Minneapolis City (part 18 of 80)

The morning of that anniversar3" of the birth of our nation found a patri¬ otic and an enthusiastic assembly at the village of Greenwood, which, 113" the efficiency of the managers, was soon put in order, and the carr3dng out of the program was inaugurated, all participating with zeal, and amongst other things, according to Albert II. Taise3', the matter of re¬ freshments, especiall3'^ that of a spirit¬ uous kind, was not overlooked, which caused some of the proceedings to be carried out in a somewhat peculiar manner. The memorable declaration was read by Albert G. Sexton. The oration was made by F. C. Lindsle3\ Thomas K. Briggs was prominent in the management of the movements of the da3^, and, as the routine pro¬ ceeded, the time came around for prayer, and Captain Edgar was on hand, according to the program, to carr3' out that part of the ceremonies of the da3". He was conducted to the stand by A. G. Sexton. Both having become, in the meantime, inspired by the occurrences of the da3", marched enthusiasticall3" to the rostrum, and on placing the captain before the audience, Sexton gave him a friend 13^ push, at the same time remarking: the captain, however, not abashed at this sall3", made not 01113^ an appro¬ priate, but a ver3^ eloquent pra3'er, which was appreciated 1)3' all, includ¬ ing even the eccentric Mr. Sexton. The occasion was a success, not only in the matter of commemoration, hut in enjoyment and reunion, and cement¬ ing of friendships, and it is one bright spot in the memor3' of the old settler.

F. C. Lindsle3' delivered the oration, the writer read the declaration, and Captain John Edgar acted as chap¬ lain. * * * * There are two little episodes that make me remember the occasion. I was to furnish meat for the Fourth of July dinner (which I did 1)3' furnishing a deer and a sand hill crane), and read the declaration of independence. Now, in those da3's, a buckskin coat and leggings and moc¬ casins of the same material were the height of m3' amhition, and m3' friends, thinking that such was not* suitable for so great an occasion, each contrib¬ uted different pieces of wearing aj)- parel (for T had none of 1113' own), such as i)ants, coat, vest, etc., to make me more presentable, which were brought to me a short time before I was to ap¬ pear to read. Among the i-est of the articles brought, was a garment that I had never seen before or the like since, for I am a bachelor. It was made of the finest linen, and was as white as snow and as sweet as the breath of the morning; the sleeves were not more than five or six inches long, and were bordered with the dain¬ tiest little frills of lace, as was also the neck and bottom of the skirt. I did not know what to do. It was almost time to commence the exercises. From the looks of the thing, it was made to be worn, so I whacked it on. In some places it was a tight fit, but I noticed there was plentj'- of room around my chest.

After the performance was over, a married man came to me, and, repos¬ ing confidence in my discretion, told me that in the hurry in the morning, a mistake had been made and the wrong garment had been sent me and that there would be a dance in the evening and the garment was needed. Whether it was worn in the evening to the ball, I deem need not become a historical fact. At dinner, we had wine, and, through mistake, I drank two glasses of a French preparation, prepared for an appetiser, and a conflict com¬ menced between it and the corn juice with which I was fairl3^ well supplied. The reports of the rapid firing of the French Maitrailleuse, the American Hotchkiss or Gatling guns, is child's play to the popping, snapping and cracking that was going on in my head when the corn juice and French drink opened their batteries. Of course, no one man could stand such a fire, and I became unconscious, and when I came to my senses, William McKinley, Esq., now of the town of Franklin, and William Gould (now de¬ ceased), of Greenwood, were tugging and pulling to get me out of the straw pile and dung heap of the old Beaver House, where I was reposing, my noble brow and manly form soaking in the sunshine. A. G. Sexton.

About 1856, a general store was opened, in the village of Greenwood, b}^ J. M. Burt, which he carried on for some time, when he sold it to A. H. Taisej^, who, later, sold the store to Thomas R. Briggs, who closed out the stock in the fall of 1858. The first 3^oung ladies in Greenwood were Miss Ruth A. Powers, daughter of J. F. Powers, and Miss Taisey, daughter of Matthew Taise}^. The first marriage in Greenwood, was that of James D. Young and Miss Ruth A. Powers, occurring September 17th, 1857.

Other settlers came to Greenwood, as follows: Carl Hafften and familjq 1857. His children were: Charles, de¬ ceased, August, John, William, Louis, Albert, Robert, Emma, Frederick, Ma¬ tilda, Henry and Marj-.

A. J. Roberts, first, 1857, went east; returned to Minnesota some j^ears afterwards, and settled permanently; Albert and Gil. Roberts were sons of A. J. Roberts; John Haffner and famil}^ in 1858, of which John Haffner, hardwai'e merchant, now of Delano, was a member; John Jacobs, in 1858.

Township Organization. On May 11th, 1858, the citizens of Greenwood organized their township. Officers elected were: Supervisors. J. R. Ames, Chairman; N. D. Ferrel and William C. P. Hawk; Clerk, Thomas R. Briggs; Assessor, Benjamin Lawrence; Col¬ lector, R. W. Currier; Overseer of the Poor, Andrew Thompson; Justices, D. R. Farnham and Clinton Home; Con¬ stables, John O'Meara and Volney S. Britt. Sometime afterward, J. R. Ames resigned, and N. D. Ferrel was appointed Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, who, in turn, was super-

John O'Meara and wife. Miss F. Emory, settled in Greenwood, in 1859. Miss Sophlia Conzet, daughter of Martin Conzet, was the first white child born in the township of Green¬ wood, that event occurring February, 1860.

In 1861, when the war of the rebel¬ lion commenced, and President Lin¬ coln issued his call for troops, the communities of the Big Woods re¬ sponded with alacrity. The "Wright County Rebels," and their neighbors on the east side of Crow River, in Greenwood, Independence, Franklin, and other towns, hurried to Minne¬ apolis, to enter the United States ser¬ vice, and aid in subjugating the "Southern Rebels."

In explanation of the term, "Wright County Rebels," it may be stated, that upon the acquittal, by the courts, of a man by the name of Jackson, who was tried for the murder of his neigh¬ bor, a man by the name of Wallace, both residents of the vicinity of Rock¬ ford, Wright County, and, upon the return of Jackson, to his home one evening, he was seized by a crowd of disguised persons, and lynched on his own premises, within a few hours after his arrival at his home. Manj' suspicious circumstances impressed the people of that locality with the guilt of Jackson, and they regarded the verdict of the court as a farce. The attention of the State authorities was called to the fact of the state of lawlessness existing in Wright Counfollowing which a body of troo])s were sent to (qiell the state of insur¬ rection supposed to exist there, which, upon its arrival, in the disturbed lo¬ cality, found law and order prevailing, and, in consequence, the sending of troops was regarded as being unneces¬ sary, and ironical criticism followed, being referred to as the "Wright County Rebellion," or, "Wright Coun¬ ty Rebels."

In 1861, upon the breaking out of the war, a company marched into Min¬ neapolis, from Wright County, to the beat of drum, made from an empty whisky barrel, minus the heads, with buckskin placed over the ends, with a banner and inscription, "Wright County Rebels - down with the South¬ ern Rebels."

The frequent calls for troops during that four years' war, had a decimating effect on the new settlements. An old settler of Greenwood describes the sit¬ uation thus: Although every able bodied man of the town (Greenwood) had enlisted or been drafted and served in the war, and only the crip¬ ples were left, but in spite of this fact, the town was not able to fill its quota, for the reason that many of her citi¬ zens had taken bounty and were, of course, credited to other towns or cities. This condition was applicable to most of the Big Woods Townships as well as Greenwood.

About 1862, a German Lutheran society was organized in the northern part of the town of Greenwood, with which the names of Hohenstein, Schnappauf, Vielhaber, Schindel, Sipe, Reich, and others, were associated. The regular religious services then inaugurated by that society have con¬ tinued tq) to present. Amongst the

Germans of the same locality were a few members of the Evangelical societ3^ In 1863, the Presbyterian church was also represented in Greenwood, at that time being a part of the Rockford Presbyterian congregation. And like¬ wise, Universalists, Adventists, and other denominations were to be found in Greenwood, Rockford and Indepen¬ dence at that early day.

The following parties became per¬ manent residents of the north shore of Lake Sarah, about 1867, namely: Daniel Guptil and his two brothers, Martin and John Guptil, Albert and

In 1886, the Minneapolis and Pacific Railroad was constructed along the northerly shore of Lake Sarah, by the forks of Crow River, passing through the historic townsite of Greenwood. The latter, after having various names (none of which was Greenwood) be¬ stowed upon it by the railroad com¬ pany, is now known as Rockford Sta¬ tion.

Success has attended the pioneers of Greenwood and those coming into the town during recent years, and Greenwood is at present a scene of prosperity.

The town of Corcoran is in the northwestern part of Hennepin Coun¬ ty. It embraces an entire government township of land, being, by land office designation, township 119, of range 23, west of the fifth principal meridian.

It is bounded on the north by Hassan, on the east by Maple Grove, on the south by Medina, and on the west by Greenwood. The northwest corner of the town approaches within less than a mile of the Crow River. By section lines it is twelve miles west of Minneapolis, and five miles north. Its surface is rolling, and in the south part bluffy. It lies within the belt of the "Big Woods," and is heavily tim¬ bered with maple, oak, elm and linden. Interspersed among the timber are occasional low lands of natural mead¬ ow, The subsoil is clay, covered with drift, upon which has accumulated a heavy black loam, lighter in the northern and southern parts of the town, but everywhere productive. It is adapted to the production of the cereals, maize, potatoes and grass, the small fruits and vegetables.

Jubert's Lake, located in sections 29 and 32, is the only considerable body of water. The only running water is in brooks running into the latter, or percolating from one marsh to an¬ other.

The town was first settled in 1855, when Benjamin Pounder, threading his way through the unbroken wilder¬ ness, made a pre-emption claim, and built a house in section 25. He was soon followed by R. B. Corcoran and Morris Ryan. Other settlers in the same year were: William Corcoran, Joseph Degardines, Isaac Bartlett, John Mc- Donall, Francis Morin, Frederic Rein¬ king, Frederick Schutt, John Klesexj-, Patrick Burke, Michael and Peter Patnode, Stephen and George Archambeau, Michael and Peter Raymond, and Joseph Scott. The year 1856 brought Joseph Dupont, Hugh Keran, Joseph Morin and Peter Weinard. Those early settlers were distributed in various parts of the town, where they found lands or locations suiting their fancy.

