Minneapolis City (part 16 of 80)

The first religious society estab¬ lished was that of the Methodist Bpiscopal Church. Rev. J. E. Bell formed a class, which increased slow¬ ly, with the growth of the town, and, in 1871, had gained sufficient strength to build a church, which was located near the old log school house, in sec¬ tion 21.

The United PresbjTerian Church was organized, in 1858, b}^ Rev. Alex¬ ander McHatton, a missionary. A church was commenced in 1869, but not completed until 1879. It is located on the northwest part of section 26.

St. John's Episcopal Church was organized in 1864. Its house of wor¬ ship was removed from Chanhassen, Carver County, in 1868, and re-erected, on section 27.

A grist mill was built, in 1861, on Mill Creek, 'b}'^ Dr. Nathan Stanton. It has passed through several owner¬ ships, and has been a convenience to the residents of the town, rather than a source of great profit to its owners.

A post office was established, in 1854, with J. Staring as postmaster. He held the office for fourteen years. The mail was brought once a week, from Bloomington, which was the nearest point on the old stage road.

Upon the completion of the Minne¬ apolis and St. Louis Railroad, in 1871, a station and post office were estab¬ lished, on section 17, by the name of Washburn.

A store was built, at the proposed village of Hennepin, in 1854, but lan¬ guished with the village. Another store and hotel were built the same 3^ear, near the mill, and was kept open, as a hotel, until 1867, when it was de-

The Anderson brothers were prom¬ inent among the early settlers of the town, having taken their claims in 1853 and 1854. They are Robert, Wil¬ liam and James, who were born in County Caven, Ireland, and, after com¬ ing to America, in and about 1850, first settled in Northern Illinois, but soon afterwards removed to their present farms, in Eden Prairie. The3^ are Protestants, belonging to the Presby¬ terian church. They have raised large families - three generations of their descendants now living in the town, and contributing a large per¬ centage of the population.

The township of Excelsior is locat¬ ed in the southwesterly part of Henpin County, adjoining Carver County. The country embraced within its limits is high and rolling, heavily timbered, and interspersed with marsh and meadow lands. The fertility of its soil has drawn hither a great many fruit growers and gardeners, who find an excellent market for their products in Minneapolis, and among the sum¬ mer resort hotels and cottages around Lake Minnetonka, upon whose south¬ ern shore it is situated. The fertility of its soil has given it the name of "The Viuelands." Its grapes and other fruits are luscious in quality and luxuriant in yield. At the World's Fair, in New Orleans, its grapes were awarded the highest premiums, over all competitors. Here were originat¬ ed, by Peter M. Gideon, the "Wealthy" and "Duchess" varieties of apples, which received highest premiums from the American Homological So¬ ciety, at its meeting, a few years since, in Philadelphia, in competition with the products of other States.

Originally, the township, of Excel¬ sior was about double its present size, including a considerable part of the north shore of Lake Minnetonka, now incorporated in Orono, leaving it one of the smallest townships in the State.

The first settler to take up a claim within this township was Stephen Hull, who settled, in February, 1853, on that tract of land now known as

Lake Park, and in honor of whom the old "Narrows," connecting upper and lower lakes was named. His near¬ est neighbor, William Lithgow, came soon after, and took a portion of the land now known as the State Experi¬ mental Fruit Farm, and built a cabin on Lithgow's Point. Mr. Lithgow was drowned in lower lake the same year.

The name of this township was adopted from the name of a colony, organized in New York City, in 1852, under the title of "Excelsior Pioneer Association," for the purpose of re¬ moving to Minnesota Territory, and occupying some of the government lands vacated by the treaty with the Sioux Indians. Mr. George M. Ber¬ tram, who became president of the association, had visited the lake and selected a site previously, and, while in the West, had met Mr. R. B. Mc¬ Grath, then a resident of Dubuque, who became interested in the scheme, and was instructed by Mr. Bertram to go to the site selected, and bnild a house for him.

Mr. R. B. McGrath, who is the old¬ est surviving settler in this township, and the first settler in the village of Excelsior, started from Dubuqne, on May 1st, 1853, and, soon after his ar¬ rival at St. Anthony, left for Lake Minnetonka, in companj'^ with R. C. Wilej^, and a party of survejmrs. To¬ wards evening of the second day out, they reached the west end of Christ- mas Lake, where they were overtaken by a severe rain storm, which con¬ tinued all night, turning to snow in the morning. The outfit, of course, was completely drenched, except the food supplies, which they managed to keep dry. The party was a sorry looking crowd when daylight came, and, after holding a consultation, it was unanimously decided by the surve3mrs, to turn about and make for St. Anthony, as fast as possible. Mc¬ Grath and Wiley, taking such sup¬ plies as they could carry conveniently, started by an Indian trail for the lake, which lay about one mile away. They were instructed by Colonel Stevens how to find Hull, who was to show them the site selected by Bertram for his cabin. The Indian trail guided them to the lake all right, and to the point selected for the village, but not to Hull's shanty. It was necessary, however, that Mr. Hull should be found, as neither McGrath or Wiley knew the place for Mr. Bertram's house, nor the village site. Early in the day, the weather cleared and the sun came out warm, and the day was beautiful. It was a blind hunt around the lake shore, first in one direction, then in another, and toward evening, the search was abandoned, and, weary and hungry, the two men returned to the camp of the previous night, where McGrath remained for the night, but Wiley returned to Minnetonka Mills, at the outlet of the lake, where Simon Stevens and Calvin Tuttle were build¬ ing a saw mill, and a Mr. Harrington, and his good wife, kept a boarding house. Wiley returned in the morn¬ ing, with fresh instructions, and Mr. Hull was soon found, who immedi¬ ately took them to the site of the in¬ tended village. The location of Mr. Bertram's house was soon fixed upon, and work began at once. They built a shanty for themselves to live in while the house was building. The latter was ready for occupancy the first week in June. It was built of basswood logs, the floor made of rough pine boards, and the roof covered with the same kind of boards, and shingled. The material used in this building, except the logs and the supplies for the new settlement, were hauled from St. Anthony to the saw mill at the out¬ let previously mentioned, and from thence taken by batteaux up the creek and across the lake to the point where they were needed. This, the first house erected on the village site of Excelsior, was about 16x20 feet in size, on the ground, one story high, with some garret room, access to which was gained by a ladder. Later in the season it was enlarged by a lean-to.

Quite an emigration boom struck Minnesota, in the spring and early summer of 1853, and the region around Lake Minnetonka received its full share of prospectors, who found it convenient to call on Messrs. McGrath and Wiley, at meal time, or for the night. These visitors were provided for as best they could be, hotel ac¬ commodations, at that time, being rather limited at this summer resort, and provisions by no means abundant or easy to procure. Cooking accom¬ modations were a fire on the ground, where all the baking, roasting, boiling and frjdng were done, and, as for sleeping apartments, there was a shanty about five by seven feet, open on one side, and built of basswood bark, the roof keeping the inmates dry when it did not rain. The furnishing was marsh hay and a few blankets.

it \ras now open to settlement, but they had not been removed yet. The headquarters of the Shakopee, or "Little Six" baud of Sioux, was at Shakopee, but more or less of them were at the lake all the time, and sometimes came in large numbers, bringing their whole Indian outfits with them, for living and doing busi¬ ness. These outfits consisted of tepees and such articles for use and ornament as make an Indian's home happy, including ponies, dogs, guns and scalping knives. The3^ were but made themselves a nuisance in all the ways so familiar to an Indian. While domiciled at the lake, the men hunted, and the squaws made canoes of basswood logs, fished and picked berries, especially cranberries, in their season, in great quantities. The In¬ dians kept the underbrush burned off, so that the appearance all about was that of a large park.

Later on, during the horrors of the Indian outbreak, of 1862, the town was greatly stirred and excited by the re¬ ports of refugees from the scene of bloodshed, or that direction, related in the village by the flying pioneers, as they passed through on their way to Minneapolis or St. Paul. A stockade of oak planks was built around the school house, and other preparations for defense made, but these precau¬ tions proved to be unnecessary.

During the first summer, the settle¬ ment was visited by Winnebagoes, in considerable numbers. Chippewas, also, came into the vicinity, but only when on the war path after the Sioux, with whom they had several severe engagements, not far from the village.

town. George M. Bertram followed soon after, and a claim was taken for the association, embracing one hun¬ dred and sixty acres of land, on the south shore of Minnetonka, and plat¬ ted into lots, being the same that is now occupied by the thriving village of Excelsior.

Mr. Peter M. Gideon became a resi¬ dent, in the autumn of 1853, havinoheard of the lake from an old soldier, who had been stationed at Fort Snelling many j^ears before. Mrs. Saman¬ tha Galpin joined her husband the same fall, and is still an honored resi¬ dent, having, in 1891, re-purchased the lot upon which she first lived with her husband, where she expects to spend the remainder of her days.

Of these early settlers, the only sur¬ vivors, still residents, are Messrs. Gideon and Spaulding, McGrath and Mrs. Galpin. The others have all died, except Rev. C. B. Sheldon, who resides at Pomona, California. Wil¬ liam H. Ferguson was drowned in the lake, in 1857. Enos Day died here, in 1874. George M. Bertram died at Mouticello, Minn. E. P. Beeman died here, on November 24th, 1891.

The first store was opened here, iu 1854, by a Mr. Gilbert, in a building of split basswood logs, with "shake" roof, and the ground for a floor. It stood on the corner of Second and Center Streets, now occupied by a dwelling owned by Mrs. D. Conner. The following spring, C. P. Smith opened a store, which he kept for a year or more. M. H. Pease opened a store on Water Street, in a frame building, in the fall of 1855.

A steam saw mill was built by a stock company, but was destroyed b3' fire, in 1858. May's mill was built on the same site. A newspaper was started the same year, by Fred. W. Crosby and Henry O. Hammond, called the " Ejrcelsior Enterprise." One number only, however, was issued.

