Washington County, Minnesota - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 46 of those read), 1881

Graphical

The township of Afton is composed of twentyfour whole and five fractional sections. It is bounded on the north by Lakeland, on the east by Lake St. Croix, south by Denmark and west by Woodbury. A jxntion of the congressional township extends on the east side of the St.

Croix river. In the spring of 1858, when the commissioners were appointed for the organizing and naming of the towns, were adjusting the boundaries, the township of Lakeland insisted on having Bolle's creek for the southern boundary of their town. To this proposition, Afton ob¬ jected; but at last a compromise was effected and the difficulty adjusted by setting off to Lakeland, section two and the north half of the north half of section eleven. The surface of Afton is very broken and uneven. From the lake westward it becomes bluffy, with deep ravines extending back through the hills for two miles. To the west and south extends a beautiful rolling prairie, which is relieved by an occasional range of hills. There is considerable timber of a small growth, with here and there a venerable tree which lias escaped the fires, and the pioneer's axe. The soil is of a sandy loam with a clay subsoil, excepting small localities, which are quite sandy; the eastern part is admirably adapted to gardening purposes being rich and productive. The town is well adapted to wheat growing and equals the neighboring towns, both in quality and quantity.

Bissell's mounds, on section eight, are three singular mounds of different sizes, occupying from one-lmlf to one-quarter of an acre, situated on high ridges. They rise abruptly to a height of from forty to fifty feet. In these mounds are found quarries of stratified magnesian limestone, which makes fine building stoneT" Elijah Bissell made a claim near these mounds in 1842, and from him the name is taken.

The town is watered on the east by Lake St. Croix, which bounds it from north to south, a beautiful sheet of water varying from half a mile to a mile in width, forming a curve at a point just east of the village of Afton, and Bolles' creek, with its two branches. The north branch enters Afton in section five, passes through sec¬ tions four, nine, ten and fifteen, and empties into the lake in the south-east of the south-west of sec¬ tion 14. The south branch has its source in the south-west of the south-east of section seventeen, aud passes through to section sixteen, and enters the north branch on section fifteen. Both branches are fed by springs. The north branch is supposed to be an outlet to Lake Elmo, which is situated in Oakdale township, passing under the ground for some distance, coming to the sur- face in the south-west part of .Lakeland. Beiug fed by springs, the creeks are always open. The coldest weather fails to congeal their rippling waters.

Eauly Settlement

The flrst settlers in Afton were French fami¬ nes from the lied Ri\er of the North, who set¬ tled at the mouth of Bolles' creek some time in 1837. Joseph Haskell and J. S. Norris made a claim on section 21 in the fall of 1839, and settled on it in the spring of 1840. They made improve¬ ments, and broke the hist land for farming pur¬ poses in the town. In 1841, came Alexander McJIattie, and made a claim of the land where the village of Afton stands. In 1855 lie sold a portion of his claim to the association that laid out and platted the village of Afton. Andrew Mackey made a claim on the same section, about the same time. Lemuel Bolles made a claim on section 15, in 1842, and built his mill in the spring of 1843. Baptiste Turnier made a claim on sec¬ tion 5, in 1841. Iu the summer of 1843, came Jacob Fisher, and built a house for Paul J. Carli, near Afton. In 1841 Taylor F. Randolph rented a piece of land of Mr. McIIattie,andbuiltacabin. He afterwards made a claim further west in the town. In 1845 W. II. Johnson made a claim on section 21. In 1847 came James M. Getchell. Francis Oldham came in 1850, and W. II. Guern¬ sey in 1851. E. M. Cox made a claim in 1851, and settled on it in 1852. From 1845 to 1850, few settlers came to Afton. The roughness of the land and attractions iu other directions, per¬ haps deterred many from settling here. After 1850 there seemed to be a great change, and the town began to be rapidly developed. Improve¬ ments were made in every part of the township. Large numbers of the settlers were from the east¬ ern states, men of brains, energy and pluck, Maine being well represented. The improvements were rapid and substantial; among them was the erection of a saw-mill at the village of Afton, by the Lowery Brothers, in 1854, who put in their machinery and cut about one hundred thousand feet of lumber, when for an unexplained reason they closed their mill, sold the machinery, and the enterprise was gone. In the spring of 1855, Thomas and Sons, from Indiana, erected a mill in the village, operated it three seasons, then sold the machinery to the government, and it was taken to the Winnebago reservation. Thus, another enterprise was delayed, but not stopped. In the spring of 1857, Tilton and Newman erected a saw-mill, and 0{>erated it three years; adjoining this last mill, in the same year, C. S. and J. N. Getchell, built a steam planing and shingle mill. In 1801, they sold their engine to parties that used it for {lower to run a threshing machine, the first steam power used for that purpose in the state. The same year the Getchells erected a saw, plan¬ ing and shingle mill, a little south of the village. In 1803, J. N. Getchell sold this interest to W. S. Getchell, the firm being C. S. Getchell and Com¬ pany. In September, 1870, this mill was de¬ stroyed by fire.

Town Organization

The annual meeting was called to order at the school-house in Afton village. April 5th, 1859. Voted a tax of $150 for current expenses, thirty cents on every hundred dollars of taxable property for roads, and two days jioll tax. Elected Joseph Haskell, II. L. Thomas and G. W. Getch¬ ell, supervisors; M. 11. Thomas, clerk. Annual meeting was called at the school-house, April 3d, 1800, and elected II. L. Thomas, Thomas Per¬ sons and P. F. Gage, supervisors; M. II. Thomas, clerk. Voted a tax of one mill per dollar for current expenses, and twenty-five cents per hun¬ dred dollars for roads. Annual town meeting # was called at the same place, April 2d, 1801, and voted a tax of two and one-half mills for school purposes, one mill for town and two and one-half mills for roads. Elected II. L. Thomas, G. W. Cutler and J. A. Gray, supervisors; M. II. Thomas, clerk; Simon Putnam, superintendent of schools. Annual meeting at the school-house, April 1st, 1802. Voted a tax of two and one-lulf mills for current expenses, and two mills for roads. Elected Joseph Haskell, II. L. Thomas and J. A. Gray, supervisors; S. II. Paterson, clerk. The annual town meeting was called at the school-house, April 7th, 1863. Voted a tax of one and one-fourth mills for current expenses, one-fourth mill for military expenses, one and one-half mills for roads, and elected C. 8. Getchell, E. M. Cox and S. Rosenquist, supervisors; 8. II. Paterson, clerk. Annual town meeting was called at the school-house, April 6th, 1804. A tax of one and one-half mills was voted for roads. C. S. Getchell, E. M. Cox and S. Rosenquist were elected supervisors, and W. H. Getchell, clerk. Annual meeting of the town was called at the school-house in Afton. April 4th, 1865. A tax of one and one-half mills was voted for roads, and the old board of officers re-elected.

