Washington County, Minnesota - Chapter 60, 1881

Chapter 60

The township of Oakdale is located near the cen¬ ter of the western tier of towns in Washington county, and contains thirty-six sections. It is lKumded on the north by the town of Grant, south by Woodbury, east by Baytown and Lake¬ land, and west by New Canada, Ramsey county. In its unimproved state would be called a tim¬ bered town with a fair growth of white, black, burr oak, or what might be called oak openings, among which may be found some elm and bass¬ wood; practically it is well stocked with wood. The soil varies somewhat from a light sandy to a heavy clay. Some portions of the town are quite level, but a larger part is broken and hilly. About two-thirds of the township is under cul¬ tivation; there are many excel lent farms with fine improvements. Showing what the industry and enterprise of man can do, when properly directed towards reducing the wilderness to a state of cultivation. The drainage of the town is excel¬ lent; within its boundaries are some line lakes in such close proximity, that they might be called a chain of lakes, extending from the north-west to the south-east corners of the town. On the north is Long Lake, located in section 5, and extending into Grant town; it is about a mile in length, with high banks and deep beds of lime rock, is fed from a beautiful spring of clear water that issues from its rocky banks. A short distance to the south-east appears Lake De Monteville, occupy¬ ing about two-thirds of a section. It is irregular in shape, with fine banks covered with a light growth of timber. This lake is well stocked with fish, and received its name from the first settler in that locality, Dr. C. De Monteville, who opened a farm on its eastern shore ip 1863. Still further on in a south-easterly direction we find Lake Jane, a beautiful and almost round sheet of water, with rather low beaohes, except on the south, which has a fine shaded shore and a beautiful grove used as picnic grounds. It also has a good supply of fish, and is much resorted to. A little distance further on to tiie south-east comes Sun-fish lake, which occupies about one-quarter of a section, and a few rods to the south lays Lake Elmo - a beauti¬ ful lake, one and a half miles in length, with high shores. Its former name was Bass lake, but after the completion of the railroad, the company through their agent, A. B. Stickney, began to make improvements on the north shore, fitting it up for a summer resort and changing the name to Lake Elmo, in honor of Mr. Stickney's wife. Now with its large and roomy hotel, its beautiful surroundings, its flue bath-houses, and its sail¬ boats, it makes a splendid resort for the excur¬ sionist. A mile west of Elmo is located Eagle Point lake, in sections twenty-two and twentyseven, taking its name from its peculiar shape. Other lakes of smaller size are located in differ, ent parts of the town; all combine to furnish a supply of water and drainage not equalled by any other town in the county.

Fik8T 8Kttlkmknt

The first settlement made in the town was by John Morgan in December 1849. lie made a claim of one hundred and sixty acres on section 20, and built his house on the St. Paul and Still¬ water road. The house has since been known as the half-way house, which was opened to ac¬ commodate the travel by stages between St. Paul and Stillwater. Mr. Morgan was one of those active and energetic men who stamp with their intelligence, everything around them. Com¬ ing into the wilderness as the first sheriff of Washington county, under the then territorial law, his professional duties called him from the home of his adoption, often keeping him away for days at a time. Still he found time to make improvements in his new home, which were the first made in the town. But such men have a magnetism about them which attracts others. And in 18o0 came Maurice Malone, and located a land warrant on sections 13 and 24. The same fall his brother, Cornelius Malone, purchased fifty acres of him, and they together began to make improvements. In 1851, came G. II. Lohmann and his brother Jolm, and settled on section 12. They Opened the way for a large settle¬ ment of Lohmanns who settled in the north-east¬ ern part of the towm. In the same year came Patrick Day and settled on section 12. In 1854 came Arthur Stephen, and the following year, W. P. Gray. From that time on the settlements were rapid, and new farms were opened up very fast. The echo of the pioneers axe was heard tliroughout the town, and the march of civiliza¬ tion began to leave its foot-prints in every quar¬ ter of the township.

