Kiester Township (part 2 of 2)

He was married to Miss Phebe E. Lent, in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, August 26th, 18.54, and they have one child. Mr. Lent came to Minnesota in 1861, and first settled in Olmstead county, but left there coming to this county in 1862, and located on a farm in Prescott. When elected to the office of register of deeds, he removed to Blue Earth City, and remained there until he retired from the office, when he returned to his farm, where he has since resided.

Mr. Lent has always been a republican in political sentiment. He has been town clerk and town supervisor a numbar of times, and justice of the peace of his town.

Hon. Daniel F. Goodrich

His father was a farmer and lumberman. Daniel's education was obtained In the common schools and at Waterville academy and Waterville college, now Colby university, where he graduated in 1859. After his graduation he was engaged in teaching and in the study of the law. He read law under the direction of Hon. R. Poster, of Waterville, Maine. Id July, 1862, he enlisted in the military service of the United States, and was ordered south. He went into the service as a private and was promoted, rapidly, to sergeant, sergeant major, second lieutenant and first lieutenant, and for awhile, commanded the company. He was in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna. Cold Harbor, Petersburgh, Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek and Peters- bur^'h a^'aln, anrt Sailor's crook. Ho was in twonty-two battles, bosldos skirniishos. IIo served until the olose of the war. lie returned home in 1865, and was admitted to the bar in March, 1866, at Aut^usta, Maine, and went into practice with Mr. Foster, for a .short time. In 1867, he came to Minnesota and located in Rice county, for some months engaKod in school teaching. Ho came to this county and located at niuo Earth City, In 1868, where he engaged in the practice of tlie law, and where he resided at the time of his death.

Mr. Goodrich held various minor olMces, at lilue Earth City, was justice of the peace there for four terms, and deputy register, as above stated. He never married.

Mr. Goodrich was elected state senator, for this district, in 1877, and attended the session of 1878. He was again elected to the senate in 1882, for four years, and attended the sessions or 1883 and 1885, and he was again re-elected in 1886 for four years, and attended the sessions of 1^87 and 188!». He was chairman (if the Judiciary committee, during the session, 188J).

Mr. Goodrich died at Blue Earth City, in September, 1889. Frederick P. Brown, of Blue Earth City, elected in November, 1872, succeeded Mr. Lent. Mr. Brown was aj^ain elected in tlie years 1874, 1876, 1878, 1880. 1882 and 1884. holding the office longer than any prior incumbent.

Mr. Brown was born in Kobbervig, Norway, August 12th, 1838. His father was a sea-faring man and captain of a merchant vessel for a number of years, and he was also engaged for some years in the mercantile business at Ivobbervig. He is a lineal descendant of Bishop J. N. Brown, who was a man of learning and distinction in Norway.

Frederick received his education mainly in private schools and from private tutors. When quite young ho went to sea and became a sailor. He sailed seven years on salt water and two on the American lakes. During his .sea-faring life he visited many countries. Ho emigrated to America in 1854 and located ia Dane county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming and clerking occasionally.

At the breaking out of the war of the rebellion, he enlisted at Madison, Wisconsin, in the Third Wisconsin, but falling ill, he wassoon afterdischarged.

In December, 1801, he came to Minnesota and located at Rochester, where he was employed as a clerk in the large dry goods house of A. Nelson. He was married in the spring of 1863 to Miss Lena Larson. They have had eight children, two of whom are dead.

Mr. Brown remained at Rochester until 1866, when he came to this county, locating at Blur Earth City, where ho went into the mercantile business in company with Colburn Nelson, in which business he continued some years.

Mr. Brown was elected secretary of state of the State of Minnesota in 1890, and was re-elected in 1892. Since retiring from public office, Mr. Brown has been largely engaged in farming operations in this county.

Section Ten

The public school system of Minnesota is, in many respects, an honor to the intelligence of the people of the State, and a blessing, the value of which can never be fully estimated.

The public school fund, provided by law, and well secured for the support of free public schools is more liberal, jierhaps, than that of any other state in the Union, and should ever be guarded with jealous care. And there has, as yet, been but one attempt made, by public plunderers, to get the fund into shape, by legislation, so that it might be reached by them. But the project was defeated by the honesty and ability of the state auditor.

Prior to the adoption of the county superintendent system, the schools were first without any supervision, except that of the trustees. Then followed the town superintendent system, by which a superintendent for each township, or township district, had the supervision of the schools. After this came the district examiner system, in which an examiner was appointed, by the county board, for each county commissioner district in the county. This system detained at the time of the adoption of the county superintendent system. The examiners who were appointed under that system, in the several districts, are named in the history of the several years.

The earliest printed reports, relating to schools in this county, other than mere scant statistics, were made in 1861, by three of the town superintendents. They are preserved here as a matter of curiosity, and read as follows:

Brush Creek District

"L. J. Whitney, superintendent, reports one teacher licensed, one school; no school house yet; no school furniture. School not classifled 'to suit my notions.' Not opened with reading nor prayer. 'Less jealousness and to be more united' would greatly improve. People too little interested."

Dobson And Campbell District

"Wm. Hill, superintendent, reports two teachers licensed; two (2) schools; one log school house, one hired; neither have out-houses; one is graded; deficient in everything else; schools properly classifled, and opened by reading the scriptures. We want two new school houses and a few more scholars. People generally interested, though there are some exceptions."

Guthrie District

"John McKinney, superintendent, reports two teachers licensed; two schools held in log dwelling houses, on the prairies - owners in them, too. Schools properly classifled; not opened with reading or prayer. Thing needed, 'spur the trustees.' People Interested 'considerably.' "

The Superintendent

The principle duties of the suporintendent, briefly stated, are to examine aud license teachers, visit and inspect the schools of his county at least once in each term, give advice to teachers, organize and conduct teachers' institutes, encourage teachers' associations, introduce the best modes of instruction, receive the reports of district clerks, and transmit an abstract of the same to the state superintendent and report annually the condition and prospects of the schools under his care, besides many other minor duties which cannot be enumerated here. The term of office was formerly one year, but it was subsequently made two years.

By the law establishing the county superintendent system of school supervision, the board of county commissioner of the several counties were authorized to adopt the system and appoint a superintendent when deemed advisable.

The system was adopted in this county, January 2d, 1866, and A. H. Pelsey was appointed superintendent for the year 1866, at an annual salary of !?175. On the sixth of September, 1866, he was appointed for the year 1867, at a salary of §200. On September 4th, 1867, he was ap))ointed for the year 1868, and in January following, the salary for 1868 was raised to ?300. Mr. Pelsey resigned the office, October 1st, 1868.

Mr. Pelsey came to this State from Wisconsin, and located at Blue Earth City, about the year 1865, where he and his wife were for a long lime engaged in the public schools. He subsequently studied medicine and located at Minnesota Lake, where he engaged in practice, and where lie died.

On the the resignation of Mr. Pelsey, Sheridan J. Abbott, of Winnebago City, was appointed superintendent to complete the remainder of Mr. Pelsey "s term, and also for the year 1869, which he served.

Sheridan J. Abbott

Mr. Abbott, who has long been a prominent resident of the county, is a native of Ohio. He was born in Lr)rrain county in that state, March 25lh, 1839. He removed with his people to Marquette county, state of Wisconsin, in 1849. His early education was obtained in the district schools of his native stale and in Wisconsin, and at college in Kipon, in the latter state, which he attended for some time, but did not graduate.

He commenced reading law when about sixteen years old, with lluu. II. G. Webb, at Wautoma, Wisconsin, reading during the summers, and teaching school in winters. He taught many terras. He wa'* admitted to the bar, at Berlin, Wisconsin, when about twenty years old. and then engaged in the practice of law.

He was married, in 1860, to Miss Julia H. Potter, of Marquette county, Wisconsin. They have three children. Mr. Abbott was at one lime county attorney of Marquette county, Wisconsin, and resigned the office just before coming to Minnesota. He came to this county in 1867, and located at Winnebago City, where he engaged in the practice until 188f), when he removed to Delavan, in this county, where he continued his business.

Oq September 9th, 1869, the county board appointed the Rev. J. D. Todd, of Winnebago City for a part of the year, 1870, but he declined the office, and on the sixteenth day of the same month the board appointed Richard W. Richards, of Minnesota Lake, for three months, from January 1st, 1870, to April 1st following, at an annual salary of |300.

