Wright County, Minnesota - Chapter 20: Postal History, 1915

Chapter 20: Postal History

Inauguration of Post Service - First Routes in the United States - Present Extent of the System - First Offices in Wright County - Present Offices - Discontinued Offices.

The postal service is a feature of government as old as the written history of man. The influence and accomplishments of the postal service have practically extended the progress of commercialism through out the world. So far as history records, a system of communication was evidently conceived by Cyrus shortly after his conquest of the Persian empire in the year 550 B. C. That systematic ruler sought to keep in touch with the affairs of his vast domain, and to that end required his governors to write to him frequently about their several districts. In order to make these communications safe and expeditious he built post roads throughout the empire and established posthouses at distances along these roads. The service, however, both in ancient and medieval periods was established for the government alone and not for the general public.

The first postoffice which was established for the general public was in 1516, between Berlin and Vienna, In 1523 England established a postal system, but it was only used for communications between the royal family.

The postal system in America dates from 1639, when the General Court of Massachusetts, by an ordinance, legalized such a system and directed that all letters brought from across the sea or to be sent to parts of the colonies, should be left at the house of Richard Fairbanks, in Boston, and by him sent to the proper destination. He was allowed a penny compensation for the transmission of each letter and was accountable to the authorities for any dereliction of duty. The postal system, however, in the early colonial days, was something of a go-as-you-please system.

Benjamin Franklin, the father of our postoffice system, was appointed postmaster at Philadelphia in 1737, and in 1753 he was appointed deputy postmaster general for the Colonies.

In 1785 the Colonies decided to manage the postal business on their own responsibility, and appointed Benjamin Franklin postmaster general at a salary of $1,000 a year, authorizing him to establish postoffices from Maine to Georgia.

President George Washington, in 1789, appointed Samuel Osgood, of Massachusetts, the first postmaster general of the United States. At that time there were but seventy-five postofiices, yielding a revenue of less than $40,000 a year. The rate of postage was six cents for thirty miles and up to twenty-five cents for 450 miles,

Today there are over 60,000 postoffices, yielding a revenue of over $200,000,000, About a thousand million letters and postal cards are now distributed in the United States every month. The service has grown and expanded to such a degree that twenty years ago would have been considered extravagant, and yet the service is practically in its infaney. But it already forms an intricate network over all our land and extends to the far-off island possessions, and yet its achievements are not nearly at an end.

The first rural route in the United States was established in the fall of 1896. Fifteen thousand dollars was expended for rural free delivery purpose during that fiscal year.

The parcel post regulations which went into effect in 1913, opened a new era of shipping facilities and is proving of the greatest benefit to all who make use of it.

The postal history of Wright county dates from 1855. Clearwater and Monticello postoffices were established that year. Mail was brought by ferry from the stage route on the opposite bank of the Mississippi. In 1856 offices were established at Silver Creek, Albion, Otsego and Norwood, the latter being a village in Otsego township. Cokato, St. Michael and Rockford postoffices were established in 1857.

In 1893 there were twenty-six postoffices in Wright county as follows: Annandale, Buffalo, Chatham, Clear Water (then spelled as two words), Cochran's Mills, Cokato, Delano, French Lake, Granite Lake, Hanover, Hasty, Howard Lake, Keystone, Ludemann, Maple Lake, Monticello, Montrose, Otsego, Rockford, St. Michael, St. Michael's Station, Silver Creek, Smith Lake, South Haven, Victor and Waverly Mills,

At the opening of 1899, three new offices, Endeavor, Knapp, Stockholm, had been established, making twenty-seven in all. Before the close of 1900, there were thirty offices in the county, Albrecht, Oster, Rasset and Whipple having been established, and Chatham having been discontinued,

With the coming of the rural free delivery, Albrecht, Endeavor, French Lake, Granite Lake, Keystone, Ludemann, Otsego, Rasset and Stockholm, had been discontinued before the opening of 1905. Before the close of 1906, Censtohowa and Whipple had been discontinued ; before the close of 1908, Oster, Knapp and Silver Creek had been crossed from the list. Later Enfield postoffice was established, leaving the number eighteen as at present.

