Vermillion Township

Vermillion Township

The village of Vermillion is situated in the center of the township, on the line between sections 15 and 22. In 1866, the Hastings and Dakota railroad was completed to Farmington. This road takes a course diagonally across the township from north-east to south-west. There was no station in the town, but the railroad company placed a platform for the accommodation of the people, and trains made regular stops. The first building erected was the blacksmith-shop of Peter Fishier, built in 1873, on the south-east quarter of section 15. He ran one fire; the building is now used for a barn.

The same year, Nicholas Klutz built a house on the north-east quarter of section 22. Jacob Randier also put up a residence and blacksmithshop on the north side of Main street. The third building is a dwelling and shoe-shop, occupied by Henry Weber. Xext is a meat-market, kept by Caspar Geering, then a frame house in which Henry Pfieffer runs a saloon. There is also another saloon conducted by G. Krausen. The only hotel in the place is that kept by Michael Kerst, built in 1874, on section 22. The building was formerly used for a general store, by Michael Heinen and Felix Gats. About six months after opening business, they moved the building on to section 15, about one hundred feet from its original location. Soon after. Gats sold his interest to Joseph Ard, and one year later Heinan sold to M. Kerst. The firm of Kerst and Ard continued one year, and in 1877, Joseph Sausen bought out Ard, and the new firm added to the original building, making it the present size, 35x45 feet, and two-stories high. It has six rooms. In 1878, Mr. Sausen retired from the firm and Mr. Kerst has since conducted the business alone. In connection with the hotel, he has a general store. The building adjoining is a blacksmith shop, run by Peter Fishier, who has his residence in the next building. To the west of this is the frame building occupied by Frank Brennan, who keeps a saloon. Next is the building used by Jacob Sausen as general store and harness shop, built in 1879. On

Vermillion post-office was established in 1874, through the instrumentality of Major Kennedy, postmaster at Hastings, and Nicholas Klutz received the appointment of postmaster. The office is in his house. Previous to the establishment of this office, the inhabitants of the town received their mail at Hastings, Bosemount and Hampton.

The Vermillion elevator is located on the north half of section 22, and was erected in 1875, by Mr. Stowell. It is a wood building 16x40 feet, one and one-half-stories high, and has a capacity for five thousand bushels of grain. The grain is elevated by horse-power. The same price is paid here as at Hastings, and farmers save time by bringing their wheat to this elevator from which it is shipped over the Hastings and Dakota railroad. In 1 876, the elevator was sold to Adam Reiger, who run it until 1880, when it was leased by Kellogg and Lange, the present proprietors. Mr. Westfall is in charge pf the business. Near the building is the platform which serves the railroad in place of a depot.

The village of Vermillion was incorporated by an act of the legislature approved February 27th, 1881. This act was passed through the efforts of General Adams. The plat includes the south half of section 15 and the north half of section 22. General Adams, Michael Kerst and Gilles Krausen were designated by the act of incorporation to carry into effect the organization, which was done by the election of the following officers: H. Potter, P. Fishier, H. Pfleffer, trustees; Joseph Sausen, recorder; Caspar Geering, justice of the peace; Frank Brennan, marshal.

The Auburn elevator is located on the northwest quarter of section 30, near the town line, where the railroad has a platform. It is about four and one-half miles west of the Vermillion elevator, and was built by D. S. Balch in 1873. It is 20x40 feet, two stories high, with a capacity of 10,000 bushels. In the spring of 1879, it was sold to William Thompson, who still owns it, although at present it is not running.

County Poor Farm

million, and accordingly purchased of William Thompson, of Hastings, a farm of eighty acres, for which the sum of $3,377.60 was paid. This farm is in the north-west quarter of section 30, and has a substantial two-story frame building to which an addition has been made at an expense of $600. The original building contained five rooms on the ground floor and the same number above. The addition has three rooms below and two above. When first occupied there were but three inmates; there are now thirteen, among them an old English woman, Maria Nightingale, who has reached the age-of 106 and is still able to be about.

