eed "Wing, Minn., where he was employed some two years. In 1857 he came to this county and settled where he now lives, having preempted and proved up his claim the same year. In 1861 he was united in marriage with Christena Evanson, and they had five children : Anna Sophia, born August 6, 1863; Nels, born March 22, 1866; Betsy, born September 9, 1866 ; Charles, born July 1-1, 1868, and Rebecca, born May i, 1870. His first wife dying in 1872, he married Anna Jameson, by whom he has had six children: Tilda C., born June 23, 1874:; William Oscar, born May 21, 1876 ; Joseph M., born September 4, 1878 ; Henry C, born January 17, 1882; Minnie J., born May 24, 1885, and Xellie L., born May 17, 1887. Mr. Nelson is the son of Nels and Anna Nelson who both died in Sweden as did three of his brothers. He lias one brother and three sisters still living in their native land. Mr. Nelson is one of the early settlers of this county, and was quite prominent in the organization of this township. He has a very fine farm of 340 acres of excellent land under a good state of cultivation, and well stocked. He has been town supervisor and is and has been for many years, treasurer of the school district.

Carl Johnson came to Blooming Grove Township and took up a claim on section 19, on the 17th of May, 1857, and is still a resident of the same. He is a native of Sweden, born September 22. 1825. In 1853, when he was about twenty-eight years of age, he determined to emigrate to America, and crossing the ocean, arrived at New York, October 22, of that year, where they had to endure some days' quarantine on account of the cholera on board their vessel, some twenty-one having died durmg the passage over. From New York he went to Milwaukee, and from there to Rockforii. 111., remaining two years at the latter place, employed in railroad work. Being there laid up by a long sickness, on liis recovery he went to the "Wisconsin pineries, where he remained two 3'ears longer, and then came to "Waseca County, as above mentioned. In 1859 he went back to "Wisconsin for a short time, and also, in 1860, made a trip to Ai'kansas, and remained there until the breaking out of the war. Returning to his home in this town, he was united in marriage with Julia Johnson, on the 16th of Jul\% 1862, and they are the parents of two children : John C. and Christina. Mr. Johnson has held the office of town supervisor, and is school treasurer, director and clerk. He has 160 acres of land, eighty of which is under cultivation, and owns some fine stock. Mrs. Johnson was born in Norway, in February, 1825, and came to America in 1853, landing in New York. From there she proceeded by canal to Buffalo, and from there by boat to Sheboygan. Proceeding b^' team to Fond du Lac, "Wis., she remained there until 1858, when she came to Vivian Townsiiip, this county, by team with her brother-in-law. From tjiere she went afoot to Faribault, wiiere she worked for sometime. In 1S62 she was married. She has never yet ridden on the cars.

Mr. Jackson purchased a farm of Mr. Walker, which he afterward sold and removed to Morristown, Rice County, where he died in 1877. Caleb, his son, was a member of Capt. McKune's company, First Minnesota Infantry, and after his discharge from the service removed to Morristown, Minn., where he now resides. Thomas B. Jackson enlisted in the Fourth Minnesota Infantry, and was wounded at the battle of Altoona. Pass, and died of the effects thereof in 1864. W. H. H. Jackson is still a resident of the township.

"VV. H. H. Jackson, the son of Thomas B. and Margaret Ann Jackson, was born inCenterville, Warren County, Ind., March 23, 1840. When he was about two yeai'S of age the family moved to Tipton County, in the same State, on a farm, where they resided until 1855, when they removed to Webster County, Iowa, but two years later, or to be exact, in May, 1858, they came to this town and bought of James Walker eighty acres of land on section 4, the place of residence of W. H. H. Jackson. Here the latter has resided ever since, except during a part of the civil war, he having enlisted in 1863, in Company H., Third Minnesota Infantr}'^, and saw considerable service, and was mustered out at the close of the war in 1865, when he returned to this county. August 8, 1858, Mr. Jackson and Mary Ann Eckert, daughter of Peter and Mary Eckert, were united in marriage, and are the parents of six children : J. W., who is a merchant at Morristown ; Florence Emma, now Mrs. Kev. Robertson, of Morris, Minn.; William E., Linda E., Harmon F. and Erwin E. J. W. and Florence E. both attended Hamlin University. The father of Mrs. Jackson, who was a native of Pennsylvania, died about 1881, but her mother resides with her, a remarkably well preserved old lady of eighty -four years. Mr. Jackson now has the old homestead of eighty on section 4, and an adjoining eighty in Rice Count\\

