Excelsior City

Excelsior City

Excelsior was the first point of settlement in the township. Here was located the post-oflice, the first stores, shops, etc., forming tlie nucleus around which the early settlers located their claims and made their homes. The village was

The first election was held April Ifith, 1877, at which the following officers were elected : President, C. May ; Trustees, L. F. Sampson, Eli Small, Jr., and James Letson ; Recorder, A. Millner; Treasurer, E. II. Page. The village now contains three stores, which carry stocks of dry goods and general merchandise, one grocery store, two meat markets, three blacksmith shops, one harness shop, one hardware store, and one shoe store.

Excelsior has become one of the principal points of interest to the tourists, who flock to Lake Minnetonka in summer, and the people find themselves sometimes taxed to accommodate their visitors.

The " Excelsior House " was built by George Galpin in 1851, and was at that time of small proportions. The original building is now used as a kitchen for the present hotel. John Green purchased the house and made some additions. The ownership then reverted to Galpin, who sold it to a Mr. Beckford. He managed it about four years, since which time it has been owned by the Wait family. The building has been enlarged from time to time, until it now contains room for 150 guests. It is kept open summer and winter.

The " Long View," located on what is known as the "Water Cure " lot, was built in 1863, and accommodates fifty guests. It is owned and managed by Daniel Connor.

The " AMiite House " is a two-story frame building erected, in 1872. It has a capacity for thirty people, and is conducted by William Simpson.

A (iood Templars society was organized in .Marcli. IMi'i. witli acliartergranted by the Grand Lodge of tlie state. This society disbanded in 18()7. Another society was organized in ISTT.by .Iiihn Dunliani. wliicli rcuwiincd in existence but one year.

The hrst steamlmat toiilyon Lake .MinucUiuka was built by Hev. ('has. (ialpin. in 18o5. and called the "(iovernor Ramsey". Slie remained in service until 18(52. when becoming loosened from her moorings dnring a storm, she lloated out on the lake and sank. She was afterwards raised, and her machinery is ikiw dciing seivice in the Kandilcr. Tlic liiijl ua> rclmih and is used as a barge.

The May (^iieen was launched in 187:-! and was in service until Jinie 2!itli. isT'.i. wlieu she was destroyed by the explosion of hcrlioilci- at linckwelTs Island. This cxplosinn wa-^ attended with lo.ss of life.

The Ilatlie May is a steni-wlieel lidal. Ion IVet long anil eighteen feet wide. She is owned l)y ('. May. and was launclied in 1878. The City of .Minne;ipiilis. is m iiicipeller liuill in bsNO. owned by C. .\Ia.\ . The steamer ,Mar\ was launched in 187H, and was in active um' until .July 1st. 1880. when her boiler exploded as she was lying at the St. Louis Ibilel landing. This explosion was also allendeil with loss nf life. Tlie Nbirv was rebinll liv .Majur llalsted. in the winter of 1880-"81. The Saney Kate, formerly the Katie May, was launched in 1878. and exploded her boiler soon after. She was rebuilt, and is now owned by Capt. Shepard. The steamer Haudjler is used as a freight-boat. There are several sailboats owned in T-^xcelsior : the largest of these is the Cocpiette. built by A. Westlake in 1879.

L. .\. .\iistin. born in .\orwa\ in is.'il. enugrated to America in I8«)!l and settled at Morris, ^linnesota : he remained there until 1870, then moved to Minneapolis and lived six years, then settled on I>ake Mimietonka. He was married in 1873. to Bessie Larson of Litchlield. They have one child, Ida.

E. A. Babcock. born in Washington <-ounly. in 1832. Moved with parents to Worcester, Massachusetts, remained there three years; settled linally in Xewi)ort, New Hampshire, until l83ii. when thi-,\ removed to Enfield, remaining there until l8tU; he tlieii iuommI to Excelsior. .Minnesota. Marrii'd in October. Isiil. to Kinily L. Ihskhie. of Wayne coiiiit>. Michigan. They liave two children living. His father. .Vugustus Babcock, came to Ilennepin county in ls.51.

grated to America in 1872. Settled in Chanliassen. Carver county, Minnesota, where lie remained for two years, when he moved to Excelsior, where lie has since resided.

