Buffalo City

Buffalo City

Buffalo lies in the northeast center of Wright county and embraces Congressional township 120, range 25. Its area is 25,040 aeres. The surface was originally nearly all covered with timber, interspersed with many natural meadows. The soil, like most of the timber land in the county, is a rich, dark loam, with a clay subsoil. A large portion of the surface (about 3,500 acres) is covered with Jakes. Buffalo lake, from which the town derives its name, lies party in Buffalo and partly in Chatham; Lake Pulaski is about two miles to the northeast, and Pelican lake extends into the northeast corner of the town from Monticello and Frankfort, There are also smaller lakes. All are popular with city people seeking summer recreation, and all abound in fish in considerable numbers,

Buffalo lake was named by the Indian traders on account of the large numbers of buffalo fish found in its waters, This locality was a famous eamping ground of the Sioux, where they eame in summer, to fish and gather cranberries, and in the winter, to hunt deer, In the early fifties the Winnebagoes had a large village where the village of Buffalo now stands. In 1855, the houses or tepees covered the entire space between where the creamery now is and the ravine between the American House and the court house. A few patches of corn were cultivated by the squaws, and the men spent their time in fishing and hunting. Here the annual payments were made and a trading post was established at the west end of Lake Pulaski.

In 1851 Edmund Brissette, an Indian trader living at Lake Calhoun, near Minneapolis, with several other French pioneers, eut a road through the timber from Lake Calhoun to Buffalo, by way of the west side of Medicine lake, Independence lake, and Lake Sarah, crossing Crow river at Rockford, then going north of the present Rockford and Buffalo road, crossing the creek between the marsh and lake, near the old George Sook place. It was a crooked, narrow road, but many journeys were made to Buffalo and the trading post at Lake Pulaski. The first settlers used this old traders' road as late as 1857-58.

The first man to permanently locate in this township was Augustus Prime, who settled on section 9 in April, 1855. He died at Monticello in 1870. He was followed by Solomon Hatch, a native of Maine, who came here in May, of the same year, purchas-~ ing a claim that had been previously made on section 5. He brought his family to their new home in Oetober of the same year, and resided there until his death, which oceurred in January, 1874. During the same fall, Amasa Ackley and G. A. J. Overton came to the shores of Buffalo lake, and selected claims on section 30, whither they removed in the following February. <A part of the Ackley claim is now covered by the village of Buffalo. Mr. Ackley continued to reside on the old homestead. Mr. Overton moved to Stevens county in 1875 and died there in Mareh, 1881. James Griffin, colored, moved the Ackley and Overton families here, and on February 15, 1856, located permanently in section 32.

Moses 5, Calkins and David Calkins, brothers, Daniel Gray, Thomas Smithson and §. B. Culver all settled in the town in the spring of 1856. 8S. B, Culver located in section 20, on the west end of Lake Pulaski, the old site of the Indian trading post. Thomas Smithson settled in seetion 8, on the northeast shore of the same lake, Daniel Gray took a claim adjoining Ackley's, and a part of it is now included in the village. J. M. Keeler and - Odell came the same year. Jackson Taylor arrived in Buffalo on August 20, 1856, and purchased the claim of Daniel Gray. He was a native of Kentucky, and became here a prominent citizen, being postmaster for many years. He also engaged in farming and in the hotel and milling business.

The first birth and the first death was that of Wiliam M. Smithson, born May 20, 1856, died May 31, 1856, son of Thomas Smithson, A journey to Monticello after a clergyman and casket

The first marriage was that of James Gilbert, and Jennie Prime, April 16, 1857. Another early marriage was that of James Sturgis and Ellen Dudley, July 4, 1860.

In January, 1857, an election precinet was organized, called Buffalo, which extended to the west line of the county. The precinct was established by the board of county commissioners, and the following precinet officers appointed: Judges of election, Amasa Ackley, Moses Calkins and Levi B. Culver; justice of the peace, G. A. J. Overton; constable, A. Ackley, and overseer of roads, Moses S. Calkins. The place of holding elections was the dwelling house of A. Ackley.