Germany, February 10, 1850, where he lived until 1855, when his people, consisting of father, mother, two brothers and two sisters, sailed for America, landing at New York City. From there they went to Illinois, where they remained two years, after which the}^ came to Waseca County, and purchased the farm on section 12, where AV"illiam still resides. Mr. Reinhardt's father died in 1876, in Blooming Grove. His mother is living with her son, Justus. The two sisters, Amelia and Mary, are both married. Mr. Reinhardt was united in the holy bonds of matrimony, in 1878, to Caroline Kruger. They have been blessed with five children : Benjamin W., born Januar}'^ 12, 1880; Emma B., January 12, 1882 ; Estella, October 29, 1883 ; Ervin F., June 4, 1885, and George, January 19, 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Kruger, the parents of Mrs. Reinhardt, are residents of Deerfield Township, Steele County. Justus, a brother, is also a resident of same town ; Carl, the other brother, is not a resident of this section of country.

Justus Reinhardt is a native of Henry County, 111., born October 12, 1857, but when he was but about one year old, the family emigrated to the great and growing State of Minnesota, and settled on a farm on section 12, Blooming Grove, where Justus was reared. He resided with his parents until his father died in 1876, and then was one of the remaining stays of his mother, remaining with her until 1883, when he was united in marriage with Helen Fehmer, and purchased the farm on section 14 where he now lives, when his mother came to live with him and is still an inmate of his house. Mrs. Reinhardt is the daughter of John and Sophia Fehmer, of Deerfield Township, Steele County, where they are now living. ]\Ir. Reinhardt has one of the finest farms in the town; it contains some 240 acres of land, seventy of which is well tilled and cultivated. Mr. and Mrs. Reinhardt are the parents of two children : Louis Henr\% born July 28, 1884, and Mabel Anna, born October 19,

The first birth in the township was that of Lovica, daughter of Alfred C. Smith, who was born October 15, 1855. She is living in "Woodville Township, this county, and is the wife of H. N. Carlton.

The fii'st death was that of Mrs. Josiah Smith, who died in the fall of 1856, and was buried in what is known as the Old Settlers' cemetery, the first to be interred therein.

The next deaths to occur were those of John and Martin Hand, of this township, who died in Eice County, in the fall of 1856, where they were at work. Maklen Riegle died also in this township in 1856. Another death in the township under peculiar circumstances was that of Henry Howell, a brother of Jonathan, in the winter of 1858. He was returning from Faribault, where he had been stopping in company with his brother, in a sleigh, and getting out to warm himself b}^ walking, his brother drove on to Hersh's mill, a short distance away, where he remained for a time. Not knowing of his stopping, Henry passed right on, and not arriving at his destination search was instituted, and after some trouble and difficulty found his body. He had fi'ozen to death.

As near as can be ascertained AV. H. H. Jackson and Mary Eckert were the first to assume the marriage vows in Bloomino- Grove Township, on August 8, 1858, Daniel Eiegle, justice of the peace, officiating. On his first election to this office, he had given it out that the first parties married by him should get off without any fee ; but as circumstances alter cases, when called upon it was too hard times and the little fee was very acceptable, nor did Mr. Jackson begrudge the little amount on that occasion.

of 1857, in this part of the district, which comprised a portion of the two townships of Woodville and Blooming Grove, then known as No. 1. It was put up on the subscription plan, each man hauling so many logs and contributing some money to purchase nails, glass, etc. When all the materials were on the ground, a bee was made which put up the structure. That summer a twelve-week school was taught by Mrs. Lin a Hughes. This is now district No. 7, but was the first district organized in the county.

Tlie schoolhouse in district No. 3 was erected in 1857, of logs, the whole district taking a part in building it. Nails, glass, etc., were procured by subscription. This building was in use until 1875, when it was rebuilt and enlarged to its present capacity, and now has two rooms, being a graded school with two teachers.

The fii'st reliffious oi-jjanization was made by the German Methodist Episcopal Society in 1856. The first services were held at the house of Christian Eemund by Eev. Mr. G roechtenmey er.