In 1856, Bxcelsior met with a com¬ petitor, in the village of St. Albans, which was platted by Morris and Hargin, located on the southeast shore of St. Alban's bay, where a hotel was built by John McKenzie, and a saw mill by the two town site owners. The mill was burned, and the village abandoned, after the financial crisis of '57.

Town Government. On April 10th, 1858, the Board of County Commis¬ sioners designated town 117, north, range 23, west, as the township of Bxcelsior. Its boundary lines re¬ mained as above until March 2d, 1868, when, by petition of voters, on the north shore of Bake Minnetonka, that portion of the lake was made a part of the town of Medina, owing to the difficulties in crossing the lake, at the time of the annual election. In 1891, the boundary was again changed, so as to cut off Minnetonka Beach, and ad¬ jacent territory, from Bxcelsior, and include it in the new town of Orono.

The first election was held at the residence of John Green, on May 11th, 1858. Dr. B. Snell was moderator, and M. H. Pease, clerk of the meeting. The following town officers were elected:

On February 15th, 1878, $4,000 was voted to be given to the Minneapolis and Northwestern Railroad. The bonds were never issued, as the rail¬ road was not built. On April 9th, 1887, by a vote of a special town meet¬ ing, bonds were authorized to be issued for the purpose of building a town hall, in the village. In accord¬ ance with this vote, $3,000 was issued, and matures in 1893. Of this series, $500 was paid, April 9th, 1888, and $500 on April 9th, 1889. A further issue of $1,800 was made, April 18th, 1890, which matures on April 18th, 1894. Interest has been paid regularly. Total outstanding, 1892, $3,800.

Julia Bertram, Samuel Staples, Joshua and Hannah Moore, Clarissa Cleveland, George M. Powers, David Griffiths, James Phillips. The first meetings were held in the hotel par¬ lor, and, later, in the school house, and in a hall over Pease's store, until 1857, when the church occupied the upper room of the school building, until the church was erected, in 1871. The church building cost $4,500.

The first building erected, exclu¬ sively for church services, was Trinity Chapel, Episcopal, which was built in 1862 It wa^s built of concrete, small in size. Gothic in form, with stained glass windows, and cost about one thousand dollars. It was built as a memorial chapel, through the instru¬ mentality of Mr. Arthur Vickars, an Englishman, and largely by aid de¬ rived from England. Services were conducted for a couple of years Rev. J. S. Chamberlain, who was suc¬ ceeded by Rev. Kellj^ for a time. The society was small, and for many 3^ears the chapel had been unused, except during the summer, until 1891, when arrangements were made for supply¬ ing the pulpit, from Gethsemane church, Minneapolis, since which time, a pastor or lay member has con¬ ducted services every Sunday. Its present pastor is Rev. E. H. Dallam.

The Methodist Episcopal society has had an organization for a number of years, holding its meetings in pub¬ lic halls occasionally^ until about 1883, when Rev. D. J. Higgins, a member of the missionary staff, was stationed here, and held regular services in Jones' hall. A new and handsome church was built, and the congregation has become a large one. Rev. E. F. Spicer filled the position of pastor, in 1890-91, and succeeded in pay^ing nearly all of the indebtedness on the church

The Universalists erected a church edifice, in 1889, and have held occa¬ sional services. During the summer of 1891, Rev. G. W. Skilling, a young minister, succeeded in securing quite a large congregation, but with the dei:)arture of the summer tourists, the services were discontinued.

Schools, Colleges, Etc. The first school was held in a small log build¬ ing, and taught by Miss Jane Wolcott, in the summer of 1854. This build^ig was used until 1877, when a new twostory structure was built on the site now occupied by the present building, which was erected about 1883, when the former was j^urchased by Rev. C. B. Sheldon, removed to a location a block further north, and deeded by^ him to the Northwestern Christian College, which occupies it as a ladies' hall. The second story of this old school house was occupied for church services on Sunday^s, and during the week as a high school, known as the "Excelsior Institute," supported mainly by Rev. Charles Galpin. The institute was discontinued in 1857. The entire building was used for school i:)urposes after 1871. The school district in which this building is located, embraces the village of Excelsior, and a portion of Carver County district, and is known as Dis¬ trict No. 58. In 1880, by a vote of the people of the district, bonds to the amount of $5,000 were issued, to pay for the new school building, which was completed in 1883. An additional amount of $600 has been issued in bonds, making the present indebted¬ ness $5,600.

Railroads. Two railway lines pass through the township. The Minne¬ apolis and St. Louis built, in 1881, its Pacific division, which extends from Minneapolis to Watertown, passing through the entire length of the town of Excelsior, with a spur to Lake Park. The Great Northern Railway pur¬ chased the Minneapolis, Lyndale and Minnetonka Railway, which was built soon after the Minneapolis and St. Louis was completed, and operated as the "Motor Line," for a couple of years. The Great Northern line is known as the Hutchinson Division, running from Minneapolis to Hutchin¬ son. These roads, during the sum¬ mer, run about seven or eight trains daily, to the village of Excelsior, to accommodate the Lake Minnetonka tourist business.

The village of Excelsior, as previ¬ ously stated, was the site of the first settlement of the town, and has since remained the market and business point for the surrounding country. It was platted in 1853, and remained under the town government until 1877, when it was incorporated by special act of the Legislature, and elected its first board of officers, on April 16th, 1877. The first board of officers consisted of Charles May, President; Laroy F. Sampson, Eli Small, Junior, and James Letson, Trustees; A. Miller, Recorder; E. H. Page, Treasurer. The presidents of the council since that time have been: 1879, R. B. McGrath; 1880, Charles May; 1881, L. F. Sampson; 1882, R. B. McGrath; 1883, F.G. Gould ; 1884, James H. Clark; 1885-86, W. Del wood; 1887, E. R. Perkins; 1888-89, F. E. Bard well; 1890, Charles F. Mabrey; 1891-92, Wal¬ ter S. Milnor. The village officers for 1892 consisted of Walter S. Milnor, President; Laroy F. Sampson, Frank

This village is one of the most im¬ portant places in the county, outside of the city of Minneapolis. It occu¬ pies the principal business point on Lake Minnetonka, and is the market where all the supplies are sold and distributed around the lake.

Its population, usually about eight hundred permanent residents, is in¬ creased during the summer, by hun¬ dreds of tourists, who come to enjoy the many pleasures found at the lake.

Its principal business houses are some six boarding houses, four grocery stores, two of which have dry goods annexes, one bakery, two feed stores, a feed and planing mill, lumber yard, two drug stores, billiard hall, shoe shop, two blacksmith shops, one boat yard, four boating establishments, three physicians, one lawyer, one greenhouse, one nursery, livery and sale stable, photograph gallery, two meat markets, one newspaper and job printing office {The Northwestern Tourist), one religious newspaper {The Christian Gleaner), barber shop, turning shop, two real estate offices.

It has five churches, lodges of free and accepted Masons, Odd Fellows, and Daughters of Rebecca, a chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, a G. A. R. Post. Its public school has four departments, and a large attend¬ ance. The Northwestern Christian College, established by the Church of Christ, is also located here. It has also many temperance and social organizations, and is the headquarters of the Excelsior Yacht Club.

annum. Five thousand dollars was voted, April 25th, 1885, to liquidate in¬ debtedness, and improve streets and public grounds. These were issued on October 27th, 1885, and mature in ten 3'ears from their date. The second issue, $3,000, was made on Maj^ 22d, 1889, and run fifteen j'ears from their date. The interest has been all paid up to this time.

In 1891, a further issue of bonds, to the amount of $20,000, was voted upon and carried, to construct water works. Tliese had not been issued or negoti¬ ated up to May 1st, 1892, and there appears to be no disposition to issue them this 3'ear.

Orrin Clark Meaker, the subject of this sketch, who has for many years been reckoned among the sub¬ stantial 'citizens of Excelsior, was born June 24th, 1835, in the town of Monkton, Addison Count}^, Vermont. His ancestors were of sound, vigorous, Puritan stock, who believ-ed in justice, education and good morals. Their great sense of justice prompted man\" of them to take an active part in the war of tlie revolution.

The first seventeen j^ears of Mr. Meaker's life were spent on a farm. Six 3^ears with his uncle, David W. Averill, who went with a colon3' from New Hampshire to Vermont, clearing the land, and establishing themselves as farmers. Mr. Averill was considered a scientific farmer, even at that early period, and planted in the mind of his nephew, correct theories and sound principles, relative to the science of agriculture.

At the age of seventeen, Mr. Meaker served an apprenticeship of three years at moulding. He then went to Michigan, where he worked one 3'ear, but, owing to the malaria of that region, was compelled to return to his native State. Here he continued his work for eight years, with the excep¬ tion of one 3^ear, which was spent at work in Concord, New Hampshire. At this time, his broken health com¬ pelled him to relinquish his trade. He then j^urchased a butcher shop, at \Vaterhur3L Vermont, which he run for two 3^ears, after which he engaged in dair3^ farming, which he followed, till he came to Minneapolis, on April 20th, 1871. On Ma3' 15th, of the same 3'ear, he came to Excelsior, bought a farm, which was mostly covered with heav3'- timber, went to work to clear it up, and make for himself a home. On this farm, Mr. Meaker has lived to the present time.