Annual meeting, April 5th, 1877, at the Bolles school house, a tax of two mills was voted for roads, and a special tax of $150 was voted for the same purpose. Elected Joseph Haskell, A. Stegemann, W. H. Guernsey, supervisors. The annual town meeting at the Bolles school-house, April 7th, 1868, a tax of one mill voted for roads, and one mill for town purposes; E. M. Cox, W. II. Guernsey, A. Stegemann, supervisors. The an¬ nual town meeting at the Bolles school-house, April 7th, 1869, a tax of one mill was voted for roads, and one mill for current expenses; elected E. M. Cox, C. Ileuer, S. E. Persons, supervisors. Annual town meeting at Bolles school-house, April 5th, 1870, a tax of four mills was voted for roads and the old board elected. Annual meeting at the Bolles school-house, March 14th, 1871, a tax of one mill was voted for current expenses and four mills for roads; elected C. Ileuer, S. E. Persons, Peter Landes, supervisors. Annual town meetingat Bolles school-house, March 12th, 1872, a tax of three mills voted for current expenses, and four mills for road expenses; elected the old board. Annual town meeting was held at the Bolles school-house, March 11th, 1878, a tax of four mills for roads; and two mills for .current expenses was voted; elected P. T. Paterson, S. E. Persons, M.

Bahnemann, supervisors. A special town meet¬ ing was called November 9th, 1873, to discuss the question of license. On motion a vote was taken; one hundred and thirty-one votes were cast, with seventy-nine against and fifty-one for license. An¬ nual town meeting held at the Bolles school-house March 10th, 1874, a tax of three milM was voted for roads, and two mills for current expenses; elected E. M. Cox. P. F. Gray, P. Landes, super¬ visors.

The annual town meeting was held at the Bolles school-house, March 9th, 1875; a tax of two mills was voted for roads. Elected E. M. Cox, P. F. Gage, F. Stegemann, supervisors. Annual town meeting was held in the Bolles' school-house March 14th, 1876. A tax of two mills was voted for current expenses, and three mills for roads. Elected C. Ileuer, F. Dick, F. Stegemann, supervisors. The next annual town meeting was held at C. Riedel's store, March 13th, 1877. A tax of two hundred dollars for roads and bridges was voted, and one-hnlf mill for current expenses. Elected C. Ileuer, F. Dick, A. Stegemann, supervisors. The annual town meeting was called at C. Riedel's store, March 12th, 1878. A tax was voted of one mill for cur¬ rent expenses, and two and one-half mills for roads. Elected E. M. Cox, John Murphy, F. Fredericks, supervisors. The annual town meeting was called at the store of C. Riedel, March 11th, 1879. Voted a tax of one mill for current ex¬ penses, one mill for roads, and a special tax of two and one-half mills for roads. Elected E. M. Cox, John Murphy, F. Fredericks, supervisors.

Annual town meeting at the store of C. Riedel, March 9th, 1880. Voted a tax of one mill for current expenses, and two and one-half mills for roads. Elected Thomas Eastwood, M. F. Bachmann, T. F. Jackson, supervisors. W. H. Getchell was first elected town clerk April 5th, 1864, and has held the office ever since.

War Record

The patriotism of the citizens of Afton town¬ ship was manifest in the fact, that, when the call was made for men to assist in putting down the rebellion, volunteers rushed to the front leaving their shops, their ploughs, and their mills, to rescue the imperiled union. A home relief sosiety was at once formed with W. II. Getchell for its secretary, to look after and provide for the wives and children belonging to the families of those who nobly risked their lives in the defence of their country. No draft was allowed. No tax was needed to purchase volunteers; there was, however, a tax of eight hundred dollars voted February 23d, 1804, for the purpose of retaining the names of eight volunteers to the credit of the town, and at the close of the war, there was many years of service credited to the town in advance of its quota. As it was impossible to obtain a complete list of Aftou's soldiers, the names of those learned is given. Capt. W. Thomas, N. M. Chase, J. M. Cleteliell, Asa Tracy, (1. 1 lay ford, F. Hay font, James Coop, James Newman, Joseph Mertz, Joseph Dernley, W. Camithan, Colonel Miner Thomas, C. C. Cushing, Consider King, Daniel Buswell, E. Pray, Simon Persons, Simon Putnam, Myron Putnam, L. Culbertson, J. Ilarrisburger, Wm. Middleton, Victor Peterson, John Peterson, J. Ilarvey. This is a partial list of the volunteers. They enlisted and served in several different regiments.

The village of Afton is located on section 22, on the right bank of Lake St. Croix. It was laid out and platted by It. Haskell, Joseph Has¬ kell, II. L. Thomas and C. S. Getchell, in May, 1855. It has a main street passing from north to south, with short streets extending up the sides of the bluffs. At the head of Main street stands the St. Croix Valley Academy, while in the cen¬ ter of the village is a beautiful park covered with a thick growth of native oaks. In the cen¬ ter an auditorium has been erected, where meet¬ ings are held in the pleasant weather of summer. Mrs. C. S. Getchell has the honor of naming this beautiful village, Afton. The name was taken from Bums' poem "Afton Water," which gives a fine description of the "neighboring hills, and the clear winding rills." A beautiful incident is connected with this village. In the summer of 1850, the Hutchinson family were passing up the lake, on the steamer II. S. Allen, to fill an appoint¬ ment at Stillwater. The steamer stopping at the wharf to discharge freight, one of the troupe asked the captain the name of the place. When informed, they stepped out, and in their own inimitable way, sang " Sweet Afton."

South Afton, located one mile south of tire vil¬ lage of Afton, is a small burg, which contains one store of general merchandise kept by B.P. Squires, a warehouse and elevator owned by J. 1*. Furber, 30x60 feet, capacity ninety thousand bushels, built in I860, and oj>erated by steam; leased by Dill and Miller January 12th, 1881. There is a ferry across the river, owned by Mr. Furber, built in September, 1879, and operated with a rope.

