Waseca County, Minnesota - Chapter 68, 1905

Bishman Golden Wedding

The county commissioners this year met on Jan. 3, ilr. Joseph Fromlath being chosen chairman of the board and purchasingagent for the county. The county printing of the year was let to the lowest bidder and was divided among the papers of the county as follows : the publication of the delinquent tax list went to the Radical ; proceedings of the county board of equali- . zation, to the Janesville Argus; proceedings of the county commissioners, to the Janesville Democrat ; the financial statement to the Waseca Herald; the printing and furnishing of stationery and county blanks, to the Waseca Journal.

At the meeting of March 21, only routine business was transacted except the small appropriation of $45.07 to satisfy the bridge balance claimed by the Gillette, Herzog Co.

At the meeting of May 5, it was ordered that the county build seven new steel bridges, and that the auditor be instructed to advertise for bids for building the same. It was also ordered that the purchasing agent purchase five No. 2 Austin & Weston wheel road scrapers for use of the county ; that $150 be appropriated to the town of Blooming Grove, to be expended as follows : $75 for grading roads between sections 10 and 11, $75 for urading road between sections 15 and 21; that an appropriation of $100 be granted to the town of Wilton for grading road between sections 19 and 30; that the town of Freedom be granted $40 for replanking bridge over Cobbee creek in section 34; that the town of Alton be granted $150 to be expended as follows : $100 for grading on new road in section 34, and $50 for grading on road in section 37.

At the meeting of j\Iay 19, the contract for building seven steel bridges was awarded to the Gillette, Herzog Manufacturing Co., of Minneapolis, for the sum of $3,997. The sum of sixtj' dollars Avas appropriated to the town of Freedom for steel for repairing bridge between sections 1 and 12. The sum of $200 was ap- Ijropriated to the town of Janesville to be expended as follows: $50 for grading on county line road on west line of section 19 ; $25 on bridge at "\Ym. Jamison's in section 15; $65 on bridge on iieAv road in section 22, and $60 on bridge on east and west road in section 12. An appropriation of $170 was made to the town of AVoodville to be expended as follows : $30 to grade hill on center line of section 21 ; $50 to grade new road in section 23 ; $40 to grade road between sections 5 and 6, and $50 to grade load running south from Waseca in sections 29 and 30. An appropriation of $100 was made to the town of Vivian, $50 of which was to be expended for grading road in section 26, and $50 on road leading to New Richland between sections 11 and 14.

To the town of Janesville, $150 to be expended on north and south (luai'ter-line road on section 22 in said town, and the supervisors of said town were also authorized to expend the $50 appropriated to said town at the May session of the board; to Byron township, $195 to be expended as follows: $135 tor bridge over Boot creek, between sections 24 and 25 - $20 for repairing bridge between sections 27 and 28 - $35 for repairing bridge between sections 17 and 20; to the town of New Richland, $200 to be expended as follows: $50 for grading on I'oad between sections 23 and 24 - $50 for grading road between sections 15 and 21, $50 for grading road between sections 18 and 19, and $50 for grading road between sections 7 and 18; also, $200 to St. Mary, to Pe .'xpcnded as follows: $150 to build new bridge on road running east and west between sections 21 and 28, $25 for grading road between sections 18 and 19, and $25 for grading on town line road between St. Mary and Woodville, on section 1; to Otisco the sum of $150 to be applied as follows: $80 to build a new bridge over the Little LeSueur, in section 8, $50 for grading road between sections 17 and 20, and $20 for grading on east and west road across section 22; to Freedom, $40 to build bridge between sections 1 and 12, in said town.

At the meeting October 17, 1899, the county commissioners under whose supervision various bridges had been built in the county by the Gillette, Herzog Manufacturing Company, having reported the work as about completed in a satisfactory manner, it was ordered that $3,517.00 be appropriated as part payment for the same, to be paid at once, the remaining $500 to be paid when the bridges were completed and approved by the commissioner having each bridge in charge.

To Strunk and Gaehler, for building stone foundations for the "Guse" bridge, as per contract, $67.50; to Ludwlg Guse for furnishing fifteen cords of stone for the "Guse" bridge, $90. The pay roll submitted by Commissioners Lewer, Fromlath, and Doyle for superintending the building of steel bridges and labor performed in grading approaches to the same, amounting, to $239.50, was approved and allowed.