At the age of twent3"-one, he was married to Miss Mar3- Hale, born at Tunbridge, Vermont, but, for many years, a resident of Stowe. As a man of great practical common sense, and of decided business abilit3q Mr. Meaker ranks high, and he has always enjo3'ed the confidence and esteem of his fellow townsmen, and b3^ them has often been placed in positions of trust and honor. In the management of town affairs, he has occupied the highest and most responsible posi¬ tions, such as Chairman of Board of Supervisors, Town Assessor, Trustee of School Board, acting as its Treas¬ urer, etc., etc. '

He has been an organizing leader in the Masonic fraternit3", and has been honored 1)3- all official positions within its gift. Besides being a member of the Grand Lodge, he organized Excel¬ sior Lodge, No. 113, in 1874, and b3^ the fraternit3" in the western part of the count3^ he is called the father of Masonr3'.

to the public weal, being a strong ad¬ vocate of better public highways, and believes that railroads are the most powerful agents in developing the country, by promoting commercial and social intercourse. At an early period, he was actively engaged in securing the building of a railroad from Minneapolis to Excelsior, and, against great opposition, was, in no small measure, instrumental in secur¬ ing its construction. Mr. Meaker entertains advanced views relative to agriculture, being the first to intro¬ duce Jersey butter stock, and grain binders, and he is authority on the care and treatment of horse and horned stock. In politics, he is a Re¬ publican, from away back, through a long line of ancestors. In religion, is a Universalist, from a thorough con¬ viction that the Creator and Father will take final good care of all his children.

His counsel and influence, his liberal spirit, and conscientious defense of the right, have alwaj^s been in favor of good order, protection and even handed justice, and kindness to all.

Mrs. Mary (Hale) Meaker, wife of Orrin Clark Meaker, was born in Tun¬ bridge, Orange County, Vermont, Oc¬ tober 7th, 1831. Her ancestors, on her father's side, were English, and, on the mother's side, Welch, who came to America, about thirty years after the landing of the Pilgrims, on Ply¬ mouth Rock. She is a relative of ex- Senator John P. Hale, of New Hamp¬ shire, also of Hon. Horace Greeley, on her father's side, and, on her mother's side, whose maiden name was Folsom, to Mrs. President Grover Cleveland. She was educated at the common schools of her native town, where she lived till her marriage, March 4th,

1856. The fifteen subsequent years were mostly spent in New England, where, with womanly sympathy, and helpful hand, she lieartily assisted and supported her husband in all his manly efforts to make for themselves a home. In the period immediatel3'- following the Civil War, the spirit of western emigration was unusuall3^ active, and Mrs. Meaker and her hus¬ band concluded to follow the advice of Horace Greeley, whom the3'^ ad¬ mired, and "go West," as far as Min¬ nesota, which they reached, April 20th, 1871. Mrs. Meaker resided tem¬ porarily in Minneapolis, while her husband went as far as Excelsior, farm prospecting. He was soon successful, having found and pur¬ chased a fertile tract, in the township of Excelsior, bordering on Lake Minnewashta, where she joined him. The journey was made by wa3^ of Wayzata, which, on account of poor and irregular transportation facilities, was somewhat eventful. Without much difficulty or delay, she reached Lake Minnetonka, by way of the Manitoba Railroad, but the little steamer that was expected to trans¬ port passengers across the lake, had been driven, by a severe gale, high and dry on the shore. After some hours of tedious waiting, the storm subsided, and the little steamer, with a good deal of labor, was pursuaded back into her adopted element. She was a feeble craft, with small boiler capacity, and, when in the middle of the lake, her steam gave out, compell¬ ing them to rest, as it were, on their oars, while all hands stirred up the fire for more steam, which soon appeared, enabling them to reach their destina¬ tion. As this journey occurred in the month of June, when all nature was in a smiling mood, the many dela3^s

During the twenty 3^ears and more of Mrs. Meaker's residence in Excel¬ sior, she has maintained the reputa¬ tion of her New England ancestors, as a successful home maker, and not onl}" her own household, but her numerous friends, all testify' to her domestic accomplishments and gener¬ ous hospitality'. The poor and sick in her immediate vicinity all have rea¬ son to hold her in grateful remem¬ brance. She is in full syunpathy' with her husband in Masonic work, and is herself a member of an Eastern Star Chapter. Though Mrs. Meaker has not been blessed by children of her own, y'et her motherly^ heart has found frequent opportunities for expressing her interest and love for the " little ones," that have come in her way'.

He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and the only son of John and Nancy' (Morgan) Ferguson, who emigrated to the eastern shore of Maryland, A. 1). 1825, when he was about nine years old.

Within one y'ear after their arrival, his mother died. His father then took him to Lee County, Virginia, leaving him to the care of a childless couple, owners of about forty slaves. They' were either of Scotch or Irish birth, and gave him instructions for his good, in all the honest ways of work and living, then in vogue in that country and State, before railroads were anywhere built.

after his mother's, were some of the reasons why', when about twenty-five years of age, he went North, to enter some college or school, to improve the scanty education the opportunities of Ahrginia and Southern life then afforded.

He first entered the English depart¬ ment of the school for y'oung men, in Andover, Massachusetts. From there, to an academy', in Durham, New Hampshire, and at the Gorham Teach¬ ers' Seminary', in Maine, three years.

He married Miss Lydia Dale Estey, eldest daughter of William and Peggy' (Lemon) Estey, of Andover, Massachu¬ setts, and went to reside in Rockland County, New York, A. D. 1845.

At Sloatsburg, Raniapo Works, Sufferus and Piermont, New York, five y'ears in public school teaching passed most happily' away. Upon the open¬ ing of the New York and Erie Rail¬ road, beyond Binghamton, Mr. Fergu¬ son took employ'inent from the com¬ pany', as a station agent, at Wellsburg. The winter of 1853 and 1854, in Elmira, he found himself greatly influenced hy the advice of Horace Greeley, "Go West, young man." The newly dis¬ covered Lake Minnetonka, and the climate was then being glowingly de¬ scribed in the Tribune, "a certain cure for consumptives."

Having had experience with all the fevers, the pleasures, and ills, of Southern life, he seemed never in¬ clined to return there; but to find some place where his children should not have so hard a time in life as he had in his earlier years. Two families, one Irish, one English, mechanics from Elmira, agreed with their wives and nine children to make up with him a colony and go to Minnesota, "to the newly' discovered Lake Minne¬ tonka," where, Mr. Ferguson said, "he was going to live and die." They chartered a canal boat, and started from Elmira, on the opening of , navi¬ gation, May 1st, 1854. At Buffalo, were transferred to a crowded steam¬ boat on Lake Erie, where were full}^ forty families of New York State farmers, with their worldly goods, going to Wisconsin. Every induce¬ ment was offered Ferguson to join the Wisconsin emigrants; their freight having been shipped to St. Paul, it was not easy to change, neither to stop at Winona, or go to Mankato, where also the charms of each place were set forth by the interested own¬ ers of' those young cities.

The first of June, Ferguson and family arrived in St. Paul. The two men who had agreed to form a colony with him, left their wives and nine children at Dubuque, while they went forward to find a location to suit them near St. Anthony Falls.

Even at that date, A. D. 1854, be¬ tween the falls and the New York Ex¬ celsior colony, they could find "nothing which suited them" in the way of running water, prairie and timber, but was already " squatted" upon by some claimant. The claimant was seldom to be found near his improvements(?). Those improvements were often a panel or two of Virginia fence, or a few logs laid up in a square, which showed it was a " claim," and what some man, maid, or widow was going to do in the future.

The two men who had come so far to help found a colony, paying dearly for meals and lodgings everywhere around Excelsior, and without their wives and children, became homesick. As soon as possible, they returned on the War Eagle to Dubuque, took their families, and went back to Elmira, all well cured of their Western fever.

Ferguson, too, had hunted for "a claim" in the vicinit}^ of the Chanhassen Episcopal colony. Everywhere he found claims to suit him, but all claimed and occupied. The claims were large, and some for sale, but he did not come to pay for claims with¬ out improvements.

He was returning to St. Paul, hav¬ ing concluded to accept a kind invita¬ tion from the captain of a steamboat then going on a trip to Mankato, to carry him and his family free to that port. Not far from the falls and John Stevens' ferry, he met the owner of a claim, described as "the most beauti¬ ful on Lake Minnetonka." With him he i-eturned on foot, and at sundown, tired and hungry, they emerged from the forest, onto the beach south of William Smith's cabin. The view was enchanting; the lake calm; the mosquitoes peaceful. The well-cooked supper of corn bread, fried fish and vegetables, and Mrs. Smith's com¬ fortable arrangements for sleeping, showed the possibilities for an easier life, with game, water and timber abundant. Upon obtaining "the con¬ sent of their women partners, ' an ex¬ change of gold was paid for the fine frame cabin, with floor and roof made from oaken shakes, and a clearineplanted with garden vegetables.

Mr. Ferguson was never heard to regret coming to Minnesota during the few years his life was spared. Could he have influenced every friend he loved to come and be his neighbor, his happiness would have been com¬ plete. Often he would say: "Had we known of this place ten years ago, and have come here, what a lovely home we might now have had."

Mr. Ferguson became interested in cattle, and had an opportunit}" to buy from Peter Gideon, Escp, two noble Shorthorns, which he named "Wealth}^" and "Juno." It was in March, 1855. Perhaps they were the first brought to Minnesota. These cattle were represented to be from stock imported b}" Henry Clay, of Ken¬ tucky. They were exhibited, and took premiums at the first Minnesota State Fair, and some of their progeny 3^ears after.

He also brought many varieties of expensive fanc^^ poultry. Think none of them were exhibited at the first State Fair. One night, fully twent}- head came to an untimely end from the visit of a mink or weasel. Later, one extra large Bramah and his mate, sitting on the sunny doorstep, were mysteriously taken without noise, per¬ haps to the eagle nest on Morse Island.

The grasshoppers took the corn, dur¬ ing the summer of 1857. The potatoes planted after June 21st were not as large a crop as the previous j^ear. The winter had already' been named "the hard winter." The ice did not leave Lake Minnetonka until May 8th. A south wind piled it up on the beach, where it remained, a reminder of the terrible cold, and deep snow which fell about April llth. Foot passen¬ gers passed from points to opposite shore up to May 1st, possibly later.

Mr. Ferguson was an honorable man, a kind and helpful neighbor; hospitable to strangers; cheerful in disposition; hopeful of the future. He was drowned near Bickford I^)iiit, op¬ posite Excelsior Village, November 22d, 1857, aged fort^^-one 3'ears.