The town was organized and the first. election held on May 11, 1858, at which the following officers were chosen: Supervisors, Jackson Taylor, Amasa Ackley and Moses S. Calkins; town clerk, J. M. Keeler; justices of the peace, David 8. Calkins and J. M. Keeler, and assessor, B. Ambler.

In 1875 the town voted bonds to the amount of $10,000 to the Minneapolis & Northwestern, on condition that a road should be built to the town from Minneapolis before January 1, 1878. The condition was not complied with.

The ginseng trade of 1859 and 1860 came as a boon to the settlers suffering from the hard times of 1858, and much ready ash was realized. A drying house was established, and many thousands of dollars paid ont for the roots.

During the Indian scare of 1862 the town was practically abandoned. A peculiar atmospheric condition in the west added to the belief that Albion was in flames, and then the rush began, Frightened men, despairing women, weeping children, mingled with the live stock and the loaded wagons, in a mad hegira to Monticello. One woman had twins born on the way. Some of the people found shelter in homes, others camped out, and still others assisted in building the stockade about the Academy building. For six weeks there was scareely a person in the town and village of Buffalo. Gradually confidence was restored, and many of the people returned.

Few Indians were actually seen in the eounty during the Indian uprising. One who claimed te have seen one was Dr. R. O. Cady, who came to Buffalo in June, 1862, and purchased from Guy Carleton, the northwest quarter of section 28. He was one of those who had fied during the scare of 1862 and had returned after six weeks. In the latter part of June, 1863, he was watching a deer-riin in a meadow, about a mile southeast of his home, when, according to his report, he saw eleven Indians, two of whom were squaws. He hastened home to his family, and placed his son on guard. A few days later came the news of the Dustin massacre.

This time the exodus was more precipitate than the one before. But Dr. R. O. Cady, Jackson Taylor, Amasa Ackley, J. M. Keeler and others succeeded in staying the tide somewhat, and persuaded the settlers to erect a stockade. The stockade was erected about a ginseng drying house on the shore of the lake near the house of Jackson Taylor. The structure was built of heavy hewn or peeled logs, and was eight feet high and sixty feet square, with bastions at each corner. But no Sioux ever came to test the strength of the defense, and in time it was demolished.

Buffalo Village

Buffalo, the county seat of Wright county, is one of the most substantial and picturesque of its size in the state. It is a good business point, a popular summer resort, and the mecca of many hunters and fishermen. Situated on the banks of Buffalo lake, on a sloping plateau and terrace, shaded by many trees, liberally supplied with good walks, and beautified by many sightly homes, it has advantages which have assured the comfort of the citizens and won the commendation of visitors, The village is thirty-eight miles northwest of Minneapolis on the ''Soo'' Line, and is thus in easy communication with the Twin cities. There are seven churches, two banks, an opera house, two moving picture houses, two hotels, a public library, a commercial club, flour and feed mills, a creamery, two grain elevators, a municipal lighting plant, several parks, and a newspaper. The leading fraternal organizations are here represented. The schools are of the best, and include a well equipped high school. The principal shipments from the village are grain, flour, produce, live stock and wood. Land in the viemity is worth from $60 to $125 an acre.

who came to bring the goods of these two families, settled here in the spring of 1856. About this time came Daniel Gray, who in the fall of 1856, sold to Jackson Taylor. Business was started in 1856 by Moses Calkins, who opened a store on the south side of what is now Gray street, a few rods back from the lake.

The original business center was on Gray street, running back from the lake to the site of the old courthouse on that street, Jackson Taylor's old tavern, which was for years the center of Buffalo's business activity is still standing, and is now oceupied as a residence by Paul G. Liederbach. Gradually the business center shifted westward, For a time it centered about the present site of the Buffalo State Bank, with a few scattering places between that and Gray street, and further back from the lake. When the present courthouse was built stores were opened on the square north and west of it, and for a time it seemed that that locality would become the business center. When the railroad was built, stores were erected near the station, and for a time it looked as though the settlement on the lake was to shift toward the station. Gradually, however, the business center of the town assumed its present position, and the building of the postoffice, and the erection of some splendid buildings has probably made the present center permanent.