On the twenty-fourth day of March, 1870, Mr. Richards was appointed for two years, from April 1st, 1870, and the salary was raised to $400 per annum. On January 2d, 1872, he was again appointed for two years, from April 1st, 1872, and the salary was raised to $600 per annum, and on January 7th, 1873, the salary was increased to $800 per annum. By act of Marcli 7th, 1873, the commissioners were required to fix the salary "at not less than at the rate often (10) dollai's for each organized district in the county, not exceeding one hundred districts, but if the number of districts exceeded one hundred, the salary should not be less than $1,000, nor more than $1,250 per annum." This act took eifect as to the salary of the superintendent of the county, June 10th, 1873. On January 6th, 1874, Mr. Richards was again appointed for two years, from April 1st, 1874.

The time for making the new appointment cam« on at the January session of the county board, in 1876. There were three applicants for the appointment, and the commissioners, not being able to agree, the matter was deferred to the March session.

In the meantime an act was passed by the legislature making the office elective at the next general election in this and several other counties, and provided that the present incumbents should continue to hold their offices until the first day of January, 1877. Under this provision Mr. Richards held over.

By act approved March 1st, 1876, it was enacted: That any woman, of the age of 21 years and upwards, belonging to either of the classes mentioned in section 1 of article 7 of the constitution of the State of Minnesota, who shall have resided in the United States one year, and in this State for four months next preceding any elec- -tion held for the purpose of choosing any officer of schools, or any school district meeting called to consider any measure relating to schools, shall be entitled to vote at such election or meeting, in the school district of which she shall at the time have been for ten days a resident, and any woman so entitled to vote shall be eligible to hold any office pertaining solely to the management of public schools. It having been determined that women, under the above act could not vote for superintendent, an additional act was passed in March, 1885, by which women belonging to the above mentioned classes were permitted to vote for county superintendent, and they are eligible to hold the office of superintendent.

Mr. Richards was elected superintendent in the years 1876, 1878, and after an interval of one term, was again elected to the office in the years 1882 and 1884.

Mr. Richards was Ixirn in Oneifia county, New York, July 14lh, 18:J8. His laihiT, who was a carijonter \<y trade, was born in Wales, and came to America about the year 183.-J. He died when Richard was about four years old. Soon after his father's death, Richard went to live with a friend witli whom he made his home for a number of years, and attended the common schools until he was about twelve years old, when he was engaged as a clerk in a grocery store, in ntica, New York, where he remained about two years, and after this he was employed as a copying clerk for some three years in the law ollice of Hon. Roscoe Conkling, in Utica. His health failing he went into the country to recruit, and afterwards entered Fairfield Seminary as a student. He taught his first term of school in Fulton county, New York, in the winter of 18.54-5. The next three years were spent in school, during the spring and autumn, and teaching a four months' term of school in winter. During this lime his preparation for college was completed, and in 1858 he entered Union college, Schenectady, New York. He became principal of the Johnstown, New York, schools, a position which he resigned in 18G1, to accept a more lucrative position, as teacher in the stale of Maryland, but the rebellion breaking outr about this time, his plans were disarranged. He then enlisted in the military service, becoming a member of the 3Uh regiment, New York state militia, in answer to the first call for troops. At Albany he was exposed for many hours to a cold rain, and in consequence was attacked with lung fever, and was not mustered into the service of the United States, as his regiment was mustered out at the e.xpiratioQ of term of service. In the fall of 1661 he emigrated to Wisconsin, where he engaged in teaching. In the summer of 1862 he was appointed superintendent of schools of the west half of Dodge county, Wisconsin.

In 1863 he was appointed a clerk in the ollice of the secretary of state, Wisconsin, where he remained some time, then in 1864 he entered the offlce of the adjutant general, Wisconsin, as a clerk, where he remained until the close of th ' war. He was also, during the session of the legislature of Wisconsin, in 1864, enrolling clerk of the assembly.

In 1865, he removed to St. Louis, Mo., where the only work he could find for some time was that of street car conductor, in which he was employed about .seven months, when he secured the position of shipping cierk in a glass manufacturing company. After a few months' >ervice in this position, he was chosen bookkeeper and paymaster of the concern. Here he remained until the factory was burned, in December, 1860. In January, 1867, he came to this county and purchased a farm in Minnesota Lake township, and came there to reside in the following April.

On the eleventh of February, 1867, he was married to Miss Winifred Morris, of Painfleld, N. Y. They had three children, two of whom are dead. His wife died in July, 1873.

In the spring of 1872 Mr. Richards removed to Blue Earth City where he has since resided. He was married in April, 1879, to Mrs. Mary A. Looniis, of this county

Mr. Richards' official history as superintendent, is detailed above. He has held various other official positions, as secretary of the Agricultural society many terms, and as an officer of the Sunday school association, and has always been a worker in the tempennce cause, an;! was Deputy G. W. C. Templar in this State for 1875 and 1876, and organized many lodges of that order in the state.

He has been a member of the Presbyterian church since 1856, and always a stalwart republican in politics. During late years Mr. Richards has been chief clerk in the county auditor's office, and has been a member of the board of education at Blue Earth City, of which he is at this time president.

It is gratifying to the writer to record the fact here that from the early settlement of the county, to the present time, the people of all parts of the county have taken a large interest in the subject of education, and that they have made rapid progress in the increase of the number and standing of the schools, and the building of school houses, as is attested by the history of the several years of the county. Our schools take rank with the common schools of other parts of the State, and our graded schools compare favorably with schools of like grade anywhere in the northwest. No people can interest themselves in a better cause than that of the proper education of the young.

The Country School House The District School

Many scores of country school houses have been built in the twenty townships of this county. In some respects the country school houses are the most important structures in the county. How could we get along without them"? Their uses are manifold. Let us enumerate some of them. In some one of them the township caucuses meet, to elect delegates to the higher political bodies. Here the people assemble to hear political speeches and the discussion of the great party issues of the times. Here the district school meetings are held. Here, in some predesignated one, the electors of the town assemble, each year, to elect their town officers and decide im- portant township questions, and often stormy contests occur, and high words of rival candidates are heard. It is in the school houses that the people of the country meet to hear lectures and organize their local societies. Here too, are the great spelling contests, the singing schools, and here the local debating societies meet to discuss and settle great social and moral questions, and declaim selections from the speeches of Adams, Patrick Henry, Webster, Clay, Corwin, and other eminent orators, of bygone days. And it is not in the fine churches, but in the country school houses, that the great majority of the people of the county assemble for stated public religious services, and it is here many of the great religious revivals occur, and many church societies are organized from time to time.

Yet none of these are the uses for which the school houses were built. These uses, so far as the purposes of the erection of school houses are concerned, are but secondary.

These buildings were erected, principally for the use of the several school districts, for school purposes. They are not public halls, or churches, however appropriate, their use as such, may be, but school houses. And the importance in this respect, of our district school houses, may be partially realized, when it is known that it is not in the high schools, academies, colleges, or universities, but in the common, public, free schools, that by far the greater number of our people get their education, or all the schooling they ever get. And from these schools, as their starting point, where they discover their capacity, get their first training, become imbued with their first impulses and ambitions, have come, many, who have won imperishable names, ripe scholars, great orators, able jurists, wise and patriotic statesmen, great philanthropists and christian leaders, in the pulpit, and in the missionary fields.

The country school-house! The district school! What remembrances of boyhood's and girlhood's years these words awaken! How many terms of winter, or summer schools, or both, did we attend? And the teachei's! do we, in looking back, remember them'? How we loved some of them, and how we feared others. How different they were in their manners and methods. How we often tried their .patience. And perhaps we may remember too. the "sproutings," the forulings, the dunce seat punishments, the chidings we received and deserved, and we may recollect, also, the oft expressed kindly words of praise and encouragement. And we know now, whatever we thought then, that most, if not all of our teachers, are entitled to our gratitude and k'lndly remembrance.

But all who have been school children, have other memories of their young school days - the warm friendships, the games, the petty quarrels, the rivalries and contests, the triumphs and defeats.

