Cannon Falls City (part 1 of 2)

Cannon Falls City

Derived its name from the Big Cannon River. The first settler was Edway Sto.ughton. Charles Parks soon followed, settling in the village of Cannon Falls, July, 1854. The first birth was Ellen Hartry, born Oct., 1855. The first death was David MeKune, August, 1855. Robert Fotherby and Miss Sarah Strange, were the first couple married who were residents of the township. Charles Parks officiating.

Cannon Falls Village

Incorporated March 10, 1857. The first election was held first Wednesday in May, 1857. The first officers elected under the charter were, Charles Parks, president; William P. "Tanner, recorder.

Where a portion of the village now stands, James McGinnis pre-empted lots 1, 2, 5 and 6, sec. 18, in Nov., 1854. March, 1855, Warren Hunt took a claim, ne. qr. of sec. 18, adjoining McGinnis on the east. The same spring, Richard Freeborn, jr., pre-empted lots 3 and 4, sec. 18, west of the McGinnis claim. In May, 1855, William Colvill pre-empted lots 7, 8 and 9, sec. 18, south of the McGinnis claim. Benjamin St. Clair took lots 7, 8 and 12, sec. 7, north of the McGinnis claim, the same spring. June, 1855, William P. Schofield pre-empted lots 9, 10 and 11, sec. 7, northwest from the McGinnis claim. The same month Hugh Montgomery took the se. qr. of sec. 18, east of the McGinnis claim. June, 1855, Frank Clark entered lots 10 and 11, sec. 18, south of the Colvill claim. William B. Barton pre-empted the se*. qr. of sec. 7, ne. of the McGinnis claim, fall of 1855.

The village proper was laid out August 27, 1855, by Richard and William Freeborn, on section 18, including a portion of the claims of McGinnis, Richard Freeborn and William Colvill. It was surveyed and platted by S. A. Hart, county surveyor.

October 16, 1856, the Cannon Falls city addition was platted, which included all the Hunt and Barton claims. The Cannon Falls central addition was made December 13, 1856, including a part of the Richard Freeborn claim.

Cannon Falls Company's addition was made May 18, 1858, including a part of the William P. Schofield claim. St. Charles Terre Haute addition was made soon after, including a part of the St. Clair claim.

William Freeborn built the first dwelling house in the spring of 1855. It was a log cabin built on mill block No. 3, or on the bank of the Little Cannon near the falls. It was pulled down some ten years ago.

Richard Elton built the first store building, September, 1855, on lot 4, block 36. Eli Ellsworth kept the first store, and in this same building.

School Houses

The first public school house was built on block 21, in the village proper, in 1857. It is 28x38, two stories high. An addition of the same size was built in 1875.

Present teachers: A. E. Engstrom, principal; Miss Kate' Tanner, first intermediate ; Miss Ida L. Mallett, second intermediate ; Miss Cora Schofield, primary.

The second school building was erected in 1875, on lot 4, block 2, north side, Goodhue's addition, smaller than the first building. There was an addition built to it in 1877.

The first mill was built by R. C. Knox & Co., in 1867, block 51, in Cannon Falls city addition. It was a frame structure, 45x50, containing four run of stone. The entire building when completed cost $14,000, with a capacity of 100,000 bushels of wheat per annum. It was carried away by a flood June, 1867. Mrs. Cornelia Grosvener rebuilt it in 1867. It is 50x60, four stories, containing eight run of stone, five for wheat

Little Cannon Mill

Is a stone structure two stories above basement, 50x70, built in 1857. It was not used until 1861, when machinery for the manufacture of woolen goods was put into it, and operated as such until 1875, when it was converted into a grist mill, with four run of stone for wheat, and two for feed.

Goodhue Mill

Built in 1870, and is 45x60, three stories high, a frame structure. It has eight run of stone, five for wheat and three for middlings. They use the middlings purifier. The mill was built by Gardner and More, and operated by them until September 1, 1878, when it was sold to Stephen Gardner, of Hastings. They use the Eclipse water wheels, five in number. Capacity of mill, 250 barrels per day.

Bank Of Cannon Falls First National Bank

Established June 10, 1878. Authorized capital, $200,000. Paid up capital, $50,000. Stephen Gardner, of Hastings, president ; W. P. Tanner, vice president ; L. S. Follett, Hastings, cashier, and L. W. Follett, assistant cashier and manager.

The First Congregational Church Of Cannon Falls

Was organized July 31, 1856, at the school house. Rev. R. Hall, of the American Missionary society, preached on that occasion, assisted by a resident pastor, J. R. Barnes.

At a meeting held in January, 1857, S. Munson was chosen treasurer in place of Luther Scofield, resigned. At a meeting held for that purpose January 31,1857, Sherman Hale, J. E. Chapman and Eli Ellsworth were elected trustees. April, 1862, Rev. John N. Williams was called as a regular pastor, but resigned in 1864, and Rev. J. R. Barnes acted as pastor. March 28, 1866, re-organized under the State law, and entitled the First Congregational Church of Cannon Falls. The trustees were S. L. Chapman, W. H. Schofield and Sherman Hale. Under the administration of these trustees the present church edifice was erected and completed in 1868. Its size is 35x48 and cost $3,000. It was dedicated by Rev. E. S. Williams, of Northfield, January, 2, 1868. September 23, 1867, Rev. E. W. Merrill was called, and chosen February 23, 1870. September 3, 1874, Rev. C. A. Ruddock was the acting pastor, which position he held until September 3, 1877. B. Fay Mills was pastor for a short time. No pastor in charge now.

Episcopal Church Parish Of The Church Of The Redeemer

This church was the outgrowth of the labor of Rev. Timothy Wilcoxson, who walked all the way from Hastings, Minn., a distance of nineteen miles, preaching a sermon in a small frame house of William P. Tanner, Nov. 3, 1857. At that time there were only four communicants, as follows : Mrs. William P. Tanner, Mrs. A. E. West, Miss H. A. Love and Mrs. J. D. Wheat. Rev. Wilcoxson continued holding monthly services until September, 1865, when the Rev. S. S. Burlson, of Northfield, took charge until June 24, 1866. February 20, 1866, a meeting was held at the school house, when it was arranged to build a stone church. The building committee were elected as follows : J. E. Chapman, Eli Ellsworth, J. D. Wheat, J. D. Jennings and W. P. Tanner. This committee solicited subscriptions, and bought lots 3, 4 and 5, block 34, in Cannon Falls. The building was begun in February 28, 1866. The parish was

The corner stone of the church was laid June 28, 1866, by Bishop H. B. Whipple ; Rev. S. S. Burlson assisting. The stone was laid on the northeast corner, containing a copper box, in which was deposited a New Testament, prayer-book, and the usual newspapers and specimens of coin. The edifice was completed March, 1867. First services were held on the last Sunday in March, 1867, Rev. S. S. Burlson, officiating. The communicants at this time numbered fifteen. In February, 1867, a call was extended to Rev. S. S. Burlson to become the rector, but he declined. Rev. G.W.Dunbar, of New Berlin, N.Y., was called, and took charge as rector on Easter day, 1867. Wednesday, May 1, 1867, the church was consecrated by Bishop H. B. Whipple. The cost of the church as reported, including lots and furniture, was $3,577.86, of which $930.70 was raised outside the parish.

Dec. 11, 1870, Rev. G. W. Dunbar, resigned, and Mr. J. D. Wheat (now deceased,) a parishioner, conducted the services until June, 1872, when the Rev. William John Carley was called, but he resigned in 1875. Again Mr. Wheat conducted the services, until July, 1877, when the Rev. F.J. Tassell was called, and is the present pastor. The church membership is seventy -fi ve ; average attendance at Sabbath School, thirty, with the pastor as superintendent. In 1877 they built a rectory, at a cost of $1,300.

Present officers : Eli Ellsworth and F. D. Barlow, wardens ; Charles Moore, Alonzo Dibble, J. E. Chapman, James H. Abbott and W. P. Tanner, vestrymen ; W. P. Tanner, treasurer and secretary.

Biographical. - Rev. F. J. Tassell was born in the county of Kent, England, Jan. 12, 1841. Received his primary education in his native country. Emigrated to Hawley, Clay county, Minnesota, Sept. 1872. Studied for the ministry at Seabury Divinity School (Bishop Whipple's,) at Faribault, Minn. Was ordained deacon June 17, 1877, and priest May 29, 1878, by the bishop.

Methodist Episcopal Church

This church was organized in 1856. The society is building a neat little church this year. Owing to the absence of the pastor and no records being kept, it is impossible to give such a sketch of this church as it deserves. The present pastor is Ezra Tucker.

Catholic Church

Father McMahon preached the first sermon about 1856. The church was organized in June, 1864, with five members. The corner stone of the church was laid that year, but it was not completed until June, 1866. It is a stone structure of about 25x40. Father Carey, pastor. We are indebted to Mrs. Anna Hartery for this sketch, as no one else could be found to give any information.

Was established May 11, 1857, by Rev. E. Norelius. First membership : Andrew Swanson, Nels Hawkinson, Gustof Anderson, A. P. Johnson, Andrew Lindstrom, C. F. Johnson, Magnus Nelson, John Peterson, Jacob Anderson, Magnus Lundell, August Peterson, Swan Nelson, Gustof Johnson, Olof Ostberg, Jon Johnson and Jonas Engberg, jr.

Engberg was also treasurer. A resolution to build a church was car. ried, and subscriptions to the amount of $465 was raised. At a meeting held June 8, 1857, they arranged plans to build a frame church, 30x40, eighteen feet high, with tower. Andrew Lindstrom laid the foundation in June, 1857, but the church was never completed. This congregation, in 1862, built a church in the township on section 3, 20x26, which was used until the summer of 1878, when they built a frame church on section 1, 36x60, with tower, at an estimated cost of $4,000. A. Wahlin is the pastor.

A story is related by Mr. G. Westman that during the year 1858 they were to have the Lord's supper administered, and a collection was taken up and a bottle of wine procured. On the morning of that eventful Sabbath the wine was to be brought from the south side of the Little Cannon to the north side. The river being high, the seven members residing on the south side were to be taken over in a skiff, as well as the wine. When they reached the middle of the stream the boat was upset. With the assistance of the people on either shore they were all saved, except old Mrs. Angberg, who was found several months after eight or nine miles down the stream. It is needless to say the wine was lost.