Buffalo is noted for its beauty spots. Extending from the courthouse to the lake in a series of velvety terraces is a beautiful park, shaded with noble trees and studded with shrubbery. The historic old ravine which bounds this park on the east, has been beautified for a part of its length by Register of Deeds O. J. Peterson, until it is a veritable bower of loveliness, and another stretch of the same ravine, which has been purchased by the county, will also be improved, cleared and graded.

The old Hoblett property, on the shores of the lake, southeast of the creamery, and south of the residence of Albert Boerner, has been purchased by the city, and is being graded, and made into a beautiful little park, Mr. Boerner contributed $100 toward its purchase.

There is also a pretty park on the hill west of the business section of the village. This park oceupies the site of the old cemetery. For several years the proposition to make this cemetery into a park was considered by the city council, In 1906, the eouncil had a wire fence put around the tract, and announced itself in possession of the property. October 5, 1908, the final steps were taken to condemn and acquire it, and on June 15, 1910, provisions were made for the removal of such bodies as still remained there,

The Griffing park on the banks of Lake Pulaski is widely known. A splendid expanse of heavily wooded land, it is an ideal place for outings and picnics; and bathing houses have been erected so that the people can take the fullest advantage of its sandy bathing beach. Benches and tables have been arranged, and other comforts provided, The park was presented to the village September 5, 1905, by Mrs. Henry B. Griffing in accordance with the wishes of her late husband. The first board in charge of the park consisted of Adolph Fremd, George C. Carpenter and W. D. Oakley.

Various efforts have been made to establish water works and a sewer system, but thus far these efforts have not succeeded, due to a large extent to the fact that the village covers so wide an area of ground, There are many private artesian wells, however, and sanitation is well provided for by private cesspools, The village has had a municipal electric light service for several years.

For many years the progressive citizens labored for the establishment of a municipal electric light plant, and the matter came to yote several times. After a long series of efforts, on June 22, 1910, the voters at a special election carried a proposition to bond the village to the amount of $7,000 for refunding the floating indebtedness, and also to bond the village for an additional $8,000 to be used for the establishment of a public electrie light plant. June 6 of the same year a contract was awarded to Boerner Brothers for $3,800 for the construction of the power house building. Early in 1915 the couneil signed a contract with the St. Clond Light & Power Company, for a twenty-four hour continuous service. The General Electric Co., of Minneapolis, was also a bidder for the contract, and local opinion was strongly divided between the two companies.

The Violet House, west of the village, was examined on November 11, 1902, at the request of the council, by Dr. F. A. Shannon and J, D. Prahl, with a view to ascertaining its suitability as a hospital. They reported favorably, the property was purchased for $800 and J. D. Prahl and William Korn were appointed a committee to fit up the second story of the honse for hospital purposes,

The public library proposition was placed before the voters in 1906, but while 150 were in favor of the project and only 109 against, the plan failed, owing to the failure to secure the necessary two-thirds vote. However, on April 22, 1907, the library was established by a vote of 245 to 87. The first library board consisted of: C. 8S. Hawker, J. H. Wendell, Mrs. J. J. Woolley, Mrs. G. W. Burrows, Mrs. J. C. Fogerty, Fred Green, Mrs. E. J. Dickinson, F. B. Leck and John A. Berg.