The town was organized at a meet¬ ing held at the house of P. B. Cor¬ coran, May 11th, 1858, and, by common consent, took his name. He was a man of uncommon enterprise and ability, having been the first school master, the first storekeeper and post¬ master of the town.

Being entirely agricultural, with no village or large settlement, and no thoroughfare other than the State and town roads, the growth of the town has been slow, but substantial. Graduall}', the timber has been cut awa3' from the farms, the stumps have dis- appeared, cultivated fields have taken the place of the wilderness, comfor¬ table farm houses have, in great part, replaced the settlers' cabins, and the aspect of the town is that of a pros¬ perous agricultural communit3^

There are four churches in the town, St. Thomas' Catholic Church, St. John's French Catholic Church, Ger¬ man Evangelical Association, and Lutheran. There are nine school dis¬ tricts, including four joint districts. There are two post offices, Corcoran and Dupont, and two stores.

The township of Hassan is situated in the extreme northwest corner of Hennepin County, being designated by United States survey as township 120, range 23, west. It is bounded on the east by Dajdon, on the north and west by Crow River, and south by Corcoran. It is a fractional township, containing only 17,184 acres. Crow River being the boundary between Hennepin and Wright Counties, cut¬ ting off several sections from the town.

The surface is gently rolling, except in the vicinity of the river, where the acclivities are higher and steeper, the river having worn its way through clay bluffs, which are of considerable height. The whole surface was origi¬ nally covered with a heavy growth of hard wood timber, sugar maple pre¬ dominating, except on a small acreage of sandy, brush, prairie and bottom lands, near the river and marshes and lakes.

The soil is a deep, rich, black loam,, mixed with just enough granitic sand to make it warm and workable, rest¬ ing on a clay sub-soil, and is capable of producing the finest crops of wheat, oats, corn and potatoes, with timothy, clover and other cultivated grasses.

The marshes, or natural meadows, are well distributed, and consist in their wettest parts of a deposit of de¬ cayed aquatic plants and grasses, two or three feet deep, which, after drain¬ ing rapidly, settle and decompose, making the very richest meadows.

There are several lakes, the largest of which is Sylvan, containing about two hundred acres; Parslow and Harry, containing about eighty acres each; besides small ones unnamed. At first settlement, these lakes were stocked with fish, and were the resort of wild geese and ducks in large num¬ bers, which contributed much to the maintenance of the settlers.

The flattest part of town are sections 33, 34 and 35, drained by Rush Creek, which rises in section 33, crosses town line into Corcoran, re-crosses the line into section 35, passing through the east corner of section 36, into Maple Grove. Also a small creek flows out of Parslow Lake and enters Crow River through section 16.

Various kinds of boulders are numerous with other evidences of the drift period, also stone axes, flint arrow heads, and other indications of pre-historic man are often found.

In writing the history of the settle¬ ment of Hassan, commencing in the spring of 1855, 1 shall endeavor to give a faithful pen picture of the first set¬ tlers, how they planted and tended the first crops, the trials and hard¬ ships endured in founding, in the depths of a primeval forest, homes and an organized community, and be¬ came an integral part of Hennepin County. One of the first labors was to build houses of logs and to plant vegetables for their support; another, almost as imperative, was to construct roads of inter-communication and im¬ prove the road via Osseo, by which most of them arrived. Some few of the settlers came by way of the Mis¬ sissippi River to Dayton, the "H. M. Rice" at that time making regular trips to Sauk Rapids, some poling up Crow River in boats.

Most of the first settlers were in the prime of life, some were accustomed to farm work; others had never felled a tree in their lives, and there were thousands to be cut, piled and burned, in order to commence to make a farm. But, as a rule, these tender hands took to the axe manfully, disregarded their blistered hands until they be¬ came hard and calloused, continued the fight until now they have broad and productive fields, self-binders, with other labor-saving machinery, good houses and barns, as a reward for their perseverance and labor. " 'Tis the patient holding out that makes the winner win."

These people were from many lands, Americans, English, Irish, Germans, French, and a few of other nationali¬ ties. The very best feeling and kind¬ ness prevailed. They were, without exception, always ready to help one another in house raising, logging bees, corn husking, or in any emer¬ gency or misfortune. This is one of the most pleasurable recollections of the first settlers. Undoubtedly it lightened the burdens and hardships that all cheerfully endured, and it is the frequent regret in their declining years that this universal friendship does not appear to exist so strongly. The explanation may be, that the necessity does not now exist for those frequent gatherings for mutual help, and families having grown up around them, the home has become the world to them, also with the gradual decline

In 1855, there was a large emigra¬ tion to Minnesota. The demand for food was far in excess of home production of the farmer; this caused the price of all farm products to be very high. The writer paid for the supplies he took with him - flour, $12 per barrel; pork, $28; corn and pota¬ toes, 80 cents per bushel. When they had, with infinite labor, wrested with axe and brand a field large enough to supply home wants and some to sell for the purchase of clothing, and the market had dropped far below the cost of production, if labor was only worth fifty cents per day. The prices at Minneapolis for wheat, that had been threshed and winnowed by hand, was 50 cents per bushel, and pur¬ chasers hard to find at that; corn, 25 cents; pork, $2.50 per hundred; pota¬ toes, 10 cents per bushel, at home, and other products in proportion. It took three days to make a trip to Minne¬ apolis, the roads being so poor that it was impossible to haul a full load. Owing to a financial depression, the very things the settlers needed were high, having to be imported into the State. This almost drove the settlers to despair, some leaving, and greatly retarded the development of the town. The depression did not last long, for prices began to rise, and this infused new hope and renewed energy. Min¬ neapolis was now growing fast; there came a demand for cord wood, to sup¬ ply the cit}'-. A saw mill was estab¬ lished at Dayton, and the Minneapolis and Pacific Railroad was built on the east side of the Mississippi River, so the great growth of valuable timber, that up to this time had hindered the settler, and ^cost so much to remove, as it had to be piled and burned on the ground, became a source of profit, at least sufficient to pay for the clear¬ ing. The axes were plied with re¬ newed vigor, and they were now able to employ cord wood choppers in the winter, so the woods became vocal with the ring of axes, on the sharp frosty air. The farmer, himself, find¬ ing employment hauling the timber, suitable for sawing, to I)a3Ton and Anoka, where there was a market.

The first crops of corn and potatoes were raised without plowing. The removal of the tough, fibrous sod dis¬ closed a fine, rich seed bed, capable of producing fine corn and potatoes. This preparation was usually' done with a hoe. Another plan was to turn furrows, with a plow, four feet apart, and keep clear of weeds between rows with hoes. The surface not having: been compacted with the feet of man or domestic animals, with scarcely any grass, the sod could be rolled back in large masses, like a carpet, shaken, dried and burned, leaving a soil ready to receive the smallest seed, with the further advantage of not being infest¬ ed with common field weeds, which came in profusion later, as the fields became larger, grain of all kinds was sown, and this introduced the weeds. The finest onions I have ever seen in the countj^ were produced in this wa}^. In 1856, Mr. George Biglow imported from Ohio a large number of apple trees. Thej' were planted b}' several parties, great expectations being raised by their vigorous growth, which were doomed to disappointment, as they were all destroyed in a few winters, trees from that latitude being: worthless here. Later, most of the settlers planted the Dutchess, atid various kinds of crab apples, wbich, in some instances, have done fairl3' well, and are vigorous at this time, notably", A.

Stengline, Byron Henry, Mr. Sharver, Horace Hawkins, C. Tucker, Charles Ghostley, Frank Ghostle}" and Mr. Ebner, but time has demonstrated the axiom, "The greater the size, the greater the danger."

The first public road located in Hassan, and known as the Minne¬ apolis and Monticello Road, was surve3^ed by George B. Wright, and locat¬ ed under an act of territorial legisla¬ ture, by H. S. Norton and -

Brown, in 1855. The road, at present, is one of the best that enters the "Big Woods." It traverses the town some¬ what diagonall3^ with the United States surve3^ and cuts the farms up undesirabl3^ but the settlers made little objection to this, preferring to have a direct road to market, land at that time being plent3^ The road passes over what may be called the back bone of the town, on elevated ridges, which afford excellent drain¬ age, the road from C. Stengline's to H. A. Tilton's being the highest land in the county, and from which the light on the electric mast at Minne¬ apolis could be distinctly seen.

In 1856, the Hassan and St. Peter Road was located by Commissioner Norton, starting from Hassan townsite, on Crow River, running parallel with the river, on the west side of the town, thence to St. Peter, via the nar¬ rows, at Minnetonka. This road was never of much importance, and was soon abandoned.

One other road was located b3'^ the Count3' Commissioners, on the line be¬ tween Hassan and Corcoran to Han¬ over. B3' far the most important of these roads is the Minneapolis and

Monticello, which, before the advent of the Manitoba Railroad, had quite a large amount of travel, which is now reduced by elevators having been built on the railroad, and the building of large general stores at St. Michaels and other points. All other roads but these mentioned were located by the town supervisors. Many days' labor were given by the first settlers in clearing and repairing the road to Osseo and Dayton. For some reason, the County Commissioners failed for many years to appropriate money to improve and repair this important thoroughfare, but it is satisfactory to note that they have somewhat made amends for this neglect, in recent years.