To his invalid wife and 3mung chil¬ dren his sudden death was a calamit3'^ which saddened many years of their lives. He was a true and most affec¬ tionate husband and father. A large circle of friends, as well as relatives by marriage, mourned his loss. The hard¬ ships of life, which he hoped to see spared to his children and wife, 1)3^ their isolation, caused b3^ the hun¬ dreds of acres of non-resident owners' lands surrounding their home, and distance from kindred, were often a cause of regret that their home was not nearer kind neighbors. Yet, their Heavenly Father mercifully provided for their needful wants, and they are thankful to believe that He who took their earthly j^arent has heard that parent's prayers in their behalf. He left two children, a son, William, and a daughter, Alice, who, still with their mother, reside in Linwood and on Ferguson Point.

Mr.s. Lydia Dale Fekguson-Holtz, one of the earl3^ pioneer settlers, of HenneiDin Count3L who came to Lake Minnetonka when it was surrounded b3^ a wilderness, inhabited onl3^ 113' Indians and wild animals, was born in the classic town of Andover, Massa¬ chusetts, November 1st, 1825.

Her parents, William Este3^ and (Lemon) Estey, of Middleton, Massachusetts, were of English stock, on her father's side, and Scotch, on the side of her mother. Mrs. Fereuson-Holtz was connected, either b3" blood or marriage, with many of the prominent early settlers of Essex Count3L such as the Dales, Lemons, Andrews, Flints, Putnams, Fullers, Munroes, and others. The early por¬ tion of her life was at a period when religious xeal was active, in New Eng¬ land, especiall3>-at Andover, the seat of the theological seminary, under the direction of the Congregationalists. In still earlier times, some of her ancestors deemed it wise and prudent to remove to Lexington, and Framing¬ ham, on account of religious persecu¬ tion.

Her education was received at the common schools of her native town, at Abbot Seminary, for ladies, at An¬ dover, at the academy at Durham, New Hampshire, and at the Gorham Academy, Maine. Much of her time was spent with her grandmother, Lydia Dale Eastman, in Hollis, New Hampshire, till her marriage, in 1845, to William Henry Ferguson, of Edin¬ burgh, Scotland, when she, with her husband, rem-oved to Rockland Count3'', New York, where they en¬ gaged in teaching. Upon the opening of the New York and Erie Railroad, in 1850, the family removed to Wellsburg, Chemung County, New York, her husband taking emplo3^ment with the company. Here they remained for four years, when her husband became much interested in the great West, through the glowing descriptions of Minnesota, in the New York journals.

In June, 1854, Mrs. Ferguson and her husband removed to the township of Excelsior, locating at what is now known as Ferguson Point. Here they purchased a claim with one acre cleared, and a small frame house, and began subduing the wilderness, and cultivating the soil for subsistence. Few of the present generation can understand or appreciate the trials, hardships and privations of pioneer life, at this early period, when there were no roads, and when all purchased supplies must be obtained at St. Anthon3'', twenty miles by the old roads, and be transported through the wil¬ derness, to their homes. Neighbors

In this tedious and hard way, life went on, when, in 1857, the great calamit3?^ of her life overtook her, in the death of her husband, by drown¬ ing, in Excelsior Bay. Circumstances beyond her control compelled her to remain on the claim, which her hus¬ band had secured, and these circum¬ stances have continued so that she has, during forty years, been a resi¬ dent of Ferguson Point, witnessing with keen interest, all the changes and development of material interests about the lake, and has watched the coming and going of nearly two gen¬ erations. Summer and winter, with her son, William H. Ferguson, Jr., she has remained near her own home; has never wanted for food or clothing. During all the vicissitudes of her eventful life, and, especially during the year of the Indian outbreak, of 1862, she was safely kept by a kind Providence, from all molestation and harm. Her uniform kindness to the needy has been such that none have been turned away hungry from her door, or appealed in vain for assist¬ ance, in her power to give. On the 26th of August, 1862, she was again married to William Frederick Holtz, a native of Prussia, and a disabled soldier of the Union arm3'. Com¬ pany G, of the Fourth Regiment, Minnesota Volunteers. For six years, Mrs. Holtz and her husband labored to make the farm more productive, when he died, January 16th, 1869. The results of her union with Mr. Fergu¬ son were three children, two of whom survive, one son, William Henry, and one daughter, Alice Margaret, both of whom reside on the old farm, now called Linwood Park.

Alice Makgaket Ferguson, tlie daughter, was born at Wellsburg, Chemung Countj, New York, Novem¬ ber 29th, 1850, and came with her parents to Minnesota, in 1854. For a short period, after her father's death, she was an inmate of the family of Judge Vanderberg, and, later, of R. J. Mendenhall, of Minneapolis, often re¬ turning to her home by the lake, where she was during the Indian outbreak, in 1862. On account of her amiable disposition, she has always been much beloved and respected by all of her acquaintances. She has been helpful to her mother and brother, and con¬ siderate of the feelings and interests of others. She is the possessor of Linwood House, and several cottages on the lake shore, and is the success¬ ful manager of a valuable property at Linwood Park. She has a taste for travel, and, while she attends to busi¬ ness, at Linwood House, during the summer, she takes i:)leasure in spend¬ ing her winters in the sunny South, sometimes in Texas, in California, and other warm regions of the coun¬ try.

He was five years old when he bid his mother and sister good-b3'^e, at Colonel Allen's home, in St. Anthotn^', and went hopefully back to St. Paul, to accompanj^ his father, with their household goods, to Lake Minnetonka, iu the month of June, 1854, via Fort Snelliiig and Bloomington route, to his new home. They were two days on the journey, and found the road not any worse than the Hennepin County roads of 1894, to Excelsior. The wagon onl^' broke down once or twice with its load, near the house of a hospitable settler, who, kindly, with¬ out charge, kept them over night. Without further mishap, only the an¬ noyance from insects, the3^ reached their cabin, which the family of Wil¬ liam Smith vacated the next day to take possession of another claim on the upper lake.

For three weeks he was alone with his father on Ihis lonely point. Both suffered terribly, both day and night, with gnats and other insects, and life was fast becoming a burden, when, about 2 a. rn., they were aroused from their uneasy slumbers by some one knocking for admittance. Rev. Charles Galpin and Elmer Hyatt had brought, on a canoe load of lumber from Simon Stevens' Minnetonka mill, where they had been waiting three days for a chance to get to the new home, Mrs. Ferguson and Alice. It was a joyful meeting, to have mother and sister come. The next night was passed in greater comfort; William did not sleep in a grain bag to get out of the wa3^ of mosquitoes. Some nets which were purchased at the mill made the cabin proof against their attacks.

Building air castles and cultivating the garden planted by Mr. Smith, the summer passed happily away. Early in the fall, William and his father commenced to make a road four rods wide, to intersect with the Fort Ridgely road south of Christmas Lake, and then to the Judd settle¬ ment, where, once a month. Episcopal services were held. With the assist¬ ance of mother and sister, the road got widened so much when frost came, we could find our way by land around Lake Christmas and to the Excelsior colony, where Mr. Charles Galpin brought the mail from St. Anthon3^ once a week. Before his father's death, we had found we did not need a

It was the calamity of his life, when his kind, loving father was taken from him, so capable of giving him instruc¬ tions in all manly exercise and work, as well as education necessary for the business of life. From his father, both he and his sister were well ad¬ vanced in the knowledge of "the three Rs." He was always a delicate boy, and early contracted, from the sever¬ ity of winter, and hardships, after his father's death, rheumatism. He has been, according to his ability and judgment, for he was only nine years of age when the care of home, mother and sister fell upon him, helpful to them in maintaining their home.

Few of the pioneer settlers around Lake Minnetonka have suffered more from isolation and social privation than this family in winter, when miles of road had to be almost daily broken in order to keep cotnmunication with the outer world. During earlier and lat¬ er years, even to present date, Mr. Fer¬ guson has spent much time in keeping clear the numerous sled and cart paths, north of the Excelsior road, from the obstructions of fallen timber, and in piloting strangers through the woods to their destination; or, in a row-boat, landing them on opposite shores. Many belated travelers, or those who had lost their way, he has, with generous hospitality, kept over night in his snug retreat. This uni¬ form kindness of disposition, and in¬ nocent eccentricities, have made him widely known and respected through¬ out the region of his home. Though unmarried, he is domestic in his hab¬ its, spending most of his time at home. His chief enjoyment and rec¬

His latest work in road making has been given to opening, for the benefit of thirty-seven petitioners of Henne¬ pin County, in 1890, a passable car¬ riage road along the section line south of the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railroad, from Carson Bay to Fergu¬ son Point and Linwood Park. Resi¬ dents who live on the west and north shores will find the distance to West Minneapolis greatly shortened in win¬ ter by this route.

Peter M. Gideon was born in Champaign County, Ohio, February 9th, 1820. His parents were born and raised in London County, Virginia, and had moved to Ohio about two years before the birth of their son, Peter. Both parents were fond of horticulture, and the first land cleared for their new home was devoted to garden and orchard. Their taste for horticulture was intensified in their son, Peter, who, at an early age, plant¬ ed peach seed in a drill, and at one year old transplanted with his own hands into the fence corners of the apple tree orchard, and gave such good care that he ate peaches from them before he was nine years old. Another interest that his parents in¬ terested themselves in, on their first arrival in Ohio, was poultry of various breeds, in which their son Peter has ever taken a lively interest. And thus on through three score and fourteen years he has made those rural callings his chief delights.

