Washington County, Minnesota - Chapter 55, 1881

Chapter 55

GUAY CLOUD ISLAND - EARLY EXPLORERS - THE FIRST SETTLERS - TOWN ORGANIZATION - OFFICERS - SCHOOLS - FLOURING MILLVILLAGE OF NEWPORT - BIOGRAPHICAL.

Newport township is a narrow strip bordering on the Mississippi. It is in the southwestern corner of the county. In the southern end of the town is the famous Gray Cloud island, the early history of which is somewhat misty. A few facts, however, are gleaned from the accounts left by early explorers and the recollections of old set¬ tlers. Le Sueur, on his first exploring expedition towards the source of the Mississippi and its northern tributaries, first reached the Mississippi at this point, having made an overland trip across Wisconsin. In 1695, he caused to be erected a fort on an island, three hundred leagues above the mouth of the Illinois. This was probably Gray Cloud island. Charlevoix, who was at New Orleans at 1721, said: "Above the lake is met Isle Pelee, so named because of a very beautiful prairie, destitute of trees. The French of Canada made this a center of commerce for their western posts, and sought to spend their winters here be¬ cause it was a good country for hunting."

This post was built to aid in establishing friendly relations between the Sioux and Chip¬ pewa Indians, the latter living on the shores of a "lake, five hundred leagues in circumference, and one hundred leagues east of the Mississippi." The former dwelt on the upper Mississippi. This post was probably built many years before an European vessel ascended the river as far north. For sev¬ eral years no further items concerning the island were made, and the next notice it received was by Col. Leavenworth's expedition up the Missis¬ sippi to establish a military post The memoran¬ da bearing the date August 20th, 1819, say: "We set out this morning in a calm. About 1:20 o'clock, the wind blew up fair, but light, yet the air was much refreshed. We encamped this even¬ ing at Medicine Wood, a distance of twenty-four miles."

Of Medicine Wood, we find two different ac¬ counts; one says : " Medicine Wood takes its name from a large beech tree, which kind of wood the Sioux are not acquainted with, and supposing the great spirit had placed it -there as a good genius to protect or punish them according to their merits or demerits." Another: "The is¬ land was named in 1819, after the daughter of the old Indian chief of the Sioux tribe, Gray Cloud." The daughter subsequently became the wife of Ilazen Mooers. -

In 1819, there were living on the island about one hundred lodges of Indians, who had fields under cultivation, planted with com and potatoes. An old Frenchman named Joseph Bouchea, now living on a portion of this island, then in the em¬ ploy of the American Fur Company, was sent here in 1819 to purchase com and potatoes to supply a station further north. The father of William Smith, who lives on section 25, was also about that time in the employ of the company and came to the place, and in 1841, settled per¬ manently.

sent to build the fort, and in 1838, settled on sec¬ tion 31, Cottage Grove township, where he opened a trading post. The same year Messrs. Mooers and Robinson started a trading post on section 23, on the island. Mr. Robinson married a daughter of Mr. Mooers' wife by a former husband. About this time, J. R. Brown, Truman M. Smith and C.

B. Gallagher surveyed and platted a piece of land on the island, in section 31, of Cottage Grove, and 36, of Newport. This plat was subsequently abandoned.

The first settler in the northern portion of Newport, or as it was then known as Kaposia, and afterwards as Red Rock, addition to Wood¬ bury, was the Rev. Alfred Bronson, in 1837. He was sent by the Pittsburgh conference to estab¬ lish a mission among the Sioux Indians. John Holton came with him to engage in the same work. Buildings were erected and Bronson car¬ ried on his missionary work two years. Holton was appointed Indian farmer, his commission, bearing date September 29th, 1837, was signed by Major Taliaferro, of Fort Snelling. The logs with which the mission house was built, were cut at the comer of Seventh and Jadftson streets, in St. Paul.