Masonic Reminiscences. '

"Among the early organizations of this county that have quietly exercised more or less influence upon society, none exceeds in importance or merit that of the Masonic fraternity. The ideal objects and purposes of Masonry are brotherly love, equal rights and privileges, charity and good citizenship, honesty, sobriety, purity, and the protection of the homes of its members. Ancient Free Masonry has no sectarian creed save one - a belief in God - the Great Architect of the Universe, the brotherhood of man, and the equal rights of all mankind.

"The first permanent settlement of the county commenced in 1855. In 1857, Col. John Calvin Ide built a steam sawmill at Wilton, on the west bank of the Le Sueur, just below where the present Wilton bridge spans that stream. He finished off the upper part of the mill for use as a lodge room, and on the first day of June, 1857, the first lodge in the county was organized, 'under dispensation,' with Jesse I. Stewart, worshipful master, John C. Ide, senior warden, H. P. Norton, junior warden, E. A. Rice, treasurer, H. S. Edmondson, secretary, Thos. L. Paige, senior deacon, Buel Welch, junior deacon, and John Magill, tyler. The other members of the TJ. D. lodge, as far as we could learn, were Isaac C. Price, W. S. Baker, J. R. West and H. P. West. There may have been others, but the lodge records having been destroyed by fire, we are unable to give more definite information. Wilton lodge No. 24 received its charter on January 8, 1858, or, at least, it was instituted on that day, with Col. John C. Ide worshipful master, Thos. L. Paige senior warden, Buel Welch junior warden, P. C. Bailey treasurer, H. P. West secretary, I. C. Price senior deacon, J. R. West junior deacon, D. D. Stevens, tyler. This was the only Masonic lodge in the county from that time until December 11, 1868, when Tuscan lodge No. 77 was instituted in Waseca. The Wilton lodge membership extended throughout the county. The lodge remained at Wilton until November 21, 1883, when it was removed to Alma City, where it now has a habitation. It contained many relics of the early days and its records were valuable as a portion of our early history, but they were all destroyed by a fire which occurred May 23, 1896. There is a third lodge at Janesville which commenced work under dispensation August 10, 1875, with Dr. R. O. Craig worshipful master, E. H. Gosper senior warden, P. H. Miner junior warden, R. M. Redfleld sen;pr deacon, J. W. Tefft junior deacon, S. C. L. Moore senior Stewart, C. H. Younglove junior Stewart, R. Heritage tyler. The other members were R. N. Sacket, Kelsey Curtis, Darling Welch, and J. O. Chandler.

"As to Tuscan Lodge No. 77, of Waseca, we learn that as early as December 11, 1868, the first formal meeting of Masons was held in the hall, in the upper story of what was known tor many years as the "Radical" building, on the corner of Second street and Lake avenue, occupying the lot where the Koerbitz bakery and restaurant building now stands. Those present at that meeting were Maj. Wm. T. Kittredge, Capt. B. M. Broughton, N. E. Strong, E. G. Wood, Lewis Brownell, H. P. Norton, B. S. Lewis, Frank Miner, Judge H. D. Baldwin, and James E. Child - ten of us. Of these. Major Kittredge, Lewis Brownell, and B. g. Lewis have been transferred to the realms of space 'from whose bourn no traveler returns.' Capt. Broughton moved away some years ago. N. B. Strong resides in Pomona, California. Judge Baldwin is at Redwood Falls, Frank Miner resides in Janesville. Norton, Wood and Child are now the only ones of the original organizers left in the city.

"This meeting was held to accept a charter under dispensation from the Grand Master, C. W. Nash, authorizing Wm. T. Kittredge, as worshipful master, B. M. Broughton, as senior warden, and N. E. Sti'ong, as junior warden, to organize a lodge for 'work and instruction.' The muster appointed as subordinate officers, H. P. Norton, secretary: Lewis Brownell, treasurer; B. S. Lewis, senior deacon; E. G. Wood, junior deacon; James E. Child, tyler.

"It was also ordered that Bro. Strong supply the lodge with a copy of the 'Holy Bible' and necessary stationery - that Bro. Lewis see to procuring a suitable altar and other necessary wooden furniture - and that Bro. Broughton procure aprons and lodge jewels.