There are forty rural routes centering im Wright county postoffices as follows: Buffalo, 5; Cokato, 5; Monticello, 4; Annandale, 4; Clearwater, 3; Delano, 3; Howard Lake, 3; Maple Lake, 8; Montrose, 2; Rockford, 2; Waverly, 2; South Haven, 2; Albertville, 1; Hasty, 1. Enfield, Hanover and St. Michael have none,

Present Offices

Albertville. (St. Michael Station.) J. P. Eull has been postmaster at this point for many years. The office was first called St. Michael's Station, then St. Michael Station and now Albertville.

Annandale postoffice was established early in March, 1887, with W. H. Towle as postmaster. He opened the office in the grocery store of Samuel Wells, a little south of the rear end of the Mathew building, but in a short time moved it to his own store which in the meantime he had been erecting. Annandale became a money order office in 1890, and was advanced to the third class November 23, 1913. There are four rural routes, established March 2, 1902. French Lake and Granite Lake offices have discontinued into this one. Mr. Towle, the first postmaster, has served continuously to the present time with the exception of the period between February 28, 1894, and March 1, 1898, when W. 5S. Ives held office.

Buffalo, Jackson Taylor arrived in Buffalo, August 20, 1856. When the postoffice was established, he became postmaster, and served possibly something like a quarter of a century. He was followed by John C. Nugent who was appointed in 1886. C. KE. Dowd took office in 1889, and John C, Nugent was again appointed in 1893, Frank B. Lamson was apointed in 1897. He held office until 1910 and was succeeded by E. M. Nagel. In the fall of 1914, the present postmaster, Halvor T. Moland, took office.

The first postoffice was located in what was then the Jackson Taylor Hotel, and which is now the Paul Leiderbach residence. Then it was moved to a small building erected for that purpose by Jackson Taylor, on lots now occupied by Frank MeKnight's residence. The next location was a building owned by Frank Gorman, located near Judge Wendell's law office. Then it was moved to what was then the Mike O'Connor building. From there it was taken to what was then the Journal Printing office near the Eaton block. The next location was the Wesley Cooper block, opposite Dudley park, where all the records were burned in 1901. Then it was moved to a building where the Journal office is now located. It was in 1902 that the office was moved to its present building, erected for that purpose - - By George C. Carpenter.

Clearwater. When the postoffice was established im 1855, Simon Stevens was commissioned postmaster. In 1858 he was succeeded by W. W, Webster, who im 1861 was followed by J. M. Brown. Following him came in turn H. L. Gordon, J. A. Stanton, J. E, Firte, Jed. PF. Fuller, Simon Stevens, W. W. Webster and W. T. Rigby. All records were burned while Mr. Rigby was postmaster. S. McC. Phillips followed Mr. Rigby taking the office in November, 1896. After his death June 1, 1903, he was sueceeded by his daughter, Jennie L. Phillips, who early in this year (1915) has been re-appointed under the Civil service law of May, 1913. She is assisted by her sister, Agnes V. Phillips, and the office is kept in their drug store in the center of the village. Rural routes 1 and 2, were established February 15, 1904, with Sherman W. Shattuck and Fred Murray as the respective carriers. Rural route 3 was established September 1, 1905, with Samuel B. Kirk as carrier. There have been no changes in earriers since the office was established. In the early nineties the postal authorities shortened the name from Clear Water to Clearwater.