In 1841, John A. Ford built a store on section 26, on land owned by Charles Cavilier, who con¬ ducted a shop, making saddles for Indians. In 1847, William Johnson took a claim where the village of Newport now stands, and two years later, E. B. Scofield settled on section 13.

Organization

Notices for a meeting of the legal voters of the township, to be held in the post-ofilceof Newport, were issued from Stillwater, October 7th, 1858, and were signed by Thomas J. York, register of deeds. Pursuant to this call, the citizens held a meeting October 20th, at the place designated, and David Shellenberger, J. II. Ilugunin and F. S. Odell, were chosen judges of election. There were eighteen voters present, and the following officers were elected: William Fowler, chairman of the board of supervisors; E. B. Scofield and John Willoughby, supervisors; G. II. clerk ; J. II. Ilugunin, assessor; F. S. Odell, col¬ lector; D. S. Shellenberger and C. M. Shelton, justices of the peace ; J. R. Hutchinson and L.

the poor. At the first regular meeting of the newly elected board it was voted to lay out a cer¬ tain new road from the south-east comer of sec¬ tion one, to intersect the Gray Cloud Island road, and to separate Newport into two road districts, the division line running east and west through section twelve.

At the date of organization Newport consisted of that portion of congressional township number 27, ranges 21 and 22 west, lying between the west line of Cottage Grove township and the Mississip¬ pi river. It consists of six whole and six frac¬ tional sections. In 1861 the county commissioners added the Red Rock fraction of Woodbury to Newport. This fraction consists of two whole and two fractional sections. The township is eight miles long and one and one-quarter miles wide. The name Newport was given to it by Mrs. J. II. Ilugunin. With the exception of a small portion in the northeastern part of the township the sur¬ face is quite level. Along the river is to be found a belt of quite heavy timber. The soil is general¬ ly a sandy loam, and is well adapted to small grains and grazing.

School district, number 1, was organized June 0th, 1800. The first board of trustees was com¬ posed of John Willoughby, A. Durand and C. N. Shelton. A school-house costing $500 was built, and two years later the number of the district was changed to 30, and a new school-house costr lng $1,250 was built.

District number 33 was organized ns number 4, January 10th, 1855. David Wentworth, Samuel Fullerton and L. C. Everett were elected first trustees. A site for the school-house was do¬ nated by Jeremiah Lamb, in the north-west quar¬ ter of section thirty. The house, costing $500, 24x20 feet, was built, and Martha J. Fullerton, sister of Captain Fullerton, was the first teacher.

District number 48, on Gray Cloud Island, was organized in the spring of 1808. The first officers were: John Turpin, director; Anthony Fritz, treasurer; William J. Miller, clerk. In 1870 a tax was voted and a school-house 18x24 feet, cost¬ ing $300 was built. The first teacher was Miss Susan Kanady.

The First Baptist Church of Newport was or¬ ganized January 18th, 1859, with Rev, A. S. Lyon as pastor and G. II. Fowler as clerk. The first board of trustees were elected February 23d, 1807, as follows: W. Fowler, O. V. Cowell, S. Fullerton, L. Bailey, George Woodward, J. II. Ilugunin and E. M. Shelton. They at once com¬ menced the erection of their present commodious house of worship, which was dedicated March 17th, 1878.

The Red Rock Camp-meeting Association was organized in 1809. Rev. C. G. Bowditch, since deceased, assisted by Rev. John Quigley, was the founder of the enterprise. Mr. Bowditch was at the time pastor of the Newport Methodist Epis¬ copal church. The grounds, consisting of ten acres of beautifully shaded land, were donated bv John Holton. The association has erected suitable buildings on the plat, which is in section twenty-six, near the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paid railroad.

at the fort in 1844. Their son, Franklin C., bom September 23d, 1844, was the first white child bom in the town. The first death was the child of Itev. Benjamin Cavanaugh.