"The petitioning members, not mentioned hereinbefore, were James O. Chandler and Jesse W. Tefft, then of Janesville, Orin T. Roice, Jonathan Shaw, and Henry Willyard - fifteen in all on the lodge roll.

"The lodge, under dispensation, 'rode the goaf and did active work, and on the 14th of January, 1869, a charter was issued by order of the grand lodge. On the 21st ,of the same month the members elected their first ofiBcers, as follows: Wm. T. Kittredge, worshipful master; B. M. Broughton, senior warden; N. E. Strong, junior warden; Lewis Brownell, treasurer; James B. Child, secretary. The appointed officers were: B. S. Lewis, senior deacon; Eri G. Wood, junior deacon; Prank Miner, tyler.

Right. Worthy Deputy Grand Master, C. W. Daniels, assisted by Rev. Dubois, both of Faribault, came over, instituted the new lodge and installed its officers in a very impressive manner.

"Their first public banquet took place on this occasion, the same being served by Mr. Vincent, at what was then known as the Vincent hotel, situated on the northwest corner of Second and Wood streets.

"Wm. Everett, the first man to build a dry goods and general assortment store, in Waseca, was the first candidate for Masonry in the new lodge. Following immediately after, came Henry J. Wadsworth, A. E. Dearborn, Bdward Bennett, and W. S. Libby, none of whom are now with us. The expense to each member of maintaining the organization at that time may be judged by the fact that the membership dues were four dollars a year, payable quarterly.

"The lodge records show that from the organization of the lodge until the year 1879, it was the custom to have a banquet at the time of the installation of officers, generally the latter part of December; but since then the fraternity have held an annual banquet in honor of the 'Father of our country,' who was a distinguished master mason of his day.

"Tuscan lodge No. 77 has a valuable piece of furniture, the Master's chair, which is covered with nearly all the emblems of Masonry carved upon it. It is a master piece of workmanship, and was conceived and manufactured by Mr. George Webb, late of Waseca. He informed us that he commenced work upon it in 1868, and completed it in 1881. He was offered $40 for it, but concluded to present it to Tuscan lodge. It is charming and unique in its workmanship and is more admired by masons than any other object in the lodge room."

From the "Radical" building the lodge moved first to the Trowbridge block hall over the clothing store of Leuthold Bros. - next to what is known as Odd Fellow's hall, and last to the hall in the Hendriekson building, corner of Second and Wood streets. The order is in a flourishing condition in Waseca and has a very convenient lodge room, occupied jointly by the Chapter, the 0. E. S. and the j\laster Masons.

Weather And Storms

"That was a mighty cold streak of weather that struck Minnesota, Friday night. May 12, 1899. Ice formed a quarter of an inch thick in a tub of water at our house. Saturday was raw and cold, and Sunday morning there was a sprinkle of rain mixed with snow. Monday opened with a cold, northeast thunder storm althouijh there was very little rainfall. While small grain is looking fine, corn is kept back by the cold weather." - Herald of May 19, 1899.

Only one severe storm was noted this year. On May 30, this county suffered to some extent, especially the southwestern part. Wilton suffered more than anj' other locality heard from.

Mr. Tim Linnihan's granary and sheds, on his farm, were torn down. Mr. Alartin Sheran, Sr., sustained considerable damage to his house and machinery. At the farm of Andrew L^-nch. trees were twisted off and considerable damage done. ilrs. Frederick's windmill was torn down, and the chimneys on her house demolished. Patrick McDonough, Jr., found his barn wrenched from its foundation and damaged to some extent. The machine shed, hen house, and buggy of Eugene Bird were shattered, and some of his trees broken down. Mr. Wm. Van Loh also suffered severe losses. The storm M^as heavy throughout the county, but no other serious damage resulted.

The following newspaper note of Dec. 1, 1899, is reproduced : On the night ot the 21st of November, last year, we received an oldtashioned "nor'wester." Over six inches of snow fell, and the next day was very cold with a high wind which drifted the snow very much. The roads were left in bad shape, as there was neither good sleighing nor wagoning. Quite a contrast with this year, as we are now enjoying most beautiful weather - more like early October than December. The snow of Nov. 21, last year, remained during the winter.