In April, 1855, the writer, in com¬ pany with H. C. Parslow, first pene¬ trated the "Big Woods," and was much surprised to find so fine a body of timber, never before having been in a primeval forest. They entered from Osseo, there being at that time two houses at the entrance to the woods, Peter Bottineau and J. Brown's. From here, the road led in a northwesterly direction, across the town of Maple Grove, to the Dayton town line, avoid¬ ing obstructions, swamps and ridges, and was fairly passable for teams up to William Evans', which was the first house from Mr. Brown's. Mr. Evans had built a substantial house, that spring, of hewed logs, on a bluff near Rush Creek, to which house, and Mr. Evans' hospitality, many belated trav¬ elers were indebted for food and shel¬ ter. From this point, the road degen¬ erated into little better than a cattle track, with plenty of axe blazes on the trees, each side, to point the way. The road having been cut in the winter for sleds, by George and A. Biglow, but it still required the free use of an axe to get a wagon and team through. From Mr. Evans' to the Biglow settlement, on a small brush prairie near Crow River, in the northwest corner of Hassan, we found an unbroken solitude, relieved only by glimpses of quiet lakes, the antics of the red squirrel or chipmunk, and the occasional cry of a goose or duck. We found that George and A. Biglow and C. Woodman had already built houses, and that A. Borthwick, H. Hicks and Ambrose Goodboo, had made a settlement, the previous season, on Crow River, in section 1. William Ward, Benjamin Wrigfht and William Dixon were building houses near the river, above Biglow Prairie. H. S. Norton had made his claim on the river bottom, where there was a good water power. At this time, the township had not been subdivided, and Mr. Norton, for the convenience of intending settlers, ran a line with a pocket compass from township line to section 16, so as to locate the school section, and assisted H. C. Parslow and the writer in run¬ ning out their claims. As all the measurements were done by pacing, it was remarkable how near these lines corresponded with the United States survey, when made. Mr. Pars¬ low and self settled on their claims. May 12, 1855, and commenced clearing so as to raise a crop of potatoes and vegetables, as they expected a num¬ ber of families to join them from England, during the summer. As the Messrs. Biglow had taken prairie partly covered with brush, they were able to raise corn and potatoes the first season, and found a ready market for their surplus to the fast incoming people.

building up homes. Many have quietly passed over the silent river, leaving their descendants to enjo3^the fruits of their persistent labor. Death has, in the space of thirtj^-seven years, made great gaps in the ranks of those who, at the period of the first settle¬ ment, were in the meridian of life.

Name. Sec Name, Sec

In 1856, H. S. Norton, having a fine water power on Crow River, deter¬ mined to laj' out a town, liaving inter¬ ested some Minneapolis capitalists in the project. A survey and plat was made, streets and squares were cleared and named, and a fine presentation made of the advantages of the new town. So many^ towns of like char¬ acter were started at this time, the sale of lots was small, so the scheme re¬ sulted in a dismal failure, the incom¬ ing people preferring to rely upon farming.

The first school was opened in 1857, by- Miss Sarah Ward, in a log house, near a small lake on the St. Peter Road, in section 19. Miss Helen Til¬ ton opened the next school, on the Minneapolis and Monticello Road, in section 26. These buildings have long since passed away-, givitig place to snhstantial frame buildings. There are, at present, five school districts, located as follows: District 68, in sec¬ tion 35; district 69, section 24; district

70, section 11; district 72, section 19; district 73, section 21. These schools are well attended, the young people displaying now, as always, a commend¬ able zeal in getting an education, many having become proficient teach¬ ers.

The first birth in the town was a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. George Big¬ low, soon after their arrival, who died in a short time, making the first birth and death.

The first marriage occurred in 1856; that of Charles Tucker and Miss Elizabeth Hawkins, the ceremony be¬ ing performed by Rev. J. S. Chamberlain.

St. John's Episcopal Church. - The meeting to organize this church was held at the house of Septimus Parslow, on Easter Monday, A. D. 1857, the Rev. J. S. Chamberlain presiding, and the following officers were elected: Septimus Parslow, warden; Charles Tucker, j unior warden ; J. S. Hawkins, C. J. Parslow and Thomas Oldland, vestrymen; S. Parslow, treasurer; J. S. Hawkins, clerk. Previous to this time, the Rev. J. S. Chamberlain held services at Mr. Parslow's house, the services being well attended. Mr. Chamberlain decided to build a church edifice. A gentleman in New York City donated $600 for that pur¬ pose, and the ladies of Trinity Church, New York City, presented the com¬ munion service and vestments, and Mr. S. Parslow deeded five acres of land for church purposes. The corner stone was laid by Bishop Kemper, of Wisconsin, May, 1858. On February, 20, 1864, the church was consecrated by Bishop Whipple, Dr. D. B. Knickerbacker. Rev. Spor, Rev. Risser, as¬ sisting. Mr. S. Parslow was appointed lay reader, by Bishop Whipple. The church is located on the Minneapolis and Monticello Road, between Mr. S. Parslow's house and the town hall, in section 21. At present, the Rev. F. R. Millspaugh is rector, and holds monthly services.

The cemetery is near the church, with some fine maple trees standing, making a peaceful shade for this ham¬ let of the dead. There have been about forty interments.

The Catholic Church of St. Walburga. - This church was organized in 1857, by Father Dametreus Moragua, O. S. B., John Fehu, Peter Hagle, William Bennett, John Temple, Con¬ rad Fehu, A. Stengline, Jacob Weber and others. Services were held in a log building, on the land of John Fehu, just over the town line, in Corcoran, for several years.

This society, in 1883, built a commo¬ dious church, on the Minneapolis and Monticello Road, at intersection of the Dayton and Corcoran Road, on land donated by A. Stengline; also a rec¬ tory, in 1884, and a parochial school house in the following year. First priest in charge of new church. Rev. Magnus M. Mayr, O. S. B.

The church and other buildings being situated on a high ridge, be¬ come a conspicuous land mark for a long distance, and do great credit to the liberality and spirit of the mem¬ bers, and are of such a character as would be creditable to any town. The cemetery is adjacent.

In 1857; the grasshoppers came in great numbers, depositing their eggs, which hatched the next spring. The clearing being small and surrounded by standing timber, they threatened to entirely destroy the crops. The hoppers daily tried to escape on the ground, to new pastures, over the roads leading from the clearings, but not succeeding, returned and roosted on the wheat and corn. After they began to fly, the3^ took daily flights, until one daj^ the whole bod^^ disap¬ peared, leaving onlj' the maimed ones behind, to the great relief of the peo¬ ple, who had feared their crops would be destro3'ed.

Mr. John Temple brought the first threshing machine, a two-horse tread power, into town, which was generalU' kept running well into the winter, having no competition.

The first election held in the town was in the spring of 1858, at the house of H. S. Norton, at Hassan townsite, for the purpose of electing a delegate to the State Constitutional Conven¬ tion, to frame the Constitution, A. B. Coombs being elected. This was the first time maii}^ of the residents had exercised the right of voting.

I'he next meeting was held at the house of H. C. Parslow, in 1858, for the purpose of naming the town. Pre¬ vious to this time, the residents had sent a petition to Washington for the establishment of a post route and post office, and the town in this was called Hassan. A number at this meeting objected to this name, pro¬ posing the name of Iro on account of its brevity. Those in favor of Hassan replied that Hassan was known in Washington, that there were associa¬ tions clustering around the name, it being the Indian name for Crow, the town being situated in the Crow River Valley, also a common name in the orient. So Hassan was adopted.

The next meeting was held April 3d, 1860, under the Township Organiza¬ tion Act, at the house of H. C. Parslow, to elect town officers, which resulted in the election of the following: Gid¬

The breaking out of the war of the rebellion was detrimental to the de¬ velopment of the town, 1)3" reason of so many men in the prime of man¬ hood, whose strong arms were needed in clearing the forest, enlisting, no less than nine 3"oung men enlisting in the First Minnesota Tnfantr3", and eight in the Ninth Regiment, Has¬ san contributing thirty-six volunteers for the task of suppressing the rebel¬ lion, This is a grand record, and shows the town was not deficient in patriotism, and will compare favorabl3" with an3" communit3" in the State, when the population is taken into account.

The Indian outbreak, August, 1862, created a great panic in the town; in¬ deed, it was general in the county, and caused a stampede to Minneapo¬ lis. The settlers, over the river in Wright County, first were alarmed, rumors having reached them of the outbreak, and, fires having broke out in their vicinity, they immediately imagined the Indians were upon them, left their homes in haste, crossed the river, into Hassan, and quickly communicated the panic on their route through the town. The writer, carrying a child, and encourag¬ ing the others with small children, set out on the road to Minneapolis, the number of fugitives increasing as they advanced, until they arrived at Mr. Tilton's, who had his oxen hitched to a cart with a hay rack, and was about to start with his family. This afforded a conveyance which was gladly accepted, Mr. Tilton remaining to secure some valuables. The writer started with the load of women and children, which soon amounted to thirty-three in number, to Osseo, meantime debating whether this was displaying that part of valor that be¬ came a soldier, having enlisted a few days previous, but decided that it was duty to carry these helpless ones to a place of safety. The families of A. B. Coombs, G. Jackins, William Ward and A. Hoag, did not take part in this exodus, but gathered together at Cap¬ tain John Jackins', for mutual protec¬ tion, and with perfect safety, as was soon discovered. Some four years previous to this, a large war party of Chippewas passed through the town, killing some cattle, and otherwise alarming the people. They were on their way to attack the Sioux, at Shakopee, where they were defeated. The first settlers found ample evi¬ dence of the recent occupation of the Indians, in tepee-'poles left standing, the bones of deer and the shells of the big mud turtle lying around their camps. This was particularly notice¬ able near Lake Harrj^ where a fine canoe and paddles were found, the canoe being in existence at this time.

Hassan Post Office was established in June, 1866. Mr. S. Parslow, post¬ master, has held his commission con¬ tinuously until 1892, resigning on ac¬ count of advanced age. Mail first carried through, July 4, 1866, by Mr. Payson, contractor.

The farming of Hassan is a mixed husbandry, the rearing of horses, sheep and cattle, and the production of various kinds of grain. Some of the largest producers of grain, at this time, are M. Mackey, H. Hawkins, J. Weber, Mortimer Hynes, Thomas Rogers, Michael Fox and Henry and Herman Berning, Horatio Hawkins annuall}^ stall feeding about fifteen steers.

The Osseo and St. Cloud branch of the Manitoba Railroad, opened in 1881, has proved of great benefit, adding at least twenty-five per cent, to the value of land, and furnishing a home mar¬ ket for cord wood. At Roger's Siding an elevator is built, where wheat and all kinds of grain are bought, and a

Deer were ver^' numerous in the earl}' da3's, venison being much val¬ ued as a change from salt pork, that being the meat largel}' used. Mr. Sennear killed twent3'-three in the season of 1864. Such indiscriminate slaughter almost exterminated them. Strange to sa}', the wolves and foxes are far more numerous than formerl}^.

