Cokato Township

Cokato City

Cokato embraces Congressional township 119, range 28. It is bounded on the north by the township of French Lake, on the east by Middleville, on the south by Stockholm, and on the west by Meeker county. The north fork of the Crow river passes through sections 2, 11 and 12, in the northeast part of the town. Sucker ereek flows from the south part of the town nearly through Cokato lake, in sections 14, 15 and 23. This is the largest lake in

The surface of the town is generally level, slightly rolling. At the time of the first settlement, nearly one-half of the town was a prairie, known as Moores' prairie. The northern part of the township was originally timber and brush land. The soil is a deep, rich loam, with clay subsoil.

The first actual settlers were Josiah P. Mooers and his sons, Augustus P. and Henry. They came to Minnesota from Maine in 1852, and in August, 1856, settled on section 34 in what is now Cokato township. All three became prominent men. Among other early settlers were Joseph Lane, Samuel Pavitt, Amos Chambers, Daniel Rose, William Lee, Luman Putnam, Timothy Lowell, David Griffith and Hugh MeNulty. Lane came in 1856; Griffith, Lee and Putnam in 1857; Pavitt, Chambers and Rose came in 1858.

The first of the Scandinavian settlers were Swan Swanson, John Brown and Andrew Johnson, who in April, 1862, moved from the place they had previously lived near Acton, in Meeker county.

In August, 1855, the town and range lines were surveyed, and in the winter the towns were subdivided into section lines. While engaged in this work, the United States surveyors camped for several months on the shore of Cokato lake. The name signified a stopping place, and was given by - Duffy, one of the crew. The surveyors cut a road from near the forks of the Crow river to Cokato lake, in the fall of 1855, and the settlers later improved this erude trail, By 1856 it was well cut and laid out, and a few bridges had been built over the creek, In April, 1856, a number of Minneapolis people laid out a city on section 14, at the north side, at the outlet of Cokato lake. A dam was put in, a hotel erected, and other improvements made. Among those interested were Dr. J. H. Murphy, of St. Paul, and the Messrs. Duffy, Sidel and Crane, of Minneapolis. MeNulty was the agent. He engaged Timothy Lowell and his family to keep the hotel,

Tn 1858, Crane, one of the village proprietors, moved to the place, put in a dam, and started to erect a sawmill and a gristmill. But nothing further was done by him, and in 1861 the village was for the time abandoned. In 1862, N. D. Ferrell came from Greenwood, Hennepin county, and knowing that the townsite had not been entered or pre-empted, took possession of the city. A year later a postoffice was established there. In 1866, a dam was put in by N. D. Ferrell and Frank X. Lafond at the outlet of Cokato lake. A sawmill was almost immediately erected. A feedmill was soon after attached. In 1868, M. V. Cochran bought an interest with Lafond, and a year later purchased his partner's interest and became sole proprietor, soon after which he built a substantial flonring mill, removing the old mill about two years later. The first stones used in this mill are of historic note, and claim a brief mention here. They were small French burrs, purchased in St. Louis, by Richard Rogers, of St. Anthony, in the summer of 1852, and used by him in grinding the flour manufactured at the Falls in December of that year. They were afterwards taken to Clearwater, doing service in pioneer milling at that point, until the burning of the mill, after which they were removed to this place, and about 1879 were taken to Watertown, Carver county, where they were used in grinding feed.

A former history of the county has said: ''A town site was located here, on section 34, by Messrs. Murphy, Chambers, Sully, Hedderly, Hancock and Keith, of Minneapolis. They came by way of Monticello, the frosts of winter enabling them to cross lakes, marshes and streams without difficulty. Forty acres were surveyed into lots and the prospective city named Glenwood. A hotel was begun, but never finished, and the whole scheme perished."'

