Waseca County, Minnesota - Chapter 27: Freedom Township, 1887

Chapter 27: Freedom Township

HE subdivision of the county of Waseca known as Freedom, embraces all of congressional township 106 north of range 24, and contains 36 square miles or 23,040 acres. Its surface, generally speaking, is quite level. The State geological report says, that : " The difference in elevation between the highest and lowest portions of the surface, connected by slopes from a quarter of a mile to a mile in length, is only five to ten feet." It is well drained however by the Little Cobb River and Bull Run, both of which cross its entire Avidth from east to west, passing into Blue Earth County, the former on section 31, the latter on 18.

Settlement in this township was considerably later than in other parts of the county owing to the fact, that, at the time the settlers were taking up their claims in the other townships, the territory now embraced in this, together with that of the town of Alton, and parts of St. Mary, Wilton and Janesville was then comprised within the Winnebago Indian reservation. This line tract of land remained in the hands of the nomad savages until the summer of 1863, when they were all removed and the land thrown open to white settlers, to the evident satisfaction of those who had located in other parts of the county, who, after the outbreak of 1862, dreaded the near neighborhood of the Indians.

Edward Steele and Stephen Robinson came next. The latter settled on the north half of section 3, and from his avocation of peddler the hamlet that sprang up north of there took its name of Peddler's Grove. He is now a resident of Mendon, Neb.

Three brothers by the name of Bean came here in the spring of 186-1-, bringing with them some six hundred head of sheep, and one of the brothers remained here some time, but linall}' returned to Iowa.

Henry Chase, now a merchant in the village of Janesville, came to this township during the year 1864, and resided here until 1869, when he removed to his present location. His settlement was on section 33.

Fletcher D. Seaman, one of the leading agriculturists of this town, is the son of Buckland K. and Charlotte (Meade) Seaman, and was born in Essex County, N. Y., September 8, 1843. He remained a resident of the Empire State until 1855, when he came west, locating at Appleton, Wis., where he followed the trade of iron molder for about a year, and other employment. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in Company G, First Wisconsin Cavalry, and served for about a vear, when he was discharged for disabiUty, and returned to Wisconsin, where he taught school that winter. In the spring of 1863 he came to this State, anil worked on a farm that summer and taught school in the winter in Hennepin County. April 1, 1864, he came to this countv, and settled on section

18, Freedom Township, a portion of which he preempted. In the fall of 1864 he again enlisted, this time in Company A, Second Minnesota Infantr}'', and participated in the march to the sea with General Sherman, and was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 1], 1865, and returned to his farm, where he has made his home ever since, except two years spent in Dakota. September 23, 1868, he was united in marriage with Phoebe Chase, who was born in Orleans County, N. Y., September 24, 1849. They have had a family of eight children : Maud C, Meade T., Fletcher "W., Ernest B., P. May, Charlotte H., Susan and DoUie, all of whom are living at home except DoUie, who died April 20, 1886. Mr. Seaman was the first town clerk of Freedom and has been prominently identified with the develojiment of this part of the county. On the loth of May, 1885, Mr. Seaman was. in a short half hour, stripped by lire of house, fui'niturc, barn, gram antl everything but his family, the clothes they had on, his land and stock. But he was not without friends, and good warm ones at that, Mr. Rollins taking in the family and keeping them until they could get up a new house. Neighbors by the score flocked here without a word and helped Mr. Seaman rebuild his house, and grain and other necessaries were poured in on him by sympathizing friends. lie cannot express his feelings when speaking of this unwonted kindness, but feels it all the more deeply.

D. P. Young, now a resident of Alton Township, came here in 1864, one of the first to settle on these lands. He remained until 1875, when he removed to his present residence.