The first postoffice in the township was that known as Swaversey, established about 1857, with Mrs. William Gibbs as postmistress. It was located on the land of William Gibbs, at his residence on section 5. Mr. Gibbs was carrier of the mails. The office jmssed finally into the hands of James Davidson, who removed it to his residence, and the name changed to Blooming Grove. It was discontinued in 1880.

Organic

What is now Blooming Grove was organized with a portion of Woodville, in the early part of 1857, under the name of Swaversey precinct. The first election was held at the house of Ole Knutson, and Patrick Healey, Lewis McKune and Ole Knutson were the judges of election.

In April, 1858, the board of county commissioners set off what is now included in the township, and ordered its organization under the name of Blooming Grove. Election took place at the house of Patrick Healey, and that gentleman and James Isaac and J. M. Bhvens were the judges of election.

Religious

The German Methodist Church located on section 9 was put up by that congregation in 1885, at a cost of $3,000. This society is the outgrowth of the first religious services held in the township at the house of Christian Remund, in 1856. They held services at that place until 1860, when they erected a church on the site of the present large one. The various pastors that have ministered here were : Revs. Groechtenme_yer, Henry Boettcher, Frederick Hermsmeier, Henry Schuittker, F. W. Bucholz, George Hoerger, William Rottert, Adam Miiller, Charles HoUman, William Pagenart, Daniel Pfaff, John Spiker and J. C. Jahn, the present one.

The German Methodist Church on section 1 was erected in 1873, and was then a brickveneered structure. This remained for some years, but finally began to break off and crumble down ; so in 1885 it was remodeled and altered into a frame building. It is 32x48 feet in size with a fine spire about 75 feet high. Previous to the building of the church the society held services at the residence of John L. Saufferer, and continued to do so for some eight years. After this they held meetings in the schoolhouse until the erection of the church. The society was organized in 1858. The pastors have been the same as the above church, both being one charge.

The Norwegian Lutheran Church, on section 19, was erected by this congregation in 1864. At that time the frame was gotten up and the building enclosed and finished at a later date. The first meeting in the township held by the Lutherans was at the house of Alex. Herlugsen, on the 17th of October,

1858, and a society was organized at that time. Then there were some twenty-seven families connected with the chui-ch. Rev. Lauer Larsen was the first pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. B. J. Muus, and he by Quammen. Rev. O. A. Mellby, of New Richland, is the present pastor.

Weston Mosher was born in Genesee County, N. Y., and with his parents resided there until he was nine years of age, when they removed to Erie County in the same State. While there he was united in marriage with Lucy Bishop, and later removed to Ohio. After this he came west, living some time in Illinois, m Kenosha, Wis., and again in Lake County, 111. He at that time followed blacksmithing and wagonmaking. He j'emoved from there to Fillmore County, Minn., where he practiced medicine for several years, when he came to his present location, on section 6, and took up agricultural pursuits. In 1855, in Fillmore County, his wife died, leaving ten children : Orpha, Iva, Juliette, George, Lauretta, Marietta, Lucy, Weston, Austin and Emily. In 1859 he again entered the marriage state with Adelia Yarrington, and they are the parents of six children : Adelia, Alice, Ellen, Ida, Edwin and Cora. Mr. Mosher has a farm of some fifty acres of land.

Francis Brossard is the son of Augustus and Agatha Besoncon, of French ancestry. He was born at Lennox, Mass., November 18, 1833, and resided there until he had reached the age of eighteen, when the whole family removed to Fall River, Columbia County, Wis., but after a residence of eight years there, they came to Waseca County. Mr. and Mrs. Augustus Brossard were the parents of ten children : Francis, Augustus, Edward, Charles, Joseph, Julia, now Mrs. 0. James, of Waterville ; Adele, Mrs. Constant Bross- ard, of "Wisconsin ; Eosalie, Mrs. O. P. Smith, of Tennessee ; Louise, Mrs. J. E. Jones, of Iosco, and Josephine, Mrs. D. T. Ballard. "When the Brossards came to this county, in 1859, this was a new country, and the}' can give some very pathetic ancedotes in regard to the liardships of the early pioneers. On the 4th of May, 1863, Francis Brossard and Mary E. Brossard were united in marriage, in Blooming Grove. They are the parents of one child, Florentine E., who was married February 1, 1886, to Minnie L. Lafayette, and they are the parents of one cliikl, Mabel A.