Cokato. A postoffice has been maintained since about 1857, when a private office ealled Mooers Prairie was established, and Josiah P. Mooers appointed postmaster, the office being at his residence south of the present village. Mail was brought from Middleville by volunteers until July, 1862, when a route from Rockford to Forest City supplied this office. During the Indian war the route was discontinued, but at its close was resumed, continuing until the completion of the railroad, when the office was moved to the station and the name changed to Cokato. In 1876 M. Lewis succeeded Mr. Mooers as postmaster, and the next year the office passed to C. J. Anderson. It was made a money order office in 1879, Isaac Podas sueceeded C. J. Anderson. The office next passed to C. A. Holmstrom, who served about three years, until his death, M. Holmstrom was appointed to fill the place and served about two years. C. J, Carlson succeeded M. Holmstrom. May 21, 1898, Axel Hammarsten was appointed to sueceed C. J. Carlson. January 1, 1903, the office was advanced to the third class, and Mr. Hammarsten was re-appointed and held the office until the time of his death July 13, 1903. C. R. Peterson was acting postmaster for five months during the vacancy due to Mr. Hammarsten's death. The position was filled by the appointment of the present postmaster, Seth J. Swanson, November 23, 1903. He was re-appointed January 9, 1908, again re-appointed for the third term December 21, 1911, and is now serving his twelfth year as postmaster. The first rural route that was established in Wright county emanated from Cokato. It was numbered and was established October 1, 1900. P. Danielson was the first carrier in the county. Route 2 was established March 2, 1903: route 3, June 1, 1904; route 4, June 1, 1904; route 4 was changed from Smith Lake April 1, 1906.

The office became a postal savings station November 1, 1912. The following offices have been discontinued into this office: Stockholm, Knapp, Keystone and Smith Lake.

The present staff is as follows: Seth J. Swanson, postmaster ; Clifford C. Swanson, assistant postmaster; Mrs. S. J. Swanson, clerk. Rural carriers: Algot Eastlund, route 1; O. A, Loberg, route 2; John R. Halvorson, route 3; William Marris, route 4; Eslie Larson, route 5,

Delano. A postoffice called Cassell was established in 1858, in section 33, in the northern part of the township, then a part of Rockford. Theodore Jaegler was postmaster for seven years Following him came William Ziebarth and later, John Tuckson. The office was supplied by the Rockford and Mooers' Prairie mail route, In 1858, the year that Cassell was established, an office ealled Franklin was established in section 14, in the east part of the township, with David White as postmaster. This office was served by the Dayton and Watertown route. The route and the postoffice were discontinued in 1862. Soon after the coming of the railroad in 1868, the Cassell office was diseoutinued, and the Crow River office established with F. M. llopkins as postmaster. In 1870 the name was changed to Delano, When Mr, Hopkins left town, F. B. Nichols was appointed. In July, 1873, Mr. Nicholas likewise left, and J. M. Langford took the office, serving until his death in 1879. Then came C. B. Moody, who after a short period resigned and was succeeded by Mrs. M. A. Chanee, in February, 1880. The present postmaster, Clarence J. Buckley followed M. A, O'Hair,

Enfield postoffice is the newest in the county. It is located in the store of Lars P. Berglund, in a little hamlet called Enfield, seven miles northwest of Monticello, on the Great Northern, The office was established in Mr, Berglund's store June 9, 1910, and has since been maintained there. The first postmaster served until June 20, 1911, on which date Mr. Berglund took office. He is assisted by Myrtie G. Berglund. Enfield was made a moneyorder office, October 1, 1910.

Hanover postoffice was established some time in October, 1877, at the store of L. W. Haefer, who became the first. postmaster. The locality was known for a while as Vollbrecht's Milis. The present postmistress, Mrs. Louisa Haefer, began to do the work of the office when it was first established, and on March 29, 1894, became the postmistress. She also keeps the general store. Hanover was made a money order office, July 20, 1895. Alex. Farnham is the carrier on route 1, and Joseph Dulac the carrier on route 2.

Hasty. The postmaster at Hasty is Theo. O. Sonsteby who was appointed October 23, 1913. AlIl the records were lost in the fire of April, 1913, when Carl O. Sonsteby was postmaster. Carl O. Stonsteby followed Edward Ahl who in turn followed J. F. Kling.