William Davidson Jr., son of William and Mary Davidson, was born in Thompsonville, Conn., July 18, 1838. His father, William Davidson Sr., was born in Musselburgh,

Scotland, October 22, 1810 and his mother, Mary (Stevenson) Davidson, was born in the parish of Denny, Scotland, January 25, 1805. In 1850 William moved to Iowa with his parents, and there remained until 1858, when he removed to Winona County, Minn. He remained there until 1859, when he went to California, and soon after removed to Nevada, where he was engaged in mining until September, 1863. He then came back to Minnesota, and, in the course of a year, purchased the southeast quarter of section 19, in Freedom Township. Waseca County. He has since that time spent most of his time there, carrying on general farming and stock-raising. William was mai-ried December 1, 186Y, to Miss Mary E. Vars, of Blue Earth County, Minn. She was the daughter of John W. Vars, who was born October lO, 1821, and Livinia (Brown) Yars, born February 8, 182(1. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson have been Ijlessed with live children : Rolla B., born October 23, 1868; William G., born June 26, 1870; Traca A., born March 8, 1874, and died September, 1887 ; Ralph D., born August 22, 1876, and Livinia, born March 7, 1878.

Willet Tolles made a settlement in this part of the county in 1864 with his father and brother. He is no longer a resident of the county, however, living now in Mankato.

Daniel Pierce, S. C. Brooks, Amos Waring, William Reed, Mr. Moon, Luther Ackerman, Ira Abell and a man by the name of Hoisington came into this township during the year 1864. Daniel Pierce is now a resident of the city of Waseca ; S. C. Brooks is in Mapleton; Amos Waring is in Dakota; William Reed moved to California; Mr. Moon and his five or six sons have all left the county ; Luther Ackerman emigrated to Colorado ; Ira Abell about a dozen years ago moved back to the New England States, and Mr. Iloisington died here some years ago.

John H. Fields made a settlement upon the northeast quarter of section 9, the same year. He is a native of Massachusetts, who first came west in 1853, and settled in Mower County, this State, and from there moved to Olmsted County, and then here. He is the father of Frank Field, of Alma City, and a sketch of him is included in the mention of the latter.

Harry Scoville, a keen, nervous, ambitious man from the State of New York, located here. He has since died, and the family has removed from the county.

Just as soon as the grass had come in 1864, a tide of emigration swept over this part of the county and filled up nearly every part of it. So great was their number that it is an almost impossible task to mention all of them. The many that are named are all that could be remembered bj' the old settlers. Many stayed but a short time, but those that remained here have nearly all pi'ospered, and have become well off in tiiis world's goods. Many of the first settlers were young men, unmarried, who has just come out of the army, and who returning to their old homes had found their places filled by others, and pushed out in search of a new home.

W. D. Armstrong took up land on section 1, of this town, where he moved his family two years later, and where he lived until 1883, when he moved to Waseca, where he now lives.

John J. "Wilkins is a native of the State of New Jersey, born July 13, 1827, and is the son of James and Hannah (Ferguson) Wilkins. He lived with iiis parents until he was about twenty years of age, when he came to Wisconsin, and worked in the pineries during the winters and on fai-msin the summers until December 9, 1849, when his marriage with Zilpha M. Borst took place, when he bought a farm in Green Lake County, Wis., where they remained until October, 1865, when he came to this town and county and settled on section 26. In 1862 he enlisted in company H, Fifth Wisconsin Infantry and served three years with that famous regiment throughout all the bloody campaigns which the army of the Potomac was called to endure. Antietam, Frederickburg, Chancellorsville,Getty sburg and a great many others are inscribed on the flag of the gallant Fifth. Mr. Wilkins was mustered out at Hall's Hill, Va., June 22, 1865, and received his discharge July 8, following, and returned home. He is the parent of four children: Eichard S., born April 1, 1851: Charles H., born June 24, 1852 ; Charlotte J., born April 16, 1854, and Ernest G., born June 5, 1868. Mr. Wilkins has held the office of chairman of the town supervisors, town assessor, justice of the peace and clerk of the school district.

William Orcutt, whose sketch is given in connection with Alma City came to Waseca County in September, 1865, and made a settlement in this township.

John L. Graham, a native of the State of New York, came to this township in 1865 and made a settlement. He had been a canvasser in his early days in New York and Pennsylvania. He is the father of Clarence E. Graham, of the Waseca Radical, and Arthur Graham, of this town. He is a resident of Janesville at the present writing.