St. Ansgar'S Evangelical Lutheran Church

Rev. P. A. Cederstam. First members : G. Westman, A. P. Johnson, John Matson, Gustof Bergman, Magnus Anderson, John Anderson, Gustof Wedestrom, John Beck, Otto Johnson, A. W. Carlson, Lewis Larson, C. Jackson, C. P. Swanson, John Moline, Gustof Thumberg and Swan Widholm.

At a meeting held February 17, 1872, it was resolved to build a frame church. This structure is 34x50, 18 feet posts. It was commenced in the spring of 1872, and completed the same year. Its cost with the addition built in 1874, including furniture, was $3,000.

The deacons were : A. P. Benson, G. Westman, S. A. Renquest, 0. Wold, J. Johnson, John Nelson, Swan Nelson, Peter Shallgreen and Lewis Lawson. John Donaldson, treasurer, and G. Westman, secretary. The membership is 300. Average attendance at Sabbath School fifty, with C. Wald, superintendent.

Biographical. - Rev. A. Wahlin was born in Sweden, September 20, 1841 ; emigrated to Clayton county, Iowa, in 1868. In 1870 he moved to Douglas county, Minn., and came to Cannon Falls June 15, 1876.

Secret Societies Oriental Lodge No. 31, A. F. And A. M.

Organized June 26, 1860. Worked under dispensation until October 24, 1860, at which time received charter. Meets first and third Saturdays in each month. In 1861, they purchased two lots and a building on the north side of Little Cannon River, which was fitted up for a lodge room.

Valley Encampment No. 11

Officers : M. E. Henderson, C. P. ; Lyman K. Ayrault, H. P. ; Geo. Manning, S. W. ; Orrin Gilchrist, J. W. ; E. L. Clark, Scribe ; G. W.Neff, Treas. At this meeting there were five initiations. Present membership, twenty-three.

Scandinavian Benevolent Society

Trustees: John Danielson, 0. G. Rydell, and P. Flygare. Meet first Friday of each month. Admission fee was $2, but was reduced to fifty cents, and then to twenty-five cents.

Present officers : G. Westman, president; C. P. Swanson, vice-president; P. A. Peterson, secretary; and John Danielson, treasurer; J. Johnson, Charles Lund, and Swan Hanson, trustees.

Post Office

Established in 1855. The following persons have been postmasters : George McKenzie, Eli Ellsworth, George L. Baker, A. J. Phelps, J. E. Chapman, F. D. Barlow, and W. H. Scofield. The last appointed March 4, 1869. The money order system was established August 8, 1871. The number of money orders issued, 7,198.

Falls House

Charles Parks, in the fall of 1854, built a log hotel 16x24, giving it the name of the Falls House, and sold it to Andras Durand, in April, 1855, who built an addition, 16x24, April, 1855. These buildings were in front of where the hotel now stands. In the fall of 1856, a part of the present house was built, being 30x40, two stories. In the spring of 1858, it was sold to Edward J. Turner, who rented it to Benj. Van Campen, who was its proprietor for ten years. Subsequently it was rented to Col. Williams, Sole Slosson, John English and others. Sept. 18, 1871, D. L. Davis took charge of it, he having purchased the property as early as Sept. 19, 1866. In the fall of 1873, Mr. Davis sold it to Peter Gravlin, who kept the house until 1875, when Mr. Davis again came in possession of the house, and has since been its proprietor. He has refitted the building, and in the spring of 1872, made an addition, 14x22 feet.

Exchange House

This house was built by Peter Gravlin and Christopher Benway, in the fall of 1866. Benway sold it the following spring to Charles Brown, and the house was run by Gravlin and Brown as the " New England

House/' They sold out to John Williams, in 1874, and he to Helstrum and Riddell. David Piatt, in June, 1875, bought it and changed the name as above. He is the present proprietor.

Newspaper Publications

The editors and proprietors of the " Cannon Falls Beacon " are O. T. Jones and L. C. McKenney. The enterprise was the outgrowth of the "Cannon Falls Gazette." The editor and proprietor of the "Gazette" in its day and generation, was R. M. Hamline, who started it in July, 1856. It was carried on by that gentleman for a period of about fifteen months, when it was sold to Mr. Hatch, who kept it agoing about one year, and then he disposed of the property to Hoag Bros. For luck they changed its name and styled it the "Cannon Falls Bulletin." The career of the " Bulletin " was brief but brilliant. At the end of one year it pulled up stakes and marched off to Northfield, to greener fields and pastures new, leaving Cannon Falls without a paper from that time until June, 1874, when Mr. Bromwick started the "Echo." That journal continued to echo a year and then succumbed to the force of circumstances, leaving the town again without a paper, until August 4, 1876, when John A. Leonard started the " Cannon Falls Beacon," which he continued until July 6, 1877, when he sold to 0. T. Jones and C. A. Cook. April 5, 1878, Mr. Jones purchased Mr. Cook's interest. May 27, 1878, L. C. McKenney purchased a half interest with Mr. Jones, and the paper has since prospered. Under the present management the "Beacon " has become a shining light to more than 600 subscribers, and the good work still goes on.

This township was named in honor of Gustavus Vasa, king of Sweden, more generally known as Gustavus I, the Christian king, and the founder of the Lutheran Church. It was first settled in 1853, by a company of Swedes, of whom Hans Mattson, S. J. Willard, Peter Green, Charles Roos, Gustaf Kempe and others were of the number.

The township was organized in 1858, at which time the following officers were elected: (First named, chairman.) Supervisors, Charles Himmelman, Charles Charleson, Nils Peterson ; clerk, Swante John Willard ; assessor, Nils Swanson ; collector, John Sundell ; overseer of the poor, Matts Mattson ; constables, Nils Johnson, Erick Anderson ; justices of the peace, T. Granvill Person, Franklin Morrison; overseers of roads, Swan P. Peterson, Gustus Carlson, William F. Fessenden.

Previous to this time, all the appointments had been by the Governor, and no reliable record was kept Swante John Willard and Charles Himmelman were justices of the peace, however. Since the date of the organization, the following persons have held the office of chairman of the board of supervisors, and town clerks :

In 1861 Swante John Willard was appointed superintendent of common schools for the town of Vasa, and in 1864 was elected county auditor, re-elected in 1866, and again in 1868. T. G. Pearson held the office of county commissioner from 1866 till 1869.

For the following interesting historical sketch of the township, its religious and educational struggles, trials and conquests, and finally its growth and development from its primitive days of feebleness up to the present time, we are indebted to the Rev. E. Norelius.

Evangelical Lutheran Church, At Vasa

The honor of having first directed the influx of the Swedish immigration into Goodhue county, belongs to Col. Hans Mattson. He was a young man with a military education, from Sweden, and had spent some time in Moline, Illinois, after his arrival in this country. The following is gathered from an article written by him and published in " Hemlandel," a Swedish paper, then at Galesburg, now at Chicago. The article was written in the early part of 1856. Mr. Mattson says :

" In the month of September, 1853, I started (from Moline) with a small company of immigrants for Minnesota, in order to find a place where we could commence a colony. Having arrived at St. Paul, Minnesota, some of our party took a contract for some work, while I, together with four others, started out to find a place for our future home. We were directed to Red Wing, which, a short time before, had been laid out as a village. We were told that good land could be had in the neighborhood. We went on board a steamboat and made directly for that place.- When we landed there we found the whole bank, where the town now stands, covered with Indian tepees, but we did not see more than four dwelling houses to prove to us that people of our race lived there. Soon we met several Americans, who received us with much hospitality, and when they learned the object of our visit, they got us a team and a man who was acquainted in the wilderness to go with us and show us the land. The following day we started out, but we did not feel satisfied before we got upon the prairie, now known as the Yasa settlement. On this prairie we found the best of soil and we saw good oak timber in all directions. Now we had seen enough, and we went immediately back to St. Paul, in order to make ourselves ready to move to our new place.

" It was in the month of October, and we expected a cold winter. As we considered it impossible at so late a season to build houses comfortable enough for the women and children, all those who had families resolved to stop at St. Paul over the winter. In company with two other men we returned to make claims for all of us. When we for the second time returned to Vasa prairie, we were provided with a tent, a stove, some provision and some winter tools. After having pitched our tent on the bank of a big creek (now Belle Creek) in a clump of trees and arranged our romantic camp, we went out to reconnoitre the land round about and took several claims. Thereupon we went about to build a house where we could live during the approaching winter. Some weeks after two families of our party came down from St. Paul to stay, and during the following summer (1854) we numbered ten families. Many Swedes also settled at Red Wing. Now (in the winter 1856) there are over one hundred Swedes in Vasa, and we have reason to believe that this number will be doubled during the coming summer.

" Instead of a wilderness, we no behold large fields and comfortable houses. For two years and a half ago seldom any other sound but that of the wild animals, especially the wolves could be heard; now the axe of the colonist can be heard in almost every grove of timber, and the ox driver's 'gee who haw, on the road between every house and the woods ; and instead of America's red aborigines whom we saw when we came here, we have now seen a number of nearly 100 Swedes gathered in one place to hear the preaching of the gospel. At such an occasion, when the Rev. E. Norelius', of Indiana, conducted the service, a

Lutheran church was organized, and the settlement received the name of Vasa, in memory of the great hero, Gustaf Vasa, who liberated our Fatherland (Sweden) from foreign despotism, and brought about the establishment there of the Lutheran faith. The name seems to be very well chosen, as the Swedes at Vasa strive to imitate the great Gustaf and his coadjutors. Before our place was known among the Americans by the name of the 'Swede Praire,' 'Mattson's Settlement' and also ' White Rock,' from a big rock of white sandstone, something similar in form to a small old church in the old country, situated in the southern part of the town."