The existence of a free government, such as ours, its growth, stability and success restfj in the virtue and intelligence of the iieople. An educated people can never be long deprived of their rights, or enslaved. And a free State must have many men of education to conduct its affairs. The State, therefore, and every citizen thereof, has a vast interest in the education of the young, and their preparation for the varied duties of life and good citizenship. In this favored land, the free district school is the most important factor in the education of the people. And especially is this the fact in this portion of our country, in which its population is made up of many nationalities.

There is no power known in this land which wields so mighty an influence in the unification, harmonization and Americanization of its people, as the free district schools. Their doors are open to all alike, the rich and the poor, and their training, lessons and advantages, are for all the children of one common country. But our free school system has some powerful enemies who, for ulterior purposes, are opposed to any methods of education but such as may be directed by them. Then there are others, wlio, because of their own ignorance, or immorality, or disregard of the public welfare, or their selfishness, or avarice, would destroy the whole system of public schools, maintained at public expense. Besides these, it maybe remembered that all despotisms, either in church or State, really whatever their pretenses may be, believe in keeping the masses of the people in ignorance. They cannot live in the light of public intelligence. All these need to be watched. We must permit no sophestries, or jDromises, or pi-ofessions of favor, to blind our eyes, or threats, or auguries of evil to deter us from maintaining, extending and perfecting our free school system.

There are some things that are peculiarly and essentially American, the outgrowth of American conditions and American necessities, that must be insisted upon, and our free common school system, maintained at the public expense and to which every citizen who enjoys the liberties and protection of the State, must contribute his lawful proportion, whatever his original nationality, or notions may be, is one of them.

And now, we should remember, while engaged in the affairs of life and perhaps giving but little attention to the schools ourselves, that he in whose hands the people have placed the greatly important trust and duty of the supervision of our district schools, is the county superintendent.

Section Eleven

The duties of county surveyor are, to "execute any survey of lands which may be required, by order of any court, or upon application of any individual, or corporation " He is required to take an oath of ottice, and gi\'e an official bond. His term of office is two years. He may appoint as many deputies as he may need. He is required to keep a record of all surveys made by him. or his deputies, and is paid for liis services, by those who employ him, at the rate of four dollars per day.

Orville Kimball was the first county surveyor of this county. He was either appointed by tlie countj^ board, or was elected at the general election, in 1850, but no record now remains of the matter. He left the country in the spring of 1857. He designed going to California, when he left here, and a number of years afterwards it was said by some of his relatives, residing in Massachusetts, that Mr. Kimball had located in Canton, China, engaged in the mercantile business, and became very wealthy.

On the sixth of July, 1857, J. A. Kiester was appointed surveyor, by the county board, and, at the next general election of 1857, he was elected to the office for a full term. He was succeeded by S. A. Safford, of Winnebago City, who was elected in 1859. He removed from the county the next spring, when J. H. Welch, of Verona, was, on the fourth day of June, 1860, appointed by the county board, to fill the vacancy, and was elected to the office, at the general election of that year, for a full term. Mr. Welch also removed from the county, temporarily, and the office became vacant in 1861.

John Harvey Welch was born in Royalton, Niagara county, New York, March 21, 183S. He worked at home, on the farm, and attended the common schools, until he was seventeen years old. He then enpa^od in school teaching, occasionally, and attended the Union School, at Lockport, New York, until twentyone years of age. He canii' west in 1854, and «pent three years engaged as a civil engineer, on railroads, in Wisconsin. He came to this county in May, 18.17, and located on a pre-emption claim, in the town of \'erona. Mr. Welch was married March 8th, 1859, to Mi.ss Martha J. Hazeltlne, of Dodge county, Wisconsin. They have had tlve children, two of whom are now dead. In 1861, Mr. Welch was appointed, by President Lincoln, register of the United States land ottice, then located at Chatfleld, Minnesota. In October, of that year, the office was removed to Winnebago City, in this county. He then became a residi'nt of Winnebago City, where he has ever since resided. He held the ottice of register about six years. In I86:{, he engaged, also, In the general mercantile business at Winnebago City, and, In 1866, in the hardware trade, in which he continued until 1887, wlien he sold out. He was appointed, In 1889, postmaster of Winnebago City. In 1860, Mr. Welch was one of the board of county commissioners, and he has held various local offices, as chairman of the town board of supervisors, president of the village council, and member of the board of education, of Winnebago City. Mr. Welch is a republican in politics. He cast his first vote for Freemont, for President, in 1856. He and his family attend the Presbyterian church.

On the twenty- fourth day of June, 1861, George A. Weir, of Winnebago City, was appointed to the ofifice by the county board and assumed its duties.

George Patten, of Verona, elected in 1861, was our next surveyor, but enlisting in the military service of the United States, the office again became vacant. Mr. Patten did not return to this county again as a resident.

W. W. Seely, of Verona, elected to the office in 1862, succeeded Mr. Patten. The office again became vacant. Mr. Seely removed from the county. Our next county surveyor was John A. Dean, of Jo Daviess, appointed by the county board September 1st, 1863.

The survey, subdivision and jslatting of the timbered sections of the school lands in the county was performed by Mr. Dean. This was a large work, and some of it difficult and laborious.

The woi"k was done in the fall of 1863, and the plats filed with the commissioner of the state land office, and also in the office of the register of deeds of the county.

Mr. Dean is a native of New York state, born June 19th, 1825, in the county of Jefferson. His father, Samuel Dean, was born in England, and came to America and settled in Jefferson county, N. Y., when that country was yet quite new. He was a farmer by occupation.

John, the subject of this brief sljetch, acquired his education mainly in the common schools of the country. He had also some instruction by private tutors. He spent his youth until he arrived at the age of twenty one years, on the farm of his father. He commenced teaching school at twenty and taught occasionally during a period of twenty-eight years. Having qualifled himself for the profession of civil engineer, he was engaged in the employment of the state ofKew Yorlc, as first assistant engineer in the construction of the Black River canal, from Rome to the Black river, when about twenty-three years old. This canal was an important work to the people of the state. The work, from its character, required much engineering skill and hard labor, and was satisfactorily performed.

About the year 1851, Mr. Dean emigrated to the state of Wisconsin, and settled In Dodge county, where he engaged in school teaching, practicing law and surveying.

The same year, Mr. Dean returned to Wisconsin and located at Markesan, Green Lake county. Here he engaged in the practice of law, surveying occasionally, teaching school, and sometimes working at thecarpenter trade.

In August, 1860, Mr. Dean and family came to this county. Here betook up a quarter section of land in the town of Jo Daviess, which he settled upon and continued to reside, engaged in farming and the nursery business, until his removal to Blue Earth City.

The nursery of fruit nnd ornamental trees and shrubbery planted by him, was the first nursery in the county, and was attended by him with much care for many vears.

Mr. Dean entered the military service of the United States, in November, 1864, as a private, Bointr immediately south, to Nashville, Tennessee, where he joined Co. B, 5th Minnesota Vet. Vol. Inft. He was in the liatties of Nashville in December, 1864, and wasalsoat the .sei>;c of Mobile, Alabama, in Ai)ril,1865, and continued with his regiment until discharged in September, I8G5, when he came home. He removed to Blue Earth City about the year 1875, where he has since resided, but still continues to look after his farming interests and nursery business. Mr. Dean is an independent republican in politics, but has never taken a very active part in political matters, except to keep well posted on the issues of the times. He has been much alllicted during a great part of his life with asthma and his affliction has greatly inducnced the course of his active life. He has, from early youth, been much of a student, his tastes inclining him much to mathematical and kindred studies. Mr. Dean has freijuently held school and town olllces, and was at one time a member of the board of county commissioners of this county.

Daniel Birdsall, of Prescott, elected in November, 1863, next performed the duties of the office. Mr. Birdsall was elected in 1865 for a second term. During the year following, he removed from the county, and the office became vacant. He was succeeded by John R. Sisson, of Seely, who was elected in 1866, and was re-elected in 1868.