The founding of a communit}' hav¬ ing been imperfectl}' traced, it will be interesting to note how these people from many lands have become Ameri¬ canized b}' association in business and other relations, b}' town meetings and a voice in their management, by sitting on juries in the District Court, by the attendance of the 3'outh at the district school, and above all, in the ownership of their farms; prejudices have been removed, old habits of thought forgotten, and have become almost homogeneous and are proud to be called citizens of the great repub¬ lic.

The farmer has disadvantages to contend with that are hard to over¬ come, namel}^, geographic and cli¬ matic. The geographic is the great distance the surplus wheat, corn, etc., have to be carried to a foreign market, which, unfortunately, determines the price of the great bulk sold at home. This condition is passing awa}', inas¬ much as population will increase fast¬ er than the production, the surplus will be required in the United States, and exportation will cease, except in big crop 3'ears, then the farmer must, in a measure, set the [)rice.

The climatic is a vigorous climate in winter, lateness of season of pro¬ duction, consequent loss of the earl}' market, which is the most profitable. Notwithstanding this, the rich, cheap land and labor saving machiner}' enahle tlie industrious, energetic farmer, who practices econoni}' on ever}' hand, to steadily improve his position. This is abundantly proven by passing through the town and noting the commodious houses and barns, with the general air of prosperity evident, and the comforts and conveniences, with some elegancies of the city. This after thirty-five years' endeavor, in most instances without capital to start with, is convincing. There has nev'er been a failure of crops in this section, the soil being deep and hav¬ ing so much fine vegetable matter, it can withstand the lack of moisture better than a lighter soil. Land has steadily increased in value, until now, farms in good cultivation are worth from $25 to $50 per acre, and are a safe investment. The " Big Woods " in the near future will supply Minneapolis with milk, butter and cheese; the soil is admirably adapted for this industry on a large scale; the only thing lack¬ ing is cheap, rapid communication, which will soon come with an electric road, which would double the present value of land in a short time.

To those settlers who, for thirtyseven years, have been a part of the history of Hassan, to whom an ex¬ tended notice is due, but space for¬ bids, who now are pausing on life's shores, may your declining years be like your own peaceful autumn scen¬ ery of shaven fields, well filled barns and those glorious tints of the forest trees, is the cordial wish of the writer.

Dayton is situated in the extreme northern part of Hennepin County, and consists of all but the east tier of sections of township 120, range 22, and of about two hundred ten acres of township 121, range 22. Its bounda¬ ries are formed by the Crow and Mis¬ sissippi Rivers on the north, which also separate it from Wright and Anoka Counties, by Champlin on the east. Maple Grove on the south, and by Hassan and Crow River on the west.

Its surface is rolling and in some places quite hilly, especially along the Mississippi River, in sections 4, 5 and 6, where there are high bluffs, which afford splendid views of the surround¬ ing country. In the southwest corner of section 8, on farm owned by Henry Dahlheimer, is a sand hill, which is the highest point of land in the town.

Dayton was originally heavily tim¬ bered with maple, oak, elm and bass¬ wood, except in the northeastern part, where there is a small prairie and some oak openings. The town formed a part of the original "Big Woods" of Minnesota.

Diamond Lake, in sections 17 and 18, is the largest body of water in the town. The next in size are French Lake, in sections 19 and 30, and Hay¬ den's Lake, in section 26. The smaller lakes are Goose Lake, in section 35,

A small stream, never honored with a name, the outlet of Diamond and French Lakes, crosses the town in a southeasterly direction and empties into Hayden's Lake.

Rush Creek, coming in from Maple Grove, unites with Elm Creek, in sec¬ tion 34, and it also flows into Hayden's Lake; the outlet of Hayden's Lake forms the Elm Creek that mingles its waters with the Mississippi, at Cham¬ plin.

There are a number of natural meadows scattered through the town, which have afforded good hay for the farmers' stock, from the first settle¬ ment to the present time.

Settlements. Paul Godine and Isaiah Cowet were the first perman¬ ent settlers of Dayton. They came here in Jul}'^, 1852, and settled on sec¬ tion 5, where Mr. Godine still resides, though past his three score and ten years. He is of French descent, and in an early day, was a man of considera¬ ble notoriety, among the Indians and earlier settlers. He kept a trading post and stopping place for travelers and claim hunters. The accommoda¬ tions of the bar, and his wife's cook¬ ing, brought them a great deal of cus¬ tom. Mr. and Mrs. Godine had twenty children, ten of whom are now living. Mr. Cowet lived here a few years, then moved into Wright County.

To 1 1 Nship His Tor 1

and built a small cabin on it. The village of Dayton now stands on that claim. The same year, E. H. Robin¬ son, a native of Gardiner, Maine, came to Daj'ton, with a small stock of goods. He secured the use of Veine's cabin, for a store, and commenced trading with the Indians. In the spring of 1854, he purchased Veine's claim, and Mr. Veine left Dayton.

The next year, Mr. Robinson sold John Baxter, now a resident of Minne¬ apolis, one-half interest in his store, Mr. Baxter taking land adjoining Mr. Robinson's. The same year they sold one-half interest in the land and water power, to Lyman Dayton, of St. Paul.

Mr. Robinson was an energetic and public spirited man, and was promi¬ nently identified with the welfare of the town. He has helped to build three saw mills, two of which were burned, and the other was moved away, and was always willing, with jDurse and hand, to help build roads, bridges, school houses, or anything for the good of the town. Mr. Robin¬ son is now a resident of California, though he still owns a large interest in Dayton.

In 1854, James Haseltine and George Mosier, built a hotel on the bank of the Mississippi. It was not a success, as a business venture, and changed hands several times, and, in 1861, was moved up on the main street of the village. After the war, it was pur¬ chased by George Slater, who occu¬ pied it as a hotel, until it was burned down, in 1888. Mr. Slater came to Da5'ton, in 1856, and was a very suc¬ cessful hunter, until the deer became a thing of the past.

In the fall of 1854, Daniel Lavallee, Anthony Gelinas, Louis Bebault, Moses and Joel Dejarlais, Michael Dubaj^, and others, took up land around French Lake; they built their log houses and moved their families here the following spring.

The first claim hunters found a dead Indian on the shore of French Lake, and called it Dead Indian Lake, but it soon took its name from the French settlement around it.

The same 3^ear, Samuel Reams came from West Virginia, to Dayton, lived there a short time, then took a claim one mile from the village of Dajdon, in Wright Count3% and lived there until he died, in 1890, at the age of one hundred three 3"ears.

When one hundred 3^ears old, he would walk to the village of Da3don, talk with parties around the store a while, and walk home. We believe he never saw George Washington, but his reminiscences of old times were ver3'^ interesting.

W. T. Bowen, now of Minneapolis, settled on the prairie, in the north¬ eastern part of the town, in April, 1854 ; his father came in the fall of the same 3"ear, and settled on a claim near him, thus giving it the name by whicb it is now called, of Bowen's Prairie.

In 1854, M. F. Ta3dor and three oth¬ ers came in from Anoka and marked out a mile scpiare of land, L'ing in sections 16 and 21, as their claim. The west line of their land was less than one-half mile from Diamond Lake, but they did not know there was a lake an3' where near.

Mr. Taylor was the 01113^ one of the four that ever improved his claim. He moved on to it in the spring of 1855, and still lives there, owning nearl3" three hundred acres of the mile scpiare they marked out in 1854. He

Dr. L. Bistedeau came to Dayton, from St. Paul, in June, 1855. He was a graduate of the Quebec Medical Board of Examiners, and he has been the only practicing ph3^sician in the town for thirty-seven jj-ears. He has raised a family of fifteen living chil¬ dren, thus setting a good example, which was exceedingly well followed by the early settlers.

Early in 1855, A. C. Kimball settled on the north shore of Diamond Lake, in sections 7 and 8. Mr. Kimball was an active worker in building up the town, and was first Chairman of Supervisors, and until he moved out of the town, in 1884, he was one of the town officers most of the time.

The year 1856 witnessed the largest emigration into the town, and a larger proportion of them became per¬ manent settlers than of those that had come in previous years. The most prominent of these were Neil and Alexander McNeil, F. G. Laflin, A. D. Purmort, W. P. Ives and George Slater.

Many of these settlers brought stock, teams and farm implements, and the era of farming was fairly be¬ gun. Considerable land was broken up, and the crops looked nice, but in August the grasshoppers came and destroyed nearly ever3''thing. They also hurt the crops some in the next year, but have done no damage since.

From 1855 to '61, there was a good deal of steamboat travel on the upper Mississippi, and DajTon an important landing place; one steamboat was built there. In 1857, Lyman Daj'ton became interested in the water power at the Falls of Pokegama, and com¬ menced to build a boat, at Da3Ton, to transfer freight to that place; but the crash of 1858-9 put a quietus to the undertaking, and the boat was never finished, and had it been com¬ pleted would not have been very ser¬ viceable, as it was about seventy-five feet long and only ten feet wide.

In 1855, five families came from Pennsylvania and settled in sections 31 and 32. Onl3^ one of them sta3'ed to make any permanent improve¬ ments; that one was Allen Kerr, who lived on his claim until his death, in 1873, at the age of eight3^-three years.

The first death was a Mr. Twombly, in 1856, who was killed by the falling of a limb from a tree. The second was John Davis, who was drowned in Diamond Lake, June 2d, 1857. Two weeks later. Job Green, an old man, died, and was buried by the roadside, just out of the village. The writer, then a young man, from the East, at¬ tended the funeral. There was no minister and no singing. Daniel Her¬ rick, now of Clearwater, read a short prayer and made a few remarks. It was so different from anything he had ever seen, that it will always be re¬ membered. Mr, Green's body was afterwards taken up and buried in the cemetery.

In the winter of 1855-6, J. B. Hinkley was appointed Justice of the Peace by the Territorial Legislature. He issued the warrant for the arrest of Mr. Dick¬ ens, the murderer of a Mrs. Hathawa3", in the adjoining town of Hassan. Mr. Dickens was arrested, but escaped from jail and fled to Illinois, where he committed another murder, for which he was hung.