Arthur Graham, his son, made a settlement in Freedom in 1865. Artliur is a native of New York, born September 12, 1845. He came to Waseca County with his parents in 1865, and settled on tlie southwest quarter of section 6, Fi'eedom Township. He afterward purchased the farm of his father, who now resides in Janesville. He was united in marriage in Waseca County, October 20, 1869, to Miss Barbara Elmore, born in Wisconsin, July 27, 1850. Her father died May 21, 1883, and was buried in Alma City cemetery. Her mother now lives in Janesville. They have had four children : Byron, born September 13, 1870 ; John, born December 16, 1871 ; Arthur, born June 8, 1875, and Emma, born April 7. 1878.

Among the other settlers of the year 1865 may be mentioned : Joseph Griffiths, now in the township; Isaac Westover, in Hlinois at this writing, William Oldlield, who returned to New York State, and Nelson Witts, now a resident here.

Nelson Witts is the son of Nelson and Catherine Witts, and was born in England, February 6, 1832. He came to the United States in 1855, and settled in Green County, Wis., where he remained a year, and then moved to Kansas. Four years and a half Avere spent there, when, returning to Wisconsin, he lived there two years and then came to Minnesota, and a little later to Waseca County. He settled where he now lives, and at present has some -180 acres of rich land. He has always been engaged in farming and stock-raising, and ever since he has been here has made large quantities of sorghum syrup, he having fitted up a factory for that purpose, which is a success financially. He has invented and patented an evaporating pan for this jnu'pose, which has proven, also, a wonderful thing, large numbers of them having been sold and alwa^'s proved satisfactory. He has also secured a patent for a railroad snow-plow. He is indebted to himself and his own exertions for the wealth he has, as he was quite a poor iiian when he came here. He was married in Wisconsin. November 2, 1862, to Esther Flanegan, who was born in Canada, in 1833. They have been the parents of four children :

Samuel S. Eollins is a native of New Hampshire, born May 1, 1836, and the son of Reuben and Lavina Rollins. When he was about eighteen j'ears of age he commenced work in a bobbin factory in his native State, where he remained until 1855, when he came to Minnesota, and, purchasing a farm in Houston County, settled in that place. In 1866 he came to this town and county, and purchasing a farm on section 8, lived there until 1878. Avhen he removed to the farm on section 7, where he now resides. November 8, 1860, he was united in marriage with Martha M. Elmore, who was born October 31, 1843. They are the parents of six children : Martha Lavina, born August 16, 1861, died January IS, 1864; Edith A., born May 22, 1865 ; Henry C, born December 1, 1866; Lillian Grace, born December 5, 1871, and Nora May, born July 21, 1876. Edith A. is married to John Harmon, of A'ivian Township. The others are with their par ents yet. Mr. Rollins is one of the representative New Englanders that have made their impress upon all the West, men of sterling worth, indomitable perseverence and unsurpassed ability. He has held a few town offices hei'e, not that he craved political preferment, but as the duty of an American citizen. Among others, he held that of school treasurer for over eighteen years.

Franklin W. Bromaghin was born in St. Lawrence County. N. Y., June 29, 1820. He came to Waseca County in 1866, and settled on section 8 of this township, where he lived for some five or six years before he could ])ay for it. When he came he had a very sick wife, a feeble old father and eight children, and had no house or shelter for them and only $19 in money with which to buy lumber and live on, and flour $18 per barrel, potatoes $1 per bushel and butter 50 cents per pound. He finally bought a little board shanty of a man for $50, on time, tore it down and moved it to his claim and there ret'rected it. He hud served in the Union army prior to coming here, having enlisted Fe])ruary 27, 1864, in Company D, Thirtyseventh Wisconsin Infantry, and served until July 27, 1865, when he was mustered out and discharged, having particijiated in several battles. He, as second duty sergeant, had the command of the company, the officers of whiSli were absent. Januar\' 8, 1843, he was married to Sarah M. Taplin, who was born March 2, 1827. They are the parents of eight children : George W., born August 4, 1844, married Angeline Benjamin, and lives in Alma City ; Mary Jane, born February 16, 1848, married and living in Wisconsin ; Sarah Ann, born April 22, 1850, married and living in town of Alton; Martin J., born March 8, 1852, married Dora Carr, living in this town ; William H., born May 11, 1854, married Eva Johnson, lives in Alton ; Ella F., born April 19, 1856, married N. O. Can field, now in Mood}' County, D. T. ; Emer M., born October 11, 1858, married William Tew, lives in Alton, and Jolm A., born October 3, 1860, now in Dakota.

