Roscoe Township

Roscoe Township

ALBERTS} HIRAM, farmer, sec. 31, P. O. Roscoe. Born in Germany in 1834. Emigrated to America in 1855; settled in Illinois and lived eight months, when he moved to Iowa, and to this county in 1857, settling in Cherry Grove, where he pre-empted 160 acres in sec. 13. Married Catherine Kundert in 1859. She was born in Switzerland in 1844. En-' listed in 1864 in Co. D, 11th Minn. V. I., and served until the close of the war, being mostly on the plains. Settled on his present estate in 1874, consisting of 350 acres. Milton, John, Klaas, Lucy, Isabel, Annie, Beltz and Hiram, are their living children. Lost one child, Joseph.

ANDERSON, NELS, farmer, sec. 13, P. O. Zumbrota. Born in Norway in 1827. Married Mary Swanson in 1853. She was born in Norway in 1833. Emigrated to America in 1868, and settled in this State and on his present estate in 1870, consisting of 80 acres, valued at $40 per acre. Amanda, Simeon and Christian, are their children. Are members of the Lutheran church.

born in Switzerland in 1836. Emigrated to America in 1851, and settled in Dodge county, Wis., and was the first permanent settler in Milton tp., where he pre-empted 160 acres on sec. 11, upon which he settled and lived until 1861. Came to this county and settled in this tp. on sec. 26. In April, 1869, moved on his present estate, consisting of 197 acres. John, Christopher, Samuel, Adolphus, Jacob, Albert, David, Frank, Walter, are their living children.

BRINGGOLD, JACOB, farmer, sec. 28, P. 0. Pine Island. Born in Switzerland. Jan. 24, 1824. Emigrated to America in 1840; first settling in Lewis county, N. Y., where he married Susan Agger in 1855. She was born in Switzerland in 1831. Came to this county in 1865, and settled on his present estate, consisting of 335 acres, 140 of which is valued at $40 per acre. Is school director and well known throughout the town and county. Rosa, Emma J., Susan F., Helen M., A. Jacob, Anna J., Charles R. and Grace E., are their living children.

DICKINSON, NORMAN L., farmer, sec. 15, P. O. Roscoe Center. Born in Lewis Co., N. Y., in 1840. Came to this Co. with parents in 1856, the family settling in this township, where his father, J. L. Dickinson, preempted 160 acres of land, near this estate. Is now a resident of Pine Island. In 1862 Mr. D. enlisted in the 8th Minn. V., Co. H, and served until the close of the war, participating in all the battles in which that regt. was engaged. Was in the Sully expedition and mustered out at Fort Snelling, in the spring of 1865. Married Clarisa M. McManus in Oct., 1867; she was born in Pa. in 1851. Ada, Walter, Annie and Charles are their living children. Owns farm of 160 acres, valued at $6,000.

DICKINSON, PERRY L., farmer, sec. 15, P, O. Roscoe Center. Born in N. Y., in 1842. Came to this Co. with parents in 1856, and settled on his present estate, one eighty, where he lived until he enlisted in 1862 in 8th Minn. V., Co. H., and served until the close of the war. Participated in battle of Murfreesboro and with Gen]. Sully's expedition against the Indians; serving on the plains six months; was mustered out at St. Paul and returned home, and in 1865 married Roselle Smith; she was born in State of N. Y., in 1849. Jennie, Clayton, Eugene, John and Lila, are their living children. Owns farm of 160 acres which is the family homestead.

HANSON, JOHN 0., blacksmith, Roscoe Centre. Born in Sweden in 1840, emigrated to America in 1869. Came to this county, stopping a few months in Zumbrota, when he came to the Centre, and rented a shop, and engaged in his occupation, which he has since successfully followed. In 1873 he built the shop he now occupies, and his residence adjoining, and is conducting a lucrative business. Same year married Johanna Peterson. She was born in Sweden in 1850. Edwin W. is their only living child. Lost one, Mary J. Members of the Lutheran Church.