Jens T. Dahle, a native of Norway, was born on a farm, March 25, 1839, and lived with his parents until he had reached the age of fourteen, and then worked for other parties for about four years. In 1858 he emigrated to America, landing at Quebec, Canada. From there he made his way to Rice County, Minn., where he worked for various parties, usually at extremely low wages. January 22, 1862, he enlisted in the second company Minnesota Sharpshooters, who were attached to Col. Berdan's command. "With them he participated in the engagement at Hanover Courthouse, after which he was transferred to the First Minnesota Infantry, joining them at Fair Oaks in June. He participated in all the bloody battles of the Chickahominy swamps, and in all others in which the famous First Minnesota was engaged, except Antietam and Fredericksburg, up to the time he was taken prisoner at Ream's Station, August 24, 1864. He was also in the battles of the "Wilderness, Spotssylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Deep Bottom and Petersburg. He was an inmate of the rebel prison pens of Libby and Belle Isle, Va., and Salisbury, N. C.,and was then taken back to Richmond and paroled, reaching the Federal lines March 13, 1865, nearly three months after his time of enlistment had expired. He was then in a shocking state of health, and was sent to Annapolis, Md., to the parole camp, and from there to Columbus and St. Louis in a box car. There getting a furlough he came as far as Chicago, where he became much worse in health, entered the hospital and lay there very low. Recovering to some extent he reached St. Paul, where he received his discharge. For two years succeeding the war he was engaged in the grocery business at Faribault, Minn., and then came to this county and engaged in farming, he having lately purchased the farm of Philo "Woodraff, and now has 160 acres of land, fifty of which is under cultivation. February 7, 1886, he was united in marriage with Anna Olena Seim, whose parents are natives of Norwa}'. They are the parents of one child, Theodore, born March 22, 1887.

E. J. "Wolf was born in AVheeling, Cook County, 111., April 5, 1858, and resided thei'e until he was some four j'ears old, when his parents removed to Goodhue County, Minn., settling upon a farm, where his father still lives, the mother dying December 20, 1886. In 1879 E. J. "Wolf went to Lincoln County, this State, and took up a claim of 160 acres of land, which he afterward sold and then came to Waseca County and purchased the farm on section 2, where he now lives. In March, 1883, he was united in marriage with Barbara Bollenbach, born in Rice County, Minn., August 5, 1859. They have had born to them one child, Alice, now two yeai's of age. Mr. "Wolf has seven brothers and two sisters living, and his wife six brothers and five sisters. Her parents are still living in Rice Count}^ both liaving passed their half century in age. Mr. "Wolf has a most excellent farm, and thoroughly understands handling it to attain the best results. i

Julius Schuette was born in Prussia, Ger- * many, November 26, 1848, and resided in his native land until he was some five years 1 1 of age, when the family came to America, and for a time lived in "Warsaw, Minn., and then came to Blooming Grove Township. The mother of Julius died here in 1868, the father in 1883, and they are buried in the cemetery of the German Methodist Episcopal Church, together with two of their children : Augusta, who died in 1870, and Charles, who was killed in 1885 by a load of timber falling on him. Rev. Edward Schuette, a brother of Julius, was ordained a minister at the early age of twenty, and is now in charge of the German Episcopal Church at Charles City, Iowa. In 1878, at the residence of the bride's father, Hon. John L. Saufferer, Julius Schuette and Henrietta Saufferer, the eldest daughter, were united in holy matrimony, and they are the parents of two children : Arthur and Mabel, deceased. They have a very pleasant farm, and the land evinces a high state of cultivation.

Rev. J. C. Jahn was born in Prussia, July 1, 1839. At the age of seventeen he came to America, landing at Baltimore. From there he went to St. Paul, Minn., and engaged in a general store as salesman, which occupation he followed for several years. In 1861 he enlisted in the First Minnesota Cavalry, and was ordered from Fort Snelling to St. Louis. This regiment acted as bod}' -guard to Gen. Halleck, and participated in tlie battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donaldson, Shiloh and Granville, in the latter of which he was wounded by a saber-cut on the left leg and taken prisoner. Was taken to Jackson, Miss., and Corinth, and there paroled. He was discharged in July, 1863. He then engaged again as salesman, and worked one year. In 1864 he was married to Christina Hartung, and for a few years thereafter followed farming. He then studied for the ministry, and was ordained a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Clnirch in 1870, and took the Blooming Grove charge in 1886, after labors elsewhere. He is a graduate of the Erfurt high school and military school of Gernlany. Mr. and Mrs. Jahn are the parents of ten children, six of whom are living, they having lost the other four in one winter, by diphtheria.