From the time of Mr. Mattson's account, as above, up to 1860, a large number of Swedes arrived, partly from Sweden direct and partly from older States in the Union, and filled up not only the town of Vasa, but also parts of surrounding townships, such as Leon, Cannon Falls, Belle Creek, Goodhue, Featherstone, Burnside and Welch. Quite a number settled in Red Wing, from the beginning of the Swedish immigration to Goodhue county. The most of them were of the Lutheran profession, at least nominally.

The organization of the Swedish Lutheran churches of Red Wing and Vasa stood in connection with a missionary tour to Minnesota, which I made in 1855, in the months of August and September, I at that time being pastor of several Swedish churches in Tippicanoe and surrounding counties of Indiana. From my diary kept at the time, I may here transcribe some items:

1855, August 31. Landed at Red Wing at 12 o'clock at night; took lodging at a miserable hotel ; tried to sleep, but could not for the mosquitoes. September 1, made an attempt to scale Barn Bluff before sunrise, but was re-called by the breakfast bell. I made some inquiries to find out if there were any Swedes, but I obtained no information. After awhile I met with a Swedish servant girl, who told me that there was quite a number of them in Red Wing, and gave me directions how to find them. After having spoken to several of them and explained the object of my visit, I proposed to hold a service in the evening if a place could be had. They told me that the Presbyterians had a meetinghouse - a shanty - in the burgh, and that we possibly might get it. I then went to the Presbyterian minister (Rev. Mr. Hancock) introduced myself, and asked for permission to use his chapel, to which he consented, provided I would preach the sound gospel. In the evening I had about one hundred hearers, many among whom, no doubt, were hard cases. One poor fellow told me that " the old devil may run after preachers, but he would not." However, not a few seemed to be edified and desired me to hold as many services as my time would permit.

Sept. 2d, the Lord's Day, I remained at Red Wing;, and preached in the afternoon in the Presbyterian chapel, the house being full ; and making a new appointment for Monday night, I got a horse and a guide in the evening, and went out to Vasa, word having been sent before for divine service in the forenoon on Monday. We went up the Spring Creek Valley and got over the prairies to Mr. Carl Carlson after dark. Carlson lived in a log house, a little to the northeast from the present brick church. I was hospitably entertained at his house, and on the following morning I was to hold service there, Sept. 3. Almost every soul in the settlement came together at Mr. Carlson's. No Swedish minister had visited them before in their new home. After the service, it was proposed to organize a congregation, and the following resolutions were discussed and adopted:

1. That we, here at present assembled, hereby unite ourselves to a congregation, under the name of "The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Vasa."

2. That we, as a Christian body in general and as evangelical Lutheran in particular, acknowledge that the Holy Scriptures (the canonical books,) as the word of God, is the only one sufficient rule for our faith and practice, and that we adopt not only the three oldest symbols (the Apostolical, the Nicene and the Athanasian,) but also the Unaltered Augsburg Confession, such as it is understood and developed in the other symbolical books of our Lutheran Church, as a short but true summary of the fundamental doctrines of Christianity.

6. That this congregation is willing to unite with the Swedish Lutheran congregation at Red Wing, when a church there shall be organized, in supporting a pastor, who can serve both congregations until other arrangements may be made.

Carl Carlson, wife and four children ; Ola Olson, sen., widower, and four children; John Bergdahl, widower, and one child; Samuel Johnson wife and one child ; Gustaf Carlson, wife and three children ; Erik Anderson, wife and two children; S. J. Willard, wife and one child; Jonas Gustafson, wife and one child; Nils Peterson and wife; Peter Nilson, wife and four children; Nils Westerson, wife and four children ; August Johnson, single; Peter Johnson, wife and one child; Swen

Jacobson and wife ; Anders Nilson, wife and two children ; Swen Swenson, wife and three children ; Swen Olson, wife and one child ; Benzt Anderson and wife; Ola Swenson, single; Sizuild Andersdoter, single ; Matts Mattson and two sons ; M. Flodquist, single ; Gustaf Peterson, single; Carl Peterson, single; Olof Peterson, wife and one child; Nicklas Peterson and wife ; Bonde Olson, single ; Nils Eklund, single ; Benzt Kilberg, single ; Peter Wedin, single ; Carl Roos, wife and two children ; A. G. Kempe. In all, eighty-seven persons.

It was now the great desire of the congregation to secure a pastor. On the same occasion three children were baptized, viz., Maria, born at Vasa, August 21, 1S55, daughter of Samuel Johnson and his wife Stina Lisa; Salma Adelaide, born October 15, 1853, daughter of S. J. Willard and wife Anna; John Wilhelm, born on Good Friday, 1855, son of Peter Johnson and wife Carolina. The meeting was closed by singing and prayer.

Three weeks after that time, when I returned from an extended tour to St* Paul, Stillwater, Marine and Chisago county, divine service was held at Vasa in Nils Peterson's new log house, which is still standing opposite to Mr. N. P. Molmberg's place. It was the 21st of September, in the midst of the equinoctial storms, the rain was pouring down, and I was suffering badly from the fever and ague, which I had brought with me from Indiana. A young man had taken me out from Red Wing in a lumber wagon hitched to a pair of horses, a great institution in those days. The Lord's supper was also to be celebrated at this occasion, the first in the history of the congregation at Vasa. After having preached the sermon, or just at its end, I had a very bad attack of the chills and had to go to bed, the people in the meanwhile patiently waiting till the spell was over, after which I got up and administered the communion. On the 24th of September I bade the good people of Vasa farewell, and was exceedingly glad to find an ox team to take me down to Red Wing.

Soon after I had left, or on the 30th of September, a meeting was held by the congregation at Vasa for the object of electing a pastor. It was then unanimously resolved to extend a call to me. The sum of $200 was guaranteed as salary for the first year, with the expectation that the congregation at Red Wing, which desired to participate in the call, would contribute a like amount.

accepted the call and moved to Goodhue county in the spring of 1856. I was in my twenty -third year, and had been married nearly one year. I knew that a life full of hardships was before us, but I had made up my mind beforehand, with the help of God, to conquer or die. I told my excellent young wife that we should have to swim or else to sink, and she consented to do her part.

On the 25th day of May, 1856, on the first Sunday after Trinity Sunday, I preached my introductory sermon at Vasa in Mr. Peter Wilson's new log house, which was filled to overflowing. My sermon was on the text for the day, treating of the rich man and Lazarus, and I tried to tell my new parishioners that it was better for them to be truly pious with poverty and go to heaven with Lazarus, than to be ungodly with riches and go to hell with the rich man. I told them plainly that my object in coming here was to preach and teach the pure gospel of Jesus Christ, and by a steady, earnest, and patient work, to build up a Christian congregation ; not by periodical extraordinary efforts and occasional high steam, but by a diligent and faithful instruction in the word of God. And I also assured them that the true prosperity of a community necessarily must rest upon the pure principles of the gospel.

Looking back now upon these twenty-two years, we have witnessed many movements and changes, but I have had no occasion to regret or change my standpoint which I took from the first, and I modestly think that my labor, under God's blessing, has not been altogether in vain.

There was one circumstance connected with that text and sermon which I can never forget, and which perplexed me not a little at the time, and might have led to great mischief if my object had not been understood to be wholly unintended. For it so happened that the old gentleman, Mr. Peter Wilson, at whose house I preached and stayed for some time, was known by the sobriquet, " the rich man," on account of being a man with means, of which fact I was perfectly ignorant. No trouble, however, followed, and I was always on the best terms with the old gentleman and his estimable wife as long as they lived. I buried both of them many years ago, and they have long rested in their graves. Peace to their ashes !

For several weeks we lived at Peter Nilson's, in the same room in which I preached. Our whole property consisted of a bedstead of the rope bottom kind, a plain, square table, an old bureau, an old cooking stove and some few books. Bacon and flour were high at Red Wing, and it cost $4 to bring a sack of flour and a ham home to Vasa.

house, had been put up on Mr. Willard's farni, but it was not completed at the time when I arrived, and it took the whole summer to get it in order for winter use. However we used it for divine service during the summer after the floor had been put in.

On the 22nd day of June, 1856, a business meeting of the congregation was held, when a constitution for the church was adopted, the principles of which are still in force, although considerably developed in 1857, and then again in 1870. The question as to the location for a church and graveyard was also brought up. Mr. Willard proposed to donate ten acres of land to the congregation for this purpose round about the school house, a short distance to the south east from the present brick church, and the offer was thankfully accepted. As Mr. Willard had the misfortune to lose his land, the congregation could not secure a deed to the property, and consequently could not use his offer. A number of dead were buried there, and the school house was occupied as a meeting house up to 1862. This locality is on Mr. A. P. Freeman's farm.

On the sixth day of July, 1856, a meeting was held for the election of three trustees, and the following named persons were duly elected, viz. : Peter Nilson, for the term of one year ; Carl Carlson, for the term of two years ; and Olof Peterson, for the term of three years. A certificate of incorporation of the trustees of the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church of Vasa, was made out the same day, duly acknowledged on the 13th of July, before Mr. Willard, being then a justice of the peace, and filed for record on the 17th of July, 1856, and recorded in First Book, Rel. Societies, pages 9 and 10, by J. M. Hancock, register of deeds.

From that time the congregation may be said to be fully organized. My object now will be to show something of its development during the subsequent twenty-two years of its existence. My own history is so much interwoven with that of the congregation at Vasa, (not to mention that of Red Wing and other places in this county,) that I cannot well relate the one without having to touch the other. And I hope, therefore, that the reference to myself will not be looked upon as too egotistical.