Middleville, as created by the county commissioners in 1858, embraced townships 118 and 119, ranges 27 and 28. The first election was held May 11, 1858. In 1861, the present towns of Cokato and Stockholm were set off, and formed the town of Mooers' Prairie. Only five voters were present at the first meeting which was held at the house of Samuel Pafet, near Cokato lake. William Putnam was elected chairman, The assessor was William Lee. In July, 1868, township 119, range 28, was set aside as the township of Cokato and duly organized. The election was held at the residence of Samuel Allen, August 4, 1868, and the following officers elected: Supervisors, Ahira Cady (chairman), Martin Edgerly and Hans Erickson; clerk, A. A. Jenks; assessor, L. W. Perkins; justices of the peace, Henry Mooers and L. W. Perkins. No treasurer was elected until the annual meeting the following spring.

There were few settlers here to be affected by grasshopper ravages of 1856 and 1857, few to be driven out by the land sale of 1859, and few to be benefited by the ginseng furor. The Indian scares of 1862 and 1865 drove away nearly all the persons at that time living here.

Associated in the minds of the people with the Indian uprising is Andrew Hart, a native of Illinois, who came to Cokate from Illinois in September, 1862, and took a claim in section 26, where he long resided. A hunter and trapper of unusual skill, he acted as a guide for many of the scouts sent into the Big Woods, and after the Dustin massacre he was appointed guide to Co. I, Highth Minn. Vol. Inf., stationed at Albion. Near Lake Swartout, in the northern part of the town of Albion, in July, 1863, Mr. Hart shot an Indian, probably the only one killed in Wright county during the uprising.

Ward Bros, & Runion built a steam flouring mill and sawmill in 1873. It changed hands many times, was the subject of much litigation, and was burned in 1879.

The coming of the railroad in 1869 brought a large Seandinavian population, Swedish and Finnish. The pioneers among the Finnish people were Martin Henre, Ole Westberg and Isaac Parper.

The first white child born in the town, then Mooers Prairie, was Frank Putnam, whose natal date is February 16, 1859. The first death of which there is reliable information, was that of the wife of Josiah P. Mooers, on August 1, 1860, though it is probable others may have oceurred previous to this date. The first marriage ceremony was performed in the summer of 1860, uniting Amos Chambers and Clara A. Hoyt. The first religious exercises were held in the house of J. P. Mooers in 1858, by Rev. L. Wood, The first school of which there is any record, was about 1865, in the house of Mr. Edgerly, by Miss McKinney, from near the old town of Greenwoad.

Kuapp, formerly known as Knapp's Postoffice, is a smal! settlement on the line between section 32, French Lake and section 5, Cokato, It has a creamery, a store, a church, and several residences.

Cokato Village

Cokato is one of the most sightly villages of the Northwest. Its streets are wide and well kept, and amply shaded with ornamental trees. Its walks are extensive and in the best of repair. The residences are modern and beautiful, surrounded with velvety lawns and ample shrubbery. The business center is the scene of activity. The village is well provided with such improvements as water-works, sewers, electric lights and fire protection, the schools rank with the best in the state, and the village is an ideal place of residence in every particular. Stretching from the village in all direetions is the rich prairie, all under the highest cultivation. and studded here and there by modern farm houses, making a pretty picture of contentment, comfort and prosperity.

The people of the vicinity are largely Scandinavian, the village being the center of a community of Findlanders, who have settled on the rich farms, and been leaders in the development of this part of the eounty.

Cokato is on the Great Northern railroad, in section 34, Cokato township, forty-nine miles from Minneapolis, It has Episcopal, Methodist, Swedish Lutheran, Swedish Baptist and Swedish Mission churches, a hotel, two banks, a flour mill, four large grain elevators, two creameries, an opera house, and a canning factory,

Otto Nelson, secretary; J. A, Peterson, treasurer. Theodore Swanberg, drugs; Charles A. Swanson and A. O. Hedberg, furniture; A. E. Swanson and Arvid Ernest, confectionery; A. L. Thelander & Co., general store; Victor O. and Carl Fitrund, hardware; Tomlinson and Bergstrom, automobile garage; Western Wright County Agricultural Society; O. L. Peterson, president; F. B. Carlblom, secretary; Frank Swanson, treasurer. The population of Cokato is abont 1,000.

When the railroad came through in 1869, Samuel Jenks had a homestead on the west half of the northwest quarter of section 34, and the offieials fixed upon his land as a site for a village. He donated a strip of Jand 100 feet wide, and the company in turn assisted him in establishing a village. The west half of the village was surveyed and platted on his land in June, 1869, and the plat duly filed as that of the village of Cokato.

