Washington County, Minnesota - Chapter 46: Kilt St Claim - Mills - 1ius1ness Houses, 1881

Chapter 46: Kilt St Claim - Mills - 1ius1ness Houses

William Kent made a claim of the land on which the village of "Osceola" now stands, in 1844, located on section 27, township 34, range 19, surveyed and platted by F. G. Murry April 26th, 1855. The honor of naming the town was given to James Livingston, after the Florida chief "Osceola." It is said that he made the offer of two sheep for the privilege, which was granted. The Osceola Lumber Corn- pany was organized in the fall of 1844, consist¬ ing of Colonel William Nobles and brother, II. Walker, W. O. Mahoney and W. Kent; the com¬ pany taking steps at once for the erection of a mill. The timber for the frame of their mill was purchased of Messrs. Taylor and Baker, of Tay¬ lor's Falls, who had commenced the erection of a mill in 1839, but had relinquished the enterprise. The mill when completed was 40x60, two stories high. The power consisted of an old-fashioned flutter-wheel, which they replaced with a 28-foot overshot-wheel in 1846; receiving their supply of water from Osceola creek. The mill was equipped with two muley and one lath saws, with a capacity of 10,000 feet every twenty-four hours. In 1847, Nobles Brothers and II. Walker sold their interest to Anson Northrup, and the firm became Northrup, Mahoney and Kent. In 1848, Northrup sold life interest to Mahoney and Kent, who ran the mill until 1862 under the firm name of Kent and Mahoney, when Mahoney sold his interest to Kent Brothers. There were five brothers in the firm. In 1866 they rebuilt the mill, making it 60x80, placing a 45-foot overshotwheel, adding two sash-saws, one circular, and one lath and shingle machine. They continued the operation of the mill until 1862, when they failed, and the property passed into the hands of B. II. Campbell of Galena, Illinois.

In 1865, Mr. Campbell removed the overshot wheel and placed instead a twenty-two-inch Leff el wheel, which proved to be too large for the supply of water. After a large expenditure of money, the enterprise was abandoned and the machinery sold for a nominal sum. The Cascade Flouring mills were built by Kent Brothers in 1852; size, 30x40; four stories; and propelled by an overshot wheel. It had two run of stone. In 1802, this property also passed into the hands of B. II. Campbell, who mado some repairs and improvements, replacing the old wheel with a new twenty-eight- foot over shot wheel. The mill was leased to different parties until 1870, when Emil Munch purchased the mill, and made several improvements, replacing the over shot wheel with a sixteen-inch LefFel wheel, adding another run of stone, with a purifier and packer, all at an expense of some $3,000. lie operated the mill until 1874, when he turned it over to the creditors. It was purchased by F. G. Mayo and

Company. In 1876, Mr. Mayo became sole pro¬ prietor. He also made some improvements, mak¬ ing it a mill with a capacity of thirty to forty barrels each twenty-four hours. It was op¬ erated until July 4th, 1880, when it was destroyed by fire, being the oldest mill in Polk county.

The City mills were built by George Wilson, S. B. Dresser and W. II. Barnes, in 1869 and 1870; size, 28x40; two and one-half stories and base¬ ment, using a thirty-inch turbine wheel as power. Mr. Barnes sold his interest to the other mem¬ bers of the firm prior to the completion of the mill. The mill was oi>erated as a custom mill, with two run of stone. The following year they attached a ware rbom, 28x30 feet, one story. In 1876, the mills were purchased by the firm of Ilowell, Ilappock and R. B. Greenwood, of New York, who placed P. A. Sandberg in charge fora while, when it was transferred to the charge of Endow and Breitner. In 1877, Wm. Endow purchased the property and refitted the mill, putting in a new twenty-inch LelTel wheel in place of the old turbine, with other improvements, which enables them to grind from 150 to 200 bushels of grist per day.

The Osceola brewery was established in 1867 by Veit Geiger as a hand brewery. Until 1872 he occupied a small frame build¬ ing, 20x30 feet, when he added a stone building, 23x50 feet, two stories. Ho has cellars extending, one forty and the - other thirty feet, into the rock in the rear of the main building. Mr. Geiger manufactures from 150 to 200 barrels each year.