Municipal History, Buffalo was incorporated in 1887, with the following limits: ''Beginning at southwest corner section 31, township 120, range 25, running thence east on south line of said section three-fourths mile to southeast corner of southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of said section. Thence north on the west line of the east one-half of said southeast quarter of said section and on west line of the east one-half of northeast quarter of said section one-half mile to northeast corner lot 3, in said section. Thence east on the east and west quarter-section line of said section, one-fourth mile to the east line of said section 31. Thence north on the said east line of said section 31, one-half mile to northeast corner of said section. Thence east on section line between section 29 and see 32 to a point 22 rods east of southwest corner of section 29. Thence north on a line 22 rods east from and parallel with the west line of section 29, 1 mile and 20 rods and 3 feet to a point 20 rods and 3 feet north of the north line of said section 29. Thence west and parallel with said north line of said section 29, 22 rods to the east line of section 19; thence west on a line 20 rods 3 feet north from and parallel with the south line of said section 19, three-fourths of a mile to a point 20 rods and 3 feet from the northwest corner of the east one-half of the northwest quarter of section 30. Thence south 20 rods and 3 feet to the north line of said section 30. Thence south on the west line of said east one-half of said northwest one-fourth of said section 30, 129 rods and 6 feet to the meandered line of Buffalo lake. Thence in a straight line sonthwesterly across the waters of Buffalo lake 1 mile 185 reds to a point where the west line of section 31 meets and intersects the meandered line of said Buffalo lake. Thence south on said west line of section 31, 39 rods 2 feet to place of beginning, containing 1,115 80-100 acres."

A census taken April 11, 1887, showed a population of 400, The petition for the incorporation was signed April 12, 1887, by C.N. Harvey, William Korp, W. H. Hellen, A. H. Grant, F. W. Gorman, A. Y. Eaton, F. Bryant, G. T. Smithson, L. B. Macham, A. Beattie, John Elsenpter, John Wrause. John M, Harling, Charles Hill, James Ryder, Riley Hill, S. A. Putnam, P. D. Putnam, Ambrose Bryant, H. E. Bryant, William Schimming, Joseph Duprey, William H. Cochran, David Cochran, F. B, Stuart, Hubert Berthiaume, 8, E. Dean, J. D. Moore, F. Wegen, Theodore Kloske, A. H. Tower, Henry Nieskins, George E. Stacy, P, W. Smith, Mons Nelson, John Gibson, Fred Keeler, Edward E. Williams, E. T. Sexton, Angus McEachern, W. E. Culkin. The county commissioners called a meeting for the purpose of voting on the incorporation, May 24, 1887, The inspectors of election were 8, A. Putnam, 8. R. Wells and D. Cruikshank. The vote resulted favorably, 84 being in favor of the corporation and only twenty against. August 17, 1908, the village was re-incorporated under the general laws of 1905.

Buffalo has at various times had fire companies and some efficient work in fire fighting has been done. The present fire eompany dates from September 16, 1910, when the council declared the Buffalo Fire Department duly organized with the following officers and members: Albert Boerner, chief; Osear Bjork, secretary; J. A, Berg, treasurer; members, Albert Boerner, Fred Green, A. G. Redman, Fred Ruff, B. D. Ahim, Henry Wolff, John Lindberg, Eric Nordberg, Allie Gorman, John Laffin, Enoris Peterson, Henry Holmquist, Emil Prahl, Fred Bjork, Oscar Bjork, R. A. Fredricks, John A. Berg, Anton Stromberg, Julius Dorn, Gus Bender, Ernest Anderson, John Becker, Lee Covart, Allie Boerner, Raymond Alley, Henry Rouner, Byron Burrows, Walter Boerner. R, 8, Berezyk, Lambert Nordberg, Nick Rouner, Clarence Lamson, Harry Dodd, Theodore Claessen, Herman Buol, Keith Carpenter, Joe Schulista, A. O. Johnson, John Beutuner, Carl Redman and J. A, Otte,

Early Business Interests. The first store in Buffalo was erected and opened in 1856, by Moses Calkins. It was located on the seuth side of what is now Gray street, a few rods from the shore of the lake. In 1857 he sold to his brother, David 8. Calkins, who conducted it until 1861, For a short time it was closed.

Hayford, and also Charles Irvine sold goods there for a while. About 1868, Post & Parcher established a general mercantile store in the same building.