Empire Mill

This mill was built in 1877, by John Becker, and is situated on the east bank of the Vermillion river, in the south-west quarter of section 23 The fine water-power is here used to advantage by Mr. Becker, who built a dam of wood and stone, eighty-five feet long and twelve feet high. The water set back by the dam forms a small lake about a mile in length, with an average depth of thirteen feet. The mill is a frame structure, three stories high on a basement of stone, and is in size 24x40 feet. The power is furnished by a Leffel wheel under a head of thirteen feet. In the basement is the cleaning and separating apparatus. On the first floor is a flour chest with a capacity of ten barrels, and two run of stone, one three and the other three and one-half feet in diameter. There is also a small run of buhrs, sixteen inches in diameter. The second floor contains a bolting chest, capable of bolting from eight to ten barrels an hour, and a middlings purifier with a capacity of 200 barrels. The third floor is used for storage and has room for 3,000 bushels of grain. This mill has an extensive patronage from the farmers of the surrounding country and gives general satisfaction.

Murder Of Thomas Callaghan

On the evening of Saturday, August 26th, 1876, occurred a most atrocious crime, one that startled the people of Vermillion. This was the murder of Thomas Callaghan, a well known citizen and prosperous farmer. The crime was committed on the line between Vermillion and Rosemount, on what is known as the Hastings and Crystal lake road. Callaghan was engaged in running a thresher, and had in bis employ two brothers, John and Joseph Bird; wishing to reduce his force of workmen he discharged these two. In settlement with them he displayed a considerable sum of money, which he carried on his person, and thus aroused their cupidity. They resolved to possess the money and accordingly lay in wait for him as he was going to his home in the evening. His workmen, with the horses, excepting the team he drove, preceded him some time. His family were not much concerned at his not reaching home, as they supposed he had gone to Rosemount, as he frequently did. As he did not come, a search was instituted and he was found in the road, about one and one-half miles from his home, near the residence of his brother, John Callaghan, with a bullet hole in his forehead and other marks of violence. They carried him to his brother's house, where he died in the afternoon, remaining unconscious from the time he was discovered.

An inquest was held, and the jury returned a verdict that the deceased came to his death at the hands of parties unknown. He was buried in Inver Grove cemetery the following day, his funeral cortege being the largest ever known in the county. Search was at once commenced for the perpetrators of the crime, and the Bird brothers were arrested in Minneapolis and taken to Hastings, where one of them confessed the deed. The elder brother died in jail before the trial, and the other, pleading guilty, escaped the gallows, and was sentenced to the penitentiary for life, where he is now serving a just punishment for the atrocious crime.