1859, leaving 3 children - William J., Newton H. and Ann Eliza. Emigrated with parents when a child, to Steuben county, N. Y., where his father, James H., still resides. Came to this county in Nov., 1856; built a shanty near his present estate, where he lived some years, securing his land of 80 acres by pre-emption. Here he has since resided, and is one of the early pioneers of this town. Was chairman of the board 6 years, assessor 3 years. From '66 to "71, the principal roads were laid out under his supervision. His present wife, Mary M. Bonney, was born in Madison county, N. Y., in 1825. Annis Elvira, is their only child. Members of the M. E. Church.

HOVLAND, LABS; farmer, sec. 10, P. 0. Roscoe Centre. Born in Norway, in 1841; and emigrated to America in 1857, settling in Rock county, Wis., where he lived until 1862, when he came to this county and settled on his present estate, consisting of 160 acres, which he values at $50 per acre, where he has since made it his home.

JOHNSON, MICK, farmer, sec. 3, P. O. Zumbrota. Born in Norway, Nov. 12, 1824. Emigrated to America in 1846, settling in Wis., where he lived until 1860, when he moved to this county, and pre-empted 160 acres in Minneola township. May 18, 1860, married Mary Thompson. She was born in Norway, in 1833. Settled on his present estate in 1868, consisting of 240 acres. JohnS., Bertha M., Lena G., Ellen M., Emil Melvin, Jose A. and Edwin O., are their children. Members of the Lutheran Church.

L0THR0P, J0SIAH, farmer, sec. 10, P. O. Zumbrota. Born in Quebec in 1839. Emigrated to this county in 1856 with his father, Howard, and family, and pre-empted the i sec. of his present estate, upon which he settled, where the family still reside. In 1862 enlisted in Co. H, 8th Minn. I., and participated in the battles of Tah-ka-ko-ku-ta, Little Missouri, Overalls Creek, Wilkinsons Pike, or battle of the Cedars, and skirmish near Murfreesboro, Dec, 1864, to which time this regiment was with Sully's expedition. At Columbia, S. C, was organized in the 3rd brigade 1st div. 23d A. C. ; participated in an engagement at Newburn and Goldsburg, R. R., known as battle of Kingston; mustered out and discharged at St. Paul, July 11, 1865. Married Sarah E. Libby in 1867. She was born in 111. in 1848. Mary O., Josiah H. and Charles E., are their living children.

MITCHELL, J. farmer, sec. 12, P. O. Zumbrota. Born in Ireland in 1819, and with his parents came to this country when a child. His father settled in Rochester, N. Y., in 1826, where he died in 1829 or "30. Mr. M. emigrated to Washtenau county, Mich., being one of the early pioneers of that State. In 1841 he moved to McHenry county, 111., where he preempted land, and where he experienced all the hardships of early pioneer life. In Aug., 1845, he married Ann A. Scofield. She was born in Greene county, N. Y., in 1826. In 1847 he'settled in Fond du Lac county, Wis., at which time there was but few settlers in that county. He help build the first school house that was erected in that county, and made it his home until he came to this county in 1856, and is one of the early living pioneers of this town. He assisted in building the first school house, which was built in 1857; has filled important town offices. They have four children living - Lizzie, wife of H. T. Brown; Edward, Frank and Leona. Lost one child, Ellen. Mrs. M. is member Con. Church.

MATCHEN, G. W., farmer, sec. 2, P. 0. Zumbrota. Born in England in 1830. Married Mary A. Shields in 1850. She was born in England in 1833. Emigrated in 1857 to Canada, where he resided until 1863, when he moved to Wis. and soon after came to this county and settled near Zumbrota, and in 1867 moved to his present estate of 240 acres. Are members of M. E. Church. George, Robert, William, Almira, Edward, Laura, Anna and Wesley, are their children.

