Newport City

Newport City

The original plat of Newport was made by James Ilugunin, It. C. Knox and William and G. II. Fowler in 1857, and is in sections 1, 2, 35 aiid 36. In 1872 W. R. Brown's addition to Newport was made, in the south-west quarter of section thirty-six.

When the village was located the prospects of a good-sized town were fair. However, the near and better- favored location of St. Paul drew mostcf the immigration, and the growth of the place has not equalled the hopes and anticipations of the founders. Its mercantile houses are confined to one dry-goods store and grocery, and the pro¬ prietor, James II. Ilugunin, being postmaster, the office is in the same building. C. Schabacker, blacksmith; Joseph Irish, flour and feed mill; and the Diamond Joe Line's elevator.

John A. Ford was born near Utica, New York, in 1 81 1 . At the age of ten years he moved with his parents to Chautauqua county. He served his apprenticeship at the trade of edge tool and rifle making in Westfield, New York. He and his father made claims, in 1834, where Chicago is now, but afterwards lost them through the intrigue of others. They engaged in lumber¬ ing in northern Indiana two years. Mr. Ford then went to Illinois, and worked at his trade until 1841. During August of that year he came to Red Rock, bringing lumber jvith him for a store, which he built in company with Mr. Daniel Hopkins who came there at that time, from Prairie du Cliien. They, having the means, filled their store with a fine assortment of goods, which brought to them trade from many miles around. Soon after St. Paul began growing, and Mr. Hopkins, after remaining three years, went there and opened a store. Mr. Ford carried on his enterprise until 1852, when the establishing of trade at St. Paul and other points made it necessary for him to close his business in that line. He held the office of chairman of the board of town supervisors one year in Woodbury, before the fraction was set off to Newport, also at Newport one year. He was also elected to the second territorial legislature of Minnesota. His marriage with Miss Mary Holton occurred in 1843. Franklin and Willis are their children.

Franklin C. Ford, son of the early pioneer, and the first permanent white settler of Wash¬ ington county, was bom at Red Rock, Septem¬ ber 27tli, 1844. Although reared at the picket line of civilization, he received a thorough educa¬ tion. Attended the district school of his native place, and subsequently passed two years at the Minnesota Central University, located at Ilasings, finally graduating from the St. Paul Busi¬ ness College, in 1865. After completing his ed- ucation he engaged in teaching school, and insur¬ ance at Newport three years, and then settled at his present home in Red Rock. lie has l>een a member of the township board, and clerk of school district number 43 for ten yearn, and is now justice the peace. In 1870 he married Miss Addie Witherspoon who has borne him one child, Frank II.

Giles II. Fowler, a native of Massachusetts, was born in 1832, and while quite young his parents moved to Geauga county, Ohio. Here he received his education, completing his course of study at the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute, of Hiram Ohio. In 1862, he came to Minnesota, and after passing one year at St. Paul, located at Newport, where he has since resided, engaged in railroading and farming. He has represented the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad, at Newport, since its construction, in 1869, having been appointed station agent at that time. Mr. Fowler has served as chairman of town supervis¬ ors, town clerk, assessor, etc., and has always been a leading citizen. In company with Capt. Hoyt, he organized a militia company, prior to the commencement of hostilities between the north and south, and was afterward assigned to Company R, Third Minnesota Volunteer In¬ fantry, at Fort Sneliing. Mr. Fowler experienced a severe illness while at Nashville, Tennessee, and after being confined to the hospital eight weeks, was discharged for disability. He mar¬ ried in 1856, Miss Mary Shellenberger, of Ohio. They have five children, Ada R., Melville W., who is night train dispatcher of the Chicago, Mil¬ waukee and St. Paul railroad, at Minneapolis, Judson J., George and Elmer.

Capt. Samuel Fullerton, was bora midway be¬ tween Kennebec and Sheepscot rivers, in the do¬ main of Massachusetts, now Lincoln county, Maine, August 12th, 1814. He 'had a natural love for the sea, and as early as 1828, he began coasting, soon becoming an expert pilot, and by 1836, had advanced to the position of captain of a sailing vessel. For eighteen years afterward, he was continuously on the sea, in command of either steam or sailing vessels, having made twenty-six voyages to Cuba, besides visiting all the islands of the "West India group." About 1852, he made the quickest voyage and return 3ver made between the United States and Med¬ iterranean Sea. Shipping anchor at the mouth of the Kennebec, he stood out to sea with his staunch bark "William," and in twenty-four days by the log, furled his sails at the port of Messina, Sicily. Shipping his cargo, he set sail for Hoston, and in just twenty-four days entered the port ofthat city. For this feat, the owner of the cargo presented him with a prize of $100. In 1854, he sold his vessel at Fall River, Massachusetts, and retired from sailor life. Proceeding west¬ ward he reached Minnesota that fall, selecting and locating on his present fine estate at Newport. Here he has since resided, except two years at St. Paul, si>ent in giving his children educa¬ tional advantages. He married Miss Kate Mc- Clintock, of Maine, in 1840. They have three children, William C., who is a prominent attor¬ ney at Central City, Colorado; Kate, who is the wife of Charles E. Davis, of Minneapolis; and Mary E., a young lady of much refinement, who remains with her parents.