Destructive Fire

There was but one very destructive fire during' the year. At the early morning hour of two o'clock, Feb. 27, 1S99, the sharp clan;,' of the fire bell rang out upon the night air, and the hoarse.

tliimdertones of the city plant whistle vociferously proclaimed a gi-eat fire in what was known as the McCue building, one of the first large buildings constructed in Waseca. It was built about 1868, and was occupied, at the time of the fire, by several persons. The hall in the upper story was rented to ]\IcKune post, G. A. R. Nearly all of the post property was consumed except the guns Avhich Avere not materially injured. All the pictures, relics and keep-sakes Avere destroyed. The ground floor was occupied by Mv. Ed. Castor's jewerly store, Augi;st Santo 's saloon, and Kast Bros.' barber shop. Adjoining, on the north of the McCue building, was a house occupied by Mr. and Mrs. P. W. Hagan, as residence and millinery shop. The burned buildings belonged to the W. G. Ward estate.

Called Home In 1899

The death roll was longer than usual this year. The first to be called was Mrs. Ursalena Remund, wife of Samuel Remund, of Blooming Grove. She was born at Canton Grisons, Switzerland, Feb. 22, 1845, and died at the Samaritan Home, Waterville, Minn., January 9, 1899, at 6:30 o'clock a. m., after a somewhat prolonged illness. She came to America in 1866, locating at Alma, Wis., where she was united in marriage with Mr. Henry Rover. They afterwards came to Winona, Minn., where they remained two years, moving thence to Faribault, Minn., where IMr. Rover died. On the 30th day of July, 1874, she was again united in marriage with Samuel Remund, and assumed the duties of mother in a family of ten children, the youngest of whom was less than two years of age. It is the least that could be said, to say that she performed her every duty and was a most thoughtful, selfsacrificing and loving mother.

Michael Spillane, Sr., aged eighty-nine years and five months, died at his home in Woodville, Jan. 13, 1899, of old age and grippe. He was born in Waterford, Ireland, in September, 1809. He came to New York in 1847, where he remained until 1851, when he came west and settled in Watipun, Wisconsin. There he married Mrs. Stockfleeth, a widow. He came to Woodville in 1867, and settled on. his farm near the east line of the township.

to Boston, Mass., in 1843. In 1851, she married Michael ilc- Gonagle. They came west to Iowa in 1855, remained there about a year, coming to St. Mary in 1856. She was the mother of nine children, eight of whom survive her - four sons and four daughters. She was sick only about a week and died of heart disease. She was one of the brave, pioneer women of ^Minnesota and worthy of all honor. Her I'emains rest in the St. ilary Catholic cemetery.

Died, Jan. 24, 1899, ilr. Xels A. Xelson, of Blooming Grove. He was the son of ]Mr. Andrew Xelson, one of the honored early settlers of that town. Deceased was born in the town where he died, March 22, 1865, and was engaged in farming. He died of typhoid fever.

From the Herald: Another early settler and a G. A. R. veteran has passed to the "Great Beyond." W. C. Johnston received a telegram last Friday announcing the death of his father, Charles W. Johnston, in San Francisco, Cal., on that day, Feb. 17, 1899, of Bright's disease. Mr. Johnston was among the first to enlist in Company F, Tenth Regiment Minnesota Volunteers. He was mustered in August 18, 1862, and was honorably discharged May 16, 1865. He was a faithful soldier and was highly esteemed by his officers and comrades.

Mr. Andrew Matz, Sr., died at the home of his son George, in St. Maiy, April 9, at 5:46 o'clock, at the age of seventy-six yeai-s. He came to this county about 1869. Five sons and one daughter survive him, all of them wealthy farmers.

Died, Hon. L. D. Smith, of Alton, on Friday, April 14, 1899, in his sixty-ninth year, of a complication of diseases. His parents were pioneer settlers in Ohio, and he was born in ]\Iedina county. June 29, 1830. He was married Jime 14, 1858, to Lucinda R. Lamb who survived him. He came to IMinnesota in an early day and first settled in the neighborhood of Hopkin's station, near Minneapolis. He came to Alton, in the early days of that township, and became conspicuous as farmer and successful apiarist and honey producer. In the fall of 1873 he was elected a member of the house of representatives of this state, a position which he filled with honor, fidelity, and ability. He afterwards sold his farm and engaged in the cooper business at Albert Lea. He next removed to Tennessee, where he did not remain long. returning to this county some three or four years prior to his

Died, April 17, 1899, at 11 o'clock p. m., of neuralgia of the heart, George R. Buckman, of Waseca, ]\Iinn., aged sixty-six years, three months and twenty-four days. An extended sketch of his life and public services may be found elsewhere in this work.