MCCOY, G. G., farmer, sec. 14, P. 0. Zumbrota. Born in State N. Y., Nov. 7, 1825. When young emigrated with parents to Pa., and in 1837 to 111., where his father, John, settled on a claim, and died in 1855. Dec. 5, 1844, married E. J. Dickson. She was born in the State of N. Y., Aug. 26, 1826. Moved to Wis., lived one year; then crossed the plains to California. Came to this county in 1856, and settled on adjoining section, 160 acres of which he pre-empted, being the first family on this prairie. Built a shanty and lived some years. Was supervisor in 1859, and chairman of the board in 1861. Aug. 29, 1862, enlisted as captain company H, 8th Minn. I., and served until Feb., 1865. Was with Sully's expedition on the Yellowstone, and participated in battles of Tah-ka-ko-kuta, Little Missouri, Overalls Creek, Wilkinson's Pike, or battle of the Cedars, and a skirmish near Murfreesboro, Dec. 8-13, 1864. Capt. Barrett was detached and Capt. McCoy commanded both companies, returning to Fort Snelling, Oct., 1864. In the fall of 1865 moved on his present estate of 160 acres. Is one of the early pioneers of this town. George E., Frank W., Charles E. and Mary L. are their living children. Lost two - Helen M. and Florence I.

MILLER, CHARLES R., farmer, sec. 29, P. O. Roscoe. Born in Lewis Co., N. Y., in 1841. Married Caroline Burk in 1864; she Avas born in same Co. in 1841. Emigrated to this Co. in 1866, and settled on his present estate, consisting of 160 acres, valued at $40 per acre. Is chairman of the board of supervisors, and is well known throughout, being members of the Ger. Reformed Church. Lillie A., Emily L., Florence R. and Mary C. are their children.

POWERS, U. B., farmer, sec. 20, P. O. Roscoe. Born in Buffalo, Jan. 31, 1836. Emigrated to Pa. in 1852; to Wis. in 1854; and in Oct., same year, came to this Co. and settled in Pine Island, where he pre-empted 160 acres on sec. 31, built a cabin and lived two years, and moved on sec. 30; was the first living settler in that town. Married Mary E. Miller in 1856; she was born in Pa., Feb, 28, 1838. Moved on his present estate in 1864, con- sisting of 120 acres. Mr. P. was the first man to run the mill built by Howard at P. Island in L855. Flora A., George B , James C, Alice M., Frank E., Mark H. and William R. are their children.

PETERSON, NELS, farmer, sec. 13, P. 0. Zumbrota. Born in Norway in 1826. Married Christina Christianson in 1851. She died in 1867 and left five children, Peter, Mathias, Carrie, Mary and Emma. Emigrated to America in 1861, and settled in Pine Island, where he purchased a farm, and in 1869 he married Gena Goodmand. She was born in Norway in 1840, and ha,ve four children, Gustave B., Adrian A., Adolph E. and Nicol G. In 1875, he settled on his present estate, consisting of 80 acres. Are members of Lutheran Church.

PETERSON, FREDRICK, farmer, sec. 3, P. 0. Zumbrota. Born in Norway in 1828. Married Annie Olson in 1844; she was born in Norway in 1829. Emigrated to America in 1857, and settled in Wis., where he lived until 1862, when he came to this Co. and settled in this town, purchasing his present estate of 120 acres in 1864. Is serving his second term as justice of the peace; was supervisor three or four terms, and is assessor at the present time, and represented this Co. in the legislature of 1875 '-6. Has always been identified with the interests of the town, county and State. Christian and Peter O. are their living children.

ROGERS, GEORGE M., farmer, sec. 20, P. 0. Roscoe. Bom in Chenango Co., N. Y., in 1841. Emigrated with parents to Wis. in 1850, where he lived until 1857, when he moved to Ashland, where he resided two years, when he went to Wauthioga; thence to Buchanan, and in 1865 to this Co. and settled in the south part of this town. In 1867 moved on his present estate, consisting of 130 acres. Emma J., Effie, Elzada and Bertie are their children.

