Wheatland Township

Chaptek Lxiii Schools Post-Office Eeligiocs Early

This, the northwest corner townshi)) of Kice county, has Le Siieur county on the west, Scott county on the north, the town of Webster on the east, and Erin 9U the south. It has the regular thirty-six sections of a government township. As to the name, whethei' it is derived from the Wheatland which was the residence of President Buchanan, from some town further east, or from its intrinsic quality as regards the production of the leading cereal of the eounti'y, it perhaps matters little so long as it answers the two great purposes of a name, which are to characterize and also to distinguish it from all else with which it may be confounded.

The town may be described as a rolling prairie, being almost hilly in some parts. There was formerly some lieavy timbei', but much of it was l)rush prairie with scattering groves of small timbei'. The soil is remarkably well adapted to hay or grain. There are three lakes, in addition to Phelps Lake which lays mostly in Erin but comes up into this town near the western corner, on the southern boundary. The largest of these lakes is Cody Lake, which is from a few rods to half a mile wide and about two miles long. The other two have not been honored with names that appear on the maps, but they are oval in form and half a mOe in diameter, and certainly should have this distinction. The overflow from these lakes, which involve sections sixteen and seventeen for one, imd nineteen and twenty for the other, finds its way into Cody Lake. There are two or three little rivulets in town but no streams of importance. The soil is a rich dark loam with clayey outcroppings on the elevated points.

Eakly Settlement

The earliest settlers to reach this town arrived in 1855. It appears that Joseph J. Frazier, a halfbreed, bis father being a Scotchman, came here at an early day on a hunting and trapping expedition under the patronage of Gen. Sibley who was his fast friend. Being attracted by the location, in the year above named he made a claim on section thirty-two, between Cody and Phelps Lakes, and here he estalilished a home, if a bachelor hermitage can be so called, and existed until 1861, when he was married and ccmtinued to reside on the spot until gathered in by the (rreat Keaper on the 23d of February, 1869. In memory of his old friend. Gen. Sibley placed a slate at the head of his last resting place. Frazier was a noted hunter and Indian warrior, and was at Fort Eidgely when it was invested by the savages, and ran through the lines and gave the alarm at Fort Suelling so that relief was sent. At the time of his death, a s^ketch of his life written by Gen. Sibley was printed in the Pioneer Press.

Thomas Lambert, a native of Canada, came here from West St. Paul in 1855, and selected a place in section twenty-nine, but tlie next year went to Mendota. Keturning the following January he located in section thirty-two where his son Hercules now lives, and here he remained until the 12th of March, 1882, when his demise occurred.

Battice Bushman, also from Canada, came this year and his lot fell in section twenty ; here he made improvements for five or six years and then moved to Nicollet county.

It is claimed that the first man after Frazier was Louis Plaisance, a Canadian who planted himself in section twenty-nine, but sold out iu 1858, and transplanted himself to Mendota, but now lives in Minneapolis.

Henry Bellend, another Canadian, came with Frazier from St. Paul and drove some claim stakes in section thirty-two. He lived there long enough to secure a title and then returned to West St. Paul where he now resides.

John Faulkner, David Valentine, Charles Smith, and John Taylor, natives of Scotland, formed a settlement in the eastern part of the town. Faulkner's place was in section thirteen which he cultivated for fourteen years and then removed to Mo- Leod county where he now lives. Smith found a piece of land in section fourteen; Valentine in section thirteen; and Taylor struck a farm in sec tion fourteen. Some years ago the whole party went to some place near Cannon Falls. Taylor was struck to death by lightning early in the seventies.

Elaire Legree, a Canadian Frenchman, secured a home in section twenty -one, and when the war broke upon the country he enlisted in the army and died on his way home.

Thomas McCormick surrounded a claim in section twenty, which he worked up to 18G6, when he sold and went to Illinois and from thence to Missouri.

Titus Bunnell, of Nova Scotia, came here from Louisiana and placed his signet on a farm in section nineteen ; after a few years he went to Cannon Falls and from there drifted over into Wisconsin.

