Pine Island City

Pine Island City

Mr. Jewell took a claim on sec. 32, in April, 1855. The village was platted by William Rock, in the winter of 1856-7, on this land. This plat also included a portion of the land then owned by J. A. Tarbox, on which the village is built. The first house was built by Dr. Carver, a log structure. The first store building was erected by Jacob Wiltse and Mr. Worthing.

The first building erected for hotel purposes, was built in the spring of 1857, by E. Demmon, on lot 2, block 22. It was rented to William P. Hall, but in 1858, Demmon sold to Truman Parker, who has since been its proprietor, excepting a short time he rented it to Mr. Gilbert.

The first school was taught by Thomas McMann, in the summer of 1857. The present school house is built on lots 5, 6, 7 and 8, block 26. It is 26x36, and was built in 1864, at a cost of $3,000.

Religious Methodist Episcopal Church

This church is the outgrowth of the labors of Rev. Rulliford, who held a camp-meeting in the grove on Mr. Jewell's land in the summer of 1855. Early in the spring of 1856, J. M. Rodgen, organized a church with fifteen members. In 1864, they built a brick church 36x50. Their present membership is one hundred, with J. Barnard, as pastor. L. D. Farrington, H. D. Cornwell, and A. Hamlin, trustees.

Episcopal Church

In pursuance of a notice previously given, a meeting was called to order by Dr. Wells, of Red Wing, (now Bishop of Wisconsin,) Monday, May 6, 1874, for the purpose of organizing a parish church. W. E. Sargent was elected secretary pro tem. The wardens elected at this meeting were as follows : Giles Hay ward and Daniel Sawyer. Vestrymen : S. S. Worthing, Henry Ahneman, Dr. Charles Hill, A. H. Kellogg, George Page, W. E. Sargent, and Charles Parker. Rev. Charles E. Grover was chosen rector, November 1, 1875. The church has been supplied by Revs. Cornell and Chandler. June 18, 1877, Rev. R. R. Goodey was called as rector, which position he has continuously held up to the present time. May 6, 1874, steps were taken to build a church, and subsequently a frame structure, 26x62, was erected at a cost of $2,800. The present membership is twenty-two. Average attendance at Sabbath School, forty, with S. S. Worthing-, superintendent.

A. F. And A. M. Mystic Tie Lodge No. 37

Present officers: William Warren, W. M. ; Daniel E. Sawyer, S. W.; Jacob Stuckey, J. W. ; Wallace Jewell, secy., and Henry Ahneman, Treas. The lodge is in prosperous circumstances.

Post Office

Established in the spring of 1856, with John Chancel, postmaster, which position he retained until 1858, when J. A. Tarbox took charge and held it until 1861. McMannis and White held the office until President Johnson's administration, when S. S. Worthing was appointed at the beginning of 1865, serving continuously until 1868, when C. R. White was re-appointed. August, 1876, S. Hagler received the appointment and is the present incumbent.

Pine Island News

This paper was established August 30, 1878, by the "Pine Island News Company." A. M. Hutchinson, editor, It is a newsy sheet, well edited and popular for the time it has been in existence. The paper is an eight column folio sheet, typographically neat, and it is well filled with local and general information. It starts off with a liberal advertising patronage ; is issued on Friday of each week.

We are under obligations to A. H. Kellogg, Esq., clerk of the township, and the editor of the " Pine Island News," for the following catalogue of township officers : (First named supervisor, invariably chairman.)

At the third annual meeting, held April 3, 1860, there were elected : supervisors, Sylvester Dickey, Nelson D. Marble, John Harper ; clerk, H. M. Stanton ; superintendent of schools, Dr. Chas. Hill ; assessor, Win. Krapp ; treasurer, Peter Momany ; justice of the peace, S. S. Worthing; constables, James Pratt, J. D. Eells.

At the fourth annual meeting, held April 2, 1861, there were elected: supervisors, Otis S. Clark, Wm. Mead, Oscar A. Dickey ; clerk, H. M. Stanton; assessor, Calvin P. Clark; treasurer, Peter Momany; justices of the peace, Thomas McManus, Wm. S. Haskins ; constable, Jacob C. Cook; pound master, Truman Parker.

At the fifth annual meeting, held April 1, 1862, there were elected: supervisors, Henry Ahneman, C. C. Robinson, P. S. Fenton ; clerk, Thomas McManus; assessor, Henry Harper; treasurer, Jasper W. Dickey; justices of the peace, Thomas McManus, Peter Momany; constables, J. C. Cook, John Salmon; pound master, Moses Jewell.