Biographical

General Charles Powell Adams, M. D., is of Scotch-English and German descent. His family can be traced back to the days of William the Conqueror. In 1643, one of his paternal ancestors came over to Virginia from England. His grandfather on his father's side served in the war of the revolution, under Washington, and lived till past ninety years old. General Adams' paternal grandmother was of an old German family. On the maternal side, General Adams' grandfather was a Scotchman. The family were soon scattered after coming to America. His parents are William and Nancy Adams, both of whom are living, he being their oldest son. The general was born in Rainsburgh, Bedford county, Pennsylvania, March 3d, 1831. After receiving a liberal education at the public schools, and at Bedford Academy, in Coshocton county, Ohio, when eighteen years of age, he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. W. R. Waddell of West Bedford. After remaining with Dr. Waddell one year, he became a student of Drs. Conneley and Pierce, in Amity, Knox county, Ohio, and then took a course in the Ohio Medical college, graduating in 1851. The next year, he began the practice of medicine in Waymansville, Bartholomew county, Indiana. His health becoming injured from over-work and the malaria of the climate, being compelled to seek a healthier residence, he removed to Hastings, Minnesota. This city was for many years his residence, and is yet his headquarters, though for some time past he has made his home on a fine farm in Vermillion township. In 1866. although but twenty-five years of age, General Adams was elected a member of the territorial legislature, and was appointed chairman of the committee on corporations, which, on account of the rapidly increasing railroad legislation and the extensive government grants of land, was made an important part of the legislature. In addition to his professional duties, the doctor assumed editorship of the Hastings Democrat, and continued it until the firing on Fort Sumter, April 14th, 1861, when he at once enlisted as a private, but in the choice of officers was elected captain of Company H, First Regiment Minnesota Volunteers, which was mustered into service on the 29th of the same month. He was in every battle, from the first Bull Run to Gettysburg, and was an unusual sufferer from wounds. His first wound was a slight one in the left arm, was received July 21st, 1861; the next, a severe one in the left groin, at Malvern Hill, July 1st, 1862; at Antietam, September 17th, 1862, severely, in the left shoulder; at Gettysburg, July 2d, 1863, six times, through the left cheek and left lung, in the groin, in the left thigh, breaking the femur, and one in the abdomen. He was left for dead on the field, but found and cared for by his comrades. Was at first taken to the hospital at Littlestown, and thence to Baltimore, Maryland. For eighteen months a crutch was necessary to enable him to walk, and, as relics of the conflict, he car- ries in his body two bullets and one buckshot. September 26th, 1862, he was appointed major, for meritorious conduct on the 6th of May, 1863, lieutenant-colonel and colonel, March 13th, "for faithful services during the war." He was again promoted to the rank of brevet-major-general, March 18th, 1865, "for meritorous services," which are recounted in the commission. The recommendation to President Lincoln, is signed by every officer of the division in which General Adams served. General George G. Meade, in a personal note to the adjutant-general of the United States, called his "particular attention to the unusually high testimonials in favor of this officer." In his report of the battle of Gettysburg, Major-General Winfield S. Hancock gave the old Minnesota First and their gallant officers, including Lieutenant-Colonel Adams, great credit for their achievements. Afterwards, at Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 10th, 1864, General Hancock wrote, referring to General Adams, "I desire to call the attention of the provost marshal-general, to the fact that this is a distinguished officer. He won great renown at Gettysburg, and is so referred to in my official report of that action." General Adams was in the service after the close of the war, and was placed in command of the third sub-district of Minnesota, with headquarters at Fort Abercrombie, Dakota territory. In January, 1866, he commanded a corps of cavalry and artillery, which was sent against the hostile Sioux; a deep snow covered the ground at the time and the thermometer ranged from thirty to forty-five degrees below zero. Although the command suffered severely from frost, the expedition was a success, and demonstrated the practicability of a winter campaign. The general was mustered out of service July 16th, 1866.andat once returned to Hastings, where he has since successfully engaged in the practice of medicine. In April, 1872, he was elected mayor of the city, but declined re-election. In 1869-70, he was an active associate of Dr. Willey, and others in organizing the Minnesota State Medical Society, and he has been honored with nearly all of the offices within its gift. He was a member of the American Medical Association, San Francisco, in 1871, and at subsequent meetings at Chicago, Buffalo, and New York city; at the latter meeting he was secretary of the section in surgery. General Adams is also a member of the Dakota County Medical Society, and an honorary member of the California State Medical Society, a member and ex-president of the Rocky Mountain Medical Society. In 1878, he was elected a member of the state senate from Dakota county, for a term of four years. General Adams was married in February, 1852, at Waymansville, Indiana, to Mary Florence, daughter of Rev. Alvin Buxton, of that town. She died in October, 1858, leaving two children, who are yet living; Flora J. and W. H., who is now a member of the Hastings bar. In November, 1873, the general was married to to Mary S. Pettibone, of Vermillion.

Charles Barrington, father of Robert Barrington, was born in Catskill county, New York, in 1776. Married to Esther Davis in 1798. He died in 1831. At the good old age of one hundred and three years, she passed away, having retained her youthful appearance to a remarkable degree, as she never wore glasses neither had a decayed tooth. They had thirteen children, two of whom died.