Among others who came this first year of the settlement - 1855 - were Henry Bilon, William Quinn, John Berry, Nelson Marsh, John Irvin, John Cook, Benjamin LeDuc, and others.

In 1856, quite a number of new neiglil orhoods were formed and the settlement considerably thickened up. Three brothers, Louis, Joseph, and Gustavus Martin, in company with their father and an uncle named Paul, came together and secured homesteads. Louis dismounted in section twenty and proceeded to make himself comfortable until 1873, when he removed to Le Sueur county. Joseph made a home in section thirty-one and there he toiled on up to the year 1878, when he sold bis place and moved to White Earth, Becker county, where he may l)e now found. Gustavus settled on a lot in section thirty-one and there he lived until 1875, when he went to Wisconsin. The father made his home with Joseph. Pairl lived in section thirty-three until his departure hence in 1873.

Zenus Y. Hatch, of Maine, put his sign manual on a farm in section seventeen where he made a home until 1870, when he sold and went to Redwood Falls, and from thence to Sante Agency, Dakota, where he now is.

The Wilson brothers, William and James, natives of Scotland, came onto section seven where they made improvements up to 1864, when they both sold out and joined the army. They may now be found in Scott county.

James Thompson, another son of the Ever Green Isle, took his acres in section thirty, and worked the farm for four years and then went to Mendota. He took bis place early in 1856, or late in the year previous.

Michael Fitzpatrick, of the same Celtic origin, found a spot in section twenty-three that met his re<[uii-ements, and he has been digging away there ever since.

Among others who should be mentioned as making their appearance this year, although but few, if any, of them remain in the township are : John, William, and Thomas Barrett, Patrick Kirk, Patrick Littleton, Thomas Kelly, Thomas Kilroy, and James Giblin, all natives of the "Shamrock Isle."

Patrick Cody, a native Ireland, reported in person to remain, on a farm in sections iwenty-niue and thirty-two, which he had selected the year previous.

land, came directly from California and selected a l<icatiou in section thirty-four which he has successfully cultivated up to the present time.

Andrew Thompson, of the same nationality, came with his son James and settled in section thirty. Andrew, another son of the above, enlisted in Company B, of the Cth Minnesota, and returned at the close of the war, in June, 1865. He was an able man and filled several town and other offices and was three times a member of the State Legislature. In 1880, he removed to Mc- Leod county where he now resides.

Jabez W. Flavel, from England, came over and lived here until 1861, then sold out and went into the army, but returned to live in Scott county.

John Moutoul, a Canadian Frenchman, found an unoecujiied spot in section nine, and there he stationed himself and stood guard for eighteen years, when he vacated the old jJost and camped on section thirty-four, where be is in command at the present time.

Joseph Kartaka, a Bohemian, the advance guard of that small but determined army that has since followed, found some unoccupied acres in section sixteen which he captured, but he afterward moved on to Beaver Falls. Within a year or so afterward came Philip Plaisance, who served the town in various capacities, the State as a representative, and his adopted country as a soldier.

Mr. B. Stepson, another Bohemian, secured a local habitation in section four, but he is now on section fourteen. Of his two sons, John has a farm which he assiduously cultivates in section eleven, and Frank bustles around with the old gentleman. Thomas Lapic, of section ten, came here in 1862. At the present time the population

District No. 59. - This has been designated as the mother of di.stricts. It was organized in 1857 and a school opened in a liuilding owned by Battice Bushman, on which some repairs had been made by sawing the lumber with a whip saw. Miss Ann (xxly was the first to wield the ferule her-e. The next building to be pressed into the service in which to teach mental "shooting," was a claim cabin belonging to Mr. Simons of St. Paul. Miss Nancy Patterson was the next to try her hand in keeping the motley throng in order. In 1865, tbey constructed a schoolhouse of hewn logs, which was high toned even at that time, on section twenty-nine. Miss Jane Young then assumed the government of the school. In 1877, this house fell a victim to the devouring flames and a new frame house was put up that fall which still stands.