Mr. Sisson is a native of Massachusetts, born in Wilbraham, May 22d, 1815. He received a common school education and studied surveying. In 1822 he removed with his parents to the Western Reserve, Ohio. In 1839 he was employed by the general government and went to Arkansas, and engaged in the survey of the public lands. In 1841 he removed to Louisa county, Iowa, and was married February 1st, 1813, to Miss Lucy G. Clark. Nine children were the fruit i)f the marriage. His wife died September .30th, 1881. In 185!) he removed to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, from thence to this county in 1863. As to occupation, Mr. Sesson has been engaged in farming, carpentering, and as abdve stated, in surveying, and latterly, somewhat in merchandising. Mr. Sisson has been a supervisor in his town and a justice of the peace, and was county commissioner in the years 1866, 1867 and 1877, 1878 and 1879. He was again married February <ith, 1882, to Miss Mary B. Pelton. He has for some years resided near Alton, Brush Creek township, in this county. His political altiliations are with the republican party, and he is a member of the Methodist church. Mr.Sis.son died at Wells, January 7th, 1896, to which village he had removed about a year previous to his death.

And now George A. Weir re- appears as county surveyor, having been elected in 1870. and held the office during the term. He was subsequently elected to the office in the years 1874, 1882 and 1884. He has also been deputy surveyor three terms, during the administration of other county surveyors.

George A. Weiu

Mr. Weir was born in 1833, in Robertson county, Tenn. His education was acquired mainly in the common schools. He also attended a select school, where he learned the profession of surveyor and civil engineer. He came to Minnesota with his brothers Joseph and Daniel, in 1857, and settled near Winnebago City, where he has since resided. He was never married. His principal business through life has been that of farming.

In 1858 he brought a lot of apple trees to this county, from Blooming nursery, 111., and set them out on his lands. They were probably the flrsl fruit trees in the county of the kind.

In 1866 he assisted as one of the engineering corps, in making the preliminary survey of the line of the Southern Minnesota Railroad, from the western boundary of the state to Rushford, Fillmore county, Minn. The line was run for the purpose of locatino- the lands granted to the company. Mr. Weir is a democrat in politics, but of late years has taken no active part in political affairs.

Edward S. Leavitt, of Wells, was elected surveyor in the years 1872, 1876, 1878, 1880 and 1886, the intervening terms being filled by Mr. Weir, as will be seen above.

Edward S. Leavitt

Mr. Leavitt was born October 16th, 1815, at Gilford, N. H. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1843, and studied law with Hon. J. P. Robinson, of the state of Massachusetts, and was admitted to the bar, and practiced in that state until 1849, when he removed to California. In 1850 he emigrated to Oregon, where he was engaged in making surveys of lands donated to settlers. The next year (1851) he was elected judge of Clackamas county, and, in 1853, returned to the east, and located in Rockford, Illinois, where he engaged in the practice of the law.

He was married in April, 1855, to Miss Mary J., daughter of the Rev. James Fernald, of Saco, Maine. They have had one child, a daughter, who died in August, 1883. Mrs. Leavitt died in April, 1887. Mr. Leavitt came to Minnesota in October, 1856, and was county surveyor of Winona county eight years. He settled in this county in October, 1870, and has here been county surveyor as above stated. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a republican in politics.

Section Twelve The Sheriffs And Their Office

The sheriff is the chief police officer of the county, and is an officer with whom most of us care but little to have any official business. His duties are to keep and preserve the peace in his county, for which purpose he is empowered to call to his aid such persons or power of his county, as he may deem necessary. He shall also pursue and apprehend all felons, execute all writs, warrants and other process from a justice of the peace, district court,or other competent tribunal. The sheriff is also the j ailor, and in this capacity has charge of the county jail and its inmates. The duties of this branch, of his office are usually performed by an individual known in the common law as the "turnkey."

The sheriff's office is one of much responsibility. Its duties are often not only very unpleasant, but quite often intricate and perplexing, and the sheriff frequently needs the best legal advice and direction. His official transactions often involve large pecuniary liabilities, and while many other officials may neglect, or err to some extent, in the performance of their duties with impunity, the sheriff is by law and practice invariably held to a strict accountability. There are no excuses for him, and the duties of his office are the most thankless known to the law.

The sheriff is required to take an oath of office, and give an official bond for the faithful performance of his duties. He may appoint such deputies as he deems necessary to assist him in his business. He is paid by fees which are prescribed by law. His term of office is two years.

Henry P. Constans was the first sheriff of this county, and was appointed at the organization of the county, by Gov. W. A. Gorman, his commission bearing date, February 25th, 1856. He was subsequently appointed by the board of county commissioners, April 6th, 1857.

Mr. Constans was born in France, on the twenty-ninth day of April, 1834. His father held the office of forester in the department where he resided. He is now dead. Henry received his education in the common schools of the neighhorhood. Ho had also the benellt of instruction, for some time, by private tutors.

When only seventeen years old, he came to America, and landed in New Orleans in the year 1851. From New Orleans, he went to Quincey, Illinois, intending here to learn the harness luakers' traije, and did work at the trade some two months, when the cholera breaking out in the place, he migrated, in June, 1851, to St. Paul, in this State. Here he remained until 1854, when, in company with Jas. B. Wakefield, he went to Shakopee,in Scottcouuty, in thisSiate, and concluded to locate there. Here he opened a store, being the second store in the village.

By reference to the history of the year 1856, it will be seen that Mr. Constans was one of the company who projected the laying out of Blue Earth City, and came to the county in 1856, and was one of the original town site proprietors. Here Mr. Constans engaged in the hotel business, being the first hotelkeeper in the county, and he has continued in this business until the present time. He was married in the fall of 1856, to Miss Barbara Hebieson, of Scott county. They have had five children, one of whom is now dead. Besides being the first sheriff of the county, as above stated, Mr. Constans has for several terms lieen a member of the board of education of Blue Earth City, and a member of the first village council of that place, and a member subsefiuently of that l)oard. He was a candidate for the State senate some years ago. Mr. Constans' religious connection is with the Presbyterian church. In politics he has always been a democrat, but never so much of a partisan as to lose his liberty of voting for those whom he deemed the best men for oflBcial position, of whatever party they might be. Mr. Constans is a Mason, and a member of Blue Earth City Lodge, No. 57, of which be was a charter member. He is also a Royal Arch Mason and member of Mt. Horol) Chapter, No. 21.

1858, was mainly collected under Mr. Foley's administration, the sheriff being then, ex officio, the collector. This was the only tax in this county collected by the sheriff, as the duties of tax collector were transferred to the county treasurer. Mr. Foley removed from the county before his term of ottice expired, and at the session of the county board held January 4th. 1859, the office of sheriff was declared vacant and George H. Goodnow, of Winnebago City, was appointed and qualified the next day. He appointed Alonze Beebe his deputy. At the general election held October 11th, 1859, Mr. Goodnow was elected to the office for a full term, which he served. He appointed Geo. S. Convers, of Blue Earth City his deputy.

Mr. Goodnow came to this county in 1857, it is believed, and located at Winnebago City. He was a machinist by occupation. He purchased the saw mill at that place, to which he subsequently added a grist mill, being the first grist mill in the county. He held various local offices, and was chairman of the board of town supervisors, and chairman of the board of county supervisors in 1859 and 1860 and was sheriff as above stated. He tool? an active interest in the public affairs of the county, and the enterprises of this locality, for many years. He subsequently removed to Montana, where he has since died.

Our next sheriff was Philander C. Seely, of Seely township. He was elected October 8th, 1861, and entered upon his duties January, 1862. He appointed Willard Seely his deputy.

W. J. C. Robertson, of Verona, elected in November, 1863, succeeded Mr. Seely. He held the office one term He appointed P. H. Allen as his deputy.

Following Mr. Robertson came Charles E. Chaple, of Winnebago City, who was elected November, 1865, and appointed as his deputies, Charles A. Rose, of Blue Earth City, and Silas Richardson, of Winnebago City. He was not a candidate for reelection.

Mr. Chaple was a native of Wisconsin, born in Rock county, August 6th, 1843. He went with his family from there to Boon county, Illinois, and from thence to Fayette county, Iowa, and from tlience to this county in 1856. His father settled on lands north of Winnebago City and engaged in farming. Charles' opportunities of education were such as were to be found in the frontier log school bouses. He engaged in farming, which was his only occupation until lie enlisted in the military service of the United States in February, 1862. He was at Fort Ridgley at the time of the Sioux outbreak in the fall of that year. He then became a member of tlie 15th Minnesota, and served in tlie south, and remained witli the regiment until the summer of 1864, when he re-enlisted in the same company and regiment, and returned liome on veteran furlough. He returned in August, 1864, to the front, and was at the seige of Spanish Fort, April 2d, 1865, and was badly wounded, losing an arm. He was discharged from the army, June 14th. 1865.