John Wilkinson was born in the State of Wisconsin, February 28, 1846. In 1866 he came to Waseca County, where he has buried both father and mother. He bought a farm on section 4, Freedom Township, which he sold the same year. He then took up a claim on the southeast quarter of section 5, and is still residing there engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He is also a stockholder of the steam flouring mill at Alma City, which has a capacity of 125 barrels per day. Mr. Wilkinson was married June 1, 1869, to Miss Mary Morrinson, who was born August 1, 1851, and daughter of John and Parmelia Morrinson, both of whom died in Wisconsin. They have had four children :

Mrs. Maria Davis, widow of the late John Davis, is a daughter of William and Catherine Cora. She was united in marriage with John Davis, December 27, 1853, and in the year 1S66. they removed to this county, first settling about three miles east of Peddler's Grove, where they made their home for many years. In 1877 they sold out this place and purchased a farm on section 25, in this township, where she now lives. Mr. and Mrs. Davis were the parents of seven children: Charles T., born May 29, 1855, now in St. Cloud, Minn., selling agricultural implements; Helen Eliza, born April 12, 1856, wife of Augustus Bakkedahl, and a resident of Colnum, D. T., Adelia, born December 18, 1858, wife of David Powers, of Colman, D. T., Estella, born October 21, 1861 ; Frederick, born May 3, 1867 ; Burton, born March 5, 1870, and Frank, born April 26, 1872. The last named four are at home with their mother. Mr. Davis was called from this world January 2, 1886, The widow and children have a very fine home, the farm being well improved and well stocked.

Sanford Hydorn was born in Morristown, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., July 24, 1841, and resided among the hills of his native land until he was of age, when, August 5, 1862, he enhsted in Company B, One Hundred and Sixth New York Infantry, and participated in all the engagements in which that regiment was found, until July 9, 1864, when at the battle of Monocacy Junction he was wounded, and Avhen he had recovered from that was transferred to the Eighteenth Veteran Corps. On his discharge he returned to his home in New York, but in the spring of 1866 he came to Minnesota, and for about two years remained in Goodhue County, and then came to this town and county, settling on a farm, the northwest quarter of section 30, which he had purchased previously.

He is now living on the old homestead, and has a iine home. When he first came here, like all new settlers he had to put up with many hardships, and was thankful tliat they were no worse. Dry bread and sour milk was often his noonday meal while breaking the prairie sod, for he came here before he brought his wife to the farm, and }>oarded out, but provisions were scarce and money more so. January 3, 1869, he was united in marriage with Abbie Woodward, and they have been the parents of four children: Fred., born July 2, 1871 ; Millie, born September 18, 1873, and died November 2, 1874; Mabel, born September iS, 1881, and Lura, born November 23, 1882. Mr. Hydorn is one of the representative men of the township. He IS the son of Adam and Margaret (Bonesteel) Hydorn, the former of whom died in October, 1808 ; the latter is living on the old homestead, in New York State.

Henry Converse was born in the State of Connecticut, July 31, 1825, and is the son of Benjamin and Hannah Converse. When he was about nineteen years old he commenced work in the foundry at Stafford Hollow, Conn., where he remained some three or four years. From there he moved to Worcester, Mass., where he followed the profession of molder for some ten years. At the expiration of that time he came west, and took up a claim in Winona Count}\ where he commenced farming. There he remained some four years, when he moved to the city of Winona, and resumed his old trade. Smith it Dean, the foundrymen of La Crosse, Wis., then wanted him, so he moved to that city, and was foreman of their foundry for four years. He next kept a billiard hall in North La Crosse, but two years later came to this town and county. This was in November, 1868. He then bought the farm on section 27, where he now lives. Mr. Converse was first married in 1844, to Caroline Ona, by whom he had two children : Julia, who afterward died in Washington Territory, and Clarence W., living in Janesville, thiscoimtv.