District No. 76. - On the 15th of January, 1862, this district was brought into existence, and Miss Lizzie Larking opened a school in the house of James Welby in section twenty-six. The next year a log house was got together on the same section and Miss Larkins inaugurated the exercises. That building was made to answer until 1879, when another was built on the same section but about 80 rods west, more in accordance with the modern ideas. Miss Ella Lee was the initial teacher here.

District No. 45. - In 1863, this district assumed form and a log cabin -nas rolled together on section eleven. Miss Maggie Morrisey was the presiding genius of the establishment, and this building sheltered the school for about five years when the wants of the district demanded better, quarters and the building that now stands on the same section was placed there.

DisTKicT No. 107. - This is one of the newest districts as it had no existence until January, 1881. The first board of directors was made up of Ole Bigg, O. M. Strate, and J. Tossum. During the year the house was erected on section thirty-six. The first to take charge of the juveniles when collected for instruction was Richard Lynch.

District No. 58. - In 1868, this district seemed to be required by the growing wants of the neighborhood, and after a regular organization the usual loghouse was gathered together on section eight; a hyjjotheticHl Ijell was mug and the rising generation assembled under its roof. Miss Maggie Morrisey managed to manipulate them for a fortnight when Miss Katie Galey took them in hand and completed the term. In 1875, a frame building was built, and here Joseph Mathias first exclaimed, attention!

District No. 108. - Here is another new district, as its high number indicates, which was organized by one of those special acts of the legislature which took n]> so niucdi time of that conglomerate body, and a schoolhouae is going up in the village of Vessley.

DisTBicT No. 104. - The year 1878 witnessed the formation of this district, and in the winter the house was raised on section thirty-two and completed at a cost of .f 800. Dan Duly was the first to teach under its roof. It takes in a part of Erin.

Post-Offioe

This luxury was early obtained for this settlement, that is, in 1857. The Postmaster was Peter O'Brien who opened the office at his store in section nineteen and held it there for two years; then Patrick Cody got the appointment, and the office went over to his house in section thirty-two where it remained up to 1876. Then Thomas Plaisance took the office to his place in section twenty-six and he continued to handle the mails until George E. Bates was commissioned in 1880. He kept it one year and then C. A. Eemillard was appointed who still has the office at his store in section thirty-three.

Political

The town was organized on the 11th of May, 1858, but the records of the first town meeting are, to use a legal term, non est inmntus, but the the minutes of the next meeting, in 1859, are preserved and the officers then elected were as follows : Supervisor, Z. Y. Hatch, Chairman, Charles Orr, and Augustus Martin; Assessor, Z. Y. Hatch; Collector, Caleb Vincent; Justice of the Peace, Caleb Vincent; Town Clerk, Peter O'Brien. Titus Bunnell and. Patrick Cody were among tlio first officers of the town.

On the 14th of March, 1882, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Supervisor, Albert Husman, Chairman, John Pauek, and Albert Smechek; Clerk, Flavian Benjamin;

Catuolic Church. - The first mass in town was in Thomas Lambert's house on section twentythree in 1855, by Father Ravoux. Mr, Lambert donated ten acres of laud in section twenty-nine, and a church was built on that in 1858, which must have been the second Catholic church in the county. It was .of logs, the lumber to finish it coming from St. Paul. Father Keller, from Faribault, was the first priest in the church, which served until 1871, when the building now standing was erected. Father Leib was the priest for a number of years but Father Slevin now offici ates.

The Bohemian Cataolic Chdrch. - This church stands on section ten and was constructed in 1875, Mr. Thomas Lapic having donated fifteen acres of land and John Ziska a like amount. There is a cemetery connected with it. The first mass said here before these people was at the house of John Ziska.

Mercantile

In 1874, Thomas Lambert opened a store in section thirty -two, where he kept a general stock of groceries, dry goods, boots and shoes, and liquors. In about twenty months he became satisfied with his experience and closed up.