In 1871, lie was elected sergeant at arms of the senate. He was appointed janitor of the state capitol in the spring of 1872. He removed to St. Paul and held the office of jauitor until January. 1885, when he resigned to take the position of deputy sheriff of Ramsey county, which lie held until January 1, 1887, when he received the appoiiiliuent of military store-keeper for the State, at St. Paul, and is at this writinif en^'ai^ed at that business. He has always been a republican, and is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Chaple was subsequently elected sherilTof Ilaniscy county.

Preeland F. Harlow, of Winnebago City, elected in November, 1867, next assumed the duties of the ofiBce. His deputy at Blue Eartli City was P. C. Seely. former sheriff, who transacted most of the business in the south half of the county.

Mr. Harlow is a native of Maine, born in Oxford county, in October, 1836. His father was a brick maker. Freeland passed most of his youth in Lewiston, Maine, lie learned the trade of '-arpenter and joiner. When about fourteen years old, he located at Erini,'lon, Mass., whiTe he remained some four years. He acquired his education in the district schools. About 1854 he returned to Maine. In 185ti he came west, and stopped at Ripon, Wisconsin, during the winter and spring. He left Ripon in May, 1857, and on the twentyfourth of that month arrived in this county (Faribault). Here he worked at farm work until the winter of 1800 and 1861, when he returned again to his native slate.

In 1802 he enlisted in the mililary service, and became a member of Company C, 23d Maine Vol. Inf., and served nine luonths in the Army of the Potomac, in defense of W.ishin;?ti)n, D. C. He was discharged in 1863, and returned to Minnesota. Soon after his return he concluded to go into the sheep raising and wool growing business, and purchased a large number of sheep. The venture provc-d a failure, as almost all his sheep died, and he lost all h s investment, which was his all. He next engaged in clerking for G. K. Moulton, a dealer in general merchandise at Winnebago City, where he remained some three years, and then engaged, as clerk, in the United States Land Office, located at Winnebago City, for several years, and afterwards opened a general land, loan and insurance offlje on his own account, at Winnebago City.

He was married to Miss Jennie Cottrell, June loth, 18G9. They have two children. He subsequently engaged in the hotel business at Winnebago City, and also at Fairmont in Martin county, this state, and at Wells, in this county, and this for many years has been his principal business. In 1868 he took a trip to the Black Hills, of Dakota, where he remained some six months, enu'aged in mining and trading. Mr. Harlow has always been a republican. Mrs. Harlow and children are members of the Protestant Episcopal church. Mr. Harlow and family have resided, fir simsyeiri, at Fairmjnt, Mirtin county, Minn.

Minnesota Lake township furnished the next sheriff, Benning W. Barber, who was elected November 2d, 186i). He appointed S. P. Child, of Blue Earth City, his counsel and deputy. B. W. Barber was a son of Chauncey Barber, one of the earliest settlers of the county, and. at the time of his election, engaged in the mercantile business with Smith T. Barnes, at Minnesota Lake. After retiring from the sheriffs ottice he engaged at that place in merchandising on his own account. In the fall of 1874 he sold out and removed to the territory of Utah.

When Simeon was about three years old his father removed, with his family, to St. Lawrence county, New York, where they remained until about the year 1843, when they returned to Ohio and located in Lake county. In the fall of 1845 they removed to Dodge county, Wisconsin. Simeon and his brother, James E. Child, came to Minnesota in 1854, and located in Wa=eca county, in January, 1855. Waseca was then a part of Blue Earth county.

In February, 1855, Simeon started to visit Ft. Ridgly alone, but when he had got as far on his way as about fifteen miles west of St. Peter, he found the snow so deep that he could not proceed, and started to return, and was caught In a fierce snow storm, and his lower limbs and feet were quite badly frozen; but he worried through and at last got home. His brother went to get a physican. but owing to the deep snows and intense cold, he was gone seven days. During this time Mr. Child suffered intensely, and was entirely alone. As a result of the freezing, his toes had to be amputated.

In the spring of 1856, he was employed on the Winnebago Indian reservation, in Blue Earth county. Here he had charge of a large number of breaking teams. He remained on the reservation until the fall of 1857, when he returned to Wisconsin, and there spent the winter.

In the, spring of 185S, he returned to Waseca county, and was married to Miss Clarrissa Armenia Northrup, on the eighth day of August, and commenced farming for a living. In the fall he went to merchandising at Wilton, in Waseca county, but returned again to the farm, where he remained until the breaking out of the Indian massacre in 1862, when he enlisted, in the military service. He served here until in the following winter, when he went into the quartermasters department and went Siuth with the federal army. He was placed in charge of the Little Rock and Memphis railroad, running the road and keeping it in repair.

In 1866, he removed to Blue Earth City, where, under the firm name of Baldwin & Child, he engaged for a number of years in banking, real estate and collections, and also opened a brick yard. He was a member of the House from this county, in 1872 and in 1873, and State senator in 1874 and 1875.

In the fall of 1875 he was appointed assistant postmaster to th© United States senate, and acted in that capacity until June, 1878. In the meantime, however, he was again a member of the House from this county, in the session of 1877.

In 1878 he was appointed United States post-offlce Inspector, an office which he held until the year 1893, and in the performance of the duties of which otBce, he visited Kansas, ludlaa Territory, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Dakota, Oregon, Montana, and in fact all the states and territories west of the Missouri river, and many of the southern states and old Me.xico, his special work being the collection of evidence in the famous star route cases.

Mr. Child has always been a republican in politics. After retiring from the ofHce of inspector, he was engaged as the general agent of the American Surety Company of New York, and opened an office in St. Paul, to which city he removed his family in 1893, but still retained his property interests in this county, which he still deems his home.

>rr. Davis was born at Shiloh, New York, Dci-ciiiber 15th, 18.36, and received his educatiiin in the district schools. He was entfaiji'd for a number of years as a stage driver and mail contractor. lie cam<! to Minnestda and located at Allien Lea, in 1H57. lie was married in December, 18154, to Miss M. Adams, of All)ert Lea. They have one child, a son. During the war he was captain of Company E, Brackett's Batallion (cavalry), was ordered to Missouri. He came to Faribault county in 1868; was sheriH here as above stated. Mr. Davis is a democrat in political sentiment. lie was appointed postmaster at Winnebago City by President Cleveland.

M. B. Pratt, of Blue Earth City, elected in November. 1877, next became the sheriff, holding the office one term. He appointed, as deputies. H. A. Chase, of Winnebago City, and Q. J. Adams, of Wells.

Mr. Pratt came to this county in 1869, and was one of the members of the mercantile llrm of Whallon, Case & Co , at Blue Earth City. He removed to Owatonna, Minnesota, in 1880, where he engaged in the business of dealing in grain.

Mr. Pratt's successor was Allen Cummings, of Blue Earth City, elected in November, 1879. Mr. Cummings was re-elected in the years 1881. 1883, and 1886.

Allen Cummings was born April 21st, 1840, in Herkimer county, New York. He received instruction in the common schools of the neigliborhood, but his opportunities fiir<)btaining an education were very limited, in liis youth. Allen commenced to work for wages when (|uite young. After a number of removals, Allen's father finally located in Jefferson county, New York, where he has resided the greater portion of his life.