After having lived for several weeks at Mr. Peter Nilson's, we moved to a place in the neighborhood of White Rock, on Belle Creek, the place now owned by Jon Monson and widow Abram Peterson. I bought the improvements on a quarter section from old Mrs. Bockman, for $130, proved up the claim, and paid the government price the following winter. When I b6ught the claim there was a small log hut on it, 8x10 feet in size, with a flat sod roof, without any floor. This was to be our kitchen department. I got some common lumber at Red Wing, at a high price, and put up an addition to the hut - a shanty 12x16 feet - intended for a parlor, sitting-room, bed-room, &c, all in one. We moved in when three sides were up, without roof or floor, without doors and windows. Well do I remember the first night in that house, if house it was. We made our bed on the ground on a pile of shavings and hay, with the blue sky above us. I had filled the mattress with new cut grass, and, unintentionally, put in with it a small snake. No wonder, then, that in the morning, when my wife made up the bed, she caught hold of the dead snake in the mattress ! By and by the roof and ceiling were made, consisting of sheeting ; the floor was laid of common lumber, and the carpet put on ; the walls were papered, and - then we had a nice, clean, cozy house to live in. The only inconveniences we had were when it stormed and rained, for the carpet then stood like a bellows, and the rain came pouring down through both roof and ceiling, On such occasions we used an umbrella. It was only a little odd to sleep under an umbrella in the house. In the middle of September we had a visit of the well known Reverend Doctor Passavant, of Pittsburg, Pa., who stayed with us one night. He had a dream. In his nocturnal imaginations he thought he lay under the bottom of a lake, and somehow a hole had been made in the bottom. And no wonder, for it rained that night.

A little later a number of our friends from Indiana came up, and for some weeks we were no less than twenty-one persons, and the weather was at the time very ugly. Houses were yet scarce. Our neighbors were in no better condition, and some a great deal worse off than ourselves. My friend and neighbor, J. Robertson, first used a big loom for a house ; then he dug himself down in the ground, till he got a small log cabin put up. Mr. T. G. Pearson, our nearest neighbor, was busy putting up a solid log house that summer ; in the meantime he lived in the same primitive way we did.

My time was divided between Red Wing and Vasa and other places, and my duties often called me away from home. On this account it was a trying time for my wife, especially as the Indians were occasionally passing by. In the fall the prairie fire threatened to burn down our house, while I was away, my wife having to fight for dear life. We continued to live in our frail house until the 4th of November, when we moved to Red Wing, in a snow storm.

I now return to the congregation and my pastoral work. As soon as I got to be a little "fixed," I bought a horse and a rickety old wagon ; most of my trips, however, were made on horseback or a-foot, as roads were poor and far between.

During the summer I made pretty thorough canvass of the whole settlement. People were pouring in very fast and settled down on the unoccupied land. On the 8th of November I could report to a special meeting* of the congregation that the church numbered 185 members, of whom 101 were communicants. At the same meeting it was determined to establish a Congregational school, and on the 15th of November it was opened. Mr. J. Engberg, now of a book firm in Chicago, was the first teacher, with a monthly salary of $35. Ever since that time the school has been a fixed institution in the congregation, and has done much good for the religious instruction of the children. The following persons have been teachers in succession, viz.: Miss Lovisa Peterson, Miss Jane Nilson, Mr. L. Anderson, Mr. A. M. Lundin, Mr. S. Westendahl, Mrs. A. Anderson and the present teacher, Mr. P. Lindholm. The monthly salary has been from $15 to $50.

The winter of 1856 and '57 was a long and a cold one, and the snow was very deep. One Sunday morning, when 1 went from Red Wing to preach at Vasa, I stuck fast in a snowdrift, just as I got up on the prairie, and I had to return. I learned afterwards that only three persons ventured out to meeting that day. It was a very cold day, and showed their warm religious disposition, by grumbling over the non-appearance of the preacher. This, however, was the only appointment I missed that winter.

Having sold my horse to buy bread, I had to foot it between Red Wing and Vasa and other places. This caused me some hardships. On New Year's day, 1857, 1 had early service in the school house at Vasa - that is to say, at five o'clock in the morning. As the weather was fine and mild, I determined to walk to Cannon Falls and preach in the afternoon. There was no direct road to the Falls at that time, but we were obliged to go round by White Rock, then cross the Belle Creek and over the prairie, by what is now Mr. G. M. Englund's place. I started afoot after breakfast; the sun shone brightly, the weather was mild, but the snow was very deep and no track. By the time I got down to Belle Creek the weather had changed entirely. A high, cold wind commenced to blow, and very soon a bitter snow storm was blowing in my face. It was with the greatest difficulty I got over the prairie into the bush. There were no houses on the road. My scanty clothing, which had become wet by dragging myself through the snow, now began to grow stiff by the cold. I laid myself down under the first bush I reached entirely exhausted, with little hope of ever rising any more. Yet after some hours a little strength returned, and by the greatest exertion I finally reached Cannon Falls in the evening, but my ears and nose, hands and feet, were frozen, and I could not speak for a good while. After having thawed out and taken some food, I was able to hold service at night, and on the following day I returned to Red Wing. Up to November, 1858, I continued to serve the congregations at Red Wing and Vasa, besides making missionary tours to other parts of the State. For fear of making too long a sketch I will not go into details. At Vasa nothing of special note took place. The question of determining where the future church should be located was up in 1857-1858, but without any results. The congregation continued to increase, and numbered 130 communicants in the fall of 1858, and in several respects I was permitted to see some fruits of my labor. My salary was to be about $200 a year from each of the two congregations, but as the times were very hard during these years, and all being new settlers and struggling for their life, I did not receive the full amount. Thus" at the annual business meeting at Vasa on the 25th of June, 1858, there were $100 back on my first year's salary, and no prospects ever to pay it. My whole salary of both congregations, from June 25th to the 1st of November, 1858, amounted to $75 in cash and a few sacks of spoiled cprn and one barrel of beans. It was, probably, the best tKe poor people could do, and, thank God, I did not starve, though it was somewhat pinching.

A change in the pastoral relation now took place. What caused it, and the history of the congregation during my disconnection with it from the 1st of November, 1858, to the 1st of September, 1861, I will now briefly relate.

In the fall of 1857, I started a paper at Red Wing, by the name of " Minnesota posten." It was designed as a family paper, treating of political as well as religious matters, besides containing general news, etc. I still think that some good in various ways was accomplished by that paper, although I had to regret that I ever tried my hands at politics. For sometime I was suspected of having considerable political influence among the Swedes in Goodhue county ; but to tell the truth,

I never was a politician, although at various times I have discussed general moral principles of right and wrong, touching politics, but I have never taken any part in political managements, caucuses, meetings, nor have I ever preached politics. I have never sought after anypolitical office in my life. It is true, I was elected county auditor in 1858, but this was done while I was away on a journey to Illinois, and I knew nothing about it before I came home. I did not accept the office, and Mr. Going was appointed in my stead. But to return to my paper. It was published only twice a month, but the burden of editing a paper of that kind, together with the already crushing load of pastoral and missionary work which I had resting upon me, was rather too much for me. My health broke down, and in the spring of 1857, I had a severe hemorrhage of my lungs. After having carried on the paper for one year - and the year of 1857 was the hardest one in the history of Minnesota - it was proposed to unite it with " Hemlandet," the Swedish paper published at Galesburgh, Ills., and that the united paper be removed to Chicago. This proposition was accepted by both parties.

In the meantime, I had been appointed as an agent to solicit funds in the East for a Scandinavian professorship in the Illinois State University. I accepted the appointment, and removed with my family to Chicago. As the times however were too unpropitious, my agency was dropped, and I was instead elected editor of " Hemlandet" and another religious monthly. After one year, I relinquished the editorship, and served a Swedish congregation at Attica, Indiana, for one year. I was then appointed travelling missionary for the State of Minnesota, and removed to St. Paul. In this capacity I continued up to Sept., 1861.

When I left in November, 1358, the congregations at Red Wing and Vasa called the Rev. J. P. C. Boreen, who had recently come from Sweden, to supply my place for one year. At the end of that time he was elected in 1859 as permanent pastor at Red Wing; but at Vasa he was called only as a vice-pastor, or supply, because the congregation had hopes that I would return.

During his time some few families separated from the church at Vasa and organized the Methodist Episcopal and the Baptist congregations there, which, though small and weak, have continued to the present day.

Considerable trouble and some bad feelings also arose in the congregation with reference to the question of a new location for a church, which was in contemplation. Many meetings for this purpose were held, and the question was earnestly discussed, but resulted in no definite termination. The old log house continued to be used for the meetings, but was, of course, altogether insufficient to hold so large a congregation. In June, 1861, the number of communicants were 143. The inconveniences were, therefore, very great, and the necessity for a' church was very pressing.

Mr. Boreen was no doubt a good, earnest, well-meaning man. He afterwards removed to Stockholm, Pepin county, where he served a congregation, and died there the 22d of March, 1865, and was buried at Vasa.

In September, 1861, 1 was re-called to the pastorate at Red Wing and Vasa. I immediately removed to Red Wing, where I resided up to January, 1870, and entered upon the discharge of my duties.

In order to bring the question of a location for the church to a close, a meeting was called to the 7th of September, 1861, at Vasa, when a committee of eleven was appointed, consisting of such persons as lived round the whole settlement and farthest away from its center, and this committee was authorized to decide upon a place for the church, and by its decision the congregation was to abide. The committee soon after met and decided upon the location where the present brick church stands, viz., the northwest quarter of southeast qr. of section 15, town 112.

In order to secure the location the committee had first to buy 80 acres of Dr. Whitmore, of Wabasha, for the sum of $320. The congregation bought forty acres and the other forty was sold to a private person. Now, the place was decided upon, and at a meeting called on the 12th of October, it was resolved to go to work and build a church. It was to be built of frame. 60x38 feet. Soon, however, a number of families in the southern part of the settlement were dissatisfied with the location, and some other things relating to the building of a church, and withdrew themselves from the congregation. They even organized themselves into a new congregation, and talked of building a church by themselves. The congregation paid no attention to this new movement but went to work and built a small church, on the beautiful hill where it had decided upon. But in view of so many families having withdrawn themselves, the dimensions were cut down to 40x26, with a small sacristy. In June, 1862, it was so far finished that the Scandinavian Evang. Lutheran Synod of North America could hold its annual meeting there - an occasion of historical note. The movement of the seceders fell to the ground, and by and by most of them returned to the old congregation.

We were now in the times of the great civil war, and the minds of all people were occupied with that all absorbing theme. It was not a time favorable to the growth of spirituality and the peaceful development of the kingdom of God ; the times were too exciting for that. Nevertheless, the grace of mercy in caring for the sick and wounded, and the people, was during that time awakened in the congregation as never before. Not a few of its members went into the war, and many never returned. In numbers and material wealth, the congregation continued to grow during the war. At its close it had 314 communicants.