Napoleon Begin put up a building on section thirty-three, and putting in a stock of goods began trade, and kept it up for about a year, when he sold to C. A. Eemillard who kept on in the same stor'e for about six months and then bought a building near. Be is still behind that counter.

Early Events

Early Births. - Edward H., a son to Thomas and Eosalie Lambert, was introduced into this world on the 10th of June, 1854; he is now a married man with a residence in section twentynine.

Makriages. - Mr. Thomas Lambert and Miss Cecil Guartin were united in marriage in June, 1858, by Patrick Cody, Esi]. Mr. Lambert lived here until his summons by the Aii^el of death ou the 12th of March, 1882. Hi.s widow remains ou section thirty-two.

Deaths. - Eosalie, wife of Thomas Lambert, was taken to the "Other Side" in October, 1857, and her mortal remains were placed in the Catholic cemetery in section nine.

Drunken- Folly. - A Bohemian named Matthew Cichla came to a fearful death on the 24th of April, 1879. It seems that ou Easter Sunday, Cichla got upon an exteusive spree in the course of which he offered a wager that he could drink a tumliler of whisky and also eat the glass - put the entire thing out of sight and digest it. The bet was accepted and the foolish fellow proceeded to win it by drinking the whisky and then pounding up the glass which he mixed with the tallow of a candle, he swallowed the mixture of glass and grease. The potion did not take immediate effect, liut on the following day he was seized with horrible pains as the glass began to lacerate his bowels. He started for home but f<'ll l>y the road side and laid all day unattended, suffering indescribable tortures. Toward night he was discovered and carried home by neighbors and a physician secured, but as might be expected nothing could be done, and the glass continued its cruel and deadly work of grinding the poor wretch's inwards until Thursday afternoon when deatli in mercy carried him off. A post mortem examination disclosed that his stomach anil intestines had been literally ground to shreds. The deceased left a wife and family.

An Accident. - In September, 1879, while IMr. and Mrs. Touack's little boy and girl were playing in the haystack they conceived the idea of sliding down the side, and while practicing this daugLM-- ovs pastime the little girl missed her footing and slid down striking on her head and instantly breaking her neck, dying in a few moments.

Another accident similar to this occurred a few weeks later near the same place, in which a Bohemian, whose name we are unable to ascertain, while threshing grain, fell from a strawstack and was instantaneously killed.

The Village Of Vesslet

This is one of the latest candidates for recognition as a growing village. It was laid out, platted, and lots put into the market in 1880, so that as yet it is but an infant, although it must be admitted that it is a lusty one for its age. The sight of the new town is mostly on section fifteen. It may be said to Vie a Bohemian enterprise, and has stores, a church, schoolhouse, and other village accessories, which, with a rich surrounding country, makes it already a promising place.

The name first given to the village, and which is still retained by the Post-office, was Wesely, but it is said that seemed to grate harshly upon the ears of the high ecclesiastical authorities, as it sounded too much like the name of a destinguished dissenter, and so the W was bisected and S added, and two letters transposed, but it is presumed that the bones of the illustrious Methodist will moulder in the grave just as cpiietly, and his influence on the present and succeeding generations be just as active as though all this had never happened.

Business Interests. - Thomas Lapic started a saloon in the spring of 1874, which is still in operation. Another saloon was opened in 1881. .Tames Toaps has a shoemaker's shop where custom work and repairing are specialties. Albert Naalc has a provision store. Charles Mosher, in 1880, put in a stock of goods, and still continues in trade.

A. Charlaud built a blacksmith shop in section thirty -three in 1870, and started a fire and kept it aglow for about one year when he jold to Joseph LaVoye who is still hammering away there.

In 1882, Maertz and Semoter, erected a building 20x6Cr feet with tenements overhead, and put in a stock of goods in great variety. Mr. Semoter attends to the business, his partner living in New Prague where he is also in mercantile business.

