Otsego City

Otsego City

Otsego township is in the northeastern part of Wright county, and embraces the east half of township 121, range 24, and fractional township 121, range 23, covering in all some 20,000 acres, spread over about thirty sections. It is bounded on the north and east by the Mississippi river, for a short distance on the east by the Crow river, on the south by Frankfort township, and on the west. by Monticello township.

The surface of the ground is generally level, slightly rolling. About one-third of the town was originally prairie and brush land, while the remainder was covered with timber. The soil on the prairie is rather sandy, with gravelly subsoil, while that in the portions originally timbered is deep and rich with a clay subsoil.

The town is well watered by the Mississippi and Crow rivers and numerous small creeks. There are no large lakes. Among the small bodies of water may be mentioned: School lake in seetion 26, Mud lake in section 31, and Rice lake in section 34.

Aecording to D, R. Farnham: ''The Selkirk refugees, Swiss, Scotch and Irish emigrants who had been driven from their colony in Manitoba, eame to Otsego township in 1836 and settled near the mouth of the Crow river. After stoppmg here two winters and one summer, they became frightened at the attitude of the Sioux Indians and took refuge nearer Ft. Snelling. bn 1855, glass, jron, pottery and the like were excavated near the now defunet eity of Northwood. These materials are helieved to have been relies of the Selkirk colony settlement.'' Mr. Farnham does not state his authority for these statements.

From 1850 or 185] to 1854 the Winnebago Indians had a settlement in Otsego township, and Samuel E. Carrick, a fur trader, was located here with them. The Winnebago reservation was north of the Watab river, but they had gradually wandered into Wright county and established themselves here. Carrick located here permanently late in 1852.

The first permanent white settlers in Otsego were John MeDonald, Sr., and David MePherson, They arrived about July 31, 1852. McPherson remained here a few years and then went to Pike's Peak. John McDonald, Sr., remained here. Other early settlers were Charles Laplant, Caleb Chase, Alvah Cooley, D. L, Ingersoll, Archie Downie, Otis T. True, Dudley P. Chase, Ezra Tubbs, Josiah B. Loeke, Henry Heap, Philip Boyden and A. J. Wood.

John MeDonald, Sr., was born in Standish, Cumberland county, Maine, June 5, 1806, and as a youth became a millwright. He arrived in St. Anthony, Minn., December 25, 1847, and in company with Caleb Dorr, Ard. Godfrey, George Forbes, W. A. Cheever and others, helped to put the first stick of timber in the first dam built at St. Anthony falls. His first work in the territory was repairing the old government sawmill on the west side of the river, in order that lumber might be sawed for a flatboat. In the winter of 1850-51 he taught school in St. Anthony. July 31, 1852, he and his wife came up the river and took a claim in section 17, township 121, range 23.

The first school district in the county was organized in Otsego township, and was called Pleasant Grove district, No.1. Dudley P. Chase was the school agent. The first schoolhouse was built in Oetober, 1855, and Margaret Cooley opened the first school the first Monday in November of that year.

At a meeting of the board of county commissioners held July 2, 1855, a petition was received for a county road from Waterville at the mouth of the Crow river through the town of Otsego to Monticello. This was the first county road. The petition was granted, and Philip Boyden, D. L. Ingersoll, and the county surveyor were appointed a committee to meet at the house of John McDonald on July 16, and lay out the road. At the same meeting a petition was received for a county road from John McDonald's landing across the country to Crow river, near Bigelows, now the old townsite of Hassan. This petition was signed by Henry Bradley, Henry Heap, Philip Boyden and others. It was granted, and Henry Bradley and the county surveyor were appointed a committee to Jay out the road,

Otsego was given its present boundaries by the county commissioners April 6. 1858, The first meeting was held at the home of John McDonald, May 11, 1858. Many of the voters were in favor of the old precinct name, Pleasant Grove, but the New Yorkers were in the majority and the name Otsego prevailed, The first officers elected were: Supervisors, Thomas Ham (chairman), Philip Boyden and T, P. Reeord; town clerk, Charles Lambert; assessor, Charles Lambert; assessor, John MeDonald; treasurer, William Barnard: justices of the peace, Isreal Record and C. B. Jordan; constables, Luther Tubbs and Philip Boyden.