On this account, the church soon became too small for the congregation. At the annual meeting of 1865, it was proposed to move the church building from the top of the hill to the east side of the lot, put a stone basement under it, and to make preparations for erecting a larger church. This proposition was adopted, and the church was moved during the summer. In the following fall and winter the basement was occupied by the Congregational school and by the orphan home, then in its incipiency.

In regard to the erection of a new church, there were many deliberations from December, 1865, to the 2d of January, 1867. It was then resolved by the congregation that I should take the whole matter in my own hands - solicit subscriptions and direct the work from beginning to end. During the winter and spring I had some $8000 subscribed towards the new building, and during the summer Messrs. J. Paulson and J. Wilsey made 350,000 bricks. My health failing again, I had to ask permission for one year - from November, 1867 - to recruit; and leaving the pastoral work to my assistant, and the erection of the church to the trustees and a building committee, I went to Sweden in the beginning of 1868. The foundation to the new church was laid in the summer of 1868, and the church was put up in 1869. Mr. D. C. Hill, of Red Wing, being the architect and contractor for the work. In the early summer of the next year the church was finished and consecrated. Its dimensions are: length, 118 feet; width, 50 feet; side walls, 22 feet high.

A parsonage was also erected late in the season of 1869. The whole cost of the new church and parsonage as completed amounted to $31,065.22. The gentleman to whom belongs the credit of having collected and disbursed the greatest part of this sum is Hon. J. W. Peterson, who, since 1870, has been the worthy treasurer of the congregation.

With the beginning of the year 1868 the pastorate of Red Wing and Vasa was divided. I then resigned the former and retained the latter; but I did not remove to Vasa before January, 1870.

The following gentlemen have been assistant pastors: Rev. P. A. Caderstorm, from 1867 to 1870; Rev. J. Magny, from 1870 to 1871 ; Rev. A. Anderson, from 1S72 to 1873. From 1873, on account of my many duties as president of the synod, I withdrew from the active duties of my pastoral office in the congregation, and the Rev. P. J. Sward, for-

Statistics for the last synodical year, from 1877, to June, 1878 : members, 1,288; communicants, 758; baptisms, 70; confirmations, 34; received by letters, 35; deaths, 21; excluded, 17 ; marriages, 13 ; Sunday school, 1 ; congregational school, 1 ; contributions for church purposes, missions and mercies, $4,064.27.

Synodical Connections. - This congregation first belonged to the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Northern Illinois up to 1860. From that time it has belonged to the Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod of North America. This synod has now a membership of 68,702, with 39,559 communicant members, in 302 congregations, with 123 ministers.

The Orphan Home At Vasa

This institution of mercy is under the control of the Minnesota Conference of the Augustana Synod. It owns ten acres of ground back of the Lutheran church, and a two-story frame building, and contains at present twenty-two orphan children of various ages. The Home was established by myself in the fall of 1865, and I carried it on alone for eleven years, when it was placed in the hands of the Conference. The free-will offerings for its support have, for the most part, come from Vasa and the Swedish Lutheran churches of Goodhue county. The institution is carried on upon the principles of a Christian home, and has been a blessing to many an orphan child.

Feathers Tone

This township derives its name from William Featherstone, who with a large family settled there in 1855. That year John Spencer, Phillip Starkel, Mr. Goldsmith, and Mr. Coleman, settled in the township, and in the two or three years following came William Frey burger, George Featherstone, J. Meacham, and Rev. John J. Watson. It is claimed by some that Robert Locke settled on section one as early as June, 1853.

James A. Jones and Miss Mary Libby were the first to embark on the sea of matrimony in the summer of 1857. Ceremony by the Rev. J. W. Hancock.

October 21, 1857, Wm. Libby called a school meeting. F. N. Leavitt was chosen chairman, and Geo. Featherstone clerk. The first board of trustees consisted of Wm. Freyberger, Wm. Libby and Wm. Watson. Wm. Featherstone was clerk; a singular coincidence in the fact of their all bearing the name of William. The children of legal school age at that date were seventeen, although the district embraced nearly the entire township. In the winter of 1857-8 the first school house was built at a cost of $250. There are now eight or ten, some of which cost nearly $2,500 each.

In 1856 the first church service was held at the house of Wm. Featherstone. In 1862 the Methodists built a church, 26x40 feet, that cost about $1,000.

In 1866 Ezekiel Burleigh built and opened a hotel but did not long continue it for the accommodation of the public. The township was organized in 1858, and the first election July 5, 1858.

1856. The only business now carried on in town is the lumber business, by the Messrs. Grannis, all the rest having been swallowed up by Lake City, which is only a mile distant.

BORGEN, Ci M.» of the firm of Sather & Borgen, dealers in general merchandise. Was born in Norway, Oct. 6, 1851. Came to America in August, 1872, settling in Houston county, Minn. In 1873, went to Eau Claire, Wis., where he was engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes for one year; he then returned to Minn., and engaged as salesman in a boot and shoe store in St. Paul. In the spring of 1878, he came to this village and engaged in his present business. Was married in River Falls, Wis., May 22, 1878, to Miss Carrie Olson, who was born in Norway, May 31, 1857.

BERG, PETER A., farmer, sec. 35, P. 0. Cannon Falls. Was born in Sweden, July 13, 1835. Came to America in 1854, first settling in St. Charles, 111. In L861 he came to Minnesota, and Feb. 17 of the same year married in St. Paul Eveline Johnson. She was born in Sweden, Nov. 20, 1834. After their marriage they removed to Chisago county, Minn., where they resided till 1863, when they moved to this county, and settled in Yasa township. In 1872 they moved to their present farm, consisting of 120 acres, worth $6,000. Their children are - Charles, born Jan. 31, 1863, and Amelia, born June 11, 1872. They are members of the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church.

COOK, HENRY, farmer, sec. 6, P. 0. Cannon Falls. Was born in St. John, N. B., April 9, 1829. Married Marion Goddard, April 26, 1860. She was born April 15, 1839. In 1866 they moved to this county, and settled in Welch township, where they lived till March, 1868, and moved to Cannon Falls, and in October of the same yean moved to their present farm, where he owns 180 acres of land, worth $30 per acre. Their children are - Cyrus H., born March 24, 1861; Henry S., born Nov. 14, 1863; Alberta, born Jan. 17, 1866 and Estella, born May 20, 1869. They are members of the Congregational Church.

DANIELSON, JOHN, of the firm of Westman & Co., was born in Sweden, Aug. 23, 1841; where he married Christina Magnuson, June 22, 1862. She was born Feb. 18, 1842. Came to America July 12, 1865, settling in Henry county, Ills. ; remained eight months, then moved to Wapello county, Iowa; lived there until 1871, then moved to this village, and engaged in business. Mr. D. is one of the directors of the First National Bank of this village; is also a member of the village council. His children are - Charley, born in Iowa, Jan. 1, 1867; Emily, born in Iowa, Aug. 19, 1870; Ester, born Nov. 17, 1872, and Amanda, born April 22, 1875. The last two were born in this village. Two children deceased - Victor and Augusta.

DAVIS, DAVID Li, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Manlis, Onondaga Co., N. Y., Nov. 18, 1818. In 1829 he moved with parents to Parmley, Monroe Co., N. Y.; thence in 1835, to Yates, Orleans Co., N. Y., where he married Jemima Housel, Nov. 4, 1837; she was born in Lansing, Tompkins Co., N. Y., June 15, 1822. In December, 1837, he was engaged in the patriot war, Canada, where he held the office of 2nd lieutenant, and served two months. He then followed farming until 1841, when he moved to Summit Co. ; remained until May, 1855, then moved to this village, where he has since resided. Was a member of the Goodhue Co. Rangers, which assisted in the subjugation of the hostile Sioux, in the outbreak of 1862. In September, 1872, he opened the Falls House, in this village, of which he is now the owner and proprietor. Their children are - William H., born in Summit Co., 0., Jan. 20, 1846, now residing in Blue Earth Co., Minn.; and Manly A., also born in Summit Co., Dec. 19, 1847, and resides in Faribault Co., Minn. They have lost four children by death, named Harrison S., Frances 0., Lucy J. (an adopted daughter,) and an infant not named.

Daniels, C. H., physician, village. Erickson, Peter, farmer, sec. 9, P. 0. Cannon Falls. Erickson, Halver, farmer, sec. 10, P. 0. Cannon Falls. Elsworth, Eli, retired merchant.

FOLLETT. L. W.> assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Cannon Falls. Was born in La Salle county, 111., July 30, 1857. He, with his parents, moved to Hastings, Dakota county, in April, 1863, where he received a liberal education, and graduated at the Hastings high school in May, 1873, at which time he entered the First National Bank of that place as assistant cashier, which position he occupied till April, 1878, when the Cannon Falls National bank was established, and he was appointed to his present position.

FEIKER, EDWARD, wagon maker, Cannon Falls. Was born in Prussia, June 15, 1839. Came to America in 1852, settling in Northampton, Mass. In 1856, he came to Hastings, Dakota county, where he learned the trade of wagon maker, with T. Baker. In 1867, he started a wagon shop in that place, which business he conducted till 1874, when he moved to this village. Married Lizzie Stoudt, Aug. 27, 1870. She was born in Hanover, Germany, March 20, 1852. Their children are - Eddie, born Dec. 12, 1872, and Willie, May 1, 1875. They are members of the German Lutheran Church.

GARDNER, CHAS. J#, of the firm of Gardner & Stranahan, proprietors of livery, feed and sale stable, Cannon Falls, Minn. Was born in Cataraugus county, N. Y., July 31, 1844. Enlisted in Co. C, 13th N. Y. V. I., Sept. 1862; participated in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Chancellorsville and many others. Was discharged, July, 1864. July, 1869, came to this county. Has been engaged in his present business since 1874. Married Jennie Ward, Oct. 20, 1876. She was born in Boston, Mass., Sept. 22, 1852.