Biographical

Thomas Barrett, deceased, was born in Ireland in 1825, and in 1847, came to America, locating in Xeuia, Ohio, where he was employed on the railroad a few years, then removed to Wisconsin and engaged in farming. In 1855, he came to Eice county and took a claim on section twentythree iu this township, but did not settle here. He went to Muscatine, Iowa, and thence in a year to Iowa City, where, in 1858, he married Miss Honora Lacey. They went to Memphis, Tennessee, where Mr. Barrett worked on the railroad while his wife kept a boarding house, and from there to Madrid, in the same State, purchased a pair of mules and worked at grading, but finally returned to Memphis. He remained in that city until it was taken by the Union army during the late war, then removed to St. Louis, Missouri, where he engaged in taking rafts of lumber from the river. In 1805, he came to his farm here and began to improve it, building a log house in which he resided until 1871, when he erected the present edifice in which his family still live, having since built a granary. He died on the 20th of May, 1874, and left a family of sis children ; William, Thomas, John, Henry, Joseph, and Edward. Edmund died at three years of age and the only daughter when seven months old.

Petek O. Berg is a native of Norway, l)orn the 18th of September, 1842, and attended school in his native country. He was married in 1871, to Olivia Lar.sou and the same year came to America) landed at Quebec, and came directly to North field, Minnesota, thence moved to Dakota county, making his home there until 1874. On removilig to Wheatland, he jmrcliased wild land in section twenty-five and immediately began to improve it and built his ])resent house. Mr. and Mrs. Berg

Flavien Bbn.tamin, Jr., was born in Iberville county, province of Quebec, Canada, on the 11th of July, 1850. He sj^ent his youthful days at the public schools, and in 1864 came to Minnesota with his father, who bought land on section thirtythree, Wheatland, and has since made his home with him. His mother died just previous to their removal. Our subject was married in the 20th of February, 1882, to Miss Jennie Cody, daughter of the late John Cody of St. Paul. He has been elected to many local ofiices of trust; is the present Town Clerk, and has been the Clerk of his school district since its organization.

Thomas Brown dates his birth in Ireland, on 22nd of October, 1827, and early iu life engaged in agricultural pursuits. In April, 1848, he emigrated to America, landed in Boston, and went from there to Wabau, iu the same State, where he engaged in farming two years and in a tannery one year. He was married in 1851, to Miss Ellen Brown, and soon removed to California, spending three years in mining, then returned to Wabau, Massachusetts, and again engaged in a tannery. In March, 1857, he came to Wheatland, located a claim in sections thirty-four and thirty-five and built a house which was subsequently destroyed by fire, after which he erected a shanty and in 1869, his jjresent house. In 1864, he was drafted into the army but was esempted. He has a family of six children, Michael, Thomas, Johanna, Patrick, Catheriue, and Mary.

Patriok Cody, deceased, one of the first settlers in Wheatland, was a native of Ireland, born the 19th of January, 1808. He attended school until eighteen years old, when he came with his parents to America, and located at Port Kent, where Patrick learned of his brother the trade of making nails, which was, at that time, done by hand. At the espiration of three years he went to Beauharnois county, province of Quebec, Canada, where he engaged in farming, and remained during the rebellion, taking ])art in it, for which he was arrested and barely missed being transported. He after ward returned to New York and located in Clinton county where he made his home on a f^rm until 1854, when he removed to St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1855, he came to Rice county, staked out a claim in this township in sections twenty-nine and thirty-two and built a claim shanty of logs, mov- ing bis family here in the spring of 1856. In 1875, he built the frame house in which he resided till his death on the 10th of January, 1880. He was married on the 0th of June, 18:!'2, to Miss Sarah Graham, a native of Ciunberland county, England. Their children were; Jane, now Mrs. John Patterson, living in St. Paul; Andrew, vpho died in infancy; John, who died in 186.3, in his twenty-fourth year; Willie, who died in infancy; Patrick, who died in 1864, in liis twenty-fourth year; Ann, now Mrs. Joseph Dubois, living in St. Paul; Sarah, William, who is married and lives on the farm adjoining the homestead; and Blary, who died in 1871, in her nineteenth year. Mrs. Cody still resides on the homestead with her sou, Edward, and daughter, Sarah. Mr. Cody was warm-hearted and hospitalile; no weary traveler, whether rich or poor, ever passed his door and found the latch string pulled in, and the old settlers who have often times enjoyed his hospitality sincerely mourn his loss.