]Mr. AndreAv Lang, of Wilton, died April 27, 1899. He came to this county about 1868, and first settled in the town of Janesville. He afterwards removed to Wilton where he had lived a number of years. He was well and favorably known to a large number of citizens, and a large concourse of people attended his funeral. He was buried in the Janesville Catholic cemetery. He left a widow, two sons, and two daughters.

May 13, 1899, death called another old settler to cross the river Styx, and this time it was no less a personage than John L. Graham, of Janesville. He was born in Peimslyvania, August 31, 1810, and was nearly eighty-nine years of age. He was married to Miss Emma Heemans in 1841, and came West in 1863, first stopping in Houston county. In 1865 he and his family settled in Freedom. He had three sons, 0. E., of the "Radical," Arthur, a prominent farmer in Freedom, and Ernest, of Hayward, Wis. He was an outspoken, iipright man, and thoroughly honest, even in his prejudices, which were many and strong.

Mr. Ebenezer B. Stearns, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere, died May 15, 1899, at the age of eighty-six years, seven months and fourteen days.

Herald, Waseca: The death of Adna Carpenter, of Janesville, is announced by the Argus. It appears that he died Tuesday afternoon, at 2 o'clock, June 29, 1899, at the Astoria, in St. Paul, of stomach trouble. He was receiving treatment from a specialist there, and died rather unexpectedly. Mr. Carpenter was one of the pioneer settlers in Alton, adjoining Janesville, and was known as a Janesville man. He was well known as an extensive stock buyer at one time, and both made and lost money in the business. He left a wife and two daughters to mourn his departure.

Mrs. Clarissa Northup, widow of Caleb Northup, died July 25, 1899, at 8 o'clock a. m., at Balaton, Minn., aged eighty-six years. Deceased was born in Rhode Island in 1813, and when she was very young her parents removed to Alleghany county. New York. She married Mr. Caleb Northup in 1833, at

Hornersville in that state. In 1843, they came west to Dodge county, Wis., some three ov four miles east of Horicon. This was a timbered country, and it was at their home in that place wh('re the writer first met deceased. This was in the month of April, 184"). ]\lr. Northup had chopped and cleared several acres of land, built a log house and a log stable. The family was then busily engaged in manufacturing maple sugar and syrup which constituted about the only crop that brought any money to the timber settler. As bedtime approached the family gathered about the big fireplace, the father read a portion of the Scriptures and the mother poured out her soul in genuine prayer. We have always remembered the kindness and hospitality extended to us by this "mother in Israel." There may be what some people term more genteel religion or worship, but there can be no truer devotion than that which was manifested on that occasion in the log cabin in the then frontier settlement of the great West. They remained in Wisconsin imtil ISritj, Avheii they came to Minnesota and settled on section 36 in the town of Wilton. Here they endured all the hardships incident to pioneer life until about 1866, when they removed to Warsaw, Rice county. Nine years afterwards Mr. Northup died and was buried there. After his death Mrs. Northup lived with her children, six of whom survived her. Her remains were taken to Warsaw, Minn., and laid beside those of her husband. "Grandma" Bailey, almost ninety-six years of age, was one of the really old settlers of the county. She was born Oct. 13, 1803, and went to her final sleep about midnight, August 25, 1899. She was a New Yorker and resided near Utica. Her husband died in 1854, and she came West with her daughter, afterwards Mrs. West, in 1857, where she joined her son, Hon. P. C. Bailey, at Wilton. Since that time she always made her home with him. Physically she was a very remarkable woman, having enjoyed good health nearly all her life. For a number of years prior to her death, except for a few months immediately preceding her death, she made regular calls tipon her old acquaintances to whom she would tell over and over some of her life experiences. She was always a welcome caller. She was "short" on professions but "long" on good works all her life.