On the twenty-ninth of April, 1861, Allen enlisted In Company G, 35th New York Volunteer Infantry, for two years, and went south. He was in the battles of Second Bull Uun, South Mountain, Antictam, Fredericksburg, and many skirmishes. He was discharged, Viy expiration iif term of service, June 5th. 186;i, when he returned home, and went to work on a farm during the summer of 1863. On January 1st, 1864, he re-enlisted In Coujpany M, 14lh Uegiment New York Heavy Artillery, for three years, or during the war. He served In New York harbor, until April, 1864, when the regiment was ordered to the front, and joined Grant's Army at Rapidan, and participated in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, and first battles around Petersburg, On July 30th, 1864, at the explosion of the mine, he was taken prisoner, and carried to Danville, Virginia, with many hundreds of others, where he remained until about February 18th, 1865. when the pri-soners were sent to Uichmoiid, Virginia, and confined in LIbby prison, and, on the 21st of February, 1865, they were paroleil. From thence he went to Annapolis, Maryland, and was permitted to go home, on furlough of thirty days. But, owing to ill health, the furlough was extended thirty days, during which time the war closed. He, however, returned to his regiment, at Washington, D. C . and did duty with the regiment until August 25th. The regiment was finally discharged and paid, at Rochester, New York, September 6th, 1865. On November 15th, 1865, Mr. Cummings was married to Miss Zenette Vand<'rvoc)rt. He engaged In farming, in .iefTerson county. New York, until March, 1868, when he emigrated to the we^t, and arrived at blue Earth City. April 18th, 1868, and lias since resided at that place. In April, 1872, he was appointed deputy register of deeds, of this county, by F. Lent, register, which position he held about a year. In the spring of 1874, he was appointed, by A. B. Davis, sheriff, as his deputy, and this position he held some twenty months. He was twice city recorder of Blue Earth City. In 1876 he was engaged, by Mr. White, auditor, as clerk in the auditor's office, and continued as such until he qualified as sheriff, in .January, 1880. Mr. Cummings appointed, at various times, as deputies, Isaac Kamrar, C. H. Patten, and T. W. Donovan, of Winnebago City, and Joseph Stearnes and W. A. Billings, of Wells, and Wm. Whitfield, A. L. Crandall, and F. D. Yendis, of Blue Earth City.

After retiring from all official positions Mr. Cummings removed to his fartu, near Blue Earth City, and engaged in farming for some years, and then retired again to the village above named, where he has since resided.

Section Thirteen The Coroners

The chief duty of the coroner as such, is to "hold an inquest upon, view of the dead body of such pei'sons found in the county, as are supposed to have come to their death by violence." For this purpose he is authorized to summon and empanel a jury.

In cases of a "vacancy in the office of sheriff, the coroner exercises the powers and duties of said office, until a sheriff is elected and qualified." The coroner is also authorized "to serve and execute process of every kind, when the sheriff is a party in the action" and v?hen it appears that the sheriff will not, by reason of partiality, prejudice, consanguinity, or intex-est, perform his duties properly. And "when the sheriff for any cause is committed to the jail of his county, the coroner shall be keeper thereof." By this it appears that the sheriff jails all other rogues, but only the coroner can jail the sheriff! The coroner is required to take an oath of office and give an official bond. His term of office is two years and he may appoint deputies. He is allowed fees for his services to be paid by the county, or from the parties interested in suits as the case may be. The business and pay of this office have never amounted to much in this county, and it may be observed that no great contests have ever been fought over the office by rival aspirants. It is a bone containing too little meat, and as to the honors of the office, they have never been greatly esteemed by the ambitious. The ambitious politician always looks for offices producing some pay, as well as honors.

Mr. Gillit was d, native of Vermont, where he was born, about the year 1799. By occupation he was a farmer, but also learned, and worked at times at the trades of shoemaker, mason and plasterer.

Mr. Gillit emit'rated to Upper Canada at a date not now known. lie was one of the insurgents in what is now known as the insurrection or great rebellion, or "patriot war," which occurred in Canada in 1837 and 1838. He soon after removed from Canada to the state of Illinnis, where he remained some years. He came to tills county, in .June, ISjfi, and locati'd on a farm near Ulue Earth City, wliere he spent his r.-maining years, engaged In farming, and at which place lie died, in July, 1^75, agi'd seventy-six years.

William A. Way. of Blue Earth City, was elected in 1859. Mr. L. C. Taylor, of Dunbar, was elected in ISO I, and David Pratt, of Seely, in 1862, but the two last named gentlemen did not qualify as neither desired the oflSce. William A. Way was again elected in Novembe, 1P03. and performed the duties of the office for tlie term. D. H. McDowell was next elected to the office November, 186.'), but the office again becoming vacant, Wm. A. Way was again elected November, 1866.

William A. Way was born in Connecticut about the year 1831. He learned the trade of carpenter. He was married in 1852, to Miss Harriett C. Darke, of Carhondale, Pennsylvania, where he resided several years. They were blessed with a family of .six children. They came to this county in 1856, and located on a farm. Edwin M. Way, a brother of William, located with his family the next year. Edwin died in ]8()3. William, after farming some years, removed to Blue Earth City, wheie he continued to work at his trade. He held the ollicc of supervisor iif Blue Earth City township a number of years, and was also town clerk of the same town. He sold his farm and other property in 1868. and removed to California and from thence, after some years, to Texas, where he died in 1883. The family then returned to California, where they have since resided.

Aaron J. Rose, of Blue Earth City, elected to the office in November, 1867, was our next coroner. He was re-elected in the years 1869, 1871 and 1873 and attended to the duties of the office during four terms.

Mr. Rose was a native of the Province of Ontario, Canada, where he was born September 5th, 1812. He was married October 30th, 1833, to Miss Catherine .Smith and tliey reared a family of six children (three daughters and three sons). Sometime after his marriage hi: engaged in hotel keeping at Trenton, Canada. He left Trenton about the year 1850 and located at Port Perry, towrjship of Roach, and engaged as purser on board a steamboat, which ran on Lake Scugog, for several years. Mr. Rose was one of the sympathisers with the Patriots, in the Canadian rebellion in 1S36-7, and as a result his property was conflscated by the government, but was suliseciuently restored to him. Leaving his family in Canada, for the time being, Mr. Rose went to W^aterloo, Iowa, in 1856, and remained during the summer and autumn. In .January, 1857, he came to this county and engaged in the saw mill business, with his son-in-law, Capt. P. B. Davy. He also took a claim near Blue Earth City, which he afterwards traded for an interest in the saw mill. Having gotten all things ready, his family came on in 18.59. Mr. Rose held various town oftlces from time to time, and was justice of the peace for many years, and coroner, as above staled . Mrs. Catherine Rose died in February, 1875, and Mr. Rose in October of the same year. They both rest In the cemetery at Blue Earth City.

Hubert P. Young, of Blue Earth City, was elected to the office at the election of 1875, but removed from the county in January, 1876, and the county board at their January session of 1876, appointed W. J. C. Robertson to fill the vacancy in the office.

Mr. Balcom is a native of Douglass, Mass., where he was bora March 16th, 1823. He received his early education in the common schools, and at an academy at Uxbridge, Mass. When about eight years old his parents removed from Douglass to Uxbridge. Here he worljod in a cotton factory from the time he was ten years old to sixteen, when he went into a store to learn the mercantile business and book-lceeping. Here he remained two years and then returned to Douglass. From thence he went to Boston, Mass., and engaged at clerking in a store. His next move was to Millford, Mississippi, where he clerked in a store about two years, and then emigrated to Montgomery, Ala. .where he again engaged as a clerk for some time, and then returned to Massachusetts, on a visit. He next came west and settled at Cincinnati, O., where he bought a half interest in a shoe store and remained about two years, and then sold oat and went to St. Louis, Mo., where he remained some two years. He then returned again to Douglass, Mass., and bought outthe store, in which he had commenced clerking. Here he remained some ten (10) years, then sold out and emigrated to Chicago, 111., in the spring of 1856, and went to work in the railroad office of the Illinois Central. He remained here awhile, then went, In the fall of the year, to Princeton, 111., and engaged in buying, packing and shipping eggs. Here he bought out a stock of goods, which, in the spring of 1857, he shipped to Winona, Minn., where he opened a store. This stock he sold out in January, 1858, and came to this county in February of that year, and settled on a farm in Verona township. In 1-859, he rented this farm and removed to La Crosse, Wis., where for three years he engaged in merchandising. In 1862 he returned to the farm, and in 1864 sold the farm and located in Blue Earth City and engaged in merchandising until 1869, and then sold out. In 1870 he located on a farm in Rome township and remained a short time, when he returned to Blue Earth City, where he has since resided. Mr. Balcom has always been a republican in politics since the organization of that party. He was the first treasurer of our agricultural society, organized in 1859.

Mr. Kimball was born in Troy, New York, September 11th, 1822. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812. When Charles was about Ave years old, his parents emigrated to the state of Maine. He was taught in the common schools until he was sixteen years old, when he was sent to the Academy at Limerick, Maine. He finished up his school days when about nineteen years old. He then went to Great Falls, N. H., and worked some two years in a cotton mill and from there he went to Lowell, Mass., where he again worked in a cotton mill. Here he remained about twelve years, and became an overseer of the hands, but his health failing, he had to quit the business.