The east half of the same quarter section was owned by Benjamin Lee, whose claim shanty was the first habitation erected within the limits of the present village. Soon after Mr. Jenks had platted the west half, Mr. Lee joined with him, and together they had the whole quarter section surveyed and platted.

The railroad company erected a station, and installed Mr. Jenks as agent. He opened the first store at the station. In 1860 he erected a part of what was afterward the Grand Central Hotel, put in a general stock of goods, and did a flourishing business. In 1872 he sold his store building to A. D. Perkins and erected a large store with a hall in the seeond story. In 1879 he went out of business, and A. W. Almquist later opened a hardware store there. Amos Chambers opened a general store in November, 1869, with A, P. Mooers as silent partner, and remained in business about three years. Dilmet Parker also opened a store at about the same time, but soon closed ont.

Among the prominent merchants of the eighties were: A. W. Almquist, hardware; John Carlson, general merchant; A. P. Peterson, John Allen, G. 0. Trow, John Traey and H. England.

The Pacific Hotel was built by Berger Thurstenson in 1872 and the Atlantic Hotel was kept by J. E, Jenks. The Grand Central Hotel was built as a store by Samuel Jenks in 1870. In 1872, L. W. Perkins rebuilt and remodeled the old edifice and opened it as a hotel.

The first grain house was built in 1869 by J. E. Jenks. The first elevator was built in 1876 by William Davidson and F. R, Delano. In 1879 the farmers erected a circular elevator which was burned in May, 1881. In 1881, L. Cofield & Co, and Bull. Edmunds & Co. each erected an elevator.

In 1885 the village was re-incorporated under the act of the General Statutes approved by the legislature, March 5, 1883. The council met at the offiee of H. C. Bull, January 10, 1885, those present being H. ©. Bull (president), P. T. Nelson, 8S. J. Swanson, Isaac Homer and Isaac Podas (recorder). This body unanimously decided to submit the question of re-incorporation to the vote of a special meeting election. The election was duly held January 24, 1885, and the city village re-incorporated by a vote of 37 to 22. Those voting at the election were: LU. C. Bull, H. F. Edwards, Dr. Wooster, S. J. Swanson, Isaac S. Podas, L. Cofield, Isaae Homer, P. T. Nelson, O. J. Erickson, Andrew Peterson, P. J. Larson, Joseph Homer, John Tracey, W. H. Bull, W. F. Rowe, S. Swanson, Ole Hendrickson, Erick Johnson, A. B. Matts, L. E. Hanson, A. L, Tillander, P. Holmberg, A. W. Dahlquist, C. Nelson, John Paulson, Charles Larson, P. Bjorklund, O. M. Mattson, Guy Perkins, John Erickson, C. Nelson, A. G. Sexton, Peter Hendrickson, John Peterson, P. H. Nelson, V. L. Wiberg, Hans England, B. Lee, C. Cline, G. O, Trow, Gusdof Syoransen, H. Helm, Jobin Klingenberg, C. J. Anderson, Guy Olson, J. C, Johnson, Hans O. Nelson, Peter Stevenson, Fred Nelson, Ole Sandstrom, Erick Paulson, A, P. Peterson, W. Danielson, E. A. Kling, August Holstrom, Otto Sandstrom, John N, Love and A. P. Mooers.

The largest fire in the history of Wright county visited Cokato shortly after midnight on the morning of Saturday, July 14, 1883. Almost the entire business portion was wiped out, and the lives of three men were sacrificed.

The fire, which was believed to be of incendiary origin, started in the Cokato House, which was at that time condueted by Guy Perkins, who had but recently leased it from King & Brad. shaw, the former proprietors. It broke out either in the woodshed or under the kitchen, and so swiftly did the flames spread, that the three men mentioned were unable to make their escape.

A traveling salesman from St. Paul jumped from a three-story window and broke his leg, while another man escaped by way of the lightning rod. There were some thirty occupants of the building at the time, but those not mentioned escaped while the staircases were still open.