Town Organization

The town organization was effected Novem¬ ber 1st, 1858, at an adjourned meeting of the voters held at the house of B. B. Cyphers, known ns the Lake house. The meeting was called to order and E. G. Gray chosen chairman, and Wil¬ liam Armstrong, clerk. The following officers were elected: E. G. Gray, John Bershen, E. L. Morse, supervisors; W. Armstrong, clerk; Robert Aldrich, assessor and collecter; Arthur Stephen and C. Manny, justices; Robert Gray and Robert Stephens, constables. On motion the next an¬ nual meeting was to be held at the house of E. G. Gray. The second annual meeting was called to order at the house of E. G. Gray, April 5th, 1859, Robert Aldrich in the chair. On motion, A. Stephen was appointed clerk pro tern. On counting the votes it was found that the follow¬ ing officers were elected: Arthur Stephen, John Bershen and Maurice Malone, supervisors; W. Armstrong, clerk; E. G. Gray, assessor; Robert Aldrich, treasurer; P. Day and C. Manny, jus¬ tices. On motion it was voted to hold the annual meeting at the Lake house. First meeting of town supervisors was held at the clerk's office, A. Stephen, in the chair. On motion it was voted to divide the town into two road districts, dis¬ trict number one to comprise the two south tiers of sections, number two, the balance of the town. The adjourned meeting was called to order at the clerk's office April 21st, 1859. On motion a two days' poll tax was assessed, to be performed in said town during the ensuing year, also a land road tax of one-quarter of one per cent, on the real estate of the town.

it was voted to call a special meeting of the voters of the town to be held at the otllce of 11. B. Cyphers, to vote a tax for the purpose of de¬ fraying the expenses of the current year. The first tax raised was 1150. Annual town meeting for the election of officers was held at the Lake house, April 3d, 1860. The following officers were elected: Isaac L. Carpenter, Peter Iieniker and Michael Classon, supervisors; AV. Armstrong, clerk; E. G. Gray, assessor and treasurer; Louis Fisher, justice; II. Frank, road overseer of district number one; Louis Fisher, road over¬ seer of district number two.

June 26th, 1 860. The board met and appointed E. G. Gray first superintendent of schools for Oakdale. July 10th, 1860. A special town meeting to vote a tax of $175 for the current ex¬ penses of the year. March 26th, 1861. At a special meeting of the board it was voted to divide the town into four school districts with nine sec¬ tions in each district.

The annual meeting was called to order at the Lake house, April 2d, 1861. Arthur Stephen in the chair. E. G. Gray, clerk pro tern. A resolu¬ tion was passed in favor of voting a tax of $180 for the support of public schools; at the same meeting a tax of $150 was voted for current ex¬ penses. Elected E. G. Gray, Michael Classon and Maurice Malone, supervisors; I. L. Car¬ penter, assessor and treasurer; AV. Armstrong, clerk; C. Manny, justice.

Annual town meeting was called to order at the Lake house, April 1st, 1862. I. L. Carpen¬ ter in the chair. After the annual report the fol¬ lowing officers were elected: E. G. Gray, AV. C. Hempstead and A. Stephen, supervisors; AV. Arm¬ strong, clerk; I. L. Carpenter, assessor and treasurer.

The annual town meeting was called at the Lake house, April 7th, 1863, J. P. Boyd in the chair. Elected, E. G. Gray, John Glady, James P. Boyd, supervisors; AV. Armstrong, clerk; Pat¬ rick Day, assessor; AV. C. Hempstead, treasurer. The annual town meeting was called at the Lake house, April 5th, 1864, and elected J. P. Boyd, Maurice Malone, J. C. Smith, supervisors; AV. Armstrong, clerk. The annual town meeting was called to order at the Lake house, April 4th, 1865, A. Stephen in the chair. Elected, E. G. Gray, Maurice Malone, J. C. Smith, supervisors;

AV. Armstrong, clerk. A tax of $150 was voted for current expenses. The annual was called to order at the Lake house, A. Stephens in the chair. Elected, E. G. Gray, Maurice Malone, John Bershen, supervisors; AV. Armstrong, clerk. A tax of $200 was voted for current expenses.

