Crooked Creek Township

Crooked Creek Township

of rocky bluffs, partly covered with timber, and presenting a somewhat rugged and forbidding appearance. But this broken surface is characteristic of the entire township, which is made up chiefly of ridges with their intervening valleys. Both on the ridges and in the valleys the soil is good» and farming is extensively carried on. In the valleys are many springs of clear and wholesome water, and there are also many springs on the bluffs facing the river.

The land east of the Mississippi bluffs is marshy, and fit only for some varieties of timber and for hay. Oak, birch and maple are found throughout the greater part of the township.

Near the northwest comer of section 25, and opposite Fairy Rock, a branch of the Mississippi, known as Minnesota Slough, leaves the main stream, and flows south through sections 25, 35 and 2, and thence into Jefferson.

Entering the township from the west is Crooked Creek, which follows a tortuous easterly course until it empties into Minnesota Slough. This stream has several small affluents, one of which, flowing through a considerable valley, joins it from the southwest. Another starts from a spring in section 18, and flows in a general northeasterly direction. A spring in section 21 gives rise to another, which enters the creek near the south line of the same section, while still another little rivulet originates in a spring in section 29, and reaches the creek in the same section.

Clear Creek starts from a single spring on a farm in section 3, and runs northeast until it reaches Minnesota Slough, near the mouth of Crooked Creek. Since early days it has afforded excellent trout fishing.

On section 3 there was formerly a well defined mound, about 20 feet high and 150 feet long, but its cultivation, which began in the late seventies^ has to a large extent obliterated its sharp outline.

Another natural curiosity in the township is that known as Fairy Rock, in section 23. This is a bluff in which is a cavern about 24 feet long* 10 feet wide and 7 feet high. The cavern is situated near the top of the bluff, 200 feet or so above the water. Its walls and ceiling are of sandstone, on which for the last 60 years or more visitors have inscribed their names. In pioneer days the place was used for a while as a residence by Charles Brown, of Brownsville.

The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway traverses the eastern part of the township, running north and south, and connecting at Renowith the Reno Preston branch of the same road, which runs westward, passing through the Uttle village of Freeburg, thus affording good transportation facilities in various directions.

Reno, the junction point of the two branches, was formerly known as Caledonia Junction, and is situated on Minnesota Slough, in the eastern part of the town, 14 miles southeast of Caledonia and seven miles north of New Albin, Iowa. The western branch, which connects here, was constructed in 1879 as a narrow gauge road. Freight going west from the main line had to be transferred here, with much waste of time and labor. These inconveniences were obviated by the change to standard gauge,, effected in 1901.

The first white settlement in Crooked Creek Township was made in June, 1852, by George Powlesland, who came up from Iowa, where he had been working on a farm, and made a claim in section 36. He made several trips back and forth, on his second arrival, in the fall, being accompanied by George Littlefield and William Oxford. Owing to the ravages of a prairie fire, he found difficulty in locating his claim, but finally found it and erected a small cabin with an earth floor and a single window, to which early in January of the following year, he brought his family. Mr. Littlefield and Mr. Oxford, who had gone back to Iowa after selecting claims, also returned in 1853, and in the spring the latter drove to and from Brownsville along an Indian trail, which he stopped to improve and which subsequently became the regular road between the two places. His first claim was in section 30, where the village of Freeburg is now located, and his first house was of logs with an elm bark roof, and the ground for a floor. Subsequently he entered a quarter of section 35, and also acquired other land.

When these pioneer settlers came, the nearest place for supplies was Lansing, 25 miles away, and the nearest mill was at Columbus, Iowa, about 40 miles distant. Mr. Oxford's first crop consisted of com, turnips and buckwheat, to which he added pumpkins, exchanging his corn and pumpkins for venison, which he obtained from the Indians. Owing to the mill being so far away, the buckwheat was ground in a coffee-mill and sifted through Mrs. Oxford's green veil, similar expedients being familiar to all the early settlers in this and other regions.