The Osceola Mill company opened the first store with a stock of general merchandise in the village, which they continued until 1802. The next store opened was by Wyckoff and Stevens, in 1856, occupying the front room of Win. Guild s house. The building is now owned by W. Batnsey. The next was by Mr. Fisk in a room of the Wilson house. The fourth by Bice Webb, in 1857, in the front room of his house. The build¬ ing is now owned by W. A. Talboys.

The first store room was built by Bice Webb, in 1858, 20x40, one story. After the completion of his building he took as partner L. D. Newell, now of Prescott. In 1860, Mr. Webb purchased Mr. Newells interest, continuing the business alone until 1865, when he disposed of his entire interest to Messrs. Talboys and Staples. In 1872 Mr. Tallioys purchased Air. Staples' interest, and continued in trade until 1876, when he closed up liis business. In 1877 F. C. Mayo ojiened up a trade in the same store with a stock of goods, con¬ tinuing in trade until the fall of 1878, when the stock and store were destroyed by fire, which ended his commercial career. In 1802 Russell Gridley erected a store, and continued in trade until 1863, when S. S. Fifield, then editor of the Polk County Press, purchased his interest, and the building was afterwards used as a printing office.

E. II. Armstrong and Company opened up trade with a stock of goods, in 1862, in a building built by W. Ayers in 1858, continued in trade until 1864, when the stock was purchased by Dresser, Wilson and Armstrong, and removed to a store built by C. P. Garlick, now Dresser Broth¬ ers. They continued trade until 1867, when D. W. Armstrong withdrew, and the firm of Dresser and Wilson continued until May, 1873, when P. B. Lacy and J. II. Johnson, of St. Croix, pur¬ chased the stock and continued trade for one year, when they returned to St. Croix. In May, 1875, A. A. Heald and B. A. Thing rented the store and with a stock of goods continued in trade until July, 1877, when they removed their stock to the llowcliff building; improvements were made to the building, extending it in length and raising it one story, and fitting up rooms above for the Masonic hall. They continued the use of this until January 2d, 1879, when it was destroyed by fire. They at once erected a new stone build¬ ing 30x70 feet, two stories; the upper story was fitted up for the Masonic hall. Stephen Rowcliff opened trade with a stock of goods in the spring of 1871, closed out that stock in 1874, but in connection with the post-office he dealt in no¬ tions and confectionery. In 1877 he erected a small building 20x30, where he continues the trade in connection with the post-office. Dresser Brothers opened trade with a stock of goods in the Garlick store, July, 1877. The following year they erected a ware-house 25x40. William Kent, the genial captain, erected a store in May, 1878,26x70; is still in trade.

The drug trade was first established in Osceola by S. S. Fifield and Dr. C. B. Marshall, in 1868. Tlo year following, Mr. Marshall sold his stock to

S. S. Fifield, who continued the trade until 1870, when he closed out his stock to W. C. Guild. In 1873 the stock was purchased by C. II. Staples, who, in 1879, built a new store 24x40, and con¬ tinued trade until 1880, when he was succeeded by his son, C. W. Staples, who still continues the trade.

The furniture trade was first established by Robert Kent, in 1878, in a building located on the present site of the building now occupied by William Maxwell as a billiard halH but was burned January 2nd, 1879. The following spring he rebuilt on a lot opposite the office of the Polk County Press, where he is now located with a large stock of furniture.

The harness trade was first established by Fred Summerfield, about 1872; he closed out in 1876, and was followed in 1877 by Paul Filzen, over G. I). U inland's saloon. In 1878 he erected a frame building 24x45 to which he removed his stock, but was burned out. Novemlier 2nd, 1878 he returned to his old quarters. lie was settled but a few days when he was burned out again, lie erected a new brick building the same season, 24x45.