The annual meeting met at the Lake house, April 2d, 1807, and elected E. G. Gray, Maurice Malone, John Bershen, supervisors; AV. Arm¬ strong, clerk. A tax of one-half of one per cent, was voted for roads.

Annual meeting was called at the Lake house, April lltli, 1868, and elected Ii. G. Gray, M. Ma¬ lone, John D. Glady, supervisors. A tax of $200 was voted for current expenses.

The annual meeting was called at the Lake house April 6th, 1869, C. II. Mix in the chair. Elected M. Malone, P. Day, Jacob Marty, super¬ visors; AV. Armstrong, clerk. Voted a tax of $200 for current expenses.

At a meeting of the board of supervisors held at the clerk's office April 7th, 1869, to consider a bill presented by J. N. Castle, lawyer, for $130, for services rendered the town as defendant in case of Henry Besti, plaintiff, to recover damages by reason of opening a road through his land, said Besti enters action on ground that there was no road laid out there. The town defended the case before the district court at Stillwater, June 1869. A verdict rendered in favor of defendant. The board allowed a bill of $100, and voted an additional tax of $100 on expenses.

The annual meeting was called at the Lake House, April 4th, 1870, and elected Maurice Ma¬ lone, Patrick Day and Henry Frank, supervisors; AV. Armstrong, clerk; a road tax of one-half per cent, was voted. The meeting adjourned to meet March 14th, 1871, in accordance with an act of the legislature requiring the towns of the county to hold their annual elections on the sec¬ ond Tuesday in March.

The annual election was held at the Lake House, March 14th, 1871, and elected Adolph \\rier, John Dersh and C. Malone, supervisors; Isaac L. Carpenter, clerk.

The annual meeting was called at the Lake House, March 12th, 1872, and elected Adolph AVier, C. Malone and AV. Bershen, supervisors; Patrick Day, clerk; a tax of $200 was voted for current expenses.

The annual meeting held at the Lake House, March 11th, 1873, elected John Rerslien, C. Ma¬ lone and Frank II. Folsom, supervisors; P. Day, clerk; voted a tax of five mills for current ex¬ penses.

The annual meeting was held at the Lake House, March 16th, 1874, officers elected; W. Jennings, A. Wier and Andrew Iloltzheimer, su¬ pervisors; voted a tax of five mills for current ex¬ penses.

Annual meeting held at the Lake house, March 9th, 1875, officers elected; John Berahen, Maxwell I*. Day and G. H. Lohmann, supervisors; Thomas Ramsden, clerk; a tax of two mills voted for expenses.

At the annual meeting March 14th, 1876, the officers elected were John Rerslien, M. P. Gray and G. II. Lohmann, supervisors; voted a tax of one-quarter of one per cent, for roads.

The annual meeting held at the Lake House, March 12th, 1878; elected, M. I*. Gray, Peter Pcrric and George Kern, supervisors; voted a tax of two mills for expenses.

Annual meeting at Lake house, March 11th, 1879, elected, M. P. Gray, George Kern and Peter Perrie; supervisors; P. Day, clerk; W. Armstrong, treasurer.

During, the great war of the rebellion, the citi¬ zens of Oakdale township were not behind in their patriotism, but came forward with men and money, as the action of the town board in their subsequent meetings will show. A special meet¬ ing of the board was called at the house of E. G. Gray, February 22d, 186-1, to consider the means necessary to fill their quota. On motion it was voted to issue bonds of sufficient amount, pay¬ able in one year, at eight per cent, interest, to be negotiated to the best advantage. At the same meeting the following order was made: We do hereby order and levy a tax of $2,500, to be levied and collected on the taxable property of the town of Oakdale, for the purpose of paying bounties of volunteers and expenses of enlistment of same. The said lax so levied to be collected the current year, and the clerk is hereby ordered to notify the county auditor of the levying of the tax so that it may be extended on the tax roll of 1864. August 6th, 1864, a. special meeting was called at the Lake house, to consider the propriety of bor¬ rowing money on the town bonds to fill the quota due from Oakdale under the call of the presi¬ dent for 500,000 men. Again, January 6th, 1865, another meeting was called at the Lake house to again fill their quota. A. Stephen in the chair, W. Armstrong, clerk. The following resolution was offered:

Resolved, That we are in favor of procuring said men by paying bounties to volunteers, and do hereby authorize the board of supervisors to carry the same into effect by appointing such per¬ son or persons as they may deem fit to do so, and we further place at their disiwsal the sums sub¬ scribed for that purpose."