Howard Lake postoffice was established as Middleville postoffice in 1860. A. E, Cochran, the postmaster, kept the office at his home on section 2. In 1865 he sold the farm to Joseph Pearson, who also succeeded him in office, In January, 1870, the office was moved to Howard Lake, the name changed to conform to that of the village, and J. F. Pearson appointed postmaster. In 1877 he was succeeded by W. L. McCollum, and after him the postmasters took office as follows: Mark Fosket, 1885; H. M. Dickey, 1889; David F. Jackson, 1893; Mark M. Woolley, 1897; Enoch E, Ritchie, August 1, 1913. Mr. Ritchie is assisted by Mary R. Ritchie as assistant postmistress, and by Orpha E. and Walter E. Ritchie as clerks. Three rural routes center at this office. Route 1 was established March 2, 1903. The present carrier, W. T. Hoffenbert succeeded Ernest Fisher, the first carrier. Route 2 was also established March 2, 1913. The first earrier, D. D, Christopher, was succeeded by John Divine, who is still in service. Route 3 was established November 1, 19604, with Christ Gilmer as first carrier. He was succeeded by Gustav Hensel, the present carrier. Three times has this office been visited by burglars whe blew up the safe and robbed it of its contents, twice while Mr, Woolley was postmaster, and again May 22, 1914.

Maple Lake, The postoffice of Geneva was established in October, 1858, on the old townsite, which like the office, was first ealled Geneva and then Maple Lake. The townsite of Maple Lake was some two miles away from the present location of the village. For several years mail was supplied by the Monticello and Forest City mail route, E. B. MeCord, the first postmaster, served until 1865, when he resigned and the position was given to W.G. MeCrory, who had recently moved to a farm near the townsite. He was followed by Joseph Rackliffe, who removed the office to his house near the church in section 34. Patrick Butler was appointed in 1877. He died in August, 1886, and Robert King was shortly afterward appointed. In the meantime the railroad came through and the present village of Maple Lake was established. The office was moved to the village on June 13, 1887, and Martin O'Loughlin became the first postmaster. He was followed May 1, 1889, by A. A. Jewett, who held the office until Angust 26, 1893, when Martin O'Loughlin was again appointed. Again, on July 10, 1897, he was succeeded by A. A. Jewett. Mr. Jewett later resigned, and was followed, November 1, 1903, by J. P. Gorman. He in turn resigned, and was followed on July 1, 1906, by A. W. Nary. July 10, 1913, C. E. Jude took over the office. October 1, 1914, he was followed by the present postmaster, P. B, Jude. No record has been kept of when the office was first qualified to register letters, but old settlers remember that such business was done as far back as the administration of Mr. Butler. It became a money order office January 1, 1893, and a postal savings station, August 1, 1912. The present postmaster, P. B. Jude has B. J. Judé as his assistant. Rural delivery service was established from this office October 1, 1903. There are three routes, and each one is still served by the carrier originally appointed: Route 1, Fred M. Ferrell; route 2, Martin Mooney; route 3, Henry Gorman. Two offices have been discontinued into this one, Albion was discontinued about the time the railroad came through, Silver Creek was discontinued December 1, 1906, and the records are kept at this office.

Monticello. A postoffice was established at Monticello in September, 1855, with James C. Beekman in charge. The postmasters have been: James C, Beekman, Thomas Chambers, W. C. Williams, Samuel E. Adams, A. F. Barker, G. W. Gerrish, Charles E. Kreis, William Tubbs, Don. F. Fuller, J. Lb. Harwick, R. B. Kreis, Henry C. Brasie and Charles S. Strout. Mr. Strout took office June 1, 1914. His assistant is Marie E. Strout. In 1911 the postoffice was destroyed by fire, but was rebuilt on the same location. The postal savings department was established in the same year, The office supplies four rural routes. Routes 1 and 2 were established in September, 1901, with W. B. Sawyer and John E. Erikson as earriers. These gentlemen still continue to serve. Route 3 was established in November, 1903. E. C. MeCrory, the first carrier, was succeeded by G. A. Sykes, the present carrier. Route 4 was established in November, 1904, with O. M. Swanson as carrier. Mr, Swanson is still serving. The office was elevated to the third elass several years ago.