At the seventh annual meeting, held April 5, 1864, there were elected : Supervisors, Martin Tarbox, Alexander Freeman, W. E. Nichols ; clerk, Thomas McManus; assessor, H. Ahneman; treasurer, Sylvester Dickey; justices of the peace, Thos. McManus, W. S. Newton; constables, J. C. Cook, H. F. Emery.

At the tenth annual meeting, held April 2, 1867, there were elected: supervisors, Sylvester Dickey, 0. C. Robinson, George W. Hay ward ; clerk, Hervy G. Clark; assessor, Oscar E. Smith; treasurer, J. C. Dickey ; constable, J. C. Cook.

At the fifteenth annual meeting, held March 12, 1872, there were elected : supervisors, Tho. E. Cooper, Henry Degener, Arthur Haunsinger ; clerk, Geo. W. Paige ; treasurer, S. S. Worthing ; assessor, W. C. Crandall; justices of the peace, W. E. Sergeant, Henry Ahneman; constable, L. D. Hart.

At the nineteenth annual meeting, held March 14, 1876, there were elected: supervisors, 0. H. Leavitt, Giles Hay ward, Thomas Halloway ; clerk, A. H. Kellogg ; assessor, Ladd Robie ; treasurer, H. T. Perkins ; justices of the peace, Henry Ahneman, Fletcher Hagler; constables, Henry Tome, Chas. Dickinson.

At the twenty-first annual meeting, held March 12, 1878, there were elected : supervisors, E. L. Swarthout, Geo. Newhouse, Geo. Reinhart ; clerk, A. H. Kellogg ; treasurer, A B. Cron ; assessor, Chas. Edison ; justices of the peace, Fletcher Hagler, Henry Ahneman constables, Henry Tome, H. A. Perkins.

The first settlement was made in Roscoe in 1854 by James Haggard and W. Wilson, both locating claims in section 5. Wilson subsequently returned to his home in the East, but Haggard remained until his shanty was burned, when he returned to Brown county where he still resides. Fletcher Hagler numbers among those of the earliest pioneers of the town, having selected his claim in 1855 on the site of ground where the village of Roscoe now stands, and where he erected the first frame house in this township. He was also the first postmaster appointed, and from this pioneer record removed to Pine Island, where he was enrolled among the number of early pilgrims in that township.

Oliver Webb, a lineal descendant of the pilgrim fathers, came in 1875, and pre-empted on section 18. He is still in the enjoyment of good health, at the age of 74 years. John G. Hepner. the representative blacksmith of Roscoe village, selected his claim in 1856, building his shop the following year, where he still follows his calling.

The Dickinson brothers came in 1856, selecting adjoining claims G. G. McCoy, H. B. Powers, B. W. Halladay, under whose supervision the principal roads of the town were laid out, came soon after. There are many others deserving of record, but their names have passed into obscurity.

The north portion of this township is settled mostly by Norwegians, who have advanced, not only in the cultivation of the soil, but in social, moral and intellectual culture as well. Prominent among them appears Frederick Petersen, who settled in this township in 1863 ; is serving the second term as justice of the peace, and is assessor at the present time. He was elected to the legislature in 1875-6. Among others is Lars Hovland, Erick Johnson and John O. Hanson, the village blacksmith at Roscoe Centre. This people support one church, the Norwegian Synod, a large and commodious edifice, capable of seating 500 persons. The " Kirketidende," a weekly religious periodical, is published by the church authorities. There are eight school houses and one church in this township - mostly parish schools.

The first church organization took place in the school house at Roscoe, in the spring of 1857. The first Sunday School was organized in 1858, and Loren Webb, son of Oliver Webb, was the first superintendent.

In the spring of 1855 Mrs. Haskell Burch, while living in a covered wagon, awaiting the completion of a better habitation, gave birth to twins, being the first natives of the sod to see the light of day in the township.

First school house was erected in 1857. Miss Annette Leek taught the pioneer school, in 1857. Then followed a fine immigration: farms were opened up rapidly, and the township was soon on the highway to prosperity, moral and social advancement, intellectual culture, and the crowning blessings of a rural people - comfortable homes and an abundance of the necessaries of life.

The first town meeting was held May 11, 1858, with the following officers: chairman, Oliver Webb; town clerk, William Sacket ; supervisors, James Mann, N. S. Libby; justices of the peace, Fletcher Hagler, J^mes Mann ; town collector, J. S. Wickham ; assessor, J. T. Mitchell; overseer of the poor, Horace Barber; constables, E. P. Penney, J. R. Good.