SCOFIELD, J. L., farmer, sec. 12, Roscoe, P. 0. Zumbrota. Born in Greene county, N. Y., in 1824. Married Sophia Getman in 1856. She was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., in 1826. Emigrated to this county in 1858, and settled on his present estate, consisting of 280 acres, in this and Pine Island tp. Is one of the early settlers in this town, where he held the office of justice of the peace two years, and has always been identified with the interests of the town and county. Frank E., Charles W. and Amos L., are their children. Are members of Con. Church.

VANDUSEN, J. R., farmer, sec. 32, P. 0. Roscoe. Born in Ohio in 1824. Left that State in 1844, with parents, who settled in 111., where, in 1846, he married Lucy Peavy. She was born in Genesee Co., N. Y., in 1828. Came to this State in 1863, and settled in Dodge Co., town of Wilton, where he resided until 1867, when he came to this county, and settled in this town, where he has since made it his home. Settled on the present farm in 1877. Is one of the early settlers of the county. Eliza, Polly C, Charles W. and Carrie J., are their living children.

WARREN, S. H., farmer, sec. 26, P. 0. Pine Island. Bom in Albany, N. Y., in 1818. Married Sally Calkin in 1841: she was born in State of N. Y. in 1821. Emigrated in March, 1867, and settled near his present estate, where he lived until 1871, when he moved to Zumbrota and engaged in making cheese four years, when he returned to this town and settled on his present estate of 54 acres. Supervisor one term, and member of the M. E. Church. Have four children - Charles H., William B., Martha V. and Ira D. ; eldest son, enlisted 1862, in Co. B., 121st N. Y. V. I., and served until the close of the war. Participated in battles of Fredericksburg, where he was taken prisoner and discharged; battles of the Wilderness, and again taken prisoner at Spotsylvania Court House, and confined in Andersonville; transferred to Florence, S. C, where he remained six months, and was released by the march of Sherman's army to the sea. Returned home and is now engaged in milling in Zumbrota.

WEBB, MARTIN Lt, merchant and P. M., residence Roscoe. Born in Ohio in 1845. Came to this county in 1858 and settled in this tp., and in Oct., 1861, enlisted in Co. D, 4th Minn. V. Served one year and transferred to the 11th 0. battery, and serve/1 two years, when he was again transferred to the old 4th. Participated in siege of Corinth, Iuca; two days battle at Corinth, Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Miss., Champlin Hills, siege of Vicksburgh, Chatarsa and Altoona Mountains, where he was wounded, and in Oct., 1864, was mustered out. Re-enlisted in March, 1865, in Hancock's First Army Corps Veteran Volunteers, and served until the close of the war. Mustered out and discharged at Indianapolis. Returned home and went to Pope county, where he married Isabel S. Pennie in 1868. She was born in Scotland in 1844. Returned to this tp. and settled on a farm in sec. 18, where he lived until 1877, when he moved on his present estate and opened a store. Was appointed P. M. same year; was town treasurer one year. Mary L., Angeline J., Mabel, Harvey, Jr., and Blanche, are their children. Mr. W. 's father, Oliver, settled in this tp. in 1857, and still lives near this village.

Source changes here: from Goodhue County, Minnesota, Past and Present, by [Hancock, Joseph Woods], published 1893; 658 words in this source stream.

Roscoe Township

This township lies directly west of Pine Island and very nearly resembles that town in its natural advantages. It possesses fine prairie lands, and both wood and running water in abuudance adjacent thereto. The middle branch of the Zumbro flows through the south part, along which are broad tracts of heavy woodland, bearing white and burr oak, sugar maple, elm, and poplar.

F. Stevens and H. D. Devoe, are said to have made claims. These were followed the next year by Fletcher Hagler, J. R. Good, David Coleman, J. Rutherford, Wm. Farnam, Alex. Long, P. G. Wilson, Wm. Fry, T. D. Hall and J. J. Hagler. Fletcher Hagler selected his claim on the ground where Roscoe village is, and there built the first frame dwelling in the township. He was the first post-master.