St. Mary's. In 1857 Messrs Cathcart, Marshall, and others lnid out and platted a town site on section 14, and named it St. Mary's. Several lots were sold and houses built. In the fall of the same year, parties from Norristown, Penn¬ sylvania, erected a saw-mill on the point, op¬ erated it one year, and failed. What then bid fair to be a village of some size, has vanished in smoke, leaving only a few blackened ruins to mark the spot.

Valley Creek, a small hamlet located two miles northwest of Afton, on sections 9 and 10. In the spring of 1857, Erastus Bolles came to this wild spot on the line of the Stillwater and Point Doug¬ las road, which passes through the valley, built a house and opened a blacksmith shop, which he carried on for two years, when he purchased a small water power, on what is known as Bolles creek, bringing the water through a race to his shop, to which he added a trip-hammer and other machinery. He then engaged in the manufactur¬ ing of agricultural tools, until the spring of 1875, when he turned the shop over to his son, C. E. Bolles, who bought additional power, moved the shop further down the stream, and added corn and feed grinding. The mill is called Valley Creek mill.

The North Star flour mill is located in this village or hamlet, on the north branch of Bolles creek. It was built in 1860, by Buswell and Gil¬ bert; size, 24x82, with three run of stone; power, thirty-two foot overshot wheel; capacity, 700 bar¬ rels per month, with custom and merchant work; they grind about two hundred bushels per day. In 1861, Mr. Buswell enlisted in the army, leav¬ ing his interest to O. A. Pray; at the end of a year, D. C. Buswell purchased Mr. Pray's lease. Mr. Gilbert sold -his interest to P. P. Persons, from Afton. In 1878, Mr. Persons sold to J. Home. The firm is now Buswell and Home.

District No. 23, was organized April 14th, 1856, at the house of Joseph Haskell, under the name of the Haskell district, and the following officers elected. Thomas Persons, II. F. Dayton and J Haskell, trustees; C. C. Cushing, clerk. A tax of $400 was voted to build the house on land do¬ nated by Jesse Jackson. It is located in a beau¬ tiful grove, on section 21, on the line of the Afton and Cottage Grove road. First school was held three months commencing July 12th, 1856. Mr. Oldham has been clerk for twenty-two years. The name was changed to its present No. 23, in 1862. School district No. 24, located in Afton village, was organized in 1856. The Grstboard of trustees were C. S. Getchell, S. II. Paterson, and Rev. S. Putnam; M.II. Thomas, clerk. The orig¬ inal number was three; the first house built in 1866; the first school was taught by Rev. Simon Putnam, in the kitchen of his house; the new house was built in 1876, of brick, 26x48. The records have been mislaid, and we cannot give a full account

School district, number 3», was organized April 7th, 1863, at the house of Erastus Bolles. O. A. Pray was called to the chair, and G. W. Holies, clerk. Erastus Bolles, director. Voted a tax of $400 to build a school-house, 24x40 feet. First teacher, Miss C. L. Rice.

School district, number 46, located on section seven, was organized May 7th, 1868. First board elected: Peter Landes, dire.ctor; Benjamin Mun¬ son, treasurer; E. A. Rutherford, clerk. The first school-house was built at an expense of $1 ,001. The site was donated by Mr. Fisher and Peter Landes. Size of the building, 24x32 feet. The first teacher was Sophia Tyler.

St. Cuoix Academy

The importance of securing better advantages for the education of the youth of the St. Croix Valley, had often been agitated in the minds of the older settlers of Afton and vicinity. A meet¬ ing was called December 6th, 1867, at the village of Afton, of all who were interested in the educa¬ tion of the youth from different parts of the county, to consider the propriety of building an academy. After due consideration it was decided to appoint a committee to solicit funds to start the enterprise, consisting of Rev. A. D. Roe and C. S. Getchell. The canvass was prosecuted with vigor for the next sixty days. Success crowned their labor, having secured pledges to the amount of ten thousand dollars.

A meeting was called for February 25th, 1868, and the following board of trustees elected: Rev. Alva D. Roe, president; Richard Buswell, vicepresident; W. W. Getchell, secretary; L. T. Olds, Hon. J. Warren Furber, P. E. Walker, J. B. Thompson. Hon. A. Iluntoon, N. M. Chase, David Cove, E. M. Cox, James Middleton, R. Lehmicke, C. S. Getchell. Executive committee: R. Buswell, A. D. Roe, E. M. Cox, N. M. Chase, C. S. Getcheli. The academy was erected during the spring and summer of 1868; the comer stone of the building was laid June 18tlj, 1868. by the Free Masons. The building was pushed forward to completion in the same spirit with which the enterprise was begun. It was dedicated in the fall of 1868. During the winter a set of philo¬ sophical apparatus was added, and in the fall of 1871 a library was presented to the school by the village of Afton. The building is a handsome three-story brick edifice, surmounted with tower and bell. It is finished in black walnut and oak, and is furnished with neat and convenient single desks. The music room is furnished with pianos and organs. The faculty, at the opening of the institution, were: W. Gorrie, principal, and in¬ structor in classics and higher English; Miss Flora A. Hammond, teacher in vocal and instru¬ mental music; Miss Jennie Gorrie, assistant in English branches; Miss Anna V. Wandry, assist¬ ant teacher in German.

The Congregational church of Afton was or¬ ganized June 24 111, 1858, with a membership of thirteen. The first pastor was Rev. Simon Put¬ man. The organization of the society was ef¬ fected March 30th, 1860. For some time they held meetings in the school-house. In the spring of 1867, the society commenced raising funds for the erection of a house of worship, and succeeded in securing $1,800, which, with $500 received from the church erection fund, they were enabled to erect their present beautiful edifice. It was ded¬ icated in September, 1868, free of incumbrance. The Rev. George Hood is the present pastor.

organized in April, 18 39, first pastor, Rev. C. F. Fosburg. The church located on section 18, was built in 1854 and '55, through the exertion of their presiding elder. Rev. A. Shogran. Size of house 24x36 feet. There is a fine cemetery connected with the church.

St. Peter's German Lutheran church, located in the south-east corner of section 6. The so¬ ciety was organized in the spring of 1863, and the church built in the fall of the same year. The first pastor was Rev. John Carven. The next pastor Rev. O. Cloeter, who came in 1868. In connection with the church is a parochial school, supported by the congregation, which was or¬ ganized the same time as the church.

At the time of the platting of the village of Afton, the proprietors set apart and donated to the village twenty acres in section twenty-two, for a cemetery. It was dedicated in 1855.

Evergreen cemetery is owned by the Evergreen Cemetery Association. The land was deeded to the association May 28th, 1873. It is located on the north-west quarter of section twenty-two.