CrREAVES, J« C.j farmer, and dealer in McCormick reapers and mowers. Was born in Canada East, Nov. 17, 1842. Moved to Trumbull county, 0., with parents in 1850. In 1855 they moved to Henry county, Iowa. The subject of this sketch drove an ox team all the way, himself traveling on foot, a distance of over 600 miles. In 1856 they moved to this county, settling in Leon township. Married Elizabeth Cocker, Dec. 24, 1872. She was born in Brandt county, Canada, June, 1849. In 1872 he engaged with the McCormick Reaper Co., at Red Wing, Minn., and in 1876 established his present business at this place. Has since been known as one of the leading dealers in agricultural implements in this section of country. He is also largely engaged in farming, and owns 200 acres in sec. 32, this township, valued at $40 per acre. Their only child, Ella J., was born June 8, 1874. The family are members of the Methodist Church.

HAWKINS, OSCAR J., harness maker, Cannon Falls. Was born in La Fayette, Ind., May 27, 1855. Came to this village with his parents, in the fall of 1858. In May, 1873, he went to Minneapolis, at which place he served four years apprenticeship to the trade of harness maker, and returned to Cannon Falls, June 1, 1877, and established the business in which he is now engaged. Married Sept. 15, 1878, Miss Carrie Zackrison, who was born in Vasa township, Sept. 17, 1860.

HARNISCH, EDWARD, harness maker, Cannon Falls; was born in Ramsey county, Minn., April 17, 1847. At the age of twenty-two years he went to Hudson, Wis., engaged in farming until the spring of 1871, when he went to Hastings, Dakota county, served an apprenticeship to the trade of harness maker with Fred. Schurch. In 1872 he went to St. Paul, where he was employed at his trade during the winter, and in the spring of 1873, returned to Hudson, Wis., and opened a harness shop; moved to Minneapolis and worked at the harness business there until June, 1875; and in the fall of that year opened his present place of business. Married Cora S. Kirchner, of Hastings, April, 1872; she was born in Prussia, Sept. 15, 1851. Their children are - Edward F. and Bertha C. (twins,) born Jan. 28, 1873; and Frank G., born July 28, 1876. They are members of the German Lutheran Church.

HOLLAND, MARTIN, farmer, sec. 22, P. 0. Cannon River Falls. Was born in the city of Limerick, Ireland. Came to America in 1852, settling in the city of Springfield, Mass., where he was employed at tanning and currying. In 1855 he married, in South Brookfield, Mass., a daughter of Arthur and Lutecia Jarvis, of Castlereah, Donegal, Ireland. In 1860 he came to Cannon Falls with his family, consisting of a wife and three children. Moved his family from Cannon Falls to Two Rivers, and was employed by the Wisconsin Leather Co. In 1864 he returned to Cannon Falls, and purchased 160 acres of land for $1,100. A few years after he bought 160 acres more for $3,400. His property is now worth at least $10,000, and he is out of debt.

HARRISON, A., farmer, sec. 31, P. O. Cannon Falls; was born in Donaghadee, County Down, Ireland, in 1820. At the age of seventeen years, went to sea, and was a sailor for many years. During the Mexican war he was engaged in the transportation of soldiers from Boston to New Orleans. In 1849 he went by water to California, and engaged in mining 3 years. He then went to Valparaiso, Chili and Peru, and at Callao shipped in an American ship for New Orleans; thence in an English ship to Liverpool, and home to Ireland. Married Margaret Jamieson, in Ireland, June 15, 1854; she was born May 2, 1822. Came to America in 1855, settling in Leon township, this county; thence to Stanton township, and in the fall of 1863, moved to this farm. Owns 160 acres of land, worth $35 per acre. Their children are - James, Belle (now Mrs. Robinson,) and Betsy (twins) Maggie (now Mrs. Simons.) The family are members of the Methodist Church.

HANSEN. JOHN J., hardware merchant and dealer in agricultural implements, Cannon Falls. Was born in Norway, Feb. 7, 1841. Came to America in July, 1865; first residing in Chicago, from which port he shipped and sailed until July, 1866, when he came to this State, first settling in Red Wing. While a resident of Chicago, he married Annie M. Brown, July 15, 1865, who is a native of Norway, and was born Aug. 6, 1814. On arriving at Red Wing, he engaged as clerk in the hardware store of E. L. Baker, which position he occupied until the spring of 1876, when he, in company with E. C. Howard, engaged in the hardware business at River Falls, Wis.; after a years' experience, he sold out to his partner, and in April, 1877, established his present business. Their children are - Jalmer B., born March 7, 1868; Ole L., born May 8, 1870; Henry A., born Aug. 29, 1872; Alfred J., born Sept. 19, 1874, and Arthur J., born March 19, 1877. They are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

JONES & MCKENNEY, editors and proprietors of the "Cannon Falls Beacon" The former, 0. T. Jones, was born in Clyde, Ohio, Feb. 6, 1851. In 1868 he entered a printing office, and continued in that business in Ohio until 1872, when he came to Minnesota. Resided in Hastings, Dakota county, until June, 1877, when he became a partner with C. A. Cook in the purchase of the " Cannon Falls Beacon." In the spring of 1878, bought Mr. Cook's interest in the paper, and a few weeks after the present partnership was formed.

L. C. McKenney was born in Iowa county, Wis., Nov. 18, 1849, where his father was a practicing physician. Shortly after his birth, his parents moved to Burlington, Iowa, where they resided until 1853, and moved to Galena, 111.; thence, in 1858, to La Crosse, Wis., there he attended school during his boyhood, and then went to Ann Arbor College, Michigan, from which institution he graduated in 1868. He devoted five years to the publishing business in Nevada and California, then returned to Galesville, Wis., and edited the "Independent " in that place eighteen months. May, 1878, he came to this village, engaged as above stated. He married Hattie A. Bigelow, of Galesville, Wis., March 2, 1875. She was born in Omro, Wis., April 5, 1856. He has one son, Lewis, born Jan. 1, 1876.

JOHNSON, P. C, blacksmith, Cannon Falls. Born in Denmark, Oct. 17, 1845. At the age of eleven years he began blacksmithing, which occupation he has followed ever since. In 1867 he came to Hastings, Dakota county, Minn. 1869 went to California, and worked in the city of San Francisco until 1871, when be returned to Hastings; remained till the spring of 1872, came to this village and established his present business. Married Virginia Clark of this village, Dec. 31, 1873. She was born in McDonough county, 111., Feb. 2, 1851. His children are - Frank, born Sept. 25, 1874, and Jessie, Jan. 10, 1877.

KNOX, A. M., of the firm of Slocum & Knox, merchants, Cannon Falls; was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., Jan. 13, 1829; moved with parents to Holmes county, Ohio, in 1814, where he resided till 1851; moved to St. Paul and remained till the fall of 1855, and moved to this town, where he married Eveline Plumsted, in September, 1857; she was born in New York State, July 4, 1839, and died in December, 1863. In 1864 Mr. Knox went to Montana and engaged in farming and stock raising, which business he followed till 1869, when he returned and settled in this town, where he has since resided. He married his second wife, Rebecca Hutchison, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, March, 1870; she was born in Wayne county, Ohio, Sept. 24, 1846; by this marriage he has one daughter, Lillie A., born Dec. 6, 1872.

KNOX, R. II., miller and millwright, Cannon Falls. Born in Ross Co., 0., in 1811. Married in that county Isabella Hemphill, Aug., 1830; she was born in the same county in 1810, and died in this place May 11, 1858. Mr. Knox was raised on a farm until the age of twenty years, when he entered the mill of his uncle in his native county; remained four years; then entered the steam saw mill owned by his father-in-law, and in which he remained two and a half years; then entered what was known as the State Mills, near Chillicothe, where he remained four years. In 1843 he moved to Fayette Co., O., and engaged as a millwright. About this time he purchased a grist and saw mill, which he sold to his brother, in 1850, and moved to Greenfield, Highland Co., and with a partner, built and owned the Knox & Junkins Mill. In 1851, came to Minnesota, and built a mill for Jas. M. Winslow, on Trout Brook, near St. Paul, which was the first flouring mill in Ramsey county. In 1852 he moved to Pickaway Co., 0., and engaged as foreman in the millwright department of Bright & Co. ?s foundry two years; built several mills in that State, and in 1856 returned to Minnesota and erected the Oronoco mill, in Olmsted Co. In 1857 he came to this place and built for R. C. Knox the first flouring mill in Cannon Falls. Married Miss Melissa Clark, Sept. 15, 1859; she was born in Hillsborough Co., N. H., Aug. 1, 1822. In the fall of 1858 was elected representative to the 2nd Minnesota Legislature. Of ten children by his first marriage, but two are living, viz., Frank and Belle. His eldest son, Martin G., was a member of the 3rd Minn. V. I., and died at Murfreesboro.

LEE, A. J., dealer in general merchandise, Cannon Falls. Was born in Boone county, Ills., July 15, 1853. In 1856, he, with parents, moved to this county, settling in Leon township, where his parents still reside. In 1875, Mr. L. moved to this town, since which time he has been engaged in his present business; marrying Isabella Larson, May 19, 1876. She was born in Norway, Nov. 25, 1853. Their only child, Joseph, was born June 13, 1877. They are members of the Lutheran Church.

MCKENZIE, GEORGE, retired. Was born in Green county, N. Y., Sept. 5, 1805. Left his birthplace with parents in 1809, and settled in Stanford, Delaware county, N. Y. 1827 moved to Franklin county, N. Y. Was married in Danby, said county, to Julietta Smith, July 22, 1833. She was born in that county, July 16, 1813, and died in 1838. By this marriage he has one son, Herman, born Sept. 8, 1836. Married Mrs. Cyrus Hawes, Aug. 6, 1840. She was born in Franklin county, N. Y., Nov. 25, 1806. In 1844 he moved to Rock county, Wis., where he was engaged in the mercantile business, and was also postmaster at Magnolia P. 0. for seven years. In 1855 he came to this place; opened the McKenzie House, over which he presided until 1866. Was appointed first postmaster of Cannon Falls, which office he held four years. In 1866 he rented the Falls House, which he carried on for two years. His children are - Edwin, born in Tompkins county, N. Y., in 1841, who enlisted in the 7th Minn. V. I., company A, Aug. 12, 1862; participated in many severe engagements, and was honorably discharged, Oct. 20, 1865. He was married July 4, 1873, to Kate Thompson. She was born in Norway, Nov. 17, 1850, and died March 26, 1878. His children are - Eva M., Carrie B., Andrew, Caroline, deceased. Mrs McKenzie's children by her former marriage are wealthy; she is a mute, and is the founder of the institution for the education of the deaf and dumb in Delevan, Walworth county, Wis. ; Philo and J. C. are their children.