The Indians above referred to belonged to the Winnebago tribe, and were probably straggling bands from the Turkey River reservation, where this tribe, or a part of it, had been sent after they had ceded their Wisconsin lands to the United States. They were always civil to the whites, who treated them with consideration. With the increase of the white population they became fewer, until they disappeared altogether, being unable to adopt civilized habits and hold their own in the presence of the superior race. One old Indian hunter used often to stop at Mr. Oxford's, and would quietly get up and go out at daybreak, and return with the steak of a deer to cook for breakfast.

The year 1854 witnessed the advent of several new settlers, including George F. Brenner, Thomas Eicher and Thomas Ryder. Mr. Brenner took a claim in section 32, and on August 6, the same year, the first wedding in the township occurred, that of George F. Brenner and Caroline B. Weideman. Mr. Ryder, who came here in August, afterwards lived for a while in Wisconsin and Iowa. He returned, however, to Crooked Creek, and became a prominent citizen here, at different times holding town office. The first birth in the township, however, was that of Mary Jane Oxford, which occurred May 24, 1854.

In 1855 John Palmer arrived and built a house on a ridge, where he made his permanent home. Two of the principal settlers in 1856 were John MuUer and Patrick Graham, the former being accompanied by his sons. Mr. MuUer started a homestead in section 3, while Mr. Graham located in section 18.

Among the other pioneers who arrived during the first few years of settlement were Anthony Huyck, Thomas Bayne, Nicholas Roster and family, and Mr. Dean. Mr. Huyck showed his enterprise by acquiring land and making improvements, which he sold to actual settlers, including Mr. Roster, who secured a claim from him with a timber residence, 12 by 14 feet in size, and who also succeeded in obtaining 320 acres on or near the site of the present village of Freeburg. He died in 1872, while Mr. Dean, who went as a soldier in the Civil War, died in the army.

During the war a band of lawless characters, numbering some ten or twelve, established headquarters on the Mississippi lowlands, in section 36, and committed depredations up and down the river, and on both sides, living on their plunder. The place, which was known as Robbers' Roost, was finally raided, some of the men shot, some drowned, and others were sent to the Wisconsin state prison.

The organization of the township was effected on May 11, 1858, the oflScers chosen being as follows: George Powlesland, chairman; George MuUer and Anthony Noel, supervisors ; A. N. Pierce, clerk ; William Powlesland, assessor; J. P. Schaller, treasurer; William Oxford, overseer of the poor; J. P. Schaller and Lawrence Duggan, justices of the peace; John Peryer and Nicholas Klrauss, constables. At this meeting J. P. Schaller was moderator, and L. D. Churchill was clerk of election. The election was held at the mill, the total number of votes cast being 43.

Probably the first manufacturing industry in Crooked Creek Township was a broom factory, established by John Muller in 1856, the year he arrived here. It was located in section 27, where he operated it for five years, and then removed to section 3, where he and his sons, under the firm name of John Muller and Sons, built a factory, 16 by 32 feet and two stories high, and continued the industry, turning out 4,000 brooms annually. The work was done during the winter season, the proprietors being engaged in farming during the summer.

The first grist mill was built, as elsewhere stated, by George Schaller, in the summer of 1857. Mr. Schaller operated the mill for eight or ten years, and then sold it to Nicholas Roster and J. P. Streif , who ran it for two years or more. It was then transferred to Michael Mander, who m turn disposed of it to Nicholas Roster, by whom it was operated until 1874, when he disposed of it to William Hill and J. M. Graf. The mill was burned in December, 1876, and rebuilt on the same site by Mr. Graf and Garret Hurley in the summer of 1877.

Freeburg is situated on the Reno-Preston division of the C, M. & St. P. Railway, in section 30 of the township. As elsewhere shown, some of the land forming its site, or in the immediate vicinity, was claimed by John Oxford, one of the earliest settlers in the township, and soon after Nicholas Roster, another pioneer, also located here.

Hokah is the second river township from the northern boundary ot the county, lying south of La Crescent, having Mound Prairie and Union to the west, and Brownsville to the south, with the Mississippi River as the eastern boundary. The name of the township is of Indian origin, and was applied by the aborigines to Root River. According to tradition, it was also the name of a powerful Indian chief, whose village formerly stood on the beautiful spot now occupied by the village of Hokah.