The first white child born in the town was Norman MePherson, son of David McPherson, born April 18, 1853. He is believed to have been the first white child born in Wright county. The first marriage was that of Louis McDonald and Clemina Spencer, married December 25, 1856, by O. II. Kelley, justice of the peace. The first death was that of a child of Rev, O. P. Light, in May, 1856.

The Civil war took many of Otsego's citizens from home just at the eritical time when it seemed that prosperity was to be the fruit of the hard years of pioneer endeavor. Among those who enlisted from this place were: Co. B, First Minn, Vol. Inf. - Joseph MeDonald, Co. I, Third Minn. Vol. Inf. - F. 8. MeDonald, William McLeod, Caleb Chase, John McDonald, Cornelius Mealey, Clark Nye and Napoleon Steele. Co. G, Fourth Minn. Vol. Inf - Samuel KE, Carrick, Charles Shalafoo, V. Valentine. Co, B, Sixth Minn. Vol, Inf - Andrew Ramsey, Alexander Wood. Co. E, Eighth Minn, Vol, Inf - E. D. Washburn, E. F. Washburn. Co. A, Seeond Minn. Vol, Inf - B. F. Cooley, B. T. Gray. Co. D, Minn, Mounted Rangers - John H. Morgan. Co. B, Hatch's Battallion - James Cooley. Co. C, Minn. Heavy Artillery - William Heaton.

The grasshopper ravages affected the people of Otsego as of the other towns in the county. During the Indian uprising of 1862 all the people fled, and only two or three remained in town. Some went to Elk River, some to Minneapolis and other places. But most of them soon returned, When in 1863 the second fright came only a few left as the people along the river felt more secure than those-to the westward, and it was only in the timbered portions in the western part of the township that there seemed any danger of unexpected attacks by the Indians,

A ferry was established in 1854 by Samuel Carrick at a point opposite what is now the village of Blix River. Mr. Carrick had a trading post here the previous year. John MeDonald established a ferry at the village of Otsego in 1859. Baker's ferry in section 11, was also a popular ferry. These ferries flourished for many yenrs, and Elk River, so long as there was no railroad on the west side of the river, was the wheat market and trading point for the towns of Otsego, Monticello, Frankfort and other Wright county settlements.

The first road in the county was laid out through Otsego along the Mississippi river. In 1860 the town voted $600 for building a bridge over the Crow river at Dayton. The legality of the meeting was questioned, the matter was carried te the higher courts, and in the end the town paid the $600 and much more besides. In the early days lumbering was an important industry in this town. Many ties were delivered to the railroad on the east side of the river, and thousands of cords of wood were rafted down the Mississippi river to Minneapolis, In the fall of 1881 when a railroad was built through the southwestern part of the town a nearer market was furnished for the ties and eorn wood,

The Dayton mills were an early venture. August 7, 1856 the first stick of timber was laid for the Dayton dam. In December of that year a sawmill was built, Lywan Dayton and Frank Weizel being the owners, The dam was washed out the following spring, and several times afterward, and considerable money was lost in the project. The sawmill did not do a large amount of work, Tn 1860 a Houring mill was erected by the same owners, and business increased. W. F. Hurlburt purchased one-half interest in the mill in 1877 and R. R. Hurlburt purchased the other half interest in 1879, The Hurlburts made inany additions. W, F, Hurlburt erected a large store, brick veneered, whieh for a time did a flourishing business. In February, 1882, the Hurlburts went out of business, and were succeeded by Frank Weizel.

Waterville was laid out in the spring of 1854, by John K. Aydt and Charles Aydt, who purchased the right te a claim on section 36, at the mouth of the Crow river, and built a house and established a ferry. Charles Aydt resided there nearly two years and operated the ferry, The town though laid out was not surveyed or platted, and was not entered at the land office as a townsite. In 1856 a part of the townsite was sold to Robinson & Baxter, who laid out the town of Portland, largely in Llennepin county, but on both sides of the Crow river.