Whereupon the citizens present, stepped for¬ ward and subscribed sums in cash to the amount of $1 ,500, on the bonds. Meeting adjourned to meet Monday, January 9th, 1865. The adjourned meet¬ ing was called to order at the Lake house, J. P. Boyd in the chair. The various sums subscribed at the former meeting were paid in and bonds is¬ sued for the money, due in fifteen months from date. Other bonds were issued at the same meet¬ ing due in fifteen months, to take the place of bonds issued at the previous meetings, soon due. The board also authorized the county treasurer to receive the "One year Oakdale war bounty bonds," in payment of town taxes to the amount of fifty per cent, on principal of said bonds.

The last chapter of the war record of Oakdale. Ata meeting held at the clerk's office, March 28lh, 1865, the following order was issued: "The un¬ dersigned board of supervisors of Oakdale, in ac¬ cordance with a vote of the citizens of the town, taken on the 6th day of August, 1864, and on the 6th day of January, 1865, do hereby levy a tax of $4,000, the same to be charged to the taxable prop- erty of the town of Oakdale, for the year 1805, for the purpose of paying the bonds issued by the town to pay bounties to volunteers. Signed, J. 11. Boyd, chairman of board of supervisors; Maurice Malone, and Joseph C. Smith."

The St. John's German Lutheran Church was organized August, 1855, with a membership of nineteen, under the ministry of the Rev. F. W. Wier. They held their first meetings in the house of A. Boese, on section twelve, until 1850, when they built a new house of worship on the St. Paul and Stillwater road in the edge of Baytown. In 1802, on account of a clause in the creed of the old established church requiring pri¬ vate confessions, to which the pastor and a por¬ tion of the church strongly adhered, while another portion dissented, caused a division of the church. The pastor and a small portion of his congrega¬ tion came into Oakdale and erected a small church in which they worshipped until 1874, when they built their present beautiful edifice, with a tower eighty-five feet high, containing a fine toned bell, whose Sabbath morning tones call into this sacred temple one hundred and thirty-nine communicants. It is a large and prosperous society. They also have in connec¬ tion a parochial school, which had been in charge of the pastor, Rev. Mr. Wier, until 1868, when they employed a German and English teacher; the school now has an attendance of seventy pupils. A fine cemetery lies adjacent to the church, in which rest the loved ones of thesociety gone before.

