Medina, Minnesota

The first permanent settlers came Jiere in 1854. A marked character among them was Stephen Bean, who came from Maine, and settled abont a mile west of Long Lake. He was a kind neiglibor, liospitable, open-hearted, generous, and had a wonderfully fertile imagination. Karl and William Ctiarles Kassube came in 1854. A. T. French came from Ohio and settled on the north side of Crystal Bay, a point commanding one of the finest views nf the lake; he has seen all the lights and shadows of fortunes, changes.

Passage source: History of Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, published 1881.

Prominent among the arrivals this year, were Isaac A. Christlieb. R. II. and J. L. Knettle, B. C. Haines and John Schaffer, from Pemisylvania; "Vincent Cox, "William and Henry Fogleman and Edward Turnham, from Indiana; Asa Kelley and Kelsey Ilinman from Ohio ; E. F. "Walsh, Jas. Dillman, Samuel Lydiard and Miles Bayers, from Nova Scotia; Shepherd Barnes from Maine; Hon. A. J. Underwood (now editor of the Fergus Falls Journal) from Oliio; Henry Stubbs, Allen Grave, George, James and F. R. Maxwell from Illinois. Mr. Grave's and Mr. Stubl)"s daughters were the first young ladies in the settlement, and their advent produced quite a ripple in the bachelor element. The Maxwell brothers brought their father with them ; one of Xapoleon's trained veterans, who followed the fortunes of the great Captain through many of his campaigns. John Schmidt, Iniilt and owns the "Medina House," wliich he now rents to A. J. Rosander. This year about fifty German families, settled in the nortli part of the town ; prominent among them were Matthias Miller, John "Wolsfeld, Phillip Klein, and C. "W. Burchfield. Mr. Miller was the "Peacemaker" and one of the founders of Medina, whose death in 1880, was mourned by the entire community. Mr. "Wolsfeld, while returning from Minneapolis seven years ago, was attacked by a man named Wirth, and so severely beaten that he lost his eyesight. Wirth was. arrested, tried, and sentenced to seven years imprisonment. The enraged citizens wanted to save the state the expense of the trial. Miss Emma Maxwell was the first child born in Medina. She is now Mrs. Melvina Smith. Elkand Cox, who died at the residence of liis brother, on the farm now owned by I. A. Christlieb, was the first death. The "Wayzata road, from Minneapolis to a point near the western margin of the county, where it intersects another established road, was located by O. E. Garrison. A few additional names are given of those who settled here from 1855 to ISiid. Isaac Sharth. Bradford "Wakefield,Perry Parrish, from Ohio;Gibson Teas, J. B, & O. B. Brown, from Indiana; E. M. Snow and B. F. Christlieb from Ppnns.\l\ania; James Johnson, W. A. Spafford, A. Kruikshanks, \'alerous Chilson and B. Gasper. In 1862 they were followed by William and Joseph Lydiard, Andrew Ihown, C. Dittman, and others, all settling in or near the present village of Long Lake. Alonzo Coleman was an early settler and prominent in town affairs.

Passage source: History of Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, published 1881.

Claim jmnping was one of the initial events; one Kohler, thus attempted to gain possession of C. E. Dickey's claim, on .section 26. He built his cabin, and took possession when the neighbors, led by Samuel Lydiard, drove the intruder away and demolished his castle ; he, however, compromised, and purchased theclaimhe would have jumped. It was again attempted on a mulatto, named Alfred, but his "backers" were too many, and the invader retreated. Xo written contract existed between tlie settlers of Medina. l)ut there was a distinct understanding that eacli actual settler should be protected in his rights ; this fact being known, put an end to claim jumping. The first marriage was that of Sebastian Kohler lo Miss Baumeister. The lirst school, was taught by Charles ("hristlicl). in an old claim shanty on section 1^4. owned by (ieorge Knettle. his wages being paid by subscription. A .school house was built on section 4, but never used. In 18.58 another was built on section 34, known as the Ilursh school house, in which a school, supported by tax, was opened by .Miss .Jane Cowden of Ashtabula, Ohio.

Passage source: History of Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, published 1881.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on Medina City - it names this place 38 more 38 times.