His second marriage took place in Februar}'^, 1863, with Mrs. Mary (Haley) Hayden, who had one child by her former marriage, Katie, born June 16, 1861, and died in Januaiy, 1863. Mrs. Converse had an experience during the Indian troubles in 1862 that is well worth hearing her repeat. It seems that she and her husband, Hayden, lived in Renville County at that time, and hearing that the savages were murdering people within five miles of them, they all fled from the house, and their neighbors from theirs. When they had gone but a short distance, Mr. Hayden returned to the house for something or other, but was killed by the reef fiends, who had just come up. She and the neighbors pushed on, but were overtaken by the Indians, the men with them butchered, the women taken prisoners, but she. leaping from the wagon with her child in her arms, hid in the woods till night, then walked to Fort Ridgelej', eighteen miles distant. Mr. and IVIr. Converse have had three children born to them, viz.: Hattie Belle, born October 16, 1865; Mark Wallace, born November 16, 1868, and Mildred Elizabeth, born October 16, 1874.

John Oien is a native of Norway, born December 11, 1838. He remained in the country of his birth until he was seventeen years of age, and, in 1855, came to America, and settled in Kewaunee County, Wis., where he was engaged in farming for some thirteen years. He was married there to Anna Christiansen March 13, 1862, and there their four children were born, as follows: Ole. December 26. 1862 ; Morris, May 10, 1865 ; Carl, October 20, 1866, and Minnie (Jaroline, July 2, 1868, but died November 14, 1868. In the fall of the last nametl year he came to Minnesota and spent the winter, and the following spring moved to his farm, the southwest quarter of section 32, where he now lives. In 1881 he })ut up a store building and carries it on, in jiartnership with Charles Dedrick. They have a full line of general merchandise. Mr. Oien lias been postmaster here for nine or ten years. September 7, 1886, Mrs. Oien was taken from her family by death, and is deeply regi-etted not only by them but by the whole neighborhood, as she was i most estimable lady. She acted as assistant postmaster until her death, and her son Carl succeeds her in that ])lace.

Charles Dedrick was born in Kewaunee County, "Wis., April 13, 1856. In his boyhood daj's he attended school in winter and during the summer months worked on the farm with his father. At fifteen years of age he started out into the world for himself. Most of his time was engaged in working in sawmills until he came to Freedom Township and was employed by his uncle, John Oien, who has been in the mercantile business since 1881. Mr. Oien, finding his health failing, wanted an honest and trustworthy partner to take charge of his business, so prevailed on Mr. Dedrick to take an interest in the concern. At the present they carry a full line of goods such as is generally kept in this line of business, and have a growing and prosperous trade.

Organic

In March, 1864, the board of count}' commissioners ordered that townships 106 and 107, range 24, be organized as a civil township, and it was made a part of the order that the people, at the first town meeting, should select a name for the same, with the understanding that when it should be divided town 106 should retain the name chosen at this time. The first election was held in May following. F. D. Seaman and Messrs. Robinson and Bean were chosen a committee to name the town, and two having each a name left it to Mr. Seaman, who decided to call it Freedom.

Pursuant to public notice a meeting was held at the house of Rev. R. S. Armstrong, November 3, 1878, for the purpose of organizing a Congregational Church. The meeting was called to order by Rev. R. S. Armstrong, and S. O. Garlick was chosen scribe. The expediency of forming a church in this place was then stated by Rev. Armstrong, when the following resolution was presented for adoption :

" Hesohed, That we, the respective members of the First Congregational Church of McPherson, having letters of dismission from said church, with a view of becoming members of a Congregational Church to be formed at the county line do hereb}' constitute ourselves a Congregational Church, to be known as and by the name of the Congregational Church of Freedom."

After deliberate consideration the aforesaid resolution was unanimouslv adopted and signed by the following named persons : S. O. Garlick, Alice Garlick, Lizzie Garlick, Robert Fields, Wm. Fields, Thomas Fields, John E. Gearv, Eliza Geary, Rachel Wallace, R. S. Armstrong, Harriette E. Armstrong.- J. E. Gearjr was chosen deacon, and S. O. Garlick, clerk. ,

"Hesolved, That we invite a council of Congregational Churches to convene at the county line schoolhouse on the 12th day of November, 1878, at 2 o'clock p. m. to receive our action and recognize us as a Congregational Church."