Church of the Iloly Angels. Under the minis¬ trations of Rev. Father Platt, of Stillwater, the society of the Iloly Angels was organized in the winter of 1869, at the house of John Bershen, on section thirty-three, where the meetings were held until 1871, when a church was built. W. Armstrong, one of the active members of the so¬ ciety, did much to make it a success. In 1872, an excellent bell was added to the church, which was dedicated by the Rev. Father Sherrer. They have a beautiful cemetery connected with the church. The many marble slabs erected here and there in its sacred inclosure indicate that many loved ones connected with the society, have found a resting place. The first person buried j\t a special meeting of the board of supervis¬ ors, held at the clerk's office, June 26th, 1860, the subject of making prevision for the education of the children of the town, was discussed, and on motion, E. G. Gray was appointed superintend¬ ent of schools. At a subsequent meeting held at the clerk's office, March 26th, 1861, it was voted to sub-divide the town into four school districts of nine sections each. At the annual meeting held at the house of B. B. Cyphers, April 2d, 1861, a tax of $180, was voted for schools. At a meet¬ ing of the legal voters of sub-district number three, held July 29th, 1861, with E. G. Gray in the chair, and Thomas Armstrong, clerk; elected John Bershen, William Evans and Ilenry Frank, trustees; W. Armstrong,* clerk. At the same meeting a tax of three per cent, was voted, to build and locate a house on the north-west comer of section 29. Many alterations were made in the boundaries of the district. By an act of the legislature of 1862, the number was changed to thirteen. In 1872, the district lost their house by fire, and rebuilt it in the fall of the same year. Among the first school districts established in the town was number thirty-seven, located on section 35, and organized with a division of terri¬ tory mndoby the county commissioner under the territorial haw of 1851. The minutes of the meet¬ ings during the first years of its organization were mislaid and cannot be referred to. The first clerk was Arthur Stephen. It is one of the oldest districts in the county, and includes a por¬ tion of Woodbury. District number sixty-two is located in the south-east corner of section 6, and was organized February 5th, 1878, at the house of Frank T. Combs. First officers, M. Welter, di¬ rector; F. T. Combs, treasurer; E. F. Blase, clerk; A tax of nineteen mills was voted to build a house, which was completed December, 1879, at a cost of $236.78. The first school of three months was taught by Miss M. E. Condlin.

School district number twelve was organized July 29th, 1861, at the house of John Morgan. The legal voters of sub-district number one, met to organize and elect officers for the new district,

Fisher, directors. It was voted to hold a school for three months at the Lake house, and that Mr. Morgan give the use of the room free, and that he should have two dollars per week for board¬ ing the teacher. At a subsequent meeting it was voted to pay Mr. Morgan one dollar and fifty cents for boarding the teacher and fifty cents per week for use of room. The number of this district was changed to number twelve by act of legislature in 1862. At a meeting of the board it was voted to change the place of holding the school to the house of II. D. Appmans, on sec¬ tion ten. The next change was made to the house of Jacob Sullwald. Steps were now taken to raise funds to build a school-house, and at a meeting it was voted to raise the funds by tax. The house was completed and ready January 1st, 1868. Patrick Day was hired at thirty dollars per month to teach a three months* school. The entire expense of building the house was $349.90. It is located on the north-east comer of P. Hough *8 farm, on section eleven.

School district number sixty-four was organ¬ ized in April, 1879, by a meeting of the voters in sections 22, 23, 26 and 27, which by a petition granted were set off from district number thirtyseven. The following officers were elected: John Rawleigh, director; M. Kennedy, treasurer; Corn¬ elius Malone, clerk. At the same meeting a tax of $276 was voted to build a school-house, which is located on Mr. Kennedy's farm. The first teacher was Mary Ilorriga. The present board is John Rawleigh, director; Leo. Leibish, treasurer; C. Malone, clerk.

Port Offices

The first postoffice in the town of Oakdale was established at the house of Arthur Stephen, on section 35, in 1857. lie was appointed post- . master the same year, and held the position for ten years. The office was called Oakdale. It was subsequently moved to Woodbury, just across the line, a short distance to the east. May 15th, 1867, an office was established at the Half¬ way house, and E. II. Gray appointed post-master. It was called Lohmanville post-office. In 1873, it was transferred to the house of Andrew Smith at the Oakdale station, on the railroad, and Mr. Smith appointed post-master, who held the office until 1876, when it was discontinued until May

18th, 1877. It was then re-established at Bass Lake Station, still retaining its former name, until June, 1879, when A. B. Stickney, employed by the St. Paul and Taylor's Falls railroad, circu¬ lated a petition and had the name changed to Lake Elmo post office, christening the lake and station at the same time. John W. Lohmann was appointed post-master, May 18th, 1877.

Village

The only village in the town is Lake Elmo. In 1874, a tract of one hundred acres was platted by the railroad company at the head of the lake, where the station and warehouse stands, and called Bass Lake, since changed to Lake Elmo. In 1877, the railroad company erected a large hotel on the shore of the lake, within a conven¬ ient distance of the passenger depot. The busi¬ ness portion of the village comprises one store of general merchandise, J. W. Lohmann proprietor. A depot for the sale of all kinds of farm ma¬ chinery, by J. W. Lohmann and Brothers, black¬ smith and general repair shop by John Bauer, restaurant and sample room by John McDermott.