At the age of eighteen, he made a trip into Missouri, and being an advo¬ cate and well posted on the abolition question, soon found it necessary for his health to leave on short notice, and on his return to Ohio began the active advocacy of temperance and abolition¬ ism, with marked success and notoriet3''. Left Ohio at the age of twentyone, and settled in DeWitt County, Illinois, and there among entire strangers resumed the abolition and temperance questions, with Universalism added, being the first advocate of each doctrine ever seen in these parts at that date, and, as a natural result, opponents were numerous, but, as in Ohio, he made converts b3'^ scores and hundreds, the theories popular and himself respected.

In 1849, Mr. Gideon was married to Miss Wealthy Hull, daughter of Ben¬ jamin Hull, formerly of Union Coun¬ ty, Ohio. In 1853, he moved to Min¬ nesota, and settled on the south shore of Lake Minnetonka, on what is now known as Gideon's Bay. And here he again resumed the culture of fruit, by planting a bushel of apple seed, a peck of peach seed, and planting an orchard of thirty-eight varieties of apples, a good assortment of pears, plums, cherries and quinces, and for the next ten years planted enough apple seed each year to bring a thou¬ sand trees. Cultivated and cared for them, when at the end of ten years of unremitting toil not a sound tree re¬ mained, and soon all were dead, all having been kept as long as they could be made to live in Minnesota.

The second year after he came to Minnesota, he employed two men to drive a lot of cows from Illinois to Minnesota, but no sooner did they start the cows out than they com¬ menced selling, so that he only got a few of them - a loss of all he was worth, and $500 in debt. Thus life was made a struggle to support at first a wife and two children, and far¬ ther on increased to six. Fourteen

3'^ears without a team of any kind, giv¬ ing two days' work for one day with team. So under these trying condi¬ tions he cleared his farm and got a foothold, never having neglected the fruit interest. But at the end of ten years, as before stated, not a sound tree remained, and his stock had dwindled down to one cow and less than twenty chickens. Eight dollars left after providing food and clothing for the family for the winter, but him¬ self in rags, but that eight dollars went to Bangor, Maine, for seeds and scions, and for a new suit for himself he patched up two old cast-off vests and sewed them together, took the legs off an old pair of pantaloons, patched and sewed them to the vests for sleeves, and thus on until a whole new suit was made of such material, that by frequent patching lasted six months - done every stitch of it him¬ self of evenings. The seeds and scions came, and from the scions he grew the Duchess, Blue Pearmain and Cherry Crab, and from the seed the Wealthy apple, the Wealthy being the product of a Cherry Crab seed, and through those varieties the founda¬ tion of apple culture was laid in Min¬ nesota. Thence onward, he planted seeds of his own growing from those varieties, and the results ard a class of apples, large and small, unequalled in hardiness of tree, profusion and qual¬ ity of fruit, either to eat from hand or for sauce. By crossing the common apple with the Siberian Crab, he solved the problem of how to grow apples of unsurpassed quality and in hardiness of tree suited to the cold north.

As a reward for his success and that his experiments might be continued and on a larger scale, the legislature bought a tract of land adjoining his farm, and made him superintendent, which position he held until he had developed a succession of firstclass apples that would hold good nearly the entire year, and had sent out 60,000 choice seedlings to be tested in various parts of North America, and then through his advice to the legislature the State experi¬ ment ceased, and only continued on his own grounds on a small scale at his own expense. During the time he was conducting the State Fruit Farm, he and his son, Josiah Gideon, made a start in the nursery business, to prop¬ agate and sell those new varieties, and were fast growing into an extensive trade, in the Northwest, when a slanderous report appeared in the official report of the State Horticul¬ tural Society, stating that, aside from the Wealthy, they had nothing so good as Transcendent, all small, sour, crabbed, and water cored. A wilful, malicious falsehood that all present knew to be false, yet it went on rec¬ ord as admitted fact. This called forth an inquiry of the Farm, Stock and Home, a paper in which they had been advertising, as to whether those new varieties, so extensively adver¬ tised, were of any special worth. The inquiry was published, and the reply was: "The presumption is that if of ati}^ real worth we would have seen the fruit in the market ere this time." The editor had seen the fruit on the trees, had seen ripe samples in his office, and hundreds of bushels had been sold at the market house within a few paces of his office, and all the varieties, except one, of which trees were for sale, had been on exhibition at various fairs. The standing of the Societ}^ and the journal killed the nursery trade, so that of $10,000 worth engaged not $10 worth was taken. The trees had to be dug up and burned, and for the time ended their nursery business, and no corrections or apologies made by either of the parties. A hard thrust for forty years of hard toil. But not to be lastinglj^ crushed, he has started again, on a small scale, the propagation of his most choice new varieties.

First Settlement. The first settle¬ ment was made in Plymouth by An¬ toine Le Count, in October, 1853, by building a modest one-room house of tamarack logs, on the east shore of Medicine Lake, on section 24, where he has since built three newer resi¬ dences, each exceeding the last in size, convenience and symmetry. He is now enjoying a peaceful and content¬ ed old age in the latest structure, after a life filled with adventure and vicis¬ situdes exceeded by few. His life has been connected and interwoven, so to speak, with the history of the settle¬ ment and civilization of the great re¬ nowned Northwest, from its first attracting the attention of the differ¬ ent races of European ancestr}^ up to its present proud position, as to re¬ quire a more detailed account than can be allotted to many other citizens of the town without encroaching on the limited space allowed in this histor}^. As the writer was indebted to his hospitality on the event of his first visit to the attractive land sur¬ rounding the lake, he feels it a pleas¬ ing duty to mention some of the facts that an early and long acquaintance with the man entitles him to record.

Antoine was born November 6th, 1822, in what is now Minnesota, near the Red River, and near the boundarjline separating the State from the British Possessions. His father was of French origin, and, following the custom of the times, took to hiinself a wife from among the dark-eyed native American maidens. He was a guide to explorers in the earl3^ days of the Territory; carrjdng the mail from the Red River country to different points south, as far as St. Louis, and also ex¬ changing trinkets and furs of Indian manufacture for the goods of civil manufacture in greatest demand among the Indians of the Red River Valley, and by his Yankee shrewdness accumulated considerable wealth. The early French settlers gave him the name of Le Gros, from his large size.

He adopted into his faniilj^ Pierre Bottineau, when he was about twelve years old, and gave him the experi¬ ence and knowledge of the country, that afterw'ards made him famous as guide and explorer. Antoine came, with his father, in the summer of 1837, to Fort Snelling, stopping there until September, when he returned to his home near Red River. His father, in company with Franklin Steele, made a claim on the east side of the Missis¬ sippi River, at the falls, including Nicollet Island. The following June he started for his claim, from Red River, with his famil3L Thomas Simpson, a gentleman who wished to come with them, but was in great haste to get through, and preferred to pfi.y Le Count an extra price to pilot him through in the most direct route across the country, and did not wish to waste time by going by the wa3' of Lac (pii Parle, the route which Le

Count and his family intended to take, Le Count accepted the terms offered, and gave Pierre Bottineau charge of the party, with which was his family and others, taking, besides himself and Mr. Simpson, his son, An¬ toine, who was not quite seventeen years old, and two others, in all five men, and started across. About noon, the second day out, Mr. Simp¬ son showed signs of insanity, but they did not apprehend any danger from him. When about sundown, the fourth day out, as they were prepar¬ ing to camp, Mr. Simpson seized a double barrelled shot-gun, and, with¬ out warning, shot Mr. Le Count and one of the men. The shots were so near instantaneous that the survivors were not aware that two shots had been fired. Le Count, knowing that he was mortally wounded, called his son, Antoine, and told him he was about to die, and gave him instruc¬ tions how, and what direction to take, to reach the train his mother was with, and to start instantly, before Mr. Simpson had time to reload. The hired man was already invisible, and Antoine soon made his escape. He had no sooner made his escape when he heard Mr. Simpson calling, "Jim, Jim!" (the hired man); he wanted him to take him back. Antoine, in the meantime, had come up to Jim, and the two hurried on together. When they had gone about a mile from the scene of the recent tragedy, they heard a gun, and concluded the mis¬ erable man had put an end to his own life. Urging their horses to do their best, and following the track de¬ scribed by his father, they came up with the train led by Pierre Bottineau about daylight, covering about fifty miles during the night. They soon told their sad tidings. Pierre Botti¬ neau soon headed a party bound for the late terrible scene. When he reached it, he found the unfortunate Simpson had blown out his own brains, making the third victim to his disordered mind. The bodies of Le Count and his companion were taken to Red River, and there buried. Mr. Simpson's body was left to the tender mercy of the wolf and carrion crow.

The train then moved on, and reached Fort Snelling about the mid¬ dle of July, 1838. Antoine and his mother stopped there until the fol¬ lowing spring, when they moved to Pig's Bye, where they lived about a year. From that time he was unset¬ tled, moving about wherever work or fancy led him, until he settled in Plymouth, in 1853, with his first wife and one child. With Antoine Le Count came Peter Daniels, adjoining on the north, but did not bring his family until the next year. Francis Huot and G. D. Brawley came during the winter, Mr. Huot making his claim on the north end of Medicine Lake, where Mr. H. Neimann now lives. Mr. Brawley's claim was on the west of Mr. Huot. Neither settled at the time, but making some improve¬ ments, enough to hold their claims, returned to St. Anthony. Mr. Braw¬ ley did not come on his claim to live, but sold to Mr. E. Boucher, and Mr. Huot returned with his family the fol¬ lowing November 15th, 1854. Charles Mouseau made a claim, but never moved on to it, south of Le Count. At the same time with Mr. Huot came David Gorham, Joseph Jame, George Burbeir, but left no marks known to the writer. Edwark Burk made his claim on section 17, built a shanty, and made improvements, but lived on it only about one year, when he sold and moved to St. Anthony. Israel

Michaud made a claim about the same time, lived on it a few years, sold and moved to Medina, but subse¬ quently moved back to Plymouth. He was the father of so numerous a fam¬ ily that a sack of flour disappeared each four days. He was finally killed, in the summer of 1877, while hauling lumber.