David P. Hess is a native of Wentworth coun¬ ty, Canada west, born September 19th, 1838. When a child he moved with his parents to Cale¬ donia, and at the age of sixteen settled in Erie county, New York. In 1866 he removed to Min¬ nesota and made his home at Newport, where he still resides, lie is an industrious and respected citizen and has served as justice of the peace and has held other town offices of trust. Ilis marriage with Miss Mary W. Straghn, a native of Scotland, took place February 25th, 1866, in Erie county, New York. They have three children living, Har¬ vey C., Charles R. and Stella W.

Joseph I rish, the largest landowner in Newport township, and one of the earliest settlers, was born in Rutland county, Vermont, 1811. Here he was educated and lived until reaching the age of twenty-seven, when he came to Ohio and set¬ tled in the "Western Reserve." He followed the peaceful pursuits of agriculture till the spring of 1851, when he made his way to Minnesota and located at Red Rock, coming at the same time as did the commissioners to make a treaty with the Indians for the relinquishment of the greater part of the lands now embraced by Minnesota. Mr. Irish first occupied one of the houses built by the Cavanaugh mission at Red Rock. The old house is still standing as a relic. To the "gude housewife" of Mr. Irish belongs the credit of making the first cheese ever made in the state, which was in 1852. The year previous he had shipped from Galena, Illinois, twenty-seven cows, and with Mrs. Irish's assistance, they opened an extensive dairy, the cheese being marketed most¬ ly at St. Paul, llis wife was Miss Lizzie W. Keeney, whom he married in 1839. They have reared two adopted children, Jennie and Samuel.

Daniel Kennedy was bom in Portland, Maine, November 7th, 1851. When a lad of six years he moved westward with his parents and settled at Pine Bend, Dakota county, Minnesota, where his father bought a farm. In 1871 he went to Still¬ water and entered the employ of Isaac Staples, in the pineries in winter, on the river in spring, and in the mills during summer. lie remained six years, then returned to his father's home, where he lived till his death in 1878. After a short stay in Stevens county, he located in New¬ port township and has given his attention to farm¬ ing. In 1879 he married Miss Bridget Miller, who has borne him one child, Margaret C.

Lucuis B. Maxon was bom in Oneida county, New York, September lltli, 1828. Here he was reared and received his education. His father died when he was only ten years of age. He came to Wisconsin about twenty-tin ee years ago, and for nineteen years past, he has been a resi¬ dent of Washington county. He settled first at Cottage Grove, and afterward made his home in the village of Newport. During the fall of 1874, he moved to his present fine estate of two hun¬ dred and seventy- three acres. Mr. Maxon has been town treasurer for eight years past, has also been one of the board of supervisors, and is now school treasurer of district number S3. He was married in 1872 at Winona, Minnesota to Miss Maggie Ileffer, now of that city.

Charles A. Parker, a native of Vermont, was bom in Rutland county, in 1845. At the age of sixteen, he enlisted in Company B, Seventh Ver¬ mont Volunteer Infantry. While under General Butler, in front of Vicksburg, he was disabled in. the right arm, and in the fall of 1862, was dis¬ charged on account of disability. Returning to Vermont, he passed the winter, and the spring following, came to Minnesota, locating at New¬ port. Here he has since resided, and has been chairman of the board of supervisors since the county commissioners as well as occupying other officers of trust and honor. He now owns and operates a fine large farm, and is extensively en¬ gaged in raising blooded stock, horses, cattle and hogs; also a stockholder in the Langdon butter and cheese fnctory. Mr. Parker was married to Miss Sarah E. Perkins in 1868, who has borne him two children: Jackson V. and Frankie P. Ilisaged mother, who was born in 1802, is living with him and is still very active, both mentally and physi¬ cally.

Christopher J. Schabacker is a native of Prus¬ sia, bom December 13th, 1833. Here he remained until the age of seventeen, when he started for America, and landed at the port of New Orleans. Coming up the river route by way of St. Louis, he proceeded to Galena, Illinois, where he settled and made his home there six years. He lived in Grant county, Wisconsin three years, and in 1860, removed to St. Paul, working at his trade, that of blacksmith, ten years. He then located at the village of Newport, and since residing there, has been the proprietor of the only blacksmith shop in the township. He lias been twice married, his present wife being Mary Bailey, to whom he was married in 1857. Their children are: Charles, Louisa, Henry, Mary, Albert and Willie.

John Willoughby was bom in Rutland county, Vermont, in 1819. He passed his youth and re¬ ceived his education in his native county, and at the age of twenty-five years went to Massachu¬ setts and followed the mechanic's profession nine years. In 1854, he came westward to Minnesota, finally making his home at Red Rock, where he purchased a large tract of land. The next year, he brought his family to their newr home. He has been a very successful farmer, having taken much pains in improvements; also has a fine stock of horses, cattle and swine. His residence is commodious and possesses a large and well-se¬ lected library. Mr. Willougby was married in 1850, in Vermont, to Alias Sarah Parker, who has borne him five children: Alary, Julia, Emma, Ruth and Frank. Of these, Alary is the wife of David Hanna, of Lakeland; Julia is the wife of Charles E. Wilson, of St. Paul; Emma and Ruth remain on the homestead with their parents, and Frank, the only son, is attending school at home. Air. Willoughby has studiously avoided politics, refusing all offices.