The first roads built in the town of Oakdale were the old territorial roads, the St. Paul and Stillwater and the St. Paul and Hudson roads. The St. Paul and Stillwater enters the town from the east on section 12, and bearing south-west, leaves the town from section 30. Many changes have been made since it was first opened. ' The St. Paul and Hudson road now runs between the towns of Oakdale and Woodbury, formerly ran in a diagonal direction from the south-east to inter¬ sect the St. Paul and Stillwater road near the Half-way House, then known as the Willow River road, since changed to its present route. The first road laid out by the town board was the road known as the Lake house and blacksmith road. Many changes have since been made in the route.

The St. Paul, Stillwater and Taylor's Falls railroad was built in 1870-1. It has three stations in the town; Lake Elmo, Oakdale and Midvale. In 1880, it was changed to the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha railway. A line of stages was established shortly after the land of¬ fice was opened at Stillwater by Willoughby and Powers of St. Paul, running from St. Paul to

Hudson. When first started the road from Hud¬ son, took a diagonal course across the country over the road called the Willow Itiver road, mak¬ ing connections with the through stages at the Half-way house. The travel over these roads was immense; several stages daily each way were required to transport the passengers and luggage.

The Half-Way House

During those early days was a busy place. It was built and operated by John Morgan until the fall of 1853, when he rented to Mr. Branch from St. Paul for one year, then to B. B. Cypher's for eighteen months. In May, 1855, E. G. Gray from Ilarrisburgh, Pennsylvania, purchased the property of Churchill and Nelson, who took pos¬ sesion in the fall of the same year, making many valuable improvements. lie died in 1874. His sons now own the property.

William Boelter, a native of Prussia, was born 1858. He, with his parents, immigrated to this country in 1870, and located on a farm in Oak¬ dale township. Remaining with his parents on the farm until 1878, he went to make a home for himself, and after working for different fanners, he purchased his present farm and settled on it the same year. July 18th, 1880, he married Miss Emma Taungploat, a native of Germany.

Patrick Conlin, a native of Ireland, was born 1830. Immigrating to this country in 1854, he settled at Chicago, remaining three years, thence to Minnesota, locating at St. Paul. In 1860 he removed to the North Star seed farms, in Ramsey county; was employed there until 1875, then set¬ tled on his present farm in Oakdale township. Married, in 1854, to Miss Julia Galagher, of Ire¬ land. Mary, Kate, Thomas, Martin, Patrick, William and Charles are their children.

the Mexican service, but was retained at West Troy, New York, in the ordnance department, five years. In 1852 he located a claim in Oakdale township, then returned to New York, engaging in the mercantile trade until 1855, when he again came to Minnesota, and settled on his farm, since following the quiet occupation of farming. Mr. Day lias held the office of town supervisor two years, town clerk ten years, assessor one year and county commissioner one year. His marriage with Miss Ellen Carroll took place 1866. James, John E. and Daniel are their children.

Julius C. Gohlike, a native of Germany, was bora December 8th, 1852. He came to America, with his. parents, in 1870, and worked at his trade, that of carpentering, at St. Paul, four years, locating the following year on his farm in Oakdale township, there being one hundred and sixty acres, ninety-five of which are improved. Ilis wife was Miss Minnie Boelter, who was born in Germany, and whom he married in 1876. Their children are Annie II. and Frederick A.

M. P. Gray was born at Pittsburgh, Pennsyl¬ vania, 1843, and with his parents removed to Ilarrisburgh the same year. They engaged in dairying and farming until 1855, then came to Minnesota and for many years kept what was known as the "Half-Way" house between St. Paul and Stillwater. Mr. Gray was one of eight children, and after the death of his parents, which occurred in 1872-4. he was chosen admin¬ istrator, and settled the estate, he and his brother David carrying on the farm in company. Helms held the office of township supervisor for five years, and has been chairman of the board two years.