Mr. H. H. Sudduth, partner of Mr. S. H. Preston, of Waseca, in the drug business, died suddenly Oct. 7, 1899. He was apparently in his usual health all day, and about 10 o'clock in the evening called at the residence of F. A. Roth, by appointment, as Mrs. Roth had arranged to go over to stay with the Sudduths that night, Mr. Roth being absent. As he entered, Mrs. Roth noticed that he looked very pale and, in surprise, asked if he was sick. He faintly replied, "Just tired out," and fell to the floor. Mrs. Roth called in the immediate neighbors, sent for :Mrs. Sudduth and Dr. Swartwood, and all was done that could be done, but to no avail. He breathed his last about 1 o 'clock Sunday morning. His wife, a son and a daughter survived him.

From the Herald: "A dispatch of Nov. 1, brought the heart-rending news that a head-end collision between a passenger and a freight train occurred a mile and a half west of Courtland village about 6 o'clock. The locomotives of both trains were ditched, a number of cars -were derailed, and Charles Hanson, engineer on the passenger train, was fatally injured, dying about four hours after the accident. The freight train, going west, was in charge of Conductor Chapman, with Engineer Lindell and Fireman Williams. The conductor and engineer both live in this city. Williams, we learn, is of Winona, Conductor Moses Gage, of Winona, had charge of the passenger train coming east, with Charles Hanson engineer and Wm. Cleary fireman - the two latter being residents of Waseca. Mr. Hanson was an old resident of this city, one of the oldest railroad employes on the Northwestern system, and was well known throughout the Northwest."

Mrs. Annie Rebstein, of Waseca, died Nov. 13, 1899, in her eighty-first year. She had been ailing for a year or more with physical disabilities incident to old age. She came from near the city of Baden, Germany, about 1858 and settled in Otisco. Some years after this, she married Mr. Rebstein. After living on the farm for many years they sold it and removed to Waseca. Mr. Rebstein died a few years prior to this, and since then she had resided alone most of the time. Mr. Joseph Fromlath, of Otisco, looked after her business affairs.

Another old settler suddenly joined the great majority on the Eternity side of the River of Death, Nov. 28, 1899. Mr. Thos. Brady, an early settler in Byron, on that day, about 4 o'clock p. m., while walking on the street in New Riehland, near Newf^aard 's cdi'iiei-, suddenly fell, dyiiiL;- almost instantly without a partini;- word. It seems that he had been a sufferer from heart trouble for several years, but on this oeeasioa he hail no warning- of the sudden change. Only a few seeonds Ix'fore he had been talking with friends, and appeared to be in the enjoyment of his usual health. He was about fifty-two years of age and had been a resident of Hyron about thii'ty-two years.

]\lr. John Dalton, a prominent farmer of Iosco, died of paraylsis Uee. S, ISDl). He was one of the pall benrei-s at the funeral of .Mr. Patrick JMoonan, and at that time contracted a cold which, it is claimed, I'esulted in pi-ogressive paralysis. lie was a man highly respected among his neighbors and ac(piaintanees.

Near the close of the year a vei'y sad death occurred. ]\Ii-. Albert Elton, about twent>'-five >'ears old, son of August Elton, of was acciilentaJly shot, Dec. 21, IS!);), by (lustof Ziesman, aged about thirty years, Avhile they wer(> hunting i-abbits. The accident happened about noon and ^Vlhert died about five hours afterwards. Drs. Cummings and Blanehard were called, but the unfortunate young man was beyond the help of surgical aid. It appears, from all that can be learned, that Ziesman was trying to put a cartridge into his gun, that Elton was standing sonu> ciglit oi- ten feet away, autl that, in some way. the cartridge exploded, driving 1lie charge through Elton's right arm and into his body. The shot penetrated his lungs and caused his death in a few hours.

A Golden Wedding

The golden wedding of ^Ir. and Mrs. Adam Bislnnan was duly celebrated by a large family reunion, Sept. 2, 1S;)I). ^\side from the children and grandchildren there were present ('apt. John Brandt (brother of Mrs. Bishmau) and wifi', and Capt. -lohn Knapp and wife, the latter being a, sister of ^li-s. Bishman. These relatives reside near Syrac\is(>. N. Y. The occasion was one of nuu'h pleasure to all the partici[)ants.