Robert Barrington was born in 1819, in Cayuga county, New York, and was reared as a farmer. When twenty years of age, he came to Burlington, Calhoun county, Michigan, and there engaged in agricultural pursuits fifteen years. In 1854, came to Hastings and is one of the oldest settlers. He pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres in Vermillion, living one year in a log shanty 12x14 feet, which had no floor except that which mother earth afforded, and the moon shone in through the airy roof. He then bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in section 11, where he now lives. Married Lydia J. Wetherell in 1839. They have six children living: Lucy, Louisa, Myron, James, Clarissa J., Duane and William. These good people are always kind and hospitable, having many times entertained strangers. In 1858, Mr. Barrington was elected the first school treasurer.

Sarah Bennett, nee Morgan, was born in Ireland, and came to America in 1848. Her husband, Bernard Bennett died in 1854, in Rockland county, New York. Edward Bennett, their son, is a native of Ireland. Came to America with his parents in 1848, to Fails River, Massachusetts, and to Hastings, Minnesota, in 1856. He worked as a carpenter five years and located on the Bennett property in section 9,in 1861. He was town treasurer two years. Married in 1870, to Mary A. Gee, who has borne him two children: Sarah and Margaret. Thomas Bennett, also a native of Ireland, is a resident of Traverse county. Owen Bennett, born in Ireland, is a resident of Vermillion. Torrence Bennett was born at Fall River. Massachusetts, April 26th, 1848. Removed with his parents to Rockland county, New York, when a small child. With his brothers, be owns the largest farm in Dakota county. The farm consists of over one thousand five hundred acres, and is all under cultivation, and tilled by the Bennett brothers.

Joseph Bottom ly was born in La Fayette county, Wisconsin, in 1843. He was engaged in the lead mines with his father for some time, then came to Minnesota in 1857. Made his home in Nininger four years, engaged indifferent occupations. Enlisted in Company F, Seventh Minnesota, and after serving in his country's defense three years, was discharged at Fort Snelling. He then gave his attention to lumbering for five years, finally located in Vermillion, and rented a farm in sections 10 and 15, where he has since lived. His wife was Miss Mary Fisher, married in 1870. She is a native of England, and has borne him four children: Sarah E., Mary E., Josephine A. and William E.

F. J. Brennan, a native of Ireland, was born in 1858. When a child of seven years, he came across to America, and after a short visit at Baltimore, came west to La Crosse, Wisconsin. Subsequently, he visited the Winnebago valley, then returned to Hastings, remaining five years, and afterward farmed in the Winnebago valley two years. Much of his time since he has had charge of trotting horses, and with them has visited different parts of this and other states. He made a claim of 160 acres near Morris,which he sold soon after, but took another farm of the same number of acres in Traverse county, on which he lived two years, then sold, and returned to Hastings. He now has a saloon in Vermillion, which he opened in 1880. Mr. Brennan is an unmarried man.

early thrown upon his own resources, in consequence of his father's death. Engaging in agricultural pursuits, he removed with his employer to Genessee county, remaining four years. Coming to Minnesota, in 1854, he pre-empted a claim of 160 acres in Vermillion, in section 20, and built his dwelling in 1869. On arriving at Hastings, there was not a frame house and none to be seen in any direction when at Vermillion. The Indians were traveling about at will, though quite peacable. Married in 1862, to Miss B. Morris, who has borne him two children: Robert and Esther.

John Callaghan was born in Queen's county, Ireland, April 8th, 1887. Came to this continent with his mother in 1848, locating first in Haverstraw, New York, where was his home eight years. In 1856 he came westward to Minnesota, and settled in Nininger township. During youth he attended school and learned the trade of engineer, which he followed two years after coming to this state. In 1865 he moved to his present home in Vermillion, where he has a finely improved farm of three hundred and twelve acres. He has served as county commissioner four years, town supervisor four or five years and school treasurer several terms. Married July 30th, 1865, at Hastings. Miss Johanna Murphy. Mary E., Johanna, Kate A., Maggie, William E. and Joseph, are their children.