From the hotel the fire spread in both directions, aided by a high and frequently shifting wind. For fire protection the village had a hand engine which took water from a large cistern, but the rapid progress and wide sweep of the flames made it impossible to retard the progress of the onrushing destruction, and so within a short time the flourishing village was laid in

P. T. Nelson, shoe store and residence; Joss on building and goods, $4,500; insurance, $3,000. Hans England, saloon and hall; loss, $5,500; insurance, $1,600. King & Bradshaw, Cokato House and some furniture leased to Guy Perkins; loss, $1,700; insurance, $1,500. Guy Perkins, lessee of Cokato House; loss on furniture, $700; no insuranee; only the organ was saved. Paul Johnson, jewelry store and dwelling; loss, $700; insurance, $400; loss in eash, $95, secreted in the rafters. Bodine & Johnson, general store and warehouse; loss, $8,000; insurance, $5,400, Swanson & Love, general store; loss on building and goods, 8,000; insnrance, $4,800. Otto Olsen, grocery and feed store; loss on goods, $700; insurance, $400, A. P. Peterson owned the building. A. W. L. Almquist, hardware store and farm machinery; loss on building stock and barn, $7,000; insurance, $3,450. Mr. Almquist carried an unusually heavy stock of hardware. A. P. Peterson, drug store and postoffice; loss $3,000; insurance, $2,100. The mail and postage stamps were saved by the postmaster, C. J. Anderson. John Tracy, saloon; loss on building and liquors, $1,600; insurance, $1,010. John Marin, candy store; loss on stock, $250; no insurance. Olof and Peter Peterson, general merchandise; loss on building and stock, $6,000; insurance, $4,000. Berger Thurstenson, residence and furniture; loss, $3,000; insurance, $900. This building was formerly used as a hotel and ealled the Pacific house. A. R. Holston, law office; loss on library, $75; loss on building, $100. Mr. Holston saved the greater part of his library. The building was owned by K. 0. Molsterteigen, and there was no insurance. A. P. Mooers, unoccupied building; loss, $1,200; insurance, $700. G, 0. Trow, drug store; loss on building and drugs, $3,000; insurance, $1,300.

The three men killed were on the third floor, and their bodies were charred beyond recognition. Two were lying together face down, while the third was partly covered by a falling chimney. The men were employed as surface men on the railroad. The youngest was Richard Kelley, of Waverly. The fatal night was the night of his nineteenth birthday. His twin brother, who was sleeping with him, eseaped from the building. William Shepherd lived in Howard Lake. He was a single man and about twenty-five years old. dames Willigman lived in Montrose. He had served in the Civil War and had taught school in Montrose for seyeral years. He left a wife and five children, Their remains were taken to Waverly, were placed in a single coffin, and buried in the Catholic cemetery. John Anderson was the man who escaped by the lightning rod, and A. Bergstrom was the man who jumped and broke his leg.

Corinna embraces Congressional township 121, range 27, and has an area of about 23,000 acres, of which about 5,000 is covered with water. It is bounded on the north by Clearwater, west by southside, south by Albion, and east by Maple Lake and Silver Creek. Originally the land was covered with heavy timber, for the most part sugar maple. The soil is a rich, dark loam, and highly productive. It has more lakes than any other township in the county. The largest Clearwater lake in the northwest part of the town covers 2,000 acres, and extends into Stearns county.

The sugar maples and the excellent hunting and fishing made the vicinity of Clearwater lake a favorite haunt of the Sioux, and several temporary Winnebago villages were at various times established on its borders,

When Clearwater became a fully organized township, May 11, 1858, it included the present towns of Corinna and Southside. In 1860, township 121, ranges 27 and 28, was organized as a separate township called Delhi. At the first town meeting of Deihi, held at the home of Octavius Longworth, April 2, 1860, the following officers were elected: Supervisors, H. L. Gordon (chairman), L. H. Dakin, and Elijah Doble; assessor, Charles M. Gordon; collector, John F. Doble; clerk, Octavius Longworth; justices of the peace, Edward Moody and Octavius Longworth; overseer of the poor, J. F. Gates; constables, Charles I. Dakin and J. F. Doble. June 9, 1864, the name of Delhi was changed to Corinna. February 19, 1868, township 121, range 28, and west half of Corinna was cut off and organized as Southside. The name is said by the late Levi M. Stuart, of Minneapolis, to have been given to the township by Hilder Robinson, a baptist preacher who was a boyhood chum of Stuart's, and like him, a native of Corinna, Maine.