Peter Fabee, a native of France, was born the 7th of October, 1847. After receiving his education he worked in a flour-mill, and in 1867, went to Marseilles, where he was employed in the same occupation for a few months. In 1871, he enlisted in the French army, serving eight months and receiving an honorable discharge. In the latter part of 1871, he went to Lyons, engaged as miller nearly a year, afterward removed to Paris, and in 1873, emigrated to America, landing in Quebec, Canada, and from there went to Montreal, where he found employment at his traile. One year later he came to Minnesota, and for three months resided in Cannon City, then went to Dundas and engaged in Archil)akr3 Mills sis months. He came to Wheatland and conducted St. Amond's Mill fourteen months, subsequently erected a building on section thirty-two and opened a store and saloon, which he conducted until 1880. In 1876, he went to the Centennial at Philadelphia, and afterward to France. He was married in the latter year to Miss Louise (Jrotliy, who has borne him two children; Louise and Albert. In 1879, Mr. Fabre built a Hour-mill aud in 1881, a saw-mill, and has since conducted them both.

Michael Fitzpateick, one of the pioneers of Kice county, was born in Ireland in 1817, and was brought up on a farm. In 18-12, he emigrated to America; went from New York City to

Corning where he engaged un tlie railroad and in one year went to Great Bend and afterward to Kentucky. After working at railroading in the latter State eleven months he returned to Corning. In 1854, Miss Bridget McCall became his wife, and two years later they came to Minnesota, located a claim iu Wheatland, section twentythree, which is still their home. Their children are; Catharine, Michael, Mary, Lizzie, Susan, Bridget, Margaret, and Ellen.

Patrick Gorman was tiorn ui Ireland in 1831, aud when eight years old his father died, and two years later Patrick came to America witli his mother. They landed at Quebec and went from thence to Rouse's Point, New York, living in or near the place four years. Our subject resided in many different places in that State, including Binghamton, Great Bend, and New Milford, until 1855, when he removed to Scranton, Pennsylvania, and engaged in railroad work one year. In 1856, he came to this State, located in Eagan town, Dakota county, and for nine seasons was engaged in boating on the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers. He served in the late war from 1864, until June, 1865, in the Tenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company K. In 1870, he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in this township, moved his family here and immediately began making improvements. Mr. Gorman was married in Binghamton, New York, to Miss Mary Mehan and the issue of the imion was seven children, six of whom are living; Elizabeth, Annie, James, Blargaret, Katie, and Maria. His wife died in Dakota county and is buried at Mendota. His present wife was Miss Mary Flynn whom he married in 1871. They have had six children, four now living; Cornelius, Daniel, Honora, and Mary. Susan died in 1882, aged two years and four mouths, and Edward died in 1875, at the age of one year and six months.

Thomas Hoenek is a native of Ireland and dates his birth in 1830. He was raised to agricultural pursuits and in 1850, came to America, going from New York to New Jersey, and after working in a saw-mill five years, removed to Chicago, Illinois, There he was employed in a gas manufactory six months, then came to St. Paul, and in 1857 pre-empted a quarter in section five, Wheatland, where he remained long enough to establish his claim and returned to St. Paul. In 1861, he married Miss Mary Fox of his native country, and the same year settled permanently on bis farm. He has eight chiklren ; James, Thomas, Mary Jane, Patrick, JRobert, John, Matilda, and Ellen.