Francis Thornd3'ke was a member of the Territorial Legislature, in 185H, being the first one - north of Minneap¬ olis - to hold that office in this count3^

In 1855, the citizens petitioned for a post office, which was granted, and Hon. John Baxter appointed postmas¬ ter. Dame rumor sa3"s he kept the post office in a shoe box. He was suc¬ ceeded, in 1856, b3^ J. B. Hinkle3^ and he, in 1859, b3" R. R. Hurlburt.

The first school was taught b3^ Miss C3mthia Slau3'ter, in the summer of 1857. She commenced her school in a vacant house, on the west side of Crow River, but high water carried off the bridge, and her school was moved to Mr. Hinkle3"'s residence, and later to an empt3^ house of Mr. Bax¬ ter's.

The same summer, Augusta Davis (now Mrs. Oscar McConnell, of St. Cloud), then living with her mother, at Diamond Lake, took possession of a vacant claim shant3", and with the assistance of A. E. Kimball and other settlers, extemporized some seats and taught a private school. In 1859, Miss S3dvia Roe taught the first school in what is now district 36. These schools were first organized under the terri¬ torial law, but in the winter of 1859-60, were re-organized under the State law. The first school in Da3Ton Vil¬ lage, under this law, was taught by Thomas McLeod, in the winter of 1859-60, in a vacant store, owned b3" E. B. Ames, now of Minneapolis. This building was used for a school room until 1868, when the pi'esent building was erected. A portion of the coun¬ ties of Wright, Sherburne and Anoka are included in this district. At the present time, there are five full dis¬ tricts, 36, 37, 38, 40 and 41, and the joint districts of 39 and 42. They all have comfortable buildings, and are well furnished with aids, for help of both teacher and scholars.

Villages. In 1855, Charles A3ffit laid out and platted about one hundred twent3' acres on the west side of Crow River, but it never flourished. The same 3'ear, Robinson and Baxter plat¬ ted the present village, and called it Portland. L3mian Da3don platted eight3' acres south of the present vilage,'but vacated it the same year, and purchased of Robinson and Baxter an undivided half in their town. The3" then had it replatted, making the lots one-eighth of an acre, just one-half their first size.

During the years of 1855-6, there was considerable excitement regard¬ ing a name for their town, the citizens who had come from Maine wishing to call it Portland, while Mr. Da3don and his party wished it called Dayton. In 1857, there was a meeting called, and after a good deal of "log rolling" on both sides, the Da3Ton party proved the stronger, thus giving the village the name of Dayton.

During the year 1857, a 3'oung man came to Dayton, and, after looking the prospects over, concluded to "jump" Mr. Da3Ton's eight3^ acres, south of the village, as Mr. Da3Ton had a man holding it for him. So he went to Anoka and bought the lumber for a good sized house, for those da3"S, and hired it hauled on to the land, also hired men to help him build his house. In the meantime, he had cut down a few trees. They got the frame partly up the first da3'; that night it was pushed over; nothing daunted, he went to work the next da3^, got the frame all up and stayed it well, then left for the night. At the time, Mr. Dayton had nearly one hundred men at work on his mill and dam. That night, a number of the men took his ox teams, went to the house, took it all down and hauled it over the river, to Mr. Dayton's log barn, from which they removed the hay roof, placed the lumber on it, then replaced the hay roof. It was an all night's job, and some of the men did very little the next day, but according to the recol¬ lection of the writer, when pay day came, they had lost no time. The young man, on going back to his work and finding neither a board or piece of timber, returned to the vil¬ lage, paid his board, shook the dust of the town from his feet, and departed, never to return. Several of Mr. Day¬ ton's men had claims near the vil¬ lage, and the young man's lumber helped to build a number of claim shanties.

Mills. In the summer of 1856, E. H. Robinson and John Baxter built a steam saw mill just below the mouth of Crow River, the first in the town. The same year, Mr. Dayton bought the water power of Baxter and Robin¬ son, and commenced to build a dam on the same, on Crow River. He was not endowed with a very mild disposi¬ tion, and was rather unfortunate in his selection of superintendents, or in agreeing with them ; so it was five years, with an expenditure of over fifty thousand dollars, before the dam was completed. Neil McNeil, who came here in 1856, was finally put in charge, and finished the dam, having charge of Mr. Dayton's interests, in Dayton, for several years. In 1861, Mr. Frank Weitzel bought a half inter¬ est in the water power, and built a flour mill - three run custom mill. In

1874, he built a new merchant mill, with five run of stone; it was 35x65, having three stories and a basement. In 1878, Mr. Weitzel sold a half inter¬ est to Mr. W. F. Hurlburt, and, the same year, his remaining interest to R. R. Hurlburt. The next year they built an addition to the mill, 20x50, with two runs, for custom. They failed, in 1888, and the mill came into the possession of J. H. Ebner, and was burned down the next year. Since then, there has been no mill in Dayton, the timber is all cut off, so there is no hardwood timber to saw. In the spring of 1866, there were over sixty thousand maple trees tapped, for mak¬ ing maple sugar; the writer took pains to ascertain this at the town meeting. Now there are four small camps, and less than two thousand trees tapped.

Religious Services and Churches. In the summer of 1855, Rev. Went¬ worth Hayden held religious services, at the house of J. B. Hinckley; the same year Rev. David Brooks held services there.

A French Catholic missionary is said to have held mass and religious services at the house of Paul Godine, in the fall of 1855, but we have been unable to get his name.

The French Catholic Church was organized in the winter of 1856-57, and the following spring they built a church, on Paul Godine's farm, in sec¬ tion 5. Father Jennis officiated at its organization ; he had charge of the missions at Dayton and Osseo.

A number of French bought small pieces of land near the church, of irregular shape, and very vague de¬ scriptions ; some of these are on the assessment books at this date. The description in one deed reads as fol¬ lows: "Beginning in the center of the road, near the Catholic church." An¬ other, " Beginning in the center of the road opposite the front door of Dr. L. Bistedeau's house." In 1865, the so¬ ciety commenced the erection of a larger church, in the village, complet¬ ing it in 1866. It is 50x75 feet. In 1891, they built a nice parsonage, for the priest, at a cost of some three thousand dollars. Father Andre has been located here for the last three 3^ears, and is well liked by the church, and the people at large. The society consists of about one hundred twentyfive families.

The German Bvangelists have a church, on the east line of the town, in section 35. This society consists of some forty families, living in Dayton, Champlin, Maple Grove and Brook-

Roads. The river road, so called, followed the Indian trail the Winnebagoes had from where Dayton vil¬ lage now is, to Champlin, and, pre¬ sumably, it was part of their trail to Fort Snelling, the early settlers cut¬ ting it out and improving it for a road. In 1859, \V. W. Cate, W. T. Bowen and Julius LeCroix, supervisors of the town, on petition of the settlers, laid it out as a town road. A few years later, the County Commissioners laid out a county road, from Minneapolis to DajTon Village, over the same road.

In the fall of 1855, Pierre Bottineau and two others, who were appointed commissioners b3' the Territorial Legislature, survej^ed a road from Minneapolis, through what are nowthe Towns of Crystal Lake, Brooklyn, Bottineau Prairie, the north part of Maple Grove, and south part of Daj'- ton, thence to Monticello. This sur¬ vey did not suit the settlers, and the Legislature, of 1856, appointed three commissioners to lay out a road from Minneapolis to Monticello, via Botti¬ neau Prairie and the townsite of Hassan. None of the commissioners appointed in the act served, but ap¬ pointed as substitutes, George B. Wright, H. S. Norton and Ariel S. Bigelow, who laid out the present, or, the so called Territorial Road, from Minneapolis to Monticello. This road passes through sections 31 and 32, of Dayton. In 1870, the legality of the road was questioned, and the Commis¬ sioners relaid it. The Hennepin County Commissioners carried the chain themselves, to save expenses to the countj^. This road has, probably, the most travel of any road in Henne¬ pin County. In 1859-60, the Dayton and Shakopee Road was laid out, in¬ tending to follow the town line be¬ tween the towns of DajTon and Hassan, on the north, and Maple Grove and Corcoran on the south. This road was a good deal of benefit, especially to Da3Ton Village. The Maple Grove and Champlin Road was laid out by the County Commissioners, in 1859, running north from Maple Grove, be¬ tween sections 33 and 34, 28 and 27, to the center of section 22, thence east to Champlin. It was then heavily tim¬ bered, with a few shanties scattered along ; now it is ver3' thickl3^ settled, good farms, and farm buildings. The citizens of the town take considerable pride in their roads, and, considering the difficulties they have had to over¬ come, have accomplished a great deal, and claim that the3^ raise a larger amount annuall3q for road purposes, than an3'' other town of near the same property valuation. There are several other roads of minor importance in the town.

Bridges. The old bridge, across Crow River, at Dayton Village, was built, in 1857, by subscription, and was used until 1868, when a new one be¬ came necessary.

March 3d, 1869, the legislature passed an act for the building of a new bridge, under the supervision of the County Commissioners of Hennepin and Wright Counties. The provisions of the act were that each count3^ should pay three-tenths and the towns of Otsego, Wright County, and Dayton, Hennepin County, each two-tenths of the cost. The towns were very much dissatisfied with the act and Dayton contested its legality. The case was carried from the District Court to the Supreme Court, back to the District Court, and to the Supreme Court again, costing the town some three thousand dollars on a seven hundred fifty dollar bond. In fact, the con¬ tractor offered to settle for three hundred fifty dollars. In 1878, Frank Weitzel, then proprietor of the grist mill on Crow River, built a bridge across the river, on Dayton Avenue, some four blocks above the present bridge, and, at a special town meeting, the town voted to give him six hun¬ dred dollars. The meeting was not legally called and the town officers refused to issue the bonds. It was brought up again at the regular town meeting and voted down. The bridge was not a very substantial structure, and in a few j^ears dropped into the river. In 1885, the two counties built a bridge on Robinson Street, which is the main street of the village.

In 1873, a town house was built, in the southern part of section 17. It is twenty by thirty feet, and has lately been repaired and fitted up to conform to the rules of the Australian ballot system. Previous to the building of the town house, the town meetings were held in the school houses through the town, and no political issue could draw the crowd off from the question: Where should they hold the next town meeting.