Post-Offices

The first post-office in the town was opened at Mr. L. Holies' mill, on section fifteen. He re¬ ceived his appointment in 1852 and transferred it to M. II. Thomas, who moved it to Afton village, lie was succeeded by R. Hus well, who returned it to II. Thomas. He was followed by S. Harton, who transferred it to Paterson in 1867.

Valley Creek post-ollice. In 1874 Mr. E. Holies opened a general stock of merchandise at Valley Creek, and was appointed postmaster the same year, holding the ollice until 1880, when his store was burned and the office transferred to R. Bnswell, in the North Star mill.

Afton Flour Mill. Lemuel Holies made a claim on section fifteen, in the summer of 1842, and commenced building his mill in the springof 1843. To do this he picked up slabs on the lake shore, carrying them a mile and a half on his back to the point where his mill was located, on the creek named after him. Not having nails to con¬ struct his building with, he used wooden pins. In the building thus constructed he placed a small run of stone, which he purchased of John McKusick of Still w'ater. II is dam, when construct¬ ed, gave him a fall of but nine feet. This primi¬ tive mill was the first flour mill, excepting the old government mill at St. Anthony, north of Prairie du Chien. He operated it some time then trans¬ ferred it to Christopher Carli, and he to Andrew Mackey, who made some improvements and run it one year, when he transferred it to F. Roliecke in 1872, who rebuilt the mill on the old site, put¬ ting in one run, and a feed mill, with a wooden turbine wheel, under a nine foot head. In 1875, Emil Munch purchased it and put in three run of stone, one set of rollers and a feed mill, driven by a twenty-inch Leffel wheel, under a thirty-five foot head. Capacity of mill, fifty barrels per day besides his custom work, size of mill 34x40 feet. The name of the mill has since been changed to "Reliance Mill."

Saw-mill. Messrs. Olds and Lord's steam saw¬ mill, located at Glenmont on the east side of the lake opposite Afton, was built by L. I. Olds in 1857. Size 44x80, with boiler house 30x50. Ca¬ pacity, sixty thousand feet in twenty-four hours. The mill was run by Mr. Olds until 1872, when he sold a half interest to J. II. Lord. They make dimension-sawing a specialty. This mill, though not located in Afton, on account of the difficulty in obtaining title to lands at that time, is still an Afton enterprise.

was organized under the statutes, March 17th, 1879. They had a fund of $1,714.50 under a mutual organization which had existed for twelve years, but not under a legal form until 1879. Under the present organization the following officers were elected: C. lleuer, president; F. Fredericks, secretary, F. Dorn field, treasurer. Amount of business December 4th, 1880, $116,- 230.

Initial Events

The first death was that of Paul J. Carli who ivas drowned in St. Croix lake in 1845. A man named Merty Moore was also drowned the same year. Mrs. Tyler Randolph died in 1846. The first road built in Afton townsliip was the old military road, known as the Point Douglas and Fond du Lac road, surveyed and opened in 1845 by General Thorn. The next was the Stillwater and Point Douglas road in 1847. The first hotel built in the village of Afton was by S. II. Pat¬ erson in 1850, who run it for three years, when it was destroyed by fire. The second hotel was opened by Charles C. Cushing in 1867, who died in 1876. Ilis wife still keeps the house open and in good style. During the summer months the house is crowded with pleasure-seekers. Mr. S. II. Paterson opened his first store in the village of Afton in 1867, and is now carrying a fine stock of general merchandise.

Population, Valuation And Pr0Duct8

The population of Afton township, number¬ ing nine hundred and twenty-five, is composed of about one-half American, the other half Ger¬ man and Swede. Politically the republicans have the majority, though not so large ns to pre¬ vent the contest from being close and sharp.

B. F. Babcock, deceased, was bom in Oneida county, New York, March 26th, 1836. Ilis early life was spent there and in Rome, New York. Received his collegiate education in Connecticut. In tlie fall of 1856, went to Lake Superior, remained one year, and in the fall of 1857 came to Stillwater. Was married May 9th, 1859, to Amelia C. Van Vleck, daughter of Judge Isaac and Cornelia Curtis Van Vleck, and came imme¬ diately to Afton, Washington county, Minnesota, where he practiced medicine until his death, Sep¬ tember 9tli, 1870. Four children were bom to them; two are now living.

M. F. Bahnemann was bom in Niagara county, New York, in 1845. When twenty years of age, he moved with his parents to Afton, Washing¬ ton county, Minnesota, his father buying a farm of two hundred and eight acres. Married in

David Berry was born in Manchester, England, October 29th, 1814. Came to America with his mother, when young, remaining but' a short time, and returned to his native country. Returned to this country in 1837. Served for a time in the Florida war, and in 1842 returned to England, and was married in 1844 to Miss Elizabeth Holt, and in 1854 came back to America and settled at Afton, where he has since resided. Ilis wife died in Afton May 28th, 1880. ' lie has four child¬ ren now living.

Erastus Bolles was bom in Madison county, New York, March 9th, 1821. Moved with his parents to Oxford and learned the trade of blacksmithing and tool-making with his father. At twenty-one, went to New Boston, Connecticut, working at his trade two years; thence to Southbridge, Massachusetts, and engaged in the jew¬ elry business nine years, and two years making hoes in Millbury, Massachusetts. In 1856, came to Afton and built the first house, which is still a part of his present residence hi Valley Creek. Soon after, started a blacksmith shop, and two years later added a water-power, and began the manufacture of farming tools. In 1873, gave up his business and started a store at Valley Creek, which burned in March, 1880. Was the first postmaster at Valley Creek. Married in 1847, Miss Sophrona Hayward, of Oxford, New York. They have three children living.

G. W. Bolles was bom in Chenango county, New York, in 1836, where he learned the black¬ smith's trade, and remained until 1866, excepting two years in Massachusetts. In 1856, came to Afton, and one year later, started a blacksmith shop at Valley Creek, and remained one year, then farmed until 1867, when he again started a shop at Valley Creek, and remained there until became to Afton in 1875. He has been married three times, the last time in 1879, to Mary M. Mclntire.