In May, 1854, Jonas H. Howe made a claim on sections 22 and 27. Built a magnificent log house, 16x16, roof covered with red elm shingles, cham¬ ber floor of pine boards, brought across Medicine Lake on two dug-out canoes piloted by Antoine Le Count; lower floor of split and hewed bass¬ wood puncheons, which were replaced by sawed red elm the next winter, sawed at Minnetonka Mills. His fam¬ ily came on from Massachusetts in May, 1855, and he quit keeping bache¬ lor s hall. Henry L. Moses came in July, and took a claim west of Howe, and they worked, made improve¬ ments, and kept house together until December, when Moses left, to go into the pine woods for the winter. He sold his claim after a few years, and now lives in Dakota County. In the fall of 1854, Wm. F. Holtz settled, and pre-empted land in section 30.

Early in 1854, C. W. Farrington came on to section 15, and moved on with his family the following March, 1855. He kept a hotel for several years.

Samuel Marchant marked his claim ill September, 1854. Made it his home the following May. In the fore part of October, 1854, Alfred Parker, with his two brothers, Israel S. and Charles D., settled around Parker's Lake, from whom it derives its name. Alfred is now living in Cr3^stal Lake, I. S. in the north part of the county, while C. D. still remains in Plymouth.

Henry Collins and John Carew came during the winter of 1854. Thomas Hughes came up overland from Bur¬ lington, Iowa, in the fall of 1854, and with him came his sons, Charles, Henry, Edward and Thomas. James Hughes and Frank Hatcher, with their families, followed the next spring, when many came and settled; in fact, the year 1855 brought more settlers into the township than any one year. Among those who came were Herman Sandhoff and his brother, William; Rev. James Parker, whose wife died at St. Anthony, on their way out from Maine, with him came his son, Daniel C., and son-inlaw, Amos Hoyt, Francis Day, Charles Telman and William Smith, who settled on the west shore of Medi¬ cine Lake. Nicholas and William Bofferding took a claim just north of him, and afterwards sold and moved to Minneapolis. Also, in 1855, came Frank and Ferdinand Kratz, and Fred. Raddins, and settled in the west part of the town, among the "big woods." Peter Winner, his father, and uncle, settled south of them. Many others came the same 3-ear, so that "old settlers" are recorded from 1855.

The first child born in town, was a son of D. C. Parker and wife, April 25th, 1855, two days after reaching their new home. It died within a few days of its birth. A boy, Frank, was born to Amos Hoyt and wife, July 25th, following, and, December 25th, the same year, twins were born to F. A. Clay and wife, who settled on sec¬ tion 33.

The first death that occurred, was that of a child, of Antoine Le Count, which was caused b3'' overturning a ' kettle of hot water, in December, 1853. The Rev. James Parker was the first Justice of the Peace, appointed in

January, 1856. His son, D. C. Parker, was appointed the next year, and Mr. Francis Huot was appointed at the same time, but did not qualify. The office has remained in the family almost continually ever since, James M. Parker having held the office more terms than an}' man in town, and bids fair to be re-elected as long as he may live.

The first school in the town was established through the efforts of Francis Huot, in the summer of 1856, in a shanty belonging to Oliver Huot, on section 14, in what is now District No. 51, and taught by Miss Lorinda Shaw, who also taught the school established the following year, in what is now District No. 48.

Indians. In June, 1858, the Chippe¬ wa Indians had a fight with their old time foes and deadly enemies, the Sioux, who had recently obtained a number of Chippewa scalps, and re¬ turned with their trophies strung on a hoop, adorned with narrow strips of ribbon, all spattered with blood. The Chippewas in return made a raid, and stole on them from the shelter of the Minnesota River banks, near Shakopee, but the Sioux, having received warning in time, were prepared to give them a spicy reception on the prairie, in plain sight of the whites, who witnessed, as neutrals, their bloody encounter, where the Chippe¬ was were badly cut up. On their re¬ turn they passed through Plymouth, along their usual war path, offering no injury to the settlers, but their commissary being ^reduced, they appropriated what they needed in that line; a pair of steers belonging to I. S. I'arker and Amos Hoyt, happening to be in sight, were shot and consumed.

They also emptied a crib of corn for D. C. Parker, and wounded one of his cows, and made some other depreda¬ tions, but as they were on the verge of starvation, the whites concluded that as necessity knows no law, it would be useless to quote Blackstone to them, lest they in turn, should quote a prior law, that " might makes right;" so they were allowed to pass on in peace. It made the usual ten days' excitement in the young settlement, and soon passed into the oblivion of a back number, soon to be overshadowed by the much greater terror to be ex¬ perienced in the summer of 1862. When the news reached the people of the terrible massacre of the white settlers, on the frontier, at Acton, and at the lower Sioux agenc}^ on August 18th, this caused great excitement in town, and all sorts of rumors were afloat. One day a neighbor called to inform the writer that the Indians were coming down on us, and had been heard from as near as Rockford, and might be expected here at any moment, and advised that a public meeting be called to meet at Frank Day's house, at 9 o'clock the next morning, to devise means of safety for the women and children. We finally agreed that he was to take one way, and myself the other, and give the notice of the meeting next day, and have the word passed from house to house. But when we reached the place of meeting the next morning, there were but few assembled, and we soon learned that many, instead of attending to the safety of all, had taken good care to look out for No. 1. They had skedaddled during the night, to Minneapolis, for safety. Some men who had that morning came from the West, informed us that the people at Rockford had built a stockade of logs, to be prepared for Indians, if they should come, but had not heard of their coming this way nearer than Meeker County. We had a good laugh at the expense of our precautions neighbors. However, the meeting concluded to arrange for dan¬ ger signals, and advised the neighbors for awhile to assemble, as many as convenient, at one place, and keep a guard out. The writer was persuaded one night to go with his family and si^end the night at neighbor Stevens', on the Rockford Road, he volunteer¬ ing to stand guard the first part of the night, and one of the men was to re¬ lieve him at 2 o'clock; hut the perfect feeling of safety he felt, and the con¬ fidence reposed in the first relief, kept him sound asleep until sunrise the next morning, before he appeared to take my place. Soon after this we organized a home-guard, of about thirty men, who chose Charles Tolman for captain, and Ferdinand Kratz first lieutenant; the latter had seen service in German3^ We met for drill one day in each week, 'till it became monot¬ onous, and was omitted for a while. When one day some time after, the troops, under General Sibley, had driven the Indians across the Missouri River, and the Indian scare had most¬ ly subsided, Frank Hatcher brought the news to Captain Tolman that In¬ dians had been seen by Janies Moody to rise up in the brush near the spot where Dennis Schmitz has since built his new house. The news soon spread, and for the benefit of his sagacity and experience among In¬ dians, word was sent across Medicine Fake, to Antoine Le Count, with a re¬ quest that he report to Captain Tol¬ man, at 2 o'clock p. m., and join in the advance, for the purpose of finding the facts in the case, and, if necessary.

catch the weasel asleep; or, in other words, entrap the Indians when off their guard. At the appointed hour, the procession started, with such arms as were available. The orderly ser¬ geant was armed with a long, oldfashioned rifle, that had been an heir¬ loom in his father's famil}', but for which there was but little use in old Massachusetts, at the date of 1851, the time when the indulgent father con¬ sented to his son's taking it with him to the wilds of Minnesota. But the old rifle had seen its best daj'-s, and, unfortunately, while being used to shoot partridges, had broken the spring in the lock, so that it would have been impossible to have fired it if it had been loaded. But the valiant bearer of the old gun consoled him¬ self with the thought that the In¬ dians, if he should happen to meet them, would be in ignorance of the fact. He had descended from a long line of revolutionary grand-fathers, and great uncles, of which there were at least thirt}^, si.x feet in the aggre¬ gate, and bearing the name of Gould, and three b}" the name of Holland, six feet each, if the}^ were barefoot, not including one great grand-father, that was a major, well stocked with Irish wit, and valiant courage. But to re¬ turn to the charge; while on our march, in broken ranks, the orderly was stopped h^- Be Count, with finger up and a whispered "Whist!" We stopped, we strained our ears to lis¬ ten, but heard nothing. After a mo¬ ment's silence he said: "I heard Indians there," pointing to a rise of ground coyered with brush and a growth of scattering, small trees, off to the left of the road, where we were advancing, hut as we received no shot from them, we passed on to the spot where they were said to have risen from the brush, at the approach of Mr. Moody. When we reached it, we looked in vain for any signs of In¬ dians among the short clipped grass and hazel brush, until Le Count pointed to the ground, saying, "There is a track, and there," pointing further east, a few feet further on; we looked, but saw naught. He walked on, with his e3'^es looking on the ground, and finger pointing, but we might as well try to see a materialized spirit in broad daylight with no medium in the cabinet, as to distinguish an In¬ dian track in the short, thin, dr3'' grass and stunted brush. But wait! It leads down to the soft, black mud, through the swale, to a puddle of water, and there we could all see moc¬ casin tracks and knee tracks, where they had bent down to drink the water, and then, leading around to the edge of the pool, they struck east, and he traced them to the rising ground, pointed to by Le Count on our way out. There again we could all see marks made by them while resting, but even the guide became bewil¬ dered. After following it to the road, where it led into a large mown meadow, where they left no mark, we deployed to the right, and left, in hopes that some of us might strike the trail, but in vain. After two hours' unsuccessful search, we were obliged to give up and return to our homes, hoping we might find no traces of them there, and in this were not disappointed. The next day, par¬ ties from Crystal Lake came out, and stopped at the writer's, to enquire as to the truth of the rumor that Indians had been seen. We told them that it was true, and if they cared for evi¬ dence that would leave no doubt in their minds, we would go with them and show them the marks their moc¬ casins made. They concluded to go, and settle the disputed point, so far, at least, as their veracity could settle it in the minds of their Cr3'-stal Lake friends. After reaching the place, the tracks were still plainly visible, and they admitted the facts were convinc¬ ing. Subsequently we heard there had been a party of Indians who reached St. Paul, and had an inter¬ view with the Governor, a sort of peace commission, to stop hostilities.