In the late fall of 1865, E. J. Tillotson erected a store a few rods back from the lake, In the following spring he sold out to G. A. J. Overton. In 1867, Overton sold to Fred Young, who kept a drug and grocery store until the fall of 1568, when he formed a partnership with W. H. Lord, and moved his goods to a building opposite what was then the court house. The location of the store was on the south side of Gray street, on the site now occupied by the residence of O. S. Lowell. Mr. Young died in 1869, and his partner continued the business. In April, 1874, C. E. Oakley and E. J. Cutts commenced business in the same store under the firm name of Cutts & Oakley. April 1, 1877, Mr. Cutts sold out to his partner and moved to Howard Lake. Mr. Oakley bought the old eourt house, moved it across to the south side of the street, joined it to his former building, and continued in business for many years, using the upper part of the building as a public hall, The locality is now strictly a residence section, the retail centre of the village having been moved elsewhere.

When Young vacated the building erected by E. J. Tillotson, William Horn put in a stock of goods. In 1869 he sold out to Joseph Payant. Payant sold groceries and intoxicants, and gradu-

Jackson Taylor entertained travelers in the earliest days, and during the days of the war, his place began to be considered as a regular hotel. He and his wife were hospitable people, and the old settlers continued to patronize their place for many years. Their house was at the foot of Gray street, a few rods back from the lake. The site is now oceupied by P. G. Liederback.

The Windsor House was built in 1874, but it was not opened until 1877. It was located just west of the present location of the State Bank of Buffalo. The proprietor was Richard Knight. After many years of prosperity, the hotel was burned and the site is now vacant.

The Sturges House was erected in 1867. In May, 1879, Lewis Sturges sold to Charles L. Harvey, who repaired it and changed its name to the American House, under which name it is still operated.

In 1859, Jackson Taylor purchased a steam sawmill at Rockford, and moved it to Buffalo. It was not in good order, and very little sawing was done. The engine and boiler were taken to Monticello, and used as motive power for a Mississippi boat.

In the fall of 1866, Jackson Taylor, Wesley Bailey and Charles L. Harvey erected a mill on the present site of the creamery, and did a large business in sawing lumber. O. H. Bushnell and Austin Knight bought the mill in 1873. In February, 1874, they took as partners, Richard Knight, 8. L. Johnson and Archie Beattie. After this change, a stave and heading mill were put in. O. H. Bushnell and Austin Knight sold their interests to the other partners in the fall of 1874. In 1875, S. L, Johnson sold his interest to Francis Beattie. Later, after considerable litigation, the mill and the Windsor Hotel passed into the possesion of Archie Beattie.

A mulay sawmill was erected in 1879 by L.H. Rawson. He sold it to Henry L. Stokes, Wyman O. Eddy and Andrew Anderson. Eddy and Anderson sold their share to George D. Stokes, who in turn seld to Henry L. Stokes, who became the sold owner.

Dr. R. O. Cady was interested with Fred Young in a drug store in 1867. In 1877 he moved into a building which W. H. Car> had erected for him, and opened a first class pharmacy. In 1880 his place was converted into a shoe store, and he moved to the vicinity of the new court house, where he was in partnership with Dr. S. E. Dean.

W. H. Myers started business as a painter in 1877 and opened a store where he sold paints and oils. 5. R. Wells came to Buffalo in August, 1869, and became a manufacturer and dealer in furniture, and a general woodworker.

The schools of Buffalo date from the time of the early settlement. On April 14, 1857, pursuant to notice from the county «ommissioners, Amasa Ackley, J. J. Odell, O. L. Dudley, L. E. Dudley, John Williams, L. B, Collver and John M. Keeler met and organized the district which has since become the Buffalo Independent School District. The record book of the district states that on December 31, 1857, the number of '"'schollars'' in the district between the ages of 4 and 21 years was 17. On January 23, 1858, it was determined ''to build a schoolhouse of hewed logs 20 by 24, one story high, the whole to cost not to exceed $250, to be finished on or before the first of June next.'' The early records were very brief, but an incident occurred that led to the preservation of other information. At a meeting of the district on December 14, 1860, George A. J. Overton was clerk pro tem. A tax levy for the support of the school was ordered, This tax was 50 cents per head on every male inhabitant of the district between the ages of 21 and 55 years. Following the reeord of the meeting the clerk pro tem, over his signature, made entries at considerable length showing his views of school matters. He declared that the business of the district was carelessly conducted and that the records failed to show what teachers were employed, and that it was impossible to ascertain the exact financial condition of the district. Following Mr. Overton's caustic review of the district records is a statement over the signature of J. M. Keeler, trustee. Mr. Keeler states that ''there have been but three terms taught; the first consisting of thirteen weeks by Mrs. D, A. Blakely at five dollars per week and find herself, which has been paid and is satisfied. The second term, consisting of thirteen weeks, by Miss Jordan at two dollars per week and boarded, She has received an order on the county treasurer for the amount aceording to agreement and is satisfied. The third and last term by Mrs. D. A. Blakely of twenty weeks at three dollars per week and board herself, for which she has not received anything at this time.'? Mr. Keeler adds that ''if the gentleman and the taxpayers will take the trouble to attend the meetings of the district they can easily find out its financial condition, They have all been legally notified whenever there has been any meeting, but do not generally attend."