A. D. Burcli, horn in St. Lawrence county. New York, September, 1843. Moved to Michigan in 1870, remained there until 1873. Came to Excelsior, Miniiesola, in 1878. Attended the W'esleyau Seminary in St. Lawrence county, X. Y., graduated in the law department at Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1869. He followed teaching several years ; the present term is his third one at Excelsior as principal of the graded schools. Married in 1870 to Lotta Johnson, of New York. Two children have l)eeii Ijorn to them.

J. II. Clark, born in Bennington, \'erniont. 1830. Moved to Wyoming county, N. Y., thence to DeKalb C(mnty. Illinois. Married Susan Dudley in 184S ; went to California in ls49 : returned in 1850; went again, and returned to Illinois in 18.51, where he remained t\)ur years, removed to St. Anthony. !Minn. : thence to Wayzata, being one of the first settlers ; in 18.56 pre-empted the land on which Long Lake village now stands ; in the year 18.58, moved to Excelsior, and in 1860 returned to Illinois and located in Henry county ; in 1862 enlisted in 112th Illinois regiment, serving as Sergeant, promoted to Lieutenant by Governor Yates, had entire command of the company for two years ; was wounded at Atlanta, absent from command only about four months: joined tlie company at Isattle of Eranklin. On dispersion of IIood"s army joined Sherman's command at Goldsboro, North Carolina, and was mustered out at Greenslioro, and honorably discharged at Chicago. July 3, 186.5. returning to his family in Henry county, where he remained until the spring of 1867, when he returned to Excelsior. Has been honored with all its offices. He represented his district, in 1877-8. in the House. He is the father of eight children, seven now living.

Elijah Carson, born m Somerset county, Maine, 1806; lived there thirty years : moved to Chicago and remained one year. All his family died there excepting one daughter ; moved to Bloomington. Illinois, and remained four years ; settled in I^xcelsior, Minnesota, in 18.5-5, and has lived here ever since excepting four years in California. Married in 1866 to Maria Wilson of Excelsior.

to America in 1849, and settled in New York where he remained two years ; moved to Elgin, Illinois, and worked at shoemaking five years ; moved to Delavan, Wis., and lived five years, then remo^-ed to Excelsior, Minnesota, and settled on the banks of Lake Minnetonka. He began keepuig summer boarders ill 1863. at Long View House, once known as the Water Cure site. Enlisted in Independent Hangers, as 2nd Lieutenant, serving as Captain Co. II. state Militia. Married in 1872 to Mary Ann Nifort.

Fritz Dittfach, born in Germany, 1843. Emigrated to America in 1869. and settled at Winona, where he remained about one year, then to Uushford. and worked two years as second miller, and two years as first miller. ^Vol-ked in the Anchor mill at Minneapolis a short time; then took charge of May's mill at Excelsior. Has l)een married twice. His present wife was Janett Jliller, of Rushford. He has had four cliildren; three are now living.

Enos Day, born in St. Albans, Vermont, in 1800. Lived there tw'enty-one years, then moved to Franklin county, New York. Married to his third wife. Lucinda Simonds, in 1833. Moved to St. Anthony, Minnesota, in 18-56, and to Excelsior the same year. Died in 1874. His wife died in 1872.

George E. Day, born in Franklin county. New York, in 184.5. Lived with his parents until their death, excepting the time spent in the army. Enlisted August 14, 1862, in Company B, 9th Minnesota A'oluiiteers. Served three years, and was discharged at Fort SnelUng. Married in 1877 to Mrs. Stoddard, daugliter of C. J. Westlake. They have one child.

Alcibiades Day ideceased), iiorn in Frankhn county, New York, 1839. Enlisted in Company E, 113th Illinois and died in tlie hospital at Memphis, Tennessee, in the spring of 1.S62.

William H. Ferguson, born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1816. Emigrated to America in 1825, and settled in Maryland. Married in ist.5 to Lydia Dale Esty. Taught school in Rockland county, New York, five years, and was railroad agent in Chemung county five years. J»Ioved to Minnesota in 18.54, and settled on what is now known as Ferguson's Point. His house was the resort for the Indians. He was drowned November 22d, 18-57. They had two children. Mrs.