The millinery trade was first established in 1865, by Mrs. E. B. Garlick. In 1870 she erected a building 12x20. In 1873 she sold her interest to Miss Ella Walker. She sold to Mis. llenry Fi¬ field in 1875. Alls. Fifield was burned out Jan¬ uary 2nd, 1879. Alls. Garlick opened business again in 1876. She sold out to Airs. A. Prentice in 1880, but was compelled to resume the trade with the same stock

The first shoemaker was Joseph Bondelier, on lot one, block thirteen; he remained but a short time. In 1863 Thaddeus Prentice began. Then Lewis Jourgins. In 1872 came William Sum¬ merfield, followed by George II. Wilson. Then came J. Kemp, in the fall of 1876. lie sold to Henry Voegh, in 1877; he still pegs away.

The manufacture of wagons was first begun in Osceola by James Godfrey in 1860. lie con¬ tinued until 1867. He was absent at Taylor's Falls until 1871 when he returned and continued

Osceola Churches

Boat building has been carried on to some ex¬ tent at Osceola. The first boat built in the val¬ ley was by Holmes and Cummings in 1855, and named Osceola. She made one trip on the river, when she was taken below to run on the Missis¬ sippi river, between Rock Island and Muscatine. The next was by Stover and Barnes in 1807, aiid named the Pioneer, placing in it a boiler once used in a mill at Amadore, Michigan. The same year the G. B. Knapp was built by Oscar F. Knapp, also a boat known as The Dalles, built by Marshall Wench in 1867. The Minnie Will was built by C. G. Bradley in 1867. The Nellie Kent, by William Kent, in 1870, since remodeled and renamed the Mary Barnes; also the Helen Marr, built by W. Kent and J. Dudley. The Maggie Raney built by the same parties in 1876. Quite a large number of barges have also been built.

The livery business was first instituted by Ben¬ nett and Jones in 1869, which they continued for two years. Messrs. Thing and Whiting opened a stable in 1870. They sold their interest in 1880 to S. C. Benjamin.

The first public library was instituted in about 1848, and known as the Lumberman's library, about fifty volumes were contributed by two Epis¬ copal clergymen from St. Anthony. It was located in the old Kent boarding house; it has however, become extinct. In 1868, what is known as the Teachers library, was organized.

The Osceola Beading Room and Library asso¬ ciation was instituted in April, 1874, with thirty members, each paying one dollar; W. Kent, pres¬ ident; Ella Walker, vice-president; Rev. S. W. Homer, secretary; Mrs. W. Kent, treasurer; and J. C. Jorden, librarian. This organization contin¬ ued for one year, when they organized as a stock company, each member paying five dollars as membership fee; the olfices of the new company were Capt, Kent, president; II. B. Dike, secre¬ tary; Mrs. W. Kent treasurer; Mrs. EmmaFifield, librarian; this continued until the date of the great fire, since which time the surviving Ijooks were deposited in a damaged condition in Capt. W. Kent's store.

Ramsey, J. F. Nason, Charles Ayers, M. Peaslee, Isaac W. Hale, Charles Lea, Joel Scott, II. B. Nason, J. B. Wright, Nelson McCarty, J. S. God¬ frey and others, who arrived between the years of 1848 an '52.

The first birth tis reported at Osceola, was Jen¬ nie Guild, daughter of W. C. Guild, now the wife of Irvin Benson, of St. Paul. The first death was that of Leroy Hubbard, a mill hand who, in 1846, came to his death by a falling limb from a tree which he was chopping down. The next was that of Mrs. Close, in 1847. The first to obey the divine injunction " it is not good for man to be alone," in that new country, was Wm. Kent and Miss Ellen Kidder, May 22d, 1855. Made happy at the same time was Isaac Freeland and Agnes Kent. Rev. Mr. Fullerton, of Stillwater, was invited to perform the ceremony; but the patience of the happy ones was somewhat tried by the de¬ lay of the arrival of the boat containing the oflciating divine, the boat resting for a while on a sand bar. The proposition to postpone the cer¬ emony was opposed, and the justice was called, who proceeded with the ceremony, the boat arriving just in time for the minister to make the closing prayer. The next to be joined in holy wedlock, were True Foster and Mary Hays. The first preaching at this point was in 1849, by Rev. Mr. Breck, a missionary under the auspices of the Episcopal church, of St. Paul, who was on a missionary tour from St. Paul to Lake Superior.