Thomas Lambekt, deceased, one of the oldest settlers of Wheatland, was born in Quebec, Canada, on the 16th of November, 1823. He was employed on boats on the St. Lawrence Eiver until 1847, when he came to the States to settle and for two seasons was engaged on a boat plying on the Mississippi River from St. Paul to St. Louis. He made a claim at Little Crow village, but soon sold and went to We.st St. Paul, bought a tract of land and built a house. He was married in 18.50, to Miss Rosalie Osier and they had three children; Hercules, Mary, and Edward. In 1855, he removed to Wheatland and staked out a claim in section twenty-nine, building a log house. He assisted new-comers in selecting land and put up shanties for many of them. In 1856, he moved to Mendota and opened a stock of goods, but did not make a success of it, closed out in about six months and returned to this place, locating on his son's land in section thirty-two. He built a frame house in which he lived a few years, afterward erected a large log house in which he kept boarders. His wife died in 1858, and a few months later he married Cecil Guartiu who survives him. Mr. Lambert enlisted in the Second Minnesota Cavalry, was transferred to the Eleventh Minne sola Volunteer Infantry, Company B, sent south, and at Gallatin, Tennessee, was taken sick and never after fully recovered his health. He died on the 12tb of March, 1882. Mrs. Lambert bore her husband thirteen children, seven of whom are living; Ro.salie, Amelia, Mary, Benjamin, Orelia, Sophrenia, and Zereme.

Edward H. Lambert, son of the subject of our last sketch, made his home with his parents until 1878, when he was joined in matrimony with Miss Zereme Piston and now resides on his farm in section twenty-nine.

Murdoch McLennan, deceased, one of the pioneers of this township, was born in Scotland in 1809, While young he was engaged in herding sheep and afterward opened a provision store which lie conducted about ten years. He was united in marriage in January, 1848, with Miss Catharine Lyon, and in 1857, they emigrated to America, coming directly to Rice county and locating a claim in Wheatland in section twentythree. He had six children; Arabella, Ellen Murdoch, John, Janet, and Kenneth. Mr. Mc- Lennan died on the 5th of November, 1865, and his wife in March, 1862. The children now occuj)y the homestead.

JoriN Montour is a native of Canada, born the 18th of November, 1843, and was brought up on a farm. In 1857, he came to Minnesota and after one year's residence in St. Paul came to Wheatland, bought land in section nine and built a log hou.se. He was married in 1861, to Miss Lilda Lackepell, Mrs. Montour died leaving five children; Jessie, Mary Louise, Peter, Moses, and Mamie. In 1880, he sold his former farm and purchased in section thirty -four where he still resides.

THEorHii/US O'Dette was born in Montreal, Canada, on the 13th of October, 1812. In 1831, he married Miss Elmira MontviUe, and in 1851, removed to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, remained five years and came to Minnesota, taking land near Mendota. He worked on Gen. Sibley's farm one year, afterward made improvements on his own, and in 1864, entered the Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company D, serving till June, 1865, and after his discharge returned to Mendota. He contracted a disease while in the army from which he has never fully recovered. In 1866, he traded his land in the latter place for a farm in this townsliip in section twenty, where he still makes his home. Of eight children born to him five are living; Emma, Mary, Vallaire, Edward, and Johanna.

Philip Plais.ance, a n.ative of Canada, was born in Litbiniere, Quebec, on the 25th of September, 1835, and attended the public schools of his native village. He afterward clerked in a store three years and in 1855, came to Minnesota, arriving at Mendota the 19th of October; preempted land in this county in the townshij) of Erin on which he lived until his claim was established, then returned to jNIendota. He clerked in a store six months, after which he engaged in farming and in 1857, purchased land in Wheatland, to which he removed two years later. He was married on the 5th of July, 1858, to Miss Sophia Corbin, of his native country.^ In June, his present frame house. Mr. Plaisance has filled local offices and served three terms in the Legislature. Of thirteen children born«to him two died in infancy, and those living are; Ootavia, Philip, Joseph, Mary, Thomas, Arthur, Delia, Denis, Amanda, Emma, and Alice.