Root River, which in early days, before the erection of mills on its banks, was readily navigable, enters the township from the west, near the southwest corner of section 36, and winds in a generally easterly direction through the northern half of the township until it empties into the Mississippi. At its point of entrance it divides into two streams, both of which run northeasterly, though at times several miles apart, until they unite in the southwestern comer of section 28. The river then takes a more northerly course until it touches the boundary line of La Crescent Township, after which it turns to the southeast and continues in that direction until it reaches its outlet. The valley of the river has here an average width of about two miles. Here and there the river is joined by other streams, the most important of which is Thompson's Creek, which is fed by springs, and furnishes a remarkably reliable water power.

The surface of Hokah closely resembles that of the other river townships in the county, having the usual bluffs facing the Mississippi, with interior valleys, ridges and plateaus, and in many places the scenery is very picturesque. In early days the bottom land was heavily timbered with black walnut, maple, oak and other hard woods, large quantities of which were cut and rafted down the river, and some of which was sawed in local mills.

It was this lumber that brought the first settlers, William Richmond and John Kreels, who in 1849 built a shanty on the banks of the Root River in section 34, and got out lumber to raft down the Mississippi River. They had a comfortable home but made no attempt to enter a claim.

The first permanent settler in the township was Edward Thompson, who arrived in the spring of 1851. Attracted by the fine water power, he staked out a claim, and in October brought his wife and family here, Mrs. Thompson for some time being the only white woman in the locality. With the assistance of John H. Steward he built a mill. Soon after his brother, C. W. Thompson, came and proved an active factor in the development of the community. Other early arrivals were Albert Blackinton and wife, Hiram Griffin, David House, who located in what is now Union Township ; Fred Hammer, William Rielur and Jerry Jenks. Mr. Jenks was soon afterwards taken ill, and after some delay a doctor was procured from the Iowa River settlement, who gave the patient hydropath treatment, which was quite popular at the time, but it proved ineffective and the man died.

Butterfield Valley, south of the village, was first settled in 1853 by Hiram Butterfield, who came from Illinois and took a claim in section 8. He remained until about 1874, when he went to Oregon. John Densch, who arrived in 1854, was probably the first settler on the "Ridge." It is related

The first town meeting was held May 11, 1858, the day on which many of the older towns in the county organized. The meeting, which was at the Hokah House in the village, was called to order by Clark W. Thompson. J. G. Prentiss was called to the chair, and L. S. Keeler was chosen moderator, with D. L. Clements as clerk. Seventy-two ballots were cast, and officers were elected as follows: Supervisors, C. W. Thompson, chairman; R. S. Wooley, and David House; clerk, D. L. Clements; assessor, S. E. Sneider; overseer of the poor, A. H. Davison; constables, Anthony Demo, Jr., and Henry Franklin ; collector, Anthony Demo, Jr., justices of the peace, L. L. West and Lewis Pond. It was voted that all hogs found running at large after May 20 should be liable to a fine of one dollar each. It was also resolved that "a fence four and a half feet high, and with not less than four rails, not over eighteen inches from the ground, shall be a legal fence." On May 29 overseers for road districts were appointed. At a meeting April 5, 1864, it was voted, 29 to 23, that the town should pay a bounty of $100 to each of those who might enlist in the army before the first of September.

Attracted here, as he was, by the water power, Mr. Thompson, in 1852, put up a sawmill. The dam, as first constructed, secured the enormous faU of 36 feet, the pressure of which, however, proved too great, so that just as the mill was ready to begin operations it gave way and started down stream. Though a hard blow to Mr. Thompson, he persevered, modified his plans, and reconstructed the dam, this time giving it a head of 25 feet, and in due time had his mill in motion. It had a Muley saw and could cut 5,000 feet of hardwood lumber in a day. In 1853 his brother, C. W. Thompson, came into the concern and put up a grist mill. Afterwards he started a furniture factory, which for a time did a good business.