War. The citizens of Daj'ton, though largely of foreign descent, were quite patriotic in the time of re¬ bellion. Sixt3^-five responded to the call of President Lincoln for troops. Twelve of them re-enlisted. Thirteen others, with Neil McNeil as their leader, volunteered to fight the In¬ dians, joining Captain Strout's com¬ mand, Company B, Ninth Minnesota Infantr3^ and took an active part in the battle of Acton. Mr. McNeil and his squad practically covered the retreat from Acton, and were the last to leave the field, September 3d, 1862. During the retreat, Mr. McNeil was wounded in the left arm, above the elbow, but with his arm in a sling, he took charge of a squad of men, the next day, at the battle of Hutchinson, and continued in active service for a few days, until immediate danger was over, when his arm became so inflamed there was danger of losing it, and he was sent home, his wound laying him up for the winter. Mr. McNeil took a good team of horses with him, which were killed at the battle of Acton. He re¬ ceived from the government, in pay for them, just two-thirds their cost.

Volunteers To Fight Indians

Organization. Champlin and r)a3'- ton were first organized as the town of Marshall, in 1858. The meeting to organize was held in Champlin, Maj" 11th, 1858, and the following officers were elected; Supervisors, A. C. Kim¬ ball, Chairman; \V. H. Bd wards and J. D. Herve^^; Town Clerk, John Bax¬ ter; Assessor, J. M. Thompson; Col¬ lector, \V. P. Ives; Overseer of the Poor, Daniel Fife; Justices of the Peace, D. L. Herrick and Alvah Hills; Constables, Joseph Downs and A. M. Kimball. Under the law then, the chairmen of the town supervisors of each town were the Count\' Commis¬ sioners, and formed what was facetiousK" termed, Hennepin Legislature. Thej' divided the town of i^Iarshall, forming the towns of Champlin and Da3'ton. These Commissioners, when at work for the count3", received three dollars per da3G in countv orders, then worth from fort3' to fift3' cents on a dollar, so our Commissioner's wages did not pa3" his board.

Official Roster for 1892. The present town officers are: Supervis¬ ors, Neil McNeil, Chairman; John Dahlheimer and Moses Leger; Town Clerk, Alexander McNeil; Assessor, C. E. Evans; Treasurer, Henry Dahl¬ heimer; Justices of the Peace, C. E. Evans and S. Slosson ; Constables, Norman Guimont and George C. Evans.

The people of the town are very steady minded, and not much given to change. With the exception of one Justice of the Peace, and the Con¬ stable, there has been no change in the town board for six years. Mr. Dalheimer has been Treasurer for twenty-three years; M. F. Taylor was Assessor eighteen years, and refused to hold it any longer; Neil McNeil, Chairman of Supervisors fourteen years; C. E. Evans, Justice of the Peace, eighteen years. Since the organization of the town, thirty-four years ago, there has been but four different ones Treasurer, and five as Assessors.

The village of Dayton has three stores, two blacksmith shops, two car¬ penter shops, two saloons, a wagon shop, one undertaker, feed mill, brick yard and post office.

Maple Grove Station, on the Osseo branch of the Great Northern Rail¬ road, is just out of Maple Grove, on section 32, in the town of Dayton, where the railroad crosses the Minne¬ apolis and Monticello Road.

The town has 14,811 acres of land with an assessed valuation of some $200,000, and $72,000 personal property, with a population of 1,088, in 1890.

This township is located in the northeastern part of the county, on the Mississippi Kiver, which forms its north and east boundary line; on the south lie Brookl3ui and Maple Grove, and on the west, Dayton. It is a frac¬ tional township, containing only 5,310 acres. The northeastern portion, along the river, was covered with a growth of light timber, much of which still stands, to lend beauty to the land¬ scape. Tlie central and southern por¬ tions are prairie, of a light but produc¬ tive soil. The southwestern part extends into what was once the "Big Woods," but has been largely cleared of timber, and now contains our rich¬ est farms.

This town has no large lakes; Leeman Lake, in section 25, and Bond Lake, in section 36, are the only two bodies of water wholly within the township. Haj'den Lake is largel3^ in Da3don, but extends a short distance into Champlin, on the west, and Goose Lake, in the southwest corner, and lying partl3'- in Da3Ton and Maple Grove. Elm Creek flows through Ha3'den Lake and across the northern part of the town, empt3dng into the Mississippi River, just below the vil¬ lage. This creek affords a small water power.

Early Settlement. In 1852, Charles Miles took the first claim in what is now Champlin, and built his house near the bank of the river, a few rods below the mouth of Elm Creek.

In 1853, Joseph B. and Augustus Holt made claims where the villaare now is. Augustus Holt erected the first frame house in the village, dur¬ ing that summer. John K. Pike and Richard M. Lowell located above the village, on the river, but Mr. Lowell soon sold his claim to Mr. Stevens, and afterwards located in section 30. Mr. Stevens and Benjamin E. Messer erected houses on their claims, this 3"ear. Rev. Lewis Atkinson and Wil¬ liam Milhollin settled in section 33. Colby Emery selected the farm he still resides on, in section 30, during that year. Stephen Howes located in section 29, and Hiram Smith made his claim on the south line of the town. John Shumway and Robert H. Miller settled above the village, this year, and Job Keniston took a claim on the prairie, below the village.

In 1854, Daniel W. and Horace Mc¬ Laughlin and W. W. Cate took claims on the prairie, below the vil¬ lage. Rev. Wentworth Ha3^den settled in section 24, near the lake which bears his name. Samuel Colburn also arrived this 3"ear. James McCatui built a log house, on the north bank of Elm Creek. This led to a contest be¬ tween him and Charles Miles, as to the ownership of the water power. The case was carried to the general land office, at Washington, where it was decided in favor of Mr. Miles. Mr. McCann then built a frame house, a little further up the river, in section

19, but soon after went to Anoka to re¬ side, where he engaged in the manu¬ facture of lumber, and died, in Febru¬ ary, 1883. Mr. Miles removed to Minneapolis, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1878. John I. Giddings made a claim on the northeast quarter of section 25. Ben¬ jamin Bond, James D. Herve3^ Charles B. Hale, Henry L. Cheever and E. B. Lowell, all took claims in the southern part of the town, this 3^ear, and Francis Thornd3dce settled on the river, above the village.

During the 3^ear 1855, John D. Hank and David S. McConnell located on the river, below the creek, and Samuel D. Leeman settled in section 25, near the lake named for him. John Martin ar¬ rived in Ma3^, and bought John I. Bid¬ ding's claim, in section 25. Alvah Hills and his son, George A. Hills, settled. May 10th, 1855, in section 31. Fredolin Zopfi, James W. Dyson, Wil¬ liam Davenport and Terrance Don nell3'' settled between Ha3^den and Leeman Lakes.

In 1856, John Stockton arrived and bought the Stevens farm, which is still owned and occupied by his widow, Mrs. Catherine Stockton. Mr. Stockton died in June, 1881.

James H. Trussell settled first in Brooklyn, in 1855, but came to Champlin, in 1857, and bought the farms of D3^son and Davenport, where he still resides.

Early Incidents. The first birth in the township, was a child, to Mr. and Mrs. Stevens. The second birth, was a daughter, to Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Holt.

The first school was taught by Miss Emily Thorndyke (now Mrs. S. O. Lum, of Minneapolis), in a shanty erected for that purpose, near the west line of the town, in the summer of 1855. The second school was taught by Miss Mary Nelson (now Mrs. G. G. Crowell, of Anoka), in the same place.

The earl3^ settlers found the Winne¬ bago Indians in possession of this locality, their principal village being near Da3^ton. These Indians were a peaceable race, and except for their propensity for begging, gave the set¬ tlers very little anno3^ance. The3^ were removed further south, in 1855.

Indian Mounds. On the farm taken by Rev. W. Ha3^den, and also near the mouth of Elm Creek, were several "Indian Mounds." Some of these have been cut down level with the surrounding ground, and were found to have been burial places of a former race.

In the village, near the Mississippi bridge, was a grave supposed to have been that of a chief, as it was sur¬ rounded by a log fence, and other at¬ tempts made to protect and distin¬ guish it from others.

Township Organization. In 1858, the township of Marshall was organ¬ ized. This embraced all the present towns of Dayton and Champlin. The meeting for election of officers was held at Champlin Village, May 11th, 1858.

In 1859, the townships of Champlin and Dayton were organized, taking all the territory formerly covered by the town of Marshall, Champlin taking all of fractional township number 120,

The first town meeting for Champlin, was held April 5th, 1859. Rev. \V. Ha3"den was Moderator, and Joseph H. Holt was Clerk. The following officers were elected: Supervisors, Rev. Wentworth Ha3'den, Chairman, Samuel Griggs, Samuel 1). Leeman; Town Clerk, Joseph B. Holt; Assessor, Jackson A. Linscott; Collector, Job Keniston; Overseer of the Poor, John 1). Hank; Justices of the Peace, Sam¬ uel Colburn, Alvah Hills; Constables, Joseph Downs, George A. Hills.

The present officers (1893), are: Supervisors, Thomas E. Trussed, Cliairman, Frank Dunning, William L. Reem; Town Clerk, C. W. Wolle3'; Assessor, J. B. Hinkle3'; Treasurer, O. vS. Miller; Justices of the Peace, James Lemon, J. B. Hinkle3'; Constables, John Adcock, C. N. Hinkle3'-. The population in 1890, was 683.

Village of Chanplin. Joseph B. Holt, Samuel- Colburn and John B. Cook were the proprietors of the vil¬ lage and had it surve3"ed and platted b3" Hugh Spence, C. E., in 1854, but the plat was not recorded until November 15th, 1856. George Rollin erected a hotel, in block 1, in 1855. J. B. Plolt opened the first store, in 1856. J. B. Cook built a small steam saw mill, in the upper part of town, in 1856. This mill passed into other hands and was removed to Anoka.