J. W. Boxell, bom in Muskingum, Ohio, Feb¬ ruary 6th, 1824. Received his education at the common schools, which was supplemented by a term at Mclntire Academy. He remained at his native place thirty years, teaching part of the time. In 1854. came to Afton and bought a farm where he lived until the breaking out of the war, when lie enlisted in Company B, Third Min¬ nesota Volunteers, and served until honorably discharged in 1863, and returned to his home. Dining the winter of 1859- '60, he founded what has since been known as the Boxell school, which enjoyed a wide and favorable reputation. Mr. Boxell has always kept pace with the times, never losing sight of the fact that " man is never too old to learn." He has devoted much attention latterly to fruit culture, which he thoroughly un¬ derstands. Married in 1848 to Mary Shaw. They have had eleven children, nine now living.

Bichard Buswell was born in Grafton county. New Hampshire, in 1829. Spent his early life on a farm. Came to Afton in 1856, and worked at carpentering four years, then took an interest in the North Star flouring mills at Valley Creek. Married in 1R52 to Miss Ellen M. Thompson. One son, F. W. has been born to them, who is now in business with his father.

John G. Carlson was born in Sweden, February 21st, 1834. Came to America in 1858, and set¬ tled in Stillwater and worked at his trade as stone mason ten years, then moved to Afton and bought eighty acres; lias now three hundred and sixty acres in his farm. Married, in 1809, Miss Nellie Nelson, born in Sweden, June 10th, 1848. They have five children.

William Carnithan was born at Washington, New York, November 10th, 1834, where he re¬ mained until 1857. He learned the carpenter's trade, came to Afton in 1857, and has since re. sided here. Enlisted in Company C, Seventh Minnesota, and served until honorably discharged at Fort Snelling in 1865. Married Miss Emily Cushing. They have three children living.

Samuel D. Clymer was bom at Logansport, Indiana, in 1844, where he remained until the spring of 1858, when ho moved to Afton. In 1865, began life for himself on the farm his parents first settled upon. Married, in 1875, Mary Ingalls. They have one child living.

James Cooney was bom in Ireland, in 1815. Spent his life in England until fourteen years of age, when he went to sea and followed it fourteen years; went <*n two whaling voyages in the Arctic ocean, twice doubling the cape. After leaving the sea, worked for awhile in the lead mines at Chester, England, then came to New York city, where he worked three years; thence to Taylor's

Falls, Minnesota, working a few months, and finally to Afton, and in 1864 enlisted in Company C, Seventh Minnesota; afterwards transferred to the veteran reserve corps, and served until the close of the war. He returned to Afton, where he has since lived. Married, in 1845, at Chester, England, to Mary Dunn. They have three chil¬ dren now living.

E. M. Cox was bom in Orange county, New York, December 11th, 1822. Moved to the terri¬ tory of Michigan in 1832, and settled at Pontiac. Farmed there until 1851, when he started for Washington county, Minnesota, by rail to Elgin, Illinois, to Galena by Frink and Walker's stage, thence to St. Paul by steamer "Dr. Franklin No. 2." Worked on Judge Cooper's farm inOakfield, now Woodbury, for three months; during that time, made a claim in Afton, which he now owns. In the fall of 1851 returned to Michigan and made some collections, and to Illinois and purchased an outfit of an ox team and wagon, drove to Ga¬ lena and shipped to Stillwater on steamer "Me¬ nominee," arrived at his claim in the spring of 1852, and built a log cabin. Has made this his home ever since. Mr. Cox has held the office of chairman of the town board several times and has taken a lively interest in the affairs of the town. Married October, 1855, to Eliza A. Brimhall of Worcester county, Massachusetts. They have six children living.

Francis Dick was born in Scotland in 1833. Came to America in 1855, and engaged at clerk¬ ing in a dry-goods store in Boston two years. In 1857, came to Minnesota and stopped in St. Paul a short time; thence to Cambridge, Isanti county, and took a claim which he abandoned in 1859. Following lumbering until 1867, when he bought a farm in Afton, where he has since resided. Married in 1871 to Miss Lydia Cummings. They have three children, all living.

Baptiste Fournier was born in Canada East, March 15th, 1814, where he remained until twentythree years of age, then went to work for the American Fur Company, and went to Lake Su¬ perior. where he remained for some time. Spent one year at St. Croix Falls, and in 1841, came to Afton and made a claim of one hundred and twenty acres where he has since resided. Mar¬ ried in 1841 to Sarah Folstrom. They have one child: Margaret, bom in 1842.

Jacob Folstrom deceased, was bom at Stock¬ holm, Sweden, June 26th, 1793. Came to Ame¬ rica when fourteen years of age, went to Canada, and very soon acquired a knowledge of both the French and Iriquois languages while in Canada, was engaged as a fur trader, and later employed as head trader for the American Fur Company, in their employ seven years, as traveling buyer. He was at the mouth of the St Peter river, ten years before Fort Snelling was built After the building of the fort, he was employed there two years by the government. W ent to Prai¬ rie du Chien and spent one year, returned to Fort Snelling and remained two years in the quarter¬ masters department. Was sent to Galena and remained one year, and again returned to Fort Snelling. Soon after, settled in Lakeland in 1810, then engaged in missionary work in which he remained until his death. While at Lake¬ land, he was employed to carry the mail from Prairie du Chien to St. Croix Falls, and during that time met with many hair-breadth escapes from the hostile tribe of Indiaus. Moved to Afton and settled at Valley Creek in 1850. Mar¬ ried in 1823 to Margaret Bungo, a Chippewa, who was bom at Fond du Lac, Superior, in 1797. The eldest son, John was born at Leech Lake and married Margaret Revi, who died March 28th, 1865. Nancy was bom at Sandy Lake and is still living. Sarah, bom at Gull Lake, now the wife of B. Fournier. Jane, wife of J. Mc- JCnight, died February 22d, 1801; James and George died when small. George, the second is now living and married to Miss Catherine II. Simondet. James second, now living. Cecilia, the wife of Chas. Villendrer.

Magaloire Fortin was bom in Canada East in 1827. lie remained there till twenty-one years old, then moved to Watertown, New York, and remained eleven years. In 1856, came to St. Paul and stayed one winter. In the spring of

1857, moved to Rutherford settlement, whore he remained until he settled on his farm in Afton, which has been his home ever since, excepting five years spent in Wright county. Married, in

Went to Boston, Massachusetts, and engaged in the grocery and grain trade until 1844. Went to St. Louis, Missouri, and opened a restaurant, which he continued until 1850. Went to Hudson* Wisconsin, for about two years, then to Lakeland and opened a blacksmith shop, and continued it four years; then moved to Afton and bought a farm; thence to Woodbury, engaging in fanning and blacksmithing. January, 1863, went to Fort Abercrombie as post blacksmith in the quarter¬ master's department; removed to Fort Snelling, where he remained in the same capacity during the war. After the war, moved to the village of Afton, remained two years, then bought a farm near the south line of the town, and opened a blacksmith shop. In 1870, became almost blind ror five years; finally entirely recovered through the skill of Dr. Hagan, of St. Paul. Mr. Gage has held most of the town offices; was elected first sheriff of St. Croix county, Wisconsin, but refused to serve. Married, October 2d, 1849, Miss Esther E. Griffiths. They have five chil¬ dren living.