A. M. Thompson and S. J. Prentiss started a plow factory. The plow manufactured was of steel and a very good implement, but the factory was finally sold, and one of the flouring mills afterward resulted. The manufacture of brick was later carried on in the western part of the town by W. F. Weber, and some were also burned near the railroad shops. In 1869 William M. WykofF started a foundry, which did mostly railroad work.

To preserve the waterpower at Hokah, Mr. Thompson achieved a notable construction, starting work in 1866. He placed his head gates in the old channel at the upper railroad crossing, using the old bed between the two railroad crossings. From thence he excavated a canal six feet deep, fifty feet wide and 1,500 to 1,800 feet long through the bottoms to the mouth of Thompson's Creek, which was used as a tail race to the mills. In the construction of the foundation, there was used some 1,500 cords of timber and some 500 cords of stone. On top of this was placed the dam, consisting of crib work planked with three-inch plank. Then the whole dam was covered with stone, making Ta crossing from twenty to fifty feet wide.

Hokah Village is the head and heart of the town. It is most charmingly situated on a ridge in a crescentic form, reached by a not very abrupt incline from the northeast. The principal business street is along this ridge, with a slope to the north and on to the Root River valley, and to the south into Lake Como. While the village overlooks the scenery all around, there is, in the not remote distance, a series of peaks on every side, arising with almost Alpine sharpness of outline, and only wanting in altitude the character of mountain scenery, and to one who has never been beyond the confines of a prairie country, a sudden transition to this spot would be a realizing of the poet's and the artist's dream.

Its earliest years were full of promise, and it was flourishing and building up with great rapidity, when the panic of 1857, caused by the failure of the Ohio Loan & Trust Company, of New York, dealt it a severe blow, from which it did not recover until after the Civil War.

Then better times began, when, in 1866, the Southern Minnesota Railroad began operations. The next year the splendid railroad shops were built, Edward Thompson being the master mechanic, and the village began to revive. The streets took on a more businesslike aspect, new miUs were put up, and old ones remodeled, and everything seemed to conduce to the permanent growth and prosperity of the place. Thus it went on until June, 1880, when the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Company got possession of the railroad, the car shops were broken up, and the workmen scattered, and the business interests of the place were speedily reduced to a point beyond which they were long in advancing. Wheji the catastrophe came there were here, in addition to the railroad shops, four first-class flouring mills, with their elevators and cooper shops, giving employment to scores of men, besides a number of stores and small shops of various kinds.

Hokah was constituted an independent village by an act of the Legislature of the State, approved on March 2, 1871. The first election was in May following. S. J. Prestiss and E. H. Keeler were the election judges. The first officers chosen were: Trustees, H. H. Bowdish, John F. Russell and William Wightman. Mr, Bowdish was president of the board ; justice of the peace, David House ; treasurer, W. F. Weber ; constables, Oliver P. Sprague and H. L. Dunham. A corporate seal was procured, and the village set up for itself as an independent municipality.

Houston township lies on the northern tier of townships, being the third from the Missisippi River. On the north lies Winona county, while on the east is Mound Prairie township, on the south Sheldon and Yucatan, and on the west Money Creek and Yucatan. It is made up of parts of three government townships. On the southwest its outline is irregular, owing to a considerable tract, containing five whole sections and parts of three other sections, that projects out to the westward like a somewhat blunt wedge driven between the townships of Money Creek and Yucatan. Aside from this parallelogram with its greatest length running from north to south. Its arrangement is such that it takes in the valleys of the water courses consisting of the Root River and its South Fork, and Silver Creek, a branch coming down from the north to unite with Root River near the eastern boundary of the town. The navigation of the river was cut off at an early date by the erection of mills and bridges, and later by the diminishing of the water supply. The new drainage ditch, however, has deepened the channel, making a pleasant route for launches, row boats and canoes.