In 1857, Alonzo L3'tle opened a store near Cook's saw mill. This j^ear, R. H. Miller built a house and carriage shoj) and moved into the village. Benjamin Mountain erected a blacksmith shoj). The first school in the village was held this 3'ear, in the store bnildng former^' occupied b3' J. B. Holt, with Chandler B. Adams as teacher. In 1859, a school house was built, in block 43.

Among those who early settled in the village and contributed to its growth were: Joseph Downs, Charles T. Clark, Christian Stahlberg, William A. Messer, Alonzo Cook, Terrance Donnell3L C. B. Adams, J. A. and E. A. Linscott, Franklin Wood, John Depue and William Brander.

In 1867, A. P. Lane and Company built the first flour mill, on the north bank of Elm Creek. It was a firstclass mill for that time, but was swept into the river b3^ high water, and was a total loss. The township donated $500 to assist in building the dam and bridge. In 187^, Clark and Smith pur¬ chased the water power and erected a flour mill, on the south side of the creek. This mill changed hands several times but was bought by R. M. Pratt and Compan3", in 1879, who successfuly operated it until it burned, in February, 1890. In 1890, O. S. Miller and Company bought the power and erected a complete roller mill, which is being operated b3' the proprietors.

In 1867, J. H. and J. G. Wiley built a steam saw mill, below A. P. Lane and Compan3"'s flour mill. This mill soon burned, and William Brockwa3' and J. G. Wile3' erected another, on the same site, but, on account of litigation, it was torn down and removed, in 1869.

In 1871, Brockway and Brown erec¬ ted a large saw mill, in the lower part of town, which burned, several 3^ears ago, and the town now has no saw mill.

Societies. Joseph Downs Camp, No. 76, Sons of Veterans, was mus¬ tered March 31st, 1891, with H. F. Faber captain, and twenty-nine members; membership now numbers 38, with the following officers: Arthur Z. Downs, captain; H. L. Taylor, first lieutenant; Albert R. Mead, second lieutenant; G. W. Hills, first sergeant; John Stahlberg, quarter-master ser¬ geant.

Amy Reem Circle, No. 2, Ladies of the G. A. R., was organized February 18, 1892, with twenty-two members. The officers are: President, Delia C. Stanchfield; senior vice-president, Helen M. Downs; junior vice-presi¬ dent, Ellen Green; treasurer, Ellen Kinser; secretary, Addie E. Hills; chaplain, Caroline M. Smith; conduc¬ tor, Cora E. Dunning; guard, Lucia Hunter.

Schools. Champlin has three good schools. The village district has an elegant brick veneered school house, in which is maintained a graded school.

Churches. The Free Baptist Church of Champlin for age ranks second in the State, having been organized, by Rev. C. G. Ames, in 1854, as a branch of the First Free Baptist Church of Minneapolis, and in 1855, as an inde¬ pendent church. Since its organiza¬ tion, this church has received into fellowship one hundred sixty-five per¬ sons, sixty-five of whom remain. In 1889, the church was divided, a con¬ siderable number withdrawing, to form the Brooklyn Church. During its history, the church has had seven pastors: Rev. W. Hayden, from 1855 to 1863; Rev. S. S. Paine, 1865 to 1870; Rev. C. L. Russell, 1870 to 1882; Rev. B. F. McKenney, 1883 to 1886; Rev. O. S. Belden, 1887 to 1889; Rev. Edward Spafford, from 1889 to 1892, and Rev. J. D. Batson, from 1892. The church edifice was built in 1871, and the par¬ sonage the following year. Since the original building was completed, the following additions have been made: The tower was built in 1886, and the lecture room and baptistry in 1890. The present estimated value of the property is $4,000. The earliest record of a Sunday school, in connection with the church, was in 1868, since which time over three hundred pupils have been enrolled. The present number is eighty-five.

The Methodist Episcopal Church. A class, with twelve members, was organized, by Rev. John Stafford, at the home of George D. Miars, in 1872. In 1873, they erected a church edifice, thirt3^ by fifty feet, and a few years later, a commodious parsonage. This church has had twelve pastors, namely: Revs. Charles Libby, David Brooks, C. M. Hurd, John N. Henry, O. Burnell, William Brown, John Doran, C. F. Garvin, B. F. Kephart, B. Y. Coffin, John Sargent and R. A. Sanderson. A Sabbath school is maintained in connection with the church.

Rev. Wentworth Hayden was born at Mayfield, Maine, October 28th, 1813. At the age of fifteen, he united with the Free Will Baptist church, in his native town, and was ordained to the work of the ministry, at the age of twenty-seven years. He was married to Miss Lorina Ames, April 13, 1837. Mr. Hayden was one of the pioneer settlers of Minnesota, making his home one and one-half miles west of the village of Champlin, in the fall of 1854, to which j^lace he moved his family, in May, 1855, where he resided until 1885, when he sold his farm and moved into the village. He was among the first preachers who came to Minnesota. Preached in private houses, in the first flour mill at Anoka and on the deck of a steamboat. He was an earnest worker in all questions of morals, business, politics and re¬ ligion. As a politician, he was a zeal¬ ous Republican. He was a delegate to the convention in which the Repub¬ lican party was organized in Maine, and served in the Maine Legislature. He was a member of the Minnesota Territorial House of Representatives, in 1857, and a delegate to the Constitional Convention, held the same year, and a member of the State Legisla¬ ture, in 1861, and the first chairman of Board of Supervisors, in Champlin. Mr. Hayden was a lineal descendent of John Alden, one of the early Ply¬ mouth magistrates. He was one of the few, in the Constitutional Conven¬ tion, to lend his voice and vote in favor of universal suffrage. During the war, he sent three sons to the army, the eldest of whom, Alonzo C., was killed at Gettysburg. Mr. Hay¬ den died at Champlin, February 8th, 1886, leaving a wife and seven chil¬ dren.

Robekt H. Miller was born in Den¬ mark, Maine. January 5th, 1820; learned the trade of carriage maker. In 1843, went to New Hampshire, and was married in Conway, New Hamp¬ shire, January, 1848, to Miss Sarah R. Hill, and removed to Waterford, Maine, where their only son. Orange S., was born, September 6th, 1849. In 1852, came to St. Anthony, Minnesota, hut did not remove his family until the following year, when he took a "squatter's" claim, on Bassett's Creek, in what is now Minneapolis, but soon sold his right, and removed to Anoka, where he built the third house in that place, which he sold, after a few months' residence, and took a claim on the west side of the river, in what is now Dayton, which he pre-empted. In 1857, he moved to the village of Champlin, built a residence and car¬ riage shop, and bought the hotel, which he conducted several years. He held the office of postmaster from 1860 to 1867. Mr. Miller died at Champlin, August 27th, 1886.

Fredolix Zopfi is a native of Swit¬ zerland, born in 1823. He emigrated to America, landing at New Orleans, November, 1853, with his wife, Cath¬ erine, and nephew, John Hefty; came to Minneapolis, in 1854, and worked on the first suspension bridge; March 6th, 1855, moved onto the farm he now occupies, in Champlin. His wife died March 6th, 1891, having lived in Champlin just thirty-six years. They have had three children, one son and two daughters.

Nicholas Faber was born in Lux¬ embourg, in May, 1840; came to St. Paul, with his brother, in August, 1852; followed steamboating, as cabin boy, on the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. From 1858 to 1861, resided in Kentucky and Missouri. In April, 1861, he enlisted in Missouri Volun¬ teers, and served four months. Re¬ enlisted in summer of 1862, in Com¬ pany B, New York Marine Artillery; was a prisoner of war a short time in winter of 1862-3, in Libby Prison. Returned to Minnesota, in 1866, and opened a general store, in Champlin, which he continued until 1893, when he sold to his sons, Harry F. and Adonis J. He held the office of post¬ master for several years. Was mar¬ ried to Miss Catherine J. Kaiser, in 1862. They have four children, three sons and one daughter.

James H. Trussell, born in New London, New Hampshire, September 26th, 1828; came to Minnesota, in the fall of 1855, settling in Brooklyn, but, after residing there one year, removed to Champlin; was married, in 1857, to Miss Mary E. Hill, of Brooklyn. He has several times served as Super¬ visor, Assessor and Treasurer, of Champlin. Mr. and Mrs. Trussell have had five children, only three of whom are living, Sumner L., Emma F., and Thomas E.

Dr. Mary J. Colburn. Among the pioneers worthy of honorable men¬ tion, is Dr. Mary J. Colburn, who, with her husband, the late Samuel Colburn, came to Minnesota, in 1854, and settled in Champlin, where she still resides. Mary Jackman (Colburn) was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in Oc¬ tober, 1811; studied medicine, and graduated in New York; was married in 1844, at Hopedale, Massachusetts, to Samuel Colburn, who was born at Dedham, Massachusetts, July, 1818, and was a baker, b}^ trade. In 1849, they moved to Moline, Illinois, where Mrs. Colburn practiced five years, then removed to Champlin, in 1854. Mrs. Colburn became at once a Minnesotian, and labored with voice and pen, to promote the interests of the new territory. Old settlers will re¬ member that the Legislature of 1864 offered prizes for the first and second best essays on Immigration. Mrs. Colburn entered the contest, with eight

Sir: - You are hereby notified that the Board of Examiners, appointed under the provisions of the act of the Legislature of this State, "to organ¬ ize a system for the promotion of immigration, to the State of Minne¬ sota," approved March 4th, 1864, have unanimously voted to award to the essay written by you the first pre¬ mium of two hundred dollars.

This essaj^ was printed at public expense, and given a wide circulation. A subsequent Legislature voted a generous appropriation, and it was translated into the Swedish language, and a second edition published, and what its influence was in bringing to our broad acres the men and women who have helped to make this State what it is today, will never be known.