Ferfruson -was manied in 1S62 to Frederick Iloltz. of Prussia, who enlisted in ronii)any (i. 4th Minnesota Yolunteers, iu Xovenil)er. ISfil. and was wotnided at Corinth. :Mississi))pi. in July. ISfii;. Died at Minneapolis. January Ititli, 1.S69.

P. M. Gideon was born in Champaign county, Ohio, in 1820. Lived there twenty-one years, then moved to Clinton. Illinois; from there to Excelsior, Minnesota, in 1853. where he found plenty of Indians, and but half a dozen families of whites around the lake. He is superintendent of the state exjierimental fruit farm, founded in 1878. lie began fruit growing in ]8o4. His efforts have been experimental, and have been to his entire satisfaction : he is now one of the most successful fruit growers in Minnesota. Married Wealthy Hall. January 2d. 1849. They have seven children.

Silas Howard was bor)i in rrovidcnce county. Rhode Island, in 1804. AVas engaged in the coal and wood trade in the East until he came to Minnesota in 1858. and took, under the homestead law. what is now known as Howard's Point, located on upper Lake ISIiimetonka. Married in 1845 to Lydia Reed. One child was born to them - Simeon, born in 1840. Came to Minnesota with his parents, and lives on an adjoining farm. He was married in 1870 to Adeline Kibbey. They have had three children, two nowliving.

A. H. Hopkins, born in Providence. Rhode Island, in 1837. Moved to Hennepin county in 1 854, and located near Hopkins Station. Married in 1850 to Susan C. "Wood, of Providence. Returned in the same year to the old home. In 1861 came to Excelsior, and has since made it his home. P^nlisted in 1802 iu Company B.Oth 2^Iinnesota A'olunteers. serving one year under fien. Sibley among the Indians : then under Generals Smith and Sturgis, in the war of the Rebellion. two years. AVas honorably discharged at Fort Snelling in 1865. Is a member of the Old Settlers' Association. They have four children now living.

Andrew Hoiby. born in Norway, in 1840. Came to America in 18r,s. and settled in Minneapolis, working at his tiadc until lie umvcd tn Excelsior, in 1H7h. and established his present business, blacksmltli and wagou-niaker. Has been married twice. First wife died in Norway.

L. C. Hilton, born in North New Castle, Maine, where he lived for twenty-two years, when he came to Minnesota, and settled at Princeton. Enlisted at Red Wing, in Company F, 6th Minnesota Volunteers. Served in the comjiany about one year; then was transferred to the invalid corps, and was honorably discharged at Fort Snelling. Retiu'ned to Princeton, remained there initil 1877. then bought his present farm on Lake Minnetonka. Married Lucretia (iarlinghouse. in 1871. Is the father of four children, all living.

AVilliam Harvey, bom in Scotland, 1813. Moved to America in 1850. Settled in Broome county, N. Y., then moved to McLean county, Illinois. Came to Hennepin county in 1854, and took a claim in Excelsior, on which he has since lived. Married 1835. in Scotland, to Isabel Miller. Had one child, that died in Scotland.

J. J. Harrison, born in Erie, Pennsylvania, 1848. Moved to Juneau county, Wisconsin, where he lived until he came to Minnesota in 1874. settling in Excelsior in 1877. In 1878 he liought the blacksmith shop which he is now operating. Married in Juneau county, AVisconsin, to Abbie Dutton. They have three children living.

August Hay. born in New York city, 1850. .Moved to Miinieapolis in 18(17. and embarked in the meat business, which he followed until 18S0, when he located at Excelsior in the same business. ^Marrleil in 1877 to Caroline Thaler, of New York ('it\ . Is tlie father of one child.

W. 1>. .lones. Ihmu in .Madison cnuuty. New V(irk, 1828. Moved and lorated in Saint Anlliony in 18.55. then to Excelsior in 1850. Took a claim, and in 1800 .started a store. AVius Postmaster for eighteen years. Has been twice mar-

A. W. Latham, born on Massachusetts Bay, 1845. Came to Minneapolis in 1865, and taught school two years. Served a short term in the war of the rebellion. Married in 1867, to Miss D. W. White. They have live children. He started a nursery in 1870, and now has live acres appropriated to grape culture. The stock of thi^; imrsery is pecularly adapted to the climate of this state and Manitoba.