The projecting sections on the west, give Houston township in its southern part a wdth of eight miles, while its width above the two southern tiers is four miles, and its length from north to south seven miles. The river enters the township in its most western section, and flows easterly through the southern part, passing just to the north of Houston village. Its valley takes the name of the river, while that of Silver Creek is known as Looney Valley, being thus named after one of the early settlers. The South Fork of Root River enters the main stream in section 34, just east of Houston village, coming from Sheldon township. The valley of the South Fork is known as Swede Bottom, as most if not all of its early settlers were natives of Sweden. Along these principal valleys there are roads leading to the village, which is thus rendered easy of access from all parts of the township.

The soil in the valleys is of a peculiar richness, consisting of a dark, clayey loam, and as the surface is usually level or slightly rolling, these valley lands furnish many ideal locations for farms, which have been long established, especially near the upper part of the streams where the best soil is found. A little way back from the streams the land frequently rises into considerable bluffs, which form the boundaries of elevated plateaus reaching back to the next valley. The ascent is usually abrupt and continues for several hundred feet, while the ridges are usually too narrow for successful cultivation, though here and there some good farms are found on them. On the river bottoms there was formerly in many places a large growth of good timber, such as oak, elm and walnut, and though it has since been greatly reduced in quantity there are many good groves and the hillsides are for the most part well wooded.

When the first white settlers arrived they found a band of Winnebago Indians living in a score or two of rude habitations situated on a bend in the river near the lower village.

The first white settler in Houston township is supposed to have been W. G. McSpadden, who arrived June 14, 1852, having tramped up the valley from La Crosse. He staked out eighty acres on the eastern part of the southeast quarter of section 33, just above the confluence of the South Fork of the Root River with the main stream, which was then easily fordable from the Mississippi. Having secured this choice location, he returned to La Crosse, where he operated a ferry, doing all he could to persuade passing immigrants to locate in the Root River settlement. For two years he came and went, dividing his time between the two places, and then took up his permanent residence here, though not on his original claim. On his second visit he brought with him a Norwegian named Ole Knudson, who took a claim of 160 acres adjoining Mr. McSpadden's on the east and erected a shanty which was afterwards found to be in section 34 on Mr. McSpaddens' land, and which in time developed into a store.

A number of other settlers came in 1852, including Walter Webster, who settled on the southwestern part of section 33, but sold out the next year to David Johnson. The latter made improvements and built a blockhouse, but later left the county. Lars Johnson, a Swede, in 1853 bought 160 acres of David Johnson, to the west of the latter's place. E. K. Dwyer, Charles Case and William Webster were early settlers, Mr. Case selling out to T. H. Conniff . A few others secured locations in the valley, and the place became known as "The Forks."

In Looney valley the earliest settler was Henry Hyatt, who arrived in 1852, and located on the eastern branch of Silver Creek. He expected to secure other lands for his sons and relations, but as they did not arrive, he soon left. While he was still here John S. Looney arrived with three sons and put up a shanty on section 27. He was an energetic man who had been to the lead mines of Galena and also spent some time at La Crosse; but after remaining here six years he left for Dubuque, whence he went to Illinois. His sons all secured land in the vicinity, but James left about the same time as his father. Abraham and Corydon spent most of their time on the Mississippi River, Abraham finally settling in Winona, and Corydon going to the Pacific coast. This family gave the name to the valley.

Charles Gainer came with the Looneys, taking land in section 23, where he remained until the others had left. A. B. Hunt, Isaac Thompson and Adam Coon became permanent residents. Mr. McSpadden established a valuable water-power on Silver Creek. In 1853 Samuel Cushon located on section 25 in the western part of the township. Near his place stands a high solitary peak, formerly a landmark for travelers, which was named Cushon Peak. This settler, however, left in 1854, selling his land to Mr. Hendrickson.

In section 31 is an Indian mound where in former days the remains of an Indian chief of some distinction was buried. The body was found by the early settlers sitting on this elevation, supported by some stakes driven into the ground and a wolf -proof pen built over him. For years the Indians were accustomed to visit the spot and show their respect by leaving offerings of tobacco or some other present supposed to be acceptable to the deceased. The tomb was finally demolished, the chief's skull coming into possession of an ethnologist, who found that it indicated a good mental development. William Butterfield, who had taken a claim in section 31, and who died in July, 1854, was buried oh the spot. A few years later, during the war, a Fourth of July celebration was held there and a liberty pole planted.