The first Methodist Episcopal church organiza¬ tion was effected in the fall of 1854, under the ministration of Rev. G. M. Hilton in what was known as the old Kent school-house. The mem¬ bers of the first class were W. Kent Sr. and wife W. A. Talboys and wife, Joel Scott, Freeman Fenlayson and wife.

The Sabbath school was organized 1856. The society erected a church in 1867, size 32x50. The present pastor is Rev. E. Russell. The present membership is fifty-five. The First Baptist church of Osceola was organized in the fall of 1857 with six members, as follows: Rice Webb and wife, Herman Nason and wife, Rev. S. T. C'atlin and wife; Mr. Nason deacon and Mr. Webb first clerk. Services were held in the school until 1860, when, with the addition of new members came the desire to erect a church, which was ac¬ complished during the year; it was built of

The Universalist society of Osceola was organ¬ ized September 28th, 1866, with eighteen members, under the ministrations of Rev. II. S. I Jo wen, which position he held for ten yearn. The church became quite llourshing, but it has greatly de¬ creased by the removal of its members to other points.

The Osceola Lodge of I. O. O. F., No. 278, was organized March 8th, 1879. The charter mem¬ bers were W. Kent, It. Kent, Chas. Ayers, G. D. McDill, F. A. Dresser, B. A. Thing, W. Itudow, and A. Kimball. The first officers were: A. Kim¬ ball, N. G.; Chas. Ayers, V. G.; T. A. Dresser, treasurer; B. A. Thing, secretary; It. Kent, W.; G. D. McDill, conductor. The lodge holds its meetings in the building which was used as a court house until 1880, when in conjunction with the township officers they erected a building 26x74 at an expense of 51,500 ; the first floor is used for town purposes and the upper floor by the lodge. The membership at this time is about fifty ; pre¬ sent officers, W. II. Tilton, N. G.; C. II. l'easlee,

W. T. The lodge is in a nourishing condition with eighty members; they have done much toward rescuing the youth of the town from the downward rosul of intemperance. The present officers are: E. P. Sanderson, W. C. T.; Mrs. Low, AV. V. T.; Rev. E. B. Russell, W. C.; F. Staples, AV. S.; Ella Fish, W. A. S.; Rose Fish, W. F. S.; Flora Kent, W. T.

The first hotel or 1 warding- house erected at Osceola was built by Kent Brothers soon after their arrival at this point. In 1856, Isaac Free¬ land built a hotel on the present site of the Meth¬ odist church. It was destroyed the following year by lire, and was not rebuilt. The Osceola House was built by Mrs. Elizabeth Hayes in 1856 and opened as a hotel in 1857. The house was 22x32, one and one-half stories. In 1859 she made an addition by raising it one-half story, with addition 18x42. In 1861 she rented the house until 1863, when she re-occupied it and conducted it until 1867, when she sold it to Mrs. E. B. Garlick. She kept it until 1870, when she transferred it to J. F. Abbott, who ran it until November 1879, when he sold his interest to S. A. Fisk, who is now the popular "host." The "Northwestern Hotel." The erection of this house was commenced in 1857 by John Webb and John Irish, but was notcompleted until 1860 when James Kenyon purchased it. The house was somewhat singular in shape, on account of the lay of the streets which it was built to meet, being 40x60 on one side and 40x42 on the other; three stories high. The upper story was used for a public h.ill. Mr. Kenyon conducted the house until 1868, when it was rented to different parties until December 16th, 1875, when it was destroyed by fire. The Wilson house, a iwrtion of which was erected in 1853 by Mr. Foster, was com¬ pleted by George Wilson, in 1862, and used as a private residence until the burning of the North-western hotel, December, 1875, when he (George Wilson) made many improvements to the house and opened it as the AVilson house. It is beautifully located within a short distance of the Osceola Cascade. In the spring of 1880 he rented to AV. Stowell, but will resume its charge the present spring.

The building used for the first school was built by Kent Brothers in 1852, who gave the use for a school. It was also used for religious and other public gatherings. Said building was afterwards sold to the district. The first school was taught by Wm. A. Talboys in the fall of 1845 by private subscription. In 1860, a new school-house was erected, which is now used as the primary department. In 1869, another building was erected, in which the grammar department is taught. Under the laws of the state a high school was instituted in 1874 and operated for three years, when a change in the law, requiring a stipulated number of inhabitants within a cer¬ tain limit, debarred them from the privilege, and it was discontinued. The present officers of the school are: George D. McDill, director; W. Kent, treasurer, and Robert Downend, clerk.