MEELLER, P. AUGUST., farmer, sec. 15, P. 0. Cannon Falls. Born in Saxony, Germany, Oct. 17, 1827. Came to America in 1855, and first settled in Cedar Lake county, Ind., where lie married Barbara Sebeck, Oct. 26, 1856. She was born in Westenburg, Germany, July 1, 1833. Mr. Meeller came to this county and settled where he now lives, July 4, 1858. Owns 500 acres of land, worth $40 per acre. Their children are - Ansmel, born Oct. 26, 1860, Julius, born March 23, 1863; Herman, born June 8, 1868; and Fred, born Nov. 27, 1871. They also have one adopted child, Fredericka, born Jan. 16, 1860. They are members of the German Lutheran Church.

MALLETT, ABRAM, farmer, sec. 21, P. O. Cannon Falls. Born in Jefferson county, N. Y., April 6, 1814. At the age of ten years, he, with his parents, settled in Chataugua county, N. Y., there he married Lucy A. Barnard, March 26, 1840. She was born in that county March 12, 1820. Came to this county in Oct., 1857 and settled on his present farm in June, 1860. Owns 190 acres, worth $6,000. Their children are - Ann, born April, 19, 1843; Isabel, born Dec. 13, 1845; Wayne, born Oct. 19, 1848; Ida, born March 3, 1851; Jerome, born March 24, 1855; Blanche, born May 14, 1863, and Alice, born March 5, 1866. One child, Jane, decaesed. Mr. Mallett is a member of the Congregational Church.

MOODY, W. E., proprietor of meat market, Cannon Falls. Was born in South Hadley, Mass., Oct. 17, 1849. His father went to California in the early days of the gold excitement, and died there in 1853. In 1855, he, with his mother, moved to this place, where his mother died in the fall of 1865, and in October, 1866, he went to Red Wing. Dec. 31, 1872, he married Miss Nellie G. Wilson. She was born in Norway, Aug. 7, 1854. July 17, 1878, returned to this village. His children are - Eva A., born Sept. 5, 1873, and William E., born Feb. 7, 1876.

PLATT, D., proprietor of Exchange Hotel and livery stable, Cannon Falls; was born in Lower Canada, May 16, 1824; moved to Clinton county, N. Y., remained there until seventeen years of age, when he went to Alburgh, Vt., where he married, January, 1812, Miss Miranda McLane, and soon after returned to Lower Canada; in 1816, moved to Sullivan, Jefferson county, Wis., bought a farm, was farmer and merchant until 1857, when he moved to Juneau county, Wis. ; 1861, enlisted in the 10th Wis. Light Artillery, as 1st lieutenant; was engaged in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Farmington, etc. ; was honorably discharged June 18, 1863, and returned to Juneau, Wis. Was elected sheriff of that county in the fall of 1863, and re-elected in 1865. In 1872 he came to this village and engaged in his present business. Mrs. Piatt died July 21, 1861, and his children by that marriage are - Harriet M., now Mrs. Smith, born Aug.

PARKS, CHARLES, lawyer. Born in Luzern county, Pa., June 2, 1829. Emigrated to Green Lake, Marquette county, Wis., in 1847, and engaged in farming. Settled in Red Wing in 1852, when there were not more than ten families in the village. Married Jane Thompson, Sept. 1, 1853. She was born in Hull, England, May, 1831. This was the second marriage in the county. Removed from Red Wing to Cannon Falls in July, 1854, where, in 1855, he commenced the practice of law, which he has since continued. In 1862 he was chosen second lieutenant of the Goodhue county Rangers, a company organized to participate in the subjugation of the Sioux outbreak. Mr. Parks is one of the few early pioneers who has maintained a continued residence in the county, and we are indebted to him for much valuable information relating to incidents pertaining to pioneer life in Goodhue county.

POE, JONATHAN 8., farmer, sec. 31, P. 0. Cannon Falls. Was born in Braacken county, Ky., May 22, 1839. In 1860 he came to this county, where he lived until the breaking out of the war, and on Sept. 12, 1862, enlisted in Co. K, 2nd Minn. V. I. Served nine months, and was then discharged for disability. Married Emma A. Babcock, Nov. 15, 1866. She was born in St. Claire county, Mich., April 15, 1845. Their children are - Ida D., born Aug. 27, 1867; Vinnie M., born May 7, 1869; Mary R., born July 24, 1871; and Gertrude A., born Nov. 1, 1876. They are members of the Methodist Church.

SCOFIELD, W. H., druggist, and postmaster in Cannon Falls. Born in Livingston county, N. Y., Oct. 15, 1840. Emigrated from his native county to Cannon Falls, with parents, May 17, 1855. Married Lucy Oaks, April 3, 1863. She was born in Michigan, Dec. 28, 1811. Mr. Scofield commenced his present business Oct. 20, 1868. Charles M., Susie E. and Fred W., are his children. His father, Lisander Scofield, was born in Lisander, Onondaga county, N. Y., in 1811, and died in this county April 9, 1865.

SATHER, A. 0., of the firm of Sather & Borgen, dealers in general merchandise, Cannon Falls, was born in Norway, Sept. 20, 1848. Emigrated to America in 1851, settling in Jefferson county, Wis. ; 1855, moved to Pierce county, same State. Graduated at the State Normal School, Winona, Minn. , in 1872; returned to Pierce county, where he taught school several years. He married in that county, Carrie A. Anderson, May 19, 1877. She was born there Dec. 26, 1858. He came to this county in April, 1877, and in November, of the same year, entered into partnership with C. E. Sather, who has since disposed of his interest to C. M. Borgen; hence the present firm. Mr. Sather, is also a graduate of the Minneapolis Commercial College.

SCOFIELD, J. L., druggist. Born in Mount Morris, Livingston Co., N. Y., May 8, 1844. Came to this village with his brother, W. H. Scofield, May 17, 1855. Enlisted in Co. F., 8th Minn. V. I., Aug. 13, 1862. Honorably discharged Aug. 1, 1865. Married Mary I. Hillman, June 23, 1876. She was born in North Hampton, Hampshire county, Mass., June 15, 1855.

SWENSON, CHARLES P.? manufacturer of custom-made boots and shoes; was born in Sweden, Jan. 10, 1831. Came to America in 1857, first settling in Dewitt Co., 111., where he remained until 1861, when he moved to this village; stayed one year and moved to Red Wing; in 1866 returned to Cannon Falls and began business. Married in Red Wing, Johanna M. Johnson, March 22, 1863; she was born in Sweden, June 10, 1835. He also owns 80 acres of land in sec. 19, this township, worth $25 per acre. His children are - Sydney L., born Feb. 27, 1864; Theresa R., born May 17, 1865; Silas D., born March 10, 1867; Justus M., born, Nov. 13, 1868; and Esther M., born July 6, 1870. They are members of the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church.

SANDBERG BROS., druggists, Cannon Falls. The senior brother, John H., was born in Christianstadt, Sweden, July, 20, 1846. He graduated at the- Pharma College, Stockholm, July 20, 1865. Immigrated to America in 1868, first stopping in Chicago. Went to Oceana county, Mich. Married while there Marion H. Taylor, July 15, 1869, who was born in N. Y., May 3, 1853. In Aug., 1876, he moved to Red Wing, and in March, 1877, to this village. He has one daughter, Alice, born June 13, 1872. The junior brother, Fred., was born in Sweden, Nov. 30, 1849. Came to America, Nov., 1868, first stopping in Chicago. In 1872 settled in Whitehall, Mich. In 1877 removed to Cannon Falls. 1878 went into partnership with his brother under their present firm name. While a resident of Whitehall, Mich., July 8, 1876, he married Sarah Ruxton, who is a native of Canada. Have one son, William, born Nov. 21, 1877.

SEASON, JOHN, cooper, Cannon Falls; was born in Somersetshire, Eng., March 28, 1825; came to America in 1844, first settling in Ohio. Married Emily C. Butler, in Andover, Ohio; she is a native of that State, and was born Jan. 11, 1833. Moved to this county 1854, settling in Stanton township; engaged in farming till 1865; moved to this town and opened a meat market, which business he followed till 1871, he then returned to his old trade, that of cooper. His children are - Charles, born Nov. 24, 1856; Fred., Jan. 24, 1861; May, Jan. 7, 1863; Ira and Ida, twins, Jan. 4, 1865; Frank, Feb. 22, 1867; Mary, May 12, 1871; Walter, June 14, 1873; and John, March 28, 1876. Three children deceased.

STRANAHAN, D. C, of the firm of Gardner & Stranahan, livery, feed and sale stable, Cannon Falls. Was born in Essex county, N. Y., March 1, 1826. At the age of four years he, with parents, moved to Trumbull county, 0., where they remained until 1838; then moved to Lenawa county, Mich. Married in that county Irena Holaday, in June, 1847. She is a native of New York State. In August, 1855, he came to this county, first settling in Leon township, where he was elected justice of the peace. Followed farming until August, 1864, when he crossed the plains to the Rocky Mountains, and engaged in mining. June, 1867, returned to this county, and in November, 1872, engaged in his present business.

TANNER, ULISSES, farmer, sec. 14, P. 0. Cannon Falls. Was born in Madison county, N. Y., Dec. 28, 1832. In the fall of 1855, with parents, came to this county, settling in the village of Cannon Falls. 1857, in company with his brother, commenced the improvement of his present farm. 1861, moved to Dakota county, where he had previously owned a farm, and on which he resided until 1870. He then purchased his brother's interest in this farm, and returned to it, where he has since resided. Now owns 640 acres of land. Married to Anna L. Johnson, July 14, 1871. She was born in Sweden, June 10, 1836.