Thomas Callaghan, deceased, was born in Queen's county, Ireland, in June, 1841. His father died when Thomas was five years of age, and in 1848 his mother and her family immigrated to America. They located at Haverstraw, New York and there lived until 1856. The family then came to Minnesota and located in Nininger township. Thomas acquired a practical education and learned the trade of sawyer. During the war he was attached to the quartermaster's department under Gen. Le Due. Returning home at the close of hostilities he purchased a tract of unimproved land in section 6, Vermillion, which he moved to and lived on until the event of his tragic death, in 1875, an account of which is given elsewhere in this volume. Married February 7th, 1867, to Miss Rose Hughes, who now lives at the home of her late husband. Eliza, Margaret, George, John H. and Thomas, are their children.

Queen's county, Ireland, and came to America with the family in 1848. He enlisted in Company F, Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, in 1863, and was attached to the army of the Tennessee. His bright and promising career was ended at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, November 9th, 1864, aged twenty years. He died of illness contracted while in service.

Mrs. Catharine Callaghan, mother of John, Thomas and William Callaghan, died at Nininger in 1868, aged about sixty yeurs. She was a most estimable lady and trained her children in the right way. She passed away mourned by many.

John Cockbain was born in Cumberland county , England, in 1830. At the age of twelve years he began working for himself, and in 1855, came to America. The same year he came to Hastings and assisted in building a house for Mr. Tripp, one of the oldest settlers there. He and his brother then purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Rosemount in partnership, but owing to a dispute which arose between them, John withdrew. He then took a claim near the depot at Rosemount; in consequence of sickness and straightened finances he was unable to retain it. Once more he commenced, and on a very small scale, having one-fourth of an acre with three acres of timber land, and in 1857, built a house 16x20. After this he worked for different parties, and finally purchased seventy-eight acres in Vermillion, to which he moved in 1864. Has prospered and added to his original farm. Married, in 1855, Miss Ann Nichollsen, a native of England. Mary A., Jane E. and Ellen N. are their children.

John Duff was born in Bartholomew county, Indiana, June 30th, 1840. His early life was passed on a farm, and in October, 1861, enlisted in the Seventh Indiana Battery, serving until honorably discharged at Indiauapolis. December 7th, 1864. Returning to his native county, he remained until the spring of 1866; then came to Dakota county, Minnesota, since which time he has engaged in fanning. Has been twice married; his present wife was Miss Annie E. Kirk, whom he married May 1st, 1878.

twenty years. In 1872 he came to America and shortly after proceeded to Hastings and worked until 1880 on the railroad. He then came to Vermillion and took a situation as section boss on the Hastings and Dakota railroad. April 9th, '1877, he married Miss Kate Yarah of Germany. Two children have been born to them, Mary and Frank.

Peter Fishier was born in Germany in 1853. He came to America and to Guttenburg, Iowa, where he remained four years as a farmer, then went to Wisconsin and learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed three years. In 1872 he went to Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, subsequently returning to his home in Wisconsin. He located in Vermillion in 1873, and has here engaged in the pursuit of his trade. Purchased his present residence in 1876. Married Miss Kate Smith in 1878, who has borne him two children, Kittie and Mary.

Thomas Fitzgerald was born in West St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1859. His father, John Fitzgerald, was born in Ireland, in 1831, and came to America in 1857. He married in 1854, to Margaret Conners, who bore him seven children. He has one hundred and sixty-six acres in West St. Paul, where he now is, and in 1880, bought a farm in Vermillion which Thomas now cultivates.

H. J. Gasman was born in Waukesha county, Wisconsin in 1847. He was reared as a farmer, and acquired a common school education. His home was with his grand parents until the age of twenty-two years. He then removed to Pierce county, Wisconsin, and farmed for two years. In 1869 he came to Minnesota and lived one year in Hastings, then came to Vermillion and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, where he now lives, having a comfortable home. He married, in 1873, Miss Sarah McKay, who was born in Walworth county, Wisconsin, in 1850. Their children are: Lillie, born October 30th, 1875; and Alice, born October 3th, 1877.