Newport Flourino-Mill

In 1867 E. M. Shelton and brothers came to Newport and built a steam saw-mill near the site of the present mill. Its capacity was 10,000 feet of lumber per day. One of the brothers died in 1869, and another sold his interest to J. J. Scofield, and the firm name was changed to E. M. Shelton and Company. In 1871 they took down the old mill and rebuilt on the present site a saw and flour-mill combined, run by the same power. In 1874 the concern was destroyed by fire. The site was sold to Joseph Irish who con¬ veyed it to Davis and Densmore, who the same year built a two-run flour mill. This firm was unable to pay for it, and sold it to Joseph Irish. The concern is now run by Durand, Scofield and Company who have leased it since 1877.

First Tost-Office

The first post-office was established in 1841 at Kaposia mission. Benjamin Cavanaugh was ap¬ pointed post- master the same year. The office was afterward transferred to the store of John A. Ford who was made deputy in 1844, and at the same time the name of the office was changed to Red Rock. The next officer was W. II. Johnson, appointed in 1854. Johnson removed it to New¬ port and held the appointment until 1858, when he was suceeded by James II. Ilugunin, who has since held it.

Village Of Newport

The original plat of Newport was made by James Ilugunin, It. C. Knox and William and G. II. Fowler in 1857, and is in sections 1, 2, 35 aiid 36. In 1872 W. R. Brown's addition to Newport was made, in the south-west quarter of section thirty-six.

When the village was located the prospects of a good-sized town were fair. However, the near and better- favored location of St. Paul drew mostcf the immigration, and the growth of the place has not equalled the hopes and anticipations of the founders. Its mercantile houses are confined to one dry-goods store and grocery, and the pro¬ prietor, James II. Ilugunin, being postmaster, the office is in the same building. C. Schabacker, blacksmith; Joseph Irish, flour and feed mill; and the Diamond Joe Line's elevator.

John A. Ford was born near Utica, New York, in 1 81 1 . At the age of ten years he moved with his parents to Chautauqua county. He served his apprenticeship at the trade of edge tool and rifle making in Westfield, New York. He and his father made claims, in 1834, where Chicago is now, but afterwards lost them through the intrigue of others. They engaged in lumber¬ ing in northern Indiana two years. Mr. Ford then went to Illinois, and worked at his trade until 1841. During August of that year he came to Red Rock, bringing lumber jvith him for a store, which he built in company with Mr. Daniel Hopkins who came there at that time, from Prairie du Cliien. They, having the means, filled their store with a fine assortment of goods, which brought to them trade from many miles around. Soon after St. Paul began growing, and Mr. Hopkins, after remaining three years, went there and opened a store. Mr. Ford carried on his enterprise until 1852, when the establishing of trade at St. Paul and other points made it necessary for him to close his business in that line. He held the office of chairman of the board of town supervisors one year in Woodbury, before the fraction was set off to Newport, also at Newport one year. He was also elected to the second territorial legislature of Minnesota. His marriage with Miss Mary Holton occurred in 1843. Franklin and Willis are their children.

Franklin C. Ford, son of the early pioneer, and the first permanent white settler of Wash¬ ington county, was bom at Red Rock, Septem¬ ber 27tli, 1844. Although reared at the picket line of civilization, he received a thorough educa¬ tion. Attended the district school of his native place, and subsequently passed two years at the Minnesota Central University, located at Ilasings, finally graduating from the St. Paul Busi¬ ness College, in 1865. After completing his ed- ucation he engaged in teaching school, and insur¬ ance at Newport three years, and then settled at his present home in Red Rock. lie has l>een a member of the township board, and clerk of school district number 43 for ten yearn, and is now justice the peace. In 1870 he married Miss Addie Witherspoon who has borne him one child, Frank II.