W. II. Gray was born at Pittsburgh, Pennsyl¬ vania, 1837, and a is brother of M. P. Gray. He settled in Oakdale township in 1855, and re¬ mained with his parents until 1857; then returned to Ilarrisburgh, Pennsylvania, and entered the em¬ ploy of the Pennsylvania Central railroad. In 1861, he enlisted in the First Pennsylvania Regi¬ ment, and nt expiration of term, re-enlisted in the Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania, but was soon token sick, and in consequence was discharged. Re¬ turning to the healthful climate of Minnesota, he recovered and again re-enlisted, serving until the close of war. The farm on which he now lives, was presented to him by his father, on his return, as his portion of the estate. His marriage with Mrs. Annie Flood, of St. Faul took place in 1870. They have two children, David M. and Clifton G. Mrs. Gray's son Mathew, by her first hus¬ band, lives with them.

William Jennings, a native of Yorkshire, Eng¬ land, was bom 1846. At the early age of nine years he went from hts boyhood home to earn his livelihood. Working on a farm four years, he entered as an apprentice to leam the training of horses for the chase in fox hunting. In 1868, he crossed to Canada, and there had charge of fine trotting and draught horses for different par¬ ties, also at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Illinois, and with Col. W. S. King, in the same business. He began tilling the soil in 1877, and finally located on a farm in Oakdale township. His family con¬ sists of his wife, who was Miss Elizabeth Spence, married in 1873, and three children, Florence A., Sarah A. and Edward S.

J. W. Lohmann was bom in Germany, 1852. When five years old, he immigrated with his par¬ ents to America, and settled on a farm in Oak¬ dale township. Remaining till 1869, then went to Buffalo, New York, to study for the ministry, being unable to master the rudiments of music, which was required of him. he abandoned his studies after two and one-half years, and engaged in a wholesale trade at that city, lie experienced an illness and returned to his home; on recover¬ ing, he removed to St. Paul and for a short time was dealing in d 17-goods, then went to Milwaukee and learned cigar-making. From this time until 1877, he traveled about, engaging in different pur¬ suits, then returned to Oakdale and opened a general merchandise store. The next spring he was appointed post-master and express agent, at what is now Lake Elmo. In 1880, he formed a a partnership with his brother, J. II. Lohmann, in the sale of machinery and lumber and wheat speculation, the same year receiving the appoint¬ ment of agent of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneap¬ olis & Omaha railway. His wife was Miss Mary Schroeer, married in 1876. Two children were bom to them, Gregory C. J. and Alphonso P. II.

C. D. Lueken was bom 1843, in Germany. At fourteen years of age he began learning carpen¬ tering with his father, and five years lr.ter left the home of his childhood to perfect his trade. The death of his father occurred in 1660, and for two years after he remained at home; married in 1868 to Miss Anna Sullwold and the next year they came to America. Locating at Stillwater, Min¬ nesota, he worked as a journeyman seven years, and in 1876 purchased his present farm, which is located on the shore of the beautiful "Jane lake." lie possesses very fine picnic grounds, also, keeps a large supply of boats, fishing tackle, etc., for the use of pleasure seekers. Gesine M., Henry T., Charles J., John D., Frederick C. and Anna, are their children.

Cornelius Malone, a native of Ireland, was bom 1828, and when reaching majority crossed the At¬ lantic, landing in America, May 24th, 1850. Dur¬ ing the fall of that year he came to the "North Star" state, settling on a farm in Oakdale town¬ ship, which he purchased from his brother Mor¬ ris. Purchasing his present farm in 1868, situated on the south shore of Lake Elmo, he tilled it in connection with the one previously purchased, until 1879, then sold .and removed to his present fine location. In 1861 he was married to Miss Bridget Brody. Mary, Catherine, Cornelius, Bridget, Josephine and Margaret, are their living children.