The first post-office was established in 1854, W. C. Guild receiving the first appointment. Pre¬ vious to this the inhabitants had received their mail from Taylor's Falls. A mail route was es¬ tablished from Willow River in 1847. Mr. Guild held the office until August, 1873, when the ap¬ pointment was transferred to S. RowclifT, the present occupant. The first blacksmith was Ole Lindberg, who opened a shop in 1850. Gus Sto¬ ver opened a shop in 1856, but was burned out in 1861. M. M. Nason rented his tools and opened a shop soon after. E. C. Smith opened his shop in 1868. Gus. Newman in 1879. Charles Ayers was the first local machinery agent, but had no ware-rooms. F. C. Talboys and Staples erected large rooms in the spring of 1879. Messrs. Van Ilollen and Newman erected rooms the same year. The first cemetery was established in 1855. Mrs. Jacob Sanders was the first person buried therein. Mount Hope cemetery was laid out in 1862.

Rev. T. G. Ililton, together with his ministerial duties, also ministered to the bodily ailments of the early settlers of Osceola from 1857 to 1860. I)r. Hammond spent the winter of 1858 and practiced. C. P. Garlick the next on the list of physicians, commenced in 1860; was commis¬ sioned assistant surgeon in the Thirty-fifth Wis¬ consin regiment, and contracted disease while in the army from which he died in Milwaukee in 1865. Dr. Gray practiced a short time. At the close of the war came Dr. Brooks, with Dr. J. R. M. Garlick, and remained for one year. Dr. C. B. Marshall came in 1866; he still remains; Dr. Searles, of St. Croix, joined him in 1876, and in partnership they practiced one year. Dr. Ward practiced during the summer of 1880. Dr. Hardwig Runge came last summer, and was joined last fall by Henry E. Combacker.

Isaac Freeland was the first attorney that hung out his shingle in Polk county, lie came to Os¬ ceola in 1855, and continued until 1870. J. C. Button practiced for a short time in those early days. The "Patrick Henry" of those early days was Decatur Williams. Marcus Dowling located at this place in 1860, but only for a short time. Geo. D. McDill came in 1872, II. B. Dike in 1876, and J. Past and C. II. Oakley in the spring of 1880. The last four still "hold the fort."

The following are the present incumbents of the several county offices: Iver Michaelson, county clerk; Robert Downend, treasurer; T. F. Monty, sheriff; A. C. Granum, clerk of court; A. Kimball, register of deeds; Ole Larson, coun¬ ty judge; T. M. Nye, district attorney; Sam. Emery, coroner. In 1865 the county board rented, for the use of the several offices, a build¬ ing erected by the Methodist conference for a school - said school for some reason was never started. The population of Osceola is 1,297. There is no village organization of Osceola, but a township organization.

This had been essentially a temperance town; licenses had not been granted nor saloons opened until about 1870, when licenses were issued by the town board.

In 1874 the better class of citizens of Osceola;' seeing the ruin which was being done to their community by the use and sale of intoxicating liquors, decided to take steps to check the evil. The subject was agitated, and a temperance or¬ ganization was effected, known as the Temper¬ ance League, with Captain W. Kent, president; Rev. B. K. Barber, vice-president; Mis. Geo. Wilson, secrceary; Miss Etta Ilanscomb, treas¬ urer; Rev. S. W. Horner, II. C. Goodwin, W. A. Talboys, executive committee. Crusaders: Mis. N. Kent, Mis. W. Kent, Mis. J. Kent, Miss E. Ilanscomb, Mis. Geo. Wilson, Mrs. A. Kent, Mis. Lucy RowclifT, Mis. Dr. Marshall, Mrs. Ellis Seavey, Mrs. Goodwin. The ladies commenced work by securing a promise on the part of the town board not to grant licenses, on condition that the ladies would secure a petition signed by > a majority of the citizens of the town asking that

HISTORY OF POLK COUNTYno licenses be granted. When the petition was presented with the required majority of names, still the board ignored the petition, another having been circulated by one "Umland,'' a saloon-keeper, taking names outside of the town, and which the board knew had no right to a voice m the matter.