March 21, 1887, at a church meeting it was decided to locate the site of their church edifice on section 18, and the erection of the building was commenced Jul}' 9, 1887.

A meeting was held at the county line schoolhouse, February 22, 1887, for the purpose of organizing the First Congregational Society as a body corporate. The meeting was called to order by Rev. W. Fisk, and A. P. Runnells was elected chairman and G. B. Wallace, clerk.

Immanuel, which stands on the northeast quarter of section 16, was erected in 187-t, under the ministry of Rev. Andrew Mueller, who has charge at the present time.

Rev. Andrew Mueller is a native of Germany, born July 13, 1S50. He came to the United States in 1864 with his father, who settled at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where Andrew remained until 1873, when he entered the theological college at Springfield, Ills., graduating therefrom in the year 1879. He labored in the cause of Christ in southern Dakota, in the home mission field, for about six years, when he received a call from his present congregation, and came to this portion of the Lord's vineyard, where he has done much good work. May 13, 1880, he was united in the bonds of matrimony with Ottilie Krumbholz, and they have been the parents of four children, born as follows : Alwine, October 9, 1881 ; Andrew, May 21, 1883; John, April 5, 1885, and Ottilie, July 13, 1887. Uis father and brother now reside in lovva.

Other Prominent Citizens

In addition to the parties who have already been noticed at length, we here present biographies of a number of prominent citizens who should receive notice in the annals of Freedom.

John E. Geary was born in Scotland. July 28, 181:0, and was brought to the United States in 1842 by his parents, who settled in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., where he remained until August 15, 1862, when he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Forty-second New York Infantry, and served in the front some three years, and was discharged at Albany, N. Y., June 15, 1865, when he returned to his parents' home. He remained there until November, 1877, when he came to Freedom Township and purchasing a farm of 120 acres, on section 18, where he now lives, settled down as a farmer and stock-raiser. March 14, 1867, he was united in marriage with Eliza Fields, and they have had a family of six children :

Charles Cunningham was born in Vermillion County, Canada, July 14, 1820. Ho was left an orphan at an early age and drifted from one occupation to another until 1836, when he came to Chicago, where he followed the occupations of peddler, mail carrier and often Indian trader. From there he went to "Wisconsin, where he chopped wood in the fall and winter of 1838. In the following year he drove a stage in Indiana, and in 1840 followed the same vocation in Ohio. A few years later we find him in the lead mines at Galena, lU., but from there he drifted back to Milwaukee, where he ran a dray line for some time. This he sold out and then went to work for Levi Blossom, of the Eagle brewer}', and who, as he had no education, sent him to the high school at Paris, 111. When he returned from there he sold beer for the brewery all daj', and attended school during the evening. In this way lie obtained considerable education, and being qualified for the position, was made traveling agent for the brewer}', and continued in that capacity for several years. He then was a member of the police force, and also kept an eating-house for several years. After this acted as deputy United States marshal. During the war was engaged in the South as government cotton and cane gatherer, and for other parties raised cotton, bought mules, etc. In 1865 he purchased a farm in Racine County, Wis., where he lived until 1870, when he removed to this town and county, where he has a fine large farm of 439 acres of well improved land. July 2, 1850, he was married to Bridget Hanly, and they have now living seven children : Sarah Jane, Mar\', Charles H., John R., Anna, Frank and James A. Mr. Cunningham is a director in the proposed Alton, Mankato & St. Cloud Railroad.

Ole O. Oien was born in Norwaj', October 3, 1837. On coming to America he settled in Wisconsin, where he engaged in fishing for two years and tlien worlied on a farm one year. He then removed to Minnesota and spent seven weeks in looking around and trying to find a suitable place to live. He at last settled on the nortlieast quarter of section 32, this township, where he now has a large house beautifully situated on his farm, and carries on farming and stock-raising. Mr. Oien was united in marriage, October 7, 1874, to Torbgoer Torgerson, who died June 11, 1883. They were the parents of two children : Oscar Olson, born February 11, 1878, and Ida Bardine, born December 10, 1881.