Orange S. Miller was born in Waterford, Maine, September 6th, 1849; came to Minnesota, with his parents, in 1853. His only educational advantages were in attending the early public schools, in Champlin; was clerk in United States Land Office, at Greenleaf, Minnesota, 1868-9; member of the House of Representa¬ tives, in 1883; has several times been Chairman of Board of Supervisors, and is how Treasurer of Champlin; was teller and assistant cashier of the Anoka National Bank, from 1883 to 1890. He was married, November 30th, 1871, to Miss Mary E. Wiley. They have one son, Arthur J., born May 7th, 1875. He is now senior partner in the

History

James B. Hinkley was born in Geawga County, Ohio, in 1818; gradu¬ ated at the Genesee Western Semin¬ ary, New York, in 1839. Came to Min¬ neapolis, in 1854, where he resided one year, then removed to a farm, in Da}'^- ton, near Diamond Lake. In 1857 and 1858, he was a member of the Legis¬ lature. He held the office of Count}'- Commissioner several terms, and was Superintendent of the Count}' Poor Farm, from 1864 to 1867, then returned to Minneapolis; in 1873, came to Champlin, and has since engaged in farming. He was married, iii 1844, to Miss S. S. Morse. They had two chil¬ dren, Lura, wife of I^rofessor John Hutchinson, and Charles N. Mrs. Hinkley died in 1893.

Maple Grove is situated in the north central part of Hennepin County, and is bounded on the north by the towns of Champlin and Dayton, on the east by Brooklyn and Osseo, on the south by Plymouth, and on the west by Cor¬ coran. It originally contained thirtysix square miles, but in 1875 a portion of section 13 was set off to the village of Osseo, which was organized at that time. Again, in 1889, another portion of the same section was added to Osseo. The surface is generally roll¬ ing or slightly undulating, except in the east, where a part of Bottineau Prairie is included in the town limits, and in the southeast, where it is quite broken and hilly. It was originally covered with a heavy growth of hard¬ wood timber in all parts, except Bot¬ tineau Prairie, the bluffy region, and the meadows bordering the creeks and lakes. Excepting on the prairie and among the bluffs, where it is gravelly, the soil is a rich, black loam, with clay subsoil and very productive. The town is abundantly supplied with water, having within its borders several fine streams and lakes. Fish, Rice, and Weaver Lakes, in the central part of the town, are beautiful sheets of water, at one time abundantly sup¬ plied with fish, of the varieties found in all the waters of this part of the State. Illegal and injudicious catch¬ ing, out of season, has greatly reduced their numbers. However, good catches are occasionally made. Eagle Lake, in the southeast part, is the largest lake in the town. It has long been a resort for the sportsman. There are several smaller bodies. Cedar Island Lake, so called from having islands in it, covered with a growth of cedar. Mud Lake, in the north, a great resort for ducks and geese, and many others. Mr. H. P. Whitney has stocked a small lake on his farm, on section 10, with carp from the State hatchery. Elm Creek, the principal stream, rises in Plymouth and flows northerly through Rice Lake, thence northeasterly, through Dayton, and reaches the Mis¬ sissippi at Champlin, where its waters furnish power for a flour mill. Rush Creek waters the northern part of the town and joins Elm Creek in Dayton, near the line between Maple Grove and Dayton.

As the name indicates. Maple Grove was covered with forest trees, large numbers of which were hard or sugar maple. The manufacture of maple sugar was quite an industry among the early settlers. Now, however, most of the timber has been cut down and made into cord wood, which has been hauled away and sold. The tim¬ ber is becoming scarce and farmers are becoming saving of it, some even using coal. Ten years ago, in winter, on the Territorial Road, which passes through the northern part of the town, one would see daily hundreds of cords of wood being drawn to market, and would hear the bells of the passing

The first settlement was made, on section 12, in 1852, by Louis Peter Jarvais, who lived there until his death, December 16th, 1891. His son, Isaiah, who lives on the old homestead, is the first white child born in the town. Mr. Jarvais was followed b3' the celebrated Pierre Bottineau, who located a little west of him, on section 13. In the spring of 1854, there came quite a col¬ ony from Michigan and settled on sec¬ tions 10, 11, 14 and 15, O. K. Brown, Harry Abel, Alfred Angel, Jeremiah Brown, with his three sons. Job, John and Seneca, Elijah Woodard, George Stout and John Clark. These brought their families. Gilbert Brown, who belonged to the same company, had come the j^ear before. His daughter, Annie, born in Ma}^ 1854, was the sec¬ ond child born in the town. Soon after, these were joined by Hiram Blowers, Charles Savage, William Ewing and William Grant. Of these, Charles Savage enlisted in the First Minnesota, and, after the war, went west, to Dakota, and, later, to Mon¬ tana, where he is now interested in mining. William Grant also entered the armj^ and rose to the rank of cap¬ tain. The G. A. R. Post at Osseo is named for him.

In March, 1854, came W. E. Evans, who settled on section 4, where he now lives. The log cabin which he built that spring, and covered with blan¬ kets, to keep out the snow, is said to have been the first one built on the road between Minneapolis and Crow River. With him came B. F. Austin, and, later in the j'ear, O. R. Champlin. This same year, also, Patrick Deverj' settled in the south part of the town; also, Martin and Peter Dever}", John Peters and Daniel Hennessey".

The year 1855 brought J. H. Briggs to section 4, John Cook to section 30, Luther Koff to section 8, where his widow still lives, and William Troot to section 10. Among others of the first settlers may be mentioned, A. C. Austin, P. B. Newton, J. M. Edd}', William Champlin, Carl Sausele, Gotlieb Schmidt, G. C. Koehler, Joseph Blakehorough and J. M. Corey.

The first preaching in the town was held at the house of P. B. Newton, on section 4, in 1855, by Rev. S. Atkinson, a Baptist. In 1856-7, came the Rev. C. G. Ames and held services in the north part of the town, preaching to s the Free Will Baptists for about a year. About the same time, came the Rev. Mr. White, Methodist, preaching at the house of P. B. Newton, on sec¬ tion 4.

First birth, Isaiah, son of Mr. and Mrs. S. P. Garvais, October, 27th, 1853. Early births were Annie Brown, May, 1854, O. H. Brown, 1855, Persis Briggs and Lucretia Hoff.

After the removal of the Winnebagoes to their reservation, in 1855, the settlements grew ver3^ rapidl3" and settlers soon began to introduce some of the comforts of civilization.

The first meeting, for the purpose of organizing a board of town officers, was held Ma3' 11th, 1858, at the house of Hiram Blowers. At this meeting, the following officers were elected: Supervisors, A. C. Austin, chairman, Jeremiah Brown, Robert Woodard;

Clerk, J. M. Eddy; Assessor, William K. Champlin; Collector, Chauncey Blowers; Overseer of the Poor, P. B. Newton; Constables, Charles Savage, J. M. Corey; Justices of the Peace, William E. Evans, Moses Blowers; Overseer of Roads, Harry Abel. On July 31st, 1858, a special town meeting was held, and, upon a ballot, the name Maple Grove was adopted. At a spe¬ cial town meeting, held August 13th, 1864, it was voted that the town issue bonds to the amount of $3,000 for the draft. It was also voted not to pay over $200 for a volunteer. Rev. Christopher Breel, J. H. Mitchell and R. Nigler were appointed a committee to raise recruits. Prior to this organi¬ zation, the town had been a portion of a larger vmting precinct, whose poll¬ ing place was at Mr. Blower's house, and, at a previous meeting, when the "five million loan" was voted on, every vote in the precinct was against it.

Churches. There are two Methodist Episcopal churches in the town, one called the South Road Church, located on section 17, and built in 1868, the other called the North Road Church, located on section 4, built in 1880. On the south road, a class was formed over thirty years ago, by Rev. Mr. White, from which has grown the present church. On the north road, for many years, services were held in the school house, on section 4, by Methodists, Congregation alists, Universalists and Episcopalians. In 1880, a building was begun, near the school house, which, when completed, was dedicated as a Methodist church, and, since then, the services have been held by the Methodist church alone. Both the North and South Road Churches have preaching twice each month, by the pastor from Champlin.

located on section 29, in the south¬ western part of the town. The parish was organized in 1867. The building which they occupy was erected in 1883 and is a large and commodious structure. There is a membership of over thirty families. The church is in charge of the Rev. Father Swift, of Corcoran.

In 1881, the German Methodist Epis¬ copal Societ}^ was organized, with Charles Ziebarth, Wilhelm Shadewall, Christ Lange, August Town, and Eden Smith as trustees. Prior to 1881, meet¬ ings had been held, for over twenty years, first in private houses, after¬ wards in the South Road Methodist Church, where, b3^ the kindness of their English brethren, they were per¬ mitted to hold services, and Sunday school every Sunday afternoon. This not being a central location, Mr. Charles Ziebarth offered the society the use of a log house on his farm. His offer was accepted and the build¬ ing was used for divine services for five years. But the society grew and the old log house became too small for their accommodation. Mr. Ziebarth again came to the aid of the society and presented a lot, of two acres of ground, upon which was erected the present neat, comfortable, and credit¬ able building. The church was dedi¬ cated on the 19th of November, 1882. Rev. G. Raihle is the present pastor. A cemetery was laid out, on the lot, and the first person buried there was Henry Birdseye, son of Charles and M. Ziebarth.

Societies. At present, there is no society which holds its meetings in the town of Maple Grove. The Mas¬ ons, G. A. R. Post, and Womens' Re¬ lief Corps, of Osseo, get a large por¬ tion of their membership from this town. A Good Templars' Lodge was

42, where, for several years, meetings were held, which, no doubt, resulted in much good. Interest died out, how¬ ever, meetings were less and less fre¬ quent, and the I. O. G. T. has become a thing of the past. A Grange, with E. Evans first master, was organized in 1874, which flourished for a time, but has been defunct for over ten years. The Grangers met in the same hall that the Good Templars occupied.

Maple Grove Lyceum was organ¬ ized, in the winter of 1858-9, in the school house, in district 42. The meetings were well attended, and many were the questions discussed. A paper was read weekly, at the meet¬ ing of the societ}", and, for a time, much interest was manifested. Lec¬ tures were occasionally had by speak¬ ers from out of the town, but, as is almost always the case, the bulk of work fell upon the shoulders of a few and meetings became less and less frequent, and finally ceased to be held at all. Again, in the winter of 1881-82, a debating society was organized, which met in the school house, in dis¬ trict 42. Its meetings were well at¬ tended, the programs were ver3^ inter¬ esting, and, for a time, all the neigh¬ borhood took part in the exercises; but, like its predecessor, its life was brief.

The schools of Maple Grove com¬ pare favorably with those of the rest of the county. The children of Maple Grove attend school in districts 33, 42,