The present line of officers are as follows: chairman, C. R. Miller; supervisors, John Larson, Charles Swenson ; town clerk, C. Druse ; assessor, Frederick Peterson ; justices of the peace, 0. Druse, Frederick Peterson ; constable, L. G. Ward.

Among the line of officers that was elected at the first meeting in 1858, was J. T. Mitchell, who came in 1856 and pre-empted the land of his present home, and has always borne a conspicuous part in the interest of the town. He assisted in starting the first school, on the southeast corner of section eleven, better known at the present writing as McCoy's district. This school was first taught by Sophia Blanchard, present wife of John Gove, in the spring of 1858. The fathers of this township are slowly being called to their better home, and their places are quickly filled by the marching flocks of Norwegians, Swedes, and Germans, that swarm to the great American wheat fields of the West.

The township is watered by the Zumbro River, which runs from west to east through the southern tier of sections. The tributaries that water the central and more northern portions of the township are Shield's Creek and Dry Run. The sections along the Zumbro are, or have been, heavily timbered with hard wood, maple, oak, elm, and other deciduous timbers. A number of fine sugar orchards are among the beauties of this section.

Cheery Groye

The first permanent settler in this township was Madison Brown, who located a claim on sec. 31, in the spring of 1854, where he lived until the fall of 1855, when he sold his claim to Silas Merriman, and went to Iowa, where all trace of him has been lost. In Nov., 1854, the Woodward brothers, Reading and Benjamin, came on and selected adjoining claims on sec. 31, where Reading has since made it his home, and is the oldest

These pioneers were followed by others in 1855, but it is impossible to trace them in detail. Among others was a man named Hoyt, who settled in Hoyt's Grove. Isaiah Churchill and some others who have since disappeared. T. B. Haggard, who came in the fall of 1855, is still a resident near Fair Point, to whom the writer is largely indebted for many facts regarding the history of this township. Wilson Kelsey, another living settler, who spent seventy-one days journeying from Fond du Lac Co., Wis., with an ox team in the winter of 1855 and '56. There are others to whom we would gladly give space upon our pages, but the large numbers that followed constantly, render it impossible for us to particularize them. There was considerable strife among the settlers at this time, claims were being jumped and a general feeling of uneasiness pervaded the whole township. In the winter of 1855-56 a claim meeting was called and an organization effected for the protection of the settlers. T. B. Haggard was appointed captain. This force was soon after called together to protect the settlers from the marauding bands that scoured the township.

The first town meeting was held May 11, 1858. The following officers were elected : chairman of the board, Benjamin Woodward ; supervisors, Cyrus H. Burt and David Simpson; town clerk, E. G. Comstock ; assessor, Francis A. Crebb ; overseer of the poor, a tie on the vote and no election ; constables, James Haggard and Peter Stagle ; justices of the peace, John Haggard and F. A. Crebb ; road overseers, Israel T. Comstock and Reading Woodward. James Haggard was appointed collector in May, 1858.

The first marriage in the township was between Elizabeth, daughter of T. B. Haggard, and John Hart, in August, 1857. The first death was Eliza Jane, daughter of T. B. Haggard, who died December 16, 1857.

In 1857 a log school house was built at Cherry Grove, and the first school was taught by E. G. Comstock in the winter of 1857-8. In 1861 this structure was removed and a stone school house erected on the same site. The first church organization was effected in 1856 by the Christian Disciples, the first meeting being held at the house of James Haggard. David Haggard preaching the first sermon, which was followed by meetings held at the homes of the settlers. In an early publication it was reported that a Mr. Gates preached the first sermon in this township, but authentic sources furnish us with facts which prove conclusively the reliability of these records. This people are at this date, 1878, completing a church edifice at Concord, services at present being held at the school houses of Fair Point and Cherry Grove. The first post office was established at Fair Point in 1858. David Haggard was appointed and served as the first post master. That office is now filled by J. H. Kelsey, who, with his brother Byron, repr3sent the principal business of the village in a large store, keeping a general stock of goods. There are also two blacksmith shops in the village. West of the village is the fine structure of the German Lutheran Church erected in 1865. The Catholics are also building a stone church in section 28, near the residence of John Henry. The first post office was established at Spring Creek in 1861. The present post master at this place is J. O. Stranders, who represents the business of the place in a small store, but conducting a prosperous trade.

Among the earliest settlers in this part of the township, is Darius Johnson, who came in the spring of 1856, made his claim on sec. 6, where he has since made it his home. Payington Root came in soon after, and was followed by others, mostly Norwegians. This people have a good church also. This township now supports eight schools and four churches. One of these schools is Norwegian, through which their children pass the early years in learning, when at a more advanced age they are sent to the English college to complete their education. The people of this class are mostly refined, and making rapid headway in the cultivation of the soil and improving the mind.