John N. Girgen was born in Prussia, in 1836. He attended the schools of his native place, and in 1852, came to America with his parents. Locating at St. Paul, Minnesota, he remained three years, a portion of the time being spent in finishing his studies. After his father's death, in 1854, moved to Dane county, Wisconsin, where he farmed three years. Returning to St. Paul, he rented a farm of sixty acres, and in 1867, located in Vermillion, where he has a comfortable home, and a farm of eighty acres. In 1870, was elected supervisor; has been assessor, and is at present school treasurer. Married Margaret Bolway in 1867. She is a native of Germany, and has borne him eight children; the living are: Peter J., John U., Rosa, Alice, Mary and Annie.

N. S. Heinen is a native of Minnesota, and was born in Ramsey county in 1867. His father, a native of Prussia, was born in 1819, and came to America in 1864, purchased a farm of two hundred and ten acres in Vermillion in 1862. He died May 22d, 1869, his widow now having charge of the estate. N. S. Heinen is a farmer, and came to Vermillion with his father. He rents a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which he tills. Married Miss Mary Henkes, of Prussia, in 1869: John and Maggie, are their children.

Michael Kerst, a native of Prussia, was born in 1838. He was reared as a farmer, and in 1848, went to Belgium, where was his home six years, and was mostly engaged in agriculture. In 1868, he came to America, proceeding forthwith to St. Paul. Continued farming in the locality seven years, then passed two years in Minneapolis. Came to Vermillion in 1866, and located on his present place in 1876. He started the only hotel and now runs it, also a good store. Married in 1868, to Miss Ellen Arth, a native of Germany. Michael, Lena, Beno, Mary, Clara and John are their children.

Joseph A. S. Kirk was born in York county, Pennsylvania, February 2d, 1846. When quite young, moved with his parents to Maryland, and afterward to Delaware. Here he entered the army in October, 1862, as a private in Company C, One Hundredth and Seventy-fifth New York, and was honorably discharged in the spring of 1864, in consequence of disability at Baton Rouge. Louisiana. He returned to Wilmington, Delaware, then re-enlisted in 1864, in the Marine service and served four years, a portion of the time being in the Washington navy yards and on board the steamer, "De Soto." Received his discharge in 1868. Two years later he enlisted in the United States Regulars, Company E, Twentieth Infantry for five years; came immediately to Fort Snelling, and two years later to Fort Totten, Dakota. Was honorably discharged at expiration of term. Married Miss Christina 8. Johnson, at Fort Totten in 1873. After his discharge, came to Minneapolis, and soon after settled on his farm of eighty acres in section 31, Vermillion.

Gilles Krausen was born in Germany, in 1847. He farmed with his rather for some time, and in 1867, came to America. Came to Hastings, thence to New Trier, and farmed four years in Hampton township. He was clerk in the Farmer's hotel at Hastings three years, then went to Wisconsin and clerked in a store two years. He afterward returned to Hastings and located at Vermillion in 1877. At first, he rented his present farm, then bought it; also has a saloon near the depot.

John Manners, deceased, born in England in 1783. He married Miss Ann Simpson, a native of England, born in 1786. They had nine children. Mr. Manners died January 1st, 1869, and his widow in 1864. Robert Manners, their son, was born in Durham county, England, at a place called Bishop Auckland, in 1817. He received a practical education and learned the engineer's trade. In 1866, he came to America, and the next year came to Nininger, where he remained six years. He purchased forty acres in Vermillion in 1868, and moved there, building his home in 1862. Having been prosperous as a farmer, he has added to his farm until he now has five hundred acres. Has a fine stock of Norman horses and short-horn cattle. Married in 1849, to Annie Burns. George B., Robert S., Annie M., Thomas, John A. and Orlando R. are their children.

Henry L. Moses was born in Maine, July 23d, 1834. When seventeen years of age, he came westward to Hennepin county, and for ten years lived near the city of Minneapolis. He then came to Dakota county, and about eleven years ago, purchased and located on his finely improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres, in Vermillion township. Mr. Moses is a man of much enterprise, and was one of the first to introduce steam threshing machines in the county. Each winter he is largely engaged in lumbering on the head waters of the Chippewa river. Last season he cut and sold 10,000,000 feet of logs. Married in 1864 to Miss Martha Balch, who has borne him two children: Helen and Eva.