Montrose. Montrose postoffice was established in 1866, and was named after a Pennsylvania town by George M. Wright, the first postmaster. When the village was established, it took its name from this office. Mr. Wright kept the office at his home which was located on the highway from St. Paul to Forest City. Mail was carried weekly on horseback. When the village of Montrose was established, the postoffice was moved to the railroad station, George M. Wright resigning in favor of William P. Holbrook, the railroad agent, who received his appointment in 1879. Shortly afterwards, Mr. Holbrook built a postoffice building on the corner of lot 1, block 5, the present site of the hotel on Railroad street. William H. Wright was appointed postmaster May 26, 1884, having previously been assistant to Mr. Holbrook. Mr. Wright purchased and retained the same site, and served until 1887, William G, Young was appointed in that year and served until 1899. William H. Wright was then re-appointed and served until 1893. Then William G. Young was re-appointed. He resigned January 1, 1902. Mr. Young moved the postoffice to the Haven building, lot 1, block 7, in 1893. Something like two years later he moved it to the [. 0. O. F. building located on lot 7, block 6. William H. Wright was again re-appointed November 28, 1902. During the last six months of Mr. Young's last term and the first six months of Mr. Wright's last appointment the postoffice was temporarily located in the Charles Kraus building, lot 2, block 4. In the spring of 1903 it was moved to the Kretchmer building, lot 2, block 4, fer four months. Then it was moved for two months to the town hall on lot 5, block 6. In November, 1903, it was moved to its present location in a building erected for the purpose by Mr. Wright on lot 1, block 5. November 30, the Civil Service Commission extended Civil service classification to Mr. Wright under the provisions of an Executive order of May 7, 1913. He is a capable and efficient officer, and one of the useful citizens of the village. Rural route No, 1, was established March 1, 1903. The first earrier, Henry M. Schultz is still serving. Rural route 2 was established Oetober 1, 1903, and the first earrier, Henry L. Wright is still serving. Whipple postoffice was discontinued into Montrose January 20, 1905, the territory now being supplied by rural route 2. No data can be found as to when the office was made a registry office. It was made a money order office October 18, 1893,

South Haven postoffice was established in 1885. A. G. Lano was the first postmaster. He was succeeded by J. H. Crowell. Then Levi C. Holmes was appointed. In 1898 A. R. Kersten was appointed. Then Levi C. Holmes was appointed again and served until November 29, 1905, when Freeman S, Holmes was appointed. On July 8, 1914, when the Civil service examination was held at Buffalo, Minn., Freeman S. Holmes passed the examination and was appointed November 28, 1914, under Civil service rules. The office was made a registry office when established in 1885. It became a money order office during A. R. Kersten's administration about 1899. August 1, 1912, it became a Postal Savings bank. The present staff consists of: Freeman S. Holmes, postmaster; Gust Werner, assistant postmaster; Ethel Stolzenberg, clerk; Warren Maracle, carried on route 1; Luman Maracle, carrier on route 2. There are two routes both established in 1903. Francis M. West was the first carrier on route 1. He was sueceeded March 16, 1911, by Warren Maraele. Archie Rogers was the first carrier ou route 2. He was succeeded in April, 1907, by Luman Maracle. The Fairhaven office was discontinued into this office in 1906, but was re-established again in 1908, and is served with lock pouch on rural route 2, On April 11, 1910, the South Haven office with all contents was totally destroyed by fire. The office is now steadily growing. It has increased from less than $300 per annum in 1905, to over $900 in 1914, compensation for postmaster. The gross receipts for 1914 were over $1,600. The two rural routes have 232 patrons and they receive over 14,000 pieces of mail each month.

St. Michael. Feeling the need of a regular mail service the people of the Crow river settlement in March, 1857, entered into an agreement by which one of their number was to go to Dayton once each week, carrying all out-going mail, and bringing back the mail for the settlement. The first trip was made through water, ice and snow by I. Gutzwiller, Jr., and - - Demler. Early in 1858 the government established a regular mail route from Dayton to Rockford and Greenwood, and in June or July, Alexander Armstrong started driving the stage. Later in the summer, a postoffice called St. Michael was established on the old townsite of Frankfort, and Anthony Berning, the stere keeper was appointed postmaster, He resigned in January, 1865, and the office was temporarily discontinued. In the summer of that year the office was re-established, and I. Gutawiller, Jr., appointed postmaster. He moved later to Delano and in 1871 resigned. FW. T. Aydt served from 1871 to 1881. J. K. Zachmann was appointed April 1, 1881. He was followed by Mrs. Lena Zachmann, who has been postmistress since January 31, 1910, The office is kept in Zachmann's store.