Abner E. Comstock was born in New York State, July 2, 1852 and is the son of Orsini and Martha Comstock. He was reared and educated in the old Empire State, and resided there until he was seventeen years old. His father died there February 2, 1861, and in 1869 Abner came to Minnesota, bringing with him his mother, and settled in Blue Earth County, where he lived until 1879, when he removed to a farm on section 7, in this town, which he had purchased in 1873 of his brother Hiram. In 1886 he added to this farm some eighty acres, and now has a fine farm of 220 acres, well improved and thoroughly stocked. He has been quite successful in his farming operations, for intelligent tillage in Minnesota always brings a full reward. May 21, 1871, he was united in marriage with Sarah Earl, and they have been the parents of five children : Lena Earl, born January 17, 1876, died January 18 ; Deward E., born March 21:, 1878 ; Henry B., October 2, 1882 ; Daisy L., born May 30, 1883 ; Ray F., born May 9, 1885.

Samuel Hodgkins was born in the State of New York, June 15, 1839, and is the son of William and Almira Hodgkins. He reinained at home with his parents until May 1, 1861, when he enlisted in Company K,

Eighteenth New Y^ork Infantry, and served until May 28, 1863, when he was honorably discharged. He returned to his father's house, where he remained until the 7th of August of the same year, when he reenlisted in Company C, Fourteenth New York Heavy Artillery, and while in that regiment received injuries from which he will never recover. He received his final discharge in Se]3tember, 1865, when he again returned home. December 28, 1S()5, he was united in marriage with Lucretia Ackerman, and then rented liis father's farm, where he remained some four j'ears. Selling what he had he then came to this town and county, arriving here April 7, 1870. He purchased an eightj'-acre piece of wild land for $500. He rented a farm the first year, but his crop was a total failure, and it is said of him that the sum of his earnings for eighteen months was about $2.00. He has now a finely cultivated, well improved farm of 320 acres of land, all paid for and free from any incumbrance. Mr. and Mrs. Hodgkins are the parents of seven children, born as follows : Smitii, April 23, 1867 ; Charles, August U, 1869 ; Milo, August 15, 1871 ; Samuel, August 19, 1874 ; David, July 10, 1876 ; an infant in March 1878, died the next month, and Nelly J., February 11, 1873.

Jeremiah Macke^' is a native of County Clare, Ireland, born in 1813. He lived in the land of his birth until 1841, when he crossed the ocean to America, and, on landing here, remained in New York for a couple of months, and then went to Boston, Mass., where he kept a grocery store and ran a job wagon for some fourteen years. He then came west, locating at Watertown, Wis., where he worked on the railroad until the year 1874, when he came to Waseca County, and settled on the farm on section 29, in this township, which he had purchased previous to his moving here. He has now one of the finest places in the town, with excellent buildings, all surrounded with fine groves. He was married in 1843 to Cathei'ine Man- ning, and thej- have been the parents of four children : Mary Ann, deceased ; John, married to Mar}^ O'Leary, living in this town ; Michael and Catherine (deceased).

Daniel N. Mandigo was born in Canada, July 15, 1840. lie came to the United States in lSfi2, and settled at Medo, Blue Earth County, this State, where he preempted land on section 1-1 of that town. In 1809 he sold out there and came to this county, settling on section 30, where he now lives. When he came to this State he had §ll as the sum of his earthly possessions, but by earnest work and thrift he has acquired a line property. In 1863 he enlisted in Company F, First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, and was in active service until the fall of 1865, when he was discharged. On returning to this State he ran rafts on the Mississippi River for about two years, and then freighted provisions to Fort Thompson for the Indians. He was fired on several times by the savages, but was lucky enough to escape unhurt. November 10, 1867, he was united in marriage with Janet Remington, who was born May 25, 1850. They have a family of six children : Geneva, born August 9, 1869 ; Lettie, born October 29, 1871 ; Clara, August 23, 1873 ; Mary Jane, March 14, 1882 ; Charles, November 2, 1885, and Guy, June 17, 1887.