William Quinn is a native of Ireland, born iu 1837, and when seventeen years old came to America, landed in New York and went from there to Philadelphia, remaining six months. He then removed to this State, lived one year iu Sauk Centi'e, afterward went to Lousiana, w,here for one winter he was engaged in building levees, and the next spring removed to Cincinnati, Ohio. In September, 1862, he enlisted in the Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infautry, Company 0, and after being in camp five months, joined the army of the Tennessee, and served till the close of the war, being taken prisoner once in East Tennessee and held five days. He was discharged in .Juno, 1865, and in 1867, came to Wheatland, locating in section one on the land formerly owned by his brother. In 1869, he married Miss Mary J. Gordon, who died in 187(1, and his present wife was Miss Mary McKenna, who l)ecame Mrs. Quinn iu 1871. The result of the later uuiou is Ave children; Sarah, James, John, Thomas, and William.

C. A. Remillard was born in the proviuce of Quebec, Canada, on tlie 25th of March, 1847, and when seventeen years old, having then received his education, he came to New York, where he engaged on the Erie Canal one summer and iu the winter worked on a farm. In the spring he went to Vermont and after working two years iu a sawmill came to St. Paul, Minnesota, thence to Northfield, engaged on a farm, and in the fall returned to St. Paul, where he clerked iu a store one year. then moved to Minne.^ipolis and subsequently to Lake Sujierior and worked on the railroad three months. The nest winter he spent in this township and the following two years worked in a sawmill in Minneapolis in the summer and in the pineries in the winter, then returned here and engaged in St. Amond's saw and grist-mill. In

1875, he opened a saloon on section thirty-tliree, conducted it three montLis and moved to Erin; spent four years there, and in 1881, engaged in mercantile business iu section thirty -three, which he still c niilu'^ts. He is at ])resent .Justice of the Peace and also Postmaster, appoiuted in 1881.

Alhekt Smisek was born in Bohemia iu July, 1852, and received his education in his native couu- I try, coming to America in 1867, with his sister. He I was employed three years on a steamboat on the Mississippi Kivor, and now owns and resides on a farm in this township in section fifteen. He was was married on the 19th of May, 1873, to Miss Elizabeth Pasak, who has borne him five children; Albert, Michael, Frank, Joe, and Mary.

Olif M. Strate is a native of Norway and dates his birth the 26th of August, 1849. He received his education and engaged in farming in that country until 1867, when he emigrated to America. He came to Minnesota and settled in Eureka, Dakota county, remaining until 1876, then came to this county and bought a farm iu section twenty - five; has most of his land cleared and owns a good house. He was joined iu marriage in 1876, with Miss Mary Alickson. They have three children; Betsy Maria, Magnus Bernhart, and Dorothea Ragna.

James Tonek was Ijorn in the western part of Ireland, in 1818, and grew to manhood on a farm. In 1849, he married Miss Elizabeth Durfee, and in 1851, they came to America, landed at New York and went directly to Willimantic, Couneticut, where Mr. Toner engaged in the paper mill of L. M. Page. In 1856, he removed to York, Wisconsin, engaged in farming until 1869, when he came to Hastings, Minnesota, and in two years to Wheatlanil, liuying wild laud in section twentyfive which is now nearly all cleared. His children are; Mary, John, James, Michael, Kate, and Thomas.

James WiLBV, one of the early settlers of Wheatland, was born in Ireland in 1817, and when yormg engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1852, he came to America, went from Ni^w York, the place of landing, to New .Jersey, and engaged in fanning two years, afterward went to Manistee, Michigan. He was there employed in a saw-mill, and in 1854, married Miss Bridget Branan. In 1856, lie removed to St. Paul, and the next spriug to this township, locating a claim iu section twenty-six and in 1869, l)uilt his present frame house, having previously lived in log houses. Of nine children born to him, .sis are living; Patrick Johnnie, Mary, Thomas, Margaret, and Martin.