John T. George was bom in Adams county, Pennsylvania, October 24th, 1 832. Moved to Miflin county and remained six years, then to Cass county, Indiana, where his mother died in August and father in September, 1867. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. George moved to Afton in 1863 and followed lumbering until 1870, when he settled where he has since resided.

Henry Gerke, a native of Prussia, was bom January 20th, 1828. Came to America in 1843 and settled in Buffalo, New York, remained one year thence went to Chicago and worked at the wheel-wright business six years. Came to Minne¬ sota and remained a short time, and moved to Osceola Mills, Wisconsin, and worked as a mill¬ wright four years, thence to Lakeland and car¬ ried on a wagon shop four years. Then to Still¬ water and worked at his trade five years, when he bought a farm of two hundred acres in Afton and now lives on it. Married in 1861 to Mary Rengen. They have two children living.

James M. Getcbell was born in Somerset coun¬ ty, Maine, May 18th, 1819, where he remained until twenty- five years of age. Then moved to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and engaged in lum¬ bering six years. and three years in Detroit, Michigan, when he came to Afton and engaged in lumbering until 1802; then enlisted in Company C, Seventh Minnesota Volunteers. While at Eastport, Mississippi, received internal injuries from which he never entirely recovered. Honor¬ ably discharged at .Vicksburg at the close of the war, returned to Afton and bought a farm, and in 1874 bought his present farm. Married in 1858 to Mary Rrimhall. who bore him two children and died in 1871. Mamed again in 1872, to Eliza Newman.

William II. Guernsey was torn in Saratoga county, New York, April 8th, 1823. Moved with his parents to Rochester, where his father died, his mother still lives at that place. In 1832, went with an uncle to Niles, Michigan; remained until 1842; was in Chicago a short time, thence to Rock river, making Dixon and Sterling his home until 1847. Then engaged with a lumber¬ ing company and came north in their employ, spending the winter of 1847-8 in the pineries of Minnesota. Returned to Rock river, in June, 1848, and stayed one year, when he returned to Stillwater and remained one summer, returned to Illinois and brought his family to Washington county, and located on Judge Cooper's farm, which adjoins his present location in Afton. Made his claim in 1851, of one hundred and sixty acres, and has since added eighty acres more. Mar¬ ried in 1845, to Mis9 Virginia Sampson, who was born at Doxbury, Massachusetts, July, 1827. They have three children living.

Newington Gilbert was born in Onondnga county, New York, February 17th, 1815. Re¬ mained at home until 1851, when he removed to Washington county, and settled in Woodbury, buying a farm of Ex-Governor Ramsey; while here, in company with D. C. Roswell, he built the North Star mill, at Valley Creek, in 1860, holding his interest in it for eleven years, when he sold it to Mr. Persons. In 1864, came to Valley Creek to live; he was a member of the state constitu¬ tional convention, but since that time has taken no active part in politics, his business engrossing his entire attention. Married in 1850, to Celestia Rungs. They have two children living.

Joseph Haskell, son of Joseph and Mary Has¬ kell, was born in Kennebec county, Maine, Jan¬ uary 9th, 1805. Worked on his father's farm un¬ til 1827, when he went to Ilingham, Massachusetts, and farmed four years. In 1831 he purchased an interest in a stage route from Ilingham to Roston. Held it four years; sold it, and returned to Somerset county, Maine, and commenced on a new farm he had bought. Was engaged in plowing one morning, when his plow fell to pieces. He decided at once to dispose of the whole thing and "Go west, young man." He started for Indiana in October, 1837, shipping in Orleans county, New York, and remaining during the winter. In the spring he resumed his - journey by steamer up the Maumee river to Maumee City. From there he paddled his way in a boat to Fort Defiance; went on foot across the country to Fort Wayne, where he took jwissage on a canal-boat to Logftnsport; thence to Terre Haute. Here he found a friend, and they both worked on the canal. They both had the chills and fever, which lasted until March, 1839, when they determined to find a different climate and walked to La Fayette, where they bought a canoe and paddled their way three hundred miles down the Wabash river to its mouth, landing at Shawneetown, and there took a steamer for St. Louis. Here his friend was taken sick again. He worked in a saw-mill until July 7th, when they took the steamer "Ariel" for Fort Snelling, arriving there July 24th, 1839, where he engaged to a company that was building a saw-mill at St. Croix Falls. He helped row a boat of supplies from Fort Snelling to the falls; then worked on the mill and dam until the company failed. Wishing to hear from home, he and his friend bought a canoe and went down the river to Cat¬ fish bar, opposite the present village of Afton. Here they left the boat, and started on foot across the country, following the Indian trail. When they reached the prairie at the head of the ravine the land he now owns attracted his attention. They went to Red Rock; thence to Fort Snelling, the post-office for the North-west. Returning to Red Rock they again struck the trail, and came to the point, which had before attracted their attention, made a claim, and returned to St. Croix Falls and spent the winter in getting out logs for the St. Louis market. In the spring found all they had made was their board and a few old tools. March 1st, 1840, they returned to their claim, stopping on their way at Marine mills to buy 1 ,000 feet of lumber, for which Mr. Haskell gave his note for twenty dollars, and as a compliment to him, they gave him slabs enough to cover their shanty, made a raft of it and floated it down the river. They left Marine after dinner on Monday , and that was the last they had to eat until Wednesday night. They then hired an old halfbreed woman, with one ox and a cart to haul their lumber to the foot of the ravine running from Bolles creek to his present farm. They then stuck up a few boards for shelter until they could get their lumber to their land and build their cabin, which was completed May 1st, 1840. June 8th, 1840, l>egan improvements and broke the first land that was occupied as a farm north of Prairie du Chien, with four yoke of oxen and a cast-iron plow, and at the end of six days they had broken three acres, at -a cost of fifteen dollars per acre! They planted it with corn and potatoes. Their claim was the only settlement above the mouth of the St. Croix to Stillwater, for two years. In the spring of 1841, his partner left him. He worked on alone, making improvements until September, 1844, when he made atrip to Maine, and returned in June, 1845. From these beginnings have sprung one of the finest farms in the St. Croix valley. Mr. Haskell has held many prominent positions in the state, county and town. Was county commissioner at the time this county was under the Wisconsin territorial legislation. Also commissioner under the Minnesota territorial leg¬ islature; was a member of the legislature in 1809 and 1871; held a position on the board of the Normal schools of the state two years; chairman of the first board of supervisors of Afton, held the position three times. Married in 1849, to Miss Olive K. Furber, of Maine. They have four children living, Helen M., Mary E., Henri Pitt and Hiram A.