Source changes here: from Goodhue County, Minnesota, Past and Present, by [Hancock, Joseph Woods], published 1893; 768 words in this source stream.

Pine Island City

This town situated on the southern border of the county attracted a large number of settlers in the early times, on account of its natural advantages. It is bounded on the north by Zumbrota, west by Eoscoe, east by Wabasha county, and south by Olmsted county. Its superior advantages over other prairie townships were plenty of wood and running water.

Some four or five sections of land in the northern part were originally covered with a heavy growth of timber, and about two sections in the southwestern portion of the township were in the same condition. The balance was open prairie. The whole surface is gently rolling, the soil deep and rich.

Fortunately the wooded portions have not been cleared to any great extent as yet, but are held in small tracts, for fencing, building and to supply fuel for the households in the village and on the prairie.

The island proper is formed by the middle branch of the Zumbro, which circles around the present village, enclosing a tract once thickly studded with tall pine trees. Alas, how few of these tall monarchs of the forest are to be seen at the present day ! This spot was one of the favorite resorts of the Dakota Indians. They called it Wa-zee-wee-ta, Piue Island, and here in their skin tents, they used to pass the cokl winter months, sheltered from the winds and storms by thick branches of lofty pines. The chief of Red Wing's village told the commissioners of the United States, when asked to sign the treaty that would require his people to relinqnisli their home on tlie Mississippi river, that he was willing to sign if he could have his future home at Pine Island.

It is generally understood that H. B. Powers was the first man who came and built his cabin in this town in the year 1854 Josiali Haggard, early in the spring of that year, made a claim near where Dr. Charles Hill now resides. A man named Howard soon came and jamped this claim. Haggard then crossed the Zambro and made a second claim. Moses Jewell and his son Solomon came the next year and pre-empted this claim. Nelson Denison, another pioneer, pre-empted a claim further east the same season. A large number of settlers soon after came, among whom were Giles Hay ward, N. S. Newton, J. A. Tarbox, Philip Tomes, John Lee, John Chance, Sylvester Dickey and brother, C. I\. White and others. John Salmon Avas the first preacher and held services at the settlers" houses. The first marriage celebrated in the town was between A. B. Crou and Sarah C. Jewell, in July, 1856. The first child born in the town was Flora Ann Powers. The first school was taught by Thomas McManus.

A saw mill was begun in 185(5 by Haggard Sc Howard, which was ran for a season by Leroy <t Powers. About 200,000 feet of pine lumber was manufactured in the early years. This mill was sold to J. A. Tarbox in 1858.

Pine IslaDcl village was surveyed and platted by Wm. Rock, in 1857, on land owned by Mr. Jewell and J. A. Tarbox. It grew rapidly to a flourishing business point. The first hotel was built by E. Denison. John Chance was the first post-master.

John Lee built a hotel in the north part of the township on the stage route, leading from Saint Paul to Dubuque, as early as 1855, which was a well known stopping place for travelers and laud seekers for several years. This popular landlord was also post-master of the place, which was then known as Poplar Grove, but at the present time the fact of its existence is scarcely remembered.

The village is now incorporated as a muuicip.ility separate from the township. It is well supplied with hotels, mills, business houses, school buildings aud church 3s. A weekly paper called the Phw Island Record is published here. The public schools are graded, and under the iustruction of competent teachers. One of the former Pine Island school boys holds the position of United States Consul in the Argentine Republic, South America. The place has trained up many lady teachers for ihis and other states.

A national bank has been established here within a few years, which shows that business is still increasing. Pine Island has three church edifices. The M. E. church was built in 1864 and has a large flourishing congregation. The Protestant Episcopal church was erected in 1871, at a cost of $2,800 and is doing good Avork. The Roman Catholics have also a large church

Source changes here: from History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, by Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn, published 1909; 806 words in this source stream.

Pine Island City

Pine Island is in the southeast corner of Goodhue county, comprises township 109. range 15, and is hounded on the north by Zumbrota, on the east by Wabasha county, on the south by Olmsted county and on the west by Roseoe. The valley of the Zumbro, in the southern part, is a mile wide. In the early days the northern and southwestern portions were heavily limbered, and much of this timber has been allowed to remain standing. The geologic formations of this township differ materially from the rest of the county, but like its neighboring Goodhue county townships, its soil is rich, and its farmers consequently prosperous. The superior advantages of wood and running water, combined with rich rolling prairie land, naturally attracted a large number of settlers in the early days, and even previous to this, the place had been a favorite resort of the Indians.