Charles £. Oman was born in Sweden in 1842. He learned the tailors' trade in his native country and followed it eleven years. In 1868, came to this continent, and to Red Wing, Goodhue county, where for one year he engaged in farming. Going to Hastings in 1869, he remained four years in the employ of a merchant. He now lives in Vermillion, having a farm of 160 acres. Married, in 1863, to Miss Mary Swanson, a native of Sweden. Matilda L. and Alfred £. are their children. Andrew Oman, his father, was born in Sweden in 1813. He married Miss Anna Israel, who was born in Sweden in 1815. His death occurred in 1847.

Henry Pfeiffer was born in Germany in 1853. He was reared as a farmer, and when eighteen years old came to America. Made his home in St. Paul two years, Winona one year, and has been a resident of Vermillion six years. Previous to his locating here, he followed agricultural pursuits, and since has been in the liquor trade, having a saloon near the depot. Married to Miss Hattie Kassela in 1878. Two children have been born to them: Peter and John.

Jacob Randier was born in Ohio in 1857. Came to Scott county, Minnesota, with his parents when four years of age, and at the age of fourteen removed to New Trier, and for two years was a farmer in that locality. Returning to Scott county, he learned the blacksmiths' trade, and worked at it there nearly three years. Coming to Vermillion in 1876, he started his trade, and after a few months in St. Paul returned and opened a shop. He now runs two fires, and is doing a good business. Miss Mary Smiths became his wife in 1878. They have two children, one son and one daughter, John and Antoney.

Alexander Records, deceased, was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, August 14th, 1805. He remained in his native country until about twenty-two years of age, then moved to Crawford county, Pennsylvania, and built a sawmill, following the vocations of farming and milling until 1S38. He married Miss Sarah A. Adams in 1830. They moved to Bartholomew county, Indiana, making there their home until 1863. Coming thence to Vermillion, they located on a farm, on which Mrs. Records still resides. Her late husband died May 3d, 1877. Benjamin M

Thomas J. Redican was born in Massachusetts, in 1846. Moved with his parents to New York city in 1850, thence to Illinois in 1854, and the next year to Hastings. He, with his parents, settled on the 44 Barker" place of one hundred and sixty acres in Vermillion. Enlisted in 1865, in First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, served one year, and was honorably discharged at Nashville. Mr. Redican has been town clerk six years, and is at present town treasurer. Married in 1870, to Catherine McNamara, who has borne him one son and one daughter: Mary W. and John W.

William Ryan is a native of Tipperary county, Ireland, born in 1841. When about fourteen years old he came to America and settled in Massachusetts, remaining two years, then in 1858, came to Minnesota. About one year after, however, he crossed the continent to California, then went to Oregon. Two years later he re-traced his steps to this state, and has since lived in Dakota county. During the spring of 1867, he moved to his present farm in Vermillion. His wife was Miss Maria Loboy, Married at Minneapolis in 1867. They have an interesting family of seven children: Michael J. A., William, Mary J., James J., Morris, Thomas and Lawrence.

Frederick Schickling was born on the Atlantic, August Uth, 1841. He came with his parents from Indiana to St. Paul in 1851, the capital of the family being $4. Removing thence to Northfield they made that place their home a short time, then lived eight years in Green Vale. Finally they located where Mr. Schickling now lives. He has an improved place, and built his house in 1867; has planted about three thousand trees. He has been head sawyer in several mills and assessor of the township in 1868. Married in 1873, to Miss Mary Huckanpaler, who has borne him two children: Henry and Frederick J.

Mathias Siebenaler was born in Luxemburg, Germany, in December, 1838. Came to America in 1857, and located at Chicago. In 1861, came to Scott county, Minnesota, and the same year came to Vermillion. In 1865, went to Germany, and brought his father to America. Has a fine farm, and is one of the leading men of the » town.