Charles F. IJolmstrom was bom in Sweden, May 18th, 1826. Came to America in 1852, and settled in Austin, Texas, where he remained until 1857, when he moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, and remained nine years, then bought a farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Afton, where he has since resided. Married, at Austin, Texas, Sarah L. Peterson, who was born in Sweden in 1822, and came to Austin, Texas, in 1854. One son, Charles Victor, has been bom to them.

Preston T. Jackson, son of M. Y. and Martha JackBon, was bom at Wabash, Indiana, in 1850; came with his parents to Washington county in 1854, and settled in Lakeland, where he remained until 1871. Then was engaged in the govern¬ ment survey in the Red River valley until 1874. Since that time has lived in Afton. Married, in 1874, Alice Gilbert. They have three children.

Michael Mackey was bom in Ireland in 1824, came to America when a child with his parents, and settled in New Brunswick; lived there twen¬ ty-four years, engaged in logging and farming. Went to Aroostook county, Maine, and followed lumbering until 1852, then came to Washington county and worked at lumbering, until he and his brother moved to Afton and bought two hun¬ dred and forty acres of land. Married, in 1857, Ellen Sparrow. They have eleven children, all living.

Andrew Mackey is a native of Ireland, bom about 1800. He is one of the oldest settlers in the St. Croix Valley, having arrived in June, 1838. He came to' America at the age of twenty .veal's, and began as laborer on railroads in different states, finally arriving at Galena, Illinois, where he engaged with a lumbering company for the Chippewa river, but they came to St. Croix in¬ stead. They landed at Prescott, June 19th, 1838, and from there came up to the Falls of St. Croix in a mackinaw boat, their three yoke of oxen be¬ ing driven by land. The Galena company was, Mr. Mackey claims, the first to commence opera¬ tions in lumbering in this region. They engaged at the mouth of the Snake river, where they found rich forests of pine. They were often interrupted by hostile Indians, who considered them invaders on their domain, as the treaty ceding these lands, had not been ratified. The Indians collected in numbers and frightened the lumbermen, who fled precipitately down the river. They did not stop to make the portage, but shot both the falls, pre¬ ferring death by water, rather than at the hands of the savages. The St. Croix Lumber Company had in the meantime taken possession of the Big Falls and the head-long haste of the pursued was checked when they discovered that there were other whites in the wilderness. The Indians were soon brought to terms by evidence that the treaty had been ratified, and did not afterwards molest the lumbermen. Mr. Mackey and his company returned to Snake river during the winter of 1838-'9, but soon went to Kettle river. In the fall of 1810, Mr. Mackey was employed by one Tuttle, to hold a claim near Prescott, for which service he received one barrel of beef, one barrel of flour and two barrels of whisky. March 4th, 1841, he moved to the claim he had previ¬ ously made in Afton. It embraced the present site of the village. lie was married in 1845 to Miss Hamilton, who was then living with Dr. Cnrli. In 1855, ho sold his farm to the founders of the village of Afton. His wife died in 1873, since which time he has lived alone.

William Meyer was born in Niagara county, New York, March 15th, 1850, remained there fifteen years, then moved with parents to Wash¬ ington county, and settled in Afton. Married in 1877 to Miss Carrie Frederich, a native of New York, and settled where they now live. They have one son, Henry, born May 4th, 1880.

Samuel Middleton, deceased, was born in Ire¬ land in 1820. Came to America in 1845, and shortly after made a claim in Afton and Wood¬ bury where he lived until he enlisted in Company E, Tenth Minnesota, in 1804. Was taken sick, and died in the hospital at Memphis, Tennessee, February 24th, 1805. Married in 1852 to Mary Colter, who was born in Ireland, January 22d, 1830, and came to America with her mother in 1849, and settled in new Brunswick, where they remained one year, then in Chicago two years, thence to St. Paul, where her mother died in 1870. Mrs. Middleton has three children living.

Emil Munch, the subject of this sketch, was born in Prussia, in 1831. Came to America in 1849, and in 1852 settled in Taylor's Falls. Here he followed the carpenter's trade until 1857, then went to Chengwatona and engaged in the lum¬ ber trade, and while there held the office of register of deeds of Pine county. In 1860-1 represented that district in the house. In the spring of 1861, enlisted in the First Minnesota Battery, and was elected its captain. Wounded at the battle of Shiloh, in the right thigh in 1862. After his recovery returned to his command, and was honorably discharged at Camp Douglas in 1865, and returned to St. Paul, and was appointed deputy state treasurer which office he held until elected to the state treasurership in 1868. Held the office until 1872. During this time he built a saw-mill at Lakeland, which he ran until 1874, then went to Franconia for a short time, and in 1875 settled at Afton, and since that time has owned the flouring mill at Afton. Married in 1865 to Bertha Seeger. They have four children living.

Francis Oldham, bom in England, in 1826. In 1849 came to America and settled in St. Paul for a short time. Went to Fort Gaines, now Fort Ripley, and in 1850 came to Afton and took a claim of 100 acres; soon liought forty more. He has held the office of county commissioner and many of the town offices, and for twenty-three years clerk of school district, No. 23. Married in St. Paul to Miss Betty Jackson. They have four children living.

John Oldham, deceased, was born in Cheshire, England, January 23d, 1801. Here he was en¬ gaged in working in a cotton mill most of the time until he moved to America. Married in March, 1825, to Miss Ann Mosely, who was born in Tideswell, .Derbyshire, England, May 14th, 1803. They started for America in January, 1854, and landed in Washington county in April, in the same year and settled in Afton, taking a claim of 120 acres. Mrs. Oldham died July 8th, 1869, and was followed by her husband September 2d, 1877, leaving Francis, Nancy and Alexander, who are still living.