Organization. The first meeting, b3' order of the County Commission¬ ers, for the purpose of forming a town organization, was called at the house of Francis Day, on the 11th day of May, 1858. The meeting was organ¬ ized by electing G. W. Messenger as moderator, and Jonas H. Howe, clerk. The room being too small to accommo¬ date them, the meeting was adjourned to the hotel, kept by Mr. C. W. Far¬ rington, on section 15. The following officers were elected: Supervisors, Francis Huot, chairman, D. C. Parker and Francis Gorham; Town Clerk, J. H. Howe; Assessor, Francis Day; Col¬ lector, Charles Tolman; Overseer of the Poor, Eustache Boucher; Consta¬ bles, Phillip Otto and Alfred Jordan; Justices of the Peace, F. A. Clay and William Karson.

At a meeting of the County Board, April 10th, 1858, for the purpose of es¬ tablishing the boundaries of the town¬ ships in the county, the congressional town of 118, range 22, was named Plymouth; but why a town settled mostly by Catholics and Agnostics should bear the name of the town set¬ tled by the people who came over in the Mayflower, unless on the principle of opposites, as the man named his dog Whitefoot because he hadn't a white hair on him. And the first meeting was called under that name.

To I V Ns Hip History

which produced a great deal of dissat¬ isfaction on the part of some of the v'oters, and another meeting was called, for June 21st, 1858, which met at the hotel kept by C. W. Farrington. After considerable discussion, a vote was taken, which showed a majority in favor of Medicine Lake for the name of the town. The next town meeting was held at the school house, in district No. 51, April 5th, 1859, and the call was issued under the name of IMedicine Lake, and the business transacted under that name, but in the call for the general election of county and State officers, it bore the name of Plymouth. The following 3^ear, April 3d, 1860, the meeting was held under the original name. The county officials never recognized the name of Medicine Lake. And as the man said, when his wife insisted on naming the baby after the minister, "You can have 3'our own way if it pleases you, for it don t hurt me any." There was a village called Plymouth laid out on the north and west shores of Parker's Lake, in 1856. Perhaps the name was given to the town to boom the village; if so, the boom passed off in mid-air, and not even an echo has been heard since.

Agreeable to a call of the citizens of the town, met at the house of Fran¬ cis Day, on Mondaj^ August 18th, 1862, to devise means to raise its quota of soldiers for the army. The meeting was organized by choosing Francis Pilot chairman, and Jonas H. Howe, secretar3\ Chose a committee of five to report resolutions, viz: Jonas H. Howe, James M. Parker,' Francis Berube, Nicholas Bofferding and M. D. L. Stevens. Lhe following resolu¬ tions were reported and adopted unanimousl}':

JvGsolvecI, Phat we, the citizens of Pljunouth, believe it to be the duty of e\ety man to sustain the government in her jwesent emergency, either in men or mone}^ and we pledge our¬ selves as a town to furnish our quota, if it can be done, by appealing to the patriotism of her citizens, believing we are second to none in the love of our country and purity of patriotism.

Resolved, That inasmuch as our in¬ terests are equal in the cause, those who may see it in their duty to enlist voluntarily, should be paid a bounty b^^ the town, and we hereby pledge twenty-five dollars to everj^ volunteer who shall enlist from the citizens of this town.

Voted that the Town Clerk be hereby instructed to call a meeting of the voters of said town, to meet at the house of Prancis Da^'^, on Saturda}', the 30th day of August, 1862. Ad¬ journed.

Agreeable to a call on the opposite page, the citizens met at the house of Francis Da3^ the 30th day of August, at one o'clock p. m. First, chose Jonas H. Howe moderator. Second, voted to pay those who have volunteered to fill the call for the last 60,000, a bounty of twenty-five dollars, the same to in¬ clude all whose names are registered and counted from the town. Third, voted that the town cause the daguerreot3'^pes of all the volunteers from the said town to be taken, at the expense of the town, and that the Town Clerk is authorized to see that they are taken. Voted that the Town Treasurer be authorized to borrow mone3^ for the town, to pay the bounty of volunteers. Voted that the Supervisors be appoint¬ ed a committee to act with the Treas¬ urer and to correct the list of volun¬ teers, if found necessar3\ Voted that such of the volunteers as do not want their bount3^ down shall be entitled to legal interest from the town until paid. X'^oted that the Suj^ervisors are hereb3" authorized to act for the town without calling a special meeting. Adjourned.

Village. The site for the village of Plymouth was located on the north and west shore*s of Parker's Lake, in the fall of 1856. It was laid out by Jared and Daniel Demon and Messrs. Sherburne, Davie, Davidson and Spi¬ cer. They bought the Wayzata mill and moved it to the west side of Par¬ ker's Lake. No other improvements were made, excepting the building of a small house to shelter the mill hands. The mill was operated that winter. In the spring the water of the lake rose and flooded the mill. The next summer the machinery was taken out, and, later, hauled to Minne¬ apolis, and thus ended the village of Plymouth.

Chukches. Medicine Lake Catholic Church was built in 1858; it was a log building, 24x32. The first services were conducted by Father Le Dow. At that time the membership included about forty families. When a church in Cr^^stal Lake was built, a few years later, it took part of the membership. In the spring of 1877, the present church was built. The main building is 36x50 feet, with an addition 16x18, and another 12x14 feet. When filled it holds four hundred people. It cost nearly $2,600. It is situated on rising ground, overlooking Medicine Lake, on the east side of section 15. When the steeple was being built the stag¬ ing gave way and one of the young men employed, named Herman Diestiez, was instantly killed. Another, Paul Adams, was so severely injured that he never recovered, and died, in consequence of the injury sustained, in the winter of 1892. Another, Peter Schmitz, had both ankles broken. The year the society proposed build¬ ing followed the year of the grasshop¬ per plague, and one of the members, when asked to subscribe toward the building fund, said he would give $50 if the grasshoppers didn't damage his crops, but if they did he wouldn't give anything. As the gift was supposed to be for the Lord's benefit, and He had the power to prevent the depreda¬ tions, he looked upon the transaction as paying so much for an insurance policy against damage by the hoppers. He believed in building God's house on business principles. The mone}^ was paid, as he escaped damage. Father Boucher has officiated as pas¬ tor most of the time since the church was built.

In Februar}^, 1863, a society, called the German Evangelical Lutheran Church, was organized, and held its first meeting at the house of Herman Sandhoff. Services were conducted by Rev. George Fachtman. Services were held at the school house, in dis¬ trict No. 51, part of the time, until they built their present church edifice, in 1880, located on the east side of sec¬ tion 14, north of the road. Rev. Her¬ man Fleer has preached for them part of the time since. ^

The Plymouth Methodist Church. This society was organized in 1868, and a church built, on the north side of Parker's Lake. The first services were conducted b3^ Rev. Charles Has¬ kell, who continued as pastor about two years. It was dedicated by Rev. Cobb, at that time presiding elder of the district. The Sabbath school had a membership of forty or fifty schol¬ ars, Miles Dickey superintendent. The structure was burned, in the fall of 1877. Since then no services have been held by the society until 1889, when Rev. Henderson re-organized it and preached in the grange hall and school house while a new church was building, ver3^ near the site of the old one.

Towxship Ihstokv

Societies. Plymouth Grange No. 351 was organized by State Master l^arsous, in September, 1874. The of¬ ficers were; Master, J. M. Parker; Ov'erseer, K. L. Braden; Secretar3^ P. B. Logan; Financial Secretar}", Dennis Schmitz; Lecturer, I. S. Parker; Chap¬ lain, A. H. French; Steward, P. B. Dicke}'; Ceres, Mrs. A. P. Parker; Po¬ mona, Mrs. Barbara Dickey"; Flora, Miss Marietta Parker; L. A. S., Miss Jane Parker. The Grange had twent3"-one charter members, and reached a membership of forty-two. It was well attended and in a flourishing con¬ dition until man3" of its members moved awa3^ with no new ones com¬ ing in, and finally suspended in 1878. It was re-organized in 1882, and soon after built a hall, for its meetings, 10x32, but finall3^ dissolved into thin air in 1890. In Jul3^ same 3'ear, a Farmers' Alliance was organized, with fifteen charter members, which in¬ creased to tweut3"-four, soon after. It was called Plymouth Alliance No. 1105. In March, 1892, another one was organized, in district No. 48, with eight charter members, and named Pising Sun Farmers' Alliance No. 1402.

Schools. Miss Lorinda Shaw taught in district No. 51, in 1856, also in dis¬ trict No. 48, in 1857. In 1859, the3' built a log house, on the east side of section 14, which was used until 1868, when the present house was built, on the same site. The second school was established, in what is now district No. 48, in the summer of 1857. The building used was a log structure, 12x 16 feet, and located on section 28. The number of sclmlars was about fifteen. Tlie number in 1880 was about eight3"-five. The third school was established iu tlie summer of 1862, and taught, in a granar3', on the farm of Francis Berube. Any build¬ ing that could be obtained was used until 1867, when a school house was built, and used until 1874, when the present one was built, on section 17. There are in the town five entire and six joint districts, with seven school houses, all frame, and well furnished, all hav'ing patent seats.

Post Offices. The first post office established in the town was Medicine Lake, in the spring of 1859, and Fran¬ cis Huot appointed postmaster. He held the office about three years, when he was succeeded by his brother, Louis. Pl3"mouth post office was es¬ tablished in 1865, and Nathaniel Day appointed postmaster, who removed it to his house, on section 15. Mr. Day died, in the winter of 1867, and was succeeded b3^ Amos Dickinson, who was followed 63^ James Hough, who held the office until it was discontin¬ ued. In 1878, another office was estab¬ lished, on section 4, and Fred Guesman appointed postmaster. This of¬ fice was discontinued, in the spring of 1880. Parker's Lake post office was established June 28th, 1871, and James M. Parker appointed postmaster. He has held the office up to the present time. South Pl3unouth post office was established in 1862, and located on sec¬ tion 33, Mrs. Matilda Clay being ap¬ pointed postmistress. The post office at \Va3'zata was re-established in 1864, and South Pl3"mouth was soon after discontinued. Plymouth post office has been re-established, with Fred Webb as postmaster.