in the country of his birth until 1853, when he and his sister, Mena Lotweizer, and her husband started across the ocean for America's shore. Landing in New York, they proceeded to Will County, 111., where Mr. Behne worked out for two years, and then came to Minnesota and was employed at several places in the vicinity of Faribault. March 28, 1860, he and Hannah Mtiller were united in matrimony, and immediately after he rented a farm and tilled the soil thereof for two years, and then purchased the farm on section 15, in this town, where he now lives. Mrs. Behne is the daughter of Frederick and Minnie Miiller, both of whom died in the fatherland. Mr. Behne has a fine farm of 280 acres of land, and has fine buildings, making his surroundings very pleasant and agreeable, and, being only six miles from the city of Waseca, is quite convenient to market and store. Mr. and Mrs. Behne are the parents of eight children: Henry W., Emma, now Mrs. Henry Beck ; George, August, Mary, Ida, Willie and Louis. The last named died at the age of eleven years. Mr. Belme's parents, William and Sophia Behne, came to America in 1855, and located in Will County, III., but later came to Steele County, where the father died in 1876, and where the mother is still living with her youngest son, August.

Henry Singenstrue was born in Oelber, Germany, November 16, 1821, where he lived until 1852, when he sailed for America, landing in New Orleans. From there he went to Cincinnati, and stayed about six months, then to Newport, Ky., where he remained one year. In 1854 he came to Red Wing, Minn., and bought a claim that had been taken up, and remained on this, making improvements, for about two years. He then rented it for two years, he having obtained the appointment as misionary of the German Methodist Episco2)al Society. This latter he followed for sixteen years, his work calling him part of the time to Wisconsin, and as far north in Minnesota as the Indian agencj', which was at that time near what is now the village of Kedwood Falls. Mr. Singenstrue was married in September, 1861, to Salome Eider, a native of Switzerland. They have had born to them three children : Amelia born September 11, 1862 ; Berta, who died at the age of eleven months, and Lydia, born November 23, 1866. Amelia and Lydia are still at home. Mr. S. during the summer of 1857 assisted Kev. Groechtenmeyer in his labors in the vicinity.

C. W. Knauss is the son of Christian and Margaret (Popp) Knauss, and was born in Cook County, 111., March 25, 1867. His father was a native of Alsace, France, born May 28, 1834. The parents of Christian Sr. were engaged in the culture of grapes and making of wine in France, but about 1846 they emigrated to America, settling in Cook County, 111., where they died. Christian Sr. came to Minnesota about 1881. He was the father of nine children : John, Charles, Christian W., Henry, William, Bertha, Carrie, died in Illinois ; Benjamin and Edward. John, the eldest son, was married to Anna Wolf in 1884, and they have one child, Esther ; Charles is a blacksmith in St. Paul ; C. W. has the general management of the home farm, and resides with his father and mother in a fine brick residence built in 1876, and suri'ounded by a fine barn and other farm buildings. The\' have 280 acres of land, ISO of which are under cultivation.

Christian Sutter, an enterprising agriculturist who owns some two hundred and nine acres of fine land on section 8, Blooming Grove Township, was born in the village of Bergen, in the canton of Berne Oberamt, Arrsberg, Switzerland, May 6, 1842. In 1851 the family, consisting of the father, mother and six children, came to the United States, landing in New York. From there they came west as far as Joliet, 111., where they settled and where the old folks died, the father in 1852, tlie mother in 1872. Christian remained at home until August 13, 1862, when he enlisted under Capt. H. P. Goddard in Company H, One Hundreth Illinois Infantry, and participated in all the marching and engagements of that celebrated regiment. Among the latter may be mentioned those of Stone River bridge, Chattanooga, Chicka mauga. Lookout Mountain, Hatchie Eiver, Missionary Ridge, Dalton, Resaca, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy's Station, Columbia, Franklin and Nashville. He was mustered out at Nashville, June 12, 1865, and at Chicago, 111., on the 3d of July following, received his pay and final discharge, and returned to Will County, 111., where he followed farming for a year, and in 1866 came to Waseca Count}'. March 16, 1868, he was married to Caroline F. A. Canne, who was born March 16, 1849, by whom he has had ten children : Ida A., born April 28, 1871 ; Charles F., born June 2, 1872.; Emma H., born September 21, 1873; Albert J., born February 6, 1875 ; Edward O., October 19, 1876; Christian B., born June 27, 1878; Clara L., born March 26, 1880 ; Amelia P., born January 6, 1882; Benjamin F., January 7, 1884, and Caroline, born December 30, 1885.