L. I. Olds was born in Windham county, Ver¬ mont, July 15th, 1825. When fourteen years old moved with his parents to Rock county, Wiscon¬ sin. In 1849 engaged in the sash door and blind business at Beloit until 1857, then moved toGlenmont, Wisconsin, opposite Afton. Here he has been engaged in the saw mill and lumbering busi¬ ness ever since, living in Afton. Married in 1849 to Rhoda A. Randall, of Lewiston, New York. They have two children living.

August Olson, bom in Guttenburg, Sweden November 10th, 1827, where he remained until 1853, when he came to America and stayed in New York city two years. Returned to his na¬ tive country for a few months, returned to New York and remained until 1857, when he again visited his old home for two years, and again came to New York city, and soon after engage I as sailor on the vessel Gahoba, which was used ns a transport vessel by the United States govern¬ ment. When the war broke out he was employed op a supply schooner, which was captured by the rebels, but was afterward released. During tbe war went to Sweden again for a short time. On returning he was engaged as a helper to the preacher on the ship "John Wesley," which was a battle ship and used as a bouse of worship. In In 1864 left the ship and returned for the fourth time to his native country as a missionary of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1866 came to St. Paul in charge of the Swedish Methodist Episco¬ pal church; thence to Chisago Lake for one year; to Afton four years; Vasa, Goodhue county, two years, Kandiyohi county one year; then returned to his home near Afton. Married twice, the last time to Albertina Johnson, by whom he has five children, and three by his first wife.

Charles Pennington was bom in Aroostook county, Maine, in 1842, remained there till the family moved to Stillwater. After a short time they moved to Kanabec county, Minnesota, where they remained till they moved to Washington county, and followed farming and lumbering un¬ til 1868, when he bought a farm of eighty acres in Afton, where he now lives, and has added eighty acres. Mamed, November 20th, 1870, to Vesta Morton. They have three children.

George II. Pennington was born in Aroostook county, Maine, in 1844, remained there eleven years, then moved to Stillwater and remained a short time, then to Kanabec county, Minnesota, where he lived five years, returning to Washing¬ ton county in 1875, and settled in Afton. Mar¬ ried, in 1877, Miss Fanny Van Slyke. They have two children living.

William Pennington was bom in New Bruns¬ wick, January 4th, 1836. Moved to Holton, Aroostook county, Maine, remained there till he moved to Stillwater in 1854. Moved to Kanabec county, Minnesota, on Snake river, and engaged in lumbering five years. Then he moved to Afton. and bought a farm of two hundred acres which is now his home.

Simon E. Persons was born in Waterford, Ver¬ mont, November 19th, 1833. Came to Wisconsin when twelve years old, and removed to Washing¬ ton county, and made Afton his home until he enlisted in Company C, Seventh Minnesota, in

1862. While in the quartermaster's department at Memphis, Tennessee, was thrown from a mule and broke his left arm, which kept him in the hos¬ pital three months. Was honorably discharged in August 1865, and returned to Afton. In 1867, bought his present farm. Married May 27th, 1868, to Miss Annie Cooney. They have five children, Sarah, Marion, May, William and Ralph.

Thomas Persons was bom at Littleton, New Hampshire, June 16th, 1814. Moved to Water¬ ford, Vermont, and remained until twenty-one years old, then to the northern part of the state for eight years, and Middlesex for three years, and soon after to Dunkirk, Dane county, Wiscon¬ sin, living there three years. Returned to his native state and spent three years. Again to Dane county, Wisconsin, for one season, thence to Red Cloud, Indiana, for one year, and from there to Afton and bought a farm of 120 acres, and has since added eighty acres more, and made it his home. Mr. Persons has held the of¬ fice of town treasurer of Afton thirteen years. Married in Waterford, Vermont, in 1834, to Miss Maria Huntley. They have four children living. Two of their sons served in the army during the late war.

Samuel II. Paterson was born in Wayne county, Indiana, in 1826. Spent his early life in St. Joseph county. In 1856, came to Afton and built a hotel, which was burned in 1861. Was then en¬ gaged in the quartermaster's office at Fort Ripley, and on the plains twenty-eight months. Returned to Afton in 1866, and engaged in merchandise, following the business since. Married in 1852, to Miss Francis Brown. They have one son now living. James B. now in business with his father.

William Forth was born in Wlieatfield, New York, in 1845, where he learned blacksraithing, and remained till he enlisted in Company F, Eighth New York Volunteers, in 1862. Served till honorably discharged in I860, then came to St. Paul, and worked six years at his trade, then bought land, where he now lives, and in the spring of 1879, started a blacksmith shop on sec¬ tion 8. Married in 1871, to Elizabeth Fahnstel. They have two children.

Came to America in 1854 ami settled at Frank¬ fort, Kentucky, for a short time. Lived one year in St. Louis; then came to Stillwater, and followed gardening four miles out for ten years. Then bought a fancy store in the city, which he conducted till 1873, when he came to Valley Creek and started his nursery. Married in Prussia in 1853 to Caroline Burclmrdt. They have six children living.

B. F. Stanley was bom in Cazenovia, New York, June 20th, 1842. Attended the seminary at that place, now known as the New York Cen¬ tral Seminary. Graduated in 1862, and taught in his native town until 1868; then came to Chi¬ cago and engaged in the real estate business four years. Engaged in teaching in different places in Illinois until 1879, when he took charge of the St. Croix Valley Academy. Married in 1865 to Miss Calista A. Stanley. They have one child, Guy R., born in 1868.

August Stegemann was born in Prussia in 1840. Came to America with his parents when six years old. Settled in Niagara county, New York, and engaged in farming till 1801, when he moved to Afton. In 1862, bought forty acres in section eight; sold it in 1864 and settled where he now lives on section six. lias held the office of super¬ visor a number of times, and the past three years assessor. Mamed in 1862 to Caroline Pagel. They have six children living.

Adam W. Willock was bom in Montgomery county, New York, May 31st, 1834, where he remained until seventeen years of age. Then moved to Hampton, Oneida county, and re¬ mained four years. Came to St. Paul in 1863, and worked a short time in the "Merchants" hotel; thence to Washington county, and in 1862 bought a farm of forty acres. Now owns two hundred and forty acres, with one hundred and twenty under cultivation.

J. S. Ilartman, a native of New York city was boVn June 14th, 1826. Having learned the car¬ penters trade, in the spring of 1856, he came to Chicago, Illinois, resided there for five years, then removed to I)es Plaines, where he farmed one year. In 1861, he came to St. Paul, and in May to Lakeland. In 1863 he sold his farm and removed to his present location on section 30. Married in 1859, at Des Plaines, to Harriet N. Jefferson. They have three children living.