Waverly. <A postoffice was established at old Waverly in 1863, with A. D. Kingsley as postmaster. Mail was supplied by the mail route from Rockford to Mooers' Prairie. George Doerfler was appointed postmaster in 1860, and in 1870 moved the office to Waverly Station. In 1873 he was succeeded by L, V. Kyte. The office was long called Waverly Mills but some fifteen years ago the name was changed to Waverly. August 17, 1897, E. H. Learned succeeded C. H. Cullen as postmaster. He in turn was sueceeded, January 7, 1911, by Abijah B. Learned. The present postmaster, Frank MeDonnell followed Abijah E. Learned, February 1, 1915. J. A. Kingstedt is the carrier on route 1, and John J. Jolicoem the carrier on route 2, Oster postoffice, the patrons of which are supplied from this point was discontinued.

the Minneapolis and Buffalo stage route was established by way of Rockford. In April, 1859, Mr. Florida resigned and D. R. Farnham was appointed. He was followed in April, 1869, by Jefferson Benner, who served until October, 1885, when J. R. Ames Was appointed. He was followed November 1, 1891, by D. R. Farnham, who in turn was followed November 1, 1895, by D. D. Ames. The present postmaster, Chapin A. Farnham was appointed May 1, 1899, and has since served continuously, having recently been appointed under the Civil service, December 1, 1914. The money order business was established June 1, 1892. Rural route 1 was established December 1, 1902, with D. D. Ames as earrier. He resigned October 15, 1903, and was followed by Hollis Hall, who resigned July 1, 1906, and was followed by Charles W, Guptil, who in turn resigned August 1, 1910, and was followed by the present carrier, Alexander A. Farnham. Route 2 was established November 1, 1904, with Charles Omera as carrier. He resigned March 1, 1909 and was followed by Frank G. Omera, the present incumbent.

The Wright County Rural Letter Carriers' Association is a suceessful organization of rural carriers, and some enjoyable meetings have been held. The annual meeting for 1915 was held May 8, at Buffalo. Carriers and their wives were present from Delano, Cokato, Monticello, Maple Plain and Buffalo. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year, O, A. Loberg, Cokato, president; John J. Reynolds, Buffalo, vice president; Otto L. Kelsey, Delano, seeretary; J. R. Halvorson, Cokato, treasurer; O. W. Swanson, Monticello, Paul Templin, Buffalo, William Sutton, Delano, executive board. John J. Reynolds was elected as delegate to the state convention at Detroit, Minn., June 18 and 19; Paul Templin, alternate. The next meeting will be held at Monticello.

Discontinued Offices

Albion postoffice was established in Albion village, sections 9 and 10, Albion township, in 1856. Thomas G. and Robert S. Holmes alternated as postmasters for many years. The office was discontinued into the Maple Lake office about the time the railroad came through.

Albrecht postoffice was established in the late nineties with Herman Albrecht as postmaster, and flourished for several years. The office was located on the north branch of the Crow river, near the southwest corner of section §, township 119 (Middleville). A flour mill and a store were established here. The owner was killed by an infuriated bull some twenty-five years ago.

Censtohowa is a discontinued postoffice, the patrons of which, now receive their mail from Delano. It flourished for several years in the first decade of the present century, Michael Nalewaja was the postmaster. The office was located in Franklin township about eighteen miles south of Buffalo and several miles from Delano.

Corinna postoffice was established on section 18, Corinna township, in 1868, with M. 8S. Harriman as postmaster. In 1878, William Ponsford was appointed postmaster, and the office was removed to his residence on section 17.

Dean Lake. A postoffice was established at Dean Lake in Rockford township in 1862, with S. H. Dean as postmaster. Mr. Dean died in 1874, and his widow kept the office until 1878, when it was discontinued.