W. H. LeVan, l)orn in Columbia county, Ohio, 1844, where he lived until eighteen years of age. when he moved to Washington county, Illinois. There he remained, except a short time spent in Ohio, until 1874, when he came to Excelsior. Married in 1866, to Miss A. A. Way, of Jefferson county, Illinois. They have five children.

R. K. Luce was born in Oneida county, New York, 1839. He lived there until twenty-six years of age. then moved to Saint Joseph, Jlicliigan, and was engaged in the fruit business until 1878, when he moved to Minneapolis. July loth, 1880. came to Excelsior and engaged witli Augustin Thompson. Married in 1865, to Elizabeth Dixon, of Oneida county. New York. They have one child.

T. McArty. liorn in Washington county, Indiana, 1820. Lived in different parts of the state until 1854, then moved to Carver county, Minnesota. He was married to Harriet A. Thompson, of Elkhart county, Indiana, in 1848. He enlisted in the New York Eitles in istu, was taken prisoner at Cold Harbor and taken to Andersonville Prison, where he died from ill treatment in 1865. They liave live children. Mrs. McArty was born in Wayne county. Indiana, and now lives at Excelsior.

E. B. McGrath, born in Oxford county, Maine, 1831. Moved to Lewiston Falls in 1850, and worked at carpentering. In 1851 he went to Chicago, then to Dubuque, Iowa, where he remained until 18.53. He then came to Excelsior. Was the first white settler at tins point, and built the first log-cabin. Enlisted in Company D, Second Cavalry, in 1863, and was Iionorably discharged at Fort Snelling in 1865. Married to his first wife in 1856. She died in 1858. Married again in 1866, to Nellie Midegly. They have two children.

O. C. Meaker, born in Monkton, Harrison county, Vermont. 1835. When nine years of age he went to Barre, AVashington county, where he lived eleven years, learning the moulder's trade and working at the same. Moved to Minnesota and settled in Excelsior in 1871, and has since resided here, acting as Chairman of town board one year and Justice of the Peace two years. Married Mary Hale, of Stowe, March 4th, 1856.

E. D. Newell, born in Essex county, New York, 1848. Moved with parents to Prescott, Wisconsin, and remained until 1877. Came to ^linneapolis in May, 1879. and in June of same year moved to Excelsior and estaljlished his present milUnery and ladies' furnishing store, the first one of the kind in the town. Married in 1871 to Edla D. Cook, of River Falls, Wisconsin. Their two children have passed to the better land.

E. H. Page, born in Penn Yan. Yates county. New York, 1842. Moved with his parents to Litchfield county, Connecticut, and lived there until 1867. when he moved to Excelsior, Mimiesota. In 1875 he married Ellen II. Pease, a widow whose husband established the Pleasant Grove House, which they have enlarged to double its former capacity. They have four children.

E. R. Perkins, M. D.. born in Orleans county. New York, 1843. Received his medical education at the Hahnemann Homeopathic Medical College of Philadelphia. First commenced the practice of medicine at Excelsior, May. 1878. Came to the state in 1854. Married in 1864 Julia A. Chase. Enlisted in 1861 in Company D, Second Regiment Infantry. Discharged honorably at Nashville, Tennessee. They have four children: Louis, Willie, Grade and Edna.

C. E. Prince, born at Windsor, Berkshire county, Mass., in 1856, and resided there until 1862, when he moved to South Adams, and remained until 1874, then moved to Green Lake county, Wisconsin. In 1875 came to Excelsior, Minnesota, where he has since lived. Has been in the employ of L. F. Sampson and C. May, as bookkeeper, and is now engaged with A. Thompson.

L. F. Sampson was born in Franklin county, Maine, 1843, and lived there until he came to Saint Anthony in 1853. where he resided vmtil 1864. He then settled in Excelsior. In 1876 established himself in mercantile business. Ap- pointed Postmaster in 1878. wliich office he now liolds. lie enlisted in company 1). First Minnesota Infantry. May, 1861. AVas wovnided at tlie battle of Antietam. and honorably discharged at Uplin. Chester county. Pennsylvania, in the hos- |iital in IsiiS. Enlisted ajrain in Hallery II. First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, as First Sergeant, in 1865, and served until close of the war. Married .Inly. isiw. to Kli/.a Si)aidding. Have six children.