A statement in the distriet record book, evidently made early in 1861, gives the names of fifteen heads of families and the names and ages of thirty persons between the ages of 4 and 21 years. In another statement made September 30, 1862, it appears that there were twenty-six persons between the ages of 5 and 21 years, of whom twenty-three attended school that summer. In the list are to be found the following names, since that time well known in the history of Buffalo: George, Victor H., Hiram and Frank Cady; Alice Dudley, Ella Ackley, Kate A. Keeler, Mary E, Keeler and Agnes Mann.

In 1863 the need of a new school building was evident, for we read that ''it was decided to build a schoolhouse twenty feet by twenty-six feet square with twelve-foot posts'' The effort was abandoned and it was not until 1869, when bonds were authorized to the amount of $600 at 12 per cent, that a contract was made with J. M. Keeler for building a schoolhouse for $595.

Buffalo village grew slowly. It was in the ''Big Woods,"' and not only the village itself but the surrounding country was a dense forest, With the opening of new farms and very slight addition to the population of the district, the school population had so much inereased that in 1885 a school building believed to be ample for all time to come was erected. The building contained only four rooms, of which at first only two were finished and occupied. But in 1887 the population of Buffalo began to grow more rapidly and two additions, the latter one in 1902, were made to the original building. This building has been maintained in good condition and now affords eight rooms for the accommodation of the eight grades, with other rooms for the use of the normal school department. In 1908 a beautiful building for the high school was erected on the same square as the original building. The high school and the departments of agriculture and domestic science are here provided for. In 1915 the state inspector of high schools informed the school board that Buffalo has the largest high school of any town of its size in the state, and that a new school building for its accommodation must be erected at once.

The distriet became an independent school district in 1887. For many years a high school department was maintained, but it was not until 1903 that it became a state high school. A normal training school was established in 1909 and departments of agriculture and domestic science were added in 1913. These adjunets to the regular high school have been prosperous and efficiently conducted and are permanent additions to the Buffalo school system.

The most notable superintendent the schools have had was W. Frank Webster, in the year 1885-86. He is a native of Wright county, and for many years has been principal of the East high school in Minneapolis, As an author of school text books he has a national reputation. In recent years the most efficient superintendent was William G. Shirer, a man of versatile talents. He was elected superintendent in 1906 and during the succeeding four years by his fine scholarship, energy and executive ability greatly raised the standard of the schools.

(Note. The above article on the Buffalo schools is from the pen of A, C, Heath, nine years a member and seven years the president of the board.)

John J. Catlin was born at Delano, Minn., September 9, 1880, son of Dr. T. J. Catlin. He graduated from the Delano High school in 1897 and from the College of Medicine and Surgery, University of Minnesota, 1903, his interne practice being in the Northern Pacific Hospital, Missoula, Mont. After practicing in Delano he came to Buffalo, where he has resided since 1905. He was married on October of that year to Edith A. Larkin, of Alden, Minn.

Resolvo 0. Cady was born in Dublin, Ireland, October 8, 1819. He came to the United States in 1827, was graduated from the Geneva Medical College, New York, in 1844, and came to Buffalo in 1862.

S. Eugene Dean graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1880, and registered his certificate in Wright county, December 31, 1883.