THOORSELL, JOHN, of the firm Thoorsell, Bell & Co., manufacturers and dealers in furniture, doors, sash, blinds, etc. Was born in Sweden, ^uly 28, 1848. Came to America in 1869, first settling in Rockford, 111., and from 1870 to 1873 was a contractor on the Sabula, Ackley and Dakota Railroad. The spring of 1873 he came to Minnesota, settling in Hastings, Dakota count}-, where he engaged at his trade, carpenter and joiner. 1874 came to this village. Married Miss Ida Turner, July 3, 1877, who was born in Vasa, Goodhue county, Minn., July 4, 1856. They are members of the Swedish Lutheran Church.

TANNER, WILLIAM P., vice president of the First National Bank, Cannon Falls. Was born in Columbia county, N. Y., Dec. 10, 1821. Moved to Madison county, N. Y. Aug. 8, 1848, he married Elizabeth Colvill, of Chatauqua county, N. Y. She was born Oct. 6, 1826. Soon after marriage they moved to Cattaraugus county, and engaged in the mercantile business. June, 1855, he located at this place; the following year moved his family out. Was engaged in farming until 1862, when he again engaged in the mercantile business. In the fall of 1876 engaged in the sale of agricultural implements. Mr. T. has held the office of .justice of the peace thirteen years. The family are members of the Episcopal Church. Names of their children are - Walter, William, Kate, George and Mary.

TAYLOR, JOHN, retired farmer, Cannon Falls. Was born May 11, 1811. Married Jane Montgomery, March 9, 1843. She was born in Wales, Dec. 9, 1808. He came to this county and settled in Cannon Falls in April, 1857. They have two children, Jane (now Mrs. Seassons,) born Dec. 13, 1849, and John M., born May 28, 1852.

WESTMAN, GUSTAYUS, of the firm of Westman & Co., dealers in general merchandise, Cannon Falls. Was born in Sweden, Jan. 18, 1828. When ten years of age he entered his father's shoe shop to learn the trade. At the age of eighteen years he joined the Swedish artillery and served two years. Married in Sweden, Christine Johnson, Sept. 18, 1853; who was born April 8, 1828. November, 1853, he came to America, first settled in Indiana, resided there until 1856, came to Minnesota and settled in Chisago county. October, 1857, he moved to this village. The fall of 1875 he was elected representative to the 18th General Assembly of Minnesota, on an Independent ticket. Oct. 31, 1876, his wife died, beloved and respected by all. June 9, 1878, Mr. Westman married Mrs. Josephine Norelius; she was born in Sweden, Feb. 23, 1846; has by her former marriage one child, Eva J., born March 24, 1871. Mr. Westman has two adopted children, Nellie V., born Dec. 18, 1863, and John A., born Sept. 23, 1869.

YALE, D. E., hardware merchant, Cannon Falls. Was born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., April 15, 1844. With parents immigrated to Plainview, Wabasha county, Minn. Learned the trade of tinsmith, in which business he has ever since been engaged. Married Mattie E. Weeks, May 22, 1872. She was born in Montgomery county, 111., Feb. 15, 1816. They remained in Plainview one year after marriage, and then moved to Mountain Lake, Cottonwood county, Minn. Engaged in the hardware business, July, 1874. Moved to this village, established business in May, 1875. They have one son, Carl A., born April 8, 1877.

Source changes here: from Goodhue County, Minnesota, Past and Present, by [Hancock, Joseph Woods], published 1893; 3,167 words in this source stream.

Cannon Falls City

The Big Cannon river gives this township its name. It is numbered 112 north, range 17 west. The Cannon river runs through the northern p rt from west to east, consequently the surface of that portion is somewhat broken. The river bottom, from one-half to a mile in width, has a gravelly soil. The western portion is somewhat sandy. The south and eastern part was originally covered with thickets of wood, chiefiy burr oak and poplar. The soil is excellent.

The first settler was Ed way Stoughtou. Chas. Parks soon followed, settling on land in what is now the village of Cannon Falls, July, 1851. The first birth was Ellen Harty, in October, 1855. The first death was David McKune, August, 1855. Robert Fotherby and Miss Sarah Strange were the first couple married in this town, Chas. Parks, justice of the peace, officiating.

James McGinnis, Warren Hunt, Richard Freeborn, Wm. ColviU, Jr., Benj. St. Clair, Wm. P. Scofield, Frank Clark and Wm. B. Benton, were the early preemptors of claims in the vicinity of the falls. The falls which attracted the first settlers were those of the Little Cannon, a branch of the main river, near the junction of the two streams. The village proper was laid out in August, 1855, by Richard and William Freeborn, on section 18, including a portion of the claims of McGinnis, Freeborn and Colvill. It was surveyed and platted by S. A. Hart, county surveyor.

Iq October, 1856, the "Cannon Falls City addition" was platted. The " Cannon Falls ( -entral addition" was laid out in December, the same year. Several other additions have since been made to the village, the whole extending about one mile and a half from north to south, and from east to west. Charles Parks built a log hotel, 16x24, in the fall of 1854, which was named the Falls House ; sold the same in April, 1855, to Andrew Durand, who built an addition of the same dimensions, and kept the house for three years.

E. L. Clark taught the first school in 1856-7 in a log building which he erected for the purpose, principally of basswood logs ; and it was therefore named Basswood college. The same was used for a house of worship on the Sabbath for some time thereafter.

Wm. Freeborn built the first dwelling house, in the spring of 1855. It was a log cabin, which stood on the east bank of the Little Cannon, near the falls. Richard Elton built the first store the same year, and Eli Ells- worth, the first merchant, kept his goods in that building. The first physician was J. E. Tibbitts ; R. W. Hamilton, the first lawyer ; and J. R. Barnes, the first resident minister of the gospel.

Cannon Falls offers great advantages to manufacturers. Water power is furnished in great abundance in and near this village. The great falls are on the main river a little west of the village, having in the distance of a few rods a perpendicular descent of about twenty feet. The falls on the Little Cannon, where the stone mill stands, is twenty-five feet. Another fall, just below the junction, of fifteen feet, is where the first flouring mill was built by R. C. Knox & Co., in 1857. This was a frame structure, 45x50, and contained four run of stone. The entire building, wlien completed, cost $14,000 with a capacity of 100,000 bushels of wheat per annum. It was carried away by a flood in June, 1867. It was rebuilt by Mrs. Cornelia Grosvenor the same year, 50x60, four stories high, containing eight run of stone.

The Little Cannon mill is a stone building 50x70, two stories above basement ; built in 1857 but not used until 1861, when machinery for the manufacture of woolen goods was put into it, and operated as such until 1875, when it was converted into a grist mill with four run of stone for wheat and two for feed.

Cannon, is a frame structure, built in 1870 ; is 45x60, three stories high ; has eight run of stone. The Middlings purifier is used at this mill. It was built by Gardner S: More, and operated by them until September 1, 1878, when it was sold to Stephen Gardner, of Hastings. (Capacity of mill, 250 barrels per day.

The First National Bank of Cannon Falls was established in June, 1878, with an authorized capital of .t200,000. It is now called the " Citizen's Bank," a very successful and well managed institution.

The first Congregational church was organized July 31, 1856, Rev. J. li. Barnes pastor, with sixteen members. J. L. Clifford and Sherman Hale were the first deacons. S. L. Chapman, W. H. Scnfield and Sherman Hale were the first board of trustees. Under the administration of this board the present church edifice was completed in 1868 ; size, 35x48 ; cost, ^3,000.

The Episcopal church was the outgrowth of the labors of Rev. T. Wilcoxson, who walked from Hastings, a distance of nineteen miles, to preach his first sermon, at the dwelling house of W. P. Tanner, November 3, 1857. Mr. Wilcoxson continued holding monthly services until September, 18<)5, when Rev. S. S. Burlson, of Northfield, took charge. The parish was duly organized April 16, 1866, with J. E. Chapman, and J. D. Wheat, wardens ; Wm. P. Tanner, Eli Ellsworth, James H. Abbott and A. J. Phelps, were elected vestrymen. The corner stone of the church edifice was laid June 28, 1866, by Bishop Whipple, and the building completed in March, 1867 ; cost, as reported, $3,577.

The Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1856. A neat house for worship was soon after erected. They have a large and flourishing congregation.

The Roman Catholic church was organized in 1864, with five members. Father McMahon was the first preacher. Tiie church edifice is built of stone and was completed in 1866.

The Swedsih Evangelical Lutheran church was organized in May, 1857, with six members. This congregation built a church in 1862, which they occupied till the summer of 1878, when their present house of worship was completed at a cost of 14,000. The first trustees were : Andrew Swanson, Nels Hawkinson and Jonas Engberg.

The St. Ansgar's Evangelical Lutheran church was organized August 15, 1869, with sixteen members. First trustees were : Ct. Westman, A. P. Johnson and John Watson. At a meeting held in February, 1872, it was resolved to build a frame church, 30x50, which was begun early in the spring and completed that year. Its cost, together with furniture and an addition, built in 1874, was $3,000.

The village of Cannon Falls has a steady growth in trade and population. The streets are often seen crowded with farmers' teams and other vehicles, from the surrounding country.

The hotels, stores and mechanics' shops, are equal to any in larger cities, and are Avell patronized. Much interest is taken by the people in having good public schools. There are two large school buildings ; seven teachers employed. The principal of their high school is required to be a thoroughly educated man.

A weekly newspaper was started here in 1856, called the Oazette, R. W. Hamilton editor, M'hich was continued only for about two years. It was changed afterward to the Bulletin and again to the Echo. In 1876, John A.

Leonard started the Cannon Falls Beacon, whose weeklyissues have continued to enlighten the village and surrounding country up to the present time. S. S. Lewis has been the editor for the last twelve or more years. Two lines of railroad pass directly through the town giving easy access to all parts of the country.

Cannon Falls has a promising future. She has natural resources yet undeveloped, and her water power is second to none in the State, except perhaps, Minneapolis.