A town was laid out on section twenty-one, in 1857 or 1858, by George Saunders, A. McDonald, William McDonald, Charles I. Dakin and E. Doble, and named Osseo. Some improvements were made, but it did not meet the expectations of the propri etors, and the enterprise was abandoned.

Religious services were held by Rev. M. 8. Harriman as early as 1857. Probably the first sermon preached was over the line in Stearns county, but the congregation was composed largely of people from Corinna township.

In August, 1856, Levi H. Dakin, Charles [. Dakin, John F. Doble, Elijah Doble, Sr., Elijah Doble, Jr., Ebenezer Perry, Thomas Doble and Lorenzo Doble, all from the state of Maine, visited Corinna township and took claims on the south side of Clearwater lake. Several built log cabins and claim shanties, the same year, and in the spring of 1857 several families were living in the settlement. As roads had to be cut and bridges built, the task of bringing in families and household goods was somewhat delayed. In 1858, M. S. Harriman settled in section 18, and devoted his time to farming, preaching and various official duties.

In the spring of 1859, H. L., S. A., and C. M. Gordon arrived from Pennsylvania, Octavius Longworth also came in 1859. He took a claim in section 8, on the banks of the Clearwater lake, erected a pleasant home, and some cottages, and established a summer resort that became famous. In 1874, Mr. Longworth encouraged by Rev. D. B. Knickerbacker, of Minneapolis, erected a neat chapel on the grounds. The Longworth resort is still a popular summer place.

The people of Corinna experienced their share of pioneer hardships, and many were about to leave when the ginseng trade opened, The town was unusually rich in the root, and the settlers became prosperous by gathering it.

During the Indian uprising of 1862 and again in 1863, the families took refuge in Clearwater village, and the stock, crops and cabins suffered from neglect. During the panic of 1863 hardly a family was left in the township. But after a few days, the people gradually began to return. There are still visible on the shore of the lake near Annandale evidences of the stockade which the settlers built for protection.

In the latter part of July, 1863, two or three Indians passed through the township. They were followed about an hour later by five scouts from Fair Haven. These were the Indians who encountered Andrew Hart later in the day, on the shores of Lake Swartont. In passing through Corinna the Indians fired a volley of shots and arrows at the cattle of Charles I, Dakin. When the pioneers investigated, a calf was found with an arrow in its back, and a steer with a bullet in its throat. The steer was next day killed and eaten by the owner.

But though the settlers suffered so little from the Indians the damage done by strolling whites and the scouts was great. Houses were broken open, provisions and articles of value stolen, and chickens, ducks and geese killed and eaten. As one old settler has said: the country was deserted, many of those whe had fied had no intention of returning, it was expeeted that the whole region was to be burned and pillaged by the Indians; and the scouts and others passing by, felt at liberty to use anything that they needed. It took the town of Corinna several years to recover from the frights of 1862 and 1863.

Daniel Haberling put up a steam sawmill on section 9 at the east side of Clearwater lake in August, 1865. He died May 21, 1871, and was sueceded by his son. In 1870, Reynolds built a dam and sawmill, on section 21, at the outlet of Cedar lake, near Clearwater lake. It was later rented to the Haberlings, and was burned in 1880.

The first school was opened in the home of Elijah Doble, in June, 1862; a schoolhouse of logs was built in 1868; the first frame schoolhouse was erected in 1871. The first child born in town was Emery Dakin, son of Charles I. Dakin, born September 10, 1868. The first death was that of Elijah Doble, Sr., December 5, 1857. The first marriage was that of Cyrus Smith and Sarah W. Longworth, in 1860.

&. J. Wooster graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Keokuk, Iowa, in 1882, and registered in Wright county, December 10, 1883.