Hcjtels. The first hotel in the town was kept by C. W. Farrington, on sec¬ tion 15, on the Minneaj>olis and Pockford road. The "Farmers' Home" ho¬ tel was built, b3' Nicholas Bofferding, in 1863, and kept b3' him for several 3'cars. He sold it to Carl Schiehe, in the spring of 1872. It is now conduct¬ ed Carl Schiebe, jr., and is located at the forks of the Watertown and Wayzata roads, on the west side of section 36. James Riley kept a house for the entertainment of man and beast, for several years, on the Rock¬ ford road, on section 17. In fact, most of the farmers kept open doors, and entertained the weary traveler, rather than turn him away empty and unre¬ freshed, provided there was a spare bed in the house and an empty stall in the barn.

Official Roster for 1880. The board of township officers for the 3^ear 1880 were: Supervisors, Jacob Raths, chairman, David Gorham and William Egan; Town Clerk, J. H. Jordan; Treasurer, Carl Schiebe, jr.; Assessor, J. M. Parker; Constables, J. W. Day and Timothy Ryan; Justices of the Peace, J. M. Parker and P. J. Weinen.

Official Roster for 1890. The township board for 1890 were: Super¬ visors, Jacob Raths, chairman; W. H. Deziel and Fred Webb; Town Clerk, John H. Jordan; Treasurer, Chas. Schiebe; Assessor, J. M. Parker; Jus¬ tices of the Peace, James M. Parker and Jonas H. Howe; Constables, E. C. Hughes and Mathias Miller.

Chester Bushnell was born in Nor¬ wich, Connecticut, August 4th, 1803. His parents moved to New York when he was about nine years old, and set¬ tled in Jefferson Count^'^, where he was married. May 16th, 1824, to Mercy Manchester, only daughter of Samuel

Manchester, formerly of Rhode Island. In 1834, Mr. Bushnell moved to Cleve¬ land, Ohio; again, in 1839, to Wiscon¬ sin, settling in what was then known as the "Rock River Woods," and built, through these woods, the territorial road from Milwaukee to Madison, re¬ moving to the capital in 1845, and to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1854, where he built and opened the hotel known as the Bushnell House. In 1859, he removed to Plymouth, where he farmed, until his death, which occur¬ red January 26th, 1874. Mr. Bushnell was a prominent citizen, a successful farmer, who took an interest in the ed¬ ucation and religious instruction of the young, as well as being active in the affairs of the town, but never but once did he consent to run for any town office, when he was elected Town Clerk. He left five children, one mar¬ ried daughter, living in Wisconsin; Sophia, who has been a very success¬ ful teacher; Byron, who married Mar¬ ian, a daughter of John Potts Brown; William, who married Alexia Dickey, a daughter of Miles Dicke}^; Nettie, who married Sam Brown.

Sam Brown, son of John Potts Brown, settled in Plymouth in 1858, and removed to Glencoe in the spring of 1875, where he served for several 3^ears as County Auditor. Though a Democrat, and uncompromising, was elected, although the county was very strongly Republican. The voters sought the man, for his sterling integ¬ rity, and not the man the office.

Christopher Braesch, one of the first settlers on Bass Lake, was born in Prussia, in 1830. His parents died when he was nine years old, and he was engaged in farming, until he came to America, in 1854. After living in Chicago about eighteen months, he came to St. Antliony, wliere he built a small house. In 1856, he made a claim in Plymouth, where he now lives. Lived on his claim a short time, build¬ ing a log house, then returned to Min¬ neapolis, where he engaged in mason work, three years. Was employed on the old Eastman and Gibson mill, and others. In 1859, came, with his fam¬ ily, to his claim, in Plymouth, where he has since remained, and now has a pleasant home. He married Sophia Peters, at Chicago, in 1854. They have six children, Emma, Albert, Henry, Mar3^, Minnie and Charle}'.

Thomas Clark was born in York¬ shire, England, November 5th, 1828. He lived with his father until elev^en 3'ears of age, his mother having died wdien he was young. At the age of thirteen, he began life for himself, and was engaged in farming, until 1850, when he came to this countr^^. Re¬ sided yi Massachusetts three j^ears. New York five years, Canada three 3^ears, and in Huron Countj^, Michi¬ gan, until 1869, when he came to Ply¬ mouth. He enlisted in the Twent^^- Ninth Michigan Volunteers, in 1864, and w'as mustered out, at Nashville, Tennessee, in 1865. He was married, to Jane A. Saunderson, of England, in 1848. They have had eight children, seven of whom are living. Mr. Clark has since left Plymouth and gone west, to begin life on new land, bj^ the aid of his pension, which he was so long in getting that it amounted to quite a sum when he received it.

Fkaxcis a. Clay came from Maine, in 1855, and settled on section 33, witli his fatlier, Jonathan Cla^L and his mother-in-law, Mrs. Greer. Mr. Clay was one of the first Justices of the

Peace, being chosen in 1858. He en¬ listed in Company B, Sixth Regiment, August 12th, 1862. Sick in hospital at Helena, and came near dying. Was mustered out August 19th, 1865. His wife, Mrs. Matilda Clay, was appointed postmistress, and had charge of South Plymouth post office in war time. He afterwards sold his farm, moved to Minneai^olis, and worked in the lum¬ ber mill, for Dean and Company, until his health failed. But, fortunatel^'^, his wife had business talents and kept the pot boiling, besides saving money enough to buy a lot, and build a neat cottage, on Emerson Avenue, North, where they now live. Mr. Clay is a firm believer in the religious teach¬ ings of Emanuel Swedenborg. He is also fond of reading, which his health gives him a chance to indulge in.

Joseph W. Day was born in Pisca¬ taquis Count3L Maine, July 22d, 1849, and lived with his parents, engaged in farming, until 1865, when he came, with his father, to Hennepin Count3L His father died, in 1867, leaving Joseph to care for his mother and famil3L He has made his home in Plymouth since coming to this count3", and, in 1871, settled on his present farm. He mar¬ ried Ellen S. Hughes, in 1872. They are the parents of six children. John A., Albert W., Elmer L. and Elzada B. are the oldest,

Benjamin Frost, a native of Maine, was born in Hancock Count3^, March 15th, 1830. His parents died when he was twelve 3-ears old, and, in 1855, he came to Minneapolis, and engaged in lumbering, with L. Da3^ and Sons. He worked on the foundation of the dam, at the falls, and on the boom piers, above the falls. He also helped to run the first logs for the mill at Minneap- olis. Married Ellen Cruikshauk, June 25th, 1862. In 1868, he bought the farm where he lives, eight miles west of Minneapolis. They have had five children; Edwin, who was drowned, in the summer of 1891, Ada, Oriu, Benjamin, jr., and Elva, and they have adopted a nephew of Mrs. Frost.

Davld Gorham, one of the earliest settlers of Hennepin Count}^, was born in Quebec, Canada. When he was four years of age his father died, and David went to Montreal. He was occupied in farming until 1836, when he came to the United States. He re¬ sided two years in Virginia, and twelve years in Maine, engaged in lumbering, on the Penobscot. In April, 1849, he came to St. xVnthony. He made a claim of 160 acres in what is now North Minneapolis, and- also of the farm since owned by R. P. Rus¬ sell, near Lake Calhoun. He ran the first shingle and lath mill in the place. In 1854, he made a claim in what is now Plymouth township, and after re¬ maining on it one 3^ear, returned to Minneapolis, where he was engaged in the lumber mills, for about twelve years. In 1864, he, in company with others, started for California, but, on reaching the "Bad Lands," were sur¬ rounded by Sioux Indians, and held seventeen days, being rescued by General Sullj^'s cavalr}^ They then returned to Minneapolis, satisfied with their adventure. In 1867, he bought the farm claimed by James Riley, and lived there until 1891, when he died. He held the office of Supervisor for ten 3^ears, and did much for the cause of education. He was married, in 1850, to Miss Barber, of Maine. Tliej^ have had nine children, although but six survived him.

Jonas H. Howe, a native of Massa¬ chusetts, was born, in Petersham, Worcester County, April 29th, 1821. . He attended the academy, at Deerfield and New Salem, and, at the age of twenty-one, went to Boston, for two years, then returned to his father's farm, for nine years. He came to Hen¬ nepin County, in 1854, and made a claim, where he still resides. The same year he went, with a party, to Crow Wing, to get out timber for the first suspension bridge. In the fall he built a cabin, sixteen feet square, orf his claim. This was the second house built in the township. He brought the lumber for his house from St. Anthon3'-, floating it across Medicine Lake, as there was no road around. In 1855, his famil3" joined him. In 1864, he was appointed Enrolling Clerk for the township, and afterwards en¬ listed in Company F, Eleventh Infantr3^, with the rank of sergeant, and served eleven months. He was elected to the House of Repj^esentatives, in 1865. In 1873, his dwelling was destro3"ed by fire, and he immediatel3^ rebuilt a more substantial house. Mr. Howe has been Town Clerk for thirteen years. Justice of the Peace several years, and was census enum¬ erator in 1880, and again in 1890. He has always taken an active part in the affairs of the town. His wife, whom he married in Massachusetts, was Margaret Swindell, of Boston. They had ten children, of whom seven are now living. Cora, the eldest, was a member of the first class at the Deaf and Dumb Institute, at Faribault. She was a pupil seven years and then taught three years, when poor health compelled her to retire from teaching. All his daughters have served the county and the cause of education by teaching.