Giles II. Fowler, a native of Massachusetts, was born in 1832, and while quite young his parents moved to Geauga county, Ohio. Here he received his education, completing his course of study at the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute, of Hiram Ohio. In 1862, he came to Minnesota, and after passing one year at St. Paul, located at Newport, where he has since resided, engaged in railroading and farming. He has represented the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad, at Newport, since its construction, in 1869, having been appointed station agent at that time. Mr. Fowler has served as chairman of town supervis¬ ors, town clerk, assessor, etc., and has always been a leading citizen. In company with Capt. Hoyt, he organized a militia company, prior to the commencement of hostilities between the north and south, and was afterward assigned to Company R, Third Minnesota Volunteer In¬ fantry, at Fort Sneliing. Mr. Fowler experienced a severe illness while at Nashville, Tennessee, and after being confined to the hospital eight weeks, was discharged for disability. He mar¬ ried in 1856, Miss Mary Shellenberger, of Ohio. They have five children, Ada R., Melville W., who is night train dispatcher of the Chicago, Mil¬ waukee and St. Paul railroad, at Minneapolis, Judson J., George and Elmer.

Capt. Samuel Fullerton, was bora midway be¬ tween Kennebec and Sheepscot rivers, in the do¬ main of Massachusetts, now Lincoln county, Maine, August 12th, 1814. He 'had a natural love for the sea, and as early as 1828, he began coasting, soon becoming an expert pilot, and by 1836, had advanced to the position of captain of a sailing vessel. For eighteen years afterward, he was continuously on the sea, in command of either steam or sailing vessels, having made twenty-six voyages to Cuba, besides visiting all the islands of the "West India group." About 1852, he made the quickest voyage and return 3ver made between the United States and Med¬ iterranean Sea. Shipping anchor at the mouth of the Kennebec, he stood out to sea with his staunch bark "William," and in twenty-four days by the log, furled his sails at the port of Messina, Sicily. Shipping his cargo, he set sail for Hoston, and in just twenty-four days entered the port ofthat city. For this feat, the owner of the cargo presented him with a prize of $100. In 1854, he sold his vessel at Fall River, Massachusetts, and retired from sailor life. Proceeding west¬ ward he reached Minnesota that fall, selecting and locating on his present fine estate at Newport. Here he has since resided, except two years at St. Paul, si>ent in giving his children educa¬ tional advantages. He married Miss Kate Mc- Clintock, of Maine, in 1840. They have three children, William C., who is a prominent attor¬ ney at Central City, Colorado; Kate, who is the wife of Charles E. Davis, of Minneapolis; and Mary E., a young lady of much refinement, who remains with her parents.

David P. Hess is a native of Wentworth coun¬ ty, Canada west, born September 19th, 1838. When a child he moved with his parents to Cale¬ donia, and at the age of sixteen settled in Erie county, New York. In 1866 he removed to Min¬ nesota and made his home at Newport, where he still resides, lie is an industrious and respected citizen and has served as justice of the peace and has held other town offices of trust. Ilis marriage with Miss Mary W. Straghn, a native of Scotland, took place February 25th, 1866, in Erie county, New York. They have three children living, Har¬ vey C., Charles R. and Stella W.

Joseph I rish, the largest landowner in Newport township, and one of the earliest settlers, was born in Rutland county, Vermont, 1811. Here he was educated and lived until reaching the age of twenty-seven, when he came to Ohio and set¬ tled in the "Western Reserve." He followed the peaceful pursuits of agriculture till the spring of 1851, when he made his way to Minnesota and located at Red Rock, coming at the same time as did the commissioners to make a treaty with the Indians for the relinquishment of the greater part of the lands now embraced by Minnesota. Mr. Irish first occupied one of the houses built by the Cavanaugh mission at Red Rock. The old house is still standing as a relic. To the "gude housewife" of Mr. Irish belongs the credit of making the first cheese ever made in the state, which was in 1852. The year previous he had shipped from Galena, Illinois, twenty-seven cows, and with Mrs. Irish's assistance, they opened an extensive dairy, the cheese being marketed most¬ ly at St. Paul, llis wife was Miss Lizzie W. Keeney, whom he married in 1839. They have reared two adopted children, Jennie and Samuel.