* In 1853 a Swedish settlement was started on the east bann of the South Fork of Root River, from which the place derived the name of Swede Bottom. The pioneers of this movement were John and Abraham Anderson, Ole Benson, his son, C. A. Benson, Lars Redding and others. While still in their native land they had seen an account of the Root River valley which was published in a Swedish paper and which had caused their emigration to the locality.

As nearly as can be ascertained the first birth in the township was that of Jennie, daughter of David and Johanna Johnson, and took place in January or February, 1854. She died when ten or twelve years old near Red Wing, this State.

The first death, it is said, was that of Abraham Anderson, who passed away in August, 1853, soon after his arrival here. He was an old man of 73 years, and was buried in a mound in section three. Other deaths were those of Mr. Butterfield, previously mentioned, and of Augusta Johnson, a sister of David Johnson, an unmarried girl of twenty years, who was accidentally shot in her brother's house in 1854.

The earliest marriage of which any record has been found was that of Ole Benson and Mrs. Sarah Anderson, who were united at the house of Lars Johnson on the western part of Houston village.

The first business of the pioneers was to produce something to eat for themselves and families, and it was several years before they had sufficient land cultivated to raise anything for the outside market. The first crop they raised for sale was wheat, the land producing thirty or more bushels to the acre. But in time the crop grew less and more attention was paid to com and other products, with satisfactory results.

A ferry across the Root River was established in 1858, on section 30. It was a rope ferry with a self-propeller, consisting of a lateral wing so arranged that the current would carry it over in whatever direction the boat was headed. This contrivance was later abandoned and muscular power resorted to as a substitute. Still later a bridge was erected.

The earliest manufacturing enterprise in the township was undoubtedly a sawmill, which was built in 1855 by W. G. McSpadden on the south half of the southeast quarter of section 23. It stood on the bank of Silver Creek, at a point where there was a fine undeveloped water-power of twelve feet head, an advantage Mr. McSpadden had previously noticed. By 1856 he had the mill in operation. It was furnished with an old fashioned vertical-frame saw, driven directly by a crank connection with a flutter-wheel, and could run through 1,000 feet of inch boards in a day. Eli Baker bought an interest in the mill, but soon resold to Mr. McSpadden, who ran it alone for a time. It was afterwards operated by different persons up to the close of the war, when it was finally shut down as a sawmill.

In 1865-66 Mr. McSpadden put up a flouring mill at the old saw mill dam, securing about 17 feet fall. This mill was 30 by 40 feet, two stories high, with a basement, and was provided with a turbine wheel. It did good work until 1874, when it was swept away by a flood. With characteristic enterprise, Mr. McSpadden at once put up another and a superior mill of the same dimensions, providing it with three run of stones, with an oat meal attachment. It was driven by -an improved turbine wheel under a 20-feet head, and had a capacity of 50 barrels a day. This mill was finally destroyed by fire in December, 1878. It was known as the Wakefield Flouring Mill.

About 1867 a sawmill was started about one mile east of Houston Ullage, on the South Fork of Root River in section 34, and was completed two years later by E. W. and Charles Royt. In 1871 the property was bought by N. A. Redding, who improved it. The mill had a circular saw and could turn out about 3,000 feet a day. In 1875 Mr. Redding commenced the erection of a flouring-mill adjoining the sawmill. The new structure was 30 by 40 feet, two stories in height, and had two run of stones, with a capacity of 30 barrels a day. It had a head of six feet, the power being transmitted by a turbine wheel. In 1879 a run of feed stones was put in, and the establishment was run as a custom mill, under the name of the Redding Flouring and Saw Mill.

Another early industrial enterprise was established in 1867 or 1868, a shop being put up on the farm of Charles Smith on section 36, in the western part of the town. It was furnished as a blacksmith shop, but after a while an engine and turning-lathe were put in, converting the establishment into a machine shop, which was conducted by Simeon Todd. In 1872 Mr. Todd and Mr. Smith erected a saw mill, with a good sized steam-engine for power, which operated a reciprocating saw. After two years the enterprise was abandoned and some of the machinery sold, the rest being left along the roadside to take care of itself.