Mr. Kimball was married at Lowell, Mass., in 1848, to Miss Mary A. Hayes, of N. H. They had three children. Mrs. Kimball died at Winnebago City, in April, 1884.

Mr. Kimball left Lowell and returned to Maine, and remained four years, and then came west and located in Burns, Wisconsin. Here he remained about two years, and then, after a hard and long drive with an ox team, arrived at Winnebago City, in this county, June 15th, 1858.

Here Mr. Kimball engaged In the blacksmith business for some five years, iind was the pioneer blacksmith of the place. In 1862 or 1863 he opened a h(jtel at Winnebago City and this became his principal business for some twenty odd years.

He was out of business for several years and rented his notel buildings. Mr. Kimball was at one time a member of the Freewill Haptist church, but became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, at Winnebago City. He has, during his life, been mucli interested in Sunday school work. When a young man he was a teacher for some years in the Sunday school. Mr. Kimball was in early life a democrat, but left that party in the days of Buchanan, and has been a republican thereafter. He held various local offices at Winnebago City. He was justice of the peace quite a number of years, and police justice. He was also chairman of the board of town supervisors, town and city treasurer, and chairman of the school board, a county commissioner in 1806, and county coroner for a period of eight years.

Section Fourteen

The following remarks are made in reference to the county ofiBcial life of this county, as many of them would not be applicable to that of many other counties. The remarks also refer to those mainly who have their permanent offices at the court house. The business office, the place of labor of the. county officers, is the court house of the county. Here goes on, year after year, the public business of the people of the county; sometimes performed for years by some of the same officers, but occasionally one or more new hands appear. Some may have grown gray in the work, while others are quite young. Life here, as elsewhere, has its pleasures and pains, it.-? "ups and downs." It is not as some superficial people have thought, a life of comparative ease, of large pay and little work, a sort of popular ovation, with plenty of money to carry it through.

For every officer who does his duty, there is steady work to do, and much of it requiring care and close attention. It is not play. No one rests "on a bed of roses" by any means, and all have more or less difficult and perplexing labor to perform and responsibilities to bear.

Peace and harmony usually prevail among the officers, and while they do not always think alike on all subjects, of politics, science, morals, or religion, and while such questions as the tariff, candidates for office, Calvinism. Armenianism, materialism, the orthodox faith, monopoly, prohibition, Darwinism, etc., are often discussed with great earnestness, if not with far reaching ability, there are seldom any bitter or personal feelings manifested. No one has ever been known, however, to change his views, as a result of these discussiotis, and the disputants always, so to speak, "come out of the same hole they went in at." The jokes and good stories of the season also go their rounds, and practical jokes upon each other occur occasionally, but ordinarily there is not much time for these outside matters, and especially not in business hours.

The busiest seasons of the year for the officers, generally, are during the sessions of the district court and board of commissioners, in January and June, as many people defer their county business until these times. In the treasurer's office,. however, the great rush of the season comes in the latter part of May, when people come to pay their real estate taxes. It is usually a pet ambition with the officers to be "up" with their work to date, and there is, consequently, but little spare time for amusement.

An agreeable feature of official life is that the pay is, in general, cash, and certain with those who get salaries, and is generally sufficient, though not generally excessive, for the work done. Comfortable quarters in which the labor is done and necessary conveniences to facilitate business are furnished at the public expense, while the incumbents are usually accommodating, courteous and good natured in their intercourse with each other. There is also a certain degree of honor and consequence in being a county officer, highly pleasing to some minds. And this is a reasonable pride and all well enough when not carried too far, for the incumbent is the chosen and trusted servant of his fellow citizens, in the position which he holds. On the other hand an officer's time is not his own. He cannot come and go when he pleases. He is not exactly his own man. He has engaged to do certain work and to do it well and faithfully, and it is his duty to be on hand and attend to it, and this fact is usually realized. It is ti'ue that he may appoint deputies, and must of necessity do so, in various offices, and while the deputies may be more efl&cient than the principals, yet it is the officer himself who, because of some supposed fitness for the place, the people have chosen to fill the place, and not others simply selected by him, and as a rule, the people like to deal with and have the personal attention of the officer himself.

The performance of official duties, also, in time, became a sort of routine, monotonous, treadmill labor, and is confining and exacting, and possesses many perplexing features and serious responsibilities. To add to all this, officei's are sometimes charged with neglecting duties with which, in fact, they have legally nothing to do, unless their attiention is requested to them, and sometimes, while wholly impartial, are charged with favoritism and their motives impugned, without cause. Charges are also made, sometimes, that officers of the county are dishonest, when there is not a shadow of evidence of the fact. The instances, in this county, of officers charf^ing illegal fees, or taking advantage of their position to practice any little, gainful frauds on the people, have been exceedingly rare, if they have existed at all, and would soon have been discovered. The people are very apt soon to smell out such an officer, and he would not succeed a great while. President Lincoln is credited with the remark, that "such an officer may fool all the people a part of the time, and a part of the people all the time, but he can't fool all the people all the time."

It is a mistaken notion, also, that to hold a county office is a great thing in a financial point of view. As a rule the pay is no more, and often not so much, as would be realized for like work and capacity in other occupations. Then there is always the uncertainty of the tenure of office. If the incumbent could be sure of a long term in office, by frequent re-elections, the holding of a county office might be of more value financially considered. A discharge comes very suddenly and unexpectedly sometimes, and the party never gets a "letter of recommendation," which may help him to get another job.

The fact is that most county officers have gone out of office not much, if any, better off financially, so far as the mere pay of the office was concerned, than they were when they went in, and this is true even of some who received the largest pay, and held office for long periods.

The man who has a permanent, fairly paying, legitimate business, whatever it is, can rarely afford to abandon it for a county office, always of uncertain tenure, for if he is soon relegated to private life again, he must commence business anew. And this matter of anxiety as to re-election, recurring every two or more years, together with the expense and labor incident thereto, must be deemed one also of the disagreeable features of county official life.

The question is sometimes asked why, if there, is not a good deal in these county offices, do the incumbents usually desire a reelection? They are always candidates for re-election, and "won't let go until choked off." Well, it may be answered, that in addition to the more agreeable features of holding office above set forth, there is this important reason: As a rule those who accept a county office abandon all other business, because the office usually takes their time and attention, perhaps requires a removal to the county seat, if the person elected resided elsewhere, and when the end of the term comes,unless re-elected, which generally seems a fair prospect, they find themselves out of business, and must enter upon business life again, perhaps under many disadvantages - but here is work they understand, and can do, and hence a re-election seems the best thing, under the circumstances, and is generally sought, term after term, until, for some reason, the people squelch out these fond aspirations. Officers who are voted out, invariably think the peojjle have made a great mistake, and that there has been some treachery somewhere.

He had come to America, and after some years' residence here returned on a visit to the old country, and boasted a good deal of his exploits in America. "Well, 'Moike," inquired an old friend, "did ye iver git into office over thare?" "Indade I did, Dennis," said Moike, "and was mighty poplar too, I wint into a high office by the unanimous consint of the paple, and begorry, I wint out wid that same."

There is a fact which may be noted here, as an incident to official life not generally known. The county officers holding a somewhat prominent and public position, and having an acquaintance with almost every one, and it may be added, being dependent on the good will of the people for their positions, and thus deemed under special obligations, are called upon constantly for contributions to almost innumerable things, not only local but throughout the county, as the support of the ministry, the building x)f churches, public enterprises of all kinds, even the making up of the loss of a team, or stock or other property of some unfortunate person; special cases of poverty, in fact charities of all kinds, and the whole finished up with the importunities of book agents, picture sellers and venders of various nostrums, as eye-water, catarrh snuff anti-billious pills, and such useful articles as stove-polish, silver wash, etc., make quite an aggregate, and although these things are all right in themselves, and many of them should be and are liberally contributed to, or purchased, yet this may be named as absorbing quite a percentage of the salaries every year. But we have said this is one of the incidents of official position, and the officer who ddfes not like this or any other feature of office, may resort to that great and inestimable privilege, provided by law and sanctioned by the people, for all suffering public officers - he may resign. We may add to these rambling remarks several further incidents of life in the county offices. It is understood among the officers that when temporary assistance or information is needed by any one in the transaction of the business of his office, it is the duty of some of the others to render the assistance, or advise about the matter, and this is always done freel.y as a matter of common courtesy. New officers are entitled to all the assistance and instruction they may need as to the performance of the duties of their offices, until they get familiar with, and can perform them themselves.