Harvey E. Scott, born in Orleans comity, Vei"- mont. 1824. Came to Minnesota in 186-5. Enlisted in company E. First Minnesota Infantry, and served under General McClellan for thiee years. Honorably discharged at D. C, in 1864. Wounded and taken prisoner at Savage's Station. Spent 23 days at Libby prison." E.xchanged at City Point and transferred to the Veteran Keserve Corps. Came to Excelsior, and located where he now lives. Married in 186it. to Mary E. Murray. They have three children.

Silas A. Scamans. horn in Providence county. U. I., in 1823. Moved and lived in Windham county, Coini. When eighteen years old, returned to Rhode Island, and came to excelsior in 1854. When he fir.st came here, there were but two houses in the town. He took a claim, and has been engaged in farming until the last few years, which have been spent at his trade as painter, lie cidisted in i'omi)any 15. Ninth Minnesota \'olunteers. and served anxing the Indians. He has married twice, tlie sccdud lime tn Kli/aliitli Cole of Excelsior.

Hev. C. 15. Sheldon. JHirn in Willianistown, Berkshire county, Mass., in 1821. (Iraduated at William's College in 1847, then entered the Western Heserve Theological Institute, where lie remained three years. First pastoral charge was at Iiei)nbljc, Seneca county. Ohio. Hemaiiied there until 1855, when he started for Hiver Falls. Wis., with his own private conveyance, traveling a distance of overone thousand miles to Prescott, Wis., where he learned miioIIhm minislci- hail been appointed for niver I'alls. and that the conference had reconimeniled liim to Excelsi<ir. Minn. He at once st^irted for that place, and reachetl it November 16, ]K.").5, where he found six houses, and a church membershiii of thirty-seven. Preached his lirsl sermiiii in the sitting room of tlie hotel.

After that held meetings in Pease's Hall for three years. Married in 1847. to Mary K. Prentice, of South Canaan. Conn. They have eight children living.

William Simpson, born in Xew Hnuiswick. in 1837, where he remained until 1865, when he settled at Excelsior, opened the Excelsior House, which he conducted for two years ; then took the White House, which he has enlarged to acconiniodale about nhiety guests. .Married, in 18(i!), to a daughter of Pardon SheriiiaM. of Indiana.

G. A. Slater, born in Chanii)aigii county. Illinois, in 1843. Came to .Minnesota in isii."). Settled in Carver coinilx. lived there until he moved to Excelsior, where he has since resided. In 1880, opened the Slater House, which he has enlarged to accommodate fifty guests. Married, in 1867, to Miss H. C. Thompson. They have three children.

Z. 1). Spaulding. Ijorii at I'mnfort, \'erniont. in 1821. Moved to Sullivan county. New Hampshire : lived there twenty-two years, and moved to I5ui-rellville. H. 1.. wlicre he learned the machinists' trade. Came to Minnesota in 1854. Settled near Excelsior, experiencing many hardshi))s. having to grind corn in a rotfee mill. Married his third wife, Nancy J., daughter of Amasa ami Anna Seamans, in 1875. Mr. Spaulding remembers the Indian raid of 1862. very distinctly. At that time many of his neighbors iciMo\cd to .Minneaiiolis.

1'. H. Turner, born in Kennebec county, Maine, in IS3S. Came to ilinnesota in 1856, and settled in St. Anthony, where he conducted the harness business. .Vlso opened a shoj) in Minneapolis, managing both at the same lime. lie then spent four years in .\noKa county, lainiinix. In l.s7(;. located in Excelsioi-. and oliened the only harness shop in town. Married, in ls76. to 15eulah PhilbriHik. Have two rliildrcn.

.\uguslin Thompson was Ixun in Somerset county, .Maine, in lst7. and came to .Minnesota in 1863. Located in .Minneapolis. In 1S7I he engageil in the ilrug and fancy goods business, which in lH7!t he removed to ICxcelsior, and has since conducted a general merchandise business. Married. January 1 ")th. 1871. to Miss E.Nettie Parker, of .Minneapolis. She wius the fifth white child boi'ii in lli'nni'|iin county.