Another enterprise started by W. G. McSpadden was an amber cane syrup manufactory. For this purpose he procured a plantation cane crusher, with a capacity of 200 gallons of syrup a day, and this was connected with an overshot waterwheel, utilizing the old dam. He also put in a large Cook evaporator.

About four or five years after the earliest settlers had staked out their claims, the impulse of speculation caused the laying out of a number of town sites, of which much was expected. Not only was the original village of Houston started, but also a number of other hamlets.

One was in Looney Valley. A townsite company was organized by Messrs. Looney, Hunt and Wilson, and a tract of forty acres was set aside, surveyed and platted by Isaac Thompson in 1857. A postoffice, called Looneyville had been established in 1855, with D. D. Wilson as postmaster. The proposed village was located at the cross roads in the center of the west half of the northwest of section 26, and the east half of the northeast of section 27, twenty acres lying north of the east and west road and ten acres on either side of the north and south road.

In 1855 a store had been opened by Corydon Looney, with about a wheelbarrow full of goods. D. D. Wilson, who soon succeeded to the proprietorship of this mercantile emporium, materially increased the stock, and in 1856 erected a large log building. He later put up a frame building which served the double purpose of store and residence. In 1858 the business was closed out and Mr. Wilson went to Money Creek. He was an enterprising and public spirited citizen, and afterwards served his fellow citizens as state representative.

As for the village itself, the only evidence of it in after years were the corner lot stakes which the mowing machines occasionally encountered. The postoffice was discontinued in 1858.

Soon after Looneyville had been mapped out, another town site company sprang into existence, among the projectors of which were Messrs. Snow, Looney, Riley, Polleys, and Harvey Gillett. The site selected was south of Looneyville, on the southeast of section 27, and the northeast of 34. Its founders were satisfied that the railroad, which had already been projected, would pass through it on that side of the river, but it was finally built on the other side. The city was duly platted and recorded under the name of St. Lawrence, and for a long time the land was assessed as city proi)erty.

Houston ViUage had its beginning in 1856, when W. G. McSpadden platted a townsite on his farm which he called Winfield, in honor of Gen. Winfield Scott. It was located on the east eighty of the southwest quarter of section 33.

A practical beginning was made by the establishment of a blacksmith shop by Henry Wilson. A place of refreshment was also opened. In the same section, west of this plat, an effort was made to start a hamlet known as Crookston.

The west half of the southwest quarter of section 34 was owned by Ole Knudson, together with a small strip on section 33. West of this there was a tract of 160 acres taken by David Johnson, a Swede, in 1853, and west of this, 160 acres was taken by Lars Johnson. Both subsequently sold to Mons Anderson of La Crosse. David Johnson's claim was originally taken by William Webster, who sold it in 1853 for $30. On this tract grew up the village of Houston.

When the Southern Minnesota Railroad was laid through here, Mr. Anderson gave 70 acres of land, and thus secured the station, which caused the removal of the village to the new location. This removal began early in the autumn of 1866, being started by Andrew Forsyth. The original village "Old Houston," or "Lower Houston," was soon practically deserted, so far as business interests were concerned.

The first regular store in Houston was opened by Ole Knudson in 1854. He brought his goods up from La Crosse on a keel-boat, which he owned, and with which he also did a transportation business. In 1858 Mr. Brown started a second store, which he operated for a year. Isaac Abrahamson also opened a store in 1858, which he stocked with about $500 worth of goods, purchased from Mons Anderson, for whom he had worked in La Crosse. A blacksmith shop was started by Peter Erickson in 1856. In the following year Mr. Hoyt opened a hotel, and in 1858 another hotel was started by Lawrence Lynch. At one time a ship-yard was in active operation near the bridge, and quite a number of steamers were built.

Jefferson Township has the honor of having been the first settled township in Houston County, the vanguard of the pioneers arriving here in 1847. It occupies the southeast corner of the county, and also of the state of Minnesota. The northern tier of sections in the original survey was