J. G. Hepner, the first blacksmith, built his shop here that year, and worked at his trade many following years. Two brothers named Dickinson, B. W. Hiilliday,

G. G. McCoy, H. B. Powers, were among the number who settled as early as 1856 and are still living. Mr. Dana, the father of Charles S. Dana, our present deputy

Hagler & Good built and stocked the first store. The first public religious service was held in the house of Mrs. Stevens in the fall of 1854. Rev. John Salmon officiated. The first church organization took place in the village school house in the spring of 1857. H. C. Emery and Mahala Sacket were the first couple united in marriage in the year 1856. The first death among the settlers was a Mr. Fry, that year. The first birth was a pair of twins to Mrs. Haskell Burch, while living in a covered wagon, awaiting the completion of a better habitation. Miss Annette Leek taught the pioneer school.

A sad calamity occurred in this town in 1860, in connection with the burning of a building occupied by Mrs. Jeremiah Kay and her children, her husband being absent from home. It was in the month of June. A violent' storm came on and a bolt of lightning struck the house, setting it on fire. Mary Shields, a girl living with Mrs. Ray, succeeded in getting the two older children out of the house and ran to the neighbors for help. Mrs. Ray escaped also and finding the house was likely to be destroyed, rushed in to save her twin babes, but was so blinded by smoke she failed to rescue them, barely escaping with her life. The babies perished.

George Lantz, who had been a soldier in the Union army came to his death under the following circumstan- C3S : In the winter of 1865-6, he went to Mantorville, Dodge county, about twelve miles from home, on horseback, and returning in the evening, a blizzard met him. While passing through a grove of timber he was warned of his danger in trying to reach home, but he persevered and was found frozen to death the next morning within a few rods of his own home. He had reached a fence, which in endeavoring to climb over, had made a misstep and fell back to rise no more. The horse was found at one of the neighbor's barns. It was supposed that he let the horse go, hoping that by walking he should be more likely to keep from freezing.

In 1858 another post-office was established in the northern central part of the town, called Roscoe Center, where there is now a store, blacksmith shop, a fine school building, and a Lutheran church, capable of seating 500 persons.

At Roscoe village there is now a cheese factory, a fine brick school building, stores, dwellings and other adjuncts of a country village. Roscoe presents to a traveler, at the present day, all the signs of thrift and prosperity incident to a well ordered and industrious community - a place of comfortable homes and an abundance of the necessaries of life.

Source changes here: from History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, by Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn, published 1909; 1,192 words in this source stream.

Roscoe Township

Roscoe comprises township 109, range 16, and is bounded on the east by Pine Island, on the south by Dodge county, on the, west by Cherry Grove and on the north by Minneola. The southeastern part is cut up into lots and is practically a suburb of Pine Island village. In natural features Roscoe very closely resembles the township of Pine Island. It has fine prairie lands, somewhat elevated in the north and descending in rolling undulations to the valley of one of the branches of the Zumbro in the south. The drainage is through the Zumbro and its branches in the south and a few creeks in the north. In the southern part of the township are tracts wooded with white and burr oak, sugar maple, elm and poplar. With running water, fine timber and

James Haggard and AY. Wilson came in 1854. Their claims were on section 5, where they erected cabins and prepared for permanent settlement. AVilson, however, after some time, returned to his old home in the East, and Haggard, discouraged by the burning of his cabin, went to Brown county, where he became a prominent citizen. Shortly after t he coming of Haggard and AVilson there arrived Simon Sackett, D. F. Stevens and H. D. Devoe. They were followed the next year by Fletcher Hagler, J. R. Good, David Coleman, J. Kutherford, William Farnam, Alexander Long, P. G. Wilson, William Fry, T. D. Hall and J. J. Hagler. Fletcher Hagler, above named, had his claim where the village of Roscoe now stands. He built the first frame dwelling in the township and served as postmaster, but afterward became one of the poineers of Pine Island. Oliver Webb, a lineal descendant of the Pilgrims, came in 1856. John

C. Hepner, for many years the village blacksmith, came the same year and built a blacksmith shop. Among others who came at about the same time were two brothers named Dickinson, B. W. Halliday, G. G. McCoy. H. B. Powers and Charles Dana. The latter named the town from the township of Roscoe, Illinois, where he had previously lived.