Northwood was established on section 36, about a mile above the mouth of the Crow river, on the Mississippi river. Work was commenced in April, 1856. About 300 acres were surveyed and platted on claims taken by O. II. Kelley and Charles Kelley, By much energy, industry and advertising, Northwood soon became a noted town. <A large hotel was built, a store and a goad schoolhouse finished that year, the school sessions commenced aml a postoffice established. Charles Kelley was the postmaster, During the winter of 1856-57 mail routes were established running from Northwood to St, Paul, to St. Peter and to Watertown, Co}, Alex, Armstrong, a well known chavaeter, was driver for many years on the route from Northwood to Watertown, After Northwood ceased to exist the route was operated from Dayton to Watertown, Ezra B. Ames was the pioneer merchant at Northwood. The store building and schoolhouse were removed to Dayton in 1859. The large hotel was soon in ruins and was afterward burned. For a time O, IL. Kelley & Co.'s Excelsior Metal Polish Was an important product. It was dug from the bank of the river, made into a sort of paste and then into éakes, and then dried and ground, and placed in wrappers. Jt was a good article, but when it gave promise of coming into general use, the town ceased to exist and the metal polish plant was discontinued.

Otsego village was surveyed and platted in May, 1857, for J. G. Smith, Z. M. Brown, J. N. Barber and John McDonald, Sr. It oceupied about 400 acres in sections 17 and 18, towuship 121, range 23, on the bank of the Mississippi. It was a splendid location, nearly all prairie with oak openings and sightly groves. Soon after it was laid out the financial panic came, and the hopes of the promoters were never realized.

In 1857, Cooper & Crary built a large steam sawmill on the townsite at the mouth of the creek, The engine was 120 horsepower, with saws, and with a shingle and lath mill, but it was not a stecess, and the machinery was removed to Eli River in 1860, John MeDonald purchased the building, put in a small engine, and operated a sawmill on a small scale. It was burned in 1878. Astore was kept by C. B. Jordan in 1857 and 1898. A hotel was built in 1856, A blacksmith shop was opened, and other industries were established. A postoffice was opened in 1856 with John McDonald as postmaster. For a time a small store and the postoffice were kept by Martin Spencer. After his death his wife was in charge for a while, but in time sold out and went west. After the hopes of a large village had died out, Rollin Thorp kept the store and postoffice for many years, furnishing a trading point for the neighboring farmers. Josepli McDonald, a grandson of John MeDonald, bought the land and store, and erected a good general store. A few years later he improved it still further, and enlarged it to its present proportions. He sold to B, L. Hall, who in turn sold to Leon Snow, a son of one of the early settlers, Mr. Snow sold to D. B. Edwards, the present proprietor, who brought his family here, and is an important feature in the progress of the town. The postoffice is discontinued and mail has been received by rural delivery for several years.

Aside from the good general store, Otsego village has a town hall, a chureh and parsonage, a shed for road machinery, and several residences. The school employs first grade teachers, and covers all work through the eighth grade. Fora higher education the children go to the high school at Elk River. At one time the enrollment at Otsego was as high as forty-five. It is now thirtyeight.

Joseph McDonald is a prosperous hay and feed dealer in Minneapolis, but he has a fine modern home, just across the street from the Otsego church, and he spends a good part of his time here, His father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. L, McDonald live nearby. They were the first couple married in Otsego, and now in their old age they are taking much comfort and are a bright and cheery couple indeed. Mr. and Mrs. Edson Washburn are the oldest settlers living here, and Mrs. Johial Harrington, Mr, and Mrs. Ed. Carron, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Martin and Mr. and Mrs. Daniel White may be mentioned. Of the Ingersolls, the early settlers are dead, but many members of the family still remain here. The same may be said of many of the older families, many people who are living here who are forty, fifty or nearly sixty years of age having been born in this township and lived here all their lives, Mr. and Mrs. E. King who were prominent in chureh work are gone, Mr, and Mrs, Thomas McLeod, the Morrells, the La Plants, the Pepins and others are also gone, the older ones dead and the younger ones moved away. Murs. Julia Pepin lives at Elk River with her sons.