Minnesota Lake City

Minnesota Lake City

The village was laid off on the northeast quarter of section four (4), in October, 18CG. The site of the village is on the east bank of the lake from which it derives its name, and it is a station on the railway running from Mankato to Wells. Mr. Chauncey Barber was the original town site proprietor, on whose lands the village was situated. In November, 1870, an addition known as "Lambies Addition," was laid out. The village was incorporated by act of the legislature, approved February 14th, 1870, under and pursuant to the general act entitled "an act to provide for the organization of villages in the State of Minnesota," approved March 4th, 1875, and N. J. Kremer, W. Lambie, Chauncey Barber, S. T. Barnes, and C W. Appley, were by the act of incorporation designated as commissioners to give notice of a meeting for the election of village officers.

The village contains a population of about one hundred and fifty to two hundred people. There are four grain warehouses in the village at this writing (1879), an agricultural implement store, several dry goods and grocery stores, a furniture warehouse, several blacksmith shops, a meat market, several wagon and carriage shops, a harness shop, a cabinet shop, several saloons and a good hotel. The principal public building is the new brick school house, which is thirty-five by forty-five feet, and two stories in height, and is well finished and well furnished.

Educational

The first school house in this town was erected in 18G4. It is a frame building, and was first located on the lands of Wm. Gilson, but was subsequently removed to the village. There are now (1879) eight (8) substantial school houses in the town, in which are found well conducted district schools. There are more school houses in this town than in any other town in the county.

Various Historical Items

Up to the close of 1879, this town had furnished two members of the board of county commissioners, S W. Myrrick and D. Catliu; a county superintendent of schools, R. W. Richards, who held that office a number of terms, and a sheriff, B. W. Barber.

There was reported for the year 1879, for "the town, 388 horses, 347 cows, 288 other cattle, 6 mules. 133 sheep, 301 hogs, 95 wagons and carriages, 20 sewing machines and 4 organs.

Among other residents of this township, prior to the close of 1879, the following well- known names may be mentioned: P. M. Andrews. C. Allace. C. W. Appley, L. Brant. W. Ford. J. Brown, A. Berger, David Catlin, T. Cote, A. Clark, L. J. Cale, Albert Crechee, A. Crechee, E. A. Cooper, H. O. Camfield, A. Crocker, H. Drager, Geo. Doremus, A. Deitman. G. H. and David Dazel, W. H. Dodge, William and John Dornfielt, S. Even. P. Tallman, John Felber, the Gillsons. William, John, Robert, George and R. G. and W. G.; G. M. Graves. P. Grunsky, R. N. Gale, W. Hunt. Jas. B. Hill, C. Hudson, C. J. Hall; S. A. Halleck, T. Jokel, Peter Kremer, J. Klenk, And. Kulah, A. Lepka, J. Latusie. J. Lutz, Wm. Lambie, M. V. McKinstry, J. Naubauar, A. P. and A. S. and C. B. Park, P. Popel, John and J. Penhiler, C. L. Pease, J. Pease. P. Petrus. D. H. Pratt, Dr. R. Parkin, Dr. A. H. Pelsey, A. Plegeman, A. Pietrus, H. Quimby. J. Robinson. A. Rahn, A. B. Stiles, Prank Schoilman, O. Schumaker, H. R. Smith. M. T. Smith, J. J. Schermerhorn, P. Stalock, P. Sonnek, A. Sonnek, Andrew Sonnek, P. Stencel, P. Schultz, M. Stalock. John Stephenson. M. Schumaker, Joseph Schoffman, Albert, Prank and John Troske, J. D. Townsend, William and August Urban, Pred Voight. John Walner, W. Wheatly, Ed. Willson, H. A. Wolcott, L. B. Wolcott.

Hon. Smith T. Barnes

A prominent citizen of this town for many years was Smith T. Barnes. Mr. Barnes was born on a farm in St Lawrence county, N. Y., January 11th, 1841.. His early youth was spent on the farm. His father engaged in farming and merchandising until his death. Smith received his education in the district schools of the locality and at a select school. When eighteen years old he engaged in clerking in a store at Racket River, N. Y. Subsequently he was appointed postmaster at this place by President Lincoln. His brother, George, came to Minnesota Lake in 1804, and giving favorable accounts of the country, Smith came west also and located at the Lake, May 8th, 1866. His mother, then a widow, and his brother, Frank, came to the Lake in 1868. Mr. Barnes, on locating hero, went to work at once to erect a building, and in August purchased a stock of groceries and opened a store. He soon after added dry goods. In December of that year he was appointed postmaster at the Lake, a position which he held for eighteen years. Mr. Barnes, though always a staunch democrat in politics, was appointed postmaster in New York, and also in Minnesota, under republican admistrations.

Benning W. Barber was in partnership with Mr. Barnes in the mercantile business which continued until 1871, when Mr. Barnes sold out. Several years later he opened a drug store. After the building of the railroad through the town, he also engaged, for some years, in the purchase of grain. Mr. Barnes was married in August. 1871, to Miss Agnes Lambie. of Minnesota Lake. They have had three childi-en, one of whom is now dead. Mr. Barnes' fitness for office was soon apjiarent to his neighbors, and he was chosen town clerk at an early day, an office which he held for fifteen years. He was also justice of the peace for ten years. During those years there was no lawyer residing at the Lake, and Mr. Barnes did much of the conveyancing, writing of contracts and of wills for the people. He was also for many years connected with the school boards of the town.

In November, 1884, Mr. Bai'nes was elected clerk of the district court of the county, and removed to Blue Earth City. The term of office was four years. After the expiration of the term, he acted as deputy clerk for his successor, and at the general election of 1890, he was elected judge of the probate court, which office he filled until the expiration of the term. Mr. Barnes died August 8th, 1895.