People visiting the offices on business, or in quest of information, are always treated cordially and courteously, whether they be rich or poor, and of whatever nationality, and every effort is made to attend to their business promptly and correctly. The sentiment has always prevailed in the offices, that when an officer forgets that he is the servant of the ])eople, and grows surly and unaccommodating, he is in eminent danger of what the boys call "the grand bounce." Should officers in America exhibit the insolence and the exacting and self important ways of officers of like grade in some foreign countries, they would receive from the people, "notice to quit," in a very short time, and properly so.

About election times, which by the way are times when among the officers there is more or less conjecturing and uneasiness, the cry of "court house ring," "county clique" is heard, which means that the county officers are banded together to keep each other in office, or all pull together for the election of some favorite. To this it may be answered with truth, that such a thing as "court house ring" for the purpose above specitied, or for any other purpose has never existed in this county. The officers very frequently talk over the elections and with more interest, perhaps, than some other people, and usually differ considerably in their views. Every officer, has, as a rule, "to scull his own boat," and the writer has never known during the period covered by this history, of a combination among them, as that suggested above.

This history of the offices may now be closed by the record of facts, most creditable to the officers comerned, that during the period of this history, during which many officers have come and gone, the county has been served with fair ability and great faithfulness. The work has, in the main been well done, and bids fair to stand all tests of time and inspection. No one has ever been guilty of mis-feasure, or malfeasance in office - there have been no great mistakes prejudicing people's rights or interests. There have been no embezzlements, no defalcations in office, and all this is largely attested in the fact of the frequent reduction of its officers, or in other words, the long terms of service accorded many of them, ranging from six to eighteen and one of twenty years. No other county in the State can boast of so many officers who have held its offices for so many years. Ma^"^ the second quarter of a century of our official history show as good and as honorable a record.

Section Fifteen Conclusion

We have now reached the conclusion of the first volume of our history, embracing the first twenty-five years - the settlement epoch - of our county.

Nothing need be said here, of how well or how imperfectly the work of writing the history has been done. The record must speak for itself. The effort has been to writer, at least, an impartial and truthful history. In looking back over the history of our county, and while remembering some things we could wish had not happened, yet we feel much pride and great satisfaction, because of the much good work done, the great progress made and the high standing of our county, all along, fi'om the beginning and at the close of the quarter century. The early settlers found a wilderness and at the close of the first twenty-five years we behold a great community of intelligent, prosperous people, animated by a spirit of progress and improvement, cheerful and confident, and enjoying all the blessings of the highest christian civilization. And this was a good deal to accomplish in so short a time. But many of tlie earlier settlers and others of the first quarter century have already gone to their long homes. They have gone forever beyond our sight, or comiDauionship on earth, but may we not utter the wish, expressed in the beautiful words - "May the eternal light shine on them, O, Lord forever, for thou art merciful. Grant them O. Lord, eternal rest." Others of that period, are now nearing their journey's end, and are now treading down that last declivity of life, which opens into the valley and shadow of death.

When the next quarter century closes, but few of those who were of adult age, whose names are recorded in our census rolls of 1860, in the several towns, will remain on earth. A few, perhaps, may still be here, like belated wayfarers, the friends of their youth departed, the labors of life and its ambitions over, waiting from day to day the final summons to join the great multitude who have passed to another state of existence. And many of the old and honored friends, (would that we could have named more of them), who shared the toils and hardships, the joys and sorrows, the adventures and successes of many years of pioneer life, it is not too much to say, there may remain no record but this history that they ever lived and labored here. And it is the decree of a higher power which men cannot change, that like all the generations that preceded us, so shall we all pass away, and one generation succeed another, until our names and our deeds, the records we have written, even the memory of the mighty age in which we have lived - the grandest of all the ages - shall grow dim in the remembrance of men, and at last, perhaps, be wholly lost in the night of oblivion. So be it.

To the unknown people who shall come after us, and who in their great advancement in the methods of civil government, the sciences, arts, literature, inventions, discoveries, the mastery of the powers of nature, and, we may add, perhaps, in virtuous and happy living, may look back upon us as a rude, ignorant, semi-barbarous people, we bid a genial, kindly welcome to this fair land. Our day and work are done. Many great things are doubtless in reserve for them. The great industrial, social and other problems which now engage the public mind, and which now .seem almost impossible of solution, may all by them be wisely settled. Human labor may be still further lightened by machinery, of which we have now no conception. They will, perhaps, 'ere a quarter of a century more expires, travel over land and sea in aerial palace cars. The now hidden regions of the north and the south poles may be known and oft visited lands. The vast underworld of the oceans, three times greater in extent than all the dry land, the living beings in which far exceed in numbers those of the land - the great water world of which we know very little except of its surface, may yet, by the people of the future, be navigated, explored in sub- marine ships, which shall safely traverse the great valleys and plains and mountain sides, of the great deep, and note the vegetable and forest growths, bring to light the mineral wealth, and study and classify and picture the living creatures of the deep seas, many of them doubtless of such strange forms, of beauty or horror, and of such vast proportions as to be inconceivable to us. Jules Verne's travels under the seas may not always be a fantastic dream. It may be a prophecy.

Agriculture may at sometime in the future be aided in the cultivation of all vegetable life, by the application of electricity, and crops never fail. That same mighty, but still mysterious, power, may propel all machinery and furnish all necessary light and heat, and abolish the use of coal and wood, as fuel; or perhaps, heat for all purposes, may be drawn from the deep bowels of the earth, and be distributed upon its surface, where needed. The same powerful agent - electricity - may help to locate and may become the principal agent, in the curing, of diseases. The application of mesmerism, hypnotism, yet but little understood, and psycological knowledge may abolish the use of drugs, conquer pain, and cure many ailments as well as work other astonishing wonders. Human health may be greatly perserved, and the longevity of the race be vastly increased by agencies of which we now know nothing.

The chemists of the future may furnish delicious and nutrative food in such condensed form, that one may carry a sufficient quantity for a weeli, a month, or a year, in his pocliet. And because of applicances so destructive, which may hereafter be invented, that great multitudes of men and vast amounts of property may be instantly destroyed, wars shall no more occur among men, and perhaps all nations be simply parts of one world-wide confederation, and a supreme tribunal of the world may hear and determine all international difficulties. But beyond all else, perhaps to those of the future of great and cultivated intellectual power, and who lead pure lives and have unquestioned faith in Him, who can do all things, the veil, now impenetrable to us, that divides the physical and spiritual worlds, may for them, be made thinner, transparent, or may possibly, not by pretense, delusion, or jugglery, but in fact, be drawn aside, and they may be able to see and to tell, even in this life, the great mysteries of the life to come, or may be granted a wider, deeper, more certain knowledge and understanding of all things about them, so longed for by the thoughtful student of nature, and of man's mental and spiritual capacities.

To a few, in the ages long past, such visions and such knowledge, were granted by Him who dwelleth in eternal light, and it is written, that in the last times, men shall be as gods, in knowledge. But for us, stiU groping in darkness, surrounded by mysteries, limited on all sides, while we strive and hope, progressing slowly, we must wait, wait in silence and awe for the fullness of knowledge, which may then be granted, until

But to those who come after us, we say, do not forget that it was in our day the greatest battles were fought for the preservation of civil and religious liberty and self-government, which blessings come down to us from our fathers, and it will be for those of the future to perpetuate and glorify the great heritage. They should not forget that we leave much of human knowledge and experience and great appliances and our fair and fertile fields, our young cities and busy marts of trade, our works of industry and our great inventions and the cause of education well advanced, and all our other acquirements for their benefit, and which may be what shall render possible that which they may achieve. . They will have more means to work with than we had, and it is indeed a goodly inheritance for them.

In conclusion, we may all unite in the grand invocation, "That all things may be so ordered and settled * * * upon the best and surest foundations" "for the safety, honor and welfare of the people." and "'that peace and happiness, truth and justice, i-eligion and piety may be established among us for all generations."