John Leonard Bahr was born in Saxony, (-rermany, August 18, 1847, where he lived until 1853, when he, with his parents and two sisters, sailed for America and located in Waukesha County, Wis., where they lived until 1867, when they immigrated to Minnesota, locating in Deerfield Township, Steele Count}', his father purchasing a farm on section 18 of that town. John L. remained at home until 1873. March 26, 1872, he married Julia Reineke, the ceremony taking place at the residence of Henry Reineke, the bride's brother. After leaving home in 1873, Mr. Bahr jiurchased a farm on section 18, in Deerfield Township, where he lived four years and then purchased the 160-acre farm on section 15, Blooming Grove Township, Waseca County, where he still resides. They have had born to them six children : Matilda, born February 17, 1873 ; Henrietta,

"While on the road from New York City to Waukesha County, Mr. Nicholas Bahr, father of John, on the train had the misfortune of losing by death a small daughter two and one-half j'ears old. When the officers of the road found that the child was dead they stopped the train, after they had left Detroit about five miles, and insisted on his leaving the train with the child, which he did, carrying the dead body to Detroit, and there buried it the next day.

Mr. J. L. Bahr's parents are both living and are residents of Deerfield, Steele County, on the farm where they first located. Mr. Bahr had two sisters, and one brother who was born in Waukesha County, Wis., April 7, 1858, and who is now a resident of section 18, Deerfield Township, Steele County. The remaining sister is also a resident of Deerfield, now the wife of Geo. Gleichmann. Mrs. John L. Bahr has three brothers living ; two are residents of Deerfield and the other is living in Morristown, Rice County. Her mother lives with the brother in Morristown. The father died in Deerfield in 1862, and is buried in the Methodist Episcopal cemetery at Blooming Grove.

Ernest Nordmier is a native of Hesse, Germany, born March 2, 1843. He resided in the country of his birth until he was fifteen years old, when in company with his sister Mena, now Mrs. Christopher Eommal, of Iowa, he came to America. His mother died in Germany in 1860, and is buried at Bassingfeld. The father came to America and died in Lake County, 111., in 1864, and is buried there. Mr. Nordmier has three brothers still in the old country, as is also one sister ; two brothers, William and Fred., live in Big Stone County, this State ; another brother, Henry, lives in Lake County, 111. Mr. Nordmier was married in 1868 to Gottlieben Oehler, a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, and they have been the parents of eight cliildren : Ernest, Willie, Lydia, Bertha, Amelia, Mena, Louisa, Emma, and one that died in infancy. Mr. Nordmier has a fine farm of 180 acres of land, 100 of which is under cultivation. He is also the owner of some fine grade stock, and is nicely fixed.

Louis Beisner was born in Hesse, Germany, January 25, 1837, where he lived until seventeen years of age. Then he and his brother Henr}'^ and two sisters sailed for America. Landing in New York, they came to Cook County, 111., where they did a farming business for ten or twelve years. During this time, in the3'ear 1861, he was united in marriage with Minnie Roper. In 1866, he and his family moved overland to Waseca County, locating in Blooming Grove Township, purchasing a farm on section 11, where he still resides. They have had born to them eight children : Henry, born February 9, 1863 ; Charles, November 30, 1864, died June 2, 1880; Louis, born June 13, 1868, died May 19, 1880 ; Emar, born March 13, died April 11, 1867 ; Mena, April 11, 1871, died May 12, 1880 ; Emma, born November 25, 1873, died May 9, 1880; Willie, born May 24, 1876, died May 18, 1880, and Eddie, born May 1, 1880. Mr. Beisner's father died in Germany. He has two brothers in Kansas ; one sister, Mrs. Mena Kruger, in Cook County, 111., and one sister died in Illinois, at the age of twenty-two.