Charles Ayers was born in Crawford, Wash¬ ington county, Maine. March 12th. 1829. In his early life, he was engaged on a farm, while ac¬ quiring an education, such as fell to the lot of farmer boys in those early days. As he grew older, he engaged in the lumber business. In 1850, he, with his parents came to Wisconsin and settled at St. Croix Falls; he went up the river ninty miles alswe the falls and engaged in cutting the Unit logs put in the river at that point. The same year, he pre-empted a tract of land in sec¬ tion 34, Farmington township; he settled on it the year following, still engaged a i>ortion of the time at lumbering. In 1854, he erected a store at what is now known as Farmington Centre, which he carried on in connection with his farm. In 1858, he made a trip to California, returned in the spring of 1860, and carried on his different branches of business until 1862, when he estab¬ lished the butcher trade. In 1866, he again op¬ ened his store. In 1876, he was burned out. In November, 1880, he sold his farm and moved into the village of Osceola and continued in the sale of agricultural implements, which business he carried on for sometime, lie was first married September 12th, 1850, to Miss S. S. Woodruff from East Machias, Maine. They had ten chil¬ dren, live living. She died December, 1865. lie was married again July 4th, 1866, to Miss Mary A. Williams, from Wisconsin. They had four children. She died December 5th, 1868. lie was married again June 22d, 1869, to Mrs. Amanda McCarty.

S. C. Benjamin was born in Madison county, New York, in 1842. Ills parents removed to Steuben comity the following year, and settled on a farm where his early life was spent. In 1855, he, with his parents, removed to AVisconsin and settled near Marquette. In 1857, he moved to Adams county, AVisconsin, where he remained until 1861, when he enlisted in Company I,

Eleventh AA'isconsin regiment. He was engaged in eleven hard fought battles, ami was wounded in the first engagement at the battle of Arkansas. Returning in 1865, he settled in Adams county. In 1866, he moved to AVarren, St. Croix county, where he remained until 1872, when he removed to Star Prairie and established himself in the livery business. lie was married January 19th, 1867, to Miss Ella Marvin, of I)e Witt, Michigan. They have had four children: Ina M., lorn Octul*er 22d, 1867; Lizzie It., born June 7th, 1873; Hugh It., born February 12th, 1876; Mary E., lorn October 8th, 1878; Lizzie It., died August 23d, 1876. Mr. B. established himself in the livery business in Osceola, little over a year ago.

Theodore M. Bradley was born in Jsickson county, Illinois, July, 1831. lie removed to La Fayette county, AVisconsin, in 1847, and attended school winters, working at farming summers for three years, then came to Osceola Mills. AVas employed in Kent and Mahoney's saw mill two yearn, then engaged several years in rafting on the St. Croix river. Since 1859 he has given his time and attention to both farming and rafting, and now resides at Osceola Mills. He married Margaret AVilson in 1857, who is a native of Ire¬ land. They are the parents of three sons and two (laugh ters.

I)r. Henry E. Combacker is a native of Boston, Massachusetts, bom in 1853. He accompanied his parents to Somerset, AVisconsin, at the age of three years; here he remained until eighteen years of age attending school and engaged in fanning. He then began leaching, and in the fall of 1872 went to Ilinkley's Academy, at Hud¬ son, also attending the university at Madison three years. He then attended the Medical Uni¬ versity of Michigan, graduating in 1879. Heturning to his home, he removed in 1880 to Osceola Mills, where he is practicing ' with Dr. Bunge. Dr. Combacker was appointed county physician of Polk county, in January, 1880.

Henry B. Dike is a native of Wales, born in 1847. AA'hen quite young he came with his par¬ ents to America, and settled in Chicago. II is mother dying, he w;is reared by his aunt, and attended school at Dixon and Chicago. In 1858 he came to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and in 1861 enlisted in Company I, Fifth Minnesota, as a musician, serving until honorably discharged at