Daniel Kennedy was bom in Portland, Maine, November 7th, 1851. When a lad of six years he moved westward with his parents and settled at Pine Bend, Dakota county, Minnesota, where his father bought a farm. In 1871 he went to Still¬ water and entered the employ of Isaac Staples, in the pineries in winter, on the river in spring, and in the mills during summer. lie remained six years, then returned to his father's home, where he lived till his death in 1878. After a short stay in Stevens county, he located in New¬ port township and has given his attention to farm¬ ing. In 1879 he married Miss Bridget Miller, who has borne him one child, Margaret C.

Lucuis B. Maxon was bom in Oneida county, New York, September lltli, 1828. Here he was reared and received his education. His father died when he was only ten years of age. He came to Wisconsin about twenty-tin ee years ago, and for nineteen years past, he has been a resi¬ dent of Washington county. He settled first at Cottage Grove, and afterward made his home in the village of Newport. During the fall of 1874, he moved to his present fine estate of two hun¬ dred and seventy- three acres. Mr. Maxon has been town treasurer for eight years past, has also been one of the board of supervisors, and is now school treasurer of district number S3. He was married in 1872 at Winona, Minnesota to Miss Maggie Ileffer, now of that city.

Charles A. Parker, a native of Vermont, was bom in Rutland county, in 1845. At the age of sixteen, he enlisted in Company B, Seventh Ver¬ mont Volunteer Infantry. While under General Butler, in front of Vicksburg, he was disabled in. the right arm, and in the fall of 1862, was dis¬ charged on account of disability. Returning to Vermont, he passed the winter, and the spring following, came to Minnesota, locating at New¬ port. Here he has since resided, and has been chairman of the board of supervisors since the county commissioners as well as occupying other officers of trust and honor. He now owns and operates a fine large farm, and is extensively en¬ gaged in raising blooded stock, horses, cattle and hogs; also a stockholder in the Langdon butter and cheese fnctory. Mr. Parker was married to Miss Sarah E. Perkins in 1868, who has borne him two children: Jackson V. and Frankie P. Ilisaged mother, who was born in 1802, is living with him and is still very active, both mentally and physi¬ cally.

Christopher J. Schabacker is a native of Prus¬ sia, bom December 13th, 1833. Here he remained until the age of seventeen, when he started for America, and landed at the port of New Orleans. Coming up the river route by way of St. Louis, he proceeded to Galena, Illinois, where he settled and made his home there six years. He lived in Grant county, Wisconsin three years, and in 1860, removed to St. Paul, working at his trade, that of blacksmith, ten years. He then located at the village of Newport, and since residing there, has been the proprietor of the only blacksmith shop in the township. He lias been twice married, his present wife being Mary Bailey, to whom he was married in 1857. Their children are: Charles, Louisa, Henry, Mary, Albert and Willie.

John Willoughby was bom in Rutland county, Vermont, in 1819. He passed his youth and re¬ ceived his education in his native county, and at the age of twenty-five years went to Massachu¬ setts and followed the mechanic's profession nine years. In 1854, he came westward to Minnesota, finally making his home at Red Rock, where he purchased a large tract of land. The next year, he brought his family to their newr home. He has been a very successful farmer, having taken much pains in improvements; also has a fine stock of horses, cattle and swine. His residence is commodious and possesses a large and well-se¬ lected library. Mr. Willougby was married in 1850, in Vermont, to Alias Sarah Parker, who has borne him five children: Alary, Julia, Emma, Ruth and Frank. Of these, Alary is the wife of David Hanna, of Lakeland; Julia is the wife of Charles E. Wilson, of St. Paul; Emma and Ruth remain on the homestead with their parents, and Frank, the only son, is attending school at home. Air. Willoughby has studiously avoided politics, refusing all offices.