W. J. Masterman is a native of Minnesota, bom in Grant township, 1851. Remaining with his parents until twenty one, he then engaged at the carpenter's trade, working in Stillwater and other towns. In the fall of 1874 he made a trip to Cali¬ fornia; not being favorably impressed, returned during the spring of 1875, and purchased a farm of one hundred and ten acres in Oakdale town¬ ship, where he now lives. Mr. Masterman mar¬ ried Miss Fidelia Masterman of Stillwater, who has borne him three children: Lillie, Edna and Clara.

John McDermott, a native of Ireland, was born 1842. In company with hiB parents he came to America and settled in Illinois, in 1847, remain¬ ing until 1853. The next year they came to St. Paul, and the year following he started to earn his own livelihood, which was in the employ of others in different capacities until 1867. Open¬ ing sample rooms in that year, he continued on his own account, until his location on his farm at Lake Elmo in 1876, except two years in the hotel business. He married Miss M. Dewey in 1871. Mary, John, Catherine and Charles are their child¬ ren.

August Munkehvitz was born in Prussia, No¬ vember 19th, 1852, and with his parents immi¬ grated to tins country in 1866, locating on a farm in Oakdale township. He engaged as lumberman for some time and in 1876 purchased his farm of 'one hundred and sixty acres, one hundred and twenty acres being at present under cultivation. The following year he married MissSopiaKoepke, who has borne him two children, John T. C. and Matilda M. E.

William Munkelwitz, a native of Germany, bom 1851, and when a lad of fifteen years came to America with his parents, settling in Oakdale township. Remaining with iiis parents until 1874, he then purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres; the same year being united in marriage with Miss Catherine Wink. They have three children, Lizzie, Winnie and Lydia. Mr. Munkelwitz is an honest, industrious farmer, having one hundred and twenty acres under improvement; has held the office of school clerk the past four years.

Arthur Stephen was bom in Scotland, in 1830, and came to America at the age of nine years, locating in Knox county, Illinois. In 1844 he began learning the trade of brick-layer and plasterer, and five years later settled at St. Paul, Minnesota; while there took the contract for plastering the Market Street M. E. church, which was the first brick structure in the state. In 1854 he moved with his family to his farm in Oakdale; his house being consumed by fire in 1868, they removed to Stillwater, returning in 1876, his son having carried on the farm Bince. Mr. Stephen has been county commissioner three years, chairman of town board one year, and postmaster at Oakdale ten jears. Ills mar¬ riage with Miss Maria l'ayden took place in 1852. Harriet S., Arthur Jr., Elizabeth, and Emma, are their children.

Jacob Sullwold was bom in 1833, and is a Ger¬ man by birth. He followed farming until 1859, then came to America, making Duluth, Minne¬ sota, his home for two years. In 1861 he went to Ohio, and enlisted in the Thirty-seventh Ohio Regiment, Company B. On account of sickness he was discharged in 1862, and during the spring of 1864 returned to Minnesota, purchased the farm on which he now lives, and has since made agriculture his chief pursuit. In 18G5 he married

II. B. Yolmer, a native of Switzerland, was born 1846. When a child of two years, his father, J. Bingeli, died at Paris. During early life he attended the public schools of his native country, and in 1853 was placed in a Geiman school, remaining two years, then attended a French school two years. His mother, leaving him at school, immigrated to America in 1856, and lived for a short time in Lakeland, Minne¬ sota, where she met and married Daniel Volmer. Mr. Yolmer immigrated to America in 1858, and settled on the farm with his parents, assuming his step-father's name. He married Miss Mary Friedrick, in 1871, and moved to his present farm four years later. Their children are, C. A., Julia, Susan A. T., E. E. Clara and Henry P. I. He was enumerator of census of 1880.

Louis Volmer was born in Lakeland township, Washington county, Minnesota, April 10th, 1855. His early life was passed under the parental guidance. His marriage with Miss Augusta Friedrick took place in 1877. They purchased and moved to their present farm the same year. Louis W. D., and Henry C. J., are their child¬ ren.