Following is a resume of the officers of the township of Pine Island during the first twenty years .of its existence: At the first animal election, held .May 11. 1858, soon after the township wras constituted, there were elected: Supervisors, C. R. White, J. C. .Miller, E. D. White; clerk. J. A. Tarbox; collector, G. F. Nye; assessor, John Harper: justice of the peace, J. S. Pierce; overseer of the poor, Closes Jewell; constables, G. F. Nye, S. Demming. There were elected at the second annual meeting, April 5, 1859: Supervisors, Oscar E. Smith. Edmond White, W. S. Newton; clerk, Harrison 31. Stanton; assessor. S. P. Hardy: overseer of the poor. Moses Jewell; collector, G. F. Nye. At the third annual meeting, held April 3, I860, there were elected: Supervisors, Sylvester Dickey, Nelson D. Marble, John Harper; clerk. II. M. Stanton; superintendent of schools, Dr. Charles Hill; assessor William Krapp ; treasurer, Peter Momany; justice of the peace, S. S. Worthing; constables. James Pratt, J. D. Ells. July 13, I860, 0. Morehouse was appointed assessor, vice William Krapp, resigned. At the fourth annual meeting, held April 2, 1861, there were elected: Supervisors, Otis S. Clark, WTilliam Mead, Oscar A. Dickey ; clerk, H. M. Stanton ; assessor, Calvin P. Clark ; treasurer, Peter Momany; justices of the peace, Thomas McManus, William S. Haskins ; constable, Jacob C. Cook ; pound master, Truman Parker. April 8, 1861, H. M. Stanton was appointed town superintendent of schools. April 15, 1861, J. C. Dickey was appointed assessor, vice 0. P. Clark, resigned. At the fifth annual meeting, held April 1. 1862. there were elected: Supervisors, Henry Ahneman, C. C. Robinson, P. S. Felton ; clerk, Thomas McManus ; assessor, Henry Harper ; treasurer, Jasper W. Dickey ; justices of the peace, Thomas McManus, Peter Momany ; constables, J. C. Cook, John Salmon ; pound master, Moses Jewell. At the sixth annual meeting, held April 7, 1863, there were elected: Supervisors, William P. Hall, J. C. Miller. L. W. Holman : clerk, S. S. Worthing; assessor, Henry Ahneman ; treasurer, Jeremiah Wheeler; constable, S. Demming. At the seventh annual meeting, held April 5. 1864. there were elected : Supervisors, Mar- clerk, (i. W. Paige. The official record for L873 is incomplete; no one living remembers the remainder of the officers that year. At the seventeenth annua] meeting, held March 10, 1874, there were elected : Supervisors, .lames Parker, John Mohr, Matthias P. Ringdahl; clerk. G. W. Paige; assessor, G. W. Paige; treasurer, S. S. Worthing; just ices of the peace. W. E. Sergeant and H. Ahneman; constables. F. I). Worthing and Henry Tome. John Mohr failing to qualify, an appointment hoard met .March 28, 1874, and Henry Hahneman was appointed supervisor in his place. At the eighteenth annual meeting, held March 10, 1875, there were elected: Supervisors, James Parker. Henry Ahneman, M. P. Ringdahl; clerk, G. W. Paige; assess.)]-. <;. \V. Paige; treasurer, S. S. Worthing; poundmaster, Henry Ahneman. At the nineteenth annuaJ meeting, held .March 14. 1876, there were elected: Supervisors, C. H. Lcavitt, Giles Hayward, Thomas Halloway; clerk. A. H. Kellogg; assessor. Ladd Robie; treasurer, H. T. Perkins; justices of the peace. Henry Ahneman. Fletcher Hagler; constables. Henry Tome. Charles Dickinson. May 1, 1876, Charles Edison was appointed assessor, vice Ladd Robie; who failed to qualify. At the twentieth annual meeting, held March 13, 1877, there Mere elected: Supervisors, Charles H. Leavitt ; Thomas Halloway, Knut Clementson; clerk, A. H. Kellogg; treasurer, H. T. Perkins; assessor. Charles Edison; poundmaster, J. C. Dickey. July 6, 1877. H. S. Perkins was appointed to the office of town treasurer, vice H. T. Perkins, deceased. At the twenty-first annual meeting, held March 12, 1778, there were elected: Supervisors, E. L. Swartout, George Newhouse, Geo. Reinhart ; clerk, A. H. Kellogg ; treasurer. A. B. Cron ; assessor, Charles Edison ; justices of the peace. Fletcher Hagler, Henry Ahneman ; constables. Henry Tome. H. A. Perkins.