In 1856 Messrs. Hagler and Good built and stocked a store for general merchandise. This store was kept in operation about two years and then discontinued on account of the financial depression. In the spring of 1856 the same company had a village plat surveyed and the blocks and streets laid out. It never, however, reached the gigantic proportions of which the proprietors so fondly dreamed, although the proprietors helped all they could by getting a hotel built and a postoffice started. An early history says: "These pioneers experienced their full share of the hardships incident to the opening and settling of a new community. At once time Mrs. Stevens, the mother of

D. F. Stevens, having sent her son to Dubuque for household supplies, relates that for two months she did not look upon the face of a white person except that of her young daughter; and the only bread they had to eat was made from corn given her I>y the Indians and ground by herself in a coffee mill."

The first religious services in tfie town were held at the home of Mrs. Stevens in the fall of 1854, the Rev. John Salmon officiating. The first church organization took place in the schoolhouse 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 white children to sec the light of day in the township. II. ('. Emery and Mrs. Mahala Saeketl were the first couple united in matrimony, the ceremony being performed in July, 1856. The first deatli occurred the same year, that of William Fry. The first school, erected in 18-">7. was taught by Annette Leek the same year. J. T. Mitchell, who came in 1856, assisted in starting a pioneer school on the southeast corner of section 11, later known as McCoy's district. This school was first taught by Sophia Blancharcl, in the spring of 1858. Miss Blanchard afterward became Mrs. John Gove.

The township settled up rapidly. The predominating people in the town are now Americans of Norwegian descent or birth. There are also many residents of Swedish and German birth or descent, and there still remain a few of the descendants of the old eastern families, but these latter for the most part have moved away. The town is pre-eminently one of prosperity, rich land, beautiful homes, and a progressive, contented people. The second generation is for the most part well educated, and the third generation is making rapid strides in the public schools. Two calamities which occurred in the early days have fixed themselves firmly in the minds of the people. The first happened in 1860. Jeremiah Kay, one of the pioneers, had followed the rush of the gold seekers to Pike's Peak, leaving his wife and children. He prospered in his new location and was contemplating sending for his family, when ocurred the sad accident which robbed him of his recently-born twins. In the month of June the family residence was stwick by lightning, and at once burst into flames. Mary Jane Shields, a girl living in the household, succeeded in getting Mrs. Ray and the two older children out of the house. Mrs. Ray, however, although still ill, saw that her twins had not been saved and rushed back into the house. Blinded by smoke and weak as she was, she was unable to rescue the babies, and they perished in the flames. George Lantz, after escaping the murderous rain of shot and shell on the battlefields of the Civil War, perished in the following manner: In the winter of 1865-66 he went to Mantorville, Dodge county, about twelve miles from his home, on horseback, and returning in the * evening a blizzard met him. While passing through a grove of timber he was warned of his danger and told that it was practically impossible for him to reach home. He persevered, however, and was found frozen to death the next morning within a few rods of his own home. He had reached a fence. ;md in endeavoring to climb over made a misstep and fell back, to rise no more. The horse was found at a neighbor's barn. It is supposed that he let the horse go, hoping that by walking he

Roscoe Center was founded in 1858. At that time it was known as Sunapee, and Truman Parker was appointed postmaster. The name was changed to Roscoe Center in 1863. At this point is now a small settlement, and here also is the Norwegian Lutheran church, a. commodious structure capable of seating 500 people.

Roscoe village is also a hustling little settlement. The postoffice is now discontinued and mail is received by the Zumbrota , R. F. D. No. 4. The village is thirty-two miles southwest of Red "Wing and eight miles southAvest from Zumbrota.