Endeavor postoffice, now discontinued, was located six miles southeast of Buffalo. It was established in the late nineties, and was discontinued some ten years ago. The patrons now receive their mail from Buffalo. The first postmaster was F'. Peterson. The last was Alphonse Bolduc,

French Lake. French Lake postoffice was established in 1859 and Michael O'Loughlin was appointed postmaster. He resigned in 1868 and Martin O'Loughlin was appointed to fill the position. Until 1870 the office was supplied by the Monticello and Forest City mail route. In that year the Rockford and French Lake route was established. When this route was discontinued in 1874, the office was discontinued. A new office ealled Normandy was established and Charles Chevalier appointed postmaster. It was not long in existence, and when the Cokato and Fair Haven mail route was established through the town the postoffice of French Lake was again opened and Thomas O'Loughlin appointed postmaster. He was succeeded by P, B. O'Loughlin, son of the first postmaster, Michael O'Loughlin. P, B. O'Loughlin kept the office at the store of Connole & O'Loughlin at the corner, commonly known as Charleston, and received a weekly mail from Smith Lake, The office of French Lake was discontinued into the office at Annandale about ten years ago. The last postmaster was Andrew J. Lindberg. He succeeded R. W. Rosseau.

Granite Lake postoffice was discontinued some ten years ago, and the patrons now receive their mail from Annandale. The last postmaster was John B, Smith. The office was located in section 29, Albion township.

Keystone postoffice was discontinued some ten years ago, and the patrons now receive their mail from Cokato. Ella Jorgenson was the last postmistress. The office was located in the southern part of Stockholm township.

Knapp postoffice was established in the late nineties and was discontinued some five years ago. The last postmaster was August Pearson, The office was located in section 32, French Lake township, bordering on section 5, Cokato township.

Ludemann is a discontinued postoffice six miles east of Buffalo. It was discontinued some ten years ago. The last postmaster was Gustav Wessenberg. He followed W. Cochran. The patrons now receive their mail from Buffalo.

Middleville postoffice was established late in 1869 or early in 1870 at Boam's, on the Crow river. At about the same time an older postoffice also called Middleville, located in section 2, Victor township, just over the line from Middleville township, had been moved to Howard Lake and the name changed to correspond with its new location. Henry Boam was appointed postmaster and held the position for many years. The office was supplied by the Clearwater & Howard Lake route.

Northwood postoffice was established late in 1856, in section 36, Otsego township, with Charles Kelley as postmaster. In the winter of 1856-57 mail routes were established running from Northwood to St. Paul, to St. Peter, and to Watertown. Col. Alexander Armstrong, a well known character, was stage driver for many years on the route between Northwood and Watertown.

Oster postoffice was discontinued in January, 1907. It was located near the county line, seventeen miles southwest of Buffalo. The patrons now receive their mail from Waverly.

Otsego, Otsego postoffice was established in 1896, near the section line between sections 17 and 18, Otsego township. John McDonald was the first postmaster. The postoffice was discontinued some ten years ago and.mail is now received from Elk River. The last postmistress was Josephine Spencer.

Rasset postoffice was discontinued some ten years ago. It was located in section 32, Chatham township, bordering on section 5, Marysville. The last postmaster was S. A. Anderson.

Stockholm postoffice was established in the late nineties and discontinued about ten years ago. The last postmaster was August Sahlberg. He followed John A. Mellquist.

Silver Creek. Silver Creek postoffice was established in 1856, with A. G. Descent as postmaster. The office continued in operation until December 1, 1906, when it was discontinued inte the Maple Lake postoffice. The last postmaster was Jessie M. Ives, who succeeded J. 1. Whitney.

Smith Lake. The Big Woods postoffice was established in 1861 and was one of the pioneer offices in the woods. A. E. Cochrane was the postmaster. The office was supplied weekly by the Roekford and Mooers' Prairie mail route. In 1875 the name was changed to Smith Lake and the office removed to that village. The office was discontinued into Cokato, March 31, 1915. From the time of the establishment of the Smith Lake offiee, the postmasters, as nearly as can be ascertained, were as follows: A. E. Cochrane, R. M. Morgan, 0. Wennons, L. Cochrane, Andrew Thompson, Mrs. Mary Larson, J. W. Krueger, Anna Lyren, A. A. Broek, J. J. Schamberg, M. Dedrick, Mrs. L. M. Watson and Mrs. Maggie Rice.

Whipple is a discontinued postoffice in the southeastern part of the county. The last postmaster was John Herman. He followed John W. Pattison.